bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurological Impact of Slower Rewarming during Bypass Surgery in Infants
Authors: Muehlschlegel Geeske , Kubicki Rouven , Jacobs-LeVan Julia , Kroll Johannes , Klemm Rolf , Humburger Frank , Stiller Brigitte , Fleck Thilo
Published: June 2024

Background Hypothermia is a neuroprotective strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass. Rewarming entailing a rapid rise in cerebral metabolism might lead to secondary neurological sequelae. In this pilot study, we aimed to validate the hypothesis that a slower rewarming rate would lower the risk of cerebral hypoxia and seizures in infants.

Methods This is a prospective, clinical, single-center study. Infants undergoing cardiac surgery in hypothermia were rewarmed either according to the standard (+1°C in < 5 minutes) or a slow (+1°C in > 5–8 minutes) rewarming strategy. We monitored electrocortical activity via amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and cerebral oxygenation by near-infrared spectroscopy during and after surgery.

Results Fifteen children in the standard rewarming group (age: 13 days [5–251]) were cooled down to 26.6°C (17.2–29.8) and compared with 17 children in the slow-rewarming group (age: 9 days [4–365]) with a minimal temperature of 25.7°C (20.1–31.4). All neonates in both groups (n = 19) exhibited suppressed patterns compared with 28% of the infants > 28 days (p < 0.05). During rewarming, only 26% of the children in the slow-rewarming group revealed suppressed aEEG traces (vs. 41%; p = 0.28). Cerebral oxygenation increased by a median of 3.5% in the slow-rewarming group versus 1.5% in the standard group (p = 0.9). Our slow-rewarming group revealed no aEEG evidence of any postoperative seizures (0 vs. 20%).

Conclusion These results might indicate that a slower rewarming rate after hypothermia causes less suppression of electrocortical activity and higher cerebral oxygenation during rewarming, which may imply a reduced risk of postoperative seizures.
Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC) Line Use for Conjoined Twins: Single-Center Experience
Authors: Elzahrani Mohamed , Zahrani Yousof Al , Alqarni Alwaleed , Alothri Meshal , Moaiqel Mohammed Al , Alotaibi Mohammed , Alzahrani Amin , Almulhim Abdulaziz
Published: June 2024

Purpose This article assesses the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in conjoined twins.

Material and Methods A retrospective chart review of all consecutive conjoined twins who had PICC placement at a tertiary center. Seventeen conjoined twins (12 females; 71%) had 25 PICC insertions. The average age of patients at PICC insertion was 15.9 ± 19.3 months. The most common type of twin was thoraco-omphalopagus (5 patients; 29%). The most common access was the brachial vein (N = 10, 40%). Thirteen procedures (52%) were performed before separation.

Results Seven long-term minor complications were identified (28%). The most common complication was malpositioning (8%). Average dwell time was 122 days while the average fluoroscopy time was 2 minutes and 3 seconds.

Conclusion Image-guided PICC placement in conjoined twins is safe and feasible. It provides excellent durable vascular access.
Normative Data of Carpal Bone Measurements in the Sample Adult Indian Population
Authors: Bhat Anil K. , Pandey Arvind Kumar , G. Mithun Pai , MS Raghavendra , M. Chethan Kumar , Singh Shaurya Vikram
Published: June 2024

Introduction Radiography is the most often accessible and affordable imaging modality. Accurate assessments of wrist X-rays can aid in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of various wrist problems. This study aims to identify normal radiographic anthropometry reference values and variations of carpal bones and joints by gender and age in sample Indian population, with the potential to be clinically applicable.

Materials and Methods Two investigators conducted a prospective analysis of normal wrist radiographs in a single center. Radiology Information Systems and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems were used to collect standard digitized normal X-rays without significant osseous pathology over a year. We conducted measurements of length, angles, and indices in a standard posteroanterior and lateral wrist X-rays in order to establish the standard dimensions and variances based on age and gender.

Results A total of 18 measurements which included eight linear measurements, eight angles, and two ratios were documented. A total of 500 X-rays of 250 males and 250 females with 125 of each in two age groups of 20 and 40 years and 41 and 60 years were evaluated.

Conclusion This work is a comprehensive database of the Indian population measuring parameters in normal wrist radiographs of posteroanterior and lateral views. The results of our study indicate that men and younger individuals had a significantly higher carpal height ratio. The width of distal radial ulnar joint space was significantly lesser in older subjects. Additionally, males showed a significantly higher lunate uncovered ratio and radial height. When compared to the literature, the study revealed a significant positive ulnar variance in elderly people and women. However, we noted an overall increase in the percentage of positive ulnar variance individuals in our study. We also recorded a marginal increase in radial inclination with no variations across gender and age.
Does Timing of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Impact Early- and Long-Term Outcomes?
Authors: Kang Jagdip , Marin-Cuartas Mateo , Auerswald Luise , Deo Salil V. , Borger Michael , Davierwala Piroze , Verevkin Alexander
Published: June 2024

Background The optimal timing of surgical revascularization after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is controversial, with some suggesting higher mortality rates in patients undergoing early surgery. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of the timing of surgical revascularization on 30-day mortality and long-term outcomes in these patients.

Methods Retrospective single-center analysis of patients with STEMI undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 2008 and December 2019 at our institution. The cohort was split into three groups based on time from symptom onset until surgical revascularization (Group 1: <12 hours, Group 2: 12–72 hours, Group 3: >72 hours). Statistical analyses were performed with and without patients in cardiogenic shock. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 10-year survival.

Results During the study period, 437 consecutive patients underwent surgical revascularization in the setting of STEMI. The mean age was 67.0 years, 96 (22.0%) patients were female, and 281 (64.3%) patients underwent off-pump CABG. The overall 30-day mortality including patients with cardiogenic shock was 12.8%. The 30-day mortality was 16.1, 13.9, and 9.3% in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (p = 0.31), whereas 10-year survival was 48.5, 57.3, and 54.9% (log-rank: p = 0.40). After exclusion of patients in cardiogenic shock, there was no difference between the three groups in 30-day and 10-year mortality. Timing of surgery had no influence on early- and long-term survival.

Conclusion In patients with STEMI, early surgical revascularization achieved similar early- and long-term survival rates compared with a delayed surgical revascularization strategy. Hence, when indicated, an early CABG strategy has no disadvantages in comparison to a delayed strategy.
Normative Values for Thumb Length in Central Indian Adult Population
Authors: Agarwal Pawan , Thatte M. R. , Saraf Mansi , Bobba Rajesh , Sharma Dhananjaya , Dhakar Jagmoah Singh
Published: June 2024

Introduction This article aims to establish the relative thumb length in comparison to the index finger in central Indian adults.

Materials and Methods Five hundred normal adult hands (1,000 thumbs), 316 men and 184 women, mean age 30 years, were included in the study. The relative length of the thumb was measured using the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger (thumb–proximal phalanx index) and the distance between the proximal digital crease and proximal interphalangeal crease of the index finger (thumb–digital crease index).

Results The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 69% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger and 38% of the distance between the two proximal creases of the index finger. The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 68% for male and 69% for female of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. For the dominant hand the tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 68%, while for nondominant hand it reaches 71% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. The difference between the laterality, gender, and hand dominance was not statistically significant.

Conclusion The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 69% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger and 38% of the distance between the two proximal creases of the index finger. Relative normal thumb length is independent of gender, laterality, or hand dominance.
Brand commitment as predecessor to the factors of continuance intention
Authors: Amoroso Donald L. , Ackaradejruangsri Pajaree
Published: June 2024

Japanese consumers have always been placed as one of the most highly loyal consumers in the world who are committed to purchasing certain brands for products in many different industries, such as automobiles, luxury goods, and electronics, to name a few. However in recent years, there is evidence to suggest that brand commitment in Japan is decreasing. In this study, we collected data from consumers in 2018 and again in 2023 using the same instrument to ascertain the change in brand commitment as a predecessor of consumer satisfaction, loyalty, and habit and ultimately their impacts on continuance behavior in using mobile wallet applications. We did not find the relationship between satisfaction and continuance intention to be significant in the 2023 model, unlike earlier. The results of this 5-year study comparison revealed that brand commitment was found to be a predecessor construct to both Japanese consumer satisfaction and habit across the years. It was also found that loyalty mediated the relationship between both habit and consumer satisfaction with continuance intention of mobile wallet applications usage. In summary, we found that brand commitment was significant in its relationship to satisfaction, loyalty and habit both in the 2018 and 2023 studies. This indicates a sustained and strong level of brand commitment in the mobile applications context by Japanese consumers. With this research, the knowledge on the well-known constructs of brand commitment, consumer satisfaction, loyalty, habit, and continuance intention have been extended in the area of mobile wallet applications. The findings provide up-to-date insights that have high relevance and important managerial implications in the international marketing research context beyond Japan.
Harnessing niobium-based MXenes for sensors and energy storage applications: The past, the present and the future
Authors: Elugoke Saheed E. , Worku Yared S. , Quadri Taiwo W. , Srinivasu V. V , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: June 2024

Niobium carbide MXenes belong to a class of metal carbide MXenes with niobium as the early transition metal. The transformation of niobium carbide MXene sheets in to few-layer MXene sheets, the combination of the niobium-based MXene with other materials, delamination, intercalation, and partial oxidation of the niobium carbide MXene sheets have resulted in the formation of a material with excellent energy storage and sensing potentials. Herein, the synthesis and classification of the niobium-based MXenes (NBM), their application as sensing materials for a wide range of analytes, and their energy storage potentials are discussed exhaustively. The various transformations of niobium carbide MXenes over the last two decades are also established in this timely review. Essentially, this review is a searchlight on the prospects of NBM, the current state of their application, and their relevance in the materials research community.
Habitat features important for the conservation of the endangered Sloane’s Froglet (Crinia sloanei) in peri-urban environments
Authors: Knight Alexandra R. , Watts Robyn J. , Allan Catherine , McDonald Simon , Lappin Natasha
Published: June 2024

Context Determining and quantifying habitat selection of endangered species in peri-urban environments assists planners and managers to develop strategies and alternative conservation measures in the face of urban expansion and development. Sloane’s Froglet (Crinia sloanei), listed nationally as endangered in Australia, is a little-known species distributed within peri-urban environments, where foundational ecological information and the development of adequate conservation responses has been lacking. Aims (a) To determine a core calling period for Sloane’s Froglet and detection probabilities for occupancy surveys. (b) To understand and characterise the habitat that Sloane’s Froglet uses at the wetland and microhabitat scale. Methods We used generalised linear modelling and the information-theoretic approach to model habitat preferences for this species at two scales: the waterbody scale, and the microhabitat scale. We quantified the habitat characteristics of waterbodies occupied by Sloane’s Froglet in winter, its peak breeding period, by measuring the biophysical characteristics of 54 occupied and 40 unoccupied waterbodies. The microhabitat and relative spatial positioning of Sloane’s Froglet within waterbodies was examined at 54 calling sites in an area of one m squared around individual male Sloane’s Froglets and 57 randomly selected unused sites. Wetlands were surveyed multiple times to determine detection probabilities. Key results Model selection indicated that Sloane’s Froglet is 450 times more likely to occupy a waterbody when an adjacent ephemeral shallow overflow is present; and are more likely to be present when there is greater cover of small stem-diameter emergent vegetation and less bare ground on the bank. The microhabitat investigation of one m squared sites showed that Sloane’s Froglet’s calling sites are predominantly inundated, and at significantly shallower water depths, than unused sites. Sloane’s Froglet was found to always call from within the waterbody, distinguishing them from other sympatric Crinia species. Conclusions The habitat characteristics detailed provide information necessary for the management of Sloane’s Froglet and its habitat. Implications Housing and industrial development is occurring rapidly in Sloane’s Froglet habitat. The information provided here can be used to refine local and state government planning and better design appropriate responses. Indeed, results from this study are currently being used by agencies and environmental consultants when developing conservation plans and in the design of stormwater retention ponds in rapidly urbanising environments.
Abolition and the renewal of community: from carceral feminism to collective self-determination
Authors: Kim Mimi E
Published: June 2024

In the 1980s, feminist activism to challenge gender-based violence in the United States took a turn from radical grassroots formations towards institutions increasingly reliant on law enforcement. The embrace of policing as the guarantor of the safety of women and children became not only emblematic of US gender justice but also has been exported globally as a progressive form of anti-violence intervention. Since the turn of the millennium, a counter movement in the United States led primarily by feminists of colour has condemned what is now known as carceral feminism and promoted community-based, non-carceral responses to gender-based violence. Prison abolition as a framework for liberation and transformative justice and as a pathway to community safety, free from the violence of the state, has increasingly occupied the public imagination and emphasized new possibilities for community practice. Through the examination of the tensions within the US feminist anti-violence movement, this conceptual article reflects on the development of the carceral state, the emergence of abolition, and the implications for community organizing and community development.
A Freirean understanding of the Venezuelan crisis in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Adeosun Kola
Published: June 2024

The Venezuelan crisis, which has seen around 50,000 Venezuelan migrants flee to Trinidad and Tobago, is a continuing humanitarian crisis. While the Venezuelan crisis and its impacts on Venezuela has received considerable scholarly attention, little importance has been giving to the crisis impacts on Venezuela’s neighbours of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and the displaced Venezuelans that now reside there. Therefore, this paper explores the demographic change to T&T through the investigation of two separate community initiatives, using Paolo Freire’s ideas of critical consciousness as a theoretical lens. Through a series of semi-structured interviews, the paper examines how the community initiatives have acted as a humanitarian buffer to support the Venezuelan migrants, to the displeasure of some native Afro-centric individuals across Trinidad and Tobago. More specifically, this paper deconstructs the Venezuelan crisis, which was initially lauded as a socialist revolution but quickly became a catastrophic emergency both nationally and internationally, thereby leaving the neighbouring sovereign states to pick up the pieces.
Truth or coherence? How Adam Smith used philosophical sources to explain how paradigms change
Authors: Fiori Stefano
Published: June 2024

The ‘History of Astronomy’ is fundamental to understanding Smith’s epistemology. The most problematic issue of this text is that Smith intended to analyse the history of astronomy according not to the principles of ‘truth’ that they embodied, but in terms of their logical coherence. However, he was also influenced by Newton’s realism. My thesis is that Smith had no doubts that external reality exists, but believed that it is necessarily filtered by our perceptions and our scientific beliefs. Perceptions and theories do not reflect objective reality as such but reconstruct it according to the procedures and constraints that characterise them. Two generally neglected Smithian sources, Copernicus and Berkeley and ‘Of the External Senses’ seem to legitimize this interpretation. At first sight, Fontenelle used the same arguments of Berkeley and Smith, but the difference is that Fontenelle was convinced that astronomical science is characterised by progress toward truth.
New contributions to the knowledge of two riparian mosquitoes in northwestern Spain: Anopheles petragnani and Culex mimeticus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Martínez-Barciela Yasmina , Polina Alejandro , Garrido Josefina
Published: June 2024

A study was carried out in 345 water ecosystems (rivers, streams, ditches, lagoons, ponds, puddles, rockpools, and artificial containers) throughout the autonomous community of Galicia (NW Spain) during different seasons between 2020 and 2023. The results revealed the first detections of Anopheles (Anopheles) petragnani Del Vechio, 1939 (n = 185) and Culex (Culex) mimeticus Noè, 1899 (n = 12) in the territory, allowing to update and expand the overall knowledge about their distribution and ecology. The breeding preferences of the species were analyzed considering habitat characteristics (land use, water body type, and degree of insolation), geographical variables (latitude, longitude, and altitude), and physical–chemical water parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity). In addition, the relationship between the occurrence of these species and other mosquitoes present in the study area was discussed. Anopheles petragnani is widely distributed in the region and shows breeding preferences for water bodies of fluvial origin, forest environments, and shaded situations. Culex mimeticus was detected sporadically breeding in a pond and in a river in the south of the region, both in industrial and agricultural land uses, and always exposed to the sun. Although the presence of these species may not currently pose a health risk in the region, it is important not neglecting their study since the adequate characterization of their larval biotopes is relevant regarding vector surveillance and control measures.
Lipoprotein(a) and long-term in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed K , Farina Juan M , Awad Kamal , Ali Nima Baba , Pereyra Milagros , Scalia Isabel G , Abbas Mohammed Tiseer , Allam Mohamed N , Kamel Moaz A , Abu Rmilah Anan A , Chao Chieh-Ju , Barry Timothy , Alsidawi Said , Lester Steven J , Pollak Peter M , Alkhouli Mohamad A , Lee Kwan S , Yang Eric H , Lee Richard W , Sweeney John P , Fortuin David F , Ayoub Chadi , Arsanjani Reza
Published: June 2024

Aims

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has demonstrated its association with atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. However, its role in the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not clearly established. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between Lp(a) and ISR.

Methods and results

A retrospective study of adult patients who underwent successful PCI between January 2006 and December 2017 at the three Mayo Clinic sites and had a preprocedural Lp(a) measurement was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to the serum Lp(a) concentration [high Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL and low Lp(a) < 50 mg/dL]. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare risk of ISR between patients with high Lp(a) vs. those with low Lp(a). A total of 1209 patients were included, with mean age 65.9 ± 11.7 years and 71.8% were male. Median follow-up after baseline PCI was 8.8 [interquartile range (IQR) 7.4] years. Restenosis was observed in 162 (13.4%) patients. Median serum levels of Lp(a) were significantly higher in patients affected by ISR vs. non-affected cases: 27 (IQR 73.8) vs. 20 (IQR 57.5) mg/dL, P = 0.008. The rate of ISR was significantly higher among patients with high Lp(a) vs. patients with low Lp(a) values (17.0% vs. 11.6%, P = 0.010). High Lp(a) values were independently associated with ISR events (hazard ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.18–2.37, P = 0.004), and this association was more prominent after the first year following the PCI.

Conclusion

Lipoprotein(a) is an independent predictor for long-term ISR and should be considered in the evaluation of patients undergoing PCI.
Precise relative magnitude measurement improves fracture characterization during hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Ng Raymond , Chen Xiaowei , Nakata Nori , Walter Jacob I
Published: June 2024

Microseismic monitoring is an important technique to obtain detailed knowledge of in-situ fracture size and orientation during stimulation to maximize fluid flow throughout the rock volume and optimize production. Furthermore, considering that the frequency of earthquake magnitudes empirically follows a power law (i.e. Gutenberg–Richter), the accuracy of microseismic event magnitude distributions is potentially crucial for seismic risk management. In this study, we analyse microseismicity observed during four hydraulic fracture treatments of the legacy Cotton Valley experiment in 1997 at the Carthage gas field of East Texas, where fractures were activated at the base of the sand-shale Upper Cotton Valley formation. We perform waveform cross-correlation to detect similar event clusters, measure relative amplitude from aligned waveform pairs with a principal component analysis, then measure precise relative magnitudes. The new magnitudes significantly reduce the deviations between magnitude differences and relative amplitudes of event pairs. This subsequently reduces the magnitude differences between clusters located at different depths. Reduction in magnitude differences between clusters suggests that some attenuation-related biases could be effectively mitigated with relative magnitude measurements. The maximum likelihood method is applied to understand the magnitude frequency distributions and quantify the seismogenic index of the clusters. Statistical analyses with new magnitudes suggest that fractures that are more favourably oriented for shear failure have lower b-value and higher seismogenic index, suggesting higher potential for relatively larger earthquakes, rather than fractures subparallel to maximum horizontal principal stress orientation.
Anisotropic tomography of eastern Tibet and its uncertainty from hypocentral errors
Authors: Jia Ruo , Zhao Dapeng , He Rizheng
Published: June 2024

The mechanism responsible for the lateral expansion and uplift of the eastern Tibetan Plateau remains a topic of ongoing debate, partly due to discrepancies in the results of seismic velocity and anisotropy. In local earthquake tomography, hypocentral uncertainties can cause significant errors in the tomographic model. However, this issue has received limited attention in previous studies. In this work, we employ the weighted least-squares (WLS) method to solve the tomographic inversion problem. A power exponent coefficient, which is called weighting level, is introduced into the weighting matrix to control the relative contribution of the data with different hypocentral errors to the final tomographic result. Our data set contains high-quality Pg, Pn and Sg arrival times of local earthquakes recorded by the dense Chinese seismic network in eastern Tibet during 2008–2022. We comprehensively analyse the inversion results derived from the WLS inversions with different weighting levels to evaluate the robustness of isotropic velocity anomalies and azimuthal anisotropy. The most robust feature of our results is a striking low-velocity (low-Vp) zone surrounded by high-velocity (high-Vp) anomalies and fault parallel fast-velocity directions (FVDs) of azimuthal anisotropy in the lower crust beneath the western side of the Longmenshan fault zone. Taking into account many previous results of the region, we deem that the low-Vp zone reflects hot and wet upwelling flow from the deep asthenosphere, which ascends to the lower crust along the fault zone. At the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau, significant low-Vp anomalies exist in the lower crust and the FVDs are consistent with the motion direction of the Tibetan block revealed by GPS (Global Positioning System) observations. We think that lower crustal flow exists beneath NE Tibet, which controls the plateau expansion toward the northeast. A low-Vp anomaly appears at 30 km depth beneath the Sichuan Basin. However, as the weighting level increases, the amplitude of this low-Vp anomaly decreases by more than 6 per cent, suggesting that this low-Vp anomaly has a lower accuracy than the other features.
Data Laws Around the Globe – Insights, Frictions and Opportunities. Highlights from the African Data Protection Laws Conference in Accra, Ghana, 13-15 September 2022 and Comparative Data Law Conference in Munich, Germany, 7-8 December 2023
Authors: Spirkl Clemens
Published: June 2024

With sheer petabytes of data being transferred, re-used, and analysed daily on a global scale, data sharing ecosystems worldwide – bearing economic and societal benefits at the same time – have become hyper-complex. Lawmakers and enforcement agencies have to match the speed of the ‘moving target’ data-related regulation and cope with the challenge of not only sticking to a domestic view, but (by design) also take account of the international and comparative effects of their respective policies. Globally, we see processes of convergence and divergence alike. Taking it therefore a step further: Are we already on the verge of a truly Global Data Law or are competing legal regimes rather bound to exacerbate the geopolitical claims to digital sovereignty? This two-fold report presents the findings of two conferences which examined the issues arising from this question. The conferences featured distinguished experts from multi-disciplinary legal backgrounds on data policy and law. While the first conference in Accra, Ghana, was devoted to data protection architectures and cultures on the African continent, the second – in Munich, Germany – provided holistic insights into comparative research and highlighted the interdependencies of data (protection) law regimes worldwide.
Variation of mesophyll conductance mediated by nitrogen form is related to changes in cell wall property and chloroplast number
Authors: Cao Yiwen , Pan Yonghui , Yang Yating , Liu Tianheng , Wang Min , Li Yong , Guo Shiwei
Published: June 2024

Plants primarily incorporate nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) as the primary source of inorganic nitrogen (N); the physiological mechanisms of photosynthesis (A) dropdown under NH4+ nutrition has been investigated in many studies. Leaf anatomy is a major determinant to mesophyll conductance (gm) and photosynthesis; however, it remains unclear whether the photosynthesis variations of plants exposed to different N forms is related to leaf anatomical variation. In this work, a common shrub, Lonicera japonica was hydroponically grown under NH4+, NO3− and 50% NH4+/NO3−. We found that leaf N significantly accumulated under NH4+, whereas the photosynthesis was significantly decreased, which was mainly caused by a reduced gm. The reduced gm under NH4+ was related to the decreased intercellular air space, the reduced chloroplast number and especially the thicker cell walls. Among the cell wall components, lignin and hemicellulose contents under NH4+ nutrition were significantly higher than those in the other two N forms and were scaled negatively correlated with gm; while pectin content was independent from N forms. Pathway analysis further revealed that the cell wall components might indirectly regulate gm by influencing the thickness of the cell wall. These results highlight the importance of leaf anatomical variation characterized by modifications of chloroplasts number and cell wall thickness and compositions, in the regulation of photosynthesis in response to varied N sources.
Wide distribution of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance gene, qnrS, among Salmonella spp. isolated from canal water in Thailand
Authors: Toyting Jirachaya , Supha Neunghatai , Thongpanich Yuwanda , Thapa Jeewan , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Utrarachkij Fuangfa
Published: June 2024

Aims

This research focused on assessing the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility in Salmonella strains isolated from Thai canal water.

Methods and results

From 2016 to 2020, 333 water samples were collected from six canals across Bangkok, Thailand. Salmonella spp. was isolated, PMQR genes were detected through polymerase chain reactions, and the antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the disk diffusion method. The results indicated a 92.2% prevalence of Salmonella spp. in canal water, being serogroups B and C the most frequently detected. Overall, 35.3% of isolates harbored PMQR genes, being qnrS the most prevalent gene (97.2%, n = 137/141). Other PMQR genes, including qnrB, qnrD, oqxAB, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr, were detected. Notably, six isolates harbored multiple PMQR genes. Furthermore, 9.3% and 3.8% of the overall isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), respectively. PMQR-positive isolates showed higher rates of non-susceptibility to both NAL (48.2%, n = 68/141) and CIP (92.2%, n = 130/141) compared to PMQR-negative isolates (NAL: 8.9%, n = 23/258; CIP: 11.2%, n = 30/258).

Conclusions

The high prevalence of Salmonella spp., significant PMQR-positive, and reduced susceptibility isolates in canal water is of public health concern in Bangkok.
Security in advanced metering infrastructures: Lightweight cryptography
Authors: Hernández-Álvarez Luis , Bullón Pérez Juan José , Queiruga-Dios Araceli
Published: June 2024

Smart grids are designed to revolutionize the energy sector by creating a smarter, more efficient and reliable power supply network. The rise of smart grids is a response to the need for a more comprehensive and sophisticated energy system that caters to the needs of homes and businesses. Key features of smart grids include the integration of renewable energy sources, decentralized generation and advanced distribution networks. At the heart of smart grids is a sophisticated metering system, consisting of intelligent electronic devices that measure energy consumption and enable two-way communication between the utility company and the consumer. The information exchanged via these devices is critical, as it includes sensitive data such as energy consumption patterns and billing information. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, the security of this information is of utmost importance. This paper delves into the security challenges faced by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and highlights the crucial role played by cryptography in ensuring the secure exchange of sensitive information. Cryptographic protocols such as encryption, authentication and digital signatures are essential components of a secure smart grid infrastructure. These protocols work together to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of the information exchanged between the utility company and the consumer.
Large corneal epithelial detachment as a complication of wound burping to release aqueous humor for elevated intraocular pressure following cataract surgery
Authors: Tsai Jarryl H J , Au Eong Jonathan T W , Au Eong Kah-Guan
Published: June 2024

Wound burping is a technique used to treat intraocular pressure spikes in the immediate postoperative period after cataract surgery. A 55-year-old man with no history of glaucoma presented with painless blurring of vision in his left eye following cataract surgery 20 days earlier. Ophthalmic examination disclosed elevated intraocular pressure, mild conjunctival hyperemia, corneal microcystic epithelial edema, and mild anterior chamber reaction. In an attempt to lower the intraocular pressure quickly, the corneal wound was ‘burped’ at the slitlamp. Upon burping the wound, a large epithelial bulla formed instantly in the cornea. The patient’s blinking caused the corneal epithelial bulla to burst and collapse. Examination the next day disclosed the detached epithelium had sloughed off completely. The epithelial defect healed gradually over 10 days. Wound burping to release aqueous humor after the corneal epithelium has healed over the surgical incision can result in corneal epithelial detachment and should be avoided.
A new measurement of the mean transmitted flux in the Ly α and Ly β forest
Authors: Ding Jiani , Madau Piero , Prochaska J Xavier
Published: June 2024

We present new measurements of the mean transmitted flux in the hydrogen $\rm {Ly\,\alpha }$ and a relative transmitted flux measurement in $\rm {Ly\,\beta }$ using 27 008 quasar spectra from the Fourteenth Data Release (DR14) of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. Individual spectra are first combined into 16 composites with mean redshifts in the range of $2.8\lt z\lt 4.9$. We then apply Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) inference to produce a piecewise fit of the effective $\tau _{\rm {Ly\,\alpha }}$ (corrected for metal lines and optically thick absorption) assuming a spline point distribution. We also perform a relative $\Delta \tau _{\rm {Ly\,\beta }}$ measurement with the same data set, finding $\Delta \tau _{\rm {Ly\,\beta }}\lt 0.35$ at $z\lt 4.8$. The 6–8  per cent precision measurements in the rest frame 1075–1150 Å at ${\it z} \ \lt \rm {4.0}$ and 10–12 per cent precision measurements in the same region at ${\it z} \ \gt \rm {4.0}$ on $\tau _{\rm {Ly\,\alpha }}$, and our determinations of $\Delta \tau _{\rm {Ly\,\beta }}$, are dominated by systematic errors, likely arising from bias and uncertainties in estimates of the quasar continuum. Our $\tau _{\rm {Ly\,\alpha }}$ values show a smooth increase by a factor of 5 over the redshift range $z=2.4-4.4$.
Seven white dwarfs with circumstellar gas discs II: tracing the composition of exoplanetary building blocks
Authors: Rogers L K , Bonsor A , Xu S , Buchan A M , Dufour P , Klein B L , Hodgkin S , Kissler-Patig M , Melis C , Walton C , Weinberger A
Published: June 2024

This second paper presents an in-depth analysis of the composition of the planetary material that has been accreted on to seven white dwarfs with circumstellar dust and gas emission discs with abundances reported in Rogers et al. The white dwarfs are accreting planetary bodies with a wide range of oxygen, carbon, and sulphur volatile contents, including one white dwarf that shows the most enhanced sulphur abundance seen to date. Three white dwarfs show tentative evidence (2–3$\sigma$) of accreting oxygen-rich material, potentially from water-rich bodies, whilst two others are accreting dry, rocky material. One white dwarf is accreting a mantle-rich fragment of a larger differentiated body, whilst two white dwarfs show an enhancement in their iron abundance and could be accreting core-rich fragments. Whilst most planetary material accreted by white dwarfs display chondritic or bulk Earth-like compositions, these observations demonstrate that core-mantle differentiation, disruptive collisions, and the accretion of core-mantle differentiated material are important. Less than 1 per cent of polluted white dwarfs host both observable circumstellar gas and dust. It is unknown whether these systems are experiencing an early phase in the disruption and accretion of planetary bodies, or alternatively if they are accreting larger planetary bodies. From this work there is no substantial evidence for significant differences in the accreted refractory abundance ratios for those white dwarfs with or without circumstellar gas, but there is tentative evidence for those with circumstellar gas discs to be accreting more water rich material which may suggest that volatiles accrete earlier in a gas-rich phase.
Elucidating galaxy population properties using a model-free analysis of quadruply imaged quasar lenses from large surveys
Authors: Miller John H , Williams Liliya L R
Published: June 2024

The population of strong lensing galaxies is a subset of intermediate-redshift massive galaxies, whose population-level properties are not yet well understood. In the near future, thousands of multiply imaged systems are expected to be discovered by wide-field surveys like Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time and Euclid. With the soon-to-be robust population of quadruply lensed quasars, or quads, in mind, we introduce a novel technique to elucidate the empirical distribution of the galaxy population properties. Our re-imagining of the prevailing strong lensing analysis does not fit mass models to individual lenses, but instead starts with parametric models of many galaxy populations, which include generally ignored mass distribution complexities and exclude external shear for now. We construct many mock galaxy populations with different properties and obtain populations of quads from each of them. The mock ‘observed’ population of quads is then compared to those from the mocks using a model-free analysis based on a three-dimensional subspace of directly observable quad image properties. The distance between two quad populations in the space of image properties is measured by a metric $\eta$, and the distance between their parent galaxy populations in the space of galaxy properties is measured by $\zeta$. We find a well-defined relation between $\eta$ and $\zeta$. The discovered relation between the space of image properties and the space of galaxy properties allows for the observed galaxy population properties to be estimated from the properties of their quads, which will be conducted in a future paper.
An integrated DEM code for tracing the entire regolith mass movement on asteroids
Authors: Song Zhijun , Yu Yang , Soldini Stefania , Cheng Bin , Michel Patrick
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a general strategy for tracking the scale-span movement process of asteroid regolith materials. It achieves the tracking of the mass movement on the asteroid at a realistic scale, under conditions of high-resolution asteroid surface topography (submeter level) and actual regolith particle sizes. To overcome the memory exponential expansion caused by the enlarged computational domain, we improved the conventional cell-linked list method so that it can be applied to arbitrarily large computational domains around asteroids. An efficient contact detection algorithm for particles and polyhedral shape models of asteroids is presented, which avoids traversing all surface triangles and thus allows us to model high-resolution surface topography. A parallel algorithm based on Compute Unified Device Architecture for the gravitational field of the asteroid is presented. Leveraging heterogeneous computing features, further architectural optimization overlaps computations of the long-range and short-range interactions, resulting in an approaching doubling of computational efficiency compared to the code lacking architectural optimizations. Using the above strategy, a specific high-fidelity discrete element method code that integrates key mechanical models, including the irregular gravitational field, the interparticle and particle-surface interactions, and the coupled dynamics between the particles and the asteroid, is developed to track the asteroid regolith mass movement. As tests, we simulated the landslide of a sand pile on the asteroid’s surface during spin-up. The simulation results demonstrate that the code can track the mass movement of the regolith particles on the surface of the asteroid from local landslides to mass leakage with good accuracy.
Hydrodynamical simulations favour a pure deflagration origin of the near-chandrasekhar mass supernova remnant 3C 397
Authors: Mehta Vrutant , Sullivan Jack , Fisher Robert , Ohshiro Yuken , Yamaguchi Hiroya , Bhargava Khanak , Neopane Sudarshan
Published: June 2024

Suzaku X-ray observations of the Type Ia supernova remnant (SNR) 3C 397 discovered exceptionally high mass ratios of Mn/Fe, Ni/Fe, and Cr/Fe, consistent with a near MCh progenitor white dwarf (WD). The Suzaku observations have established 3C 397 as our best candidate for a near-MCh SNR Ia, and opened the way to address additional outstanding questions about the origin and explosion mechanism of these transients. In particular, subsequent XMM–Newton observations revealed an unusually clumpy distribution of iron group elemental (IGE) abundances within the ejecta of 3C 397. In this paper, we undertake a suite of two-dimensional hydrodynamical models, varying both the explosion mechanism – either deflagration-to-detonation (DDT), or pure deflagration – WD progenitors, and WD progenitor metallicity, and analyse their detailed nucleosynthetic abundances and associated clumping. We find that pure deflagrations naturally give rise to clumpy distributions of neutronized species concentrated towards the outer limb of the remnant and confirm DDTs have smoothly structured ejecta with a central concentration of neutronization. Our findings indicate that 3C 397 was most likely a pure deflagration of a high central density WD. We discuss a range of implications of these findings for the broader SN Ia progenitor problem.
Unveiling the microbial realm with VEBA 2.0: a modular bioinformatics suite for end-to-end genome-resolved prokaryotic, (micro)eukaryotic and viral multi-omics from either short- or long-read sequencing
Authors: Espinoza Josh L , Phillips Allan , Prentice Melanie B , Tan Gene S , Kamath Pauline L , Lloyd Karen G , Dupont Chris L
Published: June 2024

The microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms, encompassing prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal), eukaryotic, and viral entities. This microbial ensemble plays a pivotal role in influencing the health and productivity of diverse ecosystems while shaping the web of life. However, many software suites developed to study microbiomes analyze only the prokaryotic community and provide limited to no support for viruses and microeukaryotes. Previously, we introduced the Viral Eukaryotic Bacterial Archaeal (VEBA) open-source software suite to address this critical gap in microbiome research by extending genome-resolved analysis beyond prokaryotes to encompass the understudied realms of eukaryotes and viruses. Here we present VEBA 2.0 with key updates including a comprehensive clustered microeukaryotic protein database, rapid genome/protein-level clustering, bioprospecting, non-coding/organelle gene modeling, genome-resolved taxonomic/pathway profiling, long-read support, and containerization. We demonstrate VEBA’s versatile application through the analysis of diverse case studies including marine water, Siberian permafrost, and white-tailed deer lung tissues with the latter showcasing how to identify integrated viruses. VEBA represents a crucial advancement in microbiome research, offering a powerful and accessible software suite that bridges the gap between genomics and biotechnological solutions.
Harnessing spin effects for heterogeneous single-atom spin catalysis
Authors: Han Xu , Chen Jinxing , He Peng , Lu Jiong
Published: June 2024

This perspective explores detailed structural design and strategies for spin regulation in single-atom spin catalysis, enabling unparalleled efficiency in chemical transformations through the harnessing of spin effects combined with atomic precision of active sites.
E(2)-equivariant features in machine learning for morphological classification of radio galaxies
Authors: Lines Natalie E P , Font-Quer Roset Joan , Scaife Anna M M
Published: June 2024

With the growth of data from new radio telescope facilities, machine-learning approaches to the morphological classification of radio galaxies are increasingly being utilized. However, while widely employed deep-learning models using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are equivariant to translations within images, neither CNNs nor most other machine-learning approaches are equivariant to additional isometries of the Euclidean plane, such as rotations and reflections. Recent work has attempted to address this by using G-steerable CNNs, designed to be equivariant to a specified subset of two-dimensional Euclidean, E(2), transformations. Although this approach improved model performance, the computational costs were a recognized drawback. Here, we consider the use of directly extracted E(2)-equivariant features for the classification of radio galaxies. Specifically, we investigate the use of Minkowski functionals (MFs), Haralick features, and elliptical Fourier descriptors (EFDs). We show that, while these features do not perform equivalently well to CNNs in terms of accuracy, they are able to inform the classification of radio galaxies, requiring $\sim$50 times less computational runtime. We demonstrate that MFs are the most informative, EFDs the least informative, and show that combinations of all three result in only incrementally improved performance, which we suggest is due to information overlap between feature sets.