bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ciliate Grazing on the Bloom-Forming Microalga Gonyostomum semen
Authors: Bergman Ingrid , Lindström Eva S. , Sassenhagen Ingrid
Published: January 2024

The freshwater raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen forms extensive summer blooms in northern European humic lakes. The development of these blooms might be facilitated by a lack of natural top-down control, as few zooplankton species are able to prey on these large algal cells (up to 100 μm) that expel trichocysts upon physical stress. In this study, we describe a small ciliate species (< 17 μm) that preys on G. semen by damaging the cell membrane until cytoplasm and organelles spill out. Sequencing of clonal cultures of the ciliate tentatively identified it as the prostomatid species Urotricha pseudofurcata. Grazing experiments illustrated that feeding by U. cf. pseudofurcata can significantly reduce cell concentrations of the microalga. However, differences in cell size and growth rate between two investigated ciliate strains resulted in noticeably different grazing pressure. Environmental sequencing data from five different lakes supported potential interactions between the two species. Urotricha cf. pseudofurcata might, thus, play an important role in aquatic ecosystems that are regularly dominated by G. semen, reducing the abundance of this bloom-forming microalga and enabling transfer of organic carbon to higher trophic levels.
Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 blockade in combination with programmed death-ligand 1 targeting therapy mediates increased tumour control in mice
Authors: Singh Akashdip , Mommers-Elshof Eline T. A. M. , Vijver Saskia V. , Jansen J. H. Marco , Gonder Susanne , Lebbink Robert Jan , Bihan Dominique , Farndale Richard W. , Boon Louis , Langermann Solomon , Leusen Jeanette H. W. , Flies Dallas , Meyaard Linde , Pascoal Ramos M. Ines
Published: January 2024

Collagen expression and structure in the tumour microenvironment are associated with tumour development and therapy response. Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is a widely expressed inhibitory collagen receptor. LAIR-2 is a soluble homologue of LAIR-1 that competes for collagen binding. Multiple studies in mice implicate blockade of LAIR-1:collagen interaction in cancer as a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we investigated the role of LAIR-1 in anti-tumour responses. We show that although LAIR-1 inhibits activation, proliferation, and cytokine production of mouse T cells in vitro, tumour outgrowth in LAIR-1-deficient mice did not differ from wild type mice in several in vivo tumour models. Furthermore, treatment with NC410, a LAIR-2-Fc fusion protein, did not result in increased tumour clearance in tested immunocompetent mice, which contrasts with previous data in humanized mouse models. This discrepancy may be explained by our finding that NC410 blocks human LAIR-1:collagen interaction more effectively than mouse LAIR-1:collagen interaction. Despite the lack of therapeutic impact of NC410 monotherapy, mice treated with a combination of NC410 and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 did show reduced tumour burden and increased survival. Using LAIR-1-deficient mice, we showed that this effect seemed to be dependent on the presence of LAIR-1. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the absence of LAIR-1 signalling alone is not sufficient to control tumour growth in multiple immunocompetent mouse models. However, combined targeting of LAIR-1 and PD-L1 results in increased tumour control. Thus, additional targeting of the LAIR-1:collagen pathway with NC410 is a promising approach to treating tumours where conventional immunotherapy is ineffective.
Common Features of Environmental Mycobacterium chelonae from Colorado Using Partial and Whole Genomic Sequence Analyses
Authors: Glauser Kayden G. , Kelley Reagan E. , Leonard William J. , Hendrix Jo , Petri Suzanne , Tong Eric I. , Chan Yvonne L. , Lipner Ettie M. , Dawrs Stephanie N. , Honda Jennifer R.
Published: January 2024

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmentally acquired opportunistic pathogens that cause chronic lung disease in susceptible individuals. While presumed to be ubiquitous in built and natural environments, NTM environmental studies are limited. While environmental sampling campaigns have been performed in geographic areas of high NTM disease burden, NTM species diversity is less defined among areas of lower disease burden like Colorado. In Colorado, metals such as molybdenum have been correlated with increased risk for NTM infection, yet environmental NTM species diversity has not yet been widely studied. Based on prior regression modeling, three areas of predicted high, moderate, and low NTM risk were identified for environmental sampling in Colorado. Ice, plumbing biofilms, and sink tap water samples were collected from publicly accessible freshwater sources. All samples were microbiologically cultured and NTM were identified using partial rpoB gene sequencing. From these samples, areas of moderate risk were more likely to be NTM positive. NTM recovery from ice was more common than recovery from plumbing biofilms or tap water. Overall, nine different NTM species were identified, including clinically important Mycobacterium chelonae. MinION technology was used to whole genome sequence and compare mutational differences between six M. chelonae genomes, representing three environmental isolates from this study and three other M. chelonae isolates from other sources. Drug resistance genes and prophages were common findings among environmentally derived M. chelonae, promoting the need for expanded environmental sampling campaigns to improve our current understanding of NTM species abundance while opening new avenues for improved targeted drug therapies.
Can the mucosal attacks of Behçet’s disease be predicted?
Authors: Kartal Selda Pelin , Taş-Aygar Gamze , Erdem Ümmü Gül , Yalçındağ Ali , Gönül Müzeyyen
Published: January 2024

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between disease activity and serum and salivary procalcitonin (Pct) levels in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD). The study included patients diagnosed with BD and age-matched healthy volunteers (N: 48, N: 32). Serum and salivary Pct levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the laboratories of Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital. No significant disparity was observed in serum and salivary Pct levels between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no noteworthy correlation between disease activity and serum and salivary Pct values (p > 0.05). However, the serum Pct level in patients with active oral ulcers was significantly elevated compared to those without active oral ulcers (p: 0.003). Serum Pct emerges as a valuable marker for monitoring oral aphthous ulcer attacks within the patient population.
Motor imagery, forward models and the cerebellum: a commentary on Rieger et al., 2023
Authors: Miall R. C.
Published: January 2024

In this commentary on Rieger et al., Psychological Research Psychologische Forschung, 2023, I discuss possible ways to test the hypothesis that action imagery is achieved by simulations of actions through an internal forward model. These include brain imaging, perturbation through TMS, and psychophysical tests of adaptation of intended reach actions.
2D Phase-Field Modelling of Hydraulic Fracturing Affected by Cemented Natural Fractures Embedded in Saturated Poroelastic Rocks
Authors: Sarmadi Nima , Mousavi Nezhad Mohaddeseh , Fisher Quentin J.
Published: January 2024

The interaction between a propagating hydraulic fracture (HF) and a pre-existing natural fracture (NF) embedded in saturated poroelastic rock formations is studied numerically in 2D plane–strain configurations. In this study, the phase-field method is further developed to be employed for modelling the HF propagation and the evolution of tensile and shear failure in geo-materials as gradient-type diffusive damaged zones. The shear slippage and dilation mechanisms inside the cemented NF are modelled using a Mohr–Coulomb–Griffith failure criterion that fitted in the framework of the phase-field fracture using appropriate energy functionals. The most important factors controlling the HF–NF interaction outcome are the approaching angle, differential in-situ stress, and hydro-mechanical characteristics of the NF. It is found out that higher tensile and shear strengths of the cemented NF are in favour of the crossing outcome when the differential stress is high enough to mobilise the resisting shear stresses against the slippage. Small hydraulic aperture (low hydraulic conductivity) for the NF is also in favour of the crossing outcome which helps to restrict the pressurised region local to the HF tip, lowering the possibility of shear slippage in the NF and the HF’s diversion. It is also concluded that the injection rate and the viscosity of fracturing fluid are operative factors to be adjusted for increasing the chance of crossing, a critical element for successful operation of hydraulic fracturing for effective use of subsurface energy resources.
Salivary metabolomics in patients with oral lichen planus: a preliminary study based on NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Kashyap Bina , Hyvärinen Eelis , Laitinen Igor , Kullaa Arja M.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The present preliminary study aimed to investigate the salivary metabolic profile in patients with asymptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Material and methods

Stimulated whole mouth saliva (SWMS) samples were collected from 15 reticular OLP female patients and 15 from age- and sex-matched controls (HCs). A total of 23 metabolites were identified and quantified. Mann–Whitney’s U test was used to compare the determined concentration salivary metabolite concentrations between OLP patients and the healthy controls.

Results

The concentration of acetate, methylamine, and pyruvate was elevated, whereas the concentration of tyrosine was decreased in the saliva of OLP patients compared with HCs. To identify a combination of metabolites, multivariate discrimination function analysis (DFA) was conducted. DFA analysis have shown that the most powerful discrimination between the groups was achieved when methylamine and tyrosine were considered as combined biomarkers.

Conclusions

Salivary tyrosine was of particular interest and a promising finding for the screening of OLP and its progression. Further longitudinal studies are required to establish it as a reliable salivary biomarker in OLP.

Clinical relevance

The salivary metabolic profiling can describe the pathologic characteristics of OLP on non-invasive saliva samples and NMR analysis. Salivary metabolites provide details to considered early detectors and to impact oral health of OLP patients.
Feasibility of tracking invasive Escherichia coli disease among older adults in a community setting: A prospective observational study
Authors: Doua Joachim , Ekkelenkamp Miquel , Verheij Theo , Go Oscar , Ruhmel Stephen , Leathers Kimberly , Spiessens Bart , van Rooij Sanne , Fowler Vance G. , Geurtsen Jeroen , Dolor Rowena , Sarnecki Michal , Chatterjee Ranee , Poolman Jan , Bonten Marc ,   on behalf COMBACTE-NET consortium/EXPECT study group
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Invasive Escherichia coli disease (IED) encompasses a diverse range of sterile site infections. This study evaluated the feasibility of capturing IED among community-dwelling older adults to inform the implementation of a phase 3 efficacy trial of a novel vaccine against IED (NCT04899336).

Methods

EXPECT-1 (NCT04087681) was a prospective, multinational, observational study conducted in medically stable participants aged ≥ 60 years. At least 50% of participants were selected based on a history of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the previous 10 years. The main outcomes were the incidence of IED and the number of hospitalisations reported by the site vs participant. The length of follow-up was 12 months. In a US-based substudy, a smartphone-based geofencing was evaluated to track hospital entries.

Results

In total, 4470 participants were enrolled (median age, 70.0 years); 59.5% (2657/4469) of participants had a history of UTI in the previous 10 years. Four IED events were captured through deployment of different tracking methods: a self-report, a general practitioner (GP) report, and a follow-up call. The incidence rate of IED was 98.6 events per 100,000 person-years. The number of reported hospitalisations was 2529/4470 (56.6%) by the site and 2177/4470 (48.7%) by participants; 13.8% of hospitalisations would have been missed if utilising only site reports. Geofencing detected 72 hospital entries.

Conclusion

Deployment of multiple tracking methods can optimise detection of IED among community-dwelling older adults. Older adults with a history of UTI could be feasibly targeted for a phase 3 vaccine efficacy trial through a network of GPs.
Revealing the mechanism of 755-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser in inhibiting infantile hemangioma endothelial cells through transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Ke Chen , Chen Changhan , Yang Ming , Chen Hao , Li Liqun , Ke Youhui
Published: January 2024

Laser therapy has shown promising outcomes in treating infantile hemangiomas. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying laser treatment for IH remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to unravel the molecular mechanisms of laser therapy in IH treatment. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of laser treatment on the proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in human hemangioma endothelial cells (HemECs) through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, and flow cytometric analysis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of HemECs following laser treatment revealed a significant decrease in the expression level of the GSTM5 gene. The qRT-PCR and western blot analysis also showed that GSTM5 expression in HemECs was downregulated compared to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and concomitantly, the p62-Nrf2 pathway was suppressed. Using siRNA to downregulate GSTM5 expression, we observed that inhibiting GSTM5 expression could restrain cell proliferation, elevate intracellular ROS levels, and induce apoptosis in HemECs. Furthermore, upon inhibition of the p62-Nrf2 pathway using p62-specific siRNA, a significant decrease in GSTM5 expression and an elevation in intracellular ROS levels were noted in laser-treated HemECs. These findings suggested that laser treatment may operate by inhibiting the p62-Nrf2 pathway, thereby downregulating GSTM5 expression, elevating ROS levels, and consequently inducing apoptosis in HemECs.
Can traditional management practices help mountain livestock farms in the Spanish Pyrenees cope with climate change?
Authors: Muñoz-Ulecia Enrique , Martín-Collado Daniel , Bernués Alberto , Peral Alicia Tenza , Casasús Isabel , Villalba Daniel
Published: January 2024

Livestock grazing systems constitute a traditional activity in mountain areas. They are adapted to vegetation growth cycles in meadows, forests and grasslands, and deliver ecosystem services such as open landscapes, wildfires prevention, biodiversity maintenance and quality products. Climate change poses a new challenge on mountain grazing systems by impacting on its natural resource base. We used the model NODRIZA to evaluate the potential impact of three scenarios of altered pasture quality and quantity due to climate change (optimistic, medium and worst) and a business-as-usual scenario (BAU) on four beef farms representative of the existing grazing systems in the Spanish Pyrenees. We explored the role of traditional management practices (e.g. modifying the grazing season and early weaning) to cope with these changes. Cow body condition score, feed self-sufficiency and gross margin were the indicators of farms functioning. The optimistic scenario improved all farming indicators during most of the modelled period and then declined—still above BAU levels—in the long term. The medium scenario resulted in an initial improvement of farming indicators and a decline to BAU levels in the long run. The worst scenario declined all indicators below BAU levels. The four case studies were impacted in the same direction but to different extent, farms oriented to fattened calves suffered higher impacts than those focused on weaned calves. Traditional adaptation actions succeeded to maintain cow body condition score steady, but they came at the expense of lower feed self-sufficiency and gross margin, becoming impractical to face climate change.
GA-based QOS-aware workflow scheduling of deadline tasks in grid computing
Authors: Girgis Moheb R. , Mahmoud Tarek M. , Azzam Hagar M.
Published: January 2024

Grid computing is the aggregation of the power of heterogeneous, geographically distributed computing resources to provide high-performance computing. To benefit from the grid computing capabilities, effectual scheduling algorithms are primarily essential. This paper presents a GA-based approach, called Grid Workflow Tasks Scheduling Algorithm (GWTSA), for scheduling workflow tasks on grid services based on users’ QoS (quality of service) constraints in terms of cost and time. For a given set of inter-dependent workflow tasks, it generates an optimal schedule, which minimizes the execution time and cost, such that the optimized time be within the time constraints (deadline) imposed by the user. In GWTSA, the workflow tasks are modeled as a DAG, which is divided, then the optimal sub-schedules of all task divisions are computed and used to obtain the execution schedule of the entire workflow. A GA-based technique is employed in GWTSA to compute the optimal execution sub-schedule for each branch division that consists of a set of sequential tasks. In this technique, the chromosome represents a branch division, where each gene holds the id of the service provider chosen to execute the corresponding task in the branch; and the fitness function is formulated as a multi-objective function of time and cost, this gives users the ability to determine their requirements if speed against cost or vice versa, by changing the weighting coefficients in the fitness function. The paper also exhibits the experimental results of assessing the performance of GWTSA with workflow samples of different sizes.
Epidemiology and drug resistance analysis of bloodstream infections in an intensive care unit from a children’s medical center in Eastern China for six consecutive years
Authors: Shao Huijiang , Zhang Xin , Li Yang , Gao Yuanyuan , Wang Yunzhong , Shao Xuejun , Dai Ling
Published: January 2024

Background

Children in the intensive care unit (ICU) who suffer from severe basic diseases and low immunity are usually in critical condition. It is crucial to assist clinicians in selecting the appropriate empirical antibiotic therapies for clinical infection control.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 281 children with bloodstream infection (BSI). Comparisons of basic data, pathogenic information, and drug resistance of the main bacteria were conducted.

Results

We detected 328 strains, including Gram-positive bacteria (223, 68%), mainly coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS); Gram-negative bacteria (91, 27.7%); and fungi (14, 4.3%). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis showed that the main basic disease was an independent risk factor for death. Compared with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited a higher proportion of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), and its resistance to some β-lactamides and quinolones antibiotics were lower. Twenty-seven isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were detected, of which carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) accounted for the highest proportion (13, 48.2%).

Conclusions

CoNS was the principal pathogen causing BSI in children in the ICU of children, and Escherichia coli was the most common Gram-negative pathogen. The main basic disease was an independent risk factor for death. It is necessary to continuously monitor patients with positive blood cultures, pay special attention to detected MDR bacteria, and strengthen the management of antibiotics and prevention and control of nosocomial infections.
Design and development of a portable low-cost QCM-based system for liquid biosensing
Authors: Adel Mohamed , Allam Ahmed , Sayour Ashraf E. , Ragai Hani F. , Umezu Shinjiro , Fath El-Bab Ahmed M. R.
Published: January 2024

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a versatile sensing platform that has gained increasing attention for its use in bioapplications due to its high sensitivity, real-time measurement capabilities, and label-free detection. This article presents a portable QCM system for liquid biosensing that uses a modified Hartley oscillator to drive 14 mm-diameter commercial QCM sensors. The system is designed to be low-cost, easy to use, and highly sensitive, making it ideal for various bioapplications. A new flow cell design to deliver samples to the surface of the sensor has been designed, fabricated, and tested. For portability and miniaturization purposes, a micropump-based pumping system is used in the current system. The system has a built-in temperature controller allowing for accurate frequency measurements. In addition, the system can be used in benchtop mode. The capability of the present system to be used in liquid biosensing is demonstrated through an experimental test for sensitivity to changes in the viscosity of glycerol samples. It was found to have a sensitivity of 263.51 Hz/mPa.s using a 10 MHz QCM sensor. Future work regarding potential applications was suggested.

Graphical Abstract
A micro-fabricated device (microICSI) improves porcine blastocyst development and procedural efficiency for both porcine intracytoplasmic sperm injection and human microinjection
Authors: McLennan Hanna J. , Heinrich Shauna L. , Inge Megan P. , Wallace Samuel J. , Blanch Adam J. , Hails Llewelyn , O’Connor John P. , Waite Michael B. , McIlfatrick Stephen , Nottle Mark B. , Dunning Kylie R. , Gardner David K. , Thompson Jeremy G. , Love Allison K.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) imparts physical stress on the oolemma of the oocyte and remains among the most technically demanding skills to master, with success rates related to experience and expertise. ICSI is also time-consuming and requires workflow management in the laboratory. This study presents a device designed to reduce the pressure on the oocyte during injection and investigates if this improves embryo development in a porcine model. The impact of this device on laboratory workflow was also assessed.

Methods

Porcine oocytes were matured in vitro and injected with porcine sperm by conventional ICSI (C-ICSI) or with microICSI, an ICSI dish that supports up to 20 oocytes housed individually in microwells created through microfabrication. Data collected included set-up time, time to align the polar body, time to perform the injection, the number of hand adjustments between controllers, and degree of invagination at injection. Developmental parameters measured included cleavage and day 6 blastocyst rates. Blastocysts were differentially stained to assess cell numbers of the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. A pilot study with human donated MII oocytes injected with beads was also performed.

Results

A significant increase in porcine blastocyst rate for microICSI compared to C-ICSI was observed, while cleavage rates and blastocyst cell numbers were comparable between treatments. Procedural efficiency of microinjection was significantly improved with microICSI compared to C-ICSI in both species.

Conclusion

The microICSI device demonstrated significant developmental and procedural benefits for porcine ICSI. A pilot study suggests human ICSI should benefit equally.
Assessment of the performance of aluminum, copper, and graphene nanometer fillers filled woven glass fiber/epoxy composites
Authors: Megahed M. , Sakr Amira S. , Badawy A. A. M. , Seleem M. H.
Published: January 2024

This study embedded graphene nanoplatelet (GNP), nano-sized aluminum and copper in epoxy-reinforced woven glass fiber. The 0.5 wt% nanofillers were incorporated into epoxy resin. Nanofilled glass fiber/epoxy hybrid composite laminates were fabricated using the hand layup technique. Fillers were dispersed in an epoxy matrix via the ultrasonic processor. The influence of the inclusion of these nanofillers on the physical and mechanical performance of glass fiber/epoxy composites was studied. The resulting hybrid nanocomposites illustrated good characteristics when compared to control specimens. The graphene nanophased glass fiber/epoxy composite achieved the maximum improvement of 59.2%, 91.5%, 74.7%, and 100% in in-plane shear, fracture toughness, impact, and interlaminar shear strength, respectively. Additionally, glass fiber/epoxy filled with GNP behaved as the lowest seawater absorption. Control filled with 0.5 wt% GNP showed strong fiber/matrix interfacial bonding in scanning electron microscopy images after being subjected to a fracture toughness test.
Facing life: the messy bodies of enactive cognitive science
Authors: McGann Marek
Published: January 2024

Descriptions of bodies within the literature of the enactive approach to cognitive science exhibit an interesting dialectical tension. On the one hand, a body is considered to be a unity which instantiates an identity, forming an intrinsic basis for value. On the other, a living body is in a reciprocally defining relationship with the environment, and is therefore immersed and entangled with, rather than distinct from, its environment. In this paper I examine this tension, and its implications for the enactive approach, particularly the enactive conceptions of life and bodies. Following the lead of others, I argue that enactive cognitive science can benefit from a deeper reading and integration with extant work on the complexity and multiplicity of the living body within feminist philosophy and feminist science studies.
Predicting Radiotherapy Patient Outcomes with Real-Time Clinical Data Using Mathematical Modelling
Authors: Browning Alexander P. , Lewin Thomas D. , Baker Ruth E. , Maini Philip K. , Moros Eduardo G. , Caudell Jimmy , Byrne Helen M. , Enderling Heiko
Published: January 2024

Longitudinal tumour volume data from head-and-neck cancer patients show that tumours of comparable pre-treatment size and stage may respond very differently to the same radiotherapy fractionation protocol. Mathematical models are often proposed to predict treatment outcome in this context, and have the potential to guide clinical decision-making and inform personalised fractionation protocols. Hindering effective use of models in this context is the sparsity of clinical measurements juxtaposed with the model complexity required to produce the full range of possible patient responses. In this work, we present a compartment model of tumour volume and tumour composition, which, despite relative simplicity, is capable of producing a wide range of patient responses. We then develop novel statistical methodology and leverage a cohort of existing clinical data to produce a predictive model of both tumour volume progression and the associated level of uncertainty that evolves throughout a patient’s course of treatment. To capture inter-patient variability, all model parameters are patient specific, with a bootstrap particle filter-like Bayesian approach developed to model a set of training data as prior knowledge. We validate our approach against a subset of unseen data, and demonstrate both the predictive ability of our trained model and its limitations.
Groundwater delineation for sustainable improvement and development aided by GIS, AHP, and MIF techniques
Authors: Ehsan Muhsan , Shabbir Haider , Al-Quraishi Ayad M. Fadhil , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Ahmad Zulfiqar , Abdelrahman Kamal , Sohail Muhammad Tayyab , Manzoor Zaira , Shafi Ahsan , Elbeltagi Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Exploration of groundwater is an integral part of viable resource growth for society, economy, and irrigation. However, uncontrolled utilization is mainly reported in urban and industries due to the increasing demand for water in semi-arid and arid regions of the world. In the background, groundwater demarcation for potential areas is vital in meeting necessary demand. The current study applied an integrated method comprising the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), multiple influence factors (MIF), combined with a linear regression curve and observatory well data for groundwater prospects mapping. Thematic maps such as flow direction, flow accumulation, elevation map, land use land cover, slope, soil texture, hill shade, geomorphology, normalized vegetation index, and groundwater depth map were generated utilizing remote sensing techniques. The relative weight of each parameter was estimated and then assigned to major and minor parameters. Potential zones for groundwater were classified into five classes, namely very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor, based on AHP and MIF methods. A spatially explicit sensitivity and uncertainty analysis method to a GIS-based multi-criteria groundwater potential zone model is presented in this research. The study addressed a flaw in the way groundwater potential mapping results are typically presented in GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis studies, where discrete class outputs are used without any assessment of their certainty with respect to variations in criteria weighting, which is one of the main contributors to output uncertainty. The study region is categorized based on inferred results as very poor, poor, marginal, and very good in potential ground quality 3.04 km2 is considered extremely poor, 3.33 km2 is considered poor, 64.42 km2 is considered very good, and 85.84 km2 is considered marginal zones, which shows reliable and potential implementation. The outcomes of AHP and MIF were validated by linear regression curve and actual water table in a study area. The study results help to formulate the potential demarcation of groundwater zones for future sustainable planning and development of groundwater sources. This study may be helpful to provide a cost-effective solution to water resources crises. The current study finding may be helpful for decision-makers and administrative professionals for sustainable management of groundwater resources for present and future demands.
Risk factors for herpes zoster infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis unveiling common trends and heterogeneity patterns
Authors: Steinmann Maren , Lampe David , Grosser John , Schmidt Juliana , Hohoff Marla Louise , Fischer Anita , Greiner Wolfgang
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The burden of herpes zoster (HZ) is substantial and numerous chronic underlying conditions are known as predisposing risk factors for HZ onset. Thus, a comprehensive study is needed to synthesize existing evidence. This study aims to comprehensively identify these risk factors.

Methods

A systematic literature search was done using MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies published from January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2023. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled Odds Ratios (OR). Heterogeneity was assessed using theI2statistic. For sensitivity analyses basic outlier removal, leave-one-out validation and Graphic Display of Heterogeneity (GOSH) plots with different algorithms were employed to further analyze heterogeneity patterns. Finally, a multiple meta-regression was conducted.

Results

Of 6392 considered records, 80 were included in the meta-analysis. 21 different conditions were identified as potential risk factors for HZ: asthma, autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders, hematological disorders, HIV, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, psoriasis, renal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and transplantation. Transplantation was associated with the highest risk of HZ (OR = 4.51 (95% CI [1.9–10.7])). Other risk factors ranged from OR = 1.17–2.87, indicating an increased risk for all underlying conditions. Heterogeneity was substantial in all provided analyses. Sensitivity analyses showed comparable results regarding the pooled effects and heterogeneity.

Conclusions

This study showed an increased risk of HZ infections for all identified factors.
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic–Hydrophilic Patterned Cu@Ag Composite SERS Substrate via Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Zhang Yuheng , Xu Zongwei , Zhang Kun , Song Ying , Dong Bing , Wang Jianshi , Yan Mengzhi , Sun Qingqing
Published: January 2024

Ultralow concentration molecular detection is critical in various fields, e.g., food safety, environmental monitoring, and disease diagnosis. Highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based on ultra-wettable surfaces has attracted attention due to its unique ability to detect trace molecules. However, the complexity and cost associated with the preparation of traditional SERS substrates restrict their practical application. Thus, an efficient SERS substrate preparation with high sensitivity, a simplified process, and controllable cost is required. In this study, a superhydrophobic–hydrophilic patterned Cu@Ag composite SERS substrate was fabricated using femtosecond laser processing technology combined with silver plating and surface modification treatment. By inducing periodic stripe structures through femtosecond laser processing, the developed substrate achieves uniform distribution hotspots. Using the surface wettability difference, the object to be measured can be confined in the hydrophilic region and the edge of the hydrophilic region, where the analyte is enriched by the coffee ring effect, can be quickly located by surface morphology difference of micro-nanostructures; thus, greatly improving detection efficiency. The fabricated SERS substrate can detect Rhodamine 6G (R6G) at an extraordinarily low concentration of 10−15 mol/L, corresponding to an enhancement factor of 1.53 × 108. This substrate has an ultralow detection limit, incurs low processing costs and is simple to prepare; thus, the substrate has significant application potential in the trace analysis field.
Personal Barriers to Reporting Child Maltreatment Among Early Childhood Education and Care Professionals
Authors: Brunborg Geir Scott , Bjørknes Ragnhild , Bang Lasse
Published: January 2024

The current study examined personal barriers that can prevent early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals from reporting concerns of child maltreatment to child welfare services (CWS). The objectives were to identify different types of personal barriers and to examine differences in reporting according to employee characteristics. Norwegian ECEC professionals (N = 1369; 92% women; mean age, 44 years [SD = 11]) from 170 kindergartens completed e-questionnaires with 25 questions about personal barriers to reporting concerns of child maltreatment and questions about their own personal characteristics. Four barrier factors that underly the 25 different barriers were confirmed with factor analysis. The most endorsed personal barrier factor was “Negative consequences for the child,” which predicted barriers related to fear of negative consequences of reporting (e.g., to CWS). The second most important were the “Relationships” factor (barriers related to concerns about relationships with the child or parents), and the “Competence” factor (fear of misunderstanding and being unsure about guidelines). The least endorsed barrier factor (“Coworkers”) included fear of what superiors and coworkers might think. In general, ECEC professionals with less formal training and less work experience reported more personal barriers to reporting concerns of child maltreatment. The results are consistent with studies involving other professional groups. Better collaboration between ECEC providers and CWS is important to prevent child maltreatment. Future efforts to improve the detection and reporting of concerns of child maltreatment could consider focusing specifically on professionals with little formal training and little work experience.
Determining critical nodes in optimal cost attacks on networked infrastructures
Authors: Ahmad Ishfaq , Clark Addison , Ali Muhammad , Lei Hansheng , Ferris David , Aved Alex
Published: January 2024

A wide range of critical infrastructures are connected via wide area networks as well as the Internet-of-Thing (IoT). Apart from natural disasters, these infrastructures, providing services such as electricity, water, gas, and Internet, are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Clearly, damages to these infrastructures can have dire consequences on economics, health services, security and safety, and various business sectors. An infrastructure network can be represented as a directed graph in which nodes and edges denote operation entities and dependencies between entities, respectively. A knowledgeable attacker who plans to harm the system would aim to use the minimum amount of effort, cost, or resources to yield the maximum amount of damage. Their best strategy would be to attack the most critical nodes of the infrastructure. From the defender’s side, the strategy would be to minimize the potential damage by investing resources in bolstering the security of the critical nodes. Thus, in the struggle between the attacker and defender, it becomes important for both the attacker and defender to identify which nodes are most critically significant to the system. Identifying critical nodes is a complex optimization problem. In this paper, we first present the problem model and then propose a solution for computing the optimal cost attack while considering the failure propagation. The proposed model represents one or multiple interconnected infrastructures. While considering the attack cost of each node, the proposed method computes the optimal attack that a rational attacker would make. Our problem model simulates one of two goals: maximizing the damage for a given attack budget or minimizing the cost for a given amount of damage. Our technique obtains solutions to optimize the objective functions by utilizing integer-linear programming while observing the constraints for each of the specified goals. The paper reports an extensive set of experiments using various graphs. The results show the efficacy of our technique in terms of its ability to obtain solutions with fast turnaround times.
Soviet Adventures in the Land of the Capitalists
Authors: Kirschenbaum Lisa A.
Published: January 2024

In 1935, two Soviet satirists, Ilia Ilf and Evgeny Petrov, undertook a 10,000 mile American road trip from New York to Hollywood and back accompanied only by their guide and chauffeur, a gregarious Russian Jewish immigrant and his American-born, Russian-speaking wife. They immortalized their journey in a popular travelogue that condemned American inequality and racism even as it marvelled at American modernity and efficiency. Lisa Kirschenbaum reconstructs the epic journey of the two Soviet funnymen and their encounters with a vast cast of characters, ranging from famous authors, artists, poets and filmmakers to unemployed hitchhikers and revolutionaries. Using the authors' notes, US and Russian archives, and even FBI files, she reveals the role of ordinary individuals in shaping foreign relations as Ilf, Petrov and the immigrants, communists, and fellow travelers who served as their hosts, guides, and translators became creative actors in cultural exchange between the two countries.
Chilean Economic Development under Neoliberalism
Authors: Solimano Andrés , Zapata-Román Gabriela
Published: January 2024

This Element examines the process of economic development of the last 50 years or so under the neoliberal model in terms of impacts on growth, inflation, income and wealth distribution and structural change. The analysis includes a historical perspective from the 19th century to the present and combines economic analysis with a political economy approach. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Influence of slab depth spatial variability on skier-triggering probability and avalanche size
Authors: Meloche Francis , Guillet Louis , Gauthier Francis , Langlois Alexandre , Gaume Johan
Published: January 2024

Spatial variability of snowpack properties adds uncertainty in the evaluation of avalanche hazard. We propose a combined mechanical–statistical approach to study how spatial variation of slab depth affects the skier-triggering probability and possible release size. First, we generate multiple slab depth maps on a plane fictional slope based on Gaussian Random Fields (GRF) for a specific set of mean, variance and correlation length. For each GRF, we derive analytically the Skier Propagation Index (SPI). We then simulate multiple skier tracks and computed the probability based on the number of skier hits where SPI is below 1. Finally, we use a depth-averaged material point method to evaluate the possible avalanche size for given slab depth variations. The results of this analysis show that large correlation lengths and small variances lead to a lower probability of skier-triggering as it reduces the size and the number of areas with low slab depth. Then, we show the effect of skiing style and skier group size on skier-triggering probability. Spatial variability also affects the possible avalanche size by adding stress fluctuation causing early or late tensile failure. Finally, we demonstrate with our models the well-known relationship between the probability and the size in avalanche forecasting.
Factors associated with patient-to-healthcare personnel (HCP) and HCP-to-subsequent patient transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Adediran Timileyin Y. , Robinson Gwen L. , Johnson J. Kristie , Liang Yuanyuan , Bejo Sarah , Leekha Surbhi , Rasko David A. , Stine O. Colin , Harris Anthony D. , Thom Kerri A.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Transient acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on healthcare personnel (HCP) gloves and gowns following patient care has been examined. However, the potential for transmission to the subsequent patient has not been studied. We explored the frequency of MRSA transmission from patient to HCP, and then in separate encounters from contaminated HCP gloves and gowns to a subsequent simulated patient as well as the factors associated with these 2 transmission pathways.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective cohort study with 2 parts. In objective 1, we studied MRSA transmission from random MRSA-positive patients to HCP gloves and gowns after specific routine patient care activities. In objective 2, we simulated subsequent transmission from random HCP gloves and gowns without hand hygiene to the next patient using a manikin proxy.

Results:

For the first objective, among 98 MRSA-positive patients with 333 randomly selected individual patient–HCP interactions, HCP gloves or gowns were contaminated in 54 interactions (16.2%). In a multivariable analysis, performing endotracheal tube care had the greatest odds of glove or gown contamination (OR, 4.06; 95% CI, 1.3–12.6 relative to physical examination). For the second objective, after 147 simulated HCP–patient interactions, the subsequent transmission of MRSA to the manikin proxy occurred 15 times (10.2%).

Conclusion:

After caring for a patient with MRSA, contamination of HCP gloves and gown and transmission to subsequent patients following HCP-patient interactions occurs frequently if contact precautions are not used. Proper infection control practices, including the use of gloves and gown, can prevent this potential subsequent transmission.
What makes an awfully good oxymoron?
Authors: Bolognesi Marianna M. , Combei Claudia Roberta , La Pietra Marta , Masini Francesca
Published: January 2024

Oxymorons combine two opposite terms in a paradoxical manner. They are closely intertwined with antonymy, since the union of antonymous items creates the paradoxical effect of the oxymoron and generates a new meaning. Compared to other forms of figurative language, oxymorons are largely underinvestigated. We explored what makes good oxymorons through a crowdsourcing task in which we asked participants to judge the acceptability, comprehensibility, effectiveness/aptness, commonness, pleasantness, and humoristic connotation of Italian adjective–noun oxymorons. We hypothesized that oxymorons featuring morphologically related antonyms (felice infelicità ‘happy unhappiness’) may be perceived to be better than oxymorons featuring morphologically unrelated antonyms (felice tristezza ‘happy sadness’) and that oxymorons constructed by complementaries (esatta inesattezza ‘exact inexactness’) may be perceived to be better than oxymorons constructed by contraries (bella bruttezza ‘beautiful ugliness’). The results confirmed only partially our hypotheses: oxymorons with complementaries were perceived as more acceptable, comprehensible, effective/apt, common, whereas no strong trend was found for the other two dimensions. Surprisingly, our analyses revealed that oxymoronic constructions containing morphologically unrelated words were perceived as more acceptable, comprehensible, effective/apt, common, pleasant, contradicting our initial expectations.
TOPICS SURROUNDING THE COMBINATORIAL ANABELIAN GEOMETRY OF HYPERBOLIC CURVES IV: DISCRETENESS AND SECTIONS
Authors: HOSHI YUICHIRO , MOCHIZUKI SHINICHI
Published: January 2024

Let
$\Sigma $
be a nonempty subset of the set of prime numbers which is either equal to the entire set of prime numbers or of cardinality one. In the present paper, we continue our study of the pro-
$\Sigma $
fundamental groups of hyperbolic curves and their associated configuration spaces over algebraically closed fields in which the primes of
$\Sigma $
are invertible. The present paper focuses on the topic of comparison between the theory developed in earlier papers concerning pro-
$\Sigma $
fundamental groups and various discrete versions of this theory. We begin by developing a theory concerning certain combinatorial analogues of the section conjecture and Grothendieck conjecture. This portion of the theory is purely combinatorial and essentially follows from a result concerning the existence of fixed points of actions of finite groups on finite graphs (satisfying certain conditions). We then examine various applications of this purely combinatorial theory to scheme theory. Next, we verify various results in the theory of discrete fundamental groups of hyperbolic topological surfaces to the effect that various properties of (discrete) subgroups of such groups hold if and only if analogous properties hold for the closures of these subgroups in the profinite completions of the discrete fundamental groups under consideration. These results make possible a fairly straightforward translation, into discrete versions, of pro-
$\Sigma $
results obtained in previous papers by the authors. Finally, we discuss a construction that was considered previously by M. Boggi in the discrete case from the point of view of the present paper.