bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of weakly symmetric mixed finite elements for elasticity
Authors: Lederer Philip , Stenberg Rolf
Published: June 2023

We consider mixed finite element methods for linear elasticity where the symmetry of the stress tensor is weakly enforced. Both an a priori and a posteriori error analysis are given for several known families of methods that are uniformly valid in the incompressible limit. A posteriori estimates are derived for both the compressible and incompressible cases. The results are verified by numerical examples.
Enumeration of left braces with additive group 𝐶₄×𝐶₄×𝐶₄
Authors: Ballester-Bolinches A. , Esteban-Romero R. , Pérez-Calabuig V.
Published: June 2023

We show that the number of isomorphism classes of left braces of order 

64
64

with additive group isomorphic to

C
4

×

C
4

×

C
4

C_4\times C_4\times C_4

is

1

515

429

1\,515\,429

.
Maximal first Betti number rigidity of noncompact RCD(0,𝑁) spaces
Authors: Ye Zhu
Published: June 2023

Let

(
M
,
d
,

m

)

(M,d,\mathfrak {m})

be a noncompact RCD(0,

N
N

) space with

N
∈

N

+

N\in \mathbb {N}_+

and

supp

m

=
M

\text {supp}\mathfrak {m}=M

. We prove that if the first Betti number of

M
M

equals

N
−
1

N-1

, then

(
M
,
d
,

m

)

(M,d,\mathfrak {m})

is either a flat Riemannian

N
N

-manifold with a soul

T

N
−
1

T^{N-1}

or the metric product

[
0
,
∞
)
×

T

N
−
1

[0,\infty )\times T^{N-1}

, both with the measure a multiple of the

N
N

-dimensional Hausdorff measure

H

N

\mathcal {H}^N

, where

T

N
−
1

T^{N-1}

is a flat torus.
The sup-norm problem for automorphic cusp forms of 𝑃𝐺𝐿(𝑛,ℤ[𝕚])
Authors: Maga Péter , Zábrádi Gergely
Published: June 2023

Let

ϕ
\phi

be an

L
2

L^2

-normalized Hecke–Maaß cusp form on the locally symmetric space
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper X colon-equal normal upper P normal upper G normal upper L Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper Z left-bracket i right-bracket right-parenthesis minus normal upper P normal upper G normal upper L Subscript n Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper C right-parenthesis slash normal upper P normal upper U Subscript n">

X
≔

P
G
L

n

(

Z

[
i
]
)
∖

P
G
L

n

(

C

)

/

P
U

n

X≔\mathrm {PGL}_n(\mathbb {Z}[i])\backslash \mathrm {PGL}_n(\mathbb {C}) / \mathrm {PU}_n

. If

Ω
\Omega

is a compact subset of

X
X

, then we prove the bound
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar phi StartAbsoluteValue EndAbsoluteValue Subscript normal upper Omega Baseline Subscript normal infinity Baseline much-less-than Subscript normal upper Omega Baseline lamda Subscript phi Superscript n left-parenthesis n minus 1 right-parenthesis slash 4 minus delta">

‖
ϕ

|

Ω

‖

∞

≪

Ω

λ

ϕ

n
(
n
−
1
)

/

4
−
δ

\|\phi |_{\Omega }\|_{\infty }\ll _{\Omega } \lambda _{\phi }^{n(n-1)/4-\delta }

for some

δ
>
0

\delta >0

depending only on

n
n

, where

λ

ϕ

\lambda _{\phi }

is the Laplace eigenvalue of

ϕ
\phi

.
Interaction of the sorting nexin 25 homologue Snazarus with Rab11 balances endocytic and secretory transport and maintains the ultrafiltration diaphragm in nephrocytes
Authors: Maruzs Tamás , Feil-Börcsök Dalma , Lakatos Enikő , Juhász Gábor , Blastyák András , Hargitai Dávid , Jean Steve , Lőrincz Péter , Juhász Gábor
Published: June 2023

We report a novel function of the sorting nexin 25 homolog Snazarus in larval garland nephrocytes, the highly endocytic, podocyte-like cells of Drosophila. We propose a model in which Snz negatively regulates exocytosis via its interaction with Rab11, thus contributing to the maintenance of membrane balance in the endosomal system of nephrocytes.
NDAs: A Study in Rights, Wrongs, and Civil Recourse
Authors: Ferzan Kimberly Kessler
Published: June 2023

According to John Goldberg and Ben Zipursky (“Goldursky”), there are two central pillars to tort law, pillars that are best explicated by civil recourse theory. Torts are legally recognized wrongs, and the power to seek redress is part of the Lockean bargain. Using the recent question of whether nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) should be permitted, this Article unearths an instability in the kind of normativity upon which Goldursky relies. Specifically, this paper explores how the unenforceability or bans on NDAs premised upon third party harms may presuppose the victim has a duty to rescue these third parties. I begin by revealing the underlying moral relationship at the heart of these potential duties. From there, I explore how these sorts of arguments cannot easily be voiced within the presuppositions of civil recourse theory. Finally, I consider the pressure points within civil recourse theory that could potentially take on board these moral considerations. My bottom line is simple: Whichever way one thinks about NDAs and the duty to rescue, a dilemma is created for Goldursky. There is simply a mismatch between the kind of arguments that one can make about why it would be (in)appropriate to limit the plaintiff’s cause of action and what the underlying content of tort law should be. Ultimately, the kind of normativity that they need to understand the Lockean bargain, as well as the content of and caveats thereto, may require more bite than positive morality.
A problem for counterfactual sufficiency
Authors: Waldrop John William
Published: June 2023

The consequence argument purports to show that determinism is true only if no one has free will. Judgments about whether the argument is sound depend on how one understands locutions of the form ‘p and no one can render p false’. The main interpretation on offer appeals to counterfactual sufficiency: s can render p false just in case there is something s can do such that, were s to do it, p would be false; otherwise, s cannot render p false. Here I show that, in the context of the consequence argument, this interpretation conflicts with widely endorsed principles governing the logic of counterfactuals.
Interactions between color and gloss in iridescent camouflage
Authors: Thomas Dylan H N , Kjernsmo Karin , Scott-Samuel Nicholas E , Whitney Heather M , Cuthill Innes C
Published: June 2023

Iridescence is a taxonomically widespread form of structural coloration that produces often intense hues that change with the angle of viewing. Its role as a signal has been investigated in multiple species, but recently, and counter-intuitively, it has been shown that it can function as camouflage. However, the property of iridescence that reduces detectability is, as yet, unclear. As viewing angle changes, iridescent objects change not only in hue but also in intensity, and many iridescent animals are also shiny or glossy; these “specular reflections,” both from the target and background, have been implicated in crypsis. Here, we present a field experiment with natural avian predators that separate the relative contributions of color and gloss to the “survival” of iridescent and non-iridescent beetle-like targets. Consistent with previous research, we found that iridescent coloration, and high gloss of the leaves on which targets were placed, enhance survival. However, glossy targets survived less well than matt. We interpret the results in terms of signal-to-noise ratio: specular reflections from the background reduce detectability by increasing visual noise. While a specular reflection from the target attracts attention, a changeable color reduces the signal because, we suggest, normally, the color of an object is a stable feature for detection and identification.
Feedback in Batesian mimetic systems
Authors: Kizirian David , Manuel Padial Jose , Povelikin Nicole , Overcast Isaac , Donnelly Maureen A , Quitian Marta , Segall Marion , Kuhn Arianna , Campbell Gwyneth , Saporito Ralph A
Published: June 2023

We propose a feedback model for Batesian mimetic trophic system dynamics that integrates evolutionary and ecological processes including those not directly related to mimicry such as nutrient transfer. The proposed feedback circuit includes a previously overlooked link, specifically: selection for predation on the mimetic phenotype, which results when predators consume palatable mimics, and which perpetuates predation on the mimetic phenotype that drives mimicry. Preservation of variation throughout the feedback loop may also explain polymorphism, suboptimal mimicry, and other aspects of mimetic trophic system evolution.
King Harold’s Sister Gunhild (d. 1087), a Royal Exile in Flanders
Authors: van Houts Elisabeth
Published: June 2023

This article is a study of the life of Gunhild (d. 1087), sister of King Harold, who, together with her mother Gytha, sought exile in Flanders after the Norman Conquest; it is set in the wider context of the fate of high-status elite or royal women in post-Conquest England. Gunhild’s lead burial plaque with inscription (found in her tomb in the church of St Donatian in Bruges) constitutes a unique testimony to the fate of a royal sister in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Her Latin obituary, the longest known on a lead plaque for an eleventh-century woman, consists of a biographical sketch of her and her family, including her brother’s death, and her itinerary in exile, while the second half is a near-hagiographical account of her as a woman religious; a new edition and English translation are included in an appendix. The article analyses the historical, literary and material aspects of Gunhild’s life, including evidence from the archive of St Donatian as to the considerable wealth she bequeathed to the canons in return for her burial in the church’s wall. It is suggested that as a woman religious she lived a penitential life on foreign soil not least to pay for the sins of the English defeated by the Normans. Comparison with other English royal or high-status elite women (and men) suggests that, defiantly and uniquely, Gunhild and her mother Gytha rejected accommodation with the Conqueror and instead followed the path of exile abroad, more commonly chosen by men.
Modelling the potential long-term survival benefit of evinacumab treatment vs. standard of care in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Gu Jing , Kuznik Andreas , Quon Peter , Chauhan Ankita , Sravya Tupili S , Raal Frederick J
Published: June 2023

Aims

Despite intensive lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs), most patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) do not achieve guideline recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets and are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular death. This analysis aimed to predict the impact of evinacumab and standard-of-care LLTs on life expectancy in an HoFH population using mathematical modelling.

Methods and results

Mathematical models were developed using efficacy data for evinacumab from the phase 3 ELIPSE HoFH trial plus efficacy data for standard-of-care LLTs from peer-reviewed publications. Treatment strategies evaluated included (i) untreated, (ii) high-intensity statin (HIS) only, (iii) HIS plus ezetimibe, (iv) HIS plus ezetimibe plus proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i), and (v) HIS plus ezetimibe plus PCSK9i plus evinacumab. Markov analyses were used to assess differences in survival probability for different LLT strategies. The median survival for untreated HoFH patients was only 33–43 years, depending on different assumptions on baseline untreated LDL-C levels. In the most robust model, we estimated that HIS increased median survival by 9 years and ezetimibe further increased median survival by an additional 9 years. When PCSK9i was added on top of HIS plus ezetimibe, median survival was further improved by 14 years. Finally, the addition of evinacumab to standard-of-care LLTs was estimated to increase median survival by ∼12 years.

Conclusion

In this mathematical modelling analysis, evinacumab treatment could potentially increase long-term survival vs. standard-of-care LLTs for patients with HoFH.
Prevalence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses among healthcare workers (June 2020–November 2021)
Authors: Barrufet Maria Pilar , Serra-Prat Mateu , Palomera Elisabet , Ruiz Alícia , Tapias Gemma , Montserrat Noemí , Valladares Nicolas , Ruz Francisco Javier , Bolívar-Prados Mireia , Clavé Pere
Published: June 2023

Background

To assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers (HCW) with sampling in June and October 2020 and April and November 2021.

Methods

Observational and prospective study in 2455 HCW with serum sampling. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and occupational, social and health risk factors were assessed at each time point.

Results

Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 in HCW increased from 11.8% in June 2020 to 28.4% in November 2021. Of those with a positive test in June 2020, 92.1% remained with a positive test, 6.7% had an indeterminate test and 1.1% had a negative test in November 2021. Non-diagnosed carriers represented 28.6% in June 2020 and 14.6% in November 2021. Nurses and nursing assistants showed the highest prevalence of seropositivity. Close contact (at home or in the hospital) with Covid-19 cases without protection and working in the frontline were the main risk factors. A total of 88.8% HCW were vaccinated, all with a positive serological response in April 2021, but levels of antibodies decreased about 65%, and two vaccinated persons presented a negative serological test against spike protein in November 2021. Levels of spike antibodies were higher in those vaccinated with Moderna compared with Pfizer and the percentage of antibody reduction was higher with Pfizer vaccine.

Conclusions

This study shows that seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCW doubled that of the general population and that protection both at the workplace and in the socio-familial field was associated with a lower risk of infection, which stabilized after vaccination.
Theoretical morphological analysis of differential morphospace occupation patterns for terrestrial and aquatic gastropods
Authors: Araki Amane , Noshita Koji
Published: June 2023

Despite the morphological diversity of organisms, they only occupy a fraction of the theoretically possible spectrum (i.e., morphospace) and have been studied on several taxa. Such morphospace occupation patterns are formed through evolutionary processes under multiple constraints. In this study, we discovered a differential morphospace occupation pattern between terrestrial and aquatic gastropods and subsequently attempted to quantitatively understand these differences through morphospace analysis. These differential occupation patterns between terrestrial and aquatic species were observed in the morphospace of spire height and aperture inclination, including a bimodal distribution of shell height in terrestrial species alongside the absence of high-spired shells with high aperture inclination. Although terrestrial species were distributed along optimal lines of shell instability and shell hindrance to locomotion, aquatic species were distributed not only along this line but also within a suboptimal region of the low spire with low inclination. Based on numerical simulation and biometric analysis, here we propose the hypothesis that this difference was caused by the aquatic species being able to adopt a posture with the growth direction perpendicular to the substrate due to reduced functional demands. Our results provided an ultimate explanation for the differential occupation patterns between habitats alongside an overview of the morphospace.
Translating between the lines: the rape of Constance Mauduit and histories of violation
Authors: Weikert Katherine
Published: June 2023

This article illuminates the life of Constance Mauduit, a twelfth-century Anglo-Norman heiress, patron and rape victim, while problematizing the modern historiography around her. Drawing on feminist theory and gender history, the article recasts her life (and assault) by centring her experiences, elucidating wider social concerns with violent disruptions – actual and metaphorical – to social and spatial hierarchies. Constance’s experiences are finally drawn as important beyond this singular life as her rape speaks of sexual violence in warfare in the period, a topic that needs much more study, particularly as medieval records of sexual violence can be difficult to discern.
An approach to map and quantify the fishing effort of polyvalent passive gear fishing fleets using geospatial data
Authors: Sales Henriques Nuno , Russo Tommaso , Bentes Luis , Monteiro Pedro , Parisi Antonio , Magno Ramiro , Oliveira Frederico , Erzini Karim , Gonçalves Jorge M S
Published: June 2023

The use of tracking devices, such as vessel monitoring systems or automatic identification system, enabled us to expand our knowledge on the distribution and quantification of fishing activities. However, methods and models based on vessel tracking data are mostly devised to be applied to towed gears, whereas applications to multi-gear and passive fisheries have been underrepresented. Here, we propose a methodology to deal with geospatial data to map and quantify the fishing effort, as soak time, of passive fishing gears used by a multi-gear fishing fleet. This approach can be adapted to other passive multi-or single-gear fisheries, since it requires only three variables that can be extracted from a pre-classified dataset, to identify the beginning (gear deployment) and the end (hauling) of passive fishing events. As far as we are aware, this is the first time a methodology that allows quantifying the soak time of static passive fishing events, within a polyvalent fishery context, is presented. We argue that the information that can be extracted from such approaches could contribute to improved management of multi-gear and static-gear fisheries and the ecosystem-based approach.
A manifold two-sample test study: integral probability metric with neural networks
Authors: Wang Jie , Chen Minshuo , Zhao Tuo , Liao Wenjing , Xie Yao
Published: June 2023

Two-sample tests are important areas aiming to determine whether two collections of observations follow the same distribution or not. We propose two-sample tests based on integral probability metric (IPM) for high-dimensional samples supported on a low-dimensional manifold. We characterize the properties of proposed tests with respect to the number of samples $n$ and the structure of the manifold with intrinsic dimension $d$. When an atlas is given, we propose a two-step test to identify the difference between general distributions, which achieves the type-II risk in the order of $n^{-1/\max \{d,2\}}$. When an atlas is not given, we propose Hölder IPM test that applies for data distributions with $(s,\beta )$-Hölder densities, which achieves the type-II risk in the order of $n^{-(s+\beta )/d}$. To mitigate the heavy computation burden of evaluating the Hölder IPM, we approximate the Hölder function class using neural networks. Based on the approximation theory of neural networks, we show that the neural network IPM test has the type-II risk in the order of $n^{-(s+\beta )/d}$, which is in the same order of the type-II risk as the Hölder IPM test. Our proposed tests are adaptive to low-dimensional geometric structure because their performance crucially depends on the intrinsic dimension instead of the data dimension.
O01 The consumption of human antibiotics in veterinary medicine, in Estonia, 2006–22
Authors: Sammul Marju
Published: June 2023

Objectives

In the absence of authorized veterinary medicinal products, veterinarians can use authorized human medicines, if necessary. The number of registered veterinary medicinal products, including veterinary antibiotics, has increased, over the years. Reducing the use of medically important antimicrobials in veterinary medicine is increasingly important to avoid the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to analyse 17 year trends in the use of human antibiotics in veterinary medicine, in Estonia.

Methods

The data of human antibiotics used in veterinary medicine are based on wholesaler’s reports collected by the Estonian State Agency of Medicines, in 2006–2022. The sales data include total sales of human antimicrobial medicinal products to veterinarians and are collected at package level per year, including the name of the medicinal product, identification number of the product, active substance, pharmaceutical form, strength, package size and number of sold packages.

Results

Between 2006 and 2022, the overall sales of human antibiotics to veterinarians increased from 40.6 kg in 2006 to 54.4 kg in 2022 (peak 71.6 kg in 2019). In Estonia, based on 17 years of data, 220 different human antimicrobial medicinal products were sold to veterinarians, an average 91 different products per year (range 79–101). The number of different human antibiotic substances used in veterinary medicine was 45 ± 2 per year, 60 in total. The most used antibiotics over the 17 years were orally administered amoxicillin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline and injectable amoxicillin and cefazolin. The turnover of human antibiotics sold to veterinarians increased from 34 000 EUR in 2006 to 99 000 EUR in 2022. Over the years, analysed by the product form, the most sold human antibiotics for veterinary use were products for oral administration, accounted for 90% of total quantity of antibiotics (24 different substances), followed by injections (9%, 19 different substances) and dermatological and sensory preparations (0.6%, 7 and 9 different substances, respectively). From medically important antibiotics, meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin and mupirocin were used in small quantities throughout the years.

Conclusions

Despite the number of registered veterinary antibiotics having increased over the years, the consumption of human antibiotics used in veterinary medicine has increased by the total quantity and by the turnover. The number of human antibiotic substances and sold packages has no significant changes.
P02 Antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms isolated in community-acquired pneumonia in drug-dependent patients
Authors: Viltsaniuk Oksana , Mostovoy Yuriy , Viltsaniuk Oleksandr
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To investigate the nature and susceptibility of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) pathogens in drug-dependent patients.

Materials and methods

The susceptibility of community-acquired pneumonia pathogens isolated from sputum was studied in 31 drug-dependent patients. 13 (42%) were women and 18 (58%) were men. The average age of this group was 28.6 ± 1.2 years. The antimicrobial activity of the main groups of antibiotics was studied in comparison with the susceptibility of the archive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 strain.

Results

In total, 51 strains of microorganisms were isolated, among which S. aureus (19 strains, 37.3%) and fungi of the genus Candida (16 strains, 31.3%) prevailed, while in 15 cases, bacteria were inoculated in the form of monoculture, and in 16 cases in the form of associations of bacteria and fungi of the genus Candida. When studying the susceptibility of the isolated strains of microorganisms to the main groups of antibiotics, their high (P ≤ 0.05) resistance to the main groups of antimicrobial drugs used in standard treatment regimens for CAP was established.

Conclusions

CAP in drug-dependent patients has a severe complicated course due to the combination of highly virulent bacterial and fungal infections. The causative agents of community-acquired pneumonia in drug-dependent patients have low susceptibility to the main groups of antibiotics used in the treatment of this pathology.
P07 Use of the Reveal rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing system to shorten time to appropriate antibiotic use: assessment of clinical utility in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Authors: Williams Emma , Fowler Joanne , Gray Mary , Tovey Mark , Rayworth Nicole , Tilley Lisa , Parsons Helena
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Gram-negative bacteraemia accounts for significant morbidity and mortality,1 while increasing the prevalence of resistant organisms over the recent years2 highlights the importance of obtaining rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is part of the WHO global strategy on antimicrobial resistance,3 and shortening the length of time a patient is treated with unnecessarily broad-spectrum agents is paramount. Our aim was to review whether the Reveal rapid AST system (bioMérieux) shortened time-to-best-fit antibiotic, and whether this was a spectrum escalation or de-escalation, in Gram-negative bacteraemias in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Methods

The Reveal rapid AST system was used, in conjunction with standard laboratory methodology, to ascertain antimicrobial susceptibilities for Gram-negative bacilli in blood cultures processed at the start of the day between June and August 2022. Data was gathered regarding Medical Microbiology advice issued to clinical teams and the impact the Reveal AST results had on this. For comparison, we retrospectively reviewed microbiology advice given for Gram-negative bacteraemias between April and May 2022, with our routine microbiology testing methods of MALDI-TOF MS and breakpoint agar dilutions AST, to see whether Reveal would have been predicted to have an impact had it been available.

Results

66 bacteraemias were reviewed between June and August 2022, compared with 82 in April and May 2022. Reveal results shortened time-to-best-fit antibiotic in 35/66 (53%) cases. Of these, 8/66 (12%) resulted in antibiotic spectrum escalation and 21/66 (32%) in de-escalation, with 6/66 (9%) resulting in shorter time to an alternative susceptible antibiotic of similar spectrum. In the retrospective cohort, earlier susceptibility results would have been predicted to shorten time-to-best-fit antibiotic in 53/82 (65%) cases [escalation 16/82 (20%), de-escalation 37/82 (45%)], consistent with the study period findings. Extrapolating this to cultures received throughout 2022 in our trust (n = 1722), with a mean AST turnaround time of 491 min compared with 1553 min for standard AST testing, the Reveal system could save 4877 hours in time to escalation and 11 887 hours in time to de-escalation to appropriate antibiotic.

Conclusions

In our experience, Reveal resulted in a shortening of time-to-best-fit antibiotic in the majority of patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia. The impact on escalation may impact on mortality and morbidity, while de-escalation could have significant benefit in terms of AMS, with possible implications for shortened time to oral switch and shortened length of stay, with associated financial, operational and quality of care benefits.
P23 Rates, treatment and outcomes of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Authors: Barnes David , Blane Beth , Gouliouris Theodore
Published: June 2023

Background

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE-fm) bacteraemias represent important nosocomial infections with significant associated mortality and morbidity.

Objectives

To (i) describe the rates, treatments, and outcomes of VRE-fm bacteraemia at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in 2020–21 and compare to a cohort from 2006 to 2012 and (ii) describe rates of antibiotic resistance in VRE-fm bacteraemia isolates from 2015 to 2021.

Methods

71 eligible adult patients with positive VRE-fm blood cultures from 2020 to 2021 were compiled, and electronic patient notes were reviewed retrospectively to obtain microbiological and clinical data. These were compared to a cohort of 187 patients from 2006 to 2012. A nine-person paediatric cohort from 2020 to 2021 was analysed separately. Antibiotic resistance rates were calculated among VRE-fm isolates from blood cultures collected from 2015 to 2021.

Results

A non-significant increase in VRE-fm bacteraemia cases was observed in 2020–2021. Patients were on average, older, with different spectrums of comorbidities. Despite similar Charlson Comorbidity Indices and Pitt Bacteraemia Scores, they also demonstrated a significant reduction in 30-day crude mortality from 34% to 18% (P = 0.015). This effect could be accounted for by a lower frequency of risk factors for mortality, such as renal and liver diseases in the 2020–21 cohort. Conversely, treatment with daptomycin was used more commonly among the 2020–21 cohort and was associated with greater survival.

Conclusions

Improved 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with VRE-fm bacteraemia were noted in 2020–21 compared with a historical 2006–12 cohort. High numbers of VRE-fm bacteraemia of nosocomial onset remain a significant concern from both an infection control and antimicrobial stewardship perspective.
Salvage therapy with sulbactam/durlobactam against cefiderocol-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a critically ill burn patient: clinical challenges and molecular characterization
Authors: Tiseo Giusy , Giordano Cesira , Leonildi Alessandro , Riccardi Niccolò , Galfo Valentina , Limongi Federica , Nicastro Manuela , Barnini Simona , Falcone Marco
Published: June 2023

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections are associated with high mortality rates. The optimal treatment regimen for CRAB has not been defined. Cefiderocol has been recently introduced in the armamentarium against CRAB but there is concern about treatment-emergent resistance. Since mortality rates in CRAB infections remain high, further antibiotic options are needed.

Methods

We report a case of severe infection by CRAB resistant to both colistin and cefiderocol treated with sulbactam/durlobactam and describe the molecular features of the strain. Susceptibility to cefiderocol was detected by disc diffusion according to EUCAST breakpoints. Susceptibility to sulbactam/durlobactam was determined by Etest according to preliminary breakpoints provided by Entasis Therapeutics. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of the CRAB isolate was performed.

Results

A burn patient with ventilator-associated pneumonia by CRAB resistant to colistin and cefiderocol received sulbactam/durlobactam as compassionate use. She was alive after 30 days from the end of therapy. Complete microbiological eradication of CRAB was achieved. The isolate harboured blaADC-30, blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-66. A missense mutation in PBP3 was detected. The isolate harboured a mutation in the TonB-dependent siderophore receptor gene piuA that showed a frameshift mutation causing a premature stop codon (K384fs). Moreover, the fepA gene, which is orthologous to pirA, was interrupted by a transposon insertion P635-ISAba125 (IS30 family).

Conclusions

Further treatment options for severe infections by CRAB resistant to all available antibiotics are urgently needed. Sulbactam/durlobactam may be a future option against MDR A. baumannii.
Airfoil GAN: encoding and synthesizing airfoils for aerodynamic shape optimization
Authors: Wang Yuyang , Shimada Kenji , Barati Farimani Amir
Published: June 2023

The current design of aerodynamic shapes, like airfoils, involves computationally intensive simulations to explore the possible design space. Usually, such design relies on the prior definition of design parameters and places restrictions on synthesizing novel shapes. In this work, we propose a data-driven shape encoding and generating method, which automatically learns representations from existing airfoils and uses the learned representations to generate new airfoils. The representations are then used in the optimization of synthesized airfoil shapes based on their aerodynamic performance. Our model is built upon VAEGAN, a neural network that combines Variational Autoencoder with Generative Adversarial Network and is trained by the gradient-based technique. Our model can (1) encode the existing airfoil into a latent vector and reconstruct the airfoil from that, (2) generate novel airfoils by randomly sampling the latent vectors and mapping the vectors to the airfoil coordinate domain, and (3) synthesize airfoils with desired aerodynamic properties by optimizing learned features via a genetic algorithm. Our experiments show that the learned features encode shape information thoroughly and comprehensively without predefined design parameters. By interpolating/extrapolating feature vectors or sampling from Gaussian noises, the model can automatically synthesize novel airfoil shapes, some of which possess competitive or even better aerodynamic properties as compared to airfoils used for model training purposes. By optimizing shapes on the learned latent domain via a genetic algorithm, synthesized airfoils can evolve to target aerodynamic properties. This demonstrates an efficient learning-based airfoil design framework that encodes and optimizes the airfoil on the latent domain and synthesizes promising airfoil candidates for required aerodynamic performance.
Ball tracking and trajectory prediction system for tennis robots
Authors: Yang Yoseph , Kim David , Choi Dongil
Published: June 2023

Recently, as the service robot market has grown, robots have emerged in various fields such as industry, service, and sports. In the field of sports, robots that can play with humans have been developed. We proposed a novel vision system for measuring the trajectory of a tennis ball and predicting its bound position, which can be utilized in the development of tennis robots. In this paper, we introduce a ball detection algorithm using an artificial neural network and a ball trajectory prediction algorithm using stereo vision. Our approach involved the use of a net vision system and a robot vision system to accurately detect and track the ball as it moves across the court. By combining these two systems, we were able to predict the trajectory and bound position of the tennis ball with high accuracy. As a result, the accuracy of the neural network for ball detection in actual tennis images reaches 81.4%. The ball trajectory prediction error in Gazebo simulation is 29.6 cm in the x-axis, 7.2 cm in the y-axis, and 11.7 cm in the z-axis on average.
The “oldest and the newest of nurses”: Nursing and the Professionalization of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Daxenbichler Maria
Published: June 2023

When in the late nineteenth century American physicians increasingly replaced midwives in the care of obstetrical and gynecological patients, they could do so only because they were aided by another emerging group of healthcare professionals: nurses. Nurses were instrumental in assisting physicians in the care of patients in labor and during recovery. They were also necessary for male physicians because the vast majority of nurses were women and their presence during gynecological and obstetrical treatments made it more socially acceptable for men to examine female patients. In hospital schools in the northeast and through long-distance nursing programs, physicians taught students about obstetrical nursing and instructed them to protect the modesty of female patients. They also tried to instill strict professional hierarchies between nurses and physicians, emphasizing that nurses should never attempt to deliver a patient without a physician. But as nursing emerged into a unique professional practice separate from that of physicians, nurses were able to negotiate better education in the care of laboring patients. In order to take over women’s sexual and reproductive health care from traditional providers, physicians conceded to nurses’ demands for more authority in patient care.
Population dynamics ofNyssomyia whitmani(Diptera: Psychodidae) in domestic and peridomestic environments in Northeast Argentina, a tegumentary leishmaniasis outbreak area
Authors: Manteca-Acosta Mariana , Cueto Gerardo Rubén , Poullain Matias , Santini María Soledad , Salomón Oscar Daniel
Published: June 2023

In the present study, the temporal dynamics of the main vector of Leishmania braziliensis, Nyssomyia whitmani, was measured by monthly captures of phlebotominae sandflies during 5 consecutive years (from 2011 to 2016) in the Paranaense region of South America. The captures were performed in environments where the human–vector contact risk is high: domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments in a rural area endemic of tegumentary leishmaniasis. Nyssomyia whitmani was recorded as the dominant species of the phlebotominae ensemble in all domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments (House, Chicken Shed, Pigsty, and Forest Edge). Using generalized additive models, intra- and interannual fluctuations were observed, modulated by meteorological variables such as the minimum temperature and the accumulated precipitation 1 wk prior to capture. The installation of a pigsty by the farmer during the study period allowed us to observe and describe the so-called “pigsty effect” where the Ny. whitmani population was spatially redistributed, turning the pigsty as the environment that obtained the highest phlebotominae record counts, thus maintaining the farm overall abundance, supporting the idea that the environmental management of the peridomicile could have an impact on the reduction of epidemiological risk by altering the spatial distribution of the phlebotominae ensemble in the environments.
Flower surface is warmer in center than at edges in alpine plants: evidence from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Yan , Tang Yanhong
Published: June 2023

Although flower temperature plays an important role in plant reproduction, how it varies spatially on the flower surface is unclear, especially in alpine plants. To characterize spatial variation in flower surface temperature, we examined thermal images of flowers of 18 species along an altitudinal transect from 3200 to 4000 m on Lenglong Mountain on the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The surface temperature varied considerably within a flower or floral unit in all plants under sunlight, and was about 1 °C with a maximum of 11 °C higher in the center than at the edges. Solar radiation and flower shape significantly affected the temperature range and standard deviation and the ratio of flower center to edge temperature. The spatial variability of temperature increased with flower size. Flowers in the Asteraceae had higher surface temperatures, greater spatial variability of temperature, and consistently higher and more stable temperatures in the center than at the edge. The ratio of flower center to edge temperature increased with altitude in most species. Heat buildup at the flower center is likely to be widespread in alpine plants; further studies are needed to explore its ecological and evolutional roles.
Importance of Asylum Status, Support Programmes, and Family Unit Functioning on the Mental Health of Syrian Forced Migrants in Switzerland: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Darwiche Joëlle , El Ghaziri Nahema , Blaser Jérémie , Spini Dario , Suris Joan-Carles , Antonietti Jean-Philippe , Sanchis Zozaya Javier , Marion-Veyron Régis , Bodenmann Patrick
Published: June 2023

Due to the Syrian civil war, millions of Syrians have fled the country since 2011. Several issues have inhibited their successful resettlement, but few studies have examined the development of the healthcare needs of Syrian forced migrants in Europe. This study examined Syrian forced migrants’ healthcare needs in Switzerland, and whether migration type and family functioning affect their mental health. Our sample included 108 individuals from 14 families from the usual asylum process and 19 from the Swiss Resettlement Program (SRP). Each family member was surveyed thrice in 1 year. Several participants reported symptoms of major depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, their general mental health was similar to that of the Western populations. Swiss Resettlement Program participants reported higher overall mental health scores than non-SRP participants, while the two groups showed different progression over time. Children and fathers reported similar levels of mental health, whereas mothers’ mental health scores worsened over time. Family functioning was important for mental health in both groups. Overall, considering the structural and family contexts is important when studying forced migrants’ mental health.
Aortic root abscess and Brucella endocarditis in a patient with mechanical aortic valve prosthesis: a case report
Authors: Alassiri Abdullah K , Alshair Fahad M , Fatani Mazin A , Baghaffar Abdullah H
Published: June 2023

Rare but potentially fatal, brucellosis prosthetic valve endocarditis is a complication of brucellosis caused by Brucella species. The symptoms of brucellosis can be nonspecific, making the diagnosis challenging. Osteoarticular involvement is the most common complication of brucellosis. Mortality from brucellosis is low except for endocarditis and involvement of the central nervous system. The diagnosis is based on laboratory tests and clinical manifestations. Serological tests are preferred, as culture methods can be unreliable. A 59-year-old woman presented with gastrointestinal bleeding, fever, anorexia and malaise. She had a history of aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis for severe bicuspid aortic stenosis. Investigations revealed a multiloculated aortic root abscess encircling the prosthetic valve. She was diagnosed with brucella endocarditis, treated with antibiotics and underwent cardiac surgery. Her symptoms improved following the surgery. Brucellosis prosthetic valve endocarditis is a rare presentation of this disease.
A rare case of small bowel obstruction caused by Meckel’s diverticulum: case report
Authors: Najm Mahmoud , Kelzia Aya , Arnaout Ibrahim , Kadoura Lama , Ghazal Ahmad
Published: June 2023

Meckel’s diverticulum MD is the most common congenital deformity of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a very low reported incidence. We reported a 9-year-old child complaining of symptoms of small bowel obstruction. He had no medical or surgical history. There is no signs of peritonitis and appendicitis. Simple abdominal X-ray diagnosed the obstruction, during surgery we found an MD located 30 cm from the ileocecal valve, fibrous band may be as complication for MD to the anterior abdominal wall at the umbilicus, the small intestines were wrapped around the band, causing the obstruction. The MD and the band were excised with end-to-end anastomosis. We diagnosed our case during surgery. Early surgery is important to preserve bowel from gangrene or necrosis. The patient’s well-being improved, and he was discharged from the hospital in good condition.
Constraints on the transition redshift from the calibrated gamma-ray burst Ep–Eiso correlation
Authors: Muccino Marco , Luongo Orlando , Jain Deepak
Published: June 2023

We constrain the deceleration–acceleration epoch, namely the transition redshift ztr, adopting model-independent techniques that utilize a calibrated Ep–Eiso correlation for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). To do so, in addition to real data points, we employ up to 1000 simulated observational Hubble data (OHD) points. We then calibrate the Ep–Eiso correlation by means of the well-consolidate Bézier polynomial technique, interpolating OHD up to the second order. Once GRB data have been calibrated, we consider two strategies of cosmographic expansions, i.e. first we take a direct Hubble rate expansion around ztr, and second the expansion of the deceleration parameter around the same redshift, but with a different order. Employing Type Ia supernovae, baryonic acoustic oscillations and GRB data sets, from Monte Carlo analyses we infer tight constraints on ztr and the jerk parameters at z = ztr, namely jtr. Our results are extremely compatible with previous outcomes and confirm the Lambda cold dark matter predictions, being slightly different in terms of the jerk parameter. In this respect, we conjecture which extensions of the concordance paradigm are possible and we compare our findings with expectations provided by generic dark energy models.
A lensed radio jet at milli-arcsecond resolution – II. Constraints on fuzzy dark matter from an extended gravitational arc
Authors: Powell Devon M , Vegetti Simona , McKean J P , White Simon D M , Ferreira Elisa G M , May Simon , Spingola Cristiana
Published: June 2023

Using a single gravitational lens system observed at ≲ 5 mas resolution with very long baseline interferometry, we place a lower bound on the mass of the fuzzy dark matter (FDM) particle, ruling out mχ ≤ 4.4 × 10−21 eV with a 20:1 posterior odds ratio relative to a smooth lens model. We generalize our result to non-scalar and multiple-field models, such as vector FDM, with mχ,vec > 1.4 × 10−21 eV. Due to the extended source structure and high angular resolution of the observation, our analysis is directly sensitive to the presence of granule structures in the main dark matter halo of the lens, which is the most generic prediction of FDM theories. A model based on well-understood physics of ultra-light dark matter fields in a gravitational potential well makes our result robust to a wide range of assumed dark matter fractions and velocity dispersions in the lens galaxy. Our result is competitive with other lower bounds on mχ from past analyses, which rely on intermediate modelling of structure formation and/or baryonic effects. Higher resolution observations taken at 10–100 GHz could improve our constraints by up to two orders of magnitude in the future.
#4337 UPDATED INTERIM RESULTS OF A PHASE 1/2 STUDY OF BION-1301 IN PATIENTS WITH IGA NEPHROPATHY
Authors: Barratt Jonathan , Kooienga Laura , Agha Irfan , Ruiz-Ramon Pablo , Madan Arvind , Thomas Hanna , Sorensen Bess , Leiske Jocelyn , Khawaja Zeeshan , King Andrew , Jones-Burton Charlotte
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the leading cause of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide with limited treatment options, especially for high-risk patients. Approximately 30-45% of IgAN patients progress to end-stage kidney disease over a period of 20-25 years and proteinuria is the strongest predictor of disease progression [1]. BION-1301 is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), a cytokine that is elevated in patients with IgAN. APRIL promotes the production of pathogenic galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), leading to immune complex deposition and subsequent kidney injury. Blocking APRIL with BION-1301 is a potential disease-modifying approach to directly target the pathogenesis of IgAN. In a Phase 1/2 study (NCT 03945318) in healthy volunteers and patients with IgAN, BION-1301 was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events (SAEs) and durably reduced free APRIL, IgA, Gd-IgA1, IgM and to a lesser extent, IgG [2].

Method

For the ongoing phase 1/2 open-label, multicohort trial, eligibility criteria include adults with biopsy-proven IgAN, eGFR ≥30 mL/min per 1.73 m2, baseline urine protein excretion ≥0.5 g/24 hrs or UPCR ≥0.5 g/g, and on stable/optimized RASi (or intolerant). Cohort 1 received 450 mg of BION-1301 administered IV every 2 weeks, transitioning to SC at 600 mg every 2 weeks after at least 24 weeks. Cohort 2 receives 600 mg of BION-1301 SC every 2 weeks.

Results

In both Cohorts 1 and 2, BION-1301 was generally well-tolerated, with no SAEs or terminations due to AEs as of the last reported interim analysis (November 2022) [2]. Durable reductions in serum levels of free APRIL and immunoglobulins were observed in both cohorts. No anti-drug antibodies have been observed in patients with IgAN to date. In Cohort 1, clinically meaningful reductions in proteinuria were seen as early as 12 weeks (30.4% geometric mean UPCR reduction, n = 7), and were sustained through 24 weeks (48.8% geometric mean UPCR reduction, n = 8) and 52 weeks (66.9% geometric mean UPCR reduction, n = 8). Reductions in proteinuria were consistent in Cohort 2 (53.8% geometric mean UPCR reduction, n = 9) at 24 weeks. Significant and durable reductions in serum Gd-IgA1 concentrations were observed and were consistent across both cohorts. Updated data will be reported at the time of presentation.

Conclusion

BION-1301 offers disease-modifying potential by directly targeting the initiating pathogenesis of IgAN. Interim biomarker and clinical activity responses support advancement of BION-1301 into later-stage development for patients with IgAN.