bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave assisted synthesis for ϵ-MnO2 nanostructures on Ni foam as for rechargeable Li–O2 battery applications
Authors: Rao R Prasada , Ramasubramanian B , Saritha R , Ramakrishna S
Published: September 2023

Lithium-air batteries exhibits high practical energy densities ranging from 1000 to 4000 Wh Kg−1, rendering them appealing for applications in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. Nevertheless, they grapple with challenges like low charge–discharge efficiency, limited stability over multiple cycles, and electrode degradation stemming from undesirable side reactions, thus impeding their commercial market. In this study, ϵ-MnO2 petal-like nanostructures were synthesized on Ni foam via simple, microwave-assisted synthesis approach. The resulting ϵ-MnO2/Ni electrode demonstrated storage capacities (1982 mAh g−1 discharge capacity at 200 mA g−1) alongside enhanced cyclability and stability over 100 cycles, independent of discharge depth. This electrochemical performance can be attributed to its 3D morphology, oxygen defects, and the absence of side reactions from carbon-based additives. Overall, ϵ-MnO2/Ni electrode catalysts hold potential for realizing cost-effective Li-O2 based energy storage technologies.
Democracy in the ancient world: Greece, Rome, and beyond
Authors: Zack Naomi
Published: September 2023

This chapter looks into the notion of democracy in ancient Greece and Rome. Demokratia primarily referred to the direct, participatory democracy of Athens before being denoted as the quasi-representative government of the Roman Republic. The government structures and democratic rule of both Athens and Rome originated and changed due to internal competition and external pressures. Democratic structures in the ancient world were also present in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The chapter elaborates on the ideas of government and ethics that later became modern conceptions of democracy. However, the conception compatible with slavery does not coincide with the modern definition of democracy. Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero provided theories of government and human nature that became important contributions to democratic political theory.
Growth of a national icon: Later years
Authors: Boehmer Elleke
Published: September 2023

This chapter covers the growth of Nelson Mandela as a national icon. It mentions how Winnie Mandela, his wife, represented comfort and hope by keeping a line of connection with political development in the country. Since Nelson Mandela’s first visit, Robben Island had been redesigned to accommodate more long-term political prisoners. The chapter details how Nelson Mandela protested over the racist distinction of Africans, which resulted in his fellow inmates looking at Mandel as a moral authority and model of behaviour. It then discusses the genial, hands-off style of leadership of Nelson Mandela following his inauguration as South Africa’s first democratic president in Pretoria.
What does film music do?
Authors: Kalinak Kathryn
Published: September 2023

Music in film achieves a number of things: it establishes setting; it creates atmosphere; it calls attention to elements within the frame; it reinforces or foreshadows narrative developments; it gives meaning to a characters’ actions or translates their thoughts; it creates emotion and resonates it between the audience and the screen. Film music can unify a series of images that might seem disconnected on their own, and it can impart a rhythm to their unfolding. “What does film music do?” shows how music brings these dimensions to film through the example of the preexisting song “Chica Chica Boom Chic,” performed by Carmen Miranda and heard in The Shape of Water (2017).
Composers and their craft
Authors: Kalinak Kathryn
Published: September 2023

Where do film composers come from? How do composers work when they are scoring a film? What processes do they use? How do these processes differ across different nations and different eras? “Composers and their craft” looks at the composers of some of the most memorable and recognizable music in the world and sketches a picture of the personalities and processes involved. New material since the publication of the first edition in 2010 includes attention to outsourcing in the production of film music, African American composers, women and minority composers in the United States and globally, Ukrainian composers, and recent film scores such as Joker, Soul, Emma, Manchester by the Sea, Jackie, and Encanto.
Origins
Authors: Greenhouse Linda
Published: September 2023

How does the Supreme Court in the twenty-first century differ from the intentions of the Framers in 1787? “Origins” looks at the Court’s development from an ill-defined institution, with judges based at home or traveling around the country, to a secure base in the Capitol. Ever since Article III announced a national court with the authority to decide cases “arising under” the country’s Constitution, the role of the Supreme Court has been a matter of dispute. From the beginning, the Court has filled in the blanks contained in Article III. How has the modern Court become able to define and exercise its own power?
The Court and the public
Authors: Greenhouse Linda
Published: September 2023

“The Court and the public” argues that a judge’s awareness of public opinion is not only inevitable, but also necessary. Can the Court also influence the public? While over time the Court has more or less aligned itself with public opinion, that relatively stable dynamic broke down in 2022 with the Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to repudiate the constitutional right to abortion, recognized nearly fifty years earlier in Roe v. Wade. A substantial majority of the public disapproved of the Dobbs decision, according to polls that showed plummeting public confidence in the Court. The long-term implications for the Court’s ability to call on a well of public support remain to be seen.
Rural and Urban Differences in Hypertension Management Through Telehealth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Commercially Insured Patients
Authors: Lee Jun Soo , Bhatt Ami , Jackson Sandra L , Pollack Lisa M , Omeaku Nina , Lowe Beasley Kincaid , Wilson Cidney , Luo Feijun , Roy Kakoli
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a rapid increase in telehealth use. However, limited evidence exists on how rural and urban residents used telehealth and in-person outpatient services to manage hypertension during the pandemic.

METHODS

This longitudinal study analyzed 701,410 US adults (18–64 years) in the MarketScan Commercial Claims Database, who were continuously enrolled from January 2017 through March 2022. We documented monthly numbers of hypertension-related telehealth and in-person outpatient visits (per 100 individuals), and the proportion of telehealth visits among all hypertension-related outpatient visits, from January 2019 through March 2022. We used Welch’s two-tail t-test to differentiate monthly estimates by rural–urban status and month-to-month changes.

RESULTS

From February through April 2020, the monthly number of hypertension-related telehealth visits per 100 individuals increased from 0.01 to 6.05 (P < 0.001) for urban residents and from 0.01 to 4.56 (P < 0.001) for rural residents. Hypertension-related in-person visits decreased from 20.12 to 8.30 (P < 0.001) for urban residents and from 20.48 to 10.15 (P < 0.001) for rural residents. The proportion of hypertension-related telehealth visits increased from 0.04% to 42.15% (P < 0.001) for urban residents and from 0.06% to 30.98% (P < 0.001) for rural residents. From March 2020 to March 2022, the monthly average of the proportions of hypertension-related telehealth visits was higher for urban residents than for rural residents (10.19% vs. 6.96%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Data show that rural residents were less likely to use telehealth for hypertension management. Understanding trends in hypertension-related telehealth utilization can highlight disparities in the sustained use of telehealth to advance accessible health care.
Geometrical Changes: Change and Motion in Aristotle’s Philosophy of Geometry
Authors: Martini Chiara
Published: September 2023

It is often said that Aristotle takes geometrical objects to be absolutely unmovable and unchangeable. However, Greek geometrical practice does appeal to motion and change, and geometers seem to consider their objects apt to be manipulated. In this paper, I examine if and how Aristotle’s philosophy of geometry can account for the geometers’ practices and way of talking. First, I illustrate three different ways in which Greek geometry appeals to change. Second, I examine Aristotle’s ontology of geometrical objects and argue that although the truth-makers of geometrical statements are in fact unmovable because they are properties of sensible objects, geometers ‘separate them in thought’ and treat them as substances apt to be modified. Finally, I examine whether allowing for the possibility of manipulating these semi-fictional geometrical individuals creates problems for the applicability of geometry. I find that it does not, insofar as one accepts that geometry is not meant to track physical change but merely to study the instantaneous geometrical configuration of sensible bodies, and is thus only applicable at the instant.
Dorsal Lipomodeling to Treat Donor Site After Latissimus Dorsi Flap: Safety and Effectiveness
Authors: Alqahtani Sarah , Delay Alexandra , Meruta Andreea , Dupre Aurélien , Frobert Paul , Delay Emmanuel
Published: September 2023

Background

The latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) is a classic and efficient technique for breast reconstruction. However, its use has recently diminished in surgical practice due to dorsal disadvantages and to the increased use of microsurgical techniques for breast reconstruction, such as the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of managing dorsal problems such as asymmetry, irregularities, and dysesthesia by lipomodeling the back region during the associated surgery for breast reconstruction.

Methods

A series of 300 patients operated by the last author for dorsal lipomodeling to correct sequelae after harvesting the total LDF, between November 2012 and March 2019, was analyzed.

Results

The results show a very good improvement in the dorsal region in 6.7% of cases, good improvement in 86.7% cases, and fair improvement in 6.7% of cases. There was a good improvement in dorsal comfort in 90% of cases, a very good improvement in 6.66% of cases, and a fair improvement in 6.66% of cases. In 5% of cases 2 sessions were required to obtain a satisfactory result. No major complications were registered, and the only complication encountered were oil cysts in 2.6% of cases that were treated during consultation with percutaneous puncture.

Conclusions

This study showed that lipomodeling in the back area after LDF harvesting is an efficient and safe technique that corrects secondary dorsal sequelae such as irregularities, asymmetry, sensitivity, and dysesthesia. This technique should increase the indications for LDF because it decreases donor site sequelae, which are some of the main drawbacks of the LDF approach.

Level of Evidence: 3
Self-supervised deep clustering of single-cell RNA-seq data to hierarchically detect rare cell populations
Authors: Lei Tianyuan , Chen Ruoyu , Zhang Shaoqiang , Chen Yong
Published: September 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a widely used technique for characterizing individual cells and studying gene expression at the single-cell level. Clustering plays a vital role in grouping similar cells together for various downstream analyses. However, the high sparsity and dimensionality of large scRNA-seq data pose challenges to clustering performance. Although several deep learning-based clustering algorithms have been proposed, most existing clustering methods have limitations in capturing the precise distribution types of the data or fully utilizing the relationships between cells, leaving a considerable scope for improving the clustering performance, particularly in detecting rare cell populations from large scRNA-seq data. We introduce DeepScena, a novel single-cell hierarchical clustering tool that fully incorporates nonlinear dimension reduction, negative binomial-based convolutional autoencoder for data fitting, and a self-supervision model for cell similarity enhancement. In comprehensive evaluation using multiple large-scale scRNA-seq datasets, DeepScena consistently outperformed seven popular clustering tools in terms of accuracy. Notably, DeepScena exhibits high proficiency in identifying rare cell populations within large datasets that contain large numbers of clusters. When applied to scRNA-seq data of multiple myeloma cells, DeepScena successfully identified not only previously labeled large cell types but also subpopulations in CD14 monocytes, T cells and natural killer cells, respectively.
compleasm: a faster and more accurate reimplementation of BUSCO
Authors: Huang Neng , Li Heng
Published: September 2023

Motivation

Evaluating the gene completeness is critical to measuring the quality of a genome assembly. An incomplete assembly can lead to errors in gene predictions, annotation, and other downstream analyses. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) is a widely used tool for assessing the completeness of genome assembly by testing the presence of a set of single-copy orthologs conserved across a wide range of taxa. However, BUSCO is slow particularly for large genome assemblies. It is cumbersome to apply BUSCO to a large number of assemblies.

Results

Here, we present compleasm, an efficient tool for assessing the completeness of genome assemblies. Compleasm utilizes the miniprot protein-to-genome aligner and the conserved orthologous genes from BUSCO. It is 14 times faster than BUSCO for human assemblies and reports a more accurate completeness of 99.6% than BUSCO’s 95.7%, which is in close agreement with the annotation completeness of 99.5% for T2T-CHM13.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/huangnengCSU/compleasm.
Design of optimal labeling patterns for optical genome mapping via information theory
Authors: Nogin Yevgeni , Bar-Lev Daniella , Hanania Dganit , Detinis Zur Tahir , Ebenstein Yuval , Yaakobi Eitan , Weinberger Nir , Shechtman Yoav
Published: September 2023

Motivation

Optical genome mapping (OGM) is a technique that extracts partial genomic information from optically imaged and linearized DNA fragments containing fluorescently labeled short sequence patterns. This information can be used for various genomic analyses and applications, such as the detection of structural variations and copy-number variations, epigenomic profiling, and microbial species identification. Currently, the choice of labeled patterns is based on the available biochemical methods and is not necessarily optimized for the application.

Results

In this work, we develop a model of OGM based on information theory, which enables the design of optimal labeling patterns for specific applications and target organism genomes. We validated the model through experimental OGM on human DNA and simulations on bacterial DNA. Our model predicts up to 10-fold improved accuracy by optimal choice of labeling patterns, which may guide future development of OGM biochemical labeling methods and significantly improve its accuracy and yield for applications such as epigenomic profiling and cultivation-free pathogen identification in clinical samples.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/yevgenin/PatternCode
Chronic estradiol exposure suppresses luteinizing hormone surge without affecting kisspeptin neurons and estrogen receptor alpha in anteroventral periventricular nucleus
Authors: Kunimura Yuyu , Iwata Kinuyo , Ishii Hirotaka , Ozawa Hitoshi
Published: September 2023

Mammalian ovulation is induced by a luteinizing hormone surge, which is triggered by elevated plasma estrogen levels; however, chronic exposure to high levels of estradiol is known to inhibit luteinizing hormone secretion. In the present study, we hypothesized that the inhibition of the luteinizing hormone surge by chronic estradiol exposure is due to the downregulation of the estrogen receptor alpha in kisspeptin neurons at hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular nucleus, which is known as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone/luteinizing hormone surge generator. Animals exposed to estradiol for 2 days showed an luteinizing hormone surge, whereas those exposed for 14 days showed a significant suppression of luteinizing hormone. Chronic estradiol exposure did not affect the number of kisspeptin neurons and the percentage of kisspeptin neurons with estrogen receptor alpha or c-Fos in anteroventral periventricular nucleus, but it did affect the number of kisspeptin neurons in arcuate nucleus. Furthermore, chronic estradiol exposure did not affect gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. In the pituitary, 14-day estradiol exposure significantly reduced the expression of Lhb mRNA and LHβ-immunoreactive areas. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced luteinizing hormone release was also reduced significantly by 14-day estradiol exposure. We revealed that the suppression of an luteinizing hormone surge by chronic estradiol exposure was induced in association with the significant reduction in kisspeptin neurons in arcuate nucleus, luteinizing hormone expression in the pituitary, and pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and this was not caused by changes in the estrogen receptor alpha-expressing kisspeptin neurons in anteroventral periventricular nucleus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, which are responsible for estradiol positive feedback.
Thyroid surgery in children and adolescents: results from a multi-institutional German and Austrian database
Authors: Weber Theresia , Hummel Rainer , Vorländer Christian , Zielke Andreas , Hermann Michael , Krappitz Anna , Negele Thomas , Dotzenrath Cornelia , Trupka Arnold , Schabram Jochen , Schmidtmann Irene , Klinger Carsten , Lorenz Kerstin
Published: September 2023

Background

Outcomes of paediatric thyroid surgery have only been reported in smaller series or over long intervals. The aim of this multicentre study was to describe the recent outcomes of paediatric thyroid surgery in Germany and Austria.

Methods

Patients aged less than or equal to 18 years who underwent thyroid surgery and were prospectively documented in the StuDoQ|Thyroid registry between March 2017 and August 2022 were studied.

Results

In total, 604 patients from 90 institutions were included. The mean age was 15.4 years and 75 per cent of patients were female. The most frequent benign pathologies were nodular goitre (35.6 per cent), follicular adenoma (30.1 per cent), and Graves’ disease (28.5 per cent). Among 126 thyroid malignancies, papillary thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 77.8 per cent of patients, follicular thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 10.3 per cent of patients, and medullary thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 8.7 per cent of patients. Lymph node metastases were found in 45.9 per cent of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and in 36.4 per cent of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Vascular invasion was found in 62.9 per cent of patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma. The mean tumour diameters were 18, 42, and 13 mm in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma respectively. Early postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was seen in 27 of 556 patients (4.9 per cent) (22 of 617 (3.6 per cent) nerves at risk with intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring and 5 of 237 (2.1 per cent) nerves at risk with continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring). Persistent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was documented in 4 of 556 patients (0.7 per cent). Early postoperative hypoparathyroidism correlated with Graves’ disease, thyroid carcinoma, and lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

Papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma in children were often advanced at presentation. Persistent or recurrent lymph node metastases were mainly seen in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Overall survival was excellent, but longer follow-up is needed.
Developmental plasticity of thermal performance curve for reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Klepsatel Peter , Knoblochová Diana , Dharanikota Malleswara , Vidlička Ľubomír , Gáliková Martina
Published: September 2023

In ectotherms, body temperature is a crucial determinant of performance and fitness, as captured by thermal performance curves (TPCs). Since survival in variable environments is often facilitated by phenotypic plasticity, to reliably assess an organism’s ability to cope with thermal changes, it is necessary to characterize not only TPCs but also their reaction norms. While previous studies have investigated plasticity in TPCs, these studies focus only on selected parameters and a few developmental temperatures. They may, therefore, overlook the complexity of developmental plasticity in TPCs. Here, we examined the full extent of thermal developmental plasticity in TPCs for fecundity and hatchability in Drosophila melanogaster. By employing a factorial design with ten developmental and twelve adult temperatures, our study enabled a comprehensive characterization of reaction norms of all key TPC parameters. We found that developmental temperature had a significant impact on the egg production rate, with minor effects on other TPC parameters. Nonoptimal developmental temperatures negatively affected most TPC parameters, whereas development at 22–26 °C maximized reproductive fitness. We also revealed that developmental plasticity for the maximum reproductive performance might be predominantly caused by developmentally-induced changes in ovariole number. Our results in conjunction with previous studies on intraspecific variation suggest that any changes in TPC for reproduction primarily involve the egg production rate, indicating that adaptive evolution and phenotypic plasticity followed the same pathway. Overall, our findings underscore the limitations of developmental plasticity in enhancing reproductive fitness, suggesting that while certain traits, such as egg production rate, may be relatively plastic, these changes may not be sufficient to enable effective adjustment to environmental shifts.
Genetic bases of resistance to the rice hoja blanca disease deciphered by a quantitative trait locus approach
Authors: Silva Alexander , Montoya María Elker , Quintero Constanza , Cuasquer Juan , Tohme Joe , Graterol Eduardo , Cruz Maribel , Lorieux Mathias
Published: September 2023

Rice hoja blanca (RHB) is one of the most serious diseases in rice-growing areas in tropical Americas. Its causal agent is RHB virus (RHBV), transmitted by the planthopper Tagosodes orizicolus Müir. Genetic resistance is the most effective and environment-friendly way of controlling the disease. So far, only 1 major quantitative trait locus (QTL) of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica origin, qHBV4.1, that alters the incidence of the virus symptoms in 2 Colombian cultivars has been reported. This resistance has already started to be broken, stressing the urgent need for diversifying the resistance sources. In the present study, we performed a search for new QTLs of O. sativa indica origin associated with RHB resistance. We used 4 F2:3-segregating populations derived from indica-resistant varieties crossed with a highly susceptible japonica pivot parent. Besides the standard method for measuring disease incidence, we developed a new method based on computer-assisted image processing to determine the affected leaf area (ALA) as a measure of symptom severity. Based on the disease severity and incidence scores in the F3 families under greenhouse conditions and SNP genotyping of the F2 individuals, we identified 4 new indica QTLs for RHB resistance on rice chromosomes 4, 6, and 11, namely, qHBV4.2WAS208, qHBV6.1PTB25, qHBV11.1, and qHBV11.2, respectively. We also confirmed the wide-range action of qHBV4.1. Among the 5 QTLs, qHBV4.1 and qHBV11.1 had the largest effects on incidence and severity, respectively. These results provide a more complete understanding of the genetic bases of RHBV resistance in the cultivated rice gene pool and can be used to develop marker-aided breeding strategies to improve RHB resistance. The power of joint- and meta-analyses allowed precise mapping and candidate gene identification, providing the basis for positional cloning of the 2 major QTLs qHBV4.1 and qHBV11.1.
Whole-genome sequence of the Cooley spruce gall adelgid, Adelges cooleyi (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Adelgidae)
Authors: Dial Dustin T , Weglarz Kathryn M , Brunet Bryan M T , Havill Nathan P , von Dohlen Carol D , Burke Gaelen R
Published: September 2023

The adelgids (Adelgidae) are a small family of sap-feeding insects, which, together with true aphids (Aphididae) and phylloxerans (Phylloxeridae), make up the infraorder Aphidomorpha. Some adelgid species are highly destructive to forest ecosystems such as Adelges tsugae, Adelges piceae, Adelges laricis, Pineus pini, and Pineus boerneri. Despite this, there are no high-quality genomic resources for adelgids, hindering advanced genomic analyses within Adelgidae and among Aphidomorpha. Here, we used PacBio continuous long-read and Illumina RNA-sequencing to construct a high-quality draft genome assembly for the Cooley spruce gall adelgid, Adelges cooleyi (Gillette), a gall-forming species endemic to North America. The assembled genome is 270.2 Mb in total size and has scaffold and contig N50 statistics of 14.87 and 7.18 Mb, respectively. There are 24,967 predicted coding sequences, and the assembly completeness is estimated at 98.1 and 99.6% with core BUSCO gene sets of Arthropoda and Hemiptera, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis using the A. cooleyi genome, 3 publicly available adelgid transcriptomes, 4 phylloxera transcriptomes, the Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (grape phylloxera) genome, 4 aphid genomes, and 2 outgroup coccoid genomes fully resolves adelgids and phylloxerans as sister taxa. The mitochondrial genome is 24 kb, among the largest in insects sampled to date, with 39.4% composed of noncoding regions. This genome assembly is currently the only genome-scale, annotated assembly for adelgids and will be a valuable resource for understanding the ecology and evolution of Aphidomorpha.
No Signs of Adaptations for High Flight Intensity in the Mitochondrial Genome of Birds
Authors: Claramunt Santiago , Haddrath Oliver
Published: September 2023

Mitochondrial genomes are expected to show adaptations for optimizing aerobic respiration in birds that make intense use of flight. However, there is limited empirical evidence of such a relationship. We here examine correlates of several mitochondrial genome characteristics and flight use across a diverse sample of 597 bird species. We developed an index of flight use intensity that ranged from 0 in flightless species to 9 in migratory hummingbirds and examined its association with nucleobase composition, amino acid class composition, and amino acid site allelic variation using phylogenetic comparative methods. We found no evidence of mitochondrial genome adaptations to flight intensity. Neither nucleotide composition nor amino acid properties showed consistent patterns related to flight use. While specific sites in mitochondrial genes exhibited variation associated with flight intensity, there was limited association between specific amino acid residues and flight intensity levels. Our findings suggest a complex genetic architecture for aerobic performance traits, where multiple genes in both mitochondria and the nucleus may contribute to overall performance. Other factors, such as gene expression regulation and anatomical adaptations, may play a more significant role in influencing flight performance than changes in mitochondrial genes. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive genomic analyses to unravel the intricate relationship between genetic variants and aerobic performance in birds.
Ohnologs and SSD Paralogs Differ in Genomic and Expression Features Related to Dosage Constraints
Authors: Vance Zoe , McLysaght Aoife
Published: September 2023

Gene duplication is recognized as a critical process in genome evolution; however, many questions about this process remain unanswered. Although gene duplicability has been observed to differ by duplication mechanism and evolutionary rate, there is so far no broad characterization of its determinants. Many features correlate with this difference in duplicability; however, our ability to exploit these observations to advance our understanding of the role of duplication in evolution is hampered by limitations within existing work. In particular, the existence of methodological differences across studies impedes meaningful comparison. Here, we use consistent definitions of duplicability in the human lineage to explore these associations, allow resolution of the impact of confounding factors, and define the overall relevance of individual features. Using a classifier approach and controlling for the confounding effect of duplicate longevity, we find a subset of gene features important in differentiating genes duplicable by small-scale duplication from those duplicable by whole-genome duplication, revealing critical roles for gene dosage and expression costs in duplicability. We further delve into patterns of functional enrichment and find a lack of constraint on duplicate retention in any context for genes duplicable by small-scale duplication.
OmicsSuite: a customized and pipelined suite for analysis and visualization of multi-omics big data
Authors: Miao Ben-Ben , Dong Wei , Gu Yi-Xin , Han Zhao-Fang , Luo Xuan , Ke Cai-Huan , You Wei-Wei
Published: September 2023

With the advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies such as Illumina, PacBio, and 10X Genomics platforms, and gas/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, large volumes of biological data in multiple formats can now be obtained through multi-omics analysis. Bioinformatics is constantly evolving and seeking breakthroughs to solve multi-omics problems; however, it is challenging for most experimental biologists to analyse data using command-line interfaces, coding, and scripting. Based on experience with multi-omics, we have developed OmicsSuite, a desktop suite that comprehensively integrates statistics and multi-omics analysis and visualization. The suite has 175 sub-applications in 12 categories, including Sequence, Statistics, Algorithm, Genomics, Transcriptomics, Enrichment, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Clinical, Microorganism, Single Cell, and Table Operation. We created the user interface with Sequence View, Table View, and intelligent components based on JavaFX and the popular Shiny framework. The multi-omics analysis functions were developed based on BioJava and 300+ packages provided by the R CRAN and Bioconductor communities, and it encompasses over 3000 adjustable parameter interfaces. OmicsSuite can directly read multi-omics raw data in FastA, FastQ, Mutation Annotation Format, mzML, Matrix, and HDF5 formats, and the programs emphasize data transfer directions and pipeline analysis functions. OmicsSuite can produce pre-publication images and tables, allowing users to focus on biological aspects. OmicsSuite offers multi-omics step-by-step workflows that can be easily applied to horticultural plant breeding and molecular mechanism studies in plants. It enables researchers to freely explore the molecular information contained in multi-omics big data (Source: https://github.com/OmicsSuite/, Website: https://omicssuite.github.io, v1.3.9).
Planes, Trains, and Armored Mobiles: Introducing a Dataset of the Global Distribution of Military Capabilities
Authors: Gannon J Andrés
Published: September 2023

This article introduces a dataset on disaggregated national military capabilities from 1970 to 2014, drawn from the International Institute for Strategic Studies Military Balance. While practitioners have long recognized the importance of what weapons states own, scholars have largely examined surrounding questions in piecemeal fashion due to data limitations. The Distribution of Military Capabilities dataset identifies the weapons portfolios of states over the past half century at various levels of aggregation suitable to a wide variety of research questions. This paper begins by explaining the value of data on disaggregated national military capabilities, the data’s scope, and the data collection process, including the creation of a new modular typology of weapons categories consistent across time and space. I then identify some initial trends about changes in the distribution of military capabilities and their implications for China’s military rise. These data allow scholars to better investigate important questions concerning power projection, military innovation, conflict outcomes, the use of force decisions, and interest group lobbying.
Time- and temperature-dependent postmortem ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration changes in rabbits following controlled inhaled cannabis administration
Authors: Cliburn Kacey D , Kemp Philip M , Huestis Marilyn A , Wagner Jarrad R , Payton Mark , Liu Lin , Liang Yurong , Maxwell Lara K
Published: September 2023

ostmortem redistribution (PMR), a well-known phenomenon in forensic toxicology, can result in substantial changes in drug concentrations after death, depending on the chemical characteristics of the drug, blood collection site, storage conditions of the body and postmortem interval (PMI). Limited PMR data are available for ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in Cannabis sativa. PMR was evaluated after controlled cannabis inhalation via a smoking machine and exposure chamber in New Zealand white rabbits. Necropsies were performed on five control rabbits immediately after euthanasia, whereas 27 others were stored at room temperature (21°C) or refrigerated conditions (4°C) until necropsy at 2, 6, 16, 24 or 36 h after death. THC and its Phase I and glucuronidated Phase II metabolites were quantified in blood, vitreous humor, urine, bile and tissues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS). Under refrigerated temperature, heart blood THC concentrations significantly increased at PMI 2 h in rabbits, whereas peripheral blood THC concentrations showed a significant increase at PMI 16 h. Central:peripheral blood and liver:peripheral blood ratios for THC ranged from 0.13 to 4.1 and 0.28 to 8.9, respectively. Lung revealed the highest THC concentrations, while brain and liver exhibited the most stable THC concentrations over time. This report contributes much needed data to our understanding of postmortem THC behavior and can aid toxicologists in the interpretation of THC concentrations in medicolegal death investigations.
Complete Salvage of Third-degree Burn of Ear by Repairing Gel-PRP-Fibrin Glue, A Case Report
Authors: Tavousi Seyed Hasan , Safari Hosein , Kouchaki Amir , Emadi Elaheh , Hamidi Alamdari Daryoush
Published: September 2023

The ear is a very important facial feature and enhances the overall look of the face. Usually, patients with entire ear burns also have large areas of burn in their bodies. To save the patient, skin grafting to reduce the injured body surface area is prioritized and the treatment of the ears may be inevitably delayed, which results in minor to very severe cosmetic deformity. This has a deep effect on the life quality of a patient who survives a burn injury. Therefore, any step that decreases ear deformity or loss is very crucial for the patient. There are different challenging procedures for ear reconstruction which are very tedious works. In this study, for one patient, repairing gel–platelet-rich plasma-fibrin glue was applied for the treatment of a deep dermal burned ear as a novel, non-invasive, and simple approach to give a normal shape to the ear to prevent extensive morbidity during the acute phase and deformities later as a consequence of burns. No keloid is observed after treatment.
Experiment and particle flow simulation on mechanical properties and crack evolution mechanism of Brazilian discs containing two flaws
Authors: Bai Yao , Sun Peng , Dou Haoyu , Ma Tiancheng , Wang Yujing , Liu Pengqian
Published: September 2023

The mechanical behavior of fractured rock in tensile stress environment is a hot topic in underground mining engineering. Here, real surrounding rock of coal mine roadway was simulated by using rock-like materials and the tensile failure behavior of Brazilian discs with intermittent double fissures was investigated experimentally. The deformation response, fracture evolution, and failure mode of rock were analyzed. The fissured disc specimen's discrete element model was proposed in particle flow code (PFC2D). The microforce field, crack, and energy evolution processes of model specimens were discussed. The results showed that the load-displacement curves exhibit single-peak and double-peak types, corresponding to the splitting penetration and wing crack penetration damage modes of the specimen. The fissure angle or rock bridge angle showed a great influence on the evolution of main cracks and secondary cracks. The double-fissured Brazilian disc failed due to the initiation and transfer of microcracks in the stress concentration zone, combined with the continuous propagation and convergence of those microcracks. The splitting failure of the Brazilian disc is a continuous process of strain energy accumulation from the early stage of loading and instantaneous release of strain energy after obtaining the peak strength as the dissipative energy sharply rises.
Phenomenological Interview and Gender Dysphoria: A Third Pathway for Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Dierckxsens Geoffrey , Baron Teresa R
Published: September 2023

Gender dysphoria (GD) is marked by an incongruence between a person’s biological sex at birth, and their felt gender (or gender identity). There is continuing debate regarding the benefits and drawbacks of physiological treatment of GD in children, a pathway, beginning with endocrine treatment to suppress puberty. Currently, the main alternative to physiological treatment consists of the so-called “wait-and-see” approach, which often includes counseling or other psychotherapeutic treatment. In this paper, we argue in favor of a “third pathway” for the diagnosis and treatment of GD in youths. To make our case, we draw on a recent development in bioethics: the phenomenological approach. Scholars such as Slatman and Svenaeus have argued that the extent to which the body can (or should be) manipulated or reconstructed through medical intervention is not only determined by consideration of ethical frameworks and social and legal norms. Rather, we must also take account of patients’ personal experience of their body, the personal and social values associated with it, and their understanding of its situation in their life: their narrative identities. We apply this phenomenological approach to medicine and nursing to the diagnosis and treatment of GD in youth. In particular, we discuss Zahavi and Martiny’s conception of the phenomenological interview, in order to show that narrative techniques can assist in the process of gender identification and in the treatment of youth presenting with GD. We focus on two case studies that highlight the relevance of a narrative-based interview in relations between patients, HCPs, and family, to expose the influence of social ideologies on how young people presenting with GD experience their bodies and gender.
The intricate role of CCL5/CCR5 axis in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Ma Weijiang , Liu Aihua , Wu Xinya , Gao Li , Chen Jingjing , Wu Hanxin , Liu Meixiao , Fan Yuxin , Peng Li , Yang Jiaru , Kong Jing , Li Bingxue , Ji Zhenhua , Dong Yan , Luo Suyi , Song Jieqin , Bao Fukai
Published: September 2023

The morbidity and mortality associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, are increasing each year. Although both amyloid β and tau proteins are known to be involved in AD pathology, their detailed functions in the pathogenesis of the disease are not fully understood. There is increasing evidence that neuroinflammation contributes to the development and progression of AD, with astrocytes, microglia, and the cytokines and chemokines they secrete acting coordinately in these processes. Signaling involving chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) and its main receptor C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) plays an important role in normal physiologic processes as well as pathologic conditions such as neurodegeneration. In recent years, many studies have shown that the CCL5/CCR5 axis plays a major effect in the pathogenesis of AD, but there are also a few studies that contradict this. In short, the role of CCL5/CCR5 axis in the pathogenesis of AD is still intricate. This review summarizes the structure, distribution, physiologic functions of the CCL5/CCR5 axis, and the progress in understanding its involvement in the pathogenesis of AD.
Hemorrhage and Massive Transfusion Protocols
Authors: Heine Christopher , Brown Tod
Published: September 2023

Acute, major hemorrhage, like that seen in the setting of a traumatic injury, carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. This is the result of the inciting injury, the treatment with intravenous infusions and transfusions, and the body’s subsequent response to both. While the ultimate treatment of the insult is either surgery or conservative critical care, the resuscitation is often managed by paramedics and other first responders, emergency rooms, and potentially anesthetists if the patient is brought to the operating room. Proper use of blood products, protocols, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy, and testing can help mitigate the damage caused by the trauma and the therapy. The principles of damage control surgery and resuscitation allow for the care team to initially stabilize the patient in the operating room and then the critical care team to further resuscitate and treat coagulopathies before returning for the definitive repair hours or days later.
Anaphylaxis
Authors: Sutaria Richa , Guta Cosmin
Published: September 2023

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening, type 1 hypersensitivity reaction that occurs with reexposure to an antigen, eliciting an IgE-mediated response, which triggers a widespread mediator release of mast cells and basophils. The top causative agents of anaphylaxis during the perioperative period are neuromuscular blockers, antibiotics, and latex. However, with the increased use of sugammadex, the overall incidence of anaphylaxis in patients under general anesthesia has been reported to be increased by one-third. Symptoms can progress rapidly and involve multiple organ systems. During the perioperative period, anaphylaxis can be more severe with higher mortality rates as patients are unable to report their symptoms. For many cases, the initial detection of anaphylaxis occurs with severe airway obstruction and/or cardiovascular collapse. The symptoms of anaphylaxis can be more difficult to recognize in sedated or anesthetized patients, requiring vigilant oversight by the anesthetic provider. Prompt recognition of these symptoms and initiating treatment of anaphylaxis is key as clinical deterioration can occur rapidly. It is of utmost importance to initiate early cardiopulmonary resuscitation with epinephrine administration and fluid resuscitation. Obtaining serum tryptase levels in a timely fashion can confirm the diagnosis.
Angioedema
Authors: Bursian Alberto , Zasimovich Yury
Published: September 2023

Angioedema is tissue swelling and edema usually within the skin but that can also affect mucosal surfaces, bowel, and the larynx. There are different types including allergic, idiopathic, hereditary, and drug induced. Allergic angioedema is histamine induced from various triggers (drugs, foods, environmental allergens, etc.). Idiopathic angioedema is recurrent without any explanation. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. Drug-induced angioedema is often secondary to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and resolves when the ACE inhibitor is discontinued. Hereditary and ACE inhibitor–induced angioedema is usually bradykinin mediated. Signs and symptoms of angioedema are rapid nonpitting edema of tissue, hemodynamic instability, urticaria, erythema, and pruritis. It is important to distinguish between different types since progression of the symptoms as well as response to therapy will differ. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can be lifesaving.
Motivational Interviewing in Medical Training
Authors: Minney Sarah , Childers Julie
Published: September 2023

This chapter focuses on the importance of first listening to patients rather than immediately attempting to diagnose their illness. The history and development of Miller and Rollnick’s Motivational Interviewing (MI) is reviewed, emphasizing how it builds on other models of therapeutic approaches in order to establish a strong therapeutic alliance between patient and practitioner. Definitions of MI as a person-centered approach are described. Practitioners are shown that patients cannot be made to change, and that patient autonomy is a critical element of treatment. The authors discuss how this approach appropriately places responsibility on the respective roles of patient and practitioner, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing practitioner burnout. Two personal reflections by one of the authors presents how she experienced and learned the significance of these matters.
Motivational Interviewing in Challenging Encounters
Authors: Ali Areej , Smith Erin
Published: September 2023

Challenging patient encounters occur across all healthcare settings. From outpatient clinics to inpatient wards, and from operating suites to emergency departments, we cannot imagine a setting in which the potential for unnerving patient encounters do not exist. In this chapter, we present a Motivational Interviewing (MI)–informed therapeutic approach that will help you recognize and manage challenging patient encounters. We discuss the practitioner factors, patient factors, and system factors that contribute to challenging encounters. Examples are presented on how to use MI skills to help resolve problematic interactions with “angry, overwhelmed, withdrawn patients,” as well as strategies to limit discord during attempts to establish a therapeutic relationship. Important for current issues in healthcare, a scenario is presented on how to approach patients who indicate they are ambivalent to receive vaccines.
Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use
Authors: Douaihy Antoine , Glance Jody , Hirsh Estelle
Published: September 2023

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are heterogeneous conditions characterized by recurrent compulsive use of a psychoactive substance associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This chapter reviews the outcomes when Motivational Interviewing (MI) is used to treat SUD and when MI is combined with other treatment modalities. The authors indicate that ambivalence plays an important role in the effectiveness of MI with SUD, and they discuss how varying levels of ambivalence affects readiness for change. A clinical vignette is presented that focuses on using MI to help a patient who is considering terminating treatment. His primary concern is mistrusting others. However, by establishing a therapeutic alliance with his MI practitioner, he resolves his conflict by choosing to continue treatment. A personal reflection is offered on how one of the authors discovered what the true nature of MI is about and how it focuses on enhancing patient motivation for change instead of blaming, persuading, stigmatizing, and labeling.