bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of direct‐drive Vernier wind generators for potential use at ≥10 MW power level
Authors: Kana Padinharu Dileep Kumar , Li Guang‐Jin , Zhu Zi‐Qiang , Wang Peng , Clark Richard , Azar Ziad
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the benefits and challenges of the multi‐MW direct‐drive offshore wind Vernier generators. It is worth noting that the comparison of generator topologies presented in ref. [1] was for the same power level and therefore a reduced machine volume for the surface‐mounted permanent magnet Vernier (SPM‐V) generators. This would mainly impact the capital expenditure (CAPEX) cost between the different investigated machines. Whereas in this paper, the performance is compared for the same machine volume that allows the Vernier generators to produce a much higher energy yield than a conventional SPM generator. As the extra energy yield would be beneficial over the lifetime of the turbine, this will have a bigger impact than the CAPEX cost savings with a reduced machine volume. In addition, a novel Vernier machine with magnets on both the stator and rotor has been proposed to further improve the energy yield. In addition to the basic electromagnetic performance, the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of the three generator topologies, that is, the conventional SPM, SPM‐V and the proposed Vernier machines, has been compared. The direct‐drive powertrain systems with SPM‐V and the proposed Vernier generators can achieve LCOE of 12.3% and 24% lower than that of the conventional SPM generators, indicating their huge potential as an alternative to reduce the overall cost of energy.
Engineering biology and automation–Replicability as a design principle
Authors: Bultelle Matthieu , Casas Alexis , Kitney Richard
Published: July 2024

Applications in engineering biology increasingly share the need to run operations on very large numbers of biological samples. This is a direct consequence of the application of good engineering practices, the limited predictive power of current computational models and the desire to investigate very large design spaces in order to solve the hard, important problems the discipline promises to solve. Automation has been proposed as a key component for running large numbers of operations on biological samples. This is because it is strongly associated with higher throughput, and with higher replicability (thanks to the reduction of human input). The authors focus on replicability and make the point that, far from being an additional burden for automation efforts, replicability should be considered central to the design of the automated pipelines processing biological samples at scale—as trialled in biofoundries. There cannot be successful automation without effective error control. Design principles for an IT infrastructure that supports replicability are presented. Finally, the authors conclude with some perspectives regarding the evolution of automation in engineering biology. In particular, they speculate that the integration of hardware and software will show rapid progress, and offer users a degree of control and abstraction of the robotic infrastructure on a level significantly greater than experienced today.
UCSwin‐UNet model for medical image segmentation based on cardiac haemangioma
Authors: Shi Jian‐Ting , Qu Gui‐Xu , Li Zhi‐Jun
Published: July 2024

Cardiac hemangioma is a rare benign tumour that presents diagnostic challenges due to its variable clinical symptoms, imaging features, and locations. This study proposes a novel segmentation method based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Transformer integration, with Swin‐UNet as the core model. We incorporated a U‐shaped convolutional neural network block into the original jump connection of Swin‐UNet. The Binary Cross Entropy Loss (BCE Loss) algorithm was added, and the learning rate decay algorithm was modified to select the appropriate one by comparing loss values. This paper utilizes the publicly available cardiac angioma dataset in AI Studio, consisting of 215 images for training and testing. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model, this paper demonstrates its optimality through ablation experiments and comparisons with other mainstream models. The comparison experiments show that this model improves Dice by approximately 12%, HD95 by approximately 4.7 mm, Accuracy by approximately 6.1%, and F1 score by 0.11 compared to models such as UNet, UNet++, and Deeplabv3+, etc. For the recently proposed SOTO models, such as TransUNet, Swin‐UNet, and MultiResUnet, the Dice score improved by about 1.2%, HD95 reduced by about 1mm, Accuracy improved by about 0.3%, and F1 score improved by 0.015.
Le principe de limitation des doses et la tolérabilité du risque radiologique
Authors: Vaillant L.
Published: July 2024

Le système de radioprotection vise à protéger l’homme et l’environnement contre les effets nocifs liés à l’exposition aux rayonnements ionisants. Il repose sur 3 principes de gestion : le principe de justification, le principe d’optimisation de la protection et l’application des limites de dose. En ce qui concerne la santé humaine, l’objectif du système est, plus précisément, de prévenir les réactions tissulaires et de maintenir la probabilité d’effets stochastiques à un niveau acceptable, compte-tenu des caractéristiques de la situation d’exposition. Pour les situations d’exposition planifiées, hors exposition médicale, la fixation de limites de dose est nécessaire, non seulement pour atteindre le premier objectif, mais aussi pour contribuer au second. Depuis 1928, la Commission Internationale de Protection Radiologique a développé un système de protection radiologique fondé sur la science, les valeurs et l’expérience, et qui comprend, entre autres, des recommandations portant sur les limites de dose. Cet article a pour but d’explorer la rationalité des valeurs de limites de dose proposées par la Commission.
Decision-making in low carbon supply chains: a blockchain-based lcsp perspective and a differential game model
Authors: Xu Yingying , Zhang Zhenni
Published: July 2024

Blockchain technology has reshaped how members of supply chains transfer information, effectively avoiding the phenomenon of information silos and helping to improve the emissions reduction performance and profit of each subject in the supply chain. It is now critical to understand how supply chain members can be encouraged to collaboratively invest in low-carbon service platforms based on blockchain technology to realise chain-wide systematic carbon reduction. In this regard, considering the time-dynamic characteristics of enterprise emissions reduction, this paper establishes a differential game model of collaborative emissions reduction in a low-carbon supply chain composed of a Stackelberg leader manufacturer and a supplier. We compare and analyse the four investment decision scenarios regarding whether the supplier and manufacturer invest in the blockchain low-carbon service platform under decentralised decision-making, as well as the equilibrium solutions of supply chain members under centralised decision-making scenarios by solving the Hamilton function. Finally, we introduce a bilateral cost-sharing contract to make the supply chain perfectly coordinated. We find that the significant unit return is an important incentive for supply chain members to take the lead in investing in a low carbon service platform (LCSP). In this regard, when only one member invests, the other one demonstrates free-riding behaviour. Under centralised decision-making, the supply chain can achieve Pareto optimality, and the bilateral cost-sharing contract can achieve perfect coordination of the supply chain, which is the best choice for the decision-makers of low-carbon supply chains. As the influence level of the LCSP gradually increases from small to large, the optimal decision-making of supply chain members gradually transitions from waiting for the right time to “hitchhike” to a strong willingness to cooperate. This study is of great reference value and practical significance for economic entities to improve profits, promote systematic carbon reduction in the whole chain and promote the sustainable development of low-carbon supply chains.
Innovative approaches in discussions of diabetes among healthcare sector actors in Germany
Authors: Ölcer Sabahat , Scheipers Maike , Erbsland Manfred , Sharma Constanze
Published: July 2024

The dramatic growth in the rate of diabetes prompts serious debates about awareness, early diagnosis, and care interventions. This Viewpoint aims to explore, from the perspectives of healthcare sector representatives, what challenges and difficulties they face in dealing with diabetes and how these can be overcome. We applied the World Café method for group discussions, which enabled us to bring together 50 stakeholders. They identified challenges at institutional and structural levels under the concepts of awareness, digitalisation, and new forms of care and shared their suggestions for feasible solutions. We learned there is a need for a diabetes map of Germany to identify risk groups and that hybrid solutions should be implemented for treatment, care, prevention, and early diagnosis, considering digital infrastructure. Also, the demand for digital innovation in the healthcare system raised concerns about information transparency and data management.
Intimate Utopias: anti-politics in Chinese civil society
Authors: Ning Rundong , Palmer David A.
Published: July 2024

Can civil society offer alternative modes of sociality in an authoritarian political regime? Drawing on a study on small “voluntary fellowships” in China, we explore the anti-political values of a specific type of group whose members share a moral code of “civic intimacy” that values an idealized social condition of free, pure and caring social relations, and dream of achieving this utopian condition not through political activism but through the immediate realization of authentic relations of emotional intimacy. Thus, we offer the case of “intimate utopias” as an invitation to question a normative framework prevalent in discourses on civil society that privileges the political consciousness and activism of voluntary associations and ignores or dismisses other motivations and modes of sociality. We draw on Alexander’s Civil Sphere Theory to analyze the moral codes of small groups seen as micro-civil spheres, in which the group builds its identity by expressing, enacting and maintaining its boundaries against a “profane” world of instrumental and political social relations. Our materials lead us to propose a model of Chinese civil sphere dynamics that is diffuse, pluralistic, and centrifugal.
Foreign Direct Investment, Institutions, and Domestic Investment in Developing Countries: Is there a Crowding-Out Effect?
Authors: Magbondé Kadoukpè Gildas , Thiam Djiby Racine , Konté Mamadou Abdoulaye
Published: July 2024

Despite using a common database for a sample of 46 developing countries to evaluate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on domestic investment (DI), two recent articles on the subject (Morrissey and Udomkerdmongkol in World Dev 40(3):437–445. 10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.07.004, 2012 and Farla et al. in World Dev 88:1–9, 2016. 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.04.008), produced conflicting results. The current paper contributes to the debate by using a larger panel database of 105 developing countries from 2002 to 2018 while controlling for financial development. We make use of the system generalized method of moments (S-GMM). Our findings do not support a crowding-in effect of FDI; instead, we found that FDI crowded out domestic investment. The findings underscore that institutions played no role in the FDI–DI nexus. Furthermore, there is no strong evidence that good institutions promoted investment in developing countries from 2002 to 2018.
Sustainability and climate change: gender perspective in the traditional fishing sector in Ecuador
Authors: Vélez Santana Ana Gabriela , Olivares Barlin Orlando , Murillo Lucas Kamelia Desireth , Serrano Rodríguez Rocío
Published: July 2024

In the traditional fishing sector of Ecuador, integrating a gender perspective enhances sustainability and addresses climate change by recognizing the vital roles and knowledge of women in fisheries management. The objective of this study was to validate the content, comprehension, and construction of the designed questionnaire. Additionally, it is intended to identify perceptions of sustainability and climate change amongst women and men in fisheries, and compare their views on the dimensions of sustainability and climate change. The research implemented a questionnaire with a metrically satisfactory scale, providing information on how men and women perceive sustainability and climate change in the artisanal fishing sector. The data were collected by designing an ad hoc questionnaire denominated “Gender perception as regards sustainability and climate change” following a process in which the validity of the content (experts > 0.5823; Content Validity Ratio (CVR) > 6.1; Content Validity Index (CVI) > 0.852), decompression (pilot study, N = 30) and construct (KMO = 0.71) were analyzed. The results of the internal consistency reliability analysis indicated that the Likert scale had a high index of reliability, as evidenced by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.70. This analysis provided evidence of the structure and validity of the scale, resulting in a reliable, integral, and short tool with which to measure perceptions of sustainability and climate change. The questionnaire was administered to 1464 people employed in the traditional fishing industry (17.14% women) in 40 fishing community ports near the coastal profile of Ecuador (Esmeraldas and Manabí). Most of those surveyed stated that the current traditional fishing quotas are not very sustainable in the long term (47.10%, n = 690) and that climate change may significantly negatively impact catch rates (50.30%, n = 736). Finally, the Wilcoxon test of tests confirmed that women had significantly more positive attitudes than men towards sustainability (3.03 ± 0.69) and climate change (3.35 ± 0.64).
Real-time stress monitoring in a child-friendly court: a repeated measures field study
Authors: Rodríguez-Pellejero Jose M. , Mulero-Henríquez Itahisa , Santana Amador Zaira
Published: July 2024

Most child-friendly court reforms are based on the assumption that the court setting is a stressful experience. Our objective was to analyze the acute stress levels of children who come to testify in a child-friendly investigative court using a person-by-environment approach. We employed a simple repeated measures design for this study, which included 42 minors of Spanish nationality who provided testimony as victims of violence in Spain’s inaugural Child-Friendly Court. Among the participants, 73.8% were girls with a mean age of 12.5 years (SD = 3.4), and 26.2% were boys with a mean age of 11.4 years (SD = 3.1). Stress levels were measured using heart rate variability, and anxiety was assessed using state-trait questionnaires. The study found that the mean percentile of anxiety remained at moderate levels, while stress remained at medium-low levels. No significant differences in anxiety or stress were found based on gender or type of crime. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in stress levels among different court settings. Stress levels in the waiting room and Gesell room were significantly higher than those in the decompression room. In conclusion, the experience of testifying in a Gesell room about the aggressions suffered increases stress levels. However, in this sample and for this Pilot Court, the stress levels observed during testimony did not reach levels considered detrimental to children’s health. Our results lend support to the new European Judicial Policy, which includes the establishment and operation of Specialized Courts adapted to the needs of children and adolescents.
Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education: The dynamics of ethical, social, and educational implications
Authors: Al-Zahrani Abdulrahman M. , Alasmari Talal M.
Published: July 2024

The increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education underscores the necessity to explore its implications on ethical, social, and educational dynamics within the sector. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the impact of AI on higher education in Saudi Arabia, delving into stakeholders’ attitudes, perceptions, and expectations regarding its implementation. The research hones in on key facets of AI in higher education, encompassing its influence on teaching and learning, ethical and social implications, and the anticipated role of AI in the future. Employing a quantitative approach through an online survey questionnaire (N = 1113), this study reveals positive attitudes toward AI in higher education. Stakeholders recognize its potential to enhance teaching and learning, streamline administration, and foster innovation. Emphasis is placed on ethical considerations and guidelines for AI implementation, highlighting the imperative need to address issues such as privacy, security, and bias. Participants envision a future characterized by personalized learning experiences, ethically integrated AI, collaboration, and ongoing support for lifelong learning. Furthermore, the results illuminate the intricate interplay between AI usage, purposes, difficulties, and their impact on attitudes, perceptions, and future implications. Accordingly, the research underscores the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of AI integration, considering not only its technical aspects but also the ethical, social, and educational dimensions. By acknowledging the role of AI uses, AI usage purposes, and addressing associated difficulties, educational stakeholders can work towards harnessing the benefits of AI while ensuring responsible and effective implementation in teaching and learning contexts.
AstroDLLC: Efficiently Reducing Storage and Transmission Costs for Massive Solar Observation Data via Deep Learning-based Lossless Compression
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Liu Yingbo , Yang Lei , Wu Shichao , Jiang Rong , Xiang Yongyuan
Published: July 2024

Effective data compression technology is essential for addressing data storage and transmission needs, especially given the escalating volume and complexity of data generated by contemporary astronomy. In this study, we propose utilizing deep learning-based lossless compression techniques to improve compression efficiency. We begin with a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the temporal and spatial redundancy in solar observation data. Based on this analysis, we introduce a novel deep learning-based framework called AstroDLLC for the lossless compression of astronomical solar images. AstroDLLC first segments high-resolution images into blocks to ensure that deep learning model training does not rely on high-computation power devices. It then addresses the non-normality of the partitioned data through simple reversible computational methods. Finally, it utilizes Bit-swap to train deep learning models that capture redundant features across multiple image frames, thereby enhancing compression efficiency. Comprehensive evaluations using data from the New Vacuum Solar Telescope reveal that AstroDLLC achieves a maximum compression ratio of 3.00 per image, surpassing Gzip, RICE, and other lossless technologies. The performance of AstroDLLC underscores its potential to address data compression challenges in astronomy.
Diversity-in-Unity: Art Criticism in Conversation
Authors: Kassman-Tod Joseph
Published: July 2024

What is it for art-critical conversation to be productively and appropriately responsive to a work of fine art? Broadly, contemporary work on the nature and purpose of aesthetic discourse tends to prioritize one of two poles: the need for agreement in judgement and/or sensibility, and the flourishing of individuality through aesthetic response. I propose that these alternatives each express the legacy of Kantian and Schillerian thought, respectively. Furthermore, I argue that a favourable approach is available if we look to Friedrich Hölderlin’s way of characterizing the kind of communication that can occur between friends. This is a framework that binds together a plurality of perspectives and voices with what it is for one’s individuality to flourish in and through aesthetic response. Drawing on Hölderlin’s thought, I submit Diversity-in-Unity as a norm on art-critical conversation. In art criticism, individual perspectives need to be reciprocally shaped in new and surprising ways.
Evaluation of the analytical and clinical performance of the Abbott Alinity m instrument for the quantification of HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load in a reference laboratory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Costa Diego S , Quintana Marcel S B , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Veloso Valdiléa G , Silva Simone C C
Published: July 2024

Objectives

We sought to evaluate the analytical performance of the Alinity m system (Abbott Molecular) and to compare the clinical performance of HIV-1 assays on the Alinity m and m2000 RealTime platforms (Abbott Molecular).

Methods

The sensitivity, precision, and accuracy of the Alinity m instrument were determined using a panel of standard samples (n = 46). The carryover effect was assessed by analyzing HIV-negative clinical samples (n = 20). Clinical performance of the Alinity m and m2000 RealTime platforms was compared using surplus HIV-positive patient plasma samples (n = 39).

Results

The Alinity m HIV-1 assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity, a high precision (coefficient of variation (s/x̄) × 100 ≤1.5% [SD ≤ 0.05] logarithm to base 10 [log10] copies/mL), and partial accuracy over the quantification range. Analysis of clinical samples suggested that the Alinity m HIV-1 assay does not cause carryover effect and produced a mean bias of 0.209 log10 copies/mL (95% CI, 0.153-0.265) compared with the m2000 RealTime System.

Conclusions

The Alinity m instrument’s performance correlated to that of the m2000 RealTime platform and showed excellent sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, despite producing overquantification not clinically relevant for disease management. Furthermore, use of the Alinity m platform can reduce turnaround time.
Primary intestinal T-cell and natural killer–cell lymphomas: Clinicopathologic and prognostic features of 79 cases in South China
Authors: Guo Na , Zhou Chunlu , Wang Yu , Fu Jia , Chen Yueqiong , Wang Fang , Rao Huilan
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Primary intestinal T-cell and natural killer–cell lymphomas (PITNKLs) are aggressive and make pathologic diagnoses in biopsy specimens challenging. We analyzed different subtypes’ clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes.

Methods

Seventy-nine PITNKL cases were characterized by clinical, morphologic, and immunohistochemical features.

Results

Among 79 cases of PITNKLs from 2008 to 2017 in our institution, 40 (50.63%) were extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL); 32 (40.51%) monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL); 6 (7.59%) intestinal T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified; and 1 (1.27%) indolent T-cell lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Small intestine (n = 47) was the most common site. Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma showed distinctive clinicopathologic features from other subtypes with high expression (96.88%) of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and PD-L1 (87.5%) and the poorest prognosis (P < .001). CD30 was highly expressed in ENKTL (9/17, 57.94%) and irrelevant to prognosis (P > .05).

Conclusions

Cases of PITNKL are biologically heterogeneous; most have a dismal prognosis. SYK and PD-L1 expression might be a significant marker for MEITL and helps differential diagnosis.
Assessing etiological heterogeneity for multinomial outcome with two-phase outcome-dependent sampling design
Authors: Reifeis Sarah A , Hudgens Michael G , Troester Melissa A , Love Michael I
Published: July 2024

Etiological heterogeneity occurs when distinct sets of events or exposures give rise to different subtypes of disease. Inference about subtype-specific exposure effects from two-phase outcome-dependent sampling data requires adjustment for both confounding and the sampling design. Common approaches to inference for these effects do not necessarily adjust appropriately for these sources of bias, or allow for formal comparisons of effects across different subtypes. We show that using inverse probability weighting (IPW) to fit a multinomial model to yield valid inference with this sampling design for subtype-specific exposure effects, and contrasts thereof. We compare the IPW approach to common regression-based methods for assessing exposure effect heterogeneity using simulations. The methods are applied to estimate subtype-specific effects of various exposures on breast cancer risk in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study (1993-2001).
Vaping transitions and incident depressive symptoms among young adults: a marginal structural model analysis
Authors: Harlow Alyssa F , Stokes Andrew C , Han Dae-Hee , Leventhal Adam M , Barrington-Trimis Jessica L
Published: July 2024

The extent to which vaping influences depression is unclear but could be estimated through application of novel epidemiologic methods. Among a prospective cohort of young adults from California who screened negative for depression, we estimated repeated-measures marginal structural models to examine the association of 4 vaping transitions from time T to T + 1 (persistent use, discontinuation, initiation, persistent nonuse) with risk of clinically significant depressive symptoms at T + 1, simultaneously across three ~ 1.5-year time intervals between 2017 and 2021. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights adjusted for time-dependent confounders and selection bias. Among n = 3496 observations (1806 participants, mean pooled baseline age = 19.5), 8.1% reported persistent vaping from T to T + 1, 6.2% reported discontinuation (ie, use at T and no use at T + 1), 6.5% initiated e-cigarettes (ie, no use at T and use at T + 1), and 79.2% reported persistent nonuse at both time points. Compared to persistent vaping at 2 waves, persistent nonuse (relative risk [RR] = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) and discontinuation (RR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.96) were associated with lower risk of depression. Associations were robust to sensitivity analyses, including restricting to tobacco-naive participants and varying temporal assumptions to reduce potential for reverse causation. Young adults who consistently avoid or discontinue vaping may be protected from depressive symptom occurrence.
A future of data-rich pharmacoepidemiology studies: transitioning to large-scale linked electronic health record + claims data
Authors: Schneeweiss Sebastian , Desai Rishi J , Ball Robert
Published: July 2024

Electronic health record (EHR) data are seen as an important source for pharmacoepidemiology studies. In the US health-care system, EHR systems often identify only fragments of patients’ health information across the care continuum, including primary care, specialist care, hospitalizations, and pharmacy dispensing. This leads to unobservable information in longitudinal evaluations of medication effects, causing unmeasured confounding, misclassification, and truncated follow-up times. A remedy is to link EHR data with longitudinal health insurance claims data, which record all encounters during a defined enrollment period across all care settings. Here we evaluate EHR and claims data sources in 3 aspects relevant to etiological studies of medical products: data continuity, data granularity, and data chronology. Reflecting on the strengths and limitations of EHR and insurance claims data, it becomes obvious that they complement each other. The combination of both will improve the validity of etiological studies and expand the range of questions that can be answered. As the research community transitions towards a future state with access to large-scale combined EHR + claims data, we outline analytical templates to improve the validity and broaden the scope of pharmacoepidemiology studies in the current environment where EHR data are available only for a subset of patients with claims data.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.
Worker perspectives on improving occupational health and safety using wearable sensors: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mueller William , Smith Alice , Kuijpers Eelco , Pronk Anjoeka , Loh Miranda
Published: July 2024

Workplace exposure is an important source of ill health. The use of wearable sensors and sensing technologies may help improve and maintain worker health, safety, and wellbeing. Input from workers should inform the integration of these sensors into workplaces. We developed an online survey to understand the acceptability of wearable sensor technologies for occupational health and safety (OSH) management. The survey was disseminated to members of OSH-related organizations, mainly in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. There were 158 respondents, with over half (n = 91, 58%) reporting current use of wearable sensors, including physical hazards (n = 57, 36%), air quality (n = 53, 34%), and location tracking (n = 36, 23%), although this prevalence likely also captures traditional monitoring equipment. There were no clear distinctions in wearable sensor use between the reported demographic and occupational characteristics, with the exception that hygienists were more likely than non-hygienists (e.g. safety professionals) to use wearable sensors (66% versus 34%). Overall, there was an interest in how sensors can help OSH professionals understand patterns of exposure and improve exposure management practices. Some wariness was expressed primarily around environmental and physical constraints, the quality of the data, and privacy concerns. This survey identified a need to better identify occupational situations that would benefit from wearable sensors and to evaluate existing devices that could be used for occupational hygiene. Further, this work underscores the importance of clearly defining “sensor” according to the occupational setting and context.
Mandibular Ligament and the Prejowl Sulcus Explained
Authors: Talei Benjamin , Ziai Hedyeh
Published: July 2024

The exact relationship between the jowl and the mandibular ligament and causes for jowling remain unclear in the literature. The anatomic basis for the jowl is multifactorial and disparities in descriptions of the mandibular ligament and prejowl sulcus have resulted in variations in its management. The aim of this paper was to clarify the anatomy and aging around the prejowl sulcus and the mandibular ligament and review our experience with its management in facial rejuvenation. We performed a retrospective blinded review of patients in a high-volume private practice comparing patients who underwent mandibular ligament release in a subdermal plane during facelift with those who solely underwent fat grafting of the prejowl sulcus with facelift. Blinded surgeons graded 25 patients who had undergone mandibular ligament release and 25 patients who did not. Patient photographs were scored on a 1 to 4 graded scale of correction on the degree of jowling and prejowl sulcus depth and color. We also performed a literature review to describe the anatomy of the mandibular ligament and its implications for jowls, and techniques to address it in facial rejuvenation. Patients who had fat grafting with minimal or no release of the skin around the prejowl sulcus or mandibular ligament had a greater degree of correction of their jowls in their postoperative photographs than those who had a mandibular ligament release without fat grafting (P = .046). Adverse sequelae were also lower in the group with less skin dissection around the mandibular ligament. Our findings support the theory that the appearance of tethering and depression in the prejowl sulcus is more likely the cause of atrophy in the subdermal soft tissues than a consequence of ligamentous contracture. Volumetric replenishment with fat grafting provides a more direct solution to the cause of the issue, providing more universal improvements with less risk. Surgeons should consider volumetric fat grafting with or without subsequent subdermal release if needed.

Level of Evidence: 4
Mating preferences act independently on different elements of visual signals in Heliconius butterflies
Authors: Smith Sophie Helen , Queste Lucie M , Wright Daniel Shane , Bacquet Caroline Nicole , Merrill Richard M
Published: July 2024

Mating cues are often comprised of several elements, which can act independently, or in concert to attract a suitable partner. Individual elements may also function in other contexts, such as anti-predator defense or camouflage. In Heliconius butterflies, wing patterns comprise several individual color pattern elements, which advertise the butterflies’ toxicity to predators. These wing patterns are also mating cues and males predominantly court females that possess the same wing pattern as their own. However, it is not known whether male preference is based on the full wing pattern or only individual pattern elements. We compared preferences of male H. erato lativitta between female models with the full wing pattern and those with some pattern elements removed. We found no differences in preference between the full wing pattern model and a model with pattern elements removed, indicating that the complete composition of all elements is not essential to the mating signal. Wing pattern preferences also contribute to pre-mating isolation between two other Heliconius taxa, H. erato cyrbia, and H. himera; therefore, we next compared preferences for the same models in these species. H. erato cyrbia and H. himera strongly differed in preferences for the models, potentially providing a mechanism for how pre-mating isolation acts between these species. These findings suggest that contrasting levels of selective constraint act on elements across the wing pattern.
Molecular identification of polymorphic transposable elements in populations of the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior
Authors: van den Bos Esther , Gadau Jürgen , Schrader Lukas
Published: July 2024

Transposable elements (TEs) are found in virtually every eukaryotic genome and are important for generating de novo genetic variation. However, outside of costly and time-consuming whole-genome sequencing approaches, the set of available methods to study TE polymorphisms in non-model species is very limited. The Transposon Display (TD) is a simple yet effective technique to characterize polymorphisms across samples by identifying amplified fragment length polymorphisms using primers targeting specific TE families. So far, this technique has almost exclusively been used in plants. Here, we present an optimized TD protocol for insect species with small genomes such as ants (ca. 200–600 Mb). We characterized TE polymorphisms between two distinct genetic lineages of the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior, as well as between neighboring populations of the New World lineage. We found active LTR/Ty3 retrotransposons, that contributed to the genetic diversification of populations in this species.
Model-based multifacet clustering with high-dimensional omics applications
Authors: Zong Wei , Li Danyang , Seney Marianne L , Mcclung Colleen A , Tseng George C
Published: July 2024

High-dimensional omics data often contain intricate and multifaceted information, resulting in the coexistence of multiple plausible sample partitions based on different subsets of selected features. Conventional clustering methods typically yield only one clustering solution, limiting their capacity to fully capture all facets of cluster structures in high-dimensional data. To address this challenge, we propose a model-based multifacet clustering (MFClust) method based on a mixture of Gaussian mixture models, where the former mixture achieves facet assignment for gene features and the latter mixture determines cluster assignment of samples. We demonstrate superior facet and cluster assignment accuracy of MFClust through simulation studies. The proposed method is applied to three transcriptomic applications from postmortem brain and lung disease studies. The result captures multifacet clustering structures associated with critical clinical variables and provides intriguing biological insights for further hypothesis generation and discovery.
The effects of ciclosporin and methotrexate on kidney function in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis in children: results from the TREAT trial
Authors: Bruce Gordon , Rosala-Hallas Anna , Jones Ashley P , Turner Charles , Dalton Neil , Hilger Eva , Baron Susannah , Beattie Paula , Browne Fiona , Brown Sara J , Gach Joanna E , Hearn Ross , Esdaile Ben , Cork Mike J , Howard Emma , Greenblatt Danielle , August Suzannah , Lovgren Marie-Louise , Ashoor Farhiya , McPherson Tess , O’Kane Donal , Ravenscroft Jane , Shaw Lindsay , Spowart Catherine , Thomas Bjorn R , Sach Tracey , Wan Mandy , Irvine Alan D , Sinha Manish D , Flohr Carsten
Published: July 2024

Ciclosporin (CyA) and methotrexate (MTX) are frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and young people. Both can affect renal function and frequent blood monitoring is standard to monitor safety. We show that both CyA and MTX are not associated with decreased renal function and are safe and effective as a treatment for atopic dermatitis in children and young people.
Establishing minimal clinically important differences for the Pemphigus Disease Area Index
Authors: Tseng Henry , Stone Corey , Shulruf Boaz , Murrell Dédée F
Published: July 2024

Background

Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune blistering disease with potentially life-threatening consequences. Establishing minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for disease severity scores like the Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) is crucial for assessing treatment efficacy.

Objectives

To calculate MCIDs for both improvement and deterioration in PDAI scores in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), using the anchor-based method.

Methods

A total of 41 patients with pemphigus were recruited, with 35 meeting the MCID analysis criteria. The anchor-based method was used to calculate MCIDs for PDAI scores against the 15-point Likert scale and the Physician Global Assessment visual analogue scale (PGA-VAS) anchors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to determine optimal MCID cutpoints with the highest Youden Index (J). The 15-point Likert scale scores the change in disease severity spanning from –7 to +7, designed to quantify the extent of disease improvement/deterioration since the preceding visit.

Results

The MCID for improvement in PDAI activity scores was 2.65 points using the 15-point Likert scale (78.7% correct classification; sensitivity 75.9%; specificity 73.5%) and 2.5 points using the PGA-VAS as the anchor (78.0% correct classification; sensitivity 84.4%; specificity 68.2%). Given the slightly higher correct classification rate using the 15-point Likert scale anchor, the MCID of 2.65 points was selected for PDAI activity score improvement. In contrast, the MCID for deterioration consistently remained at 2.5 points for the 15-point Likert scale anchor (81.0% correct classification; sensitivity 72.7%; specificity 81.0%) and 2.5 points for the PGA-VAS anchor (70.9% correct classification; sensitivity 69.6%; specificity 76.9%).

Conclusions

This study marks the inaugural attempt at MCID determination for PDAI scores in pemphigus, filling a critical knowledge gap. The study’s calculated MCIDs provide essential benchmarks for clinical trials, treatment evaluation and research design optimization. Future studies should explore international collaborations, to examine potential cross-cultural variations in MCIDs.
Variation in root functional traits of Neotropical epiphytic and terrestrial orchids along an elevational gradient
Authors: De Bock Katrijn , Jacquemyn Hans , Ospina-Calderón Nhora H , Flanagan Nicola S , Ventre-Lespiaucq Agustina
Published: July 2024

Assessing variation in root functional traits may offer novel insights into plant adaptations to changing environmental conditions. However, such studies, particularly on epiphytic species in tropical ecosystems, are still limited. Previous research has suggested that precipitation has a major impact on epiphyte survival and thus can be considered a candidate driver of epiphytic root trait variation, though compelling evidence is lacking. In this study, we investigated variation in 19 root functional traits in 43 epiphytic (36 species) and 14 terrestrial (7 species) orchids along an elevational gradient in Colombia and examined whether this variation is associated with differences in abiotic conditions. Contrary to previous studies, our findings did not associate trait variation with precipitation but revealed strong correlations with solar radiation, temperature, and water vapour pressure. The variation was particularly pronounced in traits related to the velamen radicum. Epiphytic and terrestrial orchids showed similar responses despite their different growth habits. Overall, these patterns suggest that higher sunlight and temperature conditions lead both orchid types to allocate more resources to root structures that mitigate abiotic stress, and highlight the role of other environmental factors in driving root trait variability.
Inflammation-induced mast cell-derived nerve growth factor: a key player in chronic vulvar pain?
Authors: Awad-Igbaria Yaseen , Edelman Doron , Ianshin Elvira , Abu-Ata Saher , Shamir Alon , Bornstein Jacob , Palzur Eilam
Published: July 2024

Provoked vulvodynia (PV) is characterized by localized chronic vulvar pain. It is associated with a history of recurrent inflammation, mast cell (MC) accumulation and neuronal sprouting in the vulva. However, the mechanism of how vulvar-inflammation promotes neuronal sprouting and gene-expression adaptation in the spinal cord, leading to hypersensitivity and painful sensations, is unknown.

Here, we found that vulvar tissue from women with PV (n = 8) is characterized by MC accumulation and neuronal sprouting compared to women without PV (n = 4). In addition, we observed these changes in an animal study of PV. Thus, we found that repeated vulvar zymosan-inflammation challenges lead to long-lasting mechanical and thermal vulvar hypersensitivity, which is mediated by MC accumulation, neuronal sprouting, overexpression of the pain channels (TRPV1 and TRPA1) in vulvar neurons, as well as a long-term increase of gene expression related to neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the spinal cord/dorsal root ganglia (DRG) (L6–S3). However, regulation of the NGF pathway by stabilization of MC activity with ketotifen fumarate (KF) during vulvar inflammation attenuates the local increase of NGF and histamine, as well as the elevated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NGF pathway in the spinal cord. Additionally, KF treatment during inflammation modulates MC accumulation, neuronal hyperinnervation and overexpression of the TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in the vulvar neurons, consequently preventing the development of vulvar pain.

A thorough examination of the NGF pathway during inflammation revealed that blocking NGF activity by using an NGF-non-peptide-inhibitor (Ro08-2750) regulates the upregulation of genes related to neuroplasticity and the NGF pathway in the spinal cord, as well as modulating neuronal sprouting and overexpression of the pain channels, resulting in a reduced level of vulvar hypersensitivity. On the other hand, stimulation of the NGF pathway in the vulvar promotes neuronal sprouting, overexpression of pain channels and increase of gene expression related to neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation and NGF in the spinal cord, resulting in long-lasting vulvar hypersensitivity.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that vulvar allodynia induced by inflammation is mediated by MC accumulation, neuronal sprouting and neuromodulation in the vulvar. Additionally, chronic vulvar pain may involve a long-term adaptation in gene expression in the spinal cord, which probably plays a critical role in central sensitization and pain maintenance. Strikingly, regulating the NGF pathway during the critical period of inflammation prevents vulvar pain development via modulating the neuronal changes in the vestibule and spinal cord, suggesting a fundamental role for the NGF pathway in PV development.
Synaptic mitochondria glycation contributes to mitochondrial stress and cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Samanta Sourav , Akhter Firoz , Xue Renhao , Sosunov Alexandre A , Wu Long , Chen Doris , Arancio Ottavio , Yan Shi Fang , Yan Shirley ShiDu
Published: July 2024

Mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction are pathological features of brain ageing and cognitive decline. Synaptic mitochondria are vital for meeting the high energy demands of synaptic transmission. However, little is known about the link between age-related metabolic changes and the integrity of synaptic mitochondria.

To this end, we investigated the mechanisms of advanced glycation end product (AGE)-mediated mitochondrial and synaptic stress and evaluated the strategies to eliminate these toxic metabolites. Using aged brain and novel transgenic mice overexpressing neuronal glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), we comprehensively analysed alterations in accumulation/build-up of AGEs and related metabolites in synaptic mitochondria and the association of AGE levels with mitochondrial function.

We demonstrated for the first time that synaptic mitochondria are an early and major target of AGEs and the related toxic metabolite methylglyoxal (MG), a precursor of AGEs. MG/AGE-insulted synaptic mitochondria exhibit deterioration of mitochondrial and synaptic function. Such accumulation of MG/AGEs positively correlated with mitochondrial perturbation and oxidative stress in ageing brain. Importantly, clearance of AGE-related metabolites by enhancing neuronal GLO1, a key enzyme for detoxification of AGEs, reduces synaptic mitochondrial AGE accumulation and improves mitochondrial and cognitive function in ageing and AGE-challenged mice. Furthermore, we evaluated the direct effect of AGEs on synaptic function in hippocampal neurons in live brain slices as an ex vivo model and in vitro cultured hippocampal neurons by recording long-term potentiation (LTP) and measuring spontaneously occurring miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Neuronal GLO1 rescues deficits in AGE-induced synaptic plasticity and transmission by full recovery of decline in LTP or frequency of mEPSC.

These studies explored crosstalk between synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction and age-related metabolic changes relevant to brain ageing and cognitive decline. Synaptic mitochondria are particularly susceptible to AGE-induced damage, highlighting the central importance of synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction in synaptic degeneration in age-related cognitive decline. Thus, augmenting GLO1 function to scavenge toxic metabolites represents a therapeutic approach to reduce age-related AGE accumulation and improve mitochondrial function and learning and memory.