bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional quantum thermometry—enhancing precision by measuring less
Authors: Sone Akira , Soares-Pinto Diogo O , Deffner Sebastian
Published: July 2024

Taking accurate measurements of the temperature of quantum systems is a challenging task. The mathematical peculiarities of quantum information make it virtually impossible to measure with infinite precision. In the present paper, we introduce a generalize thermal state, which is conditioned on the pointer states of the available measurement apparatus. We show that this conditional thermal state outperforms the Gibbs state in quantum thermometry. The origin for the enhanced precision can be sought in its asymmetry quantified by the Wigner–Yanase–Dyson skew information. This additional resource is further clarified in a fully resource-theoretic analysis, and we show that there is a Gibbs-preserving map to convert a target state into the conditional thermal state. We relate the quantum J-divergence between the conditional thermal state and the same target state to quantum heat.
Multi-material 3D nanoprinting for structures to functional micro/nanosystems
Authors: Duan Yongqing , Xie Wenshuo , Yin Zhouping , Huang YongAn
Published: July 2024

Multi-material 3D fabrication at the nanoscale has been a long-sought goal in additive manufacturing, with great potential for the direct construction of functional micro/nanosystems rather than just arbitrary 3D structures. To achieve this goal, researchers have introduced several nanoscale 3D printing principles, explored various multi-material switching and combination strategies, and demonstrated their potential applications in 3D integrated circuits, optoelectronics, biological devices, micro/nanorobots, etc. Although some progress has been made, it is still at the primary stage, and a serious breakthrough is needed to directly construct functional micro/nano systems. In this perspective, the development, current status and prospects of multi-material 3D nanoprinting are presented. We envision that this 3D printing will unlock innovative solutions and make significant contributions to various technologies and industries in the near future.
Rebuilding Ukraine’s energy supply in a secure, economic, and decarbonised way
Authors: Tröndle Tim , Melnyk Olena , Tutova Olena , Porieva Vira , Neumann Fabian , Staffell Iain , Patt Anthony
Published: July 2024

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure has faced systematic attack and requires urgent and strategic reconstruction. This study confronts the dual challenges of rebuilding Ukraine’s energy system rapidly to mitigate civilian and economic disruption while aligning this to long-term goals of sustainability and energy security. We demonstrate that Ukraine can readily meet future energy demands through a fully renewable electrified system at costs comparable to those from fossil fuels and nuclear power. Contrary to previous reliance on high-carbon energy sources, we find a diversified renewable energy portfolio, including significant solar photovoltaic and wind contributions, can efficiently meet growing energy demands and position Ukraine as an energy exporter, capitalising on its geographical advantages. This study’s approach, based on open data and models, extends beyond national borders and offers a model for post-conflict reconstruction that harmonizes immediate recovery with sustainable energy transition.
Reducing linear Hadwiger’s conjecture to coloring small graphs
Authors: Delcourt Michelle , Postle Luke
Published: July 2024

In 1943, Hadwiger conjectured that every graph with no

K
t

K_t

minor is

(
t
−
1
)

(t-1)

-colorable for every

t
≥
1

t\ge 1

. In the 1980s, Kostochka and Thomason independently proved that every graph with no

K
t

K_t

minor has average degree

O
(
t

log
⁡
t

)

O(t\sqrt {\log t})

and hence is

O
(
t

log
⁡
t

)

O(t\sqrt {\log t})

-colorable. Recently, Norin, Song and the second author showed that every graph with no

K
t

K_t

minor is

O
(
t
(
log
⁡
t

)

β

)

O(t(\log t)^{\beta })

-colorable for every

β
>
1

/

4

\beta > 1/4

, making the first improvement on the order of magnitude of the

O
(
t

log
⁡
t

)

O(t\sqrt {\log t})

bound. The first main result of this paper is that every graph with no

K
t

K_t

minor is

O
(
t
log
⁡
log
⁡
t
)

O(t\log \log t)

-colorable.

This is actually a corollary of our main technical result that the chromatic number of a

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graph is bounded by

O
(
t
(
1
+
f
(
G
,
t
)
)
)

O(t(1+f(G,t)))

where

f
(
G
,
t
)

f(G,t)

is the maximum of

χ
(
H
)

a

\frac {\chi (H)}{a}

over all

a
≥

t

log
⁡
t

a\ge \frac {t}{\sqrt {\log t}}

and

K
a

K_a

-minor-free subgraphs

H
H

of

G
G

that are small (i.e.

O
(
a

log
4

⁡
a
)

O(a\log ^4 a)

vertices). This has a number of interesting corollaries. First as mentioned, using the current best-known bounds on coloring small

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graphs, we show that

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graphs are

O
(
t
log
⁡
log
⁡
t
)

O(t\log \log t)

-colorable. Second, it shows that proving Linear Hadwiger’s Conjecture (that

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graphs are

O
(
t
)

O(t)

-colorable) reduces to proving it for small graphs. Third, we prove that

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graphs with clique number at most

log
⁡
t

/

(
log
⁡
log
⁡
t

)
2

\sqrt {\log t}/ (\log \log t)^2

are

O
(
t
)

O(t)

-colorable. This implies our final corollary that Linear Hadwiger’s Conjecture holds for

K
r

K_r

-free graphs for every fixed

r
r

; more generally, we show there exists

C
≥
1

C\ge 1

such that for every

r
≥
1

r\ge 1

, there exists

t
r

t_r

such that for all

t
≥

t
r

t\ge t_r

, every

K
r

K_r

-free

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graph is

C
t

Ct

-colorable.

One key to proving the main theorem is building the minor in two new ways according to whether the chromatic number ‘separates’ in the graph: sequentially if the graph is the chromatic-inseparable and recursively if the graph is chromatic-separable. The other key is a new standalone result that every

K
t

K_t

-minor-free graph of average degree

d
=
Ω
(
t
)

d=\Omega (t)

has a subgraph on

O
(
t

log
3

⁡
t
)

O(t \log ^3 t)

vertices with average degree

Ω
(
d
)

\Omega (d)

.
Measurement of solubility product reveals the interplay of oligomerization and self-association for defining condensate formation
Authors: Chattaraj Aniruddha , Baltaci Zeynep , Chung Steve , Mayer Bruce J. , Loew Leslie M. , Ditlev Jonathon A.
Published: July 2024

Cellular condensates often consist of 10s to 100s of distinct interacting molecular species. Because of the complexity of these interactions, predicting the point at which they will undergo phase separation is daunting. Using experiments and computation, we therefore studied a simple model system consisting of polySH3 and polyPRM designed for pentavalent heterotypic binding. We tested whether the peak solubility product, or the product of the dilute phase concentration of each component, is a predictive parameter for the onset of phase separation. Titrating up equal total concentrations of each component showed that the maximum solubility product does approximately coincide with the threshold for phase separation in both experiments and models. However, we found that measurements of dilute phase concentration include small oligomers and monomers; therefore, a quantitative comparison of the experiments and models required inclusion of small oligomers in the model analysis. Even with the inclusion of small polyPRM and polySH3 oligomers, models did not predict experimental results. This led us to perform dynamic light scattering experiments, which revealed homotypic binding of polyPRM. Addition of this interaction to our model recapitulated the experimentally observed asymmetry. Thus, comparing experiments with simulation reveals that the solubility product can be predictive of the interactions underlying phase separation, even if small oligomers and low affinity homotypic interactions complicate the analysis.
γ-tubulin complex controls the nucleation of tubulin-based structures in Apicomplexa
Authors: Haase Romuald , Puthenpurackal Annet , Maco Bohumil , Guérin Amandine , Soldati-Favre Dominique
Published: July 2024

Apicomplexan parasites rely on tubulin structures throughout their cell and life cycles, particularly in the polymerization of spindle microtubules to separate the replicated nucleus into daughter cells. Additionally, tubulin structures, including conoid and subpellicular microtubules, provide the necessary rigidity and structure for dissemination and host cell invasion. However, it is unclear whether these tubulin structures are nucleated via a highly conserved γ-tubulin complex or through a specific process unique to apicomplexans. This study demonstrates that Toxoplasma γ-tubulin is responsible for nucleating spindle microtubules, akin to higher eukaryotes, facilitating nucleus division in newly formed parasites. Interestingly, γ-tubulin colocalizes with nascent conoid and subpellicular microtubules during division, potentially nucleating these structures as well. Loss of γ-tubulin results in significant morphological defects due to impaired nucleus scission and the loss of conoid and subpellicular microtubule nucleation, crucial for parasite shape and rigidity. Additionally, the nucleation process of tubulin structures involves a concerted action of γ-tubulin and Gamma Tubulin Complex proteins (GCPs), recapitulating the localization and phenotype of γ-tubulin. This study also introduces new molecular markers for cytoskeletal structures and applies iterative expansion microscopy to reveal microtubule-based architecture in Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoites, further demonstrating the conserved localization and probable function of γ-tubulin in Cryptosporidium.
Notes on a Fragment: Zarina’s Dividing Line
Authors: Kumar Aparna
Published: July 2024

This essay provides a new reading of Zarina’s iconic woodcut print Dividing Line (2001), with an eye to unravelling the work’s relationship to the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent and the wider landscape of partition history. By considering Zarina’s use of paper, map and gouge, this reading argues that Dividing Line embodies a method and ethics of writing decolonial histories of partition, with important implications for how to understand and respond to the violent impact of postcolonial border-making on (art) history. The essay, written as a series of notes, seeks to account for the distinct forms and temporalities of writing for partition history that Dividing Line both produces and demands of the art historian. In its form, the essay mobilises the note as a fragmentary mode of writing, responsive to the specific dynamics of continuity and discontinuity endemic to the experience of lines, borders and partition in Dividing Line.
Land Art Submerged: Betty Beaumont’s Ocean Landmark and Art History Beyond Proximity
Authors: Curtis Francesca
Published: July 2024

Comprising 17,000 blocks of coal fly-ash, Betty Beaumont’s Ocean Landmark (1978–1980) is an artificial reef located off the coast of Fire Island, New York. This essay analyses the visual inaccessibility of the work and its reliance on an assemblage of media to highlight its significance for conceiving political, ecological and cultural meanings of the ocean. Land art’s fascination with the limits of visuality, the site/non-site dialectic and relationship with industry will provide a framework for this aim. Ocean Landmark’s situatedness and association with industrial ecology signals the wider juridical and political lack of transparency in industrial activity in the ocean spaces framed as sites of unseen environmental extraction. Demonstrating the political and epistemological consequences of a lack of visibility, it challenges the assumptions of total sensorial and epistemic access, highlighting the limitations of anthropocentric positions in and beyond the ocean.
Synthesis of Au@Pd core–shell nanoparticles by ultrafine bubbles and ultrasound without capping and reducing agents
Authors: Yasuda Keiji , Iwata Takuya , Mizuno Yuki , Yamamoto Yuta
Published: July 2024

This paper, for the first time, reports on the synthesis of Au@Pd core–shell nanoparticles in the absence of any capping and reducing agents by ultrafine bubbles and ultrasound. The mean diameter of the bimetallic core–shell nanoparticles was controlled by the ultrafine bubble concentration during the synthesis. Pd’s shell thickness also varied with the concentration of Pd(II) ions. These Au@Pd core–shell nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic performance due to the pure surface without any capping and reducing agents.
Microbiota and the volatile profile of avian nests are associated with each other and with the intensity of parasitism
Authors: Mazorra-Alonso Mónica , Peralta-Sánchez Juan Manuel , Heeb Philipp , Jacob Staffan , Martin-Vivaldi Manuel , Martínez-Bueno Manuel , Núñez-Gómez Rafael , Sacristán-Soriano Oriol , Soler Juan José
Published: July 2024

Bacteria have been suggested as being partially responsible for avian nest odours and, thus, volatiles from their metabolism could influence the intensity of selection pressures due to parasites detecting olfactory cues of their hosts. Here, we tested this hypothesis by exploring intraspecific and interspecific variability in microbial environments, volatile profiles and intensity of ectoparasitism by Carnus hemapterus in the nests of 10 avian species. As expected, we found that (i) alpha and beta diversity of microbial and volatile profiles were associated with each other. Moreover, (ii) alpha diversity of bacteria and volatiles of the nest environment, as well as some particular bacteria and volatiles, was associated with the intensity of parasitism at early and late stages of the nestling period. Finally, (iii) alpha diversity of the nest microbiota, as well as some particular bacteria and volatiles, was correlated with fledging success. When considering them together, the results support the expected links between the microbial environment and nest odours in different bird species, and between the microbial environment and both ectoparasitism intensity and fledging success. Relative abundances of particular volatiles and bacteria predicted ectoparasitism and/or fledging success. Future research should prioritise experimental approaches directed to determine the role of bacteria and volatiles in the outcomes of host–ectoparasite interactions.
Accurate genotype imputation from low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data of rainbow trout
Authors: Liu Sixin , Martin Kyle E , Snelling Warren M , Long Roseanna , Leeds Timothy D , Vallejo Roger L , Wiens Gregory D , Palti Yniv
Published: July 2024

With the rapid and significant cost reduction of next-generation sequencing, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (lcWGS), followed by genotype imputation, is becoming a cost-effective alternative to single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-array genotyping. The objectives of this study were 2-fold: (1) construct a haplotype reference panel for genotype imputation from lcWGS data in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss); and (2) evaluate the concordance between imputed genotypes and SNP-array genotypes in 2 breeding populations. Medium-coverage (12×) whole-genome sequences were obtained from a total of 410 fish representing 5 breeding populations with various spawning dates. The short-read sequences were mapped to the rainbow trout reference genome, and genetic variants were identified using GATK. After data filtering, 20,434,612 biallelic SNPs were retained. The reference panel was phased with SHAPEIT5 and was used as a reference to impute genotypes from lcWGS data employing GLIMPSE2. A total of 90 fish from the Troutlodge November breeding population were sequenced with an average coverage of 1.3×, and these fish were also genotyped with the Axiom 57K rainbow trout SNP array. The concordance between array-based genotypes and imputed genotypes was 99.1%. After downsampling the coverage to 0.5×, 0.2×, and 0.1×, the concordance between array-based genotypes and imputed genotypes was 98.7, 97.8, and 96.7%, respectively. In the USDA odd-year breeding population, the concordance between array-based genotypes and imputed genotypes was 97.8% for 109 fish downsampled to 0.5× coverage. Therefore, the reference haplotype panel reported in this study can be used to accurately impute genotypes from lcWGS data in rainbow trout breeding populations.
How heuristic pricing shapes the aggregate market: the “Cheap Twin Paradox”
Authors: Artinger Florian M , Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: July 2024

How do firms set prices when faced with an uncertain market? We study the pricing strategies of car dealers for used cars using online data and interviews. We find that 97% of 628 dealers employ an aspiration-level heuristic similar to a Dutch auction. Dealers adapt the parameters of the heuristic—initial price, duration, and change in price—to their local market conditions, such as number of competitors, population density, and GDP per capita. At the same time, the aggregate market is described by a model of equilibrium price dispersion. Unlike the equilibrium model, the heuristic correctly predicts systematic pricing characteristics such as high initial price, price stickiness, and the “cheap twin paradox.” We also find first evidence that heuristic pricing can generate higher profits given uncertainty than the equilibrium strategy.
Dietary methionine functions in proliferative zone maintenance and egg production via sams-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Hirota Keiko , Yamauchi Rieko , Miyata Mai , Kojima Mariko , Kako Koichiro , Fukamizu Akiyoshi
Published: July 2024

The maintenance of germ cells is critical for the prosperity of offspring. The amount of food consumption is known to be closely related to reproduction, i.e. the number of eggs decreases under calorie-restricted conditions in various organisms. Previous studies in Caenorhabditis elegans have reported that calorie restriction reduces the number of eggs and the reduction can be rescued by methionine. However, the effect of methionine on the reproductive process has not been fully understood. In this study, to assess the gonadal function of methionine metabolism, we firstly demonstrated that a depletion in dietary methionine resulted in reduced levels of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) and S-adenosyl homocysteine in wild-type N2, but not in glp-1 mutants, which possess only a few germ cells. Second, we found no recovery in egg numbers upon methionine administration in SAM synthase (sams)-1 mutants. Furthermore, a reduced number of proliferative zone nuclei exhibited in the sams-1 mutants was not rescued via methionine. Thus, our results have shown that dietary methionine is required for the normal establishment of both the germline progenitor pool and fecundity, mediated by sams-1.
Opportunities to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing for Adults With Acute Sinusitis, United States, 2016–2020
Authors: Vazquez Deida Axel A , Bizune Destani J , Kim Christine , Sahrmann John M , Sanchez Guillermo V , Hersh Adam L , Butler Anne M , Hicks Lauri A , Kabbani Sarah
Published: July 2024

Background

Better understanding differences associated with antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis can help inform antibiotic stewardship strategies. We characterized antibiotic prescribing patterns for acute sinusitis among commercially insured adults and explored differences by patient- and prescriber-level factors.

Methods

Outpatient encounters among adults aged 18 to 64 years diagnosed with sinusitis between 2016 and 2020 were identified by national administrative claims data. We classified antibiotic agents—first-line (amoxicillin-clavulanate or amoxicillin) and second-line (doxycycline, levofloxacin, or moxifloxacin)—and ≤7-day durations as guideline concordant based on clinical practice guidelines. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine the association between patient- and prescriber-level factors and guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing.

Results

Among 4 689 850 sinusitis encounters, 53% resulted in a guideline-concordant agent, 30% in a guideline-discordant agent, and 17% in no antibiotic prescription. About 75% of first-line agents and 63% of second-line agents were prescribed for >7 days, exceeding the length of therapy recommended by clinical guidelines. Adults with sinusitis living in a rural area were less likely to receive a prescription with guideline-concordant antibiotic selection (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 0.92; 95% CI, .92–.92) and duration (aRR, 0.77; 95% CI, .76–.77). When compared with encounters in an office setting, urgent care encounters were less likely to result in a prescription with a guideline-concordant duration (aRR, 0.76; 95% CI, .75–.76).

Conclusions

Opportunities still exist to optimize antibiotic agent selection and treatment duration for adults with acute sinusitis, especially in rural areas and urgent care settings. Recognizing specific patient- and prescriber-level factors associated with antibiotic prescribing can help inform antibiotic stewardship interventions.
Dry Swabs and Dried Saliva as Alternative Samples for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Remote Areas in Lao PDR
Authors: Sibounheuang Bountoy , Boutthasavong Latsaniphone , Chommanam Danoy , Phommasone Koukeo , Panapruksachat Siribun , Praphasiri Viladeth , Bouttavong Sengvong , Sisavath Hongkham , Christy Nathaniel C V , Letizia Andrew G , Mayxay Mayfong , Vongsouvath Manivanh , Ashley Elizabeth A , Dubot-Pérès Audrey
Published: July 2024

Background

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 circulation is mainly based on real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, which requires laboratory facilities and cold chain for sample transportation. This is difficult to achieve in remote rural areas of resource-limited settings. The use of dried blood spots shipped at room temperature has shown good efficiency for the detection of arboviral RNA. Using a similar approach, we conducted a study at 3 provincial hospitals in Laos to compare the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from neat and dried spot samples.

Methods

Between January 2022 and March 2023, patients with respiratory symptoms were recruited. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs in virus transport medium (VTM), dry swabs, saliva, and dried saliva spotted on filter paper were collected. All samples were tested by SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In total, 479 participants were included. The VTM samples tested positive for 288 (60.1%). High positive percent agreements were observed for dry swab (84.8%; 95% CI, 80.2%–88.8%) and saliva (89.2%; 95% CI, 85.1%–92.6%) as compared with VTM. There was a loss of sensitivity when saliva was dried on filter paper (73.6%; 95% CI, 68.1%–78.6%) as compared with saliva. SARS-CoV-2 variant (Delta or Omicron) had no significant impact on the performance of the different sample types.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that dry swabs could be a good alternative for sample collection and permit easy shipping at ambient temperature for subsequent viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA purification and molecular investigation. This is a useful tool to consider for a rapid implementation of large-scale surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in remote areas, which could be extrapolated to other respiratory targets during routine surveillance or in the case of a novel emerging pandemic.
The Dynamics of Abusive Relationships
Authors: Adams Abi , Huttunen Kristiina , Nix Emily , Zhang Ning
Published: July 2024

Domestic abuse encompasses a range of damaging behaviors beyond physical violence, including economic and emotional abuse. We analyze the impact of cohabiting with an abusive partner on victims’ economic outcomes. In so doing, we highlight the systematic role of economic suppression in such relationships. Using Finnish administrative data and a matched-control event-study design, along with a within-individual comparison of outcomes across relationships, we document three new facts. First, women who begin relationships with (eventually) physically abusive men suffer large and significant earnings and employment falls immediately upon cohabiting with the abusive partner. Second, the decline in economic outcomes is non-monotonic in women’s pre-cohabitation outside options. Third, men who are violent against women in any capacity impose economic costs on all their female partners, even those who do not report physical violence. To rationalize these findings, we develop a new dynamic model of abusive relationships where women do not perfectly observe their partner’s type, and abusive men have an incentive to use economic suppression to sabotage women’s outside options and their ability to later exit the relationship.
LEP inhibits intramuscular adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway in vitro
Authors: Yu Shengchen , Yu Hengwei , Wang Jianfang , Liu Haibing , Guo Juntao , Wang Sihu , Mei Chugang , Zan Linsen
Published: July 2024

Leptin can indirectly regulate fatty‐acid metabolism and synthesis in muscle in vivo and directly in incubated muscle ex vivo. In addition, non‐synonymous mutations in the bovine leptin gene (LEP) are associated with carcass intramuscular fat (IMF) content. However, the effects of LEP on lipid synthesis of adipocytes have not been clearly studied at the cellular level. Therefore, this study focused on bovine primary intramuscular preadipocytes to investigate the effects of LEP on the proliferation and differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes, as well as its regulatory mechanism in lipid synthesis. The results showed that both the LEP and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) were highly expressed in IMF tissues, and their mRNA expression levels were positively correlated at different developmental stages of intramuscular preadipocytes. The overexpression of LEP inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes, while interference with LEP had the opposite effect. Additionally, LEP significantly promoted the phosphorylation level of AMPKα by promoting the protein expression of CAMKK2. Meanwhile, rescue experiments showed that the increasing effect of AMPK inhibitors on the number of intramuscular preadipocytes was significantly weakened by the overexpression of LEP. Furthermore, the overexpression of LEP could weaken the promoting effect of AMPK inhibitor on triglyceride content and droplet accumulation, and prevent the upregulation of adipogenic protein expression (SREBF1, FABP4, FASN, and ACCα) caused by AMPK inhibitor. Taken together, LEP acted on the AMPK signaling pathway by regulating the protein expression of CAMKK2, thereby downregulating the expression of proliferation‐related and adipogenic‐related genes and proteins, ultimately reducing intramuscular adipogenesis.
Ag-driven CD8+ T cell clonal expansion is a prominent feature of MASH in humans and mice
Authors: Burtis Abbigayl E.C. , DeNicola Destiny M.C. , Ferguson Megan E. , Santos Radleigh G. , Pinilla Clemencia , Kriss Michael S. , Orlicky David J. , Tamburini Beth A. Jirón , Gillen Austin E. , Burchill Matthew A.
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims:

Chronic liver disease due to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a rapidly increasing global epidemic. MASH progression is a consequence of the complex interplay between inflammatory insults and dysregulated hepatic immune responses. T lymphocytes have been shown to accumulate in the liver during MASH, but the cause and consequence of T cell accumulation in the liver remain unclear. Our study aimed to define the phenotype and T cell receptor diversity of T cells from human cirrhotic livers and an animal model of MASH to begin resolving their function in disease.

Approach and Results:

In these studies, we evaluated differences in T cell phenotype in the context of liver disease. Accordingly, we isolated liver resident T cell populations from humans with cirrhosis and from mice with diet-induced MASH. Using both 5’ single-cell sequencing and flow cytometry, we defined the phenotype and T cell receptor repertoire of liver resident T cells during health and disease.

Conclusions:

MASH-induced human cirrhosis and diet-induced MASH in mice resulted in the accumulation of activated and clonally expanded T cells in the liver. The clonally expanded T cells in the liver expressed markers of chronic antigenic stimulation, including PD1, TIGIT, and TOX. Overall, this study establishes for the first time that T cells undergo Ag-dependent clonal expansion and functional differentiation during the progression of MASH. These studies could lead to the identification of antigenic targets that drive T cell activation, clonal expansion, and recruitment to the liver during MASH.
Interpretable Machine Learning–Based Risk Score for Predicting Ten-Year Corneal Graft Survival After Penetrating Keratoplasty and Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Asian Eyes
Authors: Ng Yin Ling Clarissa , He Feng , Lang Stephanie , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Cheng Ching-Yu , Arundhati Anshu , Mehta Jodhbir S. , Ang Marcus
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

To predict 10-year graft survival after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) using a machine learning (ML)-based interpretable risk score.

Methods:

Singapore Corneal Transplant Registry patients (n = 1687) who underwent DALK (n = 524) or PK (n = 1163) for optical indications (excluding endothelial diseases) were followed up for 10 years. Variable importance scores from random survival forests were used to identify variables associated with graft survival. Parsimonious analysis using nested Cox models selected the top factors. An ML-based clinical score generator (AutoScore) converted identified variables into an interpretable risk score. Predictive performance was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves and time-integrated AUC (iAUC) on an independent testing set.

Results:

Mean recipient age was 51.8 years, 54.1% were male, and majority were Chinese (60.0%). Surgical indications included corneal scar (46.5%), keratoconus (18.3%), and regraft (16.2%). Five-year and ten-year KM survival was 93.4% and 92.3% for DALK, compared with 67.6% and 56.6% for PK (log-rank P < 0.001). Five factors were identified by ML algorithm as predictors of 10-year graft survival: recipient sex, preoperative visual acuity, choice of procedure, surgical indication, and active inflammation. AutoScore stratified participants into low-risk and high-risk groups—with KM survival of 73.6% and 39.0%, respectively (log-rank P < 0.001). ML analysis outperformed traditional Cox regression in predicting graft survival beyond 5 years (iAUC 0.75 vs. 0.69).

Conclusions:

A combination of ML and traditional techniques identified factors associated with graft failure to derive a clinically interpretable risk score to stratify PK and DALK patients—a technique that may be replicated in other corneal transplant programs.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Granted Disability Insurances and Related Costs for Workers With Cancer
Authors: Hyeda Adriano , da Costa Élide Sbardellotto Mariano , Kowalski Sérgio Candido
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disability insurance grants and related costs for workers with cancer.

Methods

This ecological time series study uses the inflection point regression model and the federal government's open-access dataset. We analyze the annual grant and cost rates of cancer-related disability insurance in Brazil (2010–2021).

Results

In 2020, the number of disability insurance grants due to malignant neoplasms decreased by 62.26%, and the total annual cost decreased by 62.94% compared to those in 2019. All illnesses and injuries were reduced by 2.56% and 20.02%, respectively. Between 2010 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed the increasing trend in annual disability insurance granted due to cancer and its associated expenses to a stable trend.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the provision of disability insurance for workers with cancer.
Continuous glucose monitoring among nurse practitioners in primary care: Characteristics associated with prescribing and resources needed to support use
Authors: Hall Tristen L. , Dickinson L. Miriam , Warman Meredith K. , Oser Tamara K. , Oser Sean M.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can improve health for people with diabetes but is limited in primary care (PC). Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in PC can improve diabetes management through CGM, but NPs' interest in CGM and support needed are unclear.

Purpose:

We describe behaviors and attitudes related to CGM for diabetes management among NPs in PC.

Methodology:

This cross-sectional web-based survey of NPs practicing in PC settings used descriptive statistics to describe CGM experience and identify resources to support prescribing. We used multivariable regression to explore characteristics predicting prescribing and confidence using CGM for diabetes.

Results:

Nurse practitioners in hospital-owned settings were twice as likely to have prescribed CGM (odds ratio [OR] = 2.320, 95% CI [1.097, 4.903]; p = .002) than private practice; those in academic medical centers were less likely (OR = 0.098, 95% CI [0.012, 0.799]; p = .002). Past prescribing was associated with favorability toward future prescribing (coef. = 0.7284, SE = 0.1255, p < .001) and confidence using CGM to manage diabetes (type 1: coef. = 3.57, SE = 0.51, p < .001; type 2: coef. = 3.49, SE = 0.51, p < .001). Resources to prescribe CGM included consultation with an endocrinologist (62%), educational website (61%), and endocrinological e-consultations (59%).

Conclusions:

Nurse practitioners are open to prescribing CGM and can improve diabetes management and health outcomes for PC patients.

Implications:

Research should explore mechanisms behind associations with CGM experience and attitudes. Efforts to advance CGM should include educational websites and endocrinology consultations for NPs in PC.
Reconstruction of Knowledge and Medical Images in the Convergence of Chinese and Western Medicine: Taking “Sweet Meat” as an Example
Authors: GU Xiaoyang
Published: July 2024

The pancreas is neither part of the five Zang organs (五脏) nor the six Fu organs (六腑). Thus, it has received little attention in Chinese medical literature. In the late 19th century, medical missionaries in China started translating and introducing anatomical and physiological knowledge about the pancreas. As for the word pancreas, an early and influential translation was “sweet meat” (甜肉), proposed by Benjamin Hobson (合信). The translation “sweet meat” is not faithful to the original meaning of “pancreas”, but is a term coined by Hobson based on his personal habits, and the word “sweet” appeared by chance. However, in the decades since the term “sweet meat” became popular, Chinese medicine practitioners, such as Tang Zonghai (唐宗海), reinterpreted it by drawing new medical illustrations for “sweet meat” and giving new connotations to the word “sweet”. This discussion and interpretation of “sweet meat” in modern China, particularly among Chinese medicine professionals, is not only a dissemination and interpretation of the knowledge of “pancreas”, but also a construction of knowledge around the term “sweet meat”.
Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Care Linkage and Retention Among Older Adults Diagnosed With HIV in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Wong Hoi Yee , Rajasuriar Reena , Wong Pui Li , Lee Yew Kong
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Older adults newly diagnosed with HIV experience poorer prognosis and higher mortality compared with those diagnosed at younger ages. We explored the barriers and facilitators in HIV care linkage and retention among newly diagnosed older persons living with HIV (OPLWH) in Malaysia.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with OPLWH and focus group discussions with health care providers (HCPs) from 5 specialties (primary care medicine, psychological medicine, gynecology, geriatrics, and infectious disease) at a tertiary hospital between September 2021 and April 2022. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.

Results

We recruited 16 OPLWH and 7 HCPs. Thirteen OPLWH were male. Eight of them self-identified as men who have sex with men, and the rest were heterosexual. Diagnosis of HIV was between the ages of 50 and 61 years. Barriers and facilitators could be categorized into 3 levels: individual, interpersonal, and institutional. Individual barriers included misinformation about HIV treatment, unable to afford HIV-related services, and belief that life was futile. Interpersonal barriers were HIV-related stigma, poor social and family support, and social prejudice toward men who have sex with men. Lastly, institutional barriers were the need for frequent hospital visits, high cost for HIV-related services, a lack of guidance after diagnosis, and poor communication with HCPs. Facilitators included doctor or friend support and positive institutional reputation.

Conclusions

Multiple challenges hindered optimal care for OPLWH after HIV diagnosis. Issues like high costs, belief that treatment is futile, and a lack of family support need to be addressed as part of long-term support services for OPLWH.
Oral Sexual Exposures Can Lead to Viable Rectal Chlamydia trachomatis Infection
Authors: Khosropour Christine M. , Suchland Robert , Vojtech Lucia , Coomes David M. , LeClair Angela , Soge Olusegun O. , Barbee Lindley A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) acquired orally may survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and establish an infection in the rectum, but how often this occurs is unknown.

Methods

In 2019 to 2022, we enrolled individuals assigned male at birth who reported sex with men and denied receptive anal sex in the past 2 years. Participants enrolled at the Seattle Sexual Health Clinic or online. Participants completed a behavioral survey and self-collected rectal swabs for CT nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and culture and viability polymerase chain reaction (vPCR). We defined oral exposures as fellatio, cunnilingus, and oral-anal (i.e., rimming).

Results

We enrolled 275 men; 60 (22%) reported only oral exposures in the past 12 months. Of these, 5 (8.3%) tested positive for rectal CT by NAAT; 1 (2%) had viable CT detected (culture positive; vPCR positive). Another 43 participants reported only oral exposures in the past 2 months, but rectal exposures 3 to 12 months ago. Of these, 4 (9%) tested NAAT positive for rectal CT; 1 had viable CT detected (culture negative; vPCR positive).

Conclusions

Passage of CT from the mouth to the rectum occurs but is most often nucleic acid remnants rather than viable bacteria. Nonetheless, it seems possible to establish a viable rectal CT infection via oral exposures.
Clinical Application of 18F-THK5351 PET to Image Ongoing Astrogliosis in MSA-P and MSA-C
Authors: Kondo Soichiro , Ishibashi Kenji , Ishii Kenji , Iwata Atsushi , Ihara Ryoko
Published: July 2024

18F-labeled THK5351 PET can visualize ongoing astrogliosis by estimating monoamine oxidase B levels and can be used as an adjunct for diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders. Little has been reported on multiple system atrophy (MSA) in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes. Here, we present 18F-THK5351 images in typical cases of MSA-P (parkinsonian type) and MSA-C (cerebellar type), showing intense 18F-THK5351 uptake in the lateral-posterior part of the putamen (MSA-P) and in the pons and middle cerebellar peduncles (MSA-C). Hence, this study illustrates the possible utility of 18F-THK5351 PET as an adjunct for diagnosing MSA-P and MSA-C by imaging ongoing astrogliosis.
Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Is a Safe and Effective Option for Yellow Phosphorus Toxin-induced Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Krishnan Sathish Kumar , Ramakrishna Somashekhara Hosaagrahara , Malleeswaran Selvakumar , Kasala Mohan Babu , Patcha Rajanikanth , Gopal Prasanna , Varghese Joy , Mouleeswaran Karattupalayam Sampath , Appusamy Ellango , Reddy Mettu Srinivas
Published: July 2024

Background.

Ingestion of yellow phosphorus–containing rodenticides (YPR) or firecrackers is an important cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in young adults and children, particularly in South and South-East Asia and South America. Emergency liver transplantation is indicated in cases refractory to intensive supportive therapy, including low-volume plasma exchange. There are no published reports on the feasibility of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) for YPR-induced ALF.

Methods.

Clinical details of patients undergoing APOLT for YPR-induced ALF in 1 unit are reported. Details of postoperative follow-up, native remnant regeneration, and immunosuppression withdrawal are also reported.

Results.

Between January 2021 and December 2023, 3 patients (4 y, 1.5 y, and 26 y) underwent emergency living donor liver transplantation for YPR-induced ALF. All patients were refractory to supportive therapies, including therapeutic plasma exchange, and demonstrated progression of liver injury in the form of severe encephalopathy needing intubation, ventilation, and organ support. APOLT was considered because of their young age and minimal intraoperative inotropic requirement. All explants showed confluent parenchymal necrosis with microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis. Patients were initially maintained on standard immunosuppression. Good remnant regeneration was noted on follow-up imaging in all cases, enabling gradual withdrawal of immunosuppression. Currently, 1 child has been off immunosuppression for 15 mo and 2 others are on reduced doses of immunosuppression. All patients demonstrated good liver function.

Conclusions.

APOLT procedure can be an appropriate transplant option in YPR-related ALF for children and young adults without severe hemodynamic instability.
Ways to think about vasculitic neuropathy
Authors: Kapoor Mahima , Reddel Stephen W.
Published: July 2024

Purpose of review

Vasculitis as a pathomechanism for neuropathy can be isolated to the peripheral nervous system, a part of a systemic autoimmune condition or a component of another syndrome. This review aims to discuss the broad range of diagnoses in which vasculitic neuropathy can be encountered, highlight the progress in imaging techniques in identifying vasculitis, and the new drugs developed for other autoimmune diseases that may be applied to neurological conditions.

Recent findings

Advances in imaging modalities, ultrasound, MRI and FDG-PET scanning for neuromuscular applications has redefined many aspects of vasculitic neuropathies. The benefit of dividing vasculitides by vessel size is becoming less absolute as diagnostic approaches advance. MRI and FDG-PET are widely used in diagnosis, defining extent of involvement of disease and monitoring. In neuralgic amyotrophy, the identification of hourglass-like constrictions on imaging has changed the treatment paradigm to include surgical interventions. These diagnostic approaches are supported by new immunomodulating and immunosuppression techniques.

Vasculitic neuropathies are a broad group of conditions with a range of causes and associations. Increased use of imaging techniques impacts our traditional definitions and classifications. The growth in treatment options for other autoimmune conditions are likely to infiltrate the neurological landscape.
Slow-exploring captive red knots were quicker to find food in a social setting than fast explorers
Authors: Roncoroni Aileen , Ersoy Selin , Bijleveld Allert I.
Published: July 2024

Individuals foraging in groups face increased competition but can benefit from social information on foraging opportunities that can ultimately increase survival. Personality traits can be associated with food-finding strategies, such as shyer individuals scrounging on the food discoveries of others. How personality and foraging strategy interact in a social foraging context with different group compositions received less attention. Here, we conducted experiments to investigate the relationship between exploratory personality, group size (1–4 birds) and foraging success (i.e. speed of finding a food patch) in wild-caught red knots. We found that faster explorers, when foraging alone, discover food patches quicker than slower explorers. In groups, however, slower-exploring birds became quicker at finding food than fast explorers. This shows that slower-exploring individuals benefit from group foraging. They seem to be more perceptive to social cues, and in contrast to faster explorers, they become quicker at finding food when they are in a group than when foraging alone. We discuss how individuals with different personalities and foraging strategies can coexist in a social foraging context with different costs and benefits associated with their strategies.
Sexually dimorphic eye size in dragonfishes, a response to a bioluminescent signalling gap
Authors: Vu Thao , Ebeling Helena , Di Santo Valentina , Kenaley Christopher P.
Published: July 2024

Deep-sea fishes must overcome extremely large nearest-neighbour distances and darkness to find mates. Sexual dimorphism in the size of luminescent structures in many deep-sea taxa, including dragonfishes (family Stomiidae), indicates reproductive behaviours may be mediated by visual signalling. This presents a paradox: if male photophores are larger, females may find males at shorter distances than males find females. Solutions to this gap may include females closing this gap or by males gathering more photons with a larger eye. We examine the eye size of two species of dragonfishes (
Malacosteus niger
and
Phostomias guernei
) for sexual dimorphism and employ a model of detection distance to evaluate the potential for such dimorphism to bridge the detection gap. This model incorporates the flux of sexually dimorphic postorbital photophores and eye lens size to predict detection distances. In both species, we found a significant visual detection gap in which females find males before males find females and that male lens size is larger, marking the second known case of size dimorphism in the actinopterygian visual system. Our results indicate the larger eye affords males a significant improvement in detection distance. We conclude that this dimorphic phenotype may have evolved to close the detection gap.
Modelling constructivist language acquisition through syntactico-semantic pattern finding
Authors: Doumen Jonas , Beuls Katrien , Van Eecke Paul
Published: July 2024

The constructivist acquisition of language by children has been elaborately documented by researchers in psycholinguistics and cognitive science. However, despite the centrality of human-like communication in the field of artificial intelligence, no faithful computational operationalizations of the mechanisms through which children learn language exist to date. In this article, we fill part of this void by introducing a mechanistic model of the constructivist acquisition of language through syntactico-semantic pattern finding. Concretely, we present a methodology for learning grammars based on similarities and differences in the form and meaning of linguistic observations alone. The resulting grammars consist of form-meaning mappings of variable extent and degree of abstraction, called constructions, which facilitate both language comprehension and production. Applying our methodology to the CLEVR benchmark dataset, we provide a proof of concept that demonstrates the online, incremental, data-efficient, transparent and effective learning of item-based construction grammars from utterance–meaning pairs.