bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of building information modeling prior knowledge on applying virtual reality in construction education: lessons from a comparison study
Authors: Chen Xingbin , Li Sining , Li Gengying , Xue Bin , Liu Bingsheng , Fang Yuan , Seo JoonOh , Kim Inhan , Kim Jung In
Published: October 2023

Applying building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) in construction education is an effective way to achieve better study motivation, learnability, creativity, and observation of the real world. However, whether different levels of BIM prior knowledge affect students’ VR experimental learning, if at all, has not been examined. Therefore, this study employs a teaching intervention experiment to access the VR learning process based on the BIM prior knowledge. A total of 47 students, from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, participated in the experiment. They were grouped according to whether they had taken the prior BIM tutorial section, with 23 participants in the group having completed the tutorial and 24 participants in the group that had not. Experiment materials were created and rendered via Autodesk Revit and Iris VR; the materials supported three tasks related to the underground design review scenarios and three other tasks about site planning review scenarios. After the experiment, a comparison study was done to discuss their differences based on VR task performances and satisfaction. The results revealed that the BIM prior knowledge mediated both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional navigations when students performed the tasks. Moreover, the relationship differences within the satisfactions showed that BIM prior knowledge effectively affected the learning outcomes. In conclusion, the comparison study implies that students’ BIM prior knowledge is efficacious in the students’ VR task performance and their VR satisfaction from cognitive and memory perspectives.
A soybean trypsin inhibitor reduces the resistance to transgenic maize in a population of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Fonseca Sandy Sousa , Santos Ana Leticia Zero , Pinto Ciro Pedro Guidotti , Marques Luiz , Santos Antonio Cesar , Bing James , Nowatzki Timothy , Sethi Amit , Rossi Guilherme Duarte
Published: October 2023

Lepidopteran pests have been successfully managed by the adoption of insect resistant transgenic plants expressing Cry and/or Vip insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt plants). Among such pests, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is highlighted for its destructive potential in maize crops and for cases of field-evolved resistance to Bt plants. Cry insecticidal proteins expressed in Bt plants are known for their interaction with insect midgut receptors and subsequent midgut cell disruption that leads to target pest death. In the midgut of lepidopteran larval pests such as S. frugiperda, serine proteases are important in dietary protein digestion and activation or degradation of insecticidal proteins. This work was conducted to evaluate if the use of a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) could disrupt the development of a Bt-susceptible and a Bt-resistant population of S. frugiperda ingesting Bt (expressing Cry1F, Cry1A.105, and Cry2Ab2 Cry proteins) and non-Bt maize plants. The SBTI was produced and purified using recombinant expression in E. coli followed by purification in Ni-Sepharose. Bioassays using non-Bt maize leaves indicated that the development of susceptible and resistant populations of S. frugiperda was not influenced by the ingestion of SBTI. However, when the resistant population consumed Bt maize plants amended with SBTI, high mortality along with a reduction in larval weight and reduced activity of digestive trypsins were observed. Although the mode of action was not elucidated, it is possible that the consumption of SBTI increased susceptibility to Bt maize in the resistant population of S. frugiperda.
The invasive margin of early-stage human colon tumors is infiltrated with neutrophils of an antitumoral phenotype
Authors: Vadillo Eduardo , Mantilla Alejandra , Aguilar-Flores Cristina , De León-Rodríguez Saraí Gisel , Vela-Patiño Sandra , Badillo Juan , Taniguchi-Ponciano Keiko , Marrero-Rodríguez Daniel , Ramírez Lourdes , León-Vega Iliana Itzel , Fuentes-Castañeda Carmen , Piña-Sánchez Patricia , Prieto-Chávez Jessica Lakshmi , Pérez-Kondelkova Vadim , Montesinos Juan José , Bonifaz Laura , Pelayo Rosana , Mayani Héctor , Schnoor Michael
Published: October 2023

Neutrophils infiltrate several types of cancer; however, whether their presence is associated with disease progression remains controversial. Here, we show that colon tumors overexpress neutrophil chemoattractants compared to healthy tissues, leading to their recruitment to the invasive margin and the central part of colon tumors. Of note, tumor-associated neutrophils expressing tumor necrosis factor α, which usually represents an antitumoral phenotype, were predominantly located in the invasive margin. Tumor-associated neutrophils from the invasive margin displayed an antitumoral phenotype with higher ICAM-1 and CD95 expression than neutrophils from healthy adjacent tissues. A higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was found at later stages compared to the early phases of colon cancer. A neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio ≤3.5 predicted tumor samples had significantly more neutrophils at the invasive margin and the central part. Moreover, tumor-associated neutrophils at the invasive margin of early-stage tumors showed higher ICAM-1 and CD95 expression. Coculture of colon cancer cell lines with primary neutrophils induced ICAM-1 and CD95 expression, confirming our in situ findings. Thus, our data demonstrate that tumor-associated neutrophils with an antitumoral phenotype characterized by high ICAM-1 and CD95 expression infiltrate the invasive margin of early-stage colon tumors, suggesting that these cells can combat the disease at its early courses. The presence of tumor-associated neutrophils with antitumoral phenotype could help predict outcomes of patients with colon cancer.
Thyroid cancer risk after radiation exposure in adults—systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mirkatouli Nafiseh Beygom , Hirota Seiko , Yoshinaga Shinji
Published: October 2023

Notably, the growing use of radionuclear technology, especially in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving radiation exposure, raises concerns about the health effects of radiation. Although epidemiological studies have provided strong evidence for elevated thyroid cancer risk after radiation exposure in childhood, the risk of thyroid cancer associated with adult exposure remains to be investigated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies on the risk of developing thyroid cancer after radiation exposure in adulthood. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were used to select eligible articles. After screening, a total of 15 studies were identified in which estimates of the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and the relative risk (RR) of thyroid cancer were available in 8 and 11 studies, respectively. The overall SIR estimated by the random effects model was 2.19 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.54, 3.10]. Cochran’s Q test showed significant heterogeneity in the SIRs (Q = 178, P < 0.0001). The overall RR at 10 mGy was 1.0038 (95% CI, 0.9991, 1.0085), with no significant heterogeneity (Q = 9.30, P = 0.5041). The total SIR, as well as that from each study, indicated a statistically significant excess, which could be related to screening bias. Radiation-related thyroid cancer risk was elevated in a few studies; however, the overall estimate of the RR at 10 mGy was not significant. This study demonstrates no strong epidemiological evidence for the risk of thyroid cancer in radiation exposure during adulthood; however, further research is needed.
Superior protein thermophilicity prediction with protein language model embeddings
Authors: Haselbeck Florian , John Maura , Zhang Yuqi , Pirnay Jonathan , Fuenzalida-Werner Juan Pablo , Costa Rubén D , Grimm Dominik G
Published: October 2023

Protein thermostability is important in many areas of biotechnology, including enzyme engineering and protein-hybrid optoelectronics. Ever-growing protein databases and information on stability at different temperatures allow the training of machine learning models to predict whether proteins are thermophilic. In silico predictions could reduce costs and accelerate the development process by guiding researchers to more promising candidates. Existing models for predicting protein thermophilicity rely mainly on features derived from physicochemical properties. Recently, modern protein language models that directly use sequence information have demonstrated superior performance in several tasks. In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of protein language model embeddings for thermophilicity prediction with ProLaTherm, a Protein Language model-based Thermophilicity predictor. ProLaTherm significantly outperforms all feature-, sequence- and literature-based comparison partners on multiple evaluation metrics. In terms of the Matthew’s correlation coefficient, ProLaTherm outperforms the second-best competitor by 18.1% in a nested cross-validation setup. Using proteins from species not overlapping with species from the training data, ProLaTherm outperforms all competitors by at least 9.7%. On these data, it misclassified only one nonthermophilic protein as thermophilic. Furthermore, it correctly identified 97.4% of all thermophilic proteins in our test set with an optimal growth temperature above 70°C.
Mean global DNA methylation serves as independent prognostic marker in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma
Authors: Eckhardt Alicia , Drexler Richard , Schoof Melanie , Struve Nina , Capper David , Jelgersma Claudius , Onken Julia , Harter Patrick N , Weber Katharina J , Divé Iris , Rothkamm Kai , Hoffer Konstantin , Klumpp Lukas , Ganser Katrin , Petersen Cordula , Ricklefs Franz , Kriegs Malte , Schüller Ulrich
Published: October 2023

Background

The IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) patients have a devastating prognosis. Here, we analyzed the potential prognostic value of global DNA methylation of the tumors.

Methods

DNA methylation of 492 primary samples and 31 relapsed samples, each treated with combination therapy, and of 148 primary samples treated with radiation alone were compared with patient survival. We determined the mean methylation values and estimated the immune cell infiltration from the methylation data. Moreover, the mean global DNA methylation of 23 GBM cell lines was profiled and correlated to their cellular radiosensitivity as measured by colony formation assay.

Results

High mean DNA methylation levels correlated with improved survival, which was independent from known risk factors (MGMT promoter methylation, age, extent of resection; P = 0.009) and methylation subgroups. Notably, this correlation was also independent of immune cell infiltration, as higher number of immune cells indeed was associated with significantly better OS but lower mean methylation. Radiosensitive GBM cell lines had a significantly higher mean methylation than resistant lines (P = 0.007), and improved OS of patients treated with radiotherapy alone was also associated with higher DNA methylation (P = 0.002). Furthermore, specimens of relapsed GBM revealed a significantly lower mean DNA methylation compared to the matching primary tumor samples (P = 0.041).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that mean global DNA methylation is independently associated with outcome in glioblastoma. The data also suggest that a higher DNA methylation is associated with better radiotherapy response and less aggressive phenotype, both of which presumably contribute to the observed correlation with OS.
Toward More Accurate Preoperative Diagnosis of Vein Wall Invasion in Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Computer Vision
Authors: Shah Valisha , Lotter William
Published: October 2023

This commentary remarks on a recently published article by Zhao et al, which presents a CT radiomics model for the diagnosis of vein wall invasion in patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus.
Cooperative ligand binding to a double-stranded Ising lattice—Application to cofilin binding to actin filaments
Authors: Cao Wenxiang , Taylor Edwin W , De La Cruz Enrique M
Published: October 2023

Cooperative ligand binding to linear polymers is fundamental in many scientific disciplines, particularly biological and chemical physics and engineering. Such ligand binding interactions have been widely modeled using infinite one-dimensional (1D) Ising models even in cases where the linear polymers are more complex (e.g. actin filaments and other double-stranded linear polymers). Here, we use sequence-generating and transfer matrix methods to obtain an analytical method for cooperative equilibrium ligand binding to double-stranded Ising lattices. We use this exact solution to evaluate binding properties and features and analyze experimental binding data of cooperative binding of the regulatory protein, cofilin, to actin filaments. This analysis, with additional experimental information about the observed bound cofilin cluster sizes and filament structure, reveals that a bound cofilin promotes cooperative binding to its longitudinal nearest-neighbors but has very modest effects on lateral nearest-neighbors. The bound cofilin cluster sizes calculated from the best fit parameters from the double-stranded model are considerably larger than when calculated with the 1D model, consistent with experimental observations made by electron microscopy and fluorescence imaging. The exact solution obtained and the method for using the solution developed here can be widely used for analysis of variety of multistranded lattice systems.
Type and frequency of wild pig-domestic livestock contacts and operator concern for disease spread
Authors: McKee Sophie C , Mooney Daniel F , Miller Ryan S
Published: October 2023

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) can levy substantial costs to domestic livestock operations and global supply chains due to disease introduction. Producers can take defensive action to avert these costs, but the factors influencing these decisions are not well understood. We examined survey data to characterize the type and frequency of contacts between wild pigs and domestic livestock and investigated the determinants of farm operator concern for disease introduction using an ordered logit model. We found that operators with livestock kept in buildings were more concerned about disease than those with livestock kept in fenced areas or that roam free. However, the latter are at greater risk due to more frequent reported contacts with wild pigs. Results indicate that concern is significantly associated with other characteristics of farm operations, such as operation size, perceived change in wild pig populations, and respondent demographics. Developing a better understanding of the factors influencing operator concern for disease spread can contribute to the improved design of prevention policy targeting small-scale livestock producers. This could help ensure the continued safety of livestock supply chains and reduce the risk of disease-related trade restrictions, along with continued support for disease surveillance and monitoring at the national scale, and prolonged control of domestic vectors such as invasive wild pigs, specifically in regions with the most small operations.
Rituximab, but not other biologics, impairs humoral immunity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis—a study using CoVariant protein arrays
Authors: Lin Wei-Hsun , Du Pin-Xian , Tsai Pei-Shan , Keskin Batuhan Birol , Su Wen-Yu , Lee Nan-Yao , Ko Wen-Chien , Lin Pei-Chun , Shih Hsi-Chang , Weng Meng-Yu , Syu Guan-Da
Published: October 2023

Objectives

RA is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and joint destruction. Biologics are crucial to achieving treat-to-target goals in patients with RA. The global spread and continuous variation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessitate the monitoring of variant-specific humoral responses post-vaccination. The aim of this study was to investigate how different biologic treatments for vaccinated RA patients might affect their neutralizing antibodies against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Methods

We recruited RA patients who had received three doses of conventional SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and were treated with various biologics, e.g. TNF inhibitor (etanercept), IL-6 inhibitor (tocilizumab), CTLA4-Ig (abatacept) or anti-CD20 (rituximab). Serum samples were used to profile the binding and neutralizing antibodies using our own SARS-CoV-2 variant (CoVariant) protein array, developed previously.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, only RA therapy with rituximab showed a reduction in neutralizing antibodies capable of targeting spike proteins in SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and most variants. This reduction was not observed in binding antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type or its variants.

Conclusion

After receiving three doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, RA patients who underwent rituximab treatment generated sufficient antibodies but exhibited lower neutralizing activities against wild-type and multiple variants, including current Omicron. Other biological DMARDs, e.g. TNF inhibitor, IL-6 inhibitor and CTLA4-Ig, did not show obvious inhibition.
Neutron dose assessment in laser-generated ultra-short pulsed fields
Authors: Olšovcová Veronika , Ambrožová Iva , Cimmino Anna , Horváth Dávid , Lefebvre Benoit , Ploc Ondřej , Stránský Vojtěch , Truneček Roman , Versaci Roberto
Published: October 2023

ELI Beamlines is one of the pillars of the Extreme Light Infrastructure European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ELI ERIC), the European project aiming at building the next generation of high power lasers for fundamental research and industrial applications. Several high-power lasers are hosted by the ELI Beamlines facility. Even at a power lower than the nominal one, when interacting with a target, the laser can generate mixed ionizing radiation fields of unique nature. One of the major laser systems, High-repetition-rate advanced petawatt laser system (HAPLS) was already used in commissioning experiments. Detecting the neutrons generated during these experiments has been a challenging task, since certain difficulties were faced. First, the experimental conditions were frequently altered during the commissioning phase (such as laser beam parameters, experimental geometry or target type). Next, the extremely short duration of the ionizing radiation pulse generated by the laser (~10−14 s) complicated the correct interpretation of the data provided by the detectors designed and calibrated in standard fields. Here, one commissioning experiment is described, together with the means of addressing the problem of the detection of the ionizing radiation and the lessons learned in this endeavour.
Development of a new integrated IN-VIVO counting system at the QST
Authors: Tamakuma Yuki , Naito Masayuki , Yang Guosheng , Tani Kotaro , Yajima Kazuaki , Kim Eunjoo , Kowatari Munehiko , Kurihara Osamu
Published: October 2023

A new in-vivo counting system that functions as both a whole-body counter (WBC) and a lung counter (LC) was developed at the QST to enhance its dose assessment capability. This paper presents an overview of this system and the results of its performance tests. For use of the system as a WBC, three high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors installed in a 20-cm-thick iron shielding chamber are linearly arrayed over a subject lying on the bed, whereas two of the three HPGe detectors are placed over the subject’s chest from side to side when using the system as an LC. The new in-vivo system was calibrated using three de-facto phantoms owned by the QST: an adult-male BOttle Manikin ABsorption (BOMAB) phantom, a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) phantom and a Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) phantom. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed to determine an optimum location for the three detector array in the WBC mode and revealed that the peak efficiency for the BOMAB phantom (662 keV) was little varied as long as the middle detector was placed above the thorax and abdomen parts of the phantom. The calculated peak efficiencies agreed well with the observed peak efficiencies for photons with energies over 100 keV. For lung counting, a tentative Minimum Detectable Activity of 241Am was evaluated as 9.5 Bq for a counting time of 30 minutes, and a Japanese male subject with an average chest wall thinness (2.27 cm). The developed system is now ready for use.
Revision of the 21909 standard on passive personal neutron dosemeters
Authors: Chevallier Marie-Anne , Quéinnec François
Published: October 2023

Since 2012, International Standardization Organization TC85/SC2 Working Group 19 dealing with ‘Individual monitoring for external radiations’ has been conducting important work revising the 21909 standard on passive personal neutron dosemeters. A consensus in the community acted that the 2005 version(  1) needed to be revised for two main reasons: (1) to achieve a document applicable to all systems irrespectively to the considered techniques and (2) to reach harmonisation between performance tests and conditions of use at the workplaces. The document was completely rewritten to be binding enough to ensure that any neutron dosimetry system fulfilling the criteria would be reliable in most of the usual work situations, in terms of dose level, energy and direction distributions of the neutron fluence. This paper explains the reasons behind the revision and the new philosophy of the series published in 2021, so that Individual Monitoring Services may better understand how to apply the requirements in practice.
Latitudinal effect on the position of Regener–Pfotzer maximum investigated by balloon flight HEMERA 2019 in Sweden and balloon flights FIK in Czechia
Authors: Ambrožová Iva , Kákona Martin , Dvořák Roman , Kákona Jakub , Lužová Martina , Povišer Martin , Sommer Marek , Velychko Olena , Ploc Ondřej
Published: October 2023

When primary space radiation particles enter into the atmosphere of the Earth, they generate showers of secondary radiation. The intensity of secondary radiation reaches its maximum, called the Regener–Pfotzer maximum; its exact position depends on the geomagnetic effective vertical cut-off rigidity, the phase of the solar cycle and also on the type of detected particles. In this paper, several balloon flight experiments are described focusing on the study of the latitudinal effect on the position of the Regener–Pfotzer maximum. Altitude profile of ionization in the atmosphere was measured using radiation detectors flown during several flights at locations with different effective vertical cut-off rigidities (flight HEMERA over Sweden and flights FIK-5 and FIK-6 over Czech Republic). The measured results are supplemented also with simulations using EXPACS 4.11 and the variation of obtained positions of Regener–Pfotzer maximum is discussed.
Analysis of EURADOS neutron intercomparison results according to new ISO standards criteria
Authors: Chevallier M-A , Fantuzzi E , Hajek M , Mayer S , Tanner R , Thomas D J , Vanhavere F
Published: October 2023

The European Radiation Dosimetry Group has carried out several different types of intercomparison (IC) exercises in the past that qualify as proficiency tests for different dosimetry systems and types of radiation. The first neutron dosemeter IC was held in 2012 (IC2012n) and was followed by a second in 2017/2018 (IC2017n). In sum, 31 Individual Monitoring Services (IMSs) entered 34 dosimetry systems in IC2012n, and 32 IMSs entered 33 dosimetry systems for IC2017n. Such exercises provided a rare opportunity to see how neutron dosemeters perform. For the IC2012n exercise, there were no applicable performance standards for neutron personal dosemeters. ISO/TC85/SC2 updated the ISO Standard 14146 in 2018 (ISO 14146:2018. Radiation protection—Criteria and performance limits for the periodic evaluation of dosimetry services) to include neutron dosimetry. It was thus possible to analyse the IC2017n exercise in accordance with the requirements given by this new standard. It is now of interest to reanalyse the results of IC2012n to quantify any modifications to the conclusions.
Screening levels of TCS-172 NaI(Tl) survey meters used for direct thyroid measurements in nuclear disasters
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Yajima Kazuaki , Tani Kotaro , Takashima Yoshio , Ishigure Nobuhito , Beaumont Tiffany , Broggio David , Kurihara Osamu
Published: October 2023

It is a challenging task to establish a feasible and robust method for the population monitoring of individuals’ thyroid exposure following an accidental intake of radioiodines in a nuclear emergency, because of the time restriction. The authors previously proposed a method for such monitoring to obtain as many reliable human data as possible and one of the components is simplified measurements by conventional NaI(Tl) survey meters that are intended to be used for the initial triage to identify significantly exposed individuals and get an overall picture of the exposure levels in a target population in a timely manner. This study determined screening levels (SLs) for a conventional NaI(Tl) survey meter (model TCS-172, Hitachi, Japan) using the conversion factor (131I kBq in the thyroid per μSv h−1) that were obtained from experiments and simulations with age-specific phantoms. The results demonstrated that the derived SLs for 100 mSv thyroid equivalent dose were as follows: 0.2 μSv h−1 (SL1) for the age group ≤ 5-y-olds, 0.5 μSv h−1 (SL2) for the 10- and 15-y-old age groups and 1.0 μSv h−1 (SL3) for adults. These SLs would be reasonably available within 1 week after the intake of 131I on the safe side.
Response of personal dosemeters on various age-specific anthropometric phantoms under external irradiation applied to areas affected by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
Authors: Naito Masayuki , Tamakuma Yuki , Yajima Kazuaki , Kim Eunjoo , Obara Satoshi , Tani Kotaro , Kurihara Osamu
Published: October 2023

We experimentally obtained the responses of two personal dosemeters (PDs, D-shuttle and Dose-i) attached on five age-specific phantoms under rotational irradiation geometry, which simulated an environment that was radiologically affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident using of a 137Cs source. Although the PD responses showed an angular phase shift by the PD position on the phantoms, the angular dependence was small when the contamination was widely distributed. The PD responses decreased as much as ~10% with the increase in the phantoms’ body size. Although there were ~17% variations in the PD/ADE (ambient dose equivalent) ratio depending on the different PDs, this variation was due to the fact that D-shuttle was calibrated with the inclusion of a safety margin. The PD/ADE ratios were similar to the effective dose to ADE ratios for corresponding age-specific phantoms. Our results suggest that these two PDs can provide reasonable estimates for age-dependent effective doses.
Study on the safety assessment and protection design of human exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields in electric vehicles
Authors: Tan LiGang , Li GaoLei , Xie QiaoLing , Xiang Yunxiu , Luo Baojun
Published: October 2023

As the power performance of electric vehicles continues to improve, the human body may be exposed to electromagnetic threats in the cabin. This study tested an electric vehicle to analyze the low-frequency magnetic field distribution in the cabin and to assess the safety of human low-frequency magnetic field exposure. A simulation analysis of human electromagnetic exposure was carried out to obtain the magnetic flux density, induced electric field strength and induced current density, and the test results were much lower than the limits specified in GB8702-2014 and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the relative error between the simulation results and the test results was <15%. This paper investigates the frequency, driving current, vehicle body material and cable layout to explore the law of human body induced electromagnetic field changing with power cable current, and provides theoretical reference for the design of human body low-frequency magnetic field protection.
Improving Interdisciplinary Communication on an Academic Hospitalist Service: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Biederman Stephen , Sadr Nargiza , Qayyum Rehan
Published: October 2023

Effective communication is essential for quality patient care, and paging remains among the most common forms of communication despite the introduction of secure texting platforms. The goal of this project was to use quantitative and qualitative analyses of paging to guide improvements in paging best practices. A retrospective analysis of pages sent over a 7-day period was completed, characterizing the volume, content, and effectiveness of pages both preintervention and 3-month postintervention. The content of each page was categorized into laboratories, medications, vital signs, diet, patient assessment/clinical change, pain, or miscellaneous/other. Effectiveness was based on the following five critical elements: (1) two patient identifiers, (2) the sender's name, (3) the sender's callback number, (4) priority or acuity of the page, and (5) patient-care concern. Pages were considered successful if they contained all the five essential elements. The preintervention results guided interventions. Of 3,483 included pages, 1,806 and 1,677 were sent during the preintervention and postintervention periods, respectively. Adherence to all essential paging elements increased from 15.2% to 40% (p < .001). The largest deficiency was labeling the urgency of a page, which increased from 31.6% to 51.9% (p < .001). Quantitative and qualitative analyses of pages effectively guided this project to increase the standardization of paging.
Emerging findings for the assessment and treatment of pediatric deep neck abscesses
Authors: Hankey Paul Bryan , Tracy Meghan , Arganbright Jill M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to summarize new literature regarding the description, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric deep neck abscesses.

Recent findings

Providers should include multi-inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in a differential diagnosis in children suspected of having a retropharyngeal abscess. MRI may guide the proper management of children with deep neck abscesses by more accurately detecting free fluid compared to computed tomography imaging. Factors that may predict the need for surgical management include elevations in white blood cell counts and abscess size more than 3 cm. However, future investigation is necessary to establish consistent guidelines. Medical management is effective in many children, with a new study indicating success using a combination of cefotaxime and rifampicin.

Anatomical and age-related risk factors predispose children to the development of deep neck abscesses. Findings from recent studies may aid providers in making an accurate diagnosis and providing proper medical or surgical management of children with these infections.
Effect of Cardiac Arrest in Brain-dead Donors on Kidney Graft Function
Authors: Dubourg Quentin , Savoye Emilie , Drouin Sarah , Legeai Camille , Barrou Benoit , Rondeau Eric , Buob David , Kerbaul Francois , Bronchard Régis , Galichon Pierre ,   the ABM Study Group
Published: October 2023

Background.

Cardiac arrest (CA) causes renal ischemia in one-third of brain-dead kidney donors before procurement. We hypothesized that the graft function depends on the time interval between CA and organ procurement.

Methods.

We conducted a retrospective population-based study on a prospectively curated database. We included 1469 kidney transplantations from donors with a history of resuscitated CA in 2015–2017 in France. CA was the cause of death (primary CA) or an intercurrent event (secondary CA). The main outcome was the percentage of delayed graft function, defined by the use of renal replacement therapy within the first week posttransplantation.

Results.

Delayed graft function occurred in 31.7% of kidney transplantations and was associated with donor function, vasopressors, cardiovascular history, donor and recipient age, body mass index, cold ischemia time, and time to procurement after primary cardiac arrest. Short cold ischemia time, perfusion device use, and the absence of cardiovascular comorbidities were protected by multivariate analysis, whereas time <3 d from primary CA to procurement was associated with delayed graft function (odds ratio 1.38).

Conclusions.

This is the first description of time to procurement after a primary CA as a risk factor for delayed graft function. Delaying procurement after CA should be evaluated in interventional studies.
Frightened of giants: fear responses to elephants approach that of predators
Authors: Fletcher Robert J. , O'Brien Amanda , Hall Timothy F. , Jones Maggie , Potash Alex D. , Kruger Laurence , Simelane Phumlile , Roques Kim , Monadjem Ara , McCleery Robert A.
Published: October 2023

Animals are faced with a variety of dangers or threats, which are increasing in frequency with ongoing environmental change. While our understanding of fearfulness of such dangers is growing in the context of predation and parasitism risk, the extent to which non-trophic, interspecific dangers elicit fear in animals remains less appreciated. We provide an experimental test for fear responses of savannah ungulates to a dominant and aggressive megaherbivore, the African bush elephant (
Loxodonta africana
), and contrast responses to an apex predator known to elicit fear in this system. Using an automated behavioural response system, we contrast vigilance and run responses of ungulates to elephant, leopard (
Panthera pardus
), and control (red-chested cuckoo
Cuculus solitarius
) vocalizations. Overall, we find that ungulates responded to elephant calls, both in terms of an increase in run and vigilance responses relative to controls. The magnitude of most behavioural responses (four of six considered) to elephant vocalizations were not significantly different than responses to leopards. These results suggest that megaherbivores can elicit strong non-trophic fear responses by ungulates and call to broaden frameworks on fear to consider dominant species, such as megaherbivores, as key modifiers of fear-induced interactions.
Phylogenomics illuminates the phylogeny of flower weevils (Curculioninae) and reveals ten independent origins of brood-site pollination mutualism in true weevils
Authors: Haran J. , Li X. , Allio R. , Shin S. , Benoit L. , Oberprieler R. G. , Farrell B. D. , Brown S. D. J. , Leschen R. A. B. , Kergoat G. J. , McKenna D. D.
Published: October 2023

Weevils are an unusually species-rich group of phytophagous insects for which there is increasing evidence of frequent involvement in brood-site pollination. This study examines phylogenetic patterns in the emergence of brood-site pollination mutualism among one of the most speciose beetle groups, the flower weevils (subfamily Curculioninae). We analysed a novel phylogenomic dataset consisting of 214 nuclear loci for 202 weevil species, with a sampling that mainly includes flower weevils as well as representatives of all major lineages of true weevils (Curculionidae). Our phylogenomic analyses establish a uniquely comprehensive phylogenetic framework for Curculioninae and provide new insights into the relationships among lineages of true weevils. Based on this phylogeny, statistical reconstruction of ancestral character states revealed at least 10 independent origins of brood-site pollination in higher weevils through transitions from ancestral associations with reproductive structures in the larval stage. Broadly, our results illuminate the unexpected frequency with which true weevils—typically specialized phytophages and hence antagonists of plants—have evolved mutualistic interactions of ecological significance that are key to both weevil and plant evolutionary fitness and thus a component of their deeply intertwined macroevolutionary success.
Vocal tract shape variation contributes to individual vocal identity in African penguins
Authors: Favaro Livio , Zanoli Anna , Ludynia Katrin , Snyman Albert , Carugati Filippo , Friard Olivier , Scaglione Frine Eleonora , Manassero Luca , Valazza Alberto , Mathevon Nicolas , Gamba Marco , Reby David
Published: October 2023

Variation in formant frequencies has been shown to affect social interactions and sexual competition in a range of avian species. Yet, the anatomical bases of this variation are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the morphological correlates of formants production in the vocal apparatus of African penguins. We modelled the geometry of the supra-syringeal vocal tract of 20 specimens to generate a population of virtual vocal tracts with varying dimensions. We then estimated the acoustic response of these virtual vocal tracts and extracted the centre frequency of the first four predicted formants. We demonstrate that: (i) variation in length and cross-sectional area of vocal tracts strongly affects the formant pattern, (ii) the tracheal region determines most of this variation, and (iii) the skeletal size of penguins does not correlate with the trachea length and consequently has relatively little effect on formants. We conclude that in African penguins, while the variation in vocal tract geometry generates variation in resonant frequencies supporting the discrimination of conspecifics, such variation does not provide information on the emitter's body size. Overall, our findings advance our understanding of the role of formant frequencies in bird vocal communication.
Breakdown in seasonal dynamics of subtropical ant communities with land-cover change
Authors: Kass Jamie M. , Yoshimura Masashi , Ogasawara Masako , Suwabe Mayuko , Hita Garcia Francisco , Fischer Georg , Dudley Kenneth L. , Donohue Ian , Economo Evan P.
Published: October 2023

Concerns about widespread human-induced declines in insect populations are mounting, yet little is known about how land-use change modifies both the trends and variability of insect communities, particularly in understudied regions. Here, we examine how the seasonal activity patterns of ants—key drivers of terrestrial ecosystem functioning—vary with anthropogenic land-cover change on a subtropical island landscape, and whether differences in temperature or species composition can explain observed patterns. Using trap captures sampled biweekly over 2 years from a biodiversity monitoring network covering Okinawa Island, Japan, we processed 1.2 million individuals and reconstructed activity patterns within and across habitat types. Forest communities exhibited greater temporal variability of activity than those in more developed areas. Using time-series decomposition to deconstruct this pattern, we found that sites with greater human development exhibited ant communities with diminished seasonality, reduced synchrony and higher stochasticity compared with sites with greater forest cover. Our results cannot be explained by variation in regional or site temperature patterns, or by differences in species richness or composition among sites. Our study raises the possibility that disruptions to natural seasonal patterns of functionally key insect communities may comprise an important and underappreciated consequence of global environmental change that must be better understood across Earth's biomes.
Breakdown of the growth–mortality trade-off along a soil phosphorus gradient in a diverse tropical forest
Authors: Aoyagi Ryota , Condit Richard , Turner Benjamin L.
Published: October 2023

An ecological paradigm predicts that plant species adapted to low resource availability grow slower and live longer than those adapted to high resource availability when growing together. We tested this by using hierarchical Bayesian analysis to quantify variations in growth and mortality of
ca
40 000 individual trees from greater than 400 species in response to limiting resources in the tropical forests of Panama. In contrast to theoretical expectations of the growth–mortality paradigm, we find that tropical tree species restricted to low-phosphorus soils simultaneously achieve faster growth rates and lower mortality rates than species restricted to high-phosphorus soils. This result demonstrates that adaptation to phosphorus limitation in diverse plant communities modifies the growth–mortality trade-off, with important implications for understanding long-term ecosystem dynamics.
Conflict and conflict resolution in the major transitions
Authors: Bourke Andrew F. G.
Published: October 2023

Conflict and conflict resolution have been argued to be fundamental to the major transitions in evolution. These were key events in life's history in which previously independently living individuals cooperatively formed a higher-level individual, such as a multicellular organism or eusocial colony. Conflict has its central role because, to proceed stably, the evolution of individuality in each major transition required within-individual conflict to be held in check. This review revisits the role of conflict and conflict resolution in the major transitions, addressing recent work arguing for a minor role. Inclusive fitness logic suggests that differences between the kin structures of clones and sexual families support the absence of conflict at the origin of multicellularity but, by contrast, suggest that key conflicts existed at the origin of eusociality. A principal example is conflict over replacing the founding queen (queen replacement). Following the origin of each transition, conflict remained important, because within-individual conflict potentially disrupts the attainment of maximal individuality (organismality) in the system. The conclusion is that conflict remains central to understanding the major transitions, essentially because conflict arises from differences in inclusive fitness optima while conflict resolution can help the system attain a high degree of coincidence of inclusive fitness interests.
Phylogeographical evidence for historical long-distance dispersal in the flightless stick insect
Ramulus mikado
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Nozaki Tomonari , Hirota Shun K. , Funaki Shoichi , Ito Katsura , Isagi Yuji , Suyama Yoshihisa , Kaneko Shingo
Published: October 2023

Exploring how organisms overcome geographical barriers to dispersal is a fundamental question in biology. Passive long-distance dispersal events, although infrequent and unpredictable, have a considerable impact on species range expansions. Despite limited active dispersal capabilities, many stick insect species have vast geographical ranges, indicating that passive long-distance dispersal is vital for their distribution. A potential mode of passive dispersal in stick insects is via the egg stage within avian digestive tracts, as suggested by experimental evidence. However, detecting such events under natural conditions is challenging due to their rarity. Therefore, to indirectly assess the potential of historical avian-mediated dispersal, we examined the population genetic structure of the flightless stick insect
Ramulus mikado
across Japan, based on a multifaceted molecular approach [cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) haplotypes, nuclear simple sequence repeat markers and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms]. Subsequently, we identified unique phylogeographic patterns, including the discovery of identical COI genotypes spanning considerable distances, which substantiates the notion of passive long-distance genotypic dispersal. Overall, all the molecular data revealed the low and mostly non-significant genetic differentiation among populations, with identical or very similar genotypes across distant populations. We propose that long-distance dispersal facilitated by birds is the plausible explanation for the unique phylogeographic pattern observed in this flightless stick insect.
Mechanical Properties of Native and Decellularized Reproductive Tissues: Insights for Tissue Engineering Strategies
Authors: Franko R. , Franko Y. , Martinez E. Ribes , Ferronato G.A. , Heinzelmann I. , Grechi N. , Devkota S. , Fontes P.K. , Coeti R. , Oshiro T.S.I. , Ferraz M.A.M.M.
Published: October 2023

Understanding the mechanical properties and porosity of reproductive tissues is vital for regenerative medicine in tissue engineering. This study investigated the changes in Young’s modulus (YM), storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″), and porosity of native and decellularized bovine reproductive tissues during the estrous cycle. Testis tunica albuginea had significantly higher YM, E′, and E″ than the inner testis, indicating greater stiffness and viscoelasticity. Endometrium showed no distinct differences in YM, E′, or E′ across the estrous cycle or between horns. Ovaries exhibited significant variations in YM, E′, E″, and porosity, with higher YM and E′ in the ipsilateral cortex and medulla during the luteal phase. Decellularized ovarian tissues displayed increased porosity. The oviduct displayed no significant differences in YM or E′ in the isthmus, but the contralateral ampulla had reduced YM and E′ in the luteal phase. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamic mechanical properties and porosity of reproductive tissues, facilitating the development of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
The impact of prenatal alcohol and synthetic cannabinoid exposure on behavioral adaptations in adolescent offspring and alcohol self-administration in adulthood
Authors: Ornelas Laura C. , Fish Eric W. , Dooley Jacob C. , Carroll Megan , Parnell Scott E. , Besheer Joyce
Published: October 2023

Prenatal exposure to alcohol or cannabinoids can produce enduring neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes in the offspring. Furthermore, prenatal co-exposure to alcohol and cannabinoids induces malformations in brain regions associated with reward and stress-related circuitry. This study examined the effects of co-exposure to alcohol and the synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) CP55,940 throughout gastrulation and neurulation in rats on basal corticosterone levels and a battery of behavioral tests during adolescence and alcohol self-administration in adulthood. Importantly, we find that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) caused lower baseline corticosterone levels in adolescent males and females. Co-exposure to alcohol + CP produced hyperactivity during open field test in males, but not females. During the two-bottle choice alcohol-drinking procedure, prenatal cannabinoid exposed male and female adolescent rats drank more alcohol than their vehicle-exposed controls. In adulthood, female rats treated with prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE), showed an overall total increase in alcohol intake during alcohol self-administration; but this was not found in males. When the reinforcer was changed to a 1% sucrose solution, male rats exposed to PCE, showed a reduced self-administration compared to vehicle-exposed males, potentially indicative of an anhedonic response. This lower self-administration persisted when 20% alcohol was reintroduced to the sucrose solution. Lastly, following an abstinence period, there were no changes due to prenatal drug exposure in either males or females. Overall, these data suggest lasting consequences of prenatal alcohol and cannabinoid exposure during adolescence and adulthood in male and female rats.