bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping spatiotemporal patterns of avocado expansion and land-use intensity in central Mexico and their effects on landscape connectivity
Authors: Ramírez-Mejía Diana , Levers Christian , Kolb Melanie , Ghilardi Adrian , Godínez-Gomez Oscar , Mas Jean-François
Published: November 2024

Agricultural expansion and intensification are major drivers of global biodiversity loss, endangering natural habitats and ecosystem functions, such as pollination. In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of avocado frontier expansion and intensification from 2011 to 2019 and assess their effects on landscape connectivity, focusing on Michoacán, Mexico, the world’s leading avocado exporter. Using high-resolution satellite imagery combined with deep learning based on convolutional neural networks, we delineated avocado orchards and other land use/cover classes, mapped individual avocado tree crowns and irrigation ponds, and identified hotspots of expanding and intensifying avocado production. We used a circuit theory approach to evaluate the effects of avocado expansion and intensification on the connectivity of natural and semi-natural habitats. Our results reveal a rapid increase in avocado orchards, which expanded by 4175 ha—a growth from 27.9% to 37% in area—over the eight-year period. There was also a decline in rainfed agriculture by 3252 ha, and oak-pine forests by 1343 ha. We observed not only the expansion of the avocado frontier into forests but also an intensification of avocado production via increases in high-density plantations, irrigation ponds, and orchards prone to intensive pruning. Moreover, lower-intensity land-use classes, such as rainfed crops, were rapidly converted to avocado orchards. This expansion and intensification have led to increasing isolation of forest fragments. Although we identified routes that could facilitate the movement of species, the dense avocado monocultures continue to threaten the connectivity of natural and semi-natural habitats, causing notable losses of old-growth oak-pine forests and disrupting crucial ecological corridors. Our research underscores the adverse effects of avocado production on land use and landscape connectivity, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices to ensure the long-term viability of avocado production systems and overall ecosystem functioning.
The impact of human disturbances on the regeneration layer of tropical rainforests
Authors: Arasa-Gisbert Ricard , Arroyo-Rodríguez Víctor , Meave Jorge A
Published: November 2024

The global biodiversity crisis is driven by a complex set of human-caused disturbances across different spatial scales. Such disturbances not only cause species losses but also affect a myriad of ecological processes that are critical for forest recovery. Here, we present the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date (1976–2023) of human impacts on the regenerating tree community (i.e. seedlings, saplings, and juveniles) across tropical rainforests. We examined the response of woody plant (i.e. trees, shrubs and palms) community patterns (e.g. species diversity) and processes (e.g. individual growth and survival) to four major human disturbances: fire, defaunation, logging, and exotic/invasive species. We gathered 773 disturbed vs. non-disturbed comparisons from 99 studies. Exotic/invasive species and fire showed strong negative impacts on the regenerating plant community, causing a decrease in species richness, diversity and abundance in more disturbed areas. Such impacts were especially detrimental to old-growth forest species, which are usually rare and more prone to local extirpation. Time since the last fire had a negative impact on the early phases of the regenerating community recovery. Conversely, most response variables increased in defaunated and logged forests, as these disturbances (e.g. loss of herbivores) increased plant performance. Yet, the loss of seed dispersers seems to have weak effects on most responses. Interestingly, reduced-impact logging activities show effects similar to those of conventional and selective logging. Overall, our results revealed that human disturbances threaten the abundance and diversity of regenerating tropical trees, but tree performance and productivity variables may be favored by some human activities. Although further research is needed to fill persisting knowledge gaps, our findings have valuable ecological and applied implications that can guide urgently needed conservation and restoration strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of human disturbances on forest regeneration.
Changes in fire-season burned area in northeastern China regulated by tropical North Atlantic variability
Authors: Hua Wenjian , Zhou Lu , Jiang Yan , Zhou Liming , Xu Xiyan , Chen Haishan
Published: November 2024

Mapping and monitoring regional fire activity are essential to understand their responses to human activities and climate change. Here we use multiple sources of observations, reanalysis data, and model simulations to examine the responses of fire activity to climate change over northeastern China in the past two decades. We detected significant positive burned area (BA) trends in this region since 2003 during spring and much stronger interannual variations in BA in the last decade. We then separated the study region into cropland and natural vegetation and found that the increasing BA trends come mainly from agricultural burning. Our results also show that temperature is the dominant driver for BA variations in natural vegetation, whereas agricultural burning is influenced by precipitation, although human activities largely contribute to BA variations due to farming practices and land use and management. Our results further suggest that tropical North Atlantic (TNA) sea surface temperatures (SST) variability regulates the fire weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) in northeastern China through the Rossby wave train from the tropical Atlantic to the Eurasian continent. The cooling of TNA SST since 2010 could induce an anomalous anticyclonic circulation around Northeast Asia, leading to sinking motion and divergence in the region and resulting in reduced precipitation and warm temperatures. Thus, the co-occurrence of warm and dry anomalies has led to more frequent burning since the 2010s. Our study not only detects recent BA variations in northeastern China but also provides further evidence for the remote impact of TNA variability on recent BA and climate variations over the region.
Spectral properties of radiation for the Helmholtz equation with a random coefficient
Authors: Karamehmedović Mirza , Linder-Steinlein Kristoffer
Published: November 2024

We consider the Helmholtz equation

[
Δ
+

k
0
2

(
1
+
q
(
x
,
ω
)
)
]
u
=
−
f

in

R

R

2

and

R

R

3

, where the coefficient

q
(
x
,
ω
)

is a Gaussian random field. For any open ball B that includes the support of

x
↦
q
(
x
,
ω
)

, we approximate and characterize spectrally the source-to-measurement map

f
↦
u

|

∂
B

in the weak scattering/low-frequency setting. To this end, we first analyze the case with a deterministic coefficient q(x), and here we discover and quantify a ‘spectral leakage’ effect caused by the presence of the medium. Furthermore, we compare numerically our first-order asymptotic expansion of the source-to-measurement map with the map achieved by a Finite Element Method implementation of an example radiation problem. Our results are applicable in the analysis of the robustness of the solution of inverse source problems in the presence of deterministic and random media.
Enhanced dielectric properties and band gap expansion in NiO submicron powders via substitutional be doping
Authors: Hong Dongpyo , Kim Gyung Hyun , Lee Eun Jung , Moon Young Il , Jeon Ok Sung , Lee Se Hun , Lee Sang-Hwa , Yoo Young Jun , Park Sang Yoon
Published: November 2024

The fundamental tradeoff has made it difficult to enhance the low permittivity of wide bandgap semiconductors without sacrificing the bandgap. In this work we demonstrate that high-concentration substitutional Be doping can enhance NiO’s dielectric properties and simultaneously widen the bandgap. Up to 5 at% of Ni in NiO could be substituted by Be while maintaining the rocksalt crystalline structure. The real part of permittivity at low frequencies was found to be significantly increases (40%) while bandgap also increases from 3.06 to 3.37. These findings offer engineering insights for developing high-K wide bandgap materials, essential for various electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Effects of yittria stabilised ZrO2 nanoparticles on the strengthening mechanisms in AlSi10Mg fabricated by LPBF
Authors: Clement Catherine Dolly , Kabir Abu Syed
Published: November 2024

In this study, AlSi10Mg powder mixed with 2.83 vol% of Yittria Stabilised nano ZrO2 (YSZ) was prepared using ball milling, and the composite parts were fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The effects of YSZ on the microstructure, grain size, and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg were systematically investigated to uncover the underlying strengthening mechanisms. The results indicated that the addition of YSZ nanoparticles induce an equiaxed grain structure, promoting microstructural homogeneity, which in turn influences the mechanical properties. The strengthening mechanisms, attributed to dislocation pinning by the nanoparticles as explained by the Orowan strengthening effect, are also discussed. Due to the differences in atomic structure between ZrO2 and AlSi10Mg, the bonding interface effect when nano YSZ is added to the aluminum alloy system is significant and crucial for the material’s mechanical characteristics. This study examines the influence of the bonding interface on the material’s mechanical properties. Tensile results revealed that the predominant mode of failure is ductile fracture, typical for aluminum-based alloys; however, the material failed prematurely due to the presence of lack of fusion pores, indicating a need for optimization of printing process parameters.
Measuring above-ground carbon stock using spatial analysis and the InVEST model: application in the Thoria Watershed, India
Authors: Guo Zhe , Sharma Himani , Jadav Mahesh , Hettiarachchi Upeksha , Guha Chiranjit , Zhang Wei , Priyadarshini Pratiti , Meinzen-Dick Ruth S
Published: November 2024

Understanding and quantifying above-ground carbon stock is critical for assessing the impact of land use choices on carbon emissions which can inform conservation and management strategies to protect and increase carbon stocks. This study introduces a novel methodology for evaluating above-ground carbon storage and sequestration in the Thoria watershed, India, using time-series open-access remotely sensed datasets and the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs) carbon model. Our spatially explicit analysis examines land cover and land use changes over the past 20 years. Using high-resolution NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data from Sentinel satellites, we disaggregate land cover types into high and low NDVI classes, which allows enhanced assessment of carbon stocks by capturing the spatial variation within the same land cover types. To assess the potential impacts of land cover changes on carbon stock, we generated two future scenarios suggested by local experts: a 20% expansion of cropland and a 20% expansion of wooded land. Using a proximity-based approach, we create these future land use maps and estimate the corresponding carbon stock with the InVEST carbon model. We demonstrate the utility of the methodology in informing land use decisions through spatially explicitly assessing how carbon stock changes in response to cropland expansion and wooded land growth. Our findings indicate that while urban development contributes to carbon losses, increasing wooded land and tree cover helps mitigate these losses, highlighting the importance of afforestation in maintaining ecological balance and reducing environmental impact.
Near-infrared transparent conductive electrodes based on composite GaAs-metal deep sub-wavelength high contrast grating
Authors: Monvoisin Natan , Głowadzka Weronika , Carcenac Franck , Calvez Stéphane , Gauthier-Lafaye Olivier , Monmayrant Antoine , Gȩbski Marcin , Czyszanowski Tomasz , Almuneau Guilhem
Published: November 2024

This paper demonstrates the fabrication of near-infrared transparent electrodes customized for specific light polarization. We achieve this by employing semiconductor deep subwavelength monolithic high-contrast gratings (MHCG) integrating metal stripes. Through the combination of GaAs-based MHCG with TiAu or Au stripes within a deep sub-wavelength grating, polarization selective transmission exceeding 80% over a wide spectral range is achieved for structures designed to operate around a wavelength of 940 nm for either TE or TM excitation. At maximum 85% transmission is reached which relates to 122% transmission with respect to the transmission through plain GaAs-air interface. Additionally, these structures exhibit low sheet resistance (1.4 

Ω

sq

−
1

). Hybrid metal-stripes/MHCG grating (MetalMHCG) enables record-breaking polarized light transmission and electrical conductivity simultaneously. Our work represents the first demonstration of MetalMHCG in the near-infrared range, thanks to an advanced nanofabrication process of this sub-λ hybrid semiconductor/metal grating, showing optical and electrical properties not seen in alternative transparent conductive electrode designs. The proposed approach has the potential to enhance electrical injection uniformity in optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, semiconductor lasers and photodetectors.
Flexible nanogenerators for intelligent robotics: design, manufacturing, and applications
Authors: Zhao Hongfa , Ruan Liguang , Wang Zihan , Shu Mingrui , Lyu Chuqiao , Lakshan Bulathsinghala Rameesh , Ishara Dharmasena , Wu Changsheng , Ding Wenbo
Published: November 2024

The embodied artificial intelligence (EAI) is driving a significant transformation in robotics, enhancing their autonomy, efficiency and evolution ability. In this rapidly evolving technological landscape, robots need numerous sensors to realize high levels of perception, precision, safety, adaptability, and intelligence. Triboelectric and piezoelectric sensors address these needs by providing high sensitivity, flexibility, and the capability of self-powered sensing, leveraging the revolutionary nature of nanogenerators to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy on basis of Maxwell’s displacement current. These sensors surpass externally powered passive sensors by offering continuous operation, reduced maintenance, and the capability to function in remote or harsh environments. The integration of EAI with advanced nanogenerators sensors could position robotics to perform autonomously, efficiently, and safely, paving the way for innovative applications in various domains such as industrial automation, environmental monitoring, healthcare, and smart homes. In this paper, the fundamental theories, design, manufacturing, and applications of nanogenerators are comprehensively reviewed as a foundation of the advanced sensors for intelligent robotics in the new era, with three major application fields: sensing (including human–robot interaction, exteroceptive sensing and proprioceptive sensing), computing and actuating. Perspectives are addressed for nanogenerators systems in future development.
Hybrid data-driven and physics-informed regularized learning of cyclic plasticity with neural networks
Authors: Hildebrand Stefan , Klinge Sandra
Published: November 2024

An extendable, efficient and explainable Machine Learning approach is proposed to represent cyclic plasticity and replace conventional material models based on the Radial Return Mapping algorithm. High accuracy and stability by means of a limited amount of training data is achieved by implementing physics-informed regularizations and the back stress information. The off-loading of the neural network (NN) is applied to the maximal extent. The proposed model architecture is simpler and more efficient compared to existing solutions from the literature using approximately only half the amount of NN parameters, while representing a complete three-dimensional material model. The validation of the approach is carried out by means of results obtained with the Armstrong–Frederick kinematic hardening model. The mean squared error is assumed as the loss function which stipulates several restrictions: deviatoric character of internal variables, compliance with the flow rule, the differentiation of elastic and plastic steps and the associativity of the flow rule. The latter, however, has a minor impact on the accuracy, which implies the generalizability of the model for a broad spectrum of evolution laws for internal variables. Numerical tests simulating several load cases are presented in detail. The validation shows cyclic stability and deviations in normal directions of less than 2% at peak values which is comparable to the order of measurement inaccuracies.
Service-based off-grid solar for productive use in poor urban settings: insights from an informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Yaguma Penlope , Caprotti Federico , Parikh Priti
Published: November 2024

The productive use of energy (PUE) is a critical pathway to development, as it enhances productivity and facilitates income-generating activities. However, PUE is little understood in low-resource urban settings in the context of off-grid energy. Drawing on two projects implemented between 2019 and 2022, this paper presents a case of off-grid solar for PUE in a young, unelectrified informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. The projects investigated the state of energy access in the settlement using household surveys and interviews, and installed solar microgrids in partnership with a local off-grid solar provider who deployed a ‘service-based’ provision model. We find that limited energy options in the settlement commensurately limited energy usage mainly to domestic applications. The microgrids provided reliable refrigeration and lighting for small businesses which improved their operations, delivered energy autonomy, and stimulated aspirations for growth. Energy consumption from the microgrids revealed seasonal and temporal variations which requires flexible demand-responsive energy systems, and holds implications for sizing, storage, and scaling. Although targeted, the ‘service-based’ model limited productive uses to only those that fit within the remit of the model and high costs particularly for appliances prohibited wider PUE adoption. These challenges impact the scalability of off-grid solar in informal settlements which calls for innovative financing approaches and increased policy support for off-grid providers operating in these communities. Off-grid solar has the potential to stimulate PUE and alleviate energy poverty in informal settlements, but more case studies are required to widen the evidence-base, thereby advancing South Africa’s energy transitions agenda.
Fractional Leibniz rule on the torus
Authors: Bényi Árpád , Oh Tadahiro , Zhao Tengfei
Published: November 2024

We discuss the fractional Leibniz rule for periodic functions on the

d
d

-dimensional torus, including the endpoint cases. As an application, we present a product estimate, involving distributions of negative regularities.
Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in differentiating focal nodular hyperplasia from hepatocellular adenoma in children
Authors: Erdemli Gürsel Başak , Öngen Gökhan , Candan Selman , Gülleroğlu Nadide Başak , Sevinir Betül Berrin , Yazıcı Zeynep
Published: November 2024

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic performance of gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB)-enhanced MRI for distinguishing focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) in children.

Methods

Twenty-two patients (HCA, n = 6; FNH, n = 16) underwent MRI with Gd-EOB were retrospectively included in this study. The diagnosis was established by biopsy in eight patients and by imaging criteria and follow-up in 13 patients. After qualitative analyses of MRI, quantitative analyses were performed by calculating the relative signal intensity ratios (SIR) between lesion and liver parenchyma both on precontrast and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images. Two equations, SIRpost-pre and liver-to-lesion contrast enhancement ratio (LLCER), using both SIRs of precontrast and HBP imaging together were also calculated.

Results

The most distinguishing non-contrast-enhanced MRI feature of HCA was intralesional fat since all HCA contained fat but none of FNHs. All FNHs were iso- or hyperintense relative to the adjacent liver on HBP images, but all HCAs except one were hypointense. The mean SIRpost-pre and LLCER of FNH were significantly higher than that of HCA (P < .001). SIRpost-pre and LLCER provided sensitivity and specificity values of 100%.

Conclusion

Although intralesional fat is a strong discriminative feature for distinguishing between HCA and FNH, qualitative properties of these lesions may not be enough for confident diagnosis. Gd-EOB uptake in the HBP provides high diagnostic accuracy, but overlap can be seen. SIRpost-pre and LLCER overcome the difficulties and have the best sensitivity and specificity.

Advances in knowledge

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is a valuable tool for differentiation of FNH and HCA in children.
Factors influencing the global invasion of the South American weedy species Praxelis clematidea (Asteraceae): a niche shift and modelling-based approach
Authors: Salgado Vanina G , Viera Barreto Jessica N , Rodríguez-Cravero Juan F , Grossi Mariana A , Gutiérrez Diego G
Published: November 2024

Praxelis clematidea is a relatively unknown herb native to South America that has spread globally over the past four decades. In this study, we integrate ecological niche modelling (ENM) and niche shift analyses to understand its distribution, test niche conservatism hypotheses, and identify potential invasion sites under different climate change scenarios. In its native range, P. clematidea prefers climates with mild annual temperatures and winters. This species shows a great potential to continue spreading. Probable invasion sites include northern South America, Central America, India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Future climate projections suggest increase of potential distribution in tropical regions and decrease in temperate areas. Niche conservatism was evident, although invaded areas in Asia and Australia showed slight niche expansion towards warmer climates, probably explained by ecological factors such as competition. Our results show that integrating occurrences from both native and invaded ranges in ENM models enhances predictability, even when niche is conserved. The combination of niche shift studies and ENM provides better insight into species invasion dynamics, resulting in the recognition of high-risk invasion areas that combined with the rapid access to new occurrences provided by citizen science platforms can result in early detection and lead to better management strategies.
Diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space: the bias from crossing fibres
Authors: Georgiopoulos Charalampos , Werlin Alice , Lasic Samo , Hall Sara , van Westen Danielle , Spotorno Nicola , Hansson Oskar , Nilsson Markus
Published: November 2024

Non-invasive evaluation of glymphatic function has emerged as a crucial goal in neuroimaging, and diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) has emerged as a candidate method for this purpose. Reduced ALPS index has been suggested to indicate impaired glymphatic function. However, the potential impact of crossing fibres on the ALPS index has not been assessed, which was the aim of this cross-sectional study. For this purpose, we used DTI-ALPS in a cohort with three groups: Parkinson’s disease (PD) (n = 60, mean age 63.3 ± 1.5, 33 males), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) (n = 17, mean age 70.9 ± 1.5, 9 males) and healthy controls (n = 41, mean age 64.5 ± 8.4, 15 males). The ALPS index was calculated blinded to diagnosis, by manually placing two sets of regions of interest (ROI) on the projection and association fibres of each hemisphere. Annotation was performed twice: once on conventional diffusion-encoded colour maps weighted by fractional anisotropy and once on maps with weights adjusted for high incidence of crossing fibres. PSP patients had significantly lower conventional ALPS indices compared with both healthy controls (right hemisphere: P = 0.009; left hemisphere: P < 0.001) and PD patients (right hemisphere: P = 0.024; left hemisphere: P < 0.001). There were no differences between healthy controls and PD patients. After adjusting the ROI to avoid regions of crossing fibres, the ALPS index significantly decreased in healthy controls (right hemisphere: P < 0.001; left hemisphere: P < 0.001) and PD (right hemisphere: P < 0.001; left hemisphere: P < 0.001). In PSP, the adjusted ALPS index was lower compared with the conventional one only in the right hemisphere (P = 0.047). Overall, this adjustment led to less significant differences among diagnostic groups. Specifically, with the adjusted ALPS index, PSP patients showed significantly lower ALPS index compared with healthy controls (right hemisphere: P = 0.044; left hemisphere: P = 0.029) and PD patients (P = 0.003 for the left hemisphere only). Our results suggest that crossing fibres significantly inflate the ALPS index and should be considered a critical pitfall of this method. This factor could partly explain the variability observed in previous studies. Unlike previous research, we observed no differences between PD and healthy controls, likely because most patients in our cohort were in the early phase of the disease. Thus, the ALPS index may not be a sensitive indicator of glymphatic function at least in the initial stages of neurodegeneration in PD.
Virtual Gene Panels Have a Superior Diagnostic Yield for Inherited Rare Diseases Relative to Static Panels
Authors: Sheikh Hassani Massomeh , Jain Ruchi , Ramaswamy Sathishkumar , Sinha Shruti , El Naofal Maha , Halabi Nour , Alyafei Sawsan , Alfalasi Roudha , Shenbagam Shruti , Taylor Alan , Abou Tayoun Ahmad
Published: November 2024

Background

Exome- or genome-based panels—also known as slices or virtual panels—are now a popular approach that involves comprehensive genomic sequencing while restricting analysis to subsets of genes based on patients’ phenotypes. This flexible strategy enables frequent gene updates based on novel disease associations as well as reflexing to analyzing other genes up to the whole exome or genome. With recent improvements addressing limitations associated with virtual panels, the advantages of this approach, relative to static custom-based panels, remain to be systematically characterized.

Methods

Here we perform slice testing on 1014 patients (50.5% females; average age 17 years) referred from multiple pediatric clinics within a single center in the Middle East (83% Arab population).

Results

Initial analysis uncovered molecular diagnoses for 235 patients for a diagnostic yield of 23% (235/1014). “On the fly” focused analysis in most negative cases (N = 779) identified clinically significant variants correlating with patients’ presentations in genes outside the originally ordered panel for another 35 patients (3.5% or 35/1024) increasing the overall diagnostic yield to 27%. The pathogenic variants underlying the additional cases (13% of all positive cases) were excluded from the original “panel” gene list, mainly as result of issues related to panel selection, novel gene–disease associations, phenotype spectrum broadening, or gene lists variability. The additional findings led to changes in clinical management in most patients (94%).

Conclusions

Our findings support slice testing as an efficient and flexible platform that facilitates updates to gene lists to achieve high clinical sensitivity and utility.
Paternal predatory risk alters parental behavior and offspring phenotypes in biparental Brandt’s voles
Authors: Wu Ruiyong , Zhu Jing , Wang Ping , Xu Zedong , Chen Lin , Chen Yi , Xu Jiahong , Wang Qianying , Yang Shengmei , Wei Wanhong
Published: November 2024

Paternal predation risk can program offspring phenotypes via maternal responses and epigenetic marks of spermatozoa. However, the processes and consequences of this experience in biparental species are unknown. Here, we examined how preconception and postconception paternal cat odor (CO) exposure affects anxiety-like behavior and antipredator response in Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). We found that preconception paternal CO exposure inhibited maternal investment when offspring were raised by mothers alone, while postconception exposure increased paternal investment towards the offspring raised by both parents. The increased paternal behavior may be associated with an increasing grooming behavior received from their mates, which alleviated the anxiety-like behavior in CO-exposed males. Both paternal experiences increased the levels of anxiety-like behavior in adolescent offspring but differentially altered adult phenotypes. Specifically, adult females from preconception CO-exposed fathers spent less time in defensive concealing, whereas the offspring of postconception CO-exposed fathers showed more in response to acute cat urine exposure. Correspondingly, baseline corticosterone levels were decreased and increased in these offspring, respectively. Our results indicate that in biparental species, paternal predation risk exposure affects offspring phenotypes in pathway-dependent and age-specific manners and that only the presence of both parents can elicit adaptive responses to a high predation-risk environment.
Embolic myocardial infarction secondary to marantic endocarditis in a patient with ulcerative colitis: case report
Authors: Ladera Santos Diana , Roldán Guerra Álvaro , Dávila Flores Viviana , Anguita Sánchez Manuel
Published: November 2024

Background

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is an uncommon and often underdiagnosed condition characterized by a state of hypercoagulability. We present a case of a patient with ulcerative colitis who experienced a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction as a rare complication of NBTE.

Case summary

We report a case of a 16-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis who presented to the emergency department with chest pain at rest. He was admitted to the cardiology ward with an initial suspected diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed inferior septobasal hypokinesia and a mobile pedunculated mass attached to the aortic valve, although the valve’s function was not compromised.

Given the suspicion of an acute coronary syndrome of embolic origin, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intravenous contrast was performed. The MRI revealed an evolved infarct in the territory of the right coronary artery. Biopsy of the material removed during surgery revealed findings consistent with thrombotic material.

Discussion

We present a case of acute coronary syndrome as an unusual manifestation of NBTE in a patient with ulcerative colitis. Although we have not identified any reported cases in the literature involving ulcerative colitis, it is crucial to consider NBTE in patients with underlying conditions that predispose them to a procoagulant state. Furthermore, it is necessary to define criteria or guidelines for its diagnosis or treatment.
Indicators of transparency and data sharing in scientific writing in published randomized controlled trials in orthodontic journals between 2019 and 2023: an empirical study.
Authors: Schueller Sophie , Mikelis Filippos , Eliades Theodore , Koletsi Despina
Published: November 2024

Aim

To identify data sharing practices of authors of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) in indexed orthodontic journals and explore associations between published reports and several publication characteristics.

Materials and methods

RCTs from indexed orthodontic journals in major databases, namely PubMed® (Medline), Scopus®, EMBASE®, and Web of Science™, were included from January 2019 to December 2023. Data extraction was conducted for outcome and predictor variables such as data and statistical code sharing practices reported, protocol registration, funding sources, and other publication characteristics, including the year of publication, journal ranking, the origin of authorship, number of authors, design of the RCT, and outcome-related variables (e.g. efficacy/safety). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 318 RCTs were included. Statement for intention of the authors to provide their data upon request was recorded in 51 of 318 RCTs (16.0%), while 6 of 318 (1.9%) openly provided their data in repositories. No RCT provided any code or script for statistical analysis. A significant association was found between data sharing practices and the year of publication, with increasing odds for data sharing by 1.56 times across the years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22, 2.01; P < .001). RCTs reporting on safety outcomes presented 62% lower odds for including positive data sharing statements compared to efficacy outcomes (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.88). There was evidence that funded RCTs were more likely to report on data sharing compared to non-funded (P = .02).

Conclusions

Albeit progress has been made towards credibility and transparency in the presentation of findings from RCTs in orthodontics, less than 20% of published orthodontic trials include a positive data sharing statement while less than 2% openly provide their data with publication.
Galectin-3 disrupts tight junctions of airway epithelial cell monolayers by inducing expression and release of matrix metalloproteinases upon influenza A infection
Authors: Iqbal Muddassar , Feng Chiguang , Zong Guanghui , Wang Lai-Xi , Vasta Gerardo R
Published: November 2024

Galectins are β-galactosyl-binding lectins with key roles in early development, immune regulation, and infectious disease. Influenza A virus (IAV) infects the airway epithelia, and in severe cases may lead to bacterial superinfections and hypercytokinemia, and eventually, to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through the breakdown of airway barriers. The detailed mechanisms involved, however, remain poorly understood. Our prior in vivo studies in a murine model system revealed that upon experimental IAV and pneumococcal primary and secondary challenges, respectively, galectin-1 and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are released into the airway and bind to the epithelium that has been desialylated by the viral neuraminidase, contributing to secondary bacterial infection and hypercytokinemia leading to the clinical decline and death of the animals. Here we report the results of in vitro studies that reveal the role of the extracellular Gal-3 in additional detrimental effects on the host by disrupting the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier. IAV infection of the human airway epithelia cell line A549 increased release of Gal-3 and its binding to the A549 desialylated cell surface, notably to the transmembrane signaling receptors CD147 and integrin-β1. Addition of recombinant Gal-3 to A549 monolayers resulted in enhanced expression and release of matrix metalloproteinases, leading to disruption of cell–cell tight junctions, and a significant increase in paracellular permeability. This study reveals a critical mechanism involving Gal-3 that may significantly contribute to the severity of IAV infections by promoting disruption of tight junctions and enhanced permeability of the airway epithelia, potentially leading to lung edema and ARDS.
A self-immolative Kdn-glycoside substrate enables high-throughput screening for inhibitors of Kdnases
Authors: Nejatie Ali , Proceviat Cameron , Gros Christina , Steves Elizabeth , Moore Margo M , Vocadlo David J , Bennet Andrew J
Published: November 2024

Aspergillus fumigatus, a filamentous fungus, is an opportunistic pathogen and the major causative agent of the often-fatal disease, invasive aspergillosis (IA). Current treatments for IA are limited due to their high toxicity and/or the emergence of drug resistance; therefore, a need exists for the development of new therapeutics to treat IA. The Kdnase produced by A. fumigatus plays a vital role in maintaining cell wall integrity. As there are no known Kdnases in humans, developing inhibitors of Kdnase from this fungal pathogen is a promising therapeutic approach. The rapid testing of enzymatic activity in a high-throughput screen of large chemical libraries can be an efficient way to find new small molecule lead compounds. Herein we show that a Kdn glycoside with a self-immolative cleavable aglycon is a practical and efficient substrate for a high throughput assay to identify Kdnase inhibitors. We optimized the activity assay and screened over 27,000 compounds from two bioactive chemical libraries as potential inhibitors, and we compared the hit compounds’ potency towards Aspergillus terreus and Trichophyton rubrum Kdnases, two other fungal Kdnases. We validated a number of hits and these small molecules are potential leads for the development of novel therapeutics to treat invasive aspergillosis.
Unhealthy food outlets and outdoor advertisements in urban South African primary school students’ food environments
Authors: Brear Michelle R , Erzse Agnes , Clacherty Glynis , Seutlwadi Lebogang , Mahomedy Sameera , Maleke Kabelo , Goldstein Susan
Published: November 2024

Children’s exposure to outlets selling, and outdoor advertisements marketing, unhealthy foods is an important risk factor for obesity. Yet few policies address the food retail and/or outdoor advertising environment, and research about children’s perceptions is limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We used a participatory, multimodal visual/verbal approach to explore urban-dwelling South African primary school students’ perceptions of unhealthy food outlets and outdoor advertisements they encountered on their journeys to school. Forty-one grade 7 students aged 11–14 years participated in drawing and/or photography activities and elicitation discussions. A mixed-methods, triangulated analysis involving the content analysis and extraction of data from research artefacts (33 journey to school drawings and 10 food advertisement photo collages) and thematic analysis of discussion transcripts was conducted. Drawings depicted 175 food outlets, two-thirds (64%) of which sold only unhealthy foods and 125 advertisements, most of which marketed unhealthy food. Unbranded, deep-fried foods prepared and sold by informal traders and independent shops were prominent. Informal and independent traders also sold unhealthy branded foods. Advertisements were primarily for unhealthy foods, especially branded, sugar-sweetened beverages. Participants thought extensive advertising bans, regulation of the sale of unhealthy food to children and other measures were needed to promote children’s health in urban contexts. The results point to the need for food system-wide approaches that address multiple commercial determinants of health, including ‘big food’ advertising, unhealthy food sales by informal and independent traders and programs to address socio-economic influences such as poverty, unemployment and parents’ poor work conditions.
Conflicts of interest in submissions and testimonies to an Australian parliamentary inquiry on menopause
Authors: Randle Melanie , Mintzes Barbara , McCarthy Simone , Pitt Hannah , Thomas Samantha
Published: November 2024

Conflicts of interest (COIs) have the potential to create bias in research, policy and practice. Although disclosure cannot fully protect individuals and public policy from vested interests, it is an important step to support trust in scientific and public discourse, and transparency in decision-making. However, COIs are often unreported, underreported or difficult to identify. This study aimed to assess the extent to which COIs are voluntarily declared by those who make submissions to government inquiries relating to health, focusing on the 2024 Australian Senate inquiry into perimenopause and menopause. There was no guidance or formal requirement to provide COI declarations in written submissions to the inquiry. However, a statement about COI declarations was given by the Chair of the inquiry at the start of public hearings in which verbal testimony was given. All 284 written submissions and 163 verbal testimonies were reviewed to identify the number and nature of COIs declared. Only 1% of written submissions and 6% of verbal testimonies provided a COI statement. The amount and nature of information provided in COI declarations varied widely. To ensure transparency in decisions made as a result of public inquiries, governments should require that COIs be declared for all submissions. An explicit standardized guide is needed, with clear parameters about the type of detail needed for these declarations. Processes for dealing with COIs should also be clear in any reports or recommendations that are made from the evidence presented at such inquiries.
Study on the influence of levels of physical activity and socio-economic conditions on body mass index of adolescents
Authors: Liu Li , Liu Yongsen , Zhang Tingran , Luo Jiong
Published: November 2024

Background

We explored the relationship between adolescent physical activity levels, socio-economic conditions and body mass index (BMI) in order to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant factors affecting adolescent obesity.

Methods

A stratified random sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey of middle school students in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Zone. Multiple linear and logistic regression analysis methods were used to statistically analyse the data obtained.

Results

The level of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) not only significantly reduces the incidence of obesity in adolescents, it also has a positive effect on avoiding underweight in adolescents. The impact of a father's BMI on a son's weight is higher than that of a daughter, while the impact of a mother's BMI on a child's weight is the opposite. High monthly income has a positive effect on reducing the BMI of male and female adolescents, but full-time working mothers actually increase the risk of obesity in their children. Teenagers who have exercise habits or view exercise as a form of enjoyment have a significantly reduced risk of obesity.

Conclusions

The level of MVPA and exercise habits are important factors in inhibiting the development of obesity in adolescent students.
DySurv: dynamic deep learning model for survival analysis with conditional variational inference
Authors: Mesinovic Munib , Watkinson Peter , Zhu Tingting
Published: November 2024

Objective

Machine learning applications for longitudinal electronic health records often forecast the risk of events at fixed time points, whereas survival analysis achieves dynamic risk prediction by estimating time-to-event distributions. Here, we propose a novel conditional variational autoencoder-based method, DySurv, which uses a combination of static and longitudinal measurements from electronic health records to estimate the individual risk of death dynamically.

Materials and Methods

DySurv directly estimates the cumulative risk incidence function without making any parametric assumptions on the underlying stochastic process of the time-to-event. We evaluate DySurv on 6 time-to-event benchmark datasets in healthcare, as well as 2 real-world intensive care unit (ICU) electronic health records (EHR) datasets extracted from the eICU Collaborative Research (eICU) and the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database (MIMIC-IV).

Results

DySurv outperforms other existing statistical and deep learning approaches to time-to-event analysis across concordance and other metrics. It achieves time-dependent concordance of over 60% in the eICU case. It is also over 12% more accurate and 22% more sensitive than in-use ICU scores like Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. The predictive capacity of DySurv is consistent and the survival estimates remain disentangled across different datasets.

Discussion

Our interdisciplinary framework successfully incorporates deep learning, survival analysis, and intensive care to create a novel method for time-to-event prediction from longitudinal health records. We test our method on several held-out test sets from a variety of healthcare datasets and compare it to existing in-use clinical risk scoring benchmarks.

Conclusion

While our method leverages non-parametric extensions to deep learning-guided estimations of the survival distribution, further deep learning paradigms could be explored.
Predicting the potential distribution of the invasive species, Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and its natural enemy Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), under current and future climate conditions
Authors: Cheng Lifang , Niu Minmin , Zhao Xiaojun , Cai Bo , Wei Jiufeng
Published: November 2024

Invasive species pose a threat to ecosystems and humans worldwide, which is exacerbated by climate change, causing the expansion of species distributions. Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) causes leaf drying and shedding in eucalyptus trees, forming blister-like galls that negatively impact the growth of the trees. Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a recognized parasitoid of O. maskelli. This study used the MaxEnt and CLIMEX models to predict the potential distribution under current and future climate scenarios for O. maskelli and its natural enemy, C. chamaeleon. The MaxEnt model result indicated that isothermality was the most critical factor predicting the distribution of O. maskelli, while the mean temperature of the driest quarter was the most critical factor predicting the distribution of C. chamaeleon. Under current climate conditions, the CLIMEX model predicted a wider potential distribution for O. maskelli and a smaller distribution for C. chamaeleon than the MaxEnt model. MaxEnt and CLIMEX prediction results indicated that South America and Africa were suitable for O. maskelli and C. chamaeleon. The MaxEnt model indicated that under SSP245 climate conditions, the potentially suitable regions for these species expanded, while under the SSP126 climate scenario, the region contracted significantly. The CLIMEX model indicated that under the A1B and A2 climate scenarios, the marginally suitable areas increased, while the moderately and highly suitable areas decreased. This study provides a theoretical basis for creating early monitoring, quarantine, and control methods for invasive pests.
Application Barriers and the Socioeconomic Gap in Child Care Enrollment
Authors: Hermes Henning , Lergetporer Philipp , Peter Frauke , Wiederhold Simon
Published: November 2024

Why are children with lower socioeconomic status (SES) substantially less likely to be enrolled in child care? We study whether barriers in the application process work against lower-SES children—the group known to benefit strongest from child care enrollment. In an RCT in Germany with highly subsidized child care ($N=607$), we offer treated families information and personal assistance for applications. We find substantial, equity-enhancing effects of the treatment, closing half of the large SES gap in child care enrollment. Increased enrollment for lower-SES families is likely driven by altered application knowledge and behavior. We discuss scalability of our intervention and derive policy implications for the design of universal child care programs. (JEL: I21, J13, J18, J24, C93)