bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpreting epigenetic causes of recurrent hypokalemia and seizures: Gitelman syndrome co‐exist with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1B
Authors: Zhang Xiuzhen , Bi Xin , Wu Yan , Xu Ping
Published: January 2024

We describe a unique case of 27‐year‐old male with Gitelman syndrome (GS) co‐exist with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1B (PHP1B). The patient presented with a 5‐year history of seizures, tetany, and numbness of the extremities. Further examinations showed recurrent hypokalemia, inappropriate kaliuresis, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated PTH levels. A novel variant of autosomal recessive GS (p.Val287Met SLC12A3) and a novel 492.3Kb deletion containing the whole of STX16, were discovered by a whole‐exome sequencing. Following the diagnosis, calcitriol, calcium, and potassium supplements were started. Hematuria calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as blood potassium levels, have recovered and remained within normal ranges after 3 years of follow‐up. Our findings have important consequences for supporting the idea that heterozygosity for variants have effects on the patients' clinical performance with autosomal recessive inheritance disorders. Further study is need for the putative effects of the variant. Likewise, further investigation with regards to the gene–gene interaction relations between GS and other electrolyte imbalance disorders is warranted.
Challenges to well‐being in critical care
Authors: Shaw Rachel L. , Morrison Rachael , Webb Sarah , Balogun Omobolanle , Duncan Heather P. , Butcher Isabelle
Published: January 2024

Background

Paediatric critical care (PCC) is a high‐pressure working environment. Staff experience high levels of burnout, symptoms of post‐traumatic stress, and moral distress.

Aim

To understand challenges to workplace well‐being in PCC to help inform the development of staff interventions to improve and maintain well‐being.

Study Design

The Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT) was used. ECIT encompasses semi‐structured interviews and thematic analysis. We identified ‘critical incidents’, challenges to well‐being, categorized them in a meaningful way, and identified factors which helped and hindered in those moments. Fifty‐three nurses and doctors from a large UK quaternary PCC unit were consented to take part.

Results

Themes generated are: Context of working in PCC, which examined staff's experiences of working in PCC generally and during COVID‐19; Patient care and moral distress explored significant challenges to well‐being faced by staff caring for increasingly complex and chronically ill patients; Teamwork and leadership demonstrated the importance of team‐belonging and clear leadership; Changing workforce explored the impact of staffing shortages and the ageing workforce on well‐being; and Satisfying basic human needs, which identified absences in basic requirements of food and rest.

Conclusions

Staff's experiential accounts demonstrated a clear need for psychologically informed environments to enable the sharing of vulnerabilities, foster support, and maintain workplace well‐being. Themes resonated with the self‐determination theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which outline requirements for fulfilment (self‐actualization).

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Well‐being interventions must be informed by psychological theory and evidence. Recommendations are flexible rostering, advanced communication training, psychologically‐informed support, supervision/mentoring training, adequate accommodation and hot food. Investment is required to develop successful interventions to improve workplace well‐being.
Andrographis theniensis (Acanthaceae), a new species from the southern Western Ghats of India
Authors: Karuppusamy Subbiah , Yadav Pochamoni Bharath Simha
Published: January 2024

Andrographis theniensis Karupp. and Bharath (Acanthaceae), a new species from the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary of the southern Western Ghats, is described and illustrated here. A detailed description, illustration, color photographs, a table of comparisons to allied species, an identification key and IUCN conservation status are provided here for easy recognition of the new species.
Pattern and driver of the compositional variations in a tropical cloud forest: comparing vascular epiphytes with terrestrial woody plants
Authors: Xiao Chuchu , Feng Guang , Long Wenxing
Published: January 2024

β‐diversity patterns (the compositional variations across sites) and their drivers are the major concerns of biodiversity research and conservation practices, whereas such information remains scarce for vascular epiphytes, especially in tropical forest communities. This study aimed to reveal the pattern and driving process of the compositional variations of vascular epiphytes in a tropical cloud forest on Hainan island, southern China, and their differences from those of terrestrial woody plants. To this end, we quantified their between‐habitat compositional variations and distinguished the underlying components of β‐diversity (nestedness and turnover). We then examined the relative roles of niche‐based and neutral processes in driving the compositional variations by using a null model approach. Our results showed that the between‐habitat compositional variations were significant for both plant assemblages and stronger in vascular epiphytes than in terrestrial woody plants. The turnover component of β‐diversity was significantly stronger in terrestrial woody plants, accounting for 73.16–80.08% of the variations. By contrast, the nestedness component was significantly stronger in vascular epiphytes and characterized 46.82–67.5% of the variations. Besides, the compositional variations of both plant assemblages, especially terrestrial woody plants, were generally poorly fitted by the simulated niche‐based scenarios but well fitted by the simulated neutral scenarios. Overall, the compositional variations of both plant assemblages were significant and mainly due to dispersal limitation, albeit to varying degrees. Hence, further studies of these plant assemblages at local scales should not be ideologically limited to the niche‐based framework. Moreover, the stronger nestedness observed in vascular epiphytes suggests the greater importance of prioritizing conservation efforts in the species‐rich habitats for these plants.
Recent increasing homogenisation in Austrian butterfly communities over the past decades
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Habel Jan Christian , Gros Patrick , Schmitt Thomas
Published: January 2024

In Europe, abundance, biomass and species richness of many insect taxa declined during the last decades. This decline might be accompanied by long‐term temporal changes in community composition and dominance orders. Here, we use the data base of the natural history museum of Salzburg based on museum records and field books on Austrian butterflies covering the years 1945–2018 and asked 1) whether and how community composition of important butterfly guilds changed and 2) whether these changes are in accordance with reciprocal shifts in species abundances leading to increased functional stability. In comparisons of annual changes in dominance orders, we found an increasing tendency of compositional stability of dominant species. The trend was most pronounced in generalist and dispersive species, while dominant grassland, xerothermophilic and sedentary species tended to decrease in relative abundance. We also demonstrate a temporal trend towards increasing regional stability in relative abundance rank orders. We did not find compelling evidence for reciprocal shifts in abundances of dominant and subdominant species of the same guild and of asynchronous population fluctuations as required by models that link abundance compensation and functional stability. Our study highlights the ongoing trend towards faunal homogenisation at regional spatial scales in the European Alps.
Impact of pupil and defocus ring intersection area on retinal defocus
Authors: Guo Yujuan , Zhang Mingxu , Tong Yuting , Ma Xiaoqi , Wang Siyao , Li Yu , Du Yuqin , Zhou Yuehua
Published: January 2024

Purpose

With the rising prevalence of myopia, especially among the young, orthokeratology (Ortho‐K) stands out as a promising approach, not only to reduce myopia but also to control the progression of axial length (AL). This study examined how the intersection area between the pupil and defocus ring influenced retinal defocus and axial growth after Ortho‐K.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted with 100 participants (100 eyes). Both AL and the refraction difference value (RDV), that is, the peripheral refractive error measured with respect to the central value after wearing Ortho‐K lenses, were determined. Subjects were categorised into two groups based on the size of the intersection area after 3 months of lens wear: Group A (<4.58 mm2) and Group B (≥4.58 mm2).

Results

Group B demonstrated significantly lower changes in AL and RDV at 30–40° and 40–53° compared with Group A after 3 months of lens wear (all p < 0.05). After 6 months of lens wear, Group B showed significantly lower changes in AL and RDV in the 40–53° region compared with Group A (all p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that as the intersection area increased, the changes in AL and RDV at 0–53°, 30–40° and 40–53° eccentricity decreased after both 3 and 6 months of lens wear (all p < 0.01).

Conclusions

A larger intersection area between the pupil and defocus ring within a certain time period can cause a greater amount of myopic defocus at 30–53° from the fovea. The results suggest that a larger intersection area might lead to more effective control of axial growth.
Rapid recovery in a child with febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha‐Habermann disease following intravenous immunoglobulin administration
Authors: Somasundaram Arun , Gupta Ankan , Sathishkumar Dharshini , Mathew Lydia , George Anju , Thomas Meera
Published: January 2024

Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha‐Habermann disease (FUMHD), a lymphocyte‐mediated inflammatory skin disorder, is considered a severe variant of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta that can lead to a fatal outcome if not managed in a timely fashion. Children with FUMHD can have systemic complications involving various organs. The scarcity of reported cases and the absence of well‐designed studies or randomized clinical trials to evaluate different therapeutic modalities pose a major challenge in treating this potentially life‐threatening disorder. We report a five‐year‐old child with FUMHD and seizures treated unsuccessfully with a combination of systemic steroids, methotrexate, dapsone, and oral erythromycin, who improved rapidly and achieved disease control with just a single infusion of low‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin.
The tone of the president's immigration rhetoric
Authors: Eshbaugh‐Soha Matthew , Wise Stephanie
Published: January 2024

We examine the tone of the president's immigration policy speeches as a function of the political context, policy characteristics, and individual presidents in two ways. First, we describe the tone of the president's immigration rhetoric using DICTION software and its five global categories of tone. Second, we hypothesize that commonality and optimism, two categories of tone expressive of immigration policy, will co‐vary by political context, policy characteristics of immigration, and a president's approach to rhetoric. To test our expectations, we collected presidential mentions of immigration since 1953 from the Public Papers of the Presidents. Key variables, like the president's honeymoon and the post‐9/11 era, increase a president's commonality tone, and the president's approval ratings encourage greater optimism. Individual presidents also shape presidential rhetoric, indicating the importance of presidential style to immigration tone, especially for optimism. We conclude with implications of our work for the systematic study of presidential tone and the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform.
From depth and breadth of knowledge to technological capability: a journey inside a firm's intellectual capital
Authors: Esfandyarpour Ali , Arasti Mohammad Reza , Farazi Mohammad Saleh , Miremadi Iman
Published: January 2024

In the current knowledge‐intensive economy, a firm's intellectual capital refers to its idiosyncratic internal and external knowledge‐related assets. While technological knowledge is a major constituent of intellectual capital, past research has often equated it with technological capability. However, technological capability includes not only codified knowledge, but also tacit know‐how that is not captured by formal intellectual property. We argue that while a firm's patents might serve as a proxy for measuring its base of technological knowledge, they are not a good proxy for a firm's technological capabilities. Therefore, we offer a novel approach based on a machine learning technique to capture a biopharmaceutical firm's technological capabilities using the clinical trials that it carries out. Picturing a hypothetical journey where firms transform and exploit technological knowledge to move towards building technological capabilities, we address a research gap on the link between a firm's depth and breadth of technological knowledge on the one hand, and its technology diversity on the other. Analyzing a sample of 204 biopharma firms from 2006 to 2018, we find a positive relationship between the breadth of technological knowledge and technology diversity in a firm. In contrast, the relationship between the depth of technological knowledge and technology diversity is negative. We also find that in the presence of product/market diversification, the positive relationship between the breadth of technological knowledge and technology diversity is stronger. Implications for research and practice are also discussed.
Multidomain spectral approach to rational‐order fractional derivatives
Authors: Klein Christian , Stoilov Nikola
Published: January 2024

We propose a method to numerically compute fractional derivatives (or the fractional Laplacian) on the whole real line via Riesz fractional integrals. The compactified real line is divided into a number of intervals, thus amounting to a multidomain approach; after transformations in accordance with the underlying curve ensuring analyticity of the respective integrands, the integrals over the different domains are computed with a Clenshaw–Curtis algorithm. As an example, we consider solitary waves for fractional Korteweg‐de Vries equations and compare these to results obtained with a discrete Fourier transform.
A visual art intervention program for older people with stroke in residential care settings: A feasibility study
Authors: Pang Chui Ping Phyllis , Cheung Daphne Sze Ki , Chiang Vico Chung Lim
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Stroke poses challenges to the physiological, psychosocial and spiritual well‐being of affected individuals. As the impacts of stroke might not be reversible, a shift in focus to providing care is desirable. Visual art interventions using visual and symbolic art can help participants to express their feelings, give them a sense of choice and the feeling that they are retaining a sense of control, promote insights, restructure their sense of cognition and instil hope. There have been few studies on visual art interventions involving older people with stroke and none in residential care homes (RCHs). Theoretical support and rigorous research designs on the subject are lacking. Thus, this study seeks to address this research gap by examining the feasibility of a visual art intervention for older people in RCHs and exploring the impacts on their holistic well‐being.

Methods

This was a single‐blinded, two‐arm, randomised controlled feasibility study grounded on Watson's Caring Theory. The Holistic Well‐Being Scale and Caring Factor Survey were used in the study, with three assessment time‐points: before the intervention (T1), at the mid‐point of the intervention (T2) and immediately after the intervention (T3).

Results

Sixty‐one older people with stroke were recruited from 14 RCHs and randomised into the intervention and control groups. The recruitment rate was 44.53%, and the retention rate for the intervention group was 93.55%. Implementing the programme was affordable (at approximately US$126/head), the duration was acceptable (721 min) and the feedback from participants and staff of the RCHs was positive.

Conclusions

The visual art intervention programme proved to be clinically feasible. This study adds new insights to the development of visual art interventions and to the caring sciences. The efficacy of the programme on holistic well‐being has yet to be confirmed.
Estimation of treatment effect among treatment responders with a time‐to‐event endpoint
Authors: Nordland Andreas , Martinussen Torben
Published: January 2024

In a placebo‐controlled clinical study one may calculate the average treatment effect to convey the effect of the active treatment on some outcome. However, if it is speculated that the treatment only has an effect if the patient responds to the treatment defined by a certain biomarker response, then it is arguably more relevant to estimate the treatment effect among such responders. We present such a causal parameter that is based on principal stratification and is identified under the exclusion of a treatment effect among the nonresponders. We focus on time‐to‐event outcomes allowing for right censoring, and construct a doubly robust and efficient estimator based on the associated efficient influence function. The properties of the estimator are showcased in a simulation study and the methodology is applied to the Leader trial investigating the effect of liraglutide on the occurrence of cardiovascular events.
Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy finding of different anatomic sites of Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Zhang Gaolei , Wang Xingjia , Wang Yuhan , Li Qian , Zhang Sheng , Jiang Lixiao , Deng Wei , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Jianhua
Published: January 2024

Background

Recognizing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) might be a challenge due to its rarity. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and dermoscopy were emergent promising non‐invasive technique as auxiliary tools in diagnosis of different skin conditions. However, the RCM and dermoscopic features of LCH had been less investigated. To reveal the common RCM and dermoscopic features of LCH.

Materials and methods

Forty cases of LCH were retrospectively analyzed according to age, locations, clinical, RCM, and dermoscopic features from September 2016 to December 2022. To reveal the differences and common in clinical, RCM, and dermoscopic features that occur in different anatomic location.

Results

In the study, sites of predilection include the trunk 31/40 (77.5%), extremity 21/40 (52.5%), face 14/40 (35%), scalp 11/40 (27.5%), vulvar 4/40 (10%), and nail 2/40 (5%). All LCHs had the common RCM features. There were significant differences in clinical and dermoscopic features for age and lesion anatomic site. The common dermoscopic features for scalp, face, trunk, and extremity were the erythematous scaly rash, purplish‐red globules or patches, scar‐like streaks with ectatic vessels. While the features for nail LCH were purpuric striae, onycholysis and purulent scaly rash, and the erosive erythematous plaque and purulent scaly rash for vulvar LCH. The common RCM features of all LCH showed a focal highly reflective dense image in the surface keratin layer, epidermis architectural disarray, obscuration of dermo‐epidermal junction, numerous polygonal, large, medium reflective, short dendrites cells in the epidermis, and dermis. All LCH involving the vulvar and nail did not manifest skin lesions.

Conclusion

RCM and dermoscopy showed promising value for diagnosis and differentiation of LCH.
Identify social and job disparities in the relationship between job‐housing balance and urban commuting using Baidu trajectory big data
Authors: Zhou Lei , Xiao Weiye , Li Han , Wang Chen , Wang Xueqin , Zheng Zhenlong
Published: January 2024

The job‐housing relationship is a well‐documented topic in urban and economic geography literature, but the disparities in job‐housing relationships across workers' sociodemographic statuses have yet to be fully explored. This study utilizes a Baidu trajectory dataset and spatial analysis tools to examine job‐housing relationships in Zhuhai, China, taking into account disparities in workers' socioeconomic status and job types. Origin–destination analysis indicates that job‐housing relationships for commercial and public service sectors are balanced in the urban core, whereas, for the secondary sector, the relationship is more balanced in the suburban area compared to the central urban area. Network analysis further reveals the presence of self‐contained communities for the secondary sector in peripheral areas. We find that high‐income workers in the secondary sector experience longer commuting distances, in contrast to their counterparts in the commercial and public service sectors. These insights underscore the significance of considering workers' skills in urban and economic planning.
Pietro Pomponazzi and the Renaissance Theory of the Elements
Authors: Burzelli Luca
Published: January 2024

In medieval and early modern natural philosophy, very few issues were as controversial as the nature of the elements. From the thirteenth up until the sixteenth century, European thinkers discussed this problem with growing interest. Defining the nature of the elements was key to deciphering the very structure of the universe and the essence of things. Along with four primary texts, here edited for the first time, this book discusses one of the most original contributions to this debate, that of Renaissance philosopher Pietro Pomponazzi (d. 1525). Pomponazzi’s account, developed in university lectures, holds significance for two reasons. First, it provides a thorough description of the most influential doctrines on the elements presented by medieval scholars, opening a window onto three hundred years of prior discussions on the topic. Second, Pomponazzi also develops his own views on the issue, explicitly defining them as ‘heretical’ to emphasise his departure from all opinions expressed before him.
Simulating room transfer functions between transducers mounted on audio devices using a modified image source method
Authors: Xu Zeyu , Herzog Adrian , Lodermeyer Alexander , Habets Emanuël A. P. , Prinn Albert G.
Published: January 2024

The image source method (ISM) is often used to simulate room acoustics due to its ease of use and computational efficiency. The standard ISM is limited to simulations of room impulse responses between point sources and omnidirectional receivers. In this work, the ISM is extended using spherical harmonic directivity coefficients to include acoustic diffraction effects. These effects occur in practice when transducers are mounted on audio devices of finite spatial extent, e.g., modern smart speakers with loudspeakers and microphones. The proposed method is verified using finite element simulations of various loudspeaker and microphone configurations in a shoebox-shaped room. It is shown that the accuracy of the proposed method is related to the sizes, shapes, number, and positions of the devices inside a room. A simplified version of the proposed method, which can significantly reduce computational effort, is also presented. The proposed method and its simplified version can simulate room transfer functions more accurately than currently available image source methods and can aid the development and evaluation of speech and acoustic signal processing algorithms, including speech enhancement, acoustic scene analysis, and acoustic parameter estimation.
Effects of In-Exercise Carbohydrate Supplementation on Prolonged High-Intensity Exercise Performance in Oral Contraceptive Users
Authors: Lee Serene J.L. , Van Rens Fleur E.C.A. , Peiffer Jeremiah J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To examine the impact of oral contraceptive (OC) phases on performance, physiological, and subjective responses to prolonged, intensive exercise when carbohydrate (CHO) stores are reduced. Methods: Ten well-trained female cyclists using monophasic OC completed 4 identical trials (>150 min) under conditions of in-trial 60-g·h−1 CHO supplementation (CHO+) or placebo (CHO−) during the sugar- (SUG) and active-pill (ACT) phases of their OC cycle. Each trial comprised two 400-kcal time trials (TT) separated by 1 hour of submaximal cycling at first ventilatory threshold. Results: Change in completion time from TT1 to TT2 was minimized in CHO+ compared with CHO− (4.06 [2.55] vs 6.08 [5.33] min; P = .019, effect size = −0.36). An interaction effect of OC and CHO was observed for time to complete TT (P = .006), mean TT power (P = .002), mean TT heart rate (P = .002), and posttrial emotional balance (P = .020) and negative emotional state (P = .033). In ACT, mean TT power and heart rate were higher in CHO+ when compared with CHO−, resulting in faster TTs in CHO+ and improved posttrial emotional well-being. When CHO was not supplemented, TT power and heart rate were higher in SUG when compared with ACT, resulting in faster TTs in SUG and improved posttrial emotional balance. Conclusion: CHO depletion during ACT negatively influenced TT performance and emotional well-being when compared with SUG. Irrespective of OC pill phase, CHO supplementation should be prioritized to sustain performance and improve postexercise recovery–stress balance.
Priming agents transiently reduce the clearance of cell-free DNA to improve liquid biopsies
Authors: Martin-Alonso Carmen , Tabrizi Shervin , Xiong Kan , Blewett Timothy , Sridhar Sainetra , Crnjac Andjela , Patel Sahil , An Zhenyi , Bekdemir Ahmet , Shea Douglas , Wang Shih-Ting , Rodriguez-Aponte Sergio , Naranjo Christopher A. , Rhoades Justin , Kirkpatrick Jesse D. , Fleming Heather E. , Amini Ava P. , Golub Todd R. , Love J. Christopher , Bhatia Sangeeta N. , Adalsteinsson Viktor A.
Published: January 2024

Liquid biopsies enable early detection and monitoring of diseases such as cancer, but their sensitivity remains limited by the scarcity of analytes such as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood. Improvements to sensitivity have primarily relied on enhancing sequencing technology ex vivo. We sought to transiently augment the level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a blood draw by attenuating its clearance in vivo. We report two intravenous priming agents given 1 to 2 hours before a blood draw to recover more ctDNA. Our priming agents consist of nanoparticles that act on the cells responsible for cfDNA clearance and DNA-binding antibodies that protect cfDNA. In tumor-bearing mice, they greatly increase the recovery of ctDNA and improve the sensitivity for detecting small tumors.
A pulsar in a binary with a compact object in the mass gap between neutron stars and black holes
Authors: Barr Ewan D. , Dutta Arunima , Freire Paulo C. C. , Cadelano Mario , Gautam Tasha , Kramer Michael , Pallanca Cristina , Ransom Scott M. , Ridolfi Alessandro , Stappers Benjamin W. , Tauris Thomas M. , Venkatraman Krishnan Vivek , Wex Norbert , Bailes Matthew , Behrend Jan , Buchner Sarah , Burgay Marta , Chen Weiwei , Champion David J. , Chen C.-H. Rosie , Corongiu Alessandro , Geyer Marisa , Men Y. P. , Padmanabh Prajwal Voraganti , Possenti Andrea
Published: January 2024

Some compact objects observed in gravitational wave events have masses in the gap between known neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs). The nature of these mass gap objects is unknown, as is the formation of their host binary systems. We report pulsar timing observations made with the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) of PSR J0514−4002E, an eccentric binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster NGC 1851. We found a total binary mass of 3.887 ± 0.004 solar masses (
M
⊙
), and multiwavelength observations show that the pulsar’s binary companion is also a compact object. The companion’s mass (2.09 to 2.71
M
⊙
, 95% confidence interval) is in the mass gap, indicating either a very massive NS or a low-mass BH. We propose that the companion formed in a merger between two earlier NSs.
Space-tiled colloidal crystals from DNA-forced shape-complementary polyhedra pairing
Authors: Zhou Wenjie , Li Yuanwei , Je Kwanghwi , Vo Thi , Lin Haixin , Partridge Benjamin E. , Huang Ziyin , Glotzer Sharon C. , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: January 2024

Generating space-filling arrangements of most discrete polyhedra nanostructures of the same shape is not possible. However, if the appropriate individual building blocks are selected (e.g., cubes), or multiple shapes of the appropriate dimensions are matched (e.g., octahedra and tetrahedra) and their pairing interactions are subsequently forced, space-filled architectures may be possible. With flexible molecular ligands (polyethylene glycol–modified DNA), the shape of a polyhedral nanoparticle can be deliberately altered and used to realize geometries that favor space tessellation. In this work, 10 new colloidal crystals were synthesized from DNA-modified nanocrystal building blocks that differed in shapes and sizes, designed to form space-filling architectures with micron-scale dimensions. The insights and capabilities provided by this new strategy substantially expand the scope of colloidal crystals possible and provide an expanded tool kit for researchers interested in designing metamaterials.
Impact of HLA class I functional divergence on HIV control
Authors: Viard Mathias , O’hUigin Colm , Yuki Yuko , Bashirova Arman A. , Collins David R. , Urbach Jonathan M. , Wolinsky Steven , Buchbinder Susan , Kirk Gregory D. , Goedert James J. , Michael Nelson L. , Haas David W. , Deeks Steven G. , Walker Bruce D. , Yu Xu , Carrington Mary
Published: January 2024

Heterozygosity of
Human leukocyte antigen
(
HLA
) class I genes is linked to beneficial outcomes after HIV infection, presumably through greater breadth of HIV epitope presentation and cytotoxic T cell response. Distinct allotype pairs, however, differ in the extent to which they bind shared sets of peptides. We developed a functional divergence metric that measures pairwise complementarity of allotype-associated peptide binding profiles. Greater functional divergence for pairs of HLA-A and/or HLA-B allotypes was associated with slower AIDS progression and independently with enhanced viral load control. The metric predicts immune breadth at the peptide level rather than gene level and redefines
HLA
heterozygosity as a continuum differentially affecting disease outcome. Functional divergence may affect response to additional infections, vaccination, immunotherapy, and other diseases where
HLA
heterozygote advantage occurs.
Mode of carbon and energy metabolism shifts lipid composition in the thermoacidophile
Acidianus
Authors: Rhim Jeemin H. , Zhou Alice , Amenabar Maximiliano J. , Boyer Grayson M. , Elling Felix J. , Weber Yuki , Pearson Ann , Boyd Eric S. , Leavitt William D.
Published: January 2024

The degree of cyclization, or ring index (RI), in archaeal glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids was long thought to reflect homeoviscous adaptation to temperature. However, more recent experiments show that other factors (e.g., pH, growth phase, and energy flux) can also affect membrane composition. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of carbon and energy metabolism on membrane cyclization. To do so, we cultivated
Acidianus
sp. DS80, a metabolically flexible and thermoacidophilic archaeon, on different electron donor, acceptor, and carbon source combinations (S
0
/Fe
3+
/CO
2
, H
2
/Fe
3+
/CO
2
, H
2
/S
0
/CO
2
, or H
2
/S
0
/glucose). We show that differences in energy and carbon metabolism can result in over a full unit of change in RI in the thermoacidophile
Acidianus
sp. DS80. The patterns in RI correlated with the normalized electron transfer rate between the electron donor and acceptor and did not always align with thermodynamic predictions of energy yield. In light of this, we discuss other factors that may affect the kinetics of cellular energy metabolism: electron transfer chain (ETC) efficiency, location of ETC reaction components (cytoplasmic
vs.
extracellular), and the physical state of electron donors and acceptors (gas
vs.
solid). Furthermore, the assimilation of a more reduced form of carbon during heterotrophy appears to decrease the demand for reducing equivalents during lipid biosynthesis, resulting in lower RI. Together, these results point to the fundamental role of the cellular energy state in dictating GDGT cyclization, with those cells experiencing greater energy limitation synthesizing more cyclized GDGTs.

IMPORTANCE

Some archaea make unique membrane-spanning lipids with different numbers of five- or six-membered rings in the core structure, which modulate membrane fluidity and permeability. Changes in membrane core lipid composition reflect the fundamental adaptation strategies of archaea in response to stress, but multiple environmental and physiological factors may affect the needs for membrane fluidity and permeability. In this study, we tested how
Acidianus
sp. DS80 changed its core lipid composition when grown with different electron donor/acceptor pairs. We show that changes in energy and carbon metabolisms significantly affected the relative abundance of rings in the core lipids of DS80. These observations highlight the need to better constrain metabolic parameters, in addition to environmental factors, which may influence changes in membrane physiology in Archaea. Such consideration would be particularly important for studying archaeal lipids from habitats that experience frequent environmental fluctuations and/or where metabolically diverse archaea thrive.
SUMOylation of the m6A reader YTHDF2 by PIAS1 promotes viral RNA decay to restrict EBV replication
Authors: Sugiokto Febri Gunawan , Saiada Farjana , Zhang Kun , Li Renfeng
Published: January 2024

m6A RNA modification pathway plays important roles in diverse cellular processes and viral life cycle. Here, we investigated the relationship between PIAS1 and the m6A reader protein YTHDF2, which is involved in regulating RNA stability by binding to m6A-modified RNA. We found that both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of YTHDF2 interact with PIAS1. We showed that PIAS1 promotes the SUMOylation of YTHDF2 at three specific lysine residues. We also demonstrated that PIAS1 enhances the anti-EBV activity of YTHDF2. We further revealed that PIAS1 mediates the SUMOylation of other YTHDF family members, namely, YTHDF1 and YTHDF3, to limit EBV replication. These findings together illuminate an important regulatory mechanism of YTHDF proteins in controlling viral RNA decay and EBV replication through PIAS1-mediated SUMOylation.
Treatment of intraorbital arteriovenous fistulas with direct puncture: a case series and review of treatments since 1978
Authors: Pathuri Sarath C , Johnson William C , Russell Keannette L P , Robledo Ariadna , Albuquerque Felipe C , Kan Peter , Mascitelli Justin R
Published: January 2024

Intraorbital arteriovenous fistulas (IOAVFs) are rare vascular pathologies that may be effectively treated with direct puncture (DP) of the venous supply and may offer a definitive and safe cure when done under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. Here we present three new cases of DP treatment of IOAVFs, indications for safe use, and their potential complications in comparison to the existing literature on DP and other modalities.

Three patients with IOAVFs were treated with DP with ultrasound guidance, stereotactic guidance, and fluoroscopy. Final digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed complete cure of IOAVFs. A literature review via PubMed was performed on treatments of IOAVFs since 1978.

All three cases of DP resulted in successful cures with 2/3 cases resulting in complications from orbital hematoma formation. 49 total treatments including the cases herein have been documented. DP treatment constituted 5/49, conservative management 17/49, transarterial 8/49, transvenous 18/49, and surgical 3/49. Some cases received more than one mode of treatment. Transarterial and surgical managements were found to have higher complication rates than transvenous and DP.

DP is a safe and effective treatment of IOAVFs that can be performed via multiple image guided methods and guarantees a definitive cure. Orbital hematomas are a potential complication of which operators should be aware.
Integrating humanities in healthcare: a mixed-methods study for development and testing of a humanities curriculum for front-line health workers in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqi Danya Arif , Miraj Fatima , Munir Mehr , Naz Nowshaba , Shaikh Asna Fatima , Khan Areeba Wajahat , Dossa Shama , Nadeem Inamullah , Hargraves Monica J , Urban Jennifer , Shah Mubarak Taighoon , Chandir Subhash
Published: January 2024

Lady health workers (LHWs) provide lifesaving maternal and child health services to >60% of Pakistan’s population but are poorly compensated and overburdened. Moreover, LHWs’ training does not incorporate efforts to nurture attributes necessary for equitable and holistic healthcare delivery. We developed an interdisciplinary humanities curriculum, deriving its strengths from local art and literature, to enhance character virtues such as empathy and connection, interpersonal communication skills, compassion and purpose among LHWs. We tested the curriculum’s feasibility and impact to enhance character strengths among LHWs.

We conducted a multiphase mixed-methods pilot study in two towns of Karachi, Pakistan. We delivered the humanities curriculum to 48 LHWs via 12 weekly sessions, from 15 June to 2 September 2021. We developed a multiconstruct character strength survey that was administered preintervention and postintervention to assess the impact of the training. In-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of randomly selected participating LHWs.

Of 48 participants, 47 (98%) completed the training, and 34 (71%) attended all 12 sessions. Scores for all outcomes increased between baseline and endline, with highest increase (10.0 points, 95% CI 2.91 to 17.02; p=0.006) observed for empathy/connection. LHWs provided positive feedback on the training and its impact in terms of improving their confidence, empathy/connection and ability to communicate with clients. Participants also rated the sessions highly in terms of the content’s usefulness (mean: 9.7/10; SD: 0.16), the success of the sessions (mean: 9.7/10; SD: 0.17) and overall satisfaction (mean: 8.2/10; SD: 3.3).

A humanities-based training for front-line health workers is a feasible intervention with demonstrated impact of nurturing key character strengths, notably empathy/connection and interpersonal communication. Evidence from this study highlights the value of a humanities-based training, grounded in local literature and cultural values, that can ultimately translate to improved well-being of LHWs thus contributing to better health outcomes among the populations they serve.
Ensemble Model for Stock Price Forecasting: MapReduce Framework for Big Data Handling: An Optimal Trained Hybrid Model for Classification
Authors: Senthamil Selvi R. , Sankari V. , Ramya N. , Selvi M.
Published: January 2024

A number of authors have focused on this study to examine how huge data are perceived. A novel big data classification paradigm is introduced by the work’s preprocessing, feature extraction and classification techniques. Data normalization is carried out at the preprocessing stage. The MapReduce framework is then utilized to manage the massive data. Statistical features (mean, median, min/max and SD), higher-order statistical features (skewness, kurtosis and enhanced entropy), and correlation-based features are all extracted prior to classification. The Bi-LSTM and deep maxout hybrid classification model classifies the data during the reduction stage. To assure classification accuracy, training will also be deployed by the new Hybrid Butterfly Positioned Coot Optimization (HBPCO) algorithm. The proposed method’s accuracy of 97.45% beats the methods of NN (85.13%), CNN (83.78%), RNN (78.37%), Bi-LSTM (82.43%) and SVM (87.83%).
CC2530-Based Wireless Data Long-Distance Communication Simulation Design and Application
Authors: Zhang Yuling
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of IoT, low-power wireless networks are becoming more and more important in engineering applications. For different IoT applications, a variety of corresponding low-power wireless technologies are studied and used. Among them, ZigBee technology is widely used for wireless data long-distance communication networks that require low-power consumption, low communication rate and large capacity self-organizing networks. However, the standard ZigBee module is limited by the large noise factor of the receiver and the small radiation power of the transmitter in the module, which cannot meet the requirements of long-distance communication. In this paper, we combine RF and communication technologies to design a long-range, low-power transceiver based on ZigBee technology for wireless data long-range communication simulation design and application. Experimental results show that the model in the urban area of 500[Formula: see text]m range, the system’s packet loss rate is kept at a low 0.03 or so, and the average Rssi is kept above and below [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dBm, which can meet the general communication requirements and achieve the expected communication effect. Under the same packet rate, the model combines the improved AODVjr and Cluster_Tree algorithms, and the packet delivery rate can reach 98.5%, which greatly extends the wireless data long-distance communication life.
Geometric methods in quantum information and entanglement variational principle
Authors: Iannotti Daniele , Hamma Alioscia
Published: January 2024

Geometrical methods in quantum information are very promising for both providing technical tools and intuition into difficult control or optimization problems. Moreover, they are of fundamental importance in connecting pure geometrical theories, like GR, to quantum mechanics, like in the AdS/CFT correspondence. In this paper, we first make a survey of the most important settings in which geometrical methods have proven useful to quantum information theory. Then we lay down a geometric theory of entanglement by a principle of action, discussing a simple example with two qubits and consequences for a quantum theory of space-time.
The geometry of quantum computing
Authors: Ercolessi E. , Fioresi R. , Weber T.
Published: January 2024

In this expository paper, we present a brief introduction to the geometrical modeling of some quantum computing problems. After a brief introduction to establish the terminology, we focus on quantum information geometry and [Formula: see text]-calculus, establishing a connection between quantum computing questions and quantum groups, i.e. Hopf algebras.
DOES THE DIGITAL ECONOMY CHANGE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CARBON EMISSIONS? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM 278 CITIES IN CHINA
Authors: FAN JIAOJIAO , GAO XIAOYA , SUN LIN , QIN MENG
Published: January 2024

The rise of the digital economy has had widespread and profound impacts on the economy and society. Extensive literature exists on digital economy and carbon emissions. However, there is a lack of literature focusing on the impact of the digital economy on the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This paper examines whether the digital economy has changed the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions using panel and spatial econometric modeling. Using a panel dataset of 278 prefecture-level cities in China for the period from 2011 to 2019, the results show that there is a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions, which is consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model. Moreover, the digital economy brings the turning point forward. In terms of spatial decomposition effects, both direct and indirect effects of economic growth on carbon emissions are significant, suggesting that economic growth has a positive impact on carbon emissions both in local cities and in neighboring areas. Overall, these findings provide valuable policy insights for promoting the synergistic development of the digital economy and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
TJ-FlyingFish: An Unmanned Morphable Aerial–Aquatic Vehicle System
Authors: Liu Xuchen , Dou Minghao , Yan Ruixin , Huang Dongyue , Gao Songqun , Wang Biao , Cui Jinqiang , Ren Qinyuan , Dou Lihua , Gao Zhi , Chen Jie , Chen Ben M.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we present in this work a fairly complete process for developing an unmanned aerial–aquatic vehicle system, TJ-FlyingFish, which includes an innovative design methodology of the aerial–aquatic platform and the cross-medium localization, dynamics modeling, and flight control systems. The development faces the challenge how to manipulate locomotion effectively in both water and air which presents substantial differences in fluid properties. Additionally, there are difficulties in perception and navigation because of the discontinuity of mediums. To cope with these challenges, we designed an innovative unmanned aerial–aquatic vehicle with an optimized dual-speed and tilting propulsion configuration. The rotors/propellers operate in different ranges of rotating speed in the two different mediums, providing sufficient thrust and ensuring output efficiency. Besides, thrust vectoring is achieved by rotating each propulsion unit around its mounted arm, facilitating agile underwater cruising. Another key component of our approach is a sophisticated multi-sensor-based cross-medium localization system that combines SLAM, sensor synchronization, and data capture mechanisms, enabling seamless transitions between aerial and aquatic environments, and supporting autonomous operations. The results are fully validated through actual flight experiments.
Fluid characterization of oil and gas fields: implications for fault and top seal integrity assessment
Authors: Arouri Khaled R. , Alqahtani Saleh A.
Published: January 2024

Integrity of fault and top seal is a key factor that affects hydrocarbon fluid phase distribution in the subsurface. Mapping fluid property distribution can therefore provide important tools towards assessing seal integrity and trapping mechanisms – two of the most critical elements in petroleum systems analysis towards optimzing exploration and development strategies. This is best achieved by proper fluid characterization that integrates fluid geochemistry and pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) data to identify equilibrated and disequilibrated fluid gradients. Fields from Paleozoic and Mesozoic basins in the Arabian Peninsula at different stages of delineation, appraisal, development and management are discussed as examples to demonstrate the role of fluid characterization in aiding the evaluation of top, lateral and fault seal integrity, and in providing insights into the sealing and buffering effects of reservoir heterogeneity on trapping mechanism, fluid distribution and flow capacity. Examples discussed include (1) reservoir heterogeneity controlling fluid distribution and trapping mechanisms in two neighbouring gas fields, (2) geochemical evidence for a lateral seal separating gas condensate region from oil discovered during field development, (3) solid reservoir bitumen atop a giant gas field, (4) selective gas leakage through anhydrite seal, and (5) geochemical evidence for fault-controlled reservoir compartmentalization rather than a hydrodynamically tilted fluid contact in a field at an appraisal stage where PVT data are limited or inconclusive. Put in structural context, seal-related interpretations of the fluid data are aligned with observations from seismic and geological data on the existence of faults with favourable orientations or facies changes.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Fault and top seals 2022 collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/fault-and-top-seals-2022