bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of contrasting poultry exposures on human, poultry, and wastewater antibiotic resistomes in Bangladesh
Authors: Williams Alexander D. , Rousham Emily , Neal Andrew L. , Amin Mohammed Badrul , Hobman Jon L. , Stekel Dov , Islam Mohammad Aminul 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Interactions between humans, animals, and the environment are considered critical foci for addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, One Health data on AMR in low- and middle-income countries are presently scarce. Using metagenomics, we investigated whether and how the fecal antibiotic resistomes of humans are influenced by exposure to intensive and non-intensively reared poultry within contrasting settings of urban wet markets (
n
= 13) and rural households (
n
= 7) in Bangladesh. We also considered poultry (
n
= 10) and wastewater (
n
= 10) resistomes in these settings. We found that occupational poultry exposures did not significantly alter the human fecal resistome. In contrast, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin and streptothricin antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were enriched in poultry from urban wet markets relative to rural household chickens. Wastewater had the highest ARG richness, though this was only partially explained by poultry cecal and human fecal sources. Wastewater also contained clinically significant carbapenem ARGs. This study therefore provides critical insight into the distribution of ARGs in Bangladesh.

IMPORTANCE
Through the use of DNA sequencing, our study shows that there is no significant difference in the antibiotic resistance genes found in stool samples taken from individuals with high exposure to poultry routinely fed antibiotics and those without such exposure. This finding is significant as it suggests limited transmission of antibiotic resistance genes between poultry and humans in these circumstances. However, our research also demonstrates that commercially reared poultry are more likely to possess resistance genes to antibiotics commonly administered on medium-sized farms. Additionally, our study highlights the under-explored potential of wastewater as a source of various antibiotic resistance genes, some of which are clinically relevant.
Vibrio alginolyticus
growth kinetics and the metabolic effects of iron
Authors: Norfolk William A. , Shue Charlyn , Henderson W. Matthew , Glinski Donna A. , Lipp Erin K. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Vibrio alginolyticus
is a naturally occurring marine bacterium, recognized as an emerging pathogen in humans and animals and the second most common cause of vibriosis in the U.S. However, information regarding the physiology and growth of this species in the environment is limited. Here we evaluated the effects of temperature, salinity, and iron condition on the growth response across unique
V. alginolyticus
strains. A combination of growth kinetics and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics studies was used to evaluate the optimal and tolerable ranges of growth and to characterize the metabolic effects of iron supplementation. All
V. alginolyticus
strains tested demonstrated broad temperature and salinity tolerance, resulting in growth at all measured temperatures (24°C–40°C) and salinities between 1% and 6% (wt/vol) NaCl with optimal growth between 30°C–36°C and 2%–4% NaCl. Environmental strains showed no growth limitation at iron concentrations ranging from 0.5- to 20.0-µM ferric Fe but demonstrated reduced growth at 0.2 µM. Likewise, the number of significantly upregulated metabolites in
V. alginolyticus
cultures grown in iron-replete (4-µM) media was greater than that in iron-deficient (~0 µM) media but varied with prior growth conditions. Detected compounds were associated with key metabolic pathways, namely, amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism, suggesting that introduced iron facilitated broad activation of
V. alginolyticus
metabolism and helped to promote growth responses. Combined, these results demonstrate that
V. alginolyticus
strains are capable of rapid growth under a broad range of favorable temperature and salinity levels, which can be affected by the presence of iron.

IMPORTANCE

Transmission of
V. alginolyticus
occurs opportunistically through direct seawater exposure and is a function of its abundance in the environment. Like other
Vibrio
spp.,
V. alginolyticus
are considered conditionally rare taxa in marine waters, with populations capable of forming large, short-lived blooms under specific environmental conditions, which remain poorly defined. Prior research has established the importance of temperature and salinity as the major determinants of
Vibrio
geographical and temporal range. However, bloom formation can be strongly influenced by other factors that may be more episodic and localized, such as changes in iron availability. Here we confirm the broad temperature and salinity tolerance of
V. alginolyticus
and demonstrate the importance of iron supplementation as a key factor for growth in the absence of thermal or osmotic stress. The results of this research highlight the importance of episodic iron input as a crucial metric to consider for the assessment of
V. alginolyticus
risk.
Mapping bark bacteria: initial insights of stemflow-induced changes in bark surface phyla
Authors: Hudson J. E. , Levia D. F. , Yoshimura K. M. , Gottel N. R. , Hudson S. A. , Biddle J. F. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
Life on and within bark surfaces is likely affected by many factors, including bark moisture, bark microrelief, bark pH, and the climatology of forests. The complex set of mutually interacting biotic and abiotic factors operating on bark surfaces presents a challenge in disentangling the linkages and connections between bark-dwelling organisms and biosphere-atmosphere interactions that modulate life in the canopy. Microbial communities on bark surfaces are under-represented in the literature. Given our knowledge of microbial diversity in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere and the impacts of climatology on that diversity, we hypothesized that tree bark would create a microenvironment that selects for specific microbes and that climatological and atmospheric influences from different land uses may further influence such microbial communities. Unfortunately, to our knowledge, no such study to test this hypothesis has been conducted. Recognizing this knowledge gap, samples were collected from bark and stemflow from two northern red oak trees in exurban and suburban forest fragments in the mid-Atlantic region before and after a rain event and subjected to DNA extraction and amplicon sequencing. Major phyla present on bark at both sites include Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Significant differences in amplicon sequence variants were observed between the two trees and between the northerly and southerly aspects of the sampled trees. The results of this pilot study highlight the critical need for future work examining the interplay among stemflow and microbial community composition and function (as a part of the larger ecosystem) in relation to varying land use.

IMPORTANCE
Compared with the phyllosphere, bacteria inhabiting bark surfaces are inadequately understood. Based on a preliminary pilot study, our work suggests that microbial populations vary across tree bark surfaces and may differ in relation to surrounding land use. Initial results suggest that stemflow, the water that flows along the bark surface, actively moves bacterial communities across a tree. These preliminary findings underscore the need for further study of niche microbial populations to determine whether there are connections between the biodiversity of microbiomes inhabiting corticular surfaces, land use, and hydrology.
Impact of dexmedetomidine on mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a retrospective propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Wang Wenting , Jin Yu , Zhang Peiyao , Gao Peng , Wang He , Liu Jinping 
Published: November 2023

ObjectivesThis study sought to estimate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) administration on mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingThe study sourced its data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care Database IV (MIMIC-IV), a comprehensive database of intensive care unit patients.ParticipantsA total of 15 754 critically ill patients with AKI were enrolled from the MIMIC-IV database.Primary and secondary outcomePrimary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcome was 180-day mortality.Results15 754 critically ill AKI patients were included in our analysis. We found that DEX use decreased in-hospital mortality risk by 38% (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.70) and 180-day mortality risk by 23% (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.85). After adjusting for confounding factors, DEX can reduce all three stages of AKI in in-hospital mortality.ConclusionsOur retrospective cohort study suggests that DEX significantly correlates with decreased risk-adjusted in-hospital and 180-day mortality in critically ill AKI patients. Nonetheless, future randomised controlled trials are warranted to validate our findings.
What are the perceptions and concerns of people living with diabetes and National Health Service staff around the potential implementation of AI-assisted screening for diabetic eye disease? Development and validation of a survey for use in a secondary care screening setting
Authors: Willis Kathryn , Chaudhry Umar A R , Chandrasekaran Lakshmi , Wahlich Charlotte , Olvera-Barrios Abraham , Chambers Ryan , Bolter Louis , Anderson John , Barman S A , Fajtl Jiri , Welikala Roshan , Egan Catherine , Tufail Adnan , Owen Christopher G , Rudnicka Alicja 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe English National Health Service (NHS) Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) performs around 2.3 million eye screening appointments annually, generating approximately 13 million retinal images that are graded by humans for the presence or severity of diabetic retinopathy. Previous research has shown that automated retinal image analysis systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), can identify images with no disease from those with diabetic retinopathy as safely and effectively as human graders, and could significantly reduce the workload for human graders. Some algorithms can also determine the level of severity of the retinopathy with similar performance to humans. There is a need to examine perceptions and concerns surrounding AI-assisted eye-screening among people living with diabetes and NHS staff, if AI was to be introduced into the DESP, to identify factors that may influence acceptance of this technology.Methods and analysisPeople living with diabetes and staff from the North East London (NEL) NHS DESP were invited to participate in two respective focus groups to codesign two online surveys exploring their perceptions and concerns around the potential introduction of AI-assisted screening.Focus group participants were representative of the local population in terms of ages and ethnicity. Participants’ feedback was taken into consideration to update surveys which were circulated for further feedback. Surveys will be piloted at the NEL DESP and followed by semistructured interviews to assess accessibility, usability and to validate the surveys.Validated surveys will be distributed by other NHS DESP sites, and also via patient groups on social media, relevant charities and the British Association of Retinal Screeners. Post-survey evaluative interviews will be undertaken among those who consent to participate in further research.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained by the NHS Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID: 316631). Survey results will be shared and discussed with focus groups to facilitate preparation of findings for publication and to inform codesign of outreach activities to address concerns and perceptions identified.
06 Did Julius Caesar have a brain disorder that impaired his judgment?
Authors: Yorston Graeme , Leon Ewelina De 
Published: November 2023

Aims and HypothesisThis poster presents an analysis of historical sources of information on the life and medical history of Julius Caesar and critically examines previously suggested modern diagnoses.BackgroundGaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 BCE to a noble but not particularly wealthy family. He had to work hard to move up the ranks in Roman society – he was known for his political shrewdness, public speaking and ability to win over the common man. His determination, ability to plan ahead, clear thinking and decisiveness paved the way for his slow but inexorable rise to the position of dictator perpetuus, or dictator for life. But after just a few weeks, ignoring warnings that his life was in danger and dismissing his guards, he walked out alone and was stabbed to death by a conspiracy of senators. This poster will attempt to answer whether this final act was the hubris of a man accustomed to victory or the impaired judgment of someone with a serious brain disorder?MethodsThere are descriptions of Julius Caesar having attacks of the falling sickness in the (almost) contemporary accounts of his life. These will be examined along with modern proposals regarding diagnosis, including: epilepsy, Meniere’s disease, celiac disease, malaria, cerebrovascular disease, AV Malformation, cerebral tuberculosis, neurocysticercosis (tape worm larva) and brain tumour.ResultsThe evidence for and against each diagnosis will be presented.ConclusionsWe will never be certain what caused Julius Caesar’s falling sickness, but there is a strong case for him having epilepsy – either familial or secondary to another brain disorder. What is even less certain, however, is why he ignored concerns for his safety and walked out to his death on the Ides of March 45BCE.
19 Direct neural recordings from human bed nucleus of stria terminalis link alpha activity in empathy and affect evaluation tasks with depression severity
Authors: Sonkusare Saurabh , Qiong Ding , Zhao Yijie , Zhang Yingying , Feng Yashu , Wang Linbin , Yang Ruoqi , Zhang Chencheng , Sun Bomin , Zhan Shikun , Voon Valerie 
Published: November 2023

Objectives/AimsThe bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), considered a part of ‘extended amygdala’ and located in the basomedial forebrain, is characterized by its connections with other limbic structures, hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei. With these crucial connections, it plays a key role in emotional processing and modulation of autonomic physiological and behavioural responses. Consequently, its dysfunction is implicated in many human psychiatric illnesses including depression thus positioning it as a target for neuromodulation with deep brain stimulation (DBS) and investigations of its direct neural activity.MethodsHere, in a cross-sectional design, we acquired task-induced neuronal recordings from BNST from fifteen treatment resistant depressed patients undergoing DBS surgery in a clinical trial. We employed two tasks: 1) empathy induction with painful and non-painful pictures, 2) affect task with emotionally valenced pictures (positive, neutral and negative). We first characterised task induced spectral dynamics and subsequently using permutation testing to assess condition differences. Time- frequency clusters which showed condition differences were then tested for their association with behavioural ratings and depression scores.ResultsEmpathy and affect task both showed task induced responses with condition differences predominantly in theta-alpha range. For empathy task, alpha activity also predicted the painful and non-painful behavioural ratings. Furthermore, alpha activity for non-painful pictures were also significantly associated with depression scores. Affect task showed condition differences in activity for positive and negatives pictures when compared to neutral pictures. Alpha activity of negative pictures (when compared to neutral pictures) were also positively correlated with depression scores.ConclusionsOverall, from direct BNST recordings, we thus show the spectral signatures of BNST in evaluation of empathy and affect pictures. Furthermore, alpha activity in these tasks also predicted depression scores thus highlighting its role as a potential biomarker for depression severity.
Sealed (zero gas flow) resistive plate chambers
Authors: Blanco Alberto , Fonte Paulo , Lopes Luis , Pimenta Mario 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe phase-out of hydro-fluorocarbons, due to their high Global Warming Potential (GWP), affecting the main gas used in Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs), tetrafluoroethane C$$_2$$

2

H$$_2$$

2

F$$_4$$

4

, has increased pressure on existing systems and imposes strong restrictions on its use in new systems. A possible solution to the problem is the substitution of this gas by others with a much lower GWP. Another possibility would be sealed RPCs, i.e., RPCs that do not require a continuous gas flow for their operation. This paper shows the construction structure and test results of a sealed multi-gap RPC operated without gas flow for about 1 year. The results show a stable efficiency of more than 95% and a streamer percentage of less than 1%. The spatial distribution of the hits, the mean charge and the probability of streamers do not reveal significant structures. Similarly, they do not seem to be dependent on operating time.
Mutual entity authentication of quantum key distribution network system using authentication qubits
Authors: Park Hojoong , Park Byung Kwon , Woo Min Ki , Kang Min-Sung , Choi Ji-Woong , Kang Ju-Sung , Yeom Yongjin , Han Sang-Wook 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEntity authentication is crucial for ensuring secure quantum communication as it helps confirm the identity of participants before transmitting any confidential information. We propose a practical entity authentication protocol for quantum key distribution (QKD) network systems that utilizes authentication qubits. In this protocol, authentication qubits that are encoded with pre-shared information are generated and exchanged to verify the legitimacy of each entity. By using the authentication qubit, participants can identify each other with enhanced security level through the quantum channel. The proposed protocol can be easily integrated with existing QKD systems without the need for additional hardware. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed scheme using a 1xN QKD network system and verified its stable operation over a deployed fiber network. Additionally, a security analysis of the proposed entity authentication protocol and architecture is provided.
Missing Data Imputation Using Socio-hawk Optimization-based Deep Neural Network
Authors: Ghongade Trupti G. , Khobragade R. N. 
Published: November 2023

Missing data remain the common issue experienced in the real-world environment, which leads to deviation in data analysis and mining. Therefore, in order to lessen the consequences of missing data caused by human mistake, missing data imputation must be used in data processing. The traditional imputation model fails to satisfy the evaluation requirement due to its poor stability and low accuracy. Further, these models compromise the imputation accuracy of the increasing number of missing information. Hence, in this research, an optimized missing data imputation model is proposed using the Socio-hawk optimization Deep Neural Network (DNN). In this research, the DNN extracts the important features from the data, in which the missing data are estimated with an arbitrary missing pattern. It is stated that whenever the hyperparameters are tuned properly, the DNN’s performance is improved. The key here is the efficient training of DNN using the suggested Socio-hawk optimization, which improves the imputation model’s accuracy. To determine how well the suggested imputation model imputes missing data, it is compared to other methods. As a result, the paper’s primary contribution is to effectively train DNN using the suggested Socio-hawk optimization that reduces the error rate of the imputation model. The experimental evaluation shows that the proposed missing data imputation model attains a high performance at 90%, which provides 1.0595, 1.9919, and 0.9421 of MAE, MSE, and MAPE.
Deterministic particle approximation of aggregation diffusion equations with nonlinear mobility
Authors: Daneri Sara , Radici Emanuela , Runa Eris 
Published: November 2023

We consider a class of aggregation–diffusion equations on unbounded one-dimensional domains with Lipschitz nonincreasing mobility function. We show strong [Formula: see text]-convergence of a suitable deterministic particle approximation to weak solutions of a class aggregation–diffusion PDEs (coinciding with the classical ones in the no vacuum regions) for any bounded initial data of finite energy. In order to prove well-posedness and convergence of the scheme with no BV or no vacuum assumptions and overcome the issues posed in this setting by the presence of a mobility function, we improve and strengthen the techniques introduced in [S. Daneri, E. Radici and E. Runa, Deterministic particle approximation of aggregation–diffusion equations on unbounded domains, J. Differential Equations 312 (2020) 474–517].
Predicted variable river response at high and low flows due to groundwater abstraction changes in Chalk catchments
Authors: Taylor Adam B. , Yarker Daniel R. , Karapanos Ilias 
Published: November 2023

Improving low flows in Chalk streams by relocating groundwater abstraction further downstream is an idea that has become popular in the UK in recent years. Simulations using the Environment Agency's Hertfordshire Chalk Groundwater Model predict that reducing groundwater abstraction close to ephemeral or intermittent Chalk streams is more likely to increase river flows during high-flow conditions than during low flows. This finding helps to explain the apparent lack of observed benefit to river flows during drought periods in catchments where abstractions have been reduced. If abstraction reductions are predicted to result in more of an increase to high river flows than to low flows, they may risk contributing to increased flood likelihood downstream, without providing significant habitat protection during low flows.
Conversely, it has also been found that, under certain circumstances, preferential benefits can be predicted for low flows. Simulations show that such benefits are most likely to manifest by relocating abstraction to downstream locations where groundwater levels are already below the base of the riverbed (e.g. due to existing abstraction or artificial channel modifications). Here, the varying degree of hydraulic connection between groundwater and river can result in preferential benefits to downstream low flows and reduced downstream flood risk.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Karst: Characterization, Hazards & Hydrogeology collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/karst