bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerically solving a nonlinear integral equation when the reciprocal of the solution lies in the integrand
Authors: Sarkar Indranil , Singh Gaurav 
Published: October 2023

The objective of the present work is to develop a numerical method for solving a nonlinear integral equation given by

y
(
t
)
=
f
(
t
)
+

∫

0

1

k
(
t
,
s
)

1

[
y
(
s
)
]

α

d
s
,

where

y
(
t
)
∈

C
2

[
0
,
1
]

with

y
(
t
)
>
0

,

f
(
t
)
∈
C
[
0
,
1
]

with

f
(
t
)
≥
0

, the kernel function

k
(
t
,
s
)

is non-negative and continuous on

[
0
,
1
]
×
[
0
,
1
]

and

α
>
0

. The existence of a continuous positive solution of this equation is well-established in the literature. However, there is no reported method to solve it numerically for any

α
>
0.

To attain the desired objective, the renowned Chebyshev collocation method is used. Having unknown Chebyshev coefficients, this method converts the integral equation into a matrix equation that produces a set of nonlinear algebraic equations. To solve these equations, computationally, the well-established Newton’s method is employed. To validate the effectiveness and precision of the method, various numerical examples with well-defined exact solutions are examined. Obtained numerical solutions confirm the accuracy and validity of the numerical method.
Processive movement ofStaphylococcus aureusessential septal
peptidoglycan synthases is independent of FtsZ treadmilling and drives cell
constriction
Authors: Schäper Simon , Brito António D. , Saraiva Bruno M. , Squyres Georgia R. , Holmes Matthew J. , Garner Ethan C. , Hensel Zach , Henriques Ricardo 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Bacterial cell division is mediated by the tubulin-homolog FtsZ, which
recruits peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis enzymes to the division site. Septal PG
synthases promote inward growth of the division septum, but the mechanisms
governing the spatiotemporal regulation of these enzymes are poorly understood.
Recent studies on various organisms have proposed different models for the
relationship between the movement and activity of septum-specific PG synthases
and FtsZ treadmilling. Here, we studied the movement dynamics of conserved cell
division proteins relative to the rates of septum constriction and FtsZ
treadmilling in the Gram-positive pathogenStaphylococcus
aureus. The septal PG synthesis enzyme complex FtsW/PBP1 and
its putative activator protein, DivIB, moved processively, around the division
site, with the same velocity. Impairing FtsZ treadmilling did not affect FtsW
and DivIB velocities or septum constriction rates. Contrarily, inhibition of PG
synthesis slowed down or completely stopped both septum constriction and the
directional movement of FtsW/PBP1 and DivIB. Our findings support a model
forS. aureusin which a single population of
processively moving FtsW/PBP1 remains associated with DivIB to drive cell
constriction independently of treadmilling FtsZ filaments.
Opportunities to Address Specialty Care Deserts and the Digital Divide: VA’s Virtual Hub-and-Spoke Cardiology Clinic
Authors: Tisdale Rebecca , Purmal Colin , Kalwani Neil , Sandhu Alexander , Heidenreich Paul , Zulman Donna , Hussain Tanvir 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundAccess to specialty care, including cardiology, in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) varies widely across geographic regions. VHA’s clinical resource hub (CRH) model of care offers mostly-virtual specialty care to individuals in low access regions and has recently been implemented in cardiology. How implementation of this predominantly virtual cardiology program affects the reach of cardiology specialty care in VHA is not known. This study describes the association between patient characteristics and use of CRH cardiology care in VHA’s Sierra Pacific region (Northern California, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands).MethodsWe compared patients who used CRH cardiology services between 7/15/2021 and 3/31/2023 to non-CRH Sierra Pacific cardiology patients, then used multivariate logistic regression to estimate the association between patient-level factors and odds of being a CRH user.ResultsThere were 804 CRH users over the study period with 1,961 CRH encounters, and 19,583 non-CRH users with 83,489 encounters. Among CRH users, 8% were women and 41% were ≥75 years, compared to 5% and 49% respectively among non-CRH users. Similar proportions in both groups were rural (26% for both CRH and non-CRH), highly-disabled (48% CRH, 47% non-CRH), and low-income (21% CRH, 20% non-CRH). In multivariate logistic models, adjusted odds of using CRH were higher for women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.70 [95% CI 1.46-1.98]) and lower for older Veterans (AOR 0.33 for ≥75 [95% CI 0.23-0.48]). Highly rural Veterans also had higher adjusted odds of using CRH (AOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.30-2.69]).ConclusionsThe Sierra Pacific CRH cardiology program served a disproportionately high number of women and highly rural Veterans and similar proportions of highly-disabled and low-income Veterans as conventional VA care in its first two years of operation. This predominately-virtual model of cardiology care may be an effective strategy for overcoming access barriers for certain individuals, though targeted efforts may be required to reach older Veterans.
Photobiomodulation for postoperative pain relief in endodontic surgery: a randomized controlled study protocol
Authors: Cirisola Rolf Wilhem Consolandich , Moya Luis Eduardo Pascuali , Olazabal María Victoria García , Wagmann Daniela Anat Amzallag , Suarez Guendalina Palermo , Wince Carolina , Bruno Laura Hermida , Salaberry Daniel Rodriguez , Chavantes Maria Cristina , Longo Priscila Larcher , Motta Lara Jansiski , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Duran Cinthya Cosme Gutierrez , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Mesquita Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPhotobiomodulation (PBM) has shown favorable results in the postoperative period of endodontic surgery, however, up to now, the level of evidence in this procedure is low. The objective of this study will be to evaluate if photobiomodulation (PBM) can reduce postoperative pain in patients who will undergo endodontic surgery. For this randomized, controlled, and double-blind clinical study, 34 patients without comorbidities who need endodontic surgery in the upper jaw (15 to 25 teeth) will be recruited. They will be randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 17) photobiomodulation (808nm, 100 mW, and 4J/cm2with 5 points per vestibular). Applications will be made in the immediate postoperative period and 24 hours after surgery. Control group (n = 17) PBM simulation will be performed in the same way as in the experimental group. In this group, the required analgesia will be administered within the standard with ibuprofen. Both groups will perform the necessary conventional procedures considered the gold standard in the literature. Both the patient and the evaluator will be blinded to the intervention performed. The primary outcome variable of the study will be postoperative pain, which will be assessed using the visual analogue scale at all postoperative control visits (baseline, 24 hours and 7 days). As for the secondary outcome variables, the amount of systemic medication received according to the patient’s need (will be provided by the investigator). Radiographic images will be obtained after 1 and 3 months for evaluation of the repair (dimensions of the lesion, radiopacity). These radiographs will be taken digitally with the positioners implemented. Edema, ecchymosis, and evaluation of soft tissues in the anterior portion of the intra and extraoral maxilla will also be evaluated. In addition, the temperature with a digital thermometer. These parameters will be evaluated 24 hours and 7 days after the intervention. The intervention and the X-rays will be taken in the 1stand3rdmonth respectively. Once all the data have been collected, their normality will be tested, and the one-way ANOVA test and the complementary Tukey test will be carried out. Data will be presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and the accepted p-value will be <0.05.
Measuring Frailty Using Self-Report or Automated Tools to Identify Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality: The Million Veteran Program
Authors: Qazi Saadia , Seligman Benjamin , Preis Sarah R. , Rane Manas , Djousse Luc , Gagnon David R. , Wilson Peter W.F. , Gaziano J. Michael , Driver Jane A. , Cho Kelly , Orkaby Ariela R. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundFrailty, a syndrome of physiologic vulnerability, increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Whether in person or automated frailty tools are ideal for identifying CVD risk remains unclear. We calculated three distinct frailty scores and examined their associations with mortality and CVD events in the Million Veteran Program (MVP).MethodsMVP is a prospective cohort of U.S. Veterans that has enrolled nearly one million Veterans. We included participants aged ≥50 years who enrolled from 2011-2018. Frailty was calculated using three tools: two frailty indices (FI) based on the accumulation of deficits theory, the 36-item MVP-FI using self-reported answers to questionaries, and the 31-item VA-FI developed using claims data. Finally, we calculated the 3-item Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Fried physical frailty score from self-report. The primary outcomes were CVD and all-cause mortality. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (adjusted for age, sex, smoking, statin use, antihypertensive use, hyperlipidemia, and survey year). Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and heart failure (HF).ResultsAmong 190,688 MVP participants (mean age 69 ±9 years, 94% male, 85% white), there were 33,233 (17%) all-cause and 10,115 (5%) CVD deaths. Using MVP-FI, 29% were robust, 42% pre-frail, and 29% frail. Frailty prevalence increased by age group, from 27% in 50–59-year-olds to 42% in age≥90 years. Follow-up duration was 6±2 years. Using the MVP-FI, pre-frail and frail Veterans had a higher incidence of both all-cause mortality (pre-frail: HR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.61-1.72; frail: 3.05, 2.95-3.16) and CVD death (pre-frail: 1.76, 1.65-1.88; frail: 3.65, 3.43-3.90), as compared to robust individuals. These findings remained significant among Veterans ≥ 50 years. Findings were similar for CVD events. When frailty was measured using the VA-FI and SOF results were concordant.ConclusionIrrespective of frailty measure used, frailty is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality and CVD events. Further study of frailty in individuals <60 years old is warranted.
A state with increased arousal threshold inAraneus diadematus(Araneidae) measured in the wild: new evidence for sleep in spiders
Authors: Rößler Daniela C. , Herberstein Marie E. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSleep is a seemingly universal behavior across the animal kingdom, yet for the majority of species, experimental evidence thereof is still lacking. The recent report of REM sleep-like behavior in a jumping spider has highlighted the potential of spiders as a non-model organism to study invertebrate sleep. While behavioral evidence of potential sleep-states in spiders is strong, a crucial piece of evidence is so far lacking: a shift in arousability during sleep compared to awake states. Targeting a spider exquisitely suited for conducting experiments in the wild, we collected arousal threshold data for the diurnal orb-web spiderAraneus diadematus. Our field experiments revealed significant differences in response latency between day- and night-times. Using a sound stimulus of 400 Hz with increasing amplitude that robustly triggers an anti-predatory response (raising of front legs), we tested both immobile and active spiders during the day and during the night. We found that spiders had a significantly longer response latency to the stimulus during nighttime immobility compared to immobile spiders during the day. There was no difference in the response latency between active spiders at night and active spiders during the day. Overall, our data demonstrate a shift in arousability during periods of night-time immobility in support of sleep inA. diadematus. Additionally, however, we found eight spiders that did not respond to the stimulus within the set time limit, most of which we encountered during daytime immobility hinting at additional sleep behavior during the day and a potential bimodal sleep pattern. Our study, along with recent work on jumping spider sleep-like behavior showcases the suitability of spiders for sleep research.
Assessment of the macrovascular contribution to resting-state fMRI functional connectivity at 3 Tesla
Authors: Zhong Xiaole Z. , Tong Yunjie , Chen J. Jean 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) functional connectivity (FC) mapping, temporal correlation are widely assumed to reflect synchronized neural-related activaty. Although a large number of studies have demonstrated the potential vascular effects on FC, little research has been conducted on FC resulting from macrovascular signal fluctuations. Previously, Tong et al. found (Tong et al., 2019b) a robust anti-correlation between the fMRI signals in the internal carotid artery and the internal jugular vein (and the sagittal sinus). The present study extends the previous study to include all detectable major veins and arteries in the brain in a systematic analysis of the macrovascular contribution to the functional connectivity of the whole-GM. This study demonstrates that: 1) The macrovasculature consistently exhibited strong correlational connectivity among itself, with the sign of the correlations varying between arterial and venous connectivity; 2) GM connectivity was found to have a strong macrovascular contribution, stronger from veins than arteries; 3) functional connectivity originating from the macrovasculature displayed disproportionately high spatial variability compared to across all GM voxels; 4) macrovascular contributions to connectivity were still evident well beyond the confines of the macrovascular space. These findings highlight the extensive contribution to rs-fMRI BOLD and FC predominantly by large veins, but also by large arteries. These findings pave the way for future studies aimed at more comprehensively modeling and thereby removing these macrovascular contributions.
Assessing the relationship between female aggression and male phenotype in two sisterMalurusfairywren species
Authors: Jones John Anthony , Feeney William E , Jones Darryl N , Nason Doka , Ketaloya Serena , Karubian Jordan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn a large and ever-growing number of animal species, it is now appreciated that females use colors as a visual signal in a range of social interactions, including both courtship and territorial aggression. Yet, it remains unclear whether female color phenotypes and/or aggressive behaviors are correlated with any attributes of their mate’s phenotype. For example, we might expect species in which males contribute more to parental care or territorial defense to have more colorful or aggressive females. On the other hand, within species, we might expect those females mated to higher quality males to be more colorful or aggressive than those mated to lower quality males. To begin to address these possibilities, we conducted a preliminary study in two sister taxa of fairywren (Maluridae) with distinct life-history strategies and plumage dichromatism: white-shouldered fairywrens (Malurus alboscapulatus moretoni) in tropical Papua New Guinea, a species in which both males and females have ornamented plumage and jointly defend territories year-round, and red-backed fairywrens (M. melanocephalus melanocephalus) in temperate Australia, a sexually dichromatic species with ornamented males and unornamented females. At the between species level, we predicted white-shouldered fairywren females would be more aggressive in same-sex interactions than red-backed fairywrens, as both white-shouldered males contribute to year-round territorial defense, whereas territories break-down during non-breeding in red-backed fairywrens. Further, we predicted that, within species, females mated to males of higher quality would be more aggressive in simulated same-sex encounters. Between species, female white-shouldered fairywrens were more aggressive on average than female red-backed fairywrens as predicted. Within both species, indices of male quality were not related to female aggression (although there was a non-significant tendency for more aggressive female white-shouldered fairywren to have heavier mates with longer tails). These results point to a need for additional research exploring relationships between life history, female plumage, and female aggressive behaviors in a wider range of species.
Dissemination of influenza B virus to the lower respiratory tract of mice is restricted by the interferon response
Authors: Schwab Lara S.U. , Do Thi H. T. , Koutsakos Marios 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe global burden of disease caused by Influenza B virus (IBV) is substantial, however IBVs remain overlooked. Understanding host-pathogen interactions as well as establishing physiologically relevant models of infection are important for the development and assessment of therapeutics and vaccines against IBV. Here, we assessed an upper respiratory tract (URT)-restricted model of mouse IBV infection, comparing it to the conventional administration of virus to the total respiratory tract (TRT). We found that URT infections with different strains of IBV resulted in limited dissemination of IBV to the lungs. Infection of the URT did not result in weight loss or systemic inflammation even at high inoculum doses and despite robust viral replication in the nose. Dissemination of IBV to the lung was enhanced in mice lacking functional type I IFN receptor (IFNAR2) but not IFNγ. Conversely, in mice expressing the IFN-inducible gene Mx1 we found reduced IBV replication in the lung and reduced dissemination of IBV from the URT to the lung. Both URT and TRT inoculation with IBV resulted in seroconversion against IBV. However, priming at the TRT conferred superior protection from a heterologous lethal IBV challenge compared to URT priming, as determined by improved survival rates and reduced viral replication throughout the respiratory tract. Overall, our study establishes a URT-restricted IBV infection model, highlights the critical role of IFNs in limiting dissemination of IBV to the lungs but also demonstrates that the lack of viral replication in the lung may impact protection from subsequent infections.ImportanceOur study investigated how IBV spreads from the nose to the lung of mice, the impact this has on disease and protection from re-infection. We found that when applied to the nose only, IBV does not spread very efficiently to the lungs in a process controlled by the interferon response. Priming immunity at the nose only was less protective from re-infection than priming immunity at both the nose and lung. These insights can guide the development of potential therapies targeting the interferon response as well as of intranasal vaccines against IBV.
Monocytes reprogrammed by 4-PBA potently contribute to the resolution of inflammation and atherosclerosis
Authors: Geng Shuo , Lu Ran , Zhang Yao , Wu Yajun , Xie Ling , Caldwell Blake , Pradhan Kisha , Yi Ziyue , Hou Jacqueline , Xu Feng , Chen Xian , Li Liwu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundChronic inflammation initiated by inflammatory monocytes underlies the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, approaches that can effectively resolve chronic low-grade inflammation targeting monocytes are not readily available. The small chemical compound 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) exhibits broad anti-inflammatory effects in reducing atherosclerosis. Selective delivery of 4-PBA reprogrammed monocytes may hold novel potential in providing targeted and precision therapeutics for the treatment of atherosclerosis.MethodsSystems analyses integrating single-cell RNA-sequencing and complementary immunological approaches characterized key resolving characteristics as well as defining markers of reprogrammed monocytes trained by 4-PBA. Molecular mechanisms responsible for monocyte reprogramming was assessed by integrated biochemical and genetic approaches. The inter-cellular propagation of homeostasis resolution was evaluated by co-culture assays with donor monocytes trained by 4-PBA and recipient naïve monocytes. Thein vivoeffects of monocyte resolution and atherosclerosis prevention by 4-PBA were assessed with the high fat diet-fedApoE-/-mouse model withi.p.4-PBA administration. Furthermore, the selective efficacy of 4-PBA trained monocytes were examined byi.v.transfusion ofex vivotrained monocytes by 4-PBA into recipient high fat diet-fedApoE-/-mice.ResultsIn this study, we found that monocytes can be potently reprogrammed by 4-PBA into an immune-resolving state characterized by reduced adhesion and enhanced expression of anti-inflammatory mediator CD24. Mechanistically, 4-PBA reduced the expression of ICAM-1 via reducing peroxisome stress and attenuating SYK-mTOR signaling. Concurrently, 4-PBA enhanced the expression of resolving mediator CD24 through promoting PPARγ neddylation mediated by TOLLIP. 4-PBA trained monocytes can effectively propagate anti-inflammation activity to neighboring monocytes through CD24. Our data further demonstrated that 4-PBA trained monocytes effectively reduce atherosclerosis pathogenesis when administeredin vivo.ConclusionOur study describes a robust and effective approach to generate resolving monocytes, characterizes novel mechanisms for targeted monocyte reprogramming, and offers a precision-therapeutics for atherosclerosis based on delivering reprogrammed resolving monocytes.