Notable Presence Research Articles

Factores que influyen en la regeneración de plántulas de Argania spinosa y Tetraclinis articulata en el valle inferior del Wadi Tamri (Marruecos)

The forest landscape of the lower valley of Wadi Tamri is a geographical space composed of interaction and perpetual dynamics elements. The degradation observed in the past results from often inadequate silvopastoral practices. Nevertheless, a light of hope for the future of this forest currently lies in the existence of the natural regeneration of the Argan and Thuya trees, the effect of the agricultural abandonment on the slopes following the rural exodus, the development of the forestry capital by the State and the impact of good management practices of natural resources adopted by the local population itself. To examine the dynamics of the forester landscape, we have prospected dozens of plots in the Argan and Thuya zones. In this sample, we counted the natural seedlings, conducted floristic surveys, and briefly described various ecological and geomorphological variables. Then, we developed a statistical database to spatialize and quantify this phenomenon with cartographic tools (GIS). The analysis of these dynamics highlighted the factors of installing young seedlings with all the necessary explanations. The results have clearly shown that the most significant families in this landscape include the Asteraceae and Fabaceae (13%), with the Lamiaceae (10%) following closely. Additionally, the Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae, Cistaceae, and Anacardiaceae contribute the same percentage (5%). The remaining 18 families each constitute only 3%. Regeneration of young Argan and Thuya trees from seedlings displays varied morphologies, influenced by age and grazing effects, often accompanied by nursery plants. Rocks and blocks serve as significant shelters for seedling germination. Meanwhile, topographic analysis highlights the impact of differing slope gradients for this seedlings. Argan and Thuya seedlings both presents the highest percentage (40% and 50%) observed on mid-slopes and upper slopes. Notable presence of seedlings observed on various slope exposures, especially those facing West, North, North-West, and South-West. Field sampling reveals a correlation between natural regeneration and tree cover density, emphasizing the significance of medium-dense tree cover, even in humanized landscapes, with notable regeneration observed in abandoned terraces and formerly cultivated land in Thuya unit, showcasing ecosystem resilience in this region. Overall, this study offers a preliminary scientific foundation for further investigation into the natural regeneration of Argan and Thuya amidst ongoing climate change, while also serving as a cornerstone for decision-making in conserving these forest heritages.

Prostate Cancer: Burden and Correlation with Prostate Specific Antigen Among Screened African Men in Tanzania.

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a widely used maker for prostate cancer (PCa) screening. However, its correlation with PCa varies, partly due to ethnic differences. This study investigated the correlation between PSA and PCa diagnosis as well as the burden of the disease in the Tanzanian community. This community-based PCa screening took place in Northern Tanzania from May 2022 to September 2022, where men aged ≥40 years were involved. Each participant provided 5 milliliters of venous blood for PSA determination. Those with PSA levels >4 ng/mL underwent prostate biopsy. Two pathologists independently evaluated the biopsies. The correlation between PSA and biopsy results was assessed using STATA version 17.0. The study included 6164 African men with a mean age of 60±11 years. Of these, 912 (14.8%) had PSA >4 ng/mL, and hence 581 (63.7%) underwent prostate biopsy. A total of 179 men (30.8%) were histologically diagnosed with prostatic adenocarcinoma, whereby 46 (25.7%) had Gleason scores 8-9. Among participants with PSA >20 ng/mL, over 2/3 (64.7%) had PCa, rising to nearly 100% at PSA >100 ng/mL. A positive correlation between PSA levels and PCa/aggressive disease was observed. PSA sensitivity decreased with rising levels, hitting 78.2% at >10ng/mL and 24.6% at >100ng/mL, while specificity increased, peaking at 99.8% for >100ng/mL from 73.9% at >10ng/mL. The optimal PSA cut point was >10ng/mL. PSA demonstrated an 84% overall ability to predict PCa and a 71% ability to predict aggressive disease. This study found a notable presence of intermediate-high grade PCa within the community, suggesting the need for regular screening and management. Moreover, PSA demonstrated clinically useful ability in predicting PCa among African men aged 40 years and older.

Digital health technologies and artificial intelligence in cardiovascular clinical trials: A landscape of the European space

The recent pandemic ushered in a marked surge in the adoption of digital health technologies (DHTs), necessitating remote approaches aiming to safeguard both patient and healthcare provider well-being. These technologies encompass an array of terms, including e-health, m-health, telemedicine, wearables, sensors, smartphone apps, digital therapeutics, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence (AI). Notably, some DHTs employed in critical healthcare decisions may transition into the realm of medical devices, subjecting them to more stringent regulatory scrutiny. Consequently, it is imperative to understand the validation processes of these technologies within clinical studies. Our study summarizes an extensive examination of clinical trials focusing on cardiovascular (CV) diseases and digital health (DH) interventions, with particular attention to those incorporating elements of AI. A dataset comprising 107 eligible trials, registered on clinicaltrials.gov and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases until 19 June 2023, forms the basis of our investigation. We focused on clinical trials employing DHTs in the European context, revealing a diverse landscape of interventions. Devices constitute the predominant category (45.8%), followed by behavioral interventions (17.8%). Within the CV domain, trials predominantly span pivotal or confirmatory phases, with a notable presence of smaller feasibility and exploratory studies. Notably, a majority of trials exhibit randomized, parallel assignment designs. When analyzing the multifaceted landscape of trial outcomes, we identified various categories such as physiological and functional measures, diagnostic accuracy, CV events and mortality, patient outcomes, quality of life, treatment adherence and effectiveness, quality of hospital processes, and usability/feasibility measures. Furthermore, we delve into a subset of 15 studies employing AI and machine learning, describing various study design features, intended purposes and the validation strategies employed. In summary, we aimed to elucidate the diverse applications, study design features, and objectives of the evolving CV-related DHT clinical trials field.

The Early PPNB of Amqa (Upper Galilee, Israel) from a Regional Perspective

Abstract. Salvage excavations at the site of Amqa (upper Galilee, Israel) revealed a rich PPN occupation layer confined to a natural bedrock depression covering ca. 25 m2. The finds present an intriguing combination of EPPNB traditions and PPNA elements, including a dominant component of imported bi-directional blade blanks and the prominent use of non-local pink/purple and beige flint types, as well as a significant microlithic component. Among the projectile points, Helwan points are the most common, with a notable presence of Khiam points and single examples of northern types, such as “Foliate”/“Nemrik” points and Hollow-based points. Reaping knives are abundant alongside finely denticulated sickle blades. Bifacial tools are thin and unpolished, some of them bearing tranchet removal scars. Long-distance contacts are indicated by a rich obsidian assemblage and by the presence of bifacial tools made of the green mineral nephrite. Although absolute dating could not be achieved due to the poor preservation of organic material, the site of Amqa presents a notable addition to the discussion of early Neolithic dynamics and settlement patterns in the southern Levant. This paper presents the site of Amqa and the analyses of the material culture reflected through the finds and discusses its contribution to the regional debate regarding the onset of “Neolithic lifeways” in our region.

Genetic Diversity and Population Dynamics of Clinostomum spp. Using Comprehensive Bioinformatics Approaches.

Clinostomum species, a parasitic pathogen of freshwater fish, is widely distributed and infects various host species. Recently, the pathological effect due to Clinostomum metacercarial infection was described in aquaculture in Thailand; however, the global genetic diversity and population structure of this species have not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a detailed description of genetic diversity and population dynamics of the digenean Clinostomum isolated from Trichopodus pectoralis with globally recorded Clinostomum species. The species was characterized molecularly by analyzing 18S rDNA and inter-transcribed spacer biomarker genes (ITS1 and ITS2). A BLAST search discovered that the 18S rDNA and ITS sequence had a 100% sequence similarity with Clinostomum piscidium isolated from India and Thailand. A comprehensive analysis revealed the presence of 12 distinct haplotypes among the Clinostomum populations. This study suggests that distinct patterns of genetic variation were identified by analyzing molecular variance, pairwise Fst, and employing structure analysis. It was observed that a gradient of genetic variation exists within continents, characterized by higher levels within different groups and lower levels of genetic differentiation. Additionally, a notable presence of mixed haplotypes was observed. The results of neutrality testing suggest that there has been a significant expansion in the populations of Clinostomum in India, America, and Kenya. The discoveries from this study will provide a valuable contribution to comprehending the genetics and evolution of Clinostomum species. Furthermore, key findings will be essential in developing efficient management approaches to prevent and control this parasite.

Oxymoron: An Automatic Detection from the Corpus

An oxymoron is a linguistic phenomenon in which a pair of opposite or antonymous words are combined to convey a new meaning. Sometimes, it is used to express figurative, irony, or rhetoric within the text. This issue has received relatively less attention in the realms of linguistics and computational disciplines. Oxymorons play a significant role in various language-processing applications. This study represents a pioneering effort in the exploration of oxymorons in the Bengali language. A corpus-based study of oxymoron is a fundamental issue that has not been explored so far. A system has been proposed for the automated recognition of oxymorons from a given corpus. Frequency analysis, semantic similarity, and an antonym dictionary have been employed to discern oxymorons within the corpus. The system achieved promising results when tested on a Bengali corpus, and found 308 distinct oxymorons. A corpus-based descriptive statistics is measured in two different corpora. The most common oxymorons are ranked based on their frequency. Their notable presence underscores the importance of the Bengali language. This study aimed to explore fundamental questions concerning oxymorons, such as the automated detection of oxymorons within a corpus, descriptive statistics regarding oxymorons across languages, and the process of their construction and creation. Additionally, efforts were made to extract oxymorons from large language models using zero-shot prompts, but the results were not as promising compared to our proposed system.

Natural infection of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂) with Nocardia seriolae and white sturgeon iridovirus: pathological and transcriptomic analyses.

In August 2023, hybrid sturgeons (Acipenser baerii♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂) cultured in Sichuan, China, showed infectious disease symptoms, including ulcers, liver and spleen nodules, and high mortality rates. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the liver of diseased sturgeons and analyzed for their phenotypic and molecular traits. Furthermore, iridovirus-specific TaqMan real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analyses were conducted. The histopathological characteristics were analyzed using paraffin sectioning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transcriptome sequencing was performed to elucidate the impact of pathogen exposure and immune response profiles in infected sturgeon. Pathogenic bacteria isolation and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene confirmed that the isolated bacteria clustered within the Nocardia seriolae group. The TaqMan RT-PCR assay was performed to detect the presence of white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV), indicating a weakly positive signal. Histopathological examination revealed severe damage to various tissues, and a notable presence of bacteria was observed through acid-fast staining. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the presence of abundant bacteria and virus particles, indicating cellular invasion and subsequent damage. In summary, the disease in hybrid sturgeons was diagnosed as infection of N. seriolae and WSIV. To investigate the immune response of hybrid sturgeons to this infection, spleen transcriptomes were analyzed. Numerous immune-related genes and pathways, including the "Toll-like receptor", "B-cell receptor", and "T-cell receptor" signaling pathways, were altered in response to pathogenic threats. Significantly downregulated of key components of TCR and BCR signaling pathways, such as ZAP70, BTK, and CD79A, suggested a temporary inhibition of these pathways critical for cellular immunity post-infection. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed significant suppression of the apoptosis signaling pathway and activation of autophagy and mitophagy signaling pathways following infection. Specifically, in the death receptor-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway, downregulation of TNFα, TRAIL, CASP6, and CASP8 was observed, while several genes in the autophagy and mitophagy pathways showed upregulated expression post-infection. We report the initial occurrence of N. seriolae infection in cultured sturgeons. These findings could provide a theoretical basis for diagnosing and preventing this disease, as well as enhance the understanding of host-pathogen interactions in fish.

A MULTIVARIATE LOGISTIC ANALYSIS ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE MARKET PARTICIPATION OF SMALLHOLDER INDIGENOUS GOAT FARMERS IN MAKUYA VILLAGE OF THE HAMAKUYA COMMUNITY, MUTALE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Livestock farming, particularly indigenous goat farming, is essential for rural economies, providing food and income. The demand for goat products is growing, encompassing meat, milk, fibres, and skins. Nevertheless, there's limited participation by farmers in formal markets, with most transactions happening privately. The study examined 45 smallholder indigenous goat farmers in Makuya Village, located in the Mutale Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic model to explore factors influencing market participation. The findings highlighted the diverse community, with a notable presence of male smallholder goat farmers. Several factors affecting market participation were identified, including the age of the farmer, the number of goats owned, distance to the market, and the source of agricultural information. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, supporting sustainable goat farming and enhanced market engagement in rural areas.

Immune Cell Profiling in the Ovarian Stroma of a Viviparous Fish during the Breeding Season: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Investigation

The molly fish is a member of viviparous teleosts that are characterized by the fusion of the right and left ovaries during their early embryonic development. This fusion results in a singular and saccular ovary, where the germinal epithelium lines the internal lumen. The present study aimed to identify the immune cells in the ovarian stroma of Molly fish during the breeding season using histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Histological examination of the ovaries displayed oocytes at all different stages of development and degeneration. The ovocoel, a lymph-filled space, remains in the center of the ovary and branches posteriorly, creating the lumen of the gonoduct. The ovarian wall is composed of three layers: the mesothelium, tunica albuginea, and germinal epithelium. The developing ova were held together by the stroma, which consisted of vascular collagenous connective tissue clustered with immune cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of clusters of macrophages expressing APG5, IL-1β, TGF-β, S100, NF-κB, CD68, Iba-1, and Ach. Monocytes demonstrated positive immunoreactivity for both APG5 and IL-1β, whereas dendritic cells expressed only APG5. Furthermore, rodlet cells exhibited immunoreactivity for S100 protein, IL-1β, NF-κB, CD68, Nrf2, Ach, myostatin, SOX9, and Iba-1. In contrast, stem cells displayed immunoreactivity for Nrf2, myostatin, and SOX9. In conclusion, the ovarian stroma of Molly fish demonstrated a notable presence of immune cells, indicating their active involvement in immune reactions.

A KEYWORD CO-OCCURRENCE ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON SPIRITUALITY FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE BETWEEN 2018 TO 2022: EMERGING RESEARCH TRENDS

The article provides a detailed overview of the extant literature on spirituality from Islamic perspectives as well as it reveals the trends and suggests future research directions for scholars who wish to contribute to this rapidly growing field. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data obtained from the Scopus database by searching articles, book chapters, and manuscripts containing the term “spirituality” AND “Islamic perspectives” OR “views” OR “concept” on their titles, abstracts, and/or keywords. Publish or Perish, and VOSviewer software were then used to obtain publication trends, citation index per year, highly cited articles, and keyword co-occurrence network. There is a fluctuating trend of publication on spirituality from an Islamic perspective such that a decrease occurred in 2021 compared to the years prior. Although 2018 has the highest total citations (n=351) and average citations per article (5.40), 2021 has the highest number of cited publications (n=116) which suggest a notable presence of influential works in the year 2021. Some of the themes with the highest keyword co-occurrence are well-being (27 items), clinical studies (26 items), Islamic thoughts and civilization (13 items), and medical ethics (5 items). There are abundant articles published within the year 2018 to 2022 regarding spirituality from an Islamic perspective and the bibliometric analysis found emerging trends specifically on themes of well-being, clinical studies, and Islamic thoughts and civilization which future researchers can focus on.

Torque Teno Virus (TTV)-A Potential Marker of Immunocompetence in Solid Organ Recipients.

Torque Teno Virus (TTV), first discovered in 1997, is a non-pathogenic, highly prevalent virus with a notable presence in the human virome. TTV has garnered attention as a potential indicator of immunocompetence in recipients of solid organ transplants. In this review, we discuss the role of TTV as a potential marker for immunosuppression optimization, prediction of graft rejection, and as an indicator of opportunistic infections. We discuss TTV's behavior over the course of time after transplantation, TTV's implications in different immunosuppressive regimens, and potential utility in vaccinations. The review synthetizes findings from various studies depicting its potential clinical utility for future personalized patient care.

Immune strategies of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) infected with Nocardia seriolae at different infection stages

Nocardia seriolae, a widespread opportunistic pathogen, has the ability to infect various economically farmed fishes, leading to prolonged disease courses and high mortality rates. In our current study, we focused on the silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) and examined the liver, spleen, and kidney tissues at three specific N. seriolae infection phases: control (0 day), L group (infection for 5 days), and H group (infection for 15 days). Utilizing HE staining, we observed typical granulomatous nodules displaying stratified concentric layers, including caseous necrotic cells, epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, fibroblasts and fibrocyte envelopes. The TUNEL assay revealed a significant presence of apoptotic cells concentrated within the renal nodules. Following the infection, there was a noticeable increase in AKP, ACP, and LZM levels in all tissues, while LPS exhibited a consistent decline. Through combined analysis of WGCNA and KEGG pathways derived from the tissue transcriptome, we identified several highly enriched pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and p53 signaling pathway, in all three tissues. Key DEGs from these pathways underwent further investigation through RT-qPCR. In comparison to the control group, the L group exhibited up-regulation of genes associated with biosynthesis catabolism, whereas genes related to immune response, apoptosis, and ion transport displayed down-regulation. Interestingly, the H group showcased a stark reversal of this trend. To validate these DEGs expressions in vitro, we established a Pampus argenteus spleen cell line (PaS). By evaluating the invasion metrics of NS into PaS, we determined an optimal invasion threshold of 105 CFU/ml. The TUNEL assay demonstrated a notable presence of apoptotic signals in the 5 h and 7 h treatment groups. JC-1 assays indicated a gradual decline in membrane potential starting from the 3-h mark. As the duration of treatment increased, RT-qPCR and IHC findings highlighted an initial up-regulation followed by a subsequent down-regulation of genes associated with biosynthesis catabolism. In contrast, genes related to innate immunity displayed up-regulation, whereas genes related to adaptive immunity and ion transport exhibited an initial surge followed by a gradual decrease. Additionally, genes inhibiting apoptosis showed down-regulation. In conclusion, these findings provide valuable insights into the apoptosis mediated by N. seriolae in piscine hosts. These effects are potentially attributed to the increased expression of ion transport-related genes. Moreover, our study sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying piscine immunological responses throughout the entire infection timeline, offering promising opportunities for disease control.

Protists in hypoxic waters of Jinhae Bay and Masan Bay, Korea, based on metabarcoding analyses: emphasizing surviving dinoflagellates

Hypoxia can indeed impact the survival of protists, which play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. To better understand the protistan community structure and species that can thrive in hypoxic waters, we collected samples from both the surface and bottom waters during the hypoxic period in Jinhae and Masan Bays and the non-hypoxic period in Jinhae Bay. Subsequently, we utilized metabarcoding techniques to identify the protistan species. During hypoxia, with dissolved oxygen concentrations of 0.8 mg L<sup>-1</sup> in Jinhae Bay and 1.8 mg L<sup>-1</sup> in Masan Bay within the bottom waters, the phylum Dinoflagellata exhibited the highest amplicon sequence variants richness among the identified protist phyla. Following the Dinoflagellata, Ochrophyta and Ciliophora also displayed notable presence. In hypoxic waters of Jinhae and Masan Bays, we identified a total of 36 dinoflagellate species that exhibited various trophic modes. These included one autotrophic species, 14 mixotrophic species, 9 phototrophic species with undetermined trophic modes (either autotrophic or mixotrophic), 2 kleptoplastidic species, and 10 heterotrophic species. Furthermore, the hypoxic bottom water exhibited a greater number of heterotrophic dinoflagellate species compared to the non-hypoxic surface water within the same water column or the non-hypoxic bottom water. Therefore, feeding by mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates may be partially responsible for their dominance in terms of the number of species surviving in hypoxic waters. This study not only introduces the initial documentation of 26 dinoflagellate species surviving in hypoxic conditions but also establishes a foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of the ecophysiology of dinoflagellates in hypoxic marine environments.

Systematic exploration of defect-rich 2D nanopetal assembled 3D ZnO nanoflowers for improved photocurrent generation and photocatalytic performance

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) stands as a highly significant metal oxide semiconductor with a large band gap of (3.2 eV), showcasing multifaceted properties. Significant findings of this study, designate the successful fabrication of 3D nanoflowers (NFs) with a specialized ZnO nanoarchitecture through a facile polyol process, considered by a notable presence of defect sites, as a photocatalyst for the deterioration of Rhodamine B (RhB). All ZnO NFs display increased absorption and a distinctive shift towards longer wavelengths, indicating a red shift phenomenon. Raman scattering, photoluminescence (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron spin resonance (EPR) unveiled that, the ZnO/24 hr, exhibited a notable abundance of defect states. The Brauner–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis shows surface area of 55.14 m2g−1 for ZnO/24 hr resulted in a subsequent augmentation of the concentration of surface defects potentially enhancing the RhB photodegradation efficiency of 98%, surpassing the performance of other ZnO NFs samples, with a kinetic rate of 0.0638 min–1 under sunlight irradiation and better photocurrent response that improves the photogenerated separation of charge carriers. Hence, the findings from this investigation will offer novel perspectives for enhancing the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical attributes of ZnO NFs grown over different durations.

Comprehending the research on the gig economy: a bibliometric approach

Purpose This paper aims to quantitatively explore the trends and patterns of the existing literature in the gig economy. Design/methodology/approach Using a total of 1,707 documents retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, bibliometric analysis using R-Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software was performed to map the studies in the gig economy. Findings The paper provides information on the most productive authors, countries and journals, as well as the emerging themes in gig research. It highlights the most prolific authors, with a notable presence from the USA and the UK, which are also the countries with the most publications and citations. China has also emerged prominently, both in terms of the number of publications and its involvement in thematic clusters and trending topics. Through co-word analysis and thematic clustering, the study provides information about emerging themes in gig economy studies, such as labor, technology, management and precarity. The results provide insightful information for comprehending the effects of gig labor in the contemporary workforce. Research limitations/implications This study provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarly literature related to the gig economy, exploring the key insights by highlighting the evolving trends in gig research. Originality/value By mapping thematic clusters, tracking research evolution and identifying trending topics, it provides a unique perspective on the field's development and emerging areas of focus. It serves as a valuable means for addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the gig economy.

The influence of Monte Carlo radiation transport codes and hadron physics models on stray neutron dose estimations in proton therapy: An extended intercomparison

PurposeSelecting a Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport code and nuclear physics model affects the simulation of secondary neutron fluence energy spectra and the estimation of the neutron dose equivalent in proton therapy. This study compares the MC codes FLUKA, MCNPX and GEANT4 from previous work with two additional MC codes, TOPAS (with either the Binary Intra-nuclear Cascade (BIC) or the Bertini intra-nuclear cascade model (Bert)) and PHITS (with either the Intra-Nuclear Cascade of Liege (INCL) or the Bert model), to facilitate a more comprehensive comparison. Material and methodsSecondary neutron fluence energy spectra were scored at different locations inside a water phantom, exposed to a 10 × 10 cm2 parallel mono-energetic proton beam with energies of 110 MeV, 150 MeV, 180 MeV and 210 MeV. The neutron dose equivalent was estimated by applying fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficients. ResultsDiscrepancies between MC codes and physics models reach 90 % for the total neutron fluence. Differences are most pronounced in the forward direction of the beam due to a notable presence of high-energy neutrons and the higher uncertainty on the neutron cross-section data for these neutrons. Nuclear model selection within PHITS (INCL or Bert) and TOPAS (BIC or Bert) shows a worse agreement for the Bert model than for the other MC codes and nuclear models. The discrepancies in the neutron spectrum simulations propagate into differences in the estimated neutron dose equivalents. They are more prominent for distal positions (up to a factor of 3) than for lateral positions (up to a factor of 2) and decrease at higher proton energies. ConclusionsThis study shows considerable differences in the out-of-field neutron fluence energy spectra calculated by different MC codes and nuclear physics models. Differences in the neutron dose equivalent reach a factor of 3. The discrepancies are most apparent in distal positions and at lower proton energies.

Ubtf- Tandem Duplications Are Recurrent Somatic Genetic Events in Adult AML and Associate with Additional Structural Variants and a Distinct Gene Expression Profile (Alliance)

Background The gene upstream binding transcription factor ( UBTF ) encodesa nucleolar protein that is a key regulator of the epigenetic status of ribosomal DNA and RNA transcription. Tandem duplications (TDs) of the UBTF gene have been initially identified in pediatric patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and were recently also reported as relatively rare, but recurrent genetic events in adult AML based on targeted re-sequencing efforts (1.2%-3%). Their presence was associated with dysplastic bone marrow features, and co-occurrence of select genetic features, including FLT3-internal tandem duplications (ITDs) and WT1 mutations, and inferior outcome. However, associated biologic features and affected pathways have not yet been thoroughly investigated, and may provide further insights into leukemogenesis and identify potentially targetable vulnerabilities. Thus, we set out to assess the frequency of UBTF-TDs in a large cohort of adult AML pts (n=807) treated on frontline protocols of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology with complete RNA sequencing data, comprehensive targeted mutation profiling, centrally reviewed cytogenetic data and clinical information available, and to gain further insights into UBTF-TDs via comprehensive integrated genomic profiling. Methods UBTF-TD detection was performed via the RNAseq-based RNAmut and EnFusion algorithm. To gain insights into associated molecular features, all UBTF-TD + pts underwent paired tumor-normal whole-exome sequencing. To understand associated pathways and downstream effects, differential gene expression (DGE) and gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were performed. Results UBTF-TDs were detected in 6/807 pts (0.7%). In line with previous studies, these 6 UBTF-TD + pts were young, with a median age of 35y (range: 19-59y). Three pts had extramedullary disease, 2 with skin and 1 with gingival involvement. All but 1 of the 6 pts were cytogenetically normal. Clinically, pts did poorly after treatment with intensive chemotherapy induction, with a CR rate of only 33%. No pt was alive 2.5 y after diagnosis. In paired tumor/normal exome sequencing, UBTF-TD + pts had a median mutation burden of 21 non-synonymous variants in coding genes (range: 17-27), with a notable presence of larger insertions/deletions (indels), loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or TDs as co-occurring somatic genetic lesions (median: 4, range: 2-5). There was a 100% co-occurrence of UBTF-TDs with FLT3-ITDs. In addition, pts harbored larger indels in WT1 (n=2), BPTF, CEBPA, Corf53, KRTAP5-7, NFE2, PTPRN2, RNF144B, SOWAHC and ZCCHC14. Also, analysis of copy-number variations and LOH revealed LOH in 5 pts, in chromosomes 13 (n=3), 15 (n=1) and 18 (n=1), suggestive of a propensity to the acquisition of structural variants. In unsupervised clustering analysis of the RNAseq data, UBTF-TD + pts clustered with FLT3-ITD + pts but formed a relatively distinct subcluster in principal component and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analyses. In supervised clustering comparing 6 UBTF-TD +/ FLT3-ITD + and 196 UBTF-TD -/ FLT3-ITD + pts, 2 UBTF-TD - pts clustered together with the UBTF-TD +/ FLT3-ITD + group, suggesting either presence of an undetected TD or genetic phenocopy. UBTF expression was higher in UBTF-TD pts. DGE analysis of UBTF-TD +/ FLT3-ITD + and UBTF-TD -/ FLT3-ITD + pts (Fig 1) showed distinct upregulation of the locus of the stem cell and chemoresistance marker ALDH1A3, including the associated long non-coding RNAs AC015712.7/AC015712.2 in UBTF-TD + pts, which was confirmed by a comparison of those pts to AML pts who had neither TD (n=605). GSEA indicated a downregulation of inflammation pathways and several metabolic pathways of UBTF-TD +/ FLT3-ITD + compared to FLT3-ITD + pts (Fig 2). Conclusions UBTF-TDs are rare, but recurrent genetic events in adult AML, associated with high chemotherapy resistance. Our results highlight a susceptibility of those pts to the acquisition of structural variants and suggest a distinct associated biology, with upregulation of ALDH1A3 as possible contributing resistance mechanism. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171; Clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00048958 (CALGB 8461), NCT00899223 (CALGB 9665), NCT00900224 (CALGB 20202); https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org

Genotyping methods and their contributions to the study of tuberculosis dynamic in Latin America.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping has impacted evolutionary studies worldwide. Nonetheless, its application and the knowledge generated depend on the genetic marker evaluated and the detection technologies that have evolved over the years. Here we describe the timeline of main genotypic methods related to M. tuberculosis in Latin America and the main findings obtained. Systematic searches through the PubMed database were performed from 1993 to May 2021. A total of 345 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. Spacer oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) was the most widely used method in Latin America, with decreasing use in parallel with increasing use of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Among the countries, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina had the most publications, and a considerable part of the articles were in collaboration with Latin American or non-Latin American institutions; a small proportion of studies needed partnerships to perform the genotypic methods. The genotypic methods allowed the identification of M. tuberculosis genotypes with greater capacity for clonal expansion and revealed the predominance of the Euro-American lineage in Latin America. There was a notable presence of the Beijing family in Peru and Colombia. The data obtained demonstrated the importance of expanding collaborative networks of tuberculosis (TB) research groups to countries with low productivity in this area, the commitment of the few Latin American countries to advance TB research, as well as the inestimable value of building a Latin America database, considering ease of population mobility between countries.

Faith, bordering and modern slavery: A UK case study

In this paper we consider the imbrication of UK immigration and border controls into support environments of the anti-modern slavery sphere. We draw on the findings of a 3.5 years ESRC-funded study to explore how the increasingly strident government anti-migrant agenda - broadly seen in the ‘hostile environment’, a culture of disbelief and an overarching preeminence of border controls over human rights protections - is percolating into care providers in the modern slavery sector. Bordering in this sector has not had the same level of scrutiny as within the asylum sector, yet is a particularly interesting site to explore due to the confluence of caring and control impulses. The fresh insight we bring to this context is a focus on the notable presence of faith-based organisations in this sphere. We consider the implications of the relationships between faith, support and bordering - both for those subjected to immigration controls, and those working inextricably within them to support individuals exiting exploitation.

Understanding interfacial conductance in non-stoichimetric Ca x Ta y O3−δ /SrTiO3

In search of novel conducting oxide heterointerfaces, we previously uncovered an distinctive quasi two-dimensional electron gas (q-2DEG) type behaviour in non-stoichimetric CaxTayO3-δ/SrTiO3 heterostructure. However, the underlying mechanism remained enigmatic. In this study, we delve into the intricate interplay of growth conditions, stoichiometry, and transport properties of these heterostructures. Using (Ca0.5TaO3)2 Target and the pulsed laser deposition technique, we grow the epitaxial thin films while systematically varying growth parameters, inculding laser energy density, oxygen pressures, and post-deposition annealing. Structural analysis unveiled a notable presence of oxygen vacancies in the as-grown films, while annealed samples exhibited an oxygen surplus. Building upon these findings, our comprehensive charge transport measurements revealed that while oxygen vacancies do contribute to conductivity, the polar catastrophe model takes precedence as the primary source of interfacial conductance in these heterostructures. This study provides valueable insights into the behavior of these innovative heterostructures, paving the way for future advancements in the field.