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We examine the dynamical properties of a single-layer convolutional recurrent network with a smooth sigmoidal activation function, for small values of the inputs and when the convolution kernel is unitary, so all eigenvalues lie exactly at the unit circle. Such networks have a variety of hallmark properties: the outputs depend on the inputs via compressive nonlinearities such as cubic roots and both the timescales of relaxation and the length scales of signal propagation depend sensitively on the inputs as power laws, both diverging as the input →0. The basic dynamical mechanism is that inputs to the network generate ongoing activity, which in turn controls how additional inputs or signals propagate spatially or attenuate in time. We present analytical solutions for the steady states when the network is forced with a single oscillation and when a background value creates a steady state of “ongoing activity” and derive the relationships shaping the value of the temporal decay and spatial propagation length as a function of this background value.

Abstract Aggregation‐induced emission has eliminated the problem of fluorescence quenching in the solid state, making molecules with this property excellent candidates for vapor sensing due to their portability and ease of interpretation. Here, films of polystyrene / 2‐[4‐vinyl(1,10‐biphenyl)‐40‐yl]‐cyanovinyljulolidine copolymers are reported that exhibit aggregation‐induced emission behavior for the detection of toluene, m‐xylene, dichloromethane, and chloroform. After exposure to the analytes, the emission of the copolymers shows significant changes in intensity and spectral shape corresponding to the reduced microviscosity of the molecular environment. However, these changes are similar for different analytes, resulting in low chemical selectivity. Therefore, label‐free selectivity is achieved by controlling the molecular diffusion of the four vapor analytes within the films using the Flory–Huggins solution theory with capping layers of cellulose acetate (CA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymers.

Despite advancements in health systems and intensive care unit (ICU) care, along with the introduction of novel antibiotics and microbiologic techniques, mortality rates in severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) patients have not shown significant improvement. Delayed admission to the ICU is a major risk factor for higher mortality. Apart from choosing the appropriate site of care, prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy significantly affects the prognosis of sCAP. Treatment regimens involving ceftaroline or ceftobiprole are currently considered the best options for managing patients with sCAP. Additionally, several other molecules, such as delafloxacin, lefamulin, and omadacycline, hold promise as therapeutic strategies for sCAP. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the key challenges in managing adults with severe CAP, focusing on essential aspects related to antibiotic treatment and investigating potential strategies to enhance clinical outcomes in sCAP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida auris outbreaks are increasingly frequent worldwide. In our 1000-bed hospital, an endemic transmission of C. auris was established in two of five intensive care units (ICUs). Aims of our study were to describe the occurrence of new cases of C. auris colonization and infection outside the endemic ICUs, in order to add evidence for future policies on screening in patients discharged as negative from an endemic setting, as well as to propose a new algorithm for screening of such high-risk patients. From 26 March 2021 to 26 January 2023, among 392 patients who were diagnosed as colonized or infected with C. auris in our hospital, 84 (21.4%) received the first diagnosis of colonization or infection outside the endemic ICUs. A total of 68 patients out of 84 (81.0%) had a history of prior admission to the endemic ICUs. All were screened and tested negative during their ICU stay with a median time from last screening to discharge of 3 days. In 57/68 (83.8%) of patients, C. auris was detected through screening performed after ICU discharge, and 90% had C. auris colonization detected within 9 days from ICU discharge. In 13 cases (13/57 screened, 22.8%), the first post-ICU discharge screening was negative. In those not screened, candidemia was the most frequent event of the first C. auris detection (6/11 patients not screened). In settings where the transmission of C. auris is limited to certain wards, we suggest screening both at discharge from the endemic ward(s) even in case of a recent negative result, and at least twice after admission to nonendemic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Hypothesis: Persistent distressing psychotic-like experiences (PLE) are associated with impaired functioning and future psychopathology. Prior research suggests that physical activities may be protective against psychopathology. However, it is unclear whether physical activities may interact with genetics in the development of psychosis., Study Design: This study included 4679 participants of European ancestry from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Persistent distressing PLE was derived from the Prodromal-Questionnaire-Brief Child Version using four years of data. Generalized linear mixed models tested the association between polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ), physical activities, and PLE. The models adjusted for age, sex, parental education, income-to-needs ratio, family history of psychosis, body mass index, puberty status, principal components for PRS-SCZ, study site, and family., Study Results: PRS-SCZ was associated with a greater risk for persistent distressing PLE (adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.14, 95% CI [1.04, 1.24], P = .003). Physical activity was associated with less risk for persistent distressing PLE (adjusted RRR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.79, 0.96], P = .008). Moreover, physical activities moderated the association between PRS-SCZ and persistent distressing PLE (adjusted RRR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.81, 0.98], P = .015), such that the association was weaker as participants had greater participation in physical activities., Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the interaction between genetic liability and physical activities is associated with trajectories of distressing PLE. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of physical activities and genetic liability for schizophrenia in the development of psychosis., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated use of rituximab (RTX) in pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS)., Methods: Retrospective review of 50 patients with steroid-dependent NS (SDNS) who had received more than three cycles of RTX was conducted; each consisted of one to four infusions until B lymphocytes were depleted., Results: The median age of starting the first RTX cycle was 12.4 years (interquartile ranges (IQR) 10.2-14.6). During a median follow-up period of 6.3 (IQR 3.6-8.6) years, patients received a median of 5.0 RTX cycles (IQR 4.0-7.3). The number of relapses decreased from a median of 2.0 relapses per year (IQR 1.0-3.0) to 0.2 relapses per year (IQR 0.0-0.5) after long-term RTX treatments (P < 0.001). Longer relapse-free periods were associated with more than four RTX cycles, longer B-cell depletion, older age at each RTX treatment, and lower cholesterol levels. B lymphocytes recovered to 1% at a median of 5.9 months (95% confidence interval 5.7-6.1) after RTX administration. Factors related to a longer period of B-cell depletion included more than five RTX cycles, a higher dose of RTX, older age at treatment, and concurrent use of antimetabolites. During repeated RTX treatments, 8.0%, 6.0%, and 2.0% of patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia, severe infection, and severe neutropenia, respectively., Conclusions: Long-term repeated use of RTX may be effective and safe in pediatric NS patients. Furthermore, the redosing of RTX could be chosen by considering predictive factors for relapse-free and B-cell depletion periods., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.)

Advances in theoretical understanding are frequently unlocked by access to large, diverse experimental datasets. Our understanding of olfactory neuroscience and psychophysics remain years behind the other senses, in part because rich datasets linking olfactory stimuli with their corresponding percepts, behaviors, and neural pathways remain scarce. Here we present a concerted effort to unlock and unify dozens of stimulus-linked olfactory datasets across species and modalities under a unified framework called Pyrfume. We present examples of how researchers might use Pyrfume to conduct novel analyses uncovering new principles, introduce trainees to the field, or construct benchmarks for machine olfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explores the risk factors for low-level viremia (LLV) occurrence after ART and develops a risk prediction model. Method: Clinical data and laboratory indicators of people living with HIV (PLWH) at Hangzhou Xixi Hospital from 5 April 2011 to 29 December 2022 were collected. LASSO Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to identify laboratory indicators and establish a nomogram for predicting LLV occurrence. The nomogram's discrimination and calibration were assessed via ROC curve and calibration plots. The concordance index (C-index) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate its effectiveness. Result: Predictive factors, namely, age, ART delay time, white blood cell (WBC) count, baseline CD4+ T-cell count (baseline CD4), baseline viral load (baseline VL), and total bilirubin (TBIL), were incorporated into the nomogram to develop a risk prediction model. The optimal model (which includes 6 variables) had an AUC for LLV after 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year of listing of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.61–0.69), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65–0.70), and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.66–0.71), respectively. The calibration curve showed high consistency between predicted and actual observations. The C-index and DCA indicated superior prediction performance of the nomogram. There was a significant difference in CD4 levels between LLV and non-LLV groups during the follow-up time. The dynamic SCR, ALT, TG and BG levels and occurrence of complications differed significantly between the high- and low-risk groups. Conclusion: A simple-to-use nomogram containing 6 routinely detected variables was developed for predicting LLV occurrence in PLWH after ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Candida auris is an emerging pathogen that represents a worldwide health problem due to its global expansion, multidrug resistance, and difficult laboratory identification. Among the risk factors for colonization/infection by C. auris , a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) stands out. This prospective multicenter study aimed to monitor the trend of the local epidemiology of Candida spp. and unveil the prevalence of C. auris. Methods: From 2020 to 2022, axillar/inguinal swabs were collected from adult patients at three points: upon admission (D1) and on the fifth (D5) and eighth (D8) days of their ICU stay. We employed culture-based screening methods combined with molecular techniques to identify Candida spp. down to the species level. Specific screening for Candida auris was conducted using a real-time PCR assay in combination with an improved selective culture medium, mannitol salt agar auris (MSAA). To validate the effectiveness of MSAA, a collection of reference C. auris strains representing the four major geographical clades was used. Results: We enrolled 675 patients, and 355 Candida isolates were retrieved from the 988 swab samples collected. From those, 185/355 (52.1%) were identified as C. albicans and 170/355 (47.9%) as non- albicans Candida (NAC). MSAA medium showed a specificity of 94.8%, albeit C. auris was not detected in this cohort. The dynamics of Candida spp. colonization by ICU were significant at the three collection points. Upon admission, C. albicans was associated with the Beatriz Ângelo Hospital ICU (p =0.003) and C. tropicalis with the general Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca (FFH) ICU (p =0.006). C. parapsilosis and C. lusitaniae were associated with FFH ICUs, with the general ICU at D5 (p =0.047) and surgical ICU at D8 (p =0.012). The dynamics of NAC colonization by ICU were significantly different at D1 (p =0.011), D5 (p =0.047), and D8 (p =0.012). Conclusion: We developed and implemented a screening protocol for C. auris while uncovering the colonization patterns of Candida in the ICU. Our findings contribute to the optimization of overall patient management, ensuring that ICU protocols are resilient and adaptive to emerging fungal threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition with significant mortality and morbidity. An estimated 48.9 million cases and 11 million deaths occur due to sepsis worldwide. The gold standard for the diagnosis of suspected sepsis patients is blood culture. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to evaluate the growth of rare microorganisms in blood cultures of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and also to assess the associated risk factors in those patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted for 1 year (August 2023-July 2024) in our department including blood culture samples from ICU patients and relatively rare microorganisms isolated were included in the study accounting for 40 cases. Blood specimens were cultured in automated BD BACTECTM Fx40 blood culture system and identification of microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern were detected by Vitek2 system. Results: Female patients were more in number than male patients and patients of 0--20 years' age group were most commonly affected. Staphylococcus hominis was most commonly isolated out of all rarely isolated microorganisms. The different parameters for the assessment of sepsis severity in our study were C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil count, D-dimer, Procalcitonin, and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score. Out of all, CRP was most commonly raised among sepsis patients. The most common risk factor involved was prolonged ICU stay. Conclusion: Appropriate collection and processing of blood culture samples can reduce sepsis-related morbidity and mortality manifold. Combination of biomarkers study and qSOFA scoring system can improve diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article employs bibliometric methods and visual maps to delineate the research background, collaborative relationships, hotspots, and trends in the study of gut fungi in human diseases and health. Methods: Publications related to human gut fungi were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, R software and Microsoft Excel were employed to generate visual representations illustrating the contributions made by countries/regions, authors, organizations, and journals. Employing VOSviewer and CiteSpace, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the retrieved publications, revealing underlying tendencies, research hotspots, and intricate knowledge networks. Results: This study analyzed a total of 3,954 publications. The United States ranks first in the number of published papers and has the highest number of citations and h-index. Mostafa S Elshahed is the most prolific author. The University of California System is the institution that published the most papers. Frontiers In Microbiology is the journal with the largest number of publications. Three frequently co-cited references have experienced a citation burst lasting until 2024. Conclusion: Advancements in sequencing technologies have intensified research into human gut fungi and their health implications, shifting the research focus from gut fungal infections towards microbiome science. Inflammatory bowel diseases and Candida albicans have emerged as pivotal areas of interest in this endeavor. Through this study, we have gained a deeper insight into global trends and frontier hotspots within this field, thereby enhancing our understanding of the intricate relationship between gut fungi and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capabilities of the human ear are remarkable. We can normally detect acoustic stimuli down to a threshold sound-pressure level of 0 dB (decibels) at the entrance to the external ear, which elicits eardrum vibrations in the picometer range. From this threshold up to the onset of pain, 120 dB, our ears can encompass sounds that differ in power by a trillionfold. The comprehension of speech and enjoyment of music result from our ability to distinguish between tones that differ in frequency by only 0.2%. All these capabilities vanish upon damage to the ear’s receptors, the mechanoreceptive sensory hair cells. Each cochlea, the auditory organ of the inner ear, contains some 16,000 such cells that are frequency-tuned between ∼20 Hz (cycles per second) and 20,000 Hz. Remarkably enough, hair cells do not simply capture sound energy: they can also exhibit an active process whereby sound signals are amplified, tuned, and scaled. This article describes the active process in detail and offers evidence that its striking features emerge from the operation of hair cells on the brink of an oscillatory instability—one example of the critical phenomena that are widespread in physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The critical brain hypothesis states that the brain can benefit from operating close to a second-order phase transition. While it has been shown that several computational aspects of sensory processing (e.g., sensitivity to input) can be optimal in this regime, it is still unclear whether these computational benefits of criticality can be leveraged by neural systems performing behaviorally relevant computations. To address this question, we investigate signatures of criticality in networks optimized to perform efficient coding. We consider a spike-coding network of leaky integrateand-fire neurons with synaptic transmission delays. Previously, it was shown that the performance of such networks varies nonmonotonically with the noise amplitude. Interestingly, we find that in the vicinity of the optimal noise level for efficient coding, the network dynamics exhibit some signatures of criticality, namely, scale-free dynamics of the spiking and the presence of crackling noise relation. Our work suggests that two influential, and previously disparate theories of neural processing optimization (efficient coding and criticality) may be intimately related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigates the autoimmune effects of gold aurothiomalate (AuTM) exposure in genetically different mouse strains to understand how gold triggers autoimmune diseases. We focused on two strains, A.TL and A.SW, which share genetic similarities except for H-2-related genes. Here, we show that A.TL mice, when exposed to AuTM, developed specific immune responses, including increased levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) compared to A.SW mice. A.TL mice showed a particularly strong response, especially in females, resembling symptoms of human autoimmune diseases like lupus. These findings suggest that A.TL mice could be a valuable model for studying environment-induced autoimmunity, helping to explore the genetic mechanisms behind these conditions and potentially leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases in humans. To demonstrate causation or/and assess pathogenic mechanisms of environment-induced autoimmunity, various animal models that mimic the characteristics of the human autoimmune diseases need to be developed. Experimental studies in mice reveal the genetic factors that contribute to autoimmune diseases. Here, the immune response of two mouse strains congenic for non-H-2 genes, A.TL (H-2tl) and A.SW (H-2s), was evaluated after 15 weeks' exposure to gold aurothiomalate (AuTM). AuTM-treated A.TL mice showed anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) with homogenous and/or fine speckled staining patterns and serum autoantibodies to ds-DNA, chromatin, histones, and ribonucleoproteins (RNP). Female A.TL mice showed a stronger immune response than males, as well as an increase of B cells in their spleen after 15 weeks of gold exposure. A.SW exposed for AuTM showed the induction of anti-nucleolar antibodies (ANoA) with a clumpy staining pattern, as well as an increase in splenic B and T cells. The serum autoantibodies levels in A.SW mice were limited compared to those of A.TL mice. Overall, A.TL presents a stronger immune response after gold exposure than A.SW. The immune response developed in A.TL presents similarities with the clinical manifestations in human autoimmune diseases. Thus, gold-exposed A.TL could constitute a potential experimental mouse model for the study of autoimmunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited antifungal treatment options and drug resistance require innovative approaches to effectively combat fungal infections. Combination therapy is a promising strategy that addresses these pressing issues by concurrently targeting multiple cellular sites. The drug targets usually selected for combination therapy are from different cellular pathways with the goals of increasing treatment options and reducing development of resistance. However, some circumstances can prevent the implementation of combination therapy in clinical practice. These could include the increased risk of adverse effects, drug interactions, and even the promotion of drug resistance. Furthermore, robust clinical evidence supporting the superiority of combination therapy over monotherapy is limited and underscores the need for further research. Despite these challenges, synergies detected with different antifungal classes, such as the azoles and echinocandins, suggest that treatment strategies can be optimized by better understanding the underlying mechanisms. This review provides an overview of multi-targeting combination strategies with a primary focus on Candidozyma auris infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungemia remains a major threat in intensive care units (ICUs), with high mortality rates despite advances in diagnostics and treatment. Colonisation by yeasts is an independent risk factor for fungemia; however, its predictive utility requires further research. In this 8-year study, we analysed 38,017 samples from 3206 patients and 171 fungemia episodes as part of a weekly fungal surveillance programme. We evaluated species-specific colonisation patterns, the predictive value of the Colonisation Index (CI) and Corrected Colonisation Index (CCI), and candidemia risks associated with different yeast species and anatomical site colonisation. Our results showed that C. auris, N. glabratus, and C. parapsilosis colonisation increased with longer hospital stays (0.8% to 11.55%, 8.13% to 16.8%, and 1.93% to 5.14%, respectively). The CI and CCI had low discriminatory power (AUROC 67% and 66%). Colonisation by any yeast genera demonstrated high sensitivity (98.32%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (95.90%) but low specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) (23.90% and 6.64%). Tracheal and urine cultures had the highest PPV (15.64% and 12.91%), while inguinal cultures had the highest NPV (98.60%). C. auris (12.32%) and C. parapsilosis (5.5%) were associated with a higher fungemia risk (log-rank < 0.001). These findings support the use of weekly surveillance to better stratify the fungemia risk and optimise antifungal use in ICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergent extension of epithelial tissue is a key motif of animal morphogenesis. On a coarse scale, cell motion resembles laminar fluid flow; yet in contrast to a fluid, epithelial cells adhere to each other and maintain the tissue layer under actively generated internal tension. To resolve this apparent paradox, we formulate a model in which tissue flow in the tension-dominated regime occurs through adiabatic remodeling of force balance in the network of adherens junctions. We propose that the slow dynamics within the manifold of force-balanced configurations is driven by positive feedback on myosin-generated cytoskeletal tension. Shifting force balance within a tension network causes active cell rearrangements (T1 transitions) resulting in net tissue deformation oriented by initial tension anisotropy. Strikingly, we find that the total extent of tissue deformation depends on the initial cellular packing order. T1s degrade this order so that tissue flow is self-limiting. We explain these findings by showing that coordination of T1s depends on coherence in local tension configurations, quantified by a geometric order parameter in tension space. Our model reproduces the salient tissue- and cellscale features of germ band elongation during Drosophila gastrulation, in particular the slowdown of tissue flow after approximately twofold elongation concomitant with a loss of order in tension configurations. This suggests local cell geometry contains morphogenetic information and yields experimentally testable predictions. Defining biologically controlled active tension dynamics on the manifold of force-balanced states may provide a general approach to the description of morphogenetic flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obviously, the discussion of different factors that could have contributed to the origin of life and evolution is clear speculation, since there is no way of checking the validity of most of the related hypotheses in practice, as the corresponding events not only already happened, but took place in a very distant past. However, there are a few undisputable facts that are present at the moment, such as the existence of a wide variety of living forms and the abundant presence of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in all living forms. Since it seems that the currently existing living forms originated from a common ancestor, their variety is a result of evolution. Therefore, one could ask a logical question of what role(s) the structureless and highly dynamic but vastly abundant and multifunctional IDPs/IDRs might have in evolution. This study represents an attempt to consider various ideas pertaining to the potential roles of protein intrinsic disorder in the origin of life and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted and efficient gene delivery systems hold tremendous potential for the improvement of cancer therapy by enabling appropriate modification of biological processes. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel cationic di-block copolypeptide, incorporating homoarginine (HAG) and shikimoyl (LSA) functionalities (HDA-b-PHAGm-b-PLSAn), tailored for enhanced gene transfection specifically in cancer cells. The di-block copolypeptide was synthesized via sequential N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) ring-opening polymerization (ROP) techniques and its physicochemical properties were characterized, including molecular weight, dispersity, secondary conformation, size, morphology, and surface charge. In contrast to the cationic poly- L -homoarginine, we observed a significantly reduced cytotoxic effect of this di-block copolypeptide due to the inclusion of the shikimoyl glyco-polypeptide block, which also added selectivity in internalizing particular cells. This di-block copolypeptide was internalized via mannose-receptor-mediated endocytosis, which was investigated by competitive receptor blocking with mannan. We evaluated the transfection efficiency of the copolypeptide in HEK 293T (noncancerous cells), MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer cells), and RAW 264.7 (dendritic cells) and compared it with commonly employed transfection agents (Lipofectamine). Our findings demonstrate that the homoarginine and shikimoyl-functionalized cationic di-block copolypeptide exhibits potent gene transfection capabilities with minimal cytotoxic effects, particularly in cancer cells, while it is ineffective for normal cells, indicative of its potential as a promising platform for cancer cell-specific gene delivery systems. To evaluate this, we delivered an artificially designed miRNA-plasmid against Hsp90 (amiR-Hsp90) which upon successful transfection depleted the Hsp90 (a chaperone protein responsible for tumour growth) level specifically in cancerous cells and enforced apoptosis. This innovative approach offers a new avenue for the development of targeted therapeutics with an improved efficacy and safety profile in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have emerged as valuable tools for wildlife monitoring, offering potentially non-intrusive observations in challenging terrains like marine ecosystems. Despite their potential, widespread use is impeded by regulatory constraints, especially in protected areas. Methods: This study aims to assess the impact of varying flight altitudes and flight approaches of two commercial drones on the behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and compare to existing findings for marine mammals. We conducted a comparative analysis of the response to flight altitude from 70 m gradually descending to 10 m and two different flight approaches between the DJI Phantom 4Pro and the Autel EVO II RTK drones in the Danish part of the Wadden Sea. Results: We found varying responses, where species-specific sensitivity and environmental conditions appeared to influence the behavioural reactions of the seals. Our results reveal that seal reactions to drones are complex and depend on several factors, such as flight altitude, drone model, received noise levels, approach, weather conditions, the animals' annual cycle, and geographic location. Discussion: The outcomes hold significance for refining regulatory policies governing drone flights in protected marine environments, balancing conservation efforts with technological advancements in wildlife monitoring and ensuring undisturbed observations of seals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing and optimizing the structure of urban transportation networks is a challenging task. In this study, we propose a method inspired by optimal transport theory and the principle of economy of scale that uses little information in input to generate structures that are similar to those of public transportation networks. Contrarily to standard approaches, it does not assume any initial backbone network infrastructure but rather extracts this directly from a continuous space using only a few origin and destination points, generating networks from scratch. Analyzing a set of urban train, tram and subway networks, we find a noteworthy degree of similarity in several of the studied cases between simulated and real infrastructures. By tuning one parameter, our method can simulate a range of different subway, tram and train networks that can be further used to suggest possible improvements in terms of relevant transportation properties. Outputs of our algorithm provide naturally a principled quantitative measure of similarity between two networks that can be used to automatize the selection of similar simulated networks. Planning effective urban network infrastructure often involves optimization principles that use a backbone network as a starting point. The authors propose an approach based on optimal transport theory to simulate real urban rail networks structure without need of initial backbone knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of solving the equivalent resistance between two points for resistor networks has important significance in physics. This paper mainly changes and rewrites the formula for calculating the resistance between two points of an unconventional m × n cylindrical resistor network with a zero resistor axis and any two left and right boundaries. To enhance the efficiency of calculating the equivalent resistance between two points, Chebyshev polynomials and hyperbolic cosine functions are employed to represent the new formula. And in the inference process, the famous discrete cosine transform of the third kind (DCT-III) is used to process the matrix. We give the equivalent resistance formula for several special cases, and display them by a three-dimensional graph. Subsequently, the calculation efficiency of the original formula and the rewritten formula are compared. At the end of the paper, a heuristic algorithm suitable for robot path planning on cylindrical environment is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-infection with diverse bacteria is commonly seen in patients infected with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. This type of co-infection significantly impacts the occurrence and development of novel coronavirus infection. Bacterial co-pathogens are typically identified in the respiratory system and blood culture, which complicates the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19, and even exacerbates the severity of disease symptoms and increases mortality rates. However, the status and impact of bacterial co-infections during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been properly studied. Recently, the amount of literature on the co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and bacteria has gradually increased, enabling a comprehensive discussion on this type of co-infection. In this study, we focus on bacterial infections in the respiratory system and blood of patients with COVID-19 because these infection types significantly affect the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Furthermore, the progression of COVID-19 has markedly elevated the antimicrobial resistance among specific bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, in clinical settings including intensive care units (ICUs). Grasping these resistance patterns is pivotal for the optimal utilization and stewardship of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones. Our study offers insights into these aspects and serves as a fundamental basis for devising effective therapeutic strategies. We primarily sourced our articles from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We queried these databases using specific search terms related to COVID-19 and its co-infections with bacteria or fungi, and selectively chose relevant articles for inclusion in our review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug-resistant Candida auris has recently caused major outbreaks in healthcare facilities. Rapid and accurate antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) of C. auris is crucial for proper management of invasive infections. The Commercial Sensititre Yeast One and Vitek 2 methods underestimate or overestimate the resistance of C. auris to fluconazole and amphotericin B (AMB). This study evaluated the AST results of C. auris against fluconazole and AMB by gradient-MIC-strip (Etest) and broth microdilution-based MICRONAUT-AM-EUCAST (MCN-AM) assays. Clinical C. auris isolates (n = 121) identified by phenotypic and molecular methods were tested. Essential agreement (EA, ±1 two-fold dilution) between the two methods and categorical agreement (CA) based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) tentative resistance breakpoints were determined. Fluconazole resistance-associated mutations were detected by PCR-sequencing of ERG11. All isolates identified as C. auris belonged to South Asian clade I and contained the ERG11 Y132F or K143R mutation. The Etest–MCN-AM EA was poor (33%) for fluconazole and moderate (76%) for AMB. The CA for fluconazole was higher (94.2%, 7 discrepancies) than for AMB (91.7%, 10 discrepancies). Discrepancies were reduced when an MCN-AM upper-limit value of 4 µg/mL for fluconazole-susceptible C. auris and an Etest upper-limit value of 8 µg/mL for the wild type for AMB were used. Our data show that resistance to fluconazole was underestimated by MCN-AM, while resistance to AMB was overestimated by Etest when using the CDC's tentative resistance breakpoints of ≥32 µg/mL for fluconazole and ≥2 µg/mL for AMB. Method-specific resistance breakpoints should be devised for accurate AST of clinical C. auris isolates for proper patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protein menin is encoded by the MEN1 gene and primarily serves as a nuclear scaffold protein, regulating gene expression through its interaction with and regulation of chromatin modifiers and transcription factors. While the scope of menin's functions continues to expand, one area of growing investigation is the role of menin in cancer. Menin is increasingly recognized for its dual function as either a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter in a highly tumor-dependent and context-specific manner. While menin serves as a suppressor of neuroendocrine tumor growth, as seen in the cancer risk syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome caused by pathogenic germline variants in MEN1, recent data demonstrate that menin also suppresses cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. On the other hand, menin can also serve as a tumor promoter in leukemia, colorectal cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers, Ewing sarcoma, and gliomas. Moreover, menin can either suppress or promote tumorigenesis in the breast and prostate depending on hormone receptor status and may also have mixed roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we review the rapidly expanding literature on the role and function of menin across a broad array of different cancer types, outlining tumor-specific differences in menin's function and mechanism of action, as well as identifying its therapeutic potential and highlighting areas for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the prevalence and patterns of transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRMs) and HIV-1 subtypes among antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve individuals in Veneto, Italy, from 2017 to 2024. This research aims to understand the dynamic landscape of TDRMs and HIV-1 genetic diversity to inform treatment strategies effectively. We included all adult ART-naïve people with HIV (PWH) from seven infectious disease units in Veneto, Italy. We collected the genotypic resistance testing conducted to predict drug susceptibility and subtype distribution using the Stanford HIVdb algorithm. We included 762 PWH, showing a slight but statistically significant decline in the B subtype among Italian PWH (p = 0.045) and an increase in non-B subtypes among foreigners, though it was not statistically significant (p = 0.333). The most frequent mutations were in Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs), especially in non-B subtypes, with a notable rise from 10.7% in 2017–2019 to 15.5% in 2020–2024. Notably, TDRMs were consistently detected, highlighting an ongoing challenge despite the stable prevalence observed over the years. In addition, the data revealed a concerning rise in mutations against newer drug classes, such as integrase inhibitors. Conclusively, the study underscores the necessity of continuous surveillance of HIV subtypes and resistance patterns to adapt ART regimens optimally. Despite the stable levels of drug resistance, the emergence of resistance against newer drugs necessitates ongoing vigilance and possible adjustment in treatment protocols to enhance clinical outcomes and manage HIV drug resistance effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The types, working principles, advantages and limitations of pattern recognition methods based on chemiresistive gas sensor array are reviewed and discussed comprehensively. Outstanding and novel advancements in the application of machine learning methods for gas recognition in different important areas are compared, summarized and evaluated. The current challenges and future prospects of machine learning methods in artificial olfactory systems are discussed and justified. As information acquisition terminals for artificial olfaction, chemiresistive gas sensors are often troubled by their cross-sensitivity, and reducing their cross-response to ambient gases has always been a difficult and important point in the gas sensing area. Pattern recognition based on sensor array is the most conspicuous way to overcome the cross-sensitivity of gas sensors. It is crucial to choose an appropriate pattern recognition method for enhancing data analysis, reducing errors and improving system reliability, obtaining better classification or gas concentration prediction results. In this review, we analyze the sensing mechanism of cross-sensitivity for chemiresistive gas sensors. We further examine the types, working principles, characteristics, and applicable gas detection range of pattern recognition algorithms utilized in gas-sensing arrays. Additionally, we report, summarize, and evaluate the outstanding and novel advancements in pattern recognition methods for gas identification. At the same time, this work showcases the recent advancements in utilizing these methods for gas identification, particularly within three crucial domains: ensuring food safety, monitoring the environment, and aiding in medical diagnosis. In conclusion, this study anticipates future research prospects by considering the existing landscape and challenges. It is hoped that this work will make a positive contribution towards mitigating cross-sensitivity in gas-sensitive devices and offer valuable insights for algorithm selection in gas recognition applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]