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Abstract Citizen Science initiatives have a worldwide impact on environmental research by providing data at a global scale and high resolution. Mapping marine biodiversity remains a key challenge to which citizen initiatives can contribute. Here we describe a dataset made of both underwater and aerial imagery collected in shallow tropical coastal areas by using various low cost platforms operated either by citizens or researchers. This dataset is regularly updated and contains >1.6 M images from the Southwest Indian Ocean. Most of images are geolocated, and some are annotated with 51 distinct classes (e.g. fauna, and habitats) to train AI models. The quality of these photos taken by action cameras along the trajectories of different platforms, is highly heterogeneous (due to varying speed, depth, turbidity, and perspectives) and well reflects the challenges of underwater image recognition. Data discovery and access rely on DOI assignment while data interoperability and reuse is ensured by complying with widely used community standards. The open-source data workflow is provided to ease contributions from anyone collecting pictures.

Background: The importance of the subscapularis for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has been demonstrated, especially for internal rotation and stability. In a deltopectoral approach, a detachment of the subscapularis is performed (tenotomy, tuberosity peeling, or osteotomy), but the tendon is not always repairable at the end. When it is repaired, healing is obtained in only 40%-76% of the cases, with potential consequences for the outcomes. The anterior muscle-sparing (AMS) approach is a deltopectoral approach with preservation of the subscapularis, providing a solution to these problems. We present the surgical technique and results. Methods: In a retrospective study, we included our first 45 cases of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty performed with the AMS approach for a degenerative affection of the shoulder (massive rotator cuff tear, cuff tear arthropathy, primary glenohumeral arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis), excluding traumatic and revision cases. The subscapularis was intact in all the cases. The mean age at inclusion was 74.1 years. No patients were lost at the minimum 24-month follow-up. All the patients underwent a clinical evaluation preoperatively and at the last follow-up, including Constant score, simple shoulder value, pain scale, and range of motion. An X-ray evaluation was conducted postoperatively and at the last follow-up to assess implant positioning and evolution. Results: There was no intraoperative complication, and the mean operative time was 62 minutes. We observed a significant improvement in Constant score (from 36 to 70, P

Prison authorities around the world are already confronting the direct and indirect consequences of climate change. Heatwaves, coastal and inland floods, storms, droughts and swelling-shrinking of clay soils are the main climate hazards identified as posing risks to French prisons. After a brief overview of the possible impacts of climate change on prisons, this article presents actions taken by the prison administration’s laboratory to co-create a much-needed strategy for transformation that seeks to adapt to climate change as well as mitigate its impacts. The strategy, created by examining future environmental trends, aims to anticipate and suggest actions for different timescales: acquiring data and producing knowledge; visualizing what future prisons might look like and possible trajectories for their transformation; organizing collective discussions about prisons to establish a shared vision, and supporting appropriation of the results to assist in decision-making and action-taking.

Abstract Searching for similar genomic sequences is an essential and fundamental step in biomedical research. State-of-the-art computational methods performing such comparisons fail to cope with the exponential growth of genomic sequencing data. We introduce the concept of sparsified genomics where we systematically exclude a large number of bases from genomic sequences and enable faster and memory-efficient processing of the sparsified, shorter genomic sequences, while providing comparable accuracy to processing non-sparsified sequences. Sparsified genomics provides benefits to many genomic analyses and has broad applicability. Sparsifying genomic sequences accelerates the state-of-the-art read mapper (minimap2) by 2.57-5.38x, 1.13-2.78x, and 3.52-6.28x using real Illumina, HiFi, and ONT reads, respectively, while providing comparable memory footprint, 2x smaller index size, and more correctly detected variations compared to minimap2. Sparsifying genomic sequences makes containment search through very large genomes and large databases 72.7-75.88x (1.62-1.9x when indexing is preprocessed) faster and 723.3x more storage-efficient than searching through non-sparsified genomic sequences (with CMash and KMC3). Sparsifying genomic sequences enables robust microbiome discovery by providing 54.15-61.88x (1.58-1.71x when indexing is preprocessed) faster and 720x more storage-efficient taxonomic profiling of metagenomic samples over the state-of-the-art tool (Metalign).

Abstract Endosomal nucleic acid sensing by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is central to antimicrobial immunity and several autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The innate immune adaptor TASL mediates, via the interaction with SLC15A4, the activation of IRF5 downstream of human TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9, but the pathophysiological functions of this axis remain unexplored. Here we show that SLC15A4 deficiency results in a selective block of TLR7/9-induced IRF5 activation, while loss of TASL leads to a strong but incomplete impairment, which depends on the cell type and TLR engaged. This residual IRF5 activity is ascribed to a previously uncharacterized paralogue, Gm6377, named here TASL2. Double knockout of TASL and TASL2 (TASLDKO) phenocopies SLC15A4-deficient feeble mice showing comparable impairment of innate and humoral responses. Consequently, TASLDKO mice fail to control chronic LCMV infection, while being protected in a pristane-induced SLE disease model. Our study thus demonstrates the critical pathophysiological role of SLC15A4 and TASL/TASL2 for TLR7/9-driven inflammatory responses, further supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting this complex in SLE and related diseases.

Abstract Background Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) production has decreased over the years due to several constraints, including insect pest attacks, which contribute to its status as neglected and underutilized species in Benin. In order to develop an integrated pest management strategy, we documented farmers’ post-harvest conservation practices, perceptions, and management of storage insect pests. Four hundred millet producers were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire in 76 villages in northern Benin. The entomofauna associated with stored pearl millet was identified by extracting samples from farmers’ storage structures and incubating them for a month in the laboratory. Results Our results showed that farmers perceived insect pests as the most important constraint to pearl millet storage. Vernacular taxonomy and local nomenclature of insect pests of stored pearl millet varied among sociolinguistic groups. Four species of insects were associated with stored millet with the weevils Sitophilus oryzae L. and Sitophilus zeamais L. as the most important ones. Three storage structures (attic, bedroom, and store) and a storage tool (polypropylene bags) were inventoried. Synthetic chemical insecticides were the most commonly used method for protecting stored millet. Also, farmers employed four plants that repel and kill insects to safeguard stored pearl millet. A differential sensitivity of pearl millet varieties to storage insect attacks was reported with four potential resistant varieties. Some factors that influence the use of a pest management method were determined. Conclusions The development of an integrated pest management needs to test the sensitivity of resistant varieties and the bioactivity of recorded insecticidal plants. The farmers’ perception suggests that the Souhoun n’nin gberenou landrace and the usage of bark of A. senegalensis and leaves of A. indica are the best ways to preserve millet for a long time. Raising awareness among pearl millet producers on good storage practices and the biological management of storage insect pests were recommended. Factors that influence the use of pest management methods must be integrated into the development of national strategies.

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapidly evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific imaging-based biomarkers associated with the evolution of lung disease are needed to help predict and quantify ILD. Methods We evaluated the potential of an automated ILD quantification system (icolung®) from chest CT scans, to help in quantification and prediction of ILD progression in SSc-ILD. We used a retrospective cohort of 75 SSc-ILD patients to evaluate the potential of the AI-based quantification tool and to correlate image-based quantification with pulmonary function tests and their evolution over time. Results We evaluated a group of 75 patients suffering from SSc-ILD, either limited or diffuse, of whom 30 presented progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The patients presenting PPF exhibited more extensive lesions (in % of total lung volume (TLV)) based on image analysis than those without PPF: 3.93 (0.36–8.12)* vs. 0.59 (0.09–3.53) respectively, whereas pulmonary functional test showed a reduction in Force Vital Capacity (FVC)(pred%) in patients with PPF compared to the others : 77 ± 20% vs. 87 ± 19% (p

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic prompted significant shifts to teleworking, raising questions about potential impacts on employee wellbeing. This study examined the association between self-reported changes to teleworking frequency (relative to before the pandemic) and two indicators of occupational burnout: emotional exhaustion and professionally diagnosed burnout. Methods Data were derived from two samples from a digital cohort study based in Geneva, Switzerland: one population-based, and one from a sample of workers who were likely mobilized in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotional exhaustion was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (EE-MBI), while self-reported diagnosed burnout was assessed by asking participants if they had received a professional diagnosis of occupational burnout within the previous 12 months. Participants were categorized based on self-reported telework frequency changes: “no change,” “increase,” “decrease,” “never telework,” and “not possible to telework.” Adjusted regression models for each of the study samples were used to estimate associations between telework changes and burnout outcomes, accounting for sociodemographic, household, and work-related factors. Results In the population-based sample of salaried employees (n = 1,332), the median EE-MBI score was 14 (interquartile range: 6–24), and 7.3% reported diagnosed burnout. Compared to those reporting no change in telework frequency (19% of the sample), those reporting a decrease (4%) and those reporting that teleworking was not possible (28.7%) had significantly higher emotional exhaustion scores (adjusted beta (aβ) 5.26 [95% confidence interval: 1.47, 9.04] and aβ 3.51 [0.44, 6.59], respectively) and additionally reported higher odds of diagnosed burnout (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 10.59 [3.24, 34.57] and aOR 3.42 [1.22, 9.65], respectively). “Increased” (28.9%) and “never” (19.4%) telework statuses were not significantly associated with burnout outcomes. These trends were mirrored in the “mobilized-workers” sample, with the exception that those reporting that teleworking was not possible did not report significantly higher odds of diagnosed burnout compared to those reporting no change in telework frequency. Conclusions Decreased teleworking frequency and not having the possibility of telework were associated with higher emotional exhaustion and diagnosed burnout. As organizations reconsider their telework policies in a post-pandemic era, they should consider the impact of such organizational changes on employee wellbeing.

Purpose: To develop a controlled vocabulary of less than 30 terms that represents level 1 of a taxonomy for the field of operations management, integrating previous available work to improve efficiency in searching and retrieving scientific information in the area. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of encyclopedias and glossaries in the field was conducted, mainly based on Hill (2012, 2019). The three authors employed an iterative process to define and validate the first-level terms, contrasting them with sources such as Gass & Fu (2013), Helms (2006), and the APICS thesaurus. Affinity diagrams were used to structure and relate the identified terms. Findings: 20 top-level terms covering the main areas of operations management were identified and defined. The resulting taxonomy is available online (https://taxom.blogs.upv.es/). It provides a hierarchical structure that integrates the main concepts of the field, differentiating itself from previous work by focusing on relevance to research, education, and professional practice contexts. Research limitations/implications: The thematic coverage of the proposed taxonomy requires further verification to ensure its comprehensiveness. Future research should focus on validating the taxonomy by applying it to a representative sample of articles within the field of operations management. This validation process will help confirm whether the first-level terms are robust and precise for effective categorisation and usability in academic and professional contexts. Practical implications: The taxonomy facilitates scientific editorial management by providing a standardised list for selecting keywords in manuscripts and identifying reviewers' fields of expertise. It also improves the efficiency of mapping science studies and systematic reviews and enhances the visibility and accessibility of published research in operations management.

Abstract Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) encompasses a group of rare genetic diseases primarily affecting motor neurons. Among these, spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) represents a complex form of HSP caused by deleterious variants in the SPG11 gene, which encodes the spatacsin protein. Previous studies have described several potential roles for spatacsin, including its involvement in lysosome and autophagy mechanisms, neuronal and neurites development or mitochondria function. Despite these findings, the precise function of the spatacsin protein remains elusive. To elucidate its function, we conducted an extensive RNA sequencing (RNAseq) experiment and transcriptomic analysis in three distinct neural structures (cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus) and at three different ages (6 weeks, 4 months and 8 months) in both wild type and Spg11 −/− mice. Our functional analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed dysregulation in pathways related to inflammation, RNA metabolism and neuronal and neurite development, factors frequently implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, we also observed early deregulation in cellular pathways related to cell proliferation. Our results represent a significant step towards a better understanding of the functions of spatacsin in the cell and the underlying cellular mechanisms disrupted by its absence.

Abstract Background Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) may be worsened by early systemic insults. We aimed to investigate the association of early systemic insults with outcomes of critically ill patients with severe SAE. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis using data from the French OUTCOMEREA prospective multicenter database. We included patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 48 h with severe SAE (defined by a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤ 13 and severe sepsis or septic shock (SEPSIS 2.0 criteria)) requiring invasive ventilation and who had no primary brain injury. We analyzed early systemic insults (abnormal glycemia ( 200 mmHg), carbon dioxide abnormalities ( 13. Results We included 995 patients with severe SAE, of whom 883 (89%) exhibited at least one early systemic insult that persisted through day 3. Compared to non-survivors, survivors had significantly less early systemic insults (hypoglycemia, hypotension, hypothermia, and anemia) within the first 48 h of ICU admission. The absence of correction of the following systemic insults at day 3 was independently associated with mortality: blood pressure (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–2.34), oxygenation (aHR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.20–2.63), temperature (aHR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.12–1.91) and glycemia (aHR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.10–1.80). Persistent abnormal blood pressure, temperature and glycemia at day 3 were associated with decreased chances of awakening. Conclusions In patients with severe SAE, the persistence of systemic insults within the first three days of ICU admission is associated with increased mortality and decreased chances of awakening.

Abstract Iminophosphoranes with the general formula (R3P═NR′) have great potential in synthetic chemistry as valuable precursors/intermediates in organic synthesis or as building blocks for various organic compounds. However, the synthetic approaches and conditions to prepare iminophosphoranes are still poorly understood, limiting the utility of this chemistry for organic materials. In this article, a simple and efficient synthesis of previously unattainable poly(arylene iminophosphoranes) is reported. The azide-phosphine Staudinger polycondensation is used, and the reaction conditions are carefully studied, including consideration of light and air, the influence of solvent and temperature, and investigation of the electronic and steric effects of multiazides. The newly defined reaction conditions appear to be highly versatile, allowing the use of both electron-rich and electron-deficient arylazides for reaction with phosphines to synthesize a library of poly(arylene iminophosphorane) networks that exhibit exceptional thermal and oxidative stability. Interestingly, despite the ylidic-form of the iminophosphorane linkage as shown by theoretical calculations, these newly developed poly(arylene-iminophosphorane) networks exhibit semiconducting properties, such as absorption band edges up to 800 nm and optical band gaps in the range of 1.70 to 2.40 eV. Finally, we demonstrate the broad applicability of these polymers by processing them into glassy films, creating foam-like structures and synthesizing metallo-polymer hybrids.

Abstract Diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) impacts the immediate hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated whether the diffuse pattern of CAD derived from angiographic Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) impacts the immediate hemodynamic outcome post-PCI and the medium term predicted vessel-oriented composite endpoint (VOCE). Paired pre-procedure QFRs were assessed in 503 patients and 1022 vessels in the Multivessel TALENT (MVT) trial. The pathophysiological pattern of CAD was defined as “predominantly diffuse” or “focal” according to a virtual QFR pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index

Abstract Background After cardiac arrest (CA), the European recommendations suggest to use a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level > 60 µg/L at 48–72 h to predict poor outcome. However, the prognostic performance of NSE can vary depending on electroencephalogram (EEG). The objective was to determine whether the NSE threshold which predicts poor outcome varies according to EEG patterns and the effect of electrographic seizures on NSE level. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary CA center, using a prospective registry of 155 adult patients comatose 72 h after CA. EEG patterns were classified according to the Westhall classification (benign, malignant or highly malignant). Neurological outcome was evaluated using the CPC scale at 3 months (CPC 3–5 defining a poor outcome). Results Participants were 64 years old (IQR [53; 72,5]), and 74% were male. 83% were out-of-hospital CA and 48% were initial shockable rhythm. Electrographic seizures were observed in 5% and 8% of good and poor outcome patients, respectively (p = 0.50). NSE blood levels were significantly lower in the good outcome (median 20 µg/L IQR [15; 30]) compared to poor outcome group (median 110 µg/l IQR [49;308], p 45.2 µg/L was predictive of unfavorable outcome with 100% specificity and a higher sensitivity (70.8%) compared to the recommended NSE cut-off of 60 µg/l (Se = 66%). Combined to electrographic seizures, a NSE > 53.5 µg/L predicts poor outcome with 100% specificity and a higher sensitivity (77.7%) compared to the recommended cut-off (Se = 66.6%). Combined to a benign EEG, a NSE level > 78.2 µg/L was highly predictive of a poor outcome with a higher specificity (Sp = 100%) compared to the recommended cut-off (Sp = 94%). Conclusion In comatose patients after AC, a personalized approach of NSE according to EEG pattern could improve the specificity and sensitivity of this biomarker for poor outcome prediction. Compared to others malignant EEG, no significant difference of NSE level was observed in case of electrographic seizures.

Abstract Questions about when early members of the genus Homo adapted to extreme environments like deserts and rainforests have traditionally focused on Homo sapiens. Here, we present multidisciplinary evidence from Engaji Nanyori in Tanzania’s Oldupai Gorge, revealing that Homo erectus thrived in hyperarid landscapes one million years ago. Using biogeochemical analyses, precise chronometric dating, palaeoclimate simulations, biome modeling, fire history reconstructions, palaeobotanical studies, faunal assemblages, and archeological evidence, we reconstruct an environment dominated by semidesert shrubland. Despite these challenges, Homo erectus repeatedly occupied fluvial landscapes, leveraging water sources and ecological focal points to mitigate risk. These findings suggest archaic humans possessed an ecological flexibility previously attributed only to later hominins. This adaptability likely facilitated the expansion of Homo erectus into the arid regions of Africa and Eurasia, redefining their role as ecological generalists thriving in some of the most challenging landscapes of the Middle Pleistocene.

Abstract Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are candidate drug targets for therapeutic intervention in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here we focused on mGlu3, a receptor subtype involved in synaptic regulation and neuroinflammation. mGlu3−/− mice showed an enhanced nigro-striatal damage and microglial activation in response to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Expression of genes encoding anti-inflammatory proteins and neuroprotective factors was reduced in the striatum of MPTP-treated mGlu3−/− mice. We also examined polymorphic variants of GRM3 (the mGlu3 receptor encoding gene) in 723 PD patients and 826 healthy controls. Two GRM3 haplotypes were associated with PD, and gene variants correlated with motor and non-motor signs. Interestingly, PD patients carrying each of the two haplotypes showed an impaired cortical plasticity in the paired associated stimulation paradigm of magnetic transcranial stimulation. These findings suggest that mGlu3 receptors are neuroprotective in mouse models of parkinsonism and shape mechanisms of cortical plasticity in PD.

Abstract We aimed to identify and validate factors related to uncontrolled hypertension. Participants treated with at least one antihypertensive drug from the prospective contemporaneous CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study were enrolled. We investigated the association between hypertension status (uncontrolled, defined as systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥ 90 mm Hg, versus controlled hypertension [SBP/DBP

Abstract Bone marrow adipose tissue is a distinct adipose subtype comprising more than 10% of fat mass in healthy humans. However, the functions and pathophysiological correlates of this tissue are unclear, and its genetic determinants remain unknown. Here, we use deep learning to measure bone marrow adiposity in the femoral head, total hip, femoral diaphysis, and spine from MRI scans of approximately 47,000 UK Biobank participants, including over 41,000 white and over 6300 non-white participants. We then establish the heritability and genome-wide significant associations for bone marrow adiposity at each site. Our meta-GWAS in the white population finds 67, 147, 134, and 174 independent significant single nucleotide polymorphisms, which map to 54, 90, 43, and 100 genes for the femoral head, total hip, femoral diaphysis, and spine, respectively. Transcriptome-wide association studies, colocalization analyses, and sex-stratified meta-GWASes in the white participants further resolve functional and sex-specific genes associated with bone marrow adiposity at each site. Finally, we perform a multi-ancestry meta-GWAS to identify genes associated with bone marrow adiposity across the different bone regions and across ancestry groups. Our findings provide insights into BMAT formation and function and provide a basis to study the impact of BMAT on human health and disease.

Abstract Prime Editing can rewrite genes in living cells by allowing point mutations, deletions, or insertion of small DNA sequences with high precision. However, its safe and efficient delivery into human stem cells remains a technical challenge. In this report, we engineer Nanoscribes, virus-like particles that encapsidate ribonucleoprotein complexes of the Prime Editing system and allow their delivery into recipient cells. We identify key features that unlock the potential of Nanoscribes, including the use of multiple fusogens, the improvement of pegRNAs structures, their encoding by a Pol II system and the optimization of Prime-Editors. Nanoscribes edit HEK293T with an efficiency of 68% at the HEK3 locus with increased fidelity over DNA-transfection and support pegRNA-multiplexing. Importantly, Nanoscribes permit editing of myoblasts, hiPSCs and hiPSCs-derived hematopoietic stem cells with an editing efficiency up to 25%. Nanoscribes is an asset for development of next generation genome editing approaches using VLPs.

Abstract Neuronal population activity in sensory cortices is the substrate for perceptual decisions. Yet, we still do not understand how neuronal information content in sensory cortices relates to behavioral reports. To reconcile neurometric and psychometric performance, we recorded the activity of V1 neurons in mice performing a Go/NoGo orientation discrimination task. We found that, around the discrimination threshold, V1 does not represent the orientation of the stimuli as canonically expected. Instead, it forms categorical representations characterized by a relocation of activity at task-relevant domains of the orientation representational space. The relative neuronal activity at those discrete domains accurately predicted the probabilities of the animals’ decisions. Our results thus suggest that the categorical integration of discretized feature representations from sensory cortices explains perceptual decisions.

Abstract Revealing the effects of multiple global change drivers on ecosystem dynamics and functioning is a crucial endeavour, which necessitates the use of appropriate tools. Here, we present the Aquatic Metatron, a unique mesocosm facility providing a large‐scale experimental resource to study the combined effects of global change components, in particular climate change and habitat fragmentation, on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. The Aquatic Metatron consists of 144 mesocosms of 2 m3 each that can be connected to each other with aquatic corridors, and—for a subset of them—with aerial corridors. This enables effective control of dispersal across meta‐ecosystems. In addition, the temperature in each mesocosm is supervised and precisely controlled, either through a heating (all mesocosms) or a cooling (72 mesocosms) system. All mesocosms can be monitored automatically for abiotic and biotic factors (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity and chlorophyll a) allowing for long‐term experimentation. We tested the platform by conducting three experiments involving the manipulation of various components of global change: climate warming, biodiversity loss, eutrophication and aquatic/aerial fragmentation. The technical innovations of the platform have been validated, in particular its capacity to accurately recreate multiple climatic scenarios (e.g. heatwaves, warming, cooling) and the possibility of using aerial and water corridors to simulate fragmented landscapes. The Aquatic Metatron is located in the south‐west of France (https://sete‐moulis‐cnrs.fr/fr) and is part of AnaEE France and AnaEE‐ERIC (https://www.anaee.eu/), which are large‐scale research infrastructures. The Aquatic Metatron is a research facility accessible to external researchers and projects.

The upgrade of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France to an Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS) is expected to enable time-resolved synchrotron serial crystallography (SSX) experiments with sub-millisecond time resolution. ID29 is a new beamline dedicated to SSX experiments at ESRF–EBS. Here, we report experiments emerging from the initial phase of user operation at ID29. We first used microcrystals of photoactive yellow protein as a model system to exploit the potential of microsecond pulses for SSX. Subsequently, we investigated microcrystals of cytochrome c nitrite reductase (ccNiR) with microsecond X-ray pulses. CcNiR is a decaheme protein that is ideal for the investigation of radiation damage at the various heme-iron sites. Finally, we performed a proof-of-concept subsecond time-resolved SSX experiment by photoactivating microcrystals of a myxobacterial phytochrome.

Background: The significant rate of recurrent instability following arthroscopic stabilization surgery points to a need for an evidence-based treatment approach. The instability severity index Score (ISI score) is a point-based algorithm that may be used to assist clinicians in selecting the optimal treatment approach, but its efficacy compared with a traditional treatment algorithm has not been previously validated. The aim was to compare two surgical treatment algorithms: the ISI score and a conventional treatment algorithm (CTA). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial involving participants who were randomized to either the ISI score or CTA and were followed for 24 months postrandomization. In the ISI score cohort, patients underwent a Latarjet procedure if they presented with a score >3 points. Those scoring ISI score ≦3 points underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair. Patients randomized to the CTA group underwent a Latarjet procedure if the glenoid bone loss was > 25%. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index. Secondary outcomes included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score as well as recurrence rates between groups. Results: Sixty-three patients were randomized to ISI score (n = 31) or CTA (n = 32). At two years, the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index score was similar between groups (ISI score: 84.1 ± 16.9, CTA: 85.7 ± 12.5, P = .70). Similarly, no differences were detected in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (ISI score: 93.2 ± 16.2, CTA: 92.6 ± 9.9, P = .89). Apprehension was reported in 18.5% for the ISI score group and 20% in the CTA group (P = 1.00). At a 24-month follow-up, there was no difference in redislocations: one in ISI score group and none in the CTA group (P = .48). There were two revision surgeries in the ISI score group and two in the CTA group. Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate any differences in functional outcomes, the incidence of apprehension, or failure rates between the two treatment algorithms at 24-month follow-up.

Abstract The influx of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data in the public health and clinical diagnostic sectors has created a need for data analysis methods and bioinformatics expertise, which can be a bottleneck for many laboratories. At Sciensano, the Belgian national public health institute, an intuitive and user-friendly bioinformatics tool portal was implemented using Galaxy, an open-source platform for data analysis and workflow creation. The Galaxy @Sciensano instance is available to both internal and external scientists and offers a wide range of tools provided by the community, complemented by over 50 custom tools and pipelines developed in-house. The tool selection is currently focused primarily on the analysis of WGS data generated using Illumina sequencing for microbial pathogen typing, characterization and outbreak detection, but it also addresses specific use cases for other data types. Our Galaxy instance includes several custom-developed 'push-button' pipelines, which are user-friendly and intuitive stand-alone tools that perform complete characterization of bacterial isolates based on WGS data and generate interactive HTML output reports with key findings. These pipelines include quality control, de novo assembly, sequence typing, antimicrobial resistance prediction and several relevant species-specific assays. They are tailored for pathogens with active genomic surveillance programs, and clinical relevance, such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These tools and pipelines utilize internationally recognized databases such as PubMLST, EnteroBase, and the NCBI National Database of Antibiotic Resistant Organisms, which are automatically synchronized on a regular basis to ensure up-to-date results. Many of these pipelines are part of the routine activities of Belgian national reference centers and laboratories, some of which use them under ISO accreditation. This resource is publicly available for noncommercial use at https://galaxy.sciensano.be/ and can help other laboratories establish reliable, traceable and reproducible bioinformatics analyses for pathogens encountered in public health settings.

Abstract Serial macromolecular crystallography has become a powerful method to reveal room temperature structures of biological macromolecules and perform time-resolved studies. ID29, a flagship beamline of the ESRF 4th generation synchrotron, is the first synchrotron beamline in the world capable of delivering high brilliance microsecond X-ray pulses at high repetition rate for the structure determination of biological macromolecules at room temperature. The cardinal combination of microsecond exposure times, innovative beam characteristics and adaptable sample environment provides high quality complete data, even from an exceptionally small amount of crystalline material, enabling what we collectively term serial microsecond crystallography (SµX). After validating the use of different sample delivery methods with various model systems, we applied SµX to an integral membrane receptor, where only a few thousands diffraction images were sufficient to obtain a fully interpretable electron density map for the antagonist istradefylline-bound A2A receptor conformation, providing access to the antagonist binding mode. SµX, as demonstrated at ID29, will quickly find its broad applicability at upcoming 4th generation synchrotron sources worldwide and opens a new frontier in time-resolved SµX.

Abstract Background To reduce the number of deaths caused by exsanguination, the initial management of severe trauma aims to prevent, if not limit, the lethal triad, which consists of acidosis, coagulopathy, and hypothermia. Recently, several studies have suggested adding hypocalcemia to the lethal triad to form the lethal diamond, but the evidence supporting this change is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the lethal triad and lethal diamond for their respective associations with 24-h mortality in severe trauma patients receiving transfusion. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients in TraumaBase®, a French database (2011–2023). The patients included in this study were all trauma patients who had received transfusions of at least 1 unit of red blood cells (RBCs) within the first 6 h of hospital admission and for whom ionized calcium measurements were available. Hypocalcemia was defined as an ionized calcium level

Abstract Mitochondria are crucial for cellular metabolism and signalling. Mitochondrial activity is modulated by mitochondrial fission and fusion, which are required to properly balance metabolic functions, transfer material between mitochondria, and remove defective mitochondria. Mitochondrial fission occurs at mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites, and requires the formation of actin filaments that drive mitochondrial constriction and the recruitment of the fission protein DRP1. The role of actin in mitochondrial fusion remains entirely unexplored. Here we show that preventing actin polymerisation on either mitochondria or the ER disrupts both fission and fusion. We show that fusion but not fission is dependent on Arp2/3, whereas both fission and fusion require INF2 formin-dependent actin polymerization. We also show that mitochondria-associated actin marks fusion sites prior to the fusion protein MFN2. Together, our work introduces a method for perturbing organelle-associated actin and demonstrates a previously unknown role for actin in mitochondrial fusion.

Abstract AI techniques are increasingly being used to identify individuals both offline and online. However, quantifying their effectiveness at scale and, by extension, the risks they pose remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose a two-parameter Bayesian model for exact matching techniques and derive an analytical expression for correctness (κ), the fraction of people accurately identified in a population. We then generalize the model to forecast how κ scales from small-scale experiments to the real world, for exact, sparse, and machine learning-based robust identification techniques. Despite having only two degrees of freedom, our method closely fits 476 correctness curves and strongly outperforms curve-fitting methods and entropy-based rules of thumb. Our work provides a principled framework for forecasting the privacy risks posed by identification techniques, while also supporting independent accountability efforts for AI-based biometric systems.

Abstract Background and methods E-health solutions are a promising tool to assist patients in self-managing symptoms for various diseases. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, reliability, usability, and satisfaction of a digital medical device (ZEMY) for patients’ self-monitoring of symptoms commonly experienced during breast cancer treatment and to enhance interaction with healthcare professionals. In this open-label, interventional, multicentre, single-arm clinical trial (NCT03558490), patients at all stages of breast cancer initiating oral and/or parenteral treatment were recruited at initiation of therapy and followed for 3 months. During treatment, the patients reported 9 symptoms (diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, fever/febrile neutropenia, fatigue, pain, cutaneous and mucosal toxicities, hypertension, anxiety/depression) through the ZEMY application, which provided self-management recommendations and sent message alerts to healthcare professionals. To reach the primary feasibility endpoint, more than 50% of patients with one-sided 95% confidence interval (exact CI computed using Clopper-Pearson method) had to complete at least 3 symptoms entries, of which more than 60% complete until receiving a recommendation. Results Out of the 56 screened patients, 54 were included in the analysis between June 12th 2018 and January 11th 2019, and 52 completed the study. Over half of patients (31/54 [57.4%]) were feasibility responders, but this percentage was not significantly higher than the predefined minimum feasibility cut-off of 50%, as the lower limit of the one-sided 95% exact CI was 45.3%. Nonetheless, 87.0% of patients reported at least 3 symptoms with ZEMY and 66.0% had an entry completion rate ≥ 60%. Six of the 9 symptoms were reported at least once by more than 30% of the patients. The recommendations were considered relevant at least once for more than 80% of cases for each symptom. Patients were more satisfied (mean 10-point visual analogue scale score: 6.3 ± 2.9) with ZEMY than healthcare professionals (4.4 ± 1.5). The global patients’ quality of life remained stable during the study. Conclusions ZEMY provided satisfactory recommendations for the self-management of selected symptoms occurring during anti-cancer treatment and demonstrated good usability, but its feasibility was indemonstrable. Trail registration The trial was registered on June 14th 2018 at ClinicalTrails.gov (Trial Registration Number: NCT03558490).

Abstract Background In holobiont, microbiota is known to play a central role on the health and immunity of its host. Then, understanding the microbiota, its dynamic according to the environmental conditions and its link to the immunity would help to react to potential dysbiosis of aquacultured species. While the gut microbiota is highly studied, in marine invertebrates the hemolymph microbiota is often set aside even if it remains an important actor of the hemolymph homeostasis. Indeed, the hemolymph harbors the factors involved in the animal homeostasis that interacts with the microbiota, the immunity. In the Southwest Pacific, the high economical valued shrimp Penaeus stylirostris is reared in two contrasted sites, in New Caledonia (NC) and in French Polynesia (FP). Results We characterized the active microbiota inhabiting the hemolymph of shrimps while considering its stability during two seasons and at a one-month interval and evidenced an important microbial variability between the shrimps according to the rearing conditions and the sites. We highlighted specific biomarkers along with a common core microbiota composed of 6 ASVs. Putative microbial functions were mostly associated with bacterial competition, infections and metabolism in NC, while they were highly associated with the cell metabolism in FP suggesting a rearing site discrimination. Differential relative expression of immune effectors measured in the hemolymph of two shrimp populations from NC and FP, exhibited higher level of expression in NC compared to FP. In addition, differential relative expression of immune effectors was correlated to bacterial biomarkers based on their geographical location. Conclusions Our data suggest that, in Pacific shrimps, both the microbiota and the expression of the immune effectors could have undergone differential immunostimulation according to the rearing site as well as a geographical adaptative divergence of the shrimps as an holobiont, to their rearing sites. Further, the identification of proxies such as the core microbiota and site biomarkers, could be used to guide future actions to monitor the bacterial microbiota and thus preserve the productions.

Prostate cancer bone metastasis poses significant health challenges, affecting countless individuals. While treatment with the radioactive isotope radium-223 ($ ^{223} $Ra) has shown promising results, there remains room for therapy optimization. In vivo studies are crucial for optimizing radium therapy; however, they face several roadblocks that limit their effectiveness. By integrating in vivo studies with in silico models, these obstacles can be potentially overcome. Existing computational models of tumor response to $ ^{223} $Ra are often computationally intensive. Accordingly, we here present a versatile and computationally efficient alternative solution. We developed a PDE mathematical model to simulate the effects of $ ^{223} $Ra on prostate cancer bone metastasis, analyzing mitosis and apoptosis rates based on experimental data from both control and treated groups. To build a robust and validated model, our research explored three therapeutic scenarios: no treatment, constant $ ^{223} $Ra exposure, and decay-accounting therapy, with tumor growth simulations for each case. Our findings align well with experimental evidence, demonstrating that our model effectively captures the therapeutic potential of $ ^{223} $Ra, yielding promising results that support our model as a powerful infrastructure to optimize bone metastasis treatment.

The Saxo-Thuringian Zone of western Europe is a tectonostratigraphic unit that includes Devonian sediments. Usually, the sediments are deep-water siliciclastics and variously affected by regional metamorphism. In some points, however, shallow-water carbonates are preserved. Besides Ossa Morena in Spain, the Northern Vosges in Eastern France is one of these rare points. In the Bruche river valley, fossiliferous sediments are known to crop out and fossil invertebrates were first described in the 19th century from the Russ Conglomerate and Russ Marble. The Russ Conglomerate of the Bruche Unit is an olistostrome containing limestone olistoliths. Some of these limestones yielded a fossil coral fauna, though rather poorly preserved. In Russ and Barembach, the olistoliths display reefal facies with stromatoporoids and corals in a sandy carbonate matrix. The rugose coral assemblage in these localities is dominated by “Fasicphyllum” varium, “Fasicphyllum” sp., Grypophyllum spp., and Acanthophyllum sp., and is of supposed Eifelian age. In Russ, the limestone was quarried in the 19th century as an ornamental stone known as Russ Marble. Near the Schirmeck town, several outcrops of limestone in non reefal facies yield a more diverse coral fauna with genera Dohmophyllum, Stringophyllum, Breviphyllum, Zonophyllum, Mesophyllum, Tryplasma, Moravophyllum, and Spasskyella, the latter reported for the first time in Western Europe. This assemblage is possibly younger than the previous one, i.e., Givetian in age.

Abstract Background Leishmania is the causal parasite of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide, and its dissemination is linked to climate change. Despite the complexity and effectiveness of the immune response, the parasite has developed many strategies to evade it and take control of the host cell to replicate. These evasion strategies start at early stages of infection by hijacking immune receptors to mitigate the cellular response. In this study, we examined whether Leishmania uses the Fc receptor FcγRIIA/CD32a and its downstream signaling pathways to evade the host immune response. Methods Regarding in vivo studies, CD32a transgenic mice and the corresponding wild types were infected with Leishmania major Friedlin strain. For the in vitro experiments, BMDMs isolated from WT or CD32a transgenic mice and control or CD32a knockdown differentiated THP-1s were infected with two species of Leishmania, Leishmania major and L. tropica. Results In vivo, expression of FcγRIIA/CD32a was found to accelerate the signs of inflammation while simultaneously preventing the formation of necrotic lesions after Leishmania infection. In infected macrophages, the presence of FcγRIIA/CD32a did not affect the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, while the balance between ITAMa and ITAMi proteins was disturbed with improved Fyn and Lyn activation. Unexpectedly, infection with L. tropica but not L. major triggered an intracytoplasmic processing of FcγRIIA/CD32a. Conclusions Our observations underscore the significance of FcγRIIA/CD32a in cutaneous leishmaniasis and its potential use as a therapeutic target. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Geothermal energy in the Paris urban area has been exploited since the early 1970s. Deep drilling in the Paris sedimentary basin has targeted hot brine in the Dogger formations from a mid-Jurassic carbonate rocks series. More than a hundred wells have been drilled to depths ranging from 1400 to 2000 m and decades of production and reinjection have resulted in variations in the aquifer pressure and temperature in some areas. The regional numerical model discussed herein is aimed at assessing the potential interactions between doublets and for assessing the impact of the addition of more wells in the future. While the integration of a 3D refined geological model into a large-scale reservoir model needs heavy computational resources, local models simplifying the main productive areas into one or two layers surrounded by impermeable units can be used to approximately assess the reservoir characteristics. The modelling of a semi-regional area of the Dogger reservoir in the Southern part of Paris (Cachan/Orly) has been performed, using a conventional double-layer approach to simulate the natural state and production history of the area using the simulator Waiwera, a fast parallel open-source geothermal simulator from the University of Auckland in New-Zealand. Calibration of a natural state model, which describes the conditions before any geothermal operations, has been performed, including an analysis of the impact of boundary condition values on the ability of the model to match the data available in the public domain. The temperature and pressure distributions, instead of being based on geostatistical mapping methods have been obtained from a calibrated natural state model. The implementation of a regional lateral cross flow observed from past studies proved to be essential for matching the measured temperatures and pressures along with variations in the deep heat flux. A calibrated model has been obtained from matching the available production data with mismatches of no more than 1.5 °C. The modelling results confirm the dominance of the shallower productive zone in the aquifers and give insights into the extent of the cooler areas created by the long-term operations. Thus we have used the Dogger reservoir, with multiple data sets available, as a case study for calibrating a semi regional numerical model of a deep sedimentary aquifer used for geothermal direct-use. Our modelling study accounts for the conceptual understanding of the sedimentary aquifer with its heterogeneities and calibrates the numerical model against the measured historical data. Based on the calibrated reservoir model, the pressure and temperature responses in deep productive areas can be determined enabling operators or decision makers to test future strategies for sustainably operating the geothermal resource.

Abstract Mn-doped UO2 is considered a potential advanced nuclear fuel due to ameliorated microstructural grain growth compared to non-doped variants. However, recent experimental investigations have highlighted limitations in grain growth apparently arising from misunderstandings of its redox-structural chemistry. To resolve this, we use synchrotron X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy measurements supported by ab initio calculations to cross-examine the redox and structural chemistry of Mn-doped UO2 single crystal grains and ceramic specimens. Measurements reveal Mn enters the UO2 matrix divalently as $$({{{Mn}}}_{x}^{+2}{{U}}_{1-x}^{+4}){{O}_{2-x}}$$ ( M n x + 2 U 1 − x + 4 ) O 2 − x with the additional formation of fluorite Mn+2O in the bulk material. Extended X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements unveil that during sintering, the isostructural relationship between fluorite UO2 and Mn+2O results in inadvertent interaction and subsequent incorporation of diffusing U species within MnO, rather than neighbouring UO2 grains, inhibiting grain growth. The investigation consequently highlights the significance of considering total redox-structural chemistry of main and minor phases in advanced ceramic material design.

Abstract We have shown that virus-specific CD4 and CD8 memory T cells (TM) induce autophagy after T cell receptor (TCR) engagement to provide free glutamine and fatty acids, including in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). These nutrients fuel mitochondrial ATP generation through glutaminolysis and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathways, to fulfill the bioenergetic demands for optimal IL-21 and cytotoxic molecule production in CD4 and CD8 cells, respectively. Here, we expand our knowledge on how the metabolic events that occur in the mitochondria of virus-specific TM down-stream of the autophagy are regulated. We show that HSP60 chaperone positively regulates the protein levels for multiple glutaminolysis- and FAO-related enzymes, thereby actively fueling the levels of cellular alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) and related mitochondrial ATP-dependent antiviral T cell immunity in both CD4 and CD8 TM. Finally, we provide a way to rescue defective ATP generation in mitochondria and dependent effector functions in virus-specific TM including anti-HIV-1 protective responses, when HSP60 expression is impaired after TCR engagement in patients, in the form of dimethyl 2-oxoglutarate (DMKG) supplementation.

Abstract Paleoclimatic measurements serve to understand Earth System processes and evaluate climate model performances. However, their spatial coverage is generally sparse and unevenly distributed across the globe. Statistical interpolation methods are the prevalent techniques to grid such data, but these purely data-driven approaches sometimes produce results that are incoherent with our knowledge of the physical world. Physics-Informed Neural Networks follow an innovative approach to data analysis and physical modeling through machine learning, as they incorporate physical principles into the data-driven learning process. Here, we develop a machine-learning algorithm to reconstruct global maps of atmospheric dust surface deposition fluxes from paleoclimatic archives for the Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum periods. We design an advection-diffusion equation that prevents dust particles from flowing upwind. Our physics-informed neural network improves on kriging interpolation by allowing variable asymmetry around data points. The reconstructions display realistic dust plumes from continental sources towards ocean basins following prevailing winds.

Abstract Background Studies on emergency transarterial embolization (TAE) of renal arterial injuries are rare. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical outcomes after emergency transarterial renal embolization. Material and methods Between January 1st, 2013 and January 1st, 2024, all consecutive patients treated for renal arterial injuries by TAE in emergency settings were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, biological and angiographic data were recorded. The inclusion criteria were all patients ≥ 18-years-old treated by emergency TAE for renal vascular injury. Clinical success was defined as the resolution of bleeding signs without the need for repeat TAE, surgery, death related to massive blood loss during this period, without functional impairment (> 50% of parenchyma volume or onset of chronic kidney disease) following TAE. Results During the inclusion period, 79 procedures were performed. The median age was 60[39–73] years old. On preoperative CT, ≥ 1 pseudoaneurysm was detected in 36(45.6%) patients, and active bleeding in 47(65.8%) patients. The preoperative median haemoglobin rate was 8.9[7.6–11] g/dl, and 37(46.8%) patients required red blood cell transfusions. The main aetiologies of arterial injury were blunt trauma (n = 19) and renal biopsy (n = 17). No severe adverse events were reported. Clinical success was reported in 74(93.7%) of the procedures. Three (3.8%) repeat embolizations were required, and were clinically successful. During the median follow-up of 7[1.5–35.5] months, 9(11.4%) patients died, of which 5(6.3%) occurred within 30 days. Conclusion The present study reports high clinical success, low complications and low rebleeding rates of emergency renal TAE.

Abstract The TGFβ signaling pathway is known for its pleiotropic functions in a plethora of biological processes. In melanoma, TGFβ signaling promotes invasiveness and metastasis formation. However, its involvement in the response to therapy is controversial. While several studies have linked TGFβ signaling to elevated resistance to targeted therapy in melanoma, separate findings have indicated a favorable treatment response through TGFβ-mediated increase of cell death. We now found that the outcome of TGFβ signaling in the context of targeted therapy is dose dependent. Unlike low doses, high levels of TGFβ signal activation induce apoptosis upon simultaneous MAPK pathway inhibition, even in targeted therapy resistant melanoma cell lines. Using transcriptomic analyses, combined with genomic target identification of the critical TGFβ signaling effector SMAD4, we demonstrate that parallel activation of TGFβ signaling and MAPK pathway inhibition causes a complete switch of TGFβ target genes from promoting pro-invasive processes to fueling pro-apoptotic pathways. Investigations of underlying mechanisms identified a novel apoptosis-inducing gene signature. Functional validation of signature members highlighted a central role of the pro-apoptotic BCL2 family member BCL2L11 (BIM) in mediating apoptosis in this condition. Using a modified, synthetic version of the TGFB1 mRNA for intra-tumoral injections, we additionally showcase a potential therapeutic application of this treatment combination.

Abstract Background This commentary article critically assesses the inclusion and recognition of young adults with lived and living experiences (YALLE) in academic publishing. Stemming from our involvement in a health research study, this analysis interrogates the disparity between the stated importance of YALLE contributions in health research and their actual recognition, specifically in academic publications, which serve as the principal “currency” in research. This tokenism limits the potential for their unique insights to substantially enrich the discourse and dissemination of knowledge. Set against a backdrop of systemic biases and structural barriers, this discussion underscores the persistent minoritization of YALLE, despite increasing nominal recognition within academic and health research communities. Main text The commentary begins by placing the engagement of young adults in health research within its current context, showing that this inclusion often remains superficial, serving more as a symbolic gesture toward inclusivity rather than fostering genuine participatory research. It critiques the implicit biases within institutional frameworks that continue to shape research culture detrimentally, thus stifling the transformative potential of research led and partnered by young adults. The core of the narrative addresses the complex challenges faced by YALLE, including discrimination, underrecognition, and inadequate participatory roles in research processes. These issues are magnified by the prevalent “publish or perish” culture in academia, which prioritizes the quantity of scholarly output over the quality and inclusivity of research contributions. Conclusions The commentary advocates for a crucial shift in academic publishing to genuinely appreciate and integrate the contributions of young adults. We call for a transition from a “publish or perish” model to a “publish with purpose” approach, which necessitates rethinking what is considered valuable knowledge and who is acknowledged as its creators. This shift aims to cultivate an academic culture where knowledge is treated as a communal resource, and publications are used as tools to advance societal understanding and progress.

Introduction: Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) is defined as the most comfortable level (MCL) intensity for speech and is calculated by subtracting the maximum noise tolerable by an individual. The ANL test has been used over time to predict hearing aid use and the impact of digital noise reduction. This study analyzes this impact by using different masker babble spectra when performing the ANL test in both hearing-impaired and healthy subjects in three different languages (Dutch, French, and Italian). Materials and Methods: A total of 198 patients underwent the ANL test in their native language using a standardized protocol. The babble file was speech-weighted to match the long-term spectrum of the specific ANL language version. ANL was proposed in three different masking conditions: with multitalker Matched babble speech noise, with the same masking signal with the spectrum reduced from 2 kHz onwards (High Cut), and with the spectrum increased from 2 kHz onwards (High Boost). Results: In all of the comparisons among the three languages, ANL with High Boost noise gave significantly higher (worse) scores than ANL with Matched noise (p-value S1: p-value S1: 0.0002, S2:

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on 11 March 2023, and the subsequent depegging of the USDC stablecoin highlighted vulnerabilities in the interconnected financial ecosystem. While prior research has explored the systemic risks of stablecoins and their reliance on traditional banking, there has been limited focus on how banking sector shocks affect digital asset markets. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the impact of SVB’s collapse on the stability of major stablecoins—USDC, DAI, FRAX, and USDD—and their relationships with Bitcoin and Tether. Using daily data from October 2022 to November 2023, we found that the SVB incident triggered a series of depegging events, with varying effects across stablecoins. Our results indicate that USDC, often viewed as one of the safer stablecoins, was particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on SVB reserves. Other stablecoins experienced different impacts based on their collateral structures. These findings challenge the notion of stablecoins as inherently safe assets and underscore the need for improved risk management and regulatory oversight. Additionally, this study illustrates how machine learning models, including gradient boosting and random forests, can enhance our understanding of financial contagion and market stability.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine healthcare services, including testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). At the same time, it fostered optimism about the potential of direct-to-consumer (DTC) self-testing solutions, fueled by remarkable progress in self-sampling practices, rapid testing technologies, and the adaptation of regulatory frameworks. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) self-testing and self-sampling for STIs became then still a more critical alternative, offering privacy, accessibility, and the potential to address testing gaps, especially for underserved, at-risk groups. This review critically analyzed the literature published since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. DTC testing has evolved significantly since the pandemic, with notable advances in technology, availability, and disease and geographical coverage. It has increased STI testing uptake among underserved or hesitant populations, including men who have sex with men and young adults. However, issues around cost, data reporting, and follow-up care persist, and many at-risk groups still lack access. While these solutions have improved testing uptake and public health outcomes, anticipated widespread adoption and advances have been slower than expected. Limited market options, weak research, and regulatory challenges have hindered growth. Research has often focused on potential user acceptance rather than real-world usage. Future directions should leverage trendy approaches in medical ethnography and transformational marketing to emphasize user- and data-driven innovation, affordability, and regulatory support based on private provider accountability.

Abstract Background Malaria remains a threat in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire, where it is endemic and represents the leading cause of hospital consultations, morbidity and mortality. The strong climatic variations that exist between coastal and savannah areas of Côte d’Ivoire suggest that vector control interventions should be scheduled according to the eco-epidemiological diversity. This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire. Methods The study was conducted in the coastal (Jacqueville) and savannah (Béoumi) areas of Côte d’Ivoire from November 2018 to March 2019. Human Landing Catches (HLC) were conducted monthly at the study sites to determine Anopheles vector species composition, biting behaviour as well as entomological parameters of malaria transmission. Mosquitoes were collected over 12 h, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am during 2 days per month. Mosquitoes infectivity was revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein. A random sample of 100 Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) including all CSP-positive females, were further classified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the species and molecular form levels. Results In Jacqueville, 853 (99.7%) An. gambiae s.l., and 3 (0.35%) Anopheles pharoensis were collected. In Béoumi, 811 (96.3%) An. gambiae s.l., 23 (2.73%) Anopheles funestus and 8 (0. 95%) An. pharoensis have been found. Anopheles coluzzii represented the only species of the An. gambiae complex in Jacqueville. Among the An. gambiae s.l. samples tested in Beoumi, 29 (58%) were An. coluzzii and the rest 21 (42%) was An. gambiae sensu stricto. The human biting rate (HBR) in Jacqueville increased from 5.7 (b/p/n) in November to 17.3 (b/p/n) in March. Conversely in Béoumi the HBR decreased from 16.4 (b/p/n) in November to 0.69 (b/p/n) in March. In Jacqueville, the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) varies from 0.21 to 0.56 (ib/p/n) with the pic of 0.56 (ib/p/n) in February. In Béoumi no infection was detected in the parous An. gambiae s.l. samples tested during the study period. Conclusions This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire.

Abstract Introduction The ability to detect pathogenic bacteria before the onsets of severe respiratory symptoms and to differentiate bacterial infection allows to improve patient-tailored treatment leading to a significant reduction in illness severity, comorbidity as well as antibiotic resistance. As such, this study refines the application of the non-invasive Secondary Electrospray Ionization-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (SESI-HRMS) methodology for real-time and early detection of human respiratory bacterial pathogens in the respiratory tract of a mouse infection model. Methods A real-time analysis of changes in volatile metabolites excreted by mice undergoing a lung infection by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae were evaluated using a SESI-HRMS instrument. The infection status was confirmed using classical CFU enumeration and tissue histology. The detected VOCs were analyzed using a pre- and post-processing algorithm along with ANOVA and RASCA statistical evaluation methods. Results Characteristic changes in the VOCs emitted from the mice were detected as early as 4–6 h post-inoculation. Additionally, by using each mouse as its own baseline, we mimicked the inherent variation within biological organism and reported significant variations in 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the course of a lung bacterial infection. Conclusion the non-invasive SESI-HRMS enables real-time detection of infection specific VOCs. However, further refinement of this technology is necessary to improve clinical patient management, treatment, and facilitate decisions regarding antibiotic use due to early infection detection.

Abstract An efficient parallel implementation of the phase field method for quasi-brittle crack simulations able to run on supercomputers with a large number of processes is proposed. This framework uses the finite-element method on 3D structured meshes, and was developed for distributed memory machines using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) for workload distribution and data communication between processes. Parallel assembly is carried out to build the matrices associated with the linear systems of equations. In the proposed context, linear systems derived from displacement and damage discretizations are solved using parallel solvers and preconditioners from the PETSc (Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation) library. All additional operations in this implementation are also efficiently parallelized. Performance analysis shows linear acceleration with an efficiency of $$97\%$$ 97 % for a computation on 6400 processes and over $$80\%$$ 80 % for a computation on 10240 processes. The linear systems involved in the simulations with up to $$10^{10}$$ 10 10 degrees of freedom can be solved in a few seconds. The methodology is applied to quasi-brittle simulations, involving alternate solving of large linear systems and incremental evolution. The applications presented to illustrate the parallel framework involve crack initiation and propagation in strongly heterogeneous materials with a detailed description of the microstructure. Large three-dimensional periodic structures and a realistic geometrical model directly obtained by micro-CT imagery are used.

Background and Study Aim. Fear of failure, choking under pressure, financial disparities in income, and concerns related to body image and social pressure may intensify on-field challenges. These factors make the competitive environment particularly demanding for female soccer players. The aim of the current review is to map the available evidence on anxiety in women's football over the past decade and to identify interventions designed to manage anxiety among female soccer players. Material and Methods. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. An extensive search was carried out across four major databases for publications dated between 2014 and 2024. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text screening and data extraction. Any disagreements were resolved by a third researcher. The findings were tabulated and synthesized in a narrative format. The study was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework. Results. The search yielded 2885 unique records. A total of 21 texts were reviewed in full, and the final sample included 14 studies. Some of the records included mentioned modifications to psychosocial interventions, such as Virtual Reality (VR) relaxation sessions, pre-exercise sporting massage, and psychological training programs (including psycho-neuromuscular theory and visualization techniques). These interventions led to a reduction in anxiety, though their effectiveness varied significantly across different approaches. Our results suggest that research on women's football may disproportionately focus on psychological interventions for managing anxiety. This highlights the need for broader investigations into other factors that influence athletes' performance and well-being. Conclusions. This scoping review helps clarify the current landscape of anxiety research in women's soccer. It highlights both promising interventions and gaps in the research over the past decade. Although the body of evidence on anxiety interventions is small, it suggests that psychological interventions may be effective in reducing anxiety among female soccer players.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess the precision and safety of targeted microwave ablation (TMA) using organ‐based tracking (OBT) fusion, in patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer. Patients and method We conducted a prospective, multicentric trial. Eligible patients had a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)

Abstract Background Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are at increased risk of dementia. The underlying mechanisms are debated. FDG-PET elucidates glucose metabolic reductions due to altered neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex, allowing detection and identification of neurodegenerative processes. This study aims to investigate cerebral glucose metabolism in cognitively impaired elderly patients with BD using FDG-PET imaging, to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms and improve diagnostic accuracy. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of FDG-PET scans from 32 cognitively impaired elderly patients with BD (mean age 70.4 years). These were compared with scans from 35 non-degenerative controls (NDC) and patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 27), frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n = 26), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB, n = 18). Voxel-wise statistical analysis was performed using SPM software, adjusting for age and sex. Results No significant cortical hypometabolism was found in patients with BD compared to NDC. In contrast, typical patterns of hypometabolism were observed in the AD, FTD, and DLB groups. The findings suggest that late-life cognitive impairment in patients with BD is not due to a single common neurodegenerative process. Conclusion The absence of abnormal cortical metabolism in cognitively impaired elderly patients with BD suggests that cognitive impairment in this population may not be driven by a common neurodegenerative pathway. Further studies using other biomarkers are needed to investigate the brain processes involved, which could lead to improved understanding and management of cognitive impairment in patients with BD.