bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ACEMID cohort study: protocol of a prospective cohort study using 3D total body photography for melanoma imaging and diagnosis
Authors: Koh Uyen , Cust Anne E , Fernández-Peñas Pablo , Mann Graham , Morton Rachael , Wolfe Rory , Payne Elizabeth , Horsham Caitlin , Kwaan Grace , Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Sashindranath Maithili , Soyer Hans Peter , Mar Victoria , Janda Monika
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Three-dimensional (3D) total body photography may improve early detection of melanoma and facilitate surveillance, leading to better prognosis and lower healthcare costs. The Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID) cohort study will assess long-term outcomes from delivery of a precision strategy of monitoring skin lesions using skin surface imaging technology embedded into health services across Australia.

Methods and analysis

A prospective cohort study will enrol 15 000 participants aged 18 years and above, across 15 Australian sites. Participants will attend study visits according to their melanoma risk category: very high risk, high risk or low/average risk, every 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively, over 3 years. Participants will undergo 3D total body photography and dermoscopy imaging at study visits. A baseline questionnaire will be administered to collect sociodemographic, phenotypic, quality of life and sun behaviour data. A follow-up questionnaire will be administered every 12 months to obtain changes in sun behaviour and quality of life. A saliva sample will be collected at the baseline visit from a subsample.

Ethics and dissemination

The ACEMID cohort study was approved by the Metro South Health Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number: HREC/2019/QMS/57206) and the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number: 2019003077). The findings will be reported through peer-reviewed and lay publications and presentations at conferences.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12619001706167.
Knowledge and practice of the management of breakthrough cancer pain among general practitioners providing palliative care in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yu Ying , Zhang Panpan , Chen Danxia , Jiang Sun Fang
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study examined knowledge and practice of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) management among general practitioners (GPs) providing palliative care in Shanghai.

Design

Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire.

Setting and participants

A total of 393 GPs providing palliative care in 32 community health service centres in Shanghai were recruited by stratified cluster random sampling between 1 May and 30 June 2022.

Outcome measures

Knowledge and practice concerning BTcP management.

Results

A total of 375 questionnaires were collected and declared valid. The median knowledge score was 11 out of 21 points. Only 36.3% (n=136) of the participating GPs scored 11 points or more, which was categorised as good knowledge. Only 24.8% (n=93) of the GPs used Davies’ adapted diagnostic algorithm as the gold standard for diagnosis. All of the GPs assessed the intensity of BTcP; however, less than a quarter of the GPs evaluated the relationship between background pain and BTcP (22.1%, n=83), the impact of BTcP on activities of daily living (24.0%, n=90), the impact of BTcP on social relationships (14.4%, n=54) and the impact of BTcP on mood (10.1%, n=38). 56.5% (n=212) of the GPs reported that they used pain tools in the assessment of BTcP. All of the GPs prescribed immediate-release morphine as rescue medication for relieving BTcP; however, 60.5% (n=227) prescribed the dose based on their personal experiences, irrespective of the basal opioid dose, and 57.3% (n=215) did not conduct dose titration after providing the initial dose. No GPs reported that they ever administered interventional treatment to their patients.

Conclusions

Insufficient knowledge and inappropriate behaviours in BTcP diagnosis, assessment and treatment were identified. There is an urgent need to improve BTcP management among GPs providing palliative care in Shanghai.
Physical activity and self-rated health during retirement transition: a multitrajectory analysis of concurrent changes among public sector employees
Authors: Lintuaho Roosa , Saltychev Mikhail , Pentti Jaana , Vahtera Jussi , Stenholm Sari
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate concurrent changes in physical activity and self-rated health during retirement transition over 4 years by multivariate trajectory analysis and to examine whether sociodemographic and lifestyle factors predict the probability of being classified to a certain subgroup of observed changes.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Public sector employees.

Participants

3550 participants of the Finnish Retirement and Aging study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Participants estimated on a yearly questionnaire their weekly hours of different types of activities converted to metabolic equivalent of task-hour/week. Self-rated health was assessed on a 5-point Likert-like scale from poor to excellent and dichotomised as suboptimal and optimal. Multivariate trajectory analysis was used to distinguish different subgroups of trajectories. Multinomial regression analysis was used to describe the associations between covariates and the probability of being classified to a certain trajectory group.

Results

Three trajectory groups were identified, all displaying increasing activity during retirement with a simultaneous decrease in perceived suboptimal health. Physical activity peaked at 18 months after retirement and then slightly decreased, except for initially highly physically active participants (9%) with good self-rated health, who demonstrated a constant high level of physical activity. Male gender, professional occupation, being married or cohabiting, body mass index <30 kg/m2, not smoking and using alcohol below risk levels were associated with higher physical activity and better self-rated health.

Conclusion

Changes in physical activity and perceived health during retirement transition were interconnected. Both were improved during retirement transition, but the change was temporary. Longer follow-up studies are required to assess the changes over a longer period after retirement.
Epidemiological features and temporal trends of HIV-negative tuberculosis burden from 1990 to 2019: a retrospective analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Chen Yuqian , Liu Jin , Zhang Qianqian , Wang Qingting , Chai Limin , Chen Huan , Li Danyang , Qiu Yuanjie , Wang Yan , Shen Nirui , Wang Jian , Xie Xinming , Li Shaojun , Li Manxiang
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aimed to analyse the burden and temporal trends of tuberculosis (TB) incidence and mortality globally, as well as the association between mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

Design

A retrospective analysis of TB data from 1990 to 2019 was conducted using the Global Burden of Disease Study database.

Results

Between 1990 and 2019, there was a declining trend in the global incidence and mortality of TB. High SDI regions experienced a higher declining rate than in low SDI regions during the same period. Nearly half of the new patients occurred in South Asia. In addition, there is a sex–age imbalance in the overall burden of TB, with young males having higher incidence and mortality than females. In terms of the three subtypes of TB, drug-sensitive (DS)-TB accounted for more than 90% of the incidents and deaths and experienced a decline over the past 30 years. However, drug-resistant TB (multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB) showed an overall increasing trend in age-standardised incidence rates and age-standardised mortality rates, with an inflection point after the year 2000. At the regional level, South Asia and Eastern Europe remained a high burden of drug-resistant TB incidence and mortality. Interestingly, a negative correlation was found between the MIR and SDI for TB, including DS-TB, MDR-TB and XDR-TB. Notably, central sub-Saharan Africa had the highest MIR, which indicated a higher-than-expected burden given its level of sociodemographic development.

Conclusion

This study provides comprehensive insights into the global burden and temporal trends of TB incidence and mortality, as well as the relationship between MIR and SDI. These findings contribute to our understanding of TB epidemiology and can inform public health strategies for prevention and management.
Is it feasible to implement a community-based participatory group programme to address issues of access to healthcare for people with disabilities in Luuka district Uganda? A study protocol for a mixed-methods pilot study
Authors: Kuper Hannah , Ssemata Andrew Sentoogo , Smythe Tracey , Drazdzewska Joanna , Waiswa Peter , Kagurusi Patrick , Rosato Mikey , Mbazzi Femke Bannink
Published: September 2023

Introduction

On average, people with disabilities face many difficulties in accessing healthcare and experience worse health outcomes. Yet, evidence on how to overcome these barriers is lacking. Participatory approaches are gaining prominence as they can generate low-cost, appropriate and scalable solutions. This study protocol is for the pilot testing of the co-created Participatory Learning and Action for Disability (PLA-D) groups to assess feasibility.

Methods and analysis

We will pilot test PLA-D in five groups in Luuka district, Uganda during 2023. Each group will include approximately 20 members (people with disabilities, family members, carers) who will meet every 2–3 weeks over a 9–11 month period. The groups, guided by a trained facilitator, will identify issues about health and healthcare access and plan and implement locally generated solutions (eg, raising awareness of rights, advocacy and lobbying, establishing health savings and financing schemes). We will collect diverse sources of data to assess feasibility: (1) in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with group participants, non-participants and group facilitators; (2) monitoring of group activities; (3) direct observation of groups and (4) quantitative survey of group participants at baseline and endline. Data analyses will be undertaken to assess feasibility in terms of: acceptability, demand, implementation and practicality. We will develop and refine evaluation tools in preparation for a future trial.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the study has been received by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Uganda Virus Research Institute ethics committees. Informed consent will be obtained from all study participants, making adaptations for people with disabilities as necessary. We will reach different groups for our dissemination activities, including (1) people with disabilities (eg, community meetings); (2) policy and programme stakeholders in Uganda and international (eg, individual meetings, evidence briefs) and (3) academics (journal articles, conference/seminar presentations).
Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial examining the effects of temporarily pausing Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy to coincide with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its impact on immune responses in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Barber Vicki S , Peckham Nicholas , Duley Lelia , Francis Anne , Abhishek Abhishek , Moss Paul , Cook Jonathan A , Parry Helen M
Published: September 2023

Introduction

People who are immunocompromised have a poor biological response to vaccinations. This study aims to determine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) if a 3-week pause in Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy (BTKi) starting 1 week before delivery of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster, improves vaccine immune response when compared with continuation of BTKi.

Methods and analysis

An open-label, randomised controlled superiority trial will be conducted in haematology clinics in approximately 10 UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. The sample size is 120, randomised 1:1 to intervention and usual care arms. The primary outcome is anti-spike-receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody level at 3 weeks post-SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination. Secondary outcomes are RBD antibody levels at 12 weeks postbooster vaccination, participant global assessments of disease activity, blood films, full blood count and lactate dehydrogenase levels, impact on quality of life, self-reported adherence with request to temporarily pause or continue BTKi, T cell response against spike protein and relative neutralising antibody titre against SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. Additionally, there will be an investigation of any effects in those given influenza vaccination contemporaneously versus COVID-19 alone.

The primary analysis will be performed on the as randomised groups (‘intention to treat’). The difference between the study arms in anti-spike-RBD antibody level will be estimated using a mixed effects regression model, allowing for repeated measures clustered within participants. The model will be adjusted for randomisation factor (first line or subsequent line of therapy), and prior infection status obtained from prerandomisation antinucleocapsid antibodies as fixed effects.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by Leeds East Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority (REC Reference:22/YH/0226, IRAS ID: 319057). Dissemination will be via peer-review publications, newsletters and conferences. Results will be communicated to participants, the CLL patient and clinical communities and health policy-makers.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14197181.
The human side of structural stigma: a call to action to address the lack of equity in mental health and substance use care
Authors: Howlett Megan , Grimminck Rachel
Published: September 2023

Structural mental health and substance use (MHSU) stigma is a health equity and human rights issue that results in significant disparities in health outcomes for people with MHSU disorders. Two early career psychiatric physicians share the vicarious and witnessed experiences of their patients within the public mental health system, especially those deemed to be high risk. The authors also describe barriers patients face, and the unacceptable reality that mental health emergencies are systematically not handled as such, to the detriment of patient, family and provider well-being. Strategies to address structural MHSU stigma are also discussed with a particular emphasis on the emergency psychiatry context.
At the helm: health anchor leadership in practice
Authors: Fishel Savannah , Daniel Dame Jackie , Adebowale Lord Victor , Allwood Dominique , Yaqoob Salma , Slay Julia
Published: September 2023

As we face unprecedented challenges to our physical, mental, environmental and economic health, we need leaders who trail ways of working, take bold action and champion social justice for all. Across the National Health Service, as well as local government, housing, education and the voluntary sector, anchor institutions are uniquely positioned to generate economic, social and environmental impact. With insights from Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Dame Jackie Daniel, Salma Yaqoob and Dr Dominique Allwood, the Health Anchors Learning Network explores what it takes to successfully lead an anchor approach and create healthier, more equal and just communities during times of crisis.
Patient and physician assessment in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: patterns of subjective perception at early stages of b/tsDMARD treatment
Authors: Novella -Navarro Marta , Cabrera-Alarcón JoséLuis , López-Juanes Natalia , Villalba Alejandro , Fernández Fernández Elisa , Monjo Irene , Peiteado Diana , Nuño Laura , Plasencia-Rodríguez Chamaida , Balsa Alejandro
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To analyse the trajectories of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), patient global assessment (PGA) and physician global assessment (PhGA) and to assess their predictive capabilities on difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA) classification.

Methods

Longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 2020 to 2022. Based on the D2TRA EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) definition, patients were classified as D2TRA according to biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) failure due to inefficacy (D2TRA-inefficacy) or other reasons (D2TRA-other). Patients who did not fulfil the D2TRA criteria were classified as NoD2TRA. DAS28, PGA and PhGA scores collected every 6 months during the first 24 months of b/tsDMARD treatment were used to identify different trajectories using latent class mixed models (LCMM).

Results

The study population comprised 255 patients with RA, of whom 167 were NoD2TRA, 58 D2TRA-inefficacy and 30 D2TRA-other. LCMM stratified patients into two different trajectories for DAS28 and PhGA and three for PGA according to the most stable model. The most notable variation occurred during the first 6 months of treatment, thereafter remaining stable during the follow-up period. Most D2TRA-inefficacy patients fitted the trajectory, showing higher values of the studied parameters. NoD2TRA followed the trajectory with lower values, and D2TRA-other were distributed more homogeneously across all trajectories.

Conclusions

The assessment of disease activity, together with patients’ and physicians’ perceptions, form a key element in the correct discrimination of patients who are going to develop D2TRA-inefficacy. However, identifying those patients who will be D2TRA-other remains challenging, whether by subjective or objective parameters.
Improved Stability for Robust and Low-Power SRAM Cell Using FinFET Technology
Authors: Haq Shams Ul , Sharma Vijay Kumar
Published: September 2023

In the current nanoscale regime, fin field effect transistor (FinFET) technology overcomes the limitations of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology. Robust and low-power static random access memory (SRAM) design is a demanding task for memory designers, especially in the nanoscale regime. Therefore, this paper proposes a 10 transistor (10T)-based SRAM cell design using low-power FinFET technology. The proposed approach not only reduces the leakage current, but also improves cell stability in different states. The proposed SRAM cell is simulated and analyzed at a 10[Formula: see text]nm technology node using a multi-gate predictive technology model (PTM) for the transistors with a power supply of 0.7[Formula: see text]V. The comparison analysis is also presented with the existing designs. The read and write static noise margins, and SRAM electrical quantity matrix (SEQM) of the proposed SRAM cell are improved by 3.54×, 1.71× and 26.41×, respectively, compared with the conventional 6T (C6T) design. The reliability investigations and comparison of the proposed SRAM cell have been carried out using Monte Carlo simulations with [Formula: see text]% deviations in the process parameters. The reliability analysis shows that the proposed SRAM cell is less sensitive to process variations.
The empirical coupled-channel model with the new analytical penetration formula for fusion cross-sections
Authors: Mu Yi-Tian , Zhao Wei-Juan , Wang Bing
Published: September 2023

The new analytical barrier penetration formula proposed by Li et al. [Int. J. Mod. Phys. E 19 (2010) 359] for potential barriers containing a long-range Coulomb interaction is adopted in the empirical coupled-channel (ECC) model for calculating fusion cross-sections. As compared with the Hill–Wheeler (HW) formula based on the parabolic approximation, this formula is more appropriate for the barrier penetration with incident energies much lower than the Coulomb barrier. The calculated results show that the ECC model with the new barrier penetration formula can describe the fusion cross-section data well, especially for light systems at energies much lower than the Coulomb barrier. Then the systematics of the difference between the ECC calculation with the new penetration formula and that with the HW formula is investigated. The results show that the difference between the results with the HW formula and the new penetration formula is less than one order of magnitude at [Formula: see text].
Computer Network Data Management Model Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Liu Hongxia , Song Lina , Sundarasekar Revathi , Malar A. Jasmine Gnana
Published: September 2023

Data reliability and confidence in the data are very important issues, especially when the system integrates fraud or false information. The misusing of data collected may create serious problems. With the fast development of computing techniques, much data are collected from various terminals and industrial devices. Edge computing operates by driving data, software and computer resources from the centralized network to its extremes, allowing pieces of knowledge to lie on distributed cloud networks. Its target customers continue to use commercial Internet application software for every internet customer. Edge computing is used to provide delay-free customer experience assistance for features of the Internet of Things (IoT) services on the edge of the user network. The document identifies an IoT computing platform collaborating with the edge competitive data management latency (CDML) tool. This approach separately categorizes edge layer requests and response data over time using demand-density driven optimization. A difference-based optimization optimizes the frame limits for simultaneous request processing and exact allocation of data. The architectural efficiency of edge computing can be assessed by comparing latency, bandwidth usage, and overhead. Furthermore, estimating the availability, credibility and confidentiality of security solutions within each party would take into consideration security concerns in edge computing and propose a safety assessment process for IoT networks with edge computing. This procedure is finally validated using appropriate tests, and the resulting findings are examined to demonstrate the method’s accuracy. Experimental data are used to validate methods to request maintenance and processing, response time, resource utilization and contract period. In comparison to current approaches, the results of the proposed CDML are measured with a percentage of 97.90%.

The proposed system enhances the request and response comparison ratio 97.5%, analyzing request performance ratio 98.1%, response with time analysis ratio of 98.3%, data allocation approach analysis ratio 97.7%.
Generation and Investigation of FE2O3 Nanoparticles’ Optical Properties and Antibacterial Activity Using Pulsed Laser Ablation in Deionized Water
Authors: Khamees Entidhar Jasim , Saeed Inas Ahmed , Abdulazeem Lubna , Gençyılmaz Olcay , Agarwal Manoj Kumar , Mohammed Kahtan A. , Sharma Shubham
Published: September 2023

The synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has ignited intense interest over the last decade due to their unique properties, which make them applicable in a variety of fields of science and technology. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were synthesized, characterized, and their antibacterial activity was determined using a low-cost and simple method. Method: In this paper, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by a physical method of pulsed laser ablation in a liquid medium with 600 mJ energy. Magnetic Fe2O3 NPs were prepared by using a 1064 nm Nd-YAG laser and bombarding the [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 target in a deionized aqueous solution. An absorption spectrometer was used to study the optical properties and structures of nanoparticles, the prepared nanoparticles were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Besides, utilizing FESEM, the morphological and surface characteristics were examined. The antibacterial activity of Fe2O3 NPs against several pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from various human infection sites was investigated using a disk diffusion experiment with laser pulse lengths of (100 nm, 150 nm, 200 nm and 300 nm) with the same laser energy. Result: The results showed the success of this method as the first sign that can be inferred from the change in the color of the solution to prepare nanoparticles. Fe2O3 NPs are mostly spherical in shape, with nano sizes ranging between 66.7 nm and 9.5 nm. The energy gap was found to be in the range of 1.79–2.39 eV for almost all nanoparticles prepared. Fe2O3 NPs were formed in almost spherical surface morphology with regular size and shape. The results showed their effect on stopping the growth of bacteria of type E. coli maximum zone of inhibition of 20 mm and 19 mm of S. epidermidis, 18 mm of type S. mutans and 16 mm of P. aeruginosa. As a result, in this study, it was shown that Fe2O3 NPs produced in water by laser ablation method can be used as antibacterial agents due to these properties.
Optical and Surface Structure Modification of Gallium Arsenide
Authors: Yadav A. R. , Dubey S. K. , Karande A. , Dubey R. L. , Sulania I.
Published: September 2023

The surface morphology modification and optical property modification of semi-insulating gallium arsenide sample implanted with 100 keV silicon ions with the fluences ranging between 5 × 10[Formula: see text] and 4 × 10[Formula: see text] ion cm[Formula: see text] were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy study. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed pore-like structure formation on the surface of gallium arsenide samples after silicon ion implantation. The size of these pore-like structures was found to increase with increasing ion fluence. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed an increase in silicon concentration in the gallium arsenide sample after silicon ion implantation with increasing ion fluence. The UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy study revealed a decrease in optical transmission for silicon ion implanted gallium arsenide sample with increasing ion fluence. An additional absorption band was observed for the gallium arsenide sample implanted with the highest fluence (4 × 10[Formula: see text] ion cm[Formula: see text]. Urbach tail energy was found to increase with respect to ion fluence.
One-Pot Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Detection of Dichromate and 4-Nitrophenol
Authors: Li Huiya , Wang Xiaomeng , Wang Siyu , Qu Hongqiang , Liu Liyan , Han Yuanyuan , Wang Liyong
Published: September 2023

In this study, a new blue-emitting carbon dot (CDs) was synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method. The uniform and transparent CDs solution can be obtained without separation. Its morphology, structural and properties information were also studied. Based on its fluorescence properties, the application in detection and composite film was explored. The CDs show good selectivity and sensitivity for dichromate ions and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), the LOD were 6.22 and 8.14[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M, respectively.
In Silico Molecular Docking Approach and In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Physalis angulata L. Extract
Authors: Wardhani Riuh , Darsih Cici , Iwansyah Ade Chandra , Indriati Ashri , Hamid Hazrulrizawati Abdul , Husain Dirayah Rauf
Published: September 2023

The biological properties of Physalis angulata L. include antibacterial, and antioxidant activity, anticancer and anti-inflammatory. The main goal of the research was to determine, using in silico methods, if some of the bioactive substances found in P. angulata L. extract were able to bind and inhibit the important protein/receptor. The Physalis angulata L. extract yielded significant in vitro-free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC[Formula: see text] value of 1.14 mg/ml, total phenolic content (TPC) value 133.96 ± 2.35 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE/g) and TFC value 47.6 ± 5.08 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE/g), respectively. The antibacterial activity was modest when compared with antibiotics controls. The extract was more effective on gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus than gram Escherichia coli yielding 11.367 ± 0.9 (mm) and 7.102 ± 0.5 (mm), respectively, at a 1 mg/mL concentration. The LC-HRMS analysis of the plant extract showed the most responsive compounds (30) that were present were selected to get the hit compound(s) on all target proteins viz., lipoxygenase-3, cytochrome P450, DNA gyrase topoisomerase II and histone acetyltransferase. Computational approaches revealed the low binding affinity of (+)-gallocatechin among 30 identified compounds on all target proteins. All identified compounds have good pharmacokinetic characteristics on ADMET parameters. Based on this study, P. angulata L. extract is a promising source of biological activity with great potential therapeutic use as an antibacterial and antioxidant.
Microviruses: A World Beyond phiX174
Authors: Kirchberger Paul C. , Ochman Howard
Published: September 2023

Two decades of metagenomic analyses have revealed that in many environments, small (∼5 kb), single-stranded DNA phages of the family Microviridae dominate the virome. Although the emblematic microvirus phiX174 is ubiquitous in the laboratory, most other microviruses, particularly those of the gokushovirus and amoyvirus lineages, have proven to be much more elusive. This puzzling lack of representative isolates has hindered insights into microviral biology. Furthermore, the idiosyncratic size and nature of their genomes have resulted in considerable misjudgments of their actual abundance in nature. Fortunately, recent successes in microvirus isolation and improved metagenomic methodologies can now provide us with more accurate appraisals of their abundance, their hosts, and their interactions. The emerging picture is that phiX174 and its relatives are rather rare and atypical microviruses, and that a tremendous diversity of other microviruses is ready for exploration.
Tech Highlights - Fall 2023
Authors: Pile Donald , Gallaway Joshua , Schindelholz Mara , McNulty David , Liu Zenghe , Karuppaiah Chock
Published: September 2023

A collection of technology highlights pulled from recent papers published in ECS journals.
A Highly Selective Analytical Method Based on Salt-Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction for Trace-Level Enrichment of Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Cow Milk for Quantitative Liquid Chromatographic Analysis
Authors: Bekele Habtamu , Yohannes Weldegebriel , Megersa Negussie
Published: September 2023

In this study, a simple, inexpensive, selective, and fast salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) technique coupled with high-pressure liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for the extraction, preconcentration, and analysis of trace level seven multiclass pesticide residues in pasteurized and raw cow milk samples. The significant factors that affect the extent to which the target analytes are extracted, such as the type of extraction solvent and its volume, the type and concentration of salting-out salts, the pH of the solution, and the extraction time, have been investigated. Under optimum conditions, the correlation coefficient (r2) was obtained within a range of 0.9982–0.9997 for a broad linear range concentration of 2–1500 ng·mL−1. Reliable sensitivity was achieved with limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) ranging from 0.58–2.56 ng·mL−1 and 1.95–8.51 ng·mL−1, respectively. While precision with interday and intraday in terms of relative standard deviations (RSDs) was observed in the range of 1.97 ̶ 7.88% and 4.52 ̶ 8.04%, respectively. The results of the precision studies reveal that good repeatability and reproducibility (RSDs <9) were achieved, thus showing a low variability extraction of the developed method. Finally, the proposed and validated approach was effectively used to extract and determine pesticide residues in real milk matrices; however, the target analytes were not detected in all samples.
An End‐to‐End Robotic Visual Localization Algorithm Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Chen Niansheng , Wang Hongcheng , Fan Guangyu , Yang Dingyu , Rao Lei
Published: September 2023

Efficient localization plays a significant role in mobile autonomous robots’ navigation systems. Traditional visual simultaneous localization systems based on point feature matching suffer from two shortcomings. First one is that the method of tracking features is not robust for environments with frequent changes in brightness. Another one is the large of consecutive visual keyframes can consume expensive computational and storage resources in complex environments. To solve these problems, an end‐to‐end real‐time six degrees of freedom object pose estimation algorithm is proposed to solve the robust and efficient challenges through a deep learning model. First, preprocessing operations such as cropping, averaging, and timestamp alignment are performed on datasets to reduce computational cost and time. Second, the processed dataset is fed into our neural network model to extract the most effective features for matching. Finally, the robot’s current 3D translation and 4D angle information are predicted and output to achieve an end‐to‐end localization system. A broad range of experiments are performed on both indoor and outdoor datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the translation and orientation accuracy in outdoor scenes improved by 32.9% and 31.4%, respectively. The average improvement of localization accuracy in indoor scenes is 38.4%, and the angle improvement is 13.1%. Moreover, the effectiveness of predicting the global motion trajectories of sequential images algorithm has been verified and is superior to other convolutional neural network methods.
Professional Digital Competence: Definition, Frameworks, Measurement, and Gender Differences: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Sánchez-Canut Sònia , Usart-Rodríguez Mireia , Grimalt-Álvaro Carme , Martínez-Requejo Sonia , Lores-Gómez Beatriz
Published: September 2023

In the current context of increasing digitization, professionals need to be digitally competent. In addition, women’s low participation in the technology field indicates the persistence of a digital gender gap in the economic and social spheres. A key aspect to help reducing digital inequality is the role that the digital competence (DC) plays in the professional development of women, allowing them to enter to a job market still coped by men. The current systematic literature review, following the PRISMA protocol, analyzes the existing definitions of professional DC, the frameworks used to develop it at the workplace, and the gender differences observed. Four main ideas emerge from the review of the 41 selected articles: (1) the need of an enabling professional DC definition to help understand how it operates specifically in professional environments; (2) the expanding role of the DigComp framework to carry out initiatives for assessing, training, developing, advising, or certifying digital competence in professional environments; (3) the identification of seven key dimensions of professional DC; and (4) the need of future studies that go further in the measurement of women’s professional DC, as a response of the lack of data about gender differences in this field. Although the limitations of a systematic literature review, such as publications and database bias, these results are aimed at fostering a shared definition and framework of professional DC that standardizes the measurement and development of this competence, allowing workers, and women in particular, to adapt to the digital transformation, assuring equal access to qualified jobs.
Supplementary Figure S3 from An Early Neoplasia Index (ENI10), Based on Molecular Identity of CD10 Cells and Associated Stemness Biomarkers, is a Predictor of Patient Outcome in Many Cancers
Authors: Guyot Boris , Clément Flora , Drouet Youenn , Schmidt Xenia , Lefort Sylvain , Delay Emmanuel , Treilleux Isabelle , Foy Jean-Philippe , Jeanpierre Sandrine , Thomas Emilie , Kielbassa Janice , Tonon Laurie , Zhu Helen He , Saintigny Pierre , Gao Wei-Qiang , de la Fouchardiere Arnaud , Tirode Franck , Viari Alain , Blay Jean-Yves , Maguer-Satta Véronique
Published: September 2023

Supplementary Figure S3 shows in A the CD10 transcript expression level in various cancer types from the TCGA cohorts. B shows the expression level of the CD10 protein in various cancer types from the human protein atlas. C shows the progression free intervals in function of the ENI10 score of various cancer types from the TCGA cohorts. D shows the ENI10 score of cohorts of benign melanocytic nevi or primary melanoma.
Association of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Hyperlipidemia With Gulf War Illness Among Gulf War Veterans
Authors: Ahmed Sarah T. , Li Ruosha , Richardson Peter , Ghosh Saurendro , Steele Lea , White Donna L. , Djotsa Alice Nono , Sims Kellie , Gifford Elizabeth , Hauser Elizabeth R. , Virani Salim S. , Morgan Robert , Delclos George , Helmer Drew A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Approximately 30% of the 700 000 Gulf War veterans report a chronic symptom‐based illness of varying severity referred to as Gulf War illness (GWI). Toxic deployment‐related exposures have been implicated in the cause of GWI, some of which contribute to metabolic dysregulation and lipid abnormalities. As this cohort ages, the relationship between GWI and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a growing concern.

We evaluated associations between GWI and ASCVD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in veterans of the Gulf War (1990–1991).

Methods and Results

Analysis of survey data collected in 2014 to 2016 from a national sample of deployed Gulf War veterans (n=942) and Veterans Health Administration electronic health record data (n=669). Multivariable logistic regression models tested for associations of GWI with self‐reported ASCVD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, controlling for confounding factors. Separate models tested for GWI associations with ASCVD and risk factors documented in the electronic health record.

GWI was associated with self‐reported hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.67 [95% CI, 1.18–2.36]), hyperlipidemia (aOR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.03–2.05]), and ASCVD (aOR, 2.65 [95% CI, 1.56–4.51]). In the subset of veterans with electronic health record data, GWI was associated with documented diabetes (aOR, 2.34 [95% CI, 1.43–3.82]) and hypertension (aOR, 2.84 [95% CI, 1.92–4.20]). Hyperlipidemia and hypertension served as partial mediators of the association between GWI and self‐reported ASCVD.

Conclusions

Gulf War veterans with GWI had higher odds of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and ASCVD compared with Gulf War veterans without GWI. Further examination of the mechanisms underlying this association, including a possible shared exposure‐related mechanism, is necessary.
Long Distance Air Ambulance Transfers for Endovascular Thrombectomy
Authors: Yong Vivien T.Y. , Donnelly Joseph , Hong Jae Beom , Diprose William K. , Caldwell James R. , Lee Shane S. , McGuinness Ben J. , Brew Stefan , Barber Peter Alan
Published: September 2023

Background

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is limited to comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs), with patients who first present to primary stroke centers (PSCs) transferred for treatment by road ambulance or helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). We aimed to determine if there were outcome differences in patients transferred for EVT via HEMS.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was performed in the setting of a large regional network with 1 CSC receiving patients directly, or via road ambulance from 3 metropolitan PSCs or HEMS from 13 more distant PSCs. Consecutive patients were identified from a mandatory national EVT registry. HEMS transfers were compared with 2 metropolitan patient groups: direct‐to‐CSC and metro PSC‐to‐CSC patients. The primary outcome was day 90 functional independence (modified Rankin scale score, 0–2). Secondary outcomes included day 90 death rate.

Results

A total of 1183 EVT‐treated patients were identified (45% women; median age, 69 years; 88% anterior circulation strokes; median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 16). A total of 332 (28%) patients were HEMS transfers, 428 (36%) were direct‐to‐CSC, and 423 (36%) were metro PSC‐to‐CSC transfers. The median transfer distances to the CSC were 11 (8–11) miles for road ambulance and 81 (70–121) miles for HEMS. HEMS patients were matched at baseline with the 2 metropolitan groups, except for a lower prevalence of congestive heart failure (
P
<0.001) and a higher thrombolysis rate (54% versus 42% and 45%;
P
=0.004). HEMS patients had longer onset‐to‐EVT‐groin time (median minutes 370 versus 195 direct‐to‐CSC patients and 255 metro PSC‐to‐CSC;
P
<0.001). Direct‐to‐CSC patients were more likely to be independent at day 90 (
P
=0.026), but there was no difference between the 2 transfer groups (
P
=0.911). There were no differences among the 3 cohorts in day 90 mortality rate for all stroke types (
P
=0.321) or independence in anterior circulation strokes (
P
=0.124).

Conclusion

In this large regional stroke network, patients transferred via HEMS for EVT had similar day 90 outcomes to their metropolitan counterparts despite longer transfer times. CSCs should not be discouraged from considering patients from more distant PSCs who require HEMS.
Toward ‘Computational-Rationality’ Approaches to Arbitrating Models of Cognition: A Case Study Using Perceptual Metacognition
Authors: Rong Yingqi , Peters Megan A. K.
Published: September 2023

Perceptual confidence results from a metacognitive process which evaluates how likely our percepts are to be correct. Many competing models of perceptual metacognition enjoy strong empirical support. Arbitrating these models traditionally proceeds via researchers conducting experiments and then fitting several models to the data collected. However, such a process often includes conditions or paradigms that may not best arbitrate competing models: Many models make similar predictions under typical experimental conditions. Consequently, many experiments are needed, collectively (sub-optimally) sampling the space of conditions to compare models. Here, instead, we introduce a variant of optimal experimental design which we call a computational-rationality approach to generative models of cognition, using perceptual metacognition as a case study. Instead of designing experiments and post-hoc specifying models, we began with comprehensive model comparison among four competing generative models for perceptual metacognition, drawn from literature. By simulating a simple experiment under each model, we identified conditions where these models made maximally diverging predictions for confidence. We then presented these conditions to human observers, and compared the models’ capacity to predict choices and confidence. Results revealed two surprising findings: (1) two models previously reported to differently predict confidence to different degrees, with one predicting better than the other, appeared to predict confidence in a direction opposite to previous findings; and (2) two other models previously reported to equivalently predict confidence showed stark differences in the conditions tested here. Although preliminary with regards to which model is actually ‘correct’ for perceptual metacognition, our findings reveal the promise of this computational-rationality approach to maximizing experimental utility in model arbitration while minimizing the number of experiments necessary to reveal the winning model, both for perceptual metacognition and in other domains.
The Names of Sidonius’ Addressees and the Manuscript Tradition of the Letters
Authors: Marolla Giulia
Published: September 2023

Sidonius is often the only source of information on his addressees. Following Dolveck’s stemma codicum of Sidonius’ Letters, the present contribution offers a timely reassessment of the manuscript tradition attesting the names of his addressees by using manuscript studies and onomastics as a tool for prosopography. The paper first examines the evolution of onomastics in the Late Antique West and Sidonius’ own name. These introductory remarks are closed by some considerations on what is commonly believed to be Sidonius’ epitaph and whether it bears the author’s name or that of his son Apollinaris. The contribution then analyses some of the most noteworthy case studies of diverging readings of names of addressees in his collection, questioning the prosopographical tradition. The survey shows that the popularity enjoyed by some names—rather than attested variants—in Sidonius’ prosopography is a remnant of prior editions and of their influence over the collective knowledge of the author.
Civilization and Its Others: American Imaginaries, State of Nature, and Civility in Hobbes
Authors: Martens Stephanie B.
Published: September 2023

Critical approaches to the canon of Western political and legal thought from the point of view of race or gender have developed in recent years, as have studies highlighting the connections between supposedly universalist philosophies and their role in sustaining or legitimizing imperial and colonial conquests. On social contract theory in particular, seminal works include Charles Mills’ The Racial Contract and Carole Pateman’s The Sexual Contract. The importance of this type of work cannot be understated, and Mills is right to insist on the “blinding whiteness of the discipline.” In the case of Hobbes, I argue, the privilege established in his texts is better qualified as “civilizational” rather than “racial.” Hobbes’s texts construct a certain image of civilization, a form of exclusion and domination that eschews biological determinism in favor of social, historical bias. This “civilizational” thinking certainly can work – and will work later on in conjunction with modern racism and white privilege – to exclude many. The racial contract – as per Mills – is only a late installment on a more fundamental one, the civilizing contract.
Schreckensvision oder Drogenfreuden
Authors: Kühlmann Wilhelm
Published: September 2023

This contribution sketches out the broad field of tobacco literature, which spread rapidly in the 16th century. A single leaf print by Sigmund von Birken (1652) shows discourses for and against the consumption of tobacco. Central to my examination are two poems about the topic (1720 and 1718), which will be interpreted with regard to their contexts. The school rector of Nordhausen, Johann Joachim Meier (1682–1736), wrote a satire in Latin verses (provided here with text, translation, and commentary) against the disastrous consumption of tobacco among pupils and students. This text works with impressive framings (such as the nightly visitation of Apollo at the teacher’s sickbed) and provides a quite informative, polyhistorical commentary of contemporary tobacco literature. This poem will be compared to Johann Christian Günther’s student song “Lob des Knaster-Tobacks”, a text that praises pleasure and joy, using arguments of natural law. Within the horizon of comparable poems (e.g. Canitz), Günther repels religious and institutional paternalism, thus showing separating concepts of life and behavioral norms.
God, Owner, Master
Authors: Eller Jack David
Published: September 2023

Scholars ascribe the label “god” to many of the beings found in the world’s religions. However, the definitions of “god” commonly offered do not fit most of those entities. This article argues for a clarification of scientific/analytical language which specifies which supernatural beings are “gods” and which are something else. A likely category for most of the world’s putative “gods” is “owner-master,” a concept highly developed in Amazonian cultures and religions but present around the world, particularly in hunting and herding societies. Accordingly, the article explores “gods” in various religions that are not at all god-like by any familiar standard, presents the ontology of owner-master as a relationship of care and encompassment, and considers how employing the term “owner-master” instead of “god” in many if not most cases more accurately represents local beliefs, avoids the imposition of foreign/Christian assumptions, and contributes to an understanding of the history of the god-concept.