bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking the mothers and index children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP)
Authors: Mumme Mark
Published: July 2024

This data note describes electronic mental-health records of a portion of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort. The records were obtained by the linking of identifiers of the participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC – also known as ‘Children of the 90s’) with those of the clients of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP). The patient records from AWP includes data about some of the original mothers as well as some of the study’s index children. There was insufficient linkage data to include the original fathers/partners in this exercise. There are a smaller number of families with AWP records on both mother and child. Software syntax was written using STATA (StataCorp LLC, version 17) to convert the original ‘comma separated values’ (.csv) files into a de-identified, but consistent, format for use in research. The cleaned AWP records provide a contemporaneous record of a subset of the ALSPAC cohort over a period of the ALSPAC study in an easily accessible format, in a data base for use in future research.
The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Netelia fuscicornis (Holmgren, 1860)
Authors: Price Benjamin W. , Broad Gavin R. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Netelia fuscicornis (an ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence is 324.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.7 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the Red-clover Case-bearer, Coleophora deauratella Zeller, 1846
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Wawman Denise C. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Coleophora deauratella (the Red-clover Case-bearer; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Coleophoridae). The genome sequence is 518.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.76 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Xylota segnis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Woodcock Katie J ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Xylota segnis (a hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 422.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.86 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the heart cockle, Fragum sueziense (Issel, 1869)
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Li Jingchun , Lemer Sarah , Lopez Jose Victor , Oatley Graeme , Sinclair Elizabeth , Clayton-Lucey Isabelle Ailish , Aunin Eerik , Gettle Noah , Santos Camilla , Paulini Michael , Niu Haoyu , McKenna Victoria , O’Brien Rebecca ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory Team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics Team,   EBI Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Data Portal Team,   Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project Leadership
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual Fragum sueziense (the heart cockle; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Cardiida; Cardiidae). The genome sequence is 1,206.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 92.77 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 70,309 protein-coding genes.
The genome sequence of Reeves’ muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi (Ogilby, 1839)
Authors: Ewart Nick , Wawman Denise C. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Muntiacus reevesi (the Reeves’ muntjac; Chordata; Mammalia; Artiodactyla; Cervidae). The genome sequence is 2,656.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 23 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.35 kilobases in length.
influence of the Dark Triad on various aspects of life – a review
Authors: Kozicz Michał Andrzej , Cuper Paulina , Jastrzębska Ilona , Bilecki Krzysztof , Gugulski Hubert , Bado Michał , Nowoświat Patrycja , Cuper Michalina
Published: July 2024

Introduction: The Dark Triad is a construct devised by Paulhus and Williams in 2002. It comprises of three personality disorders: Narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy, that are believed to be debilitating both to people exhibiting these traits and their social environment.
Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to collect and analyse current literature regarding the Dark Triad and the influence of its components on different areas of functioning. 
Methods and Materials: Extensive research was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, with the primary focus on literature from the past 5 years. These databases were searched using “the Dark Triad” and its components names as entries to gather articles. Additionally, references from selected articles were included in the analysis.
Results: Our article showed that the components of the Dark Triad influence many areas of functioning, although this influence is not always negative.
Having all the traits of the Dark Triad is more likely to induce immoral behaviour than having the individual traits in isolation. Thus, further research of the Dark Triad is needed, especially regarding different facets of its components. Devising more in-depth questionnaires that would cover all sub-divisions of the Dark Triad components would largely bolster the research in this field.
FRACASOS Y CORRUPCIONES TRANSNACIONALES EN LA CORRESPONDENCIA DE DON DIEGO SARMIENTO DE ACUÑA, I CONDE DE GONDOMAR
Authors: Villarreal Brasca Amorina
Published: July 2024

: La correspondencia del conde de Gondomar representa una colección con múltiples posibilidades de estudio para las nuevas perspectivas sobre la corrupción y sus conexiones con las percepciones de fracaso. A partir de la riqueza de este corpus epistolar, el artículo analiza las incidencias que tuvo la corrupción, o los mecanismos contra ella, en el fracaso de las trayectorias de agentes y vasallos de las monarquías ibéricas
LOS ANTECEDENTES DE LA GUERRA DE CUBA. EL PAPEL DE ESTADOS UNIDOS EN LA REGIÓN Y LOS ERRORES AUTONOMISTAS DE ESPAÑA.
Authors: Coca Villar Cristina E.
Published: July 2024

Se aborda el análisis del marco histórico, institucional y político de la situación de partida que, a lo largo del siglo XIX, se fue gestando en la isla de Cuba como escenario para la conformación del movimiento independentista. Al mismo tiempo, se ofrecen algunas consideraciones sobre la doctrina Monroe, en particular, y sobre la visión que tuvo Estados Unidos de la relación con los territorios americanos, en general, y con la isla de Cuba en particular. Finalmente, se ofrecen algunos datos sobre los debates en torno a la concesión de la autonomía a Cuba. Se destaca la deficiente y tardía aplicación de la misma que ya no pudo solucionar la inevitable consecuencia de su independencia que, en todo caso, estuvo apoyada por el vecino del Norte.
Business Model Choice for Heavy Equipment Manufacturers
Authors: Blaettchen Philippe , Taneri Niyazi , Hasija Sameer
Published: July 2024

Finding the Right Business Model for Durable Goods

Technological advances enable new ways for customers to access durable goods such as heavy equipment without the need for ownership. In “Business Model Choice for Heavy Equipment Manufacturers,” P. Blaettchen, N. Taneri, and S. Hasija analyze the resulting business models available to manufacturers, considering that manufacturers need to effectively coordinate their sales strategy with their highly profitable after-sales service activities and take into account secondary markets. Employing a game-theoretic framework, the authors show how different equipment characteristics lead to different optimal business model designs. They provide a comprehensive overview of when manufacturers should rely on emerging models based on servicization or peer-to-peer sharing and when it pays to retain a traditional model based on sales. Drawing on a novel framework for analyzing a business model’s environmental impact, they further show that emerging models can create win-win situations for the manufacturer and the environment.
The Effect of Teams Games Tournament Method Assisted by Card Sort Media to Improve Student Creative Thinking Skill
Authors: Karisma Rosa , Nizaar Muhammad , Haifaturrahmah Haifaturrahmah
Published: July 2024

This research aims to determine the influence of the Teams Game Tournament (TGT) method, assisted by card sort media, on enhancing creative thinking skills among fourth-grade students. The research design employed in this study is a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test design. The research was conducted at SDN 15 Mataram, with a population of 40 fourth-grade students from two classes, consisting of 20 students in each class. The researchers used random sampling to select the experimental group and the control group, drawing lots conducted by the class teacher using a lottery system. Data collection methods in this study involved both test and non-test techniques. Based on the results of the data analysis, it can be concluded that the t-test result (t-value) is 8.692, while the t-table value is 2.042. Since the t-value is greater than the t-table value (t-value > t-table), the null hypothesis is rejected, and the alternative hypothesis is accepted. This indicates that the cooperative learning model of the make-a-match type can improve creative thinking skills among fourth-grade students.
Three new species of Sacculiphora Liu (Diptera: Phoridae) from Peninsular Malaysia, with a key to the species
Authors: WONG JUNFUNG , ZUHA RAJA M.
Published: July 2024

The genus Sacculiphora Liu, 2021, was first described in China with the type species Sacculiphora cultrata Liu, 2021. As part of an ongoing study on the diversity of scuttle flies in Peninsular Malaysia, several specimens from the genus Sacculiphora Liu were collected from several selected locations in the states of Johor, Kedah, Melaka and Selangor. In this paper, three new species of Sacculiphora i.e., Sacculiphora jeramensis sp. nov., Sacculiphora kwailanae sp. nov. and Sacculiphora tibionotata sp. nov. are described from Peninsular Malaysia. Current findings expand the knowledge of the morphology and occurrence of the genus Sacculiphora Liu from Peninsular Malaysia.
Evaluating the role and impact of coaching for family carers: a pilot study
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Mikelyte Rasa , Milne Alisoun
Published: July 2024

This pilot study examines the role and impact of a coaching intervention on carers’ lives and well-being, drawing on interview data with 12 carers and two coaches. It shows that carers highly value coaching. Reported benefits include: carers feeling listened to and treated as individuals; increased levels of self-awareness, self-care and confidence; and feeling more empowered, in control and able to make choices. Carers also reported improved relationships with their relatives and reduced feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Further research is needed to capture the impact of coaching on a larger carer population, the sustainability of impact and cost-effectiveness.
Microlens arrays for multichannel laser-to-waveguide coupling
Authors: Kunze K. , Gossler C. , Peters V. , Keppeler D. , Moser T. , Schwarz U. T.
Published: July 2024

An optical multichannel coupling system for coupling laser arrays to waveguide arrays is developed. Based on a microlens array, the system enables coupling of nine individual optical channels, with one aspheric microlens per channel at a lateral channel pitch of 100 µm. The design process criteria for the proposed microlenses, with 97 µm diameter and working distances from laser to lens and lens to waveguide of 150 µm and 275 µm, respectively, are described. The microlens array is fabricated on a 4mm×2mm×0.41mm fused silica chip and contains an orthogonal grid with 32×16 microlenses, of which a row of nine adjacent microlenses is used for coupling. Uniform coupling over all channels can be achieved, as well as specific coupling for each channel individually with less than −13.5dB crosstalk. The coupling system is designed for optical neural stimulators.
Fabrication of liquid-filled zoom compound eyes with a tunable focal length
Authors: Chen Qilong , Bian Zhenyao , Wang Haoran , Chang Xueying , Fang Yong , Lu Hongbo , Xu Miao
Published: July 2024

The conventional bionic compound eye system encounters challenges
associated with a complex zoom structure, susceptibility to wear, and
elevated costs. In this paper, a preparation method of liquid-filled
zoom compound eyes is proposed. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film is
integrated with a microfluidic chamber composed of polymethyl
methacrylate (PMMA). The microlens array (MLA, hexagonal array,
diameter 800 µm, center distance 850 µm) on the PDMS
film is prepared by a wettability-guided dipping method. The sub-eye
focal length on zoom compound eyes (ZCEs) is 1.42 mm. By
controlling the volume of deionized (DI) water injected into the
chamber from 2.41 to 2.71cm3, the focal length of the main lens is
adjusted from infinity to 55.51 mm, and the FOV is adjusted
from 32° to 58°. This large aperture ZCE combines the advantages of
monocular and compound eyes. This method has great potential for
advanced micro-optical devices with a wide field of view and tunable
imaging capabilities.
Phonon-mediated infrared plasmonic metamaterial emitters towards high-capacity multifunctional encoding and display
Authors: Li Junyu , Li Jinzhao , Liu Huan , Yi Fei
Published: July 2024

This study introduces what we believe is a novel approach to manipulating light in the mid-infrared spectrum through phonon-mediated metal-insulator-metal (MIM) cavities. Leveraging the unique interactions between resonantly excited electric and magnetic dipoles and phonons within silicon dioxide spacers, we have developed a technology different from traditional methods that rely on geometric modifications of nanostructures, offering a more versatile and effective means of tailoring light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Our experimental results showcase the ability of these MIM cavities to perform multifunctional information encoding, display, and concealment with high precision. Notably, we encoded 13 distinct gray levels, surpassing previous capabilities in the long-wave infrared spectrum using metamaterial emitters. Furthermore, the incorporation of rotating nanorod structures enabled the encoding of grayscale patterns through polarization states, enhancing the potential for high-capacity information storage. The study also demonstrates the capability of these structures for subwavelength-resolution printing and near-diffraction-limit information encoding in the long-wave infrared band. We have successfully employed an innovative ink coating method, transparent in the long-wave infrared but opaque in the visible spectrum, to conceal encoded information, thereby adding a layer of security. In summary, the phonon-mediated infrared plasmonic metamaterial emitters presented in this work pave the way for future research in high-capacity information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and security technologies.
Adjustable focusing property of circular Airyprime beam through Fourier space modulation
Authors: Zheng Xinqing , Yang Yongzheng , Liu Yejin , Lin Xiaojun , Liang Zehong , Liu Jie , Deng Dongmei
Published: July 2024

Airyprime beams are known for their powerful autofocusing property, which are further enhanced by the introduction of a circular structure—circular Airyprime beam (CAPB). We derive an asymptotic expression of the CAPB in Fourier space (FS) and verify its accuracy by the numerical Fourier transform (FT) method. Through FS modulation on it, adjustable control of autofocusing property of the FS-modulated CAPB can be achieved, whose lower and upper limits can reach 8.7% reduction and 2.6 times enhancement compared to the unmodulated one. The experimental results agree well with the numerical analyses. Our findings offer promising possibilities for efficient particle trapping and enhancing free-space optical communication capabilities.
Proof of concept demonstration of a metastable helium fluorescence lidar for thermospheric wind and temperature measurements
Authors: Kaifler Bernd , Geach Christopher
Published: July 2024

We report on the first, to the best of our knowledge, spectral
measurements of terrestrial thermospheric metastable helium using
ground-based lidar. By stimulating fluorescence of He(23S)
at four closely spaced wavelengths within the He line around 1083 nm
and measuring the lidar returns, we measured the He(23S)
spectrum at 600 km, providing coarse constraints on the
He(23S) temperature and vertical wind speed. This work
serves as a proof of concept and precursor experiment for future, more
powerful helium lidar systems capable of measuring vertical profiles
of neutral wind and temperature in the upper terrestrial
thermosphere.
Perfect space–time vortices
Authors: Ponomarenko Sergey A. , Hebri Davud
Published: July 2024

We introduce the concept of perfect space–time vortices (PSTVs) that can exist in media with anomalous dispersion. If the topological charge of a PSTV is not too large, the spatiotemporal intensity distribution of the vortex field does not depend on the magnitude of the topological charge. We show theoretically how a PSTV can be realized in the optical context through spatiotemporal focusing of a Bessel–Gaussian space–time optical vortex source that is placed in the focal plane of a space–time lens composed of an ordinary lens and a time lens with matched spatial and temporal focal lengths.
Single-cycle, 643 mW average power terahertz source based on tilted pulse front in lithium niobate
Authors: Vogel Tim , Mansourzadeh Samira , Saraceno Clara J.
Published: July 2024

We present the highest, to the best of our knowledge, average power from a laser-driven single-cycle THz source demonstrated so far, using optical rectification in the tilted pulse front geometry in cryogenically cooled lithium niobate, pumped by a commercially available 500 W ultrafast thin-disk ytterbium (Yb) amplifier. We study repetition rate-dependent effects in our setup at 100 and 40 kHz at this high average power, revealing different optimal fluence conditions for efficient conversion. The demonstrated sources with multi-100 mW average power at these high repetition rates combine high THz pulse energies and high repetition rate and are thus ideally suited for nonlinear THz spectroscopy experiments with significantly reduced measurement times. The presented result is a first benchmark for high average power THz time-domain spectroscopy systems for nonlinear spectroscopy, driven by very high average power ultrafast Yb lasers.
Dynamic of Time-Independent and Time-Dependent Asymmetric Gross-Pitaevskii Equation Around Exceptional Point
Authors: Ramezanpour Shahab
Published: July 2024

Systems operating at exceptional points (EPs) are highly sensitive to small
perturbations, making it challenging to work near an EP. Eigenvalue analysis of the Gross-Pitaevskii Equation has shown that asymmetric nonlinearity can compensate for detuning effects. However, an experimentally feasible system based on asymmetric nonlinear coupled resonators has not yet been explored. Additionally, some intriguing features of such a system are hidden in time domain analysis, which is rarely investigated. In this study, we demonstrate this feature using
a full-wave simulation of an asymmetric nonlinear coupled resonator based on the Finite-Element method in Comsol. The time-dependent analysis reveals that detuning can shift the system from PT-Symmetric to broken PT-Symmetric (or vice versa), and nonlinearity can reverse this
dynamic. This study provides an experimental framework for examining exceptional points (EPs) in nonlinear detuned coupled resonators and opens up new avenues for fundamental research into the influence of nonlinearity and detuning on the system’s state during EP encirclement
Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria are genetically heterogeneous consortia with metabolically differentiated cells
Authors: Schaible George A. , Jay Zackary J. , Cliff John , Schulz Frederik , Gauvin Colin , Goudeau Danielle , Malmstrom Rex R. , Ruff S. Emil , Edgcomb Virginia , Hatzenpichler Roland
Published: July 2024

Consortia of multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) are currently the only known example of bacteria without a unicellular stage in their life cycle. Because of their recalcitrance to cultivation, most previous studies of MMB have been limited to microscopic observations. To study the biology of these unique organisms in more detail, we use multiple culture-independent approaches to analyze the genomics and physiology of MMB consortia at single-cell resolution. We separately sequenced the metagenomes of 22 individual MMB consortia, representing 8 new species, and quantified the genetic diversity within each MMB consortium. This revealed that, counter to conventional views, cells within MMB consortia are not clonal. Single consortia metagenomes were then used to reconstruct the species-specific metabolic potential and infer the physiological capabilities of MMB. To validate genomic predictions, we performed stable isotope probing (SIP) experiments and interrogated MMB consortia using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). By coupling FISH with bioorthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), we explored their in situ activity as well as variation of protein synthesis within cells. We demonstrate that MMB consortia are mixotrophic sulfate reducers and that they exhibit metabolic differentiation between individual cells, suggesting that MMB consortia are more complex than previously thought. These findings expand our understanding of MMB diversity, ecology, genomics, and physiology, as well as offer insights into the mechanisms underpinning the multicellular nature of their unique lifestyle.
A new gatekeeper to control oligodendrogenesis
Authors: Czopka Tim
Published: July 2024

The diversity of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) is not well understood and is actively discussed in the field. A new study in PLOS Biology describes a novel marker for an OPC subpopulation that controls oligodendrogenesis and myelination.
The impact of positive surgical margin parameters and pathological stage on biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Hong , Zhang Lei , Shao Yuan , An Kunyang , Hu Caoyang , Liang Xuezhi , Wang Dongwen
Published: July 2024

Background

To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis on the predictive value of the primary Gleason grade (PGG) at the positive surgical margin (PSM), length of PSM, number of PSMs, and pathological stage of the primary tumor on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed using electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from January 1, 2005, to October 1, 2023. The protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the different treatments and study outcomes. Pooled hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were extracted from multivariate analyses, and a fixed or random effect model was used to pool the estimates. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the reasons for the heterogeneity.

Results

Thirty-one studies that included 50,028 patients with PCa were eligible for this meta-analysis. The results showed that, compared to PGG3, PGG4/5 was associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR. Compared with PSM ≤3 mm, PSM ≥3 mm was associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR. Compared with unifocal PSM, multifocal PSM (mF-PSM) was associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR. In addition, pT >2 was associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR compared to pT2. Notably, the findings were found to be reliable based on the sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

PGG at the PSM, length of PSM, number of PSMs, and pathological stage of the primary tumor in patients with PCa were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR. Thus, patients with these factors should be treated differently in terms of receiving adjunct treatment and more frequent monitoring. Large-scale, well-designed prospective studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to validate the efficacy of these risk factors and their effects on patient responses to adjuvant and salvage therapies and other oncological outcomes.
The impact of health on labour outcomes among middle-aged and elderly: Insights from India
Authors: Reddy Umenthala Srikanth , James K. S.
Published: July 2024

The impact of ill-health on labour force participation is a well-recognized concern in both developed and developing countries. However, previous studies have often overlooked age differentials in this relationship, assuming uniform effects across age groups. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how ill-health affects labour outcomes among different age segments in India. Utilizing data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, which covers over 72,000 individuals aged 45 and above, this research investigates the linkage between health and labour force outcomes. The labour outcomes in this study includes labour force participation, labour earnings and hours worked. Present study used instrumental variable approach to mitigate endogeneity issues and establish causal relationships between health and labour outcomes. The Heckman selection model is utilized to address selection bias in analysing wage and hours worked. The study reveals several key findings. Firstly, ill-health consistently leads to a decline in labour force participation among both middle-aged (28 percent) and elderly (36 percent) individuals in India. This underscores the pervasive impact of health on workforce engagement, particularly in a context with limited social security measures. Secondly, the research identifies significant variations in the effects of ill-health on wages and hours worked based on age. Among elderly individuals, there is a pronounced reduction in both wages and hours worked due to ill-health. However, this effect is less pronounced among middle-aged adults. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors play a pivotal role in shaping how ill-health influences labour outcomes among different age groups. This study underscores the importance of considering age differentials in the impact of ill-health on labour outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to address this critical issue in India’s dynamic socio-economic landscape.
STING inhibition enables efficient plasmid-based gene expression in primary vascular cells: A simple and cost-effective transfection protocol
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Straub Adam C.
Published: July 2024

Plasmid transfection in cells is widely employed to express exogenous proteins, offering valuable mechanistic insight into their function(s). However, plasmid transfection efficiency in primary vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is restricted with lipid-based transfection reagents such as Lipofectamine. The STING pathway, activated by foreign DNA in the cytosol, prevents foreign gene expression and induces DNA degradation. To address this, we explored the potential of STING inhibitors on the impact of plasmid expression in primary ECs and SMCs. Primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were transfected with a bicistronic plasmid expressing cytochrome b5 reductase 4 (CYB5R4) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) using Lipofectamine 3000. Two STING inhibitors, MRT67307 and BX795, were added during transfection and overnight post-transfection. As a result, MRT67307 significantly enhanced CYB5R4 and EGFP expression, even 24 hours after its removal. In comparison, MRT67307 pretreatment did not affect transfection, suggesting the inhibitor’s effect was readily reversible. The phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at Serine 1177 (S1177) by vascular endothelial growth factor is essential for endothelial proliferation, migration, and survival. Using the same protocol, we transfected wild-type and phosphorylation-incapable mutant (S1177A) eNOS in HAECs. Both forms of eNOS localized on the plasma membrane, but only the wild-type eNOS was phosphorylated by vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, indicating normal functionality of overexpressed proteins. MRT67307 and BX795 also improved plasmid expression in human and rat aortic SMCs. In conclusion, this study presents a modification enabling efficient plasmid transfection in primary vascular ECs and SMCs, offering a favorable approach to studying protein function(s) in these cell types, with potential implications for other primary cell types that are challenging to transfect.
Fibromyalgia pathogenesis explained by a neuroendocrine multistable model
Authors: Demori Ilaria , Losacco Serena , Giordano Giulia , Mucci Viviana , Blanchini Franco , Burlando Bruno
Published: July 2024

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a central disorder characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and other minor symptoms. Knowledge about pathogenesis is lacking, diagnosis difficult, clinical approach puzzling, and patient management disappointing. We conducted a theoretical study based on literature data and computational analysis, aimed at developing a comprehensive model of FM pathogenesis and addressing suitable therapeutic targets. We started from the evidence that FM must involve a dysregulation of central pain processing, is female prevalent, suggesting a role for the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and is stress-related, suggesting a role for the HP-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Central pathogenesis was supposed to involve a pain processing loop system including the thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL), the primary somatosensory cortex (SSC), and the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). For decreasing GABAergic and/or increasing glutamatergic transmission, the loop system crosses a bifurcation point, switching from monostable to bistable, and converging on a high-firing-rate steady state supposed to be the pathogenic condition. Thereafter, we showed that GABAergic transmission is positively correlated with gonadal-hormone-derived neurosteroids, notably allopregnanolone, whereas glutamatergic transmission is positively correlated with stress-induced glucocorticoids, notably cortisol. Finally, we built a dynamic model describing a multistable, double-inhibitory loop between HPG and HPA axes. This system has a high-HPA/low-HPG steady state, allegedly reached in females under combined premenstrual/postpartum brain allopregnanolone withdrawal and stress condition, driving the thalamocortical loop to the high-firing-rate steady state, and explaining the connection between endocrine and neural mechanisms in FM pathogenesis. Our model accounts for FM female prevalence and stress correlation, suggesting the use of neurosteroid drugs as a possible solution to currently unsolved problems in the clinical treatment of the disease.
Descriptive molecular pharmacology of the δ opioid receptor (DOR): A computational study with structural approach
Authors: Goode-Romero Guillermo , Dominguez Laura
Published: July 2024

This work focuses on the δ receptor (DOR), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) belonging to the opioid receptor group. DOR is expressed in numerous tissues, particularly within the nervous system. Our study explores computationally the receptor’s interactions with various ligands, including opiates and opioid peptides. It elucidates how these interactions influence the δ receptor response, relevant in a wide range of health and pathological processes. Thus, our investigation aims to explore the significance of DOR as an incoming drug target for pain relief and neurodegenerative diseases and as a source for novel opioid non-narcotic analgesic alternatives. We analyze the receptor’s structural properties and interactions using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and Gaussian-accelerated MD across different functional states. To thoroughly assess the primary differences in the structural and conformational ensembles across our different simulated systems, we initiated our study with 1 μs of conventional Molecular Dynamics. The strategy was chosen to encompass the full activation cycle of GPCRs, as activation processes typically occur within this microsecond range. Following the cMD, we extended our study with an additional 100 ns of Gaussian accelerated Molecular Dynamics (GaMD) to enhance the sampling of conformational states. This simulation approach allowed us to capture a comprehensive range of dynamic interactions and conformational changes that are crucial for GPCR activation as influenced by different ligands. Our study includes comparing agonist and antagonist complexes to uncover the collective patterns of their functional states, regarding activation, blocking, and inactivation of DOR, starting from experimental data. In addition, we also explored interactions between agonist and antagonist molecules from opiate and opioid classifications to establish robust structure-activity relationships. These interactions have been systematically quantified using a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) model. This research significantly contributes to our understanding of this significant pharmacological target, which is emerging as an attractive subject for drug development.
Treatment for preschool age children who stutter: Protocol of a randomised, non-inferiority parallel group pragmatic trial with Mini-KIDS, social cognitive behaviour treatment and the Lidcombe Program—TreatPaCS
Authors: Leclercq Anne-Lise , Waelkens Veerle , Roelant Ella , Allegaert Mathias , Verhaegen Iris , Claes Kim , Dauvister Estelle , Snijders Steffi , Eggers Kurt , Moyse Astrid , Van Eerdenbrugh Sabine
Published: July 2024

Stuttering is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, stretched sounds or silent pauses in which the person is unable to produce sounds and sound transitions. Treatment success is the highest if stuttering is treated before the age of 6 years, before it develops into “persistent” stuttering. Stuttering treatment programs that focus directly on the speech of the child, like the Lidcombe Program, have shown to be effective in this age group. Mini-KIDS is also a treatment that focuses directly on the speech of the child. It is possible that capturing the increased brain plasticity at this age in combination with creating optimal conditions for recovery underlie these treatments’ success rate. A treatment focusing on the cognitions, emotions and behaviour of the child, the social cognitive behaviour treatment (SCBT), is also frequently delivered in Belgium. In this study we want to compare, and collect data on the effectiveness, of these three treatment programs: Mini-KIDS, SCBT and the Lidcombe Program (protocol registered under number NCT05185726). 249 children will be allocated to one of three treatment groups. Stuttering specialists will treat the child (and guide the parents) with Mini-KIDS, the SCBT or the Lidcombe Program. They will be trained to deliver the programs meticulously. At 18 months after randomisation, the speech fluency of the child and the attitude of the child and parent(s) towards speech will be measured. It is expected that the three programs will achieve the same (near) zero levels of stuttering in nearly all children and a positive attitude towards speech at 18 months after the start of treatment. The amount of treatment hours to reach the (near) zero levels of stuttering will be compared between the different programmes. For families as well as for the health system this could generate important information.
Migraine and gastroesophageal reflux disease: Disentangling the complex connection with depression as a mediator
Authors: Shen Zixiong , Bian Yewen , Huang Yao , Zhou Wenhua , Chen Hao , Zhou Xia , Li Liuying
Published: July 2024

Objective

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and migraine are public health concerns worldwide. No observational study has conclusively elucidated the causal relationship between these two conditions. We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) methods to explore the potential causal links between GERD and migraine.

Methods

Genome-wide association studies were subjected to MR to infer the causality between GERD and migraine. Bidirectional two-sample MR was performed to establish causal relationships. Multivariable MR analysis was conducted to adjust potential confounding factors, and mediation MR analysis was utilized to assess the role of depression between GERD and migraine as a mediator. We primarily utilized the inverse variance weighted method (IVW) and sensitivity analysis methods, including MR-Egger, weighted median, and leave-one-out methods. We assessed heterogeneity and pleiotropy to ensure the reliability of the results.

Results

Bidirectional two-sample MR revealed a positive causal effect of GERD on migraine (IVW: OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.34–1.66, p = 3.70E-13). Migraine did not increase the risk of GERD (IVW: OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.98–1.17, p = 0.1139). Multivariable MR indicated that the positive causal effect of GERD on migraine remained after adjustment for factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Mediation MR revealed that depression mediated 28.72% of GERD’s effect on migraine. MR analysis was supported by all sensitivity analyses and was replicated and validated in another independent dataset on migraine.

Conclusion

Our findings elucidate the positive causal effect of GERD on migraine and underscores the mediating role of depression in increasing the risk of migraine due to GERD. Effective control of GERD, particularly interventions targeting depression, may aid in preventing the occurrence of migraine. Future research should delve deeper into the specific pathophysiological mechanisms through which GERD affects migraine risk, facilitating the development of more effective drug targets or disease management strategies.
Movement patterns of foraging common terns (Sterna hirundo) breeding in an urban environment in coastal Virginia
Authors: Catlin Daniel H. , Gibson Daniel , Hunt Kelsi L. , Weithman Chelsea E. , Boettcher Ruth , Gwynn Rebecca , Karpanty Sarah M. , Fraser James D. , Ritter Shannon , Maxwell Sara M.
Published: July 2024

Nesting colonial seabirds are prime examples of central-place foragers, animals that must return to a central location (e.g., a breeding colony) after each bout of foraging. They must balance the costs and benefits of foraging with the need to return to their colonies frequently to form pair bonds during courtship, incubate, provision mates and offspring, and protect and rear young. For some populations, the loss and degradation of suitable breeding habitat due to human activities have necessitated the construction of new breeding sites and/or the restoration of previously occupied sites. South Island, which is part of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) complex in the Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S.A., is a human-created island that supported Virginia’s largest mixed species seabird colony until 2020, when the expansion of the HRBT began and when all nesting seabirds were permanently excluded from the site. We studied the movement patterns of foraging common terns (Sterna hirundo) to determine how travel to and around foraging sites related to their colony location and to inform the siting and construction of a new breeding island. We tracked 18 individual common terns from 07 June to 29 June 2018, and we used a hidden Markov model to assign behavioral states and investigate common tern movements around the HRBT. Common terns spent more than half their time in the colony (58%), followed by time devoted to foraging (22%), and the remainder of their time was spent on outbound (15%) and inbound (5%) transit. Terns traveled as far as 98km from the colony, but on average foraged relatively close to South Island (13.6 ± 0.3km, mean ± 1 SD). Individuals tended to forage in the same locations, but there was variation among individuals. Flying to foraging sites uses energy during the already energetically costly breeding season, thus managers should prioritize placing a new colony site in a location that minimizes the distance traveled to the foraging locations frequented by the South Island birds while accounting for other life-history characteristics. These findings could help in the design and construction of new breeding sites or the restoration of current sites for other, related species, particularly for which these data do not exist.
Thermal and solutal heat transport investigations of second order fluid with the application of Cattaneo-Christov theory
Authors: Nabwey Hossam A. , Abbas Khan Aamir , Ashraf Muhammad , Rashad A. M. , Abdelrahman Zeinab M. , Abu Hawsah Miad
Published: July 2024

The present examination of mass and heat communication looks at the impact of induced magnetic field, variable thermal conductivity, and activation energy on the flow of second-order liquid across a stretched surface. The mass-heat transfer is also treated using the Model for generalized Fourier and Fick’s Laws. The model equations are transformed as needed to produce a system of nonlinear ODEs, which are then numerically solved with the help of BVP4C integrated MATLAB approach. The heat-mass flow parameters are analyzed by the table and graphs. An increment in the estimations of 2nd grade fluid parameter (β) with magnetic field parameter (M) increase the speed sketch. For the stronger estimations of Schmidt number (Sc), parameter of magnetic field (M) and Eckert number (Ec) have the growing behavior on the temperature profile.
Short-term forecasting of vegetable prices based on LSTM model—Evidence from Beijing’s vegetable data
Authors: Zhang Qi , Yang Weijia , Zhao Anping , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Zengfei , Zhang Lin
Published: July 2024

The vegetable sector is a vital pillar of society and an indispensable part of the national economic structure. As a significant segment of the agricultural market, accurately forecasting vegetable prices holds significant importance. Vegetable market pricing is subject to a myriad of complex influences, resulting in nonlinear patterns that conventional time series methodologies often struggle to decode. In this paper, we exploit the average daily price data of six distinct types of vegetables sourced from seven key wholesale markets in Beijing, spanning from 2009 to 2023. Upon training an LSTM model, we discovered that it exhibited exceptional performance on the test dataset. Demonstrating robust predictive performance across various vegetable categories, the LSTM model shows commendable generalization abilities. Moreover, LSTM model has a higher accuracy compared to several machine learning methods, including CNN-based time series forecasting approaches. With R2 score of 0.958 and MAE of 0.143, our LSTM model registers an enhancement of over 5% in forecast accuracy relative to conventional machine learning counterparts. Therefore, by predicting vegetable prices for the upcoming week, we envision this LSTM model application in real-world settings to aid growers, consumers, and policymakers in facilitating informed decision-making. The insights derived from this forecasting research could augment market transparency and optimize supply chain management. Furthermore, it contributes to the market stability and the balance of supply and demand, offering a valuable reference for the sustainable development of the vegetable industry.
Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on food-drug interaction (FDI) among pharmacists working in government health facilities in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Khong Jackie Ho Chit , Tuan Mahmood Tuan Mazlelaa , Tan Sze Ling , Voo James Yau Hon , Wong See Wan
Published: July 2024

Background

Food-drug interaction (FDI) is prevalent in our day-to-day life. Widely recognised as drug expert, pharmacists are responsible to provide patient education, including on FDI, to ensure optimum safety and efficacy of treatment. Most pharmacists have knowledge and experience regarding FDI to certain extent. However, the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards FDI among pharmacists were yet to elucidated for many countries, including for Malaysia.

Objective

This study aims to assess pharmacists’ KAP on FDI, their inter-association, as well as association with sociodemographic characteristics in Sabah, Malaysia.

Methods & materials

A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 31 May 2023, using online, self-administered Google Form questionnaire, involving 24 government hospitals and 113 government health clinics in Sabah.

Results

A total of 273 (or 35.5%) out of 768 pharmacists responded. Over two-third were female and serving government hospitals (79.6%). Mean score of KAP were 72.5 ± 14.3%, 93.2 ± 8.3% and 56.0 ± 16.7%, respectively, reflected good attitude but moderate knowledge and practice. Knowledge gaps identified include common medications such as paracetamol and metformin.Additionally, 28.2% respondents reported lack of FDI coverage during undergraduate, while merely 17.2% have received formal training on FDI after started working. Although 89.0% respondents agree that informing patients about possible FDIs is their responsibility, only 35.9% of the respondents usually or always practiced this. Such discrepancy maybe attributed to insufficient pharmacists’ knowledge on FDI, where pharmacists with good level of knowledge have almost 2 times higher odd for good level of practice, compared to those with poor/moderate knowledge (odds ratio, OR: 1.92; 95% CI 1.02–3.61; p = 0.040) in this study.

Conclusion

There are significant training gaps to be filled in. Pharmacist possessing good knowledge is a prerequisite for better pharmacy practice. Adequate education strategies covering FDI should be emphasised for all pharmacy undergraduates and practising pharmacists.