bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spazi sociali per l'apprendimento. Il caso della ETSA di Granada
Authors: López-Toribio Moreno Rafael
Published: June 2024

“Spazi Sociali per l‘Apprendimento” è un lavoro il cui proposito è la riflessione su come l’architettura deve affrontare le sfide poste dalle nuove teorie educative e dalle nuove necessità (come imparare, interagire con gli altri, lavorare, abitare etc.) nel contesto della Scuola di Architettura di Granada e nell’ambiente in cui sorge, il quartiere storico de El Realejo. A tale scopo, si analizzano realtà fisiche e sociali capaci di supportare nuovi modelli di insegnamento-apprendimento. Questo progetto indica spazi che offrano la possibilità di mettere in pratica azioni che favoriscano processi di integrazione e relazione città-università.
Il Girasol: la cortina paesaggio vertiginoso
Authors: Isastia Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Con gli appartamenti dell’edificio Girasol, (Madrid 1964-67), J. A. Coderch porta entro la cortina edilizia tradizionale la gerarchia compositiva e la spazialità delle sue ville unifamiliari. Il meccanismo aggregativo delle singole unità dilata lo spazio aperto attorno a cui si organizzano i locali padronali ad una dimensione di carattere paesaggistico, resa tangibile anche dai materiali e dal loro uso.
Editoriale. Costruire e/è costruirsi. Il complesso rapporto tra architettura e educazione
Authors: Scavuzzo Giuseppina
Published: June 2024

Giuseppina Scavuzzo è ricercatrice in Composizione architettonica e urbana presso il Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura dell’Università di Trieste, dove insegna Progettazione architettonica e Architettura degli interni. Ha svolto attività di ricerca, in particolare sull’opera di Le Corbusier, presso l’Università Iuav di Venezia e la Fondation Le Corbusier di Parigi. Ultima pubblicazione John Hejduk o la passione di imparare, in John Hejduk, a cura di L. Amistadi e I. Clemente (Aión, Firenze 2016).
"It's not just building per se. It's building worlds". John Hejduk: l'architettura e la sua idea
Authors: Cardani Luca
Published: June 2024

L’architettura per Hejduk è la forma di un pensiero sul mondo, che si manifesta nella realtà concreta. La missione dell’architetto è trovare le forme autentiche del proprio tempo attraverso la rifondazione dei suoi programmi, svolgendo il compito proprio di tutta l’arte: osservare l’intero mondo e offrirne una visione per il futuro. Questo scritto rappresenta il tentativo di delineare un pensiero unitario sul senso dell’architettura di Hejduk. Un’idea sotterranea che ha alimentato le fasi della sua carriera architettonica, intrecciando tra loro, sotto il tetto dell’impegno civile, la passione per la trasmissibilità della conoscenza dell’educatore, all’esaltazione delle implicazioni soggettive dell’artista-architetto.
La Ca' Brütta di Muzio e il IV libro del Serlio. L’invenzione del linguaggio
Authors: Primari Francesco
Published: June 2024

Il saggio tenta in maniera inedita di rintracciare le fonti trattatistiche della figurazione muziana, evidenziando il ruolo dell’opera di Sebastiano Serlio come punto di partenza per una operativa ricomposizione del linguaggio architettonico. La grammatica e sintassi serliana del IV libro dell’architettura è analizzata come sorgente delle soluzioni attuate nella Ca’ Brütta, definendone l’autenticità e profondità della sua genealogia ed assieme la prospettiva di lungo termine della sua eredità.
Orizzonti mutevoli
Authors: Gorgeri Fabiola
Published: June 2024

Comporre presuppone l’adozione di un ordine interno che non soltanto sottende la forma ma ne consente la comunicabilità e la trasmissibilità e quindi la durata, anche dei processi costitutivi. Dalla seconda metà del ‘900 i principi di ordine e disordine divengono meno definiti: la frammentazione concettuale e formale implica l’uso di dispositivi compositivi molteplici, logico-deduttivi, analogici, testuali, che preannunciano rapporti relazionali, dinamici e interscalari di tipo paesaggistico.
Editoriale. Legge e cuore. Analogia e composizione nell'architettura
Authors: Scavuzzo Giuseppina
Published: June 2024

Francesco Primari was born on 10 July 1977, in Pesaro. With a school leaving certificate from the “Mamiani” Liceo Classico of Pesaro, he graduated in Architecture in April 2006, from the IUAV, with a thesis: For the city: six redevelopment projects for the fringes of Pesaro’s old town. Again at the IUAV in March 2012 he took a PhD in Architectural Composition with a thesis: The building of the city. The Bonaiti and Malugani houses of Giovanni Muzio in Milan. Since February 2013 to May 2015, he has been carrying out research as a fellow at the Department of Architecture of the University of Bologna’s Cesena branch, where, since 2006, he has been a tutor on architectural design courses. Lamberto Amistadi è ricercatore in Composione architettonica e urbana presso il Dipartimento di Architettura dell'Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna.
Le città dimenticate. Dalla città per la cura alla cura per la città
Authors: D'Agostino Angela
Published: June 2024

Machines à soigner, gli ospedali psichiatrici costruiti in relazione a prescrizioni della medicina, secondo una rispondenza precisa tra funzione-forma e dismessi dopo circa cento anni, sono stati a lungo oggetto di unadamnatio memoriae. Il progetto aperto per la ri-immissione di queste città dimenticate nelle dinamiche urbane, passa per la possibilità di ipotizzare diversi interventi, dal minimo al massimo, rispondenti ad un disegno che tenga insieme storie e molteplicità di usi, di accessi, di spazi contemporanei. Tutto senza dimenticarne la storia e includendo nel progetto il tema della memoria. Il testo e le immagini raccontano della fondazione e di una possibile reinterpretazione degli ex ospedali psichiatrici con particolare riferimento all’ex Leonardo Bianchi di Napoli oggetto di studio e sperimentazione progettuale anche in ambito didattico.
Dalla “società dello spettacolo” allo spettacolo della società. La rigenerazione urbana come pratica di rivendicazione del dismesso
Authors: Marzot Nicola
Published: June 2024

La dismissione della città industriale, per sua stessa natura, ci restituisce una condizione di attesa “improduttiva”, rispetto alla quale si possono riconoscere tre differenti strategie. La prima, diffusasi in Europa a partire dalla seconda metà degli anni ’70, ha elegantemente rimosso questa presenza ingombrante, assimilandola a “lacuna”, da redimere invocando l’“autorità del passato”, nel segno di una continuità con i principi morfo-tipologici desumibili dal palinsesto urbano esistente, che ha nei fatti inaugurato la stagione del cosiddetto Neo-razionalismo. La seconda, che si consolida verso la metà degli anni ’90, con anticipazioni pioneristiche nel decennio precedente, coglie l’occasione del vuoto come opportunità da ricollocare nell’orizzonte di riferimento della globalizzazione, sradicandolo dalla dimensione locale a favore di processi di de-territorializzazione di cui non si dà possibilità di controllo. La terza, generata dalla crisi della finanza creativa, promotrice della fase precedente, impone una riflessione sul “paesaggio del dismesso” che, non essendo risolvibile nei termini pocanzi delineati, per lo stato di sofferenza in cui versano i tradizionali soggetti della trasformazione, apre ad una crisi senza precedenti della disciplina. Chi scrive ritiene che il prolungarsi della condizione di attesa, che oramai assume tratti “inquietanti”, possa diventare una occasione di profondo ripensamento del mestiere dell’architetto e della sua cultura, a condizione che si sappia guardare il reale per ciò che è, evitando tanto l’“incanto” per la ricomposizione dell’unità perduta quanto l’ “autocompiacimento” per l’equivalenza delle soluzioni, generata dall’assenza temporanea di vincoli, che la crisi libera e comporta
Changes in frontal cortex hemodynamic activity in a patient with schizophrenia undergoing electroconvulsive therapy – case analysis using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Authors: Ziemecki Piotr , Permoda-Pachuta Agnieszka , Krukow Paweł , Kopiś-Posiej Natalia , Karakuła-Juchnowicz Hanna
Published: June 2024

Introduction: In recent years, one of the most interesting areas of research is the change in hemodynamic response of the prefrontal cortex as a predictor of response to electroconvulsive treatments (ECT). Near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is non -invasive functional neuroimaging technique that allows the assessment of neuronal activity in frontotemporal regions. The goal of our study was to verify feasibility of fNIRS method to monitor potential changes in frontal cortex hemodynamic activity as a response to ECT treatment.
Material and method: The 30 years old, patient with schizophrenia was admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention in Lublin for psychiatric treatment. Due to the incomplete therapeutic effect, after using clozapine and electroconvulsive therapy was performed. To monitor the activity of the brain functional fNIRS technique was used. The hemodynamic response of the frontal cortex during performance was assessed: verbal and non-verbal fluency tasks. The Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale was used twice before and after ECT.
Results: As a result of pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive treatment, clinical improvement was achieved, but full remission was not achieved. Evaluation of HbO and Hb fluctuations from one channel showed that the hemodynamic activity of the frontal cortex was opposite to the standard at the time of task initiation. After a series of treatments, the pattern of activity reversed in a more normative direction for figural fluency.
Discussion: It appears that the data provided indicate that fNIRS neuroimaging may be a useful tool in monitoring changes in cortical activity patterns in response to therapeutic stimulation such as ECT.

Keywords: ECT, fNIRS, schizophrenia
Effective palliation of refractory ascites in cirrhosis is challenging
Authors: Abbott Jane , Verma Sumita , Saksena Sushma
Published: June 2024

Background:

Palliative care is often suboptimal for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Ascites remains the most common complication in ESLD. Though long-term abdominal drains (LTAD) are commonly used in refractory malignant ascites, the standard care for ESLD is hospital drainage (large volume paracentesis (LVP)). There is an ongoing National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded trial (REDUCe 2 Study) (ISRCTN269936824) comparing palliative LTAD to LVP in ESLD. This 35-site trial is being conducted in England, Scotland and Wales.

Aim:

To understand the views and experience of healthcare professionals (HCP) on the use of palliative LTAD in ESLD.

Methods:

An electronic survey comprised of seven questions with fixed quantitative options and three exploratory questions was used between August–December 2019. The survey was distributed electronically via the British Association for Study of Liver newsletter and to relevant hospital departments in Southeast England and Northeast London. An email reminder was sent at 4 and 8 weeks after the initial invitation to the survey.

Results:

There were 211 respondents (hepatologists (36.5%), specialist nurses (24.6%), gastroenterologists (16.6%), trainees (17%) and others (5.2%)). All respondents had access to LVP, 86% to a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure for patients, 67% to LTADs and 10% to other options, such as the automated low-flow ascites (ALFA) pump. The majority of respondents to the survey (68%) reported their experience of using LTAD. Almost all respondents (91%) were willing to consider LTAD in ESLD. However, the main deterrents of this were the perceived risk of infection (90%), followed by LTAD management in community (57%). Some 51% of those with prior experience of using LTAD reported clinical complications for patients (including bleeding, infection and renal impairment), 41% reported technical issues and 35% inadequate community support.

Conclusions:

Almost all HCPs are willing to consider palliative LTAD in refractory ascites due to ESLD, but the main deterrents are the perceived infection risk and lack of published data to guide community management. The REDUCe 2 trial will clarify if these concerns are real and provide conclusive evidence on role, if any, of palliative LTADs in this vulnerable and under researched cohort with ESLD.
Establishment of a Dataset for Detecting Pests on the Surface of Grain Bulks
Authors: Li Dandan , Tian Jida , Li Jiangtao , Sun Muyi , Zhou Huiling , Zheng Yili
Published: June 2024

Highlights

We have established an image dataset named GrainPest, specifically designed for detecting stored-grain pests on the surface of grain bulks.

GrainPest includes images of six common species of stored-grain pests, comprising 16358 pest images and 66372 marked instances of pests.

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of GrainPest, as well as the challenges encountered in detecting pests on the surface of grain bulks.

Baseline experiments were conducted, and the results show that GrainPest can effectively support research on the automatic detection of stored-grain pests.

Abstract. Pest detection plays an important role in integrated pest management (IPM). An effective dataset is the foundation for achieving the automatic detection of stored-grain pests. Although some datasets of stored-grain pests have been published, they are not suitable for detecting pests on the surface of grain bulks because the image backgrounds and the shooting process have significant differences. To provide data for the development of algorithms for pest detection on the surface of grain bulks in granaries, we established an image dataset named GrainPest in this study. It contains 16358 images, including six categories of pest instances. A total of 66372 pest instances with detection bounding boxes were annotated. GrainPest exhibits inter- and intra-class variance, data imbalance, and small-size pest instances, most of which occupy less than 0.25% of the total pixel area of the entire image. The hard negative sample images containing pest-like objects that easily cause misdetection, such as impurities, mold spots, shadows between different grain kernels, and blackened corn ear bases, were collected. For small pest detection, we proposed that improving the performance of the algorithms by simply increasing the size of the feature map can be effective, which was demonstrated in subsequent experiments. We also demonstrated that incorporating hard negative sample images into algorithm training can mitigate the issue of mis-detection. We conducted baseline experiments using object detection algorithms (i.e., YOLOv5, Faster R-CNN, CenterNet, and DETR) and image classification algorithms (i.e., VGGNet and ResNet). Experimental results show that GrainPest can provide effective data support for the research of pest detection on the surface of grain bulks, small object detection, and image classification. We have made GrainPest publicly available at www.grainpest.com
Nonlinear absorption conversion of epsilon-near-zero multilayer metamaterial at optical frequencies
Authors: Dong Jiannan , Wu Dong , Zhang Feilian , Un Ieng Wai , Lu Yanxin , Chen Yihang
Published: June 2024

Modern all-optical logic switches demand selective, precise, and rapid transmission of optical information. In this study, we investigate an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial composed of silver (Ag) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2), which demonstrates a low conversion threshold, strong nonlinear response, and nonlinear absorption conversion. Particularly noteworthy is its highest nonlinear absorption (β≈-2 × 106 cm/GW) occurring at the ENZ point (695 nm) under deposited condition. This research marks the first discussion of nonlinear absorption conversion in the ENZ multilayer metamaterial. The deposited metamaterial sample exhibits saturation absorption (SA), attributed to ground state free electron bleaching, while annealed sample shows a transition from SA to reverse saturation absorption (RSA) due to a three-photon absorption effect. Annealing significantly reduces the laser power threshold required for this conversion process, indicating reduced risk of laser-induced damage. Furthermore, the wavelength shift of the largest RSA (γ≈1.93 × 104 cm3/GW2) in the annealed sample aligns with the expected redshift direction of the ENZ region (735 nm). Our metamaterial design achieves enhanced nonlinear absorption and low-power absorption conversion, which holds significant potential for applications in all-optical logic switches.
Symmetry-preserving modeling for lithographic imaging
Authors: Guo Shaopeng , Cheng Lei , Jiang Hao , Ke Xianhua , Zhang Song , Wei David H. , Sun Yanlong , Liu Shiyuan
Published: June 2024

In computational imaging and lithography, it has been a challenge for a numerical model to faithfully preserve symmetries in the physical imaging system. In this Letter, we present a project-to-symmetry-subspace (PTSS) method to prevent symmetry loss during the iterative generation of optical kernels. Essentially, PTSS is to project iterative vectors onto a predefined symmetric subspace when decomposing the transmission cross coefficient (TCC). Simulation results demonstrate the PTSS-generation of a truncated set of optical kernels that are substantially free of symmetry error, regardless of the order of truncation.
Challenges in clinical diagnosis of Clade I Mpox: Highlighting the need for enhanced diagnostic approaches
Authors: Bourner Josephine , Garcia-Gallo Esteban , Mbrenga Festus , Boum Yap , Nakouné Emmanuel , Paterson Amy , Jones Benjamin , Olliaro Piero , Rojek Amanda
Published: June 2024

Background

Due to limited diagnostic capacity and availability of point-of-care tests, diagnosis of Clade I mpox in the geographical regions most affected is usually on clinical grounds. This may be complicated due to the similarity between mpox and varicella (chickenpox) lesions. Visual assessment of lesions is also used for determining clinical progress and to assess patient outcomes in clinical trials. However, there has been no investigation into whether clinicians can (i) identify Clade I mpox compared to other viral lesions (ii) differentiate between Clade I mpox lesion stages.

Methodology/Principle findings

The objective of this study was to evaluate inter-rater reliability and agreement between clinicians assessing lesions in patients with Clade I mpox. We presented experienced clinicians with 17 images of Clade I mpox or varicella and asked them to independently indicate the most likely diagnosis–mpox or varicella–and to categorise the lesions according to their stage. When selecting the most likely diagnosis, accuracy varied across all images, the inter-rater reliability was poor (κ = 0.223; z = 10.1) and agreement was moderate (Po = 68%). When categorising lesions according to their type, if a single lesion type was present in the image, inter-rater reliability was moderate (κ = 0.671, z = 40.6) and agreement was good (Po = 78%), but when multiple lesion types were shown in an image, both inter-rater reliability (κ = 0.153, z = 10.5) and agreement (Po = 29%) decreased substantially.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that there are presently limitations in using visual assessment to diagnose Clade I mpox and evaluate lesion stage and treatment outcomes, which have an impact on clinical practice, public health and clinical trials. More robust indicators and tools are required to inform clinical, public-health, and research priorities, but these must be implementable in countries affected by mpox.
Brain activations during execution and observation of visually guided sequential manual movements in autism and in typical development: A study protocol
Authors: Domellöf Erik , Hjärtström Hanna , Johansson Anna-Maria , Rudolfsson Thomas , Stillesjö Sara , Säfström Daniel
Published: June 2024

Motor issues are frequently observed accompanying core deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Impaired motor behavior has also been linked to cognitive and social abnormalities, and problems with predictive ability have been suggested to play an important, possibly shared, part across all these domains. Brain imaging of sensory-motor behavior is a promising method for characterizing the neurobiological foundation for this proposed key trait. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) developmental study, involving children/youth with ASD, typically developing (TD) children/youth, and neurotypical adults, will investigate brain activations during execution and observation of a visually guided, goal-directed sequential (two-step) manual task. Neural processing related to both execution and observation of the task, as well as activation patterns during the preparation stage before execution/observation will be investigated. Main regions of interest include frontoparietal and occipitotemporal cortical areas, the human mirror neuron system (MNS), and the cerebellum.
Research on trust mechanism of supply chain finance under Industrial Internet embedded with blockchain
Authors: Jiang Yingmei , Li Yuxin , Wei Jinyu , Liu Yaoxi
Published: June 2024

In traditional supply chain finance, the financing of enterprise mainly relies on the credit segmentation of the core enterprise, resulting in a short trust transmission radius and poor financing ability. The development of Internet technology, while expanding financing channels, has also seen an increasing severity in issues such as information fraud and data breaches, which has further aggravated the trust crisis in supply chain finance. This paper integrates blockchain technology into the industrial internet platform and analyzes the applicability of both in empowering supply chain financial trust. Then a supply chain financial trust framework, which emphasizes information sharing, data security, and trust circulation, is proposed. Furthermore, combined with the theories of Funk-SVD and entropy value, this paper designs a global trust evaluation mechanism that facilitates the trust circulation in supply chain finance and proposes a recommendation algorithm for global trust. With the testing conducted using the Epinions dataset, it is found that the algorithm proposed in this paper has a strong data dimensionality reduction and concentration ability, especially for large sample data, it can obtain more accurate evaluation values with less space occupation, thus enhancing the trust circulation ability of supply chain finance. Finally, the paper puts forward specific policy recommendations for the implementation of the supply chain finance information mechanism, aiming to better improve the financing accessibility of enterprises in supply chain, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Air-liquid interface exposure of A549 human lung cells to characterize the hazard potential of a gaseous bio-hybrid fuel blend
Authors: Daniel Jonas , Schönberger Alvarez Ariel A. , te Heesen Pia , Lehrheuer Bastian , Pischinger Stefan , Hollert Henner , Roß-Nickoll Martina , Du Miaomiao
Published: June 2024

Gaseous and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted by the transport sector contribute to air pollution and have adverse effects on human health. To reduce harmful effects to the environment as well as to humans, renewable and sustainable bio-hybrid fuels are explored and investigated in the cluster of excellence “The Fuel Science Center” at RWTH Aachen University. However, data on the effects of bio-hybrid fuels on human health is scarce, leaving a data gap regarding their hazard potential. To help close this data gap, this study investigates potential toxic effects of a Ketone-Ester-Alcohol-Alkane (KEAA) fuel blend on A549 human lung cells. Experiments were performed using a commercially available air-liquid interface exposure system which was optimized beforehand. Then, cells were exposed at the air-liquid interface to 50–2000 ppm C3.7 of gaseous KEAA for 1 h. After a 24 h recovery period in the incubator, cells treated with 500 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant lower metabolic activity and cells treated with 50, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant higher cytotoxicity compared to controls. Our data support the international occupational exposure limits of the single KEAA constituents. This finding applies only to the exposure scenario tested in this study and is difficult to extrapolate to the complex in vivo situation.
Comprehensive profiling of social mixing patterns in resource poor countries: A mixed methods research protocol
Authors: Aguolu Obianuju Genevieve , Kiti Moses Chapa , Nelson Kristin , Liu Carol Y. , Sundaram Maria , Gramacho Sergio , Jenness Samuel , Melegaro Alessia , Sacoor Charfudin , Bardaji Azucena , Macicame Ivalda , Jose Americo , Cavele Nilzio , Amosse Felizarda , Uamba Migdalia , Jamisse Edgar , Tchavana Corssino , Giovanni Maldonado Briones Herberth , Jarquín Claudia , Ajsivinac María , Pischel Lauren , Ahmed Noureen , Mohan Venkata Raghava , Srinivasan Rajan , Samuel Prasanna , John Gifta , Ellington Kye , Augusto Joaquim Orvalho , Zelaya Alana , Kim Sara , Chen Holin , Kazi Momin , Malik Fauzia , Yildirim Inci , Lopman Benjamin , Omer Saad B.
Published: June 2024

Background

Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden of communicable diseases. Social interaction data inform infectious disease models and disease prevention strategies. The variations in demographics and contact patterns across ages, cultures, and locations significantly impact infectious disease dynamics and pathogen transmission. LMICs lack sufficient social interaction data for infectious disease modeling.

Methods

To address this gap, we will collect qualitative and quantitative data from eight study sites (encompassing both rural and urban settings) across Guatemala, India, Pakistan, and Mozambique. We will conduct focus group discussions and cognitive interviews to assess the feasibility and acceptability of our data collection tools at each site. Thematic and rapid analyses will help to identify key themes and categories through coding, guiding the design of quantitative data collection tools (enrollment survey, contact diaries, exit survey, and wearable proximity sensors) and the implementation of study procedures. We will create three age-specific contact matrices (physical, nonphysical, and both) at each study site using data from standardized contact diaries to characterize the patterns of social mixing. Regression analysis will be conducted to identify key drivers of contacts. We will comprehensively profile the frequency, duration, and intensity of infants’ interactions with household members using high resolution data from the proximity sensors and calculating infants’ proximity score (fraction of time spent by each household member in proximity with the infant, over the total infant contact time) for each household member.

Discussion

Our qualitative data yielded insights into the perceptions and acceptability of contact diaries and wearable proximity sensors for collecting social mixing data in LMICs. The quantitative data will allow a more accurate representation of human interactions that lead to the transmission of pathogens through close contact in LMICs. Our findings will provide more appropriate social mixing data for parameterizing mathematical models of LMIC populations. Our study tools could be adapted for other studies.
Provider perspectives on screening and treatment for opioid use disorder and mental health in HIV care: A qualitative study
Authors: Knettel Brandon A. , Chen Hillary , Wilson Elena , Agor David , McKellar Mehri S. , Reif Susan
Published: June 2024

Background

HIV, opioid use disorder (OUD), and mental health challenges share multiple syndemic risk factors. Each can be effectively treated with routine outpatient appointments, medication management, and psychosocial support, leading implementers to consider integrated screening and treatment for OUD and mental health in HIV care. Provider perspectives are crucial to understanding barriers and strategies for treatment integration.

Methods

We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 21 HIV treatment providers and social services providers (12 individual interviews and 1 group interview with 9 participants) to understand the current landscape, goals, and priorities for integrated OUD, mental health, and HIV care. Providers were purposively recruited from known clinics in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, U.S.A. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis in the NVivo 12 software program and evaluated for inter-coder agreement.

Results

Participants viewed substance use and mental health challenges as prominent barriers to engagement in HIV care. However, few organizations have integrated structured screening for substance use and mental health into their standard of care. Even fewer screen for opioid use. Although medication assisted treatment (MAT) is effective for mitigating OUD, providers struggle to connect patients with MAT due to limited referral options, social barriers such as housing and food insecurity, overburdened staff, stigma, and lack of provider training. Providers believed there would be clear benefit to integrating OUD and mental health treatment in HIV care but lacked resources for implementation.

Conclusions

Integration of screening and treatment for substance use and mental health in HIV care could mitigate many current barriers to treatment for all three conditions. Efforts are needed to train HIV providers to provide MAT, expand resources, and implement best practices.
Intermittent hypoxia induces Th17/Treg imbalance in a murine model of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Park Do-Yang , Kim Chang-Hoon , Park Da-Young , Kim Hyun Jun , Cho Hyung-Ju
Published: June 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by cyclic normoxic and hypoxic conditions (intermittent hypoxia, IH) induced by the repeated closure of the upper-airway respiratory tract. As a pathomechanism of OSA, IH results in various comorbidities via chronic inflammation and related pathways. However, the role of other inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes, has not been well-explored. This study aimed to examine the effects of IH on the distribution and balance of T cell subsets and other related cytokines, and mechanisms in the immune system. We modified OSA mouse model (male C57BL/6N male) using our customized chamber that controls specific sleep and oxygenic cycles. To induce hypoxia, the IH group was repeatedly exposed to 5% O2 and 21% O2 lasting for 120 s each for 7 h daily for 4 weeks. Mice were then subjected to a recovery period of 4 weeks, in which IH stimulation was ceased. T cells and related cytokines were analyzed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group, the IH group had significantly lower levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells but higher levels of Th 17, IL-4, HIF-1, and inflammatory cytokines. After the recovery period, these altered changes in the immune cells were recovered, and we found no significant difference in their levels between the control and recovery groups. This study revealed that the Th17/Treg ratio is increased by intermittent hypoxia, and this imbalance can explain immune-related diseases, including recently reported allergies, autoimmune, and even cancer diseases, arising from OSA.
The impact of positive-pressure breathing apparatus on muscle fatigue of volunteer firefighter
Authors: Hu Huimin , Wang Jie , Ouyang Lixin , Luo Ling , Niu Wenlei
Published: June 2024

Muscle fatigue is one of the leading causes that contributes tremendously to injuries among volunteer firefighters in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of positive-pressure breathing apparatus on muscle fatigue in the shoulder, back, and legs of volunteer firefighters. A total of 60 volunteer firefighters were recruited to perform a running task on a motorized treadmill in a controlled laboratory environment. Surface electromyography and rating of perceived exertion scores were collected from all participants every 60 seconds during the running task. Results show that the median frequency values for all measured muscle groups were significantly lower, and the rating of perceived exertion score was significantly higher after running with the positive-pressure breathing apparatus. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the median frequency values for the upper trapezius, erector spinae, and biceps femoris between the initial and final periods of running task without load. However, the median frequency values with load for gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior exhibited a greater downward trend compared to those without load. Additionally, using a breathing apparatus can cause asymmetric muscle fatigue in bilateral upper trapezius, erector spinae, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles. The decreased performance due to muscle fatigue increases the risk of accidents, thereby posing a threat to the safety of volunteer firefighters. This study offers valuable insights into the effects of positive-pressure breathing apparatus on muscle fatigue among volunteer firefighters. These results may serve as a reference for developing improved fatigue management strategies and optimizing the design features of breathing apparatus.
Cultural transmission and religious belief: An extended replication of Gervais and Najle (2015) using data from the International Social Survey Programme
Authors: Ishii Tatsunori , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: June 2024

Beliefs in supernatural agents or religious beliefs are pervasive, yet there are individual differences in such beliefs. Although various factors have been proposed as relevant, recent research has increasingly emphasized the importance of cultural learning, showing that enthusiastic religious behavior (credibility enhancing displays; CREDs) from parents predicts increased religious beliefs among their children. In addition to this kin-biased learning, Gervais and Najle (2015) analyzed data from the World Values Survey to demonstrate that the number of adults who show religious CREDs is also an important predictor of people’s beliefs, indicating that individuals develop their religious beliefs through conformist learning. This pre-registration study aimed to replicate and extend these findings by analyzing data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), which is another large social survey. We examined the generalizability of the results by analyzing multigenerational samples. Multilevel regression and signal detection analyses revealed that the presence of both kin-biased and conformist learning cues was significantly associated with respondents’ religious beliefs. Moreover, they suggested tension between the two cultural learning cues, thereby suggesting that the effect of kin-biased learning on religious beliefs becomes stronger (weaker) when the cue for conformist learning is unclear (clear). These results support the idea that these two types of cultural learning are crucial to the development of religious beliefs.
Multiple isoforms of the Activin-like receptor baboon differentially regulate proliferation and conversion behaviors of neuroblasts and neuroepithelial cells in the Drosophila larval brain
Authors: Lee Gyunghee G. , Peterson Aidan J. , Kim Myung-Jun , O’Connor Michael B. , Park Jae H.
Published: June 2024

In Drosophila coordinated proliferation of two neural stem cells, neuroblasts (NB) and neuroepithelial (NE) cells, is pivotal for proper larval brain growth that ultimately determines the final size and performance of an adult brain. The larval brain growth displays two phases based on behaviors of NB and NEs: the first one in early larval stages, influenced by nutritional status and the second one in the last larval stage, promoted by ecdysone signaling after critical weight checkpoint. Mutations of the baboon (babo) gene that produces three isoforms (BaboA-C), all acting as type-I receptors of Activin-type transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling, cause a small brain phenotype due to severely reduced proliferation of the neural stem cells. In this study we show that loss of babo function severely affects proliferation of NBs and NEs as well as conversion of NEs from both phases. By analyzing babo-null and newly generated isoform-specific mutants by CRISPR mutagenesis as well as isoform-specific RNAi knockdowns in a cell- and stage-specific manner, our data support differential contributions of the isoforms for these cellular events with BaboA playing the major role. Stage-specific expression of EcR-B1 in the brain is also regulated primarily by BaboA along with function of the other isoforms. Blocking EcR function in both neural stem cells results in a small brain phenotype that is more severe than baboA-knockdown alone. In summary, our study proposes that the Babo-mediated signaling promotes proper behaviors of the neural stem cells in both phases and achieves this by acting upstream of EcR-B1 expression in the second phase.
The impacts of economy policy uncertainty on peer effects of firms R&D investment: Based on LDA machine learning and regression statistical modeling approach
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Yang Xingxing , Zhu Xia , Ge Xiangyu
Published: June 2024

The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model is used to extract the text themes of newspaper news and construct the Chinese Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) Index. On this basis, based on the relevant data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2020, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of EPU on peer effects of firms R&D investment, and finds that EPU will aggravate the peer effects of firms R&D investment. Furthermore, the moderating effect of manager’s motivation to maintain reputation on the process of EPU influencing the peer effects of firms R&D investment was tested, and the mechanism of EPU influencing the peer effects of firms R&D investment through financial frictions was verified.
Cannabinoid receptor 1 positive allosteric modulator ZCZ011 shows differential effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice
Authors: Yadav-Samudrala Barkha J. , Dodson Hailey , Ramineni Shreya , Kim Elizabeth , Poklis Justin L. , Lu Dai , Ignatowska-Jankowska Bogna M. , Lichtman Aron H. , Fitting Sylvia
Published: June 2024

The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is a promising therapeutic target for various neurodegenerative diseases, including HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). However, the therapeutic potential of CB1R by direct activation is limited due to its psychoactive side effects. Therefore, research has focused on indirectly activating the CB1R by utilizing positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). Studies have shown that CB1R PAMs (ZCZ011 and GAT211) are effective in mouse models of Huntington’s disease and neuropathic pain, and hence, we assess the therapeutic potential of ZCZ011 in a well-established mouse model of neuroHIV. The current study investigates the effect of chronic ZCZ011 treatment (14 days) on various behavioral paradigms and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Chronic ZCZ011 treatment (10 mg/kg) did not alter body mass, locomotor activity, or anxiety-like behavior regardless of sex or genotype. However, differential effects were noted in hot plate latency, motor coordination, and recognition memory in female mice only, with ZCZ011 treatment increasing hot plate latency and improving motor coordination and recognition memory. Only minor effects or no alterations were seen in the endocannabinoid system and related lipids except in the cerebellum, where the effect of ZCZ011 was more pronounced in female mice. Moreover, AEA and PEA levels in the cerebellum were positively correlated with improved motor coordination in female mice. In summary, these findings indicate that chronic ZCZ011 treatment has differential effects on antinociception, motor coordination, and memory, based on sex and HIV-1 Tat expression, making CB1R PAMs potential treatment options for HAND without the psychoactive side effects.
Can flow cytometric measurements of reactive oxygen species levels determine minimal inhibitory concentrations and antibiotic susceptibility testing for Acinetobacter baumannii?
Authors: Yeo Jia Hao , Low Jia Qian , Begam Nasren , Leow Wan-Ting , Kwa Andrea Lay-Hoon
Published: June 2024

Current antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) requires 16–24 hours, delaying initiation of appropriate antibiotics. Hence, there is a need for rapid AST. This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a rapid flow cytometric AST assay to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). Antibiotic exposure causes increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacteria. We hypothesized that ROS can be used as a marker to determine MIC. We assessed three CRAB clinical isolates across fifteen antibiotics at various concentrations in a customized 96-well microtiter plate. The antibiotics assessed include amikacin, beta-lactams (ampicillin/sulbactam, aztreonam, cefepime, ceftolozane/tazobactam, doripenem, imipenem, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam), levofloxacin, polymyxin B, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and tetracyclines (tigecycline and minocycline). These clinical CRAB isolates were assessed for ROS after antibiotic treatment. Increased ROS levels indicated by increased RedoxSensorTM Green (RSG) fluorescence intensity was assessed using flow cytometry (FCM). MIC was set as the lowest antibiotic concentration that gives a ≥1.5-fold increase in mode RSG fluorescence intensity (MICRSG). Accuracy of MICRSG was determined by comparing against microtiter broth dilution method performed under CLSI guidelines. ROS was deemed accurate in determining the MICs for β-lactams (83.3% accuracy) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (100% accuracy). In contrast, ROS is less accurate in determining MICs for levofloxacin (33.3% accuracy), rifampicin (0% accuracy), amikacin (33.3% accuracy), and tetracyclines (33.3% accuracy). Collectively, this study described an FCM-AST assay to determine antibiotic susceptibility of CRAB isolates within 5 hours, reducing turnaround time up to 19 hours.
Correlation between serum uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and atrial fibrillation in patients with NAFLD
Authors: Liu Gaizhen , Zhang Qi , Zhou Meng , Li Baojie , Zhao Jianqi , Bai Rui , Song Xiaosu , Qin Weiwei , Zhang Yonglai
Published: June 2024

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. The uric acid (UA) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (UHR) has been shown to be closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and NAFLD. The aim of this study is to clarify whether elevated UHR is associated with the occurrence of AF in patients with NAFLD and to determine whether UHR predicted AF.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with NAFLD in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The study subjects were categorized into AF group and non-AF group based on the presence or absence of combined AF. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the correlation between UHR and AF. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup interaction analysis were performed to verify the robustness of the study results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value for UHR to predict the development of AF in patients with NAFLD.

Results

A total of 421 patients with NAFLD were included, including 171 in the AF group and 250 in the non-AF group. In the univariate regression analysis, NAFLD patients with higher UHR were more likely to experience AF, and the risk of AF persisted after confounding factors were adjusted for (OR: 1.010, 95%CI: 1.007–1.013, P<0.001). AF risk increased with increasing UHR quartile (P for trend < 0.001). Despite normal serum UA and HDL-C, UHR was still connected with AF in patients with NAFLD. All subgroup variables did not interact significantly with UHR in the subgroup analysis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve for UA, HDL-C, and UHR were 0.702, 0.606, and 0.720, respectively, suggesting that UHR has a higher predictive value for AF occurrence in NAFLD patients compared to HDL-C or UA alone.

Conclusion

Increased UHR level was independently correlated with a high risk of AF in NAFLD patients.
Joint Hypermobility, Autonomic Dysfunction, Gastrointestinal Dysfunction, and Autoimmune Markers: Clinical Associations and Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy
Authors: Pasricha Pankaj J. , McKnight Megan , Villatoro Luisa , Barahona Guillermo , Brinker Jeffrey , Hui Ken , Polydefkis Michael , Burns Robert , McMahan Zsuzsanna H. , Gould Neda , Goodman Brent , Hentz Joseph , Treisman Glenn
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION:

We examined autoimmunity markers (AIM) and autonomic dysfunction in patients with chronic neurogastroenterological symptoms and their relationship to joint hypermobility/hypermobility spectrum disorder (JH/HSD).

METHODS:

AIM positivity was defined as a diagnosis of known autoimmune/autoinflammatory disorder with at least 1 positive seromarker of autoimmunity or at least 2 positive seromarkers by themselves. Three cohorts were studied: (i) retrospective (n = 300), (ii) prospective validation cohort (n = 133), and (iii) treatment cohort (n = 40), administered open-label intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

RESULTS:

AIM positivity was found in 40% and 29% of the retrospective and prospective cohorts, the majority of whom (71% and 69%, respectively) had autoinflammatory disorder. Significantly more patients with AIM had elevations of C-reactive protein (31% vs 15%, P < 0.001) along with an increased proportion of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (48% vs 29%; P < 0.001), small fiber neuropathy (20% vs 9%; P = 0.002), and HLADQ8 positivity (24% vs 13%, P = 0.01). Patients with JH/HSD were more likely to have AIM (43% vs 15%, P = 0.001) along with more severe autonomic and gastrointestinal (GI) symptom scores. IVIG treatment was associated with robust improvement in pain, GI, and autonomic symptoms, but adverse events were experienced by 62% of patients.

DISCUSSION:

Autoimmune markers and autonomic dysfunction are common in patients with unexplained GI symptoms, especially in those with JH/HSD. Many patients seem to respond to IVIG treatment, but this needs to be confirmed by controlled trials. These results highlight the need for vigilance for autoimmune and autonomic factors and JH/HSD in patients with neurogastroenterological disorders. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04859829.