bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of kinesio taping on joint range of motion and balance in total knee replacement patients
Authors: Song Seung-heon , Lee Su-Kyoung , Ahn Su-Hong
Published: August 2024

We adopted a within-subjects quasi-experimental approach to assess the impact of kinesio taping (KT) on joint range of motion (ROM), static balance, and dynamic balance. The research subjects were 15 patients who had, within the previous 3 weeks, undergone total knee replace-ment (TKR) by an orthopedic surgeon in 2022. We measured the ROM, static balance, and dynamic balance of the knee joint before and after applying KT. We then compared the pre- and post-tape measurements to assess the effects of KT on joint function and balance. The ROM of the knee joint was measured using a goniometer in the supine position before the KT application. The static and dynamic balance were as-sessed using a balance assessment device by measuring the sway area and length of the center of gravity during the measurement period. The effects of KT on the ROM and static and dynamic balance of the knee joint were investigated. The differences in joint ROM and static and dynamic balance between pre- and post-KT applications were an-alyzed using a paired-sample t-test. This study found that the ROM of the knee joint was significantly increased after applying KT. For static and dynamic balance, both the sway area and length of the center of gravity decreased after applying KT, indicating a significant improve-ment in static and dynamic balance. KT, when combined with standard physiotherapy, can be a useful therapeutic approach for TKR patients, effectively enhancing joint ROM and balance function.
Effects of arginine intake during weight training on blood variables
Authors: Kim Young-Chul , Lee Tae-Gyung , Kim Jun-Su
Published: August 2024

This experiment studied the effect of arginine intake on blood pressure and blood variables during weight training in 20 men in their 20s. The re-sistance exercise program was performed 3 times a week at 60% of one repetition maximum for 8 weeks. The arginine intake group con-sumed 1,000 mg of arginine 2 tablets per day before weight training for 8 weeks. The placebo group was instructed to consume two of placebo with water, the same as the arginine intake group. After 8 weeks, the day after the end of the resistance exercise program, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipopro-tein, low-density lipoprotein, muscle mass, and maximum muscle strength were measured. In changes in systolic blood pressure, the ar-ginine intake group was 118.20±2.40 mmHg, showed a statistically sig-nificant decrease compared to the placebo group. Triglyceride in the arginine intake group was 112.62±2.40 mg/dL, showing a statistically significant decrease compared to the placebo group. Based on these results, arginine intake during resistance exercise is judged to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure, and is also believed to re-duce triglycerides, a blood lipid variable, so it is thought to function as a supplement during exercise.
The Self-Perpetuating Turnover Cycle: Frontline Supervisors and Direct Support Professionals Reflect on Its Causes and Impacts
Authors: Hall Sarah A. , Anderson Lynda Lahti , Pettingell Sandra L.
Published: August 2024

Direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors (FLSs) have critical roles in home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Recruitment and retention issues have plagued the workforce in long-term supports and services and were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the fourth Direct Support Workforce COVID-19 Survey provided national DSP and FLS perspectives on factors contributing to turnover and retention challenges and their effects on the workforce and people supported. Participants identified obstacles with recruitment and retention, workplace outcomes related to turnover, and negative impacts on the supports and services people with IDD rely on to live and work in their communities. Policy and practice recommendations to address the workforce crisis are provided.
Interventions Used With Direct Support Workforce of Adults With Disabilities in Home and Community-Based Settings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Tichá Renáta , Kramme Julie E.D. , Smith John G. , Farrington Mackenzie , Lopp Mackenzie , Abery Brian H. , Cakir-Dilek Betul , Nyce Alec
Published: August 2024

This scoping review fills the gap on key characteristics of interventions and trainings for direct support workforce (DSW) of adults across disabilities and aging adults. We included quantitative and qualitative studies examining the impact of interventions in home and community-based settings in the United States or internationally and published in English since 1990. We initially identified 2,551 titles and completed final data extraction on 65 articles. Most of the studies were quantitative. The interventions reviewed were diverse, including Active support, Positive Behavior Support, and DSW stress reduction. We concluded that there is a need to conduct high-quality research focused on DSW well-being and their feeling of being valued to inform the field on how to best select and retain them.
Ultra-thin crystalline silicon solar cell with a stepped pyramid nanostructure for efficient absorption
Authors: Zhang Heng , Cao Yuchun , Chen Ning , Liu Haotuo , Feng Yongtao , Wu Xiaohu
Published: August 2024

Incorporating micro-nano structures onto the surface of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells to optimize their light absorption capability and improve photoelectric conversion efficiency is a feasible approach. Here, we propose an ultra-thin c-Si solar cell with a stepped pyramid nanostructure for efficient absorption, which consists of the Ag reflective layer, the c-Si absorption layer, and the c-Si stepped pyramid structure. The calculated outcomes demonstrate that the ultra-thin c-Si solar cell’s average absorption at the wavelength of 350–1100 nm is 90.9%, while the average absorption for AM1.5G solar radiation is 92.1%. By comparing the absorption of solar cells with a different number of steps, it’s proved that the proposed solar cell achieves optimal absorption. Investigation into the electric field distribution reveals that the high absorption of the solar cell is generated through the dipole resonance, local electric field enhancement, and combined effects of multiple light reflections and scattering. The calculation of the electrical output characteristics shows that the proposed solar cell achieves a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 21.2%. This study will provide a meaningful exploration into the design and optimization of solar cells that can use solar energy efficiently.
Vanadium dioxide metasurface with dual functionalities of an optical switch and a sensor
Authors: Chen Zhiliang , Li Ziqiang , Li Yazun , Guo Chunjie , Luo Shanyong , Zhu Rui , Li Zhongyang , Bing Pibin , Wang Silei , Xu Juan , Zhang Hongtao , Yao Jianquan
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces a polarization-independent terahertz metasurface based on the phase transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide (VO2), featuring dual-frequency asynchronous optical switches and sensors. The sub-unit of the device consists of a silicon dioxide substrate, with a cross structure composed of VO2 and gold. When VO2 is in the metallic state, the S1 switch is “off,” while the S2 switch can be “on.” Conversely, when VO2 is in the dielectric state, the S2 switch is “off,” while the S1 switch can be “on.” The numerical results indicate that the extinction ratio of the S1 switch can exceed 19 dB, and that of the S2 switch can exceed 16 dB. The sensitivity of the S1 sensor can reach 135277.17 nm/RIU, and that of the S2 sensor can reach 31755.23 nm/RIU, with quality factors (FOM) of 194.01 and 16.57, respectively. The proposed device offers new insights for the design of future terahertz filters, optical switches, and sensors. We believe that the metasurface structure proposed in this paper can be used for optical switching, optical modulation, optical memory, and large-scale optoelectronic integrated circuits.
Efficient excitation of acoustic graphene plasmons for sub-nanoscale infrared sensing
Authors: Tao Chengdong , Liu Chuanbao , Li Yongliang , Qiao Lijie , Zhou Ji , Bai Yang
Published: August 2024

Acoustic graphene plasmons (AGPs) exhibit extremely spatial confinement and near-field enhancement, holding great potential for sub-nanoscale infrared sensing. However, the efficient excitation of AGPs is challenging due to the large momentum mismatch between AGPs and the incident light. Here, we numerically demonstrate an efficient AGP launcher consisting of a monolayer graphene (MG)/graphene nanoantenna (GNA) array/gold reflector hybrid structure. The resonant GNA array, which is in close proximity to MG, excites ultra-confined AGPs between the GNA array and MG, as well as confined GPs in MG. Moreover, the excitation efficiency of AGPs is significantly enhanced due to the constructive interference. Benefiting from the ultra-confined near fields and gate-tunable resonance frequency of AGPs, the characteristic vibrational signals of the sub-nanoscale (0.8 nm) polyethylene layer and A/G-IgG protein layer can be distinctly observed in the absorption spectra of hybrid structure. The efficient AGP launcher provides a highly compact platform for subwavelength optics and sub-nanoscale sensing.
Multicolor long-wavelength QWIPs based on double metal–dielectric–metal layers
Authors: Zhao Jun , Jiang Hengrui , Feng Jianlin , You Tongtong , Xiong Dayuan
Published: August 2024

A quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) using a longitudinally stacked bilayer metal–dielectric–metal structure (MDM) is proposed. By integrating three metasurface square patches with two quantum well active regions, three different resonant cavities can be formed with the metal substrate to achieve three-color detection. The finite element method is employed to calculate the electric field distribution, intersubband absorption and responsivity of the device. As per the findings, the E
Z
electric field components of all three cavities can be enhanced by more than five times in comparison to the initial value E0. The device exhibits absorption peaks at wavelengths of 6.5 µm, 7.4 µm, and 10.6 µm, respectively. Furthermore, the device’s intersubband absorptions are six times higher than those of the standard 45° device. High responsivity is obtained across all three wavelengths. Our study shows that the three resonant cavities remain unaffected by each other due to the spatial isolation and that the response wavelengths are independently tunable over a range of wavelengths. Our results offer an approach to multicolor infrared detection that offers design flexibility.
Practical considerations for the amplification of electro-optically detected THz signals
Authors: Stromberg Christopher J. , Heilweil Edwin J.
Published: August 2024

Advances in THz methods and applications require the detection of weak THz pulsed signals. One solution to this problem is to amplify weak signals using optically biased electro-optical (EO) techniques. Several different EO amplification schemes are compared. The simplest of these involves using a non-polarizing beam splitter followed by two quarter-wave plates set to small positive and negative angles, respectively. The signals are then passed through polarizers perpendicular to the polarization of the 800 nm EO detector crystal gating beam. As long as sufficient intensity is present in the gate pulse for linear photodiode detection, amplification of up to 10 times with dynamic ranges for single sweep scans of  >104 is obtained.
Development of a high-sensitivity and fast-response fiber temperature sensor utilizing Ti3C2TX MXene/PDMS composites and Vernier effect
Authors: Li Peijiang , Wang Zhenyang , Li Haoyu , Feng Shuai , Meng Lei , Lv Min
Published: August 2024

Precisely measuring temperature holds great significance for human daily life and industrial production. A high-sensitivity and fast-response optical fiber temperature sensor based on the vernier effect is proposed. A Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) filled with Ti3C2TX MXene and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites is employed as a sensing probe for the first time, and a cascaded Mach-Zender interferometer (MZI) as a reference unit due to its insensitivity to temperature. The temperature sensitivity of the FPI filled with Ti3C2TX MXene/PDMS composites is 1.63 nm/°C owing to the excellent thermal expansion characteristics of PDMS, and the response time is shortened from 3.021 s to 719 ms compared to that of the FPI filled with pure PDMS attributed to the high thermal conductivity of MXene. The cascading of FPI and MZI with similar free spectral ranges generates the vernier effect. The sensitivity is magnified by 19.44 times, reaching up to 31.62 nm/°C in the range of 36.5 - 37.2 °C, and the response time is 721 ms. Furthermore, experimental results demonstrate the sensor’s good stability, implying its potential applications of the sensor in medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring and biosensing.
Coherent time- and wavelength-division multiplexed point-to-multipoint optical access network using low-cost DFB lasers enabled by a frequency comb
Authors: Hossain Adib Md Mosaddek , Füllner Christoph , Peng Huanfa , Koos Christian , Freude Wolfgang , Randel Sebastian
Published: August 2024

Coherent reception, along with time- and wavelength-division multiplexing (TWDM), is a promising concept to simultaneously support multiple services in future high-speed point-to-multipoint passive optical networks (PONs). The next-generation PON 2 (NG-PON2) standard describes a TWDM-PON based on IM/DD intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) which employs tunable-lasers and optical filters such as tunable optical filters or cyclic arrayed-waveguide gratings. Here, we investigate what we believe to be a novel coherent TWDM-PON architecture based on a frequency comb source in the optical line terminal (OLT), and thermally-tuned distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers in the optical network units (ONUs). For downstream operation, we broadcast multiple copies of two 25 GBd dual-polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) signals, resulting in a total PON downstream capacity of 200 Gbit/s. The copies of the downstream signals are spanning ±2 nm (±250 GHz). In the ONUs, we align the wavelengths of the DFB lasers, which act as local oscillators (LOs), to one of the downstream signals by a thermal heater or by changing the direct current. In upstream, the already aligned DFB lasers act as transmit lasers and the frequency comb as LO. We demonstrate TWDM upstream by emulating two ONUs with 25 GBd DP-QPSK, resulting in a total PON upstream capacity of 200 Gbit/s.
Three transmission properties of the perfect vortex beam
Authors: Wang ShuaiLing , Wang Jun , Cheng MingJian , Zhang JunXiang , Yang XiHua , Xu JingPing , Wang Li-Gang
Published: August 2024

We propose that a perfect vortex beam (PVB) exhibits three major properties, namely, perfect property, self-focusing property, and self-healing property. Our experimental results indicate that PVB manifests superb perfect property, impervious to the influence of orbital angular momentum during the anti-diffraction stage, but ultimately transitioning to the self-focusing property during the self-focusing stage. The self-focusing property of PVB can significantly augment its transmission performance and be tailored through adjustments to the ring radius, ring thickness, and self-focusing ratio to meet the needs of various optical applications. Moreover, we have discussed the mechanism underlying the self-focusing phenomenon and deduced the self-focusing position formula. This formula facilitates a superior estimation of the self-focusing location. Furthermore, our study unveils the third salient property of PVB, namely, its self-healing property, which enables it to restore its intensity and shape of beam after being obstructed by an obstacle, thereby the self-healing property offers promising potential for the application of PVB in the optical field. Our investigation marks what we believe to be the first discovery of PVB's three major properties, confirmed via theoretical and experimental methods. Thereby establishing a firm research foundation that can facilitate the burgeoning applications of PVB in various optical fields, including but not limited to optical trapping, optical imaging, and wireless optical communication.
IMI-driver: Integrating multi-level gene networks and multi-omics for cancer driver gene identification
Authors: Shi Peiting , Han Junmin , Zhang Yinghao , Li Guanpu , Zhou Xionghui
Published: August 2024

The identification of cancer driver genes is crucial for early detection, effective therapy, and precision medicine of cancer. Cancer is caused by the dysregulation of several genes at various levels of regulation. However, current techniques only capture a limited amount of regulatory information, which may hinder their efficacy. In this study, we present IMI-driver, a model that integrates multi-omics data into eight biological networks and applies Multi-view Collaborative Network Embedding to embed the gene regulation information from the biological networks into a low-dimensional vector space to identify cancer drivers. We apply IMI-driver to 29 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and compare its performance with nine other methods on nine benchmark datasets. IMI-driver outperforms the other methods, demonstrating that multi-level network integration enhances prediction accuracy. We also perform a pan-cancer analysis using the genes identified by IMI-driver, which confirms almost all our selected candidate genes as known or potential drivers. Case studies of the new positive genes suggest their roles in cancer development and progression.
On characterizing gender and locational composition of adult PLHIV in Nigeria: Implications for HIV programming
Authors: Lawal Temitayo V. , Oyedele Oyewole K. , Andrew Nifarta P.
Published: August 2024

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a global public health menace, and studies have suggested variations across demographic characteristics. This study attempted to characterize the gender and locational variations in the spread and control of HIV among adult Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) to identify the clustering of PLHIV in Nigeria. We conducted an ecological analysis of data from the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) report. To examine the statistical significance of differences between groups (by gender and location), chi-square and Fisher exact tests were conducted using the Real Statistics Resource Pack in Excel, and ArcGIS for visualization. Significance level was set at 5%. Overall, prevalence of HIV among adult PLHIV was 1.4%—the prevalence was slightly higher among women (1.8%) compared to men (1.0%). About 3/10 (29.3%) self-reported having received HIV test results. In the past 12 months before the survey, only 10.0% self-reported HIV testing among the population, with a significant difference (p<0.001) observed in the urban and rural area (12.4% in urban compared to 8.2% in rural). Another significant finding was the difference in the timing of HIV diagnosis between urban and rural areas (p<0.001). Adult PLHIV residing in rural areas had a higher rate of early detection (94.1%) compared to those in urban areas (70.3%). About 40.0% of HIV positive mothers reported awareness of their HIV status–approximately 58.0% of mothers living in the urban were aware of their HIV status compared to 29.8% in the rural area. The concentration of HIV was disproportionately higher in the rural populations compared to the urban. Findings from this study also show gender-disparities in HIV prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment. Interventions to bridge this gap should be promptly embraced in order to effectively combat the HIV epidemic in Nigeria and achieve an AIDS-free generation.
Prevention and management of anaemia in pregnancy: Community perceptions and facility readiness in Ghana and Uganda
Authors: Tancred Tara , Mubangizi Vincent , Dei Emmanuel Nene , Natukunda Syliva , Abankwah Daniel Nana Yaw , Ellis Phoebe , Bates Imelda , Natukunda Bernard , Asamoah Akuoko Lucy
Published: August 2024

Anaemia is one of the most common conditions in low- and middle-income countries, with prevalence increasing during pregnancy. The highest burden is in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is 41.7% and 40%, respectively. Anaemia in pregnancy can lead to complications such as prematurity, low birthweight, spontaneous abortion, and foetal death, as well as increasing the likelihood and severity of postpartum haemorrhage. Identifying and mitigating anaemia in pregnancy is a public health priority. Here we present a mixed-methods situational analysis of facility readiness and community understanding of anaemia in Ghana and Uganda. Quantitative health assessments (adapted from service availability and readiness assessments) and qualitative key informant interviews (KIIs) with district-level stakeholders, in-depth interviews (IDIs) with maternity staff, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members were held in 2021. We carried out facility assessments in nine facilities in Ghana and seven in Uganda. We carried out seven KIIs, 23 IDIs, and eight FGDs in Ghana and nine, 17, and five, respectively, in Uganda. Many good practices and general awareness of anaemia in pregnancy were identified. In terms of bottlenecks, there was broad consistency across both countries. In health facilities, there were gaps in the availability of haemoglobin testing—especially point-of-care testing—staffing numbers, availability of standard operating procedures/guidelines for anaemia in pregnancy, and poor staff attitudes during antenatal care. Amongst community members, there was a need for improved sensitisation around malaria and helminth infections as potential causes of anaemia and provision of education around the purpose of iron and folic acid supplementation for preventing or managing anaemia in pregnancy. Anaemia in pregnancy is a persistent challenge, but one with clear opportunities to intervene to yield improvements.
Cost-effectiveness of automated digital CBT (Daylight) for generalized anxiety disorder: A Markov simulation model in the United States
Authors: Darden Michael , Carl Jenna R. , Smits Jasper A. J. , Otto Michael W. , Miller Christopher B.
Published: August 2024

This study examines the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of a fully automated smartphone-delivered digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In a simulated Markov model, 100,000 individuals with GAD were studied under one of five (n = 20,000 per arm) treatments (digital CBT [Daylight], individual CBT, group CBT, pharmacotherapy, or no GAD treatment). Model inputs were determined from the literature and included direct treatment costs and disease costs. Net monetary benefit (NMB) determined whether digital CBT is cost-beneficial from both a private payer and societal perspective in the United States in 2020. Digital CBT was found to generate the lowest 12-month total cost ($167.02m) and the second highest number of total quality-adjusted life years (14,711.86). Digital CBT showed a positive NMB relative to each alternative treatment and to no treatment for GAD in both a payer and societal perspective. Relative to no treatment, the average NMB of digital CBT was $1,836.83 from the payer perspective and $4,126.88 from the societal perspective. Digital CBT generates the most value in both a payer and societal perspective, and results were robust to sensitivity analysis with respect to effectiveness, pricing, and attrition parameters.
Yield prediction for crops by gradient-based algorithms
Authors: Mahesh Pavithra , Soundrapandiyan Rajkumar
Published: August 2024

A timely and consistent assessment of crop yield will assist the farmers in improving their income, minimizing losses, and deriving strategic plans in agricultural commodities to adopt import-export policies. Crop yield predictions are one of the various challenges faced in the agriculture sector and play a significant role in planning and decision-making. Machine learning algorithms provided enough belief and proved their ability to predict crop yield. The selection of the most suitable crop is influenced by various environmental factors such as temperature, soil fertility, water availability, quality, and seasonal variations, as well as economic considerations such as stock availability, preservation capabilities, market demand, purchasing power, and crop prices. The paper outlines a framework used to evaluate the performance of various machine-learning algorithms for forecasting crop yields. The models were based on a range of prime parameters including pesticides, rainfall and average temperature. The Results of three machine learning algorithms, Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Light Gradient-Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) are compared and found more accurate than other algorithms in predicting crop yields. The RMSE and R2 values were calculated to compare the predicted and observed rice yields, resulting in the following values: CatBoost with 800 (0.24), LightGBM with 737 (0.33), and XGBoost with 744 (0.31). Among these three machine learning algorithms, CatBoost demonstrated the highest precision in predicting yields, achieving an accuracy rate of 99.123%.
Delphi studies in social and health sciences—Recommendations for an interdisciplinary standardized reporting (DELPHISTAR). Results of a Delphi study
Authors: Niederberger Marlen , Schifano Julia , Deckert Stefanie , Hirt Julian , Homberg Angelika , Köberich Stefan , Kuhn Rainer , Rommel Alexander , Sonnberger Marco ,   the DEWISS network
Published: August 2024

Background

While different proposals exist for a guideline on reporting Delphi studies, none of them has yet established itself in the health and social sciences and across the range of Delphi variants. This seems critical because empirical studies demonstrate a diversity of modifications in the conduction of Delphi studies and sometimes even errors in the reporting. The aim of the present study is to close this gap and formulate a general reporting guideline.

Method

In an international Delphi procedure, Delphi experts were surveyed online in three rounds to find consensus on a reporting guideline for Delphi studies in the health and social sciences. The respondents were selected via publications of Delphi studies. The preliminary reporting guideline, containing 65 items on five topics and presented for evaluation, had been developed based on a systematic review of the practice of Delphi studies and a systematic review of existing reporting guidelines for Delphi studies. Starting in the second Delphi round, the experts received feedback in the form of mean values, measures of dispersion, a summary of the open-ended responses and their own response in the previous round. The final draft of the reporting guideline contains the items on which at least 75% of the respondents agreed by assigning scale points 6 and 7 on a 7-point Likert scale.

Results

1,072 experts were invited to participate. A total of 91 experts completed the first Delphi round, 69 experts the second round, and 56 experts the third round. Of the 65 items in the first draft of the reporting guideline, consensus was ultimately reached for 38 items addressing the five topics: Title and Abstract (n = 3), Context (n = 7), Method (n = 20), Results (n = 4) and Discussion (n = 4). Items focusing on theoretical research and on dissemination were either rejected or remained subjects of dissent.

Discussion

We assume a high level of acceptance and interdisciplinary suitability regarding the reporting guideline presented here and referred to as the "Delphi studies in social and health sciences–recommendations for an interdisciplinary standardized reporting" (DELPHISTAR). Use of this reporting guideline can substantially improve the ability to compare and evaluate Delphi studies.
Using residents and experts to evaluate the validity of areal wombling for detecting social boundaries: A small-scale feasibility study
Authors: Zhang Meng Le , Piekut Aneta , Rasool Zanib , Warden Lydia , Staples Henry , Pryce Gwilym
Published: August 2024

Several studies have explored the relationship between socially constructed neighbourhood boundaries (henceforth social boundaries) and ethnic tensions. To measure these relationships, studies have used area-level demographic data to predict the location of social boundaries and their characteristics. The most common approach uses areal wombling to locate neighbouring areas with large differences in residential characteristics. Areas with large differences (or higher boundary values) are used as a proxy for well-defined social boundaries. However, to date, the results of these predictions have never been empirically validated. This article presents results from a simple discrete choice experiment designed to test whether the areal wombling approach to boundary detection produces social boundaries that are recognisable to local residents and experts as such. We conducted a small feasibility trial with residents and experts in Rotherham, England. Our results shows that participants were more likely to recognise boundaries with higher boundary values as local community borders. We end with a discussion on the scalability of the design and suggest future improvements.
Biopsychosocial factors are associated with impaired sexual function in Mexican patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ledón-Llanes Loraine , Contreras-Yáñez Irazú , Guaracha-Basáñez Guillermo Arturo , Valverde-Hernández Salvador Saúl , Cuevas-Montoya Maximiliano , Ortiz-Haro Ana Belén , Pascual-Ramos Virginia
Published: August 2024

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with worldwide representation that impacts every domain of a patient´s life, extending to sexual and reproductive domains. The study characterized sexual health (SH) and reproductive health (RH) in Mexican RA outpatients and identified factors associated with impaired sexual function (ISF).

Methods

From September 1, 2020—January 31, 2022, consecutive RA participants had semi-structured interviews focusing on their SH and RH biographies, and self-administered questionnaires were applied to assess patient-reported outcomes, including fatigue with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-F). ISF was defined based on published cut-offs of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in males and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in females (≥1 sexual intercourse in the last four weeks was required for index scoring). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with ISF.

Results

There were 268 participants, and 246 (91.8%) were females. Participants had 13 years of disease duration. Among females, 151 (61.4%) had FSFI applied, and the satisfaction domain was impaired in 111 (73.5%). Among males (N = 22), 17 (77.3%) had IIEF applied, and erectile dysfunction was present in 5 (29.4%). Almost half of the participants denied using a family planning method, were in their 50s, and receiving teratogenic drugs; 89.7% of the participants had children.

ISF was detected in 94 (62.3%) females and 3 (17.6%) males. Male sex (aOR: 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01–0.36, p = 0.001), FACIT-F score (aOR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.92–1.00, p = 0.03), and cohabitation with the couple (aOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.11–0.96, p = 0.04) were associated with ISF.

Conclusions

We observed a disproportionate burden of ISF among women with RA compared to male participants. Male sex, lesser fatigue, and cohabitation with the couple were protective against ISF. Regardless of the prevalent use of teratogenic medications, contraceptive use was suboptimal among the participants.
Stick to your role! Stability of personal values expressed in large language models
Authors: Kovač Grgur , Portelas Rémy , Sawayama Masataka , Dominey Peter Ford , Oudeyer Pierre-Yves
Published: August 2024

The standard way to study Large Language Models (LLMs) through benchmarks or psychology questionnaires is to provide many different queries from similar minimal contexts (e.g. multiple choice questions). However, due to LLM’s highly context-dependent nature, conclusions from such minimal-context evaluations may be little informative about the model’s behavior in deployment (where it will be exposed to many new contexts). We argue that context-dependence should be studied as another dimension of LLM comparison alongside others such as cognitive abilities, knowledge, or model size. In this paper, we present a case-study about the stability of value expression over different contexts (simulated conversations on different topics), and as measured using a standard psychology questionnaire (PVQ) and behavioral downstream tasks. We consider 21 LLMs from six families. Reusing methods from psychology, we study Rank-order stability on the population (interpersonal) level, and Ipsative stability on the individual (intrapersonal) level. We explore two settings: with and without instructing LLMs to simulate particular personalities. We observe similar trends in the stability of models and model families—Mixtral, Mistral, GPT-3.5 and Qwen families being more stable than LLaMa-2 and Phi—over those two settings, two different simulated populations, and even on three downstream behavioral tasks. When instructed to simulate particular personas, LLMs exhibit low Rank-Order stability, and this stability further diminishes with conversation length. This highlights the need for future research directions on LLMs that can coherently simulate a diversity of personas, as well as how context-dependence can be studied in more thorough and efficient ways. This paper provides a foundational step in that direction, and, to our knowledge, it is the first study of value stability in LLMs. The project website with code is available at https://sites.google.com/view/llmvaluestability.
Compound K14 inhibits bacterial killing and protease activity in Dictyostelium discoideum phagosomes
Authors: Ifrid Estelle , Ouertatani-Sakouhi Hajer , Zein El Dine Hiba , Jauslin Tania , Chiriano Gianpaolo , Scapozza Leonardo , Lamrabet Otmane , Cosson Pierre
Published: August 2024

Phagocytic cells of the mammalian innate immune system play a critical role in protecting the body from bacterial infections. The multiple facets of this encounter (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, destruction, evasion and pathogenicity) are largely recapitulated in the phagocytic amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. Here we identified a new chemical compound (K14; ZINC19168591) which inhibited intracellular destruction of ingested K. pneumoniae in D. discoideum cells. Concomitantly, K14 reduced proteolytic activity in D. discoideum phagosomes. In kil1 KO cells, K14 lost its ability to inhibit phagosomal proteolysis and to inhibit intra-phagosomal bacterial destruction, suggesting that K14 inhibits a Kil1-dependent protease involved in bacterial destruction. These observations stress the key role that proteases play in bacterial destruction. They also reveal an unsuspected link between Kil1 and phagosomal proteases. K14 can be used in the future as a tool to probe the role of different proteases in phagosomal physiology and in the destruction of ingested bacteria.
Machine learning assessment of vildagliptin and linagliptin effectiveness in type 2 diabetes: Predictors of glycemic control
Authors: Esaifan Hanin A. , Saadah Loai M. , Abu Hammour Khawla , Abu Farha Rana K.
Published: August 2024

Objective

Differential effects of linagliptin and vildagliptin may help us personalize treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The current study compares the effect of these drugs on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in an artificial neural network (ANN) model.

Methods

Patients with T2DM who received either vildagliptin or linagliptin, with predefined exclusion criteria, qualified for the study. Two input variable datasets were constructed: with or without imputation for missing values. The primary outcome was HbA1c readings between 3 to 12 months or the reduction in HbA1c levels.

Results

The cohort comprised 191 individuals (92 vildagliptin and 99 linagliptin). Linagliptin group had significantly higher disease burden. For imputed dataset, HbA1c was lower with linagliptin at 3 to 12 months (7.442 ± 0.408 vs. 7.626 ± 0.408, P < 0.001). However, there was a small yet significant difference in HbA1c reduction favoring vildagliptin over linagliptin (-1.123 ± 0.033 vs. -1.111 ± 0.043, P < 0.001). LDL level, uric acid, and the drug group were identified as predictors for HbA1c levels. In the non-imputed dataset HbA1c at 3 to 12 months was lower with linagliptin (median ± IQR: 7.489 ± 0.467 vs. 7.634 ± 0.467, P-value < 0.001). However, both linagliptin and vildagliptin exhibited similar reductions in HbA1c levels (both median ± IQR of -1.07 ± 0.02). Predictors for HbA1c levels included eGFR level and the drug group.

Conclusion

Linagliptin effectively lowers HbA1c levels more than vildagliptin including in patients with comorbidities. DPP4-I choice is a constant predictor of HbA1c in all models.
Metagenomics analysis of sewage for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in South Africa
Authors: Smith Anthony M. , Ramudzulu Masindi , Munk Patrick , Avot Baptiste J. P. , Esterhuyse Kerneels C. M. , van Blerk Nico , Kwenda Stanford , Sekwadi Phuti
Published: August 2024

Our 24-month study used metagenomics to investigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) abundance in raw sewage from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in two municipalities in Gauteng Province, South Africa. At the AMR class level, data showed similar trends at all WWTWs, showing that aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance was most abundant. AMR abundance differences were shown between municipalities, where Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (TMM) WWTWs showed overall higher abundance of AMR compared to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) WWTWs. Also, within each municipality, there were differing trends in AMR abundance. Notably, within TMM, certain AMR classes (macrolides and macrolides_streptogramin B) were in higher abundance at a WWTW serving an urban high-income area, while other AMR classes (aminoglycosides) were in higher abundance at a WWTW serving a semi-urban low income area. At the AMR gene level, all WWTWs samples showed the most abundance for the sul1 gene (encoding sulfonamide resistance). Following this, the next 14 most abundant genes encoded resistance to sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines and beta-lactams. Notably, within TMM, some macrolide-encoding resistance genes (mefC, msrE, mphG and mphE) were in highest abundance at a WWTW serving an urban high-income area; while sul1, sul2 and tetC genes were in highest abundance at a WWTW serving a semi-urban low income area. Differential abundance analysis of AMR genes at WWTWs, following stratification of data by season, showed some notable variance in six AMR genes, of which blaKPC-2 and blaKPC-34 genes showed the highest prevalence of seasonal abundance differences when comparing data within a WWTW. The general trend was to see higher abundances of AMR genes in colder seasons, when comparing seasonal data within a WWTW. Our study investigated wastewater samples in only one province of South Africa, from WWTWs located within close proximity to one another. We would require a more widespread investigation at WWTWs distributed across all regions/provinces of South Africa, in order to describe a more comprehensive profile of AMR abundance across the country.
Experimental study on deformation characteristics of seasonal subgrade soil under dynamic load
Authors: Li Dongwei , Wang Zecheng , Jia Zhiwen , Bu Wenjie , Sun Qiao , Wang Zhenhua
Published: August 2024

In Northwest China, the highway infrastructure often faces challenges due to the widespread presence of subgrade soil. This soil undergoes significant changes in performance under cyclic loading and freeze-thaw cycles. To effectively design and construct highways in these regions, it is crucial to understand the impact of various factors on the deformation characteristics and mechanical properties of subgrade soil. This study aims to investigate the influence of freeze-thaw cycles, water content, confining pressure, and loading rate on the deformation behavior and mechanical properties of subgrade soil under cyclic loading conditions. Experimental tests were conducted to analyze the deformation characteristics and mechanical properties of the subgrade soil. The test results revealed the following: 1) Dynamic loading leads to a noticeable decrease in the strength of subgrade soil, resulting in a softening effect on the stress-strain curve. The cumulative strain of the soil is positively correlated with the number of freeze-thaw cycles and water content, while negatively correlated with confining pressure. The final cumulative strain remains below 1%. 2) The failure stress of subgrade soil decreases exponentially with an increase in freeze-thaw cycles, dropping from 224.52 kPa to 196.76 kPa. 3) An increase in water content linearly decreases the failure stress of subgrade soil, ranging from 377.1 kPa to 151.5 kPa. 4) Confining pressure exhibits a linearly increasing relationship with the failure stress of subgrade soil, ranging from 151.6 kPa to 274.5 kPa. 5) The failure stress of subgrade soil demonstrates a linear increase with the loading rate, ranging from 200.46 kPa to 210.62 kPa. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and construction of highways in seasonal frozen areas. They also offer guidance for preventing and mitigating subgrade freeze-thaw issues in the future.
A qualitative study of stressors faced by older stroke patients in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital
Authors: Asada Yuta , Nishio Kaori , Iitsuka Kohei , Yaeda Jun
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to explore the stressors experienced by older patients with stroke in convalescent rehabilitation wards in Japan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four stroke patients aged > 65 years who experienced a stroke for the first time in their lives. The interviews were analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method for qualitative data analysis. The results of the qualitative analysis demonstrated that patients experienced specific stressors, such as, difficulty in movement of the paralyzed hand, fear of stroke recurrence, and dietary problems. Some stressors were manageable through healthcare professionals’ active and sensitive communication strategies. These stressors were derived from the theoretical framework of “stressors related to hospitalization” and “stressors related to the illness”. Additional stressors emerged from the interaction between these two types within the theoretical framework. The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific stressors experienced by older stroke patients during the recovery process.
Evaluation of the Effect of 5-Fluorouracil in Combination with NAC and L-arginine in Breast Adenocarcinoma Cell Invasion and Migration:

In Vitro
Authors: Paul Souvik
Published: August 2024

Chemoresistance, being a major challenge in breast cancer, and decreasing the harmful effects of chemotherapy on normal cells such as endothelial cells is a key aspect in therapeutic effectiveness. The goal of this study is to see how N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, and L-Arginine, an amino acid, work together with the cytotoxic medicine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to affect BAC cell invasion and migration.

In vitro cell culture experiments on BAC were carried out with or without NAC and L-Arginine. The MTT test was used to determine cell viability. VEGF analysis verified cell invasion and migration. The results demonstrated that NAC decreased VEGF levels due to its powerful anticancer effect. L-arginine enhanced 5-FU's impact on BAC by decreasing cell viability and boosting apoptosis. Furthermore, L-arginine reduced BAC metastatic capacity, which was supported by migration, invasion, and gene expression data on the cell line. Overall, our data strongly imply that L-arginine prevents 5-FU-induced cell death in BAC. The results showed that L-arginine enhanced the anticancer impact of 5-FU BAC. As a result, combination therapy with L-arginine and 5-FU might be regarded a successful approach in the treatment of breast cancer.
Crossing and dismantling boundaries: recognising the value of professional staff within higher education
Authors: Vere Kelly , Verney Charlotte , Webster-Deakin Tara
Published: August 2024

In this article, we use the concept of the third space to explore how professional staff within UK universities experience boundaries. We focus on professional staff working in three areas of higher education that have been conceptualised differently as third spaces to date: widening participation, technical staff and academic administration. We draw on empirical research from three distinct, but related, qualitative research projects that explored contemporary issues, institutional change, professional identities, relationships and expertise within these under-researched professional contexts. We show how boundaries are experienced, crossed and sometimes dismantled. We highlight where increased collaboration has a positive effect on achieving institutional goals through improved relationships between academic and professional staff, and the recognition of diverse forms of knowledge within the university workforce. We argue for a conception of the third space that is not a discrete or distinct space, which professionals work within or outside of, but instead conceived of as a way of working, which all higher education professionals may engage in, to greater or lesser extents. Doing so provides new insights into the existence of third space working among new professional groups and highlights the potential for all professional staff to engage in third space working to the benefit of their institutions.
semillas de malezas en la cosecha de soja: ¿Amenaza para los sistemas agrícolas?
Authors: Ledesma Silvia Gabriela , García Luz Fabiola , Waigand Carolina Elizabet , Ayala Fabián Abel , Baigorria María del Rosario
Published: August 2024

Las malezas constituyen adversidades importantes para el desarrollo, cosecha y rendimiento de los cultivos. Las prácticas agronómicas modifican las comunidades de malezas, según las características de las especies: producción de semillas, fenología, morfología, resistencia a herbicidas. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la comunidad de especies cuyas semillas están presentes en granos de soja cosechados en el centro-oeste de la provincia de Entre Ríos. Se tomaron muestras de soja de las campañas 2020 y 2021 en cuatro Departamentos de la provincia de Entre Ríos (Argentina). Se describió la fracción de Otras Semillas de cada muestra por su tamaño y riqueza específica; se calculó la abundancia relativa y frecuencia de especies por muestra; y la diversidad específica de la comunidad. Se estableció la similitud florística entre campañas y entre Departamentos y se sometieron las muestras a un análisis multivariado para detectar agrupamientos. No hubo diferencias significativas en tamaño y riqueza de la fracción entre campañas ni entre Departamentos. Se determinó una única comunidad representativa de ambas campañas con marcada dominada de Amaranthus hybridus L. y Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) de reconocida habilidad competitiva y resistencia múltiple a herbicidas. La comunidad de Otras Semillas en soja es una potencial amenaza para los sistemas agrícolas, por la dispersión de semillas de especies resistentes hacia nuevas áreas; y por su perpetuación en el banco de semillas del suelo.