bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hair Apparent; or, Dickens’s Public Hair
Authors: McKnight Natalie
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Dickens plays off the strange hybrid nature of hair throughout his fiction. Hair is both alive and dead, public but also private, part of and not part of the body. Dickens uses hair to create both comedy and pathos, and it projects key aspects of many characters while simultaneously defying their control. Through hair, Dickens raises epistemological questions about the human tendency to categorize the world in binaries, and he suggests that all such categories misrepresent reality and fail to capture the complexity of human experience.
The Emperor's New Uniforms: The Uniform Fantasies of Wilhelm II and His Critics
Authors: Schneider Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

abstract: In light of Wilhelm II's well-known predilection for military uniforms and displays, many of his contemporaries regarded him as a real-life version of the titular figure in Hans Christian Andersen's fable "The Emperor's New Clothes." This essay uses Žižek's concept of fantasy to complicate that perception and articulate the deeper relevance of Andersen's tale. Even as the second volume of Wilhelm's memoirs reveals the extent to which the kaiser's sense of self was constitutively enmeshed in fantasies about the meaning of uniforms, this study indicates that Wilhelm's many critics were also guided by their own fantasies.
The Other Lives of Stasi Spies: Decrypting Informants at the Biographical Level
Authors: Demshuk Andrew
Published: February 2024

abstract: This article takes a biographical approach to understand why informants helped the Stasi, and how the Stasi used them. Using the case example of 1960s protests against the demolition of Leipzig's University Church, it delineates between informants who joined out of utilitarian self-interest and those who joined out of personal conviction. This latter, idealist brand of informants proved particularly useful for the Stasi, as their fundamental loyalty was typically camouflaged by their critique and desire for reform. In both cases, one must intertwine each side of an informant's double life to understand the everyday entanglement of East German lived reality.
Pedro de Urdemalas : A Postmodern Representation of the Incompleteness of Being
Authors: Algaba Granero Aroa
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Pedro de Urdemalas— a comedia by Cervantes that combines several subplots about Pedro, a protean character with literary and folkloric roots—was not performed during Cervantes’s lifetime and never enjoyed a long stage life in the following centuries. Despite this, it has been performed on several occasions during the twenty-first century. The objective of this article is to study the adaptation and staging of the play by the National Company of Classical Theater (Youth Section), explaining what makes it postmodern and how it represents the unrepresentable fragmentation of reality. Resumen: Pedro de Urdemalas, una comedia de Cervantes centrada en varias subtramas en torno a Pedro, un personaje proteico con raíces folclóricas y literarias, no fue representada en vida de Cervantes y nunca ha disfrutado de una larga vida escénica en los siglos siguientes. A pesar de ello, ha sido llevada a las tablas en diferentes ocasiones del siglo XXI. El objetivo de este artículo es estudiar la adaptación y puesta en escena de la obra de la Joven Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico, explicando por qué es posmoderna y cómo representa la fragmentación irrepresentable de la realidad.
Wm. Theodore de Bary
Authors: Gluck Carol
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This biographical memoir commemorates the life, work, and professional legacy of eminent historianWm. Theodore de Bary (1919-2017), who was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1999.
Brian Tierney
Authors: Pennington Kenneth J.
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This biographical memoir commemorates the life, work, and professional legacy of eminent historianBrian Tierney (1922-2019), who was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1990.
Ultrafast polarization characterization with Mueller matrix based on optical time-stretch and spectral encoding
Authors: Feng Yuanhua , Weng Duanyu , Huang Jianwen , Song Jia , Zhou Ji , Liu Weiping , Li Zhaohui
Published: February 2024

High-speed optical polarization characterization is highly desirable for a wide range of applications, including remote sensing, telecommunication, and medical diagnosis. The utilization of the Mueller matrix provides a superior systematic and comprehensive approach to represent polarization attributes when matter interacts with optical beams. However, the current measurement speed of Mueller matrix is limited to only seconds or milliseconds. In this study, we present an ultrafast Mueller matrix polarimetry (MMP) technique based on optical time-stretch and spectral encoding that enables us to achieve an impressive temporal resolution of 4.83 nanoseconds for accurate Mueller matrix measurements. The unique feature of optical time-stretch technology enables continuous, ultrafast single-shot spectroscopy, resulting in a remarkable speed of up to 207 MHz for spectral encoding Mueller matrix measurement. We have employed an effective Mueller linear reconstruction algorithm based on the measured modulation matrix, accounting for all potential non-ideal effects of polarization components like retardance error and azimuth error. To ensure high precision, prior to the actual measurement, high-order dispersion induced by time-stretch requires adjustment through proper modulation matrix design. Upon such correction, both the results of static and rapid dynamic samples measurements exhibit exceptional accuracy with root-mean-square error (RMSE) approximately equal to 0.04 and 0.07 respectively. This presented ultrafast MMP provides a significant advance over preceding endeavors, enabling superior accuracy and increased speed concurrently.
Photonic time-delayed reservoir computing based on series-coupled microring resonators with high memory capacity
Authors: Ren Hongliang , Li Yijia , Li Ming , Gao Mingyi , Lu Jin , Zou Chang-Ling , Dong Chun-Hua , Yu Peiqiong , Yang Xiaoniu , Xuan Qi
Published: February 2024

On-chip microring resonators (MRRs) have been proposed to construct time-delayed reservoir computing (RC) systems, which offer promising configurations available for computation with high scalability, high-density computing, and easy fabrication. A single MRR, however, is inadequate to provide enough memory for the computation task with diverse memory requirements. Large memory requirements are satisfied by the RC system based on the MRR with optical feedback, but at the expense of its ultralong feedback waveguide. In this paper, a time-delayed RC is proposed by utilizing a silicon-based nonlinear MRR in conjunction with an array of linear MRRs. These linear MRRs possess a high quality factor, providing enough memory capacity for the RC system. We quantitatively analyze and assess the proposed RC structure’s performance on three classical tasks with diverse memory requirements, i.e., the Narma 10, Mackey-Glass, and Santa Fe chaotic timeseries prediction tasks. The proposed system exhibits comparable performance to the system based on the MRR with optical feedback, when it comes to handling the Narma 10 task, which requires a significant memory capacity. Nevertheless, the dimension of the former is at least 350 times smaller than the latter. The proposed system lays a good foundation for the scalability and seamless integration of photonic RC.
High-quality coherent ghost imaging of a transmission target
Authors: Chang Shihao , Cai Junjie , Gong Wenlin
Published: February 2024

When the test detector of ghost imaging (GI) is a point-like detector and the detector’s transverse size is smaller than the transverse coherence length of the light field at the detection plane, this case is corresponding to coherent GI (CGI) and the imaging result recovered by traditional GI (TGI) reconstruction algorithm is usually bad for a transmission target. Here a CGI scheme of a transmission target is proposed and a corresponding CGI reconstruction algorithm is developed to stably recover the target’s image. The validity of the proposed method is verified by both simulation and experiments. Both the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the target’s transmission function can be perfectly reconstructed by CGI. We also show that the imaging quality of CGI with a point-like detector is better than that of TGI with a bucket detector if detection noise exists in the sampling process. Performance comparisons between CGI reconstruction and TGI reconstruction are also discussed.
Single-photon ranging lidar based on multi-repetition-rate pulse train correlation and accumulation
Authors: Kang Yan , Wang Xiaofang , Zhang Tongyi , Zhao Wei
Published: February 2024

A single-photon lidar based on multi-repetition-rate pulse train correlation and accumulation is proposed, and a ranging experiment is conducted on a 32 m target. By accumulating the correlation ranging results of pulse trains with internal spacings of 80, 100, and 125 ns, the signal-to-noise ratio of the cross correlation function is improved by about three-fold, which enables our method to improve the ranging precisions by more than 20% compared with the single repetition-rate method, and the shorter the acquisition time, the more obvious the advantage will be. Experimental results show that at an acquisition time of 0.01 s, our method can still achieve a ranging precision of 2.59 cm, while the single repetition-rate method can no longer obtain effective ranging results at this time. This method will be of great significance for realizing high-speed, large-scale unambiguous single-photon lidar ranging.
Coherent perfect absorption from asymmetry transmissive Helmholtz resonator metamaterials
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Yang Rui , Zhao Donghao
Published: February 2024

We propose an asymmetry transmissive (AT) Helmholtz resonator metamaterial to interact with dual incidences of different polarizations from opposite directions to achieve coherent perfect absorption at a terahertz regime. More specifically, the proposed design will solely allow the x-polarized incidence tunnel into the Helmholtz resonator cavity array with roughly half the energy reflected. Meanwhile, the transmitted fields will be converted into the y-polarized counterparts so as to go out through the metamaterial and finally coherent canceled with the partially reflected fields of the other incidence. Our design, introducing the Helmholtz resonator array in the electromagnetics with an extension of the principle of polarization conversion under the coherent perfect absorption, should pave the way for the quest of building up more advanced wave trapping meta-devices for various applications in different disciplines.
Performance evaluation of ground layer adaptive optics based on layer correction efficiency
Authors: Li Ziming , Yang Ying , Zhang Lanqiang , Huang Linhai , Rao Changhui
Published: February 2024

Ground layer adaptive optics (GLAO) has been widely employed in
wide-field observations with ground-based telescopes. However, the
present evaluation of GLAO performance lacks a criterion in terms of
turbulence layer correction. This deficiency results in a significant
gap in understanding the effectiveness of GLAO correction at different
heights of the turbulence layer, thereby hindering the optimization of
GLAO system performance. To bridge this gap, this Letter introduces a
new, to the best of our knowledge, performance criterion for GLAO,
termed layer correction efficiency (LCE). This criterion is formulated
to quantify the effective compensation of the GLAO system for a
specific altitude layer of turbulence, providing support for the
further enhancement of GLAO performance. The simulation results
indicate that the LCE has high applicability in GLAO performance
analysis.
Vortex retarder-based Stokes polarimeters: optimal data processing and autocalibration capability
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Goudail François
Published: February 2024

We present a full Stokes polarimeter that utilizes a vortex retarder (VR) in conjunction with a polarization camera. We demonstrate its capability to estimate the full Stokes vector in a single shot with optimal precision and to autocalibrate the VR retardance, ensuring precise measurements even in dynamic environments where retardance is variable.
Farewell to Optics Continuum: editorial
Authors: Omatsu Takashige
Published: February 2024

The founding Editor-in-Chief of Optics Continuum says farewell and welcomes the incoming Editor.
Dynamic multicolour tuning in π-conjugated polymers towards flexible electrochromic displays
Authors: Zhuang Biying , Zhang Meiyu , Li Ang , Zhang Qianqian , Liu Jingbing , Zheng Zilong , Wang Hao
Published: February 2024

Multicolour electrochromic materials have been considered as a promising alternative to achieve dynamic full-colour tuning towards next-generation electronic display technology. However, the development of electrochromics with wide color gamut and subtle multicolour tunability still remains challenging due to inflexible energy level structures in intrinsic active materials. Herein, the electrochromic π-conjugated polymers with rich and subtle colour tunability were designed and developed based on a fine adjustment on the energy level structures. The chromatic transition covers almost full-colour gamut, and each colour scheme has a rich variety of categories stemming from versatile hues, chromas and lightnesses. Moreover, the multicolour π-conjugated polymers also demonstrate superior overall electrochromic performance, including fast switching (~1.0 s), high colouration efficiency (160.4 cm2 C-1@550 nm) and good reversibility (over 90 % retention after 10,000 cycles). As a proof of concept, ultrathin and flexible prototype devices are developed by utilizing the multicolour π-conjugated polymers as electrochromic active layer, exhibiting a wide colour gamut and highly saturated multicolour tunability. The design principles proposed in this work may also be applicable to diverse optoelectronic applications.
A biologically inspired repair mechanism for neuronal reconstructions with a focus on human dendrites
Authors: Groden Moritz , Moessinger Hannah M. , Schaffran Barbara , DeFelipe Javier , Benavides-Piccione Ruth , Cuntz Hermann , Jedlicka Peter
Published: February 2024

Investigating and modelling the functionality of human neurons remains challenging due to the technical limitations, resulting in scarce and incomplete 3D anatomical reconstructions. Here we used a morphological modelling approach based on optimal wiring to repair the parts of a dendritic morphology that were lost due to incomplete tissue samples. In Drosophila, where dendritic regrowth has been studied experimentally using laser ablation, we found that modelling the regrowth reproduced a bimodal distribution between regeneration of cut branches and invasion by neighbouring branches. Interestingly, our repair model followed growth rules similar to those for the generation of a new dendritic tree. To generalise the repair algorithm from Drosophila to mammalian neurons, we artificially sectioned reconstructed dendrites from mouse and human hippocampal pyramidal cell morphologies, and showed that the regrown dendrites were morphologically similar to the original ones. Furthermore, we were able to restore their electrophysiological functionality, as evidenced by the recovery of their firing behaviour. Importantly, we show that such repairs also apply to other neuron types including hippocampal granule cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells. We then extrapolated the repair to incomplete human CA1 pyramidal neurons, where the anatomical boundaries of the particular brain areas innervated by the neurons in question were known. Interestingly, the repair of incomplete human dendrites helped to simulate the recently observed increased synaptic thresholds for dendritic NMDA spikes in human versus mouse dendrites. To make the repair tool available to the neuroscience community, we have developed an intuitive and simple graphical user interface (GUI), which is available in the TREES toolbox (www.treestoolbox.org).
A simulation framework to determine optimal strength training and musculoskeletal geometry for sprinting and distance running
Authors: Van Wouwe Tom , Hicks Jennifer , Delp Scott , Liu Karen C.
Published: February 2024

Musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes vary widely in the population and are intricately linked to the performance of tasks ranging from walking and running to jumping and sprinting. As an alternative to experimental approaches, where it is difficult to isolate factors and establish causal relationships, simulations can be used to independently vary musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes, and develop a fundamental understanding. However, our ability to understand how these parameters affect task performance has been limited due to the high computational cost of modelling the necessary complexity of the musculoskeletal system and solving the requisite multi-dimensional optimization problem. For example, sprinting and running are fundamental to many forms of sport, but past research on the relationships between musculoskeletal geometry, muscle volumes, and running performance has been limited to observational studies, which have not established cause-effect relationships, and simulation studies with simplified representations of musculoskeletal geometry. In this study, we developed a novel musculoskeletal simulator that is differentiable with respect to musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes. This simulator enabled us to find the optimal body segment dimensions and optimal distribution of added muscle volume for sprinting and marathon running. Our simulation results replicate experimental observations, such as increased muscle mass in sprinters, as well as a mass in the lower end of the healthy BMI range and a higher leg-length-to-height ratio in marathon runners. The simulations also reveal new relationships, for example showing that hip musculature is vital to both sprinting and marathon running. We found hip flexor and extensor moment arms were maximized to optimize sprint and marathon running performance, and hip muscles the main target when we simulated strength training for sprinters. Our simulation results provide insight to inspire future studies to examine optimal strength training. Our simulator can be extended to other athletic tasks, such as jumping, or to non-athletic applications, such as designing interventions to improve mobility in older adults or individuals with movement disorders.
Shared input and recurrency in neural networks for metabolically efficient information transmission
Authors: Barta Tomas , Kostal Lubomir
Published: February 2024

Shared input to a population of neurons induces noise correlations, which can decrease the information carried by a population activity. Inhibitory feedback in recurrent neural networks can reduce the noise correlations and thus increase the information carried by the population activity. However, the activity of inhibitory neurons is costly. This inhibitory feedback decreases the gain of the population. Thus, depolarization of its neurons requires stronger excitatory synaptic input, which is associated with higher ATP consumption. Given that the goal of neural populations is to transmit as much information as possible at minimal metabolic costs, it is unclear whether the increased information transmission reliability provided by inhibitory feedback compensates for the additional costs. We analyze this problem in a network of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons receiving correlated input. By maximizing mutual information with metabolic cost constraints, we show that there is an optimal strength of recurrent connections in the network, which maximizes the value of mutual information-per-cost. For higher values of input correlation, the mutual information-per-cost is higher for recurrent networks with inhibitory feedback compared to feedforward networks without any inhibitory neurons. Our results, therefore, show that the optimal synaptic strength of a recurrent network can be inferred from metabolically efficient coding arguments and that decorrelation of the input by inhibitory feedback compensates for the associated increased metabolic costs.
The role of geophagy and artisanal gold mining as risk factors for elevated blood lead levels in pregnant women in northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Thomas Deborah S.K. , Asori Moses , Nyanza Elias C.
Published: February 2024

Neither artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) or geophagy practices have received substantial attention related to blood lead levels despite the well documented deleterious effects of lead. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to document the risk of lead exposure from geophagy and mining-related occupational activities for pregnant women. The study recruited 1056 pregnant women (883 in an ASGM area and 173 in a non-ASGM area) between April 2015 –April 2017. Generalized Linear Model with an identity link function was used to model the association between blood lead levels (BLLs) and geophagy practices and involvement in gold mining. The prevalence of geophagy was 36.2% (95% CI: 33.6, 39.4%) and 6.3% engaged in mining as a primary occupation. Practicing geophagy increased BLLs by 22% (β = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.116, 1.309, p<0.0001). Living in a gold mining area increased BLLs by 33.4% (β = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.483, p<0.0001). Having mining as a primary occupation increased BLLs by 1.3% β = 1.013, 95% CI: 0.872, 1.176, p = 0.869) even though the association was not statistically significant. Socioeconomic wealth quantile (β = 1.037, 95% CI: 1.021, 1.054, p<0.001) increased blood lead levels by 3.7%. Developing a comprehensive inventory capturing sources of community-level lead exposure is essential. Further, increasing public health campaigns and education are crucial to limit geophagy practices and to minimize work in gold mining activities during pregnancy.
Sexual health knowledge acquisition processes among very young adolescent girls in rural Malawi: Implications for sexual and reproductive health programs
Authors: Chimwaza-Manda Wanangwa , Kamndaya Mphatso , Chipeta Effie Kondwani , Sikweyiya Yandisa
Published: February 2024

Early adolescence is a period characterized by enormous biological, cognitive, sexual, emotional, and social changes. Sexual curiosity and the desire to acquire sexual health (SH) information are part of these developments. Understanding the SH knowledge acquisition process is critical for designing interventions that can best support very young adolescents (VYAs). This study explored the SH knowledge acquisition processes among VYA girls aged 10 to 14 years who attended the DREAMs Girl Only Clubs (GOCs) and those who did not. The GOCs were a part of a larger comprehensive HIV prevention project called DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) which provided an evidence-based core package of interventions to VYAs to prevent HIV. In-depth interviews were conducted with 43 VYA girls aged 10–14 years in two rural southern districts of Zomba and Machinga in Malawi. Twenty-three VYA girls were GOC participants and 20 VYAs were not. Guided by the Social Ecological Model, a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data with the assistance of Nvivo 12 software. The SH knowledge acquisition processes were the interaction of various factors at the microsystem (self-efficacy, attitudes, trust and the beginning of menstruation), mesosystem (communication of SH issues between VYAs and their immediate family and peers), and exosystem levels (availability of life skills programs and mother-groups in schools and availability of GOCs). Compared to Non-GOC participants, GOC participants demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of SH issues and positive sexual behaviors such as HIV testing. Limitations to SH knowledge acquisition were adult messages’ focus on sexual relationship avoidance and on girls who have started menstruation; the perception of adults not being knowledgeable about SH and school teachers hiding some SH information. VYAs’ SH interventions that provide VYAs with accurate, consistent, and age-appropriate SH information such as the GOCs have the potential to address the limitations that other sources have in reaching VYAs. Integrating such interventions with programs that empower parents, other adults, and teachers with comprehensive SH information and with skills on how to deliver SH information to VYAs can enhance VYAs’ SH knowledge acquisition and influence positive behavior change.
The population affected by dust in China in the springtime
Authors: Wang Weijie , Zhang Junjie
Published: February 2024

Dust events in northern China, particularly in the springtime, affect millions of people in the source and downwind regions. We investigate the population affected by various dust levels in China in the springtime from 2003 to 2020 using satellite retrievals of dust optical depth (DOD). We select three DOD thresholds, namely DOD > 0.2, DOD > 0.3, and DOD > 0.4, to estimate the population affected and find that each year the population affected can differ by one order of magnitude. The population exposed to DOD > 0.2 ranged from 16 million (2019) to over 200 million (2006). The population exposed to DOD > 0.3 ranged from 10 million (2015) to 70 million (2006). The population exposed to DOD > 0.4 ranged from 4 million (2017) to 36 million (2006). In years when dust events are frequent, people in the source and downwind regions are both affected, whereas, in years when dust events are less frequent, people affected are mainly in the source regions. Furthermore, we use the relative index of inequality to assess whether dust hazards impose unequal pollution burdens on different socioeconomic groups. We find that low-income communities have been more likely affected by dust pollution since 2013.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis SecA2-dependent activation of host Rig-I/MAVs signaling is not conserved in Mycobacterium marinum
Authors: Serene Lindsay G. , Webber Kylie , Champion Patricia A. , Schorey Jeffrey S.
Published: February 2024

Retinoic acid inducible gene I (Rig-I) is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor canonically described for its important role in sensing viral RNAs. Increasingly, bacterially-derived RNA from intracellular bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have been shown to activate the same host Rig-I/Mitochondrial antiviral sensing protein (MAVS) signaling pathway to drive a type-I interferon response that contributes to bacterial pathogenesis in vivo. In M. tuberculosis, this response is mediated by the protein secretion system SecA2, but little is known about whether this process is conserved in other pathogenic mycobacteria or the mechanism by which these nucleic acids gain access to the host cytoplasm. Because the M. tuberculosis and M. marinum SecA2 protein secretion systems share a high degree of genetic and functional conservation, we hypothesized that Rig-I/MAVS activation and subsequent induction of IFN-β secretion by host macrophages will also be conserved between these two mycobacterial species. To test this, we generated a ΔsecA2 M. marinum strain along with complementation strains expressing either the M. marinum or M. tuberculosis secA2 genes. Our results suggest that the ΔsecA2 strain has a growth defect in vitro but not in host macrophages. These intracellular growth curves also suggested that the calculation applied to estimate the number of bacteria added to macrophage monolayers in infection assays underestimates bacterial inputs for the ΔsecA2 strain. Therefore, to better examine secreted IFN-β levels when bacterial infection levels are equal across strains we plated bacterial CFUs at 2hpi alongside our ELISA based infections. This enabled us to normalize secreted levels of IFN-β to a standard number of bacteria. Applying this approach to both WT and MAVS-/- bone marrow derived macrophages we observed equal or higher levels of secreted IFN-β from macrophages infected with the ΔsecA2 M. marinum strain as compared to WT. Together our findings suggest that activation of host Rig-I/MAVS cytosolic sensors and subsequent induction of IFN-β response in a SecA2-dependent manner is not conserved in M. marinum under the conditions tested.
A risk stratification model for high-flow nasal cannula use in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Japan: A single-center retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Kurihara Ibuki , Sugawara Hitoshi
Published: February 2024

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a strain on the healthcare system, and sudden changes in disease status during home treatment have become a serious issue. Therefore, prediction of disease severity and allocation of sufficient medical resources, including high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), to patients in need are important. We aimed to determine risk factors for the need of HFNC use in COVID-19.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective observational cohort study including all eligible hospitalized adult patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 between April 14, 2020 and August 5, 2021 who were treated in the study hospital. The primary outcome is the need for HFNC. Nineteen potential predictive variables, including patient characteristics at hospital admission, were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and logistic regression to construct a predictive risk score. Accuracy of the risk score was determined using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The study cohort included 148 patients. The rate of the need for HFNC was 22.9%. Among the 19 potential variables, percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) <92% (odds ratio [OR] 7.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.806–20.82) and IL-6 (OR 1.021, 95% CI 1.010–1.033) were included in developing the risk score, which was termed interleukin (IL)-6-based COVID-19 severity (IBC-S) score.

Conclusions

The IBC-S score, an easy-to-use risk score based on parameters available at the time of hospital admission, predicted the need for HFNC in patients with COVID-19. The IBC-S score based on interleukin-6 and SpO2 might aid in determining patients who should be transported to a tertiary medical institution or an isolation facility.
Virologic outcomes on dolutegravir-, atazanavir-, or efavirenz-based ART in urban Zimbabwe: A longitudinal study
Authors: Shamu Tinei , Egger Matthias , Mudzviti Tinashe , Chimbetete Cleophas , Manasa Justen , Anderegg Nanina
Published: February 2024

There are few data from sub-Saharan Africa on the virological outcomes associated with second-line ART based on protease inhibitors or dolutegravir (DTG). We compared viral load (VL) suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH) on atazanavir (ATV/r)- or DTG-based second-line ART with PLWH on efavirenz (EFV)-based first-line ART. We analyzed data from the electronic medical records system of Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. We included individuals aged ≥12 years when commencing first-line EFV-based ART or switching to second-line DTG- or ATV/r-based ART with ≥24 weeks follow-up after start or switch. We computed suppression rates (HIV VL <50 copies/mL) at weeks 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 and estimated the probability of VL suppression by treatment regimen, time since start/switch of ART, sex, age, and CD4 cell count (at start/switch) using logistic regression in a Bayesian framework. We included 7013 VL measurements of 1049 PLWH (61% female) initiating first-line ART and 1114 PLWH (58% female) switching to second-line ART. Among those switching, 872 (78.3%) were switched to ATV/r and 242 (21.7%) to DTG. VL suppression was lower in second-line ART than first-line ART, except at week 12, when those on DTG showed higher suppression than those on EFV (aOR 2.10, 95%-credible interval [CrI] 1.48–3.00) and ATV/r-based regimens (aOR 1.87, 95%-CrI 1.32–2.71). For follow-up times exceeding 24 weeks however, first-line participants demonstrated significantly higher VL suppression than second-line, with no evidence for a difference between DTG and ATV/r. Notably, from week 48 onward, VL suppression seemed to stabilize across all regimen groups, with an estimated 89.1% (95% CrI 86.9–90.9%) VL suppression in EFV, 74.5% (95%-CrI 68.0–80.7%) in DTG, and 72.9% (95%-CrI 69.5–76.1%) in ATV/r at week 48, showing little change for longer follow-up times. Virologic monitoring and adherence support remain essential even in the DTG era to prevent second-line treatment failure in settings with limited treatment options.
Farmer preference for macadamia varieties and constraints to production in Malawi
Authors: Zuza Emmanuel Junior , Araya Yoseph N. , Maseyk Kadmiel , Bhagwat Shonil , Brandenburg Rick L. , Emmott Andrew , Rawes Will , Phiri Patrick , Mkengala Ken , Kenamu Edwin
Published: February 2024

Macadamia nuts constitute a vital component of both nutrition and livelihoods for smallholder producers in Malawi. We conducted a comprehensive mixed-methods study, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, to explore varietal preferences and production challenges among these farmers. Leveraging cross-sectional data from 144 members of the Highlands Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited, our study underscores several significant findings. Our findings reveal that the majority of smallholder macadamia farmers (62%) are aged over 50, with farming as their primary occupation. Varied preferences are driven by yield-related traits, including high yield potential (38%), nut quality (29%), and extended flowering patterns (15%). Among the macadamia varieties, the top five choices, grown by over half of the farmers, include HAES 660 (18%), 800 (10%), 791 (9%), 816 (8%), and 246 (7%). Additionally, our study identifies five primary constraints faced by smallholder macadamia farmers: insect pests (81%), diseases (34%), limited market access (33%), wind damage (25%), and inadequate agricultural advisory services (17%). Based on these findings, we propose two policy recommendations to enhance smallholder macadamia production and productivity in Malawi and other regions. Specifically, we advocate for informed breeding programs that align with farmer preferences to promote greater adoption of macadamia varieties. Additionally, we emphasize the crucial role of the Malawian government in the macadamia value chain, suggesting active participation in providing extension services and marketing support, akin to its support for other cash crops.
Combination treatment to improve mucociliary transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Authors: Rouillard Kaitlyn R. , Esther Christopher P. , Kissner William J. , Plott Lucas M. , Bowman Dean W. , Markovetz Matthew R. , Hill David B.
Published: February 2024

People with muco-obstructive pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have acute or chronic respiratory infections that are difficult to treat due in part to the accumulation of hyperconcentrated mucus within the airway. Mucus accumulation and obstruction promote chronic inflammation and infection and reduce therapeutic efficacy. Bacterial aggregates in the form of biofilms exhibit increased resistance to mechanical stressors from the immune response (e.g., phagocytosis) and chemical treatments including antibiotics. Herein, combination treatments designed to disrupt the mechanical properties of biofilms and potentiate antibiotic efficacy are investigated against mucus-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and optimized to 1) alter biofilm viscoelastic properties, 2) increase mucociliary transport rates, and 3) reduce bacterial viability. A disulfide bond reducing agent (tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine, TCEP), a surfactant (NP40), a biopolymer (hyaluronic acid, HA), a DNA degradation enzyme (DNase), and an antibiotic (tobramycin) are tested in various combinations to maximize biofilm disruption. The viscoelastic properties of biofilms are quantified with particle tracking microrheology and transport rates are quantified in a mucociliary transport device comprised of fully differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells. The combination of the NP40 with hyaluronic acid and tobramycin was the most effective at increasing mucociliary transport rates, decreasing the viscoelastic properties of mucus, and reducing bacterial viability. Multimechanistic targeting of biofilm infections may ultimately result in improved clinical outcomes, and the results of this study may be translated into future in vivo infection models.
Risk calculator of the clinical response to antihistamines in chronic urticaria: Development and internal validation
Authors: Sánchez Jorge , Jaimes Fabian , García Elizabeth , Zakzuk Josefina , Cardona Ricardo , Velasquez Margarita
Published: February 2024

Early detection of CSU patients with low probability of a clinical response with antihistamines could undergo prompt initiation of therapeutic alternatives. The aim of the study was to develop and internally validate a model for predicting the clinical response to antihistamines in adult patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), who consult allergology and dermatology care centers. A cohort of CSU patients, recruited from four participating centers, were followed up for 12 months. Fifteen candidate variables were selected to be included in the multivariate model and then internal validation was done with bootstrap analysis with 1000 simulations. The outcome variable, clinical response to antihistamines, was evaluated with the UAS (Urticaria Activity Score) scale for seven days: "No response to antihistamines" was defined as UAS7 ≥7 points after at least one month with a maximum dose of antihistamines, while "Response to antiH1" was defined as UAS7 ≤6 points for at least three months with the use of antiH1. A total of 790 patients were included. Among the different models analyzed, the model that included age, angioedema, anxiety/depression, time with the disease, NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) intolerance, and UAS7 baseline was considered the one with the best performance (accuracy 0.675, HL 0.87, AUC 0.727). The internal validation analyses demonstrated good consistency of the model. In conclusion, this prediction model identifies the probability of response to antihistamines in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. The model could be useful for a personalized therapeutic approach according to individual patient risk.
Yellow scorpion (Buthus sinidicus) venom peptides induce mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in cervical, prostate and brain tumor cell lines
Authors: Hassan Humaira , Mirza Munazza Raza , Jabeen Almas , Alam Mehtab , Kori Junaid Ahmed , Sultan Rabia , Rahman Saeed ur , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: February 2024

Scorpion venoms are known to contain over 100,000 biologically active constituents. However, only a few of them have been studied. The major constituents of venom are proteins and peptides, which exhibit various biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer activities. In the current study, the venom of yellow scorpions (Buthus sindicus) found in Sindh, Pakistan, was extracted and evaluated for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The crude venom showed a dose dependent inhibition of phagocyte oxidative burst from human whole blood cells (28.3% inhibition at highest tested concentration of 300 μg/mL). In-vitro cytotoxicity of crude venom was evaluated against human prostrate (PC3), cervical (HeLa) and neuroblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines, along with cytotoxicity against normal human fibroblast (BJ) cells. Crude venom was cytotoxic to all cell lines, with prominent inhibitory effect on PC3 cells. Crude venom was fractionated through RP-UPLC, resulted in fifteen fractions, followed by evaluation of their anticancer potential. Among all, the fraction I significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the cell viability of all three cancer cell lines, and exhibited insignificant cytotoxicity against normal cell line. Furthermore, the apoptotic cell death pathway was evaluated for crude venom, and fraction I, in most sensitive cell line PC3, by using flow-cytometry analysis. Both crude venom and its fraction I caused a mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (PC3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of venom of Pakistani yellow scorpions. Results indicate their therapeutic potential, and a case for further purification and validation studies.
Testing the latent structure, factorial equivalence, and external correlates of the brief self-control scale in a community sample of Spanish adults
Authors: Torres-Marín Jorge , Gómez-Benito Juana , Guerrero Estefania , Guilera Georgina , Barrios Maite
Published: February 2024

The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) is a 13-item personality measure capturing how people differ in their capacity to exert self-control. Although the BSCS was originally regarded as a one-dimensional scale, subsequent psychometric studies have provided support for the empirical distinction of two and four interrelated but distinct components of self-control. Using a large sample of Spanish adults (n = 1,558; 914 female, 58.7%), we performed a comprehensive data-driven comparison of the most well-established item-level latent structures for the BSCS. Results showed that the differentiation between general self-discipline and impulse control offered a better fit to the observed data than did the unidimensional representation of self-control. This two-dimensional structure for the BSCS scores was also supported in terms of its internal consistency, measurement invariance across gender and age groups, and meaningful correlations with wellbeing-related indicators and Big Five personality traits. Plausible implications of these findings are discussed.
Bystanders’ thresholds for intervention in Black vs. White women’s sexual harassment
Authors: Schachtman Rebecca , Kaiser Cheryl R.
Published: February 2024

Black women’s sexual harassment is often overlooked and dismissed relative to White women’s harassment. In three pre-registered experiments, we test whether this neglect extends to bystander intervention in sexual harassment. Participants observed an ostensibly live job interview between a man manager and a Black or White woman job candidate. The manager’s questions were pre-programmed to grow increasingly harassing, and participants were asked to intervene if/when they found the interview inappropriate. A meta-analysis of the three studies (N = 1487), revealed that bystanders did not differ in their threshold for intervention when sexual harassment targeted the Black vs. White woman. Despite evidence for the relative neglect of Black women in responses to sexual harassment, these data suggest that bystanders may respond similarly for Black and White women.
Mid-long term boundary dynamic optimization of open-pit coal mine considering coal price fluctuation
Authors: Wang Shuai , Cao Bo , Bai Runcai , Liu Guangwei
Published: February 2024

The delineation of the open-pit mining boundary, particularly in the context of medium to long-term planning, forms the foundation of mining design. However, due to the non-linear and dynamic nature of the economic and technical parameters influencing boundary delineation, determining the optimal mining boundary can be exceedingly challenging. Currently, most boundary optimization methods assume that block parameters remain fixed, which results in enterprises assuming a certain level of risk when facing changes in internal and external conditions. In this regard, this paper introduces the concept of "achievement degree" to reflect the risk associated with the results of boundary design. Using coal prices as an example, this article applies the predicted coal price curve to boundary optimization adjustments by specifying the "achievement degree" requirements for various time periods, thereby facilitating risk-controlled and economically optimal boundary decisions. Taking the illustrative case of an idealized small-scale inclined coal seam open-pit mine, adjustments to the boundary closely track variations in coal prices, further enhancing returns. The results demonstrate that the method proposed in this paper can increase overall revenue by approximately 51.15% within the forecast period, while effectively managing risks.
Modelling the GDP of KSA using linear and non-linear NNAR and hybrid stochastic time series models
Authors: Almarashi Abdullah M. , Daniyal Muhammad , Jamal Farrukh
Published: February 2024

Background

Gross domestic product (GDP) serves as a crucial economic indicator for measuring a country’s economic growth, exhibiting both linear and non-linear trends. This study aims to analyze and propose an efficient and accurate time series approach for modeling and forecasting the GDP annual growth rate (%) of Saudi Arabia, a key financial indicator of the country.

Methodology

Stochastic linear and non-linear time series modeling, along with hybrid approaches, are employed and their results are compared. Initially, conventional linear and nonlinear methods such as ARIMA, Exponential smoothing, TBATS, and NNAR are applied. Subsequently, hybrid models combining these individual time series approaches are utilized. Model diagnostics, including mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), are employed as criteria for model selection to identify the best-performing model.

Results

The findings demonstrated that the neural network autoregressive (NNAR) model, as a non-linear approach, outperformed all other models, exhibiting the lowest values of MAE, RMSE and MAPE. The NNAR(5,3) projected the GDP of 1.3% which is close to the projection of IMF benchmark (1.9) for the year 2023.

Conclusion

The selected model can be employed by economists and policymakers to formulate appropriate policies and plans. This quantitative study provides policymakers with a basis for monitoring fluctuations in GDP growth from 2022 to 2029 and ensuring the sustained progression of GDP beyond 2029. Additionally, this study serves as a guide for researchers to test these approaches in different economic dynamics.
Experimental study on damage of slope under drying and wetting cycle based on DC electric method
Authors: Kang Ensheng , Zhao Zexi , Meng Haidong , Zhao Zihao
Published: February 2024

In order to investigate the seepage law and crack development characteristics of dump slopes, as well as the impact on slope stability during drying and wetting cycles, a simulation test slope system was constructed in a rainfall environment, specifically designed to mimic the engineering conditions of dump slope. The apparent resistivity response formula for the seepage and crack development processes was derived based on the three-phase medium theory of rock-soil bodies and Maxwell’s conductivity formula. The geoelectric field characteristics pertaining to slope damage and the corresponding patterns of alteration were comprehensively investigated. The results demonstrate a negative correlation between resistivity and slope water content, with resistivity increasing as cracks develop and decreasing with water infiltration. The progression of crack formation in a rainfall environment on a dump slope can be categorized into three stages: The initial phase involves the saturation of the slope as water content increases. Subsequently, the second phase entails the initiation and expansion of capillary zones, along with the formation of dominant waterways. Lastly, the third phase encompasses the formation and expansion of cracks within the dumping site. The occurrence of sudden changes and abnormal fluctuations in apparent resistivity within a saturated slope signifies the presence of cracks and weak surfaces, leading to gradual and irreversible damage. This phenomenon serves as an indicator of slope damage and can be utilized for the early prediction of slope instability.