bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency management through enduring collaborative networks: Lessons on phases and levels
Authors: Røiseland Asbjørn , Trætteberg Håkon Solbu
Published: April 2024

This article explores the conditions that underpin networks as enduring collaborative relationships. To identify key features that sustain long‐term collaboration, we use the Norwegian system of emergency management as our empirical case. Norway is characterized by the important role played by volunteers and voluntary organizations as partners to the police in search and rescue operations. In particular, the article focuses on two possible explanations for the endurability of these networks: the broad involvement of volunteers in the different phases and the role of intermediaries. The article concludes that intermediaries can compensate for a lack of broad involvement, which may be particularly relevant for emergency management where many different resources have to be mobilized in a short time span and in a fashion that enables fluid interaction. This finding is a reminder that both phases and levels need to be explored in empirical studies of collaborations.
The effect of maximum residue limit standards on China's agri‐food exports: A health perspective
Authors: Chen Bo , Chen Yiming , Zhang Siqi
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the impact of maximum residue limit (MRL) standards of 2692 chemical substances regulated by 44 importing countries on China's agri‐food exports, disaggregated at HS 8‐digit product level over 2005–2021. We find that MRL standards for health‐threatening chemical substances facilitate China's exports of agri‐food products, while low‐hazard MRLs impede trade. Furthermore, stricter MRL standards for health‐threatening substances reduce the probability of exporting (extensive margin) while generating larger export values conditional on exporting (intensive margin). We also identify that the adjustments of fixed and variable compliance costs resulting from changes in health‐threatening and low‐hazard MRLs contribute to the heterogeneous responses on the extensive and intensive margins of exports.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Validation of the Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults in Kenya
Authors: Zia Yasaman , Upadhyay Ushma , Rhew Isaac , Kimanthi Syovata , Congo Ouma , Onono Maricianah , Barnabas Ruanne , Mugo Nelly , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , Harrington Elizabeth K.
Published: April 2024

Understanding the levels of power that adolescent girls and young women exercise in their sexual and reproductive lives is imperative to inform interventions to help them meet their goals. We implemented an adapted version of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Empowerment (SRE) Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults among 500 adolescent girls and young women aged 15–20 in Kisumu, Kenya. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess factor structure, and logistic regression to examine construct validity through the relationship between empowerment scores and ability to mitigate risk of undesired pregnancy through consistent contraceptive use. Participants had a mean age of 17.5, and most were students (61 percent), were currently partnered (94 percent), and reported having sex in the past 3 months (70 percent). The final, 26‐item CFA model had acceptable fit. All subscales had Cronbach's alpha scores >0.7, and all items had rotated factor loadings >0.5, indicating good internal consistency and robust factor‐variable associations. The total SRE‐Kenya (SRE‐K) score was associated with increased odds of the consistent method used in the past three months (adjusted odds ratio: 1.98, 95 percent CI: 1.29–3.10). The SRE‐K scale is a newly adapted and valid measure of sexual and reproductive empowerment specific to adolescent girls and young women in an East African setting.
STEM teacher advocate identity in the United States
Authors: Hite Rebecca L. , Milbourne Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2024

Research indicates that possession of a robust teacher identity reduces attrition from the classroom and improves retention in the teaching profession, which is nuanced by intersectional angles of gender, race, profession, and one's own perceptions. Emerging research suggests that teacher engagement in advocacy activities is also a vital component of retention, particularly among teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. To better understand advocacy activities engaged in by U.S. in/formal STEM teachers, the present study surveyed 413 individuals querying how they perceive and engage in advocacy activities for STEM education. Data related to identity were parsed by intersectional facets of gender, race, sector of education (in/formal), and one's own perception as an advocate, which were compared using Mann–Whitney U analyses from Social Issues Advocacy Scales to determine beliefs of what constituted advocacy activities and what they engaged in as an advocate for STEM education. Among identity groupings, results suggest that respondents who identified as “always an active advocate” had the most (n = 13) significant differences regarding perceptions of and participation in advocacy activities regarding STEM education. The present research proposes that a teacher's perceptions of being an advocate is an important part of shaping their STEM teacher advocate identity.
Using practical programming tasks to enhance combinatorial understanding
Authors: Levy Sigal , Stukalin Yelena , Guttmann‐Beck Nili
Published: April 2024

Probability theory has extensive applications across various domains, such as statistics, computer science, and finance. In probability education, students are introduced to fundamental principles which may include mathematical topics such as combinatorics and symmetric sample spaces. Students pursuing degrees in computer science possess a robust foundation in programming, software engineering, and algorithmic thinking. Despite entering probability courses with a unique perspective and learning potential, these students encounter challenges in grasping combinatorial concepts. In this experiment, we challenged first‐year postsecondary computer science students to program a simulation of a practical combinatorics problem. Students commented on whether and how this task helped them internalize the basic concepts of combinatorics. We aim to show how utilizing programming tasks may empower students with a deeper grasp of combinatorics.
Persistent fever after coronavirus disease 2019 in liver/kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Mullis Caroline E. , Heldman Madeleine , Bahr Nathan C. , Minamoto Grace Y. , Puius Yoram A. , Malinis Maricar
Published: April 2024

In this case, a 64‐year‐old male with a history of simultaneous orthotopic liver transplant and cadaveric renal transplant presented five years prior presented with persistent fevers two days after a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 nasal PCR. A CT scan of the chest on hospital day nine revealed innumerable 1–2 mm nodules in a miliary pattern throughout the lung. (1,3)‐β‐D‐glucan on hospital day 11 was 133 pg/mL. In this article, the approach, diagnostic and management strategies for patients with persistent fevers after diagnosis of COVID‐19 in a transplant recipient are discussed.
A complex receptor locus confers responsiveness to necrosis and ethylene‐inducing like peptides in Brassica napus
Authors: Yalcin Hicret Asli , Jacott Catherine N. , Ramirez‐Gonzalez Ricardo Humberto , Steuernagel Burkhard , Sidhu Gurpinder Singh , Kirby Rachel , Verbeek Emma , Schoonbeek Henk‐jan , Ridout Christopher J. , Wells Rachel
Published: April 2024

Brassica crops are susceptible to diseases which can be mitigated by breeding for resistance. MAMPs (microbe‐associated molecular patterns) are conserved molecules of pathogens that elicit host defences known as pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI). Necrosis and Ethylene‐inducing peptide 1‐like proteins (NLPs) are MAMPs found in a wide range of phytopathogens. We studied the response to BcNEP2, a representative NLP from Botrytis cinerea, and showed that it contributes to disease resistance in Brassica napus. To map regions conferring NLP response, we used the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced during PTI across a population of diverse B. napus accessions for associative transcriptomics (AT), and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) on DNA pools created from a cross of NLP‐responsive and non‐responsive lines. In silico mapping with AT identified two peaks for NLP responsiveness on chromosomes A04 and C05 whereas the BSA identified one peak on A04. BSA delimited the region for NLP‐responsiveness to 3 Mbp, containing ~245 genes on the Darmor‐bzh reference genome and four co‐segregating KASP markers were identified. The same pipeline with the ZS11 genome confirmed the highest‐associated region on chromosome A04. Comparative BLAST analysis revealed unannotated clusters of receptor‐like protein (RLP) homologues on ZS11 chromosome A04. However, no specific RLP homologue conferring NLP response could be identified. Our results also suggest that BR‐SIGNALLING KINASE1 may be involved with modulating the NLP response. Overall, we demonstrate that responsiveness to NLP contributes to disease resistance in B. napus and define the associated genomic location. These results can have practical application in crop improvement.
Commonality and heterogeneity of pacemaker mechanisms in the male reproductive organs
Authors: Hashitani Hikaru , Takeya Mitsue , van Helden Dirk F.
Published: April 2024

During emission, the first phase of ejaculation, smooth muscle in organs of the male reproductive tract (MRT) vigorously contract upon sympathetic nerve excitation to expel semen consisting of sperm and seminal plasma. During inter‐ejaculation phases, the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate undergo spontaneous phasic contractions (SPCs), this transporting and maintaining the quality of sperm and seminal plasma. Recent studies have revealed platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α‐expressing (PDGFRα+) subepithelial interstitial cells in seminal vesicles subserve the role of pacemaker cells that electrically drive SPCs in this organ. PDGFRα+ smooth muscle cells in the epididymis also appear to function as pacemaker cells implicating PDGFRα as a potential signature molecule in MRT pacemaking. The dominant mechanism driving pacemaking in these organs is the cytosolic Ca2+ oscillator. This operates through entrainment of the release‐refill cycle of Ca2+ stores, the released Ca2+ ions opening Ca2+‐activated chloride channels, including in some cases ANO1 (TMEM16A), with the resultant pacemaker potential activating L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels in the smooth muscle causing contraction (viz. SPCs). A second pacemaker mechanism, namely the membrane oscillator also has a role in specific cases. Further investigations into the commonality and heterogeneity of MRT pacemakers will open an avenue for understanding the pathogenesis of male infertility associated with deterioration of seminal plasma.

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Design and Application of Deep Learning-Based Crash Damage Prediction Model for Self-Driving Cars
Authors: Zhang Wenxia , Wang Zhixue
Published: April 2024

The collision damage of automated cars has grown in importance as self-driving car technology has advanced to the pilot operation stage. To enhance the safety of autonomous vehicles by predicting and preventing potential hazards during autonomous driving, this study presents a model for collision damage prediction in automated driving cars. The model optimizes deep convolutional neural networks using the self-attention mechanism and incorporates a degree convolutional neural network algorithm with the attention mechanism. Its application is key to reduce risks in autonomous driving. The results demonstrated that the accuracy, reliability, specificity, and Mathews correlation coefficient of the improved algorithm were 94.0%, 94.8%, 93.6%, and 0.88, respectively, resulting in a high overall performance. The prediction model's accuracy during training on the training data set and validation data set was 100% and 98%, respectively, demonstrating its efficacy. The prediction model's prediction accuracy in calculating the degree of auto collision damage for 10 working conditions in the validation data set was 83.3%. The prediction results were essentially consistent with the trend of the actual collision damage degree curve, demonstrating both the viability and high prediction accuracy of the prediction model. The aforementioned findings demonstrated the model's strong performance and great application value in the field of self-driving car collision avoidance and warning.
Analysis of Unburned Methane Emission Mechanisms in Large-Bore Natural Gas Engines With Prechamber Ignition
Authors: Patterson Mark. A. , Xie Nelson , Beurlot Kyle , Jacobs Timothy , Olsen Daniel
Published: April 2024

Although precombustion chambers, or prechambers, have long been employed for improving large-bore two-stroke natural gas engine ignition and combustion stability, their design predates modern analysis techniques. Employing the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling techniques, this study investigates the importance of temperature and chemistry for ignition of the main chamber, with an emphasis on eliminating unburned methane. The sensitivity of the ignition and complete combustion to main chamber air/fuel mixture homogeneity was also explored. This study compares the effect of purely thermal ignition, purely chemical ignition, and how their interplay can influence the complete combustion of methane in typical mixtures and in homogeneous distributions of fuel in the combustion chamber. The CFD results demonstrated that temperature and chemistry are equally important in the ignition mechanism, and combining the two phenomena is effective at igniting the main chamber. Reduction of residual methane in the main combustion chamber (MCC) is most effective when chemical intermediates and thermal ignition are combined. A rudimentary analysis of the effect of fuel/air stratification was also conducted, and it demonstrated that a dramatic reduction in methane emissions is observed for homogeneous mixtures. The flow field in the main combustion chamber was shown to create detrimental stratification of the fuel/air mixture, which inhibited complete combustion of the methane in the main chamber. By contrast, in the extreme case of a perfectly homogeneous distribution of both chemical intermediates and fuel in the combustion chamber, it is possible to completely eliminate unburned methane in the main combustion chamber.
Comparing Knee Kinetics and Kinematics in Healthy Individuals and Those With Knee Osteoarthritis, With and Without Flat Feet
Authors: Sohrabi Maryam , Torkaman Giti , Bahrami Fariba
Published: April 2024

Individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and flat feet are more likely to experience increased pain and cartilage damage. This study aimed to investigate the knee kinetics, kinematics, pain, and physical function in individuals with moderate symptomatic KOA, in comparison to asymptomatic control participants. Thirty volunteers with moderate KOA (with flat feet n = 15, with normal feet n = 15) and 30 asymptomatic people (with flat feet n = 15, with normal feet n = 15) were evaluated. The knee adduction angular impulse, knee flexion moment, knee flexion angular impulse, and knee flexion angle were measured during level walking. The pain was assessed in patients with KOA. The study found that individuals with KOA had a significant increase in the knee adduction angular impulse compared with the asymptomatic people (P < .05). The KOA with flat feet group had significantly lower knee flexion moment, knee flexion angular impulse, and knee flexion angle values than the KOA with normal feet group (P < .05). Furthermore, the KOA with flat feet group had a higher pain score than the KOA with normal feet group. Individuals with osteoarthritis and flat feet had lower knee flexion moments which may indicate reduced knee force exerted through compensatory mechanisms. Despite this reduction, they reported significantly higher levels of pain compared with those without flat feet, a finding that warrants further investigation in future studies.
Fourier Analysis of the Vertical Ground Reaction Force During Walking: Applications for Quantifying Differences in Gait Strategies
Authors: Trentadue Taylor P. , Schmitt Daniel
Published: April 2024

Time series biomechanical data inform our understanding of normal gait mechanics and pathomechanics. This study examines the utility of different quantitative methods to distinguish vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) from experimentally distinct gait strategies. The goals of this study are to compare measures of VGRF data—using the shape factor method and a Fourier series-based analysis—to (1) describe how these methods reflect and distinguish gait patterns and (2) determine which Fourier series coefficients discriminate normal walking, with a relatively stiff-legged gait, from compliant walking, using deep knee flexion and limited vertical oscillation. This study includes a reanalysis of previously presented VGRF data. We applied the shape factor method and fit 3- to 8-term Fourier series to zero-padded VGRF data. We compared VGRF renderings using Euclidean L2 distances and correlations stratified by gait strategy. Euclidean L2 distances improved with additional harmonics, with limited improvement after the seventh term. Euclidean L2 distances were greater in shape factor versus Fourier series renderings. In the 8 harmonic model, amplitudes of 9 Fourier coefficients—which contribute to VGRF features including peak and local minimum amplitudes and limb loading rates—were different between normal and compliant walking. The results suggest that Fourier series-based methods distinguish between gait strategies.
Band-driven switching of magnetism in a van der Waals magnetic semimetal
Authors: Matsuoka Hideki , Kajihara Shun , Nomoto Takuya , Wang Yue , Hirayama Motoaki , Arita Ryotaro , Iwasa Yoshihiro , Nakano Masaki
Published: April 2024

Magnetic semimetals form an attractive class of materials because of the nontrivial contributions of itinerant electrons to magnetism. Because of their relatively low–carrier-density nature, a doping level of those materials could be largely tuned by a gating technique. Here, we demonstrate gate-tunable ferromagnetism in an emergent van der Waals magnetic semimetal Cr
3
Te
4
based on an ion-gating technique. Upon doping electrons into the system, the Curie temperature (
T
C
) sharply increases, approaching near to room temperature, and then decreases to some extent. This non-monotonous variation of
T
C
accompanies the switching of the magnetic anisotropy, synchronously followed by the sign changes of the ordinary and anomalous Hall effects. Those results clearly elucidate that the magnetism in Cr
3
Te
4
should be governed by its semimetallic band nature.
Energy metabolism as therapeutic target for aged wound repair by engineered extracellular vesicle
Authors: Zhuang Yu , Jiang Shengjie , Deng Xiaoling , Lao An , Hua Xiaolin , Xie Yun , Jiang Lingyong , Wang Xudong , Lin Kaili
Published: April 2024

Aging skin, vulnerable to age-related defects, is poor in wound repair. Metabolic regulation in accumulated senescent cells (SnCs) with aging is essential for tissue homeostasis, and adequate ATP is important in cell activation for aged tissue repair. Strategies for ATP metabolism intervention hold prospects for therapeutic advances. Here, we found energy metabolic changes in aging skin from patients and mice. Our data show that metformin engineered EV (Met-EV) can enhance aged mouse skin repair, as well as ameliorate cellular senescence and restore cell dysfunctions. Notably, ATP metabolism was remodeled as reduced glycolysis and enhanced OXPHOS after Met-EV treatment. We show Met-EV rescue senescence-induced mitochondria dysfunctions and mitophagy suppressions, indicating the role of Met-EV in remodeling mitochondrial functions via mitophagy for adequate ATP production in aged tissue repair. Our results reveal the mechanism for SnCs rejuvenation by EV and suggest the disturbed energy metabolism, essential in age-related defects, to be a potential therapeutic target for facilitating aged tissue repair.
Drought- and heat-induced mortality of conifer trees is explained by leaf and growth legacies
Authors: Sterck Frank J. , Song Yanjun , Poorter Lourens
Published: April 2024

An increased frequency and severity of droughts and heat waves have resulted in increased tree mortality and forest dieback across the world, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We used a common garden experiment with 20 conifer tree species to quantify mortality after three consecutive hot, dry summers and tested whether mortality could be explained by putative underlying mechanisms, such as stem hydraulics and legacies affected by leaf life span and stem growth responses to previous droughts. Mortality varied from 0 to 79% across species and was not affected by hydraulic traits. Mortality increased with species’ leaf life span probably because leaf damage caused crown dieback and contributed to carbon depletion and bark beetle damage. Mortality also increased with lower growth resilience, which may exacerbate the contribution of carbon depletion and bark beetle sensitivity to tree mortality. Our study highlights how ecological legacies at different time scales can explain tree mortality in response to hot, dry periods and climate change.
Neddylation orchestrates the complex transcriptional and posttranscriptional program that drives Schwann cell myelination
Authors: Ayuso-García Paula , Sánchez-Rueda Alejandro , Velasco-Avilés Sergio , Tamayo-Caro Miguel , Ferrer-Pinós Aroa , Huarte-Sebastian Cecilia , Alvarez Vanesa , Riobello Cristina , Jiménez-Vega Selene , Buendia Izaskun , Cañas-Martin Jorge , Fernández-Susavila Héctor , Aparicio-Rey Adrián , Esquinas-Román Eva M. , Ponte Carlos Rodríguez , Guhl Romane , Laville Nicolas , Pérez-Andrés Encarni , Lavín José L. , González-Lopez Monika , Cámara Nuria Macías , Aransay Ana M. , Lozano Juan José , Sutherland James D. , Barrio Rosa , Martinez-Chantar María Luz , Azkargorta Mikel , Elortza Félix , Soriano-Navarro Mario , Matute Carlos , Sánchez-Gómez María Victoria , Bayón-Cordero Laura , Pérez-Samartín Alberto , Bravo Susana B. , Kurz Thimo , Lama-Díaz Tomas , Blanco Miguel G. , Haddad Saif , Record Christopher J. , van Hasselt Peter M. , Reilly Mary M. , Varela-Rey Marta , Woodhoo Ashwin
Published: April 2024

Myelination is essential for neuronal function and health. In peripheral nerves, >100 causative mutations have been identified that cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder that can affect myelin sheaths. Among these, a number of mutations are related to essential targets of the posttranslational modification neddylation, although how these lead to myelin defects is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that inhibiting neddylation leads to a notable absence of peripheral myelin and axonal loss both in developing and regenerating mouse nerves. Our data indicate that neddylation exerts a global influence on the complex transcriptional and posttranscriptional program by simultaneously regulating the expression and function of multiple essential myelination signals, including the master transcription factor EGR2 and the negative regulators c-Jun and Sox2, and inducing global secondary changes in downstream pathways, including the mTOR and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways. This places neddylation as a critical regulator of myelination and delineates the potential pathogenic mechanisms involved in CMT mutations related to neddylation.
Genome-wide screening identifies Trim33 as an essential regulator of dendritic cell differentiation
Authors: Tiniakou Ioanna , Hsu Pei-Feng , Lopez-Zepeda Lorena S. , Garipler Görkem , Esteva Eduardo , Adams Nicholas M. , Jang Geunhyo , Soni Chetna , Lau Colleen M. , Liu Fan , Khodadadi-Jamayran Alireza , Rodrick Tori C. , Jones Drew , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Ohler Uwe , Bedford Mark T. , Nimer Stephen D. , Kaartinen Vesa , Mazzoni Esteban O. , Reizis Boris
Published: April 2024

The development of dendritic cells (DCs), including antigen-presenting conventional DCs (cDCs) and cytokine-producing plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), is controlled by the growth factor Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) and its receptor Flt3. We genetically dissected Flt3L-driven DC differentiation using CRISPR-Cas9–based screening. Genome-wide screening identified multiple regulators of DC differentiation including subunits of TSC and GATOR1 complexes, which restricted progenitor growth but enabled DC differentiation by inhibiting mTOR signaling. An orthogonal screen identified the transcriptional repressor Trim33 (TIF-1γ) as a regulator of DC differentiation. Conditional targeting in vivo revealed an essential role of Trim33 in the development of all DCs, but not of monocytes or granulocytes. In particular, deletion of Trim33 caused rapid loss of DC progenitors, pDCs, and the cross-presenting cDC1 subset. Trim33-deficient Flt3
+
progenitors up-regulated pro-inflammatory and macrophage-specific genes but failed to induce the DC differentiation program. Collectively, these data elucidate mechanisms that control Flt3L-driven differentiation of the entire DC lineage and identify Trim33 as its essential regulator.
Supplemental Material: Early–Middle Devonian paleomagnetic results from the Zhongba microterrane, Tibetan Plateau: Evidence for its origin from the northern margin of Greater India
Authors: Li Shuai , Li Yalin , et al.
Published: April 2024

Contains the primordial palaeomagnetic dataset (Table S1 and Table S4 ) and the detrital zircon U-Pb age data (Table S2–S3).
Manhattan Vision Screening and Follow-up Study (NYC-SIGHT): a nested cross-sectional assessment of falls risk within a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Hark Lisa A , Wang Yujia , Gorroochurn Prakash , Simon Phyllis R , Maruri Stefania C , Henriquez Desiree R , Diamond Daniel F , Horowitz Jason D , Park Lisa , Wang Qing , Auran James D , Carrion Jailine , Friedman David S , Liebmann Jeffrey L , Cioffi George A , Harizman Noga
Published: April 2024

Background

To investigate the feasibility of using the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) Falls Risk Tool Kit during community-based eye health screenings to assess falls risk of participants enrolled in the Manhattan Vision Screening and Follow-Up Study (NYC-SIGHT).

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of data from a 5-year prospective, cluster-randomised clinical trial conducted in affordable housing developments in New York City in adults age 40 years and older. Prescreening questions determined whether participants were at risk of falling. STEADI tests classified participants at low, moderate or high risk of falling. Multivariate logistic regression determined odds of falls risk of all enrolled participants.

Results

708 participants completed the eye health screening; 351 (49.6%) performed STEADI tests; mean age: 71.0 years (SD±11.3); 72.1% female; 53.6% Black, non-Hispanic, 37.6% Hispanic/Latino. Level of falls risk: 32 (9.1%) low, 188 (53.6%) moderate and 131 (37.3%) high. Individuals age >80 (OR 5.921, 95% CI (2.383 to 14.708), p=0.000), had blurry vision (OR 1.978, 95% CI (1.186 to 3.300), p=0.009), high blood pressure (OR 2.131, 95% CI (1.252 to 3.628), p=0.005), arthritis (OR 2.29876, 95% CI (1.362 to 3.875), p=0.002) or foot problems (OR 5.239, 95% CI (2.947 to 9.314), p=0.000) had significantly higher odds of falling, emergency department visits or hospitalisation due to falling.

Conclusion

This study detected a significant amount of falls risk in an underserved population. The STEADI Falls Risk screening questions were easy for eye care providers to ask, were highly predictive of falls risk and may be adequate for referral to occupational health and/or physical therapy.
Inequalities in sexual and reproductive outcomes among women aged 16–24 in England (2012–2019)
Authors: Solomon Danielle , Gibbs Jo , Burns Fiona , Mohammed Hamish , Migchelsen Stephanie J , Sabin Caroline A
Published: April 2024

Background

Women aged 16–24 in England have a high burden of sexual and reproductive morbidity, with particularly poor outcomes among people living in more deprived areas (including racially minoritised populations). This analysis used national data to examine the disparities within sexual and reproductive outcomes among this population and to assess whether the patterns of inequality were consistent across all outcomes.

Methods

Within this ecological study, univariable and multivariable Poisson regression analyses of neighbourhood-level data from national data sets were carried out to investigate the relationships of deprivation and ethnicity with each of six dependent variables: gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing rates, gonorrhoea and chlamydia test positivity rates, and abortion and repeat abortion rates.

Results

When comparing Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) decile 1 (most deprived) and IMD decile 10 (least deprived), chlamydia (RR 0.65) and gonorrhoea (0.79) testing rates, chlamydia (0.70) and gonorrhoea (0.34) positivity rates, abortion rates (0.45) and repeat abortion rates (0.72) were consistently lower in IMD decile 10 (least deprived). Similarly, chlamydia (RR 1.24) and gonorrhoea positivity rates (1.92) and repeat abortion rates (1.31) were higher among black women than white women. Results were similar when both ethnicity and deprivation were incorporated into multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

We found similar patterns of outcome inequality across a range of sexual and reproductive outcomes, despite multiple differences in the drivers of each outcome. Our analysis suggests that there are broad structural causes of inequality across sexual and reproductive health that particularly impact the health of deprived and black populations.
Long-term neuropsychiatric complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a narrative review
Authors: Diestro Jose Danilo Bengzon , Vyas Manav , Jung Youngkyung , Kishibe Teruko , Leochico Carl , Espiritu Adrian , Dorotan Maria Kristina , Dimal Nico , Omar Abdelsimar Tan , Sienes April , Saposnik Gustavo , Marotta Thomas R , Zafar Atif , Mendes Pereira Vitor , Spears Julian
Published: April 2024

This review focuses on the often-neglected long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), beyond traditional randomized trial outcomes of mortality and retreatment. While current guidelines recommend screening for these sequalae, it may not be routinely practiced. This review will underscore the prevalence and management of common neuropsychiatric sequalae, including anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, headaches, seizures, and sexual dysfunction, all of which can significantly impact the quality of life of survivors of aSAH. We emphasize the critical role neurointerventionalists can play by going beyond the customary practice of radiological monitoring for treated aneurysms by screening for and helping guide management of these common neuropsychiatric complications.
Evaluation of plasma biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations of Holstein dairy cows fed adequate or high concentrations of dietary vitamin D3, vitamin E, calcium, and selenium under heat stress
Authors: Duplessis Mélissa , Ruiz-González Alexis , Rico Daniel E.
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to determine plasma biotin (B8), folate (B9), and vitamin B12 (B12) concentrations of multiparous dairy cows under heat stress (HS) fed with adequate or high concentrations of vitamin D3 (VITD) and E (VITE), Ca, and Se. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were used in a split-plot design. The main plot was: (1) Adequate VITE and Se; (2) High VITE and Se. Within each main plot, cows were assigned to treatments: (1) HS with adequate concentrations of VITD and Ca; (2) HS with high concentrations of VITD and Ca; (3) pair-feeding (PF) with HS in thermoneutrality with adequate concentrations of VITD and Ca in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square. There were no treatment effects on plasma B8 and B12. Plasma B9 was lower by 21% for HS with adequate VITD and Ca than PF cows. Results suggested that HS might modify folate status in dairy cows, regardless of treatments.
Benzotriazepine synthesis, conformational analysis, and biological properties
Authors: Harvey Sarah-Maude , Wei Xiaozheng , Truong Darince , Lubell William D.
Published: April 2024

Various benzotriazepine ring systems have been synthesized and examined for biological activity. Moreover, the 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-2-one has been shown to act as a constrained amino amide surrogate in mimics of peptide turn secondary structures. This review examines syntheses of the different benzotriazepine ring systems and heterocycle fused variants as well as their conformational and biological properties.
A Roadmap for Using Continuous Integration Environments
Authors: Yu Liang , Alégroth Emil , Chatzipetrou Panagiota , Gorschek Tony
Published: April 2024

Visualizing CI's role in software quality attribute evaluation.
Test-Driven Ethics for Machine Learning
Authors: Berente Nicholas , Kormylo Cameron , Rosenkranz Christoph
Published: April 2024

Encouraging organizations to adapt a test-driven ethical development approach.
Raising the Dead with AI
Authors: Kugler Logan
Published: April 2024

It is becoming easier---and more common---to recreate deceased individuals with artificial intelligence.
Specifying the Power and Limitations of Randomness
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: April 2024

Avi Wigderson on the impact, and limitations, of randomness on complexity.
Toward FPGA Intellectual Property Encryption from Netlist to Bitstream
Authors: Hutchings Daniel , Taylor Adam , Goeders Jeffrey
Published: April 2024

Current intellectual property (IP) encryption methods offered by field-programmable gate array (FPGA) vendors use an approach where the IP is decrypted during the computer-aided design (CAD) flow and remains unencrypted in the bitstream. Given the ease of accessing modern bitstream-to-netlist tools, encrypted IP is vulnerable to inspection and theft from the IP user. While the entire bitstream can be encrypted, this is done by the user and is not a mechanism to protect confidentiality of third-party IP. In this work, we present a design methodology, along with a proof-of-concept tool that demonstrates how IP can remain partially encrypted through the CAD flow and into the bitstream. We show how this approach can support multiple encryption keys from different vendors and can be deployed using existing CAD tools and FPGA families. Our results document the benefits and costs of using such an approach to provide much greater protection for third-party IP.
Unveiling Social Anxiety: Analyzing Acoustic and Linguistic Traits in Impromptu Speech within a Controlled Study
Authors: Sahu Nilesh Kumar , Yadav Manjeet , Lone Haroon R
Published: April 2024

Early detection and treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is crucial. However, current diagnostic methods have several drawbacks, including being time consuming for clinical interviews, susceptible to emotional bias for self-reports, and inconclusive for physiological measures. Our research focuses on a digital approach using acoustic and linguistic features extracted from participants’ “speech” for diagnosing SAD. Our methodology involves identifying correlations between extracted features and SAD severity, selecting the effective features, and comparing classical machine learning and deep learning methods for predicting SAD. Our results demonstrate that both acoustic and linguistic features outperform deep learning approaches when considered individually. Logistic Regression proves effective for acoustic features, whereas Random Forest excels with linguistic features, achieving the highest accuracy of 85.71%. Our findings pave the way for non-intrusive SAD diagnosing that can be used conveniently anywhere, facilitating early detection.
A Survey of Trustworthy Representation Learning Across Domains
Authors: Zhu Ronghang , Guo Dongliang , Qi Daiqing , Chu Zhixuan , Yu Xiang , Li Sheng
Published: April 2024

As AI systems have obtained significant performance to be deployed widely in our daily lives and human society, people both enjoy the benefits brought by these technologies and suffer many social issues induced by these systems. To make AI systems good enough and trustworthy, plenty of researches have been done to build guidelines for trustworthy AI systems. Machine learning is one of the most important parts of AI systems, and representation learning is the fundamental technology in machine learning. How to make representation learning trustworthy in real-world application, e.g., cross domain scenarios, is very valuable and necessary for both machine learning and AI system fields. Inspired by the concepts in trustworthy AI, we proposed the first trustworthy representation learning across domains framework, which includes four concepts, i.e., robustness, privacy, fairness, and explainability, to give a comprehensive literature review on this research direction. Specifically, we first introduce the details of the proposed trustworthy framework for representation learning across domains. Second, we provide basic notions and comprehensively summarize existing methods for the trustworthy framework from four concepts. Finally, we conclude this survey with insights and discussions on future research directions.
Effectiveness of Passive and Active Surveillance for Early Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Mink during the 2020 Outbreak in the Netherlands
Authors: Santman-Berends Inge M. G. A. , van Schaik Gerdien , Augustijn-Schretlen Marieke , Bisschop Irene P. I. H. , de Rond Jan , Meijer Paola A. , van der Heijden Harold M. J. F. , Velkers Francisca C. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , van der Poel Wim H. M. , Smit Lidwien A. M. , Stegeman Arjan J. A. , Sikkema Reina S. , Oude Munnink Bas B. , Hakze-van der Honing Renate W. , Molenaar Robert-Jan
Published: April 2024

Starting December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) spread among humans across the world. From 2020 onward, farmed mink were found susceptible to the virus. In this paper, we describe the Dutch surveillance system and the added surveillance components for early detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreaks and their results in Dutch mink farms. In the Netherlands, a surveillance system was in place in which mink farmers could submit carcasses for postmortem evaluation and could contact a telephone helpdesk for veterinary advise. Through this system, the first SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak in two mink farms was detected in April 2020. Immediately, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture commissioned a consortium of statutory and research institutes to intensify the surveillance system. The program consisted of both passive surveillance, i.e., mandatory notifications and active surveillance components, i.e., serological screenings and weekly risk‐based sampling of dead mink for early detection of new SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. When one of the surveillance components indicated a suspicion of a possible SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, follow‐up samplings were conducted and at confirmation, all mink were culled. During 2020, 67 out of 124 mink farms that were under surveillance became infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 (54%). Of these, 31 were detected based on clinical signs (passive surveillance of clinical signs) and 36 were detected through active surveillance. From the mink farms with a new SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak that was detected through the surveillance, in 19% of the farms (n = 7), the mink never showed any clinical signs of SARS‐CoV‐2 and might have been missed by the passive notification system. This study underlines the added value of a surveillance system that can quickly be intensified. The subsequent combination of both passive and active surveillance has shown to be effective in the early detection of emerging pathogens, which is important to minimize the risk of zoonotic spill‐over.
The Neoadjuvant Administration of PD‐1 Inhibitor plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous‐Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yong , Zhu Shuangmei , Lan Xiang , Hu Tianzhen , Ma Lele , Ye Hong , Wang Baoqiang , He Xiao , Wang Hanying
Published: April 2024

Objective. Programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) inhibitors have shown potency for neoadjuvant therapy in several cancers, while their administration combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as a neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma (ESCC) is seldom reported. The current study aimed to investigate the pathological response, survival, and safety of neoadjuvant PD‐1 inhibitor plus CCRT in locally advanced ESCC patients. Methods. Twenty‐five locally advanced ESCC patients who underwent PD‐1 inhibitor plus CCRT neoadjuvant therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding radiological response, pathological response, disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were retrieved. Results. Two (8.0%), 14 (56.0%), 9 (36.0%), and 0 (0.0%) patients had a clinical response of complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease after neoadjuvant therapy by radiological evaluations, respectively. Notably, 25 (100.0%) patients had successful tumor resections, 24 (96.0%) patients realized R0 resection, and 13 (52.0%) patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR) by pathological evaluations. Regarding survival profiles, the 1‐year and 2‐year accumulating DFS rates were 90.0% and 74.6%, respectively; then, the 1‐year and 2‐year accumulating OS rates were 95.5% and 90.4%, respectively. The top prevalent adverse events were fatigue (48.0%), nausea and vomiting (40.0%), leukopenia (36.0%), neutropenia (36.0%), and peripheral neuropathy (36.0%). In addition, grades 3‐4 adverse events included peripheral neuropathy (12.0%), nausea and vomiting (4.0%), leukopenia (4.0%), neutropenia (4.0%), anemia (4.0%), and pruritus (4.0%). Conclusion. Neoadjuvant PD‐1 inhibitor plus CCRT shows a good efficacy and acceptable tolerance for locally advanced ESCC treatment, but further large‐scale study validation is needed.
Time‐Delay following Model for Connected and Automated Vehicles with Collision Conflicts and Forced Deceleration
Authors: Wang Wenbo , Hui Fei , Zhang Kaiwang , Zhao Xiangmo , Khattak Asad J.
Published: April 2024

The connected and automated car‐following model can provide a model reference for the queue control algorithm of connected and automated driving and has become a hot research topic in the field of connected vehicles and intelligent transportation. A queue of fast‐moving vehicles on urban roads can cause traffic congestion when forced to slow down and, in serious cases, can cause rear‐impact accidents. Therefore, this paper introduces information on the time delay of information reception and processing, a collision risk quantification factor reflecting the speed characteristics of the front vehicle, and the speed limit and proposes an improved intelligent driver collision quantification model that considers drastic changes in the speed of the front vehicle. Additionally, the model parameters are calibrated using real vehicle data from urban roads combined with an improved salp swarm algorithm. Finally, the evolution rule of disturbance in the traffic flow under different states is analyzed using a time‐space diagram, and the DIDM‐CSCL model is compared with the classical IDM. The results show that the improved IDM can better describe the following behavior at the microscopic level, which provides a basis for research related to connected and automated driving.
Histological Examination of Perna canaliculus Mussels during a Summer Mortality Event in New Zealand
Authors: Muznebin Farhana , Van Nguyen Thao , Webb Stephen C. , Alfaro Andrea C.
Published: April 2024

The New Zealand Greenshell™ mussel (Perna canaliculus) is endemic to New Zealand and contributes to the success of the country’s aquaculture industry. However, summer mortality and potential disease outbreak events are having an increasing effect on the growth of this industry. The cause of these mortalities remains unknown, and histopathological studies of the pathogen and parasites in mussels are still incomplete. In the present study, a histological approach was used to identify pathogens and parasites, as well as immunological tissue responses in unhealthy‐ and healthy‐looking P. canaliculus during a summer mortality event in 2018. A highly significant association between health conditions and the presence of Perkinsus olseni in mussels was observed. A higher prevalence of P. olseni, Apicomplexan‐X (APX), and bacterial (rods and cocci) infections were noted in the unhealthy‐looking mussels than in the healthy‐looking mussels. In an assessment of stains, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining appeared to be the best method for general pathological and anatomical characterization, while Giemsa provided the clearest visual definition of bacteria. In this aspect, it was comparable to Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) in apparent sensitivity. Although Gram and ZN staining revealed bacterial cells marginally better than with H&E, their differential staining could not be assessed as no Gram‐positive or acid‐fast bacteria were seen, and no mussel‐positive controls were available for comparison. This study also provides an illustrated guide to some significant mussel health indicators.
Anemia in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Finding from Low-Resource Setting Hospitals
Authors: Kumsa Henok , Woldesenbet Rediet , Mulugeta Feven , Murugan Rajalakshmi , Moges Tamirat
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect. Anemia is the prevailing manifestation of micronutrient deficiency. It has been demonstrated that anemia in children increases morbidity and has a negative impact on psychomotor development. Despite its negative consequences, which have been documented for a long time in clinical practice, the issue does not gain sufficient attention in developing countries, specifically in children with CHD. Thus, this study is aimes to assess the prevalence of anemia and the factors associated in children with CHD. Methods. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on CHD children at selected governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February to March 2021. During this period, 373 children with acyanotic and cyanotic heart disease between 0 months and 15 years of age were included in this study. All children were assessed using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Recent hemoglobin results that are avaliable in the medical charts of children were used to diagnose anemia. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results. From randomly included 373 children with CHD, 298 (79.9%) had acyanotic congenital heart disease (ACHD) and 75 (20.1%) had cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). Twenty-five (33.3%) CCHD and 192 (64.4%) ACHD cases of children were malnourished. The most common type of CCHD and ACHD defects were ventricular septal defects and tetralogy of fallout, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of anemia in ACHD and CCHD was 24.5% and 72%, respectively. In children with ACHD, the frequency of anemia was reported to be significantly higher in the malnourished group than in the well-nourished. Conclusions. A high prevalence of anemia is observed in children with CHD. This study highly suggests further evaluation to determine the frequency and complications of blood indices and other hematological impairments in ACHD, CCHD, and children with both problems. Moreover, the findings of this study on illness profiles in children with CHD prompt further research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying immune system dysfunction.