bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Unique Upside-down Flip-lid Type of Lateral Tibial Plateau Fracture Fragment in a Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fracture Managed with Dual Plates and Raft Screws
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Paras HMRI Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India., Mukhopadhaya John , Bhadani Janki Sharan ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Paras HMRI Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Bicondylar fractures are relatively common, yet those involving an elevated lateral tibial condyle fragment pose a unique challenge due to their atypical presentation. Existing classification systems inadequately describe this elevation, leading to varied terminology like “flip lid” or “reverse-Schatzker type” fractures in the literature. Case Report: We present a case where the anterolateral osteochondral fragment was elevated and inverted, resulting from a rare mechanism where the left knee was crushed between two vehicles without axial force. This unusual mechanism spared typical signs of condylar widening or depression, with the fragment elevating but remaining submeniscal. This presented a challenge for fixation. The rotated fragment was accessed through an anterolateral approach with submeniscal arthrotomy, reduced, and fixed using raft screws of the lateral locking plate. The medial plateau fracture was stabilized through a posteromedial approach using an antiglide plate. Follow-up at 14 months showed satisfactory outcomes. Conclusion: Unique injury mechanisms can give rise to distinct fracture types. When X-rays depict an elevated rather than depressed articular surface, suspicion should arise for an elevated, "popped up," or flip lid type fragment. Such cases require a high index of suspicion and a thorough preoperative evaluation using both X-rays and CT scans. Submeniscal arthrotomy is essential to assess meniscus integrity and allow direct visualization of the fracture fragment. Successful outcomes in managing these fractures are based on accurate diagnosis, thorough preoperative planning, and adherence to internal fixation principles. Keywords: Elevated, popped up, flip lid, reverse tibial plateau fractures.
Management of Infected Gap Non-union of Distal Femur with Induced Membrane Technique using Limb Reconstruction System Followed by Augmentation Plating and Bone Grafting: A Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Muthus Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India., Meignanaguru Muthusarvanakumar , Shetty Ganesh R ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Muthus Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India., Dhakshinamurthi Yogadeepan ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Muthus Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India., Srinivasan Deepak ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Muthus Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Distal femur fractures are high-velocity injuries which accounts for 7–10% of all femoral fractures of which 5–10% are open fractures. Despite advances in techniques and implants, treatment remains a challenge, in many situations due to increased risk of infection, non-union and loss of range of motion. Surgical management of such complex injury includes radical debridement with stabilization followed by management of gap non-union with appropriate techniques and restores the range of motion. Case Report: We present a case of 20-year-old man who had suffered multiple orthopedic trauma following accident. The patient had open comminuted fracture of the right distal femur, closed fracture of the same side tibia shaft, and right side closed both bone forearm shaft fracture. The patient was initially treated with debridement and knee-spanning limb reconstruction system (LRS). The patient developed infection and subsequently osteomyelitis of the distal femur shaft and gap non-union of 8 cm. The patient was operated for two-stage-induced membrane technique (IMT) and bone grafting using LRS followed by non-vascularized fibula strut grafting and plating. Quadriceps contracture was later on treated with quadricepsplasty to get good functional and radiological outcome. Conclusion: A case of open distal femur comminuted fracture with a very small distal fragment complicated with osteomyelitis and gap non-union. We have shown that the use of IMT followed by non-vascularized fibula strut grafting and plating along with quadricepsplasty can give a very good outcome. Keywords: Gap non-union, induced membrane technique, limb reconstruction system.
Unilateral Traumatic Testicular Dislocation in a Patient of Pelvic Diastasis and Spine Fracture in an Adult: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors:   Department of Orthopedics, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, AIIMS, New Delhi, India., Sehrawat Sandeep , Sharma Vijay ,   Department of Orthopedics, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, AIIMS, New Delhi, India., Srivastava G Siva ,   Department of Orthopedics, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, AIIMS, New Delhi, India., Farooque Kamran ,   Department of Orthopedics, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: With advancement, the occurrence of road traffic accidents is common. Timely management of fractures of the spine and pelvis is of the utmost importance for survival, ambulation, and maintenance of normal life. Genitourinary complications following pelvic ring injuries are not unknown; however, testicular dislocation is rare and can cause significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. Case Report: Our case was a 25-year-old male who was presented to the tertiary trauma center following a motorcycle accident. He had an anteroposterior compression (APC) fracture of the pelvic ring (APC-III, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen 61–C1.2), D8-D9 vertebra compression fracture, fracture of the left distal radius, and radio-carpal dislocation. However, no concomitant genitourinary injury was noticed at the initial assessment. After resuscitation, the pelvis was planned to be fixed with an anterior symphyseal plate and posterior sacroiliac joint fixation using 2 cancellous screws. While using Stoppa’s approach, surprisingly, the right testicle was observed to be inferior to the pubis. Trauma surgery help was sought and the dislocated testis was reduced and managed with orchidopexy after checking the viability. At the follow-up of 1 year, the pelvic fracture was united without urogenital complication. Conclusion: In cases of complex pelvic ring injury, a careful genital examination should be performed and a multi-disciplinary team approach with compromising of radiology, traumatology, and orthopedics departments should be adopted for better patient outcomes. Keywords: Genito-urinary injuries,traumatic testicular dislocation, pelvic fracture
Postgrowth welfare systems: a view from the Nordic context
Authors: Raphael Riya , Hinton Jennifer , Paulsson Alexander , Koch Max , Islar Mine , Grolimund Nils
Published: August 2024

As production and supply chains rely on exploitative extraction of nature and labour, consumption levels (resource use) remain one of the main indicators of inequality, across and within national contexts. In times of ongoing climate crisis and rising levels of inequalities, welfare systems face the dual challenge of transforming economies to reduce their reliance on unsustainable industries as well as maintain and expand equitable distribution of public provision. In this keyword essay, we address three overlapping concerns to consider while envisioning sustainable welfare within the Nordic context: growth and its paradoxical relation with welfare; inequalities and notions of wellbeing; and possible alternatives to arrange provision systems.
Sufficiency gains limited attention in Finnish climate policy on household consumption
Authors: Nuorivaara Essi
Published: August 2024

The affluent lifestyles of the Global North are pushing the carrying capacity of the Earth to its limits. Despite technical improvements in energy efficiency and decarbonation, the carbon footprint of an average Finn continues to exceed the sustainable level. To critically assess both social and ecological aspects of overconsumption in households, sufficiency has gained attention in the research and policy fields. However, there is limited research into the ways in which sufficiency has been implemented in national climate policies guiding household energy consumption. In this article, I analyse the presence of sufficiency politics and policies in the Finnish Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plans of 2017 and 2022. The aim of the study was to find out whether the plans include references to deeper transformation of the socio-political and economic system towards sufficiency and in what ways the plans expect to steer or influence carbon-intensive household consumption in housing, mobility and nutrition. A close reading of the plans was conducted by utilising a modified version of the analytical framework created by Callmer and Bradley (2021). The findings show that sufficiency has not yet gained ground in Finnish climate policy. The sufficiency politics and policies found in the plans were not well-articulated and relied mostly on voluntary change. The macro-level conditions for and the potential macroeconomic impact of voluntary consumption reduction are largely ignored. This highlights the tendency of Finnish public policy to normalise unsustainable ways of consuming energy by disregarding the role of markets and economic growth in accelerating climate change.
2020 Vision: Observations on How Artificial Intelligence Is Disrupting the Business of Philanthropy
Authors: Cox Melissa
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are accelerating the business of philanthropy and are especially relevant to the field of higher education, which has a deep history of leveraging information to increase outcomes. This article aims to describe the current and future state of advancement analytics and explores a variety of questions on the horizon. I situate these questions and build theory within the academic framework of computer-supported collaborative work. I use Orlikowski’s seminal paper “Learning from Notes” to reflect on three issues: (1) leveraging advances in computing power to accelerate what higher education advancement shops have always done, (2) considering the impact of artificial intelligence on various stakeholders, and (3) identifying lessons that can be gleaned from private sector findings. The community of work I hope to spur with other thought leaders in this space is one that adheres to previous lessons in organizational management so as not to reinvent the wheel. Our industry is better served if this disruption allows organizations to focus resources on stewarding our existing donor bases, rather than merely concocting new ways to ask for donations.
Optimizing Giving Day: A Case Study in Using Machine Learning for a Constituency-Wide Campaign
Authors: Pelletier Marianne M.
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Fundraising data science has moved into the annual giving and engagement realm, providing improvement in segmentation and a pathway to using artificial intelligence tools. This expansion has democratized the use of data science tools and broadened the use of methods that retailers currently employ, which is one reason why direct mail and phonathons are being rebranded as “direct marketing.” Ithaca College’s Advancement Office conducted its first Giving Day campaign in 2021. Though the campaign was successful, with $1.5 million garnered against a $1 million goal, the chair of the Philanthropic and Engagement Committee asked the Advancement staff to boost totals for 2022 to $2 million. Vice President Wendy Kobler contracted Staupell to build out optimized ask amounts with probability to give for all constituents. In this paper, we explore this single case study—combining an optimized ask amount and probability both to predict and set ask amounts and priority order for Ithaca College’s 2022 Giving Day campaign. Discussion includes methods used, forecasted versus actual results, issues and benefits from the project, and how staff used and reacted to the project. The paper shows that data science played a key role in the campaign’s success and discusses both wins and opportunities for improvement in a further study. This case study can be used as a model for any annual giving campaign.
Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials
Authors: Anson Jon , Booth Heather
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Social characteristics related to mortality, such as hierarchy or family structure, are generally represented as a unidimensional scale. This is inconsistent with much of sociological theory, which represents hierarchy as a multidimensional, or partially ordered, scale. We utilize Bourdieu’s tripartite concept of Capital – Economic, Cultural and Social – to conceptualize social hierarchy and construct appropriate scales. We combine these with measures of Household Structure to investigate their relation to male and female aggregate mortality. Using data for Australian small statistical areas (SA2) from the census of 2011, we regressed male and female standardized mortality (SMR) on the scales for Capital and Household Structure, with controls for State/Territory, Remoteness, and Indigeneity of the SA2. We find that Economic and Cultural Capital significantly reduce mortality, while Social Capital has a smaller effect, significant only for males; Family Structure is at least as important as Capital in explaining levels of mortality; Geographic location, namely State/Territory and degree of Remoteness, are significant determinants of mortality risk and Indigenous areas are at a heavy disadvantage, even when we account for all other social and situational characteristics. We conclude that social space, as measured by scales of social hierarchy and family structure, is multidimensional. To understand fully why mortality is higher in some areas than in others, we need to bring together theory and data.
Cluster-based unsupervised method for eavesdropping detection and localization in WDM systems
Authors: Song Haokun , Lin Rui , Wosinska Lena , Monti Paolo , Zhang Mingrui , Liang Yuyuan , Li Yajie , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2024

Ensuring the secure and reliable operation of optical networks is crucial for various societal functions. However, optical network infrastructures are susceptible to unauthorized interception, posing a significant security risk at the physical layer. This necessitates the development of effective detection and localization methods of eavesdropping events. To address this challenge, we present a clustering-based method and a comprehensive eavesdropping diagnosis framework tailored for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems. The framework is designed to handle diverse eavesdropping scenarios, including dynamic detection, classification, and localization of eavesdropping events. To mitigate the data dependency issue while detecting and localizing eavesdropping events, we propose a clustering algorithm utilizing basic optical performance monitoring (OPM) data, thus eliminating the need for sophisticated measurement equipment. A coarse localization requires only the OPM data from the receiver, while a finer localization requires the power monitoring data at all nodes as the input. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is validated using simulation-generated data, in which single and multiple eavesdropping can be detected and localized with a 100% label matching rate. Single-point eavesdropping detection and localization are experimentally validated with data collected from a fiber transmission system comprising three spans of 40 km each. Coarse localization with a 99.79% label matching rate and fine localization with 100% accuracy is achieved. As expected, experimental data shows a less concentrated distribution than the simulated data, which leads to inferior clustering results.
How to find optimal quantum states for optical micromanipulation and metrology in complex scattering problems: tutorial
Authors: Rachbauer Lukas M. , Bouchet Dorian , Leonhardt Ulf , Rotter Stefan
Published: August 2024

The interaction of quantum light with matter is of great importance to a wide range of scientific disciplines, ranging from optomechanics to high-precision measurements. A central issue we discuss here, is how to make optimal use of both the spatial and the quantum degrees of freedom of light for characterizing and manipulating arbitrary observable parameters in a linear scattering system into which suitably engineered light fields are injected. Here, we discuss a comprehensive framework based on a quantum operator that can be assembled solely from the scattering matrix of a system and its dependence on the corresponding local parameter, making this operator experimentally measurable from the far field using only classical light. From this, the effect of quantum light in the near field, i.e., in the vicinity of the target object, can be inferred. Based on this framework, it is straightforward to formulate optimal protocols on how to jointly design both the spatial shape and the quantum characteristics of light for micromanipulation as well as for parameter estimation in arbitrarily complex media. Also, the forces of the quantum vacuum naturally emerge from this formalism. The aim of our tutorial is to bring different perspectives into alignment and thereby build a bridge between the different communities of wave control, quantum optics, micromanipulation, quantum metrology, and vacuum physics.
Photoinduced bending in bimorph optical fibers
Authors: Myers Jason D. , Rhonehouse Daniel L. , Chin Geoffrey D. , Moore Austin , Clabeau Anthony , Frantz Jesse A. , Bekele Robel Y. , Lam Kevin , Lui Brandon F. , Bardeen Christopher J. , Maghsoodi Neda , Sanghera Jas S.
Published: August 2024

Optomechanical materials directly generate work from light through physical deformation upon illumination. Here, we report an optical fiber-based optomechanical actuator that undergoes bending when illuminated by actinic light. A model for light-induced bending curvature as a function of geometrical and material properties was developed to aid in design. Polymer fibers were fabricated and filled directly during the draw with a molten azobenzene derivative. Upon illumination, photoactivated motion is observed and quantified with an optical lever beam approach.
Broadband lateral leakage suppression for TM polarization empowered by slab-photonic-crystal-modified ridge waveguide
Authors: Ma Zhipeng , Wan Yuanjian , Zhang Yu , Wang Jian
Published: August 2024

Ridge waveguides are key components in passive integrated circuits, silicon modulators, and hybrid lasers. However, TM polarization modes in shallow-etched ridge waveguides suffer from unexpected leakage loss due to the TM-TE polarization conversion. The leakage loss of TM modes can be suppressed to minimums only in specific ridge widths, which limits the diverse components design, as known as accidental bound states in the continuum. In this paper, we put forward and experimentally demonstrated an effective strategy for a universal high TM-mode transmission ridge waveguide. By introducing the hexagonal lattice photonic crystal into the slab region, we reduced the equivalent-medium index of the local slab and suppressed the TE-TM polarization conversion strength. For TM0 mode, the maximum transmission improvement is over 16 dB in theory, and we also verified the feasibility of high-order TM mode. In the wavelength range of 1350-1450 nm, the experimental result shows the distinct advantages in low-loss TM0 mode transmission and resonance suppression. The minimum loss is below 1 dB at the wavelength of 1397 nm, and the max transmission improvement above 20 dB is realized near the wavelength of 1427 nm. That method is meaningful for overcoming the limitation of bound states in the continuum and expanding diverse ridge waveguide devices for TM polarization modes.
Collaborative optimization of phase and amplitude of composite signals for acousto-optic beam splitting technology
Authors: Sun Shengkai , Zhu Guangzhi , Chu Yihang , Wang Haoran , Xiao Chenyue , Zhu Xiao
Published: August 2024

Multi-frequency acousto-optic beam splitting plays a significant role in many laser applications due to its advantages of inertia free, fast refreshing speed and high-precision controllable light intensity and direction. How to reduce the intermodulation distortion and improve the uniformity of the beam splitting intensity has become an intensive issue. This paper proposes the collaborative optimization method to co-optimize of the phase and amplitude of acousto-optic device multi-frequency composite signals, which can eliminate the nonlinear distortion of the amplification of multi-frequency composite signals and increase the energy utilization rate and accuracy of intensity control for each sub-beam. A closed-loop control system for 2D acousto-optic beam splitting is constructed. The uniform array beam splitting with a mean square deviation of less than 0.02 and no spurious points, beam splitting with a controllable intensity distribution, and beam splitting with a controllable beam spacing distribution are realized. And the 2D diffraction efficiency reaches 63.5%. This provides a superior solution for beam splitting applications with an arbitrary number of beam splitting, intensity distribution, and spacing distribution.
Computation of emitter-plasmon interactions using an axis-symmetric model for off-axis dipoles
Authors: Otomalo Tadele Orbula , Hu Huatian , Álvarez-Pérez Gonzalo , Rho Junsuk , Ciracì Cristian
Published: August 2024

The axis-symmetric modeling technique is based on expanding vector fields in cylindrical harmonics and computing the response on a two-dimensional cross-section separately for each azimuthal harmonic, significantly reducing computational costs. However, it has limitations when dealing with dipoles placed away from the symmetry axis due to challenges in the expansion of angular modes. To address this, we propose a reformulated axis-symmetric model based on the Fourier expansion of the delta function distribution concerning the azimuthal variable. This model is validated using standard Mie theory for off-axis dipoles and applied to study multiple-emitter-plasmon interactions. The emission properties of a non-cooperative ensemble near a plasmonic nanoparticle are observed to scale with the number of emitters considered, N. Notably, a Dicke effect-like superradiance (N2-dependence) is observed when a spatially disordered ensemble of dipoles oscillates collectively inside a plasmonic dimer gap. This kind of high-level cooperative quantum phenomenon is of high interest in fields such as quantum optics and light-harvesting.
Scaling laws for high energy Gaussian beams propagation through the atmosphere
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Zhu Wenyue , Qian Xianmei , Wu Pengfei , Wei Heli , Weng Ningquan , Min Lingyun , Cui Xun
Published: August 2024

In order to meet the requirements of rapid evaluation of high-energy lasers for practical applications, this paper constructs scaling laws for Gaussian beams propagation through the atmosphere. Firstly, the beam spreading due to single effects including diffraction, optical turbulence and thermal blooming is scaled to identify suitable scaling factors. Then, the scaling functions of the effective radius with multi-effect interaction are established step by step, and the scaling exponents are fixed by genetic algorithm. Finally, the scaling laws of the far-field mean intensity of high-energy laser propagating through atmosphere are constructed. Comparison with the simulations in given scenarios reveals the mean relative error of the scaled mean intensity.
Unidirectional amplification in the frozen mode regime enabled by a nonlinear defect
Authors: Landers S. , Tuxbury W. , Vitebskiy I. , Kottos T.
Published: August 2024

A stationary inflection point (SIP) is a spectral singularity of the
Bloch dispersion relation

ω

(
k
) of a periodic structure where the first and the
second derivatives of

ω

with respect to
k
vanish. An SIP is associated with a third-order
exceptional point degeneracy in the spectrum of the unit-cell transfer
matrix, where there is a collapse of one propagating and two
evanescent Bloch modes. At the SIP frequency, the incident wave can be
efficiently converted into the frozen mode with greatly enhanced
amplitude and vanishing group velocity. This can be very attractive
for applications, including light amplification. Due to its
non-resonant nature, the frozen mode regime (FMR) has fundamental
advantages over common cavity resonances. Here, we propose, a novel,
to the best of our knowledge, scheme for FMR-based unidirectional
amplifiers by leveraging a tailored amplification/attenuation
mechanism and a single nonlinear defect. The defect breaks the
directional symmetry of the periodic structure and enables
nonlinearity-related unidirectional amplification/attenuation in the
vicinity of the SIP frequency. We demonstrate the robustness of the
amplification mechanism to local impurities and parasitic
nonlinearity.
Experimental study of intramodal XPM reduction by intramodal dispersion in weakly coupled FMF
Authors: Zuo Mingqing , Qiao Gang , Yang Yu , Long Chengbin , Ge Dawei , Wang Dong , Li Yunbo , Chen Zhangyuan , Zhang Dechao , Li Han , Li Juhao
Published: August 2024

The understanding of nonlinear propagation effects in low-crosstalk few-mode fiber is crucial for a weakly coupled mode-division multiplexed system. In this Letter, we report the first, to the best of our knowledge, experimental verification of the advantage of intramodal dispersion on mitigating intramodal cross-phase modulation in a weakly coupled few-mode fiber transmission. The experimental system is established over a 70-km multiple-ring-core few-mode fiber accommodating 6 linearly polarized modes, based on which the influences of intramodal cross-phase modulation on transmission performances of each linearly polarized mode are evaluated. Experimental results show that the intramodal cross-phase modulation of degenerate linearly polarized modes with much larger intramodal dispersion values are significantly weaker than those of non-degenerate linearly polarized modes, in which the maximum suppression of intramodal cross-phase modulation noise is up to 9.7 dB. We believe that this work would be beneficial to practical applications of weakly coupled mode-division multiplexing technologies.
Impact of a laser magnetic field on optical trapping
Authors: Kabi Sareh , Gorjizadeh Alinezhad Hossein , Langari Abdollah , Reihani Nader S.
Published: August 2024

Optical tweezers have proved to be indispensable tools for
micro-manipulation. However, the
application of large forces
using optical tweezers requires high laser intensity,
which could be destructive in
the case of biological samples. By embedding magnetite nanoparticles
in a polystyrene matrix, we get a trap stiffness ∼15 times higher than that of similar
plain beads as a result of the response to both the electric and
magnetic fields of the laser beam. Our approach allows for measurement
of the magnetic properties of materials in the range of the laser
frequency. Our theoretical calculations predict that incorporating the
effective complex permeability and permittivity for a microbead could
generate significantly large optical forces, up to micro-Newtons.
CellTracksColab is a platform that enables compilation, analysis, and exploration of cell tracking data
Authors: Gómez-de-Mariscal Estibaliz , Grobe Hanna , Pylvänäinen Joanna W. , Xénard Laura , Henriques Ricardo , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Jacquemet Guillaume
Published: August 2024

In life sciences, tracking objects from movies enables researchers to quantify the behavior of single particles, organelles, bacteria, cells, and even whole animals. While numerous tools now allow automated tracking from video, a significant challenge persists in compiling, analyzing, and exploring the large datasets generated by these approaches. Here, we introduce CellTracksColab, a platform tailored to simplify the exploration and analysis of cell tracking data. CellTracksColab facilitates the compiling and analysis of results across multiple fields of view, conditions, and repeats, ensuring a holistic dataset overview. CellTracksColab also harnesses the power of high-dimensional data reduction and clustering, enabling researchers to identify distinct behavioral patterns and trends without bias. Finally, CellTracksColab also includes specialized analysis modules enabling spatial analyses (clustering, proximity to specific regions of interest). We demonstrate CellTracksColab capabilities with 3 use cases, including T cells and cancer cell migration, as well as filopodia dynamics. CellTracksColab is available for the broader scientific community at https://github.com/CellMigrationLab/CellTracksColab.
Prioritising older individuals for COVID-19 booster vaccination leads to optimal public health outcomes in a range of socio-economic settings
Authors: Bouros Ioana , Hill Edward M. , Keeling Matt J. , Moore Sam , Thompson Robin N.
Published: August 2024

The rapid development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 altered the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. In most countries, vaccinations were initially targeted at high-risk populations, including older individuals and healthcare workers. Now, despite substantial infection- and vaccine-induced immunity in host populations worldwide, waning immunity and the emergence of novel variants continue to cause significant waves of infection and disease. Policy makers must determine how to deploy booster vaccinations, particularly when constraints in vaccine supply, delivery and cost mean that booster vaccines cannot be administered to everyone. A key question is therefore whether older individuals should again be prioritised for vaccination, or whether alternative strategies (e.g. offering booster vaccines to the individuals who have most contacts with others and therefore drive infection) can instead offer indirect protection to older individuals. Here, we use mathematical modelling to address this question, considering SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a range of countries with different socio-economic backgrounds. We show that the population structures of different countries can have a pronounced effect on the impact of booster vaccination, even when identical booster vaccination targeting strategies are adopted. However, under the assumed transmission model, prioritising older individuals for booster vaccination consistently leads to the most favourable public health outcomes in every setting considered. This remains true for a range of assumptions about booster vaccine supply and timing, and for different assumed policy objectives of booster vaccination.
Interacting particle models on the impact of spatially heterogeneous human behavioral factors on dynamics of infectious diseases
Authors: Xiong Yunfeng , Wang Chuntian , Zhang Yuan
Published: August 2024

Human behaviors have non-negligible impacts on spread of contagious disease. For instance, large-scale gathering and high mobility of population could lead to accelerated disease transmission, while public behavioral changes in response to pandemics may effectively reduce contacts and suppress the peak of the outbreak. In order to understand how spatial characteristics like population mobility and clustering interplay with epidemic outbreaks, we formulate a stochastic-statistical environment-epidemic dynamic system (SEEDS) via an agent-based biased random walk model on a two-dimensional lattice. The “popularity” and “awareness” variables are taken into consideration to capture human natural and preventive behavioral factors, which are assumed to guide and bias agent movement in a combined way. It is found that the presence of the spatial heterogeneity, like social influence locality and spatial clustering induced by self-aggregation, potentially suppresses the contacts between agents and consequently flats the epidemic curve. Surprisedly, disease responses might not necessarily reduce the susceptibility of informed individuals and even aggravate disease outbreak if each individual responds independently upon their awareness. The disease control is achieved effectively only if there are coordinated public-health interventions and public compliance to these measures. Therefore, our model may be useful for quantitative evaluations of a variety of public-health policies.
Convolutional neural networks can identify brain interactions involved in decoding spatial auditory attention
Authors: Mahjoory Keyvan , Bahmer Andreas , Henry Molly J.
Published: August 2024

Human listeners have the ability to direct their attention to a single speaker in a multi-talker environment. The neural correlates of selective attention can be decoded from a single trial of electroencephalography (EEG) data. In this study, leveraging the source-reconstructed and anatomically-resolved EEG data as inputs, we sought to employ CNN as an interpretable model to uncover task-specific interactions between brain regions, rather than simply to utilize it as a black box decoder. To this end, our CNN model was specifically designed to learn pairwise interaction representations for 10 cortical regions from five-second inputs. By exclusively utilizing these features for decoding, our model was able to attain a median accuracy of 77.56% for within-participant and 65.14% for cross-participant classification. Through ablation analysis together with dissecting the features of the models and applying cluster analysis, we were able to discern the presence of alpha-band-dominated inter-hemisphere interactions, as well as alpha- and beta-band dominant interactions that were either hemisphere-specific or were characterized by a contrasting pattern between the right and left hemispheres. These interactions were more pronounced in parietal and central regions for within-participant decoding, but in parietal, central, and partly frontal regions for cross-participant decoding. These findings demonstrate that our CNN model can effectively utilize features known to be important in auditory attention tasks and suggest that the application of domain knowledge inspired CNNs on source-reconstructed EEG data can offer a novel computational framework for studying task-relevant brain interactions.
Bearing the burden: Podoconiosis and mental health—A three-way comparative cross-sectional study in Rwanda
Authors: Shimelash Natnael , Uwizeyimana Theogene , Dusabe Leila , Uwizeyimana Jeanne , Huston Tonya , Schurer Janna M.
Published: August 2024

Podoconiosis is a non-infectious, neglected tropical disease caused by chronic barefoot contact with irritant volcanic soils. It typically presents with lower limb swelling, disfigurement, and chronic disability. Patients and their families experience stigma from their communities. Depression, anxiety, and emotional distress contribute to the total illness burden of podoconiosis. This study used a survey-based comparative cross-sectional quantitative study design involving podoconiosis patients, their family members, and unaffected neighbors. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21), the WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHO-QOL Brief), and the Tekola clinical staging system were used to collect data. We surveyed 741 participants (33.1% patients, 33.3% family, 33.5% neighbors). Podoconiosis patients exhibited significantly elevated odds of severe depression (19.8x), anxiety (10.7x), and stress symptoms (13.5x) in comparison to unaffected neighbors. Family members of podoconiosis patients displayed 1.5x higher odds of experiencing severe anxiety symptoms compared to unaffected neighbors. Higher clinical stages of podoconiosis were associated with increased severity of depressive symptoms. Podoconiosis patients demonstrated lower median scores across all domains of the WHO QoL Brief in contrast to family members and unaffected neighbors. The burden of depression, anxiety, and stress on podoconiosis patients and their family members is high. Podoconiosis morbidity management programs need to encompass families of patients and integrate continuous mental health support within the broader framework of podoconiosis management.
Diversity patterns of the South African azooxanthellate scleractinians (Cnidaria: Anthozoa), with considerations of environmental correlates
Authors: Filander Zoleka N. , Sink Kerry J. , Kitahara Marcelo V. , Cairns Stephen D. , Lombard Amanda T.
Published: August 2024

Azooxanthellate scleractinian corals, a group of species that lack a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates, are influenced by environmental variables at various scales. As the global commitment to sustainably manage ocean ecosystems and resources rises, there is a growing need to describe biodiversity trends in previously unsampled areas. Benthic invertebrate research in South Africa is a developing field, and many taxa in deep water environments remain inadequately characterized. Recently, the South African azooxanthellate scleractinian fauna was taxonomically reviewed, but their distributional correlations with physical parameters have not been studied. Here we aim to understand the biodiversity gradients of the South African azooxanthellate coral fauna by analysing the environmental correlates of museum samples. The associated coordinate data were georeferenced and depth obtained from a national bathymetric dataset, prior to undertaking a multivariate analysis. This analysis encompassed several steps, including the grouping of the longitude and depth data (environmental data), identifying families characteristic of the group variability, and examining the correlation of the associated data with the biological data. Additionally, the analysis involved quantifying diversity patterns along the environmental gradients. Overall, our results confirmed two longitudinal groups (eastern margin [Group A] vs southern and western margin [Group B]) and 11 depth categories represented within two bathymetric zones (shallow [50–200 m] and deep [300–1000 m]). Caryophylliids, flabellids, and dendrophylliids contributed the most towards distinguishing longitudinal and depth gradients. Both abiotic variable (longitudinal and depth) partially explained coral distribution patterns, with depth being highly correlated to the species variation observed. Data limitations within our data set resulted to unexplained variance, however, despite these limitations, the study demonstrates that historical museum samples provide a valuable data source that can fill research sampling gaps and help improve the understanding of biodiversity patterns of the coral fauna in under sampled marine ecosystems.
Application of the Social Cognitive Theory amid food parenting practices of Black immigrant mothers in the US: A qualitative study
Authors: Tchoua Phoebe P. , Brannock Mary , Quesenberry Deborah
Published: August 2024

Background

Children of Black immigrant parents living in the US are at elevated risk of being overweight or obese, thus increasing their risks of morbidity and mortality as they age. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s nutrition through their food parenting practices. The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) can explain Black immigrant mother’s FPP and their children’s dietary behavior. This study aimed to assess SCT’s constructs, personal (maternal knowledge, attitudes, beliefs) and environmental factors (acculturation) in relation to the behavioral factor (food parenting practices) among a sample of Black immigrant mothers living in Metro Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods

Convenience sampling was employed to recruit 30 Black immigrant mothers who lived in seven Metro Atlanta, Georgia counties in the summer of 2022. Four focus group interviews were conducted over two weeks. The qualitative data analysis was thematic.

Results

Focus group data analysis revealed seven major themes: knowledge, attitude, belief, modeling, acculturation, coercive control, and structure, and six subthemes. Mothers discussed being intentional about encouraging healthy foods and limiting unhealthy foods for their children. Overall, acculturation influenced mothers’ food parenting practices. Since migrating to the US, some mothers’ nutrition changed in positive (e.g., eating more fruits) and negative ways (e.g., snacking more) because of schedules, cost, and access. Children ate a mixed diet, the mother’s native diet and the American diet, and the former was considered healthier and affordable by most.

Conclusion

This is the first study to look at the food parenting practices of Black immigrants in the US. By identifying key factors that influence the food parenting practices of this population and their children’s dietary habits, this study’s findings are useful to practitioners or researchers who work with this population on nutrition.
An integrated bioinformatic investigation of kallikrein gene family members in kidney renel cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Baoquan , Yang Lun , Qin Haiyun , Li Fengzhen , Zhang Peitong
Published: August 2024

Backgrounds

KLKs have been proved to be key regulators of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we explored the potential of Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as clinical diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) as well as their relationship with common immuno-inhibitor and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment to provide new targets and novel ideas for KIRC therapy.

Methods

Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), UCSC Xena, Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, STRING, GeneMANIA, and TISIDB were used to analyze the differential expression, prognostic value, gene changes, molecular interaction, and immune infiltration of KLKs in patients with KIRC.

Results

From the gene expression level, it can be determined that KLK1, KLK6, and KLK7 are differentially expressed in KIRC and normal tissues. From the perspective of clinical prognosis, KLK1, KLK13, and KLK14 are highly correlated with the clinical prognosis of KIRC. The expression of KLKs is regulated by various immunosuppressive agents, with KDR, PVRL2, and VTCN1 being the most significant. The expression of KLKs is significantly correlated with the infiltration of various immune cells, of which Eosinophils and Neutrophils are the most significant.

Conclusions

KLK1, KLK6, KLK7, KLK13, and KLK14 have potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, among which KLK1 is the most significant. This study may provide detailed immune information and promising targets for KIRC immunotherapy to assist in designing new immunotherapies.
Design of image intelligent focusing system based on improved SMD function and RBF algorithm
Authors: Deng Qianwei , Wong Chee-Onn , Sitharan Roopesh , Meng Xiangbin
Published: August 2024

The utilization of digital statistical processes in images and videos can effectively tackle numerous challenges encountered in optical sensors. This research endeavors to overcome the limitations inherent in traditional focus models, particularly their inadequate accuracy. It aims to bolster the precision of real-time perception and dynamic control by employing enhanced data fusion methodologies. The ultimate objective is to facilitate information services that enable seamless interaction and profound integration between computational and physical processes within an open environment. To achieve this, an enhanced sum-modulus difference (SMD) evaluation function has been proposed. This innovation is founded on the concept of threshold value evaluation, aimed at rectifying the accuracy shortcomings of traditional focusing models. Through the computation of each gray value after threshold segmentation, the method identifies the most suitable threshold for image segmentation. This identified threshold is then applied to the focus search strategy employing the radial basis function (RBF) algorithm. Furthermore, an intelligent focusing system has been developed on the Zynq development platform, encompassing both hardware design and software program development. The test results affirm that the focusing model based on the improved SMD evaluation function rapidly identifies the peak point of the gray variance curve, ascertains the optimal focal plane position, and notably enhances the sensitivity of the focusing model.
Changes in technological innovation efficiency and influencing factors of listed textile and apparel companies research——Based on three-stage DEA with Tobit modeling
Authors: Chen Guang , Chen Fei
Published: August 2024

The key to high-quality development in the textile and apparel industry lies in enhancing technological innovation and optimizing the efficiency of technological innovation. Based on data from 60 A-share listed companies in the textile and apparel sector in China from 2013 to 2022, this study employs a three-stage DEA model and the Malmquist index model to measure changes in technological innovation efficiency from static and dynamic perspectives. Additionally, it uses a Tobit model to analyze the impact and mechanisms of management and financial factors on technological innovation efficiency. The results indicate that: (1) Compared to the manufacturing industry and its sub-sectors, the overall technological innovation efficiency of listed textile and apparel companies was relatively low and showed a declining trend between 2013 and 2022; (2) Over the decade, the average total factor productivity of these listed companies increased by 1.7%, exhibiting a "W" shaped fluctuation, with technological progress, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency all showing weak improvement; (3) Management and financial factors significantly influence technological innovation efficiency. Specifically, employee quality, profitability, and operational capability are positively correlated with technological innovation efficiency and have long-term effectiveness, while firm age, management costs, equity concentration, development ability, and debt repayment capacity are negatively correlated with technological innovation efficiency; (4) Different types of enterprises show differences in the significance of management factors, while whether the same person holds both managerial positions significantly affects financial factors.
Smooth muscle electromyography for detecting major alterations in the estrus cycle in rats
Authors: Szucs Kalman F. , Vigh Dora , Mirdamadi Mohsen , Samavati Reza , Barna Tamara , Schaffer Annamaria , Alasaad Karmen , Gaspar Robert
Published: August 2024

Determining the female animal cycle is crucial in preclinical studies and animal husbandry. Changes in hormone levels during the cycle affect physiological responses, including altered contractility of the visceral smooth muscle. The study aimed to identify estrus and anestrus using smooth muscle electromyographic (SMEMG) measurements, in vivo fluorescent imaging (IVIS) and in vitro organ contractility of the uterus and cecum. The study involved sexually mature female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 10–12 weeks. The rats received a daily injection of cetrorelix acetate solution for 7 days, while another group served as the control. The animals were subjected to gastrointestinal and myometrial SMEMG. The change in αvβ3 integrin activity was measured with IVIS in the abdominal cavity. Contractility studies were performed in isolated organ baths using dissected uterus and cecum samples. Plasma samples were collected for hormone level measurements. A 3-fold increase in spontaneous contraction activity was detected in SMEMG measurements, while a significant decrease in αvβ3 integrin was measured in the IVIS imaging procedure. Cetrorelix reduced the level of LH and the progesterone / estradiol ratio, increased the spontaneous activity of the cecum rings, and enhanced KCl-evoked contractions in the uterus. We found a significant change in the rate of SMEMG signals, indicating simultaneous increases in the contraction of the cecum and the non-pregnant uterus, as evidenced by isolated organ bath results. Fluorescence imaging showed high levels of uterine αvβ3 integrin during the proestrus-estrus phase, but inhibiting the sexual cycle reduced fluorescence activity. Based on the results, the SMEMG and IVIS imaging methods are suitable for detecting estrus phase alterations in rats.