bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a Cultural Sustenance View of Reading
Authors: Nash Kindel Turner , Peele Roderick , Elson Kerry , Arce Alicia , Sumner Erik , Polson Bilal
Published: November 2024

This article highlights a Cultural Sustenance View of Reading (CSVR), a complex reader model illuminated by vivid findings from an eight‐year collaborative classroom‐based study and extensive reviews of cognitive and sociocultural research. Within the CSVR, reading is conceptualized as being shaped by a readers' culturally and linguistically situated knowledge (ways of knowing), experiences and relationships (ways of being), and cognitive reading processes (ways of reading) which overlap and interact through the non‐linear, active process of culturally mediated cognition. In extending the CSVR, the authors hope to supplant long‐ standing false dichotomies between the cognitive and sociocultural functions within the human experience of reading. In doing so, we hope to advance ideas about how learning to read can foster cultural sustenance—with children and their lifeways centered as full and complete.
Morphometric analysis and watershed delineation of the Karnaphuli river basin: A comparative study using different DEMs in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Sujit Kumar , Chowdhury Md. Arif
Published: November 2024

The present study aimed to delineate a robust watershed boundary and extract its morphometric parameters in the Karnaphuli watershed, Bangladesh, using different digital elevation models (DEMs). Two DEMs, the shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) and the terra advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER), were employed to delineate watershed boundaries and evaluate various morphometric characteristics. Raster data such as fill sinks, flow direction, and flow accumulation were utilized to delineate the watershed. The morphometric analysis included the estimation of linear, areal, and relief parameters. The findings revealed a noticeable difference between the datasets; ASTER delineated a larger watershed area than SRTM. Regarding stream order, there were streams ranging from 1st to 6th order, encompassing numerous small, medium, and main channels of the river. Drainage density was calculated as 0.52 km/km² for SRTM and 0.51 km/km² for ASTER, both having a spatial resolution of 30 m. The bifurcation ratio ranged from 1.94 for SRTM to 2.45 for ASTER, indicating varying degrees of structural disturbance influenced by geological factors. The form factor indicated an elongated shape of the study area. The overall dimensions of the streams and the watershed extent suggest moderate mean annual rainfall discharge. The watershed exhibited relatively high denudation rates, attributed to the basin relief. A low drainage density indicated the importance of infiltration processes. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the spatial variability of watershed characteristics, highlighting the need for tailored management strategies for the Karnaphuli River. Implementing targeted conservation measures and watershed management practices based on these morphometric parameters can enhance water resource sustainability and ecological health in the region.
Controlling the Crystalline Quality and Yield of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes via Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis
Authors: Chang Yi , Yang Jinsong , Qi Bin , Yuan Xinxin , Huang Hailu , Xu Lele , Zhang Hualian , Huai Yangyang
Published: November 2024

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) reactions. The complicated processing parameters that included a precursor solution composition, reaction temperature, flow rate of the carrier gas, weak oxidants, and injection rate of the precursor solution were controlled to synthesize single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) during the reaction process. The effects of the processing parameters were analyzed with respect to the formation of SWCNTs, yield, and the crystallinity in the CNTs structure. The SWCNTs were characterized by the Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. A high reaction temperature, high H2 flow rate, low injection rate of solution precursor, and low concentrations of iron catalysts in the reaction were important factors to improve the crystalline quality of the SWCNTs. The purity of the initial product grown by the standard process was more than 90 wt %, with a yield of 0.5 g/h. The average G/D ratio of the initial product was 178, and it had a distinct RBM peak. HRTEM confirmed that the synthesized SWCNTs had high purity and crystallinity. The SWCNTs could be tunable to meet a particular application by varying the reaction conditions.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Protein Drug Target WP_145928235.1 in Providencia Through Subtractive Proteomics and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Paul Ishani , Roy Alankar , Dutta Shounak , Sarkar Tista , Ghosh Sutapa , Ray Sujay
Published: November 2024

Providencia stuartii, the most prevalent strain in its genus, is a significant cause of a range of potentially fatal diseases involving urinary tract infections, lung diseases, and endocarditis, often exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotics, necessitating alternative therapeutic approaches. Unlike previous efforts focused on known virulence factors, this study delves into the physicochemical and functional characterization of 72 essential hypothetical proteins (EsHPs) from the P. stuartii BE246 genome. Subcellular localization identified 47 cytoplasmic EsHPs as potential drug targets, with the remainder 25 identified as vaccine targets. Subtractive analysis uncovered 68 virulent proteins, 4 of which were nonhomologous to both host and gut microbiota proteomes. Among these, WP_145928235.1 (147 amino acids), a cytoplasmic EsHP, emerged as a novel drug target due to its homologous broad‐spectrum hit. WP_145928235.1 displayed an instability index (II) of 33.14, an aliphatic index of 92.79, and the GRAVY score was ‐0.065 (hydrophilic). Molecular dynamics simulation‐aided conformational study and secondary structure analysis highlighted the protein's flexibility and propensity to interact with inhibitors. Key residues in the 60–90 region, including Asn62, Gly75, Glu81, and Asp85, were critical for interactions and stability, with low frustration indicating residual conservancy. WP_145928235.1 presents a promising target for therapeutic intervention against multidrug‐resistant P. stuartii infections.
Exploring the Utility of a Real‐Time Approach to Characterising Within‐Person Fluctuations in Everyday Stress Responses
Authors: Toledo Meynard John L. , Zawadzki Matthew J. , Scott Stacey B. , Johnson Jillian A. , Marcusson‐Clavertz David , Kim Jinhyuk , Lanza Stephanie , Almeida David M. , Sliwinski Martin J. , Smyth Joshua M.
Published: November 2024

Few studies have measured components of stress responses in real time—an essential step in designing just‐in‐time interventions targeting moments of risk. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), we characterised stress response components to everyday stressors, including reactivity (the response following a stressor), recovery (the return towards baseline), and pile‐up (the accumulation of stressors) (RRPs) by quantifying the dynamics of response indicators (i.e., subjective stress, negative affect, and perseverative cognition). To determine the utility of these novel measures in capturing and characterising acute moments of the stress response, this study evaluated the proportion of variance in RRPs attributed to (1) between‐person, (2) between‐days, and (3) within‐day (momentary) levels. Healthy adults (n = 123; aged 35–65, 79% women, 91% non‐Hispanic White) participated in a 14‐day study assessing stress response via EMA 6 times a day. RRPs were constructed from 10,065 EMA reports. Multilevel models with moments nested within days nested within persons were used to partition variance in the RRPs. Reactivity and recovery indicators captured the most variation within‐days (i.e., across moments; range 76%–80% and 87%–89%, respectively), with small amounts of variance between‐person. For pile‐up, variation was mostly observed between‐days (range 60%–63%) and between‐persons (range 27%–31%). In contrast, raw measures of stress response reflected substantial between‐person (range 32%–54%) and within‐day (range 34%–53%) variance. These results demonstrated that a person‐specific approach to measuring stress response components (i.e., RRPs) can capture the dynamic within‐person variation in stress response, as it occurs in real time, making it well‐suited for use in novel just‐in‐time interventions targeting moments of risk.
Advancing Cancer Vaccines with Radionuclide Imaging
Authors: Cheng Sixuan , Long Xingru , Zhang Yongxue , Lan Xiaoli , Jiang Dawei
Published: November 2024

Cancer vaccines are emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer. However, the lack of effective methods to directly observe their in vivo behavior and monitor therapeutic responses hinders their translation into clinical settings. Radionuclide imaging allows for non‐invasive and real‐time visualization of vaccine biodistribution and immunological response, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and aiding in patient stratification. In this review, the latest advances and potential applications of radionuclide imaging in cancer vaccines are discussed, with a specific focus on strategies for visualizing the spatiotemporal distribution of vaccines in vivo and monitoring treatment efficacy. The challenges and considerations for implementing these techniques in clinical practice are also highlighted, aiming to inform and guide future research in this field.
Activating Ultralong Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence of Mono‐Ring Arylboronic Acid by Hydrogen Bond for Tunable Afterglow Color and Stimulus Response
Authors: Liu Meina , Mao Zhiwei , Wang Yaqin , Kong Weili , Huang Jing , Li Weihua , Yang Zhengjin , Huang Xianhuai , Zou Wen‐Sheng , Yu Han‐Qing
Published: November 2024

Activating the ultralong room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of mono‐ring arylboronic acid remains a great challenge, because the capacious free spaces shaped by a rubbery polymeric matrix allow the benzene ring skeleton to freely rotate. Herein, the ultralong RTP in mono‐ring arylboronic acid derivatives embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix is activated, leveraging enhanced intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding and activating ultralong RTP. By incorporating diverse PBA derivatives into PVA via click chemistry, 3‐aminophenylboronic acid (3A‐PBA) doped PVA films showcase the most extended RTP lifetimes (2.24 s) and a high quantum yield (11.2%), alongside rapid and sensitive explosive vapor detection capabilities. These findings not only address the activation challenges of RTP in organic systems by highlighting the crucial role of hydrogen bonding and Förster resonance energy transfer in color tunability, but also mark a significant stride toward overcoming the limitations of current luminescent materials. This work heralds a new era in the development of organic phosphorescent materials, offering a promising strategy for broadening their practical applications and enhancing performance, particularly in environmental monitoring and security.
2D Nano‐Photosensitizer Facilitates Proximity Labeling for Living Cells Surfaceome Deciphering
Authors: Qianqian Jiang , He Wang , Kaiguang Yang , Baofeng Zhao , Zhen Liang , Yukui Zhang , Bo Jiang , Lihua Zhang
Published: November 2024

Photocatalytic proximity labeling has shown great promise for mapping the spatiotemporal dynamics of surfaceome. Although cell‐surface targeting photosensitizers relying on antibodies, lipid molecules, and metabolic labeling have gained effects, the development of simpler and stable methods that avoid complex chemical synthesis and biosynthesis steps is still a huge challenge. Here, the study has introduced 2D nanomaterials with the ability of cell surface engineering to perform the in situ anchoring of photosensitizer on living cell surface. Photosensitizer can be stabilized on nanomaterials by coordination after one‐step mixing, resulting in the nano‐photosensitizer combining cell surface targeting ability and photosensitivity that allowing surface‐specific proximity labeling. Nano‐photosensitizer can be dispersed stably in aqueous solution, avoiding the defects of poor water solubility and aggregation of traditional organic photosensitizers. Singlet oxygen is generated locally under light irradiation, enabling spatiotemporally‐resolved activating and labeling of cell surface proteome. Further application in the brain metastatic lung cancer has been found effective with numerous quantified differential cell surfaces proteins highly correlated with cancer metastasis and three potential players have been validated via immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, providing important insights for metastasis supported molecular mechanism.
A CW‐Pumped Dye Nanolaser With an Optimized Nanocavity
Authors: Wei Yueyue , Yang Yao , Du Yuanyuan , Zeng Ning , Chen Ziqiu , Liu Bowen
Published: November 2024

Plasmonic nanolasers, which are promising coherent light sources for integrated photonics, super‐resolution imaging, and ultrasensitive sensing applications, face the challenge of high thresholds due to inherent losses in plasmonic nanocavities. While considerable efforts have been made to improve the Q factor, typically quantified by the full width at half maximum (FWHM), intensity (ΔI) is another critical feature of plasmonic resonance. However, the combined influence of both the Q factor and resonance intensity of a plasmonic nanocavity on nanolasing threshold has not been sufficiently explored, as experimentally controlling one variable while keeping the other constant is challenging. Here, an ultra‐low threshold plasmonic nanolaser is demonstrated by systematically optimizing the plasmonic nanocavity. By carefully controlling both the FWHMs and resonance intensities of the plasmonic resonators, a record low threshold of 2.6 µJ cm−2 for a dye‐based nanolaser is achieved at room temperature– an order of magnitude lower than previous records. In addition, nanolasing under continuous‐wave (CW) excitation is reported at room temperature gained by the same dye molecule. The results provide new insights into the design of high‐performance plasmonic nanolasers and offer a promising path toward realizing applications of nanoscale coherent light sources.
Strategy for Enhancing Catalytic Active Site: Introduction of 1D material InSeI for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate
Authors: Jeon Jiho , Bang Hyeon‐Seok , Ko Young‐Jin , Kang Jinsu , Zhang Xiaojie , Oh Cheoulwoo , Kim Hyunchul , Choi Kyung Hwan , Woo Chaeheon , Dong Xue , Lee Woong Hee , Yu Hak Ki , Choi Jae‐Young , Oh Hyung‐Suk
Published: November 2024

The presence of oxygen vacancies (Vo) in electrocatalysts plays a significant role in improving the selectivity and activity of CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). In this study, 1D material with large surface area is utilized to enable uniform Vo formation on the catalyst. 1D structured indium selenoiodide (InSeI) is synthesized and used as an electrocatalyst for the conversion of CO2 to formate. The electrochemical treatment of InSeI leads to the leaching of Se and I from the catalyst surface and the formation of Vo. The resulting Vo promotes the activity of the CO2RR, which increases the local pH of the catalyst surface and chemically maintains the oxidized metal sites on the catalyst. Owing to these characteristics, activated In wire exhibited remarkable CO2RR activity, thereby surpassing 93% FEformate at 500 mA cm−2, with a maximum of 97.3% FEformate at 100 mA cm−2. Moreover, the catalytic activity remained consistent for over 50 h at 100 mA cm−2 (FEformate >88%). Thus, the findings imply that using 1D materials can facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies on the catalyst surface and improve the selectivity and durability of CO2RR. This indicates the potential for further research on 1D materials as electrocatalysts.
Does corruption discriminate? Racial opportunity gap in the United States
Authors: Dincer Oguzhan , Hoover Gary
Published: November 2024

In this study, we investigate the effects of corruption on the inequality of opportunity between Blacks and Whites, which is the main cause of economic inequality between these two racial groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the relationship between the two. Using data from U.S. counties we find that corruption, in fact, is associated with an increase in opportunity gap between Blacks and Whites and the effects of corruption are stronger in more segregated counties.
Design of Highly Adhesive Urchin‐Like Gold Nanostructures for Effective Topical Drug Administration and Symptomatic Relief of Corneal Dryness
Authors: Ghosh Sandip , Su Yun‐Han , Yang Chia‐Jung , Lai Jui‐Yang
Published: November 2024

Topical instillation of cyclosporin A (an anti‐inflammatory drug) is clinically recommended as the first‐line treatment for dry eye disease. Nevertheless, it suffers from poor ocular drug retention and cannot comprehensively address corneal dryness‐related symptoms such as oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and neurodegeneration. Inspired by nanotechnology‐mediated material/biological interactions, in this study, a highly adhesive metallic nanoplatform with an urchin‐like structure is designed for topical quercetin administration in dry eye therapy. The gold nanostructures with the most pronounced branch lengths exhibit the strongest cytoadhesion and bioadhesion capabilities, which significantly enhance the corneal retention of nano‐urchins by 150‐fold at 7 days post‐instillation compared with smooth‐surfaced gold nanoparticles. In a rabbit model of corneal dryness, topical single‐dose nanoformulation (high quercetin‐functionalized gold nano‐urchins (NU‐Q(H))) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in stimulating tear production (30‐fold improvement), inhibiting inflammatory IL‐6 expression (49‐fold improvement), attenuating pathological angiogenesis (32‐fold improvement), and promoting nerve regeneration (18‐fold improvement) compared to high quercetin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (NP‐Q(H)). In particular, the integrity of the ocular surface, tear film, and meibomian gland is restored to levels similar to those in healthy rabbits. These findings suggest the promising potential of nanobiomaterial structural engineering in developing highly adhesive metallic nanomedicines as long‐acting eye‐drop formulations for disease treatment applications.
Bond of FRP bars in fine‐grained alkali‐activated concrete
Authors: Tekle Biruk Hailu , Holschemacher Klaus , Cui Yifei , Li Zongjun
Published: November 2024

Alkali‐activated cement (AAC) is an alternative binder with a promising potential to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and mitigate its environmental issues. The use of fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcements with AAC concrete enables the development of corrosion‐resistant, environmentally friendly reinforced concrete structures. Bond behavior is critical in reinforced concrete structures and must be thoroughly studied for such new alternative materials. This study employs pullout tests to investigate the bond behavior between FRP bars and fine‐grained AAC concrete. Three fine‐grained AAC concretes with low to high strength, glass and carbon FRP bars and wrapped, milled, and smooth surface treatments were examined. The effect of bar casting position was also investigated. The compressive strength showed a significant influence on the bond strength. An average bond strength of approximately 18 MPa was observed for both glass and carbon FRP bars when used with 65 MPa concrete. Both the glass and carbon FRP bars with wrapping showed a lower bond strength than their milled FRP bars counterparts. The carbon bars without surface preparation (smooth bars) resulted in a much lower bond strength, around 4 MPa. In terms of casting positions, the bars cast in the middle section of the concrete block showed a higher bond strength than those at the bottom and top.
Hybrid CFRP‐GFRP sheets for flexural strengthening of continuous RC beams: Experimentation and analytical modeling
Authors: Jafari Abouzar , Shahmansouri Amir Ali , Akbarzadeh Bengar Habib
Published: November 2024

Continuous reinforced concrete (RC) beams cast in place are commonly used in construction; however, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the performance of continuous RC beams strengthened with fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. Strengthening RC beams with FRP sheets typically leads to reduced ductility and moment redistribution capacity due to the linear stress–strain behavior of FRP materials compared to non‐strengthened RC beams. Addressing this gap, this study explores the feasibility of enhancing the mechanical properties and ductility of strengthened elements through a hybrid approach, combining carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. An experimental program was conducted, retrofitting two continuous two‐span RC beams (250 × 150 × 6000 mm) with hybrid CFRP‐GFRP (HCG) sheets. Concentrated loads were applied at the center of each span, and comprehensive data on strains in FRP sheets, longitudinal reinforcements, and crack propagation patterns were recorded and meticulously analyzed. The outcomes demonstrated that employing HCG sheets for strengthening RC continuous beams significantly improves ductility, load‐carrying capacity, and moment redistribution, surpassing the performance of beams strengthened with either CFRP or GFRP sheets. To ensure accurate predictions of the flexural response, an analytical model was developed and rigorously verified using the experimental results. The model takes into account the strain compatibility condition and provides insights into the behavior of continuous RC beams strengthened with CFRP, GFRP, and HCG sheets. This research contributes valuable knowledge to the understanding of FRP sheet strengthening techniques, emphasizing the efficacy of HCG sheets for achieving enhanced structural performance in continuous RC beams.
Experimental analysis of the influence of concrete top slab thickness and longitudinal reinforcement on the shear strength of flat slab ribs
Authors: dos Santos Junior Paulo Sérgio Mota , de Oliveira Dênio Ramam Carvalho
Published: November 2024

This paper reports a study on reinforced concrete waffle flat slabs under center loading. The study variables were concrete top slab thickness (CTST) and flexural reinforcement ratio. Twelve square slabs 1800 mm wide, 1800 mm long, and 150 mm thick were produced. The specimens were tested to failure to assess their behavior throughout load application and their failure mode. None of the slabs had shear reinforcement in the ribs. The experimental findings showed that both CTST and flexural reinforcement ratio increased the stiffness and the ultimate strength of the slabs. The most significant gains were found in the slabs with higher thickness values and higher reinforcement ratios. The results of the database showed that all codes had underestimated the ultimate strength of the slabs, as they presented rather conservative values. The modified normative equations were able to reduce the coefficient of variation of the database by at least 50%.
Infinite chains in the tree of numerical semigroups
Authors: Rosas-Ribeiro Mariana , Bras-Amorós Maria
Published: November 2024

One major problem in the study of numerical semigroups is determining the growth of the semigroup tree. We study infinite chains of numerical semigroups in the semigroup tree, firstly introduced by Bras-Amorós and Bulygin (Semigroup Forum, 79:561-574, 2009). Computational results show that these chains are rare, but without them the tree would not be infinite. It is proved that for each genus

$$g\ge 5$$

g
≥
5

there are more semigroups of that genus not belonging to infinite chains than semigroups belonging. Bras-Amorós and Bulygin (Semigroup Forum, 79:561-574, 2009) presented a characterization of the semigroups that belong to infinite chains in terms of the coprimality of the left elements of the semigroup as well as a result on the cardinality of the set of infinite chains to which a numerical semigroup belongs in terms of the primality of the greatest common divisor of these left elements. We revisit these results and fix an imprecision on the cardinality of the set of infinite chains to which a semigroup belongs in the case when the greatest common divisor of the left elements is a prime number. We then look at infinite chains in subtrees with fixed multiplicity. When the multiplicity is a prime number there is only one infinite chain in the tree of semigroups with such multiplicity. When the multiplicity is 4 or 6 we prove a self-replication behavior in the subtree and provide a formula for the number of semigroups in infinite chains of a given genus and multiplicity 4 and 6, respectively.
Monochromatic Infinite Sets in Minkowski Planes
Authors: Frankl Nóra , Gehér Panna , Sagdeev Arsenii , Tóth Géza
Published: November 2024

We prove that for any $$\ell _p$$

ℓ
p

-norm in the plane with $$1< p< \infty $$

1
<
p
<
∞

and for every infinite $$\mathcal {M}\subset \mathbb {R}^2$$

M
⊂

R

2

, there exists a two-colouring of the plane such that no isometric copy of $$\mathcal {M}$$
M
is monochromatic. On the contrary, we show that for every polygonal norm (that is, the unit ball is a polygon) in the plane, there exists an infinite $$\mathcal {M}\subset \mathbb {R}^2$$

M
⊂

R

2

such that for every two-colouring of the plane there exists a monochromatic isometric copy of $$\mathcal {M}$$
M
.
Burden of post–acute COVID-19 sequelae in healthcare workers and its course over a 30-month period–results from a prospective multicentre cohort
Authors: Dörr Tamara , Strahm Carol , Güsewell Sabine , Ballouz Tala , Kocan Emina , Cusini Alexia , Goppel Stephan , Grässli Fabian , Möller J. Carsten , Puhan Milo A. , Risch Lorenz , Ruetti Markus , Schlegel Matthias , Stocker Reto , von Kietzell Matthias , Vuichard-Gysin Danielle , Kuster Stefan P. , Kahlert Christian R. , Kohler Philipp ,   for the SURPRISE (SURveillance of infectious diseases among health Professionals In SwitzErland) Study Group
Published: November 2024

Purpose

As healthcare workers (HCW) have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, its post-acute sequelae (PASC) in HCW can impact healthcare systems. We assessed the burden and course of PASC in HCW over a 30-month period.

Methods

In a prospective multicentre HCW cohort in Switzerland, PASC surveys were conducted in 03/2021, 09/2021, 06/2022, 04/2023, and 10/2023. Stratified by viral variant at first infection, the prevalence of PASC symptoms, self-experienced PASC and the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) were analysed cross-sectionally in 10/2023, self-perceived success of therapeutic measures used was assessed. The evolution of PASC symptoms and PCFS in Wild-type and non-Wild-type infected HCW compared to uninfected controls was analysed longitudinally across all surveys.

Results

In cross-sectional analysis, 1704 HCW (median age 47 years, 82.2% female) were included. Thereof, 30.7% reported ≥ 1 PASC symptom in 10/2023, with 115 (6.7%) stating to have or have had PASC. Both were most common after Wild-type infection compared to other variants. Overall, 17/115 (15%) indicated relevant/severe restrictions in their daily activities and of 85 (74%) that tried ≥ 1 measure against their symptoms, 69 (81%) reported having benefitted. Longitudinal analysis (n = 653) showed a significantly higher proportion of Wild-type infected HCW to report PASC symptoms compared to controls in 03/2021 (+ 21%, 95% CI 4–39), with decreasing trend (+ 7%, 95%CI -10–25 in 10/2023). This effect was not evident for non-Wild-type infected HCW.

Conclusions

Over a 30 month period, overall PASC burden in our HCW cohort decreased, although 1% still experience relevant restrictions in their daily life; Wild-type infected individuals show the highest disease burden.
Sex-dependent variability of isoniazid and rifampicin serum levels in patients with tuberculosis
Authors: Idris Raja , Dayani Alexander Z. , Groh Ana M. , Mohr André , Koepsell Julia , Zielbauer Ann-Sophie , Herrmann Eva , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T. , Wichelhaus Thomas A. , Wetzstein Nils
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB) is treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Factors like fast-metabolizing enzymes, malabsorption, and drug interactions can influence serum drug levels. Current TB treatment guidelines recommend weight-adapted dosing without considering sex differences. This study examines drug levels of isoniazid and rifampicin in TB patients treated between 2019 and 2023 at our center focusing on sex-specific aspects.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with TB and available serum levels of isoniazid or rifampicin between 2019 and 2023 were retrospectively identified. Serum levels were measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Patients were stratified by sex and a linear regression mixed effect model was used to assess predictors for different serum levels.

Results

The study included 281 single therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) measurements from 59 patients (28 women, 47.5%). For isoniazid, no sex-specific differences in serum drug levels were identified. On the other hand, female sex was a significant predictor of higher rifampicin plasma levels (coefficient 4.16, 95% CI 0.74–7.59, p = 0.009). Only 38.2% of rifampicin serum level measurements in male patients were within target range, the majority (40/68, 58.8%) were below range and only 2 (2.9%) TDM-levels were above range. Women displayed higher overall rifampicin serum levels than men (median 13.7 mg/l vs. 7.1 mg/l, p = 0.04), although weight adjusted doses were not significantly different (median 10.0 mg/kg vs. 9.8 mg/kg p = 0.56). Adverse effects were noted in 42.9% (42/98) of measurements in women and 29.5% (54/183) of measurements in men (p = 0.03).

Discussion

Rifampicin levels were significantly lower in men compared to women, despite weight-adjusted dosing. Clinicians should consider TDM and potential sex differences when treating patients with TB.
Screening of municipal effluents with the peroxidase toxicity assay
Authors: Gagné Francois , André Chantale , Smyth Shirley-Ann
Published: November 2024

The peroxidase (Per) reaction is a quick and inexpensive biosensor for the screening of environmental contaminants and wastewaters. The purpose of this study was to screen various municipal wastewaters before and after 7 different types of treatment processes using this sensor to identify potential sites under stress by urban pollution. The following wastewater samples before (influent) and after the commonly applied treatments (effluent) were tested using the Per activity test: advanced biofiltration, biofiltration, aerated lagoons, secondary aeration sludge, trickling filter, secondary membrane filtration, and primary. The influents and effluents were collected for 3 days and concentrated to 500 X on a reverse-phase (C18) extraction cartridge. The ethanol extracts were examined for dissolved organic carbon, plastic-like materials, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polystyrene nanoplastics. The samples were then tested using the Per reaction alone and in the presence of DNA to detect DNA binding agents. The results show that population size tended to increase Per activity and 60% of the effluents decreased Per activity leading to H2O2 persistence and toxicity. More advanced treatments (biofiltration, membrane biofiltration, secondary aeration) produced stronger changes from the corresponding untreated influents corroborating their performance in reducing toxicity. The addition of DNA during the Per reaction revealed that population size had no influence and that 60% of treated effluents restored Per activity suggesting release of genotoxic compounds in the aquatic environment from treated wastewaters. The toxic implications of the continuous release of wastewaters in aquatic ecosystems are discussed in the light of emerging contaminants such as nanoplastics.
Shedding light on maternal mental health in LMICs: a cornerstone of maternal and child health care
Authors: Handa Alisha , Gaidhane Abhay , Choudhari Sonali
Published: November 2024

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs have long been integral to global public health initiatives, aiming to safeguard the well-being of both mothers and their offspring. However, amidst the comprehensive approach to physical health, the mental well-being of mothers has often been overlooked, representing a critical gap in these programs. This paper examines the importance of addressing maternal mental health within the framework of MCH programs, highlighting its significance and the repercussions of its neglect. Despite its profound impact on maternal and child outcomes, issues such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and maternal stress are frequently disregarded in MCH interventions. This oversight not only undermines the holistic nature of maternal health but also perpetuates cycles of poor mental health within families and communities. Herewith, an effort was made to highlight the importance of maternal mental health and the need to focus and strengthen awareness about it through policy and programs.
Transport industry workforce risk and exposure to COVID-19 and other related respiratory pandemic diseases: A scoping review
Authors: Qureshi Mohammed Owais , Harris Patrick , Jegasothy Edward , Seale Holly , Chughtai Abrar , Quinlan Michael
Published: November 2024

The need to maintain transport during a pandemic places transport workers at higher risk of infection and can have other effects on health and well-being. The aim of this study was to understand the current state of research on the impact of respiratory diseases on transport workers and to identify any existing evidence-based recommendations that can help mitigate the risks associated with these diseases in the transport industry. A scoping review was undertaken as per PRISMA guidelines. A search was conducted in English-language databases for peer-reviewed research articles. We reviewed research articles published over 20 years (2002–2022). We found 12540 articles, of which 39 deemed relevant, were analysed. The review highlighted the high risk of transport workers’ exposure to respiratory diseases during pandemics, exacerbated by structural inequalities including the significant number holding precarious/non-standard jobs. Increased financial strains led to poorer mental health outcomes and risks of detrimental behaviours for health. Economic measures implemented by governments were found to be insufficient in addressing these issues. The review found that transport is a significant transmission point for pandemics of respiratory diseases, and it suggests some remedies to best meet these challenges.
Towards a new roughness parametrization through the effective distribution function
Authors: Bruno F. , Leonardi S. , De Marchis M.
Published: November 2024

Turbulent flows over rough surfaces can be encountered in a wide range of engineering applications. Despite the progress made after several decades of studies, the prediction of drag and roughness function from the surface geometrical parameters remains an open question. Several methods have shown encouraging results. However, they lack generality and present some scatter in the data. In this paper we propose a new parameter, the effective distribution (

$ED$

), which lays foundation on the effective slope with some changes to take into account the sheltering effect of large roughness elements and the drag induced by pinnacles higher than the average roughness elements. To develop this new correlation between geometrical features of the wall and the drag, we performed a set of simulations of the turbulent flow over a rough surface made of triangular elements varying their height and spatial distribution. The

$ED$

correlates quite well both with the drag and the roughness function for a wide range of cases having different mean roughness height, skewness and kurtosis. To further validate the

$ED$

, and assessing how it can be generalized to real rough wall, an irregular wall made from the superposition of random sinusoidal function was considered. Results were consistent with the correlation here presented.
A geometric proof of the binomial identity
Authors: Marko František , Litvinov Semyon
Published: November 2024

We give a geometric proof of the binomial identity for all natural n and real a,b. This work was inspired by the book [1], where the binomial identity for n = 3 and a,b > 0 is proved by breaking a cube C of size (a + b) × (a + b) × (a + b) into eight rectangular boxes and counting their volumes as follows.
Leptin and leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and depression treatment response
Authors: Tavast Ida-Maria , Solismaa Anssi , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Mononen Nina , Moilanen Eeva , Hämäläinen Mari , Lehtimäki Terho , Kampman Olli
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Associations between leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphisms and mood disorders have been found but not yet confirmed in multiple studies. The aim of our study was to study the associations between LEP and LEPR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and treatment response of depression. Associations between leptin levels and depression severity were also investigated.

Methods:

The data included 242 depressed patients in secondary psychiatric care. Symptoms of depression were assessed with the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Previously found LEP and LEPR SNPs associated with depression and other mood disorders were studied. Furthermore, all available LEP and LEPR SNPs were clumped using proxy SNPs to represent gene areas in r2 > 0.2 linkage disequilibrium and their association with treatment response was analysed with logistic regression.

Results:

Two proxy SNPs of LEPR gene, rs12564738 and rs12029311, were associated with MADRS response at 6 weeks (p adjusted = 0.024, p adjusted = 0.024). SNPs from previous studies were not associated with MADRS response, but LEPR rs12145690 from a previous study was strongly associated with rs12564738 (r2 = 0.94). The positive association between leptin levels and MADRS score at baseline after adjusting with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score, and smoking was found (p = 0.011).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that LEPR polymorphisms are associated with depression treatment response. We also found associations between leptin levels and depression independently of BMI. Further studies and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the significance of found SNPs and the role of leptin in depression.
Revisiting the mysterious origin of FRB 20121102A with machine-learning classification
Authors: Lin Leah Ya Ling , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Goto Tomotsugu , Raquel Bjorn Jasper , Ho Simon C.-C. , Chen Bo-Han , Kim Seong Jin , Ling Chih-Teng
Published: November 2024

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio waves from the Universe. Even though more than 50 physical models have been proposed, the origin and physical mechanism of FRB emissions are still unknown. The classification of FRBs is one of the primary approaches to understanding their mechanisms, but previous studies classified conventionally using only a few observational parameters, such as fluence and duration, which might be incomplete. To overcome this problem, we use an unsupervised machine-learning model, the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection to handle seven parameters simultaneously, including amplitude, linear temporal drift, time duration, central frequency, bandwidth, scaled energy, and fluence. We test the method for homogeneous 977 sub-bursts of FRB 20121102A detected by the Arecibo telescope. Our machine-learning analysis identified five distinct clusters, suggesting the possible existence of multiple different physical mechanisms responsible for the observed FRBs from the FRB 20121102A source. The geometry of the emission region and the propagation effect of FRB signals could also make such distinct clusters. This research will be a benchmark for future FRB classifications when dedicated radio telescopes such as the square kilometer array or Bustling Universe Radio Survey Telescope in Taiwan discover more FRBs than before.
Empowered Minipublics for Democratic Renewal? Evidence from Three Conjoint Experiments in the United States, Ireland, and Finland
Authors: GOLDBERG SASKIA , LINDELL MARINA , BÄCHTIGER ANDRÉ
Published: November 2024

This article investigates the potential of deliberative minipublics to provide a new set of institutions for democratic renewal. Using three preregistered and identical conjoint experiments in the United States, Ireland, and Finland, it first shows that minipublics are moderately attractive institutional innovations, but that in all three country contexts, citizens in general are very reluctant to grant them empowerment and autonomy as well as ask for additional provisions (such as large size or large majorities for recommendations). Subgroup analyses, however, reveal that especially participation in minipublics as well as trust in other citizens as decision-makers in combination with low political trust produces more support for empowered and autonomous minipublics. But what stands out in the empirical analysis is that most citizens want minipublics as additions to the representative system, not as a replacement of the existing democratic infrastructure, as some minipublic advocates have suggested.
A systematic review of observational studies on the association between diet quality patterns and visceral adipose tissue
Authors: Thimm Annalena , Maskarinec Gertraud , Guillermo Cherie , Nimptsch Katharina , Pischon Tobias
Published: November 2024

Beyond obesity, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has emerged as an important predictor of chronic disease, but the role of diet quality patterns (DQP) in VAT development is not well defined. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of how various DQP are associated with VAT via literature searches in PubMed and EMBASE. We included observational investigations in disease-free adults/adolescents that related DQP to VAT assessed by imaging methods. The studies were evaluated separately for a priori and a posteriori DQP and according to design differences. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool. Of the 1807 screened articles, thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of a priori indices, for example, the Healthy Eating Index, showed significant inverse associations with VAT, while only a small proportion of a posteriori patterns were related to VAT. Results did not differ substantially by the method of exposure and outcome assessment or between studies with (n 20) or without (n 15) body-size adjustment, but significant findings were more common in younger v. older individuals, USA v. other populations and investigations with moderate v. serious risk of bias. The heterogeneity of the existing literature limited the ability to quantify the magnitude of the associations across studies. These findings suggest that a high-quality diet, as assessed by a priori DQP, is generally inversely associated with VAT, but results for a posteriori DQP are less consistent. As associations persisted after adjusting for body size, diet quality may beneficially influence VAT beyond its association with obesity.
An Epidemic of Nervous Breakdowns and Crisis Suicides in Britain’s War of Nerves, 1938–1940
Authors: Gottlieb Julie V.
Published: November 2024

As contemporaries noted, the long months from the Munich Crisis (autumn 1938) through to the end of the Phoney War (spring 1940) felt like a ‘war of nerves’. The battlefields were physical and material as much as psychological and imagined. Turning to sources that reveal visceral experience, we can explore the internal and internalized history of the international crisis. First, I listen to writers, politicians, academics, anthropological researchers, psychiatrists, and advertisers as one after the other they projected this overwhelming nervous disorder onto bodies and onto the body politic. In his largely forgotten Journal under the terror, 1938 (1939), the Bloomsburyite, prolific man of letters, and literary scholar F. L. Lucas emerges as a perspicacious narrator of the war of nerves, and he was both witness and victim of a world he described as filled with ‘nervous breakdowns’. Second, I exhume the casualties of this war of nerves, a group of people who exercised their bodily autonomy and self-determination to free themselves from the world in crisis. Based on a dataset of 185 cases, the ‘crisis suicides’ – ‘committed daily by people terrorised at the thought of a war’ – constituted an apparent epidemic. Together these bodies of evidence of bodily experience make a case for reframing and renaming the period, and identifying the first battle of Britain’s ‘People’s War’.
Suitability of invasive gobies as paratenic hosts for acanthocephalans of the genus Pomphorhynchus sp.
Authors: Nachev Milen , Hohenadler Michael , Bröckers Nicklas , Grabner Daniel , Sures Bernd
Published: November 2024

Ponto-Caspian gobies became highly abundant in many regions outside their native distribution range (e.g. in the Rhine River system). In the newly invaded habitats, the parasite communities of the invasive gobies are characterized by a lower species richness compared to their native range. Interestingly, acanthocephalans of the genus Pomphorhynchus are highly abundant, although they do not become mature and mostly remain encapsulated in the abdominal cavity as preadults. Thus, gobiids could either represent a dead-end host for Pomphorhynchus sp. declining its population (dilution effect) or act as a paratenic host that could increase the infection pressure if the infected gobies are preyed upon by appropriate definitive hosts (spill back). To determine which of the 2 scenarios the gobiids contribute to, we conducted 2 infection experiments using smaller and larger individuals of the definitive host chub (Squalius cephalus), infected with preadults of Pomphorhynchus sp. collected from the abdominal cavity of Neogobius melanostomus. The results showed that preadults were able to complete their development and mature in the definitive host with mean recovery rates of 17.9% in smaller and 27.0% in larger chubs. Successful infections were observed in 62.0% and 80.0% of the smaller and larger chubs, respectively. Our study demonstrated that gobies can theoretically serve as a paratenic host for acanthocephalans of the genus Pomphorhynchus, and that infection might spill back into the local fish community if infected gobies are preyed upon by suitable definitive hosts of Pomphorhynchus sp. such as large barbel or chub.