bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the Translocal to the Multi‐Sited Transnational: Tracing Rohingya Refugee Networks in India
Authors: Mitra Rohini
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the transnational and translocal experiences of the Rohingya in India, a stateless, refugee community forcibly displaced from Myanmar, onward migrants from Bangladesh, who currently occupy a legally precarious space in India. Drawing on approximately 90 interviews conducted with refugees, community leaders and NGOs across three Indian cities, along with informal group discussions and field notes, this paper makes two arguments that shed light on the complex, multi‐factorial ways in which networks are rebuilt in displacement as well as the emerging characteristics of Rohingya onward migration in Asia. First, that early generations of Rohingya in India leveraged translocal network building spaces and encounters to rebuild their networks with others in the community and create translocal networks of care and support with local civil society actors, cementing the notion of a ‘Rohingya refugee community’ in India. Second, that the gradual internationalisation of the Rohingya crisis as well as the transnationalisation of the Rohingya diaspora in the last decade through multiple waves of displacement, onward migration and resettlement schemes has prompted a shift towards multi‐sited transnationalism, particularly reflected in the emergence of multi‐sited transnational families, digital transnational spaces among younger refugees and extended diasporic networks.
Combined effects of gelatin extraction methods and hydrolysis protease types on the functional properties of tilapia scale gelatin hydrolysates
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Shi Qianqian , Xie Hexiang , Ouyang Kefan , Xiong Hua , Zhao Qiang
Published: July 2024

The combined effects of gelatin extraction methods and protease types on the functional properties of tilapia scale gelatin hydrolysates (TSGH) were investigated. The tilapia scale gelatin (TSG) was extracted after acid/base pretreatments, respectively, and then hydrolysed with different proteases to produce TSGHs. The degree of hydrolysis and the content of trichloroacetic acid soluble peptide were increased with hydrolysis time, while the content of β‐sheet was decreased significantly with the hydrolysis time (P < 0.05). The emulsification stability of acid protease hydrolysate (APH) was higher than that of neutral protease hydrolysate (NPH) and alkaline protease hydrolysate (ALPH). All samples showed good resistance to oxidation: DPPH (20%–64.66%), ABTS (29.08%–63.04%), and iron reducing power (0.017–0.499). The hydrolysates obtained from the base‐pretreated TSG showed higher antioxidant properties than acid‐pretreated TSG. The antioxidants of different protease hydrolysates are ranked by ALPH > NPH > APH. In conclusion, gelatin extraction methods and its hydrolysis conditions had influences on the functional properties of TSGH, and the study of the processing of marine biological wastes is of great significance in realising their high‐value utilisation and reducing the burden on the environment.
Impact of the pre‐biologic treatment journey on biologic drug survival in psoriasis: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Thein David , Nielsen Mia‐Louise , Maul Julia‐Tatjana , Thomsen Simon Francis , Thyssen Jacob P. , Egeberg Alexander
Published: July 2024

Background

It is unknown whether the pre‐biologic treatment journey affects subsequent biologic drug survival.

Objective

To examine the potential impact of a complex treatment journey on subsequent biologic drug survival in patients with psoriasis.

Methods

The study utilized longitudinal data from Danish national registries and included all patients who, for the first time, initiated a biological treatment for psoriasis. Maximum follow‐up was 5 years and patients were included from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2021. The study used three definitions of exposure to a complex treatment journey and the following conventional systemic treatments: acitretin, cyclosporine, dimethyl fumarate and methotrexate. The first definition was the cumulative number of treatment series. The second definition comprised the number of unique treatments. The third definition was time from the first conventional systemic treatment to biological therapy. Drug survival for the three definitions were illustrated using Kaplan–Meier curves and compared using log‐rank test. The sensitivity analysis largely confirmed these findings by grouping patients according to pharmacotherapy.

Results

A total of 2496 patients were included in the study, with 1380 (55.3%) receiving adalimumab, 608 (24.4%) receiving ustekinumab, 271 (10.9%) receiving secukinumab, 166 (6.7%) receiving etanercept and 71 (2.8%) receiving infliximab. The mean age at initiation of biologics was 43.6 years (standard deviation (SD) 15.2 years), and most patients were male (62.9%). During the follow‐up of 5477 patient years, 1953 patients (78.2%) reached the main endpoint of discontinuation. Using a log‐rank test, the probability of remaining on treatment was unaffected by the three definitions of complexity of the treatment journey.

Conclusion

None of the three exposures used to assess the complexity of the pre‐biologic treatment journey appeared to impact drug survival. As long as patients experience adequate disease control, these results suggest that conventional systemic treatment do not negatively impact the drug survival of subsequent biologics.
The role of public social expenditure for mitigating local income inequality: An investigation across spatial scales in Austria
Authors: Neuhuber Tatjana , Schneider Antonia E.
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the role of municipal and provincial public social spending for local income inequality after taxes and transfers in Austria. We utilize a spatial multi‐level model, which allows us to analyze the contribution of three spatial scales (municipal, district, and provincial level) to municipal income inequality. Our analysis shows that the effect of public social spending on local Gini indices does not only differ across provinces but also across municipalities which indicates that the potential cushioning effect of social expenditure is highly localized. Further splitting total public social expenditure into three distinct categories (education, health, social protection) reveals that spending on social protection has the highest effect on local inequality across all provinces, while health spending does not exert a discernible influence in any province. The method and results presented in this paper are of international interest for policymakers and researchers who aim to investigate whether the same patterns hold true in other countries.
The complementary role of distributive and criminal equity
Authors: D'Antoni Massimo , Tabbach Avraham D.
Published: July 2024

We conduct a theoretical analysis to explore how the distribution of wealth in society impacts the social costs of crime and law enforcement. We show that a reduction in inequality reduces these costs when enforcement and nonmonetary punishment are equitable, that is, they do not discriminate among offenders based on their wealth. However, when enforcement or nonmonetary punishment is discriminatory, a reduction in inequality may increase the social costs of crime and law enforcement, in particular when it occurs among poorer individuals. Thus, there is a complementarity between equity in criminal justice and distributional equity.
Taxonomic and functional changes in mountain meadow communities four years after transplantation to a lowland environment
Authors: Haider Sylvia , Schaub Carolin , Lachmuth Susanne
Published: July 2024

Aims

Climate warming at high altitudes occurs at an above‐average rate. Due to short geographical distances, warm‐adapted species might establish rapidly in mountain communities, while cold‐adapted specialists are likely to locally disappear, sometimes after a lag phase. Here, we investigate changes not only of the community composition of species‐rich mountain meadows, but also resulting alterations of their functional identity and diversity. Thereby, we hypothesize that transplantation to a warmer lowland environment leads to a shift towards a more acquisitive resource‐use strategy, caused by the immigration of lowland species. Temporarily this leads to an increase in functional diversity through the lagged extinction of high‐altitude species with conservative resource‐use strategies.

Location

European Alps, Germany.

Methods

Using a space‐for‐time substitution, we conducted a community transplant experiment at a high‐ and low‐elevation common garden site, where we compared the development of highland communities transplanted to the warmer low‐elevation site and control plant communities locally replanted at both sites over a period of 4 years after transplantation. In situ, we collected functional leaf morphological and biochemical traits based on which we calculated community weighted mean traits as well as community functional richness and functional divergence.

Results

Species richness of the communities transplanted to the low‐elevation site increased over time, resulting from more species invasions than disappearances. This led to increasing similarity between transplanted highland communities and local lowland communities, and to greater functional richness and divergence 4 years after transplantation, although mean community traits did not diverge yet.

Conclusions

Although the exposure to warmer temperatures did not immediately lead to the extinction of typical mountain meadow species, substantial community changes are expected through immigration of warm‐adapted species. Resulting changes in the functional characteristics of mountain communities are likely to modify competition regimes within these communities, which might accelerate the local extinction of mountain specialists.
Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) in a colony of Triatoma sherlocki Papa et al. 2002 (Reduviidae: Triatominae) present in a subsistence pig farm in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Santos Flavia , dos Santos Saraiva Alice , Lambert Sabrina Mota , Magalhães‐Junior Jairo Torres , de Oliveira Carneiro Ianei , Parazzi Larissa José , de Oliveira Jader , da Silva Souza Bárbara Maria Paraná , Franke Carlos Roberto
Published: July 2024

Triatomines of the species Triatoma sherlocki are considered sylvatic; however, household invasion appears imminent, potentially carrying Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The aim of this study was to report the first occurrence of a colony of T. sherlocki infected by T. cruzi in a subsistence pig farm. Triatomines collected underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for T. cruzi detection and determination of blood meal source. The 19 triatomines collected in the pig farm were of the species T. sherlocki, comprising 26.3% nymphs (5/19), 52.6% males (10/19) and 21.1% females (4/19). PCR showed that 15.8% (3/19) of triatomines were infected by T. cruzi. The only detected blood meal source in triatomines (n = 11) was the domestic mammal Sus scrofa, commonly known as domestic pig, indicating that T. sherlocki is an opportunist, feeding on available vertebrates in the environment, including domestic animals such as pigs. These results highlight the possibility of domiciliation of the species T. sherlocki and its potential role in bridging the transmission of T. cruzi between sylvatic and domestic environments.
Impact of protein domains on the MEL2 granule, a cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complex maintaining faithful meiosis progression in rice
Authors: Mimura Manaki , Ono Seijiro , Somashekar Harsha , Nonomura Ken‐Ichi
Published: July 2024

Cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are membraneless structures composed of various RNAs and proteins that play important roles in post‐transcriptional regulation. While RNP granules are known to regulate the meiotic entry in some organisms, little is known about their roles in plants.

In this study, we observed the cytoplasmic granular structures of rice RNA‐binding protein MEIOSIS ARRESTED AT LEPTOTENE2 (MEL2), which contributes to the control of meiotic entry timing, in leaf protoplasts and spore mother cells. We performed colocalization analysis with known cytoplasmic RNP factors, and domain deletion analysis to assess their impact on granule formation and meiosis progression. Conservation of MEL2 domains across plant species was also explored.

Our results indicated that MEL2 granules colocalized with processing body and stress granule factors. The maintenance of granule properties modulated by LOTUS domain and the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) is essential for proper MEL2 function in meiosis progression. MEL2‐like proteins widely found in plant kingdom conserved LOTUS domain followed by the IDR despite their diverse domain structures, suggesting the functional conservation of these domains among plant species.

This study highlights the role of MEL2 granule dynamics and its impact on meiotic transition and progression.
Climate change increases flowering duration, driving phenological reassembly and elevated co‐flowering richness
Authors: Austin Matthew W. , Smith Adam B. , Olsen Kenneth M. , Hoch Peter C. , Krakos Kyra N. , Schmocker Stefani P. , Miller‐Struttmann Nicole E.
Published: July 2024

Changes to flowering phenology are a key response of plants to climate change. However, we know little about how these changes alter temporal patterns of reproductive overlap (i.e. phenological reassembly).

We combined long‐term field (1937–2012) and herbarium records (1850–2017) of 68 species in a flowering plant community in central North America and used a novel application of Bayesian quantile regression to estimate changes to flowering season length, altered richness and composition of co‐flowering assemblages, and whether phenological shifts exhibit seasonal trends.

Across the past century, phenological shifts increased species' flowering durations by 11.5 d on average, which resulted in 94% of species experiencing greater flowering overlap at the community level. Increases to co‐flowering were particularly pronounced in autumn, driven by a greater tendency of late season species to shift the ending of flowering later and to increase flowering duration.

Our results demonstrate that species‐level phenological shifts can result in considerable phenological reassembly and highlight changes to flowering duration as a prominent, yet underappreciated, effect of climate change. The emergence of an autumn co‐flowering mode emphasizes that these effects may be season‐dependent.
Understanding the chemical language mediating maize immunity and environmental adaptation
Authors: Yasmin Farida , Cowie Anna E. , Zerbe Philipp
Published: July 2024

Diverse networks of specialized metabolites promote plant fitness by mediating beneficial and antagonistic environmental interactions. In maize (Zea mays), constitutive and dynamically formed cocktails of terpenoids, benzoxazinoids, oxylipins, and phenylpropanoids contribute to plant defense and ecological adaptation. Recent research has highlighted the multifunctional nature of many specialized metabolites, serving not only as elaborate chemical defenses that safeguard against biotic and abiotic stress but also as regulators in adaptive developmental processes and microbiome interactions. Great strides have also been made in identifying the modular pathway networks that drive maize chemical diversity. Translating this knowledge into strategies for enhancing stress resilience traits has the potential to address climate‐driven yield losses in one of the world's major food, feed, and bioenergy crops.
Second primary malignancy for early‐stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by SEER17 registries
Authors: Lin Hanqing , Wu Xiaobo , Yao Guangnan , Chen Zhihong , Xu Yuanteng , Lin Gongbiao , Lin Chang
Published: July 2024

Objective

Investigating treatment modalities' association with second primary malignancy risk in early‐stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Data of 5‐year survivors of early‐stage (stages I–II, seventh TNM staging manual) HNSCC from 2000 to 2020 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Standardized incidence ratio and excess absolute risk were used to assess second primary malignancy (SPM) development externally. Relative risk was estimated to compare SPM risk within groups. Fine‐Gray's model estimated cumulative incidence of second primary malignancy.

Results

Overall, 8957 5‐year survivors with early‐stage HNSCC were enrolled. Patients receiving definitive radiotherapy had poorer survival than surgery patients. Surgery correlated with lower risk of second primary malignancy (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–0.99), especially for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.39–0.82). Differences in the risk of second primary malignancy among subgroups based on clinical characteristics were not significant. Treatment modalities did not significantly affect risk of second primary malignancy within each subgroup.

Conclusions

Surgery led to better survival and lower risk of second primary malignancy compared to definitive radiotherapy in 5‐year survivors. Incidence and sites of second primary malignancy varied by primary sites, emphasizing targeted long‐term surveillance's importance.
Perceived professional autonomy among Ethiopian regional state media journalists: A post‐reform account of Amhara Media Corporation
Authors: Mazengia Melkamu Mekonnen , Haile Jemal Mohammed
Published: July 2024

This study examined the degree of perceived editorial autonomy possessed by journalists working in the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC) in determining the emphasis of news stories. It also identifies the factors that exert the greatest influence on journalists’ decision‐making regarding story selection, source determination and framing the news following the 2018 political reform, in Ethiopia using the “hierarchy‐of‐influences” model. The research employed a sequential explanatory mixed method approach, using stratified random sampling to survey 152 participants, and purposive sampling to conduct in‐depth interviews with 7 selected journalists. The quantitative data indicates that journalists’ autonomy at AMC remains restricted. On the other hand, the qualitative data divulges that the extent of professional autonomy among AMC journalists is contingent upon the support received from assigned managers and by the political climate of the country. As a result, the professional autonomy experienced by journalists at AMC is subject to situational factors and fluctuating. Furthermore, procedural, professional, organizational, and political influences are found with the most decisive influence, respectively.
Three novel Er blood group system alleles and insights from protein modeling
Authors: Lane William J. , Vege Sunitha , Mah Helen H. , Ochoa‐Garay Gorka , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Westhoff Connie M.
Published: July 2024

Background

The Er blood group system was recently shown to be defined by PIEZO1. The system consists of high prevalence antigens Era, Er3, ERSA, and ERAMA; and low prevalence antigen Erb. Era/Erb are antithetical with Er(a−b+) defined by the ER*B allele [c.7180G>A p.(Gly2394Ser)]. A nonsense variant c.5289C>G p.(Tyr1763*) is associated with a predicted Ernull phenotype, and a missense variant c.7174G>A p.(Glu2392Lys) in close proximity to p.2394 causes loss of both Era and Erb expression.

Study Design and Methods

We investigated PIEZO1 in four Er(a−) individuals who presented with anti‐Era. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and Sanger sequencing were performed. The location and structural differences of predicted protein changes were visualized using the predicted 3‐D structure of Piezo1 created using AlphaFold2.

Results

One individual was homozygous for the reported ER*B. A second had a novel heterozygous nonsense variant c.3331C>T p.(Gln1111*), but a second allelic variant was not found. In the remaining two individuals, two different heterozygous novel missense variants, c.7184C>T p.(Ala2395Val) or c.7195G>A p.(Gly2399Ser), were in trans to the reported c.7180G>A variant, ER*B. AlphaFold2 protein modeling showed that each of the missense variants is predicted to encode an altered structural conformation near Era and Erb.

Conclusions

Investigation of archived samples resulted in the identification of three novel PIEZO1 alleles including a predicted Ernull and two missense variants. Structural modeling suggests that the missense changes potentially alter Era/Erb epitope expression with p.2399Ser resulting in a small increase in the negative electrostatic potential.
The atomic intelligence of liquid metals
Authors: Kalantar-Zadeh Kourosh , Daeneke Torben , Tang Junma
Published: July 2024

Liquid metals may deliver greener and more sustainable chemical reactions
Anthropogenic amplification of precipitation variability over the past century
Authors: Zhang Wenxia , Zhou Tianjun , Wu Peili
Published: July 2024

As the climate warms, the consequent moistening of the atmosphere increases extreme precipitation. Precipitation variability should also increase, producing larger wet-dry swings, but that is yet to be confirmed observationally. Here we show that precipitation variability has already grown globally (over 75% of land area) over the past century, as a result of accumulated anthropogenic warming. The increased variability is seen across daily to intraseasonal timescales, with daily variability increased by 1.2% per 10 years globally, and is particularly prominent over Europe, Australia, and eastern North America. Increased precipitation variability is driven mainly by thermodynamics linked to atmospheric moistening, modulated at decadal timescales by circulation changes. Amplified precipitation variability poses new challenges for weather and climate predictions, as well as for resilience and adaptation by societies and ecosystems.
Personal protective effect of wearing surgical face masks in public spaces on self-reported respiratory symptoms in adults: pragmatic randomised superiority trial
Authors: Solberg Runar Barstad , Fretheim Atle , Elgersma Ingeborg Hess , Fagernes Mette , Iversen Bjørn Gunnar , Hemkens Lars G , Rose Christopher James , Elstrøm Petter
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate the personal protective effects of wearing versus not wearing surgical face masks in public spaces on self-reported respiratory symptoms over a 14 day period.

Design

Pragmatic randomised superiority trial.

Setting

Norway.

Participants

4647 adults aged ≥18 years: 2371 were assigned to the intervention arm and 2276 to the control arm.

Interventions

Participants in the intervention arm were assigned to wear a surgical face mask in public spaces (eg, shopping centres, streets, public transport) over a 14 day period (mask wearing at home or work was not mentioned). Participants in the control arm were assigned to not wear a surgical face mask in public places.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was self-reported respiratory symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection. Secondary outcomes included self-reported and registered covid-19 infection and self-reported sick leave.

Results

Between 10 February 2023 and 27 April 2023, 4647 participants were randomised of whom 4575 (2788 women (60.9%); mean age 51.0 (standard deviation 15.0) years) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis: 2313 (50.6%) in the intervention arm and 2262 (49.4%) in the control arm. 163 events (8.9%) of self-reported symptoms consistent with respiratory infection were reported in the intervention arm and 239 (12.2%) in the control arm. The marginal odds ratio was 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.87; P=0.001) favouring the face mask intervention. The absolute risk difference was −3.2% (95% CI −5.2% to −1.3%; P<0.001). No statistically significant effect was found on self- reported (marginal odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.98; P=0.82) or registered covid-19 infection (effect estimate and 95% CI not estimable owing to lack of events in the intervention arm). Self-reported sick leave was equally distributed between the intervention and control groups (marginal odds ratio 1.00, 0.81 to 1.22; P=0.97).

Conclusion

Wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces over 14 days reduces the risk of self-reported symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection, compared with not wearing a surgical face mask.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT05690516
.
Adolescent girls’ perceptions of the COVID-19 infodemic in Sierra Leone: a qualitative study in urban, peri-urban and rural Sierra Leone
Authors: Yillah Regina Mamidy , Wurie Haja Ramatulai , Reindorf Beryl , Sawaneh Alhaji , Hodges Mary Hamer , Turay Hamid
Published: July 2024

Objective

This study aimed to identify the primary sources of COVID-19 health information for adolescent girls in Sierra Leone and evaluate their perceived trustworthiness and influence on their behaviour.

Design

Using a convenience sampling strategy grounded in the social cognitive theory, the study explored adolescents' navigation and appraisal of health information sources, their understanding of COVID-19, and the impact of societal and observational influences on their health beliefs and actions. Data analysis involved thematic analysis using NVivo V.12 software, focusing on patterns within responses related to observational learning, trusted sources and behavioural outcomes.

Setting

Sierra Leone, July 2020.

Participants

16 focus group discussions were conducted among 86 adolescents (6–8 per group) aged 15–19 years in Sierra Leone.

Outcome measure

Primary sources of COVID-19 information.

Results

Adolescent girls identified a diverse range of health information sources, including schools, social media, health workers and radio, with notable differences in trust and preference based on geographical and social contexts. A noteworthy finding was the significant trust placed in health workers, marking a stark contrast to fear and mistrust during the Ebola emergency only 5 years previously. This renewed trust in health professionals emerged as a critical factor influencing adolescents’ health behaviours and acceptance of COVID-19 preventive measures.

Conclusion

This study underscores the complexity of navigating health information among adolescent girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the importance of tailored public health messaging that accounts for local cultural contexts, addresses misconceptions and builds on trusted information sources to foster effective health behaviours. Future interventions could prioritise enhancing educational resources, leveraging trusted community figures, and ensuring that health communication is scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive.
Efficacy and safety of a digital check-in and triage kiosk in emergency departments: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sehgal Himani Laxshmi Kaur , Greenfield Geva , Neves Ana Luisa , Harmon Mark , Majeed Azeem , Hayhoe Benedict
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Increasing demand for healthcare services worldwide has led to unprecedented challenges in managing patient flow and delivering timely care in emergency care settings. Overcrowding, prolonged waiting times, reduced patient satisfaction and increased mortality are some of the consequences of this increased demand. To address this issue, some healthcare providers have turned to digital systems, such as self-check-in kiosks, for efficient patient triage and prioritisation. While digital triage systems hold promise for efficient patient prioritisation, reduced data duplication, shorter waiting times, improved patient satisfaction, the impact on workflow, the accuracy of triage and staff workload require further exploration for successful implementation in emergency care settings. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of digital check-in and triage kiosk implementation within emergency departments.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review will be conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct and will include quantitative and mixed method studies with a significant quantitative component, related to self-service kiosk implementation in emergency departments. The outcomes of interest will focus on the efficacy and safety of digital triage, including triage time, workflow, the diagnostic accuracy of triage and adverse events. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A narrative synthesis will be used to summarise the findings of the included studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This review is exempt from ethical approval because it will be analysing published studies containing non-identifiable data. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024481506.
Evaluation of the risk relationship between average alcohol volume consumed and suicide in the USA: an analysis of mortality linked cohort data
Authors: Lange Shannon , Zhu Yachen , Probst Charlotte
Published: July 2024

Objective

Alcohol use disorder is an established risk factor for suicide; however, it is largely unknown whether subclinical levels of drinking may also contribute to the risk of suicide. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between average alcohol volume consumed per day and suicide.

Methods

Data from the annual, cross-sectional National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2018 in the USA, was obtained and linked to the 2019 National Death Index. The association between average alcohol volume consumed in grams per day (g/day) and suicide was quantified using Cox proportional hazards model (multiplicative) and Aalen’s additive hazard model. All analyses were stratified by sex, and adjusted for education, marital status, psychological distress, race and ethnicity, and survey year.

Results

On the multiplicative scale, for males, former drinkers and those who consumed on average >40-60 g/day had about 43% (HR=1.43, 95% CI 1.03, 2.01) and 72% (HR=1.72, 95% CI 1.14, 2.60) greater risk of dying by suicide, compared with lifetime abstainers, respectively. There was no significant association found for former or current drinkers among females, on the multiplicative scale. On the additive scale, for males, drinking >40-60 g/day on average was associated with 22.7 (95% CI 6.0, 39.4) additional deaths per 100 000 person-years, while for females, being a former drinker and drinking >0-20 g/day on average was associated with 5.5 (95% CI 0.7, 10.4) and 1.9 (95% CI 0.2, 3.5) additional deaths per 100 000 person-years, compared with lifetime abstainers. The level of education was not found to modify the focal relationship for males or females.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the relationship between average alcohol volume consumed per day and suicide is nuanced. Additional research on the respective relationship is needed, including repeated measures of average alcohol consumption over time.
Acceptability and feasibility of video-based firearm safety education in a Colorado emergency department for caregivers of adolescents in firearm-owning households
Authors: Haasz Maya , Betz Marian E , Ambroggio Lilliam , Cafferty Rachel , King Cheryl A , Wong Shale , Leonard Jan , Brooks-Russell Ashley , Sigel Eric
Published: July 2024

Background

Easy firearm access increases injury risk among adolescents. We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of improving knowledge of a 3 min safe firearm storage education video in the paediatric emergency department.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre block trial in a large paediatric emergency department (August 2020–2022). Participants were caregivers of adolescents (10–17 years) in firearm-owning households. First block participants (control) completed a baseline survey about child safety behaviours (including firearms). Second block participants (intervention) completed a baseline survey, watched the safe firearm storage video and evaluated acceptability. Participants completed a 3-month follow-up survey about firearm safety behaviours and knowledge recall. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between the intervention and control groups using Fisher’s exact and χ2tests. McNemar’s test was used to compare firearm storage behaviours at the initial and 3-month visit within each group.

Results

Research staff approached 1264 caregivers; 371 consented to participate (29.4%) and 144 (38.8%) endorsed firearm ownership. There were 95 participants in the control group and 62 in the intervention group. Follow-up was lower in the intervention group (53.7% vs 37.1%, p=0.04). Among participants viewing the video, 80.3% liked the video and 50.0% felt they learnt something new from the video.

Conclusions

Video-based firearm education in a paediatric emergency department is acceptable among a population of caregivers of adolescents with household firearms. This is a higher-risk group that may uniquely benefit from consistent education in the paediatric emergency department. Further study with larger populations is needed to evaluate intervention effectiveness.

Trial registration

The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05168878).
Genetic characterisation of lymphogranuloma venereum in Spain: a multicentre study
Authors: Salmerón Paula , Serra-Pladevall Judit , Vall-Mayans Martí , Villa Laura , Otero-Guerra Luis , Milagro Ana , Maciá María D , Bernal Samuel , Piñeiro Luis
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused byChlamydia trachomatisgenotypes L1–L3. A combination of techniques with high discriminatory capacity such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and the analysis of theompAgene may be useful to determine the greater penetration of certain strains in transmission networks and their relationship with certain tropisms.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of LGV isolates from different regions of Spain.

Methods

Genetic characterisation of LGV isolates detected in six hospitals from Spain between 2018 and 2019 was performed. MLST (five variable regions:hctB, CT058, CT144, CT172 andpbpB) andompAsequence determination were used to study the LGV strains.

Results

Most of the 161 LGV isolates (93.8%) were detected in men who have sex with men (MSM). At least 43.5% of the patients presented with HIV coinfection and 53.4% were symptomatic, with proctitis being the most prevalent symptom (73.3%). Most isolates were detected in Barcelona (n=129).

The distribution ofompAgenovariants was as follows: 56.1% belonged to L2, 24.3% to L2b, 5.4% to L2bV1, 4.7% to L2bV4, 4.1% to L1, 2.7% to L2b/D-Da, 2.0% to L2bV2 and 0.7% to L2bV7. MLST was successfully performed in 81 samples and 9 different sequence types (STs) were detected. TheompAand MLST combination obtained 17 different genetic profiles, with L2-ST53 and L2-ST58 being the most prevalent (29.5% and 14.1%, respectively). L1 genotype strains belonged to ST23 (n=3) and ST2 (n=3).

Conclusion

LGV infections were mainly found in MSM living with HIV and with proctitis. The joint analysis ofompAand MLST genetic characterisation techniques showed a high discriminatory capacity. Our findings suggest a cocirculation of L2 and L2bompAgenotypes, and with the inclusion of MLST characterisation, the most prevalent profiles wereompAgenotype L2-MLST ST53 and L2-MLST ST58.
Interconnected Plasmonic Nanogap Antennas for Sub-Bandgap Photodetection via Hot Carrier Injection
Authors: Grasso John , Raman Rahul , Willis Brian G.
Published: July 2024

Modern integrated circuits have active components on the order of nanometers. However, optical devices are often limited by diffraction effects with dimensions measured in wavelengths. Nanoscale photodetectors capable of converting light into electrical signals are necessary for the miniaturization of optoelectronic applications. Strong coupling of light and free electrons in plasmonic nanostructures overcomes these limitations by confining light into sub-wavelength volumes with intense local electric fields. Localized electric fields are intensified at nanorod ends and in nanogap regions between nanostructures. Hot carriers generated within these high-field regions from nonradiative decay of surface plasmons can be injected into the conduction band of adjacent semiconductors, enabling sub-bandgap photodetection. The optical properties of these plasmonic photodetectors can be tuned by modifying antenna materials and geometric parameters like size, thickness, and shape. Electrical interconnects provide connectivity to convert light into electrical signals. In this work, interconnected nanogap antennas fabricated with 35 nm gaps are encapsulated with ALD-deposited [Formula: see text], enabling photodetection via Schottky barrier junctions. Photodetectors with high responsivity (12[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/mW) are presented for wavelengths below the bandgap of [Formula: see text] (3.2[Formula: see text]eV). These plasmonic nanogap antennas are sub-wavelength, tunable photodetectors with sub-bandgap responsivity for a broad spectral range.
Fault Detection of Turntable Bearing of Engineering Lifting Machinery Based on Adaptive Fireworks Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Liang
Published: July 2024

The traditional fault detection methods for turntable bearings mainly rely on manual inspection and simple vibration signal analysis. Although these methods can detect faults to a certain extent, they have limitations such as low efficiency, low accuracy, and susceptibility to human factors. To overcome the challenges and limitations of traditional methods, we propose a fault detection method for engineering crane turntable bearings based on the adaptive fireworks algorithm (AFA). Fault detection of turntable bearing of engineering lifting machinery based on an AFA is an innovative method using the fireworks algorithm (FWA) for fault detection. FWA is a kind of optimization algorithm with global search and local search ability, which can effectively solve complex engineering problems. In the fault detection of turntable bearing of engineering lifting machinery, the FWA adaptively adjusts the radius and number of fireworks explosions, so that the algorithm can search in the global scope and detect the fault more accurately. At the same time, the FWA also has a local search ability, which can carry out fine search of the fault area and improve the accuracy of fault detection. By applying the FWA to the fault detection of turntable bearing of engineering lifting machinery, the efficiency and accuracy of fault detection can be effectively improved, the cost of fault detection can be reduced, and the safe operation of engineering lifting machinery can be guaranteed. The fault detection method of turntable bearing of engineering lifting machinery based on an AFA is an innovative method with broad application prospects and can provide an effective solution for the fault detection of engineering lifting machinery.
FRACTAL GEOMETRY-BASED RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR MIMO RADAR
Authors: LI HUI , LOU AO , ZOU BORONG , CHENG YUANYANG , WANG KANG-JIA
Published: July 2024

The netted Collocated Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (C-MIMO) radar systems have attracted widespread attention due to their high resolution and excellent target detection capabilities. The self-similarity and spatial filling properties of fractal geometry enable antenna layouts to function effectively across multiple scales and frequency bands, which helps improve the overall performance and resource utilization of systems. In this paper, a radar array element model based on the Fudgeflake fractal is used to establish a target localization performance model directly related to power bandwidth allocation. Based on the model, a three-step solving strategy was designed with the Sequence Quadratic Program (SQP) algorithm as the foundation to achieve optimized allocation of power and bandwidth while maximizing overall performance. Experimental results demonstrate that under this algorithm, the use of power bandwidth resources is optimized through fractal geometry-based design.
Manipulating Recommender Systems: A Survey of Poisoning Attacks and Countermeasures
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Toan , Quoc Viet hung Nguyen , Nguyen Thanh Tam , Huynh Thanh Trung , Nguyen Thanh Thi , Weidlich Matthias , Yin Hongzhi
Published: July 2024

Recommender systems have become an integral part of online services due to their ability to help users locate specific information in a sea of data. However, existing studies show that some recommender systems are vulnerable to poisoning attacks, particularly those that involve learning schemes. A poisoning attack is where an adversary injects carefully crafted data into the process of training a model with the goal of manipulating the system’s final recommendations. Based on recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), such attacks have gained importance recently. At present, we do not have a full and clear picture of why adversaries mount such attacks, nor do we have comprehensive knowledge of the full capacity to which such attacks can undermine a model or the impacts that might have. While numerous countermeasures to poisoning attacks have been developed, they have not yet been systematically linked to the properties of the attacks. Consequently, assessing the respective risks and potential success of mitigation strategies is difficult, if not impossible. This survey aims to fill this gap by primarily focusing on poisoning attacks and their countermeasures. This is in contrast to prior surveys that mainly focus on attacks and their detection methods. Through an exhaustive literature review, we provide a novel taxonomy for poisoning attacks, formalise its dimensions, and accordingly organise 31 attacks described in the literature. Further, we review 43 countermeasures to detect and/or prevent poisoning attacks, evaluating their effectiveness against specific types of attacks. This comprehensive survey should serve as a point of reference for protecting recommender systems against poisoning attacks. The article concludes with a discussion on open issues in the field and impactful directions for future research. A rich repository of resources associated with poisoning attacks is available at
https://github.com/tamlhp/awesome-recsys-poisoning
.
Anthropology of and from the Ocean
Authors: Dua Jatin
Published: July 2024

The ocean has a key, though often unremarked, role in shaping everyday life, from impacting weather patterns and food supplies to facilitating, and contesting, systems of capitalism, including contemporary logistics, empires, mobility, and migration. Beginning with early debates on maritime anthropology, this review traces the shift from maritime anthropology to an anthropology of and from the ocean. It notes the ways that the ocean appears and disappears as metaphor or material space of encounter and engagement within the past, present, and possible futures of anthropology. It shows how absence and presence as well as metaphor and materiality are the modes through which oceans are imagined and inhabited. While there is no distinct oceanic turn in anthropology in contrast with a number of other disciplines, the anthropology of and from the ocean holds the possibility to reenergize anthropology's interdisciplinary encounters, including with history and geography, as well as modes of engaging scale and specificity.
Well-Being Within and Beyond the Body: Toward Careful Planetary Engagements
Authors: Kavedžija Iza
Published: July 2024

Discourses of well-being can direct attention beyond individual bodies, toward mental health and wider social relationships. Paradoxically, these discourses are also applied in contexts where living well is understood in terms of individual responsibility and agency, entangled with the neoliberal optimization of health. Anthropologists have recently argued that it is now crucial to move beyond the conceptualization of well-being as pertaining primarily to individuals. Such a conceptualization, though welcome, can have undesirable practical and political consequences. In this review, I show how well-being intersects with recent work in the anthropology of ethics, how it is embodied and emplaced, and how it is closely intertwined with (rather than simply opposed to) suffering. Furthermore, while experienced as embodied, well-being is deeply affected by the suffering of others—and not only human others. As such, it could fruitfully be understood as a form of affective common. In contexts of complex environmental challenges and changes, inequality, and conflict, I suggest that studies of well-being call for a focus on experience beyond the individual: an affective enlargement entwining forms of care, maintenance, and repair.
Exploring Magnetic Attributes: Borospherene-Like and Buckminsterfullerene-Like Lattices in Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Fadil Z. , Raorane Chaitany Jayprakash , Kabouchi D. , El Fdil R. , Alsayyari Abdulrahman A. , Saadaoui S. , Kim Seong-Cheol , Mhirech A. , Salmani E.
Published: July 2024

This study explores the magnetic properties of Borospherene-like and Buckminsterfullerene-like lattices using Monte Carlo simulation, revealing novel behaviors. The dependency of blocking temperature (T

B
) on external magnetic field strength (H), linear coupling interaction (J), and biquadratic coupling interaction (K) was studied and compared between the two lattice types. Additionally, the evolution of coercive field (H

C
) with J and K parameters for both lattice types was analyzed. This study highlights the unique magnetic responses of these lattices and their potential applications in magnetic research and nanotechnology.
Identification of eupneic breathing using machine learning
Authors: Khurram Obaid U. , Mantilla Carlos B. , Sieck Gary C.
Published: July 2024

The heterogeneity of diaphragm muscle (DIAm) activity in awake animals reflects real motor behavior diversity but makes assessments of eupneic breathing challenging. The present article uses an unsupervised machine learning model to identify eupneic breathing amidst a deluge of different DIAm electromyography (EMG) burst patterns in awake rats. This technique offers a scalable and reliable tool that improves efficiency of DIAm EMG analysis and minimizes potential sources of bias.