bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of hollowed neck designs on sound radiation and loudness of baglama
Authors: Şahinkayası Yunis , Değirmenli Emir , Şahinkayası Hamide , Öztorun Ünal
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the effects of two experimental (patented) neck designs on sound radiation and the perceived loudness of the baglama, a stringed instrument. The primary hypothesis of this research is that compared to traditional neck, the experimental neck designs increase the stringed instrument's air volume and vibrating surface area, thereby contributing to radiation efficiency and perceived loudness. Sound radiation analysis based on acoustic modal analysis and psychoacoustic analysis were conducted. First, sound radiation measurements were made in an experimental setup. The data were then examined using the Frequency Response Function (FRF). The results revealed that the experimental necked baglamas’ sound radiated better than the traditional one. Second, listening (N=38) and playability (N=26) tests were conducted in focus group interviews. The participants listened to or played traditional and experimental necked baglamas and rated their loudness. The Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank test on the scores indicated that the participants perceived the experimental necked baglamas as significantly louder than the traditional one. Most participants stated that the experimental necked baglamas sounded higher and had better quality than the traditional one. Psychoacoustic findings corroborated the results of sound radiation analysis.
Patient Perspectives on Adapting Collaborative Care for Opioid Use Disorder With Depression and/or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Leamon Isabel M. , Jacobsohn Vanessa , Dopp Alex R. , Hindmarch Grace , Ceballos Venice , Komaromy Miriam , Watkins Katherine E. , Osilla Karen Chan
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Background: Individuals with opioid use disorder and cooccurring mental health concerns experience heightened consequences and lower rates of treatment access. Engaging patients as research partners alongside health systems is critical for tailoring care for this population. Collaborative care is promising for the treatment of co-occurring disorders Objectives: We used a community-participatory partnered research1 approach to partner with patients, providers, and clinic administrators to adapt and implement a collaborative care intervention for co-occurring disorders in primary care. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with patients to assess their feedback on the proposed collaborative care model before intervention implementation. A first round of interviews was conducted to obtain patient feedback on our adaptation ideas ( n = 11). The team then incorporated these suggestions, beta-tested the intervention with participants ( n = 9), and assessed participant feedback. Data were analyzed using rapid content analysis and then implemented by health systems. Results: Patient feedback underscored the need for the care coordinator (CC) to be trained in patient engagement and stigma reduction and to provide assistance around socioeconomic barriers and relapse. Patients shared that it was helpful to have the CC address co-occurring disorders, emphasized the need for the CC to be flexible, and expressed that tele-health was acceptable. Patient feedback was integrated in subsequent CC training with health systems. Conclusions: The present research demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of incorporating patient perspectives into treatment design and implementation in health systems using community-participatory partnered research .
COVID-19 Vaccination Program for Migrant and Refugee Women in Western Australia: Community-Led Approach and Decolonizing Practice Reflections
Authors: Hartley Lisa , Abdullah Lana , Shah Sobia , Ishrad Anam
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted culturally and racially marginalized (CARM) migrants in Australia, with communities having varying levels of accurate knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines. At the height of the pandemic, public health programs that prioritized colonial knowledge and practices resulted in negative social, economic, and health outcomes for CARM communities. To support access to COVID-19 vaccinations and equity in delivery, therefore, it is critical that awareness-raising programs are tailored to meet all communities’ intersecting needs. In this paper, we share our reflections on a community-led COVID-19 vaccination awareness program designed specifically for CARM migrant women in Perth, Western Australia. The program was led by CARM migrant women who delivered five public information sessions for women in the Pakistani, Iraqi, Chin, and Indonesian communities. This paper offers an overview of the program and critical reflections on the challenges involved in community-led programs that are underpinned by a commitment to decolonization.
Practical Incorporation of Stakeholder-Informed Ethics into Research Funding Decisions
Authors: Lee Merton , Brandt Nicole , Reyes Carmen E. , Mansour Daniel , Maslow Katie , Sarkisian Catherine
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Research funding has been criticized as biased against novel initiatives and lacking diversity, which leads to further disparities. Patient and stakeholder engagement could support research that goes beyond traditional paradigms and increases diversity. However, best practices to engage stakeholders in research, including funding decisions, continue to be developed. We report on the implementation of stakeholder input in two federally funded initiatives, one that seeks to advance research reducing disparities, and the other seeks to advance deprescribing research. Overall, the review process includes stakeholders as decision makers and supports their efforts through group discussion and other activities. Reconciling stakeholder input that may differ from scientific peer review is a challenge within the decision for funding. Lessons learned include balancing stakeholder and scientific assessments and including guidance on stakeholder engagement to grant awardees.
Water Is K’é: Learning from the Navajo Community to Promote Early Child Health
Authors: George Carmen , John Brianna , Goldtooth-Halwood Renee , Hecht Ken , Hecht Christina , Vollmer Laura , Benally Louise , Yazzie Asia Soleil , Whitman Rachel , Egge Malyssa , Nelson Nora , Bitah Kerlissa , Bennet Eva , Mott Olivia , Mark Janet , Salt Shine K. , Edison Tierra H. M. , Shin Sonya S.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Background: Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is key to reducing health disparities. Since beverage habits are shaped by complex personal, community, and environmental factors, community input is critical to design any intervention promoting water. Objectives: We worked with community partners to design a program to promote healthy beverage habits among young Navajo children. Methods: The socioecological model, community-based participatory methods, and strengths-based principles shaped our process. In Phase 1, multigenerational feedback taught us about the cultural importance of water and how water quality concerns influence beverage choices. In Phase 2, our Water is K’é Community Advisory Group played a leading role to design the intervention centered around cultural connection, health literacy, and water access. Lessons Learned: Water is K’é was created through community partnership. Community listening and mini-pilots take time but allows the program to meet community’s needs and interests. Conclusions: The solutions to health disparities lie within the community itself.
Reading against Feeling: The Structure of Feeling, Practical Criticism, and Stuart Hall's Migrant Study
Authors: Ritland Laura
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Ritland identifies "feeling" and "study" as opposing concepts in the work of British-Jamaican cultural studies founder Stuart Hall. Where "feeling" for cultural theorists like Raymond Williams represented the incorporation of human agents' affective experiences into "culture," Hall found this social model dissatisfying for its elision of the difference between real-world determination and agents' subjective experiences of those worldly conditions. Hall thus forwarded a situated hermeneutics that Ritland calls "migrant study." By referring back to the literary pedagogical approach "practical criticism," Hall was able to insist on a distinction between determination and interpretation to open up opportunities for anticolonial resistance. This model of interpretation is grounded in a version of subaltern agency that views the "text" as an object available to critique through the colonial migrant's very condition of determination.
The Tangle of Evolution: Walter Benjamin as a Reader of Edgar Dacqué's Natural Philosophy
Authors: Giannuzzi Mariaenrica
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Because Walter Benjamin's main articulation of natural history is speculative and disseminated across a number of major texts, starting with the study of the Trauerspiel and the unfinished Passagenwerk, his engagement with natural history as a corpus of scientific knowledge has not yet received the scholarly attention it deserves. Against the backdrop of the recursive popularity of natural history as a literary genre for assessing "what we are and where we are going"—from Yuval Harari's overarching narrative of homo sapiens to Meike Stoverock's feminist evolutionary history—this essay takes a literal, epistemological, and historically situated approach to natural history as a Weimar-era discipline for investigating human evolution from animal to man. In particular, I provide an account of the thought of Edgar Dacqué, who was a leading geologist and paleontologist of National Socialism, the intellectual milieu in which he worked, the reasons for his popularity; not secondarily, the utility for Benjamin of critiquing this esoteric natural history and thus transferring the fascination with the "grotesque" from the realm of science to that of literature.
Berlant's America
Authors: Hardt Michael
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Lauren Berlant's work is well-known for its fine-grained analyses of ambivalent emotions, complex affective conditions, and contradictory political states. This essay argues that in Berlant's writing we can also discern revolutionary political desire, often expressed indirectly, as if refracted through the prism of our present social condition. He offers a reading of the film Born in Flames as an example of the kind of revolutionary desire he finds in Berlant's work.
Design of a switchable triple-waveguide-based TE-converted polarization beam splitter based on lithium niobate
Authors: Xia Jun , Fei Yedeng , Ni Yi
Published: September 2024

The lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform has been the new force to drive the developments of integrated photonics, where efficient polarization management and mode conversion are the fundamental issues to be solved. In this work, we proposed a switchable TE-converted polarization beam splitter (PBS) based on optical phase change material (PCM) and a triple-waveguide in simulation. To optimize and analyze the proposed design, the 3D finite difference time domain (3D-FDTD) method is applied in this work. The simulated results indicate that when PCM is in the amorphous state, the device can effectively separate the TM and TE modes, achieving a low insertion loss (<0.5dB) for both modes at 1550 nm. While the PCM is in the crystalline state, the proposed device can realize the efficient conversion from the input TE0 mode to output TE1 mode, which obtains a mode conversion efficiency of 99.5%, crosstalk of −26dB, and insertion loss of 0.5 dB at 1550 nm. We hope such a device can make compact integration and capacity improvement for the integrated photonics in LNOI.
Generation of sub-100 fs vortices from a Kerr-lens mode-locked Hermite–Gaussian Yb:CALGO oscillator
Authors: Wu Fan , Liu Heyan , Yan Lisong , Liu Hongyu , Cui Qingzhe , Dai Kunjian , Li Hengyang , Qin Yingxiong , Wang Qing , Zhang Jinwei
Published: September 2024

Mode-locked oscillators with high-order transverse modes are excellent platforms for generating femtosecond optical vortices with high average power and good propagation stability. These have important applications in diverse fields such as optical communication, strong-field physics, and laser processing. So far, generating vortex pulses with ultrashort pulse duration remains a challenge. In this Letter, we report a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALGO laser oscillator delivering Hermite–Gaussian (HG) pulses with a pulse duration of 86 fs using a non-collinear pumping technique. 91 fs optical vortex pulses were generated by using a cylindrical-lens mode converter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the shortest pulse duration ever obtained from a diode pumped solid-state mode-locked oscillator with a pure high-order Hermite–Gaussian mode. The phase structures of the generated femtosecond vortices are characterized.
Time-delay signature elimination of chaotic laser via a self-feedback antisymmetric resonator
Authors: Zuo Guomeng , Shao Liyang , Xie Qijie , Na Quanxin , Liu Huabei , Ma Chunyang , Wang Lei , Yu Shaohua
Published: September 2024

A scheme for generating a chaotic output from a semiconductor laser while eliminating the time-delay signature (TDS) is proposed, leveraging the multi-path feedback provided by a self-feedback antisymmetric coupling fiber ring resonator (SACFRR). A theoretical model is developed to elucidate the feedback perturbation process in the proposed structure. The multi-path feedback can be modeled by incorporating the unit impulse response of the SACFRR into the modified Lang–Kobayashi-based model. We successfully eliminated the TDS using the SACFRR structure in our experimental demonstration. Further investigation into the impact of the coupling coefficient on the TDS revealed that the optimal value is 0.3, which results in the largest mapping area with the TDS below 0.03. The proposed structure is highly effective and simple to implement and integrate. As a result, the chaotic laser generated by this structure can serve as an efficient optical source for encrypted communications, chaotic Lidar, and random bit generation.
Compact low-half-wave-voltage thin film lithium niobate electro-optic phase modulator fabricated by photolithography-assisted chemo-mechanical etching (PLACE)
Authors: Gao Lang , Liang Youting , Chen Jinming , Yu Jianping , Qi Jia , Song Lvbin , Liu Jian , Liu Zhaoxiang , Fang Zhiwei , Qi Hongxin , Cheng Ya
Published: September 2024

We present a compact dual-arm thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) electro-optic phase modulator fabricated using the photolithography-assisted chemo-mechanical etching (PLACE) technique. The design of the device doubles the modulation amount compared to single-arm modulators while maintaining the same chip length. Achieving a half-wave voltage of approximately 3 V, the device outperforms conventional single-arm phase modulators. Furthermore, the phase modulator exhibits low sensitivity to optical wavelengths in the range of 1510–1600 nm and offers a low insertion loss of 2.8 dB. The capability to generate multiple sideband signals for optical frequency comb applications is also demonstrated, producing 29 sideband signals at an input microwave power of 2 W.
A Hypothetical Experimental Approach to Prove the Existence of an Absolutely Stationary Reference Frame by Using the Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: zhou jiajun , Zhou Qinyan
Published: September 2024

Vacuum is an absolutely static reference system. When light propagates in a vacuum, it moves in an absolutely static reference system. The propagation speed of light in a medium is a constant, which has nothing to do with the motion state of the light source, the observer or the receiver. When light propagates in a medium, it is dragged by the inertia of the medium. While light propagates in a vacuum, the vacuum is absolutely static, which cannot drag the light to move, and the speed, position, and direction of light in a vacuum are fixed. Based on this theory, a light interference experiment can be performed as proof, using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The principle of the experiment is to split the laser into two beams of light at a half-reflecting mirror, one of which passes through a vacuum quartz tube and reaches the screen, the other does not pass through the tube; however, both of the beams converge on the screen, forming interference fringes. Because the speed, position, and direction of light in a vacuum are fixed and the absolute motion of the earth will drive the vacuum quartz tube to move,when the absolute direction of the earth's motion and the direction of light propagation are parallel to each other,light will have an extra optical path in the tube; when they are perpendicular to each other, light will not have the extra optical path in the tube, so after the instrument has turned 90 degrees, the interference fringes will move. The key to this experiment is to create a vacuum. The structure of the experiment is simple that I hope someone could make an experimental verification.
According to this theory, it can be concluded that the essence of Fizeau experiment , Sagnac effect and Hoek experiment is the same. The reverse process of Fizeau experiment is Sagnac effect, vice versa. According to this theory, the Fizeau experiment has a calculated result of movement at 0.236 fringes and a measured value at 0.23 fringes; in the case of Ruyong Wang's experiment "Generalized Sagnac Effect", the moving phase difference has a calculated result at 0.000251 and measured value at 0.000246 in the experiment. Obviously, this theory is more consistent with the experimental measurement results and the theoretical explanation is more real and natural.
The Sagnac effect, Mach-Zehnder interferometer and Michelson interferometer can all be used to conduct experiments based on this principle to verify whether there is an absolutely stationary reference system. Among them, the Sagnac effect has the highest accuracy, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer the second and the Michelson interferometer the lowest. If Michelson and Morley had used a 11m-long vacuum quartz tube for the experiment, they might have observed a movement of 0.373 interference fringesand there might have no so-called "dark clouds".
This experiment is actually to measure the Sagnac effect of the Earth's rotation by using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Identification of a highly efficient chloroplast-targeting peptide for plastid engineering
Authors: Thagun Chonprakun , Odahara Masaki , Kodama Yutaka , Numata Keiji
Published: September 2024

Plastids are pivotal target organelles for comprehensively enhancing photosynthetic and metabolic traits in plants via plastid engineering. Plastidial proteins predominantly originate in the nucleus and must traverse membrane-bound multiprotein translocons to access these organelles. This import process is meticulously regulated by chloroplast-targeting peptides (cTPs). Whereas many cTPs have been employed to guide recombinantly expressed functional proteins to chloroplasts, there is a critical need for more efficient cTPs. Here, we performed a comprehensive exploration and comparative assessment of an advanced suite of cTPs exhibiting superior targeting capabilities. We employed a multifaceted approach encompassing computational prediction, in planta expression, fluorescence tracking, and in vitro chloroplast import studies to identify and analyze 88 cTPs associated with Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with phenotypes linked to chloroplast function. These polypeptides exhibited distinct abilities to transport green fluorescent protein (GFP) to various compartments within leaf cells, particularly chloroplasts. A highly efficient cTP derived from Arabidopsis plastid ribosomal protein L35 (At2g24090) displayed remarkable effectiveness in chloroplast localization. This cTP facilitated the activities of chloroplast-targeted RNA-processing proteins and metabolic enzymes within plastids. This cTP could serve as an ideal transit peptide for precisely targeting biomolecules to plastids, leading to advancements in plastid engineering.
Compliance with COVID-19 government guidance and rules by disabled people and people from minoritised ethnic groups: Qualitative findings from the CICADA study
Authors: Rivas Carol , Anand Kusha , Moore Amanda P.
Published: September 2024

Within the 2020/21 CICADA (Coronavirus Intersectionalities: Chronic Conditions or Disabilities and Migrants and other Ethnic minorities) study, we explored full, partial or noncompliance with government COVID-19 infection-containment measures by people from minoritised ethnic groups with a disabling health condition or impairment. We used an assets-based intersectional approach and purposive sampling, included non-disabled and White British comparators, and trained community co-researchers to help us reach undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. We undertook 271 semi-structured qualitative interviews, followed by participatory workshops with interviewees to explore data and changes in experiences five and 10 months after the interviews. Perceiving their vulnerability to COVID-19, most participants quickly and often zealously adopted infection-containment behaviours, and continued this after restrictions were lifted. This could reduce mental wellbeing, especially in community-facing cultures, and could create family conflict. Various structural inequities impeded compliance. Many, especially undocumented migrants, felt imprisoned. The intersection of gender, citizenship, socioeconomic status and culture impacted disclosures of COVID-19 infection, support seeking and use. Many were unclear what was safe as well as unsafe. People complained that disability and cultural considerations were omitted from policymaking. Participants mostly had taken the COVID-19 vaccine by October 2022, but ethnic minority participants needed time to deliberate and trusted, community-embedded information whereas White British participants were mostly influenced by mass media. The intersection of health condition or impairment, poverty, and living alone led to more non-compliance with general rules, and more vaccine hesitancy than did misinformation spread through ethnic community channels. Many participants were reluctant to reintegrate in May 2022 because of continued perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 but by September 2022 = seemed more concerned about the economic crisis. We add two new ‘types’ to existing compliance typologies: deliberators (who eventually decide to follow the rules), and ‘necessity-driven non-compliers’ who are totally unable to comply because of their disabilities.
Private well water stewardship in rural Georgia
Authors: Dotherow J. Edward , Apenteng Bettye , Hansen Andrew , Aslan Asli
Published: September 2024

This study sought to identify the psychosocial influences on the practice of well stewardship behaviors (water testing, water treatment, and well maintenance) in rural Georgia, USA. Three interventions (education, the provision of household water treatment systems [HWTS], and both education and HWTS) were evaluated using a four-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 64 private well owners completed a pretest measuring psychosocial factors and stewardship behaviors before receiving an intervention. Following a 104-day waiting period, participants completed a posttest and interviews were conducted to identify the barriers and facilitators to use (S1 File). Pretest results showed that 34% of well owners have ever tested their water and that only 25% treat their water before consumption. The education-only intervention showed no influence on stewardship behaviors, resulted in no new water tests and had no impact on psychosocial factors. The HWTS-only intervention had no significant effect on testing and treatment behaviors, though it had a significant effect on abilities (R2 = .87, p< 0.05) and self-regulation (R2 = 1.0, p<0.01). The intervention of both education and HWTS had no effect on testing and no significant effect on treatment behaviors, though had a significant effect on abilities (R2 = .84, p<0.05) and self-regulation (R2 = .93, p<0.05). This study identified three barriers to the use of HWTS: beliefs, knowledge, and functionality. Two factors (piece of mind and ease of use) were identified as facilitators to the use of HWTS. The results of this study indicate that providing water treatment systems does not guarantee use and that current educational efforts provided by state and local health departments may be ineffective.
Coumarin derivatives as new anti-biofilm agents against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wahab Atia-tul- , Nadeem Faiza , Salar Uzma , Bilal Hafiz Muhammad , Farooqui Mehak , Javaid Sumaira , Sadaf Sohira , Khan Khalid M. , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: September 2024

Staphylococcus aureus infections are the primary causes of morbidity, and mortality, particularly in immuno-compromised individuals. S. aureus associated infections are acquired from community, as well as hospital settings, and difficult to treat because of the emerging resistance against available antibiotics. One of the key factors of its resistance is the biofilm formation, which can be targeted to treat S. aureus-induced infections. Currently, there is no drug available that function by targeting the biofilm. This unmet need demands the discovery of drug candidates against S. aureus biofilm. The present study was designed to evaluate coumarin derivatives 1–21 against S. aureus biofilm. The 96-well plate crystal violet assay was employed for the quantification of biofilm. Results showed that the coumarin derivatives 2–4, 10, and 17 possess potent antibiofilm activity, with MBIC values between 25–100 μg/mL. The results were further confirmed through atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron (SEM), and fluorescence microscopic studies. The quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed the downregulation of biofilm associated genes, icaA and icaD. These coumarin derivatives were also found to be non-cytotoxic to fibroblasts. This study, therefore, identifies the antibiofilm potential of coumarin derivatives that will pave the way for further research on these derivatives.
SARS-CoV2 pneumonia patients admitted to the ICU: Analysis according to clinical and biological parameters and the extent of lung parenchymal lesions on chest CT scan, a monocentric observational study
Authors: Krisht Abed al Hadi , Grapin Kévin , de Beauchene Romain Chauvot , Bonnet Benjamin , Cassagnes Lucie , Evrard Bertrand , Adda Mireille , Souweine Bertrand , Dupuis Claire
Published: September 2024

Background

CT-scan and inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers could help in prognostication of COVID-19 in patients on ICU admission.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to measure the prognostic value of the extent of lung parenchymal lesions on computed tomography (CT) and of several coagulation and inflammatory biomarkers, and to explore the characteristics of the patients depending on the extent of lung parenchymal lesions.

Design

Retrospective monocentric observational study achieved on a dataset collected prospectively.

Setting

Medical ICU of the university hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Patients

All consecutive adult patients aged ≥18 years admitted between 20 March, 2020 and 31 August, 2021 for COVID-19 pneumonia.

Interventions

Characteristics at baseline and during ICU stay, and outcomes at day 60 were recorded. The extent of lung parenchyma lesions observed on the chest CT performed on admission was established by artificial intelligence software.

Measurements

Several clinical characteristics and laboratory features were collected on admission including plasma interleukin-6, HLA-DR monocytic–expression rate (mHLA-DR), and the extent of lung parenchymal lesions. Factors associated with day-60 mortality were investigated by uni- and multivariate survival analyses.

Results

270 patients were included. Inflammation biomarkers including the levels of neutrophils, CRP, ferritin and Il10 were the indices the most associated with the severity of the extent of the lung lesions. Patients with more extensive lung parenchymal lesions (≥ 75%) on admission had higher CRP serum levels. The extent of lung parenchymal lesions was associated with a decrease in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio(p<0.01), fewer ventilatory-free days (p = 0.03), and a higher death rate at day 60(p = 0.01). Extent of the lesion of more than 75% was independently associated with day-60 mortality (aHR = 1.72[1.06; 2.78], p = 0.03). The prediction of death at day 60 was improved when considering simultaneously biological and radiological markers obtained on ICU admission (AUC = 0.78).

Conclusions

The extent of lung parenchyma lesions on CT was associated with inflammation, and the combination of coagulation and inflammatory biomarkers and the extent of the lesions predicted the poorest outcomes.
Cell-type specific methylation changes in the newborn child associated to obstetric pain relief
Authors: Tran Charles J. , Campbell Thomas L. , Johnson Ralen H. , Xie Lin Y. , Hultman Christina M. , van den Oord Edwin J. C. G. , Aberg Karolina A.
Published: September 2024

Although it is widely known that various pharmaceuticals affect the methylome, the knowledge of the effects from anesthesia is limited, and nearly nonexistent regarding the effects of obstetric anesthesia on the newborn child. Using sequencing based-methylation data and a reference-based statistical deconvolution approach we performed methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) of neonatal whole blood, and for each cell-type specifically, to detect methylation variations that are associated with the pain relief administered to the mother during delivery. Significant findings were replicated in a different dataset and followed-up with gene ontology analysis to pinpoint biological functions of potential relevance to these neonatal methylation alterations. The MWAS analyses detected methylome-wide significant (q<0.1) alterations in the newborn for laughing gas in granulocytes (two CpGs, p<5.50x10-9, q = 0.067), and for pudendal block in monocytes (five CpGs across three loci, p<1.51 x10-8, q = 0.073). Suggestively significant findings (p<1.00x10-6) were detected for both treatments for bulk and all cell-types, and replication analyses showed consistent significant enrichment (odds ratios ranging 3.47–39.02; p<4.00×10−4) for each treatment, suggesting our results are robust. In contrast, we did not observe any overlap across treatments, suggesting that the treatments are associated with different alterations of the neonatal blood methylome. Gene ontology analyses of the replicating suggestively significant results indicated functions related to, for example, cell differentiation, intracellular membrane-bound organelles and calcium transport. In conclusion, for the first time, we investigated and detected effect of obstetric pain-relief on the blood methylome in the newborn child. The observed differences suggest that anesthetic treatment, such as laughing gas or pudendal block, may alter the neonatal methylome in a cell-type specific manner. Some of the observed alterations are part of gene ontology terms that previously have been suggested in relation to anesthetic treatment, supporting its potential role also in obstetric anesthesia.
Fetal and neonatal echocardiographic analysis of biomechanical alterations for the systemic right ventricle heart
Authors: Meyers Brett A. , Bhattacharya Sayantan , Brindise Melissa C. , Loke Yue-Hin , Payne R. Mark , Vlachos Pavlos P.
Published: September 2024

Background

The perinatal transition’s impact on systemic right ventricle (SRV) cardiac hemodynamics is not fully understood. Standard clinical image analysis tools fall short of capturing comprehensive diastolic and systolic measures of these hemodynamics.

Objectives

Compare standard and novel hemodynamic echocardiogram (echo) parameters to quantify perinatal changes in SRV and healthy controls.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 10 SRV patients with echocardiograms at 33-weeks gestation and at day of birth and 12 age-matched controls. We used in-house developed analysis algorithms to quantify ventricular biomechanics from four-chamber B-mode and color Doppler scans. Cardiac morphology, hemodynamics, tissue motion, deformation, and flow parameters were measured.

Results

Tissue motion, deformation, and index measurements did not reliably capture biomechanical changes. Stroke volume and cardiac output were nearly twice as large for the SRV compared to the control RV and left ventricle (LV) due to RV enlargement. The enlarged RV exhibited disordered flow with higher energy loss (EL) compared to prenatal control LV and postnatal control RV and LV. Furthermore, the enlarged RV demonstrated elevated vortex strength (VS) and kinetic energy (KE) compared to both the control RV and LV, prenatally and postnatally. The SRV showed reduced relaxation with increased early filling velocity (E) compared prenatally to the LV and postnatally to the control RV and LV. Furthermore, increased recovery pressure (ΔP) was observed between the SRV and control RV and LV, prenatally and postnatally.

Conclusions

The novel hydrodynamic parameters more reliably capture the SRV alterations than traditional parameters.
Monitoring and enhancing the co-operation of IoT network rhrough scheduling function based punishment reward strategy
Authors: Sangi Abdur Rashid , Li Bingqian , Anamalamudi Satish , Carie Anil
Published: September 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the connectivity of physical devices, leading to an exponential increase in multimedia wireless traffic and creating substantial demand for radio spectrum. Given the inherent scarcity of available spectrum, Cognitive Radio (CR)-assisted IoT emerges as a promising solution to optimize spectrum utilization through cooperation between cognitive and IoT nodes. Unlicensed IoT nodes can opportunistically access licensed spectrum bands without causing interference to licensed users. However, energy constraints may lead to reduced cooperation from IoT nodes during the search for vacant channels, as they aim to conserve battery life. To address this issue, we propose a Punishment-reward-based Cooperative Sensing and Data Forwarding (PR-CSDF) approach for IoT data transmission. Our method involves two key steps: (1) distributing sensing tasks among IoT nodes and (2) enhancing cooperation through a reward and punishment strategy. Evaluation results demonstrate that both secondary users (SUs) and IoT nodes achieve significant utility gains with the proposed mechanism, providing strong incentives for cooperative behaviour.
The Effect of Internal and external imagery on learning badminton long serve skill: The role of visual and audiovisual imagery
Authors: Parimi Fateme , Abdoli Behrouz , Ramezanzade Hesam , Aghdaei Mahin
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to examine the impact of internal and external audiovisual imagery on the learning of the badminton long serve skill. A lot of 42 right-handed novice women were selected using availability sampling. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their scores from the visual imagery ability questionnaire and Bucknell auditory questionnaire: Visual-Internal imagery, Visual-External imagery, AudioVisual-Internal imagery and AudioVisual-External imagery groups. To generate an auditory pattern, the shoulder joint’s angular velocity of a skilled individual was recorded and translated into sound based on frequency characteristic changes. Subjects underwent four sessions of 40 trials each and subsequently participated in retention and transfer tests. Performance accuracy of the badminton long serve was assessed using the Scott and Fox standard test and repeated measures ANOVA was employed to compare performance across groups during test stages. While no significant differences were noted between groups during the acquisition stages, indicated that subjects in the AudioVisual imagery conditions outperformed those in Visual imagery during the retention test. Additionally, the AudioVisual-Internal Imagery group demonstrated superior performance compared to other groups. Internal imagery groups also exhibited better performance in the later stages of acquisition, retention and transfer tests compared to external imagery groups. These findings suggest that the incorporation of audiovisual imagery utilizing movement sonification, alongside physical practice, improves skill development more effectively than visual imagery alone.
Simultaneous costs minimizing in electricity and gas micro-grids with the presence of distributed generation
Authors: Behnia Shahryar , Kharrati Saeed , Khosravi Farshad , Rastgou Abdollah
Published: September 2024

Distributed generation can actively participate in the day-ahead markets, real-time power balance, and wholesale gas markets to achieve various goals, such as supplying gas to various electric power generation plants. A multi-objective network with two types of loads is considered in this paper. The reason for the simultaneous optimization of these two networks is that these two energy carriers are dependent on each other and gas is needed to produce electricity, so this issue can be addressed with a multi-objective function. The simulation carried out in this article is coded in GAMS software as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP). The efficiency of gas turbines and fuel cells in this article is dependent on their working point, and considering the exact model of these resources and the relationships related to the calculation of their fuel consumption is non-linear. On the other hand, a binary variable has been used to show the charging and discharging state of the storage and the on-and-off state of the gas turbines. Therefore, the problem considered in this article is a MILP problem. The results of this article are the proper planning of charging and discharging of the energy storage system with the proper planning of the power generation of different energy sources considering the network loads in two optimized and non-optimized scenarios.
Suspected intracranial hypertension in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure
Authors: Carbonara Marco , Ferrari Erica , Birg Tatiana , Punzi Veronica , Bichi Francesca , Lazzari Beatrice , Palmaverdi Valentina , Bottino Nicola , Ortolano Fabrizio , Zoerle Tommaso , Conte Giorgio , Stocchetti Nino , Zanier Elisa R. ,   The UOC Terapia Intensiva Presidio Temporaneo Fiera Milano investigators group
Published: September 2024

Background

COVID-19 patients may exhibit neurological symptoms due to direct viral damage, systemic inflammatory syndrome, or treatment side effects. Mechanical ventilation in patients with severe respiratory failure often requires sedation and neuromuscular blockade, hindering thorough clinical examinations. This study aimed to investigate neurological involvement through clinical and noninvasive techniques and to detect signs of intracranial hypertension in these patients.

Method

We conducted a prospective observational study on mechanically ventilated COVID-19 adult patients admitted to our ICU, following standard of care protocols for ventilation and permissive hypercapnia. Data were collected at three time points: admission day (T1), day seven (T7), and day fourteen (T14). At each time point, patients underwent multimodal noninvasive neurological monitoring, including clinical examination, pupillary reactivity, transcranial color doppler of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) assessed via ultrasound (US). Head computer tomography (CT) was performed at T1 and T14. A limited subset of patients had a follow-up examination six months after ICU discharge.

Results

Seventy-nine patients were recruited; most were under deep sedation and neuromuscular blockade at T1. Pupillary size, symmetry, and reactivity were normal, as was the MCA mean velocity. However, ONSD, assessed by both US and CT, appeared enlarged, suggesting raised intracranial pressure (ICP). In a subgroup of 12 patients, increased minute ventilation was associated with a significant decrease in US-ONSD, corresponding to a drop in paCO2. At follow-up, twelve patients showed no long-term neurological sequelae, and US-ONSD was decreased in all of them.

Discussion and conclusions

In this cohort, enlarged ONSD was detected during non-invasive neurological monitoring, suggesting a raised ICP, with hypercapnia playing a prominent role. Further studies are needed to explore ONSD behavior in other samples of mechanically ventilated, hypercapnic patients.
How Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing is used in indigenous health research: A scoping review
Authors: Roher Sophie I. G. , Martin Debbie H. , Yu Ziwa , Pride Tara , Amirault Marni , Rand Jenny R. , Benoit Anita C.
Published: September 2024

Our scoping review sought to describe how Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing is used and reported on in Indigenous health research. Using the JBI scoping review methodology, we extracted uses of Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing from 83 articles and then categorized the reported uses of Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing according to Huria et al.’s eight CONSIDER statement domains (governance, prioritization, relationships, methodologies, participation, capacity, analysis and interpretation, and dissemination). We found that while authors used Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing in varied ways and at different stages of their research projects, characterizations of the guiding principle were often insufficiently described or overly simplified. This scoping review intends to contribute to a greater dialogue about how Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing is conceptualized and used in Indigenous health research with the goal of encouraging more intentional reporting of the guiding principle.
A spatio-temporal methodology for greenhouse microclimatic mapping
Authors: Brentarolli Elia , Locatelli Silvia , Nicoletto Carlo , Sambo Paolo , Quaglia Davide , Muradore Riccardo
Published: September 2024

Greenhouse internal microclimate has been proven to be non-homogeneous in many aspects. However, this variability is only sometimes considered by greenhouse models, which often calculate climatic variables without any spatial reference. Farmers, on the other hand, may wish to have these differences highlighted as they could lead to aimed actions only for a specific area of the greenhouse, while at the same time, they are not willing to invest in sensors to be installed everywhere. This paper presents a data-driven methodology to generate a virtual 2D map of a greenhouse, which allows farmers to control any critical parameter they desire with minimum investment, as monitoring is done via soft sensing with only a few actual sensors. The proposed flow starts with a set of temporary sensors placed in the points of interest; then, a model for each of them is developed via linear regression and, finally, a map of the entire area can be derived by interpolating values from these models. This allows the generation of accurate models at a reduced cost as temporary sensors can be reused at other locations. The methodology has been tested on adjacent greenhouses and in two farms, where temperature and other climatic variables have been monitored. Experimental results show that the proposed methodology can reach an adjusted R2 value of 98% for predicting values in different greenhouse locations.
Berberine potentiates liver inflammation and fibrosis in the PI*Z hAAT transgenic murine model
Authors: Lu Yuanqing , Mohammad Naweed S. , Lee Jungnam , Aranyos Alek M. , Serban Karina A. , Brantly Mark L.
Published: September 2024

Background

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an inherited disease, the common variant caused by a Pi*Z mutation in the SERPINA1 gene. Pi*Z AAT increases the risk of pulmonary emphysema and liver disease. Berberine (BBR) is a nature dietary supplement and herbal remedy. Emerging evidence revealed that BBR has remarkable liver-protective properties against various liver diseases. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and toxicities of BBR in Pi*Z hepatocytes and Pi*Z transgenic mice.

Methods

Huh7.5 and Huh7.5Z (which carries the Pi*Z mutation) cells were treated with different concentrations of BBR for 48 hours. MTT was performed for cell viability assay. Intracellular AAT levels were evaluated by western blot. In vivo studies were carried out in wild type, native phenotype AAT (Pi*M), and Pi*Z AAT transgenic mice. Mice were treated with 50 mg/kg/day of BBR or solvent only by oral administration for 30 days. Western blot and liver histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate therapeutic benefits and liver toxicity of BBR.

Results

BBR reduced intracellular AAT levels in Huh7.5Z cells, meanwhile, no Pi*Z-specific toxicity was observed. However, BBR did not reduce liver AAT load but significantly potentiated liver inflammation and fibrosis accompanying the activation of unfolded protein response and mTOR in Pi*Z mice, but not in wild type and Pi*M mice.

Conclusions

BBR exacerbated liver inflammation and fibrosis specifically in Pi*Z mice. This adverse effect may be associated with the activation of unfolded protein response and mTOR. This study implicates that BBR should be avoided by AATD patients.
Adherence to cardiovascular medications and risk of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer patients: A causal inference approach in the Pathways Heart Study
Authors: Kwan Marilyn L. , Pimentel Noel , Izano Monika , Iribarren Carlos , Rana Jamal S. , Nguyen-Huynh Mai , Cheng Richard , Laurent Cecile A. , Lee Valerie S. , Roh Janise M. , Rillamas-Sun Eileen , Hershman Dawn L. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Greenlee Heather , Neugebauer Romain
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Women with breast cancer (BC) are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined adherence to CVD medications and their association with major CVD events over 14 years of follow-up in the Pathways Heart Study, a prospective study of 4,776 stage I-III BC patients diagnosed from 2005–2013.

Methods

Eligibility included being alive 6 months post-BC diagnosis, with dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes at diagnosis along with ≥1 prior outpatient order or dispensing for a statin, anti-hypertensive, or diabetes medication, respectively, in the 30 months prior. Medication adherence was measured from pharmacy data to calculate cumulative average adherence (CAA). Incident heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke were determined via validated diagnosis and procedure codes. Working marginal structural models (MSM) fitted with inverse probability weighting evaluated the effect of adherence regimens on the hazards for each CVD event, while controlling for baseline and time-varying confounders. MSM parameterizations included: 1) CAA<100% versus CAA = 100% (ref), 2) CAA<80% versus CAA≥80% (ref) and 3) CAA<80% versus 80%≤CAA<100% versus CAA = 100%.

Results

Poor statin adherence (CAA<80%) was associated with higher risk of composite CVD (HR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.09, 5.94) versus CAA≥80%. Poor statin adherence was also associated with a higher risk of stroke (HR = 8.13; 95% CI: 2.03, 32.51) but not risk of IHD and HF. Further, compared with perfect adherence (CAA = 100%), good adherence (80%≤CAA<100%) was associated with lower risk (HR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.92) while poor adherence (CAA<80%) was associated with higher risk of composite CVD (HR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.05, 5.70). Levels of adherence to anti-hypertensives and diabetes medications had mixed or null associations with risk of CVD.

Conclusions

Maintaining good adherence (≥80%) to statins after BC treatment is beneficial for cardiovascular health in patients with dyslipidemia. Future studies should determine factors associated with lower adherence to statins and ways to improve adherence.