bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylxanthines Modulate Circadian Period Length Independently of the Action of Phosphodiesterase
Authors: Olivares-Yañez Consuelo , Alessandri María P. , Salas Loreto , Larrondo Luis F.
Published: June 2023

Evidence from diverse organisms show that caffeine causes changes in the circadian clock, causing period lengthening. The fungus
Neurospora crassa
is no exception; here, several methylxanthines such as caffeine, theophylline, and aminophylline cause period lengthening in a concentration-dependent manner.
Genomic and Evolutionary Features of Nine AHPND Positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Isolated from South American Shrimp Farms
Authors: Castellanos Alejandro , Restrepo Leda , Bajaña Leandro , Betancourt Irma , Bayot Bonny , Reyes Alejandro
Published: June 2023

AHPND have caused losses of over $2.6 billion to the aquaculture industry around the world due to its high mortality rate in shrimp farming. The most common etiological agent is
V. parahaemolyticus
strains possessing the pVA1-type plasmid carrying the PirAB
vp
toxin.
Accelerometer-measured intensity-specific physical activity, genetic risk and incident type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Luo Mengyun , Yu Chenhao , Del Pozo Cruz Borja , Chen Liangkai , Ding Ding
Published: June 2023

Objective

Although 30 min/day of moderate-intensity physical activity is suggested for preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D), the current recommendations exclusively rely on self-reports and rarely consider the genetic risk. We examined the prospective dose-response relationships between total/intensity-specific physical activity and incident T2D accounting for and stratified by different levels of genetic risk.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was based on 59 325 participants in the UK Biobank (mean age=61.1 years in 2013–2015). Total/intensity-specific physical activity was collected using accelerometers and linked to national registries until 30 September 2021. We examined the shape of the dose-response association between physical activity and T2D incidence using restricted cubic splines adjusted for and stratified by a polygenic risk score (based on 424 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms) using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, there was a strong linear dose-response association between moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and incident T2D, even after adjusting for genetic risk. Compared with the least active participants, the HRs (95% CI) for higher levels of MVPA were: 0.63 (0.53 to 0.75) for 5.3–25.9 min/day, 0.41 (0.34 to 0.51) for 26.0–68.4 min/day and 0.26 (0.18 to 0.38) for >68.4 min/day. While no significant multiplicative interaction between physical activity measures and genetic risk was found, we found a significant additive interaction between MVPA and genetic risk score, suggesting larger absolute risk differences by MVPA levels among those with higher genetic risk.

Conclusion

Participation in physical activity, particularly MVPA, should be promoted especially in those with high genetic risk of T2D. There may be no minimal or maximal threshold for the benefits. This finding can inform future guidelines development and interventions to prevent T2D.
Strains ofFaecalibacterium prausnitziiand its extracts reduce blood glucose levels, percent HbA1c, and improve glucose tolerance without causing hypoglycemic side effects in diabetic and prediabetic mice
Authors: Kallassy John , Gagnon Emily , Rosenberg Dawn , Silbart Lawrence K , McManus Simon A
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The commensal bacteriumFaecalibacterium prausnitziiis a prominent member of the microbiome of animals and humans, and it plays an important role in several physiological processes. Numerous studies have correlated the reduction ofF. prausnitziiabundance with many disease states, including irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, obesity, asthma, major depressive disorder, and metabolic diseases in humans. Studies have also correlatedF. prausnitziiwith diseases in humans involved in altered glucose metabolism, including diabetes.

Research design and methods

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of compositions derived from three strains ofF. prausnitzii(coined FPZ) on glucose metabolism in diet-induced obese male C57BL/6J prediabetic and type 2 diabetic mice. The primary endpoints of these studies were measuring changes in fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance (as measured by a glucose tolerance test), and percent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with longer term treatment. Two placebo-controlled trials were carried out using both live cell FPZ and killed cell FPZ and extracts. Two additional placebo-controlled trials were carried out in non-diabetic mice and mice that previously had type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Results

Both trials in prediabetic and diabetic mice revealed that peroral administration of live FPZ or extracts from FPZ lowered fasting blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance compared with control mice. A trial administering longer FPZ treatment also resulted in lowered percent HbA1c compared with control mice. Additionally, trials in non-diabetic mice treated with FPZ demonstrated that FPZ treatment does not lead to hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

The trial results have shown that treatment with different formulations of FPZ result in lower blood glucose levels, lower percent HbA1c, and improved glucose response in mice compared with control prediabetic/diabetic mice. FPZ is a promising candidate as an orally administered probiotic or postbiotic to manage and improve pre-diabetes and T2D.
Why urban communities from low-income and middle-income countries participate in public and global health research: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Gagnon-Dufresne Marie-Catherine , Sarmiento Ivan , Fortin Geneviève , Andersson Neil , Zinszer Kate
Published: June 2023

Introduction

As the number of people living in cities increases worldwide, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), urban health is a growing priority of public and global health. Rapid unplanned urbanisation in LMICs has exacerbated inequalities, putting the urban poor at increased risk of ill health due to difficult living conditions in cities. Collaboration with communities in research is a key strategy for addressing the challenges they face. The objective of this scoping review is, therefore, to identify factors that influence the participation of urban communities from LMICs in public and global health research.

Methods and analysis

We will develop a search strategy with a health librarian to explore the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Global Health and CINAHL. We will use MeSH terms and keywords exploring the concepts of ‘low-income and middle-income countries’, ‘community participation in research’ and ‘urban settings’ to look at empirical research conducted in English or French. There will be no restriction in terms of dates of publication. Two independent reviewers will screen and select studies, first based on titles and abstracts, and then on full text. Two reviewers will extract data. We will summarise the results using tables and fuzzy cognitive mapping.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review is part of a larger project to be approved by the University of Montréal’s Research Ethics Committee for Science and Health in Montréal (Canada), and the Institutional Review Board of the James P Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University in Dhaka (Bangladesh). Results from the review will contribute to a participatory process seeking to combine scientific evidence with experiential knowledge of stakeholders in Dhaka to understand how to better collaborate with communities for research. The review could contribute to a shift toward research that is more inclusive and beneficial for communities.
Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy of host and HPV DNA methylation in cervical cancer screening and management
Authors: Bowden Sarah J , Ellis Laura Burney , Kalliala Ilkka , Paraskevaidi Maria , Tighe Jack , Kechagias Konstantinos S , Doulgeraki Triada , Paraskevaidis Evangelos , Arbyn Marc , Flanagan James , Veroniki Areti , Kyrgiou Maria
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is necessary but not sufficient for cervical cancer development. During cervical carcinogenesis, methylation levels increase across host and HPV DNA. DNA methylation has been proposed as a test to diagnose cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); we present a protocol to evaluate the accuracy of methylation markers to detect high-grade CIN and cervical cancer.

Methods and analysis

We will search electronic databases (Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library), from inception, to identify studies examining DNA methylation as a diagnostic marker for CIN or cervical cancer, in a cervical screening population. The primary outcome will be to assess the diagnostic test accuracy of host and HPV DNA methylation for high-grade CIN; the secondary outcomes will be to examine the accuracy of different methylation cut-off thresholds, and accuracy in high-risk HPV positive women. Our reference standard will be histology. We will perform meta-analyses using Cochrane guidelines for diagnostic test accuracy. We will use the number of true positives, false negatives, true negatives and false positives from individual studies. We will use the bivariate mixed effect model to estimate sensitivity and specificity with 95% CIs; we will employ different bivariate models to estimate sensitivity and specificity at different thresholds if sufficient data per threshold. For insufficient data, the hierarchical summary receiver operating curve model will be used to calculate a summary curve across thresholds. If there is interstudy and intrastudy variation in thresholds, we will use a linear mixed effects model to calculate the optimum threshold. If few studies are available, we will simplify models by assuming no correlation between sensitivity and specificity and perform univariate, random-effects meta-analysis. We will assess the quality of studies using QUADAS-2 and QUADAS-C.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required. Results will be disseminated to academic beneficiaries, medical practitioners, patients and the public.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022299760.
Surveillance towards preventing paediatric incidence of respiratory syncytial virus attributable respiratory tract infection in primary and secondary/tertiary healthcare settings in Merseyside, Cheshire and Bristol, UK
Authors: Fyles Fred , Hill Helen , Duncan Gregory , Carter Emma , Solórzano Carla , Davies Kelly , McLellan Lauren , Lesosky Maia , Dodd James , Finn Adam , McNamara Paul Stephen , Lewis David , Bangert Mathieu , Vassilouthis Natalya , Taylor Matthew , Ferreira Daniela M , Collins Andrea M
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus, particularly affecting children, and can cause respiratory infections such as croup and bronchiolitis. The latter is a leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation within the UK. Children <3 years of age and/or with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to severe RSV infection.

There are currently limited data on the incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV, particularly within primary care settings and outside the typical ‘RSV season’, which in the Northern hemisphere tends to coincide with winter months. There is also a lack of data on the health economic impact of RSV infection on families and healthcare systems.

This observational surveillance study aims to collect data on the incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV-attributable respiratory tract infection (RTI) in children aged <3 years presenting to primary, secondary or tertiary care; it also aims to estimate the health economic and quality of life impact of RSV-attributable infection in this cohort. Such data will contribute to informing public health strategies to prevent RSV-associated infection, including use of preventative medications.

Methods and analysis

Parents/carers of children <3 years of age with RTI symptoms will consent for a respiratory sample (nasal swab) to be taken. Laboratory PCR testing will assess for the presence of RSV and/or other pathogens. Data will be obtained from medical records on demographics, comorbidities, severity of infection and hospitalisation outcomes. Parents will complete questionnaires on the impact of ongoing infection symptoms at day 14 and 28 following enrolment. The primary outcome is incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV in children <3 years presenting to primary, secondary or tertiary care with RTI symptoms leading to health-seeking behaviours. Recruitment will be carried out from December 2021 to March 2023, encompassing two UK winter seasons and intervening months.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted (21/WS/0142), and study findings will be published as per International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ guidelines.
Prevention in COVID-19 time: from failure to future
Authors: Saracci Rodolfo
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has developed as a consequence of sheer prevention failures, leading in many countries to a sizeable number of deaths and over-saturation of intensive care units. This triggered the imposition of generalisd quarantine (‘lockdown’) of variable stringency in different countries: with the decrease of the epidemic, the lockdown is now gradually relaxed and replaced by tight tracing and isolation of new cases and their contacts. Prevention, however, remains not a constant priority, as the objective may be avoidance of saturation of intensive care beds or more generally of healthcare facilities rather than the minimisation of the disease incidence. This combined with the fact that notwithstanding repeated warnings in past years the epidemic occurred as a surprise denotes a way of thinking in which prevention is an important option but not a guiding principle of choice and action within the health system. To modify this way of thinking and place prevention at the core of the system, non-negligible changes are required: they may become possible in light of emerging hazards like new viruses and climate change, huge economic costs of failed prevention and initial changes in the health system already induced by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation
Authors: Bullen Matthew , Heriot George S , Jamrozik Euzebiusz
Published: June 2023

The public health benefits of herd immunity are often used as the justification for coercive vaccine policies. Yet, ‘herd immunity’ as a term has multiple referents, which can result in ambiguity, including regarding its role in ethical arguments. The term ‘herd immunity’ can refer to (1) the herd immunity threshold, at which models predict the decline of an epidemic; (2) the percentage of a population with immunity, whether it exceeds a given threshold or not; and/or (3) the indirect benefit afforded by collective immunity to those who are less immune. Moreover, the accumulation of immune individuals in a population can lead to two different outcomes: elimination (for measles, smallpox, etc) or endemic equilibrium (for COVID-19, influenza, etc). We argue that the strength of a moral obligation for individuals to contribute to herd immunity through vaccination, and by extension the acceptability of coercion, will depend on how ‘herd immunity’ is interpreted as well as facts about a given disease or vaccine. Among other things, not all uses of ‘herd immunity’ are equally valid for all pathogens. The optimal conditions for herd immunity threshold effects, as illustrated by measles, notably do not apply to the many pathogens for which reinfections are ubiquitous (due to waning immunity and/or antigenic variation). For such pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, mass vaccination can only be expected to delay rather than prevent new infections, in which case the obligation to contribute to herd immunity is much weaker, and coercive policies less justifiable.
A human right to pleasure? Sexuality, autonomy and egalitarian strategies
Authors: Wittrock Jon
Published: June 2023

A growing focus on pleasure in human rights discourse has been used to address patterns of sexual exclusion, often when addressing the problems of people with disabilities (PWD). As convincingly argued by Liberman, however, not all PWD suffer from sexual exclusion, and not all who suffer from sexual exclusion are PWD. Danaher and Liberman have thus argued in various ways for a broader range of measures, addressing sexual exclusion. This article builds on previous research and offers a conceptual framework for addressing sexual pleasure and exclusion in terms of human rights. It argues that human rights aim to safeguard autonomy, which is interpreted as multidimensional. It, thus, divides autonomy into the four dimensions of liberty (freedom from threat and coercion), opportunity (options to choose between), capacity (what an agent is capable of doing) and authenticity (the extent to which choices are genuine). Furthermore, it distinguishes between distinct egalitarian strategies, which offer different problems and possibilities, and may be combined. Thus, there is direct egalitarian distribution, indirect egalitarian distribution, baseline or threshold strategies and general promotion strategies. By way of conclusion, the importance of sexual authenticity as the ultimate aim of sexual rights is emphasised.
Retrieval of distally migrated coil using stent retriever and proximal aspiration
Authors: Mendez-Ruiz Alan , Mendez Aldo A , Zevallos Cynthia B , Quispe Orozco Darko , Farooqui Mudassir , Samaniego Edgar A , Dandapat Sudeepta , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago
Published: June 2023

Endovascular coiling has become the preferred treatment of many centers for the management of both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Coil migration is a rare complication that can lead to vessel occlusion in 90% of the cases. Endovascular techniques for coil retrieval have shown less complication rates than open surgery. Stent retriever devices have been successfully used for the retrieval of proximally migrated coils, however, distally migrated coils still represent a challenge with greater risk of complications. In the present technical video 1, we demonstrate the successful retrieval of a distally M3 migrated coil using a 3 mm Trevo XP ProVue stent riever (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA, USA) in combination with proximal aspiration.

Video 1
Improvements in workplace and household productivity with certolizumab
pegol treatment in axial spondyloarthritis: results to week 96 of a phase
III study
Authors: van der Heijde Désirée , Braun Jürgen , Rudwaleit Martin , Purcaru Oana , Kavanaugh Arthur F
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of certolizumab pegol (CZP) on work and
household productivity, and on participation in family, social and
leisure activities in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA),
including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic (nr-)
axSpA.

Methods

RAPID-axSpA (NCT01087762) was a phase III, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial to week (Wk) 24, dose-blind to Wk48 and
open-label to Wk204. A total of 325 patients were randomised 1:1:1 to
placebo, CZP 200 mg Q2W or CZP 400 mg Q4W. The validated
arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey assessed the impact of axSpA
on work and household productivity and participation in social
activities during the preceding month. Data are shown to Wk96, with
responses compared between treatment arms (placebo vs CZP 200 mg and
400 mg dose groups combined) and subpopulations using a non-parametric
bootstrap-t method.

Results

At baseline, 63.2% of placebo and 72.0% of CZP patients were
employed. By Wk24, CZP patients reported on average 1.0 fewer days of
absenteeism and 2.6 fewer days of presenteeism per month, compared with
0.4 and 0.9 fewer days for placebo. At home, by Wk24, CZP patients
reported on average 3.0 household work days gained per month versus 1.3
for placebo. CZP patients reported fewer days with reduced household
productivity or days lost for social participation. Similar improvements
were observed in AS and nr-axSpA subpopulations and improvements with
CZP were maintained to Wk96.

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, treatment with CZP significantly improved
work and household productivity and resulted in greater social
participation for patients with axSpA, which could lead to considerable
indirect cost gains.

Trial registration number

NCT01087762.
Characterisation of patients with axial psoriatic arthritis and patients with axial spondyloarthritis and concomitant psoriasis in the SCQM registry
Authors: Ciurea Adrian , Götschi Andrea , Kissling Seraphina , Bernatschek Alexander , Bürki Kristina , Exer Pascale , Nissen Michael J , Möller Burkhard , Scherer Almut , Micheroli Raphael
Published: June 2023

Background

Within the spectrum of spondyloarthritides, axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) present with overlapping features. Axial involvement in PsA (axial PsA) is treated according to recommendations for axSpA, as specific studies in axial PsA are scarce. We compared characteristics of patients with axSpA (particularly of patients with axSpA and concomitant psoriasis (pso)) with those of patients with axial PsA.

Methods

Patients with axSpA and PsA in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management (SCQM) registry were included if information on pso and axial involvement was available. Patients with AxSpA were stratified by axSpA with and without pso (axSpA±pso) and patients with PsA were stratified to axial PsA or strictly peripheral PsA.

Results

Previous or current psoriasis was observed in 479/4489 patients with axSpA (10.7%). Of 2631 patients with PsA, 1153 (43.8%) presented with axial involvement (opinion of the treating rheumatologist). Compared with patients with axSpA+pso, patients with axial PsA were older at symptom onset and at inclusion in SCQM, were less frequently HLA-B27 positive, had back pain less frequently and a higher prevalence of dactylitis and peripheral arthritis. A positive family history of pso or PsA was more frequent in axial PsA, while a positive family history of axSpA was more frequent in patients with axSpA+pso. Disease activity, function and mobility were comparable in axSpA+pso versus axial PsA.

Conclusion

Patients with axial PsA differ from patients with axSpA+pso in important demographic and clinical characteristics, and genetically, but present with a comparable disease burden. Treatment studies specifically dedicated to axial PsA seem warranted.
Better cigarette tax policies and higher tobacco excise tax revenues
Authors: Lee Hye Myung , Drope Jeffrey , Guerrero-López Carlos Manuel , Perucic Anne-Marie , Chaloupka Frank J
Published: June 2023

Background

In November 2021, the Tobacconomics team published the second edition of the
Cigarette Tax Scorecard
which evaluates cigarette taxation in each country based on four components—cigarette price, affordability change, tax share and tax structure. This study examines the relationship between the overall cigarette tax score and tobacco excise tax revenue between 2014 and 2018.

Methods

Using cigarette tax scores from the
Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard
and tobacco excise tax revenue information from WHO, this analysis is based on ordinary least squares estimations to assess the association between the overall cigarette tax scores and tobacco excise tax revenues per capita controlling for countries’ tobacco control environment, sociodemographic characteristics and country and year fixed effects.

Results

A 1-point higher overall cigarette tax score is associated with higher tobacco excise tax revenue per capita of $11.98 (in constant 2018 purchasing power parity international dollars). For low and middle-income countries and lower performing countries at baseline, a 1-point higher overall cigarette tax score is associated with higher tobacco excise tax revenue per capita of $11.32 and $6.92, respectively. If all countries had increased their scores to ‘5’, the tobacco excise tax revenue per capita would have increased by 22.51%.

Conclusions

Higher overall cigarette tax scores are associated with higher tobacco excise tax revenue per capita. Countries aiming to reach higher cigarette tax scores would be able to reduce tobacco use and increase their tobacco tax revenue, which can be allocated to development priorities.
Retailer experiences with tobacco sales bans: lessons from two early adopter jurisdictions
Authors: McDaniel Patricia A , Smith Elizabeth A , Malone Ruth E
Published: June 2023

Background

Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, California, are the first two US cities to prohibit the sale of tobacco products, passing ordinances that went into effect on 1 January 2021. We sought to learn about retailers’ experiences with these laws 22 months after implementation.

Methods

Brief in-person interviews with owners or managers of businesses that formerly sold tobacco (n=22).

Results

Participant experiences varied by type of retailer. Managers at large chain stores reported no problems adapting to the law and little effect on overall sales. Many were largely indifferent to the sales bans. By contrast, most managers or owners of small, independent retailers reported losses of both revenue and customers, and expressed dissatisfaction with the laws. Small retailers in Beverly Hills objected particularly to exemptions that city made allowing hotels and cigar lounges to continue their sales, which they saw as undermining the health rationale for the law. The small geographical area covered by the policies was also a source of frustration, and retailers reported that they had lost business to retailers in nearby cities. The most common advice small retailers had for other retailers was to organise to oppose any similar attempts in their cities. A few retailers were pleased with the law or its perceived effects, including a reduction in litter.

Conclusion

Planning for tobacco sales ban or retailer reduction policies should include considering impacts on small retailers. Adopting such policies in as wide a geographical area as possible, as well as allowing no exemptions, may help reduce opposition.
The PhenX Toolkit: measures for tobacco regulatory research
Authors: Swan Gary E , Hendershot Tabitha P , Hamilton Carol M , van Bemmel Dana M , Wanke Kay L
Published: June 2023

The use of standard measures and common data elements in the conduct of tobacco regulatory research (TRR) will improve data comparability and facilitate cross-study analyses and replication of findings to inform the regulatory decisions and actions of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). This overview paper introduces the PhenX (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) initiative to identify common measures and common data elements for use in TRR which have been disseminated in the PhenX Toolkit (https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/). It describes the work of the scientific panel that provided guidance to the project and the TRR Core Collection of measures recommended for use by investigators conducting human-subject tobacco regulatory or related tobacco control research. The use of PhenX TRR measures will promote collaborative research and facilitate data interoperability and validation of outcome assessments to inform the FDA CTP’s regulatory activities.
A deep learning-based method for pediatric congenital heart disease detection with seven standard views in echocardiography
Authors: Jiang Xusheng , Yu Jin , Ye Jingjing , Jia Weijie , Xu Weize , Shu Qiang
Published: June 2023

Background

With the aggregation of clinical data and the evolution of computational resources, artificial intelligence-based methods have become possible to facilitate clinical diagnosis. For congenital heart disease (CHD) detection, recent deep learning-based methods tend to achieve classification with few views or even a single view. Due to the complexity of CHD, the input images for the deep learning model should cover as many anatomical structures of the heart as possible to enhance the accuracy and robustness of the algorithm. In this paper, we first propose a deep learning method based on seven views for CHD classification and then validate it with clinical data, the results of which show the competitiveness of our approach.

Methods

A total of 1411 children admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were selected, and their echocardiographic videos were obtained. Then, seven standard views were selected from each video, which were used as the input to the deep learning model to obtain the final result after training, validation and testing.

Results

In the test set, when a reasonable type of image was input, the area under the curve (AUC) value could reach 0.91, and the accuracy could reach 92.3%. During the experiment, shear transformation was used as interference to test the infection resistance of our method. As long as appropriate data were input, the above experimental results would not fluctuate obviously even if artificial interference was applied.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the deep learning model based on the seven standard echocardiographic views can effectively detect CHD in children, and this approach has considerable value in practical application.
Race to the canopy: the development of tree size hierarchies following a partial disturbance in a boreal old-growth forest
Authors: Kulha Niko , Ahokas Antti , Gauthier Sylvie , Aakala Tuomas
Published: June 2023

In boreal old-growth forests, advance regeneration typically attains canopy dominance through growth release events following partial disturbances. We sampled competing Picea mariana (Mill.) and Abies balsamea (L.) in disturbed old-growth stands in Quebec, Canada, to understand the intra- and interspecific size hierarchy development. We reconstructed tree size development and examined the role of initial size difference, time between germination and a disturbance, and the strength of response to the disturbance in determining tree size hierarchies. Trees that regenerated first generally dominated their intraspecific competitors also following a disturbance event. However, prolonged time between germination and disturbance resulted in a less deterministic outcome. Tree size difference prior to disturbance also influenced the development of size hierarchies. In interspecific competition between individuals of the same diameter, A. balsamea had a 61% probability of gaining dominance over P. mariana, the probability being 50% if P. mariana was 5 mm larger than A. balsamea. Dominant trees generally had the strongest response to the disturbance, reinforcing the existing size hierarchies. The largest trees typically gain dominance after a partial disturbance. However, interspecific competition is less predictable than intraspecific competition, small initial size difference, and prolonged time in suppression potentially changing tree size hierarchies.
The shock, the coping, the resilience: smartphone application use reveals Covid-19 lockdown effects on human behaviors
Authors: Liu Xiao Fan , Wang Zhen-Zhen , Xu Xiao-Ke , Wu Ye , Zhao Zhidan , Deng Huarong , Wang Ping , Chao Naipeng , Huang Yi-Hui C.
Published: June 2023

Human mobility restriction policies have been widely used to contain the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). However, a critical question is how these policies affect individuals’ behavioral and psychological well-being during and after confinement periods. Here, we analyze China’s five most stringent city-level lockdowns in 2021, treating them as natural experiments that allow for examining behavioral changes in millions of people through smartphone application use. We made three fundamental observations. First, the use of physical and economic activity-related apps experienced a steep decline, yet apps that provide daily necessities maintained normal usage. Second, apps that fulfilled lower-level human needs, such as working, socializing, information seeking, and entertainment, saw an immediate and substantial increase in screen time. Those that satisfied higher-level needs, such as education, only attracted delayed attention. Third, human behaviors demonstrated resilience as most routines resumed after the lockdowns were lifted. Nonetheless, long-term lifestyle changes were observed, as significant numbers of people chose to continue working and learning online, becoming “digital residents.” This study also demonstrates the capability of smartphone screen time analytics in the study of human behaviors.
EXPRESSWAYS AND POVERTY REDUCTION: EVIDENCE FROM RURAL CHINA
Authors: ZHANG WUKE , GAI QINGEN , ZHU XI , SHI QINGHUA
Published: June 2023

Combining rural household data and China’s expressway network, this paper estimates the causal effect of expressway access on rural household income using propensity score matching and difference-in-differences method. Our empirical results showed that access to expressways does not, on average, benefit rural households, but further evidence revealed a heterogeneous effect. Improved expressway access can promote poor rural households’ per capita net income by 23.0%, in comparison to the non-poor. Supporting evidence suggests that expressway access encourages rural–urban migration, especially for the poor rural workers, which ultimately leads to higher income for this group. These findings highlight the effects of expressway access on the reduction of rural poverty.
Game-Theoretic Analysis for Green R&D Investment Strategies in the Vehicle Market
Authors: Yao Zhanghao , Cheng Yukun , Chen Jinmian , Cui Xueli
Published: June 2023

With the implementation of new environmental policies such as “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality”, reducing carbon emissions through the development of clean technology in the automobile industry has become a key priority. However, the high cost of researching and developing green technology has led to high vehicle prices, which poses a major barrier to expanding the market share of such vehicles. The decision of whether to invest in research and development (R&D) has become a challenging one for automobile manufacturers. In this paper, we propose a game theory analysis scheme to study the R&D investment decisions of two original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) — an electric vehicle manufacturer (EM) and a fuel vehicle manufacturer (FM) — who, respectively, produce electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel vehicles (FVs). Since the manufacturers exhibit bounded rationality and their R&D investment decision-making involves a long-term, continuously learning and adjusting process, we model this dynamic R&D investment decision-making process as an evolutionary game to study manufacturers’ stable evolutionary behaviors in optimal R&D investment strategies. Different from previous literatures, where the prices for vehicles with high or low R&D investment were predetermined, we optimize the price of each vehicle, market shares, and optimal utilities of OEMs using a two-stage Stackelberg game for each investment strategy profile. Additionally, we use the Personal Carbon Trading (PCT) mechanism to help reduce carbon emissions. The main contribution of this paper is exploring the conditions for the evolutionary stable strategies (ESSs) of the evolutionary game based on the optimal utilities of the OEMs under different strategy profiles. The impact of preference parameters and green R&D coefficients on the OEMs’ decisions, as well as consumers’ purchase choices are also discussed. Finally, numerical simulations using real-world data are conducted to verify the theoretical results on ESSs.
Physical mechanisms of exit dynamics in microchannels of nonequilibrium transport systems
Authors: Wang Yu-Qing , Wei Da-Sen , Zhang Li-Wen , Zhang Tun-Yu , Li Tian-Ze , Fang Mo-Lin , Ouyang Kai-Chen , He Yu-Xuan , Chen Guan-Yu
Published: June 2023

In the field of molecular nonequilibrium transports, physical mechanisms of multiple reaction dynamics of these systems are the core of deep understanding complex reactions and transport mechanisms. In order to explore related mechanisms, establishing multiple systems coupled with tremendous exit dynamics and studying their exit dynamics properties are quite vital. Beyond previous researches, new stochastic transport processes are emphasized here. Multiple new exit dynamic systems are established, which are motivated by the multiplicity of paths and products of real biochemical processes in organisms. In order to ensure research universality, core system modeling factors are fully considered. Countable parallel orbits, uniform connection with external sources, countable parallel orbits as subsystems in middle lattices and influences of all lattices on transport trajectories on dynamic properties are analyzed. Dynamic properties of different particles located in orbits are explored by deeply studying average exit time and time scale. Quantitative spatiotemporal impacts are extensively studied. The rationality of average exit time as a time scale in the universal exit dynamic system is proved. Main findings and fruitful results can not only serve as theoretical bases for broadening reaction path modeling, but also be helpful to support understanding nonequilibrium transport mechanisms, especially stochastic biochemical processes.
Quantum black holes as classical space factories
Authors: Iorio A. , Smaldone L.
Published: June 2023

Space and matter may both be manifestations of a single fundamental quantum dynamics, as it may become evident during black-hole evaporation. Inspired by the fact that quantum electrodynamics underlies the classical theory of elasticity, that in turn has a natural and well-known geometric description in terms of curvature and torsion, related to topological defects, here we move some necessary steps to find the map from such fundamental quantum level to the emergent level of classical space and quantum matter. We proceed by adapting the boson transformation method of standard quantum field theory to the quantum gravity fundamental scenario and successfully obtain the emergence of curvature and torsion, our main focus here. In doing so, we have been able to overcome difficult issues of interpretation, related to the Goldstone modes for rotational symmetry. In fact, we have been able to apply the boson transformation method to disclinations, to relate them to the spin structure and to give an heuristic derivation of the matter field equation on curved space. We also improve results of previous work on the emergence of geometric tensors from elasticity theory, as the non-Abelian contributions to the torsion and curvature tensors, postulated in those papers, here emerge naturally. More work is necessary to identify the type of gravity theories one can obtain in this way.
Energy conditions of traversable wormhole in the deformed f(R) gravitational model
Authors: Sadeghi J. , Gashti S. Noori , Alipour M. R. , Afshar M. A. S.
Published: June 2023

One of the most important issues in cosmology is the study of a series of hypothetical objects called wormholes. Recently, researchers have studied these hypothetical objects under different conditions. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the traversable wormhole according to a modified [Formula: see text] gravitational model, specifically [Formula: see text], from the perspective of two essential functions in wormhole structure: shape and redshift function. These hypothetical objects can solve Einstein’s equations by tolerating the violation of null energy conditions (NEC). With respect to these concepts, we examine various energy conditions such as the NEC, weak energy condition (WEC), dominant energy condition (DEC) and strong energy condition (SEC) using radial pressure, tangential pressure and energy density obtained from the wormhole equations. Finally, we evaluate different energy conditions by plotting some figures and checking for satisfaction or violation. We will analyze the results and present the conclusions in tables.
A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS ON DRILLING OPERATION AND ITS PARAMETERS: A CRITICAL REVIEW
Authors: VARATHARAJULU M. , DURAISELVAM MUTHUKANNAN , JAYAPRAKASH G. , BASKAR N. , VIJAYARAJ S. , ANAND BABU K.
Published: June 2023

Primary manufacturing processes like casting, forming, and shaping (forging, rolling, drawing, extrusion, sheet forming, and molding) further need any of the secondary manufacturing processes like turning, drilling, boring, planing, milling, grinding, etc. In order to produce superior quality products, and to enhance productivity, the selection of desirable process parameters is significant. The selection of suitable process parameters is essential for accomplishing the desired component. Based on the existing literature, this study examines the causes, effects, and variances regarding chip formation, tool geometry, thrust force, torque, surface roughness, drilling time, and other drilling quality characteristics in the most typical machining operations such as drilling. Developing a repository on these process parameters will guide the process planning engineer for ready reckon. Therefore, this work aims at the development of a detailed repository with the study of characteristics. Further, this literature review comprehends the characteristics of a behavior with its reasoning, which was detailed in the past decade. It reveals the beneficial process parameters for achieving better production rate and superior quality.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES PREPARED VIA LASER ABLATION: EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY
Authors: HADI ALI J. , NAYEF UDAY M. , JABIR MAJID S. , MUTLAK FALAH A-H.
Published: June 2023

Nanomaterials can be employed in various medicinal industries because of their unique characteristics versus bulk materials. Nanosized particles of Titanium dioxide were fabricated using the laser irradiation technique in this work. After production, the physical properties of Titanium dioxide were identified by Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Regarding TEM micrographs with various laser energies, the nanoparticles exhibit a spherical appearance, with average diameters ranging from 19[Formula: see text]nm to 26 nm based on the laser energy. X-ray diffraction results from combined Anatase and Rutile crystal structures in the prepared nanoparticles to indicate the production of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis showed that the O-Ti-O mode includes a peak at approximately 480–550[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as anticancer assay against prostate cancer cell line (PC-3 cells). The result shows that the effectiveness of prepared nanoparticles against S. aureus is more significant than that in E. coli, and the findings indicate the ability of prepared nanoparticles as an antiproliferative agent against PC-3 cells. In conclusion, the prepared nanoparticles could be used as a future strategy for further biomedical applications.
SYNTHESIS OF Pd NPs VIA LASER ABLATION IN LIQUID ASSISTED WITH MAGNETIC FIELD ON SILICON NANOSTRUCTURE FOR GAS SENSOR
Authors: URABE ALIYAA A. , NAYEF UDAY M. , KAMEL RANDA
Published: June 2023

In this work, palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) are synthesized by laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) with wavelength 532[Formula: see text]nm (second harmonic Nd:YAG laser) at different laser energies 360, 660, and 800[Formula: see text]mJ with 200 pulses and an electric coil is used to generate a magnetic field. The resulting nanosolution was deposited on the previously prepared PS. The morphological and structural properties of the prepared substrates (Pd NPs/PS) are calculated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Their results showed that with the increase in the energy of laser pulse, the average particle size was 30.73, 22.60, and 18.01[Formula: see text]nm. Optical properties of Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show decrease of energy band gap at 2.38, 2.43, and 2.47[Formula: see text]eV with an increase in the energy. The sensitivity of application samples Pd NPs/PS/Si gas sensors for NO2 and H2S gas was also investigated with respect to temperature variations. Pd NPs/PS/Si gas sensors have a maximum sensitivity of NO2 gas around 52.6% at [Formula: see text]C for sample prepared at energy 360[Formula: see text]mJ but the highest sensitivity of H2S gas was 31.2% at [Formula: see text]C for energy of 660[Formula: see text]mJ. The effects of the operating temperature on reaction and recovery durations for various laser ablation energies are also discussed.
CURRENT CONCEPTS IN MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE KYPHOSIS IN SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS – A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Authors: Kanna Rishi M , Prashasth  , Shetty Ajoy P. , Rajasekaran S.
Published: June 2023

Spinal tuberculosis typically affects the vertebral bodies, resulting in various degrees of kyphosis. Children <10 years, thoraco-lumbar spine affliction, late presentation, vertebral loss >1.5 bodies and presence of spine at risk signs reasonably predict patients who are prone for worsening kyphosis during both active and healed stages of the disease. Untreated kyphosis is ominous as it can result in spinal fatigue, neurological deficit, cosmetic disfigurement, and respiratory insufficiency. Kyphosis greater than [Formula: see text] and presence of risk factors for worsening kyphosis are considered as indications for surgery in active tuberculosis. Different surgical methods have been described with their own merits and demerits. Currently, posterior approach with or without anterior reconstruction is considered the standard technique as it is safe, efficacious, convenient, and versatile.
THREE-COLUMN OSTEOTOMY WITH COMBINATION OF COMPRESSION HOOK AND PEDICLE SCREW FIXATION FOR ADULT SPINAL DEFORMITY IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Authors: Kanno Haruo , Hashimoto Ko , Takahashi Kohei , Handa Kyoichi , Aizawa Toshimi , Ozawa Hiroshi
Published: June 2023

Purpose: Surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is challenging and is associated with a significant risk of postoperative mechanical complications, such as rod breakage, pseudoarthrosis and proximal junctional failure. We herein report the surgical results of three-column osteotomy with pedicle screw fixation combined with compression hook for ASD associated with PD.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated four patients with ASD due to PD who underwent three-column osteotomy with posterior instrumentation. The compression hook system placed on the laminae was used for closure of the osteotomy site during surgery and reinforcement of pedicle screw fixation. Surgical outcomes and radiographical parameters were analyzed.

Results: Lumbar lordosis was improved from [Formula: see text] preoperatively to [Formula: see text] postoperatively, and [Formula: see text] at the final follow-up examination. The sagittal vertical axis was restored from 297 ± 104 mm preoperatively to 41 ± 13 mm postoperatively, and 72 ± 23 mm at the final follow-up examination. The preoperative VAS (88 ± 14 mm) for low back pain was significantly improved at the final follow-up examination (14 ± 28 mm). Walking disturbance due to low back pain was improved in all patients. No patients had mechanical failure (e.g. rod fracture, pseudarthrosis, or junctional failure) after surgery.

Conclusion: The use of compression hooks to supplement pedicle screw fixation is beneficial for performing safe osteotomy closure during surgery and preventing postoperative mechanical failures, and may be a useful option when performing three-column osteotomy for ASD associated with PD.