bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fan translation and affective mediation
Authors: Mo Junru , Jin Haina
Published: November 2023

This study seeks to foreground the concept of ‘affective mediation,’ which is defined as an interventionist
process in translation wherein affect is matched, managed, and modulated between communicating bodies. Situated in the context of
fan translation, this study utilizes a multimodal analysis of the subtitling practice of Hiddles’ Translation Army of China, a
Chinese internet-based, celebrity-oriented fan translation group, and identifies three ways its fansubbers mediate affect toward
the object of fandom, i.e., British actor, Tom Hiddleston. The findings suggest that the fansubber’s mediation is conducive to
restructuring the affective configuration in the target text and creates a site for emotive performance in fansubbing. The study
also argues that affect-mediated fansubbing opens a new space outside the diegetic zone for an imagined interaction and
relationship between the entire fandom community and the object of fandom.
The dynamic recruitment of LAB proteins senses meiotic chromosome axis differentiation in C. elegans
Authors: Wang Ruoxi , Li Jiaxiang , Tian Yuqi , Sun Yating , Zhang Yu , Liu Mengfei , Zhang Ruirui , Zhao Li , Li Qian , Meng Xiaoqian , Zhou Jun , Gao Jinmin
Published: November 2023

During meiosis, cohesin and meiosis-specific proteins organize chromatin into an axis-loop architecture, coordinating homologous synapsis, recombination, and ordered chromosome segregation. However, how the meiotic chromosome axis is assembled and differentiated with meiotic progression remains elusive. Here, we explore the dynamic recruitment of two long arms of the bivalent proteins, LAB-1 and LAB-2, in Caenorhabditis elegans. LAB proteins directly interact with the axis core HORMA complexes and weak interactions contribute to their recruitment. LAB proteins phase separate in vitro, and this capacity is promoted by HORMA complexes. During early prophase, synapsis oppositely regulates the axis enrichment of LAB proteins. After the pachytene exit, LAB proteins switch from a reciprocal localization pattern to a colocalization pattern, and the normal dynamic pattern of LAB proteins is altered in meiotic mutants. We propose that LAB recruitment senses axis differentiation, and phase separation of meiotic structures helps subdomain establishment and accurate segregation of the chromosomes.
New physics hints from τ scalar interactions and (g − 2)
e,μ
Authors: Botella Francisco J , Cornet-Gomez Fernando , Miró Carlos , Nebot Miguel
Published: November 2023

We consider a flavour conserving two Higgs doublet model that consists of a type I (or X) quark sector and a generalized lepton sector where the Yukawa couplings of the charged leptons to the new scalars are not proportional to the lepton masses. The model, previously proposed to solve both muon and electron g − 2 anomalies simultaneously, is also capable to accommodate the ATLAS excess in pp → S → τ
+
τ
− with gluon–gluon fusion production in the invariant mass range [0.2; 0.6] TeV, including all relevant low and high energy constraints. The excess is reproduced taking into account the new contributions from the scalar H, the pseudoscalar A, or both. In particular, detailed numerical analyses favoured the solution with a significant hierarchy among the vevs of the two Higgs doublets, t

β
∼ 10, and light neutral scalars satisfying m
A > m
H with sizable couplings to τ leptons. In this region of the parameter space, the muon g − 2 anomaly receives one and two-loop (Barr-Zee) contributions of similar size, while the electron anomaly is explained at two loops. An analogous ATLAS excess in b-associated production and the CMS excess in ditop production are also studied. Further New Physics prospects concerning the anomalous magnetic moment of the τ lepton and the implications of the CDF M

W
measurement on the final results are discussed.
Intelligent vehicle localization and navigation based on intersection fingerprint roadmap (IRM) in underground parking lots
Authors: Li Yicheng , Yang Dongxiao , Cai Yingfeng , Wang Hai
Published: November 2023

The localization and navigation of underground parking lots presents a ‘last mile’ problem for intelligent vehicles. To address the issues of poor localization and navigation efficiency caused by the lack of global navigation satellite system signals in this scenario, this study presents a low-cost and computationally efficient real-time localization and navigation algorithm. The algorithm begins by constructing a node fingerprint based on the characteristics of underground parking lot intersections and proposes an intersection fingerprint roadmap (IRM). To address the problem of difficult initial position computation during navigation, a node-level localization method based on scene matching and pose calculation is proposed and then combined with the IRM. Finally, the IRM is used to search for routes on the scene plan and perform path smoothing to obtain a globally feasible driving route. The algorithm proposed in this study can achieve fast vehicle localization and real-time navigation with low computational power, and the proposed localization method can be applied not only to underground parking lots but also to other outdoor scenes. The method is evaluated on datasets collected from different environments, and the experimental results show that the algorithm has an average localization error of approximately 20 cm and provides faster navigation speed and smoother navigation in comparison with other algorithms.
Tuning domain wall oscillation frequency in bent nanowires through a mechanical analogy
Authors: Bittencourt G H R , Carvalho-Santos V L , Altbir D , Chubykalo-Fesenko O , Moreno R
Published: November 2023

In this work, we present a theoretical model for domain wall (DW) oscillations in a curved magnetic nanowire with a constant curvature under the action of a uniaxial magnetic field. Our results show that the DW dynamics can be described as that of the mechanical pendulum, and both the NW curvature and the external magnetic field influence its oscillatory frequency. A comparison between our theoretical approach and experimental data in the literature shows an excellent agreement. The results presented here can be used to design devices demanding the proper control of the DW oscillatory motion in NWs.
Determination of the magnetic moment of a magnet by letting it fall through a conducting pipe
Authors: Pal Sanjoy Kumar , Sarkar Soumen , Panchadhyayee Pradipta
Published: November 2023

A novel method is proposed to determine the magnetic moment of a magnet by studying its free-falling motion inside a non-ferromagnetic and conducting pipe. The dynamics of a neodymium magnet falling inside a pipe is tracked by using sound waves of a fixed frequency generated by one smartphone and detecting acoustic resonance in the pipe simultaneously by the other. This tracking technique leads to the measurement of the terminal velocity of the falling magnet, as the interaction between the magnet and the conducting pipe produces a force, similar to viscous drag, on the falling magnet. The result obtained is verified by studying torsional oscillations of the suspended magnet and conforms to the reported value in such a low-cost setup. The experiment is designed with concepts integrating the domains of general physics, electromagnetic induction, and acoustics.
The value of using different types of physics problems to help students become proficient problem-solvers
Authors: Good Melanie , Marshman Emily , Yerushalmi Edit , Singh Chandralekha
Published: November 2023

During a professional development course for graduate student teaching assistants (TAs), a question was asked–would you use a context-rich problem (presented via a narrative set in a real-world context, not broken into parts and sometimes even without an explicit question) in an introductory physics class, and if so, how? One graduate TA’s sentiment appeared to resonate with most of the other TAs in the class, ‘I will not use this at all.’. Though more experienced in teaching, physics faculty often share this point of view–less than half of interviewed faculty members indicated they appreciated yet would not use such a problem. But if we want students to become proficient problem-solvers, should we not employ a comprehensive toolbox containing a wide variety of problem-types? Is there not a place for a context-rich problem in our teaching or are we overlooking the benefits and utility of problems such as these? Evidence continues to suggest that TAs and faculty alike both appear to be reluctant to adopt some types of physics problems in their teaching, while relying almost completely on just a couple types of problems. Based upon education research data, we believe it is time to broaden those horizons.
An oscillating screw sliding down an incline
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: November 2023

A screw that slides down an incline also oscillates from side to side as a pendulum. Experimental results are presented, together with a simple explanation.
Reply to the Comment on ‘Quantum principle of relativity’
Authors: Dragan Andrzej , Ekert Artur
Published: November 2023

We discuss critical remarks raised by Horodecki (2023 arXiv:2301.07802 [quant-ph]) toward our work on the connection between superluminal extension of special relativity and fundamental aspects of quantum theory.
On the physical significance of non-local material parameters in optical metamaterials
Authors: Venkitakrishnan Ramakrishna , Augenstein Yannick , Zerulla Benedikt , Goffi Fatima Z , Plum Michael , Rockstuhl Carsten
Published: November 2023

When light interacts with a material made from subwavelength periodically arranged constituents, non-local effects can emerge. They occur because of either a complicated response of the constituents or possible lattice interactions. In lowest-order approximations of a general non-local response function, phenomena like an artificial magnetism and a bi-anisotropic response emerge. However, investigations beyond these lowest-order descriptions of non-local effects are needed for optical metamaterials (MMs) where a significant long-range interaction becomes evident. This highlights the need for additional material parameters to account for spatial non-locality in an effective medium description. These material parameters emerge from a Taylor expansion of the general and exact non-local response function. Even though these non-local parameters improve the effective description, their physical significance is yet to be understood. To improve the situation, we consider a conceptional MM consisting of scatterers characterized by a prescribed multipolar response arranged on a square lattice. Lorentzian polarizabilities describe the scatterers in the electric dipolar, electric quadrupolar, and magnetic dipolar terms. A slab of such a MM is homogenized while considering an increasing number of non-local terms in the constitutive relations at the effective level. We show that the effective permittivity and permeability are linked to the electric and magnetic dipole moments of the scatterers. The non-local material parameters are related to the higher-order multipolar moments and their interaction with the dipolar terms. Studying the effective material parameters with the knowledge of the induced multipolar moments in the lattice facilitates our understanding of the significance of each material parameter. Our insights aid in deciding on the order to truncate the Taylor expansion of the considered constitutive relations for a given MM.
Finite-size security proof of binary-modulation continuous-variable quantum key distribution using only heterodyne measurement
Authors: Yamano Shinichiro , Matsuura Takaya , Kuramochi Yui , Sasaki Toshihiko , Koashi Masato
Published: November 2023

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) has many practical advantages including compatibility with current optical communication technology. Implementation using heterodyne measurements is particularly attractive since it eliminates the need for active phase locking of the remote pair of local oscillators, but the full security of CV QKD with discrete modulation was only proved for a protocol using homodyne measurements. Here we propose an all-heterodyne CV-QKD protocol with binary modulation and prove its security against general attacks in the finite-key regime. Although replacing a homodyne measurement with a heterodyne measurement would be naively expected to incur a 3-dB penalty in the rate-distance curve, our proof achieves a key rate with only a 1-dB penalty.
Dielectric, conductivity properties, elastic moduli, and gamma-ray attenuation abilities: A wide-ranging investigation into Molybdenum added ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Desoky W M , Allah T M Abd , Mansy Muhammad S
Published: November 2023

The auto combustion technique was employed to synthesis magnesium nano ferrite (MgMoxFe2-xO4). The impact of Mo-doped on the crystal’s structural, morphological, and elastic properties were inspected by applying x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Pursuant to the XRD analysis, all samples have a cubic structure with single-phase. The average crystallite size was identified to be in the nanometer range confirmed by SEM and TEM investigations. FTIR data was implemented to assign the force constants of the octahedral and tetrahedral sites. Elastic moduli including the Poisson ratio, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, and rigidity modulus have been estimated. The division of elastic moduli for all synthesized concentrations was interpreted using binding forces between ions of the cubic lattice spinel. Over and above, the AC conductivity (σ
AC) and dielectric properties and their frequency dependence were investigated for the nano ferrites samples as a function of dopant Mo content and temperature. Finally, the radiation shielding capacities of the proposed samples against gamma and fast neutron radiation have been assessed. The findings reveal that the higher the Mo content, the lower the value of the mass attenuation coefficient. There is no significant diversity between the obtained mass attenuation coefficients for the nano and the micro. Among the samples investigated in this study, the highest Mo concentration sample had the largest fast neutron removal cross-section.
Multiple-quantum-coherence dynamics of spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensate during quantum phase transitions
Authors: Deng Fulin , Xu Peng , Yi Su , Zhang Wenxian
Published: November 2023

Multiple quantum coherences are often employed to describe quantum many-body dynamics in nuclear spin systems and recently, to characterize quantum phase transitions in trapped ions. Here we investigate the multiple-quantum-coherence dynamics of a spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensate. By adjusting the quadratic Zeeman shift, the condensate exhibits three quantum phases. Our numerical results show that the spectrum of multiple quantum coherence does indeed catch the quantum critical points. More importantly, with only a few low-order multiple quantum coherences, the spin-1 condensate exhibits rich signals of the many-body dynamics, beyond conventional observables. The experimental implementation of such multiple quantum coherence protocol is also discussed.
Estimating the pressure force around swimming plankton using micro particle image velocimetry
Authors: Ergin Fahrettin Gökhan , Günaydınoğlu Erkan , Kurtuluş Dilek Funda , Wadhwa Navish
Published: November 2023

Obtaining pressure force for freely swimming microorganisms is a challenging yet important problem. Here, we report the swimming kinematics and dynamics of the zooplankton Acartia tonsa nauplius investigated using Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (µPIV). Using rigid object tracking, we obtain sub-pixel accurate localization of freely swimming A. tonsa, revealing its highly periodic locomotion. We exploit this periodicity to obtain phase-locked averaged kinematics for position, speed, and acceleration. The swimming speed profile of A. tonsa has a distinct double peak, due to its two power strokes. Next, we investigate the flow field around swimming A. tonsa using µPIV. We dynamically mask A. tonsa in µPIV images using an object-fixed coordinate transformation, leveraging the sub-pixel accurate localization. Our analysis shows of a pair of attached vortices during the two power strokes, which are pushed away during the recovery stroke. Finally, using a semi-implicit pressure velocity algorithm, we calculate the pressure force from the time-dependent flow fields. These calculations indicate a low-pressure region ahead of the A. tonsa during the peak of the power strokes. The vertical pressure force correlates well with the vertical swimming speed.
Exploring the impact of combining women’s empowerment through village savings and loans associations with men’s sensitization on gender equity on socio-economic, maternal, and children’s health outcomes
Authors: Bapolisi Wyvine , Makelele Jean , Kono-Tange Lenneke , Bisimwa Ghislain , Merten Sonja
Published: November 2023

Background

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is among the poorest countries in the world with a low gender development index. To help households improve their economic levels and address gender-based violence, the Mawe Tatu programme was created to combine women’s empowerment through village savings and loans associations (VSLA) with engaging men in changing their attitudes and adopting positive masculinities.

Methods

This study explores the impact of women’s empowerment through VSLA while their husbands participate in a men’s reflection group pursuing a gender equity curriculum. Data were collected over three years through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with both men and women. Data were analysed using an inductive approach, building themes based on respondents’ narratives.

Results

Household welfare was described as ‘improved’ when both partners participated in the intervention. More cash was available in the household, cohesion within the couple increased, and men were more likely to involve their wives in decision-making processes. Men were also more involved in childcare and more concerned about their partner’s health, especially during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Combining women's economic empowerment through VSLA while raising awareness of gender equity among their husbands is a promising approach. However, it is necessary to develop positive femininities in parallel to positive masculinities, as women to avoid being judged, may fear changes preserving empirical gender norms. Creating more ‘friendly’ and inclusive spaces in health centers will make it easier for men to accompany their wives for maternal health services.
Shared and malignancy-specific functional plasticity of dynamic brain properties for patients with left frontal glioma
Authors: Cai Siqi , Liang Yuchao , Wang Yinyan , Fan Zhen , Qi Zengxin , Liu Yufei , Chen Fanfan , Jiang Chunxiang , Shi Zhifeng , Wang Lei , Zhang Lijuan
Published: November 2023

The time-varying brain activity may parallel the disease progression of cerebral glioma. Assessment of brain dynamics would better characterize the pathological profile of glioma and the relevant functional remodeling. This study aims to investigate the dynamic properties of functional networks based on sliding-window approach for patients with left frontal glioma. The generalized functional plasticity due to glioma was characterized by reduced dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation of somatosensory networks, reduced dynamic functional connectivity between homotopic regions mainly involving dorsal attention network and subcortical nuclei, and enhanced subcortical dynamic functional connectivity. Malignancy-specific functional remodeling featured a chaotic modification of dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and dynamic functional connectivity for low-grade gliomas, and attenuated dynamic functional connectivity of the intrahemispheric cortico-subcortical connections and reduced dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation of the bilateral caudate for high-grade gliomas. Network dynamic activity was clustered into four distinct configuration states. The occurrence and dwell time of the weakly connected state were reduced in patients’ brains. Support vector machine model combined with predictive dynamic features achieved an averaged accuracy of 87.9% in distinguishing low- and high-grade gliomas. In conclusion, dynamic network properties are highly predictive of the malignant grade of gliomas, thus could serve as new biomarkers for disease characterization.
Posterior parietal cortex is causally involved in reward valuation but not in probability weighting during risky choice
Authors: Panidi Ksenia , Vorobiova Alicia N , Feurra Matteo , Klucharev Vasily
Published: November 2023

This study provides evidence that the posterior parietal cortex is causally involved in risky decision making via the processing of reward values but not reward probabilities. In the within-group experimental design, participants performed a binary lottery choice task following transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right posterior parietal cortex, left posterior parietal cortex, and a right posterior parietal cortex sham (placebo) stimulation. The continuous theta-burst stimulation protocol supposedly downregulating the cortical excitability was used. Both, mean–variance and the prospect theory approach to risky choice showed that the posterior parietal cortex stimulation shifted participants toward greater risk aversion compared with sham. On the behavioral level, after the posterior parietal cortex stimulation, the likelihood of choosing a safer option became more sensitive to the difference in standard deviations between lotteries, compared with sham, indicating greater risk avoidance within the mean–variance framework. We also estimated the shift in prospect theory parameters of risk preferences after posterior parietal cortex stimulation. The hierarchical Bayesian approach showed moderate evidence for a credible change in risk aversion parameter toward lower marginal reward value (and, hence, lower risk tolerance), while no credible change in probability weighting was observed. In addition, we observed anecdotal evidence for a credible increase in the consistency of responses after the left posterior parietal cortex stimulation compared with sham.
Dissociable contributions of the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex to representing task space in a social context
Authors: Liao Jiajun , Li Jinhui , Qiu Yidan , Wu Xiaoyan , Liu Bingyi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Yuting , Peng Xiaoqi , Huang Ruiwang
Published: November 2023

The hippocampus (HC) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) jointly encode a map-like representation of a task space to guide behavior. It remains unclear how the OFC and HC interact in encoding this map-like representation, though previous studies indicated that both regions have different functions. We acquired the functional magnetic resonance imaging data under a social navigation task in which participants interacted with characters in a two-dimensional “social space.” We calculate the social relationships between the participants and characters and used a drift-diffusion model to capture the inner process of social interaction. Then we used multivoxel pattern analysis to explore the brain-behavior relationship. We found that (i) both the HC and the OFC showed higher activations during the selective trial than the narrative trial; (ii) the neural pattern of the right HC was associated with evidence accumulation during social interaction, and the pattern of the right lateral OFC was associated with the social relationship; (iii) the neural pattern of the HC can decode the participants choices, while the neural pattern of the OFC can decode the task information about trials. The study provided evidence for distinct roles of the HC and the OFC in encoding different information when representing social space.
Novel inductively coupled ear-bars (ICEs) to enhance restored fMRI signal from susceptibility compensation in rats
Authors: Chen Yi , Fernandez Zachary , Scheel Norman , Gifani Mahsa , Zhu David C , Counts Scott E , Dorrance Anne M , Razansky Daniel , Yu Xin , Qian Wei , Qian Chunqi
Published: November 2023

Functional magnetic resonance imaging faces inherent challenges when applied to deep-brain areas in rodents, e.g. entorhinal cortex, due to the signal loss near the ear cavities induced by susceptibility artifacts and reduced sensitivity induced by the long distance from the surface array coil. Given the pivotal roles of deep brain regions in various diseases, optimized imaging techniques are needed. To mitigate susceptibility-induced signal losses, we introduced baby cream into the middle ear. To enhance the detection sensitivity of deep brain regions, we implemented inductively coupled ear-bars, resulting in approximately a 2-fold increase in sensitivity in entorhinal cortex. Notably, the inductively coupled ear-bar can be seamlessly integrated as an add-on device, without necessitating modifications to the scanner interface. To underscore the versatility of inductively coupled ear-bars, we conducted echo-planner imaging-based task functional magnetic resonance imaging in rats modeling Alzheimer’s disease. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrated resting-state-functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity maps originating from the left entorhinal cortex—a central hub for memory and navigation networks-to amygdala hippocampal area, Insular Cortex, Prelimbic Systems, Cingulate Cortex, Secondary Visual Cortex, and Motor Cortex. This work demonstrates an optimized procedure for acquiring large-scale networks emanating from a previously challenging seed region by conventional magnetic resonance imaging detectors, thereby facilitating improved observation of functional magnetic resonance imaging outcomes.
Temporary employment and wage inequality over the life course
Authors: Janietz Christoph , Bol Thijs , Lancee Bram
Published: November 2023

Wage inequality between workers with different levels of educational attainment has been shown to increase over the life course. In this study, we investigate to what extent this growth is explained by temporary employment. Using linked employer-employee register data from the Netherlands, we follow the labour market careers of workers born in 1979. We decompose the impact of temporary employment on the change in the wage gap over the life course into two distinct components: (i) changes in group-specific temporary employment rates (risk) and (ii) changes in group-specific effects of temporary employment on wages (vulnerability). In line with previous research, we find a marked growth of the educational wage gap over the life course in the Netherlands. While group differences in temporary employment risk changed throughout the observation period to the detriment of less-educated workers, group differences in vulnerability to temporary employment diverged specifically during the early life course. Overall, temporary employment explains around 9 per cent of the change in the wage gap between workers with different levels of educational attainment by the age of 38 relative to age 28.
External influences over Senegalese health financing policy: delaying universal health coverage?
Authors: Ridde Valéry , Caffin Jean-Hugues , Hane Fatoumata
Published: November 2023

Senegal has long sought solutions to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). However, in a context dependent on international aid, the country faces multiple external pressures to choose policy instruments. In this commentary, we propose an analysis of this influence. The empirical material comes from our involvement in analysing health reforms for 20 years and from many interviews and observations. While studies have shown that community-based health insurance (CBHI) was not an appropriate solution for UHC, some international actors have influenced their continued application. Another global partner proposed an alternative (professional and departmental CBHI), which was counteracted and delayed. These issues of powers and influences of international and national consultants, established in a neo-liberal approach to health, have lost at least a decade from UHC in Senegal. The alternative now appears to be acquired and is scaling up at the country level, witnessing a change in the current policy paradigm.
Protecting children from unhealthy food marketing: a comparative policy analysis in Australia, Fiji and Thailand
Authors: Thow Anne Marie , Phulkerd Sirinya , Ngqangashe Yandisa , Ravuvu Amerita , Zaruba Liza , Huckel Schneider Carmen , Collin Jeff , Schram Ashley , Friel Sharon
Published: November 2023

Restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children is a globally recommended policy measure to improve diets and health. The aim of the analysis was to identify opportunities to enable policy learning and shift beliefs of relevant actors, to engender policy progress on restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children. We drew on the Advocacy Coalition Framework to thematically analyse data from qualitative policy interviews conducted Australia (n = 24), Fiji (n = 10) and Thailand (n = 20). In all three countries two clear and opposing advocacy coalitions were evident within the policy subsystem related to regulation of unhealthy food marketing, which we termed the ‘strengthen regulation’ and ‘minimal/self regulation’ coalitions. Contributors to policy stasis on this issue were identified as tensions between public health and economic objectives of government, and limited formal and informal spaces for productive dialogue. The analysis also identified opportunities for policy learning that could enable policy progress on restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children as: taking an incremental approach to policy change, defining permitted (rather than restricted) foods, investing in new public health expertise related to emerging marketing approaches and scaling up of monitoring of impacts. The insights from this study are likely to be relevant to many countries seeking to strengthen regulation of marketing to children, in response to recent global recommendations.
What should we talk about? Contributions from Freirean Thematic Investigation in health education with adolescents
Authors: Gontijo Daniela Tavares , Calheiros Maria Natália Santos , Jucá Adriana Lobo , Monteiro Rosana Juliet Silva
Published: November 2023

Adolescence is an essential stage of life for developing actions related to health promotion, especially in health education (HE). Public policies advocate for the expansion of participative technologies in this field, as well as different theoretical and methodological perspectives subsidize these. Among these, Paulo Freire's reference guide is practiced in Brazil and around the world. From the Freirean perspective, Thematic Investigation (TI) defines the content of the educational practice. This paper describes a methodological proposal of the Freirean Thematic Investigation for developing health educational practices and promoting health among adolescents. Initially, we describe the conception of the Freirean rationale that sets the grounds for the proposed method: human being, dialogical education and reality and their connections with HE with adolescents in a critical perspective. The methodological proposal is systematized into five stages: (i) Approaching adolescents and the field of educational practices; (ii) Reading reality; (iii) Seminars for analyzing reality reading and preparing the codifications; (iv) Critical analysis of reality; and (v) Planning educational practices. The TI confronts the adult-centric perspectives that characterize adolescent health care. Moreover, as a praxis, TI is a process of reflection and action with adolescents, allowing for not only the discovery of the themes that build educational practices but also for solutions (untested feasibility) for the individual and collective problems experienced by adolescents concerning their health.
Automatic Segmentation and Radiomics for Identification and Activity Assessment of CTE Lesions in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Gao Yankun , Zhang Bo , Zhao Dehan , Li Shuai , Rong Chang , Sun Mingzhai , Wu Xingwang
Published: November 2023

Background

The purpose of this article is to develop a deep learning automatic segmentation model for the segmentation of Crohn’s disease (CD) lesions in computed tomography enterography (CTE) images. Additionally, the radiomics features extracted from the segmented CD lesions will be analyzed and multiple machine learning classifiers will be built to distinguish CD activity.

Methods

This was a retrospective study with 2 sets of CTE image data. Segmentation datasets were used to establish nnU-Net neural network’s automatic segmentation model. The classification dataset was processed using the automatic segmentation model to obtain segmentation results and extract radiomics features. The most optimal features were then selected to build 5 machine learning classifiers to distinguish CD activity. The performance of the automatic segmentation model was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient, while the performance of the machine learning classifier was evaluated using the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Results

The segmentation dataset had 84 CTE examinations of CD patients (mean age 31 ± 13 years, 60 males), and the classification dataset had 193 (mean age 31 ± 12 years, 136 males). The deep learning segmentation model achieved a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.824 on the testing set. The logistic regression model showed the best performance among the 5 classifiers in the testing set, with an area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.862, 0.697, 0.840, and 0.759, respectively.

Conclusion

The automated segmentation model accurately segments CD lesions, and machine learning classifier distinguishes CD activity well. This method can assist radiologists in promptly and precisely evaluating CD activity.
A comparison of the incidence of ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis between intensity-modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer treated with durvalumab after concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Masuo Masahiro , Shinohara Eiko , Kitano Masataka , Maruta Ryusuke , Chonabayashi Satoshi , Endo Shun , Matumoto Suhei , Nishiyama Naoki , Machitori Yumiko , Kobayashi Masayoshi
Published: November 2023

Background

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been increasingly used as a new radiation modality for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The risk factors for radiation pneumonitis (RP) during consolidation durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using IMRT have not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed medical record data from consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC who underwent CCRT and consolidation durvalumab at our institution between April 2018 and September 2022. Since we adopted IMRT for the treatment of NSCLC in April 2020, these patients were categorized into two groups: those treated with IMRT after April 2020 and those treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) before April 2020.

Results

A total of 31 patients underwent IMRT (the IMRT group), while 25 patients underwent 3D-CRT (the 3D-CRT group). In both groups, the total dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions. The cumulative incidence of ≥ grade 2 RP at 12 months was significantly lower in the IMRT group than in the 3D-CRT group (27.0% vs. 64.0%, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.338, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.144–0.793, p = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, V20 (≥ 25.6%, HR: 2.706, 95% CI: 1.168–6.269, p = 0.020) and radiotherapy technique (IMRT, HR: 0.414, 95% CI: 0.172–0.994, p = 0.048) were identified as significant risk factors for ≥ grade 2 RP.

Conclusions

IMRT is associated with a lower rate of ≥ grade 2 RP in patients with NSCLC who received CCRT followed by durvalumab.
Negative Events and Compositional Semantics
Authors: Bernard Timothée , Champollion Lucas
Published: November 2023

Motivated by intuitive parallels between event descriptions with and without linguistic negation, we develop a formalization of negative events. We propose that verbal negation denotes a function ${\textit{Neg}}$, which sends any set of events $P$ to a set ${\textit{Neg}}(P)$ constrained by a principle ensuring that any event in ${\textit{Neg}}(P)$ occurs if and only if no event in $P$ does. This allows us to construe the events in ${\textit{Neg}}(P)$ as negative, “anti-$P$”, events. Our formalization of ${\textit{Neg}}$ is conceptually related to truthmaker semantics but only requires standard logical tools, and it is compatible with standard versions of event semantics. We develop an explicit syntax-semantics interface and compositional analyses of the interaction of negation with disjunction, conjunction, quantifiers, and nonfinite perception reports.
Temperature-dependent action of pepper mildew resistance locus O 1 in inducing pathogen immunity and thermotolerance
Authors: Huang Xueying , Yang Sheng , Zhang Yapeng , Shi Yuanyuan , Shen Lei , Zhang Qixiong , Qiu Ailian , Guan Deyi , He Shuilin
Published: November 2023

Plant diseases tend to be more serious under conditions of high-temperature/high-humidity (HTHH) than under moderate conditions, and hence disease resistance under HTHH is an important determinant for plant survival. However, how plants cope with diseases under HTHH remains poorly understood. In this study, we used the pathosystem consisting of pepper (Capsicum annuum) and Ralstonia solanacearum (bacterial wilt) as a model to examine the functions of the protein mildew resistance locus O 1 (CaMLO1) and U-box domain-containing protein 21 (CaPUB21) under conditions of 80% humidity and either 28 °C or 37 °C. Expression profiling, loss- and gain-of-function assays involving virus-induced gene-silencing and overexpression in pepper plants, and protein–protein interaction assays were conducted, and the results showed that CaMLO1 acted negatively in pepper immunity against R. solanacearum at 28 °C but positively at 37 °C. In contrast, CaPUB21 acted positively in immunity at 28 °C but negatively at 37 °C. Importantly, CaPUB21 interacted with CaMLO1 under all of the tested conditions, but only the interaction in response to R. solanacearum at 37 °C or to exposure to 37 °C alone led to CaMLO1 degradation, thereby turning off defence responses against R. solanacearum at 37 °C and under high-temperature stress to conserve resources. Thus, we show that CaMLO1 and CaPUB21 interact with each other and function distinctly in pepper immunity against R. solanacearum in an environment-dependent manner.
Oh Death, Here Is Your Sting
Authors: Cordova Justin C
Published: November 2023

Perioperative death is a harrowing experience that physicians often encounter while needing to continue life sustaining care for others. In this piece, an anesthesiology resident uses poetry to process the recent passing of one of his patients, highlighting the ways that it continues to impact the care that he provides.
Duboisian Leadership through Standpoint Epistemology
Authors: Bright Liam Kofi
Published: November 2023

I outline a defence of a naive group-level standpoint epistemology. According to this view then under conditions often met in real situations of oppression, it is the majority view on questions of import to those marginalised by oppression that ought to be treated as deference worthy. I further argue that this view is inspired by and coheres well with various doctrines laid out and defended by W.E.B. Du Bois, making this a recognisably Duboisian vision of standpoint epistemology. The central conceptual move is to relate principles of social epistemology under conditions of oppression that were of great interest to Du Bois with the conditions for group accuracy that have been studied by social-choice theorists working on Condorcet’s Jury Theorem, as well as contemporary epistemological work on group polarisation. I argue that once these elements are brought together a surprisingly cogent case for deference to the simple majority view of the marginalised can often be made.
Nicotine Formulation Influences the Autonomic and Arrhythmogenic Effects of Electronic Cigarettes
Authors: Kucera Cory , Ramalingam Anand , Srivastava Shweta , Bhatnagar Aruni , Carll Alex P
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Evidence is mounting that electronic cigarette (e-cig) use induces cardiac sympathetic dominance and electrical dysfunction conducive to arrhythmias and dependent upon nicotine. A variety of nicotine types and concentrations are available in e-cigs, but their relative cardiovascular effects remain unclear. Here we examine how different nicotine forms (racemic, free base, and salt) and concentrations influence e-cig-evoked cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmogenesis and provide a mechanism for nicotine-salt-induced autonomic imbalance.

Methods

ECG-telemetered C57BL/6J mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or e-cig aerosols from propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin solvents either without nicotine (vehicle) or with increasing nicotine concentrations (1%, 2.5%, and 5%) for three 9-minute puff sessions per concentration. Spontaneous ventricular premature beat (VPB) incidence rates, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between treatments. Subsequently, to test the role of β1-adrenergic activation in e-cig-induced cardiac effects, mice were pretreated with atenolol and exposed to either FA or 2.5% nicotine salt.

Results

During puffing and washout phases, ≥2.5% racemic nicotine reduced heart rate and increased HRV relative to FA and vehicle controls, indicating parasympathetic dominance. Relative to both controls, 5% nicotine salt elevated heart rate and decreased HRV during washout, suggesting sympathetic dominance, and also increased VPB frequency. Atenolol abolished e-cig-induced elevations in heart rate and declines in HRV during washout, indicating e-cig-evoked sympathetic dominance is mediated by β1-adrenergic stimulation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that inhalation of e-cig aerosols from nicotine-salt-containing e-liquids could increase the cardiovascular risks of vaping by inducing sympathetic dominance and cardiac arrhythmias.

Implications

Exposure to e-cig aerosols containing commercially relevant concentrations of nicotine salts may increase nicotine delivery and impair cardiac function by eliciting β1-adrenoceptor-mediated sympathoexcitation and provoking ventricular arrhythmias. If confirmed in humans, our work suggests that regulatory targeting of nicotine salts through minimum pH standards or limits on acid additives in e-liquids may mitigate the public health risks of vaping.
1026. Hepatitis B Reactivation in Persons with HIV with Positive Hepatitis B Core Antibody after Switching to Antiretroviral Therapy without Hepatitis B Activity
Authors: Denyer Rachel V , Tate Janet P , Benator Debra A , Lim Joseph K , Weintrob Amy
Published: November 2023

Background

One in three persons with HIV (PWH) without active hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection have a positive hepatitis B core antibody (cAb) suggesting prior HBV exposure. This group is at risk for HBV reactivation (HBVr) when changes to antiretrovirals (ARV) result in cessation of nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) with dual activity against HIV and HBV, e.g. tenofovir. Case reports of HBVr in PWH with positive cAb after NRTI cessation have been published, but the frequency of reactivation is unknown. Since FDA approval of dolutegravir-rilpivirine in 2017 and long-acting injectable cabotegravir-rilpivirine in 2021, increasing numbers of PWH are switching to ARV without HBV activity. We describe HBV reactivation in cAb positive PWH following switch to ARV without HBV activity (AHB-) from ARV with HBV activity (AHB+).

Methods

We used data from 60,290 PWH enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study to identify 7,860 who switched to AHB- prior to 12/31/2022 with prior positive cAb and negative pre-switch hepatitis B surface Ag (sAg). We excluded 779 due to active HBV (positive sAg or hepatitis B DNA [HBDNA] on nearest result pre-switch), leaving 7,081 eligible for analysis. We included PWH with remote prior positive sAg not meeting active HBV criteria. We defined HBVr as detection of HBDNA or sAg. AHB+ included lamivudine, emtricitabine, and/or tenofovir.

Results

HBVr occurred in 1.6% of PWH with positive cAb (n = 115) after switch to AHB-, with demographics summarized in Table 1. Table 2 shows prespecified subgroup analyses by prior sAg and hepatitis B surface antibody (sAb). Reactivation risk was 1.0% in those with no prior positive sAg and 20.2% in those with remote prior positive sAg (p < 0.0001). Among those with no prior positive sAg, HBVr risk in those with positive sAb was 0.4%, compared with 1.1% in those without positive sAb (p = 0.065); among those with remote prior positive sAg, no difference in risk by sAb status was found (p = 0.64).

Conclusion

Overall risk of HBVr is low after AHB+ to AHB- switch among cAb positive PWH with no prior positive sAg. Our results will inform provider-patient discussion about risks of HBVr when considering switching to newer NRTI-sparing AHB- and also highlight the importance of pre-switch review of all prior hepatitis serology results.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures
1099. CMV PCR Agreement between Blood and Dried Blood Spots in Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Kim Juhyeong , Wang Huanyu , Katherine Medoro Alexandra , Pifer Traci , Crisan Rachelle , Leber Amy , Flint Kaitlyn , Powell Sebastian , Sanchez Pablo J , Shimamura Masako
Published: November 2023

Background

Dried blood spot (DBS) PCR sensitivity for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening ranges from 34% to 86%, but it is unclear whether a negative DBS PCR reflects an absence of CMV DNAemia or a technical limitation in viral detection by DBS PCR. The objective of this study was to determine the agreement between CMV DNA PCR tests in plasma and DBS among cCMV infected infants.

Methods

This single center retrospective cohort study evaluated infants diagnosed with cCMV infection by urine CMV PCR at age ≤ 21 days due to clinical symptoms, failed newborn hearing screen, or NICU admission screening. Subjects with a plasma CMV PCR test performed within the first month after birth and a newborn CMV DBS PCR test were included in the study. Agreement between the plasma and DBS PCR tests was calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Clinical characteristics and viral loads were compared between groups with concordant and discordant DBS and plasma PCR tests using the Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

70 cCMV infected infants were included in the study. 30 (43%) were female, 51 (73%) were white, 13 (19%) were black, 6 (8%) were other/multiracial, 3 (4%) were Hispanic, and 54 (77%) had symptomatic cCMV infection. 49 (70%) had DBS+/plasma+ PCR; 1 (1.4%) had DBS+/plasma- PCR; 14 (20%) had DBS-/plasma+ PCR; and 6 (9%) had DBS-/plasma- PCR. Groups had similar distributions of sex, race, ethnicity, gestational age, birthweight, birth length, birth head circumference, and symptomatic infection. DBS sensitivity was 71%. Agreement between the tests was fair (κ = 0.348, 95% confidence interval = 0.115-0.581). Of the 20 subjects with DBS- tests, 70% had plasma+ PCR and 30% had undetectable CMV DNA in plasma. Infants with DBS+/plasma+ PCR had significantly higher plasma viral loads compared to those with DBS-/plasma+ PCR (2245 IU/ml [761-5773] vs. 321 IU/ml [165-464], median [interquartile range]) (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In this predominantly symptomatic cohort, DBS PCR identified the majority (71%) of infants with cCMV infection. A negative DBS PCR was associated with either low-level plasma CMV DNAemia that was seen in 20% of cCMV infected infants, or no plasma DNAemia in 9% of infants. These findings may impact the use of DBS as a screening test for cCMV infection.

Disclosures

Alexandra Katherine Medoro, MD, Merck: Grant/Research Support Amy Leber, PhD, Biomeriux: Grant/Research Support|BioRad: Advisor/Consultant|Cephied: Grant/Research Support|Diasorin: Grant/Research Support