bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvements in image compression and RF transmission for wireless capsule endoscopy
Authors: Ιντζές Ιωάννης
Published: January 2024

Η διατριβή προτείνει ένα βελτιωμένο σύστημα ασύρματης ενδοσκοπικής κάψουλας για την αντιμετώπιση του πόνου και των κινδύνων που σχετίζονται με τις παραδοσιακές διαδικασίες ενδοσκόπησης και κολονοσκόπησης. Οι τρέχοντες περιορισμοί των συμβατικών συστημάτων, όπως η ανεπαρκής διάρκεια ζωής της μπαταρίας και τα προβλήματα μετάδοσης δεδομένων, παρακινούν την ανάγκη για ένα νέο σχεδιασμό. Το προτεινόμενο σύστημα WCE εισάγει καινοτομίες σε φακούς κάμερας, αισθητήρες εικόνας, αλγόριθμους συμπίεσης και ασύρματη μετάδοση. Η έρευνα αναλύει εκατοντάδες εικόνες WCE για να εντοπίσει μοναδικά χαρακτηριστικά και βελτιστοποιεί έναν αλγόριθμο συμπίεσης για αποτελεσματικό χειρισμό δεδομένων. Ένας πρωτοποριακός φακός 360 μοιρών προτείνεται για να συλλάβει ολόκληρο τον γαστρεντερικό σύστημα. Αυτή η προσέγγιση επιτρέπει στους γιατρούς να περνούν μέσα από το γαστρεντερικό σύστημα για πιο ακριβείς διαγνώσεις. Ο αλγόριθμος συμπίεσης δοδιμάστηκε μέσω του λογισμικού Matlab, υλοποιείθηκε σε πλακέτες ανάπτυξης FPGA και σχεδιάστηκε σε τεχνολογία FinFet 16nm χρησιμοποιώντας λογισμικό σετ εργαλείων της Cadence. Ο προτεινόμενος αλγόριθμος συμπίεσης είναι ευέλικτος, συμβατός με κοινώς χρησιμοποιούμενους αισθητήρες κάμερας και πομπούς ραδιοσυχνοτήτων. Συγκεκριμένα, τα δεδομένα εξόδου του συστήματος μεταδίδονται σειριακά, διευκολύνοντας την άμεση σύνδεση με υπάρχοντες πομπούς ραδιοσυχνοτήτων. Εκτός από τον αλγόριθμο συμπίεσης, η έρευνα περιλαμβάνει το σχεδιασμό και την προσομοίωση ενός ασύρματου πομπού χαμηλής ενέργειας χρησιμοποιώντας ψηφιακή διαμόρφωση On-Off Keying (OOK). Το συνολικό αποτέλεσμα είναι ένα συμπαγές και αποτελεσματικό σύστημα WCE που αντιμετωπίζει τα μειονεκτήματα των παραδοσιακών διαδικασιών, προσφέροντας βελτιωμένη απόδοση και συμβατότητα με τις τρέχουσες ιατρικές τεχνολογίες.
Effect of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate on the uptake of microcystins by Brassica oleracea and Solanum tuberosum
Authors: Pindihama Glynn , Gitari Mugera , Madala Ntakadzeni
Published: January 2024

Background Globally, hypereutrophic conditions in major water reservoirs used for irrigation purposes, promote the co-existence of cyanotoxins and other pollutants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). LAS is known to alter the permeability of membranes and promote the uptake of other pollutants by plants. In light of the potential human health risks and prevailing hypereutrophic conditions in some catchments in South Africa, we investigated the combined effects of LAS and microcystins (MCs) on food plants when cyanobacteria infested water is used to irrigate terrestrial crops. Methods To understand the potential risks, pot-culture experiments were conducted to assess the effect of LAS on the accumulation of MCs in Brassica oleracea (cabbage) and Solanum tuberosum (potato) plants. The plants were watered with dam water containing 3.48 mg L-1 of the LAS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and MCs (MC-LR: 10.47 ± 3.879; 6.158 ± 4.127 for MC-RR and 8.160 ± 2.544 for MC-YR μg L-1) for 20 days. Results The presence of LAS, at environmentally relevant concentrations in the irrigation water, did not enhance the uptake of MCs in the two plants, as demonstrated by statistically insignificant differences in the means of the treatments (with and without LAS). In addition, the presence of LAS, high pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and cyanotoxins in the water did not affect the total chlorophyll or the well-being of the plants. However, in some cases the levels of MCs bioaccumulated by the two plants exceeded the WHO recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI). Conclusions These findings imply that the tested levels of LAS and MCs did not have any synergic effects on the two plant species, but irrigating food crops with such water still poses a human health risk.
Sustainable economic development through strategic planning, environmental sustainability, innovation, and learning in community enterprises: evidence from Ranong Province, Thailand
Authors: Pranee Supattra , Eaknarajindawat Natnaporn , Aeknarajindawut Nattachai , Pulphon Sodsri , Suwannapirom Chutirom
Published: January 2024

Background This study explores the factors influencing the performance of community enterprises in Ranong Province, Thailand. Drawing on a literature review, the research focuses on the role of strategic marketing, green supply chain management, innovation capabilities, organizational learning, social entrepreneurship, and destination vulnerability in shaping the performance and competitiveness of these enterprises. The study aims to provide insights into how community enterprises can enhance their performance and contribute to the sustainable development of the region. Methods The findings were based on data collected from 460 community enterprise operators in Ranong province. The data was acquired through questionnaires and in-depth interviews using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Results The findings of this study suggest that strategic marketing plays a crucial role in helping community enterprises identify opportunities, develop unique value propositions, and respond to dynamic market trends. Green supply chain management emerges as an important factor for community enterprises to consider, as adopting environmentally friendly practices can improve their reputation, attract loyal customers, and enhance their overall performance. Innovation capabilities are identified as essential for community enterprises to stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions. Organizational learning and the establishment of communities of practice are found to be critical for fostering knowledge sharing and enhancing employee skills, thus improving organizational performance. Social entrepreneurship can enable community enterprises to leverage their social missions and differentiate themselves from competitors, while destination vulnerability assessment can help them build resilience and ensure long-term sustainability. Conclusions This study contributes to the understanding of the influences on the performance of community enterprises in Ranong Province and offers practical implications for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and local communities. By focusing on these key areas, community enterprises can improve their performance, achieve sustainable growth, and make a positive impact on their communities and the environment.
Personality typologies of smokers and excessive drinkers: a cross-sectional survey of respondents in the BBC Lab UK Study
Authors: Perski Olga , Nikiel Astrid , Brown Jamie , Shahab Lion
Published: January 2024

Background Several personality traits have been linked to addictive behaviours, including smoking and excessive drinking. We hypothesised that the combination of low conscientiousness, high extraversion and high neuroticism would be synergistically associated with smoking, excessive drinking and both behaviours combined. Methods Respondents aged 16+ years (N=363,454) were surveyed between 2009-2013 as part of the BBC Lab UK Study, with no restrictions on geographical location. Respondents provided information about sociodemographic characteristics, personality traits, and smoking and alcohol consumption. A series of multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results No significant three-way but significant two-way interactive effects were observed. The association of high extraversion with smoking was more pronounced in those with high (vs. low) conscientiousness (ORadj=1.51, 95% CI=1.46, 1.56, p<.001; ORadj=1.38, 95% CI=1.35, 1.42, p<.001). The association of high extraversion with excessive drinking was more pronounced in those with low (vs. high) conscientiousness (ORadj=1.70, 95% CI=1.67, 1.74, p<.001; ORadj=1.60, 95% CI=1.56, 1.63, p<.001). The association of high extraversion with both behaviours combined was more pronounced in those with high (vs. low) conscientiousness (ORadj=1.74, 95% CI=1.65, 1.83, p<.001; ORadj=1.62, 95% CI= 1.56, 1.68, p<.001). Results remained largely robust in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In a large international survey, we identified two-way ‘personality typologies’ that are associated with greater odds of smoking, excessive drinking and both behaviours combined. The results may be useful for the tailoring of behaviour change interventions to at-risk individuals.
Aesthetic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: The corona performance No Problama
Authors: Eidsaa Randi Margrethe
Published: January 2024

This article highlights the artistic project No Problama, which was created during the COVID-19 crisis. The discussion takes its point of departure in revisiting the project, aiming to discover new meanings, expand knowledge about art as response to crises and more profound understanding of connecting art and society when explored two years after completion. The investigation is inspired by international research on the function of art during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article includes references to art and music projects published in 2020 as creative, aesthetic responses, which reflected how people worldwide used artistic expressions to release fear and anxiety during the first months of the lockdown. The No Problama project was developed from August 2020 to May 2021 as a primary school and university collaboration in a small city close to the University of Agder in Kristiansand, Norway. The project exemplifies what was later referred to as "corona-music" or "corona-art". It is discussed as an aesthetic response to the COVID-19 pandemic using approaches from music aesthetics, music education and research in the arts. A retrospective exploration made it evident that the No Problama artistic expressions became representations of COVID-19-pandemic aesthetics. Thus, the project illustrates one path of intervention between art and crisis in a specific context where each component was developed and tailored to a situation affected by strict national health regulations.
Ciclos de Mejora Docente en Trabajos Fin de Estudios en Arquitectura
Authors: Rivera Gómez Carlos
Published: January 2024

En este trabajo se analiza la experiencia de aplicar un Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA), a la asignatura de Trabajo Fin de Grado en los estudios universitarios de Fundamentos de Arquitectura. La metodología empleada ha sido la mentorización considerando el perfil de la asignatura y los objetivos docentes implicados. En el texto se comentan las estrategias didácticas empleadas y la evaluación de los resultados de su implementación.
Transferencia digital del conocimiento. La digitalización real de contenidos para una educación de futuro
Authors: Mancera Martínez Manuel Fernando
Published: January 2024

La digitalización de los contenidos debe abarcar al cómputo total del desarrollo docente universitario. Es esencial que cualquier gestión, trámite o proceso a desarrollar en torno a la materia sea de carácter eminentemente digital. Desde la traslación de contenidos, en todas direcciones, hasta la organización de estos de manera correcta y conveniente, pasando por cómo abordar protocolos de comunicación y tratamiento de los datos, hasta llegar a la certificación digital como requisito indispensable para el posicionamiento laboral de nuestro tiempo. Abordaremos, en este cuarto año de permanencia en la REFID, procedimientos y recursos habilitantes para promover, desarrollar e instaurar la digitalización como único elemento transmisor del conocimiento y sus derivados.
La dirección de actores. Innovación docente en la asignatura de «Puesta en Escena Audiovisual»
Authors: Marín-Montín Joaquín
Published: January 2024

Este capítulo presenta los resultados del Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA) llevado a cabo en la asignatura de Puesta en escena audiovisual, del tercer curso del Grado en Comunicación Audiovisual experimentado durante el primer cuatrimestre del curso 2022/23. Este CIMA tuvo una duración de diez horas que fueron distribuidas en cinco sesiones teniendo como eje central la dirección de actores. Se trata del segundo bloque de la asignatura cuyo objetivo principal fue delimitar los fundamentos principales de esa actividad profesional y que se abordó una vez terminado el rodaje de un cortometraje. En este texto se recoge el diseño del ciclo de mejora y la descripción de su aplicación. Los cuestionarios inicial y final han sido una herramienta clave en todo el proceso realizado. Los resultados de la experiencia han permitido incrementar el protagonismo del alumnado logrando que el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje sea más colaborativo y conectado con la realidad, así como ha contribuido a mejorar la práctica docente
Ciclo de mejora en el aula para la docencia universitaria en dos bloques temáticos de Epidemiología y Salud Pública
Authors: Morales Marín Fátima
Published: January 2024

Este trabajo describe la ejecución de una mejora en el modelo didáctico docente dentro de dos bloques temáticos de la asignatura obligatoria de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, que se imparte en segundo curso del Grado de Odontología de la Universidad de Sevilla. Dicho modelo centra el sistema de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el alumnado, siguiendo un modelo metodológico basado en el principio de investigación. Para ello, se ha diseñado un mapa de contenidos, un modelo metodológico, una secuencia de actividades y un cuestionario, que facilitan la implicación del alumnado en su proceso de aprendizaje. Como resultado, se presenta una evaluación del proceso, tanto con el análisis de las sesiones en el aula, como a través de escaleras de aprendizaje, donde se demuestra que el alumnado evoluciona y progresa adecuadamente en adquirir las competencias objetivo de los bloques. Podemos concluir que la experiencia ha sido totalmente enriquecedora, siendo evaluada por el alumnado con una calificación media de sobresaliente. Por lo que animamos al profesorado afín a la asignatura a involucrarse en esta nueva metodología docente, sirviendo este trabajo de ejemplo a desarrollar.
Innovación en análisis cualitativo. Aplicación de un ciclo de mejora en el laboratorio de Química Analítica del Grado en Química
Authors: Román-Hidalgo Cristina
Published: January 2024

En este trabajo se describe la aplicación de un Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA) en la asignatura Química Analítica I de segundo curso del Grado en Química. El CIMA se ha llevado a cabo en las prácticas de laboratorio del segundo cuatrimestre de la asignatura, destinadas a trabajar los contenidos relacionados con el análisis cualitativo. El modelo metodológico empleado se centra en el alumnado, quien trabaja de forma individual y colectiva a través de distintas experiencias prácticas para extraer las conclusiones correspondientes, llevando así el peso del proceso de aprendizaje. Asimismo, la elaboración de los mapas de contenidos y la secuencia de actividades se ha llevado a cabo poniendo especial atención en relacionar los contenidos propios de este CIMA con los impartidos en el cuatrimestre anterior, enfocados al análisis cuantitativo. Por último, el análisis y evaluación del CIMA desarrollado durante este curso 2022/23 se ha realizado fundamentalmente empleando las escaleras de aprendizaje de los alumnos, construidos a partir de los cuestionarios inicial/final.
Racismo, discursos de odio y migraciones en el contexto de los medios de comunicación y las plataformas digitales
Authors: Amores Javier J. , Fuentes Lara María Cristina , Cogo Denise
Published: January 2024

Editorial: Volumen 17, Número 1 (Enero-Junio, 2024)
Idiopathic bilateral pulmonary vein thrombosis
Authors: Nasrullah Adeel , Bilal Muhammad Ibraiz , Malik Khalid , DiSilvio Briana , Cheema Tariq
Published: January 2024

A 52-year-old female with a history of chronic lymphoedema and untreated deep vein thrombosis, presented with non-specific right-sided chest pain. A CT angiogram confirmed bilateral inferior pulmonary vein thromboses (PVT). A comprehensive hypercoagulable workup and age-appropriate cancer screening were unremarkable; the lack of associated risk factors confirmed idiopathic PVT. The management strategy of systemic anticoagulation with apixaban and multidisciplinary follow-up underscores the treatment challenges of rare presentations. This case accentuates the importance of considering PVT in differential diagnoses of atypical chest pain and contributes valuable insights into the diagnosis, understanding and management of this uncommon condition.
El oso dorado de las alturas Cyclopes didactylus
Authors: Yañez-Chacón Marcos Andrés , Sánchez-Cordero Víctor , Flores-Martínez José Juan
Published: January 2024

De un color tan llamativo como su forma de vivir, los osos hormigueros dorados siguen siendo un misterio para la mayoría de las personas. Acompañados por una fuerte cola y una feroz hambre de insectos, están bien preparados para una vida en las alturas.
Compact multi-spectral-resolution Wynne–Offner imaging spectrometer with a long slit
Authors: Zhang Xingyun , Gao Yanhong , Ji Yiqun , Feng Anwei , Zhao Shijia , Wang Chinhua
Published: January 2024

Current imaging spectrometers are developed towards a large field of view (FOV) as well as high resolution to obtain more spatial and spectral information. However, imaging spectrometers with a large FOV and high resolution produce a huge image data cube, which increases the difficulty of spectral data acquisition and processing. In practical applications, it is more reasonable and helpful to identify different targets within a large FOV with different spectral resolutions. In this paper, a compact multi-spectral-resolution Wynne–Offner imaging spectrometer with a long slit is proposed by introducing a special diffraction grating with multi-groove densities at different areas. With the increasing of the groove density and the slit length, the astigmatism of the Wynne–Offner imaging spectrometer increases sharply. Therefore, the relationships between the astigmatism and both the groove density and slit length are studied. Moreover, a holographic grating is introduced. The holographic aberrations produced are utilized to balance the residual astigmatism of the imaging spectrometer. The design results show that the system is only 60mm×115mm×103mm in volume but achieves both a long slit of 20 mm in length and a waveband from 400 nm to 760 nm with three kinds of spectral resolutions of 2 nm, 1 nm, and 0.5 nm. The designed compact multi-spectral-resolution Wynne–Offner imaging spectrometer can be widely applied in the fields of crop classification and pest detection, which require both a large FOV and multiple spectral resolutions.
Nonlinear fiber effects in ultra-high power 10 × 10 Gbit/s WDM-IM free-space systems for satellite links
Authors: Ciaramella Ernesto , Cossu Giulio
Published: January 2024

We investigate an unexplored type of nonlinear impairments that will take place in a very short fiber after the booster amplifier in a Free Space Optical (FSO) system for space communications. In Earth-satellite links, optical power levels up to 100 W could be required at the transmitter side to achieve the foreseen 100 Gbit/s capacity, because of the extremely high losses. These systems thus need an optical booster amplifier having very high optical power and it should be connected to the transmitting telescope by means of a short fiber (few meters). Here, we discuss and investigate the impact of the nonlinear fiber effects by means of numerical simulations, and estimate the impairments in a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) 10 × 10 Gbit/s system with intensity modulation. The obtained results clearly indicate that, in this system, the most relevant effect is Four Wave Mixing. We proved that this can be observed as soon as the total power exceeds 20 W. Due to the short fiber length, the system impairments are not affected by chromatic dispersion or channel spacing. We demonstrate that an effective means to reduce the impact is by adopting Polarization Interleaving, i.e., odd and even channels with orthogonal state of polarization. This solution could not work in long terrestrial links because of polarization mode dispersion, yet it can be effectively exploited in short fiber patch cords. These results can be used as a guideline to control this type of impairment in high-power FSO systems for satellite links.
High-rate multiplexed entanglement source based on time-bin qubits for advanced quantum networks
Authors: Mueller Andrew , Davis Samantha I. , Korzh Boris , Valivarthi Raju , Beyer Andrew D. , Youssef Rahaf , Sinclair Neil , Peña Cristián , Shaw Matthew D. , Spiropulu Maria
Published: January 2024

Entanglement distribution based on time-bin qubits is an attractive
option for emerging quantum networks. We demonstrate a 4.09-GHz
repetition rate source of photon pairs entangled across early and late
time bins separated by 80 ps. Simultaneous high rates and high
visibilities are achieved through frequency multiplexing the
spontaneous parametric down conversion output into eight time-bin
entangled channel pairs. We demonstrate entanglement visibilities as
high as 99.4%, total entanglement rates up to
3.55×106 coincidences/s, and predict a
straightforward path towards achieving up to an order of magnitude
improvement in rates without compromising visibility. Finally, we
resolve the density matrices of the entangled states for each
multiplexed channel and express distillable entanglement rates in
ebit/s, thereby quantifying the trade-off between visibility and
coincidence rates that contributes to useful entanglement
distribution. This source is a fundamental building block for
high-rate entanglement-based quantum key distribution systems or
advanced quantum networks.
Gastrointestinal parasite infections in Nepalese Gurkha recruits arriving in the United Kingdom from 2012–2020
Authors: Nevin William D. , Jones Jayne , Tupper Donna , Dunbar James A. T. , Wilson Duncan , Ross David , Woolley Stephen , Dodd James , Biswas Jason , Lamb Lucy , Beeching Nicholas J. , O’Shea Matthew K. , Fletcher Thomas E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections are a major cause of global morbidity, infecting hundreds of millions of people each year and potentially leading to lifelong infection and serious complications. Few data exist on screening for GIP infections in migrants entering the UK or on the current performance of different traditional diagnostic approaches.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of GIP infections in Nepalese Gurkha recruits screened on arrival in the UK.

Methodology/Principal findings

We present a retrospective analysis of data from screening male adults (18–21 years) who arrived in the UK from Nepal between 2012 and 2020. Three separate faecal samples were obtained from participants at weekly intervals and processed for formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentration/light microscopy and charcoal culture. Serum samples were analysed for IgG antibodies to Strongyloides stercoralis by ELISA.

Results were available from 2,263 participants, of whom 463 (20.5%, 95% CI 18.8%-22.2%) had a positive diagnostic test for at least one GIP infection. A total of 525 potential infections were identified. Giardia duodenalis was most common (231/2263, 10.2%), followed by S. stercoralis (102/2263, 4.5%), and hookworm species (86/2263, 3.8%). Analysis (microscopy and culture) of the initial stool sample diagnosed only 244/427 (57.1%) faecally identified pathogens, including 41/86 (47.7%) hookworm infections. The proportion of participants infected with any GIP showed a downward trend over the study period. Log-binomial regression showed risk of infection decreasing by 6.1% year-on-year (95% CI 3.2% - 9.0%). This was driven predominantly by a fall in hookworm, S. stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura prevalence.

Conclusions/Significance

The level of potentially pathogenic GIP infection in young Nepalese men migrating to the UK is high (20.5%) and requires a combined diagnostic approach including serology and analysis of multiple stool samples incorporating specialised parasitological methods. Advances in molecular approaches may optimise and simplify the intensive screening strategy required.
Association of marital/partner status with hospital readmission among young adults with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhu Cenjing , Dreyer Rachel P. , Li Fan , Spatz Erica S. , Caraballo César , Mahajan Shiwani , Raparelli Valeria , Leifheit Erica C. , Lu Yuan , Krumholz Harlan M. , Spertus John A. , D’Onofrio Gail , Pilote Louise , Lichtman Judith H.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Despite evidence supporting the benefits of marriage on cardiovascular health, the impact of marital/partner status on the long-term readmission of young acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors is less clear. We examined the association between marital/partner status and 1-year all-cause readmission and explored sex differences among young AMI survivors.

Methods

Data were from the VIRGO study (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients), which enrolled young adults aged 18–55 years with AMI (2008–2012). The primary end point was all-cause readmission within 1 year of hospital discharge, obtained from medical records and patient interviews and adjudicated by a physician panel. We performed Cox proportional hazards models with sequential adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Sex-marital/partner status interaction was also tested.

Results

Of the 2,979 adults with AMI (2002 women [67.2%]; mean age 48 [interquartile range, 44–52] years), unpartnered individuals were more likely to experience all-cause readmissions compared with married/partnered individuals within the first year after hospital discharge (34.6% versus 27.2%, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.49). The association attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors (adjusted HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01–1.34), and it was not significant after further adjusting for clinical factors and psychosocial factors (adjusted HR, 1.10; 95%CI, 0.94–1.28). A sex-marital/partner status interaction was not significant (p = 0.69). Sensitivity analysis using data with multiple imputation and restricting outcomes to cardiac readmission yielded comparable results.

Conclusions

In a cohort of young adults aged 18–55 years, unpartnered status was associated with 1.3-fold increased risk of all-cause readmission within 1 year of AMI discharge. Further adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and psychosocial factors attenuated the association, suggesting that these factors may explain disparities in readmission between married/partnered versus unpartnered young adults. Whereas young women experienced more readmission compared to similar-aged men, the association between marital/partner status and 1-year readmission did not vary by sex.
Information-theoretical analysis of the neural code for decoupled face representation
Authors: Ibáñez-Berganza Miguel , Lucibello Carlo , Mariani Luca , Pezzulo Giovanni
Published: January 2024

Processing faces accurately and efficiently is a key capability of humans and other animals that engage in sophisticated social tasks. Recent studies reported a decoupled coding for faces in the primate inferotemporal cortex, with two separate neural populations coding for the geometric position of (texture-free) facial landmarks and for the image texture at fixed landmark positions, respectively. Here, we formally assess the efficiency of this decoupled coding by appealing to the information-theoretic notion of description length, which quantifies the amount of information that is saved when encoding novel facial images, with a given precision. We show that despite decoupled coding describes the facial images in terms of two sets of principal components (of landmark shape and image texture), it is more efficient (i.e., yields more information compression) than the encoding in terms of the image principal components only, which corresponds to the widely used eigenface method. The advantage of decoupled coding over eigenface coding increases with image resolution and is especially prominent when coding variants of training set images that only differ in facial expressions. Moreover, we demonstrate that decoupled coding entails better performance in three different tasks: the representation of facial images, the (daydream) sampling of novel facial images, and the recognition of facial identities and gender. In summary, our study provides a first principle perspective on the efficiency and accuracy of the decoupled coding of facial stimuli reported in the primate inferotemporal cortex.
Prevalence and characteristics of long COVID-19 in Jordan: A cross sectional survey
Authors: Obeidat Marya , Abu Zahra Abdulmalek , Alsattari Farah
Published: January 2024

Early in the pandemic, the spread of the emerging virus SARS-CoV-2 was causing mild illness lasting less than two weeks for most people, with a small proportion of people developing serious illness or death. However, as the pandemic progressed, many people reported suffering from symptoms for weeks or months after their initial infection. Persistence of COVID-19 symptoms beyond one month, or what is known as long COVID-19, is recognized as a risk of acute infection. Up to date, information on long COVID-19 among Jordanian patients has not been reported. Therefore, we sought to conduct this cross-sectional study utilizing a self-administered survey. The survey asks a series of questions regarding participant demographics, long COVID-19 symptoms, information about pre-existing medical history, supplements, vaccination history, and symptoms recorded after vaccination. Chi square analysis was conducted on 990 responders, and the results showed a significant correlation (P<0.05) between long COVID-19 syndrome and age, obesity, chronic illness, vitamin D intake, number of times infected by COVID-19, number of COVID-19 symptoms and whether the infection was pre or post vaccination. The long-term symptoms most enriched in those with long COVID-19 were tinnitus (73.4%), concentration problems (68.6%) and muscle and joint ache (68.3%).A binomial logistic regression analysis was done to explore the predictors of long COVID-19 and found that age 18–45, marital status, vitamin D, number of COVID-19 symptoms and signs after vaccination are positive predictors of long COVID-19, while zinc intake is a negative predictor. Although further studies on long-term persistence of symptoms are needed, the present study provides a baseline that allows us to understand the frequency and nature of long COVID-19 among Jordanians
PhyloString: A web server designed to identify, visualize, and evaluate functional relationships between orthologous protein groups across different phylogenetic lineages
Authors: Dorantes-Torres Claudia , Carrera-Reyna Maricela , Santos Walter , Sánchez-López Rosana , Merino Enrique
Published: January 2024

Proteins are biological units whose essence is defined by their functional relationships with other proteins or biomolecules such as RNA, DNA, lipids, or carbohydrates. These functions encompass enzymatic, structural, regulatory, or physical interaction roles. The STRING database (Nucleic Acids Research, 8 Jan 2021;49(D1): D605-12) provides an index that defines the functional interaction networks between proteins in model organisms. To facilitate the identification, visualization, and evaluation of potential functional networks across organisms from different phylogenetic lineages, we have developed PhyloString (https://biocomputo.ibt.unam.mx/phylostring/), a web server that utilizes the indices of the STRING database. PhyloString decomposes these functional networks into modules, representing cohesive units of proteins grouped based on their similarity of STRING values and the phylogenetic origins of their respective organisms. This study presents and thoroughly discusses examples of such functional networks and their modules identified using PhyloString.
Epigenetic repression of antiviral genes by SARS-CoV-2 NSP1
Authors: Anastasakis Dimitrios G. , Benhalevy Daniel , Çuburu Nicolas , Altan-Bonnet Nihal , Hafner Markus
Published: January 2024

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evades the innate immune machinery through multiple viral proteins, including nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1). While NSP1 is known to suppress translation of host mRNAs, the mechanisms underlying its immune evasion properties remain elusive. By integrating RNA-seq, ribosome footprinting, and ChIP-seq in A549 cells we found that NSP1 predominantly represses transcription of immune-related genes by favoring Histone 3 Lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2). G9a/GLP H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitor UNC0638 restored expression of antiviral genes and restricted SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our multi-omics study unravels an epigenetic mechanism underlying host immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 NSP1. Elucidating the factors involved in this phenomenon, may have implications for understanding and treating viral infections and other immunomodulatory diseases.
Outcome measures for young people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A qualitative exploration of healthcare professionals’ perceptions and practices
Authors: Alamrani Samia , Gardner Adrian , Falla Deborah , Russell Emily , Rushton Alison B. , Heneghan Nicola R.
Published: January 2024

Background

Limited knowledge exists on current use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and performance measures for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), as well as health care professionals’ (HCPs) perceived barriers and facilitators towards their use. This study’s objectives were: 1) to explore current practice of HCPs when assessing outcomes for AIS 2) to understand perceived barriers and facilitators of HCPs to use PROMs 3) to understand perceived barriers and facilitators of HCPs to use performance measures.

Methods

A qualitative study recruited a purposive sample of HCPs from a tertiary hospital in the United Kingdom. Mean years of experience managing individuals with AIS was 11.8 years; and included surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses, educated at Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral level. Consent to participate and demographic information were collected in advance of the interviews. In-depth, virtual semi-structured interviews were informed by a topic guide based on current evidence. Interviews of approximately 45 minutes were audio and video recorded and transcribed verbatim alongside written field notes. Data were coded and analysed using inductive thematic analysis, involving researchers with topic and methodological expertise and input from a patient representative.

Results

Two themes emerged regarding current practice of using PROMs routine practice and personal evaluations. Four themes emerged as barriers to using PROMs for individuals with AIS: priority and support (e.g., HCPs focus on providing care), practical challenges (e.g., inadequate PROMs), patient-related challenges (e.g., patient preferences) and knowledge, education, and perceived value. Two themes emerged as facilitators: quality existing measure (e.g., sufficient psychometric properties), and priority and support (e.g., research department/culture). Themes for barriers to use performance measures were practicality (e.g., need physical space) and perceived value and knowledge (e.g., PROMs are more important), while the one theme for facilitators was practical consideration (e.g., acceptability).

Conclusions

Although HCPs perceived the value of using outcome measures, current practice indicates limited use for individuals with AIS. The findings revealed different barriers and facilitators to implement PROMs in practice. Adopting performance measure are limited due to lack of knowledge and perceived value alongside the practicality, while considering practical factors can improve the use of these measures in practice.
In quest of China sports lottery development path to common prosperity in 2035
Authors: Yao Yaping , Wan Bin , Long Bo , Bu Te , Zhang Yang
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The China sports lottery contributes to sports and welfare causes. This study aims to construct a macro forecasting model supporting its sustained growth aligned with Vision 2035.

Methods

The modeling employed a distributional regression. Sales data of the China sports lottery from 2011 to 2022 were chosen as the response variable, alongside various macro- and event-level explanatory factors.

Results

A gamma distribution best fit the data. In the stable model spanning 2011–2019, urbanization, population dynamics, and FIFA emerged as significant contributors (Chi–square p < 0.05) to the location shift parameter. These three factors retained their significance in the 2011–2022 shock model, where shock itself notably impacted sales (p < 0.001). Utilizing the shock model, we simulated the trajectory of the China sports lottery up to 2035. China’s demographics changes are poised to create structural headwinds starting in 2026, leading to an anticipated decline in sales driven by population shifts from 2032 onward. However, the FIFA effect is projected to continue fortifying this sector.

Conclusions

Beyond offering original insights into the sales trajectory until 2035, specifically concerning new urbanization, negative population growth, and the FIFA effect, this macro forecasting framework can assist in addressing the policy priority of balancing growth with risk mitigation. We recommend policymakers connect market development with mass sports, potentially garnering a dual boost from the growing population of older consumers and the inherent benefits of a “FIFA (mass sports)” effect. A people-centered approach to the China sports lottery could significantly contribute to the long–range objectives of achieving common prosperity outlined in Vision 2035.
Real-world prescription of anti-COVID-19 drugs in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Japan
Authors: Shida Haruka , Komamine Maki , Kajiyama Kazuhiro , Waki Takashi , Maruyama Hotaka , Uyama Yoshiaki
Published: January 2024

Objective

Prescription trends and patterns of anti-COVID-19 drugs in hospitalized patients were examined based on real world data to understand the use of anti-COVID-19 drugs in clinical practice in Japan.

Design

The longitudinal and cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing data from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 of the MID-NET® medical information database, which stored the electronic medical records, administrative claim data, and diagnosis procedure combination data of patients in Japan.

Participants

Hospitalized patients with a COVID-19-related diagnosis who received at least one anti-COVID-19 drug between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.

Exposures

The following 14 drugs were included in this study: remdesivir, baricitinib, combination product of casirivimab and imdevimab, favipiravir, dexamethasone, ivermectin, azithromycin, nafamostat mesylate, camostat mesylate, ciclesonide, tocilizumab, sarilumab, combination product of lopinavir and ritonavir, and hydroxychloroquine.

Results

We identified 5,717 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and prescribed at least one anti-COVID-19 drug. The entire cohort generally included patients over 41–50 years and more males. The most common prescription pattern was dexamethasone monotherapy (22.9%), followed by the concomitant use of remdesivir and dexamethasone (15.0%), azithromycin monotherapy (15.0%), remdesivir monotherapy (10.2%), and nafamostat mesylate monotherapy (8.5%). However, an often prescribed anti-COVID-19 drug differed depending on the period.

Conclusions and relevance

This study revealed the real-world situation of anti-COVID-19 drug prescriptions in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Japan. A prescribed drug would depend on the latest scientific evidence, such as efficacy, safety, and approval status, at the time of prescription. Understanding the prescription of anti-COVID-19 drugs will be important for providing the most up-to-date treatments to patients and evaluating the benefit and/or risk of anti-COVID-19 drugs based on the utilization of an electronic medical record database.
The Time-Dependent Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study Within the UK Biobank
Authors: Li Fangyu , Yano Yukiko , Étiévant Lola , Daniel Carrie R. , Sharma Shreela V. , Brown Eric L. , Li Ruosha , Loftfield Erikka , Lan Qing , Sinha Rashmi , Moshiree Baharak , Inoue-Choi Maki , Vogtmann Emily
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, but few studies have evaluated mortality risks among individuals with IBS. We explored the association between IBS and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the UK Biobank.

METHODS:

We included 502,369 participants from the UK Biobank with mortality data through 2022. IBS was defined using baseline self-report and linkage to primary care or hospital admission data. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models within partitioned follow-up time categories (0–5, >5–10, and >10 years).

RESULTS:

A total of 25,697 participants (5.1%) had a history of IBS at baseline. After a median follow-up of 13.7 years, a total of 44,499 deaths occurred. Having an IBS diagnosis was strongly associated with lower risks of all-cause (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.62–0.78) and all-cancer (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.60–0.79) mortality in the first 5 years of follow-up. These associations were attenuated over follow-up, but even after 10 years of follow-up, associations remained inverse (all-cause: HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84–0.96; all-cancer: HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78–0.97) after full adjustment. Individuals with IBS had decreased risk of mortality from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers in some of the follow-up time categories.

DISCUSSION:

We found that earlier during follow-up, having diagnosed IBS was associated with lower mortality risk, and the association attenuated over time. Additional studies to understand whether specific factors, such as lifestyle and healthcare access, explain the inverse association between IBS and mortality are needed.
Individual model of psychological support bariatric surgery patients «12 targets»
Authors: Neimark A. E. , Eganian Sh. A.
Published: January 2024

The relevance of developing an individual model of psychological support for patients with bariatric surgery «12 targets» in the framework of a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of obesity is due to the fact that the effectiveness of surgical treatment is significantly influenced by the individual psychological characteristics of the patient. A comprehensive assessment of the psychological state of patients and the implementation of psychocorrective measures before and after bariatric surgery can improve the effectiveness of surgical treatment and prevent the risk of relapse. The individual model of the psychological support of the bariatric patient is built on the principle of a psycho-correction program, which is an integrative approach using psychotherapeutic tools from various areas of clinical psychology and psychotherapy. 12 universal targets of psycho-corrective influence in work with bariatric patients have been identified. The program is implemented in two stages: psychological preparation for bariatric surgery, psychological adaptation to physiological and psychological changes in the postoperative period. 20 bariatric patients took part in the program of individual psychological support, 11 of them (group 1) participated in all stages of psycho-corrective measures; 9 people (group 2) did not undergo psychological preparation for surgery, they were already included in the second stage of work on psychological adaptation to physiological and psychological changes in the postoperative period. Intermediate results of evaluating the effectiveness of psychological support for patients, which are based on the percentage of BMI reduction, show the achievement of stability in reducing overweight in the process of psychological interventions in both groups. The described model of psychological work will allow clinical psychologists working in a multidisciplinary team in bariatrics to focus on the universal targets of the problem field of a bariatric patient.
Polypragmasy and the basics of personalized rational pharmacotherapy selection in older patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Troshina E. A. , Barysheva V. O. , Umarkhadzhieva Z-Sh. R.
Published: January 2024

Increasing life expectancy and, as a consequence, a large number of comorbidities lead to a multitude of medications prescribed by physicians of different specialties. Patients with obesity and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, especially with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), are at particular risk of polypragmasy, which is associated with the use of potentially nonrecommended medications. Prescribing errors can cause significant harm to the patient’s health and increase the risk of rehospitalization and healthcare costs. Identification of probably not recommended drugs in this category of patients will improve understanding of prevalence and risk factors of their use, develop strategies to prevent and limit the burden of taking inappropriate drugs and promote development of personalized and patient-oriented treatment options. Tools exist to assess potentially inappropriate therapy (PIT) in the elderly and new tools and criteria are often created. However, they are not specifically aimed at people with obesity and carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Thus, these criteria usually include only a few items related to DM2. Consequently, there is a clear need for a modern tool that can be used to address PIT specifically in older adults with obesity and carbohydrate metabolism disorders.
The daily calcium profile in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism depending on different 25(OH) vitamin D level
Authors: Kovaleva E. V. , Eremkina A. K. , Elfimova A. R. , Gorbacheva A. M. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND: Chronic hypoparathyroidism is a relatively rare disease, which usually treated active forms of vitamin D and oral calcium supplements. Supplementation with native vitamin D can be useful both for achieving «non-skeletal» effects of vitamin D and for a more stable serum calcium profile.

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the daily serum calcium and 24-hour urine calcium levels depending on different 25(OH) vitamin D values in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism on treatment of active forms of vitamin D and calcium supplements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism were involved in the study. All patients were divided in two groups, matched on sex and age, according to the median level of 25(OH) vitamin D in the total group.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups by total, albumin-adjusted serum calcium levels and urine calcium excretion. Patients with serum 25(ОН) vitamin D level ≥ 35 ng/ml had significant tendency to achieve more often the target levels of total serum calcium during the day (128 vs. 149 measurements during the day, p=0.049, χ2). However, this tendency disappeared for albumin-adjusted serum calcium levels (p=0.517, χ2). There frequency of hypercalcemia by albumin-adjusted serum calcium in the group of patients with 25(ОН) vitamin D ≥ 35 ng/ml (p=0.006, χ2) was significantly lower, but not for total serum calcium (a trend, p=0.042, χ2). As regards hypocalcemia, there were no significant differences by albumin-adjusted serum calcium (p=0.581, χ2) and it tends to lower frequency by total serum calcium (p=0.023, χ2).

CONCLUSION: The additional administration of native vitamin D in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism may have some advantages, related to the general concept of worldwide vitamin D deficiency and better disease control.