bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An extension of Trust and TAM model with TPB in the adoption of digital payment: An empirical study in Vietnam
Authors: Linh Truong Tuan , Huyen Nguyen Thi Thanh
Published: January 2025

Background Digital payment systems are pivotal in the digital economy, relying on the interplay between internet technology and e-vendors. This study seeks to explore acceptance behaviors regarding digital payments by employing an extended version of the Trust and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and incorporating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods We conducted a qualitative analysis using interview data from 509 respondents and applied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the relationships between key variables. The extended model allows for a comprehensive examination of both technological and trust-related factors influencing adoption. Results Our analysis revealed that all standardized path coefficients were positively significant, except for the path from perceived usefulness (PU) to attitude (ATT). The findings confirm that while digital payments are primarily driven by Internet and communication technologies, addressing trust-related issues is essential for enhancing user adoption. The TAM identifies perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, alongside trust, as critical factors affecting behavioral intention. In the TPB framework, trust significantly impacts digital payment adoption through mediators such as attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm. Conclusions This study enhances our understanding of the factors influencing digital payment adoption, emphasizing the need to address both technological and trust issues. The insights gained provide valuable recommendations for increasing the use of digital payment systems, particularly in the Northern mountainous regions of Vietnam, thereby fostering greater financial inclusion and economic growth.
The temporal protection and declining health of the COVID-19 vaccinated in England: A 26-month comparison of the mortality involving and not involving COVID-19 among vaccinated vs. unvaccinated
Authors: Aarstad Jarle
Published: January 2025

Background Comparing non-randomized groups, such as COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated, even in the presence of seemingly relevant control variables, is challenging, but in this study, using English data, I show an achievable approach. Methods First, I estimated age-standardized all-cause mortality among COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated ten years and older, covering a 26-month period from Apr 21 to May 23. Then, I estimated mortality not involving COVID-19, and finally, I differentiated the calculations. Results First, I found that all-cause mortality among COVID-19 unvaccinated was higher than among vaccinated. But as the pattern was similar concerning mortality not involving COVID-19, the discrepancy is attributed mainly to unvaccinated having inferior health at the outset. There was nonetheless significant protection for vaccinated between July 21 and Jan 22. Absent of control variables as a means to compare non-randomized groups, I reached that finding by differentiating all-cause mortality from mortality not involving COVID-19. However, while mortality not involving COVID-19 decreased among unvaccinated compared to the first observation month, it was high among vaccinated, i.e., a relative increase in mortality among vaccinated. Conclusions An interpretation is that vaccination, despite temporary protection, increased mortality. Strengthening the interpretation was relatively high mortality among vaccinated not involving COVID-19 counterintuitively following periods of excess mortality. Further strengthening the interpretation was relatively high mortality not involving COVID-19 among vaccinated corresponding with the excess mortality during the same period.
Advancing bridge resilience: a review of monitoring technologies for flood-prone infrastructure
Authors: Buka-Vaivade Karina , Nicoletti Vanni , Gara Fabrizio
Published: January 2025

Floods pose a critical threat to bridge infrastructure, which plays an essential role in transportation networks and economic resilience. This review examines state-of-the-art Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies tailored to mitigate flood risks, focusing on their real-world applications in flood-prone bridges. A central feature of this review is the extensive use of case studies, illustrating diverse SHM methods applied globally to monitor challenges such as debris accumulation, hydrodynamic forces, and scour—primary causes of bridge failures. These examples provide detailed insights into technologies like sonar-based devices, scour probes, photographic monitoring, rotation- and vibration-based techniques. By showcasing specific case studies—such as bridges monitored using smart magnetic rocks, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and fibre optic sensors—the review highlights practical outcomes, demonstrating how SHM systems enhance resilience through early detection and predictive maintenance. It also explores the challenges of implementing these systems, including environmental sensitivity, cost, and data complexity, while identifying gaps in integrating hydraulic and structural data for holistic risk assessments. This review advocates for multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced data-driven solutions, such as AI-based predictive maintenance, to address climate change impacts and increasing flood risks. By bridging cutting-edge research with real-world applications, this article provides actionable insights into scalable, adaptive SHM solutions, inspiring engineers and researchers to develop more resilient infrastructure for a changing world.
Access to longitudinal mental health data in Africa: Lessons from a landscape analysis by the INSPIRE network datahub
Authors: Mugotitsa Bylhah , Momanyi Reinpeter , Amadi David , Andeso Pauline , Mailosi Dorothy , Ochola Michael , Cygu Steve , Omondi Evans , Wekesah Frederick , Tsofa Benjamin , Bhattacharjee Tathagata , Greenfield Jay , Todd Jim , Kiragga Agnes ,   INSPIRE Network
Published: January 2025

Background Data from longitudinal mental health research in Africa is critical to understanding the complexities of mental health disorders in the continent’s diverse contexts. To be useful, data need to adhere to the FAIR principles of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability. Methods A literature search from 1970 to 2022 identified longitudinal studies on depression, anxiety, and psychosis in was done. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing techniques, the search found data from more studies. The search engaged stakeholders in understanding data sharing practices and barriers and categorizing methods and challenges for sharing data. Results The initial search yielded 18,019 articles, of which 284 were eligible for review, and 226 passed quality assessments. A significant effort to access data directly from researchers yielded positive responses for 100 articles with available data statements, from which datasets were requested through online repositories and direct correspondence. Analysis revealed significant disparities in the distribution of mental health research across countries, with a concentration of studies in specific areas and on certain conditions. The study also highlighted a varied adherence to FAIR principles, with only 17 (17%) datasets adhering to data-sharing practices. Conclusions Despite the challenges encountered in data accessibility and the manual adjustments required, the study’s findings irradiate the path toward a more equitable and effective mental health research ecosystem on the continent. By fostering collaboration and embracing advanced methodologies and technologies, this study advocates for a concerted effort to improve the accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of mental health data. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to understanding data-sharing dynamics in Africa, paving the way for informed interventions and policies.
Paraparesis and paraesthesia following a black ant sting
Authors: Alobaid Norah , Alanazi Majed , Aleshaiwi Sultan , Alhassan Abdulrahman
Published: January 2025

Hymenoptera stings can lead to a different range of local and systemic reactions. However, rare and unexpected reactions can develop and may be life threatening. In this paper, we present a 29-year-old female who developed anaphylactic shock followed by paraparesis and paraesthesia after a black ant sting. Her symptoms completely resolved after treatment with plasma exchange. Several studies have linked these neurological complications to delayed immunological reactions that are triggered by insect antigen.
Surface heating measurements with temperature-sensitive paint films using fluorescent lifetime analysis
Authors: Edwards Sophia , Gragston Mark
Published: January 2025

Temperature-sensitive paint applied to an adhesive film was used to measure surface heating utilizing a fluorescent signal lifetime analysis, in which the ratio of excitation and decay exposures was mapped to temperature via calibration. This work discusses a two-level model of the TSP fluorescence in response to pulsed excitation and uses it to extract the temperature variation of emission decay lifetimes in a ruthenium-based paint. The resulting calibration curves from the lifetime analysis are used in measurements of wall heating in a small shock tube at a net frame rate of 25 kHz. The results show good agreement with simultaneously acquired IR thermography obtained at 240 Hz.
Low-loss plasmonics based on alkali metals: from fundamentals to applications: tutorial
Authors: Qu Yurui , Liang Jie , Yan Wei , Wu Qile , Zhu Jia , Zhou Lin
Published: January 2025

Plasmonics offers a groundbreaking avenue for manipulating light beyond the diffraction limit, finding utility in diverse applications ranging from optical cloaking and chemical sensing to super-resolution imaging. Despite these promising applications, plasmonic devices are always born with significant energy dissipation, posing substantial challenges to their efficiency and practical implementation. In the realm of plasmonics, researchers in the field of plasmonics have spent decades exploring alternatives to noble metals. Recently, alkali metals have garnered revived attention as promising candidates due to their exceptional light-manipulation capabilities and low losses. We elucidate the fundamental physical mechanisms behind the optical low-loss nature in alkali metals, alongside methodologies for characterizing alkali metal losses. To discern the suitable applications for alkali metal materials, we compare their advantages and disadvantages with those of other plasmonic materials. Furthermore, we introduce experimental techniques for measuring plasmonic losses and fabrication techniques and highlight potential applications of low-loss alkali metals.
Noise and stability characteristics of electrically controllable mid-infrared filters for high-sensitivity NDIR sensors
Authors: Awane Yusuke , Inoue Takuya , Noda Susumu
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the noise performance of a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensor using multi-quantum wells (MQW) and photonic crystal (PC) structures. Noise levels were evaluated using the Allan variance method, and the limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 3.8×10−3 abs. at a 10 ms integration time and 2.7×10−4 abs. at a 3 s integration time, and long-term stability was also evaluated through filter stacking. To enhance the performance, the filter design was optimized through adjustments to the MQW absorption peak, PC resonance frequency, and doping concentration. Additionally, improvements in the optical system increased the modulated light intensity by approximately 8.5 times, reducing the LOD to 3.2×10−5 abs. at a 3 s integration time. These advancements enable high-sensitivity gas detection suitable for industrial applications such as automotive exhaust gas measurement and environmental monitoring.
In-vacuum dry launching of silica microparticles using an array of custom MEMS devices
Authors: Khorshad Ali Akbar , Houlihan Ruth , Devaney Nicholas
Published: January 2025

To test the validity of the quantum superposition principle at unprecedented macroscopic scales, near-field matter-wave interferometry of free-falling massive 100nm silica nanospheres from an optically cooled laser trap has been proposed [Nat. Commun. 5, 4788 (2014)10.1038/ncomms5788]. This could be realized with available technology, providing the emerging technical challenge of in-vacuum dry loading the optical trap with single 100nm silica particles, in a deterministic, repetitive, and clean manner, is addressed. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, a 3×3 array of custom micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) storage and release devices for this objective. The fabricated MEMS devices are square ultrasonic flexural silicon membranes, 400μm in side length and 8μm in thickness, monolithically integrated with a 1μm thick aluminium nitride piezoelectric transducer. The ability of the MEMS array to launch 9.98μm, 4.23μm, and 900nm silica particles in vacuum was tested experimentally using our recently developed GRIN lens-based digital holographic 3D imaging system integrated into a vacuum chamber. The minimum particle size released from the current devices is ∼4μm in diameter with the average lateral release speed in the range of 3-35 cm/s. The experimental results obtained are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
Versatile manipulation of orbital angular momentum combs enabled by diffractive neural networks
Authors: Ruan Zhengsen , Yan Ruize , Zhang Jinlong , Yin Xukun , Liu Lixian , Liang Yize , Xu Huailiang
Published: January 2025

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light, which can be created through the helical phase front, has attracted significant attention and found numerous applications in both classical and quantum optics. The manipulation of light’s OAM has evolved from the generation of a single OAM mode to the simultaneous generation of multiple OAM modes. As a typical kind of multiple OAM superposition mode, an OAM comb features a discrete, equispaced OAM spectrum. Similar to how optical frequency combs promoted many technical revolutions in optics, such an OAM comb may likewise pave the way for OAM-related applications. Here, we propose an approach to versatilely manipulating OAM combs based on a two-layer fully connected diffractive neural network (DNN). We achieve four kinds of manipulation and transformations on OAM combs, including four arithmetic operations, square and square root operations, high-pass/low-pass/band-pass filtering, and arbitrary transformation between two OAM combs, etc. All four kinds of manipulation reach an average accuracy of 99.65% and the lowest accuracy of over 99%. Our work may advance the research on OAM combs and open new prospects for applications based on OAM comb sources.
Doppler-free selective reflection spectroscopy of electric-quadrupole transitions
Authors: Chan Eng Aik , Aljunid Syed Abdullah , Laliotis Athanasios , Wilkowski David , Ducloy Martial
Published: January 2025

Electric-dipole-forbidden transitions play an important role in quantum
sensing, quantum information, and fundamental tests in physics. As
such, the development of novel and sensitive spectroscopic methods is
of major interest. Here, we present a Doppler-free selective
reflection experiment on the
62S1/2–52D5/2
electric-quadrupole transition of cesium vapor at the vicinity of a
sapphire window. The spectrum is obtained by precision experiments
overcoming limitations due to the small-signal amplitude of forbidden
transitions. The observed sub-Doppler lines allow us to measure the
collisional broadening of the electric-quadrupole line. The
interaction of cesium atoms with the sapphire surface of the cell is
also evidenced, but, due to its weak contribution, a quantitative
analysis remains challenging. Our experiment paves the way for further
studies of the Casimir–Polder interaction between exotic excited-state
atoms and dielectric surfaces.
Chirp-driven suppression of spatiotemporal optical vortex breakup in free-space propagation
Authors: Novikov V. B.
Published: January 2025

Spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs) have sparked an explosion of interest due to their intrinsic transverse optical angular momentum. It spurred methods of the STOV formation based on the application of phase masks and metasurfaces. In this quest, the obtained specific doughnut-shaped laser pulses suffer from the disintegration into optical lobes under the free-space propagation due to light diffraction. Here, we present a simple remedy to cure this innate flaw. We found that preliminary chirping of the laser pulse prevents the STOV breakup. We supported this analytically and gave the explicit expression of the required chirp value.
Contrast-enhanced optical microscopy using a planar photonic substrate and dark-field illumination
Authors: Wang Dong , Qi Mengping , Bai Chunzheng , Cao Yurong , Ye Yong-Hong
Published: January 2025

Visualization of low-index dielectric nanoparticles and biological nanostructures is challenging under a traditional optical microscope. In this work, we propose a planar photonic substrate to enhance the extremely weak scattering signal and improve the contrast in imaging low-index samples under a dark-field illumination (DFI) optical microscope. Specifically, a planar photonic substrate is prepared by depositing a multilayer optical film on a silica substrate with the maximum electric field intensity distributed on the substrate surface. The scattering signal of a sample placed on the planar photonic substrate is enhanced due to the strong substrate–nanoparticle interaction. The experimental results show that the scattering intensity of a 150-nm-diameter SiO2 nanoparticle placed on a planar photonic substrate is about 4.8 times of that on a silica substrate. In addition, individual SiO2 nanoparticles with 50 nm diameter and bacterial flagella about 50 nm thick can be clearly observed, which indicates that the proposed method can improve the contrast in imaging low-index samples with subwavelength features under a traditional optical microscope.
Wild-type bone marrow cells repopulate tissue resident macrophages and reverse the impacts of homozygous CSF1R mutation
Authors: Carter-Cusack Dylan , Huang Stephen , Keshvari Sahar , Patkar Omkar , Sehgal Anuj , Allavena Rachel , Byrne Robert A. J. , Morgan B. Paul , Bush Stephen J. , Summers Kim M. , Irvine Katharine M. , Hume David A.
Published: January 2025

Adaptation to existence outside the womb is a key event in the life of a mammal. The absence of macrophages in rats with a homozygous mutation in the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (Csf1r) gene (Csf1rko) severely compromises pre-weaning somatic growth and maturation of organ function. Transfer of wild-type bone marrow cells (BMT) at weaning rescues tissue macrophage populations permitting normal development and long-term survival. To dissect the phenotype and function of macrophages in postnatal development, we generated transcriptomic profiles of all major organs of wild-type and Csf1rko rats at weaning and in selected organs following rescue by BMT. The transcriptomic profiles revealed subtle effects of macrophage deficiency on development of all major organs. Network analysis revealed a common signature of CSF1R-dependent resident tissue macrophages that includes the components of complement C1Q (C1qa/b/c genes). Circulating C1Q was almost undetectable in Csf1rko rats and rapidly restored to normal levels following BMT. Tissue-specific macrophage signatures were also identified, notably including sinus macrophage populations in the lymph nodes. Their loss in Csf1rko rats was confirmed by immunohistochemical localisation of CD209B (SIGNR1). By 6-12 weeks, Csf1rko rats succumb to emphysema-like pathology associated with the selective loss of interstitial macrophages and granulocytosis. This pathology was reversed by BMT. Along with physiological rescue, BMT precisely regenerated the abundance and expression profiles of resident macrophages. The exception was the brain, where BM-derived microglia-like cells had a distinct expression profile compared to resident microglia. In addition, the transferred BM failed to restore blood monocyte or CSF1R-positive bone marrow progenitors. These studies provide a model for the pathology and treatment of CSF1R mutations in humans and the innate immune deficiency associated with prematurity.
The Japanese encephalitis virus NS1′ protein facilitates virus infection in mosquitoes
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Huang Yutian , Li Ruidong , Miao Chang , He Yi , Xu Changhao , Zhu Xi , Li Bowen , Wu Rui , Zhao Qin , Wen Yiping , Huang Xiaobo , Yan Qi-gui , Lang Yi-fei , Zhao Shan , Wang Yiping , Hu Yajie , Cao San-jie , Du Senyan
Published: January 2025

Background

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is known for its capacity to cause severe neurological disease in Asia. Neurotropic flaviviruses within the Japanese encephalitis (JE) serogroup possess the distinctive feature of expressing a unique nonstructural protein, NS1′. The NS1′ protein consists of the full NS1 protein with an additional 52 amino acid extension at the C-terminus and has been demonstrated to exhibit virulence in mammalian hosts upon infection. However, the precise role of the NS1′ protein in the mosquito vectors has yet to be elucidated.

Methodology/principal findings

In this study, an NS1′-defective virus (rG66A) was engineered, and its effect on the infection of mosquito cells was investigated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the infectivity of the rG66A virus in mosquito cells by RT-qPCR, indicating that the absence of the NS1′ protein impedes JEV replication in Culex mosquitoes. Additionally, this research elucidated the underlying mechanism by which the NS1′ protein enhances viral infection in mosquitoes by RNA-Seq analysis. Specifically, the NS1′ protein was found to facilitate infection through the suppression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) regulated by the Toll pathway.

Conclusions/significance

Our research demonstrated that the JEV NS1′ protein contributes to immune escape, thereby enhancing viral infection in mosquitoes. This finding offers new insights into the transmission mechanisms of JEV, elucidating novel aspects of viral propagation.
Chemigenetic Ca2+ indicators report elevated Ca2+ levels in endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies
Authors: Terglane Julian , Mertes Nicole , Weischer Sarah , Zobel Thomas , Johnsson Kai , Gerke Volker
Published: January 2025

Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) are secretory organelles exclusively found in endothelial cells and among other cargo proteins, contain the hemostatic von-Willebrand factor (VWF). Stimulation of endothelial cells results in exocytosis of WPB and release of their cargo into the vascular lumen, where VWF unfurls into long strings of up to 1000 µm and recruits platelets to sites of vascular injury, thereby mediating a crucial step in the hemostatic response. The function of VWF is strongly correlated to its structure; in order to fulfill its task in the vascular lumen, VWF has to undergo a complex packing/processing after translation into the ER. ER, Golgi and WPB themselves provide a unique milieu for the maturation of VWF, which at the level of the Golgi consists of a low pH and elevated Ca2+ concentrations. WPB are also characterized by low luminal pH, but their Ca2+ content has not been addressed so far. Here, we employed a chemigenetic approach to circumvent the problems of Ca2+ imaging in an acidic environment and show that WPB indeed also harbor elevated Ca2+ concentrations. We also show that depletion of the Golgi resident Ca2+ pump ATP2C1 resulted in only a minor decrease of luminal Ca2+ in WPB suggesting additional mechanisms for Ca2+ uptake into the organelle.
Factors associated with receiving a Functional Disorder diagnostic label: A systematic review
Authors: Tattan Mais , Rosmalen Judith , Hanssen Denise
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Functional Disorders (FD) are highly prevalent conditions that are diagnosed based on the presence of specific patterns of somatic symptoms. Examples of FDs include Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Many patients who meet the criteria do not receive a formal diagnostic label. This systematic review aims to assess factors associated with receiving an FD diagnostic label.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. All research methodologies and languages were included with a focus on experiences and impacts of receiving/having an FD diagnostic label. Excluded studies were those not mentioning diagnostic labels, only involving single pain symptoms, and studies solely focusing on functional neurological symptoms. Screening, data extraction and quality ratings (using the QuADS instrument) were performed by two independent reviewers.

Results

15 Studies were identified (10 quantitative and 5 qualitative). Our results show that female patients were more likely to receive an FD diagnostic label for their symptoms; other associations were less consistent and only found for specific labels or research designs. In general, quality of life and healthcare use did not seem to differ between patients with and without an FD diagnostic label. From the healthcare professional’s perspective there was doubt about giving an FD diagnostic label, mainly due to concerns of harm for patients. Quality of included studies was rated low to moderate.

Conclusion

Better understanding of factors associated with receiving or having an FD diagnostic label, independently from symptom development can help healthcare professionals make evidence-based decisions in labelling or not; however, high quality studies on this topic are urgently needed.
Classification of CT scan and X-ray dataset based on deep learning and particle swarm optimization
Authors: Liu Honghua , Zhao Mingwei , She Chang , Peng Han , Liu Mailan , Li Bo
Published: January 2025

In 2019, the novel coronavirus swept the world, exposing the monitoring and early warning problems of the medical system. Computer-aided diagnosis models based on deep learning have good universality and can well alleviate these problems. However, traditional image processing methods may lead to high false positive rates, which is unacceptable in disease monitoring and early warning. This paper proposes a low false positive rate disease detection method based on COVID-19 lung images and establishes a two-stage optimization model. In the first stage, the model is trained using classical gradient descent, and relevant features are extracted; in the second stage, an objective function that minimizes the false positive rate is constructed to obtain a network model with high accuracy and low false positive rate. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential to effectively classify medical images. The proposed model was verified using a public COVID-19 radiology dataset and a public COVID-19 lung CT scan dataset. The results show that the model has made significant progress, with the false positive rate reduced to 11.3% and 7.5%, and the area under the ROC curve increased to 92.8% and 97.01%.
Cattle on the rocks: Understanding cattle mobility, diet, and seasonality in the Iberian Peninsula. The Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (Tavertet, Osona)
Authors: Alcàntara Fors Roger , Madgwick Richard , Viñas-Caron Laura C. , Nederbragt Alexandra J. , Saña Seguí Maria
Published: January 2025

Reconstructing past herd mobility, reproduction, and diet is crucial for understanding animal management practices among the first sedentary farming communities. It can also shed light on how domestic animals were integrated into the existing exchange networks of goods, products, and raw materials, and how they contributed to broader economic and social changes during the Neolithic. Despite the longstanding importance of cattle (Bos taurus) to herders, the role of cattle in the daily, seasonal, and annual cycle of activities of early farming communities remains relatively poorly understood. This study focuses on the Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (3942–3632 cal. BCE) one of the few sites in the Iberian Peninsula from this period with a substantial collection of faunal remains. The site is particularly notable for its high proportion of cattle remains. Previous research on the cattle bone assemblage from Cova de les Pixarelles has included comprehensive archaeozoological, palaeopathological, and biomechanical analyses—an innovative, integrative approach in Mediterranean archaeology that offers an exceptional level of biographical detail. This study uses bulk bone collagen carbon (δ13Ccoll) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, and sequential analysis of enamel bioapatite oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13Ccarb) isotopes to further enhance our understanding of animal management practices during the Middle Neolithic, providing new insights on the diet, mobility and reproduction patterns of cattle. Results indicate that the Neolithic communities that used Cova de les Pixarelles managed these animals to obtain optimal pastures, moving them seasonally from lowland areas to higher mountain plateaus and carefully managing their reproduction cycles. We suggest a nuanced herding approach, combining open-range grazing with an ecological division of herds based on age, sex, and reproductive function, and seasonal vertical mobility, contributing to a complex but efficient herding system during the Middle Neolithic.
Optimal aspiration pressure of suction pump for oocyte retrieval in infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: Kim Sung Woo , Kim Hye Yun , Han Ji Yeon , Kim Hoon , Ku Seung-Yup
Published: January 2025

Background

The oocyte retrieval is a critical step in assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization and fertility preservation. Despite evolving techniques, the optimal aspiration pressure during retrieval remains debatable, with limited in vivo human studies. Existing studies, primarily in vitro and on animals, suggest that inappropriate aspiration pressures can impair oocyte quality. This study aims to compares the effects of two different aspiration pressures, 120mmHg and 150mmHg, on oocyte recovery, damage, and subsequent embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval.

Methods and findings

This retrospective study analyzed data from 891 women at Seoul National University Hospital between May 2018 and August 2023. A total of 400 cycles were included, with 202 at 120 mmHg and 198 at 150 mmHg aspiration pressures. The primary outcomes were the number of retrieved, matured, fractured oocytes, embryos, and good-grade embryos. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated by comparing the clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between aspiration pressure, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates. There was statistically significant difference in the number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes between the 120 mmHg group and the 150 mmHg group (6.3±5.2 vs. 7.7±6.7, p = 0.018; 4.4±3.7 vs. 5.6±5.3, p = 0.011). The number of embryos and good grade embryos also differed significantly (3.3±3.1 vs. 4.2±3.9, p = 0.011; 1.0±1.6 vs. 1.5±2.6, p = 0.031). However, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates between the two groups in multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted OR = 0.725, p = 0.519; adjusted OR = 0.370, p = 0.170).

Conclusions

Increasing the aspiration pressure to 150mmHg led to a higher yield of oocytes and embryos than 120mmHg, without any negative impact on oocyte quality or live birth rates. These findings provide valuable insights for clinical decision-making in infertility treatments, suggesting that 150mmHg may be a more effective pressure for oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
Synbiotics effects of d-tagatose and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on the inflammation and oxidative stress reaction of Gallus gallus based on the genus of cecal bacteria and their metabolites
Authors: Lv Yuanqiang , Chu Jie , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Li Xuan , Yin Aijiao ,   on behalf of The Industrial Microbiology Laboratory
Published: January 2025

Backgrounds

Abuse of feed supplement can cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in Gallus gallus. Synbiotics are composed of prebiotics and probiotics and it possess huge application potentials in the treatment of animal diseases.

Methods

This study examined the effect of d-tagatose on the probiotic properties of L. rhamnosus GG, L. paracasei, and S. lactis so as to screen the best synbiotic combinations. Treat Gallus gallus exhibiting oxidative stress and immune response caused by aflatoxin b1 with optimal synbiotics for 14 days, detect the changes of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers of Gallus gallus using qRT-PCR, and identified the intestinal bacteria genera and their metabolites in the cecum of Gallus gallus using gut microbiota and metabolomics analysis.

Results and conclusion

The results indicated that oxidative stress and immune response factor expressions quantity in Gallus gallus decreased significantly after 14 days of treatment, compared with model group, the low-dose treatment group’s SOD1, SOD3, GPX1, GPX2, GSR, H6DP, and HO-1 genes in liver were downregulated by 36.03%, 40.01%, 45.86%, 40.79%, 37.68%, 25.04%, and 29.89%, the IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IgA, IgM, and IgG genes in blood and spleen were downregulated by 26.59%, 34.19%, 21.19%, 28.18%, 35.93%, 12.67%, 21.81 and 35.93%, 22.85%, 21.19%, 28.78%, 35.93%, 15.36%, 29.73%. The intestinal bacteria genera and metabolomics analysis results indicated that the abundance of beneficial bacteria genus was up-regulated, and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria genera decreased. The amount of beneficial metabolites associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects was upregulated. The synbiotic composed of d-tagatose and L. rhamnosus GG can treat oxidative stress and immune response by altering the structure of intestinal bacteria genera and the production of metabolites.
Patterns of self-harm presentations at a Tertiary Urban Hospital in Kenya: A retrospective 5-year study (2018–2022)
Authors: Njoroge Willie , Gitau Catherine , Onchari Everline , Ongeri Linnet , Khakali Linda , Khan Murad , Merali Zul , Atwoli Lukoye , Shah Jasmit
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Self-harm represents a complex and multifaceted public health issue of global significance, exerting profound effects on individuals and communities alike. It involves intentional self-poisoning or self-injury with or without the motivation to die. Although self-harm is highly prevalent, limited research has focused on the patterns and trends of self-harm among hospital populations in low- and middle-income countries, particularly within Africa. This study aims to explore the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients presenting with self-harm and determine the common self-harm patterns at a tertiary facility in Kenya.

Methodology

We carried out a descriptive retrospective study and included patients from inpatient units and outpatient settings within the Secion of Psychiatry at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2022. A data abstraction tool was used to collect data from eligible files sourced from the medical records department for all patients who met the study criteria. Summary statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages for categorical data and as means and standard deviations for continuous data.

Results

A total of 507 files were reviewed in the given timeframe and 497 patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 28.1% (n = 144) presented with self-harm. The mean age of the self-harm patients was 26.5 years (SD = 10.5) and a majority (74.3%) were female. The first point-of-contact was at the emergency department in 72.9% of the cases. A majority of them, i.e. 89.6%, reported a past psychiatric diagnosis. Based on the psychiatric diagnosis evaluation of the patients- depression was the most common diagnosis at 88.2%, followed by anxiety disorder at 27.8% and bipolar mood disorder at 17.4%. The majority of reported self-harm cases involved overdose incidents (68.8%), with self-injury accounting for 56.3% of cases. Analgesics were the most frequently reported type of overdose, followed by tricyclic antidepressants. In context of self-injury, cutting emerged as the predominant form of self-harm. Family conflict was reported to be the most common reason for self-harm at 39.6%.

Conclusion

This study shows a high rate of self-harm among patients with mental illness in this facility, necessitating the development of self-harm prevention and management protocols. A national registry of self-harm behavior would also help further elucidate the occurrence and mechanisms of self-harm in the population, improving the possibility for early interventions and prevention.
The impact of depression and anxiety disorders on postoperative outcomes for patients having total hip or knee arthroplasty: Protocol of a meta-analytic study from cohort studies
Authors: Lin Liang , Zhang Qing , Xu Min , Xiao Zhihong , Xu Guosong , Mei Zubing
Published: January 2025

Background and purpose

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are widely performed surgeries for end-stage joint disease, yet the influence of depression and anxiety on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aims to consolidate current evidence on the relationship between preoperative depression and/or anxiety disorders and postoperative outcomes in adult patients undergoing primary THA or TKA. Given the potential for these psychiatric conditions to affect recovery, pain management, and overall satisfaction, the results of this study are crucial to inform targeted perioperative interventions and improve patient-centered care.

Methods and analysis

We will search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO from inception to the November 2024, adopting a comprehensive search strategy with no language restrictions. Eligible studies will include cohort studies evaluating adults with a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety before THA or TKA compared to those without such disorders. Inclusion criteria will focus on preoperative psychiatric diagnoses, clearly defined postoperative outcomes (such as complications, functional recovery measures, pain, length of stay, and patient-reported outcomes). Risk of bias assessment will be performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis will be conducted using a random-effects model to calculate pooled risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals for each outcome. Heterogeneity will be quantified with the I2 statistic, and a threshold of I2 > 50% will indicate substantial heterogeneity. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored via subgroup analyses or meta-regression if possible. Potential publication bias will be visually assessed using funnel plots and statistically tested using Egger’s test. Sensitivity analyses will be carried out to evaluate the robustness of the results for each outcome through leave-one-out procedure.

Discussion

This study will introduce a systematic and rigorous approach to synthesizing evidence from multiple cohorts, providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of depression and anxiety on THA and TKA outcomes. The findings will guide clinicians in recognizing and managing mental health issues to optimize postoperative recovery and ultimately improve patient satisfaction and quality of life.

Study registration

Study registration: CRD42024500008.
Repression of CADM1 transcription by HPV type 18 is mediated by three-dimensional rearrangement of promoter-enhancer interactions
Authors: Campos-León Karen , Ferguson Jack , Günther Thomas , Wood C. David , Wingett Steven W. , Pekel Selin , Varghese Christy S. , Jones Leanne S. , Stockton Joanne D. , Várnai Csilla , West Michelle J. , Beggs Andrew , Grundhoff Adam , Noyvert Boris , Roberts Sally , Parish Joanna L.
Published: January 2025

Upon infection, human papillomavirus (HPV) manipulates host cell gene expression to create an environment that is supportive of a productive and persistent infection. The virus-induced changes to the host cell’s transcriptome are thought to contribute to carcinogenesis. Here, we show by RNA-sequencing that oncogenic HPV18 episome replication in primary human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) drives host transcriptional changes that are consistent between multiple HFK donors. We have previously shown that HPV18 recruits the host protein CTCF to viral episomes to control the differentiation-dependent viral transcriptional programme. Since CTCF is an important regulator of host cell transcription via coordination of epigenetic boundaries and long-range chromosomal interactions, we hypothesised that HPV18 may also manipulate CTCF to contribute to host transcription reprogramming. Analysis of CTCF binding in the host cell genome by ChIP-Seq revealed that while the total number of CTCF binding sites is not altered by the virus, there are a sub-set of CTCF binding sites that are either enriched or depleted of CTCF. Many of these altered sites are clustered within regulatory elements of differentially expressed genes, including the tumour suppressor gene cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1), which supresses epithelial cell growth and invasion. We show that HPV18 establishment results in reduced CTCF binding at the CADM1 promoter and upstream enhancer. Loss of CTCF binding is coincident with epigenetic repression of CADM1, in the absence of CpG hypermethylation, while adjacent genes including the transcriptional regulator ZBTB16 are activated. These data indicate that the CADM1 locus is subject to topological rearrangement following HPV18 establishment. We tested this hypothesis using 4C-Seq (circular chromosome confirmation capture-sequencing) and show that HPV18 establishment causes a loss of long-range chromosomal interactions between the CADM1 transcriptional start site and the upstream transcriptional enhancer. These data show that HPV18 manipulates host cell promoter-enhancer interactions to drive transcriptional reprogramming that may contribute to HPV-induced disease progression.
M-Sec promotes the accumulation of intracellular HTLV-1 Gag puncta and the incorporation of Env into viral particles
Authors: Hiyoshi Masateru , Eltalkhawy Youssef M. , Abdelnaser Randa A. , Ono Akira , Monde Kazuaki , Maeda Yosuke , Mahmoud Reem M. , Takahashi Naofumi , Hatayama Yasuyoshi , Ryo Akihide , Nozuma Satoshi , Takashima Hiroshi , Kubota Ryuji , Suzu Shinya
Published: January 2025

We have demonstrated that the cellular protein M-Sec promotes the transmission of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show how HTLV-1 utilizes M-Sec for its efficient transmission. HTLV-1-infected CD4+ T cells expressed M-Sec at a higher level than uninfected CD4+ T cells. The ex vivo culture of the infected cells upregulated the expression of M-Sec, the level of which was sustained for a long time. The viral structural protein Gag is distributed in a punctate pattern in cells. M-Sec promoted the accumulation of large intracellular Gag puncta. This accumulation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), since it was lost upon the removal of PIP2 binding motifs in M-Sec or the depletion of cellular PIP2. The viral envelope protein Env co-localized with the large Gag puncta induced by M-Sec. Furthermore, viral particles produced by M-Sec-expressing cells contained a higher amount of Env. Given that M-Sec alters the cellular distribution of PIP2, these results suggest that M-Sec promotes the formation of infectious viral particles through PIP2. Since the expression of M-Sec is mediated by HTLV-1 Tax protein, M-Sec appears to function in a positive feedback loop that ensures efficient HTLV-1 transmission.
An Ocean of Opportunity: Commonwealth Blue Charter: Ocean Action Report
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: January 2025

The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by Commonwealth countries to actively co-operate in addressing the myriad of ocean-related issues and commitments that they face. Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups are member driven, led by Commonwealth Blue Charter ‘Champion’ countries. This report serves as a compilation of action under the 10 Action Groups, in the context of wider Commonwealth Ocean action, with the aim of highlighting the impact of the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
The overall correlation of quasar anomalies is the touch-stone of its valid theories I.
Authors: Yang YunBiao
Published: January 2025

It has been 60 years since M. Schmidt published in Nature that the quasar 3C273 has a spectral line with a redshift of 0.158. In the astrophysics community, the mainstream academic view on the nature of quasar phenomena has been formed: That is, quasars belong to a class of active galactic nucleus (AGN), and various strange phenomena of quasars are driven by supermassive black holes (SMBH) and their physical processes at the center of the AGN. However, according to the existing research articles can be found, this completely based on the existing theoretical framework of black hole model and the relativistic beaming model (RBM) theory, which are although after 40 to 50 years of hard work, but in explanation of quasar abnormal phenomenon, still did not get convincing substantive progress. There are signs that the research direction of quasars may be existing problem when some key issues are ignored. More than a decade ago, during the NASA/Stanford Gravity Probe B (GP-B) collaboration on the positioning of Celestial Reference Frames (CRF), Unexpected discovery of quasar 3C454.3 (z=0.859) core component displacement speed close to the speed of light! In the astronomical observation of quasars, the static property of the core component is used as the measurement basis and benchmark of other visible motion components. According to our current knowledge system, we can not give a reasonable explanation. This result may indicate that the cosmological significance of the quasar redshift distance and the explanation for the stationary of the quasar nucleus do not seem to be properly understood. More importantly, under the current theoretical framework, the various anomalies of quasars cannot be correlated with each other as a whole. It is a reasonable and logical choice to try to find a simple theory to explain the singularity of quasars with a new physical perspective. Just like "giving up the proof of Euclidean fifth postulate, but ushered in the discovery of non-Euclidean geometry", just based on the real existence of quasar faster-than-light motion phenomenon, we can construct the overall correlation of quasar anomalies and its self-consistent theoretical framework, and agree with the main observations of quasars.