bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waiting for it: Anorexia Risk, Future Orientation, and Intertemporal Discounting
Authors: Schuman Isabel , Wang Jingyi , Ballard Ian C. , Lapate Regina C.
Published: March 2024

Anorexia Nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by food restriction in service of a future goal: thinness and weight loss. Prior work suggests abnormal intertemporal decision-making in anorexia, with more farsighted decisions observed in patients with acute anorexia. Prospective future thinking in daily life, or temporal orientation, promotes more farsighted delay discounting. However, whether temporal orientation is altered in anorexia, and underlies reduced delay discounting in this population, remains unclear. Further, because changes in delay discounting could reflect cognitive effects of an acute clinical state, it is important to determine whether reduced delay discounting is observed in subclinical, at-risk samples. We measured delay discounting behavior and temporal orientation in a large sample of never-diagnosed individuals at risk of anorexia nervosa. We found that farsighted delay discounting was associated with elevated risk for anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa risk was also associated with increased future-oriented cognition. Future-oriented cognition mediated the difference in delay-discounting behavior between high and low-risk groups. These results were unrelated to subjective time perception and were independent of mood and anxiety symptomatology. These findings establish future-oriented cognition as a cognitive mechanism underlying altered intertemporal decision-making in individuals at risk of developing anorexia nervosa.
Universality of ecological memory for local and global net ecosystem exchange, atmospheric CO2, and sea surface temperature
Authors: ELNAR ALLAN ROY , Bernido Christopher
Published: March 2024

Modeling global net ecosystem exchange is essential to understanding and quantifying the complex interactions between the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. Emphasizing the interrelatedness between the global net ecosystem exchange, global sea surface temperature, and atmospheric CO2 levels, intuitively suggests that all three systems may exhibit collective environmental memory. Motivated by this, we explicitly identified a collective memory function and showed a similar non-Markovian stochastic behavior for these systems exhibiting superdiffusive behavior in short time intervals. These results were consistent with our previous analyses at the ecosystem level suggesting scale invariance for these phenomena. Thus, the observed superdif fusive behavior operating at different scales suggests the universality of the collective memory function for these systems.
Extracting Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Transport Properties from Batteries Using a Simple Analytical Pulsing Protocol
Authors: Wood Kevin , Hawley William , Less Gregory , Gallegos Joseph
Published: March 2024

Gaining insights into the fundamental properties of lithium-ion batteries through an electrochemical testing protocol is challenging for commercial cell formats. In this work, a simple Analytical Pulsing Protocol (APP) is performed on a commercial cell to understand its thermodynamic, kinetic, and mass transport properties. For thermodynamics, a static-differential capacity analysis is performed that removes the effects of kinetic and transport overpotentials and allows for the calculation of Gibbs free energy. For kinetics, the exchange current density of the cell is calculated according to the Butler-Volmer model. For transport, a whole-cell lithium-ion diffusion coefficient is calculated from a derivation of Fick’s second law and the generalized flux equation. Mechanistic insight into battery performance was uncovered by comparing the results from these three properties. This APP is a Scalable And Non-Destructive (SAND) technique that requires no additional equipment. Therefore, this is useful for R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, and second-life applications.
A retrospective cross-sectional study ： comparison of the clinicopathological features with schistosomal and non-schistosomal colorectal cancer in Central China
Authors: Zhu Yuanting , Wu Xiaoxue , Ran Xiaoshan , Rao Chun , Gong Ping
Published: March 2024

Aim
To analyze the clinicopathological features of schistosomal and non-schistosomal colorectal cancer in Central China and compare them with other areas of the Yangtze River Basin.
Method
The 501 cases of CRC were retrospectively analyzed from 2020 to 2022. They were divided into two groups: 406 cases of colorectal cancer without schistosomiasis (CRC-NS) and 95 cases of colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis (CRC-S). The clinicopathological characteristics included the distribution of schistosomiasis eggs, patient age, sex, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage, etc. By retrieving the database, we compared the clinicopathological differences of colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis in other areas of the Yangtze River basin.
Results
Colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis infection accounted for 18.9%. CRC-S patients were significantly older than CRC-NS patients (P < 0.05). There was a statistical difference in the location of occurrence (P < 0.05) between the two groups. There were no significant differences between CRC-S and CRC-NS patients in other clinicopathological features (P > 0.05). In other areas of the Yangtze River Basin, there were statistical differences in the age of occurrence and T stage (P < 0.05) between colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis and non-schistosomal colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
In Central China, colorectal cancer with chronic schistosomiasis infection occurs more in the rectum and sigmoid colon. It is more common in individuals over 60 years old, consistent with the findings in the Yangtze River Basin. Additionally, schistosomal colorectal cancer had a higher TNM stage in the Yangtze River Basin. This may be related to the malignant biological behavior of colorectal cancer and could result in a relatively poor prognosis. Therefore, the elderly population in schistosomiasis endemic areas should pay more attention to early screening and tumor prevention.
Epigenetic modifications of inflammation in pancreas cells of rats with alcoholic pancreatitis and the protective effect of cooked rhubarb
Authors: Zhao Xianlin , Zhu Shifeng , Wan Meihua , Tang Wenfu
Published: March 2024

Alcohol abuse is known to be a precipitating risk factor for pancreatic cell injury in pancreatitis,but the exact mechanism of action is far from clear. In this study, a 2x2 factorial design was used to determine whether chronic alcohol exposure affect epigenetics modifications of inflammatory genes in pancreatic cells and the potential protective effects of cooked rhubarb in rats with alcoholic pancreatitis. First, two intervention pairs (chronic alcohol exposure and/or acute pancreatitis stimulation) will be compared in rats. Further analysis of two other intervention pairs (cooked rhubarb treatment and/or acute pancreatitis stimulation) will be performed in alcohol-exposed rats. We found that the combination of acute pancreatitis and chronic alcohol intake resulted in changes to DNA methylation levels, protein expression of IL-1αand IL-10, and induced pathological alterations in the pancreas(P<0.05). Furthermore, Additionally, alcohol-experienced rats treated with cooked rhubarb displayed some effectiveness in reversing these effects (P<0.05). From these experimental results, it can be justified that chronic ethanol exposure could induce epigenetic changes of inflammatory factors and exacerbate inflammatory damage in pancreatic cells,and cooked rhubarb may prevent the progression of alcoholic pancreatitis in rats.
Modeling and Analysis of Hate speech Propagation in a Community using Fractional Order Derivatives
Authors: Hailu Gizachew Kefelew , Teklu Shewafera Wondimagegnhu
Published: March 2024

The propagation of hate speech directed toward local public sector administrations in a community has become an issue of great concern. Hate speech not only undermines social harmony but also poses significant challenges to the smooth functioning of the public sector and the well-being of the community members. In this study, we formulated and analyzed a Caputo fractional order model with optimal control strategies on the propagation of hate speech, as an evolutionary system. The non-negativity and boundedness of the solutions of the fractional order model have been shown with the objective of making the evolutionary system meaningful. Both hate speech-free and hate speech-persistent equilibrium points were determined. Conditions for the backward bifurcation of the fractional order model were analyzed when the hate speech effective reproduction number is less than unity. The global asymptotic stability of hate speech-persistent equilibrium point has also been shown. Furthermore, we employed optimal control strategies and numerical simulations to examine the memory effect of the fractional order and the behavior of responses of the model. Protection and treatment of individuals engaged in propagating hate speech in the community has a significant impact in reducing and possibly exterminating hate speech propagation in the community.
Optimizing SGLT2 inhibitor and GLP-1 RA Prescribing in High-Risk Patients with Diabetes: A Department of Veterans Affairs Quality Improvement Intervention
Authors: Yun Shira , Hurren Kathryn , Holleman Rob , Klamerus Mandi , Tremblay Adam , Sussman Jeremy
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have dramatic clinical benefits, but uptake has been slow. We developed a quality improvement (QI) intervention to increase the adoption of these drugs in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and/or heart failure (HF). Methods: The intervention included: 1) education, academic detailing (1:1 pharmacist to clinician coaching), and audit and feedback directed at providers and allied health professionals at the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS); 2) outreach and inreach to patients with T2D and ASCVD, CKD, and/or HF who were not on GLP-1 RA or SGLT2 inhibitors at baseline. Patients were identified and outcomes evaluated using existing VA national reports. We performed a difference-in-difference analysis of the change in GLP-1 RA and SGLT2 prescribing rates before, during, and after the intervention, comparing rates in VAAAHS to rates in the same VA region (called a Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)) and the VA nationally to determine whether the rates of prescribing increased faster in VAAAHS than the VISN or VA nationally. Results: Home telehealth nurses and clinical pharmacy practitioners (CPPs) provided outreach to 445 patients; 48% (n = 215) of whom initiated SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 RAs. Four CPPs provided 101 academic detailing sessions to 72 providers. Prior to the intervention, the prescribing rate was 22.7% in VAAAHS, 20.3% in the VISN 10 region, and 18.7% in VA nationally. At the end of the 12-month intervention, the prescribing rate had increased to 37.9% in VAAAHS, 28.4% in the VISN 10 region, and 26.5% in VA nationally. Six-months post-intervention, the prescribing rate continued to increase to 42.4% in VAAAHS, 32.2% in the VISN 10 region, and 30.2% in VA nationally. The rate of prescribing growth in VAAAHS was significantly faster than in the VISN or VA nationally (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We developed a multidisciplinary QI intervention using existing VA data that increased SGLT2 inhibitor and GLP-1 RA prescribing substantially.
Draining malignant ascites: perspectives of tunneled peritoneal drainage catheters
Authors: Bourgouin Marie , Mauriès-Saffon Valérie , Boden Antoine , Aziza Richard , Notrel Carole , Lepoix Cécile , Richard Laurence , Caunes-Hilary Nathalie
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Recurrent malignant ascites, and the resulting need for repeated drainage are frequent problems in oncology. A source of discomfort for the patient, unscheduled hospitalizations and emergency room visits, recurrent ascites generate multiple constraints for patients and complications in their care pathway. Repeated ascites paracenteses become all the more restrictive when patients no longer receive treatment requiring hospitalization and as their general condition deteriorates. In this context, our cancer center decided to offer patients the option of a peritoneal drain, enabling fluid removal at home. These devices have been available in our establishment since 2017, in collaboration with the interventional radiology department using an ultrasound-guided approach.
Methods
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and complications associated with placing a tunneled catheter to drain recurrent malignant ascites. Its secondary objective is to evaluate patients’ care pathways following catheter placement. A retrospective approach included 54 patients with refractory ascites who were offered a tunneled ascites drainage catheter between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021.
Results
56 patients were included in this study; 46 underwent the implantation of a peritoneal drain. The average duration of use for this drain was 58 days. Eight patients experienced complications following the placement of this device, with 2 requiring hospitalization. One of the complications led to the death of a patient. Our study did not identify factors predisposing the occurrence of complications. The implementation of this device facilitated the return home for 80.4% of our population, increasing the likelihood of home deaths compared to the general population of cancer patients.
Conclusion
Results of this preliminary study should lead to a larger-scale prospective study, as well as to the development of professional recommendations for placing a peritoneal drain in patients with refractory malignant ascites.
Association of lipids and lipid-lowering drug target genes with Osteomyelitis : A mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Yi , Yang Zhe-Han , Chen Jun-Pan , Wen Ming-Hao , Lei Jia-Yuan , Liao Wan-Zhe , Li Ya-Han , Liu Ling-Hui , Lu Zi-Yuan
Published: March 2024

Background:
Studies have shown that lipid metabolism is a key regulator of inflammation in acute and chronic conditions. However, it is currently unclear whether dyslipidemia is related to the process of osteomyelitis. To explore the link between lipid characteristics and osteomyelitis, our study used MR analysis to explore the link between triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and osteomyelitis. Besides, the link between the gene targets corresponding to these traits and osteomyelitis was further explored.
Method:
Genetic variants associated with TG and TC are selected from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium, while LDL-C datasets were extracted from UK Biobank. Osteomyelitis was identified in FinnGen consortium (R10). The lipid-lowering drug targets showing significance were additionally assessed using the inflammatory response marker C-reactive protein (CRP). Furthermore, mediation analyses were performed to validate the reliability of the findings and explore potential mediating factors.
Result:
No association was found between LDL-C, TG, or TC and osteomyelitis. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9) was significantly associated with lower osteomyelitis risk in the dataset(OR [95%Cl] = 0.49[0.32 to 0.76], p = 1.60×10 − 3). PCSK9 was significantly associated with lower CRP risk(OR [95%Cl] = 0.94[0.92 to 0.97], p = 3.16×10 − 4). Our results support waist circumference as an intermediate variable between PCSK9 and osteomyelitis.
Conclusion:
This study does not support the relationship between dyslipidemia and osteomyelitis. PCSK9 was found to be significantly associated with a lower risk of osteomyelitis. Our study supports that waist circumference may be a potential mediator between osteomyelitis and PCSK9. In addition, we found that PCSK9 showed a reduction in CRP levels.
Source-independent quantum random number generators with integrated silicon photonics
Authors: Wei Kejin , Du Yongqiang , Hua Xin , Zhao Zhengeng , Sun Xiaoran , Zhang Zhenrong , Xiao Xi
Published: March 2024

Random numbers play a crucial role in numerous scientific applications. Source-independent quantum random number generators (SI-QRNGs) can offer true randomness by leveraging the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, eliminating the need for a trusted source. Silicon photonics shows great promise for QRNG due to its benefits in miniaturization, cost-effective device manufacturing, and compatibility with CMOS
microelectronics. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate a silicon-based discrete variable SI-QRNG. Using a well-calibrated chip and an optimized parameter strategy, we have achieved the highest quantum random number generation rate of 7.9 Mbits/s. Our research paves the way for integrated SI-QRNGs.
The enhanced coating effect of carbonyl iron particles and improved dispersion stability of magnetorheological fluid
Authors: Zhang Jie , Chen Fang , Guo Qinkui , Liu Yuchen , Liu Xiaobing , Yan Shengnan , Yan Zhaoqiang , Li Zhenggui
Published: March 2024

The coating effect of 1,2-bis(triethoxy-silyl)ethane (BTES) on the carbonyl iron particles (CIP) was enhanced through the etching of CIP by adjusting the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl), leading to a significant improvement in the dispersion stability of the magnetorheological fluid (MRF). The microstructures, coating effect and magnetism of the CIPs were examined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), automatic surface and porosity analyzer (BTE), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Furthermore, the rheological properties and dispersion stability of the MRFs were assessed using a rotating rheometer and turbiscan-tower. The results shown that with the concentration of HCl increased, the nanopores appeared on the CIPs and then disappeared, and the specific surface area of the particles increased and then decreased. The number of nanopores sharply increased and the specific surface area of particles sharply increased to 37.7697 m2/g when the concentration of HCl reached to 0.50 mol/L. As the concentration of HCl increased, the coated mass of BTES on the particles increased. The coated mass loss was less than 1 wt.% when the concentration of HCl was below 0.50 mol/L, and the coated mass loss increased to 2.45 wt.% when the concentration of HCl was 0.5 mol/L, the coated mass was effectively enhanced by the HCl of higher concentration. As the concentration of HCl increased, the saturation magnetization of particles decreased, and a sharply decrease appeared when the concentration of HCl was 0.50 mol/L, the saturation magnetization of coated particles further decreased from 196.7 emu/g to 113.3 emu/g. As the coated mass of particles increased, the viscosity and shear stress of MRFs increased and the increase was significant when the coated mass loss of particles above 2.45 wt.% without a magnetic field, while which decreased under a magnetic filed. As the coated mass of particles increased, the sedimentation rate of particles decreased from 0.13 to 0.01 mm/h, when the coated mass loss of particles was more than 2.45 wt.%, the sedimentation rate of all MRFs were close to 0.01 mm/h. The coating effect was greatly enhanced by controlling the concentration of HCl, and thus the MRF with superior shear stress and excellent dispersion stability was obtained.
Achieving a comparable transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect by spin-orbit field driven magnetoplasmonic
Authors: Asteraki Mohammad Hassan , Farzad Mahmood Hosseini
Published: March 2024

In this study, we propose and simulate a magnetoplasmonics heterostructure that utilizes spin-orbit fields to generate an internal magnetic field and create a significant magneto-optical effect. Our approach offers a new way to overcome the challenges of using permanent magnets or magnetic coils in conventional magnetoplasmonics, such as high-power consumption and non-scalability. We demonstrate that it is possible to create an appropriate amount of magnetic field using spin-orbit fields induced by the spin-Hall effect, such that the consumption power becomes reasonable and the dimensions could be miniaturized. This approach will be an important development in the field of magneto-optics, as it can lead to enhanced transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect in the present of surface plasmon polaritons. The proposed nanostructure consists of a ferromagnetic film adjacent to a heavy metal layer, both sandwiched between two noble metal films, and deposited on a dielectric prism. The strength of the Kerr signal strongly depends on the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer, with the maximum effect observed at a thickness of 5nm. This concept has potential for various nanophotonic and spintronic applications, particularly for developing high-speed active plasmonic devices for ultrafast light modulation.
Transcriptome analysis revealed the potential mechanism of a wheat-Th. elongatum translocation line YNM158 against Fusarium head blight
Authors: Dai Yi , Fei Wenlin , Chen Shiqiang , Shi Juntao , Ma Haigang , Li Haifeng , Li Jinfeng , Wang Yonggang , Gao Yujiao , Zhu Jinghuan , Wang Bingkui , Chen Jianmin , Ma Hongxiang
Published: March 2024

Background
Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex is a destructive disease in wheat worldwide. Lack of FHB resistant germplasm is a barrier in wheat breeding for the resistance to FHB. Thinopyrum elongatum is an important relative species successfully used for genetic improvement in wheat.
Results
In this study, a translocation line YNM158 with a YM158 genetic background and carrying the fragment of diploid Th. elongatum 7EL chromosome created by 60Co-γ radiation showed high resistance to FHB under both filed and greenhouse conditions. The transcriptome analysis validated that the horizontal transfer gene GST is one of the important contributors to FHB resistance in pathogen infection stage, whereas 7EL chromosome fragment also carries other genes regulated by F. graminearum during the colonization stage. In addition, the introgression of 7EL fragment affected the expression of wheat genes which were enriched in the resistance pathways including phosphatidylinositol signaling system, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, plant-pathogen interaction and MAPK signaling pathway at different stages after F. graminearium infection.
Conclusions
The study provides a novel germplasm for wheat resistance to FHB and new insights into the molecular mechanism of wheat resistance to FHB.
Suitability of raw and heat-treated Amaranthus spinosus in broiler diets: Impact on performance, meat antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health
Authors: Gebeş Emre Sunay , Yalçın Sakine , Ramay Muhammad Shazaib , Ünal Akın , Filikçi Kürşat
Published: March 2024

We assessed the potential of A. spinosus as a feed ingredient for broiler chickens and evaluated the efficacy of heat treatment. A total of 210 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, with six replicates and seven birds per replicate. The control group received a standard mix of maize and soybean meal, and the other groups received diets with varying proportions of raw and heat-treated amaranth, in which up to 10% and 20%, respectively, of the corn and soybean were replaced. Incorporating up to 20% A. spinosus into broiler diets did not have any adverse effects on animal health. We found no significant differences in body weight gain or ultimate body weight between amaranth-fed and control diet-fed birds. However, amaranth addition led to increased feed intake and therefore reduced feed efficiency. Amaranth feeding had no impact on carcass yield or organ weights but the amaranth-fed groups had heavier gizzards, reduced abdominal fat, improved meat antioxidant status, and no adverse effects on blood biochemical or hematological indices. Amaranth grain had no effect on cholesterol levels but decreased triglyceride levels. Heat treatment improved the favorable effects of amaranth on intestinal histology and increased immunoglobulin G levels. The caecal volatile fatty acid profile did not significantly change with amaranth incorporation, and heat-treated amaranth increased caecal branched-chain fatty acid levels and valerate levels in broilers compared to those in raw plants. The data indicate that A. spinosus holds promise as an alternative to traditional grains; digestibility trials are necessary to clarify procedures for further use.
Nitrogen application impacts timing of nitrogen and anthocyanin biosynthesis in the kernels of purple waxy maize
Authors: Feng Wanjun , Xue Weiwei , Zhao Zequn , Shi Zhaokang , Wang Weijie , Chen Baoguo , Xue Jianfu , Sun Min
Published: March 2024

Background and aims Anthocyanins are essential for secondary metabolites in higher plants and beneficial for human health. Suitable nitrogen (N) application rate may be effective to optimize nitrogen and anthocyanin accumulation in the grains of purple waxy corn, and improve its grain quality synergistically.
Methods A two-year field trial with purple waxy corn variety Jinnuo20 (JN20) was conducted to investigate the effects of different nitrogen (N) application rates (0 (N0), 120 (N1), 240 (N2), and 360 (N3) kg N ha-1) on anthocyanin accumulation and grain quality during grain filling stages.
Results The results indicated that N application significantly influenced anthocyanin content and accumulation in the grains, with the highest levels observed at the N2 rate, showing average increases of 35.62% and 11.49% in anthocyanin accumulation and content, respectively, compared to N0. Optimal anthocyanin accumulation rate and kernel N content were observed at 31 DAP and under 305 kg N ha-1, respectively.
Conclusions Thus, appropriate N application is crucial for enhancing anthocyanin accumulation and improving grain quality in purple waxy corn.
Correlation between electronic and magnetic properties of LaMnO 3-δ : experimental study and DFT-MBJ calculation
Authors: Henchiri C. , MABROUKI A. , Zhou Haishan , Argoubi Fatma , Gu Shouxi , Qi Qiang , Dhahri Esseti , VALENTE M. A
Published: March 2024

Structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric and thermoelectricproperiesLa0.9†0.1MnO2.9 wereexamined in this original paper. Indeed, the structural study demonstrated that this compound crystallized in the rhombohedric system with R-3c space group. The magnetization in terms of temperature corroborated the PM-FM transition when temperature decreased. The fit of hysteresis cycle at 5 K FM showed a domination of the FM contributions. Subsequently a magnetic entropy change deduced from the isothermal magnetization curves was observed in our samples with a peak centered on their Curie temperature (TC). The total electronic density states (TDOS) prove the coexistence of metallic behavior for spin up states and semiconductor characteristic with a Eg = 1.3 eV for spin down states. Thermoelectric properties analysis revealed promising behavior, with ZT reaching 1.1 at 420 K
Ventricular arrhythmia and Noonan Syndrome with LZTR1 Mutations: Expanding the Phenotype with a Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Liu Zhuyuan , Huang Yan , Wang Jinxi , Tong Jiayi
Published: March 2024

Background
Noonan syndrome (NS) is characterized by typical facial features, short stature, congenital heart defects and other comorbidities, which is caused by germline mutations in genes coding for components of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS-MAPK) pathway. Noonan syndrome is an inherited disease involving multiple systems, but ventricular arrhythmia in Noonan syndrome is rarely reported.
Methods
Here we report a 15-years old patient with LZTR1-associated Noonan syndrome, who has congenital heart defect, ventricular arrhythmia, bundle branch block, pectus excavatum, costal eversion, scoliosis, myopia, growth retardation and hearing loss. Genetic testing revealed that the patient had a novel heterozygous variant c.313delT (p.trp105Glyfs*42) mutation in the LZTR1.
Results
We provide a review of the literature of LZTR1 mutations and find that approximately 6% of published cases have ventricular arrhythmia.
Conclusions
Our findings expand on the Noonan syndrome phenotype and suggest that mutations in the LZTR1 gene are involved in ventricular arrhythmia.
Early scientific research training links to the innovation ability of medical undergraduates and postgraduates: a qualitative and quantitative survey
Authors: Wang Boyang , Yang Lulu , Gong Zhaohui
Published: March 2024

Background
Scientific research training (SRT) in basic medical sciences and clinical sciences plays critical roles in the development of clinical skills and innovation ability. We aimed to explore the current status of SRT in both medical undergraduates and postgraduates, and the relationship between early SRT and innovation ability in medical students.
Methods
We designed two questionnaires for undergraduates and postgraduates respectively to investigate the understanding, and participation of SRT, the motivations and factors for engaging in research, the advisor’s guidance of SRT, the academic performance of SRT, and the assessment of research conditions and suggestions for SRT. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 108 undergraduates and 86 postgraduates at Ningbo University. Then we collected data and analysed it with descriptive statistics.
Results
The results showed that undergraduates had more interest, understanding, and requirements for scientific research. Understanding of SRT in undergraduates (81.26%) was higher than that in postgraduates (56.97%). More than 70% of undergraduates had research experience in the early grades and the average time participating in SRT was more than one year. Participating in SRT in undergraduates (first and second year of undergraduate) was earlier than that in postgraduates (first year of postgraduate). In particular, personal interest was the major motivation for engaging in SRT. The vast majority of postgraduates (89.53%) had higher research goals than undergraduates (75%). These specific goals led to much higher research gains. Additionally, postgraduates (90.7%) could receive more higher proportion of guidance than undergraduates (67.59%), and thus higher academic performance (15.12% vs. 2.78%). Interestingly, most students were satisfied with the lab conditions and their personal efforts were primarily to achieve better academic performance.
Conclusions
These findings indicated that early SRT is strongly linked to the innovation ability of medical students, suggesting a necessity to construct an early extracurricular SRT program to train more future clinician-scientists and to improve the quality of medical education.
Mental health in Somalia after decades of humanitarian crises: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Islam Md Manirul , Siyad Abdiwali Ahmed , Ma Sk Md Mamunur Rahman
Published: March 2024

Background
Humanitarian crises increase the risk of mental health disorders. Somalia has been affected by conflict, insecurity, and economic turmoil for over three decades, as well as climatic shocks. However, 80–90% of Somalis who have a mental illness do not have access to good-quality, affordable mental health care. To develop an evidence-based, effective, equitable, and humane programme for mental health, we need to understand people’s perceptions, experiences, and behaviour related to mental health.
Methods
We undertook a qualitative study to explore Somalis’ perceptions and experiences of mental illness. We conducted three key informant interviews, two in-depth interviews, nine focus group discussions, 12 observations in private and public health facilities and more than 12 informal discussions. We used case vignettes translated into Somali during our discussion. We also studied three cases with experience of mental illness to understand care-seeking behaviour and the services available.
Results
Somalia has been moving from a traditional pastoral nomadic lifestyle to a settled one. A strong informal health support system exists in the community within clans or family relations. Armed conflict, natural disasters, and khat use are the three main factors affecting mental health. The prevalence of mental illness is likely greater than is evident. It is perceived that about 10% of people are suffering from mental illness (range < 5–50%) while 95% remain outside of appropriate care. Few people seek care for mental illness, which is highly stigmatized. Those who do seek care usually go to traditional healers because of culture and cost. Resources for mental health care are grossly inadequate with a limited workforce. At least two levels of barrier to mental health care exist, at the individual/family level (e.g. poor awareness of mental health and stigma) and service provider level (e.g. lack of staff and limited ability to diagnose, treat, or refer persons with mental illness and stigma). No tool or programme is available to address these barriers.
Conclusion
A mental health programme that addresses all these issues is needed with more trained mental health professionals. Given the stigma about mental health, there is also a need for a tool to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of mental health care among both the public and health workers.
First detection of Jingmen tick virus in Corsica, France and development of a real time detection system for multiple tick-associated jingmenviruses
Authors: Cicculli Vincent , Colmant Agathe M. G. , Piorkowski Geraldine , Amaral Rayane , Maitre Apolline , Decarreaux Dorine , Thirion Laurence , Moureau Gregory , Falchi Alessandra , de Lamballerie Xavier , Charrel Remi N. , Ayhan Nazli
Published: March 2024

Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) is a recently discovered segmented RNA virus, closely related to flaviviruses. It was identified for the first time in 2014, in China and subsequently in Brazil. Following this discovery, JMTV-related sequences have been identified in arthropods, vertebrates (including humans), plants, fungus and environmental samples from Asia, America, Africa, Europe and Oceania. Several studies suggest an association between these segmented flavi-like viruses, termed jingmenviruses, and febrile illness in humans. The development of rapid diagnostic assays for these viruses is therefore crucial to be prepared for a potential epidemic, for the early detection of these viruses via vector surveillance or hospital diagnosis. In this study, we designed a RT-qPCR assay to detect tick-associated jingmenviruses, validated it and tested its range and limit of detection with six tick-associated jingmenviruses using in vitro transcripts. Then we screened ticks collected in Corsica (France) from different livestock species, in order to determine the distribution of these viruses on the island. In total, 6,269 ticks from eight species were collected from 763 cattle, 538 horses, 106 sheep and 218 wild boars and grouped in 1,715 pools. We report the first detection of JMTV in Corsica, in Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma marginatum and R. sanguineus ticks collected from cattle and sheep. The highest prevalence was found in the Rhipicephalus genus. The complete genome of a Corsican JMTV was obtained from a pool of Rhipicephalus bursa ticks and shares between 94.7% and 95.1% nucleotide identity with a JMTV sequence corresponding to a human patient in Kosovo and groups phylogenetically with European JMTV strains. These results show that a Mediterranean island such as Corsica could act as a sentinel zone for future epidemics.
The relationship between emotional abuse and internet addiction in Chinese children: A serial multiple mediation of emotional dysregulation and regulatory emotional self-efficacy
Authors: Liu Wang , Li Yuling , Huang Jie , Gao Xiang , Xu Ziyi , Li Yonghui
Published: March 2024

Background
Internet addiction (IA) among children is a serious problem and it is imperative to explore the risk and protective factors involved. Previous studies have suggested that emotional abuse may be a significant risk factor for IA in children; however, the relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional abuse and IA in children and to explore the roles of emotional dysregulation (ED) and regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE) in mediating this relationship.
Methods
A sample of 556 Chinese fourth to sixth grade primary school students completed questionnaires on emotional abuse, ED, RESE, and IA.
Results
Emotional abuse has a positive predictive effect on IA in children. This relationship was serially mediated by ED and RESE.
Conclusions
ED and RESE have chain-mediating effects in the relationship between emotional abuse and IA. These findings suggest that improving emotional regulation abilities and confidence in abused children is a promising strategy to reduce the adverse impact of emotional abuse and the risk of IA in children.
Implementation evaluation of a nurturing care intervention in a humanitarian setting in Rwanda
Authors: Sargsyan Viktoria , Uwera Mediatrice , Gasirikare Andre , Habyarimana Jean Aime , Salcido Jennifer S , Felner Christy , Rasheed Muneera A.
Published: March 2024

Background: In a humanitarian context in Rwanda, a nurturing care parenting program was delivered in high and low doses, revealing similar changes in care practices compared to the control group but no significant improvements in early childhood development outcomes. This study examines program implementation to understand delivery processes.
Methods: We employed Proctor’s implementation outcomes, including measures of acceptability, fidelity, and quality of dose delivered. A customized questionnaire was administered post-intervention by trained research assistants, and qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of families, the delivery team, and community stakeholders. Additionally, program monitoring and documentation, such as monthly reports, were included in the analysis. Qualitative analysis followed a deductive approach.
Findings: Implementation data from caregiver surveys indicated that the majority of families received 50% of the intended dosage for group sessions in both the high and low dose arms. Program records showed that over 90% of eligible caregivers attended the sessions, with families expressing a preference for the shared space and activities during the first half of the group sessions. However, in terms of home visits, more than half of the families had never received one. Qualittaive data revealed acceptability of the intervention and professional development opportunities through mentorshp as key to engagement of the delivery staff.
Conclusion: Continuous monitoring and adaptation of delivery strategies are essential for improving early childhood development outcomes in humanitarian settings like Rwanda.
The Joint Distribution of Generalized Dirichlet Process Samples with Applications to Nonparametric Bayesian Modeling
Authors: Akell Hassan , Sajadi Farkhondeh-Alsadat , Kazemi Iraj
Published: March 2024

The Dirichlet process (DP) mixtures offer a flexible approach to nonparametric Bayesian modeling by specifying a unique joint distribution. The Generalized Dirichlet Process (GDP) expands upon the original DP’s stick-breaking process , influencing posterior distributions significantly and enhancing the ability to model intricate processes. This study’s objective is to determine the joint distribution of a random sample X1,. .. , Xn drawn from the GDP, satisfying X1 ∈ A1,. .. , Xn ∈ An for any measurable sets Ai, where i = 1,. .. , n. The GDP distribution is represented as a countable mixture with Bell number, Bn, components. Key properties such as moments, skewness, and kurtosis are discussed. Our innovative distribution encompasses all possible samples, whether they are distinct or identical variables. Specifically, the results for the Dirich-let process align with the Blackwell-MacQueen joint distribution. We explore the clustering behavior of samples from this mixture, evaluate the posterior distributions, and present two illustrative examples to highlight our findings.
MSC Classification: 60E05 , 62E15 , 97K60
Antibiotic resistance gene dynamics in the commensal infant gut microbiome over the first year of life
Authors: Trosvik Pål , Noordzij Hanna Theodora , de Muinck Eric Jacques
Published: March 2024

Background
Colonization of the infant gut is an important developmental process characterized by high carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and high abundances of pathobionts. The horizontal transfer of ARGs to pathogenic bacteria represents a major public health concern. However, there is still a paucity of longitudinal studies surveilling ARGs in healthy infant guts at high temporal resolution. Furthermore, we do not yet have a clear view of how temporal variation in ARG carriage relates to the dynamics of specific bacterial populations, as well as community virulence potential. Here, we performed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of monthly fecal samples from a cohort of 12 infants, covering the first year of life to interrogate the infant gut microbiome for ARG content. We further relate ARG dynamics to the dynamics of taxa, virulence potential, as well as the potential for ARG mobilization.
Results
We identify a core resistome dominated by efflux systems typically associated with Enterobacteriaceae. Overall ARG carriage declined over the first year of life and showed strong contemporaneous correlation with the population dynamics of Proteobacteria. Furthermore, the majority of ARGs could be further mapped to metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) classified to this phylum. We were able to assign a large number of ARGs to E. coli by correlating the temporal dynamics of individual genes with species dynamics, and we show that the temporal dynamics of ARGs and virulence factors are highly correlated, suggesting close taxonomic associations between these two gene classes. Finally, we identify ARGs linked with various categories of mobile genetic elements, demonstrating preferential linkage among mobility categories and resistance to different drug classes.
Conclusion
While individual variation in ARG carriage is substantial during infancy there is a clear reduction over the first year of life. With few exceptions, ARG abundances closely track the dynamics of pathobionts and community virulence potential. These findings emphasize the potential for development of resistant pathogens in the developing infant gut, and the importance of effective surveillance in order to detect such events.
Morphological, Anatomical Structure, and transcriptomics analysis reveals the regulatory mechanism of cassava plant height development
Authors: Cai Zhaoqin , Ruan Lixia , Wei Wanling , He Wen , Yang Haixia , Chen Huixian , Liang Zhenhua , Huang Zhenling , Lan Xiu , Zhang Xiufen , Huang Ruolan , Zhao Chunhui , Li Tianyuan , He Longfei , Li Hengrui
Published: March 2024

Background: Cassava is one of the three major potato crops in the world, and also the sixth-largest food crop in the world. Improving yield is still one of the main goals of cassava breeding. Plant height has a significant impact on the yield and quality of crops. However, the mechanism of cassava plant height development is still unclear.
Results: In this study, we performed phenotypic, anatomic structural, and transcriptomic analyses to study the mechanisms responsible for Cassava plant-height development. Phenotypic and anatomical observations showed that compared to the high-stem cassava cultivar, the dwarf-stem cassava cultivar displayed a significant decrease in plant height, while the internode tissue xylem area significantly increased. Physiological analysis showed that the lignin content of dwarf cassava was significantly higher than that of high cassava. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes involved in cell wall synthesis and expansion, plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis were significantly differentially expressed in the internode tissues of two cassava cultivars.
Conclusion: These results indicate that the internode tissue cell division, secondary wall lignification, and hormones and their related gene expressions play an important role in cassava plant height development. It provides new insights into the mechanism of plant height morphogenesis in cassava. In addition, these candidate genes that regulate plant height development can serve as valuable genetic resources for future crop dwarfing breeding.
Designing if CZTSSe Based PbS Thin Film Solar Cell for Improved Conversion Efficiency
Authors: zhou xin , xue yuming , wang luoxin
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we simulated a novel CZTSSe (copper-zinc-tin-sulfide-selenide) thin film solar cell with two absorber layers and PbS(a lead sulfide) layer by SCAPS-1D. We investigated the effect of changes in the thickness of the absorbing layer and the acceptor concentration on this cell. Meanwhile, we also optimized the bandgap width of CZTSSe and the thickness of PbS. Moreover, an effective method has been applied in the aim of boosting the conversion efficiency, by adding a BSF (back surface field) layer in the cell. The BSF layer helps to enhance optical behavior and reduces recombination losses, consequently reducing the Voc (open circuit voltage) deficit. With the highest conversion efficiency calculated in the simulation, a cell conversion efficiency of 27.70% can be achieved, which is significantly higher than the basic structure, and provides a large electrical power as well as a more optimal filling factor at the same time.
Antibacterial Effects of Zinc and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and their Miscibility simulations with Polylactic acid
Authors: Otieno Dibli B. , Bosire Geoffrey O. , Onyari John M. , Mwabora Julius M.
Published: March 2024

A two-fold semi-empirical approach is reported in this study. Zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs and CuO-NPs) were synthesized and their antibacterial effects studied. The structural properties, miscibility and adsorption behavior of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles on polylactic acid (PLA) were studied using Materials-Studio-based ab initio computations and density functional theory (DFT) approaches. The experimental part revealed a peak absorption at 705.95 and 525 cm-1 on using FTIR analysis which signified presence of spherical and rod-shaped nanoparticles for ZnO-NPs and CuO-NPs, respectively. The experimental studies affirmed that the synthesized ZnO and CuO nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial effects on gram positive E-coli and gram-negative Bacillus thuringiensis. Theoretical investigations of pristine polylactic acid (PLA), ZnO-NPs on PLA (PLA-ZnO) and CuO-NPs on PLA (PLA-CuO) were achieved by the adsorption locator and blend modules in the Material Studio (MS) software. Both the geometrically optimized adsorbates (ZnO-NPs and CuO-NPs) were annealed on the adsorbent surface (PLA 1,1,0) to reduce the number of defects on the lattice surface. The distribution energies, phase diagrams, free energies and mixing energies revealed immiscibility of PLA/ZnO-NPs and PLA/CuO-NPs blends as evidenced by the asymmetric distribution, composition of both blends below the critical points, positive values of free energies (0.0085, 2.6871 kcal/mol) at 375K and mixing energies (0.1918,12.221 kcal/mol) respectively. In addition, the incorporation of ZnO- and CuO-NPs on the PLA polymer to control bacterial adhesion and prevent biofilm formation was also studied theoretically. The adsorption energies of ZnO and CuO NPs on the PLA surfaces were computed and exhibited negative adsorption energies, which indicated that the type adsorption was chemisorption.