bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IgG4-related disease—rare but you should not forget it
Authors: Pinheiro Frederico Augusto Gurgel , Pereira Ivanio Alves , de Souza Alexandre Wagner Silva , Giardini Henrique Ayres Mayrink , Cordeiro Rafael Alves
Published: May 2024

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is a systemic immune-mediated disease with insidious evolution characterized by fibroinflammatory lesions over virtually any organ system. Despite the remarkable progression of knowledge, its etiology remains undefined. Due to its relapse-remitting pattern, it could accumulate irreversible damage, increasing comorbidities and mortality. This paper emphasizes key concepts for diagnosing and treating patients with this condition.
Revealing the complex role of CDKL5 in developmental epilepsy through a calcium channel related vision
Authors: Yan Mengqi , Guo Xiongfeng , Xu Cenglin
Published: May 2024

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are severe neurological conditions in clinical practice, among which loss-of-function mutations in brain-enriched serine-threonine kinase cyclin dependent kinase like-5 (CDKL5) exists as one of the most common types. It is unknown, therefore, how precisely CDKL5 mutations lead to neuronal hyper-excitation. A recent study that looked at the connection between voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3 and CDKL5 in an experimental context was published in Nature Communications. This study has revealed that Cav2.3, a physiological phosphorylation target of CDKL5, would show delayed inactivation and increased cholinergic stimulation in CDKL5 knock out conditions. This would in turn cause neuronal hyperexcitability and related enhanced seizure susceptibility. This work, in our opinion, provided fresh insight into the epileptic encephalopathies linked to CDKL5 and highlighted Cav2.3 as a possible target for it.
Critical complex network structures in animal gastrointestinal tract microbiomes
Authors: Ma Zhanshan , Shi Peng
Published: May 2024

Background

Living things from microbes to their hosts (plants, animals and humans) interact with each other, and their relationships may be described with complex network models. The present study focuses on the critical network structures, specifically the core/periphery nodes and backbones (paths of high-salience skeletons) in animal gastrointestinal microbiomes (AGMs) networks. The core/periphery network (CPN) mirrors nearly ubiquitous nestedness in ecological communities, particularly dividing the network as densely interconnected core-species and periphery-species that only sparsely linked to the core. Complementarily, the high-salience skeleton network (HSN) mirrors the pervasive asymmetrical species interactions (strictly microbial species correlations), particularly forming heterogenous pathways in AGM networks with both “backbones” and “rural roads” (regular or weak links). While the cores and backbones can act as critical functional structures, the periphery nodes and weak links may stabilize network functionalities through redundancy.

Results

Here, we build and analyze 36 pairs of CPN/HSN for the AGMs based on 4903 gastrointestinal-microbiome samples containing 473,359 microbial species collected from 318 animal species covering all vertebrate and four major invertebrate classes. The network analyses were performed at host species, order, class, phylum, kingdom scales and diet types with selected and comparative taxon pairs. Besides diet types, the influence of host phylogeny, measured with phylogenetic (evolutionary) timeline or “age”, were integrated into the analyses. For example, it was found that the evolutionary trends of three primary microbial phyla (Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes/Proteobacteria) and their pairwise abundance-ratios in animals do not mirror the patterns in modern humans phylogenetically, although they are consistent in terms of diet types.

Conclusions

Overall, the critical network structures of AGMs are qualitatively and structurally similar to those of the human gut microbiomes. Nevertheless, it appears that the critical composition (the three phyla of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria) in human gut microbiomes has broken the evolutionary trend from animals to humans, possibly attributable to the Anthropocene epoch and reflecting the far-reaching influences of agriculture and industrial revolution on the human gut microbiomes. The influences may have led to the deviations between modern humans and our hunter-gather ancestors and animals.
Association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation among Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia: the mediating role of insomnia
Authors: Hao Yuzhu , Peng Pu , Wang Qianjin , Zhou Yanan , Chen Shubao , Wu Qiuxia , Liu Tieqiao , Zhang Xiangyang
Published: May 2024

Background

Childhood maltreatment is a well-established transdiagnostic risk factor for suicidal ideation; however, previous studies on their association in schizophrenia have produced highly varied results. Moreover, the mechanism linking childhood maltreatment and suicide ideation remains unclear in schizophrenia.

Aims

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and suicide ideation in people with schizophrenia and tested whether insomnia mediated this relationship.

Method

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form and Beck Suicidal Ideation Inventory were employed. Logistic regression and mediation analysis were performed.

Results

(a) The prevalence of suicide ideation, insomnia, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and physical neglect was 10% (n = 61), 18% (n = 111), 11% (n = 68), 25% (n = 153), 6.3% (n = 39), 17% (n = 106) and 39% (n = 239), respectively. In all, 52% (n = 320) reported childhood maltreatment; (b) patients with suicide ideation demonstrated higher insomnia and childhood maltreatment. PANSS depression factor, ISI, lifetime suicidal attempts and emotional abuse were independently associated with suicide ideation; (c) insomnia partially mediated the effects of emotional abuse and emotional neglect on suicide ideation, and insomnia completely mediated the effects of physical neglect and physical abuse on suicide ideation.

Conclusion

Our study calls for formal assessments for childhood maltreatment and insomnia in schizophrenia, which might help identify suicide ideation early. In addition, interventions targeting insomnia might help reduce suicide ideation among people with schizophrenia who experience childhood maltreatment.
LGI1-antibody encephalitis: how to approach this highly treatable dementia mimic in memory and mental health services
Authors: Binks Sophie N. M. , Al-Diwani Adam , Handel Adam E. , Bajorek Tomasz , Manohar Sanjay , Husain Masud , Irani Sarosh R. , Koychev Ivan
Published: May 2024

Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1-antibody-encephalitis is a treatable and potentially reversible cause of cognitive and psychiatric presentations, and may mimic cognitive decline, rapidly progressive dementia and complex psychosis in older patients. This aetiology is of immediate relevance given the alternative treatment pathway required, compared with other conditions presenting with cognitive deficits.
Faceless
Authors: Bey Marquis
Published: May 2024

To refuse the gender binary is a criminal act, and trans antagonism—a violence that manifests along a spectrum from head-shaking disapproval to death—is at base a vociferous coercion to confess. This chapter’s aim is to consider what happens when one’s body belies what they wish it to be. For those who are read as cis, they have not undergone the alterations potent with gendered signification and are not trans(gender) in a sense that registers with how such an identity is made tentatively legible, so what claim do cis people have to a gendered subjectivity that is in fact a nonconfession, a confessional refusal, a desire for facelessness? And how might someone’s Blackness muddy the already muddy waters of gender alignment, that uneven epidermis indexical of an anoriginal lawlessness lacerative of the “cis” of cisgender, intimate with the “trans” of transgender?
Characterization of Pediatric Infratentorial Arteriovenous Malformations: A Retrospective, Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Calafiore Rebecca , Burke Rebecca M. , Becerril-Gaitan Andrea , Chen Ching-Jen , Oravec Chesney S. , Belanger Katherine , Ding Dale , Yang Huai-che , Kondziolka Douglas , Mathieu David , Iorio-Morin Christian , Grills Inga S. , Feliciano Caleb , Barnett Gene , Starke Robert M. , Lunsford L. Dade , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Infratentorial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) harbor different characteristics compared with supratentorial AVMs. This study aims to explore the unique characteristics of pediatric infratentorial AVMs and their response to single session stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS:

The International Radiosurgery Research Foundation database of pediatric patients with AVM (age <18 years) who underwent SRS was retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographics, AVM characteristics, outcomes, and complications post-SRS were compared between infratentorial and supratentorial pediatric AVMs. Unfavorable outcome was defined as the absence of AVM obliteration, post-SRS hemorrhage, or permanent radiation-induced changes at last follow-up.

RESULTS:

A total of 535 pediatric AVMs managed with SRS with a median follow-up of 67 months (IQR 29.0-130.6) were included, with 69 being infratentorial and 466 supratentorial. The infratentorial group had a higher proportion of deep location (58.4% vs 30.3%, P = <.001), deep venous drainage (79.8% vs 61.8%, P = .004), and prior embolization (26.1% vs 15.7%, P = .032). There was a higher proportion of hemorrhagic presentation in the infratentorial group (79.7% vs 71.3%, P = .146). There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of an unfavorable outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36 [0.82-2.28]), AVM obliteration (OR = 0.85 [0.5-1.43]), post-SRS hemorrhage (OR = 0.83 [0.31-2.18]), or radiologic radiation-induced changes (OR = 1.08 [0.63-1.84]) between both cohorts. No statistically significant difference on the rates of outcomes of interest and complications were found in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSION:

Despite baseline differences between infratentorial and supratentorial pediatric AVMs, SRS outcomes, including AVM obliteration and post-SRS hemorrhage rates, were comparable amongst both groups. SRS appears to have a similar risk profile and therapeutic benefit to infratentorial pediatric AVMs as it does for those with a supratentorial location.
Redesigning Death Rounds: Alleviating distress for residents in end-of-life care
Authors: Fang Shannon , Baumgardner Lauren , Schwan Benjamin , Krishnan Vidya
Published: May 2024

Introduction Residents report limited end-of-life care training, resulting in negative socio-emotional impacts, burnout, and inadequate patient care. An academic urban county hospital adopted the Death Rounds (DR) conference for residents in the medical intensive care unit as a monthly free-form discussion to help residents cope with the emotional aspects of caring for dying patients. Our goal was to implement and evaluate a newly structured DR curriculum to help residents further reflect on experiences of caring for dying patients, reduce emotional burnout, and improve physician well-being. Methods Using a mixed-methods design, we conducted a qualitative needs assessment using interviews of residents. DR conference modifications based on the needs assessment include shorter, more frequent sessions; breakout groups; prompts for facilitating discussion; and multidisciplinary facilitators. A pre-post modification survey using the Likert scale was administered to all residents to assess the programmatic changes. Results Pre- and post-modification data was received from 30 and 50 of 116 residents, respectively. A greater proportion of post-test DR attendees reported that DR helped them feel less distressed when caring for dying patients (p=0.018). Among residents who did not attend DR, there was greater agreement in feeling emotionally supported by their team when caring for dying patients (p=0.046). Overall, 81% of post-test respondents agreed DR was worthwhile of their time, and almost all respondents agreed discussing the emotional impacts of patient death is important. Conclusion Adding a structured framework to Death Rounds, including small-groups and facilitation cards, may help residents cope with caring for dying patients by improving self-awareness and team support, while reducing distress.
Ley 1996 de 2019: visión crítica y retos jurídicos
Authors: Medina Pabón Juan Enrique
Published: May 2024

Este capítulo tiene una amplia exposición analítica de la Ley 1996 que otorga capacidad de ejercicio a toda persona mayor de edad, agrupando las diversas temáticas de la ley, de modo que facilite su comprensión e integración con el resto del sistema jurídico, con ejemplos, explicaciones y cuestionamientos, a fin de iniciar un debate real y sustentado sobre el verdadero alcance de la norma, para conseguir, en la medida de lo posible, su aplicación correcta, o de ser necesario introducir ajustes al régimen, de no poderse superar las dificultades con simple interpretación.
Genética básica
Authors: Beltrán Derly Marcela
Published: May 2024

Durante este capítulo emplearemos conceptos analizados en mayor profundidad en capítulos precedentes y mencionaremos de forma somera algunos temas de esta disciplina.
Epidemiología de la toxoplasmosis ocular
Authors: Cifuentes González Carlos Humberto , Fonseca Mora María Alejandra , de-la-Torre Alejandra
Published: May 2024

En este capítulo, develaremos tres mitos acerca de la epidemiología de la toxoplasmosis ocular. El primero hace referencia a la prevalencia de la toxoplasmosis congénita frente a la adquirida. El segundo tiene en cuenta la prevalencia de la toxoplasmosis según la ubicación geográfica poblacional, y hace hincapié en las características epidemiológicas de la selva versus los centros urbanos. Por último, el tercer mito alude a la epidemiología de la toxoplasmosis en embarazadas, comparada con la toxoplasmosis en la población general.
Feasibility Verification and Upper Bound Computation in Global Minimization Using Approximate Active Index Sets
Authors: Füllner Christian , Kirst Peter , Otto Hendrik , Rebennack Steffen
Published: May 2024

We propose a new upper bounding procedure for global minimization problems with continuous variables and possibly nonconvex inequality and equality constraints. Upper bounds are crucial for standard termination criteria of spatial branch-and-bound (SBB) algorithms to ensure that they can enclose globally minimal values sufficiently well. However, whereas for most lower bounding procedures from the literature, convergence on smaller boxes is established, this does not hold for several methods to compute upper bounds even though they often perform well in practice. In contrast, our emphasis is on the convergence. We present a new approach to verify the existence of feasible points on boxes, on which upper bounds can then be determined. To this end, we resort to existing convergent feasibility verification approaches for purely equality and box constrained problems. By considering carefully designed modifications of subproblems based on the approximation of active index sets, we enhance such methods to problems with additional inequality constraints. We prove that our new upper bounding procedure finds sufficiently good upper bounds so that termination of SBB algorithms is guaranteed after a finite number of iterations. Our theoretical findings are illustrated by computational results on a large number of standard test problems. These results show that compared with interval Newton methods from the literature, our proposed method is more successful in feasibility verification for both, a full SBB implementation (42 instead of 26 test problems) and exhaustive sequences of boxes around known feasible points (120 instead of 29 test problems).

History: Accepted by Antonio Frangioni, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Continuous.

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0162 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0162 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Community support for families affected by dementia
Authors: Pepper Amy , Dening Karen Harrison
Published: May 2024

This paper provides and overview of the community support services that may be available for people with dementia and their family carers. The authors introduce dementia, including the impact of the diagnosis on both the person with dementia and the wider family. Using a case study approach, the authors describe the support available, spanning health and social care and third sector organisations. They discuss how this support can enable people with dementia and their carers to maintain wellbeing and cope with the impact of dementia. This article will be of interest to community nurses, and health and social care professionals more generally, who may encounter families affected by dementia in community settings. Having a good knowledge of the support available and how to access it will allow community nurses to capitalise on the health promotion opportunities presented to them, when they come into contact with families affected by dementia in the course of their day-to-day practice.
Diabetic bladder dysfunction
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: May 2024

More than 4.3 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes and there are thought to be a further 850 000 people living with diabetes who have not yet been diagnosed ( Diabetes UK, 2024 ). Around half of all adults who have diabetes experience bladder dysfunction. It is one of the most common complications of diabetes, yet there is little in the medical literature and it is often unrecognised and poorly treated ( Wittig et al, 2019 ). This article uses a case history approach to examine how diabetes can affect the bladder.
Using a novel approach to explore women's caesarean birth experience
Authors: Deys Linda J , Wilson Valerie , Bayes Sara , Meedya Shahla
Published: May 2024

How a woman experiences birth is influenced by how she is treated, and who has power and control in the birthing environment. Focus on ‘delivery’ of an infant disregards the transformative event for the woman, with poorer physical and psychological outcomes. New evidence is needed to understand how to prevent trauma and improve maternal wellbeing. This paper presents a feminist methodology to view the lived experience of caesarean birth. Feminist birthing theories integrated with a phenomenological perspective provide insight for those working in maternity care and create a novel framework for researchers considering the position of women in a medicalised healthcare system. Feminist phenomenology with a theoretical feminist overlay refreshes the methodological framework for a new understanding of how this perinatal event impacts women.
Fracture haematoma proteomics
Authors: Groven Rald V. M. , Kuik Christel , Greven Johannes , Mert Ümit , Bouwman Freek G. , Poeze Martijn , Blokhuis Taco J. , Huber-Lang Markus , Hildebrand Frank , Cillero-Pastor Berta , van Griensven Martijn
Published: May 2024

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the fracture haematoma (fxH) proteome after multiple trauma using label-free proteomics, comparing two different fracture treatment strategies.

Methods

A porcine multiple trauma model was used in which two fracture treatment strategies were compared: early total care (ETC) and damage control orthopaedics (DCO). fxH was harvested and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Per group, discriminating proteins were identified and protein interaction analyses were performed to further elucidate key biomolecular pathways in the early fracture healing phase.

Results

The early fxH proteome was characterized by immunomodulatory and osteogenic proteins, and proteins involved in the coagulation cascade. Treatment-specific proteome alterations were observed. The fxH proteome of the ETC group showed increased expression of pro-inflammatory proteins related to, among others, activation of the complement system, neutrophil functioning, and macrophage activation, while showing decreased expression of proteins related to osteogenesis and tissue remodelling. Conversely, the fxH proteome of the DCO group contained various upregulated or exclusively detected proteins related to tissue regeneration and remodelling, and proteins related to anti-inflammatory and osteogenic processes.

Conclusion

The early fxH proteome of the ETC group was characterized by the expression of immunomodulatory, mainly pro-inflammatory, proteins, whereas the early fxH proteome of the DCO group was more regenerative and osteogenic in nature. These findings match clinical observations, in which enhanced surgical trauma after multiple trauma causes dysbalanced inflammation, potentially leading to reduced tissue regeneration, and gained insights into regulatory mechanisms of fracture healing after severe trauma.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(5):214–225.
Influence of the average wavelength on the scale factor stability of interferometric fiber optic gyroscope
Authors: Liu Yishi , Yan Jingtao , Tan Yushan , Chen Xingfan
Published: May 2024

The introduction of closed-loop mechanisms has significantly enhanced the performance of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes (IFOGs). However, the poor scale factor (SF) stability limits its further application due to the use of broadband light sources. This study first reviewed the impact of the average wavelength of a light source on SF stability in a closed-loop IFOG setup. A simulation model is developed according to modulation and demodulation principles, and the SF error is found to be proportional to the wavelength drift in a closed-loop IFOG. Additionally, employing a laser with a more stable average wavelength instead of a super fluorescent fiber source (SFS) for driving the IFOG enhanced the SF stability by an order of magnitude to 0.38 ppm in ambient-air experiments, which is one of the best SF performances achieved thus far. With the significant improvement in stability during the variable temperature tests, the IFOG measures rotation rates more accurately.
Digital histological staining of tissue slide images from optical coherence microscopy
Authors: Lee Sangjin , Lee Eunji , Yang Hyunmo , Park Kibeom , Min Eunjung , Jung Woonggyu
Published: May 2024

The convergence of staining-free optical imaging and digital staining technologies has become a central focus in digital pathology, presenting significant advantages in streamlining specimen preparation and expediting the rapid acquisition of histopathological information. Despite the inherent merits of optical coherence microscopy (OCM) as a staining-free technique, its widespread application in observing histopathological slides has been constrained. This study introduces a novel approach by combining wide-field OCM with digital staining technology for the imaging of histopathological slides. Through the optimization of the histology slide production process satisfying the ground growth for digital staining as well as pronounced contrast for OCM imaging, successful imaging of various mouse tissues was achieved. Comparative analyses with conventional staining-based bright field images were executed to evaluate the proposed methodology's efficacy. Moreover, the study investigates the generalization of digital staining color appearance to ensure consistent histopathology, considering tissue-specific and thickness-dependent variations.
Combining a passive spatial photonic reservoir computer with a semiconductor laser increases its nonlinear computational capacity
Authors: Bauwens Ian , Harkhoe Krishan , Gooskens Emmanuel , Bienstman Peter , Verschaffelt Guy , Van der Sande Guy
Published: May 2024

Photonic reservoir computing has been used to efficiently solve difficult and time-consuming problems. The physical implementations of such reservoirs offer low power consumption and fast processing speed due to their photonic nature. In this paper, we investigate the computational capacity of a passive spatially distributed reservoir computing system. It consists of a network of waveguides connected via optical splitters and combiners. A limitation of its reservoir is that it is fully linear and that the nonlinearity – which is often required for solving computing tasks – is only introduced in the output layer. To address this issue, we investigate the incorporation of an additional active nonlinear component into the system. Our approach involves the integration of a single semiconductor laser in an external optical delay line within the architecture. Based on numerical simulations, we show that the architecture with this semiconductor laser has a nonlinear computational capacity that is significantly increased as compared to the original passive architecture, which can be beneficial to solving difficult computational tasks.
Ultra-high Q-factor quasi-BIC BaTiO3 metasurface for electro-optic modulation
Authors: Shen Xiaokang , Tian Haiyi , Li Jiahao , Wu Yunkai , Wang Xu
Published: May 2024

Metasurfaces play a crucial role in trapping electromagnetic waves with specific wavelengths, serving as a significant platform for enhancing light–matter interactions. In all kinds of dynamic modulation metasurfaces, electro-optic modulation metasurfaces have attracted much attention due to its advantages of fast, stable and high efficiency. In order to respond to the extremely weak refractive index change of the electro-optical effect of the materials, the metasurfaces are required to support optical signals with high Q values. The quasi-bound state in the continuum (Q-BIC) is often used to enhance the light-field modulation capability of metasurfaces and to improve the modulation sensitivity of electro-optic modulators due to its ability to generate high Q-factor resonances. However, the design of an electro-optic modulation metasurface that facilitates the application of voltage and achieves modulation efficiency of nearly 100% is still in urgent need of development. In this study, single-crystal BTO metasurfaces are modeled using finite-difference time-domain method, and the structural symmetry is broken to introduce a Q-BIC resonance to generate a high Q-factor optical signal of 2.45 × 104 for high-depth electro-optic modulation. By simulating an applied electric field of 143 V/mm on the metasurface, a slight refractive index change of BTO of 8 × 10−4 was produced, leading to an electro-optical intensity modulation depth of 100%. Furthermore, the nanostructure of the metasurface was carefully designed to facilitate nano-fabrication and voltage application, and it is ideal for the development of low-power, CMOS-compatible, and miniaturized electro-optic modulation devices. Although the results of this study are based on simulations, they provide a crucial theoretical basis and guidance for the realization of efficient and realistic design of dynamic metasurfaces.
Broadband and ascendant nonlinear optical properties of the wide bandgap material GaN nanowires
Authors: Wu Zhixin , Liu Guowei , Li Boyao , Huang Junjie , Sun Jinghua
Published: May 2024

Gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire, as a type of wide bandgap nanomaterial, has attracted considerable interest because of its outstanding physicochemical properties and applications in energy storage and photoelectric devices. In this study, we prepared GaN nanowires via a facile chemical vapor deposition method and investigated their nonlinear absorption responses ranging from ultraviolet to near-infrared in the z-scan technology under irradiation by picosecond laser pulses. The experiment revealed that GaN nanowires exhibit remarkable nonlinear absorption characteristics attributed to their wide bandgap and nanostructure, including saturable absorption and reverse saturable absorption. When compared to bulk GaN crystals, the nanowires provide a richer and more potent set of nonlinear optical effects. Furthermore, we conducted an analysis of the corresponding electronic transition processes associated with photon absorption. Under high peak power density laser excitation, two-photon absorption or three-photon absorption dominate, with maximum modulation depths of 73.6%, 74.9%, 63.1% and 64.3% at 266 nm, 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm, respectively, corresponding to absorption coefficients of 0.22 cm/GW, 0.28 cm/GW, 0.08 cm/GW, and 2.82 ×10−4 cm3/GW2. At lower peak energy densities, GaN nanowires demonstrate rare and excellent saturation absorption characteristics at wavelength of 355 nm due to interband transitions, while saturable absorption is also observed at 532 nm and 1064 nm due to band tail absorption. The modulation depths are 85.2%, 41.9%, and 13.7% for 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm, corresponding to saturation intensities of 3.39 GW/cm2, 5.58 GW/cm2 and 14.13 GW/cm2. This indicates that GaN nanowires can be utilized as broadband optical limiters and high-performance pulse laser modulating devices, particularly for scarce ultraviolet optical limiters, and saturable absorbers for ultraviolet and visible lasers. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the application potential of wide bandgap nanomaterials in nonlinear optical devices.
Experimental demonstration of constant amplitude modulation heterodyne interferometry
Authors: Lai Lingxiao , Dong Peng , Liu Heshan , Luo Ziren
Published: May 2024

In the space gravitational wave detection, numerous laser interferometer strategies have been proposed to reduce the complexity of traditional heterodyne interferometers. Previously, we proposed a novel interferometric strategy and simulated its effectiveness, called CAM (constant amplitude modulation) heterodyne interferometry. Compared with other methods, the CAM can introduce the OPT (optical pilot tone) for the common-mode noise rejection. In this paper, we present the first, to our knowledge, experimental verification of this technique. The experimental results indicate that OPT can successfully eliminate sampling jitter, enabling the corrected noise to meet the requirements of space gravitational wave detection. This provides a new approach for further optical optimization and noise elimination in the future.
A mathematical model for the role of dopamine-D2 self-regulation in the production of ultradian rhythms
Authors: Zhang An Qi , Ralph Martin R. , Stinchcombe Adam R.
Published: May 2024

Many self-motivated and goal-directed behaviours display highly flexible, approximately 4 hour ultradian (shorter than a day) oscillations. Despite lacking direct correspondence to physical cycles in the environment, these ultradian rhythms may be involved in optimizing functional interactions with the environment and reflect intrinsic neural dynamics. Current evidence supports a role of mesostriatal dopamine (DA) in the expression and propagation of ultradian rhythmicity, however, the biochemical processes underpinning these oscillations remain to be identified. Here, we use a mathematical model to investigate D2 autoreceptor-dependent DA self-regulation as the source of ultradian behavioural rhythms. DA concentration at the midbrain-striatal synapses is governed through a dual-negative feedback-loop structure, which naturally gives rise to rhythmicity. This model shows the propensity of striatal DA to produce an ultradian oscillation characterized by a flexible period that is highly sensitive to parameter variations. Circadian (approximately 24 hour) regulation consolidates the ultradian oscillations and alters their response to the phase-dependent, rapid-resetting effect of a transient excitatory stimulus. Within a circadian framework, the ultradian rhythm orchestrates behavioural activity and enhances responsiveness to an external stimulus. This suggests a role for the circadian-ultradian timekeeping hierarchy in governing organized behaviour and shaping daily experience through coordinating the motivation to engage in recurring, albeit not highly predictable events, such as social interactions.
Visual social information use in collective foraging
Authors: Mezey David , Deffner Dominik , Kurvers Ralf H. J. M. , Romanczuk Pawel
Published: May 2024

Collective dynamics emerge from individual-level decisions, yet we still poorly understand the link between individual-level decision-making processes and collective outcomes in realistic physical systems. Using collective foraging to study the key trade-off between personal and social information use, we present a mechanistic, spatially-explicit agent-based model that combines individual-level evidence accumulation of personal and (visual) social cues with particle-based movement. Under idealized conditions without physical constraints, our mechanistic framework reproduces findings from established probabilistic models, but explains how individual-level decision processes generate collective outcomes in a bottom-up way. In clustered environments, groups performed best if agents reacted strongly to social information, while in uniform environments, individualistic search was most beneficial. Incorporating different real-world physical and perceptual constraints profoundly shaped collective performance, and could even buffer maladaptive herding by facilitating self-organized exploration. Our study uncovers the mechanisms linking individual cognition to collective outcomes in human and animal foraging and paves the way for decentralized robotic applications.
A comprehensive genome-wide cross-trait analysis of sexual factors and uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Wu Xueyao , Xiao Changfeng , Rasooly Danielle , Zhao Xunying , Morton Cynthia Casson , Jiang Xia , Gallagher C. Scott
Published: May 2024

Age at first sexual intercourse (AFS) and lifetime number of sexual partners (NSP) may influence the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma (UL) through their associations with hormonal concentrations and uterine infections. Leveraging summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies conducted in European ancestry for each trait (NAFS = 214,547; NNSP = 370,711; NUL = 302,979), we observed a significant negative genomic correlation for UL with AFS (rg = –0.11, P = 7.83×10−4), but not with NSP (rg = 0.01, P = 0.62). Four specific genomic regions were identified as contributing significant local genetic correlations to AFS and UL, including one genomic region further identified for NSP and UL. Partitioning SNP-heritability with cell-type-specific annotations, a close clustering of UL with both AFS and NSP was identified in immune and blood-related components. Cross-trait meta-analysis revealed 15 loci shared between AFS/NSP and UL, including 7 novel SNPs. Univariable two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis suggested no evidence for a causal association between genetically predicted AFS/NSP and risk of UL, nor vice versa. Multivariable MR adjusting for age at menarche or/and age at natural menopause revealed a significant causal effect of genetically predicted higher AFS on a lower risk of UL. Such effect attenuated to null when age at first birth was further included. Utilizing participant-level data from the UK Biobank, one-sample MR based on genetic risk scores yielded consistent null findings among both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal females. From a genetic perspective, our study demonstrates an intrinsic link underlying sexual factors (AFS and NSP) and UL, highlighting shared biological mechanisms rather than direct causal effects. Future studies are needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms involved in the shared genetic influences and their potential impact on UL development.
Prevalence and characteristics of smoking cigarette and narghile among Syrian refugee parents in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Tamim Hala , Beyhum Aliya , Alzaghoul Aseel , Kesibi Durmalouk , Alghalyini Baraa , Yunis Khalid
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to explore the prevalence and associated sociodemographic, migration, and health-related factors of smoking cigarettes and narghile among Syrian refugee parents resettled in Ontario, Canada since 2015. A total of 540 Syrian refugee parents, with at least one child less than 18 years of age, were interviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the independent relationship between each of the associated sociodemographic, migration, and health-related factors and smoking cigarettes and narghile. The overall prevalence of smoking was 43% (cigarette = 22%, narghile = 25.6%). The average number of cigarettes smoked per day was 15.4 (SD = 10.1). With regard to smoking narghile, 18.2% of the sample smoked daily, while 35.5% and 52.9% smoked at least once weekly and occasionally, respectively. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that more fathers were at increased odds of smoking cigarettes than mothers OR (95% CI) = 6.6 (3.7–11.9), while no such difference was found for narghile smokers OR (95% CI) = 1.5 (0.9–2.6). Results showed that smoking cigarettes was associated with lower education levels and being Muslim, whereas smoking narghile was associated with younger age and alcohol use. Poor perceived mental health was significant/approached significance for both types of smoking. Greater understanding of smoking patterns of resettled refugees is needed to direct healthcare providers to offer targeted interventions for those who are most at risk.
Mycobacterium ulcerans challenge strain selection for a Buruli ulcer controlled human infection model
Authors: Muhi Stephen , Buultjens Andrew H. , Porter Jessica L. , Marshall Julia L. , Doerflinger Marcel , Pidot Sacha J. , O’Brien Daniel P. , Johnson Paul D. R. , Lavender Caroline J. , Globan Maria , McCarthy James , Osowicki Joshua , Stinear Timothy P.
Published: May 2024

Critical scientific questions remain regarding infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans, the organism responsible for the neglected tropical disease, Buruli ulcer (BU). A controlled human infection model has the potential to accelerate our knowledge of the immunological correlates of disease, to test prophylactic interventions and novel therapeutics. Here we present microbiological evidence supporting M. ulcerans JKD8049 as a suitable human challenge strain. This non-genetically modified Australian isolate is susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics, can be cultured in animal-free and surfactant-free media, can be enumerated for precise dosing, and has stable viability following cryopreservation. Infectious challenge of humans with JKD8049 is anticipated to imitate natural infection, as M. ulcerans JKD8049 is genetically stable following in vitro passage and produces the key virulence factor, mycolactone. Also reported are considerations for the manufacture, storage, and administration of M. ulcerans JKD8049 for controlled human infection.
Pestilent relationship between smoking and hypertension or pulse pressure among males over 15 years in India: NFHS-5 Survey
Authors: Lal Dhruvendra , Virk Amrit Kaur , Bhardwaj Anu , Lal Kavisha Kapoor , Bora Jayanta , Nadda Anuradha , Goel Sonu
Published: May 2024

Objective

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in India has divulged that 28.6% of the populace aged 15 years and above partakes in tobacco consumption in various modalities. Despite the availability of numerous studies on the correlation between smoking and hypertension, the nexus between tobacco smoking and hypertension remains enigmatic. Smoking has predominantly been linked to blood pressure, with scant investigations exploring the plausible association that may subsist between smoking and pulse pressure.

Methodology

This study is based on secondary data analysis from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). 17 Field Agencies gathered information from 636,699 households, 724,115 women, and 101,839 men. The data related to only men was included and analysed in this present study.

Results

Male participants had a mean age of 32.2+1.2 years, an average waist circumference of 80.4+12.2 cm, and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 123.4+13.8 mmHg and 80.5+10.2 mmHg. Daily smokers had a slightly higher likelihood of hypertension compared to non-smokers (OR = 1.2, p <0.001). Male quitters had significantly lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.9, p <0.001). Quitters had reduced odds of narrow pulse pressure but increased odds of wide pulse pressure (OR = 0.81 and 1.14, respectively).

Conclusion

The study found that regular smoking was associated with hypertension, while factors such as age, obesity, urban dwelling, wealth, and tribal residence were linked to increased blood pressure. Male quitters had a lower likelihood of hypertension, and middle-aged men and those with central obesity showed distinct associations with deranged pulse pressure.
Quantifying time spent outdoors: A versatile method using any type of global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometer devices
Authors: Liu Wei , Chambers Timothy , Clevenger Kimberly A. , Pfeiffer Karin A. , Rzotkiewicz Zachary , Park Hyunseo , Pearson Amber L.
Published: May 2024

Spending time outdoors is associated with increased time spent in physical activity, lower chronic disease risk, and wellbeing. Many studies rely on self-reported measures, which are prone to recall bias. Other methods rely on features and functions only available in some GPS devices. Thus, a reliable and versatile method to objectively quantify time spent outdoors is needed. This study sought to develop a versatile method to classify indoor and outdoor (I/O) GPS data that can be widely applied using most types of GPS and accelerometer devices. To develop and test the method, five university students wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) and a GPS device (Canmore GT-730FL-S) on an elastic belt at the right hip for two hours in June 2022 and logged their activity mode, setting, and start time via activity diaries. GPS trackers were set to collect data every 5 seconds. A rule-based point cluster-based method was developed to identify indoor, outdoor, and in-vehicle time. Point clusters were detected using an application called GPSAS_Destinations and classification were done in R using accelerometer lux, building footprint, and park location data. Classification results were compared with the submitted activity diaries for validation. A total of 7,006 points for all participants were used for I/O classification analyses. The overall I/O GPS classification accuracy rate was 89.58% (Kappa = 0.78), indicating good classification accuracy. This method provides reliable I/O clarification results and can be widely applied using most types of GPS and accelerometer devices.
Predictive modelling of transport decisions and resources optimisation in pre-hospital setting using machine learning techniques
Authors: Farhat Hassan , Makhlouf Ahmed , Gangaram Padarath , El Aifa Kawther , Howland Ian , Babay Ep Rekik Fatma , Abid Cyrine , Khenissi Mohamed Chaker , Castle Nicholas , Al-Shaikh Loua , Khadhraoui Moncef , Gargouri Imed , Laughton James , Alinier Guillaume
Published: May 2024

Background

The global evolution of pre-hospital care systems faces dynamic challenges, particularly in multinational settings. Machine learning (ML) techniques enable the exploration of deeply embedded data patterns for improved patient care and resource optimisation. This study’s objective was to accurately predict cases that necessitated transportation versus those that did not, using ML techniques, thereby facilitating efficient resource allocation.

Methods

ML algorithms were utilised to predict patient transport decisions in a Middle Eastern national pre-hospital emergency medical care provider. A comprehensive dataset comprising 93,712 emergency calls from the 999-call centre was analysed using R programming language. Demographic and clinical variables were incorporated to enhance predictive accuracy. Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) algorithms were trained and validated.

Results

All the trained algorithm models, particularly XGBoost (Accuracy = 83.1%), correctly predicted patients’ transportation decisions. Further, they indicated statistically significant patterns that could be leveraged for targeted resource deployment. Moreover, the specificity rates were high; 97.96% in RF and 95.39% in XGBoost, minimising the incidence of incorrectly identified “Transported” cases (False Positive).

Conclusion

The study identified the transformative potential of ML algorithms in enhancing the quality of pre-hospital care in Qatar. The high predictive accuracy of the employed models suggested actionable avenues for day and time-specific resource planning and patient triaging, thereby having potential to contribute to pre-hospital quality, safety, and value improvement. These findings pave the way for more nuanced, data-driven quality improvement interventions with significant implications for future operational strategies.
Maternal distress during the COVID-19 outbreak: A socio-ecological perspective
Authors: Keleynikov Mor , Cohen Noga , Benatov Joy
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Mothers faced an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other populations. However, there is little data on the factors that placed mothers at increased risk of distress.

Aims

The present study explored a range of individual, familial, and environmental factors associated with psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

This repeated cross-sectional study was composed of a convenience sample of mothers who completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire, an emotion regulation questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale. The survey was administered during the second and third lockdowns in Israel in 2020–2021.

Results

The study included 575 mothers (M age = 39). The findings of a hierarchical regression indicated that individual-level factors, composed of age and emotion regulation tendencies predicted psychological distress. The family-level factors of household income and number of children in the family also predicted distress. In terms of environmental-level factors, COVID-19-related media consumption and school status (open or closed) were also significant predictors of psychological distress. Importantly, the results showed that the most important predictors of psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak were school closures, household income, and the use of adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the intersection of individual, familial, and environmental factors in mothers’ mental health during crises.