bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating large‐scale meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies improve the genomic prediction accuracy for combined pig populations
Authors: Cai Xiaodian , Zhang Wenjing , Gao Ning , Wei Chen , Wu Xibo , Si Jinglei , Gao Yahui , Li Jiaqi , Yin Tong , Zhang Zhe
Published: August 2024

The strategy of combining reference populations has been widely recognized as an effective way to enhance the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP). This study investigated the efficiency of genomic prediction using prior information and combined reference population. In total, prior information considering trait‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS meta‐analysis) was incorporated into three models to assess the performance of GP using combined reference populations. Two different Yorkshire populations with imputed whole genome sequence (WGS) data (9,741,620 SNPs), named as P1 (1259 individuals) and P2 (1018 individuals), were used to predict genomic estimated breeding values for three live carcass traits, including backfat thickness, loin muscle area, and loin muscle depth. A 10 × 5 fold cross‐validation was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of 203 randomly selected candidate pigs from the P2 population and the reference population consisted of the remaining pigs from P2 and the stepwise added pigs from P1. By integrating SNPs with different p‐value thresholds from GWAS meta‐analysis downloaded from PigGTEx Project, the prediction accuracy of GBLUP, genomic feature BLUP (GFBLUP) and GBLUP given genetic architecture (BLUP|GA) were compared. Moreover, we explored effects of reference population size and heritability enrichment of genomic features on the prediction accuracy improvement of GFBLUP and BLUP|GA relative to GBLUP. The prediction accuracy of GBLUP using all WGS markers showed average improvement of 4.380% using the P1 + P2 reference population compared with the P2 reference population. Using the combined reference population, GFBLUP and BLUP|GA yielded 6.179% and 5.525% higher accuracies than GBLUP using all SNPs based on the single reference population, respectively. Positive regression coefficients were estimated in relation to the improvement in prediction accuracy (between GFBLUP/BLUP|GA and GBLUP) and the size of the reference as well as the heritability enrichment of genomic features. Compared to the classic GBLUP model, GFBLUP and BLUP|GA models integrating GWAS meta‐analysis information increase the prediction accuracy and using combined populations with enlarged reference population size further enhances prediction accuracy of the two approaches. The heritability enrichment of genomic features can be used as an indicator to reflect weather prior information is accurately presented.
Effects of gum chewing training on occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness and mandibular shape: A randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jung Hyo‐Jung , Hwangbo Na Kyung , Park Younjung , Ahn Hyung‐Joon
Published: August 2024

Background

Masticatory muscle training by chewing gum can be performed easily and improve masticatory muscle function and strength. However, increased masticatory muscle activity and function may alter the mandibular shape.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the effects of gum chewing training on the occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness (MMT) and mandibular shape in healthy adults.

Methods

We conducted a prospective randomised controlled trial from January 2020 to September 2020 at the Yonsei University College of Dentistry. Fifty‐eight participants were randomly assigned to the training and control groups. The training group chewed gum three times a day for 6 months, while the control group received no training. Changes in the maximum occlusal force and MMT were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Changes in the mandibular shape were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months.

Results

The mean maximum occlusal force of the training group at 3 months was significantly higher than that at baseline, which was also significantly different from that in the control group (p < .001). As the maximum occlusal force increased, the occlusal contact area also increased (p = .020). There was no statistically significant difference in MMT or mandibular shape compared to the baseline.

Conclusion

Mastication training using gum increases maximum occlusal force due to an increase in occlusal contact area but has no effect on MMT or mandibular shape.
Effect of adhesives and mechanical surface treatments on the hard relining of CAD‐CAM denture bases
Authors: Karaokutan Isil , Ayvaz Ilayda , Ozel Gulsum Sayin
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mechanical roughening, adhesive applications, and aging on the bonding between CAD‐CAM denture base materials with distinct chemical contents and hard relining material.

Materials and Methods

A total of 300 denture base specimens were produced by additive, subtractive, and conventional heat‐polymerization techniques (N = 100). The specimens have been classified into five subgroups based on the particular surface treatments administered (n = 20): (1) Hard relining material's adhesive application (control); (2) Tungsten carbide bur application for 1 min, and hard reline material's adhesive application; (3) Airborne‐particle abrasion (APA) with 110 μm Al2O3, and hard reline material's adhesive application; (4) Scotchbond Universal application; and (5) Visio.link application. Representative specimens from each subgroup were examined under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Subsequently, self‐cure hard relining material was condensed in the center of the specimens. Half of the specimens were thermally aged with 5000 cycles at 5°C–55°C. The shear bond strength (SBS) test was performed, and failure loads were recorded. The data was evaluated by Robust ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05).

Results

No statistically significant difference was obtained between the production techniques (p = 0.051). The lowest SBS was observed in the control group among surface treatments, while mechanical surface treatments and universal adhesive showed the highest SBS for both aged and non‐aged groups. Aging caused a significant decrease for all test groups (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Mechanical surface treatments and universal adhesive applications are more effective for maintaining adhesion across all production techniques.
The Audi Spare‐Parts Case (CJEU): A closer look at critical opinions
Authors: Arora Himanshu
Published: August 2024

The present article is confined to the legal examination of the ‘critical opinions’ and the ‘misconceptions’ rendered or drawn with regard to a recent judgement of ‘Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)’ in a case, commonly known as ‘Audi Spare Parts Case’ (C‐334/22), whereby the CJEU has disallowed the use of a registered mark/sign (or a shape which is identical or similar to a registered mark/sign) on the spare parts of the car (or any complex product or machine for that matter) which interferes with the ‘essential functions’ of a mark/sign. The article summarily notes the involved facts and the legal context of the aforesaid case and then proceeds to analyse the congruity and the legal validity of the noted ‘critical opinions’, with the support of established legal principles, precedents, and statutory frameworks. The article also addresses and clarifies some misconceptions drawn with regard to the relevant legal concepts (of the Trade Marks Law), and concludes, in the wake of the findings of the legal analysis, that the Hon'ble Court has rightly upheld the intent and purport of ‘The Trade Marks Regulation’. At the end, the implications of the aforesaid judgement are also mentioned within a broader perspective, explaining their significance beyond the immediate context.
Effector CLas0185 targets methionine sulphoxide reductase B1 of Citrus sinensis to promote multiplication of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ via enhancing enzymatic activity of ascorbate peroxidase 1
Authors: Zhang Shushe , Wang Xuefeng , Zhao Tingchang , Zhou Changyong
Published: August 2024

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) has been causing enormous damage to the global citrus industry. As the main causal agent, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) delivers a set of effectors to modulate host responses, while the modes of action adopted remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrated that CLIBASIA_00185 (CLas0185) could attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. Transgenic expression of CLas0185 in Citrus sinensis ‘Wanjincheng’ enhanced plant susceptibility to CLas. We found that methionine sulphoxide reductase B1 (CsMsrB1) was targeted by the effector, and its abundance was elevated in CLas0185‐transgenic citrus plants. Their interaction promoted CLas proliferation. We then determined that CsMsrB1 sustained redox state and enzymatic activity of ascorbate peroxidase 1 (CsAPX1) under oxidative stress. The latter reduced H2O2 accumulation and was associated with host susceptibility to CLas infection. Consistently, citrus plants expressing CLas0185 and CsMsrB1 conferred enhanced APX activity and decreased H2O2 content. Taken together, these findings revealed how CLas0185 benefits CLas colonization by targeting CsMsrB1, which facilitated the antioxidant activity and depressed ROS during pathogen infection.
Biosynthesis of bridged tricyclic sesquiterpenes in Inula lineariifolia
Authors: Wu Yingmei , Chen Xueqing , Hao Fuhua , Liu Yu , Luo Wei , Zhu Yaru , Li Li , Han Fei , Zhang Yunluo , Jiang Ying , Xiong Xingyao , Ro Dae‐Kyun , Shang Yi , Huang Sanwen , Gou Junbo
Published: August 2024

Presilphiperfolane‐type sesquiterpenes represent a unique group of atypical sesquiterpenoids characterized by their distinctive tricyclic structure. They have significant potential as lead compounds for pharmaceutical and agrochemical development. Herein, we utilized a transcriptomic approach to identify a terpene synthase (TPS) gene responsible for the biosynthesis of rare presilphiperfolane‐type sesquiterpenes in Inula lineariifolia, designated as IlTPS1. Through phylogenetic analysis, we have identified the evolutionary conservation of key motifs, including RR(x)8W, DDxxD, and NSE/DTE in IlTPS1, which are shared with other tricyclic sesquiterpene synthases in the TPS‐a subfamily of Asteraceae plants. Subsequent biochemical characterization of recombinant IlTPS1 revealed it to be a multiproduct enzyme responsible for the synthesis of various tricyclic sesquiterpene alcohols from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), resulting in production of seven distinct sesquiterpenes. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry identified presilphiperfolan‐8β‐ol and presilphiperfol‐7‐ene as predominant products. Furthermore, biological activity assays revealed that the products from IlTPS1 exhibited a potent antifungal activity against Nigrospora oryzae. Our study represents a significant advancement as it not only functionally identifies the first step enzyme in presilphiperfolane biosynthesis but also establishes the heterologous bioproduction of these unique sesquiterpenes.
Histologic, Phenotypic, and Molecular Characterization of Feline Hodgkin‐Like Lymphoma With Classical Reed‐Sternberg Cells
Authors: Marconato Laura , Maga Ilaria , Iussich Selina , Benali Silvia , Aresu Luca
Published: August 2024

Hodgkin‐like lymphoma (HLL) is a rare neoplasm in cats that shares characteristics with the human disease. The hallmark of HLL is the presence of Reed‐Sternberg (RS) cells expressing CD30 and CD20. This study aimed to elucidate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and clonality patterns of feline HLL. A comprehensive retrospective review of clinicopathologic and molecular data of nodal lymphomas over a 6‐year period was conducted in MyLav laboratory. Twenty‐four cases were identified. All cats presented with submandibular or retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy. Histopathologic examination revealed a multifocal to diffuse proliferation of medium‐to‐large lymphoid cells with low mitotic activity, interspersed RS cells, and a heterogeneous inflammatory infiltrate comprising T‐cells, plasma cells and neutrophils. In addition, extensive necrosis was a consistent finding. Immunohistochemistry showed a variable membranous CD20 and nuclear PAX5 expression in neoplastic cells, while RS cells displayed only mild to moderate CD20 positivity and were negative to PAX5. In 21/24 cases (87.5%), RS cells were diffusely CD30‐positive. PARR analysis demonstrated clonal B‐cell expansion in 60% of cases, with the remaining 40% exhibiting polyclonality. For the 10 cats with available follow‐up, the prognosis was generally favourable, with only two cats succumbing to progressive disease. In conclusion, diagnosing feline HLL is challenging. The expression of CD30 and CD20 by RS cells should be considered a hallmark of the disease, but only after excluding differential diagnoses such as anaplastic B‐cell lymphoma and granulomatous lymphadenopathy.
PERFORMANCE OF WATER COOLING FOR RADIATION HEAT FLUX FUEL STORAGE TANK
Authors: Nik Zulkiflia Nik Mohd Hafizullah , Munas Fathima Rehana , Abdul Hamid Hamdan , Ishak Mohamad Khairi , Ismail Mohd Azmi
Published: August 2024

Full-surface fire on fuel storage tank emits high radiation heat transfer. As a fire protection strategy, the water curtain cooling system is activated to reduce the temperature on the adjacent tank surface. Therefore, the present work predicts and analyses the radiation heat flux and the maximum flame temperature of different types of fuels. Further, this analyses the effect of fuel total mass on radiation heat flux and maximum flame temperature and observes the effect of distance between two tanks on radiation heat flux distribution. The relationship between water cooling flow rate and outlet water temperature that absorbed radiation heat flux has been studied. The study has been conducted by using the Consequence modeling software trial version. The modeling setup of the tank is 17 m in height with 65 m inner diameter, and the meteorological data used are 5.4 m/s wind speed with north wind direction at atmospheric pressure in order to imitate the worst-case fire scenario. The results reveal that the gasoline fuel emitted the highest heat flux value of 11.03 kW/m2 and the raw gasoline sample emits the lowest heat flux value of 9.14 kW/m2. Furthermore, the total mass of the fuel shows no effect on the maximum flame temperature of 958.51°C. According to the findings, the critical tank distancing is 36 m and thus the appropriate tank distancing of 40 m is highly recommended by the standard. The result shows that the water cooling rate of 4.1 lpm/m2 is an excellent practice of water cooling to cool down the temperature of the fuel tank which is exposed to radiation heat flux.
SITE-SPECIFIC DISAGGREGATION ANALYSIS OF RECENT EARTHQUAKE ON THE AMBON COAST
Authors: Kusmanto Kusmanto , Ismanti Sito , Setiawan Angga Fajar
Published: August 2024

Seismic activity in the eastern region of Indonesia, particularly in Ambon, has been a matter of great concern because of its high tectonic activity. The devastating magnitude 6.5 earthquake in September 2019, which resulted in fatalities and significant damage, highlighted the region’s vulnerability and emphasized the importance of understanding the area’s seismic hazards. Although previous studies have been conducted, this study aims to fill critical gaps in the literature by using the latest seismic data until 2022 and updated attenuation equations. Disaggregation analysis is employed to identify ground motion characteristics, that are crucial for calculating synthetic ground motion acceleration. Under risk-targeted maximum considered earthquake (MCER) conditions, the study results show a peak ground acceleration of 0.444 g, with spectral acceleration at 0.2 s reaching 1.093 g, which decreases to 0.350 g at 1.0 s. Notably, background earthquake sources play a dominant role in contributing to the region’s high seismic hazard potential. The results of this study highlight the urgency of updating Indonesia’s national seismic hazard map. The study also recommends future studies to explore additional parameters of newly discovered faults to enhance understanding of fault movements and their impacts in the study area.
CATHODIC AND ANODIC PLASMA ELECTROLYSIS ON NITRATE SYNTHESIS
Authors: Harianingsih Harianingsih , Arfriandi Arief , Handayani Sri , Kusumaningrum Maharani , Pramesti Amadea Vaskallya , Maharani Faizya Pinka , Saksono Nelson
Published: August 2024

Nitrogen fixation using plasma electrolysis is an alternative in the production of liquid nitrate fertilizer which is safe for the environment because it does not produce emissions that pollute the environment. The effectiveness of nitrate production is shown from the position of plasma formation at cathodic and anodic levels. This study aims to analyze the comparison of cathodic and anodic plasma electrolysis levels in producing nitrate. Current-voltage characterization is carried out to determine the position of plasma formation. The glow discharge of the cathodic plasma is achieved after the critical voltage (280 V) is lower than that of the anodic plasma (650 V). Measurement of emission intensity using electron spin resonance to determine reactive species that play a role in the formation of nitrate in cathodic and anodic plasma. Nitrate formation is influenced by reactive species in the form of N, N2*, N2+, •OH, •H and •O, especially reactive species of nitrogen and •OH are needed to form nitrate both from the NO pathway (anodic plasma) and from the ammonia pathway (cathodic plasma). The results of this study showed that anodic plasma electrolysis was more effective for nitrate synthesis. Nitrate produced from anodic plasma is 1889 mg L-1, greater than cathodic plasma as much as 213 mg L-1.
MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHM FOR RAPID OBJECT DETECTION BASED ON COLOR FEATURES
Authors: Bondalapati Swarupa Rani , Babu B. V. Satish , Veeraiah Duggineni , Navya Porandla , Kuchipudi Ramu , Burra Lakshmi Ramani , Bondalapati Swarupa Rani , Sekhar Nimagadda Chandra
Published: August 2024

The identification of objects is of utmost importance in a wide range of computer vision applications, such as surveillance systems, autonomous cars, and environmental monitoring. Accurate and efficient object recognition methods are crucial in pastoral environments, characterized by the prominent presence of cattle and other objects, to provide effective analysis and decision-making processes. The present study paper introduces an innovative methodology for efficient identification of objects in pastoral landscapes through the utilization of a Colour Feature Extreme Learning Machine (CF-ELM). The CF-ELM method integrates color characteristics with the ELM algorithm to attain enhanced object detection accuracy while preserving computational economy. The experimental findings provide empirical evidence supporting the efficacy and efficiency of the suggested approach in the detection of items within pastoral landscapes. In addition to the CF-ELM, an algorithm for desktop-based categorization of items within a pastoral environment is provided, with individual speeds ranging from 0.05 s to 0.17 s for a single image, evaluated in each color space. The algorithm is intended for usage in scenarios with challenging and variable terrain, making it appropriate for application in agricultural or pastoral settings.
Ventilator‐induced diaphragm dysfunction: phenomenology and mechanism(s) of pathogenesis
Authors: Powers Scott K.
Published: August 2024

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is used to support ventilation and pulmonary gas exchange in patients during critical illness and surgery. Although MV is a life‐saving intervention for patients in respiratory failure, an unintended side‐effect of MV is the rapid development of diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction. This MV‐induced diaphragmatic weakness is labelled as ‘ventilator‐induced diaphragm dysfunction’ (VIDD). VIDD is an important clinical problem because diaphragmatic weakness is a risk factor for the failure to wean patients from MV. Indeed, the inability to remove patients from ventilator support results in prolonged hospitalization and increased morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of VIDD has been extensively investigated, revealing that increased mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species within diaphragm muscle fibres promotes a cascade of redox‐regulated signalling events leading to both accelerated proteolysis and depressed protein synthesis. Together, these events promote the rapid development of diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction. This review highlights the MV‐induced changes in the structure/function of diaphragm muscle and discusses the cell‐signalling mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of VIDD. This report concludes with a discussion of potential therapeutic opportunities to prevent VIDD and suggestions for future research in this exciting field.

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Conjunctive processing of spatial border and locomotion in retrosplenial cortex during spatial navigation
Authors: Sun Hao , Cai Ruolan , Li Rui , Li Mingxuan , Gao Lixia , Li Xinjian
Published: August 2024

Spatial information and dynamic locomotor behaviours are equally important for achieving locomotor goals during spatial navigation. However, it remains unclear how spatial and locomotor information is integrated during the processing of self‐initiated spatial navigation. Anatomically, the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) has reciprocal connections with brain regions related to spatial processing, including the hippocampus and para‐hippocampus, and also receives inputs from the secondary motor cortex. In addition, RSC is functionally associated with allocentric and egocentric spatial targets and head‐turning. So, RSC may be a critical region for integrating spatial and locomotor information. In this study, we first examined the role of RSC in spatial navigation using the Morris water maze and found that mice with inactivated RSC took a longer time and distance to reach their destination. Then, by imaging neuronal activity in freely behaving mice within two open fields of different sizes, we identified a large proportion of border cells, head‐turning cells and locomotor speed cells in the superficial layer of RSC. Interestingly, some RSC neurons exhibited conjunctive coding for both spatial and locomotor signals. Furthermore, these conjunctive neurons showed higher prediction accuracy compared with simple spatial or locomotor neurons in special navigator scenes using the border, turning and positive‐speed conjunctive cells. Our study reveals that the RSC is an important conjunctive brain region that processes spatial and locomotor information during spatial navigation.

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Key points

Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is indispensable during spatial navigation, which was displayed by the longer time and distance of mice to reach their destination after the inactivation of RSC in a water maze.

The superficial layer of RSC has a larger population of spatial‐related border cells, and locomotion‐related head orientation and speed cells; however, it has few place cells in two‐dimensional spatial arenas.

Some RSC neurons exhibited conjunctive coding for both spatial and locomotor signals, and the conjunctive neurons showed higher prediction accuracy compared with simple spatial or locomotor neurons in special navigation scenes.

Our study reveals that the RSC is an important conjunctive brain region that processes both spatial and locomotor information during spatial navigation.
Paraneoplastic production of human chorionic gonadotropin by paratesticular dedifferentiated liposarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation
Authors: Wadieh David Afriyie , Ormanov Dimitar , Genchev Tsvetlin , Appukutty Sona
Published: August 2024

A man in his 70s presented with a left inguinoscrotal mass. Testicular tumour markers showed markedly elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The 24.5 cm mass was resected, and histology confirmed a rare diagnosis of paratesticular dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation. The patient expired with distant metastasis 11 months after presenting to his general practitioner.

HCG-producing soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are commonly reported as high-grade, poorly differentiated and with a poor prognosis. The role of hCG in tumour angiogenesis may influence these features.

Paratesticular STS treatment guidelines have been influenced by the management of retroperitoneal STS, which are relatively more common. Studies of genitourinary STS demonstrate that positive surgical margins pose the greatest risk to local recurrence and metastasis-free survival.

This case demonstrates the rapid growth of DDLPS-producing hCG, the propensity to metastasise, and poor prognosis, requiring further research into the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy for DDLPS.
Transoral diode laser-assisted resection of a tongue base schwannoma
Authors: Sarwar Mavra , Sarwar Zahra , Khan Muhammad Sarwar , Sarwar Rukaiya
Published: August 2024

Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours with a low risk of malignant transformation. About 25%–40% are in the head and neck region with the posterior third of the tongue being a rather rare site of its growth, and a lesion at this site is understandably difficult to approach and treat. Being benign and encapsulated, surgical excision is in the mainstay of treatment. Symptoms can range from a globus pharyngeus and dysphagia to airway compromise depending on the size and site. Traditionally, a paramedian lip split approach with paramedian mandibulotomy and mandible swing may be used. However, some recent reports of the use of carbon dioxide laser and robotic surgery for tongue base lesions are seen in the literature. Our case report is a unique addition to the management strategies for such tongue base lesions as we employed diode 980 nm laser using a minimally invasive transoral approach with a successful outcome.
Thalamic warning syndrome and the artery of Percheron
Authors: Fonseca Ângelo , Lima Joana , Duque Cristina , Ribeiro Luís
Published: August 2024

Stroke warning syndromes manifest as brief, recurring episodes of focal neurological deficits that precede definitive brain ischaemia. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, intermittent hypoperfusion in specific vascular territories may explain these phenomena. A man in his 60s with vascular risk factors experienced recurrent episodes of sudden loss of consciousness. Initial imaging and tests were normal, excluding other potential causes. MRI revealed bilateral thalamic infarction and the presence of an artery of the Percheron variant. We propose ‘thalamic warning syndrome’ as a new term for this clinical presentation, characterised by recurrent transient loss of consciousness and a high risk of subsequent thalamic infarction. Early recognition of this syndrome can aid in the initial management and prognosis of similar cases, potentially preventing more severe neurological impairments.
Molecular diagnosis of an unusual aetiology of chronic abdominal pain with ascites
Authors: Mohamed Anas , Lin Ken , Karabakhtsian Rouzan , Chacko Kristina , Bartash Rachel , Liu Qiang , Meyerowitz Eric
Published: August 2024

An immigrant woman in her 60s with a complex medical history and remote occupational exposure to patients with tuberculosis (TB) presented with abdominal pain, early satiety, bloating and weight loss. Physical exam showed abdominal distention and ascites. Diagnostic paracentesis revealed low serum ascites albumin gradient and elevated ascitic lymphocytic count. However, fluid cytology, bacterial and mycobacterial cultures were negative. An interferon-gamma release assay for TB was indeterminate. MRI of the abdomen and pelvis showed a thickened endometrial stripe. Endometrial biopsy demonstrated non-caseating granulomatous endometritis. No organisms were identified on Grocott methenamine silver or acid-fast bacilli special stains. A tissue block from the endometrial biopsy submitted for DNA sequencing was positive formycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex. Urine mycobacterial cultures were obtained and the patient was started on isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide, with significant improvement in her symptoms. Urine mycobacterial cultures were eventually positive for pansusceptible MTB.
Tear secretion is preserved while the area of meibomian glands is reduced in patients with prosthetic eyes, contributing to the symptoms of dry eye
Authors: Bohman Elin , Berggren Johanna , Neumann Olof , Sheikh Rafi , Malmsjö Malin
Published: August 2024

Background/aims

It is unclear whether a reduction in tear secretion contributes to the discomfort experienced by those with prosthetic eyes. Tear secretion has hitherto only been measured with the Schirmer test which may be affected by the pooling of tears behind the prosthesis. In this study, direct imaging of the lacrimal gland has been performed to measure tear secretion in anophthalmic sockets. The relation between the area of meibomian glands and dry eye symptoms was also assessed.

Methods

12 patients were included. The amount of tear secretion was measured by direct imaging of the lacrimal gland while the presence of meibomian glands was determined using meibography. The 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire was used to assess symptoms of dry eye.

Results

No difference was found in tear secretion between the anophthalmic socket and the contralateral eye. The area of meibomian glands was significantly reduced in eyelids on the side of the prosthetic eye, compared with the contralateral eye. Seven patients reported symptoms indicative of dry eye in the anophthalmic socket, compared with only two in the contralateral eye.

Conclusions

The effects of an eye prosthesis on meibomian glands may contribute to the frequently perceived symptoms of dry eye despite unaffected in tear secretion.
Contribution of deaths of despair to the Hispanic mortality advantage in the USA by person, place and time: an ecological analysis of vital registration data
Authors: Trejo Bricia Gonzalez , Hernandez Stephanie M , Lazo Mariana , Bilal Usama
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In the USA, Hispanics exhibit longer life expectancy (LE) compared to non-Hispanic whites despite facing greater socioeconomic adversity and greater health risk factors, a phenomenon known as the Hispanic paradox. With recent increases in mortality due to ‘deaths of despair’ among non-Hispanic whites and other groups it is important to understand the contribution of deaths of despair to the Hispanic mortality advantage overall and how it varies by age and geography.

Methods

Using national mortality data across three decades (1990–2019) we calculated LE at birth for Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, overall and by place (established Hispanic destinations before 1990, and new Hispanic destinations by 2000, 2010 and 2020). We used the Arriaga method to decompose the contribution of deaths of despair to the Hispanic mortality advantage by age, time and place.

Results

The Hispanic mortality advantage has progressively increased over time for both females and males. For females 15–39 years of age, the contribution of deaths of despair to a Hispanic mortality advantage rose from 0.02 years in 1990–1994 to 0.25 years in 2015–2019. For males, the contribution changed from 0.02 years to 0.50 years in the same period. The contribution of deaths of despair to the Hispanic mortality advantage appears smaller in established destinations, potentially plateauing for younger individuals, while presenting a marginal Hispanic disadvantage among older individuals in these areas.

Conclusion

Despite persistent socioeconomic disadvantages, US Hispanics have continuously held higher LE compared to non-Hispanic whites since 1990. Among other causes, this advantage reflects the sustained increase of deaths of despair in contributing to the Hispanic mortality advantage, but its significance varies across geography with lower contributions in established Hispanic destinations.
EXTOD-Immune: a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether a remotely monitored, home-based exercise intervention can reduce disease activity in people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Quickfall Megan , Cocks Matthew , Long Heather M , Di Rosa Francesca , Andrews Robert , Narendran Parth , Hesketh Katie , Wadley Alex J
Published: August 2024

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the adaptive immune system targets insulin-producing β-cells of pancreatic islets, leading to dependence on exogenous insulin therapy. Cytotoxic (CD8+) T-cells specific for islet antigens are major players in T1D autoimmunity. Data indicate that regular exercise may preserve β-cell function in people recently diagnosed with T1D, but the role of islet-reactive CD8+T-cells is unclear. In a randomised crossover design, this study will determine the impact of a 12-week exercise programme on the frequency and proliferative state of islet-reactive CD8+T-cells in the peripheral blood of 20 adults diagnosed with T1D within the past 3 years. The exercise intervention will consist of three high-intensity interval training sessions per week (6–10 1 min intervals >80% maximum heart rate, with 1 min rest), the duration of which will incrementally increase from 14 to 22 min. Habitual physical activity and diet will be maintained during control and washout periods. At weeks 0, 12, 24 and 36, a fasting blood sample will be collected to quantify the frequency, phenotype and proliferative activity of islet-reactive CD8+T-cells (primary outcome) and various clinical parameters. Glycaemic control will also be evaluated using 14-day continuous glucose monitoring at the start and end of each study arm. Findings may provide a rationale for conducting large-scale trials to evaluate the implementation of exercise into routine clinical care, particularly for people recently diagnosed with T1D when maintenance of β-cell function is critical to counteract disease progression.

Trial registration number:ISRCTN79006041.
Cost-effectiveness of the ‘Stay One Step Ahead’ Home Safety programme for the prevention of injuries among children under 5 years
Authors: Jones Matthew , Orton Elizabeth , Taylor Michael James , Timblin Clare , Clarke Rachel , Watson Michael Craig , Hayes Mike , Patel Tina , Coupland Carol , Kendrick Denise
Published: August 2024

Background

Unintentional injuries are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the under-5s, but undertaking home safety practices can reduce injury risk. Stay One Step Ahead (SOSA) is an evidence-based standardised home safety programme. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of SOSA versus usual care in Nottingham, UK.

Methods

Cost-effectiveness analysis from a National Health Service and personal social services perspective. SOSA activity data, injury occurrence and associated short-term healthcare costs were collected within a controlled before-and-after study from 2017 to 2020. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per additional home adopting three key safety practices (working smoke alarm, safe poisons storage and fitted stair gate). Secondary outcomes were ICERs per injury avoided and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained.

Results

SOSA costs £30 per child but reduces short-term healthcare expenditure by £42. SOSA increased the number of homes with three key safety practices by 0.02 per child, reduced injuries per child by 0.15 and gained 0.0036 QALYs per child. SOSA was dominant as it was cheaper and more effective than current practice. ICERs were −£590 per additional home deemed safe, −£77 per injury avoided and −£3225 per QALY gained. Focusing on healthcare expenditure alone, SOSA saved £1.39 for every pound spent.

Conclusions

SOSA is a cost-saving intervention. Commissioners should consider implementing SOSA.
Impact of early childhood infection on child development and school performance: a population-based study
Authors: He Wen-Qiang , Moore Hannah Catherine , Miller Jessica E , Burgner David P , Swann Olivia , Lain Samantha J , Nassar Natasha
Published: August 2024

Background

Childhood infection might be associated with adverse child development and neurocognitive outcomes, but the results have been inconsistent.

Methods

Two population-based record-linkage cohorts of all singleton children born at term in New South Wales, Australia, from 2001 to 2014, were set up and followed up to 2019 for developmental outcome (N=276 454) and school performance (N=644 291). The primary outcome was developmentally high risk (DHR) at age 4–6 years and numeracy and reading below the national minimum standard at age 7–9 years. Cox regression was used to assess the association of childhood infection ascertained from hospital records with each outcome adjusting for maternal, birth and child characteristics, and sensitivity analyses were conducted assessing E-values and sibling analysis for discordant exposure.

Results

A higher proportion of children with an infection-related hospitalisation were DHR (10.9% vs 8.7%) and had numeracy (3.7% vs 2.7%) and reading results (4.3% vs 3.1%) below the national minimum standard, compared with those without infection-related hospitalisation. In the multivariable analysis, children with infection-related hospitalisation were more likely to be DHR (adjusted HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.15) and have numeracy (adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.26) and reading results (adjusted HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.20) below the national minimum standard. However, these results may be impacted by unmeasured confounding, based on E-values of 1.48–1.74, and minimal association with education outcome was found in the sibling analysis.

Conclusions

Infection-related hospitalisation was modestly associated with adverse child development and school performance, but the association may be explained by shared familial factors, particularly in those with most socioeconomic disadvantages.
Expectation, emotion and the built environment: experiences of occupying hospital spaces as a loved one nears the end of life
Authors: Mclaughlan Rebecca
Published: August 2024

Following a 3-year long research project that gathered 146 views, including those of palliative care patients, family members, medical staff, administrators, architects and government representatives, this paper explores the hypothesis that motivated this work; a hunch that the built environment affects us most during times of intense vulnerability. Of these 146 people, only a small handful could provide insight relative to the experience of occupying hospital spaces as a loved one nears the end of life. This article honours these stories and discusses them in relation to my own observations and experiences. The article is thus part observation, part participant interview, part autoethnography. Findings already published from the broader study have spoken to the importance of fresh air, access to nature, spaces for spending time with family, as well as alone, and ensuring people feel comfortable to enact rituals of home within the hospital. Yet the accounts discussed here are different. They speak to the subtle ways that hospital environments communicate when emotions are raw, and people are at their most exhausted. They speak to the ways that aesthetics arefelt; and make evident that notions of homeliness must encompass far more at the end of life. A sense of welcome is not a nicety but a need, as is comfort, and what might be termed ‘imaginative respite’—the idea that the built environment might somehow alleviate the focus on an unbearable reality. These accounts speak to the difficulty of navigating grief, and a hopeful expectation that the built environment might somehow soften the edges of this experience. In focusing on these stories, this article contributes a deeper understanding of what is really at stake when we design for palliative care.
Emergence of negative mass in general relativity
Authors: Hao Chen-Hao , Huang Long-Xing , Su Xin , Wang Yong-Qiang
Published: August 2024

We investigate a symmetric traversable wormhole model, integrating Einstein’s gravitational coupling phantom field and a nonlinear electromagnetic field. This work indicates the emergence of negative ADM mass within a specific parameter range, coinciding with distinct alterations in the wormhole’s spacetime properties. Despite violating the Null Energy Condition (NEC) and other energy conditions, the solution exhibits unique characteristics in certain energy-momentum tensor components, potentially accounting for the manifestation of negative mass.
Research on Data-Driven Intelligent Fault Diagnosis Method for Industrial Robots
Authors: Wang Lufeng , Zhou Xianzhang , Peng Jiangxu , Zhang Qiang , Liu Jun , Fu Wei , Fu Han
Published: August 2024

Industrial robots play an indispensable role in realizing intelligent production and industrial upgrading. In order to ensure the healthy and smooth operation of industrial robots, a reliable fault diagnosis system for industrial robots needs to be established. However, many shallow learning fault diagnosis methods rely on manual extraction of signal features and selection of appropriate classifier combinations, which rely heavily on expert experience. The fault diagnosis model optimization process is time-consuming and has poor generalization ability, making it difficult to meet the actual fault diagnosis needs of industrial production. In robot fault diagnosis tasks, problems such as lack of fault data and category imbalance are also faced. Aiming at the difficulty of complex fault diagnosis of industrial robots, we propose an improved one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network fault diagnosis model (SRIPCNN-1D). The SRIPCNN-1D model has fewer model layers, fewer training parameters and strong model expression ability, and is suitable for online fault diagnosis of robots. This model achieved a diagnosis accuracy of more than 98% on the multi-axis industrial robot compound fault data set. It was compared with WDCNN, CNN-1D and other models as well as single fault diagnosis models to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. At the same time, we also studied the impact of different sampling frequency data on the fault diagnosis effect of the model established by this algorithm. Experimental results show that the model is still effective when we adjust the sampling interval to 1 s.
The enhanced antiferromagnetic interaction and tunable temperature coefficient of resistivity in antiperovskite compounds Mn3−xCoxAgN (0≤x≤0.2)
Authors: Miao Zhuang , Liu Zhidong , Zhang Yani , Ding Jinfeng , Wang Chuanhe , Kong Weiao , Li Gen , Guo Xinge , Tan Shugang
Published: August 2024

The magnetic and electric evolution with the substitution level of Co element has been investigated in Mn[Formula: see text]CoxAgN. The DC magnetic measurements demonstrate that the substitution of Co for Mn enhances the antiferromagnetic (AFM) interaction and weakens the magnetic irreversibility at low temperature. The strengthening of AFM order in Mn[Formula: see text]CoxAgN has been attributed to the enhanced Co–Mn AFM interaction and weakened Co–N–Mn ferromagnetic (FM) interaction. Additionally, with the gradual increase of Co content, the temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) in paramagnetic (PM) region changes from a positive one to a negative one gradually. When [Formula: see text], the TCR value is only [Formula: see text]5[Formula: see text]ppm/K, which is one magnitude smaller than that of conventional standard resistor materials. The negative TCR phenomenon is closely associated with the Co-element-induced lattice disorder, which leads to the weak localization of conduction electrons.
WHAT MAKES AN INDIVIDUAL MORE INNOVATIVE? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON INDIVIDUAL INNOVATION COMPETENCIES
Authors: GENARI DENISE , FACCIN KADIGIA , BITTENCOURT BRUNO ANICET
Published: August 2024

This paper aims to analyse the state of the art on innovation at an individual level and, more specifically, on innovation competencies, proposing the main definitions, classification of studies, and suggestions for future research. A systematic literature review was developed, with the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of 63 academic papers. We advance the literature by systematising the literature and highlighting the existence of two perspectives that address individual innovation competencies (IIC). One perspective that addresses aspects of the individual’s personality and psychological factors (individual innovativeness) and other related aspects of the individual’s observed behaviour and their practices and tools that allow them to be innovative (individual innovation capability). Furthermore, based on the systematic review and resulting analyses, opportunities for future research linked to the forms of evaluation, the antecedents, and consequences of IIC, as well as the context in which the research is carried out, are pointed out.
Upsampling Algorithm for V-PCC-Coded 3D Point Clouds
Authors: Lin Ting-Lan , Su Bing-Wei , Shen Po-Cheng , Chen Ding-Yuan , Liang Chi-Fu , Chen Yan-Cheng , Wen Yangming , Shahid Mohammad
Published: August 2024

Point cloud (PC) compression is crucial to immersive visual applications such as autonomous vehicles to classify objects on the roads. The Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standardization group has achieved a notable compression efficiency, called video-based PC compression (V-PCC), which consists of an encoder-decoder. The V-PCC encoder takes original 3D PC data and projects them onto multiple 2D planes to generate several 2D feature images. These images are then compressed using the well-established High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) method. The V-PCC decoder uses compressed information and decoding techniques to reconstruct the 3D PC. However, the PCs produced by V-PCC are often sparse, non-uniform, and contain artifacts. In many practical applications, it is necessary to recover complete PCs from partial ones in real time. This article presents a method for enhancing decoded PCs as a post-processing step in the V-PCC with reduced computational time. Our approach involves a 2D upsampling for the V-PCC occupancy image, which increases the density of the PC, and a 2D high-resolution auxiliary information modification algorithm for the 2D-3D conversion of high-resolution 3D PCs, which improves the uniformity and reduces the noise in the PC. The 3D high-resolution PC has been further enhanced using the developed 3D outlier removal and point regeneration algorithm. Our proposed work can significantly simplify the state-of-the-art super resolution methods for PCs and reduce the time complexity of 61–75% while maintaining a high level of quality in PCs.
Adaptive Industrial Control Systems via IEC 61499 and Runtime Enforcement
Authors: Faqrizal Irman , Salaün Gwen , Falcone Yliès
Published: August 2024

This work envisions industrial control systems that can reliably adapt to requirements. We rely on the international standard IEC 61499 to achieve this goal. The standard allows downtimeless system evolution such that an application can be modified at runtime to satisfy the requirements. However, an IEC 61499 application consisting of multiple Function Blocks (FBs) can be modified in many different ways, such as inserting or deleting FBs, creating new FBs with their respective internal behaviours and adjusting the connections between FBs. These changes require considerable effort and cost, and there is no guarantee to satisfy the requirements. This article applies runtime enforcement techniques for supporting adaptive IEC 61499 applications. This set of techniques can modify the runtime behaviour of a system according to specific requirements. Our approach begins with specifying the requirements as a state machine-based notation called contract automaton. This automaton is then used to synthesise an enforcer as an FB. Finally, the new FB is integrated into the application to execute according to the requirements. A tool support is developed to automate the approach. Experiments were performed to evaluate the performance of enforcers by measuring the execution time of several applications before and after the integration of enforcers.