bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home-to-Kindergarten Transition of Children: A Comparison of Parent and Teacher Expectations
Authors: Yazici Dila Nur , Akman Berrin
Published: October 2024

Abstract: The transition to early childhood education is important for all stakeholders. This study aimed to examine the expectations of teachers and parents whose children were starting school for the first time regarding themselves and each other during the preparation for and transition to school. Sixteen parents and eight teachers participated in the research study group, which was designed using the case study. Four interviews were conducted with each parent and teacher, and a total of 96 interviews were conducted with both groups. Content analysis was used in the examination of the obtained data. As a result of the research, it was concluded that parents and teachers had shared expectations for children and themselves, but there were also some differences.
Low temperature exciton lifetime enhancement of MAPbBr3 studied by broadband terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Song Haoran , Li Hong , Yang Xueying , Zhang Kai , Chen Luzhen , Wang Tianwu , Bai Yang , Fang Guangyou
Published: October 2024

Over the past few years, lead halide perovskites have demonstrated
significant potential in the field of solar cells, light-emitting
diodes, and field-effect transistors. We investigated the transient
photoconductivity and temperature-induced phase transitions in MAPbBr3 thin films, using ultrabroadband
optical pump-terahertz probe spectroscopy with varying excitation
fluences and temperature conditions. As the temperature drops from 293
to 123 K, MAPbBr3 undergoes two phase transitions,
resulting in a significant extension of exciton lifetime in the
tetragonal phase near 150 K, where MAPbBr3 exhibits a longer exciton lifetime.
Our research contributes to a better understanding of the
temperature-induced phase transition mechanism of MAPbBr3, enhancing its potential applications
in optoelectronic devices.
Predictive coding compressive sensing optical coherence tomography hardware implementation
Authors: Song Cho Diego M. , Yang Haiqiu , Jia Zizheng , Joasil Arielle S. , Gao Xinran , Hendon Christine P.
Published: October 2024

Compressed sensing (CS) is an approach that enables comprehensive imaging by reducing both imaging time and data density, and is a theory that enables undersampling far below the Nyquist sampling rate and guarantees high-accuracy image recovery. Prior efforts in the literature have focused on demonstrations of synthetic undersampling and reconstructions enabled by compressed sensing. In this paper, we demonstrate the first physical, hardware-based sub-Nyquist sampling with a galvanometer-based OCT system with subsequent reconstruction enabled by compressed sensing. Acquired images of a variety of samples, with volume scanning time reduced by 89% (12.5% compression rate), were successfully reconstructed with relative error (RE) of less than 20% and mean square error (MSE) of around 1%.
Interaction of solitons in nonlocal media under competing nonlinearities with gradual nonlocality
Authors: Du Mingxin , Pu Shaozhi , Zhang Meng , Wang Xiaomeng , Sun Ying
Published: October 2024

We have numerically studied the interaction of in-phase and out-of-phase bright solitons in nematic liquid crystals with competing nonlinearities. In particular, we propose the nonlocality management technique to steer the beam interaction in nematic liquid crystals with competing nonlinearities. By controlling the degree of nonlocality of the material, three methods of regulating the degree of nonlocality were proposed to control soliton interactions. It was found that out-of-phase soliton pairs exhibit approximately adiabatic propagation under cosine function type regression control. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of adiabatic propagation of out-of-phase soliton pairs in nonlocal media with competing nonlinearities. Controlling soliton interactions by regulating the degree of nonlocality may provide theoretical guidance for the experimental realization of all-optical interconnections and all-optical devices.
Device optimization of all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells for realistic irradiation conditions
Authors: Hussein Mohamed , Gota Fabrizio , Paetzold Ulrich W. , Lemmer Uli
Published: October 2024

All-perovskite two-terminal tandem solar cells, comprising two or more junctions, offer high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) that exceed the limits of single-junction photovoltaics. Realizing high-efficiency SCs requires carefully optimizing the photoactive layer, front electrodes, and functional layers. Here, we first aim to determine the optimal device architecture, i.e., the perovskites bandgaps and optimum layer thicknesses, for standard test conditions (STCs). We then optimize the energy yield (EY) under realistic outdoor conditions (ROCs), i.e., the overall electrical energy to be expected in one year at a specific location. In the first step, we reference our simulation with two terminal all-perovskite triple-junction SCs (2T3J-PSCs) to previously experimentally realized PSC with a PCE of 20.1% as a benchmark to derive the underlying diode parameters and use our in-house energy yield code combined with a hybrid particle swarm optimization and gravitational search algorithm (PSOGSA) to find the optimal bandgap combination and perovskite layer thicknesses. The optimized SCs with the optimal bandgap combination offer a PCE of 25.1% with a current density of 10.1 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the effect of the other functional layers, such as transparent conductive oxide (TCO), hole transport layer (HTL), and recombination junctions (RJs), is also investigated to enhance the cell performance further. The SCs with optimized layers exhibit improved parameters: PCE of 27.1%, with a relative improvement of 34.8% in the PCE compared with the fabricated cell, and a high current matching a of 10.8 mA/cm2. The numerical results showed that the reported cell can potentially achieve a PCE of 36% at an eVoc/EG ratio of 0.72. However, the optimal parameters may vary in real-world operating conditions due to variations in temperature, humidity, and light exposure. As a result, the optimal energy yield (EY) parameters may differ. Therefore, the energy yield optimizing process is also carried out by considering ROCs in Phoenix, AZ, USA, to find the best parameters under these conditions. We found that the optimum top layer bandgap under ROCs is lower than under STCs due to a bluer, more shifted spectrum in ROCs. After that, the optimized cell under ROCs is tested in several locations exhibiting different climatic conditions (Seattle, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, and Milwaukee). The numerical results show that the optimized cell under ROCs offers an increase in energy yield in several locations compared to conventional single-junction crystalline Si-SCs (PCE = 23.6%) with a high energy yield of 648.2 kWh/m2 in Phoenix, with an improvement of 39.9% in the EY compared to the Si-SC counterpart. Our results provide design guidelines for fabricating a highly efficient triple-junction perovskite SC in the lab and outdoor applications and improve the efficiency of 2T3J-PSCs beyond the 30% limit.
Recognizing beam profiles from silicon photonics gratings using a transformer model
Authors: Lim Yu Dian , Li Hong Yu , Kiat Goh Simon Chun , Wang Xiangyu , Zhao Peng , Tan Chuan Seng
Published: October 2024

Over the past decade, there has been extensive work in developing integrated silicon photonics (SiPh) gratings for the optical addressing of trapped ion qubits among the ion trap quantum computing community. However, when viewing beam profiles from gratings using infrared (IR) cameras, it is often difficult to determine the corresponding heights where the beam profiles are located. In this work, we developed transformer models to recognize the corresponding height categories of beam profiles in light from SiPh gratings. The models are trained using two techniques: (1) input patches and (2) input sequence. For the model trained with input patches, the model achieved a recognition accuracy of 0.924. Meanwhile, the model trained with input sequence shows a lower accuracy of 0.892. However, when repeating the model training for 150 cycles, a model trained with input patches shows inconsistent accuracy ranges between 0.289 to 0.959, while the model trained with input sequence shows accuracy values between 0.75 to 0.947. The obtained outcomes can be expanded to various applications, including auto-focusing of light beams and auto-adjustment of the z-axis stage to acquire desired beam profiles.
Enhancement of far-infrared laser damage threshold in Ge-As-Se glass fiber
Authors: Fang Qinnan , Xu Weisheng , Chen Keke , Wang Yuyang , Jiao Kai , Bai Shengchuang , Dai Shixun , Wang Xunsi
Published: October 2024

The application of As-Se chalcogenide glasses in high-power laser delivery is hindered by their low damage threshold due to their weak chemical bonds. To solve this, we introduced germanium elements into the As-Se glasses and optimized the composition to raise the glass transition temperature (Tg) and enhance the laser damage threshold (LDT). From the correlation among various parameters including Tg, LDT, and fiber loss, we concluded an optimized composition of Ge23As13.5Se63.5/Ge23As12.5Se64.5 glass. After effective purification and preform extrusion, the glasses were processed into high-quality step-index fiber (core diameter of 300 µm), which exhibits a minimum loss of 0.9 dB/m at 6.9 µm and is capable of withstanding an input CO2 laser power of 19.96 W at a wavelength of 10.6 µm, equal to a power density of 28.25 ± 0.02 kW/cm2 in air. This is nearly 2.3 times higher than that previously reported for Ge-As-Se fibers. This establishes a material foundation for achieving far-infrared high-energy laser systems using Ge-As-Se fibers in the future.
Führen emotional programmierte Serviceroboter zu einem Mehrwert in Messegesprächen? Ergebnisse einer experimentellen Untersuchung unter Einsatz des sozialen Roboters Furhat
Authors: Piazza Alexander , Riedmüller Florian , Wild Judith
Published: October 2024

Nach der Corona-Pandemie haben Messeveranstaltungen als physische Interaktionsplattformen der Fachöffentlichkeit zu alter Stärke zurückgefunden. Die Digitalisierung erweitert die Angebote auf den Messen über Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Robotik und den Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz (KI). Bei der Programmierung von Messerobotern mit Unterstützung von KI stellt sich die Frage, wie emotional die Mensch-Roboter Interaktion gestaltet werden sollen. Aus der Forschung zur Robotik im Pflegebereich ist z. B. bekannt, dass emotional programmierte Roboter einen Zusatznutzen für die Anwender bringen. Aber gilt das auch für ein Messegespräch, in dem die emotional-menschliche Komponente Vertrauensfördernd wirket soll? Dazu wurde die folgende Forschungsfrage untersucht: „Inwiefern beeinflussen Emotionen als Teil der nonverbalen Interaktion im Rahmen der Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion die Akzeptanz von sozialen Robotern bei Messegesprächen?“ Zur Beantwortung der Forschungsfrage wurde ein Laborexperiment durchgeführt. Es wurde eine emotional und eine sachlich programmierte Version des Furhat-Roboters konzipiert, mit denen Probanden im Rahmen eines Messegesprächs interagiert haben. Nach Auswertung der Ergebnisse konnten kaum signifikanten Unterschiede in der Akzeptanz zwischen der emotionalen und der sachlichen Roboterversion festgestellt werden. Mögliche Investition in emotionale Programmierungselemente von Robotern im Messeeinsatz sollten nach diesen Ergebnissen hinterfragt werden.
Distributed network flows generate localized category selectivity in human visual cortex
Authors: Cocuzza Carrisa V. , Sanchez-Romero Ruben , Ito Takuya , Mill Ravi D. , Keane Brian P. , Cole Michael W.
Published: October 2024

A central goal of neuroscience is to understand how function-relevant brain activations are generated. Here we test the hypothesis that function-relevant brain activations are generated primarily by distributed network flows. We focused on visual processing in human cortex, given the long-standing literature supporting the functional relevance of brain activations in visual cortex regions exhibiting visual category selectivity. We began by using fMRI data from N = 352 human participants to identify category-specific responses in visual cortex for images of faces, places, body parts, and tools. We then systematically tested the hypothesis that distributed network flows can generate these localized visual category selective responses. This was accomplished using a recently developed approach for simulating – in a highly empirically constrained manner – the generation of task-evoked brain activations by modeling activity flowing over intrinsic brain connections. We next tested refinements to our hypothesis, focusing on how stimulus-driven network interactions initialized in V1 generate downstream visual category selectivity. We found evidence that network flows directly from V1 were sufficient for generating visual category selectivity, but that additional, globally distributed (whole-cortex) network flows increased category selectivity further. Using null network architectures we also found that each region’s unique intrinsic “connectivity fingerprint” was key to the generation of category selectivity. These results generalized across regions associated with all four visual categories tested (bodies, faces, places, and tools), and provide evidence that the human brain’s intrinsic network organization plays a prominent role in the generation of functionally relevant, localized responses.
Patterns of depression symptoms in relation to stressors and social behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among older youth and emerging adults in the United States
Authors: Cummins Kevin M. , Brumback Ty , Corrales Citlaly , Nooner Kate B. , Brown Sandra A. , Clark Duncan B.
Published: October 2024

Substantial increases in depression at the outset of the pandemic were previously reported in NCANDA, a longitudinal sample of adolescents and young adults. The current NCANDA study examined depression symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It evaluated the influence of stressors and social behavior (e.g., in-person and online socializing) with linear mixed effects models. A strong, positive association between COVID-19-related stressors and depression symptoms was observed. The frequency of in-person socializing did not account for the totality of the changes in depression observed during the early COVID-19 pandemic. It may be that pandemic-related stressors counteracted the benefits of in-person interactions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies can continue to elucidate the interactions among psychosocial, genetic, and behavioral factors contributing to depression symptoms in the unprecedented context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bioinformatics design of peptide binding to the human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in biosensor development for myocardial infarction diagnosis
Authors: Jauhar Muhammad Miftah , Damairetha Filasta Rachel , Mardliyati Etik , Ulum Mokhamad Fakhrul , Syaifie Putri Hawa , Fahmi Fahmi , Satriawan Ardianto , Shalannanda Wervyan , Anshori Isa
Published: October 2024

Cardiovascular disease has reached a mortality rate of 470,000 patients each year. Myocardial infarction accounts for 49.2% of these deaths, and the cTnI protein is a crucial target in diagnosing myocardial infarction. A peptide-based bioreceptor design using a computational approach is a good candidate to be developed for a rapid, effective, and selective detection method for cTnI although it is still lacking in study. Hence, to address the scientific gap, we develop a new candidate peptide for the cTnI biosensor by bioinformatics method and present new computational approaches. The sequential point mutations were made to the selected peptide to increase its stability and affinity for cTnI. Next, molecular docking was performed to select the mutated peptide, and one of the best results was subjected to the molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, the results showed that the best peptide showed the lowest affinity and good stability among other mutated peptide designs for interacting with the cTnI protein. In addition, the peptide has been tested to have a higher specificity towards cTnI than its major isomer, sTnI, through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Therefore, the peptide is considered a good potential bioreceptor for diagnosing myocardial infarction diseases.
Type 1 diabetes and parasite infection: An exploratory study in NOD mice
Authors: Giraud Emilie , Fiette Laurence , Melanitou Evie
Published: October 2024

Microorganisms have long been suspected to influence the outcome of immune-related syndromes, particularly autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of pancreatic islets, causing high glycemia levels. Genetics is part of its aetiology, but environmental factors, particularly infectious microorganisms, also play a role. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites influence the outcome of T1D in mice and humans. We used nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, which spontaneously develop T1D, to investigate the influence of a parasitic infection, leishmaniasis. Leishmania amazonensis is an intracellular eukaryotic parasite that replicates predominantly in macrophages and is responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The implication of Th1 immune responses in T1D and leishmaniasis led us to study this parasite in the NOD mouse model. We previously constructed osteopontin knockout mice with a NOD genetic background and demonstrated that this protein plays a role in the T1D phenotype. In addition, osteopontin (OPN) has been found to play a role in the immune response to various infectious microorganisms and to be implicated in other autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis in humans and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. We present herein data demonstrating the role of OPN in the response to Leishmania in NOD mice and the influence of this parasitic infection on T1D. This exploratory study aimed to investigate the environmental infectious component of the autoimmune response, including Th1 immunity, which is common to both T1D and leishmaniasis.
Visual rigid laryngoscopy versus video laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation in elderly patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Weng Lijun , Yu Binmei , Ding Lan , Shi Menglu , Wang Tingjie , Li Zengqiang , Qiu Weihuang , Lin Xianzhong , Lin Bo , Gao Youguang
Published: October 2024

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of visual rigid laryngoscopy and video laryngoscopy and to provide clinical information for developing a more suitable intubation tool for elderly patients.

Methods

In 75 consecutive elderly patients undergoing elective surgery in a single institution, tracheal intubation was randomly performed by 2 experienced anaesthesiologists using visual rigid laryngoscopy (Group I, n = 38) or video laryngoscopy (Group II, n = 37). The primary outcome was intubation time. Secondary outcomes were the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation, haemodynamic responses at 1, 3, and 5 min after intubation and the incidence of postoperative airway complications, including immediate complications and postoperative complaints.

Results

The intubation times were 35.0 (30.0–41.5) s and 42.5 (38.0–51.3) s in Groups I and II, respectively (P < 0.001). The difference in direct complications between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the follow-up of the main complaint 30 min and 24 h after tracheal extubation (P > 0.05). There was no difference in the intubation success rate between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The haemodynamic responses at 1, 3, and 5 min after intubation were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with that of video laryngoscopy, the intubation time of visual rigid laryngoscopy in elderly patients was shorter. At the same time, visual rigid laryngoscopy reduced the incidence of immediate complications. However, during endotracheal intubation, there was no significant difference in haemodynamics between the two groups.

Clinical trial registration number

ChiCTR2100054174.
Effect of government’s environmental attention on corporate philanthropy based on the institutional theory: Evidence from China’s heavily polluting companies
Authors: Cao Dongli , Nie Chunxian
Published: October 2024

The underlying motivation behind corporate philanthropy (CP) is subject to multiple interpretations. For emerging markets, traditional interpretations based on a perspective of interest exchange often fall short. The institutional environment in China is characterized by uncertainty, particularly in the field of environmental protection, where the government’s attention, a scarce institutional resource, can influence the behaviors of heavily polluting companies. The government’s environmental attention (GEA) may be subject to campaign-style investment, which provides an opportunity for research. This study attempts to use institutional theory to construct a difference-in-differences model using the Central Inspection of Environmental Protection as an exogenous shock. It examines the causal impact of GEA on CP, observing that GEA has a positive effect on CP, especially for large companies, companies in less competitive industries, companies located in high-pollution areas, and companies with high environmental expenditure. The results indicate that campaign-style institutional changes provide a non-transactional political motivation for CP. In addition, we discuss the mechanism, which is the expectation change. Campaign-style institutional changes work by altering corporations’ expectations of the future institutional environment. We verify this mechanism from two perspectives, namely, the intensity of changes caused by uncertainty and corporate sensitivity to changes. Our results remain robust when subject to several tests based on different identification hypotheses and alternative measures. Unlike the existing literature on the political connections driving CP in China, this study, based on the institutional theory framework, reveals that campaign-style institutional changes constitute a non-transactional, unidirectional political motivation, which is a significant driving factor for CP in a Chinese context. This study evaluates the importance of GEA and reveals the non-transactional political motivations from the institutional theory perspective. This not only enriches existing discussions on the political motivations of CP but also broadens our understanding of the relationship between institutional uncertainty and CP in emerging markets.
A proof of concept for wear/non-wear classification using accelerometer data in daily activity recording: Synthetic algorithm leveraging probability and continuity of zero counts
Authors: Nishiyama Natsumi , Konda Shoji , Ogasawara Issei , Nakata Ken
Published: October 2024

Wearable devices are increasingly utilized to monitor physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Accurately determining wear/non-wear time is complicated by zero counts, where the acceleration-based indexes do not estimate activity intensity, often leading to misclassifications. We propose a novel synthetic classification algorithm that leverages both the probability and continuity of zero counts, aiming to enhance the accuracy of activity estimation. The physical activity data were obtained from 12 office workers wearing wearable devices with 3-axis accelerometers. The wear/non-wear times are classified by the commonly used current method (zero counts lasting longer than 60 minutes are classified as non-wear) and the proposed method. In the proposed method, only times that satisfy the following two criteria are classified as the wear time. (1) The appearance probability preceding and following 60 minutes must be less than the threshold value. (2) The number of consecutive zeros must be less than 10 minutes. The effectiveness of both the current and proposed classification methods was evaluated against the actual behavioral records. This evaluation utilized simulation-based augmented data, which was implemented to address the limited variability inherent in the original dataset. The range of recall, specificity, precisions, and accuracy classified by the current method were 0.93–1.00, 0.93–0.96, 0.85–0.88, and 0.94–0.97, respectively. Indeed, the proposed method shows 0.95–1.00, 0.99–1.00, 0.97–1.00, and 0.98–1.00, respectively. The reduction of misclassification of non-wear time as wear time was achieved by the synthetic classification algorithm. The performance of the proposed approach showed accurate classification of the wear/non-wear time of wearable sensors in office workers.
“We pray for the night to be shorter, so we can change our menstrual pads”: A qualitative exploration of menstrual hygiene challenges among internally displaced adolescent girls in Northern Ethiopia, 2023
Authors: Betsu Balem Demtsu , Medhanyie Araya Abrha , Gebrehiwet Tesfay Gebregzabher , Lewis Wall L.
Published: October 2024

Background

Menstrual hygiene management is a critical aspect of adolescent health. However, access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities is severely restricted during times of war. There is a dearth of information about the menstrual hygiene needs of adolescent girls during humanitarian crises. This study investigated the menstrual hygiene management needs of the internally displaced adolescent girls in the war-torn region of Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted in three centers for internally displaced people in Mekelle, Tigray Region. Four focus-group discussions and six in-depth interviews were conducted using the local language among 39 adolescent girls aged 13–19 years. The collected data were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using the ATLAS.ti-7.5.18 software through a qualitative thematic analysis approach.

Results

Six primary themes were identified: 1) shortage of menstrual pads; 2) poor accommodation of latrine facilities; 3) silence around menstruation; 4) exchange of menstrual pads for life-saving commodities, 5) lack of privacy; 6) menstruation is a “curse” for adolescent girls living in displaced people’s camps. The study highlights the significant challenges faced by internally displaced adolescent girls in managing their menstrual hygiene while living in camps for internally displaced people. Lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene management supplies often leads them to use rags or worn-out clothing instead of menstrual pads.

Conclusion

Access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities is severely limited among displaced adolescent girls in Tigray. The findings emphasize the urgent need to address menstrual hygiene issues during emergencies. Supplying essential items such as sanitary pads, soap, water, sanitation infrastructure, and improved information on menstrual hygiene management should be prioritized.
Comparison of the utility of SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and calf circumference as screening tools for sarcopenia in patients with osteoporosis
Authors: Ishihara Yuki , Kusakabe Toru , Yasoda Akihiro , Kitamura Takuya , Nanba Kazutaka , Tsuiki Mika , Satoh-Asahara Noriko , Tagami Tetsuya
Published: October 2024

Aim

Patients with osteoporosis who also have sarcopenia are at a high risk for falls and fractures. Early detection of sarcopenia is crucial for these patients. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and calf circumference (CC) as screening tools for sarcopenia in patients with osteoporosis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was retrospectively conducted on patients who attended the outpatient clinic for Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia at Kyoto Medical Center. Sarcopenia was determined based on low skeletal muscle mass and weak handgrip strength. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were conducted on SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and CC. The diagnostic utility of these three tools was compared using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curves (AUC).

Results

A total of 225 patients (men/women: 33/192) with a median age of 69.0 years (interquartile range: 61.0‒75.0) were enrolled. The prevalence of sarcopenia was found to be 11.6%. CC had the highest sensitivity (80.8%), while SARC-F had the highest specificity (93.0%) for detecting sarcopenia. ROC analysis revealed that all three tools had significant potential for sarcopenia diagnosis, with SARC-CalF having the highest AUC compared to SARC-F and CC (0.753 vs. 0.619 and 0.700). A multivariate logistic regression, incorporating other confounders as explanatory variables, revealed that SARC-CalF was independently related to sarcopenia (odds ratio: 14.80, 95% confidence interval: 3.83–57.30, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with osteoporosis, SARC-CalF is more effective in the early detection of sarcopenia than SARC-F and CC.
Molecular epidemiological characteristics, variant spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in China: A population-based multicenter study using newborn screening
Authors: Tan Minyi , Liu Xiulian , Zhang Yinhong , Yin Yifan , Chen Ting , Li Yulin , Feng Lulu , Zhu Bo , Xu Chunjing , Tang Chengfang , Sun Meng , Jia Liyun , Jin Weiwei , Fan Chunna , Huang Hui , Wang Xiaohua , Feng Jizhen , Zou Hui , Han Lianshu , Miao Jingkun , Zhu Baosheng , Huang Cidan , Huang Yonglan
Published: October 2024

Background and aims

Newborn screening (NBS) for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency by biochemical tests is being used worldwide, however, the outcomes arising from combined genetic and biochemical tests have not been evaluated. This research aimed to evaluate the outcomes of application of combined genetic and biochemical NBS for G6PD deficiency and to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics, variant spectrum, and genotype-phenotype correlation of G6PD deficiency in China.

Methods

A population-based cohort of 29,601 newborns were prospectively recruited from eight NBS centers in China between February 21 and December 30, 2021. Biochemical and genetic NBS was conducted simultaneously.

Results

The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency was 1.12% (1.86% for male, and 0.33% for female; 1.94% for South China and 0.08% for North China). Genetic NBS identified 10 male patients undetected by biochemical NBS. The overall positive predictive values (PPVs) of biochemical and genetic NBS were 79.95% and 47.57%, respectively. A total of 15 variants were identified, with the six most common variants being c.1388G > A, c.1376G > T, c.95A > G, c.871G > A, c.1024C > T and c.392G > T (94.2%). The activity of G6PD was correlated with the type and WHO classification of variants.

Conclusion

This study highlighted that combined screening could enhance the efficiency of current NBS for diagnosing G6PD deficiency. The prevalence, variant spectrum and allele frequency of G6PD deficiency vary across different regions. Our data provide valuable references for clinical practice and optimization of future screening strategies for G6PD deficiency.
Voluntary wheel running exercise rescues behaviorally-evoked acetylcholine efflux in the medial prefrontal cortex and epigenetic changes in ChAT genes following adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure
Authors: Fecik Matthew J. , Nunes Polliana T. , Vetreno Ryan P. , Savage Lisa M.
Published: October 2024

Adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure, which models heavy binge ethanol intake in adolescence, leads to a variety of deficits that persist into adulthood—including suppression of the cholinergic neuron phenotype within the basal forebrain. This is accompanied by a reduction in acetylcholine (ACh) tone in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Voluntary wheel running exercise (VEx) has been shown to rescue AIE-induced suppression of the cholinergic phenotype. Therefore, the goal of the current study is to determine if VEx will also rescue ACh efflux in the mPFC during spontaneous alternation, attention set shifting performance, and epigenetic silencing of the cholinergic phenotype following AIE. Male and female rats were subjected to 16 intragastric gavages of 20% ethanol or tap water on a two-day on/two-day off schedule from postnatal day (PD) 25–54, before being assigned to either VEx or stationary control groups. In Experiment 1, rats were tested on a four-arm spontaneous alternation maze with concurrent in vivo microdialysis for ACh in the mPFC. An operant attention set-shifting task was used to measure changes in cognitive and behavioral flexibility. In Experiment 2, a ChIP analysis of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) genes was performed on basal forebrain tissue. It was found that VEx increased ACh efflux in the mPFC in both AIE and control male and female rats, as well as rescued the AIE-induced epigenetic methylation changes selectively at the Chat promoter CpG island across sexes. Overall, these data support the restorative effects of exercise on damage to the cholinergic projections to the mPFC and demonstrate the plasticity of cholinergic system for recovery after alcohol induced brain damage.
Adherence to Mediterranean diet and female urinary incontinence: Evidence from the NHANES database
Authors: Xie Shiwang , Li Zuyi , Yao Qinyuan , Zhang Yupei , Ou Yuan
Published: October 2024

Background

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition in female. Oxidative stress and inflammation levels play important roles in UI progression. Mediterranean diet (MD) as a healthy anti-inflammatory dietary pattern has been reported to be associated with several inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to assess the association between the adherence to Mediterranean diet (aMED) and female UI.

Methods

Data of study women aged ≥18 years old and diagnosed as stress UI and urgency UI were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2018. Dietary intake information was obtained by 24-h dietary recall interview. Covariates included sociodemographic information, physical examination, and history of diseases and medication were extracted from the database. The weighted univariable and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between aMED and different types of UI, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analysis were further evaluated this association based on different age, body mass index (BMI), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), depression and smoking.

Results

Totally, 13,291 women were included, of whom 5,921 (44.55%) had stress UI, 4276 (32.17%) had urgency UI and 2570 (19.34%) had mixed UI. After adjusted all covariates, high aMED score was associated with the lower odds of urgency (OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.75–0.98) and mixed UI (OR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.70–0.99), especially in female, aged 45–60 years old, NLR ≥1.68 and had smoking history. No relationship was found between the aMED and stress UI (P >0.05).

Conclusion

Greater aMED was connected with the low odds of urgency UI and mixed UI among female. Adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet in daily life are a promising intervention to be further explored in female UI.
Spatial modeling and ecological suitability of Ebola virus disease in Africa
Authors: Baluma Didier Lombo , Jude Lukusa Lumu , Franck Esuka Igabuchia , Wang HaoNing , Wang Xiao-Long
Published: October 2024

This paper looks into the MaxEnt model in a trial to comprehend the ecological and environmental conditions that propagate and drive the spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Africa. We use the MaxEnt model to assess risk determinants associated with the occurrence and distribution of EVD, taking into account non-correlated variables such as neighborhood mean temperature, rainfall, and human population density. Our findings indicate that among the factors that significantly shape the geographical distribution of EVD risk are human population density, annual rainfall, temperature variability, and seasonality. The model used is both reliable and accurate (the average value for training AUC was 0.987); it can be used as a valuable approach for the prediction of infectious disease outbreaks. High-risk areas are primarily identified in the western and central regions of Africa, with some of the others in the east also vulnerable. This further calls for specified public health interventions and enhanced surveillance in specified hotspots, contributing to global efforts to predict and mitigate risks associated with EVD outbreaks more adequately. The findings further support that it remains imperative to conduct additional research, including socio-economic and cultural variables, to enhance the understanding of how environmental factors contribute to the emergence and transmission of Ebola.
Associations between people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs): A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Pengfei , Mago Vijay , Schiff Rebecca , Krysowaty Bonnie
Published: October 2024

Background

Homelessness represents a widespread social issue globally, yet the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) associated with people experiencing homelessness (PEH) has not received sufficient attention. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the risk of NDDs among PEH and its variation across countries and regions through meta-analysis and systematic review.

Methods

Searching from databases such as PubMed and Web of Science, relevant research articles on PEH and NDDs were identified. After multiple screening, eight articles were selected for meta-analysis. Statistical methods and models were used to evaluate the association between PEH and NDDs, stratified by disease type and country.

Results

We found that PEH had a 51% higher risk of NDDs (OR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.21, 1.89)) compared with those with stable housing. Specifically, PEH had a significantly higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (OR = 4.64 (95% CI: 1.96, 10.98)). Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) (OR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.77)), dementia (OR = 1.69 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.27)), and cognitive impairment (OR = 1.07 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.16)) were all at higher risk. Furthermore, country and regional differences were observed, with countries such as Iran (OR = 4.64 (95% CI: 1.96, 10.98)), the Netherlands (OR = 2.14 (95% CI: 1.23, 3.73)), the United States (OR = 1.66 (95% CI: 1.25, 2.22)), and Canada (OR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10)) showing a higher risk of NDDs among the PEH.

Conclusions

The study emphasizes the significant NDD risks among PEH, providing novel perspectives on this issue and shedding light on national disparities influenced by variations in healthcare systems and social environments. This will be beneficial for academia and government to prioritize the health of PEH with NDDs, aiming to mitigate disease incidence and economic burdens while preserving social stability and upholding basic human rights.
Following carpel tunnel release, what factors affect whether patients return to the same or different hand surgeon for a subsequent procedure?
Authors: Halperin Scott J. , Dhodapkar Meera M. , Pathak Neil , Joo Peter Y. , Luo Xuan , Grauer Jonathan N.
Published: October 2024

Background

Following carpal tunnel release (CTR), patients may be indicated for subsequent hand surgery (contralateral CTR and/or trigger finger release [TFR]). While surgeons typically take pride in patient loyalty, the rate of returning to the same hand surgeons has not been previously characterized.

Methods

Patients undergoing CTR were isolated from 2010–2021 PearlDiver M151 dataset. Subsequent CTR or TFR were identified and characterized as being performed by the same or different surgeon, with patient factors associated with changing to a different surgeon determined by multivariable analyses.

Results

In total, 1,121,922 CTR patients were identified. Of these, subsequent surgery was identified for 307,385 (27.4%: CTR 289,455 [94.2%] and TFR 17,930 [5.8%]). Of the patients with a subsequent surgery, 257,027 (83.6%) returned to the same surgeon and 50,358 (16.4%) changed surgeons. Multivariable analysis found factors associated with changing surgeon (in order of decreasing odds ration [OR]) to be: TFR as the second procedure (OR 2.98), time between surgeries greater than 2-years (OR 2.30), Elixhauser-Comorbidity Index (OR 1.14 per 2-point increase), and male sex (OR 1.06), with less likely hood of changing for those with Medicare (OR 0.95 relative to commercial insurance) (p<0.001 for each). Pertinent negatives included: age, Medicaid, and having a 90-day adverse event after the index procedure.

Conclusions

Over fifteen percent of patients who required a subsequent CTR or TFR following CTR did not return to the same surgeon. Understanding what factors lead to outmigration of patients form a practice may help direct efforts for patient retention.
Response of soybean Cd to soil Cd and pH and its associated health risk in a high geological background area in Guizhou Province, Southwest China
Authors: Tian Xiaosong , Chai Guanqun , Zhu Lina , Zhou Junlin , Xie Qing , Zhu Kangwen
Published: October 2024

This study comprehensively examined the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in soybeans grown in low- and high-Cd soils around the high geological background areas in Guizhou province. The aim was to analyze the relationship between soybean Cd and soil pH and soil Cd, alongside assessing the potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with Cd in soybeans. Cd content of soybeans cultivated in the high-Cd area (0.430 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that in low-Cd areas (0.156 mg/kg) (P < 0.05). Biological concentration factors (BCFs) of soybean for Cd in low- and high-Cd areas were 0.282 and 0.314, respectively, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression results indicated that soil pH was a determining factor for Cd accumulation in soybeans in both areas. Furthermore, soil pH and soil Cd could accurately predict Cd accumulation in soybeans according to the neural network model. These findings suggest that regulating soil pH could reduce Cd accumulation in soybeans in areas with high geological background. In both areas, there was no significant non-carcinogenic risk for the adult population (HQ value < 1) through soybean consumption. However, according to the Monte Carlo model, the percentage of Cd in soybeans exceeding the acceptable range (CR value > 1.00 × 10 −04) in areas was 99.18%, indicating an unacceptable carcinogenic risk for the adult population. Our discussion revealed that reducing the soybean intake and increasing soil pH did not effectively lower the carcinogenic risk of Cd in soybeans to an acceptable range (CR value ≤ 1.00 × 10 −04). These findings necessitate further exploration of alternative remediation strategies to ensure the safe production of soybeans, such as screening for low-Cd accumulation soybean varieties and implementing the combined remediation strategies.
The potential role of perceived neighborhood social cohesion on COVID-19 vaccination uptake among individuals aged 50 and older: Results from the Korean Community Health Survey
Authors: Kim Younhee , Lim Min Kyung
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of vaccination in controlling infectious diseases. While previous research has identified social cohesion as a potential facilitator of health behaviors, empirical studies exploring its direct impact on COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially across different age groups, remain limited. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2021 Korean Community Health Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted in South Korea. The analysis focused on adults aged 50 and older, categorizing them into two age groups (50–64 and ≥65). We investigated the association between perceived neighborhood social cohesion and COVID-19 vaccination status, controlling for socio-economic status, health behaviors, and concerns related to COVID-19. Statistical analysis was conducted using complex sample multiple logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. The study included 135,352 participants, with an analysis showing that in the age group ≥65, higher levels of perceived neighborhood social cohesion were significantly associated with increased vaccination uptake (aOR for trust between neighbors: 1.200, 95% CI: 1.058–1.362; aOR for mutual assistance among neighbors: 1.491, 95% CI: 1.312–1.695). Interestingly, these associations were not significant in the 50–64 age group. Additionally, satisfaction with healthcare services was associated with higher vaccination uptake in both age groups (aOR: 1.106, 95% CI: 1.004–1.219 for 50–64; aOR: 1.306, 95% CI: 1.160–1.471 for ≥65). Our findings suggest that perceived neighborhood social cohesion plays a crucial role in influencing COVID-19 vaccination uptake among older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above. These results indicate that health policies aimed at enhancing social cohesion may effectively improve vaccination rates, especially among the elderly. Future research should explore the impact of social cohesion on other age groups and assess the causal relationships in longitudinal studies.
Aggression shapes the gut microbiome; a study in rats
Authors: Voulgari-Kokota Anna , Falcao Salles Joana , Schoemaker Regien G.
Published: October 2024

The gut-brain axis is regarded as a bidirectional communication system that integrates signals from the gut microbiome into behavioral aspects and vice versa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the gut microbiome-behavior interaction in relation to aggression. For that, male rats from a group-housed colony were individually housed with a female to become territorial. Next, a coping strategy was assigned to them, by evaluating their aggression levels against an intruder, during the Resident-Intruder test (RI). To investigate if their microbiome would change as a consequence of the developed coping strategy, fecal samples were collected before and after the RI test. We found that the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae UCG-5 and Gram-negative bacterium cTPY-13 in rats sampled before the RI test were negatively correlated with the aggression that was demonstrated during the RI test. After the RI test, several bacterial taxa could be assigned to each coping strategy, with Clostridium sensu stricto 1 being strongly associated with less aggressive rats and higher abundances of Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the family of Lachnospiraceae was not only associated with more aggressive rats, but functional prediction analysis found it to be the main contributor of betaine reductase; an enzyme catalyzing betaine production that was indicative of aggressive rats. This amino acid derivative, which has been connected with higher energy and testosterone levels, could potentially explain the connection of Lachnospiraceae with demonstrated aggression. Overall, our data revealed that the gut bacterial communities are responsive to the imposed social challenge of building and defending territoriality in co-habitation with a female. At the same time, predisposing microbiome characteristics may have predictive value for the development of a coping strategy.