bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defamilisation, Familisation, and LGBTQ+ Studies
Authors: Yu Sam , Lo Iris
Published: October 2023

This article highlights the interconnection between Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) research and social policy research, and argues that a greater focus on the welfare needs of gender and sexual minority people can advance the defamilisation and familisation literature. While defamilisation and familisation studies have gained significant attention for examining whether individuals, especially women, have adequate opportunities to balance their work and caregiving responsibilities, most of them pay insufficient attention to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in organising their caring and working life. This article addresses this research gap by undertaking three analytical tasks. Firstly, it explores the defamilisation and familisation risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Secondly, it presents a ‘queer life mix framework’ to inform the selection of suitable welfare models to guide governments in tackling these risks. Thirdly, it demonstrates how the ideas of the queer life mix framework can be put into practice.
Quality Factors That Influence the Continuance Intention to Use MOOCs
Authors: Lee Jeongwon , Song Hae-Deok , Kim YeonKyoung
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Introduction: This study explored the relationship among various variables from an expectation-confirmation perspective to identify ways to increase learners’ continuance intention to use MOOCs. Using the expectation-confirmation model (ECM), we established the structural relationship among MOOC quality factors (system quality, service quality, information quality), perceived usefulness, expectation-confirmation, satisfaction, and continuance intention to use in the context of MOOCs. Methods: We surveyed learners who took the K-MOOC (Korean MOOC), an open online service that provides free courses to anyone. We collected a total of 352 datasets from K-MOOC courses opened at a 4-year university in Seoul and analyzed 349 surveys after preprocessing the data. We then employed structural equation modeling to analyze the data. Results: The quality of service and information positively affected expectation confirmation. Expectation confirmation significantly affected perceived usefulness and satisfaction, and perceived usefulness significantly affected satisfaction and continued intention to use MOOCs. Expectation confirmation had a mediating effect between information quality and continuance intention to use as well as between service quality and continuance intention to use. Conclusion: This study is a meaningful contribution that proposes a practical suggestion to ultimately increase the intention to continue using MOOCs by meeting users’ expectations regarding quality.
Proposal of Technique for Analysis of Complementary Frequency Selective Surfaces
Authors: da Silva B. S. , Campos A. L. P. S. , Sousa M. E. T. , Silva M. W. B. , Andrade H. D.
Published: October 2023

A specific class of frequency selective surface (FSS) is the complementary frequency selective surface (CFSS) that has interesting characteristics such as high angular stability, multiple transmission and/or reflection bands, and the possibility of miniaturization. The analysis and design of this sort of structure are commonly performed using commercial software, which demands a high computational effort, impacting a longer optimization time. The equivalent circuit model combined with a cascading technique emerges as an alternative method to the use of these softwares, in the optimization of the physical dimensions of these structures, as they model the behavior of a CFSS with low computational effort and optimization time, in addition to being able to be implemented in various programming languages. Thus, this work proposes a CFSS analysis technique that combines the equivalent circuit method with the ABCD matrix. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported research on approximate techniques for CFSS analysis. The chosen geometry was the circular ring, due to high angular stability and polarization independence. The modeling of the equivalent circuit for patch and aperture geometries is presented. Some structures are simulated, and the results are compared with results obtained with the HFSS software. Finally, two prototypes are built to validate the analyses performed.
The Burden of Wildfire Smoke on Respiratory Health in California at the Zip Code Level: Uncovering the Disproportionate Impacts of Differential Fine Particle Composition
Authors: Darling Rachel , Hansen Kristen , Aguilera Rosana , Basu Rupa , Benmarhnia Tarik , Letellier Noémie
Published: October 2023

Wildfires constitute a growing source of extremely high levels of particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Recently, toxicologic and epidemiologic studies have shown that PM2.5 generated from wildfires may have a greater health burden than PM2.5 generated from other pollutant sources. This study examined the impact of PM2.5 on hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in California between 2006 and 2019 using a health impact assessment approach that considers differential concentration‐response functions (CRF) for PM2.5 from wildfire and non‐wildfire sources of emissions. We quantified the burden of respiratory hospitalizations related to PM2.5 exposure at the zip code level through two different approaches: (a) naïve (considering the same CRF for all PM2.5 emissions) and (b) nuanced (considering different CRFs for PM2.5 from wildfires and from other sources). We conducted a Geographically Weighted Regression to analyze spatially varying relationships between the delta (i.e., the difference between the naïve and nuanced approaches) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). A higher attributable number of respiratory hospitalizations was found when accounting for the larger health burden of wildfire PM2.5. We found that, between 2006 and 2019, the number of hospitalizations attributable to PM2.5 may have been underestimated by approximately 13% as a result of not accounting for the higher CRF of wildfire‐related PM2.5 throughout California. This underestimation was higher in northern California and areas with higher SVI rankings. The relationship between delta and SVI varied spatially across California. These findings can be useful for updating future air pollution guideline recommendations.
Coupled Feedbacks From the Tropical Pacific to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Orihuela‐Pinto Bryam , Santoso Agus , England Matthew H. , Taschetto Andréa S.
Published: October 2023

The tropical Pacific Ocean is a key regulator of Earth's climate, with teleconnections that influence remote locations all around the world. Here we use partially coupled climate model experiments to show that tropical Pacific cooling related to an abrupt Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) slowdown can strengthen the AMOC by ∼25%. This tropical‐extratropical teleconnection occurs initially via atmospheric Rossby waves propagating from the tropical Pacific to the North Atlantic which alter surface climate conditions locally. These changes facilitate ocean heat loss from the subpolar gyre, favoring enhanced oceanic convection. The AMOC strengthening is subsequently enhanced by anomalous northward salt advection in the Atlantic, with a potential contribution from oceanic wave adjustment triggered by increased Southern Ocean westerly winds. These results highlight the influence of the tropical Pacific on the AMOC on multidecadal timescales and suggest that cold phases of tropical Pacific decadal variability could drive temporary strengthening of the AMOC.
Predictability of the Most Long‐Lived Tropical Cyclone Freddy (2023) During Its Westward Journey Through the Southern Tropical Indian Ocean
Authors: Liu Hao‐Yan , Satoh Masaki , Gu Jian‐Feng , Lei Lili , Tang Jianping , Tan Zhe‐Min , Wang Yuqing , Xu Jing
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to explore the predictability of the most long‐lived tropical cyclone (TC) Freddy in 2023 while it traversed westward across the southern tropical Indian Ocean during the first 18 days of its existence. Global ensemble forecasts revealed southward track deflection and intensity underestimation of Freddy. We identified three key factors contributing to the limited predictability of Freddy, which are associated with the Mascarene High, Storm Dingani, and Freddy itself. The large track errors of Freddy can be attributed to the underestimated strength of the Mascarene High, the more northeastern position of Dingani, and the presence of excessively large or small sizes of Freddy. These findings were further validated through a high‐resolution regional model. Specifically, Freddy's track and intensity most closely matched the observations when these three factors were most closely represented. It underscores the pivotal role played by the interaction between TCs and multi‐scale systems in TC forecasts.
Large‐Amplitude Shocklets With Trapped Hot‐Electrons in Space Plasmas
Authors: Alharbi M. , Ali S. , Naeem I. , Al‐Hadeethi Yas
Published: October 2023

Large‐amplitude stationary electron‐acoustic (EA) waves are studied, which are developed into the shocklets with the passage of time in an unmagnetized non‐isothermal plasma. The latter comprises two groups of electrons; namely the hot and cool electrons that are distinctly characterized by different electron densities and temperatures. On an EA timescale, the cool electrons behave as fluid, while non‐isothermal hot electrons obey the vortex‐like trapped distribution in the background of immobile ions. The nonlinear fluid equations are solved together both analytically and numerically within the framework of diagonalization matrix technique. Various parameters such as the free hot‐to‐trapped hot electron temperature ratio (β), the cool electron density ratio (α), and the cool‐to‐hot electron temperature ratio (σ) are numerically analyzed for dayside auroral zone plasma, showing a significant modification of solitary and shocklet structures. The plasma model is also applied to the electron diffusion region at the earth magnetopause, revealing the potential excitations depending significantly on the trapping parameter. These findings are important for understanding the nonlinear properties and steepening effects of the EA waves, especially in auroral zone and electron diffusion regions of earth's magnetosphere, where different types of electron populations are observed.
Lightning and Gravity Wave Signatures Produced by the Hunga‐Tonga Volcanic Eruption on Global Geomagnetic Data
Authors: Chandrasekhar N. Phani , Archana Radhakrishnan , Arora Kusumita
Published: October 2023

Acoustic gravity waves (AGWs) have a significant impact on the thermosphere‐ionosphere (T‐I) system by increasing ionisation variability, transporting energy, velocity, momentum, and creating additional horizontal gradients in the T‐I, all of which influence electromagnetic wave propagation and cause changes in the geomagnetic field. Ground magnetic disturbance measurements can thus map the global and local spatial distribution of T‐I current systems. The Hunga‐Tonga volcano eruption released a tremendous amount of mass and energy into the atmosphere on 15 January 2022, causing AGWs. Furthermore, the related lightning strikes disrupt the Global electric circuit. In this study, we look at (a) global geomagnetic disturbances caused by AGW constrained by VTEC amplitudes at two different sectors, (b) Schuman resonances (SR) parameters derived from modulations of ELF observations caused by the intense lightning phenomena that accompanied the volcanic eruption. Our analysis shows that (a) registration timing of geomagnetic disturbance at each observatory indicates the different modes of propagation between 180 and 350 m/s, indicating low‐frequency AGW components, (b) noticeable changes in SR frequency modes (7–21 Hz) occurred in the total power between 04:15 and 05:45 UT hr at Patiyasar, India, linked to heightened lightning activity, (c) velocities are found to be similar at similar distances in the northern and southern hemispheres from Hunga‐Tonga, (d) time difference between the SR and geomagnetic disturbance signature at observatories is found to have no relation with distance from the eruption, (e) fluctuations in VTEC at the Indian and Russian sectors show that the geomagnetic disturbances are linked to ionospheric perturbations.
Plume‐Induced Delamination Initiated at Rift Zones on Venus
Authors: Adams Andrea C. , Stegman Dave R. , Mohammadzadeh Hiva , Smrekar Suzanne E. , Tackley Paul J.
Published: October 2023

Venus' tectonic evolution is not well understood. Thousands of kilometers of possible subduction sites on Venus have been identified along networks of rift zone trenches called chasmata. Rift zones are strong candidates for tectonic recycling due to pre‐existing weaknesses in the lithosphere. Recently, peel‐back delamination (PBD) was proposed as a mechanism of regional‐scale lithospheric recycling initiated at Venusian rift zones (Adams et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022je007460). PBD occurs when the lithospheric mantle becomes sufficiently thick and negatively buoyant to decouple and peel away from the overlying crust remaining at the surface. Both positively and negatively buoyant lithosphere were shown to undergo buoyancy‐driven PBD, though delamination is inhibited by increasing positive plate buoyancy. In this study, we use 2D numerical models to verify that delamination can be initiated in thinner, more positively buoyant lithosphere than in models with no plume‐rift interactions. Our results show that plume‐induced PBD in positively buoyant plates is facilitated by the excess negative buoyancy in the lithospheric mantle and increasing plume buoyancy force, and it is inhibited by increasing crustal buoyancy and decreasing rift width. We propose an age‐progressive framework for delamination at rift zones, where young, thin plates require a larger plume buoyancy force to be destabilized than thicker, yet still positively buoyant plates. We use lithospheric thickness constraints to predict PBD may be most likely to initiate near the Dali‐Diana Chasmata system.
Mobile element insertions in rare diseases: a comparative benchmark and reanalysis of 60,000 exome samples
Authors: Wijngaard Robin , Demidov German , O’Gorman Luke , Corominas-Galbany Jordi , Yaldiz Burcu , Steyaert Wouter , de Boer Elke , Vissers Lisenka E. L. M. , Kamsteeg Erik-Jan , Pfundt Rolph , Swinkels Hilde , den Ouden Amber , te Paske Iris B. A. W. , de Voer Richarda M. , Faivre Laurence , Denommé-Pichon Anne-Sophie , Duffourd Yannis , Vitobello Antonio , Chevarin Martin , Straub Volker , Töpf Ana , van der Kooi Anneke J. , Magrinelli Francesca , Rocca Clarissa , Hanna Michael G. , Vandrovcova Jana ,   Solve-RD consortium, Ossowski Stephan , Laurie Steven , Gilissen Christian
Published: October 2023

Mobile element insertions (MEIs) are a known cause of genetic disease but have been underexplored due to technical limitations of genetic testing methods. Various bioinformatic tools have been developed to identify MEIs in Next Generation Sequencing data. However, most tools have been developed specifically for genome sequencing (GS) data rather than exome sequencing (ES) data, which remains more widely used for routine diagnostic testing. In this study, we benchmarked six MEI detection tools (ERVcaller, MELT, Mobster, SCRAMble, TEMP2 and xTea) on ES data and on GS data from publicly available genomic samples (HG002, NA12878). For all the tools we evaluated sensitivity and precision of different filtering strategies. Results show that there were substantial differences in tool performance between ES and GS data. MELT performed best with ES data and its combination with SCRAMble increased substantially the detection rate of MEIs. By applying both tools to 10,890 ES samples from Solve-RD and 52,624 samples from Radboudumc we were able to diagnose 10 patients who had remained undiagnosed by conventional ES analysis until now. Our study shows that MELT and SCRAMble can be used reliably to identify clinically relevant MEIs in ES data. This may lead to an additional diagnosis for 1 in 3000 to 4000 patients in routine clinical ES.
What are the health impacts of nicotine and tobacco products on young people?
Authors: Deery Chris
Published: October 2023

Design

Narrative review.

Review question

What are the implications of new nicotine and tobacco products on adolescent health?

Products

E-cigarettes and oral nicotine products such as pouches, lozenges, tablets, gum, and gummies.

Results

These products can be addictive and can cause respiratory, cardiovascular and oral potential health problems. They also have effects on brain development. Products are attractive to adolescents, with more than 1:10 American adolescents uses them.

Conclusions

The use of nicotine and tobacco products by adolescents puts their health at risk and may, in some instances, lead to nicotine addiction. Those providing healthcare for adolescents have an opportunity to provide advice and signpost people to resources to help them stop using such products. There is also a need for legislation to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
A rhythmically pulsing leaf-spring DNA-origami nanoengine that drives a passive follower
Authors: Centola Mathias , Poppleton Erik , Ray Sujay , Centola Martin , Welty Robb , Valero Julián , Walter Nils G. , Šulc Petr , Famulok Michael
Published: October 2023

Molecular engineering seeks to create functional entities for modular use in the bottom-up design of nanoassemblies that can perform complex tasks. Such systems require fuel-consuming nanomotors that can actively drive downstream passive followers. Most artificial molecular motors are driven by Brownian motion, in which, with few exceptions, the generated forces are non-directed and insufficient for efficient transfer to passive second-level components. Consequently, efficient chemical-fuel-driven nanoscale driver–follower systems have not yet been realized. Here we present a DNA nanomachine (70 nm × 70 nm × 12 nm) driven by the chemical energy of DNA-templated RNA-transcription-consuming nucleoside triphosphates as fuel to generate a rhythmic pulsating motion of two rigid DNA-origami arms. Furthermore, we demonstrate actuation control and the simple coupling of the active nanomachine with a passive follower, to which it then transmits its motion, forming a true driver–follower pair.
Higher-dimensional processing using a photonic tensor core with continuous-time data
Authors: Dong Bowei , Aggarwal Samarth , Zhou Wen , Ali Utku Emre , Farmakidis Nikolaos , Lee June Sang , He Yuhan , Li Xuan , Kwong Dim-Lee , Wright C. D. , Pernice Wolfram H. P. , Bhaskaran H.
Published: October 2023

New developments in hardware-based ‘accelerators’ range from electronic tensor cores and memristor-based arrays to photonic implementations. The goal of these approaches is to handle the exponentially growing computational load of machine learning, which currently requires the doubling of hardware capability approximately every 3.5 months. One solution is increasing the data dimensionality that is processable by such hardware. Although two-dimensional data processing by multiplexing space and wavelength has been previously reported, the use of three-dimensional processing has not yet been implemented in hardware. In this paper, we introduce the radio-frequency modulation of photonic signals to increase parallelization, adding an additional dimension to the data alongside spatially distributed non-volatile memories and wavelength multiplexing. We leverage higher-dimensional processing to configure such a system to an architecture compatible with edge computing frameworks. Our system achieves a parallelism of 100, two orders higher than implementations using only the spatial and wavelength degrees of freedom. We demonstrate this by performing a synchronous convolution of 100 clinical electrocardiogram signals from patients with cardiovascular diseases, and constructing a convolutional neural network capable of identifying patients at sudden death risk with 93.5% accuracy.
Feasibility of a dietary intervention to modify gut microbial metabolism in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Riwes Mary M. , Golob Jonathan L. , Magenau John , Shan Mengrou , Dick Gregory , Braun Thomas , Schmidt Thomas M. , Pawarode Attaphol , Anand Sarah , Ghosh Monalisa , Maciejewski John , King Darren , Choi Sung , Yanik Gregory , Geer Marcus , Hillman Ethan , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Tewari Muneesh , Reddy Pavan
Published: October 2023

Evaluation of the impact of dietary intervention on gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolites after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is lacking. We conducted a feasibility study as the first of a two-phase trial. Ten adults received resistant potato starch (RPS) daily from day −7 to day 100. The primary objective was to test the feasibility of RPS and its effect on intestinal microbiome and metabolites, including the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. Feasibility met the preset goal of 60% or more, adhering to 70% or more doses; fecal butyrate levels were significantly higher when participants were on RPS than when they were not (P < 0.0001). An exploratory objective was to evaluate plasma metabolites. We observed longitudinal changes in plasma metabolites compared to baseline, which were independent of RPS (P < 0.0001). However, in recipients of RPS, the dominant plasma metabolites were more stable compared to historical controls with significant difference at engraftment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that RPS in recipients of allogeneic HCT is feasible; in this study, it was associated with significant alterations in intestinal and plasma metabolites. A phase 2 trial examining the effect of RPS on graft-versus-host disease in recipients of allogeneic HCT is underway. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02763033.
Structure of LRRK1 and mechanisms of autoinhibition and activation
Authors: Reimer Janice M. , Dickey Andrea M. , Lin Yu Xuan , Abrisch Robert G. , Mathea Sebastian , Chatterjee Deep , Fay Elizabeth J. , Knapp Stefan , Daugherty Matthew D. , Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Leschziner Andres E.
Published: October 2023

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 1 and 2 (LRRK1 and LRRK2) are homologs in the ROCO family of proteins in humans. Despite their shared domain architecture and involvement in intracellular trafficking, their disease associations are strikingly different: LRRK2 is involved in familial Parkinson’s disease while LRRK1 is linked to bone diseases. Furthermore, Parkinson’s disease-linked mutations in LRRK2 are typically autosomal dominant gain-of-function while those in LRRK1 are autosomal recessive loss-of-function. Here, to understand these differences, we solved cryo-EM structures of LRRK1 in its monomeric and dimeric forms. Both differ from the corresponding LRRK2 structures. Unlike LRRK2, which is sterically autoinhibited as a monomer, LRRK1 is sterically autoinhibited in a dimer-dependent manner. LRRK1 has an additional level of autoinhibition that prevents activation of the kinase and is absent in LRRK2. Finally, we place the structural signatures of LRRK1 and LRRK2 in the context of the evolution of the LRRK family of proteins.
White blood cell image analysis for infection detection based on virtual hexagonal trellis (VHT) by using deep learning
Authors: Rashid Shahid , Raza Mudassar , Sharif Muhammad , Azam Faisal , Kadry Seifedine , Kim Jungeun
Published: October 2023

White blood cells (WBCs) are an indispensable constituent of the immune system. Efficient and accurate categorization of WBC is a critical task for disease diagnosis by medical experts. This categorization helps in the correct identification of medical problems. In this research work, WBC classes are categorized with the help of a transform learning model in combination with our proposed virtual hexagonal trellis (VHT) structure feature extraction method. The VHT feature extractor is a kernel-based filter model designed over a square lattice. In the first step, Graft Net CNN model is used to extract features of augmented data set images. Later, the VHT base feature extractor extracts useful features. The CNN-extracted features are passed to ant colony optimization (ACO) module for optimal features acquisition. Extracted features from the VHT base filter and ACO are serially merged to create a single feature vector. The merged features are passed to the support vector machine (SVM) variants for optimal classification. Our strategy yields 99.9% accuracy, which outperforms other existing methods.
Relationship between aging and control of metabolic syndrome with telomere shortening: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Devrajani Tarachand , Abid Shariq , Shaikh Hina , Shaikh Iram , Devrajani Durshana Bai , Memon Sikander Munir , Waryah Ali Muhammad , Ujjan Ikram Din , Syed Binafsha Manzoor
Published: October 2023

Aging is considered one of the major risk factors for several human disorders. The telomere plays a crucial role in regulating cellular responsiveness to stress and growth stimuli as well as maintaining the integrity of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), and aging leads to the progressive decline in the telomere length (TL) due to continuous cell division. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between TL and advancing age and the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on TL. Firstly, we determined the association of advancing age and TL, by measuring telomere length (T/S ratio) in healthy volunteers (n = 90). The TL was compared between normal population and patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 298). The age matched controlled and uncontrolled MetS patients (n = 149) were also compared for their TL T/S ratio. The TL showed negative correlation with advancing age, whereas the significant change was observed at the cut-offs of 40 and 70 years defining 40 with longer TL and 70 as shorter TL. The longest T/S ratio at 2.46 was measured at the age range of 1 year in healthy volunteers, while elderly population showed considerably shorter TL. The patients older than 60 years with poor or uncontrolled MetS had shorter TL, as compared to the controlled MetS. In conclusion our findings suggest that TL was negatively correlated with advancing age. Uncontrolled metabolic syndrome appeared to have worsening effects on TL. Telomere length appears to have potential to be used a parameter to determine age. However, further large scale studies are recommended to make firm guidelines.
Smaller-the-better-type six sigma product index
Authors: Chen Kuen-Suan , Hsieh Tsung-Hua , Yu Chun-Min , Yao Kai-Chao
Published: October 2023

Based on some studies, there are many important parts of tool machines, all of which have some essential smaller-the-better-type quality characteristics. The six sigma quality index of the smaller-the-better type offers accurate measurement of the process yield and the six sigma quality level. In this paper, we first proposed a six sigma product index by integrating all evaluation indicators for products that contain several quality characteristics of the smaller-the-better type. Next, we derived the confidence interval of this six sigma product index and developed an evaluation model for product quality. When a product passes the evaluation of this model, not only can it be guaranteed that the product reaches the required quality level, but also a high rate of product yield can be ensured. In addition, we also created a product improvement testing model, which can avoid missing opportunities for improvement in the process to ensure improvement effects. This complete evaluation and improvement model is applicable to the entire machine tool industry chain. It can not only increase the product value of the machine tool industry chain but also decrease environmental pollution caused by rework or scrap, which is beneficial to companies to enhance their image of fulfilling social responsibilities. Apart from the above advantages, the model formed in this paper is based on confidence intervals, thereby reducing the chance of misjudgment resulting from sampling error.
A physicochemical model of X-ray induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) with an emphasis on tissue oxygen concentration and oxygenation
Authors: Hosseini Farideh. S. , Naghavi Nadia , Sazgarnia Ameneh
Published: October 2023

X-PDT is one of the novel cancer treatment approaches that uses high penetration X-ray radiation to activate photosensitizers (PSs) placed in deep seated tumors. After PS activation, some reactive oxygen species (ROS) like singlet oxygen (1O2) are produced that are very toxic for adjacent cells. Efficiency of X-PDT depends on 1O2 quantum yield as well as X-ray mortality rate. Despite many studies have been modeled X-PDT, little is known about the investigation of tissue oxygen content in treatment outcome. In the present study, we predicted X-PDT efficiency through a feedback of physiological parameters of tumor microenvironment includes tissue oxygen and oxygenation properties. The introduced physicochemical model of X-PDT estimates 1O2 production in a vascularized and non-vascularized tumor under different tissue oxygen levels to predict cell death probability in tumor and adjacent normal tissue. The results emphasized the importance of molecular oxygen and the presence of a vascular network in predicting X-PDT efficiency.
Genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 are correlated with the increased risk of atorvastatin-induced muscle side effects: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lalatović Ninoslava , Ždralević Maša , Antunović Tanja , Pantović Snežana
Published: October 2023

Genetic factors are recognized as risk factors for statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), which are the most common cause of statin intolerance. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between polymorphisms 1236C > T, 2677G > T/A, and 3435C > T in the ABCB1 gene, encoding the efflux transporter of statins, and SAMS, as results on this topic are still controversial. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with or without SAMS using atorvastatin. The influence of non-genetic variables on SAMS was also evaluated. Our results show that patients with TT genotype in 1236C > T, 2677G > T/A, and 3435C > T polymorphisms had higher risk of developing SAMS, compared to wild type and heterozygous carriers together (OR 4.292 p = 0.0093, OR 5.897 p = 0.0023 and OR 3.547 p = 0.0122, respectively). Furthermore, TTT/TTT diplotype was also associated with a higher risk of SAMS, OR 9.234 (p = 0.0028). Only family history of cardiovascular disease was found to be a risk factor for SAMS, in addition to the known non-genetic variables. We believe that ABCB1 genotyping has great potential to be incorporated into clinical practice to identify high-risk patients in a timely manner.
Association of prehospital advanced airway and epinephrine with survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Ahn Sejoong , Jin Bo-Yeong , Cho Hanjin , Moon Sungwoo , Cho Young-Duck , Park Jong-Hak
Published: October 2023

Survival benefits of prehospital advanced airway and epinephrine in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients are controversial, but few studies evaluated this together. This study evaluated association of prehospital advanced airway and epinephrine with survival outcomes in OHCA patients. This was observational study using a prospective multicentre KoCARC registry. Adult OHCA patients between October 2015 and December 2021 were included. The variables of interest were prehospital managements, which was classified into basic life support (BLS)-only, BLS + advanced airway, and BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine. In total, 8217 patients were included in analysis. Survival to discharge and good neurological outcomes were lowest in the BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine group (22.1% in BLS-only vs 13.2% in BLS + advanced airway vs 7.5% in BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine, P < 0.001 and 17.1% in BLS-only vs 9.2% in BLS + advanced airway vs 4.3% in BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine, P < 0.001, respectively). BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine group was less likely to survive to discharge and have good neurological outcomes (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28–0.55, P < 0.001 and aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21–0.51, P < 0.001, respectively) than BLS-only group after adjusting for potential confounders. In prehospital settings with intermediate EMS providers and prehospital advanced airway insertion is performed followed by epinephrine administration, prehospital management with BLS + advanced airway + epinephrine in OHCA patients was associated with lower survival to discharge rate compared to BLS-only.
Evaluating knowledge about HIV and discriminatory attitudes among Pakistani women of reproductive age using 2017–18 Demographic Health Survey data
Authors: Sameen Sonia , Lakhdir Maryam Pyar Ali , Azam Syed Iqbal , Asad Nargis
Published: October 2023

A prominent issue associated with HIV is the stigma around it owing to a lack of awareness. This study aimed to find the association between HIV and AIDS-related knowledge and discriminatory attitudes amongst Pakistani women of reproductive age using the 2017–18 Pakistani Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) data. We analyzed a sample of 3381 Pakistani women of reproductive age using ordinal logistic regression for complex survey data. Two composite variables were created using the HIV module to denote the respondents’ HIV-related knowledge and their attitude toward people living with HIV (PLHIV) and calculated using a scoring method. Additional variables included the respondents’ age, education level, socioeconomic status, residential setting, and HIV testing history. More than half (58.8%) of the respondents presented with a negative attitude toward PLHIV and 64.3% of the respondents had poor knowledge regarding the illness. In the multivariable analysis, knowledge about HIV and level of education reported significant associations with discriminatory attitudes. We concluded that the odds of individuals living in a rural setting and hailing from a low socioeconomic background presenting with a negative attitude towards PLHIV were 2.52 times (95% CI 1.07–5.89) higher as compared to those living in an urban setting from a high socioeconomic background.
The influence of topical anesthetic and fluorescein on non-contact tonometry measurements using ultra-high-speed dynamic Scheimpflug
Authors: Macedo Marcelo , Hatanaka Marcelo , Barboza Wilma Lelis , Mingione Gabriella Marranghello , Ambrósio Renato , Susanna Remo
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of topical anesthetic and fluorescein drops on intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and biomechanical properties as measured by Corvis ST (CST-Oculus; Wezlar, Germany) in healthy eyes. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 46 healthy patients. The CST measurements were obtained before and immediately after the instillation of topical anesthetic and fluorescein drops. Pre-post instillation data were statistically analyzed. IOP measurements were compared to Goldmann's Applanation Tonometry (GAT), which was also performed after drops instillation. Biomechanical parameters analyzed included applanation 1 velocity, applanation 2 velocity, applanation 1 time, applanation 2 time, whole eye movement, deflection amplitude, and stiffness parameter at first applanation. A statistically significant difference in IOP, both for non-corrected IOP (IOPnct) and biomechanically corrected IOP (bIOP), was observed before and after the instillation of eyedrops. Despite this statistical significance, the observed difference lacked clinical relevance. The IOPnct demonstrated a significant difference pre and post-anesthetic and fluorescein instillation compared to GAT (14.99 ± 2.27 mmHg pre-instillation and 14.62 ± 2.50 mmHg post-instillation, versus 13.98 ± 2.04 mmHg, with p-values of 0.0014 and 0.0490, respectively). Comparable findings were noted when justaposing bIOP to GAT (14.53 ± 2.10 mmHg pre-instillation and 13.15 ± 2.25 mmHg post-instillation, against 13.98 ± 2.04 mmHg, with p-values of 0.0391 and 0.0022, respectively). Additionally, CCT measurements revealed a statistically significant elevation following the administration of topical anesthetic and fluorescein drops (from 544.64 ± 39.85 µm to 586.74 ± 41.71 µm, p < 0.01. None of the analyzed biomechanical parameters showed statistically significant differences after drops instillation. While the administration of topical anesthetic and fluorescein drops induced a statistically significant alteration in both IOPnct and bIOP readings, these changes were not clinically consequential. Furthermore, a notable statistical rise was observed in CCT measurements post-drops instillation, as determined by CST. Yet, corneal biomechanical parameters remained unaffected.
The assembly of [Mo2O2S2]2+ based on polydentate phosphonate templates and their proton conductivity
Authors: Li Bo , Meng Yu-Xi , Liu Qian-Qian , Chen Xin-Yu , Liu Xin , Zang Hong-Ying
Published: October 2023

This research reveals non-planar macrocyclic clusters, self-assembled from [Mo2O2S2]2+ units templated by organophosphates. These clusters serve as molecular-based proton conductors with high conductivity and ideal for studying proton transport mechanisms.
High-efficiency NP-carbon dots above 60% with both delayed fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence
Authors: Xu Bin , Hao Qun , Tang Xin , Chen Menglu
Published: October 2023

NP-CDs with high afterglow quantum yield of delayed fluorescence and room temperature phosphorescence, suitable for security and encryption applications.
Synthesis of Li1.20Mn0.432+Nb0.39O2 disordered rock-salt under reducing conditions for Li-ion batteries
Authors: da Silva Wilgner Lima , Menon Ashok S. , Lees Martin R. , Kashtiban Reza J. , Walker Marc , Piper Louis F. J. , Kendrick Emma , Walton Richard I.
Published: October 2023

A new synthesis route to isolate low oxidation states of transition-metal cations in niobates is developed under reducing conditions to yield a Mn2+ phase whose redox response with respect to lithium storage is studied.
Shape control of Au nanostructures using peptides for biotechnological applications
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Tomizaki Kin-ya , Usui Kenji
Published: October 2023

We focused the correlations between peptide sequences, their roles and their optical properties and proposed future strategies for fabricating Au nanostructures using peptides for biotechnological applications.
Pd(ii)-Catalyzed atroposelective C–H olefination: synthesis of enantioenriched N-aryl peptoid atropisomers
Authors: Jiang Tian-Yu , Ke Yi-Ting , Wu Yong-Jie , Yao Qi-Jun , Shi Bing-Feng
Published: October 2023

The synthesis of N-aryl peptoid atropisomers via Pd(ii)-catalyzed atroposelective C–H olefination using commercially available l-pGlu-OH as the chiral ligand was reported.
Penta-SiCN monolayer as a well-balanced performance anode material for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Ye Xiao-Juan , Wang Xiao-Han , Cao Hong-Bao , Lu Zheng , Liu Chun-Sheng
Published: October 2023

Penta-SiCN as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries with high capacity, appropriate open-circuit voltage, and low diffusion energy barrier.
Size effect on Debye temperature of metal crystals
Authors: Jiang Xiaobao , Sheng Hongchao , Xiao Beibei
Published: October 2023

Θ
D(D) curve declines with the decrease of size D, and the ratio of interfacial energy γsl to surface stress f dominates this variation tendency.
Single atom catalyst-mediated generation of reactive species in water treatment
Authors: Sharma Virender K. , Ma Xingmao , Zboril Radek
Published: October 2023

Unique activation mechanisms of oxidants by metal single atom catalysts for water treatment were compared with conventional advanced oxidation processes.
Correction: Synthesis of green fluorescent carbon dots from Moringa oleifera for sensing of deltamethrin and fenvalerate in vegetables and rice
Authors: Vadia Foziya Yusuf , Johny Jinet Susan , Malek Naved I. , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: October 2023

Correction for ‘Synthesis of green fluorescent carbon dots from Moringa oleifera for sensing of deltamethrin and fenvalerate in vegetables and rice’ by Foziya Yusuf Vadia et al., Sustainable Food Technol., 2023, 1, 762–772, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3FB00117B.
A low-cost and high-yield green preparation method of graphdiyne and hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne and their photocatalytic properties
Authors: Jin Zhiliang , Wu Youlin
Published: October 2023

Graphdiyne (GDY), a new two-dimensional (2D) carbon hybrid material, because it can function as both an electron donor and acceptor and possesses a certain intrinsic band gap due to its unique sp and sp2 conjugate hybridization.
A photothermal and conductive composite hydrogel membrane for solar-driven synchronous desalination and salinity power generation
Authors: He Hongjiang , Song Xi-Ming , Huang Mengnan , Hou Xing , Song Zhining , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2023

A calcium alginate hydrogel and nickel foam composite membrane (CHN) can achieve desalination and salinity gradient power generation by solar energy. The CHN membrane can be used as a universal solar conversion platform to obtain blue energy.
Towards green chemicals and edible coatings from barks and peels with near critical extraction of suberin
Authors: Lecart Brieuc , Baumsteiger Chloé , Monie Florent , Di Maria Andrea , Detrembleur Christophe , Richel Aurore , Vanderschuren Hervé
Published: October 2023

One-step suberin extraction from suberoligneous by-products provides sustainable solutions for food and material industries.
Electrochemical hydrogen production: sustainable hydrogen economy
Authors: Aslam Samina , Rani Sadia , Lal Kiran , Fatima Miraj , Hardwick Tomas , Shirinfar Bahareh , Ahmed Nisar
Published: October 2023

The development of sustainable energy technologies has received considerable attention to meet increasing global energy demands and to realise organisational goals (e.g., United Nations, the Paris Agreement) of carbon neutrality.
Makeup cotton pads derived-hierarchically porous carbon fibers for constructing a free-standing carbon/sulfur hybrid cathode
Authors: Yang Shixun , Li Yuyun , Su Qian , Hu Zhe , Xiang Mingwu , Guo Junming , Bai Wei , Deng Shuping
Published: October 2023

Makeup cotton derived carbon current collector with 3D conductive networks, an ultrahigh specific surface area of 2080 m2 g−1, and an abundant hierarchical porous structure is prepared by a facile one-step activation/carbonization method.
Empowering students with hearing impairment to pursue science careers in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Umaru Elijah Sunom , Ibrahim Abdulmajid , Thomas Naomi
Published: October 2023

The Pharmafluence Education Advancement Network (PEAN) organized a science career outreach program at a special education school in Nigeria, inspiring over 110 hearing-impaired students to pursue science careers. The students participated in hands-on activities, received informative booklets and expressed concerns about educational and employment inequalities. PEAN aims to break barriers, promote inclusivity and empower students with disabilities. This initiative highlights the transformative power of education and the importance of equal opportunities for all individuals.
Evaluating the Efficacy of a Narrative Language Intervention for Bilingual Students
Authors: Capin Philip , Vaughn Sharon , Gillam Sandra Laing , Fall Anna-Maria , Roberts Gregory , Israelsen-Augenstein Megan , Holbrook Sarai , Wada Rebekah , Dille Jordan , Hall Colby , Gillam Ronald B.
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

This study examines the narrative language and reading outcomes of monolingual and bilingual students who received instruction with the Supporting Knowledge in Language and Literacy (SKILL) program, a narrative language intervention.

Method:

The main effects of the SKILL program were evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in which students (N= 355) who were at risk for English language and literacy difficulties were randomized to the SKILL intervention or a business-as-usual instruction. This article reports secondary analyses examining the efficacy of SKILL for bilingual (n= 148) and monolingual (n= 207) students who completed measures of oral and written narrative language and reading comprehension in English.

Results:

Moderation results showed that the effects of SKILL did not differ for monolinguals and bilinguals across most narrative language measures and did not vary for monolinguals or bilinguals based on their pre-intervention language performance.

Conclusion:

These findings that suggest a language-based approach to improving narrative production and comprehension yielded similar results for monolinguals and bilinguals and that neither monolinguals nor bilinguals in this study needed to meet a certain threshold of English language proficiency to benefit from the intervention.
Received signal strength reconstruction using pix2pix generative adversarial network
Authors: Wu Haochang , Qin Hao , Zhang Xingqi
Published: October 2023

Positioning technology based on received signal strength (RSS) fingerprints has emerged as a vital research topic in indoor localization due to its high accuracy and low cost. Increasing the density of offline fingerprints collected can effectively improve localization accuracy in the online stage, but it will result in astronomical collection costs. RSS reconstruction using generative models is an efficient solution to dramatically reduce fingerprint collection costs while maintaining excellent accuracy. In this paper, the authors propose a pix2pix generative adversarial network based RSS reconstruction model, which can generate a dense RSS fingerprint map based on only the location information of the wireless access point. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model are verified in an indoor environment.
Wideband leaky‐wave antenna with dumbbell‐shaped slots on substrate integrated waveguides with twisted corrugations
Authors: Pandey Utkarsh , Singh Parulpreet , Gupta Narbada Prasad , Singh Raghavendra , Bansal Aakash
Published: October 2023

This letter presents a new thin substrate‐integrated waveguide with twisted integrated–digitated capacitor‐based corrugations that offers a transmission loss < 0.55 dB. The presented waveguide operates at TE10 mode and is used to present a wideband beam‐scanning leaky‐wave antenna with an array of dumbbell‐shaped slots. The antenna is shown to operate at a frequency band of 25–37 GHz and offers a gain > 13 dBi throughout the frequency band. It has a frequency‐dependent beam‐scanning capability of 6 deg/GHz. The proposed antenna being thin is extremely conformal and is suitable for applications in millimetre‐wave off‐body communication.
A MeerKAT view of the pulsars in the globular cluster NGC 6522
Authors: Abbate F. , Ridolfi A. , Freire P. C. C. , Padmanabh P. V. , Balakrishnan V. , Buchner S. , Zhang L. , Kramer M. , Stappers B. W. , Barr E. D. , Chen W. , Champion D. , Ransom S. , Possenti A.
Published: October 2023

We present the results of observations aimed at discovering and studying pulsars in the core-collapsed globular cluster (GC) NGC 6522 performed by the MeerTIME and TRAPUM Large Survey Project with the MeerKAT telescope. We have discovered two new isolated pulsars bringing the total number of known pulsars in the cluster to six. PSR J1803−3002E is a mildly recycled pulsar with a spin period of 17.9 ms, while pulsar PSR J1803−3002F is a slow pulsar with a spin period of 148.1 ms. The presence of isolated and slow pulsars is expected in NGC 6522, and confirms the predictions of previous theories for clusters at this stage in evolution. We further present a tentative timing solution for the millisecond pulsar (MSP) PSR J1803−3002C combining older observations taken with the Parkes 64 m radio telescope, Murriyang. This solution implies a relatively young characteristic age of the pulsar in contrast with the old age of the GC. The presence of a slow pulsar and an apparently young MSP, both rare in GCs, suggests that their formation might be linked to the evolutionary stage of the cluster.