bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary Productivity Variation in Banten Bay and Java Sea and Its Relationship with Fish Catches
Authors: Giantara M I F , Nurdjaman S
Published: June 2024

Ecosystems carry out internal activities, one of which is by carrying out production which is the process of inputting and storing energy from sunlight as a primary energy source called primary productivity. The development of wider coastal areas is a major factor in the importance of assessing the quality of water fertility as a measure of ecosystem change. The aim of this research is to predict the value of primary productivity in Banten Bay and the Java Sea seasonally from 2005-2020 based on MODIS Fluorescence satellite image data and processed using the Vertically Generalized Production Model (VGPM). Net Primary Productivity results obtained in Banten Bay in the West Season 148.23 mgC.m−3.d−1; Transitional Season I 148.06 mgC.m−3.d−1. East Season with 154.05 mgC.m−3.d−1; Transitional Season II 170.10 mgC.m−3.d−1 while in the Java Sea in the West Season 100.05 mgC.m−3.d−1; Transitional Season I 82.20 mgC.m−3.d−1; East Season 110.84 mgC.m−3.d−1; Transitional Season II 95.97 mgC.m−3.d−1 which decreased in value from 2005 to 2020 in both regions. Water fertility in Banten Bay and the Java Sea is higher in the nearshore area than the open sea which is influenced by chlorophyll-a, PAR availability, day length, temperature, maximum carbon fixation, euphotic zone depth, and area. Trophic status in each season in Banten Bay is included in the Oligotrophic class while in the Java Sea it is included in the Oligotrophic and Mesotrophic classes. NPP has a positive correlation with the overall capture of small pelagic fish species of 0.654 (average).
Van der Waals epitaxial growth of few layers WSe2 on GaP(111)B
Authors: Chapuis Niels , Mahmoudi Aymen , Coinon Christophe , Troadec David , Vignaud Dominique , Patriarche Gilles , Roussel Pascal , Ouerghi Abdelkarim , Oehler Fabrice , Wallart Xavier
Published: June 2024

2D material epitaxy offers the promise of new 2D/2D and 2D/3D heterostructures with their own specific electronic and optical properties. In this work, we demonstrate the epitaxial growth of few layers WSe2 on GaP(111)B by molecular beam epitaxy. Using a combination of experimental techniques, we emphasize the role of the growth temperature and of a subsequent annealing of the grown layers under a selenium flux on the polytype formed and on its structural and morphological properties. We show that a low growth temperature promotes the formation of the 1T′ and 3R phases depending on the layer thickness whereas a higher growth temperature favours the stable 2H phase. The resulting layers exhibit clear epitaxial relationships with the GaP(111)B substrate with an optimum grain disorientation and mean size of 1.1° and around 30 nm respectively for the 2H phase. Bilayer 2H WSe2/GaP(111)B heterostructures exhibit a staggered type II band alignment and p-doped character of the epi-layer on both p and n-type GaP substrates. This first realisation of stable p-type WSe2 epi-layer on a large-area GaP(111)B substrate paves the way to new 2D/3D heterostructures with great interests in nanoelectronic and optoelectronic applications, especially in the development of new 2D-material p-n junctions.
Emotional Distress Symptoms, Coping Efficacy, and Social Support: A Network Analysis of Distress and Resources in Persons With Cancer
Authors: Chirico Andrea , Palombi Tommaso , Alivernini Fabio , Lucidi Fabio , Merluzzi Thomas V
Published: June 2024

Background

The study’s main aim was to analyze the structure and configuration of distress symptoms and resource factors.

Purpose

Common methods of assessing distress symptoms in cancer patients (i) do not capture the configuration of individual distress symptoms and (ii) do not take into account resource factors (e.g., social support, coping, caring health professionals). Network analysis focuses on the configuration and relationships among symptoms that can result in tailored interventions for distress. Network analysis was used to derive a symptom-level view of distress and resource factors.

Methods

Nine hundred and ninety-two cancer patients (mixed diagnoses) completed an abridged Distress Screening Schedule that included 24 items describing symptoms related to distress (depression, anxiety) and resource factors (social support, coping, caring health professionals).

Results

In network analysis, the centrality strength index (CSI) is the degree to which an item is connected to all other items, thus constituting an important focal point in the network. A depression symptom had the highest CSI value: felt lonely/isolated (CSI = 1.30). In addition, resource factors related to coping efficacy (CSI = 1.20), actively seeking support (CSI = 1.10), perceiving one’s doctor as caring (CSI = 1.10), and receiving social support (CSI = 1.10) also all had very high CSI scores.

Conclusions and implications

These results emphasize the integral importance of the social symptoms of loneliness/isolation in distress. Thus, distress symptoms (loneliness) and resource factors (coping efficacy, seeking social support, and perceiving medical professionals as caring) should be integral aspects of distress management and incorporated into assessment tools and interventions to reduce distress.
The multiscale topological organization of the functional brain network in adolescent PTSD
Authors: Corredor David , Segobin Shailendra , Hinault Thomas , Eustache Francis , Dayan Jacques , Guillery-Girard Bérengère , Naveau Mikaël
Published: June 2024

The experience of an extremely aversive event can produce enduring deleterious behavioral, and neural consequences, among which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a representative example. Although adolescence is a period of great exposure to potentially traumatic events, the effects of trauma during adolescence remain understudied in clinical neuroscience. In this exploratory work, we aim to study the whole-cortex functional organization of 14 adolescents with PTSD using a data-driven method tailored to our population of interest. To do so, we built on the network neuroscience framework and specifically on multilayer (multisubject) community analysis to study the functional connectivity of the brain. We show, across different topological scales (the number of communities composing the cortex), a hyper-colocalization between regions belonging to occipital and pericentral regions and hypo-colocalization in middle temporal, posterior–anterior medial, and frontal cortices in the adolescent PTSD group compared to a nontrauma exposed group of adolescents. These preliminary results raise the question of an altered large-scale cortical organization in adolescent PTSD, opening an interesting line of research for future investigations.
IPAD-DB: a manually curated database for experimentally verified inhibitors of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Peng Chong , Liu Xiaofeng , Meng Xiangbo , Chen Congge , Wu Xinming , Bai Lin , Lu Fuping , Liu Fufeng
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a universal neurodegenerative disease with the feature of progressive dementia. Currently, there are only seven Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for the treatment of AD, which merely offer temporary relief from symptom deterioration without reversing the underlying disease process. The identification of inhibitors capable of interacting with proteins associated with AD plays a pivotal role in the development of effective therapeutic interventions. However, a vast number of such inhibitors are dispersed throughout numerous published articles, rendering it inconvenient for researchers to explore potential drug candidates for AD. In light of this, we have manually compiled inhibitors targeting proteins associated with AD and constructed a comprehensive database known as IPAD-DB (Inhibitors of Proteins associated with Alzheimer’s Disease Database). The curated inhibitors within this database encompass a diverse range of compounds, including natural compounds, synthetic compounds, drugs, natural extracts and nano-inhibitors. To date, the database has compiled >4800 entries, each representing a correspondent relationship between an inhibitor and its target protein. IPAD-DB offers a user-friendly interface that facilitates browsing, searching and downloading of its records. We firmly believe that IPAD-DB represents a valuable resource for screening potential AD drug candidates and investigating the underlying mechanisms of this debilitating disease. Access to IPAD-DB is freely available at http://www.lamee.cn/ipad-db/ and is compatible with all major web browsers.

Database URL: http://www.lamee.cn/ipad-db/
Evolutionary and co-evolutionary phage training approaches enhance bacterial suppression and delay the emergence of phage resistance
Authors: Ngiam Lyman , Weynberg Karen , Guo Jianhua
Published: June 2024

The development of phage resistance by bacteria is a major barrier that impedes the therapeutic use of phages. Phage training has been proposed as a novel tool that harnesses the evolutionary potential of phages to improve phage infectivity. Both evolutionary and co-evolutionary phage training models have been previously reported to train phages. However, both of these phage training models have been reported able to effectively suppress the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria mutants, thus presenting a contradictory phenomenon. Therefore, in this study, we set out to systematically compare the effectiveness of both evolutionary and co-evolutionary phage training models with regard to phage physiology, infectivity, and genotype. To this end, a natural lytic phage capable of infecting a Klebsiella pneumonia strain was isolated from wastewater and subjected to evolutionary and co-evolutionary phage training for 30 days. After the phage training, the physiology and genomic characteristics of evolved and co-evolved phages were assessed. Our results demonstrated that both evolved and co-evolved phages exhibit improved bacterial suppression activity and are able to delay the emergence of phage resistance. Furthermore, both phages harbored unique genome mutational changes in different functionally associated phage proteins. Similarly, evolved and co-evolved phage-resistant bacteria mutants that arose post phage infection displayed varying phage resistance sensitivities, which may be correlated to the unique genome mutational change identified in cell membrane structure. In particular, co-evolved phage-resistant bacteria mutants exhibited less phage resistance compared to evolved phage-resistant bacteria mutants. These results highlighted the finding that the co-evolutionary phage training model serves as a better phage training model as it endows phage with improved infectivity, but also selects for phage-resistant bacteria with a lower phage resistance when compared to evolutionary phage training.
Fusion of finite element and machine learning methods to predict rock shear strength parameters
Authors: Zhu Defu , Yu Biaobiao , Wang Deyu , Zhang Yujiang
Published: June 2024

The trial-and-error method for calibrating rock mechanics parameters has the disadvantages of complexity, being time-consuming, and difficulty in ensuring accuracy. Harnessing the repeatability and scalability intrinsic to numerical simulation calculations and amalgamating them with the data-driven attributes of machine learning methods, this study uses the finite element analysis software RS2 to establish 252 sets of sandstone sample data. The recursive feature elimination and cross-validation method is employed for feature selection. The shear strength parameters of sandstone are predicted using machine learning models optimized by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, including the backpropagation neural network, Bayesian ridge regression, support vector regression (SVR), and light gradient boosting machine. The predicted value of cohesion is proposed as the input feature to predict the friction angle. The results indicate that the optimal input characteristics for predicting cohesion are elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, peak stress, and peak strain, while the optimal input characteristics for predicting friction angle are peak stress and cohesion. The PSO-SVR model demonstrates the best performance. The maximum error between the predicted values of cohesion and friction angle and the calculated results of RSData program are 3.5% and 4.31%, respectively. The finite element calculation is in good agreement with the stress–strain curve obtained in the laboratory. The sensitivity analysis indicates that SVR's prediction performance for cohesion and friction angle tends to be stable when the sample size is >25. These results offer a valuable reference for accurately predicting rock mechanics parameters.
Nonattendance is associated with work performance due to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination: a cross-sectional study in a Japanese manufacturing industry
Authors: Yamada Misaki , Dohi Seitaro , Ide Hiroshi , Mafune Kosuke
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Although vaccines have promoted the socioeconomic normalization of COVID-19, adverse effects on work performance due to the post-vaccination side effects have been reported. Thus, we examined the relationship between the status of going to work the day following vaccination as a post-vaccination employment consideration and work performance among Japanese workers in the manufacturing industry.

Methods

Overall, 1273 employees who received the COVID-19 vaccine in a Japanese manufacturing district were surveyed using a self-administered web-based questionnaire that included fever, fatigue, workplace attendance the day after vaccination, work performance 1 week after vaccination, and demographic and occupational characteristics (age, gender, work style, and psychological distress [K6 scale]). The effects of fatigue and attendance on declining work performance were estimated using a linear mixed model, with individuals as random effects and the rest as fixed effects.

Results

After adjusting for demographic and occupational characteristics, the third-order interaction of fever, fatigue, and attendance on the day following vaccination was significant. The nonattendance group had a significantly higher work performance than the attendance group in those without fever and long-term fatigue (F1,1559 = 4.9, P = .026) and with fever and short-term fatigue (F1,1559 = 5.9, P = .015). Fever and workplace attendance the following day were not directly related to a decrease in work performance after vaccination.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that nonattendance at the workplace is associated with work performance due to the side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
Power-law fluid annular flows between concentric rotating spheres subject to hydrodynamic slip
Authors: Huang Hsin-Fu , Tseng Po-Han
Published: June 2024

We report analytical solutions to the problem of non-Newtonian power-law fluid flows in the annular space between a pair of concentric spherical surfaces rotating at distinct angular velocities with the inner and outer wall boundaries subject to general asymmetric hydrodynamic slip conditions. Analytical solutions are possible because of assuming constant valued apparent hydrodynamic slip lengths in the linearized kinematic slip conditions, and our solutions can be validated against the limiting results of Newtonian fluids, no-slip conditions or a single rotating sphere reported in previous literature. Comprehensive systematic parametric studies show that (additional to the power-law fluid flow behavior index) the degree of hydrodynamic slip at the inner surface is the dominant factor that determines the limiting values of the viscous torque exerted on the inner sphere as the outer-to-inner radius ratio assumes significantly large values. Nonetheless, the flow behavior index and outer slip length prove to be the crucial key parameters responsible for a variety of torque responses, which can be categorized by a compact analytical expression, as the outer-to-inner radius ratio is increased in the small to moderate regime. We propose a criteria which identifies the proper slip length and outer-to-inner radius ratio combinations for a given power-law flow behavior index such that the hydrodynamic slip wall effects of the outer surface can be minimized or eliminated. A simple method is also presented to characterize and quantify the apparent hydrodynamic slip effects by use of the concentric rotating spheres viscometer.
Magnetic field breakout in ultramassive crystallizing white dwarfs
Authors: Blatman Daniel , Ginzburg Sivan
Published: June 2024

Ultramassive white dwarfs with masses $M\gtrsim 1.1\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ probe extreme physics near the Chandrasekhar limit. Despite the rapid increase in observations, it is still unclear how many harbour carbon–oxygen (CO) versus oxygen–neon (ONe) cores. The origin of these white dwarfs and their strong magnetic fields – single stellar evolution or a stellar merger – is another open question. The steep mass–radius relation of the relativistic ultramassive white dwarfs shortens their crystallization time $t_{\rm cryst}$, such that the recently proposed crystallization dynamo mechanism may present an alternative to mergers in explaining the early appearance of magnetism in the observed population. However, the magnetic diffusion time from the convective dynamo to the white dwarf’s surface delays the magnetic field’s breakout time $t_{\rm break}\gt t_{\rm cryst}$. We compute $t_{\rm break}(M)$ for CO and ONe ultramassive white dwarfs and compare it to the local 40 pc volume-limited sample. We find that the breakout time from CO cores is too long to account for the observations. ONe crystallization dynamos remain a viable option, but their surrounding non-convective envelopes comprise only a few per cent of the total mass, such that $t_{\rm break}$ is highly sensitive to the details of stellar evolution.
Bacterial histone HBb from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus compacts DNA by bending
Authors: Hu Yimin , Schwab Samuel , Deiss Silvia , Escudeiro Pedro , van Heesch Thor , Joiner Joe D , Vreede Jocelyne , Hartmann Marcus D , Lupas Andrei N , Alvarez Birte Hernandez , Alva Vikram , Dame Remus T
Published: June 2024

Histones are essential for genome compaction and transcription regulation in eukaryotes, where they assemble into octamers to form the nucleosome core. In contrast, archaeal histones assemble into dimers that form hypernucleosomes upon DNA binding. Although histone homologs have been identified in bacteria recently, their DNA-binding characteristics remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals that the bacterial histone HBb (Bd0055) is indispensable for the survival of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, suggesting critical roles in DNA organization and gene regulation. By determining crystal structures of free and DNA-bound HBb, we unveil its distinctive dimeric assembly, diverging from those of eukaryotic and archaeal histones, while also elucidating how it binds and bends DNA through interaction interfaces reminiscent of eukaryotic and archaeal histones. Building on this, by employing various biophysical and biochemical approaches, we further substantiated the ability of HBb to bind and compact DNA by bending in a sequence-independent manner. Finally, using DNA affinity purification and sequencing, we reveal that HBb binds along the entire genomic DNA of B. bacteriovorus without sequence specificity. These distinct DNA-binding properties of bacterial histones, showcasing remarkable similarities yet significant differences from their archaeal and eukaryotic counterparts, highlight the diverse roles histones play in DNA organization across all domains of life.
National survey of patient perspectives on cost discussions among recipients of copay assistance
Authors: Lam Anh B , Nipp Ryan David , Hasler Jill S , Hu Bonnie Y , Zahner Greg J , Robbins Sarina , Wheeler Stephanie B , Tagai Erin K , Miller Suzanne M , Peppercorn Jeffrey M
Published: June 2024

Background

Individuals with cancer and other medical conditions often experience financial concerns from high costs-of-care and may utilize copay assistance programs (CAP). We sought to describe CAP recipients’ experiences/preferences for cost discussions with clinicians.

Methods

We conducted a national, cross-sectional electronic-survey from 10/2022 to 11/2022 of CAP recipients with cancer or autoimmune conditions to assess patient perspectives on cost discussions. We used multivariable logistic regression models to explore associations of patient perspectives on cost discussions with patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes (eg, financial toxicity, depression/anxiety, and health literacy).

Results

Among 1,566 participants, 71% had cancer and 29% had autoimmune conditions. Although 62% of respondents desired cost discussions, only 32% reported discussions took place. Additionally, 52% of respondents wanted their doctor to consider out-of-pocket costs when deciding the best treatment, and 61% of respondents felt doctors should ensure patients can afford treatment prescribed. Participants with depression symptoms were more likely to want doctors to consider out-of-pocket costs (OR = 1.54, P = .005) and to believe doctors should ensure patients can afford treatment (OR = 1.60, P = .005). Those with severe financial toxicity were more likely to desire cost discussions (OR = 1.65, P < .001) and want doctors to consider out-of-pocket costs (OR = 1.52, P = .001). Participants with marginal/inadequate health literacy were more likely to desire cost discussions (OR = 1.37, P = .01) and believe doctors should ensure patients can afford treatment (OR = 1.30, P = .036).

Conclusions

In this large sample of CAP recipients with cancer and autoimmune conditions, most reported a desire for cost discussions, but under one-third reported such discussions took place.
Classical realism and the challenge of global economic governance
Authors: Kirshner Jonathan
Published: June 2024

This paper considers the prospects for global economic governance from the perspective of classical realism. It explains why, from this perspective, the American-led liberal international order, is over—and is not coming back. Classical realism anticipates a US renunciation of the orchestration of global governance, one rooted principally in shifts in its purpose, rather than by changes to its relative capabilities. This transformation of American purpose is a consequence of its domestic politics—in particular, the rise in economic inequality, the emergence of plutocracy, and the dysfunctional political polarization stimulated by those trends—a predictable result of a tectonic shift in the culture of capitalism from one associated with the ‘compromise of embedded liberalism’ towards the exaltation of ‘shareholder value’. This yields pessimistic conclusions not only about American foreign policy, which is likely to be more short-sighted, mercurial, and transactionalist, but also regarding the prospects for global economic governance. Realism sees international cooperation as challenging to establish and maintain, given the consequences of anarchy. In the coming years, episodes of cooperation will surely emerge, but they will likely be ad-hoc, mini-lateral, and fragile. Orchestrating ambitious schemes of global economic governance is less likely when a predominant power has lost interest in such things.
De-risking regional geopolitics
Authors: Evans Gareth
Published: June 2024

This note describes the restraint which will be needed for China and the US to embrace and sustain the kind of détente which dramatically thawed relations between the US and Soviet Union. For the United States, the restraint that is needed is to step back from demanding recognition of its continued primacy; Washington should recognize that China is no longer prepared to be just a rule-taker, but is determined to be a major player in international rule-making. For China restraint is necessary partly because its recently reasserted territorial claims over the South China Sea are indefensible in international law, and also because it has recently played a much more active spoiling role on human rights issues than it did in the past. Australia, and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, have an important role to play in encouraging the US and China to do what is needed.
Disinformation, influence, and hybrid threats: thoughts from Singapore
Authors: Jayakumar Shashi
Published: June 2024

This article details Singapore’s efforts against disinformation and state-sponsored subversion. The methods examined include both legal and non-legal measures that have been enacted (with the broader canvas, also examined, of what other nations have attempted to shore up their own defences). The article also discusses economic coercion: the issue is not in itself new, but has in recent years been tinged with added potency on account of the wider geopolitical struggle for the commanding heights between the United States and China. Some consideration is also given at the conclusion to the way forward: what nations need to do in the face of emergent challenges (including generative AI) which might further complement the already impressive toolkit of malign actors.
Why do we think? The dynamics of spontaneous thought reveal its functions
Authors: Mildner Judith N , Tamir Diana I
Published: June 2024

Spontaneous thought—mind wandering, daydreaming, and creative ideation—makes up most of everyday cognition. Is this idle thought, or does it serve an adaptive function? We test two hypotheses about the functions of spontaneous thought: First, spontaneous thought improves memory efficiency. Under this hypothesis, spontaneous thought should prioritize detailed, vivid episodic simulations. Second, spontaneous thought helps us achieve our goals. Under this hypothesis, spontaneous thought should prioritize content relevant to ongoing goal pursuits, or current concerns. We use natural language processing and machine learning to quantify the dynamics of thought in a large sample (N = 3,359) of think aloud data. Results suggest that spontaneous thought both supports memory optimization and keeps us focused on current concerns.
Eventually fixed points of endomorphisms of virtually free groups
Authors: Carvalho André
Published: June 2024

We consider the subgroup of points of finite orbit through the action of an endomorphism of a finitely generated virtually free group, with particular emphasis on the subgroup of eventually fixed points, $\text{EvFix}(\varphi)$: points whose orbit contains a fixed point. We provide an algorithm to compute the subgroup of fixed points of an endomorphism of a finitely generated virtually free group and prove that finite orbits have cardinality bounded by a computable constant, which allows us to solve several algorithmic problems: deciding if φ is a finite order element of $\text{End}(G)$, if φ is aperiodic, if $\text{EvFix}(\varphi)$ is finitely generated and if $\text{EvFix}(\varphi)$ is a normal subgroup. In the cases where $\text{EvFix}(\varphi)$ is finitely generated, we also present a bound for its rank and an algorithm to compute a generating set.
Exoplanet host star classification: multi-objective optimization of incomplete stellar abundance data
Authors: Zammit Miguel A , Borg Josef , Zarb Adami Kristian
Published: June 2024

The presence of a planetary companion around its host star has been repeatedly linked with stellar properties, affecting the likelihood of substellar object formation and stability in the protoplanetary disc, thus presenting a key challenge in exoplanet science. Furthermore, abundance and stellar parameter data sets tend to be incomplete, which limits the ability to infer distributional characteristics harnessing the entire data set. This work aims to develop a methodology using machine learning (ML) and multi-objective optimization for reliable imputation for subsequent comparison tests and host star recommendation. It integrates fuzzy clustering for imputation and ML classification of hosts and comparison stars into an evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm. We test several candidates for the classification model, starting with a binary classification for giant planet hosts. Upon confirmation that the eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithm provides the best performance, we interpret the performance of both the imputation and classification modules for binary classification. The model is extended to handle multilabel classification for low-mass planets and planet multiplicity. Constraints on the model’s use and feature/sample selection are given, outlining strengths and limitations. We conclude that the careful use of this technique for host star recommendation will be an asset to future missions and the compilation of necessary target lists.
Performance of clinical and histological prognostic scores for kidney survival in ANCA-associated vasculitis
Authors: Sandino-Bermúdez Marlon J , Hernández-Andrade Adriana , Hinojosa-Azaola Andrea , Martín-Nares Eduardo , Mejía-Vilet Juan M
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Integrating clinical and histological parameters into prognostic scores may enhance the prediction of progression to kidney failure in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of histological classifications and scoring systems for kidney survival in AAV.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 101 AAV patients with kidney involvement diagnosed by biopsy and followed for ≥12 months. The main outcome was the time to kidney failure. The prognostic performance of each histological and prognostic score was evaluated using Harrell’s C statistic and Akaike’s Information Criteria.

Results

Among the 101 patients, 37 progressed to kidney failure over a median follow-up of 75 months (IQR 39–123). The Harrell’s C statistic was 0.702 (0.620–0.784), 0.606 (0.473–0.738), 0.801 (0.736–0.867), 0.782 (0.706–0.858) and 0.817 (0.749–0.885) for the EUVAS/Berden classification, Mayo Clinic Chronicity Score, Percentage of ANCA Crescentic Score (PACS), ANCA renal risk score (ARRS), and the improved ANCA kidney risk score (AKRiS), respectively. The AKRiS best discriminated the risk of kidney failure progression among subgroups. The AKRiS performance decreased with longer follow-up intervals. Adding the peak estimated glomerular filtration rate attained post-therapy improved the AKRiS performance at all follow-up intervals. Kidney relapses precipitated kidney failure in 71% of cases that progressed after the first year of follow-up.

Conclusion

The novel AKRiS enhances the prediction of kidney failure in AAV with kidney involvement. As the prognostic yield of AKRiS decreases over time, a second calculation of AKRiS, including post-therapy kidney function, may improve its long-term performance.
An adapted transdiagnostic sleep and circadian intervention for adults with excess weight and suboptimal sleep health: pilot study results
Authors: Imes Christopher C , Kline Christopher E , Patel Sanjay R , Sereika Susan M , Buysse Daniel J , Harvey Allison G , Burke Lora E
Published: June 2024

Study Objectives

This single-arm, mixed-methods, pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an adapted version of the transdiagnostic intervention for sleep and circadian dysfunction (TranS-C) on multidimensional sleep health (MDSH) in a sample of adults with excess weight and suboptimal sleep health.

Methods

Participants received up to eight, weekly, remotely delivered, tailored TranS-C sessions. At pre- and post-intervention, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 7 days of Fitbit data were used to evaluate changes in sleep dimensions (regularity, alertness, timing, satisfaction, duration, and efficiency) and the composite MDSH score. Study feasibility examined recruitment, data collection, and intervention engagement (completion of core TranS-C sessions). Acceptability of the intervention was assessed with semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

From 85 referrals, 11 individuals were eligible, and 10 completed the study. All intervention participants completed the measures needed to calculate their composite MDSH score and completed the core intervention sessions. Themes from interviews support the intervention’s remote delivery approach, applicability of the information provided, and impact on self-reported health. The intervention resulted in a large improvement in the mean composite MDSH score (Cohen’s d = 1.17). Small-to-large effects were also observed for individual sleep health dimensions except for timing.

Conclusions

Adapted TranS-C is acceptable for adults with excess weight and suboptimal sleep health and may be effective at improving short-term MDSH. With changes to recruitment methods, a larger study is feasible. Limitations include the small sample size and the lack of a control condition.
Utility of CT Scans for Detecting Operative Malleolar Fractures Associated With Tibial Shaft Fractures
Authors: Nedder Victoria J. , Moon Tyler J. , Swetz Anna M. , Ochenjele George , Wetzel Robert J. , Sontich John K. , Napora Joshua K.
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this study was to define the utility of CT scans for detecting articular extension in tibial shaft fractures and determine whether radiographic parameters can predict the presence of operative distal tibial articular fractures (DTAFs).

METHODS:

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Single level I trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria:

Patients age 18 years and older who were treated operatively for tibial shaft fractures occurring at or below the tibial isthmus were included. Patients were excluded for extension of the main tibial shaft fracture into the tibial plafond (AO/OTA 43 B/C), ballistic injuries, and absence of a preoperative CT scan.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons:

The primary outcome was CT utility, defined as the presence of a DTAF or DTAF displacement on CT that was not recognized on plain radiographs on secondary analysis at the time of the study by a senior-level resident. Secondary outcome was the association between radiographic parameters and operative DTAFs. Variables with P ≤ 0.2 on univariate testing were included in a multiple binary logistic regression model to determine independent predictors of operative DTAFs.

RESULTS:

One hundred forty-four patients were included, with a mean age of 52 years. Seventy-six patients (53%) were men. CT utility was 41% for the identification of unrecognized DTAFs. CT utility was 79% for isolated pDTAF, 57% for medial DTAF, 83% for isolated anterolateral DTAF, and 100% for multiple DTAFs. Operative DTAFs were independently associated with spiral tibial shaft fracture type (P < 0.001) and low fibular fracture (P = 0.04). In patients who had both spiral tibial shaft fracture type and low fibula fracture, the rate of operative DTAF was 46% (22/48).

CONCLUSIONS:

CT scans identified DTAFs that were unrecognized on plain radiographs in 41% of cases. CT scans were most useful in identifying nonposterior DTAFs. CT scans may be considered for all distal third tibial fractures, but especially those with spiral tibial shaft patterns and low fibular fractures, to avoid missing operative articular injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Global assessment of military and civilian trauma systems integration: a scoping review
Authors: Baird Michael D. , Madha Emad S. , Arnaouti Matthew , Cahill Gabrielle L. , Hewa Kodikarage Sadeesh N. , Harris Rachel E. , Murphy Timothy P. , Bartel Megan C. , Rich Elizabeth L. , Pathirana Yasar G. , Kim Eungjae , Bain Paul A. , Alswaiti Ghassan T. , Ratnayake Amila S. , Worlton Tamara J. , Joseph Michelle N. ,   IMPACT Scoping Review Group
Published: June 2024

Background:

The global burden of trauma disproportionately affects low-income countries and middle-income countries (LMIC), with variability in trauma systems between countries. Military and civilian healthcare systems have a shared interest in building trauma capacity for use during peace and war. However, in LMICs it is largely unknown if and how these entities work together. Understanding the successful integration of these systems can inform partnerships that can strengthen trauma care. This scoping review aims to identify examples of military-civilian trauma systems integration and describe the methods, domains, and indicators associated with integration including barriers and facilitators.

Methods:

A scoping review of all appropriate databases was performed to identify papers with evidence of military and civilian trauma systems integration. After manuscripts were selected for inclusion, relevant data was extracted and coded into methods of integration, domains of integration, and collected information regarding indicators of integration, which were further categorized into facilitators or barriers.

Results:

Seventy-four studies were included with authors from 18 countries describing experiences in 23 countries. There was a predominance of authorship and experiences from High-Income Countries (91.9 and 75.7%, respectively). Five key domains of integration were identified; Academic Integration was the most common (45.9%). Among indicators, the most common facilitator was administrative support and the lack of this was the most common barrier. The most common method of integration was Collaboration (50%).

Conclusion:

Current evidence demonstrates the existence of military and civilian trauma systems integration in several countries. High-income country data dominates the literature, and thus a more robust understanding of trauma systems integration, inclusive of all geographic locations and income statuses, is necessary prior to development of a framework to guide integration. Nonetheless, the facilitators identified in this study describe the factors and environment in which integration is feasible and highlight optimal indicators of entry.
Peripheral nerve transfers for dysfunctions in central nervous system injuries: a systematic review
Authors: Xiang Yun-Ting , Wu Jia-Jia , Ma Jie , Xing Xiang-Xin , Zhang Jun-Peng , Hua Xu-Yun , Zheng Mou-Xiong , Xu Jian-Guang
Published: June 2024

Background:

The review highlights recent advancements and innovative uses of nerve transfer surgery in treating dysfunctions caused by central nervous system (CNS) injuries, with a particular focus on spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral palsy.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted regarding nerve transfer for restoring sensorimotor functions and bladder control following injuries of spinal cord and brain, across PubMed and Web of Science from January 1920 to May 2023. Two independent reviewers undertook article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment with several appraisal tools, including the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist, and SYRCLE’s ROB tool. The study protocol has been registered and reported following PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines.

Results:

Nine hundred six articles were retrieved, of which 35 studies were included (20 on SCI and 15 on brain injury), with 371 participants included in the surgery group and 192 in the control group. These articles were mostly low-risk, with methodological concerns in study types, highlighting the complexity and diversity. For SCI, the strength of target muscle increased by 3.13 of Medical Research Council grade, and the residual urine volume reduced by more than 100 ml in 15 of 20 patients. For unilateral brain injury, the Fugl-Myer motor assessment (FMA) improved 15.14–26 score in upper extremity compared to 2.35–26 in the control group. The overall reduction in Modified Ashworth score was 0.76–2 compared to 0–1 in the control group. Range of motion (ROM) increased 18.4–80° in elbow, 20.4–110° in wrist and 18.8–130° in forearm, while ROM changed −4.03°−20° in elbow, −2.08°−10° in wrist, −2.26°−20° in forearm in the control group. The improvement of FMA in lower extremity was 9 score compared to the presurgery.

Conclusion:

Nerve transfer generally improves sensorimotor functions in paralyzed limbs and bladder control following CNS injury. The technique effectively creates a ‘bypass’ for signals and facilitates functional recovery by leveraging neural plasticity. It suggested a future of surgery, neurorehabilitation and robotic-assistants converge to improve outcomes for CNS.
Patterns of substance use and initiation timing in adults with substance abuse: a comparison between those with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Vaziri-Harami Roya , khademi Mojgan , Zolfaghari Anahita , Vaziri-harami Saharnaz
Published: June 2024

Background:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence, persisting into adulthood in 60% of cases, with an adult age prevalence rate of 4%. substance use disorder (SUD) is a recognized comorbidity with significant social and financial implications, necessitating detailed investigation.

Materials and methods:

This longitudinal study focused on adults with SUD in addiction detention in two camps including Toska and Chitgar in the west and south of Tehran during 2021–2022. Participants underwent assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) to identify individuals with SUD, excluding those with major mental problems. The remaining subjects were assessed by Conner’s questionnaire. And positive cases underwent a comprehensive ADHD interview. The study comprised 50 individuals with ADHD and 90 without ADHD, allowing for a comparative analysis of the onset age of substance use and patterns across both groups. The substances examined included alcohol, cannabis, crack, methamphetamine, tramadol, methadone, opium, ecstasy, morphine, and hypnotics.

Results:

The study revealed a lower age of onset of substance use in the ADHD group. Furthermore, individuals with ADHD exhibited higher rates of alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine, and tramadol use, while the non-ADHD group showed elevated usage of Ritalin, methadone, ecstasy, morphine, and hypnotics.

Conclusions:

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of ADHD regarding the lower onset age of substance use and a further range of high-risk substances, such as alcohol, methamphetamine, and crack, would be crucial. Additionally, based on these findings, policy recommendations should emphasize early ADHD screening and intervention strategies to mitigate the risk of substance use disorders, thereby addressing the associated social and financial burdens.
Association between switching to integrase strand transfer inhibitors and incident diabetes in people with HIV
Authors: Hwang Y. Joseph , Lesko Catherine R. , Brown Todd T. , Alexander G. Caleb , Zalla Lauren C. , Keruly Jeanne C. , Snow LaQuita N. , Pytell Jarratt D. , Falade-Nwulia Oluwaseun , Jones Joyce L. , Moore Richard D. , Fojo Anthony T.
Published: June 2024

Objective:

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are associated with weight gain in people with HIV (PWH), but their impact on diabetes is unclear. We evaluated the association between switching from nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) or protease inhibitors (PI) to INSTI and incident diabetes.

Design:

Longitudinal cohort study.

Methods:

We included PWH aged ≥18 years from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort (2007–2023) without history of diabetes who had used NNRTI or PI for ≥180 days. We followed participants up to 10 years from HIV primary care visits where they switched to INSTI or continued NNRTI or PI. We estimated the hazard of incident diabetes associated with switching to INSTI using weighted Cox regression with robust variance estimator.

Results:

We included 2075 PWH who attended 22 116 visits where they continued NNRTI or PI and 631 visits where they switched to INSTI. Switching to INSTI was associated with a weighted hazard ratio (wHR) of 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77–1.59] for incident diabetes. The association if no weight gain occurred during the first two years was not qualitatively different (wHR 1.22; 95% CI, 0.82–1.80). In a posthoc analysis, switching to INSTI conferred a significant wHR of 1.79 (95% CI, 1.13–2.84) for diabetes within the first two years but not after.

Conclusions:

Switching from NNRTI or PI to INSTI did not significantly increase overall diabetes incidence in PWH, although there may be elevated risk in the first two years. These findings can inform considerations when switching to INSTI-based regimens.
The causal involvement of the visual cortex in visual working memory remains uncertain
Authors: Grassi Pablo Rodrigo , Bannert Michael M. , Bartels Andreas
Published: June 2024

The role of the early visual cortex in visual working memory (VWM) is a matter of current debate. Neuroimaging studies have consistently shown that visual areas encode the content of working memory, while transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have presented incongruent results. Thus, we lack conclusive evidence supporting the causal role of early visual areas in VWM. In a recent registered report, Phylactou
et al
. (Phylactou P, Shimi A, Konstantinou N 2023
R. Soc. Open Sci
. 10, 230321 (doi:10.1098/rsos.230321)) sought to tackle this controversy via two well-powered TMS experiments, designed to correct possible methodological issues of previous attempts identified in a preceding systematic review and meta-analysis (Phylactou P, Traikapi A, Papadatou-Pastou M, Konstantinou N 2022
Psychon. Bull. Rev.
29, 1594–1624 (doi:10.3758/s13423-022-02107-y)). However, a key part of their critique and experimental design was based on a misunderstanding of the visual system. They disregarded two important anatomical facts, namely that early visual areas of each hemisphere represent the contralateral visual hemifield, and that each hemisphere receives equally strong input from each eye—both leading to confounded conditions and artefactual effects in their studies. Here, we explain the correct anatomy, describe why their experiments failed to address current issues in the literature and perform a thorough reanalysis of their TMS data revealing important null results. We conclude that the causal role of the visual cortex in VWM remains uncertain.
Comparability of comparative toxicity: insect sensitivity to imidacloprid reveals huge variations across species but also within species
Authors: Nagloo Nicolas , Rigosi Elisa , Herbertsson Lina , O'Carroll David C.
Published: June 2024

Pesticides have been identified as major drivers of insect biodiversity loss. Thus, the study of their effects on non-pest insect species has attracted a lot of attention in recent decades. In general toxicology, the ‘gold standard’ to assess the toxicity of a substance is to measure mass-specific LD
50
(i.e. median lethal dose per unit body mass). In entomology, reviews attempting to compare these data across all available studies are lacking. To fill this gap in knowledge, we performed a systematic review of the lethality of imidacloprid for adult insects. Imidacloprid is possibly the most extensively studied insecticide in recent times, yet we found that little is comparable across studies, owing to both methodological divergence and missing estimates of body mass. By accounting for body mass whenever possible, we show how imidacloprid sensitivity spans across an apparent range of approximately six orders of magnitude across insect species. Very high variability within species can also be observed owing to differences in exposure methods and observation time. We suggest that a more comparable and comprehensive approach has both biological and economic relevance. Ultimately, this would help to identify differences that could direct research towards preventing non-target species from being negatively affected.