bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(De)Securitising national minorities: The case of Singapore
Authors: Mok Julius CS
Published: August 2023

Singapore presents a unique case study for multiculturalists in that the state leans heavily in its promotion of racial demarcations whilst simultaneously propagating a narrative of the state “regardless of race, language or religion”. This paper argues that this apparent contradiction is a deliberate calculation to use multiculturalism to desecuritise an otherwise disparate multiracial society. Extending He’s (2018) sequencing of multicultural progress as an a priori development to desecuritisation, this paper moves past traditionally democratic assumptions to demonstrate how the Singaporean state has in effect desecuritised national minorities through semi-to-autocratic management of multiculturalism. Referring to ‘securitised multiculturalism’ that has become increasingly evident since the 2000s, the paper progresses to consider how terrorism has affected Singapore’s multicultural formulation and examines the state’s top-down responses to desecuritise the security element in ‘securitised multiculturalism’ to the extent that such is possible.
Mass spectrometry as a lens into molecular human nutrition and health
Authors: Kussmann Martin
Published: August 2023

Mass spectrometry (MS) has developed over the last decades into the most informative and versatile analytical technology in molecular and structural biology (). The platform enables discovery, identification, and characterisation of non-volatile biomolecules, such as proteins, peptides, DNA, RNA, nutrients, metabolites, and lipids at both speed and scale and can elucidate their interactions and effects. The versatility, robustness, and throughput have rendered MS a major research and development platform in molecular human health and biomedical science. More recently, MS has also been established as the central tool for ‘Molecular Nutrition’, enabling comprehensive and rapid identification and characterisation of macro- and micronutrients, bioactives, and other food compounds. ‘Molecular Nutrition’ thereby helps understand bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioefficacy of macro- and micronutrients and related health effects. Hence, MS provides a lens through which the fate of nutrients can be monitored along digestion via absorption to metabolism. This in turn provides the bioanalytical foundation for ‘Personalised Nutrition’ or ‘Precision Nutrition’ in which design and development of diets and nutritional products is tailored towards consumer and patient groups sharing similar genetic and environmental predisposition, health/disease conditions and lifestyles, and/or objectives of performance and wellbeing. The next level of integrated nutrition science is now being built as ‘Systems Nutrition’ where public and personal health data are correlated with life condition and lifestyle factors, to establish directional relationships between nutrition, lifestyle, environment, and health, eventually translating into science-based public and personal heath recommendations and actions. This account provides a condensed summary of the contributions of MS to a precise, quantitative, and comprehensive nutrition and health science and sketches an outlook on its future role in this fascinating and relevant field.
1 of 4: Evaluating a structural change in teacher college timetable as a post-COVID-19 response
Authors: Biberman-Shalev Liat , Broza Orit , Chamo Nurit , Govrin Shevi , Ettinger Karen
Published: August 2023

The study aims to explore the extent of satisfaction of 76 teacher educators (TEs) and 553 student teachers (STs) with new blended learning (BL) curricular-structural change titled “1 of 4.” Quantitative analysis revealed that both the TEs and the STs had a positive opinion regarding this structural change and recommended adopting it for future learning. However, significant differences between the TEs and STs were related to the cons: creating overwork and harming sequential learning. TEs’ and STs’ recommendations for improvement revealed that the TEs and STs mainly expressed traditional dispositions regarding their roles and their expectations from the new BL timetable. The main conclusion posits that structural change is crucial, but it may only act as the first step in redesigning teacher preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.
A Rare Case of Focal Renal Fibromuscular Dysplasia Treated With Angioplasty: A Case Report
Authors: Al-Falahi Abdulqader , Al-Aghbari Ghamdan , Al-Muriesh Maher
Published: August 2023

Background

Fibromuscular dysplasia is an idiopathic, segmental, nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory vascular disease that can lead to arterial stenosis, tortuosity, occlusion, aneurysms, and dissection. Fibromuscular dysplasia is a rare cause of hypertension that can easily be missed. To date, there has been no definitive treatment for fibromuscular dysplasia.

Case report

In this report, we present an uncommon case of renovascular hypertension in a 21-year-old non-white female with a 3-year history of hypertension secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia involving bilateral renal arteries. Computed tomography angiography during the arterial phase revealed distal focal narrowing of the right main renal artery, distal focal narrowing of the left main renal artery, and proximal focal narrowing of the left accessory lower renal artery. Percutaneous balloon dilatation of the stenotic lesion was performed successfully up to 1 year After the procedure, the arterial blood pressure was within the normal range (110/70 to 125/75 mmHg) without medication. After 1 year of follow-up, CTA revealed re-stenosis in left main renal artery without clinical symptoms and normal blood pressure. Repeated procedure was done successfully.

Conclusions

This case report highlights the difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of focal fibromuscular dysplasia in young non-white female patients. Computerized tomographic angiography is a useful tool for identifying the cause and showing the benefit of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty treatment for this rare entity, as an early percutaneous angioplasty intervention may have a clinical cure for hypertension.
Exploring the use of individualized consideration by minor hockey coaches
Authors: Matthews Alysha D , Erickson Karl
Published: August 2023

Transformational leadership has been presented as a tool for coaches to foster positive youth development. One component of this concept is individualized consideration (IC), where leaders show care through supporting their followers’ individual needs. Examining the unique context of minor hockey will provide a more nuanced and complex description of IC. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to demonstrate how minor hockey coaches consider individual differences and tailor their practice to athletes’ needs. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 male minor hockey coaches whose teams consisted of 9- to 13-year-old, predominantly male, athletes. Findings show these coaches demonstrated the use of IC through three steps (a) gathering information about their athletes (e.g. engaging in interactions), (b) assessing individual needs (e.g. developmental) and (c) acting to support IC (e.g. adjusting coaching practices). Findings suggest (a) IC can be implemented to support basic and more complex needs of athletes, (b) IC can be implemented with teams of athletes and (c) the context of minor hockey is constraining the implementation of IC.
Quercetin Suppresses Ferroptosis in Chondrocytes via Activating the Nrf2/ GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xu Gengrui , Lu Minghao , Fang Liang , Tian Fengxiang , Zhu Huaxu , Zhou Lingling , Zhou Xueping
Published: August 2023

Background: Osteoarthritis is a progressive chronic disease that lacks effective treatment strategies. Ferroptosis features may be involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Quercetin, a widely studied flavonoid compound, is considered a potential candidate for osteoarthritis therapies, although its anti-ferroptosis effect remains uncertain. This research aimed to investigate the regulatory impact of quercetin on ferroptosis and Nrf2 signaling in RSL3-induced C28/I2 cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay. Cellular lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry combined with C11-BODIPY 581/591 staining. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using an MDA assay kit. The level of GPX4 protein was determined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. The protein levels of nuclear-Nrf2 and HO-1 were confirmed using Western blotting. Results: Quercetin improved cell viability, reduced the accumulation of lipid ROS, decreased MDA levels, elevated the protein levels of GPX4 and HO-1, and enhanced nuclear-Nrf2 protein levels in the ferroptosis cell model induced by RSL3. Additionally, the Nrf2 agonist TBHQ reversed ferroptosis in chondrocytes by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, while the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 failed to protect against RSL3-induced ferroptosis in chondrocytes. Conclusion: Quercetin suppresses RSL3-induced ferroptosis in chondrocytes by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway, providing a promising therapeutic option for osteoarthritis.
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis presenting as a progression of disease in a patient with underlying congenital leukodystrophy: Case report
Authors: Friedman Garrett , Hammock James , Holtzman-Hayes Niki , Gluck Lauren
Published: August 2023

Anti-NMDA Receptor (NMDAR) Encephalitis (NMDARE) is an autoimmune disorder that is often debilitating and difficult to diagnose. Patients, especially those with underlying neuropsychiatric disorders, may experience delayed or misdiagnosis of NMDARE. Here, we report on a patient with known congenital leukodystrophy (CLD) and epilepsy with a challenging diagnosis of NMDARE. The patient first presented with progressive behavior changes and seizure-like episodes. Initial workup, including video EEG and brain MRI, were mostly unremarkable, and the patient's symptoms were resistant to treatment with multiple anti-epileptic drugs. Given the patient's complicated clinical history, his presentation was initially thought of as progression or exacerbation of his chronic disease. With continued lack of improvement, autoimmune encephalitis was considered. The patient was started on immunotherapy and autoimmune encephalitis panels were sent, which came back positive. He continued to improve over the next weeks and months. Despite a growing body of literature, our knowledge on confirmed risk factors for NMDAR remains limited outside of young age, ovarian teratomas, and herpes encephalitis. We know that maintenance of the blood brain barrier is key to preventing autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), and multiple congenital leukodystrophies exhibit pathology in the neurovascular unit. This is the first described case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in a patient with an underlying congenital leukodystrophy, which may reflect an underreported NMDAR encephalitis risk factor. With limited known risk factors and time to diagnosis and treatment so important, this case may reflect an important and underreported risk factor for NMDAR.
AI anxiety? Comparing the sociotechnical imaginaries of artificial intelligence in UK, Chinese and Indian newspapers
Authors: Wang Weili , Downey John , Yang Fan
Published: August 2023

A growing body of work insists that artificial intelligence (AI) must be regarded as a sociotechnical imaginary in the manner of earlier technologies. In this paper we contribute to this field by investigating the representation of AI across very different countries and across time to assess whether these representations are influenced by their socio-economic, political, and cultural contexts, and whether they change over time. By applying computational topic modelling methods, we investigate narratives around AI in 9 newspapers across the UK, China and India over a time frame of 12 years, from 2011 to 2022. Our results indicate that there are both dystopian and utopian narratives associated with AI, as indeed there have been with other technologies. Debates about AI tend very much to reflect national priorities, preoccupations, hopes and fears, all of which are projected onto emerging AI technologies.
Does Your Smartphone “Know” Your Social Life? A Methodological Comparison of Day Reconstruction, Experience Sampling, and Mobile Sensing
Authors: Roos Yannick , Krämer Michael D. , Richter David , Schoedel Ramona , Wrzus Cornelia
Published: August 2023

Mobile sensing is a promising method that allows researchers to directly observe human social behavior in daily life using people’s mobile phones. To date, limited knowledge exists on how well mobile sensing can assess the quantity and quality of social interactions. We therefore examined the agreement among experience sampling, day reconstruction, and mobile sensing in the assessment of multiple aspects of daily social interactions (i.e., face-to-face interactions, calls, and text messages) and the possible unique access to social interactions that each method has. Over 2 days, 320 smartphone users (51% female, age range = 18–80, M = 39.53 years) answered up to 20 experience-sampling questionnaires about their social behavior and reconstructed their days in a daily diary. Meanwhile, face-to-face and smartphone-mediated social interactions were assessed with mobile sensing. The results showed some agreement between measurements of face-to-face interactions and high agreement between measurements of smartphone-mediated interactions. Still, a large number of social interactions were captured by only one of the methods, and the quality of social interactions is still difficult to capture with mobile sensing. We discuss limitations and the unique benefits of day reconstruction, experience sampling, and mobile sensing for assessing social behavior in daily life.
Open Gluteus Medius Double-Row Repair With Acellular Allograft Augmentation
Authors: Capurro Bruno , Kaplan Daniel J. , Fenn Thomas W. , Chapman Reagan S. , Nho Shane J.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Gluteus medius tears are a common pathology affecting the lower extremity, predominantly in older female patients, and most often caused by chronic degenerative changes. Due to the associated morbidity with gluteus medius insufficiency, various surgical repair techniques are utilized, including open and endoscopic approaches, with equivalent biomechanical outcomes.

Indications:

Open gluteus medius double-row repair with acellular allograft augmentation is indicated for patients with massive, full thickness tears, full thickness tears with extensive retraction, degenerative tears, poor tissue quality, revision cases where tendon reduction to the footprint is challenging, and impaired hip abduction strength. The primary benefit of acellular allograft use is the provision of immediate structural strength to the repair construct.

Technique Description:

The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position, and a direct lateral incision is made over the greater trochanter. The gluteus medius and/or minimus tendons are identified, mobilized, and provisionally reduced to the footprint. The tendon footprint is then debrided, and proximal anchors are placed. The graft is provisionally fixed to the tendon with sutures anteriorly and posteriorly to ensure correct placement. Sutures are passed from the proximal row through the tendon and prepared allograft, where 1 suture limb from each mattress is placed into a double-row anchor in the distal row. Once secured, the repair is checked through a range of dynamic positions.

Results:

Although outcomes studies are limited, case series of patients undergoing open gluteus medius repair with allograft have demonstrated favorable patient-reported outcomes, improved pain, improved hip abduction strength, and improved gait.

Discussion:

Open gluteus medius repair with acellular allograft provides immediate structural strength to the repair construct and should be considered in patients with massive, full thickness tears with extensive retraction, degenerative tears with poor tissue quality, revision cases, and impaired hip abduction strength.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
Determining the Extent of Agreement for Determining the Echographic Ejection Fraction Determined by Emergency Medicine Residents Compared with a Cardiologist
Authors: Mohammadi Fatemeh , Tabibzadeh Dezfooli Seyedamir , Sadeghzadeh Babak , Chardoli Mojtaba , Basir Ghafouri Hamed , Rezai Mahdi , Mosaddegh Reza , Vaziri Samira
Published: August 2023

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of agreement on the measured echographic ejection fraction measured by emergency medicine (EM) residents compared with a cardiologist.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted with cardiac patients admitted to a hospital emergency department in Tehran, Iran. A total of 156 patient cases were reviewed. A group of trained EM residents evaluated the ejection fraction (EF) of these patients utilizing three different methods: Simpson’s method (N = 50), E-Point Septal Separation (EPSS, N = 56), and a visual technique (N = 50). A final assessment was made for all patients by a cardiologist.

Results:

In 69.3% of these patient cases, there was a significant correlation between the EM residents’ report and the cardiologists, with Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of .746 ( P < .001). The Kappa coefficient for the visual technique, Simpson’s method, and EPSS was .697, .467, and .487, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of EF measurements, provided by the EM residents, were 0.89%, 64.2%, 81.6%, and 76.5% compared with the cardiologist, respectively.

Conclusion:

This description study was done to determine the agreement of echocardiographic measurement of EF, assessed by trained EM residents, compared with a cardiologist’s review. In this case, the results demonstrated moderate to good agreement.
Telomere length and immunosuppression in non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis interstitial lung disease
Authors: Zhang David , Adegunsoye Ayodeji , Oldham Justin M. , Kozlitina Julia , Garcia Nicole , Poonawalla Maria , Strykowski Rachel , Linderholm Angela L. , Ley Brett , Ma Shwu-Fan , Noth Imre , Strek Mary E. , Wolters Paul J. , Garcia Christine Kim , Newton Chad A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Studies suggest a harmful pharmacogenomic interaction exists between short leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and immunosuppressants in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It remains unknown if a similar interaction exists in non-IPF interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods

A retrospective, multicentre cohort analysis was performed in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP), unclassifiable ILD (uILD) and connective tissue disease (CTD)-ILD patients from five centres. LTL was measured by quantitative PCR for discovery and replication cohorts and expressed as age-adjusted percentiles of normal. Inverse probability of treatment weights based on propensity scores were used to assess the association between mycophenolate or azathioprine exposure and age-adjusted LTL on 2-year transplant-free survival using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression incorporating time-dependent immunosuppressant exposure.

Results

The discovery and replication cohorts included 613 and 325 patients, respectively. In total, 40% of patients were exposed to immunosuppression and 22% had LTL <10th percentile of normal. fHP and uILD patients with LTL <10th percentile experienced reduced survival when exposed to either mycophenolate or azathioprine in the discovery cohort (mortality hazard ratio (HR) 4.97, 95% CI 2.26–10.92; p<0.001) and replication cohort (mortality HR 4.90, 95% CI 1.74–13.77; p=0.003). Immunosuppressant exposure was not associated with differential survival in patients with LTL ≥10th percentile. There was a significant interaction between LTL <10th percentile and immunosuppressant exposure (discovery pinteraction=0.013; replication pinteraction=0.011). Low event rate and prevalence of LTL <10th percentile precluded subgroup analyses for CTD-ILD.

Conclusion

Similar to IPF, fHP and uILD patients with age-adjusted LTL <10th percentile may experience reduced survival when exposed to immunosuppression.
Effectiveness of long-term noninvasive ventilation measured by remote monitoring in neuromuscular disease
Authors: Orr Jeremy E. , Chen Kenneth , Vaida Florin , Schmickl Christopher N. , Laverty Chamindra G. , Ravits John , Lesser Daniel , Bhattacharjee Rakesh , Malhotra Atul , Owens Robert L.
Published: August 2023

Background and objective

Patients with neuromuscular disease are often treated with home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) with devices capable of remote patient monitoring. We sought to determine whether long-term NIV data could provide insight into the effectiveness of ventilation over time.

Methods

We abstracted available longitudinal data for adults with neuromuscular disease in monthly increments from first available to most recent. Generalised linear mixed-effects modelling with subject-level random effects was used to evaluate trajectories over time.

Results

1799 months of data across 85 individuals (median age 61, interquartile range (IQR) 46–71 years; 44% female; 49% amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)) were analysed, with a median (IQR) of 17 (8–35) months per individual. Over time, tidal volume increased and respiratory rate decreased. Dynamic respiratory system compliance decreased, accompanied by increased pressure support. Compared to volume-assured mode, fixed-pressure modes were associated with lower initial tidal volume, higher respiratory rate and lower pressures, which did not fully equalise with volume-assured mode over time. Compared with non-ALS patients, those with ALS had lower initial pressure support, but faster increases in pressure support over time, and ALS was associated wtih a more robust increase in respiratory rate in response to low tidal volume. Nonsurvivors did not differ from survivors in ventilatory trajectories over time, but did exhibit decreasing NIV use prior to death, in contrast with stable use in survivors.

Conclusion

NIV keeps breathing patterns stable over time, but support needs are dynamic and influenced by diagnosis and ventilation mode. Mortality is preceded by decreased NIV use rather than inadequate support during use.
Cannabis smoke suppresses antiviral immune responses to influenza A in mice
Authors: Milad Nadia , Fantauzzi Matthew F. , McGrath Joshua J.C. , Cass Steven P. , Thayaparan Danya , Wang Peiyao , Afkhami Sam , Aguiar Jennifer A. , Ask Kjetil , Doxey Andrew C. , Stampfli Martin R. , Hirota Jeremy A.
Published: August 2023

Rationale

Despite its increasingly widespread use, little is known about the impact of cannabis smoking on the response to viral infections like influenza A virus (IAV). Many assume that cannabis smoking will disrupt antiviral responses in a manner similar to cigarette smoking; however, since cannabinoids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, cannabis smoke exposure may impact viral infection in distinct ways.

Methods

Male and female BALB/c mice were exposed daily to cannabis smoke and concurrently intranasally instilled with IAV. Viral burden, inflammatory mediator levels (multiplex ELISA), lung immune cells populations (flow cytometry) and gene expression patterns (RNA sequencing) were assessed in the lungs. Plasma IAV-specific antibodies were measuredviaELISA.

Results

We found that cannabis smoke exposure increased pulmonary viral burden while decreasing total leukocytes, including macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cell populations in the lungs. Furthermore, infection-induced upregulation of certain inflammatory mediators (interferon-γ and C-C motif chemokine ligand 5) was blunted by cannabis smoke exposure, which in females was linked to the transcriptional downregulation of pathways involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. Finally, plasma levels of IAV-specific IgM and IgG1 were significantly decreased in cannabis smoke-exposed, infected mice compared to infected controls, only in female mice.

Conclusions

Overall, cannabis smoke exposure disrupted host-defence processes, leading to increased viral burden and dampened inflammatory signalling. These results suggest that cannabis smoking is detrimental to the maintenance of pulmonary homeostasis during viral infection and highlight the need for data regarding the impact on immune competency in humans.
NuBot: A Magnetic Adhesion Robot with Passive Suspension to Inspect the Steel Lining
Authors: Xu Hao , Han Youcheng , He Mingda , Li Yinghui , Guo Weizhong
Published: August 2023

The steel lining of huge facilities is a significant structure, which experiences extreme environments and needs to be inspected periodically after manufacture. However, due to the complexity (crisscross welds, curved surface, etc.) of their inside environments, high demands for stable adhesion and curvature adaptability are put forward. This paper presents a novel wheeled magnetic adhesion robot with passive suspension applied in nuclear power containment called NuBot, and mainly focuses on the following aspects: (1) proposing the wheeled locomotion suspension to adapt the robot to the uneven surface; (2) implementing the parameter optimization of NuBot. A comprehensive optimization model is established, and global optimal dimensions are properly chosen from performance atlases; (3) determining the normalization factor and actual dimensional parameters by constraints of the steel lining environment; (4) structure design of the overall robot and the magnetic wheels are completed. Experiments show that the robot can achieve precise locomotion on both strong and weak magnetic walls with various inclination angles, and can stably cross the 5 mm weld seam. Besides, its maximum payload capacity reaches 3.6 kg. Results show that the NuBot designed by the proposed systematic method has good comprehensive capabilities of surface-adaptability, adhesion stability, and payload. Besides, the robot can be applied in more ferromagnetic environments and the design method offers guidance for similar wheeled robots with passive suspension.
Data visualisation in scoping reviews and evidence maps on health topics: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: South Emily , Rodgers Mark
Published: August 2023

Background

Scoping reviews and evidence maps are forms of evidence synthesis that aim to map the available literature on a topic and are well-suited to visual presentation of results. A range of data visualisation methods and interactive data visualisation tools exist that may make scoping reviews more useful to knowledge users. The aim of this study was to explore the use of data visualisation in a sample of recent scoping reviews and evidence maps on health topics, with a particular focus on interactive data visualisation.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE ALL was searched for recent scoping reviews and evidence maps (June 2020-May 2021), and a sample of 300 papers that met basic selection criteria was taken. Data were extracted on the aim of each review and the use of data visualisation, including types of data visualisation used, variables presented and the use of interactivity. Descriptive data analysis was undertaken of the 238 reviews that aimed to map evidence.

Results

Of the 238 scoping reviews or evidence maps in our analysis, around one-third (37.8%) included some form of data visualisation. Thirty-five different types of data visualisation were used across this sample, although most data visualisations identified were simple bar charts (standard, stacked or multi-set), pie charts or cross-tabulations (60.8%). Most data visualisations presented a single variable (64.4%) or two variables (26.1%). Almost a third of the reviews that used data visualisation did not use any colour (28.9%). Only two reviews presented interactive data visualisation, and few reported the software used to create visualisations.

Conclusions

Data visualisation is currently underused by scoping review authors. In particular, there is potential for much greater use of more innovative forms of data visualisation and interactive data visualisation. Where more innovative data visualisation is used, scoping reviews have made use of a wide range of different methods. Increased use of these more engaging visualisations may make scoping reviews more useful for a range of stakeholders.
Over a century of small hydropower projects in Indonesia: a historical review
Authors: Rospriandana Naufal , Burke Paul J. , Suryani Amalia , Mubarok M. Husni , Pangestu Miranda A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Hydropower is a mature energy technology and one that could play a more important role in providing clean and reliable energy. In small-scale contexts, hydropower is useful for providing electricity access, balancing intermittent resources, and as a potential source of energy storage. This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the development of the small hydropower (SHP) sector in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country.

Methods

Two research methods were employed: secondary data analysis through a desk review of relevant literature and primary data collection through site visits and expert and stakeholder interviews. Two case studies of micro-hydro applications in community-based rural electrification were analyzed. The paper explores how SHP projects were initiated, lessons learned, and policy recommendations of relevance to further development of distributed small-scale renewable energy in Indonesia.

Results

The sector commenced during the Dutch Era and now centers on both community-based rural electrification projects and commercial schemes under the independent power producer (IPP) approach. Since the late 1980s, initiatives to implement SHP for rural electrification have flourished through various programs. Key regulatory, economic, and technical barriers include inconsistent and unclear supporting regulations, especially regarding electricity prices; artificially low retail electricity prices; capital and borrowing constraints; advantages provided to fossil fuels; limited technical experience and capabilities of project developers and project sponsors; risks from floods, earthquakes, and landslides; constraints on supporting infrastructure; and limited grid links. The most successful and sustainable SHP projects are ones that provide local economic benefits and for which local communities are empowered with ownership and have responsibility for maintenance.

Conclusions

SHP will remain small from a macro perspective but could still play a key role in further improving energy access and equity in remote areas. Key initiatives to facilitate this development could include local-level capacity building and project participation and the adequate pricing of negative externalities from fossil fuel projects. Indonesia’s long experience with SHP carries lessons for other developing countries.
Connect To Care (C2C): protocol for two-site randomized controlled pilot trial to improve outcomes for patients with hazardous drinking and PTSD and/or depression symptoms
Authors: Cucciare Michael A. , Marchant Kathy , Benton Cristy , Hildebrand Deanna , Ghaus Sharfun , Han Xiaotong , Thompson Ronald G. , Timko Christine
Published: August 2023

Background

In studies of the general population and of military veterans, many primary care patients with hazardous drinking and PTSD and/or depression (abbreviated here as HD +) do not initiate or engage with alcohol-related care. To address this gap in care, we identified and will pilot test a promising evidence-based intervention, Connect To Care (C2C). C2C is a strengths-based approach, delivered by a Care Coach by telephone and/or video, with four components: (1) identifying and leveraging patient strengths to facilitate care initiation, (2) collaborative decision-making around a menu of care options, (3) identifying and resolving barriers to care, and (4) monitoring and facilitating progress toward care initiation by, for example, checking on barriers, identifying solutions, and revisiting care options.

Methods/Design

Aim 1 will involve adapting C2C for use in Veterans Affairs’ (VA) primary care. We will use an iterative process that includes focus groups and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (patients, primary care providers, and VA national policy leaders). In Aim 2, we will conduct a two-site, pilot randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility of conducting a larger scale trial to test C2C’s effectiveness, ascertain the acceptability of C2C among primary care patients with HD + , and explore the efficacy of C2C to improve veteran patients’ initiation of and engagement in alcohol care, and their alcohol and mental health (PTSD, depression) outcomes, at 3-month follow-up. We will explore explanatory mechanisms by which C2C is effective.

Discussion

Study findings are likely to have implications for clinical practice to enhance current approaches to linking patients with HD + to alcohol care by applying a practical intervention such as C2C. The results may improve treatment outcomes for people with HD + by drawing on patients’ strengths to problem-solve barriers to care following a process of shared decision-making with a coach. In addition to possibly accelerating the translation of C2C into practice, study findings will also support additional research in terms of a planned effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial, adding to this study’s potential for high impact.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05023317.
Correlation analysis of quantitative MRI measurements of thigh muscles with histopathology in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
Authors: Wang Fengdan , Fang Shiyuan , Li Jia , Yuan Ling , Hou Bo , Zhu Jinxia , Jiao Yang , Liu Zhi , Qian Min , Santini Francesco , Wang Qian , Chen Lin , Feng Feng
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To validate the correlation between histopathological findings and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) fat fraction (FF) and water T2 mapping in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Methods

The study included 13 patients with histopathologically confirmed IIM who underwent dedicated thigh qMRI scanning within 1 month before open muscle biopsy. For the biopsied muscles, FF derived from the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation quantitation (IDEAL-IQ) and T2 time from T2 mapping with chemical shift selective fat saturation were measured using a machine learning software. Individual histochemical and immunohistochemical slides were evaluated using a 5-point Likert score. Inter-reader agreement and the correlation between qMRI markers and histopathological scores were analyzed.

Results

Readers showed good to perfect agreement in qMRI measurements and most histopathological scores. FF of the biopsied muscles was positively correlated with the amount of fat in histopathological slides (p = 0.031). Prolonged T2 time was associated with the degree of variation in myofiber size, inflammatory cell infiltration, and amount of connective tissues (p ≤ 0.008 for all).

Conclusions

Using the machine learning-based muscle segmentation method, a positive correlation was confirmed between qMRI biomarkers and histopathological findings of patients with IIM. This finding provides a basis for using qMRI as a non-invasive tool in the diagnostic workflow of IIM.

Relevance statement

By using ML-based muscle segmentation, a correlation between qMRI biomarkers and histopathology was found in patients with IIM: qMRI is a potential non-invasive tool in this clinical setting.

Key points

• Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging measurements using machine learning-based muscle segmentation have good consistency and reproductivity.

• Fat fraction of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) correlated with the amount of fat at histopathology.

• Prolonged T2 time was associated with muscle inflammation in IIM.

Graphical Abstract
Integrated structure model-based virtual screening approaches identified anti-cancer agents against prostate cancer by targeting MAOB protein
Authors: Molla Mohammad Habibur Rahman , Asseri Amer H. , Islam Md. Shafiqul
Published: August 2023

Background

Flavin monoamine oxidase gene encodes a protein (MAOB) that forms a part of the flavin monoamine oxidase family in the outer membrane of mitochondria. It plays a role in the tissue metabolism of neuroactive and vasoactive amines as well as the oxidative deamination of xenobiotic and biogenic amines. However, overexpression of the receptor reduced apoptosis in cells, resulting in the progress of prostate sarcoma. Therefore, various kinds of MAOB antagonists are often used to fix an apoptosis mechanism that makes it hard to get rid of cancer from live tissues. Moreover, chemical compounds that have been discovered to be MAOB inhibitors to date exhibit side effects that are causing problems in chemotherapy treatment. The study aims to discover new purchasable compound that induces apoptosis by allowing caspases to operate at their maximum efficiency and is low toxic.

Methods

With the assistance of virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation (MD), a structure-based pharmacophore model of the protein active site cavity was made. Twenty hits were found, and then a molecular docking strategy was used to choose four molecules to study in more depth. MD simulations were used to check the stability of the four compounds, and they were all shown to be stable when bound to the target protein.

Results

Four newly discovered compounds, included with ZINC ID Such as ZINC12143050, ZINC08301324, ZINC16743012, and ZINC64165826 with binding scores of − 11.7, − 11.4, − 11.2 and − 11.1 kcal/mol, respectively, may serve as lead compounds for the treatment of prostate cancer associated with MAOB; however, further evaluation through wet lab is needed to determine the compounds effectiveness.

Conclusion

A structure-based model was initially developed, followed by molecular docking, ADMET analysis, and MD simulation. The top four natural compounds identified in the A-to-Z virtual screening process could serve as lead molecules in the fight against prostate cancer.
Trace-wise coherent noise suppression via a self-supervised blind-trace deep-learning scheme
Authors: Liu Sixiu , Birnie Claire , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: August 2023

Seismic data denoising via supervised deep learning is effective and popular but requires noise-free labels, which are rarely available. Blind-spot networks circumvent this requirement by training directly on noisy data and have been demonstrated to be a powerful suppressor of random noise. In this work, we expand the methodology of blind-spot networks to create a blind-trace network that successfully removes trace-wise coherent noise. An extensive synthetic analysis illustrates the denoising procedure’s robustness to varying noise levels and varying numbers of noisy traces within shot gathers. It is demonstrated that the network can accurately learn to suppress the noise when up to 60% of the original traces are noisy. Furthermore, our procedure is implemented on the Stratton 3D field data set and demonstrates the restoration of the previously corrupted direct arrivals. In addition to trace-wise noise suppression, we adapt the blind-spot networks to the successful suppression of colored Gaussian noise, which exhibits varying coherent properties in time and spatial axes. Our adaptation of the blind-spot networks paves the way for its use in other applications, such as the suppression of coherent noise arising from wellsite activity, passing vessels, or nearby industrial activity.
Using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify genes required for mechanosensory neuron development and function
Authors: Johnson Christopher J. , Kulkarni Akhil , Buxton William J. , Hui Tsz Y. , Kayastha Anusha , Khoja Alwin A. , Leandre Joviane , Mehta Vanshika V. , Ostrowski Logan , Pareizs Erica G. , Scotto Rebecca L. , Vargas Vanesa , Vellingiri Raveena M. , Verzino Giulia , Vohra Rhea , Wakade Saurabh C. , Winkeljohn Veronica M. , Winkeljohn Victoria M. , Rotterman Travis M. , Stolfi Alberto
Published: August 2023

Tunicates are marine, non-vertebrate chordates that comprise the sister group to the vertebrates. Most tunicates have a biphasic lifecycle that alternates between a swimming larva and a sessile adult. Recent advances have shed light on the neural basis for the tunicate larva's ability to sense a proper substrate for settlement and initiate metamorphosis. Work in the highly tractable laboratory model tunicate Ciona robusta suggests that sensory neurons embedded in the anterior papillae transduce mechanosensory stimuli to trigger larval tail retraction and initiate the process of metamorphosis. Here, we take advantage of the low-cost and simplicity of Ciona by using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis to screen for genes potentially involved in mechanosensation and metamorphosis, in the context of an undergraduate ‘capstone’ research course. This small screen revealed at least one gene, Vamp1/2/3, which appears crucial for the ability of the papillae to trigger metamorphosis. We also provide step-by-step protocols and tutorials associated with this course, in the hope that it might be replicated in similar CRISPR-based laboratory courses wherever Ciona are available.
An interaction between OTULIN and SCRIB uncovers roles for linear ubiquitination in planar cell polarity
Authors: Almeida Stephanie M. , Ivantsiv Sofiia , Niibori Rieko , Dunham Wade H. , Green Brooke A. , Zhao Liang , Gingras Anne-Claude , Cordes Sabine P.
Published: August 2023

Planar cell polarity (PCP) plays critical roles in developmental and homeostatic processes. Membrane presentation of PCP complexes containing Van Gogh-like (VANGL) transmembrane proteins is central to PCP and can be directed by the scaffold protein scribble (SCRIB). The role atypical linear ubiquitin (Met1-Ub) chains might play in PCP is unknown. Here, HEK293 cell-based interactomic analyses of the Met1-Ub deubiquitinase OTULIN revealed that OTULIN can interact with SCRIB. Moreover, Met1-Ub chains associated with VANGL2 and PRICKLE1, but not SCRIB, can direct VANGL2 surface presentation. Mouse embryos lacking Otulin showed variable neural tube malformations, including rare open neural tubes, a deficit associated with PCP disruption in mice. In Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, in which the enrichment of VANGL2-GFP proteins at cell-cell contacts represents activated PCP complexes, endogenous OTULIN was recruited to these sites. In the human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell model, OTULIN loss caused deficits in Wnt5a-induced filopodia extension and trafficking of transfected HA-VANGL2. Taken together, these findings support a role for linear (de)ubiquitination in PCP signaling. The association of Met1-Ub chains with PCP complex components offers new opportunities for integrating PCP signaling with OTULIN-dependent immune and inflammatory pathways.
An Assessment of Contemporary Methods and Data-Enabled Approaches for Early Cataract Detection
Authors: Muchibwa Chris , Eldaw Muawya H. Sarnoub ,   Mu Mu, Agyeman Michael Opoku
Published: August 2023

Background: Cataracts are common causes of visual impairment. Preventing blindness requires an early and accurate diagnosis. This review examines current cataract diagnosis strategies, explores data-driven machine learning algorithms for early detection, investigates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, assesses improvements in cataract detection accuracy, identifies research gaps, and provides recommendations for future studies.

Methods: We gathered labelled cataract and non-cataract fundus data from the Kaggle. Scholarly publications were sourced from reliable databases such as  ProQuest, IEEE, ELSEVIER, Google Scholar, and PubMed. A detailed literature search with specific terms expanded the scope of this review. We included studies that used cataract and non-cataract fundus eye images from cross-sectional, retrospective, and prospective studies. The quality assessment used the AMSTAR tool, considering factors such as literature search comprehensiveness, study selection criteria, data extraction methodologies, and study validity (Table 1).

Results: This study encompassed 130 research publications, focusing on machine learning models and clinical-based diagnostic approaches for early-stage cataract identification. The performance of machine-learning models is influenced by factors such as dataset noise and limited reliable data. Barriers to the successful implementation of AI for cataract diagnosis were identified.

Conclusions: This review emphasises the obstacles hindering the broad application of AI in cataract diagnosis. Addressing these findings is vital for developing strategies to overcome these challenges and enhance cataract detection systems. To achieve improved accuracy and efficiency in cataract diagnosis, future research should prioritise efforts to enhance dataset availability and quality, reduce data noise, and refine machine-learning algorithms. Unlocking the full potential of AI and/or machine learning can lead to significant breakthroughs in cataract diagnosis, ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes and reduced visual impairments.
Measurement uncertainty interval in case of a known relationship between precision and mean
Authors: Uhlig Steffen , Colson Bertrand , Gowik Petra
Published: August 2023

Background: Measurement uncertainty is typically expressed in terms of a symmetric interval y±U, where y denotes the measurement result and U the expanded uncertainty. However, in the case of heteroscedasticity, symmetric uncertainty intervals can be misleading. In this paper, a different approach for the calculation of uncertainty intervals is introduced.

Methods: This approach is applicable when a validation study has been conducted with samples with known concentrations. In a first step, test results are obtained at the different known concentration levels. Then, on the basis of precision estimates, a prediction range is calculated. The measurement uncertainty for a given test result can then be obtained by projecting the intersection of the test result with the limits of the prediction range back onto the axis of the known values, now interpreted as representing the measurand.

Results: It will be shown how, under certain circumstances, asymmetric uncertainty intervals arise quite naturally and lead to more reliable uncertainty intervals.

Conclusions:  This article establishes a conceptual framework in which measurement uncertainty can be derived from precision whenever the relationship between the latter and concentration has been characterized. This approach is applicable for different types of distributions. Closed expressions for the limits of the uncertainty interval are provided for the simple case of normally distributed test results and constant relative standard deviation.
The genome sequence of the Mullein moth, Shargacucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Lawniczak Mara K.N. , Holland Peter W. H. ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Shargacucullia verbasci (the Mullein moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 422.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.32 kilobases in length.