bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences with distributed acoustic sensing using both straight and helically wound fibers in surface-deployed cables — A case history in Groningen, The Netherlands
Authors: Al Hasani Musab , Drijkoningen Guy
Published: August 2023

Distributed acoustic sensing has been limited in its use for surface-seismic reflection measurements due to the fiber’s decreased broadside sensitivity when the fiber is deployed horizontally. Deploying the fiber in a helically wound fashion has the promise of being more sensitive to broadside waves (e.g., P-wave reflections) and less sensitive to surface waves than a straight fiber (SF). We examine such claims and compare the responses of SFs and helically wound fibers (HWFs) with different wrapping angles, using standard and engineered fibers. These fibers have been buried in a 2 m deep trench in a farmland in the province of Groningen in The Netherlands, where we performed an active-source survey. We observe in our field data that using HWF has a destructive effect on the surface-wave amplitudes. Our data confirms the effect of the wrapping angle on the polarity of the surface-wave arrival and the dampening effect of the helical winding, behaving in quite a predictable fashion. Apart from the effect of the wrapping angle, the different design choices, e.g., cable filling and material type, do not show a significant effect on the amplitude of the signals. As for P-wave reflections, we observe that engineered SF and HWF provide reflection images comparable with those obtained from simultaneously deployed geophones at the surface despite the SF’s decreased broadside sensitivity. A polarity reversal and an amplitude difference between the SF and HWFs are observed. Finally, we demonstrate that the combined use of SF and HWF proved to be useful because SF showed better sensitivity in the shallower part and HWF in the deeper part.
Each state in a one-dimensional disordered system has two localization lengths when the Hilbert space is constrained
Authors: Xiong Ye
Published: August 2023

In disordered systems, the amplitudes of the localized states will decrease exponentially away from their centers and the localization lengths characterize such decrease. In this paper, we find a model in which each eigenstate is decreasing at two distinct rates. The model is a one-dimensional disordered system with a constrained Hilbert space: all eigenstates

should be orthogonal to a state

, where

is a given exponentially localized state. Although the dimension of the Hilbert space is only reduced by 1, the amplitude of each state will decrease at one rate near its center and at another rate in the rest of the region. Depending on

, it is also possible that all states are changed from localized states to extended states. In such a case, the level spacing distribution is different from that of the three well-known ensembles of the random matrices. This indicates that a new ensemble of random matrices exists in this model. Finally we discuss the physics behind such phenomena and propose an experiment to observe them.
Successful Management of Cushing Syndrome From Ectopic ACTH Secretion in an Adolescent With Osilodrostat
Authors: Blew Kathryn , Van Mater David , Page Laura
Published: August 2023

A previously healthy 11-year-old male was found to have a mass in the pancreatic head after several months of abdominal pain and jaundice. Pathology was consistent with a World Health Organization grade 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. He developed refractory hypertension and was found to have Cushing syndrome from ectopic ACTH secretion, with oligometastatic liver disease. He underwent surgical resection of the pancreatic tumor and metastases. Postoperatively, his Cushing syndrome resolved, but it reemerged 1 year later in the setting of disease recurrence. He was not a candidate for bilateral adrenalectomy. Ketoconazole therapy was inadequate and he was started on metyrapone, lanreotide, cabergoline, and spironolactone. Although this regimen was well-tolerated, his Cushing syndrome recurred 4 months later as his metastatic disease burden increased. Osilodrostat was begun and the dose was gradually increased in response to his uncontrolled Cushing syndrome. Osilodrostat resulted in rapid improvement and eventual normalization of his urinary free cortisol at a dose of 18 mg twice daily. He had no adverse effects. This rare case highlights the successful off-label use of osilodrostat, a medication intended for refractory Cushing disease in adult patients, in a pediatric patient with Cushing syndrome caused by ectopic ACTH secretion.
Sleep Disorders in Patients with Neurologic Disease
Authors: Lee-Iannotti Joyce K.
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

This article provides an overview of the growing body of evidence showing bidirectional relationships between sleep and various neurologic disorders.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Mounting evidence demonstrates that disrupted sleep can negatively impact various neurologic disease processes, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and headache syndromes. Abnormal sleep can also be a precursor to Alzheimer disease and neurodegenerative disease states such as Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Interventions to improve sleep and treat obstructive sleep apnea may play a vital role in preventing neurologic disease development and progression.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Sleep disorders are common among patients with neurologic disorders. To provide comprehensive care to patients with neurologic conditions, neurologists must ask patients about sleep issues that may warrant further diagnostic testing, treatment, and sleep medicine referral when indicated.
A Rab39-Klp98A-Rab35 endocytic recycling pathway is essential for rapid Golgi-dependent furrow ingression
Authors: Miao Hui , Millage Megan , Rollins Katherine R. , Blankenship J. Todd
Published: August 2023

Ingression of the plasma membrane is an essential part of the cell topology-distorting repertoire and a key element in animal cell cytokinesis. Many embryos have rapid cleavage stages in which they are furrowing powerhouses, quickly forming and disassembling cleavage furrows on timescales of just minutes. Previous work has shown that cytoskeletal proteins and membrane trafficking coordinate to drive furrow ingression, but where these membrane stores are derived from and how they are directed to furrowing processes has been less clear. Here, we identify an extensive Rab35/Rab4>Rab39/Klp98A>trans-Golgi network (TGN) endocytic recycling pathway necessary for fast furrow ingression in the Drosophila embryo. Rab39 is present in vesiculotubular compartments at the TGN where it receives endocytically derived cargo through a Rab35/Rab4-dependent pathway. A Kinesin-3 family member, Klp98A, drives the movements and tubulation activities of Rab39, and disruption of this Rab39-Klp98A-Rab35 pathway causes deep furrow ingression defects and genomic instability. These data suggest that an endocytic recycling pathway rapidly remobilizes membrane cargo from the cell surface and directs it to the trans-Golgi network to permit the initiation of new cycles of cleavage furrow formation.
Comparative evaluation of transtheoretical model, multi theory model and hybrid theory model on the efficacy in smoking cessation among smokers: protocol for a cluster randomized interventional study.
Authors: paul madhu priyanka , Zahiruddin Quazi Syed , wankhede Anand
Published: August 2023

Background: Consumption of tobacco all over the world is considered to create morbidity and mortality that could be potentially preventable. Tobacco is said to be the major cause for non-communicable disease all over the world. Mortality because of NCDs responsible for about 63%. Total 80% of the deaths related to tobacco occur in the Low- and Middle-Income Countries throughout the world.

Aim: This protocol will aid in conduct of research to assess and compare the efficacy of Multi theory Model and Modified Multi theory model as against Transtheoretical model

Methods: The research will be carried out in a primary health care facility. The study design is three arm parallel cluster randomized interventional trial and cluster sampling method has been selected.  The sample size has been calculated to 240 i.e 80 in each group.  The Study will be conducted in primary health centre of the university for conducting community-based projects. The personnel at the main health centre will create the allotment sequence, register candidates, and allocate people to interventions Participant Identification Form, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Smoking Abstinence Scale, and urine cotinine level will be used to collect data. In- person interviews will be conducted by the researcher for assessing the data. Following the completion of the trainings, post-test data was obtained by handling all data collecting instruments, including the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Smoking Abstinence Scale, and urine cotinine level. Participant Identification Form: the form, which was prepared by the researcher in line with the related literature, included 16 questions.

 Expected Outcome: On overcoming the limitations of transtheoretical model by conducting theory comparison and multiple-behavior research can prove to be a better approach for smoking cessation to the community.
The impact of shift-work light conditions on tissue-specific circadian rhythms of canonical clock genes: insights from a mouse model study
Authors: Koritala Bala S. C. , Dakup Panshak P. , Porter Kenneth I. , Gaddameedhi Shobhan
Published: August 2023

Background: The natural day-night cycle synchronizes our circadian rhythms, but modern work practices like night shifts disrupt this pattern, leading to increased exposure to nighttime light. This exposure is linked to various health issues. While some studies have explored the effects of night shifts on human circadian rhythms, there is limited research on the consequences of long-term exposure to shift-work light conditions. Rodents can provide valuable insights into these effects. This study aimed to examine how short- or long-term exposure to rotating shifts and chronic jetlag affects the core circadian oscillators in the liver and skin of mammals.

Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to simulated shift-work light conditions, including short-term or long-term rotating shifts and chronic jet-lag conditions. Liver and skin samples were collected every four hours over a 24-hour period on the second day of constant darkness. RNA was extracted and qRT-PCR analysis was conducted to measure the circadian gene expression in liver and skin tissues. Circadian rhythm analysis using CircaCompare compared the control group to mice exposed to shift-work light conditions.

Results: The liver's circadian clock is significantly altered in mice under long-term rotating shift conditions, with a lesser but still noticeable impact in mice experiencing chronic jetlag. However, short-term rotating shift conditions do not significantly affect the liver's circadian clock. Conversely, all three simulated shift conditions affect the skin's circadian clock, indicating that the skin clock is more sensitive to shift-work light conditions than the liver clock. Compared to the liver, the skin's circadian clock is greatly affected by long-term rotating shift conditions.

Conclusions: The study findings indicate more pronounced disturbances in the canonical clock genes of the skin compared to the liver under simulated shift-work light conditions. These results suggest that the skin clock is more vulnerable to the effects of shift-work.
Composition and hepatoprotective effect of geopropolis of Melipona subnitida
Authors: Rodrigues de Paiva Kaliane Alessandra , Salatino Antonio , Negri Giuseppina , Palacios Jara Carmen Eusebia , Araújo Júnior Hélio Noberto de , Costa Kizzy Millenn de Freitas Mendonça , Almeida Viana Geysa , Silva Félix Natanael , Aquino Carvalho Mariana , Ferreira Pessoa Hilgarde , da Silva Teófilo Tiago , Batista Jael Soares
Published: August 2023

Background: Geopropolis produced by bees of the subfamily Meliponinae (Hymenoptera, Apidae) is used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of different diseases. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of the hydroethanolic extract from geopropolis (HPE) produced by Melipona subnitida Ducke. Additionally, the chemical composition of HPE and antioxidant activity were also evaluated.

Methods: The hepatoprotective potential of HPE was evaluated by serum biochemical profile and macroscopic and histological examination of the liver of 24 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), distributed in four experimental groups: G1 (negative control), G2 (HPE), G3 (HPE plus acetaminophen), G4 (acetaminophen - positive control). The HPLC-DADESI-MS/MS method was used to evaluate the chemical composition of HPE and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was used to measure the antioxidant activity of geopropolis.

Results: While HPE alone (G2) caused no liver injury, the livers of G4 exhibited color and histological alterations, extensive hemorrhagic suffusions, friable consistence, yellowish-white multifocal areas, degeneration and diffuse hepatocyte necrosis, in addition to altered levels of urea and enzymes TGO (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) and TGP (glutamic pyruvic transaminase). HPE was shown to exert hepatoprotective effect in G3 animals, only mild hemorrhage and focal areas of vacuolar degeneration and hepatocyte necrosis having been observed. The geopropolis analyzed contains a high diversity of phenolic compounds, including chalcones, flavones and flavonols. high antioxidant activity was determined (IC50=48 μg/mL).

Conclusions: The hydroethanolic extract of the geopropolis produced by M. subnitida has a high diversity of phenolic compounds and a high antioxidant activity. It has hepatoprotective action, as evidenced by a reduction in the levels of enzymaraes and the severity of the macroscopic and histological changes in livers of Wistar rats subjected to acetaminophen induced liver changes.
Simple models for neuroscience research discoveries: how often are these models used in Africa?
Authors: Hamidu Suleiman Kwairanga , Umar Ahmad , Abdulazeez Rashidat , Muhammad Zaid , Alkhamis Abdulrahman Idris , Umar Mohammed , Ladan Ahmad Aliyu , Nasr Fayza Eid , Ahmad Aisha , Musa Sunday Abraham , Ya'u Jamilu , Hamman Wilson Oliver , Isah Murtala Bindawa , Bello Sanusi Muhammad , Yoshimatsu Takeshi , Issa Sabi Raouf , Bukar Maina Mahmoud
Published: August 2023

Background: Simple animal model systems such as Drosophila, Caenorhabditis Elegans and Zebrafish have enabled numerous breakthroughs in understanding human health and disease. Owing to their cheap maintenance cost, adopting these model systems will improve research in Africa. However, the extent to which these models are used across Africa is unknown. This study aimed to identify how often these models are used in Africa.

Methods: We downloaded all the PUBMED-indexed publications from the year 2000 to 2021 that have an African affiliation and have mentioned Drosophila, C. elegans or Zebrafish. We manually curated the information on the experimental use of these model systems, author affiliations and details of funding from research publications. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the major hotspots for the use of the model systems and funders, and the pattern of local and international collaborations.  

Results: Of the 1851 publications in which at least one of the models was mentioned, only 168 used at least one for the actual investigation. With an average of 21 articles per country, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia contributed 75% of these studies. The remaining 25% were contributed by seven other countries. Analysis of funding information revealed that 24.4% of the studies were exclusively locally funded, 28.57% exclusively internationally funded, 15.5% received both local and international funding, and the rest (31.5%) were unfunded, revealing that there is satisfactory access to funds for simple animal model studies, especially from external funders. By analysing the pattern of collaborations, we show that collaborations with researchers from other continents predominate over intra-Africa collbaorations.

Conclusions: Our work provides data on the current state of research using simple model systems in African laboratories and argues that incorporating these models will advance biomedical science research in Africa.
Health technology assessment implementation in WHO South-East Asia Region: a realist review protocol
Authors: Raj Elstin Anbu , Hebbar Pragati , N Srinivas Prashanth , V Rao Neethi , Gudi Nachiket , Brand Angela , Patil Divya Sussana
Published: August 2023

Background: A robust Health Technology Assessment (HTA) mechanism is crucial to address the rising burden of healthcare costs and expenditures of patients. This research aims to describe the HTA methods and mechanisms for successful implementation of HTA in the WHO South-East Asia region, and contextualize the synthesized evidence relevant to Indian settings.

Methods: Realist review involves developing a program theory by conducting  a systematic search strategy, screening, study selection, data extraction, and data synthesis. A systematic search for literature will be conducted on PubMed (NCBI), EMBASE (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), and ProQuest Central for identifying the methods used for HTA of health technology interventions. Stakeholder consultations will be conducted to develop a program theory following the Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations (CMOcs) framework. Searches for primary evidence will be conducted iteratively. Data will be extracted and tested against the programme theory. The proposed realist review will be reported as per the Realist and MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards [RAMESES II] guidelines.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, there has been no comprehensive review conducted to understand the mechanisms of HTA methods in the WHO South-East Asia region. The findings from the realist review will help us understand the mechanisms through which the HTA could work in WHO South-East Asian countries. We will then contextualize the findings obtained from evidence to Indian settings, based on program theory development through stakeholder consultation. A framework will be developed that can be used by policymakers/HTA experts in India for effective implementation of the same.
The genome sequence of the Thick-legged Hoverfly, Syritta pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Ashworth Michael , Wawman Denise C. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   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 Syritta pipiens (the Thick-legged Hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 318.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.76 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 18,405 protein coding genes.
Diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT for detection of recurrent gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Choi Chang In , Park Jae Kyun , Jeon Tae Yong , Kim Dae-Hwan
Published: August 2023

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the diagnostic performance of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the detection of disease recurrence after curative resection of gastric cancer. Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases, from the earliest available date of indexing through November 30, 2019, were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT to detect recurrent disease after gastric cancer surgery.Results: Across 17 studies (1,732 patients), the pooled sensitivity for F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT was 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.88) with heterogeneity of I2=76.5 (p<0.001), and the specificity was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78–0.91) with heterogeneity of I2=94.2 (p<0.001). Likelihood ratio (LR) tests gave an overall positive LR of 6.0 (95% CI, 3.6–9.7) and negative LR of 0.2 (95% CI, 0.14–0.31). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 29 (95% CI, 13–63). The summary receiver operating characteristic curve indicates that the area under the curve was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88–0.93). Conclusion: The current meta-analysis showed good sensitivity and specificity of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT for detecting recurrent disease after curative resection of gastric cancer despite heterogeneity in ethnicity, recurrence rate, histology, and interpretation method.
Masakra nankińska 1937–1938 jako źródło chińskiej narodowej traumy kulturowej
Authors: Du Leqi
Published: August 2023

NANKING MASSACRE 1937–1938 AS A SOURCE OF CHINESE NATIONAL CULTURAL TRAUMA
The Nanjing massacre is today one of the most important historical events for the Chinese national identity, however, until 1982, the topic of the massacre did not enjoy much interest. This paper, using Jeffrey C. Alexander’s theory of cultural trauma and the example of the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, shows how the Chinese authorities gave the initially unknown massacre the rank of a national trauma. Symbolic representation, trauma narratives, and the institutionalization of trauma were crucial in this process.
Opowieść o codzienności w wojennej Ukrainie – fotografie Justyny Mielnikiewicz
Authors: Weżgowiec Barbara , Łosiak-Pilch Julia
Published: August 2023

A TALE OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN WARTIME UKRAINE – PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTYNA MIELNIKIEWICZ
The aim of this article is a reflection on the way of “telling” about modern Ukraine, especially about its people involved in the war that is currently waged there, using photographs. The direct matter of interest and analysis is the exhibition “In Ukraine. Justyna Mielnikiewicz”, that had been opened between 2nd September and 6th November 2022 in the International Cultural Centre in Cracow. The authors note, that the report photos can be described as “emotional portraits”, which aim at moving the viewers by making them aware about the situation, in which the Ukrainians are found, as well as commemorating of the victims.
Uczniowie z doświadczeniem uchodźczym a szkolne sytuacje dydaktyczno-wychowawcze
Authors: Smoter Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

STUDENTS WITH REFUGEE EXPERIENCE AND SCHOOL TEACHING AND LEARNING SITUATIONS
The situation of the war in Ukraine has significantly changed the image of Polish education. Shortly after the outbreak of this armed conflict, a large group of people experiencing the effects of refugees appeared in our country, and among them – children and adolescents subject to compulsory education. The appearance of these pupils and students was associated with the need for a significant reorganization of the teaching-learning process. Currently, it is becoming significant to think about how the presence of war refugees can change the course of school teaching-learning situations. These situations have a multidirectional potential for development, risky, ambiguous character; they are a construct composed of nine interacting elements (students, teacher, goals, results, content, didactic means and methods, forms and conditions of work) (Łukawska 1986). The object of this article is to show the description of these categories, known from the pedagogical literature, enriched by the multicultural context, marked by the situation of war, and the needs of students with refugee experience. What becomes crucial here is the reflection on the importance of committed and responsible construction of didactic and educational situations with concern for the subjective participation of all learners in them.
Effects of Human Disturbances on Avian Species Composition in Wetlands along an Urban–Rural Gradient in the North Carolina Piedmont
Authors: Kane Amelia , Praskievicz Sarah
Published: August 2023

abstract: Urban development alters landscapes and changes ecosystems. One of these changes is the homogenization of species, as specialist species are no longer able to survive. Wetlands are vulnerable to alteration and serve as habitats for specialized bird species. To investigate which human disturbances were related to differences in species composition and wetland specialization, we conducted species surveys at five wetland sites along an urban–rural gradient in Greensboro, North Carolina. We examined the relationship between avian community composition and disturbance variables using a partial least squares regression. We found that indirect disturbances such as impervious surfaces and commercial land use were negatively associated with wetland specialization. We suggest that effective wetland conservation in urbanizing areas must consider development in the surrounding landscape.
Ultra-high Q alumina optical microresonators in the UV and blue bands
Authors: He Chengxing , Wang Yubo , Waldfried Carlo , Yang Guangcanlan , Zheng Jun-Fei , Hu Shu , Tang Hong X.
Published: August 2023

UV and visible photonics enable applications ranging from spectroscopic sensing to communication and quantum information processing. Photonics structures in these wavelength regimes, however, tend to experience higher loss than their IR counterpart. Particularly in the near-UV band, on-chip optical microresonators have not yet achieved a quality factor beyond 1 million. Here, we report ultra-low-loss photonic waveguides and resonators patterned from alumina thin films prepared by a highly scalable atomic layer deposition process. We demonstrate ultra high Q factor of 1.5×106 at 390 nm, a record value at UV bands, and 1.9×106 at 488.5 nm.
Generation of multipartite entangled states based on a double-longitudinal-mode cavity optomechanical system
Authors: Liu Xiaomin , Yang RongGuo , Zhang Jing , Zhang Tiancai
Published: August 2023

An optomechanical system is a promising platform to connect different “notes” of quantum networks. Therefore, entanglements generated from it is also of great importance. In this paper, the parameter dependence of optomechanical and optical-optical entanglements generated from the double-longitudinal-mode cavity optomechanical system are discussed and two quadrapartite entanglement generation schemes based on such a system are proposed. Furthermore, 2N and 4N-partite entangled states of optical modes can be obtained by coupling N cavities that used in the above two schemes with N-1 beamsplitters, respectively. Certain ladder or linear entanglement structures are included in the finally obtained entangled state, which are important for its application in one-way quantum computing.
Improved algorithm for retrieving aerosol optical properties based on multi-wavelength Raman lidar
Authors: Mao Song , Yin Zhenping , Wang Longlong , Yi Yang , Wang Anzhou , Bu Zhichao , Chen Yubao , Zhao Yiming , Müller Detlef , Wang Xuan
Published: August 2023

Multi-wavelength Raman lidar has been widely used in profiling aerosol optical properties. The accuracy of measured aerosol optical properties largely depends on sophisticated lidar data retrieval algorithms. Commonly to retrieve aerosol optical properties of Raman lidar, the extinction-related Ångström exponent (EAE) is assumed (to be 1). This value usually generally differs from the true value (called EAE deviation) and adds uncertainty to the retrieved aerosol optical properties. Lidar-signal noise and EAE-deviation are two important error sources for retrieving aerosol optical properties. As the measurement accuracy of Raman lidar has been greatly improved in recent years, the influence of signal noise on retrieval results becomes relatively small, and the uncertainty of retrieved aerosol optical properties caused by an EAE-deviation becomes nonnegligible, especially in scenes that EAE deviation is large. In this study, an iteration retrieval algorithm is proposed to obtain more reliable EAE based on multi-wavelength Raman lidar. Results from this iteration are more precise values of aerosol optical properties. Three atmospheric scenarios where aerosol distribution and the values of EAE vary widely were simulated with a Monte Carlo method to analyze the characteristics and robustness of the iterative algorithm. The results show that the proposed iterative algorithm can eliminate the systematic errors of aerosol optical properties retrieved by traditional retrieval method. The EAEs after iteration does converge to the true value, and the accuracy of aerosol optical properties can be greatly improved, especially for the particle backscatter coefficient and lidar ratio, which has been improved by more than 10% in most cases, and even more than 30%. In addition, field observations data of a three-wavelength Raman lidar are analyzed to illustrate the necessity and reliability of the proposed iterative retrieval algorithm.
LED-based Schlieren system for full-field photoacoustic wave acquisition and image reconstruction
Authors: Ojeda-Morales Yanier , Hernandez-Lopez Danay , Martínez-Ponce Geminiano
Published: August 2023

In this work, full-field detection of laser-induced ultrasound waves was performed with an off-axis LED-based Schlieren system. Sensing strobe light, pulsed laser dual light-sheet excitation, and CMOS sensor device were all synchronized to capture the pressure wave as it propagated through an elastic liquid surrounding the test sample. In addition, a reconstruction algorithm based on the Radon transform was applied to the digitally recorded field in order to obtain an image of the photoacoustic source. The proposed system is capable of retrieving the profile of cylindrical and hexagonal targets.
Human microbiome variation associated with race and ethnicity emerges as early as 3 months of age
Authors: Mallott Elizabeth K. , Sitarik Alexandra R. , Leve Leslie D. , Cioffi Camille , Camargo Carlos A. , Hasegawa Kohei , Bordenstein Seth R.
Published: August 2023

Human microbiome variation is linked to the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of many diseases and associates with race and ethnicity in the United States. However, the age at which microbiome variability emerges between these groups remains a central gap in knowledge. Here, we identify that gut microbiome variation associated with race and ethnicity arises after 3 months of age and persists through childhood. One-third of the bacterial taxa that vary across caregiver-identified racial categories in children are taxa reported to also vary between adults. Machine learning modeling of childhood microbiomes from 8 cohort studies (2,756 samples from 729 children) distinguishes racial and ethnic categories with 87% accuracy. Importantly, predictive genera are also among the top 30 most important taxa when childhood microbiomes are used to predict adult self-identified race and ethnicity. Our results highlight a critical developmental window at or shortly after 3 months of age when social and environmental factors drive race and ethnicity-associated microbiome variation and may contribute to adult health and health disparities.
Elucidation of genome-wide understudied proteins targeted by PROTAC-induced degradation using interpretable machine learning
Authors: Xie Li , Xie Lei
Published: August 2023

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are hetero-bifunctional molecules that induce the degradation of target proteins by recruiting an E3 ligase. PROTACs have the potential to inactivate disease-related genes that are considered undruggable by small molecules, making them a promising therapy for the treatment of incurable diseases. However, only a few hundred proteins have been experimentally tested for their amenability to PROTACs, and it remains unclear which other proteins in the entire human genome can be targeted by PROTACs. In this study, we have developed PrePROTAC, an interpretable machine learning model based on a transformer-based protein sequence descriptor and random forest classification. PrePROTAC predicts genome-wide targets that can be degraded by CRBN, one of the E3 ligases. In the benchmark studies, PrePROTAC achieved a ROC-AUC of 0.81, an average precision of 0.84, and over 40% sensitivity at a false positive rate of 0.05. When evaluated by an external test set which comprised proteins from different structural folds than those in the training set, the performance of PrePROTAC did not drop significantly, indicating its generalizability. Furthermore, we developed an embedding SHapley Additive exPlanations (eSHAP) method, which extends conventional SHAP analysis for original features to an embedding space through in silico mutagenesis. This method allowed us to identify key residues in the protein structure that play critical roles in PROTAC activity. The identified key residues were consistent with existing knowledge. Using PrePROTAC, we identified over 600 novel understudied proteins that are potentially degradable by CRBN and proposed PROTAC compounds for three novel drug targets associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of economic strengthening and parenting support for preventing violence against adolescents in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: An economic modelling study using non-randomised data
Authors: Rudgard William E. , Obiesie Sopuruchukwu , Desmond Chris , Casale Marisa , Cluver Lucie
Published: August 2023

There is limited evidence around the cost-effectiveness of interventions to reduce violence against children in low- and middle-income countries. We used a decision-analytic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of three intervention scenarios for reducing adolescent emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The intervention scenarios were: 1) Community grant outreach to link households to South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) if they are eligible, but not receiving it; 2) Group-based parenting support; and 3) Group-based parenting support ‘plus’ linkage to the CSG. We estimated average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) for intervention scenarios over a ten-year time horizon, and compared them to a South Africa-specific willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold (USD3390). Health effects were expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Our model considered four combinations of routine service versus trial-based costing, and population-average versus high prevalence of violence. Under routine service costing, ACERs for grant outreach and parenting support were below the WTP threshold when considering a population-average prevalence of violence USD2850 (Lower: USD1840-Upper: USD10,500) and USD2620 (USD1520-USD9800) per DALY averted, respectively; and a high prevalence of violence USD1320 (USD908-USD5180) and USD1340 (USD758-USD4910) per DALY averted, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness of parenting support plus grant linkage relative to parenting support alone was USD462 (USD346-USD1610) and USD225 (USD150-USD811) per DALY averted at a population-average and high prevalence of violence, respectively. Under trial-based costing, only the ACER for grant outreach was below the WTP threshold when considering a high prevalence of violence USD2580 (USD1640-USD9370) per DALY averted. Confidence intervals for all ACERs crossed the WTP threshold. In conclusion, grant outreach and parenting support are likely to be cost-effective intervention scenarios for reducing violence against adolescents if they apply routine service costing and reach high risk groups. Combining parenting support with grant linkage is likely to be more cost-effective than parenting support alone.
A community-based participatory protocol to improving communication with Black men about oral and pharyngeal cancers: Research protocol
Authors: Smith Patrick D. , Murray Marcus , Bailey Tiosha , Peterson Caryn E. , Bekoe Osei , Weatherspoon Darien J.
Published: August 2023

Black men are disproportionately impacted by oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) mortality. This is in part due to a lack of information received about OPCs and their associated risk factors during health encounters. Discussions between dentists and Black men may improve Black men’s knowledge, screening, and treatment uptake. Yet, dentists do not commonly communicate with Black men about OPCs due to their own discomfort. This paper describes the protocol for our research project, which proposes an initiative, grounded in community-based participatory research, to adapt a culturally-specific OPC communication tool. This tool will be adapted using a mixed-methods approach to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of Black men discussing OPCs and associated risk factors with dental providers. The tool will then be assessed for feasibility and acceptability among Black men, as well as dental students and dental providers in community-based clinical settings.
Genomic characterization of Campylobacter isolates in Huzhou, China
Authors: Wu Xiaofang , Ji Lei , Shen Yuehua , Chen Liping , Xu Deshun , Dong Fenfen
Published: August 2023

Campylobacter is a major foodborne pathogen that causes outbreaks and sporadic gastrointestinal disease, creating a serious disease burden. Campylobacter strains isolated from diarrhea cases (n = 11) and raw poultry meat products (n = 2) in Huzhou, including 11 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains, were subjected to virulence gene, drug resistance gene, genetic correlation, antibiotic resistance, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analyses. The 13 Campylobacter isolates were divided into 12 sequence types (STs), one of which was a new ST. The isolated strains contain multiple virulence-related genes. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that the resistance rate of the 13 isolates to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline was 92.3%. Genome sequencing indicated that all 11 strains of C. jejuni carried the tet(O) and blaOXA resistance genes, and 2 strains of C. coli carried multiple drug resistance genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms indicated that the 11 C. jejuni isolates from diarrhea patients and food sources are not closely phylogenetically related.
Iterating toward change: Improving student-centered teaching through the STEM faculty institute (STEMFI)
Authors: Shipley Jeffrey , Sansom Rebecca L. , Mickelsen Haley , Nielson Jennifer B. , Turley R. Steven , West Richard E. , Wright Geoffrey , St. Clair Bryn , Jensen Jamie L.
Published: August 2023

One of the primary reasons why students leave STEM majors is due to the poor quality of instruction. Teaching practices can be improved through professional development programs; however, several barriers exist. Creating lasting change by overcoming these barriers is the primary objective of the STEM Faculty Institute (STEMFI). STEMFI was designed according to the framework established by Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior. To evaluate its effectiveness, the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) tool was used before and after an intensive year-long faculty development program and analyzed using copusprofiles.org, a tool that classifies each COPUS report into one of three instructional styles: didactic, interactive lecture, and student-centered. We report the success of our program in changing faculty teaching behaviors and we categorize them into types of reformers. Then, thematically coded post-participation interviews give us clues into the characteristics of each type of reformer. Our results demonstrate that faculty can significantly improve the student-centeredness of their teaching practices in a relatively short time. We also discuss the implications of faculty attitudes for future professional development efforts.
“I abandoned my job to look after my baby.” Understanding the unpriced cost of care of a preterm infant: Caregivers’ lived experiences
Authors: Namiiro Flaviah B. , Ssemata Andrew S. , Abdallah Yaser , Namusoke Fatuma
Published: August 2023

Background

Preterm birth is associated with life-long cost implications on the infant, family, health system, and society at large. The costs related to lost productivity at contributions at work during care of preterm infants are difficult to measure. We aimed to explore and document the unpriced costs parents incur following birth of a preterm infant in the first year of life in a low resource setting.

Methods

Thirty-nine mothers and five fathers of preterm infants who had ever attended the preterm follow-up clinic after discharge from Mulago National Referral Hospital, were included in a qualitative study between November 2019 and February 2020. Participants were purposively selected, and data were collected using four focused group discussions with mothers and in-depth interviews with the fathers lasting 30–70 minutes each. These were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated. The data were manually analysed using the thematic approach.

Findings

Three themes were generated: i) complex nature of the infant, ii) time to care for the infant, iii) mother as the predominant caregiver. The parents perceived preterm infants as delicate, complicated and their care more costly compared to those born at term. Expressions of need for time to care for their infants, frequent hospital visits and readmission were raised. Availability of the mother as the predominant caregiver some of whose roles cannot be delegated and their experiences following return to work after birth of a preterm were cited by the participants.

Conclusion

The results highlight the unpriced costs incurred by the parents through disruption of the work pattern due to the actual and perceived needs of a preterm infant and time to care in a low resource setting. We recommend guidance on financial planning, development of policies and programs on social and financial support for parents and future studies on indirect costs of preterm care.
The first aphasia screening test in Hungarian: A preliminary study on validity and diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Zakariás Lilla , Lukács Ágnes
Published: August 2023

The Hungarian Aphasia Screening Test (HAST) is a newly developed diagnostic tool for detecting post-stroke aphasia in clinical settings, and for differentiating between stroke patients with and without aphasia. The HAST was developed by our team and has not been published in English yet. In Hungarian, to date, there is no aphasia screening test with reported psychometric properties available. This study aims to present the main characteristics of the HAST and to evaluate its validity, internal consistency, and diagnostic accuracy. The HAST comprises five subtests (maximum score: 20) and takes 5–10 minutes to administer. We administered the HAST to 40 stroke patients with aphasia, 26 stroke patients without aphasia, and 51 healthy control participants to evaluate the test’s construct validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency, as well as its sensitivity and specificity. We used the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) as a reference test. With a cut-off score of 17, the HAST showed high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity: 92.5%, specificity: 88.5%). Its construct validity was good; we identified one component in the test, and moderate-to-strong positive correlations across most of its subtests (mean Spearmanr= 0.56). Convergent validity of the HAST was satisfying, reflected by the moderate-to-strong positive correlations between subtests of the HAST and subtests of the WAB (Spearmanr= 0.50–0.86). The correlation between the HAST total score and the WAB aphasia quotient was high (Spearmanr= 0.86). Despite the small number of items within tasks, all subtests showed acceptable internal consistency (mean Cronbach’sα= 0.74). Our preliminary results suggest that the HAST is a valid, accurate, and clinically feasible test to detect post-stroke aphasia and to identify patients who require a more detailed assessment of their language skills. In addition, it reliably identifies not only the presence but also the severity of aphasia, thus, it might be a good candidate for monitoring patient progress.
Combined analysis of mRNA and miRNA reveals the mechanism of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under acute alkalinity stress
Authors: Shi Xiang , Zhang Ruiqi , Liu Zhe , Sun Jun , Li Lanlan , Zhao Guiyan , Lu Junhao
Published: August 2023

The pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is now a more common aquaculture species in saline-alkali waters, while alkalinity stress is considered to be one of the stressors for shrimp. Thus, an understanding of the molecular response to alkalinity stress is critical for advancing the sustainability of culture in pacific white shrimp. In this study, we aimed to explore the response mechanism to acute high-alkaline stress by RNA-seq at low-alkaline (50 mg/L) and high-alkaline (350 mg/L). We identified 215 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and 35 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), of which 180 DEGs and 28 DEMs were up-regulated, 35 DEGs and 7 DEMs were down-regulated, respectively. The DEGs were enriched in several pathways, including carbohydrate digestion and absorption, pancreatic secretion, starch and sucrose metabolism, antigen processing and presentation and glutathione metabolism. The DEMs involved in lysosome and ion transport related pathways were significantly up-regulated. We also achieved 42 DEGs, which were targeted by DEMs. miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed by integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA data. We detected several genes and miRNAs which were identified as candidate regulators of alkalinity stress, and expression patterns of key genes related to alkalinity stress in pacific white shrimp. Among these genes, the expression levels of most key genes enriched in ion regulation, digestion and immunity were increased, and the expression levels of genes enriched in metabolism were down-regulated. This research indicated that the homeostatic regulation and digestion changed significantly under acute alkaline stress, and the variations from metabolic and immunity can cope with the osmotic shock of alkalinity stress in pacific white shrimp. This study provides key clues for exploring the molecular mechanism of pacific white shrimp under acute alkalinity stress, and also gives scientific basis for the optimisation of saline-alkaline aquaculture technology.