bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on the essential skills of healthcare decision making in children and adolescents with intellectual disability
Authors: Downs Jenny , Keeley Jessica , Skoss Rachel , Mills Jaquie , Nevill Thom , Schippers Alice , Lindly Olivia , Thompson Sandra
Published: June 2024

Background

Involvement in healthcare decisions is associated with better health outcomes for patients. For children and adolescents with intellectual disability, parents and healthcare professionals need to balance listening to a child’s wishes with the responsibility of keeping them safe. However, there is a scarcity of literature evaluating how to effectively involve them in decision making. In this context, we review the concept of health literacy, focusing on the skills of healthcare decision making for children and adolescents with intellectual disability.

Methods

We describe the concept of health literacy and models explaining shared decision making (individuals and healthcare professionals collaborate in decision making process) and supported decision making (when a trusted person supports the individual to collaborate with the healthcare professional in the decision-making process), and a rapid review of the literature evaluating their efficacy. We discuss healthcare decision making for children and adolescents with intellectual disability in the context of relevant recommendations from the recent Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability in Australia.

Results

Health literacy skills enable individuals to access, understand, appraise, remember and use health information and services. Shared decision making has been described for children with chronic conditions and supported decision making for adults with intellectual disability. Decision-making contributes to how individuals appraise and use healthcare. The rapid review found very limited evidence of outcomes where children and adolescents with intellectual disability have been supported to contribute to their healthcare decisions. Recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission highlight current needs for greater efforts to support and build the capacity of individuals with disability to be involved in the decisions that affect their life, including healthcare decision making.

Conclusions

Existing rights frameworks and healthcare standards confirm the importance of providing all people with the opportunities to learn and practise health literacy skills including decision making. There is little literature examining interventions for healthcare decision making for children with intellectual disability. Childhood is a critical time for the development of skills and autonomy. Evidence for how children and adolescents with intellectual disability can learn and practice healthcare decision-making skills in preparation for adulthood is needed to reduce inequities in their autonomy.
Cytoskeletal gene alterations linked to sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Hong , Chen Hangyu , Zhang Lei , Duolikun Maimaitiyasen , Zhen Baixin , Kuerban Subinuer , Li Xuehui , Wang Yuxi , Chen Long , Lin Jian
Published: June 2024

Background

Although sorafenib has been consistently used as a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), most patients will develop resistance, and the mechanism of resistance to sorafenib needs further study.

Methods

Using KAS-seq technology, we obtained the ssDNA profiles within the whole genome range of SMMC-7721 cells treated with sorafenib for differential analysis. We then intersected the differential genes obtained from the analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients in GSE109211 who were ineffective and effective with sorafenib treatment, constructed a PPI network, and obtained hub genes. We then analyzed the relationship between the expression of these genes and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Results

In this study, we identified 7 hub ERGs (ACTB, CFL1, ACTG1, ACTN1, WDR1, TAGLN2, HSPA8) related to drug resistance, and these genes are associated with the cytoskeleton.

Conclusions

The cytoskeleton is associated with sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Using KAS-seq to analyze the early changes in tumor cells treated with drugs is feasible for studying the drug resistance of tumors, which provides reference significance for future research.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome: a comparative bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sweileh Waleed M.
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study aimed to analyze and map scientific literature on Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Serotonin Syndrome (SS) from prestigious, internationally indexed journals. The objective was to identify key topics, impactful articles, prominent journals, research output, growth patterns, hotspots, and leading countries in the field, providing valuable insights for scholars, medical students, and international funding agencies.

Methods

A systematic search strategy was implemented in the PubMed MeSH database using specific keywords for NMS and SS. The search was conducted in the Scopus database, renowned for its extensive coverage of scholarly publications. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published from 1950 to December 31st, 2022, restricted to journal research and review articles written in English. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel for descriptive analysis, and VOSviewer was employed for bibliometric mapping.

Results

The search yielded 1150 articles on NMS and 587 on SS, with the majority being case reports. Growth patterns revealed a surge in NMS research between 1981 and 1991, while SS research increased notably between 1993 and 1997. Active countries and journals differed between NMS and SS, with psychiatry journals predominating for NMS and pharmacology/toxicology journals for SS. Authorship analysis indicated higher multi-authored articles for NMS. Top impactful articles focused on review articles and pathogenic mechanisms. Research hotspots included antipsychotics and catatonia for NMS, while SS highlighted drug interactions and specific medications like linezolid and tramadol.

Conclusions

NMS and SS represent rare but life-threatening conditions, requiring detailed clinical and scientific understanding. Differential diagnosis and management necessitate caution in prescribing medications affecting central serotonin or dopamine systems, with awareness of potential drug interactions. International diagnostic tools and genetic screening tests may aid in safe diagnosis and prevention. Reporting rare cases and utilizing bibliometric analysis enhance knowledge dissemination and research exploration in the field of rare drug-induced medical conditions.
Globus pallidus is not independent from striatal direct pathway neurons: an up-to-date review
Authors: Fujiyama Fumino , Karube Fuyuki , Hirai Yasuharu
Published: June 2024

Striatal projection neurons, which are classified into two groups—direct and indirect pathway neurons, play a pivotal role in our understanding of the brain’s functionality. Conventional models propose that these two pathways operate independently and have contrasting functions, akin to an “accelerator” and “brake” in a vehicle. This analogy further elucidates how the depletion of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease can result in bradykinesia. However, the question arises: are these direct and indirect pathways truly autonomous? Despite being distinct types of neurons, their interdependence cannot be overlooked. Single-neuron tracing studies employing membrane-targeting signals have shown that the majority of direct pathway neurons terminate not only in the output nuclei, but also in the external segment of the globus pallidus (GP in rodents), a relay nucleus of the indirect pathway. Recent studies have unveiled the existence of arkypallidal neurons, which project solely to the striatum, in addition to prototypic neurons. This raises the question of which type of GP neurons receive these striatal axon collaterals. Our morphological and electrophysiological experiments showed that the striatal direct pathway neurons may affect prototypic neurons via the action of substance P on neurokinin-1 receptors. Conversely, another research group has reported that direct pathway neurons inhibit arkypallidal neurons via GABA. Regardless of the neurotransmitter involved, it can be concluded that the GP is not entirely independent of direct pathway neurons. This review article underscores the intricate interplay between different neuronal pathways and challenges the traditional understanding of their independence.
PAX1 methylation as a robust predictor: developing and validating a nomogram for assessing endocervical curettage (ECC) necessity in human papillomavirus16/18-positive women undergoing colposcopy
Authors: Lu Yingnan , Wu Haiyue , Fu Kun , Shen YuFei , Li Lucia , Liao Zexi , Liu Yingzhen , Kang Yanan , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2024

Objective

The major challenge in routine endocervical curettage (ECC) among Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18-positive patients is that only a small fraction benefit. Nevertheless, current reported models often overestimate the validity and necessity of ECC, making it difficult to improve benefits for patients. This research hypothesized that assessing paired boxed gene 1 methylation levels (PAX1m) and clinical characteristics could enhance the predictive accuracy of detecting additional high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (HSIL +) through ECC that were not identified by colposcopy-directed biopsy (CDB).

Methods

Data from 134 women with HPV16/18 positivity undergoing CDB and ECC between April 2018 and April 2022 were collected and analyzed. Quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP) was utilized to measure PAX1m, expressed as ΔCp. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to screen variables and select predictive factors. A nomogram was constructed using multivariate logistic regression to predict additional HSIL + detected by ECC. The discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of the nomogram were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and the calibration plot.

Results

Age (odds ratio [OR], 5.654; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.131–37.700), cytology (OR, 24.978; 95% CI, 3.085–540.236), and PAX1 methylation levels by grade (PAX1m grade) (OR, 7.801; 95% CI, 1.548–44.828) were independent predictive factors for additional detection of HSIL + by ECC. In HPV16/18-positive women, the likelihood of additional detection of HSIL + through ECC increased with the severity of cytological abnormalities, peaking at 43.8% for high-grade cytological lesions. Moreover, when cytological findings indicated low-grade lesions, PAX1 methylation levels were positively correlated with the additional detection of HSIL + by ECC (P value < 0.001). A nomogram prediction model was developed (area under curve (AUC) = 0.946; 95% CI, 0.901–0.991), demonstrating high sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (90.5%) at the optimal cutoff point of 107. Calibration analysis confirmed the model’s strong agreement between predicted and observed probabilities.

Conclusion

The clinical nomogram presented promising predictive performance for the additional detection of HSIL + through ECC among women with HPV16/18 infection. PAX1 methylation level could serve as a valuable tool in guiding individualized clinical decisions regarding ECC for patients with HPV 16/18 infection, particularly in cases of low-grade cytological findings.
Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ornish Dean , Madison Catherine , Kivipelto Miia , Kemp Colleen , McCulloch Charles E. , Galasko Douglas , Artz Jon , Rentz Dorene , Lin Jue , Norman Kim , Ornish Anne , Tranter Sarah , DeLamarter Nancy , Wingers Noel , Richling Carra , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima , Knight Rob , McDonald Daniel , Patel Lucas , Verdin Eric , E. Tanzi Rudolph , Arnold Steven E.
Published: June 2024

Background

Evidence links lifestyle factors with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We report the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine if intensive lifestyle changes may beneficially affect the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia due to AD.

Methods

A 1:1 multicenter randomized controlled phase 2 trial, ages 45-90 with MCI or early dementia due to AD and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 18 or higher. The primary outcome measures were changes in cognition and function tests: Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC), Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), and Clinical Dementia Rating Global (CDR-G) after 20 weeks of an intensive multidomain lifestyle intervention compared to a wait-list usual care control group. ADAS-Cog, CDR-SB, and CDR-Global scales were compared using a Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and CGIC was compared using Fisher’s exact test. Secondary outcomes included plasma Aβ42/40 ratio, other biomarkers, and correlating lifestyle with the degree of change in these measures.

Results

Fifty-one AD patients enrolled, mean age 73.5. No significant differences in any measures at baseline. Only two patients withdrew. All patients had plasma Aβ42/40 ratios <0.0672 at baseline, strongly supporting AD diagnosis. After 20 weeks, significant between-group differences in the CGIC (p= 0.001), CDR-SB (p= 0.032), and CDR Global (p= 0.037) tests and borderline significance in the ADAS-Cog test (p= 0.053). CGIC, CDR Global, and ADAS-Cog showed improvement in cognition and function and CDR-SB showed significantly less progression, compared to the control group which worsened in all four measures. Aβ42/40 ratio increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group (p = 0.003). There was a significant correlation between lifestyle and both cognitive function and the plasma Aβ42/40 ratio. The microbiome improved only in the intervention group (p <0.0001).

Conclusions

Comprehensive lifestyle changes may significantly improve cognition and function after 20 weeks in many patients with MCI or early dementia due to AD.

Trial registration

Approved by Western Institutional Review Board on 12/31/2017 (#20172897) and by Institutional Review Boards of all sites. This study was registered retrospectively with clinicaltrials.gov on October 8, 2020 (NCT04606420, ID: 20172897).
Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in early neurodevelopmental traits in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Hegemann Laura , Corfield Elizabeth C. , Askelund Adrian Dahl , Allegrini Andrea G. , Askeland Ragna Bugge , Ronald Angelica , Ask Helga , St Pourcain Beate , Andreassen Ole A. , Hannigan Laurie J. , Havdahl Alexandra
Published: June 2024

Background

Autism and different neurodevelopmental conditions frequently co-occur, as do their symptoms at sub-diagnostic threshold levels. Overlapping traits and shared genetic liability are potential explanations.

Methods

In the population-based Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort study (MoBa), we leverage item-level data to explore the phenotypic factor structure and genetic architecture underlying neurodevelopmental traits at age 3 years (N = 41,708–58,630) using maternal reports on 76 items assessing children’s motor and language development, social functioning, communication, attention, activity regulation, and flexibility of behaviors and interests.

Results

We identified 11 latent factors at the phenotypic level. These factors showed associations with diagnoses of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Most shared genetic liabilities with autism, ADHD, and/or schizophrenia. Item-level GWAS revealed trait-specific genetic correlations with autism (items rg range = − 0.27–0.78), ADHD (items rg range = − 0.40–1), and schizophrenia (items rg range = − 0.24–0.34). We find little evidence of common genetic liability across all neurodevelopmental traits but more so for several genetic factors across more specific areas of neurodevelopment, particularly social and communication traits. Some of these factors, such as one capturing prosocial behavior, overlap with factors found in the phenotypic analyses. Other areas, such as motor development, seemed to have more heterogenous etiology, with specific traits showing a less consistent pattern of genetic correlations with each other.

Conclusions

These exploratory findings emphasize the etiological complexity of neurodevelopmental traits at this early age. In particular, diverse associations with neurodevelopmental conditions and genetic heterogeneity could inform follow-up work to identify shared and differentiating factors in the early manifestations of neurodevelopmental traits and their relation to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. This in turn could have implications for clinical screening tools and programs.
Relationship between sex biases in gene expression and sex biases in autism and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fass Stuart B. , Mulvey Bernard , Chase Rebecca , Yang Wei , Selmanovic Din , Chaturvedi Sneha M. , Tycksen Eric , Weiss Lauren A. , Dougherty Joseph D.
Published: June 2024

Background

Sex differences in the brain may play an important role in sex-differential prevalence of neuropsychiatric conditions.

Methods

In order to understand the transcriptional basis of sex differences, we analyzed multiple, large-scale, human postmortem brain RNA-Seq datasets using both within-region and pan-regional frameworks.

Results

We find evidence of sex-biased transcription in many autosomal genes, some of which provide evidence for pathways and cell population differences between chromosomally male and female individuals. These analyses also highlight regional differences in the extent of sex-differential gene expression. We observe an increase in specific neuronal transcripts in male brains and an increase in immune and glial function-related transcripts in female brains. Integration with single-nucleus data suggests this corresponds to sex differences in cellular states rather than cell abundance. Integration with case–control gene expression studies suggests a female molecular predisposition towards Alzheimer’s disease, a female-biased disease. Autism, a male-biased diagnosis, does not exhibit a male predisposition pattern in our analysis.

Conclusion

Overall, these analyses highlight mechanisms by which sex differences may interact with sex-biased conditions in the brain. Furthermore, we provide region-specific analyses of sex differences in brain gene expression to enable additional studies at the interface of gene expression and diagnostic differences.

Graphical Abstract
What secondary research evidence exists on the effects of forest management after disturbances: a systematic map protocol
Authors: Baumeister Moritz , Meyer Markus A.
Published: June 2024

Background

Forest disturbances are projected to increase in intensity and frequency in the upcoming decades. The projected change in disturbance regimes is expected to alter the provision of ecosystem services and affect biodiversity. Both are critical for forest ecosystems to provide livelihoods for human societies. Forest management after natural disturbances shapes successional pathways of forest ecosystems. Therefore, the management of post-disturbance sites deserves critical attention to avoid negative effects of management interventions on ecosystem services and biodiversity. The two most common management interventions after natural disturbances are salvage logging (comparator: no salvage logging) and tree planting (comparator: natural regeneration). This planned systematic map of reviews aims to aggregate the existing evidence syntheses on the implications of common forest management interventions after natural disturbances on successional trajectories with regard to selected ecosystem services and biodiversity. Evidence-based post-disturbance management is highly relevant for protected area management as well as for the management of commercial forests.

Methods

We will systematically search the databases Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and the Forest Science Collection of the CABI Digital Library for reviews and meta-analyses (after 2003). We will apply eligibility criteria for review selection and assess the evidence synthesis validity of selected reviews using the most recent version of CEESAT (Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Synthesis Assessment Tool). The results will be displayed in topic subgroups in summary of scope and summary of findings tables.
Identification of porcine fast/slow myogenic exosomes and their regulatory effects on lipid accumulation in intramuscular adipocytes
Authors: Zhao Tiantian , Tian Tingting , Yu He , Cao Chaoyue , Zhang Ziyi , He Zhaozhao , Ma Zeqiang , Cai Rui , Li Fengna , Pang Weijun
Published: June 2024

Background

Pork quality is affected by the type of muscle fibers, which is closely related to meat color, tenderness and juiciness. Exosomes are tiny vesicles with a diameter of approximately 30–150 nm that are secreted by cells and taken up by recipient cells to mediate communication. Exosome-mediated muscle-fat tissue crosstalk is a newly discovered mechanism that may have an important effect on intramuscular fat deposition and with that on meat quality. Various of adipose tissue-derived exosomes have been discovered and identified, but the identification and function of muscle exosomes, especially porcine fast/slow myotube exosomes, remain unclear. Here, we first isolated and identified exosomes secreted from porcine extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL), which represent fast and slow muscle, respectively, and further explored their effects on lipid accumulation in longissimus dorsi adipocytes.

Results

Porcine SOL-derived exosomes (SOL-EXO) and EDL-derived exosomes (EDL-EXO) were first identified and their average particle sizes were approximately 84 nm with double-membrane disc- shapes as observed via transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the intramuscular fat content of the SOL was greater than that of the EDL at 180 days of age, because SOL intramuscular adipocytes had a stronger lipid-accumulating capacity than those of the EDL. Raman spectral analysis revealed that SOL-EXO protein content was much greater than that of EDL-EXO. Proteomic sequencing identified 72 proteins that were significantly differentially expressed between SOL-EXO and EDL-EXO, 31 of which were downregulated and 41 of which were upregulated in SOL-EXO.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that muscle-fat tissue interactions occur partly via SOL-EXO promoting adipogenic activity of intramuscular adipocytes.
The impact of the colonial architecture on the urban sustainability of Laghouat city in Algeria: ksar of Laghouat as a case
Authors: Mahcar Fatiha Imane , Durak Selen , Benabbou Rachida , Arslan Tülin Vural
Published: June 2024

Among the risks that cities are exposed to, colonization emerges as a multifaceted concern representing historical and modern dimensions that can significantly impact a city’s urban sustainability. This study explores the diverse implications of colonization on the urban sustainability with a focus on the Ksar of Laghouat in Laghouat city, Algeria. It examines the urban adaptation cycle and the imprint left by the colonial era on the fabric of the city. Utilizing the method of adaptive cycle approach and transfer entropy analysis, our goal is to quantify interaction on the historical and urban development of potential, connectedness, and resilience of Laghouat city. This study enhances the understanding of the Architectural heritage of Algeria and highlights dynamics between traditional and colonial architectural dimensions of Ksar of Laghouat. By assimilating the impact of colonization on the urban development of the city, we aim to improve the resilience and sustainability of Laghouat, through empowering its local community, and providing decision-makers with valuable sustainable strategies and adaptation mechanisms for future urban visions of the city.
From concerns to benefits: a comprehensive study of ChatGPT usage in education
Authors: Jo Hyeon
Published: June 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots are increasingly becoming integral components of the digital learning ecosystem. As AI technologies continue to evolve, it is crucial to understand the factors influencing their adoption and use among students in higher education. This study is undertaken against this backdrop to explore the behavioral determinants associated with the use of the AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, among university students. The investigation delves into the role of ChatGPT’s self-learning capabilities and their influence on students’ knowledge acquisition and application, subsequently affecting the individual impact. It further elucidates the correlation of chatbot personalization with novelty value and benefits, underscoring their importance in shaping students’ behavioral intentions. Notably, individual impact is revealed to have a positive association with perceived benefits and behavioral intention. The study also brings to light potential barriers to AI chatbot adoption, identifying privacy concerns, technophobia, and guilt feelings as significant detractors from behavioral intention. However, despite these impediments, innovativeness emerges as a positive influencer, enhancing behavioral intention and actual behavior. This comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted influences on student behavior in the context of AI chatbot utilization provides a robust foundation for future research. It also offers invaluable insights for AI chatbot developers and educators, aiding them in crafting more effective strategies for AI integration in educational settings.
Impact of tannery wastes on anaerobic co-digestion: enhancing biogas production and process efficiency
Authors: Andriamanohiarisoamanana Fetra J. , Farghali Mohamed , Mohamed Israa M. A. , Yoshida Gen , Shiota Kazuya , Ihara Ikko
Published: June 2024

The study investigates the potential of anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) as a sustainable solution for managing putrescible organic waste generated by leather processing. Three experiments were conducted to assess the impact of various tannery wastes, pretreatment methods, and waste combinations on methane production. Experiment 1 demonstrated that co-digesting tannery wastewater primary sludge (TWPS) and fleshings significantly increased methane yield compared to digesting TWPS alone, though the addition of chromium- and vegetable-tanned leather wastes decreased yield. Experiment 2 explored TWPS pretreatment methods and found that ultrasonic pretreatment increased soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) but did not significantly improve methane yield, suggesting that pretreatment may not be necessary. Experiment 3 revealed that increasing the proportion of fleshings to TWPS resulted in higher methane yield, ranging from 226.52 mL/gVS with 6% fleshings to 395.71 mL/gVS and 538.34 mL/gVS with 12% and 20% of fleshings, respectively. Additionally, this increase in fleshings also led to a reduction in digester volume. These findings highlight the importance of AcoD in addressing both environmental and economic challenges in the leather industry.

Graphical Abstract
Phylogenomic approaches reveal a robust time-scale phylogeny of the Terminal Fusarium Clade
Authors: Lizcano Salas Andrés Felipe , Duitama Jorge , Restrepo Silvia , Celis Ramírez Adriana Marcela
Published: June 2024

The Terminal Fusarium Clade (TFC) is a group in the Nectriaceae family with agricultural and clinical relevance. In recent years, various phylogenies have been presented in the literature, showing disagreement in the topologies, but only a few studies have conducted analyses on the divergence time scale of the group. Therefore, the evolutionary history of this group is still being determined. This study aimed to understand the evolutionary history of the TFC from a phylogenomic perspective. To achieve this objective, we performed a phylogenomic analysis using the available genomes in GenBank and ran eight different pipelines. We presented a new robust topology of the TFC that differs at some nodes from previous studies. These new relationships allowed us to formulate new hypotheses about the evolutionary history of the TFC. We also inferred new divergence time estimates, which differ from those of previous studies due to topology discordances and taxon sampling. The results suggested an important diversification process in the Neogene period, likely associated with the diversification and predominance of terrestrial ecosystems by angiosperms. In conclusion, we presented a robust time-scale phylogeny that allowed us to formulate new hypotheses regarding the evolutionary history of the TFC.
How to Listen Otherwise
Authors: Ivry Henry
Published: June 2024

Music occupies a central role in the Black radical tradition. It is often understood as a mode of radical rebellion, sonic insurgency, and fugitive possibility. In Black music and sound we can listen to the competing rhythms and tempos of a Black world outside the strictures of white supremacist narratives. What is often glossed over in these conversations, however, is how Black music plays an explicitly ecological role. This article thinks about how Black sound is instrumental in refiguring what Brent Hayes Edwards calls the “historical transcript,” while also gesturing toward how Black sound seeks out a worlding between human and nonhuman entities through an endless capacity for reconfiguration and reorganization. Arguing that Black music is both historical archive and futural conjecture, this article examines a series of records that materialize worlds outside the locked grooves of anti-Black violence and environmental destruction.
Evaluation of the merit of ethanolic extract of Annona reticulata as an anti-cancer agent in human colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116)
Authors: Rao Pooja Prakash , Shenoy Belle Vijetha , Nayak Akshatha G , Kumar Nitesh , Rao Vanishree , Cheruku Sri Pragnya , Prabhu Krishnananda
Published: June 2024

Background Colon cancer is the third most common cancer type worldwide. Novel alternative therapeutic anti-cancer drugs against colon cancer with less toxicity are to be explored . This study was aimed to explore the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activity of various fractions of Annona reticulata ethanolic leaf extract on human colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116) and to explore the potential molecular targets from the most potent plant extract fraction. Methods After obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee, the extract and fractions were prepared and a preliminary analysis of the phytochemical was done qualitatively. Total phenolic and flavonoids were determined. Ethanolic leaf extract and its fractions were subjected to cytotoxicity analysis using the sulforhodamine B assay and the most promising fraction which showed the highest viability was selected to study anti-migratory activity. The anti-migratory effect was studied using a scratch wound healing assay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was done to identify the major phytocompounds present in the fraction. The major five phytocompounds identified from the GC-MS were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. Result Among the four fractions, the petroleum ether fraction exhibited the highest anti-proliferative activity. The migration of colon cancer cells was significantly inhibited by the extract and petroleum ether fraction. The major phytocompounds identified from GC-MS were phytol (13.03%), 2,6-bis (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo (3.3.0) octane (11.95%), gamma.-sitosterol (10.45%), alpha.-tocopherol-beta.-D-mannoside (7.50%) and 3-amino-4-piperonyl-5-pyrazolone (5.84%). The bioinformatics analysis of these phytochemicals showed a high potential to affect the levels of key proteins driving colon cancer progression, inhibiting the enzymes and proteins overexpressed in cancer. Conclusion The outcome of this study endorses the potential of phytochemicals of the petroleum ether fraction of ethanolic leaf extract of Annona reticulata for the development of a new chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of colon cancer.
Signals and processes in radio electronics
Authors: Gimpilevich Yuriy
Published: June 2024

Each chapter of the textbook presents the relevant theoretical sections of the discipline “Signals and Processes in Radio Electronics”, provides examples of problem solving and test questions.
Meets the requirements of the latest generation Federal State Educational Standard.
For students and graduate students of higher educational institutions of radio-electronic and telecommunications areas and specialties.
Robust Financial Networks
Authors: Hu Feihong , Mitchell Daniel , Tompaidis Stathis
Published: June 2024

In “Robust Financial Networks,” F. Hu, D. Mitchell, and S. Tompaidis study networks of financial institutions where only aggregate information on liabilities is available. The authors introduce the robust liability network, that is, the network consistent with the available information that exhibits the worst expected losses. They provide an algorithm to identify the robust liability network and, using aggregate data provided by bank holding companies to the Federal Reserve in form FR Y-9C, determine robust liability networks for U.S. banks under various network configurations. They show that the robust liability network is sparse, with links between institutions that hold highly correlated portfolios. They illustrate the methodology in two applications. (1) They look at how robust liability networks changed around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) They evaluate the impact of a potential regulation that limits risk-taking based on each institution’s conditional value-at-risk. Their results can be used by regulators to monitor systemic risk in financial networks.
A Kilonewton Challenge
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: June 2024

HOW A NEWT ALMOST STOPPED PLANS TO BUILD THE UK’S LARGEST ROCKET TESTING FACILITY
New Laser Directions
Authors: Tegler Eric
Published: June 2024

The US Air Force has tested a way of controlling laser weapons with an aerodynamic phenomenon called Active Flow Control
Reinventing The Wheel
Authors: Kufa Pavel
Published: June 2024

Bonatrans Group’s eco-friendly, lightweight, and resilient wheelsets used on the Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains are helping to lower energy consumption and reduce emissions
Study on the Temperature Distribution and Natural Frequency of a Circular Saw Blade during Three Types of Wood Sawing Processes
Authors: Zhang Yansong , Li Bo
Published: June 2024

The stability of a circular saw blade during the cutting process affects the knife life and the material utilization rate. In this article, continuous sawing experiments were carried out on medium-density fiberboard, Pterocarpus soyauxii board, and reconstituted bamboo lumber board. The temperature distribution of the saw blade surface was measured. The natural frequency of the saw blade under thermal stress was analyzed by the finite element method. The results show that the material density is positively correlated with the edge temperature of the saw blade. Greater temperature differences within the saw blade lead to worsening dynamic stability. When cutting the reconstituted bamboo lumber board, the saw blade will suddenly lose stability, and the surface temperature will rise rapidly, which greatly shortens the life of the saw blade.
June 2024 Medical Image of the Month: A 76-year-old Man Presenting with Acute Hoarseness
Authors:   University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO USA, Fuher Alexandra , Marshall Carrie , Manning William
Published: June 2024

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 76-year-old man with a past medical history significant for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and 40-pack-year smoking history presented to the emergency department with 1 week of progressive hoarseness. Associated symptoms included a cough initially productive of green sputum that progressed to scant hemoptysis, as well as intermittent hiccups. Four days prior to presentation he sought treatment at a clinic in Mexico, where he was diagnosed with influenza and treated with Tamiflu and Moxifloxacin. His symptoms did not improve, prompting him to seek care at our hospital. On interview, he denied fevers, chills, dysphagia, otalgia, odynophagia, dyspepsia, chest pain, dyspnea, or weight changes. His temperature was 36.3°C, heart rate 75 beats per minute, blood pressure 150/77 mmHg, respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation 93% on room air. On physical examination, the patient was found to have a hoarse voice, with an otherwise normal oropharyngeal exam. Cardiopulmonary …
Race and Class: The Sporting Life of Alfred Charles, Trinidad's First Professional Footballer
Authors: Blackett Richard J.M.
Published: June 2024

Abstract: This biographical essay traces the life of the first Trinidadian to play professional football in England. It explores his leadership of Everton, the first major black team to win all the major trophies in the early thirties, and, following their suspension from the game because of an infraction, Charles' signing with Burnley in the English second division. It then turns its attention to Charles' playing days in England.
Photonic crystal fiber temperature sensor based on self-phase modulation and solitons
Authors: Gao Yuanhongliu , Chen Xiaoyu , Pan Meiting , Cheng Tonglei , Yan Xin
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we investigated the temperature sensing properties of self-phase modulation (SPM) combined with solitons in photonic crystal fibers by experimental verification. Pumped in the normal dispersion region close to the zero-dispersion point, SPM allows the resulting spectrum to extend into the normal dispersion region, generating solitons. By detecting the wavelength shift of the soliton at 900 nm, 2.366 W, the maximum sensitivity is 0.98 nm/°C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of temperature sensing using SPM in combination with solitons, which broadens the boundaries of nonlinear-based sensors and holds considerable promise for high-performance temperature detection in a variety of demanding scenarios, such as railway safety and national security.
Calibration method for complex permittivity measurements using s-SNOM combining multiple probe tapping harmonics
Authors: Siebenkotten Dario , Kästner Bernd , Marschall Manuel , Hoehl Arne , Amakawa Shuhei
Published: June 2024

Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) enables sub-diffraction spectroscopy, featuring high sensitivity to small spatial permittivity variations of the sample surface. However, due to the complexity of the near-field probe-sample interaction, the quantitative extraction of the complex permittivity leads to a computationally demanding inverse problem, requiring further approximation of the system to an invertible model. Black-box calibration methods, similar to those applied to microwave vector network analyzers, allow the extraction of the permittivity without detailed electromagnetic modeling of the probe-sample interaction. These methods, however, are typically designed for stationary setups. In contrast, the distance between the sample and the probe tip of the s-SNOM is periodically modulated to differentiate the near-field interaction from the far-field background via lock-in detection of the harmonics of the periodic motion. This paper proposes an improved black-box calibration method that takes account of the effects of the probe tapping, including its multiple harmonics, and far-field background. The method is validated for an s-SNOM operating in the mid-infrared spectral range by applying it to spectroscopic measurements of silicon microstructures of different but well characterized doping.
Adaptive meshing strategies for nanophotonics using a posteriori error estimation
Authors: Svärdsby Albin J. , Tassin Philippe
Published: June 2024

As nanophotonic devices become increasingly complex, computer simulations of such devices are becoming ever more important. Unfortunately, computer simulations of nanophotonic devices are computationally expensive, especially if many simulations are necessary, e.g., when optimizing or inverse designing a device. Here we study adaptive mesh refinement for finite-element method simulations using an a posteriori error estimation method. We demonstrate that the use of adaptive meshing leads to faster convergence with lower memory footprint for complex three-dimensional nanophotonic structures. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful to avoid a mesh propagation effect for adaptive mesh refinement to be a successful strategy.
Giant optical second- and third-order nonlinearities at a telecom wavelength
Authors: Chen Ching-Fu , Tian Fanglin , Zhou Junxiao , Wagner Jackson C. , Xiong Wei , Liu Zhaowei
Published: June 2024

A material platform that excels in both optical second- and third-order
nonlinearities at a telecom wavelength is theoretically and
experimentally demonstrated. In this TiN-based coupled metallic
quantum well structure, electronic subbands are engineered to support
doubly resonant inter-subband transitions for an exceptionally high
second-order nonlinearity and provide single-photon transitions for a
remarkable third-order nonlinearity within the 1400–1600 nm bandwidth.
The second-order susceptibility χ(2) reaches 2840 pm/V at 1440 nm, while the Kerr
coefficient n2 arrives at
2.8 × 10−10 cm2/W at 1460 nm. The achievement of
simultaneous strong second- and third-order nonlinearities in one
material at a telecom wavelength creates opportunities for
multi-functional advanced applications in the field of nonlinear
optics.
Higher loss of livelihood and impoverishment in households affected by tuberculosis compared to non-tuberculosis affected households in Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Timire Collins , Houben Rein M. G. J. , Pedrazzoli Debora , Ferrand Rashida A. , Calderwood Claire J. , Bond Virginia , Mbiba Fredrick , Kranzer Katharina
Published: June 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) disproportionally affects poor people, leading to income and non-income losses. Measures of socioeconomic impact of TB, e.g. impoverishment and patient costs are inadequate to capture non-income losses. We applied impoverishment and a multidimensional measure on TB and non-TB affected households in Zimbabwe. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 270 households: 90 non-TB; 90 drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB), 90 drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021). Household data included ownership of assets, number of household members, income and indicators on five capital assets: financial, human, social, natural and physical. Households with incomes per capita below US$1.90/day were considered impoverished. We used principal component analysis on five capital asset indicators to create a binary outcome variable indicating loss of livelihood. Log-binomial regression was used to determine associations between loss of livelihood and type of household. TB-affected households were more likely to report episodes of TB and household members requiring care than non-TB households. The proportions of impoverished households were 81% (non-TB), 88% (DS-TB) and 94% (DR-TB) by the time of interview. Overall, 56% (152/270) of households sold assets: 44% (40/90) non-TB, 58% (52/90) DS-TB and 67% (60/90) DR-TB. Children’s education was affected in 33% (55/168) of TB-affected compared to 14% (12/88) non-TB households. Overall, 133 (50%) households experienced loss of livelihood, with TB-affected households almost twice as likely to experience loss of livelihood; adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR = 1.78 [95%CI:1.09–2.89]). The effect of TB on livelihood was most pronounced in poorest households (aPR = 2.61, [95%CI:1.47–4.61]). TB-affected households experienced greater socioeconomic losses compared to non-TB households. Multisectoral social protection is crucial to mitigate impacts of TB and other shocks, especially targeting poorest households.
Mathematical model for rod outer segment dynamics during retinal detachment
Authors: Annan William Ebo , Asamani Emmanuel O. A. , White Diana
Published: June 2024

Retinal detachment (RD) is the separation of the neural layer from the retinal pigmented epithelium thereby preventing the supply of nutrients to the cells within the neural layer of the retina. In vertebrates, primary photoreceptor cells consisting of rods and cones undergo daily renewal of their outer segment through the addition of disc-like structures and shedding of these discs at their distal end. When the retina detaches, the outer segment of these cells begins to degenerate and, if surgical procedures for reattachment are not done promptly, the cells can die and lead to blindness. The precise effect of RD on the renewal process is not well understood. Additionally, a time frame within which reattachment of the retina can restore proper photoreceptor cell function is not known. Focusing on rod cells, we propose a mathematical model to clarify the influence of retinal detachment on the renewal process. Our model simulation and analysis suggest that RD stops or significantly reduces the formation of new discs and that an alternative removal mechanism is needed to explain the observed degeneration during RD. Sensitivity analysis of our model parameters points to the disc removal rate as the key regulator of the critical time within which retinal reattachment can restore proper photoreceptor cell function.
Economic benefit analysis of lithium battery recycling based on machine learning algorithm
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: June 2024

Lithium batteries, as an important energy storage device, are widely used in the fields of renewable vehicles and renewable energy. The related lithium battery recycling industry has also ushered in a golden period of development. However, the high cost of lithium battery recycling makes it difficult to accurately evaluate its recycling value, which seriously restricts the development of the industry. To address the above issues, machine learning will be applied in the field of economic benefit analysis for lithium battery recycling, and backpropagation neural networks will be combined with stepwise regression. On the basis of considering social and commercial values, a lithium battery recycling and utilization economic benefit analysis model based on stepwise regression backpropagation neural network was designed. The experimental results show that the mean square error of the model converges between 10–6 and 10–7, and the convergence speed is improved by 33%. In addition, in practical experiments, the model predicted the actual economic benefits of recycling a batch of lithium batteries. The results show that the predictions are basically in line with the true values. Therefore, the economic benefit analysis and prediction model for lithium battery recycling proposed in the study has the advantages of high accuracy and fast operation speed, providing new ideas and tools for promoting innovation in the field of economic benefit analysis. It has certain application potential in the evaluation of the benefits of lithium battery recycling.