bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly effective Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for removal of toxic organic dyes under visible light illumination
Authors: Rahman Kazi Hasibur , Kar Asit Kumar , Chen Kuan-Chung , Chen Ching-Jung
Published: March 2023

This article addresses the synthesis of Fe3+ doped TiO2 nanoparticles with variations of molar concentrations of Fe3+ and their adequate use as potential photocatalysts for Photocatalysis applications. Synthesized photocatalysts were characterized thoroughly by different analytical techniques in terms of morphological, chemical, structural, crystalline, optical, electronic structure, surface area etc properties. The occurrence of red shift phenomenon of the energy band gap attributes to the transfer of charges and transition between the d electrons of dopant and conduction band (CB) or valence band (VB) of TiO2. The doping of Fe3+ ions generates more trap sites for charge carriers with the surface trap sites. Thorough experimental conclusions revealed that the Fe3+ ions necessarily regulate the catalytic property of TiO2 nanomaterial. The obtained total degradation efficiency rate of Methylene Blue (MB) was 93.3% in the presence of 0.1 M Fe3+ in the host material and for Malachite Green Oxalate the efficiency was 100% in the presence of 0.05 M and 0.1 M Fe3+in the host material. In both the cases the total visible light irradiation time was 90 min. The adsorption properties of the photocatalysts have been also performed in a dark for 90 min in the presence of MB dye. However, till now there are hardly reported photocatalysts which shows complete degradation of these toxic organic dyes by visible light driven photocatalysis. of potential values of valence and conduction band shows the production of active oxidizing species for hydrogen yield and the possible mechanism of the Schottky barrier has been proposed. A schematic diagram of visible light driven Photocatalysis has been pictured showing degradation activity of Fe3+-TiO2 catalysts sample.
Electrocatalytic activity of MoSi2N4 monolayers decorated with single transition metal atoms: a computational study
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Guang , Huang Mengya , Luo Zijiang , Wang Jihong , Ding Zhao , Guo Xiang , Liu Xuefei
Published: March 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) MoSi2N4 is a newly created material that has superstability and ultrahigh carrier mobility. Besides, the hydrogen evolution reaction activity was proved excellent by doping transition metal (TM) atoms and introducing N vacancies. But, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of 2D MoSi2N4 is unclear even. We have explored the electrocatalytic properties (OER/ORR) of MoSi2N4 by introducing Si vacancies and attaching various TM atoms. The structure and optoelectronic characteristics of MoSi2N4 have been researched in detail using density functional theory calculations. By analyzing the density of states, the free energy change diagram and contour maps of TM@VSi-MoSiN, the results show that Co@VSi-MoSiN has the lowest OER overpotential (0.53 V) among all samples. Additionally, the d-band center is used to explain the electrocatalytic origin of the OER and ORR of TM@VSi-MoSiN. Our discoveries expand the 2D TM@VSi-MoSiN applicability in the realm of catalysis.
Optical stark effect on CdSe nanoplatelets with mid-infrared excitation for large amplitude ultrafast modulation
Authors: Diroll Benjamin T
Published: March 2023

The optical Stark effect is a universal response of the electronic structure to incident light. In semiconductors, particularly nanomaterials, the optical Stark effect achieved with sub-band gap photons can drive large, narrowband, and potentially ultrafast changes in the absorption or reflection at the band gap through excitation of virtual excitons. Rapid optical modulation using the optical Stark effect is ultimately constrained, however, by the generation of long-lived excitons through multiphoton absorption. This work compares the modulation achievable using the optical Stark effect on CdSe nanoplatelets with several different pump photon energies, from the visible to mid-infrared. Despite expected lower efficiencies for spectrally-remote pump energies, infrared pump pulses can ultimately drive larger sub-picosecond optical Stark shifts of virtual excitons without creation of real excitons. The CdSe nanoplatelets show subpicosecond shifts of the lowest excitonic resonance of up to 22 meV, resulting in change in absorption as large as 0.32 OD (49% increase in transmission), with a long-lived offset from real excitons less than 1% of the peak signal.
Electron density pedestal behaviour in strike-point sweeping experiment on JET
Authors: Salmi A , Tala T , Morales R B , Carvalho I , Lomas P J
Published: March 2023

Strike-point sweeping, a technique often used to spread heat loads on divertor targets, was employed in JET experiments for the first time to generate an edge-localized modulated particle source for investigating plasma fuelling and particle transport in the edge region. This approach was motivated by the possibility of achieving higher modulation frequencies than those available from traditional gas puff modulation at JET. Higher frequencies would enable the collection of more edge-localized information from the electron density response to the modulated particle source. Various sweeping frequencies, up to 18.5 Hz, were commissioned and utilized in the experiments. Both strong and weak electron density responses were observed in H-mode plasmas, depending on the strike-point configuration and the distance the strike-points moved during the sweep cycle. The electron density response exhibited complex and unconventional behaviour (compared to gas puff modulation), which presented challenges for interpretation. In this study, we analyse one experiment in detail using an optimization framework in which transport and particle source parameters are determined by fitting our forward model parameters to the experimental electron density measurements. We demonstrate that a consistent picture emerges and that our approach can provide new insights into these complex data. However, we note that while strike-point sweeping generates the desired modulated edge-localized particle source, it also modifies the properties of the edge transport barrier. Therefore, the strike-point sweeping methodology is a promising but challenging way to study edge particle transport and edge fuelling properties, requiring very precise measurements.
Glauber P-representations for fermions
Authors: Barnett Stephen M , Dalton Bryan J
Published: March 2023

The Glauber-Sudarshan P-representation for bosons is well-known within quantum optics, and is widely applied to problems involving photon statistics. Less familiar, perhaps, is its fermionic counterpart, introduced by Cahill and Glauber. We present a derivation of both the bosonic and fermionic distributions and, in doing so, demonstrate the reason for the existence of two distinct fermionic forms and the relationship between these. We consider both single mode systems and also multiparticle systems with many modes. Expressions for the moments involving products of mode annihilation and creation operators are obtained. For simplicity only one type of boson or fermion will be considered, but generalising to more types is straightforward.
Electromagnetically and gravitationally stealth fields
Authors: Meza Paola , Quinzacara Cristian , Sampson Almeira , Valenzuela Mauricio
Published: March 2023

We construct a generic class of models for complex scalar fields — minimally coupled to
gravity and electromagnetism — with the property that their energy-momentum tensor and the
electric current vanish for certain massive configurations. These are electromagnetically and
gravitationally stealth fields. We shall see that the latter configurations can affect, in
addition, the strength of the gravity-matter and electromagnetic-matter couplings of other
(non-stealth) modes present in the system, which turn out to be equivalent to the re-scaling the
electric charge and the Newton constant (with a stealth-mass depending factor).
Analytic models for organic field-effect transistors based on exponential and power mobility models
Authors: Luo Jinling , Sun Jiuxun , Kang Shuai , Pan Ziwei , Fu Xie , Wang Liang , Lu Wenqiang
Published: March 2023

The fundamental I–V formula of an organic field effect transistor (OFET) is improved to overcome the divergence of the integrand, so it is very convenient for both numerical calculations and analytic derivations. The analytic I–V formulae are derived based on the exponential mobility model and power-function mobility model, respectively, and the derived analytic formulae are applied to three OFET devices. The results calculated from the reformulated analytic I–V formulae taking in exponential and power function mobility models are all in good agreement with the experimental I–V data. The parameters μ
0 and γ that are extracted from the mobility model and fitted by experimental data show simple Arrhenius temperature dependence and inverse linear relationship with temperature, respectively. These findings are very useful for practical applications and device simulations.
Production of

in heavy ion collisions*
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2023

The yields of

with its two possible configurations, i.e., the hadronic molecular state and tetraquark state, for Pb-Pb collisions at

is studied. A volume effect is found from the centrality distribution of

, which could help to distinguish the inner structure of

. We also show the rapidity and the transverse momentum distributions of

production as well as its elliptic flow coefficient as a function of the transverse momentum.
Preparation, properties, and applications of Bi2O2Se thin films: A review
Authors: Tao Huayu , Wang Tianlin , Li Danyang , Xing Jie , Li Gengwei
Published: March 2023

Two-dimensional materials have shown great application potential in high-performance electronic devices because they are ultrathin, have an ultra-large specific surface area, high carrier mobility, efficient channel current regulation, and extraordinary integration. In addition to graphene, other types of 2D nanomaterials have also been studied and applied in photodetectors, solar cells, energy storage devices, and so on. Bi2O2Se is an emerging 2D semiconductor material with very high electron mobility, modest bandgap, near-ideal subthreshold swing, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. Even in a monolayer structure, Bi2O2Se has still exhibited efficient light absorption. In this mini review, the latest main research progresses on the preparation methods, electric structure, and the optical, mechanical, and thermoelectric properties of Bi2O2Se are summarized. The wide rang of applications in electronics and photoelectronic devices are then reviewed. This review concludes with a discussion of the existing open questions/challenges and future prospects for Bi2O2Se.
The recent progress of laser-induced graphene based device applications
Authors: Zhang Liqiang , Zhou Ziqian , Hu Xiaosong , Wen Liaoyong
Published: March 2023

Laser writing is a fast and efficient technology that can produce graphene with a high surface area, whereas laser-induced graphene (LIG) has been widely used in both physics and chemical device application. It is necessary to update this important progress because it may provide a clue to consider the current challenges and possible future directions. In this review, the basic principles of LIG fabrication are first briefly described for a detailed understanding of the lasing process. Subsequently, we summarize the physical device applications of LIGs and describe their advantages, including flexible electronics and energy harvesting. Then, chemical device applications are categorized into chemical sensors, supercapacitors, batteries, and electrocatalysis, and a detailed interpretation is provided. Finally, we present our vision of future developments and challenges in this exciting research field.
On the origin of the plasma current spike during a tokamak disruption and its relation with magnetic stochasticity
Authors: Nardon E. , Särkimäki K. , Artola F.J. , Sadouni S. , team the JOREK , Contributors JET
Published: March 2023

A JOREK 3D non-linear MHD simulation of a disruption triggered by an argon massive gas injection in JET, which quantitatively reproduces the plasma current (

I

p

) spike (Nardon et al 2021 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
63 115006), is analyzed in order to investigate the origin of the

I

p

spike and its relation with magnetic stochasticity. The

I

p

spike is associated to a current density (j

φ
) profile relaxation which appears to result from Shear Alfvén Wave (SAW) propagation along stochastic field lines, as proposed by Boozer (2019 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
61 024002; 2020 Phys. Plasmas
27 102305), possibly complemented by a macroscopic E×B flow structure. Using axisymmetric JOREK simulations involving a mean field Ohm’s law, we verify that the level of hyper-resistivity associated to SAWs is consistent with the prediction made in (Boozer 2019 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
61 024002; Boozer 2020 Phys. Plasmas
27 102305), which connects the

I

p

spike with the level of stochasticity. The relaxation comprises two main phases, the first one corresponding to a fast (0.1 ms) and almost complete j

φ
flattening in the q < 2 region, while the second one is longer (0.5 ms) and corresponds to a more gradual, global and incomplete j

φ
flattening. During the first phase, strong E×B flows develop that play a key role in mixing impurities into the core.
Morphological characteristics and atomic evolution behavior of nanojoints in Ag nanowire interconnect network
Authors: Cui Jianlei , Ren Xiaoying , Mei Xuesong , Fan Zhengjie , Huang Chenchen , Wang Zhijun , Sun Xiaofei , Wang Wenjun
Published: March 2023

Ag nanowires (AgNWs) have shown great application value in the field of flexible electronics due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, and the quality of its joints of AgNWs in the thin film network directly plays a key role in its performance. In order to further improve the joint quality of AgNWs under thermal excitation, the thermal welding process and atomic evolution behavior of AgNWs were investigated through a combination of in situ experimental and molecular dynamics simulations. The influence of processing time, temperature, and stress distribution due to spatial arrangement on nanojoints was systematically explored. What is more, the failure mechanisms and their atomic interface behavior of the nanojoints were also investigated.
Invited Commentary: Beyond Barker—Mothers Are the Ones at Risk
Authors: Wilcox Allen J
Published: March 2023

Dr. David Barker hypothesized that low birth weight (LBW) is the result of inadequate fetal nutrition, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the offspring. This hypothesis has stimulated thousands of reports on low birth weight (LBW) and CVD risk. One problem with this association is that many LBW infants are small because they are preterm, not growth-restricted. A second problem is that maternal CVD risk factors confound the association. In an accompanying article, Lu et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2023;192(6):866–877) address both concerns. Using population data from Sweden and Denmark, the authors estimated CVD incidence among offspring born small for gestational age (SGA). The smallest 3% had a CVD hazard ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.38, 1.51). Even this moderate risk mostly evaporated in sibship analysis, which controlled for unmeasured maternal CVD risk factors (hazard ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.25). The risk highlighted by Barker is negligible, especially when compared with a more urgent health issue—cardiovascular risk in women with pregnancy complications. Mothers of SGA infants have up to a 3-fold CVD risk, and mothers with preeclampsia and preterm delivery have up to a 9-fold risk. Pregnancy complications thus provide an early marker of a woman’s propensity to develop CVD, and perhaps an opportunity for early intervention. From a public health perspective, Barker’s hypothesis about CVD risk in LBW offspring is less compelling than the question of CVD risk among mothers with pregnancy complications.

This article is part of a Special Collection on ABC.
The Evidence-Based Frame, Vis-à-Vis Rogerian Q Sort Method: ∑(A+B) ÷ (1.1) = Q Hall’s Mathematical Equation
Authors: Hall Ronald E
Published: March 2023

Social work practice is a constantly evolving, evidence-based profession. As an explanation of client ‘presenting problems’, social work practice incorporates Q sort via Rogers’ client-centred/humanism. Q sort is a mathematical tool that enables an incremental step by the profession at-large towards scientific exactness. Absent Q sort, as a mathematical tool of social work practice, well-respected critics have commenced to denigrate social work as a semi-profession in the absence of a scientific methodology. Any challenge to the accusations of social work being a semi-profession may be enabled by Q sort exactness per the introduction of its technical expertise into the social work practice methodology. Exactness is enabled by the construction of a Q sort mathematical equation. Extending from this, Hall’s Q sort mathematical equation is original in the field of social work. Its scientific exactness moves the profession ever so slightly forward where accusations of being a semi-profession by critics may be overcome and eventually cease to exist.
MTHFD1 is critical for the negative regulation of retinoic acid receptor signalling in anencephaly
Authors: Xie Xiaolu , Li Chuang , Yu Juan , Chang Shaoyan , Cheng Xiyue , Wang Fang , Bao Yihua , Zhang Ting , Wang Shan
Published: March 2023

Neural tube defects are the most severe congenital malformations that result from failure of neural tube closure during early embryonic development, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Retinoic acid, an active derivative of vitamin A, is critical for neural system development, and retinoic acid receptor (RAR) signalling malfunctions have been observed in human neural tube defects. However, retinoic acid–retinoic acid receptor signalling regulation and mechanisms in neural tube defects are not fully understood.

The mRNA expression of RARs and retinoid X receptors in the different human neural tube defect phenotypes, including 11 pairs of anencephaly foetuses, 10 pairs of hydrocephalus foetuses and nine pairs of encephalocele foetuses, was investigated by NanoString nCounter technology. Immunoprecipitation–mass spectrometry was performed to screen the potential interacting targets of retinoic acid receptor γ. The interactions between proteins were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence laser confocal microscopy. Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to clarify the underlying mechanism. Moreover, a neural tube defect animal model, constructed using excess retinoic acid, was used for further analysis with established molecular biology technologies.

We report that level of retinoic acid receptor γ (RARγ) mRNA was significantly upregulated in the brain tissues of human foetuses with anencephaly. To further understand the actions of retinoic acid receptor γ in neural tube defects, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 was identified as a specific retinoic acid receptor γ target from IP–MS screening. Additionally, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 negatively regulated retinoic acid receptor γ transcription factor activity. Furthermore, low expression of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 and activation of retinoic acid receptor signalling were further determined in human anencephaly and a retinoic acid-induced neural tube defect mouse model.

This study reveals that methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1, the rate-determining enzyme in the one-carbon cycle, might be a specific regulator of retinoic acid receptors; these findings provide new insights into the functional linkage between nuclear folate metabolism and retinoic acid receptor signalling in neural tube defect pathology.
A homozygous POLR1A variant causes leukodystrophy and affects protein homeostasis
Authors: Misceo Doriana , Lirussi Lisa , Strømme Petter , Sumathipala Dulika , Guerin Andrea , Wolf Nicole I , Server Andres , Stensland Maria , Dalhus Bjørn , Tolun Aslıhan , Kroes Hester Y , Nyman Tuula A , Nilsen Hilde L , Frengen Eirik
Published: March 2023

RNA polymerase I transcribes ribosomal DNA to produce precursor 47S rRNA. Post-transcriptional processing of this rRNA generates mature 28S, 18S and 5.8S rRNAs, which form the ribosomes, together with 5S rRNA, assembly factors and ribosomal proteins. We previously reported a homozygous variant in the catalytic subunit of RNA polymerase I, POLR1A, in two brothers with leukodystrophy and progressive course. However, the disease mechanism remained unknown.

In this report, we describe another missense variant POLR1A NM_015425.3:c.1925C>A; p.(Thr642Asn) in homozygosity in two unrelated patients. Patient 1 was a 16-year-old male and Patient 2 was a 2-year-old female. Both patients manifested neurological deficits, with brain MRIs showing hypomyelinating leukodystrophy and cerebellar atrophy; and in Patient 1 additionally with hypointensity of globi pallidi and small volume of the basal ganglia. Patient 1 had progressive disease course, leading to death at the age of 16.5 years. Extensive in vitro experiments in fibroblasts from Patient 1 documented that the mutated POLR1A led to aberrant rRNA processing and degradation, and abnormal nucleolar homeostasis. Proteomics data analyses and further in vitro experiments documented abnormal protein homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses. We confirm that POLR1A biallelic variants cause neurodegenerative disease, expand the knowledge of the clinical phenotype of the disorder, and provide evidence for possible pathological mechanisms leading to POLR1A-related leukodystrophy.
Acyl ghrelin improves cardiac function in heart failure and increases fractional shortening in cardiomyocytes without calcium mobilization
Authors: Lund Lars H , Hage Camilla , Pironti Gianluigi , Thorvaldsen Tonje , Ljung-Faxén Ulrika , Zabarovskaja Stanislava , Shahgaldi Kambiz , Webb Dominic-Luc , Hellström Per M , Andersson Daniel C , Ståhlberg Marcus
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

Ghrelin is an endogenous appetite-stimulating peptide hormone with potential cardiovascular benefits. Effects of acylated (activated) ghrelin were assessed in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and in ex vivo mouse cardiomyocytes.

Methods and results

In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial, 31 patients with chronic HFrEF were randomized to synthetic human acyl ghrelin (0.1 µg/kg/min) or placebo intravenously over 120 min. The primary outcome was change in cardiac output (CO). Isolated mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with acyl ghrelin and fractional shortening and calcium transients were assessed. Acyl ghrelin but not placebo increased cardiac output (acyl ghrelin: 4.08 ± 1.15 to 5.23 ± 1.98 L/min; placebo: 4.26 ± 1.23 to 4.11 ± 1.99 L/min, P < 0.001). Acyl ghrelin caused a significant increase in stroke volume and nominal increases in left ventricular ejection fraction and segmental longitudinal strain and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. There were no effects on blood pressure, arrhythmias, or ischaemia. Heart rate decreased nominally (acyl ghrelin: 71 ± 11 to 67 ± 11 b.p.m.; placebo 69 ± 8 to 68 ± 10 b.p.m.). In cardiomyocytes, acyl ghrelin increased fractional shortening, did not affect cellular Ca2+ transients, and reduced troponin I phosphorylation. The increase in fractional shortening and reduction in troponin I phosphorylation was blocked by the acyl ghrelin antagonist D-Lys 3.

Conclusion

In patients with HFrEF, acyl ghrelin increased cardiac output without causing hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmia, or ischaemia. In isolated cardiomyocytes, acyl ghrelin increased contractility independently of preload and afterload and without Ca2+ mobilization, which may explain the lack of clinical side effects. Ghrelin treatment should be explored in additional randomized trials.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05277415
Enhanced Bruhat Decomposition and Morse Theory
Authors: Pushkar Petya , Temkin Misha
Published: March 2023

Morse function is called strong if all its critical points have different critical values. Given such a function $f$ and a field $\mathbb{F}$ Barannikov constructed a pairing of some of the critical points of $f$, which is now also known as barcode. With every Barannikov pair (a.k.a. bar in the barcode), we naturally associate (up to sign) an element of $\mathbb{F} \setminus \{ 0 \}$; we call it Bruhat number. The paper is devoted to the study of these Bruhat numbers. We investigate several situations where the product of all the numbers (some being inversed) is independent of $f$ and interpret it as a Reidemeister torsion. We apply our results in the setting of one-parameter Morse theory by proving that generic path of functions must satisfy a certain equation mod 2 (this was initially proven in [ 2] under additional assumptions).

On the linear-algebraic level, our constructions are served by the following variation of a classical Bruhat decomposition for $GL(\mathbb{F})$. A unitriangular matrix is an upper triangular one with 1s on the diagonal. Consider all rectangular matrices over $\mathbb{F}$ up to left and right multiplication by unitriangular ones. Enhanced Bruhat decomposition describes canonical representative in each equivalence class.
Does women's empowerment and socio-economic status predict adequacy of antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa?
Authors: Aboagye Richard Gyan , Okyere Joshua , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Budu Eugene , Yaya Sanni
Published: March 2023

Background

Quality and adequate antenatal care (ANC) are key strategies necessary to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.1. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a paucity of evidence on the role women's empowerment and socio-economic status play in ANC attendance. This study aimed to examine whether women's empowerment and socio-economic status predict the adequacy of ANC in SSA.

Methods

Data from the recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) of 10 countries in SSA were used for the study. We included countries with a survey dataset compiled between 2018 and 2020. We included 57 265 women with complete observations on variables of interest in the study. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the results of the coverage of adequate ANC services across the 10 countries. A multivariable binary multilevel regression analysis was employed to examine the association between women's empowerment and socio-economic status indicators and the adequacy of ANC. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the findings of the regression analysis.

Results

The average prevalence of adequate ANC in SSA was 10.4%. This ranged from 0.2% in Rwanda to 24.5% in Liberia. Women with medium (aOR 1.24 [CI 1.10 to 1.40]) and high (aOR 1.24 [CI 1.07 to 1.43]) decision-making power had higher odds of adequate ANC compared to those with low decision-making power. Women with higher levels of education (aOR 1.63 [CI 1.36 to 1.95]) as well as partners with higher education levels (aOR 1.34 [CI 1.14 to 1.56]) had the highest odds of adequate ANC compared to those with no formal education. Additionally, those working (aOR 1.35 [95% CI 1.23 to 1.49]) and those in the richest wealth category (aOR 2.29 [CI 1.90 to 2.76]) had higher odds of adequate ANC compared to those who are not working and those in the poorest wealth category. Those with high justification of violence against women (aOR 0.84 [CI 0.73 to 0.97]) had lower odds of adequate ANC compared to those with low justification of violence against women.

Conclusions

Adequacy of ANC was low across all 10 countries we included in this study. It is evident from the study that women's empowerment and socio-economic status significantly predicted the adequacy of ANC. As such, promoting women's empowerment programs without intensive improvements in women's socio-economic status would yield ineffective results. However, when women's empowerment programs are combined with active improvements in socio-economic status, then women will be encouraged to seek adequate ANC.
TNF promotes DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor expression in human macrophages
Authors: Haberkamp Carl , Allabauer Ida , Blaha Niklas , Bodendorfer Barbara , Cunningham Sarah , Hoerning Andre , Lang Roland
Published: March 2023

TNF blockade constitutes an effective therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, yet increases the risk for infection, including active tuberculosis. The DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptors MINCLE, MCL, and DECTIN2 sense mycobacterial ligands and activate myeloid cells. In mice, upregulation of DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor after stimulation with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin requires TNF. Here, we investigated whether TNF controls inducible C-type lectin receptor expression in human myeloid cells. Monocyte-derived macrophages were stimulated with Bacille Calmette-Guérin and the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide, and expression of C-type lectin receptor was analyzed. Bacille Calmette-Guérin and lipopolysaccharide strongly upregulated messenger RNA expression of DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor but not of DECTIN1. Bacille Calmette-Guérin and lipopolysaccharide also induced robust production of TNF. Recombinant TNF was sufficient to upregulate expression of DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor. Blocking TNF with the TNFR2-Fc fusion protein etanercept abrogated, as expected, the effect of recombinant TNF and impaired induction of DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor by Bacille Calmette-Guérin and lipopolysaccharide. Flow cytometry confirmed upregulation of MCL at the protein level by recombinant TNF and showed inhibition of Bacille Calmette-Guérin–induced MCL by etanercept. To investigate the impact of TNF on C-type lectin receptor expression in vivo, we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and observed downregulation of MINCLE and MCL expression after therapeutic TNF blockade. Together, TNF is sufficient to upregulate DECTIN2 family C-type lectin receptor in human myeloid cells and contributes to this process after encounter with Bacille Calmette-Guérin or lipopolysaccharide. Impaired C-type lectin receptor expression in patients receiving TNF blockade may dampen the sensing of microbes and defense against infection.
A rare case of inflammatory breast cancer with delayed auto-amputation in modern times
Authors: Tan Hao Han , Goh Ian Y , Muduioa Geoffrey
Published: March 2023

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, accounting for 0.5–2% of all diagnoses of invasive breast cancers. Yet, it is associated with very poor prognosis and outcomes, with documented 2- and 5-year survival rates around 84% and 40%, respectively, as compared to 90.6% of all breast cancers. Breast auto-amputation is also a rare complication of locally advanced breast cancer, associated with distressing symptoms for these patients. In this study, we report a 67-year-old female with a delayed diagnosis of IBC with a rare sequela of auto-amputation of the affected breast. The delay in diagnosis of >6 months led to a delay in the necessary treatment. She received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and underwent a palliative right salvage mastectomy with level 2 axillary dissection.
Low level of antifungal resistance inCandidaspecies recovered from Iranian HIV-associated oral infection
Authors: Erfaninejad Maryam , Zarei Mahmoudabadi Ali , Maraghi Elham , Hashemzadeh Mohammad , Fatahinia Mahnaz
Published: March 2023

Oral candidiasis (OC) is the most frequent opportunistic fungal infection, which is a predictive indicator of immunosuppression and disease progression among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In the present study, 109 Candida isolates were collected from 94 PLWHA afflicted with oral Candida infection (OCI) following highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The susceptibility profiles of Candidaspp. to six antifungal agents were evaluated using CLSI broth microdilution. The prevalence of OCI was 34.06%. The susceptibility profile of Candidaspp. revealed 100% sensitivity to caspofungin, while 6.4%, 5.4%, 24.5%, and 2.8% of Candida isolates showed resistance or nonwild-type MICs to fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B, respectively. Notably, 15.9% of patients and 3.7% of isolates showed mixed Candida infections and multidrug resistance, respectively. The low-level resistance to antifungal agents observed in the present study may be explained by the fact that none of the participants had prior and prolonged exposure to these antifungals. However, more focus should be placed on the mechanisms of reduced susceptibility and low-level resistance in Candida species since they can serve as stepping stones to developing clinical resistance. Alongside this, it seems a must to understand the local epidemiology of Candida spp. and their susceptibility pattern.
Nested sampling statistical errors
Authors: Fowlie Andrew , Li Qiao , Lv Huifang , Sun Yecheng , Zhang Jia , Zheng Le
Published: March 2023

Nested sampling (NS) is a popular algorithm for Bayesian computation. We investigate statistical errors in NS both analytically and numerically. We show two analytic results. First, we show that the leading terms in Skilling’s expression using information theory match the leading terms in Keeton’s expression from an analysis of moments. This approximate agreement was previously only known numerically and was somewhat mysterious. Second, we show that the uncertainty in single NS runs approximately equals the standard deviation in repeated NS runs. While intuitive, this was previously taken for granted. We close by investigating our results and their assumptions in several numerical examples, including cases in which NS uncertainties increase without bound.
The puzzle of the formation of T8 dwarf Ross 458c
Authors: Gaarn Josefine , Burningham Ben , Faherty Jacqueline K , Visscher Channon , Marley Mark S , Gonzales Eileen C , Calamari Emily , Bardalez Gagliuffi Daniella , Lupu Roxana , Freedman Richard
Published: March 2023

At the lowest masses, the distinction between brown dwarfs and giant exoplanets is often blurred and literature classifications rarely reflect the deuterium burning boundary. Atmospheric characterization may reveal the extent to which planetary formation pathways contribute to the population of very low mass brown dwarfs, by revealing whether their abundance distributions differ from those of the local field population or, in the case of companions, their primary stars. The T8 dwarf Ross 458c is a possible planetary-mass companion to a pair of M dwarfs, and previous work suggests that it is cloudy. We here present the results of the retrieval analysis of Ross 458c, using archival spectroscopic data in the 1.0–2.4 µm range. We test a cloud-free model as well as a variety of cloudy models and find that the atmosphere of Ross 458c is best described by a cloudy model (strongly preferred). The CH4/H2O is higher than expected at $1.97^{+0.13}_{-0.14}$. This value is challenging to understand in terms of equilibrium chemistry and plausible carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratios. Comparisons to thermochemical grid models suggest a C/O of ≈1.35, if CH4 and H2O are quenched at 2000 K, requiring vigorous mixing. We find a [C/H] ratio of +0.18, which matches the metallicity of the primary system, suggesting that oxygen is missing from the atmosphere. Even with extreme mixing, the implied C/O is well beyond the typical stellar regime, suggesting either a non-stellar formation pathway or the sequestration of substantial quantities of oxygen via hitherto unmodelled chemistry or condensation processes.
The ethylene-responsive transcription factor PpERF9 represses PpRAP2.4 and PpMYB114 via histone deacetylation to inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear
Authors: Ni Junbei , Wang Simai , Yu Wenjie , Liao Yifei , Pan Chen , Zhang Manman , Tao Ruiyan , Wei Jia , Gao Yuhao , Wang Dongsheng , Bai Songling , Teng Yuanwen
Published: March 2023

Ethylene induces anthocyanin biosynthesis in most fruits, including apple (Malus domestica) and plum (Prunus spp.). By contrast, ethylene inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear (Pyrus spp.), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized an ethylene-induced ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) transcription factor, PpETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR9 (PpERF9), which functions as a transcriptional repressor. Our analyses indicated PpERF9 can directly inhibit expression of the MYB transcription factor gene PpMYB114 by binding to its promoter. Additionally, PpERF9 inhibits the expression of the transcription factor gene PpRELATED TO APETALA2.4 (PpRAP2.4), which activates PpMYB114 expression, by binding to its promoter, thus forming a PpERF9-PpRAP2.4-PpMYB114 regulatory circuit. Furthermore, PpERF9 interacts with the co-repressor PpTOPLESS1 (PpTPL1) via EAR motifs to form a complex that removes the acetyl group on histone H3 and maintains low levels of acetylated H3 in the PpMYB114 and PpRAP2.4 promoter regions. The resulting suppressed expression of these 2 genes leads to decreased anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear. Collectively, these results indicate that ethylene inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis by a mechanism that involves PpERF9-PpTPL1 complex-mediated histone deacetylation of PpMYB114 and PpRAP2.4. The data presented herein will be useful for clarifying the relationship between chromatin status and hormone signaling, with implications for plant biology research.
Fiscal Federalism: The Interaction between Own Revenues and Intergovernmental Transfers in Local Governments—The Case of Municipalities in Buenos Aires
Authors: Porto Alberto , Puig Jorge
Published: March 2023

We study the interaction between intergovernmental transfers on the level and the structure of local own revenues. Based on a sample for Argentina’s local governments, specifically the 135 municipalities of the province of Buenos Aires, we find that transfers facilitate local revenues collection. This effect is more pronounced in urban local governments, with higher population density, poverty levels, and demand for public services. In addition, transfers bias own revenues composition. That is, higher transfers lead to higher local tax collection, which is obtained through less distortionary taxation (i.e., property tax). Interestingly, this bias is stronger for local governments with a higher share of divisible public goods (that are likely to be financed according to the “benefit principle”). The results are robust to a battery of different estimation methods and can be rationalized with existing theory from public finance and political economy as well. The findings might have important policy implications for local governments’ public finance.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF THE RADIATION SOURCE TERM FROM [18O]H2O CYCLOTRON TARGET BOMBARDMENT WITH PROTONS OF 16.5 MEV
Authors: Benavente-Castillo Jhonny A , da Silva Teógenes A , Fonseca Telma C F , Lacerda Marco A S
Published: March 2023

PET cyclotrons are widely used for producing medical diagnostic radionuclides. The main radionuclide produced in these facilities is the 18F, which is obtained from the [18O (p,n)18F] reaction when 18O-enriched water is bombarded with the proton beams. This work aimed to estimate the radiation source term from the bombardment of an 18O-enriched water target with protons of 16.5 MeV to determine the radiation neutron field around the accelerator.
Domestically “Flying Geese”: Regional Manufacturing Investment Flows within China
Authors: Zhang Jialiang , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the evolving patterns of bilateral city-to-city manufacturing investment flows from 2000 to 2015 in China, which are aggregated from detailed firm-level investment transactions based on the administrative business registration database. The coastal regions were a more favorable destination for manufacturing investment prior to 2006 despite their higher wage levels. Since then, the trend has reversed, that is, the inland regions have attracted a growing share of manufacturing investment. The pattern is more pronounced for labor-intensive manufacturing industries. The wage gap between coastal and inland cities is the main driver behind the giant “flying geese”—the relocation of manufacturing firms from coastal to inland areas.
Consensus on Social Determinants of Health Knowledge Topics and Behavior Learning Goals Across Primary Care Residencies: Results of a Delphi Study
Authors: Hassan Iman F. , Gorski Victoria , Sanderson Dana , Braganza Sandra , Benfield Nerys , Nadas Marisa , Amursi Erka , Gonzalez Cristina M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Social determinants of health (SDH) are a substantial contributor to health outcomes and health inequities across populations. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has called for the incorporation of SDH into graduate medical education (GME), yet there is no consensus on what SDH knowledge or skills residents in primary care specialties should have on completion of training. The aim of this study was to develop expert consensus on the most important SDH knowledge topics and behavior learning goals for residents in 4 primary care fields.

Method

The authors used a modified Delphi technique to develop consensus among experts in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology across the United States via a survey administered between February and October 2021. They conducted a literature review on SDH in GME to develop an initial set of topics and learning goals and recruited experts who published about SDH and GME or led an SDH curriculum in GME. Consensus was determined a priori as 80% agreement that a topic or learning goal was very or extremely important.

Results

Forty-one experts participated in the first round of the survey and 33 participated in the second round (80% retention). Experts reached consensus on the importance of 22/51 (43%) topics and 18/47 (38%) learning goals. Topics reaching consensus emphasized structural forces, broad domains of SDH, resources for addressing SDH, and advocacy strategies and resources. Learning goals reaching consensus focused on individual- and interpersonal-level behaviors.

Conclusions

To the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first rigorous evaluation of expert consensus on SDH in GME across 4 primary care specialties. The results could inform curriculum development and implementation and program evaluation, residency program goals, and shared GME milestones. Among other things, future studies can assess expert consensus on SDH in GME across nonprimary care specialties.
Public and Population Health in U.S. Medical Education: A Review of Guidance in Extraordinary Times
Authors: Maeshiro Rika , Jarris Yumi Shitama , Prunuske Jacob , Carney Jan K. , Strelnick Alvin H. , Townsend Janet M. , Krane N. Kevin , Johnson Sherese B. , Howley Lisa D. , Cashman Suzanne B. , Deyton Lawrence R. , Ortega LaVonne A. , Lebwohl Benjamin , Fair Malika
Published: March 2023

Generations of medical educators have recommended including public and population health (PPH) content in the training of U.S. physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic, structural racism, epidemic gun violence, and the existential threats caused by climate change are currently unsubtle reminders of the essential nature of PPH in medical education and practice. To assess the state of PPH content in medical education, the authors reviewed relevant guidance, including policies, standards, and recommendations from national bodies that represent and oversee medical education for physicians with MD degrees.

Findings confirm that guidance across the medical education continuum, from premedical education to continuing professional development, increasingly includes PPH elements that vary in specificity and breadth. Graduate medical education policies present the most comprehensive approach in both primary care and subspecialty fields. Behavioral, quantitative, social, and systems sciences are represented, although not uniformly, in guidance for every phase of training. Quantitative PPH skills are frequently presented in the context of research, but not in relation to the development of population health perspectives (e.g., evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, policy development). The interdependence between governmental public health and medical practice, environmental health, and the impact of structural racism and other systems of oppression on health are urgent concerns, yet are not consistently or explicitly included in curricular guidance. To prepare physicians to meet the health needs of patients and communities, educators should identify and address gaps and inconsistencies in PPH curricula and related guidance.

Re-examinations of public health and health care systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic support the importance of PPH in physician training and practice, as physicians can help to bridge clinical and public health systems. This review provides an inventory of existing guidance (presented in the appendices) to assist educators in establishing PPH as an essential foundation of physician training and practice.
The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Authors: Dupuis Frederique , Cherif Amira , Batcho Charles , Massé-Alarie Hugo , Roy Jean-Sébastien
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The aims of this systematic review were to identify the different versions of the Tampa Scale of kinesiophobia (TSK) and to report on the psychometric evidence relating to these different versions for people experiencing musculoskeletal pain.

Methods:

Medline [Ovid] CINAHL and Embase databases were searched for publications reporting on the psychometric properties of the TSK in populations with musculoskeletal pain. Risks of bias were evaluated using the COSMIN risk of the bias assessment tool.

Results:

Forty-one studies were included, mainly with a low risk of bias. Five versions of the TSK were identified: TSK-17, TSK-13, TSK-11, TSK-4, and TSK-TMD (for temporomandibular disorders). Most TSK versions showed good to excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation 0.77 to 0.99) and good internal consistency (ɑ=0.68 to 0.91), except for the TSK-4 as its reliability has yet to be defined. The minimal detectable change was lower for the TSK-17 (11% to 13% of total score) and the TSK-13 (8% of total score) compared with the TSK-11 (16% of total score). Most TSK versions showed good construct validity, although TSK-11 validity was inconsistent between studies. Finally, the TSK-17, -13, and -11 were highly responsive to change, while responsiveness has yet to be defined for the TSK-4 and TSK-TMD.

Discussion:

Clinical guidelines now recommend that clinicians identify the presence of kinesiophobia among patients as it may contribute to persistent pain and disability. The TSK is a self-report questionnaire widely used, but 5 different versions exist. Based on these results, the use of TSK-13 and TSK-17 is encouraged as they are valid, reliable, and responsive.