bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of telespeech therapy on language abilities in people with aphasia: A pilot study
Authors: Prasertsrisak Tanyasiri ,   Communication Disorders,Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Rattakorn Phuanjai ,   Communication Disorders,Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Published: July 2024

Background: Aphasia is a condition that happens when certain areas of the brain responsible for language are damaged, causing difficulties in communicating. Treatment involving speech and language interventions is essential for rehabilitating communication abilities. However, due to accessibility and distancing challenges, access to these medical services has been restricted, especially during COVID-19. Telepractice was introduced as an alternative approach to speech and language therapy. However, there currently needs to be more research on its application, specifically within the aphasia population in Thailand. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of telepractice in aphasia intervention to enhance the general practice standard and to explore satisfaction with using telepractice in speech therapy among aphasia patients and their caregivers. Materials and methods: Sixteen participants were recruited for this study, comprising eight aphasia patients and eight caregivers. A standardized aphasia test, the Thai Adaptation of the Western Aphasia Battery (TWAB), was used for pre- and postassessments. Additionally, satisfaction surveys were employed to gauge significant satisfaction levels among participants. A one-month telepractice intervention (12 sessions in total) was conducted between the pre- and post-assessments to determine the effectiveness of telepractice based on its impact on TWAB test scores. Results: Overall, this study revealed a significant improvement in the Aphasia Quotient (AQ) as measured by the TWAB test (p=0.011). However, only the repetition and naming sub-tests showed significant improvement between pre- and post-assessment (p=0.019 and p=0.011). The satisfaction levels were reported as high to very high. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of telepractice in aphasia intervention, particularly in improving naming and repetition skills and eliciting a high to very high level of satisfaction among patients and their caregivers.
Exploration of the complex origins of primary constipation
Authors: Zeng Xing-Lin , Zhu Lian-Jun , Yang Xiang-Dong
Published: July 2024

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty in passing stools. It can significantly affect an individual's quality of life and overall well-being. Understanding the causes of constipation is important for its effective management and treatment. In this paper, we have reviewed the primary causes of constipation or functional constipation. Primary constipation is a bowel disorder associated with colonic or anorectal sensorimotor or neuromuscular dysfunction. As per the literature, it is multifactorial and involves factors such as decreased interstitial cells of Cajal, altered colonic motility, enteric nervous system dysfunction, intestinal flora disturbances, and psychological influences. Clinical symptoms include difficulty in defecation, decreased frequency of defecation, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. A comprehensive evaluation and management of constipation require an interdisciplinary approach incorporating dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and psychological interventions. Further research is imperative to explain the intricate mechanisms underlying constipation and develop targeted therapies for improved patient outcomes.
Correlation between TEX14 and ADAM17 expressions in colorectal cancer tissues of elderly patients and neoplasm staging, invasion, and metastasis
Authors: Chen Gun , Cong Ling-Hua , Gu Chi-Jiang , Li Ping
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently encountered malignant tumors in clinical settings. Proteins encoded by the testis-expressed gene 14 (TEX14) are imperative for spermatogenesis, necessitating intercellular bridges between germ cells. Anomalous expression of TEX14 has also been associated with the proliferation and differentiation of certain tumor cells. Recombinant A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is known as a membrane-bound protease that regulates cellular activities and signal transduction by hydrolyzing various substrate proteins on the cell membrane. We hypothesize that TEX14 and ADAM17 may serve as potential biomarkers influencing the staging, invasion, and metastasis of CRC.

AIM

To probe the correlation between TEX17 and ADAM17 profiles in the CRC tissues of elderly patients and their association with CRC staging, invasion, and metastasis.

METHODS

We gathered data from 86 elderly patients diagnosed pathologically with CRC between April 2020 and December 2023. For each patient, one sample of cancer tissue and one sample of adjacent normal tissue were harvested. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR measured the mRNA profiles of TEX14 and ADAM17. Immunohistochemistry ascertained the positivity rates of TEX14 and ADAM17 expressions. Clinical pathological features of neoplasm staging, invasion, and metastasis were collected, and the association between TEX14 and ADAM17 expressions and clinical pathology was evaluated.

RESULTS

The mRNA and expression profiles of TEX14 and ADAM17 were significantly elevated in CRC tissues. The positivity rates of TEX14 and ADAM17 proteins in CRC tissues were 70.93% and 77.91%, respectively. There were no significant differences in age, sex, pathological type, and tumor diameter between TEX14 and ADAM17-positive and -negative patients. Patients with higher tumor differentiation degree, deeper infiltration and TNM stages ranging from III to IV exhibited higher positivity rates of TEX14 and ADAM17. Patients with lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis showed higher positivity rates of TEX14 and ADAM17 than those without. Positive expressions of TEX14 and ADAM17 were highly correlated with tumor staging, invasion, and metastasis.

CONCLUSION

TEX14 and ADAM17 profiles were significantly elevated in the CRC tissues of elderly patients, and their high expressions were associated with tumor staging, invasion, and metastasis.
IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis associated with essential thrombocythemia: A case report
Authors: Wu Zhi-Nian , JI Ru , Xiao Ying , Wang Ya-Dong , Zhao Cai-Yan
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

The complexity of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related diseases and their potential connection to hematologic malignancies remains unclear. This article provided a review of the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (SC) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), along with an analysis of relevant literature to enhance comprehension of this disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 56-year-old male was admitted to two hospitals with deteriorating jaundice and pruritus prior to hospitalization. Beyond our expectations, the patient was first diagnosed with IgG4-SC and ET with the Janus kinase 2 V617F mutation. Interestingly, the administration of acetate prednisone significantly resulted in improvements in both IgG4-SC and ET. Clinicians need to pay attention to immune disorders and inflammation as they contribute to the development of various disease phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

When IgG4-SC is suspected without histopathological evidence, diagnostic therapy and long-term regular follow-up can lead to positive treatment outcomes. Clinicians should be mindful of the potential presence of concurrent hematologic diseases in patients with immune disorders.
The Theology of Sacrifice as Gift in Ben Sira
Authors: Long Stephen A.
Published: July 2024

Abstract: In this article, I endeavor to advance discussion of the symbolic “meaning” of sacrifice during the Second Temple period by examining the wisdom instruction of Ben Sira. As part of his longest exposition of his views on sacrifice, Ben Sira emphasizes the “gift” aspects of the regular, literal altar service initiated by an individual (35:6–13). Such ritual gifts sought to be “acceptable” (35:9a) and communicated a relationship of gratitude for God’s prior generosity (35:11–13). These gifts may also have aimed, as the contemporaneous Samaritan inscriptions would have it, at “good remembrance” (cf. Sir 35:9b)—perhaps concretely realized as Yhwh’s bestowal of benefits like healing upon his pious dependent (38:9–11). The ritual joy and generosity initiated by the individual participated in a divinely ordained temple cultus by which the cosmos was thought to be properly ordered, and contributed conceptual support for broad circles of reciprocity encompassing God, the pious Israelite, and neighbors who may never have been able to “repay” (35:3–4; cf. 29:8–13).
An Earlier terminus ante quem for the Epistle of James? The Influence of James on Clement of Alexandria’s Transmission of 1 Clement 17
Authors: List Nicholas
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The current terminus ante quem for the Epistle of James is the third century, with the first clear quotations of the epistle located in Origen. Aside from a few contentious correspondences with the Apostolic Fathers, no earlier allusions to James have received any serious consideration. I argue that an earlier reference should in fact be detected in Origen’s predecessor, Clement of Alexandria. In book 4 of his Stromata , the Alexandrian quotes from 1 Clement 17, a text that presents the figure of Job as an exemplum of humility. Clement significantly alters his source text in such a way that seems to betray knowledge of James, producing a synthesis of Joban tradition in early Christianity. If this claim is substantiated, it would effectively push the terminus ante quem for James back by one generation, to the late second century c.e.
Practicing Enthusiasm In Jubilate Agno
Authors: Trotter Philip
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This essay approaches Jubilate Agno (1758–1763) as constitutive of an "emotional practice" of enthusiasm. Using affect and practice theories, I argue for increased attention to the modulation of feeling made manifest in Jubilate Agno , which realizes Smart's religious, reparative, and creative impulses. The enthusiastic posture and practice of the poem afford Smart, if not always divine inspiration and freedom, at least sustaining resolve during his years of anguished confinement for "madness." That such a posture and practice are so often sublime, as expounded by Robert Lowth, reveals the radical possibilities of a pliable writing process.
Trauma and Literature: The Case of Christopher Smart
Authors: Hartman Geoffrey
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This essay explores how Jubilate Agno responds to a situation analogous to trauma and mania—although its coordinates are as much historical and linguistic as psychological—in which poetic self-presentation is so thwarted as to verge on aphasia. Smart's poem circumvents social and other curtailments of speech by finding undeveloped expressive powers in language and the semiotic process: a mode of representation that Smart called "sound reasoning." Hartman traces this sound reasoning through key sequences on language in Jubilate Agno , showing how it turns coprolalia and other dysphemic utterances into euphasia, or perpetual praising. His argument locates Smart's breakthrough in relation to eighteenth-century and more recent literary and critical developments, especially thought about linguistic "purity."
The The The The
Authors: Truong Brian
Published: July 2024

Abstract: “Grieving the loss of familial tongues, a once trilingual, second-generation Texan considers if a loss of identity is the cost of assimilation.”
Slipstream
Authors: Huang Ash
Published: July 2024

Abstract: “None of my family came to stop me, to warn or lecture me, so I dangled my fingers into the dark, wet glitter of it. Up close it was more beautiful than I’d been led to believe, sheening and iridescent, like a spilled bottle of nail polish.”
Strength in Flexibility: Using a Flexible Programmatic Instruction Rubric to Promote Librarian Autonomy and Assess IL Skills
Authors: Hobscheid Maya , White Anna , Kerbavaz Kristin
Published: July 2024

abstract: Librarians at a Midwestern, midsized state university studied the application of their flexible programmatic information literacy rubric to one-shot first-year writing library instruction. Ten librarians taught 23 sessions of first-year writing on information access skills and assessed each class using the flexible programmatic information literacy rubric. The results emphasize how a flexible rubric can both assess student learning and provide librarian instructors with autonomy to use methods and lessons that feel authentic to them.
“I Want to Satisfy Two Kinds of Love”: Filial Piety, Mother-Daughter Bonding, and Romantic Love in Feng Yuanjun’s Short Stories
Authors: Wang Lang
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This paper examines filial piety, mother-daughter bonding, and romantic love in the short stories of Feng Yuanjun (1900–1974). I argue that filial piety and mother-daughter bonding are not always harmonious but rather are constructed antithetically, demonstrating the complexity of female kinship in Chinese women’s literature. Furthermore, maternal love is depicted as permanent and transcendent while romantic love is transient and happenstance. Mothers in Feng’s works are the moral force of the entire family and a source of love and support for their daughters, challenging the prevailing conception that Chinese mothers are merely agents of Confucian patriarchy. Overall, I assert that Feng Yuanjun’s works complement, revise, and undermine the male-centered anti-filial piety and anti-family discourse of the May Fourth movement, departing from the individualistic free love model.
Ultrahigh Q SOI ring resonator with a Hermite or B-spline curved waveguide
Authors: Tao Pengyu , Yan Boxia , Bai Mou , Zhou Mi , Sun Chenxi , Qi Yan , Wang Yanwei , Han Zhe , Fan Yuanyuan , Wang Qian
Published: July 2024

Two new, to the best of our knowledge, designs for a huge, single-mode operation, ultrahigh quality factor SOI ring resonators based on the 90° bend of the B-spline curve and the Hermite curve were demonstrated. The ring resonators comprise multimode straight strip waveguides (MMWG), single-mode strip waveguides (SMWG), 90° bends, and tapers. The TE0-TE0 transmission loss of the bends can reach 0.000013 dB and 0.000091 dB, and the TE0-TE1 excitation ratios reach −48dB and −50dB, respectively, when the bends were designed using the Hermite curve or B-spline curve. Two SOI ring resonators of about 3.00 cm length consisting of the structures mentioned above are manufactured. The first was made up of Hermite curves with 90° bends. It could achieve a Q factor of 4.65×106 and a free spectrum range (FSR) of 0.025 nm. The second one employed B-spline curves with 90° bends. It could reach a Q factor of 4.37×106 and FSR of 0.022 nm.
Aberration correction in epi-fluorescence microscopy using unknown speckle illumination
Authors: Premillieu Evolene , Caravaca-Aguirre Antonio M. , Labouesse Simon , Irsch Kristina , Piestun Rafael
Published: July 2024

Diffraction-limited imaging in epi-fluorescence microscopy remains a challenge when sample aberrations are present or when the region of interest rests deep within an inhomogeneous medium. Adaptive optics is an attractive solution, albeit with limited field of view and requiring relatively complicated systems. Alternatively, reconstruction algorithms have been developed over the years to correct for aberrations. Unfortunately, purely post-processing techniques tend to be ill-posed and provide only incremental improvements in image quality. Here, we report a computational optical approach using unknown speckle illumination and a matched reconstruction algorithm to correct for aberrations and reach or surpass diffraction limited resolution. The data acquisition is performed by shifting an unknown speckle pattern with respect to a fluorescent object. A key advantage is that the speckle statistics are preserved upon propagation through the aberrations, which avoids the double pass of information through the aberrating medium typical of epi-fluorescence microscopy. The method recovers simultaneously a high-resolution image, the point spread function of the system that contains the aberrations, the speckle illumination pattern, and the shift positions.
Optimized designs for micropillar cavity with simultaneously high quality factor and Gaussian far field at near-wavelength diameter
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Wu Bang , Yuan Zhiliang
Published: July 2024

Micropillar cavities with small volumes and high quality factors (Q-factor) greatly enhance the light-matter interaction. Crucially, these cavities exhibit a near-Gaussian far-field pattern, making them highly suitable for efficiently coupling and manipulation of emitted photons. However, their miniaturization into near-wavelength scales is limited by diffraction, resulting in both Q-factor degradation and far-field emission divergence. Here, we propose a tapered micropillar cavity design that simultaneously achieves a high Q-factor (Q = 1.37 × 105) and near-Gaussian far-field emission at near-wavelength diameter (mode volume V
m
 = 0.154λ3). Notably, its direct single-mode fiber coupling efficiency is 0.71, representing a remarkable 230 % improvement compared to traditional λ-micropillar cavities of the same diameter. Our results show prospects of ideal fiber-coupled platforms for cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments, particularly in the strong coupling regime.
Detection of food additives based on an integrated self-injected metasurface microfluidic sensor
Authors: Zhao Yuhan , Hao Jixuan , Hou Zeyu , Yan Bingxin , Su Bo , Cui Hailin , Zhang Cunlin
Published: July 2024

Advanced sensing equipment exhibits high sensitivity and reliability in detecting food additives, enabling the practical assessment of the safety of processed foods. Currently, chemical detection methods are commonly utilized for identifying food additives. However, these approaches tend to be intricate and time-consuming. In this study, we designed and fabricated an integrated terahertz microfluidic sensor, which achieves high sensitivity by incorporating a metasurface within the microfluidic chip. The metasurface comprises metal wires and split-ring resonators, with three optional sensing sites within the frequency domain of 0.1–1.2 THz, thereby enhancing the reliability of the sensor. Additionally, the use of a self-injection micropump improves the stability of the liquid flow rate, preventing experimental errors caused by manual injection. Utilizing this sensor, we conducted concentration sensing experiments on potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate solutions, successfully identifying sugar-containing and sugar-substituted beverages with high sensitivity and rapid sensing speed. The average sensitivity of the sensor is 152.8 GHz·RIU−1. The results of this study provide a feasible method for the development of microfluidic metasurface sensors.
Micro-Structured Fibers for Ultrasound and Acoustic Wave Detection
Authors: Bao Xiaoyi
Published: July 2024

Micro-structured fibers with smaller dimension (nano- to micrometers) and specialty materials are good candidates for high frequency and broadband ultrasound and acoustic wave detection for micro-cracks and photo-acoustic imaging in medical applications.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Rethinking Telcos Central Offices for Green Transformation
Authors: Gladisch Andreas
Published: July 2024

Telecommunication undergoes green transformation. The increasing efficiency of the telco-equipment can be complemented by transformation how to interact with the electrical grid, for example by electricity generation and storage, and how heat waste is used.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Energy Efficient Multicore Fiber Amplifiers
Authors: Jung Yong-min , Liang Sijing , Downie John , Makovejs Sergejs , Edwards Merrion , Petropoulos Periklis
Published: July 2024

Energy-efficient multicore fiber (MCF) amplifiers are crucial for establishing future high-capacity submarine transmission systems. This paper reviews recent advancements and explores future directions in MCF amplifier development, highlighting their potential for cost-effective and power-efficient operation.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
An Operator’s View on the Future Optical Networks, and Enabling Device Technologies: ~Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Program~
Authors: Tomizawa Masahito
Published: July 2024

In this presentation, future vision of optical networks is discussed from the viewpoint of service requirements from operators, demanding higher capacity & quality, and lower latency & power consumption. Also enabling device technologies are introduced, where photonics and electronics convergence (PEC) is focused. This presentation is in conjunction with Innovative Optical and Wireless Networks (IOWN) program.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Silicon-Organic Hybrid (SOH) Integration - From Lab to Fab
Authors: Koos Christian , Freude Wolfgang , Randel Sebastian , Bräse Stefan , Erk Peter , Eschenbaum Carsten , Kuzmin Artem , Mertens Adrian , Schwarzenberger Adrian , Kholeif Hend , Kotz Alexander , Sarwar Sidra , Singer Stefan
Published: July 2024

Silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) integration can complement intrinsically scalable silicon photonic circuits by novel functionalities, obtained through theory-guided material engineering. This presentation will give an overview of our recent progress in exploring the potential of the SOH platform and in bringing the technology from laboratory demonstrations to industrial applications.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Next Generation SDM Submarine Networks: From Telecom to Climate Change
Authors: Courtois Olivier
Published: July 2024

We review recent advancements in spatial division multiplexing (SDM) towards next generation Pb/s submarine cables, highlighting the transformative impact of these technologies on global communication networks and reporting their novel applications in climate change monitoring.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
"Tight Sync" in Precision Time Protocol (PTP), Requirements and Impact at Optical Component Level
Authors: Ruffini Stefano , McKeown Shane
Published: July 2024

Accurate time sync is required by various applications (e.g., 5G). This talk will go through the challenges in distributing accurate timing, including the impact to performance from some optical technologies, and options to verify performance of optical modules.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Subwavelength Photonic Structures for Nonlinear Optical Functionalities
Authors: Nuño Ruano Paula , Zhang Jianhao , González-Andrade David , Ferhart Hiba El Batoul , Dinh Thi Thuy Duong , Medina Quiroz David , Cheben Pavel , Marris-Morini Delphine , Cassan Eric , Vivien Laurent , Lanzillotti-Kimura Norberto Daniel , Alonso Ramos Carlos
Published: July 2024

Periodic subwavelength patterning of silicon enables the control of nonlinear effects with unprecedented flexibility. Here, we will present our most recent results on nonlinear supercontinuum generation and nonlinear Brillouin interactions in subwavelength silicon waveguides.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Environmental Monitoring Using Widely Deployed Telecommunication Optical Fiber Cables and Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Wakisaka Yoshifumi
Published: July 2024

We present use cases in environmental monitoring by high-precision distributed acoustic sensing using widely deployed telecommunication optical fiber cables. We explain the progress and future prospects from the viewpoints of telecom carriers.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
High-efficiency thermo-optic control of a longitudinal radiation angle in a silicon-based optical phased array by leveraging the backside air trench structure
Authors: Kim Junhyeong , Lee Young Jin , Kim Jae-Yong , Yoon Jinhyeong , Yoon Hyeonho , You Jong-Bum , Kim Sung Jin , Kurt Hamza , Park Hyo-Hoon
Published: July 2024

We proposed a 2D 1 × 64 silicon optical phased array with a backside silicon-etched structure to achieve high tuning efficiency and a wide longitudinal steering range. At the radiator array, the n-i-n heater was implemented to steer the light in a longitudinal direction through the thermo-optic effect. The deep reactive ion etching process was utilized to generate the 600 µm depth air trench with a 1.8 cm2 area from the backside of the radiator array. We achieved almost 100% increment in terms of tuning efficiency, which is 1.56°/W for the proposed structure and 0.78°/W for the conventional structure.
Complete electric field characterization of multi-colour light fields
Authors: Rossi Giulio Maria , Kubullek Maximilian , Toledo Miguel Silva , Scheiba Fabian , de Q. Garcia Rafael , Ritzkowsky Felix , Kaertner Franz , Mainz Roland
Published: July 2024

The advancement of laser technology, producing increasingly shorter and more intricate optical pulses, has elevated the significance of precise characterization of the transient electric field, including the carrier-envelope phase (CEP). This characterization must cover progressively larger spectral bands and be performed as close as possible to the experimental site to enable a detailed understanding of the coherent light-matter interaction. Furthermore, in many experiments two (or more) different ultrashort pulses are used, calling for a technique capable of characterizing multiple electric fields simultaneously.
Here we introduce the TREX (Third-order Reconstruction of Electric fields via cross(X)-correlation) method, which allows the all-optical, in-situ characterization of the complete electric fields of two pulses with different central wavelengths. The method relies on the measurement of the perturbative third-order nonlinear response generated in a noble gas target while varying the delay between two different pulses. The resulting spectrograms can be reconstructed using a custom evolutionary algorithm. The technique is demonstrated by reconstructing the electric field waveforms obtained with a two-channel waveform synthesizer. These synthesized waveforms reach time durations below a single optical cycle, demonstrating the ability of TREX to characterize complex multi-octave spanning electric fields.
A molecularly defined subpopulation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells controls the generation of myelinating oligodendrocytes during postnatal development
Authors: Moghimyfiroozabad Shayan , Paul Maela A. , Bellenger Lea , Selimi Fekrije
Published: July 2024

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are a class of glial cells that uniformly tiles the entire central nervous system (CNS). They play several key functions across the brain including the generation of oligodendrocytes and the control of myelination. Whether the functional diversity of OPCs is the result of genetically defined subpopulations or of their regulation by external factors has not been definitely established. We discovered that a subpopulation of OPCs found across the brain is defined by the expression of C1ql1, a gene previously described for its synaptic function in neurons. This subpopulation starts to appear during the first postnatal week in the mouse cortex. Ablation of C1ql1-expressing OPCs in the mouse leads to a massive lack of oligodendrocytes and myelination in many brain regions. This deficit cannot be rescued, even though some OPCs escape Sox10-driven ablation and end up partially compensating the OPC loss in the adult. Therefore, C1ql1 is a molecular marker of a functionally non-redundant subpopulation of OPCs, which controls the generation of myelinating oligodendrocytes.
The Upstream Sequence Transcription Complex dictates nucleosome positioning and promoter accessibility at piRNA genes in the C. elegans germ line
Authors: Paniagua Nancy , Roberts C. Jackson , Gonzalez Lauren E. , Monedero-Alonso David , Reinke Valerie
Published: July 2024

The piRNA pathway is a conserved germline-specific small RNA pathway that ensures genomic integrity and continued fertility. In C. elegans and other nematodes, Type-I piRNAs are expressed from >10,000 independently transcribed genes clustered within two discrete domains of 1.5 and 3.5 MB on Chromosome IV. Clustering of piRNA genes contributes to their germline-specific expression, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We analyze isolated germ nuclei to demonstrate that the piRNA genomic domains are located in a heterochromatin-like environment. USTC (Upstream Sequence Transcription Complex) promotes strong association of nucleosomes throughout piRNA clusters, yet organizes the local nucleosome environment to direct the exposure of individual piRNA genes. Localization of USTC to the piRNA domains depends upon the ATPase chromatin remodeler ISW-1, which maintains high nucleosome density across piRNA clusters and ongoing production of piRNA precursors. Overall, this work provides insight into how chromatin states coordinate transcriptional regulation over large genomic domains, with implications for global genome organization.
Association between HTLV-1/2 infection and COVID-19 severity in a migrant Shipibo-Konibo population in Lima, Peru
Authors: Avila Dextre Fátima , Morales Álvarez Bryan , Aguirre Castañeda Paulo , Alva Isaac Efrain , López Giovanni , Schwalb Alvaro , Gotuzzo Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The migrant community of the Shipibo-Konibo indigenous people in Lima, Peru were extremely vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) is endemic in this population causing immunosuppression. The aim of the study was to describe the association between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving a survey of adult Shipibo-Konibo indigenous migrants residing in Cantagallo-Rímac who were identified as suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Blood samples were collected for SARS-CoV-2 antibody and HTLV-1/2 ELISA testing. A confirmatory Western Blot test was performed for those with a positive ELISA test.

Results

A total of 182 individuals were surveyed and sampled. No significant association was found between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 8.8% (95%CI: 5.0–14.1) with Western Blot. Age was the only statistically significant risk factor for developing a more severe form of COVID-19 (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00–1.06; p = 0.032).

Conclusions

There was no association found between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in the Shipibo-Konibo population is high and warrants continuous monitoring in the advent of other infectious disease outbreaks and the development of HTLV-associated comorbidities.
Optimizing heat pump unit selection for recirculating aquaculture workshops through computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Ziyun Xu , Ping Du , Jiacheng Wan , Leyao Lin , Kairui Chen
Published: July 2024

The selection of water temperature regulation equipment plays a crucial role in the design of workshops. At present, the choice of water temperature control equipment is usually based on the volume of the fish pond and thermal parameter calculation, combined with aquaculture experience. Empirical formulas only work in specific conditions due to factors like the environment, climate, and fish types,resulting in inaccurate equipment selection outcomes. Recognizing this limitation, this paper proposes to apply CFD simulation of the temperature field to accurately calculate the heat exchange value between indoor air and water, thereby predicting the heat exchange values during aquaculture activities in the aquaculture workshop. providing a new approach for equipment selection. This paper selects a puffer fish breeding workshop in Dalian as the simulation object, establishing a 3D unsteady-state Computational Fluid Dynamics model. The model considers outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and phase-change heat transfer in water. Comparison with experimental data reveals a root mean square error of 0.46°C for the simulated results. During summer, the highest cooling load occurs at 16:00, reaching 94.6 kW. It is recommended to employ the Daikin GCHP-40MAH ground source heat pump as the water temperature control equipment. CFD simulation validates its effectiveness in shaping the indoor temperature field post-installation. the investment in water temperature control equipment can be reduced to a certain degree. This provides a reference value for the selection of water temperature equipment in aquaculture workshops.
Psychological distress and its associated factors among people with specific chronic conditions (diabetes and/or hypertension) in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Borie Yacob Abraham , Tamiso Alemu , Gutema Keneni , Jisso Meskerem , Deribe Bedilu , Fikre Rekiku , Defar Semira , Ayalew Mohammed , Abera Wondwossen
Published: July 2024

Background

The majority of people with long-term, non-communicable medical conditions experience significant psychological anguish. Poor mental health or psychological distress influences low lifestyle decisions that result in obesity, inactivity, and cigarette use as well as poor health literacy and limited access to health promotion activities.

Objectives

The study’s purpose was to measure the prevalence of psychological distress and it’s predictors in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases who were being treated in selected hospitals in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia in 2022.

Methodology

Institutional based cross-sectional study was carried out using a sample of 844 patients receiving medication for either high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus or both between May1 and August 31, 2022. To gauge psychiatric distress, the Amharic translation and Ethiopian validation of the Kessler 6 scale (K-6) was employed. The analysis was done using binary logistic regression and an odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was estimated to measure the strength of the association. P value <0.05 was considered to declare the significance.

Result

Patients with diabetic mellitus, hypertension or both had a 49.6% prevalence of psychological distress at selected Sidama hospitals. Age, drug side effects, history medical complications following diabetic mellitus/hypertension, and body mass index of the patient were all significantly linked with psychological distress (P<0.05).

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, psychological distress is far more prevalent than it was in past studies in Ethiopia and other African countries. To lessen the problem, all stakeholders must cooperate, but health agencies, policymakers, and NGOs particularly need to put in extra effort. The study also showed a significant association between body mass index, patient age, drug side effects, and history of medical complications following diabetic mellitus /hypertension.
Pentatricopeptide repeat 153 (PPR153) restores maize C-type cytoplasmic male sterility in conjunction with RF4
Authors: Jaqueth Jennifer S. , Li Bailin , Vollbrecht Erik
Published: July 2024

Maize (Zea mays L.) C-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS-C) is a highly used CMS system for maize commercial hybrid seed production. Rf4 is the major dominant restorer gene for CMS-C. Inbreds were recently discovered which contain the restoring Rf4 allele yet are unable to restore fertility due to the lack of an additional gene required for Rf4’s restoration. To find this additional gene, QTL mapping and positional cloning were performed using an inbred that contained Rf4 but was incapable of restoring CMS-C. The QTL was mapped to a 738-kb interval on chromosome 2, which contains a Pentatricopeptide Repeat (PPR) gene cluster. Allele content comparisons of the inbreds identified three potential candidate genes responsible for fertility restoration in CMS-C. Complementation via transformation of these three candidate genes showed that PPR153 (Zm00001eb114660) is required for Rf4 to restore fertility to tassels. The PPR153 sequence is present in B73 genome, but it is not capable of restoring CMS-C without Rf4. Analysis using NAM lines revealed that Rf4 requires the presence of PPR153 to restore CMS-C in diverse germplasms. This research uncovers a major CMS-C genetic restoration pathway and can be used for identifying inbreds suitable for maize hybrid production with CMS-C cytoplasm.
Pricing strategies for shared manufacturing platform considering cooperative advertising based on differential game
Authors: Wu Yantong , Liu Peng
Published: July 2024

Shared manufacturing is a new business form that focuses on all aspects of production and manufacturing, mainly relying on the shared manufacturing platform to achieve the optimal allocation of idle resources. For enterprises, in the process of deciding to lease idle resources, the pricing and advertising investment efficiency of the shared manufacturing platform is a valuable research issue. The shared manufacturing model in this paper consists of one manufacturer and one shared manufacturing platform, which will invest in cooperative advertising while the shared manufacturing process is completed. The cooperative advertising involves four models: the traditional cooperation model, the cost-sharing contract model, the revenue-sharing contract model, and the bilateral cost-sharing contract model. We investigate the impact of some key parameters on the prices and profits of the manufacturer and the shared manufacturing platform based on the differential game. The numerical examples demonstrate the viability of the model. Finally, we provide suggestions based on the decision-making of the manufacturer and the shared manufacturing platform under different cooperative advertising models.
Optimizing storage on fog computing edge servers: A recent algorithm design with minimal interference
Authors: Zhao Xumin , Xie Guojie , Luo Yi , Chen Jingyuan , Liu Fenghua , Bai HongPeng
Published: July 2024

The burgeoning field of fog computing introduces a transformative computing paradigm with extensive applications across diverse sectors. At the heart of this paradigm lies the pivotal role of edge servers, which are entrusted with critical computing and storage functions. The optimization of these servers’ storage capacities emerges as a crucial factor in augmenting the efficacy of fog computing infrastructures. This paper presents a novel storage optimization algorithm, dubbed LIRU (Low Interference Recently Used), which synthesizes the strengths of the LIRS (Low Interference Recency Set) and LRU (Least Recently Used) replacement algorithms. Set against the backdrop of constrained storage resources, this research endeavours to formulate an algorithm that optimizes storage space utilization, elevates data access efficiency, and diminishes access latencies. The investigation initiates a comprehensive analysis of the storage resources available on edge servers, pinpointing the essential considerations for optimization algorithms: storage resource utilization and data access frequency. The study then constructs an optimization model that harmonizes data frequency with cache capacity, employing optimization theory to discern the optimal solution for storage maximization. Subsequent experimental validations of the LIRU algorithm underscore its superiority over conventional replacement algorithms, showcasing significant improvements in storage utilization, data access efficiency, and reduced access delays. Notably, the LIRU algorithm registers a 5% increment in one-hop hit ratio relative to the LFU algorithm, a 66% enhancement over the LRU algorithm, and a 14% elevation in system hit ratio against the LRU algorithm. Moreover, it curtails the average system response time by 2.4% and 16.5% compared to the LRU and LFU algorithms, respectively, particularly in scenarios involving large cache sizes. This research not only sheds light on the intricacies of edge server storage optimization but also significantly propels the performance and efficiency of the broader fog computing ecosystem. Through these insights, the study contributes a valuable framework for enhancing data management strategies within fog computing architectures, marking a noteworthy advancement in the field.
Distortions to the passage of time for annual events: Exploring why Christmas and Ramadan feel like they come around more quickly each year
Authors: Ogden Ruth , Alatrany Saad S. J. , Flaiyah Ashraf Muwafaq , ALi Sayyid ALdrraji Hasan , Musa Hanan , Alatrany Abbas S. S. , Al-Jumeily Dhiya
Published: July 2024

Background

Commonly heard statements such as “Christmas comes around more quickly each year” suggest that the passage of time between annual events can become distorted, leading to the sensation of time passing more quickly than normal. At present however, it is unclear how prevalent such beliefs are and, what factors are predictive of it.

Aim

To explore the prevalence of beliefs that annual events such as Christmas (Study 1 UK sample) and Ramadan (Study 2 Iraqi sample) feel like they come around more quickly each year. To establish the association between distortions to the passage of time between annual events and emotional wellbeing, event specific enjoyment, memory function and self-reported attention to time.

Methods

Participants completed an online questionnaire exploring their subjective experience of time in relation to Christmas and Ramadan. In addition, measures of attention to time, memory function, quality of life and event specific emotion were also taken.

Findings

There was widespread agreement that Christmas and Ramadan appeared to come around more quickly each year. In both countries, this belief was associated with greater prospective memory errors, greater attention to time and greater enjoyment of the event. Furthermore, in the UK greater belief that Christmas comes around more quickly was associated with lower social quality of life and in Iraq, greater belief that Ramadan comes around more quickly each year was associated with lower age and female gender.

Conclusions

Distortions to the passage of time for annual events are widespread, occur across multiple cultures and are consistently predicted by prospective function, event enjoyment and attention to time. The absence of an association between older age (above 55 years) and a faster passage of time suggests that caution should be taken when concluding that time passes more quickly with increasing age.
Removal of organic contamination from wastewater using granular activated carbon modified—Polyethylene glycol: Characterization, kinetics and isotherm study
Authors: Choopani Leila , Salehi Mohammad Mehdi , Mashhadimoslem Hossein , Khosrowshahi Mobin Safarzadeh , Rezakazemi Mashallah , AlHammadi Ali A. , Elkamel Ali , Maleki Ali
Published: July 2024

To effectively remove Diazinon (DZ), Amoxicillin (AMX), and Crystal Violet (CV) from aquatic environments, a novel granular activated carbon (GAC) modified with Polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG) was created and manufactured. The chemical properties were investigated using a variety of characteristic analyses, including FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, and N2 adsorption/desorption. The effectiveness of GAC-PEG’s adsorption for the removal of DZ, AMX, and CV was assessed under a variety of conditions, including a pH of 4–9 for the solution, 0.003–0.05 g doses of adsorbent, 50–400 ppm starting concentration, and a reaction time of 5–25 min. For DZ, AMX, and CV adsorption, the maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) was 1163.933, 1163.100, and 1150.300 mg g-1, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm described all of the data from these adsorption experiments, and the pseudo-second-order well explains all-adsorption kinetics. Most contacts between molecules, electrostatic interactions, π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and entrapment in the modified CAG network were used to carry out the DZ, AMX, and CV adsorption on the GAC-PEG. The retrievability of the prepared adsorbent was successfully investigated in studies up to two cycles without loss of adsorption efficiency, and it was shown that it can be efficiently separated.
Compassionate care through the eyes of patients and physicians: An interview study
Authors: Debets Maarten P. M. , Jansen Iris , Diepeveen Mariëlle , Bogerd Rosa , Molewijk Bert A. C. , Widdershoven Guy A. M. , Lombarts Kiki M. J. M. H.
Published: July 2024

Background

Although compassion is a crucial element of physicians’ professional performance and high-quality care, research shows it often remains an unmet need of patients. Understanding patients’ and physicians’ perspectives on compassionate care may provide insights that can be used to foster physicians’ ability to respond to patients’ compassion needs. Therefore, this study aims to understand how both patients and physicians experience the concept and practice of compassionate care.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight patients and ten resident physicians at a University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Using thematic analysis, we separately coded patient and resident transcripts to identify themes capturing their experiences of compassionate care. This study was part of a larger project to develop an educational intervention to improve compassion in residents.

Results

For both patients and residents, we identified four themes encompassing compassionate care: being there, empathizing, actions to relieve patients’ suffering, and connection. For residents, a fifth theme was professional fulfillment (resulting from compassionate care). Although patients and residents both emphasized the importance of compassionate care, patients did not always perceive the physician-patient encounter as compassionate. According to residents, high workloads and time pressures hindered their ability to provide compassionate care.

Discussion and conclusion

Patients and residents have similar and varying understandings of compassionate care at the same time. Understanding these differences can aid compassion in medical practice. Based on the findings, three topics are suggested to improve compassion in residents: (1) train residents how to ask for patients’ compassion needs, (2) address residents’ limiting beliefs about the concept and practice of compassion, and (3) acknowledge the art and science of medicine cannot be separated.