bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Fuel and Load Flexibility of an Atmospheric Single Nozzle Jet-Stabilized FLOX® Combustor With Hydrogen/Methane-Air Mixtures
Authors: Petry Niklas , Mannazhi Manu , Yin Zhiyao , Lammel Oliver , Geigle Klaus Peter , Huber Andreas
Published: October 2023

In this work, an existing single nozzle FLOX® (FLOX®, WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH, Renningen, Germany) burner was modified with a fuel nozzle that was installed concentrically inside the outer air nozzle and was arranged in two different configurations. In the first, nonpremixed case, the fuel and air nozzles were flush at the nozzle exit. In the second, technically premixed case, the fuel nozzle terminated 50 mm below the air nozzle exit. A third, fully premixed case was also achieved by injecting fuel into the air delivery line via an inline-mixer upstream of the nozzle exit. Additionally, measurements were performed using fuel nozzles with two different sizes. For all these cases, hydrogen volume fraction in the fuel was varied from 0 to 100% at a constant equivalence ratio and thermal power. The resulting flames were characterized using two-dimensional OH-chemiluminescence measurements. In addition, load-flexibility was investigated on the 100 vol. % H2 case by varying the equivalence ratio. Some selected conditions were further investigated using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) to obtain velocity fields. The experimental results demonstrated a strong influence of nozzle configurations (mixedness), equivalence ratio, and H2-content on flame shapes. First of all, increasing H2-content reduced the flame liftoff height (LOH) above the nozzle exit for all three configurations. Second, for the cases with 100 vol. % H2 and independent of the nozzle configuration, the liftoff height increased drastically when Φ was reduced to below 0.3 while the flame became visibly unstable. Overall, increasing level of mixedness generally caused the flame to stabilize closer to the nozzle exit. A remarkable decrease in the liftoff height was observed for the technically premixed case compared to the nonpremixed case. Increasing H2-content from 0 to 100 vol. % also increased the measured NOx emission by nearly a factor of 4, which was also strongly affected by the level of mixedness. Experimental results from this work are being used in a joint effort to validate numerical models for jet-stabilized hydrogen combustion.
Desafíos de diálogo intercultural en la Consulta Previa: el pueblo Wayúu y el desvío del arroyo Bruno en la Guajira colombiana
Authors:   Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Silva Cantillo Nurys Esperanza
Published: October 2023

A partir de la perspectiva teórica de la ontología política y el análisis antropológico de un caso judicial de la Corte Constitucional: Sentencia SU 698 de 2017 (Caso Wayú), este artículo estudia los desafíos del diálogo intercultural de los procesos de Consulta Previa en la definición de afectaciones, la garantía de derechos y la definición de medidas que contribuyan al buen vivir de los pueblos. A partir del análisis de este caso, argumentamos la necesidad de la inclusión de una perspectiva biocultural (que supere la segmentación naturaleza-cultura) en la determinación de los impactos de proyectos que se proponen en territorios de comunidades étnicas en Colombia.
New coating with superior corrosion and wear performances: Parylene C/CrN duplex coating
Authors: Guan Xiaoyan , Cui Siwen , Cao Yiwei , Zhang Liuxue
Published: October 2023

Growth defects such as pores during preparation restrict the service life and wide applications of CrN coating. To improve the corrosion and tribological behaviors of CrN coatings, in this work, the parylene C (PC)/CrN duplex coatings with different CrN layer thicknesses were fabricated, combining chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition technologies. The surface morphologies and chemical bonds of as-deposited coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The corrosion and wear behaviors of the CrN coatings without and with PC layers in the seawater environment were evaluated using an electrochemical workstation and a tribometer, respectively. The results showed that the surface of the PC film was relatively compact, which was well bounded to the CrN layer. The corrosion current density of the PC/CrN duplex coating is low to 10−9 A/cm2, which is reduced by one order of magnitude compared to the single CrN coating. As the thickness of the CrN layer increases, the corrosion potential of the PC/CrN duplex coating decreases and the corrosion current density slightly increases, which may be ascribed to the increased defects of the CrN layer, which debased the corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the steady friction coefficients of PC/CrN duplex coatings are all below 0.05, which are significantly lower compared to the single CrN coatings. The lowest wear rate of the PC/CrN duplex coating is approximately 1.31 × 10−6 mm3/N m, presenting excellent wear resistance. Compared to the single CrN coating, the dense PC film can not only seal the pores and other defects on the CrN surface, but also prevent the permeation and penetration of corrosive seawater inside the coating, which contributes to the superior corrosion resistance of the PC/CrN duplex coating. The low friction and high wear resistance of the PC/CrN duplex coating could be ascribed to the self-lubricating property, the PC film, and its good protective performance as a surface layer, as well as the generation of CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2 lubrication components during the wear process. In summary, the PC films can remarkably improve the corrosion and tribological performance of the CrN coating. The excellent corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the PC/CrN duplex coating make it a good candidate material for applications in marine environments.
Ternary Ga–Sn–O and quaternary In–Ga–Sn–O channel based thin film transistors fabricated by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
Authors: Won Jong Hyeon , Jo Hyeonhui , Youn Pil Ju , Park Bo Keun , Chung Taek-Mo , Han Jeong Hwan
Published: October 2023

Amorphous In–Ga–Sn–O (IGTO), as an n-type amorphous oxide semiconductor, has attracted interest owing to its potential applications to the vertical NAND or 3D DRAM channels as well as in high-mobility thin-film transistors (TFTs) for high-resolution displays. In this study, ternary Ga–Sn–O (GTO) and quaternary IGTO films were deposited through plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) at 200 °C, using dimethyl(N-ethoxy-2,2-dimethylcarboxylicpropanamide)indium, trimethylgallium, and bis(1-dimethylamino-2-methyl-2-propoxide)tin as the In, Ga, and Sn precursors, respectively. First, GTO films were fabricated through PEALD with varying Ga2O3:SnO2 subcycle ratios. The remarkable evolutions of the microstructure and electrical properties of the PEALD GTO films were observed depending on the Ga/Sn cationic ratio. Subsequently, the growth characteristics of the quaternary PEALD IGTO films were examined by introducing In2O3 subcycles, and the In:Ga:Sn cationic composition was precisely engineered by varying the ratios of In2O3, SnO2, and Ga2O3 subcycles in the IGTO deposition process. Composition-controlled IGTO bottom gate staggered-type TFTs were fabricated, and their electrical performance was evaluated depending on the In:Ga:Sn cationic composition of the IGTO channel layer. The optimized TFT with the In0.38Ga0.32Sn0.30Ox film exhibited a high field-effect mobility of 22.5 cm2/V s, turn-on voltage of −4.4 V, and subthreshold swing of 0.26 V/dec.
Habitat type drives the spatial distribution of Australian fish chorus diversity
Authors: Hawkins Lauren Amy , Saunders Benjamin J. , Landero Figueroa M. Montserrat , McCauley Robert D. , Parnum Iain M. , Parsons Miles James , Erbe Christine
Published: October 2023

Fish vocalize in association with life functions with many species calling en masse to produce choruses. Monitoring the distribution and behavior of fish choruses provides high-resolution data on fish distribution, habitat use, spawning behavior, and in some circumstances, local abundance. The purpose of this study was to use long-term passive acoustic recordings to obtain a greater understanding of the patterns and drivers of Australian fish chorus diversity at a national scale. This study detected 133 fish choruses from year-long recordings taken at 29 Australian locations with the highest fish chorus diversity identified at a site in the country's northern, tropical waters. A linear model fitted with a generalized least squares regression identified geomorphic feature type, benthic substrate type, and northness (of slope) as explanatory variables of fish chorus diversity. Geomorphic feature type was identified as the significant driver of fish chorus diversity. These results align with broad-scale patterns reported previously in fish biodiversity, fish assemblages, and fish acoustic diversity. This study has highlighted that passive acoustic monitoring of fish chorus diversity has the potential to be used as an indicator of fish biodiversity and to highlight habitats of ecological importance.
What is silence? Therefore, what is sound?
Authors: Yost William A.
Published: October 2023

This essay expresses an opinion about what conditions lead to the existence of sound and what conditions lead to the existence of silence. The essay is mainly about the perception of sound and how that perception might influence how silence is or is not perceived.
Phage-induced bacterial morphological changes reveal a phage-derived antimicrobial affecting cell wall integrity
Authors: Soonthonsrima Tanapon , Htoo Htut Htut , Thiennimitr Parameth , Srisuknimit Veerasak , Nonejuie Poochit , Chaikeeratisak Vorrapon
Published: October 2023

In a looming post-antibiotic era, antibiotic alternatives have become key players in the combat against pathogens. Although recent advances in genomic research allow scientists to fully explore an organism’s genome in the search for novel antibacterial molecules, laborious work is still needed in order to dissect each individual gene product for its antibacterial activity. Here, we exploited phage-induced bacterial morphological changes as anchors to explore and discover a potential phage-derived antimicrobial embedded in the phage genome. We found that, upon vibriophage KVP40 infection,
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
exhibited morphological changes similar to those observed when treated with mecillinam, a cell wall synthesis inhibitor, suggesting the mechanism of pre-killing that KVP40 exerts inside the bacterial cell upon sieging the host. Genome analysis revealed that, of all the annotated gene products in the KVP40 genome that are involved in cell wall degradation, lytic transglycosylase (LT) is of particular interest for subsequent functional studies. A single-cell morphological analysis revealed that heterologous expression of wild-type KVP40-LT induced similar bacterial morphological changes to those treated with the whole phage or mecillinam, prior to cell burst. On the contrary, neither the morphology nor the viability of the bacteria expressing signal-peptide truncated- or catalytic mutant E80A- KVP40-LT was affected, suggesting the necessity of these domains for the antibacterial activities. Altogether, this research paves the way for the future development of the discovery of phage-derived antimicrobials that is guided through phage-induced morphological changes.
Comparison of treatment outcomes between intermittent and daily regimens in non-cavitary nodular bronchiectatic-type
Mycobacterium avium
complex pulmonary disease in relation to sputum smear results: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jung Junghee , Chong Yong Pil , Lee Hyun Joo , Shim Tae Sun , Jo Kyung-Wook
Published: October 2023

This study retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcomes of 110 patients with non-cavitary nodular bronchiectatic-type
Mycobacterium avium
complex pulmonary disease who received intermittent or daily treatment with a three-drug oral antibiotic regimen (i.e., a macrolide, ethambutol, and rifampin) at a tertiary referral center in South Korea. Among these patients, 36 had sputum smear positivity. Of these 36 patients, intermittent treatment led to a lower culture conversion rate than daily treatment [50.0% (8/16) vs 85.0% (17/20),
P
= 0.034].
Applications of mycosporine-like amino acids beyond photoprotection
Authors: Punchakara Akhila , Prajapat Ganshyam , Bairwa Himanshu Kumar , Jain Shikha , Agrawal Akhil
Published: October 2023

Recent years have seen a lot of interest in mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) because of their alleged potential as a natural microbial sunscreen. Since chemical ultraviolet (UV) absorbers are unsafe for long-term usage, the demand for natural UV-absorbing substances has increased. In this situation, MAA is a strong contender for an eco-friendly UV protector. The capacity of MAAs to absorb light in the UV-A (320–400 nm) and UV-B (280–320 nm) range without generating free radicals is potentially relevant in photoprotection. The usage of MAAs for purposes other than photoprotection has now shifted in favor of medicinal applications. Aside from UV absorption, MAAs also have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-photoaging, cell proliferation stimulators, anti-cancer agents, and anti-adipogenic properties. Recently, MAAs application to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection was also investigated. In this review article, we highlight the biomedical applications of MAAs that go beyond photoprotection, which can help in utilizing the MAAs as promising bioactive compounds in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
Bhlhe40 limits early IL-10 production from CD4
+
T cells during
Plasmodium yoelii
17X infection
Authors: O'Neal Kara A. , Zeltner Sheldon L. , Foscue Camille L. , Stumhofer Jason S.
Published: October 2023

The cytokine IL-10 suppresses T-cell-mediated immunity, which is required to control infection with
Plasmodium yoelii
. Consequently, IL-10 can delay the time needed to resolve this infection, leading to a higher parasite burden. While the pathways that lead to IL-10 production by CD4
+
T cells are well defined, much less is known about the mediators that suppress the expression of this potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. Here, we show that the transcription factor basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (Bhlhe40) contributes to controlling parasite burden in response to
P. yoelii
infection in mice. Loss of Bhlhe40 expression in mice results in higher
Il10
expression, higher peak parasitemia, and a delay in parasite clearance. The observed phenotype was not due to defects in T-cell activation and proliferation or the humoral response. Nor was it due to changes in regulatory T-cell numbers. However, blocking IL-10 signaling reversed the outcome in

Bhlhe40
−/

−
mice, suggesting that excess IL-10 production limits their ability to control the infection properly. In addition to suppressing
Il10
expression in CD4
+
T cells, Bhlhe40 can promote
Ifng
expression. Indeed, IFN-γ production by CD4
+
T cells isolated from the liver was significantly affected by the loss of Bhlhe40. Lastly, Bhlhe40 deletion in T cells resulted in a phenotype similar to that observed in the

Bhlhe40
−/

−
mice, indicating that Bhlhe40 expression in T cells contributes to the ability of mice to control infection with
P. yoelii
.
Accuracy of QuantiFERON in active tuberculosis suspects with comorbidities and nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in Northern California
Authors: Lu Jacky , Murugesan Kanagavel , Senchyna Fiona , Budvytiene Indre , Banaei Niaz
Published: October 2023

The QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) is routinely utilized in North American health systems to detect a cellular immune response to
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antigens in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The sensitivity of QFT in tuberculosis (TB) patients with comorbidities is not well established and the specificity of QFT in patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections is incompletely understood. Between 2012 and 2023, all patients with culture-positive TB and patients with NTM infection per the expert diagnostic guidelines or biopsy-proven NTM infection who had a concurrent QFT test were included in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of QFT were measured in TB and NTM patients, respectively. In 109 patients with active TB, the overall sensitivity of QFT was 78.0% (85/109; 95% CI: 70.1, 85.7). The sensitivity was 86.0% (49/57; 95% CI: 76.6, 94.8) and 69.2% (36/52; 95% CI: 56.7, 81.8) in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, respectively. The overall specificity of QFT in 88 patients with NTM infection was 76.1% (67/88; 95% CI: 67.2, 85.0). After the exclusion of 17 NTM patients with risk factors for latent TB infection, the specificity was 94.4% (67/71; 95% CI: 89.1, 99.7). Two patients had NTM species known to cross-react with QFT. In two NTM patients infected with species (
Mycobacterium intracellulare
subsp.
intracellulare
and
Mycobacterium intracellulare
subsp.
chimaera
) not known to cross-react, whole genome sequencing did not detect ESAT-6 or CFP-10. In Northern California, the QFT assay demonstrated moderately low to moderately high sensitivity in TB patients and very high specificity in NTM patients, thus ruling out concerns for cross-reactivity with NTM.
From the classroom to the farm: a lesson plan that promotes smallholder farmers’ education and training about plant pathology in the context of climate change
Authors: Colón Carrión Nicole , Macchiavelli Girón Sofía
Published: October 2023

Climate change represents one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity around the world. In the tropics, extreme climate and pest and disease outbreaks represent one of the biggest climate change threats to smallholder farmers. Understanding smallholder farmers’ educational needs and increasing access to information and awareness of climate change through education and training are key first steps to enhance the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. In a primary effort to increase accessible training and education to these communities, we developed a plant pathology lesson plan. The lesson plan introduces basic concepts in plant pathology and disease management using diverse educational activities focused on experiential and collaborative learning. This lesson plan may have implications in enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity and increasing accessible education to underrepresented farming communities around the world.
Protection of the receptor binding domain (RBD) dimer against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
Authors: Wu Yan , Shi Jian , He Xiaoxue , Lu Jia , Gao Xiao , Zhu Xuerui , Chen Xinlan , Zhang Man , Fang Lijuan , Zhang Jing , Yuan Zhiming , Xiao Gengfu , Zhou Pengfei , Pan Xiaoyan
Published: October 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recombinant protein vaccines have been widely used in the real world and shown good protective effects. A vaccine prepared from the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) homodimer was previously made a candidate in view of its effectiveness in rodents and nonhuman primates. Here, we report that the RBD homodimers of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 as well as the variant RBD dimers from the Beta, Delta, Lambda, Omicron, and Omicron sublineages, which were rapidly prepared using our universal dimeric protein platform, elicit both strong immunogenicity and good protection
in vivo
. The ancestral RBD vaccine was verified to provide cross-protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant from lethal challenge. A heterogeneous booster with Omicron BA.1 dimeric RBD vaccine based on a two-dose ancestral vaccine prime reduced the viral loads in Omicron BA.1 virus-challenged animals. In addition, vaccines prepared from dimeric Omicron XBB.1.5 RBD completely protected the mice from lethal challenge by Omicron XBB.1.16 and reduced the viral infection in the respiratory tract of Syrian hamsters. Thus, RBD homodimer vaccines can confer good protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants when used in homogeneous or heterogeneous boosting schemes.

IMPORTANCE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants achieved immune escape and became less virulent and easily transmissible through rapid mutation in the spike protein, thus the efficacy of vaccines on the market or in development continues to be challenged. Updating the vaccine, exploring compromise vaccination strategies, and evaluating the efficacy of candidate vaccines for the emerging variants in a timely manner are important to combat complex and volatile SARS-CoV-2. This study reports that vaccines prepared from the dimeric receptor-binding domain (RBD) recombinant protein, which can be quickly produced using a mature and stable process platform, had both good immunogenicity and protection
in vivo
and could completely protect rodents from lethal challenge by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including the emerging Omicron XBB.1.16, highlighting the value of dimeric recombinant vaccines in the post-COVID-19 era.
Mineral Resources of the Russian Nuclear Industry and Isolation of Radioactive Waste
Authors: Petrov V. A. , Yudintsev S. V.
Published: October 2023

This article considers tasks needed to ensure sustainable development of the Russian nuclear industry, which are aimed for solving the problems of the initial and final stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, from reproduction of the uranium mineral-resource base to handling of liquid high-level waste of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. The trends in the development of the mineral-resource complex are analyzed in connection with the projected growth of electricity generation at nuclear power plants. New approaches to the allocation and substantiation of prospecting areas based on the models of mineral-forming systems of uranium deposits using remote-sensing data, GIS modeling, and neural-network technologies are proposed on the example of the territory of southeastern Transbaikal within the framework of current prognostic and mineragenic studies. A detailed analysis of trends in solving the problems of the back end stage of the nuclear fuel cycle is carried out. The use of phosphate glass ceramics with monazite is proposed for isolation and subsequent disposal of the REE–actinide fraction of high-level waste.
Impact of macular buckle removal on the functional and anatomical outcomes of myopic macular hole associated retinal detachment
Authors: Jacob Ninan Palamootil , Rani Padmaja Kumari , Sahoo Niroj Kumar
Published: October 2023

A man in his 70s presented with a 1-month history of vision loss in the right eye. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the affected eye was limited to counting fingers at close range. The examination revealed a macular hole with associated retinal detachment in the right eye and features of pathological myopia in both eyes. A macular buckling surgery was performed and resulted in a successful anatomical and functional outcome. Postoperatively, at week 10, the patient developed diplopia and buckle exposure. Therefore, the buckle was removed. However, the patient maintained a BCVA of 20/250 with an attached retina and closed macular hole after 6 months of follow-up.
Haemodynamic effects of acute intravenous landiolol in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Authors: Cho YeJi , Inoue Kenji , Kunimoto Mitsuhiro , Minamino Tohru
Published: October 2023

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) leads to serious left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with cardiogenic shock in 6%–20% of cases. The onset of LVOT obstruction, coupled with mitral regurgitation resulting from systolic anterior motion of mitral valve leaflets, can lead to haemodynamic instability in addition to severely impaired systolic function. We describe three patients who experienced chest discomfort following emotional stress. These patients displayed pronounced abnormalities on ECGs, insignificant obstructive coronary disease and haemodynamic instability due to LVOT obstruction. The infusion of landiolol, a short-acting beta blocker, was effective in releasing the gradient. Dynamic outflow obstruction is the major predictor of haemodynamic collapse. We suggested that an early identification of this complication in hypotensive patients with suspected TCM could be of utmost importance to optimise the therapeutic approach in the acute setting.
Renal artery stenosis stenting with unmasking and embolisation of a renal arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Mulryan Philip , O’Brien Claire , Mazur Marek , Power Stephen
Published: October 2023

A man in his 70s was presented to the emergency department with uncontrollable hypertension and worsening renal function on a background of atherosclerosis-related bilateral renal artery stenosis. Following progressive deterioration in renal function and refractory hypertension, the patient was referred to interventional radiology for consideration of renal artery stenting. Following stenting of the right renal artery, a large renal arteriovenous fistula became apparent, which required emergent embolisation. Both procedures were successful, with excellent clinical and radiological responses.
Brain connectivity-guided, Optimised theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve Central Pain Modulation in knee Osteoarthritis Pain (BoostCPM): protocol of a pilot randomised clinical trial in a secondary care setting in the UK
Authors: Drabek Marianne , Hodkinson Duncan , Horvath Suzanne , Millar Bonnie , Pszczolkowski Parraguez Stefan , Tench Christopher R , Tanasescu Radu , Lankappa Sudheer , Morriss Richard , Walsh David , Auer Dorothee P
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Chronic pain is a common health problem that is not efficiently managed by standard analgesic treatments. There is evidence that treatment resistance may result from maladaptive brain changes in areas that are fundamental to the perception of pain. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic pain and commonly associated with negative affect. Chronic knee osteoarthritis pain is also associated with altered right anterior insula functional connectivity. We posit that reversal of these brain circuit alterations may be critical to alleviate chronic pain and associated negative affect, and that this can be achieved through non-invasive neuromodulation techniques. Despite growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation for pain relief and proven efficacy in depression, results in chronic pain are mixed with limited high-quality evidence for clinical and mechanistic efficacy. Limitations include patient heterogeneity, imprecision of target selection, uncertain blinding and protocols that may deliver pulses at subclinical efficacy.

Methods and analysis

We hence developed an optimised treatment protocol of connectivity-guided intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with accelerated delivery on four consecutive days (allowing 4 days within the same week as protocol variation) with five daily treatment sessions that will be piloted in a sham-controlled design in 45 participants with chronic knee pain. This pilot study protocol will assess feasibility, tolerability and explore mechanistic efficacy through serial functional/structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative sensory testing.

Ethics and dissemination

This pilot trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee Cornwall and Plymouth.

Results of the pilot trial will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals, presented at research conferences and may be shared with participants and PPI/E advisors.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15404076.
Feasibility and impact of online HIV/STI screening addressed to men who have sex with men and transgender women users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Spain (TESTATE PrEP): a study protocol for a non-blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Agustí Cristina , Martínez Riveros Héctor , García-Pérez Jorge , Descalzo Vicente , Fernandez Gema , Ramírez-Marinero Aida , Gonzalez Maria Victoria , Díaz Yesika , Montoro-Fernandez Marcos , Romano-deGea Pol , Araujo Silvia G , Muntada Esteve , Casabona Jordi
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The objectives of the study are: to design and implement a pilot intervention to offer self-sampling kits to detect HIV,Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) andTreponema pallidum(TP) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender women users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of PrEP follow-up. To evaluate if the pilot intervention causes a reduction of the retention to PrEP follow-up among the target population. To analyse the capacity of the intervention to reduce the healthcare burden on the PrEP service. To evaluate the acceptability of the intervention among PrEP users and PrEP service healthcare workers and; to validate dried blood samples for treponemal and non-treponemal antibody detection using the Dual Path Platform syphilis screening and confirmatory assay compared with blood drawn by venous puncture.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a non-blinded randomised controlled non-inferiority trial among PrEP users on follow-up. Participants on the control arm will follow the usual follow-up protocol with quarterly face-to-face visits where they will be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants in the experimental arm will alternate face-to-face meetings with online screening of HIV and STIs. The websitehttps://testate.org/will include a module for online follow-up visits of participants. Participants of the experimental arm will order self-sampling kits for HIV, CT, NG and TP through the website, will send the samples to the laboratory and check their results online. We will compare the retention to follow up and the healthcare burden in both arms. The acceptability of the intervention among participants and healthcare workers will be assessed.

Ethics and dissemination

The project has been approved by the CEIC-HUGTIP (Reference: PI-22-051). Subjects will be included after giving their informed consent. Final conclusions and recommendations will be shared with stakeholders. Two publications in peer-reviewed journals are expected.

Trial registration number

NCT05752643.
Stakeholders’ perceptions of a nurse-led telehealth case management intervention in primary care for patients with complex care needs: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Delahunty-Pike Alannah , Lambert Mireille , Schwarz Charlotte , Howse Dana , Bisson Mathieu , Aubrey-Bassler Kris , Burge Fred , Chouinard Maud-Christine , Doucet Shelley , Luke Alison , Macdonald Marilyn , Zed Joanna , Taylor Jennifer , Hudon Catherine
Published: October 2023

Objective

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth case management (TCM) was introduced in primary care for patients requiring care by distance. While not all healthcare needs can be addressed via telehealth, the use of information and communication technology to support healthcare delivery has the potential to contribute to the management of patients with chronic conditions and associated complex care needs. However, few qualitative studies have documented stakeholders’ perceptions of TCM. This study aimed to describe patients’, primary care providers’ and clinic managers’ perceptions of the use of a nurse-led TCM intervention for primary care patients with complex care needs.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Setting

Three primary care clinics in three Canadian provinces.

Participants

Patients with complex care needs (n=30), primary care providers (n=11) and clinic managers (n=2) participated in qualitative individual interviews and focus groups.

Intervention

TCM intervention was delivered by nurse case managers over a 6-month period.

Results

Participants’ perceptions of the TCM intervention were summarised in three themes: (1) improved patient access, comfort and sense of reassurance; (2) trusting relationships and skilled nurse case managers; (3) activities more suitable for TCM. TCM was a generally accepted mode of primary care delivery, had many benefits for patients and providers and worked well for most activities that do not require physical assessment or treatment. Participants found TCM to be useful and a viable alternative to in-person care.

Conclusions

TCM improves access to care and is successful when a relationship of trust between the nurse case manager and patient can develop over time. Healthcare policymakers and primary care providers should consider the benefits of TCM and promote this mode of delivery as a complement to in-person care for patients with complex care needs.
Association of socioeconomic status with metabolic syndrome and its components among adult population: a community-based cross-sectional study in Nanjing Municipality of China
Authors: Ye Qing , Wang Zhenglin , Deng Tianrui , Lou Qinglin , Wu Haidi , Tang Wei , Xu Fei
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To investigate the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with socioeconomic status (SES) among general and gender-specific adult population in Nanjing municipality, China.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

13287 participants completed the survey. A participant: (1) must be a local registered resident, (2) aged 18+ years, (3) had no literal or physical/mental problems and (4) was not pregnant.

Study measures

MetS was the outcome variable, which was defined based on the diagnostic criteria released by the Chinese Diabetes Society. SES was the main explanatory measure, which was indicated with educational attainment and family average income (FAI), separately.

Results

The prevalence of MetS was 19.7% (95% CI=19.0% to 20.4%) among overall participants, and 24.6% (95% CI=23.5% to 25.6%) and 15.5% (95% CI=14.7% to 16.4%) for men and women, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, participants with either college level (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.43 to 0.60) or high school level education (OR=0.78, 95% CI=0.70 to 0.90) were at lower odds to experience MetS compared with those with primary education, while only those within upper FAI tertile were at significantly lower risk of MetS relative to their counterparts within lower FAI category (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.76 to 0.97) among overall participants. Meanwhile, with respect to the five components of MetS, higher educational level predicted lower waist circumference (WC), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting glucose concentration among all participants. And higher FAI was associated with lower WC and SBP and DBP in women, and with lower SBP and DBP in men.

Conclusions

Education and FAI each were inversely associated with MetS and its components at the present stage of economic development in Nanjing Municipality of China. It has important public health implications that the tailored prevention strategies for MetS should be put into consideration of the intervention of MetS components and subgroups of people with different SES.
Quest for clarity: investigating concussion-related responsibilities across the New Zealand Rugby Community System
Authors: Salmon Danielle M , Chua Jason , Brown James C , Clacy Amanda , Kerr Zachary Yukio , Walters Simon , Keung Sierra , Sullivan S John , Register-Mihalik Johna , Whatman Chris , Sole Gisela , Badenhorst Marelise
Published: October 2023

There is a growing concern around concussions in rugby union, at all levels of the game. These concerns highlight the need to better manage and care for players. However, consistency around concussion-related responsibilities of stakeholders across the community rugby system remains challenging. Taking a systems thinking approach, this pragmatic, qualitative descriptive study explored key stakeholder groups within New Zealand’s community rugby system’s perceptions of their own and others’ concussion-related responsibilities. Participants included players from schools and clubs, coaches, parents, team leads and representatives from four provincial unions. A total of 155 participants (67 females and 88 males) were included in the study. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Thirty concussion-related responsibilities were identified. These responsibilities were contained within four themes: (1) policies and support (responsibilities which influence policy, infrastructure, human or financial resources); (2) rugby culture and general management (responsibilities impacting players’ welfare and safety, attitudes and behaviour, including education, injury reporting and communication); (3) individual capabilities (responsibilities demonstrating knowledge and confidence managing concussion, leadership or role/task shifting) and (4) intervention following a suspected concussion (immediate responsibilities as a consequence of a suspected concussion). The need for role clarity was a prominent finding across themes. Additionally, injury management initiatives should prioritise communication between stakeholders and consider task-shifting opportunities for stakeholders with multiple responsibilities. How concussions will realistically be managed in a real-world sports setting and by whom needs to be clearly defined and accepted by each stakeholder group. A ‘framework of responsibilities’ may act as a starting point for discussion within different individual community rugby contexts on how these responsibilities translate to their context and how these responsibilities can be approached and assigned among available stakeholders.
Time trend and seasonality in medically attended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in US children aged 0–5 years, January 2010–January 2023
Authors: Wang Lindsey , Berger Nathan , Davis Pamela B , Kaelber David C , Volkow Nora , Xu Rong
Published: October 2023

Objective

The long-term time trend and seasonality variations of first-time medically attended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among young children are unknown. We aim to examine the time trend of medically attended first-time RSV infections among young children in the USA from January 2010 through January 2023.

Design

This is a population-based cohort study using electronic health records (EHRs). Monthly incidence rate of medically attended first-time RSV infection (cases per 10 000 000 person-days). A time-series regression model was used to model and predict time trends and seasonality.

Setting

Multicenter and nationwide TriNetX Network in the USA.

Participants

The study population comprised children aged 0–5 years who had medical visits during the period of January 2010 to January 2023.

Results

The data included 29 013 937 medical visits for children aged 0–5 years (46.5% girls and 53.5% boys) from January 2010 through January 2023. From 2010 through 2019, the monthly incidence rate of first-time medically attended RSV infection in children aged 0–5 years followed a consistent seasonal pattern. Seasonal patterns of medically attended RSV infections were significantly disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the seasonal variation disappeared with a peak incidence rate of 20 cases per 1 000 000 person-days, a decrease of 97.4% from the expected peak rate (rate ratio or RR: 0.026, 95% CI 0.017 to 0.040). In 2021, the seasonality returned but started 4 months earlier, lasted for 9 months, and peaked in August at a rate of 753 cases per 1 000 000 person-days, a decrease of 9.6% from the expected peak rate (RR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99). In 2022, the seasonal pattern is similar to prepandemic years but reached a historically high rate of 2182 cases per 10 000 000 person-days in November, an increase of 143% from the expected peak rate (RR: 2.43, 95% CI 2.25 to 2.63). The time trend and seasonality of the EHR-based medically attended RSV infections are consistent with those of RSV-associated hospitalisations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey-based surveillance system.

Conclusion

The findings show the disrupted seasonality during the COVID-19 pandemic and a historically high surge of paediatric RSV cases that required medical attention in 2022. Our study demonstrates the potential of EHRs as a cost-effective alternative for real-time pathogen and syndromic surveillance of unexpected disease patterns including RSV infection.
Observations of social and environmental change on Kendall Island (Ukiivik), a traditional whaling camp in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Authors: Ovitz Kimberly L. , Matari Kathleen G.A. , O'Hara Shannon , Esagok Douglas ,   Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee (IHTC), Loseto Lisa L.
Published: October 2023

As climate change intensifies, Inuvialuit in Canada's Western Arctic are facing a rapidly changing environment and associated impacts on human health, safety, and food security. Learning to cope with these changes requires context-based and current information that can inform subsistence activities and environmental management, and no one is better positioned to acquire this information than Inuvialuit themselves. This paper presents findings from in-depth interviews conducted in 2012 with six knowledge holders and seasonal residents of Kendall Island ( Ukiivik in Uummarmiutun), a traditional whaling camp situated along the Beaufort Sea coast bordering the Okeevik Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area. A transdisciplinary and Inuvialuit-led effort, this research documents observations of change at this culturally important site and explores how residents are adapting to changing conditions. Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative coding in NVivo software. Findings reveal pervasive social and environmental change on Kendall Island and in adjacent harvesting areas and highlight how changing conditions are affecting residents’ lives. This study identifies benchmarks upon which to compare and evaluate subsequent changes at this site and documents Inuvialuit knowledge and perspectives that can inform local-scale environmental monitoring, management, and climate change adaptation planning.
A comparative laboratory study of soft X-ray-induced ionization and fragmentation of five small PAH cations
Authors: Huo Yining , Cangahuala Mónica K. Espinoza , Zamudio-Bayer Vicente , Goulart Marcelo , Kubin Markus , Timm Martin , Lau J. Tobias , Issendorff Bernd von , Hoekstra Ronnie , Faraji Shirin , Schlathölter Thomas
Published: October 2023

The interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) radical cations and X-rays predominantly leads to photofragmentation, a process that strongly depends on PAH size and geometry. In our experiments, five prototypical PAHs were exposed to monochromatic soft X-ray photons with energies in the C K-edge regime. As a function of soft X-ray photon energy, photoion yields were obtained by means of time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The resulting near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectra were interpreted using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) with a short-range corrected functional. We found that the carbon backbone of anthracene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{14}$$

14

H$$_{10}^+$$

10

+

), pyrene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{16}$$

16

H$$_{10}^+$$

10

+

) and coronene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{24}$$

24

H$$_{12}^+$$

12

+

) can survive soft X-ray absorption, even though mostly intermediate size fragments are formed. In contrast, for hexahydropyrene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{16}$$

16

H$$_{16}^+$$

16

+

) and triphenylene$$^+$$

+

(C$$_{18}$$

18

H$$_{12}^+$$

12

+

) molecular survival is not observed and the fragmentation pattern is dominated by small fragments. For a given excitation energy, molecular survival evidently does not simply correlate with PAH size but strongly depends on other PAH properties.

Graphic abstract
Binary Generalized PCP for Two Periodic Morphisms is Decidable in Polynomial Time
Authors: Halava Vesa , Holub Štěpán
Published: October 2023

We show that the binary generalized Post’s Correspondence Problem is decidable in polynomial time for the case where both morphisms are periodic. Our result is based on combinatorial properties and we have formalized the proofs and verified correctness of our algorithm using the Isabelle/HOL formal proof system.
Deterministic Coordination across Multiple Timelines
Authors: Lohstroh Marten , Bateni Soroush , Menard Christian , Schulz-Rosengarten Alexander , Castrillon Jeronimo , Lee Edward A.
Published: October 2023

We discuss a novel approach for constructing deterministic reactive systems that revolves around a temporal model that incorporates a multiplicity of timelines. This model is central to
Lingua Franca
(
LF
), a polyglot coordination language and compiler toolchain we are developing for the definition and composition of concurrent components called reactors, which are objects that react to and emit discrete events. Our temporal model differs from existing models like the logical execution time (LET) paradigm and synchronous languages in that it reflects that there are always at least two distinct timelines involved in a reactive system; a
logical
one and a
physical
one—and possibly multiple of each kind. This article explains how the relationship between events across timelines facilitates reasoning about consistency and availability across components in cyber-physical systems (CPSs).
Exploring the Relative Effects of Body Position and Locomotion Method on Presence and Cybersickness when Navigating a Virtual Environment
Authors: Kim Aelee , Lee Jeong-Eun , Lee Kyoung-Min
Published: October 2023

The primary goals of this research are to strengthen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying presence and cybersickness in relation to the body position and locomotion method when navigating a virtual environment (VE). In this regard, we compared two body positions (standing and sitting) and four locomotion methods (steering + embodied control [EC], steering + instrumental control [IC], teleportation + EC, and teleportation + IC) to examine the association between body position, locomotion method, presence, and cybersickness in VR. The results of a two-way ANOVA revealed a main effect of locomotion method on presence, with the sense of presence significantly lower for the steering + IC condition. However, there was no main effect of body position on presence, nor was there an interaction between body position and locomotion method. For cybersickness, nonparametric tests were used due to non-normality. The results of Mann-Whitney U tests indicated a statistically significant effect of body position on cybersickness. In particular, the level of cybersickness was significantly higher for a standing position than for a sitting position. In addition, the results of Kruskal-Wallis tests revealed that the locomotion method had a meaningful effect on cybersickness, with participants in the steering conditions feeling stronger symptoms of cybersickness than those in the teleportation conditions. Overall, this study confirmed the relationship between body position, locomotion method, presence, and cybersickness when navigating a VE.
Semantic Template-based Convolutional Neural Network for Text Classification
Authors: Chang Yung-Chun , Ng Siu Hin , Chen Jung-Peng , Liang Yu-Chi , Hsu Wen-Lian
Published: October 2023

We propose a semantic template-based distributed representation for the convolutional neural network called Semantic Template-based Convolutional Neural Network (STCNN) for text categorization that imitates the perceptual behavior of human comprehension. STCNN is a highly automatic approach that learns semantic templates that characterize a domain from raw text and recognizes categories of documents using a semantic-infused convolutional neural network that allows a template to be partially matched through a statistical scoring system. Our experiment results show that STCNN effectively classifies documents in about 140,000 Chinese news articles into predefined categories by capturing the most prominent and expressive patterns and achieves the best performance among all compared methods for Chinese topic classification. Finally, the same knowledge can be directly used to perform a semantic analysis task.