bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utopia e distopia nas dobras do tempo de Vera Duarte
Authors: Mattos Marcelo Brandão
Published: January 2025

Propõe-se, neste capítulo, uma análise da poesia da escritora cabo-verdiana Vera Duarte em dois momentos distintos de produção, não apenas separados pelo tempo das vivências da poeta, mas também (e sobretudo) por sua situação sócio-histórica, em relação às lutas de libertação e à independência em seu país e nas outras ex-colônias portuguesas, irmãs na língua e nos sentidos da africanidade. Objetiva-se, com isso, pensar a produção poética de Vera Duarte a partir de dois eixos contextuais: utopia e distopia. As reflexões aqui desenvolvidas são ampliações de um trabalho de pesquisa que resultou na publicação do livro A geração da distopia (2021), sobre a ficção de autores angolanos da mesma forma atravessadas pelo tempo. O referencial teórico deste capítulo foi desenvolvido, portanto, a partir do livro referido e dos teóricos que embasaram a pesquisa, como Anibal Quijano (2005), Frantz Fanon (1968), Amilcar Cabral (1980), Boaventura de Sousa Santos (2008) e Pires Laranjeira (2000). São também referências deste texto pensadores da ancestralidade africana e teóricos da contemporaneidade mundial. As análises permitem observar as diferentes representações poéticas em tempos distintos, separados por uma história de projetos e desilusões.Palavras-chave: Literaturas africanas de língua portuguesa; Poesia cabo-verdiana; Utopia; Distopia.
Industrial Value from The Labs
Authors: Ford Jason
Published: January 2025

In May 1960 The Engineer sought to find out if output from government laboratories was being implemented commercially
Transforming Data Acquisition in Aerospace
Authors: Smith Grant M
Published: January 2025

How the latest range of data acquisition devices and systems is helping engineers record data accurately and reliably
Expanding the Boundaries of Hypersonic Flight
Authors: Vert Romain , Bouchard Eric
Published: January 2025

Aerothermodynamic ground testing facilities for advancing next-generation thermal protection systems, ensuring safe and efficient hypersonic flight
Making The Most of Your Testing Assets
Authors: Reglitz Soeren , Klespe Lukas
Published: January 2025

Modular hardware components and obsolescence management are key to maximizing the long-term benefits of hardware-in-the-loop systems
Improving Inspection with Automation
Authors: Browne Patricia
Published: January 2025

The use of optical gage technology and robotic automation can reduce inspection time for surface features and defects on precision-machined parts
Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic evaluation of Hanwoo lean meat traits using BLUP
Authors: Lee Gwang Hyeon , Kong Hong Sik
Published: January 2025

The goal of Hanwoo breeding is to produce large quantities of high-quality beef at a low cost. Breeding research has led to an increase of more than 100 kg in the average carcass weight of Hanwoo cattle. However, carcass weight includes bone and inedible fat, which differ from the percentage of lean meat. Enhancing the percentage of lean meat is essential for improving meat efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to enhance the productivity of Hanwoo cattle by analyzing 1,905 Hanwoo cattle. This study investigated the correlations between carcass traits (carcass weight, eye muscle area, back fat thickness, and marbling score) and lean meat traits (weight and percentage). Additionally, genetic parameters for lean meat weight and percentage were estimated using the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) method. Based on the estimated genetic parameters, breeding value analysis was conducted. Furthermore, accuracy and correlation analyses between the estimated breeding values and the phenotypic data were performed. The accuracies of the estimated breeding values for carcass traits such as carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, and marbling score, were 0.380, 0.373, 0.338, and 0.366, respectively; whereas for lean meat traits, namely weight and percentage, the accuracies were 0.381 and 0.373, respectively. Although the accuracy was relatively low, establishing a larger reference population is expected to enable more precise genetic evaluation. Based on the results of this study, improving lean meat traits is expected to significantly enhance Hanwoo beef productivity.
Concurrent occurrence of adenocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma of the prostate: Coexistence mechanisms from multiple perspectives
Authors: Liu Xu-Chang , Liu Yu-Xiang , Liu Chun
Published: January 2025

This article discusses the coexistence of prostate adenocarcinoma and prostate urothelial carcinoma. Combining existing literature and research results, the potential mechanisms of the co-occurrence of these two cancers are explored, including the role of androgen receptor, gene mutations, and their complex interactions in cell signaling pathways, etc. Also, the hypothesis of prostate cancer transformation into urothelial carcinoma is explained from some perspectives, including tumor multipotent stem cell differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, and other mechanisms. Ultimately, the goal is to provide more accurate diagnoses and more personalized treatments in clinical practice, as well as to lay the foundation for improving patient prognoses in the future.
Determination of Vitamins and Pharmacological Properties of Vitis vinifera L. Plant Fruit Part (Mixed Varieties) Syrup-Honey
Authors: Azimova Aziza Qodirali qizi , Islomov Akmal Xushvaqovich , Maulyanov Salikhjan Alimjanovich , Abdugafurova Dilnoza Gulyamovna , Mahmudov Lazizbek Umarjanovich , o`g`li Abdullaev Izzatullo Ziyoyiddin , Ishmuratova Aziza Saydullayevna , Siddikova Sevinch Qurol qizi , Askarov Ibrokhim Rahmonovich
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the method of obtaining fruit syrup from Vitis vinifera L. plants, along with the analysis of its chemical composition, specifically focusing on the vitamins in terms of both quality and quantity. The study includes chromatographic data illustrating the relevant indicators of the syrup’s components. In addition, the toxicity level of the fruit syrup from Vitis vinifera L. plants growing in Uzbekistan has been determined. The paper also investigates the pharmacological effects of the grape fruit syrup, particularly its potential for reducing inflammation in the body. The methods used in this research are thoroughly discussed, providing a comprehensive understanding of the syrup’s composition, safety, and therapeutic properties.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Nominated as HHS Secretary: Choices for Senators and Healthcare Providers
Authors:   Phoenix Pulmonary and Research Education Foundation, Gilbert, AZ USA, Robbins Richard
Published: January 2025

No abstract available. Editorial truncated after 150 words. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated several controversial figures for cabinet positions. On November 14, Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary (1). Although several of Trump’s nominees are marginal, I could not have imagined a worse choice than Kennedy. As many cringe at the thought of a number of Trump’s nominees, I join many of my fellow healthcare providers and scientists in their abhorrence at Kennedy’s nomination.
Kennedy has long promoted anti-vaccine misinformation and public-health conspiracy theories (2,3). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has emerged as a leading proponent of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation (4). Many of his false public health claims have targeted prominent figures such as Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and Joe Biden. He has written books, including The Real Anthony Fauci (5) and A Letter to Liberals (6), perpetuating his lies. Kennedy has insinuated that HIV …
Rapid focusing of light through turbid water based on a digital micromirror device
Authors: Guo Cuixia , Zou Zhanghuang , Liu Yu , Yu Min , Huang Feng
Published: January 2025

The strong scattering and time variability of dynamic scattering media pose a major challenge to optical focusing and imaging applications. In this paper, a feedback wavefront shaping technology based on digital micromirror devices is proposed, which combines the hardware design and algorithm optimization. Through a new hardware-triggered image acquisition system and dynamic subgroup genetic algorithm, the image acquisition rate and focusing efficiency are significantly improved, and the light is quickly focused in dynamic turbid water. The imaging speed is about 34.89 times that of the traditional method based on a software-triggered image acquisition system and genetic algorithm. The experimental results of focusing through a milk solution show that this technique has a remarkable effect in improving the efficiency of dynamic focusing and the light intensity of focusing region, which provides an effective optimization strategy for optical imaging technology through a dynamic scattering medium in the future.
Calibration-free wavelength modulation spectroscopy approach for practical logging measurements of methane slip from natural gas engines
Authors: Jaeger Nicolas S. B. , Mhanna Mhanna , Rochussen Jeremy , Kirchen Patrick
Published: January 2025

Natural gas (NG) is a potential substitute for diesel in engine
applications because of its potential to reduce greenhouse gas and
toxicant emissions. To maximize the benefits of NG, robust diagnostic
methods are required to quantify concentration of unburned methane in
the exhaust stream, without requiring frequent sensor recalibration. A
wavelength modulation spectroscopy sensor has been developed to
measure CH4 slip from NG engines. The sensor uses
the first-harmonic-normalized, second-harmonic (2f/1f) processing method to perform
long-duration, logging measurements at 20 Hz on an NG-powered marine
vessel. Calibration-free 2f/1f measurements were shown to match
calibrated 2f/1f measurements with an average error of
2.17% over the course of a 3 h sailing.
Self-oscillating, self-stabilizing, and self-referenced electro-optic comb
Authors: Trask Lawrence Robert , Pericherla Srinivas Varma , Delfyett Peter J.
Published: January 2025

We demonstrate a widely spaced, stabilized, and self-referenced opto-electronic oscillator driven electro-optic modulator based optical frequency comb. Using an ultra-stable Fabry-Perot etalon as a stable reference, we simultaneously stabilize a CW laser and generate a low noise and stable RF oscillation used to drive an electro-optic comb. In such a manner, the Fabry-Perot etalon pins both the carrier-envelope-offset frequency (f
ceo
) and the repetition rate of the comb in place (f
rep
), eliminating the need for an external RF oscillator. Usage of the ultra-stable Fabry-Perot etalon as both an optical and RF reference allows the removal of an external RF oscillator. Additionally, we determined the key parameters in producing high contrast ultrashort pulses necessary for coherent octave spanning supercontinuum generation using long and weak pulses associated with electro-optic modulator based combs. By using a monolithically fiber based pulse compression scheme, we produced ultrashort pulses to facilitate measuring the carrier-envelope-offset frequency, allowing for the first self-starting, self-stabilized, and self-referenced opto-electronic oscillator driven electro-optic modulator based optical frequency comb.
Characterization of antioxidants in polyethylene via terahertz time-domain spectroscopy: physical insights and spectral calibration
Authors: Qiu Yan , Gong Lirong , Zhai Haobo , Hu Long , Lu Bowen , Hang Yuhua , Li Yongdong
Published: January 2025

We investigate the physical mechanisms of the interaction between terahertz waves and antioxidant 1010 in polyethylene (PE) using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The THz waves are generated by an InGaAs photoconductive emitter antenna and detected by an InGaAs photoconductive receiver antenna, which are both driven by a pulsed laser with a wavelength of 1560 nm, pulse repetition rate of 80 MHz, and pulse duration of 100 fs. With increasing concentrations of antioxidants, the absorption spectrum exhibits a marked increase in the intensity of the absorption peaks at 0.91, 1.20, 1.52, and 1.71 THz and a corresponding reduction in their broadening. The absorption spectrum calculated from the density functional theory-based numerical model developed in this work aligns with the experimental data, confirming the fact that THz absorption strengthens the van der Waals interactions between molecular groups, with methyl groups exhibiting stronger interactions than oxygen-containing groups, which drives collective multiatomic vibrations. The frequency-resolved calibration curve for the antioxidant concentration is optimal at 0.77 THz (coefficient of determination R2 = 0.99476, root-mean-square error of cross-validation RMSECV = 2.67 wt.%) rather than at the absorption peak frequencies, stemming from the combined effects broadband absorption peaks. These findings provide the THz spectral response of antioxidant molecules in PE both theoretically and experimentally, and they demonstrate the potential of THz-TDS as a rapid, accurate, and non-destructive method for quantifying antioxidant concentration in polymer cables for power systems.
Generative approach for lensless imaging in low-light conditions
Authors: Liu Ziyang , Zeng Tianjiao , Zhan Xu , Zhang Xiaoling , Lam Edmund Y.
Published: January 2025

Lensless imaging offers a lightweight, compact alternative to traditional lens-based systems, ideal for exploration in space-constrained environments. However, the absence of a focusing lens and limited lighting in such environments often results in low-light conditions, where the measurements suffer from complex noise interference due to insufficient capture of photons. This study presents a robust reconstruction method for high-quality imaging in low-light scenarios, employing two complementary perspectives: model-driven and data-driven. First, we apply a physics-model-driven perspective to reconstruct the range space of the pseudo-inverse of the measurement model—as a first guidance to extract information in the noisy measurements. Then, we integrate a generative-model-based perspective to suppress residual noises—as the second guidance to suppress noises in the initial noisy results. Specifically, a learnable Wiener filter-based module generates an initial, noisy reconstruction. Then, for fast and, more importantly, stable generation of the clear image from the noisy version, we implement a modified conditional generative diffusion module. This module converts the raw image into the latent wavelet domain for efficiency and uses modified bidirectional training processes for stabilization. Simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate substantial improvements in overall visual quality, advancing lensless imaging in challenging low-light environments.
Automated lensless blood sample identification through scattering media using deep learning architectures
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Joshi Rakesh , Goswami Saurabh , Santaniello Sabato , Javidi Bahram
Published: January 2025

Lensless devices paired with deep learning models have recently shown great promise as a novel approach to biological screening. As a first step toward performing automated lensless cell identification non-invasively, we present a field-portable, compact lensless system that can detect and classify smeared whole blood samples through layers of scattering media. In this system, light from a partially coherent laser diode propagates through the sample, which is positioned between two layers of scattering media, and the resultant opto-biological signature is captured by an image sensor. The signature is transformed via local binary pattern (LBP) transformation, and the resultant LBP images are processed by a convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify the type of red blood cells in the sample. We validated our system in an experimental setup where whole blood samples are placed between two diffusive layers of increasing thickness, and the robustness of the system against variations in the layer thickness is investigated. Several CNN models were considered (i.e., AlexNet, VGG-16, and SqueezeNet), individually optimized, and compared against a traditional learning model that consists of principal component decomposition and support vector machine (PCA + SVM). We found that a two-stage SqueezeNet architecture and VGG-16 provide the highest classification accuracy and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) score when applied to images acquired by our lensless system, with SqueezeNet outperforming the other classifiers when the thickness of the scattering layer is the same in training and test data (accuracy: 97.2%; MCC: 0.96), and VGG-16 resulting the most robust option as the thickness of the scattering layers in test data increases up to three times the value used during training. Altogether, this work provides proof-of-concept for non-invasive blood sample identification through scattering media with lensless devices using deep learning. Our system has the potential to be a viable diagnosis device because of its low cost, field portability, and high identification accuracy.
Parallel-filter observer control with CCD measurements for space optical communication equipment on a moving platform
Authors: Miao Qingqing , Bian Qihui , Qi Bo , Tang Tao
Published: January 2025

This paper reports a parallel-filter observer methodology to stabilize the line-of-sight (LOS) for space optical communication missions, which breaks the bandwidth limitation for achieving trajectory tracking on a moving platform with charge-coupled device (CCD) measurements. An equivalent high-order parallel-filter compensator is introduced to reduce the output of the controller, resulting in a stabilized high-bandwidth observer. The parallel-filter observer effectively mitigates the stability degradation associated with a single high-bandwidth filter. Furthermore, a high-bandwidth rate loop is conducive to ensuring the stability of the tracking gimbal in inertial space. The proposed approach directly uses and processes tracking errors to achieve LOS stabilization rather than relying on detailed knowledge of target dynamics to evaluate and compensate for target trajectory. Therefore, it is simple and applicable to provide excellent tracking performance for engineering applications with limited measurement bandwidth. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for improving LOS stabilization in a tracking system with carrier disturbance and target motion.
CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped polymer optical fiber microprobe for pH sensing
Authors: Liang Jianfeng , Yang Liqiong , Ye Zhiqi , Tang Yangjie , Ouyang Hongqun , Yang Guowei , Lei Hongxiang
Published: January 2025

pH is an important physiological parameter within organisms, playing a crucial role in functional activities in cells and tissues. Among various pH sensing methods, optical fiber pH sensors have gained a wide attention due to their unique advantages. However, current silica optical fiber-based pH sensors face some challenges such as weak biocompatibility, low biological safety, complex or unstable surface modification. Herein, we develop what we believe to be a novel pH sensor based on a CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-doped polymer optical fiber microprobe (POF MP) grown at the end of the silica optical fiber using the free radical photopolymerization process, which has the advantages of significant compactness, high flexibility, good biocompatibility, easy functionalization, high structural stability and safety. Moreover, the size of the POF MP are controllable, which is highly significant for applications requiring specific probe sizes or those used in special terrains. The proposed sensor is demonstrated to have a sensitivity of 0.18097/pH in a wide pH range from 4.5 to 9.0, while it exhibits a highly linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and pH value (R2 = 0.99448) and good reversibility and reusability. This proposed pH sensor offers a promising solution for pH monitoring in biological environments, contributing to advancements in biosensing, microenvironment monitoring, and potential therapeutic applications.
Wideband rectifying metasurface with enhanced efficiency for wireless power transmission via harmonic feedback design
Authors: Liu Huaiqing , Zhu Kaisheng , Hua Changzhou , Liu Taijun , Fu Maosheng , Zhong Shuomin
Published: January 2025

We present a wideband rectifying metasurface (RMS) with enhanced system efficiency for wireless power transmission and energy harvesting. The RMS consists of periodic arrays with integrated diodes, with a high input impedance matched with the diodes, thus eliminating the matching network between metasurface (MS) and rectifier. Besides, a unique harmonic feedback network is embedded in each unit cell, rectifying the high-order harmonic generated by the diode repeatedly, improving the total efficiency over a wide bandwidth. The converted DC power is channeled to one single load through the DC-paths formed by the branches of MS and a series of inductors, avoiding additional DC-combination networks. The MS can effectively capture EM energy at an operating band of 2-3.5 GHz, and the simulated radiation-AC efficiency is up to 99% at 2.8 GHz. A finite 8 × 8 array is fabricated and measured. The total conversion efficiency reaches a peak value of 60.5% at 2.7 GHz when the power density is 25dBm/m2, and is greater than 40% from 2.3 GHz to 2.9 GHz, exhibiting a wide bandwidth of 23.1% compared with existing state-of-the-art studies. The integrated MS-based RF energy harvester with the advantages of a simple structure is of great significance for wireless power transfer and energy harvesting applications.
A tandem neural network-based controller for X-ray bimorph
mirrors
Authors: Zhang Runyu , Rebuffi Luca , Egly Christopher , Shi Xianbo , Assoufid Lahsen
Published: January 2025

Nanometer-scale optical imperfections challenge coherent X-ray beam applications, even with advancements in X-ray synchrotron facilities, such as the upgraded Advanced Photon Source. Piezoelectric bimorph mirrors offer adaptive control but face limitations from nonlinearities such as crosstalk, creep, and hysteresis. This work introduces a real-time, feedback-free controller inspired by the PID scheme and powered by tandem neural networks (TNN). Using task-specific datasets, the TNN-based system predicts actuator voltages with greater speed, accuracy, and stability than a single NN-based model. Ideal for real-time applications, such as adapting beam focus to dynamic sample sizes, it maintains precise control over radiation and wavefront quality. This advancement highlights artificial intelligence’s transformative potential for adaptive optics and nonlinear systems.
Bi-chromatic intensity squeezing using four-wave mixing in 85Rb vapor
Authors: Niu Ziqi , Wen Jianming , Zhang Chuanwei , Du Shengwang , Novikova Irina
Published: January 2025

We experimentally investigate four-wave mixing (FWM) in a diamond interaction scheme using 85Rb vapor, and identify the optimal conditions for joint amplification and relative intensity squeezing of two optical fields: one near the 85Rb D1 optical transition (λ = 794.6 nm) and the other in the telecom O-band (λ = 1324 nm). We achieved a reduction of relative intensity noise by up to 2.6 ± 0.4 dB compared with the shot noise level, signifying the non-classical quantum correlations. The observed level of intensity squeezing is primarily limited by the available pump laser power, which constrains the achievable FWM gain. Numerical simulations show good agreement with the experimental results.
Analyse und Bewältigung von Herausforderungen im Software-Prototyping: Eine Untersuchung der Schlüsseldimensionen zur Unterstützung der Digitalen Transformation
Authors: Löwe Seline , Koch Marcel , Schäffer Thomas
Published: January 2025

Software-Prototyping von Informationssystemen ermöglicht die frühzeitige Entwicklung von Demonstratoren zur schnellen Integration von Nutzerfeedback, das für die digitale Transformation und organisatorische Veränderungen entscheidend ist. Trotz zahlreicher Vorteile treten bei der Anwendung der Methode Herausforderungen auf, welche sich auch auf die Integration und Verwaltung von Enterprise Systems auswirken. Die Identifizierung von diesen Herausforderungen beim Software-Prototyping ist grundlegend, um Misserfolge bei der Entwicklung innovativer Prototypen zu vermeiden. Mit diesem Beitrag werden fünf Schlüsseldimensionen – Technologie, Organisation, Datenmanagement, Entwicklungsprozess und Benutzererfahrung – durch die Analyse von 39 identifizierten Herausforderungen in 13 Kategorien untersucht. Darüber hinaus zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass in dem achtstufigen Software-Prototyping-Prozess die Phase des User Interface Prototyping die häufigsten Probleme aufweist. Ziel ist es, mögliche Probleme zu identifizieren und zu kategorisieren sowie Handlungsempfehlungen daraus abzuleiten, um ein Bewusstsein für solche zu schaffen, damit Strategien zur digitalen Transformation besser umgesetzt werden können.
A genome-scale metabolic model for the denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. MZ1T accurately predicts degradation of pollutants and production of polymers
Authors: Tec-Campos Diego , Tibocha-Bonilla Juan D. , Jiang Celina , Passi Anurag , Thiruppathy Deepan , Zuñiga Cristal , Posadas Camila , Zepeda Alejandro , Zengler Karsten
Published: January 2025

The denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. MZ1T, a common member of microbial communities in wastewater treatment facilities, can produce different compounds from a range of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sources under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In these different conditions, Thauera modifies its metabolism to produce different compounds that influence the microbial community. In particular, Thauera sp. MZ1T produces different exopolysaccharides with floc-forming properties, impacting the physical disposition of wastewater consortia and the efficiency of nutrient assimilation by the microbial community. Under N-limiting conditions, Thauera sp. MZ1T decreases its growth rate and accelerates the accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoate-related (PHA) compounds including polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which plays a fundamental role as C and energy storage in this β-proteobacterium. However, the metabolic mechanisms employed by Thauera sp. MZ1T to assimilate and catabolize many of the different C and N sources under aerobic and anaerobic conditions remain unknown. Systems biology approaches such as genome-scale metabolic modeling have been successfully used to unveil complex metabolic mechanisms for various microorganisms. Here, we developed a comprehensive metabolic model (M-model) for Thauera sp. MZ1T (iThauera861), consisting of 1,744 metabolites, 2,384 reactions, and 861 genes. We validated the model experimentally using over 70 different C and N sources under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. iThauera861 achieved a prediction accuracy of 95% for growth on various C and N sources and close to 85% for assimilation of aromatic compounds under denitrifying conditions. The M-model was subsequently deployed to determine the effects of substrates, oxygen presence, and the C:N ratio on the production of PHB and exopolysaccharides (EPS), showing the highest polymer yields are achieved with nucleotides and amino acids under aerobic conditions. This comprehensive M-model will help reveal the metabolic processes by which this ubiquitous species influences communities in wastewater treatment systems and natural environments.
Improving polygenic prediction from summary data by learning patterns of effect sharing across multiple phenotypes
Authors: Kunkel Deborah , Sørensen Peter , Shankar Vijay , Morgante Fabio
Published: January 2025

Polygenic prediction of complex trait phenotypes has become important in human genetics, especially in the context of precision medicine. Recently, mr.mash, a flexible and computationally efficient method that models multiple phenotypes jointly and leverages sharing of effects across such phenotypes to improve prediction accuracy, was introduced. However, a drawback of mr.mash is that it requires individual-level data, which are often not publicly available. In this work, we introduce mr.mash-rss, an extension of the mr.mash model that requires only summary statistics from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and linkage disequilibrium (LD) estimates from a reference panel. By using summary data, we achieve the twin goal of increasing the applicability of the mr.mash model to data sets that are not publicly available and making it scalable to biobank-size data. Through simulations, we show that mr.mash-rss is competitive with, and often outperforms, current state-of-the-art methods for single- and multi-phenotype polygenic prediction in a variety of scenarios that differ in the pattern of effect sharing across phenotypes, the number of phenotypes, the number of causal variants, and the genomic heritability. We also present a real data analysis of 16 blood cell phenotypes in the UK Biobank, showing that mr.mash-rss achieves higher prediction accuracy than competing methods for the majority of traits, especially when the data set has smaller sample size.
Countries’ progress towards Global Health Security (GHS) increased health systems resilience during the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic: A difference-in-difference study of 191 countries
Authors: Headley Tyler Y. , Kim Sooyoung , Tozan Yesim
Published: January 2025

Research on health systems resilience during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 pandemic frequently used the Global Health Security Index (GHSI), a composite index scoring countries’ health security and related capabilities. Conflicting results raised questions regarding the validity of the GHSI as a reliable index. This study attempted to better characterize when and to what extent countries’ progress towards Global Health Security (GHS) augments health systems resilience. We used longitudinal data from 191 countries and a difference-in-difference (DiD) causal inference strategy to quantify the effect of countries’ GHS capacity as measured by the GHSI on their coverage rates for essential childhood immunizations, a previously established proxy for health systems resilience. Using a sliding scale of cutoff values with step increments of one, we divided countries into treatment and control groups and determined the lowest GHSI score at which a safeguarding effect was observed. All analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. World Bank governance indicators were employed for robustness tests. While countries with overall GHSI scores of 57 and above prevented declines in childhood immunization coverage rates from 2020–2022 (coef: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.41–1.41), this safeguarding effect was strongest in 2021 (coef: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.05–2.41). Coefficient sizes for overall GHSI scores were smaller compared to several GHSI sub-components, including countries’ environmental risks (coef: 4.28; 95% CI: 2.56–5.99) and emergency preparedness and response planning (coef: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.54–3.11). Our findings indicate that GHS was positively associated with health systems resilience during the pandemic (2020) and the following two years (2021–2022), that GHS may have had the most significant protective effects in 2021 as compared with 2020 and 2022, and that countries’ underlying characteristics, including governance quality, bolstered health systems resilience during the pandemic.
Educational interventions to improve pediatric emergency care: A qualitative assessment of the perspectives of African healthcare workers
Authors: Hartford Emily A. , Rees Chris A. , Kihurani Isaac , Hussain Syeda Ra’ana , Seifert Elena , Schmid Alexis , Bacha Tigist , Chen Carol C. , Schultz Megan L.
Published: January 2025

Pediatric emergency care (PEC) training for health care workers (HCWs) is commonly offered in the form of short courses. This study gathers the perspectives of HCWs from eight African countries on how to best deliver and implement short training courses in PEC. This is a qualitative study using semi-structured key informant (KI) interviews. Utilizing the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM) member list serve, we identified African HCWs who had previous experience participating in and/or delivering short training courses in PEC. From this cohort, four interviewers were selected. These interviewers all received training in qualitative interviewing and then each recruited five KIs in their respective settings using convenience sampling. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated as necessary, and coded using thematic analysis. A total of 20 interviews were completed. Most KIs (75%) were physicians. Several themes on short training courses in PEC emerged: there was strong motivation to participate in PEC trainings, interactive sessions were preferred over didactic sessions, the recommended course structure was a half-day format with longitudinal follow-up, and the ideal for course instructors was a mix of local trainers and visiting trainers. KIs reported several potential negative consequences of short training courses in PEC, including clinical staffing gaps during courses and PEC content taught that was incongruous with local protocols. Future curricular development and implementation of short training courses in PEC should incorporate the preferences and best practices identified by African HCWs, namely interactive sessions with longitudinal follow-up given by a mix of local and visiting trainers. Our study limitations include the number of participants and potential for selection bias.
Identification of Environmental Determinants Involved in the Distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Southeast Asia using MaxEnt software
Authors: Abrantes Jose Francis V. , Cariño Zenn Ashley P. , Mercado Hozeo Luis S. , Vicencio Fatima N. , Sosa Gio Ray S. , Habaña Miguel Angelo M. , Dagamac Nikki Heherson A.
Published: January 2025

Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), causing melioidosis, is becoming a major global public health concern. It is highly endemic in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Northern Australia and is persisting beyond the established areas of endemicity. This study aimed to determine the environmental variables that would predict the most suitable ecological niche for this pathogenic bacterium in SEA by maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. Systematic review and meta-analysis of data for melioidosis were obtained from public databases such as PubMed, Harmonized World Soil (HWSD) and WorldClim. The potential map showing the environmental layers was processed by ArcGIS, and the prediction for the probability of habitat suitability using MaxEnt software (version 3·4·4) and ENMeval R-based modeling tools was utilized to generate the distribution map with the best-fit model. Both bioclimatic and edaphic predictors were found to be the most important niche-determining environmental variables affecting the geographical distribution of Bp. The highest probability of suitability was predicted in areas with mean temperature of the wettest quarter at ≥26°C, annual precipitation of <2300 mm and Acrisol soil type. Combining those significantly influential variables, our predictive modeling generated a potential distribution map showing the concentration of areas and its location names with high suitability for Bp presence. The predicted distribution of Bp is extensive in the mainland part of SEA. This can be used to draw appropriate measures to safeguard public health and address the true disease burden of melioidosis in the region under the current climate scenario.
Parental effects provide an opportunity for coral resilience following major bleaching events
Authors: Lenz Elizabeth A. , Donahue Megan J. , Gates Ruth D. , Putnam Hollie M. , van der Steeg Eveline , Padilla-Gamiño Jacqueline L.
Published: January 2025

Identifying processes that promote coral reef recovery and resilience is crucial as ocean warming becomes more frequent and severe. Sexual reproduction is essential for the replenishment of coral populations and maintenance of genetic diversity; however, the ability for corals to reproduce may be impaired by marine heatwaves that cause coral bleaching. In 2014 and 2015, the Hawaiian Islands experienced coral bleaching with differential bleaching susceptibility in the species Montipora capitata, a dominant reef-building coral in the region. We tested the hypothesis that coral bleaching resistance enhances reproductive capacity and offspring performance by examining the reproductive biology of colonies that bleached and recovered (B) and colonies that did not bleach (NB) in 2015 in the subsequent spawning seasons. The proportion of colonies that spawned was higher in 2016 than in 2017. Regardless of parental bleaching history, we found eggs with higher abnormality and bundles with fewer eggs in 2016 than 2017. While reproductive output was similar between B and NB colonies in 2016, survivorship of offspring that year were significantly influenced by the parental bleaching history (egg donor × sperm donor: B × B, B × NB, NB × B, and NB × NB). Offspring produced by NB egg donors had the highest survivorship, while offspring from previously bleached colonies had the lowest survivorship, highlighting the negative effects of bleaching on parental investment and offspring performance. While sexual reproduction continues in M. capitata post-bleaching, gametes are differentially impacted by recovery time following a bleaching event and by parental bleaching resistance. Our results demonstrate the importance of identifying bleaching resistant individuals during and after heating events. This study further highlights the significance of maternal effects through potential egg provisioning for offspring survivorship and provides a baseline for human-assisted intervention (i.e., selective breeding) to mitigate the effects of climate change on coral reefs.
Perceptions of access to harm reduction services during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who inject drugs in metropolitan Chicago
Authors: Kristensen Kathleen , Boodram Basmattee , Avila Wendy , Pineros Juliet , Latkin Carl , Mackesy-Amiti Mary-Ellen
Published: January 2025

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the risk environment for people who inject drugs (PWID), making continued access to harm reduction services imperative. Research has shown that some harm reduction service providers were able to continue to provide services throughout the pandemic. Most of these studies, however, focused on staff perspectives, not those of PWID. Our study examines changes in perceptions of access to harm reduction services (e.g., participant reported difficulty in accessing syringes and naloxone) among PWID participating in a longitudinal study conducted through the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Community Outreach Intervention Projects field sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A COIVD-19 survey module was administered from March 2020-February 2022 to participants of an ongoing longitudinal study of PWID ages 18–30, who were English-speaking, and were residing in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Responses to the COVID-19 survey module were analyzed to understand how study participants’ self-reported access to harm reduction services changed throughout the pandemic. Baseline responses to the survey were analyzed to compare participant-reported drug use behaviors and perceived access to harm reduction services across COIVD-19 time periods. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to examine difficulty in syringe access as an outcome of COVID-19 time period.

Results

Participants had significantly lower odds (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.12–0.65) of reporting difficulty in accessing syringes later in the pandemic. However, the majority of participants reported access to syringes and naloxone remained the same as before the pandemic.

Conclusions

The lack of perceived changes in harm reduction access by PWID and the decrease in those reporting difficulty accessing syringes as the pandemic progressed suggests the efficacy of adaptations to harm reduction service provision (e.g., window and mobile service) during the pandemic. Further research is needed to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted PWIDs’ engagement with harm reduction services.
Deep learning-based differential gut flora for prediction of Parkinson’s
Authors: Yu Bo , Zhang Hang , Zhang Min
Published: January 2025

Background

There had been extensive research on the role of the gut microbiota in human health and disease. Increasing evidence suggested that the gut-brain axis played a crucial role in Parkinson’s disease, with changes in the gut microbiota speculated to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease or interfere with its treatment. However, studies utilizing deep learning methods to predict Parkinson’s disease through the gut microbiota were still limited. Therefore, the goal of this study was to develop an efficient and accurate prediction method based on deep learning by thoroughly analyzing gut microbiota data to achieve the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

This study proposed a method for predicting Parkinson’s disease using differential gut microbiota, named the Parkinson Gut Prediction Method (PGPM). Initially, differential gut microbiota data were extracted from 39 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and their corresponding 39 healthy spouses. Subsequently, a preprocessing method called CRFS (combined ranking using random forest scores and principal component analysis contributions) was introduced for feature selection. Following this, the proposed LSIM (LSTM-penultimate to SVM Input Method) approach was utilized for classifying Parkinson’s patients. Finally, a soft voting mechanism was employed to predict Parkinson’s disease patients.

Results

The research results demonstrated that the Parkinson gut prediction method (PGPM), which utilized differential gut microbiota, performed excellently. The method achieved a mean accuracy (ACC) of 0.85, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.92, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) score of 0.92.

Conclusion

In summary, this method demonstrated excellent performance in predicting Parkinson’s disease, allowing for more accurate predictions of Parkinson’s disease.
Development and validation of a Malay version questionnaire for assessing risk perception of type 2 diabetes (RPDM)
Authors: Jane Ling Miaw Yn , Ahmad Norfazilah , Mohd Radi Mohd Firdaus , Aizuddin Azimatun Noor
Published: January 2025

Background

The burden of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally. Risk perception of type 2 diabetes plays an important role in motivating adoption of healthy lifestyle and preventive health interventions. To address the increasing burden of type 2 diabetes in Malaysia, a better understanding on its risk perception is needed as a guide for preventive interventions. This study was aimed at developing and validating a Malay-language questionnaire to assess the risk perception of type 2 diabetes (RPDM) among Malaysians.

Methods

The questionnaire (RPDM) was developed based on the Health Belief Model and previous literature. A 59-item question pool was initially developed, reviewed by experts for content validity and pretested on five respondents. Different samples were used for pilot study (n = 100) and subsequent validation study (n = 158). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate construct validity and construct reliability of the questionnaire.

Results

The EFA yielded five-factors model, including 48 items with good factor loadings of > 0.40. CFA was carried out using item parceling. The final model shows acceptable model fit and had sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. The value of construct reliability ranged between 0.76 and 0.90.

Conclusion

This newly developed and validated Malay-language RPDM questionnaire is valid and reliable for measuring the five constructs (perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived susceptibility and perceived barrier) of risk perception of type 2 diabetes among Malaysians. This Malay-language questionnaire may contribute to a better understanding of risk perception of type 2 diabetes among Malaysians, as well as enhancement of diabetes prevention communication between healthcare providers and their clients.
Association between serum uric acid, hyperuricemia and low muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly adults: A national health and nutrition examination study
Authors: Kong Laixi , Li Yaqin , Zhu Rong , Guo Maoting , Wu Yuqing , Zhong Yuxin , Li Zhe , Xiong Zhenzhen
Published: January 2025

Backgrounds

Recent research suggests that uric acid, as a metabolite with antioxidant properties, may affect muscle function and health. However, the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and low muscle mass remains relatively obscure. This study focuses on the association between SUA and low muscle mass in a middle-aged and elderly population in the United States.

Methods

Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a total of 12,106 patients aged ≥45 years, possessing complete analytical data, were incorporated. Low muscle mass in our study is defined as indices below 0.789 for males and 0.512 for females, according to the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium. Gender stratified analyses were conducted employing a multivariate weighted logistic regression model. When examining serum uric acid (SUA) levels, the SUA dataset was stratified into deciles, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated across distinct subgroups of males and females. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) method was employed to investigate the potential nonlinear association between SUA levels and low muscle mass. A series of subgroup analyses stratified by demographic variables and clinical experience were conducted.

Results

A total of 2,185 participants (18.05%) were identified with low muscle mass, comprising 1,121 males and 1,064 females. Females with low muscle mass had higher SUA levels and an increased incidence of hyperuricemia compared to those without low muscle mass. In females, a fully adjusted multivariable weighted regression model revealed a positive association between hyperuricemia and low muscle mass (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.92; P = 0.021). No significant association was observed in males. Additionally, RCS curves indicated a J-shaped relationship between increasing SUA levels and the risk of low muscle mass in females, and an inverse J-shaped relationship in males.

Conclusions

This study reveals a significant positive correlation between hyperuricemia and the risk of low muscle mass in middle-aged and older women in the United States, whereas the relationship between SUA levels and low muscle mass did not attain statistical significance. In the male cohort, neither SUA levels nor hyperuricemia demonstrated a significant association with low muscle mass.