bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear dynamics of a quantum cascade laser with optical injection
Authors: Peng Yi-Bo , Zhao Bin-Bin , Wang Cheng
Published: June 2022

This work presents the nonlinear dynamics of a quantum cascade laser subject to optical injection. Within the stable locking regime, the optical power shows a hysteresis behavior as a function of the detuning frequency. Outside the stable locking regime, the laser mostly produces periodic oscillations. However, the laser pumped at a high pump current also generates spiking pulsations with uniform amplitude, which occur in the vicinity of the negative locking boundary.
Relative-phase simulated annealing for time-efficient and large-scale inverse design of achromatic thin lenses
Authors: Liu Xingsi , Kong Xianghong , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2022

High-efficiency, broadband, wafer-size, and ultra-thin lenses are highly demanded, due to its great potential in abundant applications such as compact imaging modules. It is usually conceived that this target might be attainable given the advancement in nanofabrication, computation power and emerging algorithms, though challenging. Here, we reveal the inconvenient truth that for ultra-thin lenses, there actually exists intrinsic check-and-balance between size, broadband and performance. Unveiled by our inverse design algorithm, Relative-Phase Simulated Annealing (RPSA), focusing efficiency inevitably drops with refining wavelength intervals for better achromatic broadband features in optimized lens; and drops exponentially with increasing diameter and bandwidth, supported by our empirical formula. Meanwhile, with a slightly compromised goal, the powerfulness of RPSA is unlocked since it could provide a globally optimized design recipe whose time complexity relates to lens scale linearly rather than exponentially. This work, as a fast search engine for optimal solutions, paves the way towards practical large-scale achromatic ultra-thin lenses.
Graphene-VO2-based-defect-induced tunable multiple narrowband unidirectional photonic terahertz absorber
Authors: Imam Safayat-Al , Ishtiak Khandakar Mohammad , Khosru Quazi D. M.
Published: June 2022

This work demonstrates a one-dimensional unidirectional terahertz (THz) absorber with thermal switching from broadband to narrowband and tunable multiple narrowband absorption with vanadium dioxide (VO2)-graphene-based defective photonic crystal. The thermal tuning of defect layer switches the phase of VO2 and obtain multiple narrowband optical absorptance with 70-90% peak at 4.12, 4.86 and 5.23THz respectively with a Q factor around 291 for 4.86 THz peak. The thermal dependent Q factor of the stack varies from 19 to 291 with phase transition from metal to the insulating state of the defect. The optical non-magnetic THz unidirectional absorber has switchable propagation functions within the metallic phase from non-absorption to higher peak absorption with forward and backward propagated wave. The asymmetrical dual defect layer with dual absorption peaks can be switched and the wavelength can be changed by changing the distance between the two peaks. Multiple graphene-based VO2 defects have increased peaks of narrowband absorption. This novel phase changing material (PCM) based asymmetric defective photonic layer can tune the defect layer for optimum and adjustable absorption at THz range and non-magnetic reciprocal and unidirectional structure with temperature dependent dual band switchable, which leads to this structure for terahertz wireless communication systems as well as other THz sensing devices.
A mechanism for punctuating equilibria during mammalian vocal development
Authors: Varella Thiago T. , Zhang Yisi S. , Takahashi Daniel Y. , Ghazanfar Asif A.
Published: June 2022

Evolution and development are typically characterized as the outcomes of gradual changes, but sometimes (states of equilibrium can be punctuated by sudden change. Here, we studied the early vocal development of three different mammals: common marmoset monkeys, Egyptian fruit bats, and humans. Consistent with the notion of punctuated equilibria, we found that all three species undergo at least one sudden transition in the acoustics of their developing vocalizations. To understand the mechanism, we modeled different developmental landscapes. We found that the transition was best described as a shift in the balance of two vocalization landscapes. We show that the natural dynamics of these two landscapes are consistent with the dynamics of energy expenditure and information transmission. By using them as constraints for each species, we predicted the differences in transition timing from immature to mature vocalizations. Using marmoset monkeys, we were able to manipulate both infant energy expenditure (vocalizing in an environment with lighter air) and information transmission (closed-loop contingent parental vocal playback). These experiments support the importance of energy and information in leading to punctuated equilibrium states of vocal development.
Multivariate characterisation of morpho-biometric traits of indigenous helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Nigeria
Authors: Yakubu Abdulmojeed , Jegede Praise , Wheto Mathew , Shoyombo Ayoola J. , Adebambo Ayotunde O. , Popoola Mustapha A. , Osaiyuwu Osamede H. , Olafadehan Olurotimi A. , Alabi Olayinka O. , Ukim Comfort I. , Vincent Samuel T. , Mundi Harirat L. , Olayanju Adeniyi , Adebambo Olufunmilayo A.
Published: June 2022

This study was conducted to characterise phenotypically helmeted Guinea fowls in three agro-ecologies in Nigeria using multivariate approach. Eighteen biometric characters, four morphological indices and eleven qualitative physical traits were investigated in a total of 569 adult birds (158 males and 411 females). Descriptive statistics, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis H test followed by the Mann–Whitney U and Dunn-Bonferroni tests for post hoc, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), Univariate Analysis, Canonical Discriminant Analysis, Categorical Principal Component Analysis and Decision Trees were employed to discern the effects of agro-ecological zone and sex on the morphostructural parameters. Agro-ecology had significant effect (P<0.05; P<0.01) on all the colour traits. In general, the most frequently observed colour phenotype of Guinea fowl had pearl plumage colour (54.0%), pale red skin colour (94.2%), black shank colour (68.7%), brown eye colour (49.7%), white earlobe colour (54.8%) and brown helmet colour (72.6%). The frequencies of helmet shape and wattle size were significantly influenced (P<0.01) by agro-ecology and sex. Overall, birds from the Southern Guinea Savanna zone had significantly higher values (P<0.05) for most biometric traits compared to their Sudano-Sahelian and Tropical Rainforest counterparts. They were also more compact (120.00 vs. 110.00 vs. 107.69) but had lesser condition index (7.66 vs. 9.45 vs. 9.30) and lower long-leggedness (19.71 vs. 19.23 vs. 9.51) than their counterparts from the two other zones. Sexual dimorphism (P<0.05) was in favour of male birds especially those in Southern Guinea Savanna and Sudano-Sahelian zones. However, the MCA and discriminant analysis revealed considerable intermingling of the qualitative physical traits, biometric traits and body indices especially between the Sudano-Sahelian and Tropical Rainforest birds. In spite of the high level of genetic admixture, the Guinea fowl populations could to a relative extent be distinguished using wing length, body length and eye colour. Generally, the birds from the three zones appeared to be more homogeneous than heterogeneous in nature. However, further complementary work on genomics will guide future selection and breeding programs geared towards improving the productivity, survival and environmental adaptation of indigenous helmeted Guinea fowls in the tropics.
Do book consumers discriminate against Black, female, or young authors?
Authors: Weinberg Dana B. , Kapelner Adam
Published: June 2022

The publishing industry shows marked evidence of both gender and racial discrimination. A rational explanation for this difference in treatment of both female and Black authors might relate to the taste-based preferences of book consumers, who might be less willing to pay for books by such authors. We ran a randomized experiment to test for the presence of discriminatory preferences by consumers based on authors’ race, gender and/or age. We collected ratings of 25,201 book surveys across 9,072 subjects on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, making this study the largest experimental study of the book market to date. Subjects were presented with mocked-up book covers and descriptions from each of 14 fiction and non-fiction genres, with one of three possible titles per book randomly assigned. Using author names and photographs, we signaled authors’ race, gender, and age and randomly assigned these combinations to each book presented to our subjects. We then asked subjects to rate their interest in purchasing the book, their evaluation of the author’s credentials, and the amount they were willing to pay for the book. The experimental design of this study strived to eliminate the potential for proxy-based discrimination by providing book descriptions that detailed the authors’ relevant professional experience. The large sample allowed for exploration of various types of taste-based discrimination observed in the literature, including discrimination against particular groups, homophily, and pro-social behavior. Overall, book consumers showed a willingness to pay approximately $0.50 or 3.5% more on average for books by Black authors and little, if any, practically meaningful discrimination based on age or gender. In other words, our study finds no and even contrary evidence of taste-based preferences by consumers that would rationalize the historic discriminatory treatment of Black or of female authors by publishers nor of discrimination based on an author’s age.
Epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders using ROME III adult questionnaire, a population based cross sectional study in Karachi—Pakistan
Authors: Abid Shahab , Rehman Hareem , Awan Safia , Artani Azmina , Siddiqui Imran
Published: June 2022

Objective

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (FGIDs) are a heterogenous group of disorders, with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD) being the most common disorders worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify the spectra of FGIDs classified according to the ROME III criteria amongst an adult Pakistani population. It also aimed to correlate the psychosocial alarm symptoms with the prevalence of FGIDs and report the overlap of all FGID.

Design

This was a community based cross-sectional study. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was applied, and 1062 households were initially randomly chosen using systematic sampling technique. Only one person from each household was enrolled in the study. After eligibility screening, 860 participating individuals were requested to fill out a structured ROME III interview questionnaire, administered to them by a trained interviewer.

Results

FGIDs were diagnosed in 468 individuals (54.4%), out of 860 participants. FD was found to be the most prevalent (70.2%), followed by Functional Heartburn (58.9%) and Functional bloating (56.6%). Amongst a total of 468 participants diagnosed with FGIDs, 347 (74.1%) had overlapping disorders. There was also a higher incidence of psychosocial alarm symptoms including higher pain severity (62.6% vs 46.4%) and being victimized at some point in their lives (26.1% vs 6.6%) amongst FGID patients.

Conclusion

There is a high disease burden of FGIDs in this study population, with approximately half of the population suffering from at least one type of FGID. Overlapping disorders are also common in this part of the world.
Nrf2 deficiency causes hepatocyte dedifferentiation and reduced albumin production in an experimental extrahepatic cholestasis model
Authors: Wang Guo-Ying , Garcia Veronica , Lee Joonyong , Yanum Jennifer , Lin Jingmei , Jiang Huaizhou , Dai Guoli
Published: June 2022

The transcription factor Nrf2 modulates the initiation and progression of a number of diseases including liver disorders. We evaluated whether Nrf2 mediates hepatic adaptive responses to cholestasis. Wild-type and Nrf2-null mice were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) or a sham operation. As cholestasis progressed to day 15 post-BDL, hepatocytes in the wild-type mice exhibited a tendency to dedifferentiate, indicated by the very weak expression of hepatic progenitor markers: CD133 and tumor necrosis factor-like weak induced apoptosis receptor (Fn14). During the same period, Nrf2 deficiency augmented this tendency, manifested by higher CD133 expression, earlier, stronger, and continuous induction of Fn14 expression, and markedly reduced albumin production. Remarkably, as cholestasis advanced to the late stage (40 days after BDL), hepatocytes in the wild-type mice exhibited a Fn14+ phenotype and strikingly upregulated the expression of deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1), a protein essential for epithelial differentiation during development. In contrast, at this stage, hepatocytes in the Nrf2-null mice entirely inhibited the upregulation of DMBT1 expression, displayed a strong CD133+/Fn14+ phenotype indicative of severe dedifferentiation, and persistently reduced albumin production. We revealed that Nrf2 maintains hepatocytes in the differentiated state potentially via the increased activity of the Nrf2/DMBT1 pathway during cholestasis.
Dynamics of macroeconomic factor effects on food assistance program participation in the United States
Authors: Capps Oral
Published: June 2022

Using polynomial distributed lag (PDL) models, the impacts of macroeconomic factors relating to economic, financial, and sociological stress and designed to be short-run predictors of U.S. economic performance are identified and assessed concerning participation in key food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, and NSLP). The econometric analysis covers the period October 1999 to September 2020. The impact of COVID-19 on participation in these programs also is quantified. Based on the parameter estimates obtained from the econometric PDL models, ex-ante forecasts of participation in the SNAP, WIC, and NSLP subsequently are made and evaluated over the period October 2020 to August 2021. The empirical results show that different sets of macroeconomic drivers affect participation levels across the respective food assistance programs. No macroeconomic factor is common across SNAP, WIC, and NSLP participation. Changes in macroeconomic conditions which influence SNAP, WIC and NSLP participation are not just contemporaneous but also affect participation levels anywhere from 1 month to 12 months later. Importantly, this research allows not only the determination of the macroeconomic factors which affect program participation but also allows the determination of the ability of the respective models to forecast program participation. As such, the Food and Nutrition Service will be in better position to assess program needs as well as to forecast program participation levels to minimize errors in the budgetary process.
Moral psychology from the lab to the wild: Relief registries as a paradigm for studying real-world altruism
Authors: Bo O’Connor Brendan , Lee Karen , Campbell Dylan , Young Liane
Published: June 2022

Experimental psychology’s recent shift toward low-effort, high-volume methods (e.g., self-reports, online studies) and away from the more effortful study of naturalistic behavior raises concerns about the ecological validity of findings from these fields, concerns that have become particularly apparent in the field of moral psychology. To help address these concerns, we introduce a method allowing researchers to investigate an important, widespread form of altruistic behavior–charitable donations–in a manner balancing competing concerns about internal validity, ecological validity, and ease of implementation: relief registries, which leverage existing online gift registry platforms to allow research subjects to choose among highly needed donation items to ship directly to charitable organizations. Here, we demonstrate the use of relief registries in two experiments exploring the ecological validity of the finding from our own research that people are more willing to help others after having imagined themselves doing so. In this way, we sought to provide a blueprint for researchers seeking to enhance the ecological validity of their own research in a narrow sense (i.e., by using the relief registry method we introduce) and in broader terms by adapting methods that take advantage of modern technology to directly impact others’ lives outside the lab.
A mixed-effects two-part model for twin-data and an application on identifying important factors associated with extremely preterm children’s health disorders
Authors: Zou Baiming , Santos Hudson P. , Xenakis James G. , O’Shea Mike M. , Fry Rebecca C. , Zou Fei
Published: June 2022

Our recent studies identifying factors significantly associated with the positive child health index (PCHI) in a mixed cohort of preterm-born singletons, twins, and triplets posed some analytic and modeling challenges. The PCHI transforms the total number of health disorders experienced (of the eleven ascertained) to a scale from 0 to 100%. While some of the children had none of the eleven health disorders (i.e., PCHI = 1), others experienced a subset or all (i.e., 0 ≤PCHI< 1). This indicates the existence of two distinct data processes—one for the healthy children, and another for those with at least one health disorder, necessitating a two-part model to accommodate both. Further, the scores for twins and triplets are potentially correlated since these children share similar genetics and early environments. The existing approach for analyzing PCHI data dichotomizes the data (i.e., number of health disorders) and uses a mixed-effects logistic or multiple logistic regression to model the binary feature of the PCHI (1 vs. < 1). To provide an alternate analytic framework, in this study we jointly model the two data processes under a mixed-effects two-part model framework that accounts for the sample correlations between and within the two data processes. The proposed method increases power to detect factors associated with disorders. Extensive numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed joint-test procedure consistently outperforms the existing method when the type I error is controlled at the same level. Our numerical studies also show that the proposed method is robust to model misspecifications and it is applicable to a set of correlated semi-continuous data.
Inequities in the incidence and mortality due to COVID-19 in nursing homes in Barcelona by characteristics of the nursing homes
Authors: Torres Mayara Louise , Palma Díaz David , Oliver-Parra Alba , Millet Joan-Pau , Cosialls Delfí , Guillaumes Montserrat , Rius Cristina , Vásquez-Vera Hugo
Published: June 2022

Background

Residents of Nursing Homes (NHs) have suffered greater impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rates of COVID-19 in these institutions are heterogeneously distributed. Describing and understanding the structural, functional, and socioeconomic differences between NHs is extremely important to avoid new outbreaks.

Objectives

Analyze inequalities in the cumulative incidences (CIs) and in the mortality rates (MRs) due to COVID-19 in the NHs of Barcelona based on the characteristics of the NHs.

Methods

Exploratory ecological study of 232 NHs. The dependent variables were the cumulative incidence and mortality rate due to COVID-19 in NHs between March and June 2020. Structural variables of the NHs were evaluated such as neighborhood socioeconomic position (SEP), isolation and sectorization capacity, occupancy, overcrowding and ownership.

Results

The cumulative incidence and mortality rate were higher in the low SEP neighborhoods and lower in those of high SEP neighborhoods. Regarding the isolation and sectorization capacity, Type B NHs had a higher risk of becoming infected and dying, while Type C had a lower risk of dying than Type A. Greater overcrowding was associated with greater morbidity and mortality, and higher occupancy was associated with higher incidence. The risk of becoming infected and dying in public NHs was significantly higher than for-profit NH.

Conclusions

The social components together with the functional and infrastructure characteristics of the NHs influence the cumulative incidence and the mortality rate by COVID-19. It is necessary to redefine the care model in the NHs to guarantee the health of the residents.
Improvement of liver fibrosis, but not steatosis, after HCV eradication as assessment by MR-based imaging: Role of metabolic derangement and host genetic variants
Authors: Chuaypen Natthaya , Siripongsakun Surachate , Hiranrat Pantajaree , Tanpowpong Natthaporn , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Tangkijvanich Pisit
Published: June 2022

Significant liver fibrosis regression occurs after hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. However, the impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on steatosis is less clear. This study was aimed at evaluating serial fibrosis and steatosis alterations in patients with HCV genotype 1, who achieved sustained virological response (SVR). We enrolled 55 HCV mono-infected and 28 HCV/HIV co-infected patients receiving elbasvir/grazoprevir from a clinical trial. Fibrosis and steatosis were assessed at baseline, follow-up week-24 (FUw24) and week-72 (FUw72) by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and proton density fat fraction (PDFF), respectively. Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409, transmembrane six superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) rs58542926 and membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 (MBOAT7) rs641738 polymorphisms were determined by allelic discrimination. Overall, mean MRE decreased significantly from baseline to FUw24 and FUw72. At FUw72, patients with baseline F2-F4 had higher rate of ≥30% MRE decline compared with individuals with baseline F0-F1 (30.2%vs.3.3%,P= 0.004). In multivariate analysis, significant fibrosis was associated with MRE reduction. The prevalence of steatosis (PDFF≥5.2%) at baseline was 21.7%. Compared to baseline, there were 17 (20.5%) patients with decreased PDFF values at FUw72 (<30%), while 23 (27.7%) patients had increased PDFF values (≥30%). Regarding the overall cohort, mean PDFF significantly increased from baseline to FUw72, and displayed positive correlation with body mass index (BMI) alteration. In multivariate analysis, the presence of diabetes,PNPLA3CG+GG genotypes and increased BMI at FUw72 were significantly associated with progressive steatosis after SVR. Other genetic variants were not related to fibrosis and steatosis alteration. This study concluded that HCV eradication was associated with fibrosis improvement. However, progressive steatosis was observed in a proportion of patients, particularly among individuals with metabolic derangement andPNPLA3variants. The combined clinical parameters and host genetic factors might allow a better individualized strategy in this sub-group of patients to alleviate progressive steatosis after HCV cure.
The incidence and mortality of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Indonesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Garniasih Dina , Susanah Susi , Sribudiani Yunia , Hilmanto Dany
Published: June 2022

Background

The incidence of childhood ALL in Indonesia is still largely unknown. The widely mentioned statistics from other countries turn out to be only estimated figures. Other data do not specify the types of leukemia and are not specifically focused on children. Therefore, this study aims to pool incidence and mortality statistics from available studies in Indonesia.

Methods

We searched five different academic databases, including Pubmed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Three Indonesian databases, such as the Indonesian Scientific Journal Database (ISJD), Neliti, and Indonesia One Search, were also utilized. Incidence was expressed as per 100,000 children. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) to assess the quality of cohort studies. The inclusion criteria are cohort studies published in the languages of English or Indonesian. For this analysis, we define children as 0–18 years old.

Findings

The incidence rate for childhood ALL was found to be 4.32 per 100,000 children (95% CI 2.65–5.99) with a prediction interval of 1.98 to 9.42 per 100,000 children. The incidence rate is higher in males, with 2.45 per 100,000 children (95% CI 1.98–2.91) and a prediction interval of 1.90 to 3.16 per 100,000 children. As for females, the incidence rate is 2.05 per 100,000 children (95% CI 1.52–2.77) with a prediction interval of 1.52 to 2.77 per 100,000 children. The mortality of childhood ALL ranges from 0.44 to 5.3 deaths per 100,000 children, while the CFR is 3.58% with varying true effect sizes of 2.84% to 4.52%.

Interpretation

With 79.5 million children living in Indonesia in 2018, this means that there were roughly 3,434 new cases of childhood ALL. An organized effort between multiple sectors is needed to improve the registries of childhood ALL in Indonesia.
Assessment of pesticide use and pesticide residues in vegetables from two provinces in Central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Dang Giang Chau , Le Dang Bao Chau , Nguyen Van Hop , Hoang Thai Long , Tran Thi Van Thi , Huynh Thi Phuong Linh , Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang
Published: June 2022

Pesticide residue in food, especially in vegetables, is one of the important parameters to assess food safety. This study evaluates the pesticide use in vegetables from two provinces in Central Vietnamand and present data on pesticides detected in vegetables sampled from the sites. The potential health risk associated with the contamination of four commonly used pesticides in different vegetables is also discussed. Both household surveys and monitoring campaigns were conducted. The survey showed that improper pesticide application, storage, and waste disposal prevailed at the study sites. Only 20% of the respondent were aware of pesticide toxicity. As a result, pesticides were detected in 81% out of 290 vegetable samples collected at harvesting time. Up to 23% of samples had pesticide residues above the Maximum Residue Limit values. The highest total pesticide concentration quantified in vegetables in Thua Thien Hue was 11.9 mg/kg (green onions), and in Quang Binh was 38.6 mg/kg (mustard greens). Median residue levels of individual pesticides in vegetables ranged from 0.007 to 0.037 mg/kg. Among the ten target pesticides, cypermethrin, difenoconazole, and fenobucarb were detected at the highest frequencies (72%, 41%, and 37%, respectively). Pesticide residues varied between seasons at both study provinces. Pesticide contamination in the wet season was significantly higher than in the dry season. This study also discovered a potential health risk associated with fipronil residues in vegetables in Thua Thien Hue province. The paper provides recommendations for mitigation measures (both technological and social) in reducing potential health risks linked to pesticide use in vegetables in the region.
Impacts on tundra vegetation from heavy metal-enriched fugitive dust on National Park Service lands along the Red Dog Mine haul road, Alaska
Authors: Neitlich Peter N. , Berryman Shanti , Geiser Linda H. , Mines Anaka , Shiel Alyssa E.
Published: June 2022

The DeLong Mountain Transportation System (DMTS) haul road links the Red Dog Mine—one of the world’s largest zinc mines—with a shipping port on the Chukchi Sea in northwest Alaska, USA. The road traverses 32 km of National Park Service (NPS) lands managed by Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR). Fugitive dusts from ore concentrate transport and mining operations have dispersed zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and metal sulfides onto NPS lands since the mine began operating in 1989. This study assessed the effects of metal-enriched road dusts on the diversity and community structure of lichens, bryophytes, and vascular plants in dwarf-shrub tundra within CAKR. In a Bayesian posterior predictions model, lichen species richness (LSR) was highly correlated to distance from the haul road and was distributed on the landscape consistently with the spatial patterns of Zn, Pb and Cd patterns published earlier in this journal. The mean modeled LSR of the 3000–4000 m distance class was 41.3, and LSR decreased progressively down to 9.4 species in the 0–50 m class. An ordination of 93 lichen species by 91 plots revealed strong community patterns based on distance from the haul road. The major community gradient was highly correlated (r = 0.99) with LSR and negatively correlated with Cd, Pb and Zn (-0.79 < r < -0.74). Ordinations of bryophyte classes showed less response than lichens to distance from the road and heavy metals values, and vascular plant ordination showed less still. Measures of bryophyte health such as the midrib blackening and frond width ofHylocomium splendenswere positively correlated with distance from the haul road and negatively correlated with this same suite of elements. A total area of approximately 55 km2showed moderate to strong impacts on lichens from fugitive dusts. This is equivalent to an area of almost 1 km on both sides of the haul road running 32 km through CAKR.
Prevalence of dermatological manifestations due to face mask use and its associated factors during COVID-19 among the general population of Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Roy Simanta , Iktidar Mohammad Azmain , Chowdhury Sreshtha , Islam A. M. Khairul , Deb Auditia , Chowdhury Shresta , Rahman Shahidur , Medha Madhuritu Bhadra , Gupta Antara Das , Tasnim Afia , Ara Rifat , Hawlader Mohammad Delwer Hossain
Published: June 2022

Following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have begun to take preventive measures to avoid exposure. Among the precautionary measures, facemask was mostly emphasized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dermatological symptoms linked with face mask usage and explore other associated factors. This cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout all eight divisions of Bangladesh. 1297 people were approached using a fixed-step procedure on a random route sample where 803 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of dermatological manifestation in this study was 40.85%. The common dermatological manifestations due to facemasks use were acne (26%), allergy symptoms (24%), traumatic symptoms (24%), and other symptoms (26%). Two important frequently reported risk factors were previous history of skin diseases and obesity. Females were more likely to have acne (CI: 1.199, 3.098; p = .007) and allergy issues (CI: 1.042, 2.359; p = .031). N95 and KN95 masks were more likely to produce allergic symptoms, while surgical mask users were more likely to develop acne. Acne was prevalent more than twice (CI: 1.42, 4.26; p = 0.001) in persons with a COVID-19 infection history. Further exploration is required to find out the reason. Surgical mask users reported more complaints than other types of masks, and prolonged use caused more skin symptoms. Modifications in the pattern of facemask usage and planning for work recesses might also be advised to provide for a pause from uninterrupted facemask use.
Long-term persistence of viral RNA and inflammation in the CNS of macaques exposed to aerosolized Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
Authors: Ma Henry , Albe Joseph R. , Gilliland Theron , McMillen Cynthia M. , Gardner Christina L. , Boyles Devin A. , Cottle Emily L. , Dunn Matthew D. , Lundy Jeneveve D. , Salama Noah , O’Malley Katherine J. , Pandrea Ivona , Teichert Tobias , Barrick Stacey , Klimstra William B. , Hartman Amy L. , Reed Douglas S.
Published: June 2022

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a positively-stranded RNA arbovirus of the genus Alphavirus that causes encephalitis in humans. Cynomolgus macaques are a relevant model of the human disease caused by VEEV and are useful in exploring pathogenic mechanisms and the host response to VEEV infection. Macaques were exposed to small-particle aerosols containing virus derived from an infectious clone of VEEV strain INH-9813, a subtype IC strain isolated from a human infection. VEEV-exposed macaques developed a biphasic fever after infection similar to that seen in humans. Maximum temperature deviation correlated with the inhaled dose, but fever duration did not. Neurological signs, suggestive of virus penetration into the central nervous system (CNS), were predominantly seen in the second febrile period. Electroencephalography data indicated a statistically significant decrease in all power bands and circadian index during the second febrile period that returned to normal after fever resolved. Intracranial pressure increased late in the second febrile period. On day 6 post-infection macaques had high levels of MCP-1 and IP-10 chemokines in the CNS, as well as a marked increase of T lymphocytes and activated microglia. More than four weeks after infection, VEEV genomic RNA was found in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and cervical lymph nodes. Pro-inflammatory cytokines & chemokines, infiltrating leukocytes and pathological changes were seen in the CNS tissues of macaques euthanized at these times. These data are consistent with persistence of virus replication and/or genomic RNA and potentially, inflammatory sequelae in the central nervous system after resolution of acute VEEV disease.
Insight into mechanisms of pig lncRNA FUT3-AS1 regulating E. coli F18-bacterial diarrhea
Authors: Wu Zhengchang , Fan Hairui , Jin Jian , Gao Song , Huang Ruihua , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: June 2022

Escherichia coli F18 is a common conditional pathogen that is associated with a variety of infections in humans and animals. LncRNAs have emerged as critical players in pathogen infection, but their role in the resistance of the host to bacterial diarrhea remains unknown. Here, we used piglets as animal model and identified an antisense lncRNA termed FUT3-AS1 as a host regulator related to E. coli F18 infection by RNA sequencing. Downregulation of FUT3-AS1 expression contributed to the enhancement of E. coli F18 resistance in IPEC-J2 cells. FUT3-AS1 knockdown reduced FUT3 expression via decreasing the H4K16ac level of FUT3 promoter. Besides, the FUT3-AS1/miR-212 axis could act as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate FUT3 expression. Functional analysis demonstrated that target FUT3 plays a vital role in the resistance of IPEC-J2 cells to E. coli F18 invasion. A Fut3-knockout mice model was established and Fut3-knockout mice obviously improved the ability of resistance to bacterial diarrhea. Interestingly, FUT3 could enhance E. coli F18 susceptibility by activating glycosphingolipid biosynthesis and toll-like receptor signaling which are related to receptor formation and immune response, respectively. In summary, we have identified a novel biomarker FUT3-AS1 that modulates E. coli F18 susceptibility via histone H4 modifications or miR-212/FUT3 axis, which will provide theoretical guidance to develop novel strategies for combating bacterial diarrhea in piglets.
Bile acids promote the caveolae-associated entry of swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus in porcine intestinal enteroids
Authors: Yang Qi-Yue , Yang Yong-Le , Tang Yi-Xin , Qin Pan , Wang Gan , Xie Jin-Yan , Chen Shu-Xian , Ding Chan , Huang Yao-Wei , Zhu Shu Jeffrey
Published: June 2022

Intestinal microbial metabolites have been increasingly recognized as important regulators of enteric viral infection. However, very little information is available about which specific microbiota-derived metabolites are crucial for swine enteric coronavirus (SECoV) infection in vivo. Using swine acute diarrhea syndrome (SADS)-CoV as a model, we were able to identify a greatly altered bile acid (BA) profile in the small intestine of infected piglets by untargeted metabolomic analysis. Using a newly established ex vivo model–the stem cell-derived porcine intestinal enteroid (PIE) culture–we demonstrated that certain BAs, cholic acid (CA) in particular, enhance SADS-CoV replication by acting on PIEs at the early phase of infection. We ruled out the possibility that CA exerts an augmenting effect on viral replication through classic farnesoid X receptor or Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 signaling, innate immune suppression or viral attachment. BA induced multiple cellular responses including rapid changes in caveolae-mediated endocytosis, endosomal acidification and dynamics of the endosomal/lysosomal system that are critical for SADS-CoV replication. Thus, our findings shed light on how SECoVs exploit microbiome-derived metabolite BAs to swiftly establish viral infection and accelerate replication within the intestinal microenvironment.
Measuring news media frame building during an Australian industrial dispute
Authors: Fielding Victoria
Published: June 2022

News media play a crucial role in supporting liberal democracy by holding the powerful to account and facilitating a diverse, balanced and equal marketplace of ideas. In this marketplace of ideas, groups and interests like unions and employers compete for attention and to have their ideas legitimated by journalists. Although framing theory is used extensively to understand how news media represents different issues, due to its theoretical ambiguity and the methodological challenge of determining how and why frames are built by journalists, it is difficult to quantify how effectively news media delivers equity between competing perspectives. Entman, Matthes and Pellicano’s diachronic process model of political framing helps to overcome these challenges by providing a theoretical model, which is used in this article to investigate a case study of Australian media representation of competing industrial dispute narratives. The article identifies and compares two of the model’s framing junctures: industrial spokespeople’s narratives during the contemporary Australian case of the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) in dispute with firefighter members of the Victorian United Firefighters Union; and their alignment with news media reports about the CFA dispute. The findings reveal inequity between the representation of workers and their union as compared to the employer, and thus present a case of imbalanced or biased frame building in the marketplace of ideas. These findings are applied to discussions of conscious and unconscious bias to theorize why this inequity occurred.
Upheaval: Disrupted Lives in Journalism, Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson (Eds) (2021)
Authors: Kassel Nat
Published: June 2022

Review of: Upheaval: Disrupted Lives in Journalism, Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson (Eds) (2021)

Sydney: UNSW Press, 368 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-74223-727-5, p/bk, $39.99

ISBN 978-1-74224-528-7, e-book, $14.99
Democratizing pleasure: Movement-impaired individuals’ perception of sex and the design of inclusive sex toys
Authors: Corti Emanuela , Parati Ivan
Published: June 2022

The aim of our research and development is the promotion of technology embedment in everyday garments to augment their functionality, thereby increasing the wearer’s quality of life, with a special focus on inclusivity. The device (which combines user-centred design principles with soft-robotics integrated to textile) described in this article addresses the needs and desires of movement-impaired individuals with regard to their sexuality. Although sexuality is a human right, it is often neglected in research on disabled individuals. To promote a new sensibility towards this issue and make pleasure accessible to anyone, we have designed a device that allows autonomous sensual experience, enabling the wearer to self-explore intimacy and sexuality through a pillow-interface that activates inflatable components embedded into underwear. The findings and principles that guided the development of the project are also outlined. This transdisciplinary project used a mixed-methods research design. It commenced with identifying the barriers to intimacy for individuals with specific types of disability (including movement impairments) through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. The participants were prompted to openly discuss difficulties in experiencing sexuality and their perceptions of sex toys. In addition, we examined available literature sources to map the current sex toy market and identify solutions that would be viable for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, we analysed the physiology of genitals and pleasure patterns, and identified design principles that could lead to the development of new solutions. Although sexuality is recognized as a human right, many individuals are deprived of a healthy sexual life because of physical, political and societal barriers. These obstacles are perpetuated by the sex toy market, as its lack of innovation and inclusivity prevents disabled individuals from using sex toys that can be operated without external assistance. The design principles presented in this work can be adopted to design products that can be used by disabled and non-disabled individuals to enjoy sexual pleasure. This work addresses the needs and desires of movement-impaired individuals with regard to their sexuality, which is an insufficiently examined topic. We further present the design principles that can be used for developing products that support independence and well-being of individuals with a wide range of impairments.
The role of typicality and novelty in the aesthetic preference of industrial products: Product value transformation
Authors: Suhaimi Safia Najwa , Kuys Blair , Barron Deirdre , Whitfield T. W. Allan , Abdul Rahman Zainurul
Published: June 2022

This study explores the role of typicality and novelty in influencing the aesthetic preference for industrial products. Typicality and novelty’s effects on the aesthetic responses of designed objects have gained interest in the field of experimental aesthetics over the past decades, with a wide support towards the ‘Most Advanced Yet Acceptable’ (MAYA) principle. What is yet to be discovered is how both typicality and novelty influence the aesthetic preference for industrial products such as industrial machineries. Three industrial product categories that vary in their degree of functionality and decorativeness were identified including highly functional and low-decorativeness products, equally functional and decorative products and low-functional and highly decorative products. Online evaluations using 7-point Likert scales were distributed to participants from Australia and the Republic of China. An empirically validated scale for aesthetic preference, ‘Pleasing to See’ was employed in the evaluation. The empirical results show that typicality and novelty affect and influence the aesthetic preference differently across the tested industrial product categories. Given the findings, a quantifiable evaluation method that can benefit the product design industry especially in testing design concepts of industrial products is proposed. It is intended that the evaluative measures could help minimize the risks related to production, leading to an increased and transformed value of industrial products’ marketability.
Need satisfaction management strategies: Motivating designers in mainland China
Authors: Chan Yuet Kai , Ma Henry
Published: June 2022

Creative industries emphasize human creativity and intellectual abilities. Studies found that most organizations in China’s creative sector failed to establish appropriate motivation strategies that are conducive to creative performance. This study is a cross-disciplinary study, which investigated the organizations’ management and designers’ behaviour in China’s creative industries with mixed methods to answer the research questions. The results lead to a deeper understanding of designers’ needs for motivation and a tangible motivation model for business management to imply. A conceptual framework has been developed as the basis of this research. 41 in-depth interviews were conducted for collecting information about the current motivation methods in China’s creative industries, and their effectiveness. These interviews also revealed the actual needs of designers through finding out their preferred motivators. 396 valid online questionnaires were received from managers and designers to further measure the perceived priorities of the motivators found in the in-depth interviews. The results indicated the current motivation methods focused on extrinsic motivators, while designers in China valued both extrinsic motivators like monetary rewards and intrinsic motivators like recognition. It also revealed the current management strategies are less effective in motivating designers. It discovered that management strategies in China’s creative industries lack awareness about their designers’ needs. This investigation leads to the discussion about the immature ecosystem of the creative industries in China and its influence on their development. This research is an original study that enriched knowledge of the creative behaviour, which identified the key motivators of designers in China and formed a model as advice to the management and policy-makers in creative industries. They can also benefit from this understanding and gain a better insight into motivating creative employees through appropriate motivation strategies.
Interactive Inflammatory Bowel Disease Biologics Decision Aid Does Not Improve Patient Outcomes Over Static Education: Results From a Randomized Trial
Authors: Almario Christopher V. , van Deen Welmoed K. , Chen Michelle , Gale Rebecca , Sidorkiewicz Stéphanie , Choi So Yung , Bonthala Nirupama , Ha Christina , Syal Gaurav , Dupuy Taylor , Liu Xiaoyu , Melmed Gil Y. , Spiegel Brennan M.R.
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:

To support shared decision-making (SDM) between patients and providers surrounding biologic treatments, we created IBD&me (ibdandme.org)—a freely available, unbranded, interactive decision aid. We performed a multicenter comparative effectiveness trial comparing the impact of IBD&me on SDM vs a biologics fact sheet developed by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

METHODS:

We enrolled patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) being seen at a clinic within IBD Qorus—a multicenter adult IBD learning health system—between March 5, 2019, and May 14, 2021. Eligible patients included those with recent IBD-related symptoms who reported that they wanted to discuss biologics with their provider during their upcoming visit. Patients were randomized 1:1 using stratified block randomization and received an e-mail 1 week before their visit inviting them to review either IBD&me or a fact sheet. The primary outcome was patient perception of SDM as measured by the 9-Item SDM Questionnaire (0–100 scale; higher = better); the Student t test was used to compare outcomes between arms.

RESULTS:

Overall, 152 patients were randomized (biologics fact sheet 75, IBD&me 77); most patients had Crohn's disease (66.4%) and were biologic-experienced (82.9%). No differences were seen between groups regarding SDM (fact sheet 72.6 ± 25.6, IBD&me 75.0 ± 20.8; P = .57). Most patients stated they would be likely to recommend the fact sheet (79.6%) or IBD&me (84.9%; P = .48) to another patient with IBD.

DISCUSSION:

No differences in outcomes were seen between IBD&me and the biologics fact sheet in this comparative effectiveness study; patients reported high satisfaction with both resources. Further study, particularly among biologic naïve patients, is needed to determine the utility of interactive components to IBD decision aids.