bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditory evoked potentials: objectives procedures in the assessment of cochlear implants outcomes
Authors: Gabr Takwa
Published: November 2024

Background

Cochlea implants (CIs) show great variability in their outcomes in term of speech perception. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) have emerged as valuable procedure in the evaluation of cochlear implants (CIs). AEPs provide an objective and non-invasive assessment of auditory function along the whole auditory pathway from the cochlea to the auditory cortex, enables insights into auditory processing capabilities and the transmission of auditory signals. This article provides a revision of different types of AEPs that can be used for evaluating CIs AEPs regarding their origin, procedure, and their clinical implications. It also explores their potentials role in the assessment and evaluating the efficacy of CIs, highlighting their advantages over traditional behavioral measures, disadvantages and limitations.

Conclusion

Overall, AEPs play a critical role in evaluating CIs, offering objective assessment, individualized programming, early issue detection, and research possibilities, thereby enhancing the outcomes and advancements in cochlear implant technology.
Exploring Student Sensemaking When Engaging with Anomalous Data
Authors: Adams Adrian , Barth-Cohen Lauren
Published: November 2024

We explored how students handle anomalous data using sensemaking and epistemological resources frameworks. Through think-aloud interviews, we explored how students identify, reason about, and determine what to do with anomalies. Students' explanations about anomalies influenced whether they chose to keep, remove, or mitigate the anomaly.
Systemic Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer: ASCO Guideline Rapid Recommendation Update
Authors: Kalemkerian Gregory P. , Khurshid Humera , Ismaila Nofisat ,   for the Systemic Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer Guideline Expert Panel, Khurshid Humera , Ismaila Nofisat , Bian Jessica , Dabney Raetasha , Das Millie , Ellis Peter , Feldman Jill , Hann Christine L. , Kulkarni Swati , Laskin Janessa , Manochakian Rami , Mishra Deebya Raj , Preeshagul Isabel , Reddy Pavan , Saxena Ashish , Weinberg Frank , Kalemkerian Gregory P.
Published: November 2024

ASCO Rapid Recommendation Updates highlight revisions to select ASCO guideline recommendations as a response to the emergence of new and practice-changing data. The rapid updates are supported by an evidence review and follow the guideline development processes outlined in the
ASCO Guideline Methodology
Manual. The goal of these articles is to disseminate updated recommendations, in a timely manner, to better inform health practitioners and the public on the best available cancer care options. Guidelines and updates are not intended to substitute for independent professional judgment of the treating clinician and do not account for individual variation among patients. See appendix for disclaimers and other important information (
Appendix 1
and
Appendix 2
, online only)

.
Non-apoptotic caspase events and Atf3 expression underlie direct neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells
Authors: Rosa Frédéric , Dray Nicolas , Bedu Sébastien , Bally-Cuif Laure
Published: November 2024

Neural stem cells (NSCs) generate neurons over a lifetime in adult vertebrate brains. In the adult zebrafish pallium, NSCs persist long term through balanced fate decisions. These decisions include direct neuronal conversions, i.e. delamination and neurogenesis without a division. To characterize this process, we reanalyze intravital imaging data of adult pallial NSCs, and observe shared delamination dynamics between NSCs and committed neuronal progenitors. Searching for mechanisms predicting direct NSC conversions, we build an NSC-specific genetic tracer of Caspase3/7 activation (Cas3*/Cas7*) in vivo. We show that non-apoptotic Cas3*/7* events occur in adult NSCs and are biased towards lineage termination under physiological conditions, with a predominant generation of single neurons. We further identify the transcription factor Atf3 as necessary for this bias. Finally, we show that the Cas3*/7* pathway is engaged by NSCs upon parenchymal lesion and correlates with NSCs more prone to lineage termination and neuron formation. These results provide evidence for non-apoptotic caspase events occurring in vertebrate adult NSCs and link these events with the NSC fate decision of direct conversion, which is important for long-term NSC population homeostasis.
A Post-Fellowship Support Framework for Rural Doctors: the Queensland experience
Authors: Dhupelia Dilip , Van Erp Ansmarie , Collins James , Sen Gupta Tarun
Published: November 2024

Background International workforce shortages have prompted many initiatives to recruit, train and retain rural doctors, including Australia’s emerging National Rural Generalist Pathway. This project explored an important component of retention, rural doctors' post-Fellowship support needs, to develop and validate a post-Fellowship support framework. There has been considerable international attention on social accountability in medical education and how medical schools and other institutions can address the needs of the communities they serve. The recognition that rural and remote communities globally are underserved has prompted numerous educational approaches including rurally focused recruitment, selection, and training. Less attention has been paid to the support needs of rural doctors and how they can be retained in rural practice once recruited. Methods The project team reviewed international and Australian rural workforce and medical education literature and relevant policy documents to develop a set of guiding principles for a post-Fellowship support framework. The project utilised a mixed methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative methodologies; this paper focuses on the qualitative aspects. A range of rural doctors, administrators, and clinicians, working in primary and secondary care, across multiple rural locations in Queensland were invited to participate in interviews. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results The interviews validated ten interconnected guiding principles which enabled development of a grounded, contextually relevant approach to post-Fellowship support. This framework provides a blueprint for a retention strategy aiming to build a strong, skilled, and sustainable medical workforce capable of meeting community needs. Four themes emerged from the inductive thematic analysis: connecting primary and secondary care; valuing a rural career; supporting training and education; and valuing rural general practice. Conclusions The ten principles were designed in the real-world context of a mature Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway. The four themes will facilitate engagement and consultation with rural stakeholders to develop appropriate retention and support strategies.
The genome sequence of barren brome, Bromus sterilis L. (Poaceae)
Authors: Christenhusz Maarten J. M. ,   Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Genome Acquisition Lab,   Plant Genome Sizing collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual Bromus sterilis (the barren brome; Streptophyta; Magnoliopsida; Poales; Poaceae). The genome sequence has a total length of 2,677.90 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial and plastid genome assemblies have lengths of 523.28 kilobases and 136.96 kilobases, respectively. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 29,147 protein-coding genes.
The genome sequence of the whiskered bat, Myotis mystacinus (Kuhl, 1817)
Authors: Ryan Hazel , Vernes Sonja C. , Teeling Emma C , Mai Meike ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Myotis mystacinus (whiskered bat; Chordata; Mammalia; Chiroptera; Vespertilionidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 2,081.20 megabases. Most of the assembly (97.52%) is scaffolded into 23 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.93 kilobases in length.
“We Just Brush It Off, God’s Got Us . . .” : African American Adolescent Girls’ Expressions of Spirituality in Response to Stressful Experiences
Authors: Gyan Kayoll , Khanal Preeti , Yackel Hayley Dunnack , Hamilton Jill B.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: The mental health burden is increasing among the young adolescent population worldwide, with more reports of sadness and mental illness diagnoses. This study explored how African American adolescent girls use religious and spiritual practices to cope with stressful experiences. A qualitative descriptive design was used to interview 22 African American adolescent girls. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison technique. The following themes emerged related to prayer, scripture, and songs: 1) Healing for themselves or others, 2) instructions on how to live, 3) provision from God, 4) protection during dangerous situations, 5) strength to endure, and 6) connectedness to God, self, and others. Adolescent girls used spirituality and religion as coping mechanisms during various life stressors while healing, reframing thoughts to a positive mindset, and seeking direction and protection. Future studies should consider incorporating spiritual and religious coping mechanisms as a mental health intervention, particularly for this population.
Infants’ Non-Enrollment in Medicaid after Medicaid-Financed Birth: an Analysis of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Data
Authors: Tumin Dmitry , Marginean Valentina , Eubanks Jessica , Akpan Uduak S.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Objectives. To characterize the proportion of Medicaid-eligible infants experiencing gaps in Medicaid coverage during early infancy and to determine whether infants without Medicaid coverage were covered by other plans or not at all. Study design. Infants with Medicaid-financed births from three states participating in the 2016–2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were included (N=3,658). Infant insurance coverage (Medicaid, non-Medicaid, none) was assessed at the time of the PRAMS survey, typically around four months of age. Results. Fifteen percent of infants had non-Medicaid insurance coverage, two percent were uninsured, and 83% had Medicaid coverage after Medicaid-financed birth. The strongest predictor of infant uninsurance was maternal uninsurance or non-Medicaid coverage before pregnancy. Conclusion. Some presumably eligible infants are not enrolled in Medicaid or experience lapses in Medicaid coverage. Informing families about infants’ coverage eligibility and supporting families during the enrollment process would especially benefit families with no pre-pregnancy experience with Medicaid.
The Association Between Surgeons’ Intention to Work with Patients from Diverse Cultures and their Awareness of Ethno-Racial Orthopedic Health Care Disparities
Authors: Bakhshaie Jafar , Greenberg Jonathan , Canenguez Katia M. , Bannon Sarah , O’Connor Mary I. , Crijns Tom J. , Ring David , Vranceanu Ana-Maria
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Objectives. Surgeons’ awareness of ethno-racial disparities in orthopedic care is critical to the implementation and success of efforts to reduce them. We examine the association between surgeons’ self-reported intentions to enhance their ability to work with orthopedic patients from diverse cultures and their awareness of disparities. Methods. Seventy U.S. members of the Science of Variation Group, an international partnership of surgeons who treat orthopedic conditions, completed a survey. We used path analytical structural equation modeling analysis framework. Results. Surgeons’ intention to improve their ability to work with patients from different cultures was associated with their awareness of disparities at the individual, interpersonal, and system levels, after controlling for gender, race, social desirability, and prior training in working with patients from different cultures. Conclusions. Education and training programs should target surgeons’ motivation for cultural competence and foster supportive attitudes through outcome-related incentives to help increase surgeon awareness of ethno-racial care disparities.
Time-division multiplexing cascaded active phase-locking method for an all-fiber coherent beam combining system
Authors: Chang Hongxiang , Su Rongtao , Zhang Yuqiu , Jin Kaikai , Long Jinhu , Leng Jinyong , Zhou Pu
Published: November 2024

Coherent beam combining (CBC) is an effective approach to exceed the power limitation of fiber lasers by combining multiple laser sources. Phase-locking is one of the important steps in an active CBC system. Many phase-locking methods have already been developed and have effectively achieved phase control. Generally, the phase control bandwidth decreases accordingly as the number of combined lasers increases. This will hamper the development of CBC systems to larger scales. At the same time, the structure of traditional tiled-aperture CBC systems is also a potential limiting factor in the aspect of feedback configuration. An all-fiber CBC structure based on active phase control can avoid physical size limitations on traditional structures and greatly expand the scale of tiled-aperture CBC arrays to over tens of thousands of sub-beams. In such a large array scale, existing phase control methods will inevitably encounter the problem of bandwidth reduction. To solve this problem, we propose a time-division multiplexing cascaded (TDMC) active phase-locking method in this paper. Simulation studies on phase control of over 10,000 laser beams are conducted. The method shows huge bandwidth enhancement in control phases of a large number of lasers. This will lay the technological foundation for further expanding the number of an all-fiber tiled-aperture array.
Optical constants of TiN, amorphous SiO2, and SiN in the extreme ultraviolet range
Authors: Saadeh Qais , Philipsen Vicky , Meersschaut Johan , Channam Venkat Sunil Kumar , Kantre Karim-Alexandros , Sokolov Andrey , Kupper Bettina , Wiesner Thomas , Ocaña García Danilo , Salami Zanyar , Buchholz Christian , Scholze Frank , Soltwisch Victor
Published: November 2024

Using reflectometry, we studied the optical constants of TiN and amorphous SiO2 thin films in the spectral range 5–24 nm (ca. 250 eV–ca. 52 eV), and for SiN in the spectral range 5–33 nm (ca. 250 eV–ca. 37 eV). The films’ elemental concentration depth profiles were measured using elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA). The reflectance was measured using monochromatized synchrotron radiation. For the analysis of reflectivity data, Markov chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC)-based Bayesian inferences Bayesian inferences were used to obtain the optical constants and their model uncertainties. For SiO2 and SiN, dispersion profiles were sampled with sub-Ångström resolution in certain intervals around the Si-L1 and Si-L2,3 transitions. The obtained optical constants are compared with literature values and with estimations based on the independent atom approximation (IAA).
Co-phase combining of laser array via silicon-based beam combiner
Authors: Yang Ran , Xu Feifei , Jiang Jiali , Lin Mingyan , Li Feng , Geng Chao , Li Xinyang
Published: November 2024

Phased fiber laser arrays provide an effective means to mitigate atmospheric turbulence and achieve high-quality beams, where efficient combiners play a crucial role in achieving phase coherence among sub-beams and generating high-power output beams. This paper focuses on investigation of a silicon-based beam combiner with 19 input channels, which employs a structure comprised of cascaded 2 × 1 multi-mode interference couplers and 2 × 1 Mach-Zehnder interferometers on a silicon chip. According to the thermo-optic effect of silicon material, the square of the control voltage is linearly related to the phase change. In response, the modified stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm is proposed, and parameters are analyzed. Experimental results confirm that the silicon-based beam combiner with the modified SPGD algorithm can combine laser beams effectively. Under static conditions, after about 0.09 s of iteration, the output power of the silicon-based beam combiner reaches the average value detected by photodetector (PD), with a phase-locking accuracy of approximately λ/36. Under dynamic disturbance conditions, after about 0.3 s of iteration, the output power reaches the average value detected by PD, with a phase-locking accuracy of approximately λ/32.
Controllable beam break-up, spectral broadening, and coherent beam recombination using arrays of singular beams
Authors: Stoyanov Lyubomir I. , Zhang Yinyu , Dreischuh Alexander , Paulus Gerhard G.
Published: November 2024

The ever-increasing energy/power of modern laser sources is inevitably leading to new challenges and opportunities. One of them is the problem of spectral broadening of high-energy femtosecond pulses and their subsequent compression in time in, e.g., filaments. At high beam/pulse intensities, these tend to become unstable. One way to avoid such instabilities could be the controllable splitting of the beam into sub-beams. This, however, only makes sense if there is a reliable way to coherently recombine them. In this work, by using phase plates with etched arrays of optical vortices, we show an experimental realization of controllable femtosecond beam splitting, followed by nonlinear spectral broadening and a final coherent beam recombination. The results in ambient air and in a glass substrate confirm the feasibility of the proposed technique. Compression of the spectrally broadened pulses in glass down to the Fourier transform limit is demonstrated. All this provides a reasonable motivation for further optimization.
Synergistic effects of Mie resonances and anti-reflections on enhanced absorption in organic solar cells
Authors: Lim Donggyu , Ju Seongcheol , Kang Cheolhun , Kim Dohyun , Kim Hyeonwoo , Jung Jong Hoon , Kim Jeonghyun , Park Hui Joon , Lee Kyu-Tae
Published: November 2024

We demonstrate an efficient light trapping (LT) and anti-reflection (AR) structure consisting of an array of dielectric subwavelength pyramids (ADSP) for enhanced light absorption in organic solar cells (OSCs). The overlapping electric dipole and magnetic dipole resonances provide strongly directional forward scattering at short wavelengths, extending the optical path length within the active layer of the OSC. In addition to strong light scattering, the gradient refractive index profile of the ADSP enables an AR effect over a wide range of wavelengths. The combined effect of strong forward-scattering and broadband AR from the ADSP significantly enhances absorption in the active layer of the OSC, which is enabled by finding optimal geometrical parameters of the ADSP. A short-circuit current density (JSC) of 27.83 mA/cm2 is achieved in the OSC with the incorporation of the ADSP, representing an 8.37% enhancement compared to a flat OSC. Furthermore, we investigate the contributions of resonant and non-resonant multipolar moments to forward scattering in the ADSP. The controlled excitation of multipole resonances in the ADSP offers pathways to significantly enhanced performance in various applications, including other thin-film solar cells, metasurfaces, sensors, nanoantennas, and photodetectors.
Optical enantioseparation of chiral nanoparticles in macroscopic scale within a microfluidic channel
Authors: Xu Feng , Mu Rongqiu , Zheng Feixiang , Zhou Song , Jiang Min , Dong Zhenyong , Wang Guanghui
Published: November 2024

In this Letter, we have proposed an all-optical scheme for chiral particle separation with a microcylinder-pair system (MCPS) with a micrometer scale channel, applicable in microfluidic environments. By illuminating the MCPS with two counter-incident plane waves of orthogonal polarization, the electromagnetic chirality gradient can be generated. The MCPS can also enhance chirality-dependent lateral optical forces of the coupled fields so that the setup can shift trapping equilibrium positions for opposite-handedness nanoparticles and make the sideways motion observable. Our thorough numerical calculations demonstrate that the chiral-separation MCPS here can offer high efficiency in selectively trapping and transporting enantiomers in an optofluidic system. Furthermore, the MCPS can realize the sorting and collecting of enantiomers with a directional flow in a larger spatial distance from the macroscopic perspective. We believe that our research provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, and promising method for chiral optical tweezers and optofluidic transporting applications.
Integrated deceptive sensing and secure communication scheme based on RSC-OFDM in a photonics-assisted 100 GHz millimeter-wave system
Authors: Li Yuqing , Xiao Yaoqiang , Wang Zhiyi , An Zhaoyu , Zhou Chunxi , Chen Yuehui
Published: November 2024

In this Letter, an integrated deceptive sensing and secure communication scheme based on random subcarrier (RSC) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) in a photonics-assisted millimeter-wave (MMW) system is proposed. Based on chaotic encryption on bit and constellation level, the RSC-OFDM signal is used to further disturb the transmitting signal and achieve sensing deception. Moreover, to make full use of sensing function to achieve collaborative security, sensing-aided dynamic parameter (DP) encryption is designed, which uses sensing information as the random seed to get encryption DPs and sequences. In the experiment, the RSC-OFDM signal integrated deceptive sensing and secure communication are successfully transmitted over a 1.2 m wireless channel in a 100 GHz MMW system. The results show that the proposed scheme can effectively improve the security of the system while ensuring bit error rate performance. The data rate can be up to 7.69 G bit/s and the scheme can achieve centimeter-level resolution and millimeter-level accuracy. Meanwhile, the scheme can successfully achieve distance deception between 0.25 and 8.03 m for 1.2 m target.
Multi-Milliwatt Average Power Two-Colour Air-Plasma Terahertz Source at 100 kHz Repetition Rate
Authors: Löscher Robin , Schroeder Malte , Vogel Tim , Omar Alan , Hasso Adam , Hoberg Claudius , Havenith-Newen Martina , Saraceno Clara
Published: November 2024

Ultrafast THz transients with large spectral bandwidths are commonly generated in the two-colour air-plasma scheme, typically driven by high-pulse-energy laser sources, operating at low repetition rates up to a few kHz. The low repetition rate of these sources is a strong limiting factor to reach high dynamic ranges in measurements involving long integration times or multi-dimensional scans. The advent of high-power Yb-based laser sources in combination with nonlinear temporal compression schemes opens the door to air-plasma THz sources at significantly higher repetition rates up to hundreds of kHz and beyond. In this study, we investigate for the first time repetition rate scaling in the two-colour filament plasma scheme at repetition rates ranging from 1 kHz up to 100 kHz. We study the influence of repetition rate on THz yield and observe a correlation between the decrease of the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency and the gas density depletion in the filamentation region, that we measure using interferometry. These findings set the foundation for future repetition rate scaling experiments towards the MHz region, using the broadband and affordable two-colour air-plasma scheme. At 100 kHz, we generate THz radiation with a maximum average power of 2.8 mW and peak electric fields reaching 165 kV/cm. Using electro-optic sampling, we detect frequencies up to 23 THz showing the broadband nature of the source. This source is a promising alternative both for future linear and nonlinear ultra-broadband spectroscopic investigations at greatly accelerated measurement times.
A framework for counterfactual analysis, strategy evaluation, and control of epidemics using reproduction number estimates
Authors: She Baike , Smith Rebecca Lee , Pytlarz Ian , Sundaram Shreyas , Paré Philip E.
Published: November 2024

During pandemics, countries, regions, and communities develop various epidemic models to evaluate spread and guide mitigation policies. However, model uncertainties caused by complex transmission behaviors, contact-tracing networks, time-varying parameters, human factors, and limited data present significant challenges to model-based approaches. To address these issues, we propose a novel framework that centers around reproduction number estimates to perform counterfactual analysis, strategy evaluation, and feedback control of epidemics. The framework 1) introduces a mechanism to quantify the impact of the testing-for-isolation intervention strategy on the basic reproduction number. Building on this mechanism, the framework 2) proposes a method to reverse engineer the effective reproduction number under different strengths of the intervention strategy. In addition, based on the method that quantifies the impact of the testing-for-isolation strategy on the basic reproduction number, the framework 3) proposes a closed-loop control algorithm that uses the effective reproduction number both as feedback to indicate the severity of the spread and as the control goal to guide adjustments in the intensity of the intervention. We illustrate the framework, along with its three core methods, by addressing three key questions and validating its effectiveness using data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Purdue University: 1) How severe would an outbreak have been without the implemented intervention strategies? 2) What impact would varying the intervention strength have had on an outbreak? 3) How can we adjust the intervention intensity based on the current state of an outbreak?
Learning patterns of HIV-1 resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies with reduced subtype bias using multi-task learning
Authors: Igiraneza Aime Bienfait , Zacharopoulou Panagiota , Hinch Robert , Wymant Chris , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Frater John , Fraser Christophe
Published: November 2024

The ability to predict HIV-1 resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) will increase bnAb therapeutic benefits. Machine learning is a powerful approach for such prediction. One challenge is that some HIV-1 subtypes in currently available training datasets are underrepresented, which likely affects models’ generalizability across subtypes. A second challenge is that combinations of bnAbs are required to avoid the inevitable resistance to a single bnAb, and computationally determining optimal combinations of bnAbs is an unsolved problem. Recently, machine learning models trained using resistance outcomes for multiple antibodies at once, a strategy called multi-task learning (MTL), have been shown to improve predictions. We develop a new model and show that, beyond the boost in performance, MTL also helps address the previous two challenges. Specifically, we demonstrate empirically that MTL can mitigate bias from underrepresented subtypes, and that MTL allows the model to learn patterns of co-resistance to combinations of antibodies, thus providing tools to predict antibodies’ epitopes and to potentially select optimal bnAb combinations. Our analyses, publicly available at https://github.com/iaime/LBUM, can be adapted to other infectious diseases that are treated with antibody therapy.
Genomic analysis of the early COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti reveals Caribbean-specific variant dynamics
Authors: Mushegian Alexandra , Kreitman Allie , Nelson Martha I. , Chung Matthew , Mederos Christopher , Roder Allison , Banakis Stephanie , Desormeaux Anne Marie , Jean Charles Nadia Lapierre , Grant-Greene Yoran , Marseille Samson , Pierre Katilla , Lafontant Donald , Boncy Jacques , Journel Ito , Buteau Josiane , Juin Stanley , Ghedin Elodie
Published: November 2024

Pathogen sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic has generated more whole genome sequencing data than for any other epidemic, allowing epidemiologists to monitor the transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. However, large parts of the world are heavily underrepresented in sequencing efforts, including the Caribbean islands. We performed genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from upper respiratory tract samples collected in Haiti during the spring of 2020. We used phylogenetic analysis to assess the pandemic dynamics in the Caribbean region and observed that the epidemic in Haiti was seeded by multiple introductions, primarily from the United States. We identified the emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.478) from Haiti that spread into North America, as well as evidence of the undocumented spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the Caribbean. We demonstrate that the genomic analysis of a relatively modest number of samples from a severely under-sampled region can provide new insight on a previously unobserved spread of a specific lineage, demonstrating the importance of geographically widespread genomic epidemiology.
Circulating extracellular vesicles in sera of chronic patients as a method for determining active parasitism in Chagas disease
Authors: Lozano Noelia , Prescilla-Ledezma Alexa , Calabuig Eva , Trelis Maria , Arce José Miguel Sahuquillo , López Hontangas José Luis , de Pablos Luis Miguel , Gomez-Samblas Mercedes , Osuna Antonio
Published: November 2024

Background

Chagas disease, once restricted mainly to the Americas, Chagas disease has become a global health problem due to migration from endemic to non-endemic areas. In non-endemic regions, transmission is limited to vertical transmission from infected mothers to newborns or through blood and organ donations. A major challenge in the management of the disease lies in the diagnosis of chronic cases, as blood-borne parasites are often absent and antibodies persist for life, complicating the evaluation of treatment.

Methodology and main findings

This study investigates whether detection of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) or their immunocomplexes with host IgGs in the serum of chronic patients with Chagas disease could serve as diagnostic tools and biomarkers of the active presence of the parasite. This method may prove valuable in cases where parasitaemia and other diagnostic tests are inconclusive, especially for assessing treatment efficacy and confirming mother-to-child transmission. Together with exovesicle purification by ultracentrifugation, which is the ‘gold standard’, an affordable and simplified method for the isolation of EVs or immunocomplexes was tested for use in less well-equipped diagnostic laboratories.

EV detection was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. Positive results were demonstrated in Bolivian patients in Spain, covering asymptomatic and symptomatic cases (cardiac, gastrointestinal or both). The study also examined infected mothers and their newborns. These findings were further confirmed in Panamanian patients with inconclusive diagnostic results.

Moreover, host IgG isotypes that formed immunocomplexes with parasite exovsicles were identified, with IgG2 and IgG4 being predominant.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the usefulness of circulating EVs and their immunocomplexes as markers of metabolically active T. cruzi in chronic infections without detectable parasitaemia, as well as their efficacy in confirming vertical transmission and in cases of inconclusive diagnostic tests.
Genomic epidemiology and phenotypic characterisation of Salmonella enterica serovar Panama in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Thakur Samriddhi , Baines Sarah L. , Sia Cheryll M. , Valcanis Mary , Judd Louise M. , Howden Benjamin P. , Newton Hayley J. , Ingle Danielle J.
Published: November 2024

Salmonella enterica serovar Panama, a causative agent of non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS), is one of several serovars that causes invasive NTS disease (iNTS) in humans. S. Panama is an understudied pathogen, with its pathobiology poorly understood. It is a predominant iNTS serovar in Australia, a high-income country with high rates of salmonellosis, where S. Panama has been documented to have a high odds ratio (13.9–15.26) for causing iNTS. This study investigates the genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of all S. Panama isolates recovered in Victoria, Australia, between 2000 and 2021. We examined the infection dynamics of S. Panama in seven isolates, representing the genetic diversity of the study population. Two sub-lineages, encompassed within a previously described Asian lineage, were identified. Multi-drug resistance (resistance to ≥3 drug classes) was detected in 46 (51.7%) Australian isolates. The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr1.1, was detected in one Australian S. Panama isolate, carried by an IncI plasmid previously reported in Salmonella and Escherichia coli isolates collected from poultry in South-East Asia. Examination of the intracellular replication dynamics of S. Panama isolates demonstrated diverse phenotypes. In THP-1 derived macrophages, despite low host cell uptake, S. Panama showed higher replication rates over time compared to S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. However, a causative genotype could not be identified to explain this observed phenotype. This study provides insights into the S. Panama isolates circulating in Australia over two-decades, finding that 78% were linked to international travel suggesting importation in Australia. It shows MDR was common in this iNTS serovar, and colistin resistance reported for the first time. It provides the first data on the host-pathogen interactions of S. Panama in Australia, which will aid our collective understanding of the pathobiology of S. Panama and iNTS serovars more broadly.
Optimal three-part tariff pricing and marketing strategies for consumer overconfidence
Authors: Merdikawati Silvia , Lin Shi-Woei , Yeh Ruey Huei
Published: November 2024

Experts in traditional pricing literature often assume that consumers are rational in their purchasing decisions, and tend to ignore the effect of psychological behavior. One of the fundamental irrational psychological behaviors is overconfidence, which refers to overestimation. The benefits of three-part tariffs under demand uncertainty caused by overconfident consumers have been demonstrated in various forms. In the present study, we investigate the design of a three-part tariff pricing plan when consumers are overconfident in the sense of overestimating their amount of service usage or consumption. An analytical model and a numerical analysis are carried out using a genetic algorithm approach to determine the optimal three-part tariff and to compare other tariff structures (e.g., two-part tariff and menu of three-part tariff) to investigate the critical factors influencing their performance. With overconfidence in consumers, service providers need clear direction on how to optimally implement a three-part pricing strategy. Specifically, we observe the effect of overconfidence on the profitability of service providers, and their other performance in general. Thus, service providers are given clear guidance on when to offer three-part tariffs and alternative structures to overconfident consumers and push marketing plans to increase their profits and market share.
Time from treatment initiation to HIV viral suppression in public care facilities in Brazil: A nationwide linked databases cohort
Authors: Nemes Maria Ines Battistella , Sayuri Sato Ana Paula , Reis-Santos Barbara , Maroso Alves Ana , Parra do Nascimento Felipe , Agins Bruce
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To analyze the time between antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and the first HIV viral load (VL) test <40 copies—time to suppression (TS)—in a cohort of persons aged ≥15 years, between 2015–2018 in outpatient HIV care facilities of the Brazilian Unified Health System, as well as to analyze whether individual and facility characteristics accelerate or delay TS.

Methods

This was a cohort study with data from a linkage of national HIV databases, following a previously published procedure. Two types of variables were examined: individual-level (sex, age group, race/skin color, education, baseline CD4 cell count and VL, initial ART regimen, adherence, ART regimen change and number of VL tests until suppression) and facility-level (national and metropolitan region, caseload). Multilevel parametric accelerated failure time survival models were used. Fixed and random effects were analyzed through null, sociodemographic, combined sociodemographic and clinical, and facility-related variables, adjusted for the number of VL tests until suppression. Likelihood, interquartile range, and proportion of change in variance were used for comparisons.

Results

Of 132,540 participants, 89.4% (114,696) achieved viral suppression: 20.8% within three months, and 56.4% within six months. Median TS was 161 days, varying from 31 to 1,426 days, depending on the time interval between initiation and VL testing. Among those who had VL testing within 66 days, median TS was 55 days. All individual and facility-related variables were associated with TS, explaining the 16.2% and 13.2% variability, respectively.

Conclusions

This was the first Brazilian nationwide cohort to analyze TS. It is also one of the largest operational cohorts globally to assess healthcare facility characteristics. The findings indicated that both individual and facility-related characteristics contribute to TS. Strengthening VL monitoring should be included as part of a coordinated effort to improve the quality of care provided for people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil.
Conspiracy beliefs and negative attitudes towards outgroups in times of crises: Experimental evidence from Germany
Authors: Endtricht Rebecca , Kanol Eylem
Published: November 2024

While research on the determinants of conspiracy beliefs has been growing, there is still limited attention given to the broader consequences of conspiracy theories. This study examines the effects of conspiratorial framing on outgroup evaluations in the context of societal crises. Using an experimental design and a large representative sample of the German population, we exposed participants to conspiratorial framings of health, economic, and security crisis scenarios. The findings reveal that exposure to conspiratorial framing of crises leads to significantly more negative attitudes towards outgroups compared to control conditions. The impact is most pronounced in the security crisis treatment condition, particularly in war scenarios. Additionally, our study demonstrates the important role of political ideology, as individuals with left- as well as right-wing ideologies displayed more negative attitudes towards outgroups when exposed to conspiratorial framings of crises. These findings contribute to the literature by providing experimental evidence of the detrimental effects of conspiracy narratives on intergroup attitudes during crises.
Data-driven insights into neighborhood adherence to cancer prevention guidelines in Philadelphia
Authors: DuBois Tesla D. , Moore Kari , Rollins Heather , Silbaugh John , Sorice Kristen A. , Lynch Shannon M.
Published: November 2024

Background

Forty percent of new cancer cases in the United States are attributed to modifiable risks, which can be influenced by the built environment. Recent cancer prevention guidelines include recommendations for making communities conducive to healthy living. Focused on the city of Philadelphia, the present study aims to 1) evaluate neighborhood-level adherence to cancer prevention guidelines by developing two novel indices and 2) identify factors driving low compliance in neighborhoods with high cancer mortality.

Methods

Philadelphia neighborhoods were compared to the city overall on ten cancer prevention recommendations. Comparison scores informed two indices: one focused on the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Smoking, and the other focused on Healthy People 2030’s guidelines for Prevention Services. Indices were mapped by neighborhood and compared to cancer mortality. Where low adherence overlapped with high cancer mortality, the recommendations driving low compliance were identified.

Results

Distinct geospatial patterns were observed in adherence to guidelines, and while drivers of low adherence varied by neighborhood, general trends emerged in different areas of the city. Concerning Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Smoking Guideline adherence, some areas appeared to be more influenced by the built environment, while others were impacted by specific behavioral risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption. Preventive Service recommendation adherence was driven in some parts by self-reported poor health and, in others, low cancer screening rates and a high physician-to-resident ratio. In neighborhoods where poor guideline adherence overlapped with high cancer mortality, the built environment emerged as a potentially important factor.

Discussion

This study considers the importance of the built environment in influencing adherence to cancer prevention guidelines. Policymakers and public health officials can use this information to prioritize interventions for neighborhoods with low guideline adherence and high cancer burden and tailor interventions to focus on indicators of low guideline adherence.
The impact of neighborhood deprivation on mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the COPSY Hamburg study
Authors: Li Lydia Yao , Napp Ann-Kathrin , Adedeji Adekunle , Erhart Michael , Kaman Anne , Boecker Maren , Kloster Tanja , Krefis Anne Caroline , Reiß Franziska , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Socioeconomic inequalities have been associated with poorer mental health outcomes in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous studies on individual risk factors, the impact of societal environment, such as neighborhood characteristics, on changes in mental health has rarely been investigated. This study investigates the effect of neighborhood deprivation on mental health problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hamburg, Germany.

Methods

Data were derived from the prospective German COPSY Hamburg study. Children and adolescents aged between 11–20 years and their parents participated in the study, which took place in summer 2020 (T1) and summer 2022 (T2). Neighborhood deprivation was assessed by a neighborhood status index. Mental health problems and HRQoL were assessed using internationally validated and established instruments. The prevalence of mental health problems and impaired HRQoL was reported. Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effect of neighborhood deprivation of the districts in Hamburg on the (changes in) mental health problems and HRQoL while controlling for social individual-level indicators.

Results

The total sample included in the statistical analysis consisted of N = 2,645 families. Children and adolescents living in more deprived areas had higher levels of general mental health problems and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, differences in neighborhood deprivation did not relate to the HRQoL and the averaged changes in children and adolescents’ mental health problems and HRQoL from summer 2020 to summer 2022.

Discussion

Neighborhood deprivation is associated with impaired mental health in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents’ mental health and overall well-being should be addressed by health promotion measures to create a health-promoting living environment, including diverse neighborhoods. Future research should focus on uniform assessment methods and addressing additional neighborhood factors.
Regulation of reactive oxygen molecules in pakchoi by histone acetylation modifications under Cd stress
Authors: Cao Xiaoqun , Zhang Ming , Xiao Xufeng , Yin Fengrui , Yao Yuekeng , Sui Meilan , Hu Yifan , Xiang Yan , Wang Liangdeng
Published: November 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential modulators of epigenetic modifications under abiotic stress. However, the mutual regulation mechanism of the two under cadmium (Cd) stress is unclear. In this work, we investigated this issue using Cd-stressed pakchoi seedlings treated with six epi-modification inhibitors (5-AC, RG108, TSA, CUDC101, AT13148, and H89) as experimental materials. The experimental data showed that Cd stress caused ROS accumulation and chromatin decondensation. Addition of low concentrations of epi-modification inhibitors increased histone acetylation modification levels, and effectively attenuated cell cycle arrest and DNA damage caused by Cd-induced ROS accumulation, where histone acetylation modification levels were co-regulated by histone acetyltransferase and deacetyltransferase gene transcription. Moreover, the addition of the antioxidant Thi enhanced this mitigating effect. Also, TSA addition at high concentrations could also increase Cd-induced ROS accumulation. Based on this, we propose that the ROS molecular pathway may be related to epigenetic regulation, and chromatin modification may affect ROS accumulation by regulating gene expression, providing a new perspective for studying the regulatory mechanism of epigenetic modification under abiotic stress.
Enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus A6 circulation in England, UK, 2006–2017: A mathematical modelling study using cross-sectional seroprevalence data
Authors: Kamau Everlyn , Lambert Ben , Allen David J. , Celma Cristina , Beard Stuart , Harvala Heli , Simmonds Peter , Grassly Nicholas C. , Pons-Salort Margarita
Published: November 2024

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) primarily cause hand, foot and mouth disease and have emerged to cause potential fatal neurological and systemic manifestations. However, limited surveillance data collected through passive surveillance systems hampers characterization of their epidemiological dynamics. We fit a series of catalytic models to age-stratified seroprevalence data for EV-A71 and CVA6 collected in England at three time points (2006, 2011 and 2017) to estimate the force of infection (FOI) over time and assess possible changes in transmission. For both serotypes, model comparison does not support the occurrence of important changes in transmission over the study period, and we find that a declining risk of infection with age and / or seroreversion are needed to explain the seroprevalence data. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the increased number of reports of CVA6 during 2006–2017 is unlikely to be explained by changes in surveillance. Therefore, we hypothesize that the increased number of CVA6 cases observed since 2011 must be explained by increased virus pathogenicity. Further studies of seroprevalence data from other countries would allow to confirm this. Our results underscore the value of seroprevalence data to unravel changes in the circulation dynamics of pathogens with weak surveillance systems and large number of asymptomatic infections.