bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Urban Heat Island Spatial Variability over Urban Structure Types – A Case Study from a Fast-growing City in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Diem N. K. , Diem P. K. , Thien P. M. , Downes N. K.
Published: May 2024

This study aims to assess the variation in the temperature patterns for different urban structure types (USTs) in Can Tho City, Vietnam. The study involves extracting thermal infrared data from Landsat imagery to determine the Land Surface Temperature (LST). Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) intensity is then calculated by analyzing the temperature differences between urban and non-urban areas. An overlay method was applied to analyze the variations in SUHI intensity within four distinct USTs categories: residential (R), public and special use (P), industrial (I), and green and open spaces (G), as defined based on 53 USTs derived in original data. The results highlight that the highest SUHI intensity was primarily concentrated in the industrial (I) areas, covering over 50% of the region, while residential (R) and public and special use (P) areas exhibited moderate SUHI intensity. Although the green and open space (G) category had a substantial area of open space, it still experienced a low-intensity SUHI, mainly concentrated in heavily sealed areas. This study provides valuable insights into the presence of SUHI in contemporary, rapidly developing cities. It underscores the significance of understanding and addressing SUHI issues, particularly useful for the real-world planning of urban environments.
Assessing the Relationship Between Land Surface Temperature and Air Temperature for Thermal Comfort Analysis in Can Tho City: Implications for Sustainable Spatial Planning
Authors: Diem P. K. , Hong T. G. , Diem N. K. , Downes N. K.
Published: May 2024

This study aims to assess the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and air temperature (Tair) and thermal comfort analysis in Can Tho City. LST is derived from the Landsat thermal band, while Tair is measured using 15 monitoring stations. A Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is employed as a preferred metric for analyzing the thermal comfort level, calculated based on a combination of Tair and relative humidity (RH). Besides quantitative data collection, the study also survey residents in high heat risk areas to acquire insights into their current experiences and perceptions heat. The results reveal that individuals in high SUHI areas experience discomfort across varying temperature ranges, influenced by particular working conditions and personal characteristics. Moreover, the findings highlight a significant correlation between LST and Tair, reaching a coefficient of 0.73, indicating the applicability of land surface temperature in large-scale temperature calculations. These results underscore the need for further research on the extent of heat-related health effects and the development of strategies for heat stress mitigation. Understanding of thermal comfort and the impacts of SUHI is crucial for addressing climate and societal challenges and enhance the well-being of urban populations.
Exploring the relationship of the winter-spring crop’s rice yield with meteorological drought and water resources in Ben Tre province
Authors: Hoa Ho Van , Xuan Quang Chau Nguyen , Hoang Giang Ngo Ngoc , Hai Pham Ngoc , Bay Nguyen Thi
Published: May 2024

Recent environmental changes have significantly impacted rice cultivation in Ben Tre province, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) coastal province. This research employed the Mann-Kendall (MK) non-parametric method and Sen’s slope (SS) technique to detect trends in the rice yield of the winter-spring crop (WSC) in Ben Tre province and environmental parameters from 2009 to 2020. These environmental parameters include the meteorological drought index and key water resource metrics, potentially affecting the region’s rice yield. Furthermore, it established the relationship between these environmental parameters and rice yield using multiple linear regression. The results indicated an average decrease of 0.13 ton/ha/year in the WSC’s rice yield, with a severe reduction to 2.86 ton/ha in 2016. This decline in rice yield is likely attributed to environmental shifts, particularly during years with extreme hydrological events. The study found that during the months of dry season, from January to April, there was a decrease of 0.14 per year in the minimum Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI-4min) at the Ben Tre meteorological station; an increase in the minimum daily discharge at the Tan Chau station (QTCmin) by 81 m3/s/year; a decrease in the mean daily water level at the My Thuan station (QMTmean) by 0.22 cm/year; and an increase in the maximum daily water level at the Ben Trai station (HBTmax) by 0.67 cm/year. However, the maximum daily salinity concentration at the Tra Vinh station (STVmax) showed no significant trend, oscillating between 6.5 and 15 g/l, potentially because the three-hourly monitoring intervals might not have fully captured peak salinity levels. The regression model identified SPEI-4min (with a Correlation Index (CI) of 0.450) and STVmax (CI = 0.372) as the primary factors influencing rice yield. Additionally, QTCmin and HBTmax were also significant, though to a lesser extent, with correlation indices of 0.310 and 0.303, respectively. Conversely, QMTmean had a relatively minor influence, with a correlation index of 0.136. These findings are crucial to developing adaptive strategies and policies for improving the resilience of rice production in the study province and throughout the VMD.
An experimental comparison of pixel-based and object-based classifications with different machine learning algorithms in landscape pattern analysis – Case study from Quang Ngai city, Vietnam
Authors: Vu Viet Du Quan , Minh Pham Tam , Manh Pham Van , Duy Nguyen Huu , Huy Nguyen Quoc , Thanh Pham Viet , Cao Nguyen Huan
Published: May 2024

In landscape pattern analysis, the choice of an efficient method for image classification is widely studied, but the features are mostly extracted from digital values by the traditional approach (Pixel-based) and modern approach (Object-based). In this study, we compared the performance of two supervised classification algorithms (Maximum likelihood classifier - MLC and Support vector machines - SVM). We used SPOT-5 image data from 2011 to analyze the landscape pattern of a complex territory in Quang Ngai City, Vietnam. We collected 215 ground-truth samples and classified them into seven landscape classes. The results showed that the overall accuracy of the classification of Pixel-based (MLC), Object-based (MLC), Pixel-based (SVM) and Object-based (SVM) was 67.9%, 74.0%, 72.1%, and 82.3%, respectively. The combination of the object-based approach and SVM algorithm had the best classification result, which reflected the current spatial distribution of land cover types accurately. In the next step, we computed landscape metrics from detailed images to compare quantitative parameters with the actual verification data sources. From these metrics results, we discussed how classification methods could affect landscape structure, and possible ways to improve the accuracy of landscape-pattern identification.
Assessment of the current status of soil quality and types of land degradation in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam
Authors: Ha Khuong Manh , Phuong Tran Trong , Anh Hoang Phuong , Thuy Doan Thanh , Son Cao Truong , Hoa Nguyen Xuan
Published: May 2024

This study focused on providing practical information to assess the current status of soil quality and land degradation in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam to provide more evidence on land degradation status and factors affecting land degradation in this area. The soil samples were collected and analyzed in 2020 and compared to the available data of soil analysis data collected at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ninh Province in 2010. The percentage of degraded land ranges from 51.70 to 90.36%. Forest land is the type with the highest percentage of degraded land with 90.36% of total forestry land area; Unused hilly land ranks second with degraded land at 87.15%; the percentage of degraded land in agriculture production land stays at 80.59%. The types of land degradation such as Condensation, Acidification, and Salinization only take place on a small area of land in the province. The cause of land degradation in Quang Ninh comes from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The main reasons can be mentioned as the terrain has a steep slope; the climate is hot and rainy; the climate change situation is complicated; and inappropriate agricultural practices. To solve the above situation, it is necessary to have solutions and integrated strategies for the rational exploitation and use of land resources. Especially environmentally friendly agricultural farming methods that are highly adaptive to climate change such as organic agriculture, circular agriculture, and sustainable agriculture.
Assessing Change Impacts on Flood and Drought hazard in Thua Thien Hue province using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
Authors: Thanh Son Ngo , Le Huong Hoang , Thi Phuong Tran , Trong Phuong Tran
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study is to comprehensively analyze short- and long-term drought and flood occurrences, providing valuable insights into the potential impact of climate change in the future. Our analysis, utilizing the SPI-6 and SPI-12 indices, focuses on historical data spanning from 1979 to 2019, revealing noteworthy patterns. Notable periods of severe drought include September 1982 to August 1983, September 2004 to August 2005, and October 2014 to August 2015. Conversely, instances of elevated humidity and extreme inundation were recorded from October 1980 to August 1981, October 1995 to June 1997, November 1999 to October 2000, November 2007 to October 2008, October 2011 to August 2012, and January 2017 to August 2018. These findings are consistent with historical records of drought and flood events in Thua Thien Hue Province over the past four decades. Incorporating the SPI-6 and SPI-12 indices alongside rainfall forecasts based on updated climate change and sea-level rise scenarios for 2020 in Vietnam, our study extends its projections to the period from 2020 to 2035. These projections indicate a significant departure from typical annual conditions, with both the severity and frequency of drought and flood events expected to increase. Specifically, Thua Thien Hue weather stations estimate a flood frequency of 14% (SPI-12) and 16% (SPI-6), equivalent to approximately one dry month every seven months. High humidity events are projected to occur at an 18% frequency, roughly once every 5-6 months. Analysis of future scenarios under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 reveals varying levels of risk associated with drought and flood occurrences. Generally, the risk of flooding is slightly lower than that of drought, with only marginal differences observed in scenario RCP8.5. When considering seasonal rainfall patterns—where half of the year experiences a dry season and the other half is rainy—the incidence of drought surpasses that of high humidity in scenario RCP4.5. In contrast, in scenario RCP8.5, the likelihood of flooding outweighs that of drought. It’s noteworthy that historically, mountainous areas within Thua Thien Hue Province have experienced fewer droughts in comparison to coastal regions. Furthermore, the severity of drought and flood events is more pronounced in scenario RCP8.5, particularly concerning flood events. This underscores that despite higher total rainfall in RCP8.5, leading to more severe inundation events, the distribution exhibits unevenness marked by extreme conditions, including more severe drought events.
High-performance electro-optic switches with compact multimode interference and Bezier S-bend waveguides
Authors: Afsary Noor , Alam Md Koushik , Hoque Karimul , Rasel Md Omar Faruk
Published: May 2024

High-speed and energy-efficient electro-optic (EO) switches are crucial for next-generation data communication systems. This paper presents a novel EO switch utilizing a multimode interference (MMI) coupler-based approach on a lithium-niobate (LiNbO3) platform. The switch is designed with Bezier S-bend waveguides, leading to a significant reduction in bending loss to 0.18 dB. This Bezier-bend EO switch shows an excess loss of 0.33 dB and crosstalk of −20.44 dB for the bar port switching, while the cross port switching exhibits an excess loss of 0.64 dB and crosstalk of −13.66 dB. Applying a 3.27 V voltage achieves a balanced splitting ratio of 29:29:29 between the three outputs. The length of this EO switch is 4.09 mm, which requires 4.1 V to create a phase shift, showing a voltage efficiency of 1.68 V.cm. This paper presents a promising pathway for a novel EO switch design and introduces improved signal management for next-generation computing systems.
Semi-supervised segmentation of abdominal organs and liver tumor: uncertainty rectified curriculum labeling meets X-fuse
Authors: Lyu Pengju , Liu Wenjian , Lin Tingyi , Zhang Jie , Liu Yao , Wang Cheng , Zhu Jianjun
Published: May 2024

Precise liver tumors and associated organ segmentation hold immense value for surgical and radiological intervention, enabling anatomical localization for pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance. Modern deep learning models for medical image segmentation have evolved from convolution neural networks to transformer architectures, significantly boosting global context understanding. However, accurate delineation especially of hepatic lesions remains an enduring challenge due to models’ predominant focus solely on spatial feature extraction failing to adequately characterize complex medical anatomies. Moreover, the relative paucity of expertly annotated medical imaging data restricts model exposure to diverse pathological presentations. In this paper, we present a three-phrased cascaded segmentation framework featuring an X-Fuse model that synergistically integrates spatial and frequency domain’s complementary information in dual encoders to enrich latent feature representation. To enhance model generalizability, building upon X-Fuse topology and taking advantage of additional unlabeled pathological data, our proposed integration of curriculum pseudo-labeling with Jensen–Shannon variance-based uncertainty rectification promotes optimized pseudo supervision in the context of semi-supervised learning. We further introduce a tumor-focus augmentation technique including training-free copy-paste and knowledge-based synthesis that show efficacy in simplicity, contributing to the substantial elevation of model adaptability on diverse lesional morphologies. Extensive experiments and modular evaluations on a holdout test set demonstrate that our methods significantly outperform existing state-of-the-art segmentation models in both supervised and semi-supervised settings, as measured by the Dice similarity coefficient, achieving superior delineation of bones (95.42%), liver (96.26%), and liver tumors (89.53%) with 16.41% increase comparing to V-Net on supervised-only and augmented-absent scenario. Our method marks a significant step toward the realization of more reliable and robust AI-assisted diagnostic tools for liver tumor intervention. We have made the codes publicly available [https://github.com/lyupengju/X-Fuse].
Are vehicle lifespan caps an effective and efficient method for reducing US light-duty vehicle fleet GHG emissions?
Authors: Striepe Melissa Cusack , Milovanoff Alexandre , Abdul-Manan Amir F N , McKechnie Jon , Posen I Daniel , MacLean Heather L
Published: May 2024

With light duty vehicles (LDVs) responsible for 17% of annual US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, integrating emerging GHG-reducing technologies into the fleet is essential. However, the slow rate of vehicle turnover presents a significant barrier to the market penetration of new technologies, with adoption delayed by the low number of vehicles needing replacement each year. A strategy of accelerated vehicle turnover through a vehicle lifespan cap could potentially mitigate this limit. While older studies reach differing conclusions on their effectiveness, two newer studies that incorporate life cycle assessment find that accelerated turnover strategies can be effective if coupled with high levels of electric vehicle deployment. We seek to determine whether a vehicle lifespan cap strategy can be an effective and efficient (cost-effective) method for reducing US LDV fleet GHG emissions. We augment the capabilities of the Fleet Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Estimation (FLAME) fleet life cycle assessment model, integrating vehicle lifespan caps and comprehensive calculations of cost along with sensitivity analysis for electric vehicle survival curves and battery degradation. The augmented FLAME model is used to analyse the impact of vehicle lifespan caps of varying lengths on a suite of scenarios, including a business as usual (BAU) scenario and eight scenarios modelling different technology improvement assumptions. This work confirms that vehicle lifespan caps have limited effectiveness in reducing GHG emissions under a BAU scenario but show potential to meaningfully reduce GHG emissions in a scenario with accelerated deployment of electric vehicles. However, abatement costs are high, exceeding 2020 USD 1000/tCO2eq under baseline assumptions, but falling within the range of current estimates of the social cost of carbon under more optimistic assumptions. Overall, vehicle lifespan caps must be carefully considered as they accelerate both the benefits and costs of new vehicle technologies, and are best positioned as part of a larger integrated strategy for tackling transportation GHG emissions.
Against the Standard View, Part One
Authors: Foley Richard
Published: May 2024

One tenet of the standard view is that considerations indicating the likely truth of a claim always provide a reason to believe it. A second is that other kinds of considerations never do. It wouldn’t matter if someone offered you a belief bribe that guaranteed the permanent elimination of torture worldwide. Not even benefits of this magnitude give anyone the slightest reason to believe anything. When put this starkly, the second tenet looks too extreme. Things can have value for their own sake or instrumentally, and there are countless ways in which a state of one kind can help bring about a state of another kind even if it rarely does. These observations tend to undermine categorical claims that something Y-like can never be a reason for something X-like. According to some proponents of the standard view, non-truth-related considerations are also the wrong kind to motivate beliefs. But just as it’s implausible to think that non-truth-related considerations never provide reasons for our views, it’s implausible to think that they never motivate our views.
Musical Ontology: Works, Versions, and Lineages
Authors: Alward Peter
Published: May 2024

In this paper, I develop a novel account of musical works according which they are situated heir lines, consisting of actual and possible work-versions that are situated in specific musical-historical contexts. And I argue that this account offers a better explanation of three core phonenomena - musical multiplicity, musical flexibility, and musical audibility - than its competitors. Finally, I introduce the broader category of musical lineages - sequences of work-versions each of which has evolved in certain ways from its predecessors - and argue that musical works can be viewed as lineages that are initiated by the requisite sorts of compositional intentions and whose constituent work-versions must satisfy standards of similarity from their original contexts of composition.
Association of dietary and nutritional factors with cognitive decline, dementia, and depressive symptomatology in older individuals according to a neurogenesis-centred biological susceptibility to brain ageing
Authors: Du Preez Andrea , Lefèvre-Arbogast Sophie , González-Domínguez Raúl , Houghton Vikki , de Lucia Chiara , Lee Hyunah , Low Dorrain Y , Helmer Catherine , Féart Catherine , Delcourt Cécile , Proust-Lima Cécile , Pallàs Mercè , Sánchez-Pla Alex , Urpi-Sardà Mireia , Ruigrok Silvie R , Altendorfer Barbara , Aigner Ludwig , Lucassen Paul J , Korosi Aniko , Manach Claudine , Andres-Lacueva Cristina , Samieri Cécilia , Thuret Sandrine
Published: May 2024

Hippocampal neurogenesis (HN) occurs throughout the life course and is important for memory and mood. Declining with age, HN plays a pivotal role in cognitive decline (CD), dementia, and late-life depression, such that altered HN could represent a neurobiological susceptibility to these conditions. Pertinently, dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean diet) and/or individual nutrients (e.g., vitamin D, omega 3) can modify HN, but also modify risk for CD, dementia, and depression. Therefore, the interaction between diet/nutrition and HN may alter risk trajectories for these ageing-related brain conditions. Using a subsample (n = 371) of the Three-City cohort—where older adults provided information on diet and blood biobanking at baseline and were assessed for CD, dementia, and depressive symptomatology across 12 years—we tested for interactions between food consumption, nutrient intake, and nutritional biomarker concentrations and neurogenesis-centred susceptibility status (defined by baseline readouts of hippocampal progenitor cell integrity, cell death, and differentiation) on CD, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular and other dementias (VoD), and depressive symptomatology, using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Increased plasma lycopene concentrations (OR [95% CI]  =  1.07 [1.01, 1.14]), higher red meat (OR [95% CI]  =  1.10 [1.03, 1.19]), and lower poultry consumption (OR [95% CI]  =  0.93 [0.87, 0.99]) were associated with an increased risk for AD in individuals with a neurogenesis-centred susceptibility. Increased vitamin D consumption (OR [95% CI]  =  1.05 [1.01, 1.11]) and plasma γ-tocopherol concentrations (OR [95% CI]  =  1.08 [1.01, 1.18]) were associated with increased risk for VoD and depressive symptomatology, respectively, but only in susceptible individuals. This research highlights an important role for diet/nutrition in modifying dementia and depression risk in individuals with a neurogenesis-centred susceptibility.
Policing Vulnerability: The Care and Control of Sex Workers Through Designated Police Officers
Authors: Brown Kate , Grace Sharon , Redman Scarlett
Published: May 2024

The state’s duty to protect vulnerable people gives rise to powerful forms of social intervention, especially in policing. This article reports from co-produced multimethods research focussed on one form of policing vulnerability within an English police force; the role of a specialist sex worker liaison officer (SWLO). Findings highlight that an enhanced focus on vulnerability through the role was highly valued by sex workers; building trust and improving investigations of crimes against sex workers. However, social control was the defining parameter for the intervention, with different implications across the diversity of the sex industry. Drawing on Gilson’s (2021) intersectional feminist philosophy work, we situate findings within critical attention to policing vulnerability, arguing the embedding of vulnerability within governance apparatus orientated to social control must be met with vigilance if it is to be progressive rather than reactionary.
Discovery of a novel photosensitizer based on the enediyne antibiotic N1999A2 and its application as a glutathione-activatable theranostic agent
Authors: Matsunaga Kotono , Takahashi Minami , Kagaya Tugumi , Takahashi Daisuke , Toshima Kazunobu
Published: May 2024

The 2-naphthol derivative 2, which corresponds to the aromatic moiety of the enediyne antibiotic N1999A2, was found to degrade protein under irradiation with long-wavelength UV light in the absence of any additives. Structure–activity relationship studies of 2 indicated that 3, in which the primary hydroxyl group at the C5 position of 2 is modified with a t-butyldiphenylsilyl group, has strong protein photodegradation ability. Furthermore, the theranostic molecule 5 was designed and synthesized. Compound 5 comprises a disulfide moiety linked to the hydroxyl group at the C2 position of 3 and to the fluorescent molecule dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran (DCM) chromophore derivative 6. The disulfide moiety is cleaved in the presence of glutathione (GSH), 5 showed significantly reduced photolytic activity and fluorescence compared to 3 and 6, but produced 3 and 6 when reacted with GSH. 5 showed selective fluorescence and photocytotoxicity against cancer cells that highly express GSH.
General dermatology and dermatology in primary healthcare
Authors: Diong Sophie , Murphy Lisa , O’Gorman Susan
Published: May 2024

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare pregnancy-related dermatosis that shares clinical, histological and immunological characteristics with bullous pemphigoid. In the prebullous phase, it is often indistinguishable from pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. It is important that dermatologists are aware of this condition because it can potentially have an impact on the fetus, infant and mother.
Development and Validation of a RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Silver Sulfadiazine and Sodium Hyaluronate in the Presence of Methyl and Propyl Paraben in a Pharmaceutical Cream for Burns
Authors: Boltia Shereen A , Ibrahim Manal , Ibrahim Magda M , Ramadan Nesrin K
Published: May 2024

A direct and precise isocratic RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of silver sulfadiazine (SSD) and sodium hyaluronate (SH) in the presence of methyl (MP) and propyl parabens (PP) was developed and validated. Agilent chromatograph with X-Select C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm2, 5 μm) was used. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.0 to which added triethyl amine 0.5 ml/L), at a ratio 35: 65 v/v. Elution was used at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at ambient temperature with UV detection at 205 nm. The retention times for SH, SSD, MP and PP were 1.49, 3.3, 6.7 and 19.5 min, respectively. The presented chromatographic method was fully validated in accordance with ICH requirements, it was valid over linearity ranges of (0.80–100.00 μg/mL) and (3.20–100.00 μg/mL) for SSD and SH, respectively. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges and the sensitivity of the method, as the limits of detection and quantification for each active ingredient was also determined. The validated method was successfully applied for the quantification of SSD and SH in pharmaceutical cream formulation and the mean recovery % ± SD were 100.93 ± 0.985 and 100.05 ± 0.668 for SSD and SH; respectively, indicating satisfactory accuracy of the method.
Impact of Intrapartum Azithromycin on the Carriage and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Mothers and Their Newborns: A Substudy of a Randomized, Double-Blind Trial Conducted in The Gambia and Burkina Faso
Authors: Getanda Pauline , Jagne Isatou , Bognini Joel D , Camara Bully , Sanyang Bakary , Darboe Saffiatou , Sambou Ellen , Barry Momodou , Kassibo Kady , Cham Aminata , Mendy Harriet , Singateh Bintou K J , Ndure Ebrahim , Rouamba Toussaint , Bojang Abdoulie , Bottomley Christian , Howden Benjamin P , D’Alessandro Umberto , Tinto Halidou , Roca Anna ,   PregnAnZI-2 Carriage Study Group, Sillah Fatoumata , Beloum Nathalie , Nakakana Usman N , Danso Madikoi , Jones Joquina C , Graves Shashu , Sabally Edrissa , Badjie Siaka , Bah Sulayman , Jarra Omar B , Suso Abdoulie
Published: May 2024

Background

Limited data exist on the effects of intrapartum azithromycin on the prevalence of carriage and antibiotic resistance of Enterobacterales.

Methods

We conducted a randomized trial in The Gambia and Burkina Faso where women received intrapartum azithromycin (2 g) or placebo. We determined the impact of treatment on the prevalence of carriage and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae by analyzing rectal swabs (RS), nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS), breast milk, and rectovaginal swabs (RVS). Bacteria were isolated microbiologically; antibiotic susceptibility was confirmed with an E-test. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for comparison between arms.

Results

In infants, E. coli carriage in RS was lower in the intervention than in the placebo arm at day 6 (63.0% vs 75.2%; PR, 0.84; 95% CI, .75–.95) and day 28 (52.7% vs 70.4%; 0.75; 0.64–0.87) post-intervention. Prevalence of azithromycin-resistant E. coli was higher in the azithromycin arm at day 6 (13.4% vs 3.6%; 3.75; 1.83–7.69) and day 28 (16.4% vs 9.6%; 1.71; 1.05–2.79). For K. pneumoniae, carriage in RS was higher in the intervention than in the placebo arm at day 6 (49.6% vs 37.2%, 1.33; 1.08–1.64) and day 28 (53.6% vs 32.9%, 1.63; 1.31–2.03). Prevalence of azithromycin-resistant K. pneumoniae was higher in the azithromycin arm at day 28 (7.3% vs 2.1%; 3.49; 1.30–9.37). No differences were observed for other sample types.

Conclusions

Intrapartum azithromycin decreased E. coli carriage but increased both K. pneumoniae carriage and azithromycin resistance in both bacteria. These data need to be considered together with efficacy results to balance the potential short- and long-term impact of the intervention.

Clinical Trials Registration.  www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03199547.
Association of biological age acceleration with cardiac morphology, function, and incident heart failure: insights from UK Biobank participants
Authors: Mao Rui , Wang Fan , Zhong Yun , Meng Xin , Zhang Tongtong , Li Ji
Published: May 2024

Aims

Advanced age is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The relationship between biological age acceleration (BAA), cardiac size, cardiac function, and heart failure (HF) is not well-defined.

Methods and results

Utilizing the UK Biobank cohort, we assessed biological age using the Klemera–Doubal and PhenoAge methods. BAA was quantified by residual analysis compared with chronological age. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provided detailed insights into cardiac structure and function. We employed multivariate regression to examine links between BAA and CMR-derived cardiac phenotypes. Cox proportional hazard regression models analysis was applied to explore the causative relationship between BAA and HF. Additionally, Mendelian randomization was used to investigate the genetic underpinnings of these associations. A significant correlation was found between increased BAA and deleterious changes in cardiac structure, such as diminished left ventricular mass, lower overall ventricular volume, and reduced stroke volumes across ventricles and atria. Throughout a median follow-up of 13.8 years, participants with greater biological aging showed a heightened risk of HF [26% per standard deviation (SD) increase in KDM-BA acceleration, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 23–28%; 33% per SD increase in PhenoAge acceleration, 95% CI: 32–35%]. Mendelian randomization analysis suggests a likely causal link between BAA, vital cardiac metrics, and HF risk.

Conclusion

In this cohort, accelerated biological aging may serve as a risk indicator for altered cardiac dimensions, functionality, and the onset of heart failure among middle-aged and elderly adults. It holds promise as a focal point for evaluating risk and developing targeted interventions.
Self-reported dyspnoea and shortness of breathing deterioration in long-term survivors after segmentectomy or lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer
Authors: Brunelli Alessandro , Tariq Javeria , Mittal Anannda , Lodhia Joshil , Milton Richard , Nardini Marco , Papagiannopoulos Kostas , Tcherveniakov Peter , Teh Elaine , Chaudhuri Nilanjan
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the self-reported current dyspnoea and perioperative changes of dyspnoea in long-term survivors after minimally invasive segmentectomy or lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer.

METHODS

Cross-sectional telephonic survey of patients alive and disease-free as of March 2023, with pathologic stage IA1–2, non-small-cell lung cancer, assessed 1–5 years after minimally invasive segmentectomy or lobectomy (performed from January 2018 to January 2022). Current dyspnoea level: Baseline Dyspnoea Index score <10. Perioperative changes of dyspnoea were assessed using the Transition Dyspnoea Index. A negative Transition Dyspnoea Index focal score indicates perioperative deterioration in dyspnoea. Mixed effect models were used to examine demographic, medical and health-related correlates of current dyspnoea and changes in dyspnoea level.

RESULTS

A total of 152 of 236 eligible patients consented or were available to respond to the telephonic interview(67% response rate): 90 lobectomies and 62 segmentectomies. The Baseline Dyspnoea Index score was lower (greater dyspnoea) in lobectomy patients (median 7, interquartile range 6–10) compared to segmentectomy (median 9, interquartile range 6–11), P = 0.034. 70% of lobectomy patients declared to have a current dyspnoea vs 53% after segmentectomy, P = 0.035. 82% of patients after lobectomy reported a perioperative deterioration in their dyspnoea compared to 57% after segmentectomy, P = 0.002. Mixed effect logistic regression analysis adjusting for patient-related factors and time elapsed from operation showed that segmentectomy was associated with a reduced risk of perioperative dyspnoea deterioration (as opposed to lobectomy) (Odds ratio (OR) 0.31, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may be valuable to inform the shared decision-making process by complementing objective data on perioperative changes of pulmonary function.
Is biased mutation sufficient to save runaway sexual selection?
Authors: Dashtbali Mohammadali , Henshaw Jonathan M
Published: May 2024

In the 1980s, groundbreaking theoretical studies showed that ornaments displayed during courtship can coevolve with preferences for such ornaments, leading to extreme exaggeration of both traits. Later models cast doubt on such “runaway” sexual selection, showing that even a small cost of preferences can prevent exaggerated ornaments from persisting long-term. It was subsequently shown that if mutations acting on the ornament are biased—tending to produce smaller rather than larger ornaments—then exaggeration can persist even in the presence of preference costs, seemingly vindicating the original models. Here, we unpack an implicit assumption of these “biased mutation” models: Mutations are assumed to lead, on average, to both smaller and less costly ornaments. Biased mutation consequently generates both a fitness cost (due to reduced mating success) and a fitness benefit (due to increased survival). We lift this assumption by separating an individual’s investment in an ornament from their efficiency in converting such investment into ornament size. We assume that biased mutation acts only on efficiency but not on investment, and discuss the plausibility of this alternative assumption. Our model predicts that exaggerated ornaments and preferences can persist stably once they arise, but that strong initial preferences are needed to kick-start the runaway process. Consequently, biased mutation alone may not always be sufficient to save runaway sexual selection.
Relationships between Bitter Taste Receptor Gene Evolution, Diet, and Gene Repertoire in Primates
Authors: Feng Ping , Wang Hui , Liang Xinyue , Dong Xiaoyan , Liang Qiufang , Shu Fanglan , Zhou Qihai
Published: May 2024

Bitter taste perception plays a critical role in deterring animals from consuming harmful and toxic substances. To characterize the evolution of primate Tas2r, test the generality of Tas2r duplication in Cercopithecidae species, and examine whether dietary preferences have shaped the Tas2r repertoire of primate species, we identified Tas2r in the genomes of 35 primate species, including 16 Cercopithecidae, 6 Hominidae, 4 Cebidae, 3 Lemuridae, and 6 other species. The results showed that the total number of primate Tas2r ranged from 27 to 51, concentrating on 2 to 4 scaffolds of each species. Closely related genes were tandemly duplicated in the same scaffold. Phylogenetic construction revealed that Tas2r can be divided into 21 clades, including anthropoid-, Strepsirrhini-, and Cercopithecidae-specific Tas2r duplications. Phylogenetically independent contrast analysis revealed that the number of intact Tas2r significantly correlated with feeding preferences. Altogether, our data support diet as a driver of primate Tas2r evolution, and Cercopithecidae species have developed some specific Tas2r duplication during evolution. These results are probably because most Cercopithecidae species feed on plants containing many toxins, and it is necessary to develop specialized Tas2r to protect them from poisoning.
Expression of Truncated Products at the 5′-Terminal Region of RIPK2 and Evolutive Aspects that Support Their Biological Importance
Authors: Villagra Ulises M M , da Cunha Bianca R , Polachini Giovana M , Henrique Tiago , Stefanini Ana Carolina Buzzo , de Castro Tialfi Bergamin , da Silva Carlos H T P , Feitosa Olavo A , Fukuyama Erica E , López Rossana V M , Dias-Neto Emmanuel , Nunes Fabio D , Severino Patricia , Tajara Eloiza H
Published: May 2024

Alternative splicing is the process of generating different mRNAs from the same primary transcript, which contributes to increase the transcriptome and proteome diversity. Abnormal splicing has been associated with the development of several diseases including cancer. Given that mutations and abnormal levels of the RIPK2 transcript and RIP-2 protein are frequent in tumors, and that RIP-2 modulates immune and inflammatory responses, we investigated alternative splicing events that result in partial deletions of the kinase domain at the N-terminus of RIP-2. We also investigated the structure and expression of the RIPK2 truncated variants and isoforms in different environments. In addition, we searched data throughout Supraprimates evolution that could support the biological importance of RIPK2 alternatively spliced products. We observed that human variants and isoforms were differentially regulated following temperature stress, and that the truncated transcript was more expressed than the long transcript in tumor samples. The inverse was found for the longer protein isoform. The truncated variant was also detected in chimpanzee, gorilla, hare, pika, mouse, rat, and tree shrew. The fact that the same variant has been preserved in mammals with divergence times up to 70 million years raises the hypothesis that it may have a functional significance.
Commentary on the Latest Revisions to the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Chinese Patent Law
Authors: Cui Guobin , Wang Xiao
Published: May 2024

To implement its patent law amended in 2020, China revised the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Chinese Patent Law on 11 December 2023. Since the revisions concern many important and controversial topics in the patent field, it is necessary to evaluate how they will impact the interests of patentees and related parties domestically and worldwide, and how China can improve its patent system to not only meet the expectations from Chinese society but also accelerate the innovation process in the world community.

To achieve that goal, this report discusses the benefits of the changes, the controversies behind them, the factors and opinions that affected the revisions, as well as the unaddressed issues and problems. Specifically, it highlights the important revisions in the principle of good faith, the request for the delayed examination, the priority system, patent term compensation, international design application, service inventions, and the open licensing system. It then briefly discusses the minor changes in the ex officio examination conducted by the patent administrative department, the patent right evaluation report, information disclosure of generic resources, and the responsibility of the patent administrative department. Meanwhile, this report points out the unsolved issues and problems in the definition of new drugs, the compensation rules for the delays caused by the marketing review of new drugs, the legislative basis of the ex officio examination conducted by the patent administrative department in the patent invalidation procedure, and the reform of the re-examination and invalidation procedures.
Health care provider movement increased through COVID-19
Authors: Luo Qian , Park Yoon Hong , Chen Candice , Petterson Stephen
Published: May 2024

COVID-19 placed unprecedented strain on the health workforce, raising concerns of increasing worker turnover and attrition. This study explores the use of 2 publicly available Medicare datasets—Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) and Doctors and Clinicians—to track provider movement across states and organizations from 2017 to 2023. We found an increase in state-to-state movement of providers post–COVID-19, with an initial spike in physician movement in the first year (April 2020 to March 2021). Movement varied across specialties and professions. Between organizations, we saw an initial increase in movement for family physicians but not internal medicine physicians. Overall, provider movement was generally to larger organizations. Our study finds increasing movement of providers in the post–COVID-19 period through the novel use of 2 publicly available Medicare datasets. Tracking health care workforce movement closer to real time is important to understand a changing workforce—with differences across communities—and to guide policies to ensure sufficient workforce and prevent worsening disparities over time.
Shifting patterns and competing explanations for infectious disease priority in global health agenda setting arenas
Authors: Smith Stephanie L , Parashar Rakesh , Nanda Sharmishtha , Shiffman Jeremy , Shroff Zubin Cyrus , Shawar Yusra Ribhi , Hamunakwadi Dereck L
Published: May 2024

The highly decentralized nature of global health governance presents significant challenges to conceptualizing and systematically measuring the agenda status of diseases, injuries, risks and other conditions contributing to the collective disease burden. An arenas model for global health agenda setting was recently proposed to help address these challenges. Further developing the model, this study aims to advance more robust inquiry into how and why priority levels may vary among the array of stakeholder arenas in which global health agenda setting occurs. We analyse order and the magnitude of changes in priority for eight infectious diseases in four arenas (international aid, scientific research, pharmaceutical industry and news media) over a period of more than two decades in relation to five propositions from scholarship. The diseases vary on burden and prominence in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 for health and well-being, including four with specific indicators for monitoring and evaluation (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis) and four without (dengue, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, meningitis). The order of priority did not consistently align with the disease burden or international development goals in any arena. Additionally, using new methods to measure the scale of annual change in resource allocations that are indicative of priority reveals volatility at the disease level in all arenas amidst broader patterns of stability. Insights around long-term patterns of priority within and among arenas are integral to strengthening analyses that aim to identify pivotal causal mechanisms, to clarify how arenas interact, and to measure the effects they produce.
A New Test Toward Consistency in International Investment Arbitration
Authors: Sun Wei
Published: May 2024

The issue of inconsistency in international investment arbitration has become more evident with the proliferation of investment disputes. This article analyzes the value as well as the desired extent of consistency and coherence for investment arbitration, and further proposes a new test that would enhance consistency and foster the development of investment law. By matching the current status of investment arbitration with three identified conditions for the application of stare decisis or jurisprudence constante, this article concludes that strictly applying the doctrines to achieve consistency is neither feasible nor favorable for the investment arbitration regime. Further, while the public nature of this dispute-resolution mechanism requires consistency and coherence, existing attempts and approaches in this regard have significant limitations. As such, this article proposes a soft precedents test to reach a balance between consistency and flexibility. The test requires the tribunals to consider previous cases in good faith when facing the same or similar issues discussed therein, and the core consideration in whether to agree with previous cases is to develop international investment law. It is suggested that this proposed test would help to clarify, enrich and develop the content of the law within the investment arbitration community.
Complete surgical repair for enlarging coronary aneurysm with coronary-pulmonary artery fistula
Authors: Kobayashi Masaaki , Kuroyanagi Satoshi , Furuya Onichi , Matsuura Makoto
Published: May 2024

A 46-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital due to the presence of a coronary aneurysm showing a tendency to enlarge. Subsequent coronary angiography revealed a diagnosis of coronary aneurysm with a concomitant coronary-pulmonary artery fistula. The patient underwent a successful surgical repair, and postoperatively, experienced an uneventful recovery with no residual shunt or aneurysm.
A Systematic Review of Simulation in Burn Care: Education, Assessment, and Management
Authors: Moshal Tayla , O’Brien Devon , Roohani Idean , Jimenez Christian , Kondra Katelyn , Collier Zachary J , Carey Joseph N , Yenikomshian Haig A , Gillenwater Justin
Published: May 2024

Assessment and management of burns require nuanced, timely interventions in high-stake settings, creating challenges for trainees. Simulation-based education has become increasingly popular in surgical and nonsurgical subspecialties to supplement training without compromising patient safety. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on existing burn management-related simulations. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles describing burn-specific surgical and nonsurgical simulation models were included. The model type, study description, simulated skills, assessment methods, fidelity, cost, and outcomes were collected. Of 3472 articles, 31 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of simulations were high-fidelity (n = 17, 54.8%). Most were immersive (n = 17, 54.8%) and used synthetic benchtop models (n = 13, 41.9%), whereas none were augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR). Simulations of acute and early surgical intervention techniques (n = 16, 51.6%) and burn wound assessments (n = 15, 48.4%) were the most common, whereas burn reconstruction was the least common (n = 3, 9.7%). Technical skills were taught more often (n = 29, 93.5%) than nontechnical skills (n = 15, 48.4%). Subjective assessments (n = 18, 58.1%) were used more often than objective assessments (n = 23, 74.2%). Of the studies that reported costs, 91.7% (n = 11) reported low costs. This review identified the need to expand burn simulator options, especially for burn reconstruction, and highlighted the paucity of animal, cadavers, and AR/VR models. Developing validated, accessible burn simulations to supplement training may improve education, patient safety, and outcomes.