bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiome combined with metabolomics reveals biomarkers and pathways in central precocious puberty
Authors: Huang Xiaoyan , Chen Jixiong , Zou Haozhe , Huang Peng , Luo Hailing , Li Haidan , Cai Yuhua , Liu Li , Li Yongsheng , He Xiaojie , Xiang Wei
Published: May 2023

Background

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a common disease in prepubertal children and results mainly from disorders in the endocrine system. Emerging evidence has highlighted the involvement of gut microbes in hormone secretion, but their roles and downstream metabolic pathways in CPP remain unknown.

Methods

To explore the gut microbes and metabolism alterations in CPP, we performed the 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics profiling for 91 CPP patients and 59 healthy controls. Bioinformatics and statistical analyses, including the comparisons of alpha and beta diversity, abundances of microbes, were undertaken on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and metabolism profiling. Classifiers were constructed based on the microorganisms and metabolites. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed for identification of the altered microorganisms and metabolites in CPP.

Results

We integrated a multi-omics approach to investigate the alterations and functional characteristics of gut microbes and metabolites in CPP patients. The fecal microbiome profiles and fecal and blood metabolite profiles for 91 CPP patients and 59 healthy controls were generated and compared. We identified the altered microorganisms and metabolites during the development of CPP and constructed a machine learning-based classifier for distinguishing CPP. The Area Under Curves (AUCs) of the classifies were ranged from 0.832 to 1.00. In addition, functional analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that the nitric oxide synthesis was closely associated with the progression of CPP. Finally, we investigated the metabolic potential of gut microbes and discovered the genus Streptococcus could be a candidate molecular marker for CPP treatment.

Conclusions

Overall, we utilized multi-omics data from microorganisms and metabolites to build a classifier for discriminating CPP patients from the common populations and recognized potential therapeutic molecular markers for CPP through comprehensive analyses.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods versus titanium rods for posterior lumbar fusion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Wenhao , Zhao He , Li Chuanhong , Liu Tao , Guan Jianbin , Yang Yongdong , Yu Xing
Published: May 2023

Background

Rigid fixation, represented by titanium rods, is a widely used fixation technique for lumbar fusion. However, this technique carries the risk of degeneration of adjacent segments. In recent years, the semi-rigid fixation technique represented by PEEK rods has gradually matured, and its effectiveness has been verified by numerous studies. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of these two fixation modalities in posterior lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods

Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. After data extraction and quality assessment of included studies, meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.1 software. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on INPLASY (2021110049) and is available in full on the inplasy.com (https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-11-0049/).

Results

Fifteen relevant studies were finally included, including eight prospective studies and seven retrospective studies. The results of meta-analysis showed that in ODI (P = 0.000), JOA score (P = 0.017), VAS score for lower limb pain (P = 0.027), fusion rate of bone graft at week 12 (P = 0.001), fusion rate of bone graft at last follow-up (P = 0.028), there was a statistical difference between the two groups. The PEEK rod group was superior to the titanium rod group in the above aspects. While in VAS score for LBP (P = 0.396), there was no statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

Both PEEK rods and titanium rods are effective fixation materials in lumbar fusion surgery. PEEK rods may be superior to titanium rods in improving postoperative function and improving bone graft fusion rates. However, given the limitations of this study, whether these conclusions are applicable needs further research.
Recurrent embolic strokes due to antiphospholipid syndrome and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Svantner Julianna , Lavanchy Luc , Labouchère Ania
Published: May 2023

Background

Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis (NBTE) is a common form of aseptic thrombotic endocarditis that primarily affects mitral valves and less frequently aortic valves. NBTE is caused by systemic inflammatory reactions. This condition induces valve thickening or attached sterile mobile vegetation. NBTE is mostly asymptomatic; however, major clinical manifestations result from systemic emboli rather than valve dysfunction. When significant damage occurs, valvular insufficiency or stenosis can appear and promote heart failure occasionally requiring valve replacement surgery. NBTE is associated with hypercoagulable states, systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome, or malignancies.

Case presentation

We report successful biological aortic valve replacement surgery including cardiopulmonary bypass for a 78-year-old man with NBTE and voluminous vegetation on the aortic valve inducing moderate aortic insufficiency and acute heart failure. The histopathological analysis of the valve sample showed myxoid degeneration, fibrous remodeling, and partial necrosis without any bacteria, thus indicating marantic endocarditis. Initially, the patient presented to the emergency department with an acute stroke. He was already using Apixaban treatment for a history of atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke. Because of the recurrence of stroke and appearance of aortic vegetation, the investigations were extended. The antiphospholipid antibodies were positive without any indication of bacterial endocarditis. The malignancy screening was positive for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The surgery and postoperative course were uneventful, and the patient was discharged with vitamin K antagonists (VKA). To our knowledge, NBTE with such a volume is rare and its apparent association with BCC has not been previously reported.

Conclusion

Outside of SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome, NBTE is a rare and underdiagnosed disease associated with thromboembolic events. Adequate anticoagulation is a cornerstone of its treatment. Anticoagulation management during perioperative care and valve surgery deserves specific attention and helps to protect the patient from embolic complications. In the case of stroke and thromboembolic events of unclear cause or suspected NBTE, echocardiography and thrombophilia assessments including an immunological workup are recommended.
Pulmonary artery sarcoma: an unexpected settler in the right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Hu Hui-min , Li Yi-dan , Wei Chang-wei , liu Yan , lv Xiu-zhang , Yang Yuan-hua
Published: May 2023

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a sporadic malignant tumor that mainly originates from the pulmonary arteries. However, PAS may also involve the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and lead to obstruction, syncope, or sudden death. Early diagnosis and complete surgical resection are essential to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of patients with PAS. Herein, we report a case of a young female patient admitted for pulmonary malignancy and acute pulmonary embolism. The patient had a mass in the RVOT, which was detected by transthoracic echocardiography. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the invasion depth and extent of the lesions. Surgical resection improved hemodynamics, while pathological and immunohistochemical tests confirmed the diagnosis of a pulmonary artery sarcoma. Local recurrence was detected in the adjacent tissues about two months after the surgery. Given the potential risk of reoperation, the patient was suggested to undergo conservative treatment.
Enhanced primary ciliogenesis via mitochondrial oxidative stress activates AKT to prevent neurotoxicity in HSPA9/mortalin-depleted SH-SY5Y cells
Authors: Bae Ji-Eun , Jang Soyoung , Kim Joon Bum , Hyung Hyejin , Park Na Yeon , Kim Yong Hwan , Kim So Hyun , Kim Seong Hyun , Ha Jin Min , Oh Gyeong Seok , Park Kyuhee , Jeong Kwiwan , Jang Jae Seon , Jo Doo Sin , Kim Pansoo , Lee Hyun-Shik , Ryoo Zae Young , Cho Dong-Hyung
Published: May 2023

The primary cilium, an antenna-like structure on the cell surface, acts as a mechanical and chemical sensory organelle. Primary cilia play critical roles in sensing the extracellular environment to coordinate various developmental and homeostatic signaling pathways. Here, we showed that the depletion of heat shock protein family A member 9 (HSPA9)/mortalin stimulates primary ciliogenesis in SH-SY5Y cells. The downregulation of HSPA9 enhances mitochondrial stress by increasing mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation. Notably, the inhibition of either mtROS production or mitochondrial fission significantly suppressed the increase in primary ciliogenesis in HSPA9-depleted cells. In addition, enhanced primary ciliogenesis contributed to cell survival by activating AKT in SH-SY5Y cells. The abrogation of ciliogenesis through the depletion of IFT88 potentiated neurotoxicity in HSPA9-knockdown cells. Furthermore, both caspase-3 activation and cell death were increased by MK-2206, an AKT inhibitor, in HSPA9-depleted cells. Taken together, our results suggest that enhanced primary ciliogenesis plays an important role in preventing neurotoxicity caused by the loss of HSPA9 in SH-SY5Y cells.
Modifiable risk factors that mediate the effect of educational attainment on the risk of stroke: a network Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wan Bangbei , Ma Ning , Zhou Zhi , Lu Weiying
Published: May 2023

Background

Stroke is a common cerebrovascular disease with great danger to public health. Educational inequality is a universal issue that influences populations’ stroke risk. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between education and stroke risk and the contributions of effects mediated by four modifiable factors.

Materials and methods

Public large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data associated with educational attainment, hypertensive diseases, body mass index (BMI), smoking behavior, time spent on watching the television (TV), and stroke were obtained from European ancestry. The data were used to investigate the causal relationship among educational attainment, hypertensive disease, BMI, smoking, watching TV, and stroke risk. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as a primary algorithm for estimating causal direction and effect size in univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Results

Higher educational attainment was a causal protective factor, while hypertensive diseases, higher BMI, smoking, and longer time spent on watching the TV were all causal risk factors for the risk of stroke. Hypertensive disease, BMI, smoking, and watching TV were all mediators for linking the causal relationship between educational attainment and stroke risk. Hypertensive disease, BMI, smoking, and watching TV explained 47.35%, 24.74%, 15.72%, and 2.29% of the variance in educational attainment’s effect on stroke risk, respectively. The explained proportion reached 69.32% after integrating the four factors.

Conclusions

These findings support the causal effect of educational attainment on the risk of stroke, with a substantial proportion mediated by modifiable risk factors. Interventions on these modifiable factors would lead to substantial reductions in stroke cases attributable to educational inequality.
Offloading effects of a removable cast walker with and without modification for diabetes‐related foot ulceration: a plantar pressure study
Authors: Withers Rebekah V. , Perrin Byron M. , Landorf Karl B. , Raspovic Anita
Published: May 2023

Background

Removable cast walkers (RCWs), with or without modifications, are used to offload diabetes‐related foot ulcers (DRFUs), however there is limited data relating to their offloading effects. This study aimed to quantify plantar pressure reductions with an RCW with and without modification for DRFUs.

Methods

This within‐participant, repeated measures study included 16 participants with plantar neuropathic DRFUs. Walking peak plantar pressures at DRFU sites were measured for four conditions: post‐operative boot (control condition), RCW alone, RCW with 20 mm of felt adhered to an orthosis, and RCW with 20 mm of felt adhered to the foot.

Results

Compared to the control condition, the greatest amount of peak plantar pressure reduction occurred with the RCW with felt adhered to the foot (83.1% reduction, p < .001). The RCW with felt adhered to the foot also offered greater peak plantar pressure reduction than the RCW alone (51.3%, p = .021) and the RCW with felt adhered to an orthosis (31.4%, p = .009).

Conclusion

The largest offloading effect recorded was with the RCW with felt adhered to the foot. High‐quality randomised trials are now needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this device for healing DRFUs.
Role of abnormal glycosylated IgA1 and interstitial transformation of glomerular endothelial cells in the development and progression of IgA nephropathy
Authors: Jia Wanyu , Dou Wenjie , Wang Qin , Zeng Huiqin , Shi Peipei , Liu Jing , Liu Zhen , Zhang Jin , Zhang Jian-Jiang
Published: May 2023

Background

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common primary renal disease in childhood.

Methods

Twenty blood samples and renal tissue from patients with IgAN, 20 blood samples from healthy children and 10 normal renal tissue were collected. Serum Gd-IgA1 and renal Gd-IgA1, CD31, α-SMA and vimentin were measured.

Results

The serum Gd-IgA1 concentration in the IgAN group was significantly higher. Gd-IgA1 was not expressed in normal kidneys, which was positive in the IgAN group. Gd-IgA1 levels in serum and renal tissue were not related. The expression of CD31 decreased significantly in IgAN group, while the expression of α-SMA and vimentin increased significantly. There was no significant correlation between the renal concentration of Gd-IgA1 and CD31, α-SMA and vimentin.

Conclusion

The increased Gd-IgA1 in the serum and kidney may promote the pathogenesis of IgAN. The serum Gd-IgA1 cannot predict the extent of its deposition in the kidney. Endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) may be involved in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis in IgAN.
Obesity related to metabolic syndrome: comparison of obesity indicators in an older french population
Authors: Ntougou Assoumou Hourfil-Gabin , Pichot Vincent , Barthelemy Jean-Claude , Celle Sébastien , Garcin Arnauld , Thomas Thierry , Roche Frédéric
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of metabolic abnormalities. Insulin resistance is a major component of the syndrome. We analyze in this study the relationship between body fat composition and MS in comparison to usual obesity indicators in an older adult population.

Design

: The PROgnostic indicator OF cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (PROOF) study is a prospective longitudinal community cohort study among the inhabitants of Saint-Etienne, France.

Methods

The study is a cohort study of 1011 subjects, mean age 65.6 ± 0.8 years old at inclusion, recruited from the electoral list of the town in 2000. Among them, 806 subjects realized a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) used to evaluate body fat and lean mass repartition. We evaluate biological metabolic parameters according to usual techniques. The indices of obesity were calculated according to standard formula. MS presence and its components were simultaneously evaluated.

Results

All obesity parameters were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in subjects suffering metabolic syndrome as compared to those without. Body fat index (BFI) presented a stronger correlation to total fat mass, trunk fat mass and body adiposity index (BAI). The correlations between body indices and metabolic components showed that body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were more strongly associated with BFI as compared to BAI and total fat mass. According to logistic regression analysis, only the waist-hip ratio (WHR) demonstrated a significant association with MS severity (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Among the obesity indices, BFI and BAI represented the best indicators to characterize global obesity while WHR only is highly predictive of metabolic syndrome presence and severity. The BAI indicator is an alternative for measuring obesity. Comparison of long-term impact of such markers on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is now questioned.
Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities via different convexities with applications
Authors: Samraiz Muhammad , Malik Maria , Naheed Saima , Rahman Gauhar , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we explore a class of Hermite–Hadamard integral inequalities for convex and m-convex functions. The Hölder inequality is used to create this class, which has a wide range of applications in optimization theory. Some trapezoid-type inequalities and midpoint error estimates are investigated. Inequalities for several q-special functions are highlighted. As particular cases, we have included several previous results.
Decomposing and recovering airborne radiometric data through principal component analysis applied on flight-line data: An alternative to reduce noise
Authors: da Silva Adolfo Barbosa , Pires de Lima Rafael , La Marca Karelia
Published: May 2023

Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (AGRS) data provide valuable information about the distribution of radiometric elements on earth’s surface. However, the presence of noise can hinder the interpretation or the identification of subtle variations of radioelement concentrations that can be economically attractive. Previous research has demonstrated that techniques based on matrix factorization, such as noise-adjusted singular value decomposition (NASDV) and minima noise fraction (MNF), can reduce noise when applied to AGRS raw spectra. Nevertheless, the raw spectra often are unavailable for end users, limiting the widespread adoption of such techniques. In this context, we use principal component analysis with the flight-line data before interpolating the data onto a regular grid as a means to reduce noise when the raw spectra are no longer available. We use our approach on two AGRS data sets located in Brazil and one in the United States. For Brazil’s AGRS data, results indicate that noise can be attenuated through eigendecomposition projection and recovery of the radiometric variables. Furthermore, our technique can highlight some geologic features dependent on the number of eigenvectors used to reconstruct the database. For the U.S. AGRS data set previously filtered with NASDV, our methodology seems to produce only marginal improvement. Therefore, our methodology might be particularly successful for AGRS data whose acquisitions were conducted before NASDV and MNF were proposed as radiometric data processing techniques.
Antipsychotic-induced weight gain: exploring the role of psychiatrists in managing patients’ physical health – challenges, current options and direction for future care
Authors: Lee Kenn , Akinola Adeola , Abraham Seri
Published: May 2023

Antipsychotics and severe mental illness (SMI) are associated with weight gain, and obesity increases the risks of cardiometabolic disease and premature death. These present management and liability issues for psychiatrists. Physical healthcare for people with SMI is poor, and this may partly be owing to training limitations and lack of proactiveness by psychiatrists. Ethically and legally, psychiatrists have a duty to avoid unnecessary harm and to maintain an acceptable standard of care. This would apply particularly to patients receiving compulsory treatment for their SMI owing to their vulnerability. Discrepancy between psychiatric and non-psychiatric approaches to pharmacological treatment creates ambiguity, and weight gain could demotivate antipsychotic adherence. This article explores how the Mental Health Act could be used to address these issues, and the ethical considerations, and proposes how long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists could be introduced into existing psychiatric practice as a treatment option for antipsychotic-induced weight gain and obesity in SMI.
Molecular Profiling in Neuro-Oncology: Where We Are, Where We're Heading, and How We Ensure Everyone Can Come Along
Authors: Porter Alyx B. , Wen Patrick Y. , Polley Mei-Yin C.
Published: May 2023

Advances in molecular profiling have led to improved understanding of glioma heterogeneity. Results have been used to inform diagnostic classification and targeted treatment strategies. Validation of these tests is necessary in the development of biomarkers that can aid in treatment decision, allowing for personalized medicine in neuro-oncologic diseases. Although not all populations have benefitted equally from awareness of and access to testing, opportunities arise regarding incorporating this testing into the standard of care for patients with glioma.
Fragmentation of Care and Its Association With Survival and Costs for Patients With Breast Cancer in Colombia
Authors: Gamboa Óscar , Buitrago Giancarlo , Patiño Andrés Felipe , Agudelo Nicolás Rozo , Espinel Laura Saldaña , Eslava-Schmalbach Javier , Guevara Óscar , Caycedo Rubén , Junca Edgar , Bonilla Carlos , Sánchez Ricardo
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

Breast cancer care requires a multimodal approach and a multidisciplinary team who must work together to obtain good clinical results. The fragmentation of care can affect the breast cancer care; however, it has not been measured in a low-resource setting. The aim of this study was to identify fragmentation of care, the geographic variation of this and its association with 4-year overall survival (OS), and costs of care for patients with breast cancer enrolled in Colombia's contributory health care system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative databases. Women with breast cancer who were treated from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015, were included. Fragmentation of care was the exposure, which was measured by the number of different health care provider institutions (HCPIs) that treated a patient during the first year after diagnosis. Crude mortality rates were estimated, survival functions were calculated using the nonparametric Kaplan-Meier approach, and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariate Cox regression model to identify the association of fragmentation with 4-year OS. The association between fragmentation and costs of care was assessed using a multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 10,999 patients with breast cancer were identified, and 1,332 deaths were observed. The 4-year crude mortality rate was 31.97 (95% CI, 30.25 to 33.69) per 1,000 person-years for the whole cohort, and the highest rate was in the cohort defined for the fourth quartile of the fragmentation measurement (eight or more HCPIs), 40.94 (95% CI, 36.49 to 45.39). The adjusted HR for 4-year OS was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.07) for each HCPI additional. The cost of care is increased for each additional HCPIs (cost ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.26).

CONCLUSION

Fragmentation of care decreases overall 4-year OS and increases the costs of care in women with breast cancer for Colombia.
Degenerate wave-like solutions to the Dirac equation for massive particles
Authors: Tsigaridas Georgios N. , Kechriniotis Aristides I. , Tsonos Christos A. , Delibasis Konstantinos K.
Published: May 2023

In this work we provide a novel class of degenerate solutions to the Dirac equation for massive particles, where the rotation of the spin of the particles is synchronized with the rotation of the magnetic field of the wave-like electromagnetic fields corresponding to these solutions. We show that the state of the particles does not depend on the intensity of the electromagnetic fields, but only on their frequency, which is proportional to the mass of the particles and lies in the region of Gamma/X-rays for typical elementary charged particles, such as electrons and protons. We have also calculated the electric current density corresponding to the electromagnetic 4-potentials connected to the degenerate solutions and found that it has the same spatial and temporal dependence on the electromagnetic fields, rotating at an exceptionally high frequency. This result indicates that the degenerate states may occur at locations where matter collapses, e.g., in the central region of a black hole. Finally, we have calculated the spin of the particles described by degenerate spinors and found that it rotates in synchronization with the magnetic field and the current density.
Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Self-Assembled Lanthanide Complexes with an EDTA-Type Chelating Ligand in Aqueous Ethanol Solution
Authors: Mieda Eiko , Morishima Yuki , Watanabe Tatsuya , Miyake Hiroyuki , Shinoda Satoshi
Published: May 2023

A hexadentate chelating ligand based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with four cholesteryl groups (L2) was designed and synthesized. L2 forms stable 1:1 complexes with lanthanide ions, and the resulting L2-lanthanide complexes form stable self-assemblies with an average particle size of ∼50 nm in aqueous ethanol solution (20 wt%). Under these conditions, the L2-lanthanide complexes exhibit amphiphilic properties and long-lived luminescence. Sodium 2-naphthoate was added as a guest anion to form a 1:2 complex (anion:Ln) with a lanthanide complex resulting in exciton-coupled circular dichroism spectra. 4-Alkyl benzoates were also used as guest anions, and the intensity of the sensitized luminescence largely depends in this case on the length of their alkyl chain.
Consequences of depleting TNRC6, AGO, and DROSHA proteins on expression of microRNAs
Authors: Johnson Krystal C. , Johnson Samantha T. , Liu Jing , Chu Yongjun , Arana Carlos , Han Yi , Wang Tao , Corey David R.
Published: May 2023

The potential for microRNAs (miRNAs) to regulate gene expression remains incompletely understood. DROSHA initiates the biogenesis of miRNAs while variants of Argonaute (AGO) and trinucleotide repeat containing six (TNRC6) family proteins form complexes with miRNAs to facilitate RNA recognition and gene regulation. Here we investigate the fate of miRNAs in the absence of these critical RNAi protein factors. Knockout ofDROSHAexpression reduces levels of some miRNAs annotated in miRBase but not others. The identity of miRNAs with reduced expression matches the identity of miRNAs previously identified by experimental approaches. The MirGeneDB resource offers the closest alignment with experimental results. In contrast, the loss of TNRC6 proteins had much smaller effects on miRNA levels. Knocking out AGO proteins, which directly contact the mature miRNA, decreased expression of the miRNAs most strongly associated with AGO2 as determined from enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation (AGO2-eCLIP). Evaluation of miRNA binding to endogenously expressed AGO proteins revealed that miRNA:AGO association was similar for AGO1, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO4. Our data emphasize the need to evaluate annotated miRNAs based on approximate cellular abundance, DROSHA-dependence, and physical association with AGO when forming hypotheses related to their function.
REVIEW OF A NEW STUDY OF MILITARY LAW: CRITICAL VIEW OF A POLITICAL SCIENTIST
Authors: Melkov Sergey A.
Published: May 2023

General characteristics of the publication. In 2021 and 2022, the monograph «Military Law» was published in three volumes (Volume I. History and theory of military law. Volume II. The current state of military law (institutions of military law). Volume III. Main problems and promising areas of military legal research). The monograph deals with a huge range of issues and problems of military law, incl. questions of a theoretical, methodological and applied nature about the life of military teams and the activities of individual servicemen.

Purpose of the study. To reveal aspects of military law that are of interest to political science.

Research results. The article is a constructive-critical review by a political scientist of the three-volume monograph «Military Law», published in 2021 and 2022. The review considers individual aspects of military law that are of interest to political science and are disclosed in three volumes of the monograph. The three-volume monograph «Military Law» in its essence and content is very useful for military personnel and officials of military command and control agencies.
Playing it out: How early years and play therapy can cross-fertilise
Authors: Brown Paula
Published: May 2023

Paula Brown, early years teacher and play therapist, considers what early years education can learn from play therapy and outlines approaches practitioners may find useful to help support children in their care.
Registering content with Crossref - Bangladesh
Authors: Collins Susan , Clark Rosa
Published: May 2023

This webinar took place on 9 May 2023. Crossref staff together with Crossref Ambassadors Dr. Md Jahangir Alam and Shaharima Parvin provided an overview of Crossref including: * What a DOI is (and isn’t) * Content registration - what can you register with Crossref * How to register content * Updating and adding metadata
“I'm going to be forced to have a baby”: A study of COVID‐19 abortion experiences on Reddit
Authors: Jacques Laura , Valley Taryn , Zhao Shimin , Lands Madison , Rivera Natalie , Higgins Jenny A.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The initial stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic affected abortion care in the United States (US) in myriad ways. While research has documented systems‐level pandemic‐related impacts on abortion access and care delivery little information exists about the experiences of abortion seekers during this period. We sought to document the effects of COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions US abortion seekers by analyzing posts on Reddit, a popular social media website.

Methods

We compiled and coded 528 anonymous posts on the abortion subreddit from 3/20/2020 to 4/12/2020 and applied inductive qualitative analytic techniques to identify themes.

Results

We identified four primary themes. First, posters reported several COVID‐19‐related barriers to abortion services: reduced in‐person access due to clinic closures, mail delivery delays of abortion medications, and pandemic‐related financial barriers to both self‐managed and in‐clinic abortion. The second theme encompassed quarantine‐driven privacy challenges, primarily challenges with concealing an abortion from household members. Third, posters detailed how the pandemic constrained their pregnancy decision making, including time pressure from impending clinic closures. Finally, posters reported COVID‐19‐related changes to service delivery that negatively affected their abortion experiences, for example being unable to bring a support person into the clinic due to pandemic visitor restrictions.

Discussion

This analysis of real‐time social media posts reveals multiple ways that the COVID‐19 pandemic limited abortion access in the US and affected abortion seekers' decisions and experiences. Findings shed light on the consequences of sudden changes, whether pandemic or policy related, on abortion service delivery.
Graph-based model for adaptive simulation of beam propagation in turbulent media
Authors: Belmonte Aniceto
Published: May 2023

A graph-based approach uses a triangular adaptive mesh for simulating the propagation of light beams through the atmosphere. In this approach, the atmospheric turbulence and the beam wavefront are signals in a graph, with vertices representing an irregular distribution of signal points and edges between vertices showing their relationships. The adaptive mesh provides a better representation of the spatial variations in the beam wavefront, resulting in increased accuracy and resolution compared to regular meshing schemes. The adaptability of this approach to the propagated beam characteristics makes it a versatile tool for simulating beam propagation in various turbulence conditions.
Generation of the isolated highly elliptically polarized attosecond pulse using the polarization gating technique: TDDFT approach
Authors: Reza madhani Ahmad , Irani Elnaz , Monfared Mohammad
Published: May 2023

This paper theoretically investigates the generation of isolated elliptically polarized attosecond pulses with a tunable ellipticity from the interaction of Cl2 molecule and a polarization-gating laser pulse. A three-dimensional calculation based on the time-dependent density functional theory is done. Two different methods are proposed for generating elliptically polarized single attosecond pulses. The first method is based on applying a single-color polarization gating laser and controlling the orientation angle of the Cl2 molecule with respect to the polarization direction of the laser at the gate window. An attosecond pulse with an ellipticity of 0.66 and a pulse duration of 275 as is achieved by tuning the molecule orientation angle to 40° in this method and superposing harmonics around the harmonic cutoff. The second method is based on irradiating an aligned Cl2 molecule with a two-color polarization gating laser. The ellipticity of the attosecond pulses obtained by this method can be controlled by adjusting the intensity ratio of the two colors. Employing an optimized intensity ratio and superposing harmonics around the harmonic cutoff would lead to the generation of an isolated, highly elliptically polarized attosecond pulse with an ellipticity of 0.92 and a pulse duration of 648 as.
Magnetic field modulated ultrafast spin dynamics at Ni80Fe20/Neodymium interface
Authors: Cao Lulu , Huang Zhaocong , Gong Yuting , Guo Qingjie , Jalali Milad , Du Jun , Xu Yongbing , Chen Qian , Lu Xianyang , Zhai Ya
Published: May 2023

Ultrafast spin dynamics is crucial for the next-generation spintronic devices towards high-speed data processing. Here, we investigate the ultrafast spin dynamics of Neodymium/Ni80Fe20 (Nd/Py) bilayers by the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect. The effective modulation of spin dynamics at Nd/Py interfaces is realized by an external magnetic field. The effective magnetic damping of Py increases with increasing Nd thickness, and a large spin mixing conductance (∼19.35×1015 cm-2) at Nd/Py interface is obtained, representing the robust spin pumping effect by Nd/Py interface. The tuning effects are suppressed at a high magnetic field due to the reduced antiparallel magnetic moments at Nd/Py interface. Our results contribute to understanding ultrafast spin dynamics and spin transport behavior in high-speed spintronic devices.
Transient guided-mode resonance metasurfaces with phase-transition materials
Authors: de Ceglia Domenico , Gandolfi Marco , Antonietta Vincenti Maria , Tognazzi Andrea , Franceschini Paolo , Cino Alfonso C. , Ambrosio Gina , Baratto Camilla , Li Bohan , Camacho-Morales Rocio , Neshev Dragmoir N. , De Angelis Costantino
Published: May 2023

We investigate transient, photo-thermally induced metasurface effects in a planar thin-film multilayer based on a phase-transition material. Illumination of a properly designed multilayer with two obliquely incident and phase-coherent pulsed pumps induces a transient and reversible temperature pattern in the phase-transition layer. The deep periodic modulation of the refractive index, caused by the interfering pumps, produces a transient Fano-like spectral feature associated with a guided-mode resonance. A coupled opto-thermal model is employed to analyze the temporal dynamics of the transient metasurface and to evaluate its speed and modulation capabilities. Using near-infrared pump pulses with peak intensities of the order of 100 MW/cm2 and duration of a few picoseconds, we find that the characteristic time scale of the transient metasurface is of the order of nanoseconds. Our results indicate that inducing transient metasurface effects in films of phase-transition materials can lead to new opportunities for dynamic control of quality (Q)-factor in photonic resonances, and for light modulation and switching.
Quantifying high-dimensional spatial entanglement with a single-photon-sensitive time-stamping camera
Authors: Courme Baptiste , Vernière Chloé , Svihra Peter , Gigan Sylvain , Nomerotski Andrei , Defienne Hugo
Published: May 2023

High-dimensional entanglement is a promising resource for quantum technologies. Being able to certify it for any quantum state is essential. However, to date, experimental entanglement certification methods are imperfect and leave some loopholes open. Using a single-photon-sensitive time-stamping camera, we quantify high-dimensional spatial entanglement by collecting all output modes and without background subtraction, two critical steps on the route toward assumptions-free entanglement certification. We show position-momentum Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) correlations and quantify the entanglement of formation of our source to be larger than 2.8 along both transverse spatial axes, indicating a dimension higher than 14. Our work overcomes important challenges in photonic entanglement quantification and paves the way toward the development of practical quantum information processing protocols based on high-dimensional entanglement.
Multiple core modes conversion using helical long-period fiber gratings
Authors: Jiang Chen , Zhou Kaiming , Sun Bing , Wan Ying , Ma Yuehui , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Zuxing , Mou Chengbo , Liu Yunqi
Published: May 2023

We propose and demonstrate the fabrication of an all-fiber mode converter enabling simultaneous generation of multiple high-order core modes, which is realized by inscribing a helical long-period grating (HLPG) in a few-mode fiber (FMF) using a femtosecond laser. Helical refractive index modulation is introduced by continuously irradiating the core region with a highly focused femtosecond laser, while the fiber moves in a spiral path through a three-dimensional translation stage. Mode conversion from the LP01 mode to high-order core modes, including LP11, LP21, LP31, LP02, LP12, and LP41 modes, is achieved by controlling the inscription pitch of the grating. Moreover, first-, second-, third-, and fourth-order orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes can be directly generated using the HLPGs, and multiple OAM modes of different topological charges can be simultaneously excited using a single high diffraction order HLPG. This approach offers a new option for implementing with high-integration high-order mode converters or OAM mode generators.
Joint effect of water and sanitation practices on childhood diarrhoea in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Amadu Iddrisu , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Agyemang Kwabena Koforobour , Arthur-Holmes Francis , Duku Eric , Salifu Iddrisu , Bolarinwa Obasanjo Afolabi , Hagan Jr. John Elvis , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku
Published: May 2023

Background

Diarrhoea remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality of children under five years in Africa. Several studies have shown that inadequate and unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and poor hygiene practices are complex issues for different pathogens and accountable for the occurrence of diarrhoea diseases. We assessed the combined effect of household’s source of drinking water and type of toilet facility and residential wellbeing on the incidence of childhood diarrhoea in 33 Sub-Saharan Africa countries while accounting for relevant compositional and contextual factors.

Methods

The 2010–2019 datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys were drawn for analyses. The outcome variable used in this study was the incidence of childhood diarrhoea. Three negative log-log generalized linear regression models were then sequentially fitted to the data to examine the joint effect of household water and sanitation practices on child diarrhoea. The results were presented using crude odds ratios (CORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Using ArcGIS software, maps were design to unveil the spatial distribution of key variables.

Findings

Approximately 16% of the 307,741 mothers interviewed reported an incidence of diarrhoea disease among children under-five years in their households. The results showed that a household depending on an unimproved source of drinking water and with an unimproved type of toilet facility was not significantly associated with childhood diarrhoea. However, those with improved drinking water but an unimproved type of toilet facility had higher odds of reporting childhood diarrhoea (AOR = 1.020, 95% CI = 1.003-1-036) compared to those in households with both improved source of drinking water and type of toilet facility. Across the geographical regions, Eastern (aOR = 1.102, 95% CI = 1.084–1.120) and Central Africa (aOR = 1.102, 95% CI = 1.083–1.121) were more likely to experience child diarrhoea.

Conclusion

Water and sanitation practices such as the source of drinking water and toilet facility, and geographic region had significant effects on childhood diarrhoea in sub-Saharan Africax. The findings suggest the need for multi-sectoral actions that recognise the geo-spatial and temporal characteristics identified in the study through regional to national policies. Water and sanitation community-based interventions that seek to improve equitable access to safe water and sanitation in the sub-region should be intensified.
Using Heatmap Visualization to assess the performance of the DJ30 and NASDAQ100 Indices under diverse VMA trading rules
Authors: Chen Yuhsin , Huang Paoyu , Day Min-Yuh , Ni Yensen , Liang Mei-Chu
Published: May 2023

We investigate whether using various VMA trading rules would improve investment performance due to the flexibility of VMA trading rules and the aid of Heatmap Visualization. Previously, investors frequently chose the best performance derived from limited VMA trading rules. However, our new design, which can display all results using Heatmap Visualization, shows that the NASDAQ100 index outperforms the DJ30 index and that weekly data outperforms daily data when measured by annualized return. These findings may be useful to those who trade index ETFs tracking the DJ30 and NASDAQ100 indices, as well as investors making investment decisions, and may contribute to the existing literature by evaluating the outcomes of VMA trading rules and providing insights for index ETF investors using a heatmap matrix, which is rarely explored and presented in the relevant literature.
Automated identification of piglet brain tissue from MRI images using Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Stanke Kayla L. , Larsen Ryan J. , Rund Laurie , Leyshon Brian J. , Louie Allison Y. , Steelman Andrew J.
Published: May 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool for characterizing volumetric changes of the piglet brain during development. Typically, an early step of an imaging analysis pipeline is brain extraction, or skull stripping. Brain extractions are usually performed manually; however, this approach is time-intensive and can lead to variation between brain extractions when multiple raters are used. Automated brain extractions are important for reducing the time required for analyses and improving the uniformity of the extractions. Here we demonstrate the use of Mask R-CNN, a Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN), for automated brain extractions of piglet brains. We validate our approach using Nested Cross-Validation on six sets of training/validation data drawn from 32 pigs. Visual inspection of the extractions shows acceptable accuracy, Dice coefficients are in the range of 0.95–0.97, and Hausdorff Distance values in the range of 4.1–8.3 voxels. These results demonstrate that R-CNNs provide a viable tool for skull stripping of piglet brains.
Phenotype based clustering, and diversity of common bean genotypes in seed iron concentration and cooking time
Authors: Amongi Winnyfred , Nkalubo Stanley Tamusange , Ochwo-Ssemakula Mildred , Badji Arfang , Dramadri Isaac Onziga , Odongo Thomas Lapaka , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Tukamuhabwe Phineas , Izquierdo Paulo , Cichy Karen , Kelly James , Mukankusi Clare
Published: May 2023

Common bean is the world’s most important directly consumed legume food crop that is popular for calories, protein and micronutrients. It is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, and a significant source of iron for anemic people. However, several pests, soil and weather challenges still impede its production. Long cooking time, and high phytic acid and polyphenols that influence bioavailable iron also limit the health benefits. To inform population improvement strategies and selection decisions for resilient fast cooking and iron biofortified beans, the study determined diversity and population structure within 427 breeding lines, varieties, or landraces mostly from Alliance Uganda and Columbia. The genotypes were evaluated for days to flowering and physiological maturity, yield, seed iron (FESEED) and zinc (ZNSEED) and cooking time (COOKT). Data for all traits showed significant (P≤0.001) differences among the genotypes. Repeatability was moderate to high for most traits. Performance ranged from 52 to 87 ppm (FESEED), 23–38 ppm (ZNSEED), 36–361 minutes (COOKT), and 397–1299 kg/ha (yield). Minimal differences existed between the gene pools in the mean performance except in yield, where Mesoamerican beans were better by 117 kg/ha. The genotypes exhibited high genetic diversity and thus have a high potential for use in plant breeding. Improvement of FESEED and ZNSEED, COOKT and yield performance within some markets such as red and small white beans is possible. Hybridization across market classes especially for yellow beans is essential but this could be avoided by adding other elite lines to the population. Superior yielding and fast cooking, yellow and large white beans were specifically lacking. Adding Fe dense elite lines to the population is also recommended. The population was clustered into three groups that could be considered for specific breeding targets based on trait correlations.
Predicting preterm births from electrohysterogram recordings via deep learning
Authors: Goldsztejn Uri , Nehorai Arye
Published: May 2023

About one in ten babies is born preterm, i.e., before completing 37 weeks of gestation, which can result in permanent neurologic deficit and is a leading cause of child mortality. Although imminent preterm labor can be detected, predicting preterm births more than one week in advance remains elusive. Here, we develop a deep learning method to predict preterm births directly from electrohysterogram (EHG) measurements of pregnant mothers recorded at around 31 weeks of gestation. We developed a prediction model, which includes a recurrent neural network, to predict preterm births using short-time Fourier transforms of EHG recordings and clinical information from two public datasets. We predicted preterm births with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.80). Moreover, we found that the spectral patterns of the measurements were more predictive than the temporal patterns, suggesting that preterm births can be predicted from short EHG recordings in an automated process. We show that preterm births can be predicted for pregnant mothers around their 31st week of gestation, prompting beneficial treatments to reduce the incidence of preterm births and improve their outcomes.