bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatigue failure prediction through factor of safety and stress concentration in a malfunctioned AISI 4140 automotive crankshaft
Authors: Mylsamy Suresh , Subramanyan Neelakrishnan
Published: December 2023

The performance and safety of any vehicle relies on proper design of crankshaft. Crankshaft failure occurs mainly due to the combination of imbalance and minor deflections when the materials is subjected to combined bending and twisting. Failure analysis is crucial to identify the causes and modes of failure, in order to improve the service life of automotive crankshafts and prevent accidents. This research analyses the root cause of failure by testing a failed crankshaft of a twin cylinder diesel engine used in mini commercial vehicle runs around 80000 km. The important research gap identified as that there is no fool-proof techniques and validation procedures are followed in the service stations during its life cycle period. This investigation of a failed crankshaft provides detailed composition of material, its micro structure and mechanical properties. Further, rotary analysis, experimental modal analysis and mechanical testing of materials are helpful in characterizing proper materials to be selected and analyzing the root cause of failure. The experimental setup helps to test a crankshaft and its specimen as per ASTM testing procedures and the results are correlated with numerical analysis using ANSYS software. The objective of this investigation is to provide insights through failure analysis to the designers and manufacturers, thereby improve the reliability and safety of automotive crankshafts, ensure safe operation of the vehicle, and eventually minimize financial losses.
CRPU-NET: a deep learning model based semantic segmentation for the detection of colorectal polyp in lower gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Selvaraj Jothiraj , Umapathy Snekhalatha
Published: December 2023

Purpose. The objectives of the proposed work are twofold. Firstly, to develop a specialized light weight CRPU-Net for the segmentation of polyps in colonoscopy images. Secondly, to conduct a comparative analysis of the performance of CRPU-Net with implemented state-of-the-art models. Methods. We have utilized two distinct colonoscopy image datasets such as CVC-ColonDB and CVC-ClinicDB. This paper introduces the CRPU-Net, a novel approach for the automated segmentation of polyps in colorectal regions. A comprehensive series of experiments was conducted using the CRPU-Net, and its performance was compared with that of state-of-the-art models such as VGG16, VGG19, U-Net and ResUnet++. Additional analysis such as ablation study, generalizability test and 5-fold cross validation were performed. Results. The CRPU-Net achieved the segmentation accuracy of 96.42% compared to state-of-the-art model like ResUnet++ (90.91%). The Jaccard coefficient of 93.96% and Dice coefficient of 95.77% was obtained by comparing the segmentation performance of the CRPU-Net with ground truth. Conclusion. The CRPU-Net exhibits outstanding performance in Segmentation of polyp and holds promise for integration into colonoscopy devices enabling efficient operation.
Progress of Lyman-alpha-based beam emission spectroscopy (LyBES) diagnostic on the HL-2A tokamak
Authors: ZHOU 周 Yixuan 艺轩 , YU 余 Yi 羿 , XU 许 Min 敏 , KE 柯 Rui 锐 , NIE 聂 Lin 林 , XU 徐 Hao 皓 , ZHAO 赵 Guangyi 光义 , LIU 刘 Hao 灏 , YUAN 袁 Zihao 子豪 , XIAO 肖 Chenyu 晨雨 , LI 李 Jiquan 继全 , XIAO 肖 Chijie 池阶 , Team the HL-2A
Published: December 2023

An edge Lyman-alpha-based beam emission spectroscopy (LyBES) diagnostic, using a heating NBI (neutral beam injection) system, is currently under development on the HL-2A tokamak. The 20-channel edge LyBES, which is intended to measure the density fluctuation in plasma edge (from R = 1960 mm to R = 2026 mm) with an improved spatial resolution of 3.3 mm, is a complement to the existing conventional beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostic. In this article, we introduce the progress of LyBES diagnostic, including the collection optics, the monochromator, and the detector system. The reflectance of the collection mirrors is measured to be ~82% at 122 nm, and the aberration geometrical radius of the collection optics is tested to be ~150 μm in the aimed area. The linear dispersion of the LyBES monochromator is designed to be ~0.09 nm mm−1. The bandwidth of the detector system with the 5×107 V A−1 preamplifier gain is measured to be ~280 kHz, and the peak-to-peak noise of the detector system is tested to be ~16 mV. The finalized design, components development and testing of the LyBES diagnostic have been completed at present, and an overall performance of the LyBES diagnostic is to be confirmed in the next HL-2A campaign.
Studies of forging on the aluminium-sea sand composites
Authors: Fanai Elvira Wahyu Arum , Akbar Hammar Ilham , Surojo Eko , Prabowo Aditya Rio , Ariawan Dody , Triyono Teguh , Imanullah Fahmi , Majid Faishal Machfudz
Published: December 2023

The goal of this research was to determine the impact of cold forging on the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of Al MMCs at various sea sand percentages and forging deformations. The wettability of sea sand was improved by applying an electroless coating just before the stir-casting procedure. Using the stir casting technique, a composite material of Al6061 and sea sand was fabricated at several percentages of sea sand in weight, such as 2, 4, and 6%. In addition, open-die forging in cold settings was studied to learn more about the deformation characteristics of Al6061-sea sand composite. Composites were tested for density, porosity, microstructure, macrostructure, and hardness. The behaviour of microstructures was studied with an optical microscope. Brinell hardness readings taken according to ASTM E-10 were used to characterize the composite. The stir casting method was used to investigate and analyse the samples characteristics. More sea sand particles are distributed throughout the matrix as the composite’s density decreases. Increases in porosity are associated with an increase in reinforcement percentage, as this leads to more matrix-reinforcement surface contact and hence more porosity. The hardness diminishes with an increase in the proportion of sea sand particles. The mechanical qualities of the composite were enhanced by an oxide compound found on the sea sand. Evidence suggests that forging enhances mechanical and microstructure qualities.
Impact of fatigue in surgeons on performance and patient outcome: systematic review
Authors: Reijmerink Iris M , van der Laan Maarten J , Wietasch J K Götz , Hooft Lotty , Cnossen Fokie
Published: December 2023

Background

While fatigue is an inevitable aspect of performing surgical procedures, lack of consensus remains on its effect on surgical performance. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of non-muscular fatigue on surgical outcome.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase were searched up to 17 January 2023. Studies on students, learning, duty-hour restrictions, muscle fatigue, non-surgical or subjective outcome, the weekend effect, or time of admission were excluded. Studies were categorized based on real-life or simulated surgery. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess RCTs and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess cohort studies. Due to heterogeneity among studies, data pooling was not feasible and study findings were synthesized narratively.

Results

From the 7251 studies identified, 134 studies (including 1 684 073 cases) were selected for analysis (110 real-life studies and 24 simulator studies). Of the simulator studies, 46% (11 studies) reported a deterioration in surgical outcome when fatigue was present, using direct measures of fatigue. In contrast, only 35.5% (39 studies) of real-life studies showed a deterioration, observed in only 12.5% of all outcome measures, specifically involving aggregated surgical outcomes.

Conclusion

Almost half of simulator studies, along with one-third of real-life studies, consistently report negative effects of fatigue, highlighting a significant concern. The discrepancy between simulator/real-life studies may be explained by heightened motivation and effort investment in real-life studies. Currently, published fatigue and outcome measures, especially in real-life studies, are insufficient to fully define the impact of fatigue on surgical outcomes due to the absence of direct fatigue measures and crude, post-hoc outcome measures.
Neural mechanisms of sentence production: a volumetric study of primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Barbieri Elena , Lukic Sladjana , Rogalski Emily , Weintraub Sandra , Mesulam Marek-Marsel , Thompson Cynthia K
Published: December 2023

Studies on the neural bases of sentence production have yielded mixed results, partly due to differences in tasks and participant types. In this study, 101 individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) were evaluated using a test that required spoken production following an auditory prime (Northwestern Assessment of Verbs and Sentences—Sentence Production Priming Test, NAVS-SPPT), and one that required building a sentence by ordering word cards (Northwestern Anagram Test, NAT).

Voxel-Based Morphometry revealed that gray matter (GM) volume in left inferior/middle frontal gyri (L IFG/MFG) was associated with sentence production accuracy on both tasks, more so for complex sentences, whereas, GM volume in left posterior temporal regions was exclusively associated with NAVS-SPPT performance and predicted by performance on a Digit Span Forward (DSF) task. Verb retrieval deficits partly mediated the relationship between L IFG/MFG and performance on the NAVS-SPPT.

These findings underscore the importance of L IFG/MFG for sentence production and suggest that this relationship is partly accounted for by verb retrieval deficits, but not phonological loop integrity. In contrast, it is possible that the posterior temporal cortex is associated with auditory short-term memory ability, to the extent that DSF performance is a valid measure of this in aphasia.
Artificial Intelligence-based database for prediction of protein structure and their alterations in ocular diseases
Authors: Cen Ling-Ping , Ng Tsz Kin , Ji Jie , Lin Jian-Wei , Yao Yao , Yang Rucui , Dong Geng , Cao Yingjie , Chen Chongbo , Yao Shi-Qi , Wang Wen-Ying , Huang Zijing , Qiu Kunliang , Pang Chi Pui , Liu Qingping , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: December 2023

The aim of the study is to establish an online database for predicting protein structures altered in ocular diseases by Alphafold2 and RoseTTAFold algorithms. Totally, 726 genes of multiple ocular diseases were collected for protein structure prediction. Both Alphafold2 and RoseTTAFold algorithms were built locally using the open-source codebases. A dataset with 48 protein structures from Protein Data Bank (PDB) was adopted for algorithm set-up validation. A website was built to match ocular genes with the corresponding predicted tertiary protein structures for each amino acid sequence. The predicted local distance difference test-Cα (pLDDT) and template modeling (TM) scores of the validation protein structure and the selected ocular genes were evaluated. Molecular dynamics and molecular docking simulations were performed to demonstrate the applications of the predicted structures. For the validation dataset, 70.8% of the predicted protein structures showed pLDDT greater than 90. Compared to the PDB structures, 100% of the AlphaFold2-predicted structures and 97.9% of the RoseTTAFold-predicted structure showed TM score greater than 0.5. Totally, 1329 amino acid sequences of 430 ocular disease-related genes have been predicted, of which 75.9% showed pLDDT greater than 70 for the wildtype sequences and 76.1% for the variant sequences. Small molecule docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the predicted protein structures with higher confidence scores showed similar molecular characteristics with the structures from PDB. We have developed an ocular protein structure database (EyeProdb) for ocular disease, which is released for the public and will facilitate the biological investigations and structure-based drug development for ocular diseases.

Database URL:  http://eyeprodb.jsiec.org
Migrant grandparents in Australia: English learning and well-being
Authors: Chik Alice , Murray Jill
Published: December 2023

Migrant families often invite grandparents to move to Australia when babies are born. In order to provide support to their families, many of these grandparents have to retire from their own professional careers and migrate to Australia to start new lives. Some speak English as an additional language, with or without formal education, prior to arriving in Australia. Once in Australia, these senior migrants can only access limited government-funded English learning, and they are frequently left to capitalize on informal learning. This paper discusses a case study of two Chinese-heritage senior migrants and the role English plays in their lives, and grandparenting in Australia. We argue that having the English capability for everyday activity within the family is key to their overall well-being, and that drawing directly on their past experiences and learning strengths can enhance their quality of life.
Range expansion can promote the evolution of plastic generalism in coarse-grained landscapes
Authors: Miller Caitlin M , Draghi Jeremy A
Published: December 2023

Phenotypic plasticity is one way for organisms to deal with variable environments through generalism. However, plasticity is not found universally and its evolution may be constrained by costs and other limitations such as complexity: the need for multiple mutational steps before the adaptation is realized. Theory predicts that greater experienced heterogeneity, such as organisms may encounter when spatial heterogeneity is fine-grained relative to dispersal, should favor the evolution of a broader niche. Here we tested this prediction via simulation. We found that, contrary to classical predictions, coarse-grained landscapes can be the most favorable for the evolution of plasticity, but only when populations encounter those landscapes through range expansion. During these range expansions, coarse-grained landscapes select for each step in the complex mutational pathway to plastic generalism by blocking the dispersal of specialists. These circumstances provide ecological opportunities for innovative mutations that change the niche. Our results indicate a new mechanism by which range expansion and spatially structured landscapes interact to shape evolution and reveal that the environments in which a complex adaptation has the highest fitness may not be the most favorable for its evolution.
Metagenomic sequencing revealed the regulative effect of Danshen and Honghua herb pair on the gut microbiota in rats with myocardial ischemia injury
Authors: Du Shao-Bing , Zhou Hui-Hui , Xue Zhi-Peng , Gao Su , Li Jing , Meng Yi , Zhao Yi-Jun , Wang Peng-Fei , Li Na , Bai Jia-Xin , Bai Ji-Qing , Wang Xiao-Ping
Published: December 2023

In recent years, more and more evidence has shown that the disorder of gut microbiota (GM) is closely correlated with myocardial ischemia (MI). Even though the Danshen and Honghua herb pair (DHHP) is widely used in treating cardiovascular disease in China and exhibits obvious clinical efficacy on MI, the anti-MI mechanism of DHHP remains and needs to be explored in depth. Thus, in this study, we investigated whether the amelioration effect and molecular mechanism of DHHP on MI were related to regulating GM through pharmacodynamics evaluation and metagenomic sequencing. Histopathological testing results showed that DHHP treatment could alleviate the pathological changes of myocardial tissue in the acute MI (AMI) rats induced by isoproterenol (ISO), especially structural disorder, irregular distribution, and enlargement of the myocardial space. These pathological changes were all alleviated to some extent by DHHP treatment. Biochemical analysis results suggested that compared with the control group, the serum levels of AST, CTn-I, CK-MB, and TNF-α in model group rats were notably decreased, and the CAT and SOD levels in serum were markedly increased. These abnormal trends were significantly reversed by DHHP treatment. Furthermore, metagenomic sequencing analysis results indicated that DHHP could improve disorders in the composition and function of GM in AMI rats, mainly reflected in increasing diversity and richness, and obviously enhancing the abundance of Bacteroides fluxus, B. uniformis, B. stercoris, Roseburia hominis, Schaedlerella arabinosiphila, and R. intestinalis, and reducing the abundance of Enterococcus avium and E. canintestini, which were associated with purine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, cyanoamino acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. In conclusion, DHHP may attenuate ISO-induced MI by regulating the structure, composition, and function of GM, thus contributing to further our understanding of the anti-MI mechanisms of DHHP and providing new therapeutic ideas and diagnostic targets for the clinical studies of MI.
Risk of Severe COVID-19 and Protective Effectiveness of Vaccination Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Huh Kyungmin , Kang Minsun , Kim Young-Eun , Choi Yoonkyung , An Soo Jeong , Seong Jaehyun , Go Min Jin , Kang Ji-Man , Jung Jaehun
Published: December 2023

Background

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at higher risk for severe infection. However, the risk for severe COVID-19 and vaccine effectiveness among SOTRs remain unclear.

Methods

This retrospective study used a nationwide health care claims database and COVID-19 registry from the Republic of Korea (2020 to 2022). Adult SOTRs diagnosed with COVID-19 were matched with up to 4 non-SOTR COVID-19 patients by propensity score. Severe COVID-19 was defined as treatment with high-flow nasal cannulae, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Results

Among 6783 SOTRs with COVID-19, severe COVID-19 was reported with the highest rate in lung transplant recipients (13.16%), followed by the heart (6.30%), kidney (3.90%), and liver (2.40%). SOTRs had a higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared to non-SOTRs, and lung transplant recipients showed the highest risk (adjusted odds ratio, 18.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.53–38.58). Vaccine effectiveness against severe disease among SOTRs was 47% (95% CI, 18%–65%), 64% (95% CI, 49%–75%), and 64% (95% CI, 29%–81%) for 2, 3, and 4 doses, respectively.

Conclusions

SOTRs are at significantly higher risk for severe COVID-19 compared to non-SOTRs. Vaccination is effective in preventing the progression to severe COVID-19. Efforts should be made to improve vaccine uptake among SOTRs, while additional protective measures should be developed.
Assessing Per-Sex-Act HIV-1 Risk Reduction Among Women Using the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring
Authors: Stalter Randy M , Dong Tracy Q , Hendrix Craig W , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , van der Straten Ariane , Hillier Sharon L , Kiweewa Flavia M , Mgodi Nyaradzo M , Marzinke Mark A , Bekker Linda-Gail , Soto-Torres Lydia , Baeten Jared M , Brown Elizabeth R ,   for the MTN-020/ASPIRE Study Team, Baeten Jared , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Brown Elizabeth , Soto-Torres Lydia , Schwartz Katie , Makanani Bonus , Martinson Francis , Bekker Linda-Gail , Govender Vaneshree , Siva Samantha , Gaffoor Zakir , Naidoo Logashvari , Pather Arendevi , Jeenarain Nitesha , Nair Gonasagrie , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Kiweewa Flavia Matovu , Mgodi Nyaradzo , Mhlanga Felix
Published: December 2023

Background

Confounding introduced by individuals’ sexual risk behavior is potentially a significant source of bias in HIV-1 prevention intervention studies. To more completely account for sexual behaviors when assessing the efficacy of the monthly dapivirine ring, a new longer-acting HIV-1 prevention option for women, we estimated per-sex-act risk reduction associated with product use.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from MTN-020/ASPIRE, a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy trial of the dapivirine ring that recruited HIV-uninfected, African women aged 18–45 years. With cumulative sex acts as the time scale, we used multivariable Cox regression with inverse probability of censoring weights to estimate HIV-1 risk reduction associated with a rate of dapivirine release indicative of consistent product use.

Results

Women in the dapivirine ring group (n = 1187) had an estimated incidence rate of 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–3.1) HIV-1 acquisition events per 10 000 sex acts versus 3.6 (95% CI, 2.9–4.4) per 10 000 acts in the placebo group (n = 1187). Dapivirine release indicative of consistent ring use was associated with a 63% (95% CI, 33%–80%) per-sex-act HIV-1 risk reduction.

Conclusions

These results support the efficacy of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention and help to inform decision-making for women, providers, and policymakers regarding product use.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01617096.
Digital Distraction, Non-Digital Distraction and Psychological Bearing of Remote Workers
Authors: Nakayama Makoto , Chen Charlie C
Published: December 2023

Working from home has become prevalent during and after the pandemic lockdown due to the benefits of saving commuting time and working with a flexible schedule. On the other hand, remote workers face the challenge of being digitally distracted as they rely on digital devices to do work. Extant studies mainly focus on classrooms and digital device availability as the chief cause of digital distraction. Yet, some studies suggest that distraction also comes from our own minds. This study looks into remote workers' psychological factors and hypothesizes that the degree of digital distraction is affected by internal (psychological bearing) and external (work urgency) factors. In addition, it posits that digital distraction is closely associated with non-digital distraction. Our results confirm that remote workers' mental factors play significant roles, and those workers are distracted both digitally and non-digitally. A key implication is that we should not single out digital devices as a cause for distraction. We should pay more attention to the mental status of remote workers and their non-digital distractions besides viewing digital devices as conduits for distraction.
Success of Helicobacter pylori Guideline-based Treatment of Newly Diagnosed and Previously Treated Patients During 2007–2021 in Edmonton, Alberta
Authors: Krahn Thomas , Buttenschoen Jonas , D’Souza Pernilla , Girgis Safwat , Thiesen Aducio , Rennie Robert , Turnbull LeeAnn , van Zanten Sander Veldhuyzen
Published: December 2023

Background

Updated 2016 Helicobacter pylori consensus guidelines recommend treatment for 14 days with concomitant therapy (proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-amoxicillin-metronidazole-clarithromycin (PAMC) or bismuth-based quadruple therapy (PPI-bismuth-metronidazole-tetracycline, PBMT)) as first line, PBMT or PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin (PAL) as second or third line, and PPI-amoxicillin-rifabutin (PAR) as fourth line for 10 days.

Objectives

This was a retrospective cohort study to describe and compare the efficacy of anti-Helicobacter treatment regimens over the periods 2007–2015 and 2016–2021 as well as antibiotic resistance.

Methods

A modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis was used to analyze the success rate of therapies. mITT includes all patients who were prescribed H. pylori treatment and had at least one follow-up test-of-cure. This included patients who could not complete treatment or were non-adherent with treatment. Risk factors for treatment failures were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Resistance testing was done in a small subset of patients.

Results

H. pylori-positive patients who received treatment in Edmonton, Alberta were included in a mITT analysis: 334/387(86%) from 2007 to 2015 and 193/199 (97%) from 2016 to 2021. During 2016–2021, 78% (150/193) of patients underwent cumulative guideline-based treatment with a successful cure in 80% (120/150) of patients. In those who were newly diagnosed, the cure rate was 88% (52/59) versus those with previous treatment failure 75% (68/91) (P < 0.05, risk difference [RD] 14%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–26.3%). The most effective first-line regimens were PAMC for 14 days (87% [45/52]) in 2016–2021 and sequential therapy in 2007–2015 (83% [66/80]) (P = 0.535, RD 4%, 95% CI −8.5–16.5%). When other treatments failed, success with PAR was 50% (2/4) from 2007 to 2015 and 57% (21/37) from 2016 to 2021. Recent (2016–2021) resistance rates to clarithromycin and metronidazole are high at 78% (50/64) and 56% (29/52), respectively. From 2007 to 2015, clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance rates were 80% (36/45) and 83% (38/46), respectively. Levofloxacin resistance increased significantly from 2007–2015 to 2016–2021 (28% [13/46] to 61% [35/57], P < 0.05, RD 33%, 95% CI 11.6–54.4%).

Conclusions

Algorithmic treatment with PAMC first line followed by PBMT, PAL, and PAR cures H. pylori in 88% of newly diagnosed patients. PAR therapy shows suboptimal cure rates (50–57% success) but can be considered as third instead of fourth line given increasing levofloxacin resistance rates. Antibiotic resistance in H. pylori is common to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin and frequently accounts for treatment failures.
Inhibition of homologous recombination repair by Mirin in ovarian cancer ameliorates carboplatin therapy response in vitro
Authors: Horak Josef , Vallusova Dominika , Cumova Andrea , Holy Petr , Vodicka Pavel , Opattova Alena
Published: December 2023

Chemoresistance poses one of the most significant challenges of cancer therapy. Carboplatin (CbPt) is one of the most used chemotherapeutics in ovarian cancer (OVC) treatment. MRE11 constitutes a part of homologous recombination (HR), which is responsible for the repair of CbPt-induced DNA damage, particularly DNA crosslinks. The study’s main aim was to address the role of HR in CbPt chemoresistance in OVC and to evaluate the possibility of overcoming CbPt chemoresistance by Mirin-mediated MRE11 inhibition in an OVC cell line. Lower expression of MRE11 was associated with better overall survival in a cohort of OVC patients treated with platinum drugs (TCGA dataset, P < 0.05). Using in vitro analyses, we showed that the high expression of HR genes drives the CbPt chemoresistance in our CbPt-resistant cell line model. Moreover, the HR inhibition by Mirin not only increased sensitivity to carboplatin (P < 0.05) but also rescued the sensitivity in the CbPt-resistant model (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that MRE11 inhibition with Mirin may represent a promising way to overcome OVC resistance. More therapy options will ultimately lead to better personalized cancer therapy and improvement of patients’ survival.
Identification and Characterization of Illegal Sales of Cannabis and Nicotine Delivery Products on Telegram Messaging Platform
Authors: Nali Matthew C , Purushothaman Vidya , Li Zhuoran , Larsen Meng Zhen , Cuomo Raphael E , Yang Joshua , Mackey Tim K
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Unregulated and potentially illegal sales of tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis products have been detected on various social media platforms, e-commerce sites, online retailers, and the dark web. New end-to-end encrypted messaging services are popular among online users and present opportunities for marketing, trading, and selling of these products. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis selling activity on the messaging platform Telegram.

Methods

The study was conducted in three phases: (1) identifying keywords related to tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis products for purposes of detecting Telegram groups and channel messages; (2) automated data collection from public Telegram groups; and (3) manual annotation and classification of messages engaged in marketing and selling products to consumers.

Results

Four keywords were identified (“Nicotine,” “Vape,” “Cannabis,” and “Smoke”) that yielded 20 Telegram groups with 262 506 active subscribers. Total volume of channel messages was 43 963 unique messages that included 3094 (7.04%) marketing/selling messages. The most commonly sold products in these groups were cannabis-derived products (83.25%, n = 2576), followed by tobacco/nicotine-derived products (6.46%, n = 200), and other illicit drugs (0.77%, n = 24). A variety of marketing tactics and a mix of seller accounts were observed, though most appeared to be individual suppliers.

Conclusions

Telegram is an online messaging application that allows for custom group creation and global connectivity, but also includes unregulated activities associated with the sale of cannabis and nicotine delivery products. Greater attention is needed to conduct monitoring and enforcement on these emerging platforms for unregulated and potentially illegal cannabis and nicotine product sales direct-to-consumer.

Implications

Based on study results, Telegram represents an emerging platform that enables a robust cannabis and nicotine-selling marketplace. As local, state, and national tobacco control regulations continue to advance sales restrictions and bans at the retail level, easily accessible and unregulated Internet-based channels must be further assessed to ensure that they do not act as conduits for exposure and access to unregulated or illegal cannabis and nicotine products.
Oligocene High-MgO Alkali Basalts in Central Tibet: Implications for Magma–Mush Mixing and Mantle Processes
Authors: Qi Yue , Wang Qiang , Wei Gang-Jian , Zhang Xiu-Zheng , Dan Wei , Yang Zong-Yong , Hao Lu-Lu , Hu Wan-Long
Published: December 2023

High-MgO (>9 wt %) basaltic rocks can be primary magmas and are used to constrain the geochemistry and temperature of the mantle. However, high MgO contents can also result from mixing between evolved melts and antecrysts or xenocrysts, and thus, the whole-rock composition might not represent the solidified equivalents of primary magma. Whether such mixing with crystals can result in erroneous interpretations of mantle processes remains unclear. This study presents a petrological and geochemical investigation of the post-collision high-MgO (>9 wt %) Lugu volcanic rocks in the southern Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. The Lugu volcanic rocks comprise porphyritic and intersertal alkali basalts. Zircon U–Pb ages and 40Ar/39Ar dating suggest that the two types of alkali basalts were erupted at c. 29 Ma. Based on detailed petrographic observations and geochemical analysis, the porphyritic alkali basalts may represent near-primary melts, which are characterised by low SiO2 contents (40.9–45.1 wt %), high CaO/Al2O3 ratios (1.1–1.5), and arc-like trace element patterns. We suggest these basalts were derived by partial melting of enriched garnet peridotite (>3 GPa) in the presence of H2O and CO2. These geochemical features are different from those of the c. 30-Ma (ultra)-potassic rocks in the Qiangtang terrane, indicating that a heterogeneous lithospheric mantle existed beneath the Qiangtang terrane during the Oligocene. In contrast, although the intersertal alkali basalts have high MgO contents (>9 wt %), evidence from mineral chemistry indicates that the whole-rock compositions of the intersertal alkali basalts represent mixtures of evolved residual melts and cumulate crystals. They were the product of polybaric fractional crystallisation and the subsequent mixing of crystals and residual melts in a magmatic plumbing system. Furthermore, when intersertal alkali basalts are assumed to be primary melts, they would have been derived by partial melting of shallow (~2.5 GPa) CO2-poor pyroxenite or peridotite. These conditions are different from interpretations of the nature of the mantle source and melting conditions for porphyritic alkali basalts. Our results highlight that the interpretation of petrogenetic processes should be preceded by detailed mineralogical investigations.
Research ReportDiurnal global ocean surface pCO2 and air–sea CO2 flux reconstructed from spaceborne LiDAR data
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Chen Peng , Hu Yongxiang , Zhang Zhenhua , Jamet Cédric , Lu Xiaomei , Dionisi Davide , Pan Delu
Published: December 2023

The ocean absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, helping regulate Earth's climate. However, our knowledge of ocean CO2 sink levels remains limited. This research focused on assessing daily changes in ocean CO2 sink levels and air–sea CO2 exchange, using a new technique. We used LiDAR technology, which provides continuous measurements during day and night, to estimate global ocean CO2 absorption over 23 years. Our model successfully reproduced sea surface partial pressure of CO2 data. The results suggest the total amount of CO2 absorbed by oceans is higher at night than during the day. This difference arises from a combination of factors like temperatures, winds, photosynthesis, and respiration. Understanding these daily fluctuations can improve predictions of ocean CO2 uptake. It may also help explain why current carbon budget calculations are not fully balanced—an issue scientists have grappled with. Overall, this pioneering study highlights the value of LiDAR's unique day–night ocean data coverage. The findings advance knowledge of ocean carbon cycles and their role in climate regulation. They underscore the need to incorporate day–night variability when assessing the ocean's carbon sink capacity.
Logs with Zeros? Some Problems and Solutions
Authors: Chen Jiafeng , Roth Jonathan
Published: December 2023

When studying an outcome Y that is weakly positive but can equal zero (e.g., earnings), researchers frequently estimate an average treatment effect (ATE) for a “log-like” transformation that behaves like log (Y) for large Y but is defined at zero (e.g., log (1 + Y), $\operatorname{arcsinh}(Y)$). We argue that ATEs for log-like transformations should not be interpreted as approximating percentage effects, since unlike a percentage, they depend on the units of the outcome. In fact, we show that if the treatment affects the extensive margin, one can obtain a treatment effect of any magnitude simply by rescaling the units of Y before taking the log-like transformation. This arbitrary unit dependence arises because an individual-level percentage effect is not well-defined for individuals whose outcome changes from zero to nonzero when receiving treatment, and the units of the outcome implicitly determine how much weight the ATE for a log-like transformation places on the extensive margin. We further establish a trilemma: when the outcome can equal zero, there is no treatment effect parameter that is an average of individual-level treatment effects, unit invariant, and point identified. We discuss several alternative approaches that may be sensible in settings with an intensive and extensive margin, including (i) expressing the ATE in levels as a percentage (e.g., using Poisson regression), (ii) explicitly calibrating the value placed on the intensive and extensive margins, and (iii) estimating separate effects for the two margins (e.g., using Lee bounds). We illustrate these approaches in three empirical applications.
Association of a Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring Program With Postpartum Adverse Outcomes
Authors: Hirshberg Adi , Zhu Yifan , Smith-McLallen Aaron , Srinivas Sindhu K.
Published: December 2023

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2023;141:1163–1170)

A large percentage of maternal complications and deaths in the United States are due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; although these complications gradually improve after delivery, there are cases where it takes months for blood pressure to return to normal. Research has shown that blood pressure typically peaks 3 to 7 days postpartum, meaning that many individuals experience peaks in their blood pressure that put them at risk for stroke or seizure after discharge from the hospital.
Long-term Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptom Severity Following Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, or Uterine Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Anchan Raymond M. , Spies James B. , Zhang Shuaiqi , Wojdyla Daniel , Bortoletto Pietro , Terry Kathryn , Disler Emily , Milne Ankrish , Gargiulo Antonio , Petrozza John , Brook Olga , Srouji Serene , Morton Cynthia C. , Greenberg James , Wegienka Ganesa , Stewart Elizabeth A. , Nicholson Wanda K. , Thomas Laine , Venable Sateria , Laughlin-Tommaso Shannon , Diamond Michael P. , Maxwell G. Larry , Marsh Erica E. , Myers Evan R. , Vines Anissa I. , Wise Lauren A. , Wallace Kedra , Jacoby Vanessa L.
Published: December 2023

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023;229(3):275.e1–275.e17)

Symptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors diagnosed in approximately 30% of American women by the age of 50 years. Symptomatic UFs can significantly affect quality of life (QoL) and have a wide range of symptoms and severity, including pelvic pressure, dyspareunia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and abnormal uterine bleeding.
Cervical Cancer Screening: A Review
Authors: Perkins Rebecca B. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Guido Richard S. , Schiffman Mark
Published: December 2023

(Abstracted from JAMA 2023;330(6):547–558)

More than 90% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent infections with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV), leading to precancer and then to cervical cancer. Approximately 100,000 people are treated for cervical precancer, 14,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4000 die of cervical cancer in the United States each year.
Association Between Cervical Sagittal Alignment and Subaxial Paraspinal Muscle Parameters
Authors: Caffard Thomas , Arzani Artine , Verna Bruno , Tripathi Vidushi , Chiapparelli Erika , Medina Samuel J. , Schönnagel Lukas , Tani Soji , Camino-Willhuber Gaston , Amoroso Krizia , Guven Ali E. , Zhu Jiaqi , Tan Ek Tsoon , Carrino John A. , Shue Jennifer , Awan Malik Hassan , Zippelius Timo , Dalton David , Sama Andrew A. , Girardi Federico P. , Cammisa Frank P. , Hughes Alexander P.
Published: December 2023

Study Design.

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective.

The authors aim to investigate the association between muscle functional group characteristics and sagittal alignment parameters in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Summary of Background Data.

The relationship between the morphology of cervical paraspinal muscles and sagittal alignment is not well understood.

Materials and Methods.

Patients with preoperative cervical magnetic resonance imaging and cervical spine lateral radiographs in standing position who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion between 2015 and 2018 were reviewed. Radiographic alignment parameters included C2 to 7 lordosis, C2 to 7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C2 slope, neck tilt, T1 slope, and thoracic inlet angle. Muscles from C3 to C7 were categorized into four functional groups: sternocleidomastoid group, anterior group, posteromedial group, and posterolateral group (PL). A custom-written Matlab software was used to assess the functional cross-sectional area (fCSA) and percent fat infiltration (FI) for all groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted and adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index.

Results.

A total of 172 patients were included. Regression analyses demonstrated that a greater C2 to 7 SVA was significantly associated with a greater FI of the anterior group from C3 to C5 and with a higher fCSA of the PL group at C3 to C4, and C6 to 7. A larger C2 slope was significantly correlated with a greater FI of the anterior group at C3 to C4 and a higher fCSA of the PL group from C3 to C5.

Conclusion.

This work proposes new insights into the complex interaction between sagittal alignment and cervical paraspinal muscles by emphasizing the importance of these muscles in sagittal alignment. The authors hypothesize that with cervical degeneration, the stabilizing function of the anterior muscles decreases, which may result in an increase in the compensatory mechanism of the PL muscles. Consequently, there may be a corresponding increase in the C2 to C7 SVA and a larger C2 slope.
The Association of Food Insecurity and Surgical Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Azap Lovette , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Akpunonu Chinaemelum C. , Alaimo Laura , Endo Yutaka , Lima Henrique Araujo , Yang Jason , Munir Muhammad Musaab , Moazzam Zorays , Huang Emily , Kalady Matthew , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:

Food insecurity predisposes individuals to suboptimal nutrition, leading to chronic disease and poor outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to assess the impact of county-level food insecurity on colorectal surgical outcomes.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

SEER-Medicare database merged with county-level food insecurity obtained from the Feeding America: Mapping the Meal Gap report. Multiple logistic and Cox regression adjusted for patient-level covariates were implemented to assess outcomes.

PATIENTS:

Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 2010 and 2015.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Surgical admission type (nonelective and elective admission), any complication, extended length-of-stay, discharge disposition (discharged to home and non-home discharge), 90-day readmission, 90-day mortality, and textbook outcome. Textbook outcome was defined as no extended length-of-stay, post-operative complications, 90-day readmission, and 90-day mortality.

RESULTS:

Among 72,354 colorectal cancer patients, 46,296 underwent resection. Within the surgical cohort, 9,091 (19.3%) were low, 27,716 (59.9%) were moderate, and 9,489 (20.5%) were high food insecurity. High food insecurity patients had greater odds of nonelective surgery (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09-1.26, p < 0.001), 90-day readmission (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19, p = 0.002), extended length-of-stay (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.21-1.44, p < 0.001), and complications (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19, p = 0.002). High food insecurity patients also had decreased odds of home discharge (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.91, p < 0.001) and textbook outcomes (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.75-0.87, p < 0.001). High food insecurity minority patients had increased odds of complications (OR 1.59, 95% CI, 1.43-1.78) and extended length-of-stay (OR 1.89, 95% CI, 1.69-2.12) when compared with low food insecurity White individuals (all, p < 0.001). Notably, high food insecurity minority patients had 31% lower odds of textbook outcomes (OR: 0.69, 95% CI, 0.62-0.76, p < 0.001) compared with low food insecurity White patients (p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS:

Limited to Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years, hence may not be generalizable to younger populations or those with uninsurance/private insurance.

CONCLUSIONS:

County-level food insecurity was associated with suboptimal outcomes, demonstrating the importance of interventions to mitigate these inequities
The roles of nuclear receptors in cholesterol metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Li Zhichi , Zheng Dantong , Zhang Tiantian , Ruan Shan , Li Na , Yu Yang , Peng Yang , Wang Difei
Published: December 2023

As the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, NAFLD encompasses a pathological process that ranges from simple steatosis to NASH, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC, closely associated with numerous extrahepatic diseases. While the initial etiology was believed to be hepatocyte injury caused by lipid toxicity from accumulated triglycerides, recent studies suggest that an imbalance of cholesterol homeostasis is of greater significance. The role of nuclear receptors in regulating liver cholesterol homeostasis has been demonstrated to be crucial. This review summarizes the roles and regulatory mechanisms of nuclear receptors in the 3 main aspects of cholesterol production, excretion, and storage in the liver, as well as their cross talk in reverse cholesterol transport. It is hoped that this review will offer new insights and theoretical foundations for the study of the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD and provide new research directions for extrahepatic diseases associated with NAFLD.
Sumoylation of methionine adenosyltransferase alpha 1 promotes mitochondrial dysfunction in alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Floris Andrea , Chandla Swati , Lim Youngyi , Barbier-Torres Lucia , Seth Karina , Khangholi Arash , Li Tony W.H. , Robison Aaron , Murray Ben J. , Lee Sion , Matsuda Michitaka , Murali Ramachandran , Tomasi Maria Lauda , Lu Shelly C.
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims:

Methionine adenosyltransferase alpha1 (MATα1) is responsible for the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine in normal liver. Alcohol consumption enhances MATα1 interaction with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1), which blocks MATα1 mitochondrial targeting, resulting in lower mitochondrial MATα1 content and mitochondrial dysfunction in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) in part through upregulation of cytochrome P450 2E1. Conversely, alcohol intake enhances SUMOylation, which enhances cytochrome P450 2E1 expression. MATα1 has potential SUMOylation sites, but whether MATα1 is regulated by SUMOylation in ALD is unknown. Here, we investigated if MATα1 is regulated by SUMOylation and, if so, how it impacts mitochondrial function in ALD.

Approach and Results:

Proteomics profiling revealed hyper-SUMOylation of MATα1, and prediction software identified lysine 48 (K48) as the potential SUMOylation site in mice (K47 in humans). Experiments with primary hepatocytes, mouse, and human livers revealed that SUMOylation of MAT1α by SUMO2 depleted mitochondrial MATα1. Furthermore, mutation of MATα1 K48 prevented ethanol-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, MATα1 depletion, and triglyceride accumulation. Additionally, CRISPR/CRISPR associated protein 9 gene editing of MATα1 at K48 hindered ethanol-induced MATα1-PIN1 interaction, degradation, and phosphorylation of MATα1 in vitro. In vivo, CRISPR/CRISPR associated protein 9 MATα1 K48 gene-edited mice were protected from ethanol-induced fat accumulation, liver injury, MATα1-PIN1 interaction, mitochondrial MATα1 depletion, mitochondrial dysfunction, and low S-adenosylmethionine levels.

Conclusions:

Taken together, our findings demonstrate an essential role for SUMOylation of MATα1 K48 for interaction with PIN1 in ALD. Preventing MATα1 K48 SUMOylation may represent a potential treatment strategy for ALD.
POOR VISUAL OUTCOMES IN SYPHILITIC UVEITIS ASSOCIATED WITH METHAMPHETAMINE USE: A CASE SERIES
Authors: Thomas Jonathan , Ahmed Harris , Halbritter Kathryn , Enghelberg Moises
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

This study aimed to investigate the potential link between methamphetamine use and infectious syphilitic uveitis through a retrospective chart review of four patients with both conditions.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on four patients with a history of methamphetamine use and presented with vision loss at an emergency department or clinic that was ultimately diagnosed as syphilitic uveitis.

Results:

The average age of the four patients was 41.5 ± 9.8 years, and each presented with symptoms of blurry vision after an average of 3 weeks. Clinical and serologic examinations revealed variable severity of syphilitic uveitis in each patient, and a confirmed history of methamphetamine use was found on a review of social history. Each patient had worsening visual outcomes after the initial presentation and diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Syphilitic uveitis is a challenging diagnosis because of its similarity with other ocular pathologies. This case series highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion for syphilis in patients with a history of methamphetamine use and uveitis to enable rapid treatment and prevent visual decline. The poor visual outcomes observed in these four patients underscore the significance of identifying and treating syphilitic uveitis promptly in this population and the barriers to treatment completion.