bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with the Minimum Dietary Diversity among HIV‐positive women receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Kabale district, Uganda
Authors: Kihembo Pamelah , Lubogo David
Published: March 2024

Background

Malnutrition and HIV form a vicious cycle and women are at an increased risk of malnutrition from HIV. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends a minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD‐W) of five food groups; however, paucity of information exists about the diet quality of this population in Uganda. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the MDD among HIV positive women of reproductive age (15–49 years) receiving antiretroviral therapy in Kabale district, Uganda.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study. Probability proportional to size sampling was applied to select the number of participants per clinic and respondents were sampled systematically on a particular day in each clinic. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the respondent characteristics and the FAO's Individual Dietary Diversity questionnaire was used to collect the 24‐hour dietary intake. Data were analysed using appropriate software. Descriptive statistics were applied for univariate analysis. Modified Poisson was used to determine the factors associated with MDD. The study was approved by the Makerere University School of Public Health Institutional Review Board and informed consent was obtained from the respondents.

Results

Some 90.9% of the respondents were Bakiga, mean age was 34.8 ± 8.1 years, 47.6% were married and 98.0% came from nuclear families with 4.4 ± 1.9 members. The mean number of food groups consumed was 4.7 ± 1.7 with roots and tubers, pulses, and dark leafy and vitamin A vegetables, whereas milk and eggs were mostly consumed and fruits were least consumed. The prevalence of the MDD‐W was 48.2%. Factors associated with MDD score at multivariate level included; age, type of employment, having nausea, viral load status and HIV clinical stage.

Conclusions

Almost one half of the HIV positive women on antiretroviral therapy in the district achieve the MDD‐W, attributed to being middle aged, being casual employment and having an unsuppressed viral load.
Health professional competency building for the Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative in Malawi
Authors: Mukuria‐Ashe Altrena , Nyambo Kanji , Uyehara Malia , Guta Janet , Mtengowadula George , Nyirongo Godwin , Alvey Jeniece
Published: March 2024

Health professional competency building is one of nine national responsibilities (to achieve universal coverage and sustainability) described in the 2018 World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) implementation guidance for the Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). With stagnating rates of exclusive breastfeeding worldwide, skilled breastfeeding support as a standard of newborn care is critical to the establishment of lactation and exclusive breastfeeding. Few studies exist on how low‐income countries are integrating BFHI into their standards of care. This qualitative case study describes Malawi's experience. We interviewed 48 key informants and conducted a desk review of the literature on BFHI programming, national plans, policies and other related documents. We explored the findings using the seven key domains and 16 competencies to implement the Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding from the WHO and UNICEF Competency Verification Toolkit. The study found that although the focus of the guidance is on preservice training, continuing education and in‐service training remain important. To achieve universal coverage for health professional competency, Malawi uses preservice, in‐service and refresher training. However, their main limitations to aligning with the new guidance are a lack of preservice BFHI‐ and breastfeeding‐specific curricula, experienced lecturers and sufficient time to dedicate to practical skill development. Conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this study confirmed disruptions to BFHI training and service delivery, while also documenting Malawi's resilient attempts to mitigate impacts on breastfeeding support through mentoring and coaching. Opportunities exist for strengthening and scaling up, including engaging preservice training institutions and standardizing mentoring, coaching and competency verification.
From pathological mechanisms in Krabbe disease to cutting‐edge therapy: A comprehensive review
Authors: Ketata Imen , Ellouz Emna
Published: March 2024

Since its initial documentation by Knud Krabbe in 1916, numerous studies have scrutinized the characteristics of Krabbe disease (KD) until the identification of the mutation in the GALC gene. In alignment with that, we investigated the natural history of KD spanning eight decades to gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of its mechanisms. Through our comprehensive analysis, we unearthed additional novel elements in molecular biology involving the micropathological mechanism of the disease. This review offers an updated perspective on the metabolic disorder that defines KD. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), autophagy impairment, and α‐synuclein have emerged as pivotal players in the neuropathological processes. EVs might serve as a cellular mechanism to avoid or alleviate the detrimental impacts of excessive toxic psychosine levels, and extracting EVs could contribute to synapse dysfunction. Autophagy impairment was found to be independent of psychosine and reliant on AKT and B‐cell lymphoma 2. Additionally, α‐synuclein has been recognized for inducing cellular death and dysfunction in common biological pathways. Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of advanced therapies in addressing this particular condition. While hematopoietic stem cells have been a primary treatment, its administration proves challenging, particularly in the presymptomatic phase. In this review, we have compiled information from over 10 therapy trials, comparing them based on their benefits and disadvantage.
Ageing and mating status affect food utilization efficiencies and assimilation of macronutrients in adults of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister
Authors: Yadav Priyanka , Patel Priya , Patel Arvind Kumar , Chowdhury Ritabrata , Upadhyay Ankit , Kumar Bhupendra , Kumar Dinesh
Published: March 2024

Investigations of age‐based food conversion and utilization efficiencies in phytophagous insects are very few. Studies examining the effects of age, sex and mating status on biochemical assimilation of macronutrients by phytophagous insects are scarce as well. Hence, we designed the present study to evaluate the combined effect of age, sex and mating status on food consumption and utilization efficiencies, and the assimilation of macronutrients by the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus (Asterales: Asteraceae). We hypothesized that mated adults would consume and utilize more food than unmated adults, that assimilation of nutrients by old adults would be lower than young adults and that females would consume and utilize food more efficiently than males. However, our results revealed that as adults aged, their food consumption and utilization efficiencies decreased, and they assimilated less proteins and glucose in their body. Despite that, their mean body biomass and assimilation of triglycerides increased. While mated adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and increased assimilation of triglycerides and glucose, unmated adults assimilated more proteins. Females had higher food consumption rates and increased assimilation of nutrients, whereas males had higher food conversion efficiencies and growth rates. Furthermore, middle‐aged adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and they assimilated more nutrients than young and old adults. Our results therefore suggest compensatory feeding in adults of Z. bicolorata with ageing. We also recommend the release of more numbers of mated middle‐aged females to control P. hysterophorus in agro‐ecosystems.
Photoprotective effect of topical treatment with Lopezia racemosa extract against deleterious UVB irradiation effects in the skin of hairless mice
Authors: Erick Nolasco Ontiveros , Montserrat Espinosa González Adriana , Antonio Estrella Parra Edgar , Rocío Serrano Parrales , Eduardo López Urrutia , Verónica García Castillo , Miriam Rodríguez‐Sosa , Imelda Juárez‐Avelar , del Carmen Benítez Flores José , Cruz Rivera Cabrera José , Tzasna Hernández Delgado Claudia , María García Bores Ana , Guillermo Avila Acevedo José
Published: March 2024

Lopezia racemosa is known as a “mosquito flower or perlilla.” It is commonly found in corn crops. In traditional Mexican medicine, this plant is used to treat stomach cancer and urinary tract infections. Likewise, compounds and extracts isolated from plants have shown cytotoxic and anti‐inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the photochemoprotective effect of topical treatment with the methanolic extract of L. racemosa (MELR) as a photochemoprotective agent against the harmful effects of UV irradiation (UVR) on a bacterial model and hairless mice. The MELR components were separated and analyzed via HPLC‐UV‐ESI‐MS. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ability of MERL to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals and by its FRAP capacity. The toxicity of MELR was evaluated in keratinocyte cultures. The photoprotective capacity of MELR was assessed through challenge experiments using models with bacteria and hairless CD1 et/et mice; cytokines related to the damage caused by UVR were also measured. In the methanolic extract of L. racemosa, five metabolites were detected and identified: two isomers of quercetin 6‐C glycoside, orientin, quercetin 3‐(6″‐acetylglycoside) and quercetin 3‐(6″‐galloylglycoside) 7‐(2,3‐dihydroxytetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐4‐yl acetate). MELR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging properties, in addition to Fe ion reducing activity. MELR showed a photoprotective effect against UVB radiation‐induced death in Escherichia coli bacteria. At the histological level, topical treatment of CD‐1 et/et mice with MERL reduced the damage caused by UVR. Quantification of interleukins in the blood of mice revealed that the expression of IL‐12 was greater in the control group treated with ultraviolet radiation than in the group protected with MELR. The methanolic extract of L. racemosa has photochemoprotective properties.
Up‐to‐date data on NightLase laser treatment of snoring for discussion
Authors: Dawson Peter R.
Published: March 2024

See related Reply
Validity of spatiotemporal and ground reaction force estimates during resisted sprinting with a motorized loading device
Authors: Sugisaki Norihide , Tsuchie Hiroyasu , Takai Yohei , Kobayashi Kai , Yoshimoto Takaya , Kanehisa Hiroaki
Published: March 2024

We aimed to examine the validity of estimating spatiotemporal and ground reaction force (GRF) parameters during resisted sprinting using a robotic loading device (1080 Sprint). Twelve male athletes (age: 20.9 ± 2.2 years; height: 174.6 ± 4.2 cm; weight: 69.4 ± 6.1 kg; means ± SDs) performed maximal resisted sprinting with three different loads using the device. The step frequency and length and step‐averaged velocity, anteroposterior GRF (Fap), and the ratio of Fap to resultant GRF (RF) were estimated using the velocity and towing force data measured using the device. Simultaneously, the corresponding values were measured using a 50‐m force plate system. The proportional and fixed biases of the estimated values against those measured using the force plate system were determined using ordinary least product (OLP) regression analysis. Proportional and fixed biases were observed for most variables. However, the proportional bias was small or negligible except for the step frequency. Conversely, the fixed bias was small for step‐averaged velocity (0.11 m/s) and step length (0.04 m), whereas it was large for step frequency (0.54 step/s), Fap (16N), and RF (2.22%). For all variables except step frequency, the prediction intervals in the OLP regression dramatically decreased when the corresponding values were smoothed using a two‐step moving average. These results indicate that by using the velocity and force data recorded in the loading device, most of the spatiotemporal and GRF variables during resisted sprinting can be estimated with some correction of the fixed bias and data smoothing using the two‐step moving average.
Rotation sensing using tractor atom interferometry
Authors: Dash Bineet , Goerz Michael H. , Duspayev Alisher , Carrasco Sebastián C. , Malinovsky Vladimir S. , Raithel Georg
Published: March 2024

We investigate the possible realization of an ultracold-atom rotation sensor that is based on recently proposed tractor atom interferometry (TAI). An experimental design that includes the generation of a Laguerre–Gaussian-beam-based “pinwheel” optical lattice and multi-loop interferometric cycles is discussed. Numerical simulations of the proposed system demonstrate TAI rotation sensitivity comparable to that of contemporary matter-wave interferometers. We analyze a regime of TAI rotation sensors in which nonadiabatic effects may hinder the system's performance. We apply quantum optimal control to devise a methodology suitable to address this nonadiabaticity. Our studies are of interest for current efforts to realize compact and robust matter-wave rotation sensors, as well as for fundamental physics applications of TAI.
Subduction intraslab-interface fault interactions in the 2022
M
w
6.4 Ferndale, California, earthquake sequence
Authors: Shelly David R. , Goldberg Dara E. , Materna Kathryn Z. , Skoumal Robert J. , Hardebeck Jeanne L. , Yoon Clara E. , Yeck William L. , Earle Paul S.
Published: March 2024

The Mendocino triple junction—the intersection of the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates—activates a collection of disparate faults that reconcile Cascadia subduction with San Andreas transform motion. The 20 December 2022
M
w
6.4 Ferndale, California, earthquake occurred within this complex zone as strike-slip faulting within the subducting Gorda slab. Here, we analyze the seismic and geodetic signatures of the mainshock and aftershock sequence to illuminate its role within complex tectonic surroundings. We find aftershocks on varied fault structures within the uppermost Gorda slab, yet seismicity on the subduction interface itself was notably absent. Nevertheless, we identify small but coherent postseismic deformation that is well modeled by aseismic slip on this interface, likely triggered by stresses generated at the updip limit of coseismic rupture. This sequence demonstrates the potential for interactions between intra-slab earthquakes and slip on the subduction megathrust, highlighting the need to consider this and other subduction zones as coupled systems of interacting faults.
Gamma entrainment using audiovisual stimuli alleviates chemobrain pathology and cognitive impairment induced by chemotherapy in mice
Authors: Kim TaeHyun , James Benjamin T. , Kahn Martin C. , Blanco-Duque Cristina , Abdurrob Fatema , Islam Md Rezaul , Lavoie Nicolas S. , Kellis Manolis , Tsai Li-Huei
Published: March 2024

Patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience a neurological condition known as chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, or “chemobrain,” which can persist for the remainder of their lives. Despite the growing prevalence of chemobrain, both its underlying mechanisms and treatment strategies remain poorly understood. Recent findings suggest that chemobrain shares several characteristics with neurodegenerative diseases, including chronic neuroinflammation, DNA damage, and synaptic loss. We investigated whether a noninvasive sensory stimulation treatment we term gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli (GENUS), which has been shown to alleviate aberrant immune and synaptic pathologies in mouse models of neurodegeneration, could also mitigate chemobrain phenotypes in mice administered a chemotherapeutic drug. When administered concurrently with the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin, GENUS alleviated cisplatin-induced brain pathology, promoted oligodendrocyte survival, and improved cognitive function in a mouse model of chemobrain. These effects persisted for up to 105 days after GENUS treatment, suggesting the potential for long-lasting benefits. However, when administered to mice 90 days after chemotherapy, GENUS treatment only provided limited benefits, indicating that it was most effective when used to prevent the progression of chemobrain pathology. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the effects of GENUS in mice were not limited to cisplatin-induced chemobrain but also extended to methotrexate-induced chemobrain. Collectively, these findings suggest that GENUS may represent a versatile approach for treating chemobrain induced by different chemotherapy agents.
Hydrogen sulfide production does not affect antibiotic resistance in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Caruso Lorenzo , Mellini Marta , Catalano Gonzaga Ortensia , Astegno Alessandra , Forte Elena , Di Matteo Adele , Giuffrè Alessandro , Visca Paolo , Imperi Francesco , Leoni Livia , Rampioni Giordano
Published: March 2024

Hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) has been proposed to protect bacteria from antibiotics, pointing to H
2
S-producing enzymes as possible targets for the development of antibiotic adjuvants. Here, MIC assays performed with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
mutants producing altered H
2
S levels demonstrate that H
2
S does not affect antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. Moreover, correlation analyses in a large collection of
P. aeruginosa
cystic fibrosis isolates argue against the protective role of H
2
S from antibiotic activity during chronic lung infection.
Dietary potential of the symbiotic fungus
Penicillium herquei
for the larvae of a nonsocial fungus-cultivating weevil
Euops chinensis
Authors: Guo Wenfeng , Song Yu , Chen Hu , Li Xiaoqiong
Published: March 2024

Many insect taxa cultivate fungi for food. Compared to well-known fungus cultivation in social insects, our knowledge on fungus cultivation in nonsocial insects is still limited. Here, we studied the nutritional potentials of the fungal cultivar,
Penicillium herquei
, for the larvae of its nonsocial insect farmer,
Euops chinensis
, a specialist on Japanese knotweed
Reynoutria japonica
. Overall, fungal hyphae and leaf rolls contained significantly higher carbon (C), stable isotopes of C (δ
13
C), and nitrogen (δ
15
N) but significantly lower C/N ratios compared to unrolled leaves, whereas insect bodies contained significantly higher N contents but lower C and C/N ratios compared to other types of samples. The MixSIAR model indicated that fungal hyphae contributed a larger proportion (0.626–0.797) to the diet of
E. chinensis
larvae than leaf materials. The levels of ergosterol, six essential amino acids, seven nonessential amino acids, and three B vitamins tested in fungal hyphae and/or leaf rolls were significantly higher than in unrolled leaves and/or larvae. The
P. herquei
genome contains the complete set of genes required for the biosynthesis of ergosterol, the essential amino acids valine and threonine, nine nonessential amino acids, and vitamins B2 and B3, whereas some genes associated with five essential and one nonessential amino acid were lost in the
P. herquei
genome. These suggest that
P. herquei
is capable of providing the
E. chinensis
larvae food with ergosterol, amino acids, and B vitamins.
P. herquei
appears to be able to synthesize or concentrate these nutrients considering that they were specifically concentrated in fungal hyphae.

IMPORTANCE

The cultivation of fungi for food has occurred across divergent insect lineages such as social ants, termites, and ambrosia beetles, as well as some seldom-reported solitary insects. Although the fungal cultivars of these insects have been studied for decades, the dietary potential of fungal cultivars for their hosts (especially for those nonsocial insects) is largely unknown. Our research on the mutualistic system
Euops chinensis
-
Penicillium herquei
represents an example of the diverse nutritional potentials of the fungal cultivar
P. herquei
in the diet of the larvae of its solitary host,
E. chinensis
. These results demonstrate that
P. herquei
has the potential to synthesize or concentrate ergosterol, amino acids, and B vitamins and benefits the larvae of
E. chinensis
. Our findings would shed light on poorly understood fungal cultivation mutualisms in nonsocial insects and underscore the nutritional importance of fungal cultivars in fungal cultivation mutualisms.
Plasmid-free cheater cells commonly evolve during laboratory growth
Authors: Bedore Amber M. , Waters Christopher M.
Published: March 2024

It has been nearly a century since the isolation and use of penicillin, heralding the discovery of a wide range of different antibiotics. In addition to clinical applications, such antibiotics have been essential laboratory tools, allowing for selection and maintenance of laboratory plasmids that encode cognate resistance genes. However, antibiotic resistance mechanisms can additionally function as public goods. For example, extracellular beta-lactamases produced by resistant cells that subsequently degrade penicillin and related antibiotics allow neighboring plasmid-free susceptible bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment. How such cooperative mechanisms impact selection of plasmids during experiments in laboratory conditions is poorly understood. Here, we show in multiple bacterial species that the use of plasmid-encoded beta-lactamases leads to significant curing of plasmids in surface-grown bacteria. Furthermore, such curing was also evident for aminoglycoside phosphotransferase and tetracycline antiporter resistance mechanisms. Alternatively, antibiotic selection in liquid growth led to more robust plasmid maintenance, although plasmid loss was still observed. The net outcome of such plasmid loss is the generation of a heterogenous population of plasmid-containing and plasmid-free cells, leading to experimental confounds that are not widely appreciated.

IMPORTANCE

Plasmids are routinely used in microbiology as readouts of cell biology or tools to manipulate cell function. Central to these studies is the assumption that all cells in an experiment contain the plasmid. Plasmid maintenance in a host cell typically depends on a plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance marker, which provides a selective advantage when the plasmid-containing cell is grown in the presence of antibiotic. Here, we find that growth of plasmid-containing bacteria on a surface and to a lesser extent in liquid culture in the presence of three distinct antibiotic families leads to the evolution of a significant number of plasmid-free cells, which rely on the resistance mechanisms of the plasmid-containing cells. This process generates a heterogenous population of plasmid-free and plasmid-containing bacteria, an outcome which could confound further experimentation.
Conditional splicing system for tight control of viral overlapping genes
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Jinlin , Chen Zhiwei
Published: March 2024

Viral genomes frequently harbor overlapping genes, complicating the development of virus-vectored vaccines and gene therapies. This study introduces a novel conditional splicing system to precisely control the expression of such overlapping genes through recombinase-mediated conditional splicing. We refined site-specific recombinase (SSR) conditional splicing systems and explored their mechanisms. The systems demonstrated exceptional inducibility (116,700-fold increase) with negligible background expression, facilitating the conditional expression of overlapping genes in adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Notably, this approach enabled the establishment of stable AAV producer cell lines, encapsulating all necessary packaging genes. Our findings underscore the potential of the SSR-conditional splicing system to significantly advance vector engineering, enhancing the efficacy and scalability of viral-vector-based therapies and vaccines.

IMPORTANCE

Regulating overlapping genes is vital for gene therapy and vaccine development using viral vectors. The regulation of overlapping genes presents challenges, including cytotoxicity and impacts on vector capacity and genome stability, which restrict stable packaging cell line development and broad application. To address these challenges, we present a “loxp-splice-loxp”-based conditional splicing system, offering a novel solution for conditional expression of overlapping genes and stable cell line establishment. This system may also regulate other cytotoxic genes, representing a significant advancement in cell engineering and gene therapy as well as biomass production.
Supplemental Material: Major ion pore-water chemistry evolution in Lake Michigan benthic sediments: Evidence for direct input from Michigan Basin saline groundwater
Authors: Kolak Jonathan J. , Long David T.
Published: March 2024

Detailed information on locations (Table S1) and sediment descriptions (Table S2) of the 1999 sediment gravity cores, overviews of major cation pore-water chemistry analysis procedures and quality assurance/quality control protocols (Tables S3 and S4), and additional information on sources and modifications to the generalized regional bedrock geology compilation (Table S5); figures depicting calcium versus sodium variations in pore-water samples (Fig. S1) and depicting sediment descriptions and corresponding changes in pore-water sodium concentrations (Fig. S2); and data tables of pore-water composition analyses (chloride, bromide, and major cations) for the Lake Michigan (Data S1 and S2) and Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) (Data S3) samples presented in the paper. 
Exploring AI-chatbots’ capability to suggest surgical planning in ophthalmology: ChatGPT versus Google Gemini analysis of retinal detachment cases
Authors: Carlà Matteo Mario , Gambini Gloria , Baldascino Antonio , Giannuzzi Federico , Boselli Francesco , Crincoli Emanuele , D’Onofrio Nicola Claudio , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: March 2024

Background

We aimed to define the capability of three different publicly available large language models, Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT-3.5), ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini in analysing retinal detachment cases and suggesting the best possible surgical planning.

Methods

Analysis of 54 retinal detachments records entered into ChatGPT and Gemini’s interfaces. After asking ‘Specify what kind of surgical planning you would suggest and the eventual intraocular tamponade.’ and collecting the given answers, we assessed the level of agreement with the common opinion of three expert vitreoretinal surgeons. Moreover, ChatGPT and Gemini answers were graded 1–5 (from poor to excellent quality), according to the Global Quality Score (GQS).

Results

After excluding 4 controversial cases, 50 cases were included. Overall, ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini surgical choices agreed with those of vitreoretinal surgeons in 40/50 (80%), 42/50 (84%) and 35/50 (70%) of cases. Google Gemini was not able to respond in five cases. Contingency analysis showed significant differences between ChatGPT-4 and Gemini (p=0.03). ChatGPT’s GQS were 3.9±0.8 and 4.2±0.7 for versions 3.5 and 4, while Gemini scored 3.5±1.1. There was no statistical difference between the two ChatGPTs (p=0.22), while both outperformed Gemini scores (p=0.03 and p=0.002, respectively). The main source of error was endotamponade choice (14% for ChatGPT-3.5 and 4, and 12% for Google Gemini). Only ChatGPT-4 was able to suggest a combined phacovitrectomy approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Google Gemini and ChatGPT evaluated vitreoretinal patients’ records in a coherent manner, showing a good level of agreement with expert surgeons. According to the GQS, ChatGPT’s recommendations were much more accurate and precise.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of text messaging interventions to support tobacco cessation
Authors: Puljević Cheneal , Meciar Isabel , Holland Alice , Stjepanović Daniel , Snoswell Centaine L , Thomas Emma E , Morphett Kylie , Kang Heewon , Chan Gary , Grobler Etienne , Gartner Coral E
Published: March 2024

Objective

To review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of text message-based interventions for smoking cessation, including the effects of dose (number of text messages) and concomitant use of behavioural or pharmacological interventions.

Data sources

We searched seven databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science), Google Scholar and the reference lists of relevant publications for RCTs. Eligible studies included participants aged ≥15 years who smoked tobacco at enrolment.

Study selection

One reviewer screened titles and abstracts and two reviewers independently screened full texts of articles.

Data extraction

One of three reviewers independently extracted data on study and intervention characteristics and smoking abstinence rates using Qualtrics software.

Data synthesis

30 of the 40 included studies reported higher rates of smoking cessation among those receiving text messaging interventions compared with comparators, but only 10 were statistically significant. A meta-analysis of seven RCTs found that participants receiving text messages were significantly more likely to quit smoking compared with participants in no/minimal intervention or ‘usual care’ conditions (risk ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.29, p <0.001). Three trials found no benefit from a higher dose of text messages on smoking cessation. Two trials that tested the added benefit of text messaging to pharmacotherapy reported outcomes in favour of adding text messaging.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that text messaging-based interventions are effective at promoting smoking cessation. Further research is required to establish if any additional benefit is gained from an increased number of text messages or concurrent pharmacotherapy or behavioural counselling.
Adaptive multi-interventional trial platform to improve patient care for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Kawano-Dourado Leticia , Kulkarni Tejaswini , Ryerson Christopher J , Rivera-Ortega Pilar , Baldi Bruno Guedes , Chaudhuri Nazia , Funke-Chambour Manuela , Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Johannson Kerri A , Khor Yet Hong , Montesi Sydney B , Piccari Lucilla , Prosch Helmut , Molina-Molina María , Sellares Torres Jacobo , Bauer-Ventura Iazsmin , Rajan Sujeet , Jacob Joseph , Richards Duncan , Spencer Lisa G , Wendelberger Barbara , Jensen Tom , Quintana Melanie , Kreuter Michael , Gordon Anthony C , Martinez Fernando J , Kaminski Naftali , Cornelius Victoria , Lewis Roger , Adams Wendy , Jenkins Gisli
Published: March 2024

Background

Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (fILDs) are a heterogeneous group of lung diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite a large increase in the number of clinical trials in the last 10 years, current regulatory-approved management approaches are limited to two therapies that prevent the progression of fibrosis. The drug development pipeline is long and there is an urgent need to accelerate this process. This manuscript introduces the concept and design of an innovative research approach to drug development in fILD: a global Randomised Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform in fILD (REMAP-ILD).

Methods

Description of the REMAP-ILD concept and design: the specific terminology, design characteristics (multifactorial, adaptive features, statistical approach), target population, interventions, outcomes, mission and values, and organisational structure.

Results

The target population will be adult patients with fILD, and the primary outcome will be a disease progression model incorporating forced vital capacity and mortality over 12 months. Responsive adaptive randomisation, prespecified thresholds for success and futility will be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of interventions. REMAP-ILD embraces the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for patients and researchers, and prioritises an open-science approach to data sharing and dissemination of results.

Conclusion

By using an innovative and efficient adaptive multi-interventional trial platform design, we aim to accelerate and improve care for patients with fILD. Through worldwide collaboration, novel analytical methodology and pragmatic trial delivery, REMAP-ILD aims to overcome major limitations associated with conventional randomised controlled trial approaches to rapidly improve the care of people living with fILD.
Flowering time responses to climate differ between species in mesic and xeric habitats in Alberta
Authors: Porto Cassiano , Goldblum David , Vamosi Jana C.
Published: March 2024

Ongoing climate change is likely to put increased selection pressures on the phenology of plants, yet for many species their abilities to respond to environmental cues are unknown. The present research focuses on using herbarium specimens to examine how 14 native plant species in Alberta have adjusted or adapted to changes in temperature and precipitation over the past century. We specifically investigate the impact of flowering-time responses and determine (1) whether herbaria collections contain sufficient evidence of these phenological responses to climate in plant species in Alberta, and (2) whether the responses are dependent on the typical moisture regime of their habitat. We compared plants from mesic and xeric habitats in terms of their phenological responses to air temperature and precipitation. In this study, the taxonomic relationships between the species were considered by selecting 14 species representing seven different angiosperm orders (one pair of species for each order). By collating data on the peak flowering date over the past century using preserved specimens, we found that on average, species from xeric habitats are more responsive to temperature, but not precipitation. This tendency might be explained by the thermal properties of mesic habitats, a finding that may lead to ways to predict the degree to which environmental cues will govern flowering.
Fishing antioxidant 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro assessments
Authors: Rostom Batoul , Goya-Jorge Elizabeth , Muro Liliana Vicet , Boubrik Imrane , Wiorek Sarah , Karaky Racha , Kassab Issam , Rodríguez María Elisa Jorge , Sylla-Iyarreta Veitía Maité
Published: March 2024

Coumarins represent a diverse class of natural compounds whose importance in pharmaceutical and agri-food sectors has motivated multiple novel synthetic derivatives with broad applicability. The phenolic moiety in 4-hydroxycoumarins underscores their potential to modulate the equilibrium between free radicals and antioxidant species within biological systems. The aim of this work was to assess the antioxidant activity of 18 4-hydroxycoumarin coumarin derivatives, six of which are commercially available and the other 12 were synthesized and chemically characterized and described herein. The 4-hydroxycoumarins were prepared by a two steps synthetic strategy with satisfactory yields. Their antioxidant potential was evaluated through three in vitro methods, two free radical-scavenging assays (DPPH• and ABTS•+) and a metal chelating activity assay. Six synthetic coumarins (4a, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4k, 4l) had a scavenging capacity of DPPH• higher than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 = 0.58 mmol/L) and compound 4a (4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2 H-chromen-2-one) with an IC50 = 0.05 mmol/L outperformed both BHT and ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.06 mmol/L). Nine hydroxycoumarins had a scavenging capacity against ABTS•+ greater (C3, 4a, 4c) or comparable (C1, C2, C4, C6, 4g, 4l) to Trolox (IC50 = 34.34 µmol/L). Meanwhile, the set had a modest ferrous chelation capacity, but most of them (C2, C5, C6, 4a, 4b, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l) reached up to more than 20% chelating ability percentage. Collectively, this research work provides valuable structural insights that may determine the scavenging and metal chelating activity of 4-hydroxycoumarins. Notably, substitutions at the C6 position appeared to enhance scavenging potential, while the introduction of electron-withdrawing groups showed promise in augmenting chelation efficiency.
Searching for ringdown higher modes with a numerical relativity-informed post-merger model
Authors: Gennari Vasco , Carullo Gregorio , Del Pozzo Walter
Published: March 2024

Robust measurements of multiple black hole vibrational modes provide a unique opportunity to characterise gravity in extreme curvature and dynamical regimes, to better investigate the nature of compact objects and search for signs of new physics. We use a numerically-tuned quasicircular non-precessing ringdown model, , and the analysis infrastructure to perform a time-domain spectroscopic analysis of the third catalog of transient gravitational-wave signals, GWTC-3, searching for higher angular modes. The model effectively includes non-linearities in the early post-merger signal portion, and carries information about the progenitors parameters through time-dependent excitation amplitudes of the black hole quasinormal modes. Such a strategy allows us to accurately model the full post-merger emission, recovering higher signal-to-noise ratios compared to templates based on more agnostic superpositions of damped-sinusoids. We find weak evidence for the presence of$$(l,m)=(3,3)$$(l,m)=(3,3)[$$(l,m)=(2,1)$$(l,m)=(2,1)] mode in several events, with the largest Bayes factor in favour of this mode being$${\mathcal {B}} \simeq 2.6$$B≃2.6[$${\mathcal {B}} \simeq 1.2$$B≃1.2] within the support of the peak time distribution. For GW190521, we observe$$ {\mathcal {B}} \simeq 5.1$$B≃5.1, but only for times outside the peak time support reconstructed using the highly accurate model, indicating significant systematics affecting such putative detection. Allowing for deviations from general relativity under the assumption of the presence of two modes, we find tentative support for the Kerr “final state conjecture”. Our work showcases a systematic methodology to robustly identify and characterise higher angular modes in ringdown-only signals, highlighting the significant impact of modelling assumptions and peak time uncertainty on spectroscopic measurements, at current signal-to-noise ratios.
HERMITE–HADAMARD TYPE INEQUALITIES FOR ℏ-CONVEX FUNCTION VIA FUZZY INTERVAL-VALUED FRACTIONAL q-INTEGRAL
Authors: CHENG HAIYANG , ZHAO DAFANG , SARIKAYA MEHMET ZEKI
Published: March 2024

Fractional [Formula: see text]-calculus is considered to be the fractional analogs of [Formula: see text]-calculus. In this paper, the fuzzy interval-valued Riemann–Liouville fractional (RLF) [Formula: see text]-integral operator is introduced. Also new fuzzy variants of Hermite–Hadamard (HH) type and HH–Fejér inequalities, involving [Formula: see text]-convex fuzzy interval-valued functions (FIVFs), are presented by making use of the RLF [Formula: see text]-integral. The results not only generalize existing findings in the literature but also lay a solid foundation for research on inequalities concerning FIVFs. Moreover, to verify our theoretical findings, numerical examples and imperative graphical illustrations are provided.
LiquImager
Authors: Shang Fei , Yang Panlong , Yan Dawei , Zhang Sijia , Li Xiang-Yang
Published: March 2024

WiFi has gradually developed into one of the main candidate technologies for ubiquitous sensing. Based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) WiFi devices, this paper proposes LiquImager, which can simultaneously identify liquid and image container regardless of container shape and position. Since the container size is close to the wavelength, diffraction makes the effect of the liquid on the signal difficult to approximate with a simple geometric model (such as ray tracking). Based on Maxwell's equations, we construct an electric field scattering sensing model. Using few measurements provided by COTS WiFi devices, we solve the scattering model to obtain the medium distribution of the sensing domain, which is used for identifing and imaging liquids. To suppress the signal noise, we propose LiqU-Net for image enhancement. For the centimeter-scale container that is randomly placed in an area of 25 cm × 25 cm, LiquImager can identify the liquid more than 90% accuracy. In terms of container imaging, LiquImager can accurately find the edge of the container for 4 types of containers with a volume less than 500 ml.
HyperHAR
Authors: Ahmad Nafees , Leung Ho-fung
Published: March 2024

Human activity recognition (HAR) has emerged as a prominent research field in recent years. Current HAR models are only able to model bilateral correlations between two sensing devices for feature extraction. However, for some activities, exploiting correlations among more than two sensing devices, which we call hyper-correlations in this paper, is essential for extracting discriminatory features. In this work, we propose a novel HyperHAR framework that automatically models both bilateral and hyper-correlations among sensing devices. The HyperHAR consists of three modules. The Intra-sensing Device Feature Extraction Module generates latent representation across the data of each sensing device, based on which the Inter-sensing Device Multi-order Correlations Learning Module simultaneously learns both bilateral correlations and hyper-correlations. Lastly, the Information Aggregation Module generates a representation for an individual sensing device by aggregating the bilateral correlations and hyper-correlations it involves in. It also generates the representation for a pair of sensing devices by aggregating the hyper-correlations between the pair and other different individual sensing devices. We also propose a computationally more efficient HyperHAR-Lite framework, a lightweight variant of the HyperHAR framework, at a small cost of accuracy. Both the HyperHAR and HyperHAR-Lite outperform SOTA models across three commonly used benchmark datasets with significant margins. We validate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed frameworks through an ablation study and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Light and Dark Mode
Authors: Andrew Sarah , Bishop Chelsea , Tigwell Garreth W.
Published: March 2024

Mobile app light and dark modes offer improved usability within different contexts (e.g., dark mode for easier night reading). Yet, little research has investigated the prevalence of light and dark modes across platforms, the intricacies of UI color changes, and challenges in the design and development process. Our investigation focused on comparing light and dark mode designs. We carried out a manual inspection of 120 popular Android and iOS apps to find that only 55% (Android) and 48% (iOS) of the apps included any modes. We also found significant variability in how many UI elements changed between modes. We interviewed 15 designers and developers to understand the creative process, motivations for design decisions, and what challenges exist in the processes that affect alternative mode implementation. We identified several issues that HCI researchers are equipped to solve, ultimately improving support for mobile app creators looking to implement dark modes (and beyond) for increased mobile usability in different contexts.
ViObject
Authors: Chen Wenqiang , Lin Shupei , Peng Zhencan , Parizi Farshid Salemi , Heo Seongkook , Patel Shwetak , Matusik Wojciech , Zhao Wei , Stankovic John
Published: March 2024

Knowing the object grabbed by a hand can offer essential contextual information for interaction between the human and the physical world. This paper presents a novel system, ViObject, for passive object recognition that uses accelerometer and gyroscope sensor data from commodity smartwatches to identify untagged everyday objects. The system relies on the vibrations caused by grabbing objects and does not require additional hardware or human effort. ViObject's ability to recognize objects passively can have important implications for a wide range of applications, from smart home automation to healthcare and assistive technologies. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of ViObject, to address challenges such as motion interference, different object-touching positions, different grasp speeds/pressure, and model customization to new users and new objects. We evaluate the system's performance using a dataset of 20 objects from 20 participants and show that ViObject achieves an average accuracy of 86.4%. We also customize models for new users and new objects, achieving an average accuracy of 90.1%. Overall, ViObject demonstrates a novel technology concept of passive object recognition using commodity smartwatches and opens up new avenues for research and innovation in this area.
UHead
Authors: Xu Chongzhi , Zheng Xiaolong , Ren Zhiyuan , Liu Liang , Ma Huadong
Published: March 2024

The focus of Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is extending from the vehicle and road conditions to the driver because the driver's attention is critical to driving safety. Although existing sensor and camera based methods can monitor driver attention, they rely on specialised hardware and environmental conditions. In this paper, we aim to develop an effective and easy-to-use driver attention monitoring system based on UWB radar. We exploit the strong association between head motions and driver attention and propose UHead that infers driver attention by monitoring the direction and angle of the driver's head rotation. The core idea is to extract rotational time-frequency representation from reflected signals and to estimate head rotation angles from complex head reflections. To eliminate the dynamic noise generated by other body parts, UHead leverages the large magnitude and high velocity of head rotation to extract head motion information from the dynamically coupled information. UHead uses a bilinear joint time-frequency representation to avoid the loss of time and frequency resolution caused by windowing of traditional methods. We also design a head structure-based rotation angle estimation algorithm to accurately estimate the rotation angle from the time-varying rotation information of multiple reflection points in the head. Experimental results show that we achieve 12.96° median error of 3D head rotation angle estimation in real vehicle scenes.
Multimodal Daily-Life Logging in Free-living Environment Using Non-Visual Egocentric Sensors on a Smartphone
Authors: Sun Ke , Xia Chunyu , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Hao , Zhang Charlie Jianzhong
Published: March 2024

Egocentric non-intrusive sensing of human activities of daily living (ADL) in free-living environments represents a holy grail in ubiquitous computing. Existing approaches, such as egocentric vision and wearable motion sensors, either can be intrusive or have limitations in capturing non-ambulatory actions. To address these challenges, we propose EgoADL, the first egocentric ADL sensing system that uses an in-pocket smartphone as a multi-modal sensor hub to capture body motion, interactions with the physical environment and daily objects using non-visual sensors (audio, wireless sensing, and motion sensors). We collected a 120-hour multimodal dataset and annotated 20-hour data into 221 ADL, 70 object interactions, and 91 actions. EgoADL proposes multi-modal frame-wise slow-fast encoders to learn the feature representation of multi-sensory data that characterizes the complementary advantages of different modalities and adapt a transformer-based sequence-to-sequence model to decode the time-series sensor signals into a sequence of words that represent ADL. In addition, we introduce a self-supervised learning framework that extracts intrinsic supervisory signals from the multi-modal sensing data to overcome the lack of labeling data and achieve better generalization and extensibility. Our experiments in free-living environments demonstrate that EgoADL can achieve comparable performance with video-based approaches, bringing the vision of ambient intelligence closer to reality.