bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The
sbiTRS
Operon Contributes to Stenobactin-Mediated Iron Utilization in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Wu Cheng-Mu , Li Li-Hua , Lin Yen-Ling , Wu Chao-Jung , Lin Yi-Tsung , Yang Tsuey-Ching
Published: December 2022

Therapeutic options for
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
infections are limited because
S. maltophilia
is intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. Iron is an essential element for viability, but iron overload is a lethal threat to bacteria.
Distinction between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus lactis by a
gluP
PCR-Based Assay for Accurate Identification and Diagnostics
Authors: Belloso Daza Mireya Viviana , Almeida-Santos Ana C. , Novais Carla , Read Antónia , Alves Valquíria , Cocconcelli Pier Sandro , Freitas Ana R. , Peixe Luísa
Published: December 2022

Enterococcus faecium
is a WHO priority pathogen that causes severe and hard-to-treat human infections. It was recently proposed that
E. faecium
colonizing the human gut (previous clade B) actually corresponds to
Enterococcus lactis
; therefore, some of the human infections occurring globally are being misidentified.
Protection and Damage Repair Mechanisms Contributed To the Survival of
Chroococcidiopsis
sp. Exposed To a Mars-Like Near Space Environment
Authors: Li Caiyan , Zhang Xianyuan , Ye Tong , Li Xiaoyan , Wang Gaohong
Published: December 2022

This study reported that the protective and repair mechanisms of
Chroococcidiopsis
sp. ASB-02 contributed to its endurance ability in a Mars-like near space environment.
Characterization of DNA Processing Protein A (DprA) of the Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Sharma Dhirendra Kumar , Misra Hari S. , Soni Ishu , Rajpurohit Yogendra S.
Published: December 2022

Bacteria can take up extracellular DNA (eDNA) by natural transformation (NT). Many bacteria, including
Deinococcus radiodurans
, have constitutive competence systems and can take up eDNA throughout their growth phase.
Multisite Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Improved Diagnostic Performance for Sepsis-Associated Lymphopenia Patients
Authors: Li Dongkai , Gai Wei , Zhang Jiahui , Cheng Wei , Cui Na , Wang Hao
Published: December 2022

This study was undertaken to evaluate the reliability of pathogenic diagnoses based on multisite mNGS detection at the clinically suspected sites and to analyze the efficiency of plasma mNGS detection based on lymphocyte subset counts in patients with sepsis-associated lymphopenia.
Grade 3 school performance among children born preterm: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Louis Deepak , Oberoi Sapna , Ricci Florencia M , Pylypjuk Christy , Alvaro Ruben , Seshia Mary , de Cabo Cecilia , Moddemann Diane , Sirski Monica , Lix Lisa M , Garland Allan , Ruth Chelsea Anastasia
Published: December 2022

Objective

To study the association between prematurity and grade 3 school performance in a contemporary cohort of children.

Methods

Population-based retrospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada. Children born between 1999 and 2011 who had their grade 3 school performance data available were eligible. Preterm birth (<37 weeks) was the exposure of interest assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Our primary outcomes were ‘needs ongoing help’ or ‘outside the range’ in at least two of each of the (1) four numeracy and (2) three reading competencies.

Results

Of the 186 956 eligible children, 101 436 children (7187 preterm (gestational age, median (IQR) 35 weeks (34, 36)) and 94 249 term (40 weeks (39,40)) were included. Overall, 19% of preterm and 14% of term children had the numeracy outcome (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.38; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.47, p<0.001), while 19% and 13% had the reading outcome (aOR 1.38; 1.29 to 1.48, p<0.001). These differences showed a gestational age gradient. Gestational age (for numeracy, <28 weeks aOR 4.93 (3.45 to 7.03), 28–33 weeks 1.72 (1.50 to 1.98), 34–36 weeks 1.24 (1.15 to 1.34); for reading, <28 weeks 3.51 (2.40 to 5.14), 28–33 weeks 1.72 (1.49 to 1.98), 34–36 weeks 1.24 (1.17–1.37)), male sex, small for gestational age and maternal medical and sociodemographic factors were associated with the numeracy and reading outcomes in this cohort.

Conclusions and relevance

Children born preterm had poorer performance in grade 3 numeracy and reading proficiencies than children born full term. All children born preterm, not just those born extremely preterm, should be screened for reading and numeracy performance in school and strategies implemented to address any deficits.
Perceived barriers to the process of COVID-19 control among frontline healthcare workers in South Korea: a qualitative study
Authors: Kwon Sijoung , Kang Bee-Ah , You Myoungsoon , Lee Heeyoung
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to explore barriers to disease control perceived by frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) working in community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Design

A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured focus group interviews. All interviews were conducted in Korean on Zoom between October and November 2020, audio-recorded and transcribed for reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting

All participants were working in Gyeonggi-do, the most populous province in South Korea. The province had the second-highest COVID-19 infection rates at the time of the interview.

Participants

Participants serving as HCWs in Gyeonggi Province were eligible to participate in the study. A total of 20 HCWs comprised of public health doctors and professional epidemiologists agreed to participate in the study.

Results

Four themes were generated. Each theme described how these barriers affected a disease control process: (1) ‘uncooperative public and unprepared community health centre’ delayed the investigation of newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases; (2) ‘uncoordinated disease control system’ impeded the collection and analysis of digital data; (3) ‘the gap between responsibilities and capabilities’ hindered the classification of close and casual contacts; and (4) ‘conflicts with persons who have different interests and priorities’ hampered epidemiological decision-making.

Conclusions

Our study found that frontline HCWs experienced various challenges disrupting their work performance to control COVID-19. We provide several recommendations, such as providing HCWs with systematic interview skill training, strengthening patient information security systems, providing sufficient resources, securing a regular workforce, collecting the field experiences of HCWs, implementing task-shifting, and having regular stakeholder meetings. These strategies may promote work capacity among the frontline HCWs and subsequently strengthen emergency preparedness.
Sexually transmitted infections among patients attending a sexual assault centre: a cohort study from Oslo, Norway
Authors: Skjælaaen Katarina , Nesvold Helle , Brekke Mette , Sare Miriam , Landaas Elisabeth Toverud , Mdala Ibrahimu , Olsen Anne Olaug , Vallersnes Odd Martin
Published: December 2022

Objectives

We estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) among patients after sexual assault, assess the possible value of azithromycin prophylaxis, and identify risk factors for assault-related STI and for not presenting at follow-up.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Sexual assault centre in Oslo, Norway.

Participants

645 patients, 602 (93.3%) women and 43 (6.7%) men, attending the centre from May 2017 to July 2019.

Outcome measures

Microbiological testing at the primary examination and at follow-up consultations after 2, 5 and 12 weeks. Estimated relative risk for assault-related STI and for not presenting at follow-up.

Results

At primary examination, the prevalence of genital chlamydia was 8.4%,Mycoplasma genitalium6.4% and gonorrhoea 0.6%. In addition, the prevalence of bacterial STI diagnosed at follow-up and possibly from the assault was 3.0% in total: 2.5% forM. genitalium,1.4% for genital chlamydia and 0.2% for gonorrhoea. This prevalence did not change when azithromycin was no longer recommended from January 2018. There were no new cases of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV or syphilis. We found no specific risk factors for assault-related STI. Patients with previous contact with child welfare service less often presented to follow-up (relative risk (RR) 2.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.5)), as did patients with a history of sex work (RR 3.6 (1.2 to 11.0)) or substance abuse (RR 1.7 (1.1 to 2.7)).

Conclusions

Most bacterial STIs were diagnosed at the primary examination, hence not influenced by prophylaxis. There was no increase in bacterial STI diagnosed at follow-up when azithromycin prophylaxis was not routinely recommended, supporting a strategy of starting treatment only when infection is diagnosed or when the patient is considered at high risk. Sex work, substance abuse and previous contact with child welfare services were associated with not presenting to follow-up.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03132389).
What are health professionals’ perceptions and attitudes regarding children with early childhood caries and their families? A qualitative research protocol to assess oral health stigma in the medical setting
Authors: Lienhart Guillemette , Thivichon-Prince Beatrice , Farge Pierre , Schott-Pethelaz Anne-Marie , Chaneliere Marc
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Dental caries is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in children. The disease management of caries relies on both a preventive individual approach (fluoridation, risk evaluation) and the surgical treatment of established carious lesions. Similar to other non-communicable diseases (obesity, mental diseases, etc), health professionals’ negative perceptions of patients have been shown to affect the quality of disease management. Regarding dental caries in children, some data have indicated the presence of discriminating beliefs and behaviours towards these children and their families in the medical setting. However, oral health stigma related to dental care remains a largely unexplored issue.

Methods and analysis

This study presents an exploratory research protocol focusing on the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals towards children with early childhood caries (ECC) and their parents. Semistructured interviews will be conducted among medical and dental health professionals, and verbatim quotations obtained from audio transcriptions will be analysed to identify health professionals’ perceptions of ECC and the influence of these perceptions on clinical care for these children.

Ethics and dissemination

The research ethics committee of the Department of Family Medicine at University Lyon 1 approved this protocol. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT05284279.
Towards a framework for patient-centred care coordination: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Khanna Aishwarya , Fix Gemmae M , Anderson Ekaterina , Bolton Rendelle E , Bokhour Barbara G , Foster Marva , Smith Jason G , Vimalananda Varsha G
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Patient-centred care and care coordination are each key priority areas for delivering high quality healthcare. However, the intersection between these two concepts is poorly characterised. We theorise that greater advancements in healthcare quality could be realised when care is organised in a way that aligns with patients’ preferences, needs and values across every level of the healthcare system. There is currently no published review that describes the intersection of patient-centred care and care coordination. We will undertake a scoping review that will be foundational to the development of a conceptual framework for patient-centred care coordination that integrates and synthesises the overlap between these two concepts and describe how it manifests across levels of the healthcare system.

Methods and analysis

A multidisciplinary team of reviewers will conduct a scoping review of published and grey literature to identify and synthesise key concepts at the intersection of patient-centred care and care coordination, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidance for scoping reviews. Databases we will use in our search include PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Social Sciences Abstracts, Nursing and Allied Health Premium, Health and Medical Collection, and PsycINFO. Articles will be included that are English-language; published during or after 2001; describe a theory, conceptual model, theoretical framework or definition that addresses both patient-centred care and care coordination. Articles will be excluded if they do not address the intersection of patient-centred care and care coordination; discuss a patient-centred medical home without discussion on patient-centred care concepts; or discuss a paediatric, inpatient or palliative care setting. A data extraction template will facilitate qualitative thematic analysis and findings will be synthesised into a conceptual framework.

Ethics and dissemination

This work does not require ethics approval. A preliminary framework will be presented to a group of patient stakeholders for refinement before dissemination through a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.
Body surface gastric mapping to determine gastric motility patterns associated with delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Gastric Electric Mapping after Pancreatoduodenectomy study protocol
Authors: Mentor Keno , Lembo Jade , Carswell Samantha , Jones Mike , Pandanaboyana Sanjay
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is frequent after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Although often associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula, the precise pathogenesis in patients with no underlying complications remains unclear. There is evidence to suggest that, after surgery, aberrant electrical pathways are formed in the stomach which could contribute to the development of DGE.

Gastric Alimetry is a novel technology which measures the electrical activity of the stomach non-invasively using an array of electrodes applied to the skin of the abdomen. This technique, termed body surface gastric mapping (BSGM), has been validated in normal controls and in patients with functional dyspepsia syndromes. This study will investigate the efficacy and feasibility of using BSGM to assess gastric motility in patients who undergo PD.

Methods and analysis

This prospective cohort study will be conducted at a single large volume hepatobiliary unit in the UK. 50 patients who are planned to undergo PD will be included. BSGM measurement will be performed at four timepoints viz: preoperatively, day 4 postoperatively, at discharge and 6 months postoperatively. Key parameters of BSGM measurement, including wave amplitude, frequency and directional vector, will be measured at each timepoint and compared between different patient subgroups. Symptoms will be self-reported by patients during the recording using an iPad application designed for this purpose. Quality of life and patient experience will be assessed using standardised questionnaires at the end of the follow-up period.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the research ethics committees of Newcastle University and the Health Research Authority (HRA) of the UK (ethical approval IRAS ID 305302). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

This study will automatically be registered with the ISRCTN registry by the HRA as part of the ethics approval process.
Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines and levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody in the Bruneian population: Protocol for a national longitudinal study
Authors: Ghani Hazim , Ahmad Liyana , Sharif Hanisah , Wong Justin , Bagol Saifuddien , Alikhan Mohammad Fathi , Taib Surita , Tan Chee Wah , Zhu Feng , Ong Xin Mei , Shim Chin Yee , Wang Yan , Chan Si Yee , Wei Yuan , Idris Fazean , Naing Lin , Wang Lin-Fa , Cunningham Anne Catherine
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Neutralising antibodies (NAbs) have been shown to be correlative of immune protection against SARS-CoV-2. We report the protocol for a national longitudinal study to assess and compare the level of NAbs generated in response to COVID-19 vaccines in Brunei Darussalam in adults 2–6 weeks post primary series (BBIBP-CorV, AZD1222, or mRNA-1273 vaccines) and their subsequent follow-up after administration of a third (booster-1) dose (BBIBP-CorV, mRNA-1273, or BNT162b2).

Methods and analysis

Participant data will be extracted and processed from the national electronic health record system (Bru-HIMS) and the national mobile health application (BruHealth) into a research data platform. Eligible adults who have received their primary or booster vaccine will be invited using a stratified random sampling strategy based on age, gender and vaccine type (baseline target population, n=3000; 2–6 weeks post last dose). Blood serum will be isolated, and NAb levels assessed using the cPass surrogate virus neutralisation test. Baseline participants will then be screened for eligibility for subsequent longitudinal analysis. Those who have received a third dose will be followed up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and up to 12 months. NAb levels will be evaluated across the participant population according to vaccine platform/booster type, time since the last dose and correlated with demographic data. The study period is from December 2021 to January 2023 and aims to evaluate how NAb levels wane following a third vaccine dose across different vaccine platforms and determine the impact and rate of breakthrough infections.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Medical and Ethical Research Committee of Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam. Individual NAb test results will be shared with each participant by text message. The findings from this study will help policy-makers in Brunei develop future vaccination strategies and establish regulations across multiple agencies.
Study of prehospital video telehealth for callers with mental health-related complaints
Authors: Nehme Emily , Magnuson Nicole , Mackay Lindsay , Becker Gareth , Wilson Mark , Smith Karen
Published: December 2022

Background

Patients with mental health-related complaints are a key driver of increasing emergency medical service (EMS) demand; however, they require minimal intervention by EMS personnel. We describe the outcomes of a video telehealth study by mental health nurses (MHNs) in an EMS call-taking centre.

Methods

This was a prospective study of adult (≥18 years) EMS callers with non-urgent mental health concerns in Victoria, Australia who underwent secondary triage between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2021. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare the influence of video telehealth with voice-only triage by an MHN or secondary triage practitioner on the need for ambulance dispatch. One-week follow-up was conducted with video telehealth patients. Interviews were conducted with MHNs and a cost analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 9588 patients were included of which 738 (7.7%) completed video consultation. The median age of video telehealth patients was 34 years (Q1: 24, Q3: 47), 62% were female and the most common complaint was suicidal or self-harm ideation (50.0%). After multivariable adjustment, video telehealth was associated with reduced odds of emergency ambulance dispatch (OR=0.173, 95% CI 0.144 to 0.209) when compared with voice-only triage by a secondary triage practitioner, but not voice-only triage by an MHN (OR=1.009, 95% CI 0.827 to 1.232). Video triage was associated with increased referrals to alternative services (excluding EDs) when compared with voice-only triage by an MHN (OR=1.321, 95% CI 1.087 to 1.606). Among those responding to 1-week follow-up, 92.8% were satisfied with the telehealth service and MHNs viewed it favourably. The average cost per video telehealth case was half that of a traditional secondary triage.

Conclusion

The use of video telehealth by MHNs was associated with fewer emergency ambulance dispatches when compared with voice-only triage by secondary triage practitioners, and increased referrals to alternative services. This cost-effective technology was viewed favourably by patients and MHNs. Expansion of video technology in EMS call taking warrants exploration.
Personalised digital technology for mental health in the armed forces: the potential, the hype and the dangers
Authors: Leightley Daniel , Murphy D
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a digital technology revolution which included widespread use in remote healthcare settings, remote working and use of technology to support friends and family to stay in touch. The armed forces have also increased its use of digital technology, but not at the same rate, and it is important that they do not fall behind in the revolution. One area where digital technology could be helpful is the treatment and management of mental health conditions. In a civilian setting, digital technology adoption has been found to be acceptable and feasible yet there is little use in the armed forces. In this personal view, we explore the potential use of personalised digital technology for mental health, the hype surrounding it and the dangers.

This paper forms part of the special issue of
BMJ Military Health
dedicated to personalised digital technology for mental health in the armed forces.
Comparison of approaches to determine echocardiographic outcomes for children with latent rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Rwebembera Joselyn , Beaton Andrea , Okello Emmy , Engelman Daniel , Fall Ndate , Mirabel Mariana , Nakitto Miriam , Pereira Nunes Maria Carmo , Pulle Jafesi , Sarnacki Rachel , Scheel Amy , Zuhlke Liesl , Grobler Anneke , Steer Andrew Craig , Sable Craig
Published: December 2022

Background

Screening programmes using echocardiography offer opportunity for intervention through identification and treatment of early (latent) rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We aimed to compare two methods for classifying progression or regression of latent RHD: serial review method and blinded, side-by-side review.

Methods

A four-member expert panel reviewed 799 enrolment (in 2018) and completion (in 2020) echocardiograms from the GOAL Trial of latent RHD in Uganda to make consensus determination of normal, borderline RHD or definite RHD. Serial interpretations (enrolment and completion echocardiograms read at two different time points, 2 years apart, not beside one another) were compared with blinded side-by-side comparisons (enrolment and completion echocardiograms displayed beside one another in random order on same screen) to determine outcomes according to prespecified definitions of disease progression (worsening), regression (improving) or no change. We calculated inter-rater agreement using Cohen’s kappa.

Results

There were 799 pairs of echocardiogram assessments included. A higher number, 54 vs 38 (6.8% vs 4.5%), were deemed as progression by serial interpretation compared with side-by-side comparison. There was good inter-rater agreement between the serial interpretation and side-by-side comparison methods (kappa 0.89). Disagreement was most often a result of the difference in classification between borderline RHD and mild definite RHD. Most discrepancies between interpretation methods (46 of 47, 98%) resulted from differences in valvular morphological evaluation, with valves judged to be morphologically similar between enrolment and final echocardiograms when compared side by side but classified differently on serial interpretation.

Conclusions

There was good agreement between the methods of serial and side-by-side interpretation of echocardiograms for change over time, using the World Heart Federation criteria. Side-by-side interpretation has higher specificity for change, with fewer differences in the interpretation of valvular morphology, as compared with serial interpretation.
Dysregulated long non-coding RNA in Sjögren’s disease impacts both interferon and adaptive immune responses
Authors: Joachims Michelle L , Khatri Bhuwan , Li Chuang , Tessneer Kandice L , Ice John A , Stolarczyk Anna M , Means Nicolas , Grundahl Kiely M , Glenn Stuart B , Kelly Jennifer A , Lewis David M , Radfar Lida , Stone Donald U , Guthridge Joel M , James Judith A , Scofield R Hal , Wiley Graham B , Wren Jonathan D , Gaffney Patrick M , Montgomery Courtney G , Sivils Kathy L , Rasmussen Astrid , Farris A Darise , Adrianto Indra , Lessard Christopher J
Published: December 2022

Objective

Sjögren’s disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disease characterised by inflammatory destruction of exocrine glands. Patients with autoantibodies to Ro/SSA (SjDRo+) exhibit more severe disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a functionally diverse class of non-protein-coding RNAs whose role in autoimmune disease pathology has not been well characterised.

Methods

Whole blood RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on SjD cases (n=23 Ro/SSA negative (SjDRo−); n=27 Ro/SSA positive (SjDRo+) and healthy controls (HCs; n=27). Bioinformatics and pathway analyses of differentially expressed (DE) transcripts (log2fold change ≥2 or ≤0.5; padj<0.05) were used to predict lncRNA function.LINC01871was characterised by RNA-seq analyses of HSB-2 cells with CRISPR-targetedLINC01871deletion (LINC01871−/−) and in vitro stimulation assays.

Results

Whole blood RNA-seq revealed autoantibody-specific transcription profiles and disproportionate downregulation of DE transcripts in SjD cases relative to HCs. Sixteen DE lncRNAs exhibited correlated expression with the interferon (IFN)-regulated gene,RSAD2, in SjDRo+(r≥0.65 or ≤−0.6); four antisense lncRNAs exhibited IFN-regulated expression in immune cell lines.LINC01871was upregulated in all SjD cases. RNA-seq and pathway analyses ofLINC01871−/−cells implicated roles in cytotoxic function, differentiation and IFNγ induction.LINC01871was induced by IFNγ in a myeloid cell line and regulated by calcineurin/NFAT pathway and T cell receptor (TCR) signalling in primary human T cells.

Conclusion

LINC01871influences expression of many immune cell genes and growth factors, is IFNγ inducible, and regulated by calcineurin signalling and TCR ligand engagement. AlteredLINC01871expression may influence the dysregulated T cell inflammatory pathways implicated in SjD.
X-ray-aided characterization of micro-hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated sand using a suction-controlled mini-triaxial system
Authors: Liu Jianbin , Leung Anthony Kwan , Zhou Chao , Chen Rui
Published: December 2022

Despite the advancement of the knowledge of unsaturated soil behaviour developed over the past decades, the understandings remain largely at the macro or element scale. Existing testing systems allow simultaneous in situ loading and X-ray imaging to facilitate the studies at micro or pore scale, but the soils of concern are normally two-phase (i.e., dry or saturated). This paper develops a new suction-controlled miniature triaxial apparatus for studying the micro-hydro-mechanical behaviour of three-phase unsaturated soils via in situ quantification of the evolutions of soil microstructures, aided by micro-X-ray computer tomography imaging. The apparatus can independently control combinations of net mean stress and matric suction whilst permitting high-resolution full-field imaging of the entire samples through the image analysis via methods of pore network modelling and discrete digital image correction. Results reveal that at equilibrium, suction at the “transition zone” of the soil does not necessarily mean to have both the air and water phases continuous, as otherwise recognized at the element scale. This phenomenon leads to nonuniform distributions of local void ratio and degree of saturation. Post-peak strain localization and shear band development are explained by the movements of pore fluid and the associated influences on local soil void ratio change.
Benchmarking the cosmological master equations
Authors: Colas Thomas , Grain Julien , Vennin Vincent
Published: December 2022

Master equations are commonly employed in cosmology to model the effect of additional degrees of freedom, treated as an “environment”, onto a given “system”. However, they rely on assumptions that are not necessarily satisfied in cosmology, where the environment may be out of equilibrium and the background is dynamical. In this work, we apply the master-equation program to a model that is exactly solvable, and which consists of two linearly coupled scalar fields evolving on a cosmological background. The light field plays the role of the system and the heavy field is the environment. By comparing the exact solution to the output of the master equation, we can critically assess its performance. We find that the master equation exhibits a set of “spurious” terms that explicitly depend on the initial conditions, and which arise as a consequence of working on a dynamical background. Although they cancel out in the perturbative limit of the theory (i.e. at leading orders in the interaction strength), they spoil resummation. However, when those terms are removed, the master equation performs impressively well to reproduce the power spectra and the amount of the decoherence of the light field, even in the strongly decohered regime. We conclude that master equations are able to perform late-time resummation, even though the system is far from the Markovian limit, provided spurious contributions are suppressed.
Information paradox and island in quasi-de Sitter space
Authors: Seo Min-Seok
Published: December 2022

Whereas a static observer in de Sitter (dS) space detects thermal radiation emitted by the horizon, the dS isometries impose that the radiation is in equilibrium with the background. This implies that for the static observer to find the information paradox, the background must be deformed to quasi-dS space in which the dS isometries are spontaneously broken. We study the condition that the information paradox arises in quasi-dS space with the monotonically increasing horizon size which is used to describe the inflationary cosmology. For this purpose, the dimensional reduction of three-dimensional dS space with thermal radiation modelled by the JT gravity coupled to CFT is considered. We argue that when the central charge monotonically increases in time, the information paradox arises but the conditions for the existence of the island become more restrictive. As the central charge can be interpreted as the number of degrees of freedom, the absence of the island in quasi-dS space supports the entropy argument for the dS swampland conjecture.
Fluid flow and heat transfer investigating the hot barrier inside the cavity to form an Islamic knot
Authors: Mohebbi Rasul , Ma Yuan , Shakeri Mohamad Hosein
Published: December 2022

This work is based on a numerical simulation to study the flow pattern and heat transfer characteristics inside a cavity in the form of an Islamic knot. The effect of height and length of the obstacle are investigated. Nine different obstacles with different lengths (a) and heights (b) are considered. It can be found that the variation in length and height of the hot obstacle leads to the obvious change in the flow field and temperature field. In addition, the small gap inside the cavity has a limited effect on the flow motion. Besides, the small gap between the cold and hot surfaces leads to higher conduction heat transport. For high Ra, the flow and heat transfer characteristics can be described in two situations. The first is included in the cases of [Formula: see text], (10, 2) and (10, 3), where the primary vortices are located on the top and bottom of the cavity. The second one consists of cases [Formula: see text], (4, 3), (5, 3), (6, 3), (7, 3) and (8, 3), where the primary flow circulations are established on the left and right sides. For all the cases, the average Nu increases by rising the Ra. By increasing the Ra, the average Nu in the second situation increases more significantly than that in the first one. The cases in the second situation always have better heat transfer performance than those in the first one, especially at higher Ra.
Anomalies and phases of strongly coupled chiral gauge theories: Recent developments
Authors: Bolognesi Stefano , Konishi Kenichi , Luzio Andrea
Published: December 2022

After many years of investigations, our understanding of the dynamics of strongly coupled chiral gauge theories is still quite unsatisfactory today. Conventional wisdom about strongly coupled gauge theories, successfully applied to QCD, is not always as useful in chiral gauge theories. Recently, some new ideas and techniques have been developed, which involve concepts of generalized symmetries, of gauging a discrete center symmetry, and of generalizing the ’t Hooft anomaly matching constraints to include certain mixed symmetries. This new development has been applied to chiral gauge theories, leading to many interesting, sometimes quite unexpected, results. For instance, in the context of generalized Bars–Yankielowicz and generalized Georgi–Glashow models, these new types of anomalies give a rather clear indication in favor of the dynamical Higgs phase, against confining, flavor symmetric vacua.

Another closely related topic is strong anomaly and the effective low-energy action representing it. It turns out that they have significant implications on the phase of chiral gauge theories, giving indications consistent with the findings based on the generalized anomalies.

Some striking analogies and contrasts between the massless QCD and chiral gauge theories seem to emerge from these discussions. The aim of this work is to review these developments.
The Bessel wavelet transform of distributions in DL2′-type space
Authors: Amit  , Maurya Jay Singh , Upadhyay Santosh Kumar
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the inversion formula and the continuity of the continuous Bessel wavelet transform of distributions in [Formula: see text]- type space are investigated. For the uniqueness of the inversion formula, the Bessel wavelet kernel of nonvanishing moments is considered.
Curvature inheritance symmetry on M-projectively flat spacetimes
Authors: Shaikh Absos Ali , Ali Musavvir , Salman Mohammad , Zengin Füsun Özen
Published: December 2022

The paper aims to investigate curvature inheritance (CI) symmetry in M-projectively flat spacetimes. It is shown that the CI symmetry in M-projectively flat spacetime is a conformal motion. We have proved that M-projective curvature tensor follows the symmetry inheritance property along a vector field [Formula: see text], when spacetime admits the conditions of both CI symmetry and conformal motion or motion along the vector field [Formula: see text]. Also, we have derived some results for M-projectively flat spacetime with perfect fluid following the Einstein field equations (EFEs) with a cosmological term and admitting the CI symmetry along the vector field [Formula: see text]. We have shown that an M-projectively flat perfect fluid spacetime obeying the EFEs with a cosmological term and admitting the CI symmetry along a vector field [Formula: see text] is either a vacuum or satisfies the vacuum-like equation of state. We have also shown that such spacetimes with the energy–momentum tensor of an electromagnetic field distribution do not admit any curvature symmetry of general relativity. Finally, an example of M-projectively flat spacetime has been exhibited.
Auto-STGCN: Autonomous Spatial-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network Search
Authors: Wang Chunnan , Zhang Kaixin , Wang Hongzhi , Chen Bozhou
Published: December 2022

In recent years, many spatial-temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) models are proposed to deal with the spatial-temporal network data forecasting problem. These STGCN models have their own advantages, i.e., each of them puts forward many effective operations and achieves good prediction results in the real applications. If users can effectively utilize and combine these excellent operations integrating the advantages of existing models, then they may obtain more effective STGCN models thus create greater value using existing work. However, they fail to do so due to the lack of domain knowledge, and there is lack of automated system to help users to achieve this goal. In this article, we fill this gap and propose Auto-STGCN algorithm, which makes use of existing models to automatically explore high-performance STGCN model for specific scenarios. Specifically, we design Unified-STGCN framework, which summarizes the operations of existing architectures, and use parameters to control the usage and characteristic attributes of each operation, so as to realize the parameterized representation of the STGCN architecture and the reorganization and fusion of advantages. Then, we present Auto-STGCN, an optimization method based on reinforcement learning, to quickly search the parameter search space provided by Unified-STGCN, and generate optimal STGCN models automatically. Extensive experiments on real-world benchmark datasets show that our Auto-STGCN can find STGCN models superior to existing STGCN models used for search space construction, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed method.
A Survey on Exotic Signatures for Post-quantum Blockchain: Challenges and Research Directions
Authors: Buser Maxime , Dowsley Rafael , Esgin Muhammed , Gritti Clémentine , Kasra Kermanshahi Shabnam , Kuchta Veronika , Legrow Jason , Liu Joseph , Phan Raphaël , Sakzad Amin , Steinfeld Ron , Yu Jiangshan
Published: December 2022

Blockchain technology provides efficient and secure solutions to various online activities by utilizing a wide range of cryptographic tools. In this article, we survey the existing literature on post-quantum secure digital signatures that possessexoticadvanced features and that are crucial cryptographic tools used in the blockchain ecosystem for (1) account management, (2) consensus efficiency, (3) empowering scriptless blockchain, and (4) privacy. The exotic signatures that we particularly focus on in this work are the following: multi-/aggregate, threshold, adaptor, blind, and ring signatures. Herein the term ”exotic” refers to signatures with properties that are not just beyond the norm for signatures, e.g., unforgeability, but also imbue new forms of functionalities. Our treatment of such exotic signatures includes discussions on existing challenges and future research directions in the post-quantum space. We hope that this article will help to foster further research to make post-quantum cryptography more accessible so that blockchain systems can be made ready in advance of the approaching quantum threats.
Semi-supervised Learning for Mars Imagery Classification and Segmentation
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Lin Lilang , Fan Zejia , Liu Jiaying
Published: December 2022

With the progress of Mars exploration, numerous Mars image data are being collected and need to be analyzed. However, due to the severe train-test gap and quality distortion of Martian data, the performance of existing computer vision models is unsatisfactory. In this article, we introduce a semi-supervised framework for machine vision on Mars and try to resolve two specific tasks: classification and segmentation. Contrastive learning is a powerful representation learning technique. However, there is too much information overlap between Martian data samples, leading to a contradiction between contrastive learning and Martian data. Our key idea is to reconcile this contradiction with the help of annotations and further take advantage of unlabeled data to improve performance. For classification, we propose to ignore inner-class pairs on labeled data as well as neglect negative pairs on unlabeled data, forming supervised inter-class contrastive learning and unsupervised similarity learning. For segmentation, we extend supervised inter-class contrastive learning into an element-wise mode and use online pseudo labels for supervision on unlabeled areas. Experimental results show that our learning strategies can improve the classification and segmentation models by a large margin and outperform state-of-the-art approaches.
Multi-Source Knowledge Reasoning Graph Network for Multi-Modal Commonsense Inference
Authors: Ma Xuan , Yang Xiaoshan , Xu Changsheng
Published: December 2022

As a crucial part of natural language processing, event-centered commonsense inference task has attracted increasing attention. With a given observed event, the intention and reaction of the people involved in the event are required to be inferred with artificial intelligent algorithms. To solve this problem, sequence-to-sequence methods are widely studied, where the event is first encoded into a specific representation and then decoded to generate the results. However, all the existing methods learn the event representation only with the textual information, while the visual information is ignored, which is actually helpful for the commonsense reference. In this article, we first define a new task of multi-modal commonsense reference with both textual and visual information. A new event-centered multi-modal dataset is also provided. Then we propose a multi-source knowledge reasoning graph network to solve this task, where three kinds of relational knowledge are considered. Multi-modal correlations are learned to get the event’s multi-modal representation from a global perspective. Intra-event object relations are explored to capture the fine-grained event feature with an object graph. Inter-event semantic relations are also explored through the external knowledge to understand the semantic associations among events with an event graph. We conduct extensive experiments on the new dataset, and the results show the effectiveness of our method.
The injury-induced transcription factor SOX9 alters the expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 in the human kidney
Authors: Kha Michelle , Krawczyk Krzysztof , Choong Oi Kuan , De Luca Francesco , Altiparmak Gülay , Källberg Eva , Nilsson Helén , Leandersson Karin , Swärd Karl , Johansson Martin E.
Published: December 2022

Recent studies using murine models have shown that SRY box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is activated during repair of renal tubular cells. In this study, we showed that SOX9-positive cells represent a proportion of scattered tubular cells found in the uninjured human kidney. Furthermore, we suggest that expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 is altered by SOX9 in the kidney tubular epithelium, suggesting the involvement of these gene products in kidney injury and regeneration.
Common synaptic input between motor units from the lateral and medial posterior soleus compartments does not differ from that within each compartment
Authors: Aeles Jeroen , Sarcher Aurélie , Hug François
Published: December 2022

The human soleus muscle is anatomically subdivided into four compartments. The functional role for this compartmentalization remains unknown. Here, we showed that, contrary to previous findings in finger muscles, the common synaptic input between motor units innervating the medial and lateral posterior soleus compartment was similar as that between motor units within the individual compartments. We suggest that the contradictory findings with other compartmentalized muscles may be explained by differences in muscle-tendon anatomy and function.
The Protective Effect of Sheng Mai Yin on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway
Authors: Li Jing-Ya , Zhao Chun-Chun , Peng Jian-Fei , Zhang Meng , Wang Liang , Yin Gang , Zhou Peng
Published: December 2022

Sheng Mai Yin (SMY) has therapeutic effects on myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), and myocarditis. To study whether SMY can relieve pyroptosis and play a protective role in diabetic cardiomyopathy, a molecular docking technique was used to predict the possible mechanism of SMY against DCM. Then, a DCM rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), divided into 5 groups: the DM group (model), SMY-L group (2.7 mL/kg SMY), SMY-M group (5.4 mL/kg SMY), SMY-H group (10.8 mL/kg SMY), and Met group (120 mg/kg metformin). Rats in the CTL group (control) and DM group were given normal saline. After 8 weeks, the levels of blood glucose, lipids, and myocardial enzymes were detected according to the kit instructions. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. HE and Masson were used to observing the pathological changes, collagen deposition, and collagen volume fraction (CVF). The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was determined by Tunel. The IL-1β level was determined by ELISA and RT-PCR. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The docking results suggested that SMY may act on NLRP3 and its downstream signal pathway. The in vivo results showed that SMY could reduce blood glucose and lipid levels, improve heart function, improve histopathological changes and myocardial enzymes, and alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. SMY inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD and IL-1β production. SMY can reduce DCM by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway, providing a new research direction for the treatment of DCM.
Investment Efficiency Assessment of Distribution Network for the High Proportion of Renewable Energy: A Hybrid Multiattribute Decision-Making Method
Authors: Lijia Li , Guanglong Xie , Keyao Lin , Juhua Hong , Wanzhen Ma , Xuejie Wang , Huiru Zhao
Published: December 2022

To cope with the high proportion of renewable energy connected to the grid under the carbon peak and neutrality goal, the investment in distribution network construction will account for more than 50% of the power grid companies’ investment direction in distribution networks in China. According to the characteristics of distribution network investment under the high proportion of renewable energy, a new evaluation index system of distribution network investment efficiency is constructed from the three dimensions of power supply guarantee capacity, total carrying capacity and value creation capacity. Besides, it put forward the game theory combined weighting method based on fuzzy BWM (F-BWM) method and anti-entropy weight method (a-EWM) and the multi-attribute decision-making method of MARCOS based on Pearson coefficient instead of the covariance matrix and improved weighted Mahalanobis distance (I-M-MARCOS). Finally, eight typical distribution network projects in a province of China are selected for empirical analysis. The results show that the model has good applicability in the evaluation of distribution network investment efficiency, and expanding the scale of distribution network and flexibly adjusting resources are the key ways to improve the investment efficiency of distribution networks.