bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room-temperature efficient and tunable interlayer exciton emissions in WS2/WSe2 heterobilayers at high generation rates
Authors: Fu Qiang , Liu Xiaoya , Wang Shixuan , Wu Zhicong , Xia Weiqiao , Zhang Qi , Ni Zhenhua , Hu Zhenliang , Lu Junpeng
Published: August 2024

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) heterobilayers (HBs) have been intensively investigated lately because they offer novel platforms for the exploration of interlayer excitons (IXs). However, the potentials of IXs in TMDC HBs have not been fully studied as efficient and tunable emitters for both photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) at room temperature (RT). Also, the efficiencies of the PL and EL of IXs have not been carefully quantified. In this work, we demonstrate that IX in WS2/WSe2 HBs could serve as promising emitters at high generation rates due to its immunity to efficiency roll-off. Furthermore, by applying gate voltages to balance the electron and hole concentrations and to reinforce the built-in electric fields, high PL quantum yield (QY) and EL external quantum efficiency (EQE) of ∼0.48% and ∼0.11% were achieved at RT, respectively, with generation rates exceeding 1021 cm
–
2·s
–
1, which confirms the capabilities of IXs as efficient NIR light emitters by surpassing most of the intralayer emissions from TMDCs.
Narrow-bandwidth silicon photonic CROW filter for carrier-extracted self-coherent (CESC) detection
Authors: Zhu Haojie , Fang Yuhao , Wu Junyu , Wang Zhen , Li Jingchi , Cheng Xue , Ji Honglin , Su Yikai , Shieh William
Published: August 2024

In this Letter, we report a second-order silicon photonic (SiP) coupled resonator optical waveguide (CROW) filter with an ultra-narrow 10-dB bandwidth of 1.75 GHz and a high extinction ratio (ER) of ∼50 dB. By utilizing this CROW filter, we demonstrated an innovative self-coherent detection, called carrier-extracted self-coherent (CESC) detection. By effectively suppressing signal components with the narrow-bandwidth CROW, full-field recovery can be achieved without expensive coherent lasers and sophisticated iteration algorithms. The performance of the CROW filter-based CESC system was further experimentally verified by retrieving 100 Gb/s QPSK signals.
Isolator-free 60 W diamond Raman laser at 607 nm
Authors: Sharp A. , Jasbeer H. , Pahlavani R. , Spence D. J. , Kitzler O. , Yang X. , Mildren R. P.
Published: August 2024

We report an intra-cavity frequency doubled diamond Raman laser
operating at 607 nm. A z-fold cavity design was configured to prevent
back reflections into the fiber amplifier, which avoided the use of
isolators in the pump beam path. A maximum output power of 60 W was
generated in two output beams at an optical conversion efficiency of
28% from the 1045 nm pump. A maximum single-beam output power of 40 W
was obtained using a highly reflecting end mirror for the visible.
Output power and single frequency stability are negatively impacted by
an increasing role of stimulated Brillouin scattering at output powers
above 10 W.
Somatic nuclear mitochondrial DNA insertions are prevalent in the human brain and accumulate over time in fibroblasts
Authors: Zhou Weichen , Karan Kalpita R. , Gu Wenjin , Klein Hans-Ulrich , Sturm Gabriel , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A. , Hirano Michio , Picard Martin , Mills Ryan E.
Published: August 2024

The transfer of mitochondrial DNA into the nuclear genomes of eukaryotes (Numts) has been linked to lifespan in nonhuman species and recently demonstrated to occur in rare instances from one human generation to the next. Here, we investigated numtogenesis dynamics in humans in 2 ways. First, we quantified Numts in 1,187 postmortem brain and blood samples from different individuals. Compared to circulating immune cells (n = 389), postmitotic brain tissue (n = 798) contained more Numts, consistent with their potential somatic accumulation. Within brain samples, we observed a 5.5-fold enrichment of somatic Numt insertions in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) compared to cerebellum samples, suggesting that brain Numts arose spontaneously during development or across the lifespan. Moreover, an increase in the number of brain Numts was linked to earlier mortality. The brains of individuals with no cognitive impairment (NCI) who died at younger ages carried approximately 2 more Numts per decade of life lost than those who lived longer. Second, we tested the dynamic transfer of Numts using a repeated-measures whole-genome sequencing design in a human fibroblast model that recapitulates several molecular hallmarks of aging. These longitudinal experiments revealed a gradual accumulation of 1 Numt every ~13 days. Numtogenesis was independent of large-scale genomic instability and unlikely driven by cell clonality. Targeted pharmacological perturbations including chronic glucocorticoid signaling or impairing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) only modestly increased the rate of numtogenesis, whereas patient-derived SURF1-mutant cells exhibiting mtDNA instability accumulated Numts 4.7-fold faster than healthy donors. Combined, our data document spontaneous numtogenesis in human cells and demonstrate an association between brain cortical somatic Numts and human lifespan. These findings open the possibility that mito-nuclear horizontal gene transfer among human postmitotic tissues produces functionally relevant human Numts over timescales shorter than previously assumed.
Signatures of hierarchical temporal processing in the mouse visual system
Authors: Rudelt Lucas , González Marx Daniel , Spitzner F. Paul , Cramer Benjamin , Zierenberg Johannes , Priesemann Viola
Published: August 2024

A core challenge for the brain is to process information across various timescales. This could be achieved by a hierarchical organization of temporal processing through intrinsic mechanisms (e.g., recurrent coupling or adaptation), but recent evidence from spike recordings of the rodent visual system seems to conflict with this hypothesis. Here, we used an optimized information-theoretic and classical autocorrelation analysis to show that information- and correlation timescales of spiking activity increase along the anatomical hierarchy of the mouse visual system under visual stimulation, while information-theoretic predictability decreases. Moreover, intrinsic timescales for spontaneous activity displayed a similar hierarchy, whereas the hierarchy of predictability was stimulus-dependent. We could reproduce these observations in a basic recurrent network model with correlated sensory input. Our findings suggest that the rodent visual system employs intrinsic mechanisms to achieve longer integration for higher cortical areas, while simultaneously reducing predictability for an efficient neural code.
Mapping the existing body of knowledge on new and repurposed TB vaccine implementation: A scoping review
Authors: Buis Joeri S. , Jerene Degu , Gebhard Agnes , Bakker Roel , Majidulla Arman , Kerkhoff Andrew D. , Limaye Rupali J. , Pelzer Puck T.
Published: August 2024

There is global consensus on the urgent need for a safe and effective TB vaccine for adults and adolescents to improve global TB control, and encouragingly, several promising candidates have advanced to late-stage trials. Significant gaps remain in understanding the critical factors that will facilitate the successful implementation of new and repurposed TB vaccines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), once available. By synthesizing the existing body of knowledge, this review offers comprehensive insights into the current state of research on implementation of these adult and adolescent vaccines. This review explores four key dimensions: (1) epidemiological impact, (2) costing, cost-effectiveness, and/or economic impact, (3) acceptability, and the (4) feasibility of implementation; this includes implementation strategies of target populations, and health system capabilities. Results indicate that current research primarily consists of epidemiological and costing/cost-effectiveness/economic studies in India, China, and South Africa, mainly modelling with M72/AS01, BCG revaccination, and hypothetical vaccines. Varying endpoints, vaccine efficacies, and vaccination coverages were used. Globally, new, and repurposed TB vaccines are estimated to save millions of lives. Economically, these vaccines also demonstrate promise with expected cost-effectiveness in most countries. Projected outcomes were dependent on vaccine characteristics, target population, implementation strategy, timing of roll out, TB burden/country context, and vaccination coverage. Potential barriers for vaccine acceptability included TB-related stigma, need for a second dose, and cost, while low pricing, community and civil society engagement and heightened public TB awareness were potential enablers in China, India, and South Africa. Potential implementation strategies considered spanned from mass campaigns to integration within existing vaccine programs and the primary target group studied was the general population, and adults and adolescents. In conclusion, future research must have broader geographical representations to better understand what is needed to inform tailored vaccine programs to accommodate diverse country contexts and population groups to achieve optimal implementation and impact. Furthermore, this review underscores the scarcity of research on acceptability of new and repurposed TB vaccines and their delivery among potential beneficiaries, the most promising implementation strategies, and the health system capabilities necessary for implementation. The absence of this knowledge in these areas emphasizes the crucial need for future research to ensure effective TB vaccine implementation in high burden settings worldwide.
Role of the dengue vaccine TAK-003 in an outbreak response: Modeling the Sri Lanka experience
Authors: Fernando LakKumar , Kastner Randee , Wickramasinghe Pujitha , Fernando Asvini D. , Gunasekera Dulanie , Nguyen Van Hung , Liu Mengya , LeFevre Inge , Wallace Derek , Folschweiller Nicolas , Biswal Shibadas
Published: August 2024

Background

Outbreaks of dengue can overburden hospital systems, drastically reducing capacity for other care. The 2017 dengue serotype 2 (DENV-2) outbreak in Sri Lanka coincided with vaccination in an ongoing phase 3 efficacy trial of a tetravalent dengue vaccine, TAK-003 (NCT02747927). Here, we present data on the efficacy of TAK-003 following two doses of the vaccine administered 3 months apart in participants aged 4–16 years in Sri Lanka. In addition, we have used the 2017 outbreak dynamics to model the potential impact of TAK-003 on virologically confirmed dengue (VCD) cases and hospitalizations during an outbreak situation.

Methodology/principal findings

Modeling was performed using an age-structured, host-vector, spatial and stochastic transmission model, assuming 65% vaccine coverage and 30 days until initiation of vaccination. Efficacy of TAK-003 against VCD and hospitalized VCD cases was based on data against DENV-2 from the first year of the phase 3 trial. Vaccine efficacy and safety findings in Sri Lanka were in line with those of the overall trial population. The efficacy estimates in Sri Lanka up to the first 12 months after the second dose of TAK-003 were 94.7% and 95.7% against VCD and hospitalized VCD cases, respectively. Modeling of the trial data over an extended geographic area showed a substantial reduction in cases and a flattening of outbreak curves from TAK-003 use. The baseline vaccination scenario (initiation at 30 days, 65% target coverage, vaccine effective at 14 days, 70% hospitalization rate, VE of 95% for VCD and 97% for hospitalized VCD, and 47% for asymptomatic) resulted in a 69.1% reduction in VCD cases and 72.7% reduction in VCD hospitalizations compared with no vaccination. An extreme high scenario (vaccination initiated at Day 15, 80% coverage rate, baseline VE) resulted in 80.3% and 82.3% reduction in VCD and VCD hospitalizations, respectively. Vaccine performance, speed of vaccination campaign initiation, and vaccine coverage were key drivers in reducing VCD cases and hospitalizations.

Conclusions/significance

Overall, the study and modeling results indicate that TAK-003 has the potential of meaningful utility in dengue outbreaks in endemic areas.
Perceived differences in coastal tourism image under tourist experience-IPA analysis based on UGC data of 12 coastal cities
Authors: Zhang Meng , Di Qianbin , Liu Ying
Published: August 2024

The destination image perceived by tourists is crucial to coastal tourism market positioning and marketing. This paper utilizes tourists’ Internet-generated content from 2017–2021, adopts the jieba text analysis method to identify the cognitive, emotional, and overall image of coastal tourism, divides the constituent elements of the destination image into four main classes and 20 subclasses through the text clustering method, and explores the tourists’ perception of the image of coastal tourism with the help of the IPA model. The study found that: 1) The commonality of the cognitive image of “ocean” in 12 coastal cities is outstanding, but the internal characteristics are obvious, tourists pay more attention to coastal tourism in Bohai Rim and southern coastal areas, and Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou show strong correlation; 2) Tourists’ emotional image of coastal tourism destinations is dominated by positive attitudes, with a high overlap of adjectives representing positive emotions, but with heat differences in different cities; 3) The overall image of coastal tourism can be divided into three circles, including “traditional core-characteristic structure-peripheral perception”, and there are obvious differences in the characteristics of the social semantic network of each city; 4) Tourists are more satisfied with the components of coastal tourism image, but pay more attention to the construction of optimized coastal tourism environment. Based on this, in the process of coastal tourism development, it is necessary to focus on creating distinctive and diversified tourism values, focusing on tourists’ experience needs, improving the construction of quality tourism facilities and services, and promoting the high-quality development of coastal tourism.
Spatial evolution, influencing factors and spillover effects of logistics resilience in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Zhang Xiaofan , Huang Yin
Published: August 2024

Logistics resilience is a significant representation of sustainable development ability and a necessary support for high-quality economic development. In order to explore the influencing factors and realization mechanism of the improvement of logistics resilience of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the high-quality and sustainable development of the economy, this paper comprehensively considers factors of the supply and demand relationship of the logistics market, industrial structure and ecological environment, and evaluates the urban logistics resilience of the Yangtze River Economic Belt by using POI data and statistical data. Combined with the spatial Durbin model, the influencing factors and spatial spillover effects of inter-city logistics resilience were revealed. This study found that the urban logistics resilience in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River has been high. Except Chongqing and Shanghai, the COVID-19 epidemic happened in 2020 led to a significant decrease in logistics resilience. In the meanwhile, every 1% increase in the logistics resilience of the city will promote the logistics resilience of the adjacent cities by 0.145%. Economic condition and urban development potential have positive effects on logistics resilience of the city and its adjacent cities. The economic condition has a direct effect coefficient of 0.166 and an indirect effect coefficient of 0.181, The direct and indirect effects of urban development potential are significantly positive, and the coefficients are 0.001 and 0.006, respectively. The level of information, government support and ability of technological innovation are helpful for the improvement of urban logistics resilience while hindering the enhancement of logistics resilience in adjacent cities. The research area can be extended in the future and more influencing factors can be considered in the future.
Exploring the role of non-coding RNAs in atrial septal defect pathogenesis: A systematic review
Authors: AmiRsardari Zahra , Gholipour Akram , Khajali Zahra , Maleki Majid , Malakootian Mahshid
Published: August 2024

Background

Extensive research has recognized the significant roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in various cellular pathophysiological processes and their association with diverse diseases, including atrial septal defect (ASD), one of the most prevalent congenital heart diseases. This systematic review aims to explore the intricate involvement and significance of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis and progression of ASD.

Methods

Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science) were searched systematically up to June 19, 2023, with no year restriction. The risk of bias assessment was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results

The present systematic review included thirteen studies with a collective study population of 874 individuals diagnosed with ASD, 21 parents of ASD patients, and 22 pregnant women carrying ASD fetuses. Our analysis revealed evidence linking five long ncRNAs (STX18-AS1, HOTAIR, AA709223, BX478947, and Moshe) and several microRNAs (hsa-miR-19a, hsa-miR-19b, hsa-miR-375, hsa-miR-29c, miR-29, miR-143/145, miR-17-92, miR-106b-25, and miR-503/424, miR-9, miR-30a, miR-196a2, miR-139-5p, hsa-let-7a, hsa-let-7b, and hsa-miR-486) to ASD progression, corresponding to previous studies.

Conclusions

NcRNAs play a crucial role in unraveling the underlying mechanisms of ASD, contributing to both biomarker discovery and therapeutic advancements. This systematic review sheds light on the mechanisms of action of key ncRNAs involved in ASD progression, providing valuable insights for future research in this field.
Decomposition of economic inequalities in dental caries among Iranian schoolchildren
Authors: Khoramrooz Maryam , Mirrezaie Seyed Mohammad , Emamian Mohammad Hassan , Dadgari Ali , Hashemi Hassan , Fotouhi Akbar
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Monitoring social inequalities in dental caries is crucial for establishing priorities in oral health systems. This study aimed to assess economic inequalities in dental caries and its contributing factors among Iranian schoolchildren.

Methods

Data were obtained from the first phase of the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study in 2015. A total of 4992 children aged 6–12 years old were included in the analysis. Dental examinations were conducted following the diagnostic methods and standards of the Oral Health Examination Survey, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The concentration index (C) was utilized to assess economic inequalities in dental caries. Additionally, the decomposition of C was employed to explain the determinants of the measured inequalities.

Results

In total, 71.4% of the schoolchildren had dental caries in primary dentition (dft≥1), and 41.6% of the schoolchildren had dental caries in permanent dentition (DMFT≥1). The Cs of dft≥1, primary decayed teeth (pdt≥1), and permanent missing teeth (PMT≥1) were -0.136 (95% CI: -0.167, -0.104), -0.164 (95% CI: -0.194, -0.134), and -0.208 (95% CI: -0.262, -0.153), respectively, which indicates their more concentration among low-economic children. Conversely, pft≥1 and PFT≥1 had Cs of 0.327 (95% CI: 0.292, 0.361) and 0.218 (95% CI: 0.179, 0.256), showing more concentration among high-economic children. Basic health insurance coverage and age were the main contributors that explained 28.6% and 19.2% of the economic inequality in dft≥1, and 25.7% and 16.6% of the pdt≥1 inequality, respectively. Economic status, residence in rural areas, mother education, father education, and age were the main contributors to the measured inequality in pft≥1 by 80.5% and 26.5%, 21.9%, 22%, and -18.3%, respectively. Economic status, having a housekeeper mother, residence in rural areas, having basic health insurance coverage, mother education, and father education positively contributed to the measured inequality in PMT≥1 by 45.4%, 42.4%, 37.8%, 35.1%, 21.3%, and 15.2%, respectively, while age had a negative contribution of -19.3%. For PFT≥1, economic status, age, and father education accounted for 76%, 25.4%, and 20.3% of the measured inequality, respectively.

Conclusion

Pro-rich economic inequalities were observed in children’s primary and permanent teeth caries. Thus, government interventions to reduce these inequalities should aim to expand the coverage of basic and supplementary health insurance in line with increasing the coverage of dental health costs in these plans, training and providing access to required dental health services for low-socioeconomic children, including the poor, rural, and those who have low-educated parents and a housekeeper mother, especially at younger ages.
Intervention to improve adverse event reporting in the emergency department: Protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Poku Collins Atta , Bayuo Jonathan , Kwashie Atswei Adzo , Ofei Adelaide Maria Ansah
Published: August 2024

Background

Adverse event reporting is crucial for improving patient safety and identifying areas for improvement in the emergency department. Many interventions have been employed in that regard, and have been found to increase adverse event reporting rates in various settings. All published research that studied the various interventions and their effectiveness on adverse event reporting in the Emergency Department will be reviewed in this paper.

Methods

CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Reviews Library, EMBASE, Scopus, OVID, Science Direct and Web of Science will all be searched. Studies published since January 2000 that investigated the interventions to improve adverse event reporting will be included. Two independent reviewers will execute the selection and extraction process, and we will carry out a qualitative synthesis. A meta-analysis, if possible, will be undertaken.

Discussion

The present study will summarize interventions to improve adverse event reporting. It will also determine effective approaches to enhancing adverse event reporting in the emergency department. The outcome of the study will provide novel dimensions into possible interventions to improve patient safety through adverse event reporting.

Systematic review registration

Protocol registration and reporting: PROSPERO CRD42023414795.
Kneel, stand, prostrate: The psychology of prayer postures in three world religions
Authors: Van Cappellen Patty , Edwards Megan E. , Kamble Shanmukh V. , Yildiz Mualla , Ladd Kevin L.
Published: August 2024

Most people practice a religion, often multiple times daily. Among the most visible aspects of these practices are body postures, which according to embodiment theories, likely shape the psychological experience of religion. In a preregistered study, we test this idea among Christians, Muslims, and Hindus in the United States, Turkey, and India (N = 2,458). In a repeated-measures experimental design, participants imagined praying in various typical postures, then reported their affective experiences, perceived relationship with deity, and prayer content for each posture. Compared to downward and constrictive postures, expansive and upward postures led to more positive emotions, dominance, and praise-focused prayers, yet fewer introspective or intercessory prayers. Interestingly, these effects varied based on religious context (e.g., many Hindus found upward and expansive postures offensive, causing no positive affect). We further explored whether these effects varied based on posture familiarity, religiosity, interoceptive sensibility, and personality traits. This research provides unique data on embodied processes shaping affect and cognition in religious practices.
Proteome-scale prediction of molecular mechanisms underlying dominant genetic diseases
Authors: Badonyi Mihaly , Marsh Joseph A.
Published: August 2024

Many dominant genetic disorders result from protein-altering mutations, acting primarily through dominant-negative (DN), gain-of-function (GOF), and loss-of-function (LOF) mechanisms. Deciphering the mechanisms by which dominant diseases exert their effects is often experimentally challenging and resource intensive, but is essential for developing appropriate therapeutic approaches. Diseases that arise via a LOF mechanism are more amenable to be treated by conventional gene therapy, whereas DN and GOF mechanisms may require gene editing or targeting by small molecules. Moreover, pathogenic missense mutations that act via DN and GOF mechanisms are more difficult to identify than those that act via LOF using nearly all currently available variant effect predictors. Here, we introduce a tripartite statistical model made up of support vector machine binary classifiers trained to predict whether human protein coding genes are likely to be associated with DN, GOF, or LOF molecular disease mechanisms. We test the utility of the predictions by examining biologically and clinically meaningful properties known to be associated with the mechanisms. Our results strongly support that the models are able to generalise on unseen data and offer insight into the functional attributes of proteins associated with different mechanisms. We hope that our predictions will serve as a springboard for researchers studying novel variants and those of uncertain clinical significance, guiding variant interpretation strategies and experimental characterisation. Predictions for the human UniProt reference proteome are available at https://osf.io/z4dcp/.
Seeking safety: Movement dynamics after post-contact immobility
Authors: Franks Nigel R. , Worley Alan , Fortune George T. , Goldstein Raymond E. , Sendova-Franks Ana B.
Published: August 2024

Post-contact immobility (PCI) is a final attempt to avoid predation. Here, for the first time, we examine the pattern of movement and immobility when antlion larvae resume activity after PCI. To simulate contact with, and escape from, a predator we dropped the larvae onto three different substrates: Paper, Shallow sand (2.3mm-deep) and Deep sand (4.6mm-deep). The Paper lining a Petri dish represented a hard surface that antlion larvae could not penetrate to hide. The Shallow sand permitted the antlions to dig but not to submerge completely whereas the Deep sand allowed them both to dig and to submerge. We tracked their paths automatically and recorded alternating immobility and movement durations over 90min. On the impenetrable substrate, antlion larvae showed super-diffusive dispersal, their movement durations became longer, their immobility durations became shorter and their instantaneous speeds increased. This is consistent with the antlions needing to leave an area of hard substrate and quickly to find somewhere to hide. On Shallow sand, antlion larvae exhibited a modest increase in movement duration, a modest decrease in immobility duration and a concomitant diffusive dispersal. This is consistent with their use of a spiral search, presumably for a suitable depth of sand, to conceal themselves. On Deep sand, the movement and immobility durations of the antlion larvae did not change and their dispersal was sub-diffusive because they were able to bury themselves. On Paper, the distribution of immobility durations had a long tail, consistent with a log-normal distribution. On Shallow and Deep sand, most of the distribution was fitted better by a power law or a log-normal. Our results suggest that PCI in antlion larvae is a disruptive event and that post-PCI movement and immobility gradually return to the pattern typical of intermittent locomotion, depending on the scope for burying and hiding in the substrate.
Does women’s decision-making autonomy matter in utilization of antenatal care services in India? An analysis from nationally representative survey
Authors: Majumder Koyel , Sarkar Mithun , Mallick Rahul , Mondal Sabbir , Chouhan Pradip
Published: August 2024

The primary goal is to examine the association between women’s decision-making autonomy and utilization of antenatal care services among ever-married women in India. The entire study has been accomplished with the help of secondary data composed from the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted during 2019–21. A total of 34,618 ever-married women aged 15–49 with at least one live birth preceding five years of the survey have been taken into consideration in this study. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for proper illustration of the outcome. A sizable proportion of women did not fulfill the WHO-recommended criterion of obtaining ANC services. Utilization of full ANC services is found in some regions of southern, eastern, northern, and northeastern states, and in some districts of Gujarat. After adjusting the other explanatory variables, the result of multivariate analysis indicates that women’s autonomy is significantly and positively associated with the utilization of full antenatal care services. Women who participate actively in decision-making are more likely to use full ANC services (AOR: 1.316, 95% CI: 1.197–1.446, p<0.05). Additionally, likelihood of utilization of full ANC services is high among women aged 25–34 years, are educated, have access to the media, come from richest wealth quintile, and are from southern, western, and eastern regions. Therefore, appropriate measures should be adopted to eliminate gender bias and promote women’s empowerment for the overall improvement of maternal health as well as societal health.
Accelerating automatic model finding with layer replications case study of MobileNetV2
Authors: Soongswang Kritpawit , Chantrapornchai Chantana
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we propose a method to reduce the model architecture searching time. We consider MobileNetV2 for 3D face recognition tasks as a case study and introducing the layer replication to enhance accuracy. For a given network, various layers can be replicated, and effective replication can yield better accuracy. Our proposed algorithm identifies the optimal layer replication configuration for the model. We considered two acceleration methods: distributed data-parallel training and concurrent model training. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the automatic model finding process for layer replication, using both distributed data-parallel and concurrent training under different conditions. The accuracy of our model improved by up to 6% compared to the previous work on 3D MobileNetV2, and by 8% compared to the vanilla MobileNetV2. Training models with distributed data-parallel across four GPUs reduced model training time by up to 75% compared to traditional training on a single GPU. Additionally, the automatic model finding process with concurrent training was 1,932 minutes faster than the distributed training approach in finding an optimal solution.
Latent burnout profile analysis in hospital doctors in Ireland
Authors: Haire Gordon , Prihodova Lucia , Kilcullen Sophia , Hayes Blánaid
Published: August 2024

Background

Burnout, characterised by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA), is caused by chronic workplace stress. Though widely reported in doctors, variability in definitions and assessment methods render comparisons between studies challenging. Furthermore, traditional methods of reporting burnout can be misleading, focusing more on individuals than on the workplace. Various scores from Maslach Burnout inventory (MBI) have been previously reported as ‘burnout’, inflating reported prevalence. Recent research suggests using latent profile analysis (LPA), to explore the continuum from engagement to burnout, as distinct patterns of working life may contribute to different profiles.

Aims

To examine the prevalence of latent burnout profiles (LBP) amongst Irish hospital doctors.

Methods

LBP categorisation of MBI was applied to responses from 1610 hospital doctors from a national survey. Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire and work ability score were used to measure work stress and work ability.

Results

In line with LBP categorisation, the respondents were classified as follow: 23% (N = 364) Engaged; 21% (N = 332) Burnout (High EE and DP), Overextended (N = 476, 30%); 22% (N = 355) Ineffective (low PA score), 5% (N = 83) Disengaged (high DP scores). Consultants were more likely to be classified as Engaged than trainees. Those classified as Burnout were younger. Females were more likely to be classified as Overextended. Work stress was associated with Overextended, Disengaged and Burnout profiles. Insufficient workability was associated with Burnout profile.

Conclusions

The use of LPA provides more nuanced exploration of the phenomenon which can be correlated with workplace features, pointing to potential interventions.
Experimental study of laser scattering protection system for low-speed aircraft
Authors: Kim Elliott Donghyun , Park Gisu
Published: August 2024

This study introduces a laser scattering system to protect a low-speed aircraft. Scattering was selected to reduce the laser’s intensity targeting the sensor of an aircraft and simultaneously maintaining the functionality of aircraft optics. Mie scattering, known for effectively decreasing short-wave infrared light, was employed by utilizing water aerosols having a diameter of 1 to 5 μm. Experimental results regarding the decrease of the laser intensity via scattering confirmed that the theoretical and experimental values resulted in a similar decrease rate under static conditions. To validate the theoretical values, the path length, which the laser passing through water aerosols, was changed. To assess the system’s feasibility in flow conditions, a low-speed wind tunnel was employed to generate two flow speeds: 5.5 m/s and 17.6 m/s. Remarkably, the reduction of laser intensity was only affected by the path length, and was somewhat unaffected regardless of flow speed and the uniformity of the flow, only to the path length. In all cases, the initial laser intensity was set to 10 mW. Under static conditions, the intensity dropped to 8.21 mW, showing a decrease of 17.9%. In flow conditions of 5.5 m/s, 17.6 m/s, and in distorted flow, the laser intensity decreased by 18.3%, 18.1%, and 18% respectively. As a preliminary study, these results demonstrate the system’s capability to protect a low-speed aircraft targeted by lasers even under dynamic flow conditions, may suggest a possibility of providing a practical defence solution.
A SIRT1-independent mechanism mediates protection against steroid-induced senescence by resveralogues in equine tenocytes
Authors: Heidari Neda , Faragher Richard G. A. , Pattison Graham , Dudhia Jayesh , Smith Roger K. W.
Published: August 2024

Tendinopathy is a common age-related disease which causes significant morbidity for both human athletes and performance horses. In the latter, the superficial digital flexor tendon is an excellent model for human tendinopathies because it is a functional homologue of the human Achilles tendon and a primary site of injuries with strong similarities to the human disease. Corticosteroids have been previously used clinically to treat tendinopathic inflammation, but they upregulate the p53-p21 axis with concomitant reductions in cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in human tenocytes. This phenotype is consistent with the induction of cellular senescence in vitro and in vivo and probably represents an important clinical barrier to their effective use. Because of the many differences in senescence mechanisms between species, this study aimed to evaluate these mechanisms after corticosteroid treatment in equine tenocytes. Exposure to clinically reflective levels of dexamethasone for 48 hours drove equine tenocytes into steroid induced senescence (SIS). This was characterised by permanent growth arrest and upregulation of p53, the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p21waf and p16ink4a as well as the matrix degrading enzymes MMP1, MMP2 and MMP13. SIS also induced a distinctive equine senescence associated secretory phenotype (eSASP) characterised by enhanced secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1. Preincubation with resveratrol or the potent SIRT1 activator SRT1720 prevented SIS in equine tenocytes, while treatment with the non-SIRT1 activating resveratrol analogue V29 was equally protective against SIS, consistent with a novel, as yet uncharacterised SIRT1-indendent mechanism which has relevance for the development of future preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Assessment of Vibrionaceae prevalence in seafood from Qidong market and analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains
Authors: Huang Qinglian , Zhang Yiquan , Zhang Miaomiao , Li Xue , Wang Qinjun , Ji Xianyi , Chen Rongrong , Luo Xi , Ji Shenjie , Lu Renfei
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Vibrionaceae family in retail seafood products available in the Qidong market during the summer of 2023 and to characterize Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates, given that this bacterium is the leading cause of seafood-associated food poisoning. We successfully isolated a total of 240 Vibrionaceae strains from a pool of 718 seafood samples. The breakdown of the isolates included 146 Photobacterium damselae, 59 V. parahaemolyticus, 18 V. campbellii, and 11 V. alginolyticus. Among these, P. damselae and V. parahaemolyticus were the predominant species, with respective prevalence rates of 20.3% and 8.2%. Interestingly, all 59 isolates of V. parahaemolyticus were identified as non-pathogenic. They demonstrated proficiency in swimming and swarming motility and were capable of forming biofilms across a range of temperatures. In terms of antibiotic resistance, the V. parahaemolyticus isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin, intermediate resistance to cefuroxime and cefazolin, and were sensitive to the other antibiotics evaluated. The findings of this study may offer valuable insights and theoretical support for enhancing seafood safety measures in Qidong City.
Characterization of Entamoeba fatty acid elongases; validation as targets and provision of promising leads for new drugs against amebiasis
Authors: Mi-ichi Fumika , Tsugawa Hiroshi , Vo Tam Kha , Kurizaki Yuto , Yoshida Hiroki , Arita Makoto
Published: August 2024

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite belonging to the phylum Amoebozoa that causes amebiasis, a global public health problem. E. histolytica alternates its form between a proliferative trophozoite and a dormant cyst. Trophozoite proliferation is closely associated with amebiasis symptoms and pathogenesis whereas cysts transmit the disease. Drugs are available for clinical use; however, they have issues of adverse effects and dual targeting of disease symptoms and transmission remains to be improved. Development of new drugs is therefore urgently needed. An untargeted lipidomics analysis recently revealed structural uniqueness of the Entamoeba lipidome at different stages of the parasite’s life cycle involving very long (26–30 carbons) and/or medium (8–12 carbons) acyl chains linked to glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Here, we investigated the physiology of this unique acyl chain diversity in Entamoeba, a non-photosynthetic protist. We characterized E. histolytica fatty acid elongases (EhFAEs), which are typically components of the fatty acid elongation cycle of photosynthetic protists and plants. An approach combining genetics and lipidomics revealed that EhFAEs are involved in the production of medium and very long acyl chains in E. histolytica. This approach also showed that the K3 group herbicides, flufenacet, cafenstrole, and fenoxasulfone, inhibited the production of very long acyl chains, thereby impairing Entamoeba trophozoite proliferation and cyst formation. Importantly, none of these three compounds showed toxicity to a human cell line; therefore, EhFAEs are reasonable targets for developing new anti-amebiasis drugs and these compounds are promising leads for such drugs. Interestingly, in the Amoebazoan lineage, gain and loss of the genes encoding two different types of fatty acid elongase have occurred during evolution, which may be relevant to parasite adaptation. Acyl chain diversity in lipids is therefore a unique and indispensable feature for parasitic adaptation of Entamoeba.
Shifts in Serum Bile Acid Profiles Associated With Barrett's Esophagus and Stages of Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kumar Aarti , Gwalani Pranav , Iyer Prasad G. , Wang Kenneth K. , Falk Gary W. , Ginsberg Gregory G. , Lightdale Charles J. , Del Portillo Armando , Lagana Stephen M. , Li Yun , Li Hongzhe , Genkinger Jeanine , Jin Zhezhen , Rustgi Anil K. , Wang Timothy C. , Wang Harris H. , Quante Michael , Abrams Julian A.
Published: August 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Reflux bile acids are believed to promote esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), but the role of systemic bile acids is unknown. This study aimed to assess associations between systemic bile acids and stages of Barrett's esophagus (BE) progression.

METHODS:

Subjects with and without BE were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional study. Targeted serum bile acid profiling was performed, and a subset of subjects completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. RNA sequencing was performed on BE or gastric cardia tissue to assess bile acid associations with gene expression.

RESULTS:

A total of 141 subjects were enrolled with serum bile acids profiled (49 non-BE; 92 BE: 44 no dysplasia, 25 indefinite/low grade dysplasia, 23 high-grade dysplasia/EAC). Lower Healthy Eating Index score, older age, higher body mass index, and no proton pump inhibitor use were associated with increased levels of multiple bile acids. Global bile acid pools were distinct between non-BE and stages of BE neoplasia (P = 0.004). Increasing cholic acid was associated with high-grade dysplasia/EAC compared with non-BE, even after adjusting for EAC risk factors (adjusted odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval 1.11–3.71) as was the combination of unconjugated primary bile acids (adjusted odds ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.04–3.13). High cholic acid levels were associated with tissue gene expression changes including increased DNA replication and reduced lymphocyte differentiation genes.

DISCUSSION:

Alterations in serum bile acids are independently associated with advanced neoplasia in BE and may contribute to neoplastic progression. Future studies should explore associated gut microbiome changes, proneoplastic effects of bile acids, and whether these bile acids, particularly cholic acid, represent potential biomarkers or viable therapeutic targets for advanced neoplasia in BE.
On the immunotropic effects of a new combined pharmaconutraceutical preparation in osteoarthritis
Authors: Sarvilina I. V. , Lila A. M. , Gromova O. A.
Published: August 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, but the efficacy and safety of its treatment remain extremely low. This review presents epidemiology of OA, mechanism of its development and modern possibilities of pharmacological regulation of immune-mediated inflammation in OA. We analyze the immunological aspects of oral tolerance phenomenon and the prospects for its use to suppress autoinflammation in OA using combined pharmaconutraceutical preparation Chondroguard® TRIO as an element of nutritional support for patients with this disease. It is emphasized that it is advisable to develop a scientifically based rational approach to the treatment of OA that alleviates symptoms, reduces autoinflammatory affection of articular cartilage and improves its regeneration with the involvement of extracellular matrix components.
Clinical and instrumental characteristics of axial psoriatic arthritis in combination with hyperuricemia
Authors: Korsakova Yu. L. , Vorobyeva L. D. , Gubar E. E. , Loginova E. Yu. , Tremaskina P. O. , Korotaeva T. V. , Dimitreva A. E. , Urumova M. M.
Published: August 2024

Objective: to investigate the clinical and instrumental manifestations of axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA) in combination with hyperuricemia (HU). Material and methods. The study included 71 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA): 59 (83%) men and 12 (17%) women. These patients had clinical and imaging evidence of inflammatory changes in the spine and were diagnosed with axPsA. The mean age of patients was 45.7±11.3 years, duration of psoriasis (Ps) was 209.3±163.4 months, and duration of PsA was 51.9±45.5 months. Patients underwent standard clinical, laboratory and radiological examinations. Patients completed the PsAID-12, FACIT-F and FiRST questionnaires and their LEI, MASES, DAPSA, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS-CRP and BSA indices were assessed. Data on concomitant diseases and drug therapy were also collected. HU was diagnosed at uric acid (UA) level of >360 μmol/L. Patients were divided into two groups – with HU (group 1, n=24, 33.8%) and without HU (group 2, n=47, 66.2%). Results and discussion. The mean UA level was 329.96±80.2 μmol/l. The age of the patients, the duration of Ps and PsA were comparable in both groups. The activity of PsA and spondylitis in the two groups also did not differ. No significant differences were found between the groups in frequency of sacroiliitis or presence of erosions. In the 1st group, the total number of syndesmophytes in two sections of the spine was significantly higher (n=26, 108%) than in the 2nd group (n=39, 83%), p=0.04. In the group of patients with HU, there was a higher intensity of nocturnal spinal pain compared to the group without HU (5.0±2.7 and 3.6±2.8, respectively; p=0.04), more pronounced sleep disturbances (11±5.2 and 7±5.9; p=0.04), higher triglyceride levels (median 0.92 [0; 1.66] and 0.3 [0; 0.6]; p=0.03) and a higher frequency of hypertriglyceridemia (n=2, 8.3% and n=0; p=0.04) and liver steatosis (n=7, 29.1% and n=5, 10.6%; p=0.04, respectively). Patients with HU received antihypertensive therapy (n=10, 41.7% and n=14, 29.8% respectively; p=0.04) and urate-lowering medications (n=4, 16.6% and n=1, 2.1% respectively; p=0.02) significantly more often than patients without HU. Conclusion. HU was present in one third of patients with axPsA. They were more likely to have multiple syndesmophytes in the spine, metabolic disturbances, more severe nocturnal spinal pain and more pronounced sleep disturbances.