bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating use of mass-media communication intervention ‘MTV-Shuga’ on increased awareness and demand for HIV and sexual health services by adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: an observational study
Authors: Chimbindi Natsayi , Mthiyane Nondumiso , Chidumwa Glory , Zuma Thembelihle , Dreyer Jaco , Birdthistle Isolde , Floyd Sian , Kyegombe Nambusi , Grundy Chris , Cawood Cherie , Danaviah Siva , Smit Theresa , Pillay Deenan , Baisley Kathy , Harling Guy , Seeley Janet , Shahmanesh Maryam
Published: May 2023

Objective

To investigate the effect of exposure to MTV Shuga:Down South’ (MTVShuga-DS) during the scale-up of combination HIV-prevention interventions on awareness and uptake of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV-prevention services by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Design

One longitudinal and three cross-sectional surveys of representative samples of AGYW.

Setting

AGYW in four South African districts with high HIV prevalence (>10%) (May 2017 and September 2019).

Participants

6311 AGYW aged 12–24.

Measures

Using logistic regression, we measured the relationship between exposure to MTV Shuga-DS and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use at last sex, uptake of HIV-testing or contraception, and incident pregnancy or herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection.

Results

Within the rural cohort 2184 (85.5%) of eligible sampled individuals were enrolled, of whom 92.6% had at least one follow-up visit; the urban cross-sectional surveys enrolled 4127 (22.6%) of eligible sampled individuals. Self-report of watching at least one MTV Shuga-DS episode was 14.1% (cohort) and 35.8% (cross-section), while storyline recall was 5.5% (cohort) and 6.7% (cross-section). In the cohort, after adjustment (for HIV-prevention intervention-exposure, age, education, socioeconomic status), MTVShuga-DS exposure was associated with increased PrEP awareness (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.06, 95% CI 1.57 to 2.70), contraception uptake (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.98) and consistent condom use (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.93), but not with HIV testing (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.21) or acquiring HSV-2 (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.38). In the cross-sections, MTVShuga-DS was associated with greater PrEP awareness (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.43), but no other outcome.

Conclusions

Among both urban and rural AGYW in South Africa, MTVShuga-DS exposure was associated with increased PrEP awareness and improved demand for some HIV prevention and SRH technologies but not sexual health outcomes. However, exposure to MTVShuga-DS was low. Given these positive indications, supportive programming may be required to raise exposure and allow future evaluation of edu-drama impact in this setting.
Feasibility and acceptability of a primary care liver fibrosis testing pathway centred on the diabetes annual review: PRELUDE1 prospective cohort study protocol
Authors: Brindley James Hallimond , Abeysekera Kushala , Hood Gill , Jennings Stacey , Moore John , Hickman Matthew , Alazawi William
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide affecting 20%–25% in the USA and Europe with a 60%–80% lifetime prevalence for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fibrosis has repeatedly been demonstrated to be the major determinant of liver disease morbidity and mortality and there is currently no routine screening for liver fibrosis in at-risk T2D population.

Methods and analysis

This 12-month prospective cohort study of automated fibrosis testing uses the fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) in patients with T2D linked to the investigation of hospital-based versus community-based second-tier transient elastography (TE) testing. We plan to include >5000 participants across 10 General Practitioner (GP) practices in East London and Bristol. This will determine the rate of undiagnosed significant liver fibrosis in a T2D population, the feasibility of two-tier liver fibrosis screening using FIB-4 at the diabetes annual review and subsequent TE delivered either in the community or secondary care settings. This will include an intention-to-treat analysis for all those invited to attend for diabetes annual review. A qualitative substudy regarding the acceptability of the fibrosis screening pathway will comprise semistructured interviews/focus groups with primary care staff (GPs and practice nurses), and patients taking part in the wider study.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received a favourable opinion from the Cambridge East research ethics committee. The results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals, conference presentations and local diabetes lay panel meetings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14585543.
What counts as patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the ICU? A mixed-methods study protocol of patient and family perspectives
Authors: Cook Deborah J , Swinton Marilyn E , Krewulak Karla D , Fiest Kirsten , Dionne Joanna C , Debigare Sylvie , Guyatt Gordon H , Taneja Shipra , Alhazzani Waleed , Burns Karen E A , Marshall John C , Muscedere John G , Gouskos Audrey , Finfer Simon , Deane Adam M , Myburgh John A , Rochwerg Bram , Ball Ian , Mele Tina , Niven Daniel J , English Shane W , Verhovsek Madeleine , Vanstone Meredith
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Clinically important upper gastrointestinal bleeding is conventionally defined as bleeding accompanied by haemodynamic changes, requiring red blood cell transfusions or other invasive interventions. However, it is unclear if this clinical definition reflects patient values and preferences. This protocol describes a study to elicit views from patients and families regarding features, tests, and treatments for upper gastrointestinal bleeding that are important to them.

Methods and analysis

This is a sequential mixed-methods qualitative-dominant multi-centre study with an instrument-building aim. We developed orientation tools and educational materials in partnership with patients and family members, including a slide deck and executive summary. We will invite intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and family members of former ICU patients to participate. Following a virtual interactive presentation, participants will share their perspectives in an interview or focus group. Qualitative data will be analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis, wherein codes will be derived directly from the data rather than using preconceived categories. Concurrent data collection and analysis will occur. Quantitative data will include self-reported demographic characteristics. This study will synthesise the values and perspectives of patients and family members to create a new trial outcome for a randomised trial of stress ulcer prophylaxis. This study is planned for May 2022 to August 2023. The pilot work was completed in Spring 2021.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has ethics approval from McMaster University and the University of Calgary. Findings will be disseminated via manuscript and through incorporation as a secondary trial outcome on stress ulcer prophylaxis.

Trial registration number

NCT05506150.
National survey of referrals for precocious puberty in Germany
Authors: Baehr Sonja , Schnabel Dirk , Woelfle Joachim , Schreiner Felix , Gohlke Bettina
Published: May 2023

An unusual high number of girls were referred to our paediatric endocrine clinic with suspected precocious puberty (PP) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analysed our data and initiated a survey among German paediatric endocrinologists.

At our centre, less than 10 patients were diagnosed of PP annually between 2015 and 2019. This increased to n=23 (2020) and n=30 (2021). A German survey confirmed this observation: Out of 44 centres which completed the questionnaire, 30/44 (68%) reported an increase of PP. Above this, 32/44 (72%) stated an increase in girls diagnosed with ‘early normal puberty’ since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burden of fatal drowning in California, 2005–2019
Authors: Koon William , Stewart Orion , Brander Robert , Quan Linda , Peden Amy E
Published: May 2023

Objective

To characterise risk factors for fatal drowning in California, USA to inform priorities for prevention, policy and research.

Methods

This retrospective population-based epidemiological review of death certificate data evaluated fatal drowning events in California from 2005 to 2019. Unintentional, intentional, and undetermined drowning deaths and rates were described by person (age, sex, race) and context-based variables (region and body of water).

Results

California’s fatal drowning rate was 1.48 per 100 000 population (n=9237). Highest total fatal drowning rates occurred in the lower population density northern regions, among older adults (75–84 years: 2.54 per 100 000 population; 85+: 3.47 per 100 000 population) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons (2.84 per 100 000 population). Male drowning deaths occurred at 2.7 times the rate of females; drowning deaths occurred mainly in swimming pools (27%), rivers/canals (22.4%) and coastal waters (20.2%). The intentional fatal drowning rate increased 89% during the study period.

Conclusions

California’s overall fatal drowning rate was similar to the rest of the USA but differed among subpopulations. These divergences from national data, along with regional differences in drowning population and context-related characteristics, underscore the need for state and regional level analyses to inform drowning prevention policy, programmes and research.
Learning at a distance: results of an international survey on the adoption of virtual conferences and whole slide imaging by pathologists
Authors: Laohawetwanit Thiyaphat , Gonzalez Raul S , Bychkov Andrey
Published: May 2023

Aims

This study presents the findings of a global survey of pathologists’ views of online conferences and digital pathology.

Methods

An online anonymous survey consisting of 11 questions focusing on pathologists’ perceptions of virtual conferences and digital slides was distributed to practising pathologists and trainees across the globe using the authors’ social media accounts and professional society connections. Participants were asked to rank their preference for various aspects of pathology meetings on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

There were 562 respondents from 79 countries. Several advantages of virtual meetings were recognised, including that they are less expensive to attend than in-person meetings (mean 4.4), more convenient to attend remotely (mean 4.3) and more efficient due to no loss of time for travel (mean 4.3). The lack of networking was reported as the main disadvantage of virtual conferences (mean 4.0). Most respondents (n=450, 80.1%) preferred hybrid or virtual meetings. About two-thirds (n=356, 63.3%) had no concern regarding the use of virtual slides for educational purposes and viewed them as an acceptable substitute for glass slides.

Conclusions

Online meetings and whole slide imaging are viewed as valuable tools in pathology education. Virtual conferences allow affordable registration fees and flexibility for participants. However, networking opportunities are limited, meaning in-person meetings cannot be entirely replaced by virtual conferences. Hybrid meetings may be a solution to maximise the benefits of both virtual and in-person meetings.
‘Freudism’ and modernity: transcultural impact of psychoanalysis in the modern Turkish novel
Authors: Alkan Burcu
Published: May 2023

The theory of psychoanalysis came to Turkey in the early 1900s, but it was dismissed as being unmedical in a psychiatric context shaped by the Kraepelinian model. Still, it rapidly entered the intellectual discourses of the period, and in literature, it became a contact zone to discuss broader issues concerning the modernisation of the country. Novelists in particular undertook a critique of its epistemology to explore what they deemed the conflictual relationship between the native values and the westernising attitudes as broadly conceived at the time. Two early examples of such novelistic engagements with psychoanalysis are Peyami Safa’sMatmazel Noraliya’nın Koltuğuand Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar’sSaatleri Ayarlama Enstitüsü. This article focuses on the novelists’ engagement with psychoanalysis in their critique of the modernisation project adopted in Turkey through the theme of the ‘self-in-crisis’. Both texts contribute to the broader discussions of their milieu in a way that presents psychoanalysis as being representative of that which is modern and portray it critically to underline the dissonances between the old, traditional values and the new, imported ones.
New pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-40 is produced by activated neutrophils and plays a role in the early stages of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Navrátilová Adéla , Bečvář Viktor , Hulejová Hana , Tomčík Michal , Štolová Lucie , Mann Heřman , Růžičková Olga , Šléglová Olga , Závada Jakub , Pavelka Karel , Vencovský Jiří , Šenolt Ladislav , Andrés Cerezo Lucie
Published: May 2023

Objective

Interleukin (IL)-40 is a new cytokine related to immune system function and malignancies. Recently, an association of IL-40 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and externalisation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETosis) was found. As neutrophils are implicated in RA development, we investigated IL-40 in early stages of RA (ERA).

Methods

IL-40 was determined in serum of treatment naïve patients with ERA at baseline (n=60) and 3 months after initiation of conventional therapy and in healthy controls (HC; n=60). Levels of IL-40, cytokines and NETosis markers were measured by ELISA. NETosis was visualised by immunofluorescence. In vitro experiments were performed on peripheral blood neutrophils from ERA patients (n=14). Cell-free DNA was analysed in serum and supernatants.

Results

Serum IL-40 was elevated in ERA compared with HC (p<0.0001) and normalised after 3 months of therapy (p<0.0001). Baseline serum IL-40 correlated with rheumatoid factor (IgM) (p<0.01), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (p<0.01) autoantibodies and NETosis markers (proteinase 3; neutrophil elastase (NE); myeloperoxidase) (p<0.0001). Levels of NE significantly decreased after therapy (p<0.01) and correlated with the decrease of serum IL-40 (p<0.05). In vitro, neutrophils enhanced IL-40 secretion following NETosis induction (p<0.001) or after exposure to IL-1β, IL-8 (p<0.05), tumour necrosis factor or lipopolysaccharide (p<0.01). Recombinant IL-40 up-regulated IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 (p<0.05 for all) in vitro.

Conclusion

We showed that IL-40 is significantly up-regulated in seropositive ERA and decreases after conventional therapy. Moreover, neutrophils are an important source of IL-40 in RA, and its release is potentiated by cytokines and NETosis. Thus, IL-40 may play a role in ERA.
Sleep behaviour differs in women and men with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms
Authors: Frede Natalie , Rieger Eva , Lorenzetti Raquel , Venhoff Ana C , Kanne Anna-Maria , Finzel Stephanie , Jandova Ilona , Glaser Cornelia , Thiel Jens , Voll Reinhard E , Venhoff Nils
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may have a profound impact on sleep and health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality and quality of life and determine associated factors in patients treated with spondyloarthritides (SpA).

Methods

Cross-sectional questionnaire-based assessment of sleep behaviour, quality of life, functional impairment and depression (Regensburg Insomnia Scale, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, Funktionsfragebogen Hannover questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory II, Patient health questionnaire 9) and retrospective medical chart analysis of a monocentric cohort of 330 patients with SpA (n=168 PsA and n=162 axSpA).

Results

46.6% of patients with SpA demonstrated abnormal sleep behaviour. Linear regression models showed HLA-B27 positivity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, depressive symptoms, functional capacity and disease duration to be predictive of insomnia symptoms in axSpA, respectively, depressive symptoms, female sex and Disease Activity Score 28 in patients with PsA. Patients with unrestful sleep had a significantly reduced health-related quality of life (p<0.001) as well as significantly more depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Satisfaction with health was rated significantly lower (p<0.001), indicating poor sleep as a burden on general well-being.

In particular, female patients had a significantly worse sleep quality with a prolonged sleep latency (p=0.009), increased sleep disturbances (p=0.014) and unrestful sleep (p<0.001) as well as a reduced physical and mental health-related quality of life (p=0.015, p<0.001) and more depressive symptoms (p=0.015).

Conclusion

Despite treatment, many patients with SpA demonstrate abnormal sleep behaviour with symptoms of insomnia and a reduced quality of life with significant differences between male and female patients. An interdisciplinary and holistic approach may be needed to address unmet needs.
Four trajectories of 24-hour urine protein levels in real-world lupus nephritis cohorts
Authors: Zhang Danting , Sun Fangfang , Chen Jie , Ding Huihua , Wang Xiaodong , Shen Nan , Li Ting , Ye Shuang
Published: May 2023

Objectives

A 24-hour urine protein (24hUP) is a key measurement in the management of lupus nephritis (LN); however, trajectories of 24hUP in LN is poorly defined.

Methods

Two LN cohorts that underwent renal biopsies at Renji Hospital were included. Patients received standard of care in a real-world setting and 24hUP data were collected over time. Trajectory patterns of 24hUP were determined using the latent class mixed modelling (LCMM). Baseline characters were compared among trajectories and multinomial logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors. Optimal combinations of variables were identified for model construction and user-friendly nomograms were developed.

Results

The derivation cohort composed of 194 patients with LN with 1479 study visits and a median follow-up of 17.5 (12.2–21.7) months. Four trajectories of 24hUP were identified, that is, Rapid Responders, Good Responders, Suboptimal Responders and Non-Responders, with the KDIGO renal complete remission rates (time to complete remission, months) of 84.2% (4.19), 79.6% (7.94), 40.4% (not applicable) and 9.8% (not applicable), respectively (p<0.001). The ‘Rapid Responders’ distinguish itself from other trajectories and a nomogram, composed of age, systemic lupus erythematosus duration, albumin and 24hUP yielded C-indices >0.85. Another nomogram to predict ‘Good Responders’ yielded C-indices of 0.73~0.78, which composed of gender, new-onset LN, glomerulosclerosis and partial remission within 6 months. When applied to the validation cohort with 117 patients and 500 study visits, nomograms effectively sorted out ‘Rapid Responders’ and ‘Good Responders’.

Conclusion

Four trajectories of LN shed some light to guide the management of LN and further clinical trials design.
High incidence of asymptomatic genital tract infections in pregnancy in adolescent girls and young women: need for repeat aetiological screening
Authors: Govender Vani , Moodley Dhayendre , Naidoo Megeshinee , Connoly Cathy , Ngcapu Sinaye , Abdool Karim Quarraisha
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and incidence estimates for pregnant adolescents are under-reported. We estimated prevalence and incidence of STIs in pregnant adolescents (15–19 years) in comparison with pregnant women 20–24 and >25 years.

Methods

Pregnant women registering at primary care clinics in Umlazi, a periurban subdistrict in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were enrolled in an HIV incidence cohort study during February 2017–March 2018. Women were examined for abnormal vaginal discharge, received empirical treatment, tested for HIV-1 and had vaginal swabs taken at their first and a subsequent visit in the third trimester. Vaginal swabs were stored for STI testing at completion of study and tested forTrichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeaeandMycoplasma genitaliumusing PCR.

Results

A total of 752 HIV-negative pregnant women were enrolled at a median gestational age of 17 weeks: 180 (23.9%), 291 (38.7%) and 281 (37.4%) in the 15–19, 20–24 and >25 years age groups. Pregnant adolescents had an STI prevalence of 26.7% at baseline, not significantly lower than the 20–24 (34.7%, OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1, p=0.09) and >25 years (33.8%, OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.9 to 2.1, p=0.12) age groups.T. vaginalis(11.1%),C. trachomatis(7.8%) andN. gonorrhoeae(4.4%) were most prevalent in adolescents, a trend similar to the other age groups. Overall, 43.4% were symptomatic and treated at baseline. Overall, 40.7% (118 of 290) of women who tested negative for an STI at baseline tested positive at the repeat visit (incidence 19.5/100 person years). STI incidence in pregnant adolescents was 23.9/100 person years and comparable with older age groups (20.5/100 person years and 16.2/100 person years). At the repeat visit, 19.0% of all women with an STI were symptomatic and treated. Performance of syndromic management was poor at baseline (negative predictive value (NPV) 68.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) 34.0%) and at repeat visit (NPV 58.4%, PPV 34.3%).

Conclusions

Prevalence of asymptomatic curable STIs in pregnant adolescents is high and comparable with women >20 years old. Adolescents remain at substantial risk of asymptomatic incident STIs during pregnancy.
Higher SARS-CoV-2 detection of oropharyngeal compared with nasopharyngeal or saliva specimen for molecular testing: a multicentre randomised comparative accuracy study
Authors: Todsen Tobias , Tolsgaard Martin G , Benfield Thomas , Folke Fredrik , Jakobsen Kathrine K , Gredal Niels Tobias , Ersbøll Annette K , von Buchwald Christian , Kirkby Nikolai
Published: May 2023

Background

Testing is critical for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the best sampling method remains unclear.

Objectives

To determine whether nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), oropharyngeal swab (OPS) or saliva specimen collection has the highest detection rate for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing.

Methods

We conducted a randomised clinical trial at two COVID-19 outpatient test centres where NPS, OPS and saliva specimens were collected by healthcare workers in different orders for reverse transcriptase PCR testing. The SARS-CoV-2 detection rate was calculated as the number positive by a specific sampling method divided by the number in which any of the three sampling methods was positive. As secondary outcomes, test-related discomfort was measured with an 11-point numeric scale and cost-effectiveness was calculated.

Results

Among 23 102 adults completing the trial, 381 (1.65%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. The SARS-CoV-2 detection rate was higher for OPSs, 78.7% (95% CI 74.3 to 82.7), compared with NPSs, 72.7% (95% CI 67.9 to 77.1) (p=0.049) and compared with saliva sampling, 61.9% (95% CI 56.9 to 66.8) (p<0.001). The discomfort score was highest for NPSs, at 5.76 (SD, 2.52), followed by OPSs, at 3.16 (SD 3.16) and saliva samples, at 1.03 (SD 18.8), p<0.001 between all measurements. Saliva specimens were associated with the lowest cost, and the incremental costs per detected SARS-CoV-2 infection for NPSs and OPSs were US$3258 and US$1832, respectively.

Conclusions

OPSs were associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 detection and lower test-related discomfort than NPSs for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Saliva sampling had the lowest SARS-CoV-2 detection but was the least costly strategy for mass testing.

Trial registration number

NCT04715607.
Radiomic-based machine learning model for predicting the surgical risk in children with abdominal neuroblastoma
Authors: Jia Xuan , Liang Jiawei , Ma Xiaohui , Wang Wenqi , Lai Can
Published: May 2023

Background

Preoperative imaging assessment of surgical risk is very important for the prognosis of these children. To develop and validate a radiomics-based machine learning model based on the analysis of radiomics features to predict surgical risk in children with abdominal neuroblastoma (NB).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021 among 74 children with abdominal NB. A total of 1874 radiomic features in MR images were extracted from each patient. Support vector machines (SVMs) were used to establish the model. Eighty percent of the data were used as the training set to optimize the model, and 20% of the data were used to validate its accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) to verify its effectiveness.

Results

Among the 74 children with abdominal NB, 55 (65%) had surgical risk and 19 (35%) had no surgical risk. A t test and Lasso identified that 28 radiomic features were associated with surgical risk. After developing an SVM-based model using these features, predictions were made about whether children with abdominal NB had surgical risk. The model achieved an AUC of 0.94 (a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity of 0.80) with 0.890 accuracy in the training set and an AUC of 0.81 (a sensitivity of 0.73 and a specificity of 0.82) with 0.838 accuracy in the test set.

Conclusions

Radiomics and machine learning can be used to predict the surgical risk in children with abdominal NB. The model based on 28 radiomic features established by SVM showed good diagnostic efficiency.
Beluga Whale Body Condition: Evaluating environmental variables on beluga body condition indicators in the Tarium Niryutait MPA, Beaufort Sea.
Authors: McMillian Kate , Hoover Carie , Iacozza J. , Peyton Jonathan , Loseto Lisa L.
Published: May 2023

The development of indicators as tools for ecosystem monitoring is a key step in the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This study uses previously developed sex-specific body condition indices, blubber thickness and girth, to assess temporal changes in body condition from 2000 to 2015 in harvested Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Specifically, the goals were to (1) examine seasonal and inter-annual trends of beluga body condition indicators over the harvest season; (2) evaluate associations of body condition indicators across sexes; and (3) test annual means of each body condition index for correlations to regional scale environmental drivers, (i.e. the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and sea-ice minimum (SIM) in the Beaufort Sea). Significant seasonal changes in male blubber thickness and female girth indices demonstrated the importance of short term seasonal drivers. Whilst inter-annual changes in girth and blubber thickness indices revealed longer-term changes, that were correlated between males and females. Only the male girth index had significant relationships with environmental drivers: a negative relationship with the PDO at a zero-year lag ,and a negative relationship with the SIM at a two-year lag. [more in manuscript]
Systematics and biostratigraphy of a new trilobite fauna collected from the subsurface Earlie Formation (Wuliuan Stage, Miaolingian Series, Cambrian) in southwestern Saskatchewan
Authors: Handkamer Neal M. , Ichaso Andrei , Pratt Brian R. , Mángano M. Gabriela , Buatois Luis A.
Published: May 2023

Trilobites were recovered from four cores of the middle Cambrian Earlie Formation in southwestern Saskatchewan. Fossils occur in silty mudstone with interbedded siltstone and limestone, deposited in the inner detrital belt of the craton interior, under low-energy, subtidal conditions. Taxa identified include Kootenia dawsoni (Walcott 1889), Asaphiscus wheeleri Meek 1873, Blainia gregaria Walcott 1916b, Parehmania princeps Deiss 1939b, Ehmania weedi Resser 1935, Bolaspis labrosa (Walcott 1916a), and corynexochid gen. and sp. indet., indicating an age ranging from the lower to upper Altiocculus subzone of the Ehmaniella Zone, upper Wuliuan Stage. The upper Eldon and lower Pika formations located farther west in subsurface Alberta and the Rocky Mountains are considered to be age equivalent. Biostratigraphy confirms that strata overlying the Basal Sandstone Unit are diachronous and become progressively younger eastward. The trilobite fauna is lower in diversity relative to those in temporally equivalent units in the Rocky Mountains as well as the Great Basin, indicating that it may have experienced some environmental stressors, and that seafloor colonization was sporadic and opportunistic.
Parametric controllable one-way quantum steering induced by four-wave mixing in cavity magnonics
Authors: Wang Nan , Yang Zhi-Bo , Li Shi-Yan , Dong Ting-Ting , Zhu Ai-Dong
Published: May 2023

Quantum steering plays a crucial role in quantum communication and one-way quantum computation. Here, we study quantum steering between two magnon modes in a cavity-magnonics system by applying a two-photon drive field to the microwave cavity. The two magnon modes are entangled and the one-way steering can be implemented when the four-wave mixing is triggered. Different from most schemes that use the dissipation of the system to control quantum steering, in our scheme the one-way steering can be modulated on demand by adjusting the coherent coupling ratio between the two magnons and the cavity, which provides a flexible and feasible way in experiments. We also reveal that the directionality of quantum steering is related to the mode populations, i.e., the mode with a larger population dominants the steering. Our study has high manipulability and may provide a promising platform for one-way quantum computing and communications based on macroscopic entanglement state.
Nonleptonic Bc decay rates from model independent relations
Authors: Losacco Nicola
Published: May 2023

Nonleptonic [Formula: see text] decays to [Formula: see text]-wave charmonia and light [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] mesons are analyzed using factorization. The hadronic form factors parametrizing the [Formula: see text] matrix elements are expressed in terms of universal functions at the leading order of an expansion in the relative velocity of the heavy quarks in the [Formula: see text] rest-frame and in [Formula: see text]. Several ratios of branching fractions are evaluated, and when experimental information can be used, single branching fractions are presented. Both the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] charmonia are considered. If the exotic candidate state [Formula: see text] corresponds to [Formula: see text], it should be produced in nonleptonic [Formula: see text] decays with predicted abundances with respect to the other states in the charmonium [Formula: see text] spin four-plet.
Electronic, optical and huge figure of merit of MnFeTe Heuslerene
Authors: Azin-Sanjabod Mohammad Reza , Nedaee-Shakarab Bashir , Azizian-Kalandaragh Yashar , Boochani Arash , Akbari Hossein
Published: May 2023

Based on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of the MnFeTe Heuslerene compound have been investigated. The total energy change curve in terms of volume refers to the ground state point and equilibrium volume. By applying mBJ approximation, this compound has perfect half-metallic behavior of 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level with 7[Formula: see text] magnetic moment. Optical calculations show that the semiconductor behavior with an optical absorption gap occurred by incident light perpendicular to the MnFeTe Heuslerene plane. The figure of merit coefficient (ZT) has reached 3.5 at 50[Formula: see text]K temperature, which makes it an excellent candidate for thermoelectric applications. Also, the power factor (PF) of this compound has reached its maximum value at room temperature.
Integrating effects of Carreau–Yasuda slime on bacterial hydrodynamics
Authors: Asghar Zeeshan , Shah Rehman Ali , Shatanawi Wasfi , Gondal Muhammad Asif , Khan Muhammad Waris Saeed
Published: May 2023

This work deals with gliding motion of bacteria over a non-Newtonian slime layer attached to a solid substrate. The surface of a glider is approximated with a simple wavy two-dimensional sheet while the sticky slime is modeled as Carreau–Yasuda fluid. The classical Navier–Stokes equations are transformed by using Galilean transformation and dimensionless variables. Flow beneath the organism is creeping and the lubrication assumption is also valid in this scenario, hence the equation is reduced to fourth-order BVP in terms of stream function. The basic purpose is to compute the gliding speed and flow rate of the slime which are present in the boundary conditions. MATLAB built-in bvp5c solver is utilized to calculate the numerical solution of the stream function. Further, unknowns (flow rate and cell speed) are refined by using modified Newton–Raphson method (MNRT). Further, these pairs are employed in the formula of energy expended. Velocity and stream function is also plotted for these computed pairs. This study is motivated by scientific interest and the desire to understand the dynamics of gliding bacteria. The findings of this study are thought to be beneficial in the development of artificial crawlers.
Efficient 1×2, 1×4, 1×8 and 1×16 photonic crystal filters/power splitters based ring resonators for modern passive optical network PON
Authors: Mokhtari Lila , Badaoui Hadjira , Abri Mehadji , Rahmi Bachir , Lallam Farah , Moungar Abdelbasset
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose a new architecture of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] optical filter/power splitters operating around 1.55[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, based on a CPs 2D photonic crystal ring resonator for Modern Passive Optical Network (PON). This type of functionality, filtering/power splitting is introduced in this work for the first-time according literature. The designed device consists of a square array of GaAs dielectric rods immersed in air. The structure is designed and successfully simulated by the finite element method using the software COMSOL Multiphysics. From the results obtained, we note that the beam is evenly distributed for all output ports with total efficient transmissions of about 99.6%, 98.8%, 97.1% and 96.8% and low insertion losses of about 0.017, 0.052, 0.128, and −0.14[Formula: see text]dB for the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] filter power splitter successively.
Assessment of Impacts of Inward and Outward FDIs on Environmental Protection in Vietnam
Authors: Quang Phung Thanh
Published: May 2023

Considering two theories of Halo and Haven and annual data from 1994 to 2021 for the country of Vietnam, this paper has tried to consider two types of foreign direct investment (to Vietnam from abroad and from Vietnam to abroad) to study the impact factor of investment on carbon dioxide emissions in this country. The significant findings reveal that FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), both inward and outward, is an efficient factor in mitigating carbon emissions in the short term in Vietnam. The enhancements in the inward and outward flows of FDI in Vietnam will likely lead to a reduction in carbon emission increase which is in line with the environmental protection policy. In addition, it confirms the Halo pollution hypothesis in Vietnam, meaning that the Vietnamese government can mitigate CO2 emissions by improving FDI flows (both inward and outward).
A Quantum States Preparation Method Based on Difference-Driven Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Xu Jing , Wang Bosi
Published: May 2023

Due to the large state space of the two-qubit system, and the adoption of ladder reward function in the existing quantum state preparation methods, the convergence speed is slow and it is difficult to prepare the desired target quantum state with high fidelity under limited conditions. To solve the above problems, a difference-driven reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm for quantum state preparation of two-qubit system is proposed by improving the reward function and action selection strategy. Firstly, a model is constructed for the problem of preparing quantum states of a two-qubit system, with restrictions on the type of quantum gates and the time for quantum state evolution. In the preparation process, a weighted differential dynamic reward function is designed to assist the algorithm quickly obtain the maximum expected cumulative reward. Then, an adaptive [Formula: see text]-greedy action selection strategy is adopted to achieve a balance between exploration and utilization to a certain extent, thereby improving the fidelity of the final quantum state. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can prepare quantum state with high fidelity under limited conditions. Compared with other algorithms, it has different degrees of improvement in convergence speed and fidelity of the final quantum state.
Transition from active remediation to natural source zone depletion (NSZD) at a LNAPL-impacted site, supported by sustainable remediation appraisal
Authors: Statham Tom M. , Sumner Richard , Hill Alan F.M. , Smith Jonathan W.N.
Published: May 2023

Natural source zone depletion (NSZD) is increasingly being considered as a risk-management option at sites impacted with light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs). NSZD can be applied in isolation or in combination with active remediation techniques, depending on site-specific risk-management requirements. A case study of the transition from active remediation to passive NSZD is presented for a petroleum-impacted site in NW Europe. This transition was supported by multiple lines of evidence/management options, including: the introduction of institutional controls on groundwater and land-development restrictions; the results from a residual-NAPL risk assessment; monitoring to establish that the LNAPL plume is reducing in size; a LNAPL transmissivity assessment; a CO
2
equivalent assessment of remediation options; and a LNAPL recovery diminishing returns model. Through application of local sustainable remediation principles consistent with ISO/SuRF-UK sustainable remediation frameworks and tools, regulatory approval was obtained for a partial closeout of the remediation system. By the final year of operation, NSZD rates in the portion of the site on which transition to NSZD has been agreed were over three times greater than active LNAPL recovery rates (12 000 l/ha/a for NSZD; 3800 l/ha/a for active LNAPL recovery). In the remaining active remediation areas total fluids extraction currently outperforms NSZD and will be continued until a comparable point is reached when NSZD removal exceeds active remediation. At that point transition to NSZD alone will be considered as the most sustainable risk-based approach.
A Novel Curated Scholarly Graph Connecting Textual and Data Publications
Authors: Irrera Ornella , Mannocci Andrea , Manghi Paolo , Silvello Gianmaria
Published: May 2023

In the last decade, scholarly graphs became fundamental to storing and managing scholarly knowledge in a structured and machine-readable way. Methods and tools for discovery and impact assessment of science rely on such graphs and their quality to serve scientists, policymakers, and publishers. Since research data became very important in scholarly communication, scholarly graphs started including dataset metadata and their relationships to publications. Such graphs are the foundations for Open Science investigations, data-article publishing workflows, discovery, and assessment indicators. However, due to the heterogeneity of practices (FAIRness is indeed in the making), they often lack the complete and reliable metadata necessary to perform accurate data analysis; e.g., dataset metadata is inaccurate, author names are not uniform, and the semantics of the relationships is unknown, ambiguous or incomplete.

This work describes an open and curated scholarly graph we built and published as a training and test set for data discovery, data connection, author disambiguation, and link prediction tasks. Overall the graph contains 4,047 publications, 5,488 datasets, 22 software, 21,561 authors; 9,692 edges interconnect publications to datasets and software and are labeled with semantics that outline whether a publication is
citing, referencing, documenting
,
supplementing
another product.

To ensure high-quality metadata and semantics, we relied on the information extracted from PDFs of the publications and the datasets and software webpages to curate and enrich nodes metadata and edges semantics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever published resource, including publications and datasets with manually validated and curated metadata.
The Evolution of Distributed Systems for Graph Neural Networks and Their Origin in Graph Processing and Deep Learning: A Survey
Authors: Vatter Jana , Mayer Ruben , Jacobsen Hans-Arno
Published: May 2023

Graph neural networks (GNNs) are an emerging research field. This specialized deep neural network architecture is capable of processing graph structured data and bridges the gap between graph processing and deep learning. As graphs are everywhere, GNNs can be applied to various domains including recommendation systems, computer vision, natural language processing, biology, and chemistry. With the rapid growing size of real-world graphs, the need for efficient and scalable GNN training solutions has come. Consequently, many works proposing GNN systems have emerged throughout the past few years. However, there is an acute lack of overview, categorization, and comparison of such systems. We aim to fill this gap by summarizing and categorizing important methods and techniques for large-scale GNN solutions. Additionally, we establish connections between GNN systems, graph processing systems, and deep learning systems.
Mitigating Mode-switch through Run-time Computation of Response Time
Authors: Kritikakou Angeliki , Skalistis Stefanos
Published: May 2023

Mixed-critical systems consist of applications with different criticality. In these systems, different confidence levels of Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) estimations are used. Dual criticality systems use a less pessimistic, but with lower level of assurance, WCET estimation, and a safe, but pessimistic, WCET estimation. Initially, both high and low criticality tasks are executed. When a high criticality task exceeds its less pessimistic WCET, the system switches mode and low criticality tasks are usually dropped, reducing the overall system Quality of Service (QoS). To postpone mode switch, and thus, improve QoS, existing approaches explore the slack, created dynamically, when the actual execution of a task is faster than its WCET. However, existing approaches observe this slack only after the task has finished execution. To enhance dynamic slack exploitation, we propose a fine-grained approach that is able to expose the slack during the progress of a task, and safely uses it to postpone mode switch. The evaluation results show that the proposed approach has lower cost and achieves significant improvements in avoiding mode-switch, compared to existing approaches.
A Conversation with Sunita Chandrasekaran: Exploring sustainable and portable software solutions
Authors: Anjum Bushra
Published: May 2023

Ubiquity's senior editor Dr. Bushra Anjum chats with Sunita Chandrasekaran, an associate professor with the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware. Chandrasekaran discusses her goal, as a researcher as well as an educator, to prepare the next-generation workforce to tackle rich hardware features while exploring suitable software solutions. The discussion also addresses sustainable, maintainable, and portable solutions for legacy code that is traditionally unsuited for modern architectures.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Mechanisms and Clinical Use
Authors: Spooner Melinda H. , Jump Donald B.
Published: May 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic fatty liver disease worldwide, particularly in obese and type 2 diabetic individuals. Currently, there are no therapies for NAFLD that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Herein, we examine the rationale for using ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in NAFLD therapy. This focus is based on the finding that NAFLD severity is associated with a reduction of hepatic C20–22 ω3 PUFAs. Because C20–22 ω3 PUFAs are pleiotropic regulators of cell function, loss of C20–22 ω3 PUFAs has the potential to significantly impact hepatic function. We describe NAFLD prevalence and pathophysiology as well as current NAFLD therapies. We also present evidence from clinical and preclinical studies that evaluated the capacity of C20–22 ω3 PUFAs to treat NAFLD. Given the clinical and preclinical evidence, dietary C20–22 ω3 PUFA supplementation has the potential to decrease human NAFLD severity by reducing hepatosteatosis and liver injury.
Malnourished Microbes: Host–Microbiome Interactions in Child Undernutrition
Authors: Jones Helen J. , Bourke Claire D. , Swann Jonathan R. , Robertson Ruairi C.
Published: May 2023

Childhood undernutrition is a major global health burden that is only partially resolved by nutritional interventions. Both chronic and acute forms of child undernutrition are characterized by derangements in multiple biological systems including metabolism, immunity, and endocrine systems. A growing body of evidence supports a role of the gut microbiome in mediating these pathways influencing early life growth. Observational studies report alterations in the gut microbiome of undernourished children, while preclinical studies suggest that this can trigger intestinal enteropathy, alter host metabolism, and disrupt immune-mediated resistance against enteropathogens, each of which contribute to poor early life growth. Here, we compile evidence from preclinical and clinical studies and describe the emerging pathophysiological pathways by which the early life gut microbiome influences host metabolism, immunity, intestinal function, endocrine regulation, and other pathways contributing to child undernutrition. We discuss emerging microbiome-directed therapies and consider future research directions to identify and target microbiome-sensitive pathways in child undernutrition.
Boundary-Directed Epitaxy of Block Copolymers Toward Sub-10 nm Fabrication
Authors: Su Katherine Anna , Jacobberger Robert , Stan Liliana , Arnold Michael Scott
Published: May 2023

The directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) can be used to produce nanoscale patterns without the cost and process complexity of state-of-the-art optical lithography. Thus, DSA may be useful in a wide variety of semiconductor applications such as fin field-effect transistors and biosensors. To create technologically useful patterns with aligned BCP domains, conventional DSA mechanisms often rely on topographically complex structures or high-resolution chemical patterns to direct the self-assembly, that are difficult to fabricate. In comparison, a newly discovered mechanism for DSA, termed boundary-directed epitaxy (BDE), utilizes chemical contrast at the boundaries between a substrate and relatively wide chemical stripe. Here, we demonstrate the use of BDE to template the fabrication of sub-10 nm features for the first time. BDE is used in conjunction with selective infiltration to create ultranarrow line-space arrays of alumina. These results demonstrate a proof-of-concept for BDE as a method for ultrahigh-resolution feature formation.
(Invited) Manufacturing of Nanosheets and Multilayer Nanogaps in Silicon
Authors: Lerch Wilfried , Heigl M , Bui-Tran T.X.A , Eisele Ignaz , Merkel R.
Published: May 2023

It will be shown that nanogaps can be fabricated by selective etching of fully strained SiGe layers embedded in single crystalline silicon. It will be shown that intrinsic stress is the dominating parameter for the anisotropy. High temperature etching with gaseous hydrochloric acid allows a large etch selectivity RSiGe/RSi depending on surface orientation, Ge concentration and temperature during etching. Multilayer nanogaps have been prepared and completely filled by several deposition techniques. Applications regarding diodes and MOSFETs will be given.