bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the work of academic staff at higher education institutions: an international assessment
Authors: Leal Filho Walter , Wall Tony , Salvia Amanda Lange , Vasconcelos Claudio Ruy , Abubakar Ismaila Rimi , Minhas Aprajita , Mifsud Mark , Kozlova Valerija , Lovren Violeta Orlovic , Azadi Hossein , Sharifi Ayyoob , Kovaleva Marina , LeVasseur Todd , Luetz Johannes , Velazquez Luis , Singh Priyatma , Pretorius Rudi , Akib Noor Adelyna Mohammed , Savelyeva Tamara , Brandli Luciana , Muthu Nandhivarman , Lombardi Patrizia
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the life of millions of people around the world and brought changes in many contexts. In higher education institutions, teaching staff had to quickly adapt their teaching and research practices and revisit learning and student engagement strategies. In this context, this paper aimed to report on how the lockdowns influenced the work and lives of academic staff at universities. The methodology consisted of an online survey that collected 201 responses across 39 countries worldwide, and the results were explored using descriptive and exploratory modelling analyses. The findings reveal that the main positive aspect of the work-from-home experience during the lockdowns was the reduction of time spent on commuting, while the inability to disconnect and difficulties in work–life balance were the most commonly indicated negative aspects. The principal component analysis indicated that the pandemic had a moderate power in boosting academic staff towards sustainability, and an important potential of revising academic curricula and teaching–learning relationships. Based on the evidence gathered, recommendations to allow academic staff to better cope with the influence of future pandemics include the increased use of digital resources and new teaching styles, curricula revision for encouraging educators to include more issues related to sustainable development in their teaching and greater institutional support to reduce stressful conditions and improve productivity.
Right ventricular dysfunction in left ventricular assist device candidates: is it time to change our prospective?
Authors: Sciaccaluga Carlotta , Procopio Maria Cristina , Potena Luciano , Masetti Marco , Bernazzali Sonia , Maccherini Massimo , Landra Federico , Righini Francesca Maria , Cameli Matteo , Valente Serafina
Published: February 2024

The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has significantly increased in the last years, trying to offer a therapeutic alternative to heart transplantation, in light also to the significant heart donor shortage compared to the growing advanced heart failure population. Despite technological improvements in the devices, LVAD-related mortality is still fairly high, with right heart failure being one of the predominant predictors. Therefore, many efforts have been made toward a thorough right ventricular (RV) evaluation prior to LVAD implant, considering clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and invasive hemodynamic parameters. However, there is high heterogeneity regarding both which predictor is the strongest as well as the relative cut-off values, and a consensus has not been reached yet, increasing the risk of facing patients in which the distinction between good or poor RV function cannot be surely reached. In parallel, due to technological development and availability of mechanical circulatory support of the RV, LVADs are being considered even in patients with suboptimal RV function. The aim of our review is to analyze the current evidence regarding the role of RV function prior to LVAD and its evaluation, pointing out the extreme variability in parameters that are currently assessed and future prospective regarding new diagnostic tools. Finally, we attempt to gather the available information on the therapeutic strategies to use in the peri-operative phase, in order to reduce the incidence of RV failure, especially in patients in which the preoperative evaluation highlighted some conflicting results with regard to ventricular function.
Short-term mild hyperventilation on intracranial pressure, cerebral autoregulation, and oxygenation in acute brain injury patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Cardim Danilo , Giardina Alberto , Ciliberti Pietro , Battaglini Denise , Berardino Andrea , Uccelli Antonio , Czosnyka Marek , Roccatagliata Luca , Matta Basil , Patroniti Nicolo , Rocco Patricia R. M. , Robba Chiara
Published: February 2024

Current guidelines suggest a target of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of 32–35 mmHg (mild hypocapnia) as tier 2 for the management of intracranial hypertension. However, the effects of mild hyperventilation on cerebrovascular dynamics are not completely elucidated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes of intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral autoregulation (measured through pressure reactivity index, PRx), and regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO2) parameters before and after induction of mild hyperventilation. Single center, observational study including patients with acute brain injury (ABI) admitted to the intensive care unit undergoing multimodal neuromonitoring and requiring titration of PaCO2 values to mild hypocapnia as tier 2 for the management of intracranial hypertension. Twenty-five patients were included in this study (40% female), median age 64.7 years (Interquartile Range, IQR = 45.9–73.2). Median Glasgow Coma Scale was 6 (IQR = 3–11). After mild hyperventilation, PaCO2 values decreased (from 42 (39–44) to 34 (32–34) mmHg, p < 0.0001), ICP and PRx significantly decreased (from 25.4 (24.1–26.4) to 17.5 (16–21.2) mmHg, p < 0.0001, and from 0.32 (0.1–0.52) to 0.12 (-0.03–0.23), p < 0.0001). rSO2 was statistically but not clinically significantly reduced (from 60% (56–64) to 59% (54–61), p < 0.0001), but the arterial component of rSO2 (ΔO2Hbi, changes in concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin of the total rSO2) decreased from 3.83 (3–6.2) μM.cm to 1.6 (0.5–3.1) μM.cm, p = 0.0001. Mild hyperventilation can reduce ICP and improve cerebral autoregulation, with minimal clinical effects on cerebral oxygenation. However, the arterial component of rSO2 was importantly reduced. Multimodal neuromonitoring is essential when titrating PaCO2 values for ICP management.
Measuring the Coverage of the HL7® FHIR® Standard in Supporting Data Acquisition for 3 Public Health Registries
Authors: Bikkanuri Manju , Robins Taiquitha T. , Wong Lori , Seker Emel , Greer Melody L. , Williams Tremaine B. , Garza Maryam Y.
Published: February 2024

With the increasing need for timely submission of data to state and national public health registries, current manual approaches to data acquisition and submission are insufficient. In clinical practice, federal regulations are now mandating the use of data messaging standards, i.e., the Health Level Seven (HL7®) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard, to facilitate the electronic exchange of clinical (patient) data. In both research and public health practice, we can also leverage FHIR® ‒ and the infrastructure already in place for supporting exchange of clinical practice data ‒ to enable seamless exchange between the electronic medical record and public health registries. That said, in order to understand the current utility of FHIR® for supporting the public health use case, we must first measure the extent to which the standard resources map to the required registry data elements. Thus, using a systematic mapping approach, we evaluated the level of completeness of the FHIR® standard to support data collection for three public health registries (Trauma, Stroke, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program). On average, approximately 80% of data elements were available in FHIR® (71%, 77%, and 92%, respectively; inter-annotator agreement rates: 82%, 78%, and 72%, respectively). This tells us that there is the potential for significant automation to support EHR-to-Registry data exchange, which will reduce the amount of manual, error-prone processes and ensure higher data quality. Further, identification of the remaining 20% of data elements that are “not mapped” will enable us to improve the standard and develop profiles that will better fit the registry data model.
The negative theology of absolute infinity: Cantor, mathematics, and humility
Authors: Gutschmidt Rico , Carl Merlin
Published: February 2024

Cantor argued that absolute infinity is beyond mathematical comprehension. His arguments imply that the domain of mathematics cannot be grasped by mathematical means. We argue that this inability constitutes a foundational problem. For Cantor, however, the domain of mathematics does not belong to mathematics, but to theology. We thus discuss the theological significance of Cantor’s treatment of absolute infinity and show that it can be interpreted in terms of negative theology. Proceeding from this interpretation, we refer to the recent debate on absolute generality and argue that the method of diagonalization constitutes a modern version of the vianegativa. On our reading, negative theology can evoke an attitude of humility with respect to the boundedness of the human condition. Along these lines, we think that the foundational problem of mathematics concerning its domain can be addressed through a methodological attitude of humility.
Factors Associated with Smoking Cessation and the Receipt of Cessation Services in a Public, Safety-Net Primary Care System
Authors: Gu Dian , Rafferty Henry , Vijayaraghavan Maya
Published: February 2024

Background

Prevalence of smoking is high among patients receiving care in safety-net settings, and there is a need to better understand patient factors associated with smoking cessation and receipt of cessation services.

Objective

To identify patient factors associated with smoking cessation attempts and receipt of cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy in a large safety-net health system.

Design

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using EHR data in a safety-net system in San Francisco, CA.

Participants

We included 7384 adult current smokers who had at least three unique primary care encounters with documented smoking status between August 2019 and April 2022.

Main measures

We assessed four outcomes using multivariate generalized estimating equation models: (1) any cessation attempt, indicating a transition in smoking status from “current smoker” to “former smoker”; (2) sustained cessation, defined as transition in smoking status from current smoker to former smokers for two or more consecutive visits; (3) receipt of smoking cessation counseling from healthcare providers; and (4) receipt of pharmacotherapy.

Key Results

Of 7384 current adult smokers, 17.6% had made any cessation attempt, and of those 66.5% had sustained cessation. Most patients (81.1%) received counseling and 41.8% received pharmacotherapy. Factors associated with lower odds of any cessation attempt included being aged 45–64, non-Hispanic black, and experiencing homelessness. The factor associated with lower odds of sustained cessation was being male. Factors associated with lower odds of receiving counseling were being insured by Medicaid or being uninsured. Factors associated with lower odds of receiving pharmacotherapy included speaking languages other than English, being male, and identifying as racial and ethnic minorities.

Conclusions

Health system interventions could close the gap in access to smoking cessation services for unhoused and racial/ethnic minority patients in safety-net settings, thereby increasing cessation among these populations.
CT imaging features of lung ground-glass nodule patients with upgraded intraoperative frozen pathology
Authors: Wang Hongya , Chen Aiping , Wang Kun , Yang He , Wen Wei , Ren Qianrui , Chen Liang , Xu Xinfeng , Zhu Quan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Intraoperative frozen section pathology (FS) is widely used to guide surgical strategies while the accuracy is relatively low. Underestimating the pathological condition may result in inadequate surgical margins. This study aims to identify CT imaging features related to upgraded FS and develop a predictive model.

Methods

Collected data from 860 patients who underwent lung surgery from January to December 2019. We analyzed the consistency rate of FS and categorized the patients into three groups: Group 1 (n = 360) had both FS and Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded section (FP) as non-invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC); Group 2 (n = 128) had FS as non-IAC but FP as IAC; Group 3 (n = 372) had both FS and FP as IAC. Clinical baseline characteristics were compared and propensity score adjustment was used to mitigate the effects of these characteristics. Univariate analyses identified imaging features with inter-group differences. A multivariate analysis was conducted to screen independent risk factors for FS upgrade, after which a logistic regression prediction model was established and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted.

Results

The consistency rate of FS with FP was 84.19%. 26.67% of the patients with non-IAC FS diagnosis were upgraded to IAC. The predictive model’s Area Under Curve (AUC) is 0.785. Consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) ≤ 0.5 and smaller nodule diameter are associated with the underestimation of IAC in FS.

Conclusion

CT imaging has the capacity to effectively detect patients at risk of upstaging during FS.
Airway Complications Related to Lung Transplantation
Authors: Kafi Aarya , Taylor Caleb , Cheng George
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

This review describes the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with airway complications post lung transplant. We discuss the different types of airway complications (AC) and their management based on recent literature reviews and institutional experience.

Recent Findings

AC are now less frequent due to improvements in procurement, surgical techniques, and post-operative management of lung transplant. Risk factors for AC are well described and involve both donor and recipient factors. The management of airway complications is not universally agreed upon, and data regarding the efficacy of different modalities is limited.

Airway management requires a multidisciplinary approach between interventional pulmonary, lung transplant, and occasionally surgical teams. With small or limited airway defects, we advocate for conservative medical management. For more extensive airway complications, advanced bronchoscopic techniques may be utilized with good outcomes. Research is needed to validate the efficacy of customized silica stents for airway complications.
Young Black Changemakers and the Road to Racial Justice
Authors: Wray-Lake Laura , Hope Elan C. , Abrams Laura S.
Published: February 2024

Young Black Changemakers and the Road to Racial Justice tells the stories of how Black youth become changemakers and speaks to researchers, educators, community organizations, and the public. Through many kinds of action, Black youth are driven by a larger purpose to improve the world for Black people. Black families and Black-centered organizations support and sustain Black youth's civic engagement. Investing in community-based organizations benefits young Black changemakers, and Black identity and community can offer belonging and joy. Black youth's stories call us to root out anti-Blackness in schools, on social media, and in public discourse. Black youth bring society hope for the future and point the way forward on the road to racial justice.
On the secondary stall of a wing in tandem configuration
Authors: Shah S.H.R. , Ahmed A.
Published: February 2024

The aerodynamic response of a NACA0012 wing section was investigated at a Reynolds number of 100,000 in an open return wind tunnel in the presence of a second wing in tandem. The angle-of-attack of the front wing ranged from −5° to 90° while the rear wing remained at zero incidence. The presence of the downstream wing significantly altered the post-stall behaviour of the upstream wing in the form of a secondary stall characterised by a sudden drop in lift and drag for a specific combination of angle-of-attack and the spacing between the wings. The secondary stall was found to be insensitive to the Reynolds number and the aspect ratio of the downstream wing and did not affect the lift-to-drag ratio. Flow visualisation in the water tunnel indicated that the downstream wing effectively suppressed vortex shedding and lift fluctuations of the upstream wing.
Two-phase volume-averaged predictive theory of dilute ferrofluid spin-up flow in a rotating magnetic field
Authors: Larbi Zakaria , Larachi Faïçal , Azzi Abdelwahid
Published: February 2024

We have developed a parameter-free, two-phase, volume-averaged approach to predictively describe the spin-up flow of dilute, cluster-free ferrofluids excited by low-frequency rotating magnetic fields. Predictive validation of the model was performed through a thorough comparison with local velocity profile measurements, and it demonstrated its ability to capture the spin-up flow dynamics without the need for parameter tuning by carefully delineating the validity domain of the ferrofluid dilutedness conditions. To gain insight into the underlying flow mechanisms, we performed a systematic parametric analysis examining the effects of the induced magnetic field, the dipolar interactions between magnetic nanoparticles and the demagnetizing field. How these mechanisms shape the flow of dilute ferrofluids excited by low-frequency rotating fields in a standard spin-up flow geometry has been addressed using probabilistic nanoparticle orientational dynamics, combining Faxén's laws and the Smoluchowski equation to describe the transport of particle magnetic moments. Our findings revealed that the induced magnetic field is the primary driving force of ferrofluid spin-up flow. The dipole interactions and demagnetizing field, on the other hand, contribute only as secondary phenomena to the overall flow behaviour. Furthermore, we have discussed the potential extension of the two-phase approach, in particular with respect to the formation of chain-like aggregates under the influence of strong magnetic fields. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of ferrofluid flow and contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the key mechanisms governing the spin-up flow of dilute ferrofluids excited by low-frequency rotating magnetic fields.
Effects of streamwise rotation on helicity and vortex in channel turbulence
Authors: Hu Running , Li Xinliang , Yu Changping
Published: February 2024

Helicity plays a key role in the evolution of vortex structures and turbulent dynamics. The helicity dynamics and vortex structures in streamwise-rotating channel turbulence are discussed in this paper using the helicity budget equation and the differentiated second-order structure function equation of helicity. Generally, rotation and Reynolds numbers exhibit opposing effects on the interscale helicity dynamics and the vortices. Under the buffer layer, the positions of the helicity peaks are proportional to the ratio between the Reynolds and rotation numbers. The mechanism is related to the opposing effects of convection and rotation. Rotation directly affects the helicity balance through the Coriolis term and corresponding pressure term. In the buffer layer, the scale helicity is negative at small scales but positive at large scales, which is mainly induced by the spatial effects (the production and the spatial turbulent convection) but reduced by interscale cascades. Examination of structures reveals the close association between scale helicity and streaks, with streak lift angles exhibiting an increase with rotation and a decrease with Reynolds numbers. In the log-law layer, the Coriolis terms and corresponding pressure terms are proportional to the rotation numbers but remain independent of the Reynolds numbers. The negative scale helicity is forward cascaded towards small scales. Generally, spanwise vortices in the log-law layer are related to sweep events and forward cascades. Our findings indicate that these spanwise vortices are suppressed by rotation but recover with increasing Reynolds numbers, aligning with the effects observed in the scale helicity balance.
The association between common mental disorders and tuberculosis: a case–control study from Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Larson Lena , Lemvik Grethe , Rudolf Frauke , Gomes Victor Francisco , Schröder Andreas , Wejse Christian
Published: February 2024

Objective:

The aim of the study was to explore the association between tuberculosis (TB) and common mental disorders (CMD), in an area with high prevalence of TB.

Methods:

We performed a case–control study of TB patients and unmatched healthy controls, from a demographic surveillance site in Guinea-Bissau. Screening for CMD was performed once for controls and at inclusion and follow-up for TB patients. Kessler 10 (K-10) and a brief version of Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25 (SCL-8d) were used as screening instruments.

Results:

571 controls were interviewed and 416 interviews were performed for 215 TB cases. Estimated CMD prevalence at the time of diagnosis of TB was 33.6 % (SCL-8d) and 46.2 % (K-10), compared with 6.8 % (SCL-8d) and 6.7 % (K-10) among controls; adjusted OR 7.18 (95 % CI 4.07 to 12.67) and 14.52 (95 % CI 8.15 to 25.84), respectively. No significant difference in CMD prevalence rates was observed between TB patients, after 6 months of treatment, and controls.

Conclusion:

Psychological distress and common mental disorders were more prevalent among TB patients at the time of diagnosis compared with the background population, but after completion of TB treatment no increased prevalence of psychological distress was found.
Relative Contributions of Large‐Scale Atmospheric Circulation Dynamics and Anthropogenic Warming to the Unprecedented 2022 Yangtze River Basin Heatwave
Authors: Huang Zeqin , Tan Xuezhi , Liu Bingjun
Published: February 2024

The unprecedented 2022 Yangtze River Basin (YRB) heatwave is a threat to human society and natural ecology, so the understanding of its underlying drivers is critical to regional climate adaptation and resilience. Here we conducted a multi‐method attribution analysis on the contribution of atmospheric circulation change and anthropogenic impacts to the occurrence probability and intensity of this extreme heatwave. Based on the nonstationary statistical analysis, the 2022 YRB heatwave is a 1‐in‐900‐year event and a 1‐in‐110‐year event with and without considering the 2022 YRB heatwave in the fitting, respectively. The large‐scale meteorological condition analysis shows that the 2022 YRB heatwave is featured with an anomalous high‐pressure system that favors a hot and dry atmospheric column, overlaid by anomalous subsidence and clear skies which leads to warming and greater solar heating. The ensemble constructed circulation analogue analyses show that the circulation anomaly fails to explain the observed 2022 YRB SAT anomalies fully. Specifically, 46% (0.132 ± 0.027°C decade−1) of the observed SAT trend during 1979–2022 (0.290 ± 0.048°C decade−1) is caused by anthropogenic warming and the associated thermodynamic feedback, while the remaining 54% (0.157 ± 0.038°C decade−1) of the trend is caused by changes in the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. Our findings on changes in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with YRB heatwave and anthropogenic contributions to YRB heatwave could provide valuable information for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in the context of a warming climate.
From Newsworthiness to News Usefulness in Climate Change Research
Authors: Perga Marie-Elodie , Pessina Laure-Anne , Lane Stuart , Butera Fabrizio
Published: February 2024

Current approaches for deciding what science is covered in the media portray only a narrow slice of climate change research and aren’t well suited for stoking climate action.
That’s No Moon; It’s an Ocean World
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2024

If Saturn’s cratered moon Mimas has liquid water beneath its surface, ocean worlds might be far more common in the solar system than we thought.
tRNA epitranscriptomic alterations associated with opioid-induced reward-seeking and long-term opioid withdrawal in male mice
Authors: Blaze Jennifer , Browne Caleb J. , Futamura Rita , Javidfar Behnam , Zachariou Venetia , Nestler Eric J. , Akbarian Schahram
Published: February 2024

DNA cytosine methylation has been documented as a potential epigenetic mechanism of transcriptional regulation underlying opioid use disorder. However, methylation of RNA cytosine residues, which would drive another level of biological influence as an epitranscriptomic mechanism of gene and protein regulation has not been studied in the context of addiction. Here, we probed whether chronic morphine exposure could alter tRNA cytosine methylation (m5C) and resulting expression levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region crucial for reward processing and executive function that exhibits opioid-induced molecular restructuring. We identified dynamic changes in glycine tRNA (tRNAGlyGCC) cytosine methylation, corresponding to altered expression levels of this tRNA at multiple timepoints following 15 days of daily morphine. Additionally, a robust increase in methylation, coupled with decreased expression, was present after 30 days of withdrawal, suggesting that repeated opioid administration produces changes to the tRNA regulome long after discontinuation. Furthermore, forebrain-wide knockout of neuronal Nsun2, a tRNA methyltransferase, was associated with disruption of opioid conditioned place preference, and this effect was recapitulated by regional mPFC Nsun2 knockout. Taken together, these studies provide a foundational link between the regulation of tRNA cytosine methylation and opioid reward and highlight the tRNA machinery as a potential therapeutic target in addiction.
Cost of care for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the United States: 2016 to 2060
Authors: Nandi Arindam , Counts Nathaniel , Bröker Janina , Malik Sabrina , Chen Simiao , Han Rachael , Klusty Jessica , Seligman Benjamin , Tortorice Daniel , Vigo Daniel , Bloom David E.
Published: February 2024

Medical and long-term care for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) can impose a large economic burden on individuals and societies. We estimated the per capita cost of ADRDs care in the in the United States in 2016 and projected future aggregate care costs during 2020–2060. Based on a previously published methodology, we used U.S. Health and Retirement Survey (2010–2016) longitudinal data to estimate formal and informal care costs. In 2016, the estimated per patient cost of formal care was $28,078 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $25,893–$30,433), and informal care cost valued in terms of replacement cost and forgone wages was $36,667 ($34,025–$39,473) and $15,792 ($12,980–$18,713), respectively. Aggregate formal care cost and formal plus informal care cost using replacement cost and forgone wage methods were $196 billion (95% uncertainty range [UR]: $179–$213 billion), $450 billion ($424–$478 billion), and $305 billion ($278–$333 billion), respectively, in 2020. These were projected to increase to $1.4 trillion ($837 billion–$2.2 trillion), $3.3 trillion ($1.9–$5.1 trillion), and $2.2 trillion ($1.3–$3.5 trillion), respectively, in 2060.
Patterns of human and bots behaviour on Twitter conversations about sustainability
Authors: Mouronte-López Mary Luz , Gómez Sánchez-Seco Javier , Benito Rosa M.
Published: February 2024

Sustainability is an issue of worldwide concern. Twitter is one of the most popular social networks, which makes it particularly interesting for exploring opinions and characteristics related to issues of social preoccupation. This paper aims to gain a better understanding of the activity related to sustainability that takes place on twitter. In addition to building a mathematical model to identify account typologies (bot and human users), different behavioural patterns were detected using clustering analysis mainly in the mechanisms of posting tweets and retweets). The model took as explanatory variables, certain characteristics of the user’s profile and her/his activity. A lexicon-based sentiment analysis in the period from 2006 to 2022 was also carried out in conjunction with a keyword study based on centrality metrics. We found that, in both bot and human users, messages showed mostly a positive sentiment. Bots had a higher percentage of neutral messages than human users. With respect to the used keywords certain commonalities but also slight differences between humans and bots were identified.
Immunoinformatics, molecular docking and dynamics simulation approaches unveil a multi epitope-based potent peptide vaccine candidate against avian leukosis virus
Authors: Elshafei Siham O. , Mahmoud Nuha A. , Almofti Yassir A.
Published: February 2024

Lymphoid leukosis is a poultry neoplastic disease caused by avian leukosis virus (ALV) and is characterized by high morbidity and variable mortality rates in chicks. Currently, no effective treatment and vaccination is the only means to control it. This study exploited the immunoinformatics approaches to construct multi-epitope vaccine against ALV. ABCpred and IEDB servers were used to predict B and T lymphocytes epitopes from the viral proteins, respectively. Antigenicity, allergenicity and toxicity of the epitopes were assessed and used to construct the vaccine with suitable adjuvant and linkers. Secondary and tertiary structures of the vaccine were predicted, refined and validated. Structural errors, solubility, stability, immune simulation, dynamic simulation, docking and in silico cloning were also evaluated.The constructed vaccine was hydrophilic, antigenic and non-allergenic. Ramchandran plot showed most of the residues in the favored and additional allowed regions. ProsA server showed no errors in the vaccine structure. Immune simulation showed significant immunoglobulins and cytokines levels. Stability was enhanced by disulfide engineering and molecular dynamic simulation. Docking of the vaccine with chicken’s TLR7 revealed competent binding energies.The vaccine was cloned in pET-30a(+) vector and efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. This study provided a potent peptide vaccine that could assist in tailoring a rapid and cost-effective vaccine that helps to combat ALV. However, experimental validation is required to assess the vaccine efficiency.
Spin resolved topological bulk state in acoustics
Authors: Indaleeb Mustahseen M. , Banerjee Sourav
Published: February 2024

Extremely rare topologically protected acoustic energy sink is presented in this article. Acoustic topological phenomena are generally described using quantum anomalous hall effects (QAHE), quantum valley hall effects (QVHE), and quantum spin hall effects (QSHE) where spin orbit coupling is predominant. Topological edge states are demonstrated by bulk-boundary distinction when the bulk is insulated. In this article topological acoustic conductor and its phenomena are theoretically demonstrated where the boundaries are insulated. This is exactly opposite to the behavior of a topological acoustic insulator. Phenomena presented in this article could not be explained by any of the trio Quantum Hall effects. To explain the phenomenon phononic crystals or PnCs were designed to obtain accidental triple degeneracies, resulting a Dirac-like cone at the Γ point ($$\overrightarrow{k}=0$$

k
→

=
0

). The phenomenon is microarchitecture and microrotation field independent. Here time reversal symmetry or the space inversion symmetry is not broken, and the degenerated ‘Deaf band’ dominates the local dispersion with a syncline top band. This scenario results in continuously changing ‘up spin’ and ‘down spin’ of the wave energy in the media and remain trapped without specific preferential direction of wave transport. The spin was found to generate the spin angular momentum, causing the switching in geometric phase from $$0-2\pi$$

0
-
2
π

in cyclic pattern, keeping the energy trapped inside the bulk media.
Morphological and biomechanical characterization of long bones and peri-implant bone repair in type 2 diabetic rats treated with resveratrol
Authors: Wajima Carolina Sayuri , Pitol-Palin Letícia , de Souza Batista Fábio Roberto , dos Santos Paulo Henrique , Matsushita Doris Hissako , Okamoto Roberta
Published: February 2024

Type 2 diabetes interferes with bone remodeling mechanisms, requiring studies to reverse this damage, and resveratrol is a polyphenol with rich properties. This study aimed to characterize the long bone morphology and peri-implant biomechanics of normoglycemic and type 2 diabetic animals treated with resveratrol. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were used and divided into normoglycemic and diabetic with or without treatment. They had the installation of implants in the tibia and treatment with oral resveratrol within 45 days. Resveratrol was responsible for weight homeostasis and decreased glycemic levels in rats with type 2 diabetes. The three-point bending testing, resveratrol showed positive effects on the biomechanics of long bones, corroborating a more resistant bone in comparison to untreated diabetics. Micro-ct revealed how bone metabolism is affected by systemic disease, decreasing bone quality. The counter-torque of normoglycemic animals showed superior osseointegration to diabetes, with no differences in the administration of the polyphenol, showing the sovereignty of the deleterious effects of the disease when there is a tissue lesion and an inflammatory picture installed. Overall, resveratrol acted positively in the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and revealed positive effects on the strength of long bones.
A novel nomogram and recursive partitioning analysis for predicting cancer-specific survival of patients with subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Ji Qiang , Hu Hua , Li Shulian , Tang Jun
Published: February 2024

Accurately predicting prognosis subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is crucial for guiding treatment decisions in patients. The objective of this study was to develop prediction models for cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with subcutaneous LMS. The collected cases of diagnosed subcutaneous LMS were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a 6:4 ratio based on tumor location and histological code. The X-tile program was utilized to determine the optimal cutoff points for age index. Univariate and Cox multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for subcutaneous LMS patients. Nomograms were constructed to predict CSS, and their performance was assessed using C-index and calibration plots. Additionally, a decision tree model was established using recursive partitioning analysis to determine the total score for CSS prediction in subcutaneous LMS patients based on the nomogram model. A total of 1793 patients with subcutaneous LMS were found. X-tile software divides all patients into ≤ 61 years old, 61–82 years old, and ≥ 82 years old. The most important anatomical sites were the limbs (including the upper and lower limbs, 48.0%). Only 6.2% of patients received chemotherapy, while 44% had a history of radiotherapy and 92.9% underwent surgery. The independent risk factors for patients with subcutaneous LMS were age, summary stage, grade, and surgery. CSS was significantly decreased in patients with distant metastases, which showed the highest independent risk predictor (HR 4.325, 95% CI 3.010–6.214, p < 0.001). The nomogram prediction model of LMS was constructed based on four risk factors. The C-index for this model was 0.802 [95% CI 0.781–0.823] and 0.798 [95% CI 0.768–0.829]. The training cohort's 3-, 5-, and 10-year AUCs for CSS in patients with subcutaneous LMS were 0.833, 0.830, and 0.859, and the validation cohort's AUC for predicting CSS rate were 0.849, 0.830, and 0.803, respectively. Recursive segmentation analysis divided patients into 4 risk subgroups according to the total score in the nomogram, including low-risk group < 145, intermediate-low-risk group ≥ 145 < 176, intermediate-high-risk group ≥ 176 < 196, and high-risk group ≥ 196; The probability of the four risk subgroups is 9.1%, 34%, 49%, and 79% respectively. In this retrospective study, a novel nomogram or corresponding risk classification system for patients with subcutaneous LMS were developed, which may assist clinicians in identifying high-risk patients and in guiding the clinical decision.
Waveform shaping in photonic time-crystals
Authors: Hwang Ruey-Bing
Published: February 2024

This paper reports on the waveform shaped by a finite duration photonic time-crystal with its permittivity and permeability periodically varying in time. A Gaussian-modulated sinusoidal pulse is incident onto this photonic time-crystal to evaluate the backward- and forward-scattering waveforms. An analytical formulation, utilizing a cascade of temporal transfer matrices and the inverse fast Fourier transform, was employed to conduct time-domain waveform computations. Interestingly, the dispersion diagram of the temporal unit cell, which displays a momentum gap characterized by a complex effective angular frequency, plays a crucial role in shaping the incident waveform. Specifically, the presence of momentum gaps in the spectrum of the incident pulse determines the frequencies of the generated oscillation modes.
Parent–child couples display shared neural fingerprints while listening to stories
Authors: Habouba Nir , Talmon Ronen , Kraus Dror , Farah Rola , Apter Alan , Steinberg Tamar , Radhakrishnan Rupa , Barazany Daniel , Horowitz-Kraus Tzipi
Published: February 2024

Neural fingerprinting is a method to identify individuals from a group of people. Here, we established a new connectome-based identification model and used diffusion maps to show that biological parent–child couples share functional connectivity patterns while listening to stories. These shared fingerprints enabled the identification of children and their biological parents from a group of parents and children. Functional patterns were evident in both cognitive and sensory brain networks. Defining “typical” shared biological parent–child brain patterns may enable predicting or even preventing impaired parent–child connections that develop due to genetic or environmental causes. Finally, we argue that the proposed framework opens new opportunities to link similarities in connectivity patterns to behavioral, psychological, and medical phenomena among other populations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the neural fingerprint that represents distinct biological parent–child couples.
Improving diagnostic accuracy of blood culture-positive cases in a cancer center via an antimicrobial stewardship program and infectious disease consultations
Authors: Itoh Naoya , Akazawa Nana , Kawabata Takanori , Yamaguchi Makoto , Kodama Eiichi N. , Ohmagari Norio
Published: February 2024

The direct impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) and infectious disease (ID) consultations on patients' clinical diagnoses remains unknown. We assessed their influence on improving the diagnostic accuracy of blood culture-positive inpatients at a Japanese cancer center. Our single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022 to evaluate two phases: pre-intervention (notification of antimicrobials by the infection control team) and post-intervention (ASP implementation and ID consultation service establishment). There were 42,514 inpatients: 22,096 during the pre-intervention and 20,418 during the intervention periods. A total of 939 blood culture-positive episodes (pre-intervention, n = 434; post-intervention, n = 505) were analyzed. During the pre-intervention period, 28.1% of the patients had an unknown diagnosis, which decreased significantly to 1.2% post-intervention. Furthermore, hepatobiliary tract and other infections increased significantly post-intervention, and the mortality rate due to Staphylococcus aureus infection decreased from 28.6% pre-intervention to 10.4% post-intervention. The trend and level of the total number of culture specimens submitted per 1000 patient days for all culture specimens increased significantly post-intervention. Notably, the two-set rate of monthly blood cultures increased significantly. In conclusion, improving the overall diagnostic process with ASP and ID consultations at cancer centers could lead to the optimization of patient care.
Using symbolic machine learning to assess and model substance transport and decay in water distribution networks
Authors: Laucelli Daniele Biagio , Enríquez Laura , Saldarriaga Juan , Giustolisi Orazio
Published: February 2024

Drinking water infrastructures are systems of pipes which are generally networked. They play a crucial role in transporting and delivering clean water to people. The water quality analysis refers to the evaluation of the advective diffusion of any substance in drinking water infrastructures from source nodes. Such substances could be a contamination for the system or planned for the disinfection, e.g., chlorine. The water quality analysis is performed by integrating the differential equation in the pipes network domain using the kinetics of the substance decay and the Lagrangian scheme. The kinetics can be formulated using a specific reaction order depending on the substance characteristics. The basis for the integration is the pipes velocity field calculated by means of hydraulic analysis. The aim of the present work is to discover the intrinsic mechanism of the substance transport in drinking water infrastructures, i.e., their pipes network domain, using the symbolic machine learning, named Evolutionary Polynomial Regression, which provides “synthetic” models (symbolic formulas) from data. We demonstrated, using one real network and two test networks, that the concentration at each node of the network can be predicted using the travel time along the shortest path(s) between the source and each node. Additionally, the formula models provided by symbolic machine learning allowed discovering that a unique formula based on kinetic reaction model structure allows predicting the residual substance concentration at each node, given the source node concentration, surrogating with a good accuracy the integration of the differential equations.
Effectiveness, safety and indications of acute normovolemic haemodilution in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Li Yucong , Chen Jingle , Xie Hao , Wu Hangxing , Zuo Zhijie , Hu Wanyan , Xie Chao , Lin Lijun
Published: February 2024

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most cost-effective, and potent method for the treatment of end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Acute normovolemic haemodilution (ANH) can effectively replace the need for allogeneic transfusions due to the high amount of bleeding during TKA. However, more studies are needed to prove the efficacy and safety of ANH and to clarify its indications in the field of knee replacement. Medical records from June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2021 were searched and grouped according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. PART I: 58 patients with ANH during TKA were selected as the ANH group (n = 58), and 58 patients with allogeneic transfusion were chosen as the control group (n = 58). PART II: Patients with anaemia were divided into the ANH group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 12). PART I: The postoperative inflammatory index and serum albumin in the ANH group were significantly lower than those in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the theoretical loss of red blood cells, postoperative renal function, liver function, cardiac function and biochemical ion index between the two groups. The effective rate of ANH in the normal haemoglobin group was significantly lower than that in the anaemia group. PART II: In patients with anaemia, the theoretical loss of red blood cells in patients with ANH was less than that in the control group. The postoperative inflammation, renal function, liver function and cardiac function in the ANH group were better than those in the control group, and no significant difference was noted in biochemical ions and nutritional status indicators. This paper shows that ANH not only can replace allogeneic transfusion in TKA, especially in patients with anaemia, but also has lower inflammatory indicators than allogeneic transfusion. From a security perspective, the body’s tolerance to ANH is within the body’s compensation range.
Stress related to wild canid predators near dairy sheep farms associated with increased somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk
Authors: Katsarou Eleni I. , Reid Neil , Lianou Daphne T. , Fthenakis George C.
Published: February 2024

We investigated the association between wild canid predators reported near sheep farms throughout Greece and somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk as a reflection of milk quality. The study included 325 dairy sheep flocks, where bulk-tank milk somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts were measured and staphylococci were isolated. Farms were divided into three groups: Cohort A (farms with no reports of wild canid predators nearby), B (farms with canid predators (golden jackal and grey wolf) nearby yet with no experience of livestock losses to predation) and C (farms with canid predators nearby and livestock losses to predation). Somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk of Cohort C farms were significantly higher, + 43% and + 29%, compared to those for Cohorts A and B, respectively: 0.617 × 106 cells mL−1 versus 0.433 × 106 or 0.477 × 106 cells mL−1, respectively. The presence of wild canid predators near sheep farms was associated with lower quality milk potentially indicative of stress consistent with the potential effects of a landscape of fear. Increasing biosecurity measures at livestock farms, e.g., fencing, and presence of livestock guard dogs could minimise predation risk, whilst also improving livestock welfare by reducing predator-associated stress.
Improved diagnostic accuracy of readout-segmented echo-planar imaging for peripheral zone clinically significant prostate cancer: a retrospective 3T MRI study
Authors: Deforche M. , Lefebvre Y. , Diamand R. , Bali M. A. , Lemort M. , Coquelet N.
Published: February 2024

This study compares the readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rsEPI) from the conventional single-shot EPI (ssEPI) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the discrimination of patients with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) within the peripheral zone (PZ) using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and pathology report from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy. We queried a retrospective monocentric database of patients with targeted biopsy. csPCa patients were defined as an International Society of Urological Pathology grade group ≥ 2. Group-level analyses and diagnostic accuracy of mean ADC values (ADCmean) within the tumor volume were assessed from Kruskal–Wallis tests and receiving operating characteristic curves, respectively. Areas under the curve (AUC) and optimal cut-off values were calculated. 159 patients (105 rsEPI, 54 ssEPI; mean age ± standard deviation: 65 ± 8 years) with 3T DWI, PZ lesions and targeted biopsy were selected. Both DWI sequences showed significantly lower ADCmean values for patients with csPCa. The rsEPI sequence better discriminates patients with csPCa (AUCrsEPI = 0.84, AUCssEPI = 0.68, p < 0.05) with an optimal cut-off value of 1232 μm2/s associated with a sensitivity–specificity of 97%-63%. Our study showed that the rsEPI DWI sequence enhances the discrimination of patients with csPCa.