bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population‐level changes in perinatal death for pregnancies prior to and during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A pregnancy cohort analysis
Authors: Funk Anna , Stephenson Nikki , McNeil Deborah A. , Kuret Verena , Castillo Eliana , Parmar Radhmilla , Nerenberg Kara A. , Teare Gary , Klein Kristin , Metcalfe Amy
Published: July 2024

Background

Results of population‐level studies examining the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the risks of perinatal death have varied considerably.

Objectives

To explore trends in the risk of perinatal death among pregnancies beginning prior to and during the pandemic using a pregnancy cohort approach.

Methods

This secondary analysis included data from singleton pregnancies ≥20 weeks' gestation in Alberta, Canada, beginning between 5 March 2017 and 4 March 2021. Perinatal death (i.e. stillbirth or neonatal death) was the primary outcome considered. The risk of this outcome was calculated for pregnancies with varying gestational overlap with the pandemic (i.e. none, 0–20 weeks, entire pregnancy). Interrupted time series analysis was used to further determine temporal trends in the outcome by time period of interest.

Results

There were 190,853 pregnancies during the analysis period. Overall, the risk of perinatal death decreased with increasing levels of pandemic exposure; this outcome was experienced in 1.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9, 1.0), 0.9% (95% CI 0.8, 1.1) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.7, 0.9) of pregnancies with no overlap, partial overlap and complete pandemic overlap respectively. Pregnancies beginning during the pandemic that had high antepartum risk scores less frequently led to perinatal death compared to those beginning prior; 3.3% (95% CI 2.7, 3.9) versus 5.7% (95% CI 5.0, 6.5) respectively. Interrupted time‐series analysis revealed a decreasing temporal trend in perinatal death for pregnancies beginning ≤40 weeks prior to the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic (i.e. with pandemic exposure), with no trend for pregnancies beginning >40 weeks pre‐pandemic (i.e. no pandemic exposure).

Conclusion

We observed a decrease in perinatal death for pregnancies overlapping with the COVID‐19 pandemic in Alberta, particularly among those at high risk of these outcomes. Specific pandemic control measures and government response programmes in our setting may have contributed to this finding.
Turing bifurcation in activator–inhibitor (depletion) models with cross‐diffusion and nonlocal terms
Authors: Fu Meijia , Liu Ping , Shi Qingyan
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we consider the instability of a constant equilibrium solution in a general activator–inhibitor (depletion) model with passive diffusion, cross‐diffusion, and nonlocal terms. It is shown that nonlocal terms produce linear stability or instability, and the system may generate spatial patterns under the effect of passive diffusion and cross‐diffusion. Moreover, we analyze the existence of bifurcating solutions to the general model using the bifurcation theory. At last, the theoretical results are applied to the spatial water–biomass system combined with cross‐diffusion and nonlocal grazing and Holling–Tanner predator–prey model with nonlocal prey competition.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*27:276 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Tiziana Galluccio , Paola Giustiniani , Annalisa Guagnano , Francesca Basi , Marco Andreani
Published: July 2024

The novel HLA‐B*27:276 allele differs from HLA‐B*27:05:02:05 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 1.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*51:413 allele by next‐generation sequencing in a Chinese Han individual
Authors: Pan Qinqin , Ma Xiao , You Yajie , Li Ying , Zhou Xiaoyu
Published: July 2024

The novel allele HLA‐B*51:413 differs from HLA‐B*51:92:02 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 3.
Characterisation of the novel HLA‐DQA1*05:112 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Blandin Lucie , Visentin Jonathan , Wojciechowski Elodie , Lemal Richard , Rouzaire Paul
Published: July 2024

HLA‐DQA1*05:112 differs from HLA‐DQA1*05:05:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon −7 in exon 1.
Technique for guttural pouch bead removal using a novel three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed instrument
Authors: Cardona Guillermo C. , Dahlgren Linda A. , Byron Christopher R. , McKenzie Harold C. , Werre Stephen R. , Bogers Sophie H.
Published: July 2024

Objective

The aim of the present study was to determine if a three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed instrument technique would improve lavage removal of plastic beads (guttural pouch [GP] chondroid mimics) through a dorsal pharyngeal recess (DPR) fenestration. We hypothesized that using a 3D‐printed instrument placed through the DPR fenestration would remove more beads, reduce lavage time and incur less soft tissue damage than using a lavage tube control or instrument placement through the salpingopharyngeal ostium (SPO).

Study design

Experimental cadaveric study.

Sample population

A total of 30 cadaveric equine heads.

Methods

DPR fenestration was performed using transendoscopic laser and 50 plastic 12 mm beads were placed into one GP of horse heads. Four removal procedures using a 3D‐printed instrument or lavage tube control placed through the DPR fenestration or the SPO were compared. Number of beads removed and number of 2‐min lavage cycles to recover ≥96% of beads or three consecutive no‐yield cycles were recorded. Endoscopic soft tissue damage was graded. Data were compared by generalized estimating equations (GEE) model and Fisher's exact test (p < .05).

Results

More beads (median 48 beads; range 0–49) were removed faster (median 24 beads/cycle; range 12–50) using the 3D‐printed instrument compared to control (median 6 beads; range 0–29, 0.66 beads/cycle, range 0–49). There was no difference between total beads removed or removal speed between placement sites. There was no difference in soft tissue damage between procedures.

Conclusion

Our 3D‐printed instrument enabled efficient plastic bead removal.

Clinical significance

DPR fenestration and use of our 3D‐printed instrument represents an alternative to current chondroid removal techniques, warranting investigation in clinical cases.
El uso de Daniel en la composición del modelo de revelación em el Apocalipsis de Juan
Authors: Gonzaga Waldecir , Dos Santos Ribeiro Leandro
Published: July 2024

Este artículo analiza el uso del libro del profeta Daniel en la composición de un modelo de revelación trinitaria en el Apocalipsis. Para verificar el uso del Antiguo Testamento en el Nuevo Testamento se utilizan los criterios desarrollados por Beale y por Hays, en diálogo con las discusiones sobre el uso de Daniel en Apocalipsis por el propio Beale y por Moyise. A partir de eso, buscase entender cómo el Apocalipsis utilizó las alusiones a los textos danielicos como estructuras básicas para la concepción de su modelo apocalíptico trinitario.De manera singular, se ve que las alusiones extraídas de Daniel esbozan cómo las personas del Dios Uno y Trino se relacionan entre sí en el proceso de autorrevelación divina, particularmente en cómo el Padre revela misterios apocalípticos; otorga iluminación, por su Espíritu, la comprensión de cuentos misteriosos y los realiza por medio del Hijo del Hombre. Algunas partes de Daniel son notoriamente complejas, incluso enigmáticas, pero con todos los elementos necesarios para un modelo de revelación trinitaria, y son precisamente estos elementos de Daniel de los que se sirve el autor del Apocalipsis, desarrollándolos, para componer un modelo en que Dios Trino se comunica a su Iglesia.Para plantear la posibilidad de un uso de Daniel en la composición de un modelo  revelacional trinitario en el libro del Apocalipsis, se trabajan algunos temas: el método exegético del uso del Antiguo Testamento en el Nuevo Testamento, con sus varias colaboraciones, pensando en todos los libros del Nuevo Testamento; luego se trabaja el tema del uso del Antiguo Testamento, de una manera específica, en el libro de Apocalipsis, porque esto puede variar de un libro a otro; dado este paso, se examinan dos ejemplos concretos, a partir de la alusión de Dn 2,28-29.45 en Ap 1,1, tratando de comprender los contactos entre Dn 2,28-29 y Ap 1,1a; Dn 2.45 y Ap 1.1b. Con esto, se busca analizar cómo el autor del Apocalipsis habría entendido que podría usar Dn 2 para hablar del Dios Uno y Trino, revelador de misterios.
Uncertainty-Aware, Structure-Preserving Machine Learning Approach for Domain Shift Detection From Nonlinear Dynamic Responses of Structural Systems
Authors: Najera-Flores David A. , Jacobs Justin , Dane Quinn D. , Garland Anthony , Todd Michael D.
Published: July 2024

Complex structural systems deployed for aerospace, civil, or mechanical applications must operate reliably under varying operational conditions. Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems help ensure the reliability of these systems by providing continuous monitoring of the state of the structure. SHM relies on synthesizing measured data with a predictive model to make informed decisions about structural states. However, these models—which may be thought of as a form of a digital twin—need to be updated continuously as structural changes (e.g., due to damage) arise. We propose an uncertainty-aware machine learning model that enforces distance preservation of the original input state space and then encodes a distance-aware mechanism via a Gaussian process (GP) kernel. The proposed approach leverages the spectral-normalized neural GP algorithm to combine the flexibility of neural networks with the advantages of GP, subjected to structure-preserving constraints, to produce an uncertainty-aware model. This model is used to detect domain shift due to structural changes that cannot be observed directly because they may be spatially isolated (e.g., inside a joint or localized damage). This work leverages detection theory to detect domain shift systematically given statistical features of the prediction variance produced by the model. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a nonlinear structure being subjected to damage conditions. It is shown that the proposed approach is able to rely on distances of the transformed input state space to predict increased variance in shifted domains while being robust to normative changes.
A Simple Point-of-Care Device for Temperature Control of Multiple Reactions During Recombinase Polymerase Amplification
Authors: Schultz Aubrey L. , Servoss Shannon L. , Beitle Robert
Published: July 2024

For individuals with infectious diseases, early and accurate diagnosis is critical. A rapid diagnosis allows for prompt and effective treatment and increases the chance of a full recovery without complications. Additionally, when containing a wide-scale infectious disease outbreak, circumstances are significantly improved by the ability to test the populace frequently, swiftly, and affordably. Regarding specificity and sensitivity, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are one of the best options for diagnosing infectious diseases. Historically, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used, but complex thermocycling and complicated PCR protocols have often limited PCR to clinical settings. Due to increased simplicity, the isothermal NAAT recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has the potential to deliver reliable Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostics in low-resource settings. When designing POC devices for isothermal NAATs, creating isothermal temperature conditions is perhaps the most significant challenge. This work presents a flexible and robust device capable of incubating 3 RPA reactions for simultaneous amplification in conditions conducive to POC testing. The device costs ∼$60 USD to construct and is easy to assemble. A battery-powered polyimide thin-film resistive heater provides energy, and the device only requires power for a fraction of the total incubation time. The device uses a phase change material (PCM) to regulate temperature to avoid the complexity of a microcontroller. RPA reactions were successfully incubated for 30 min using the device.
Prediction for Global Whipping Responses of a Large Cruise Ship Under Unprecedented Sea Conditions Using an LSTM-Based Encoder–Decoder Model
Authors: Liu Ruixiang , Li Hui , Ong Muk Chen , Zou Jian
Published: July 2024

Global whipping responses contribute to a significant increase in vertical bending moments (VBM), making their accurate prediction crucial for ship safety. In this study, a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based encoder–decoder model is established to predict the whipping responses under varying sea states. The model is trained on a comprehensive dataset, which includes motion data and VBM history of a cruise ship under various sea conditions. This dataset is established via numerical simulation, ensuring a wide range of scenarios for the model to learn from. The efficacy of the LSTM encoder–decoder model in capturing global whipping responses is initially verified under a single sea condition case. This step confirms the model's ability to accurately predict vertical bending moments under known conditions. Subsequently, the model's performance under unprecedented sea conditions is examined. Given that the distribution of training data significantly influences the model's performance and the data from diverse sea conditions typically exhibit distinct data distribution, a mixed data training strategy is employed during the training process in this scenario. The results indicate that the LSTM encoder–decoder model effectively captures whipping responses. Furthermore, the mixed data training strategy significantly improves the model's prediction accuracy for global whipping responses under unprecedented sea conditions.
Classical guitar intonation and compensation: The well-tempered guitar
Authors: Anderson M. B. , Beausoleil R. G.
Published: July 2024

An intuitive model of classical guitar intonation is presented that includes the effects of the resonant length of the fretted string, linear mass density, tension, and bending stiffness. An expression is derived for the vibration frequencies of a stiff string using asymmetric boundary conditions at the saddle and the fret. Based on logarithmic frequency differences (“cents”) that decouple these physical effects, Taylor series expansions are introduced that exhibit clearly the origins of frequency deviations of fretted notes from the corresponding 12-tone equal temperament (12-TET) values. A simple in situ technique is demonstrated for measurement of the changes in frequency of open strings arising from small adjustments in length, and a simple procedure is proposed that any interested guitarist can use to estimate the corresponding frequency shifts due to tension and bending stiffness for their own guitars and string sets. Based on these results, a least-squares fit method is employed to select values of saddle and nut setbacks that map fretted frequencies—for a particular string set and guitar—almost perfectly onto their 12-TET targets. A general approach to tempering an “off-the-shelf” guitar is shown to further reduce the tonal errors inherent in any fretted musical instrument.
A catalyst family of high-entropy alloy atomic layers with square atomic arrangements comprising iron- and platinum-group metals
Authors: Wu Cheng-Yu , Hsiao Yueh-Chun , Chen Yi , Lin Kun-Han , Lee Tsung-Ju , Chi Chong-Chi , Lin Jui-Tai , Hsu Liang-Ching , Tsai Hsin-Jung , Gao Jia-Qi , Chang Chun-Wei , Kao I-Ting , Wu Chia-Ying , Lu Ying-Rui , Pao Chih-Wen , Hung Sung-Fu , Lu Ming-Yen , Zhou Shan , Yang Tung-Han
Published: July 2024

We report a catalyst family of high-entropy alloy (HEA) atomic layers having three elements from iron-group metals (IGMs) and two elements from platinum-group metals (PGMs). Ten distinct quinary compositions of IGM-PGM-HEA with precisely controlled square atomic arrangements are used to explore their impact on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). The PtRuFeCoNi atomic layers perform enhanced catalytic activity and durability toward HER and HOR when benchmarked against the other IGM-PGM-HEA and commercial Pt/C catalysts. Operando synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations confirm the cocktail effect arising from the multielement composition. This effect optimizes hydrogen-adsorption free energy and contributes to the remarkable catalytic activity observed in PtRuFeCoNi. In situ electron microscopy captures the phase transformation of metastable PtRuFeCoNi during the annealing process. They transform from random atomic mixing (25°C), to ordered L1
0
(300°C) and L1
2
(400°C) intermetallic, and finally phase-separated states (500°C).
Martian atmospheric hydrogen and deuterium: Seasonal changes and paradigm for escape to space
Authors: Clarke John T. , Mayyasi Majd , Bhattacharyya Dolon , Chaufray Jean-Yves , Schneider Nicolas , Jakosky Bruce , Yelle Roger , Montmessin Franck , Chaffin Michael , Curry Shannon , Deighan Justin , Jain Sonal , Bertaux Jean-Loup , Cangi Erin , Crismani Matteo , Evans Scott , Gupta Sumedha , Lefevre Franck , Holsclaw Greg , Lo Daniel , McClintock William , Stevens Michael , Stewart Ian , Stone Shane , Mahaffy Paul , Benna Mehdi , Elrod Meredith
Published: July 2024

Mars’ water history is fundamental to understanding Earth-like planet evolution. Water escapes to space as atoms, and hydrogen atoms escape faster than deuterium giving an increase in the residual D/H ratio. The present ratio reflects the total water Mars has lost. Observations with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spacecraft provide atomic densities and escape rates for H and D. Large increases near perihelion observed each martian year are consistent with a strong upwelling of water vapor. Short-term changes require processes in addition to thermal escape, likely from atmospheric dynamics and superthermal atoms. Including escape from hot atoms, both H and D escape rapidly, and the escape fluxes are limited by resupply from the lower atmosphere. In this paradigm for the escape of water, the D/H ratio of the escaping atoms and the enhancement in water are determined by upwelling water vapor and atmospheric dynamics rather than by the specific details of atomic escape.
Disturbance amplifies sensitivity of dryland productivity to precipitation variability
Authors: Terry Tyson J. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Ferrenberg Scott , Reed Sasha C. , Osborne Brooke , Jordan Samuel , Lee Steven , Adler Peter B.
Published: July 2024

Variability of the terrestrial global carbon sink is largely determined by the response of dryland productivity to annual precipitation. Despite extensive disturbance in drylands, how disturbance alters productivity-precipitation relationships remains poorly understood. Using remote-sensing to pair more than 5600 km of natural gas pipeline corridors with neighboring undisturbed areas in North American drylands, we found that disturbance reduced average annual production 6 to 29% and caused up to a fivefold increase in the sensitivity of net primary productivity (NPP) to interannual variation in precipitation. Disturbance impacts were larger and longer-lasting at locations with higher precipitation (>450 mm mean annual precipitation). Disturbance effects on NPP dynamics were mostly explained by shifts from woody to herbaceous vegetation. Severe disturbance will amplify effects of increasing precipitation variability on NPP in drylands.
Nuclear pyruvate dehydrogenase complex regulates histone acetylation and transcriptional regulation in the ethylene response
Authors: Shao Zhengyao , Bian Liangqiao , Ahmadi Shyon K. , Daniel Tyler J. , Belmonte Miguel A. , Burns Jackson G. , Kotla Prashanth , Bi Yang , Shen Zhouxin , Xu Shou-Ling , Wang Zhi-Yong , Briggs Steven P. , Qiao Hong
Published: July 2024

Ethylene plays its essential roles in plant development, growth, and defense responses by controlling the transcriptional reprograming, in which EIN2-C–directed regulation of histone acetylation is the first key step for chromatin to perceive ethylene signaling. But how the nuclear acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) is produced to ensure the ethylene-mediated histone acetylation is unknown. Here we report that ethylene triggers the accumulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in the nucleus to synthesize nuclear acetyl CoA to regulate ethylene response. PDC is identified as an EIN2-C nuclear partner, and ethylene triggers its nuclear accumulation. Mutations in PDC lead to an ethylene hyposensitivity that results from the reduction of histone acetylation and transcription activation. Enzymatically active nuclear PDC synthesizes nuclear acetyl CoA for EIN2-C–directed histone acetylation and transcription regulation. These findings uncover a mechanism by which PDC-EIN2 converges the mitochondrial enzyme-mediated nuclear acetyl CoA synthesis with epigenetic and transcriptional regulation for plant hormone response.
Polarization-encoded photonic quantum-to-quantum Bernoulli factory based on a quantum dot source
Authors: Rodari Giovanni , Hoch Francesco , Suprano Alessia , Giordani Taira , Negro Elena , Carvacho Gonzalo , Spagnolo Nicolò , Galvão Ernesto F. , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: July 2024

A Bernoulli factory is a randomness manipulation routine that takes as input a Bernoulli random variable, outputting another Bernoulli variable whose bias is a function of the input bias. Recently proposed quantum-to-quantum Bernoulli factory schemes encode both input and output variables in qubit amplitudes. This primitive could be used as a subroutine for more complex quantum algorithms involving Bayesian inference and Monte Carlo methods. Here, we report an experimental implementation of a polarization-encoded photonic quantum-to-quantum Bernoulli factory. We present and test three interferometric setups implementing the basic operations of an algebraic field (inversion, multiplication, and addition), which, chained together, allow for the implementation of a generic quantum-to-quantum Bernoulli factory. These in-bulk schemes are validated using a quantum dot–based single-photon source featuring high brightness and indistinguishability, paired with a time-to-spatial demultiplexing setup to prepare input resources of up to three single-photon states.
Sterile production of interferons in the thymus affects T cell repertoire selection
Authors: Ashby K. Maude , Vobořil Matouš , Salgado Oscar C. , Lee S. Thera , Martinez Ryan J. , O’Connor Christine H. , Breed Elise R. , Xuan Shuya , Roll Charles R. , Bachigari Saumith , Heiland Hattie , Stetson Daniel B. , Kotenko Sergei V. , Hogquist Kristin A.
Published: July 2024

Type I and III interferons (IFNs) are robustly induced during infections and protect cells against viral infection. Both type I and III IFNs are also produced at low levels in the thymus at steady state; however, their role in T cell development and immune tolerance is unclear. Here, we found that both type I and III IFNs were constitutively produced by a very small number of AIRE
+
murine thymic epithelial cells, independent of microbial stimulation. Antigen-presenting cells were highly responsive to thymic IFNs, and IFNs were required for the activation and maturation of thymic type 1 conventional dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. Loss of IFN sensing led to reduced regulatory T cell selection, reduced T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity, and enhanced autoreactive T cell responses to self-antigens expressed during peripheral IFN signaling. Thus, constitutive exposure to IFNs in the thymus is required for generating a tolerant and diverse TCR repertoire.
Mar1, a high mobility group box protein, regulates
n
-alkane adsorption and cell morphology of the dimorphic yeast
Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Kimura-Ishimaru Chiaki , Liang Simiao , Matsuse Katsuro , Iwama Ryo , Sato Kenta , Watanabe Natsuhito , Tezaki Satoshi , Horiuchi Hiroyuki , Fukuda Ryouichi
Published: July 2024

The dimorphic yeast
Yarrowia lipolytica
possesses an excellent ability to utilize
n
-alkane as a sole carbon and energy source. Although there are detailed studies on the enzymes that catalyze the reactions in the metabolic processes of
n
-alkane in
Y. lipolytica
, the molecular mechanism underlying the incorporation of
n
-alkane into the cells remains to be elucidated. Because
Y. lipolytica
adsorbs
n
-alkane, we postulated that
Y. lipolytica
incorporates
n
-alkane through direct interaction with it. We isolated and characterized mutants defective in adsorption to
n
-hexadecane. One of the mutants harbored a nonsense mutation in
MAR1
(
M
orphology and
n
-alkane
A
dsorption
R
egulator 1) encoding a protein containing a high mobility group box. The deletion mutant of
MAR1
exhibited defects in adsorption to
n
-hexadecane and filamentous growth on solid media, whereas the strain that overexpressed
MAR1
exhibited hyperfilamentous growth. Fluorescence microscopic observations suggested that Mar1 localizes in the nucleus. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed the alteration of the transcript levels of several genes, including those encoding transcription factors and cell surface proteins, by the deletion of
MAR1
. These findings suggest that
MAR1
is involved in the transcriptional regulation of the genes required for
n
-alkane adsorption and cell morphology transition.

IMPORTANCE

Yarrowia lipolytica
, a dimorphic yeast capable of assimilating
n
-alkane as a carbon and energy source, has been extensively studied as a promising host for bioconversion of
n
-alkane into useful chemicals and bioremediation of soil and water contaminated by petroleum. While the metabolic pathway of
n
-alkane in this yeast and the enzymes involved in this pathway have been well characterized, the molecular mechanism to incorporate
n
-alkane into the cells is yet to be fully understood. Due to the ability of
Y. lipolytica
to adsorb
n
-alkane, it has been hypothesized that
Y. lipolytica
incorporates
n
-alkane through direct interaction with it. In this study, we identified a gene,
MAR1
, which plays a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of the genes necessary for the adsorption to
n
-alkane and the transition of the cell morphology in
Y. lipolytica
. Our findings provide valuable insights that could lead to advanced applications of
Y. lipolytica
in
n
-alkane bioconversion and bioremediation.
Characteristics of myopic maculopathy in Chinese children and adolescents with high myopia
Authors: Jiang Feng , Xiao Ou , Guo Xinxing , Yin Qiuxia , Luo Lixia , He Mingguang , Li Zhixi
Published: July 2024

Aims

To investigate the characteristics of myopic maculopathy among highly myopic Chinese children and adolescents and explore its associated risk factors.

Methods

Children and adolescents aged 7–17 years with spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ −6.00 dioptres (D) were recruited. Myopic maculopathy was categorised based on the International Meta-Analysis of Pathological Myopia Classification. The extent of diffuse choroidal atrophy (DCA) was classified using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid (ETDRS). The area of DCA was categorised into three classes relative to optic disk area (DA): A1 (≤1 DA), A2 (1 to ≤5 DA) and A3 (5 to ≤10 DA). Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with myopic maculopathy.

Results

Of the 425 participants aged 13.66±2.67 years, the proportions of tessellated fundus and DCA were 11.76% and 12.24%, and no more severe fundus lesions or ‘plus’ lesions. The proportion of DCA was 27.03% in children under 11, significantly higher than the 9.12% observed in those aged 11 and older (p<0.001). The percentages of DCA involving the outer, middle and central circles of the ETDRS grid were 42.31%, 55.77% and 1.92%. Myopic maculopathy was significantly associated with younger age (p<0.001), longer axial length (AL; p<0.001) and larger β-zone peripapillary atrophy (β-PPA; p=0.012).

Conclusion

In highly myopic children and adolescents, myopic maculopathy predominantly manifested as DCA (12.24%), with no cases of worse myopic maculopathy or ‘plus’ lesions. Younger age, longer AL and larger β-PPA were risk factors for myopic maculopathy.
How can healthcare organisations improve the social determinants of health for their local communities? Findings from realist-informed case studies among secondary healthcare organisations in England
Authors: Gkiouleka Anna , Munford Luke , Khavandi Sam , Watkinson Ruth , Ford John
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Increasingly, healthcare and public health strategists invite us to look at healthcare organisations as not just care providers but as anchor institutions (ie, large community-rooted organisations with significant impact in the local economy, social fabric and overall community well-being). In response, this study explores the mechanisms through which healthcare organisations can impact social determinants of health and communities in their local areas.

Design

We conducted case studies with interviews and synthesised the findings using a realist approach to produce a set of explanations (programme theory) of how healthcare organisations can have a positive impact on the overall well-being of local communities by operating as anchor institutions.

Setting

Secondary healthcare organisations in England, including mental health and community services.

Participants

Staff from case study sites which were directly employed or actively engaged in the organisation’s anchor institution strategy. Data collection took place from early June to the end of August 2023.

Results

We found four building blocks for effective anchor activity including employment, spending, estates and sustainability. Healthcare organisations—as anchor institutions—can improve the social determinants of health for their local communities through enabling accessible paths for local community recruitment and career progression; empowering local businesses to join supply chains boosting income and wealth; transforming organisational spaces into community assets; and supporting local innovation and technology to achieve their sustainability goals. These blocks need to be integrated across organisations on the basis of a population health approach promoted by supportive leadership, and in collaboration with a diverse range of local partners.

Conclusions

Healthcare organisations have the potential for a positive impact on the overall well-being of local communities. Policymakers should support healthcare organisations to leverage employment, spending, estates and sustainability to help address the unequal distribution of the social determinants of health.
Effect of modified opioid sparing anaesthesia on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery: protocol for a monocentre, double-blind randomised controlled trial – the MOSA study
Authors: Li Shikuo , Li Honghao , Zhang Ruqiang , Zhang Furong , Yin Jianwei , He Liang
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Obesity patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery (LBS) are frequently encountered perioperative adverse events related to opioids-based anaesthesia (OBA) or opioids-free anaesthesia (OFA). While modified opioid-sparing anaesthesia (MOSA) has been shown to lower the occurrence of adverse events related to OBA and OFA. This study is to assess the efficacy of MOSA in enhancing the recovery quality among individuals undergoing LBS.

Methods and analysis

A single-centre, prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial is conducted at a tertiary hospital. A total of 74 eligible participants undergoing elective LBS will be recruited and randomly allocated. Patients in the MOSA group will receive a combination of low-dose opioids, minimal dexmedetomidine, esketamine and lidocaine, while in the OBA group will receive standard general anaesthesia with opioids. Patients in both groups will receive standard perioperative care. The primary outcome is the quality of recovery-15 score assessed at 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain levels, anxiety and depression assessments, gastrointestinal function recovery, perioperative complication rates, opioid consumption and length of hospital stay.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been provided by the Ethical Committee of Yan’an Hospital of Kunming City (approval No. 2023-240-01). Eligible patients will provide written informed consent to the investigator. The outcomes of this trial will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.

Trial registration number

The study protocol is registered athttps://www.chictr.org.cn/on 19 December 2023. (identifier: ChiCTR2300078806). The trial was conducted using V.1.0.
FXa-mediated PAR-2 promotes the efficacy of immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma through immune escape and anoikis resistance by inducing PD-L1 transcription
Authors: Li Xuemei , Gao Lei , Wang Bofang , Hu Jike , Yu Yang , Gu Baohong , Xiang Lin , Li Xiaomei , Li Haiyuan , Zhang Tao , Wang Yunpeng , Ma Chenhui , Dong Jiahong , Lu Jianrong , Lucas Alexandra , Chen Hao
Published: July 2024

Background

The high metastasis rate is one of the main reasons for the poor prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Coagulation factor Xa (FXa) and its receptor proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) proven to promote tumor metastasis in other forms of cancer. Here, we explore the role and mechanism of FXa in the regulation of resistance of anoikis and immune escape of HCC.

Methods

In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to explore the role of FXa in HCC metastasis and its potential mechanism. The effects of FXa inhibitor rivaroxaban on HCC immunotherapy were evaluated using intrahepatic metastasis animal models and clinical trial (No. ChiCTR20000040540). We investigated the potential of FXa inhibition as a treatment for HCC.

Results

FXa was highly expressed in HCC and promoted metastasis by activating PAR-2. Mechanistically, FXa-activated PAR-2 endows HCC cells with the ability of anoikis resistance to survive in the circulating blood by inhibiting the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, suspension stimulation-induced phosphorylation of STAT2, which promotes programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) transcription and inhibits the antitumor effects of immune cells by inhibiting the infiltration of CD8+T cells in tumors and the levels of secreted cytokines. In vivo inhibition of FXa with rivaroxaban reduced HCC metastasis by decreasing PD-L1 expression and exhausting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Notably, the combination of rivaroxaban and anti-programmed death-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1) programmed Death-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1) induced synergistic antitumor effects in animal models. Most importantly, rivaroxaban improved the objective response rate of patients with HCC to immune checkpoint inhibitors and prolonged overall survival time.

Conclusions

FXa-activated PAR-2 promotes anoikis resistance and immune escape in HCC, suggesting the potential for combining coagulation inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HCC.
Assessment of the role of high-density lipoproteins and their immunomodulatory activity in systemic lupus erythematosus immunopathology
Authors: Pérez-Ocampo Julián , Vergara-Serpa Oscar , Velásquez-Franco Carlos Jaime , Taborda Natalia A , Yassin Lina M , Hernandez Juan C
Published: July 2024

Objective

To explore the potential associations between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and inflammasome components in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A group of 50 patients with SLE and 50 healthy controls matched by sex and similar age ranges were enrolled. Serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were quantified. Serum cytokine levels, including IL-1β and IL-6, were determined by ELISA. The gene expression of inflammasome-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

HDL-C levels were lower in the patients with SLE (p<0.05), and on segregation according to disease activity, those with active SLE had the lowest HDL-C levels. Patients with SLE presented higher concentrations of the serum inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 (p<0.0001) but similar levels of CRP to those in controls. A similar scenario was observed for the gene expression of inflammasome components, where all the evaluated markers were significantly upregulated in the SLE population. These results revealed significant negative correlations between HDL levels and disease activity, serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels and the mRNA expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between disease activity and serum IL-1β and between disease activity and the mRNA expression of IL-18, and interestingly, significant positive correlations were also observed between active SLE and serum IL-1β and the mRNA expression of NLRP3.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that HDL is essential for SLE beyond atherosclerosis and is related to inflammation regulation, possibly mediated by inflammasome immunomodulation.
Pain intensity and opioid consumption after temporary and permanent peripheral nerve stimulation: a 2-year multicenter analysis
Authors: West Tyler , Hussain Nasir , Bhatia Anuj , ElSaban Mariam , Kilgore Anthony E , Palettas Marilly , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , Javed Saba , D'Souza Ryan S
Published: July 2024

Objective

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an emerging neuromodulation modality, yet there remains limited data highlighting its long-term effectiveness. The objective of this study was to report real-world data on pain intensity and opioid consumption after temporary and permanent PNS for chronic pain up to 24 months postimplantation.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who received PNS implants at a multi-centered enterprise between January 1, 2014 and February 24, 2022. The two co-primary outcomes were: (1) change in pain intensity (11-point Numerical Rating Scale) from baseline to 12 months postimplant; and (2) comparison of the change in pain intensity between temporary and permanent PNS cohorts 12 months postimplant.

Results

126 patients were included in this analysis. Pain intensity significantly decreased 12 months postimplant in the overall cohort (mean difference (MD) −3.0 (95% CI −3.5 to −2.4), p<0.0001). No significant difference in this reduction was identified between temporary and permanent PNS cohorts (MD 0.0 (95% CI −1.1 to 1.0), p=1.00) 12 months postimplantation. Pain intensity significantly decreased in the overall, temporary, and permanent cohorts at all secondary time points (3, 6, and 24 months). No change in daily opioid consumption was observed at 6 and 12 months postimplant in the overall cohort.

Conclusion

This study found that both temporary and permanent PNS may be effective for reducing pain intensity in patients with chronic pain up to 24 months postimplantation, although no changes in opioid consumption were observed. The decrease in pain intensity was comparable between patients receiving temporary versus permanent implants, highlighting that temporary PNS may achieve long-lasting clinical benefits. However, given the substantial loss to follow-up, further large-scale studies are needed to solidify conclusions about the efficacy of PNS.
Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response or intolerance to biological treatments: results through 5 years from the SELECT-BEYOND study
Authors: Fleischmann Roy , Meerwein Sebastian , Charles-Schoeman Christina , Combe Bernard , Hall Stephen , Khan Nasser , Carter Kyle M , Camp Heidi S , Rubbert-Roth Andrea
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib over 5 years among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a long-term extension (LTE) of the SELECT-BEYOND phase 3 trial.

Methods

Patients refractory to ≥1 biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) received upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg once daily or placebo, in combination with background conventional synthetic DMARD(s). At week 12, patients randomised to placebo were switched to upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg. All patients who completed the week 24 visit could enter the LTE for up to 5 years. Efficacy was analysed as observed and by non-responder imputation through week 260. Treatment-emergent adverse events per 100 patient-years were summarised over 5 years.

Results

Of the 498 patients randomised, 418 (84%) completed week 24 and entered the LTE. Of those who remained in the trial (n=80, upadacitinib 15 mg; n=81, upadacitinib 30 mg), 36%/36% and 81%/77% randomised to upadacitinib 15/30 mg were in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission or low disease activity at week 260, respectively (as observed). Approximately 47% of all patients who began in high disease activity demonstrated a CDAI improvement >12 at week 260 with upadacitinib 15/30 mg. Functional and pain-related outcomes also showed comparable improvements with both doses. Numerically higher rates of anaemia, herpes zoster and creatine phosphokinase elevation were observed with upadacitinib 30 mg vs 15 mg. No new safety issues were identified.

Conclusions

Upadacitinib 15/30 mg continued to be effective in treating clinical and functional outcomes in patients with RA. The safety profile observed over 5 years was consistent with earlier study-specific and integrated assessments of upadacitinib treatment.
Contact interaction study of proton parton distributions
Authors: Yu Yang , Cheng Peng , Xing Hui-Yu , Gao Fei , Roberts Craig D.
Published: July 2024

Using a symmetry-preserving formulation of a vector$$\,\times \,$$

×

vector contact interaction (SCI) and treating the proton as a quark + interacting-diquark bound state, whose structure is obtained by solving a Poincaré-covariant Faddeev equation, we provide a comprehensive, coherent set of predictions for unpolarised and polarised proton parton distribution functions (DFs): valence, glue, and four-flavour separated sea. The results enable many themes to be addressed, including: the asymmetry of antimatter in the proton; the neutron:proton structure function ratio; helicity retention in hard scattering processes; the charm quark momentum fraction; the sign and size of the polarised gluon DF; and the origin of the proton spin. In all cases where sound analyses of data are available, SCI predictions are semiquantitatively in agreement with the results. Those mismatches which exist are typically attributable to the momentum-independence of the underlying interaction. Judiciously interpreted, the SCI delivers a sound and insightful explanation of proton structure as expressed in DFs.
All-order Feynman rules for leading-twist gauge-invariant operators in QCD
Authors: Somogyi G. , Van Thurenhout S.
Published: July 2024

We present the Feynman rules for leading-twist gauge-invariant quark and gluon operators with an arbitrary number of total derivatives and applicable to any order in perturbation theory. This generalizes previous results and constitutes a necessary ingredient in the computation of the matrix elements of the corresponding operators. The results are written in a form appropriate for implementation in a computer algebra system. To illustrate the latter we provide implementations in and FORM, which are made available at https://github.com/vtsam/NKLO.

Graphical abstract
Event-generator validation with MCPLOTS and LHC@home
Authors: Korneeva N. , Karneyeu A. , Skands P.
Published: July 2024

We document several recent updates to the MCPLOTS event-generator validation resource. The project is based on the RIVET analysis library and harnesses volunteer computing provided by LHC@home to generate high-statistics MC comparisons to data. Users interact with the resource via a simple website, http://mcplots.cern.ch/, which provides flexible options for requesting comparison plots and comprehensive statistical analyses on demand, all in a few clicks. The project has been structured to enable community-driven developments, and we discuss the computational back end, the web front end, and how to add new data analyses, generators, and tunes that would be accessible on the website for comparison.
TRGCN: A Prediction Model for Information Diffusion Based on Transformer and Relational Graph Convolutional Network
Authors: Zhao Jinghua , Lyu Xiting , Rong Haiying , Zhao Jiale
Published: July 2024

In order to capture and integrate the structural features and temporal features contained in social graph and diffusion cascade more effectively, an information diffusion prediction model based on the Transformer and Relational Graph Convolutional Network (TRGCN) is proposed. Firstly, a dynamic heterogeneous graph composed of the social network graph and the diffusion cascade graph was constructed, and it was input into the Relational Graph Convolutional Network (RGCN) to extract the structural features of each node. Secondly, the time embedding of each node was reencoded using Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM). The time decay function was introduced to give different weights to nodes at different time positions, so as to obtain the temporal features of nodes. Finally, structural features and temporal features were input into Transformer and then merged. The spatiotemporal features are obtained for information diffusion prediction. The experimental results on three real datasets of X (formerly known as Twitter), Douban, and Memetracker show that compared with the optimal model in the comparison experiment, the TRGCN model has an average increase of 4.16% in Hits@100 metric and 13.26% in map@100 metric. The validity and rationality of the model are proved.
APB-tree: An Adaptive Pre-built Tree Indexing Scheme for NVM-based IoT Systems
Authors: Hsu Shih-Wen , Chen Yen-Ting , Lam Kam-Yiu , Chang Yuan-Hao , Shih Wei-Kuan , Chao Han-Chieh
Published: July 2024

With the proliferation of sensors and the emergence of novel applications, IoT data has grown exponentially in recent years. Given this trend, efficient data management is crucial for a system to easily access vast amounts of information. For decades, B
+
-tree-based indexing schemes have been widely adopted for providing effective search in IoT systems. However, in systems with pre-distributed sensors, B
+
-tree-based indexes fail to optimally utilize the known IoT data distribution, leading to significant write overhead and energy consumption. Furthermore, as non-volatile memory (NVM) technology emerges as the alternative storage medium, the inherent write asymmetry of NVM leads to instability issues in IoT systems, especially for write-intensive applications. In this research, by considering the write overheads of tree-based indexing schemes and key-range distribution assumption, we rethink the design of the tree-based indexing schemes and propose an adaptive pre-built tree (APB-tree) indexing scheme to reduce the write overhead in serving insertion and deletion of keys in the NVM-based IoT system. The APB-tree profiles the hot region of the key distribution from the known key range to pre-allocate the index structure that alleviates online index management costs and runtime index overhead. Meanwhile, the APB-tree maintains the scalability of a tree-based index structure to accommodate the large amount of new data brought by the additional nodes to the IoT system. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our solution achieves significant performance improvements in write operations while maintaining effective energy consumption in the NVM-based IoT system. We compare the energy and time required for basic key operations such as Put(), Get(), and Delete() in APB-trees and B
+
-tree-based indexing schemes. Under workloads with varying ratios of these operations, the proposed design effectively reduces execution time by 47% to 72% and energy consumption by 11% to 72% compared to B
+
-tree-based indexing schemes.