bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Smart City Concept for Sustainable Development in Semarang Old Town Area
Authors: Nooringsih Kanindya , Susanti Retno
Published: September 2022

The Old Town Area of Semarang has become a ’Pilot Project’ for developing the smart city concept in Semarang. On the other hand, this area is a cultural heritage area, so the implementation of the smart city concept should be able to support the preservation of buildings and the history of the area. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the implementation of smart cities, considering that activities in the Old Town Area have decreased drastically. This study aims to identify the application of the smart city concept in the Old Town Area of Semarang. The study conducted was in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was still occurring in the community.The study’s initial stage was compiling the dimensions and indicators of smart cities as study variables and exploring smart city regulations in Semarang. In the second stage, to obtain information on the implementation of a smart city in the Old Town Area of Semarang, we conducted interviews with stakeholders from the government, cultural heritage activists, and communities related to the Old Town Area, and building occupants. As a result, we collected information regarding the implementation of smart city before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The content analysis processed the result of the interview. Meanwhile, we used descriptive analysis techniques to study the dimensions and indicators and smart city regulations in Semarang. From the study results, the implementation of smart city in the Old Town of Semarang was organized into categories: appropriate, still not suitable and not suitable. The dimension of smart city that has appropriate is Smart Living. The dimensions that are still not suitable are Smart Governance, Smart Environment, Smart Economy and Smart Mobility. Meanwhile, the dimension that has not suitable is Smart People. Based on the six dimensions of smart city, there are 25 indicators, and the study results state that only 18 indicators are appropriate.
Sound insulation and mechanical properties of epoxy/hollow silica nanospheres composites
Authors: Xuejun Shi , Ren Shuang , Du Xiangxiang , Han Yongjun
Published: September 2022

The incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles into a polymer is an effective way to improve its performances. It is common sense that tiny bubbles in epoxy resin will seriously affect the mechanical properties of composites. Based on this common sense, building a small space inside the epoxy resin will obtain some exciting results, because the small space could effectively block the propagation path of sound, and build a small space in the epoxy resin through nano hollow particles, it will be realized sound isolation without sacrificing the mechanical properties of the composites. If this assumption is verified, it will open up a new route to prepare sound insulation materials using thermosetting resin. In this work, two types of nanoparticles of equal size of the hollow silica nanospheres (HSN) and solid silica nanospheres (SN) were synthesized via sol-gel method. Epoxy Resin (EP) matrix composites containing these HSN or SN particles were designed and fabricated as sound insulation materials. The sound transmission loss (STL) properties were investigated using the impedance tubes. The sound insulation results showed that the STL values of neat EP and EP/SN composites with SN content of 2.0 vol% were up to 17.2 dB and 33.9 dB, respectively, while the EP/HSN composites with the same content of HSN was raised to 44.3 dB for the 3 mm thickness samples. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties of the EP/HSN composites were also improved as the certain addition of HSN in epoxy matrix. And the EP/HSN composites hold a potential for outstanding performance soundproofing application.
Unveiling the growth mode and structure relaxation of Polytetrafluoroethylene film by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering
Authors: Ma Yi , Wu Yifan , Yu Yueling , Song Yuxuan , Lu Congda
Published: September 2022

Relying on radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films with a series of thicknesses in the range from 80 to 2000 nm were prepared on silicon substrates. The surface morphology and roughness of the PTFE films were measured by atomic force microscope (AFM) technology at microscale. Results indicated that the PTFE film grew in an island pattern during sputtering, while the surface roughness of PTFE films was almost invariable throughout the sputtering process. Then the structure relaxation of PTFE film annealed at 100 °C for 15–480 min was investigated. Annealing treatment induced columnar protrusions on the PTFE surface, which was due to the flow and rearrangement of molecules. During annealing duration, the columnar structures could continuously rearrange and decompose, and therefore lowering film thickness from 2000 to 1110 nm with increasing annealing time. Due to molecule flow and redistribution of the annealed film, the columnar structures were formed on the surface, which resulted in the higher roughness. Finally, the effects of film thickness and annealing time on the hydrophobicity were also studied.
Computing Riemann–Roch polynomials and classifying hyper-Kähler fourfolds
Authors: Debarre Olivier , Huybrechts Daniel , Macrì Emanuele , Voisin Claire
Published: September 2022

We prove that a hyper-Kähler fourfold satisfying a mild topological assumption is of K3

[
2
]

^{[2]}

deformation type. This proves in particular a conjecture of O’Grady stating that hyper-Kähler fourfolds of K3

[
2
]

^{[2]}

numerical type are of K3

[
2
]

^{[2]}

deformation type. Our topological assumption concerns the existence of two integral degree-2 cohomology classes satisfying certain numerical intersection conditions.

There are two main ingredients in the proof. We first prove a topological version of the statement, by showing that our topological assumption forces the Betti numbers, the Fujiki constant, and the Huybrechts–Riemann–Roch polynomial of the hyper-Kähler fourfold to be the same as those of K3

[
2
]

^{[2]}

hyper-Kähler fourfolds. The key part of the article is then to prove the hyper-Kähler SYZ conjecture for hyper-Kähler fourfolds for divisor classes satisfying the numerical condition mentioned above.
Enumerating partitions arising in homotopy theory
Authors: Bailey Scott , Larson Donald
Published: September 2022

We present an infinite family of recursive formulas that count binary integer partitions satisfying natural divisibility conditions and show that these counts are interrelated via partial sums. Moreover, we interpret the partitions we study in the language of graded polynomial rings and apply this to the mod

2
2

Steenrod algebra to compute the free rank of certain homology modules in stable homotopy theory.
Affine Noetherian algebras, filtrations and presentations
Authors: Greenfeld Be’eri
Published: September 2022

Resco and Small gave the first example of an affine Noetherian algebra which is not finitely presented. It is shown that their algebra has no finite-dimensional filtrations whose associated graded algebras are Noetherian, affirming their prediction. A modification of their example yields countable fields over which ‘almost all’ (that is, a co-countable continuum of) affine Noetherian algebras lack such a filtration, and an answer to a question suggested by Irving and Small is derived.
On linear stochastic flows
Authors: Goldys Beniamin , Peszat Szymon
Published: September 2022

We study the existence of the stochastic flow associated to a linear stochastic evolution equation

d
⁡
X
=
A
X
d
⁡
t
+

∑

k

B
k

X
d
⁡

W
k

,

\begin{equation*} \operatorname {d} X= AX\operatorname {d} t +\sum _{k} B_k X\operatorname {d} W_k, \end{equation*}

on a Hilbert space. Our first result covers the case where

A
A

is the generator of a

C
0

C_0

-semigroup, and

(

B
k

)

(B_k)

is a sequence of bounded linear operators such that

∑
k

‖

B
k

‖
>
+
∞

\sum _k\|B_k\|>+\infty

. We also provide sufficient conditions for the existence of stochastic flows in the Schatten classes beyond the space of Hilbert–Schmidt operators. Some new results and examples concerning the so-called commutative case are presented as well.
On homotopy groups of spaces of embeddings of an arc or a circle: the Dax invariant
Authors: Kosanović Danica
Published: September 2022

We compute in many classes of examples the first potentially interesting homotopy group of the space of embeddings of either an arc or a circle into a manifold

M
M

of dimension

d
≥
4

d\geq 4

. In particular, if

M
M

is a simply connected 4-manifold the fundamental group of both of these embedding spaces is isomorphic to the second homology group of

M
M

, answering a question posed by Arone and Szymik. The case

d
=
3

d=3

gives isotopy invariants of knots in a 3-manifold that are universal of Vassiliev type

≤
1

\leq 1

, and reduce to Schneiderman’s concordance invariant.
The Evidence Base for Cognitive, Nutrition, and Other Benefits From Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions
Authors: Orgill-Meyer Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Cost-benefit analysis of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) interventions have traditionally focused on two primary benefits: improved health outcomes, usually measured as reduced diarrheal disease incidence, and reduced time burdens from collecting water, treating water, or traveling to open defecation or shared sanitation sites. However, there are also many other important benefits of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions for policymakers and researchers to consider, such as improved nutrition and decreased stunting, improved cognitive development and educational attainment, and quality-of-life improvements for women.

Reduced fecal exposure from improved WASH may decrease not only diarrheal disease incidence but also the risk of environmental enteropathy, a condition that reduces the nutritional absorptive capacity of the gut. Environmental enteropathy results in a range of outcomes associated with malnutrition, such as wasting, stunting, and anemia. A growing body of literature has explored the direct relationship between improved sanitation environments and stunting. There are mixed findings from these research studies, suggesting that intervention adherence and baseline sanitation conditions may be important to realizing any potential stunting benefits. The economics literature has documented a strong inverse relationship between childhood stunting and lifetime earnings.

Reduced absorptive capacity from environmental enteropathy may also hinder cognitive development in children. Recent research documents a strong relationship between improved sanitation environments and cognitive development in children, though some studies find no relationship. Beyond cognition, improved health from reduced fecal exposure may also affect a child’s ability to attend school, and research shows a relationship between WASH environments and school attendance and enrollment. Monetizing the benefits of improved schooling in a low-income country context is challenging due to high variation in school quality as well as high rates of self-employment.

Quality-of-life benefits for women are a third category of benefits that are often omitted from WASH cost–benefit analyses. Mostly qualitative research highlights that poor sanitation and water insecurity is associated with safety, security, privacy, and dignity concerns for women. While these concerns and experiences are difficult to quantify in many cases, they should not be ignored when considering WASH benefits.
Cities, Health, and Intersectorialities
Authors: Akerman Marco , Murillo Sancho Gabriela , Jorge Moysés Samuel
Published: September 2022

Cities have been considered in many places and times a cornerstone of innovation and wealth creation in society, fostering the privilege of more comfortable lives, with existential dignity and producing healthier generations, as well as an important source of pathogenic determinants. The concept of health in cities and its intersectoral relationships unfolds in a new era of urban sociability, mediated by technologies that connect citizens in social networks and in many services provided by digital platforms. All changes have their respective economic and cost-effective impacts. Healthy cities, or smart and sustainable cities, intend to express well-being and the fulfillment of good health among people who enjoy social inclusion, effectively using policies and services concentrated in the most developed cities. However, the extent of the challenges that permeate the current urban civilization cycle is also related to the social inequities manifested in health problems and public mismanagement in cities around the world. It is necessary to think about the integration of the intersectoral habitus of conceptualizing health promotion, considering all its inclusive scope of diversity, without leaving any social and identity group out, with a view to the full realization of healthy cities. There is an ethical, political, and cultural imperative to urgently adopt an ecosocial approach to promoting the health of populations in cities around the world, recognizing the interactions between ecological determinants (all planetary systems and living species) and the very internal dispositions of what constitutes human health.
The Middle Stone Age of South Africa
Authors: Bader Gregor D. , Schmid Viola C. , Kandel Andrew W.
Published: September 2022

The African Middle Stone Age (MSA) is the period in human history spanning roughly from 300,000 until 30,000 years ago. Here, we focus on the archaeological record of South Africa, with occasional glimpses at neighboring countries (Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia). During this time, modern humans evolved in Africa and brought forth a number of key innovations, including art and symbolism, personal ornaments, burial practices, and advanced methods of tool production using different raw materials such as stone, wood, or bone. The MSA is subdivided into several substages based on regional chrono-cultural differences, such as MSA II or Mossel Bay, Still Bay, Howiesons Poort, Sibudan, and the final MSA. Previous research has tended to concentrate on just two of those stages, namely, the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort, as they were considered to be pinnacles of innovation. In the past years, however, assemblages from other periods have gained increasing attention. Some of the major research questions include the nature and timing of both the onset and end of the MSA. The focus on diachronic cultural dynamics not only related to the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort techno-complexes and the increasing awareness of regional diversification during different phases, especially during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (57,000–29,000 years ago), but also to the inherent problems arising from them.
Monarch Butterfly Conservation (Mexico)
Authors: Wright Will
Published: September 2022

One of the most spectacular biological spectacles on the North American continent must be the annual migration of monarch butterflies. For eight months out of the year, beginning each spring, the winged wanderers spread out over two million square miles, from Minnesota to Maine, Manitoba to Mississippi, as generations lay eggs on milkweeds as they move northward. The caterpillars that emerge munch on their host plant, internalizing toxic cardenolides found in some milkweeds as a defense against birds, then form chrysalids to metamorphose into adult insects with orange wings which signal their poisonous nature. By autumn, most butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains, though not all, go southward to central Mexico, funneling down and overwintering at a mountainous location covering 0.015 percent of the area they occupied in the summer. At the Transverse Neovolcanic Belt, a mature forest of Oyamel fir and Montezuma pine provides an ideal microclimate for these hibernating monarchs—too cold and they freeze to death, too warm and they perish burning up their fat reserves. Come spring, after clustering on the trees for about four to five months, they begin the migratory cycle again.

Before 1975, the monarch migration was basically a mystery. Canadians, Mexicans, and US residents had seen plenty of butterflies for centuries prior, but nobody understood the scope of this 2,800-mile journey until the late 20th century. Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, created by President Miguel de la Madrid in 1986, was limited in its ability to conserve overwintering forest land due to a commitment to austerity budgets after the Mexican debt crisis and the challenge of sustainable development for Mexican ejidos. Side accords to the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994 promised greater cooperation among nation-states, but the loss of milkweed and nectar sources in the United States and Canada jeopardized trinational solidarity in conservation efforts. Debates over how to address illegal logging within the biosphere reserve divided those who favored surveillance and policing from those who advocated jobs and payments. Democratizing scientific knowledge first brought the monarch migration to the attention of the wider world, and democratizing income for conserved forests may offer a path to protecting it.
Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Online Communities and the Broader Misogynistic Landscape
Authors: Huber Antoinette Raffaela
Published: September 2022

This article offers an in-depth examination of user motivations and misogynistic online cultures drawing on data collected from two websites that openly condone the sharing and viewing of non-consensually shared sexual images. Analysed using a feminist lens, findings show significant cultural differences and motivations for engagement across the two websites indicating that these online spaces should not be understood as homogenous. Findings also demonstrate the increasing ‘pornification’ of these images as they are marketed, traded, and used as commodities. The article also considers how we might contextualize non-consensual image sharing within the broader misogynistic landscape and how male peer support theory and digital criminology can help to understand current, and future, forms of online misogyny.
Virologic Failure Following Low-level Viremia and Viral Blips During Antiretroviral Therapy: Results From a European Multicenter Cohort
Authors: Elvstam Olof , Malmborn Kasper , Elén Sixten , Marrone Gaetano , García Federico , Zazzi Maurizio , Sönnerborg Anders , Böhm Michael , Seguin-Devaux Carole , Björkman Per
Published: September 2022

Background

It is unclear whether low-level viremia (LLV), defined as repeatedly detectable viral load (VL) of <200 copies/mL, and/or transient viremic episodes (blips) during antiretroviral therapy (ART), predict future virologic failure. We investigated the association between LLV, blips, and virologic failure (VF) in a multicenter European cohort.

Methods

People with HIV-1 who started ART in 2005 or later were identified from the EuResist Integrated Database. We analyzed the incidence of VF (≥200 copies/mL) depending on viremia exposure, starting 12 months after ART initiation (grouped as suppression [≤50 copies/mL], blips [isolated VL of 51–999 copies/mL], and LLV [repeated VLs of 51–199 copies/mL]) using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, injecting drug use, pre-ART VL, CD4 count, HIV-1 subtype, type of ART, and treatment experience. We queried the database for drug-resistance mutations (DRM) related to episodes of LLV and VF and compared those with baseline resistance data.

Results

During 81 837 person-years of follow-up, we observed 1424 events of VF in 22 523 participants. Both blips (adjusted subhazard ratio [aHR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–2.2) and LLV (aHR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6–3.0) were associated with VF, compared with virologic suppression. These associations remained statistically significant in subanalyses restricted to people with VL <200 copies/mL and those starting ART 2014 or later. Among people with LLV and genotype data available within 90 days following LLV, 49/140 (35%) had at least 1 DRM.

Conclusions

Both blips and LLV during ART are associated with increased risk of subsequent VF.
Assessment of a Simplified Cell-Free DNA Method for Prenatal Down Syndrome Screening
Authors: Palomaki Glenn E , Eklund Elizabeth E , Kloza Edward M , Lambert-Messerlian Geralyn M
Published: September 2022

Background

Prenatal screening for common trisomies via cell-free (cfDNA) is usually implemented by technologies utilizing massively parallel sequencing, stringent environmental controls, complex bioinformatics, and molecular expertise. An alternative and less complex methodology utilizes rolling circle amplification (RCA). Further evaluation of its performance and related requirements are warranted.

Methods

At 16 sites, women at 10 to 20 weeks gestation provided informed consent, relevant information, and 2 to 3 blood samples. Samples shipped for testing were processed and stored. Women were enrolled at primary cfDNA screening, or following such screening at referral for diagnostic testing. RCA testing occurred post-enrollment, over 11 months. Diagnostic results and delivery notes determined clinical truth. Detection rates were based on confirmed trisomic pregnancies; false-positive rates were based on unaffected pregnancies from the general population.

Results

Detection rate for the common trisomies was 95.9% (117/122, 95% CI, 90.5%–98.5%); overall false-positive rate was 1.00% (22/2,205, 0.65%–1.51%). Test failure rate after repeat testing was 0.04%. When assay standard deviations were below pre-specified levels, the overall false-positive rate was much lower at 0.30% (P < 0.001). Fetal sex calls were correct for 99.7%. One technician analyzed 560 samples over 2 weeks, a rate of 14 000/year.

Conclusions

Our assessment of this simplified cfDNA-based system for prenatal screening for common trisomies performed in a prenatal screening laboratory is encouraging. Improved detection, low failure rates and rapid reporting can be achieved by collecting 2 samples. Future priorities should include achieving higher run precision using a single collection tube.

Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number

NCT03087357.
Identifying Clinically Relevant Bacteria Directly from Culture and Clinical Samples with a Handheld Mass Spectrometry Probe
Authors: Povilaitis Sydney C , Chakraborty Ashish , Kirkpatrick Lindsey M , Downey Rachel D , Hauger Sarmistha B , Eberlin Livia S
Published: September 2022

Background

Rapid identification of bacteria is critical to prevent antimicrobial resistance and ensure positive patient outcomes. We have developed the MasSpec Pen, a handheld mass spectrometry-based device that enables rapid analysis of biological samples. Here, we evaluated the MasSpec Pen for identification of bacteria from culture and clinical samples.

Methods

A total of 247 molecular profiles were obtained from 43 well-characterized strains of 8 bacteria species that are clinically relevant to osteoarticular infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, Group A and B Streptococcus, and Kingella kingae, using the MasSpec Pen coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer. The molecular profiles were used to generate statistical classifiers based on metabolites that were predictive of Gram stain category, genus, and species. Then, we directly analyzed samples from 4 patients, including surgical specimens and clinical isolates, and used the classifiers to predict the etiologic agent.

Results

High accuracies were achieved for all levels of classification with a mean accuracy of 93.3% considering training and validation sets. Several biomolecules were detected at varied abundances between classes, many of which were selected as predictive features in the classifiers including glycerophospholipids and quorum-sensing molecules. The classifiers also enabled correct identification of Gram stain type and genus of the etiologic agent from 3 surgical specimens and all classification levels for clinical specimen isolates.

Conclusions

The MasSpec Pen enables identification of several bacteria at different taxonomic levels in seconds from cultured samples and has potential for culture-independent identification of bacteria directly from clinical samples based on the detection of metabolic species.
Comparative Effect of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition on B-type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Measured by Three Different Assays: The PROVE-HF Study
Authors: Myhre Peder L , Prescott Margaret F , Claggett Brian , Felker G Michael , Butler Javed , Piña Ileana L , Maisel Alan S , Williamson Kristin M , Ward Jonathan H , Solomon Scott D , Januzzi James L
Published: September 2022

Background

Several different B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assays are used clinically for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of heart failure (HF). BNP binds weakly to neprilysin and is cleaved in multiple areas adjacent to the binding sites for the antibodies used in these immunoassays. We assessed the changes in BNP following neprilysin inhibition as measured by 3 immunoassays that recognize different epitopes.

Methods

Among 130 participants with HF with reduced ejection fraction, blood was collected prior to treatment with sacubitril/valsartan (sac/val) and then repeatedly measured through 52 weeks of treatment. BNP concentrations were measured with 3 widely used BNP assays (Siemens, Abbott, and Quidel).

Results

Study participants had a mean age of 65 ± 13 years and 76% were men. The median BNP concentration at baseline was 133 ng/L by the Siemens assay, 127 ng/L by the Abbott assay, and 141 ng/L by the Quidel assay. Following initiation of sac/val, there were significantly greater declines in BNP measured by Quidel and Abbott (P = 0.009 and P < 0.001), respectively (both with N-terminal capture antibodies), compared to Siemens (with C-terminal capture antibodies). The difference from baseline was not statistically significant until after week 12 (mean –10.1% for Quidel and –14.3% for Abbott) compared to non-significant differences before 12 weeks (mean –4.5% for Quidel and –6.0% for Abbott).

Conclusions

Following initiation of sac/val, BNP measurements may modestly differ depending on the assay method used, particularly after a few months of treatment. Whether these differences relate to neprilysin-mediated degradation of antibody binding sites deserves further study.

Study registration

PROVE-HF ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02887183.
The French Covid-19 vaccination policy did not solve vaccination inequities: a nationwide study on 64.5 million people
Authors: Débarre Florence , Lecoeur Emmanuel , Guimier Lucie , Jauffret-Roustide Marie , Jannot Anne-Sophie
Published: September 2022

Background

To encourage Covid-19 vaccination, France introduced during the Summer 2021 a ‘Sanitary Pass’, which morphed into a ‘Vaccine Pass’ in early 2022. While the sanitary pass led to an increase in Covid-19 vaccination rates, spatial heterogeneities in vaccination rates remained. To identify potential determinants of these heterogeneities and evaluate the French sanitary and vaccine passes’ efficacies in reducing them, we used a data-driven approach on exhaustive nationwide data, gathering 141 socio-economic, political and geographic indicators.

Methods

We considered the association between vaccination rates and each indicator at different time points: before the sanitary pass announcement (week 2021-W27), before the sanitary pass came into force (week 2021-W31) and 1 month after (week 2021-W35) and the equivalent dates for the vaccine pass (weeks 2021-W49, 2022-W03 and 2022-W07).

Results

The indicators most associated with vaccination rates were the share of local income coming from unemployment benefits, overcrowded households rate, immigrants rate and vote for an ‘anti-establishment’ candidate at the 2017 Presidential election. These associations increase over time. Consequently, living in a district below the median of such indicator decreases the probability to be vaccinated by about 30% at the end of the studied period, and this probability gradually decreases by deciles of these indicators.

Conclusions

Our analysis reveals that factors related to poverty, immigration and trust in the government are strong determinants of vaccination rate, and that vaccination inequities tended to increase after the introduction of the French sanitary and vaccination passes.
Stump Sprouting Performance of Common Tree Species in the Midstory of Hardwood Forests in Indiana
Authors: Sample Richard D , Boggess C Moriah , Brooke Jarred M , Jenkins Michael A
Published: September 2022

Many studies have examined the performance of stump sprouts across variables such as tree diameter, light availability, and site quality. However, most of these studies created large openings following even-aged silviculture, which is not typically employed in small woodlots typical of the Midwest United States. To address this, we evaluated sprouting performance after felling stems of six common midstory species, simulating a midstory removal treatment. We created 510 stumps across nine sites in Indiana and measured the probability of stumps sprouting, sprout density, and the height of the tallest sprout after 1 year following cutting for hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), red maple and sugar maple (Acer rubrum L. and A. saccharum Marsh., respectively), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), sassafras (Sassafras albidum Nutt.), and white ash (Fraxinus Americana L.). We observed that hackberry, northern red oak, red maple, and white ash stumps sprouted prolifically, but sugar maple and sassafras stumps did not. Furthermore, we found that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory depressed sprout heights, whereas the effects of diameter and light availability were variable. Our results suggest that midstory removals may result in vigorous sprouting; thus, follow-up treatments such an herbicide may be needed to reduce competition.
Workplace empowerment, psychological empowerment and work-related wellbeing in southeast Asian employees: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hassard Juliet , Wong Iris , Wang Weiwei
Published: September 2022

There is a growing body of research examining the nature and correlates of salutogenic factors in the workplace and employee wellbeing, and the role of empowerment therewithin. A paucity of research has distinguished between structural and psychological forms of empowerment in the workplace and examined how they independently and collectively relate to employee wellbeing. Much of the existing research has examined such considerations in western samples, with limited exploration of eastern working populations. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between structural empowerment (SE) and employee self-reported work-related wellbeing (operationalized as psychological wellbeing and job satisfaction), and the postulated mediating role of psychological empowerment (PE). With a sample of 324 southeast Asian employees from a single organization, this study used a cross-sectional case study design using self-report measures to examine the relationships between SE, PE and employee job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. PE was postulated to mediate the relationship between SE and work-related wellbeing outcomes of job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. Mediation analyses revealed that SE was positively associated with PE which, in turn, completely mediated the positive relationships between SE, and job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. The results of this study contribute empirically and practically in the following ways: (i) it expands upon previous research on employee empowerment, (ii) contributes to the developing field of positive occupational health psychology and (iii) highlights the crucial role of organizations in creating sources of SE and PE.
Evaluation of a tailored oral health promotion intervention for Syrian former refugees in New Zealand
Authors: Al Naasan Zeina , Broadbent Jonathan , Smith Moira , Duncan Warwick
Published: September 2022

To investigate a health promotion strategy to improve oral health among former refugees in New Zealand. Former refugees were recruited (n = 63) and answered a questionnaire about their oral home care, smoking, sugar consumption and use of dental services. Participants then joined either focus group sessions to co-design oral health educational material (n = 39) or to be dentally examined for oral hygiene, periodontal health, gingivitis and dental caries and receive motivational instructions to improve their oral health habits (n = 20). Health messages using dual-language leaflets (covering oral home care, smoking, diet and access to services) were subsequently individually delivered monthly to all participants via a mobile phone application. After 6 months, follow-up questionnaires were sent to all participants and those who had been dentally examined were re-examined. Half of those who did not brush twice daily at baseline (54.1%) had increased brushing to at least twice daily by follow-up; 76.9% of those who consumed sugary drinks at least twice daily, reduced their sugar intake. No smokers quit smoking, however, 52.4% reported reducing the number of cigarettes or engaging in smoking cessation activities. Among those who had been dentally examined, plaque scores, gingivitis and periodontal pocketing all decreased significantly. Culturally and linguistically tailored oral health promotion interventions led to improved oral health behaviours for this group of former refugees over a 6 months follow-up period. We expect this to not only improve the oral health quality of life for this population, but also reduce the burden on the health system.
Hepatitis B Virus Flares After Nucleot(s)ide Analogue Cessation Are Associated With Activation of Toll-Like Receptor Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hall Samuel A L , Burns Gareth S , Mooney Benjamin J , Millen Rosemary , Morris Rachel , Vogrin Sara , Sundararajan Vijaya , Ratnam Dilip , Levy Miriam T , Lubel John S , Nicoll Amanda J , Strasser Simone I , Sievert William , Desmond Paul V , Ngu Meng C , Angus Peter , Sinclair Marie , Meredith Christopher , Matthews Gail , Revill Peter A , Jackson Kathy , Littlejohn Margaret , Bowden Scott , Locarnini Stephen A , Thompson Alexander J , Visvanathan Kumar
Published: September 2022

Background

We evaluated the patterns of peripheral Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling activity and the expression of TLRs and natural killer (NK) cell activation in a cohort of patients experiencing severe hepatitis flares after stopping nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) therapy.

Methods

Samples were collected longitudinally from patients with chronic hepatitis B who were enrolled in a prospective study of NA discontinuation. Patients experiencing hepatitis flares were compared with patients with normal alanine aminotransferase. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with TLR ligands and cytokine secretion in the cell culture supernatant measured. Expression of TLR2/4, NKG2D, NKp46, and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) on monocytes, NK, and NK-T cells was measured.

Results

Seventeen patients with severe reactivation hepatitis flares were compared to 12 nonflare patients. Hepatitis flares were associated with increased activity of TLR2–8 and TLR9 signaling in PBMCs at the time of peak flare compared to baseline. Hepatitis flares were also associated with (1) upregulation of TLR2 and (2) TREM-1 receptor expression on NK. There were no differences at baseline between flare patients and nonflare patients.

Conclusions

Hepatitis flares off NA therapy have a significant innate inflammatory response with upregulation of TLR signaling on peripheral monocytes and TLR2 and TREM-1 expression on NK cells. This implicates the innate immune system in the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B flares.
Identification of Key Genes Related to Skin Burns Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Zhu Boheng , Zhang Gaofei , Li Wuquan , Cao Wende , Zhang Jinglin , Wang Hong
Published: September 2022

To further understand the regulatory network and molecular mechanisms of gene expression after skin burns, we performed bioinformatics analysis of gene expression profiles of skin burn samples and identified key genes associated with skin burns. The GSE8056 and GSE139028 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for analysis and validation. The limma package was used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses (KEGG) were then performed. Subsequently, LASSO regression analysis was performed on DEGs and a regulatory network map of skin burn-related genes was constructed. Finally, the infiltration of immune cells was calculated and coexpression network maps of immune-related key genes and skin regeneration genes were constructed. Analysis of the GSE8056 dataset showed that 432 genes were upregulated and 351 genes were downregulated. The DEGs were mainly focused on immune response and skin regeneration. Meanwhile, these two groups of pivotal genes were significantly associated with abnormal infiltration of nine immune cells. GSE139028 validation revealed that three hub genes associated with skin burn immunity were differentially expressed, except for S100A8, while only the DPT gene was differentially expressed among the seven hub genes associated with skin regeneration. In short, the effect of skin burn on patients is to regulate the expression of immune-related genes UPP1, MMP1, MMP3, and skin regeneration-related gene DPT, which may be the key target for the treatment of skin burn.
Past, Present, and Future of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Breast Cancer Screening
Authors: Baughan Natalie , Douglas Lindsay , Giger Maryellen L
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer screening has evolved substantially over the past few decades because of advancements in new image acquisition systems and novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. This review provides a brief overview of the history, current state, and future of AI in breast cancer screening and diagnosis along with challenges involved in the development of AI systems. Although AI has been developing for interpretation tasks associated with breast cancer screening for decades, its potential to combat the subjective nature and improve the efficiency of human image interpretation is always expanding. The rapid advancement of computational power and deep learning has increased greatly in AI research, with promising performance in detection and classification tasks across imaging modalities. Most AI systems, based on human-engineered or deep learning methods, serve as concurrent or secondary readers, that is, as aids to radiologists for a specific, well-defined task. In the future, AI may be able to perform multiple integrated tasks, making decisions at the level of or surpassing the ability of humans. Artificial intelligence may also serve as a partial primary reader to streamline ancillary tasks, triaging cases or ruling out obvious normal cases. However, before AI is used as an independent, autonomous reader, various challenges need to be addressed, including explainability and interpretability, in addition to repeatability and generalizability, to ensure that AI will provide a significant clinical benefit to breast cancer screening across all populations.
Primary Leptomeningeal Lymphoma: Clinicopathologic Features of 2 Rare Phenotypes
Authors: Vizcaino M Adelita , Giannini Caterina , King Rebecca L , Johnson Derek R , Yang Tong , Raghunathan Aditya
Published: September 2022

Primary leptomeningeal lymphoma is exceedingly rare. We describe 2 rare lymphoma cases with exclusive leptomeningeal disease: 1 ALK-positive (ALK+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and 1 primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). Case 1: A 19-year-old man presented with symptoms concerning for leptomeningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis. Spine MRI demonstrated pial enhancement from T10 through the conus medullaris and cauda equina enhancement/thickening. A biopsy showed leptomeningeal involvement by large lymphoma cells with hallmark cells and brisk mitotic activity. By immunohistochemistry, cells were CD7/CD30-positive with cytoplasmic ALK staining. No systemic disease was identified. The diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal ALK+ ALCL was made. Despite 2 CSF relapses requiring systemic therapy and autologous bone marrow transplant, the patient was in complete clinical remission 9 years after the diagnosis. Case 2: A 60-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus-positive man presented with symptoms suggestive of leptomeningitis. Brain MRIs revealed multifocal, supratentorial, and infratentorial leptomeningeal enhancement. A right frontal biopsy demonstrated leptomeningeal involvement by large lymphoma cells negative for B-cell immunostains, but CD138, MUM-1, and HHV8-positive, with aberrant CD3 expression. EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization was positive. In absence of solid lesions/extracranial involvement, the diagnosis of leptomeningeal PEL was rendered. Despite initial complete remission after chemotherapy, the patient died 9 months later.
Improving Tuberculosis Case Detection in Children: Summary of Innovations and Findings From 18 Countries
Authors: Rahman Md. Toufiq , Malik Amyn A , Amanullah Farhana , Creswell Jacob
Published: September 2022

Despite a growing focus on the plight of tuberculosis (TB) among children, 56% of the 1.2 million children who develop TB annually are not detected and notified. TB REACH is a platform of the Stop TB Partnership that supports innovative interventions to improve TB case detection and preventative treatment. We present summary findings from 27 TB REACH-supported projects in 18 countries. Interventions were designed around intensified case-finding approaches (facility-based systematic screening and contact investigation), capacity building (including decentralized care delivery and supported decision-making), and improving diagnostic methods (ie, introduction of alternative respiratory specimens and new tools to aid the diagnosis). These interventions were evaluated on how they worked to identify children with TB, prevent further transmission of TB among children, and strengthen the health system involved with childhood TB care. Overall, 13 715 children were detected with TB, improving case notifications by 34%. In addition, nearly 5000 eligible contacts were enrolled on TB preventive treatment through these interventions. Focusing efforts and funding on childhood TB can produce marked improvements in case detection.
Structural basis for topological regulation of Tn3 resolvase
Authors: Montaño Sherwin P , Rowland Sally-J , Fuller James R , Burke Mary E , MacDonald Alasdair I , Boocock Martin R , Stark W Marshall , Rice Phoebe A
Published: September 2022

Site-specific DNA recombinases play a variety of biological roles, often related to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, and are also useful synthetic biology tools. The simplest site-specific recombination systems will recombine any two cognate sites regardless of context. Other systems have evolved elaborate mechanisms, often sensing DNA topology, to ensure that only one of multiple possible recombination products is produced. The closely related resolvases from the Tn3 and γδ transposons have historically served as paradigms for the regulation of recombinase activity by DNA topology. However, despite many proposals, models of the multi-subunit protein–DNA complex (termed the synaptosome) that enforces this regulation have been unsatisfying due to a lack of experimental constraints and incomplete concordance with experimental data. Here, we present new structural and biochemical data that lead to a new, detailed model of the Tn3 synaptosome, and discuss how it harnesses DNA topology to regulate the enzymatic activity of the recombinase.
Meta-Analysis on Associations of Timing of Maternal Smoking Cessation Before and During Pregnancy With Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Perkins Jacob , Re Tyler , Ong Sherry , Niu Zhongzheng , Wen Xiaozhong
Published: September 2022

Introduction

There is a lack of comprehensive review on associations of maternal smoking cessation (versus nonsmokers) with childhood overweight and obesity.

Aims and Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing evidence in this field. Within PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases, we identified and screened 1147 abstracts. We reviewed full-texts and extracted related information from 10 eligible articles. We pooled odds ratios for overweight/obesity and mean differences in BMI z-scores by maternal smoking status around pregnancy.

Results

Among 10 eligible studies, 71 393 children were included from ages 2 to 18 years. Compared to children of nonsmokers, the pooled unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for overweight was 1.36 (95% Confidence Interval CI: 1.14, 1.62) in children of quitters and 1.44 (1.27, 1.64) in children of continued smokers. The pooled unadjusted OR for obesity was 1.65 (1.17, 2.32) in children of quitters and 1.94 (1.38, 2.73) in children of continued smokers. The pooled unadjusted mean difference in BMI z-score was 0.51 (0.41, 0.61) in children of quitters and 0.64 (0.58, 0.70) in children of continued smokers. The pooled unadjusted OR for overweight in children of mothers quitting before pregnancy was 1.46 (1.15, 1.85), during the first trimester was 1.52 (1.27, 1.82), and during pregnancy (mixed timing, mostly first trimester) was 0.97 (0.79, 1.20).

Conclusion

The risk of offspring overweight and obesity was moderately higher for quitters during pregnancy compared to nonsmokers, although it might not be as high as continued smokers.

Implications

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is an established risk factor of childhood overweight and obesity. Based on our systematic review, intervention to help mothers quit smoking has the potential to reduce the risk of childhood overweight and obesity in offspring related to prenatal tobacco exposure. Quitting before pregnancy is ideal, but quitting in early pregnancy is still helpful for reducing risk.