bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Northwest Africa 13669, a reequilibrated nakhlite from a previously unsampled portion of the nakhlite igneous complex
Authors: Ramsey Sierra R. , Ostwald Amanda M. , Udry Arya , O'Neal Evan , Day James M. D. , Wilbur Zoë , Barnes Jessica J. , Griffin Sammy
Published: December 2023

Northwest Africa (NWA) 13669 is a recently found nakhlite and here, we use 2‐D and 3‐D mineralogy and texture, quantitative textural analysis of pyroxene, bulk rock and mineral major and trace element compositions, and melt inclusion analyses to assess its formation and emplacement. Using these combined results, we determine that NWA 13669 is derived from a depleted mantle source common to nakhlites and modeled parental melt compositions from olivine‐ and pyroxene‐hosted melt inclusions record similar major element trends to other nakhlites, including an alkali enrichment. Homogeneous pyroxene and olivine and diffusive reequilibration of trace elements in melt inclusions provide evidence for magma storage in a crystal mush within the nakhlite plumbing system and suggest NWA 13669 has undergone extensive reequilibration. Quantitative textural analysis of NWA 13669, including crystal size distribution (CSD) profiles, CSD slope and intercepts, and residence times, are similar to the Yamato nakhlite group, and indicate that NWA 13669 likely experienced similar emplacement conditions. However, differences in bulk rock and mineral compositions suggest NWA 13669 represents a new flow or sill from a previously unsampled portion of the nakhlite igneous complex, further increasing the diversity of the nakhlite suite.
Assessing implementation outcomes for launching balanced energy protein supplementation: A formative study in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kalbarczyk Anna , de Boer Mary , Khaled Nazrana , Chakraborty Barnali , Rahman Atiya , Zavala Eleonor , Rahman Hafizur , Ali Hasmot , Haque Rezwanul , Ayesha Kaniz , Siddiqua Towfida J. , Afsana Kaosar , Christian Parul , Thorne‐Lyman Andrew
Published: December 2023

Balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation is an efficacious intervention in pregnancy for improving birthweight and is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in countries with high maternal undernutrition. Few countries have implemented BEP programmes due in part to high cost, lack of data on acceptability and feasibility, and complexity of delivery. We sought to address implementation gaps in BEP interventions through a formative study designed to understand implementation outcomes. We conducted 52 in‐depth interviews and 8 focus‐group discussions with married women of reproductive age, family members, health care providers and pharmacists in three unions of the Gaibandha district in rural Bangladesh. Interviews were translated and transcribed in English and analysed using an analytic framework for implementation science in nutrition. BEP was viewed as an acceptable and appropriate intervention to combat undernutrition in this setting. There was a lack of clarity on who should or could be responsible for providing/distributing BEP in a way convenient to mothers. Many participants preferred door‐to‐door delivery and thought this approach could address social and gender inequities, but providers mentioned already being overworked and worried about adding new tasks. Participants were concerned about the affordability of BEP and opportunity costs associated with travel to proposed distribution sites such as ANC or pharmacies. Women in these communities do not always have the agency to travel without supervision or make purchasing decisions. BEP supplementation is a complex intervention; future trials seek to assess ways to overcome these implementation challenges and inform a long‐term systems‐owned BEP intervention.
A Radiographic Analysis of Coronal Morphological Parameters of Lower Limbs in Chinese Non‐knee Osteoarthritis Populations
Authors: Jiang Xu , Xie Kai , Chen Hongyu , Zhang Kai , Hu Yuqi , Kan Tianyou , Sun Lin , Ai Songtao , Zhu Xianping , Zhang Lichi , Yan Mengning , Wang Liao
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Analyzing the lower limb coronal morphological parameters in populations without knee osteoarthritis (KOA) holds significant value in predicting, diagnosing, and formulating surgical strategies for KOA. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the variability in these parameters among Chinese non‐KOA populations, employing a substantial sample size.

Methods

A cross‐sectional retrospective analysis was performed on the Chinese non‐KOA populations (n = 407; 49.9% females). The study employed an in‐house developed artificial intelligence software to meticulously assess the coronal morphological parameters of all 814 lower limbs. The parameters evaluated included the hip‐knee‐ankle angle (HKAA), weight‐bearing line ratio (WBLR), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), mechanical lateral‐proximal‐femoral angle (mLPFA), mechanical lateral‐distal‐femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial‐proximal‐tibial angle (mMPTA), and mechanical lateral‐distal‐tibial angle (mLDTA). Differences in these parameters were compared between left and right limbs, different genders, and different age groups (with 50 years as the cut‐off point).

Results

HKAA and JLCA exhibited left–right differences (left vs. right: 178.2° ± 3.0° vs. 178.6° ± 2.9° for HKAA, p = 0.001; and 1.8° ± 1.5° vs. 1.4° ± 1.6° for JLCA, p < 0.001); except for the mLPFA, all other parameters show gender‐related differences (male vs. female: 177.9° ± 2.8° vs. 179.0° ± 3.0° for HKAA, p < 0.001; 1.5° ± 1.5° vs. 1.8° ± 1.7° for JLCA, p = 0.003; 87.1° ± 2.1° vs. 88.1° ± 2.1° for mMPTA, p < 0.001; 90.2° ± 4.0° vs. 91.1° ± 3.2° for mLDTA, p < 0.001; 38.7% ± 12.9% vs. 43.6% ± 14.1% for WBLR, p < 0.001; and 87.7° ± 2.3° vs. 87.4° ± 2.7° for mLDTA, p = 0.045); mLPFA increase with age (younger vs. older: 90.1° ± 7.2° vs. 93.4° ± 4.9° for mLPFA, p < 0.001), while no statistical difference exists for other parameters.

Conclusions

There were differences in lower limb coronal morphological parameters among Chinese non‐KOA populations between left and right sides, different genders, and age.
Antimicrobial to anti‐herbivore: Sakuranetin in rice efficiently inhibits brown planthopper by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts
Authors: Kundu Anish
Published: December 2023

In rice, biosynthesis of specialized metabolites active against insect herbivores is elusive. The major known defense metabolites in rice against the destructive phloem‐sucking herbivore brown planthoppers (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens) are proteinase inhibitors, phenolamides and some terpenes (Xiao et al., 2012), which are induced during the invasion. Specifically, phenolamides were found to be induced upon herbivory with different feeding guild, including chewing and phloem‐sucking, but could only provide defense against phloem‐sucking BPH, though the clear mode of action of phenolamides has not been explored yet. Moreover, the jasmonic acid‐mediated modulation of biosynthesis of these specialized metabolites in rice is not elucidated yet. However, a recent study by Liu et al. (2023) demonstrated that sakuranetin, a phytoalexin in rice, was induced upon BPH invasion and showed significant detrimental effect on herbivore's performance by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts. This is the first report on a strong bioactive anti‐herbivore molecule observed in rice with an unusual mode of action. In this article, a view has been presented on this work, its impact and exceptionality.
A paper tiger in the fog of governance: Norway's riddle in biodiversity matters
Authors: Colombo Esmeralda
Published: December 2023

Effective biodiversity protection is generally associated with a strict rule of law and democratic participation in environmental decision making. Norway's exceptional ranking in terms of governance, however, has failed to be a predictor of effective biodiversity protection. Through a systematic review of the main regulatory frameworks relevant to protecting biodiversity in Norway, this article analyses the misconceptions, perverse incentives and institutional bottlenecks that lie at the centre of the problem. The analysis finds three overarching barriers that regulatory frameworks have created to the effective protection and promotion of biodiversity in Norway, namely, a governance system based on diffuse legal obligations and responsibilities, excessive trust in private operators and considerable discretion to local entities. Accordingly, this article proposes three enabling factors, and related reform suggestions, for mitigating such barriers and domesticating earth system governance in biodiversity matters.
South African student retention during 2020: Evidence from system‐wide higher education institutional data
Authors: Branson Nicola , Whitelaw Emma
Published: December 2023

Using longitudinal, institutional data, we document the impact of COVID‐19 on undergraduate student retention at public universities in South Africa in 2020. We find that student dropout increased in 2020 for students in years 3–5, with little evidence of a change for those entering their second year of study. These aggregate findings mask significant differences across institutions. Students enrolled in most historically advantaged, traditional institutions, and some comprehensive institutions, were not significantly affected, whereas dropout increased significantly at the University of Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Venda, three historically disadvantaged institutions located in rural areas. No difference in retention is found, however, for students enrolled at the University of Zululand (UZ) or the University of Limpopo (UL), equally resource‐disadvantaged institutions where a majority (over 90%) of students are funded via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Furthermore, at institutions where dropout increased, NSFAS‐funded students were typically less impacted than their unfunded peers. Our overall findings accord with growing evidence that COVID‐19‐related changes in the sector differentially impacted students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, they also illustrate that the NSFAS bursary appears to have provided a social safety net during this time. Finally, the example of UZ and the UL provide suggestive evidence that institutional relational aspects not observed in our data are important too. Together, results foreground the complex interplay of factors impacting a student's decision to drop out of or remain in university, highlighting that institutional responses and/or relational context during a crisis like COVID‐19 can positively impact student retention.
Unlocking the secrets of secrets: How can we learn about experiences that cannot be recreated in the laboratory?
Authors: Slepian Michael L. , Kalokerinos Elise K.
Published: December 2023

People keep secrets for years with significant ramifications if the information were ever revealed. How can we understand the effects of long‐held secrets? The current paper presents a new perspective on secrecy and how it can be studied. By examining the multiple experiences people have with their multiple secrets, we can obtain a fuller view of how secrets affect people in daily life. Additionally, by examining a set of common secrets, across people, we can understand how secrets (i.e., exemplars) differ from one another, and we can study how those differences relate to important variables like well‐being. That is, rather than study a specific secret or secrecy situation (which will have limited generalizability), we can seek to study the entire universe of secrets, both to make generalizations across that universe and to compare different secrets to one another. Using the question of whether secrecy causes lower well‐being, we discuss this Multiple Exemplar Measurement approach alongside other methodologies. We highlight the many benefits of taking an exemplar‐level perspective, both for understanding secrecy and other psychological phenomena more broadly.
RIP‐Seq analysis of non‐PPR chloroplast editing factors reveals broad RNA interactions and enrichment of less efficiently translated RNAs by OZ1 and ORRM1 complexes
Authors: Hua Hope Y. , Santibanez Paola I. , Ngo Vinh T. , Hayes Michael L.
Published: December 2023

C‐to‐U RNA editing in angiosperm chloroplasts requires a large suite of proteins bound together in the editosome. The editosome is comprised of PPR proteins, RIP/MORFs, OZ proteins, and ORRM proteins that physically interact in high molecular weight complexes. The specific functions of non‐PPR editing factors in the editosome are unclear, however, specific subsets of editing sites are affected by absence of non‐PPR editing factors. Unlike the PPR components of editosomes that have predictable nucleotide specificities, domains present in non‐PPR editing factors make RNA associations difficult to predict. In this study, chloroplast extracts were isolated from juvenile maize seedlings. RNAs were immunoprecipitated using polyclonal antibodies targeting non‐PPR editing factors RIP9, OZ1, and ORRM1. RNA libraries from duplicate experiments were compared. RIP9 was associated with most of the non‐ribosomal RNA content of chloroplasts, consistent with a general binding function to PPR L‐motifs and tethering of large ribonucleoprotein complexes. The breadth of RNA associations was greater than predicted and include mRNAs without predicted editing sites, tRNA sequences, and introns. OZ1 and ORRM1 were associated with a highly similar pool of RNAs that have a bias toward lower translational efficiency values in mature chloroplasts. Lower translational efficiency was also associated with the pool of edited RNAs compared to RNAs without editing sites. The unexpected breadth of interactions by non‐PPR editing factors suggests the editosome is large, diverse, and associated with RNAs with lower relative translational efficiency in mature chloroplasts.
Myeloid/natural killer (NK) cell precursor acute leukemia as a distinct leukemia type
Authors: Nishimura Akira , Yokoyama Kazuaki , Naruto Takuya , Yamagishi Chika , Imamura Toshihiko , Nakazono Hiroto , Kimura Shunsuke , Ito Mieko , Sagisaka Maiko , Tanaka Yukie , Piao Jinhua , Namikawa Yui , Yanagimachi Masakatsu , Isoda Takeshi , Kanai Akinori , Matsui Hirotaka , Isobe Tomoya , Sato-Otsubo Aiko , Higuchi Naoko , Takada Akiko , Okuno Haruna , Saito Shoji , Karakawa Shuhei , Kobayashi Shogo , Hasegawa Daisuke , Fujisaki Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Daiichiro , Koike Kazutoshi , Koike Takashi , Rai Shinya , Umeda Katsutsugu , Sano Hideki , Sekinaka Yujin , Ogawa Atsushi , Kinoshita Akitoshi , Shiba Norio , Miki Mizuka , Kimura Fumihiko , Nakayama Hideki , Nakazawa Yozo , Taga Takashi , Taki Tomohiko , Adachi Souichi , Manabe Atsushi , Koh Katsuyoshi , Ishida Yasushi , Takita Junko , Ishikawa Fumihiko , Goto Hiroaki , Morio Tomohiro , Mizutani Shuki , Tojo Arinobu , Takagi Masatoshi
Published: December 2023

Myeloid/natural killer (NK) cell precursor acute leukemia (MNKPL) has been described on the basis of its unique immunophenotype and clinical phenotype. However, there is no consensus on the characteristics for identifying this disease type because of its rarity and lack of defined distinctive molecular characteristics. In this study, multiomics analysis revealed that MNKPL is distinct from acute myeloid leukemia, T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), and
NOTCH1
and
RUNX3
activation and
BCL11B
down-regulation are hallmarks of MNKPL. Although NK cells have been classically considered to be lymphoid lineage–derived, the results of our single-cell analysis using MNKPL cells suggest that NK cells and myeloid cells share common progenitor cells. Treatment outcomes for MNKPL are unsatisfactory, even when hematopoietic cell transplantation is performed. Multiomics analysis and in vitro drug sensitivity assays revealed increased sensitivity to
l
-asparaginase and reduced levels of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), supporting the clinically observed effectiveness of
l
-asparaginase.
Data-driven science and diversity in the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Ginsburg Geoffrey S. , Denny Joshua C. , Schully Sheri D.
Published: December 2023

The National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program is an accessible platform that hosts genomic and phenotypic data to be collected from 1 million participants in the United States. Its mission is to accelerate medical research and clinical breakthroughs with a special emphasis on diversity.
Identification of two anti-
Candida
antibodies associated with the survival of patients with candidemia
Authors: Bromuro Carla , Posteraro Brunella , Murri Rita , Fantoni Massimo , Tumbarello Mario , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Dattilo Rosanna , Cauda Roberto , Cassone Antonio , Torosantucci Antonella
Published: December 2023

We retrospectively studied antibody immunity in 92 candidemia patients, using sera taken at candidemia diagnosis. All patients showed the presence of IgG antibodies against all tested
Candida
antigens, namely Als3, Mp65, Hyr1 and Eno1, at levels significantly higher than those of non-candidemia controls. Both correlation and multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that the antibodies against Als3 and-Mp65, two known immunodominant and virulence-related proteins, were significantly associated with lower 30-day patient mortality. In particular, high titers of anti-Als3 antibodies were associated with survival in all subgroups of frail, more critical patients (over-median aged, infected by
C. albicans
or with septic shock) while high anti-Mp65 IgG levels were associated with survival in younger patients and in those infected by non-
albicans Candida
species or showing no signs of septic shock. A multivariable logistic model including anti-Als3 or anti-MP65 antibody levels and other variables, such as the serum β-glucan level at candidemia diagnosis, septic shock occurrence, the presence of diabetes, and initial antifungal treatment with fluconazole, was highly predictive of candidemia outcome, with an area under the curve of 0.85–0.86. Overall, the data demonstrate the ability of candidemia patients to mount a sustained memory antibody response to
Candida
antigens and that some of these responses have a sizeable impact on patient survival. Our data invite consideration of a multicenter, prospective investigation of antibody immunity in candidemia.

IMPORTANCE

Candidemia (bloodstream invasion by
Candida
species) is a major fungal disease in humans. Despite the recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, therapeutic options are limited and under threat of antimicrobial resistance. The disease mortality remains high (around 40%). In contrast with deep-seated invasive candidiasis, particularly that occurring in patients with hematologic malignancies and organ transplants, patients with candidemia are often not immunocompromised and therefore able to mount memory anticandidal immune responses, perhaps primed by
Candida
commensalism. We investigated antibody immunity in candidemia patients and report here on the ability of these patients to produce antibodies that react with
Candida
antigens. In particular, the patients with high titers of IgG reactive with two immunodominant, virulence-associated antigens (Als3 and MP65) had a higher 30-day survival. If confirmed by controlled, prospective clinical studies, our data could inform the development of antibody therapy to better treat a severe fungal infection such as candidiasis.
Campylobacter
prophage diversity reveals pervasive recombination between prophages from different
Campylobacter
species
Authors: Piña-González Adán Manuel , Castelán-Sánchez Hugo G. , Hurtado-Ramírez Juan Manuel , López-Leal Gamaliel
Published: December 2023

Prophages, bacteriophages integrated into bacterial genomes, play a critical role in the genetic diversity and evolution of bacterial species. In this study, we investigated the prophage population harbored in
Campylobacter
species. A total of 446 high-quality and complete genomes of
Campylobacter
isolated from different sources revealed 431 prophages. We analyzed the phylogenomic relationships between 490 phages and prophages, unveiling a wide diversity of undescribed prophages. Bacteriophage pangenomes revealed shared genetic repertoires among different phage genera. In addition, we found recombination events between prophages from different phage genera, mainly in prophages infecting
Campylobacter jejuni
and
Campylobacter coli
, showing distinct evolutionary histories in specific regions of the prophage genomes. Specifically, these regions showed variations in gene content, enrichment in structural genes and others in hypothetical proteins, genes involved in transcription, DNA-associated factors, and genes associated with lysis. Finally,
Campylobacter
prophages alter the host genetic repertoire by carrying virulence factors and antibiotic-resistance genes.

IMPORTANCE

Prophages play an important role in shaping the genetic diversity and evolution of their hosts. Acquisition or loss of prophages can lead to genomic variations, including changes in the bacterial phenotype promoted by recombination events, genetic repertoire exchanges and dissemination of virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance. By studying prophages in
Campylobacter
species, scientists can gain insights into the evolutionary patterns, pathogenicity mechanisms, epidemiology, and population dynamics of these species. This has implications for public health, antibiotic resistance surveillance, and the development of targeted therapeutic approaches.
Lymphocyte and neutrophil count combined with intestinal bacteria abundance predict the severity of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Liuying , Yin Zhongwei , Zhou Dan , Li Xin , Yu Cheng , Luo Chang , Jin Yu , Zhang Lei , Song Jun , Rasche Leo , Einsele Hermann , Tu Lei , Zhou Xiang , Bai Tao , Hou Xiaohua
Published: December 2023

Early identification of severe 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases is of great significance. We included 92 COVID-19 patients and 22 healthy controls and collected their laboratory test data and stool for metagenomic sequencing analysis. We found that the proportion of severe COVID-19 cases was significantly increased in patients with reduced lymphocytes and elevated neutrophils and had unique intestinal microbiota.
Pseudothermotoga hypogea
and
Lachnospiraceae bacterium GAM79
were the species of bacteria that markedly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to control individuals. For COVID-19 patients,
Enterococcus
sp.
DA9
,
Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis
, and
Enterococcus faecium
were the species of bacteria that significantly altered among patients with normal lymphocytes and neutrophils and patients with decreased lymphocytes and/or increased neutrophils, respectively. Fecal abundances of
Enterococcus
sp.
DA9
,
Prevotella intermedia
, and
Bifidobacterium dentium
were correlated with COVID-19 disease severity. Decreased lymphocytes and increased neutrophils, combined with decreased
Bifidobacterium dentium
and
Prevotella intermedia
, and increased
Enterococcus
sp.
DA9
have the highest power to predict severe cases of COVID-19 patients (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.79). In conclusion, changes in the abundance of intestinal bacteria can reflect the severity of COVID-19 disease, and the combination with lymphocytes and neutrophils might be prognostic factors of COVID-19.

IMPORTANCE

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients had a unique profile of gut bacteria. In this study, we characterized the intestinal bacteria in our COVID-19 cohorts and found that there was an increased incidence of severe cases in COVID-19 patients with decreased lymphocytes and increased neutrophils. Levels of lymphocytes and neutrophils and abundances of intestinal bacteria correlated with the severity of COVID-19.
Advances in the management of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Del Chiaro Marco , Sugawara Toshitaka , Karam Sana D , Messersmith Wells A
Published: December 2023

Pancreatic cancer remains among the malignancies with the worst outcomes. Survival has been improving, but at a slower rate than other cancers. Multimodal treatment, including chemotherapy, surgical resection, and radiotherapy, has been under investigation for many years. Because of the anatomical characteristics of the pancreas, more emphasis on treatment selection has been placed on local extension into major vessels. Recently, the development of more effective treatment regimens has opened up new treatment strategies, but urgent research questions have also become apparent. This review outlines the current management of pancreatic cancer, and the recent advances in its treatment. The review discusses future treatment pathways aimed at integrating novel findings of translational and clinical research.
Quality assessment of non-mydriatic fundus photographs for glaucoma screening in primary healthcare centres: a real-world study
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhou Mengtian , Cao Yang , Zheng Xuanli , Mao Huiyan , Lei Changrong , Lin Wanglong , Jiang Junhong , Chen Yize , Song Di , Xu Xiang , Ye Cong , Liang Yuanbo
Published: December 2023

Background

This study assessed the quality distribution of non-mydriatic fundus photographs (NMFPs) in real-world glaucoma screening and analysed its influencing factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in primary healthcare centres in the Yinzhou District, China, from 17 March to 3 December 2021. The quality distribution of bilateral NMFPs was assessed by the Digital Reading Department of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Generalised estimating equations and logistic regression models identified factors affecting image quality.

Results

A total of 17 232 photographs of 8616 subjects were assessed. Of these, 11.9% of images were reliable for the right eyes, while only 4.6% were reliable for the left eyes; 93.6% of images were readable in the right eyes, while 90.3% were readable in the left eyes. In adjusted models, older age was associated with decreased odds of image readability (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.07, 95% CI 1.06~1.08, p<0.001). A larger absolute value of spherical equivalent significantly decreased the odds of image readability (all p<0.001). Media opacity and worse visual acuity had a significantly lower likelihood of achieving readable NMFPs (aOR=1.52, 95% CI 1.31~1.75; aOR=1.70, 95% CI 1.42~2.02, respectively, all p<0.001). Astigmatism axes within 31°~60° and 121°~150° had lower odds of image readability (aOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.11~1.63, p<0.01) than astigmatism axes within 180°±30°.

Conclusions

The image readability of NMFPs in large-scale glaucoma screening for individuals 50 years and older is comparable with relevant studies, but image reliability is unsatisfactory. Addressing the associated factors may be vital when implementing ophthalmological telemedicine in underserviced areas.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200059277.
Medication use of Canadians with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cohort study
Authors: Stickland Michael K , Martins Karen J B , Sharpe Heather , Vu Ngoc Khanh , Bhutani Mohit , Walker Brandie L , Williamson Tyler , Bohlouli Solmaz , Richer Lawrence , Klarenbach Scott W
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to describe medication use, treatment patterns and adherence, as well as acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) among adults living with COPD.

Methods

A retrospective observational study using administrative data (linked by unique person-level personal health numbers) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2018 from Alberta, Canada was performed. Individuals aged ≥35 years who had been living with COPD ≥1 year on 1 April 2017 (index date) were identified. COPD-related medication use was determined on the index date (baseline), and medication use, treatment patterns, adherence and AECOPD were measured during the 1-year postindex observation period; descriptive statistics were applied.

Results

Among the total cohort (n=192 814), 59% were not using a COPD-related medication at baseline; among those using medication, the most common (>10%) classes were short acting bronchodilators only (29%), dual inhaled corticosteroids/long acting beta2agonists (ICS/LABA, 27%), combined ICSs/LABA/long acting muscarinic antagonist (ICS/LABA/LAMA, 21%) and LAMA monotherapy (12%). During the observation period, those with baseline COPD medication use had low adherence (42% were adherent (medication possession ratio ≥0.80) to their baseline medication class) and AECOPD were common (13%–40%); 66% of those with ≥1 dispensation for an additional medication class had a step-up in therapy that was concordant with guideline recommendations.

Conclusions

In this population-based study, the majority of individuals identified as living with COPD were not taking any COPD-related medication, while in those who were taking medication, adherence was low, deficits in alignment to guideline-recommended therapy were observed and many had AECOPD. Strategies for earlier identification of undertreatment, consideration of guideline-based knowledge transfer strategies and mechanisms to improve long-term medication adherence may improve outcomes.
First-principles study of metal oxide semiconductors for gas sensing applications: A brief review
Authors: Sharma Neha , Choudhury Sandip Paul
Published: December 2023

Gas sensors are essential devices to detect harmful gases that are present in the environment. Metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) are used as sensing materials to detect harmful gases. Some of the metal oxides, like ZnO, SnO2, WO3, NiO, etc. have been used to detect the gases. This paper provides a theoretical study of gas sensing using MOSs. Many programs are available for the theoretical Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach. The theoretical calculation provides many properties about the sensing material, like electronic properties, magnetic properties, charge difference calculation, and Vander wall interaction between the sensing material surface and adsorbing molecule. The nanostructure provides better gas sensing performance due to its high surface-to-volume ratio. This paper is based on the DFT study and provides gas-sensing results using electronic properties.
Theoretical investigation and optimization of rotation sensing in the new photonic crystal gyroscope based on the Sagnac effect using nonlinear photonic resonators
Authors: Mohammadi Masoud , Seifouri Mahmood , Olyaee Saeed
Published: December 2023

In this research, the angular rotation speed in a passive photonic gyroscope based on the combination of side nanoring resonators and compensating waveguides has been analyzed by creating nonlinear effects in the control factors of the rings using the Sagnac effect. This structure consists of a central waveguide, two identical square resonators, and an almost U-shaped waveguide. The U-shaped waveguide causes coupling between the two resonators in a counterclockwise (CCW) mode. In this structure, a phase shift has been created in the output from the interference of two clockwise (CW) and CCW waves inside the resonators, and according to this phase shift and the central wavelength, the angular rotation speed has been estimated. In the proposed design of the gyroscope, by managing the nonlinear effects in the radius and refractive index (RI) of the coupling and inner rods, we have been able to control the changes in power, phase, and wavelength of the output from the device. With the increase in the intensity of power, the output power has an increasing slope at first, and at the point of creating a nonlinear effect in the sensor, the output power slope decreases. Also, this nonlinear effect directly affects the output phase of the structure. The maximum angular rotation speed in this gyroscope was [Formula: see text]/s. By changing the RI of the inner rods from 3.2 to 3.7, the maximum output-to-input power ratio changes from 0.38 W/[Formula: see text]m2 to 0.75 W/[Formula: see text]m2. By changing the radius of the coupling rods from 93 nm to 97 nm, the maximum power ratio decreases from 0.78 W/[Formula: see text]m2 to 0.55 W/[Formula: see text]m2. The field distribution profile and photonic bandgap in this gyroscope have been analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and plane-wave expansion (PWE) methods, respectively. Also, the gyroscope has a footprint of 163.5 [Formula: see text]m2.
Mirror Mentoring: Black Women’s Experiences Serving as Mentors for Black Girls During a Virtual Computer Science Camp
Authors: Braswell Khalia , Smarr Simone , Payton Jamie
Published: December 2023

Several studies have reported the positive benefits of informal Computer Science learning programs for Black girls, which include staff, mentors, and peers reflective of the girls in the program; however, we do not know enough about what motivates Black women to sign up to teach in such programs, or how representation in mentoring affects future CS learning for Black girls. Here we report the intersectional experiences of 11 Black women who served as instructors and mentors for the virtual INTech Summer Camp. The women in this study confirm that it is imperative to consider the intersectional experiences of Black women in CS as a whole, without explicating their identities. We found that Black women in CS feel that it is their responsibility to give back to Black girls to pay it forward from their own mentorship experiences. The Black women in our study describe seeking to fill a gap in mentorship that they experienced themselves, to share their knowledge and experiences to support the development of others who can relate to that intersection of identifying as Black and a girl or woman. Providing positive representation to encourage young Black girls to pursue tech careers is imperative to diversifying the tech workforce.
Explainable AI for Medical Data: Current Methods, Limitations, and Future Directions
Authors: Hossain Md Imran , Zamzmi Ghada , Mouton Peter R. , Salekin Md Sirajus , Sun Yu , Goldgof Dmitry
Published: December 2023

With the power of parallel processing, large datasets, and fast computational resources, deep neural networks (DNNs) have outperformed highly trained and experienced human experts in medical applications. However, the large global community of healthcare professionals, many of whom routinely face potentially life-or-death outcomes with complex medicolegal consequences, have yet to embrace this powerful technology. The major problem is that most current AI solutions function as a metaphorical black-box positioned between input data and output decisions without a rigorous explanation for their internal processes. With the goal of enhancing trust and improving acceptance of artificial intelligence– (AI) based technology in clinical medicine, there is a large and growing effort to address this challenge using eXplainable AI (XAI), a set of techniques, strategies, and algorithms with an explicit focus on explaining the “hows and whys” of DNNs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art XAI techniques concerning healthcare applications and discuss current challenges and future directions. We emphasize the strengths and limitations of each category, including image, tabular, and textual explanations, and explore a range of evaluation metrics for assessing the effectiveness of XAI solutions. Finally, we highlight promising opportunities for XAI research to enhance the acceptance of DNNs by the healthcare community.
Principal Component Approximation Network for Image Compression
Authors: Zhang Shupei , Zhao Chenqiu , Basu Anup
Published: December 2023

In this work, we propose a novel principal component approximation network (PCANet) for image compression. The proposed network is based on the assumption that a set of images can be decomposed into several shared feature matrices, and an image can be reconstructed by the weighted sum of these matrices. The proposed PCANet is specifically devised to learn and approximate these feature matrices and weight vectors, which are used to encode images for compression. Unlike previous deep learning-based methods, a distinctive aspect of our approach is its consideration of network size in the bit-rate computation. Despite this inclusion, our proposed method yields promising results. Through extensive experiments conducted on standard datasets, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in comparison to state-of-the-art techniques. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first machine learning approach that includes the size of networks during bitrate computation in image compression.
Symmetry Adapted Bases for Trigonometric Optimization
Authors: Metzlaff Tobias
Published: December 2023

We present an algorithm to compute the global minimum of a trigonometric polynomial, when it is invariant under the exponential action of a Weyl group. This is based on a common relaxation technique that leads to a semi-definite program (SDP). It is then shown how to exploit the invariance in order to reduce the number of variables of the SDP and to simplify its structure significantly.

This approach complements the one that was proposed as a poster at the recent ISSAC 2022 conference [HMMR22] and later extended to [HMMR23]. In the previous work, we first used the invariance of the objective function to obtain a classical polynomial optimization problem on the orbit space and subsequently relaxed the problem to an SDP.

In the present work, we first apply the relaxation and then exploit symmetry. We show that the Weyl group action is induced by an orthogonal representation and describe its isotypic decomposition.
How to use a CAS for Hardware Design Automation
Authors: Zidarič Nuša
Published: December 2023

With the rise of new technologies, the demand for efficient cryptographic hardware is rising. This work is focusing on finite field based cryptography. To explore the vast design space obtained from possible finite field parameters, automated generation of hardware submodules using designer-specified algorithms for finite field arithmetic is needed. This work presents a hardware design automation framework exploiting symbolic computation capabilities of GAP to generate the expressions, needed for hardware implementations, on-the-fly, and compiles them into synthesizable datapaths, test-vectors, and testbences.
Elevated Thyroglobulin Antibody Level is Associated with Decreased Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Women of Reproductive Age
Authors: Zynat Jazyra , Wang Xinling , Han Li , Xing Shuqing , Jvlaiti Guzailinuer , Liu Qingqing , Dong Lingling , Guo Yanying
Published: December 2023

Purpose. Women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) have an increased risk of ovarian insufficiency. However, whether thyroid antibodies affect the ovarian reserve remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the possible relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels in women of reproductive age. Methods. A total of 483 women between 18 and 45 years old who had their TPOAb, TgAb, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and AMH levels measured on the same day were enrolled in this study. The levels of TSH, FT4, TPOAb, and TgAb, the prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism, and the positive rate of TPOAb and TgAb were compared between patients with low (below the 10th percentile), normal (10th to 90th percentile), and high (higher than the 90th percentile) AMH levels. Results. The median AMH level was 1.72 (0.33–4.27) ng/mL. A total of 9.9% of patients had low AMH levels. The TgAb levels and the prevalence of TgAb positivity were higher in the low AMH group (37.62 (13.10–232.68) IU/mL, 35.42%) than in the normal (12.46 (10.0–67.04) IU/mL, 19.59%) and high (13.61 (10.0–95.74) IU/mL, 23.4%) AMH groups (

p
=
0.001

,

p
=
0.040

, respectively). Serum AMH levels were inversely correlated with TgAb levels (r = −0.114,

p
=
0.013

). Conclusion. The AMH of women of reproductive age is affected by HT. Furthermore, women with the lowest AMH level had higher levels of TgAb and a positive rate of TgAb, and high TgAb levels may cause autoimmune damage to the ovaries.
Efficacy and Safety of Trastuzumab Combined with Pertuzumab for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis Study of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Gao Qingdong , Duan Xufang
Published: December 2023

Objective. This systematic review was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC). Methods. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Internet, and Wanfang databases was conducted. All randomized controlled trials on trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab for HER2-positive BC from the time of database construction to October 2022 were included. A meta-analysis of the included literature was performed using STATA 17.0 software. Results. A total of 8 studies were included, involving a total of 7628 patients, including 3814 patients in the treatment group and 3814 patients in the control groups. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the median progression-free survival was much shorter in the treatment group (trastuzumab combined with pertuzumab) than in the control group (placebo) (OR = 0.656, 95% CI (0.581, 0.741),

P

 < 0.001) and that patients in the treatment group experienced significantly more cases of diarrhea than those in the control group (OR = 2.429, 95% CI (2.065, 2.856),

P

 < 0.001) while experiencing significantly less cases of constipation (OR = 0.641, 95% CI (0.473, 0.869),

P

 = 0.004). Notably, the incidence of nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of systemic adverse effects such as neutropenia, fatigue, myalgia, and cardiac disease (

P

 > 0.05). However, the treatment group had a much higher incidence of rash than the control group (OR = 1.915, 95% CI (1.505, 2.437),

P

 < 0.001). The risk of serious adverse reactions was markedly higher in patients in the treatment group than that in the control group (OR = 1.342, 95% CI (1.206, 1.494),

P

 < 0.001). Conclusion. The combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab was not effective in improving the intermediate progression-free survival of patients. However, adverse effects, including diarrhea and rash, are the limiting factors for the current promotion of this combination method.
Partial Purification of Anthocyanins (Brassica oleracea var. Rubra) from Purple Cabbage Using Natural and Modified Clays as Adsorbent
Authors: Guimarães Darlyson Tavares , Mendes Liana Maria Ramos , de Sousa Sabino Luiz Bruno , de Brito Edy Sousa , Vilarrasa-García Enrique , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Cecilia Juan Antonio , da Silva Junior Ivanildo José
Published: December 2023

This research is aimed at evaluating strategies for the adsorption and recovery of anthocyanins present in purple cabbage using natural and modified clays as adsorbent. In the batch adsorption experiments, the anthocyanin extracts were put in contact with the adsorbents, and different parameters were evaluated to determine the best conditions for their adsorption and recovery. It was noted that the highest levels of adsorption (28.0 mg g-1) occurred using a porous clay heterostructure (PCH) material as adsorbent, with a mass of 25 mg and 120 min of contact. Under the same conditions, the sepiolite only presented an adsorption capacity of 14.0 mg g-1. The desorption results showed that the 60% methanolic solution recovered 60% of the anthocyanins adsorbed on PCH, while the 80% ethanolic solution recovered 35% of those adsorbed on sepiolite. The eluted anthocyanin solutions showed a 98% lower sugar concentration than the crude extract, indicating the low affinity of the adsorbents for sugars. Six types of acylated cyanidins were identified via UPLC-QToF-MSE in the extract, and it was confirmed from the FTIR analyses that the highest affinity of the clays occurred with the anthocyanins that presented more organic acid in their structure. The results show that PCH and sepiolite have high selectivity for anthocyanins and low affinity for the sugars present in the plant extract, facilitating the process of partial purification and application of these pigments.
Patterns of Anticoagulation Use and All-Cause of Mortality in Cancer Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Han Xu , Yang Xiaolei , Hidru Tesfaldet H. , Wang Chengfang , Xia Yunlong
Published: December 2023

Background:

There is uncertainty regarding the clinical benefit of anticoagulant (AC) treatment in patients with cancer with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to evaluate the distribution and patterns of AC use and its impact on all-cause mortality in cancer patients with AF.

Methods:

A total of 1,653 patients with cancer diagnosed with AF were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify the clinical predictors of anticoagulant prescription. Kaplan–Meier curve with a log-rank test was used to compare the probability of survival between the AC and non-AC groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were implemented to evaluate the influences of various variables on all-cause death.

Results:

Of 1,653 patients with cancer with AF, 971 (58.7%) did not receive a prescription for AC. Among patients with CHA2DS2-VASC ≥2 in men or ≥3 in women and HAS-BLED <3, 56.5% were not prescribed AC. Rivaroxaban and warfarin are more frequently used than dabigatran, mainly in patients with lung and breast cancer. Over a median follow-up of 36 months, 776 deaths were identified. The Kaplan–Meier curve suggested that patients with AC prescriptions had better clinical outcomes. On multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis, AC prescription was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.91; P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

The prescription of anticoagulants in patients with cancer with AF was suboptimal. AC prescription at discharge was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality.

Impact:

This study highlights the importance of AC prescriptions in patients with cancer with AF.
Supplementary Table S1 from Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Identify TREM2 Macrophages as Regulators of the Metastatic Boundary
Authors: Yofe Ido , Shami Tamar , Cohen Noam , Landsberger Tomer , Sheban Fadi , Stoler-Barak Liat , Yalin Adam , Phan Truong San , Li Baoguo , Monteran Lea , Scharff Ye'ela , Giladi Amir , Elbaz Miriam , David Eyal , Gurevich-Shapiro Anna , Gur Chamutal , Shulman Ziv , Erez Neta , Amit Ido
Published: December 2023

Log footprint of metacells
Supplementary Figure S8 from Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Identify TREM2 Macrophages as Regulators of the Metastatic Boundary
Authors: Yofe Ido , Shami Tamar , Cohen Noam , Landsberger Tomer , Sheban Fadi , Stoler-Barak Liat , Yalin Adam , Phan Truong San , Li Baoguo , Monteran Lea , Scharff Ye'ela , Giladi Amir , Elbaz Miriam , David Eyal , Gurevich-Shapiro Anna , Gur Chamutal , Shulman Ziv , Erez Neta , Amit Ido
Published: December 2023

The SPID-seq method for plate-based scRNA-seq.
Supplementary Figure S7 from Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Identify TREM2 Macrophages as Regulators of the Metastatic Boundary
Authors: Yofe Ido , Shami Tamar , Cohen Noam , Landsberger Tomer , Sheban Fadi , Stoler-Barak Liat , Yalin Adam , Phan Truong San , Li Baoguo , Monteran Lea , Scharff Ye'ela , Giladi Amir , Elbaz Miriam , David Eyal , Gurevich-Shapiro Anna , Gur Chamutal , Shulman Ziv , Erez Neta , Amit Ido
Published: December 2023

The metastatic invasive margin is populated by suppressive TREM2 macrophages.
Supplementary Figure S3 from Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Identify TREM2 Macrophages as Regulators of the Metastatic Boundary
Authors: Yofe Ido , Shami Tamar , Cohen Noam , Landsberger Tomer , Sheban Fadi , Stoler-Barak Liat , Yalin Adam , Phan Truong San , Li Baoguo , Monteran Lea , Scharff Ye'ela , Giladi Amir , Elbaz Miriam , David Eyal , Gurevich-Shapiro Anna , Gur Chamutal , Shulman Ziv , Erez Neta , Amit Ido
Published: December 2023

The pre-metastatic lung microenvironment is characterized by activation of monocytes and neutrophils.