bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QPOs from charged particles around magnetized black holes in braneworlds
Authors: Rayimbaev Javlon , Murodov Sardor , Shermatov Abubakir , Yusupov Amirkhon
Published: October 2024

Quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) are a powerful tool for testing gravity theories, probing gravitational and electromagnetic field properties, and obtaining constraints on the black hole and field parameters. This work considers charged particle dynamics near uniformly magnetized black holes in braneworlds. First, we obtain the solution of the Maxwell equation for magnetic fields and calculate the radial and angular magnetic field components. We derive and analyze the effective potential of charged particles for circular orbits and investigate the energy and angular momentum for the circular orbits. We also analyze the combined effects of magnetic interaction and braneworlds on the charged particles’ innermost stable circular orbits (ISCOs). We calculate the angular momentum of charged particles in Keplerian orbits in the presence of an external magnetic field and braneworlds. Also, we investigate frequencies of the particle oscillations along vertical and angular directions. We applied our studies on particle oscillations to the QPO studies in the relativistic precession model. Finally, we obtain constraints on magnetic interaction and braneworld parameters together with the black hole mass and QPO orbits using Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) simulation in the four-dimensional parameter space for the QPOs observed in the microquasars XTE J1550-564, GRO J1655-40 & GRS 1915-105, and at the center of galaxies M82 and Milky Way.
Determination and analysis of spectral fluorescence cross-sections of bacteria aerosols
Authors: Grünewald Karin , Hall Thomas , Fellner Lea , Walter Arne , Kraus Marian , Wilsenack Frank , Duschek Frank
Published: October 2024

Fluorescence cross-sections of single bacteria provide information on the strength of fluorescence response of bacteria for particular excitation conditions and give hints about a possible distinguishability of bacteria by fluorescence techniques. In this report, the fluorescence cross-sections of dry bacteria aerosols are derived from fluorescence spectra by absolute calibration of the measuring system. The fluorescence is measured in a continuous aerosol flow. The aerosol concentration is calculated from microscopic analyses of bacteria samples taken from the aerosol flow. Established calibration methods such as Mie scattering from monodisperse spheres and Raman scattering from water are applied to the same set of fluorescence spectra. The cross-section data obtained are evaluated with regard to their independency from the applied measuring system. The results are compared to data published in the literature. Polarization effects are identified to contribute to the discrepancies between the different datasets.

Graphical abstract
Analytical investigation of porous medium effects on the flow of two micropolar fluids in a rotating annulus
Authors: Jaiswal Sneha , Yadav Pramod Kumar
Published: October 2024

Fluids with microstructures and microinertia play a vital role in microfluidics and nanfluidics system. One of such significant fluid is micropolar fluid. The characteristic behavior of micropolar fluid flow in conduit/pipe, etc. filled with porous medium helps us understand the flow behavior of biological fluids in porous media, groundwater flow in aquifiers, rotatory machines or viscometer. To understand such real-world problems, it is necessary to get into the mathematical model of such flow models. One such model with wide number of application is presented in this paper. This work investigated the flow of two micropolar fluids between the region formed by two concentric cylinders. Authors have considered inner cylinder to be at rest and outer cylinder rotating at a constant angular velocity. The region between two concentric cylinder is filled with an isotropic porous material. A slip condition at the outer wall and continuity conditions at interface of two fluids has been utilized to obtain an analytical solution for the proposed model. The numerical solution of the obtained solution for present problem is used to graphically analyze the motion of immisicble micropolar fluids rotating in an annulus filled with the porous medium. It is found that an outer cylinder has a notable influence on the flow behavior of immiscible micropolar fluids, contrary to the effect observed within the inner region. An analytical approach of this work not only helps us obtain precise results and analysis of the flow, but it also serves as a useful validation for future approximations within the scope of this work.
Bounds on the superconducting transition temperature
Authors: Randeria Mohit
Published: October 2024

I summarize recent progress on obtaining rigorous upper bounds on superconducting transition temperature [Formula: see text] in two dimensions independent of pairing mechanism or interaction strength. These results are derived by finding a general upper bound for the superfluid stiffness for a multi-band system with arbitrary interactions, with the only assumption that the external vector potential couples to the kinetic energy and not to the interactions. This bound is then combined with the universal relation between the superfluid stiffness and the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless [Formula: see text] in 2D. For parabolic dispersion, one obtains the simple result that [Formula: see text], which has been tested in recent experiments. More generally, the bounds are expressed in terms of the optical spectral weight and lead to stringent constraints for the [Formula: see text] of low-density, strongly correlated superconductors. Results for [Formula: see text] bounds for models of flat-band superconductors, where the kinetic energy vanishes and the vector potential must couple to interactions, are briefly summarized. Upper bounds on [Formula: see text] in 3D remains an open problem, and I describe how questions of universality underlie the challenges in 3D.
Preface— New Trends in Cosmology, Particle Physics and Astrophysics: Selected Papers from the 6th International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA2022)
Authors: Khlopov Maxim Yu.
Published: October 2024

The preface to the special issue of Int. J. Mod. Phys. D “New trends in Cosmology, Particle Physics and Astrophysics” briefly reviews some new ideas in the development of Modern Astrophysics, Cosmology, Particle and Astroparticle Physics inspired by discussions at the Sixth International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA2022).
Source-rock and petrophysical evaluation of the Late Cretaceous Haymana Formation, Haymana Basin, Central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Yildirim Levent Taylan Ozgur , Yilmaz Ismail Omer , Sinayuc Caglar , Yildirim Elif Cihan
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the petroleum potential of mudstones of the Late Cretaceous Haymana Formation in the Haymana Basin, Turkey. The lithofacies, pore structure and source-rock characteristics of the mudstones are examined using stratigraphic, sedimentological, petrophysical and organic geochemical methods along four stratigraphic sections and other sampling sites. The depositional model presents a facies distribution within a submarine fan system. According to the bulk mineralogy, the identified lithofacies are mixed mudstone, mixed siliceous mudstone, marl, mixed carbonate mudstone, argillaceous/siliceous mudstone and clay-rich siliceous mudstone. XRD and mercury intrusion measurements suggest that the macropores (>50 nm) of the mudstones formed by dissolution of calcite, while mesopores (2–50 nm) developed around the clay–quartz/feldspar. Of the analysed samples, no lithofacies class is distinct with any specific range of porosity or permeability, which suggests a strong heterogeneity in pore throat size, mineral content and grain size. The black shale from the NW of the basin with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of 1.19%, S1 value of 0.07 mg g
−1
, S2 value of 1.01 mg g
−1
and a
T
max
value of 441°C is a relatively more mature source rock, although it still exhibits a poor petroleum potential. Overall, the TOC values (average of 0.38%) of the mudstones suggest organic-poor rock characteristics for the Haymana Formation in the studied parts of the Haymana Basin.
A General Concave Fairness Framework for Influence Maximization Based on Poverty Reward
Authors: Wang Zhixiao , Zhao Jiayu , Sun Chengcheng , Rui Xiaobin , Yu Philip S.
Published: October 2024

Influence maximization (IM) aims to find a group of influential nodes as initial spreaders to maximize the influence spread over a network. Yet, traditional IM algorithms have not been designed with fairness in mind, resulting in discrimination against some groups, like LGBTQ communities and racial minorities. This issue has spurred research on Fair Influence Maximization (FIM). However, existing FIM studies come with some drawbacks. First, most proposed notions of fairness for FIM cannot adjust the tradeoff between fairness level and influence spread. Second, though a few specific notions of fairness allow such balancing, they are limited to a few specific concave functions, which may not be suitable for various real-world scenarios. Furthermore, none of them have studied the deep relations between the features of concave functions and the level of fairness. Third, existing fairness metrics are limited to their corresponding concepts of fairness. Comparing the level of fairness across different algorithms using existing metrics can be challenging. To tackle the above problems, this article first proposes a novel fairness notion named Poverty Reward (PR), which achieves fairness by rewarding the enrichment of groups with low utility. Based on PR, we further propose an algorithmic framework called Concave Fairness Framework (CFF) that allows any concave function that satisfies specific requirements. We also systematically clarify how fairness is improved by applying concave functions and provide an in-depth quantitative analysis of how to select appropriate concave functions for different utility distributions. Moreover, we propose the Reward of Fairness (RoF) metric that evaluates the disparity between groups. Based on RoF, an evaluation system is built to uniformly compare FIM algorithms from different fairness notions. Experiments in real-world datasets have demonstrated the validity of the CFF, as well as the proposed fairness notion.
Water deprivation induces a systemic procatabolic state that differentially affects oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscles in male mice
Authors: da Cruz-Filho João , Costa Daniely Messias , Santos Tatiane Oliveira , da Silva Raquel Prado , Anjos-Santos Hevely Catharine , Marciano Naima Jamile dos Santos , Rodríguez-Gúzman Roger , Henrique-Santos Ana Beatriz , Melo João Eduardo Conceição , Badauê-Passos Daniel , Murphy David , Mecawi André Souza , Lustrino Danilo
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the effects of WD on mouse homeostasis, focusing on energy substrates and skeletal muscle protein metabolism. Our findings revealed a shift toward reduced dependence on carbohydrate degradation and increased reliance on lipid oxidation, or even protein oxidation, as energy sources, since we observed increased proteolysis in one muscle phenotype. Despite body mass loss, soleus and EDL muscle masses were differently affected. These results indicate the procatabolic potential of short-term WD in mice.
Mortality due to Sepsis and Its Associated Factors Among Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units of Southern Amhara Public Hospitals, Ethiopia
Authors: Getu Samuel Asmare , Legese Gebrehiwot Lema , Gashu Kassahun Dessie , Ayalew Desalew Getahun , Baykeda Tsegaw Amare
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Although intensive care units (ICUs) are where severe and complicated cases are managed, there is limited evidence on treatment outcomes in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the magnitude and associated factors of mortality among patients with sepsis admitted to ICUs at southern Amhara public hospitals, Ethiopia.

Methods: A total of 547 medical records of patients with sepsis admitted to the ICUs at Injibara, Debre Markos, and Debre Tabor hospitals in the past 3 years were retrieved from August 10–31, 2022. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported, and a p value < 0.05 was set to declare the significance of the association.

Results: In this study, 46.2% (95% CI: 41.7%–50.3%) of patients with sepsis died during their ICU stay. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections contributed to 32.3%, 25.8%, and 9.6% of mortality, respectively. Individuals aged 60 and above (AOR: 4.07; 95% CI: 2.23–7.44), those with a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 10 at admission (AOR: 11.27; 95% CI: 4.64–27.37), respiratory site of infection (AOR: 5.38; 95% CI: 2.94–9.86), creatinine level > 1.1 mg/dL (AOR: 4.20; 95% CI: 2.33–7.60), vasopressor use (AOR: 3.13; 95% CI:1.66–5.95), initiation of antibiotics 1–3 h after admission (AOR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.64–4.76), and a hospital stay of more than 20 days (AOR: 3.44; 95% CI: 1.40–8.46) were significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion: Overall, the mortality rate among patients with sepsis admitted to ICUs in southern Amhara public hospitals was high. Mainly, death was attributed to respiratory infections. Elderly patients and those with deteriorated clinical conditions at admission were at higher risk. Therefore, special attention is needed for elderly patients admitted with respiratory infections, antibiotics should be initiated as early as possible, and interventions must be designed to shorten the length of stay in ICUs.
Determination of Biodegradation Potential of Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Acremonium sclerotigenum on Polyethylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and Polystyrene Microplastics
Authors: Safdar Ayesha , Ismail Fatima , Iftikhar Hafsa , Majid Khokhar Abdul , Javed Atika , Imran Muhammad , Safdar Bushra
Published: October 2024

Plastics are used widely in almost every field of life, but their synthetic and persistent nature makes them harmful for the environment. The aim of this research was to evaluate the degradation abilities of Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Acremonium sclerotigenum on microplastics (MPs). MP pieces of 4 ± 1 mm, including polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene, were incubated with fungal inoculums for 30 days. The degradation of treated MPs was determined by biofilm formation, weight loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform analyses. The results indicated that the polyethylene MPs treated with Aspergillus niger exhibited the highest level of biofilm formation (optical density 1.595) and percentage weight loss (16%). In the case of polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene MPs, Acremonium sclerotigenum and co‐culture showed weight loss of 6% and 10%, respectively. Candida albicans was observed to be the least effective in biodegradation analyses. SEM observation revealed the surface modifications as holes, pits, cracks, and increased roughness in treated MPs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the chemical structure of each polymer exhibited some variations. The study concluded that the fungal strains play an important role in the biodegradation of plastics and can be utilized to mitigate environmental pollution.
Geographic Differences in Availability and Access to Care Services for Asthma and COPD: Case Study of Vancouver Coastal Health, British Columbia
Authors: Choy Amelia , Shellington Erin M. , Collins-Fairclough Aneisha , Strydom Nardia , Carlsten Chris
Published: October 2024

Background: With a diverse geographic and sociocultural landscape, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Authority (British Columbia, Canada) encompasses both urban and rural regions, providing a case study to examine the delivery of care services for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To better understand the landscape of care services within VCH, we aimed to (1) identify asthma and COPD care services availability in urban and rural communities and (2) identify where asthma and COPD quality improvement (QI) initiatives were implemented and their implementation‐related characteristics.

Methods: An environmental scan was conducted to identify asthma and COPD care services provided in VCH communities. A literature review was conducted to determine where VCH asthma and COPD QI initiatives were implemented and identify their implementation‐related characteristics. This case study was analysed descriptively and summarised in tables and figures.

Results: The environmental scan analysis revealed that specialty outpatient care, pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory education and clinical smoking cessation services were limited in urban and unavailable in rural VCH communities. Spirometry services were limited in urban and rural VCH communities. Cross‐referencing recommendations from asthma and COPD clinical practice guidelines against prevalence data, we estimated that rural VCH communities could provide 0%–23% of required spirometry while urban could provide 40%–75%. Further, of the 16 asthma and COPD QI initiatives identified within 21 papers, none were conducted at rural VCH healthcare sites.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest rural VCH communities have lower access to asthma and COPD care services and the limited urban care services were insufficient to make up for this difference. Past asthma and COPD QI initiatives have not apparently translated to care service improvements in rural regions. Future QI initiatives should focus on overcoming barriers to conducting and participating in QI to improve urban and rural regions’ access to asthma and COPD care services.
Impact of Agaricus blazei Murill Extract Combined With Imatinib Treatment on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Multidrug‐Resistant Leukemia Cells
Authors: Wang Dongping , Ge Wanwen , Sun Yanqing
Published: October 2024

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major cause of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) relapse, therapeutic failure, and a poor prognosis. However, Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) is a mushroom that might have anticancer and other medicinal properties. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of combining the acidic RNA protein complex FA‐2‐b‐β extracted from AbM with imatinib (IM) on MDR in the K562/ADR leukemia cell line in vitro and in xenograft mouse models. The combination of FA‐2‐b‐β and IM significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in K562/ADR cells compared with either alone. Western blotting (WB) revealed that the combination significantly reduced p‐PI3K, p‐AKT, and p‐mTOR protein expression. The combination also inhibited tumor growth in mice with K562/ADR xenografts. These findings suggested that FA‐2‐b‐β enhances the effects of IM on K562/ADR cell proliferation and apoptosis, potentially by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and downregulating P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) expression.
Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Mandible, a Big Dilemma: Report of a Rare Case in Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Mandible—Report of a Case With Discussion of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemmas
Authors: Karimi Abbas , Derakhshan Samira , Mosavat Farzaneh , Gholamhoseini Zahra , Khiavi Monir Moradzadeh
Published: October 2024

Chondrosarcomas are a group of malignant neoplasms with cartilaginous matrix production mostly found in flat and peripheral long bones. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is one of the most unusual and rare histological variants of chondrosarcoma, with a distinct histopathological appearance and biologically aggressive behavior. The amount of cartilage in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma may be so abundant that it is easily found in random sections or so scarce that numerous sections are required to discover it. In such cases, it is tough to make an accurate diagnosis, which leads to a big dilemma for pathologists and surgeons regarding diagnosis and treatment. Here, we report a mandibular mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in a 38‐year‐old male with a diagnosis of malignant small round cell tumor in incisional biopsy without any bone or chondroid formation. After ruling out lymphoma, a complete lesion excision was done. Diagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma was confirmed with small foci of chondroid material and strong positivity of tumoral cells for CD99 and S100. We highlight the fact that incisional biopsy frequently fails to provide sufficient tissue to establish the diagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Adequate tissue with multiple sections, detailed histopathological examination, and adjunctive IHC study are the keys to a definitive diagnosis.
Stressors, Positive and Negative Caregiving Appraisals, and Caregiver Psychological Well‐Being: The Moderating Role of Stages of Dementia
Authors: Lou Vivian W. Q. , Yan Yuqi , Lu Nan
Published: October 2024

Caregiving is a process affected by both caregiver and care recipients and contains both positive and negative experiences. However, there is a lack of theories that capture the impact of the progression of dementia on family caregiving. This study proposed and examined a dementia caregiver process two‐factor (DCPT) model. Specifically, we explored (a) the relationship between the severity of caregiving stressors and caregiver psychological well‐being, along with the mediating role of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) and caregiving burden, and (b) the moderating role of stages of dementia. Data were obtained from a two‐wave longitudinal data collected from 328 adult–child dementia caregivers in Hong Kong. Multiple group analysis was used to examine the proposed hypotheses. Results show that PAC and burden both significantly mediated the relationship between care recipients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and caregiver depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Stages of dementia significantly moderated the relationship between PAC and caregiver depressive symptoms, with PAC associated with lesser depressive symptoms only among caregivers of those with middle‐ or late‐stage dementia. In sum, the dementia caregiver process two‐factor model proposed in this study was supported by our empirical data. This theory and the study results underscore the importance of both PAC and burden and capture the specificity of the caregiving process in different dementia stages. Findings in this study suggest the need to develop tailored interventions that can better accommodate caregivers with diverse characteristics and adapt to the entire disease trajectory.
Comparative Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Analyses Reveal Molecular Signatures of Myocardial Infarction and Transverse Aortic Constriction in Aged Mouse Models
Authors: Lin Fang , Ding Yue , Liang Xiaoting
Published: October 2024

In the elderly population, coronary heart disease (CHD) often coexists with hypertension. However, excessive blood pressure reduction can paradoxically increase the incidence of adverse events. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hypertension and CHD in aged populations is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving clinical outcomes. In this study, we constructed myocardial infarction (MI) and transverse aortic constriction (TAC) modelsY in aged mice to simulate the disease states of CHD and hypertension, respectively. Using integrated proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses, we investigated the molecular signatures associated with MI and TAC in these models. Our aim was to identify key molecules involved in these conditions and to understand their unique and shared characteristics. Through our comprehensive proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis, we identified a total of 1583 proteins and 232 phosphorylated proteins. We observed significant upregulation of heart disease markers such as Myh7, Xirp2, and Acta1, indicating the successful establishment of the MI and TAC models. The overlapped differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially phosphorylated proteins (DPPs) in MI and TAC were involved in heart failure‐related processes including cardiac muscle contraction and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, further supporting the validity of the models. Among the DEPs, Ppme1 was upregulated in the TAC model but downregulated in the MI model, while Sec31a and Gm56451 displayed the opposite expression patterns. Among the DPPs, Ablim1 and Atp2a2 were found to be significantly upregulated in the TAC model, whereas their expression was markedly reduced in the MI model. In addition, five other DPPs, including REV_Q3TAY5, Cbx3, PITPNB, Eif4b, and A0A1Y7VP73, were elevated in the MI model but decreased in the TAC model. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MI and TAC not only share certain molecular features but also retain their unique characteristics, providing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Applying Stationary and Nonstationary Generalized Extreme Value Distributions in Modeling Annual Extreme Temperature Patterns
Authors: Kyojo Erick A. , Osima Sarah E. , Mirau Silas S. , Masanja Verdiana G.
Published: October 2024

This study applies both stationary and nonstationary generalized extreme value (GEV) models to analyze annual extreme temperature patterns in four stations of Southern Highlands region of Tanzania: Iringa, Mbeya, Rukwa, and Ruvuma over a 30‐year period. Parameter estimates reveal varied distribution characteristics, with the location parameter μ ranging from 28.98 to 33.44, and shape parameter ξ indicating both bounded and heavy‐tailed distributions. These results highlight the potential for extreme temperature conditions, such as heatwaves and droughts, particularly in regions with heavy‐tailed distributions. Return level estimates show increasing temperature extremes, with 100‐year return levels reaching 33.95 °C in Ruvuma. Nonstationary models that incorporate time‐varying location and scale parameters significantly improve model fit, particularly in Mbeya, where such a model outperforms the stationary model (p value = 0.0092). Trend analyses identify significant temperature trends in Mbeya (p value = 0.0123) and Ruvuma (p value = 0.0015), emphasizing the need for adaptive climate strategies. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for nonstationarity in climate models to better understand and predict temperature extremes.
Table 1 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

The forward MR analysis on TL and hematologic malignancies
Supplemental Table 4 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Table 4. The Replicated MR analysis on telomere length and hematologic malignancies
Supplemental Table 1 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Table 1. GWAS data information of TL and hematologic malignancies
Supplemental Figure Legend from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Figure Legend
Supplemental Figure 7 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Figure 7. Forest plot of the results of the leave-one-out analysis for forward MR analysis between TL and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Supplemental Figure 5 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Figure 5. Scatter plot of single nucleotide polymorphism potential effects on TL and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Supplemental Figure 2 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Supplemental Figure 2. Forest plot of the results of the leave-one-out analysis for forward MR analysis between TL and hematologic malignancies.
Figure 1 from Causality between Telomere Length and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancies: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Guoyun , Cao LingXiao , Wang Yunshan , Li Li , Wang Zie , Zhao Hui , Qiu Yang , Feng Bin
Published: October 2024

Principle diagram of MR analysis of the bidirectional causal relationship between TL and hematologic malignancies. In the forward MR analysis, TL was chosen as the exposure, with hematologic malignancies serving as the outcome. In the reverse MR analysis, hematologic malignancies were chosen as the exposure, with TL serving as the outcome.
Interrupted Learning across the Lifespan
Authors: Wu Rachel , Lopes de Queiroz Isadora Farias , Rodriguez Tania M. , Tavenner Bethany P. , Church Jessica A.
Published: October 2024

Continued learning opportunities are important for adaptation across the lifespan. Interrupted learning (e.g., “summer slide”) is a known, critical issue for childhood education. This perspective piece proposes that adulthood could be a period of prolonged interrupted learning with reduced learning opportunities, despite the known importance of lifelong learning. This idea goes beyond calls for healthy older adults to lead an active life to maintain cognitive abilities and to maintain basic functional skills by highlighting important lifespan circumstances that may hinder or facilitate adaptation in new and changing environments. We explore how research on interrupted learning in childhood could be applied to later adulthood and how changes in learning are viewed differently for children and adults. In addition, research on increasing abilities during childhood generally focuses on specific skills (e.g., reading, math), whereas cognitive aging research focuses on more general cognitive abilities related to attention and memory. Finally, given that interrupted learning occurs unevenly across different ages, abilities, and resources, more can be investigated in terms of who interrupted learning affects across the lifespan, and the neural underpinnings of interrupted learning. Acknowledging and addressing interrupted learning across the lifespan may promote long-term thriving and avoid preventable deficits and decline.
Pharmacological manipulation of neurotransmitter activity induces disparate effects on cerebral blood flow and resting-state fluctuations
Authors: Munsch Fanny , Taso Manuel , Wolf Daniel H. , Press Daniel , Buss Stephanie , Detre John A. , Alsop David C.
Published: October 2024

Functional MRI methods can assess aspects of drug-induced brain response. Resting blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI indirectly measure brain function through the coupling of activity to cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygenation but their relative sensitivity has not been directly compared. We assessed changes in resting measures of BOLD and ASL MRI in response to two neurotransmitter modulators: citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and alprazolam, a positive allosteric modulator of GABA type A receptor. Thirty healthy subjects were imaged in a placebo-controlled study, with N = 20 subjects receiving each treatment as part of an incomplete block design. Time-averaged CBF images from ASL and measures of resting-state fluctuations of BOLD and ASL images were assessed for significant effects. Following acute citalopram administration, analysis of the ASL data showed a reduction in time-averaged regional CBF in regions associated with high levels of 5-HT1A receptor density. In contrast, following alprazolam administration, BOLD amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations showed a highly significant and cortically widespread increase, consistent with the distribution of GABA-A receptors. Only a marginal decrease in ASL CBF was detected after alprazolam intake. BOLD and ASL are each sensitive to drugs targeting neurotransmitter systems, but appear to reflect different aspects of neural metabolism and the balance between excitatory and inhibitory activity. Accordingly, their combination may best capture the effects of neurotransmitter modulations, and thus be advantageous for pharmacological MRI studies.
The Final Chapter of Aristotle’s Poetics
Authors: Tsitsiridis Stavros
Published: October 2024

In the following close examination of chapter 26 of Aristotle’s Poetics it is argued (a) that unlike the main part of the treatise, tragedy and epic are no longer compared in the frame of ‘poetic art’, i.e. as literary genres, but rather as Gesamtkunstwerke judged by elitist criteria; (b) that the chapter adopts a logical method of argumentation founded on the dialectical method of the Topics; (c) that, as at the end of Book 8 of the Politics, it mainly reflects disputes in the Academy instigated by the so-called ‘New Music’; (d) that for a variety of reasons this chapter of the Poetics and hence the earlier layer of the treatise dates back to Aristotle’s first Athenian period (367-347 BCE).
Talent Management: A Review
Authors: Mir Muneeb Majid , Majeed Shayista
Published: October 2024

Talent management is indeed a popular notion in the domain of management, coming to the limelight after the publication of book entitled The War for Talents in 2001. It aims to benefit organizations by way of recognizing talent, nurturing, and managing it effectively, thereby providing a strategic imperative to survive stiff competition. Given the gaining momentum, the present article aims to bring to the fore the concept of talent management as well as discuss its importance, correlates, and consequences in detail. In addition, the study endeavors to review different contexts in which this construct has been studied in order to get some insights about contextual relevance. To achieve the stated purpose, the article follows an extensive literature survey method backing upon various database sources including Taylor & Francis, Emerald, Science Direct, and JSTOR. Pertinent suggestions for future research have also been provided.
The association between benzodiazepine co-prescription, opioid agonist treatment and mortality: a systematic review
Authors: Hestevik Christine Hillestad , Evensen Line Holtet , Kornør Hege , Skeie Ivar
Published: October 2024

Background

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is the preferred treatment for opioid dependence due to benefits such as treatment retention, reduced opioid use and mortality. Benzodiazepine co-dependence is common in OAT patients and has been linked to increased mortality. Prescribing benzodiazepines during OAT has been tried to reduce the harms of extra-medical benzodiazepine use. This systematic review examines association between benzodiazepine co-prescription during OAT and mortality.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Psych INFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Epistemonikos for reports published from database inception to June 2021. The searches were updated in February 2024. We included studies comparing mortality rates in OAT patients with and without benzodiazepine co-prescription. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias from eligible studies with the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. We combined the effect estimates in meta-analyses where possible. The certainty of the pooled effect estimates was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

We included six observational studies (N = 84,452) conducted in Sweden, Scotland, Canada, England, and the USA. Moderate-certainty evidence linked benzodiazepine prescription to higher all-cause mortality on OAT (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.59 to 2.11). Moderate-certainty evidence associated benzodiazepine prescription with higher non-drug-induced mortality during OAT and the whole observation period (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.33 to 2.25) and HR 2.02; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.18). Low-certainty evidence suggested an association with higher drug-induced mortality on OAT (HR 2.36; 95% CI 1.38 to 4.0). Very low-certainty evidence linked benzodiazepine prescription to higher all-cause and drug-induced mortality throughout the observation period (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.18 and HR 2.19; 95% CI 0.80 to 6.0).

Conclusions

There is probably an association between prescribed benzodiazepine use and higher risk of all-cause mortality (on OAT) and mortality due to non-drug-induced causes (on OAT and on and off OAT). Benzodiazepine prescription may also be associated with higher all-cause mortality (on and off OAT) and drug-induced mortality (on OAT and on and off-OAT), but this is highly uncertain due to methodological issues and possible confounding.
Nutritional status of tribal and non-tribal school-going children in rural Bangladesh: A comparative study
Authors: Karim Reazul , Kundu Ramendra Nath , Hossain Sifat , Bharati Susmita , Bharati Premananda , Hossain Golam
Published: October 2024

Background

Inadequate nutrition of school-going children is a major concern in Bangladesh, and it can negatively affect their productivity. It is important to consider the food pattern, socio-cultural, and economic differences between tribal (T) and non-tribal (NT) communities in Bangladesh when evaluating their nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of school-going children in the rural area of Rajshahi district’s High Barind Tract (HBT) region of Bangladesh. Additionally, we compared the nutritional status between T and NT school-going children in the same area.

Methods

This was a cross sectional household study. Data were collected from T and NT households in the HBT region in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh, from January to June of 2019. A total of 500 (T 81, NT 419) school-going children aged 6–13 years were selected as samples using mixed sampling, including convenience sampling (non-probability) and simple random sampling (probability) methods. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) according to WHO guidelines. Thinness was defined as BAZ < -2SD and stunting as HAZ < -2SD. Descriptive statistics, Z-proportional test, and logistic regression model were used to analyze the effect of selected independent variables on nutritional status of T and NT children.

Results

Among school-going children, 15.20% were suffering from thinness (T 12.30% and NT 15.80%) and 17.80% stunting (T 13.60% and NT 18.60%), respectively. The difference in thinness (p > 0.05) and stunting (p > 0.05) were not significant between T and NT. The distribution of BAZ and HAZ of T and NT children were normally distributed, and were positioned negatively compared to the WHO standards. The logistic model identified the following factors for thinness: (i) mother with non-or-primary education (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.05–3.43, p < 0.05), (ii) underweight mother (aOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.48–10.06, p < 0.01), and (iii) underweight father (aOR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.50-11.29, p < 0.01). For stunting, the factors were: (i) mother as a housewife (aOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.16–6.71, p < 0.05), (ii) father working as labour (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.01–3.278, p < 0.05), (iii) severe food insecurity in the household (aOR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.23–4.54, p < 0.05), and (iv) children playing outside regularly more than 2 h (aOR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.31–3.67, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In rural Bangladesh, the nutritional status of T and NT school-going children did not show significant defferences. However, the mean z-score values for both groups of children were lower than the WHO standard, indicating that both communities have poor nutritional status.
Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease: umbrella review
Authors: Arbildo-Vega Heber Isac , Cruzado-Oliva Fredy Hugo , Coronel-Zubiate Franz Tito , Meza-Málaga Joan Manuel , Luján-Valencia Sara Antonieta , Luján-Urviola Eduardo , Echevarria-Goche Adriana , Farje-Gallardo Carlos Alberto , Castillo-Cornock Tania Belú , Serquen-Olano Katherine , Padilla-Cáceres Tania , Caballero-Apaza Luz , Aguirre-Ipenza Rubén
Published: October 2024

Background

Periodontal disease (PD) is an infectious and inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It has been suggested that PD may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Our study aimed to investigate the association between PD and CVD through an umbrella review.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted until April 2024 across various electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and OpenGrey. Systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis were considered for inclusion, without any limitations on time or language, provided they examined primary studies linking PD with CVD. The AMSTAR-2 tool was employed to assess the quality and overall confidence of the included studies.

Results

After the initial search, a total of 516 articles were identified. Following the application of selection criteria, 41 articles remained for further consideration. All these studies indicated an association between PD and CVD, with odds ratios and risk ratios ranging from 1.22 to 4.42 and 1.14 to 2.88, respectively.

Conclusions

Systematic reviews with high overall confidence support the association between PD, tooth loss, and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is crucial to interpret these results with caution due to methodological limitations. The potential public health relevance justifies preventive and corrective oral health strategies. Additionally, the need for rigorous future research is highlighted to strengthen the evidence and guide effective public health strategies.
Delivering insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) through a digitized single-phase door-to-door strategy: lessons from Ondo state, Nigeria
Authors: Adeniyi Laitan , Chestnutt Elisabeth G. , Rotimi Kunle , Iwegbu Azuka , Oresanya Olusola , Smith Julianna , Maxwell Kolawole , Abeku Tarekegn A.
Published: October 2024

Background

The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for malaria prevention. In Nigeria, ITNs have been periodically distributed since 2007 through campaigns. Campaign activities and assets are typically tracked using either a paper-based or digital system. In 2017, a digital approach was introduced in Ondo state for tracking attendance at training sessions as part of the ITN campaign. Following the success of the 2017 introduction, subsequent campaigns planned to digitise other aspects of the campaign to improve accountability and efficiency of the ITN distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges for the ITN distribution planned for 2021 and adaptations were made to the programme strategy to ensure the campaign could go ahead safely. This article presents lessons and experiences from the 2021 ITN distribution campaign in Ondo state, Nigeria.

Methods

The campaign used RedRose, a customised mobile application, to monitor the planning and delivery of the campaign, collect household information including training personnel and tracking the transfer of ITNs between distribution hubs and households. ITNs were delivered through a single-phase door-to-door distribution strategy.

Results

The campaign distributed 2,965,125 ITNs covering 1,057,577 households across Ondo state. The digital application was beneficial for monitoring the quality of implementation and tracking assets and staff to ensure safety.. The single-phase door-to-door approach was more convenient for households compared to fixed-point distribution but increased the workload for mobilization and distribution teams.

Conclusions

Single phase door-to-door strategy using digital tools was an effective method to increase coverage of ITNs while closely tracking the progress of distribution campaigns. High-quality population data are needed to further improve the planning and implementation of ITN campaigns and other health interventions.
Non-invasively predicting euploidy in human blastocysts via quantitative 3D morphology measurement: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shan Guanqiao , Abdalla Khaled , Liu Hang , Dai Changsheng , Tan Justin , Law Junhui , Steinberg Carolyn , Li Ang , Kuznyetsova Iryna , Zhang Zhuoran , Librach Clifford , Sun Yu
Published: October 2024

Background

Blastocyst morphology has been demonstrated to be associated with ploidy status. Existing artificial intelligence models use manual grading or 2D images as the input for euploidy prediction, which suffer from subjectivity from observers and information loss due to incomplete features from 2D images. Here we aim to predict euploidy in human blastocysts using quantitative morphological parameters obtained by 3D morphology measurement.

Methods

Multi-view images of 226 blastocysts on Day 6 were captured by manually rotating blastocysts during the preparation stage of trophectoderm biopsy. Quantitative morphological parameters were obtained by 3D morphology measurement. Six machine learning models were trained using 3D morphological parameters as the input and PGT-A results as the ground truth outcome. Model performance, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy and AUC, was evaluated on an additional test dataset. Model interpretation was conducted on the best-performing model.

Results

All the 3D morphological parameters were significantly different between euploid and non-euploid blastocysts. Multivariate analysis revealed that three of the five parameters including trophectoderm cell number, trophectoderm cell size variance and inner cell mass area maintained statistical significance (P < 0.001, aOR = 1.054, 95% CI 1.034–1.073; P = 0.003, aOR = 0.994, 95% CI 0.991–0.998; P = 0.010, aOR = 1.003, 95% CI 1.001–1.006). The accuracy of euploidy prediction by the six machine learning models ranged from 80 to 95.6%, and the AUCs ranged from 0.881 to 0.984. Particularly, the decision tree model achieved the highest accuracy of 95.6% (95% CI 84.9-99.5%) with the AUC of 0.978 (95% CI 0.882–0.999), and the extreme gradient boosting model achieved the highest AUC of 0.984 (95% CI 0.892-1.000) with the accuracy of 93.3% (95% CI 81.7-98.6%). No significant difference was found between different age groups using either decision tree or extreme gradient boosting to predict euploid blastocysts. The quantitative criteria extracted from the decision tree imply that euploid blastocysts have a higher number of trophectoderm cells, larger inner cell mass area, and smaller trophectoderm cell size variance compared to non-euploid blastocysts.

Conclusions

Using quantitative morphological parameters obtained by 3D morphology measurement, the decision tree-based machine learning model achieved an accuracy of 95.6% and AUC of 0.978 for predicting euploidy in Day 6 human blastocysts.

Trial registration

N/A.