bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health research evidence: its current usage in health planning, determinants and readiness to use knowledge translation tools among health planning teams in Tanzania—an exploratory mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Kagoma Pius , Mongi Richard , Kapologwe Ntuli A , Kengia James , Kalolo Albino
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Achieving universal health coverage requires using research evidence to inform decision-making. However, little information is available on the use of research evidence in planning in lower middle-income countries, including Tanzania. This paper presents a protocol that aims to investigate the usage of research evidence in health planning, determinants and readiness of the planning team members to use knowledge translation tools in Tanzania.

Methods and analysis

This study will employ a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, with participants selected from national, regional and council levels. Qualitative data will be collected through a maximum of 52 in-depth interviews and 12 focused group discussions until saturation. To collect quantitative data, a structured questionnaire will be used to survey 422 participants, and a document review will be conducted from health facilities. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis, while descriptive and inferential analyses will be employed for quantitative data.

Ethics and dissemination

The study participants will provide written informed consent, and all recorded data will be stored on a secured research server accessible only to the investigators. Ethical approval has been obtained from the University of Dodoma Research Ethics Committee (ref. MA.84/261/02/‘A’/64/91). The findings of this study will inform policymakers, researchers and implementers in the country on the use of research evidence in decision-making. We will disseminate our findings through publications, conferences, workshops and interactive communication with national, regional, council and health facility planning teams.
Cross-sectional analysis of the association between household food insecurity and mental health conditions in children aged 5–11 years in Canada
Authors: Thielman Justin , Orr Sarah , Naraentheraraja Saranya , Harrington Daniel , Carsley Sarah
Published: June 2024

Background

Children living in food insecure households have poorer mental health outcomes compared with their food-secure peers; however, the relationship between the severity of food insecurity and diagnosed mental health conditions in young children remains unknown. This study examined the association between household food insecurity and reported diagnosed mental health conditions among children aged 5–11 years in Canada.

Methods

This study included 16 216 children aged 5–11 years living in Canada, from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. We measured household food insecurity using the Household Food Security Survey Module. We measured diagnosed mental health conditions by parent/caregiver report of health professional-diagnosed anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder. We developed a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association between severities of food insecurity and mental health, controlling for potentially confounding variables.

Results

17.0% of children lived in households reporting some level of food insecurity (5.4% marginal, 8.0% moderate and 3.6% severe). The prevalence of at least one diagnosed mental health condition in the same population was 10.9%. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, children from marginal, moderate and severe food insecure households had a 1.39 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.97), 1.46 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.89) and 1.67 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.35) increased odds of having a diagnosed mental health condition, respectively.

Conclusion

Household food insecurity is associated with an increased presence of diagnosed mental health conditions in children aged 5–11 years. This study adds to the body of research showing that social and economic inequities, including household food insecurity, negatively impact the health of children.
Assessing digital health knowledge, attitudes and practices among nurses in Naples: a survey study protocol
Authors: Guillari Assunta , Sansone Vincenza , Giordano Vincenza , Catone Maria , Rea Teresa
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Digital competencies are essential for nurses to actively participate in the digitisation of healthcare systems. Therefore, it is important to assess their skill levels to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Method and analysis

This study aims to investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, subjective norms and behavioural control regarding digital health. A knowledge-attitude-practice model guided the development of a structured questionnaire divided into six sections. A sample of 480 registered nurses of Naples will be involved in the study. After conducting a pretest, an invitation will be publicised through the institutional communication channels of Nurses Provincial Order of Naples. Nurses will respond via a unique link or quick response code sent through a PEC email system (a legally valid email system, which guarantees delivery and receipt). They will have 30 days to complete the survey, scheduled betweenMay and July 2024.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethics committee approval was required, as the study does not involve minors, direct or indirect physical or physiological harm to participants, or clinical trials. Anonymity will be guaranteed at all data collection and processing levels. The results will be broadly distributed through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. The effective use of digital technologies by healthcare professionals can bring significant improvements to healthcare services and help improve the health of individuals and community health. The study’s findings will serve as a foundation for developing and implementing educational programmes related to eHealth and telemedicine, promoting the harmonisation of such programmes.
Protocol for the San Diego Nathan Shock Center Clinical Cohort: a new resource for studies of human aging
Authors: Phang Howard J , Heimler Stephanie R , Scandalis Lina M , Wing David , Moran Ryan , Nichols Jeanne F , Moreno Daniel , Shadel Gerald S , Gage Fred H , Molina Anthony J A
Published: June 2024

Introduction

While it is well recognised that aging is a heterogeneous process, our understanding of the determinants of biological aging and its heterogeneity remains unclear. The San Diego Nathan Shock Center (SD-NSC) Clinical Cohort aims to establish a resource of biospecimens and extensive donor clinical data such as physical, cognitive and sensory function to support other studies that aim to explore the heterogeneity of normal human aging and its biological underpinnings.

Methods and analysis

The SD-NSC Clinical Cohort is composed of 80 individuals across the adult human lifespan. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria are implemented to minimise extrinsic factors that may impede the study of normal aging. Across three visits, participants undergo extensive phenotyping for collection of physical performance, body composition, cognitive function, sensory ability, mental health and haematological data. During these visits, we also collected biospecimens including plasma, platelets, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and fibroblasts for banking and future studies on aging.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval from the UC San Diego School of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB #201 141 SHOCK Center Clinical Cohort, PI: Molina) was obtained on 11 November 2020. Written informed consent is obtained from all participants after objectives and procedures of the study have been fully explained. Congruent with the goal of establishing a core resource, biological samples and clinical data are made available to the research community through the SD-NSC.
Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Structured Psychological Support for people with probable personality disorder in mental health services in England: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Crawford Mike J , Leeson Verity C , Evans Rachel , Goulden Nia , Weaver Tim , Trumm Aile , Barrett Barbara M , Khun-Thompson Fiona , Pandya Snehal P , Saunders Kate E , Lamph Gary , Woods David , Smith Harriet , Greenall Toby , Nicklin Victoria , Barnicot Kirsten
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Evidence-based psychological treatments for people with personality disorder usually involve attending group-based sessions over many months. Low-intensity psychological interventions of less than 6 months duration have been developed, but their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are unclear.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, randomised, parallel-group, researcher-masked, superiority trial. Study participants will be aged 18 and over, have probable personality disorder and be treated by mental health staff in seven centres in England. We will exclude people who are: unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent, have a coexisting organic or psychotic mental disorder, or are already receiving psychological treatment for personality disorder or on a waiting list for such treatment. In the intervention group, participants will be offered up to 10 individual sessions of Structured Psychological Support. In the control group, participants will be offered treatment as usual plus a single session of personalised crisis planning. The primary outcome is social functioning measured over 12 months using total score on the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Secondary outcomes include mental health, suicidal behaviour, health-related quality of life, patient-rated global improvement and satisfaction, and resource use and costs. The primary analysis will compare WSAS scores across the 12-month period using a general linear mixed model adjusting for baseline scores, allocation group and study centre on an intention-to-treat basis. In a parallel process evaluation, we will analyse qualitative data from interviews with study participants, clinical staff and researchers to examine mechanisms of impact and contextual factors.

Ethics and dissemination

The study complies with the Helsinki Declaration II and is approved by the London—Bromley Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID 315951). Study findings will be published in an open access peer-reviewed journal; and disseminated at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN13918289.
Shedding light on the non-operative treatment of the forgotten side of the knee: rehabilitation of medial collateral ligament injuries—a systematic review
Authors: Svantesson Jasmine , Piussi Ramana , Weissglas Elin , Svantesson Eleonor , Horvath Alexandra , Börjesson Erik , Williams Andy , Prill Robert , Samuelsson Kristian , Hamrin Senorski Eric
Published: June 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study was to review the current literature regarding the non-operative treatment of isolated medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries.

Design

Systematic review, registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/E9CP4).

Data sources

The Embase, MEDLINE and PEDro databases were searched; last search was performed on December 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Peer-reviewed original reports from studies that included information about individuals who sustained an isolated MCL injury with non-surgical treatment as an intervention, or reports comparing surgical with non-surgical treatment were eligible for inclusion. Included reports were synthesised qualitatively. Risk of bias was assessed with the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies. Certainty of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation.

Results

A total of 26 reports (1912 patients) were included, of which 18 were published before the year 2000 and 8 after. No differences in non-operative treatment were reported between grade I and II injuries, where immediate weight bearing and ambulation were tolerated, and rehabilitation comprised different types of strengthening exercises with poorly reported details. Some reports used immobilisation with a brace as a treatment method, while others did not use any equipment. The use of a brace and duration of use was inconsistently reported.

Conclusion

There is substantial heterogeneity and lack of detail regarding the non-operative treatment of isolated MCL injuries. This should prompt researchers and clinicians to produce high-quality evidence studies on the promising non-operative treatment of isolated MCL injuries to aid in decision-making and guide rehabilitation after MCL injury.

Level of evidence

Level I, systematic review.
Age-stratified patterns in clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes in acute pericarditis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Collini Valentino , Siega Vignut Luca , Angriman Federico , Braidotti Gioia , De Biasio Marzia , Imazio Massimo
Published: June 2024

Background

There are limited data on acute pericarditis according to different age groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of age-related features in clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute pericarditis, with a focus on the geriatric population.

Methods

Patients with a first episode of acute pericarditis were consecutively enrolled between January 2014 and June 2022, and divided into four groups according to age (G1: 18–35 years; G2: 35–55 years; G3: 55–75 years; G4: >75 years). Clinical characteristics and medical therapy were recorded at baseline, and during follow-up.

Results

A total of 471 patients (median age 56.3 (IQR 33–73) years, 32.3% women) were included. Younger age (G1-G2-G3) was associated with a higher frequency of chest pain, pericardial rubs (p<0001), ECG changes (p=0.002) and were more commonly treated with colchicine (p<0.001), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p=0.006). Older patients (G4) depicted more commonly dyspnoea, pericardial/pleural effusion (p=0.007) and were more often treated with corticosteroids (p=0.037). A secondary cause of pericarditis was detected in 128/471 (27.2%) patients. Older patients were more commonly hospitalised and had a complicated course with new-onset atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and cardiac tamponade (p=0.005), compared with younger patients, who presented more recurrences (respectively G1: 43.0%, G2: 34.7%, G3: 28.2% and G4: 16.2%; p<0.001). After multivariable analysis, younger age remained the strongest independent predictor for recurrences (HR 3.23, 95% CI 1.81 to 5.58, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Older age is associated with less recurrences of pericarditis, but more severe complications with need for hospitalisation.
Understanding individualised genetic interventions as research-treatment hybrids
Authors: Johnston Josephine , Tabb Kathryn , Pacia Danielle , Lee Sandra Soo-Jin , Chung Wendy K , Appelbaum Paul S
Published: June 2024

Until recently, medicine has had little to offer most of the millions of patients suffering from rare and ultrarare genetic conditions. But the development in 2019 of Milasen, the first genetic intervention developed for and administered to a single patient suffering from an ultrarare genetic disorder, has offered hope to patients and families. In addition, Milasen raised a series of conceptual and ethical questions about how individualised genetic interventions should be developed, assessed for safety and efficacy and financially supported. The answers to these questions depend in large part on whether individualised therapies are understood as human subjects research or clinical innovation, different domains of biomedicine that are regulated by different modes of oversight, funding and professional norms. In this article, with development and administration of the drug Milasen as our case study, we argue that at least some individualised genetic therapies are not, as some have argued, either research or treatment. Instead, they are research-treatment hybrids, a category that has both epistemological and pragmatic repercussions for funding, ethics oversight and regulation.
Fluid modernities: the birthing pool in late twentieth-century Britain
Authors: Bates Victoria , Crane Jennifer , Fannin Maria
Published: June 2024

Birthing pools are a common feature of maternity units across Europe and North America, and in home birth practice. Despite their prevalence and popularity, these blue or white, often bulky plastic objects have received minimal empirical or theoretical analysis. This article attends to the emergence, design and meaning of such birthing pools, with a focus on the UK in the 1980s and 1990s. Across spheres of media, political and everyday debate, the pools characterise the paradoxes of ‘modern maternity’: they are ‘fluidly’ timeless and new, natural and medical, homely and unusual, safe and risky. Beyond exploring the contradictions of ‘modern maternity’, we also make two key interventions. First, we contend that modern maternity has substantially expanded in recent decades to hold and include additional ideas about comfort and experience. Second, we flag the culturally specific notions of ‘modernity’ at play in modern births: the popularity of the birthing pool was typically among white, middle-class women. We argue that birthing pools have had an impact at a critical moment in birthing people’s care, and we map out the uneven and unjust terrains through which they have assumed cultural and medical prominence.
Characterization of adverse events in injured patients at risk of hemorrhagic shock: a secondary analysis of three harmonized prehospital randomized clinical trials
Authors: Lorence John M , Donohue Jack K , Iyanna Nidhi , Guyette Francis X , Gimbel Elizabeth , Brown Joshua B , Daley Brian J , Eastridge Brian J , Miller Richard S , Nirula Raminder , Harbrecht Brian G , Claridge Jeffrey A , Phelan Herb A , Vercruysse Gary , O'Keeffe Terence , Joseph Bellal , Neal Matthew D , Sperry Jason L
Published: June 2024

Background

The reporting of adverse events (AEs) is required and well defined in the execution of clinical trials, but is poorly characterized particularly in prehospital trials focusing on traumatic injury. In the setting of prehospital traumatic injury trials, no literature currently exists analyzing the clinical implications of AEs and their associations with mortality and morbidity. We sought to analyze AEs from three prehospital hemorrhagic shock trials and characterize their time course, incidence, severity, associated clinical outcomes, and relatedness.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of three prehospital randomized clinical trials. We analyzed AEs at both the patient level as well as the individual AE level. We categorized patients who had no AEs, a single documented AE and those with multiple events (>1 AE). We characterized AE timing, severity, relatedness and attributable mortality outcomes.

Results

We included 1490 patients from the three harmonized clinical trials, with 299 (20.1%) individual patients having at least a single AE documented with 529 AEs documented overall as a proportion of patients had multiple events. Over 44% of patients had a death-related misclassified AE. Patients with at least a single documented AE had a significantly higher 28-day mortality (log-rank χ2=81.27, p<0.001) compared with those without an AE documented. Patients with a single AE had a significant higher mortality than those with multiple AEs, potentially due to survival bias (log-rank χ2=11.80, p=0.006). When relatedness of each individual AE was characterized, over 97% of AEs were classified as ‘definitely not related’ or ‘probably not related’ to the intervention.

Conclusions

AEs in hemorrhagic shock trials are common, occur early and are associated with mortality and survival bias. The potential for inaccurate reporting exists, and education and training remain essential for appropriate treatment arm comparison. The current results have important relevance to injury-related clinical trials.

Trial registration numbers

NCT01818427,NCT02086500andNCT03477006.

Level of evidence

II.
Lecture notes on current–current deformations
Authors: Borsato Riccardo
Published: June 2024

These are pedagogical lecture notes discussing current–current deformations of 2-dimensional field theories. The deformations that are considered here are generated infinitesimally by bilinears of Noether currents corresponding to internal global symmetries of the “seed” theory. When the seed theory is conformal, these deformations are marginal and are often known as $$J{\bar{J}}$$

J

J

¯

-deformations. In this context, we review the criterion for marginal operators due to Chaudhuri and Schwartz. When the seed theory is an integrable $$\sigma $$
σ
-model (in the sense that it possesses a Lax connection), these deformations preserve the integrability. Here we review this fact by viewing the deformations as maps that leave the equations of motion and the Poisson brackets of the 2-dimensional $$\sigma $$
σ
-models invariant. The reinterpretation as undeformed theories with twisted boundary conditions is also discussed, as well as the effect of the deformation at the level of the S-matrix of the quantum theory. The finite (or integrated) form of the deformations is equivalent to sequences of T-duality–shift–T-duality transformations (TsT’s), and here we review the O(d, d)-covariant formalism that is useful to describe them. The presentation starts with pedagogical examples of deformations of free massless scalars in 2 dimensions, and minimal prerequisites on conformal field theories or integrability are needed to understand later sections. Moreover, guided exercises are proposed to the reader. These notes were prepared for the Young Researchers Integrability School and Workshop (YRISW) held in Durham from 17 to 21 July 2023.
Efficient realization of quantum algorithms with qudits
Authors: Nikolaeva Anastasiia S. , Kiktenko Evgeniy O. , Fedorov Aleksey K.
Published: June 2024

The development of a universal fault-tolerant quantum computer that can solve efficiently various difficult computational problems is an outstanding challenge for science and technology. In this work, we propose a technique for an efficient implementation of quantum algorithms with multilevel quantum systems (qudits). Our method uses a transpilation of a circuit in the standard qubit form, which depends on the characteristics of a qudit-based processor, such as the number of available qudits and the number of accessible levels. This approach provides a qubit-to-qudit mapping and comparison to a standard realization of quantum algorithms highlighting potential advantages of qudits. We provide an explicit scheme of transpiling qubit circuits into sequences of single-qudit and two-qudit gates taken from a particular universal set. We then illustrate our method by considering an example of an efficient implementation of a 6-qubit quantum algorithm with qudits. In this particular example, we demonstrate how using qudits allows a decreasing amount of two-body interactions in the qubit circuit implementation. We expect that our findings are of relevance for ongoing experiments with noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices that operate with information carriers allowing qudit encodings, such as trapped ions and neutral atoms, as well as optical and solid-state systems.
Multiparty semi-quantum secret sharing protocol based on single photon sequence and permutation
Authors: Xin Xiangjun , He Fan , Li Chaoyang , Li Fagen
Published: June 2024

Most semi-quantum secret sharing protocols are suitable for the application with three participants. Based on the n-level states, a multiparty semi-quantum secret sharing protocol is proposed. Compared with similar protocols, it has the merits as follows. (1) The dealer only needs to prepare the single photon sequence without using any product state or entangle state. (2) To share a secret, the classical parties need not have the ability of measurement. They only need to reorder the photon sequence and send it to the receiver. (3) The dealer knows nothing about any agent’s secret shadow. Therefore, it is infeasible for the dealer to impersonate the classical participant to pool the secret shadow during the secret recovering phase. (4) Theoretically, the qubit efficiency of the proposed protocol is asymptotically 100%. The protocol is secure against famous attacks such as intercept-resend attack, measurement-resend attack and entangle-measure attack.
Research on Aircraft Direction Finding Based on Antenna Directionality Parameter Identification
Authors: Tang Xinmin , Tang Shengjia , Gu Junwei , Guan Xiangmin , Yuan Weili
Published: June 2024

Radar direction finding is an essential cooperative monitoring method for aircraft, and the directional parameters of the direction-finding antenna determine the accuracy of direction finding. A modified amplitude comparison direction finding model is proposed based on the traditional principle of adjacent amplitude comparison direction finding and the error of amplitude comparison direction finding. Based on the modified amplitude comparison direction finding model, an error correction genetic simulated annealing (COR-GSA) algorithm is proposed to identify unknown directional antenna directionality parameters by determining the antenna directionality parameters that need to be identified. Identification experiments were conducted using a self-designed dual channel DF receiver, and 1000 sets of aircraft real azimuth data were used for verification. The results showed that using the COR-GSA algorithm to identify antenna directional parameters had the highest DF accuracy. Finally, the identified antenna directionality parameters were used to track the aircraft’s azimuth, and the tracking error was reduced by 18.3% compared to the tracking error without azimuth correction.
Lateral Maneuvering with a UAV Mitigating Lateral CG Variations: Modeling and an Efficient Adaptive Backstepping Control
Authors: Khanna Anukaran , Mukherjee Bijoy K.
Published: June 2024

In this paper, an adaptive backstepping-based control scheme is proposed to perform autonomous lateral maneuvers under significant lateral offset in the center of gravity (c.g.) position in a UAV. It is first shown that the coupled equations of motion arising from lateral c.g. shift can be simplified and cast in block strict feedback form making it amenable to a two-step backstepping control design. Useful nonlinear terms in the equations of motion are identified and retained in the backstepping design to ensure a less conservative control. Adaptation law is incorporated to dynamically adjust to changes in the c.g. position by adding an adaptive term to each step of the backstepping control. Lyapunov’s direct method and LaSalle’s invariance principle are applied to establish asymptotic stability of both tracking errors and errors in the c.g. estimate. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, simulation results for horizontal turn maneuver are presented for the fixed wing Aerosonde UAV and maneuver performance is observed to remain highly insensitive to a wide range of lateral c.g. positions on either side of the fuselage centerline. Furthermore, a comparative control performance analysis is carried out against an ad-hoc model-based adaptive backstepping control scheme available in the literature and the results show significant performance enhancement in the proposed scheme. Along with the c.g. variations, the effects of steady crosswind are also investigated and the control formulation is modified to mitigate these effects too. Real-time control hardware in loop simulations are also provided in support of the real time viability of the proposed control.
Explainability Is
Not
a Game
Authors: Marques-Silva Joao , Huang Xuanxiang
Published: June 2024

When the decisions of ML models impact people, one should expect explanations to offer the strongest guarantees of rigor. However, the most popular XAI approaches offer none.
Labor's Stake in Shaping Tech Futures
Authors: Nedzhvetskaya Nataliya , Tan JS
Published: June 2024

This forum focuses on the conditions and futures of the labor underpinning technology production and maintenance. We welcome standalone articles as well as interviews and conversations about all tech labor within the global supply chain of digital technologies.
--- Seyram Avle and Sarah Fox, Editors
CXCL10 impairs synaptic plasticity and was modulated by cGAS-STING pathway after stroke in mice
Authors: Wang Yi , Du Juan , Hu Youfang , Zhang Sufen
Published: June 2024

Chemokine-mediated inflammatory response plays a critical role in stroke. CXCL10 plays an important role in multiple brain disorders by mediating synaptic plasticity, yet its role in stroke recovery is still unclear. Herein, we identified a new mechanism that cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS)-stimulus of interferon genes (STING) pathway activation promoted CXCL10 release and impaired synaptic plasticity during stroke recovery. Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic strategy of targeting the cGAS-STING pathway to treat stroke.
Alpha-synuclein affects certain iron transporters of BV2 microglia cell through its ferric reductase activity
Authors: Li Yinghui , Shi Chengkui , Liu Rong , Yang Jiahua , Wang Jun
Published: June 2024

The effects of monomeric α-syn (M-α-syn) and oligomeric α-syn (O-α-syn) on the iron metabolism of BV2 microglia cells were detected by exogenous α-syn treatment. This study provides a strong experimental basis for α-syn involvement in iron metabolism in microglia.
Working memory constraints for visuomotor retrieval strategies
Authors: Velázquez-Vargas Carlos A. , Taylor Jordan A.
Published: June 2024

We show that humans can adapt to feedback perturbations in different variations of the visuomotor rotation task by retrieving the successful solutions from working memory. In addition, using a Bayesian latent-mixture model, we reveal that guessing and low-precision memories are both responsible for the decrease in participants’ performance as the number of solutions to memorize increases. These constraints can be overcome by relying on long-term memory retrieval resulting from extended practice with the visuomotor solutions.
Joint Design of Antenna Selection and Resource Allocation in Massive MIMO‐Based Ultra Dense Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Balachandran Malini , Vali Mohamad Noor Mohammed
Published: June 2024

Fifth generation (5G) communication network is anticipated to satisfy the need for higher data rates, less latency, ubiquitous connectivity with minimum consumption of energy and acceptable quality of Service (QoS). The massive MIMO and heterogeneous network (HetNet) has evolved as a promising technology to address the aforementioned challenges. In the proposed framework, the massive MIMO technology at the macro base station and full duplex (FD) technology enabled at the small cell base station in HetNet are investigated. An optimal antenna selection strategy, user association (UA), and power allocation (PA) in a massive MIMO‐based HetNet with FD‐enabled small cells are proposed to optimize system sum rate. Initially, the objective function of the optimization problem is nonconvex and a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem. Then, the solution is obtained by transforming the problem into convex problem utilizing Lagrangian decomposition. Simulation results manifest the effect of the number of base station antennas, number of small cell base stations, self‐interference cancellation factor, and channel state information on system sum rate. Moreover, it is evident that the propounded algorithm is effective in terms of optimizing the system sum rate when compared to the conventional maximum signal‐ to ‐ interference ‐ plus ‐noise ‐ ratio (SINR) algorithm.
Graphs Connected to Isotopes of Inverse Property Quasigroups: A Few Applications
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Ali Sharafat , Alam Md. Ashraful
Published: June 2024

Many real‐world applications can be modelled as graphs or networks, including social networks and biological networks. The theory of algebraic combinatorics provides tools to analyze the functioning of these networks, and it also contributes to the understanding of complex systems and their dynamics. Algebraic methods help uncover hidden patterns and properties that may not be immediately apparent in a visual representation of a graph. In this paper, we introduce left and right inverse graphs associated with finite loop structures and two mappings, P‐edge labeling and V‐edge labeling, of Latin squares. Moreover, this work includes some structural and graphical results of the commutator subloop, nucleus, and loop isotopes of inverse property quasigroups.
Clocking Cancer Immunotherapy Responses
Authors: Wang Catherine L. , Zhang Xue , Dang Chi V.
Published: June 2024

Two recent papers document that responses to immunotherapy are circadian and peak at the end of resting phase (evening) of mice with syngeneic and genetic models of cancers. The circadian effect is attributed to diurnal T-cell trafficking through the endothelium on the one hand, and to the circadian expression of PD-L1 on myeloid suppressors on the other. Overall, it appears that tumor immunity as a system, including dendritic cell function, behaves in a circadian manner that is also observed in patients in cancer immunotherapy clinical trials. Importantly, these observations uncover time-of-day as an unforeseen variable for cancer immunotherapy responses. This insight on the immune circadian clock should be further explored to enhance immunotherapy responses in the clinic.
Proteomics Meets Dose Response: A New Paradigm for Deciphering Drug Effects
Authors: Wang Chenwei , Zhang Bing
Published: June 2024

In a groundbreaking study, Eckert and colleagues introduce DecryptE, an innovative approach to dose-resolved proteomics that significantly advances our understanding of drug effects at the proteomic level. This method integrates cutting edge sample preparation and mass spectrometry technologies, establishing a robust platform for high-throughput proteome analysis. DecryptE enables the quantification of more than 7,000 proteins per hour and was employed to study 144 clinical drugs and research compounds, generating more than 1 million dose-response curves using Jurkat acute T-cell leukemia cells as a model system. The platform demonstrates outstanding reproducibility, ensuring reliable and consistent results across multiple experiments. By providing detailed information on drug potency and efficacy, DecryptE allows the identification of subtle changes in protein expression and facilitates the clustering of drugs based on their proteomic profiles. This study not only reveals novel drug mechanisms but also creates a comprehensive resource that can be utilized by the broader research community. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of integrating proteomics—and potentially other omics modalities in the future—with dose-response analysis to advance pharmacological research and improve therapeutic strategies.
Supplementary Table 2 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Mean correlation coefficients between stroma DES and immune cell subsets across all discovery cohorts.
Supplementary Figure 4 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Evaluation of cell-type specific expression of top DEGs using single cell RNAseq data.
A caverna, no Marão: lendo o mito de Platão em Teixeira de Pascoaes
Authors: Guida Mariana Pereira
Published: June 2024

This article reads the Republic's allegory of the cave in a poem of Teixeira de Pascoaes, taking as proposition the formation of a symptom as a crisis associated with the modern notion of time to discuss issues about knowledge in this allegory. It is investigated how this reading would relate to the dynamics of visibility and invisibility in the poetics of Pascoaes’ and how this dynamic can be thought from the point of view of poetry and its relationship with knowledge today.
O homem que muito foi: Pessoa segundo Zenith
Authors: Corrêa Flávio Rodrigo Vieira Lopes Penteado
Published: June 2024

For decades, the image of Fernando Pessoa has prevailed as “the man who never was”, whose creations would have so eclipsed the creator that consideration of his worldly experience would be superfluous. One of the recent works to focus on his life, Pessoa – A Biography, by Richard Zenith, represents a monumental effort to undo this image, conferring an unprecedented carnality to the Portuguese writer. This review seeks to present some of the main thrusts of this extensive volume, as well as to deepen the reflection on the biographical genre, no less subject to History than to fiction.
“Repensar Portugal”: Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano e Eduardo Lourenço
Authors: Nery Antonio Augusto , Mendes Eduardo Soczek
Published: June 2024

Almeida Garrett (1799-1854) and Alexandre Herculano (1810-1877) are the two main authors representing Romanticism in Portugal or, at least of the first generation, which is inevitably confused with the struggles for the implementation of Liberalism in the country. Contemporaries, they corresponded with each other and wrote fictional works, which aimed to consider the role of Portugal, as a national and also cultural body. In short, they reflected, through literary production, on the homeland situation after the French invasions (1807), the trauma of the flight from the Court to Brazil (1807), the Liberal Revolution (1820) and the Civil War (1828-1834) between absolutists and liberals, both of whom took sides with the constitutionalists and, finally, ended up in exile. Upon returning, Garrett and Herculano formed a group of intellectuals who aimed to reflect on the country's destiny, immersed in so many crises. Regarding his works, Eduardo Lourenço (1923-2020), honored in this year of his centenary of birth, wrote important texts, also in order to “rethink Portugal”, as he invented in the writings of the two 19th century writers ways of pondering the Portuguese political, religious and cultural situations. We therefore analyzed excerpts from four narratives by nineteenth-century authors: O Arco de Sant’Ana: crónica portuense (1845/1851) and Viagens na minha terra (1846), by Almeida Garrett; O Monge de Cister ou a época de D. João I (1848) and “O pároco da aldeia (1825)” (1851), by Alexandre Herculano. These are texts written in the Shandian narrative style, in which the narrators' digressions are what interest us most in this study. In addition to O labirinto da saudade (1978) and Mitologia da saudade seguido de Portugal como destino (1999), by Lourenço, we will dialogue, in our investigations, with the productions of Maria de Fátima Marinho (1999) and Sergio Paulo Rouanet (2007), among other authors.
Understanding Human-Nilgai negative interactions in India: a systematic review through print media report analysis
Authors: Chandel Chandrapratap Singh , Madan Sangeeta , Jain Dhruv , Kawlni Lallianpuii , Kolipakam Vishnupriya , Qureshi Qamar
Published: June 2024

Despite being one of the most conflict-prone species in India, the Nilgai antelope Boselaphus tragocamelus has received little scientific attention. In this study, we address this knowledge gap by conducting an analysis of secondary data extracted from print media reports on Human-Nilgai negative interactions at the regional scale (tehsils and districts) across different states of India. Our findings revealed notable variations in conflict levels among different states, with Bihar emerging as the most affected (86 tehsils and 22 districts), followed by Madhya Pradesh (34 tehsils; 21 districts) and Uttar Pradesh (33 tehsils; 20 districts). Within Bihar, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran districts stand out for their high conflict levels. Crop raiding by different populations of Nilgai is identified as the primary cause of the negative interaction, with a relative frequency of occurrence of 98%. Attacks on humans by nilgai, although rare, accounted for a relative frequency of occurrence of only 1.2%. Additionally, newspapers reported retaliatory killings, with a relative frequency of occurrence of 0.84%. Between 2018 and 2022, nilgai populations were documented raiding 45 distinct crop types. Analysis of these raids revealed varying frequencies across different crop categories, with vegetables being the most heavily targeted (31%), followed by pulses (22%) and cereals (20%). Our study identifies priority tehsils and districts across different states in the country where studies aiming at nilgai-crop interactions, population dynamics, and movement ecology can be carried out to devise effective mitigation measures.
A preliminary assessment of the bat fauna (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Murlen National Park, Mizoram, India: distribution, morphology, and echolocation
Authors: Saikia Uttam , Chakravarty Rohit
Published: June 2024

As part of a faunal documentation work in Murlen National Park in Mizoram, two field surveys were conducted in the park area and its immediate periphery which resulted in capture of 39 individuals of bats. Based on these captures and a previous published record, 14 bat species belonging to nine genera and three families were recorded from the study area. Despite lesser sampling coverage and shorter duration of the surveys, uncommon and little-known species like Arielulus circumdatus, Kerivoula cf. hardwickii, Myotis annectans, Myotis montivagus, and Mirostrellus joffrei were recorded, thereby highlighting the rich assemblage of chiropteran fauna and also the need for effective protection of the area. Based on the collected samples, five species—Rhinolophus affinis, R. perniger, Myotis annectans, Pipistrellus javanicus, and Mirostrellus joffrei—are first recorded from Mizoram state. The echolocation call structures of four of the recorded species from the study area are also presented. We have also provided an updated checklist of the bat fauna of Mizoram state comprising 35 species of five families.
Design and field installation of automated electronic Asian Elephant signage for human safety
Authors: Sanjoy Deb  , Ramkumar Ravindran  , Radhakrishnan Saravana Kumar
Published: June 2024

Human-elephant interactions results in numerous deaths and injuries, often due to accidental encounters at elephant crossing points at night. Addressing this, the proposed electronic elephant signage (EES), a solar-powered device, marks crossing points with a glowing elephant-shaped light. Successfully tested in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, it activates at dusk, blinking throughout the night, effectively reducing surprise encounters and promoting safer coexistence.
Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn. (Funariaceae): a rare species recorded for Assam, India
Authors: Chetia Twinkle , Roy Himu
Published: June 2024

In this study, distributional record of the moss Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn. for the state of Assam is established for the first time. Taxonomic description and illustration of the same, based on specimens collected from Kamrup and Morigaon districts of the state are provided.
Global Burden of Stroke Attributable to Low Physical Activity/High Body Mass Index Among People Aged 55 Years and Older
Authors: Li Xin-Yu , Lv Jia-Jie , Zhao Yan , Zhang Yuan-Jie , Yang Xi-Tao , Zhang Ru-Hong , Guo Zhi-Lin , Wang Zhao-Wei , Cheng Zhi-Hua
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to quantify the global stroke burden attributable to low physical activity and high body mass index in adults aged ≥55 years using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study.

METHODS:

We extracted data on stroke mortality, disability-adjusted life years, and risk factor exposure from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study for people aged ≥55 years. We calculated the population-attributable fraction and absolute number of stroke cases and disability-adjusted life years attributable to low physical activity and high body mass index by location, age group, sex, and year.

RESULTS:

Globally, body mass index and physical inactivity-attributable stroke burden have declined modestly since 1990, but with diverging escalatory regional trajectories. Population growth and aging drive this rising burden.

CONCLUSIONS:

Multidimensional, context-specific strategies focused on modifiable lifestyle risks are imperative to address the modest declines and escalatory regional trajectories in body mass index and physical inactivity-attributable stroke burden.
Cognitive Representations and Personal Experiences of COVID-19 Using Social Virtual Reality
Authors: Young Gareth W. , O'Dwyer Néill , Smolic Aljosa
Published: June 2024

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, understanding its psychological and social impacts has become a critical area of scientific inquiry. The pandemic's far-reaching consequences have been felt across diverse populations, prompting a need for innovative research methodologies to capture the breadth of individual experiences. This study addresses the challenge of articulating personal narratives during the pandemic by leveraging the capabilities of social virtual reality (VR) and digital storytelling, a method yet to be fully explored in pandemic-related research. Here, we show that by integrating photogrammetric 3D media with social VR technology, we can obtain a nuanced understanding of individuals' experiences during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Our analysis reveals distinct themes related to health, life events, environment, technology, and employment, illustrating a complex interplay of factors influencing personal experiences during the pandemic. These findings contrast with and expand upon previous research by providing a more immersive and participant-centric perspective on the pandemic's impact. They highlight the value of using VR to capture and analyze personal experiences in unprecedented global situations. By situating these results within the broader context of pandemic research, this study underscores the potential of VR as a transformative tool for social science research. It opens new avenues for understanding complex human experiences, offering valuable insights across scientific disciplines, thereby enhancing our collective knowledge of the pandemic's multifaceted effects on society.
Revision of Monstera (Araceae: Monsteroideae) of Central America
Authors: CROAT THOMAS B. , CEDEÑO-FONSECA MARCO , ORTIZ ORLANDO O.
Published: June 2024

Monstera is the taxonomically least understood genus in the Araceae family in Mesoamerica. Identification is further complicated by drastic phenotypic changes from juvenile to adult stages and the precocious flowering of some species. The reliability of traditional taxonomic characters is uncertain, as they have been primarily studied in dry herbarium specimens, with their variability in natural populations and living plants remaining largely unknown. To enhance the taxonomy of Monstera, a comprehensive revision of Central America species was conducted. This involved: (1) an exhaustive literature review; (2) examining 4500 specimens from different herbaria, including most type specimens; (3) extensive fieldwork to document plant morphology at different developmental stages through photography and herbarium preparation; and (4) circumscribing species using the gathered data. This study recognizes 52 native species in Central America. Three species are newly described here M. coclensis, M. harrisoneorum, and M. ngabensis, and one is new record for Panama. For each species, detailed morphological descriptions, habitat information, phenology, conservation status, examined specimen lists, taxonomic and nomenclatural comments, and photographs of key morphological traits are provided.