bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of multispectral chalcogenide glass for large-size fabrication
Authors: Yang Liu , Liu Hongjun , Dai Shixun , Lin Changgui
Published: February 2023

Chalcogenide glass has become one of the essential IR lens materials in passively athermalized long-wave IR devices. However, that there is no multispectral chalcogenide glass capable of large-size fabrication raises challenges to the development and popularization of multispectral imaging systems combining visible, near-IR, and mid-IR. In this work, we developed a novel chalcogenide glass capable of a record-big (Ø120 mm) fabrication through the compositional optimization of GeS2–Ga2S3–CsCl glass with introduction of Sb2S3. Its transmission window is characterized as ranging from 0.51 to 11.2 µm, which means it could be employed as a multispectral lens transmitting visible and IR signals in a co-aperture IR optical system. In addition, a method of three-stage thermal analysis is proposed to evaluate the glass-forming ability of chalcogenide glass through simulating the melt-quenching process of chalcogenide melt in a vacuum-sealed silica ampoule. This work not only shows an innovative multispectral chalcogenide glass with promising applications but also introduces a simple and convenient technique for screening chalcogenide glass with ultrahigh glass-forming ability capable of large-size fabrication.
Manipulation of the photoluminescence of lead halide perovskite quantum dots with mechanically reconfigurable 3D photonic crystals
Authors: Wu Xijun , Luo Hao , Liu H. L. , Ma Renqi , Xu Baoran
Published: February 2023

Reconfigurable 3D photonic crystals (3DPCs) are promising for dynamic emission devices, owing to their unique properties. Here, we integrated the perovskite quantum dot film together with 3D reconfigurable photonic crystals (PCs) to form quantum dot/photonic crystal heterostructures and investigated their interactions at their interfaces. The photonic bandgaps of the presented 3DPCs can be dynamically tuned by heating and applying external mechanical forces, and they can be stably fixed in the intermediate states. By tuning the photonic bandgaps of the 3DPCs, a maximum photoluminescence (PL) enhancement of 11 times that of CsPb(I/Br)3 quantum dots has been achieved. It has been revealed that the combined effects of increased density of photon states and the greatly confined and enhanced electric field on the upper surface of 3DPCs contribute to the enhanced Purcell effect, which in turn leads to the enhanced photoluminescence.
Convolutional-neural-network-based versus vision-transformer-based SNR estimation for visible light communication networks
Authors: Zhao Zhenquan , Khan Faisal Nadeem , Qasem Zeyad A. H. , Deng Bohua , Li Qian , Liu Zhengyong , Fu H. Y.
Published: February 2023

Visible light communication (VLC) has emerged as a promising technology
for future sixth-generation (6 G) communications. Estimating and
predicting the impairments, such as turbulence and free space signal
scattering, can help to construct flexible and adaptive VLC networks.
However, the monitoring of impairments of VLC is still in its infancy.
In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate a
deep-neural-network-based signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation
scheme for VLC networks. A vision transformer (ViT) is first utilized
and compared with the conventional scheme based on a convolutional
neural network (CNN). Experimental results show that the ViT-based
scheme exhibits robust performance in SNR estimation for VLC networks
compared to the CNN-based scheme. Specifically, the ViT-based scheme
can achieve accuracies of 76%, 63.33%, 45.33%, and 37.67% for
2-quadrature amplitude modulation (2QAM), 4QAM, 8QAM, and 16QAM,
respectively, against 65%, 57.67%, 41.67%, and 34.33% for the
CNN-based scheme. Additionally, data augmentation has been employed
for achieving enhanced SNR estimation accuracies of 95%, 79.67%,
58.33%, and 50.33% for 2QAM, 4QAM, 8QAM, and 16QAM, respectively. The
effect of the SNR step size of a contour stellar image dataset on the
SNR estimation accuracy is also studied.
Improving web-based respondent-driven sampling performance among men who have sex with men in the Netherlands
Authors: Diexer Sophie , Teslya Alexandra , Buskens Vincent , Matser Amy , Stein Mart , Kretzschmar Mirjam E.
Published: February 2023

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) uses the social network of participants to sample people of populations that can be challenging to engage. While in this context RDS offers improvements on standard sampling methods, it does not always generate a sufficiently large sample. In this study we aimed to identify preferences of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands regarding surveys and recruitment to studies with the subsequent goal of improving the performance of web-based RDS in MSM. A questionnaire about preferences with respect to various aspects of an web-based RDS study was circulated among participants of the Amsterdam Cohort Studies, a study among MSM. The duration of a survey and the type and amount of participation reward were explored. Participants were also asked about their preferences regarding invitation and recruitment methods. We used multi-level and rank-ordered logistic regression to analyze the data and identify the preferences. The majority of the 98 participants were older than 45 years (59.2%), were born in the Netherlands (84.7%), and had a university degree (77.6%). Participants did not have a preference regarding the type of participation reward, but they preferred to spend less time on a survey and to get a higher monetary reward. Sending a personal email was the preferred option to getting invited or inviting someone to a study, while using Facebook messenger was the least preferred option. There are differences between age groups: monetary rewards were less important to older participants (45+) and younger participants (18-34) more often preferred SMS/WhatsApp to recruit others. When designing a web-based RDS study for MSM, it is important to balance the duration of the survey and the monetary reward. If the study takes more of a participants time, it might be beneficial to provide a higher incentive. To optimize expected participation, the recruitment method should be selected based on the targeted population group.
Association of the awareness of the epidemic, mental health status with mobile phone screen use time in Chinese college students during COVID-19 isolation and control
Authors: Fang Min , Ma TengChi , Li HongHong , Han Tuo , Wang JiaJia , Li ZhiLe , Zhou Jing
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the awareness of the epidemic among college students and their mental health as well as to explore the association between their awareness of the epidemic mental health and the daily mobile phone screen use time, in order to provide guidance for the publicity of school epidemic prevention and control knowledge and the psychological counseling of students.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was employed among 780 college students, The Pandemic Fatigue Questionnaire, epidemic prevention and control knowledge and the mental health Scale were used to collect data through an online survey.

Results

1. Awareness rate of the transmission routes and protective measures of COVID-19 among college students is higher when the daily mobile screen use time is 3–7 hours. 2. 21.79% of the 780 college students felt stressed; 24.87% felt anxious; 19.23% showed depression. 3. The scores of each subscale in the daily mobile phone screen use time of 3–7 hours and more than 7 hours were higher, and the scores of each subscale in the group of more than 7 hours were the highest. Further correlation analysis found that the time spent on mobile phone screens was positively correlated with stress, anxiety, and depression scores (r = 0.155, 0.180, 0.182, P<0.01).

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 isolation and control period, college students with different mobile screen usage time have different understandings of the epidemic. Long-term mobile screen use is related to the occurrence of psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, education departments and schools should pay attention to college students’ mobile phone use time to reduce the occurrence of bad psychological state of students.
Genomic and phenotypic analyses suggest moderate fitness differences among Zika virus lineages
Authors: Oliveira Glenn , Vogels Chantal B. F. , Zolfaghari Ashley , Saraf Sharada , Klitting Raphaelle , Weger-Lucarelli James , P. Leon Karla , Ontiveros Carlos O. , Agarwal Rimjhim , Tsetsarkin Konstantin A. , Harris Eva , Ebel Gregory D. , Wohl Shirlee , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Andersen Kristian G.
Published: February 2023

RNA viruses have short generation times and high mutation rates, allowing them to undergo rapid molecular evolution during epidemics. However, the extent of RNA virus phenotypic evolution within epidemics and the resulting effects on fitness and virulence remain mostly unknown. Here, we screened the 2015–2016 Zika epidemic in the Americas for lineage-specific fitness differences. We engineered a library of recombinant viruses representing twelve major Zika virus lineages and used them to measure replicative fitness within disease-relevant human primary cells and live mosquitoes. We found that two of these lineages conferred significant in vitro replicative fitness changes among human primary cells, but we did not find fitness changes in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Additionally, we found evidence for elevated levels of positive selection among five amino acid sites that define major Zika virus lineages. While our work suggests that Zika virus may have acquired several phenotypic changes during a short time scale, these changes were relatively moderate and do not appear to have enhanced transmission during the epidemic.
Development and evaluation of a multiplex serodiagnostic bead assay (BurkPx) for accurate melioidosis diagnosis
Authors: Settles Erik W. , Sonderegger Derek , Shannon Austin B. , Celona Kimberly R. , Lederer Rachel , Yi Jinhee , Seavey Courtney , Headley Kyle , Mbegbu Mimi , Harvey Maxx , Keener Mitch , Allender Chris , Hornstra Heidie , Monroy Fernando P. , Woerle Celeste , Theobald Vanessa , Mayo Mark , Currie Bart J. , Keim Paul
Published: February 2023

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is a gram-negative soil bacterium well recognized in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. However, wider and expanding global distribution of B. pseudomallei has been elucidated. Early diagnosis is critical for commencing the specific therapy required to optimize outcome. Serological testing using the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) antibody assay has long been used to augment diagnosis of melioidosis and to monitor progress. However, cross reactivity and prior exposure may complicate the diagnosis of current clinical disease (melioidosis). The goal of our study was to develop and initially evaluate a serology assay (BurkPx) that capitalized upon host response to multiple antigens. Antigens were selected from previous studies for expression/purification and conjugation to microspheres for multiantigen analysis. Selected serum samples from non-melioidosis controls and serial samples from culture-confirmed melioidosis patients were used to characterize the diagnostic power of individual and combined antigens at two times post admission. Multiple variable models were developed to evaluate multivariate antigen reactivity, identify important antigens, and determine sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of melioidosis. The final multiplex assay had a diagnostic sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 93%, which was superior to any single antigen in side-by-side comparisons. The sensitivity of the assay started at >85% for the initial serum sample after admission and increased to 94% 21 days later. Weighting antigen contribution to each model indicated that certain antigen contributed to diagnosis more than others, which suggests that the number of antigens in the assay can be decreased. In summation, the BurkPx assay can facilitate the diagnosis of melioidosis and potentially improve on currently available serology assays. Further evaluation is now required in both melioidosis-endemic and non-endemic settings.
Predictive language comprehension in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Aveni Katharine , Ahmed Juweiriya , Borovsky Arielle , McRae Ken , Jenkins Mary E. , Sprengel Katherine , Fraser J. Alexander , Orange Joseph B. , Knowles Thea , Roberts Angela C.
Published: February 2023

Verb and action knowledge deficits are reported in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD), even in the absence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. However, the impact of these deficits on combinatorial semantic processing is less well understood. Following on previous verb and action knowledge findings, we tested the hypothesis that PD impairs the ability to integrate event-based thematic fit information during online sentence processing. Specifically, we anticipated persons with PD with age-typical cognitive abilities would perform more poorly than healthy controls during a visual world paradigm task requiring participants to predict a target object constrained by the thematic fit of the agent-verb combination. Twenty-four PD and 24 healthy age-matched participants completed comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. We recorded participants’ eye movements as they heard predictive sentences (The fisherman rocks the boat) alongside target, agent-related, verb-related, and unrelated images. We tested effects of group (PD/control) on gaze using growth curve models. There were no significant differences between PD and control participants, suggesting that PD participants successfully and rapidly use combinatory thematic fit information to predict upcoming language. Baseline sentences with no predictive information (e.g., Look at the drum) confirmed that groups showed equivalent sentence processing and eye movement patterns. Additionally, we conducted an exploratory analysis contrasting PD and controls’ performance on low-motion-content versus high-motion-content verbs. This analysis revealed fewer predictive fixations in high-motion sentences only for healthy older adults. PD participants may adapt to their disease by relying on spared, non-action-simulation-based language processing mechanisms, although this conclusion is speculative, as the analyses of high- vs. low-motion items was highly limited by the study design. These findings provide novel evidence that individuals with PD match healthy adults in their ability to use verb meaning to predict upcoming nouns despite previous findings of verb semantic impairment in PD across a variety of tasks.
Effect of acetic acid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Amruta Narayanappa , Maness Nicholas J. , Gressett Timothy E. , Tsuchiya Yoshihiro , Kishi Mikiya , Bix Gregory
Published: February 2023

Effective measures are needed to prevent the spread and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. Chemical inactivation may help to prevent the spread and transmission of this and other viruses. Hence, we tested the SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity of acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, in vitro. Inactivation and binding assays suggest that acetic acid is virucidal. We found that 6% acetic acid, a concentration typically found in white distilled vinegar, effectively inactivated SARS-CoV-2 after 15-min incubation with a complete loss of replication of competent virus as measured by TCID50. Transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated that 6% acetic acid disrupts SARS-CoV-2 virion structure. In addition, 6% acetic acid significantly inhibits and disrupts the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2, the primary SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor, after contact with spike protein for 5, 10, 30 and 60 minutes incubation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that acetic acid possesses inactivating activity against SARS-CoV-2 and may represent a safe alternative to commonly used chemical disinfectants to effectively control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Understanding and acceptance of the theory of evolution in high school students in Mexico
Authors: Salazar-Enriquez Guadalupe , Guzman-Sepulveda Jose Rafael , Peñaloza Gonzalo
Published: February 2023

The Theory of Evolution (TE) is the backbone of biology and is the best way to explain the diversity of species that exist on the planet. However, despite all the supporting evidence, TE remains poorly understood and accepted. In this study, the levels of acceptance and understanding of TE were measured, respectively, using the Inventory of Student Evolution Acceptance (I-SEA) and Knowledge of Evolution Exam (KEE) questionnaires, in high school students in Monterrey, Mexico (N = 370). The results show that the acceptance of TE ranges from moderate (90.3 out of 120) to high (3.7 out of 5), depending on the scale with which it is measured, while the level of comprehension is low (4.5 out of 10). Statistical analysis of the data collected reveals that there is a positive relationship between acceptance and understanding of TE (r = 0.34). In addition, the proportions of I-SEA and KEE were evaluated based on several factors, such as religion and educational level of the parents, among others. It was found that the level of education of the parents positively affects the understanding of the basic concepts of TE, while religion is the main factor of negative influence on both acceptance and understanding. Finally, the low comprehension shown in this study suggests a revision and readjustment of the contents that are taught in the upper secondary education curriculum.
Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Rabett Ryan J. , Morimoto Risa , Kahlert Thorsten , Stimpson Christopher M. , O’Donnell Shawn , Mai Huong Nguyen Thi , Manh Bui Van , Holmes Rachael , Khánh Phạm Sinh , Van Tran Tan , Coward Fiona
Published: February 2023

Over the past twenty years, government advisory bodies have placed increasing emphasis on the need for adaptive measures in response to the effects of human-induced climate change. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which incorporate macroeconomic and climate variables, feature prominently in advisory content, though they rarely draw on data from outside strictly constrained hypothetical systems. This has led to assertions that they are not well-suited to approximate complex systemic human-environment processes. Modular, interdisciplinary approaches have offered a way to address this shortcoming; however, beyond climate records, prehistoric data continue to be under-utilised in developing such models. In this paper we highlight the contribution that archaeology and palaeoecology can make to the development of the next generation IAMs that are expected to enhance provision for more local and pro-active adaptations to future climate change. We present data from one of Southeast Asia’s most heavily developed river deltas: the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in Vietnam and localised analysis from the Tràng An Landscape Complex World Heritage Site, on the delta’s southern margin. Comparison is made between Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) 5–8.5 and SSP2–4.5 emission projection models and the Mid-Holocene inundation of the Red River Basin. We highlight the value to taking a scientific long view of coastal evolution through an illustrative set of eight research foci where palaeo-data can bring new and localised empirical data to bear on future risk management planning. We proceed to demonstrate the applicability of palaeoenvironmental, zooarchaeological and historical evidence to management and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using Tràng An as a case study. In so doing, we further highlight the importance of knowledge exchange between scientific, corporate, non-governmental, local, and state stakeholders to achieve tangible results on the ground.
The virtual microbiome: A computational framework to evaluate microbiome analyses
Authors: Serrano-Antón Belén , Rodríguez-Ventura Francisco , Colomer-Vidal Pere , Cigliano Riccardo Aiese , Arias Clemente F. , Bertocchini Federica
Published: February 2023

Microbiomes have been the focus of a substantial research effort in the last decades. The composition of microbial populations is normally determined by comparing DNA sequences sampled from those populations with the sequences stored in genomic databases. Therefore, the amount of information available in databanks should be expected to constrain the accuracy of microbiome analyses. Albeit normally ignored in microbiome studies, this constraint could severely compromise the reliability of microbiome data. To test this hypothesis, we generated virtual bacterial populations that exhibit the ecological structure of real-world microbiomes. Confronting the analyses of virtual microbiomes with their original composition revealed critical issues in the current approach to characterizing microbiomes, issues that were empirically confirmed by analyzing the microbiome of Galleria mellonella larvae. To reduce the uncertainty of microbiome data, the effort in the field must be channeled towards significantly increasing the amount of available genomic information and optimizing the use of this information.
The effect of lipid-lowering therapies on the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties of vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Woźniak Ewelina , Broncel Marlena , Niedzielski Mateusz , Woźniak Agnieszka , Gorzelak-Pabiś Paulina
Published: February 2023

Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events can be prevented, or treated, using statin therapy, either alone or in combination with ezetimibe. Chronic inflammation, vascular proliferation, and the development of atherosclerosis are also influenced by 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC). The aim of the study was to compare the direct pleiotropic effects of two commonly-used statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), ezetimibe, and their combinations, on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory IL1β, IL-18 and IL-23 and anti-inflammatory TGFβ, IL-35 (EBI3, IL-12 subunits), IL-10 and IL-37, in endothelial cells damaged by 25-OHC. It also analyzed IL-35 expression at the protein level. HUVECs were stimulated with atorvastatin (5 μM), rosuvastatin (10 μM), ezetimibe (1.22 μM), atorvastatin-ezetimibe (5 μM + 1.22 μM) or rosuvastatin-ezetimibe (10 μM + 1.22 μM), with or without pre-incubation with 10 μg/mL 25-OHC. mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. The protein level of IL-35 was analyzed by ELISA. In the pre-stimulated HUVECs, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin decreased mRNA expression of IL1β, IL-18, IL-23, TGFβ, IL35 and increased mRNA expression of IL-10 and IL-37 compared to 25-OHC. Furthermore, only incubation with rosuvastatin and rosuvastatin-ezetimibe decreased IL-35 mRNA and protein levels. Ezetimibe down-regulated only IL1β. Treatment with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe and atorvastatin-ezetimibe reversed the effect of 25-OHC in IL1β, IL-18 and IL-35 mRNA expression. In conclusion, rosuvastatin has the strongest anti-inflammatory effects and is the best at reducing the effect of oxysterols. Both statins exert a greater anti-inflammatory effect than ezetimibe. The anti-inflammatory effect of the combination therapies appears to be based on the effects of the statins alone and not their combination with ezetimibe.
Characteristics and short- and long-term direct medical costs among adults with timely and delayed presentation for HIV care in the Netherlands
Authors: Popping Stephanie , Versteegh Lisbeth , Nichols Brooke E. , van de Vijver David A. M. C. , van Sighem Ard , Reiss Peter , Geerlings Suzanne , Boucher Charles A. B. , Verbon Annelies ,   on behalf of the ATHENA observational cohort
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In Europe, half of people living with HIV (PLWH) present late to care, with associated higher morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess short- and long-term costs of HIV-care based on time of presentation and identify other factors contributing to higher costs in the first and fifth year after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation.

Material and methods

We included ATHENA cohort data which prospectively includes 98% of PLWH in the Netherlands. PLWH who initiated ART in 2013 were included and followed over five years. PLWH were divided in three categories based on CD4 cell-count at time of ART initiation: timely presentation (CD4>350cells/μL), late presentation (CD4 200-350cells/μL or >350cells/μL with AIDS-defining illness) and very late presentation (CD4<200cells/μL). The total HIV-care cost was calculated distinguishing ART medication and non-ART medication costs (hospitalization, outpatient clinic visits, co-medications, and HIV-laboratory tests).

Results

From 1,296 PLWH, 273 (21%) presented late and 179 (14%) very late. Nearly half of those who entered HIV-care in a very late stage were of non-Dutch origin, with 21% originating from sub-Saharan Africa. The mean cost per patient in the first year was €12,902 (SD€11,098), of which about two-thirds due to ART (€8,250 (SD€3,142)). ART costs in the first and fifth year were comparable regardless of time of presentation. During the first year on treatment, non-ART medication costs were substantially higher among those with late presentation (€4,749 (SD€8,009)) and very late presentation (€15,886 (SD€ 21,834)), compared with timely presentation (€2,407(SD€4,511)). Higher non-ART costs were attributable to hospitalization and co-medication. The total non-ART costs incurred across five years on treatment were 56% and 246% higher for late and very late presentation respectively as compared to timely presentation.

Conclusion

Very late presentation is associated with substantial costs, with non-ART costs nearly seven times higher than for those presenting timely. Hospitalization and co-medication costs are likely to continue to drive higher costs for individuals with late presentation into the future. Programs that identify individuals earlier will therefore likely provide significant short- and long-term health cost savings.
Predictors of cognitive functioning trajectories among older Americans: A new investigation covering 20 years of age- and non-age-related cognitive change
Authors: Zheng Hui , Cagney Kathleen , Choi Yoonyoung
Published: February 2023

Despite the extensive study of predictors of cognitive decline in older age, a key uncertainty is how much these predictors explain both the intercept and age- and non-age-related change in cognitive functioning (CF). We examined the contribution of a broad range of life course determinants to CF trajectories. Data came from 7,068 participants in the 1996–2016 Health and Retirement Study. CF was measured as a summary score on a 27-point cognitive battery of items. We estimated multilevel growth curve models to examine the CF trajectories in individuals ages 54–85. We found that the variation in CF level at age 54 was three times as much as the variation in age slope. All the observed individual predictors explained 38% of the variation in CF at age 54. Personal education was the most important predictor (25%), followed by race, household wealth and income, parental education, occupation, and depression. The contributions of activity limitations, chronic diseases, health behaviors (obesity, smoking, vigorous activity), childhood conditions (childhood health, nutrition, financial situation), gender, marital status, and religion were rather small (<5%). Even though the age slope varied with many adulthood factors, they only explained 5.6% of the between-person variation in age slope. Moreover, age explained 23% of within-person variation in CF from age 54 to 85. The rest non-age-related within-person variation could not be explained by the observed time-varying factors. These findings suggest that future research is urgently needed to discover the main determinants of the slope of cognitive decline to slow down the progression of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Association between vitamin D concentration and delirium in hospitalized patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Ningning , Miao Mengrong , Li Ningning , Zeng Shuang , Zhu Ruilou , Zhang Jiaqiang
Published: February 2023

Background

Now the occurrence of delirium is more concerning to clinicians and psychiatrists. It has been reported that vitamin D deficiency may be a relevant factor in the development of delirium in hospitalized patients.

Study objective

To investigate the association between vitamin D concentration and delirium in hospitalized patients.

Design

Meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was the occurrence of delirium in the inpatient setting. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated with random or fixed effects models.

Results

In this article, we define the normal range of vitamin D concentrations as greater than 75 nmol / L, 50–75 nmol / L as vitamin D insufficiency, 25–50 nmol / L as vitamin D deficiency, and less than 25 nmol / L as vitamin D severe deficiency. The Results showed that severe vitamin D deficiency (OR: 1.98 [1.41–2.79], P<0.001) and vitamin D deficiency (OR: 1.50 [1.12–2.00], P = 0.006) were more likely to develop delirium than normal vitamin D levels. Subgroup analysis also revealed that low vitamin D concentrations were associated with a higher incidence of delirium, whether the cutoff point was 25 nmol/L (OR: 1.52 [1.40–1.64], P<0.001), 50 nmol/L (OR: 1.47 [1.19–1.82], P<0.001), or 75 nmol/L (OR: 1.54 [1.21–1.96], P<0.001). The included studies scored medium and high on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.

Conclusion

Compared with normal vitamin D levels, severe vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D deficiency, but not vitamin D insufficiency, are associated with a higher incidence of delirium in hospitalized patients.

Trial registration

This review was registered in the PROSPERO database under identifier CRD42021271347. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021271347.
Acceptability and feasibility of using contingency management for cannabis reduction in specialist mental health services for psychosis: A qualitative study of staff views
Authors: Middleton Curran Laura , Sheridan Rains Luke , Taylor Jo , Morant Nicola , Johnson Sonia
Published: February 2023

Aim

There is increasing evidence linking cannabis use to onset, continuation, and relapse of psychosis. Contingency Management (CM) is discussed as a candidate intervention to reduce cannabis use. Our study aimed to explore staff views on the feasibility and acceptability of using CM for cannabis reduction in early intervention services for psychosis (EIS), in order to inform wider learning about implementation of such approaches in mental health services.

Setting

EIS teams in England.

Method

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups analysed thematically.

Participants

Forty managers and staff members working in mental health services where a CM intervention was delivered as part of a trial, four staff who delivered CM in these settings, and three key informants (academic experts in relevant fields).

Intervention

A complex intervention comprising CM with incremental financial incentives (vouchers) for reducing or stopping cannabis use, and psychoeducation about the risks of cannabis use.

Findings

Acceptability appeared to depend on how well the intervention was seen to fit with the service setting and ethos. Concerns included who should deliver CM; potential impacts on the therapeutic relationship; the ethics of using incentives to reduce socially objectionable behaviours; and how CM fits with the work of mental health practitioners. Feasibility concerns centred on resource limitations including time, cost, training, and national guidance and commissioning.

Conclusions

Staff attitudes are likely to be a crucial influence on successful implementation of contingency management for cannabis reduction in specialist mental health settings. Several contextual barriers would need to be overcome to increase the acceptability of the intervention for use in early intervention services for psychosis.
Combinations of medicines in patients with polypharmacy aged 65–100 in primary care: Large variability in risks of adverse drug related and emergency hospital admissions
Authors: Fahmi Ali , Wong David , Walker Lauren , Buchan Iain , Pirmohamed Munir , Sharma Anita , Cant Harriet , Ashcroft Darren M. , van Staa Tjeerd Pieter
Published: February 2023

Background

Polypharmacy can be a consequence of overprescribing that is prevalent in older adults with multimorbidity. Polypharmacy can cause adverse reactions and result in hospital admission. This study predicted risks of adverse drug reaction (ADR)-related and emergency hospital admissions by medicine classes.

Methods

We used electronic health record data from general practices of Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD GOLD) and Aurum. Older patients who received at least five medicines were included. Medicines were classified using the British National Formulary sections. Hospital admission cases were propensity-matched to controls by age, sex, and propensity for specific diseases. The matched data were used to develop and validate random forest (RF) models to predict the risk of ADR-related and emergency hospital admissions. Shapley Additive eXplanation (SHAP) values were calculated to explain the predictions.

Results

In total, 89,235 cases with polypharmacy and hospitalised with an ADR-related admission were matched to 443,497 controls. There were over 112,000 different combinations of the 50 medicine classes most implicated in ADR-related hospital admission in the RF models, with the most important medicine classes being loop diuretics, domperidone and/or metoclopramide, medicines for iron-deficiency anaemias and for hypoplastic/haemolytic/renal anaemias, and sulfonamides and/or trimethoprim. The RF models strongly predicted risks of ADR-related and emergency hospital admission. The observed Odds Ratio in the highest RF decile was 7.16 (95% CI 6.65–7.72) in the validation dataset. The C-statistics for ADR-related hospital admissions were 0.58 for age and sex and 0.66 for RF probabilities.

Conclusions

Polypharmacy involves a very large number of different combinations of medicines, with substantial differences in risks of ADR-related and emergency hospital admissions. Although the medicines may not be causally related to increased risks, RF model predictions may be useful in prioritising medication reviews. Simple tools based on few medicine classes may not be effective in identifying high risk patients.
Ukrainian designers’ market: Consumers’ behaviour caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ivashchuk Antonina , Ryzhko Olena , Kutsan Olena
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a crisis that has affected various aspects of life, including the consciousness of consumers in the fashion market. This article studies the synergies between the pandemic crisis and behaviour of consumers towards Ukrainian high fashion brands. The research aims to study the issue of the impact of the global pandemic crisis on such market segments as Ukrainian high fashion brands, reveal key drivers of consumers of these brands during the unstable economic situation and define the main models of promotion of designers’ brands. Uniqueness, materialism and the influence of a social group are considered three primary motivators for the consumption of Ukrainian high fashion brands. The authors of this article identified the modern hybrid model for promoting brands of Ukrainian designers as a set of communication tools that would restore the interest of the consumers.
El retorno legislado de la edad de oro en Eneida a través de la agricultura y la paz. Redeunt Saturnia regna
Authors: Grimozzi Chiara
Published: February 2023

Virgilio desarrolló en sus obras el mito de la edad de oro y lo concibió como posible en el tiempo presente. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es analizar en Eneida las menciones de los gobernantes itálicos de la edad de oro, Saturno y Augusto, como un continuum mítico-histórico. Nos proponemos demostrar que el regreso áureo en Eneida, en consonancia con sus anteriores obras (Ecl. y G.), solo es factible si existe un buen gobernante que cumpla determinadas condiciones, como promover la paz entre guerras (Zetzel, 1997) y dar leyes al pueblo para fomentar la agricultura (Johnston, 1980).
Lepra lepromatosa y fenómeno de Lucio: a propósito de un caso
Authors: Mendoza D.J. , Alonzo N.B. , Sellarés O. , Muchut A.C.
Published: February 2023

La lepra es una enfermedad infecciosa de carácter crónico causada por Mycobacterium leprae. Su cronicidad se puede ver interrumpida por reacciones leprosas que son estados de hiperreactividad inmunológica que pueden ser de tipo 1, de tipo 2 y una variante de éste último denominada fenómeno de Lucio. En este artículo se presenta un caso clínico tomado del Hospital Central de Reconquista en el que se concluye el diagnóstico de lepra lepromatosa asociada al fenómeno de Lucio, en el cual el desenlace fatal resalta la severidad de los estados reactivos de la lepra, que aumentan la morbimortalidad de ésta enfermedad, que a pesar de ser milenaria y de tener un tratamiento curativo, sigue siendo endémica en varias regiones del mundo y un problema de salud vigente en nuestro medio. Es importante recordar que el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno es fundamental para combatir la propagación de esta enfermedad y evitar las discapacidades que produce.
Inventario de mamíferos en un área natural protegida privada con bosques del Espinal
Authors: Muzzachiodi N. , Sabattini J.A.
Published: February 2023

Conocer las especies presentes en un área natural protegida es indispensable para valorar correctamente la diversidad y planificar su manejo. El Área Natural Protegida “La Esmeralda” es un proyecto privado situado en el centro-este de la provincia de Entre Ríos (Argentina), manejado como Reserva de Usos Múltiples. Conserva relictos de bosques nativos con un alto nivel de conservación en una región con alto nivel de fragmentación. El objetivo del trabajo fue confeccionar un inventario de los mamíferos del ANP “La Esmeralda” a lo largo de cuatro años de relevamientos periódicos. Se registraron 34 especies de mamíferos, todas representativas de los ambientes que están protegidos en la reserva. Se obtuvo una riqueza mayor al 50% de la mencionada para la provincia de Entre Ríos, entre ellas Mazama gouazopira, declarada como Monumento Natural. Es un inventario preliminar que será actualizado periódicamente con registros nuevos provenientes de cámaras trampas como también de muestreos específicos. El presente y futuro busca una producción sostenible que cuide el medio ambiente conservando los recursos faunísiticos como los mamíferos. El conocimiento de este registro permite mejorar las acciones de educación que integre a las comunidades vecinas.
Examining a Late Development in Kant’s Conception of Our Moral Life
Authors: Woo Jaeha
Published: February 2023

In the first half, I suggest that Kant’s conception of our moral life goes through a significant shift after 1793, with reverberations in his eschatology. The earlier account, based on the postulate of immortality, describes our moral life as an endless pursuit of the highest good, but all this changes in the later account, and I point out three possible reasons for this change of heart. In the second half, I explore how the considerations Kant brings up to argue for his accounts can inform our process of formulating positions with respect to the afterlife. I argue that, in the absence of a convincing theoretical proof for or against the afterlife as well as apodictically certain knowledge of how demanding the moral law is, the Kantian strategy would be to ask which account of our moral life delivers the kind of contentment that can sustain our moral resolve. I also point out a way theists might be able to find contentment despite their moral failures by imagining God’s moral kenosis.
Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Wei , Zhou Yudi , Chen Shu , Liu Shengxin
Published: February 2023

Background

The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on adverse cardiovascular outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is still unclear. This study aimed to systematically assess evidence on this topic.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched for studies comparing mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), or revascularization outcomes between patients with DM with and without CKD.

Results

In 11 studies, the presence of CKD was associated with significantly increased risk of early all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR], 3.45; 95% CI, 3.07–3.87; I2 = 0%; P < .001), late all-cause mortality (RR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.92–4.02; I2 = 83%; P < .001), cardiac mortality (RR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.99–4.22; I2 = 29%; P < .001), and MI (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06–1.85; I2 = 13%; P = .02) compared with no CKD. There was no difference in the risk of any revascularization between those with and without CKD. Analysis of adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) indicated significantly increased risk of mortality (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.91–3.64; I2 = 0%; P < .001) in the CKD group but only a nonsignificant tendency of increased MI (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.99–2.54; I2 = 0%; P = .05) and revascularization (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.94–1.63; I2 = 2%; P = .12) in the CKD group.

Conclusion

The presence of CKD in patients with DM significantly increases the risk of mortality and MI. However, CKD had no impact on revascularization rates.
Nutrient content and biochemical analysis of papaya (Carica papaya L.) hybrids grown in central Kenya
Authors: Matsuane Christinah , Kavoo Agnes M , Kiage Beatrice N , Karanja Josephine , Rimberia Fredah K
Published: February 2023

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a known powerhouse of nutrients and biochemicals which have health benefits necessary in a human diet. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies, like stunting, wasting and underweight in children, are common in Kenya yet available fruits like papaya can provide those nutrients. This study evaluated the nutritional and biochemical compositions, sugars and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of 2 newly developed papaya hybrids (JKUAT 7 and JKUAT 8) grown in Kenya and Solo variety, as control; in a completely randomised design which were subjected to one way ANOVA at p?0.05. Results from this study showed significant differences for JKUAT 8 with zinc, iron, potassium and vitamin C contents at 3.28, 3.62, 1145.10 and 448.30 mg/100 g respectively. Solo variety had significantly higher ?-carotene (68.75 mg/100 g), lycopene (25.47 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (0.0178 g/100 g) contents. JKUAT 7 had more phenolic and tannins contents at 0.4434 g/100 g and 81.65 mg/100 g respectively. The DPPH activities ranged from 20 to 80 mg/mL with JKUAT 7 having the highest activity at 20 mg/mL and the least, Solo at 80 mg/mL. JKUAT 7 also exhibited higher total sugar contents in a range of 4.86 to 11.57%: with glucose and fructose at 5.74 and 5.83 % respectively. Our results suggested high nutritional and biochemical profiles of the newly developed JKUAT 7 and JKUAT 8 compared to Solo, the commercial variety. The high nutritional and biochemical contents recorded in the study papayas can be utilised in enhancing human nutrition and health thereby reducing metabolic disorders.
Surface plasmon resonance assays for the therapeutic drug monitoring of infliximab indicate clinical relevance of anti-infliximab antibody binding properties
Authors: Grasmeier Melina K. , Weber Susanne , Treiber Matthias , Thaler Markus A. , Luppa Peter B.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The therapeutic antibody infliximab (IFX) has improved the life quality of numerous autoinflammatory disease patients. However, IFX can trigger the generation of anti-drug antibodies (ADA), whose optimal evaluation and management are currently subject of controversial discussions. We present two novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor assays for therapeutic drug monitoring of IFX and characterization of ADA and investigated the diagnostic value of ADA binding properties.

Methods

IFX and ADA were quantified via developed SPR biosensor assays (IFXmon and ADAmon, respectively) and diagnostics-approved ELISA in sera from inflammatory bowel disease patients. Pre-analytic ADA enrichment with magnetic beads enabled analytical drug tolerance of the ADAmon assay. The dissociation ratio (DissR) as an index for ADA:IFX binding stability was calculated from the SPR sensorgrams of ADA quantification runs.

Results

IFX levels determined by IFXmon assay and ELISA showed high agreement, whereas ADA quantification concordance between ADAmon assay and ELISA was poor. In patients, DissR was predominantly constant over time and differed significantly between therapy outcomes. A DissR cut-off of 1.524 indicated undetectable IFX levels with 71.4% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity. Additionally, the SPR reference surface was exploited as serum-individual negative control to check result plausibility within multi-sample run sequences.

Conclusions

Overall, both SPR biosensor assays exhibited reliable quantitative performance with accuracies superior to their ELISA counterparts and precision inferior to ELISA only for ADAmon. DissR presented itself as promising ADA binding parameter and could contribute to both earlier and more tailored therapeutic decisions.
Crossing the chasm: strategies for digital transformation in clinical laboratories
Authors: Gungoren Merve Sibel
Published: February 2023

Total testing process in a clinical laboratory is designed to produce useful information for patients and clinicians. The changing landscape of healthcare industry forces clinical laboratory leaders to meet the needs of their stakeholders, maximize operational efficiency and improve overall quality of patient care at the same time. The increasing number of data produced force healthcare services industry to digital transformation.

Digital transformation is a process of change which includes finding solutions to novel and unmet requirements of an industry by integrating information, computing, communication and connectivity technologies to minimize the number of low-value tasks and focus on high-value tasks. As the process of digital transformation includes not only the modernization of IT infrastructure but also a paradigm shift in perception of value creation and delivery to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of laboratory operations in the long run, financial, managerial, and educational issues have been blocking the widespread implementation.

Clinical laboratories are at the crossroads on the road to the future. Laboratories that fail to align themselves with data-driven practices will risk losing a competitive advantage. In this review, strategies for a successful digital transformation will be overviewed in the context of clinical laboratory settings.
On the order of approximation by modified summation-integral-type operators based on two parameters
Authors: Mohiuddine Syed Abdul , Singh Karunesh Kumar , Alotaibi Abdullah
Published: February 2023

In this article, we the study generalized family of positive linear operators based on two parameters, which are a broad family of many well-known linear positive operators, e.g., Baskakov-Durrmeyer, Baskakov-Szász, Szász-Beta, Lupaş-Beta, Lupaş-Szász, genuine Bernstein-Durrmeyer, and Pǎltǎnea. We first find direct estimates in terms of the second-order modulus of continuity, then we find an estimate of error in the Ditzian-Totik modulus of smoothness. Then we discuss the rate of approximation for functions in the Lipschitz class. Furthermore, we study the pointwise Grüss-Voronovskaja-type result and also establish the Grüss-Voronovskaja-type asymptotic formula in quantitative form.