bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of dry eye disease on corneal nerve parameters: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chiang Jeremy Chung Bo , Tran Vincent , Wolffsohn James S.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Dry eye disease (DED) is a growing global health problem with a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. While neurosensory abnormalities have been recognised as a contributor to DED pathophysiology, the potential role of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy in detecting nerve loss or damage remains unclear. This systematic review with meta‐analysis (PROSPERO registered CRD42022381861) investigated whether DED has an impact on sub‐basal corneal nerve parameters.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection databases were searched from inception to 9 December 2022. Studies using laser scanning confocal microscopy to compare corneal nerve parameters of DED with healthy eyes were included. Study selection process and data extraction were performed by two independent members of the review team.

Results

Twenty‐two studies with 916 participants with DED and 491 healthy controls were included, with 21 of these studies included in subsequent meta‐analyses. There was a decrease in total corneal nerve length (−3.85 mm/mm2; 95% CI −5.16, −2.55), corneal main nerve trunk density (−4.81 number/mm2; 95% CI −7.94, −1.68) and corneal nerve branch density (−15.52 number/mm2; 95% CI −27.20, −3.84) in DED eyes compared with healthy eyes, with subgroup analysis demonstrating that these differences were more evident in studies using NeuronJ software, a semi‐automated procedure. While this review found evidence of loss of corneal nerve parameters in eyes with DED compared with healthy controls, particularly with the use of a semi‐automated image analysis method, it is evident that there is substantial heterogeneity between studies in terms of corneal nerve imaging methodology.

Conclusions

Standardisation is required in terms of terminology and analysis, with more research needed to potentially improve the clinical applicability and practicality of corneal nerve imaging. Further investigation is also required to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging modality and its potential for monitoring DED treatment efficacy.
Targeted muscle reinnervation in managing post‐amputation related pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hagiga Ahmed , Aly Mohamed , Gumaa Mohammed , Rehan Youssef Aliaa , Cubison Tania
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Limb amputation can cause residual limb pain (RLP) and/or phantom limb pain (PLP). Although targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) was initially introduced to facilitate the control of prosthetic limbs, it has been noted that these patients experience less pain and improved prosthetic functional outcomes. As a result, the use of TMR in managing neuroma‐related RLP is increasing. The aim of this review is to assess the quality and strength of the evidence supporting the effectiveness of TMR in managing amputation‐related pain.

Methods

Five different databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase, were searched from inception to March 2022. The protocol for this systematic review has been registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020218242). To be included, studies needed to compare pre‐ and postoperative pain outcomes or different techniques for adult patients who underwent TMR following amputation. Eligible studies also needed to use patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMS) and be clinical trials or observational studies published in English. Excluded studies were case reports, case series, reviews, proof of concept studies, and conference proceedings. A meta‐analysis was performed on studies that had similar intervention and control groups to examine treatment effects using a random‐effects model. Studies were weighted using the inverse variance method, and a statistically significant p‐value was considered to be less than or equal to 0.05.

Results

This review included five studies for qualitative analysis and four studies for quantitative analysis. Reviewed studies enrolled a total of 127 patients. The TMR group was compared with standard treatment at 12 months follow‐up. The TMR group showed significantly better PLP as assessed by the numerical rating score RLP, and PLP assessed using Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) also showed significantly lower pain intensity in the TMR group.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence of good quality favoring TMR in reducing postamputation PLP and RLP pain compared with standard care. Randomized clinical trials are encouraged to compare the efficacy of different surgical techniques.
Singlet oxygen lifetime changes in dying glioblastoma cells
Authors: Hovan Andrej , Pevna Viktoria , Huntosova Veronika , Miskovsky Pavol , Bánó Gregor
Published: June 2023

Time‐resolved phosphorescence detection was employed to determine the lifetime of singlet oxygen in live cells. Using hypericin as a photosensitizer, singlet oxygen was generated in U87MG glioblastoma cells. The phosphorescence of singlet oxygen was detected in aqueous cell suspensions following pulsed laser excitation. Our goal was to eliminate or reduce the problems associated with lifetime measurements in water‐based cell suspensions. The apparatus enabled simultaneous singlet oxygen phosphorescence and transient absorption measurements, reducing uncertainty in lifetime estimation. The changes in singlet oxygen lifetime were observed during early and late apoptosis induced by photodynamic action. Our findings show that the effective lifetime of singlet oxygen in the intracellular space of the studied glioblastoma cells is 0.4 μs and increases to 1.5 μs as apoptosis progresses. Another group of hypericin, presumably located in the membrane blebs and the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells, generates singlet oxygen with a lifetime of 1.9 μs.
Restoration and replication: a case study on the value of computational reproducibility assessment
Authors: Campbell Tristan , Dixon Kingsley W. , Handcock Rebecca N.
Published: June 2023

Open science is vital to the interdisciplinary field of ecology due to its integrative nature and use of longitudinal datasets that build upon earlier data collections. To highlight the importance of open science in the rapidly growing discipline of restoration ecology, we conducted a “computational reproducibility” assessment of a publication on a mining restoration program spanning several decades and over 250 km2 in a global biodiversity hotspot. Open data and code provided alongside the original publication were assessed for consistency with the results and conclusions of the original publication, as were potential limitations in findings due to the methodology. The impacts of inconsistencies and limitations were qualitatively assessed against the key findings from the publication and data were reanalyzed where impacts were potentially significant. Of the six inconsistencies and limitations identified, two had a significant impact on 5 of the 11 key findings of the original publication and one new key finding was made. The impact of this is of high ecological significance as the findings related to key restoration parameters: species richness (similarity of species richness between forest and 25‐year‐old restoration), functional diversity (correlation of species richness and functional diversity), and the restoration trajectory (long‐term trends and restored areas' resilience to disturbance). These outcomes highlight the importance of open data and the value of detailed third‐party data reviews, particularly in restoration ecology which relies on research findings to inform decision‐making and policy and drive adaptive management.
Common, showy, and perennial species dominate a restoration species pool
Authors: Kaul Andrew D. , Barash Michael , Albrecht Matthew A.
Published: June 2023

Native seed vendors are a primary source of germplasm for restoration projects; however, most plant species are not commercially available. Preferences in the types of species that vendors grow and sell may limit the similarity between reference communities and reconstructed ones established from seed mixes. We tested whether a restoration species pool shows preference for certain groups of species, focusing on the Ozark Highland Ecoregion (midcontinent United States). We identified the pool of 1,082 candidate herbaceous plant species appropriate for restoration projects on upland habitats in this region, and then surveyed nine regional seed vendors to assess their commercial availability. Commercially available species were more likely to be forbs over graminoids, perennials over annuals, and common species with larger ranges and moderate conservatism scores. Within forbs, taller species and those with longer bloom durations were favored. Species with affinity to open habitats (e.g. grassland) were more likely to be available from multiple vendors than those from woodlands and forests. Encouragingly, 454 (42%) of the species in this regional pool were available. However, this means that most species in the region are not likely to be included in seed mixes, unless they are hand‐collected from remnant populations. This restoration pool favors common and showy species, which is consistent with previous studies showing these kinds of species tend to dominate seed mixes and restored plant communities. We identified 39 species that were not available from any of the vendors surveyed, which we recommend as candidates for expansion of the Ozark restoration species pool.
The influence of prior work experience in aged care on nursing students' views on aged care nursing: A systematic review
Authors: Himanen Sari , Salin Sirpa
Published: June 2023

Background

Nursing students' experiences during clinical training in aged care placements is a well‐studied topic. However, there is less research on the connection between nursing students' prior experiences as assistants in nursing (AIN) and their perception of aged care nursing.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify and synthesize undergraduate nursing students' experiences as working as AIN in aged care settings.

Method

A systematic review was carried out by searching the CINAHL, Scopus, Medline and Medic databases, supplemented by manual searches. The searches focused on peer‐reviewed scientific empirical research articles published in English, with a 10‐year date limitation. The data were analysed by the qualitative content method.

Results

The review identified 11 articles, which showed that nursing students' prior work experience shifts their perceptions of older adults' care. The findings were organized under four major themes. Through their employment as AIN, (1) nursing students' ability to reflect and develop skills needed in clinical work strengthened, (2) they became aware of the independent role of the nurse, (3) they feel part of the workplace community and (4) they recognized their feelings and views about aged care as a career.

Conclusion

Students' work experience in aged care helps them to observe aged care settings as a unique set up and nursing comprehensively from the perspective of an older adult's care needs and they can observe the dynamics of a workplace community. They can see many positive features in working in aged care and assess their experience with positive descriptions.
Human capital requirements in Singapore's international financial centre
Authors: Tan Gordon Kuo Siong
Published: June 2023

International financial centres (IFCs) are regarded as important nodes in governing global flows of money and capital. With increased globalization and rapid technological changes, the rivalry among IFCs has further intensified competition for financial labour—as a concentrated pool of highly skilled finance workers in an open and flexible labour market is crucial to sustaining the competitive dynamics of these urban financial hotspots. This study investigates the importance of different skills and tasks in financial work. Based on surveys and interviews conducted among Singapore's IFC workers, the findings show that cognitive, interpersonal communication and managerial‐leadership skills and tasks are more important in financial work, whereas programming, mathematics and systems‐based skills are perceived to be less important. Additionally, a network visualization of finance occupational skills obtained from Singapore's national skills database reinforces the importance of cognitive and relational skills in that sector. Higher‐order cognitive and relational skills are expected to become even more critical as the financial sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, reinforcing the importance of IFCs as agglomerations of skilled finance talent.
EXPLORING QUALITY DIMENSIONS FROM A CONSTRUCTION PERSPECTIVE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Abubakar Abdurrahman Salihu , Haron Nuzul Azam , Alias Aidi Hizami , Teik Hua Law
Published: June 2023

The quality of products and services is fundamental to organizational performance and reputation. A construction project entails meeting the specification criteria and standards of quality, finishing the task on time, and within the specified budget. Construction projects have different quality dimensions, and each can be measured from a different perspective. An exploratory research approach was used to explore the eight quality dimensions within the construction industry's perspective by exploring the quality issues within the Malaysian construction industry. The findings indicate that a related quality dimension is conformance or the degree to which a product's design and operating characteristics meet established standards. Thus, the study's significant contribution is the exploration of the eight quality dimensions from the construction industry's perspective. Thus, it is essential to ensure that the project meets the users' needs, and the best way to do this is to involve the users in the quality planning process. This will help ensure the project is designed and built to meet their needs and expectations. In conclusion, considering all the quality dimensions when planning and executing a construction project is essential, and by prioritizing these quality dimensions, we can ensure that the buildings are built with quality.
Axisymmetric Peeling of Thin Elastic Films: A Perturbation Solution
Authors: Chen Erteng , Dai Zhaohe
Published: June 2023

We study the mechanical behavior of a thin elastic film that is affixed to a rigid substrate and subjected to a transverse force using a shaft with a finite radius. This scenario, also referred to as axisymmetric peeling, is encountered frequently in conventional blister tests as well as in our daily lives when removing an adhesive film from a substrate. Our primary objective is to gain a quantitative understanding of how the shaft’s radius influences the relationships between force and displacement, as well as between force and delamination areas. These relationships can serve as a dependable method to determine both the film’s elastic modulus and the adhesion strength between the film and its substrate. In this work, we provide a simple perturbation solution to this geometrically nonlinear problem while avoiding any use of ad hoc assumptions that were previously required. As a result, our results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations and offer improved accuracy compared to analytical solutions available in the literature.
Ceftazidime-Decorated Gold Nanoparticles: a Promising Strategy against Clinical Ceftazidime-Avibactam-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
with Different Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Zeyu , Liu Haifeng , Zhang Xiaotuan , Tang Miran , Lin Yuzhan , Feng Luozhu , Ye Jianzhong , Zhou Tieli , Chen Lijiang
Published: June 2023

Nanoparticle-based antibiotic delivery systems are essential in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections arising from acquired resistance and/or biofilm formation. Here, we report that the ceftazidime-decorated gold nanoparticles (CAZ_Au NPs) can effectively kill clinical ceftazidime-avibactam-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
with various resistance mechanisms.
Development of Meropenem Resistance in a Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter coli Strain Causing Recurrent Bacteremia in a Hematological Malignancy Patient
Authors: Bonilla-Moreno María , Torrecillas Miriam , Laporte-Amargos Julia , González-Díaz Aída , Mussetti Alberto , Tubau Fe , Gudiol Carlota , Domínguez M. Angeles , Martí Sara , Rodríguez-Sevilla Graciela , Ardanuy Carmen
Published: June 2023

Campylobacter
bacteremia is an uncommon disease that mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients and is associated with antibiotic resistance, particularly in
Campylobacter coli
. We report a patient with persistent blood infection because of a multidrug-resistant (MDR)
C. coli
strain over a 3-month period.
Soil Microbiomes Associated with a Novel Perennial Grain Cultivated under Temperate Agricultural Conditions
Authors: Noble Strohm Tess , Ryan Shannon , de Santana Carolina Oliveira , Dueker M. Eli , Perron Gabriel G.
Published: June 2023

A perennial wheatgrass called Kernza perennial grains was developed by the Land Institute to harness the benefits of perenniality on soil health in a commercial farming system. This study compared bacterial and fungal soil microbiomes surrounding 1-year-old Kernza, 4-year-old Kernza, and 6-week-old winter wheat in Hudson Valley, New York.
The enigmatic nucleus of the marine dinoflagellate
Prorocentrum cordatum
Authors: Kalvelage Jana , Wöhlbrand Lars , Schoon Robin-Alexander , Zink Fiona-Marine , Correll Christina , Senkler Jennifer , Eubel Holger , Hoppenrath Mona , Rhiel Erhard , Braun Hans-Peter , Winklhofer Michael , Klingl Andreas , Rabus Ralf
Published: June 2023

The marine, bloom-forming dinoflagellate
Prorocentrum cordatum
CCMP 1329 (formerly
P. minimum
) has a genome atypical of eukaryotes, with a large size of ~4.15 Gbp, organized in plentiful, highly condensed chromosomes and packed in a dinoflagellate-specific nucleus (dinokaryon). Here, we apply microscopic and proteogenomic approaches to obtain new insights into this enigmatic nucleus of axenic
P. cordatum
. High-resolution focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy analysis of the flattened nucleus revealed highest density of nuclear pores in the vicinity of the nucleolus, a total of 62 tightly packed chromosomes (~0.4–6.7 µm
3
), and interaction of several chromosomes with the nucleolus and other nuclear structures. A specific procedure for enriching intact nuclei was developed to enable proteomic analyses of soluble and membrane protein-enriched fractions. These were analyzed with geLC and shotgun approaches employing ion-trap and timsTOF (trapped-ion-mobility-spectrometry time-of-flight) mass spectrometers, respectively. This allowed identification of 4,052 proteins (39% of unknown function), out of which 418 were predicted to serve specific nuclear functions; additional 531 proteins of unknown function could be allocated to the nucleus. Compaction of DNA despite very low histone abundance could be accomplished by highly abundant major basic nuclear proteins (HCc2-like). Several nuclear processes including DNA replication/repair and RNA processing/splicing can be fairly well explained on the proteogenomic level. By contrast, transcription and composition of the nuclear pore complex remain largely elusive. One may speculate that the large group of potential nuclear proteins with currently unknown functions may serve yet to be explored functions in nuclear processes differing from those of typical eukaryotic cells.

IMPORTANCE

Dinoflagellates form a highly diverse group of unicellular microalgae. They provide keystone species for the marine ecosystem and stand out among others by their very large, unusually organized genomes embedded in the nuclei markedly different from other eukaryotic cells. Functional insights into nuclear and other cell biological structures and processes of dinoflagellates have long been hampered by the paucity of available genomic sequences. The here studied cosmopolitan
P. cordatum
belongs to the harmful algal bloom-forming, marine dinoflagellates and has a recently
de novo
assembled genome. We present a detailed 3D reconstruction of the
P. cordatum
nucleus together with comprehensive proteogenomic insights into the protein equipment mastering the broad spectrum of nuclear processes. This study significantly advances our understanding of mechanisms and evolution of the conspicuous dinoflagellate cell biology.
Sodium butyrate facilitates CRHR2 expression to alleviate HPA axis hyperactivity in autism-like rats induced by prenatal lipopolysaccharides through histone deacetylase inhibition
Authors: Wang Xinyuan , Sun Zhujun , Yang Ting , Lin Fang , Ye Shasha , Yan Junyan , Li Tingyu , Chen Jie
Published: June 2023

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, especially butyric acid) have been demonstrated to play a promising role in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recently, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is also suggested to increase the risk of ASD. However, the mechanism underlying SCFAs and HPA axis in ASD development remains unknown. Here, we show that children with ASD exhibited lower SCFA concentrations and higher cortisol levels, which were recaptured in prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rat model of ASD. These offspring also showed decreased SCFA-producing bacteria and histone acetylation activity as well as impaired corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) expression. Sodium butyrate (NaB), which can act as histone deacetylases inhibitors, significantly increased histone acetylation at the CRHR2 promoter
in vitro
and normalized the corticosterone as well as CRHR2 expression level
in vivo
. Behavioral assays indicated ameliorative effects of NaB on anxiety and social deficit in LPS-exposed offspring. Our results imply that NaB treatment can improve ASD-like symptoms via epigenetic regulation of the HPA axis in offspring; thus, it may provide new insight into the SCFA treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.

IMPORTANCE

Growing evidence suggests that microbiota can affect brain function and behavior through the “microbiome–gut–brain’’ axis, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that both children with autism and LPS-exposed rat model of autism exhibited lower SCFA concentrations and overactivation of HPA axis. SCFA-producing bacteria,
Lactobacillus
, might be the key differential microbiota between the control and LPS-exposed offspring. Interestingly, NaB treatment contributed to the regulation of HPA axis (such as corticosterone as well as CRHR2) and improvement of anxiety and social deficit behaviors in LPS-exposed offspring. The potential underlying mechanism of the ameliorative effect of NaB may be mediated via increasing histone acetylation to the CRHR2 promoter. These results enhance our understanding of the relationship between the SCFAs and the HPA axis in the development of ASD. And gut microbiota-derived SCFAs may serve as a potential therapeutic agent to neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.
AfLaeA, a Global Regulator of Mycelial Growth, Chlamydospore Production, Pathogenicity, Secondary Metabolism, and Energy Metabolism in the Nematode-Trapping Fungus
Arthrobotrys flagrans
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Xin , Ran Yuan , Zhang Ke-Qin , Li Guo-Hong
Published: June 2023

The regulation of biological functions, such as the secondary metabolism, development, and pathogenicity of LaeA, has been reported in multiple fungi. But to date, no study on LaeA in nematode-trapping fungi has been reported.
Genomic Evidence of
mcr-1.26
IncX4 Plasmid Transmission between Poultry and Humans
Authors: Binsker Ulrike , Oelgeschläger Kathrin , Neumann Bernd , Werner Guido , Käsbohrer Annemarie , Hammerl Jens A.
Published: June 2023

Evolutionary events causing the emergence of new resistances/variants are usually rare and challenging to predict. Conversely, common transmission events of widespread resistance determinants are quantifiable and predictable.
Extensive Diversity in Escherichia coli Group 3 Capsules Is Driven by Recombination and Plasmid Transfer from Multiple Species
Authors: Hong Yaoqin , Qin Jilong , Forga Xavier Bertran , Totsika Makrina
Published: June 2023

Capsular polysaccharides protect pathogenic bacteria against environmental challenges, host immunity, and phage predations. The historical
Escherichia coli
K typing scheme, which relies on the hypervariable capsular polysaccharide, has identified around 80 different K forms that fall into four distinct groups.
Genomic and Functional Characterization of Longitudinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Young Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Chandler Courtney E. , Hofstaedter Casey E. , Hazen Tracy H. , Rasko David A. , Ernst Robert K.
Published: June 2023

Chronic lung infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is of major concern for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). During infection,
P. aeruginosa
undergoes genomic and functional adaptation to the hyperinflammatory CF airway, resulting in worsening lung function and pulmonary decline.
Population Dynamics of Intestinal
Enterococcus
Modulate Galleria mellonella Metamorphosis
Authors: Kong Hyun Gi , Son Jin-Soo , Chung Joon-Hui , Lee Soohyun , Kim Jun-Seob , Ryu Choong-Min
Published: June 2023

First, we demonstrated that the presence of
Enterococcus
spp. is a driving force for insect metamorphosis. RNA sequencing and peptide production subsequently revealed that antimicrobial peptides targeted against microorganisms in the gut of
Galleria mellonella
(wax moth) did not kill
Enterobacteria
species, but did kill
Enterococcus
species, when the moth was at a certain stage of growth, and this promoted moth pupation.
Aneuploidy Formation in the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus flavus in Response to Azole Stress
Authors: Barda Omer , Sadhasivam Sudharsan , Gong Di , Doron-Faigenboim Adi , Zakin Varda , Drott Milton T. , Sionov Edward
Published: June 2023

Fungal pathogens cause human disease and threaten global food security by contaminating crops with toxins (mycotoxins).
Aspergillus flavus
is an opportunistic mycotoxigenic fungus that causes invasive and noninvasive aspergillosis, diseases with high rates of mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, this fungus contaminates most major crops with the notorious carcinogen, aflatoxin.
Comparing microscope light-associated glare and comfort between heads-up 3D digital and conventional microscopes in cataract surgery: a randomised, multicentre, single-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Gualino Vincent , Pierne Kevin , Manassero Anthony , Bruneau Sébastien , Couturier Aude , Tadayoni Ramin
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare subjective levels of comfort and visual experiences related to microscope light in patients undergoing their first cataract surgery with topical anaesthesia using a digital microscope (the NGENUITY three-dimensional (3D) visualisation system) or a conventional microscope.

Methods and analysis

A prospective, randomised, single-blinded, parallel-group, multicentre, interventional study. Patients (n=128) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: the experimental group (n=63) had surgery using the digital microscope and the control group (n=65) had surgery with a conventional microscope. The primary outcome was patients’ subjective experience of glare from the microscope light during surgery on a numerical scale from 0 to 10. Key secondary outcomes were patients’ subjective levels of comfort and visual experiences related to the microscope light.

Results

The experimental group reported significantly lower levels of glare; median levels were 1.0 (0.0–4.0) for the experimental group vs 3.0 (0.0–6.0) for the control group (p=0.027). They also reported higher levels of comfort; median ratings were 8.0 (6.5–10.0) in the experimental group and 7.0 (5.0–9.0) in controls (p=0.026). There were no group differences in ratings of subjective pain or visual disturbances. Median microscope light intensity was lower in the experimental group than controls; 3425.0 (2296.0–4300.0) Lux vs 24 279.0 (16 000.0–26 500.0) Lux (p<0.0001), respectively.

Conclusion

Compared with conventional microscopes, the NGENUITY 3D visualisation system allows surgeons to operate with lower levels of light exposure, resulting in significantly less glare and improved comfort in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Trial registration number

NCT05085314.
Awareness, attitudes and practices relating to Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control among members of tobacco control committees in a southern Indian state
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Kamath Veena Ganesh , Kamath Asha , Kulkarni Muralidhar M , Britton John
Published: June 2023

Background and objectives

The tobacco industry (TI) has undermined tobacco control policy for decades. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3 implementation guidelines provide guidance for preventing TI interference. Government officials responsible for policy implementation must understand these guidelines to manage TI tactics. This study assessed awareness, attitudes and practices of Article 5.3 guidelines among members of District Level Coordination Committees (DLCC) in Karnataka mandated with overseeing tobacco control activity.

Method

A semistructured questionnaire survey of awareness, attitudes and adherence to Article 5.3 guidelines among 102 DLCC members carried out between January and July 2019.

Result

Responses were received from 82 members, comprising 51 (62%) from health and 31 (38%) from non-health departments. Our study demonstrates a lack of understanding of Article 5.3 and its guidelines, even among those actively involved in tobacco control at the district level. Nearly 80% of respondents were aware that corporate social responsibility (CSR) by tobacco companies is an indirect form of promoting tobacco. However, 44% of members felt that CSR funding from the TI should be used to combat tobacco-related harm. A higher proportion (12%) of health respondents agreed that subsidies should be provided to tobacco agriculture compared with non-health (3%).

Conclusion

Awareness of international guidance designed to prevent the TI influence on health policy among policymakers in this Indian state is low. Respondents from non-health departments were less aware of TI CSR. Those in health departments were more receptive towards taking a TI role in the future .
Predation of Atlantic salmon across ontogenetic stages and impacts on populations
Authors: Falkegård Morten , Lennox Robert J. , Thorstad Eva B. , Einum Sigurd , Fiske Peder , Garmo Øyvind A. , Garseth Åse H. , Skoglund Helge , Solberg Monica F. , Utne Kjell R. , Vollset Knut W. , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn , Wennevik Vidar , Forseth Torbjørn
Published: June 2023

Managers and stakeholders increasingly ask whether predation is a driving force behind the poor status of many species, and whether predator control is likely to be a successful management action to intervene. We review existing literature on Atlantic salmon Salmo salar predation and predator control, as well as general ecological theory on the role of predation in the life cycle of this iconic fish. Many bird, mammal, and fish predators target salmon at different life stages. In healthy salmon populations, predation is likely compensated for by reduced intraspecific competition during the freshwater stage. There is little evidence that predation alone has been an underlying mechanism for driving salmon populations below conservation limits. However, depending on the predator's response to salmon abundance, predation may keep decimated populations from recovering, even when the actual causes of decline have been removed. Under such a scenario, predation control may contribute to recovery, but there are no strong examples that clearly demonstrate the efficacy of managing predators to recover threatened salmon populations, challenging further applications.
Bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere of fungi-infected Amorphophallus titanum
Authors: Sipriyadi Sipriyadi , Khairina Yeni , Masrukhin Masrukhin , Yulandi Adi , Wibowo Risky Hadi , Nisa Dhiatama Tauhida
Published: June 2023

The rhizosphere is a narrow soil area directly affected by plant root exudates. Microbes inhabiting the rhizosphere have been widely studied for their beneficial effects on plant nutrition, growth, and disease prevention. Many factors affect the rhizosphere microbial composition, including plant pathogen infection. Here, we analyzed the bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere of fungi-infected Amorphophallus titanum. Soil samples were collected from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere areas of fungi-infected A. titanum. The 16S metagenomic analysis was conducted to investigate the bacterial community of the samples by amplifying the V3–V4 region. The results showed that the phylum Firmicutes was prevalent in the rhizosphere, whereas the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were limited. Some major fungal genera were isolated from infected tubers and rhizosphere soil of A. titanum, including Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus sp., Perenniporia sp., and Cerrena sp. The fungal-isolate Aspergillus spp. is a well-known agricultural pest in several reports. While Cerrena sp. was reported to be pathogenic in plants, including the family of Arecaceae. Overall, the data revealed a potential relationship between fungal infections and the dominant bacterial community in the rhizosphere of A. titanum. Additionally, this research may contribute to the development of microbe-based technology to mitigate diseases in A. titanum.
Salvaging power-law inflation through warming
Authors: Alhallak M. , Chamoun N. , Eldaher M. S.
Published: June 2023

Power-law inflation with scale factor $$a \propto t^m$$

a
∝

t
m

is investigated in the context of warm inflation. The treatment is performed in the weak and strong dissipation limits. In addition, we discuss the three common cases for the thermal dissipation coefficient $$\varGamma (T)$$

Γ
(
T
)

. We compare the theoretical results of the power-law model within warm inflation with the observational constraints from Planck 2018 and BICEP/Keck 2018, as presented by the tensor-to-scalar ratio r and spectral index $$n_s$$

n
s

. The model results agree largely with the observations for most of the $$\varGamma (T)$$

Γ
(
T
)

cases. Furthermore, in order to address the problem of exiting the inflationary epoch, we suggest a perturbed modification to the power-law definition so that it becomes affine, and find that this small change indicates a way for having an exit scenario with a suitable e-foldings number. Finally, we examine this perturbation ansatz within the context of cold inflation with exponential potential, and we find that it can accommodate the observational data with sufficient e-foldings. Our study suggests that the power-law inflation and the exponential potential, in both warm and cold inflation contexts, can in principle be made consistent with the observations and with a possible graceful exit.
Phase-space analysis of a novel cosmological model in f(Q) theory
Authors: Shabani Hamid , De Avik , Loo Tee-How
Published: June 2023

The vanishing affine connections have been used solely while adopting the modified f(Q) gravity theory to the cosmology. Consequently, researchers could not get beyond what is already known in f(T) theory earlier. To alleviate this problem, in the present manuscript we investigate a recently proposed construction of f(Q) theory using non-vanishing affine connection in the spatially flat FLRW spacetime. We then investigate the cosmological solutions of f(Q) theory for a perfect fluid through the phase space analysis. We introduce few variables and dimensionless parameters to construct the corresponding equations suitable for the dynamical system approach. The conservation of the energy-momentum tensor leads to a constraint equation that relates the dynamical variables. Briefly, both unstable and stable de Sitter solutions appear which correspond to early and late times accelerated expansions. Also, unstable points corresponding to the matter dominated and radiation dominated eras have been found which do exist for every f(Q) function. As a result, the present discussion shows that f(Q) gravity endowed by non-vanishing affine connections is capable of explaining a true sequence of cosmic eras.
Axion stars in MGD background
Authors: Casadio R. , da Rocha R.
Published: June 2023

The minimal geometric deformation (MGD) paradigm is here employed to survey axion stars on fluid branes. The finite value of the brane tension provides beyond-general relativity corrections to the density, compactness, radius, and asymptotic limit of the gravitational mass function of axion stars, in a MGD background. The brane tension also enhances the effective range and magnitude of the axion field coupled to gravity. MGD axion stars are compatible to mini-massive compact halo objects for almost all the observational range of brane tension, however, a narrow range allows MGD axion star densities large enough to produce stimulated decays of the axion to photons, with no analogy in the general-relativistic (GR) limit. Besides, the gravitational mass and the density of MGD axion stars are shown to be up to four orders of magnitude larger than the GR axion stars, being also less sensitive to tidal disruption events under collision with neutron stars, for lower values of the fluid brane tension.
Automated verification of countermeasure against detector-control attack in quantum key distribution
Authors: Acheva Polina , Zaitsev Konstantin , Zavodilenko Vladimir , Losev Anton , Huang Anqi , Makarov Vadim
Published: June 2023

Attacks that control single-photon detectors in quantum key distribution using tailored bright illumination are capable of eavesdropping the secret key. Here we report an automated testbench that checks the detector’s vulnerabilities against these attacks. We illustrate its performance by testing a free-running detector that includes a rudimentary countermeasure measuring an average photocurrent. While our testbench automatically finds the detector to be controllable in a continuous-blinding regime, the countermeasure registers photocurrent significantly exceeding that in a quantum regime, thus revealing the attack. We then perform manually a pulsed blinding attack, which controls the detector intermittently. This attack is missed by the countermeasure in a wide range of blinding pulse durations and powers, still allowing to eavesdrop the key. We make recommendations for improvement of both the testbench and countermeasure.
Causal potency of consciousness in the physical world
Authors: Georgiev Danko D.
Published: June 2023

The evolution of the human mind through natural selection mandates that our conscious experiences are causally potent in order to leave a tangible impact on the surrounding physical world. Any attempt to construct a functional theory of the conscious mind within the framework of classical physics, however, inevitably leads to causally impotent conscious experiences in direct contradiction to evolution theory. Here, we derive several rigorous theorems that identify the origin of the latter impasse in the mathematical properties of ordinary differential equations employed in combination with the alleged functional production of the mind by the brain. Then, we demonstrate that a mind–brain theory consistent with causally potent conscious experiences is provided by modern quantum physics, in which the unobservable conscious mind is reductively identified with the quantum state of the brain and the observable brain is constructed by the physical measurement of quantum brain observables. The resulting quantum stochastic dynamics obtained from sequential quantum measurements of the brain is governed by stochastic differential equations, which permit genuine free will exercised through sequential conscious choices of future courses of action. Thus, quantum reductionism provides a solid theoretical foundation for the causal potency of consciousness, free will and cultural transmission.
Improvement of fatigue endurance through modulating strain response in BaTiO3–Ca3Ti2O7 composite ceramics
Authors: Xiao Tianqi , Xiao Zhifeng , Wang Shouyu , Li Zhiyan , Tian Xiaoyu , Liu Weifang
Published: June 2023

Ferroelectric ceramics are highly desired for applications in energy storage devices due to their fast charge-discharge capability. However, electric field-driven gradual degradation of ferroelectric polarization (i.e., fatigue) inevitably results in a decrease in energy efficiency and energy storage density. Therefore, improving fatigue endurance is one challenge for their practical applications in energy storage devices. Here, we provide a strategy to modulate the strain response to the external electric field, and thus, increase the fatigue endurance by employing hybrid improper ferroelectricc Ca3Ti2O7 ceramic that exhibits a negative piezoelectric effect. We synthesized [Formula: see text] BaTiO[Formula: see text] Ca3Ti2O7 (BT-xCT) ceramics, in which the strain response of ceramics to the electric field gradually decreases with the increasing proportion of Ca3Ti2O7. For BT-0.3CT ceramic, the energy density storage efficiency is improved to 74.95% which is much higher than that of BT-0.1CT (48.07%). The strain response to the external electric field of BT-0.3CT is substantially lowered and almost reaches zero, leading to excellent fatigue endurance ability. This research work paves a route for designing ferroelectric ceramics with smaller strain response and enhanced fatigue endurance ability, which is expected to benefit a wide range of applications of ferroelectric ceramics in various electric capacitors and electric storage devices.
Abnormal heat capacity of phonons in solid 4He
Authors: Cheng Ze
Published: June 2023

In the solid 4He at zero temperature, there are the acoustic waves, which manifest themselves in the form of phonon pairs. We show that the phonon system in solid 4He can undergo the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) condensation. In the BCS condensation state, the phonon system possesses a new kind of quasiparticle, the dressed phonon, whose velocity is a monotonically increasing function of temperature. The phonon system undergoes a first-order phase transition from the normal state to the BCS condensation state. We derive the low-temperature expression of the phonon heat capacity in the BCS condensation state, which considerably deviates from the Debye [Formula: see text] law in classic solids.
SER: Performance Evaluation of CNN Model Along with an Overview of Available Indic Speech Datasets, and Transition of Classifiers From Traditional to Modern Era
Authors: Khurana Surbhi , Dev Amita , Bansal Poonam
Published: June 2023

Speech emotion recognition (SER) is a rapidly evolving field in affective computing and human-computer interaction. In general, a SER system extracts and classifies prominent elements called features from a pre-processed speech signal to target the presence of speaker's certain emotion. This paper explores the utilization of deep learning classifiers in SER and surveys available datasets in both Indic and international languages. The paper highlights the significance of SER in enhancing human-computer interaction and presents deep learning as an effective approach to handle the complexity of speech signals. Various deep learning architectures, including Convolution Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Network (RNNs), and hybrid models, are analysed in terms of training methodology, and performance on benchmark datasets. Additionally, the paper conducts a comprehensive survey of publicly available datasets for speech emotion recognition, considering emotional categories, language diversity, recording conditions, and sample sizes. Challenges in adapting deep learning models to these datasets, such as data augmentation and cross-lingual transfer learning, are discussed. Moreover, the CNN based model is analysed on accuracy, precision, recall and F-1 score on Ryerson Audio-Visual Database of Emotional Speech and Song (RAVDESS) dataset with the value 84%, 85%, 84% and 84% resp. The review concludes with key findings, emphasizing the strengths and limitations of deep learning classifiers for SER. It identifies the need for standardized evaluation protocols, exploration of transfer learning across languages, and development of robust and culturally diverse datasets as future research directions.
Privacy and Fairness in Federated Learning: On the Perspective of Tradeoff
Authors: Chen Huiqiang , Zhu Tianqing , Zhang Tao , Zhou Wanlei , Yu Philip S.
Published: June 2023

Federated learning (FL) has been a hot topic in recent years. Ever since it was introduced, researchers have endeavored to devise FL systems that protect privacy or ensure fair results, with most research focusing on one or the other. As two crucial ethical notions, the interactions between privacy and fairness are comparatively less studied. However, since privacy and fairness compete, considering each in isolation will inevitably come at the cost of the other. To provide a broad view of these two critical topics, we presented a detailed literature review of privacy and fairness issues, highlighting unique challenges posed by FL and solutions in federated settings. We further systematically surveyed different interactions between privacy and fairness, trying to reveal how privacy and fairness could affect each other and point out new research directions in fair and private FL.
Seasonal expressions of COX-1, COX-2, and EP4 in the scent glands of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)
Authors: Xie Wenqian , Zhang Chaoran , Gao Qingjing , Liu Yuning , Zhang Haolin , Weng Qiang
Published: June 2023

Prostaglandins (PGs) serve as signaling molecules that regulate various physiological processes, including inflammation, immune response, blood clotting, and reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunolocalizations and expression patterns of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and COX-2, as well as its receptor subtypes 4 (EP4) in the scent glands of muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus) during the breeding and nonbreeding periods. There were significant seasonal differences in the scent glandular mass, with higher values in the breeding season and relatively low in the nonbreeding season. PGE2, EP4, COX-1, and COX-2 have been immunolocalized in the scent glandular and epithelial cells in both breeding and nonbreeding seasons, whereas no immunostaining was observed in the interstitial cells. The protein and mRNA expression levels of EP4, COX-1, and COX-2 were higher in the scent glands of the breeding season than those of the nonbreeding season. The mean mRNA levels of EP4, COX-1, and COX-2 were positively correlated with the scent glandular weights. The circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and PGE2, as well as scent glandular PGE2 and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations, were also significantly higher in the breeding season. In addition, the transcriptomic study in the scent glands identified that differentially expressed genes might be related to fatty carboxylic monocarboxylic acid, steroidogenic-related pathways, and prostanoid metabolic processes. These findings suggested that prostaglandin-E2 might play an essential autocrine or paracrine role in regulating seasonal changes in the scent glandular functions of the muskrats.