bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Realization of Anti‐Unitary Wave‐Chaotic Photonic Topological Insulator Graphs Showing Kramers Degeneracy and Symplectic Ensemble Statistics
Authors: Ma Shukai , Anlage Steven M.
Published: November 2023

Working in analogy with topological insulators in condensed matter, photonic topological insulators (PTI) have been experimentally realized, and protected electromagnetic edge‐modes have been demonstrated in such systems. Moreover, PTI technology also emulates a synthetic spin‐1/2 degree of freedom (DOF) in the reflectionless topological modes. The spin‐1/2 DOF is carried by quantum valley Hall (QVH)/quantum spin Hall (QSH) interface modes created from the bianisotropic meta waveguide platform and realized both in simulation and experiment. The PTI setting is employed to build an ensemble of wave chaotic 1D metric graphs that display statistical properties consistent with Gaussian symplectic ensemble (GSE) statistics. The two critical ingredients required to create a physical system in the GSE universality class, the half‐integer‐spin DOF and preserved time‐reversal invariance, are clearly realized in the QVH/QSH interface modes. The anti‐unitary T‐operator is identified for the PTI Hamiltonian underlying the experimental realization. An ensemble of PTI‐edgemode metric graphs are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Then, the Kramers degeneracy of eigenmodes of the PTI‐graph systems is demonstrated with both numerical and experimental studies. Further, spectral statistical studies of the edgemode graphs are studied, and good agreement with the GSE theoretical predictions is found. The PTI chaotic graph structures present an innovative and easily extendable platform for continued future investigation of GSE systems.
First Principles Studies of Topological Insulating Behavior in Lanthanum‐Monopnictides and their Heterostructures
Authors: K S Ananthram , N Suneetha , Tarafder Kartick
Published: November 2023

The topological insulating behavior of LaX (X = Bi, Sb, As, and P) and their heterostructure combinations are investigated. The system's bulk‐band‐inversion is analyzed, and the ‐topological indexes are calculated using LDA and mBJLDA exchange functionals. Strong topological insulating behavior in LaBi is confirmed from bulk band inversion. Linearly dispersive Dirac‐cone in the (001)‐surface band structure is observed. The other LaX binaries also exhibit bulk‐band‐inversion under LDA+SOC settings but disappear after including the mBJ potential. The robustness of the surface Dirac cone is tested by estimating the surface band structure under uniaxial strain. The result shows that Dirac‐cone in the (001)‐surface is unaltered only for the LaBi system and destroyed in all other three binaries, concluding the topologically trivial nature of LaP, LaSb, and LaAs. The investigation is further extended to study the multilayer LaX1/LaX2 systems composed of an alternate stacking of two different LaX binaries. The findings suggest that the multilayer structures exhibit topological insulating behavior only when LaBi is present in the system. Bulk‐band‐inversion and surface Dirac‐cone structures in LaBi/LaAs, LaBi/LaSb, and LaBi/LaP multilayers are observed. Furthermore, the surface Dirac cones remain unchanged under the influence of TR‐preserving perturbation, confirming these systems possess strong topological insulating character.
Trends in the prevalence of obesity, overweight, and thinness among schoolchildren aged 7–14 years from southern Brazil (2002–2019)
Authors: Spanholi Mariana Winck , Matsuo Luísa Harumi , Roberto Denise Miguel Teixeira , Pereira Luciana Jeremias , Belchor Ana Luisa Lages , Cezimbra Vanessa Guimarães , Junior Carlos Alencar Souza Alves , Vieira Francilene Gracieli Kunradi , Silva Diego Augusto Santos , de Vasconcelos Francisco de Assis Guedes , Soar Cláudia , Corrêa Elizabeth Nappi , Rockenbach Gabriele , Leite Maurício Soares , de Assis Maria Alice Altenburg , Di Pietro Patrícia Faria , Kupek Emil , Leal Danielle Biazzi , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas
Published: November 2023

Objective

To analyze the obesity, overweight, and thinness trends among Brazilian schoolchildren by sex, age group, and type of school according to World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria.

Methods

We conducted four surveys between 2002 and 2018/19 involving schoolchildren aged 7–14 years from a state capital in southern Brazil. Weight status was classified using both WHO and IOTF criteria.

Results

In the total sample, obesity prevalence based on the IOTF and the WHO criteria were 72% and 44% higher in 2018/19 compared with 2002, respectively. Over the whole period, the obesity prevalence increased among children (WHO: 10.1% vs. 14.1%; IOTF: 5.0% vs. 8.3%), and those from public schools (WHO: 10.5% vs. 16.4%; IOTF: 5.6% vs. 10.1%). There was no significant reduction in thinness prevalence over the analyzed period.

Conclusion

Obesity prevalence remains on an upward trend in a state capital in southern Brazil, especially among children from public schools. A higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed using the WHO criteria compared with IOTF criteria.
Bruno Schulz's 1930 article “The Hereditary Relationships of Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis”
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. , Klee Astrid
Published: November 2023

In the 1899 6th edition of his influential textbook, Kraepelin proposed a diagnostic category of “Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis.” In this 1930 article, Bruno Schulz studied the morbid risk (MR) of several disorders and traits in the parents, siblings, offspring, and nieces/nephews of 51 probands with “Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis.” His results permitted an evaluation of the validity of Kraepelin's category of Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis, in particular, whether it was a form of psychosis resulting from “senile changes” or late‐onset schizophrenia. The MR of schizophrenia in these four groups of relatives varied from 0 to 2.4% with 3 of 4 somewhat higher than population expectations but much lower than parallel results in relatives of schizophrenics. By contrast, the rates of eccentricity in these relatives were uniformly elevated over population rates, sometimes approaching those seen in relatives of schizophrenics. Schulz concluded, from his study, that Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis was a distinct disorder not closely related to schizophrenia. However, he suggested that a family history and/or a premorbid trait of eccentricity increases the risk of developing a paranoid psychosis in old age, particularly when associated with physical or mental decline. He was uncertain about whether the trait of eccentricity he found in this study was very similar or distinct from that observed in excess in relatives of schizophrenics. This study was the first, to the best of our knowledge, to use a family study design explicitly to address a nosologic question—in this case the familial relationship between Old‐Age Paranoid Psychosis and schizophrenia.
Efficient Visible‐Light‐Activated Ultra‐Long Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence Triggered by Multi‐Esterification
Authors: Yu Jiahong , Sun Zhiyu , Ma Huili , Wang Chengyun , Huang Wenbin , He Zikai , Wu Wenjun , Hu Honglong , Zhao Weijun , Zhu Wei‐Hong
Published: November 2023

The development of ultra‐long room‐temperature phosphorescence (UL‐RTP) in processable amorphous organic materials is highly desirable for applications in flexible displays, anti‐counterfeiting, and bio‐imaging. However, achieving efficient UL‐RTP from amorphous materials remains a challenging task, especially with activation by visible light and a bright afterglow. Here we report a general and rational molecular‐design strategy to enable efficient visible‐light‐excited UL‐RTP by multi‐esterification of a rigid large‐plane phosphorescence core. Notably, multi‐esterification minimizes the aggregation‐induced quenching and accomplishes a ′four birds with one stone′ possibility in the generation and radiation process of UL‐RTP: i) shifting the excitation from ultraviolet light to blue‐light through enhancing the transition dipole moment of low‐lying singlet‐states, ii) facilitating the intersystem crossing process through the incorporation of lone‐pair electrons, iii) boosting the decay process of long‐lived triplet excitons resulting from a significantly increased transition dipole moment, and iv) reducing the intrinsic triplet nonradiative decay by substitution of high‐frequency vibrating hydrogen atoms. All these factors synergistically contribute to the most efficient and stable visible‐light‐stimulated UL‐RTP (lifetime up to 2.01 s and efficiency up to 35.4 % upon excitation at 450 nm) in flexible films using multi‐esterified coronene, which allows high‐tech applications in single‐component time‐delayed white light‐emitting diodes and information technology based on flashlight‐activated afterglow encryption.
Optimization of the elastic modulus for polymeric nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Alasfar Reema H. , Koç Muammer , Kochkodan Viktor , Ahzi Said , Barth Nicolas
Published: November 2023

The mechanical properties of polymeric membranes are critical factors for a successful and durable application in water treatment technologies. Fabricating membranes with optimal mechanical properties require delicate balancing between material, additives, processing conditions, porosity, and many other variables. Several variables to be optimized demands detailed experimental and computational investigations. The design of experiments (DOEs) technique using a validated framework with a computational model for the prediction of the elastic behavior can lower the number of conducted experiments for optimal membrane fabrication conditions. In this study, optimization of the elastic modulus of polymeric membranes is performed using DOE with computational modeling and validated with experiments. The optimum storage modulus of polymeric nano‐filled membranes is determined at an operating temperature of 35°C. DOE is employed with a three‐factor–three‐level problem. The Taguchi DOE is utilized to obtain the experiments scheme, followed by the prediction of the storage modulus and fabrication of the polymeric nano‐filled membrane with the optimum modulus. Predicted results demonstrate that the modulus of polyether sulfone (PES) reinforced with 0.3 wt.% halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) is the optimum combination. The fabricated PES/0.3 wt.% HNT membrane is in good agreement with the predicted modulus with a percentage error of 3%.
Prediction of CHO cell line stability using expression of DNA repair genes
Authors: Cordova Lauren T. , Dahodwala Hussain , Cooley Rebecca , Lee Kelvin H.
Published: November 2023

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are essential to biopharmaceutical manufacturing and production instability, the loss of productivity over time, is a long‐standing challenge in the industry. Accurate prediction of cell line stability could enable efficient screening to identify clones suitable for manufacturing saving significant time and costs. DNA repair genes may offer biomarkers to address this need. In this study, over 40 cell lines representing various host lineages from three companies/organizations were evaluated for expression of five DNA repair genes (Fam35a, Lig4, Palb2, Pari, and Xrcc6). Expression measured in cells with less than 30 population doubling levels (PDLs) was correlated to stability profiles at 60+ PDL. Principal component analysis identified markers which separate stable and unstable CHO‐DG44 cell lines. Notably, two genes, Lig4 and Xrcc6, showed higher expression in unstable CHO‐DG44 cell lines with copy number loss identified as the mechanism of production instability. Expression levels across all cell ages showed lower DNA repair gene expression was associated with increased cell age. Collectively, DNA repair genes provide critical insight into long‐term behavior of CHO cells and their expression levels have potential to predict cell line stability in certain cases.
Structural, material and antibacterial properties of quercetin incorporated soy protein isolate films and its binding behavior through molecular docking
Authors: Rani Priya , Yadav Piyush Kumar , Singh Ajay Kumar , Nayak Suman , Kumar K. Dinesh , Kumar Rakesh
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the three different methods for the fabrication of quercetin (1%–3% w/w of protein) incorporated soy protein isolate (SPI) films and their effect on material properties. The quercetin incorporated SPI films prepared by these methods were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometer, tensile properties, and water uptake and leaching properties. The cross‐linking pattern was revealed by the FTIR spectrum that showed formation of an ester group because of interaction between the quercetin hydroxyl group and the carboxyl side chain of SPI amino acids. The tensile strength of SPI films were enhanced with the addition of quercetin as it increased to a maximum of 6.17 MPa while neat SPI film had tensile strength 4.13 MPa. The prepared films exhibit significant antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. The In‐silico docking analysis demonstrates that covalent and non‐covalent forces play crucial roles in binding interaction. It shows the formation of four hydrogen bonds, two salt bridges along with one pi‐alkyl interaction. The simulation studies reflect the crucial amino acid residues involved in SPI‐quercetin binding. The effect of quercetin binding with SPI on its stability and compactness is revealed by Root mean square deviation (RMSD) and radius of gyration studies.
Impact of aversive affect on neural mechanisms of categorization decisions
Authors: Levitas Daniel J. , Folco Kess L. , James Thomas W.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Many theories contend that evidence accumulation is a critical component of decision‐making. Cognitive accumulation models typically interpret two main parameters: a drift rate and decision threshold. The former is the rate of accumulation, based on the quality of evidence, and the latter is the amount of evidence required for a decision. Some studies have found neural signals that mimic evidence accumulators and can be described by the two parameters. However, few studies have related these neural parameters to experimental manipulations of sensory data or memory representations. Here, we investigated the influence of affective salience on neural accumulation parameters. High affective salience has been repeatedly shown to influence decision‐making, yet its effect on neural evidence accumulation has been unexamined.

Methods

The current study used a two‐choice object categorization task of body images (feet or hands). Half the images in each category were high in affective salience because they contained highly aversive features (gore and mutilation). To study such quick categorization decisions with a relatively slow technique like functional magnetic resonance imaging, we used a gradual reveal paradigm to lengthen cognitive processing time through the gradual “unmasking” of stimuli.

Results

Because the aversive features were task‐irrelevant, high affective salience produced a distractor effect, slowing decision time. In visual accumulation regions of interest, high affective salience produced a longer time to peak activation. Unexpectedly, the later peak appeared to be the product of changes to both drift rate and decision threshold. The drift rate for high affective salience was shallower, and the decision threshold was greater. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an experimental manipulation of sensory data or memory representations that changed the neural decision threshold.

Conclusion

These findings advance our knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying affective responses in general and the influence of high affective salience on object representations and categorization decisions.
Steroidal Saponins from Solanum lyratum Thunb.
Authors: Lai Jia‐Xin , Zhao Yue , Gao Wen‐Ke , Zhang Li‐Hua , Yu Hai‐Yang , Yang Wen‐Zhi , Wu Hong‐Hua
Published: November 2023

Four undescribed steroidal compounds along with twenty known compounds were isolated from n‐butanol extracted fraction of the whole plants of Solanum lyratum Thunb (SLNF). Their structures were assigned based on analyses of the extensive spectroscopic data (including MS, 1D/2D NMR, and ECD) or comparisons of the NMR data with those reported. Among the knowns, three compounds were isolated from Solanum plants for the first time, while one compound was isolated from S. lyratum for the first time. In addition, the cytotoxicities of these isolates against human colon SW480 and hepatoma Hep3B cells were evaluated by a MTT assay. And, nine of them and SLNF exhibited significant activities against both SW480 and Hep3B cells, while twelve of them significantly inhibited the activities of SW480 cells. This study allows for the exploitation of chemical markers with potential significance in discrimination of Solanum plants, and uncovers the diverse steroidal constituents from S. lyratum dedicated for its future application in cancer treatment.
New Monoterpenoid Indole Hybrids from Gelsemium elegans with Anti‐Inflammatory and Osteoclast Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Zhang Pan‐Pan , Liang Jia‐Jun , Lu Qing‐Yu , Yin Xin , Zhou Yong‐Qiang , Feng Ting‐Ting , Zhou Ying , Chang Dong , Wei Xin
Published: November 2023

Gelsegansymines A (1) and B (2), two new indole alkaloids along with six known analogues (3–8) were isolated from the aerial parts of Gelsemium elegans. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques. Structurally, compounds 1 and 2 possessed the rare cage‐like gelsedine skeleton hybrid with bicyclic monoterpenoid. The anti‐inflammatory activities of isolated compounds (1–3) were tested on LPS induced RAW264.7 cells. Under the treated concentration without toxicity for cells, the cytokines levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were evaluated by Griess method and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that compounds 1–3 exhibited anti‐inflammatory activities with dose‐dependent manner range from 12.5 to 50 μmol/L. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of compounds 1 and 2 on receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) induced osteoclast formation were tested in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 at 5 μmol/L exhibited the significant inhibitory effect on the osteoclastogenesis induced by RANKL. This work reported the anti‐inflammatory and osteoclast inhibitory activities of new monoterpenoid indole hybrids, which may inspire the further light on the related traditional application research of G. elegans.
Bioactivities and Phenolic Profiles of Honeys Derived from Plants of the Goldfields, Esperance and Wheatbelt Regions of Western Australia
Authors: Lozada Lawag Ivan , Green Kathryn J. , Khairul Islam Md , Locher Cornelia , Hammer Katherine A.
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to examine a collection of 79 honeys derived from plants endemic to several Western Australian unique bioregions for bioactivity and physicochemical characteristics. For physicochemical analyses, total phenolic content, high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprints, pH, Brix, colour and hydrogen peroxide generation were examined. Brix (82.6±1.3) and pH (4.34±0.24) values were within expected ranges, whereas hydrogen peroxide levels determined using an o‐dianisidine/horseradish peroxidase assay were relatively low, ranging from 0–244 μM. Antibacterial activity determined by the broth microdilution assay showed that Moort (Eucalyptus platypus) and Yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis) honeys had the highest overall activity with mean minimum inhibitory concentrations of 24.8 % and 25.1 % (w/v) honey, respectively. Yate honey also had the highest overall antioxidant activity (4.38±0.58 mmol Fe2+/kg of honey), followed by Mallee honeys from various eucalypts, as determined by FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH⋅ (2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) assays. This study identified new sources of honeys with potentially useful therapeutic properties from bioregions within Western Australia.
Successful treatment by recross IVUS‐guided reentry in coronary total occlusion: STRIVE‐CTO
Authors: Ungureanu Claudiu , Cocoi Mihai , Colletti Giuseppe , Avran Alexandre
Published: November 2023

Complex coronary total occlusion (CTO) lesions percutaneous treatment, especially in contexts where traditional antegrade strategies have failed and retrograde approaches are unsuitable, due to lack of interventional collaterals or high risk of complications, presents a considerable challenge for interventional cardiologists. Antegrade dissection reentry has historically offered a bailout strategy in cases with unsuccessful antegrade wire escalation. Nevertheless, the technique—whether employing dual‐lumen microcatheters or dedicated reentry devices, such as Stingray—encounters several limitations, particularly when the delivery of the system is not possible, or extraplaque large hematomas, which complicates reentry. This paper introduces an innovative technique combining the use of the Recross MC Dual Microcatheter with real‐time intravascular ultrasound guidance for refined re‐wiring in CTO interventions. This approach facilitates accurate reentry zone selection and ensures precise, controlled puncturing into the true lumen, thereby enabling safe and predictable CTO recanalization.
Intra‐abdominal omental mass as a desmoplastic round cell tumor: A rare case report
Authors: Bohara Sujan , Jha Pinky , Bhat Pawan Singh , Malla Srijan , Karki Samikshya , Jha Saroj Kumar , Basukala Sunil , Rawal Sushil Bahadur
Published: November 2023

Key Clinical Message

Desmoplastic round cell tumor, though rare, must be taken into consideration as a differential diagnosis, thus aiding in early evaluation and changing the trajectory of the natural history of the disease condition, and improving the prognosis of patients.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a rare, aggressive tumor of mesenchymal origin with an incidence of 0.74 cases per million. We present a young adult with a periumbilical mass who was diagnosed as a desmoplastic round cell tumor and later was treated with exploratory laparotomy and resection of the tumor with no recurrence during a 6‐month follow‐up period.
Effect of Elasticity and Nonlinear Viscosity on Fingering Instability in Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Shokri Hosna , Kayhani Mohammad Hassan , Norouzi Mahmood , Kim Mirae , Kim Kyung Chun
Published: November 2023

The Saffman‐Taylor instability of polymeric fluids flooding through saturated heterogeneous porous media is studied numerically. The displacement of a Newtonian fluid by a viscoelastic liquid is examined using a Hartley transformation and a fourth‐order Adams‐Bashforth technique. The flow is assumed to be miscible, and the Carreau‐Yasuda equation is used to model the shear‐thinning viscometric functions. The effects of different rheological properties and domain parameters on flow instability are studied in detail. It is found that a channeling regime is possible as the main difference between displacements through homogeneous and heterogeneous media.
Parametric Identification of a Countercurrent Aqueous Hydrolysis Process for the Production of Glycerine under Higher Pressure and Temperature
Authors: Thirunavukarasu Narayani , Panda Rames C. , Panda Atanu , K Kalaivani
Published: November 2023

Glycerine is produced by aqueous hydrolysis of tallow fat in the Twitchell process under high pressure (40–60 bar) and temperature (250–270 °C). An effort was made to improve the degree of hydrolysis under optimal operating conditions by varying the feed ratio in a 20‐L Parr reactor. The 1:4 blend of water/tallow at 256 °C and 60 bar was recorded as optimal operating conditions (non‐catalytic), yielding a degree of hydrolysis of 98.4 %. A survey shows that there is a need to find alternate operating control strategies for achieving better efficiency and safe operation. Material and energy balances across the countercurrent hydrolysis tower were developed to calculate the glycerine and free fatty acids in the raffinate and extract phases, using the first principle for dynamic analysis. The model equations were validated and used to identify simple model structures suitable for designing model‐based strategies to control the process temperature in the extraction process.
Identification of a Selective FLT3 Inhibitor with Low Activity against VEGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, c‐KIT, and RET Anti‐Targets
Authors: Akwata Desmond , Kempen Allison L. , Dayal Neetu , Brauer Nickolas R. , Sintim Herman O.
Published: November 2023

FLT3 is mainly expressed in immune and various cancer cells and is a drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recently, FLT3 has also been identified as a potential target for treating chronic pain. Most FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) identified to date, including approved drugs such as gilteritinib, midostaurin, ponatinib, quizartinib, and FLT3i in clinical trials, such as quizartinib and crenolanib, also inhibit closely‐related kinases that are important for immune (c‐KIT), cardiovascular (KDR/VEGFR2, FGFR, PDGFR) or kidney (RET) functions. While the aforementioned FLT3i may increase survival rates in AML, they are neither ideal for AML maintenance therapy nor for non‐oncology applications, such as for the treatment of chronic pain, due to their promiscuous inhibition of many kinase anti‐targets. Here, we report the identification of new FLT3i compounds that have low activities against kinases that have traditionally been difficult to differentiate from FLT3 inhibition, such as KDR/VEGFR, FGFR, PGFR, c‐KIT, and RET. These selective compounds could be valuable chemical probes for studying FLT3 biology in the context of chronic pain and/or may represent good starting points to develop well‐tolerated FLT3 therapeutics for non‐oncology indications or for maintenance therapy for AML.
Subquadratic harmonic functions on Calabi‐Yau manifolds with maximal volume growth
Authors: Chiu Shih‐Kai
Published: November 2023

On a complete Calabi‐Yau manifold with maximal volume growth, a harmonic function with subquadratic polynomial growth is the real part of a holomorphic function. This generalizes a result of Conlon‐Hein. We prove this result by proving a Liouville‐type theorem for harmonic 1‐forms, which follows from a new local estimate of the exterior derivative.
The impact of Long COVID for disability service providers in higher education
Authors: Vance Lisa , Aquino Katherine C.
Published: November 2023

Millions of Americans are affected by symptoms of Long COVID, which are said to surface four or more weeks after having had COVID‐19. In a recent research study, 21.5% of respondents to a survey reported having signs of Long COVID (Wurz et al., 2022). “Post‐acute sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2,” also referred to as Long COVID, is difficult to understand based on the various bodily systems that can be affected. Respondents with Long COVID reported difficulty with the vast and pervasive number of symptoms experienced, along with the lack of help available to manage symptoms. When “Long Haulers” are also college students, the effects can be compounded by the need to navigate the college system.
Landscape‐scale patterns of eastern spruce budworm outbreak risk: Defoliation onset vs. tree mortality
Authors: McNie Pierce , Kneeshaw Daniel , Filotas Élise
Published: November 2023

The stand‐level risk of both defoliation and mortality due to the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana, Clem., SBW) is mainly linked to the quality of the resource such that stands dominated by the primary host species, balsam fir (Abies balsamea[L.] Mill.), are considered the most vulnerable. At the landscape scale, insect dispersal suggests that both configuration and resource availability should influence the onset and subsequent mortality of an outbreak. However, outbreak risk at this scale is yet to be quantified for the SBW, one of the most studied forest pest defoliators in the world. We aim to determine the risk of both SBW defoliation onset and resultant tree mortality at a landscape scale due to factors that have been associated with SBW defoliation at the stand scale. We used Cox proportional hazard models to quantify the relative risk of different landscape configuration and species composition patterns on defoliation onset and risk of mortality of the current SBW outbreak in Eastern Canada. In particular, we measured the risk associated with primary host proportion, relative amounts of secondary host and hardwood trees to fir trees, the structure of balsam fir in the landscape, and the structure of the forest overall. We show that defoliation onset is more related to the configuration of the landscape than to the species composition while the risk of ensuing mortality increases as the proportion of the primary host increases. Defoliation onset risk is increased by a more complex configuration of fir patches in the landscape. Mortality risk, however, is unaffected by fir configuration but is reduced where there is more black spruce (Picea mariana[Mill.] B.S.P.) or a decrease of balsam fir in the landscape. The usefulness of survival analysis for assessing risk for insect outbreaks has been overlooked and can quantify the effect of relevant factors to guide management and mitigation strategies. The results of our analysis suggest that forest management strategies should avoid clear cuts and the development of fir monocultures and instead maintain or increase the proportion of black spruce and improve forest connectivity across large forested landscapes to delay defoliation onset and reduce SBW‐related mortality.
Calcium channel blockers and clinical outcomes in patients with continuous‐flow left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Tie Hongtao , Li Zhenhan , Welp Henryk , Guha Avirup , Caraballo César , Deschka Heinz , Shi Rui , Zheng Xiaoqing , Martens Sven , Sindermann Jürgen , Chen Dan , Wu Qingchen , Martens Sabrina
Published: November 2023

Aims

Current guidelines suggest calcium channel blockers (CCBs) as the second or third option for blood pressure management in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). However, the clinical outcomes of patients with LVAD who receive CCBs remain unclear. Our study aims to analyse the association of CCBs with clinical outcomes in patients after LVAD implantation.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective analysis based on the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) from 2006 to 2017, and adult patients who were alive with LVAD and CCB treatment information at 6 months after implantation were included. Among 10 717 patients, 1369 received CCBs 6 months after implantation, and there was an increasing trend of CCB use after LVAD. Patients receiving CCB therapy at 6 months had a similar 5 year survival rate to those not receiving CCB [49.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 47.5–51.7% vs. 51.1%, 95% CI: 45.3–56.7%]. In both Cox and competing risk regressions after adjusting for confounding factors, CCB treatment at 6 months after implantation was not associated with long‐term mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 1.03, 95% CI: 0.91–1.17, P = 0.624 and subdistribution HR (SHR): 1.07, 95% CI: 0.95–1.22, P = 0.260]. Consistently, in time‐varying models, CCB treatment was not linked to long‐term mortality (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87–1.09, P = 0.682 and SHR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.94–1.18, P = 0.359). This null association remained in subgroup analysis according to device strategy and propensity‐matching analyses. Neurological dysfunction, stroke, bleeding, rehospitalization, and renal dysfunction were more likely to occur among those with CCB when compared with those without CCB treatment.

Conclusions

In patients with LVAD, CCB therapy fails to show benefits in long‐term survival and is associated with increased incidences of neurological dysfunction, bleeding, renal dysfunction, and rehospitalization.
Osmium‐Doped WO2.72 as a Promising Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Linking to Glucose Oxidation
Authors: Xie Xinjie , Yang Zhengru , Zhang Liang , Hua Hao , Bei Shaoyi , Bao Keyan , Yu Chengbin , Yang Zhou , Qin Hengfei
Published: November 2023

Herein, the organic matter is reported to reduce the overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for water splitting. Herein, osmium (Os) is doped into WO2.72 to form Os–WO2.72 as an electrocatalyst, which is applied into water splitting to produce hydrogen and assist promote glucose oxidization reaction (GOR). The OER overpotential of 0.05 Os–WO2.72 is only 248 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH, which is much superior to commercial RuO2. Additionally, the 0.05 Os–WO2.72 has ultralow GOR overpotential of 158 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and 365 mV at 100 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH with 0.1 m glucose, and the cell voltage is 1.37 V at 10 mA cm−2, the values are much lower than its electrocatalytic behaviors in 1 m KOH. The anode produces gluconic acid, which is an important industrial intermediate during hydrogen production at the cathode.
A video case vignette: Hypermotor activity, ictal aggression, and bolting in an adolescent with an anteromedial temporal lesion
Authors: Datta Anita N.
Published: November 2023

Content available: Video.
Gender digital divide in education 4.0: A systematic literature review of factors and strategies for inclusion
Authors: Peláez‐Sánchez Iris Cristina , George Reyes Carlos Enrique , Glasserman‐Morales Leonardo David
Published: November 2023

The gender digital divide (GDD) is a phenomenon that refers to the inequalities and differences between men and women in accessing the digital ecosystem in various environments, such as the scenarios of Education 4.0. Bridging the GDD in access, use, and appropriation of technologies would promote the digital inclusion in spaces traditionally dominated by men. A systematic literature review was conducted using seven databases, considering Scopus and Web of Science. Through this, the factors with the most significant impact on the widening of this type of gap were identified. The findings suggest that the elements that limit the GDD are (a) access and use of technologies, (b) social barriers, and (c) gender stereotypes and roles. On the other hand, factors that need to be considered for the digital inclusion of women were identified as follows: (a) the mode of interaction with technologies, (b) digital competencies in Education 4.0, (c) the mode of technology‐mediated teaching and learning, (d) digital competencies in the workplace, and (e) digital participation. It is concluded that more digital inclusion strategies are needed to reduce the GDD, thus requiring greater participation from society and universities to achieve digital equity.
Outback Quit Pack: Feasibility trial of outreach smoking cessation for people in rural, regional, and remote Australia
Authors: Guillaumier Ashleigh , Tzelepis Flora , Paul Christine , Passey Megan , Oldmeadow Christopher , Handley Tonelle , McCarter Kristen , Twyman Laura , Baker Amanda L. , Reakes Kate , Hastings Phillipa , Bonevski Billie
Published: November 2023

Background

Tobacco smoking rates are higher in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas in Australia, and strategies to improve access to quit supports are required. This pilot study examined the feasibility of a smoking cessation intervention for people in RRR areas who smoke with the intention of using this data to design a powered effectiveness trial.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the feasibility of a 12‐week ‘Outback Quit Pack’ intervention consisting of mailout combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and a proactive referral to Quitline, compared with a minimal support control (1‐page smoking cessation support information mailout) was conducted between January and October 2021. Participants recruited via mailed invitation or Facebook advertising, were adults who smoked tobacco (≥10 cigarettes/day) and resided in RRR areas of New South Wales, Australia. Participants completed baseline and 12‐week follow‐up telephone surveys. Outcomes were feasibility of trial procedures (recruitment method; retention; biochemical verification) and acceptability of intervention (engagement with Quitline; uptake and use of NRT).

Results

Facebook advertising accounted for 97% of participant expressions of interest in the study (N = 100). Retention was similarly high among intervention (39/51) and control (36/49) participants. The intervention was highly acceptable: 80% of the intervention group had ≥1 completed call with Quitline, whilst Quitline made 3.7 outbound calls/participant (mean 14:05 mins duration). Most of the intervention group requested NRT refills (78%). No differences between groups in self‐reported cessation outcomes. Biochemical verification using expired air breath testing was not feasible in this study.

Conclusion

The Outback Quit Pack intervention was feasible and acceptable. Alternative methods for remote biochemical verification need further study.

So What?

A powered RCT to test the effectiveness of the intervention to improve access to evidence‐based smoking cessation support to people residing in RRR areas is warranted.
Health behaviour profiles in young Australian adults in relation to physical and mental health: The Raine Study
Authors: Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Cecilie , Gucciardi Daniel F. , McVeigh Joanne A. , O'Sullivan Therese A. , Dontje Manon , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Eastwood Peter R. , Straker Leon
Published: November 2023

Issues Addressed

We aimed to identify latent health behaviour profiles of young adults and examine their associations with physical and mental health outcomes. We also characterised the profiles by socio‐demographic characteristics.

Methods

Data were collected between 2012 and 2014. Participants (N = 476) were young adults (M age [SD] = 22.1 [.57] years) from Generation 2 of the Raine Study longitudinal cohort. Health behaviours were measured via ActiGraph GT3X waist monitors (physical activity, sedentary behaviour) and questionnaires (diet quality, alcohol, smoking and sleep). Physical and mental health were measured using clinical health assessments, blood biomarkers, and questionnaires. Latent Profile Analysis using Mplus (8.2) was employed to identify profiles.

Results

Four latent profiles were identified: ‘heavy drinkers with moderately unhealthy eating habits’ (high takeaway foods; n = 135), ‘unhealthy food abstainers’ (low takeaway foods; n = 138), ‘moderately sedentary alcohol abstainers’ (n = 139) and ‘physically active drinkers with unhealthy eating habits’ (high takeaway foods and sugary drinks; n = 64). ‘Physically active drinkers with unhealthy eating habits’ had the poorest (physical and mental) health outcomes, yet the lowest insulin resistance. ‘Unhealthy food abstainers’ had the most favourable health outcomes (adiposity, health perceptions, blood pressure). Sex differed among the profiles.

Conclusions

The profiles identified among young adults are different to profiles with general adult populations. A novel finding was that ‘physically active drinkers with unhealthy eating habits’ had low insulin resistance. The findings also suggest that future interventions may need to be sex specific.

So What

Our findings suggest that health behaviour interventions for young adults should be targeted to distinct profile characteristics.
Tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment delays among patients in Uganda
Authors: Obeagu Emmanuel I.
Published: November 2023

Background

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that relies on its human host to achieve airborne transmission and existence, is the primary cause of tuberculosis (TB), a disease that is vital to public health.

Aim

To update the society on tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment delays among patients in Uganda.

Materials and Methods

The review paper utilized different search engines, such as Pubmed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and so forth, to conduct this review paper.

Results

Delays in diagnosis could cause diseases to spread throughout the community, progress more quickly, and increase mortality. With many populations experiencing TB diagnostic delay and less than a third of the population experiencing TB treatment delay, the rates of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment delays are high.

Conclusion

The delay in diagnosing and treating tuberculosis in men is positively correlated with knowledge of the disease's symptoms and the regular use of a handkerchief or both hands to cover the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
Entropy generation analysis and optimization of cooling systems in industrial and engineering operations
Authors: Tshivhi Khodani Sherrif
Published: November 2023

Efficient cooling is crucial for maintaining the reliability and performance of industrial and engineering systems that generate excess heat. Entropy generation analysis, established on the second law of thermodynamics, plays a vital role in identifying inefficiencies within these systems and improving their overall efficiency. This study focuses on a theoretical investigation of the entropy generation, considering the cumulative impact of surface slipperiness, Brownian motion, applied magnetic field, thermophoresis on the nanofluid flow toward a convective heated stretching surface. The governing model partial differential equations undergo a transformation through similarity transformation, resulting in a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. This equation is subsequently solved numerically by employing the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg integration scheme in conjunction with the shooting method. The obtained results reveal the influence of various parameters on the temperature, velocity, Nusselt number, skin friction, Sherwood number, Bejan number, nanoparticle concentration, and entropy generation. Upon analysis, it was notable that the introduction of a magnetic field, higher Biot numbers, Eckert numbers, and elevated Brownian motion led to an increase in the entropy generation within the system. Conversely, the presence of thermophoresis and reduced surface slipperiness resulted in a decrease in entropy. These results are presented through graphical representations, tables, and quantitative discussions, providing valuable insights for optimizing the cooling and performance of industrial and engineering systems.
Changes in cancer incidence rates by stage during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the US
Authors: Schafer Elizabeth J. , Islami Farhad , Han Xuesong , Nogueira Leticia M. , Wagle Nikita Sandeep , Yabroff K. Robin , Sung Hyuna , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: November 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic led to health care disruptions and declines in cancer diagnoses in the United States. However, the impact of the pandemic on cancer incidence rates by stage at diagnosis and race and ethnicity is unknown. This cross‐sectional study calculated delay‐ and age‐adjusted incidence rates, stratified by stage at diagnosis and race and ethnicity, and rate ratios (RRs) comparing changes in year‐over‐year incidence rates (eg, 2020 vs 2019) from 2016 to 2020 for 22 cancer types based on data obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22‐registry database. From 2019 to 2020, the incidence of local‐stage disease statistically significantly declined for 19 of the 22 cancer types, ranging from 4% (RR = 0.96; 95%CI, 0.93‐0.98) for urinary bladder cancer to 18% for colorectal (RR = 0.82; 95%CI, 0.81‐0.84) and laryngeal (RR = 0.82; 95%CI, 0.78‐0.88) cancers, deviating from pre‐COVID stable year‐over‐year changes. Incidence during the corresponding period also declined for 16 cancer types for regional‐stage and six cancer types for distant‐stage disease. By race and ethnicity, the decline in local‐stage incidence for screening‐detectable cancers was generally greater in historically marginalized populations. The decline in cancer incidence rates during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic occurred mainly for local‐ and regional‐stage diseases across racial and ethnic groups. Whether these declines will lead to increases in advanced‐stage disease and mortality rates remain to be investigated with additional data years. Nevertheless, the findings reinforce the importance of strengthening the return to preventive care campaigns and outreach for detecting cancers at early and more treatable stages.
Biological effects of molybdenum(IV) sulfide nanoparticles and microparticles in the rat after repeated intratracheal administration
Authors: Sobańska Z. , Sitarek K. , Gromadzińska J. , Świercz R. , Szparaga M. , Domeradzka‐Gajda K. , Kowalczyk K. , Zapór L. , Wąsowicz W. , Grobelny J. , Ranoszek‐Soliwoda K. , Tomaszewska E. , Celichowski G. , Roszak J. , Stępnik M.
Published: November 2023

In this study, molybdenum(IV) sulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles (97 ± 32 nm) and microparticles (1.92 ± 0.64 μm) stabilized with poly (vinylpolypyrrolidone) (PVP) were administered intratracheally to male and female rats (dose of 1.5 or 5 mg/kg bw), every 14 days for 90 days (seven administrations in total). Blood parameters were assessed during and at the end of the study (hematology, biochemistry including glucose, albumins, uric acid, urea, high density lipoprotein HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase ALT). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analyses included cell viability, biochemistry (total protein concentration, lactate dehydrogenase, and glutathione peroxidase activity), and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor α, TNF‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein 2‐alpha, MIP‐2, and cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐2, CINC‐2). Tissues were subjected to routine histopathological and electron microscopy (STEM) examinations. No overt signs of chronic toxicity were observed. Differential cell counts in BALF revealed no significant differences between the animal groups. An increase in MIP‐2 and a decrease in TNF‐α were observed in BALF in the exposed males. The histopathological changes in the lung evaluated according to a developed classification system (based on severity of inflammation, range 0–4, with 4 indicating the most severe changes) showed average histopathological score of 1.33 for animals exposed to nanoparticles and microparticles at the lower dose, 1.72 after exposure to nanoparticles at the higher dose, and 2.83 for animals exposed to microparticles at the higher dose. In summary, it was shown that nanosized and microsized MoS2 can trigger dose‐dependent inflammatory reactions in the lungs of rats after multiple intratracheal instillation irrespective of the animal sex. Some evidence indicates a higher lung pro‐inflammatory potential of the microform.