bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydroplaning of Tires: A Review of Numerical Modeling and Novel Sensing Methods
Authors: Vilsan Alexandru , Sandu Corina
Published: April 2024

This article represents an extensive literature on tire hydroplaning, specifically focusing on the assessment of real-time estimation methodologies and numerical modeling for both partial and total hydroplaning phenomenon. Hydroplaning still poses a significant challenge for contemporary passenger cars, even those equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems. The active safety features that equip the most technologically advanced passenger cars are unable to forecast and prevent the occurrence of hydroplaning. Total hydroplaning represents a phenomenon which occurs when the tire reaches a point where it can no longer expel the water from its tread grooves, leading to a complete control loss of the motor vehicle. This describes a scenario in which the entire contact patch is lifted from the ground due to the hydrodynamic forces generated at the contact between the tire and the layer of water formed on the road. Nevertheless, the decrease in contact between the tire and the road surface occurs gradually, a phenomenon which is presented in the literature as partial hydroplaning. The longitudinal speed that marks the transition from partial hydroplaning to total hydroplaning is defined as the critical hydroplaning speed. These principles are widely acknowledged among researchers in the hydroplaning field. Nonetheless, the literature review reveals variations for defining the critical hydroplaning speed threshold across different experimental investigations. In this article, past studies, and state-of-the-art research on tire hydroplaning has been reviewed, especially focusing on real-time estimation methodologies and numerical modeling of the partial and of the total hydroplaning phenomenon.
Investigation of the Impact-Sliding Fretting Behavior of 690 Alloy Tube Using the Finite Element Method
Authors: Yin Meigui , Zhang Lei , Huang Longxiang , Long Jiangqi
Published: April 2024

Flow-induced vibration inevitably leads to fretting damage behavior on the surface of steam generator tubes. Impact-sliding fretting wear indicates that the alloy tube surface experiences a dynamic impact and a sliding shear behavior simultaneously. Finite element analysis was conducted to investigate the dynamic mechanical response of the Inconel 690 alloy tube, which is influenced by different impact-sliding fretting parameters under frictionless conditions. Results showed that the effects of sliding frequency and amplitude on the contact stress, elastic−plastic strain, and energy dissipation of the fretting interface were not directly proportional. Increasing the impact amplitude would enhance this dynamic behavior effect.
Action Mechanism of Film Extraction on Channel Impingement Cooling for Blade Leading Edge Using Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Wang Huihui , Niu Xiying , Deng Qinghua , Feng Zhenping
Published: April 2024

Various internal cooling techniques combined with external film cooling are applied to cool gas turbine blades, and the coolant extraction can cause variations in internal flow structures and cooling effectiveness. Effects of film extraction under different film hole diameters and coolant mass flow ratio on heat transfer and flow characteristics of channel impingement cooling are presented using large eddy simulation (LES) in this article. The current work was undertaken based on turbine blade dimensions and turbine operating conditions. The results indicate that film extraction coupled with the curvature-induced instability dominates flow patterns and heat transfer in the channel impingement cooling structure with a film hole, especially in the bend region corresponding to the leading edge of turbine blades. Film coolant extraction can disrupt the streamwise counterrotating flow circulation pair. The latter is caused by the curvature-induced instability and is also the major driver of multilongitudinal vortices. The hole edge vortex generated by coolant bleed amplifies heat transfer at the leading edge, and the effect is more significant as the film hole diameter increases. Conversely, heat transfer coefficient downstream of the cooling channel decreases due to a reduction in cooling air. The increasing film bleed flow increases overall total pressure loss, while flow loss in the cooling channel decreases because of the weakened flow circulations and reduced coolant mass flow. This work provides an in-depth insight into the cooling performance of channel impingement cooling with film extraction, contributing to designing film cooling for turbine blades with multichannel wall jet cooling.
Altered serine metabolism promotes drug tolerance in
Mycobacterium abscessus
via a WhiB7-mediated adaptive stress response
Authors: Bernard Célia , Liu Yi , Larrouy-Maumus Gérald , Guilhot Christophe , Cam Kaymeuang , Chalut Christian
Published: April 2024

Mycobacterium abscessus
is an emerging opportunistic pathogen responsible for chronic lung diseases, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis. Treatment failure of
M. abscessus
infections is primarily associated with intrinsic or acquired antibiotic resistance. However, there is growing evidence that antibiotic tolerance, i.e., the ability of bacteria to transiently survive exposure to bactericidal antibiotics through physiological adaptations, contributes to the relapse of chronic infections and the emergence of acquired drug resistance. Yet, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie antibiotic tolerance in
M. abscessus
remains limited. In the present work, a mutant with increased cross-tolerance to the first- and second-line antibiotics cefoxitin and moxifloxacin, respectively, has been isolated by experimental evolution. This mutant harbors a mutation in
serB2
, a gene involved in L-serine biosynthesis. Metabolic changes caused by this mutation alter the intracellular redox balance to a more reduced state that induces overexpression of the transcriptional regulator WhiB7 during the stationary phase, promoting tolerance through activation of a WhiB7-dependant adaptive stress response. These findings suggest that alteration of amino acid metabolism and, more generally, conditions that trigger
whiB7
overexpression, makes
M. abscessus
more tolerant to antibiotic treatment.
Genomic characterization of two ranavirus isolates identified from a gopher frog (
Lithobates capito
) and a striped newt (
Notophthalmus perstriatus
) during a mass mortality event in Florida
Authors: Hartmann Arik , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Conrad Cody , Viadanna Pedro H.O. , Waltzek Thomas B. , Longo Ana V.
Published: April 2024

Two ranavirus isolates were recovered from anuran and salamander samples collected during an amphibian mass mortality event in North-Central Florida in 2021. Phylogenetic analyses of the full genomes confirmed that the two isolates were nearly identical and strains of the species
Frog virus 3
.
SILAC analysis of
Escherichia coli
proteome during progression of growth from exponential to prolonged stationary phase
Authors: Reier Kaspar , Liiv Aivar , Remme Jaanus
Published: April 2024

The expression level of individual proteins varies markedly during the progression of the growth phase in bacteria. A set of proteins was quantified in
Escherichia coli
total proteome during 14 days of batch cultivation using pulse stable isotope labeled amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative mass spectrometry.
Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineage JN.1 in Bangladesh
Authors: Jony Manjur Hossain Khan , Alam Ahmed Nawsher , Nasif Md. Abdullah Omar , Sultana Sharmin , Anwar Rubaid , Rudra Mithun , Rahman Mahbubur , Rahman Mustafizur , Qadri Firdausi , Shirin Tahmina
Published: April 2024

We report complete genome sequences of 14 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron sub-lineage JN.1 obtained from Bangladeshi individuals between 19 December 2023 and 21 January 2024. All sequence data were generated by Oxford Nanopore Sequencing Technology using the amplicon sequencing approach developed by the ARTIC network.
Complete genome sequence of the rumen bacterium
Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens
D1
T
Authors: Palevich Nikola , Palevich Faith P. , Attwood Graeme T. , Kelly William J.
Published: April 2024

Butyrivibrio
are anaerobic bacteria and members of the family
Lachnospiraceae
with important roles in fiber digestion in both animals and humans. This report describes the complete genome of
Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens
type strain D1
T
(DSM 3071) consisting of a chromosome (
CP146963
), megaplasmid (pNP243), and small plasmid (pNP21).
Genome sequences of two
Arthrobacter
phages isolated from soil
Authors: Marchesin-Cupello Dana , Roscales Gabriel , Cobeta Paula , Chaboy-Cansado Ruben , Aguirre de Cárcer Daniel , Rastrojo Alberto
Published: April 2024

The isolation and characterization of additional phages is crucial for adding reliable viral sequences with relevant biological information to viral databases. In this study, we present the complete genomes of two
Arthrobacter
phages obtained from different soil samples.
Detection of Mtb and NTM: preclinical validation of a new asymmetric PCR-binary deoxyribozyme sensor assay
Authors: Neves Yasmin Castillos das , Reis Ana Julia , Rodrigues Marcos Alaniz , Chimara Erica , da Silva Lourenço Maria Cristina , Fountain Jacques , Ramis Ivy Bastos , von Groll Andrea , Gerasimova Yulia , Rohde Kyle H. , Almeida da Silva Pedro Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) and infectious diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are global concerns. The development of a rapid and accurate diagnostic method, capable of detecting and identifying different mycobacteria species, is crucial. We propose a molecular approach, the BiDz-TB/NTM, based on the use of binary deoxyribozyme (BiDz) sensors for the detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Mtb) and NTM of clinical interest. A panel of DNA samples was used to evaluate Mtb-BiDz,
Mycobacterium abscessus
/
Mycobacterium chelonae
-BiDz,
Mycobacterium avium
-BiDz,
Mycobacterium intracellulare
/
Mycobacterium chimaera
-BiDz, and
Mycobacterium kansasii
-BiDz sensors in terms of specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and limit of detection. The BiDz sensors were designed to hybridize specifically with the genetic signatures of the target species. To obtain the BiDz sensor targets, amplification of a fragment containing the hypervariable region 2 of the 16S rRNA was performed, under asymmetric PCR conditions using the reverse primer designed based on linear-after-the-exponential principles. The BiDz-TB/NTM was able to correctly identify 99.6% of the samples, with 100% sensitivity and 0.99 accuracy. The individual values of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy, obtained for each BiDz sensor, satisfied the recommendations for new diagnostic methods, with sensitivity of 100%, specificity and accuracy ranging from 98% to 100% and from 0.98 to 1.0, respectively. The limit of detection of BiDz sensors ranged from 12 genome copies (Mtb-BiDz) to 2,110 genome copies (Mkan-BiDz). The BiDz-TB/NTM platform would be able to generate results rapidly, allowing the implementation of the appropriate therapeutic regimen and, consequently, the reduction of morbidity and mortality of patients.

IMPORTANCE

This article describes the development and evaluation of a new molecular platform for accurate, sensitive, and specific detection and identification of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and other mycobacteria of clinical importance. Based on BiDz sensor technology, this assay prototype is amenable to implementation at the point of care. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of combining the species specificity of BiDz sensors with the sensitivity afforded by asymmetric PCR amplification of target sequences. Preclinical validation of this assay on a large panel of clinical samples supports the further development of this diagnostic tool for the molecular detection of pathogenic mycobacteria.
Initial waterline contamination by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in newly installed dental chairs
Authors: Baudet Alexandre , Lizon Julie , Florentin Arnaud , Mortier Éric
Published: April 2024

Water contamination in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is a potential source of healthcare-associated infection during dental care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of DUWLs water from newly installed dental chairs in a French University Hospital. The microbiological quality of water from 24 new DUWLs initially disinfected by ICX Renew—prior to use of the dental units for patient treatment—was assessed for total culturable aerobic bacteria at 22°C and 36°C,
Legionella
sp.
, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and total coliforms. Among the 24 samples analyzed, 21 were compliant with the water quality levels: 19 had no bacteria, and 2 contained only 4 and 1 CFU/mL for total culturable aerobic bacteria at 22°C and 36°C, respectively. Three samples were non-compliant due to contamination by
P. aeruginosa
(4, 2, and 2 CFU/100 mL). Controlling and preventing the microbiological contamination of DUWLs, especially by pathogenic bacteria, at the time of the installation of the new dental chairs are crucial to prevent healthcare-associated infection in dentistry.

IMPORTANCE

Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) of new dental chairs may be contaminated before their first clinical use, so an initial shock disinfection is crucial at the time of their installation. The microbiological analyses are crucial to control the water quality of DUWLs before their first clinical use because their disinfection does not guarantee the elimination of all bacteria.
Genome-scale model of
Rothia mucilaginosa
predicts gene essentialities and reveals metabolic capabilities
Authors: Leonidou Nantia , Ostyn Lisa , Coenye Tom , Crabbé Aurélie , Dräger Andreas
Published: April 2024

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited genetic disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, results in sticky and thick mucosal fluids. This environment facilitates the colonization of various microorganisms, some of which can cause acute and chronic lung infections, while others may positively impact the disease.
Rothia mucilaginosa
, an oral commensal, is relatively abundant in the lungs of CF patients. Recent studies have unveiled its anti-inflammatory properties using
in vitro
three-dimensional lung epithelial cell cultures and
in vivo
mouse models relevant to chronic lung diseases. Apart from this,
R. mucilaginosa
has been associated with severe infections. However, its metabolic capabilities and genotype-phenotype relationships remain largely unknown. To gain insights into its cellular metabolism and genetic content, we developed the first manually curated genome-scale metabolic model,
i
RM23NL. Through growth kinetics and high-throughput phenotypic microarray testings, we defined its complete catabolic phenome. Subsequently, we assessed the model’s effectiveness in accurately predicting growth behaviors and utilizing multiple substrates. We used constraint-based modeling techniques to formulate novel hypotheses that could expedite the development of antimicrobial strategies. More specifically, we detected putative essential genes and assessed their effect on metabolism under varying nutritional conditions. These predictions could offer novel potential antimicrobial targets without laborious large-scale screening of knockouts and mutant transposon libraries. Overall,
i
RM23NL demonstrates a solid capability to predict cellular phenotypes and holds immense potential as a valuable resource for accurate predictions in advancing antimicrobial therapies. Moreover, it can guide metabolic engineering to tailor
R. mucilaginosa
’s metabolism for desired performance.

IMPORTANCE

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder characterized by thick mucosal secretions, leading to chronic lung infections.
Rothia mucilaginosa
is a common bacterium found in various parts of the human body, acting as a normal part of the flora. In people with weakened immune systems, it can become an opportunistic pathogen, while it is prevalent and active in CF airways. Recent studies have highlighted its anti-inflammatory properties in the lower pulmonary system, indicating the intricate relationship between microbes and human health. Herein, we have developed the first manually curated metabolic model of
R. mucilaginosa
. Our study examined the previously unknown relationships between the bacterium’s genotype and phenotype and identified essential genes that impact the metabolism under various conditions. With this, we opt for paving the way for developing new strategies in antimicrobial therapy and metabolic engineering, leading to enhanced therapeutic outcomes in cystic fibrosis and related conditions.
Identification and characterization of a novel antifungal compound tubeimoside I targeting cell wall
Authors: Liu Qiannan , Zhong Zhiqi , Zheng Shunxin , Chu Yunzhuo , Sakamoto Norihiro , Kuno Takayoshi , Fang Yue
Published: April 2024

Due to fungal diseases that threaten immunocompromised patients, along with the limited availability of antifungal agents, there is an urgent need for new antifungal compounds to treat fungal infections. Here, we aimed to identify potential antifungal drugs from natural products using the fission yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
as a model organism since it shares many features with some pathogenic fungi. Here, we identified tubeimoside I (TBMS1), an extract from Chinese herbal medicine, that showed strong antifungal activity against
S. pombe
. To gain insight into the underlying mechanism, we performed transcriptomics analyses of
S. pombe
cells exposed to TBMS1. A significant proportion of the differential expressed genes were involved in cell wall organization or biogenesis. Additionally, TBMS1 treatment of
S. pombe
cells resulted in pleiotropic phenotypes, including increased sensitivity to β-glucanase, enhanced calcineurin activity, translocation of GFP-Prz1 to the nucleus, as well as enhanced dephosphorylation of Prz1, suggesting that TBMS1 disrupted cell wall integrity of
S. pombe
cells. Notably, calcofluor staining showed that abnormal deposits of cell wall materials were observed in the septum and cell wall of the TBMS1-treated cells, which were further corroborated by electron microscopy analysis. We also found that oxidative stress might be involved in the antifungal action of TBMS1. Moreover, we confirmed the antifungal activities of TBMS1 against several clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi. Collectively, our findings suggest that TBMS1, a novel antifungal compound, exerts its antifungal activity by targeting cell walls, which may pave the way for the development of a new class of antifungals.

IMPORTANCE

Fungal infections pose a serious threat to public health and have become an emerging crisis worldwide. The development of new antifungal agents is urgently needed. Here, we identified compound tubeimoside I (TBMS1) for the first time showing strong antifungal activity, and explored the underlying mechanisms of its antifungal action by using the model yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
. Notably, we presented multiple evidence that TBMS1 exerts its antifungal activity through targeting fungal cell walls. Moreover, we verified the antifungal activities of TBMS1 against several pathogenic fungi. Our work indicated that TBMS1 may serve as a novel antifungal candidate, which provides an important foundation for designing and developing new cell wall-targeting agents for combating life-threatening fungal infections.
International circumpolar surveillance: update on the interlaboratory quality control program for
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, 2009 to 2020
Authors: Golden Alyssa R. , Griffith Averil , Simons Brenna C. , Reasonover Alisa , Slotved Hans-Christian , Lefebvre Brigitte , Kristinsson Karl G. , Hurteau Donna , Tyrrell Gregory J. , Bruce Michael G. , Martin Irene
Published: April 2024

The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) program is a population-based surveillance network for invasive bacterial diseases throughout Arctic countries and territories. The ICS quality control program for
Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing has been ongoing since 1999. Current participating laboratories include the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health in Edmonton, Alberta; Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec; the Centers for Disease Control’s Arctic Investigations Program in Anchorage, Alaska; the Neisseria and Streptococcus Reference Laboratory at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark; the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Landspitali in Reykjavik, Iceland; and Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From 2009 to 2020, 140 isolates of
S. pneumoniae
were distributed among the six laboratories as part of the quality control program. Overall serotype concordance was 96.9%, with 99.3% concordance to pool level. All participating laboratories had individual concordance rates >92% for serotype and >97% for pool. Overall concordance by modal minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for testing done by broth microdilution or Etest was 99.1%, and >98% for all antimicrobials tested. Categorical concordance was >98% by both CLSI and EUCAST criteria. For two laboratories performing disc diffusion, rates of concordance by modal MIC were >97% for most antimicrobials, except chloramphenicol (>93%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (>88%). Data collected from 12 years of the ICS quality control program for
S. pneumoniae
demonstrate excellent (≥95%) overall concordance for serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results across six laboratories.

IMPORTANCE

Arctic populations experience several social and physical challenges that lead to the increased spread and incidence of invasive diseases. The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) program was developed to monitor five invasive bacterial diseases in Arctic countries and territories. Each ICS organism has a corresponding interlaboratory quality control (QC) program for laboratory-based typing, to ensure the technical precision and accuracy of reference testing services for these regions, and identify and correct potential problems. Here, we describe the results of the ICS
Streptococcus pneumoniae
QC program, from 2009 to 2020. Excellent overall concordance was achieved for serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results across six laboratories. Ongoing participation in these QC programs ensures the continuation of quality surveillance systems within Arctic populations that experience health disparities.
Supplemental Material: Unveiling the connection between lode gold mineralization and the metamorphic core complex evolution from the large Yangzhaiyu gold deposit, North China Craton
Authors: Li Wen-Tian , Jiang Shao-Yong , et al.
Published: April 2024

Detailed analytical methods and five supplementary figures.
Qualitative interview study of rheumatology patients’ experiences of COVID-19 shielding to explore the physical and psychological impact and identify associated support needs
Authors: Silverthorne Christine A , Jones Bethan , Brooke Mel , Coates Laura C , Orme Jen , Robson Joanna C , Tillett William , Dures Emma
Published: April 2024

Objective

Many clinically extremely vulnerable rheumatology patients have only recently ceased shielding from COVID-19, while some continue to minimise in-person contact. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of shielding and associated support needs in patients with rheumatic conditions and to understand how rheumatology teams can meet these needs both currently and in future pandemics.

Design, participants and setting

The study was conducted in the Southwest of England using a case-study design. The participants were 15 patients with rheumatic conditions who were advised to shield and/or chose to shield at any time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Qualitative data collected via telephone and online semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Fifteen interviews were conducted. Three main themes represent the data:

‘Just shove them over there in the corner’ captures changes in patients’ self-perception. They felt different to most other people, vulnerable and left behind. The initial sense of shock was followed by a sense of loss as changes became long term.

‘A long and lonely road’ captures patients’ psychological isolation due to a perceived lack of understanding and support. This included having to prove their health status and justify their shielding behaviours, which impacted their relationships. At times, they felt abandoned by their healthcare providers.

‘You can’t just flip a switch’ captures the difficulty of getting back to pre-pandemic normal after shielding. Patients did not recognise themselves physically and mentally. They wanted to collaborate with health professionals and identified the need for specific guidance to support their recovery.

Conclusion

Patients are dealing with lasting physical and mental effects from shielding and consequences of delayed healthcare. Health professionals need time and resources to ask about patients’ well-being, identify their health needs and refer/signpost to appropriate sources of support.
Association between vitamin D deficiency and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) incidence and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wood Heather , Kluk Karolina , BinKhamis Ghada
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D level and the risk of developing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) incidence and recurrence in countries in the Northern Hemisphere.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for studies published between January 2000 and February 2023.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Participants located in the Northern Hemisphere aged 18 or over with at least one episode of BPPV, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels measured and reported, no comorbidities or history of vitamin D supplementation.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data extraction and synthesis were performed by a single reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and risk of bias were assessed by two independent reviewers using the Newcastle Ottawa Tool for Cohort studies and Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomised Studies checklist for case–control studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models. Standard mean difference with a 95% CI was used to measure the relationship between vitamin D level and BPPV.

Results

The 35 articles identified by the literature search reported data of 9843 individuals. 19 studies (7387 individuals) were included in the BPPV incidence meta-analysis while 7 studies (622 individuals) were included in the BPPV recurrence meta-analysis. Lower serum vitamin D levels were found in BPPV incidence compared with controls, but the relationship between vitamin D levels in recurrent BPPV compared with non-recurrent disease remained uncertain.

Conclusion

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between serum vitamin D and BPPV incidence, while any relationship between serum vitamin D and BPPV recurrence remained uncertain. Risk of bias analysis revealed evidence of variable quality. There were insufficient data available to evaluate seasonal relationships between serum vitamin D and BPPV. Given the potential for this as a confounding factor, future research should aim to investigate this further.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021271840.
Web-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention for cancer-related cognitive impairment following chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma: protocol for a randomised pilot trial
Authors: Gates Priscilla , Green Heather J , Gough Karla , Dhillon Haryana , Vardy Janette L , Dickinson Michael , Guarnera Jade , Krishnasamy Meinir , Livingston Patricia M , White Victoria , Ugalde Anna , Caeyenberghs Karen
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cancer-related cognitive impairment is common among people diagnosed with and treated for cancer. This can be a distressing and disabling side effect for impacted individuals. Interventions to mitigate cognitive dysfunction are available, but, to date, most have been trialled in samples that are largely or exclusively composed of people with solid tumours. Intervention strategies to support cognitive functioning are needed, but there is a paucity of research in this area. The main aim of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of methods and procedures intended for use in a definitive trial of a web-based cognitive rehabilitation programme, Responding to Cognitive Concerns (eReCog), in people who have received chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma.

Methods and analysis

The proposed study is a single-site, parallel-group, pilot randomised controlled trial, with one baseline and one follow-up (or postintervention) assessment. 38 people from the target population with low perceived cognitive function based on the Cognitive Change Screen will be recruited from a specialist cancer centre between July 2023 and June 2024. After baseline assessment, participants will be randomised one-to-one to receive usual care only (a factsheet about changes in memory and thinking for people with cancer) or eReCog plus usual care. The 4-week eReCog intervention consists of four online modules offering psychoeducation on cognitive impairment associated with cancer and its treatment, skills training for improving memory, and attention and relaxation training. Study outcomes will include the feasibility of recruitment and retention at follow-up assessment (primary outcomes), as well as adherence to, usability of and intrinsic motivation to engage with eReCog, and compliance with study measures. The potential efficacy of eReCog will also be evaluated.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Human Research Ethics Committee in Victoria, Australia (HREC/97384/PMCC). Study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12623000705684.
Willingness and preferences for long-acting injectable PrEP among US men who have sex with men: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Cole Sam Wilson , Glick Jennifer L , Campoamor Nicola B , Sanchez Travis H , Sarkar Supriya , Vannappagari Vani , Rinehart Alex , Rawlings Keith , Sullivan Patrick S , Bridges John F P
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cabotegravir long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LA-PrEP) was shown to be safe and effective in multiple clinical trials. Increasing uptake and persistence among populations with elevated risk for HIV acquisition, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), is critical to HIV prevention.

Objective

This analysis aims to understand potential users’ preferences for LA-PrEP, with audience segmentation.

Design

Willingness to use and preferences for LA-PrEP were measured in HIV-negative, sexually active MSM in the 2020 American Men’s Internet Survey. Respondents answered a discrete choice experiment with paired profiles of hypothetical LA-PrEP characteristics with an opt-out option (no LA-PrEP). Conditional and mixed logit models were run; the final model was a dummy-coded mixed logit that interacted with the opt-out.

Setting

US national online sample.

Results

Among 2506 MSM respondents, most (75%) indicated a willingness to use LA-PrEP versus daily oral PrEP versus no PrEP. Respondents were averse to side effects and increasing costs and preferred increasing levels of protection. Respondents preferred a 2-hour time to obtain LA-PrEP vs 1 hour, with a strong aversion to 3 hours. Overall, there was an aversion to opting out of LA-PrEP, with variations: those with only one partner, no/other insurance or who were Black, Indigenous or People of Colour were significantly less likely to prefer LA-PrEP, while those who were Hispanic/Latino, college educated and <40 years significantly preferred LA-PrEP.

Conclusions

A large proportion of MSM expressed a preference for LA-PrEP over daily oral pills. Most respondents chose LA-PrEP regardless of cost, clinic time, side effects or protection level; however, preferences varied by sociodemographics. These varied groups likely require tailored intervention strategies to achieve maximum LA-PrEP uptake and persistence.
Keratoconus disease classification with multimodel fusion and vision transformer: a pretrained model approach
Authors: Yaraghi Shokufeh , Khatibi Toktam
Published: April 2024

Objective

Our objective is to develop a novel keratoconus image classification system that leverages multiple pretrained models and a transformer architecture to achieve state-of-the-art performance in detecting keratoconus.

Methods and analysis

Three pretrained models were used to extract features from the input images. These models have been trained on large datasets and have demonstrated strong performance in various computer vision tasks.

The extracted features from the three pretrained models were fused using a feature fusion technique. This fusion aimed to combine the strengths of each model and capture a more comprehensive representation of the input images. The fused features were then used as input to a vision transformer, a powerful architecture that has shown excellent performance in image classification tasks. The vision transformer learnt to classify the input images as either indicative of keratoconus or not.

The proposed method was applied to the Shahroud Cohort Eye collection and keratoconus detection dataset. The performance of the model was evaluated using standard evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score.

Results

The research results demonstrated that the proposed model achieved higher accuracy compared with using each model individually.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that the proposed approach can significantly improve the accuracy of image classification models for keratoconus detection. This approach can serve as an effective decision support system alongside physicians, aiding in the diagnosis of keratoconus and potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures such as corneal transplantation in severe cases.
Phase- and Angle-Sensitive Terahertz Hot-Electron Bolometric Plasmonic Detectors Based on Fets with Graphene Channel and Composite H-BN/Black-P/H-BN Gate Layer
Authors: Ryzhii Victor , Tang Chao , Otsuji Taiichi , Shur Michael S. , Ryzhii Maxim , Mitin Vladimir
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we propose and analyze the terahertz (THz) bolometric vector detectors based on the graphene-channel field-effect transistors (GC-FET) with the black-P gate barrier layer or with the composite b-BN/black-P/b-BN gate layer. The phase difference between the signal received by the FET source and drain substantially affects the plasmonic resonances. This results in a resonant variation of the detector response on the incoming THz signal phase shift and the THz radiation angle of incidence.
Evaluating the Benefits of the Current BRI Infrastructure Projects to Thailand
Authors: LERTPUSIT Sivarin
Published: April 2024

This article examines the dynamics and consequences of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in relation to Thailand’s development plan, focusing on cross-border trade from Thailand to China via the Laos–China Railway. Transboundary regulations and constraints in infrastructure are obstacles impeding economic integration and regional connectivity. Evidently, initiatives such as setting up stations for agricultural inspection and quarantine have not led to increased trade volume via the rail network. Continual efforts to fix infrastructural gaps and promote discourse on regulatory and procedural issues are imperative to fully realise the potential of Thailand–China cross-border trade via railway networks under the BRI framework.
From Music Scores to Audio Recordings: Deep Pitch-Class Representations for Measuring Tonal Structures
Authors: Weiß Christof , Müller Meinard
Published: April 2024

The availability of digital music data in various modalities provides opportunities both for music enjoyment and music research. Regarding the latter, the computer-assisted analysis of tonal structures is a central topic. For Western classical music, studies typically rely on machine-readable scores, which are tedious to create for large-scale works and comprehensive corpora. As an alternative, music audio recordings, which are readily available, can be analyzed with computational methods. With this article, we want to bridge the gap between score- and audio-based measurements of tonal structures by leveraging the power of deep neural networks. Such networks are commonly trained in an end-to-end fashion, which introduces biases towards the training repertoire or towards specific annotators. To overcome these problems, we propose a multi-step strategy. First, we compute pitch-class representations of the audio recordings using networks trained on score–audio pairs. Second, we measure the presence of specific tonal structures using a pattern-matching technique that solely relies on music theory knowledge and does not require annotated training data. Third, we highlight these measurements with interactive visualizations, thus leaving the interpretation to the musicological experts. Our experiments on Richard Wagner's large-scale cycle
Der Ring des Nibelungen
indicate that deep pitch-class representations lead to a high similarity between score- and audio-based measurements of tonal structures, thus demonstrating how to leverage multi-modal data for application scenarios in the computational humanities, where an explicit and interpretable methodology is essential.
A Trustworthy and Responsible Decision-Making Framework for Resource Management in Food–Energy–Water Nexus: A Control-Theoretical Approach
Authors: Uslu Suleyman , Kaur Davinder , Rivera Samuel J. , Durresi Arjan , Babbar-Sebens Meghna , Tilt Jenna H.
Published: April 2024

This article introduces a hybrid framework for trustworthy and responsible natural resource management, aimed at building bottom-up trust to enhance cooperation among decision-makers in the food, energy, and water sectors. Cooperation is highly critical for the adoption and application of resource management alternatives (solutions), including those generated by AI-based recommender systems, in communities due to significant impact of these sectors on the environment and the economic productivity of affected communities. While algorithms can recommend solutions, effectively communicating and gaining community acceptance of these solutions is crucial. Our research stands out by emphasizing the collaboration between humans and machines, which is essential for addressing broader challenges related to climate change and the need for expert tradeoff handling in the management of natural resources. To support future decision-making, we propose a successful control-theory model based on previous decision-making and actor behavior. We utilize control theory to depict how community decisions can be affected by how much individuals trust and accept proposed solutions on irrigation water rights and crop operations in an iterative and interactive decision support environment. This model interacts with stakeholders to collect their feedback on the acceptability of solutions, while also examining the influence of consensus levels, trust sensitivities, and the number of decision-making rounds on the acceptance of proposed solutions. Furthermore, we investigate a system of multiple decision-making and explore the impact of learning actors who adjust their trust sensitivities based on solution acceptance and the number of decision-making rounds. Additionally, our approach can be employed to evaluate and refine potential policy modifications. Although we assess potential outcomes using hypothetical actions by individuals, it is essential to emphasize our primary objective of developing a tool that accurately captures real human behavior and fosters improved collaboration in community decision-making. Ultimately, our aim is to enhance the harmony between AI-based recommender systems and human values, promoting a deeper understanding and integration between the two.
Effect of NPAH Exposure on Lung Function of Children in Indoor Coal Combustion Environment
Authors: Wang Beibei , Huang He , Qin Ning , Zhao Wenjing , Wang Qin , Cao Suzhen , Chen Xing , Xu Xiangyu , Duan Xiaoli
Published: April 2024

Nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (NPAH) emissions from the combustion of household solid fuel may cause great harm to public health. Children are one of the most susceptible population groups at risk of indoor air pollutants due to their immature respiratory and immune systems. In this study, a primary school using household coal combustion for heating in winter was selected and forty participants were randomly recruited among schoolchildren. Fine particulate matter samples were collected by both individual portable samplers and fixed middle‐flow samplers during the heating and nonheating seasons. The NPAH concentrations in PM2.5 samples were analyzed by a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. Potential sources of NPAHs were identified by NPAH ratios as well as principal component analysis. Lung function of children was tested by an electronic spirometer. The relationship between NPAH exposure level and children’s lung function was studied. Finally, the cancer risk caused by NPAH inhalation was assessed. The results showed significantly higher individual NPAH exposure level in heating season (0.901 ± 0.396 ng·m-3) than that in nonheating season (0.094 ± 0.107 ng·m-3). Coal/biomass combustion and secondary formation were the potential NPAH sources in heating season. Significantly lower lung function of children was also found in heating season compared with that in nonheating season. As a result of the Monte Carlo simulation, the averaged incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values from the inhalation of NPAHs in the heating and nonheating seasons were 3.50 × 10−8 and 2.13 × 10−8, respectively. Our research revealed the association between NPAH exposure and children’s lung function and confirmed the adverse effect of indoor coal combustion. The results also indicated that further control strategies on indoor coal combustion are needed to reduce the risk of NPAH exposure and protect children’s health.
A Method of Image Restoration for Distortion of Object in Water-Air Cross-Media
Authors: Gao Yuhe , Jia Jishen , Cai Lei , Zhou Meng , Chai Haojie , Jia Jinze
Published: April 2024

Uneven water-air media distribution or irregular liquid flow can cause changes in light propagation, leading to blurring and distortion of the extracted image, which presents a challenge for object recognition accuracy. To address these issues, this paper proposes a repair network to correct object image distortion in water-air cross-media. Firstly, convolutional combination performs feature extraction on water-air cross-media images, which retains the same features at the same scale and marks feature points with large differences. Then, an attention correction module for geometric lines is proposed to correct geometric lines in water-air cross-media images by comparing and sensing the marked feature points with large differences and utilizing the line similarity in positive and negative samples. Finally, the blurring artifact elimination module eliminates artifacts caused by image blurring and geometric line correction by using multiscale fusion of individual U-Net information streams. This completes the image restoration of object distortion under water-air cross-media. The proposed method is feasible and effective for restoring aberrated objects in water-air cross-media environments, with numerous experiments conducted on water-air cross-media image datasets.
Effectiveness of Individual-Based Strategies to Reduce Nurse Burnout: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Hsu Hsiang-Chin , Lee Huan-Fang , Hung Hsuan-Man , Chen Yi-Lin , Yen Miaofen , Chiang Hui-Ying , Chow Lok-Hi , Fetzer Susan J. , Mu Pei-Fan
Published: April 2024

Aims. This umbrella review aims to comprehensively synthesize and analyze the findings of available systematic reviews on the effectiveness of individual-based strategies for reducing nurse burnout occurring in hospital-based settings. Methods. Following JBI guidelines, an umbrella review was conducted to integrate the effectiveness of various strategies to reduce burnout. Systematic reviews were searched in the Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Cochrane Library, CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and WOS databases. Inclusion criteria included studies published in any language from database inception to April 2023. Eligibility assessment involved two independent reviewers who evaluated titles, abstracts, and full texts. The systematic reviews were critically evaluated using JBI SUMARI. The results were narratively synthesized and grouped by strategy. Results. Eleven systematic reviews were included, covering the years 2012 to 2021. The appraisal tools varied, though all included reviews were of high quality. The strategies were categorized into three domains: mental health (51%), physical activities (26%), and professional competence (13%). The interventions most identified were mindfulness-based stress reduction for mental health, yoga for physical activities, and professional competence education. These individual-based strategies were shown to effectively eliminate emotional exhaustion (72.7%), depersonalization (44%), and occupational stress (78%) among nurses in hospital-based settings. Conclusion. Mental health, physical activities, and professional competence are strategies to reduce nurse burnout. Implementing these approaches in healthcare settings can improve emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and occupational stress of nurses.
Associations of Early-Life and Adult Anthropometric Measures with the Expression of Stem Cell Markers CD44, CD24, and ALDH1A1 in Women with Benign Breast Biopsies
Authors: Oh Hannah , Yaghjyan Lusine , Heng Yujing J. , Rosner Bernard , Mahoney Matt B. , Murthy Divya , Baker Gabrielle M. , Tamimi Rulla M.
Published: April 2024

Background:

According to the stem cell hypothesis, breast carcinogenesis may be related to the breast stem cell pool size. However, little is known about associations of breast cancer risk factors, such as anthropometric measures, with the expression of stem cell markers in noncancerous breast tissue.

Methods:

The analysis included 414 women with biopsy-confirmed benign breast disease in the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II. Birthweight, weight at age 18, current weight, and current height were reported via self-administered questionnaires. IHC staining of stem cell markers (CD44, CD24, and aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 member A1) in histopathologically normal epithelial and stromal breast tissue was quantified using an automated computational image analysis system. Linear regression was used to examine the associations of early-life and adult anthropometric measures with log-transformed stem cell marker expression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

Birthweight [≥10.0 vs. <5.5 lbs: β (95% confidence interval) = 4.29 (1.02, 7.56); P trend = 0.001 in the stroma] and adult height [≥67.0 vs. <63.0 inch: 0.86 (0.14, 1.58); P trend = 0.02 in the epithelium and stroma combined] were positively associated with CD44 expression. Childhood body fatness was inversely associated (P trend = 0.03) whereas adult height was positively associated with CD24 expression in combined stroma and epithelium (P trend = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that anthropometric measures, such as birthweight, adult height, and childhood body fatness, may be associated with the stem cell expression among women with benign breast disease.

Impact:

Anthropometric measures, such as birthweight, height, and childhood body fatness, may have long-term impacts on stem cell population in the breast.