bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of antibiotics use in inpatients at Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania: a point prevalence survey
Authors: Zimbwe Kauke Bakari , Yona Yusto Julius , Chiwambo Charity Alphonce , Chandika Alphonce Bilola , Kiwelu Humphrey Sawira , Kizenga Omary Salim , Mleke Mfaume Michael , Shabani Moshi Moshi
Published: August 2024

Objective

To assess antibiotics prescribing and use patterns for inpatients at Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital (BMH) using the WHO-Point Prevalence Survey (WHO-PPS).

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

The Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania.

Participants

Inpatient prescriptions, regardless of whether antibiotics were prescribed (n=286) on the day of PPS.

Outcome measures

Our study analysed the prevalence of antibiotic use at BMH for inpatients, the type of antibiotics used, the indications for use and the proportion of oral and parenteral antibiotics. We also assessed prescription-prescribed antibiotics after a positive antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) result.

Results

A survey was conducted on 286 prescriptions, which revealed that 30.07% of them included antibiotics. On average, each prescription contained at least 1.6 antibiotics. All prescriptions that included antibiotics were written in generic names, and 77.91% (67/86) of them followed the Standard Treatment Guidelines. Of the prescriptions that included antibiotics, 58.14% (50/86) had a single antibiotic, 20.93% (18/86) had parenteral antibiotics and 79.07% (68/86) had oral antibiotics. Based on AWaRe’s (Access, Watch and Reserve) categorisation of antibiotics, 50% (8/16) were in the Access group, 31.25% (5/16) were in the Watch group, 12.50% (2/16) were in the Reserve group and 6.25% (1/16) were not recommended antimicrobial combinations. Out of 86 prescriptions included antibiotics, only 4.65% showed positive culture growth. However, antibiotics were still prescribed in 29.07% of prescriptions where there was no growth of bacteria, and in 66.28% of prescriptions, antibiotics were prescribed empirically without any requesting of bacteria culture and AST.

Conclusion

BMH has reduced inpatient Antibiotic Use by half compared with the 2019 WHO-PPS. Adherence to National Treatment Guidelines is suboptimal. Clinicians should use AST results to guide antibiotic prescribing.
Toothbrushing programme in Saudi Arabia ‘TOPS’: a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial in kindergartens, Riyadh
Authors: Almutairi Budur , Conway D , Ross Alastair , Hattan Mohammed , Almogren Fayyad , McMahon Alex D
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Dental caries among children is a major global health problem and is a particular public health challenge in Saudi Arabia. Dental caries cause pain, infection and negatively impact quality of life. As part of population oral health improvement efforts in Saudi Arabia, this project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised toothbrushing programme in kindergartens.

Methods and analysis

This study is a cluster randomised controlled trial. Enrolment began in September 2022, for two academic years (2022–2024) on 20 randomly selected kindergartens in Riyadh. The data collection phase will be completed in September 2024. Ten kindergartens are randomly allocated to supervised toothbrushing and 10 to treatment as usual, which is an annual oral health awareness visit. The primary endpoint will be the worsening of obvious decay experience as measured by decayed (into dentine), missing and filled teeth (d3mft) from baseline to the second year of follow-up. The secondary endpoint will be the increase in the number of teeth affected. A priori subgroups of the region of Riyadh, school type (public, private), child sex and presence/absence of prior decay at baseline, will be analysed. We require 244 evaluable endpoints using a power of 80% to meet the sample size requirement. In addition, questionnaires on behaviours, quality of life, process monitoring and cost analysis are being deployed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for this study was given by the King Fahad Medical City Institutional Review Board in the Saudi Ministry of Health (22-083E/March 2022). The data analysis has been approved by the University of Glasgow Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences Research Ethical Committee (200220194/March 2023). The results of this study will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and in scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05512156.
Easing the way to achieving target serum urate in people with gout: protocol for a non-inferiority randomised strategy trial using an allopurinol dosing model in Aotearoa/New Zealand (the Easy-Allo Study)
Authors: Stamp Lisa , Te Karu Leanne , Reid Susan , Wright Daniel F B , Frampton Chris , Tuitaupe Vui Suli , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis worldwide. Gout is particularly prevalent in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is estimated to affect 13.1% of Māori men, 22.9% of Pacific men and 7.4% of New Zealand European men. Effective long-term treatment requires lowering serum urate to <0.36 mmol/L. Allopurinol is the most commonly used urate-lowering medication worldwide. Despite its efficacy and safety, the allopurinol dose escalation treat-to-target serum urate strategy is difficult to implement and there are important inequities in allopurinol prescribing in Aotearoa. The escalation strategy is labour intensive, time consuming and costly for people with gout and the healthcare system. An easy and effective way to dose-escalate allopurinol is required, especially as gout disproportionately affects working-age Māori men and Pacific men, who frequently do not receive optimal care.

Methods and analysis

: A 12-month non-inferiority randomised controlled trial in people with gout who have a serum urate ≥ 0.36 mmol/l will be undertaken. 380 participants recruited from primary and secondary care will be randomised to one of the two allopurinol dosing strategies: intensive nurse-led treat-to-target serum urate dosing (intensive treat-to-target) or protocol-driven dose escalation based on dose predicted by an allopurinol dosing model (Easy-Allo). The primary endpoint will be the proportion of participants who achieve target serum urate (<0.36 mmol/L) at 12 months.

Ethics and dissemination

The New Zealand Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee approved the study (2022 FULL 13478). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and to participants.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12622001279718p.
Global burden of HIV among long-distance truck drivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mutie Cyrus , Otieno Berrick , Mwangi Elijah , Kithuci Kawira , Mutisya Albanus , Gachohi John , Mbuthia Grace
Published: August 2024

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to systematically summarise the empirical evidence on the prevalence of HIV among long-distance truck drivers (LDTDs) from all parts of the world.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Data sources

We searched PubMed, ProQuest Central, PubMed Central, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Global Index Medicus to identify relevant information published from 1989 to 16 May 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Peer-reviewed publications of English language reporting on the prevalence of HIV among LDTDs were included. Non-empirical studies like literature reviews were excluded.

Data extraction and synthesis

Using a standardised data abstraction form, we extracted information on study characteristics and HIV prevalence levels. Crude prevalence estimates per 100 participants were computed and later transformed using logit transformation to have them follow a normal distribution. A meta-analysis of prevalences using the random effects model was performed. The I2statistic was used to quantify the degree of heterogeneity across studies. A subgroup analysis using meta-regression was performed to investigate factors that could explain variability across studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute tools and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of the included studies. To assess the certainty of evidence, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used.

Results

Of the 1787 articles identified, 42 were included. Most of the included studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (45.23%, n=19) and Asia and the Pacific (35.71%, n=15). The pooled prevalence of HIV was 3.86%, 95% CI (2.22% to 6.64%). The burden of HIV was highest in sub-Saharan Africa at 14.34%, 95% CI (9.94% to 20.26%), followed by Asia and the Pacific at 2.12%, 95 CI (0.94% to 4.7%) and lastly Western, Central Europe and North America at 0.17%, 95% CI (0.03% to 0.82%). The overall heterogeneity score was (I2=98.2%, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The global burden of HIV among LDTDs is 3.86%, six times higher than that of the general population globally. Compared with other regions, the burden of HIV is highest in sub-Saharan Africa at 14.34%, where it is estimated to be 3% in the general population. Thus, LDTDs endure a disproportionately high burden of HIV compared with other populations. Consequently, more LDTD-centred HIV research and surveillance is needed at national and regional levels to institute tailored preventive policies and interventions.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023429390.
Supported decision-making with persons with dementia: a scoping review protocol in partnership with lived experts
Authors: Sussman Tamara , Ma Xue Ping , Oyinlola Oluwagbemiga , Grenier Amanda , Cascio M Ariel , McCleary Lynn , Hunter Paulette V , Soulières Maryse , Zakaria Rym
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asserts that all persons with disabilities have the right to receive the support they require to participate in decisions that affect them. Yet, persons with dementia continue to be excluded from decisions on issues that matter to them. Our planned scoping review seeks to address this gap by documenting the current knowledge on supported decision-making for persons with dementia and informing the next steps for research and practice.

Methods and analysis

We will use Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) six-stage framework to guide our review of the English scientific literature (2005 onwards), searching the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine and the Social Science Abstracts. Our review will focus on primary studies examining supported decision-making for persons with dementia, including the voices of those with dementia. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, we will identify (1) domains of supported decision-making discussed in the empirical literature and (2) practices/factors that facilitate or inhibit supported decision-making. Consultations with persons with dementia and their care partners will provide insights into lived experiences, helping identify gaps between research literature and lived realities. The preliminary title and abstract search for eligible articles were conducted between August and October 2023 and updated in June 2024, yielding 56 eligible articles for review.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review will be conducted following the standards of the Tri-Council Policy Statement for Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (1998 with 2000, 2002 and 2005 amendments). The procedures for eliciting feedback from persons with dementia and their care partners were approved by the Office of Research Ethics Board at McGill University (Reference # 23-08-048). Dissemination of review findings to persons with dementia and care partners will occur during ongoing community consultations. Visual aids and brief lay summaries will be used to facilitate input and dialogue. Dissemination to the broader practice and research communities will include workshops conducted in collaboration with study partners and presentations and publications in peer-reviewed forums.
Exploring individual, social and environmental factors related to physical activity: a network analysis
Authors: Oba Takeyuki , Takano Keisuke , Katahira Kentaro , Kimura Kenta
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Insufficient physical activity (PA) has long been a global health issue, and a number of studies have explored correlates of PA to identify the mechanisms underlying inactive lifestyles. In the literature, dozens of correlates have been identified at different (eg, individual, environmental) levels, but there is little or no direct evidence for the mutual associations of these correlates. This study analysed 44 variables identified as theoretically and empirically relevant for PA to clarify the factors directly and indirectly associated with PA.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey dataset of 19 005 Japanese-speaking adults (mean age=53.50 years, SD=17.40; 9706 women) was analysed. The data encompassed demographic and anthropometric variables; self-reported PA levels; perceived social support and environments (eg, awareness of urban facilities for PA); psychological traits and health-behaviour characteristics (eg, personality, motivation, self-efficacy, decisional balance, process of change strategies); and technology use (eg, mobile health apps).

Results

Network analyses were performed to select meaningful associations (partial correlations) among variables, which identified nine variables directly positively associated with PA: job/employment status, self-efficacy, perceived social support, intrinsic motivation, stage of change, counter conditioning, self-reevaluation, environment and technology use. Indirect associations (two-step neighbourhood) were identified for 40 (out of 44) variables, implying that most of the known PA-correlates are associated with PA—at least indirectly.

Conclusion

These identified associations echo the importance of the multilevel perspective in understanding how people maintain (in)active lifestyles. Interventions for PA could have mixed-level targets, including intraindividual characteristics, social support and physical and digital environments.
Instrumented mouthguards in elite-level men’s and women’s rugby union: characterising tackle-based head acceleration events
Authors: Woodward James , Tooby James , Tucker Ross , Falvey Éanna C , Salmon Danielle M , Starling Lindsay , Tierney Gregory
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To examine the propensity of tackle height and the number of tacklers that result in head acceleration events (HAEs) in elite-level male and female rugby tackles.

Methods

Instrumented mouthguard data were collected from women (n=67) and men (n=72) elite-level rugby players from five elite and three international teams. Peak linear acceleration and peak angular acceleration were extracted from HAEs. Propensities for HAEs at a range of thresholds were calculated as the proportion of tackles/carries that resulted in an HAE exceeding a given magnitude for coded tackle height (low, medium, high) and number of tacklers. Propensity ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for tackle heights and number of tacklers.

Results

High tackles had a 32.7 (95% CI=6.89 to 155.02) and 41.2 (95% CI=9.22 to 184.58) propensity ratio to cause ball carrier HAEs>30 g compared with medium tackles for men and women, respectively. Low tackles had a 2.6 (95% CI=1.91 to 3.42) and 5.3 (95% CI=3.28 to 8.53) propensity ratio to cause tackler HAEs>30 g compared with medium tackles for men and women, respectively. In men, multiple tacklers had a higher propensity ratio (6.1; 95% CI=3.71 to 9.93) than singular tacklers to cause ball carrier HAEs>30 g but a lower propensity ratio (0.4; 95% CI=0.29 to 0.56) to cause tackler HAEs>30 g. No significant differences were observed in female tacklers or carriers for singular or multiple tacklers.

Conclusion

To limit HAE exposure, rule changes and coaching interventions that promote tacklers aiming for the torso (medium tackle) could be explored, along with changes to multiple tackler events in the male game.
Artificial intelligence-enabled advanced endoscopic imaging to assess deep healing in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Maeda Yasuharu , Ditonno Ilaria , Puga-Tejada Miguel , Zammarchi Irene , Santacroce Giovanni , Ghosh Subrata , Iacucci Marietta
Published: August 2024

Endoscopic remission is the primary long-term therapeutic goal in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The assessment of this therapeutic target typically relies on white light endoscopy (WLE) combined with histological sampling. Nonetheless, distinguishing between endoscopic mild, patchy inflammation and quiescent disease can be challenging, and discrepancies have been observed between endoscopic and histological disease activity, mainly when using WLE.

Recent advances in endoscopic technologies are gradually transforming clinical practice. Dye-based chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy are currently available in the endoscopist armamentarium, enhancing the assessment of mucosal architecture and vascular patterns, improving the visualisation of patchy inflammation and helping detect subtle dysplastic colonic lesions. Moreover, novel advanced tools, including probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy, offer the remarkable ability to investigate the deep aspect of the gastrointestinal tract in real time, including the structure and function of the intestinal barrier and inflammatory-related alterations. Thus, these techniques can bridge the gap between endoscopy and histology, enabling the integration of novel treat-to-target strategies associated with more favourable outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a further step forward in overcoming the limitations associated with endoscopy, including subjectivity and the requirement for expertise. Their implementation in clinical practice may enable standardised, accurate and rapid disease assessment. Moreover, AI can aid in accurately predicting responses to therapy and disease outcomes by stratifying patients’ risks, thereby advancing us towards patient-centred personalised medicine.

This narrative review summarises the available advanced endoscopic technologies and their integration with AI to assess IBD activity, define promising therapeutic targets and predict long-term outcomes.
Global lessons on delivery of primary healthcare services for people with non-communicable diseases: convergent mixed methods
Authors: Mash Robert , Hirschhorn Lisa R , Kakar Inayat Singh , John Renu , Sharma Manushi , Praveen Devarsetty
Published: August 2024

Objective

To extract key lessons on primary healthcare (PHC) service delivery strategies for non-communicable diseases (NCD) from the work of researchers funded by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).

Design

A convergent mixed methods study that extracted data using a standardised template from research projects funded by the GACD that focused on PHC. The strategies implemented in these studies were mapped onto the PHC Performance Initiative framework. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with researchers from purposefully selected projects to understand the strategies and contextual factors in more depth.

Setting

PHC contexts from low or middle-income countries (LMIC) as well as vulnerable groups within high-income countries. Projects came from all regions of the world, particularly East Asia and Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America and Caribbean.

Participants

The study extracted data on 84 research projects and interviewed researchers from 16 research projects.

Results

Research projects came from all regions of the world, and mainly focused on diabetes (35.3%), hypertension (28.3%) and mental health (27.6%). Mapped onto the PHC Performance Initiative framework: 49.4% focused on high-quality PHC (particularly the comprehensiveness of NCD care, 41.2%); 41.2% on the availability of PHC services (particularly the competence of healthcare workers, 36.5%); 35.3% on population health management (particularly community-based services, 35.3%); 34.1% on facility organisation and management (particularly team-based care, 20.0%) and 31.8% on access (particularly digital technology, 23.5%). Most common strategies were task shifting and training to improve the comprehensiveness of NCD care through community-based services. Contextual factors related to inputs: infrastructure, equipment and medication, workforce (particularly community health workers), finances, health information systems and digital technology.

Conclusion

Key strategies and contextual factors to improve PHC service delivery for NCDs in LMICs were identified. These strategies should combine with other strategies to strengthen the PHC system as a whole, while improving care for NCDs.
Flow diversion with hydrophilic polymer coating with prasugrel as single antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a multicenter case series, complication and occlusion rates
Authors: Khanafer Ali , Lobsien Donald , Sirakov Alexander , Almohammad Mohammad , Schüngel Marie-Sophie , Pielenz Daniel , Borgmann Thomas , Hajiyev Kamran , Bäzner Hansjörg , Ganslandt Oliver , Hennersdorf Florian , Cohen José E , Felber Stephan , Schob Stefan , Kemmling André , Sirakov Stanimir , Forsting Michael , Klisch Joachim , Henkes Hans
Published: August 2024

Background

This study reports a multicenter experience of using hydrophilic polymer-coated (HPC) flow diverters with prasugrel single antiplatelet therapy to treat ruptured aneurysms with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods

Patients treated for intracranial aneurysms within 30 days after SAH with a p64/p48 MW HPC flow diverter were prospectively identified. Clinical presentation and outcomes, periprocedural and postprocedural complications, and degree of occlusion at follow-up were evaluated.

Results

A total of 84 patients were treated in 88 sessions (54.5% women; mean age 53.3 years). Four patients (4.7%) experienced flow diverter-dependent complications. No cases of aneurysm re-rupture or hemorrhagic complications related to antiplatelet therapy were recorded. Immediate complete occlusion was achieved in 27.4% of cases (23/84). The rate of complete occlusion among survivors was 83% in early follow-up, 90.2% in mid-term follow-up, and 92.3% in the latest possible follow-up.

Conclusion

p64/p48 MW HPC flow diverters with prasugrel single antiplatelet therapy were associated with safety from aneurysm re-rupture and high occlusion rates at medium- and long-term follow-up in managing ruptured aneurysms. Adequate management of single antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel is crucial, particularly with higher doses than usual, to avoid both ischemic and hemorrhagic complications.
Damage in a large systemic lupus erythematosus cohort from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry (RELESSER) with emphasis on the cardiovascular system: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Altabás-González Irene , Rua-Figueroa Iñigo , Mouriño Coral , Roberts Karen , Jimenez Norman , Martinez-Barrio Julia , Galindo María , Calvo Alén Jaime , Pérez Victor del Campo , Uriarte Itzazelaia Esther , Tomero Eva , Freire-González Mercedes , Martínez Taboada Víctor , Salgado Eva , Vela Paloma , Fernandez-Nebro Antonio , Olivé Alejandro , Narváez Javier , Menor-Almagro Raúl , Soler Gregorio Santos , Hernández-Beriain José Ángel , Manero Javier , Aurrecoechea Elena , Ibarguengoitia-Barrena Oihane , Montilla Carlos , Bonilla Gema , Torrente-Segarra Vicenç , Cacheda Ana Paula , García-Villanueva María Jesús , Moriano-Morales Claudia , Manteca Concepción Fito , Lozano-Rivas Nuria , Bohórquez Cristina , Pego-Reigosa José M
Published: August 2024

Objective

To assess organ damage, with emphasis on the cardiovascular system, over the different stages of the disease in a large SLE cohort.

Methods

Multicentre, longitudinal study of a cohort of 4219 patients with SLE enrolled in the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry. Organ damage was ascertained using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). We longitudinally analysed SDI (globally and for each domain) over time only in the 1274 patients whose dates of damage events had been recorded.

Results

During the first year after diagnosis of SLE, 20% of the 1274 patients presented with new damage manifestations. At years 2 and 3, new damage was recorded in 11% and 9% of patients. The annual percentage of patients with new damage after year 5 decreased to 5%. In the first year with the disease, most damage was accumulated in the musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric and renal systems; in later stages, most damage was in the musculoskeletal, ocular and cardiovascular systems. Considering ‘cerebrovascular accident’ and ‘claudication for 6 months’ as cardiovascular items, the cardiovascular system was the second most affected system during the early stages of SLE, with 19% of the patients who presented with damage affected at first year after diagnosis. During the late stages, 20–25% of the patients presenting with new damage did so in this modified cardiovascular domain of the SDI.

Conclusions

New damage occurs mainly during the first year following diagnosis of SLE. Cardiovascular damage is relevant in both the early and the late stages of the disease. Strategies to prevent cardiovascular damage should be implemented early after diagnosis of SLE.
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of the phrenic nerve for intractable hiccups: a novel use case report
Authors: Jevotovsky David S , Suarez Michael , Chopra Harman , Marascalchi Bryan J
Published: August 2024

Background

Intractable hiccups, defined as those persisting for over 1 month, represent a rare but significant clinical challenge often associated with substantial morbidity and refractory to standard treatments.

Case presentation

This case report describes the innovative use of phrenic nerve peripheral neuromodulation for managing chronic intractable hiccups in a 73-year-old male patient with a 6-year history of daily hiccups. Conventional treatments and interventional procedures had failed to provide lasting relief. Bilateral phrenic nerve peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) placed under ultrasound guidance resulted in immediate and substantial improvement, with the patient’s Hiccup Assessment Instrument score decreasing from 6/10 to 2/10. The patient experienced significant enhancements in speech and quality of life without complications.

Conclusions

This novel application of phrenic nerve PNS highlights its potential as a therapeutic strategy for intractable hiccups, underscoring their pathophysiologic involvement of the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. The findings suggest that phrenic nerve PNS could offer a viable treatment option for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies, warranting further research to establish its long-term efficacy and safety.
Electronic and optical properties of the GeS/GeSe heterostructure tuned by in-plane strain
Authors: Shang Jimin , Ye Jingjing , Zhang Lamei , Qiao Shuai , Feng Shiquan , Zhang Shuai
Published: August 2024

Constructing new two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures has been widely employed as a convenient and effective strategy for tuning the optoelectronic properties, which is of great significance for applications in integrated nano-optoelectronic devices. In this work, we design a GeS/GeSe vdW heterostructure and systematically investigate its electronic and optical properties by using first-principles calculations. Our results indicate that the pristine GeS/GeSe heterostructure possesses an indirect band gap (∼0.98 eV) and exhibits an intrinsically type-I band alignment. Furthermore, the optoelectronic properties of the GeS/GeSe heterostructure can be effectively modulated by applying in-plane strain. Specifically, an indirect to direct band gap transition and a type-I to type-II band alignment transition can be synchronously realized, when the tensile strain along zigzag direction reaches 2%. Furthermore, the calculated dielectric function also reveals an obvious strain effect on the optical properties of the GeS/GeSe heterostructure. The light absorption coefficient of the GeS/GeSe heterostructure along the zigzag direction can reach to 106 cm−1 level, as the compressive in-plane strain reaches −5%. These findings are expected to play a guidance role in the future design of the optoelectronic devices based on 2D anisotropic heterostructures.
Gravitational collapse of relativistic compact objects in higher dimension
Authors: Zahra A. , Mardan S. A. , Riaz Muhammad Bilal , Manzoor Rubab , Noureen I.
Published: August 2024

In this work, we present an iterative method for gravitational collapse in higher dimensions. A framework is developed in a post-quasi-static regime with non-comoving coordinates. The internal five-dimensional system is smoothly matched with the corresponding outer Vaidya space-time over the boundary surface (BS). This correspondence provides a set of dimensionless surface equations in higher dimensions. The physical quantities such as Doppler shift, luminosity, and redshift at the BS of gravitating systems can be described through these surface equations. This procedure offers valuable insights that facilitate comprehension of the behavior of compact objects.
Towards Automatic Mango Grading: A Computer Vision System Design for Measuring a Mango’s Weight and Skin Defect Areas
Authors: Nguyen Phuoc-Loc , Pham Thanh-Ngoan , Tran Vo-Gia-Khang , Tran Nhut-Thanh , Fukuzawa Masayuki , Nguyen Chi-Ngon , Nguyen Chanh-Nghiem
Published: August 2024

Mangoes are among the tropical fruits that provide high export value. Therefore, grading them based on physical and external features is required to satisfy the exporting criteria. An image acquisition system has recently been developed to capture the mango’s 360∘ views. This study developed a computer vision system (CVS) to extend this system towards automatic grade classification of mango fruits based on the mango’s weight and imperfect skin area. The front-view images of four major faces could be identified with a higher accuracy of 97.98% by applying an average filter on the skin area. The mango region in these major-face images was then detected so that the skin defects could measured, and the mango’s 3D dimensions and area in pixel numbers could be calculated to estimate the mango’s weight with an average error of about 2.5% using a ridge regression model. Experimental results with 120 identified major-face images with artificial blemishes showed an average percentage error of 7.28%. At the controlled conveyor speed of 41[Formula: see text]mm/s for favorable image capture, the system could sequentially analyze about 1452 mangoes per hour for blemish area calculation. With such high throughput, the proposed CVS could be tailored to build an automatic mango grading system based on the mango’s weight and skin imperfections.
Site characterization of the Endurance CO
2
store, Southern North Sea, UK
Authors: Gibson-Poole Catherine M. , Taplin Michael , Bouffin Nicholas , Duffy Louise , Sutherland Fiona , Cabral Antonio , Ashby David
Published: August 2024

The Endurance saline aquifer CO
2
store in the UK North Sea is the planned storage site for CO
2
emissions that will be captured from the East Coast Cluster. The site has been characterized to assess its suitability for injectivity, containment and capacity. The injection target is the Early Triassic Bunter Sandstone Formation, consisting of fine-grained sandstones deposited in fluvial, lacustrine and playa lake environments that were subject to repeated aeolian and fluvial reworking. The sandstones have excellent reservoir quality and are likely to be well connected due to the lack of preserved heterolithic layers. The trap is a large, four-way dip-closed anticline, sealed by mudstones and evaporites of the Middle Triassic Dowsing Formation. The top seal sediments are laterally extensive and geomechanically strong, and faulting observed in the overburden does not appear to connect to the reservoir, providing confidence that CO
2
containment will be secure. The risk of leakage through existing legacy wells is assessed as low. The maximum effective CO
2
storage capacity is
c
. 450 Mt: Phase 1 development of 100 Mt is equivalent to a storage efficiency factor of 3%, which is achievable without the need for brine production. First injection is planned from 2027.
Footwall uplift and erosion during Jurassic rifting: Scott and Telford fields, Outer Moray Firth, UK Central North Sea
Authors: Platt Nigel H. , MacLellan Angus , Morgan Richard K. , Armstrong Alan J. , Arzola Raquel G.
Published: August 2024

As producing fields enter late life, successful mitigation of subsurface risk is critical in order to justify continued infill well drilling. Despite penetrations by more than 100 wells and the availability of modern 3D seismic across the Scott and Telford fields (Outer Moray Firth, UK Central North Sea), reservoir absence has led to repeated development well failures. A new model now attributes reservoir attenuation to Late Jurassic footwall uplift and erosion.

The 2015 Scott J40 well encountered a reduced Upper Jurassic reservoir section of Lower Scott sands, with Upper Scott and Piper sands absent. Reinterpretation ascribed reservoir truncation to the effect of Late Jurassic footwall uplift and erosion rather than fault cut-out as previously interpreted. The failed 2016 Telford F6 well was shown to have drilled a thick Kimmeridge Clay hanging-wall section north of the Telford Fault, rather than the southern footwall section targeted. Planning for the Scott J43 and four subsequent wells implemented lessons learned from these failures and mitigated reservoir risk while optimizing reserves.

The Scott and Piper sand distributions are likely to reflect early growth folding before the main Mid-Kimmeridgian–Early Tithonian phase of NE–SW extensional faulting and footwall uplift, which saw the Piper and Scott reservoirs eroded at footwall crests and locally reworked as deep-water Claymore sands. Later Mid-Tithonian–Early Berriasian east–west faulting during the opening of the Witch Ground Graben saw major crestal synsedimentary erosion at Telford and continued erosion at the western crest of Scott Block 1b, while the footwall to the east was partially downfaulted.
LIMIT: Learning Interfaces to Maximize Information Transfer
Authors: Christie Benjamin A. , Losey Dylan P.
Published: August 2024

Robots can use auditory, visual, or haptic interfaces to convey information to human users. The way these interfaces select signals is typically pre-defined by the designer: for instance, a haptic wristband might vibrate when the robot is moving and squeeze when the robot stops. But different people interpret the same signals in different ways, so that what makes sense to one person might be confusing or unintuitive to another. In this article, we introduce a unified algorithmic formalism for learning
co-adaptive
interfaces from
scratch
. Our method does not need to know the human’s task (i.e., what the human is using these signals for). Instead, our insight is that interpretable interfaces should select signals that maximize
correlation
between the human’s actions and the information the interface is trying to convey. Applying this insight we develop Learning Interfaces to Maximize Information Transfer (LIMIT). LIMIT optimizes a tractable, real-time proxy of information gain in continuous spaces. The first time a person works with our system the signals may appear random; but over repeated interactions, the interface learns a one-to-one mapping between displayed signals and human responses. Our resulting approach is both personalized to the current user and not tied to any specific interface modality. We compare LIMIT to state-of-the-art baselines across controlled simulations, an online survey, and an in-person user study with auditory, visual, and haptic interfaces. Overall, our results suggest that LIMIT learns interfaces that enable users to complete the task more quickly and efficiently, and users subjectively prefer LIMIT to the alternatives. See videos here:
https://youtu.be/IvQ3TM1_2fA
.
NeuroTAP: Thermal and Memory Access Pattern-Aware Data Mapping on 3D DRAM for Maximizing DNN Performance
Authors: Pandey Shailja , Panda Preeti Ranjan
Published: August 2024

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have been widely adopted, owing to break-through performance and high accuracy. DNNs exhibit varying memory behavior involving specific and recognizable memory access patterns and access intensity, depending on the selected data reuse in different layers. Such applications have high memory bandwidth demands due to aggressive computations, performing several billion-floating-point-operations-per-second (BFLOPs). 3D DRAMs, providing very high memory access bandwidth, are extensively employed to break the
memory wall
, bridging the gap between compute and memory while running DNNs. However, the vertical integration in 3D DRAM introduces serious thermal issues, resulting from high power density and close proximity of memory cells, and requires dynamic thermal management (DTM). To unleash the true potential of 3D DRAM and exploit the enormous bandwidth under thermal constraints, there is a need to intelligently map the DNN application’s data across memory channels, pseudo-channels, and banks, minimizing the effective memory latency and reducing the thermal-induced application slowdown. The specific memory access patterns exhibited by a DNN layer execution are crucial to determine a favorable data mapping method for 3D DRAM dies that potentially causes minimal thermal impact and also maximizes DRAM bandwidth utilization. In this work, we propose an application-aware and thermal-sensitive data mapping that intelligently assigns portions of the 3D DRAM to DNN layers, leveraging the knowledge about layer’s memory access patterns and minimizing DTM-induced performance overheads. Additionally, we also deploy a DRAM low-power states based DTM mechanism to keep the 3D DRAM within safe thermal limits. Using our proposal, we observe a performance improvement of 1% to 61%, and memory energy savings of 1% to 55% for popular DNNs over state-of-the-art DTM strategies while running DNN inference.
Boost Your Immunity: VACCINE for Preventing a Novel Stealthy Slice Selection Attack in 5G and Beyond
Authors: N. sathi Vipin , Murthy C Siva Ram
Published: August 2024

G networks can offer network slices customized according to the demands of the services to enhance the quality of their users’ experience. The time for selecting an appropriate network slice to facilitate traffic flow between users and services by the core network functions in 5G networks is crucial for services such as emergency service and ultra-reliable low latency services. Therefore, we propose a distributed slice selection architecture for 5G and beyond networks to reduce the waiting time for starting services for users. The proposed architecture distributes slice selection function (SSF) to the edge of the network. The networks have to ensure stealthy slice selection attack (S3 attack) free operation, as moving the SSF to the edge increases attack surface. Attackers can launch S3 attack by manipulating the slice selection decisions of SSFs distributed in the network edge. The S3 attacker intentionally maps service requests from users to inappropriate network slices to damage cloud radio access network utilization and the quality of experience of users. In this article, we also present a countermeasure to tackle the S3 attack using a novel protocol called
VACCINE
(
v
erifi
a
ble priva
c
y-preserving proto
c
ol for sl
i
ce selectio
n
in 5G and beyond n
e
tworks). VACCINE also ensures privacy-preserving slice selection by the SSFs to prevent traffic analysis attacks. We prove the chosen-ciphertext attack security strength of VACCINE and also compare the computational cost of VACCINE with other related protocols.
Chimp Optimization Algorithm with Deep Learning-Driven Fine-grained Emotion Recognition in Arabic Corpus
Authors: bin Subait Wala , Basheti Iman , Al Sultan Hanan , Alzaidi Muhammad , Aljabri Jawhara , Assiri Mohammed , Salih Nahla
Published: August 2024

Recently, emotion analysis and classification of tweets have become a crucial area of research. The Arabic language had experienced difficulties with emotion classification on Twitter(X), needing preprocessing more than other languages. Emotion detection is a major challenge in Natural Language Processing (NLP), which allows machines to ascertain the emotions expressed in the text. The task includes recognizing and identifying human feelings such as fear, anger, sadness, and joy. The discovered sentiments and feelings expressed in tweets have gained much recognition in recent years. The Arab region has played a substantial role in international politics and the global economy needs to scrutinize the emotions and sentiments in the Arabic language. Lexicon-based and machine-learning techniques are two common models that address the problems of emotion classification. This study introduces a Chimp Optimization Algorithm with a Deep Learning-Driven Arabic Fine-grained Emotion Recognition (COADL-AFER) technique. The presented COADL-AFER technique mainly aims to detect several emotions in Arabic tweets. In addition to its academic significance, the COADL-AFER technique has practical applications in various fields, including enhancing applications of E-learning, aiding psychologists in recognising terrorist performance, improving product quality, and enhancing customer service. The COADL-AFER technique applies the long short-term memory (LSTM) model for emotion detection. Finally, the hyperparameter selection of the LSTM method can be accomplished by COA. The experimental validation of the COADL-AFER system, a crucial step in our research, is verified utilizing the Arabic tweets dataset. The simulation results stated the betterment of the COADL-AFER technique, further reinforcing the reliability of our research.
Performance of Supplemental US Screening in Women with Dense Breasts and Varying Breast Cancer Risk: Results from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium
Authors: Sprague Brian L. , Ichikawa Laura , Eavey Joanna , Lowry Kathryn P. , Rauscher Garth H. , O’Meara Ellen S. , Miglioretti Diana L. , Lee Janie M. , Stout Natasha K. , Herschorn Sally D. , Perry Hannah , Weaver Donald L. , Kerlikowske Karla
Published: August 2024

In women with dense breasts, US screening yielded a higher cancer detection rate and positive predictive value of biopsy in women with high versus low or average risk of invasive or advanced cancer.
Mechanism Analysis of the Reduction Process of the NiO-YSZ Anode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Hydrogen
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Yongliang , Zhang Haiming , Song Wenwan , Kawada Tatsuya , Lyu Zewei , Han Minfang
Published: August 2024

Reduction of the nickel oxide-yttria stabilized zirconia (NiO-YSZ) anode is a significant step before the operation of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). However, phenomena which occur during the reduction and their mechanism analyses are not summarized sufficiently. In this study, we investigated the influence of the hydrogen concentration, water vapor concentration of the reduction gas, Y2O3 content of the YSZ material of the anode, and temperature on the reduction process. The results showed that water vapor added to the hydrogen during reduction caused a temporary stasis period of the open circuit voltage. The length of the temporary stasis period was almost irrelevant to the water vapor concentration. During reduction, the length of the temporary stasis period of the open circuit voltage was negatively associated with hydrogen concentration and temperature, but positively associated with Y2O3 content of the YSZ material of the anode. After reduction, the SOFC showed better initial performance when the hydrogen concentration or the water vapor concentration during the reduction were higher. The classical shrinking core model can be used to explain these phenomena.
Modeling the Effect of Material Properties on Liquid-Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Lees Eric W. , Bui Justin C. , Wang Guanhzi , Boyer Hailey R. , Peng Xiong , Bell Alexis T. , Weber Adam Z.
Published: August 2024

Liquid-alkaline water electrolyzers (LAWEs) use electricity to drive the conversion of water to H2 and O2 gas. These devices benefit from the use of low-cost nickel electrodes and metal-oxide separators, but suffer from lower current densities and higher cell voltages than proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers. Identifying the inefficiencies that result in this poor performance is key to mitigating losses and optimizing LAWEs. Here, we report an experimentally-validated 1-D continuum model of a LAWE that elucidates the gradients within the cell, simulates H2 crossover, and projects the energy improvements made possible by modulating the properties of the electrodes and separator. The model captures the Nernstian polarization losses and the distribution of gas- and liquid-phases within the electrodes, enabling quantification of energy losses associated with kinetic, ohmic, and bubble-induced (mass-transport) resistances. Simulations demonstrate that LAWE can achieve energy intensities of 50 kWh kg−1 of H2 at 1 A cm−2 using improved electrode and separator properties.
Complete Blood Count Values Over Time in Young Children During the Dengue Virus Epidemic in the Dominican Republic From 2018 to 2020
Authors: Day Melissa E. , Puello Yonairy Collado , Mejía Sang Miguel E. , Diaz Brockmans Elvira J. , Díaz Soto María F. , Rivera Defilló Stephanie M. , Taveras Cruz Karla M. , Santiago Pérez Javier O. , Meña Rafael , Mota Cesár , Hostetter Margaret K. , Muglia Louis J. , del Rey Javier Gonzalez , Schlaudecker Elizabeth P. , Martin Lisa J. , Simpson Brittany N. , Prada Carlos E.
Published: August 2024

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito‐borne illness with substantial economic and societal impact. Understanding laboratory trends of hospitalized Dominican Republic (DR) pediatric patients could help develop screening procedures in low‐resourced settings. We sought to describe laboratory findings over time in DR children with DF and DF severity from 2018 to 2020.

Methods: Clinical information was obtained prospectively from recruited children with DF. Complete blood count (CBC) laboratory measures were assessed across Days 1–10 of fever. Participants were classified as DF‐negative and DF‐positive and grouped by severity. We assessed associations of DF severity with demographics, clinical characteristics, and peripheral blood studies. Using linear mixed‐models, we assessed if hematologic values/trajectories differed by DF status/severity.

Results: A total of 597 of 1101 with a DF clinical diagnosis were serologically evaluated, and 574 (471 DF‐positive) met inclusion criteria. In DF, platelet count and hemoglobin were higher on earlier days of fever (p < = 0.0017). Eighty had severe DF. Severe DF risk was associated with thrombocytopenia, intraillness anemia, and leukocytosis, differing by fever day (p < = 0.001).

Conclusions: In a pediatric hospitalized DR cohort, we found marked anemia in late stages of severe DF, unlike the typically seen hemoconcentration. These findings, paired with clinical symptom changes over time, may help guide risk‐stratified screenings for resource‐limited settings.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Facilitate the Development and Evaluation of Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Zhai Yuewen , Xu Xinyu , Fang Ji , He Fang , Li Siwen
Published: August 2024

Cancer vaccines are an approach to elicit amplified antigen-specific immune responses. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have potential utility for the development of universal vaccines because of their intrinsic antigenic epitopes. Concurrently, iPSCs can undergo pluripotent differentiation and are thus a stable source of both antigen-presenting cells for producing immune cell-based vaccines and tumor organoids for facilitating the exploration and adaptive assessment of tumor vaccines. This review describes the specific contributions of iPSCs to vaccine development, summarizes their diverse developmental trajectories, and discusses the obstacles to their application along with potential solutions.