bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necrolytic migratory erythema caused by pancreatic hyperglycemia with emphasis on therapeutic and prognosis: A case report
Authors: Zhan Shi-Ping
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

With the incidence of pancreatic diseases increasing year by year, pancreatic hyperglycemia, as one of the common complications, is gradually gaining attention for its impact on the skin health of patients.

CASE SUMMARY

This was the case of an elderly female with clinical manifestations of necrolytic migratory erythema, “three more and one less,” diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and other syndromes, which had been misdiagnosed as eczema. Abdominal computed tomography showed a pancreatic caudal space-occupying lesion, and the magnetic resonance scanning of the epigastric region with dynamic enhancement and diffusion-weighted imaging suggested a tumor of the pancreatic tail, which was considered to be a neuroendocrine tumor or cystadenoma. The patient was referred to a more equipped hospital for laparoscopic pancreatic tail resection. Post-surgery diagnosis revealed a neuroendocrine tumor in the tail of the pancreas. To date, the patient’s general condition is good, and she is still under close follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Necrolytic migratory erythema can be induced by endocrine system tumors or endocrine metabolic abnormalities, with complex clinical manifestations, difficult diagnosis, and easy misdiagnosis by dermatologists. The initial treatment principles in dermatology include symptomatic supportive therapy and effective drugs to relieve skin lesions. After clarifying the etiology of glucagonoma, comprehensive treatment in collaboration with endocrinologists, general surgeons, and oncologists can help provide individualized treatment for patients and improve their prognosis.
From Jefferson Airplane to Starship: Science Fiction, Utopia, and Evolution
Authors: Allen Nicola , Carlin Gerry
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Paul Kantner's Blows Against the Empire (1970) is the only rock album to have been nominated for a Hugo Award. Kantner's lyrical excursions into SF, as a solo artist and as a member of Jefferson Airplane, are characterized by extensive borrowings of both themes and actual text from writers such as John Wyndham, Robert Heinlein, Theodore Sturgeon, Arthur C. Clarke, and others. Important intellectual fields addressed by sf and West Coast rock thematize unorthodox approaches to evolution. From Darwinian dissenters in the nineteenth century through philosophies of expanded consciousness and experimentation with psychoactive drugs in the 1960s, it seemed possible that the psychedelic youth movements of the period, and their utopian visions, were part of an evolutionary "mutation" in culture and consciousness. Science fiction seemed to have predicted this by popularizing "precognitive myths" of telepathy, gestalt consciousness, and ways of being that rock musicians thematized and to some extent sought to realize. Blows Against the Empire emerges as a compendium of sf and countercultural intertexts that celebrate such evolutionary ideals, and despite a lot of its ideas entering the mainstream, it remains a cult album and a unique record of late 1960s countercultural speculation.
The Green Apocalypse and Empathy for Vegetal Life
Authors: Graham Jean E.
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Speculative fiction can contribute toward overcoming "plant awareness disparity" and also can help create empathy for plants rather than fear of an apocalypse. The Saga of the Swamp Thing (1987) by Alan Moore, relies on Swamp Thing's anthropomorphism (undermining the vegetal nature of flora) to oppose the apocalypse and create an empathetic response. The non-anthropomorphic carnivorous plants of John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids (1954) never receive empathy from the human characters. In contrast, James Gunn's Transcendental (2013) depicts an invasive vegetal species which tells its own story, becoming empathetic without anthropomorphism.
Universe of Pluralism: Extraterrestrial Intelligence in Liu Cixin's Short Stories
Authors: Huang Xiuqi
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This paper examines extraterrestrial intelligence in the short stories of Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin and their relation to the alien civilization in Liu's immensely successful Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. I will discuss the topic from three aspects: extraterrestrial intelligence's role as both metaphorical and literal mirrors in Liu's short stories; various alien worldviews and existential states that derive their conflicting diversity from the scientific and humanistic divide in the literary tradition of Chinese science fiction; aliens that represent either the scientistic outlook or the pitfalls of scientific and technological progress. While the values and outlooks of alien civilizations in Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy are uniformly based on a reductive and unambiguous set of axioms, Liu's short stories argue for the multiplicity and relativism of existential values and purposes of life in the universe not only by portraying diversity, but by juxtaposing opposites, abolishing binaries, and questioning absolute positions. I argue that Liu's short stories concerning extraterrestrial intelligence convey a message about the plurality and relativism of worldviews and existential values through embracing the coexistence of the antithetical stances of humanism and science, disputing the absolute positions of anthropocentrism and scientism, and dissolving the binary of the human self and the nonhuman other.
Techno-Orientalism Goes to the Stars: The Space Asian/American and Interstellar Company Rule in Simon Jimenez's The Vanished Birds
Authors: Sohn Stephen Hong
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This article explores how Simon Jimenez's The Vanished Birds participates in but also moves beyond the discourse of techno-Orientalism through its depiction of characters, companies, and interstellar travel. Readers encounter a seemingly quintessential techno-Orientalist construct when they meet the book's protagonist, Fumiko. But their attention is soon redirected to a corporate entity whose predatory capitalist practices make it the new, menacing techno-Orientalist figure in the plot. The novel intervenes in discourses of techno-Orientalism by emphasizing how exploitative economic power dynamics are not limited to actors such as individuals or nation-states, as they are typically understood, but include corporate entities. This article thus contends that more precision is necessary when defining techno-Orientalist constructs and encourages readers to expand their perspectives as they immerse themselves in the Asian American science fictional world.
Extended legality of curved boundary integral method
Authors: Lamberg Joel , Lamberg Lasse , Tamminen Aleksi , Ala-Laurinaho Juha , Taylor Zachary
Published: July 2024

The angular spectrum method is an efficient approach for synthesizing electromagnetic beams from planar electric field distributions. The electric field definition is restricted to a plane, which can introduce inaccuracy when applying the synthesized beam to curved surface features. The angular spectrum method can also be interpreted as a pure source method defining the field symmetrically with respect to the creation plane. Recently, we generalized that symmetric field method to arbitrary source distributions, which are valid at any point on compact, regular surface Ω in R3. We call this approach the Curved Boundary Integral method. The electromagnetic fields synthesized with this method satisfy the Helmholtz equation and are adjusted via amplitude and phase at the desired surface. The fields are obtained as a relatively simple integral. However, restrictions on where in space the synthesized field is valid were included in the mathematical proof length to avoid obscuring the main points. These restrictions can be significant depending on the shape and degree of curvature of surface Ω. In this article, we remove these restrictions so that the integral representation of the electromagnetic beam becomes valid at all points r∈R3∖Ω, with a minor restriction. Its modification can work even on Ω. We demonstrate the importance of this extended legality with a source field parametrized into the torus surface. The electromagnetic radiation of this structure would not be valid at any point in space without this extension. Finally, we show that by changing the order of integration, the field singularity at each source point is eliminated.
Monolithic full-color micro-LED displays featuring three-dimensional chip bonding and quantum dot-based color conversion layer
Authors: Guo Yan , Yu Junchi , Huang Lei , Liu Zexiang , Gai Zhihui , Zhi Ting , Zhou Yugang , Tao Tao , Liu Bin , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou
Published: July 2024

What we believe to be a novel fabrication process for monolithic full-color (RGB) micro-LED (µLED) display technology, featuring three-dimensional (3D) and quantum dot (QD)-based color conversion layer, has been proposed. This method offers advantages such as a wide color gamut, high pixel density, high yield, and low cost. A 16 × 16 passive matrix (PM) RGB µLED array, with a pitch size of 80 µm and a pixel density of 328 pixels per inch (PPI), has been successfully realized using flip-chip bonding technology. When measuring the electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the green and red pixels with the addition of color filters, the color gamut can achieve a maximum of 124% of the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard. Additionally, this process significantly reduces the risk of damage to the QD film during photolithography compared to using two different colored QDs for RGB µLED arrays. The proposed manufacturing process shows considerable promise for commercialization.
Multidimensional ultrashort optical pulse manipulation using spatial light modulation
Authors: Yang Kaining , Xiao Ruidong , Zhou Jiehua , Hou Dan , Wang Du , Lei Cheng
Published: July 2024

Ultrashort optical pulse manipulation is one of the key techniques for applications such as high-speed imaging and high-precision laser processing. In this study, we demonstrate the multidimensional manipulation of ultrashort optical pulses by integrating spatial dispersion and spatial light modulation. Specifically, by modulating the phase of each wavelength, we achieve arbitrary adjustments in multiple dimensions, including number of sub pulses, time interval, intensity, and pulse width simultaneously and independently with a simple setup and few calculations. The performance of the optical pulse manipulation method is verified through both numerical simulations and experiments.
Low-frequency electric field sensing via superposition orbital angular momentum light
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Wang Zhiping , Li Yan , Li Yinhai , Huang Zhixiang , Zhou Zhiyuan , Yu Benli
Published: July 2024

The polarization and orbital angular momentum (OAM) degrees of freedom carried by light have important applications in precision optical measurement and optical sensing. Here we show that the electro-optic Pockels effect of a magnesium-doped lithium niobate (MgO:LiNbO3) crystal can be used to measure a low-frequency electric field. By exploiting the rotation property of superposition OAM light, we experimentally observe that the minimum measured precision of electric field intensity is about 0.18 V/m. This study offers a method to perform low-frequency electric field sensing.
In vivo multi-contrast depth-resolved choroidal imaging of a mouse using polarization-diversity optical coherence tomography
Authors: Song Jun , Hu Yujie , Chen Ansel , Yoo Hyung-Suk , Zawadzki Robert J. , Matsubara Joanne A. , Ju Myeong Jin
Published: July 2024

The results of depth-resolved multi-contrast in vivo mouse choroidal imaging using a polarization-diversity optical coherence tomography (PD-OCT) system are presented. A selectively chosen depth of focus that was fine-tuned with a sensorless adaptive optics technique and a simple segmentation based on the degree of polarization uniformity signal visualizes the detailed features of a mouse choroid from the OCT angiography images. A comprehensive image analysis of the choroid revealed the distinctive pathological characteristics of the laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mouse.
Photoelectric property degradation of graded barrier InAs/GaSb type II superlattice long-wave infrared detectors under 1 MeV electron irradiation
Authors: Song Peipei , Hao Ruiting , Chen Gang , Wang Wen , Guo Meng , Liu Jiatong , Xu Jun , Li Junbin , Li Yanhui , Kong Jincheng , Zhao Jun
Published: July 2024

Amid rapid advancements in aerospace science and technology, studying the effects of space radiation on an infrared detector is crucial for enhancing their reliability in radiation environments, particularly against electrons—one of the most damaging charged particles. Barrier structures significantly reduce dark current without any substantial degradation in the optical performance of the devices. Consequently, they are being investigated for use in extreme environments. This paper presents a study on the performance degradation of InAs/GaSb type II superlattice (T2SLs) long-wave infrared (LWIR) detectors with a graded barrier structure under 1 MeV electron irradiation and analyzes potential damage mechanisms. The findings indicate that 1 MeV electron irradiation causes both ionization and displacement damage to the graded barrier InAs/GaSb T2SL LWIR detectors. After irradiation with a fluence of 2 × 1015 e/cm2, the device’s dark current density has increased by approximately two orders of magnitude, while the quantum efficiency has decreased by approximately one order of magnitude. As the device mesa shrinks, the sensitivity of dark current to radiation exposure increases. Electron irradiation notably exacerbates surface leakage and bulk dark current, with a pronounced increase in surface leakage current. The study also reveals that electron irradiation primarily enhances the dark current by introducing defect states, thereby leading to device performance degradation.
Photonic crystal topological interface state modulation for nonvolatile optical switching
Authors: Quan Zhiqiang , Wang Jian
Published: July 2024

Phase change materials (PCMs), characterized by high optical contrast (Δn>1), nonvolatility (zero static power consumption), and quick phase change speed (∼ns), provide new opportunities for building low-power and highly integrated photonic tunable devices. Optical integrated devices based on PCMs, such as optical switches and optical routers, have demonstrated significant advantages in terms of modulation energy consumption and integration. In this paper, we theoretically verify the solution for a highly integrated nonvolatile optical switch based on the modulation of the topological interface state (TIS) in the quasi-one-dimensional photonic crystal (quasi-1D PC). The TIS exciting wavelength changes with the crystalline level of the PCM. The extinction ratio (ER) of the topological optical switch is over 18 dB with a modulation length of 9 μm. Meanwhile, the insertion loss (IL) can be controlled within 2 dB. Furthermore, we have analyzed the impact of fabrication errors on the device’s performance. The obtained results show that, the topological optical switch, which changes its “on/off” state by modulating TIS, exhibits enhanced robustness to the fabrication process. We provide an interesting and highly integrated scheme for designing the on-chip nonvolatile optical switch. It offers great potential for designing highly integrated on-chip optical switch arrays and nonvolatile optical neural networks.
HPVsim: An agent-based model of HPV transmission and cervical disease
Authors: Stuart Robyn M. , Cohen Jamie A. , Kerr Cliff C. , Mathur Prashant ,   National Disease Modelling Consortium of India, Abeysuriya Romesh G. , Zimmermann Marita , Rao Darcy W. , Boudreau Mariah C. , Lee Serin , Yang Luojun , Klein Daniel J.
Published: July 2024

In 2020, the WHO launched its first global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, outlining an ambitious set of targets for countries to achieve over the next decade. At the same time, new tools, technologies, and strategies are in the pipeline that may improve screening performance, expand the reach of prophylactic vaccines, and prevent the acquisition, persistence and progression of oncogenic HPV. Detailed mechanistic modelling can help identify the combinations of current and future strategies to combat cervical cancer. Open-source modelling tools are needed to shift the capacity for such evaluations in-country. Here, we introduce the Human papillomavirus simulator (HPVsim), a new open-source software package for creating flexible agent-based models parameterised with country-specific vital dynamics, structured sexual networks, and co-transmitting HPV genotypes. HPVsim includes a novel methodology for modelling cervical disease progression, designed to be readily adaptable to new forms of screening. The software itself is implemented in Python, has built-in tools for simulating commonly-used interventions, includes a comprehensive set of tests and documentation, and runs quickly (seconds to minutes) on a laptop. Performance is greatly enhanced by HPVsim’s multiscale modelling functionality. HPVsim is open source under the MIT License and available via both the Python Package Index (via pip install) and GitHub (hpvsim.org).
Nonlinear fusion is optimal for a wide class of multisensory tasks
Authors: Ghosh Marcus , Béna Gabriel , Bormuth Volker , Goodman Dan F. M.
Published: July 2024

Animals continuously detect information via multiple sensory channels, like vision and hearing, and integrate these signals to realise faster and more accurate decisions; a fundamental neural computation known as multisensory integration. A widespread view of this process is that multimodal neurons linearly fuse information across sensory channels. However, does linear fusion generalise beyond the classical tasks used to explore multisensory integration? Here, we develop novel multisensory tasks, which focus on the underlying statistical relationships between channels, and deploy models at three levels of abstraction: from probabilistic ideal observers to artificial and spiking neural networks. Using these models, we demonstrate that when the information provided by different channels is not independent, linear fusion performs sub-optimally and even fails in extreme cases. This leads us to propose a simple nonlinear algorithm for multisensory integration which is compatible with our current knowledge of multimodal circuits, excels in naturalistic settings and is optimal for a wide class of multisensory tasks. Thus, our work emphasises the role of nonlinear fusion in multisensory integration, and provides testable hypotheses for the field to explore at multiple levels: from single neurons to behaviour.
Polar fieldwork in the 21st century: Early Career Researchers considerations regarding safety and sustainability
Authors: Moraru Adina , Rasmussen Laura Helene , Calì Quaglia Filippo , Middleton Alexandra , Huynh Howard M. , López-Quirós Adrián
Published: July 2024

Conducting fieldwork in polar regions presents a multifaceted challenge not only because of the remoteness of the environment, but also potential geopolitical disputes, language barriers, divergent national policies, and disparities in emergency healthcare access. This review addresses the climate crisis and reevaluates the ethical considerations of polar fieldwork in alignment with broader social responsibilities, with particular emphasis on the challenges faced by Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Ongoing climate change and its associated impacts and effects (e.g., reduced snow and ice cover, thawing permafrost, intensified fires, and increased wildlife interactions) will undoubtedly compound the aforementioned challenges. ECRs, often with a heightened awareness for contending with issues pertaining to environmental conservation and sustainability, face greater career stakes than tenured researchers, which can lead to innovation in addressing safety concerns regarding polar fieldwork. This review summarizes current challenges faced by ECRs in polar fieldwork, elaborates on how these may change during this century, and presents possible solutions. To address the aforementioned challenges, we propose a comprehensive set of recommendations, including innovative data collection methods using improved technology and emphasizing meaningful remote local collaborations to minimize the travel and environmental impact and risk of disease contagion. We advocate for reducing the redundancy among research groups by promoting data sharing. Additionally, we suggest enhancing cooperation by integrating (traditional) Indigenous knowledge while respecting the rights of Arctic communities. Such recommendations highlight the intricate dynamics of polar fieldwork safety and logistics in a changing climate, emphasizing the need for adaptability, sustainability, and inclusivity in research practices. A call for action towards revising current practices is clear, emphasizing that ECRs can be key agents in forging and establishing responsible, comprehensive, and adaptive protocols toward enhancing safe and successful fieldwork in the polar sciences.
Holistic acceptability of an adult levofloxacin formulation in children and adolescents on a tuberculosis preventive treatment trial
Authors: Purchase Susan E. , Wademan Dillon T. , Tshetu Nosibusiso L. , Rafique Mohhadiah , Hoddinott Graeme , Seddon James A. , Schaaf H. Simon , Hesseling Anneke C.
Published: July 2024

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is threatening global TB control. Although formulations designed for children are a priority, adult levofloxacin formulations are widely used in TB treatment and prevention. TB-CHAMP was a cluster-randomised, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of daily levofloxacin to prevent TB in child and adolescent household contacts of adults with infectious multidrug-resistant TB. Nested in-depth longitudinal qualitative work was conducted in a subset of children and their caregivers to understand broader experiences of treatment acceptability. We conducted 41 interviews with 8 caregivers of children <6 years, and with 6 older children responding for themselves. Children who could not swallow the adult formulation whole, found the tablet unpalatable, although they learnt to tolerate the taste over time. Most caregivers and children came from families with substantial experience of TB, but felt they knew little about TB preventive therapy. Many families experienced challenging socio-economic circumstances. Poor acceptability was mitigated by sympathetic study personnel, assistance with transport and financial compensation. The adult formulation of levofloxacin was disliked by many younger children but was acceptable to children able to swallow the tablet whole. In addition to using acceptable drug formulations, TB preventive treatment implementation models should include patient education and should accommodate patients’ socioeconomic challenges.
Clinical risk factors and blood protein biomarkers of 10-year pneumonia risk
Authors: Lee Ming-Ming , Zuo Yi , Steiling Katrina , Mizgerd Joseph P. , Kalesan Bindu , Walkey Allan J.
Published: July 2024

Background

Chronic inflammation may increase susceptibility to pneumonia.

Research question

To explore associations between clinical comorbidities, serum protein immunoassays, and long-term pneumonia risk.

Methods

Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort participants ≥65 years were linked to their Centers for Medicare Services claims data. Clinical data and 88 serum protein immunoassays were evaluated for associations with 10-year incident pneumonia risk using Fine-Gray models for competing risks of death and least absolute shrinkage and selection operators for covariate selection.

Results

We identified 1,370 participants with immunoassays and linkage to Medicare data. During 10 years of follow up, 428 (31%) participants had a pneumonia diagnosis. Chronic pulmonary disease [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33–2.61], current smoking (SHR 1.79, CI 1.31–2.45), heart failure (SHR 1.74, CI 1.10–2.74), atrial fibrillation/flutter (SHR 1.43, CI 1.06–1.93), diabetes (SHR 1.36, CI 1.05–1.75), hospitalization within one year (SHR 1.34, CI 1.09–1.65), and age (SHR 1.06 per year, CI 1.04–1.08) were associated with pneumonia. Three baseline serum protein measurements were associated with pneumonia risk independent of measured clinical factors: growth differentiation factor 15 (SHR 1.32; CI 1.02–1.69), C-reactive protein (SHR 1.16, CI 1.06–1.27) and matrix metallopeptidase 8 (SHR 1.14, CI 1.01–1.30). Addition of C-reactive protein to the clinical model improved prediction (Akaike information criterion 4950 from 4960; C-statistic of 0.64 from 0.62).

Conclusions

Clinical comorbidities and serum immunoassays were predictive of pneumonia risk. C-reactive protein, a routinely-available measure of inflammation, modestly improved pneumonia risk prediction over clinical factors. Our findings support the hypothesis that prior inflammation may increase the risk of pneumonia.
COVID-19: Medical education from the point of view of medical students using the participatory Delphi method
Authors: Ortiz Riofrio Andrea Gabriela , Valdivieso-Andrade Emilia José , Acosta Masaquiza Nathaly Monserrath , Aguirre Alex S. , Almeida Villavicencio Nicolás Alexander , Calderón Pilla Cynthia Samantha , Del Pozo Acosta Prisca , Guaillas Japón Auki , Luna Chonata Darwin Vicente , Mafla Roca Navila Bianca , Mendoza García Alissa Solange , Muñoz Caicedo Lenin Andrés , Muñoz Salazar Gustavo Alexander , Pacheco Reinoso Kimberly Mishell , Pazmiño Chávez Camila Nicole , Proaño Lozada Nuria Karina , Rzonzew Sauer Jonathan , Saldaña Armas Gianny Alexander , Salinas Avalo Ivonne Estefania , Saltos Granizo Ana Cristina , Soria Sarabia Bonny Francisca , Suárez Morales Doménica Alejandra , Sulca Caillagua Rodrigo Felipe , Zavala Cárdenas María Antonia , Carrera Verdesoto Flavio , Cisneros-Heredia Diego , Estrella Porter Pablo , Guillemot Jonathan Raymond
Published: July 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a transformation of medical training. Although there were obvious medical education and social interaction challenges, e-learning presented some advantages, which may have generated medical curricula innovation and adjustments to novel technological methodologies. This study aims to generate consensuses among medical students regarding medical education provided during the pandemic in the resource-limited context of a Global South university.

Methods

The implementation of a participatory Delphi method included a recruitment campaign, training, constitution of Delphi panels and questions, and development of the Delphi exercises. Students from the second to the sixth year of medicine of a university in Quito, Ecuador, constituted two Delphi panels, developed questions about the education received during the pandemic, and answered them over 3.5 rounds.

Findings

Twenty-two medical students participated in the Delphi exercises about their perception of medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis consisted of a total of 22 Delphi questions divided into five distinct categories: adaptations and innovations, curriculum and assessment changes, virtual clinical practice, time management, and mental health. The authors established high, medium, and low consensuses for analysis.

Conclusions

Consensuses were reached based on students’ academic year and focused on the changes in lecture delivery, the usage of new technologies, patient care skills, the impact of the educational routine, and the mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic. The way the pandemic affected medical education in the Global South set the stage for the need for a comprehensive review of tools, skills, and curricula for students from culturally diverse backgrounds. This study offers a highly replicable methodology to generate consensuses and introduce students to academic research.
Phenome-wide association study identifies new clinical phenotypes associated with Staphylococcus aureus infections
Authors: Allaire Patrick , Elsayed Noha S. , Berg Richard L. , Rose Warren , Shukla Sanjay K.
Published: July 2024

Background

Phenome-WideAssociation study (PheWAS) is a powerful tool designed to systematically screen clinical observations derived from medical records (phenotypes) for association with a variable of interest. Despite their usefulness, no systematic screening of phenotypes associated withStaphylococcusaureusinfections(SAIs) has been done leaving potential novel risk factors or complications undiscovered.

Method and cohorts

We tailored the PheWAS approach into a two-stage screening procedure to identify novel phenotypes correlating with SAIs. The first stage screened for co-occurrence of SAIs with other phenotypes within medical records. In the second stage, significant findings were examined for the correlations between their age of onset with that of SAIs. The PheWAS was implemented using the medical records of 754,401 patients from the Marshfield Clinic Health System. Any novel associations discovered were subsequently validated using datasets from TriNetX andAll of Us, encompassing 109,884,571 and 118,538 patients respectively.

Results

Forty-one phenotypes met the significance criteria of a p-value < 3.64e-5 and odds ratios of > 5. Out of these, we classified 23 associations either as risk factors or as complications of SAIs. Three novel associations were discovered and classified either as a risk (long-term use of aspirin) or complications (iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease). All novel associations were replicated in the TriNetX cohort. In theAll of Uscohort, anemia of chronic disease was replicated according to our significance criteria.

Conclusions

The PheWAS of SAIs expands our understanding of SAIs interacting phenotypes. Additionally, the novel two-stage PheWAS approach developed in this study can be applied to examine other disease-disease interactions of interest. Due to the possibility of bias inherent in observational data, the findings of this study require further investigation.
Obstetrics care in Indonesia: Determinants of maternal mortality and stillbirth rates
Authors: Wenang Supriyatiningsih , Emilia Ova , Wahyuni Alfaina , Afdal Andi , Haier Joerg
Published: July 2024

Problem

The Indonesian Healthcare Program starting in 2014 enabled access to healthcare delivery for large population groups. Guidance of usage, infrastructure and healthcare process development were the most challenging tasks during the implementation period. Due to the high social impact obstetric care and related quality assurance require evidence-based developmental strategies. This study aims for analysis of outcome and maternal health care utilization, as well as differences related to demographic and economic subgroups.

Methods

For univariate group comparison ANOVA method was applied and combined with Scheffé procedure and Bonferoni correction for post-hoc tests. Meanwhile, multivariate approaches through regression analysis based on insurance reimbursement data antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care were performed at the province level. Maternal mortality (MMR) and stillbirth rates were used for outcome. Demographic characteristics, availability of obstetricians (SPOG), midwifes and healthcare infrastructure were included for their determinants.

Results

Specialized hospital facilities (type A/B) for advanced care covered a large part of uncomplicated cases (~35%). Differences between insurance membership groups (poor, non-poor) were not seen. Availability of human resources (SPOG, midwifes) (R2 = 0.728; p<0.001) and rural setting (R2 = 0.288; p = 0.001) are correlated with reduced insufficient referral. Their presence within provinces was related to lower occurrence of complicated cases (R2 = 0.294; p = 0.001). However, higher SPOG rates within provinces were also related to high C-section rates (p<0.001). MMR and stillbirth rates can be predicted by availability of human resources and C-section rates explaining 49.0% of variance.

Conclusions

Improvement of perinatal outcome should focus on sufficient referral processes, availability of SPOG in provinces dominated by rural/remote demography and avoidance of overtreatment by high C-section rates. It is very important to regulate the education of obstetricians and gynecologists in Indonesia as well as distribution arrangements regarding to solve the problems with pregnancy complications in remote and rural areas.
Analysis and interpretation of joint source separation and sound event detection in domestic environments
Authors: de Benito-Gorrón Diego , Zmolikova Katerina , Toledano Doroteo T.
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the relation between Sound Event Detection (SED) and Source Separation (SSep) has received a growing interest, in particular, with the aim to enhance the performance of SED by leveraging the synergies between both tasks. In this paper, we present a detailed description of JSS (Joint Source Separation and Sound Event Detection), our joint-training scheme for SSep and SED, and we measure its performance in the DCASE Challenge for SED in domestic environments. Our experiments demonstrate that JSS can improve SED performance, in terms of Polyphonic Sound Detection Score (PSDS), even without additional training data. Additionally, we conduct a thorough analysis of JSS’s effectiveness across different event classes and in scenarios with severe event overlap, where it is expected to yield further improvements. Furthermore, we introduce an objective measure to assess the diversity of event predictions across the estimated sources, shedding light on how different training strategies impact the separation of sound events. Finally, we provide graphical examples of the Source Separation and Sound Event Detection steps, aiming to facilitate the interpretation of the JSS methods.
A Wild Horse Optimization algorithm with chaotic inertia weights and its application in linear antenna array synthesis
Authors: Zhao WanRu , Liu Yan , Li JianHui , Zhu TianNing , Zhao KunXia , Hu Kui
Published: July 2024

Antennas play a crucial role in designing an efficient communication system. However, reducing the maximum sidelobe level (SLL) of the beam pattern is a crucial challenge in antenna arrays. Pattern synthesis in smart antennas is a major area of research because of its widespread application across various radar and communication systems. This paper presents an effective technique to minimize the SLL and thus improve the radiation pattern of the linear antenna array (LAA) using the chaotic inertia-weighted Wild Horse optimization (IERWHO) algorithm. The wild horse optimizer (WHO) is a new metaheuristic algorithm based on the social behavior of wild horses. The IERWHO algorithm is an improved Wild Horse optimization (WHO) algorithm that combines the concepts of chaotic sequence factor, nonlinear factor, and inertia weights factor. In this paper, the method is applied for the first time in antenna array synthesis by optimizing parameters such as inter-element spacing and excitation to minimize the SLL while keeping other constraints within the boundary limits, while ensuring that the performance is not affected. For performance evaluation, the simulation tests include 12 benchmark test functions and 12 test functions to verify the effectiveness of the improvement strategies. According to the encouraging research results in this paper, the IERWHO algorithm proposed has a place in the field of optimization.
Prevalence of and factors associated with female child marriage in Indonesia
Authors: Kuswanto Heri , Oktaviana Pratnya Paramitha , Efendi Ferry , Nelwati Nelwati , Malini Hema
Published: July 2024

Statistics from the 2018 National Social and Economic Survey revealed that one out of nine young females in Indonesia have been in female child marriage, and the prevalence remains high. Considering the serious consequences of female child marriage and that Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality has targeted the elimination of female child marriage by 2030, a study concerning the prevalence and determinants of female child marriage needs to be conducted in Indonesia. In this paper, we examined the prevalence of and factors associated with female child marriage in Indonesia using binary logistic regression. We examined data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2017. A sample of 9,333 young females aged 15–20 years was included in the study. Our analysis involved descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented in percentages and odds ratios (OR), with their respective confidence intervals. Our findings indicate that health insurance and sex of household head did not significantly influence female child marriage. The prevalence of female child marriage in Indonesia was quite high, reaching about 12.53%. Females with no education [OR = 76.448; (CI = 29.73–196.70)], not working [OR = 1.662; (CI = 1.41–1.94)], those with the poorest wealth index [OR = 3.215; (CI = 2.336–4.425)], those living in the east of Indonesia [OR = 1.451; (CI = 1.132–1.862)], and those living in rural areas [OR = 0.718; (CI = 0.609–0.844)] had the higher odds of experiencing female child marriage. Meanwhile, females with a secondary education level [OR = 16.296; (CI = 11.098–23.930)], those with a rich wealth index [OR = 1.940; (CI = 1.404–2.681)], and those living in the middle of Indonesia [OR = 1.263; (CI = 1.074–1.487)] were less likely to experience female child marriage. Educational background was the most significant factor influencing the high prevalence of female child marriage in Indonesia. Female empowerment through education as well as poverty alleviation were factors that could be strengthened to ensure that female child marriage is reduced or eliminated in Indonesia. Equality of access to information and better quality of education also need to be prioritized.
uafR: An R package that automates mass spectrometry data processing
Authors: Stratton Chase A. , Thompson Yvonne , Zio Konilo , Morrison William R. , Murrell Ebony G.
Published: July 2024

Chemical information has become increasingly ubiquitous and has outstripped the pace of analysis and interpretation. We have developed an R package, uafR, that automates a grueling retrieval process for gas -chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC -MS) data and allows anyone interested in chemical comparisons to quickly perform advanced structural similarity matches. Our streamlined cheminformatics workflows allow anyone with basic experience in R to pull out component areas for tentative compound identifications using the best published understanding of molecules across samples (pubchem.gov). Interpretations can now be done at a fraction of the time, cost, and effort it would typically take using a standard chemical ecology data analysis pipeline. The package was tested in two experimental contexts: (1) A dataset of purified internal standards, which showed our algorithms correctly identified the known compounds with R2 values ranging from 0.827–0.999 along concentrations ranging from 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 103 ng/μl, (2) A large, previously published dataset, where the number and types of compounds identified were comparable (or identical) to those identified with the traditional manual peak annotation process, and NMDS analysis of the compounds produced the same pattern of significance as in the original study. Both the speed and accuracy of GC -MS data processing are drastically improved with uafR because it allows users to fluidly interact with their experiment following tentative library identifications [i.e. after the m/z spectra have been matched against an installed chemical fragmentation database (e.g. NIST)]. Use of uafR will allow larger datasets to be collected and systematically interpreted quickly. Furthermore, the functions of uafR could allow backlogs of previously collected and annotated data to be processed by new personnel or students as they are being trained. This is critical as we enter the era of exposomics, metabolomics, volatilomes, and landscape level, high-throughput chemotyping. This package was developed to advance collective understanding of chemical data and is applicable to any research that benefits from GC -MS analysis. It can be downloaded for free along with sample datasets from Github at github.org/castratton/uafR or installed directly from R or RStudio using the developer tools: ‘devtools::install_github(“castratton/uafR”)’.
Unraveling the H19/GAS1 axis in recurrent implantation failure: A potential biomarker for diagnosis and insight into immune microenvironment alteration
Authors: Fan Li , Zhang Fan , Yao Chunling , Nong Liuying , Li Jingjing , Huang Wenjie
Published: July 2024

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) presents a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of established diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. Emerging evidence underscores the crucial role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks in non-cancerous female reproductive disorders, yet the intricacies and operational characteristics of these networks in RIF are not fully understood. This study aims to demystify the ceRNA regulatory network and identify potential biomarkers for its diagnosis. We analyzed expression profiles of three RNA types (long noncoding RNAs [lncRNAs], microRNAs [miRNAs], and mRNAs) sourced from the GEO database, leading to the identification of the H19-hsa-miR-301a-3p-GAS1 ceRNA network. This network demonstrates significant diagnostic relevance for RIF. Notably, the H19/GAS1 axis within this ceRNA network, identified through correlation analysis, emerged as a promising diagnostic marker, as evidenced by operating receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Further investigation into the binding potential of miR-301a-3p with H19 and GAS1 revealed a close association of these genes with endometrial disorders and embryo loss, as per the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Additionally, our immune infiltration analysis revealed a lower proportion of T cells gamma delta (γδ) in RIF, along with distinct differences in the expression of immune cell type-specific markers between fertile patients and those with RIF. We also observed a correlation between aberrant expression of H19/GAS1 and these immune markers, suggesting that the H19/GAS1 axis might play a role in modifying the immune microenvironment, contributing to the pathogenesis of RIF. In conclusion, the ceRNA-based H19/GAS1 axis holds promise as a novel diagnostic biomarker for RIF, potentially enhancing our understanding of its underlying mechanisms and improving the success rates of implantation.
Validity, reliability, and bias between instrumented pedals and loadsol insoles during stationary cycling
Authors: Menke Walter , Estler Kaileigh , Springer Cary , Zhang Songning
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the loadsol in measuring pedal reaction force (PRF) during stationary cycling as well as lower limb symmetry. Ten healthy participants performed bouts of cycling at 1kg, 2kg, and 3kg workloads (conditions) on a cycle ergometer. The ergometer was fitted with instrumented pedals and participants wore loadsol plantar pressure insoles. A 3 x 2 (Condition x Sensor Type) ANOVA was used to examine the differences in measured peak PRF, impulse, and symmetry indices. Root mean square error, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Passing-Bablok regressions were used to further assess reliability and validity. The loadsol demonstrated poor (< 0.5) to excellent (> 0.9) agreement as measured by intraclass correlation coefficients for impulse and peak PRF. Passing-Bablok regression revealed a systematic bias only when assessing all workloads together for impulse with no bias present when looking at individual workloads. The loadsol provides a consistent ability to measure PRF and symmetry when compared to a gold standard of instrumented pedals but exhibits an absolute underestimation of peak PRF. This study provides support that the loadsol can identify and track symmetry differences in stationary cycling which means there is possible usage for clinical scenarios and interventions in populations with bilateral asymmetries such as individuals with knee replacements, limb length discrepancies, diabetes, or neurological conditions. Further investigation of bias should be conducted in longer cycling sessions to ensure that the loadsol system is able to maintain accuracy during extended use.
Dynamic risk prediction of survival in liver cirrhosis: A comparison of landmarking approaches
Authors: Paukner Mitchell , Ladner Daniela P. , Zhao Lihui
Published: July 2024

Electronic health records (EHR) data provides the researcher and physician with the opportunity to improve risk prediction by employing newer, more sophisticated modeling techniques. Rather than treating the impact of predictor variables on health trajectories as static, we explore the use of time-dependent variables in dynamically modeling time-to-event data through the use of landmarking (LM) data sets. We compare several different dynamic models presented in the literature that utilize LM data sets as the basis of their approach. These techniques include using pseudo-means, pseudo-survival probabilities, and the traditional Cox model. The models are primarily compared with their static counterparts using appropriate measures of model discrimination and calibration based on what summary measure is employed for the response variable.
Predicting homelessness: Housing risk insights from latent class analysis
Authors: Marçal Katherine E. , Barr Nicholas
Published: July 2024

Millions of families with children in the U.S. struggle to afford adequate housing. Housing cost burden places families at risk for homelessness, and prevention efforts are hindered by limited understanding of insecure housing experiences at the margins. The present study investigated variation in housing insecurity experiences in a sample of mothers, as well as which risk profiles were most strongly associated with subsequent homelessness. Latent class analysis identified four distinct subgroups of housing insecurity: “Stable,” “Unstable,” “Rent-Focused,” and “Strategic Bill-Paying.” Classes differed on whether they made rent or utility payments on time, experienced utility shutoffs, or were evicted. Mothers who missed rent payments were significantly more likely to experience subsequent homelessness, whereas those who prioritized rent were more likely to have their utilities shut off but remain housed. Policy efforts should emphasize increased wages, rent control, changes to zoning laws and tax codes to prioritize affordable housing, and benefits that help mothers maintain their incomes such as comprehensive healthcare, paid maternity leave, and subsidized childcare.