bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, HDI, AND POPULATION IMPACT ON POVERTY IN PAPUA (2012-2017)
Authors: Yosmaliza Ira Febrianty , Suryantoro Agustinus
Published: July 2024

This research aims to analyze the specific effects of economic growth, the Human Development Index (HDI), and population size on poverty levels in Papua Province from 2012 to 2017. Secondary data is used by this research from the Central Bureau of Statistics. The analysis used in this research is analysis of panel data consisting of cross sections of 29 districts/cities and time series data over the period 2012-2017. The model of data panel uses is fixed effect model. The results of the research showed that HDI and population rates affect negatively and significantly on poverty in Papua during 2012-2017. Meanwhile, the economic growth rate variable affects poverty negatively and not significantly in Papua during 2012-2017. The high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.973966) indicates that 97.4% of the variation in poverty levels in Papua Province can be explained by the combined effects of economic growth, HDI, and population size. This finding underscores the significant role of human development and population management in poverty alleviation efforts. Future policies should prioritize education, healthcare, and sustainable population growth to effectively reduce poverty in the region.
Konsumsi Energi dan Pembangunan Ekonomi di Asia Tenggara
Authors:   Departemen Ilmu Ekonomi Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Indonesia, Rezki Jahen Fachrul
Published: July 2024

Perekonomian Asia Tenggara yang berada pada tahap industrialisasi memiliki tingkat ketergantungan yang tinggi terhadap konsumsi energi. Studi ini ingin mempelajari hubungan antara konsumsi energi dan pembangunan ekonomi di Asia Tenggara. Dengan menggunakan model data panel, ditemukan bahwa permintaan energi mempunyai hubungan dengan PDB per kapita, populasi, dan kontribusi industri. Minyak bumi berkontribusi sebesar 80% untuk konsumsi energi dan diikuti oleh listrik dan gas bumi. Studi ini juga menunjukkan tidak adanya hubungan antara krisis ekonomi dengan konsumsi energi. Berdasarkan temuan ini, diperlukan kegiatan diversifikasi penggunaan energi dan mempromosikan sumber energi baru yang lebih efisien guna meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi.
Defining the Aristocrat: From Geneva to Revolutionary France
Authors: Weber Nadir
Published: July 2024

In the political and social language of the early modern period, aristocracy did not denote a social class, but a form of state or government. At the dawn of the revolutionary age, however, the concept of aristocracy suddenly moved to the centre of disputes over the new political and social order in European states—and with it the previously unknown figure of the aristocrat. This article traces the conceptual history of aristocracy and aristocrats between about 1760 and 1789. It argues that the rise of these revolutionary battle terms was largely rooted in the constitutional struggles of the small Geneva Republic, which were widely observed and commented throughout Europe. Protagonists such as the Geneva opposition leaders and writers François d’Ivernois and Étienne Clavière, and the French philosophers and politicians Jacques-Pierre Brissot and Honoré Gabriel de Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau, were involved in translating these concepts from the political language of republicanism into the context of the French monarchy, where members of the nobility were now denounced as aristocrats in the run-up to the Estates General. The outbreak of the French Revolution and its perception throughout Europe ultimately shaped the meanings of the concepts of aristocracy and aristocrat in the modern world.
Analysis of Calcaneal Avulsion Fractures Treated Surgically and Nonsurgically
Authors: Takahashi Yu , Takegami Yasuhiko , Tokutake Katsuhiro , Asami Yuta , Takahashi Hidetane , Kato Mihoko , Kanemura Tokumi , Imagama Shiro
Published: July 2024

Background:

Calcaneal avulsion fractures (CAvFs) at the Achilles tendon insertion are among the more challenging fractures to treat. Although rare, they often require reoperation. The optimal treatment, including nonsurgical procedures and better implants for surgical procedures in the treatment of CAvFs, remains to be established. Therefore, our study aimed to (1) perform a descriptive evaluation of CAvFs, including cases managed nonsurgically, and (2) assess surgical procedures, including the incidence of complications and reoperation for surgically treated CAvFs.

Methods:

In this multicenter retrospective study, we collected data of patients with CAvFs treated at 9 hospitals from 2012 to 2022. We performed a descriptive study of CAvFs and compared postoperative complications and reoperation rates for multiple surgical techniques and implants. The size of the bone fragments was quantified.

Results:

The data of 70 patients with CAvFs were analyzed; 20 patients were treated nonsurgically, and 50 were treated surgically. The mean age of patients was 68.5 years; 67% of the patients were female. Nineteen percent of the patients had diabetes, and 19% had osteoporosis. The incidence of postoperative complications was 30%, with infection in 14%, necrosis in 26%, and loss of reduction in 18%. The reoperation rate was 22%. Surgical techniques with use of cannulated cancellous screws were performed in 80% of the surgical cases. Cannulated cancellous screw (CCS) fixation alone resulted in a reoperation rate of 35%, whereas additional augmentation, including washers with CCS fixation, resulted in a reoperation rate of 10%. CCS fixation was successfully performed, although suture anchors were used in some cases with smaller fragments.

Conclusions:

CAvFs occurred more frequently in older women and had a high rate of postoperative complications. A combination of CCS with augmentation was more effective at reducing postoperative complications than CCS fixation alone, even when the bone fragment size was small.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
High latitude observations of Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Glow in Finland with spectroscopic radiation detectors
Authors: Leppänen Ari-Pekka Johannes , Peräjärvi Kari , Paatero Jussi , Hannula Antti , Hepoaho Arttu , Holm Philip , Ilander Tarja , Joutsenvaara Jari , Kärkkäinen Jouni
Published: July 2024

Terrestrial Gamma Glow (TGG) was detected for the first time in high latitudes outside the latitudinal band of ± 38° where Terrestrial Gamma Flashes (TGF) are typically observed. This study reports the observations of a TGG events that occurred in Southern Finland at the municipality of Vantaa (60° 18’ N 24° 58’ E at 55 m a.m.s.l) on May 17th, 2020 between 10:15 and 10:30 UTC. Three independently measuring units of NaI(Tl) γ spectrometers were used when a thundercloud emitting the γ radiation passed over or near the location of the detectors. The events occurred when a storm front moved across the Helsinki region in Finland in a roughly northeast direction. Two separate the γ radiation enhancements were observed. The first event lasted 52 s. and produced an increase in γ radiation of about 7 -12 %, after a break of about 85 -100 s., a second event occurred lasting about 100 s increasing the γ radiation by 20-50 % during the 10-second collection time. The exact locations of the thunderclouds emitting the γ radiation were not known and it is possible that the first event occurred farther away from the detectors and was hence seen as a weaker enhancement. The horizontal size was estimated by using the average wind speed and the duration of the second enhancement. The size estimate was around 400-500 m with maximum upper limit of 1000 m. In the second enhancement most visible increase in the γ radiation was in the 100 keV - ~800 keV energy range where a uniform increase was observed. In addition, a clear enhancement in the high energy γ rays, with energies from 3000 keV up to the maximum of the detector system of 8900 keV, was also observed. The presence of high energy γ rays is a clear signals of a TGG event. The shape of the background subtracted γ spectrum has a power law shape and agreed well with that of a predicted photon spectrum produced by a Runaway Relativistic Electron Avalanche.
In Vivo Detection of Lymph Nodes Metastasis of ESCC Using CXCR4-Targeted Tracer [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-CP01
Authors: Peng Tukang , Li Zhijun , Gao Jiebing , Yang Min , Qiu Yifan , Xian Jianzhong , Bi Lei , Ye Peizhen , Liu Yongshan , Jin Hongjun
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) frequently exhibits skip metastasis to lymph nodes. While current efforts have primarily focused on diagnosing the primary tumor, there is a deficiency of noninvasive imaging techniques capable of directly detecting metastatic lymph nodes (MLN) in ESCC. Building on our previous demonstration of the specificity of [64Cu]NOTA-CP01 in targeting CXCR4 in ESCC, our aim in this study was to detect MLN in ESCC.
Procedures
The intralymphatic tumor metastasis model was established by injecting EC109/Luc cells into the left paw pads of mice, and monitored using bioluminescence imaging. Radiolabeling of [64Cu]NOTA-CP01 and PET/CT imaging were performed, as in previous studies conducted by our group. Further quantitative analysis was performed. To verify metastatic tumor cells, lymph nodes were collected and stained with H&E. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of CXCR4 in metastatic lymph nodes.
Results
PET/CT imaging clearly demonstrated the uptake of radioactive signals in the left inguinal lymph nodes following injection of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-CP01, compared to the blocked group. Further quantitative analysis revealed that the SUV of the left inguinal lymph nodes (SUV = 1.55 ± 0.50, n = 5) was significantly higher than that in the blocked group (SUV = 0.50 ± 0.05, n = 3) (p < 0.05). Histological examination using H&E staining confirmed the presence of metastatic tumor cells in the left inguinal lymph nodes, and immunohistochemistry staining confirmed positive expression of CXCR4 in the left inguinal lymph nodes.
Conclusions
This study investigated a noninvasive approach to detect MLN in a preclinical model using the PET tracer [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-CP01. Both in vitro and in vivo biological experiments suggested that CXCR4 could serve as a promising target for visualizing MLN in ESCC. Improving our comprehension of lymphatic metastasis is crucial for devising personalized treatment strategies for ESCC.
Exposure to Particulate Matter and Risk of Anorexia Nervosa: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Tsitsi Didintle , Marouli Eirini
Published: July 2024

Background
Exposure to particulate matter is linked to mental health outcomes through observational and Mendelian randomization studies. In this study, the causal association between particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and particulate matter 10 (PM10) exposure and anorexia nervosa (AN) was explored.
Methods
Two-Sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using genetic instrumental variables for PM2.5 and PM10 as exposures to test for a potential causal association with AN using the inverse variance weighted method (IVW), with additional methods including the weighted median and MR-Egger. Association data for PM2.5 included 455 314 participants and 423,796 participants for PM10. Summary data for AN derived from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) meta-analysis genome-wide association study comprising 16 992 cases and 55 525 controls. Sensitivity analyses for pleiotropy and heterogeneity were conducted using MR-Egger intercepts, Cochrane’s Q, MR- Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression.
Results
Genetically predicted increase in PM10 (one standard deviation) exposure was associated with an increased risk of anorexia nervosa at Bonferroni significance (p = 0.003, OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.38–4.54) using the IVW method. Sensitivity analysis detected no pleiotropy or heterogeneity. There was no suggestion of a causal role for PM2.5 and AN (p = 0.57).
Conclusion
We provide for the first-time evidence for a potential role of genetically predicted exposure to PM10 in the development of AN, with no evidence of a causal effect of PM2.5 on AN. More robust epidemiological and biological studies are needed to understand the mechanism of this effect and neurobiological basis for disease.
Study on the Coupled and Coordinated Development of the Tourism Economy and Ecological Environment in Chengdu City
Authors: ZHAO JING , IrwanaOmar Shida
Published: July 2024

With the vigorous development of the urban tourism economy, the coupling and coordinated development of the tourism economy and the ecological environment in Chengdu has become the focus of attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the coupling and coordinated development of the tourism economy and the ecological environment in Chengdu and to provide theoretical guidance and policy suggestions for promoting benign interactions between the two. Based on the theories of ecological economics, coupling coordination and sustainable development and the actual situation of Chengdu, an evaluation index system of the coupling and coordination development of the tourism economy and the ecological environment is established. The entropy method was used to measure the development level of the tourism economy and the ecological environment in Chengdu from 2013 to 2022, and the coupled coordination model was used to analyze the overall coupled coordination situation of Chengdu. The results revealed that the comprehensive benefit indices of the tourism economy and ecological environment in Chengdu over the past ten years exhibited a continuous trend of improvement, with obvious stages, which were specifically divided into a rising period, fluctuating period and stable period. The coupling degree and coordinated development level of the tourism economy and the ecological environment in Chengdu show specific changes and characteristics, reflecting the mutual influence and correlation between the tourism economy and the ecological environment. Among them, some indicators, such as tourism added value, have a positive impact on the ecological environment, while some indicators of the ecological environment have a negative impact on coupled and coordinated development, providing an important reference for relevant decision-making.
Three-doses antifungal treatment improve the efficacy for severe vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Xiao Zhansong , Liang Yiheng , Zhang Xiaowei , Zhu Yuxia , Huang Liting , Fan Shangrong
Published: July 2024

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent gynecological infection characterized by high incidence and recurrent episodes, causing significant distress in women. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of different clotrimazole and fluconazole treatment regimens for severe vulvovaginal candidiasis (SVVC). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,303 cases of SVVC among first-time visitors to the gynecology outpatient department at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital between January 2013 and December 2022. Vaginal secretions were systematically collected for fungal culture, with species identification conducted using Chromogenic culture medium and API Candida test reagents. Mycological cure rates were assessed at days 7–14, days 25–35, and day 35 to 6 months after treatment. The three-dose clotrimazole regimen demonstrated significantly higher mycological cure rates (85.7%, 80.0% and 74.6% at three follow-up periods, respectively) compared to the two-dose clotrimazole regimen (76.0%, 61.6%, and 59.8%,all P < 0.05). The three-dose fluconazole regimen showed no significant difference to three-dose clotrimazole regimen, with cure rates of 82.8%, 79.3%, and 75.9% (all P>0.05). The two-dose fluconazole regimen had cure rates of 74.3%, 56.4% and 51.1%, with no significant difference from two-dose clotrimazole regimen at days 7–14 and 25–35, but lower than three-dose fluconazole regimen at days 25–35 and 35 to 6 months. The three-dose clotrimazole regimen demonstrated higher cure rates in Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida SVVC cases than two-dose regimen. These findings suggest that three-dose antifungal regimens may be more efficacious than two-dose regimens for SVVC. The three-dose clotrimazole regimen could serve as a promising alternative for SVVC management.
Association between ambient temperatrue and insomnia using national emergency department database in the capital city of South Korea
Authors: Kang Sunwoo , Jeong Subin , Kim Gyeongchan , Myung Woojae , Lee Hyewon
Published: July 2024

Insomnia is a growing health concern globally, which can obstruct daytime functionality, reduce overall quality of life, and result in various diseases including depression, anxiety disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Increasing literature have focused on the potential role of ambient temperature in sleep problems, but the association remains inconclusive. This study aimed to explore a short-term association of ambient temperature with emergency department (ED) visits for insomnia in the capital city of South Korea. Using the National Emergency Department Information System database from 2008 to 2017, 7,855 patients who visited ED for insomnia (International Classification of Disease, 10th revision code F51.0 and G47.0) were identified. A time-stratified case-crossover design was employed using a conditional logistic regression model. A distributed lag non-linear model was utilized to explore potential non-linear and lag effects of ambient temperature on ED visits for insomnia. Odds ratio (OR) for temperature with maximum ED visits for insomnia (MaxIT) and that for temperature with minimum ED visits for insomnia (MinIT) were calculated and compared. A significant association was found between ambient temperature and ED visits for insomnia. Total insomnia increased significantly at a high temperature (MaxIT: 29.3℃, OR: 2.09 [95% CIs: 1.43–3.04]) compared to that at a MinIT (-8.9℃). Furthermore, the association between high temperature and insomnia was found to be stronger in females, 35–49 age group, and patients without comorbidities. The risk of insomnia is significantly increased in high ambient temperature. Our findings provide insights for proactive public health strategies for managing insomnia during global temperature rise.
Multivariate comparative analysis of preterm infants between assisted reproductive technology conception and natural conception
Authors: Pan Guixian , Yu Jianhua , Xu Xiaoyan , Fu Mengran , Zhang Xiaoqian , Wang Liwei , Liu Qingyu , Li Chuanfeng , Hao Hu , Mi Hongying
Published: July 2024

Background
With the improvement of assisted reproductive technology（ART）, the prognosis of premature infants conceived by ART has attracted much attention.
Methods
A retrospective clinical analysis was performed on 458 preterm infants (258 infants via ART, 200 infants via natural conception(NC))born at Yunnan First People's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. Pertinent patient,clinical data were compared between two groups.
Results
The rates of multiple births, caesarean sections, and older mothers in the ART group were higher than that of the NC group ( P＜0. 05). In the comparison of premature complications, the incidence of low-birth-weight infants and congenital heart disease were statistically significant between two groups( P＜0. 05). Multivariate analysis showed that premature rupture of membranes, and intrauterine growth restriction were the main risk factors for small-for-gestational-age(SGA). The head circumference, weight, and length of the ART group were lower than those of the NC group at 1, 3, and 6 months of gestation( P<0. 05).
Conclusion
ART doesn't lead to unfavourable birth outcomes. Premature membrane rupture and intrauterine growth restriction were independent risk factors for SGA. The growth and development of the NC group may be better than that of the ART group.
Innovative Selected Area Doping and Stable Contact for 2D WSe2 Electronics Using Patterned Nafion
Authors: Im Seongil , Oh Sewoong , Park Jeehong , Cho Hyunmin , Lee June Hyuk , Bae Heesun , Lee Gyu , Yang Min Kyu , Jariwala Deep , Yi Yeonjin , Park Ji Hoon
Published: July 2024

Selective area doping and contact resistance (RC) lowering in two dimensional (2D) semiconductors have been persistent issues for 2D semiconductor based electronics. Such doping in 2D seems almost impossible unlike in 3D semiconductors, which use ion implantation. Furthermore, maintaining a low and stable RC in 2D seems very difficult. Here, we report a strategy for area selective doping of 2D materials: electron-beam patterning of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer (Nafion) underlayer with a large work function. Patterned-underlayer selectively increases the hole density of p-type WSe2, whose sheet resistance becomes compatible for integrated circuit. Top-gated WSe2 field-effect transistor channel, as modulated with Nafion area, demonstrates 7 times higher mobility than without Nafion. As patterned for contact area, Nafion directly lowers RC to ~ 6 kΩ-µm, which is maintained for 2 months in air ambient and survives N2 anneal of 200 o C. Our Nafion approach for selective 2D doping and stable RC seems advanced and practically useful.
Quantitative Natural Language Processing Markers of Psychoactive Drug Effects: A Pre-Registered Systematic Review
Authors: Ahuja Sachin , Zaher Farida , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: July 2024

Psychoactive substances used for recreational purposes have mind-altering effects, but systematic evaluation of these effects is largely limited to self-reports. Automated analysis of expressed language (speech and written text) using Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools can provide objective readouts of mental states. In this pre-registered systematic review, we investigate findings from the emerging field of computational linguistics in substance use with specific focus on identifying short-term effects of psychoactive drugs. From the literature identified to date, we note that all the studied drugs – stimulants, MDMA, cannabis, ketamine, and psychedelics – affect language production. Based on two or more studies per substance, we note some emerging patterns: stimulants increase verbosity; LSD reduces the lexicon; MDMA increases semantic proximity to emotional words; psilocybin increases positive sentiment; and cannabis affects speech stream acoustics. Ketamine and other drugs are understudied regarding NLP features (one or no studies). One study provided externally validated support for NLP and machine learning-based identification of MDMA intoxication. We could not undertake a meta-analysis due to the high degree of heterogeneity among outcome measures and the lack of sufficient number of studies. We identify a need for harmonised speech tasks to improve replicability and comparability, standardisation of methods for curating and analysing speech and text data, theory-driven inquiries, and the need for developing a shared Substance Use Language Corpus for data mining. The growing field of computational linguistics can be leveraged in the service of human behavioural pharmacology to study psychoactive substances through concerted efforts to achieve consistency in research methods.
Study on the Immune Status and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections
Authors: Chen Huihui , Wang Yali , Xia Shuang , Wang Wei
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Immunotherapy has emerged as a new hope for patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. By detecting lymphocyte subsets, we can understand the immune status of patients and analyze its impact on treatment, thus further enhancing the treatment effectiveness for NTM patients.
Methods Based on the results of NTM Roche solid culture and species identification, patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease were selected. The numbers of various peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were detected, and the immune status of patients with different types of infections was analyzed.Additionally, based on the patients' treatment outcomes, they were divided into two groups: those with good treatment outcomes and those with poor treatment outcomes. The impact of the number of lymphocyte subsets on the prognosis of NTM treatment was analyzed.
Results The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with NTM lung disease is lower than that in the normal population (p < 0.0001), while the percentage of CD56bri NK cells is higher than that in the normal population (p = 0.0037).The absolute numbers of lymphocytes, CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD19+ B cells, and CD56dim NK cells are all lower than those in the normal population (p < 0.0001), while the absolute number of CD56bri NK cells is higher than that in the normal population (p < 0.0001).Patients with mixed infections of Mycobacterium avium complex (M. avium) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (M. intercelleulare) exhibit significantly lower numbers of T lymphocyte subsets compared to other bacterial strains.Logistic regression analysis results revealed that the total absolute number of lymphocytes, absolute number of B lymphocytes, and absolute number of NK lymphocytes are the main risk factors for poor treatment outcomes in NTM lung disease (p = 0.028, 0.043, 0.026). The area under the ROC curve was 0.948.
Combining molecular transmission network analysis and spatial epidemiology to reveal HIV-1 transmission pattern among the older people in Nanjing, China
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Jiang Tingyi , Jiang Li , Shi Hongjie , Li Xin , Qiao Mengkai , Wu Sushu , Wu Rong , Yuan Xin , Wang Jingwen , Zhu Zhengping
Published: July 2024

Background In China, the problem of HIV infection among the older people has become increasingly prominent. This study aimed to analyze the pattern and influencing factors of HIV transmission based on a genomic and spatial epidemiological analysis among this population.
Methods A total of 432 older individuals who were newly diagnosed with HIV-1 and had not received ART between January 2018 and December 2021 were enrolled. HIV-1 polgene sequence was obtained by viral RNA extraction and nested PCR. The molecular transmission network was constructed using HIV-TRACE and the spatial distribution analyses were performed in ArcGIS. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with clustering.
Results A total of 382 sequences were successfully sequenced, of which CRF07_BC (52.1%), CRF01_AE (32.5%), and CRF08_BC (7.3%) were the main HIV-1 subtypes. A total of 176 sequences entered the molecular network, with a clustering rate of 46.1%. Impressively, the clustering rate among older people infected HIV with commercial heterosexual transmission was as high as 61.7% and three female commercial sex workers were observed in the network. The individuals who were aged ≥ 60 years and transmitted by commercial heterosexual behaviors had a higher risk of clustering, while those who were retirees or engaged other occupations and with higher education degree were less likely to cluster. There was a positive spatial correlation of clustering rate (Global Moran I =0.206, P < 0.001)at the town level and the highly aggregated regions were mainly distributed in rural area. We determined three large clusters and they mainly spread in the intra-region of certain towns in rural areas. Notably, 54.5% of cases in large clusters were transmitted through commercial heterosexual behaviors.
Conclusions These findings revealed the spatial aggregation of HIV transmission and highlighted vital role of commercial heterosexual behavior in HIV transmission among older people at the local level. Therefore, health resources should be directed towards highly aggregated rural areas and prevention strategy should take critical regions or persons as entry points. Moreover, continuous monitor and rapid area response to the network should be strengthened to reduce further HIV transmission among older people.
The association of multidimensional household poverty with child and mother psychopathology wellbeing trajectories using a prospective longitudinal cohort in Ireland.
Authors: Driscoll David J O , Khashan Ali S , Keeffe Linda M O , Kiely Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

Background: The association between multidimensional household poverty (MHP) and child and mother psychopathology trajectories is not well understood. The aim of this paper is to explore this association.
Methods: We analysed 9241 infants and mothers recruited at 9-months (m) and 32-years (y) respectively from the Growing-up-in-Ireland study and followed up when the child was aged 3, 5, 7, 9 and 13y. MHP was derived from monetary, subjective and material poverty questionnaires completed by mothers before infant age 3y using latent-class-analysis. Confounder-adjusted linear spline multilevel models were used to examine the association between MHP before 3y and trajectories of child (3-to-13y) and mother (34-to-46y) psychopathology wellbeing measures (Strengths-and-difficulties-questionnaire and Centre-for-epidemiological-studies-depression-scale, respectively).
Results: In adjusted models, MHP before 3y was associated with a higher mean difference(MD) (MD:0.67, 95%CI 0.41,0.92) in child psychopathology at 3y and this was broadly similar at age 13y (MD:0.87, 95% CI 0.57,1.17). MHP prior to 3y was associated with a higher mother psychopathology when her child was age 3y (MD:1.07, 95% CI 0.90,1.23) and this persisted albeit with a slight reduction in magnitude at age 13y of the child (MD:0.72, 95% CI 0.53,0.90).
Conclusions:. Though replication in other cohorts is required, findings suggest that MHP exposure in child infancy may have early negative life course impacts on mother and child wellbeing that persist for up to a decade. If causal, these findings underscore the importance of early life course policy interventions to prevent and ameliorate poverty to reduce long term psychopathology of mothers and their children.
Comparing Outcomes Among Pneumonia Prediction Models in Elderly Patients: A single center validation study
Authors: Shaikh Mohammad Baseem , Mangino Anthony A. , Naidu Lakshmi , Kao Chieng-Ting , Chikkanna Rani , Montgomery-Yates Ashley
Published: July 2024

Introduction
Guidelines recommend the use of risk stratifying tools to aid decision making in patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to determine if newer pneumonia severity scoring models predict patient centered clinical outcome better than older models in elderly patients?
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort review of patients aged >65 who presented to the emergency room with CAP at our center between 1st January 2019 and 30th June 2022 using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes. Primary outcomes of interest were whether patients died in-hospital or within 30-days of hospitalization, were readmitted within 30 days, required mechanical ventilation or vasopressor infusion, or were discharged to rehabilitation of a nursing facility. To compare the efficacy of the scoring systems, each score was used independently as the sole predictor in a series of logistic regression models. Model accuracy was compared within each outcome using the area under the curve (AUC) as the key outcome.
Results
The sample consisted of 257 patients, with male representing 49.81% of cohort and average age of 75 years (sd = 7.85 years). CHUBA had the highest AUC (0.679) in predicting 30-day mortality with the second highest score being the CURB-65 (0.651); AUC ranged from 0.618 with the CORB-75 to 0.679 with the CHUBA. This pattern was consistent when predicting in-hospital mortality with CHUBA being the most predictive (AUC = 0.758) by a small margin. Discharge to rehabilitation or nursing home was most accurately predicted by CHUBA (0.773). However, CHUBA performed poorly on predicting the need for vasopressors or mechanical ventilation.
Interpretation
In elderly patient population, the CHUBA prediction model may be superior to CURB-65 and PSI in determining the need for hospitalization, but not the need for ICU disposition. Larger prospective studies are needed to substantiate these claims.
Unraveling the Walking Experience of Older Urban Adults in Seoul, South Korea A qualitative GIS Approach
Authors: Kim Dong Ha
Published: July 2024

Walking transcends mere physical activity; it is a fundamental aspect of daily life that profoundly affects the well-being of older adults. This study explored the walking experiences of older adults in Seoul by examining the interplay between perception, behavior, and environment. A qualitative geographic information system (GIS) research design was used to integrate qualitative and geospatial methods to explore the lived experience of walking among older adults in navigating Seoul's urban landscape. From July to December 2020, 38 older adults residing in walkable neighborhoods renowned for their pedestrian-friendly infrastructure were recruited. Data collection involved individual in-depth interviews, mobile global positioning systems (GPS) tracking, and ActiGraph monitoring. The interview data were analyzed to identify themes emerging from the walking experiences of older urban adults. GPS tracks movement patterns, whereas accelerometers measure physical activity levels. Integrating these sources revealed contextual conditions for walking among older urban adults, verified through triangulation. Participants perceived walking as a means of attaining autonomy, cultivating a healthy self-image, nurturing social connections, and generating income. The dense and diverse neighborhood environment facilitated these walks, serving as a platform for social interaction and creating an informal social safety network. It was also found that walking for work, even when prolonged, led to less exercise than walking for leisure. This study underscores the multifaceted nature of walking, which has profound implications for the well-being and social connectedness of older adults. These findings emphasize the imperative for policy and design solutions that promote healthy aging and address inequalities.
Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the rapid detection of Clostridium botulinum serotypes E and F
Authors: Chu Hai Anh , Tang Nga , Nguyen Thuy Tram , Le Huy Hoang , Pham Yen
Published: July 2024

Background
Botulinum neurotoxin serotypes E and F (BoNT/E and BoNT/F) produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) cause poisoning in humans with high mortality rates found in a wide variety of foods. The gold standard detection method that utilizes live mouse bioassays (MBAs) has a low detection limit, requires experienced personnel, and takes a long time to obtain results. Therefore, it has been gradually replaced by nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) with species–specific target genes.
Methods and results
In this study, two sets of six LAMP primers each were designed based on multiple sequence alignments of the conserved regions of bont/E and bont/F genes collected from 180 serotype E strains and 30 serotype F strains published in NCBI. In silico PCR with the outer primer pairs showed successful amplification of the target fragments. To validate the LAMP method, we constructed two synthetic plasmids containing the target sequences extended approximately 10–50 bp to both ends. The specificity of the primers was further evaluated using six other different Clostridium species and eight food poisoning isolated bacterial species. Employing the synthetic plamids, the optimal temperatures were determined for bont/E (63°C, LOD ≤ 101 copies/reaction) and bont/F (65°C, LOD ≤ 102 copies/reaction) within 30 minutes. In addition, the LAMP primer set for BoNT/F was redesigned with degenerate nucleotides that improved coverage from 15–45%.
Conclusions
For future directions, applications of the established method, especially with the degenerate primers, could be used as an alternative assay for the rapid and sensitive of C. botulinum.
Incidence of maxillofacial trauma related to kickboxing in the United Kingdom and the efficacy of protective equipment.
Authors: Patel Karan , Moore Richard
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Kickboxing is a heavily participated combat sport within the UK. With the sport involving striking opponents, it is widely perceived to be associated with an elevated risk of maxillofacial injury. However, the research is limited with gaps that require further investigation. This study aimed to assess the frequency and distribution of these injuries and whether protective modalities including headgear and mouthguards help reduce them.
Materials and Methods: Kickboxers (n=92) around the UK completed an electronic questionnaire from November 11th to October 11th, 2021.
Results: There was an incidence rate of 71.7% where participants had experienced at least 1 maxillofacial injury. The lip was the most affected (26.1%, p<0.05). Injury rates per participant for headgears, mouthguards and no protection were 2.1, 2.6 and 4.7, respectively.
Conclusions: Maxillofacial injuries in Kickboxing have a prevalence of 71%. Protective equipment successfully reduced the frequency of maxillofacial injuries (p<0.05). Experience levels are a major contributor in the incidence of these injuries. Updated regulations to mandate protective equipment may significantly reduce incidence of injury. More research is required in relation to variables such as ethnicity and bone density to identify high risk groups.
Unwanted loneliness in heart failure: risk factors and association with prognosis
Authors: Benito Teresa , Zaharia Georgiana , Pérez Adora , Jaramillo Cristina , Lorenzo Miguel , Mollar Anna , Martínez Carolina , Bejarano Evelin , Cebrián Francisco , Civera Jose , Núñez Julio
Published: July 2024

Introduction and Objectives:Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high prevalence of unwanted loneliness. This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with unwanted loneliness and its association with the risk of adverse clinical events in a cohort of patients with HF.
Methods: We included 298 patients diagnosed with stable HF. Clinical, biochemical, echocardiographic parameters and loneliness using ESTE II scale were assessed. We analyzed risk factors using multivariate logistic regression. We evaluated the association with the risk of recurrent all-cause admissions using negative binomial regression accounting for the risk of death.
Results: The mean age was 75.8±9.4 years, with 111 (37.2%) being women, 53 (17.8%) widowed, and 154 (51.7%) patients having preserved ejection fraction. The median (p25% - p75%) ESTE II score was 9.0 (6.0 – 12.0), and 36.9% experienced loneliness. Both women (OR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.98, p=0.023) and widowhood (OR=3.25; 95% CI: 1.51 to 7.01, p=0.003) were associated with a higher risk of loneliness. During follow-up, loneliness was significantly associated with increased all-cause hospitalizations (IRR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.24-3.40, p=0.005).
Conclusions: Women and widowhood emerge as risk factors for unwanted loneliness in HF patients. Unwanted loneliness is associated with higher morbidity during follow-up.
The phytotherapy properties of winter savory (Satureja montana L.) essential oil against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep
Authors: Štrbac Filip , Krnjajić Slobodan , Ratajac Radomir , Rinaldi Laura , Musella Vincenzo , Castagna Fabio , Stojanović Dragica , Simin Nataša , Orčić Dejan , Bosco Antonio
Published: July 2024

Background: The increasing difficulties in combating anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of sheep worldwide and the residues of chemical drugs in animal products and the environment necessitate the search for alternatives. Previous studies have shown that plant essential oils (EOs) could be valuable anthelmintic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using winter savory (Satureja montana L.) EO against sheep GINs through performing in vitro and in vivo efficacy tests and preliminary toxicity studies.
Methods: The chemical composition of the S. montana EO was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the evaluation of anthelmintic potential in vitro, the Egg Hatch Test (EHT) was performed at eight different concentrations (50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.195, 0.049, 0.025 and 0.0125 mg/ml). Field efficacy was evaluated using the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) on two farms where the oil was applied intraruminally to sheep at a mean dose of 150 mg/kg. The toxic effect of the oil was evaluated by physical observation of the tested animals and by collecting blood samples for further haematological and biochemical analyses. Coproculture examination of faecal samples from the tested sheep before and after treatment was also performed to identify the GIN genera present.
Results: Main compounds of the S. montana oil identified by GC-MS analysis were p-cymene (42.8%), carvacrol (28.1%) and y-terpinene (14.6%). The in vitro EHT showed a dose-dependent (R2=0.94) anthelmintic potential of the tested oil with ovicidal activity varying from 17.0-83.3% and determined IC50 value of 0.59 mg/ml. The field efficacy reached 33% (at group level) and 50% (at individual level) at D14 after treatment. In vivo efficacy was significantly higher in farm 2 (FEC above 65% at group level, p<0.05) where sheep were kept in pens during treatment. No toxic effects were observed either in the physical observation of the test animals or in their liver and kidney function.
Conclusion: The moderate efficacy on EHT and FECRT, without adverse effects on the sheep, suggests that S. montana EO is suitable for the control of sheep GINs as part of an integrated parasite management. Further studies should be conducted to further increase efficacy.
Generation of the 12-GO-Subsets to Interpretate Human Cellular Process
Authors: Liu Yirui , Liu Ruiqi , Hu Jiaming , Wang Yating , Zhang Jingfang
Published: July 2024

As the Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase becomes more and more complicated, it is difficult for researchers to follow and get a comprehensive overview of biological processes. Here, we generated a classification strategy through carefully investigating the genes any two terms shared. Using this strategy, we categorized the 66 direct child terms of the cellular process into 12 major subsets, and the interactions among them were further confirmed by studying the protein-protein interaction based networks. Subsequently, these 12 subsets were used to investigate the distribution of transcription factors, kinases and also several cancer genomes. Above all, the 12-GO-subsets provide researchers a more comprehensive overview of the cellular process, and the categorizing strategy developed herein can be utilized to characterize other large GO terms.
Reference Phone Number : A Secure and QoS- improved SIP-based phone system
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Bin
Published: July 2024

With the iµproveµent of the internet and the widespread adoption of digital coµµunication devices such as sµartphones, VoIP has largely replaced traditional telephone systeµs. Many coµpanies are deploying VoIP systeµs due to their scalability and low cost. In this paper, address the issue of reµote clients or traveling eµployees being unable to contact business partners due to specific phone nuµbers. We propose a reference phone nuµber µechanisµ that coµbines a set of related business partners' phone nuµbers to enhance call availability. To ensure the confidentiality of calls, we also designed an algorithµ to integrate key exchange protocols into the proposed µechanisµ. The µechanisµ can flexibly custoµize the required security protocols. A perforµance analysis is conducted by deploying the proposed µechanisµ in a µediuµ-sized coµpany. The results prove that the µechanisµ is feasible and the effect is satisfactory.
CSFNet: A novel counting network based on context features and multi-scale information
Authors: Xiong Liyan , Li Zhida , Huang Xiaohui , Wang Heng
Published: July 2024

The goal of crowd-counting techniques is to estimate the number of people in an image or video in real-time and accurately. In recent years, with the development of deep learning, the accuracy of the crowd-counting task has been improving. However, the accuracy of the crowd-counting task in crowded scenes with large-scale variations still needs to be improved. To cope with this situation, this paper proposes a new novel of crowd-counting network: Context-Scaled Fusion Network(CSFNet). The details include (1) the design of the Multi-Scale Receptive Field Fusion Module (MRFF Module), which employs multiple dilated convolutional layers with different dilatation rates and uses a fusion mechanism to obtain multi-scale hybrid information to generate higher quality feature maps; (2) The Contextual Space Attention Module ( CSA Module) is proposed, which can obtain pixel-level contextual information and combine it with the attention map to enable the model to autonomously learn and pay attention to the important regions to achieve the effect of reducing the counting error. In this paper, the model is trained and evaluated on five datasets: ShanghaiTech, UCF_CC_50, WorldExpo'10, BEIJING-BRT, and Mall. The experimental results show that CSFNet outperforms many SOTA methods on these datasets, demonstrating its superior counting ability and robustness.
Study of an outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh: socio- demographic and clinical manifestations
Authors: Mubassira Mahi , Muhib Md. Muntasir Alam , Abeed-Ul-Haque Syed , Khanam Sanzida , Hasan Md. Faruk
Published: July 2024

Background Acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) is an important concerns due to its rapid outbreak faced an enhanced epidemiological surveillance. The present study was designed to find out the reasons, outbreaks pattern, clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of AJS among the students of Rajshahi University campus, Bangladesh.
Methods The study involved 1151 students showing signs of AJS. Primarily, jaundice syndromes were determined by physiological test having yellow skin and abdominal pain. Laboratory tests were performed to confirm the pathophysiology of jaundice. Blood and urine samples were collected and ALT SGPT, bilirubin levels and different biochemical tests were done by an automated clinical chemistry analyzer.
Results From the total number of tested patients, 27.28 % and 72.72% showed jaundice positive and negative. Jaundice positive patients showed the highest average value of ALT (SGPT) with 1312.67 ± 1.32 U/L and the total bilirubin level was found 2.08 ± 0.70 mg/dL for adults.
Conclusions The present study showed a vital information about the pattern of AJS outbreaks in the University of Rjshahi. The prompt diagnosis and the implementation of effective control measures of AJS outbreaks are needed for protecting the students' health and the whole community.
SOMA-BD: Brownian Dynamics Simulation for Soft Matter on GPU
Authors: Crespin Benoit , Porro Heinich , Cerbelaud Manuella , Videcoq Arnaud , Gerhards Julien
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a high-performance Brownian Dynamics simulation code designed for Nvidia GPUs. The code prioritizes accuracy with double-precision calculations and utilizes a bucket sort neighbor list for efficient particle interaction management. Additionally, a CUDA occupancy-aware autotuning system optimizes thread block size for diverse hardware configurations. Benchmarks demonstrate significant performance gains compared to existing tools, particularly for large-scale simulations with various interaction potentials (Lennard-Jones, Yukawa, DLVO). The software offers user-friendly configuration via JSON files and supports restarting simulations from both binary and XYZ data formats. Future work includes expanding supported interaction potentials, refining autotuning and investigating scalability. This open-source software empowers researchers in material science and related fields to conduct efficient and accurate BD simulations.