bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards non-blinking perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Dong Yitong , Mi Chenjia , Gee Gavin , Lander Chance , Atteberry Matthew , Akhmedov Novruz , Hidayatova Lamia , DiCenso Jesse , Yip Wai Tak , Shao Yihan
Published: May 2024

Surface defect-induced photoluminescence blinking is ubiquitous in lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs). Despite efforts to passivate the defects on perovskite QDs by chemically engineering ligand binding moieties, blinking accompanied by photodegradation still poses barriers to studying and implementing quantum-confined perovskite QDs in quantum emitters. We posited that the intermolecular interaction between ligands can affect the QD surface passivation. In the solid state, steric repulsions among bulky ligand tails prevent adequate QD surface ligand coverage. Alternatively, attractive π-π stacking between low-steric phenethylammonium (PEA) ligands promotes the formation of a nearly epitaxial surface ligand layer. Here, we demonstrate that single CsPbBr3 QDs covered by these PEA ligands are nearly non-blinking, with single photon purity reaching 98%. Moreover, these QDs exhibited no spectral shifting and photodegradations, and they remained blinking-free after 12 hours of continuous operation. Free of interferences from blinking and photodegradation, we present size-dependent exciton radiative rates and emission line widths of single CsPbBr3 QDs ranging from strongly to weakly confined regimes.
Bacopa monnieri extract mitigates Cypermethrin-induced hypothyroidism and oxidative stress in female mice
Authors: Chourasiya Surbhi , Kar Anand , Sharma Versha
Published: May 2024

Purpose-
Cypermethrin (CYP) is a commonly used type II Pyrethroid. This pesticide tends to accumulate in the various body tissues causing organ dysfunction. The current study is primarily focused on investigating cypermethrin-induced hypothyroidism and the potential mitigating effect of Bacopa monnieri extract in female mice.
Method-
Animals were divided into four groups, each comprising 6 mice. Group I served as a control, Group II was orally exposed to CYP at 15 mg/kg, while Group III animals were administered with Bacopa monnieri (BM) extract at a dose of 200 mg/Kg and Group IV received CYP as well as Bacopa monnieri extract for 28 days by oral route. At the end, serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin(T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured. Results- The thyroid histopathological examination and tissue peroxidation were studied which revealed the CYP-induced deformed follicles with flattened epithelium and reduced diameter, vacuolated cytoplasm, and decreased expression of THR beta-1. In this group, a marked elevation in TSH and a considerable decline in both T3 and T4 levels were observed. Moreover, a significant increase in the bio-morphometric indices (body weight and thyroid weight) was seen. Marked morphometric abnormalities and hormonal dysregulation indicated the CPY-induced hypothyroid condition. Interestingly, the co-administration of Bacopa monnieri extract and CYP showed a positive result as it could ameliorate hypothyroidism in mice. Results of biochemical assessments revealed increased oxidative stress in the thyroid gland by CYP, reversed in the CYP + BM group.
Conclusion-
These results suggest the mitigative effect of the test drug on cypermethrin-induced hypothyroidism. This work demonstrates an entirely novel expression of THR beta-1 and oxidative stress in the context of hypothyroidism that has been generated.
Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disorder with peculiar presentation
Authors: Magaña Mario , Flores Ruben , Mariano Camilo
Published: May 2024

This case is an atypical presentation of hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD). A 14-year-old boy presented with edema, ulcers, tenderness and progressive functional limitation of both legs, he underwent one inguinal lymph node excision and two skin biopsies which reported an angiocentric lymphoproliferative process EBER positive consistent with HVLPD. After 8 weeks his face presented with edema and ulcers, characteristic of the original patients described with HVLPD. Patient´s parents refused treatment and took him back home, he died a few months later. We highlight not only the atypical and the usual bad prognosis of this disease but also that taking an early biopsia in an unclear clinical condition can make the diagnosis and impact on patients life.
Identification of dynamic networks community by fusing deep learning and evolutionary clustering
Authors: Pan Yu , Yao Feng , Liu Xin , Zhang Lei , Li Wei , Wang Pei
Published: May 2024

Community detection is a critical component of network analysis and a hot topic in social computing. Detecting community structure in dynamic networks has important theoretical and practical implications for understanding the intrinsic function of networks and predicting network behavior. However, the majority of existing dynamic community detection methods adopt shallow models and merely excavate the complex non-linear structure, which tends to generate undesirable community structure. In order to obtain the accurate and robust community structure in dynamic networks, we are inspired by network representation learning and utilize the deep learning to detect evolving communities in dynamic networks. In this paper, we propose a novel dynamic community detection method by fusing Deep Learning and Evolutionary Clustering(DLEC). This work attempts to combine deep learning and evolutionary clustering into a unified framework. First, we propose a matrix construction strategy to fully reveal the inherent community structures via the underlying community memberships. Then, we develop a novel multi-layer deep autoencoder framework that consists of multiple non-linear functions to extract the latent deep representation of the dynamic network. Based on the evolutionary clustering framework, a graph regularization term is introduced to ensure the smoothness of the community evolution. Finally, we employ the K-means clustering algorithm on the low-dimensional network space to obtain the community structure. Extensive experimental results on synthetic and real-world networks show that the proposed DLEC algorithm can effectively detect high-quality communities in the dynamic networks.
Electric field observed during disappearance of nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance at midlatitude
Authors: Matsuyama Miyuki , Ishisaka Keigo , Yamamoto Mamoru , Yokoyama Tatsuhiro , Saito Susumu , Kumamoto Atsushi , Tanaka Makoto , Abe Takumi
Published: May 2024

The S-520-27 sounding rocket was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan at 23:57 JST on July 20, 2013. This sounding rocket was launched to verify the hypothesis of the nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (MSTID) generation mechanism, in which electromagnetic interaction in the ionospheric E and F regions is thought to play an important role. The detrended total electron content (dTEC) map identiﬁed the MSTID structure as a northwest – southeast band structure at the time of the rocket launch. This band structure disappeared 30 min after launch, indicating that the rocket was observing the disappearance process of MSTID. The wavefront direction was assumed to be 164.90 ° in azimuth from the dTEC map. The electric ﬁeld detector on board the rocket observed low-frequency electric ﬁelds from DC to 50 Hz in situ. The obtained data were analyzed, and the detrend electric ﬁeld was derived. The electric ﬁeld was analyzed by decomposing the MSTID into components perpendicular and parallel to the wavefront. In the low-plasma-density region, the perpendicular and parallel components of the electric ﬁeld are southwestward and northwestward, respectively. Conversely, in the-high-plasma-density region, the perpendicular and parallel components are the northeastward and southeastward, respectively. These electric ﬁelds generated the E × B drift in the equalization direction of the Pedersen conductance gradient of the MSTID. The results show that the electric ﬁeld played an important role in the disappearance of the MSTID.
RETRACTED: Medical Oncologists with Imposter Syndrome Suffer from Burnout
Authors: Alkan Ali , Tanrıverdi Özgür
Published: May 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Case report: Woven-like coronary arteries in a patient with polycythemia vera
Authors: Wang Baoguo , Zhang Mingyou , Zhang Jian , Lu Ming , Zhang Weihua
Published: May 2024

Background Woven coronary artery (WCA) is a rare and underdiagnosed congenital anomaly that involves multiple thin and tortuous epicardial arterial conduits reassembling distally into a single lumen. Recanalized thrombus may present as woven-like coronary arteries, appearing similar to WCA on angiographic images
Case presentation A 58-year-old female patient with intermittent chest pain for 5 years and polycythaemia vera (PV) for 8 years. The left anterior descending artery was presented like WCA on coronary angiography and finally confirmed as recanalized thrombus by optical coherence tomography（OCT）, which might have been caused by PV. Given the patient's high thrombotic risk of PV and thrombotic changes in the left circumflex artery (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA), we ultimately chose a conservative treatment without stenting.
Conclusions OCT would be needed for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of woven-like coronary arteries. And physicians should take an appropriate treatment in a personalized way in patients with PV.
Contrasting Prognoses: Regional Disparities in Primary Membranous Nephropathy Patients
Authors: Shang Meifang , Wu Shengchun , Cheng Yuan , Qin Xun , Cen Ji , Qi Dongli , Wan Qijun , Wei Zhe
Published: May 2024

Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is the predominant histological subtype of nephrotic syndrome in adults, exhibiting a wide range of prognostic outcomes. This study employed a retrospective cohort design to investigate patients with confirmed PMN diagnosis via renal biopsy at the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province between January 2008 and March 2020, as well as at Hechi People's Hospital from June 2013 to September 2021. Utilizing regression analysis, survival analysis, and cross-examination, the study aimed to compare epidemiological characteristics and prognostic indicators among PMN patients across different geographic regions. The study included a cohort of 662 patients diagnosed with PMN, with 362 (54.7%) of these patients residing in Guangxi. Patients in Guangxi exhibited characteristics such as advanced age, a higher proportion of males, elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased levels of serum PLA2R antibody concentration, uric acid, total cholesterol, and urine protein, as well as lower levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results from multivariate Cox analysis indicated that regional disparities were identified as independent risk factors for a 30% decline in eGFR among PMN patients, with the risk of reaching renal endpoint being 7.84 times higher in Guangxi compared to Guangdong. The KM curve analysis indicated a significantly higher incidence of reaching the renal endpoint in Guangxi (P<0.0001). Furthermore, the interaction test revealed significant regional variations in the impact on renal endpoint incidence across different eGFR quantiles, suggesting a notable interaction effect.
Conclusion: The clinical and pathological manifestations of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) patients in Guangxi are more severe and have a worse renal prognosis compared to those in Shenzhen, Guangdong. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the allocation of limited medical resources and implement early intervention strategies in the formulation of chronic kidney disease health policies to effectively prevent and treat PMN in this region.
Association between pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy and fetal growth restriction
Authors: Murano Yayoi , Shoji Hiromichi , Hachijyo Ryuta , Onishi Kazunari , Yoneoka Daisuke , Sakamaki Ken , Nakayama Shoji F. , Shimizu Toshiaki , Gilmour Stuart
Published: May 2024

There are many reports on high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), but few reports on low pre-pregnancy BMI. However, while high BMI is a problem, low BMI is also a problem. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the association between pre-pregnancy BMI, weight gain during pregnancy, and fetal growth restriction (FGR). This is an observational study using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study which includes 100,000 mothers. Singleton live births born between 37 and 41 weeks of gestational age were eligible. FGR was defined as a birth weight lower than the 10th percentile of birth weight for infant’s gestational age, sex, and parity. Pre-pregnancy BMI were categorized into four groups; underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal (BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2), and obese (BMI over 30 kg/m2). Using logistic regression analysis, association between FGR and pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy were calculated. The results showed that low pre-pregnancy BMI increased the odds of FGR by factor of 2.33 (95% confidence interval 1.91–2.85). The interaction between pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy was significant, indicating that the greatest benefit of weight gain was seen in underweight mothers.
Crystallization Behaviours Regulations and Thermostability Enhancement Strategy of Polypropylene Composites modified by Dispersed Rice Husk Charcoal
Authors: Shen Yunda , Deng X.L. , Feng H.P. , Gong R.Q. , Ren Liang , Wang Yaobin , Zhang Y.L. , Du W.N. , Zhang Mingyao
Published: May 2024

Polypropylene has a wide range of applications in scientific research, industry, and production due to its excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. However, owing to its low melt strength, inferior dimensional stability, and poor thermal stability, thus limiting its further application. Addressing this challenge, a series of polymer composites consisting of rice husk charcoal (RHC), modified using 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) as the silane coupling agent, and polypropylene (PP) have been fabricated by virtue of a melt blending process by us. Thermal behaviour, crystallization properties, mechanical properties, dimensional stability and microscopic morphology of PP/RHC composites are studied in detail. The results show that, when 20% modified RHC was added to the composites, it increased the initial decomposition temperature of PP by 130℃, which represents that we manufactured PP composites with better thermal properties by simple processing. The rheological performance tests showed that the addition of RHC increased the stiffness and dimensional stability of the composites, which is more conducive to the processing and moulding of the material. SEM indicated that KH-560 can increase the compatibility of RHC with PP substrate, thus improving the performance of conforming materials.
Femoral head and acetabular necrosis combined with hip subluxation in people with HIV: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ji Yunxiao , Li KangPeng , Zhang Yao , Zhao Changsong , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2024

Introduction: HIV is widely prevalent in all regions of the world. The use of antiretroviral drugs has dramatically reduced the mortality rate of HIV-related diseases, but correspondingly increased the incidence of chronic complications in HIV-positive people. Related studies have found that the incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head is higher in HIV-positive people, but the co-occurrence of femoral head necrosis, acetabular necrosis and hip joint dislocation in HIV-positive patients is rare.
Methods: We report a 50-year-old man with a 15-month history of progressively worsening right hip pain with movement restriction. According to the CT findings of the other hospital, the patient was admitted to the hospital with femoral head necrosis. After the admission, the relevant X-ray, CT and MRI examinations showed that the right femoral head collapsed and deformed, with the surrounding bone sclerosis, bone fragments and loose body of the joint, right hip subluxation, acetabular marginal osteogeny and local microcystic degeneration. The left femoral head was in good shape, and cystic degeneration can be seen under the articular surface. The patient was finally diagnosed with femoral head necrosis and acetabular necrosis combined with hip subluxation.
Results: The pain of the patient was significantly relieved after the operation, and the patient was discharged from the hospital one week after the start of treatment to continue rehabilitation training. During the follow-up one month after operation, the self-reported pain disappeared completely and the limitation of activity was significantly improved.
Stress, Mental Health, and Resilience among Western Prairie Farmers in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Comparison Study
Authors: Purc-Stephenson R. J. , Dedrick S. , Hood D.
Published: May 2024

Background
Farming is recognized as a stressful occupation, and a growing body of research shows that farmers report high levels of poor mental health. In Canada, two national studies of farmer mental health have been conducted, but an in-depth examination of the mental health of farmers from a single prairie province remains unexplored. Alberta is a central prairie province with significantly larger farms and slightly older farmers than the national average, with predominantly beef or grain farm operations. It is essential to understand regional variations from the national average among farmers to validate those findings and ensure interventions are appropriately tailored for sub-populations. The aim of our study was to (a) explore the types of farm stressors, (b) assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, burnout, and resilience among farmers in Alberta, and (c) compare those findings to the national average of Canadian farmers and normative data.
Methods
We conducted a survey of validated scales to assess anxiety, depression, burnout, and resilience among farmers. Farm stresses were assessed through a new survey tool that underwent factor analysis to identify the underlying dimensions of stress. Descriptive statistics were summarized, and t tests and analysis of variance were used to compare survey results between genders, and the national average of farmers and normative data.
Results
Overall, 354 farmers completed the survey. Approximately 36.4% and 42.7% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of depression and anxiety, respectively. Participants reported higher levels of burnout and resilience compared to the national average of farmers. Women reported more severe mental health outcomes compared to men. Five categories of farm stresses were identified through factor analysis: Unexpected work disruptions, Occupational hazards, Farm and financial planning, isolation, and Regulations and public pressure. The five stress categories were associated with mental health outcomes.
Conclusions
Alberta farmers reported more severe mental health outcomes compared to the national average of farmers and normative data. Our Farm Stress Survey tool provides a new way of conceptualizing and succinctly communicating the range of stresses farmers face. Implications for community-based mental health interventions that help farmers manage the enduring stresses of agriculture is discussed.
Beyond the Granuloma: New Insights into Cardiac Sarcoidosis Using Spatial Proteomics
Authors: Peyster Eliot , Smith David , Bittermann Therese , Bravo Paco , Margulies Kenneth
Published: May 2024

Cardiac sarcoidosis is poorly understood, challenging to diagnose, and portends a poor prognosis. A lack of animal models necessitates the use of residual human samples to study sarcoidosis, which in turn necessitates the use of analytical tools compatible with archival, fixed tissue. We employed high-plex spatial protein analysis within a large cohort of archival human cardiac sarcoidosis and control tissue samples, studying the immunologic, fibrotic, and metabolic landscape of sarcoidosis at different stages of disease, in different cardiac tissue compartments, and in tissue regions with and without overt inflammation. Utilizing a small set of differentially expressed protein biomarkers, we also report the development of a predictive model capable of accurately discriminating between control cardiac tissue and sarcoidosis tissue, even when no histologic evidence of sarcoidosis is present. This finding has major translational implications, with the potential to markedly improve the diagnostic yield of clinical biopsies obtained from suspected sarcoidosis patients.
Insights into Sickle-cell Disease Cardiomyopathy: Early 3-D Echocardiographic Indicators and Pathophysiological Understanding
Authors: Coppi Francesca , Tampieri Francesca , Palazzi Giovanni , Boschini Matteo , Pagnoni Gianluca , Manenti Antonio , Mattioli Anna Vittoria , Iughetti Lorenzo , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: May 2024

Purpose
In sickle cell disease, 3-D transthoracic echocardiography is increasingly essential for early diagnosis and subsequent risk stratification of potential cardiac complications. This topic can be effectively explored by delving deeper into its pathophysiology.
Methods
With this aim the results of 3-D echocardiography explorations, performed in a cohort of 46 pediatric patients with homozygous or heterozygous sickle-cell disease, were reassessed using a predominant morpho-functional approach.
Results
Increased end-diastolic volume of the right ventricle appeared as the most obvious early cardiac pathology, promoted by a corresponding pulmonary hypertension and followed by its uncoupling with the pulmonary artery. Over the time, the dysfunction of the right ventricle extends to involve the left ventricle, leading in global heart failure, which can be described as “right ventricle-driven”.
Conclusions
3-D trans-thoracic ecocardiography is an essential tool for diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up of sickle cell disease patients. It aids in evaluating the optimal medical treatment and, in the long run, may suggest the possibility of a bone marrow transplant.
Evaluating the effect of ER,CR.YSGG LASER and conventional acid etching on shear bond strength of composite on enamel of primary teeth (in vitro study)
Authors: Shehata Yasmin M. , Rahman Amina M. Abd El , Mahmoud Sawsan H. , Kader Sally M. Abd El
Published: May 2024

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to enamel of primary teeth after etching using Erbium chromium –YSGG laser and conventional phosphoric acid.
Study design:Experimental in vitro study.
Materials and Methods: A total of thirty extracted or exfoliated primary teeth were divided into three groups according to the type of etching techniques. Group I Er,Cr:YSGG Laser etching with power set at 1W, Group II Er,Cr:YSGG laser with power set at 1.5W and group III acid etching using phosphoric acid.
Evaluation: The 30 specimens were assigned for shear bond strength (SBS) evaluation test using a universal testing machine. Mode of failure was evaluated using stereomicroscope and only six specimens were evaluated qualitatively to asses enamel surface topography using scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Shear bond strength of acid etching group showed the highest followed by 1.5W laser-etching group, while 1W laser etching group demonstrated the least mean shear bond strength. The acid etched enamel was statistically significantly higher (P < <0.0001) than that other groups.
Conclusions: The mean SBS of composite with acid etching is significantly higher in comparison to Er, Cr: YSGG (operated at 1W & 1.5W for 10 s) laser‑etched enamel.
Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and evaluation of antifungal activity of tryptanthrin derivatives against drug-resistant Candida albicans
Authors: Wu Yandan , Ni Guanghui , Jiang Luyi , Liu Ruina , Yang Lijiao , Zou Fei , Zhang Tianyu , Fan Zefei , Zhang Tianbao , Yang Huan , Yin Shuyun , Wang Ruirui , Li Ganpeng
Published: May 2024

With the increasing of Candida albicans infections year by year, and the widespread use of azole drugs, especially fluconazole has led to the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, new antifungal agents are urgent needed. In this work, we synthesized a series of tryptanthrin derivatives, and all compounds were evaluated for antifungal activities against Candida albicans in vitro. The results indicated that most compounds combined with fluconazole showed good antifungal activity against drug-resistant Candida albicans. Especially, compound 5b combined with fluconazole had an excellent synergistic effect, with MIC50 value of 0.94 µg/mL, and the FICI value of 0.005. Further mechanism study demonstrated that compound 5b significantly inhibited the hyphal growth and biofilm formation of C. albicans. Compound 5b combined with fluconazole could be considered as a novel antifungal agent.
Viral RNA polymerase as a SUMOylation decoy inhibits RNA quality control to promote potyvirus infection in plants
Authors: Li Fangfang , ge linhao , Jia Mingxuan , Gao Weifang , Jiang Lu , Cui Hongguang , Cheng Xiaofei , Uzest Marilyne , Zhou Xueping , Wang Aiming , Li Fangfang
Published: May 2024

Potyvirids (viruses in the Potyviridae family) are the largest group of plant RNA viruses. Our recent study has shown that Pelota, a core component of RNA quality controls (RQC), promotes the degradation of potyvirids’ genomic RNA by recognizing a specific G1-2A6-7 motif within the P3 cistron. Here, using turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) as a potyvirid model, we demonstrated that potyvirids have evolved a counteracting mechanism to inhibit Pelota-mediated RQC antiviral activities and promote virus infection. In this mechanism, the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (also known as NIb) acts as a SUMOylation decoy to effectively reduce Pelota SUMOylation by competing with SCE1, the only SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme to inhibit Pelota-mediated RQC. TuMV NIb is comprised of two functional SUMO interacting motif (SIM) sites: SIM2 and SIM3. The former is identified as the key site for NIb’s SUMOylation, whereas the latter is responsible for the interaction with SCE1. These two SIMs are conserved among the majority of potyvirids-encoded NIbs. The other potyvirid NIb orthologs and their SIMs have similar functions in interacting with SCE1 and perturbing the Pelota-mediated RQC. Thus, virus protein-mediated SUMOylation decoy strategy to suppress host defense may be a common feature in plant virus pathosystems. Taken together, these findings highlight a dynamic interplay between plant defense mechanism and viral counter-strategy by orchestrating the post-translational modifications of virus and host defense components.
An image transforming scheme for mobile projection mapping applications
Authors: Kang Moonho
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a technique that can easily transform images used for mobile projection mapping. In order to project various images to fit the plane of an irregular shaped object, the bilinear patch and the biquadratic Bezier patch were used, and a patch-merging method that combines multiple patches was developed. A merged patch is obtained by combining the mesh coordinates of the individual patches. Once an image to be projected is determined, then the image can be easily placed on the merged patch using an Android function. Afterwards, the image can be transformed into various shapes by adjusting the positions of the control points of the merged patch on the screen of a smartphone or a tablet PC. As the number of control points increases as patches are merged, a much more diverse image can be created. An Android App dedicated to projection mapping was created so that users can easily implement image transformations with mobile devices. It was shown that various shapes of images can be easily created through the App and finally, a shirt image was designed to demonstrate its usefulness.
Category Contrastive Distillation with Self-Supervised Classification
Authors: Chen Weiwei , Xu Jiazhen , Zheng Yujie , Wang Chong
Published: May 2024

Knowledge distillation aims to transfer the knowledge from one model to another, which is widely used in model compression and transfer learning. Recent knowledge distillation algorithms mainly focused on the inter-sample or intra-sample knowledge, which haven't efficiently exploited supervised labels. In this work, we introduce the self-supervised tasks into conventional knowledge distillation framework to construct a new category-based knowledge distillation algorithm. To be specific, two new memory banks are constructed to store the category embedding predicted by the teacher and student models, respectively. Then, the student model can absorb the knowledge from the teacher's memory bank instead of the model itself. It utilizes the cross-batch knowledge based on the contrast of category embedding among various batches.Moreover, additional self-supervised tasks with various data augmentation strategies are are designed to combine with the knowledge distillation process, which guides the model training in a multi-task manner. In the experiments, our proposed algorithm outperforms most of the sample-based knowledge distillation on both CIFAR-100 and ImageNet datasets.
Explaining emigration intentions through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: Scales' validation in a developing Arab country context
Authors: Hemade Ali , Hallit Souheil , Fawaz Mirna , Fekih-Romdhane Feten
Published: May 2024

Background
Emigration is a multifaceted phenomenon that is changing the demographics of many countries. The Intention to Emigrate (ITE), Attitude Towards Emigration (ATE), Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC), and Subjective Social Norms (SSN) are measures that have been developed to assess the emigration intent and its possible contributors in a cultural setting. These scales lack a validated Arabic version suitable for the Arab context. This study aimed to translate, psychometrically validate, and culturally adapt the ITE, ATE, PBC, and SSN scales in Arabic in a sample of Lebanese university students.
Methods
Following the Snowball sampling method, participants (n = 471) were Lebanese students who answered demographic questions and completed the Arabic versions of the ITE, ATE, PBC, SSN, as well as the following measures for concurrent validity testing: dark Future, personality traits, risk propensity and depression.
Results
Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a one-factor model of the ITE, ATE, PBC, and SSN. We found good internal consistency reliability for all scales: ITE (ω = .89; α = .89), ATE (ω = .86; α = .86), PBC (ω = .84; α = .84) and SSN (ω = .87; α = .87). Convergent validity and concurrent validity were proved through positive correlations with depression, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, risk propensity scores, and negative correlations with Openness scores. All scales showed invariance across sexes. Males scored significantly higher than females on the PBC scale, while no significant difference between sexes was observed for the ITE, ATE and SSN.
Conclusion
Our validated Arabic versions of the ITE, ATE, PBC, and SSN offer invaluable, culturally appropriate instruments for assessing emigration intentions and factors behind this intention. This shall boost research on emigration intentions and behaviors among Arabic*-speaking youth, help shape policies on emigration, and help social workers design targeted interventions for supporting potential emigrants.
Type 2 diabetes and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: ZHANG Yuanqi , XIANG Guohong , QIU Ling
Published: May 2024

Objective A two-sample Mendelian randomization method was used to study the causal relationship between Type 2 diabetes and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Method Genome-wide association statistics of type 2 diabetes with PHN were obtained, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with type 2 diabetes were used as instrumental variables(IVS).TSMR method with inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach to evaluate the causal association between type 2 diabetes and PHN. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to evaluate the strength and reliability of the findings.
Results 39 SNPs strongly associated with type 2 diabetes were included in the analysis, which showed that type 2 diabetes was significantly associated with PHN(IVW: OR=1.508,95%CI=1.003-2.267), P=0.04). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the strength and reliability of the causal relationship.
Conclusion There was a correlation between type 2 diabetes and PHN, and type 2 diabetes was linked to a higher risk of PHN.
Chronic stimulation desensitizes β2 adrenergic receptor responses in Natural Killer cells
Authors: Watzl Carsten , Jürgens Martin , Claus Maren , Wingert Sabine , Niemann Jens , Picard Lea , Hennes Elisabeth , Haasler Ina , Hellwig Birte , Overbeck Nina , Reinders Jörg , Rahnenführer Jörg , Schedel Michaela , Capellino Silvia
Published: May 2024

Psychosocial stress affects the function of the immune system via activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of the neurotransmitter epinephrine. Acute and chronic stress can have opposing effects on the immune system and chronic stress is correlated with higher incidences of infections and cancer. Here, we study the effect of epinephrine on the function of human Natural Killer (NK) cells as important innate lymphocytes for immune reactions against infections and cancer. Epinephrine-mediated stimulation of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on NK cells inhibited early signaling events and blocked the function of the integrin LFA-1. This led to a reduced adhesion of NK cells to ICAM-1, explaining how NK cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood upon acute stress. Additionally, epinephrine stimulation transiently reduced NK cell degranulation, serial killing, cytokine production, and affected metabolic changes upon NK cell activation via the cAMP-PKA pathway. Repeated exposure to β2AR agonists resulted in the desensitization of the β2AR via a PKA feedback loop-initiated G-protein switch. Therefore, acute epinephrine stimulation of chronically β2AR stimulated NK cells no longer resulted in inhibited signaling and reduced LFA-1 activity, recapitulating the opposing effects of acute versus chronic stress. Sustained stimulation by long-acting β2 agonists (LABA) not only inhibited NK cell functions but also resulted in desensitization of the β2AR. However, peripheral NK cells from LABA-treated asthma patients still reacted unchanged to epinephrine stimulation, demonstrating that local LABA administration does not result in detectable systemic effects on NK cells.
First case of human infection with avian influenza H10N3 post COVID-19 pandemic ：A case report
Authors: Zhao Zhenxi , Luo Siyi , Gao Yudong , Dai Min , Yan Jun , Yang Ying , Li Hongwei , Zhang Yan , Mao Zhipeng
Published: May 2024

Background:
On March 16th 2024, the first case of Human infection with avian influenza H10N3 since the end of the global COVID-19 Pandemic was reported in Kunming, China. To enhance comprehension of the source of infection and risk factors of the H10N3 virus infection, this case report summarizes the clinical features, epidemiological investigation, and laboratory test results. Provides recommendations for the prevention and control of Human infection with avian influenza H10N3.
Case presentation:
A 51-year-old male with a history of COVID-19 infection and a smoking habit of 30 years, worked in livestock breeding and was exposed to sick and dead poultry before falling ill with fever and chills on 28th February 2024. A week later, he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, influenza, and respiratory failure by the Third People's Hospital of Kunming(KM-TPH). He was discharged on 17th April and none of his 6 close contacts showed any symptoms of illness. Environmental samples taken from the epidemic spot revealed that peacock feces tested positive for avian influenza sub-type H9 and waterfowl specimens showed positive results for avian influenza sub-type H5. Gene sequencing conducted on positive specimens from the patient's respiratory tract by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) showed a high degree of similarity (98.6-99.5%) with the strain responsible for the second global case of human infected with H10N3 (reported from Zhejiang, China 2022).
Conclusions:
According to the available epidemiological information, there is limited evidence to suggest that H10N3 viruses are excessively lethal. However, adaptive site mutations have been observed in the H10N3 isoform of mammals. While it is unlikely that the H10N3 virus will spread among humans, the possibility of additional cases cannot be entirely ruled out. Symptoms of human infection with H10N3 avian influenza are similar to those of common respiratory infections, which may result in them being overlooked during initial clinical consultations. Therefore, it is essential to improve surveillance of the H10 sub-type of avian influenza and to increase the awareness of hospital-related workers of cases of pneumonia of unknown origin.
Virtual Reality in Stroke Recovery: A meta-review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Khan Ammar , Imam Yahia Z. , Muneer Mohamed , Jerdi Salman Al , Gill Sumanjit K
Published: May 2024

Background
Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology in post stroke recovery. However, its precise role in stroke rehabilitation is not well defined. The aim of this paper is to conduct an overview of systematic reviews on the role of VR in stroke rehabilitation.
Methods
A meta-review with results from a search of 7 databases from inception till 5th December 2022 with subsequent quality appraisal was conducted. The primary outcome was to produce a narrative review on the efficacy of VR versus usual or other care in stroke recovery. Data was synthesized in a descriptive fashion and high-quality systematic reviews were emphasized. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used for quality assessment of the included studies.
Results
Evidence from high-quality systematic reviews suggests that there is benefit from VR in upper limb, lower limb, gait, and balance recovery particularly when additive to conventional therapy. There is also limited evidence to suggest that VR has a positive effect in those with impaired cognition.
Conclusion
VR is safe and effective as an adjunct to conventional therapy for adults after stroke and should be used routinely for upper and lower limb motor recovery. Further high-quality studies that evaluate its efficacy and explore ways to increase its positive impact in areas such as cognition are required. There is also a scope for the development of stroke-specific virtual environments. (PROSPERO registration # CRD42022372926).
Impact of supplementation of a package of iron folic acid (IFA) with probiotics on hemoglobin levels in elderly with mild to moderate anemia: Protocol for a double blind randomized controlled trial (PRobiotics in Anemia Trial for Healthy Ageing Management - PRATHAM)
Authors: Ahamed Farhad , Das Semanti , Lepcha Sunom Merab , Jaiswal Abhishek , Palepu Sarika , Goswami Kalyan , Sengupta Mallika , Bandyopadhyay Arkapal , Hossain Chowdhury Mobaswar
Published: May 2024

Background
Anemia is a major health concern of the elderly with iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic diseases being the two major causes of anemia. Probiotics help in anemia correction in several ways. It increases oral iron absorption by directly modulating immunity, eliciting an anti-inflammatory response, reducing ferric iron to bioavailable ferrous iron, and enhancing iron uptake by enterocytes. This is especially relevant in old age, as aging is associated with age-related gradual attrition of protective organisms in gut microbiota. As there are no studies on the efficacy of probiotics supplementation in anemia management in the elderly, a study has been planned to determine the impact of supplementation of a therapeutic package of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) and probiotics on hemoglobin levels in elderly with mild to moderate anemia in comparison to IFA only.
Methods
This community-based randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the Kalyani Municipality area of Nadia district, West Bengal, India. Individuals aged 60 years and above with mild to moderate anemia will be randomized into the intervention (IFA and probiotics) and control group (IFA and placebo gelatin capsules containing ORS). The medications will be self-administered. The calculated sample size is 100 in each arm. Block randomization will be done. Participants will be followed up weekly for 12 weeks.
Discussion
Changes in hemoglobin, ferritin, hepcidin, C-reactive protein (CRP), composition, and diversity of the gut microbiome from baseline to 12 weeks in both groups will be assessed.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of AIIMS Kalyani (Ref. No: IEC /AIIMS / Kalyani / Meeting/ 2023 / 020).
Trial Registration Number: The trial was registered in Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) (CTRI/2023/09/057830) on 19.09.2023
Protocol version: Version: 1.0
Ontogeny of predatory capacity and prey choice during early life of the holobenthic octopus Amphioctopus fangsiao (d’Orbigny, 1841): switching prey-choice strategy
Authors: Awa Nozomi , Dan Shigeki , Nagatsuka Kota , Sekiguchi Yumiko , Shimba Ayako , Anaguchi Yuji , Kamei Yoshinori , Hamasaki Katsuyuki
Published: May 2024

Benthic octopuses are well known generalist predators but the predatory behavior of juveniles is poorly understood. This study investigated prey choice of juvenile Amphioctopus fangsiao, a holobenthic species. Juveniles aged 0 to 50 d after hatching (0.1 − 5.2 g wet weight) were offered seven individuals of each of three types of prey organism: bivalves, gastropods, or mysids. The juveniles consumed all three species from the day of hatching (0 d) but the energy source of the early juveniles relied largely on gastropods. Juveniles could catch gastropods easily by detaching them from the bottom of the tank but required a longer time to consume them. Their ability to pull open bivalve shells and to successfully catch mysids developed as they grew, and the grown juveniles chose mysids and bivalves as their main prey organisms. Early juveniles of < 2.5 g tended to choose prey individuals from which they could obtain more energy. However, grown juveniles of > 2.5 g changed the criteria of prey choice to attain a shorter time of prey consumption and a faster rate of energy intake. These suggest that A. fangsiao has a switching prey-choice strategy: early juveniles give priority to growth, but grown juveniles give priority to reduce time suffering predation risk while obtaining energy quickly as much as possible. Because early juveniles can develop the predatory capacity as they grow faster, they seem to take a strategy to invest growth to go through quickly the period of high risks of predation and starvation.
Squares in a Beatty sequence and an improvement on character sums
Authors: Guo Victor Zhenyu , Qi Jinyun , Jing Mengyao
Published: May 2024

We consider the distribution of perfect squares in a Beatty sequence, which is of the form ⌊αn + β⌋. We also analyze it on average over positive square-free integers. The proof relies on a new bound of character sums with Beatty sequences, which answers an open question posted by Igor Shparlinski.
MSC Numbers: 11B83; 11L07; 11L40.
Diagnostic and prognostic utility of INSM1, ISL1 and secretagogin in pheochromocytoma
Authors: Sözen Mehmet , Turan Gupse , Cantürk Zeynep , Çetinarslan Berrin , Selek Alev , Tosun Mesude , Civriz Aziz Hakkı , Sevinç Burcu , Gezer Emre , Köksalan Damla
Published: May 2024

Background: To assess immunohistochemical expression of the second generation neuroendocrine immunohistochemical markers such as insulin gene enhancer protein 1 (ISL1), insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) and secretagogin (SECG) in pheochromocytoma (PCC) and prognostic value.
Methods: The study included 30 operated PCC patients. The tissue preparations were re-evaluated by two pathologists and PASS score and GAPP score were given. 4 µm thick paraffin block sections were stained with INSM1, ISL1 and SECG antibodies to obtain staining intensity score, staining percentage and H-score.
Results: Mean age at the diagnosis was 50.5 (±15.9) years. Eight patients were asymptomatic. The most common complaint was high blood pressure. 4 patients (13.3%) had nonfunctioning adenoma. The lesions were mostly localized in the right adrenal gland and median tumor size was 45.0 (35.0-54.2) mm. Median Ki67 was 2.0 % (0.9-3.0). According to the PASS score, 9 (30.0%) patients showed in the benign clinical behavior (score <4), while according to the GAPP score, only 4 (13.3%) patients in the well differentiated type (0-2 points) group. INSM1 and ISL1 were positive in 21 (70%) and 26 (86.7%) of the patients, respectively. However, SECG was positive only in 6 patients (20%). Among the second generation neuroendocrine immunohistochemical markers, ISL1 had the highest H-score. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between ISL1 and tumor HU and a positive correlation between INSM1 and Ki67.
Conclusion: INSM1, ISL1 and SECG, which are second generation neuroendocrine immunohistochemical markers, can be used in the differential diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. In addition, especially ISNM1 may have prognostic significance.
Utilizing Multimodal Data for Diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease: An AI Approach
Authors: Li Zhixin , Luo Gang , Ji Zhixian , Sibao Wang , Pan Silin
Published: May 2024

Objective
We propose a new multimodal artificial intelligence model that facilitate the differentiation of Kawasaki disease through the integration of clinical symptom photographs and laboratory examination indices.
Methods
This study is a retrospective investigation based on laboratory examination data, palm images, and conjunctival image databases of 620 children (comprising those with both healthy physical examinations and Kawasaki disease) who visited our hospital between January 2022 and January 2024. The multimodal model was trained and evaluated using this database. GradCAM was incorporated to analyze the attention mechanisms of the multimodal model. A human-machine double-blind controlled trial was designed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the obtained multimodal model and senior clinical physicians with advanced qualifications on external dataset.
Results
The performance evaluation of the multimodal model on the validation set yielded an area under the curve of 0.97 and an accuracy of 0.96.The GradCAM analysis reveals that the model's attention is concentrated on areas such as palm swelling and peeling, as well as conjunctivitis, which aligns with clinical reasoning.The human-machine double-blind trial validated that the multimodal model and senior pediatric physicians with advanced qualifications achieved comparable accuracy rates in identifying cases within an independent external cohort.
Conclusion
The multimodal model we developed can assist junior doctors in diagnosing Kawasaki disease, providing a new approach for the auxiliary diagnosis of Kawasaki disease in medically underserved areas.