bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Wooden Building Materials on the Indoor Air Quality of Houses
Authors: Patkó Csilla , Adamik Péter , Pásztory Zoltán
Published: April 2024

This work focuses on researching wood as a low-emitting building material. Many studies showed that by regulating the emission of adverse chemicals from pressed wood products, they could be recycled as low-emitting materials. The presented case study, shows the measurements of the indoor air quality in a passive, low-energy, wooden, light frame house. Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde were measured and compared with data from other case studies made in this subject and with the current Hungarian and international regulations of adverse chemicals. The main VOC materials which concentrations were significant in all measurements were terpenes (limonene, alpha-pinene, 3-carene), aliphatic-hydrocarbons and aldehydes (acetic acid, 2-Methoxy-1-ethylmethyl acetate). The comparison showed that the concentrations of benzene, toluene, naphthalene, formaldehyde, and styrene were not deviant from the average values measured by other case studies. The observations showed that the main influencing factors of indoor air quality were the changes in indoor temperature, relative humidity, air exchange rate, and human activities. The conclusion is that the wooden materials applied in the house are low-emitting materials and do not pose a health risk for people.
Reducing Indoor Air Pollution through Personalized Ventilation for Occupants in Office Environments and Confined Spaces
Authors: Bode Florin , Nastase Ilinca , Danca Paul
Published: April 2024

With the increasing focus on indoor environmental quality, driven by the growing amount of time people spend in enclosed spaces, this study presents an approach to enhancing air distribution in office environments and confined spaces. A novel low-induction air diffuser is designed to deliver fresh, clean air in close proximity to occupants while maintaining their thermal comfort. Clean, unpolluted air is pivotal to healthy and productive workplaces. Yet, this paper underscores the importance of not sacrificing thermal comfort in the pursuit of improved indoor air quality. Inadequate thermal comfort may lead occupants to deactivate ventilation systems, negating the benefits of improved air quality. Inefficient temperature control can also result in discomfort, distractions, and reduced productivity. The innovative low-induction air diffuser resolves this issue, enhancing air quality near occupants without causing thermal discomfort. By directing air gently and efficiently, this solution is prepared to transform personalized ventilation systems, mitigating the discomfort associated with traditional jet flows while delivering high-quality breathable air. This research serves as a bridge between improved indoor air quality and thermal comfort, for office environments. It introduces a practical, energy-efficient solution that satisfies the core requirements of a healthy workspace—clean air and comfortable conditions.
Turbulent induced vibration of a guide tube in experimental reactor
Authors: Ricciardi Guillaume , Collignon Christophe , Galpin Jérémy , Cissé Mamadou , Piteau Philippe , Erard Domnin , Blanc Patrick
Published: April 2024

The design of advanced experimental nuclear reactors consists in integrating safety and operational requirements as well as reaching targets in terms of thermal power and neutron spectrum. In order to meet theses constraints, slender structures with little supports and crossing the entire reactor vessel are implemented in the reactor and are subjected to an axial flow that generates flow-induced vibration (FIV). From the industrial point of view, the mastering of the occurrence of FIV and its associated wear in case of contacts is requested. The stationary fluid forces applying on slender tubular structure in response to its motion are of primary interest since they can significantly affect the vibration amplitudes and even the stability of the system, especially in case of confined axial flow with high velocities (typically higher than 10 m/s). In this study it proposed to compare two approaches to estimate the vibration induced by turbulent excitation of an industrial device encountered in a research nuclear reactor. The control-rod guide-tube mock-up of the Jules Horowitz Reactor, previously tested in an hydraulic channel at the Technical Center from Le Creusot in France, is retained for this benchmark. Two models are proposed, one based on derivation of leakage flow theory and the other one was based on potential flow theory with adjusted coefficients given by CFD simulations. The flow induced vibration amplitude is consistent with the experimental data. Also, the calculation and experiment provide similar trends when the boundary conditions are changed.
A versatile device for measuring the mode I fracture toughness with application to estimate the impact of water weakening in chalks
Authors: David Christian , Geremia Davide , Zhengissov Adilbek , Zang Arno
Published: April 2024

A newly built versatile device for mode I fracture toughness measurement is presented. To test this apparatus, measurements have been conducted on two crystalline rocks, the Aue Granite and the Äspö Diorite, and two chalks from the Paris basin, Obourg and Ciply chalks. The fracture toughness KIC can be measured with two different testing procedures, the Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) and the Straight Edge Cracked Round Bar Bend (SECRBB) methods, both known for the easiness of the notched sample preparation. For the SCB tests, ultrasonic sensors were mounted at the sample surface to monitor changes in P-wave velocity and record acoustic emission activity. Our results are in reasonably good agreement with published data on the same rocks. The SECRBB test provides values of the fracture toughness 37% higher compared to the SCB test for the Obourg chalk. This discrepancy may be explained by a sample size effect. The fracture toughness of water saturated chalks is strongly reduced compared to that of the dry chalks by almost 50%. This shows that fracture toughness is a valuable parameter to assess the importance of water weakening in porous rocks.
Molecular Profiling of High-Grade B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Its Clinicopathologic Correlation in an Indian Tertiary Cancer Care Center
Authors: Sebastian Nikhil , P. N Shoaib Nawaz , Ananthkrishnan Ramya , Kumanan J. , Chandran Chitra , Raja Thirumalairaj
Published: April 2024

Introduction Double-expressor and double-hit lymphomas (DHL) are known to be more aggressive and have poor outcomes with standard chemotherapy regimens.

Objectives To assess the incidence of DHL and triple-hit lymphomas (THL) and correlate them with clinicopathologic parameters.

Materials and Methods Patients who were diagnosed with high-grade lymphomas from April 2021 to September 2022 were prospectively followed up, and details comprising clinical and pathological parameters, including the immunohistochemistry expression status and gene rearrangements of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6, were recorded.

Results The incidence of DHL and THL in our study was 16.43%. The separate incidence of the DHL-BCL2, DHL-BCL6, and THL groups was 16.43, 13.69, and 2.73%, respectively. The germinal center B cell subtype of histology was predominantly seen in DHLs. MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 expressions do not correlate well with translocations of these genes.

Conclusion Double protein expression cannot be used for screening to decide which patients should undergo fluorescence in situ hybridization, as this would result in missing 4.5% of DHLs.
Ultra-compact scanning tunneling microscope enables study of superconducting materials in high magnetic fields
Authors: Thompson Avery
Published: April 2024

Instrument can capture atomic-level images of materials in magnetic fields up to 20 T and at sub 2K temperatures.
Bayesian and empirical-Bayesian evaluations of the Topp–Leone lifetime model using lower record statistics
Authors: Alqasem Ohud A. , Mohammed Heba S. , Elshahhat Ahmed , Hussein H. A. , Jaheen Z. F.
Published: April 2024

Record statistics are generally used to measure a process’ stochastic behavior at previously unheard-of values, either upper or lower. It can be obtained or calculated using order statistics from a sample whose size is dictated by the values and order of occurrence of observations. Due to its finite support and bathtub-shaped hazard function, the Topp–Leone (TL) distribution is appealing for reliability investigations. In today’s practical applications, estimating unknown parameters and predicting upcoming records is an essential issue. Thus, in this work, the TL distribution’s lower record values are taken into account. Against the symmetric squared-error loss, both Bayes and empirical-Bayes approaches are used to estimate the TL’s parameter and calculate prediction limits for upcoming lower record values. A Monte Carlo simulation experiment is performed to assess the accuracy of the estimation methodologies provided. To demonstrate the operability and usefulness of the various approaches, two useful applications are studied. The numerical evaluations show that the suggested approaches perform effectively and that the provided estimations are adequate in practice.
Precise evaluation of the material constants of [011]-poled mangan-doped 0.32Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.39Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.29PbTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Kwon Byungjin , Pyo Seonghun , Je Yub , Seo Hee-Seon , Lee Sanggoo , Roh Yongrae
Published: April 2024

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in [011]-poled Mn: PIN-PMN-PT piezoelectric single crystals for high-power transducers. These crystals boast impressive electromechanical coupling coefficients, piezoelectric constants in the transverse mode, and excellent heat resistance due to their high mechanical quality factor. To effectively design transducers using these crystals, understanding their material constants is crucial. Our study focused on determining these constants by employing the resonance method. We created eleven different resonators, analyzed their impedance spectra, and derived seventeen elastic compliance, piezoelectric, and dielectric constants. The precision of the obtained material constants was enhanced by minimizing the difference between the impedance spectra found through finite element analyses and actual measurements of each resonator. The accuracy of these derived constants was validated by comparing the impedance spectra obtained from analysis with those measured experimentally. This novel approach demonstrated a capability to derive more precise material constants than prior studies. These refined material constants hold the potential to enable more precise and effective design of acoustic transducers constructed from the single crystals.
IL-6/gp130 signaling in CD4
+
T cells drives the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ishibashi Tomohiko , Inagaki Tadakatsu , Okazawa Makoto , Yamagishi Akiko , Ohta-Ogo Keiko , Asano Ryotaro , Masaki Takeshi , Kotani Yui , Ding Xin , Chikaishi-Kirino Tomomi , Maedera Noriko , Shirai Manabu , Hatakeyama Kinta , Kubota Yoshiaki , Kishimoto Tadamitsu , Nakaoka Yoshikazu
Published: April 2024

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by stenosis and occlusions of small pulmonary arteries, leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and right heart failure. Although accumulating evidence shows the importance of interleukin (IL)-6 in the pathogenesis of PAH, the target cells of IL-6 are poorly understood. Using mice harboring the
floxed
allele of
gp130
, a subunit of the IL-6 receptor, we found substantial Cre recombination in all hematopoietic cell lineages from the primitive hematopoietic stem cell level in
SM22α-Cre
mice. We also revealed that a CD4
+
cell-specific gp130 deletion ameliorated the phenotype of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. Disruption of IL-6 signaling via deletion of
gp130
in CD4
+
T cells inhibited phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and suppressed the hypoxia-induced increase in T helper 17 cells. To further examine the role of IL-6/gp130 signaling in more severe PH models, we developed
Il6
knockout (KO) rats using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and showed that IL-6 deficiency could improve the pathophysiology in hypoxia-, monocrotaline-, and Sugen5416/hypoxia (SuHx)-induced rat PH models. Phosphorylation of STAT3 in CD4
+
cells was also observed around the vascular lesions in the lungs of the SuHx rat model, but not in
Il6
KO rats. Blockade of IL-6 signaling had an additive effect on conventional PAH therapeutics, such as endothelin receptor antagonist (macitentan) and soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator (BAY41-2272). These findings suggest that IL-6/gp130 signaling in CD4
+
cells plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of PAH.
Toward a complete understanding of quasi-static bubble growth and departure
Authors: Siedel Samuel , Gu Tianle
Published: April 2024

The distortion by gravity of a quasi-static bubble attached on an upward facing surface in a quiescent liquid is investigated. The contact angle evolution during the growth of such a bubble is studied, and the consequences on the motion of the contact line between the solid and the interface are discussed. From the initial case of a bubble attached to the rim of a nucleation site, the contact line can move inside the cavity for a highly wetting fluid, causing premature departure. For a higher wettability, the contact can either remain attached to the rim of the cavity or spread out of the cavity, depending on the cavity size and geometry. For the latter case, the bubble growth is investigated taking into account a contact angle hysteresis. Finally, a comprehensive map detailing various geometrical characteristics of bubbles is presented, ranging over several orders of magnitude of Bond numbers and normalized volumes. The map aims at being used as a tool for investigating bubble growth in a similar situation.
Formation of recurring transient Ca
2+
-based intercellular communities during
Drosophila
hematopoiesis
Authors: David Saar Ben , Ho Kevin Y. L. , Tanentzapf Guy , Zaritsky Assaf
Published: April 2024

Tissue development occurs through a complex interplay between many individual cells. Yet, the fundamental question of how collective tissue behavior emerges from heterogeneous and noisy information processing and transfer at the single-cell level remains unknown. Here, we reveal that tissue scale signaling regulation can arise from local gap-junction mediated cell–cell signaling through the spatiotemporal establishment of an intermediate-scale of transient multicellular communication communities over the course of tissue development. We demonstrated this intermediate scale of emergent signaling using Ca
2+
signaling in the intact, ex vivo cultured, live developing
Drosophila
hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland. Recurrent activation of these transient signaling communities defined self-organized signaling “hotspots” that gradually formed over the course of larva development. These hotspots receive and transmit information to facilitate repetitive interactions with nonhotspot neighbors. Overall, this work bridges the scales between single-cell and emergent group behavior providing key mechanistic insight into how cells establish tissue-scale communication networks.
An energy-conserving reaction in amino acid metabolism catalyzed by arginine synthetase
Authors: Michimori Yuta , Yokooji Yuusuke , Atomi Haruyuki
Published: April 2024

All forms of life are presumed to synthesize arginine from citrulline via a two-step pathway consisting of argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase using citrulline, adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), and aspartate as substrates. Conversion of arginine to citrulline predominantly proceeds via hydrolysis. Here, from the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
, we identified an enzyme which we designate “arginine synthetase”. In arginine synthesis, the enzyme converts citrulline, ATP, and free ammonia to arginine, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), and phosphate. In the reverse direction, arginine synthetase conserves the energy of arginine deimination and generates ATP from ADP and phosphate while releasing ammonia. The equilibrium constant of this reaction at pH 7.0 is [Cit][ATP][NH
3
]/[Arg][ADP][Pi] = 10.1 ± 0.7 at 80 °C, corresponding to a ΔG°’ of −6.8 ± 0.2 kJ mol
−1
. Growth of the gene disruption strain was compared to the host strain in medium composed of amino acids. The results suggested that arginine synthetase is necessary in providing ornithine, the precursor for proline biosynthesis, as well as in generating ATP. Growth in medium supplemented with citrulline indicated that arginine synthetase can function in the direction of arginine synthesis. The enzyme is widespread in nature, including bacteria and eukaryotes, and catalyzes a long-overlooked energy-conserving reaction in microbial amino acid metabolism. Along with ornithine transcarbamoylase and carbamate kinase, the pathway identified here is designated the arginine synthetase pathway.
Highly compressible wearable sensor with CNT-coated PDMS sponge electrodes for tactile monitoring application
Authors: Lee Sung-Jun , Ung Shuh Chien , Kim Chang-Lae
Published: April 2024

Electrical resistance-based sensors have attracted great attention due to their wide range of applications, among which sensors for detecting external forces are indispensable due to the complex environment of the modern era. Inspired by the capillary phenomenon, in this study, we fabricated a carbon nanotube (CNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based compressive resistive sensor that is easy to fabricate and has a wide range of sensitivities. Repeated compression tests were performed to evaluate the durability of the fabricated sensors. Different coating conditions resulted in different durability depending on the extent to which the CNT electrodes were coated on the porous PDMS surface, and the sensitivity of the sensors could be controlled by CNT concentration, coating time, and coating depth. Resistive sensors with different sensitivities can easily detect changes in electrical signals due to finger pressure, which shows great promise for use in wearable electronics. In addition, the resistive sensor is biocompatible because only the pure PDMS surface is attached to the human body, and the porous structure exhibits good compressibility.
Beam test results of the orbit correction at the low-energy superconducting accelerator section in the RAON accelerator
Authors: Jin Hyunchang , Jang Ji-Ho , Jeon Dong-O.
Published: April 2024

The RAON accelerator has been constructed for various
science programs with stable ions and rare isotopes since
2011. After the installation of the injector section was completed
in 2020, the low-energy superconducting accelerator (SCL3) section
was also installed consecutively until 2022, and the beam
commissioning using an argon beam is in progress from the injector
section to the SCL3 section. For successful beam commissioning,
various beam dynamics studies have been carried out, and the
research of the orbit correction has been also conducted to
determine the location and the number of steering magnets and BPMs
for safe and efficient beam operation. In the SCL3 section, the
orbit correction simulation was carried out as varying the number of
steering magnets for the consideration of the correction of
distorted beam orbit and the economic benefits, and then the beam
test was carried out based on the simulation results during the beam
commissioning. Here we will present the results of simulations and
experiments for the orbit correction at the SCL3 section in the RAON
accelerator.
scINRB: single-cell gene expression imputation with network regularization and bulk RNA-seq data
Authors: Kang Yue , Zhang Hongyu , Guan Jinting
Published: April 2024

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) facilitates the study of cell type heterogeneity and the construction of cell atlas. However, due to its limitations, many genes may be detected to have zero expressions, i.e. dropout events, leading to bias in downstream analyses and hindering the identification and characterization of cell types and cell functions. Although many imputation methods have been developed, their performances are generally lower than expected across different kinds and dimensions of data and application scenarios. Therefore, developing an accurate and robust single-cell gene expression data imputation method is still essential. Considering to maintain the original cell–cell and gene–gene correlations and leverage bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data information, we propose scINRB, a single-cell gene expression imputation method with network regularization and bulk RNA-seq data. scINRB adopts network-regularized non-negative matrix factorization to ensure that the imputed data maintains the cell–cell and gene–gene similarities and also approaches the gene average expression calculated from bulk RNA-seq data. To evaluate the performance, we test scINRB on simulated and experimental datasets and compare it with other commonly used imputation methods. The results show that scINRB recovers gene expression accurately even in the case of high dropout rates and dimensions, preserves cell–cell and gene–gene similarities and improves various downstream analyses including visualization, clustering and trajectory inference.
Suppression of Cofilin function in the somatosensory cortex alters social contact behavior in the BTBR mouse inbred line
Authors: Riemersma Iris W , Ike Kevin G O , Sollie Thomas , Meijer Elroy L , Havekes Robbert , Kas Martien J H
Published: April 2024

Sensory differences are a core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and are predictive of other ASD core symptoms such as social difficulties. However, the neurobiological substrate underlying the functional relationship between sensory and social functioning is poorly understood. Here, we examined whether misregulation of structural plasticity in the somatosensory cortex modulates aberrant social functioning in BTBR mice, a mouse model for autism spectrum disorder–like phenotypes. By locally expressing a dominant-negative form of Cofilin (CofilinS3D; a key regulator of synaptic structure) in the somatosensory cortex, we tested whether somatosensory suppression of Cofilin activity alters social functioning in BTBR mice. Somatosensory Cofilin suppression altered social contact and nest-hide behavior of BTBR mice in a social colony, assessed for seven consecutive days. Subsequent behavioral testing revealed that altered social functioning is related to altered tactile sensory perception; CofilinS3D-treated BTBR mice showed a time-dependent difference in the sensory bedding preference task. These findings show that Cofilin suppression in the somatosensory cortex alters social functioning in BTBR mice and that this is associated with tactile sensory processing, a critical indicator of somatosensory functioning.
Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly ofOldenlandia diffusa
Authors: Gao Yubang , Xu DanDan , Hu Zehua
Published: April 2024

We report the complete telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Oldenlandia diffusa which renowned in traditional Chinese medicine, comprising 16 chromosomes and spanning 499.7 Mb. The assembly showcases 28 telomeres and minimal gaps, with a total of only five. Repeat sequences constitute 46.41% of the genome, and 49,701 potential protein-coding genes have been predicted. Compared with O. corymbosa, O. diffusa exhibits chromosome duplication and fusion events, diverging 20.34 million years ago. Additionally, a total of 11 clusters of terpene synthase have been identified. The comprehensive genome sequence, gene catalog, and terpene synthase clusters of O. diffusa detailed in this study will significantly contribute to advancing research in this species’ genetic, genomic, and pharmacological aspects.
Almost feedback linearizable systems of the class C1 and solving the constructive controllability problem
Authors: Korobov Valery I , Sklyar Katerina V , Ignatovich Svetlana Y
Published: April 2024

We propose a method of solving the controllability problem using almost linearizable control systems. Developing an idea of triangular systems, proposed by the first author of this paper in 1973, we introduce a wider class of almost triangular systems for which it is possible to find explicitly a control steering the system from one given point to another given point. We give conditions of almost linearizability for nonlinear single-input systems of the class $C^{1}$ and discuss a method of solving the controllability problem for such systems.
A systematic evaluation of the influence of macrophage phenotype descriptions on inflammatory dynamics
Authors: Almansour Suliman , Dunster Joanne L , Crofts Jonathan J , Nelson Martin R
Published: April 2024

Macrophages play a wide range of roles in resolving the inflammatory damage that underlies many medical conditions and have the ability to adopt different phenotypes in response to different environmental stimuli. Categorising macrophage phenotypes exactly is a difficult task, and there is disparity in the literature around the optimal nomenclature to describe these phenotypes; however, what is clear is that macrophages can exhibit both pro- and anti-inflammatory behaviours dependent upon their phenotype, rendering mathematical models of the inflammatory response potentially sensitive to their description of the macrophage populations that they incorporate. Many previous models of inflammation include a single macrophage population with both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. Here, we build upon these existing models to include explicit descriptions of distinct macrophage phenotypes and examine the extent to which this influences the inflammatory dynamics that the models emit. We analyse our models via numerical simulation in MATLAB and dynamical systems analysis in XPPAUT, and show that models that account for distinct macrophage phenotypes separately can offer more realistic steady state solutions than precursor models do (better capturing the anti-inflammatory activity of tissue resident macrophages), as well as oscillatory dynamics not previously observed. Finally, we reflect on the conclusions of our analysis in the context of the ongoing hunt for potential new therapies for inflammatory conditions, highlighting manipulation of macrophage polarisation states as a potential therapeutic target.
Hematological Trends in Severe Burn Patients: A Comprehensive Study for Prognosis and Clinical Insights
Authors: Khan Amber Yousuf , Waheed Faiza , Rehan Muhammad , Arshad Zunera , Iqbal Tariq , Waqar Saman , Waheed Usman
Published: April 2024

Severe burn injuries pose diagnostic challenges, contributing to increased fatality rates with delayed diagnoses. This study aims to identify early risk factors and understand their impact on clinical outcomes by examining hematological dynamics in severe burn cases. The focus includes age-related patterns, total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns, hospital stay duration, and changes in hematological markers during burn injuries. An analytical cross-sectional study at the burn care center involved 135 participants hospitalized between January 2018 and December 2021. Demographic data and hematological markers were recorded, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 25.0. Nonsurvivors exhibited a greater mean TBSA, shorter hospital stay, and an enhanced early immune response indicated by white blood cell count on the first day. Hematological markers, including hemoglobin, red cell count (RCC), and platelet count, showed dynamic patterns over the study period. Marginal variations in platelet counts and intriguing patterns in RCC suggested potential consequences like disseminated intravascular coagulation. The study provides crucial insights into hematological responses to severe burn injuries. Early identification of risk factors, particularly age-related patterns and immune responses, informs clinicians about predicting outcomes and guiding therapeutic interventions. Despite limitations, this work underscores the need for further multicenter research to comprehensively understand the complex relationships between burn injuries, hematological responses, and clinical outcomes.
Trends and regional distribution in health-related quality of life across sex and employment status: a repeated population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ahn Soon-Ki , Seo Hyun-Ju , Choi Min-Jung
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

This study investigated the association between sex and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) based on employment status.

Methods:

This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 1 996 153 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey from 2011 to 2019. Low HRQoL was classified based on separate cutoff points (males: 0.92, females: 0.90) on the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions index. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

Results:

From 2011 to 2019, the trend of the prevalence of low HRQoL levels was consistently high in the order of unemployed males, unemployed females, employed males, and employed females. Regarding the regional distribution of unemployed males, the prevalence of low HRQoL was 29.5% to 43.5%. Unemployed males had a higher prevalence of low HRQoL (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.12-1.24) than employed males.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that the prevalence of low HRQoL levels among unemployed males was consistently high at the annual trend and regional levels. Further research considering comprehensive health determinants and multidimensional public health interventions is required to prevent deterioration of HRQoL during unemployment.
Trends and distribution of external radiation therapy facilities in Japan based on Survey of Medical Institutions from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Authors: Aoyama Takahiro , Koide Yutaro , Shimizu Hidetoshi , Kitagawa Tomoki , Iwata Tohru , Hashimoto Shingo , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Kodaira Takeshi
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to explore the distribution of external radiation therapy (RT) facilities, the status of related device installations and the adoption of high-precision RT using Survey of Medical Institutions from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. Analysis, categorized by the hospital size and prefecture, provides specific insights into the trends in treatment facility healthcare capabilities. Data on the number of RT facilities, high-precision RT facilities, RT devices and treatment planning systems (TPS) categorized by the number of beds and prefecture from 1996 to 2020 were analyzed. In addition, the study examined the correlation between the high-precision implementation rate and the number of TPSs or radiation oncologists and other medical staff. High-precision RT exceeded 95% in large facilities (800+ beds) but remained <50% in medium-sized facilities (300–499 beds). In a prefecture-by-prefecture analysis, calculation of the maximum–minimum ratio of RT facilities per million population and per 30 km2 revealed a disparity of 3.7 and 73.1 times in the population ratio and the density ratio, respectively. Although a correlation was found between the number of TPSs per RT device or the number of medical physicists per million population and the rate of high-precision RT implementation, no correlation was found among other professions. Detailed analysis based on the hospital size and prefecture provided more specific information on the medical functions of RT facilities in Japan. These findings can potentially contribute to the future development of RT, including the standardization of treatment techniques and optimal resource allocation.
What may an adrenal mass conceal? Adrenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report
Authors: Alafifi Mahmoud , Doumer Abderrahmane , Abdi El Mostaoha , Safieddine Mehdi , Moataz Amine , Dakir Mohamed , Debbagh Adil , Aboutaieb Rachid
Published: April 2024

Extraintestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are extremely rare, and adrenal GISTs are even exceptional. Only three cases have been reported in the literature thus far, the current case being the fourth. This case demonstrates the need of including extraintestinal GIST in the differential diagnosis when investigating adrenal tumors. Herein, we present a case of adrenal GIST diagnosed in a 60-year-old female patient who had a left adrenal GIST surgically removed as an adrenal tumor.
A case of leprosy in an immunocompromised traveller
Authors: Pelser Sille , Geluk Annemieke , Vissers Wynand H P M , Knijn Nikki , van Hees Colette L M , Hassing Robert-Jan
Published: April 2024

We describe a case of leprosy in an immunocompromised Dutch male whose parents were born in a leprosy-endemic country. The use of immunosuppressive drugs in Mycobacterium leprae infected individuals therefore increases the risk of development of leprosy. Exposure and infection at a young age through his parents is another possible risk factor.
Environment, Slavery and Agency in Colonial Uruguay, 1750–1810
Authors: Travieso Emiliano
Published: April 2024

In colonial Uruguay black slaves could supervise the work of white creoles and even hold the power to have their wages docked. To most historians this might seem puzzling and almost fictional in the context of the colonial Americas. This article makes sense of the puzzle by examining interactions between the economy and the environment on the Río de la Plata frontier. It argues that the natural world (soils, topography, climate, crops and animals) contributes to explain why this labour system existed, and also why it was efficient, contrary to the historiographical commonplace that enslaved workers would be unable to oversee free labourers effectively. Looking at the experience of both women and men through the lens of gender uncovers the parallels between the authority of these enslaved foremen over free male workers on the open range and their domestic authority over free women, whom they could marry. Their stories invite historians of other places and periods to foreground the environment in the set of structures that can either limit workers’ autonomy or give them strength.
The dynamic responses of mood and sleep physiology to chronic sleep restriction and subsequent recovery sleep
Authors: Jones Christopher W , Larson Olivia , Basner Mathias , Dinges David F
Published: April 2024

Healthy sleep of sufficient duration preserves mood and disturbed sleep is a risk factor for a range of psychiatric disorders. As adults commonly experience chronic sleep restriction (SR), an enhanced understanding of the dynamic relationship between sleep and mood is needed, including whether susceptibility to SR-induced mood disturbance differs between sexes. To address these gaps, data from N = 221 healthy adults who completed one of the two multi-day laboratory studies with identical 9-day SR protocols were analyzed. Participants randomized to the SR (n = 205) condition underwent 5 nights of SR to 4 hours of time-in-bed and were then randomized to one of the seven sleep doses that ranged from 0 to 12 hours in 2 hours increments; participants randomized to the control (n = 16) condition received 10 hours time-in-bed on all study nights. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to assess mood every 2 hours during wakefulness and markers of sleep homeostasis (EEG slow-wave activity (SWA)) were derived via polysomnography. Mood progressively deteriorated across SR with marked disturbances in somatic mood components. Altered sleep physiology contributed to mood disturbance whereby increased EEG SWA was associated with increased POMS Total Mood Disturbance scores, a finding specific to males. The mood was restored in a dose–response fashion where improvements were greater with longer sleep doses. These findings suggest that when lifestyle and environmental factors are inhibited in the laboratory, the affective consequences of chronic sleep loss are primarily somatic mood disturbances. Altered sleep homeostasis may contribute to mood disturbance, yet sleep-dependent mechanisms may be sex-specific.
The Phyllosphere Microbiome in Tsuga canadensis: Relationships with Resistance to the Insect Adelges tsugae and Effects of the Pesticide Dinotefuran
Authors: Burke David J. , Lumsden Caleb , Carrino-Kyker Sarah R. , Medeiros Juliana , Danielson Sharon
Published: April 2024

Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) is an important tree species in North America, but it has been subject to threats from invasive insects such as Adelges tsugae (hemlock woolly adelgid). A. tsugae is native to Asia, and Tsuga species from Asia are typically resistant to this insect. In this study, we examined the phyllosphere microbiome of two hemlock species native to North America and susceptible to A. tsugae ( T. canadensis and T. caroliniana) as well as two species native to Asia and resistant to A. tsugae ( T. chinensis and T. diversifolia). Because pesticide application is often used to treat native Tsuga species impacted by A. tsugae, we also examined the response of the microbiome and overall plant physiology to the pesticide dinotefuran in T. canadensis. We found significant differences in the bacterial and fungal microbiome among the four species of Tsuga. Dinotefuran also significantly affected bacterial communities, but not fungal communities, of T. canadensis. The genus Methylobacterium, which uses methanol produced during plant cell elongation and growth, was a significant indicator of trees not subject to dinotefuran. This suggests that dinotefuran may have reduced cell growth in treated trees. Despite changes in the microbiome, dinotefuran application did not significantly affect plant physiology; however, the coefficient of variation in dinotefuran-treated trees was larger than that in non-treated trees. Our results suggest that the microbiome could play a role in mediating insect resistance in Tsuga species and that pesticide application could affect the phyllosphere microbiome, with implications for plant growth and resistance.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Causal Effects of High Stress Assessed Via Interviews on Mental and Physical Health
Authors: Kiuchi Keita , Kang Xin , Nishimura Ryota , Sasayama Manabu , Matsumoto Kazuyuki
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study investigated the causal effect of high stress assessment via an interview on the mental and physical health of workers 1 month later.

Methods

Stress assessment interviews and feedback were conducted with 50 Japanese workers. In addition to the interviewer, two occupational health professionals assessed participants’ stress based on recordings. The average treatment effect was estimated by propensity score matching.

Results

High stress, according to the interview-based assessment, had a significant negative causal effect on self-reported well-being 1 month later (95% confidence interval: −3.02, −1.10). In addition, no effect of high stress on stress load, mental and physical symptoms, or burnout was observed.

Conclusions

This study provides important insights into the prognosis of individuals who were assessed through interviews to have high stress. The findings are expected to help automate stress assessments using computer agents.
Underlying Reasons for Primary Care Visits Where Chlamydia Testing Was Performed in the United States, 2019 to 2022
Authors: Tao Guoyu , Hufstetler Kaitlin , He Larry , Patel Chirag G. , Rehkopf David , Phillips Robert L. , Pearson William S.
Published: April 2024

Background

In the United States, most chlamydia cases are reported from non–sexually transmitted disease clinics, and there is limited information focusing on the reasons for chlamydia testing in private settings. These analyses describe clinical visits to primary care providers where chlamydia testing was performed to help discern between screening and diagnostic testing for chlamydia.

Methods

Using the largest primary care clinical registry in the United States, the PRIME registry, chlamydia tests were identified usingCurrent Procedural Terminologyprocedure codes and categorized as diagnostic testing for sexually transmitted infection (STI)–related symptoms, screening for chlamydia, or “other,” based onClassification of Diseases, Tenth RevisionEvaluation and Management codes selected for visits.

Results

Of 120,013 clinical visits with chlamydia testing between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, 70.4% were women; 20.6% were with STI-related symptoms, 59.9% were for screening, and 19.5% for “other” reasons. Of those 120,013 clinical visits with chlamydia testing, the logit model showed that patients were significantly more likely to have STI-related symptoms if they were female than male, non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White, aged 15 to 24 years than aged ≥45 years, and resided in the South than in the Northeast.

Conclusion

It is important to know what proportion of chlamydial infections is identified through screening programs and to have this information stratified by demographics. The inclusion of laboratory results could further facilitate a better understanding of the impact of chlamydia screening programs on the identification and treatment of chlamydia in private office settings in the United States.
The Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Opportunities and Recommendations for Modernization
Authors: Shephard Rosemarie , Uy Justine , Otterman Victoria , Betker Claire , Sandhu Harman S. , Tjaden Lynda , Apatu Emma , Di Ruggiero Erica , Musto Richard , Pawa Jasmine , Steinberg Malcolm , Payne Elspeth , Fang Lily
Published: April 2024

Context:

The 2008 Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC’s) “Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada” (the “Canadian core competencies”) outline the skills, attitudes, and knowledge essential for the practice of public health. The core competencies represent an important part of public health practice, workforce development, and education in Canada and internationally. However, the core competencies are considered outdated and are facing calls for review, expansion, and revision.

Objective:

To examine the literature on public health competencies to identify opportunities and recommendations for consideration when reviewing and updating the Canadian core competencies.

Methods:

This narrative literature review included 4 components: 3 literature searches conducted between 2021 and 2022 using similar search strategies, as well as an analysis of competency frameworks from comparable jurisdictions. The 3 searches were conducted in collaboration with the Health Library to identify core competency-relevant scholarly and gray literature published in English since 2007. Reference lists of sources identified were also reviewed. During the data extraction process, one researcher screened each source, extracted competency-relevant information, and categorized these data into key findings.

Results:

After identifying 2392 scholarly and gray literature sources, 166 competency-relevant sources were included in the review. Findings from these sources were synthesized into 3 main areas: (1) competency framework methodology and structure; (2) competencies to add; and (3) competencies to modify.

Discussion:

These findings demonstrate that updates to Canada’s core competencies are needed and overdue. Recommendations to support this process include establishing a formal governance structure for the competencies’ regular review, revision, and implementation, as well as ensuring that priority topics applicable across all competency categories are integrated as overarching themes. Limitations of the evidence include the potential lack of applicability and generalizability to the Canadian context, as well as biases associated with the narrative literature review methodology.
Adolescent school-based mental health screening: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Farr John , Palokas Michelle
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

More than one in ten people globally live with a mental health illness. Adolescent mental health is a major contributor to that statistic, as 27% of adolescents have one or more mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems. School-based health care clinics can provide mental health services for this age group.

Objectives:

This project aimed to promote evidence-based practices regarding adolescent mental health screening in schools.

Methods:

This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote evidence-based practices for adolescent mental health screening in schools. The JBI framework is grounded in an audit and feedback process, along with a structured approach to identifying and managing barriers to compliance with best practices. Five audit criteria representing best practice recommendations were developed. A baseline audit was conducted, followed by the implementation of an improvement strategy. The project was finalized with a follow-up audit to determine any changes in compliance with best practice recommendations.

Results:

The baseline survey of students revealed a 25% average compliance for audit criteria 1 and 2. The primary barrier to compliance was students’ unawareness of the availability of mental health services. The improvement strategy included an educational presentation for students regarding mental health. The follow-up audit revealed an increase in compliance with best practices.

Conclusions:

The project achieved a 29% increase in compliance with best practices, although only 23% of the students were reached via the improvement strategy.

Spanish abstract:

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A189
Discovery of dynamic changes in 3D chromatin architecture through polymer physics model
Authors: Anubhooti  , Abdul Wasim , Narayan Priyanka Kriti , Mondal Jagannath , Pongubala Jagan
Published: April 2024

The 3D organisation of the genome provides an intricate relationship between the chromatin architecture and its effects on the functional state of the cell. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and chromosome conformation capture technologies elucidated a comprehensive view of chromatin interactions on a genome-wide scale but provides only a 2D representation of how the chromatin is organised inside the cell nucleus. To quantitatively understand the structural alterations and dynamics of chromatin in 3D, we have developed a computational model that not only captures the hierarchical structural organisation but also provides mechanistic insights into the dynamics of spatial rearrangements of chromatin in developing lymphoid lineage cells. From the combination of approaches of polymer physics representing chromatin as a homopolymeric chain and incorporation of the biological information of chromosomal interactions inferred from the Hi-C data, we generated a coarse grained bead-on-a-string polymer model of chromatin to comprehend the mechanisms underlying the differential chromatin architecture. Our study showed that our simulated chromatin structure recapitulates the intrinsic features of chromatin organisation, including the fractal globule nature, compartmentalization, presence of topologically associating domains (TADs), phase separation and spatial preferences of genomic regions in the chromosomal territories. Comparative analyses of these simulated chromatin structures of differentiating B cell stages revealed compartmental switching and changes in the spatial positioning of lineage specific genomic regions. Analysis of the compactness of the switched regions showed insights into their acquired open-closed states for gene regulation and hence governing the cell fate through consequent structural rearrangement. Based on the remarkable performance of our model, we emphasise on its predictive potential by identifying switching of novel regions that demonstrated undergoing structural rearrangement which was subsequently validated through their differential expression patternsin vitro. These results reveal that although the chromatin organisation seems similar in most cell types, it undergoes distinct structural changes for the regulatory role of chromatin in sustaining cell specificity.