bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of potential crucial genes shared in psoriasis and ulcerative colitis by machine learning and integrated bioinformatics
Authors: Zhang Jing , Feng Shuo , Chen Minfei , Zhang Wen , Zhang Xiu , Wang Shengbang , Gan Xinyi , Zheng Yan , Wang Guorong
Published: February 2024

Background

Mounting evidence suggest that there are an association between psoriasis and ulcerative colitis (UC), although the common pathogeneses are not fully understood. Our study aimed to find potential crucial genes in psoriasis and UC through machine learning and integrated bioinformatics.

Methods

The overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the datasets GSE13355 and GSE87466 were identified. Then the functional enrichment analysis was performed. The overlapping genes in LASSO, SVM‐RFE and key module in WGCNA were considered as potential crucial genes. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate their diagnostic confidence. The CIBERSORT was conducted to evaluate immune cell infiltration. Finally, the datasets GSE30999 and GSE107499 were retrieved to validate.

Results

112 overlapping DEGs were identified in psoriasis and UC and the functional enrichment analysis revealed they were closely related to the inflammatory and immune response. Eight genes, including S100A9, PI3, KYNU, WNT5A, SERPINB3, CHI3L2, ARNTL2, and SLAMF7, were ultimately identified as potential crucial genes. ROC curves showed they all had high confidence in the test and validation datasets. CIBERSORT analysis indicated there was a correlation between infiltrating immune cells and potential crucial genes.

Conclusion

In our study, we focused on the comprehensive understanding of pathogeneses in psoriasis and UC. The identification of eight potential crucial genes may contribute to not only understanding the common mechanism, but also identifying occult UC in psoriasis patients, even serving as therapeutic targets in the future.
The novel HLA‐B*39:199 allele identified in a candidate bone marrow donor
Authors: Usta Akgul Sebahat , Catalbasyan Talin , Demir Demir Kaan , Borjkhani Mahdis , Süsal Caner
Published: February 2024

HLA‐B*39:199 differs from HLA‐B*39:10:01 by a G → A substitution in exon 5 in codon 282.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DPB1*1516:01 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Blandin Lucie , Cargou Marine , Guidicelli Gwendaline , Lemal Richard , Rouzaire Paul
Published: February 2024

HLA‐DPB1*1516:01 differs from HLA‐DPB1*1229:01 by seven nucleotide substitutions in exon 3.
Becoming a general practice supervisor: A longitudinal multi‐case study exploring key supportive factors
Authors: Garth Belinda , Kirby Catherine , Nestel Debra , Brown James
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Supervision of trainees in the health care professions is recognised internationally as core to safe and effective patient care. A supervisor workforce in general practice (GP) is critical to the profession and to the communities where they work and can be demanding as general practitioners incorporate workplace‐based education and support of their trainees into their daily consulting work. Little is known about how this is experienced by new supervisors; therefore, this research sought to understand factors that play a significant role in the first semester of becoming a supervisor.

Methods

An exploratory multi‐case study design was used; new general practice supervisors were the unit of analysis. Four data sources were captured longitudinally: semi‐structured interviews at the beginning and end of the semester, audio diaries throughout and a mid‐semester focus group. Template analysis was used, sensitised by a community of practice theoretical framework.

Results

Seven new supervisors participated. Five interdependent key factors played a significant role in general practitioners becoming supervisors: (1) making meaning of the role, (2) reconciling multiple roles, (3) building a relationship with the trainee, (4) receiving support from the training practice and the training programme and (5) joining peer communities of new and experienced supervisors.

Conclusion

Becoming a general practice supervisor is situated in the context of a workplace delivering clinical services, a training programme and personal life circumstances. It can be challenging and rewarding. Insufficient support may result in unintended attrition. Learning in this role is facilitated by enabling the new supervisor to find meaning in the role; structured allocation of time to engage effectively; a positive trainee–supervisor relationship; administrative support by practices; information, advice and remuneration from the training programme; and interactions with new and experienced supervisor peers.
Variables familiares relacionadas con el bullying y el cyberbullying: una revisión sistemática
Authors: Machimbarrena Juan
Published: February 2024

Objetivo.

Revisar los estudios que han analizado la relación de

bullying

/

cyberbullying

con variables del

contexto familiar.

Método.

Revisión sistemática, basada en el protocolo Prisma, de los documentos registrados

en las principales bases de datos de psicología, que incluían las palabras clave

bullying/cyberbullying

y

familia/

padres

, entre 2004 y 2017. Setenta y cuatro artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión.

Resultados.

La

revisión evidenció las siguientes variables familiares asociadas

con

cada rol: (a) víctimas de

bullying

: padres/

madres autoritarios, punitivos o permisivos; hogares disfuncionales, baja armonía familiar, conflictos, pobre

comunicación; reciben muchas críticas, bajo apoyo/atención parental o sobreprotección; (b) cibervíctimas:

padres/madres autoritarios o negligentes, conflictos familiares, bajo apoyo parental, padres/madres distantes,

vínculos emocionales negativos; (c) agresores de

bullying

: padres/madres autoritarios, punitivos o permisivos,

hogares disfuncionales, conflictos entre padres/madres, violencia doméstica, reciben rechazo, crítica y

poco afecto parental; (d) ciberagresores: padres/madres autoritarios, negligentes o permisivos, y conflictos

familiares. Por último, resultaron factores protectores: padres/madres democráticas, equilibrados, sin conflictos

domésticos, cohesión familiar, interacciones de calidad, fácil comunicación padres-hijos, padres/madres

apoyan a sus hijos, son cercanos y fomentan el apego seguro.

Conclusión.

Algunas variables familiares pueden

ser relevantes, aunque en la probabilidad de convertirse en víctima o agresor de

bullying

y

cyberbullying

influyan otros factores, como los personales.
Vida sentimental y cortejo adolescente en el ámbito de la convivencia escolar y juvenil
Authors: Ortega Ruiz Rosario
Published: February 2024

Objetivo. La investigación está haciendo evidente que los procesos psicoevolutivos de cortejo e inicio de las primeras relaciones sentimentales inciden en la vida social de los centros escolares. La convivencia escolar es un constructo complejo que exige el análisis de todos los elementos relevantes para el bienestar de los miembros de la comunidad educativa. Este trabajo presenta un estudio sobre las experiencias sentimentales durante la adolescencia y su asociación con el bienestar subjetivo, o satisfacción percibida con diversos ámbitos de la vida. Método. Se utilizó una muestra representativa conformada por 2512 participantes de entre 11 y 18 años (49.8% chicas; edad media = 14.33; DT = 1.68), escolarizados en centros públicos y privados de Andalucía, España. Resultados. Se observó que la experiencia sentimental ejercía un efecto positivo en el bienestar subjetivo de los y las participantes y que aumentaba con la edad, encontrando diferencias significativas entre los sexos. Conclusión. Estos resultados se discuten en términos de las posibles implicaciones que, para la convivencia escolar, puede tener una buena gestión psicoeducativa del proceso de cortejo, y la necesidad de incluir esta meta en el proyecto educativo de los centros escolares.
Two horizontally acquired bacterial genes steer the exceptionally efficient and flexible nitrogenous waste cycling in whiteflies
Authors: Yang Zezhong , Guo Zhaojiang , Gong Cheng , Xia Jixing , Hu Yuan , Zhong Jie , Yang Xin , Xie Wen , Wang Shaoli , Wu Qingjun , Ye Wenfeng , Liu Baiming , Zhou Xuguo , Turlings Ted C. J. , Zhang Youjun
Published: February 2024

Nitrogen is an essential element for all life on earth. Nitrogen metabolism, including excretion, is essential for growth, development, and survival of plants and animals alike. Several nitrogen metabolic processes have been described, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here, we reveal a unique process of nitrogen metabolism in the whitefly
Bemisia tabaci
, a global pest. We show that it has acquired two bacterial uricolytic enzyme genes,
B. tabaci urea carboxylase
(
BtUCA
) and
B. tabaci allophanate hydrolase
(
BtAtzF
), through horizontal gene transfer. These genes operate in conjunction to not only coordinate an efficient way of metabolizing nitrogenous waste but also control
B. tabaci
’s exceptionally flexible nitrogen recycling capacity. Its efficient nitrogen processing explains how this important pest can feed on a vast spectrum of plants. This finding provides insight into how the hijacking of microbial genes has allowed whiteflies to develop a highly economic and stable nitrogen metabolism network and offers clues for pest management strategies.
Discoveries of GPR39 as an evolutionarily conserved receptor for bile acids and of its involvement in biliary acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zi Zhentao , Rao Yi
Published: February 2024

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. Bile acids (BAs) were proposed to be a cause of AP nearly 170 years ago, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that two G protein–coupled receptors, GPR39 and GHSR, mediated cellular responses to BAs. Our results revealed GPR39 as an evolutionarily conserved receptor for BAs, particularly 3-O-sulfated lithocholic acids. In cultured cell lines, GPR39 is sufficient for BA-induced Ca
2+
elevation. In pancreatic acinar cells, GPR39 mediated BA-induced Ca
2+
elevation and necrosis. Furthermore, AP induced by BAs was significantly reduced in GPR39 knockout mice. Our findings provide in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrating that GPR39 is necessary and sufficient to mediate BA signaling, highlighting its involvement in biliary AP pathogenesis, and suggesting it as a promising therapeutic target for biliary AP.
A widespread bacterial protein compartment sequesters and stores elemental sulfur
Authors: Benisch Robert , Andreas Michael P. , Giessen Tobias W.
Published: February 2024

Subcellular compartments often serve to store nutrients or sequester labile or toxic compounds. As bacteria mostly do not possess membrane-bound organelles, they often have to rely on protein-based compartments. Encapsulins are one of the most prevalent protein-based compartmentalization strategies found in prokaryotes. Here, we show that desulfurase encapsulins can sequester and store large amounts of crystalline elemental sulfur. We determine the 1.78-angstrom cryo-EM structure of a 24-nanometer desulfurase-loaded encapsulin. Elemental sulfur crystals can be formed inside the encapsulin shell in a desulfurase-dependent manner with
l
-cysteine as the sulfur donor. Sulfur accumulation can be influenced by the concentration and type of sulfur source in growth medium. The selectively permeable protein shell allows the storage of redox-labile elemental sulfur by excluding cellular reducing agents, while encapsulation substantially improves desulfurase activity and stability. These findings represent an example of a protein compartment able to accumulate and store elemental sulfur.
Electrically tunable topological phase transition in non-Hermitian optical MEMS metasurfaces
Authors: Ding Fei , Deng Yadong , Meng Chao , Thrane Paul C. V. , Bozhevolnyi Sergey I.
Published: February 2024

Exceptional points (EPs), unique junctures in non-Hermitian open systems where eigenvalues and eigenstates simultaneously coalesce, have gained notable attention in photonics because of their enthralling physical principles and unique properties. Nonetheless, the experimental observation of EPs, particularly within the optical domain, has proven rather challenging because of the grueling demand for precise and comprehensive control over the parameter space, further compounded by the necessity for dynamic tunability. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of optical EPs when operating with an electrically tunable non-Hermitian metasurface platform that synergizes chiral metasurfaces with piezoelectric MEMS mirrors. Moreover, we show that, with a carefully constructed metasurface, a voltage-controlled spectral space can be finely tuned to access not only the chiral EP but also the diabolic point characterized by degenerate eigenvalues and orthogonal eigenstates, thereby allowing for dynamic topological phase transition. Our work paves the way for developing cutting-edge optical devices rooted in EP physics and opening uncharted vistas in dynamic topological photonics.
Characterization of the monoclonal antibody and the immunodominant B-cell epitope of African swine fever virus pA104R by using mouse model
Authors: Chen Qichao , Liu Lixinjie , Guo Shibang , Li Liang , Yu Yifeng , Liu Zhankui , Tan Chen , Chen Huanchun , Wang Xiangru
Published: February 2024

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) structural protein pA104R is the only histone-like protein encoded by eukaryotic viruses. pA104R is an essential DNA-binding protein required for DNA replication and genome packaging of ASFV, which are vital for pathogen survival and proliferation. pA104R is an important target molecule for diagnosing, treating, and immune prevention of ASFV. This study characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against pA104R and found them to recognize natural pA104R in ASFV strains with different genotypes, showing high conservation. Confirmation analyses of pA104R epitopes using mAbs indicated the presence of immunodominant B-cell epitopes, and further characterization showed the high antigenic index and surface accessibility coefficients of the identified epitope. Furthermore, the pA104R protein functions through the polar interactions between the binding amino acid sites; however, these interactions may be blocked by the recognition of generated mAbs. Characterizing the immunodominant B-cell epitope of the ASFV critical proteins, such as pA104R, may contribute to developing sensitive diagnostic tools and vaccine candidate targets.

IMPORTANCE

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic, lethal, and contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. As no effective vaccine or other treatments have been developed, the control of African swine fever virus (ASFV) relies heavily on virus detection and diagnosis. A potential serological target is the structural protein pA104R. However, the molecular basis of pA104R antigenicity remains unclear, and a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) against this protein is still unavailable. In this study, mAbs against pA104R were characterized and found to recognize natural pA104R in ASFV strains with different genotypes. In addition, confirmation analyses of pA104R epitopes using mAbs indicated the presence of immunodominant B-cell epitopes, and further characterization showed the high antigenic index and surface accessibility coefficients of the identified epitope. Characteristics of the immunodominant B-cell epitope of ASFV proteins, such as pA104R, may contribute to developing sensitive diagnostic tools and identifying vaccine candidate targets.
Dextrose gel prophylaxis for neonatal hypoglycaemia and neurocognitive function at early school age: a randomised dosage trial
Authors: Wei Xingyu , Franke Nike , Alsweiler Jane M , Brown Gavin T L , Gamble Gregory D , McNeill Alicia , Rogers Jenny , Thompson Benjamin , Turuwhenua Jason , Wouldes Trecia A , Harding Jane E , McKinlay Christopher J D
Published: February 2024

Objective

To investigate the effect of different doses of prophylactic dextrose gel on neurocognitive function and health at 6–7 years.

Design

Early school-age follow-up of the pre-hPOD (hypoglycaemia Prevention with Oral Dextrose) study.

Setting

Schools and communities.

Patients

Children born at ≥35 weeks with ≥1 risk factor for neonatal hypoglycaemia: maternal diabetes, small or large for gestational age, or late preterm.

Interventions

Four interventions commencing at 1 hour of age: dextrose gel (40%) 200 mg/kg; 400 mg/kg; 200 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg repeated before three feeds (800 mg/kg); 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg before three feeds (1000 mg/kg); compared with equivolume placebo (combined for analysis).

Main outcomes measures

Toolbox cognitive and motor batteries, as well as tests of motion perception, numeracy and cardiometabolic health, were used. The primary outcome was neurocognitive impairment, defined as a standard score of more than 1 SD below the age-corrected mean on one or more Toolbox tests.

Findings

Of 392 eligible children, 309 were assessed for the primary outcome. There were no significant differences in the rate of neurocognitive impairment between those randomised to placebo (56%) and dextrose gel (200 mg/kg 46%: adjusted risk difference (aRD)=−14%, 95% CI −35%, 7%; 400 mg/kg 48%: aRD=−7%, 95% CI −27%, 12%; 800 mg/kg 45%: aRD=−14%, 95% CI −36%, 9%; 1000 mg/kg 50%: aRD=−8%, 95% CI −29%, 13%). Children exposed to any dose of dextrose gel (combined), compared with placebo, had a lower risk of motor impairment (3% vs 14%, aRD=-11%, 95% CI −19%, −3%) and higher mean (SD) cognitive scores (106.0 (15.3) vs 101.1 (15.7), adjusted mean difference=5.4, 95% CI 1.8, 8.9).

Conclusions

Prophylactic neonatal dextrose gel did not alter neurocognitive impairment at early school age but may have motor and cognitive benefits. Further school-age follow-up studies are needed.
Using community-based, participatory qualitative research to identify determinants of routine vaccination drop-out for children under 2 in Lilongwe and Mzimba North Districts, Malawi
Authors: Powelson Jocelyn , Kalepa Joan , Kachule Hannah , Nkhonjera Katie , Matemba Charles , Chisema Mike , Chumachapera Tuweni , Lawrence Emily
Published: February 2024

Objective

In recent years, full childhood routine immunisation coverage has fallen by 5% to levels not seen since 2008; between 2019 and 2021, 67 million children were undervaccinated. We aimed to identify and describe the determinants of vaccination drop-out from the perspectives of caregivers and health workers in Malawi.

Design

We used a community-based participatory research approach to collect data through photo elicitation, short message service exchanges, in-depth interviews and observations. We used a team-based approach for thematic analysis, guided by the Behavioural and Social Drivers of Vaccination framework.

Setting

The study was conducted in Lilongwe and Mzimba North Districts in Malawi, representing urban and rural settings, respectively.

Participants

Participants included caregivers of partially vaccinated (n=38) and fully vaccinated (n=12) children between 25 and 34 months and Community Health Workers (n=20) who deliver vaccines. Caregiver participants were identified through health facility vaccination registers and with the assistance of community health volunteers.

Results

We identified five principal drivers of routine vaccination drop-out: (1) poor caregiver knowledge of the vaccine schedule and how many vaccines are needed for full vaccination; (2) caregivers’ fear of repercussions after not following vaccination guidelines; (3) rumours and concerns if vaccines are repeated or new ones are introduced; (4) high opportunity cost of health facility visits, exacerbated by wait times, stockouts and missed opportunities and (5) limited family support and vaccination burden placed largely on mothers. Key differences between rural and urban settings related to practices around health cards and vaccine wastage, wait times, migrant and tenant communities, and social support systems.

Conclusions

Immunisation interventions should be tailored to address drivers of drop-out in the community, the health facility and beyond. Service quality, timeliness and reliability need to be improved, and tailored messaging and education are needed, especially in response to COVID-19-related misinformation and introductions of new, routine vaccines.
Acceptability of digital vending machines to access STI and HIV tests in two UK cities
Authors: Gobin Maya , Dhillon Syra , Kesten Joanna May , Horwood Jeremy , Dean Gillian Louise , Stockwell Sarah , Denford Sarah , Mear John , Cooper Richard , Copping Joanna , Lawson Lottie , Hayward Samuel , Harryman Lindsey , Vera Jaime H
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Prompt HIV and STI diagnosis and treatment is a public health priority and relies on accessible testing. Technology-based approaches to distribute test kits have the potential to increase access to testing. We evaluated the acceptability and uptake of vending machines in publicly available settings in Brighton and Hove (BH) and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), to distribute HIV rapid self-test and STI self-sample kits.

Methods

Seven machines were installed in BH and four in BNSSG. User characteristics, proportion of kits returned and test results, taken from the machine database and clinic records, combined with online questionnaires completed by self-recruited users and analysed using Stata and SPSS.

Results

2536 kits were dispensed over 12 months (April 2022 to March 2023). The STI self-sample kits were most popular (74% of vends). 78% of kits dispensed were among users aged 16–35 years and 56% identified as male. 68% and 59% of users had either not tested in the last 12 months or never tested for HIV and STIs, respectively. 51% of STI kits were returned via post, lower than the local online service (65%). 208 users completed questionnaires. Convenience, desire for instant access and increased confidentiality were the most common reasons for using machines. 92% of respondents thought the machines were user-friendly and 97% would recommend the service. Concerns about safety and privacy while using the machine were reported by 42% and 66% of respondents.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that vending machines are an acceptable and effective means of accessing infrequent or never testers in the general population and can act as a horizontal intervention to tackle HIV and STIs. Research is needed to understand optimal machine locations to assure privacy and safety along with the long-term impact on sexual health services.
STI self-testing: ensuring representation and outreach to teens and adolescents in expanded approaches
Authors: DeWitt Michael E , Pabon Vonda , Vasquez Andrea , Wenner Jennifer J , McNeil Candice J
Published: February 2024

In our correspondence, we describe the results from a quality improvement survey in a sexual health clinic in North Carolina regarding attitudes and perceptions among adolescents and providers regarding specimen self-collection. We find that adolescents have high levels of acceptability for self-collection and confidence in their ability to self-collection; however, providers expressed hesitation regarding the ability of adolescents to self-collection. Our study shows that while self-collection may provide a way to expand testing access to difficult-to-reach populations, we must ensure that providers are confident in the corresponding results.
Introducing palliative care in advanced cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Pointon Samuel , Collins Anna , Philip Jennifer
Published: February 2024

Background

Negative perceptions about palliative care (PC), held by patients with cancer and their families, are a barrier to early referral and the associated benefits. This review examines the approaches that support the task of introducing PC to patients and families and describes any evaluations of these approaches.

Methods

A systematic review with a systematic search informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed on the online databases MEDLINE, PsychInfo and CINAHL from May 2022 to July 2022. Identified studies were screened by title and abstract, and included if they were empirical studies and described an approach that supported the introduction of PC services for adult patients. A narrative-synthesis approach was used to extract and present the findings.

Results

Searches yielded 1193 unique manuscripts, which, following title and abstract screening, were reduced to 31 papers subject to full-text review, with a final 12 studies meeting eligibility criteria. A diverse range of included studies described approaches used to introduce palliative care, which may be broadly summarised by four categories: education, clinical communication, building trust and rapport and integrative system approaches.

Conclusion

While educational approaches were helpful, they were less likely to change behaviours, with focused communication tasks also necessary to facilitate PC introduction. An established relationship and trust between patient and clinician were foundational to effective PC discussions. A framework to assist clinicians in this task is likely to be multidimensional in nature, although more quantitative research is necessary to establish the most effective methods and how they may be incorporated into clinical practice.
Cannabidiol oil or placebo in advanced cancer–disease progression and survival: a secondary analysis
Authors: O’Leary Cian , Greer Ristan , Huggett Georgie , Good Phillip , Gurgenci Taylan , Hardy Janet
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Medical cannabinoids have become increasingly popular over the last decade. Preclinical trials suggest cannabinoids, for example, cannabidiol (CBD), may provide an anticancer effect; however, good-quality clinical information supporting this is lacking. We assessed the effect of CBD treatment on disease progression and survival in patients enrolled in a study of CBD versus placebo for symptom management in patients with advanced cancer (MEDCAN-1).

Methods

We reviewed the clinical records of all patients enrolled in the MEDCAN-1 Study (CBD vs placebo) at days 14, 28 and 56 of study follow-up, for evidence of disease progression. The proportion of participants with disease progression by treatment arm at each time point was compared, as was survival between both groups from study entry to the censor date (end of study period) and the effect of treatment arm and disease progression status on survival.

Results

Of the 135 patient records assessed, 128 were included in the final analysis. 36% (n=46) had progressive disease documented at day 28, rising to 49.2% (n=63) by day 56. No significant difference in disease progression was noted between the two groups at days 14 (p=0.33), 28 (p=0.67) or 56 (p=0.50). There was no difference in survival between both groups from study entry to censor date (p=0.38). Disease progression at day 14 was highly predictive of mortality (p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this substudy analysis, treatment with CBD oil did not affect disease progression or survival over the course of 56 days in patients with advanced cancer.
Remote vision-based digital patient monitoring of pulse and respiratory rates in acute medical wards
Authors: Lewis Adam , Venugopal Bindia , Gandhi Varsha , Gibson Oliver , Swanton Laura , Green Malcolm , Bowen Jordan , Polkey Michael I
Published: February 2024

Remote Vision-Based digital Patient Monitoring (VBPM) of pulse (PR) and respiratory rate (RR) was set up in six single rooms in an acute medical and an orthopaedic ward. We compared 102 PR and 154 RR VBPM measurements (from 27 patients) with paired routine nurse measurements. VBPM measurements of RR were validated by reviewing video footage. Nurse measurements of RR were often 16–18 breaths/minute, and did not match VBPM RR (overestimating at low RR and underestimating at high RR). Nurse measurements of pulse were on average 3.9 beats per minute greater than matched VBPM measurements. VBPM was unobtrusive and well accepted.
ChestCovidNet: An Effective DL-based Approach for COVID-19, Lung Opacity, and Pneumonia Detection Using Chest Radiographs Images
Authors: Ullah Naeem , Khan Javed Ali , Almakdi Sultan , Alshehri Mohammed S. , Al Qathrady Mimonah , Anwar Muhammad Shahid , Syed Ikram
Published: February 2024

Currently used lung disease screening tools are expensive in terms of money and time. Therefore, chest radiograph images (CRIs) are employed for prompt and accurate COVID-19 identification. Recently, many researchers have applied Deep learning (DL) based models to detect COVID-19 automatically. However, their model could have been more computationally expensive and less robust, i.e., its performance degrades when evaluated on other datasets. This study proposes a trustworthy, robust, and lightweight network (ChestCovidNet) that can detect COVID-19 by examining various CRIs datasets. The ChestCovidNet model has only 11 learned layers, eight convolutional (Conv) layers, and three fully connected (FC) layers. The framework employs both the Conv and group Conv layers, Leaky Relu activation function, shufflenet unit, Conv kernels of 3×3 and 1×1 to extract features at different scales, and two normalization procedures that are cross-channel normalization and batch normalization. We used 9013 CRIs for training whereas 3863 CRIs for testing the proposed ChestCovidNet approach. Furthermore, we compared the classification results of the proposed framework with hybrid methods in which we employed DL frameworks for feature extraction and support vector machines (SVM) for classification. The study's findings demonstrated that the embedded low-power ChestCovidNet model worked well and achieved a classification accuracy of 98.12% and recall, F1-score, and precision of 95.75%.
The performance of flexible fluid–structure interaction module for saltmarsh vegetation under flow and wave action
Authors: Henteleff Ross , Stolle Jacob , Markov Acacia , Nistor Ioan , Sriram V.
Published: February 2024

This paper evaluates the performance of a new flexible fluid–structure interaction (FSI) module in an open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software—REEF3D—for use in modelling saltmarsh vegetation. Unlike previous studies, which focussed on hydrodynamic response to plants (for example, wave attenuation) to check the accuracy of their numerical modelling efforts, this work attempts to replicate the plants’ drag force and motion behaviour, based on results from several physical modelling studies. The flexible FSI module was found to consistently overestimate both the drag and motion of the numerical plants when compared to their physical counterparts. It is hypothesized that this is due to the module’s use of linearly elastic material theory for the flexible structures. This is arguably inadequate for the relatively flexible materials of saltmarsh vegetation.
Expanded, compressed, or equal? Interactions between spawning window and stream thermal regime generate three responses in modeled juvenile emergence for Pacific salmon
Authors: Adelfio Luca A. , Wondzell Steven M. , Mantua Nathan J. , Reeves Gordon H.
Published: February 2024

Climate warming poses challenges to native fish, particularly at high latitudes. We used incubation models to explore how interactions between spawning timing and daily varying water temperature affected emergence timing for five species of Pacific salmon in 33 thermally diverse streams in south-central Alaska. Interactions between spawning timing and stream thermal regime led to three different emergence timing responses: (1) “expanded” by typically 2–3 times the duration of the spawning window for summer spawning salmon at streams with a large annual water temperature range; (2) “equal” in duration to the spawning window, regardless of spawning timing, at streams with upwelling groundwater; and (3) “compressed” for late-spawning salmon where water temperature was cooler at spawning than at emergence. Across all sites, a ±15-day range in spawning timing had influence similar to anomalously warm winters (+2 °C to +3 °C) on the emergence timing window. Differences among species, spawning timing, and thermal regimes suggest that a range of adaptations in spawning behavior will likely enable Pacific salmon populations to accommodate shifting thermal regimes during their early life history.
Water resource management research in Benin: a systematic review
Authors: Maforikan Ella Sèdé , Hammani Ali , Anthony-Krueger Christian
Published: February 2024

Benin has been the subject of numerous investigations in the complex realm of water resource management, encompassing hydrological, engineering, economic, ecological, and sociological facets. However, noticeable gaps exist, warranting a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge. This study offers a systematic review on the trends in water management research within Benin. Scholarly papers were carefully selected from reputable academic databases, including Web of Science, WorldCat, Google Scholar, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Science Direct, and Scopus. The selection criteria were stringent, focusing on English keywords, journal articles, and conference papers centered on water management or its associated challenges in the Benin context. The selection process entailed a two-phase screening protocol, commencing with an initial assessment based on titles, followed by subsequent screening based on abstracts and keywords. The chosen studies then underwent a thorough bibliometric analysis. The findings of this review reveal a noticeable surge in research activity related to water resource management in Benin in recent decades. These studies predominantly concentrate on rural areas. The breadth of research topics covers a wide spectrum, including water pricing reform, water policy formulation, water-related conflicts, the application of integrated water resource management, agro-dam management, challenges inherent in water resource management, water quality assessment, agricultural water usage, assessment of water availability, utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS), and the development of basin information system platforms. A majority of the examined articles emphasize water management and water availability. This review underscores the growing interest within the scientific community in exploring water resource management issues in rural Benin. Ineffective water management in Benin can be attributed to various factors, including inadequate financial support, deficient coordination among stakeholders in the water sector, a lack of transparency, suboptimal management of hydraulic infrastructure, inadequate dissemination and implementation of established legal and institutional frameworks, overlapping roles among actors involved in water resource management, and a notable scarcity of data. These findings highlight the urgent need for further research initiatives and policy interventions in these domains, with the overarching goal of enhancing the state of water management in Benin.
Macroscopic dynamics of the ferroelectric smectic $$A_F$$ phase with $$C_{\infty v} $$ symmetry
Authors: Brand Helmut R. , Pleiner Harald
Published: February 2024

We present the macroscopic dynamics of ferroelectric smectic A, smectic $$A_F$$

A
F

, liquid crystals reported recently experimentally by three groups. In this fluid and orthogonal smectic phase, the macroscopic polarization, $${\textbf{P}}$$
P
, is parallel to the layer normal thus giving rise to $$C_{\infty v}$$

C

∞
v

overall symmetry for this phase in the spatially homogeneous limit. A combination of linear irreversible thermodynamics and symmetry arguments is used to derive the resulting dynamic equations applicable at sufficiently low frequencies and sufficiently long wavelengths. Compared to non-polar smectic A phases, we find a static cross-coupling between compression of the layering and bending of the layers, which does not lead to elastic forces, but to elastic stresses. In addition, it turns out that a reversible cross-coupling between flow and the magnitude of the polarization modifies the velocities of both, first and second sound. At the same time, the relaxation of the polarization gives rise to dissipative effects for second sound at the same order of the wavevector as for the sound velocity. We also analyze reversible cross-coupling terms between elongational flow and electric fields as well as temperature and concentration gradients, which lend themselves to experimental detection. Apparently this type of terms has never been considered before for smectic phases. The question how the linear $${{\textbf{P}} \cdot \textbf{E}}$$

P
·
E

coupling in the energy alters the macroscopic response behavior when compared to usual non-polar smectic A phases is also addressed.

Graphical abstract
Electronic and optical properties of strain-regulated O-doped monolayer MoS2
Authors: Gao Xuewen , Wang Ying , Su Qing , Su Yan , Zhao Mengmeng , Wang Yilin , Liu Guili , Zhang Guoying
Published: February 2024

The effect of biaxial strain on O-doped monolayers MoS2 has been systematically studied by the first-principles calculations. It is shown that the strain decreases the structural stability of O-doped monolayer MoS2. Between 0% and 12% tensile strains, the bandgap steadily narrows. At different compression strains, the bandgap increases and then decreases. The optical properties analysis shows that the strain causes the peaks of both the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function to appear in the low energy region. And it affects the absorption and reflection peaks of the doping system so that it has a strong absorption of photons in the ultraviolet region. The doping system shows resonance in the range of 0–10[Formula: see text]eV. The results of this study verify that strain can properly regulate the electronic and optical properties of O-doped monolayer MoS2, and provide a theoretical reference for the implementation of MoS2 in optoelectronic devices.
PRICING AND HEDGING OF TEMPERATURE DERIVATIVES IN A MODEL WITH MEMORY
Authors: HESS MARKUS
Published: February 2024

With view on global warming and the ongoing climate change, weather derivatives play an increasingly important role for many companies and financial investors, as they constitute useful hedging instruments against disadvantageous weather conditions. In this paper, we present a new temperature model based on generalized Langevin equations driven by Lévy processes. The proposed arithmetic approach captures numerous stylized facts of empirical temperature behavior like seasonal variations, time-dependent volatilities, memory effects, heavy tails and skewness. We further derive a representation for the related meteorological temperature forecast curve and infer the risk-neutral price dynamics of temperature derivatives like CAT, CDD and HDD futures. We finally deduce the minimal variance hedging portfolio in a specific temperature futures market by an application of a stochastic maximum principle and present several practical examples.
Optimal Goods Production Subject to Emissions Trading with Price Floor
Authors: Perera Ryle S.
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to study the production of consumption goods within a price floor carbon emission trading scheme. A stochastic Stackelberg game is set up between the environment authority (Player 1), and the manufacturer/producer (Player 2). In such a hybrid emission trading scheme, the authority sets an emissions target and producers will choose to participate in carbon trading on this basis, subject to a stochastic demand with information delayed. When the stochastic demand is determined by the market sale price and the scale of carbon emission reduction, we apply the maximum principle to obtain both the optimal production and market price. We show when the demand is determined by both the market sales price and carbon emission reduction, manufacturers are persuaded to set the market sales price first (ex ante incentive) and then proceed to a carbon trading scheme, thus providing a backward-looking advantage to manufacturers. Consequently, the manufacturer and the environmental authority can find a subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium via backward induction.
Geometric versus Entropic Gaussian Correlations in an Open Quantum System of Two Bosonic Modes
Authors: Stoica Alina , Isar Aurelian
Published: February 2024

Different types of geometric and entropic quantum correlation quantifiers are studied for a system composed of two resonant bosonic modes embedded in a thermal bath. The description of the evolution of the correlation measures is formulated in the framework of the theory of open systems, based on completely positive quantum dynamical semigroups, by using both a geometric and entropic quantification of total nonclassical correlations of Gaussian states. We consider the special case when the initial squeezed thermal state of the system preserves its form in time. We show that time evolution of the measures strongly depends on the parameters characterising the initial state of the system (squeezing parameter and average thermal photon numbers of the two modes) and of the thermal environment (temperature of the thermal bath and dissipation rate). In the limit of large times all the considered measures asymptotically tend to zero value, corresponding to an asymptotic bimodal uncorrelated product state. We make a comparison between the behaviour of the evolution in time of the Gaussian geometric quantum correlations and Gaussian entropic quantum correlations.
Compact Instruction Set Extensions for Dilithium
Authors: Li Lu , Tian Qi , Qin Guofeng , Chen Shuaiyu , Wang Weijia
Published: February 2024

Post-quantum cryptography is considered to provide security against both traditional and quantum computer attacks. Dilithium is a digital signature algorithm that derives its security from the challenge of finding short vectors in lattices. It has been selected as one of the standardizations in the NIST post-quantum cryptography project. Hardware-software co-design is a commonly adopted implementation strategy to address various implementation challenges, including limited resources, high performance, and flexibility requirements. In this study, we investigate using compact instruction set extensions (ISEs) for Dilithium, aiming to improve software efficiency with low hardware overheads. To begin with, we propose tightly coupled accelerators that are deeply integrated into the RISC-V processor. These accelerators target the most computationally demanding components in resource-constrained processors, such as polynomial generation, Number Theoretic Transform (NTT), and modular arithmetic. Next, we design a set of custom instructions that seamlessly integrate with the RISC-V base instruction formats, completing the accelerators in a compact manner. Subsequently, we implement our ISEs in a chip design for the Hummingbird E203 core and conduct performance benchmarks for Dilithium utilizing these ISEs. Additionally, we evaluate the resource consumption of the ISEs on FPGA and ASIC technologies. Compared to the reference software implementation on the RISC-V core, our co-design demonstrates a remarkable speedup factor ranging from 6.95 to 9.96. This significant improvement in performance is achieved by incorporating additional hardware resources, specifically, a 35% increase in LUTs, a 14% increase in FFs, 7 additional DSPs, and no additional RAM. Furthermore, compared to the state-of-the-art approach, our work achieves faster speed performance with a reduced circuit cost. Specifically, the usage of additional LUTs, FFs, and RAMs is reduced by 47.53%, 50.43%, and 100%, respectively. On ASIC technology, our approach demonstrates 12, 412 cell counts. Our co-design provides a better tradeoff implementation on speed performance and circuit overheads.
Unlocking the dark matter: noncoding RNAs and RNA modifications in cardiac aging
Authors: Kang Jiayi , Rhee James , Wang Chunyan , Yang Yolander , Li Guoping , Li Haobo
Published: February 2024

Cardiac aging is a multifaceted process that encompasses structural and functional alterations culminating in heart failure. As the elderly population continues to expand, there is a growing urgent need for interventions to combat age-related cardiac functional decline. Noncoding RNAs have emerged as critical regulators of cellular and biochemical processes underlying cardiac disease. This review summarizes our current understanding of how noncoding RNAs function in the heart during aging, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of RNA modification that control their activity. Targeting noncoding RNAs as potential novel therapeutics in cardiac aging is also discussed.
Molecular Investigation of SARS‐CoV‐2 Circulating in Iranian Bats Using Real‐Time RT‐PCR for Detection of Envelop (E) Gene of the Virus
Authors: Shahabi Saeed , Azizi Kourosh , Bakhshi Yaser , Pirbonyeh Neda , Moattari Afagh , Sazmand Alireza , Omidian Mostafa , Sarkari Bahador
Published: February 2024

Background. The COVID‐19 was first reported in 2019 to cause pneumonia in people of Wuhan, Hubei province, China, is now associated with high mortality worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SARS‐CoV‐2 (2019‐nCoV) is closely (88%–89% similarity) related to the coronavirus circulating in Rhinolophus (horseshoe bats). More than 50 bat species belonging to eight families have been reported from Iran of which five species belong to the Rhinolophidae family. So far, no study has been done on COVID‐19 infection in Iranian bats. Aim. The current study was performed, for the first time, to investigate the infection of Iranian bats with SARS‐CoV‐2. Methods. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2021 using 183 bat samples collected from three caves in the south (Fars province) and two caves in the northwest (Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces) of Iran. Bats’ digestive and respiratory system samples were collected from each bat of different species. The samples were evaluated by real‐time PCR and by targeting a 221 bp fragment of the envelop (E) genes of SARS‐CoV‐2. Results. COVID‐19 was detected in alimentary specimens of two of the Mediterranean horseshoe (Rhinolophus Euryale) bats. Conclusion. Although, based on the findings of the molecular evaluation, the infection of bats with COVID‐19 was determined in this study, further studies are needed on a larger number of bats, particularly horseshoe bats, to confirm the potential infection of Iranian bats with COVID‐19.