bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HTAsiaLink network members
Authors: Sitanggang Ryan Jonathan , Chavarina Kinanti Khansa , K.C. Sarin , Wadhwa Raina , Wiweko Budi , Purba Fredrick Dermawan , Ghazali Izzuna Mudla Mohamed , Jacobsen Jonathan Henry Webster , Dilokthornsakul Piyameth , Mayxay Mayfong , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Wang Yaoling , Chen Ying-Li , Ong Benjamin Shao Kiat , Kar Sitanshu , Avdeyev Andrey , Teerawattananon Yot 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives
This study investigates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on HTAsiaLink members at the organizational level and provides recommendations for mitigating similar challenges in the future.

Methods
A survey was disseminated among HTAsiaLink members to assess the COVID-19 impact in three areas: (i) inputs, (ii) process, and (iii) outputs of the Health Technology Assessment organizations’ (HTAOs) research operations and HTA process in general.

Results
Survey results showed that most HTAOs hired more staff and secured similar or higher funding levels during COVID-19. Nevertheless, some organizations reported high staff turnover. COVID-19-relevant research was prioritized, and most of the organizations had to adapt their research design to meet the needs of policymakers. Time constraints in conducting research and inability to collect primary data were reported as impacts on the research process. Overall, the number of research projects and accessibility of respondents’ publications increased during COVID-19.

Conclusions
Research demand for HTAOs increased during COVID-19 and impacted their research process; however, they demonstrated resilience and adaptability to provide timely evidence for policymakers. With the growing reliance on HTA, HTAOs require adequate financial support, continuous capacity building, collaboration, and partnership, innovative HTA methods, and a pragmatic yet robust, evidence-to-policy process in preparation for future pandemics.
Optimal mixing via tensorization for random independent sets on arbitrary trees
Authors: Efthymiou Charilaos , Hayes Thomas P. , Štefankovič Daniel , Vigoda Eric 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe study the mixing time of the single-site update Markov chain, known as the Glauber dynamics, for generating a random independent set of a tree. Our focus is obtaining optimal convergence results for arbitrary trees. We consider the more general problem of sampling from the Gibbs distribution in the hard-core model where independent sets are weighted by a parameter
$\lambda \gt 0$
; the special case
$\lambda =1$
corresponds to the uniform distribution over all independent sets. Previous work of Martinelli, Sinclair and Weitz (2004) obtained optimal mixing time bounds for the complete
$\Delta$
-regular tree for all
$\lambda$
. However, Restrepo, Stefankovic, Vera, Vigoda, and Yang (2014) showed that for sufficiently large
$\lambda$
there are bounded-degree trees where optimal mixing does not hold. Recent work of Eppstein and Frishberg (2022) proved a polynomial mixing time bound for the Glauber dynamics for arbitrary trees, and more generally for graphs of bounded tree-width.We establish an optimal bound on the relaxation time (i.e., inverse spectral gap) of
$O(n)$
for the Glauber dynamics for unweighted independent sets on arbitrary trees. We stress that our results hold for arbitrary trees and there is no dependence on the maximum degree
$\Delta$
. Interestingly, our results extend (far) beyond the uniqueness threshold which is on the order
$\lambda =O(1/\Delta )$
. Our proof approach is inspired by recent work on spectral independence. In fact, we prove that spectral independence holds with a constant independent of the maximum degree for any tree, but this does not imply mixing for general trees as the optimal mixing results of Chen, Liu, and Vigoda (2021) only apply for bounded-degree graphs. We instead utilize the combinatorial nature of independent sets to directly prove approximate tensorization of variance via a non-trivial inductive proof.
Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume on cognition among US Mexican American adults
Authors: Graves Lisa V. , Diaz Monica M. , Dayan Eran ,   For the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS-HD) Team
Published: November 2024

AbstractObjective:Higher white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume is a marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. CVD risk factors increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Mexican Americans (MA) and individuals of other Hispanic/Latino heritages have higher risk for CVD and ADRD. However, knowledge of associations between WMH volume and cognition in these groups remains limited.Method:We conducted a cross-sectional study of associations between WMH volume and neuropsychological performance (attention/executive functioning, memory) in MA (n = 851) and non-Hispanic White (NHW; n = 747) adults in the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities.Results:The MA group (mean age = 63.72 ± 7.90 years; 66.3% female) had higher rates of consensus diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes, whereas the NHW group (mean age = 69.18 ± 8.65 years; 55.2% female) had higher rates of diagnosed CVD (ps < .01). WMH volumes were higher among individuals with CVD risk factors/conditions (ps < .01). There were differential associations between WMH and neuropsychological performance across ethnoracial groups (ps < .001), wherein associations were steeper in the NHW group than in the MA group. Lower educational level was associated with higher WMH volume in the NHW group (p < .001), but no association was seen in the MA group (p > .05).Conclusions:Negative effects of pathological changes in the form of WMH on cognition may be less robust or consistent for MA adults than NHW adults. Furthermore, the impact of WMH on cognition in NHW adults may be mitigated by cognitive reserve related to educational attainment.
On-demand beamforming and wide dynamic power range for WPT and EH applications
Authors: Paolini Giacomo , Battistini Giulia , Di Florio Di Renzo Alessandra , Fazzini Enrico , Tiberi Tommaso , Trovarello Simone , Masotti Diego , Costanzo Alessandra 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis work delves into advancements in wireless power transfer (WPT) and radiofrequency (RF) energy harvesting (EH), focusing on on-demand beamforming and wide-dynamic power range technologies. These innovations promise significant improvements in efficiency and adaptability for wireless energy systems. For transmitting RF power, on-demand beamforming enhances power delivery precision by accurately targeting specific devices, minimizing energy waste, and maximizing received power. This technology is particularly useful in dynamic environments with constantly changing device positions, ensuring stable power levels and effective real-time power transfer, such as for mobile device charging. For receiving RF power, wide-dynamic power range implementation allows EH and WPT systems to adjust power output across a broad spectrum, optimizing energy use and extending device lifespan. This capability supports scalability, accommodating devices with varied power needs, also enabling new applications in consumer electronics, healthcare, smart homes, and cities, and enhancing energy management in smart infrastructures. Additionally, this study explores three-dimensional (3D)-printable antennas and RF circuitries for battery-free applications. The versatility of 3D printing allows the creation of complex, efficient, and customizable RF components, fostering innovative battery-free solutions. Integrating on-demand beamforming and wide-dynamic power range technologies in EH systems promise improved energy transfer efficiencies, reduced losses, and sustainable, cost-effective wireless power systems.
Using RISR‐N to Resolve Variations in Dayside and Nightside Plasma Density Spatial‐Scales
Authors: Goodwin L. V. , Ivarsen M. , Lamarche L. , Perry G. W. , Negrea C. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTo provide new insights into plasma density scale‐sizes in the polar cap, irregularity spectra are developed and tracked relative to magnetic local time (MLT) and solar zenith angle (SZA). A novel Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) technique is applied to develop spectra between 20 and 300 km using 2016 to 2018 imaginglp mode data from Resolute Bay ISR‐North. This technique leverages: (a) volumetric plasma density measurements from Advanced Modular ISRs, (b) the slow F‐region cross‐field plasma diffusion at scales greater than 10 km, and (c) that high‐latitude geomagnetic field lines are nearly vertical. The results of this work find that the largest spectral features within periodograms that use sunlit or dayside plasma densities are predominately above 100 km, indicating that structures that are above 100 km are more common than structures below 100 km in dayside/sunlit plasma. However, the opposite is true when plasma is in the dark or on the nightside, where the largest spectral features are predominately below 100 km. This contrast between the dayside and nightside is symptomatic of photoionization generating structures larger than 100 km, highlighting the role of photoionization or E‐region shorting in removing structures less than 100 km or driving larger scale‐structures more strongly, and the role of other mechanisms (such as flows, recombination, precipitation, and instabilities) in generating small‐scale structures. This paper will discuss these findings in detail, as well as discuss forthcoming works.
Influence of Evaporation and High‐Frequency Seawater Inundation on Salinity Dynamics in Swash Zones
Authors: Geng Xiaolong , Michael Holly A. , Heiss James W. , Boufadel Michel C. , Li Hailong , Wang Xuejing 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, and beach in the swash zone are dynamic, influencing water flux and solute exchange across the land‐sea interface. This study employs groundwater simulations to examine the combined effects of waves and evaporation on subsurface flow and salinity dynamics in a shallow beach environment. Our simulations reveal that wave motion generates a saline plume beneath the swash zone, where evaporation induces hypersalinity near the sand surface. This leads to the formation of a hypersaline plume beneath the swash zone during periods of wave recession, which extends vertically downward to a maximum depth of 30 cm, driven by the resulting vertical density gradients. This hypersaline plume moves approximately 2 m landward to the top of the swash zone and down the beachface due to wave‐induced seawater infiltration and is subsequently diluted by the surrounding saline groundwater. Furthermore, swash motion increases near‐surface moisture, leading to an elevated evaporation rate, with dynamic fluctuations in both moisture and evaporation rate due to high‐frequency surface inundation caused by individual waves. Notably, the highest evaporation rates on the swash zone surface do not always correspond to the greatest elevations of salt concentration within the swash zone. This is because optimal moisture is also required—neither too low to impede evaporation nor too high to dilute accumulated salt near the surface. These insights are crucial for enhancing our understanding of coastal groundwater flow, biogeochemical conditions, and the subsequent nutrient cycling and contaminant transport in coastal zones.
Pore‐Scale Coupling of Flow, Biofilm Growth, and Nutrient Transport: A Microcontinuum Approach
Authors: Dawi Malik A. , Starnoni Michele , Porta Giovanni , Sanchez‐Vila Xavier 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBiofilms are microbial communities that influence the chemical and physical properties of porous media. Understanding their formation is essential for different topics, such as water management, bioremediation, and oil recovery. In this work, we present a pore‐scale model for biofilm dynamics that is fully coupled with fluid flow and transport of growth‐limiting nutrients. Built upon micro‐continuum theory, the model considers biofilm as a fluid‐filled micro‐porous medium and simulates flow based on a coupled Darcy‐Brinkman‐Stokes model. We outline the key assumptions of the model and present the governing equations of biofilm dynamics, along with details of their numerical implementation. Through numerical simulations of biofilm development at the scale of a single pore, we analyze the influence of flow dynamics upon biofilm spatial distribution, as well as the way effective permeability is altered and evolves under different growth conditions. Our emphasis is on the critical hydrodynamic point, that is, the transition between bulky and dispersive biofilm shapes as a function of the driving parameters. We introduce a dimensionless number, termed , defined as the ratio between hydrodynamic and biomass cohesion forces, which provides a bulk characterization of the biomass‐flow system, and allows to assess biofilm morphology and growth patterns. We then discuss results in relation to available experimental data, where estimated values are in line with specific biofilm growth patterns, ranging from boundary‐layer appearance to bulky shapes .
Progressive noradrenergic degeneration and motor cortical dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhou Wei , Chu Hong-Yuan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe locus coeruleus norepinephrine (LC-NE) system plays an important role in regulating brain function, and its neuronal loss has been well-documented in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The LC-NE neurodegeneration is believed to underlie various nonmotor symptoms in people with PD, including neuropsychiatric deficits, sleep disruptions, and cognitive impairments. Of particular interest, LC-NE neurons send intensive axonal projections to the motor regions of the cerebral cortex. However, how NE depletion in the motor cortex contributes to PD pathophysiology remains poorly understood. In addition, recent studies provided increasing mechanistic insights into secondary changes in the cerebral cortex as LC-NE degenerates, which might involve its interaction with dopaminergic signaling during the chronic course of the disease. In the present article, we briefly discuss clinical and preclinical studies that support the critical roles of LC-NE neurodegeneration and motor cortical dysfunction in both motor and nonmotor deficits in Parkinsonian states. We focus our discussion on the potential impact of LC-NE neurodegeneration on motor cortical function and the subsequent symptom manifestation. Last, we propose future research directions that can advance our understanding of cortical pathophysiology in PD by integrating noradrenergic degeneration.
A proteome-wide structural systems approach reveals insights into protein families of all human herpesviruses
Authors: Soh Timothy K. , Ognibene Sofia , Sanders Saskia , Schäper Robin , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Bosse Jens B. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractStructure predictions have become invaluable tools, but viral proteins are absent from the EMBL/DeepMind AlphaFold database. Here, we provide proteome-wide structure predictions for all nine human herpesviruses and analyze them in depth with explicit scoring thresholds. By clustering these predictions into structural similarity groups, we identified new families, such as the HCMV UL112-113 cluster, which is conserved in alpha- and betaherpesviruses. A domain-level search found protein families consisting of subgroups with varying numbers of duplicated folds. Using large-scale structural similarity searches, we identified viral proteins with cellular folds, such as the HSV-1 US2 cluster possessing dihydrofolate reductase folds and the EBV BMRF2 cluster that might have emerged from cellular equilibrative nucleoside transporters. Our HerpesFolds database is available at https://www.herpesfolds.org/herpesfolds and displays all models and clusters through an interactive web interface. Here, we show that system-wide structure predictions can reveal homology between viral species and identify potential protein functions.
Developmental hematopoietic stem cell variation explains clonal hematopoiesis later in life
Authors: Kreger Jesse , Mooney Jazlyn A. , Shibata Darryl , MacLean Adam L. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractClonal hematopoiesis becomes increasingly common with age, but its cause is enigmatic because driver mutations are often absent. Serial observations infer weak selection indicating variants are acquired much earlier in life with unexplained initial growth spurts. Here we use fluctuating CpG methylation as a lineage marker to track stem cell clonal dynamics of hematopoiesis. We show, via the shared prenatal circulation of monozygotic twins, that weak selection conferred by stem cell variation created before birth can reliably yield clonal hematopoiesis later in life. Theory indicates weak selection will lead to dominance given enough time and large enough population sizes. Human hematopoiesis satisfies both these conditions. Stochastic loss of weakly selected variants is naturally prevented by the expansion of stem cell lineages during development. The dominance of stem cell clones created before birth is supported by blood fluctuating CpG methylation patterns that exhibit low correlation between unrelated individuals but are highly correlated between many elderly monozygotic twins. Therefore, clonal hematopoiesis driven by weak selection in later life appears to reflect variation created before birth.
Facile orientation control of MOF-303 hollow fiber membranes by a dual-source seeding method
Authors: Zhai Mengjiao , Moghadam Farhad , Gosiamemang Tsaone , Heng Jerry Y. Y. , Li Kang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMetal‒organic frameworks (MOFs) are nanoporous crystalline materials with enormous potential for further development into a new class of high-performance membranes. However, the preparation of defect-free and water-stable MOF membranes with high permselectivity and good structural integrity remains a challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a dual-source seeding (DS) approach to produce high-performance, water-stable MOF-303 membranes with hollow fiber (HF) geometry and preferentially tailored crystallographic orientation. By controlling the nucleation site density during secondary growth, MOF-303 membranes with a preferred crystallographic orientation (CPO) on the (011) plane were fabricated. The MOF-303 membrane with CPO on (011) provides straight one-dimensional permeation channels with a superior water flux of 18 kg m−2 h−1 in pervaporative water/ethanol separation, which is higher than that of most of the reported zeolite membranes and 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than that of previously reported MOF membranes. The straight water permeation channels also offer a promising water permeance of 15 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO ≈ 269) for dye nanofiltration. These results provide a concept for developing ultrapermeable MOF membranes with good selectivity and structural integrity for pervaporation and nanofiltration.
The neuroepithelial origin of ovarian carcinomas explained through an epithelial-mesenchymal-ectodermal transition enhanced by cisplatin
Authors: Díaz-Carballo David , Safoor Ayesha , Saka Sahitya , Noa-Bolaño Adrien , D’Souza Flevy , Klein Jacqueline , Acikelli Ali H. , Malak Sascha , Rahner Udo , Turki Amin T. , Höppner Anne , Kamitz Annabelle , Song Wanlu , Chen Ye-guang , Kamada Lalitha , Tannapfel Andrea , Brinkmann Sebastian , Ochsenfarth Crista , Strumberg Dirk 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAcquired resistance to platinum-derived cytostatics poses major challenges in ovarian carcinoma therapy. In this work, we show a shift in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process towards an “ectodermal” conversion of ovarian carcinoma cells in response to cisplatin treatment, a progression we have termed epithelial-mesenchymal-ectodermal transition (EMET). EMET appears to occur via the classical EMT as judged by a) the downregulation of several epithelial markers and b) upregulation of Vimentin, accompanied by various embryonal transcription factors and, importantly, a plethora of neuronal markers, consistent with ectodermal differentiation. Moreover, we isolated cells from ovarian carcinoma cultures exhibiting a dual neural/stemness signature and multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. We also found that the epithelial cells differentiate from these neural/stem populations, indicating that the cell of origin in this tumor must in fact be a neural cell type with stemness features. Notably, some transcription factors like PAX6 and PAX9 were not localized in the nucleoplasm of these cells, hinting at altered nuclear permeability. In addition, the neuronal morphology was rapidly established when commercially available and primary ovarian carcinoma cells were cultured in the form of organoids. Importantly, we also identified a cell type in regular ovarian tissues, which possess similar neural/stemness features as observed in 2D or 3D cultures. The signature of this cell type is amplified in ovarian carcinoma tumors, suggesting a neuroepithelial origin of this tumor type. In conclusion, we propose that ovarian carcinomas harbor a small population of cells with an intrinsic neuronal/stemness/MDR phenotype, serving as the cradle from which ovarian carcinoma evolves.
Determinants of an unfavorable treatment outcome among tuberculosis patients in the Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Ereso Berhane Megerssa , Sagbakken Mette , Gradmann Christoph , Yimer Solomon Abebe 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health challenge in Ethiopia. TB treatment outcomes were suboptimal compared to the expected target of the national TB control Program. The provision of standard anti-TB treatment is the primary component of the directly observed treatment, short-course strategy. The aim of this study was to assess the TB treatment outcomes and the determinants of an unfavorable treatment outcome. The study used a cross-sectional study design at baseline and record review to identify treatment outcomes. A total of 1,161 TB patients were recruited from eight randomly selected districts and one town administration in the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Treatment outcomes were grouped into favorable and unfavorable. Of the total participants, 86.9% had a favorable treatment outcome, and 5.7% an unfavorable treatment outcome. The rest were transferred out and not recorded cases. Women were more likely to experience an unfavorable treatment outcome [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.96, 95% CI 1.06, 3.64]. Patients who were perceived to not be stigmatized were less likely to have an unfavorable treatment outcome (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.15, 0.73). Patients who had a monthly income of > 3,500 Ethiopian birr were less likely to have an unfavorable outcome than patients who did not have a regular income (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01, 0.45). The observed treatment success rate is lower than the World Health Organization’s target of successfully treating > 90% of detected TB cases. It is imperative to ensure that information, education and communication/behavior change communication strategies consider the needs of women and patients with perceived TB stigma. Furthermore, designing locally acceptable and affordable interventions may help to address the financial challenges of TB treatment adherence.