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Aims Methods Results Conclusions Advancements in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), have helped people achieve narrower glucose ranges, but associations between CGM and diabetes distress are unclear. Although higher HbA1c is associated with higher distress, associations with other glucose metrics are unknown. To better understand this relationship, we characterized diabetes distress in a sample of CGM users and compared differences in glucose metrics (measured via CGM) between those with higher versus lower distress.CGM users with T1D from the T1D Exchange Registry completed an online survey including diabetes distress (DDS‐2) and shared CGM data (N = 199). CGM metrics were computed from all available data within 3 months prior to survey completion. Participants were grouped by distress level: lower (DDS‐2 < 3, n = 120) or higher (DDS‐2 ≥ 3, n = 79). Welch's t‐tests were used to compare mean differences in CGM metrics between groups and MANCOVA was used to further probe mean differences.Approximately 39.7% participants reported higher diabetes distress. Welch's t‐tests revealed participants with higher distress spent significantly more time in higher glucose ranges (above 180 mg/dL and above 250 mg/dL), less time in target glucose ranges (between 70 and 180 mg/dL and between 70 and 140 mg/dL) and had higher glucose management index values compared to those with lower distress (p < 0.01). MANCOVA models showed similar results.CGM users continue to experience diabetes distress. Moreover, higher distress appears to be associated with hyperglycaemia. These findings provide support for broader screening efforts for diabetes distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewer concrete structures are vulnerable to acidic corrosion due to the biological oxidation of sulfide in the wastewater to sulfuric acid. The use of photosynthetic bacteria in the coating layer on the sewer concrete is proposed to be an effective approach to prevent such corrosion. Here we report two strains, PN6 and PN7, isolated from a drainage system in Hanoi that were identified as Rhodopseudomonas palustris PN6 and Rhodobacter capsulatus PN7 based on a comparative analysis of the 16S rDNA and pufM gene sequences. Both strains performed versatile metabolic paths, including anoxygenic and microaerophilic phototrophy and aerobic chemotrophy, allowing them to adapt to the fluctuating sewer conditions. Furthermore, they exhibited notable capability of oxidizing sulfide and producing glycocalyx, and therefore were able to prevent concrete corrosion by scavenging sulfide and reducing the production of sulfuric acid, at the same time sealing the tiny cracks on the concrete surface and preventing further attack of the corrosive agents. Two strains grew well at an alkali pH of 9 and formed biofilm extensively, and therefore can be incorporated into porous material vermiculite, allowing them to survive in the coating mortar. The protective effect of coating mortar containing strains PN6 or PN7 singly or in a combination of both incorporated in vermiculite was demonstrated in a laboratory model simulating the sewer environment with an acidic vapor atmosphere. Without bacteria in the coating mortar, the concrete surface suffered severe corrosion with spots of 0.01–0.2 mm in width and up to 4.5 mm in length clustering in rafts of 10–70 mm2 , whereas the concrete surface coated by bacteria-containing mortar was intact to corrosion. The study proposed the possibility of applying purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) to protect sewer concrete, and also prolong the service life of these important structures. Practical Applications: Sewer concrete systems are daily attacked by acidic corrosion established via the biological oxidation of sulfide to sulfuric acid. The repair is generally costly and has difficulties in implementation. The use of PNSB with the capabilities of scavenging H2S and producing exopolysaccharide (EPS) for the development of a coating layer would be a feasible approach to constrain the corrosion process. Suitable strains of PNSB such as the two strains Rhodopseudomonas palustris PN6 and Rhodobacter capsulatus PN7 reported in this study are supposed to be incorporated in a porous material like vermiculite before being added to the coating mortar to better stabilize and adapt to the harsh conditions of the coating layer. These types of PNSB can survive in the coating layer and multiply by utilizing organic carbon and sulfide from wastewater with the production of sulfur (instead of sulfuric acid) and glycocalyx that can instantly seal the tiny corrosion spots and prevent further corrosion attacks. This approach is supposed to be a prevention solution to increase the service durability of sewer concrete systems and reduce the need for repair implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The literature puts forward a range of challenges of interprofessional education (IPE) related to its planning, initiation, implementation, and especially to IPE assessment. The present study aims to map changes in students' readiness and interprofessional collaboration competence (IPCC) in implementing an innovative IPE module. Potential differences in impact related to the health education programs and IPCC scores resulting from self-, peer-, and tutor assessments will also be analysed. Methods: A pre-post design was adopted. The student's readiness for interprofessional learning was assessed using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, and the student's IPCC score was calculated based on self-, peer-, and tutor assessments with the interprofessional collaborator assessment rubric. Results: Students' mean post-test readiness scores and mean post-test IPCC scores were significantly higher than the total and subscales/domain pre-test scores (p<0.01). No significant within-subject differences were observed in students' readiness total or subscale scores when comparing health educational programs. However, significant differences were observed in students' mean total IPCC scores between programs (p<0.01). Significant differences in students' average IPCC scores were found when comparing self-, peer- and tutor assessment scores in six domains (p<0.01). Also, significant correlations between peer and tutor assessment scores were observed (p<0.01). Conclusion: The IPE module, designed and implemented to focus on patient-centred practice within a primary care context, positively impacted students' readiness and IPCC development. These results offer insights to expand the implementation of the IPE module to all health educational programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturers continue to improve performance and usability of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. As CGM becomes a standard of care, especially for people on insulin therapy, it is important to routinely gauge how satisfied people with diabetes are with this technology. This article describes survey feedback from a large cohort of people with diabetes using older and current CGM systems and highlights areas of current satisfaction, concern, and future system improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents an innovative solution aimed at addressing the cost and accessibility challenges associated with soil stiffness analysis in construction projects. Traditional lightweight deflectometer (LWD) systems have limitations due to their high cost and proprietary nature, prompting the need for a more widely accessible technology. To fulfill this purpose, a low-cost, open-source LWD onboard sensor signal interpretation system, utilizing Electro-Mechanical and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) technology-based sensors in conjunction with an Arduino® Uno and ADS1262 Breakout Board, has been developed. This system efficiently processes raw signal data into deflection and force units, enabling precise soil property analysis. Thorough enhancements, calibration, and alignment procedures have been applied and validated through field tests, which have produced highly satisfactory results. By significantly reducing costs while maintaining accuracy, this developed system has the potential to popularize quality control and assurance practices in the construction industry. This open-source approach not only enhances affordability but also broadens accessibility, making soil property analysis more efficient and attainable for a wider range of construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out-of-pocket payments are expenditures borne directly by an individual/household for health services that are not reimbursed by any third-party. Households can experience financial hardship when the burden of such out-of-pocket payments is significant. This financial hardship is commonly measured using the "catastrophic health expenditure" (CHE) metric. CHE has been applied as an indicator in several health sectors and health policies. However, despite its importance, the methods used to measure the incidence of CHE vary across different studies and the terminology used can be inconsistent. In this paper, we introduce and raise awareness of the main approaches used to calculate CHE and discuss critical areas of methodological variation in a global health context. We outline the key features, foundation and differences between the two main methods used for estimating CHE: the budget share and the capacity-to-pay approach. We discuss key sources of variation within CHE calculation and using data from Ethiopia as a case study, illustrate how different approaches can lead to notably different CHE estimates. This variation could lead to challenges when decisionmakers and policymakers need to compare different studies' CHE estimates. This overview is intended to better understand how to interpret and compare CHE estimates and the potential variation across different studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Severe hypoglycemic events are distressing. Although past studies have shown that young adulthood is a potentially distressing time, few studies have explored distress about severe hypoglycemia in this age group. The real-world psychosocial experiences of potential severe hypoglycemic events and the perceived impact of glucagon treatments like nasal glucagon are currently unknown. We explored perceptions of severe hypoglycemic events and impact of nasal glucagon on psychosocial experiences with these events in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes and caregivers of emerging adults and children/teens. Further, we compared perceptions of preparedness and protection in handling severe hypoglycemic events with nasal glucagon versus the emergency glucagon kit that requires reconstitution (e-kit). Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study enrolled emerging adults (aged 18–26; N = 364) with type 1 diabetes, caregivers of emerging adults (aged 18–26; N = 138) with type 1 diabetes, and caregivers of children/teens (aged 4–17; N = 315) with type 1 diabetes. Participants completed an online survey about their experiences with severe hypoglycemia, perceptions of nasal glucagon impact on psychosocial experiences, and perceptions of feeling prepared and protected with nasal glucagon and the e-kit. Results: Many emerging adults (63.7%) agreed that the experience of severe hypoglycemic events was distressing; 33.3% and 46.7% of caregivers of emerging adults and children/teens, respectively, reported distress. Participants reported positive perceptions of nasal glucagon impact, particularly improved confidence in other people's ability to help during severe hypoglycemic events: emerging adults, 81.4%; caregivers of emerging adults, 77.6%; caregivers of children/teens, 75.5%. Participants demonstrated higher perceptions of preparedness and protection for nasal glucagon than for the e-kit (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Participants reported improved confidence in other people's ability to help during severe hypoglycemic events since having nasal glucagon available. This suggests that nasal glucagon may help broaden the support network for young people with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major health issue that can affect both mothers and their newborn children. In Vietnam, approximately 20% of mothers suffer from PPD. However, there is a lack of synthesized evidence regarding the case management of PPD in the Vietnamese context. A review of early symptoms, consequences, and management strategies of PPD will help to inform best practices to reduce complications and shorten the recovery time after parturition. Methods: This scoping review aims to analyze and synthesize the findings of studies on PPD examining the symptoms, consequences, and management strategies among Vietnamese women. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOHost, Google Scholar, and a networked digital library of projects, theses, and dissertations published between 2010 and 2022 in Vietnam were accessed following search terms including "Vietnam", "depression", "postpartum", "symptom/experience", "consequence", and "management". Findings: The most-reported symptoms were sadness, tiredness, the feeling of being ignored, lack of interest in the baby, reduced appetite, and sleep disturbance. The recognized consequences were child stunting and slow growth, without mentioning its long-term effects on mothers. Our findings indicated that PPD in Vietnam has not been sufficiently managed; mothers tend to seek help from 'fortune-tellers' or 'word-of-mouth' practices rather than from evidence-based modern medicine. Conclusion: This scoping review provides an initial stage of PPD symptoms, consequences, and management along with facilitating an interventional program to support this vulnerable group of women. A large survey of Vietnamese mothers' symptoms, effects, and management strategies is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In entrepreneurship management, the evaluation and selection of startups for acceleration programs, especially technology-based startups, are crucial. This process involves considering numerical and qualitative criteria such as sales, prior startup experience, demand validation, and product maturity. To effectively rank startups based on the varying importance of these criteria, a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is needed. Although MCDM methods have been successful in handling complex problems, their application in startup selection and evaluating criteria interrelationships from the accelerator perspective is underexplored. To address this gap, a hybrid DEMATEL-ANP-based fuzzy PROMETHEE II model is proposed in this study, facilitating startup ranking and examining interrelationships among factors. The resulting preference values are fuzzy numbers, necessitating a fuzzy ranking method for decision-making. An extension of ranking fuzzy numbers using a spread area-based relative maximizing and minimizing set is suggested to enhance the flexibility of existing ranking MCDM methods. Algorithms, formulas, and a comparative analysis validate the proposed method, while a numerical experiment verifies the viability of the hybrid model. The final ranking of four startup projects is A 4 < A 1 < A 3 < A 2 which indicates that startup project A2 has the highest comprehensive potential, followed by startup project A3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous MnO2 microflowers with a hexagonal crystalline structure were facilely prepared at a low hydrothermal temperature of 90°C, without using any template or capping agent. The as-prepared MnO2 only presented an excellent detection ability for copper (II) by a square wave anodic stripping voltammetry in the presence of super P carbon black as conducting agent, and Nafion as binder. In the present work, to evaluate the detection ability of copper (II) in the MnO2 microflowers, chips of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) having a polyurethane substrate, a silver working electrode, a carbon counter electrode, and a silver pseudoelectrode, were designed. Then, the SPEs chips were modified with MnO2 microflowers and/or super P carbon and used as electrochemical sensors for the detection of copper (II) present in water sources. From the measured results, the fabricated sensors with excellent copper detection in a linear range from 0.625 nM to 15 nM (R2 = 0.9737), and a low detection limit (0.5 nM), high sensitivity (214.05 μA/cm2 nM), and rapid response (180 s) demonstrated high application potential for electrochemical sensors in the detection of copper in water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-sitosterol derived from Clinacanthus nutans Lindau was tested for its in vitro osteogenic activity using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. Our results indicated that β-sitosterol was non-toxic to the cells cultured at a concentration <20 μg/mL. Treatment of the cells with β-sitosterol significantly enhanced the alkaline phosphatase activity up to 210 and 204.6% at 5 and 10 μg/mL, respectively (P < .05). Similarly, the mineralization activity of the β-sitosterol treated cells was elevated up to 134, 168, 118% at a concentration of 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/mL, respectively (P < .05). In addition, this compound up-regulated several marker genes for osteoblast differentiation, including runx2, osx and col I to 2, 2.5 and 5.6 folds at 10 μg/mL, respectively (P < .05). The expression of p38 and ERK proteins involved in the MAPK signal pathway related to mineralization and differentiation was also enhanced. Thus, the osteoblastogenic activity of β-sitosterol was fully illustrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasive gastrointestinal surgery may be performed as an open or endoscopic procedure, such as laparoscopic semi-colon surgery, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy, and anal surgery, among other such operations. Regardless of the approach, the operative procedure interferes with the patient's gastrointestinal tract, necessitating the rational use of prophylactic antibiotics to improve treatment outcomes and minimize postoperative infections.Objective: To investigate the prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic usage in patients who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery, and to identify factors associated with postoperative infection.Design: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 112 patients who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery at the Department of Gastroenterology, Thong Nhat Hospital. We conducted a cross-sectional study in all inpatients aged 18 years and older, who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery between January 2020 and December 2020. We recorded patient characteristics, the administration and appropriateness of antibiotics, as well as treatment outcomes. The appropriateness of prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic usage was assessed based on 2015 Vietnamese national guideline for antibiotic use. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with postoperative infection.Results: Patients' mean age was 59.7 ± 17.2 years. Most surgeries (89.3%) were clean-contaminated procedures. The rates of appropriate types of antibiotics selected, doses, and overall rates of appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis were 68.0%, 76.4% and 54.7%, respectively. Of the patients investigated, 34.8% had at least one sign of postoperative infection; the overall appropriate rate of postoperative antibiotic was 38.5%. Old age was associated with postoperative infection and longer length of hospitalization.Conclusion: Implementation of the guidelines recommended for the prophylactic and therapeutic use of antibiotics is essential to improve treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the damage of oil spills, a filter modified with a hydrophilic and oleophobic coating is proposed for affordable and efficient oil separation and recovery from water. The sol–gel method was chosen to produce a colloidal suspension of titanium dioxide particles for its ease of production and its versatility in application for many different substrates, including paper and cloth fabric. After immersing the substrates into a titanium-containing solution, three techniques were applied to increase the production of titanium dioxide—microwave-assisted, refrigeration, and ultra-sonication. Contact angle tests were done to investigate the change in the filter's oleophobicity. The titanium dioxide present on the surface of the filter was amorphous, but all treatment methods showed an improvement in oleophobicity. All treated filters improved oil filtration performance by up to eighty percent. The filters isolated motor oil from a mixture while allowing water to pass through. The coated filters also displayed photocatalytic activity by degrading methylene blue on its surface when exposed to sunlight, demonstrating the filter's self-cleaning ability. For real-world applications, the filter can be supported by a stainless mesh for enhanced strength and durability. While being dragged through the water, the filter collects the surface oil, allowing water to pass through via gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of freshwater represents a prominent global challenge nowadays. One eco-friendly technology to provide clean water even in an adverse environment, with extreme temperatures and scarce groundwater resources is solar-driven water evaporation or solar-to-steam generation. Besides, freshwater can be also extracted from polluted soil or water, purifying the water in the process at the same time. The champion solar-driven water evaporation efficiency is achieved at over 100%. The advancements in photothermal evaporation predominantly prioritize material modification and interfacial heating, with a significant emphasis on optimizing vapor generation efficiency, often neglecting the practical aspect of water collection. By using the right materials, the system can be cost-effective and have a low environmental impact. In this progress report, the latest advancements in natural materials, carbonization of natural materials, hybrid natural materials, and nature-inspired materials are presented. We will delve into their effectiveness in evaporation and their energy efficiency. The review provides suggestions about the compatibility of natural materials for this application and reports on insights into the advancements already accomplished, as well as the remaining opportunities for enhancing the performance of these cost-effective, environmentally friendly, high-performance systems. [Display omitted] • Recent developments of nature-inspired design for solar vapor have been reviewed. • The effectiveness of evaporation and its energy efficiency are discussed. • The suggestions about the compatibility of natural materials are highlighted. • This work reports on insights into the advancements already accomplished. • The crucial challenges in this field are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on symptom clusters among cancer patients have been conducted intensively. However, the concept seems not to be well defined, hindering its utilization in clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this paper is to reconceptualize symptom cluster and discuss areas of future research. Results: A cluster of symptoms should not be viewed as simply as a group of symptoms appearing together. It should be clinically relevant, and symptom members should be interactive or have a mutual etiology. A cluster is declared as stable if its "quality" or "nature" is remained instead of merely having the same number of symptoms. Importantly, each symptom cluster should have a sentinel symptom. The sentinel symptom could be the one that predicts the presence of the cluster or could be the one that significantly interacts with other symptoms. The search for symptom clusters, which are common among various patient groups, might be helpful in some aspects. However, to better understand them, symptom clusters should be examined in specific populations. Conclusion: The nature of the relationship between symptom members, clinical relevance, sentinel symptom, stability, and prevalence are important features of a symptom cluster. More explorations into these properties by future studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As trans women are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, and are still understudied, we aimed to identify and characterize the trans women in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Methods A combination of criteria from pre-existing cohort data was used to identify trans women. Information on socioeconomic factors, clinical data, risk behaviors, and mental health was collected. We also described their phylogenetic patterns within HIV transmission networks in relation to other risk groups. Results We identified 89 trans women of a total 20 925 cohort participants. Trans women were much more likely to be Asian (30.3%) and Hispanic (15.7%) than men who have sex with men (MSM) (2.5% and 4.1%; P  < .001) and cis heterosexual (HET) women (7.0% and 3.3%; P  < .001). Trans women were more similar to cis HET women in some measures like educational level (postsecondary education attainment: 22.6% and 20.7% [ P  = .574] vs 46.5% for MSM [ P  < .001]), while being more similar to MSM for measures like prior syphilis diagnosis (36.0% and 44.0% [ P  = .170] vs 6.7% for cis HET women [ P  < .001]). 11.2% of trans women have been previously hospitalized for psychological reasons compared with 4.2% of MSM (P  = .004) and 5.1% of cis HET women (P  = .025). Analysis of transmission clusters containing trans women suggested greater affinity within the transmission networks to MSM compared with cis HET women. Conclusions Trans women are epidemiologically distinct in the setting of the Swiss HIV epidemic, warranting better identification and study to better serve this underserved risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The open-access (OA) publishing model can help improve researchers' outreach, thanks to its accessibility and visibility to the public. Therefore, the presentation of female researchers can benefit from the OA publishing model. Despite that, little is known about how gender affects OA practices. Thus, the current study explores the effects of female involvement and risk aversion on OA publishing patterns among Vietnamese social sciences and humanities. The study employed Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) on a dataset of 3,122 Vietnamese social sciences and humanities (SS&H) publications during 2008–2019. The Mindsponge mechanism was specifically used to construct theoretical models, while Bayesian inference was utilized for fitting models. The result showed a positive association between female participation and OA publishing probability. However, the positive effect of female involvement on OA publishing probability was negated by the high ratio of female researchers in a publication. OA status was negatively associated with the JIF of the journal in which the publication was published, but the relationship was moderated by the involvement of a female researcher(s). The findings suggested that Vietnamese female researchers might be more likely to publish under the OA model in journals with high JIF for avoiding the risk of public criticism. The study could only provide evidence on the association between female involvement and OA publishing probability. However, whether to publish under OA terms is often determined by the first or corresponding authors, but not necessarily gender-based. Systematically coordinated actions are suggested to better support women and promote the OA movement in Vietnam. The findings show the OA publishing patterns of female researchers in Vietnamese SS&H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participation of women in Vietnam's social sciences and humanities research has increased during the last several decades. However, they still face various challenges, such as the 'glass ceiling', social stereotypes, low recognition, and underrepresentation. The open‐access (OA) movement, being advocated for connecting science and community and improving scientists' visibility, offers a viable platform to increase participation of female researchers. This research investigated participation of Vietnamese women in 3,122 Social Sciences & Humanities publications during 2008–2019. Results show a rapid increase in female authors during the period, rising from 47.27% to 71.43% of articles having one or more Vietnamese female author. However, the number of women as first authors remained lower than men, with only 397 publications having a female first author. Bayesian analysis showed that although the number of coauthors was positively associated with the likelihood to publish in an OA journal, there was a negative association between Vietnamese female author participation and the likelihood to publish OA, a finding that matched the effect of female contribution from other countries. These findings hint at the gender inequality induced by cultural and socio‐economic factors, and we postulate that the influence of financial and other inequalities may limit the ability of women to take full advantage of OA publication to further their careers. Key points: Participation of female researchers in Vietnam has grown considerably in the past decade, with 71% of OA articles having one or more female authors.Vietnamese men still dominate the first author position in all OA articles, with the exception of articles in hybrid journals where women are on a par with men.Over 60% of OA articles by both male and female authors are published by just 10 publishers.There is a positive association between the number of authors and the likelihood of OA publication—but a negative association with the ratio of female authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-pulsed 1064-nm (LP1064) and 755-nm (LP755) lasers have been demonstrated as effective treatments for leg veins. However, few studies of these treatments on Asian skin type as well as direct comparison between two methods were reported. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of LP1064 with LP755 in the treatment of C1 leg veins on skin type IV patients. Patients with symmetric matched areas C1 leg veins were treated with single session of LP1064 for the right and LP755 for the left. Treated areas of every patient were divided into matrices of 2 × 2 cm squares. Vessels in the highest density squares were subjected to evaluation. Spot sizes were 5 mm fixed. Pulse durations and fluences were according to vessel diameters and endpoints, respectively. The clearances were evaluated at 1 and 3 months post treatment. Side effects were recorded immediately, 10 min, 24 h, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Twenty-two patients were enrolled with total 96 vessels from 22 selected squares in the right and 106 vessels from 22 selected squares in the left. At 1-month follow-up, the clearances of LP1064 and LP755 were not significantly different (71.87% and 71.69%, respectively; p = 0.99). At 3-month follow-up, the efficacies were constant and no recurrence occurred. Pain levels of both methods were moderate and significantly lower in LP755. These findings suggest that LP1064 and LP755 laser treatments were comparatively effective and safe for C1 leg veins of skin type IV patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-lactam- and in particular carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae represent a major public health threat. Despite strong variation of resistance across geographical settings, there is limited understanding of the underlying drivers. To assess these drivers, we developed a transmission model of cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The model is parameterized using antibiotic consumption and demographic data from eleven European countries and fitted to the resistance rates for Klebsiella pneumoniae for these settings. The impact of potential drivers of resistance is then assessed in counterfactual analyses. Based on reported consumption data, the model could simultaneously fit the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL and CRK) across eleven European countries over eleven years. The fit could explain the large between-country variability of resistance in terms of consumption patterns and fitted differences in hospital transmission rates. Based on this fit, a counterfactual analysis found that reducing nosocomial transmission and antibiotic consumption in the hospital had the strongest impact on ESBL and CRK prevalence. Antibiotic consumption in the community also affected ESBL prevalence but its relative impact was weaker than inpatient consumption. Finally, we used the model to estimate a moderate fitness cost of CRK and ESBL at the population level. This work highlights the disproportionate role of antibiotic consumption in the hospital and of nosocomial transmission for resistance in gram-negative bacteria at a European level. This indicates that infection control and antibiotic stewardship measures should play a major role in limiting resistance even at the national or regional level. Author summary: As beta-lactam resistant gram-negative bacteria represent one of the most critical threats in the ongoing antibiotic resistance crisis, it is crucial to identify the underlying drivers and develop appropriate measures to curb their spread. By combining a transmission model with epidemiological data at a European level, we can explain the strong differences of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia across European countries and their often-rapid temporal increase. We find that among potentially modifiable drivers, inpatient antibiotic consumption and nosocomial transmission rates have the strongest impact on resistance. This implies that measures aimed to improve the infection control and the antibiotic stewardship in hospitals are crucial for preventing antibiotic resistance in gram-negatives even beyond individual hospitals as they may affect resistance prevalence at the level of entire countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the theory of an ad hoc scattering mechanism for carriers confined in a heterostructure (HS) made of polar materials, such as zinc blends, nitrides, and oxides. We show that the carriers in an actual polar HS must be laterally scattered extra from both piezoelectric and spontaneous polarization charges bound on a rough interface of the system. This is due to roughness-induced fluctuations in the position of interface polarization charges, so referred to as polarization roughness (PR) scattering. The new scattering is combined with the normal surface roughness (SR) scattering, giving rise to an effective roughness-related process, which is referred to as polarization surface roughness (PSR) scattering. The PSR scattering is found to be more important for nearly forward events and at small sheet carrier densities, and it is one of the key mechanisms governing transport in polar HSs. This enables a successful explanation of the mobility data on polar HSs made, e.g., of AlGaN/GaN, which has not been understood so far, starting only from the traditional scattering mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theory of the low-temperature transport of holes confined in the Ge strained channel of single-side modulation-doped SiGe/Ge/SiGe square quantum wells (QWs). Besides the well-known scattering mechanisms such as remote impurities and surface roughness, the theory includes misfit deformation potential. We prove that due to the effect from doping-induced band bending, the surface roughness and misfit deformation potential scatterings are considerably strengthened. Accordingly, these are found to be the key scattering mechanisms in the SiGe/Ge/SiGe system, which are still a subject under debate. Our theory can explain all recent experimental data about the transport properties of interest, namely, the carrier-density dependences of the hole mobility and the ratio of the transport to quantum lifetimes. Further, the calculated hole mobility in Ge strained QWs exhibits a special channel-width dependence with a sharp peak, which was observed but has not been explained so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To quantify the heterogeneity of the tumour apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using voxel-based analysis to differentiate malignancy from benign wall thickening of the urinary bladder.Methods: Nineteen patients with histopathological findings of their cystectomy specimen were included. A data set of voxel-based ADC values was acquired for each patient's lesion. Histogram analysis was performed on each data set to calculate uniformity (U) and entropy (E). The k-means clustering of the voxel-wised ADC data set was implemented to measure mean intra-cluster distance (MICD) and largest inter-cluster distance (LICD). Subsequently, U, E, MICD, and LICD for malignant tumours were compared with those for benign lesions using a two-sample t-test.Results: Eleven patients had pathological confirmation of malignancy and eight with benign wall thickening. Histogram analysis showed that malignant tumours had a significantly higher degree of ADC heterogeneity with lower U (P = 0.016) and higher E (P = 0.005) than benign lesions. In agreement with these findings, k-means clustering of voxel-wise ADC indicated that bladder malignancy presented with significantly higher MICD (P < 0.001) and higher LICD (P = 0.002) than benign wall thickening.Conclusions: The quantitative assessment of tumour diffusion heterogeneity using voxel-based ADC analysis has the potential to become a non-invasive tool to distinguish malignant from benign tissues of urinary bladder cancer.Key Points: • Heterogeneity is an intrinsic characteristic of tumoral tissue. • Non-invasive quantification of tumour heterogeneity can provide adjunctive information to improve cancer diagnosis accuracy. • Histogram analysis and k-means clustering can quantify tumour diffusion heterogeneity. • The quantification helps differentiate malignant from benign urinary bladder tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a non-invasive MRI-based methodology to visually and quantitatively assess the impact of head and chest rotations on the airway caliber. An MRI table set-up was developed for independent rotations of the head and chest along B 0 field and tested for feasibility using phantom scans. The accuracy of the head and chest rotations was validated with ten volunteer scans. A 3T MRI protocol was optimized to image the regions of interest (ROIs) that were the retropalatal (RP) and retroglossal (RG) sections of the upper airway. A workflow for data analysis was developed to assess the changes of the airway caliber following the independent head and chest rotations. A prototype MRI table setup was established with two separate plates each supporting and rotating the head or chest independently. Subject positioning and image acquisition were finished within seven minutes for each position. Thus, each subject MRI was set up with seven positions and completed for less than one hour. The implemented angles were within 0.3-degree deviation from the targeted angles. The data analysis workflow provided 2D and 3D visualization and quantification with the measurements of cross-sectional area, lateral and anterior-posterior distances of the ROIs. Sharp contrast of the airway and its surrounding tissues facilitated an automatic approach to ROI placement to minimize subjectivity. The 3T MRI data acquisition and analysis methodology could reliably assess the impact of head and chest rotations on the upper airway caliber to identify the optimal position for obstructive sleep apnea patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: HIV's capacity to escape immune recognition by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a core component of HIV pathogenesis. A better understanding of the distribution of HLA class I in HIV-infected patients would improve our knowledge of pathogenesis in relation to the host HLA type and could better improve therapeutic strategies against HIV. Materials and Methods: Three hundred one to 325 transmission pairs and 469–496 clusters were identified for analysis among Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) participants using HIV pol sequences from the drug resistance database. HLA class I data were compiled at 3 specificity levels: 4-digit, 2-digit alleles, and HLA-B supertype. The analysis tabulated HLA-I homogeneity as 2 measures: the proportion of transmission pairs, which are HLA concordant, and the average percentage of allele matches within all clusters. These measures were compared with the mean value across randomizations with randomly assorted individuals. Results: We repeated the analysis for different HLA classification levels and separately for HLA-A, -B, and -C. Subanalyses by the risk group were performed for HLA-B. HLA-B showed significantly greater homogeneity in the transmission chains (2-digit clusters: 0.291 vs. 0.251, P value = 0.009; supertype clusters: 0.659 vs. 0.611, P value = 0.002; supertype pairs: 0.655 vs. 0.608, P value = 0.014). Risk group restriction caused the effect to disappear for men-who-have-sex-with-men but not for other risk groups. We also examined if protective HLA alleles B27 and B57 were under- or overrepresented in the transmission chains, although this yielded no significant pattern. Conclusions: The HLA-B alleles of patients within HIV-1 transmission chains segregate in homogenous clusters/pairs, potentially indicating preferential transmission among HLA-B concordant individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumen protozoa produce hydrogen, which can be utilised by methanogens to produce enteric methane (CH 4 ) that is a loss of digested energy and has an adverse environmental impact as a greenhouse gas. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the absence of rumen protozoa on pasture intake, ruminal fermentation and enteric CH 4 production and performance of grazing sheep. An incomplete crossover experiment was conducted with eleven crossbred ewes (6 without [defaunated] and 5 with protozoa [refaunated]) on 2 × 2 ha pastures with daily CH 4 production (DMP) being measured by GreenFeed Emission Monitoring (GEM) units. Grazing defaunated sheep exhibited a lower concentration of rumen ammonia ( P  = 0.01), but similar concentrations of total rumen volatile fatty acids compared to refaunated sheep ( P  > 0.05). The molar proportion of acetate was decreased and butyrate proportion was increased by defaunation, while the proportion of propionate was unchanged. Estimated pasture intake was not different between defaunated and refaunated sheep ( P  > 0.05). Defaunated sheep tended to have a higher total dry matter intake (tDMI; P  = 0.06), being the sum of pasture intake and pellet supplement intake. There was a tendency towards a lower CH 4 yield (g CH 4 /kg tDMI; P  = 0.07) in defaunated sheep, but no differences in average daily gain or wool growth occurred due to defaunation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of molecular organic semiconductors constituting of two side groups R, R = silole or silole-benzene, attached symmetrically to a central dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide unit were theoretically designed as host materials in red phosphorescence. Their electronic and transport properties were determined using density functional theory methods. Structural modifications of the R groups and central units were performed with the aim of increasing both triplet energy and charge mobility. Calculated results suggested a few compounds to have sufficiently high triplet energies (>2.5 eV) to be used as host materials in PhOLED devices in combination with low-triplet-energy guest materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A BNSi cage is formed upon substitution of Si sites of rhombus faces of the pure Si cluster by B and N atoms. Doping by the ion Mn leads to the hetero-silicon fullerene BNSiMn which comprises three rhombi (BNBN, SiB and SiN) and four pentagons (two SiBN and two SiBN). Hetero-atoms form polarized Si-N and Si-B bonds as indicated by electron localization function (ELF) maps and NBO charges. The Mn center connects the BNSi cage by ionic interactions. Valence electrons of BNSiMn occupy a shell configuration of [1S 1P 1D 1F 1G 2S 2P 2D] and induce a certain thermodynamic stability. The high spin of the Mn metal cation is completely quenched within the hetero-Si fullerene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue globally and poor eating habits are an important contributing factor. This study aimed to explore the perceptions, practices and attitudes towards healthy eating in Bruneian primary school children. Methods and Study Design: A qualitative study was conducted among 40 subjects involving 18 children (aged 9-10 years old), 12 parents and 10 teachers, who were recruited from two primary schools using convenience sampling. Five focus group discussion sessions were conducted, and recorded discussions were translated. The transcripts were entered into NVivo10 and thematic analysis was conducted. Results: All participants had differing perceptions of the term 'healthy eating'. Children reported 'healthy eating' by identifying foods or food groups they perceived as healthy and unhealthy. Only a few mentioned fruits and vegetables as essential to a healthy diet. Parents mainly perceived 'healthy eating' as consuming 'any quality food' that contains 'vitamins and minerals'. Teachers described a healthy diet as including balanced and varied dietary practices, having breakfast and eating regularly at the right, set times. They also associated eating healthily with traditional, home-grown and home-cooked food. All participants had positive attitudes towards healthy eating, however most children demonstrated unhealthy eating habits and frequently consumed unhealthy foods. Conclusions: The Bruneian primary school children reported favourable knowledge despite having poor healthy eating habits. The factors influencing participants eating behavior included food preferences, familial factors (parental style and parenting knowledge), food accessibility and availability, time constraints, as well as convenience. These factors hindered them from adopting healthy eating practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhinovirus (HRV) is associated with the large majority of virus-induced asthma exacerbations in children and young adults, but the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Methods: Asthmatics and non-asthmatic controls were inoculated with HRV-A16, and nasal epithelial samples were obtained 7 days before, 36 hours after, and 7 days after viral inoculation. RNA was extracted and subjected to RNA-seq analysis. Results: At baseline, 57 genes were differentially expressed between asthmatics and controls, and the asthmatics had decreased expression of viral replication inhibitors and increased expression of genes involved in inflammation. At 36 hours (before the emergence of peak symptoms), 1329 genes were significantly altered from baseline in the asthmatics compared to 62 genes in the controls. At this time point, asthmatics lacked an increase in IL-10 signaling observed in the controls. At 7 days following HRV inoculation, 222 genes were significantly dysregulated in the asthmatics, whereas only 4 genes were dysregulated among controls. At this time point, the controls but not asthmatics demonstrated upregulation of SPINK5. Conclusions: As judged by the magnitude and persistence of dysregulated genes, asthmatics have a substantially different host response to HRV-A16 infection compared with non-asthmatic controls. Gene expression differences illuminate biologically plausible mechanisms that contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HRV-induced asthma exacerbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal intercalation to graphite produces various types of superconductors. The highest superconducting transition temperature T c (onset temperature, T c onset , of 11.5 K) was found in Ca intercalated graphite, denoted CaC 6 . T c onset increased up to 15.1 K at 7.5 GPa, implying a positive pressure dependence. However, no new metal-intercalated graphite superconductors with T c onset higher than 11.5 K at ambient pressure have so far been reported. To search for new graphite superconductors, we successfully synthesized binary-element-intercalated graphite, Ca x K 1−x C y . Their structure resembles that of KC 8 . T c increased continuously with increasing x. Furthermore, the pressure dependence of T c in Ca 0.6 K 0.4 C 8 was investigated over a wide pressure range from 0–43 GPa. T c (= 9.6 K at 0 GPa) increased to 11.6 K at 3.3 GPa, and decreased to 2.0 K at 41 GPa. This behavior is similar to that of CaC 6 , albeit with a lower maximum T c . X-ray diffraction patterns were measured under high pressures of 0–24 GPa, and suggest a structural transition at 15 GPa. Evidence is given for superconducting graphite involving binary metal intercalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe hypoglycemia (SH) is the most frequent and potentially serious complication affecting individuals with type 1 diabetes and can have major clinical and psychosocial consequences. Glucagon is the only approved treatment for SH that can be administered by non–health care professionals (HCPs); however, reports on the experiences and emotions of people with type 1 diabetes associated with SH and glucagon rescue use are limited. This survey study demonstrated that an increasing number of individuals with type 1 diabetes have current and filled prescriptions for glucagon and have been educated about glucagon rescue use by an HCP. Despite this positive trend, challenges with SH remain, including a high level of health care resource utilization, considerable out-of-pocket expenses for glucagon kits, a high prevalence of hypoglycemia unawareness, and a negative emotional impact on individuals with diabetes. Nocturnal and exercise-related hypoglycemia were concerns for most survey participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Currently, HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services in Vietnam are primarily funded by international sources. However, international funders are now planning to withdraw their support and the Government of Vietnam (GVN) is seeking to identify domestic funding and generate client fees to continue services. A clear understanding of the cost to sustain current HTC services is becoming increasingly important to facilitate planning that can lead to making HTC and other HIV services more affordable and sustainable in Vietnam. The objectives of this analysis were to provide a snapshot of current program costs to achieve key program outcomes including 1) testing and identifying PLHIV unaware of their HIV status and 2) successfully enrolling HIV (+) clients in care. Methods: We reviewed expenditure data reported by 34 HTC sites in nine Vietnamese provinces over a one-year period from October 2012 to September 2013. Data on program outcomes were extracted from the HTC database of 42,390 client records. Analysis was carried out from the service providers’ perspective. Results: The mean expenditure for a single client provided HTC services (testing, receiving results and referral for care/treatment) was US $7.6. The unit expenditure per PLHIV identified through these services varied widely from US $22.8 to $741.5 (median: $131.8). Excluding repeat tests, the range for expenditure to newly diagnose a PLHIV was even wider (from US $30.8 to $1483.0). The mean expenditure for one successfully referred HIV client to care services was US $466.6. Personnel costs contributed most to the total cost. Conclusions: Our analysis found a wide range of expenditures by site for achieving the same outcomes. Re-designing systems to provide services at the lowest feasible cost is essential to making HIV services more affordable and treatment for prevention programs feasible in Vietnam. The analysis also found that understanding the determinants and reasons for variance in service costs by site is an important enhancement to the cascade of HIV services framework now adapted for and extensively used in Vietnam for planning and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article "Identifying and Characterizing Trans Women in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study as an Epidemiologically Distinct Risk Group."

The efficient formation of HCN/HNC fromformamide (FM) combiningthe advantages of water-assistance, self-catalyzed reactions, andthe mineral surfaces was investigated. Periodic density functionaltheory calculations with plane-wave pseudopotential basis sets wereperformed to study the interaction of FM with pyrite (100) ideal anddefect surfaces. Effects of sulfur vacancy defect and water on tautomerizationand rearrangement barriers of FM on the (100) surface were evaluated.Calculated results show that FM adsorbs more strongly on the defectsurface than on the ideal surface, with the lowest adsorption energyon the defect surface being −22 kcal/mol. The energy barriersfor rearrangements of FM on these two surfaces being close to eachother suggests that the adsorptions on the surfaces have small effectson the energy barriers. The energy barriers for formimic acid isomerformations are 44.5 and 46.0 kcal/mol, and those of aminohydroxymethyleneformations are 72.6 and 71.9 kcal/mol on the ideal and defect surfaces,respectively. A reduction of ∼30 kcal/mol in tautomerizationenergy barriers is observed in water-assisted process on the defectsurface. Because this reduction is close to that of the gas-phasereactions, the catalytic effect is clearly due to the presence ofwater molecule instead of the interaction with the surface. In thiscase, the pyrite surfaces with the ability to accumulate reactivespecies only play the role of connecting bridges between the two stepsof the proposed reaction mechanism: the water-assisted rearrangementand the self-catalyzed dehydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A unified mechanism is proposed for the formation of xanthine and isoguanine. [•] The mechanisms explain formation of biomolecules and promote prebiotic biodiversity. [•] The mechanisms are appropriate for non-aqueous scenarios of prebiotic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The structure–property relationships of two series of silole-based oligomers including 1,1-substituted oligo(2,5-siloles) and the compounds based on phenylethynylene moieties alternated with fused silole rings (PhEtS) are theoretically investigated using density functional theory. Their electronic, optical and charge transport properties are analyzed in detail. All silole derivatives have typical low-lying LUMOs. The reorganization energies and thereby the charge transport of these oligomers are evaluated. PhEtS molecules show reorganization energies comparable to those of thiophenes that are good for this property. Calculated results thus suggested that silole-based oligomers can be considered as potential candidates to be used as materials for electron transport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Accelerating wavepackets are obtained by applying the extended Galilean transformation to free-space particle wavepackets, or to time-dependent bound states. The transformed Schrödinger equation contains a potential term, which drives the acceleration. The method reproduces Darwin’s result for an accelerating Gaussian wavepacket in a constant force field, and Schrödinger’s oscillating wavepacket in a harmonic well. We also derive a new accelerating Airy wavepacket in a gravitational field, and give a new derivation of oscillating wavepackets based on the higher harmonic oscillator energy eigenstates. These results illustrate an analytic method of dealing with wavepackets accelerating in force fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The molecular structures, electronic and charge-transport properties of three conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) including PFPhCO2Na, PFPhSO3Na, and PFPhBIm4 are studied using the density functional theory with B3LYP functional. The charge injection and charge transport properties are investigated through the ionization energies, electron affinities, lowest allowed excitation energies, reorganization energies and electron transfer integrals. The electron/hole injections have great effect on the planarity of cationic/anionic CPEs. The band gaps of the CPEs do not vary significantly with the charged groups and counterions. Charge-transport properties show that the PFPhSO3Na and PFPhBIm4 are good candidates for electron-transport materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A cryogenic loading system for introducing H2 and D2 into the diamond anvil cell has been designed and constructed. The integration of pressure loading mechanism, ruby fluorescence spectrometer, and microscope camera allows for in situ tuning and calibrating the pressure. The performance of the system has been demonstrated by successful synthesis of hydride and deuteride of transition metal and rare earth metal. Our cryogenic methodology features facile start-over of loading and in situ electrical resistance measurement of as-synthesized sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Progesterone (P4) has been implicated as a protective factor for ovarian and endometrial cancers, yet little is known about its mechanism of action. We have shown apoptosis in ovarian and endometrial cancer cells with high doses of P4. Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an altered redox status have long been observed in cancer cells. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of P4 on cell growth, ROS generation, oxidative stress markers, and the expression of antioxidant proteins. Methods. All experiments were performed in vitro using cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation was determined using MTS proliferation assay. Production of ROS in cells was measured with the ROS indicator dye, aminophenyl fluorescein. Alterations in expression of antioxidant and apoptotic proteins were assessed by Western blotting. Results. The exposure of ovarian and endometrial cancer cell cultures to various doses of P4 caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and the activation of caspase-3. Levels of ROS, markers of oxidative stress, and antioxidant proteins were elevated in cancer cells compared to normal cells and a marked decrease in their expression was seen following P4 treatment. In cancer cells, ROS was elevated while p-53 expression was low. P4 exposure of cells resulted in increased p-53 and BAX and decreased BCL-2 expression. Conclusions. The data indicates that P4 has antioxidant effects. It alleviates ROS stress and causes apoptosis by upregulating proapoptotic (p-53 and BAX) and decreasing antiapoptotic (BCL-2) gene expression in cancer cells. These findings could have potential therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study presents an approach where semi-empirical molecular orbital theory can be used to screen for desirable optical properties of conjugated organic materials including Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) molecules prior to more elaborate computational study or actual experiments. Band-gap, HOMO (for ionization potential), and LUMO (for electron affinity) orbital energies from the PM6 method can be adjusted by shifting vertically to reproduce experimental data or accurate calculated data of one reference molecule in the class, and then the shifting constants can be used to estimate properties for other molecules in the class. The approach was tested with five different subclasses of oligothiophene derivatives which have different end-capped groups. Error analyses indicate that this approach is nearly as accurate as TDDFT but cost significantly less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), key management is one of the crucial aspects of security. Although existing key management schemes are enough to solve most of the security constraints on WSNs, a random-key predistribution scheme has recently evolved as an efficient solution for sharing keys between sensor nodes. Studying the signal ranges of the sensor nodes might significantly improve the performance of the key-sharing mechanism, but this possibility remains unexploited and needs further attention. Hence, in this paper, we propose a new approach for a probabilistic key predistribution scheme that guarantees a higher probability of sharing keys between nodes that are within the signal range than that of other schemes. As a result, the proposed approach provides adequate security and is expected to minimize the key ring, reduce the communication overhead, and provide high connectivity. We also compare our present scheme with existing algorithms developed for the same purpose and observe that the proposed scheme performed better, even with different deployment errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guest Editors It is our pleasure to present this special section of Computers & Graphics (C&G), featuring the best paper presented at the 25th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST 2019), held November 12-15, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. ACM VRST is a premier international forum for the exchange of experiences and knowledge among researchers and developers concerned with virtual reality software and technology. This paper, "Realistic haptic rendering of hyper-elastic material via measurement-based FEM model identification and real-time simulation" by the authors Arsen Abdulali, Ibragim Atadjanov, Seungkyu Lee and Seokhee Jeon [1], presents a haptic rendering framework that is capable of enhancing haptic feedback realism by means of an innovative, measurement-based modeling and rendering paradigm. [Extracted from the article]

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe hemorrhagic transboundary swine viral disease with up to a 100% mortality rate, which leads to a tremendous socio-economic loss worldwide. The lack of safe and efficacious ASF vaccines is the greatest challenge in the prevention and control of ASF. In this study, we generated a safe and effective live-attenuated virus (LAV) vaccine candidate VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 by serially passaging a virulent genotype II strain (VNUA-ASFV-L2) in an immortalized porcine alveolar macrophage cell line (3D4/21, 50 passages). VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 lost its hemadsorption ability but maintained comparable growth kinetics in 3D4/21 cells to that of the parental strain. Notably, it exhibited significant attenuation of virulence in pigs across different doses (103, 104, and 105 TCID50). All vaccinated pigs remained healthy with no clinical signs of African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection throughout the 28-day observation period of immunization. VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 was efficiently cleared from the blood at 14–17 days post-infection, even at the highest dose (105 TCID50). Importantly, the attenuation observed in vivo did not compromise the ability of VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 to induce protective immunity. Vaccination with VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses in pigs, achieving 100% protection against a lethal wild-type ASFV (genotype II) challenge at all tested doses (103, 104, and 105 TCID50). Furthermore, a single vaccination (104 TCID50) provided protection for up to 2 months. These findings suggest that VNUA-ASFV-LAVL3 can be utilized as a promising safe and efficacious LAV candidate against the contemporary pandemic genotype II ASFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Vietnam and the Philippines, viral hepatitis is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. This study aims to understand the barriers and enablers of people receiving care for hepatitis B and C to support both countries' efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Retrospective, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposive, quota‐based sample of 63 people living with hepatitis B or C in one province of Vietnam and one region of the Philippines. A rapid deductive approach to thematic analysis produced key findings among the three phases of care: (1) pre‐awareness and testing, (2) linkage and treatment initiation and (3) ongoing treatment and recovery. The research found that participants followed five typical journeys, from a variety of entry points. Barriers during the pre‐awareness and testing phase included limited awareness about hepatitis and its management, stigma and psychological impacts. Enablers included being familiar with the health system and/or patients benefiting from social connections within the health systems. During the linkage and treatment initiation phase, barriers included difficult physical access, complex navigation and inadequate counselling. In this phase, family support emerged as a critical enabler. During the ongoing treatment and recovery phase, the cost of care and socially and culturally informed perceptions of the disease and medication use were both barriers and enablers. Exploring peoples' journeys with hepatitis B and C in Vietnam and the Philippines revealed many similarities despite the different cultural and health system contexts. Insights from this study may help generate a contextualized, people‐centred evidence base to inform the design and improvement of primary care services for hepatitis in both research sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammasomes are large cytosolic multiprotein complexes assembled in response to infection and cellular stress, and are crucial for the activation of inflammatory caspases and the subsequent processing and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. While caspase-1 is activated within the canonical inflammasome, the related caspase-4 (also known as caspase-11 in mice) and caspase-5 are activated within the non-canonical inflammasome upon sensing of cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. However, the consequences of canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation are similar. Caspase-1 promotes the processing and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and the release of danger signals, as well as a lytic form of cell death called pyroptosis, whereas caspase-4, caspase-5 and caspase-11 directly promote pyroptosis through cleavage of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD), and trigger a secondary activation of the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome for cytokine release. Since the presence of the non-canonical inflammasome activator LPS leads to endotoxemia and sepsis, non-canonical inflammasome activation and regulation has important clinical ramifications. Here we discuss the mechanism of non-canonical inflammasome activation, mechanisms regulating its activity and its contribution to health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the ratio between relaxation lifetimes dominated by roughness-related scatterings in heterostructures is a well-defined function of the correlation length. Thus, we propose an efficient method for individual estimation of the two size parameters of interface profiles from transport data. Instead of the normal simultaneous fitting of both parameters to lifetimes, we adopt a two-step procedure of (i) inferring the correlation length from some lifetime ratio and then (ii) fitting the roughness amplitude to some lifetime. Similarly, the ratio of roughness-induced linewidths in intersubband absorption may give such an estimation from optical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]