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This study aimed to improve students' literacy skills in carrying out distance learning and examine the effect of problem-based learning in reverse online classes on statistical literacy skills in distance learning. This research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic at Prisma University and Manado State University with 198 students taking statistical methods courses. A quantitative approach to quasi-experimental research was used. The instruments used are written tests and video-based projects with relevant entrepreneurship questions. Data was collected through pre- and post-tests, then analyzed using a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and an independent sample t-test. The results showed that problem-based learning in reverse online classes positively affected statistical literacy skills in distance learning. In addition, positive responses from students working on statistical projects in entrepreneurship were found. This may be observed from the perceptions of students who show high satisfaction with the assignment in the field of entrepreneurship in this study. Furthermore, the results of this study confirm that student involvement is a critical element in implementing distance learning.

Abstract Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Puumala virus (PUUV) are pathogenic zoonoses found in Asia and Europe, respectively. We conducted a randomized Phase 1 clinical trial of individual HTNV and PUUV DNA vaccines targeting the envelope glycoproteins (GnGc), as well as a combined HTNV/PUUV DNA vaccine delivered at varying doses using the PharmaJet Stratis® needle-free injection system (NCT02776761). Cohort 1 and 2 vaccines consisted of 2 mg/vaccination of HTNV or PUUV plasmid, respectively. Cohort 3 vaccine consisted of 2 mg/vaccination of 1:1 mixture of HTNV and PUUV vaccines. Vaccinations were administered on Days 0, 28, 56, and 168. The vaccines were safe and well tolerated. Neutralizing antibody responses were elicited in 7/7 (100%) subjects who received the HTNV DNA (Cohort 1) and 6/6 (100%) subjects who received the PUUV DNA (Cohort 2) vaccines alone. The combination vaccine resulted in 4/9 (44%) seroconversion against both viruses. After the first two vaccinations, the seroconversion rates for the HTNV and PUUV vaccines were >80%.

Abstract The link between the oral microbiome and neurodevelopmental disorders remains a compelling hypothesis, still requiring confirmation in large-scale datasets. Leveraging over 7000 whole-genome sequenced salivary samples from 2025 US families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), our cross-sectional study shows that the oral microbiome composition can discriminate ASD subjects from neurotypical siblings (NTs, AUC = 0.66), with 108 differentiating species (q

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia. Children under 15 years are disproportionately affected. In pediatric patients, the clinical and laboratory features of VL often overlap with those of other infectious and hematology-oncology diseases, making differential diagnosis challenging. Rapid and accurate identification of VL is critical for effective treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of pediatric patients initially suspected of having VL and to compare their final diagnoses upon discharge from a referral hospital. Methods We retrospectively analyzed medical records of children with suspected VL, admitted between July 2014 and June 2019. Results Infectious diseases were confirmed in 61% of cases (86 patients), with VL confirmed in 55 cases. Hematology-oncology diseases were the second most common diagnosis, affecting 22.7% of patients (32 cases). Comparisons between the VL-confirmed group and those with other diagnoses revealed no significant age difference (p = 0.690). However, female sex, spleen size, and leukopenia were identified as significant predictors of VL. Conclusions Female sex, spleen size, and leukopenia were key predictors for differentiating VL from other pediatric diseases in a referral center in the Northeast Region of Brazil.

Abstract The Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium (TSMC) was founded to enhance collaboration, coordination, and communication of microbiome research among DoD organizations and to facilitate resource, material and information sharing among consortium members, which includes collaborators in academia and industry. The 2023 annual symposium was a hybrid meeting held in Washington DC on 26–27 September 2023 concurrent with the virtual attendance, with oral and poster presentations and discussions centered on microbiome-related topics within five broad thematic areas: 1) Environmental Microbiome Characterization; 2) Microbiome Analysis; 3) Human Microbiome Characterization; 4) Microbiome Engineering; and 5) In Vitro and In Vivo Microbiome Models. Collectively, the symposium provided an update on the scope of current DoD and DoD-affiliated microbiome research efforts and fostered collaborative opportunities. This report summarizes the presentations and outcomes of the 7th annual TSMC symposium.

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a health problem in Brazil and worldwide. Without treatment, the infection can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), with a high mortality potential. The objective of this study was to analyze the time trend of AIDS mortality in Brazil, macro-regions, federal units and their respective capitals, from 2012 to 2022. Methods This is a time-series study of all AIDS deaths in Brazil from 2012 to 2022. The study included the annual number of deaths and the crude and standardized mortality rates. The Joinpoint regression model was used for the time analysis of the standardized rates. Annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and a 5% significance level were used. Results During the period analyzed, 128,678 AIDS deaths were recorded in Brazil, with a crude mortality rate of 6.3/100,000 and a standardized mortality rate of 5.3/100,000. From 2012 to 2020, three regions showed a declining trend in AIDS mortality: Central-West (AAPC − 2.3%; 95%CI -4.3 to -0.21; p = 0.03), Southeast (AAPC − 5.6%; 95%CI -6.8 to -4.0; p

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in mice has been used to identify the mechanisms and therapeutics for neuroinflammation. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the behavioral changes including locomotion, exploration, and memory, correlating them with a panel of thirteen inflammatory cytokines in both blood and brain. We found that acute LPS administration (0.83 mg/Kg i.p.) reduced body weight, food intake, and glucose levels compared to the saline-injected mice, concomitant with decreased activity in home cage monitoring. Locomotion was significantly reduced in Open Field, Introduced Object, and Y-Maze tests. Decreased exploratory behavior in the Y-Maze and Introduced Object tests was noticed, by measuring the number of arms explored and object interaction time, respectively. Additionally, in rotarod, LPS administration led to a significant decrease in the distance achieved, while in the MouseWalker, LPS led to a reduction in average velocity. LPS induced a decrease in microglia ramification index in the motor cortex and the striatum, while surprisingly a reduction in microglia number was observed in the motor cortex. The concentrations of thirteen cytokines in the blood were significantly altered, while only CXCL1, CCL22, CCL17, G-CSF, and IL-12p40 were changed in the brain. Correlations between cytokine levels in blood and brain were found, most notably for CCL17 and CCL22. TGFβ was the only one with negative correlations to other cytokines. Correlations between cytokines and behavior changes were also disclosed, especially for CCL17, CCL22, G-CSF, and IL-6 and negatively for TGFβ and IL-10. In summary, our study employing acute LPS challenge in mice has revealed a comprehensive profile of behavioral alterations alongside significant changes in inflammatory cytokine levels, both in peripheral blood and brain tissue. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between inflammation and behavior, with possible implications for identifying prognostics and therapeutic targets for neuroinflammatory conditions.

Abstract 2D semiconductors offer a promising pathway to replace silicon in next-generation electronics. Among their many advantages, 2D materials possess atomically-sharp surfaces and enable scaling the channel thickness down to the monolayer limit. However, these materials exhibit comparatively lower charge carrier mobility and higher contact resistance than 3D semiconductors, making it challenging to realize high-performance devices at scale. In this work, we search for high-mobility 2D materials by combining a high-throughput screening strategy with state-of-the-art calculations based on the ab initio Boltzmann transport equation. Our analysis singles out a known transition metal dichalcogenide, monolayer WS2, as the most promising 2D semiconductor, with the potential to reach ultra-high room-temperature hole mobilities in excess of 1300 cm2/Vs should Ohmic contacts and low defect densities be achieved. Our work also highlights the importance of performing full-blown ab initio transport calculations to achieve predictive accuracy, including spin–orbital couplings, quasiparticle corrections, dipole and quadrupole long-range electron–phonon interactions, as well as scattering by point defects and extended defects.

Abstract Background Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase protein that belongs to the pentraxin family, which plays an important role in the body’s defense against pathogens. PTX3 levels have been associated with inflammatory processes, and it is a possible biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of different infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyze the potential of PTX3 as a plasma biomarker for predicting death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods The study included a total of 312 patients with COVID-19, admitted from July 2020 to August 2021 to hospital ward and intensive care unit beds at two hospitals in the Northeast Region of Brazil. PTX3 was measured using ELISA in samples collected within 24 h after hospital admission. Maximally selected rank statistics were used to determine the PTX3 cutoff point that best distinguished patients who died from those who survived. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the performance of the biomarker. Survival analysis was performed using a Kaplan-Meier curve, and a Cox regression model was used to determine predictors associated with death. Results Of the 312 patients included in the study, 233 recovered and 79 died. Patients who died had higher PTX3 levels at the time of admission, when compared to those who recovered (median: 52.84 versus 10.79 ng/mL; p 27.3 ng/mL was an important predictor of death, regardless of other confounding factors (hazard ratio = 1.79; p = 0.027). Conclusion PTX3 can be considered as a potential biomarker for predicting death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Abstract Background Dengue is a vector-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus transmitted to humans primarily by Aedes aegypti. The year 2024 has been a historic year for dengue in Brazil, with the highest number of probable cases ever registered. Herein, we analyze the temporal trend and spatio-temporal dynamics of dengue cases in Brazil during the first nine epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2024. Methods This is an ecological study, including all probable cases of dengue in Brazil during the period, carried out in two steps: time series analysis to assess the temporal trend and spatial analysis to identify high-risk clusters. Results 1,345,801 probable cases of dengue were reported. The regions with the highest increasing trend were the Northeast with an average epidemiologic week percent change (AEPC) of 52.4 (95% CI: 45.5–59.7; p

Abstract Background A central challenge to closing the mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is determining the most effective pathway for delivering evidence-based mental health services. We are conducting a cluster-randomized, Type 2 hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial across 20 districts of Mozambique called the Partnerships in Research to Implement and Disseminate Sustainable and Scalable EBPs (PRIDE) program. Following training of nonspecialized providers in facilitation of evidence-based treatments for mental health and informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we identified how PRIDE compares to care as usual and the perceived barriers and facilitators of implementation and modifications needed for widescale service delivery and scale-up. Methods We conducted rapid ethnographic assessment using freelisting among 34 providers, followed by four focus group discussions (n = 29 participants) with a subsample of psychiatric technicians and primary care providers from 14 districts in Nampula Province. We used Thematic Analysis to inductively apply open codes to transcripts and then deductively applied the CFIR domains and constructs to organize open codes. Results The main Outer Setting constructs relevant to implementation were recognition that patient mental health needs were significant. Additionally, numerous community-level characteristics were identified as barriers, including distance between clinics; shortage of providers; and low awareness of mental health problems, stigma, and discrimination among community members towards those with mental health struggles. The PRIDE program was perceived to offer a relative advantage over usual care because of its use of task-sharing and treating mental illness in the community. PRIDE addressed Inner Setting barriers of having available resources and training and provider low self-efficacy and limited knowledge of mental illness. Providers recommended leadership engagement to give support for supervision of other task-shared professionals delivering mental healthcare. Conclusions Primary care providers and psychiatric technicians in Mozambique perceived the relative advantage of the PRIDE program to address mental health treatment access barriers and offered recommendations for successful sustainment and scale up of integrated mental health care.

Abstract Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic and infective bacterium containing an orphan DNA methyltransferase called M.BceJIV with roles in regulating gene expression and motility of the bacterium. M.BceJIV recognizes a GTWWAC motif (where W can be an adenine or a thymine) and methylates N6 of the adenine at the fifth base position. Here, we present crystal structures of M.BceJIV/DNA/sinefungin ternary complex and allied biochemical, computational, and thermodynamic analyses. Remarkably, the structures show not one, but two DNA substrates bound to the M.BceJIV dimer, with each monomer contributing to the recognition of two recognition sequences. We also show that methylation at the two recognition sequences occurs independently, and that the GTWWAC motifs are enriched in intergenic regions in the genomes of B. cenocepacia strains. We further computationally assess the interactions underlying the affinities of different ligands (SAM, SAH, and sinefungin) for M.BceJIV, as a step towards developing selective inhibitors for limiting B. cenocepacia infection.

Grounding our work in shared commitments to community care, our collective of racially minoritized higher education scholars aims to resist the often overly competitive and isolating nature of research teams in graduate education. Our commitments to community care are also in opposition to a hyperfocus on productivity as a measure of success in the academy. In this collaborative autoethnography, we reflected upon and made meaning of our experiences as a research team of racially minoritized scholars at a predominantly white institution who are striving to enact our commitments to community care. Using socialization and the theory of refusal as guiding frameworks, we identified three concepts that were vital to our efforts as a team: (a) holding space for racialization and resistance, (b) deliberate centering of the collective learning process and co-construction of knowledge, and (c) acknowledging the tension between production pressures and maintaining relationships. Our findings highlight how research teams can serve as sites of connection, refusal, and resistance for racially minoritized scholars in higher education. By committing to mutuality and our humanity, we also illustrate how research teams can be used to imagine and create new futures in the academy.

This paper analyzes, and discusses Maya family narratives as they pertain to the educational perspectives and values they shared about their relatives in East Oakland, California. These were on display in ethnographic interview contexts conducted with families of Maya youth on their ancestral lands in the Guatemalan departments of Huehuetenango and San Marcos. The argument is presented that these educational perspectives constitute cultural practices of "transnational family involvement" that demonstrate educational values that educators should seek to understand as they work with youth from the Maya diaspora. Further, the study argues that the cultural practices of transnational family involvement can help us to think through the ways that approaches to strengths-based educational practice, and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies can be improved by unpacking hidden deficit-orientations bound up with the idea that teachers, researchers, and activists need to be the ones to help sustain culture. Instead, these findings suggest that we need to be centering the ways that communities are already engaging in cultural sustenance as a starting point, rather than centering the attempts at cultural eradication that we face.

We present the case of a forty-year-old asymptomatic female with no personal or family history of breast cancer, who underwent a core needle biopsy (CNB) following the identification of a focal asymmetry in the right breast on screening mammography. Eight months later, a prominent adjacent vascular structure with a round outpouching was detected on breast ultrasound, confirmed as a post-biopsy pseudoaneurysm. Breast pseudoaneurysms, although exceedingly rare, result from inadvertent vessel puncture during core needle biopsies, particularly when larger gauge needles are used. They present as palpable, throbbing lumps in the breast and are well-defined heterogeneous structures that exhibit turbulent flow with a feeding artery on color Doppler imaging. This swirling sign showing a to-and-fro waveform is also known as the “yin-yang” sign on Doppler ultrasound. Post-CNB pseudoaneurysms in the breast, while rare, should be considered as potential complications following core need biopsy. Understanding their characteristic imaging features, risk factors, and available management options is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This case underscores the importance of vigilance in biopsy procedures and the need for prompt recognition and intervention in case of such complications.