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Background: It has been suggested that extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) might be more sensitive than conventional audiometry in detecting early signs of hearing impairment. However, this technique has not been adequately tested in an occupational environment. We therefore investigated the usefulness of this method in noise-exposed workers., Methods: We compared conventional frequency audiometry (0.25-8 kHz) and EHFA (9-18 kHz) in 184 noise-exposed and 98 non-noise-exposed workers., Results: Both methods showed significantly higher threshold levels (P < 0.05) in noise-exposed workers for most of the tested frequencies; however, the differences were more marked for EHFA, especially in young exposed workers. Significant differences in the EHF range were detected also in the subgroup of noise-exposed workers with normal findings at conventional audiometry. Stepwise regression analysis showed that in 21- to 40-year-old workers the noise effect was largely predominant at both conventional audiometry and EHFA, whereas in older subjects the noise effect was predominant up to 6 kHz frequency, the effect of age being significantly greater at higher frequencies., Conclusions: These data indicate that EHFA is more sensitive than conventional audiometry in detecting noise induced hearing loss. However, hearing loss in the EHF range seems an age-dependent phenomenon with progression into the lower speech range frequencies with increasing age. These changes seem to be accentuated in the early years by noise exposure, suggesting that EHFA could represent a useful preventive measure in young exposed workers., (Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

In species distribution modelling (SDM), it is common practice to explore multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms and combine their results into ensembles. In R, many implementations of different ML algorithms are available but, as they were mostly developed independently, they often use inconsistent syntax and data structures. For this reason, repeating an analysis with multiple algorithms and combining their results can be challenging.Specialised SDM packages solve this problem by providing a simpler, unified interface by wrapping the original functions to tackle each specific requirement. However, creating and maintaining such interfaces is time‐consuming, and with this approach, the user cannot easily integrate other methods that may become available.Here, we present tidysdm, an R package that solves this problem by taking advantage of the tidymodels universe. tidymodels provide standardised grammar, data structures and modelling interfaces, and a well‐documented infrastructure to integrate new algorithms and metrics. The wide adoption of tidymodels means that most ML algorithms and metrics are already integrated, and the user can add additional ones. Moreover, because of the broad adoption of tidymodels, new statistical approaches tend to be implemented quickly, making them easily integrated into existing pipelines and analyses.tidysdm takes advantage of the tidymodels universe to provide a flexible and fully customisable pipeline to fit SDM. It includes SDM‐specific algorithms and metrics, and methods to facilitate the use of spatial data within tidymodels.Additionally, tidysdm is the first software that natively allows SDM to be performed using data from different periods, expanding the availability of SDM for scholars working in palaeontology, archaeology, palaeobiology, palaeoecology and other disciplines focussing on the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examining patterns of genetic diversity are crucial for conservation planning on endangered species, while inferring the underlying process of recent anthropogenic habitat modifications in the context potential long‐term demographic changes remains challenging. The globally endangered scaly‐sided merganser (SSME), Mergus squamatus, is endemic to a narrow range in Northeast Asia, and its population has recently been contracted into two main breeding areas. Although low genetic diversity has been suggested in the Russian population, the genetic status and demographic history of these individuals have not been fully elucidated. We therefore examined the genetic diversity and structure of the breeding populations of the SSME and investigated the relative importance of historical and recent demographic changes to the present‐day pattern of genetic diversity. Using 10 nuclear microsatellite (SSR) markers and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences, we found limited female‐inherited genetic diversity and a high level of nuclear genetic diversity. In addition, analysis of both markers consistently revealed significant but weak divergence between the breeding populations. Inconsistent demographic history parameters calculated from mtDNA and bottleneck analysis results based on SSR suggested a stable historical effective population size. By applying approximate Bayesian computation, it was estimated that populations started to genetically diverge from each other due to recent fragmentation events caused by anthropogenic effects rather than isolation during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and post‐LGM recolonization. These results suggest that limited historical population size and shallow evolutionary history may be potential factors contributing to the contemporary genetic diversity pattern of breeding SSME populations. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting the current breeding habitats from further destruction, with priority given to both the Russian and Chinese population, as well as restoring the connected suitable breeding grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious and prevalent complication of diabetes. Current diagnostic options are limited to macroscopic wound analysis such as wound size, depth, and infection. Molecular diagnostics promise to improve DFU diagnosis, staging, and assessment of treatment response. Here, we developed a rapid and easy‐to‐use fluorescent pH‐sensing bandage for wound diagnostics. In a fluorescent dye screen, we identified pyranine as the lead compound due to its suitable pH‐sensing properties in the clinically relevant pH range of 6–9. To minimize the release of this dye into the wound bed, we screened a library of ionic microparticles and found a strong adhesion of the anionic dye to a cationic polymeric microparticle. These dye‐loaded microparticles showed a strong fluorescence response in the clinically relevant pH range of 6–9 and a dye release below 1% after 1 day in biological media. The dye‐loaded microparticles were subsequently encapsulated in a calcium alginate hydrogel to minimize the interaction of the microparticles with the wound tissue. This pH‐sensing diagnostic wound dressing was tested on full thickness dorsal wounds of mice, and a linear fluorescence response (R2 = 0.9909) to clinically relevant pH values was observed. These findings encourage further development of this pH‐sensing system for molecular diagnostics in DFUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate environment of biofilms provides a heaven for bacteria to escape antibiotic eradication, leading to persistent chronic infections. Therefore, it is urgently needed to develop effective therapies to combat biofilm‐associated infections. To address this problem, a series of antimicrobial agents are designed and synthesized utilizing triphenylamine imidazole silver complexes (TPIMS). Due to the photoactivated release of Ag+ coupled with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties and efficient 1O2 generation, TPIMS exhibits excellent visual diagnostic capabilities and potent broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, showing antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria. Additionally, TPIMS shows extraordinary antibacterial performance and biofilm resistance against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with reduced potential for resistance thanks to the synergistic effect of phototoxicity and dark toxicity. Notably, among the TPIMS variants tested, TPIMS‐8 has demonstrated exceptional curative ability against resistant bacterial biofilm infections in vivo with minimal side effects. Furthermore, it is applied to clinical samples from infected patients and the results indicated that TPIMS‐8 is able to achieve excellent bacterial‐specific detection and superior killing of drug‐resistant bacteria even in complex systems, demonstrating its great potential for clinical applications. This study presents a promising foundation for the development of advanced antimicrobial therapeutics targeting multidrug‐resistant bacteria and biofilm‐associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female night‐workers get exposed to frequent light shifts, hence have altered circadian rhythm and are at high risk of endometrial cancer; the underlying mechanism however is still not clear. We, therefore examined the effect of long light exposure (16L:8D, LD1) and regular shift (8 h) in long nighttime (LD2) on endometrial changes of female golden hamsters. Morphometric analysis, scanning electron microscopy imaging, alcian blue staining, and cytological nuclear atypia of endometrial stromal cells confirmed the incidence of endometrial adenocarcinoma in LD2 exposed hamsters. But, less severe pathomorphological alterations were noted in uterus of LD1 exposed hamsters. Altered Aanat and Bmal1 mRNA, melatonin rhythm, downregulation of important marker gene of adenocarcinoma like Akt, 14‐3‐3, and PR protein expression and upregulation PKCα, pAkt‐S473 and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) were observed in LD2 exposed hamsters suggesting the endometrial adenocarcinoma. Further, our western blot analysis supported the immunohistochemical localization of PR, PKCα, and VEGF in uterine tissues along low progesterone. Overall, our data indicates that light shift and long light exposure potentially induced endometrioid adenocarcinoma via activation of PKC‐α/Akt pathway in female hamsters. Therefore, duration of light is essential for female normal uterine function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid with hydrogen peroxide was studied using different heterogeneous catalysts with alumina (Al2O3) and titanium silicate (TS‐1, TiMWW) as supports and different noble (Au, Pd) and non‐noble metals (Fe, W) as the catalytically active phases. Supported tungsten oxide catalysts showed a moderate selectivity and activity compared to palladium and iron catalysts. The best performance in the selective oxidation of glucose among the studied catalysts was displayed by gold on alumina. For this kind of catalyst, the structure sensitivity in glucose oxidation was explored, revealing a maximum rate shifted to larger gold particle sizes at higher temperatures in comparison with other studies involving activation of molecular oxygen on gold particles. A significant change in the apparent activation energy was established while changing the particle size of gold. These changes of the activation energy were adequately explained by a theoretical model for the cluster size dependence of the apparent activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable broadband terahertz (THz) sources with power at the gigawatt level are desirable for many applications. A scheme to generate such THz emission by off‐axially injecting a weakly relativistic ultrashort laser into a parabolic plasma channel is presented. By utilizing two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulation, it is demonstrated that there are two major physical mechanisms involved, i.e., linear mode conversion from laser wakefields and the electromagnetic waveguide mode excitation inside the plasma channel. The two radiation modes can lead to linearly polarized and radially polarized THz emissions, respectively, with distinct frequency spectra and spatial distributions. It is found that they predominate alternatively with the change of the plasma channel length. For a given plasma channel, one can switch the radiation modes by adjusting the injection position and the injection angle of the laser pulse. In particular, the radiation mode of the linear mode conversion can produce THz pulses with the peak amplitude of sub‐GV cm−1 with the energy conversion efficiency ≈10−3, even though the peak power of the incident laser is just at the terawatt level. The scheme provides a powerful THz source with tunable intensity, spatial distributions, spectra, and polarizations by simply adjusting the injection conditions of incident laser pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methotrexate, an anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis, hinders the immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, an optimal vaccine strategy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate is vital. We monitored antispike antibody titers after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in seven healthcare workers and one methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patient. The antispike antibody titers of healthcare workers significantly increased immediately after primary vaccination and then continued to decrease, whereas those of the rheumatoid arthritis patient were significantly lower immediately after primary vaccination and then increased. The titers in all participants dramatically increased 1-month postbooster. These changes over time may suggest that in the methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patient, the generation of short-lived plasma cells was strongly suppressed; in contrast, the generation of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells was intact. For methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients, it is important to complete the primary and booster vaccination series to ensure sufficient immunity against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent development of continuous paleoclimatic reconstructions covering hundreds of thousands of years paved the way for a large number of studies from disciplines ranging from paleoecology to archaeology, conservation to population genetics, macroevolution to anthropology and human evolution to linguistics. Unfortunately, (paleo)climatic data can be challenging to extract and analyze for scholars unfamiliar with such specific file formats. Here we present pastclim, an R package facilitating the access and use of paleoclimatic reconstructions. It currently includes two of such datasets, covering respectively the last 120 000 and 800 000 years, and a vignette provides instructions on how to include additional datasets. The package contains a set of functions to quickly and easily recover the climate for time periods of interest either for the whole world or specific areas, extract data from locations scattered in space and/or time, retrieve time series from individual sites, and manage the ice or land coverage, offering a handy platform to include the climate of the past into existing or new analyses and pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination against the SARS‐Cov‐2 virus is an effective way to protect against the disease and the severe course of COVID‐19. Forty‐nine fully vaccinated with mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA‐1273) SARS‐CoV‐2 infection‐naïve volunteers aged 33–89 were enrolled in the study. Evaluation of the cellular and humoral immune response was performed within 1 to 3 months (T1) and 6–9 months (T2) after the second injection, and within 2–3 months (T3) after a booster dose. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the specific immune status was made between two age groups—below 60 (n = 22) and over 60 (n = 27) years. SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell response was evaluated by IFN‐γ‐producing spot forming cells (SFCs) using a standardized ELISPOT assay. Virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) against SARS‐CoV‐2 were measured by a blocking ELISA test and spike protein specific IgG (S‐IgG) and IgA (S‐IgA) antibodies—by semiquantitative ELISA. IFN‐γ‐producing SFCs, S‐IgG, S‐IgA and VNA significantly decreased 6–9 months after the second dose. After the third injection S‐IgG and S‐IgA markedly increased compared to T2 and reached the levels at T1. Of note, the highest values of VNA were observed at T3. No differences in the tested immune parameters were found between the two age groups. Data obtained showed that for a long period—6–9 months after a full course of immunization with mRNA vaccine, immune reactivity is present, but both cellular and humoral immune responses gradually decrease. The administration of a third dose mainly restores the specific humoral immune response against the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Shift work, defined as work occurring outside typical daytime working hours, is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) due to several biological and environmental changes. The MetS refers to the clustering of several known cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature on the association between shift work and the risk of MetS in employees of the health sector. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using appropriate keywords for studies published before September 1, 2021. Eligible studies were those that compared the prevalence of MetS between day and shift healthcare workers; had a cross‐sectional, case–control, or cohort study design; provided sufficient data for calculating odds ratios or relative risks with 95% confidence intervals; and articles in English. The Joanna Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool was used for quality analysis. Risk for MetS and related measures of effect size were retrieved from studies for meta‐analysis. Twelve studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review and meta‐analysis. Sample sizes ranged from 42 to 738, and the age range of subjects was between 18 and 65 years. Ten studies demonstrated high methodological quality, while two studies were of average quality. Ten out of 12 studies in the review demonstrated a higher risk in shift workers for developing MetS than day workers. The pooled OR of MetS in shift workers based on 12 studies was 2.17 (95% CI = 1.31–3.60, P = 0.003; I2 = 82%, P < 0.001). Shift workers exhibited more than a twofold increase in the chance of developing MetS in comparison with day workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: Understanding speciation mechanisms requires disentangling processes that promote and erode population‐level divergence. Three hypotheses are raised that contemporary population structure is mainly shaped by refugial isolation, gene flow or both. Testing these hypotheses requires range‐wide phylogeography and integrative analyses across scales. Here we aimed to (1) re‐estimate the previously unresolved nuclear divergence within a widespread bat; (2) test the above three phylogeographical hypotheses and (3) inform conservation management under climatic change. Location: North America including the Caribbean. Taxon: The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Methods: We collected range‐wide samples and genome‐wide markers using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. Population structure was analysed by clustering methods and spatial estimations. Nuclear phylogeographical divergence was estimated using tree methods (concatenation and coalescence) and network analyses (TreeMix). Phylogeographical hypotheses were tested by comparing alternative evolutionary scenarios using demographic modelling. Species distribution modelling was used to help identify Pleistocene refugia and predict future range shifts under climatic change. Results: We identified three populations in the Caribbean, eastern and western North America. The western population further split into three phylogeographical clades: Pacific, southwestern North America and Mexico. Discordance among mitochondrial and nuclear topologies reflected strong impacts of gene flow without sex bias. Demographic modelling supported scenarios of historical isolation followed by secondary gene flow and estimated Holocene divergence times. Species distribution was essentially continuous during glaciation with possible regional isolation, and northward range shifts were predicted under future climatic change. Main Conclusions: Contemporary population divergence of big brown bats was shaped by both historical isolation and secondary gene flow, supporting the third phylogeographical hypothesis. While climatic change likely triggered initial divergence, ongoing gene flow has largely impacted the dynamic within‐species evolution and generated population divergence without speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of Earth-Moon transfer orbit, many parameters are involved and the degree of influence varies among the parameters. How to accurately distinguish the influence relationship between different parameters is of great significance to engineering missions. Based on Sobol sequence sampling method and Sobol global sensitivity analysis method, a calculation process of global sensitivity analysis is proposed in this paper for high-fidelity Earth-Moon transfer orbit. A numerical simulation method is used to verify that the Sobol sequence sampling method has better convergence and higher precision than other sampling methods and has better adaptability in global sensitivity analysis. The effects of different state parameters and the combination of different parameters on the perilune parameters of Earth-Moon transfer orbit are given by simulation examples, which verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the calculation process proposed in this paper. Simulation results show that the radial position and tangential velocity at the trans-lunar injection point are the main sensitivity parameters, and the other parameters have little effect on the results. The sensitivity of the orbital elements at the trans-lunar injection point to the perilune parameters is different and needs to be determined according to the specific parameters. The results of this study can provide important reference for future Earth-Moon transfer orbit design and related engineering missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination against an airborne pathogen is very effective if it induces also the development of mucosal antibodies that can protect against infection. The mRNA‐based vaccine‐encoding SARS‐CoV‐2 full‐length spike protein (BNT162b2, Pfizer/BioNTech) protects also against infection despite being administered systemically. Here, we show that upon vaccination, cognate IgG molecules are also found in the saliva and are more abundant in SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subjects, paralleling the development of plasma IgG. The antibodies titer declines at 3 months from vaccination. We identified a concentration of specific IgG in the plasma above which the relevant IgG can be detected in the saliva. Regarding IgA antibodies, we found only protease‐susceptible IgA1 antibodies in plasma while they were present at very low levels in the saliva over the course of vaccination of SARS‐CoV‐2‐naïve subjects. Thus, in response to BNT162b2 vaccine, plasma IgG can permeate into mucosal sites and participate in viral protection. It is not clear why IgA1 are detected in low amount, they may be proteolytically cleaved. Synopsis: BNT162b2 vaccine is responsible for a strong antibody response in the plasma and in the saliva of vaccinated individuals. SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA1 present in the plasma likely reach the saliva through the gingival microvasculature and crevicular fluid. We found that BNT162b2 induced: high levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA1 in the plasma of naïve vaccinated individuals 7–10 days after the second dose (T2).high levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG in the saliva of naïve vaccinated individuals 7–10 days after the second dose (T2).These scenarios are observed also in SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subject already after the first dose (T1).Only very low levels of protease‐susceptible SARS‐COV‐2‐specific IgA1 are detected in the saliva of both vaccinated naïve and SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) as well as the host immune response after vaccination and viral infection have shown to be highly heterogeneous. This is a case series study analysing humoral immune response and vaccination side effects after two doses of a BNT162b2 mRNA among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Mexico. All participants were scheduled for their two doses of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine and provided information through a questionnaire: demographic characteristics, antibody serum titres and vaccination‐related side effects. Blood samples were obtained for serology testing after the first and second doses of vaccine. No serious adverse effects due to vaccination were reported; nonetheless, non‐medical HCWs reported more side effects after the second dose. The previous infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 boosted immune response after receiving the first vaccination (roughly 30 times higher than those without previous infection); nonetheless, after the second dose, the immune response did not show a higher titre as might be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic π‐conjugated crystals with second‐order optical nonlinearity are considerably attractive materials for diverse terahertz (THz) wave photonics. An overview of the research of organic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals for THz wave generation, detection, and applications is provided here. First, the status of organic NLO crystals compared to other alternative THz materials is described. Second, the basic theory and requirements for organic THz generators and detectors are explained. Third, with a primary focus on the organic NLO crystals that have been developed during the last decade, various molecular engineering approaches are discussed from the perspective of THz photonics. Finally, various types of high‐power broadband coherent THz sources and their applications in THz nonlinear optics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the mechanisms that regulate hair cell (HC) differentiation in the organ of Corti (OC) is essential to designing genetic therapies for hearing loss due to HC loss or damage. We have previously identified Fibroblast Growth Factor 20 (FGF20) as having a key role in HC and supporting cell differentiation in the mouse OC. To investigate the genetic landscape regulated by FGF20 signaling in OC progenitors, we employ Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification combined with Next Generation RNA Sequencing (TRAPseq) in the Fgf20 lineage. Results: We show that TRAPseq targeting OC progenitors effectively enriched for RNA from this rare cell population. TRAPseq identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) downstream of FGF20, including Etv4, Etv5, Etv1, Dusp6, Hey1, Hey2, Heyl, Tectb, Fat3, Cpxm2, Sall1, Sall3, and cell cycle regulators such as Cdc20. Analysis of Cdc20 conditional‐null mice identified decreased cochlea length, while analysis of Sall1‐null and Sall1‐ΔZn2‐10 mice, which harbor a mutation that causes Townes‐Brocks syndrome, identified a decrease in outer hair cell number. Conclusions: We present two datasets: genes with enriched expression in OC progenitors, and DEGs downstream of FGF20 in the embryonic day 14.5 cochlea. We validate select DEGs via in situ hybridization and in vivo functional studies in mice. Key Findings: Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) targeting the Fgf20‐Cre lineage enriched for organ of Corti progenitor RNA.TRAP combined with RNAseq (TRAPseq) identified genes downstream of FGF20 during organ of Corti differentiation.FGF20 regulates Sall1, gene implicated in human sensorineural hearing loss.Sall1 mutant mice exhibit a decrease in the number of organ of Corti outer hair cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shift work increased the metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis in nurses? Problem metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis are two worldwide important health problems. Shift work and consequent sleep disorders are risk factors of developing metabolic syndrome. The aim of this literature review is to describe the effects of shift work on metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis in nurses. Search terms (free terms, MeSH): 'metabolic syndrome', 'urologic diseases'; papers published in the last 10 years (2009‐2019) were searched in some databases (PUBMED, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review). We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, reviews and we included papers studying metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis. Quality assessment of the papers was verified according to Dixon‐Woods checklist. Seven articles were analysed. The literature review has shown that insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, cardio vascular disease have a relationship with metabolic syndrome. People with obesity, insulin resistance or hypertension have a low urinary pH. The prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance has increased the risk of urolithiasis in both men and women. This risk has further increased in shift workers especially in nurses. There seems to be a bilateral association between hypertension and urolithiasis. Nurses are a population at risk of developing metabolic syndrome and consequently urolithiasis. It is important to understand whether nurses may be at risk of urolithiasis, to prevent bad habits and to anticipate days off. Nurses are a population at risk of developing metabolic syndrome and consequently urolithiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to various hazardous chemicals and agents that can potentially result in long‐term adverse health effects. These exposures have not been comprehensively examined at a population level. The aim of this study was to examine occupational exposures to a wide range of asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents among healthcare workers in Australia. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Australian Work Exposures Studies, which were computer‐assisted telephone surveys conducted in 2011, 2014, and 2016 to assess the prevalence of occupational exposures to carcinogens, asthmagens, and ototoxic agents, respectively, among Australian workers. Using data on healthcare workers, the prevalence of exposures to these agents was calculated and associations of demographic variables and occupation groups with exposure status were examined. Results: The prevalence of exposure to at least one asthmagen, carcinogen, and ototoxic agent was 92.3%, 50.7%, and 44.6%, respectively. The most common exposures were to (a) cleaning and sterilizing agents in the asthmagen group; (b) shift work in the carcinogen group; and (c) toluene and p‐xylene among ototoxic agents. Exposure varied by occupation, with exposure to carcinogens and ototoxic agents highest among personal carers and exposure to carcinogens most likely among nursing professionals and health and welfare support workers. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of Australian healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents. These exposures are more common among certain occupational groups. The information provided by this study will be useful in prioritizing and implementing control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This research is aimed at establishing and internally validating the risk nomogram of insulin resistance (IR) in a Chinese population of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. We developed a predictive model based on a training dataset of 145 PCOS patients, and data were collected between March 2018 and May 2019. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was used to optimize function selection for the insulin resistance risk model. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to construct a prediction model integrating the function selected in the regression model of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The predicting model's characteristics of prejudice, disease, and lifestyle were analyzed using the C-index, the calibration diagram, and the study of the decision curve. External validity was assessed using the validation of bootstrapping. Results. Predictors contained in the prediction nomogram included occupation, disease durations (years), BMI, current use of metformin, and activities. With a C-index of 0.739 (95 percent confidence interval: 0.644–0.830), the model showed good differentiation and proper calibration. In the interval validation, a high C-index value of 0.681 could still be achieved. Examination of the decision curve found that the IR nomogram was clinically useful when the intervention was determined at the 11 percent IR potential threshold. Conclusion. This novel IR nomogram incorporates occupation, disease durations (years), BMI, current use of metformin, and activities. This nomogram could be used to promote the estimation of individual IR risk in patients with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past few years have witnessed the concrete and fast spreading of quantum technologies for practical computation and simulation. In particular, quantum computing platforms based on either trapped ions or superconducting qubits have become available for simulations and benchmarking, with up to few tens of qubits that can be reliably initialized, controlled, and measured. The present Review aims at giving a comprehensive outlook on the state‐of‐the‐art capabilities offered from these near‐term noisy devices as universal quantum simulators, that is, programmable quantum computers potentially able to calculate the time evolution of many physical models. First, a pedagogic overview on the basic theoretical background pertaining digital quantum simulations is given, with a focus on hardware‐dependent mapping of spin‐type Hamiltonians into the corresponding quantum circuit as a key initial step toward simulating more complex models. Then, the main experimental achievements obtained in the last decade are reviewed, focusing on the digital quantum simulation of such spin models by employing two leading quantum architectures. Their performances are compared, and future challenges are outlined, also in view of prospective hybrid technologies, towards the ultimate goal of reaching the long‐sought quantum advantage for the simulation of complex many‐body models in the physical sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Exposure to high intensity noise produced by MRI is a cause for concern. This study was conducted to determine the temporary and permanent effects of exposure to noise created by performing MRI on the hearing threshold of the subjects using conventional and extended high frequency audiometry. Methods. This semiexperimental study was performed on 35 patients referred to Shahid Rahnemoun Hospital for head and neck MRI due to different clinical conditions. The hearing threshold of patients was measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after performing 1.5 Tesla MRI using conventional and extended high frequency audiometry. SPSS version 18 was used to compare the mean hearing thresholds before and after MRI using paired T test and repeated measures analysis. Results. Comparison of auditory thresholds in conventional and extended high frequencies before and immediately after MRI showed a significant shift at 4 KHz (P = 0.008 and P = 0.08 for right and left ears), 6 KHz (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01 for right and left ears), and 14 KHz (P =0.03 and P = 0.31 for right and left ears). However, there was no significant difference between audiometric thresholds before and 24 hours after MRI. Conclusion. Noise due to 1.5 Tesla MRI can only cause transient threshold shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Double network (DN) hydrogels with high strength and toughness are considered as promising soft materials. Herein, a dual physically cross‐linked hydrophobic association polyacrylamide (HPAAm)/alginate‐Ca2+ DN hydrogel is reported, consisting of a HPAAm network and a Ca2+ cross‐linked alginate network. The HPAAm/alginate‐Ca2+ DN hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties with the fracture stress of 1.16 MPa (3.0 and 1.7 times higher than that of HPAAm hydrogel and HPAAm/alginate hydrogel, respectively), fracture strain of 2604%, elastic modulus of 71.79 kPa, and toughness of 14.20 MJ m−3. HPAAm/alginate‐Ca2+ DN hydrogels also demonstrate self‐recovery, notch‐insensitivity, and fatigue resistance properties without any external stimuli at room temperature through reversible physical bonds consisting of hydrophobic association and ionic crosslinking. As a result, the dual physical crosslinking would offer an avenue to design DN hydrogels with desirable properties for broadening current applications of soft materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Various endocrine signals oscillate over the 24‐hour period and so does the responsiveness of target tissues. These daily oscillations do not occur solely in response to external stimuli but are also under the control of an intrinsic circadian clock. Design: We searched the PubMed database to identify studies describing the associations of clock genes with endocrine diseases. Results: Various human single nucleotide polymorphisms of brain and muscle ARNT‐like 1 (BMAL1) and Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK) genes exhibited significant associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ARNTL2 gene expression and upregulation of BMAL1 and PER1 were associated with the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Thyroid hormones modulated PER2 expression in a tissue‐specific way, whereas BMAL1 regulated the expression of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase in specific tissues. Adrenal gland and adrenal adenoma expressed PER1, PER2, CRY2, CLOCK and BMAL1 genes. Adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophin was also affected by circadian oscillations. A significant correlation between the expression of propio‐melanocorticotrophin and PER 2, as well as between prolactin and CLOCK, was found in corticotroph and lactosomatotroph cells, respectively, in the pituitary. Clock genes and especially BMAL1 showed an important role in fertility, whereas oestradiol and androgens exhibited tissue‐specific effects on clock gene expression. Metabolic disorders were also associated with circadian dysregulation according to studies in shift workers. Conclusions: Clock genes are associated with various endocrine disorders through complex mechanisms. However, data on humans are scarce. Moreover, clock genes exhibit a tissue‐specific expression representing an additional level of regulation. Their specific role in endocrine disorders and their potential implications remain to be further clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a hybrid cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM)/cationic micelle hydrogel is fabricated by introducing the cationic micelles into the chemically cross-linked PAM network. The cationic micelles act as the physical cross-linking points through the strong electrostatic interaction with anionic initiator potassium persulfate. Thereafter, in situ free radical polymerization is initiated thermally from the cationic micelle surface to form the hybrid cross-linked network. The synergistic effect between chemical and physical cross-link endows the hydrogel with excellent mechanical and recoverable properties. The resulting hydrogel exhibits tensile stress of 481 kPa and fracture toughness of 1.65 MJ m−3. It is found that the chemical cross-linking can inhibit the hysteresis of the hybrid hydrogel, exhibiting good elasticity in the tensile loading-unloading test. Moreover, dynamic rheological measurements show that the hybrid hydrogels possess fewer defects of network and exhibit excellent self-recovery behavior. Thus, this investigation provides a different view for the design of new high elastic and tough hydrogels containing hybrid physical and chemical cross-linking networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic cells (DC) are able to present extracellular antigens associated with the molecules of the major histocompatibility complex class I. In a previous work, we demonstrated that the histamine (HIS), acting through H1/H4 receptors, increases the cross-presentation of soluble ovalbumin by murine DC and can enhance the recruitment of specific CD8+ T lymphocytes during the development of chronic inflammatory responses. Here, we studied in more depth the mechanisms underlying this enhancement. We showed that the cytotoxicity of specific CD8+ lymphocytes is increased in HIS-treated DC and it is lost by inhibition of vacuolar-ATPase that prevents endosome acidification. It is known that HIS acts through G protein-coupled receptors. The H1/H4 receptors are associated with a Gq subunit, which involves PKC signaling, a pathway related to the apoptotic process. Interestingly, we demonstrated for the first time that HIS prevents DC apoptosis induced by heat shock through the inhibition of caspase-3, a mechanism dependent on PKC activation, since it is reversed by its inhibition. By contrast, cytolytic activity of T lymphocytes induced by HIS-stimulated DC was independent of PKC pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of worn-out tires creates health and fire hazards, and researchers are busy to incorporate waste tire rubber in concrete instead of burning or dumping. After shredding of waste tires, steel beads were separated by magnetic separator. The potential utilization of wasted steel fibers in concrete was investigated in this experimental work; fresh and hardened properties of fiber-reinforced concrete (RC) were evaluated and compared with the conventional concrete. Shear behavior was investigated by conducting a four-point bending test on RC beams. Five types of RC beams were cast; two control specimens were cast, with and without stirrups, by using conventional concrete. Three types of beams were cast by using 0.40, 0.65, and 1.00% fibers by volume. Workability of fiber RC was lower than the conventional concrete. Linear increase in failure load was observed with an increase in the dosage of fibers, and a 64.3% increase in failure load was observed after 1% addition as compared to control specimen. Mid-span deflection, crack initiation load, and ultimate shear load were also increased with the addition of fibers. Crack spacing was reduced by 64.2% of specimen, with 1% dosage of fibers as compared to a control specimen without any stirrups, and a reduction in crack width was also observed with the addition of fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Deferoxamine grafted alginate (SA-DFA) was successfully synthesized via amidation of sodium alginate with deferoxamine mesylate as determined by H-NMR and elemental analysis. SA-DFA with different graft yield was obtained by adjusting the ratio of sodium alginate and deferoxamine mesylate. It was found that aqueous solution of SA-DFA could form hydrogel spontaneously due to hydrogen bonding interactions, which also endowed the SA-DFA hydrogel with self-healing capability. The healing efficiency of SA-DFA hydrogels ranged from 53.64 to 90.16%. In addition, surface morphologies of SA-DFA hydrogels before/after self-healing process were demonstrated by SEM images. We anticipated that such self-healable alginate hydrogel would be applied in the field of wound healing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 856-865 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) shows a potential to study details of biological samples, since it provides the optical images of objects with nanometric spatial resolution (50-200 nm) and the topographic information at the same time. The goal of this work is to demonstrate the capabilities of SNOM in transmission configuration to study human endothelial cells and their morphological changes, sometimes very subtle, upon inflammation. Various sample preparations were tested for SNOM measurements and promising results are collected to show: 1) the influence of α tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) on EA.hy 926 cells (measurements of the fixed cells); 2) high resolution images of various endothelial cell lines, i.e. EA.hy 926 and HLMVEC (investigations of the fixed cells in buffer environment); 3) imaging of live endothelial cells in physiological buffers. The study demonstrate complementarity of the SNOM measurements performed in air and in liquid environments, on fixed as well as on living cells. Furthermore, it is proved that the SNOM is a very useful method for analysis of cellular morphology and topography. Changes in the cell shape and nucleus size, which are the symptoms of inflammatory reaction, were noticed in TNF-α activated EA.hy 926 cells. The cellular structures of submicron size were observed in high resolution optical images of cells from EA.hy 926 and HLMVEC lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For terahertz (THz) wave generators based on organic electrooptic crystals, their intrinsic phonon modes are playing an essential role in THz generation characteristics. Here, this study proposes an effective design strategy for THz phonon mode engineering of organic electrooptic salt crystals for efficient optical-to-THz frequency conversion. To reduce phonon-mode intensity, strongly electronegative trifluoromethyl group acting as strong hydrogen-bond acceptor is incorporated into molecular anions. New 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyryl)-1-methylquinolinium 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonate (HMQ-4TFS) crystals exhibit a relatively small absorption coefficient in the THz spectral range between 0.5 and 4 THz, which is attributed to suppressed molecular vibrations due to strong hydrogen bonds involving the 4TFS anion. In addition, HMQ-4TFS crystals possess a very large macroscopic optical nonlinearity, comparable (or even higher) to benchmark stilbazolium crystals. Based on the low-intensity THz phonon modes and the large optical nonlinearity, a 0.37 mm thick HMQ-4TFS crystal pumped with 150 fs infrared laser pulses facilitates very efficient THz wave generation by optical rectification, delivering 23 times higher peak-to-peak THz electric field than the widely used standard inorganic ZnTe crystal (1.0 mm thick) and a broader spectral bandwidth. Therefore, strongly electronegative groups introduced into molecular salt electrooptic crystals provide a very promising design strategy of THz phonon mode engineering for developing intense broadband THz sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of experimental research into the use of post-installed threaded rods as additional reinforcement. An increase in load-carrying capacity of up to 64% was obtained for strengthened corbels compared with unstrengthened corbels (reference corbels). Calculations were performed of the load-carrying capacity of corbels using a model developed on the basis of the literature and the obtained results were compared with results calculated according to the EN-1992-1-1. Strain diagrams for primary reinforcement, stirrups, and the compressed surface of concrete are presented, alongside with a description of the development of cracking and photographs of the corbels after failure. In the second section, publications about the calculation of the load-carrying capacity of corbels and on different reinforcement methods are quoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant amount of research on self-consolidating concrete (SCC) technology has been devoted to evaluating the suitability of the material for its use in structural applications. However, more research is required to confirm the adequacy of SCC structural members for resisting gravity and seismic loads. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of the seismic performance of interior reinforced concrete beam-column connections with SCC. Four beam-column connection specimens, three with SCC and one with normally vibrated concrete (NC), were designed for this experimental study. Factors such as concrete type (SCC or NC) and axial load ratio (0, 7.5 and 15 % of column section capacity) were assumed to be the variables in designing the specimens. Beam-column connections made with NC and SCC were studied and compared under reversed cyclic loading. The performance of SCC specimens is comparable with NC specimens in terms of strength, displacement and ductility, but SCC specimens show lower energy dissipation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiftworkers run an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders, presumably as a result of disturbed circadian physiology. Eating at a time-of-day that is normally dedicated to resting and fasting, may contribute to this association. The hypothalamus is the key brain area that integrates different inputs, including environmental time information from the central biological clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, with peripheral information on energy status to maintain energy homeostasis. The orexin system within the lateral hypothalamus is an important output of the suprachiasmatic nuclei involved in the control of sleep/wake behavior and glucose homeostasis, among other functions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that feeding during the rest period disturbs the orexin system as a possible underlying contributor to metabolic health problems. Male Wistar rats were exposed to an 8-week protocol in which food was available ad libitum for 24-h, for 12-h during the light phase (i.e., unnatural feeding time) or for 12-h during the dark phase (i.e., restricted feeding, but at the natural time-of-day). Animals forced to eat at an unnatural time, i.e., during the light period, showed no changes in orexin and orexin-receptor gene expression in the hypothalamus, but the rhythmic expression of clock genes in the lateral hypothalamus was absent in these animals. Light fed animals did show adverse changes in whole-body physiology and internal desynchronization of muscle and liver clock and metabolic gene expression. Eating at the 'wrong' time-of-day thus causes internal desynchronization at different levels, which in the long run may disrupt body physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an efficient quantum algorithm for beyond-Born-Oppenheimer molecular energy computations. Our approach combines the quantum full configuration interaction method with the nuclear orbital plus molecular orbital method. We give the details of the algorithm and demonstrate its performance by classical simulations. Two isotopomers of the hydrogen molecule (H2, HT) were chosen as representative examples and calculations of the lowest rotationless vibrational transition energies were simulated. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Alginate hydrogels are polysaccharide biopolymer networks widely useful in biomedical and food applications. Here, we report nonlinear mechanical responses of ionically crosslinked alginate hydrogels captured using large amplitude oscillatory shear experiments. Gelation was performed in situ in a rheometer and the rheological investigations on these samples captured the strain-stiffening behavior for these gels as a function of oscillatory strain. In addition, negative normal stress was observed, which has not been reported earlier for any polysaccharide networks. The magnitude of negative normal stress increases with the applied strain amplitude and can exceed that of the shear stress at large-strain. Fitting a constitutive relationship to the stress-strain curves reveals that the mode of deformation involves stretching of the alginate chains and bending of both the chains and the junction zones. The contribution of bending increases near saturation of G blocks as Ca2+ concentration was increased. The results presented here provide an improved understanding of the deformation behavior of alginate hydrogels and such understanding can be extended to other crosslinked polysaccharide networks. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1767-1775 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic sulfonamide derivatives are a class of potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPI) that have potential for the treatment of diseases related to uncontrolled expression of these enzymes. The lack of selectivity of the large majority of such inhibitors, leading to the inhibition of MMPs in tissues other than the targeted one, has dramatically reduced the therapeutic interest in MMPIs. The recent development of efficient drug delivery systems that allow the transportation of a selected drug to its site of action has opened the way to new perspectives in the use of MMPIs. Here, a PAMAM-based divalent dendron with two sulfonamidic residues was synthesized. This nanomolar inhibitor binds to the catalytic domain of two MMPs as well as to the transmembrane human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs) XII, which is present in the eye and considered an antiglaucoma target. In the animal model of an experimental dry eye, no occurrence of dotted staining in eyes treated with our inhibitor was observed, indicating no symptoms of corneal desiccation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry map the dynamics of electrons in a molecule to the dynamics of a coupled spin system. To reach chemical accuracy for interesting molecules, a large number of quantum gates must be applied which implies the need for quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computation. Arbitrary fault-tolerant operations can be constructed from a small, universal set of fault-tolerant operations by gate compilation. Quantum chemistry algorithms are compiled by decomposing the dynamics of the coupled spin-system using a Trotter formula, synthesizing the decomposed dynamics using Clifford operations and single-qubit rotations, and finally approximating the single-qubit rotations by a sequence of fault-tolerant single-qubit gates. Certain fault-tolerant gates rely on the preparation of specific single-qubit states referred to as magic states. As a result, gate compilation and magic state distillation are critical for solving quantum chemistry problems on a quantum computer. We review recent progress that has improved the efficiency of gate compilation and magic state distillation by orders of magnitude. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]