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A radical manifesto for truth
How researchers can work fairly with Indigenous and local knowledge
Correction: A statistical simulation model to guide the choices of analytical methods in arrayed CRISPR screen experiments
Children’s arithmetic skills do not transfer between applied and academic mathematics
Predictors of interruptions in antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Nigeria: a retrospective cohort study using the Nigeria national data repository
This study aimed to identify predictors of time to first interruption in treatment (IIT) and predictors of ever being interrupted in ART treatment among PLHIV in Nigeria using a national longitudinal dataset that covers all PEPFAR-funded implementing partners to inform national strategies to prevent IIT. This retrospective cohort study used data from Nigeria’s National Data Repository (NDR). The NDR is a de-identified longitudinal database of over 1.9 million PLHIV who received ART in Nigeria beginning in 2004 and is owned by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). The NDR contains patient-level demographics, clinic visits, laboratory, and ART prescription and refill data uploaded at least monthly. The data extracted for this study were obtained from electronic medical record systems of 2,226 public facilities offering HIV care in the country. In this study, we investigated the predictors of treatment interruption using data from the national HIV treatment program. We identified sets of predictors of first interruption in treatment using the logistic regression and these to be consistent in predicting time to first interruption including sex, anchor drug in ART regimen, recorded HIV viral load, recorded CD4 cell count, WHO clinical staging, functional status, last measured weight, highest education attained, occupation, marital status, year enrolled in care, pre and post surge, pre and post-COVID and residing in a state capital, Lagos, or the federal capital territory (FCT) (capital city dweller) versus other locations (non capital city dweller). Age grouping was the only variable that was predictive only for time to first interruption but not for having a first interruption. To reduce the risk of IIT it is important to target interventions preemptively. We have highlighted the need for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of PLHIV in Nigeria. Targeted interventions focusing on those with a combination of risk factors could include education, counseling, supportive services, and monitoring and outreach.
Spatial analysis of unimproved drinking water source in East Africa: Using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 2012–2023
Background According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, unimproved drinking water sources include unprotected wells and springs, surface water (e.g., rivers, lakes), vendor-provided water, bottled water (without improved alternatives), and tanker truck-provided water. In East Africa, 68.7% of water at very high risk comes from such sources. Using unimproved drinking water sources can lead to serious health risks, including waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, and hepatitis. Therefore, this study aimed to map the spatial distribution of unimproved drinking water sources in the region. Methods We analyzed recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 12 East African countries (Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). A total of 206,748 households were sampled in 12 East African countries. Data management and analysis were carried out in several stages, beginning with data cleaning, followed by statistical weighting and data merging. This was then followed by geospatial analysis and mapping, and finally, spatial cluster detection. Results Spatial clusters of unimproved drinking water sources were identified within the study area (Global Moran’s I: 0.018, z-score: 87.10, p < 0.05). A total of 167 significant spatial windows containing primary and secondary clusters were identified. The first spatial window contained the primary clusters, while the remaining 166 spatial windows contained secondary clusters. Primary clusters were found in Madagascar and coastal Mozambique, with secondary clusters distributed across all 12 countries analyzed. Conclusions This study identified significant clusters, hotspots, and outliers (high-high clusters) of unimproved drinking water sources across various East African countries. To address these issues effectively, priority should be given to the identified clusters, hotspots, and high-high clusters. Primary recommendations include expanding water treatment facilities, improving water distribution systems, and protecting drinking water sources. Secondary recommendations emphasize strengthening regulations, conducting research, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable access to clean water. Finally, we urge collaboration among governments, international organizations, and NGOs to enhance water infrastructure. Their efforts should focus on providing technical assistance, financial support, capacity building, project implementation, advocacy, and financing for drinking water infrastructure in the region. Further research integrating health outcome data with spatial analysis could help identify high-risk regions where the impacts of unimproved water sources are most pronounced.
How extreme lethargy can promote healthy ageing
Single-image dehazing method based on Rayleigh Scattering and adaptive color compensation
We propose a Rayleigh Scattering and adaptive color compensation method. It capitalizes on the brightness and color differentials between the regions where DCP has failed within images for effective regional segmentation. First, we added B-channel compensation to the atmospheric illumination, made a simple evaluation of the B channel through the atmospheric illumination of the R channel and the G channel. It repeatedly iterated to obtain and repaired the atmospheric illumination of the B channel, which eliminates the color dilution. Secondly, we obtained the dark channel image and the bright channel image, and jointly evaluated the failure point of the dark channel prior method to select the area with inaccurate transmission. This can select the areas which need re-estimate the transmission. This step improves the image quality of the area and repairs the image details. Finally, we validated the effectiveness and resilience of the proposed method through comprehensive experiments. It is conducted across diverse scenarios, involving the adjustment of various parameters.
A generative model for inorganic materials design
Abstract The design of functional materials with desired properties is essential in driving technological advances in areas such as energy storage, catalysis and carbon capture1–3. Generative models accelerate materials design by directly generating new materials given desired property constraints, but current methods have a low success rate in proposing stable crystals or can satisfy only a limited set of property constraints4–11. Here we present MatterGen, a model that generates stable, diverse inorganic materials across the periodic table and can further be fine-tuned to steer the generation towards a broad range of property constraints. Compared with previous generative models4,12, structures produced by MatterGen are more than twice as likely to be new and stable, and more than ten times closer to the local energy minimum. After fine-tuning, MatterGen successfully generates stable, new materials with desired chemistry, symmetry and mechanical, electronic and magnetic properties. As a proof of concept, we synthesize one of the generated structures and measure its property value to be within 20% of our target. We believe that the quality of generated materials and the breadth of abilities of MatterGen represent an important advancement towards creating a foundational generative model for materials design.
Effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine against the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 among adults aged 50 and above: A case-control study in Lebanon, June 2022
The emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with the continuous evolution of the virus into variants such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron and others necessitates an on-going surveillance and evaluation of vaccine effectiveness (VE).This study focuses on assessing the real-world performance of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine against the Omicron variant. This study employs a test-negative, case-control design, a methodology commonly utilized for estimating the VE in influenza studies. It evaluates SARS-CoV-2 test results in individuals aged 50 and older who had influenza-like illness (ILI) or COVID-like illness (CLI) symptoms and presented to the sentinel sites, classifying positive cases as “cases” and negative as “controls.” Data collection was done through a standardized questionnaire administered by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (ESU) COVID-19 team via phone interviews. Logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the association, taking into account all confounding factors. The results indicate a 14% VE against contracting the disease among fully vaccinated individuals. Factors such as age and underlying conditions significantly influenced VE. The findings of this study highlight the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine in reducing the odds of symptomatic COVID-19, particularly by decreasing the prevalence of key symptoms such as fever, cough, myalgia, and loss of taste or smell. Breakthrough infections still occurred, indicating that while the vaccine reduces symptom severity, it may not fully prevent infection This VE is lower compared to previous variants, indicating potential challenges in vaccine efficacy. The study underscores the need for an on-going monitoring and potential booster doses to enhance protection, especially against evolving variants like Omicron.
Correction: User authentication system based on human exhaled breath physics
Linear regression reporting practices for health researchers, a cross-sectional meta-research study
Background Decisions about health care, such as the effectiveness of new treatments for disease, are regularly made based on evidence from published work. However, poor reporting of statistical methods and results is endemic across health research and risks ineffective or harmful treatments being used in clinical practice. Statistical modelling choices often greatly influence the results. Authors do not always provide enough information to evaluate and repeat their methods, making interpreting results difficult. Our research is designed to understand current reporting practices and inform efforts to educate researchers. Methods Reporting practices for linear regression were assessed in 95 randomly sampled published papers in the health field from PLOS ONE in 2019, which were randomly allocated to statisticians for post-publication review. The prevalence of reporting practices is described using frequencies, percentages, and Wilson 95% confidence intervals. Results While 92% of authors reported p-values and 81% reported regression coefficients, only 58% of papers reported a measure of uncertainty, such as confidence intervals or standard errors. Sixty-nine percent of authors did not discuss the scientific importance of estimates, and only 23% directly interpreted the size of coefficients. Conclusion Our results indicate that statistical methods and results were often poorly reported without sufficient detail to reproduce them. To improve statistical quality and direct health funding to effective treatments, we recommend that statisticians be involved in the research cycle, from study design to post-peer review. The research environment is an ecosystem, and future interventions addressing poor statistical quality should consider the interactions between the individuals, organisations and policy environments. Practical recommendations include journals producing templates with standardised reporting and using interactive checklists to improve reporting practices. Investments in research maintenance and quality control are required to assess and implement these recommendations to improve the quality of health research.
Long-term effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the structural and functional outcomes of neovascular AMD patients in Suzhou, China
Background Timely anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is essential for visual function in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The coronavirus pandemic has led to unprecedented delays in anti-VEGF intravitreal therapy because of the need to reduce hospital attendance. Objectives To assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related delays in intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy on nAMD patients. Methods This was a retrospective study of 98 patients (102 eyes) with nAMD whose anti-VEGF treatments were interrupted for > 8 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and anatomical characteristics on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were measured at baseline, at the last follow-up visit before treatment interruption (V0), at the first visit after the COVID-19 lockdown had ended (V1), at the six-month follow-up (V-6 months) and at the final visit at the 1-year follow-up (V-final). The control group included nAMD patients who had completed at least three anti-VEGF treatments and received consecutive follow-up with timely anti-VEGF treatments for one year. Results After one year of regular follow-up and standardized treatment, the treatment-interrupted group (TIG) had significantly worse visual acuity than the treatment-continuous group (TCG) (0.71 ± 0.38 vs. 0.52 ± 0.32, p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference between the groups in the mean CRT (273.95 ± 112.96 µm vs. 261.43 ± 90.66 µm, p > 0.05). Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed that, compared with those before treatment interruption, the BCVA of the TIG patients slightly improved, but the mean CRT and related activity indices returned to baseline values according to OCT imaging (all p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that longer treatment interruption was associated with greater deterioration in visual acuity (p = 0.009). Conclusion Treatment interruption for more than 8 weeks had a sustained negative impact on visual acuity in treated eyes one year later. For nAMD patients, continuous treatment, regardless of the underlying regimen, remains critical.
Why coalitions of wealthy nations should fund others to decarbonize
Aggressive surgical approach with major vascular resection for retroperitoneal sarcomas
Background En bloc resection of adjacent structures, including major vessels, is often required to achieve negative margins in retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). However, the effect of vascular involvement and different reconstruction techniques in patients undergoing vascular resection remains unclear. This study investigated the morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival of patients who underwent an aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection for RPS. Methods We analyzed a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent surgical resection (with or without vascular resection) for RPS between 2015 and 2020. The primary endpoint was long-term overall survival (OS). Findings The study population comprised 252 patients. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, and OS did not differ significantly between the vascular and no vascular resection groups. Among patients with vascular involvement, those who underwent aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection had a significantly higher OS (66.3 months vs. 25.6 months) compared to those who underwent palliative resection, without an increase in mortality or complication rate. No significant differences were observed in postoperative morbidity, 30-day mortality, or estimated median OS between patients who underwent primary repair and reconstruction. Conclusions In patients with RPS with vascular involvement, an aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection achieved optimal clinical outcomes. Vascular reconstruction techniques had no impact on clinical outcomes.
How limited cognitive resources impact the attentional effects of self-talk: An eye-tracking study in dart
The study aimed to investigate whether self-talk could enhance participants’ motor performance and attention, even in the presence of distracting interferences and while experiencing ego depletion. To achieve this, 43 novices were randomly assigned into a self-talk group and a control group. Only the self-talk group received the self-talk intervention, and all participants performed a dart throwing task after experiencing ego depletion. In addition, noise interference was added during the dart throwing process. The results indicated that, as predicted, participants in the self-talk group showed enhanced attention functions and more stable motor performance compared to the control group participants, which supports the attentional effect of self-talk. The findings also have practical implications for coaches and athletes. Future research should further use brain science methods to reveal the attentional mechanism by which self-talk improves motor performance when cognitive resources are extremely low and the moderating role of motor experience in this.
The rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivars hosts a similar bacterial community in local agricultural soils
This study aimed to investigate the impact of various common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars on the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere under local agricultural conditions. Even though the differences in cultivation history and physicochemical properties of nearby agriculture plots, the bacterial community in the bulk soil was quite similar and more diverse than that of the rhizosphere. The bacterial community of the rhizosphere was closely similar between Black and Bayo common bean cultivars but differs from Pinto Saltillo common beans collected in a different season. A shared bacterial group within the rhizosphere community across cultivars and specific taxa responding uniquely to each cultivar suggests a balance between responses to soil and plant cultivars. Nevertheless, rhizosphere composition was substantially influenced by the pre-existing soil bacterial community, whose diversity remained consistently similar under the studied field conditions. These findings provide a more comprehensive characterization of the rhizosphere across a limited range of domesticated common beans and agronomic soils that can be expanded to more common bean cultivars and soils to guide appropriate field interventions.
Mega-storm dumps 11 billion tonnes of snow ― and builds up a melting ice sheet
Lupenone preserves T cell activity by recovery of CD40L expression and protection from cytotoxicity due to methamphetamine exposure
Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most highly compulsive drugs in the world and has become a major public health problem over the last two decades. Exposure to METH has been investigated to cause neuronal toxicity but little is known about the effect of METH on the activity and toxicity of T lymphocytes. Lupenone has been reported to possess anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects but little is known about whether lupenone has a protective effect on T cell activation in METH-exposed cells. We evaluated the cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects of lupenone in METH-stimulated Jurkat T cells. Results from the inhibitor assay using CD40L blocking antibodies revealed that this was due to enhanced CD40L expression on the T cells by pre-treatment with lupenone. Pre-treatment with lupenone significantly reduces METH-induced toxicity by restoring the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins in activated T cells. The protective effects of lupenone on activated T cells exposed to METH were associated with the prevention of MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. These data suggest lupenone protected T cell activity by elevating CD40L expression and cell viability in cells exposed to methamphetamine. Our data showed that lupenone treatment recovered the expression of IL-2 and CD69 in METH-exposed cells.