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Correction: Missed opportunities for vaccination among children aged 0–23 months visiting health facilities in a southwest State of Nigeria, December 2019
Heatmap clustering and performance analysis of cotton genotypes in response to environmental conditions
Hydroethanolic extract of Schinus terebinthifolia as a promising source of anti-influenza agents: Phytochemical profiling, cheminformatics, molecular docking and dynamics simulations
Although Schinus terebinthifolia (commonly known as Brazilian peppertree) has been documented to possess various biological activities, such as anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, its anti-influenza activity has not yet been documented. Here, an aqueous-ethanolic extract (30% v/v ethanol solution), prepared from its aerial parts (leaves and stalks), was established to determine whether it is a rich source of antiviral agents. The hydroethanolic plant extract, with a TPC value of 264.11 mg (GAE)/g DE, exhibits a promising IC50 value of 16.33 μg/mL, similar to that of authentic quercetin (IC50 = 12.72 μg/mL), and approximately 5.34 times higher than that of gallic acid (IC50 = 3.06 μg/mL) as determined by the DPPH assay. This extract contains 1.71 mg of gallic acid (representative marker) per gram of dried plant material, according to HPLC analysis. Using untargeted metabolomics analysis coupled with a series of cheminformatics tools (MetFrag, SIRIUS, CSI:FingerID, and CANOPUS), we ultimately proved that the S. terebinthifolia hydroethanolic extract contains simple phenolics (e.g., methyl gallate, ethyl gallate, and chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (afzelin and myricitrin), dicarboxylic acids, and germacrone. As anticipated, the plant extract exhibited anti-influenza activity with an IC50 of 2.21 μg/mL (CC50 > 50 μg/mL) and did not exert hemolytic activity at the concentration of 2000 μg/mL, underscoring its efficacy as a safe antiviral solution. In silico molecular docking and dynamic simulations suggest that neuraminidase and the cap-binding domain of influenza RNA polymerase (PB2) are preferentially targeted for inhibition by the detected metabolites. Owing to the diverse therapeutic effects of secondary metabolites, the anti-H5N1 activity of the newly developed plant extract is currently under investigation.
Effects of external diaphragmatic pacing with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist on diaphragm function in AECOPD patients
Resilience factors and mechanisms in the coal power supply chain: A quantitative analysis using fuzzy DEMATEL, ISM, and ANP methods
Under the influence of global energy market fluctuations, policy changes, and natural disasters, the coal power supply chain faces significant risks. However, existing research on supply chain resilience management, particularly regarding the identification and quantitative analysis of resilience factors in the coal power supply chain, remains insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to identify the key factors influencing the resilience of the coal power supply chain and analyze the mechanisms of interaction between these factors. This study first conducted a literature review to identify 20 factors classified into three dimensions: adaptive capacity, restorative capacity, and absorptive capacity. Secondly, an innovative approach integrating fuzzy DEMATEL, ISM, and ANP was introduced to systematically identify the key influencing factors of coal power supply chain resilience and analyze their mechanisms. The results reveal that electricity demand forecasting capability, government intervention and coordination capacity, and technological level of the coal industry are the primary causal factors affecting supply chain resilience, playing critical roles in ensuring supply chain stability and adaptability. Additionally, factors such as risk prevention and maintenance level and information transmission efficiency also serve as important supporting elements. This research constructs a cause-degree-centeredness diagram and a hierarchical model for coal power supply chain resilience, providing theoretical support and practical recommendations for optimizing the supply chain structure and enhancing the capacity to cope with uncertainties in the coal power industry.
Tribological study of amorphous polyethylene under different rough surfaces of chromium based on molecular dynamics simulation
A high-efficiency palmprint recognition model integrating ROI and Gabor filtering
Palmprint recognition, as a biometric recognition technology, has unique individual recognition and high accuracy, and is broadly utilized in fields such as identity verification and security monitoring. Therefore, a palm print recognition model that integrates regions of interest and Gabor filters has been proposed to solve the problem of difficulty in feature extraction caused by factors such as noise, lighting changes, and acquisition angles that often affect palm print images during the acquisition process. This model extracts standardized feature regions of palmprint images through the region of interest method, enhances texture features through multi-scale Gabor filters, and finally uses support vector machines for classification. The experiment findings denote that the region of interest model performs better than other methods in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and root mean square error, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 0.89 on the GPDS dataset and 0.97 on the CASIA dataset. The proposed model performs the best in recognition accuracy and error convergence speed, with a final accuracy of 95%. The proposed model has the shortest running time, less than 0.4 seconds in all groups, especially less than 0.3 seconds in Group 4, demonstrating high recognition efficiency. The research conclusion shows that the palmprint recognition method combining regions of interest and Gabor filters has high efficiency and performance, and can effectively improve recognition accuracy.
Management of COVID-19 associated coagulopathy in critically ill patients and the risk of acquired von willebrand syndrome
Hearing-loss related variations in turn-taking time affect how conversations are perceived
In conversations, interlocutors with hearing impairment (HI), initiate their turns with longer average delay and more variability than their normal-hearing (NH) conversation partners. This paper investigates whether third-party listeners were able to perceive this difference in turn-taking timing (denoted Floor-Transfer Offsets, FTOs) between NH and HI interlocutors. To this avail, the FTOs of segments of conversations were manipulated using four different schemes, such that the two interlocutors timed their turns as if 1) both were NH interlocutors conversing in quiet (NHQ) or 2) both were HI interlocutors conversing in noise (HIN). Two additional conditions were implemented to test if non-varying and faster FTOs affect the perception, manipulating conversations to have constant FTOs corresponding to 3) the median FTO of the NHQ condition (conNHQ) and 4) an even faster FTO of 50 ms (conLow). Forty-four participants rated conversations from the HIN condition as less natural, with poorer flow, and being more difficult to follow compared to conversations from the NHQ condition. Removing the FTO variability resulted in better ratings of flow (conNHQ vs NHQ), while further decreasing the average FTOs (conLow vs conNHQ) had no effect on the ratings. A detailed analysis revealed poorer ratings of flow for individual conversations with higher FTO median, but similar variability, while FTO variability alone did not affect ratings of flow. Together, the results indicate that listeners, and perhaps also conversation participants, are sensitive to small variations in turn-taking timing and that hearing loss may therefore affect the quality of conversations.
Variability in infection dynamics emerges from the interplay between unique host and pathogen characteristics
Abstract Variation in infection dynamics across host species can profoundly influence parasite epidemiology, ecology, and evolution. However, because experiments involving multiple hosts and multiple parasite species that capture the full infection dynamics within hosts are rare, the underlying mechanisms of host heterogeneity effects across different parasite species remain largely unknown. We dissected the specific roles of host and pathogen effects in shaping within-host infection dynamics using a model system comprising three coexisting rodent species from Israel’s northwestern Negev Desert and their predominant bacterial pathogens, Bartonella krasnovii A2 and Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacterium. To test whether the effects of host species heterogeneity on parasite dynamics mainly derive from host trait variation (“host trait variation hypothesis”) or rather reflect a unique host-parasite interaction (“specific host-parasite interaction” hypotheses), we inoculated rodents of the three species (Gerbillus andersoni, G. pyramidum, and G. gerbillus) with either Bartonella or Mycoplasma and compared their infection dynamics during primary infection and upon reinfection. According to the “host trait variation” hypothesis, host heterogeneity effects would be consistent across parasite species. Supporting this hypothesis, both bacterial pathogens exhibited reduced performance in G. gerbillus compared to the other rodent species. However, consistent with the alternative “specific host-parasite interaction” hypothesis, all other aspects of the infection dynamics of these two pathogens exhibited varying trends across the three hosts, indicating the uniqueness of each pathogen-host interaction. Our findings support the notion that the variability in infection dynamics is not solely attributable to host heterogeneity, but rather emerges from the interplay between specific host characteristics and parasite traits. We discuss potential directions for future research to deepen our understanding of within-host dynamics in multispecies communities. We stress the necessity of analyzing each distinct host-parasite interaction independently when making inferences about community patterns based on infection dynamics within hosts until more experimental data on natural systems are accumulated.
Primary care screening for sexually transmitted infections in the United States from 2019 to 2021
Background Early identification and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is critical to improve patient outcomes. Barriers to healthcare seeking are potentially exacerbated by COVID-19. This study examined trends in STI testing and positivity from 2019 to 2021 in primary care in the United States. Methods This is a retrospective study using the PRIME Registry, a national primary care EHR registry, from January 1, 2019-December 31, 2021. We calculated age-standardized monthly and annual testing rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus stratified by gender and race/ethnicity. We also generated quarterly and annual rates for test positivity. Chi-square tests and 95% confidence intervals were used for comparison. 753 practices and 4,410,609 patients were included, with 180,558 having STI tests. Results We observed a substantial decline in testing rates for STIs from March-April 2020 (31% for chlamydia, 30% for gonorrhea, 23% for syphilis, 24% for HIV), followed by a rapid increase in May-June 2020 (64% for chlamydia, 65% for gonorrhea, 32% for syphilis, 48% for HIV). Testing rates per 100,000 decreased from 2019 to 2021 for chlamydia (3,592 vs 2,355 vs 2,181) while increased for gonorrhea in 2020 (2,129 vs 2,207 vs 2,057). STI testing rates from 2019 to 2021 for females and non-Hispanic Black or African American patients were higher than other groups. An increase in test positivity from 2019 to 2021 was observed for gonorrhea (0.4% vs 0.4% vs 0.5%) but no significant change for chlamydia (1.5% vs 1.6% vs 1.5%). Conclusion Testing rates for STIs substantially dropped during stay-at-home orders early in the pandemic and recovered after these were relaxed. Gender and race/ethnicity STI testing differences may reflect primary care’s prioritization of higher risk populations. This study emphasizes the role of primary care EHR data in monitoring and an opportunity for closer collaboration with public health agencies.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation inhibits food intake and body weight gain through the orexin dependent pathway in high fat diet mice
Electronic differential control based on speed and optimum slip ratio estimation for all-electric vehicles with in-wheel motors
Vehicle 2-degree of freedom (DOF) kinematic and dynamic models are derived. The former, which uses fixed parameters, is often used for speed-based electronic differential control, but this method does not yield accurate results under varying running situations. In contrast, the latter, which depends on the tire adhesion limit to produce tire saturation force, is typically adopted for torque-based electronic differential control. However, this method also faces many difficulties in real-time implementation, and its theoretical maturity is not strong. To combine the advantages of speed-based electronic differential control and torque-based electronic differential control, this paper focuses on speed and optimum slip ratio as key factors. Additionally, to address the difficulties associated with nonlinear modeling by leveraging the simplicity of linear modeling in design and implementation, this study presents an electronic differential control based on speed and optimum slip ratio estimation for all-electric vehicles with in-wheel motors. It aims to maintain the maneuvering ability of the driver at the maximum adhesion limit. Even when the two driving wheels are subjected to uneven external disturbances from the road surface, they maintain a synchronous speed when driving on a straight line or a differential speed when turning. Simulation validation confirms that the proposed method enhances safety for in-wheel motor electric vehicles in urban scenarios involving adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, ice) and aggressive lane-changing maneuvers. Experimental validation confirms the static performance of the motor controller and the differential control capability of the two drive wheels. These findings lay a foundation for improving extreme-condition adaptability through three future directions: adaptive tire dynamics integration, hierarchical energy-stability control architectures, and real-time deployment validated via hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Silicon-induced photosynthetic adaptations in common buckwheat under salt stress revealed by prompt chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis
Abstract This study aimed at investigating the protective role of silicon (Si) in mitigating salt-induced damage in common buckwheat plants (Fagopyrum esculentum cv. Smuga). Twenty one-day-old seedlings were subjected to salt stress by irrigating 50 mM sodium chloride solutions for seven days, with or without Si (two foliar applications with 1 mM sodium metasilicate nonahydrate). Salt stress significantly altered the chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (OJIP) curve, disrupting energy flow and electron transport in photosystem II (PSII), as reflected in the O-J, J-I, and I-P phases, along with the emergence of a positive K-band indicating damage to the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). Silicon application mitigated these effects, stabilizing the OEC and thylakoid membrane integrity while improving JIP test parameters and reducing excessive energy absorption, dissipation, and unregulated energy loss per reaction center. Silicon-treated plants under salt stress exhibited enhanced photochemical quenching, reduced regulatory energy dissipation, and decreased photosystem I (PSI) over-reduction. A significant increase in open PSI centers was observed, improving the balance and functionality between PSI and photosystem II. The application of Si resulted in significant photosynthetic improvements, which were also paired with enhanced morphological traits, such as increased root length and leaf thickness in saline conditions. Overall, findings indicate that exogenous Si helps to reduce salt-induced stress by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency in plants, positioning it as a promising strategy for improving crop performance in saline environments.
Dialogue with the public: A catalyst for professional identity formation in medical students
Objectives This study aimed to explore how Japanese medical students are influenced by their dialogue with the general public as part of the process of professional identity formation. These findings are expected to provide insights into supporting the development of professional identity from diverse perspectives, particularly for medical students in the pre-stage of legitimate peripheral participation and those currently engaged in it. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three medical students of different backgrounds. These students participated in a dialogue-based event with the general public, in which they ran a booth focused on medical education. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted and an interpretivist study was conducted through a thematic analysis. Data were analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT) qualitative data analysis method. Results The students reflected on their dialogue with the general public about medical education and discussed infrequent opportunities to recognize or disclose their professional identity in daily life. A preclinical student (third-year) noted, “I felt like I shared a similar sense of amazement with the visitors” and “It’s obvious, but I really came to realize that I’m seen from the perspective of a medical student or a healthcare professional.” In contrast, a clinical student (fifth-year) reflected, “Sharing my feelings about whether I’ve been helping others during my clinical training felt closely tied to me—there wasn’t much of a gap.” SCAT analysis revealed that preclinical students emphasized ‘reaffirming their professional identity through empathetic understanding,’ while clinical students focused on ‘disclosing their professional identity, leading to its integration with their personal identity.’. Conclusion Dialogue with the general public unexpectedly enhanced medical students’ awareness of their professional identity. In the process of professional identity formation, dialogue with the general public can support the traditionally emphasized socialization process through participation in professional groups, particularly by facilitating the reaffirming of professional identity and its integration with personal identity.
Size, not color, drives assortative mating and influences fledging survival, weight and immunity in a polymorphic owl
Abstract The persistence of color polymorphism in nature may be driven by disassortative mating based on color. In vertebrates, body size sometimes correlates with coloration, complicating mating patterns, as the selective pressures favoring mixed-color pairs might be counterbalanced by those influencing body size. This complexity is heightened in species with reversed sexual size dimorphism, such as owls, where males are smaller than females, and average dissimilarity in mate size may reflect sexual size dimorphism rather than an active disassortative mating pattern. Here we investigate the fitness consequences of mating by color and body size using a long-term dataset from the color polymorphic Eurasian Scops owl (Otus scops), a bird species with reversed sexual size dimorphism. Results reveal that size-disassortative mating enhances reproductive success, as highly size-dimorphic pairs have higher probability of fledging owlets, which may favor reversed sexual size dimorphism. In addition, larger pairs produce heavier owlets with higher immunocompetence, aligning with the conventional size-based mating hypothesis. Although body size and plumage coloration were correlated within pairs, only differences in body size between pair members, not coloration, were related to higher fitness estimates. While color-based assortative mating had no direct impact on any of the fitness proxies studied, greyer pairs exhibited higher feeding rates to offspring than browner pairs. These results underscore the importance of simultaneously considering traits that may covary with color and shape mating patterns to understand the persistence of color polymorphisms in nature.
Quality Management Systems implementation in public medical laboratories; A sustainable approach to health system strengthening in Lagos State, Nigeria
Background The effectiveness of Quality Management Systems (QMS) in public medical laboratories is crucial to ensure quality and reliable testing outcomes for quality healthcare. This research aims to achieve a minimum of 2 Stars WHO-AFRO rating at the external audit of ten public medical Laboratories within twelve months of intervention using improved documentation and institutionalization of robust QMS. Method A quasi-experimental design was used to assess QMS interventions in ten of 28 public secondary medical laboratories in Lagos State. These facilities were randomly selected using non-probability measures over 12 months from November 2022 to October 2023. The study measured resource allocation, conducted staff training for capacity building, and provided mentoring support. External audits were performed using the WHO-AFRO SLIPTA 2015 checklist, with a grading system from 0 to 5 stars. The data collected included baseline and post-intervention scores, analyzed using descriptive statistics and baseline compared with follow-up audit performance. Result The 12-month implementation of laboratory QMS in ten Lagos State’s public secondary health facilities revealed substantial progress. Nine Medical laboratories in the study had a baseline WHO-AFRO rating of 0 Star, while General Hospital Ikorodu had a baseline rating of 1 Star. Sixty percent of the medical laboratories demonstrated commendable QMS improvement and achieved 3 Stars WHO-AFRO rating each, while twenty percent of the medical laboratories attained 2-Stars each. However, the remaining twenty percent of the health facilities achieved minimal improvements, securing 1 Star WHO-AFRO rating each. Conclusion Overall, Eighty percent of the medical laboratories showed progress in QMS implementation in Lagos State. The study reveals that a Government-led QMS implementation drives a more sustainable culture of quality in medical laboratories and the twelve-month measure indicates the possibility to extend the QMS interventions to the remaining eighteen public medical laboratories in Lagos State.
Traditional Chinese herbal tea Psychotria rubra suppresses inflammatory response caused by respiratory tract infections via STAT3/IL-6/TNF
Abstract Psychotria rubra Herbal Tea (PRHT) is a traditional Chinese folk medicine used to treat in-flammation induced by respiratory infections. Its specific mechanisms of action, however, remain unclear. The study combined ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), network pharmacology, and in vitro cell experiments to systematically analyze the chemical composition and validate the biological activity of PRHT. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and molecular docking were used to identify key targets and mechanisms. PRHT was found to contain 128 active compounds, including alkaloids, amino acids and their derivatives, and flavonoids. Key targets such as STAT3, IL-6, and TP53 were identified through PPI network analysis. PRHT exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the STAT3/IL-6/TNF-α signaling pathway. Experimental results demonstrated that PRHT inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between PRHT components and core targets. The study reveals that PRHT exerts anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the STAT3/IL-6/TNF-α signaling pathway, contributing to inflammation balance and tis-sue repair. These findings provide scientific evidence for the development of PRHT as a functional anti-inflammatory agent and offer new insights into treatment strategies for respiratory infections.
A mapping review of worldwide current and previous cohort research programmes in cats and dogs
Cohort research programmes follow individuals over time to enable study of effects from various factors on health or other outcomes. To date, the global distribution of formal cohort programmes in cats and dogs has not been mapped, and a comprehensive synthesis of their methodological characteristics is lacking. That limits methods improvement and wider adoption of cohort programmes in veterinary medicine. A mapping review methodology aligned with the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis was used to summarise existing cohort research programmes on cats and dogs worldwide. Electronic databases were searched (Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science) to identify eligible cohort papers, followed by a two-step selection process (title and abstract screening, full text screening) for paper inclusion. Information extracted at the individual cohort programme level covered: 1. location and veterinary specialty; 2. study design; 3. study variables; 4. collected data; 5. recruitment and retention strategies. Database searches yielded 6,777 unique papers, of which 73 met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-two programmes were identified, predominantly in the UK (8/22, 36%) or US (6/22, 27%) with 55% (12/22) involving dogs. Most of the programmes (18/22, 82%) aimed at disease prevention. Out of 19 programmes for which full-text papers were available, and therefore more information could be extracted, animal demographics were the most commonly considered study variable (15/19, 79%). The biggest reporting gaps were identified in the study planning phase, design, and programme management. Consequently, limited information was retrievable from the programmes papers to create learning opportunities for other researchers planning future cohort programmes. Improved or new reporting practices are needed to enhance knowledge sharing and promote cohort programmes in veterinary medicine. The study protocol was preregistered on the 27th of December 2023 (https://osf.io/wkg53/).