143174 research outputs found
Sort by
Mechanisms and consequences of coinfections with influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2
No full textCo-circulation of different viruses can lead to coinfections resulting in competitive or cooperative virus-virus interactions which impact virus epidemiology and disease severity, posing a challenge for public health. Coinfection with influenza A virus (IAV) and first-wave SARS-CoV-2 resulted in more severe lung damage in animals and has been linked to more severe disease in people. Interactions between more recent variants of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV, and between SARS-CoV-2 and IBV are understudied.
IBV pre-infection decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral yields, and vice versa, by inducing interferon (IFN)-mediated immune responses in Calu-3 cells. Similar competitive interactions were observed in sequential coinfections of seasonal IAV, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and Omicron BA.5 in ex vivo primary human airway epithelial (HAE) cells. Bulk RNA-sequencing of coinfected versus single infected HAEs revealed that Omicron BA.5 and IAV H3N2 induced specific subsets of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) 24 hours post-infection. NR4A1 was one of 4 ISGs uniquely induced by Omicron BA.5 but not IAV. Overexpression of NR4A1 resulted in increased SARS-CoV-2 but decreased IAV titres by negatively impacting influenza virus entry.
In vivo, enhanced disease severity and pathological changes were observed in hamsters sequentially coinfected with Omicron EG.5.1 followed by IAV H1N1, despite EG.5.1 interfering with IAV replication. Sequential infection with the same virus pair in the reversed order did not worsen disease outcome nor impact EG.5.1 replication, indicating the order of viruses in sequential confection in vivo matters greatly for the disease outcome.
Previous studies have reported that older SARS-CoV-2 variants exerted little interference with influenza virus replication. In contrast, newer SARS-CoV-2 variants such as Omicron BA.1 and BA.5, which have evolved different immune evasion strategies and control of IFN responses, affected influenza replication through ISG expression. These interactions likely impact influenza epidemiology and vaccine effectiveness, and ongoing monitoring as the viruses continue to evolve is advisable.Open Acces
A comparative study of solid electrolyte interphase evolution in ether and ester-based electrolytes for Na-ion batteries
No full textThe solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) largely determines the electrochemical performance of negative
electrodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Ether-based electrolytes, such as diglyme, have been shown
to form a more stable and thinner SEI on sodium anodes than traditional commercial ester-based elec trolytes. Nonetheless, variations in the detailed evolution of the chemical composition and mechanical
strength of the SEIs formed in these two electrolytic solutions during the electrochemical process have
rarely been investigated. In this work, we conduct a comparative study of the SEI formed in diglyme-based
and carbonate-based electrolytes with Na2Ti3O7 (NTO) as a proof-of-concept material, using energy-tuned
photoelectron spectroscopy, operando electrochemical atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical tech niques. The results show that diglyme forms a thin, homogeneous, and stable SEI with a well-defined
inorganic-organic bilayer structure, as opposed to ester-based electrolytes, which form a thicker, nonuni form, and dynamically changing SEI with randomly distributed inorganic-organic structure. Moreover,
the less resistive and higher capacitive interfacial processes induced by the diglyme-based electrolyte
decrease the overall battery impedance. These advantages enable the NTO anode to exhibit superior spe cific capacity, cycle stability, and rate capability. This study provides an in-depth view of the factors
behind the electrolyte-dependent performance of SIB anodes, which could inform the design and pairing
of electrolytes with electrode materials in rechargeable batteries
Modeling trust in assistive human-robot interaction: a data-driven approach
No full textIn human-robot interaction, particularly in assistive robotics where users rely on autonomous or semi-autonomous systems for physical support, trust is central to safe and effective collaboration. While research on trust in robotics has grown, many studies use simplified scenarios that fail to capture the complexities of real-world interactions. This thesis addresses these gaps by investigating trust through experimental user studies, introducing novel measurement tools, and developing machine learning models tailored to realistic assistive robotics applications.
Through reviewing empirical studies, we establish that existing work often uses constrained methodological approaches missing critical aspects of embodied interaction. Building on these insights, we develop and validate experimental platforms for studying trust in naturalistic settings. Using an autonomous wheelchair system, we show that trust is strongly influenced by robot performance in real navigation tasks: good performance enhances trust and attitudes, while poor performance harms perception and engagement.
To capture dynamic trust changes, we introduce Trusty, a handheld device enabling continuous trust measurement without disrupting interaction flow. In a user study with our wheelchair system, Trusty is validated against established questionnaires and shown to provide reliable real-time trust feedback.
Leveraging continuous trust data alongside video, gaze tracking, and physiological signals, we design a transformer-based model to predict user trust. Fusing these modalities with auxiliary perceptual tasks improves classification accuracy, with eye-gaze data proving particularly valuable.
We also present AMIGA (Assistive Mobile Interactive Grasping Agent), a mobile manipulation platform combining a UR10e arm with a powered wheelchair base for robust, cost-effective assistive tasks. Using AMIGA, we develop Trust-ACT, an imitation learning approach that incorporates trust annotations for policy refinement. Trust-based trajectory selection improves success rates and execution times in block-stacking tasks.
This work advances reliable, user-centered assistive robotics by deepening the understanding of trust and providing practical tools and frameworks.Open Acces
Nonlinear distortions and short-wavelength secondary instability directly induced by distributed roughness in three-dimensional boundary layers
No full textSurface roughness of fairly small (micron-sized) height is known to influence significantly three-dimensional boundary-layer transition. In this paper, we investigate this sensitive effect from the viewpoint that roughness alters the base flow thereby inducing new
instabilities. We consider distributed roughness in the form of a wavy wall with its height being taken to be of O(R−1/3δ∗), where the Reynolds number R is defined using the local boundary-layer thickness δ∗. Despite having a height much smaller than δ∗, the roughness is high enough to induce nonlinear responses. The roughness-distorted boundary-layer flow is characterised by a wall layer (WL) – a thin layer adjacent to the surface – the main layer and a critical layer (CL) – the vicinity of a special position at which a singularity of the Rayleigh equation occurs. The widths of both the WL and CL are of O(R−1/3δ∗). Surface roughness alters the base flow significantly, leading to O(1) vorticity distortions in these layers. We show for the first time that the nonlinearly distorted flows in these layers support small-scale local instabilities due to the roughness induced O(1) vorticities. Two types of modes, CL and WL modes, are identified. The CL modes have short wavelengths and high frequencies, with the spatial and temporal
instabilities being governed by essentially the same equation. Thus, we focus on the former, which can be formulated as a linear generalised eigenvalue problem. The WL modes have short wavelengths but O(1) frequencies. The temporal WL mode is governed
by a linear eigenvalue problem similar to that for the CL modes, while the spatial WL mode is described by a nonlinear eigenvalue problem. The onset of these small-scale fluctuations could form a crucial step in the transition to turbulence
Benzene ring-driven metal hydrolysis and floc formation in coagulation: mechanistic insights from organic structural units
No full textThe chemical structure of natural organic matter (NOM) is known to influence its removal during coagulation, yet the underlying molecular-scale mechanisms remain elusive. This has limited the rational design of advanced water treatment processes. Here, we reveal a previously overlooked mechanism, the cation–π interaction, as a key driver for the efficient removal of aromatic organic matter. Using model compounds with and without a benzene ring (benzoate/phthalate vs acetate), we demonstrate that the benzene ring is not merely a passive scaffold but an active participant in coagulation. It acts as an initial anchor, attracting trivalent metal ions via strong cation–π interactions. This initial attraction then facilitates a more stable, secondary binding as functional groups (e.g., –COOH and –OH) on the ring chelate with the metal ions, ultimately promoting floc growth. This dual-binding mechanism, supported by spectroscopic and microscopic evidence, explains how the presence of a benzene ring participates in metal ion hydrolysis and floc formation, leading to significantly improved coagulation performance. This finding highlights the critical role of aromatic structures in the coagulation process and provides a new theoretical foundation for optimizing coagulants to achieve the selective and efficient removal of specific aromatic pollutants
Bacteriophages mobilise bacterial defence systems via lateral transduction
No full textTo counter challenges from bacteriophages (phages), bacteria employ defence mechanisms that can reside on mobile genetic elements or within chromosomes. These immune systems are easily gained and lost, allowing adaptation to threats. However, the mechanism of mobilisation of chromosomally encoded defence genes remains poorly understood. Here, we show that phage- and phage-inducible chromosomal island (PICI)-mediated lateral transduction (LT), a highly efficient horizontal gene transfer mechanism, facilitates the transfer of these defence genes between bacteria. Using several bacterial models, we demonstrate that defence systems are often positioned near phage or PICI attachment sites, allowing them to exploit LT for their mobility. Additionally, LT diversifies defence genes carried by prophages and PICIs, driving immune system evolution and turnover. These processes provide phage resistance to new bacterial hosts and profoundly impact population genomics. Our findings
reveal LT as a crucial mechanism shaping bacterial evolution and influencing the trajectory of pathogenic clones in nature
The burden of disease attributable to high body mass index across Arab countries: an analysis of data from the global burden of disease study 2021
No full textBackground: Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for numerous communicable and non-communicable health conditions. Some of those diseases which can be prevented are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In Arab countries, prevalence of overweight and obesity is double what it is globally, making obesity a top public health concern. This study seeks to investigate the regional burden of high BMI-
attributable disease and compare it with global data, to shed light on this public health issue and inform future policies.
Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, including global and Arab countries statistics, were systematically extracted and analysed. A high body mass index (BMI) was defined as a value of 25 kg/m² or greater. Trends for nine major causes of high BMI-attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years of life lost from mortality (YLLs) were analysed by age and sex, from 1990 to 2021.
Results: In Arab countries, the top causes of high BMI-attributable age-standardised deaths, DALYs, and YLLs in 2021 were cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases, and neoplasms (replacing chronic respiratory diseases in 1990). There was a notable increase in the disease burden attributable to high BMI between 1990 and 2021, with a consistently higher burden compared to global data. Mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and kidney diseases in Arab countries was higher in females than males, compared to global mortality data.
Conclusions: The considerable disease burden attributable to high BMI in Arab countries highlights the necessity for integrated, population-level interventions aimed at holistically preventing high BMI in this region. Longitudinal and qualitative research on perceptions and drivers of trends in high BMI within Arab countries are necessary to gain context and add to the evidence base, allowing for the development of suitable and effective interventions
Global, regional, and national prevalence of kidney failure with replacement therapy and associated aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
No full textBackground
Kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT) such as dialysis or transplantation represents a severe stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and poses a major global health burden. Although many CKD cases are diagnosed in the earlier stages, the greatest risk occurs when CKD progresses to KFRT. Despite its considerable financial and imposing impact on public health, there is a notable gap in international policies addressing CKD and KFRT. To bridge this gap and help policy makers and health systems effectively tackle the public health challenge of KFRT, a better understanding of the disease burden is essential. Thus, this analysis aims to provide a detailed overview of the global prevalence of KFRT and its associated aetiologies with estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) from 1990 to 2023.
Methods
This study defined KFRT as individuals on maintenance dialysis for 90 days or more or those who have undergone a kidney transplant, aligning with the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Renal registries served as the primary data sources. Prevalence and underlying aetiology estimates (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and other causes) were generated with DisMod-MR 2.1, an epidemiological Bayesian mixed-effects meta-regression modelling tool. Both all-age and age-standardised estimates were reported and accompanied with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).
Findings
In 2023, the number of global cases of KFRT was 4·59 million (95% UI 4·17–5·08) for both sexes and all ages, with an age-standardised prevalence of 50·7 (46·1–56·0) per 100 000 population. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in KFRT prevalence globally. The highest prevalence was found in the GBD high-income regions, while the lowest was observed in sub-Saharan Africa. KFRT prevalence was generally higher in countries classified within the World Bank's high-income and upper-middle-income groups, while lower prevalence was more common in countries within the World Bank's low-income and lower-middle-income groups. Additionally, a pronounced sex disparity was identified, where male dialysis and transplant prevalence estimates were consistently higher than those for females in most countries. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were among the leading associated aetiologies of KFRT globally. From 1990 to 2023, the all-age and age-standardised prevalence estimates across the ascribed aetiologies increased for KFRT, with the largest increases associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Interpretation
KFRT affects approximately 5 million people globally, with high treatment and mortality costs. Our study unveiled considerable geographical variation in KFRT prevalence, which should be seen as indicators of health-care system opportunities. As the prevalence of the leading aetiologies of KFRT—type 2 diabetes and hypertension—continues to rise, there is a crucial need to prioritise the development and implementation of cost-effective strategies aimed at preventing CKD and its progression to KFRT, particularly in low-resource settings. These preventive efforts must happen in tandem with efforts to expand capacity for dialysis and transplant services.
Funding
Gates Foundation
Advancing knowledge, maps and tools to address obesity and related socio-economic disparities in Europe: the OBCT project
No full textThe steady rise in overweight and obesity in Europe disproportionately affects people and communities with a lower socio-economic position (SEP). Many obesity prevention approaches exist, but these have had limited reach and unsatisfactory effects thus far, especially in low-SEP populations. In this context, there is a need for implementation of effective individual-level and population-based preventive strategies that also tackle health inequalities. Effective strategies require consideration of the complex and cross-domain obesity risk factors across the life course. Feasible and acceptable strategies require multisectoral collaborations and innovative approaches, including a whole-of community and systems perspective. With the Horizon Europe-funded OBCT project, we aim to quantify the relative contribution of biological, socio-cultural and built environment factors to obesity and the interactions of these risks within and across various life course stages; and translate the resulting knowledge into practical, equitable, and effective tools for action. These tools will include: a comprehensive obesity risk screener; a map of the obesogenicity of neighbourhood environments as well as trends in obesity prevalence of each European country; recommendations for lifestyle behaviours (diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviours) to prevent obesity during key life transition stages; a decision support dashboard for policy makers; and co-developed toolboxes to support implementation of policy recommendations in low-SEP communities. OBCT’s outputs will highlight the areas and domains in which obesity should be targeted and will empower the research community, policymakers, health professionals and residents in Europe to adapt and implement strategies to effectively reduce obesity risk, particularly in low-SEP communities.
Paper Context
Main findings: Obesity has multifactorial causes across many domains, from genetic to social and environmental, which might not be equally distributed across the different population groups.
Added knowledge: This design paper contributes to the methodological development of integrated risk models across these population groups using novel methods and rich, existing population health datasets across Europe.
Global health impact for policy and action: This project aims to identify and stratify by population risk groups and design specific interventions with especially vulnerable groups in order to maximize public health impact across Europe
Cytomimetic calcification in chemically self-regulated prototissues
No full textThe fabrication of cytomimetic materials capable of orchestrated and adaptive functions remains a significant challenge in bottom-up synthetic biology. Inspired by the cell/matrix integration of living bone, here we covalently tether distributed single populations of alkaline phosphatase-containing inorganic protocells (colloidosomes) onto a crosslinked organic network to establish viscoelastic tissue-like micro-composites. The prototissues are endogenously calcified with site-specific mineralization modalities involving selective intra-protocellular calcification, matrix-specific extra-protocellular calcification or gradient calcification. To mirror the interplay between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, we prepare integrated prototissues comprising a binary population of enzymatically active colloidosomes capable of endogenous calcification and decalcification and utilize chemical inputs to induce structural remodelling. Overall, our methodology opens a route to the chemically self-regulated calcification of homogeneous and gradient tissue-like mineral-matrix composites, advances the development of bottom-up synthetic biology in chemical materials research, and could provide potential opportunities in bioinspired tissue engineering, hydrogel technologies and bone biomimetics