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Trauma and identity predictors of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD in a trauma-exposed Colombian sample
No full textBackground:The 11th International Classification of Diseases introduces the diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD); characterized by traditional PTSD symptomology plus Disturbances in Self Organisation. Part of this construct involves feeling socially disconnected from others, suggesting that aspects of group and individual identity may be associated with this disorder.Aims:The current study seeks to contribute to better understanding the association of individual social and personal identity in development of this disorder in post-conflict contexts.Methodology:This study analysed survey data collected as part a case-control investigation of psychological risk and resilience in a trauma-exposed sample in Colombia (N = 541). Identity orientations, that is, the level of importance ascribed to one’s social and personal identity, was assessed using the Social and Personal Identities Scale (SIPI) and was assessed as predictor of probable CPTSD diagnosis using multinomial logistic regression.Results:Analyses indicated that trauma experiences were associated with both diagnostic categories, however Social and Personal identity orientation were significant predictors of probable CPTSD diagnosis, but not probable PTSD diagnosis. Greater Personal identity orientation, that is, viewing oneself as individualistic, was associated with increased likelihood of CPTSD. In contrast, greater Social Identity orientation, that is, stronger group membership identification, was associated with reduced odds of CPTSD diagnosis. Identifying as a victim of the conflict was not significantly associated with risk for PTSD or CPTSD outcomes.Conclusion:Greater sense of Social Identity and cohesion is suggested to be protective against CPTSD development, whereas greater personal identity orientation is a risk factor. Theoretical perspectives considering the role of social and personal identity may be valuable in understanding individual risk for CPTSD in post-conflict societies.<br/
Integrated multiomic analyses: an approach to improve understanding of diabetic kidney disease
No full textAimDiabetes is increasing in prevalence worldwide, with a 20% rise in prevalence predicted between 2021 and 2030, bringing an increased burden of complications, such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD). DKD is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease, with significant impacts on patients, families and healthcare providers. DKD often goes undetected until later stages, due to asymptomatic disease, non-standard presentation or progression, and sub-optimal screening tools and/or provision. Deeper insights are needed to improve DKD diagnosis, facilitating the identification of higher-risk patients. Improved tools to stratify patients based on disease prognosis would facilitate the optimisation of resources and the individualisation of care. This review aimed to identify how multiomic approaches provide an opportunity to understand the complex underlying biology of DKD.MethodsThis review explores how multiomic analyses of DKD are improving our understanding of DKD pathology, and aiding in the identification of novel biomarkers to detect disease earlier or predict trajectories.ResultsEffective multiomic data integration allows novel interactions to be uncovered and empathises the need for harmonised studies and the incorporation of additional data types, such as co-morbidity, environmental and demographic data to understand DKD complexity. This will facilitate a better understanding of kidney health inequalities, such as social-, ethnicity- and sex-related differences in DKD risk, onset and progression.ConclusionMultiomics provides opportunities to uncover how lifetime exposures become molecularly embodied to impact kidney health. Such insights would advance DKD diagnosis and treatment, inform preventative strategies and reduce the global impact of this disease.<br/
High reliable processor-based PUF on voltage over-scaling technique
No full textApproximate computing has been widely employed in the development of high-performance applications. However, security vulnerabilities have been shown in approximate computing based systems in recent years. This paper proposes a high-reliability physical unclonable function (PUF) that extracts entropy on processor circuits with voltage over-scaling (VOS) techniques, which is one of approximate computing techniques, for reducing power consumption. The PUF responses are generated based on the differences in time delays between identical computation circuits due to process variations with the same instruction computation. At normal supply voltages, the computational delay difference is barely recognized. However, the computation delay difference is amplified when the circuit's voltage is changed using the VOS-based approximate computing technique. An experimental validation was conducted by implementing a 32-bit ripple carry adder (RCA) using a 40nm CMOS technology. The experimental results show that the uniqueness of the proposed PUF is 49.48%. The proposed PUF exhibits a high reliability of 99.32% over a temperature range of -20°C ~ 100°C. Compared with the other existing intrinsic processor-based PUFs, the proposed PUF achieves the best results of reliability and uniqueness to date
Simultaneously transmitting and reflecting surfaces (STARS) for multi-functional 6G
No full textSimultaneously transmitting and reflecting surface (STARS) empowered multi-functional 6G wireless networks are investigated. Starting with the communication functionality, various types of STARS are introduced in terms of power amplification capabilities, reciprocity features, and spatial density of elements. Then, three STARS-empowered wireless sensing architectures are proposed, namely STARS-aided monostatic sensing, STARS-enabled bistatic sensing, and sensing with target-mounted STARS, where the representative benefits and application challenges are identified. Furthermore, promising applications of STARS for computing and caching functionalities are explored to improve the computation efficiency and reduce the content delivery latency. Finally, recent standardization progress for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces is presented for motivating the employment of STARS in multi-functional 6G
Credible, competent contributors: children and young people as postdigital citizen social scientists
No full textI argue that participatory action research (PAR) is a valuable means by which to advance citizen social science, not by researching with and on adults, but with children and young people (CYP). Given the right opportunities, using child-friendly and child-centred research methods, CYP can be credible, competent contributors to social science, including the digital environment. The foundational goals of PAR are empowerment, transformation, and enfranchisement of the traditionally marginalised, and none are more universally and structurally marginalised than CYP. Using a child rights argument, I explain why CYP continue to be excluded from research and why there is still so much scepticism that CYP are credible contributors. One reason is childism, a system of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination against CYP on account of their perceived status as not yet human and not fully rational beings. Childism entails the belief that adults are automatically superior to children. I argue further that CYP’s participation in postdigital social science research enacts the entitlements in Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), even though state parties, having ratified this landmark convention, find it very challenging to do more than simply laud its aims. Using three case studies of CYP’s contribution to research and human rights activism, I make the case that they are expert knowers of their own social and digital experiences and have the skills and insights to examine their social worlds in ways that adult researchers too easily overlook, downplay, or simply ignore. As importantly is that CYP are expert users of digital and social media. Their epistemic and ontological experiences as users, creators, contributors, and disseminators of content, and as targets of malign actors, must be included in any research, policy, or law.<br/
Protection of mice against cecal ligation and puncture-induced polymicrobial sepsis by a Fasciola hepatica helminth defence molecule
No full textSepsis results from a dysregulated host immune response to infection and is responsible for ~11 million deaths each year. In the laboratory, many aspects of sepsis can be replicated using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, which is considered the most clinically relevant rodent model of sepsis. In the present study, histological and biomarker multiplex analyses revealed that the CLP model initiated a large-scale inflammatory response in mice by 24 h, with evidence of acute organ damage by 48-72 h. While many typical pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokines were systemically elevated, a specific array including IL-10, eotaxin, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1 and RANTES noticeably increased just prior to animals reaching the humane endpoint. Treatment of mice with 10 μg of a synthetic 68-amino acid peptide derived from an immunomodulatory molecule secreted by a parasitic worm of humans and livestock, Fasciola hepatica, termed Fasciola hepatica helminth defence molecule (FhHDM), potently suppressed the systemic inflammatory profile, protected mice against acute kidney injury, and improved survival between 48 and 72 h post-procedure. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory parasite-derived FhHDM peptide has potential as a bio-therapeutic treatment for sepsis
Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of family centred care in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative thematic synthesis
No full textBackground: Family-centred care is considered the gold standard in health care and despite a consensus about the benefits of this care for both critically ill infants and their parents, healthcare professionals in neonatal intensive care units often have difficulty implementing this care model consistently. Aim: To explore healthcare providers' perceptions of factors influencing implementation of family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units. Design: Qualitative thematic synthesis method.Method: The systematic search of the literature was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Primary studies were identified from five databases, and full-text studies included in the review were assessed for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI, 2017) checklist. Results: Ten relevant primary qualitative studies were identified and included in the review. Two main analytical themes were identified: first challenges related to the NICU's culture including lack of clear policies, inadequate facilities, staffing, communication difficulties, and a lack of training and education for staff and parents, and second challenges related to parental roles and obligations. Conclusion: The review highlights significant challenges and facilitators within the NICU environment, emphasizing the need for clear FCC policies, improved facilities, adequate staffing, and enhanced training and communication for both staff and parents. The findings underscore the complexities of parental roles, suggesting a critical need for better support and resources to help parents navigate their responsibilities effectively. Impact statement: Incorporating family-centred care concepts in clinical practice through integrating guidelines and comprehensive staff training will significantly enhance family involvement. Addressing infrastructure deficiencies and resource shortages will minimize barriers for active family engagement, creating a more supportive environment for parents to be part of their infant care ultimately leading to better infant health outcomes.</p
A novel approach for the synthesis of the cyclic lipopeptide globomycin
No full textCyclic lipopeptides (CLiPs) are a highly diverse class of secondary metabolites produced by bacteria and fungi. Examples of CLiPs have been found that possess potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Globomycin is a 19-membered CLiP that kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through inhibition of lipoprotein signal peptidase II (Lsp). It can only be obtained in small quantities from its Streptomyces producer strain, so there has been much interest in development of synthetic methods to access globomycin and analogues. Globomycin contains an N-terminal anti-α-methyl-β-hydroxy nonanoyl lipid tail, whose hydroxyl group forms an ester with the C-terminal carboxylate. Constructing the anti-arrangement between the α-methyl and β-hydroxy is synthetically challenging and previous globomycin syntheses are not compatible with diversification of the lipid tail after the stereocenters have been installed. Herein, we describe a new approach for the synthesis of globomycin that allows for facile lipid diversification. Using an anti-Evans Aldol condensation, a common intermediate is obtained that allows different “lipid swapping” through Grubbs-catalyzed cross-metathesis. Upon auxiliary cleavage, the resulting lipid can then be utilized in solid-phase peptide synthesis. Given the plethora of lipopeptides that contain β-hydroxy lipids, this method offers a convenient approach for convergent generation of lipopeptide analogues.<br/
Evaluating the local bandgap across in<sub>x</sub>Ga<sub>1-x</sub>as multiple quantum wells in a metamorphic laser via low-loss EELS
No full textUsing high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy, the local bandgap (Eg), indium concentration, and strain distribution across multiple InxGa1-xAs quantum wells (QWs), on a GaAs substrate, within a metamorphic laser structure are correlated. The findings reveal significant inhomogeneities, particularly near the interfaces, for both the indium and strain distribution, and subtle variations in the Eg across individual QWs. The interplay between strain, composition, and Eg is further explored by density functional theory simulations, indicating that variations in the Eg are predominantly influenced by the indium concentration, with strain playing a minor role. The observed local inhomogeneities suggest that differences between individual QWs may affect the collective emission and performance of the final device. This study highlights the importance of spatially resolved analysis in understanding and optimizing the electronic and optical properties for designing next-generation metamorphic lasers with multiple QWs as the active region.<br/
The multifaceted non-genetic risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma - an overview of systematic reviews
No full textA synthesis of the current knowledge on risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant systematic reviews (SR) published in English after 2012. The inclusion criteria focused on SRs investigating risk factors for POAG. We registered the study prospectively in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022351372) and used Covidence and the Risk Of Bias In Systematic reviews (ROBIS) tool to manage article selection and assess the risk of bias in the included SRs. Data was extracted independently by two authors. After removing duplicate SRs, we assessed 2,542 SRs. Of these, 2,396 were determined to be irrelevant, leaving 138 for a full text review. Following this, 78 were excluded with reasons, resulting in 57 SRs. Of these, 30 had a low risk of bias. In our bias assessment, SRs categorized as high risk of bias were characterized by 1) lack of sufficient detail in the bias assessment of the SR and 2) insufficient information or missing calculations of heterogeneity among the included studies. In our study, we identified 22 risk factors associated with POAG. The SRs covered a wide range of risk factors for POAG. Among these, the strongest associations with glaucoma, based on effect size, were observed in two SRs related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 3.66 (95% CI: 1.70-7.90) and an adjusted OR of 2.46 (95% CI: 1.32-4.59). Similarly, two SRs investigating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections showed significant associations, with pooled ORs of 2.08 (95% CI: 1.48-2.93) and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.42-3.04), respectively. This article summarizes the current knowledge on risk factors for POAG from published SRs. Our findings highlight the complexity of the disease and the nature of the factors that may affect various populations. Among the reported associations with low risk of bias, we found the highest effect estimates for OSA and H. pylori infections in relation to POAG. Our review helps advance understanding, guide future research and inform strategies for the prevention and treatment of POAG. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.