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Chromosome-level haplotype-resolved genome of the tropical loach (Oreonectes platycephalus)
No full textThe flat-headed loach (Oreonectes platycephalus) is a small fish inhabiting headwaters of hillstreams of southern China. Its local populations are characterized by low genetic diversity and exceptionally high differentiation, making it an ideal model for studying small population isolates’ persistence and adaptive potential. However, the lack of Oreonectes reference genomes limits endeavours toward these ambitions. We assembled the first haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome of the genus Oreonectes using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies. This genome consists of two haplotypes (24 pseudo-chromosomes in each), with sizes of 565.68 Mb (haplotype A) and 521.13 Mb (haplotype B) and scaffold N50 lengths of 22.80 Mb and 21.91 Mb, respectively. Chr01 was identified as the likely sex chromosome pair. After masking repetitive elements which accounted for 34.43% to 36.44% of the genome, there are 27,127 protein-coding genes in haplotype A and 25,576 in haplotype B. The availability of this haplotype-resolved chromosome-level reference genome will facilitate the study of population and conservation genetics of the flat-headed loach and other Oreonectes species.published_or_final_versio
Estimated prevalence of post-intensive care cognitive impairment at short-term and long-term follow-ups: a proportional meta-analysis of observational studies
No full textObjectiveEvidence of the overall estimated prevalence of post-intensive care cognitive impairment among critically ill survivors discharged from intensive care units at short-term and long-term follow-ups is lacking. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the post-intensive care cognitive impairment at time to 12 months discharged from intensive care units.MethodsElectronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO via ProQuest were searched from inception through July 2024. Studies that reported on cognitive impairment among patients discharged from intensive care units with valid measures were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently for all included studies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guidelines. Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to measure risk of bias. Data on cognitive impairment prevalence were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was pooled estimated proportions of prevalence of the post-intensive care cognitive impairment.ResultsIn total, 58 studies involving 347,940 patients were included. The pooled post-intensive care cognitive impairment prevalence rates at the follow-up timepoints 12 months were 49.8% [95% Prediction Interval (PI), 39.9%–59.7%, n = 19], 45.1% (95% PI, 34.8%–55.5%, n = 23), 47.9% (95% PI, 35.9%–60.0%, n = 16), 28.3% (95% PI, 19.9%–37.6%, n = 19), and 30.4% (95% PI, 18.4%–43.9%, n = 7), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that significant differences of the prevalence rates between continents and study designs were observed.ConclusionsThe prevalence rates of post-intensive care cognitive impairment differed at different follow-up timepoints. The rates were highest within the first three months of follow-up, with a pooled prevalence of 49.8% at less than one month, 45.1% at one to three months, and 47.9% at three to six months. No significant differences in prevalence rates between studies that only included coronavirus disease 2019 survivors. These fundings highlight the need for further research to develop targeted interventions to prevent or manage cognitive impairment at short-term and long-term follow-ups.</p
Topological Band Engineering in q-BICs and EPs Derived from Visible Range Plasmons
No full textTopological photonics, owing to its band topology, has substantial potential in applications such as quantum computation and photonic chips. However, attaining flexible control over band topology for effective light-matter interactions at the subwavelength scale remains elusive. In this study, we present a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) dimerized grating structure based on the one-dimensional (1D) Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model (SSH). This structure is designed for tuning optical band topology with a relatively high quality factor and small mode volume. Specifically, by variation of the grating thickness, topological band inversion with plasmonic quasi-bound states in the continuum (q-BICs) can be achieved. Moreover, through the modulation of gain-loss and coupling strength, the corresponding exceptional points (EPs) can emerge near the Brillouin zone center (Γ point). Consequently, this MIM dimerized grating structure offers a novel approach for the design of advanced topological devices
Economic crises and the erosion of sustainability: A global analysis of ESG performance in 100 countries (1990–2019)
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between national economic crises and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance across 100 countries from 1990 to 2019. While ESG frameworks have gained prominence in assessing sustainability, limited attention has been given to the role of economic instability in shaping national ESG outcomes. By drawing on insights from geography, sociology, and development studies, this research explores how economic disruptions affect the ESG dimensions of sustainability. Using a fixed-effects regression model and multiple robustness checks, the findings indicate that economic crises are associated with significant declines in national ESG performance, with developing countries being more adversely affected than developed ones. The disaggregated analysis reveals that social and environmental dimensions are particularly vulnerable during crises, while governance performance also suffers. Among the different types of crises, sovereign debt and currency crises exert the most severe impacts, reflecting their broader structural consequences on national sustainability efforts. This study highlights the interdependence between economic stability and ESG outcomes, underscoring the need for further research into the mechanisms linking economic disruptions and sustainability metrics. The findings provide policymakers with insights for designing strategies that mitigate the adverse effects of economic crises on sustainability in an increasingly volatile global context.</p
The trajectory of crime: Integrating mouse-tracking into concealed memory detection
No full textThe autobiographical implicit association test (aIAT) is an approach of memory detection that can be used to identify true autobiographical memories. This study incorporates mouse-tracking (MT) into aIAT, which offers a more robust technique of memory detection. Participants were assigned to mock crime and then performed the aIAT with MT. Results showed that mouse metrics exhibited IAT effects that correlated with the IAT effect of RT and showed differences in autobiographical and irrelevant events while RT did not. Our findings suggest the validity of MT in offering measurement of the IAT effect. We also observed different patterns in mouse trajectories and velocity for autobiographical and irrelevant events. Lastly, utilizing MT metric, we identified that the Past Negative Score was positively correlated with IAT effect. Integrating the Past Negative Score and AUC into computational models improved the simulation results. Our model captured the ubiquitous implicit association between autobiographical events and the attribute True, and offered a mechanistic account for implicit bias. Across the traditional IAT and the MT results, we provide evidence that MT-aIAT can better capture the memory identification and with implications in crime detection
Is the dominance complete?: the (im)possibility of projecting diverse sociocultural voices in L2 English publishing
No full textWith the established status of English as the default language of international publication, there is a need for investigating the sociopolitics of its dominance in this domain, specifically including the sociocultural concerns surrounding academic writing and publishing in English by speakers of other languages. This study examined academic’s opinions and attitudes about the necessity and possibility of projecting non-Anglophone English writers’ diverse sociocultural voices in relation to their ‘historically defined identities’ and ‘ideologically constructed subjectivities’ in their writing for publication. The participants were eight faculty members at a major university in Hong Kong. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and used ‘abductive thematic analysis’ as our analytical procedure. The six themes of the findings reveal that the participants predominantly see very limited space for their diverse sociocultural voices in academic writing despite their vague desire for it. The findings also depict minor variations in their positions as well as some contrasting ideas about the possibility of such projection. We discuss this possibility and its implications for including authors’ social identities and diverse local ideologies in their academic writing in English as an additional language for international publishing
Enhancement of hepatic differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Full text linkBackground: Induced pluripotent stem cells induced hepatocytes (iHeps) are widely used in modeling human liver diseases and as a potential cell source for replacement therapy. However, most iHeps are relatively immature and challenging to maintain for long-term in vitro culture. Methods: We optimized the differentiation protocol by addition of a combination of small molecules to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in iHeps (iHeps EMTi), and further characterized their function both in vitro and in vivo analyses. Results: Inhibition of EMT extended the in vitro culture period of iHeps EMTi from day 24 to day 60. In vitro analysis revealed that, compared to control, iHeps EMTi exhibited significantly higher expression levels of hepatic functional markers and enhanced hepatocyte functions, including lipid accumulation, glycogen storage, albumin secretion, and urea acid metabolism. Moreover, the molecular profiles of iHeps EMTi are closer to those of primary human hepatocytes. In addition, the in vivo engraftment efficiency of iHeps EMTi in the chimeric mice model was also improved as compared to iHeps alone. Conclusions: We established a robust protocol to generate human iHeps with improved function and capable of long-term in vitro culturing via the suppression of EMT. Moreover, those iHeps with EMT suppression have improved engraftment in human chimeric mice.published_or_final_versio
Breaking the Technical Barrier for High Spatial Resolution Monitoring: A Novel Approach to Multi-Level Groundwater Monitoring System Development
No full textMultilevel systems (MLS) enable comprehensive monitoring of groundwater distribution and contamination by observing multiple geologic layers in a single borehole, thereby reducing costs and investigation waste. However, the limited adoption of MLS is due to complex design, lack of flexibility, and accessory incompatibility. This study introduces the HKU Multi-Level Groundwater Monitoring System, or HKU System for short, which provides a flexible and cost-effective approach to constructing MLS. The system comprises PVC pipes and key components (e.g., ports, connectors, and holders) that can be produced through 3D printing. The PVC pipes, constituting over 80% of the system’s materials, are readily accessible from local plumbing suppliers, making it the most cost-effective MLS worldwide. A 5-channel HKU System (⌀60 mm) was showcased to explain the system’s structure and functions, but the specific number of channels and sizes are flexible and can be tailor-made to meet different observation needs. Both groundwater sampling and water level monitoring functions were thoroughly examined in the system installed in a river delta with multilayered aquifers and aquitards in the Pearl River Delta, China. The physiochemical properties of the sampled groundwater were consistent with historical records, ensuring sampling robustness. Finally, an advanced HKU System integrating a universal seal is proposed to further simplify MLS development.</p
Expanded Hemodialysis With Theranova® Compared to Conventional High-flux Hemodialysis
No full textBackground: Expanded hemodialysis using medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzer enables higher clearance of larger middle molecules. A twice-weekly hemodialysis (HD) regimen is commonly adopted in Hong Kong. This study compared the effect of MCO-HD versus high-flux HD for 12 months on clinical and patient reported outcomes and biomarkers related to nutritional status, inflammation and cardiovascular health with high-flux HD, with over 60% of patients on twice weekly HD. Methods: Stable HD patients, after 6 weeks of high-flux HD run-in, were randomized (1:1) to continue high-flux HD (Control group) or change to MCO-HD with Theranova® dialyzer and observed for 12 months. Results: Sixty patients were randomized (30:30), with 60% on twice-weekly HD. Body mass index, lean and fat tissue indexes remained stable throughout, with no within- or between-group difference. Serum albumin showed a transient decrease in the MCO-HD group, with 6-month value significantly lower than baseline (3.62±0.34 vs. 3.79±0.28g/dL, p=0.043) and that in Controls (3.84±0.34g/dL, p=0.024), before it increased back to baseline level. At 12-month, the two groups showed similar laboratory parameters and patient-reported outcomes related to sleep quality, appetite, itchiness, and quality of life. There was no consistent change in biomarkers related to inflammation and cardiovascular health. The incidence rate of adverse events, cardiovascular events, infection rate and hospitalization rates were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: MCO-HD was safe and well-tolerated and, except for an initial decrease of serum albumin at 6 months which subsequently returned to baseline. It was not associated with significant differences in clinical and nutritional parameters, patient-reported outcomes, inflammatory/cardiovascular biomarkers and adverse clinical event rates in patients on twice weekly HD