Cumulative Response Research Articles

Non-uniform cumulative responses of beach sedimentary geomorphology to consecutive storms around a meso-macro tidal island

Non-uniform cumulative responses of beach sedimentary geomorphology to consecutive storms around a meso-macro tidal island

The impact of reminders on representativeness and survey estimates among web-mode invited in the Danish National Health Survey.

Declining response proportions in health surveys may lead to increased non-response bias. Multiple reminders are often used to increase response proportions, and, thus, we aimed to determine if the use of reminders decreased the magnitude of non-response bias among web-mode invited in the Danish National Health Survey 2023. In the Danish National Health Survey 2023, a national random sample of 23467 individuals (aged ≥16 years) with residence in Denmark were invited by a secure electronic mail service. Invited individuals received up to five inquiries: (i) web invitation, (ii) web reminder, (iii) paper invitation including a questionnaire and a prepaid return envelope, (iv) paper reminder, and (v) paper reminder including a questionnaire and a prepaid return envelope. The cumulative response proportions after first-, second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth inquiries were 19.1%, 28.9%, 37.2%, 39.3%, and 42.0%, respectively. In general, third, fourth, and fifth mailing respondents were more often men, at younger ages, with non-Western backgrounds, and unmarried compared to first mailing respondents. Furthermore, third, fourth, and fifth mailing respondents were in general found to have less favorable health behavior than first mailing respondents, but also a lower prevalence of fair or poor self-rated health and long-standing health problems. In conlusion, reminders are an effective way to increase the response proportion. Furthermore, the use of reminders was found to decrease the magnitude of non-response bias; however, the decrease was small due to the low number of individuals responding after fourth and fifth inquiries.

Kinin B1- and B2-Receptor Subtypes Contract Isolated Bovine Ciliary Muscle: Their Role in Ocular Lens Function and Intraocular Pressure Reduction.

Background: Bradykinin is an endogenously produced nonapeptide with many physiological and pathological functions that are mediated by two pharmacologically defined receptor subtypes, B1- and B2-receptors. Current studies sought to characterize the functional bradykinin (BK) receptors present in freshly isolated bovine ciliary muscle (BCM) using an organ-bath tissue contraction system. Methods: Cumulative longitudinal isometric tension responses of BCM strips (4-5 mm) were recorded before and after the addition of test compounds to BCM strips hooked up to an isometric strain gauge transducer system. Results: BK and its analogs (7-11 concentrations) contracted BCM in a biphasic concentration-dependent manner. The first high affinity/potency phase accounted for 40-60% of the maximal contraction by each of BK (potency, EC50 = 0.9 ± 0.3 nM), Lys-BK (EC50 = 0.7 ± 0.1 nM), Met-Lys-BK (EC50 = 1 ± 0.1 nM), Hyp3-BK (EC50 = 1 ± 0.2 nM), RMP-7 (EC50 = 3.5 ± 0.5 nM), and Des-Arg9-BK (EC50 = 10 ± 0.4nM) (mean ± SEM, n = 3-8). The second lower activity phase of contraction potency values for these peptides ranged between 100 nM and 3 µM. In the presence of a selective B1-receptor antagonist (R715; 0.1-10 µM), the concentration-response curves to Des-Arg9-BK (B1-receptor agonist) were still observed, indicating activation of B2-receptors by this kinin. Likewise, when B2-receptors were completely blocked by using a B2-selective antagonist (WIN-64338; 1-10 µM), BK still induced BCM contraction, now by stimulating B1-receptors. Conclusions: This agonist/antagonist profile of BCM receptors indicated the presence of both B1- and B2-receptor subtypes, both being responsible for contracting this smooth muscle. The BCM kinin receptors may be involved in changing the shape of the ocular lens to influence accommodation, and since the ciliary muscle is attached to the trabecular meshwork through which aqueous humor drains, endogenously released kinins may regulate intraocular pressure.

Safety of and chorioretinal circulation during repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopic children.

To evaluate the safety of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy in children, and the dynamic evolution of choroidal and retinal blood flow. This is a single-centre, randomised, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. Seventy myopic children were randomly assigned to either the intervention group [receiving RLRL therapy plus single-vision spectacle (SVS)] or the control group (wearing SVS). Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations following their first irradiation, 9 months continuous RLRL therapy and stop of treatment. Quantitative analyses of choroidal and retinal microcirculation were analysed via optical coherence tomography angiography. Over 9 months of treatment, while the RLRL treatment demonstrated significantly less increases in refractive error and axial length compared with the SVS treatment (ps < 0.05), no abnormalities in fundus structure or visual function (mfERG, VEP and microperimetry) were detected (ps > 0.05). A single red-light exposure did not exert a significant influence on choroidal thickness (ps > 0.05). Upon continuous treatment, the RLRL group achieved peak values in these circulations at 9 months (ps < 0.05). Following cessation of exposure, all circulations exhibited a declining trend, reaching similar levels in both groups (ps > 0.05). As the frequency of red-light exposures intensified, there was a consistent surge in these circulations (ps < 0.05). Nine months of continuous RLRL exposure does not cause toxic side effects on retinal or optic nerve functions, and there is a time-dependent cumulative response in choroidal and retinal circulation.

The Mechanism Involved in the Inhibition of Resveratrol and Genistein on the Contractility of Isolated Rat Uterus Smooth Muscle

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of the phytoestrogens resveratrol (RES) and genistein (GEN) on the contractility of isolated uterine smooth muscle from rats, focusing on both spontaneous and stimulated contractions, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Uterine strips were suspended vertically in perfusion chambers containing Kreb’s solution, various concentrations of RES and GEN were added to the ex vivo uterine strips, and contractions were measured before and after incubation with RES or GEN. Results: (1) Both RES and GEN inhibited K+-induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner; the β/β2-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (PRO), ICI118551, the ATP-dependent K+ channel blocker glibenclamide (HB-419) and the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) diminished the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN on K+-induced contractions. (2) RES and GEN also dose-dependently inhibited PGF2α-induced uterine contractions. (3) The inhibitory effects of RES and GEN were observed in spontaneous contractile activities as well; PRO, ICI118551, HB-419 and L-NNA attenuated the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN on the spontaneous contractions of isolated uterine muscle strips. (4) RES and GEN significantly decreased the cumulative concentration response of Ca2+ and shifted the Ca2+ cumulative concentration–response curves to the right in high-K+ Ca2+-free Kreb’s solution. (5) RES and GEN markedly reduced the first phasic contraction induced by oxytocin, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin F2α but did not alter the second phasic contraction caused by CaCl2 in Ca2+-free Kreb’s solution. Conclusions: RES and GEN can directly inhibit both spontaneous and activated contractions of isolated uterine smooth muscle. The mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN likely involve β adrenergic receptor activation, reduced Ca2+ influx and release, the activation of ATP-dependent K+ channels and increased NO production.

Time to response with ravulizumab, a long-acting terminal complement inhibitor, in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis.

The efficacy and safety of ravulizumab, a terminal complement C5 inhibitor, in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR Ab+) generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) were demonstrated in the CHAMPION MG study (NCT03920293). This analysis aimed to characterize the latency to onset of a clinically meaningful therapeutic effect for ravulizumab. Post hoc analysis of data collected for up to 60 weeks from CHAMPION MG was performed to assess the timing of response to ravulizumab. Response was analyzed based on reductions of ≥2 and ≥3 points (minimal clinically important differences [MCIDs]) in Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total scores, respectively, and on more rigorous reductions of ≥3 and ≥5 points, respectively. Time to first response was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method. The median (95% confidence interval) time to first response was 2.1 (2.1-2.6) and 4.1 (2.3-10.0) weeks for reductions of ≥2 and ≥3 points in MG-ADL total score, respectively (n = 139), and 4.1 (2.1-10.0) and 18.3 (11.0-33.4) weeks for reductions of ≥3 and ≥5 points in QMG total score, respectively (n = 134). Cumulative response rates at Week 60 (data cut-off) were 88% and 82% for ≥2- and ≥3-point MG-ADL score reductions, respectively, and 86% and 59% for ≥3- and ≥5-point QMG score reductions, respectively. The median times to MCID with ravulizumab treatment in patients with AChR Ab+ gMG were ~2 weeks and ~4 weeks based on MCID MG-ADL and QMG total score reductions, respectively.

The seven-day cumulative post-esophagectomy inflammatory response predicts cancer recurrence

BackgroundThe relationship between postoperative cumulative systemic inflammation and cancer survival needs to be investigated. We developed an approach to the prognostication of postoperative esophageal cancer by establishing low and high cut-off values for the C-reactive protein (CRP) area under the curve (AUC) at 7 and 14 days after esophagectomy.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with biopsy-proven invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent esophagectomies were evaluated. Postoperative CRP levels were analyzed for the first 14 days after surgery. The AUC on days 7 and 14 were calculated and compared with clinicopathological features and survival. The cut-off values for CRP at 7 days (CRP 7 d) and 14 days (CRP 14 d) were 599 mg/L and 1153 mg/L, respectively.ResultsThe patients in the low CRP 7 d group had significantly better recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), not that in the low CRP 14d group. The OS rates in the high CRP groups at PODs 1, 3, 10, and 14 were significantly lower than those in the low CRP groups. Postoperative complications were more common in the high CRP groups on PODs 3, 10, and 14. Univariate analyses revealed that pTNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, tumor location, lymph node involvement, and CRP 7 d were significant prognostic factors for both OS and RFS. The Cox proportional hazards model identified pTNM, tumor location, and CRP 7d as independent prognostic factors for the RFS and OS.ConclusionsEarly prediction of patients with postoperative complications, and adequate management will suppress the elevation of CRP 7 d and further suppress the CRP value in the late postoperative period, which may improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy.

Analysis of fine-grained sediment dynamics from field observations with a vector autoregressive model

Empirical models and process-based theoretical or numerical models are valuable tools for analyzing sediment dynamics by reproducing the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) observations, but they are either limited by simplified assumptions or computationally complex. Some data-driven models have been developed to predict SSC but are still weak in explaining the causes of its changes. A field observation of silty sediment dynamics was performed in the Yellow River Delta, China. Then, a vector autoregressive (VAR) model is employed to analyze and predict the SSC variations. Using the impulse response function, the VAR model quantifies the transient and cumulative responses of the SSC to storm and current shocks (i.e., the impulse input), which reveals the key mechanisms of SSC changes from a new perspective. Results show that the storm effect on SSC in the study area lasts for ca. 85 h, and the SSC peaks at around the 36th hour with a cumulative increase of about 1.3 g/L due to the storm’s cumulative effect. Quantitative analysis reveals that waves contribute 73.78% to the SSC, while tidal currents contribute 26.22%. Fine SSC is significantly impacted by horizontal advection. A single reciprocal motion of the tidal current affects the SSC for approximately 6.25 h, while the overall duration exceeds 100 h. The proposed model physically reveals that the storm-induced high concentration gradient has been pushed back and forth by the tidal currents, affecting the SSC at the observation site, and the horizontal advection effect lasts for more than 100 h. Moreover, the VAR model achieves high-accuracy interval predictions of SSC for the next 5 h using only historical hydrodynamic data, with a 100% coverage probability of the 95% prediction interval. This paper provides a simple and efficient method for sediment dynamics analysis, which is of great significance for marine environment protection and disaster warning.

Optimized fosfomycin regimens for treating carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in criticallyill patients with varying degrees of renal function.

Fosfomycin has been used to treat carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections. However, there is insufficient information on dosage adjustment among critically ill patients with renal impairment. This study aims to evaluate the attainment of PK/PD targets for different dosage regimens of CRAB treatment in critically ill patients based on their renal function. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to assess the probability of achieving time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) of 80% and 100% and to determine the cumulative fraction response (CFR) against institutional MICs. Our results demonstrated that administering fosfomycin 20-24 g/day to individuals with normal renal function (CrCl ≥60 mL/min) achieved the target at a MIC of ≤64 and ≤32 μg/mL during the first 24 h of treatment and at steady state, respectively. Notably, those with renal impairment achieved higher MIC values at a steady state despite dosage reduction. None of the regimens reached the target CFR. Our study suggested that administering fosfomycin at least 20 g/day to those with normal renal function provides sufficient exposure throughout the treatment course when the MIC value is ≤32 μg/mL. Less aggressive dosing regimens are advisable for patients with renal impairment. Additional clinical studies are necessary to verify our suggestions.

PSI-15 Validation of a rapid test to evaluate humoral immunity in Labrador Retrievers across multiple life stages

Abstract This study sought to validate the D2Dx rapid immunity test in canines and investigate the age-related changes in the humoral immune system of healthy large breed dogs. Blood plasma with EDTA anticoagulant was collected from healthy Labrador Retrievers (n = 80) housed at Four Rivers Kennel under IACUC protocol FRK-56. Age groups were defined as follows: puppy 0-1.5 yr, adults 1.5-7 yr, senior 7-10, and geriatric 10-14. Immunity biomarkers including c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), complement protein 3 (C3), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were determined through canine specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The nanoparticle based D2Dx test, which evaluates the cumulative humoral immune response, was also performed. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA between age groups, with a Tukey’s post hoc, and correlations between variables were evaluated through multivariate analysis. The D2Dx score was correlated with body weight, age, IgG, and C3 validating that the test was able to adequately measure the humoral immunity in canines (r ≥ 0.49). D2Dx score was significantly different between age groups (P &amp;lt; 0.01) with puppies having significantly reduced scores compared with all other groups (P &amp;lt; 0.01). C3 was significantly different between age groups (P &amp;lt; 0.01), with puppies significantly less than other life stages (P ≤ 0.03). The C3 of adults averaged significantly greater than seniors and trended greater than geriatric subjects (P ≤ 0.01, 0.07). IgG between ages was also significantly different, with puppies significantly less than other age groups (P &amp;lt; 0.01). There was no significant difference between age groups for IFN-γ, IL-4 ratio, IFN-γ, IL-4, or CRP (P ≥ 0.18). This study showed that the D2Dx Rapid Immunity Test is able to detect changes to humoral immunity in canines. Beyond evaluating the effectiveness of the D2Dx test, this study also provides important information about the under researched topic of canine humoral immunity development and senescence in a robust, healthy cohort of large breed dogs.

DC-UNet: Looking for follicles in the ovarian ultrasound images

The auspicious initiation of human reproduction starts by releasing the ovum through ovulation within the ovary. Ceaseless monitoring of the female reproductive organs has now become essential for combating fertility-related issues and for successful assisted reproduction. Cases of infertility and demands for assisted reproduction in our modern liberated society are rapidly increasing. External or Transvaginal ultrasound imaging of the ovary provides us with vital information about the number, size, and position of the follicles in the ovary and their cumulative response to biological stimuli. Manual screening of thousands of USG images having lacs of follicles is an extremely strenuous job and prone to humane error. This paper propounded a new deep-learning architecture named Double Contraction-UNet (DC-UNet) which makes follicle segmentation fully automatic. This model restructured the U-Net architecture by introducing two contracting paths to segment the follicular object with higher accuracy. The model was trained and tested on approximately forty two thousand annotated ovarian 2D ultrasonography images extracted from USOVA3D Training Set 1. The proposed model outperforms the other U-Net-based state-of-the-art models when trained and tested on the same dataset. The proposed model has achieved an accuracy rate of 97.82%, a precision rate of 97.54%, a Recall value of 94.34%, an F1 Score of 95.91%, a Dice Score of 0.76, and a Jaccard Similarity Index of 0.59.

The potential role of insolation in the long-term climate evolution since the early Pleistocene

The distribution of insolation over time and space is a significant driver of climate change on orbital timescales. However, the influence of insolation on long-term climate evolution remains poorly understood due to the absence of a discernible long-term trend regulated by Earth's orbit. In this study, we present a sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) stack spanning the past 2 Myr, compiled from 26 millennial-resolved records obtained from the global ocean. The global average sea surface temperature (SST) reveals a 405-kyr cycle, as well as a gradual decrease of 2.34 ± 1.05 °C (1σ) from 2000 ka to 940 ka, followed by a period of relative stability. We introduce an index named the integral of annual mean insolation anomaly (IAMIA), which quantifies the continuous departure of annual mean insolation (AMI) from its “normal” cycle over a specific time interval. We find that the SST leads the variations in AMI and IAMIA at the 405-kyr band, intimating that the cycle evident in global SST does not originate from the changes of eccentricity but rather stems from harmonic or combination tones. Notably, IAMIA exhibits a fundamental shift at 935 ka, coinciding with the “900-ka event” observed in the SST. Modeling results support that the “900-ka event” could be driven by the change of cumulative insolation. Additionally, IAMIA underscores the important role of insolation in Pleistocene climate change on the long-term trend through the cumulative response of ocean heat content (OHC) to successive small step-wise insolation changes. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the fundamental changes of insolation around 935 ka, transitioning from a positive state characterized by substantial amplitude to a negative state typified by diminished amplitude, facilitated the onset and progression of the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT). This investigation provides invaluable insights into the role of insolation in long-term climate evolution.

Dynamic Analysis of the Nonlinear Relationship Between Key Metal Prices and New Energy Vehicle Market

Up against the global energy transformation, the new energy vehicle industry has been in a stage of rapid development. Key metals represented by nickel are indispensable raw materials supporting the new energy vehicle industry, with their price fluctuations influencing its development, thereby affecting the global energy transformation. Studying the dynamic nonlinear relationship between the price fluctuation of the nickel as the key metal and the new energy vehicle market will provide a new perspective for understanding the dynamic development of the new energy vehicle market. Based on nickel price data, new energy vehicle market index, combined with Markov vector autoregressive model and cumulative impulse response function, this paper conducts research on the impact of nickel price fluctuations on the new energy vehicle market. According to the empirical results, the impact of nickel price fluctuations on the new energy vehicle market is different under various regimes. During the low-speed and high-speed development periods, nickel price fluctuations have a negative impact on the new energy vehicle market. During the stable development period, nickel price fluctuations mainly have a positive impact on the new energy vehicle market. Based on the above conclusions, this paper proposes policy suggestions for the relevant subjects.

Seismic capacity evaluation of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames with steel damper columns using incremental critical pseudo-multi impulse analysis

Steel damper columns (SDCs) are energy-dissipating members that are suitable for reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames (MRFs) and those often used for multistory housing. In a previous study, the authors proposed an energy-based prediction procedure for the peak and cumulative response of an RC frame building with SDCs. In this procedure, the accuracy of the equivalent velocity of the maximum momentary input energy (VΔE1*)–peak equivalent displacement (D1*max) relationship is essential for improved prediction. In this article, the seismic capacity curve (VΔE1*–D1*max relationship) of RC MRFs with and without SDCs is evaluated using incremental critical pseudo-multi impulse analysis (ICPMIA). In the ICPMIA, which is based on a study by Takewaki and coauthors, the structure is subjected to various intensities of critical pseudo-multi impulsive lateral force. An ICPMIA of planer four 8- and 16-story RC MRFs with and without SDCs is performed to obtain their structural behaviors under various intensities of pulsive input. Then, the seismic capacity curve obtained from the ICMPIA results are compared with the predicted results based on the simplified equations. The main findings of this article are as follows. (i) The seismic capacity curve of RC MRFs without SDCs strongly depends on the number of impulsive lateral forces (Np). As Np increases, the seismic capacity decreases. The predicted seismic capacity curve severely underestimates that obtained from the ICMPIA in the case of large Np. This trend is notable when the level of pinching behavior in the RC members is severe. (ii) In the case of an RC MRF with SDCs, however, the influence of Np on its seismic capacity curve is small. The predicted seismic capacity curve agrees very well with that obtained from the ICMPIA. The influence of the level of pinching behavior in RC members on the seismic capacity curve is small.

Suspected myometrial invasion on MRI is correlated with worse outcomes of fertility-preserving treatment in young women with endometrial cancer

PurposeMyometrial invasion of endometrial cancer (EC) impairs the effectiveness of progestin-based treatment and results in high risks of disease progression and relapse. However, it is difficult to decide whether myometrial invasion exists when suspected endometrial invasion is detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study developed an MRI-guided hysteroscopic precise en bloc resection method to actually diagnose myometrial invasion in patients with EC and suspected myometrial invasion on MRI. The fertility-preserving outcomes of patients with EC and suspected myometrial invasion on MRI but negative pathological findings after en bloc resection was also evaluated.Materials and methodsEC patients with suspected myometrial invasion on MRI (n = 38) were prospectively enrolled and evaluated. Suspected myometrial invasion was identified on MR images and resected via an en bloc resection technique (resecting the endometrial lesion, basal layer, and underneath myometrium en bloc) under hysteroscopy for pathological examination. Patients with negative pathological findings received progestin-based conservative therapy. The clinical characteristics and fertility-preserving outcomes of these patients were compared with those of patients without any evidence of myometrial invasion on MRI (n = 98, reference group).ResultsAmong patients with suspected myometrial invasion on MRI, myometrial invasion was pathologically excluded in 29 patients (non-MI group). The cumulative complete response rate was lower in the non-MI group than in the reference group at the 8th month (43.4% vs. 64.9%, P = 0.040) and was not significant at the 18th month (87.5% vs. 96.8%, P = 0.11). The 24-month cumulative relapse rate was 31.2% in the non-MI group, versus 0% in the reference group (P < 0.0001).ConclusionMyometrial invasion was pathologically confirmed in approximately one-fourth of patients with suspected myometrial invasion on MRI. However, suspected myometrial invasion on MRI with negative pathological findings was correlated with worse fertility-preserving outcomes in young women with endometrial cancer.

Physical, Sexual, and Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) communities experience disproportionate levels of violence, yet due to limitations in measuring TGD identity, few state-representative estimates are available. To assess gender identity differences in experiences of violence among adults. Cross-sectional data from the 2023 California Violence Experiences (CalVEX) survey, weighted to provide state-representative estimates, was used to assess associations between gender identity and past-year experiences of violence among adults 18 years and older. Data were analyzed from June to December 2023. Gender identity (cisgender women, cisgender men, transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary individuals). Experience of physical violence (including physical abuse and threat or use of a weapon), sexual violence (verbal sexual harassment, homophobic or transphobic slurs, cyber and physically aggressive sexual harassment, and forced sex), and intimate partner violence (IPV; emotional, physical, or sexual violence) using age-adjusted logistic regression. In total 3560 individuals (weighted cumulative response rate, 5%) completed the 2023 CalVEX survey, with 1978 cisgender women, 1431 cisgender men, 35 transgender women, 52 transgender men, and 64 nonbinary respondents (mean [SD] age, 47.1 [17.5] years; 635 [17%] were Asian, 839 [37%] were Hispanic, and 1159 [37%] were White). Past-year physical violence was reported by 22 transgender men (43%), 9 transgender women (24%), and 9 nonbinary respondents (14%). Past-year sexual violence was reported by 23 transgender men (42%), 11 transgender women (14%), and 31 nonbinary respondents (56%). Compared with cisgender women, transgender women and transgender men had greater risk of past-year physical violence (any form) (transgender women adjusted incidence rate ratio [AIRR], 6.7; 95% CI, 2.5-18.2; transgender men AIRR, 9.7; 95% CI, 5.3-17.7), as well as past-year IPV (any form) (transgender women AIRR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3-8.0; transgender men AIRR, 6.7; 95% CI, 4.0-11.3). Relative to cisgender women, transgender men (AIRR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.7-5.1) and nonbinary respondents (AIRR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1-5.2) had greater risk of past-year sexual violence (any form). In this survey study of adults in California, results showed that TGD individuals, especially transgender men, are at higher risk of experiencing all forms of violence relative to cisgender women. Results highlight the need for gender-affirming violence prevention and intervention services as well as policies that protect TGD individuals from discriminatory violence.

Siderophore-harboring gut bacteria and fecal siderophore genes for predicting the responsiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation for active ulcerative colitis

BackgroundPredictive markers for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) outcomes in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) are poorly defined. We aimed to investigate changes in gut microbiota pre- and post-FMT and to assess the potential value in determining the total copy number of fecal bacterial siderophore genes in predicting FMT responsiveness.MethodsPatients with active UC (Mayo score ≥ 3) who had undergone two FMT procedures were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected before and 8 weeks after each FMT session. Patients were classified into clinical response and non-response groups, based on their Mayo scores. The fecal microbiota profile was accessed using metagenomic sequencing, and the total siderophore genes copy number via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, we examined the association between the total siderophore genes copy number and FMT efficacy.ResultsSeventy patients with UC had undergone FMT. The clinical response and remission rates were 50% and 10% after the first FMT procedure, increasing to 72.41% and 27.59% after the second FMT. The cumulative clinical response and clinical remission rates were 72.86% and 25.71%. Compared with baseline, the response group showed a significant increase in Faecalibacterium, and decrease in Enterobacteriaceae, consisted with the changes of the total bacterial siderophore genes copy number after the second FMT (1889.14 vs. 98.73 copies/ng, P < 0.01). Virulence factor analysis showed an enriched iron uptake system, especially bacterial siderophores, in the pre-FMT response group, with a greater contribution from Escherichia coli. The total baseline copy number was significantly higher in the response group than non-response group (1889.14 vs. 94.86 copies/ng, P < 0.01). A total baseline copy number cutoff value of 755.88 copies/ng showed 94.7% specificity and 72.5% sensitivity in predicting FMT responsiveness.ConclusionsA significant increase in Faecalibacterium, and decrease in Enterobacteriaceae and the total fecal siderophore genes copy number were observed in responders after FMT. The siderophore genes and its encoding bacteria may be of predictive value for the clinical responsiveness of FMT to active ulcerative colitis.

Students’ perception of peer teaching in engineering education: a mixed–method case study

Background: Engineering education is constantly evolving and adapting to meet the demand for diverse skills and competencies in graduates, in response to the changing global economy and technological advancements. This requires shifting from a traditional content-oriented and professor-focused approach towards a more interactive, student-centered approach in which students actively engage in all process stages. The study’s main objective was to examine the students’ perceptions of peer teaching and better understand the method’s perceived advantages and disadvantages. The research was conducted over two academic years (2021 and 2022) and involved 96 students. The research incorporated quantitative and qualitative data collected through online questionnaires completed by the students at the end of the semester. The results showed a cumulative positive response rate for all close-ended questions of over 60%. The correlation analysis revealed medium positive relationships among the variables, including self-confidence, academic performance, communication and active listening, teamwork, knowledge consolidation, student-teacher benefits, and teaching activity. The thematic analysis of the open-ended questions showed that 87% of the respondents perceived the peer-teaching experience as positive and valuable. The main advantages listed by students were better communication, practicality, increased attention and interaction, and overcoming student-teacher anxiety. The main disadvantage was the perceived lack of structure and experience in coordinating laboratory work. The study results indicate that peer-based instructional methods can lead to more effective dissemination of knowledge among students, as evidenced by the high percentage of respondents who reported improved comprehension through peer-to-peer explanations. At the same time, the efficacy of this approach is contingent upon the instructor’s preparation and support, which facilitates the learning process and enhances the classroom’s social dynamics.

Drivers of international fiscal spillovers

AbstractThis paper investigates the drivers of international fiscal spillovers across 62 countries for the period covering 1970–2021. Using the local projections method at the country‐pair level, fiscal spillovers are estimated as the cumulative response of the real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in spillover destination countries to a unit shock in the real government spending growth in spillover source countries. Pairwise estimation results (for 3782 country pairs) suggest that there are statistically significant fiscal spillovers for 36% of country pairs, whereas this ratio is 49% for country pairs within the euro area. For the median country pair, a unit shock of real government spending growth in the spillover source country results in about 0.09% of the increase in the real GDP growth of the spillover destination country, whereas this fiscal‐spillover estimate goes up to 0.42% when the spillover source is in the euro area, and the spillover destination is an oil producing country. A secondary investigation based on the Heckman selection model is used to identify the drivers of fiscal spillovers across country pairs, where the existence of statistically significant fiscal spillovers is shown to be connected to the proximity between countries. The size of fiscal spillovers is further shown to increase with the initial (as of 1970) country size, trade openness, and government size of the spillover source country, whereas it decreases with the initial country size and trade openness of the spillover destination country. Important policy suggestions follow.

Cumulative creep response of viscoelastic lumbar tissue as a function of work-rest schedule

We explore the effect of stress-recovery schedule on the cumulative creep response of lumbar tissues. Twelve participants performed a 48-minute protocol that consisted of 12 min of full trunk flexion and 36 min of upright standing. Two stress-recovery (work-rest) schedules were considered: a) three minutes of full trunk flexion followed by twelve minutes of upright standing (3:12), and b) one minute of full trunk flexion followed by four minutes of upright standing (1:4). Lumbar kinematics and EMG activity of erector spinae muscles were collected. Cumulative creep deformation was explored by considering the changes in peak lumbar flexion angles during full flexion and changes in the angles of flexion-relaxation (EMG-off) of the lumbar extensor musculature after the 48-minute protocol. The results of time-dependent lumbar flexion angle during full flexion revealed a noticeable creep response in both work-rest schedules, but the cumulative creep response was significantly greater in the 3:12 schedule (Δ3.5°) than in the 1:4 schedule (Δ1.6°). Similarly, the change in the EMG-off lumbar flexion angle in the 3:12 schedule was significantly greater than in the 1:4 schedule (Δ2.5° vs −Δ0.2°, respectively). These results indicate that the passive lumbar tissues recover their force producing capability more rapidly with shorter cycle times.