Low Coverage Research Articles

Global tropical cyclone size and intensity reconstruction dataset for 1959–2022 based on IBTrACS and ERA5 data

Abstract. Tropical cyclones (TCs) are powerful weather systems that can cause extreme disasters. The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) dataset provides widely used data to estimate TC climatology. However, it has low data coverage, lacking intensity and outer-size data for more than half of all recorded storms, and is therefore insufficient as a reference for researchers and decision makers. To fill this data gap, we reconstruct a long-term TC dataset by integrating IBTrACS and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5) data. This reconstructed dataset covers the period 1959–2022, with 3 h temporal resolution. Compared to the IBTrACS dataset, it contains approximately 3–4 times more data points per characteristic. We establish machine learning models to estimate the maximum sustained wind speed (Vmax) and radius of maximum wind (Rmax) in six basins for which TCs are generated, using ERA5-derived 10 m azimuthal mean azimuthal wind profiles as input, with Vmax and Rmax data from the IBTrACS dataset used as learning target data. Furthermore, we employ an empirical wind–pressure relationship and six wind profile models to estimate the minimum central pressure (Pmin) and outer size of the TCs, respectively. Overall, this high-resolution TC reconstruction dataset demonstrates global consistency with observations, exhibiting mean biases of <1 % for Vmax and 3 % for Rmax and Pmin in almost all basins. The dataset is publicly available from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13919874 (Xu et al., 2024) and substantially advances our understanding of TC climatology, thereby facilitating risk assessments and defenses against TC-related disasters.

Impact of Cybersecurity Disclosure Frequency on Stock Price Crash Risk

ABSTRACTBy exploring the relationship between stock price crash risk and the frequency of cybersecurity disclosures in financial reports, we present evidence that cybersecurity disclosure does matter because its frequency increases stock price crash risk. We analyze the association between cybersecurity disclosure and stock price crash risk from the perspective of two different theoretical lenses: information asymmetry and investor sentiment. We perform textual analysis on the Chinese A‐shares public companies’ cybersecurity disclosure in financial reports during 2017–2022. We find that the more cybersecurity disclosures in financial reports, the higher the stock price crash risk. Further findings reveal that the effect of the frequency of cybersecurity disclosure on stock price crash risk is more significant in non‐Big‐4 audit companies and companies with lower analyst coverage. These findings imply that the market presents the clear idea that cybersecurity disclosure's negative impact to stock price crashes would be greater than the positive impact under the current settings of the volunteer disclosure policies.

Spatial variation in housing construction material in low- and middle-income countries: A Bayesian spatial prediction model of a key infectious diseases risk factor and social determinant of health.

Housing infrastructure and quality is a major determinant of infectious disease risk and other health outcomes in regions where vector borne, waterborne and neglected tropical diseases are endemic. It is important to quantify the geographical distribution of improvements to dwelling components to identify and target resources towards populations at risk. This study aimed to model the sub-national spatial variation in housing materials using covariates with quasi-global coverage and use the resulting estimates to map predicted coverage across the world's low- and middle-income countries. Data on materials used in dwelling construction were sourced from nationally representative household surveys conducted since 2005. Materials used for construction of flooring, walls, and roofs were reclassified as improved or unimproved. Households lacking location information were georeferenced using a novel methodology. Environmental and demographic spatial covariates were extracted at those locations for use as model predictors. Integrated nested Laplace approximation models were fitted to obtain, and map predicted probabilities for each dwelling component. The dataset compiled included information from households in 283,000 clusters from 350 surveys. Low coverage of improved housing was predicted across the Sahel and southern Sahara regions of Africa, much of inland Amazonia, and areas of the Tibetan plateau. Coverage of improved roofs and walls was high in the Central Asia, East Asia and Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean regions. Improvements in all three components, but most notably floors, was low in Sub-Saharan Africa. The strongest determinants of dwelling component quality related to urbanization and economic development, suggesting that programs should focus on supply-side interventions, providing resources for housing improvements directly to the populations that need them. These findings are made available to researchers as files that can be imported into a GIS for integration into relevant analyses to derive improved estimates of preventable health burdens attributed to housing.

Comparative Analysis of Ground-Based and Satellite-Derived UV Index Levels in Natal, Brazil

The ultraviolet radiation index (UV index–UVI) is a dimensionless indicator that informs the intensity of ultraviolet radiation on the Earth’s surface. It makes it easier for people to assess UV levels and understand how to protect themselves from excessive Sun exposure. In Brazil, however, the information regarding UV is scarce, with low spatial and temporal coverage. Thus, continuous monitoring is conducted through satellites, although ground-based monitoring of UV is more accurate than satellite retrievals, and comparisons are necessary for validation. This paper aims to compare the levels of UV index measured on the ground and by satellite (OMI and GOME-2) over Natal, Brazil (05.78°S; 35.21°W) from 2005 to 2022. The comparison was made under clear-sky conditions using METAR cloud cover and LER data. Characterization of the diurnal and seasonal variability of the ground-based UV index levels under all and clear-sky conditions is also reported. The analysis indicates that all-sky UVI is, on average, higher than the clear-sky UVI due to the frequent broken cloud conditions that, on average, result in the enhancement of the noon UVI. The two satellite sources (OMI noontime and overpass) and GOME-2 noontime are reliable sources for UV index, which show good agreement with ground-based measurements, with UVI estimated from OMI both at the overpass and noontime being less biased than GOME-2-estimated UVI. Such a process of data verification is important should these data be used for long-term trend analysis or the monitoring of UV exposure risk and possible impacts on human health.

Strategic vaccination responses to Chikungunya outbreaks in Rome: Insights from a dynamic transmission model.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks, driven by the expanding habitat of the Aedes albopictus mosquito and global climate change, pose a significant threat to public health. Our study evaluates the effectiveness of emergency vaccination using a dynamic disease transmission model for a potential large-scale outbreak in Rome, Italy. The model incorporates a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) framework for human and mosquito populations, taking into account temperature-dependent mosquito lifecycle dynamics, human-mosquito interactions, and various vaccination scenarios. Results indicate that emergency vaccination could significantly mitigate the impact of a CHIKV outbreak. Without vaccination, an outbreak is estimated to infect up to 6.21% of Rome's population, equating to approximately 170,762 individuals. Implementing rapid vaccination after detecting the virus in ten individuals and achieving 40% coverage could reduce infection rates by 82%, preventing 139,805 cases. Scenario and sensitivity analyses confirm that even with lower vaccination coverage rates, significant benefits are observed: at 10% coverage, the number of infections drops to 115,231, and at 20% coverage, it further reduces to 76,031. These scenarios indicate prevention of approximately 33% and 55% of infections, respectively. The findings highlight the critical role of timely vaccination interventions in outbreak settings, demonstrating that even modest coverage levels can markedly decrease the spread of CHIKV. This study underscores the importance of preparedness, early detection and adaptive response capabilities to manage emerging infectious diseases in urban centres, advocating for strategic vaccine stockpiling and rapid deployment mechanisms to enhance public health outcomes.

Machine-Learning-Based Spectral Modeling: A Biomimetic Guide for Enhancing Esthetics.

To provide guidelines and means for optimal coverage and distribution of computer models with 1-10 clusters, designed based on an invivo extensive dental colorimetric database and compare the findings with some reputable shade guides. The Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm was used to optimize the tab position in the CIELAB color space, while MATLAB Fuzzy Logic was used to implement the codes. A minimization process was performed to fine-tune the cluster centers, minimizing Coverage Error (CE00) and Maximum Error (ME00). Spectral reconstruction was performed, and the results were compared with the corresponding data for VITA classical A1-D4 (VC), Linearguide 3D-Master (LG), and Bleachedguide 3D-Master (BG) shade guide. Paired t-test was employed to assess the significance of CE00 differences. CE00 and ME00 ranges for 1-to-10-tab models were 3.8 (14.2) to 1.7 (4.3), while the corresponding values for shade guides were 3.1 (9.1) for VC, 2.3 (6.0) for LG, and 2.9 (9.3) for BG. Hence, the 4-tab-model with CE00 of 2.2 and ME00 of 7.1, outperformed CE00 of LG (the lowest/best CE00 among shade guides), while the 6-tab-model, with CE00 of 2.0 and ME00 of 5.6, outperformed its ME00. A paired t-test confirmed that increasing the number of tabs models resulted in significant CE improvement in all cases (p ≤ 0.05). Shade guide models with only 4 to 6 tabs, optimized using computational techniques, outperformed physical dental shade guides tested, exhibiting significantly lower (better) Coverage Error and Maximum Error. Given that the spectral modeling was performed on an extensive invivo database of natural teeth, this approach was validated as a biomimetic guide for shade guides and corresponding materials of the future, offering a possibility for better shade matching with fewer shades/shade tabs.

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination among US adults aged ≥60 years.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines have been recommended for US adults aged ≥60 years for nearly one year. However, the extent of vaccination coverage and the factors influencing uptake remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate national and state-specific RSV vaccination coverage among US adults aged ≥60 years and to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors that influence vaccination uptake. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the US Census Household Pulse Survey, from January 9 to March 4, 2024, which included 49,322 adults aged ≥60 years. Participants self-reported their RSV vaccination status along with demographic and socioeconomic information. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with vaccination uptake. As of March 4, 2024, RSV vaccination coverage among US adults aged ≥60 years was estimated at 22.2% (95% CI, 21.6%-22.7%). State-specific vaccination coverage ranged from 12.4% in Mississippi to 33.1% in Colorado. Coverage was higher in older age groups, with 21.2% among those aged 65-69 years, 28.1% among 70-74 years, 31.9% among 75-79 years, and 30.2% among those aged ≥80 years, compared to 10.8% among those aged 60-64 years. Racial/ethnicity disparities were evident, with lower coverage among Hispanics (18.3%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (17.6%) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (23.3%). Coverage was similar between males (22.6%) and females (21.8%). Factors positively associated with vaccination included older age, higher education level, higher household income, unemployment, and residing in the Midwest or West. Conversely, being non-Hispanic Black, uninsured, experiencing financial difficulties, and lack of COVID-19 vaccination were associated with reduced likelihood of receiving the RSV vaccine. During the first RSV season after the recommendations for RSV vaccination in US adults aged ≥60 years, uptake shows promise but is marked by significant disparities related to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. Efforts to address these disparities are crucial to enhance vaccination coverage and reduce the impact of RSV on this vulnerable population.

Understanding vaccination behavior of healthcare workers in German hospitals-results from the OKaPII study

Influenza vaccination coverage in Germany is generally low. Even in hospitals, the demand for influenza vaccination is lacking although it has the potential to prevent the spread of the influenza virus and diseases. To take effective actions, adeeper understanding of vaccination behavior of healthcare workers is crucial. OKaPII is an annual German-wide online survey of clinical staff on influenza vaccination. Differences in vaccination behavior were tested for occupation, sex, and age, and differences in knowledge were tested between physicians and nurses. We used logistic regressions to analyze associations between psychological determinants and vaccination behavior among physicians and nursing staff. From 115 clinics, 15,312 employees participated in the survey (17 April to 15 May 2023). In the 2022/23 season, 58.7% of the participants were vaccinated against influenza. The vaccination coverage was 80.7% for physicians and 51.1% for nursing staff . The vaccination behavior of physicians and nursing staff was significantly associated with collective responsibility and confidence in vaccination safety. Of the knowledge items, 87.2% were answered correctly by physicians and 62% by nursing staff. We identified significant differences in vaccine uptake between occupational groups in German hospitals. Low vaccination coverage has existed for years, especially among nursing staff. Tailored interventions should promote the idea of protecting vulnerable people and confidence in the safety of vaccination. Increased education, especially on vaccination safety issues, can have apositive impact on the decision to vaccinate. Possibilities to get vaccinated despite time constraints in the workplace should be provided.

Service coverage for major depressive disorder: estimated rates of minimally adequate treatment for 204 countries and territories in 2021

Access to effective treatment for major depressive disorder remains limited and difficult to track across place and time. We analysed the available data on minimally adequate treatment (MAT) for major depressive disorder globally with the aim of providing a useful metric against which to monitor national responses to the growing public health burden imposed by major depressive disorder. MAT was defined as pharmacotherapy (1 month of medication, plus four visits to a medical doctor) or psychotherapy (eight visits with any professional). From existing reviews, we identified mental health surveys that assessed major depressive disorder within the general population as well as health service uptake by individuals with major depressive disorder. Data by ethnicity were not available. Estimates of MAT, antidepressant use, or use of any mental health service were extracted. The latter two estimates were adjusted to reflect likely MAT rates via a network meta-analysis. Adjusted MAT estimates were analysed via a Bayesian meta-regression using the Disease Modelling Meta-Regression (DisMod-MR 2.1) tool. This analysis estimated MAT coverage among people with major depressive disorder by age, sex, location, and year. Final MAT estimates were standardised by age and sex against the existing age and sex distribution of people with major depressive disorder globally. People with lived experience were involved in the design, preparation, interpretation, and writing of this manuscript. The analysed dataset included 145 estimates from 32 studies, covering 31 countries, 14 regions, and six super-regions. The proportion of people with major depressive disorder receiving MAT globally in 2021 was 9·1% (95% uncertainty interval 7·2-11·6), with 10·2% (8·2-13·1) of females and 7·2% (5·7-9·3) of males with major depressive disorder receiving MAT. MAT coverage was highest in high-income locations (27·0% [21·7-34·4]), with Australasia having the highest rate (29·2% [21·4-40·8]). MAT coverage was lowest in sub-Saharan Africa (2·0% [1·5-2·6]), within which western sub-Saharan Africa (1·8% [1·4-2·5]) had the lowest coverage. Seven countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden) were estimated to have MAT coverage exceeding 30%, while 90 countries were estimated to have coverage lower than 5%. Despite many gaps in the available data, estimates show that, globally, most individuals with major depressive disorder do not receive MAT. Services must improve to reach a global coverage that better meets the mental health needs of those with major depressive disorder. Urgent attention should be given to the scale-up of effective intervention strategies, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, as well as further research into better quality treatment options for major depressive disorder. We present a means by which the MAT gap for major depressive disorder can be quantified, to monitor and inform action by governments and international partners. Queensland Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Multicenter study of OPRM1 A118G and promoter-region DNA methylation associations with opioid outcomes and chronic postsurgical pain after pediatric musculoskeletal surgery

Abstract Introduction: Mu opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) variant rs1799971 introduces a CpG site, which may influence DNA methylation (DNAm) and opioid/pain outcomes. Objectives: In this nested analysis, we investigated both OPRM1 A118G genotype and promoter/immediate downstream blood DNAm sequencing data for associations with opioid effects and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in a surgical cohort. Methods: Prospectively recruited opioid naïve patients undergoing Nuss procedure or spinal fusion with rs1799971 genotypes (Illumina arrays), DNAm (next generation enzymatic methylation sequencing at Chr6:154,039,209-154,039,803) and outcomes—opioid analgesia (integrated opioid use + pain over postoperative days 0 and 1 normalized to surgery type), safety—respiratory depression (RD) in high opioid use groups, and CPSP (Numerical Rating Scale >3/10 2-12 months postsurgery)—were included. Linear and logistic regression were performed to test genetic and epigenetic associations, adjusted for sociodemographics, cell types, and analgesics. Results: In this cohort (N = 112; 15.3 ± 2.0 years, 50% female, 83% White, 55% had CPSP, 13% had RD), DNAm at Chr6:154039216-154039217 was associated with CPSP (odds ratio [OR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.57; P = 0.03), Chr6:154039661-154039662 with acute integrated pain (β = −20.9, 95% CI, −40.70 to −1.10, P = 0.04), Chr6:154039520-154039521 (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.09-2.03; P = 0.01), and Chr6:154039571-154039572 (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-2.01; P = 0.02) with RD. Significant CpG sites were located in Repressed Polycomb chromatin states. Genotype was not associated with DNAm or outcomes. Conclusion: Our analyses support OPRM1 DNAm as predictors of acute and chronic pain/opioid outcomes in children after painful surgery. Study limitations included absent GG genotype, low sequencing coverage, and lack of correction for multiple testing.

The Sudan Conflict: A Catalyst for the Spread of Infectious Diseases in Displaced Populations.

The Sudan conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and crippling the healthcare system, leading to a resurgence of infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, and measles. Overcrowded refugee camps with poor sanitation and limited resources have fueled outbreaks, exacerbated by disrupted immunization programs and seasonal rains. Malaria is spreading rapidly due to inadequate mosquito control, while cholera outbreaks, linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation, have overwhelmed health facilities. Measles outbreaks are escalating due to low vaccination coverage, leaving vulnerable populations unprotected. The regional and global impacts are significant, as displaced populations crossing borders risk spreading diseases. Addressing this crisis requires urgent international collaboration to restore healthcare services, improve living conditions in camps, resume vaccination programs, and strengthen regional disease surveillance. Timely, coordinated responses are essential to mitigate health risks and protect global health security. This crisis highlights the critical need for sustained efforts to safeguard public health in conflict zones.

Exploring perceptions and attitudes towards vaccines in a remote western DRC health zone

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with low full childhood vaccination coverage (around 50 %) and a high children-under-five mortality rate (79 deaths per 1000 live births). This situation is potentially exacerbated by vaccine hesitancy, which was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 global health threats in 2019. To gain deeper insights into levels of vaccine confidence possibly influencing vaccination coverage, we explored perceptions and attitudes towards childhood and adult vaccines in Boende (Tshuapa province, western DRC), which experienced an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and hosted the EBL2007 Ebola vaccine trial (2019–2022). Using purposeful sampling, we conducted 29 individual interviews and 14 focus group discussions with diverse community members between July 2022 and March 2023. Our findings suggest the prevalence of a relatively low level of trust in COVID-19 vaccines compared to other vaccines. Additionally, the fear of Ebola disease seemed to lead to general acceptance of the EBL2007 trial vaccine, although some concerns were voiced about pre-testing and the decision to conduct the trial in the DRC. While trust in childhood vaccines and reported uptake appeared to be high, concerns existed regarding potential adverse effects and the possibility that vaccines targeted African children specifically. Our analysis further identified four recommendations to possibly enhance vaccine confidence in the region. This study highlights the multifaceted nature of vaccine confidence, influenced by the perceived risk of the targeted diseases, past experiences with medical interventions and staff, and sociopolitical contexts. However, we emphasise that increasing vaccine uptake requires a comprehensive approach, addressing not only vaccine confidence, but also crucial aspects like access to vaccines and robust disease surveillance activities. This would ultimately reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and lead to better public health outcomes in the region.

Hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces constructed using laser spraying: A new route

Hydrophobic/hydrophilic coatings are widely applied in healthcare, construction, and electronic devices. However, low-cost preparation of coatings is a challenge because they are often associated with complex procedures and adverse environmental impacts. Therefore, an innovative low-cost and environmentally friendly laser spraying technology was employed to fabricate hydrophobic and hydrophilic Ni coatings. The wettability of the coatings was regulated by systematically varying laser power and substrate temperature. The Ni particles presented spherical morphology, low oxidation rate and low coverage rate (4%) with a laser power of 3000 W and room temperature substrate, yielding a hydrophobic coating with a water contact angle of 125.9±17.2°. Conversely, Ni particles exhibited oblate spherical morphology, higher oxidation rate, higher coverage rate (95%) and a porous structure with a laser power of 5400 W and a substrate temperature of 700°C, resulting in a hydrophilic coating with a water contact angle of 8.4±1.2°. These findings demonstrate a novel approach for tailoring the wettability of the Ni coatings, offering new insights into the fabrication of functional coatings for various applications.

Generate High-Coverage Unit Test Data Using the LLM Tool

Unit testing is a critical phase in the software development lifecycle, essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of code. However, the manual creation of unit test scripts and the preparation of corresponding test data can be a time consuming and labor intensive process. To address these challenges, several automated approaches have been explored, including search based, constraint based, random-based, and symbolic execution based techniques for generating unit tests. In recent years, the rapid advancement of large language models (LLMs) has opened new avenues for automating various tasks, including the automatic generation of unit test scripts and test data. Despite their potential, using LLMs in a straightforward manner to generate unit tests may lead to low test coverage. This means that a significant portion of the source code, including specific statements or branches, may remain untested, which can reduce the effectiveness of the tests. To overcome this limitation, the paper presents a novel approach that not only automates the generation of unit test scripts and test data but also improves test coverage. The proposed solution begins by using an LLM tool (such as ChatGPT) to generate initial unit test scripts and data from the source code. To enhance test coverage, the specification document of the source code is also input into the LLM to generate additional test data. Following this, a coverage checking tool is used to evaluate the test coverage and identify untested statements or branches. The LLM is then applied again to generate new test data aimed specifically at addressing these gaps. The initial experimental results indicate that this method significantly improves test coverage, demonstrating its potential to enhance automated unit testing processes.

Characteristics of the Spatiotemporal Distribution of Influenza Incidence and Its Driving Factors Among Residents in Mainland China From 2004 to 2018.

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection that spreads rapidly and widely in densely populated areas with low vaccination coverage. The trends and drivers of the spatial and temporal dynamics of influenza incidence among residents of mainland China have not been systematically studied. This study comprehensively analyses the dynamics and spatial correlation of influenza using long-term scale data and spatial panel data. It then identifies the interactive process of socio-economic and natural elements on the incidence of influenza. The highest prevalence of influenza was found in the 0-4years age group in mainland China (mean prevalence, 67.56/100,000). In addition, influenza in mainland China shows seasonality, with fall and winter being the periods of high incidence. Between 2014 and 2017, influenza incidence was clustered in Hubei and Anhui provinces, and the spatial clustering was statistically significant (Z value>1.96, P<0.05). Moreover, the directionality of influenza onset continued to increase each year. Specifically, the clustering of influenza onset was stronger in the northwest-southeast direction than in the southwest-northeast direction between 2014 and 2018. The significant role of socioeconomic factors as a primary influence on influenza incidence, while their interaction with natural factors, such as air quality (NOx and PM2.5) and climatic conditions can exacerbate regional outbreaks. This study provides a novel perspective for better prevention and control of influenza disease among mainland Chinese residents.

Loss of Endothelial APOE4 Dysregulates Neural Function InVivo.

We recently found that loss of endothelial cell APOE3 disrupts neurovascular and synaptic function. However, whether endothelial APOE4 is detrimental or protective for neural function under physiological conditions is unknown. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the role of endothelial cell APOE4 in regulating brain function invivo. We developed APOE4fl/fl/Cdh5(PAC)-CreERT2+/- and APOE4fl/fl/Cdh5(PAC)-CreERT2-/- (control) mice. Knockdown of endothelial cell APOE4 was induced at ≈4 to 5 weeks of age. Experiments were conducted at 9 months of age to evaluate neurovascular and neuronal function via biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, behavior tests, and electrophysiology. Endothelial cell APOE4 knockdown resulted in higher neurovascular permeability, lower claudin-5 vessel coverage, impaired trace fear memory extinction, and disruption of cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance of synaptic activity. Our data support the novel concept that endothelial cell APOE4 is protective for brain function when other cell types express APOE4.

Targeted Variant Assessments of Human Endogenous Retroviral Regions in Whole Genome Sequencing Data Reveal Retroviral Variants Associated with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, lacking established causal factors or validated early diagnostics. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), comprising 8% of human genomes, have potential as PTC biomarkers due to their comparably high baseline expression in healthy thyroid tissues, indicating homeostatic roles. However, HERV regions are often overlooked in genome-wide association studies because of their highly repetitive nature, low sequence coverage, and decreased sequencing quality. Using targeted whole-genome sequence analysis in conjunction with high sequencing depth to overcome methodological limitations, we identified associations of specific HERV variants with PTC. Analyzing WGS data from 138 patients with PTC generated through The Cancer Genome Atlas project and 2015 control samples from the 1000 Genomes Project, we examined the mutational variation in HERVs within a 20 kb radius of known cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) differentially expressed in PTC. We discovered 15 common and 13 rare germline HERV variants near or within 20 CPGs that distinguish patients with PTC from healthy controls. We identified intragenic–intronic HERV variants within RYR2, LRP1B, FN1, MET, TCRVB, UNC5D, TRPM3, CNTN5, CD70, RYR1, RUNX1, CRLF2, and PCDH1X, and three variants downstream of SERPINA1 and RUNX1T1. Sanger sequencing analyses of 20 thyroid and 5 non-thyroid cancer cell lines confirmed associations with PTC, particularly for MSTA HERV-L variant rs200077102 within the FN1 gene and HERV-L MLT1A LTR variant rs78588384 within the CNTN5 gene. Variant rs78588384, in particular, was shown in our analyses to be located within a POL2 binding site regulating an alternative transcript of CNTN5. In addition, we identified 16 variants that modified the poly(A) region in Alu elements, potentially altering the potential to retrotranspose. In conclusion, this study serves as a proof-of-concept for targeted variant analysis of HERV regions and establishes a basis for further exploration of HERVs in thyroid cancer development.

Digital financial inclusion and SME market dynamics: an empirical analysis based on big data of business registrations in China

ABSTRACT With the deepening of internet development, digital financial inclusion has gradually become a crucial force in promoting the market entry of small and micro enterprises (SMEs). This study analyzes the impact of digital financial inclusion on SME market dynamics, using big data of business registrations and digital financial inclusion data of 268 cities in China from 2011 to 2017. Employing two-way fixed effects and instrumental variable regression methods, we find that digital financial inclusion significantly facilitates SME market entrance and reduces exiting risk. Moreover, the level of internet development moderates the impact of digital financial inclusion, with regions having high internet coverage showing a stronger effect in promoting entry; while regions with low internet coverage exhibit a more pronounced effect in reducing exiting. Further heterogeneity analysis suggests that the impact of digital financial inclusion primarily reveals with the breadth of coverage and depth of use. The effects are more significant in regions with high levels of innovation and foreign investment. This paper provides new empirical evidence on the role of digital financial inclusion in SME development and proposes relevant policy recommendations to promote sustainable development for SMEs.

Polio Epidemiology: Strategies and Challenges for Polio Eradication Post the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), launched in 1988, has successfully reduced wild poliovirus (WPV) cases by over 99.9%, with WPV type 2 and WPV3 declared eradicated in 2015 and 2019, respectively. However, as of 2024, WPV1 remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 2000, outbreaks of circulating virus derived of polio vaccines (cVDPVs) have emerged in multiple regions, primary driven by low vaccine coverage rates (VCRs). The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization, resulting in millions of unvaccinated children, and leaving many countries vulnerable to both WPV1 and cVDPVs outbreaks. This paper reviews the epidemiological landscape of poliomyelitis post the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategies and challenges to achieve the global polio eradication.

Coverage-dependent adsorption of nitric oxide (NO) on Cu(100) surface: A DFT investigation with van der Walls force

The adsorption behavior of nitric oxide (NO) on the Cu(100) surface at varying coverage levels is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) with van der Waals corrections. We examine various NO coverages on Cu(100): 0.08 ML, 0.25 ML, 0.5 ML, 0.75 ML, and 1 ML, and observe a notable transition in adsorption site preference, shifting from hollow sites at low coverage to bridge sites at higher coverage. The projected density of states (PDOS) analysis highlights changes in the electronic structure of Cu atoms. The calculated d-band center of the Cu surface shifts as the NO coverage increases, directly correlating with changes in adsorption energy. These findings provide insights into the complex interplay between adsorbate–adsorbate repulsion and surface interaction, offering a more comprehensive understanding of NO adsorption on Cu surfaces.