Incidence of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in Urban Settings: The Case for Neighborhood Level Analysis in Boston

The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea and chlamydia are known to disproportionately affect impoverished communities and communities of color, especially in urban areas. Moreover, socioeconomic and demographic factors such as poverty and race/ethnicity may contribute to a difference in treatment setting choice as well as a delay in care seeking. In an urban metropolitan area such as Boston, the overall gonorrhea and chlamydia rates are higher than national rates, and such differences are even more marked in certain neighborhoods with greater proportions of individuals who are impoverished, young, and of color. Using a retrospective analysis of city wide data, we highlight the effects of socioeconomic and demographic variables on urban STI prevalence. High poverty rates, race/ethnicity and younger adult populations are linked to disproportionately high STI rates. Interestingly, STI rates do not appear to be influenced by the universal health care coverage offered to the whole Massachusetts’ resident populations. We examine the effects of these variables in Boston neighborhoods in conjunction to STI rates and hypothesize that the observed rates are underestimates of the true prevalence of infection. Future studies will investigate how these same socioeconomic and demographic factors influence which treatment settings are chosen and subsequently lead to a delay in treatment.

Forward： Proceedings of the 2008 Ecological and Evolutionary Ethology of Fishes Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

<正> This special issue of Current Zoology concerning thebehavior, ecology, and evolution of fishes is comprisedof the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the 2008 Ecologicaland Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes Biennial Conferencethat was held June 29-July 3 at Boston University,Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The conferenceand its four symposia were organized by a local organi-

API Development Increases Access to Shared Computing Resources at Boston University

Within the last few decades, increases in computational resources have contributed enormously to the progress of science and engineering (S & E). To continue making rapid advancements, the S & E community must be able to access computing resources. One way to provide such resources is through High-Performance Computing (HPC) centers. Many academic research institutions offer their own HPC Centers but struggle to make the computing resources easily accessible and user-friendly. Here we present SHABU, a RESTful Web API framework that enables S & E communities to access resources from Boston University’s Shared Computing Center (SCC). The SHABU requirements are derived from the use cases described in this work.

上海数字文化产业空间集聚特征及空间分异格局研究

基于上海数字文化产业兴趣点(POI)数据,运用ArcGIS软件,结合核密度分析、空间自相关分析、标准差椭圆分析等方法,分析上海数字文化产业空间集聚特征与空间分异格局,探讨上海数字文化产业空间分异的影响因素及其交互机制。研究发现:(1)上海数字文化产业总体集聚水平较高,区域集聚程度差异化明显;(2)上海数字文化产业在空间上呈非随机性分布,具有明显的空间自相关性,由南向北呈现出阶梯式分异格局;(3)上海数字文化产业门类集聚程度存在差异,其中应用软件开发类集聚程度最高,创意内容制造服务类类集聚程度最低。

面向全球南方的人才竞争加剧

半个多世纪以前,学生国际流动开始受到大学的关注,包括师生和科研人员在内的人才流失被认为对人才来源国造成直接损失。21世纪以来,人才流失成为全球人才流动的常见模式,人才流入和人才环流两个概念的出现意味着人才流动可能具有积极意义。虽然海外分校、特许经营项目、“三明治课程”一定程度上帮助全球南方国家获得发展,全球北方国家的主流政策仍致力于提高国际学生的居留率,以增加其熟练劳动力数量,进而促进经济发展和应对人口老龄化。对六个北方国家的大学教师教育经历与职业流动情况的研究也发现,近年来六国拥有南方国家教育经历的大学教师比率不断增加,且跨国攻读博士学位是学术人才流失的主要通道,再次证明南方国家学术人才流失的加剧。

三方演化博弈下农村生活垃圾治理行为的均衡策略研究

在梳理已有研究的基础上,通过构建企业主体、农户主体和政府主体三方参与的农村生活垃圾治理演化博弈模型,分析了垃圾治理过程中三方的均衡策略选择。在此基础上,通过对博弈结果进行Matlab仿真来研究不同变量变化对均衡的影响。研究表明,企业参与垃圾治理的收益对企业参与垃圾治理的积极性和地方政府的监督意识与惩罚的力度有重要影响;地方政府对农户的激励力度存在一个临界值,当激励力度小时,不利于激励农户主动参与到垃圾治理中。结合上述结论,根据地方政府、企业和农户三方在博弈过程中的策略选择给出针对性的对策建议。

Finding the magnetopause location using soft X-ray observations and a statistical inverse method

Variability in the location and shape of the dayside magnetopause is attributed to magnetic reconnection,a fundamental process that enables the transfer of mass,energy,and momentum from the solar wind into the magnetosphere.The spatial and temporal properties of the magnetopause,under varying solar and magnetospheric conditions,remain largely unknown because empirical studies using in-situ observations are challenging to interpret.Global wide field-of-view(FOV)imaging is the only means to simultaneously observe the spatial distribution of the plasma properties over the vast dayside magnetospheric region and,subsequently,quantify the energy transport from the interplanetary medium into the terrestrial magnetosphere.Two upcoming missions,ESA/CAS SMILE and NASA’s LEXI will provide wide-field imagery of the dayside magnetosheath in soft X-rays,an emission generated by charge exchange interactions between high charge-state heavy ions of solar wind origin and exospheric neutral atoms.High-cadence two-dimensional observations of the magnetosheath will allow the estimation of dynamic properties of its inner boundary,the magnetopause,and enable studies of its response to changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field orientation.This work introduces a statistically-based estimation approach based on inverse theory to estimate the spatial distribution of magnetosheath soft X-ray emissivities and,with this,identify the location of the magnetopause over the Sun−Earth line.To do so,we simulate the magnetosheath structure using the MHD-based OpenGGCM model and generate synthetic soft X-ray images using LEXI’s orbit and attitude information.Our results show that 3-D estimations using the described statistically-based technique are robust against Poisson-distributed shot noise inherent to soft X-ray images.Also,our proposed methodology shows that the accuracy of both three-dimensional(3-D)estimation and the magnetopause standoff distance calculation highly depends on the observational point.

Estimating the subsolar magnetopause position from soft X-ray images using a low-pass image filter

The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager(LEXI)and Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)missions will image the Earth’s dayside magneto pause and cusps in soft X-rays after their respective launches in the near future,to specify glo bal magnetic reconnection modes for varying solar wind conditions.To suppo rt the success of these scientific missions,it is critical to develop techniques that extract the magnetopause locations from the observed soft X-ray images.In this research,we introduce a new geometric equation that calculates the subsolar magnetopause position(RS)from a satellite position,the look direction of the instrument,and the angle at which the X-ray emission is maximized.Two assumptions are used in this method:(1)The look direction where soft X-ray emissions are maximized lies tangent to the magnetopause,and(2)the magnetopause surface near the subsolar point is almost spherical and thus RSis nea rly equal to the radius of the magneto pause curvature.We create synthetic soft X-ray images by using the Open Geospace General Circulation Model(OpenGGCM)global magnetohydrodynamic model,the galactic background,the instrument point spread function,and Poisson noise.We then apply the fast Fourier transform and Gaussian low-pass filte rs to the synthetic images to re move noise and obtain accurate look angles for the soft X-ray pea ks.From the filte red images,we calculate RS and its accuracy for different LEXI locations,look directions,and solar wind densities by using the OpenGGCM subsolar magnetopause location as ground truth.Our method estimates RS with an accuracy of<0.3 RE when the solar wind density exceeds>10 cm-3.The accuracy improves for greater solar wind densities and during southward interplanetary magnetic fields.The method ca ptures the magnetopause motion during southwa rd interplaneta ry magnetic field turnings.Consequently,the technique will enable quantitative analysis of the magnetopause motion and help reveal the dayside reconnection modes for dynamic solar wind conditions.This technique will suppo rt the LEXI and SMILE missions in achieving their scientific o bjectives.

铁基超导体中的马约拉纳零能模及其阵列构筑

马约拉纳零能模服从非阿贝尔统计,其编织操作可用于构筑拓扑量子比特,是拓扑量子计算的基本单元,可从原理上解决量子计算中环境噪声带来的退相干问题.现有的马约拉纳零能模平台包括复合异质结构,如拓扑绝缘体/超导体、半导体纳米线/超导体或一维磁性原子链/超导体等,以及单一材料,如2M-WS_(2),4Hb-TaS_(2)和铁基超导体等.铁基超导体中的马约拉纳零能模具有材料平台简单、零能模纯净以及存活温度较高等一系列优势,引起了广泛关注.最近,大面积、有序和可调控的马约拉纳零能模晶格阵列在铁基超导体LiFeAs中被观测到,为未来的拓扑量子计算提供了一个理想平台.本综述首先回顾铁基超导体中马约拉纳零能模的实验观测,其中将重点介绍FeTe_(0.55)Se_(0.45),(Li_(0.84)Fe_(0.16))OHFeSe,CaKFe_(4)As_(4)和LiFeAs等材料体系.接着介绍给出铁基超导体中马约拉纳零能模关键性实验证据的一系列工作.然后进一步详细介绍近期LiFeAs中观测到有序和可调马约拉纳零能模晶格阵列的工作.最后给出总结和对未来马约拉纳领域研究的展望.

基于网络药理学与分子对接探讨沙棘抗肥胖作用机制

目的:通过网络药理学和分子对接技术,探讨沙棘抗肥胖的活性成分、靶点和作用机制,并验证其体外抗肥胖效果。方法:使用TCMSP平台检索沙棘活性成分与靶点,收集疾病靶点,利用Venny 2.0.2得沙棘靶点与肥胖靶点的交集。通过STRING数据库平台建立药物靶点-疾病靶蛋白相互作用(PPI)网络。使用David数据库对交集靶点进行分析,得到GO富集分析和KEGG通路分析结果。通过Cytoscape 3.9.1软件构建沙棘成分-靶点-信号通路网络图。使用Autodock Dock 1.5.7和Pymol 2.2.0进行沙棘核心靶点与其成分的分子对接,并进行可视化处理。通过体外实验验证沙棘提取物的抗肥胖作用。结果:筛选得到33个沙棘活性成分,2820个疾病靶点和151个交集靶点。主要活性成分包括黄酮类、维生素类、甾醇类等,关键靶点涉及AKT1、TNF、IL6、TP53、VEGFA、CASP3等。KEGG通路富集分析得到恶性肿瘤通路、脂质与动脉粥样硬化通路、AGE-RAGE信号通路等131条信号通路。分子对接结果表明核心靶点与其对应活性成分对接结果良好。体外实验表明沙棘提取物具有抑制3T3-L1小鼠前脂肪细胞增殖的作用。结论:研究显示沙棘具有多成分、多靶点、多通路协同发挥抗肥胖作用,为其临床研究和产品开发提供了参考。

The magnetosheath at high spectral resolution

While we eagerly anticipate SMILE’s(Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)unprecedented X-ray observations of the Earth’s magnetosheath and the initiation of a new era of magnetospheric research,it seems appropriate to look ahead to the abilities of the next generation of astrophysics missions.Of these,the Line Emission Mapper(LEM),a large aperture micro-calorimeter based mission,is currently planned to be able to observe the magnetosheath at high spectral resolution(~2 eV).With a field of view of~30′,LEM will allow higher spatial resolution and higher cadence measurement of the motion of a very small portion of the magnetopause over relatively short periods of time(multiple hours),complementing SMILE’s global mapping.LEM’s strength is its spectral resolution.It will be able to measure the abundance of a broad range of elements and ionization states,many of which are inaccessible to current in situ instruments,and will be able to separate the emission from the magnetosheath from the emission from the cosmic X-ray background using the difference in their relative velocities.

Promoting Sickle Cell Trait Awareness and Education: A Typology of Interventions in the United States to Inform Ongoing Efforts to Patients and Providers

Research Background: Sickle cell trait has no treatment or cure and predominantly affects people who are Black, but can affect anyone of any race or ethnicity. While commonly incorrectly considered benign by providers and the public, people with a sickle cell trait experience life-threatening outcomes that are exacerbated by extreme conditions. There is a severe lack of awareness and understanding of sickle cell trait and the associated health complications among sickle cell trait carriers and healthcare providers. Purpose/Aim: Interventions that aim to improve awareness of sickle cell trait differ in approaches and are not well documented in the literature. This typology aims to highlight current efforts to inform targeted interventions that raise awareness through consistent messaging, educate people and providers on sickle cell trait and the related health complications, and support the design and implementation of comprehensive sickle cell trait awareness initiatives. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of United States-based sickle cell trait interventions and performed a content analysis to identify the categories and characteristics of these efforts. We then organized the results into a typology according to established protocols. Results: Among 164 interventions, twenty-five (15%) met the typology inclusion criteria described above and were grouped into categories: Seven of twenty-five interventions were Educational Interventions (28%), three of twenty-five interventions (12%) were Combined Screening and Educational-Based Interventions, eight of twenty-five interventions (32%) were Policy and Guideline-Based Intervention, and six of twenty-five interventions (24%) were Sickle Cell Trait Organization-Led Interventions. Conclusions: There is a lack of consistency in messaging across interventions whether delivered by credible healthcare institutions or national organizations, which can result in lack of education and awareness and confusion around sickle cell trait. Categorizing interventions through a typology allows clarity and informs consistency in messaging, which should be at the forefront of future sickle cell trait efforts.

The efficacy of vitamin E in preventing arthrofibrosis after joint replacement

Background:Arthrofibrosis is a joint disorder characterized by excessive scar formation in the joint tissues.Vitamin E is an antioxidant with potential anti-fibroblastic effect.The aim of this study was to establish an arthrofibrosis rat model after joint replacement and assess the effects of vitamin E supplementation on joint fibrosis.Methods:We simulated knee replacement in 16 male Sprague–Dawley rats.We immobilized the surgical leg with a suture in full flexion.The control groups were killed at 2 and 12 weeks(n=5 per group),and the test group was supplemented daily with vitamin E(0.2 mg/mL)in their drinking water for 12 weeks(n=6).We performed histological staining to investigate the presence and severity of arthrofibrosis.Immunofluorescent staining andα2-macroglobulin(α2M)enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to assess local and systemic inflammation.Static weight bearing(total internal reflection)and range of motion(ROM)were collected for functional assessment.Results:The ROM and weight-bearing symmetry decreased after the procedure and recovered slowly with still significant deficit at the end of the study for both groups.Histological analysis confirmed fibrosis in both lateral and posterior periarticular tissue.Vitamin E supplementation showed a moderate anti-inflammatory effect on the local and systemic levels.The vitamin E group exhibited significant improvement in ROM and weight-bearing symmetry at day 84 compared to the control group.Conclusions:This model is viable for simulating arthrofibrosis after joint replacement.Vitamin E may benefit postsurgical arthrofibrosis,and further studies are needed for dosing requirements.

如何负责任地回应他人痛苦?——对中国缓和医疗的再思考

笛卡尔医学模式导致过度医疗已成为全球普遍现象。现代缓和医疗的兴起正是源于对笛卡尔医学模式的反思,其主要目的是缓解重病患者的痛苦,同时关注医学技术本身带来的不必要伤害。本文结合相关病例提出问题,围绕解除痛苦的历史溯源、笛卡尔医学模式的观点与弊端、维持生命技术的应用与善终等方面展开讨论,启发对中国缓和医疗发展的进一步思考与深刻理解。

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in amyloid-β-mediated Alzheimer’s pathophysiology:unveiling therapeutic potential

Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by a gradual decline in memory leading to dementia.Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with accumulating various amyloid-βoligomers in the brain,influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors.The memory and cognitive deficits observed during the prodromal and mild cognitive impairment phases of Alzheimer’s disease are believed to primarily result from synaptic dysfunction.Throughout life,environmental factors can lead to enduring changes in gene expression and the emergence of brain disorders.These changes,known as epigenetic modifications,also play a crucial role in regulating the formation of synapses and their adaptability in response to neuronal activity.In this context,we highlight recent advances in understanding the roles played by key components of the epigenetic machinery,specifically DNA methylation,histone modification,and microRNAs,in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,synaptic function,and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.Moreover,we explore various strategies,including enriched environments,exposure to non-invasive brain stimulation,and the use of pharmacological agents,aimed at improving synaptic function and enhancing long-term potentiation,a process integral to epigenetic mechanisms.Lastly,we deliberate on the development of effective epigenetic agents and safe therapeutic approaches for managing Alzheimer’s disease.We suggest that addressing Alzheimer’s disease may require distinct tailored epigenetic drugs targeting different disease stages or pathways rather than relying on a single drug.

Brain dysfunctions and neurotoxicity induced by psychostimulants in experimental models and humans:an overview of recent findings

Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that psychostimulants,in addition to having abuse potential,may elicit brain dysfunctions and/or neurotoxic effects.Central toxicity induced by psychostimulants may pose serious health risks since the recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young people and adults.The present review provides an overview of recent research,conducted between 2018 and 2023,focusing on brain dysfunctions and neurotoxic effects elicited in experimental models and humans by amphetamine,cocaine,methamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,methylphenidate,caffeine,and nicotine.Detailed elucidation of factors and mechanisms that underlie psychostimulant-induced brain dysfunction and neurotoxicity is crucial for understanding the acute and enduring noxious brain effects that may occur in individuals who use psychostimulants for recreational and/or therapeutic purposes.

Evaluation of hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system in type 1 diabetes in real-world clinical practice:One-year observational study

BACKGROUND In 2016,the Food and Drug Administration approved the first hybrid closed-loop(HCL)insulin delivery system for adults with type 1 diabetes(T1D).There is limited information on the impact of using HCL systems on patient-reported outcomes(PROs)in patients with T1D in real-world clinical practice.In this independent study,we evaluated glycemic parameters and PROs over one year of continuous use of Medtronic’s 670G HCL in real-world clinical practice.AIM To assess the effects of hybrid closed loop system on glycemic control and quality of life in adults with T1D.METHODS We evaluated 71 patients with T1D(mean age:45.5±12.1 years;59%females;body weight:83.8±18.7 kg,body mass index:28.7±5.6 kg/m2,A1C:7.6%±0.8%)who were treated with HCL at Joslin Clinic from 2017 to 2019.We measured A1C and percent of glucose time-in-range(%TIR)at baseline and 12 months.We measured percent time in auto mode(%TiAM)for the last two weeks preceding the final visit and assessed PROs through several validated quality-of-life surveys related to general health and diabetes management.RESULTS At 12 mo,A1C decreased by 0.3%±0.1%(P=0.001)and%TIR increased by 8.1%±2.5%(P=0.002).The average%TiAM was only 64.3%±32.8%and was not associated with A1C,%TIR or PROs.PROs,provided at baseline and at the end of the study,showed that the physical functioning submodule of 36Item Short-Form Health Survey increased significantly by 22.9%(P<0.001).Hypoglycemia fear survey/worry scale decreased significantly by 24.9%(P<0.000);Problem Areas In Diabetes reduced significantly by-17.2%(P=0.002).The emotional burden submodules of dietary diversity score reduced significantly by-44.7%(P=0.001).Furthermore,analysis of Clarke questionnaire showed no increase in awareness of hypoglycemic episodes.WHO-5 showed no improvements in subject’s wellbeing among participants after starting the 670G HCL system.Finally,analysis of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index showed no difference in sleep quality,sleep latency,or duration of sleep from baseline to 12 mo.CONCLUSION The use of HCL in real-world clinical practice for one year was associated with significant improvements in A1C,%TIR,physical functioning,hypoglycemia fear,emotional distress,and emotional burden related to diabetes management.However,these changes were not associated with time in auto mode.

Comparative utility of vestibular function tests in patients with peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction

Background: Bithermal caloric irrigation, video head impulse test(vHIT), and rotational testing are commonly used to assess peripheral vestibular function, but the relative clinical utility of each test in differentiating patients with peripheral vestibulopathy is debated.Objectives: To determine whether(1) the combination of two or more vestibular tests enhances diagnostic utility over a single test;(2) abnormal test results on vestibular tests correlate with one another.Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected from multidisciplinary vestibular clinics at two academic medical centers from 2016 to 2022.Results: 150 patients(54.10 ± 15.09 years, 88 females) were included. No individual test was significantly better at predicting the presence of peripheral vestibular damage(p > 0.05). vHIT test results improved significantly when combined with either the caloric test(p = 0.007) or rotary chair test(p = 0.039). Caloric and rotational testing had high sensitivity(74.65% and 76.06%, respectively) and specificity(83.54% and 78.48%, respectively). vHIT demonstrated excellent specificity(89.87%) but poor sensitivity(47.89%). Caloric, vHIT, and rotary chair tests results did not correlate with one another(p > 0.05).Conclusions: Vestibular function tests have comparable diagnostic utility, yet each offers unique advantages. Caloric and rotational testing may be best suited for screening peripheral damage and vHIT may function ideally as a confirmatory test.

Evaluation of Clinician Training in Autism Screening, Care Management, and Patient Education

Objective: The demand for pediatric developmental evaluations has far exceeded the workforce available to perform them, which creates long significant wait times for services. A year-long clinician training using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) model with monthly meetings was conducted and evaluated for its impact on primary care clinicians’ self-reported self-efficacy, ability to administer autism screening and counsel families, professional fulfillment, and burnout. Methods: Participants represented six community health centers and a hospital-based practice. Data collection was informed by participant feedback and the Normalization Process Theory via online surveys and focus groups/interviews. Twelve virtual monthly trainings were delivered between November 2020 and October 2021. Results: 30 clinicians participated in data collection. Matched analyses (n = 9) indicated statistically significant increase in self-rated ability to counsel families about autism (Pre-test Mean = 3.00, Post-test Mean = 3.89, p = 0.0313), manage autistic patients’ care (Pre-test Mean = 2.56, Post-test Mean = 4.11, p = 0.0078), empathy toward patients (Pre-test Mean = 2.11, Post-test Mean = 1.22, p = 0.0156) and colleagues (Pre-test Mean = 2.33, Post-test Mean = 1.22, respectively, p = 0.0391). Unmatched analysis revealed increases in participants confident about educating patients about autism (70.59%, post-test n = 12 vs. 3.33%, pre-test n = 1, p = 0.0019). Focus groups found increased confidence in using the term “autism”. Conclusion: Participants reported increases in ability and confidence to care for autistic patients, as well as empathy toward patients and colleagues. Future research should explore long-term outcomes in participants’ knowledge retention, confidence in practice, and improvements to autism evaluations and care.

High-Temperature Superconductivity in La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)

Motivated by the recent discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in bilayer La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7) under pressure,we study its electronic properties and superconductivity due to strong electron correlation.Using the inversion symmetry,we decouple the low-energy electronic structure into block-diagonal symmetric and antisymmetric sectors.It is found that the antisymmetric sector can be reduced to a one-band system near half filling,while the symmetric bands occupied by about two electrons are heavily overdoped individually.Using the strong coupling mean field theory,we obtain strong superconducting pairing with B_(1g)symmetry in the antisymmetric sector.We propose that due to the spin-orbital exchange coupling between the two sectors,B_(1g)pairing is induced in the symmetric bands,which in turn boosts the pairing gap in the antisymmetric band and enhances the high-temperature superconductivity with a congruent d-wave symmetry in pressurized La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7).