Sleep problems are both symptoms of and modifiable risk factors for many psychiatric disorders. Wrist-worn accelerometers enable objective measurement of sleep at scale. Here, we aimed to examine the ...association of accelerometer-derived sleep measures with psychiatric diagnoses and polygenic risk scores in a large community-based cohort.
In this post hoc cross-sectional analysis of the UK Biobank cohort, 10 interpretable sleep measures-bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, duration of longest sleep bout, number of naps, and variability in bedtime and sleep duration-were derived from 7-day accelerometry recordings across 89,205 participants (aged 43 to 79, 56% female, 97% self-reported white) taken between 2013 and 2015. These measures were examined for association with lifetime inpatient diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder/mania, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders from any time before the date of accelerometry, as well as polygenic risk scores for major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Covariates consisted of age and season at the time of the accelerometry recording, sex, Townsend deprivation index (an indicator of socioeconomic status), and the top 10 genotype principal components. We found that sleep pattern differences were ubiquitous across diagnoses: each diagnosis was associated with a median of 8.5 of the 10 accelerometer-derived sleep measures, with measures of sleep quality (for instance, sleep efficiency) generally more affected than mere sleep duration. Effect sizes were generally small: for instance, the largest magnitude effect size across the 4 diagnoses was β = -0.11 (95% confidence interval -0.13 to -0.10, p = 3 × 10-56, FDR = 6 × 10-55) for the association between lifetime inpatient major depressive disorder diagnosis and sleep efficiency. Associations largely replicated across ancestries and sexes, and accelerometry-derived measures were concordant with self-reported sleep properties. Limitations include the use of accelerometer-based sleep measurement and the time lag between psychiatric diagnoses and accelerometry.
In this study, we observed that sleep pattern differences are a transdiagnostic feature of individuals with lifetime mental illness, suggesting that they should be considered regardless of diagnosis. Accelerometry provides a scalable way to objectively measure sleep properties in psychiatric clinical research and practice, even across tens of thousands of individuals.
Adequate information on the precise molecular and biological composition of the viral strains that establish HIV infection in the human host will provide effective means of immunization against HIV ...infection. In an attempt to identify the transmitted founder (TF) virus and differentiate the biological properties and infectious potential of the TF virus from those of the population of the early transmitted viruses, 250 patient-derived gp120 envelope glycoproteins were cloned in pMN-K7-Luc-IRESs-NefΔgp120 to obtain chimeric viruses. Samples were obtained from eight infants who had recently become infected with HIV through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and two adults who acquired infection through the heterosexual route and were in the chronic stage of infection. Among the 250 clones tested, 65 chimeric viruses were infectious, and all belonged to HIV-1 subtype C. The 65 clones were analyzed for molecular features of the envelope, per-infectious-particle infectivity, coreceptor tropism, drug sensitivity, and sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibodies. Based on genotypic and phenotypic analysis of the viral clones, we identified 10 TF viruses from the eight infants. The TF viruses were characterized by shorter V1V2 regions, a reduced number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites, and a higher infectivity titer compared to the virus variants from the adults in the chronic stage of infection. CXCR6 coreceptor usage, in addition to that of the CCR5 coreceptor, which was used by all 65 chimeric viruses, was identified in 13 viruses. The sensitivity of the TF variants to maraviroc and a standard panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (VRC01, PG09, PG16, and PGT121) was found to be much lower than that of the virus variants from the adults in the chronic stage of infection.
Tremendous progress has been made during the last three and half decades of HIV research, but some significant gaps continue to exist. One of the frontier areas of HIV research which has not seen a breakthrough yet is vaccine research, which is because of the enormous genetic diversity of HIV-1 and the unique infectious fitness of the virus. Among the repertoire of viral variants, the virus that establishes successful infection (transmitted founder TF virus) has not been well characterized yet. An insight into the salient features of the TF virus would go a long way toward helping with the design of an effective vaccine against HIV. Here we studied the biological properties of recently transmitted viruses isolated from infants who acquired infection from the mother and have come up with unique characterizations for the TF virus that establishes infection in the human host.
•Kesterite and stannite phases of Ag2MgSn(S/Se)4 have been studied for the first time.•Kesterite and stannite phases of Ag2MgSnS4 is more stable than Ag2MgSnSe4.•Ag2MgSnS4 (Sta) phase has bandgap of ...1.41 eV with highest value of absorption coefficient.•Optical properties of Ag2MgSnS4 (Sta) exhibit similar characteristic as Ag2MgSnSe4 (Sta).
In this work, generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE) hybrid functional within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) are used to investigate the structural, electronic and optical properties of Ag2MgSn(S/Se)4 quaternary chalcogenides in kesterite and stannite phases. The kesterite and stannite phases of Ag2MgSn(S/Se)4 are optimized and the values of lattice constants are calculated. The predicted energy bandgaps are found to be direct in nature along the Γ direction, with highest bandgap energy of less than 1.64 eV for Ag2MgSnS4 in kesterite phase. The total and partial density of states are analysed in detail. The optical properties such as imaginary and real parts of dielectric function, refractive index, reflectivity and extinction coefficient are also discussed. Further, in order to understand the light trapping capacity, we examine the absorption coefficients of Ag2MgSnS4 and Ag2MgSnSe4 materials and explore their applicability as solar cell absorber layers. The predicted values of all parameters will help researchers to carry out further investigations on these materials for photovoltaic applications.
Fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) are major by-products of thermal and steel plants, respectively. These materials often cause disposal problems and environmental pollution. Detailed ...laboratory investigations were carried out on cement stabilized fly ash–(GBFS) mixes in order to find out its suitability for road embankments, and for base and sub-base courses of highway pavements. Proctor compaction test, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test were conducted on cement stabilized fly ash–GBFS mixes as per the Indian Standard Code of Practice. Cement content in the mix was varied from 0% to 8% at 2% intervals, whereas the slag content was varied as 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Test results show that an increase of either cement or GBFS content in the mixture, results in increase of maximum dry density (MDD) and decrease of optimum moisture content (OMC) of the compacted mixture. The MDD of the cement stabilized fly ash–GBFS mixture is comparably lower than that of similarly graded natural inorganic soil of sand to silt size. This is advantageous in constructing lightweight embankments over soft, compressible soils. An increase in percentage of cement in the fly ash–GBFS mix increases enormously the CBR value. Also an increase of the amount of GBFS in the fly ash sample with fixed cement content improves the CBR value of the stabilized mix. In the present study, the maximum CBR value of compacted fly ash–GBFS–cement (52:40:8) mixture obtained was 105%, indicating its suitability for use in base and sub-base courses in highway pavements with proper combinations of raw materials.
The aim of this study was to determine the lowest optimal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) dose and delivery duration using ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis (USCDT) for the ...treatment of acute intermediate-risk (submassive) pulmonary embolism.
Previous trials of USCDT used tPA over 12 to 24 h at doses of 20 to 24 mg for acute pulmonary embolism.
Hemodynamically stable adults with acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism documented by computed tomographic angiography were randomized into this prospective multicenter, parallel-group trial. Patients received treatment with 1 of 4 USCDT regimens. The tPA dose ranged from 4 to 12 mg per lung and infusion duration from 2 to 6 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction in right ventricular-to-left ventricular diameter ratio by computed tomographic angiography. A major secondary endpoint was embolic burden by refined modified Miller score, measured on computed tomographic angiography 48 h after initiation of USCDT.
One hundred one patients were randomized, and improvements in right ventricular-to-left ventricular diameter ratio were as follows: arm 1 (4 mg/lung/2 h), 0.40 (24%; p = 0.0001); arm 2 (4 mg/lung/4 h), 0.35 (22.6%; p = 0.0001); arm 3 (6 mg/lung/6 h), 0.42 (26.3%; p = 0.0001); and arm 4 (12 mg/lung/6 h), 0.48 (25.5%; p = 0.0001). Improvement in refined modified Miller score was also seen in all groups. Four patients experienced major bleeding (4%). Of 2 intracranial hemorrhage events, 1 was attributed to tPA delivered by USCDT.
Treatment with USCDT using a shorter delivery duration and lower-dose tPA was associated with improved right ventricular function and reduced clot burden compared with baseline. The major bleeding rate was low, but 1 intracranial hemorrhage event due to tPA delivered by USCDT did occur.
Photo-neutron production in electron accelerator near the threshold energy has been studied by Monte Carlo simulation using the FLUKA code. A pencil beam of 10 MeV electron was incident normally on ...W, Ta, Pb and Bi targets and a CR-39 detector attached to the target was used as scoring region. In the simulation, photon and neutron spectra, yield and their spatial distribution, fast neutron fluence above 100 keV, total dose and neutron dose deposition were estimated for these metallic targets. The photon emission was found to be forward peaked whereas the neutron emission was isotropic in nature. The photon yield was found to be 5 to 6 orders of magnitude higher than that of neutrons. In W and Ta, the photon yield is maximum for 1.5 mm thickness whereas for Pb and Bi, the photon yield is highest at 2 and 2.5 mm respectively. The total neutron yield was highest for W and lowest for Pb whereas highest number of fast neutrons above 100 keV was for W followed by Bi, Pb and Ta. Production of significant number of fast neutrons above 100 keV suggests the possibility of the use of CR-39 detector for measurement of these neutrons. The total dose deposition was found to be highest for Bi followed by Pb, Ta and W whereas the neutron dose equivalent was highest for W followed by Pb, Bi and Ta. This simulation study will be useful for neutron dosimetry, estimation of source term, implementation of CR-39 for measurement and other radiation protection aspects in the vicinity of an electron accelerator.
•Photo-neutron production in W, Ta, Pb, Bi heavy metals was studied for incident of 10 MeV electrons using FLUKA simulation code.•Photon emission was forward peaked, but neutron emission was isotropic. Photon yield was 5–6 orders higher than neutrons.•Total neutron yield was highest for W, lowest for Pb. Maximum neutron yield was obtained for 4 mm thick W. Highest number of fast neutrons (> 100 keV) was for W followed by Bi, Pb, Ta.•Total dose deposition was dominated by bremsstrahlung photons and was highest for Bi followed by Pb, Ta, W. Neutron dose deposition was highest for W followed by Pb, Bi, Ta.
Ba
0.5
Bi
0.5
Ti
0.5
Fe
0.5
Mn
0.1
O
3
, a Fe-based Mn-modified BFO-BT ceramic, is processed by solid-state reaction route, calcined at 950 °C temperature. Formation of single-phase orthorhombic ...structure is observed from room temperature XRD analysis. Dielectric behavior is investigated over a broad range of temperature (30 °C-500 °C) and frequency (0.1 kHz-10 MHz). Broadening of transition temperature is noticed at 460 °C, where the material undergoes a change from ferro- to paraelectric state. From dielectric plots the effect of Mn on capacitive behavior of the material is studied. The conductivity study exhibits negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior showing semiconducting behavior of the material.
To overcome the limitation of CR-39 at high dose region where large number of tracks are overlapped, the FTIR spectroscopic technique can be implemented for dose estimation. In the present work, ...CR-39 detectors were irradiated with alpha particles from
239
Pu source having known doses up to 5.12 Gy. The detectors were subjected to chemical etching in steps of 1 h and subsequently FTIR spectra were recorded. Three strong bands i.e., 1800–1675 cm
−1
, 1350–1150 cm
−1
and 810–760 cm
−1
in the FTIR spectra were analysed to study the effect of etching and dose on the peak absorbance of these bands. The peak absorbance was found to decrease with the dose as well as with etching duration and the saturation effect in the peak absorbance was observed above 3 h etching. Etching duration of 2 h was found to be optimal etching time where the linear response was observed up to 5.12 Gy. Furthermore, the threshold for dose estimation by the FTIR spectroscopic technique was observed to be 0.41 Gy, above which this technique can be used. Empirical relations correlating the peak absorbance and dose were generated which can be used as calibration factors for dose estimation in the range 0.41–5.12 Gy using the peak intensity in FTIR spectrum of CR-39 detector.
Regulatory T (Treg) cells hold centre stage in regulating the immune responses in most viral infections. However, their involvement in chikungunya infection is unexplored. In the current study, the ...frequencies and functionality of peripheral Treg and T effector (Teff) cells were assessed during different phases of chikungunya by flow cytometry and in-vitro cytokine assays. Treg cells were also studied in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, whose symptoms closely mimic chronic chikungunya arthritis patients. Frequency of Treg cells was lower in acute and chronic chikungunya arthritis patients than in recovered individuals and controls, and comparable among recovered individuals and controls. Treg/Teff ratio was lower in acute than in chronic chikungunya arthritis patients, recovered individuals and controls. Higher secretion of CHIKV specific IL-10 was observed in recovered individuals than in acute, chronic chikungunya arthritis patients and controls. Frequencies of Treg and Teff cells were higher and Treg/Teff ratio was lower in RA patients than in chronic chikungunya arthritis patients. The results indicate that reduction of Treg cells was associated with ongoing CHIKV infection and normalization of Treg cells with resolution of disease. Contrasting phenotypic data in RA and chronic chikungunya arthritis suggest an altogether different mechanism of Treg-mediated pathology in both arthritis conditions. Overall, our preliminary study, suggesting an association of peripheral Treg cells and IL-10 with recovery from chikungunya, may provide insight into chikungunya disease prognosis and warrants further study.
The waste generated during the alumina production by Bayer's process is popularly called red mud. This red mud is a rich source of iron values. Generally, the iron content in the red mud varies ...between 20% and 45% depending on the bauxite source. The present investigation was carried out to recover iron values from red mud. Red mud contains ultrafine particles and is highly alkaline in nature because of which it is difficult to recover the iron values from it using conventional beneficiation techniques. In the present investigation, the iron values were successfully recovered by reduction roasting followed by magnetic separation. During the process, the hematitic and goethitic iron-phase minerals present in the red mud sample are converted into magnetite and metallic irons, which are subsequently recovered using low-intensity magnetic separator. The results showed that an iron recovery of 61.85% with an iron content of 65.93% of iron concentrate could be obtained at roasting temperature of 1150°C, roasting time of 60 min, and magnetic field intensity of 0.18 Tesla.
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