bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attachment to Dogs and Cats in Germany: Translation of the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) and Description of the Pet Owning Population in Germany
Authors: Hielscher Benedikt , Gansloßer Udo , Froboese Ingo
Published: October 2022

Introduction:
Attachment to pets has been shown to impact pet owners’ (PO) physical health and quality of life. As no instrument for obtaining this kind of data currently exists in German, translating and validating the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) was the aim of this study.
Method:
Online and paper-pencil questionnaires were used. LAPS and socio-demo-graphic data were recorded. Subjects were recruited via social media and with the help of the Verband für das deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) and one other association. A second trial was performed to examine test-retest reliability for the online questionnaire at least five days after initial completion.
Results:
Internal consistency is high for the total LAPS score (Cronbach’s □ = .89). Test-retest reliability is high for total LAPS score (ICC = .95; 95 % CI = .94, .96; p < .001). A significant negative correlation was found between age of the subject and total LAPS score (r = -.24, p < .001). Women scored significantly higher than men in total LAPS score (p = .008, d = -.36) and dog owners (DO) scored higher than cat owners (CO) (p = .020, d = .23). Further, significant differences have been found when comparing among PO to their level of educational attainment (

p
<
 
.001
,
 
ω
=
.21

). No significant differences between owners of purebred and owners of mixed breed pets to their animals were found.
Conclusion:
The German translation of the LAPS is a reliable instrument and can be used for future research.
Behaving with Respect to Dogs: Children’s Mastered Dog-Safety Skills May Not Generalize Naturalistically
Authors: Yankelevitz Rachelle L. , Williams April Michele , Knerr Alexandra W. , Sheppard Christina
Published: October 2022

Dog bites are a common danger to children. Behavioral safety training strategies are more effective than nonbehavioral strategies, but questions remain about whether learned responses generalize to new dogs and settings. Three preschool-aged girls who exhibited unsafe dog-greeting behavior during in situ assessments were taught to safely greet unfamiliar, leashed dogs using TAGteach™ (
TAGteach International, 2016
). The children acquired the six-step behavior chain, but responding did not generalize to a novel dog, handler, and setting even after completing the training three times in progressively more-naturalistic settings. These results suggest a need to investigate effective strategies for teaching safety skills around dogs. They also question whether dog-safety training via online modules, classroom-based instruction, or video modeling is sufficient to improve young children’s behavior around dogs in natural settings.
Cat-human related activities associated with human well-being
Authors: Ravenscroft Samantha J. , Barcelos Ana Maria , Mills Daniel S.
Published: October 2022

Besides inconsistent evidence relating to the mental health benefits of pet ownership, there is a specific lack of data in relation to cat ownership. Research in this field frequently fails to consider the effect of specific cat-human relationships or activities that might impact owner well-being. This study aimed to identify and address this gap by examining the activities associated with owning a cat that were perceived by owners to impact on their well-being. Twenty cat owners (18 to 74 years old) were interviewed remotely, and their audio transcripts thematically analysed. 67 activities were reported by cat owners to cause changes in their hedonic or eudaimonic well-being or life satisfaction. Most activities were reported to improve well-being, for example, “providing for the cat” increased feelings of enjoyment and enhanced owner’s reported purpose in life. However, some activities were predominantly associated with negative outcomes, such as veterinary visits and cat behaviour problems. This study presents an operationally-defined framework that lays the groundwork for further research in the field of human-cat interaction and human well-being. It highlights the importance of focusing on specific activities associated with cat ownership, rather than just assessing “ownership” per se, as if it is a homogenous phenomenon.
Working Out with F.I.D.O. (Frequency, Intensity, Duration, & Outcomes): A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lim Clarise , Higgins Joan Wharf , Rhodes Ryan E.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Dog owners walk more per week compared to non-dog owners; however, 60% of dog owners are still not walking their dogs at intensities sufficient to reap optimal health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 9-week randomized controlled trial involving a program of six weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks supplemented with theory-based strategies to encourage increased dog walking among dog owners in Greater Victoria, BC.

Methods:

Participants were 17 adults aged 18+, who owned at least one healthy and friendly dog aged six months+, who were not meeting recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines. Data were collected using pedometers, self-report measures, and a program evaluation survey.

Results:

Feasibility outcomes included 74 interested responses, 23% recruitment rate (
n
= 17), 94% retention rate (
n
= 16), and 94% adherence rate (
n
= 15). Program participants were overall (very) satisfied with the program.
Total weekly step counts
and
average daily step counts, MVPA dog walking,
and
MVPA with dog
(i.e., all leisure time
physical activity with dog -
e.g., hiking, swimming, biking, playing Frisbee) increased at the end of the program and at follow-up, resulting in large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group.

Conclusions:

This six-week group dog walking program was feasible, acceptable, and efficacious in encouraging increased dog walking and MVPA among dog owners. It is recommended for future studies to refine initial recruitment strategies, reimburse medical/veterinarian clearance costs to reduce cost-related barriers to participation, and offer a variety of options for program delivery (e.g., different locations/schedules/seasons, online programs, multi-site study) to accommodate more participants.
Operating heterostructures against photovoltaic action
Authors: Choudhury Aditya N. Roy
Published: October 2022

This work puts forward the theoretical observation that the open circuit voltage (Voc) loss at the illuminated wide band gap side of a PN heterostructure is directly proportional to the band discontinuity of the heterostructure. This photovoltage loss is an effect of photocarrier confinement at the wide band gap side and cannot be detected at the device terminals as a separate measurable voltage. Wrongly illuminating a heterojunction solar cell results in an excess build-up of charge carriers, thus, increasing the electrostatic pressure of the cell.
Current rectification in a correlated disordered 1D chain in presence of periodically driven electric field
Authors: Sarkar Manik , Maiti Santanu K. , Dey Moumita
Published: October 2022

The current rectification phenomenon is investigated at nanoscale level considering a one-dimensional tight-binding chain whose site energies are modulated in a cosine form following the well established Aubry-Andre-Harper (AAH) form in presence of a periodically driving field. The appearance of an electric field along the chain due to voltage bias leads to an asymmetry in the system, resulting in different currents in two bias polarities. The degree of current rectification can be monitored selectively by means of external light irradiation, which is included into the system by means of a minimal coupling scheme. Our analysis may provide a new direction of designing tunable currents rectifiers using AAH systems and other similar kinds of fascinating correlated disordered ones.
Muon tomography using cosmic-ray muons
Authors: Majumdar Nayana , Tripathy Sridhar , Das Subhendu , Bhattacharya Purba , Mukhopadhyay Supratik , Sarkar Sandip
Published: October 2022

The paper discusses about the R&D of a setup for muon tomography utilizing the scattering suffered by the muons due to electromagnetic interaction with the atomic nuclei while passing through any matter. The design of the setup has been optimized using numerical simulation for material discrimination and for further application in inspection of civil structures. An image processing algorithm based on pattern recognition method has been developed and tested for its performance in distinguishing between light and heavy elements and detecting defects in civil structures. The hardware developmental activities related to the muon tracking detectors and data acquisition system have been discussed.
Numerical Studies on Primary Ionization in TPC
Authors: Das P K , Kanishka R , Bhattacharya P , Majumdar N , Mukhopadhyay S , Sarkar S
Published: October 2022

Identification followed by directionality measurement using reconstruction of tracks is very crucial for studying the reaction vertex kinematics. In the field of low-energy nuclear physics, Active-Target Time Projection Chambers (AT-TPCs) can be used to study the nuclear reaction kinematics through tracking of the reaction products which is important for cross-section measurement. Ions produced in primary ionization by any charged particle along their track in the active gas volume of TPC can be utilized for track reconstruction with position-sensitive electron collection system placed inside an electric field. The TPC gas volume acts as the tracker of the reaction products and the target for the reaction with the incoming projectile simultaneously which is advantageous to conventional detector arrays. In this context, the design of the electric field in the drift volume of the TPC is an important criterion for precise tracking as the tracking capability of the TPC is strongly governed by the homogeneity of the electric field. Due to the lesser mobility of positive ions produced in primary ionization, their accumulation in the drift volume can distort the local electric field. In low-energy nuclear physics, this effect may be substantial due to the significant amount of ionization produced by the low-energy projectile and reaction products. Here we report the spatial information of primary space charges produced by cosmic muon and alpha particle obtained with geant4 [1] and Heed [2] simulation packages. We have used photo absorption and ionization physics lists in geant4 for the simulation and compared the results with that of the Heed. The simulation results for the change in pressure of gas volume will be reported. These results can be used for finding the distortion of the electric field due to the space charge in the drift region of the TPC which can be helpful for designing an AT-TPC for low-energy nuclear reaction experiments.
Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by co-precipitation technique and characterize the structural and optical properties of these nanoparticles
Authors: Ghosh Soumyadev , Ghosh Abhishek , Pramanik Subhamay , Kuiri Probodh K. , Sen Rupam , Neogi Swarup Kumar
Published: October 2022

The present work demonstrates synthesis and study of physical properties of chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by co-precipitation technique. Detailed synthesis procedure had been described in the experimental section. Chemically synthesized ZnO samples were annealed at 300°C and 500°C. These samples have been characterized by doing X-Ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD patterns indicate wurzite structure of these samples. SEM pictures shows growth of grain size with annealing temperature treatment. The lattice parameters (a & c) of ZnO samples are showing increasing tendency with annealing treatment. PL spectra with excitation wavelength : λex=330 nm exhibit a broad and asymmetric UV band centred around 386 nm (~ 3.212 eV) and 390 nm (~ 3.179 eV) respectively for the 300°C and 500°C annealed samples. Broad UV emission band indicating that, it has defect related origin. The Raman spectra of these samples indicate that intensity of Raman peaks improves with annealing at the higher temperature. Possibly high temperature annealing (500°C) brings modification into the micro-structure. The micro-structure and optical properties of these synthesized samples are compared with that of pure ZnO powder samples. Finally correlation between structural and optical properties has been made based on the analysis of experimental data.
Infinite dimensionality of the post-processing order of measurements on a general state space
Authors: Kuramochi Yui
Published: October 2022

For a partially ordered set (S, ⪯), the order (monotone) dimension is the minimum cardinality of total orders (respectively, real-valued order monotone functions) onSthat characterize the order ⪯. In this paper we consider an arbitrary generalized probabilistic theory and the set of finite-outcome measurements on it, which can be described by effect-valued measures, equipped with the classical post-processing orders. We prove that the order and order monotone dimensions of the post-processing order are (countably) infinite if the state space is not a singleton (and is separable in the norm topology). This result gives a negative answer to the open question for quantum measurements posed in (Guffet al2021J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.54225301). We also consider the quantum post-processing relation of channels with a fixed input quantum system described by a separable Hilbert spaceHand show that the order (monotone) dimension is countably infinite whendimH⩾2.
Optimization of Nano Capacitive Pressure Sensor for Medical Applications
Authors: Balavalad Kirankumar B. , Balavalad PraveenKumar B. , Pidashetti Somanath
Published: October 2022

Nano/NEMS sensors have emerged from MEMS technology. Nano sensors have got lot of applications in medical and health care applications. Nano sensors have lot of attributes which make them very unique and special, such as: small size, low mass, high sensitivity and low cost of production. In this paper we present optimization of nano capacitive pressure sensor dimensions for medical applications. Capacitive pressure sensors are well suited for low pressure sensing applications. Typically, in medical field involve low pressure levels ranging from few Pascals to kilo Pascals. DoE is used for the optimization of sensor dimensions. The sensor is optimized to operate over the pressure range up to 100 kPa. Over this pressure range the sensor dimensions are optimized to get better response in terms of capacitance. The proposed optimization illustrates the dimensions best suited for the design of nano capacitive pressure sensor for operational range up to 100 kPa.
Use of augmented reality technologies in the framework of m-Learning at the Infantery Museum Marine Park
Authors: Oñate F. , Vergara E. , Morales A. , Sanchez S. , Barreto J.
Published: October 2022

The research proposes to design a software to visualize the relevant information of historical military objects through augmented reality technology, contributing to the modernization of the museum, generating a more attractive and autonomous visit for visitors. The research is embodied in two phases. In the requirements phase, data collection instruments were implemented in order to identify the functional and non-functional requirements of the proposed system; In the design phase, the block diagram and flow diagram are modeled to outline the software architecture and illustrate the communication between the different technologies that make up the system. As a result, the structure and characteristics of a model that meets the needs of the Infantery Museum Marine Park was obtained. It is concluded that this model can contribute to the digitization, exhibition and appropriation of the cultural content exhibited in the different scenarios of the Infantery Museum Marine Park in its processes of transmission of knowledge about the various cultural heritages of the museum.
Exergy analysis and development of flat plate solar collectors: A Review
Authors: Rincón-Quintero A D , Del Portillo-Valdés L A , Zanabria-Ortigoza N D , Sandoval-Rodriguez C L , Maradey-Lázaro J G , Castillo-León N Y
Published: October 2022

The exergy comes from the need to find some energy of a system that can be quantified to take advantage of its mechanical, electrical or any other type of work, it is limited in terms of investment of time and research, due to this fact, the need arises to be able to innovate with data collection on the exergy calculation models developed in flat solar collectors. In the present research, a search of the literature regarding the development of exergy in flat plate solar collectors was carried out, to then analyze and determine forty innovative articles in the last six years, which were reflected in a data matrix in the The formulas and factors that define the exergy are presented, as well as the theoretical designs of the collector and working fluids used in flat solar collectors. With the results of the table, a broad panorama of current data is obtained, on the most used in the formulation of exergetic efficiency, which stands out as an essential tool for the design, analysis and optimization of thermal systems.
Performance analysis of PKM 60 peripheral pumps as a consequence of impeller wearing.
Authors: Duran-Sarmiento M A , García-Rodríguez L F , Sandoval-Rodríguez C L , Ascanio-Villabona J G , Lengerke-Pérez O
Published: October 2022

The efficient transformation of energy in pumping systems plays a fundamental role in the industry, these pumping systems represent a significant energy consumption, if the pumps present wear in their impeller, they will significantly decrease their capacity to communicate energy to the fluid, that in other words, the system will require more energy to compensate for this decrease in efficiency, causing an increase in operating costs. This work presents a comparison of the performance of two identical pumps with different impellers, a new impeller and an impeller subjected to wear, which has been emulated by machining the impeller in its radial component. The results show a decrease in the peak net height and power communicated to the fluid of 55% and 63% respectively. The percentages of decrease in the capacity to transfer energy to the fluid obtained in the test are not equivalent to the percentage of diameter reduction, which presented a decrease from 56.5 mm to 59.6 mm, for a percentage of diameter decrease equivalent to 5.2%.
Evaluation of control strategies applied in small-scale photovoltaic solar tracking systems: a review
Authors: Tarazona-Romero B E , Plata-Pineda E J , Sandoval-Rodriguez C L , Ascanio-Villabona J A , Lengerke-Péreza O
Published: October 2022

This work evaluates the control algorithms applied to decentralized photovoltaic solar tracking systems. For this, the control strategies are divided into three: open loop, closed loop and hybrid loop. Each strategy is screened for its suitability as a suitable technology for small-scale applications, defined by meeting a set of eleven attributes. A specialized literature review process was developed specifically to present the potential of each control algorithm strategy, through an evaluation matrix. The analysis of the algorithms and attributes was carried out using the formal methodology of concept analysis. To facilitate the processing of the information, free access software called “concept Explorer” is used. The analysis carried out shows that open loop control algorithms currently have a greater application in one and two-axis solar tracking systems. Additionally, the on-off control is the one with the greatest application for the three types of control loops evaluated. Finally, the applied methodology has proven to be useful for the evaluation of information and serves as a reference, to carry out analyzes that group and link different alternatives as a model for evaluating a deterministic set of attributes.
Effect of build orientation on wear and erosion behavior of maraging steel processed by powder bed fusion using laser beam (PBF-LB)
Authors: Vishwakarma Jaydeep , Chattopadhyay K , Srinivas N C Santhi
Published: October 2022

The wear and erosion behavior of additively manufactured maraging steel with built orientations of 0°, 45° and 90° were investigated and compared with conventional (cast and hot rolled) samples. To investigate the effect of heat treatment, processed samples were subjected to solution treatment and ageing. As-built (AB) and heat-treated (HT) samples were wear-tested at various loads of 20N, 40N and 80N, at constant disc speed and specific sliding distance. Erosion tests were performed at 90° impingement angle for 40 min with erosion discharge rate of 4.5 g min−1, wear rate was found increasing with the increase in load from 20N to 80 N, and was found affected by build orientation, mainly in the as-built additive samples. In both, as built as well heat-treated conditions, 90° oriented samples were found more wear-resistant. However, wear resistance of the heat-treated samples was observed to be relatively higher as compared to that of as-built samples. Coefficient of friction (COF) decreased with increase in load, in both as built as well heat-treated conditions. Erosion resistance of the as-built (AB) and heat-treated (HT) samples in 0° orientation was higher than that of other build orientations. Prior to heat treatment, erosion resistance of the conventional samples was inferior to that of additive samples, due to comparatively coarser microstructure; however, after the heat treatment, erosion resistance was increased. Worn and eroded samples were examined under SEM and AFM. At low load of 20 N, abrasive wear by ploughing and at high load of 80N, adhesive wear was noticed. Erosion occurred mainly by lip formation and plastic deformation.
Prediction of mechanical properties of Mg-rare earth alloys by machine learning
Authors: Lu Jie , Chen Yanghua , Xu Meng , Yingzhang
Published: October 2022

In this work, the quantitative relationship among the composition, processing history and mechanical properties of Magnesium-rare earth alloys was established by machine learning (ML). Based on support vector regression (SVR) algorithm, ML models were established with inputs of 310 sets of data, which can predict ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and elongation (EL) with well accuracy. In order to verify the general applicability of our model, new data were collected from the literature, and the ML models was used to predict their mechanical properties respectively. The MAPE of UTS, YS and EL predicted by SVR model are 9%, 12% and 36%, respectively. The reasons for the deviation of the predicted results were also analyzed. The effects of rare earth elements on UTS, YS and EL were analyzed by the SVR models. The established ML model was used to recommend the composition and processing history of new Magnesium-rare earth alloys with high mechanical properties.
Understanding the zigzags of multi-echo phase signals by numerical simulations
Authors: Chen Zikuan , Zhai Xiulan , Chen Zeyuan
Published: October 2022

Understanding the multi-echo phase zigzag signals is instrumental to assuring the quality of MRI phase data acquisition for ensuing phase exploration and exploitation. This paper provides a theoretical and computational mechanism for understanding the zigzag multi-echo phase formation that has been observed in numerical multi-echo gradient-recalled (GRE) simulations of clinical complex-valued brain MRI images. Based on intravoxel dephasing mechanism, we calculated a train of multi-GRE complex-valued voxel signals by simulating field gradient reversals under perturbations in either gradient strength (G±δG) or gradient duration (Δ±δΔ), as well as the simultaneous bi-variable gradient perturbations (δGδΔ). In this theoretical experiment, we observed a zigzag line of one-shot multi-echo phase signals at a voxel with respect to linear stepwise field gradient variations in δG ∝ n and δΔ ∝ n (where n denotes the echo index). However, the multi-echo magnitude signals were invariant to field gradient reversal, i.e. no multi-echo magnitude zigzags. To support our simulations, we analyzed the clinical one-shot multi-echo T2*-weighted MRI phase images and found similar multi-echo phase zigzags. In this way, we provide a theoretical and computational understanding of multi-echo phase zigzag artifacts, specifically for the eddy current effect on one-shot multi-GRE signals in practice.
Degeneration of 3-dimensional hyperbolic cone structures with decreasing cone angles
Authors: Yoshida Ken’ichi
Published: October 2022

For 3-dimensional hyperbolic cone structures with cone angles

θ
\theta

, local rigidity is known for

0
≤
θ
≤
2
π

0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi

, but global rigidity is known only for

0
≤
θ
≤
π

0 \leq \theta \leq \pi

. The proof of the global rigidity by Kojima is based on the fact that hyperbolic cone structures with cone angles at most

π
\pi

do not degenerate in deformations decreasing cone angles to zero.

In this paper, we give an example of a degeneration of hyperbolic cone structures with decreasing cone angles less than

2
π

2\pi

. These cone structures are constructed on a certain alternating link in the thickened torus by gluing four copies of a certain polyhedron. For this construction, we explicitly describe the isometry types on such a hyperbolic polyhedron.
Longitudinal Career Survey of Entomology Doctoral Graduates Suggests That Females Are Disadvantaged in Entomology Job Market
Authors: Walker Karen A
Published: October 2022

Here, I provide data from a longitudinal survey that suggests that male entomology doctoral graduates are more successful at getting scientific positions than female graduates are. I digitally followed over 800 male and female doctorates graduating between 2001 and 2018 over several years to determine occupational outcomes. Males significantly outnumber females in industry positions, and occupy more academic positions and government jobs than females. Males may get a head start in employment by publishing significantly more scientific papers during their graduate programs than do females, setting them up to be more competitive. Once hired into academia, males appear to continue this publication pattern, obtaining significantly higher H-indices than female academic colleagues later in their careers, which may play a role in being promoted more quickly than females. Males are also favored by institutions at which they previously interned: Males working as postdoctoral scientists in USDA labs end up being hired into significantly more permanent jobs at USDA than females who also were postdocs at USDA. Another important result of the research is the finding that the majority of both genders undergo postdoctoral training, but fewer than 25% of entomology postdocs get academic positions, demonstrating the bleak outlook of the academic job market.
Quantum computing algorithms: getting closer to critical problems in computational biology
Authors: Marchetti Laura , Nifosì Riccardo , Martelli Pier Luigi , Da Pozzo Eleonora , Cappello Valentina , Banterle Francesco , Trincavelli Maria Letizia , Martini Claudia , D’Elia Massimo
Published: October 2022

The recent biotechnological progress has allowed life scientists and physicians to access an unprecedented, massive amount of data at all levels (molecular, supramolecular, cellular and so on) of biological complexity. So far, mostly classical computational efforts have been dedicated to the simulation, prediction or de novo design of biomolecules, in order to improve the understanding of their function or to develop novel therapeutics. At a higher level of complexity, the progress of omics disciplines (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) has prompted researchers to develop informatics means to describe and annotate new biomolecules identified with a resolution down to the single cell, but also with a high-throughput speed. Machine learning approaches have been implemented to both the modelling studies and the handling of biomedical data. Quantum computing (QC) approaches hold the promise to resolve, speed up or refine the analysis of a wide range of these computational problems. Here, we review and comment on recently developed QC algorithms for biocomputing, with a particular focus on multi-scale modelling and genomic analyses. Indeed, differently from other computational approaches such as protein structure prediction, these problems have been shown to be adequately mapped onto quantum architectures, the main limit for their immediate use being the number of qubits and decoherence effects in the available quantum machines. Possible advantages over the classical counterparts are highlighted, along with a description of some hybrid classical/quantum approaches, which could be the closest to be realistically applied in biocomputation.
Greater Consideration of Animals Will Enhance Coastal Restoration Outcomes
Authors: Sievers Michael , Brown Christopher J , Buelow Christina A , Hale Robin , Ostrowski Andria , Saunders Megan I , Silliman Brian R , Swearer Stephen E , Turschwell Mischa P , Valdez Stephanie R , Connolly Rod M
Published: October 2022

As efforts to restore coastal habitats accelerate, it is critical that investments are targeted to most effectively mitigate and reverse habitat loss and its impacts on biodiversity. One likely but largely overlooked impediment to effective restoration of habitat-forming organisms is failing to explicitly consider non-habitat-forming animals in restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring. These animals can greatly enhance or degrade ecosystem function, persistence, and resilience. Bivalves, for instance, can reduce sulfide stress in seagrass habitats and increase drought tolerance of saltmarsh vegetation, whereas megaherbivores can detrimentally overgraze seagrass or improve seagrass seed germination, depending on the context. Therefore, understanding when, why, and how to directly manipulate or support animals can enhance coastal restoration outcomes. In support of this expanded restoration approach, we provide a conceptual framework, incorporating lessons from structured decision-making, and describe potential actions that could lead to better restoration outcomes using case studies to illustrate practical approaches.
Clinical bracket failure rates between different bonding techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dudás Csaba , Czumbel László Márk , Kiss Szabolcs , Gede Noémi , Hegyi Péter , Mártha Krisztina , Varga Gábor
Published: October 2022

Background

Bracket failure increases the treatment time of orthodontic therapy and burdens patients with unnecessary costs, increased chair time, and possible new appointments.

Objective

To compare the bond failures of different orthodontic materials based on the results of available clinical studies.

Search methods

A systematic search of clinical trials was performed in the Cochrane, Embase, and Pubmed databases with no limitations. The list of investigated techniques contained conventional acid-etch primer (CM-AEP), self-etch primer (SEP), self-cure resin (SCR), and simple or resin-modified glass ionomer (RM-GIC) materials and procedures.

Selection criteria

Clinical studies reporting the failure rate of bonded brackets after using direct adhesive techniques on buccal sites of healthy teeth were included.

Data collection and analysis

Bracket failure rates from eligible studies were extracted by two authors independently. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled using the random-effects model with DerSimonian–Laird estimation.

Results

Thirty-four publications, involving 1221 patients, were included. Our meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in the risk of bracket failures between SEP and CM-AEP. After 6, 12, and 18 months of bonding, the values of RR were 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67–1.61], 1.37 (95% CI, 0.98–1.92), and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.72–1.20), respectively. At 18 months, bracket failure was 4.9 and 5.2% for SEP and CM-AEP, respectively. Heterogeneity was good or moderate (I2 < 42.2%). The results of RM-GIC at 12 months indicated a 57% lower risk of bracket failure using SCR as compared with RM-GIC (RR: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.24–0.61). At 18 months, bracket failures for SCR and RM-GIC were 15.8 and 36.6%, respectively (RR: 0.44; 95% CI, 0.37–0.52, I2 = 78.9%), demonstrating three to six times higher failure rate than in the case of etching primer applications.

Limitations

A major limitation of the present work is that the included clinical trials, with no exceptions, showed variable levels of risk of bias. Another possible problem affecting the outcome is the difference between the clustering effects of the split mouth and the parallel group bracket allocation methods.

Conclusions and implications

The results revealed no significant difference between SEP and CM-AEP up to 18 months after application. RM-GIC had much worse failure rates than acid-etching methods; additionally, the superiority of SCR over RM-GIC was evident, indicating strong clinical relevance.

Registration

Prospero with CRD42020163362.
A broad, exposome-type evaluation of xenobiotic phase II biotransformation in human biofluids by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Fareed Yasmin , Braun Dominik , Flasch Mira , Globisch Daniel , Warth Benedikt
Published: October 2022

Xenobiotics are chemicals foreign to a specific organism that humans are exposed to on a daily basis through their food, drugs, and the environment. These molecules are frequently metabolized to increase polarity and subsequent excretion. During sample preparation, deconjugation of phase II metabolites is a critical step to capture the total exposure to chemicals in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assays. Knowledge on deconjugation efficiencies of different enzymes and the extent of conjugation in human biofluids has primarily been investigated for single compounds or individual chemical classes. In this study, the performance of three β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase mixtures from Helix pomatia, from recombinant sources (BGS™), and from Escherichia coli combined with recombinant arylsulfatase (ASPC™) was compared and the efficiency of phase II deconjugation was monitored in breast milk, urine, and plasma. An innovative LC-MS/MS biomonitoring method encompassing more than 80 highly diverse xenobiotics (e.g., plasticizers, industrial chemicals, mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and pesticides) was utilized for the comprehensive investigation of phase II conjugation in breast milk and urine samples obtained from breastfeeding women. Overall, it was confirmed that H. pomatia is the most efficient enzyme in hydrolyzing different classes of xenobiotics for future exposome-scale biomonitoring studies. The recombinant BGS™ formulation, however, provided better results for breast milk samples, primarily due to lower background contamination, a major issue when employing the typically applied crude H. pomatia extracts. A deeper understanding of the global xenobiotic conjugation patterns will be essential for capturing environmental and food-related exposures within the exposome framework more comprehensively.
Developing Military Doctors: An Institutional Approach to Medical Force Readiness in Graduate Medical Education
Authors: Wellington Trevor , Hunninghake John C , Nelson Vincente S , Nelson Alexis E , Sjulin Tyson J , Chin Eric , Pope Necia M , True Mark W , Markelz Ana Elizabeth
Published: October 2022

Military physicians are required to not only meet civilian accreditation standards upon completion of their Graduate Medical Education (GME) training programs but also be proficient in the military-unique aspects of their field, including medical care in austere environments and management of combat casualties. They must also be familiar with the administrative and leadership aspects of military medicine, which are often absent from the training curriculum. The San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium Military Readiness Committee, by incorporating questions of military relevance into each GME program’s mandatory Annual Program Evaluation, identified curricular gaps upon which military readiness training objectives and opportunities were developed. These activities included a lecture series on the sustainment of medical and military readiness, an interactive procedural skills training event, trainee involvement in operational pre-deployment exercises, and the development of an elective operational rotation in Honduras. The Military Readiness Committee provides a model for other military GME institutions to develop training goals and opportunities to strengthen the preparedness of their trainees for military service.
Credit Supply Shocks: Financing Real Growth or Takeovers?
Authors: Berg Tobias , Streitz Daniel , Wedow Michael
Published: October 2022

How do firms invest when financial constraints are relaxed? We document that firms affected by a large positive credit supply shock predominantly increase borrowing for transaction-based purposes. These treated firms have larger asset and employment growth rates; however, growth entirely stems from the increased takeover activity. Announcement returns indicate a low quality of the credit-supply-induced takeover activity. These results offer the possibility that credit-driven growth can simply reflect redistribution, rather than net gains in assets or employment. (JEL G21, G23, G31, G32)

Received June 29, 2021; editorial decision August 18, 2022 by Editor Andrew Ellul. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Ureteroscopy during pregnancy: Outcomes and lessons learned over 4 decades at a tertiary center in Norway
Authors: Juliebø-Jones Patrick , Beisland Christian , Gjengstø Peder , Baug Stephen , Ulvik Øyvind
Published: October 2022

Background

The management of suspected kidney stone disease in pregnancy is challenging. In cases of persistent flank pain and where investigations may have rendered equivocal results, ureteroscopy (URS) is a recognized diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the safety and outcomes associated with performing URS during pregnancy, as the technique has evolved over the past 4 decades at our center.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of pregnant patients who underwent URS at our tertiary center between 1984 and 2022. Outcomes of interest included anesthetic approach, operative time, hospital stay, and complications.

Results

Eighty-seven pregnant patients underwent 96 URS procedures, and 60% (n = 57) of these procedures were performed during the third trimester. Overall, 58% (n = 56) of the procedures were achieved with local anesthesia and light sedation. During the most recent decade, the latter was successfully carried out in 97% of the procedures, with the remainder occurring under spinal anesthesia as per patient choice. Overall, 57% (n = 50) of the whole study group had ureteral calculi found at the time of surgery and in 88% (n = 44) of these cases, fragmentation/extraction was performed. The remainder had insertion of ureteral stent with definitive clearance deferred until postpartum. Mean operative time and postprocedure hospital stay was 33 minutes (range, 7–100 minutes) and 2.2 days (range, 0–16 days), respectively. The overall intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 2% and 11%, respectively. During the final decade, the latter improved to 6% and all adverse events were minor (Clavien I/II), with the exception of a single case. Regarding exit strategy, ureteral stent was placed in 42% (n = 40) of the procedures, 23% (n = 22) had ureteral catheter inserted, and the remainder (35%, n = 34) had none.

Conclusions

Ureteroscopy can be safely performed during pregnancy using anesthetic approach with local anesthesia and light sedation. Development of a local protocol and multidisciplinary management algorithm are instrumental in enabling the delivery of such a service.
Exact Mediation Analysis for Ordinal Outcome and Binary Mediator
Authors: Stanghellini Elena , Kateri Maria
Published: October 2022

With reference to a single mediator context, this brief report presents a model-based strategy to estimate counterfactual direct and indirect effects when the response variable is ordinal and the mediator is binary. Postulating a logistic regression model for the mediator and a cumulative logit model for the outcome, we present the exact parametric formulation of the causal effects, thereby extending previous work that only contained approximated results. The identification conditions are equivalent to the ones already established in the literature. The effects can be estimated by making use of standard statistical software and standard errors can be computed via a bootstrap algorithm. To make the methodology accessible, routines to implement the proposal in R are presented in the eAppendix; http://links.lww.com/EDE/B962. We also derive the natural effect model coherent with the postulated data-generating mechanism.
Pathology of Immunotherapy-induced Responses in Cutaneous Melanoma: Current Evidences and Future Perspectives
Authors: Indini Alice , Lombardo Maurizio , Sidoni Angelo , Gianatti Andrea , Mandalà Mario , Massi Daniela
Published: October 2022

Over the last years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated remarkable anti-tumor activity and beneficial effects in patients with early and advanced melanoma. However, ICIs provide clinical benefit only in a minority of patients due to primary and/or acquired resistance mechanisms. Immunotherapy resistance is a complex phenomenon relying on genetic and epigenetic factors, which ultimately influence the interplay between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. Information is accumulating on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the production of resistance and the resulting diminished therapeutic efficacy. In addition, current knowledge on predictors of response and toxicity to immunotherapy and on biomarkers that reliably identify resistant patients is in progress. In this review, we will focus on the tumor microenvironment changes induced by ICIs in melanoma, summarizing the available evidence of clinical trials in the neoadjuvant and metastatic setting. We will also overview the role of potential biomarkers in predicting disease response to ICIs, providing insight into current and future research in this field.
Public Health Workforce Perceptions About Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Results From PH WINS 2021
Authors: Owens-Young Jessica L. , Leider Jonathon P. , Bell Caryn N.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

In response to calls to achieve racial equity, racism has been declared as a public health crisis. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an approach public health organizations are pursuing to address racial inequities in health. However, public health workforce perceptions about organizational commitment to DEI have not yet been assessed. Using a nationally representative survey of public health practitioners, we examine how perceptions about supervisors' and managers' commitment to DEI and their ability to support a diverse workforce relate to perceptions of organizational culture around DEI.

Methods:

Data from the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) to examine the relationship between public health employees' perceptions about their organization's commitment to DEI and factors related to those perceptions. PH WINS received 44 732 responses (35% response rate). We calculated descriptive statistics and constructed a logistic regression model to assess these relationships.

Results:

Findings show that most public health employees perceive that their organizations are committed to DEI; however, perceptions about commitment to DEI vary by race, ethnicity, gender identity, and organizational setting. Across all settings, White respondents were more likely to agree with the statement, “My organization prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion” (range, 70%-75%), than Black/African American (range, 55%-65%) and Hispanic/Latino respondents (range, 62.5%-72.5%). Perception that supervisors worked well with individuals with diverse backgrounds had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 5.37 (P < .001); organizational satisfaction had an AOR of 4.45 (P < .001). Compared with White staff, all other racial and ethnic groups had lower AOR of reporting their organizations prioritized DEI, with Black/African American staff being the lowest (AOR = 0.55), followed by Hispanic/Latino staff (AOR = 0.71) and all other staff (AOR = 0.82).

Conclusions:

These differences suggest that there are opportunities for organizational DEI commitment to marginalized public health staff to further support DEI and racial equity efforts. Building a diverse public health workforce pipeline will not be sufficient to achieve health equity if staff perceive that their organization does not prioritize DEI.
Assessment of a Brief Standardized Obstetric Ultrasound Training Program for Individuals Without Prior Ultrasound Experience
Authors: Erlick Mariah , Marini Thomas , Drennan Kathryn , Dozier Ann , Castaneda Benjamin , Baran Timothy , Toscano Marika
Published: October 2022

Obstetric volume sweep imaging (OB VSI) is a simple set of transducer movements guided by external body landmarks that can be taught to ultrasound-naive non-experts. This approach can increase access to ultrasound in rural/low-resources settings lacking trained sonographers. This study presents and evaluates a training program for OB VSI. Six trainees without previous formal ultrasound experience received a training program on the OB VSI protocol containing focused didactics and supervised live hands-on ultrasound scanning practice. Trainees then independently performed 194 OB VSI examinations on pregnancies >14 weeks with known prenatal ultrasound abnormalities. Images were reviewed by maternal-fetal medicine specialists for the primary outcome (protocol deviation rates) and secondary outcomes (examination quality and image quality). Protocol deviation was present in 25.8% of cases, but only 7.7% of these errors affected the diagnostic potential of the ultrasound. Error rate differences between trainees ranged from 8.6% to 53.8% (P < 0.0001). Image quality was excellent or acceptable in 88.2%, and 96.4% had image quality capable of yielding a diagnostic interpretation. The frequency of protocol deviations decreased over time in the majority of trainees, demonstrating retention of training program over time. This brief OB VSI training program for ultrasound-naive non-experts yielded operators capable of producing high-quality images capable of diagnostic interpretation after 3 hours of training. This training program could be adapted for use by local community members in low-resource/rural settings to increase access to obstetric ultrasound.
Energy-based advection modelling using bond graphs
Authors: Gawthrop Peter J. , Pan Michael
Published: October 2022

Advection, the
transport
of a substance by the flow of a fluid, is a key process in biological systems. The energy-based bond graph approach to modelling chemical
transformation
within reaction networks is extended to include
transport
and thus advection. The approach is illustrated using a simple model of advection via circulating flow and by a simple pharmacokinetic model of anaesthetic gas uptake. This extension provides a physically consistent framework for linking advective flows with the fluxes associated with chemical reactions within the context of physiological systems in general and the human physiome in particular.