bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Adolescents and Parents See Their Moral Responsibilities With Regard to Adolescents Using Alcohol—A Deductive Secondary Analysis
Authors: Mynttinen Mari A. , Mishina Kaisa E. , Kangasniemi Mari K.
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

This study described how adolescents and the parents saw their moral responsibilities with regard to adolescents using alcohol.

METHODS

This was a deductive secondary analysis, based on Hart's taxonomy of moral responsibility. The primary studies were based on 19 group interviews with 87 adolescents aged 14‐16 and 17 interviews with 20 parents. Voluntary participants were recruited by purposive sampling from two public schools in Finland.

RESULTS

Role responsibilities comprised of adolescents taking care of themselves and parents providing authority figures and helping adolescents to make rational decisions about alcohol. Capacity responsibilities referred to adolescents' abilities to make independent decisions on using alcohol and their developing abilities to control their actions. Parents required abilities to get involved in and show an interest in their children's everyday lives. Causal responsibilities focused on ensuring that adolescents did not cause harm when they used alcohol, and parents had to acknowledge and react to the consequences. Liability responsibilities were about the law on alcohol use and responsibilities for any legal consequences. The role schools could play was important.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents and parents had wide‐ranging responsibilities related to the adolescents' using alcohol and school nurses could play an important role in healthy decisions.
Targeted screening for congenital cytomegalovirus: A micro‐costing analysis
Authors: Gillespie Alanna N , Dalziel Kim , Webb Emma , Wong Janis , Jones Cheryl A , Sung Valerie ,   the HearS‐cCMV Project
Published: October 2022

Aim

We aimed to determine the cost and potential cost‐savings of delivering a targeted congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening programme through a universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programme to detect cCMV‐related hearing loss in infants from Victoria, Australia.

Methods

We completed a micro‐costing analysis from a health‐care perspective using data from a targeted cCMV screening programme piloted between June 2019 and March 2020. The programme involved collection of saliva samples to test for cCMV in infants who: received a ‘refer’ result on their second newborn hearing screen; were aged 21 days or less; and born at one of four maternity hospitals in Victoria, Australia. All costs to complete targeted cCMV screening were recorded in Australian 2020 dollars. Potential costs and benefits of adding targeted cCMV screening to the pre‐existing UNHS programme were compared to when no screening was available up to 18 years to determine the likely cost or cost savings.

Results

The cost of adding targeted cCMV screening to Victoria's UNHS is $202 per infant screened. The total cost per positive case identified is $21 456. The overall cost of adding targeted salivary cCMV screening at the point of a second ‘refer’ result on the UNHS programme in Victoria's four largest hospitals is estimated to be $28 966 for the first year.

Conclusion

Targeted screening for cCMV provides families the opportunity to detect and, if appropriate, treat cCMV in the first month of life in line with current recommendations. It falls within the range between cost neutral and cost saving.
The association between congenital cytomegalovirus infection and cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ong Leong Tung , Fan Si Wei David
Published: October 2022

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection, affecting 1% of all live births. Intrauterine infection such as CMV infection is a risk factor for developing cerebral palsy. This study aims to investigate the association between congenital CMV infection and the development of cerebral palsy. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Ovid SP to identify relevant studies. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The random‐effect model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence. The generic inverse variance method was used for statistical analysis. A total of 12 studies were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of cerebral palsy among patients diagnosed with congenital CMV infection was 26% (95% confidence interval (CI), 13–40%). The overall pooled prevalence of congenital CMV infection among patients with cerebral palsy was 10.9% (95% CI, 5–16%). Congenital CMV infection was significantly associated with the development of cerebral palsy in children. Routine follow‐ups should be offered to screen for cerebral palsy.
Understanding adolescent girls' and young women's health‐seeking for female genital cosmetic surgery: How can clinicians help their patients?
Authors: Barnard Emma , Gillam Lynn , Grover Sonia , Guillemin Marilys
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to understand why adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) would seek consultation with a health professional about genital appearance concerns and/or request female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS). The information derived from these participant interviews can inform clinical practice and help clinicians better navigate consultations with young women and girls requesting FGCS.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with AGYW (n = 11) in Victoria, Australia. Participants comprised 11 AGYW who sought consultation with a health professional when aged 13–19 years for genital appearance concerns and/or requests for FGCS. Key themes were identified using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Of 11 participants, five had undergone FGCS between the ages of 13 and 23 years. Key reasons for seeking a consultation identified in the interviews included: ideas about what ‘normal’ genitals look like, experiences of sexual harassment and bullying, and concerns about genital appearance developing before sexual debut.

Conclusions

It is important to understand why AGYW want to access these procedures, given the risks involved, and that FGCS is not recommended by paediatric specialist organisations. Understanding why AGYW seek consultation for FGCS can help inform clinical practice, and the views expressed by participants in this study can help clinicians who work in this area to better support their patients.
A nonparametric predictive regression model using partitioning estimators based on Taylor expansions
Authors: Olmo Jose
Published: October 2022

This article proposes a nonparametric predictive regression model. The unknown function modeling the predictive relationship is approximated using polynomial Taylor expansions applied over disjoint intervals covering the support of the predictor variable. The model is estimated using the theory on partitioning estimators that is extended to a stationary time series setting. We show pointwise and uniform convergence of the proposed estimator and derive its asymptotic normality. These asymptotic results are applied to test for the presence of predictive ability. We develop an asymptotic pointwise test of predictive ability using the critical values of a Normal distribution, and a uniform test with asymptotic distribution that is approximated using ap‐value transformation and Wild bootstrap methods. These theoretical insights are illustrated in an extensive simulation exercise and also in an empirical application to forecasting high‐frequency based realized volatility measures. Our results provide empirical support to the presence of nonlinear autoregressive predictability of these measures for the constituents of the Dow Jones index.
System identification using autoregressive Bayesian neural networks with nonparametric noise models
Authors: Merkatas Christos , Särkkä Simo
Published: October 2022

System identification is of special interest in science and engineering. This article is concerned with a system identification problem arising in stochastic dynamic systems, where the aim is to estimate the parameters of a system along with its unknown noise processes. In particular, we propose a Bayesian nonparametric approach for system identification in discrete time nonlinear random dynamical systems assuming only the order of the Markov process is known. The proposed method replaces the assumption of Gaussian distributed error components with a flexible family of probability density functions based on Bayesian nonparametric priors. Additionally, the functional form of the system is estimated by leveraging Bayesian neural networks, which leads to flexible uncertainty quantification. Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampler within a Gibbs sampler for posterior inference is proposed and its effectiveness is illustrated in real time series.
Movement and activity of endangered Asiatic lions in relation to land‐use, season and group characteristics
Authors: Ram M. , Vasavada D. , Tikadar S. , Jhala L. S. , Zala Y. , Meena V.
Published: October 2022

We studied the activity patterns and movement characteristics of 19 Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo) monitored through satellite radio‐collars equipped with activity sensors. We investigated the variations in the daily distance covered (movement) and the daily activity patterns from acceleration sensors (activity) in relation to season, group size, age and sex. We hypothesised that for the Asiatic lions: (1) the movement and activity should be variable in relation to demographic parameters (age, sex and social status) and (2) the land tenure characteristics, such as home range and daily distance moved, may be variable within and outside Gir PA (PA). Adult lions' mean daytime activity was 20.37 ± 11.15, while the daily distance moved was 5.1 ± 4.0 km. There was a significant difference in the mean daily distance between males and females, but none between adult and sub‐adult males. Females showed significantly less activity and movement compared to adult males. Adult males were significantly more active than sub‐adult males. Compared to within PA, the mean daily movement for adult males and females ranging outside PA was not different but more significant for sub‐adult males. At the same time, the home ranges are larger outside PA compared to within PA. The difference in space use outside PA was an artefact of long distance forays by adult and sub‐adult males and females on certain days. The foraying distances showed a characteristic pattern for sub‐adult males, adult males and females. We recommend incorporating such intra‐specific variation in movement behaviour due to age–sex and lions' life‐history requirements in conservation planning. We further recommend a detailed investigation of resource and habitat use considering demographic variability for implementing management action for conserving Asiatic lions in multi‐use landscapes.
Enhancing crop yields through improvements in the efficiency of photosynthesis and respiration
Authors: Garcia Andres , Gaju Oorbessy , Bowerman Andrew F. , Buck Sally A. , Evans John R. , Furbank Robert T. , Gilliham Matthew , Millar A. Harvey , Pogson Barry J. , Reynolds Matthew P. , Ruan Yong‐Ling , Taylor Nicolas L. , Tyerman Stephen D. , Atkin Owen K.
Published: October 2022

The rate with which crop yields per hectare increase each year is plateauing at the same time that human population growth and other factors increase food demand. Increasing yield potential () of crops is vital to address these challenges. In this review, we explore a component of that has yet to be optimised – that being improvements in the efficiency with which light energy is converted into biomass () via modifications to CO2 fixed per unit quantum of light (α), efficiency of respiratory ATP production () and efficiency of ATP use (). For α, targets include changes in photoprotective machinery, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase kinetics and photorespiratory pathways. There is also potential for to be increased via targeted changes to the expression of the alternative oxidase and mitochondrial uncoupling pathways. Similarly, there are possibilities to improve via changes to the ATP costs of phloem loading, nutrient uptake, futile cycles and/or protein/membrane turnover. Recently developed high‐throughput measurements of respiration can serve as a proxy for the cumulative energy cost of these processes. There are thus exciting opportunities to use our growing knowledge of factors influencing the efficiency of photosynthesis and respiration to create a step‐change in yield potential of globally important crops.
Physiological responses of fen mosses along a nitrogen gradient point to competition restricting their fundamental niches
Authors: Jaszczuk Izabela , Kotowski Wiktor , Kozub Łukasz , Kreyling Jürgen , Jabłońska Ewa
Published: October 2022

Nutrient availability determines vegetation patterns and ecological functioning of intact groundwater‐fed peatlands (fens). Bryophytes, commonly referred to as ‘brown mosses', dominate calcareous fens (rich fens), are an integral part of their unique biodiversity and contribute significantly to peat formation and carbon sequestration. Brown mosses are replaced by vascular plants as nutrient availability increases. The decline of brown mosses may either be due to their physiological intolerance of high nutrient levels or to them being outcompeted by vascular plants. We aimed to distinguish between these two hypotheses by investigating whether the ecological optima reflect the physiological optima of brown mosses. Eight brown moss species, common in calcareous fens of the northern hemisphere, were grown under a gradient of nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Biomass increment, chlorophyll content and biomass nutrient concentration were measured. All brown moss species studied achieved the highest growth rates and chlorophyll contents when grown under conditions of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations higher than those where they occur naturally at the highest frequency. Two of the species showed no growth saturation even at the highest levels of nutrient availability, while the others appeared potassium‐limited at the highest N and P levels. Brown mosses dominate natural fens at the lower edge of their physiological optimum in terms of nutrient availability, i.e. their realized niche is much narrower than the fundamental one. Based on the literature, we argue that it is the competition for light with vascular plants which limits the occurrence of brown mosses in nutrient‐rich habitats and prevents them from occupying their entire fundamental niche.
Usefulness of the Kinect‐V2 System for Determining the Global Gait Index to Assess Functional Recovery after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Cho Hong Man , Seon Jangwon , Park JiYeon , Ahn Jihoon , Lee Young
Published: October 2022

Objective

The Korean Knee Society (KKS) score is used for functional evaluation during follow‐up after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but it is time‐consuming to measure and is limited by its subjective nature. We investigated whether the global gait asymmetry index (GGA) that can be obtained using the Kinect‐V2 system could overcome the KKS limitations.

Methods

Forty‐three patients who underwent TKA from January 2019 to December 2019 were included. Postoperatively, regular follow‐up was performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks, and at 4, 6, and 12 months. At each follow‐up visit, the KKS was measured, and the walking path was followed with six Kinect‐V2 systems. After allowing the participants to walk naturally, the range of motion of each joint of the lower extremity and GGA were obtained. Changes in the KKS and GGA scores and measurement times were investigated until the final follow‐up. A statistical model was made to predict the KKS from the GGA score using data at all observed time points, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Turkey's post‐hoc tests and Pearson correlation tests were used for evaluation.

Results

Both the KKS and GGA scores improved significantly from 4 weeks postoperatively until the final follow‐up. The measurement time was significantly shorter for the GGA (9.3 ± 1.4 min) than for the KKS (32.4 ± 9.2 min; P < 0.001) score. The predicted and actual KKS values clustered close to a straight line on the scatter plot, but the prediction was less accurate in the initial stage (2 weeks post‐surgery) than at later time points. The mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square of the error (RMSE) were considered to be poorly predicted in the initial stage (8 weeks post‐surgery) compared to the later time‐points (MAE ≥ 5 and RMSE ≥ 6 for 8 weeks post‐surgery).

Conclusion

In the early phase after knee joint surgery (up to 12 weeks post‐surgery), the GGA index does not predict the KKS well. However, after this time point, the GGA index can be simply measured in the outpatient department and may be able to replace the KKS. Thus, evaluation of the GGA index using the Kinect‐V2 may be a useful method to evaluate functional recovery in the outpatient clinic after knee joint surgery.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Negative Spine Trauma Followed by a Delayed Intravertebral Vacuum Cleft–Kümmell's Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Gou Pengguo , Jing Wanli , Zhou Jiaming , Wang Rui , Wang Zun , Chang Feng , Xue Yuan
Published: October 2022

Background

Kümmell's disease (KD) is a rare clinical entity characterized by delayed post‐traumatic vertebral body collapse, in which an intravertebral vacuum cleft (IVC) is formed. The patient sustained a minor spinal trauma, and their spine X‐ray examinations were negative. However, after an asymptomatic period of months, they developed recurrent back pain because of the progressive vertebral collapse of the affected spine. However, no imaging examination could confirm the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐negative initial spinal trauma followed by delayed vertebral collapse with IVC.

Case Presentation

We report a case of KD occurring in a 66‐year‐old postmenopausal patient whose lumbar MRI on sagittal planes were immediately performed following the initial trauma (a ground‐level fall) and revealed that the vertebral integrity or connectivity was not interrupted and the marrow signal was even. After an asymptomatic period of 8 months, the back pain reappeared and progressively exacerbated. The wedge‐shaped change in the T11 vertebra with an IVC was confirmed by lumbar computed tomography and MRI. Finally, KD was diagnosed following extensive routine hematological and biochemical workups. Percutaneous kyphoplasty was performed to relieve her back pain by restoring her vertebral stability.

Conclusions

We confirmed that the OVF was not the first step in the KD sequence, and the IVC ‐ KD ‐ could from an initial MRI‐negative spine trauma.
The early bud gets the cold: Diverging spring phenology drives exposure to late frost in aPicea mariana[(Mill.)BSP] common garden
Authors: Mura Claudio , Buttò Valentina , Silvestro Roberto , Deslauriers Annie , Charrier Guillaume , Raymond Patricia , Rossi Sergio
Published: October 2022

Under climate change, the increasing occurrence of late frost combined with advancing spring phenology can increase the risk of frost damage in trees. In this study, we tested the link between intra‐specific variability in bud phenology and frost exposure and damages. We analysed the effects of the 2021 late frost event in a black spruce (Picea mariana(Mill.) BSP) common garden in Québec, Canada. We hypothesised that the timing of budbreak drives the exposure of vulnerable tissues and explains differences in frost damage. Budbreak was monitored from 2015 to 2021 in 371 trees from five provenances originating between 48° and 53° N and planted in a common garden at 48° N. Frost damages were assessed on the same trees through the proportion of damaged buds per tree and related to the phenological phases by ordinal regressions. After an unusually warm spring, minimum temperatures fell to −1.9°C on May 28 and 29, 2021. At this moment, trees from the northern provenances were more advanced in their phenology and showed more frost damage. Provenances with earlier budbreak had a higher probability of damage occurrence according to ordinal regression. Our study highlights the importance of intra‐specific variability of phenological traits on the risk of frost exposure. We provide evidence that the timings of bud phenology affect sensitivity to frost, leading to damages at temperatures of −1.9°C. Under the same conditions, the earlier growth reactivation observed in the northern provenances increases the risks of late frost damage on the developing buds.
Effects of the learning tasks and the leadership profile of the coach on the perception of decision‐making in young
Authors: de Albuquerque Luís Rogério , Scheeren Eduardo , Vagetti Gislaine , Oliveira Valdomiro
Published: October 2022

The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of the learning tasks and leadership profile of the coach on the subjective perception of decision‐making. In total, 910 Brazilian adolescents (14.00 ± 1.8 years) and 57 Brazilian coaches (45.57 ± 7.25 years) were included in the study, participants of a sports program in 37 public schools in the city of Curitiba in the state of Paraná. Ordinal logistic regression was used to verify the independent associations between the variables and the tertiles of the scores for each decision‐making characteristic. The small‐sized game learning tasks were positively associated with commitment to decision‐making learning (CR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01–1.49). Positive associations were also found between the coaches' leadership profile and decision‐making competence.
Systematics and evolution of predatory flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) based on exon‐capture sequencing
Authors: Mengual Ximo , Mayer Christoph , Burt Trevor O. , Moran Kevin M. , Dietz Lars , Nottebrock Gaby , Pauli Thomas , Young Andrew D. , Brasseur Marie V. , Kukowka Sandra , Kelso Scott , Etzbauer Claudia , Bot Sander , Hauser Martin , Jordaens Kurt , Miranda Gil F. G. , Ståhls Gunilla , van Steenis Wouter , Peters Ralph S. , Skevington Jeffrey H.
Published: October 2022

Flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are one of the most species‐rich dipteran families and provide important ecosystem services such as pollination, biological control of pests, recycling of organic matter and redistributions of essential nutrients. Flower fly adults generally feed on pollen and nectar, but their larval feeding habits are strikingly diverse. In the present study, high‐throughput sequencing was used to capture and enrich phylogenetically and evolutionary informative exonic regions. With the help of the baitfisher software, we developed a new bait kit (SYRPHIDAE1.0) to target 1945 CDS regions belonging to 1312 orthologous genes. This new bait kit was successfully used to exon capture the targeted loci in 121 flower fly species across the different subfamilies of Syrphidae. We analysed different amino acid and nucleotide data sets (1302 loci and 154 loci) with maximum likelihood and multispecies coalescent models. Our analyses yielded highly supported similar topologies, although the degree of the SRH (global stationarity, reversibility and homogeneity) conditions varied greatly between amino acid and nucleotide data sets. The sisterhood of subfamilies Pipizinae and Syrphinae is supported in all our analyses, confirming a common origin of taxa feeding on soft‐bodied arthropods. Based on our results, we define Syrphini stat.rev. to include the genera Toxomerus and Paragus. Our divergence estimate analyses with beast inferred the origin of the Syrphidae in the Lower Cretaceous (125.5–98.5 Ma) and the diversification of predatory flower flies around the K–Pg boundary (70.61–54.4 Ma), coinciding with the rise and diversification of their prey.
Management of term breech presentation
Authors: Timmons Paul , Wallis Victoria , Walker Shawn , Alleemudder Djavid
Published: October 2022

Key content

While most breech babies are delivered by caesarean section, a small number are born vaginally.

Detailed counselling and an accoucher skilled in vaginal breech birth (VBB) are essential for offering the modality.

External cephalic version (ECV) is safe, acceptable to most women, has few contraindications and increases vaginal birth rates.

Undiagnosed term breech presentation can largely be prevented by routine third‐trimester ultrasound.

Research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of VBB simulation training in clinical practice.

Learning objectives

To understand the evidence base around breech presentation at term, including ECV, VBB, caesarean section and adjunctive methods of cephalic version.

To understand the prerequisites for, and contraindications to, VBB.

To understand the principles of physiological breech birth.

To appreciate the variation in management of term breech presentation internationally and understand the impact of various publications.

Ethical issues

With falling rates of VBB, and many units now unable to offer the modality, questions surround the appropriateness of national guidance continuing to present vaginal breech as routine.

Conversations around breech birth isolate discussion of risk to the fetus. Maternal risk, which may extend beyond the current pregnancy, cannot be overlooked.
Relocating to a new facility: The challenge of a cord blood banking transferral in Brazil
Authors: Ogliari Karolyn Sassi , Loth Fabrizio Blank , Halon Maria Laura , Immig Monica Luiza , da Silva Camila Gomes , Ogliari Alícia Sassi , De Lima Brum Dário Eduardo , Beckenkamp Liziane Raquel
Published: October 2022

Background

Our cord blood banking facility planned and executed a transferral of its entire operation to a new site in the South of Brazil. Transporting LN2 freezers is a complex process in which extensive planning is essential to minimize the risks of damaging products or storage units.

Methods

To fulfill this objective, we constructed a detailed relocation plan consisting of four phases and risk mitigation measures, collaborated with the representatives of all departments, regulating agencies, and professionals from the transport company, and assembled a validation plan for cryogenic freezers and the viability of cord blood units.

Results

The new facility was prepared in accordance with the project plan, local legislation, quality system program requirements, and accreditation agency guidance. A 12‐h operation of moving the cryogenic freezers was conducted successfully, with no loss or damage of client samples or equipment.

Conclusion

Through the development and execution of a transferral plan, the engagement of appropriate partners, and compliance with security measures from health and government agencies, a successful transferral of a cord blood banking facility operation in its entirety can be successfully accomplished.
Echocardiographic, thoracic ultrasonographic, and CTA diagnosis of pericardial neoplasia in a dog
Authors: Morey Alice G N , Wiggen Kelly E , De New Kara , Karnia James J
Published: October 2022

A 12‐year‐old male neutered Yorkshire Terrier presented for coughing and respiratory distress. Transthoracic echocardiography initially misdiagnosed the patient with pericardial effusion; repeat echocardiography increased suspicion for neoplasia. A definitive diagnosis was not apparent. Findings on thoracic computed tomography and thoracic ultrasound were consistent with a diffusely thickened, heterogenous, hypoechoic soft tissue structure surrounding the heart. Fine needle aspirates were obtained using ultrasound guidance and routine cytology of the intrapericardial mass was consistent with neoplasia, with pericardial mesothelioma most likely. These novel findings highlight the importance of thoracic ultrasound and potential limitations of echocardiography in diagnosis of pericardial neoplasia.
Modeling Urban Atmospheric Lead Dispersion from a Mining Tailings Basin in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Santos Nelize Lima , Klammler Harald Rene , Leal Luiz Rogério Bastos
Published: October 2022

After the exhaustion of the lead mine in Boquira, Bahia in the 1990s, mining support structures and the tailings basin were abandoned, resulting in one of the largest environmental liabilities from mining in the state. Detailed studies on environmental damages are inexistent and this article aimed to analyze lead contamination in the urban area of the municipality, based on atmospheric dispersion modeling. For this purpose, a model was elaborated and implemented in Matlab R2014a considering houses, streets and air as three coexisting spatial domains. The model uses wind speed and direction as input data and results were calibrated (RMSE = 0.64 on decadal logarithmic scale) against existing measurements taken in 2014 of lead concentrations in street sediments and house dust within the urban area. Results suggested that particulate resuspension from streets and accumulation in houses may explain observed concentration patterns, and that the amount of suspended lead in the air is small compared to that in streets and houses. Additional simulations carried out for a hypothetical future remediation scenario showed that after 200 days the concentrations in the air and in the streets decreased considerably, while they stopped accumulating in houses. Hence, the model may be a potentially useful tool to assist in the evaluation and management of this and other urban areas affected by contamination through atmospheric dispersion of particulates. Consistent with our model formulation, we recommend mass per area for lead concentrations in streets and houses as more meaningful units for exposure risk/intensity than ppm (mass per mass) of street sediment or house dust.
Low frequency acoustic method to measure the complex density of porous materials
Authors: Di Giulio Elio , Napolitano Marialuisa , Di Meglio Armando , Romano Rosario Aniello , Dragonetti Raffaele
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a new acoustic lumped element-based method to measure the complex density of porous materials at low frequency is provided. Based on the electroacoustic analogy of wave propagation inside a porous medium, an analytical derivation of the measurement method is given. Measurements can be performed in a short open tube and by placing the tested sample between an acoustic source (i.e., a loudspeaker) and the open-end section by using two microphones. To validate the methodology, different typologies of porous materials, characterized by different values of the complex wave number k̃ and thickness d, have been tested. The proposed method provides accurate and reliable results when the lumped element hypothesis is satisfied [for absk̃d<0.5] and the radiation impedance is negligible (for k0R<0.5, where k0 is the wavenumber in air and R is the radius of the tube in which the measurements are carried out). It is shown that, by means of the measurements in two configurations with (full) and without (empty) the tested material, the accurate evaluation of the radiation impedance at the open-end section are not required.
Uncontrolled mitochondrial calcium uptake underlies the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in MICU1-deficient mice and patients
Authors: Singh Raghavendra , Bartok Adam , Paillard Melanie , Tyburski Ashley , Elliott Melanie , Hajnóczky György
Published: October 2022

Dysregulation of mitochondrial Ca
2+
homeostasis has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake is mediated via the calcium uniporter complex that is primarily regulated by MICU1, a Ca
2+
-sensing gatekeeper. Recently, human patients with MICU1 loss-of-function mutations were diagnosed with neuromuscular and cognitive impairments. While studies in patient-derived cells revealed altered mitochondrial calcium signaling, the neuronal pathogenesis was difficult to study. To fill this void, we created a neuron-specific MICU1-KO mouse model. These animals show progressive, abnormal motor and cognitive phenotypes likely caused by the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and the cortex. We found increased susceptibility to mitochondrial Ca
2+
overload-induced excitotoxic insults and cell death in MICU1-KO neurons and MICU1-deficient patient-derived cells, which can be blunted by inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Thus, our study identifies altered neuronal mitochondrial Ca
2+
homeostasis as causative in the clinical symptoms of MICU1-deficient patients and highlights potential therapeutic targets.
Enhancing ionic conductivity in solid electrolyte by relocating diffusion ions to under-coordination sites
Authors: Zhu Lei , Wang Youwei , Chen Junchao , Li Wenlei , Wang Tiantian , Wu Jie , Han Songyi , Xia Yuanhua , Wu Yongmin , Wu Mengqiang , Wang Fangwei , Zheng Yi , Peng Luming , Liu Jianjun , Chen Liquan , Tang Weiping
Published: October 2022

Solid electrolytes are highly important materials for improving safety, energy density, and reversibility of electrochemical energy storage batteries. However, it is a challenge to modulate the coordination structure of conducting ions, which limits the improvement of ionic conductivity and hampers further development of practical solid electrolytes. Here, we present a skeleton-retained cationic exchange approach to produce a high-performance solid electrolyte of Li
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
stemming from the NASICON-type superionic conductor of Na
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
. The introduced lithium ions stabilized in under-coordination structures are facilitated to pass through relatively large conduction bottlenecks inherited from the Na
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
precursor. The synthesized Li
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
achieves a low activation energy of 0.21 eV and a high ionic conductivity of 3.59 mS cm
−1
at room temperature. Li
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
not only inherits the satisfactory air survivability from Na
3
Zr
2
Si
2
PO
12
but also exhibits excellent cyclic stability and rate capability when applied to solid-state batteries. The present study opens an innovative avenue to regulate cationic occupancy and make new materials.
Isolation and Genomic Analysis of an Intracellular Mycobacterium gordonae from a Free-Living
Acanthamoeba
sp. in a Hospital Environment in Lima, Peru
Authors: Cabello-Vílchez Alfonso M. , Dávila-Barclay Alejandra , Tsukayama Pablo
Published: October 2022

Mycobacterium gordonae
is a nontuberculous mycobacterium found in diverse environments and is considered an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. We report the draft genome sequence of a
Mycobacterium gordonae
strain isolated from a free-living amoeba found in a nosocomial environment in Lima, Peru.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Herbiconiux
sp. Strain L3-i23 Isolated from Soil in Japan
Authors: Yajima Miona , Yamano Yoshi , Morita Daichi , Sugimoto Sachiko , Kuroda Teruo , Matsunami Katsuyoshi
Published: October 2022

This study describes the complete genome sequence of
Herbiconiux
sp. strain L3-i23, acquired from an assembly of long reads and subsequently polished using short reads. The complete genome comprises a 3,139,863-bp chromosome with a GC content of 69.51% and a circular plasmid (39,507 bp).
Genome Sequence of
Arthrobacter
Phage NathanVaag
Authors: Chong Rebecca A. , Cosse Charlie M. , Gaytan Viviana , Green Dylan S. , Kane Cade J. , Kasal Kirsten A. , Kon Zarek K. , Maxwell Rosa E. , Olaru Vlas , Pham Tuan D. , Precourt MeiLin F. , Romero Joseph R. , Rothschild Wellington J. , Sales Shantelle N. , Sensano Troy D. , Simko Wesley E. , Smith Inugiksuq J. , Toor Mika A. , Wilson Adelaide R. , Porter Megan L.
Published: October 2022

We report the genome sequence of bacteriophage NathanVaag, an actinobacteriophage isolated from soil in El Paso, Texas, that infects
Arthrobacter
sp. strain ATCC 21022. The 49,645-bp genome contains 73 predicted protein-coding genes. Based on gene content similarity to phages in the Actinobacteriophage Database, NathanVaag is assigned to phage cluster AO1.
Managing life-threatening 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity
Authors: Boldig Kimberly , Ganguly Anupriya , Kadakia Meet , Rohatgi Abhinav
Published: October 2022

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a known cardiotoxin, is the backbone for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It is associated with arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Most commonly, it is associated with coronary vasospasm secondary to direct toxic effects on vascular endothelium.

A woman with metastatic colon cancer, originally treated with a 5-FU infusion as part of the FOLFIRI (Folinic acid, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan) regimen, was unable to tolerate the chemotherapy due to chest pain. She was transitioned from infusional 5-FU to inferior 1-hour bolus 5-FU, in an attempt to minimise cardiotoxicity, but had disease progression. A multidisciplinary decision was made to again trial 5-FU infusion and pretreat with diltiazem. She tolerated chemotherapy without adverse events. A multidisciplinary discussion is recommended for co-management of reversible 5-FU-associated cardiotoxicity. After coronary artery disease (CAD) risk stratification and treatment, empiric treatment with calcium channel blockers and/or nitrates may allow patients with suspected coronary vasospasm, from 5-FU, to continue this vital chemotherapy.
Adolescent birth rates and the urban social environment in 363 Latin American cities
Authors: Braverman-Bronstein Ariela , Vidaña-Pérez Dèsirée , Ortigoza Ana F , Baldovino-Chiquillo Laura , Diez-Canseco Francisco , Maslowsky Julie , Sánchez Brisa N. , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Diez Roux Ana V.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Latin America has the second-highest adolescent birth rate (ABR) worldwide. Variation between urban and rural areas and evidence linking country development to ABR points towards upstream factors in the causal pathway. We investigated variation in ABR within and between cities, and whether different features of urban social environments are associated with ABR.

Methods

We included 363 cities in 9 Latin American countries. We collected data on social environment at country, city and subcity levels and birth rates among adolescents (ages 15–19). We investigated variation in ABR within and between countries and cities along with associations between social environment and ABR by fitting three-level negative binomial models (subcities nested within cities nested within countries).

Results

The median subcity ABR was 58.5 per 1000 women 15–19 (IQR 43.0–75.3). We found significant variability in subcity ABR between countries and cities (37% of variance between countries and 47% between cities within countries). Higher homicide rates and greater population growth in cities were associated with higher ABR (rate ratio (RR) 1.09; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12 and RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04, per SD, respectively), while better living conditions and educational attainment in subcities were associated with lower ABR after accounting for other social environment characteristics (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.98 and 0.78; 95% CI 0.76 to 0.79, per SD, respectively).

Conclusions

The large heterogeneity of ABR found within countries and cities highlights the key role urban areas have in developing local policies. Holistic interventions targeting education inequalities and living conditions are likely important to reducing ABR in cities.
Cross-sectional study for COVID-19-related mortality predictors in a Brazilian state-wide landscape: the role of demographic factors, symptoms and comorbidities
Authors: Gustani-Buss Emanuele Gustani , Buss Carlos E , Cavalli Luciane R , Panis Carolina , Tuon Felipe F , Telles Joao P , Follador Franciele A C , Wendt Guilherme W , Lucio Léia C , Ferreto Lirane E D , de Oliveira Isabela M , Carraro Emerson , David Lualis E , Simão Andréa N C , Boldt Angelica B W , Luiza Petzl-Erler Maria , Silva Wilson A , Figueiredo David L A
Published: October 2022

Objective

The Brazilian state of Paraná has suffered from COVID-19 effects, understanding predictors of increased mortality in health system interventions prevent hospitalisation of patients. We selected the best models to evaluate the association of death with demographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities based on three levels of clinical severity for COVID-19: non-hospitalised, hospitalised non-ICU ward and ICU ward.

Design

Cross-sectional survey using binomial mixed models.

Setting

COVID-19-positive cases diagnosed by reverse transcription–PCR of municipalities located in Paraná State.

Patients

Cases of anonymous datasets of electronic medical records from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The best prediction factors were chosen based on criteria after a stepwise analysis using multicollinearity measure, lower Akaike information criterion and goodness-of-fit χ2tests from univariate to multivariate contexts.

Results

Male sex was associated with increased mortality among non-hospitalised patients (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.11) and non-ICU patients (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.43) for symptoms and for comorbidities (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.25, and OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.52, respectively). Higher mortality occurred in patients older than 35 years in non-hospitalised (for symptoms: OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.55 to 10.54; and for comorbidities: OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.27) and in hospitalised over 40 years (for symptoms: OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.08 to 6.87; and for comorbidities: OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.79). Dyspnoea was associated with increased mortality in non-hospitalised (OR 4.14, 95% CI 3.45 to 4.96), non-ICU (OR 2.41, 95% CI 2.04 to 2.84) and ICU (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.72) patients. Neurological disorders (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.46), neoplastic (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.75 to 5.93) and kidney diseases (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.35) showed the majority of increased mortality for ICU as well in the three levels of severity jointly with heart disease, diabetes and CPOD.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of the predictor’s assessment for the implementation of public healthcare policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly to understand how non-pharmaceutical measures could mitigate the virus impact over the population.
Perceived quality of care among households ever enrolled in a community-based health insurance scheme in two districts of northeast Ethiopia: a community-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Hussien Mohammed , Azage Muluken , Bayou Negalign Berhanu
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To examine how clients perceived the quality of healthcare they received and identify associated factors both at the individual and facility levels.

Design

A community-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Two rural districts of northeast Ethiopia, Tehulederie and Kallu.

Participants

1081 rural households who had ever been enrolled in community-based health insurance and visited a health centre at least once in the previous 12 months. Furthermore, 194 healthcare providers participated in the study to provide cluster-level data.

Outcome measures

The outcome variable of interest was the perceived quality of care, which was measured using a 17-item scale. Respondents were asked to rate the degree to which they agreed on 5-point response items relating to their experiences with healthcare in the outpatient departments of nearby health centres. A multilevel linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of perceived quality of care.

Results

The mean perceived quality of care was 70.28 (SD=8.39). Five dimensions of perceived quality of care were extracted from the factor analysis, with the patient-provider communication dimension having the highest mean score (M=77.84, SD=10.12), and information provision having the lowest (M=64.67, SD=13.87). Wealth status, current insurance status, perceived health status, presence of chronic illness and time to a recent health centre visit were individual-level variables that showed a significant association with the outcome variable. At the cluster level, the work experience of healthcare providers, patient volume and an interaction term between patient volume and staff job satisfaction also showed a significant association.

Conclusions

Much work remains to improve the quality of care, especially on information provision and access to care quality dimensions. A range of individual-level and cluster-level characteristics influence the perceived quality of care. For a better quality of care, it is vital to optimise the patient-provider ratio and enhance staff job satisfaction.
Effect of structured rehabilitation versus non-structured rehabilitation following non-surgical management of displaced proximal humerus fractures: a protocol for a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Liaghat Behnam , Brorson Stig
Published: October 2022

Introduction

An increasing number of patients with displaced proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are being offered non-surgical treatment, including short immobilisation and structured rehabilitation. There are no randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing structured rehabilitation with non-structured rehabilitation to investigate the benefits of structured rehabilitation.

Methods and analysis

In this RCT, patients with a displaced PHF will be assessed for eligibility at a Danish university outpatient clinic. Patients with competing injuries or patients offered surgery will be excluded, and randomisation will be 1:1. All patients will receive standard orthopaedic follow-up, including 14-day postinjury immobilisation, and advice about returning to activities of daily living before being allocated to structured rehabilitation in the municipalities or non-structured rehabilitation. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in the Oxford Shoulder Score (0–48 points, 48=best, minimal clinically important difference=10) at 6 months. A sample size of 60 patients will allow us to show a 10-point difference with 80% power.

Ethics and dissemination

Funded by Department of Orthopaedics, Zealand University Hospital (grant number N/A) and Region Zealand Health Science Research Foundation (R32-A1108-B14), 14 January 2022; The Ethics committee in Region Zealand approved (EMN-2022-02449), 8 April 2022. The site opened on 5 May 2022, and the final results will be updated on trial registries, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, and inform rehabilitation strategies after displaced PHFs. Protocol version 1, 21 April 2022.

Trial registration number

NCT05302089.