bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photogrammetric Record Microsoft Word Template
Authors: Author Arthur , Author Maria J. , Author S.
Published: March 2021

This is an example of an original article in the layout expected by The Photogrammetric Record. The abstract is a concise summary of the essential elements of the paper and should not contain detailed results. It should be no longer than 150 words. This template indicates how a paper submitted to the journal should be structured and formatted, including figures, tables, mathematics and references.
How do People Judge Risk? Availability may Upstage Affect in the Construction of Risk Judgments
Authors: Efendić Emir
Published: March 2021

When making risk judgments, people rely on availability and affect as convenient heuristics. The two heuristics share many similarities and yet there have been no or few attempts to ascertain their causal impact on risk judgments. We present an experiment (N = 143) where we varied availability‐by‐recall (thinking of less or more occurrences of someone from one's social network dying) and the affective impact of certain risks (using images). We found that availability‐by‐recall had a stronger impact in constructing risk judgments. Asking people to think of more occurrences led to higher judgments of mortality and higher values placed on a single life, irrespective of changes in affect, risk media coverage, and retrieval time. Affect, however, was not disregarded. Our data suggest a causal mechanism where the retrieval of occurrences leads to changes in affect, which in turn, impact risk judgments. These findings increase understanding of how risk judgments are constructed with the potential to impact risk communication through direct manipulations of availability and affect. We discuss these and other implications of our findings.
Have psychologists increased reporting of outliers in response to the reproducibility crisis?
Authors: Valentine Kathrene D. , Buchanan Erin M. , Cunningham Arielle , Hopke Tabetha , Wikowsky Addie , Wilson Haley
Published: March 2021

Psychology is currently experiencing a “renaissance” where the replication and reproducibility of published reports are at the forefront of conversations in the field. While researchers have worked to discuss possible problems and solutions, work has yet to uncover how this new culture may have altered reporting practices in the social sciences. As outliers and other errant data points can bias both descriptive and inferential statistics, the search for these data points is essential to any analysis using these parameters. We quantified the rates of reporting of outliers and other data within psychology at two time points: 2012 when the replication crisis was born, and 2017, after the publication of reports concerning replication, questionable research practices, and transparency. A total of 2235 experiments were identified and analyzed, finding an increase in reporting from only 15.7% of experiments in 2012 to 25.0% in 2017. We investigated differences across years given the psychological field or statistical analysis that experiment employed. Further, we inspected whether data exclusions mentioned were whole participant observations or data points, and what reasons authors gave for stating the observation was deviant. We conclude that while report rates are improving overall, there is still room for improvement in the reporting practices of psychological scientists which can only aid in strengthening our science.
Entering the Fifth Dimension: modular modernities, psychedelic sensibilities, and the architectures of lived experience
Authors: Dickens Luke , Edensor Tim
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we elaborate on the Fifth Dimension, an extraordinary, largely overlooked architectural example of 1960s psychedelia that was installed in a small Scottish resort town. Made up of 17 domed chambers, each designed to stimulate psychedelic sensory experiences for its intrepid visitors, the Fifth Dimension was the creation of London‐based environmental artist Keith Albarn using his experimental “Ekistikit” modular building system. We argue that the qualities and impacts of this highly inventive, utopian “fun palace” interrogate stereotypical depictions of countercultural, psychedelic creativities. We discuss how they also intersect with current geographical scholarship concerned with sensation, play, and the built environment. Two key elements of the Fifth Dimension are examined. First, building on critical geographies of architecture, we focus on Albarn's innovative system to exemplify how pioneers of environmental design used advanced modular technologies to radically re‐configure the possibilities of dwelling and working in flexible building structures. Second, drawing on aesthetic theories of the sensory, we demonstrate how the structure was designed to stimulate transformative psychedelic sensibilities as a novel form of disruptive politics to induce critical dispositions towards the built environment. Our argument is underpinned by the call for a recuperation of sensational and affective experience in the design and inhabitation of built environments. We contend that this bears particular significance for an emergent geography of play and enchantment.
Ki‐67 assessment—agreeability between immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in canine lymphoma
Authors: Rigillo Antonella , Fuchs‐Baumgartinger Andrea , Sabattini Silvia , Škor Ondrej , Agnoli Chiara , Schwendenwein Ilse , Bettini Giuliano , Rütgen Barbara C.
Published: March 2021

Recent literature suggests a combination of flow cytometric determination of Ki‐67 and immunophenotype as a reliable tool to classify canine lymphomas. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) on histological samples is the gold standard technique assessing Ki‐67 index. Agreement between IHC and FCM derived Ki‐67 indices has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between IHC and FCM in the assessment of Ki‐67 expression/index, in order to evaluate whether FCM may serve as a non‐invasive alternative method for the estimation of proliferative activity in canine lymphoma. Dogs with previously untreated canine lymphoma undergoing diagnostic lymphadenectomy were prospectively enrolled. Ki‐67 expression/index was assessed by FCM and IHC and expressed as percentage of positive cells. 39 dogs classified by histopathology matched the inclusion criteria. With both methods, Ki‐67 expression/index was higher in intermediate/high‐grade lymphomas. Spearman's coefficient of correlation wasρ = 0.57; (95% CI0.33‐0.75) suggesting a moderate correlation. A Bland‐Altman plot revealed a negative constant bias of −3.55 (95% CI: −10.52 to 3.42) with limits of agreement from −45.71 to 38.61. The study confirmed agreement albeit with wide confidence intervals between the values of Ki‐67 expression/index assessed with FCM and IHC. Discrepancies were observed in a subset of cases. Possible explanation could be that Ki‐67 index in IHC is determined in the most proliferative areas of the slide, which could introduce kind of sampling bias, whereas FCM evaluates many more cells in cell suspension. Further studies are warranted to investigate this phenomenon.
Penile urethral resection and anastomosis augmentation with regional tissue tension relieving technique: A cadaveric mechanical study and clinical outcome in two dogs
Authors: Bertran Judith , Ham Kathleen M. , Gibson Jordan F. , Litsky Alan , Kieves Nina R.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To describe penile urethral augmentation anastomosis (PURAA) for resection anastomosis (RA) of the canine penile urethra by using autogenous tissue in two dogs and to determine the mechanical properties of the augmentation technique in cadaveric specimens.

Study design

Cadaveric study and two case reports.

Animals

Sixteen canine cadavers and two dogs with urethral obstruction.

Methods

The lower urogenital system was harvested from cadavers and randomized into two groups: simple (S) and augmented (AUG) RA of the urethra. Tensile strength and peak load were compared between the two groups. Two dogs were treated with PURAA for urethral obstruction secondary to juxtaurethral neoplasms.

Results

Minimal tensile strength (MITS) and maximal tensile strength (MATS) were greater in the AUG group (MITS, 54.36 ± 24.0 N; MATS, 75.37 ± 34.79 N) compared with the S group (MITS, 11.78 ± 4.93 N, P = .0014; MATS, 13.74 ± 3.89 N, P = .0015). Both dogs recovered without complications. Histopathological examinations were consistent with a lipomatous mass in both cases. Both dogs had good medium‐to‐long‐term outcomes.

Conclusion

The augmentation technique improved the tensile properties of penile RA in normal cadavers and was associated with successful outcomes in two dogs.

Clinical significance

Penile urethral augmentation anastomosis may help prevent stricture or leakage secondary to tension at the surgical site after penile urethral RA.
Recent progress and remaining hurdles toward clinical xenotransplantation
Authors: Meier Raphael P.H. , Longchamp Alban , Mohiuddin Muhammad , Manuel Oriol , Vrakas Georgios , Maluf Daniel G. , Buhler Leo H. , Muller Yannick D. , Pascual Manuel
Published: March 2021

Background

Xenotransplantation has made tremendous progress over the last decade.

Methods

We discuss kidney and heart xenotransplantation, which are nearing initial clinical trials.

Results

Life sustaining genetically modified kidney xenografts can now last for approximately 500 days and orthotopic heart xenografts for 200 days in non‐human primates. Anti‐swine specific antibody screening, preemptive desensitization protocols, complement inhibition and targeted immunosuppression are currently being adapted to xenotransplantation with the hope to achieve better control of antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) and improve xenograft longevity. These newest advances could probably facilitate future clinical trials, a significant step for the medical community, given that dialysis remains difficult for many patients and can have prohibitive costs. Performing a successful pig‐to‐human clinical kidney xenograft, that could last for more than a year after transplant, seems feasible but it still has significant potential hurdles to overcome. The risk/benefit balance is progressively reaching an acceptable equilibrium for future human recipients, e.g. those with a life expectancy inferior to two years. The ultimate question at this stage would be to determine if a “proof of concept” in humans is desirable, or whether further experimental/pre‐clinical advances are still needed to demonstrate longer xenograft survival in non‐human primates.

Conclusion

In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in kidney and heart xenotransplantation, with a focus on the prevention and treatment of AMR and on the recipient’s selection, two aspects that will likely be the major points of discussion in the first pig organ xenotransplantation clinical trials.
Loudness and short-term annoyance of sonic boom signatures at low levels
Authors: Töpken Stephan , van de Par Steven
Published: March 2021

Supersonic aircraft produce a sonic boom when flying faster than the speed of sound. To rule out detrimental effects for inhabitants of overflown areas, civil supersonic flights (like the Concorde) were only allowed to fly at supersonic speed when over water. Due to the progress in aircraft design, the supersonic boom may be reduced considerably in the future. In this study, listening tests were carried out with a variety of low boom simulations and conventional sonic boom signatures in a similar level range. Participants rated the loudness and the short-term annoyance of 24 sonic boom signals, which differed in terms of the signature shape and maximum pressure but were confined to a range of A-weighted sound exposure levels around 60 dB(A). The results showed main effects of signature and relative level variation as well as an interaction of the two. Correlation coefficients between the ratings and sound exposure levels were highest for A-weighted sound exposure levels compared to other frequency weightings. Contrary to our expectations, the provision of background information about the nature of the presented sound sources had no statistically significant influence on the ratings.
Large contribution to secondary organic aerosol from isoprene cloud chemistry
Authors: Lamkaddam Houssni , Dommen Josef , Ranjithkumar Ananth , Gordon Hamish , Wehrle Günther , Krechmer Jordan , Majluf Francesca , Salionov Daniil , Schmale Julia , Bjelić Saša , Carslaw Kenneth S. , El Haddad Imad , Baltensperger Urs
Published: March 2021

Clouds boost SOA formation from isoprene.
A tumor-suppressive circular RNA mediates uncanonical integrin degradation by the proteasome in liver cancer
Authors: Shi Liang , Liu Boqiang , Shen Dan-dan , Yan Peijian , Zhang Yanan , Tian Yuanshi , Hou Lidan , Jiang Guangyi , Zhu Yinxin , Liang Yuelong , Liang Xiao , Shen Bo , Yu Hong , Zhang Yan , Wang Yifan , Guo Xing , Cai Xiujun
Published: March 2021

A tumor-suppressive circular RNA brings in the proteasome to destroy the foothold of liver cancer cells.
Reproducibility in machine learning for health research: Still a ways to go
Authors: McDermott Matthew B. A. , Wang Shirly , Marinsek Nikki , Ranganath Rajesh , Foschini Luca , Ghassemi Marzyeh
Published: March 2021

Machine learning applied to health falls short on several reproducibility metrics compared to other machine learning subfields.
Trispecific CD19-CD20-CD22–targeting duoCAR-T cells eliminate antigen-heterogeneous B cell tumors in preclinical models
Authors: Schneider Dina , Xiong Ying , Wu Darong , Hu Peirong , Alabanza Leah , Steimle Brittany , Mahmud Hasan , Anthony-Gonda Kim , Krueger Winfried , Zhu Zhongyu , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Orentas Rimas J. , Dropulić Boro
Published: March 2021

Trispecific duoCAR-T cells with optimized costimulatory domains effectively kill tumor cells in antigen-heterogeneous and antigen-replete tumor models.
SVEP1 is a human coronary artery disease locus that promotes atherosclerosis
Authors: Jung In-Hyuk , Elenbaas Jared S. , Alisio Arturo , Santana Katherine , Young Erica P. , Kang Chul Joo , Kachroo Puja , Lavine Kory J. , Razani Babak , Mecham Robert P. , Stitziel Nathan O.
Published: March 2021

Reducing SVEP1 confers protection from atherosclerosis and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease.
Isolation and Characterization of
Gardnerella
Phage vB_Gva_AB1, a Bacteriophage Infecting a Clinical Strain of Gardnerella vaginalis
Authors: Bordigoni Alexia , Bouchard Sonia , Desnues Christelle
Published: March 2021

Gardnerella vaginalis
is the presumed causative agent of bacterial vaginosis. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of
Gardnerella
phage vB_Gva_AB1, induced from a vaginal bacterial strain from a woman suffering with bacterial vaginosis. The phage double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome is 50,268 bp long with a GC content of 39.55% and contains 62 predicted open reading frames (ORFs).
Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) pneumonitis and meningitis with viraemia in an immunocompetent adult patient
Authors: Alkozah Maria , Hallak Rami , Bou Akl Imad , El Zakhem Aline
Published: March 2021

Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) infection is a common infection in the paediatric population and is increasingly reported in immunosuppressed adult patients. It has been reported as the causative agent of disease in few case reports in immunocompetent adults. We report herein an unusual case of HHV-6-associated viraemia, pneumonitis and meningitis in a patient who presented with dyspnoea, hypoxia, dry cough and headache. She was treated for atypical pneumonia with no improvement. Meningitis was suspected as headache kept worsening. HHV-6B was detected by PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid, and subsequently, in the bronchoalveolar lavage and serum samples. Studies were negative for the most common primary and secondary immunodeficiency syndromes, and serology could not be performed to differentiate virus reactivation from a primary infection. The patient was successfully treated with ganciclovir and had no residual sequelae.
Splenic haematoma: a rare complication of colonoscopy
Authors: Abdelrahim Ahmed , Ali Omer , Khawaja Arif
Published: March 2021

Colonoscopy is the gold-standard tool to investigate the colon which also allows to biopsy or treat intraluminal pathologies. About 900 000 colonoscopies are performed annually in UK. It is considered a relatively safe procedure; however, some serious complications might take place. The common complications of colonoscopy are bleeding and perforation. Splenic injury is a rare complication of colonoscopy which can be fatal. Our case report describes a grade two subscapular splenic haematoma after routine colonoscopy that has been managed conservatively.
Dopa responsive irritable bowel syndrome: restless bowel syndrome or a gastrointestinal variant of restless legs syndrome?
Authors: Prakash Sanjay , Prakash Anurag
Published: March 2021

In addition to the legs, restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects various other parts of the body, including the arms, abdomen, face, head-neck, oral cavity, genital area and bladder. RLS is also associated with several comorbid conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We are reporting two cases of RLS who also had IBS, fulfilling the Rome IV criteria. The administration of levodopa and dopamine agonists provided a complete improvement in both IBS and RLS. Review of the literature suggest that the clinical semiology and clinical pattern of IBS (urge to defaecate, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bloating, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythm) simulate the semiology and pattern of RLS. Similarities are also noted in the associated comorbid conditions, effective drugs and proposed hypotheses for both clinical syndromes. We hypothesise that RLS may affect intestine, and IBS-like symptoms in a subset of patients with RLS may be the part of RLS symptoms complex.
SARS-CoV-2 infection triggering recurrence of Kawasaki disease in a 10-year-old child
Authors: Renganathan Ashok , Garg Ankit , Chowdhary Sona , Raj Dinesh
Published: March 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection has recently been related to a spectrum of hyper-inflammatory states in children. There is a striking similarity between these hyper-inflammatory states and Kawasaki disease (KD). We present an interesting case of KD recurrence in a 10-year-old child, who had previously developed KD at 4 years of age. His symptoms included fever, maculopapular rash and altered sensorium. Investigations showed noticeably elevated inflammatory markers, and an echocardiography revealed dilated coronary arteries. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were positive. The child responded dramatically to intravenous immunoglobulin and intravenous methylprednisolone. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggered the recurrence of KD in this child who might have been genetically predisposed to KD.
NK/T-cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity: an unexpected diagnosis
Authors: Manole Constantin , Farrell Eric , Lang Emer
Published: March 2021

Nasal-type Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma (NKTL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, typically arising in the nasopharynx and displaying an aggressive and ultimately fatal clinical course. The disease is linked to Epstein-Barr virus infection and is endemic to Asia and South America, but extremely few cases have been reported in Europe. We present two cases of nasal NKTL unexpectedly diagnosed in elderly patients, following very different presentations to our otolaryngology service. The first case is that of a 73-year-old Irish man with recurrent nasal vestibulitis despite antibiotic treatment. The second case involves a 79-year-old Irish woman presenting with a large mass on the hard palate, found to invade into the floor of the nose. NKTL can pose diagnostic challenges, as the initial clinical presentation can be non-specific and overlap with other nasal conditions, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Biopsy with histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis is required to establish the definitive diagnosis. Treatment involves multidisciplinary input from radiotherapy and medical oncologists. Clinicians must be aware of this disease and have an index of suspicion when dealing with persistent or aggressive nasal conditions.
Lateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction after donation of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in a naïve donor
Authors: Shams Pirbhat , Tipoo Fateh Ali
Published: March 2021

A 34-year-old man presented with central chest pain heralded by bilateral arm numbness, tingling and pain soon after donation of 1000 mL of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CP). ECG showed ST-elevation in lateral leads and coronary angiogram showed large thrombus in diagonal branch of the left anterior descending artery. The patient underwent successful thrombus aspiration and percutaneous coronary intervention of diagonal branch. In this report, we describe a case of coronary thrombosis leading to ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a naïve plasma donor after donation of COVID-19 CP.
Effect of balanced energy-protein supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on birth outcomes and infant growth in rural Burkina Faso: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vanslambrouck Katrien , de Kok Brenda , Toe Laeticia Celine , De Cock Nathalie , Ouedraogo Moctar , Dailey-Chwalibóg Trenton , Hanley-Cook Giles , Ganaba Rasmané , Lachat Carl , Huybregts Lieven , Kolsteren Patrick
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is crucial to both mother and child. Maternal malnutrition can be the cause of stillbirth or lead to poor birth outcomes such as preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age newborns. There is a probable positive effect of providing pregnant women a balanced energy-protein (BEP) food supplement, but more evidence is needed. The MIcronutriments pour la SAnté de la Mère et de l’Enfant (MISAME) III project aims to improve birth outcomes and infant growth by testing a BEP supplement during pregnancy and lactation in rural Burkina Faso. This paper describes the study protocol.

Methods and analysis

MISAME-III is a four-arm individually randomised efficacy trial implemented in six rural health centre catchments areas in the district of Houndé. Eligible pregnant women, aged between 15 and 40 years old and living in the study areas, will be enrolled. Women will be randomly assigned to one of the four study groups: (1) prenatal intervention only, (2) postnatal intervention only, (3) prenatal and postnatal intervention or (4) no prenatal or postnatal intervention. The intervention group will receive the BEP supplement and iron/folic acid (IFA) tablets, while the control group will only receive the IFA tablets following the national health protocol. Consumption will be supervised by trained village women on a daily basis by means of home visits. The primary outcomes are small-for-gestational age at birth and length-for-age z-score at 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes will be measured at birth and during the first 6 months of the infants’ life. Women will be enrolled from October 2019 until the total sample size is reached.

Ethics and dissemination

MISAME-III has been reviewed and approved by the University Hospital of Ghent and the ethics committee of Centre Muraz, Burkina Faso. Informed consent will be obtained. Results will be published in relevant journals and shared with other researchers and public health institutions.

Trial registration number

NCT03533712.
Effects of Message Framing and Time Discounting on Health Communication for Optimum Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention (EMT-OCSP): a protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, observer-blinded, 12-month randomised controlled study
Authors: Zhou Muke , Guo Jian , Chen Ning , Ma Mengmeng , Dong Shuju , Li Yanbo , Fang Jinghuan , Zhang Yang , Zhang Yanan , Bao Jiajia , Hong Ye , Lu You , Qin Mingfang , Yin Ling , Yang Xiaodong , He Quan , Ding Xianbin , Chen Liyan , Wang Zhuoqun , Mi Shengquan , Chen Shengyun , Zhu Cairong , Zhou Dong , He Li
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke often fails due to poor adherence among patients to evidence-based prevention recommendations. The proper formatting of messages portraying CVD and stroke risks and interventional benefits may promote individuals’ perception and motivation, adherence to healthy plans and eventual success in achieving risk control. The main objective of this study is to determine whether risk and intervention communication strategies (gain-framed vs loss-framed and long-term vs short-term contexts) and potential interaction thereof have different effects on the optimisation of adherence to clinical preventive management for the endpoint of CVD risk reduction among subjects with at least one CVD risk factor.

Methods and analysis

This trial is designed as a 2×2 factorial, observer-blinded multicentre randomised controlled study with four parallel groups. Trial participants are aged 45–80 years and have at least one CVD risk factor. Based on sample size calculations for primary outcome, we plan to enrol 15 000 participants. Data collection will occur at baseline, 6 months and 1 year after randomisation. The primary outcomes are changes in the estimated 10-year CVD risk, estimated lifetime CVD risk and estimated CVD-free life expectancy from baseline to the 1-year follow-up.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received approval from the Ethical Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University and will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT04450888.
Conservative and surgical modalities in the management of paediatric parapneumonic effusion and empyema: a protocol for a living systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Allin Emily , Nama Nassr , Irvine Michael A , Pawliuk Colleen , Wright Marie , Carwana Matthew
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Parapneumonic effusion and empyema are common complications of paediatric pneumonia. Acceptable treatment modalities for large parapneumonic effusions include antibiotics alone or in conjunction with surgical interventions. Clear guidelines on the best treatment approach are lacking and mostly based on evidence prior to widespread pneumococcal conjugate 13-valent vaccination (PCV-13).

Methods and analysis

A living systematic review and network meta-analysis will be performed comparing the five treatment modalities: (1) antibiotics alone; (2) chest tube drainage without fibrinolytics; (3) chest tube drainage with fibrinolytics; (4) video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and (5) open thoracotomy. The review protocol is reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. Eligible studies are randomised controlled trials comparing any pair of interventions in paediatric patients with empyema or parapneumonic effusion. The following databases will be searched: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, LILACS and Google Scholar. Citation screening and data extraction will be completed using a validated crowdsourcing methodology using InsightScope. To assess the risk of bias, we will use the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials. The primary outcome of the study is the length of stay. Secondary outcomes are (1) periprocedural complications and (2) need for re-intervention. A frequentist network meta-analysis design will be implemented with a random-effects model comparing different interventions. In a subgroup analysis, studies and patients will be stratified by the size of pleural effusion and the date of trial (pre/post-PCV-13). Eligible citations and available results will be uploaded to an online database, hosted on Open Science Framework. The database will be updated at least every 4 months with any newly published research.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethics review is required for this study. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Data will be available as part of an online database summarising the evidence of this living systematic review.

PROSPERO registration

Pending peer review.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alone and in combination with motor control exercise for the treatment of individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (ExTraStim trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Patricio Philippe , Roy Jean-Sébastien , Macedo Luciana , Roy Mathieu , Léonard Guillaume , Hodges Paul , Massé-Alarie Hugo
Published: March 2021

Introduction

While multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions treating chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) are available, they have been shown to produce at best modest effects. Interventions such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, have exhibited promising results to alleviate chronic pain. However, evidence on the effectiveness of rTMS for CLBP is scarce due to limited rigorous clinical trials. Combining rTMS with motor control exercises (MCE) may help to address both central and nociceptive factors contributing to the persistence of LBP. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of a combination of rTMS and MCE to repeated rTMS sessions alone, sham rTMS and a combination of sham rTMS and MCE on pain intensity.

Methods and analysis

One hundred and forty participants (35/group) with CLBP will be randomised into four groups (active rTMS+MCE, sham rTMS+MCE, active rTMS and sham rTMS) to receive 10 sessions of their allocated intervention. The primary outcome will be the pain intensity, assessed at baseline, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include disability, fear of movement, quality of life and patient global rating of change.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from theComité d’éthique de la recherche sectoriel en réadaptation et intégration sociale, CIUSS de la Capitale Nationalein June 2019 (#2020–1844 – CER CIUSSS-CN). The results of the study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT04555278.
Association between telehealth use and general practitioner characteristics during COVID-19: findings from a nationally representative survey of Australian doctors
Authors: Scott Anthony , Bai Tianshu , Zhang Yuting
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate factors associated with the use of telehealth by general practitioners (GPs) during COVID-19.

Design

A nationally representative longitudinal survey study of Australian doctors analysed using regression analysis.

Setting

General practice in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants

448 GPs who completed both the 11th wave (2018–2019) of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) Survey and the MABEL COVID-19 Special Online Survey (May 2020).

Outcome measures

Proportion of all consultations delivered via telephone (audio) or video (audiovisual); proportion of telehealth consultations delivered via video.

Results

46.1% of GP services were provided using telehealth in early May 2020, with 6.4% of all telehealth consultations delivered via video. Higher proportions of telehealth consultations were observed in GPs in larger practices compared with solo GPs: between +0.21 (95% CI +0.07 to +0.35) and +0.28 (95% CI +0.13 to +0.44). Greater proportions of telehealth consultations were delivered through video for GPs with appropriate infrastructure and for GPs with more complex patients: +0.10 (95% CI +0.04 to +0.16) and +0.04 (95% CI +0.00 to +0.08), respectively. Lower proportions of telehealth consultations were delivered via video for GPs over 55 years old compared with GPs under 35 years old: between −0.08 (95% CI −0.02 to −0.15) and −0.15 (95% CI −0.07 to −0.22), and for GPs in postcodes with a higher proportion of patients over 65 years old: −0.005 (95% CI −0.001 to -0.008) for each percentage point increase in the population over 65 years old.

Conclusions

GP characteristics are strongly associated with patterns of telehealth use in clinical work. Infrastructure support and relative pricing of different consultation modes may be useful policy instruments to encourage GPs to deliver care by the most appropriate method.
Protocol for a scoping review to identify and map in-service education and training materials for midwifery care in sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Welsh Joanne , Gross Mechthild M , Hanson Claudia , Hounkpatin Hashim , Moller Ann-Beth
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Maternal and neonatal mortality are disproportionally high in low-and middle-income countries. In 2017 the global maternal mortality ratio was estimated to be 211 per 100 000 live births. An estimated 66% of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Training programmes that aim to prepare providers of midwifery care vary considerably across sub-Saharan Africa in terms of length, content and quality. To overcome the shortfalls of pre-service training and support the provision of quality care, in-service training packages for providers of midwifery care have been developed and implemented in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We aim to identify what in-service education and training materials have been used for providers of midwifery care between 2000 and 2020 and map their content to the International Confederation of Midwives’ Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice (ICM Competencies), and the Lancet Midwifery Series Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) framework.

Methods and analysis

A search will be conducted for the years 2000–2020 in Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed/MEDLINE, Social Sciences Citation Index, African Index Medicus and Google Scholar. A manual search of reference lists from identified studies and a hand search of literature from international partner organisations will be performed. Information retrieved will include study context, providers trained, focus of training and design of training. Original content of identified education and training materials will be obtained and mapped to the ICM Competencies and the Lancet Series QMNC.

Ethics and dissemination

A scoping review is a secondary analysis of published literature and does not require ethical approval. This scoping review will give an overview of the education and training materials used for in-service training for providers of midwifery care in sub-Saharan Africa. Mapping the content of these education and training materials to the ICM Competencies and The Lancet Series QMNC will allow us to assess their appropriateness. Findings from the review will be reflected to stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of such materials. Additionally, findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and used to inform the design and content of an in-service training package for providers of midwifery care as part of the Action Leveraging Evidence to Reduce perinatal morTality and morbidity (ALERT) study, (https://alert.ki.se/) a multi-country study in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Trial registration number

PACTR202006793783148; Post-results.
AN EFFICIENT ANCIENT CHINESE ALGORITHM TO INVESTIGATE THE DYNAMICS RESPONSE OF A FRACTAL MICROGRAVITY FORCED OSCILLATOR
Authors: ELÍAS-ZÚÑIGA ALEX , MARTÍNEZ-ROMERO OSCAR , TREJO DANIEL OLVERA , PALACIOS-PINEDA LUIS MANUEL
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the ancient Chinese algorithm is applied to derive fractal microgravity forced oscillator’s frequency–amplitude response curves using the two-scale fractal transform derivative. Depending on the fractal parameter values, it is shown that the system restoring forces exhibit hardening or softening behavior. Furthermore, the proposed solution approach is simple, efficient, and accurate for obtaining the approximate steady-state solution of a fractal microgravity nonlinear oscillator with a purely nonlinear power-form restoring force.
ANALYSIS OF MIXED WEYL–MARCHAUD FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVE AND BOX DIMENSIONS
Authors: CHANDRA SUBHASH , ABBAS SYED
Published: March 2021

The calculus of the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative has been investigated in this paper. We prove that the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative of bivariate fractal interpolation functions (FIFs) is still bivariate FIFs. It is proved that the upper box dimension of the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative having fractional order [Formula: see text] of a continuous function which satisfies [Formula: see text]-Hölder condition is no more than [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which reveals an important phenomenon about linearly increasing effect of dimension of the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative. Furthermore, we deduce box dimension of the graph of the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative of a continuous function which is defined on a rectangular region in [Formula: see text] and also, we analyze that the mixed Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative of a function preserves some basic properties such as continuity, bounded variation and boundedness. The results are new and compliment the existing ones.
β-Disubstituted silver(III) corroles: Facile synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical redox properties
Authors: Yadav Inderpal , Dhiman Divyansh , Sankar Muniappan
Published: March 2021

Facile synthesis of 3,17-disubstituted Ag(III) tritolylcorroles (2-5), R2[TTC]Ag where R = methyl (2), phenyl (3), methyl acrylate (MA) (4) and phenylethynyl (PE) (5) using Pd-catalyzed reactions in good to excellent yields are reported. All synthesized corroles were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. MA2[TTC]Ag (4) and PE2[TTC]Ag (5) exhibited highly red-shifted electronic spectral bands with considerable broadening due to extended [Formula: see text]-conjugation and electron withdrawing effect of [Formula: see text]-substituents. Geometry optimization of these corroles was performed using density functional theory (DFT). Among all, MA2[TTC]Ag (4) exhibited very high dipole moment (10.31 D) which could be the potential candidate for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. The redox tunability was achieved by substituting electron donating and withdrawing substituents at the [Formula: see text]-positions. Particularly, corroles 4 and 5 exhibited lower HOMO–LUMO gap due to extended [Formula: see text]-conjugation and electron withdrawing [Formula: see text]-substituents.
Dynamically Adapting Page Migration Policies Based on Applications’ Memory Access Behaviors
Authors: Adavally Shashank , Islam Mahzabeen , Kavi Krishna
Published: March 2021

There have been numerous studies on heterogeneous memory systems comprised of faster DRAM (e.g., 3D stacked HBM or HMC) and slower non-volatile memories (e.g., PCM, STT-RAM). However, most of these studies focused on static policies for managing data placement and migration among the different memory devices. These policies are based on the average behavior across a range of applications. Results show that these techniques do not always result in higher performance when compared to systems that do not migrate data across the devices: some applications show performance gains, but other applications show performance losses. It is possible to utilize offline analyses to identify which applications benefit from page migration (migration friendly) and use page migration only with those applications. However, we observed that several applications exhibit both migration friendly and migration unfriendly behaviors during different phases of execution supporting a need for adaptive page migration techniques. We introduce and evaluate techniques that dynamically adapt to the behavior of applications and either reduce or increase migrations, or even halt migrations. Our adaptive techniques show performance gains for both migration friendly (on average of 81% over no migrations) and unfriendly workloads (by an average of 3%): it should be remembered that previous migration techniques resulted in performance losses for unfriendly workloads.
Moore’s Law: Beyond Planar Silicon CMOS and into the Nano Era
Authors: Huff Howard R.
Published: March 2021

The integrated circuit (IC) was invented in 1958 by Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments (mesa process with germanium) and Bob Noyce of Fairchild (planar process with silicon). It was not until the mid to later 1960s, however, that the bipolar IC, and then in the early 1970s, the MOSFET IC, significantly entered the production scene.
Moore’s Law: The History and Economics of an Observation that Changed the World
Authors: Dan Hutcheson G.
Published: March 2021

Moore’s law is not only an expression of a powerful engine for economic growth in the industry, but also for the economy as a whole. Moore’s law is predicated on shrinking the critical features of the planar process: the smaller these features, the more bits that can be packed into a given area.
Organic Radical Battery
Authors: Nishide Hiroyuki , Suga Takeo
Published: March 2021

Organic Molecular Radicals—An organic molecular radical is a molecular entity possessing one unpaired electron such as ·CH3 and ·CCl3, in which the dot symbolizes an unpaired electron.
High-k Gate Dielectrics
Authors: Misra Durga , Iwai Hiroshi , Wong Hei
Published: March 2021

Microelectronics has been the most important driving force for almost all kinds of technology evolutions in the past four decades. The size of the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor, which underpins Si microelectronics, has been reduced to a factor of 1,000.
Proton Exchange Membranes: The View Forward and Back
Authors: Dunwoody Drew , Leddy Johna
Published: March 2021

The development of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is largely tracked by the history of the membranes. Because fuel cells of various types were known prior to PEM technologies, the catalysts, fuels, and oxidants used in PEM fuel cells were reasonably well-established materials.
Structural, Elemental, and Chemical Complex Defects in Silicon and Their Impact on Silicon Devices
Authors: Istratov Andrei , Weber Eicke
Published: March 2021

Silicon materials science is largely an area of knowledge about defects—silicon native defects (selfinterstitials and vacancies), intentionally introduced impurities (shallow dopants), and unintentional contaminants (oxygen, carbon, transition metals). This review provides a brief summary of the current understanding of the origin of defects and their impact in silicon.
Effects of the Ligand Chain Length: A Potential Dependence of Charge Transfer over Alkanethiol-Protected Au Nanoparticle Thin Layers
Authors: Lica Georgeta
Published: March 2021

The 2005 Colin Garfield Fink Summer Fellowship Summary Report
Beyond CMOS Electronics: Self-Assembled Nanostructures
Authors: Kamins Ted
Published: March 2021

When the first transistors were built in the late 1940s, few could predict their widespread adoption and the capabilities of the integrated circuits that would evolve from those initial discoveries.
Porcine colonoids and enteroids keep the memory of their origin during regeneration
Authors: Barnett Alicia M. , Mullaney Jane A. , Hendriks Charlotte , Le Borgne Lisa , McNabb Warren C. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: March 2021

The development of alternative in vitro culture methods has increased in the last decade as three-dimensional organoids of various tissues, including those of the small and large intestines. Due to their multicellular composition, organoids offer advantages over traditionally used immortalized or primary cell lines. However, organoids must be accurate models of their tissues of origin. This study compared gene expression profiles with respect to markers of specific cell types (stem cells, enterocytes, goblet, and enteroendocrine cells) and barrier maturation (tight junctions) of colonoid and enteroid cultures with their tissues of origin and colonoids with enteroids. Colonoids derived from three healthy pigs formed multilobed structures with a monolayer of cells similar to the crypt structures in colonic tissue. Colonoid and enteroid gene expression signatures were more similar to those found for the tissues of their origin than to each other. However, relative to their derived tissues, organoids had increased gene expression levels of stem cell markers Sox9 and Lgr5 encoding sex-determining region Y-box 9 and leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled rector 5, respectively. In contrast, expression levels of Occl and Zo1 encoding occludin and zonula occludens 1, respectively, were decreased. Expression levels of the cell lineage markers Atoh1, Cga, and Muc2 encoding atonal homolog 1, chromogranin A, and mucin 2, respectively, were decreased in colonoids, whereas Sglt1 and Apn encoding sodium-glucose transporter 1 and aminopeptidase A, respectively, were decreased in enteroids. These results indicate colonoid and enteroid cultures were predominantly comprised of undifferentiated cell types with decreased barrier maturation relative to their tissues of origin.
Postsynaptic cell firing triggers bidirectional metaplasticity depending on the LTP induction protocol
Authors: Hegemann Regina U. , Abraham Wickliffe C.
Published: March 2021

The induction of LTP in the hippocampus was bidirectionally regulated by prior postsynaptic cell firing, with θ-burst stimulation-induced LTP being consistently impaired by prior spiking, whereas high-frequency stimulation-induced LTP was either not changed or facilitated. Reductions in cell firing during LTP induction did not explain the LTP impairment. Overall, different patterns of postsynaptic firing induce distinct intracellular changes that can increase or decrease LTP depending on the induction protocol.
Dental Pulp Stem Cells on Implant Surface: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Laino Luigi , La Noce Marcella , Fiorillo Luca , Cervino Gabriele , Nucci Ludovica , Russo Diana , Herford Alan Scott , Crimi Salvatore , Bianchi Alberto , Biondi Antonio , Laino Gregorio , Germanà Antonino , Cicciù Marco
Published: March 2021

In the field of biology and medicine, one hears often about stem cells and their potential. The dental implant new surfaces, subjected to specific treatments, perform better and allow for quicker healing times and better clinical performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate from a biological point of view the interaction and cytotoxicity between stem cells derived from dental pulp (DPSCs) and titanium surfaces. Through the creation of complex cells/implant, this study is aimed at analyzing the cytotoxicity of dental implant surfaces (Myth (Maipek Manufacturer Industrial Care, Naples, Italy)) and the adhesion capacity of cells on them and at considering the essential factors for implant healing such as osteoinduction and vasculogenesis. These parameters are pointed out through histology (3D cell culture), immunofluorescence, proliferation assays, scanning electron microscopy, and PCR investigations. The results of the dental implant surface and its interaction with the DPSCs are encouraging, obtaining results increasing the mineralization of the tissues. The knowledge of this type of interaction, highlighting its chemical and biological features, is certainly also an excellent starting point for the development of even more performing surfaces for having better healing in the oral surgical procedures related to dental implant positioning.