bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer treatment decisions for people living with dementia: Experiences of family carers, a qualitative interview study
Authors: Hynes Catherine , Hodges Victoria J. , Wyld Lynda , Mitchell Caroline
Published: March 2022

Background

As the UK population ages, the prevalence of both dementia and cancer will increase. Family carers of people with dementia who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer are often involved in treatment decisions about cancer. These decisions are uniquely challenging.

Objectives

To explore the experience of carers involved in cancer treatment decisions for people with dementia.

Design

A cross‐sectional qualitative interview study with inductive thematic analysis.

Setting and Participants

Sixteen carers of people with dementia were identified via Primary Care Research Networks and the Join Dementia Research database.

Results

Three main themes were derived: ‘already at breaking point’, which describes the extreme strain that carers were already under when the cancer diagnosis was made; ‘maintaining the status quo’, which describes how despite the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, avoiding further dementia‐related deterioration was of prime importance; and ‘LPA’, which explores the benefits and frustrations of the use of lasting powers of attorney.

Discussion

Current services are ill‐equipped to deal with people who have a combination of dementia and cancer. Proxy decisions about cancer care are made in the context of carer stress and exhaustion, which is exacerbated by shortcomings in service provision.

Conclusions

As the prevalence of comorbid cancer and dementia rises, there is an urgent need to improve services that support carers with proxy health care decision‐making.

Patient or Public Contribution

The study design was codeveloped with a local dementia‐specific patient and public involvement (PPI) group. A project‐specific PPI group was formed with support from the Alzheimer's Society Research Partnership scheme to provide further bespoke input.
Interpretation of clot‐based lupus anticoagulant assays—Normalizing clotting time against different denominators
Authors: Ling Li‐Qin , Liu Chao‐Nan , Huang Xun‐Bei , Liao Juan , Jia Jin , Zhou Jing
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The endpoint for all lupus anticoagulant (LA) assays is a clotting time in seconds. This study aimed to clarify the use of normalizing clotting time to ratio and how the use of different denominators is relevant.

Methods

Whether normalization could reduce reagent variability and possess better diagnostic performances was assessed; denominators included reference interval (RI) mean, local‐obtained pooled plasma clotting time, standard plasma clotting time, and control plasma clotting time (CNPPct). Moreover, whether day‐to‐day variation in CNPPct would impact its application was studied.

Results

If not normalized, significant difference existed among different reagent batches; if normalized (against any denominators), no statistically significant difference existed anymore. The validation of in‐house RIs achieved a 100% success rate. Normalization against different denominators had different RIs, but the same diagnostic efficacies (when a prolonged LA1 is used to suggest further LA‐related testings, normalized LA1 demonstrated a better sensitivity: 1.0 vs. 0.95). Normalization against a “daily” CNPPct (obtained alongside test plasmas day to day) demonstrated low inter‐day variations (LA1: ~1%, LA2: ~1%), and it could employ the RI for normalization against a “fixed” CNPPct (obtained alongside normal plasmas when the RI was established).

Conclusions

Normalizing clotting time reduces reagent‐batch variability and promotes the adoption of common RIs, and therefore reduces the necessity of establishing RI for new reagent batches. Normalized LA1 is more sensitive when used to suggest further LA‐related testings, and therefore reduces the rate of missed LA diagnosis. All denominators are of the same application value. Day‐to‐day variation in CNPPct did not impact its application as a reliable denominator.
Combination therapy with tamsulosin and traditional herbal medicine for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A double‐blinded, randomized, pilot clinical trial
Authors: Lee Chung Lyul , Shin Hyeun‐Kyoo , Lee Ji Yong , Kwon Ojin , Seo Chang‐Seob , Kim Ae‐Ran , Seo Bok‐Nam , Yang Seung Woo , Song Ki Hak , Lim Jae Sung , Park Jong Mok , Na Yong Gil , Shin Ju Hyun
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin and Hachimijiogan or Ryutanshakanto in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, double‐blind method was used to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination or placebo at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of study. The International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life index, complete voiding diary, and National Institutes of Health‐Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index were studied. Uroflowmetery and postvoid residual urine volume were measured and compared. Laboratory tests including prostate‐specific antigen were performed.

Results

In all groups, International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life showed improvement, but no significant differences were shown among the groups. Prostate volume increased after treatment, and uroflowmetric parameters showed improvements after treatment without significance among the three groups. The total score of the National Institutes of Health‐Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index showed a significant improvement in all groups, without significant differences among the groups. Only the pain sub‐score of the National Institutes of Health‐Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index showed a significant decrease in the tamsulosin with Ryutanshakanto group compared to the control group. A total of 11 adverse reactions occurred, but they were mild and not related to the study drugs.

Conclusion

Ryutanshakanto can provide pain relief in patients with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. If more research is conducted, Hachimijiogan and Ryutanshakanto may be applied as add‐on treatments in patients with storage symptoms with alpha‐blocker monotherapy.
Interferon‐α promotes MHC I antigen presentation of islet β cells through STAT1‐IRF7 pathway in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Jiang Hemin , Li Yue , Shen Min , Liang Yucheng , Qian Yu , Dai Hao , Xu Kuanfeng , Xu Xinyu , Lv Hui , Zhang Jie , Yang Tao , Fu Qi
Published: March 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T cell‐mediated autoimmune disease. Increased incidence of T1D was reported in patients receiving IFN‐α treatment. However, the exact mechanisms of IFN‐α that facilitate the pathogenesis of T1D are not fully understood. To explore the mechanism of IFN‐α on the immune system and islets, non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice were injected with IFN‐α and the progression of autoimmune insulitis was assessed by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemical and flow cytometry analysis. Transcriptional profiling of islets treated with IFN‐α was explored by RNA‐seq. IFN‐α induced antigen presentation was evaluated by qRT‐PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence, and key transcription factors were inhibited by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Our data show that IFN‐α contributed to the progression of autoimmune insulitis in NOD mice by promoting the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. IFN‐α upregulated antigen presentation related genes MHC I, TAP1, B2M, PSMB8, NLRC5 and transcriptional regulator STAT1, STAT2, IRF7 at a time and dose‐dependent manner. The silence of STAT1 or STAT2 both weakened IFN‐α‐induced increase of antigen presenting related molecules. IRF7 was also merely influenced by STAT1 silence. The knockdown of IRF7 decreased the IFN‐α induced expressions of TAP1, PSMB8 and MHC I and prevented the expression of STAT2 but not STAT1. Our study demonstrated that STAT1‐IRF7‐MHC I complex axis were crucial for IFN‐α signalling in islets, and created positive feedback through IRF7‐STAT2 cascade amplifying signals which accelerated the process of T1D.
Do educational games affect students' achievement emotions? Evidence from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lei Hao , Wang Chenxin , Chiu Ming Ming , Chen Shuangye
Published: March 2022

Background

Researchers debate whether game‐based learning (GBL) affects students' achievement emotions, as past studies yielded mixed results.

Objectives

This study determines the overall effect of GBL on students' positive achievement emotion and their negative achievement emotions (PAEs, NAEs), along with their moderators.

Methods

This meta‐analysis examined true or quasi‐experimental studies, reported in English or Chinese, and with students (ranging from primary schools to universities) who did not report physiological and/or psychological illnesses.

Results

Compared to traditional instruction, GBL had a positive effect on students' PAEs (g =0.526, k = 39, 95% CI = [0.319, 0.733]) and a negative effect on NAEs (g = −0.517, k = 22, 95% CI = [−0.709, −0.324]). GBL's positive effects on students' PAEs were (a) largest in middle school and otherwise generally larger in higher grades, and (b) largest for competition GBLs (compared to cooperative or individual GBLs). GBL's negative effects on students' NAEs were (a) larger in collectivist cultures than individualistic ones, (b) progressively larger in primary school, middle school, and university, (c) larger for non‐digital games than digital games, (d) smallest for individual games, (e) progressively larger in mathematics, social sciences, language, science, and highest in engineering and technology, and (f) smallest for extremely short or extremely long intervention durations (very short: up to 45 min; very long: over 2 months).

Take Away

GBL often increases students' PAEs and decreases their NAEs, though their effect sizes differ across cultural values, grade level, game type, academic subject, or intervention duration. Hence, educators should consider these aspects when designing / selecting education games for their students and instructional contexts.
Cardiac implantable electronic device dysfunctions in patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Frey Pierre , Irles Didier , Dompnier Antoine , Akret Chrystelle , Hosu Iolanda C. , Narayanan Kumar , Mazoyer Fréderic , Yayehd Komlavi , Guillon Benoît , Marijon Eloi
Published: March 2022

Background

Increasing numbers of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for cancer. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and associated factors of CIED dysfunctions related to RT.

Methods

Between April 2013 and March 2020, all patients with a CIED who underwent ≥1 RT session were enrolled. Patients were monitored according to a systematic protocol, including device interrogation before the first and after each RT session. The primary endpoint was CIED dysfunction, defined as oversensing, total or partial deprogramming, and/or unrecoverable reset.

Results

We included a total of 92 CIED RT courses: 77 (83.7%) in patients with a pacemaker and 15 (16.3%) in those with an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator. Overall, 13 dysfunctions (14.1%) were observed during 92 courses (1509 sessions), giving an incidence of 0.9 per 100 sessions. These included nine deprogramming (three total resets to back‐up pacing mode and six partial deprogramming that were all successfully reprogrammed), three transient oversensing, and one unrecoverable oversensing requiring CIED and leads replacement. There were no adverse clinical events related to device dysfunction. In multivariable analysis, neutron‐producing irradiation (odds ratio [OR], 5.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–28.65; p = .039) and cumulative tumor dose (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01–1.10; p = .007) remained significantly associated with CIED dysfunction.

Conclusion

In this prospective study, transient or permanent subclinical CIED dysfunction occurred in 14.1% of RT courses. Our findings emphasize the importance of high‐energy beams and neutron‐producing irradiation in risk assessment.
Cytochrome P450 26A1 regulates the clusters and killing activity of NK cells during the peri‐implantation period
Authors: Li Dan‐Dan , Ji Wen‐Heng , Wei Dan‐Ping , Gu Ai‐Qin , Song Zhi‐Hui , Fang Wen‐Ning , Meng Chao‐Yang , Yang Ying , Peng Jing‐Pian
Published: March 2022

Cytochrome P450 26A1 (CYP26A1) plays a vital role in early pregnancy in mice. Our previous studies have found that CYP26A1 affects embryo implantation by modulating natural killer (NK) cells, and that there is a novel population of CYP26A1+ NK cells in the uteri of pregnant mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CYP26A1 on the subsets and killing activity of NK cells. Through single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), we identified four NK cell subsets in the uterus, namely, conventional NK (cNK), tissue‐resident NK (trNK) 1 and 2, and proliferating trNK (trNKp). The two most variable subpopulations after uterine knockdown of CYP26A1 were trNKp and trNK2 cells. CYP26A1 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of the NK cell function‐related genes Cd44, Cd160, Vegfc, and Slamf6 in trNK2 cells, and Klra17 and Ogn in trNKp cells. Both RNA‐seq and cytotoxicity assays confirmed that CYP26A1+ NK cells had low cytotoxicity. These results indicate that CYP26A1 may affect the immune microenvironment at the maternal‐foetal interface by regulating the activity of NK cells.
Differentiating active from stable vitiligo: The role of dermoscopic findings and their relation to CXCL10
Authors: Ibrahim Sarah , Hegazy Rehab A. , Gawdat Heba I. , Esmat Samia , Mahmoud Esraa , Rashed Laila , Hegazy Amira Aly , Saadi Dina G.
Published: March 2022

Background

Distinguishing vitiligo activity/stability status is pivotal in the management of patients with vitiligo. CXCL10 is a chemokine released in the tissues and sera of patients with vitiligo and an indicator of disease activity.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the role of dermoscopy in detecting active and stable vitiligo by comparing the dermoscopic signs in vitiligo with Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VIDA), clinical activity, and CXCL10 activity.

Methods

Ninety‐seven patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Vitiligo activity/stability was assessed using VIDA scores, clinical examination, dermoscopy, and serum CXCL10 levels measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique. Dermoscopic scores were calculated using BPLeFoSK score.

Results

The dermoscopic score was concordant with the VIDA score in 83.5% of patients (n = 81), clinical assessment in 97.9% (n = 95), and serum CXCL10 level in 70.1% (n = 68). Dermoscopic signs of ill‐defined border, satellite lesions, and micro‐Koebner and starburst appearance were more common in active vitiligo, while a well‐defined border was more common in stable lesions.

Conclusion

Dermoscopic examination is a practical, reliable, noninvasive, semi‐objective tool in the assessment of vitiligo activity/stability that helps reach an informed decision on the disease status to choose the appropriate therapeutic modality.
Prospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities
Authors: Freeman Lisa , Rush John , Adin Darcy , Weeks Kelsey , Antoon Kristen , Brethel Sara , Cunningham Suzanne , Santos Luis Dos , Girens Renee , Goldberg Robert , Karlin Emily , Lessard Darleen , Lopez Katherine , Rouben Camden , Vereb Michelle , Yang Vicky
Published: March 2022

Background

Recent studies have investigated dogs with presumed diet‐associated dilated cardiomyopathy (daDCM), but prospective studies of multiple breeds are needed.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate baseline features and serial changes in echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in dogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets (NTDs) or traditional diets (TDs), and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities (SCA) eating NTD.

Animals

Sixty dogs with DCM (NTD, n = 51; TDs, n = 9) and 16 dogs with SCA eating NTDs.

Methods

Echocardiography, electrocardiography, and measurement of taurine, cardiac troponin I, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide were performed in dogs with DCM or SCA. Diets were changed for all dogs, taurine was supplemented in most, and echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were reassessed (3, 6, and 9 months).

Results

At enrollment, there were few differences between dogs with DCM eating NTDs or TDs; none had low plasma or whole blood taurine concentrations. Improvement in fractional shortening over time was significantly associated with previous consumption of a NTD, even after adjustment for other variables (P = .005). Median survival time for dogs with DCM was 611 days (range, 2‐940 days) for the NTD group and 161 days (range, 12‐669 days) for the TD group (P = .21). Sudden death was the most common cause of death in both diet groups. Dogs with SCA also had significant echocardiographic improvements over time.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with DCM or SCA previously eating NTDs had small, yet significant improvements in echocardiographic parameters after diet changes.
Fostering regulator–innovator collaboration at the frontline: A case study of theUK's regulatory sandbox for fintech
Authors: Fahy Lauren A.
Published: March 2022

When supervising emerging technologies, regulators are more effective when they collaborate with business. Yet, innovative businesses are often small, inexperienced, and mistrustful. How can regulators motivate them to collaborate? This study examines this question by applying responsive regulation theory to a case study of the United Kingdom's regulatory sandbox for financial technology. This study illustrates how frontline regulatory interactions foster regulator–innovator collaboration, in ways that differ from how these interactions foster collaboration between regulators and the mature industries upon whose study responsive regulation is based. As one of the first academic studies to collect data from sandbox participants, this article offers unique insights into “what works” about the United Kingdom's much‐imitated model.
A glimpse at an early stage of microbe domestication revealed in the variable genome of Torulaspora delbrueckii, an emergent industrial yeast
Authors: Silva Margarida , Pontes Ana , Franco‐Duarte Ricardo , Soares Pedro , Sampaio José Paulo , Sousa Maria João , Brito Patrícia H.
Published: March 2022

Microbe domestication has a major applied relevance but is still poorly understood from an evolutionary perspective. The yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii is gaining importance for biotechnology but little is known about its population structure, variation in gene content or possible domestication routes. Here, we show that T. delbrueckii is composed of five major clades. Among the three European clades, a lineage associated with the wild arboreal niche is sister to the two other lineages that are linked to anthropic environments, one to wine fermentations and the other to diverse sources including dairy products and bread dough (Mix‐Anthropic clade). Using 64 genomes we assembled the pangenome and the variable genome of T. delbrueckii. A comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that the weight of the variable genome in the pangenome of T. delbrueckii is considerably smaller. An association of gene content and ecology supported the hypothesis that the Mix‐Anthropic clade has the most specialized genome and indicated that some of the exclusive genes were implicated in galactose and maltose utilization. More detailed analyses traced the acquisition of a cluster of GAL genes in strains associated with dairy products and the expansion and functional diversification of MAL genes in strains isolated from bread dough. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, domestication in T. delbrueckii is not primarily driven by alcoholic fermentation but rather by adaptation to dairy and bread‐production niches. This study expands our views on the processes of microbe domestication and on the trajectories leading to adaptation to anthropic niches.
Patient involvement in assessment: How useful is it?
Authors: Malau‐Aduli Bunmi S.
Published: March 2022

The author unveils a strategy for enquiry that can facilitate identification of best practices for involving real patients in OSCE and WBA competency‐based assessments
Acceptance of e‐health technology among older people: A qualitative study
Authors: Rochmawati Erna , Kamilah Farhah , Iskandar Ayuk Cucuk
Published: March 2022

E‐health technology has been widely implemented in healthcare systems and has many benefits. However, available studies that focus on the acceptance and adoption of e‐health technology, particularly among older people in primary care centers, are still limited. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study to explore the acceptability and adoption of health technology among older people who use primary health care. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 older people to gain in‐depth insight into their perspectives on health technology. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted to gain insight from older people. Three main themes emerged: (1) “demand of care” refers a situation where participants realized that they had a health problem, sought ways to solve the health problem, and expected to be cared and monitored; (2) “resistance and openness” represent technology acceptance by older people; and (3) “preference for home health monitoring”: We found older people preferred home health monitoring in terms of comfort and ease of use. The study has provided important new knowledge in relation to acceptance and preference for health technology that currently exists, particularly among older people in Indonesia.
Investigation of salivary biomarkers as indicators of skeletal and dental maturity in children
Authors: Tsagkari Eirini , Deda Olga , Krokos Adamantios , Gika Helen , Papadopoulos Moschos A. , Chatzigianni Athina
Published: March 2022

Objective

Estimation of patient's skeletal maturity in orthodontics is essential for the diagnosis and treatment planning. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential use of metabolic fingerprint of saliva for bone growth and tooth development estimation.

Materials and Methods

Saliva samples from 54 young patients were analysed by an untargeted gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry metabolomics‐based method. The skeletal maturity was calculated with the cervical vertebrae maturation method, and the dental age was estimated with the Demirjian method. Multivariate analysis and univariate analysis were performed to investigate differences within skeletal, dental and chronological age groups.

Results

Metabolomic analysis identified 61 endogenous compounds. Mannose, glucose, glycerol, glyceric acid and pyroglutamic acid levels differentiated significantly with skeletal age (P = .02 to .043), while mannose, lactic acid, glycolic acid, proline, norleucine, 3‐aminoisobutyric acid, threonine, cadaverine and hydrocinnamic acid levels differed within the dental age groups (P = .018 to .04); according to the chronological age, only the levels of mannose and 3‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid showed variation (P = .029 and .048). The principal component analysis did not manage to highlight differences between the groups of the studied parameters.

Conclusion

Differentiated levels of mannose, glucose, glycerol, glyceric acid and pyroglutamic acid related to skeletal maturation were identified. According to dental development, the levels of mannose, lactic acid, glycolic acid, proline, norleucine, 3‐aminoisobutyric acid, threonine, cadaverine and hydrocinnamic acid differed within the groups, while regarding chronological age, only the levels of mannose and 3‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid showed variations. Further studies are required to prove their relation to skeletal and dental development pathway by applying complementary analytical techniques to wider cover the metabolome.
A Case of Rice Body Synovitis of the Knee Joint
Authors: Haibo Zhao , Tianrui Wang , Wenlian Song , Shenjie Sun , Chunpu Li , Xia Zhao , Tengbo Yu , Yingze Zhang
Published: March 2022

Background

Rice body synovitis (RBS) is a rare disease. It is prone to be developed due to rheumatoid disorder or tuberculosis infection. Additional infectious arthritis (non‐tuberculous mycobacterial infection and fungal infection), juvenile arthritis, the onset of adult Still's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), seronegative arthritis, and non‐specific arthritis. The clinical imaging, histopathological features, and surgical treatment process of a patient were documented combined with literature. Furthermore, differentiation was performed with additional synovitis diseases so that the cognition of synovitis could be enhanced for clinical reference.

Case Presentation

The present study reported a 50‐year‐old female patient who suffered from intermittent left knee pain with limited movement for 9  years. The conditions were aggravated after long‐term standing or walking and remitted after taking a rest, accompanied by noose and jamming. The specialist range of motion (ROM) examinations of the left knee revealed: 30° ‐ 0° ‐ 110° and left McMurray sign (+). Plain MRI scanning revealed that in the left knee cavity and the popliteal fossa area, a large number of low signals on free rice‐like bodies were visible inside and the lower femur and the upper tibia exhibited abnormally high signals of patchy lipography. Surgical exploration revealed numerous rice‐like free bodies in the suprapatellar bursa, the intercondylar fossa, and the posterior articular capsule. The patient presently has resolution of symptoms after surgical treatment.

Conclusions

The RBS of the knee joint is very rare in the clinic. As MRI examination can provide valuable information, clinicians should actively perform MRI examination. Once the disease is diagnosed by examination, surgery is the optimal treatment.
Quantifying and manipulating the angles of light in experimental measurements of plant gas exchange
Authors: Berry Z. Carter , Larue Jerry , Goldsmith Gregory R.
Published: March 2022

Diffuse light has been shown to alter plant leaf photosynthesis, transpiration and water‐use efficiency. Despite this, the angular distribution of light for the artificial light sources used with common gas exchange systems is unknown. Here, we quantify the angular distribution of light from common gas exchange systems and demonstrate the use of an integrating sphere for manipulating those light distributions. Among three different systems, light from a 90° angle perpendicular to the leaf surface (±5.75°) was <25% of the total light reaching the leaf surface. The integrating sphere resulted in a greater range of possible distributions from predominantly direct light (i.e., >40% of light from a 90 ± 5.75° angle perpendicular to the leaf surface) to almost entirely diffuse (i.e., light from an even distribution drawn from a nearly 0° horizontal angle to a perpendicular 90° angle). The integrating sphere can thus create light environments that more closely mimic the variation in sunlight under both clear and cloudy conditions. In turn, different proportions of diffuse light increased, decreased or did not change photosynthetic rates depending on the plant species observed. This new tool should allow the scientific community to explore new and creative questions about plant function within the context of global climate change.
The delicate relation between melanocytes and skin immunity: A game of hide and seek
Authors: Speeckaert Reinhart , Belpaire Arno , Speeckaert Marijn , van Geel Nanja
Published: March 2022

Melanocytes exhibit a complex and intriguing relationship with the skin immune response, leading to several clinical conditions. In some disorders, inappropriate melanocyte destruction (e.g., vitiligo, halo naevi) is problematic, while in others, immune tolerance should be broken (melanoma). Important parts of the dysregulated pathways have been unraveled in pigment disorders, ranging from upregulated interferon (IFN)‐γ signaling to memory T cells, regulatory T cells, and immune checkpoints. Although a network of many factors is involved, targeting key players such as IFN‐γ or checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1)] can shift the balance and lead to impressive outcomes. In this review, we focus on the immunological mechanisms of the most common inflammatory disorders where the interaction of the immune system with melanocytes plays a crucial role. This can provide new insights into the current state of melanocyte research.
Age and sex differences on the association between anxiety disorders and obstructive sleep apnea: A nationwide case‐control study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Tien‐Yu , Kuo Terry B.J. , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Tzeng Nian‐Sheng , Lai Hsiao‐Ching , Chien Wu‐Chien , Yang Cheryl C.H.
Published: March 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the association between anxiety disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

This is a population‐based, retrospective case‐control study using Taiwan's nationwide database. We included patients with OSA aged ≥12 years, diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes: 327 and 780. Each enrolled patient with OSA needed to undergo a polysomnography examination within 1 year pre‐ or post‐OSA occurrence. Patients with OSA and controls were selected in a 1:4 ratio. Patients with anxiety disorders (ICD‐9‐CM code 300) were diagnosed by board‐certified psychiatrists and required to visit the outpatient clinic at least three times per year. Multivariate logistic regression and interaction analyses were used to evaluate the objective association.

Results

This study enrolled 7987 and 31 948 participants with and without OSA, respectively. A significant difference in anxiety exposure was observed only pre‐OSA diagnosis but not post‐OSA diagnosis. Compared with patients without anxiety disorders: (i) those with anxiety disorders had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of ≈1.864 in OSA comorbidity (aOR = 1.864; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.337–2.405); and (ii) subgroup analysis showed a significant interaction that anxiety patients of male sex, aged 18 to 44 years, aged 45 to 64 years, and hypertension had a higher aOR in OSA comorbidity (aOR = 2.104 [95% CI = 1.436–2.589], aOR = 1.942 [95% CI = 1.390–2.503], aOR = 2.179 [95% CI = 1.564–2.811], and aOR = 2.092 [95% CI = 1.497–2.706], respectively).

Conclusion

The study revealed a higher ratio of previous anxiety exposure in patients with OSA. Compared with those without anxiety, anxiety patients of male sex, aged 18 to 64 years, and with hypertension had a higher risk of OSA comorbidity.
Pouring cement down one of your oil wells: Relationship between the supply chain disruption orientation and performance
Authors: Stekelorum Rebecca , Gupta Shivam , Laguir Issam , Kumar Sameer , Kumar Subodha
Published: March 2022

The Covid‐19 pandemic is triggering several supply chain disruptions that have a tremendous impact on firms’ activities. Consequently, firms have pushed suppliers to develop their disruption orientation through the exchange of information and collaboration with the aim to enhance their own performance. Although this is important from the industry perspective, relationships among the focal firm's disruption orientation, the suppliers’ disruption orientation, and the focal firm's performances have not been investigated in the literature. Hence, in order to fill this important gap, we investigate both (i) how the suppliers’ disruption orientation helps translate the focal firm's disruption orientation into environmental and economic performances and (ii) how the supplier ecocentricity (ability to learn from nontraditional stakeholders) is related to these relationships. In order to analyze these issues, we draw upon the dynamic capabilities, relational view, and stakeholder resource‐based view theories. Our results indicate that the focal firm's disruption orientation creates a positive association between its suppliers’ disruption orientation and its own environmental and economic performances. Further, our results reveal that the association between the firm's disruption orientation and environmental performance is not necessarily direct and occurs through the suppliers’ disruption orientation. Our study also reveals that the positive association between the focal firm's disruption orientation and environmental performance through suppliers’ disruption orientation is stronger under medium and high levels of suppliers’ ecocentricity. Our results provide useful managerial insights for supply chain stakeholders that could help in managing disruption orientation, especially during and after a pandemic.
Bioinformatics for plant and agricultural discoveries in the age of multiomics: A review and case study of maize nodal root growth under water deficit
Authors: Wang Juexin , Sidharth Sen , Zeng Shuai , Jiang Yuexu , Chan Yen On , Lyu Zhen , McCubbin Tyler , Mertz Rachel , Sharp Robert E. , Joshi Trupti
Published: March 2022

Advances in next‐generation sequencing and other high‐throughput technologies have facilitated multiomics research, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics. The resultant emerging multiomics data have brought new challenges as well as opportunities, as seen in the plant and agriculture science domains. We reviewed several bioinformatic and computational methods, models, and platforms, and we have highlighted some of our in‐house developed efforts aimed at multiomics data analysis, integration, and management issues faced by the research community. A case study using multiomics datasets generated from our studies of maize nodal root growth under water deficit stress demonstrates the power of these datasets and some other publicly available tools. This analysis also sheds light on the landscape of such applied bioinformatic tools currently available for plant and crop science studies and introduces emerging trends and how they may affect the future.
Machine learning for expert‐level image‐based identification of very similar species in the hyperdiverse plant bug family Miridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)
Authors: Popkov Alexander , Konstantinov Fedor , Neimorovets Vladimir , Solodovnikov Alexey
Published: March 2022

Deep learning algorithms and particularly convolutional neural networks are very successful in pattern recognition from images and are increasingly employed in biology. The development of automated systems for rapid and reliable species identification is vital for insect systematics and may revolutionize this field soon. In this study, we demonstrate the ability of a convolutional neural network to identify species based on habitus photographs with expert‐level accuracy in a taxonomically challenging group where a human‐based identification would require notorious genitalia dissections. Using the economically important and polymorphic plant bug genus Adelphocoris Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) as a model group, we explore the variability in the performance of 11 convolutional neural models most commonly used for image classification, test the role of class‐imbalance on the model performance assessment and visualize areas of interest using three interpretation algorithms. Classification performance in our experiments with collection‐based habitus photographs is high enough to identify very similar species from a large group with an expert‐level accuracy. The accuracy is getting lower only in the experiments with an additional dataset of Adelphocoris and other live plant bugs photographs taken from the Web. Our article demonstrates the importance of comprehensive institutional insect collections for bringing deep learning algorithms into service for systematic entomology using affordable equipment and methods.
Testing modality associated with fast‐track ART initiation in Botswana
Authors: Lavoie Marie‐Claude C. , Blanco Natalia , Keapoletswe Koona , Marima Reson , Ntwayagae Ookeditse A. , Sebina Kagiso B. , Loeto Peter , Mogomotsi Panky G. , Saleeb Paul G. , Ndwapi Ndwapi , Stafford Kristen A.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify community testing modalities associated with fast‐track ART initiation in Botswana.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included all Botswana citizens 15 years or older who were newly identified as HIV‐positive from 1 May 2017 to 31 January 2019, in Mahalapye and Southern districts. We used Poisson regression with robust error variance and generalised linear mixed models to control for cluster effects to model risk of ART initiation within 7 and 30 days of HIV diagnosis, testing modality factors.

Results

A total of 1436 individuals were newly identified HIV‐positive, with men accounting for 60% across all testing modalities. 22% of all HIV‐positive individuals were initiated on ART within 7 days. Clients diagnosed through index testing were more likely to be started on ART within 7 days (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.38, 95% CI 1.37–1.38) and 30 days (aRR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.09–1.26) than those diagnosed through mobile/outreach testing.

Conclusions

Community HIV testing can complement facility‐based testing by reaching individuals who may be less likely to seek HIV services at a facility, such as men. Monitoring ART initiation by testing modalities is critical to identify the optimal ones and to guide continuous programme improvement.
Una ciudad anatómica en los Andes colombianos: Sátivanorte (Boyacá, Colombia), procedimiento para la declaratoria de su grupo urbano como BIC
Authors: Galindo Cuervo Teresa Carolina , García García Juan José
Published: March 2022

Sátivanorte, enclavada en la cordillera Oriental andina, en el departamento de Boyacá, ha declarado recientemente (2018) su centro urbano fundacional como bien de interés cultural (BIC) con la categoría de grupo urbano, una de las tipologías establecidas para la declaratoria. Como uno de los principales fundamentos para ello se señala la característica de presentar una traza original, de forma anatómica o antropomorfa, desconocida en los trazados urbanos de toda Colombia o, por lo menos, no identificada en ningún otro municipio, además de otros caracteres tangibles, como son las tipologías construidas, los materiales, la conservación y la homogeneidad, entre otros, e inmateriales, como es el espíritu de los habitantes de permanecer unidos tras la catástrofe acontecida en el invierno de 1933.

El grupo urbano ha sido declarado basándose en estos elementos, concretados en unos criterios de valoración que a la vez permiten atribuir los valores patrimoniales, los cuales son los que le confieren cuerpo al acto administrativo. Sin embargo, más allá de los criterios y valores, las normas solo establecen el procedimiento indicado para esta parte administrativa, pero no se especifica nada de la parte técnica. El documento técnico que permite entrever un análisis patrimonial de un grupo urbano es el Manual para inventarios de bienes culturales inmuebles del Ministerio de Cultura (2005), pero el mismo se enfoca en la individualidad del bien, no analiza el conjunto más que como supeditado al bien individual, además de centrarse casi absolutamente en cuestiones materiales

Este artículo tiene como objetivo principal el dar a conocer los valores que han llevado a la declaratoria como BIC del conjunto urbano de Sátivanorte, como un elemento original en el patrimonio nacional colombiano y, consecuentemente, se busca establecer un método de trabajo válido para la declaratoria de bienes de interés cultural con características particulares, como son los grupos o sectores urbanos que se adaptan a las peculiaridades de los bienes culturales compuestos.
El castillo de Molina de Aragón, testigo en piedra de la historia de España
Authors: Mateo Vega José Manuel
Published: March 2022

Molina de Aragón es una población de origen medieval, capital del señorío de Molina, cuya ubicación estratégica de frontera entre los reinos de Castilla y Aragón, junto con sus fueros de repoblación, riqueza agrícola, ganadera y forestal, propiciaron su asentamiento urbano.

En una ladera orientada al sur, dominando el valle del río Gallo, se alza esta fortaleza, a casi 100 metros de altitud sobre el valle donde se asienta la población aledaña. Este complejo constituye la típica alcazaba bajomedieval, en la que un amplio recinto amurallado aloja en su interior la edificación. El castillo es, a día de hoy, uno de los fortines militares más importantes y representativos de la Edad Media. Todavía se mantienen en pie la Torre de Aragón y cuatro de las seis torres del castillo. La fortaleza se encuentra actualmente en estado de ruina consolidada y ha sido sometida en el pasado a restauraciones poco acordes con la calidad arquitectonica que atesora.

¿Qué propició la construcción de semejante fortaleza en estos parajes? ¿Por qué se denomina castillo de Molina de Aragón, si se encuentra en tierras de Castilla? ¿Cómo ha resistido el paso del tiempo desde la Edad Media? ¿Qué enseñanzas se pueden extraer de su singular constucción para la arquitectura contemporánea? ¿Por qué se encuentra en estado de ruina, en lugar de reactivarlo para uso turístico y cultural?
Application of Magnetic Fields to Weld Overlay Cladding to Improve Its Performance in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Pichardo-Álvarez B. A. , Salazar-Martínez M. , López-Morelos V. H. , García R. , Curiel-López F. F.
Published: March 2022

There are increasingly more aggressive hydrocarbons, as they have high contents of hydrogen sulfide/carbon dioxide, under conditions of high pressure/high temperature. For driving these aggressive hydrocarbons, one of the most cost-effective solutions is the coating and cladding on conventional carbon steel using a corrosion-resistant alloy. The overlay is one of the methods used for the application of this cladding. However, among the main problems of this method is the dilution and micro-segregation, which causes a decrease in corrosion resistance and its subsequent failure. In this work, the application of the gas-shielded metal arc welding process with the interaction of electromagnetic fields of low intensity is proposed to overcome or at least minimize these problems. API X60 was used as base material and 316L as overlay. The interaction of the magnetic field (MF) with the molten metal causes the temperature to become homogeneous, induces grain refinement, reduces the extent of the heat-affected zone, leads to a decrement in microhardness, a decrease in dilution and micro-segregation, as well as the elimination of the magnetic blow, stabilizing the arc. This coating technique can be applied to pipelines and fittings as the trim of submarine equipment used for driving aggressive hydrocarbon.
Computational Fluid–Structure Interactions in the Human Cerebrovascular System: Part 2—A Review of Current Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Structural Mechanics in Cerebrovascular Pathophysiology
Authors: Achey Rebecca , Thiyagarajah Nishanth , Rashidi Keyvon , Rashidi Majid , Moore Nina Z.
Published: March 2022

The cerebrovascular system is an intricate structure that carries blood to and from the brain. Though the overall structures remain relatively the same from person to person, variations of vessel caliber and connections are common. From these vessels, abnormalities of wall structure can result in cerebral aneurysms, which are often prone to rupture and abnormalities in development result in abnormal high flow to low flow connections called arteriovenous malformations. Sometimes posing a great risk for catastrophic brain injury or death, and understanding which of these malformations will rupture, is important in deciding the risk of conservative management versus invasive treatment. Fluid–structure interaction (FSI) studies are widely utilized for modeling the interaction between deformable structures and their apposed fluid flow such as between blood and vessel walls. As there are significant differences in the thickness of cerebral blood vessels compared to the systemic vasculature and the cerebral vasculature typically receives 20% of the cardiac output and maintains its own autoregulation, there are unique factors to consider in formulating a fluid structure interaction model. Here, we will be reviewing the current state of coupling mechanical and fluid dynamics in the understanding of cerebrovascular pathology and propose future directions for investigation.
Model-Free Adaptive Sliding Mode Control-Based Active Chatter Suppression by Spindle Speed Variation
Authors: Ding Longyang , Sun Yuxin , Xiong Zhenhua
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a novel model-free adaptive sliding mode control (MFA-SMC) algorithm, which is employed to actively adjust the amplitude and frequency of spindle speed variation (SSV) for chatter suppression in turning. The SSV technique is effective for mitigating regenerative chatter, which however is not widely applied due to its poor adaptability to time-varying characteristics of machining dynamics and cutting conditions. The online adjustment of SSV parameters has been reported in previous works, whereas the proportional integral differential (PID)-type controller used cannot compensate for the interactions when abruptly changing the reference input and the parameter tuning procedure consumes much time. The proposed method integrates the model-free adaptive control (MFAC) with the global sliding mode control (GSMC). The method is data-driven and only dependent on the measured input/output data of the cutting process in this paper, which are the normalized wavelet packet entropy and SSV parameters, respectively. The bounded-input bounded-output stability and the tracking error convergence of the proposed control algorithm are guaranteed by theoretical analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed chatter suppression method is investigated with numerical simulations. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that chatter vibration under different cutting conditions can be effectively mitigated by the proposed method.
Structural infrasound from a barge collision with the Mississippi river bridge
Authors: Jordan Anna M. , Daniel Costley R. , Diaz-Alvarez Henry , Simpson Christopher P. , McComas Sarah L. , McKenna Taylor Mihan H.
Published: March 2022

The Mississippi River Bridge in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a seven-span cantilever bridge that is 1033 m long by 20.9 m wide and is part of the Interstate-20 corridor. On March 23, 2011, at approximately 14:30 CST, a barge moving downstream struck a pier of the bridge. An infrasound array located at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) detected the impact. Finite Element (FE) models were developed to investigate the structural behavior of the bridge due to the impact. The FE models identified events within the infrasound record that were possibly produced by the different modes of vibration of the bridge structure. The emerging technology of structural infrasound monitoring and the potential for using infrasound as a forensic tool is demonstrated with the results of the bridge-barge collision event and capability of deployment in the future.
Constructing Health and Physical Activity Knowledge in Practice: Teachers’ and Students’ Experiences
Authors: Busra Yılmaz Emine , Hunuk Deniz
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine teacher and student experiences in physical education when taught by teachers with high health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK): How did they construct this knowledge for students and share it with students in their teaching? Method: Four teachers and 16 of their students were interviewed. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: (a) HRFK sources of teachers and students, (b) teacher- and student-constructed HRFK in the instructional setting, and (c) students’ transfer of physical activity and HRFK to their daily lives and to those around them. Conclusion: The study showed that when teachers had ample health and physical activity knowledge and transfer this knowledge to their students by designing holistic learning experiences using effective pedagogical approaches, students tended to value lifetime physical activity participation. These students were also able to influence those around them (coaches, family, and friends) to be conscious of their own health and physical activity behaviors.