bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Utility of Voided Urine Samples as a Proxy for the Vaginal Microbiome and for the Prediction of Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Zhu Bin , Diachok Christopher , Edupuganti Laahirie , Edwards David J. , Donowitz Jeffrey R. , Tossas Katherine , Matveyev Andrey , Spaine Katherine M. , Lee Vladimir , Serrano Myrna G. , Buck Gregory A.
Published: September 2022

Recent work has shown that the vaginal microbiome exerts a strong impact on women’s gynecological health. However, collection of vaginal specimens is invasive and requires previous clinical training or the involvement of a trained clinician. In contrast, urine sample collection is routine, non-invasive and does not require involvement of a clinician. We sought to compare the vaginal and urogenital microbiomes to assess the utility of voided urine samples as a proxy for the vaginal microbiome. Paired urogenital and vaginal samples were collected from pregnant women and characterized by 16S rRNA taxonomic profiling. We examined diversities and compositions of paired urogenital and vaginal microbiomes using five discrete strategies to explore the similarity between the vaginal and urogenital microbiomes. A strategy comparing the paired urogenital and vaginal microbiomes in which taxa were assigned using the STIRRUPS database and urine-specific taxa were removed showed no significant difference in diversity and composition between the paired urogenital and vaginal microbiomes. Moreover, the relative abundances of common vaginal taxa were linearly correlated with those in the paired urogenital microbiomes. These similarities suggest that voided urine samples could represent a non-invasive protocol for accurate profiling of the vaginal microbiome with likely clinical applications. Finally, a machine learning model was established in which the voided urine microbiome was compared favorably to the vaginal microbiome in predicting bacterial vaginosis.
Open-label nondeceptive placebo analgesia is blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone
Authors: Benedetti Fabrizio , Shaibani Aziz , Arduino Claudia , Thoen Wilma
Published: September 2022

Open-label placebos, or placebos without deception, have been found to induce analgesia, a challenging concept that need to be investigated in detail. In particular, what we need to know is the mechanism through which analgesia is induced when no deception is involved. In this study, we show for the first time that open-label placebo analgesia can be reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone, as already shown for deceptive placebos. To do this, we used the tourniquet technique to induce experimental ischemic arm pain. The open-label placebo challenge started when pain scores reached 7 on a 0 to 10 rating scale. Although 59.4% of the subjects did not respond to the open-label placebo, 40.6% showed a substantial response. On the basis of the natural history control group, a placebo responder reported pain scores equal to or less than 7 after 9 minutes from the open-label placebo administration. In these responders, we found that a hidden injection of 10 mg naloxone could reverse placebo analgesia compared with a hidden injection of saline solution. At least 2 control groups showed that naloxone per se was not hyperalgesic, thus ruling out naloxone-induced hyperalgesia as a confounding variable. In light of the need to better understand open-label placebo effects, these findings represent the first experimental evidence that nondeceptive placebo analgesia may be mediated by the same mechanisms as deceptive placebo analgesia, namely the endogenous opioid systems.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Through the Lens of Acute Care Physical Therapists
Authors: Yorke Amy M. , Smith Leslie M. , Mostrom Elizabeth
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

This case report describes interprofessional collaborative practice experiences through the viewpoints of 3 acute care physical therapists who worked with patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) during the early months of the pandemic.

Methods:

The cases presented in this case report were selected from a larger longitudinal qualitative multiple-case study investigating interprofessional collaborative practice experiences of physical therapists employed in inpatient settings prior to and during the pandemic. The cases provide detailed narrative descriptions of interprofessional collaborative practice before and during the pandemic from the perspective of 3 physical therapists working in acute care environments.

Results:

The 3 physical therapists reported challenges to and opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practices that align with the 4 interprofessional educational competencies (values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, communication, and teams/teamwork).

Conclusions:

The ability to provide patient-centered care through interprofessional collaborative practices was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rich narrative descriptions of our participants' experiences as members of interprofessional teams provide additional insight regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on interprofessional collaborative practice.
Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Pediatric Tympanoplasty: Is There a Difference Between Closure Rates and Hearing Outcomes?
Authors: Mitton Tanner J. , Killeen Daniel E. , Momin Zoha K. , Hunter Jacob B. , Isaacson Brandon , Lee Kenneth , Kutz Joe Walter
Published: September 2022

Objective

To compare closure rates and hearing outcomes of microscopic and endoscopic tympanoplasty in pediatric patients.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary university medical center.

Patients

Pediatric patients who underwent tympanoplasty surgery by a fellowship-trained neurotologist between 2010 and 2019 with a minimum of 2 months of follow-up, a tympanic membrane perforation, and no preoperative cholesteatoma.

Interventions

Transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty or microscopic tympanoplasty (MT) surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome is postoperative closure of the tympanic membrane perforation, assessed using otomicroscopy at the last follow-up appointment. Secondary outcomes include operative time and changes in the air-bone gap (ABG) and pure-tone average (PTA).

Results

Two hundred eleven tympanoplasty operations were analyzed: 121 in the transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) group and 90 in the MT group. Tympanic membrane closure rates were no different between the two groups (TEES, 82.6%; MT, 88.9%; p = 0.24), and no significant association was found on multivariable analysis (TEES: odds ratio, 0.8; p = 0.61). Both groups showed improvements in the 4-month PTA and ABG and the 12-month PTA, but the 12-month ABG only improved in the TEES group (p < 0.01). The TEES group had a shorter average operative time (109.8 versus 123.5 min; p = 0.03) and less need for a postauricular incision (2.5% versus 93.3%; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In pediatric tympanoplasty, TEES gives similar membrane closure and hearing outcomes as the microscopic technique, with less operative time and less need for a postauricular incision.
B vitamins, polycystic ovary syndrome, and fertility
Authors: Thornburgh Sarah , Gaskins Audrey J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

This review provides a general overview of the literature on B vitamins and fertility, as well as summarizes the evidence concerning B vitamin supplementation and fertility among polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women.

Recent findings

Studies among women conceiving with and without medical assistance provide strong evidence for a beneficial effect of B vitamins, particularly folate and vitamin B12, on fecundability and fertility. Moreover, recent work suggests that effects may be even more pronounced among women with menstrual cycle dysfunction (a common symptom of PCOS). Among PCOS women, intervention studies have demonstrated that folic acid supplementation may reduce homocysteine levels, potentially improve women's metabolic profiles, and possibly ameliorate some hallmark features of PCOS. Although none of these intervention studies have included fertility endpoints, it is possible that by reducing homocysteine levels (or other clinical/biochemical features) in PCOS women, there may be a downstream improvement in fertility outcomes.

There is growing evidence folate (and possibly vitamin B12) supplementation may be beneficial to fertility in women. Although most studies have not exclusively focused on women with PCOS, there is biological plausibility and some evidence that B vitamin supplementation may be even more important for improving reproductive health outcomes in PCOS women.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of premalignant pancreatic-cystic neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors: prospective study
Authors: Younis Fadi , Ben-Ami Shor Dana , Lubezky Nir , Geva Ravit , Osher Esther , Shibolet Oren , Phillips Adam , Scapa Erez
Published: September 2022

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is a developing therapeutic approach for premalignant pancreatic-cystic neoplasms (PCNs) and small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). The safety and efficacy of pancreatic EUS-RFA were previously reported in small series. Herein we report our initial experience with RFA of PCNs and small PNETs.

Methods

This is a prospective single-center study including 12 patients with a median follow-up of 7 months, with either PCN or PNET <2 cm. Eligible PCNs were either intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) with worrisome features or mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) that were not eligible or refused surgery. Ablation was performed using a 19-gauge dedicated needle.

Results

Twelve patients were treated, five had PCNs (four IPMNs, one MCN; median size of 36 mm, range 12–60) and seven had PNETs (median size 8.9 mm, range 6–18). Among patients with PCNs, the complete radiologic response was achieved in 3/5 (60%), partial response in 1/5 (20%) and failure in 1/5 (20%). Among six patients with nonfunctioning PNETs, the complete radiologic response was achieved in 4/6 (66.7%), partial radiologic response in 0/6 (0%) and failure in 2/6 (33.3%). Following a median follow-up of 7 months. One patient with insulinoma showed complete resolution of hypoglycemia-related symptoms. Three postprocedural adverse events occurred, including one case (1/12, 8.3%) of mild acute pancreatitis and two cases (2/12, 16.7%) of abdominal pain.

Conclusion

EUS-guided RFA for premalignant PCNs and PNETs is feasible and well-tolerated. Efficacy would be further evaluated with continued follow-up of patients.
Pilot study of an elimination diet in adults with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease
Authors: Narula Neeraj , Wong Emily C.L. , Moayyedi Paul , Reinisch Walter , Marshall John K.
Published: September 2022

Background

There remains limited data supporting the efficacy of dietary therapy in adults with Crohn’s disease (CD). This was a pilot study of the McMaster Elimination diet for CD (MED-CD), which excludes several potentially detrimental ingredients commonly found in the Western diet.

Methods

Prospective study in adults with mild-moderately active CD [Harvey–Bradshaw Index (HBI) scores 5–16] and endoscopic disease activity of >7 (or ≥4 for isolated ileal disease) as measured by the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD). Patients were treated for 2 weeks using oral enteral nutrition (EN). Those with symptomatic improvement (HBI score reduction ≥2) were transitioned to the MED-CD for 12 weeks. Outcomes of interest included satisfactory adherence (≥20 on the modified medical adherence report scale-5 questionnaire), clinical remission (CR) (HBI ≤4), clinical response (HBI reduction ≥3), endoscopic response (SES-CD reduction ≥50%), and endoscopic remission (ER) (SES-CD <3).

Results

A total of 17 patients were treated with 2 weeks of EN. Of these, 13 were deemed responders and treated with 12 weeks of MED-CD. Satisfactory adherence was reported among 11/13 (84.6%) at week 6 and 8/12 (67%) at week 14. Of the 13 patients who responded to EN by week 2, 5 (38.5%) had attained CR at week 2 and maintained CR until week 14 using MED-CD. Endoscopic response was observed in 6 (46.2%) participants and ER was seen in 2 (15.4%).

Conclusions

Two weeks of oral EN followed by 12 weeks of the MED-CD was acceptable by most adult patients who enroled in this study.
Factors That Influence Sleep Disturbance and the Mediating Effects of Depression on Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lee SiWon , Oh HyunSoo , Kim SooHyun , Park Won , Kwon SeongRyul , Lim Mie Jin , Jung Kyong-Hee , Seo WhaSook
Published: September 2022

Little is known about the nature of relationships between sleep disturbance and influencing factors in rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence sleep disturbance and to evaluate mediating effects of depression on sleep disturbance. A nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational study design was adopted. One hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited. Inflammatory status and levels of pain, fatigue, functional disability, depression, and sleep disturbance were measured. The factors that directly influenced sleep disturbance were gender, rheumatoid arthritis duration, serum C-reactive protein level, fatigue, and depression. Depression was found to have mediating effects on the relationships between sleep disturbance and arthritis symptoms. Pain, fatigue, and depression were found to have significant direct or indirect impacts on sleep disturbance. Our findings may improve understanding of sleep disturbance and aid the development of effective nursing management strategies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffering from sleep disturbance.
“It's Not Just a Plaster Cast, My Leg Is in It!”
Authors: Aydın Nida , Dal Yılmaz Ümran
Published: September 2022

Plaster casts have been used in the treatment of fractures since 1850, and they play an important role in the healing of extremity injuries and operative repairs. Despite the high incidence of fractures and the widespread use of plaster casts in patients with fractures, the quality of counseling in patients with plaster casts has been neglected. There are few studies on the quality of this patient advisement and the nonmedical experiences of patients with plaster casts. We believe that understanding the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of patients who have had plaster casts will contribute to holistic patient care and will guide the planning of such care. The aim of this study was to describe some of the nonmedical experiences of being in a plaster cast and to illustrate these difficulties through patient quotes. This qualitative research study used a qualitative, descriptive approach guided by phenomenology to explore and describe the subjective experiences of patients with plaster casts. Participants consisted of 10 patients with lower extremity fractures, all of whom had been in a plaster cast for at least 6 weeks. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews using semistructured questionnaires. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) was used in structuring and reporting the study. Six themes that described the experiences of patients with a plaster cast were determined in the study. These themes were the basic physiological and functional concern, self-image challenges, social roles, dependence/independence, emotions, and the experience of being in a plaster cast. We determined that many aspects of the lives of patients had been affected by being in a plaster cast and that they had experienced not only physiological issues but also psychological, social, emotional, and aesthetic issues. In addition, all the participants stated that they sought solutions to these issues by requesting support from a person or persons around them. Understanding the experiences of individuals with a plaster cast will contribute to the holistic healthcare of individuals who suffer fractures, allowing it to be more patient-centered. This understanding will also support the planning and implementation of patient-centered counseling and education.
Comparison of Postoperative Enophthalmos Between Fresh and Delayed Unilateral Orbital Fractures After Orbital Reconstruction With Titanium Mesh Using Computer-Assisted Navigation
Authors: Xia Long , Gao Chunli , Gong Xi , Zhang Yi , He Yang , An Jingang
Published: September 2022

This study compares postoperative enophthalmos between fresh and delayed unilateral orbital fractures after orbital reconstruction with titanium mesh using computer-assisted navigation. The sample was composed of 45 patients with post-traumatic unilateral enophthalmos who were divided into the fresh fracture group and the delayed fracture group. They underwent orbital reconstruction with standard preformed orbital implants and computer-assisted navigation system. The following parameters were measured with computed tomography images: the degree of enophthalmos, orbital volume, and fracture defect area. Patients were reviewed preoperatively (T0), 1 week postoperatively (T1), and 6 months postoperatively (T2). Computed tomography measurements showed that in both groups, the degree of enophthalmos decreased after surgery but increased significantly from T1 to T2 (P<0.05). ΔE (difference in the degree of enophthalmos between T1 and T2) was similar in patients with fresh and delayed fractures. There was a significant difference in the degree of ΔE between patients with single-wall orbital fractures and those with two-wall orbital fractures. The findings indicate that postoperative enophthalmos is common in both the groups and is closely related to the degree of preoperative enophthalmos. Furthermore, the recurrence of enophthalmos is similar between the 2 groups, but it is higher in patients with orbital fractures involving 2 walls.
The gender-specific impact of starvation on mitotypes diversity in adults of
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Wang Tao , Li Tian-Chu , Miao Yun-Heng , Wu Luo-Nan , Chen Yu-Qiao , Huang Da-Wei , Xiao Jin-Hua
Published: September 2022

In animals, starvation can increase the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in some tissues. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more vulnerable to being attacked by ROS due to the lack of histone protection, leading to oxidative damage. However, whether starvation is associated with the genetic diversity of mtDNA remains unclear. Here, by using adult individuals of
Drosophila melanogaster
under three different feeding treatments (starvation, with the provision of only water, and normal feeding), based on the high-throughput sequencing results of the PCR amplicons of the partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (
mt-cox1
), no significant difference in the mean number of mitochondrial haplotypes and the mean genetic distance of haplotypes within individuals were identified between the three treatment groups. Coupled with the low proportion of heterogeneous
mt-cox1
sequences within each individual, it suggested that starvation had a limited impact on mitotype genetic diversity and mitochondrial function. Nevertheless, starvation could significantly increase the sequence number of haplotypes containing specific mutations, and for males with higher levels of mitochondrial heteroplasmy than females in the normal feeding group, starvation could further increase their mitochondrial heteroplasmy.
Substrate-induced dimerization of elaiophylin glycosyltransferase reveals a novel self-activating form of glycosyltransferase for symmetric glycosylation
Authors: Xu Tingting , Gan Qingqing , Liu Qiang , Chen Ruidong , Zhen Xuhui , Zhang Changsheng , Liu Jinsong
Published: September 2022

Elaiophylin (Ela), a unique 16-membered symmetric macrodiolide antibiotic, displays broad biological activity. Two rare 2-deoxy-L-fucose moieties at the ends of Ela are critical for its activity. Previously, elaiophylin glycosyltransferase (ElaGT) was identified as the enzyme that is responsible for the symmetric glycosylation of Ela, acting as a potential enzymatic tool for enhancing the diversity and activity of Ela. However, a symmetric catalytic mechanism has never been reported for a glycosyltransferase (GT). To explore the catalytic mechanism, the structure of ElaGT was determined in four forms: the apo form and Ela-bound, thymidine diphosphate-bound and uridine diphosphate-bound forms. In the Ela-bound structure, two ElaGTs form a `face-to-face' C2-symmetric homodimer with a continuous acceptor-binding pocket, allowing a molecule of Ela to shuffle through. Interestingly, this dimer interface resembles that of the activator-dependent GT EryCIII with its activator EryCII. Sequence analysis also indicates that ElaGT belongs to the activator-dependent GT family, but no putative activator has been identified in the Ela gene cluster. It was then found that the ElaGT homodimer may utilize this `face-to-face' arrangement to stabilize the Ela-binding loops on the interface and to simultaneously allosterically regulate the catalytic center. Therefore, these structures present a novel self-activating model for symmetric sugar transfer in the GT family and a new potential regulation site for substrate specificity.
(E)-1-(2-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(naphthalen-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Koh Dongsoo
Published: September 2022

In the title compound, C21H18O4, the relative conformation of the C=C and C=O double bonds in the central enone group is s-cisoid; there is a trans configuration about the C=C bond. The dihedral angle formed by the naphthalene ring system and the benzene ring is 16.80 (2)°. The methoxy groups at the ortho and para positions of the benzene ring are tilted to the ring by 169.8 (1) and 174.5 (1)°, respectively. The hydroxy group in the benzene ring participates in an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, C—H...O interactions link molecules into linear chains along the a-axis direction.
Subjective norms as a moderator in the consumption behaviour of branded functional beverages post-COVID-19 pandemic: a pragmatic view
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Geetha Raveendran Nair Jayadevan , Jayapal Jegan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to experimentally investigate branded functional beverage (BFB) consumption behaviour post-COVID-19 through the lens of a conceptual framework built on three renowned behaviour modification models and to critically evaluate how well subjective norms serve as a moderator in the consumption behaviour relating to such beverage products.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed based on the tenets of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), health belief model (HBM) and value-attitude-behaviour (VAB) model. The study was performed on a convenience sample of 537 respondents aged 18 and up from diverse regions in India using the PLS-SEM method. A total of 444 useable questionnaires were utilized for the final data analysis.

Findings

Given the post-pandemic setting, the perceived benefits of BFBs significantly influenced its purchase intention and consumption behaviour. It could grossly impact the media's role (information about COVID-19) and the consumers' interest in healthy food. The study revealed that the information about COVID-19 (role of media) strongly increased interest in healthy food, whereas interest in healthy food positively influenced purchase intention of functional beverages. With interest in healthy food as a “mediator”, the role of media (information about COVID-19) positively influenced purchase intention. It is worth noting the moderating role of subjective norms in the relationship between the role of media (information about COVID-19) and interest in healthy food and that between interest in healthy food and BFB purchase intention.

Practical implications

Food marketers shall skillfully use “opinion” leaders and subject experts in marketing communication campaigns to popularize the link between good food and immunity through COVID-19 and healthy diet-related messages sent via a suitable media platform. This would grab food consumers' interest in BFBs and persuade them to incorporate such items in their daily food milieu. Consumers need to be assured that consuming “functional” products would deliver health benefits and upkeep their body immunity in the post-COVID-19 times.

Originality/value

There has been minimal research on the link between perceived benefits, the role of media, interest in healthy food and consumption behaviour on functional beverages in the post-COVID-19 setting. Moreover, subjective norms have never been probed as a moderator in the consumer behaviour studies on BFBs. This pioneering study applied the tenets of the TPB, HBM and VAB model in the context of post-pandemic functional beverage consumption. The altered study settings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the context of a developing economy like India have amplified the research value of this study.
Research on application of LU decomposition and CG method in nonlinear iteration of transmission line finite element method
Authors: Ren Xvdong , Yan Xiuke , Xu Chen , Zhang YanLi , Xie Dexin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a reliable finite element algorithm based on the transmission line method (TLM) to solve the nonlinear problem in electromagnetic field calculation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the TLM has been researched and applied to solve nonlinear iteration in FEM. LU decomposition method and the Jacobi preconditioned conjugate gradient method have been investigated to solve the equations in transmission line finite element method (FEM-TLM). The algorithms have been developed in C++ language. The algorithm is applied to analyze the magnetic field of a long straight current-carrying wire and a single-phase transformer.

Findings

FEM-TLM is more effective than traditional FEM in nonlinear iteration. The results of FEM-TLM have been compared and analyzed under different calculation scales. It is found that the LU decomposition method is more suitable for FEM-TLM because there is no need to repeatedly assemble the global coefficient matrix in the iterative solution process and it is not affected by the disturbance of the right-hand vector.

Originality/value

An effective algorithm is provided for solving nonlinear problems in the electromagnetic field, which can save a lot of computing costs. The efficiency of LU decomposition and CG method in FEM-TLM nonlinear iteration is investigated, which also makes a preliminary exploration for the research of FEM-TLM parallel algorithms.
Believe to achieve? Understanding how social class background impacts the effects of achievement striving on propensity to negotiate
Authors: Simon Lauren S. , Corwin Emily S. , Tilton Jacqueline , Breaux Soignet Denise
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Negotiation is important for career success. Therefore, this study draws from social expectancy and self-regulation theories to develop a model proposing that social class background (SCB) influences the ease with which achievement striving translates into propensity to negotiate. Specifically, the authors examine how SCB moderates the relationship between achievement striving and negotiation propensity via a key mediator—status-based identity uncertainty—reflective of one's (un)certainty about their societal standing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data across three surveys over a four-week period from 460 participants. The authors assessed negotiation propensity by asking participants to rank-order behavioral reactions, representative of different degrees of negotiation engagement, in response to three scenarios.

Findings

The positive effects of achievement striving on negotiation propensity are attenuated for individuals with lower SCBs, in part, because achievement-oriented individuals with lower SCBs experience a heightened sense of status-based identity uncertainty. Although achievement striving is an asset for initiating negotiations, it appears to disproportionately benefit those with higher SCBs.

Originality/value

Individuals higher in achievement striving and with lower SCBs may approach the negotiation process differently than those with higher SCBs. This dynamic serves as another mechanism through which cumulative (dis)advantage processes in career success may occur over time.
Reservoir characterization and density–velocity analysis using rock physics and integrated multi‐types post‐stack inversion to identify hydrocarbon possibility and litho‐prediction of Mishrif formation in the Kumaite and Dhafriyah oil fields, Southern Iraq
Authors: Albakr Majid A. , Abd Najah , Hasan Salar , Al‐Sharaa Ghazi H.
Published: September 2022

Litho‐prediction is a non‐unique process that requires more than integrated techniques to reinforce the final results and harmonize hydrocarbon probability. Consequently, integrated procedures have been started with log data of the Mishrif formation in different site locations and involve petrophysics and rock physics analyses altogether to evaluate the general situation of the formation. In the second stage, we performed seismic inversion for 3D seismic data in the Kumaite and Dhafriyah oil fields. A brand‐new technique called pseudo–post‐stack simultaneous inversion has been used to calculate all the elastic engineering properties of the seismic cube. This method is performed by utilizing a real genetic inversion model that would be used to calibrate a low‐frequency model of simultaneous inversion to enhance the resolution and event isolation of the final inverted cube to identify reservoir characterization. The final output then is used to perform quantitative analysis and determine the productive layers within the area of interest. Density–velocity analysis also plays an extraordinary role in establishing the main relationship between different elastic parameters. Finally, by using the local equation and global density–velocity equations, different velocities of carbonate succession have been calculated.
Back to the future: when children and adolescents return to office sessions following episodes of teletherapy
Authors: Tyminski Robert
Published: September 2022

Analysts and psychotherapists are beginning to have more thorough and probing discussions about how the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected their work. Shifting to online teletherapy has been necessary due to the public health measures put in place to curtail the spread of the virus. Much of the existing literature addresses how using online platforms for teletherapy works for adults. This paper instead looks at its effects on working with children and adolescents. A contrast between Winnicott’s notion of holding and Bion’s concept of container‐contained is reviewed through a summary of a paper by Ogden. This author finds that holding might be more applicable to online work during a pandemic when the collective relationship to time and its usual parameters is severely upended. Containing could be more arduous and challenging online due to the lack of embodied presence to communicate and detect tiny nonverbal cues. A short questionnaire affirms that child analysts and psychotherapists have struggled with dimensions of online work that are particular to the developmental levels of their patients. Further, teletherapy may often not be a good fit for someone with learning differences.
Conceptualising employee voice in the majority world: Using multiple intellectual traditions inspired by the work of Mick Marchington
Authors: Dibben Pauline , Cunningham Ian , Bakalov Nikola , Xian Huiping
Published: September 2022

Conceptualisation of voice in the majority world (developing and emerging economies) should avoid simply using the lens of the minority world (advanced economies). Yet, both can benefit from taking a multidisciplinary approach. Marchington was one of the early pioneers of multidisciplinary work on voice in advanced economies. While being fundamentally an industrial relations (IR) scholar who was alert to the influence of power and context, he took a pluralist approach in applying IR ideas to Human Resource Management, exploring empirically why and how workers use voice. This paper is inspired by Marchington's multidisciplinary approach but considers voice within different institutional contexts. Our key research question is, ‘How can majority world conceptions of employee voice enrich our understanding of what voice is for, its outcomes and whom it serves?’ Through interrogating how different intellectual traditions have underpinned work in the majority world (exemplified by South Africa and China) we highlight the need for further theoretical development of the concept of lateral voice and argue that voice should be more closely linked to forms of resistance. Our concluding section uses this analysis to start the re‐imagining of voice in minority and majority world contexts.
Gut metagenome‐derived signature predicts hepatic decompensation and mortality in NAFLD‐related cirrhosis
Authors: Sharpton Suzanne R. , Oh Tae Gyu , Madamba Egbert , Wang Chenjingyi , Yu Ruth T. , Atkins Annette R. , Huan Tao , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald M. , Loomba Rohit
Published: September 2022

Background

There are limited data on the diagnostic accuracy of gut microbial signatures for predicting hepatic decompensation in patients with cirrhosis.

Aims

To determine whether a stool metagenome‐derived signature accurately detects hepatic decompensation and mortality risk in cirrhosis secondary to non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Methods

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on faecal samples collected at study entry from a prospective cohort of adults with NAFLD‐related cirrhosis. A Random Forest machine learning algorithm was utilised to identify a metagenomic signature of decompensated cirrhosis (defined by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or variceal haemorrhage) and subsequently validated in an external cohort. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine predictors of all‐cause mortality.

Results

In all, 25 adults with NAFLD‐related cirrhosis (training cohort) were included. Among the 16 participants with decompensated cirrhosis, 33% had ascites, 56% had hepatic encephalopathy and 22% had experienced a variceal haemorrhage (not mutually exclusive). We identified a stool metagenomic signature comprising 13 discriminatory species that reliably distinguished decompensated NAFLD‐related cirrhosis (diagnostic accuracy, 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–0.99). Diagnostic accuracy of the 13‐species signature remained high after adjustment for lactulose (area under the curve [AUC] 0.99) and rifaximin use (AUC 0.93). The discriminative ability of 13‐species metagenomic signature was robust in an independent test cohort (AUC 0.95, 95% CI 0.81–1.00). The 13‐species metagenomic signature (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54, 95% CI 1.10–2.15, p = 0.01) was a stronger predictor of mortality than the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.53, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for a gut metagenome‐derived signature with high diagnostic accuracy for hepatic decompensation that predicts risk of mortality in NAFLD‐related cirrhosis.
Thermal biology and locomotor performance of the Andean lizard Liolaemus fitzgeraldi (Liolaemidae) in Argentina
Authors: Valdez Ovallez Franco M. , Gómez Alés Rodrigo , Astudillo Vanesa , Córdoba Mariela , Fava Gustavo , Acosta Rodrigo , Blanco Graciela , Villavicencio José , Acosta Juan Carlos
Published: September 2022

Ectotherms thermoregulate to maintain their body temperature within the optimal range needed for performing vital functions. The effect of climate change on lizards has been studied as regards the sensitivity of locomotor performance to environmental temperatures. We studied thermoregulatory efficiency and locomotor performance for Liolaemus fitzgeraldi in the Central Andes of Argentina. We determined body temperature, micro‐environmental temperatures and operative temperatures in the field. In the laboratory, we measured preferred temperatures and calculated the index of thermoregulatory efficiency. We estimated the thermal sensitivity of locomotion by measuring sprint speed (initial velocity and long sprint) and endurance at five different body temperatures. Body temperature was not associated with either micro‐environmental temperature, nor did it show differences with preferred temperatures. Thermoregulatory efficiency was moderate (0.61). Initial velocity and long sprint trials showed differences at different temperatures; however, endurance did not. Moreover, the optimal temperatures for the performance trials showed no significant differences among themselves. We conclude that Liolaemus fitzgeraldi has thermal sensitivity in locomotor performance with respect to body temperature and that it is an eurythermic lizard that experiences a large variation in body temperature and that has thermal flexibility in the cold.
Detection of COVID‐19 and its pulmonary stage using Bayesian hyperparameter optimization and deep feature selection methods
Authors: Muzoğlu Nedim , Halefoğlu Ahmet Mesrur , Avci Muhammed Onur , Kaya Karaaslan Melike , Yarman Bekir Sıddık Binboğa
Published: September 2022

Since the first case of COVID‐19 was reported in December 2019, many studies have been carried out on artificial intelligence for the rapid diagnosis of the disease to support health services. Therefore, in this study, we present a powerful approach to detect COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 findings from computed tomography images using pre‐trained models using two different datasets. COVID‐19, influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia and healthy lung image classes were used in the first dataset. Consolidation, crazy‐paving pattern, ground‐glass opacity, ground‐glass opacity and consolidation, ground‐glass opacity and nodule classes were used in the second dataset. The study consists of four steps. In the first two steps, distinctive features were extracted from the final layers of the pre‐trained ShuffleNet, GoogLeNet and MobileNetV2 models trained with the datasets. In the next steps, the most relevant features were selected from the models using the Sine–Cosine optimization algorithm. Then, the hyperparameters of the Support Vector Machines were optimized with the Bayesian optimization algorithm and used to reclassify the feature subset that achieved the highest accuracy in the third step. The overall accuracy obtained for the first and second datasets is 99.46% and 99.82%, respectively. Finally, the performance of the results visualized with Occlusion Sensitivity Maps was compared with Gradient‐weighted class activation mapping. The approach proposed in this paper outperformed other methods in detecting COVID‐19 from multiclass viral pneumonia. Moreover, detecting the stages of COVID‐19 in the lungs was an innovative and successful approach.
The impacts of linear infrastructure on terrestrial vertebrate populations: A trait‐based approach
Authors: de Jonge Melinda M. J. , Gallego‐Zamorano Juan , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Schipper Aafke M. , Benítez‐López Ana
Published: September 2022

While linear infrastructures, such as roads and power lines, are vital to human development, they may also have negative impacts on wildlife populations up to several kilometres into the surrounding environment (infrastructure‐effect zones, IEZs). However, species‐specific IEZs are not available for the vast majority of species, hampering global assessments of infrastructure impacts on wildlife. Here, we synthesized 253 studies worldwide to quantify the magnitude and spatial extent of infrastructure impacts on the abundance of 792 vertebrate species. We also identified the extent to which species traits, infrastructure type and habitat modulate IEZs for vertebrate species. Our results reveal contrasting responses across taxa based on the local context and species traits. Carnivorous mammals were generally more abundant in the proximity of infrastructure. In turn, medium‐ to large‐sized non‐carnivorous mammals (>1 kg) were less abundant near infrastructure across habitats, while their smaller counterparts were more abundant close to infrastructure in open habitats. Bird abundance was reduced near infrastructure with larger IEZs for non‐carnivorous than for carnivorous species. Furthermore, birds experienced larger IEZs in closed (carnivores: ≈130 m, non‐carnivores: >1 km) compared to open habitats (carnivores: ≈70 m, non‐carnivores: ≈470 m). Reptiles were more abundant near infrastructure in closed habitats but not in open habitats where abundances were reduced within an IEZ of ≈90 m. Finally, IEZs were relatively small in amphibians (<30 m). These results indicate that infrastructure impact assessments should differentiate IEZs across species and local contexts in order to capture the variety of responses to infrastructure. Our trait‐based synthetic approach can be applied in large‐scale assessments of the impacts of current and future infrastructure developments across multiple species, including those for which infrastructure responses are not known from empirical data.
In vitro characterisation of tropomyosin from flower tail shrimp, Metapenaeus dobsoni and effect of hydrolysis on allergenicity of tropomyosin
Authors: Laly S.J. , Kumar Abhay , Sankar T.V. , Panda Satyen Kumar
Published: September 2022

Shellfish allergy due to major allergen tropomyosin can lead to anaphylaxis in highly sensitive individuals. Tropomyosin purified from flower tail shrimp, Metapenaeus dobsoni was subjected to in vitro characterisation. Also effect of trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis on shrimp allergenicity was evaluated. The purified tropomyosin was profiled by SDS PAGE and de nova sequenced using MALDI TOF. Peptide sequence showed a significant protein score in the range of 72–137 with 95% confidence level. In silico mapping of IgE‐binding regions showed conservation of IgE‐binding regions along with cross reactivity with other species. The most abundant amino acid present was glutamic acid followed by lysine. IgE‐binding ability got significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by hydrolysis in comparison to raw. The lower peptide fragments resulted from chymotrypsin hydrolysis by SDS PAGE were very feeble than by trypsin and no immunological activity was observed. Chymotrypsin hydrolysis is observed to be effective in retarding immunological activity of tropomyosin both at 37 °C and 50 °C compared with trypsin hydrolysis at 37 °C by immunoblotting analysis. This can be further utilised in the processing of crustacean extracts intended for seasoning purpose. Further research on in vivo assays for reduced immunoreactivity of tropomyosin after hydrolysis of shrimp can be carried out.

Practical applications

In vitro characterisation of tropomyosin helps in understanding the cross reactivity with other shrimp species. Chymotrypsin hydrolysed shrimp can be utilised in the processing of crustacean extracts intended for seasoning purpose.
Discarded cross‐allergy between miracle berry (Synsepalum dulcificum) and peanut
Authors: Menéndez‐Rey Adrián , Jerez‐Arroyo Fátima , Alegría‐Aravena Nicolás , Quiroz‐Troncoso Josefa , González‐Martos Raquel , Sánchez‐Díez Marta , Blanco Carlos , Unturbe Ceferino Maestú , Bensadon‐Naeder Loan , Ramirez‐Castillejo Carmen
Published: September 2022

Peanut allergies are one of the food allergies with the highest prevalence and mortality due to anaphylaxis, drastically reducing the quality of life of people who suffer from it. In the case of Novel Foods, such as the miracle berry from Synsepalum dulcificum, there is insufficient evidence regarding their allergenic potential. An exhaustive analysis was carried out to study potential cross‐allergy effects between miracle berries and peanuts. First, both an in silico allergenicity prediction model based on sequence homology and an in silico structure homology test were designed to evaluate miraculin cross‐reactivity against Ara h allergens. Second, an in vitro ELISA assay using blood sera from peanut‐allergic patients was executed to discard the possibility of cross‐reaction with total protein content from the berry. The obtained results ruled out the presence of cross‐allergy, leading to the conclusion that consumption of this berry presents no risk for patients with this allergy.
The Price of Higher Order Catastrophe Insurance: The Case of VIX Options
Authors: ERAKER BJØRN , YANG AOXIANG
Published: September 2022

We develop a tractable equilibrium pricing model to explain observed characteristics in equity returns, VIX futures, S&P 500 options, and VIX options data based on affine jump‐diffusive state dynamics and representative agents endowed with Duffie‐Epstein recursive preferences. Our calibrated model replicates consumption, dividends, and asset market data, including VIX futures returns, the average implied volatilities in SPX and VIX options, and first‐ and higher‐order moments of VIX options returns. We document a time variation in the shape of VIX‐option‐implied volatility and a time‐varying hedging relationship between VIX and SPX options that our model both captures.
A fetus with large mediastinal cystic lymphatic malformation managed with prenatal serial thoracocentesis and postnatal sclerotherapy
Authors: Muromoto Jin , Sugibayashi Rika , Ozawa Katsusuke , Wada Seiji , Fujino Akihiro , Miyazaki Osamu , Ito Yushi , Sago Haruhiko
Published: September 2022

We report a very rare case of large fetal mediastinal cystic lymphatic malformation (cLM), formerly called lymphangioma, that was managed with prenatal serial thoracocentesis and postnatal sclerotherapy. A fetal pericardial effusion‐like lesion gradually increased the size until it occupied more than half of the thoracic cavity. Thoracocentesis was performed three times, namely at 31 and 35 weeks of gestation, and also just before the delivery for decompression. The characteristic shape changes of the lesion were observed after thoracocentesis. A boy delivered by planned cesarian section at term required respiratory support after birth. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed a large cystic lesion with septa and hemorrhage without solid components, led to the diagnosis of cLM. The fluid from the cyst continued to be drained. Neonatal sclerotherapy using OK‐432 was effective and the infant recovered well. Fetal thoracocentesis may be useful for the diagnosis and management of a large mediastinal cLM.
Brain injury patterns in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy of term neonates
Authors: Bobba Pratheek S. , Malhotra Ajay , Sheth Kevin N. , Taylor Sarah N. , Ment Laura R. , Payabvash Seyedmehdi
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose

Topographic patterns of brain injury in neonates can help with differentiation and prognostic categorization of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In this study, we quantitatively and objectively characterized the location of hypoxic ischemic lesions in term neonates with varying severity of HIE.

Methods

We analyzed term neonates (born ≥37 postmenstrual gestational weeks) with MRI diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and diagnoses of HIE. Neonates’ HIE was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. The hypoxic ischemic lesions were segmented on DWI series with attention to T1‐ and T2‐weighted images and then co‐registered onto standard brain space to generate summation maps for each severity category. Applying voxel‐wise general linear models, we also identified cerebral regions more likely to infarct with increasing severity of HIE, after correction for lesion volume and time‐to‐scan as covariates.

Results

We included 33 neonates: 20 with mild, eight with moderate, and five with severe HIE. Infarct volumes (p = .00052) and Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration scores at 1 minute (p = .032) differed between HIE severity categories. Hypoxic ischemic lesions in neonates with mild and moderate HIE were predominant in subcortical and deep white matter along the border zones of arterial supply territories, while severe HIE also involved basal ganglia, hippocampus, and thalamus. In voxel‐wise analysis, higher severity of HIE was associated with the presence of lesions in hippocampus, thalamus, and lentiform nucleus.

Conclusions

In term neonates, mild/moderate HIE is associated with infarctions of arterial territory watershed zones, whereas severe HIE distinctively involves basal ganglia, thalami, and hippocampi.