bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEPOSITION OF Al2O3/Cr2O3 CERAMICS HVOF SPRAYED COATINGS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST SILT EROSION
Authors: KUMAR RAJESH , KUMAR SATISH , MUDGAL DEEPA
Published: December 2022

Hydro turbines are one of the most vital and essential components for the production of hydroelectric power. Since the hydro turbine is always operating under the influence of water and the silt transported by the water from the hilly region, it poses a lot of threat and damage to the turbine blades working constantly under the action of silt laden water. Erosion wear is the most common type of damage, and drastically affects the life of turbine runners and blades. The introduction of thermal spray coatings, namely high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) technique, has resulted in a major improvement in stainless steel erosion resistance. Ceramic coating powders primarily Al2O3, Cr2O3, and a composite mixture of composition 55% Cr2O[Formula: see text] Al2O3 were deposited on stainless steel substrates of grade 304. The thorough experiments utilizing silt slurry are conducted at different particle size of silt in the range 212–250, 150–212 and 53–106[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. The silt concentration has been varied in the range 12–42% by weight, and the substrate was rotated at a rotational speed in the range 600–1500[Formula: see text]rev/min for the test time of 4[Formula: see text]h. SEM images were used to assess the surface morphology of the required testing samples. The erosion observance and the material removal mechanism were investigated and discussed on the basis of microstructure studies. Cr2O3 coating is found to be more resistant to erosion than other coatings under all test conditions.
Changes in Dynamic Stability of Cardiovascular Time Series by Local Largest Lyapunov Exponent in the Time-Frequency Domain in Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: Mendez-Magdaleno L. E. , Dorantes-Mendez G. , Charleston-Villalobos S. , Aljama-Corrales T. , Gonzalez-Hermosillo J. , Gonzalez-Camarena R.
Published: December 2022

Orthostatic stress via a head-up tilt test (HUTT) has been clinically used to rule out vasovagal syncope (VVS), which is generated by an inappropriate autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation. VVS has been evaluated mainly by hemodynamic variables and linear analysis of heart rate variability. In this study, the estimation of the local largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE[Formula: see text] was used to assess the predictability of the beat-to-beat interval (BBI), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) times series to analyze in a nonlinear and time-varying fashion the impact of HUTT on ANS regulation in young females, healthy and patients with VVS. The estimation of LLEL of the time series was achieved in both the original domain (full-band) and narrow-band signals by the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN). Results pointed out that during the orthostatic phase (OPH), the VVS patients showed: (1) significantly higher predictability (less complexity) of the BBI time series, i.e., significant altered cardiac vagal modulation, (2) less predictability of SBP variability suggesting altered sympathetic modulation to the vasculature, and (3) LLEL in conjunction with CEEMDAN evidenced an impairment of cardiovascular autonomic control.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Authors: HASSAN BANJO A. , ADETAYO ADEOLA E.
Published: December 2022

This study tested the influence of social orientation of hospitality industry in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on the organizational commitment of their employees. Using a descriptive design of survey, we analyzed the effect of social entrepreneurship on the common three dimensions of organizational commitment (normative, affective, and continuance). Data for the study were obtained from 315 employees from the industry using an instrument that was well validated. Our analysis suggested that social entrepreneurship positively and significantly explains organizational commitment of the surveyed staff from the industry along the three dimensions of commitment with normative commitment showing the greatest effect of social orientations of the industry. The study concluded that social entrepreneurship is a potent organizational variable that can be used to engender commitment of staff especially their normative commitment.
Online Throughput Maximization on Unrelated Machines: Commitment is No Burden
Authors: Eberle Franziska , Megow Nicole , Schewior Kevin
Published: December 2022

We consider a fundamental online scheduling problem in which jobs with processing times and deadlines arrive online over time at their release dates. The task is to determine a feasible preemptive schedule on a single or multiple possibly unrelated machines that maximizes the number of jobs that complete before their deadline. Due to strong impossibility results for competitive analysis on a single machine, we require that jobs contain some
slack
ɛ > 0, which means that the feasible time window for scheduling a job is at least 1+ɛ times its processing time on each eligible machine. Our contribution is two-fold: (i) We give the first non-trivial online algorithms for throughput maximization on unrelated machines, and (ii), this is the main focus of our paper, we answer the question on how to handle commitment requirements which enforce that a scheduler has to guarantee at a certain point in time the completion of admitted jobs. This is very relevant, e.g., in providing cloud-computing services, and disallows last-minute rejections of critical tasks. We present an algorithm for unrelated machines that is

\(\Theta (\frac{1}{\varepsilon })\)

-competitive when the scheduler must commit upon starting a job. Somewhat surprisingly, this is the same optimal performance bound (up to constants) as for scheduling without commitment on a single machine. If commitment decisions must be made before a job’s slack becomes less than a δ-fraction of its size, we prove a competitive ratio of

\(\mathcal {O}(\frac{1}{\varepsilon - \delta })\)

for 0 < δ < ɛ. This result nicely interpolates between commitment upon starting a job and commitment upon arrival. For the latter commitment model, it is known that no (randomized) online algorithm admits any bounded competitive ratio. While we mainly focus on scheduling without migration, our results also hold when comparing against a migratory optimal solution in case of identical machines.
Robust Algorithms for TSP and Steiner Tree
Authors: Ganesh Arun , Maggs Bruce M. , Panigrahi Debmalya
Published: December 2022

Robust optimization is a widely studied area in operations research, where the algorithm takes as input a range of values and outputs a single solution that performs well for the entire range. Specifically, a robust algorithm aims to minimize
regret
, defined as the maximum difference between the solution’s cost and that of an optimal solution in hindsight once the input has been realized. For graph problems in
P
, such as shortest path and minimum spanning tree, robust polynomial-time algorithms that obtain a constant approximation on regret are known. In this paper, we study robust algorithms for minimizing regret in
NP
-hard graph optimization problems, and give constant approximations on regret for the classical traveling salesman and Steiner tree problems.
Metabolomics analysis of urine from patients with alcohol-associated liver disease reveals dysregulated caffeine metabolism
Authors: Xu Raobo , He Liqing , Vatsalya Vatsalya , Ma Xipeng , Kim Seongho , Mueller Eugene G. , Feng Wenke , McClain Craig J. , Zhang Xiang
Published: December 2022

Our study using both untargeted and targeted metabolomics reveals the caffeine metabolic pathway is dysregulated in ALD. Three caffeine metabolites, 1-methylxanthine, paraxanthine, and 5-acetylamino-6-amino-3-methyluracil, can differentiate the severity of early-stage ALD.
Adaptations in motor unit properties underlying changes in recruitment, rate coding, and maximum force
Authors: Dideriksen Jakob , Del Vecchio Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Our ability to measure adaptations in neuromuscular properties in vivo is limited. Using a computational model, we quantify the effect of multiple neuromuscular adaptations on common measures of motor unit recruitment, rate coding, and force-producing capacity. Scaling and combining adaptations had a near-linear effect on these measures, indicating that the results can explain and predict neuromuscular adaptations in a wide range of conditions, including, but not limited to, strength training.
Thalamocortical boutons cluster by ON/OFF responses in mouse primary visual cortex
Authors: Tring Elaine , Ringach Dario L.
Published: December 2022

Neurons in primary visual cortex cluster into ON and OFF domains, which have been shown to be linked to the organization of receptive fields and cortical maps. Here we show that in the mouse such clustering is already present in the geniculate input, suggesting that the cortical architecture may be shaped by the representation of ON/OFF signals in the thalamus and the retina.
A Fuzzy Fractional Order Approach to SIDARTHE Epidemic Model for COVID‐19
Authors: Chellamani P. , Julietraja K. , Alsinai Ammar , Ahmed Hanan
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a novel coronavirus SIDARTHE epidemic model system is constructed using a Caputo‐type fuzzy fractional differential equation. Applying Caputo derivatives to our model is motivated by the need to more thoroughly examine the dynamics of the model. Here, the fuzzy concept is applied to the SIDARTHE epidemic model for finding the transmission of the coronavirus in an easier way. The existence of a unique solution is examined using fixed point theory for the given fractional SIDARTHE epidemic model. The dynamic behaviour of COVID‐19 is understood by applying the numerical results along with a combination of fuzzy Laplace and Adomian decomposition transform. Hence, an efficient method to solve a fuzzy fractional differential equation using Laplace transforms and their inverses using the Caputo sense derivative is developed, which can make the problem easier to solve numerically. Numerical calculations are performed by considering different parameter values.
Factors Influencing Brucellosis Preventive Behaviors among Marginalized Iranian Women: An Application of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Barati Majid , Shayghan Zahed Rezvan , Bakhtiari Marjan , Fathi Yadollah , Afshari Maryam , Taheri-Kharameh Zahra
Published: December 2022

Background. Brucellosis is still a serious public health threat in developing countries, especially in Iran. Brucellosis is an endemic disease in Iran and risk factors increasing its broadcast are prevalent. This study investigated factors influencing brucellosis preventive behaviors amongst marginalized women in Hamadan city, Iran, using the health belief model (HBM). Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 289 women living in marginal areas were considered from April until May 2018. Via cluster random sampling methods, comprehensive health services where women get health care were selected. Each woman in the selected comprehensive health services was then enrolled by the simple random sampling method. Data were gathered from a face-to-face interview via a questionnaire. Results. Most women had a history of using nonpasteurized dairy products (86.2%). Most women (64.7%) boiled the milk for 3–5 minutes. 61.2% of women put the cheese in a salt-water solution. The results showed that one unit rise in the scores of knowledge, self-efficacy, and cues to action resulted in an increase in the mean score of the protective behavior by 0.189, 209, and 0.150, respectively. Conclusion. The HBM was a helpful model in predicting the influential elements in brucellosis preventive behaviors. Also, recognized effective factors should be taken into account when designing interventions.
Correlation between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Guo Li , Yin Ping , Li Xiangting , Wang Xin , Xue Jing , Wang Wenqing , Song Dongmei , Xu Guomei , Shang Miaomiao , Liu Shuai , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Qingyun , Sun Dandan
Published: December 2022

Background. Evidence regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function was limited. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate whether BMI is independently related to cognitive function in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation after adjusting for other covariates. Methods. The present study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 281 patients with atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University in Shandong Province from January 2021 to November 2021 were included in the study. The target independent variable and the dependent variable were BMI and cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation, respectively. The patients’ general information, BMI, past history, medication history, and other disease-related data were collected. The Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) was used to evaluate cognitive function. Results. A total of 244 patients with atrial fibrillation were collected in this study, with an average age of (67.28 ± 10.33) years, of whom 55.3% were male. The average BMI was (25.33 ± 4.27) kg/m2, and the average cognitive function score was (19.25 ± 6.88) points. The results of the smooth curve fitting and threshold effect tests showed that there was a curve correlation between BMI and cognitive function score, and its inflection point was 24.56 kg/m2. To the left of the inflection point, the relationship was significant; the effect size and the confidence interval were 0.43 and 0.01–0.85, respectively. To the right of the inflection point, there was no significant correlation between BMI and cognitive function (

P
=
0.152

). Conclusion. When BMI is lower than 24.56 kg/m2, the cognitive function score increases by 0.43 points for each unit increase in BMI in patients with atrial fibrillation. An increase in BMI at this time is a protective factor for cognitive function. Within the normal range of BMI, the higher the BMI in atrial fibrillation patients, the higher the cognitive function score. We encourage atrial fibrillation patients with normal BMI to maintain their current weight.
Multifaceted Social and Environmental Disruptions Impact on Smallholder Plantations’ Resilience in Indonesia
Authors: Andani Apri , Irham Irham , Jamhari Jamhari , Suryantini Any
Published: December 2022

As one of the most productive plantation producers in the world, Indonesia also faces rapid change in both social and environmental systems. These conditions are predicted to become more disruptive to the agricultural sector in the future. Therefore, understanding the impact of social and environmental disruption on smallholder plantations’ resilience is vital to formulate a strategy for the sustainability of farmers’ livelihoods in this country. Using survey data from 360 smallholding farmers in six villages from three districts in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia, the study deployed a multidimensional approach to assess smallholders’ resilience to social and environmental disruption as well as towards economic dynamics. There are four dimensions of smallholder resilience, namely, the ability of adaptation, recoverability, anticipation, and farmers’ innovation level. Social disruption was indicated by farmers’ demography, epidemic/family health, social conflict, culture clash, and intention on land conversion. Meanwhile, environmental disruption was shown by natural catastrophe incidents, climate variations, environmentally unfriendly cultivation activities, and land fires. Since the resilience level was classified as binary, bivariate probit model was used in the analysis. The result shows that smallholder plantations in Bengkulu Indonesia are categorized as innovative, and recoverable, but less adaptive, and less anticipatory farmers. Overall, more than 50% of smallholder plantations are classified as less resilient smallholders. The statistical result empirically uncovers that the intentions of land conversion, climate change, and environmentally unfriendly farming activities statistically have a significant contribution to the reduction of smallholder plantations’ resilience. Furthermore, the economic dynamisms such as lack of input availability, price volatility, demand uncertainty, and capital limitation have a significant negative impact on smallholder plantation resilience.
Equity Incentive Model, Source of Subject Matter and Enterprise Performance: Modification Effect Based on Equity Incentive Intensity
Authors: Ma Jinrong , Wang Hongbo
Published: December 2022

For modern enterprises, equity incentive is an important means to solve the principal-agent problem, the choice of incentive mode and the source of the incentive is an inevitable issue in the implementation of an equity incentive scheme. Based on the sample data of A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2020, this paper constructs a panel two-way fixed effect model, combining regression analysis and three interactions with differential equations (PDE), which empirically explores the relationship between two incentive models of stock option and restricted stock, the source of subject matter and enterprise performance. The study shows that the restricted stock incentive model significantly improved the performance of enterprises, and the intensity of incentives played a significant inverted U-shaped moderating role between the enterprise’s performance and the different incentive models. After adding the subject matter incentive source, it is further found that repurchase, as the source of subject matter, has a positive moderating effect on restricted stock and a negative moderating effect on stock option. The intensity of equity incentives moderates the relationship between stock option incentive models and enterprise performance when enterprises use repurchases as the source. The results of the above-given research provide some reference for enterprises to give appropriate incentive intensities, objective selection of the subject matter source under different equity incentive models based on their characteristics, and facilitation of more efficient use of equity incentive tools.
Upregulation of Actin-Related Protein 2 (ACTR2) Exacerbated the Malignancy of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma through Activating Wnt Signaling
Authors: Chen Dandan , Jiang Lili
Published: December 2022

This investigation mainly explores the roles of actin-related protein 2 (ACTR2) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We first assessed the level of ACTR2 and its association with the overall survival (OS) of DLBCL. The results indicated that ACTR2 was upregulated in DLBCL and was associated with unfavorable prognosis of DLBCL. Next, the effect of ACTR2 knockdown or overexpression on DLBCL was evaluated in vitro. Our investigation revealed that ACTR2 depletion inhibited the malignant behaviors of DLBCL cells; whereas, ACTR2 abundance promoted those behaviors. Besides, ACTR2 activated the Wnt signaling in DLBCL and exerted its oncogenic influence on DLBCL through Wnt signaling in vitro and in vivo. To summarize, our study implicated that ACTR2 was a promising therapeutic target for DLBCL, which might become a novel direction to improve our understanding on DLBCL.
Overexpression of microRNA-211 in Functional Dyspepsia via Downregulation of the Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) by Increasing Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK Pathway
Authors: Wang Jue , Gu Sai , Qin Bo
Published: December 2022

Background. Overexpression of miRNA-211 suppresses the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells into intestinal ganglion cells via downregulation of GDNF, a regulator of intestine barrier function. The study aimed to investigate the interaction between miR-211 and GDNF on intestinal epithelial cells. Methods. The expression levels of miR-211 and GDNF in duodenal biopsy specimens from FD patients and healthy controls were compared. Enteric glia cell (EGCs) cell line transfected with miR-211 mimics and inhibitors were used to clarify the expression levels of GDNF were analyzed by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Intestine epithelial cell (IECs) cell line cultured in medium from ECGs in different transfection conditions were used in wound healing assay, cell proliferation assay, and western blotting for evaluation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation level. Results. MiR-211 expression was significantly upregulated in the duodenal tissue of patients with FD compared to healthy subjects, whereas GDNF expression was significantly downregulated (both

p
<
0.05

). Transfection with miR-211 mimics significantly decreased GDNF mRNA expression and protein secretion (

p
<
0.001

). An inhibited intestinal epithelial cell wound healing (

p
<
0.05

) and increased expression levels of phosphorylated p38 MAPK (

p
<
0.05

) were found in IECs cultured with medium from EGCs transfected with miR-211 mimics. Conclusions. MiR-211 may downregulates GDNF mRNA and protein expression via activation of the pp38 MAPK signaling pathway. Targeting miR-211 or the MAPK pathway may be a potential intervention for FD.
Phase I Study of Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Combination with Anti–PD-1 in Melanoma Patients Pretreated with Anti–PD-1
Authors: Robert Caroline , Lebbé Céleste , Lesimple Thierry , Lundström Eija , Nicolas Valérie , Gavillet Bruno , Crompton Philippa , Baroudjian Barouyr , Routier Emilie , Lejeune Ferdy J.
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Androgen deprivation regenerates the thymus in adults, expanding of T-cell receptor V β repertoire in blood and lymphoid organs and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in human prostate tumors. In melanoma murine models, androgen receptor promotes metastases and androgen blockade potentiates antitumor vaccine efficacy. This phase I study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmocodynamics of androgen deprivation with the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist triptorelin combined with nivolumab in male patients with melanoma resistant to anti–PD-1.

Patients and Methods:

Adult male patients with advanced melanoma who progressed under anti–PD-1 containing regimens received triptorelin 3.75 mg every 4 weeks, nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, and bicalutamide 50 mg once daily during the first 28 days. Tumor response was first assessed after 3 months; adverse events (AE) were monitored throughout the study. T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), a biomarker of thymus activity, were explored throughout the study.

Results:

Of 14 patients, 4 were locally advanced and 10 had distant metastases. There were no grade 4 or 5 AEs. Five grade three AEs were reported in 4 patients. According to RECIST v1.1, best overall response was partial response (PR) in one patient with a pancreas metastasis, stable disease (SD) in 5 patients, and progressive disease in 8 patients. According to iRECIST, a second PR occurred after an initial pseudoprogression, TRECs increased in 2 patients, one with PR who also had an increase in TILs, and the second with SD.

Conclusions:

This combination was well tolerated. Disease control was obtained in 42.8% (RECIST) and 50% (iRECIST). The evidence for thymus rejuvenation was limited.
Physical Multimorbidity and Sarcopenia among Adults Aged ≥65 Years in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Smith Lee , Shin Jae Il , López Sánchez Guillermo F. , Schuch Felipe , Tully Mark , Barnett Yvonne , Butler Laurie , Pizzol Damiano , Veronese Nicola , Soysal Pinar , Kostev Karel , Jacob Louis , Koyanagi Ai
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Physical multimorbidity is plausibly linked to sarcopenia. However, to date, only a few studies exist on this topic, and none have examined this association in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and sarcopenia in a sample of older adults from six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa). Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based data from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analysed. Sarcopenia was defined as having low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and weak handgrip strength, while severe sarcopenia was defined as having low SMM, weak handgrip strength, and slow gait speed. A total of 11 physical chronic conditions were assessed and multimorbidity referred to ≥2 chronic conditions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: Data on 14,585 adults aged ≥65 years were analysed (mean age 72.6 years, SD 11.5 years; 53.7% females). Adjusted estimates showed that compared to no chronic physical conditions, ≥2 conditions are significantly associated with 1.49 (95% CI = 1.02–2.19) and 2.52 (95% CI = 1.53–4.15) times higher odds for sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, respectively. Conclusions: In this large sample of older adults from LMICs, physical multimorbidity was significantly associated with sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia. Our study results tentatively suggest that targeting those with multimorbidity may aid in the prevention of sarcopenia, pending future longitudinal research.
Manual Single-Lumen Alternating Micro-Batch Device as Renal Replacement Therapy in Austere Environments
Authors: Chawla Apaara K. , Morgan Jolyn , Rose James , Ceschia Giovanni , Goldstein Stuart L. , Hasson Denise C.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Electrolyte derangements, acidosis, and volume overload remain life-threatening emergencies in people with acute kidney injury in austere environments. A single-lumen alternating micro-batch (SLAMB) dialysis technique was designed to perform renal replacement therapy using a single-lumen access, low-cost disposable bags and tubing, widely available premade fluids, and a dialysis filter. A manual variation (mSLAMB) works without electricity, battery, or a pump. We modeled mSLAMB dialysis and predicted it could achieve adequate small solute clearance, blood flow rates, and ultrafiltration accuracy. Methods: A 25- to 30-kg pediatric patient’s blood volume was simulated by a 2-L bag of expired blood and spiked with 5 g of urea initially, then with 1–2 g between experiments. Experiments had 8 cycles totaling prescription volumes of 800–2,400 mL and were conducted with different ratios of hemofiltration fluid to blood volume. Concentrations of urea and potassium, final effluent volumes, and cycle duration were measured at the end of each cycle to determine clearance, ultrafiltration accuracy, and blood flow rates. Results: Each cycle lasted 70–145 s. Experiments achieved a mean urea reduction ratio of 27.4 ± 7.1% and a mean potassium reduction of 23.4 ± 9.3%. The largest urea and potassium reduction percentage occurred with the first cycle. Increased hemofiltration fluid to blood volume ratio did not increase clearance. Mean (+/− standard deviation) blood flow ranged from 79.7 +/− 4.4 mL/min to 90.8 +/− 6.5 mL/min and increased with larger batch volume and height difference between reservoirs. Ultrafiltration accuracy ranged from 0 to 2.4% per cycle. Discussion: mSLAMB dialysis is a simple, manual, cost-effective mode of dialysis capable of providing clearance and accurate ultrafiltration. With further refinement of technique, we believe this can be a potentially lifesaving treatment in austere conditions and low-resource settings.
Cervical Epithelial Abnormalities and Associated Factors among HIV-Infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria: A Cytology-Based Study
Authors: Okunade Kehinde S. , Badmos Kabir B. , Soibi-Harry Adaiah P. , Garba Sunusi-Rimi , Ohazurike Ephraim O. , Ozonu Oluchi , Akanmu Alani S. , Ogunsola Folasade T. , Abdulkareem Fatimah B. , Anorlu Rose I.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: As it may not be feasible to provide cervical cancer screening services to all HIV-infected women in most resource-limited settings, there is a need to identify those who are most at risk. We determined the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of cervical cytological abnormalities among HIV-infected women in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected women at the adult HIV treatment and colposcopy clinics of a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, between October 2018 and December 2019. A cervical sample was collected from each woman to detect cervical cytological abnormalities. Results: Of the 593 enrolled women, cervical cytological abnormalities were present in 40 (6.7%). Most (37.5%) of the women with cytological abnormalities had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Age at coitarche (<20 vs. ≥20 years: adjusted odds ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–4.83, p = 0.01) was the only factor that was independently associated with cervical epithelial abnormalities. Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical cytological abnormalities in our study is lower than most previous reports in Africa. Sexual debut at an early age was significantly associated with cytological abnormalities. It is necessary to confirm the findings of this study through a well-designed and adequately powered longitudinal study.
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Function in Early Old Age: Comparing Subjective and Objective Hearing Measures
Authors: Hoff Maria , Skoog Johan , Bodin Timothy Hadarsson , Tengstrand Tomas , Rosenhall Ulf , Skoog Ingmar , Sadeghi André
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Population-based research has consistently shown that people with hearing loss are at greater risk of cognitive impairment. We aimed to explore the cross-sectional association of both subjective and objective hearing measures with global and domain-specific cognitive function. We also examined the influence of hearing aid use on the relationship. Methods: A population-based sample (n = 1,105, 52% women) of 70-year-olds that were representative of the inhabitants of the city of Gothenburg, Sweden completed a detailed cognitive examination, pure-tone audiometry, and a questionnaire regarding perceived hearing problems. A subsample (n = 247, 52% women) also completed a test of speech-recognition-in-noise (SPRIN). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the association of hearing with cognitive function, adjusting for sex, education, cardiovascular factors, and tinnitus. Results: Global cognitive function was independently associated with the better ear pure-tone average across 0.5–4 kHz (PTA4, β = −0.13, 95% CI, −0.18, −0.07), the better ear SPRIN score (β = 0.30, 95% CI, 0.19, 0.40), but not with the self-reported hearing measure (β = −0.02, 95% CI, −0.07, 0.03). Both verbally loaded and nonverbally loaded tasks, testing a variety of cognitive domains, contributed to the association. Hearing aid users had better global cognitive function than nonusers with equivalent hearing ability. The difference was only significant in the mild hearing loss category. Discussion: In a population-based sample of 70-year-old persons without dementia, poorer hearing was associated with poorer global and domain-specific cognitive function, but only when hearing function was measured objectively and not when self-reported. The speech-in-noise measure showed the strongest association. This highlights the importance of including standardized hearing tests and controlling for hearing status in epidemiological geriatric research. More research is needed on the role that hearing aid use plays in relation to age-related cognitive declines.
Utility of the ACC/AHA Lesion Classification to Predict Outcomes After Contemporary DES Treatment: Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis From 7 Randomized Trials
Authors: Konigstein Maayan , Redfors Björn , Zhang Zixuan , Kotinkaduwa Lak N. , Mintz Gary S. , Smits Pieter C. , Serruys Patrick W. , von Birgelen Clemens , Madhavan Mahesh V. , Golomb Mordechai , Ben‐Yehuda Ori , Mehran Roxana , Leon Martin B. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: December 2022

Background

Use of the modified American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) lesion classification as a prognostic tool to predict short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in the modern drug‐eluting stent era is uncertain.

Methods and Results

Patient‐level data from 7 prospective, randomized trials were pooled. Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing single lesion percutaneous coronary intervention with second‐generation drug‐eluting stent were analyzed according to modified ACC/AHA lesion class. The primary end point was target lesion failure (TLF: composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or ischemia‐driven target lesion revascularization). Clinical outcomes to 5 years were compared between patients treated for noncomplex (class A/B1) versus complex (class B2/C) lesions. Eight thousand five hundred sixteen patients (age 63.1±10.8 years, 70.5% male) were analyzed. Lesions were classified as A, B1, B2, and C in 7.9%, 28.5%, 33.7%, and 30.0% of cases, respectively. Target lesion failure was higher in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention of complex versus noncomplex lesions at 30 days (2.0% versus 1.1%,
P
=0.004), at 1 year (4.6% versus 3.0%,
P
=0.0005), and at 5 years (12.4% versus 9.2%,
P
=0.0001). By multivariable analysis, treatment of ACC/AHA class B2/C lesions was significantly associated with higher rate of 5‐year target lesion failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.17–1.64],
P
=0.0001) driven by significantly higher rates of target vessel myocardial infarction and ischemia‐driven target lesion revascularization.

Conclusions

In this pooled large‐scale analysis, treating complex compared with noncomplex lesions according to the modified ACC/AHA classification with second‐generation drug‐eluting stent was associated with worse 5‐year clinical outcomes. This historical classification system may be useful in the contemporary era for predicting early and late outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention.
Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Rouette Julie , McDonald Emily G. , Schuster Tibor , Brophy James M. , Azoulay Laurent
Published: December 2022

Background

Recent studies have reported that dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (dCCBs) may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, but these studies had methodological limitations. We thus aimed to determine whether dCCBs are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with thiazide diuretics, a clinically relevant comparator.

Methods and Results

We conducted a new user, active comparator, population‐based cohort study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We identified new users of dCCBs and new users of thiazide diuretics between 1990 and 2018, with follow‐up until 2019. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for pancreatic cancer, comparing dCCBs with thiazide diuretics. Models were weighted using standardized morbidity ratio weights based on calendar time‐specific propensity scores. We also conducted secondary analyses by cumulative duration of use, time since initiation, and individual drugs and assessed for the presence of effect modification by age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, history of chronic pancreatitis, and diabetes. The cohort included 344 480 initiators of dCCBs and 357 968 initiators of thiazide diuretics, generating 3 360 745 person‐years of follow‐up. After a median follow‐up of 4.5 years, the weighted incidence rate per 100 000 person‐years was 37.2 (95% CI, 34.1–40.4) for dCCBs and 39.4 (95% CI, 36.1–42.9) for thiazide diuretics. Overall, dCCBs were not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (weighted HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.80–1.09). Similar results were observed in secondary analyses.

Conclusions

In this large, population‐based cohort study, dCCBs were not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with thiazide diuretics. These findings provide reassurance regarding the long‐term pancreatic cancer safety of these drugs.
SerpinG1: A Novel Biomarker Associated With Poor Coronary Collateral in Patients With Stable Coronary Disease and Chronic Total Occlusion
Authors: Chen Shuai , Li Le‐Ying , Wu Zhi‐Ming , Liu Yong , Li Fei‐Fei , Huang Ke , Wang Yi‐Xuan , Chen Qiu‐Jing , Wang Xiao‐Qun , Shen Wei‐Feng , Zhang Rui‐Yan , Shen Ying , Lu Lin , Ding Feng‐Hua , Dai Yang
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to explore predictive biomarkers of coronary collateralization in patients with chronic total occlusion.

Methods and Results

By using a microarray expression profiling program downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was constructed to analyze the relationship between potential modules and coronary collateralization and screen out the hub genes. Then, the hub gene was identified and validated in an independent cohort of patients (including 299 patients with good arteriogenic responders and 223 patients with poor arteriogenic responders). Weighted gene coexpression network analysis showed that
SERPING1
in the light‐cyan module was the only gene that was highly correlated with both the gene module and the clinical traits. Serum levels of serpinG1 were significantly higher in patients with bad arteriogenic responders than in patients with good arteriogenic responders (472.53±197.16 versus 314.80±208.92 μg/mL;
P
<0.001) and were negatively associated with the Rentrop score (Spearman
r
=−0.50;
P
<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.72–0.81;
P
<0.001) for serum serpinG1 in prediction of bad arteriogenic responders. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, serum serpinG1 levels (per SD) remained an independent risk factor for bad arteriogenic responders (odds ratio, 2.20 [95% CI, 1.76–2.74];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate that
SERPING1
screened by weighted gene coexpression network analysis was associated with poor collateralization in patients with chronic total occlusion.
Erratum: Annotation Curricula to Implicitly Train Non-Expert
Annotators
Authors: Lee Ji-Ung , Klie Jan-Christoph , Gurevych Iryna
Published: December 2022

The authors of this work (“Annotation Curricula to Implicitly Train Non-Expert Annotators” by Ji-Ung Lee, Jan-Christoph Klie, and Iryna Gurevych in Computational Linguistics 48:2 https://doi.org/10.1162/coli_a_00436) discovered an incorrect inequality symbol in section 5.3 (page 360). The paper stated that the differences in the annotation times for the control instances result in a p-value of 0.200 which is smaller than 0.05 (p = 0.200 < 0.05). As 0.200 is of course larger than 0.05, the correct inequality symbol is p = 0.200 > 0.05, which is in line with the conclusion that follows in the text. The paper has been updated accordingly.
Changes in Summer Precipitation Modes over Eastern China in Simulated Warm Intervals of the Last Interglacial, Mid-Holocene, and Twenty-First Century
Authors: Wu Beilei , Lang Xianmei , Jiang Dabang
Published: December 2022

The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and associated summer precipitation patterns over eastern China have exhibited interannual and interdecadal variations in recent decades, but whether the precipitation modes vary with climate conditions remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the changes in summer precipitation modes over eastern China and associated mechanisms in simulated past and future warm periods, namely, the last interglacial (LIG), mid-Holocene, and the twenty-first century under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) based on representative concentration pathway 8.5 (SSP5–8.5) scenario, using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models. The model evaluation indicates that only one out of nine CMIP6 models, specifically the Community Earth System Model, version 2 (CESM2), can well reproduce the observed summer precipitation modes at the present. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses of the CESM2 simulations reveal that during the warm periods induced by either orbital parameters or greenhouse gas concentrations, the first leading mode of summer precipitation switches from its present meridional tripolar structure to a dipole pattern, and the second leading mode is generally a meridional tripolar mode that differs from the present dipole pattern. This summer precipitation regime interchange in the warm intervals is associated with the formation of the dipole and tripolar circulation patterns. The large-scale circulation changes responsible for the altered precipitation modes are attributed to the enhanced EASM and relevant southerly winds due to intensified land–sea thermal contrast, although the external forcings and the magnitude of EASM enhancement are different in the interglacial and future periods.
Virtual Versus In-Person Head and Neck Physical Examination Training in Medical Students: A Pilot Assessment
Authors: Kharidia Khush M. , Lin Matthew E. , West Jonathan D. , Sarode Deepika N. , Ma Harrison J. , Vanstrum Erik B. , Wu Franklin M. , Johns Michael M.
Published: December 2022

Objective:

To compare the effect of virtual and in-person head and neck physical examination training events on medical student confidence in performing examination maneuvers and seeking mentorship from otolaryngology faculty and residents.

Methods:

Training events were held with first-year medical student volunteers in 2020 (in-person) and 2021 (virtual). Participants in both cohorts were given didactics on head and neck cancer, trained to perform a head and neck physical examination, and demonstrated their clinical skills to otolaryngology faculty and residents. Pre- and post-training surveys were utilized to assess the following outcomes: participant head and neck cancer knowledge, confidence in performing examination maneuvers, and confidence in seeking mentorship in otolaryngology. Differences in outcomes between training settings were assessed by comparing participant survey responses pre- and post- training.

Results:

Both in-person and virtual training modalities improved participant confidence in performing the physical examination. There was no significant difference in the degree of improvement between training types. In-person training significantly increased participant confidence in seeking mentorship from otolaryngology faculty and residents ( P = .003), while virtual training did not ( P = .194).

Conclusion:

Virtual training modalities are feasible methods of teaching the head and neck physical examination. Instruction through a video conferencing platform has the potential to be incorporated into traditional in-person medical education in a permanent fashion. This pilot study can inform future studies directly comparing in-person and virtual physical examination training modalities.
Price Impact of Derivatives Listing and Delisting: Evidence from India
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Chakrabarti Prasenjit
Published: December 2022

This article investigates the spot market’s short-term price reaction on derivatives listing and delisting in India. We comprehensively examine the derivatives listing and delisting with extended time-series data from 2001-2020. We employ event study methodology and find that stocks show positive price reactions on the inclusion, whereas, on the exclusion, stocks show adverse price reactions. In addition, we validate our findings by considering the announcement date and actual date as our event date. We also examine the cross-sectional drivers of cumulative abnormal returns. We find that the underlying liquidity and volatility are critical drivers of cumulative abnormal returns. We produce evidence that derivatives listing (delisting) around the event window significantly increases (decreases) the prices of its underlying. The study attempt to contribute to option listing literature by analyzing the firm-specific cross-sectional drivers of cumulative abnormal returns.

JEL Codes: G11, G12, G14
Revisiting Economic Growth and Steel Consumption: Evidence from India
Authors: Paul Pinku , Mitra Paroma
Published: December 2022

The article analytically investigates the association between GDP growth and steel consumption in India from 2004–2005 to 2019–2020. We investigate the association of both long-term and short-term by employing the Granger causality test in the vector error correction model. The results showed one-way causality between economic growth to steel consumption both in the long and short run and concludes that over the period there is a unidirectional movement from economic development to steel consumption. So, as the economy progresses it has a direct impact on the steel industry. Finally, the study forecast the steel demand for the next decade and highlights the readiness of the steel industry to meet its demand and focus on better utilisation of its capacity.

JEL Codes: C51, E2, E27
Noninvasive Monitoring of Radiation-Induced Salivary Gland Vascular Injury
Authors: Bolookat E.R. , Rich L.J. , Vincent-Chong V.K. , DeJohn C.R. , Merzianu M. , Hershberger P.A. , Singh A.K. , Seshadri M.
Published: December 2022

Xerostomia is a common side effect of radiation therapy (RT) in patients with head and neck cancer. However, limited information is available on the temporal dynamics of parenchymal and vascular changes in salivary glands following RT. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted experimental studies in mice employing ultrasound (US) with coregistered photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to noninvasively assess the early and late changes in salivary gland size, structure, vascularity, and oxygenation dynamics following RT. Multiparametric US-PAI of salivary glands was performed in immune-deficient and immune-competent mice before and after RT along with correlative sialometry and ex vivo histologic-immunohistochemical validation. US revealed reduction in gland volume and an early increase in vascular resistance postradiation. This was accompanied by a reduction in glandular oxygen consumption on PAI. Imaging data correlated strongly with salivary secretion and histologic evidence of acinar damage. The magnitude and kinetics of radiation response were impacted by host immune status, with immunodeficient mice showing early and more pronounced vascular injury and DNA damage response compared to immunocompetent animals. Our findings demonstrate the ability of noninvasive US-PAI to monitor dynamic changes in salivary gland hemodynamics following radiation and highlight the impact of the host immune status on salivary gland radiation injury.
Exploring Kinetic and Kinematic Finger Individuation Capability in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: McCall James V. , Hu Xiaogang , Kamper Derek G.
Published: December 2022

While fine manual dexterity develops over time, the extent to which children show independent control of their digits in each hand and the impact of perinatal brain injury on this individuation have not been well quantified. Our goal in this study was to assess and compare finger force and movement individuation in 8–14 year old children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (hCP; n = 4) and their typically developing peers (TD; n = 10). We evaluated finger force individuation with five independent load cells and captured joint movement individuation with video tracking. We observed no significant differences in individuation indices between the dominant and non-dominant hands of TD children, but individuated force and movement were substantially reduced in the paretic versus non paretic hands of children with hCP ( p < 0.001). In TD participants, the thumb tended to have the greatest level of independent control. This small sample of children with hCP showed substantial loss of individuation in the paretic hand and some deficits in the non-paretic hand, suggesting possible benefit from targeted training of digit independence in both hands for children with CP.