bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Element Analysis of Proximal Femur Bionic Nail (PFBN) Compared with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation and InterTan in Treatment of Intertrochanteric Fractures
Authors: Wang Yanhua , Chen Wei , Zhang Lijia , Xiong Chen , Zhang Xiaomeng , Yu Kai , Ju Jiabao , Chen Xiaofeng , Zhang Dianying , Zhang Yingze
Published: July 2022

Objective

To compare the biomechanical properties of proximal femur bionic nail (PFBN), proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and InterTan in the treatment of elderly intertrochanteric fractures AO/OTA 31‐A1.3 by finite element analysis.

Methods

We used Mimics, Unigraphics and other software to establish normal femur and AO/OTA 31‐A1.3 fracture models, and reconstructed PFBN, PFNA and InterTan intramedullary nail models, and assembled them on the fracture model. The ANSYS software was used to compare the femoral von Mises stress distribution, deformation distribution, and internal fixation stress distribution of each group under a load of 2100 N.

Results

It could be seen that the femoral maximum stress, femoral maximum displacement, and maximum stress of internal fixation of the PFBN group were lower than those in the PFNA group and the InterTan group. The maximum femoral stress of the PFBN was 190.25 MPa, while the maximum stress of the femur of the PFNA and InterTan groups were 238.41 Mpa and 226.97 Mpa. The maximum femoral displacement of each group were located at the top of the femoral head, and the maximum displacement of the PFBN group was 14.373 mm, and the maximum displacement values of the PFNA and InterTan groups were 19.49 and 15.225 mm. For the stress distribution of intramedullary nail, the maximum stress of the three kinds of internal fixation was located on the main nail. The maximum stress of PFBN was 1191.8 MPa, compared with 2142.8 MPa for PFNA and 1702.3 MPa for InterTan. And the maximum stress on the PFBN pressure nail was 345.35 MPa, compared with 868.6 MPa for the PFNA spiral blade and 545.5 MPa for InterTan interlocking twin nails.

Conclusion

Compared with PFNA and InterTan, PFBN has better mechanical properties. The biomechanical characteristics of PFBN are more advantageous than PFNA and InterTan internal fixation system in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures.
A New Method to Protect Blood Supply in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures: Bidirectional Compression Porous Tantalum Screws
Authors: Zhao Dewei , Ma Zhijie , Liu Baoyi , Yang Lei , Qiu Xing , Tian Simiao , Okoye Chukwuemeka Samuel , Lian Zhiqiang
Published: July 2022

Objective

To explore the clinical effect of a new type of bidirectional pressurized porous tantalum screw (PTS) internal fixation in treating femoral neck fractures (FNFs).

Methods

In this study, geometric models of FNF were first established via reverse engineering method, followed by stimulation of the strength of PTSs in fixation of FNFs. A randomized control trial study was then conducted of 41 patients with FNF from October 2015 to December 2018. These patients included 12 males and 29 females with an average age of 59.9. The 41 patients were randomly divided into two groups: cannulated compression screws (CCSs) group (n = 21) and PTSs group (n = 20). Treatment outcomes in patients were evaluated using multiple imaging techniques, including X‐ray and digital subtraction angiography scanning as well as functional recovery Harris hip score. Without other postoperative complications, the primary outcome was defined as fracture healing after FNF internal fixation. Secondary outcomes are the incidence of the avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH), fracture nonunion, and reoperation rate.

Results

Following PTS internal fixation of FNF, finite element results revealed a firmly fixed fracture with a slight displacement of less than 0.5 mm. At follow‐up, we found a statistically significant difference in Harris scores in the two groups at 1 month and 3 months post‐surgery. In the PTSs group, there was no case of ANFH and fracture nonunion, and the average healing time was 94.45 ± 6.47 days. In the CCSs group, there were four cases of ANFH, the necrosis rate was 19.05% (4/21). There was one case of fracture nonunion in the CCSs group, the nonunion fracture rate was 4.76% (1/21), and the average healing time was 122.54 ± 11.37 days. Five patients underwent total hip arthroplasty, and the reoperation rate was 23.81% (5/21). There were significant differences in the postoperative complications, fracture healing time, and reoperation rate between the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

PTSs fixation of FNF at the center, does not only avoid the destruction of blood supply in the femoral head and reduction in the incidence of postoperative complications of FNFs, but also induces early bone ingrowth and promotes fracture healing. These findings provide a potential surgical internal fixation system for treating FNFs.
Immediate extubation following pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Yoeli Dor , Nguyen Thanh , Wilder Matthew , Huang Joy , Pahlavan Sheila , Brigham Dania , Sundaram Shikha S. , Wachs Michael E. , Adams Megan A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Immediate extubation (IE) following pediatric liver transplantation is being increasingly performed. The aim of this study was to characterize the rate of IE at our institution and identify recipient factors predictive of IE.

Methods

All pediatric liver transplants performed at our institution between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 were reviewed. Retransplants and multi‐organ transplants were excluded. IE was defined as extubation in the operating room following transplant. Backward stepwise logistic regression at a p‐value threshold of .05 was performed to identify variables associated with IE.

Results

IE was achieved in 58 (72%) of the 81 pediatric liver transplants. The IE cohort had significantly shorter ICU length of stay and overall hospital length of stay, though IE was not an independent predictor of posttransplant length of stay. Age <2 years, preoperative mechanical ventilation, and total intraoperative epinephrine and dopamine infusion requirements were significant, independent risk factors against IE. This multivariable model was highly predictive of IE (area under the curve = 0.89).

Conclusions

We describe the highest rate of IE postpediatric liver transplantation that has been reported to date and identified significant risk factors against successful IE.
Value of membership‐based free shipping in online retailing: Impact of upstream pricing model
Authors: Sun Geng , Cavusoglu Huseyin , Raghunathan Srinivasan
Published: July 2022

A consumer‐side innovation in online retailing is membership‐based free shipping (MFS) in which a retailer bears the shipping cost for purchases made by members that have paid an upfront membership fee. On the supplier side, the agency model of selling, where a retailer allows a third‐party manufacturer to sell his product on the site for a commission, has been gradually replacing the wholesale model, where the retailer buys from the manufacturer at a wholesale price and resells to consumers at a retail price. We show that the shift to the agency model enhances the value of the MFS program to the retailer in the sense the retailer gains more from the MFS program and MFS is profitable to the retailer in a larger region of the parameter space under the agency model than the wholesale model. The retailer's gain from MFS comes at the expense of consumers and the society under the wholesale model, but the consumers and the society can also benefit from MFS under the agency model. The key driver of these results is that, under the wholesale model, the MFS program increases the severity of the double‐marginalization problem because the MFS program increases the retailer's marginal cost; however, under the agency model, the MFS program reduces the impact of marginalization at the manufacturer end because the manufacturer faces consumers with lower purchasing cost on average. Thus, the MFS program hurts channel coordination in the wholesale model but helps it under the agency model.
A comparison of nomothetic and individualized alpha frequency approaches to measuring frontal EEG alpha asymmetry
Authors: Zhang Diheng , Allen John J. B.
Published: July 2022

Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is considered to be a reliable marker of affective processing and psychopathology. Traditionally, the magnitude of alpha is calculated by taking the average over a nomothetic fixed frequency window (e.g., 8 to 13 Hz). Alternatively, methods have been proposed to extract individualized alpha frequency (IAF) peaks and windows in hopes of improving the reliability and validity of signal detection. However, no study has compared the nomothetic to IAF approaches to examine the reliability and validity of resting FAA in a large well‐characterized data set. In this study, we assessed the psychometric performance of the standard fixed window approach, a PZ‐alpha based IAF approach and a global‐alpha based IAF windows detection approach on a previously collected EEG data set (8 recordings per subject collected on four occasions across two weeks). Our results revealed that resting FAA calculated with these three different methods are highly correlated at all frontal regions (mean r = .98). The stability across the 8 recordings over the two weeks also showed no substantial difference between approaches as indicated by intraclass correlations. Moreover, internal‐consistency reliability, validity with respect to measures of emotion and emotion‐related psychopathology and state–trait Structure equation model (SEM) fitting were evaluated and yielded no significant differences across methods. Our results supported the overall reliability and validity of two different IAF approaches to assessing resting FAA but fail to find any incremental advantage over nomothetic approaches to defining alpha bands. Guidelines for methods selection for future research are provided.
Modulation of similarity on the distraction resistance of visual working memory representation
Authors: Sun Yanliang , Wang Lixue , Sun Nana , Li Shouxin
Published: July 2022

Controversy exists regarding the distraction resistance of priority items in visual working memory (VWM). The protection account proposes that high‐priority items resist distraction more than low‐priority items, while the vulnerability account proposes that distractors impair high‐priority items more. We proposed another available resource threshold account: distraction will not impair items if available resources exceed their threshold needed for sufficient processing. Using a change‐detection paradigm, we manipulated item priority by color similarity and inserted distractors during VWM retention. We investigated the effect of similarity on distraction resistance of relevant (color) and irrelevant (shape) feature representations (Experiments 1–2), and the neural mechanism of this effect using event‐related potentials (ERPs; Experiment 3). Behavioral results showed distractors impaired the accuracy of dissimilar items when relevant features were memorized and of similar items when irrelevant features were memorized under simultaneous presentation of similar and dissimilar items. Moreover, distractors impaired the accuracy of dissimilar items when relevant features were memorized and of both similar and dissimilar items when irrelevant features were memorized under separate presentation of items. ERP results showed a smaller negative slow wave and P2 but larger N2 under the similar condition. Similarity protected relevant features of similar items against distraction by reducing memory load, decreasing attentional resources allocated to distractors, and strengthening inhibition of distractors. However, similarity did not protect irrelevant features of similar items. Our results support the available resource threshold account, suggesting that VWM is a flexible and intelligent system despite its limited capacity.
Wetlands Reserve Program restorations improve floristic quality of understory plant community over time, but community differs from reference wetlands
Authors: Stryszowska‐Hill Kinga M. , Baumann Karen A. , Whiteman Howard H. , Flinn Michael B.
Published: July 2022

The lower Mississippi River Valley and connecting tributaries have lost an estimated 80% of original bottomland hardwood forested wetlands to agricultural conversion. For the past three decades, the Wetlands Reserve Program has restored thousands of wetlands with the objective of recovering wetland functions and supporting wildlife diversity. To inform future restoration decisions, we assessed the recovery of the naturally colonizing understory plant community in wetlands restored from row‐crop agriculture in western Kentucky, U.S.A. We measured six floristic variables in 16 wetlands along a gradient of disturbance (degraded, restored, and reference) and a chronosequence ranging from 0 to 13 years since restoration. We found that reference wetlands had significantly higher floristic quality and a higher proportion of woody and perennial species than restored wetlands. Over time, the proportion of non‐native species decreased in restored wetlands and floristic quality increased. The successional trajectory of naturally colonizing plant communities in restored wetlands was likely inhibited by dispersal limitations, thus future projects should focus on optimizing project locations to increase recruitment, continue afforestation efforts for heavy seeded trees, and consider planting native understory species. Long‐term project monitoring, approximately three decades, will likely provide deeper insight into recovery trajectory. With ongoing biodiversity loss and the effects of climate change, the success of wetland restorations has important local and global implications.
Historicizing black hair politics: A framework for contextualizing race politics
Authors: Ngandu‐Kalenga Greensword Sylviane
Published: July 2022

In this article, I chronicle the ways in which Black women's hair has been used not only to exert political oppression and dominance, but also to resist alienation in the Americas. Whether covered during field labor, groomed on Saturday evenings, celebrated on Sunday, arranged as prestigious imitation in the “Big House,” braided into secret codes in Colombia, shaved as punishment, or denied all exhibition under the tignon laws in Louisiana, hair has been weaponized to control, hypersexualize, and de‐feminize Black women for centuries. More recently, there has been a resurgence of natural hairstyles, which has been abundantly documented in sociology and anthropology. However, this trend has been countered by restrictive policies that insist on standardizing Whiteness as the norm of hair structures. Drawing on studies of race and hair across multiple periods of Pan‐American history, this article argues that in more ways than one, Black hair is, and has always been, political.
Effects oflong‐termsewage sludge application to a calcareous soil structure
Authors: Simões‐Mota Ana , Virto Iñigo , Poch Rosa Maria
Published: July 2022

Soil degradation is a growing challenge to global agriculture and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This has prompted calls for less use of mineral fertilizer and greater reliance on organic fertilizers. However, we need to understand better the long‐term effects of organic fertilizer usage on soil structure to guide soil management practice, as many soil functions are sensitive to pore morphology and connectivity. In this study, we characterized topsoil (0–30 cm) pore architecture in relation to soil physical properties in a long‐term experiment (LTE) site where calcareous soil had received 25 years of sewage sludge application. Two dosage rates (SSa, 20 and SSe, 80 Mg ha−1) were compared to mineral fertilization treatment and a control (no fertilization) in a random factorial block design. Soil microstructure and the types of pores were characterized using micromorphological methods and image analysis, in soil thin sections. Long‐term sewage sludge SSaapplication improved soil microstructure (crumb and sub‐angular‐blocky type) and increased the presence of biopores, while mineral fertilized soil showed a platy to apedal microstructure, with more elongated pores and lower faunal activity. Mineral fertilized soil had the lowest total porosity values, with differences found in the aspect ratio of pores of equivalent diameter 100–200 μm. These findings suggest a relation between the different types of fertilization and soil pore shape and network. Further exploration of these changes in soil functioning is needed for a complete assessment of the consequences of SS application.
The abrogated role of premedication in the prevention of transfusion‐associated adverse reactions in outpatients receiving leukocyte‐reduced blood components
Authors: Yu Yuan‐Bin , Lee Tai‐Chen , Ho Chun‐Yee , Lin Hui‐Jung , Chen Wei‐Chi , Chang Chih‐Chun
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives

Although it remains controversial, premedication before transfusion is a common clinical practice to prevent transfusion‐associated adverse reactions (TAARs) in Taiwan. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether premedication prevented outpatients from developing TAARs and whether an educational programme could improve the understanding of physicians related to the unnecessary use of premedication, and this could elicit changes in their prescribing activities without affecting the occurrence of TAARs.

Materials and Methods

Clinical data from outpatients receiving transfusion therapy, including predisposing diseases, histories of transfusion and TAARs, premedication and the occurrence of TAARs in the period April 2017 to October 2018, were retrospectively obtained. The evidence‐based transfusion programme implemented to educate physicians was started in January 2018.

Results

A total of 5018 blood units were transfused to 803 outpatients, with 2493 transfusion events reported in the study interval. The most frequently transfused component was leukocyte‐reduced packed red cells (n = 4338), followed by leukocyte‐reduced apheresis platelets (n = 540) and other blood components. The overall premedication rate significantly decreased from 92.4% to 76.7% after the educational programme (p < 0.001). There was no remarkable change in the occurrence of TAARs per patient event between the periods before and after the educational programme (1.11% vs. 1.14%, p = 0.964). Besides, it was shown that the occurrence of TAARs was associated with the history of TAARs and inversely related to multiple transfusions, but not premedication.

Conclusion

Decreased premedication was not associated with increased incidence of TAARs in outpatients; these findings provide important evidence to support the need to revise clinical practices in the era of leukocyte‐reduced blood products.
The Transmission Channel of Monetary Policy to the Real Economy Revisited: Evidence From Sierra Leone
Authors: Swaray Saidu
Published: July 2022

This study examined the transmission channel of monetary policy to real economy in Sierra Leone using quarterly data from 2002 to 2018. The non-recursive structural vector autoregressive technique was employed to identify the channel of monetary policy transmission to the real economy. This technique was considered appropriate because it has two-way or bidirectional causal effects among endogenous variables and ordering of endogenous variables are considered flexible. Analysis of data shows that the exchange rate channel was found to be appropriate in transmitting monetary policy effect to real economy based on the results of impulse response and variance decomposition analysis. In light of the empirical findings, the study recommended that in a bid to have an effective monetary policy, the channels of monetary policy transmission, especially the exchange rate channel, should be taken into consideration in the design of monetary policy in Sierra Leone.
Chronic exercise increases excitability of lamina X neurons through enhancement of persistent inward currents and dendritic development in mice
Authors: Chen Ke , Dai Yue
Published: July 2022

Chronic exercise has been shown to enhance excitability of spinal interneurons in rodents. However, the mechanisms underlying this enhancement remain unclear. In this study we investigated adaptability of lamina X neurons with 3‐week treadmill exercise in mice of P21–P24. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording was performed on the interneurons from slices of T12–L4. The experimental results included the following. (1) Treadmill exercise reduced rheobase by 7.4 ± 2.2 pA (control: 11.3 ± 6.1 pA, n = 12; exercise: 3.8 ± 4.6 pA, n = 13; P = 0.002) and hyperpolarized voltage threshold by 7.1 ± 1.5 mV (control: −36.6 ± 4.6 mV, exercise: −43.7 ± 2.7 mV; P = 0.001). (2) Exercise enhanced persistent inward currents (PICs) with increase of amplitude (control: 140.6 ± 56.3 pA, n = 25; exercise: 225.9 ± 62.5 pA, n = 17; P = 0.001) and hyperpolarization of onset voltage (control: −50.3 ± 3.6 mV, exercise: −56.5 ± 5.5 mV; P = 0.001). (3) PICs consisted of dihydropyridine‐sensitive calcium (Ca‐PIC) and tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium (Na‐PIC) components. Exercise increased amplitude of both components but hyperpolarized onset voltage of Na‐PIC only. (4) Exercise reduced derecruitment current of repetitive firing evoked by a current bi‐ramp and prolonged firing in the falling phase of the bi‐ramp. The derecruitment reduction was eliminated by bath application of 3 μM riluzole or 25 μM nimodipine, suggesting that both Na‐PIC and Ca‐PIC contributed to the exercise‐prolonged hysteresis of firing. (5) Exercise facilitated dendritic development with significant increase in dendritic length by 285.1 ± 113 μm (control: 457.8 ± 171.8 μm, n = 12; exercise: 742.9 ± 357 μm, n = 14; P = 0.019). We concluded that 3‐week treadmill exercise increased excitability of lamina X interneurons through enhancement of PICs and increase of dendritic length. This study provided insight into cellular and channel mechanisms underlying adaptation of the spinal motor system in exercise.

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Key points

Chronic exercise alters adaptability of the spinal motor system in rodents; multiple mechanisms are responsible for the adaptation, including regulation of neuronal excitability and change in dendritic morphology.

Spinal interneurons in lamina X are a cluster of heterogeneous neurons playing multifunctional roles in the spinal cord; chronic exercise in juvenile mice increased excitability of these interneurons and facilitated dendritic development.

Lamina X neurons expressed persistent inward currents (PICs) with calcium (Ca‐PIC) and sodium (Na‐PIC) components; the exercise‐increased excitability of lamina X neurons was mediated by enhancing the Ca‐PIC and Na‐PIC components and increasing dendritic length.

This study unveiled novel morphological and ionic mechanisms underlying adaptation of lamina X neurons in rodents during chronic exercise.
Sympathetic neural reactivity to the Trier social stress test
Authors: Bigalke Jeremy A. , Greenlund Ian M. , Nicevski Jennifer R. , Tikkanen Anne L. , Carter Jason R.
Published: July 2022

Sympathetic responsiveness to laboratory mental stress is highly variable, making interpretations of its role in stress reactivity challenging. The present study assessed muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, microneurography) responsiveness to the Trier social stress test (TSST), which employs an anticipatory stress phase, followed by a public speaking and mental arithmetic task. We hypothesized that sympathetic reactivity to the anticipatory phase would offer a more uniform response between individuals due to elimination of confounds (i.e. respiratory changes, muscle movement, etc.) observed during more common stress tasks. Participants included 26 healthy adults (11 men, 15 women, age: 25 ± 6 years, body mass index: 24 ± 3 kg/m2). Continuous heart rate (electrocardiogram) and beat‐to‐beat blood pressure (finger plethysmography) were recorded from all participants, while MSNA recordings were obtained in 20 participants. MSNA burst frequency was significantly reduced during anticipatory stress. During the speech, although burst frequency was unchanged, total MSNA was significantly increased. Changes in diastolic arterial pressure were predictive of changes in MSNA during anticipatory (β = −0.680, P = 0.001), but not the speech (P = 0.318) or mental maths (P = 0.051) phases. Lastly, sympathetic reactivity to anticipatory stress was predictive of subsequent reactivity to both speech (β = 0.740, P = 0.0002) and maths (β = 0.663, P = 0.001). In conclusion, anticipatory social stress may offer a more versatile means of assessing sympathetic reactivity to mental stress in the absence of confounds and appears to predict reactivity to subsequent mental stress paradigms.

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Key points

Cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory mental stress is predictive of future health outcomes. However, reactivity of the sympathetic nervous system to mental stress is highly variable.

The current study assessed peripheral muscle sympathetic nerve activity in response to the Trier social stress test, a psychosocial stressor that includes anticipatory stress, public speaking and mental arithmetic.

Our findings demonstrate that sympathetic neural activity is consistently reduced during anticipatory stress. Conversely, the classically observed inter‐individual variability of sympathetic responsiveness was observed during speech and maths tasks.

Additionally, sympathetic reactivity to the anticipatory period accurately predicted how an individual would respond to both speech and maths tasks, outlining the utility of anticipatory stress in future research surrounding stress reactivity.

Utilization of the Trier social stress test in autonomic physiology may offer an alternative assessment of sympathetic responsiveness to stress with more consistent inter‐individual responsiveness and may be a useful tool for further investigation of stress reactivity.
Relación estrategia-estructura en la innovación organizacional y de modelo de negocio a partir de la transformación digital en el contexto de la COVID-19
Authors: Perilla Maluche Ricardo Benjamín , Mesa Molano Jaime , Orozco Castro Luis Antonio
Published: July 2022

El debate teórico de la relación estrategia-estructura tiene al menos tres corrientes explicativas. Sin embargo, esta relación no se ha estudiado en un contexto de crisis como la de la COVID-19 y tampoco en instituciones de educación superior (IES). Viendo la estrategia desde el modelo de negocio, y su relación con la innovación organizacional, se analizaron los planes de desarrollo institucional y se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con el modelo Connectivity Humanness and Empathy (CHE) a 11 IES en Colombia. Los resultados muestran que las IES no cambiaron su modelo de negocio, pero lograron implementar en pocas semanas una estrategia proyectada a varios años, presentando innovaciones organizacionales que las orientan hacia la transformación digital.
Design and Functionality of a Multilumen Thoracic Access Port for Pericardial Access Under Direct Visualization
Authors: Contento Jacqueline M. , Mass Paige N. , Kumthekar Rohan N. , Berul Charles I. , Opfermann Justin D.
Published: July 2022

Small vasculature, venous obstruction, or congenital anomalies can preclude transvenous access to the heart, often resulting in open chest surgery to implant cardiac therapy leads for pacing, defibrillation, or cardiac resynchronization. A minimally invasive approach under direct visualization could reduce tissue damage, minimize pain, shorten recovery time, and obviate the need for fluoroscopy. Therefore, PeriPath was designed as a single-use, low-cost pericardial access tool based on clinical requirements. Its mechanical design aids in safe placement of conductive leads to the pericardium using a modified Seldinger technique. The crossed working channels provide an optimal view of the surgical field under direct visualization. Finite element analysis (FEA) confirms that the device is likely not to fail under clinical working conditions. Mechanical testing demonstrates that the tensile strength of its components is sufficient for use, with minimal risk of fracture. The PeriPath procedure is also compatible with common lead implantation tools and can be readily adopted by interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists, allowing for widespread implementation. Prior animal work and a physician preliminary validation study suggest that PeriPath functions effectively for minimally invasive lead implantation procedures.
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of AISI 430 Ferritic Stainless Steel Strengthened Through Laser Carburization
Authors: Wang Zhige , Dirrenberger Justin , Lapouge Pierre , Dubent Sébastien , Jabir Hamza , Michel Vincent
Published: July 2022

Carburization assisted by laser processing is a promising method to strengthen metallic materials. Direct laser beam carburization is implemented for the first time on thin AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel (FSS) sheets with graphite coating under different conditions. Microstructural morphology, phase constitution, carbon content, microhardness, and tensile behavior are investigated to evaluate the laser carburization effect. The carburized zone presents different morphologies according to the linear energy density of the laser beam. The least carbon content is around 0.4 wt% in the carburized zone where austenite becomes the leading phase. Delta ferrite is found in a cellular carburized area, which resembles a duplex microstructure. The hardness of carburized zone has been at least increased by 130%, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of a fully carburized sample can be increased by respectively 90% and 85%. This hardening effect is driven by the precipitation of carbides formed during solidification offering pinning points for dislocations and grain boundaries. These improvements could be useful to modify locally ferritic stainless steel to meet industrial needs such as wear-resistant surfaces.
A Review on Origami Simulations: From Kinematics, To Mechanics, Toward Multiphysics
Authors: Zhu Yi , Schenk Mark , Filipov Evgueni T.
Published: July 2022

Origami-inspired systems are attractive for creating structures and devices with tunable properties, multiple functionalities, high-ratio packaging capabilities, easy fabrication, and many other advantageous properties. Over the past decades, the community has developed a variety of simulation techniques to analyze the kinematic motions, mechanical properties, and multiphysics characteristics of origami systems. These various simulation techniques are formulated with different assumptions and are often tailored to specific origami designs. Thus, it is valuable to systematically review the state-of-the-art in origami simulation techniques. This review presents the formulations of different origami simulations, discusses their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies the potential application scenarios of different simulation techniques. The material presented in this work aims to help origami researchers better appreciate the formulations and underlying assumptions within different origami simulation techniques, and thereby enable the selection and development of appropriate origami simulations. Finally, we look ahead at future challenges in the field of origami simulation.
The 2-Point Method: A Quick, Accurate, and Repeatable Approach to Estimate Ultrasound-Derived Quadriceps Femoris Cross-Sectional Area
Authors: Hernández-Belmonte Alejandro , Martínez-Cava Alejandro , Pallarés Jesús G.
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To analyze the feasibility of the 2-point method for estimating ultrasound-derived quadriceps femoris cross-sectional area (QUADACSA). First, (1) the agreement between QUADACSA measured by panoramic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied, and thereafter, we examined 2 approaches of the 2-point method in terms of (2) estimation errors and (3) test–retest repeatability. Methods: Both thighs of 16 young men were analyzed. Ultrasound-QUADACSA versus MRI-QUADACSA comparison was conducted at 6 thigh lengths (20%–70% of the thigh length). Thereafter, ultrasound-QUADACSA corresponding to 30% and 60% (2-point30%–60%) or 20% and 70% (2-point20%–70%) were used to estimate QUADACSA of the remaining regions. Estimated QUADACSA resulting from both 2-point approaches was compared with the measured one. Finally, the test–retest repeatability was examined by comparing the errors generated on 2 separate estimations. Statistics included the standard error of measurement (SEM) expressed in absolute (in square centimeters) and relative terms (in percentage) as a coefficient of variation (CV), as well as the intraclass correlation cofficient (ICC) and bias. Results: An excellent agreement (ICC ≥ 0.980) and reduced errors (SEM ≤ 2.43 cm2) resulted from the ultrasound-QUADACSA versus MRI-QUADACSA comparison. Although estimation errors found were reduced (CV ≤ 7.50%), they proved to be lower and less biased for the 2-point30%–60%, especially at the central regions (SEM ≤ 2.01 cm2; bias ≤ 0.89 cm2). Similarly, repeatability analysis revealed lower test–retest errors for the 2-point30%–60% (CV ≤ 1.9%) than for the 2-point20%–70% (CV ≤ 4.6%). Conclusion: The 2-point method, especially that implemented using the 30% and 60% regions, represents an accurate and repeatable strategy to evaluate QUADACSA.
Relationship Between Game Load and Player’s Performance in Professional Basketball
Authors: García Franc , Fernández Daniel , Martín Lorena
Published: July 2022

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between external and internal loads, and their ratio (efficiency index), with game performance between backcourt and frontcourt professional basketball players. Methods: Game loads of 14 basketball players were monitored during 6 games. External load variables measured were total distance (TD); distance >18 km·h−1, commonly known as high-speed running (HSR); and number of accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) >3 m·s−2, whereas the internal load variable measured was average heart rate (HRmean). The ratio between external and internal load variables was calculated and defined through 4 efficiency indexes (TD:HRmean, HSR:HRmean, ACC:HRmean, and DEC:HRmean). Furthermore, basketball performance was quantified using game-related statistics. Results: TD presented a small association with basketball performance, whereas the other external load variables and the 4 efficiency indexes calculated showed trivial relationships with game-related statistics. Furthermore, HRmean showed the greatest (small) associations with individual performance (P = .01–.02; r = .19 to .22). Regarding specific positions, the only 2 variables that presented significant differences were DEC (P = .01; d = 0.86) and DEC:HRmean (P = .01; d = 0.81), which showed higher values in backcourt players compared with frontcourt players. Conclusions: The results suggest that the best performances of basketball players during official competition are not associated with higher game loads. This illustrates the necessity to assess basketball performance from a holistic approach and consider more than just external and internal variables to better understand the players’ performance during basketball competition.
The Population Genomics of Increased Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Human Commensal Escherichia coli over 30 Years in France
Authors: Marin Julie , Clermont Olivier , Royer Guilhem , Mercier-Darty Mélanie , Decousser Jean Winoc , Tenaillon Olivier , Denamur Erick , Blanquart François
Published: July 2022

Escherichia coliis an opportunistic pathogen with the greatest burden of antibiotic resistance, one of the main causes of bacterial infections and an increasing concern in an aging population. Deciphering the evolutionary dynamics of virulence and antibiotic resistance in commensalE. coliis important to understand adaptation and anticipate future changes.
Development of a Monoclonal Antibody to a Vibriophage as a Proxy for Vibrio cholerae Detection
Authors: Sayeed Md Abu , Paisie Taylor , Alam Meer Taifur , Ali Afsar , Camilli Andrew , Wrammert Jens , Khan Ashraful Islam , Qadri Firdausi , Salemi Marco , Morris J. Glenn , Nelson Eric J.
Published: July 2022

Cholera is an acute watery, diarrheal disease that causes high rates of morbidity and mortality without treatment. Early detection of the etiologic agent of toxigenicVibrio choleraeis important to mobilize treatment and mitigate outbreaks. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) enable early detection in settings without laboratory capacity. However, the odds of an RDT testing positive are reduced by nearly 90% when the common virulent bacteriophage ICP1 is present.
Influenza A Virus Agnostic Receptor Tropism Revealed Using a Novel Biological System with Terminal Sialic Acid Knockout Cells
Authors: Kamiki Haruhiko , Murakami Shin , Nishikaze Takashi , Hiono Takahiro , Igarashi Manabu , Furuse Yuki , Matsugo Hiromichi , Ishida Hiroho , Katayama Misa , Sekine Wataru , Muraki Yasushi , Takahashi Masateru , Takenaka-Uema Akiko , Horimoto Taisuke
Published: July 2022

The acquisition of mutations that allow avian influenza A virus hemagglutinins to recognize human-type receptors is mandatory for the transmission of avian viruses to humans, which could lead to a pandemic. In this study, we established a novel system using a set of genetically engineered MDCK cells with knocked out sialic acid receptors to biologically evaluate the receptor tropism for influenza A viruses.
Conserved Lysine Residues of Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Are Not Required for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Formation
Authors: Hong Xupeng , Hu Jianming
Published: July 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health burden that affects 296 million individuals worldwide. HBV core protein (HBc) is involved in almost all steps in the HBV life cycle.
Use of the Iron-Responsive
RBT5
Promoter for Regulated Expression in Candida albicans
Authors: Mao Yinhe , Solis Norma V. , Sharma Anupam , Cravener Max V. , Filler Scott G. , Mitchell Aaron P.
Published: July 2022

Genetic strategies have been vital for mechanistic analysis of biological processes. Here, we describe a genetic tool for the fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
.
Tailored Media Are Key to Unlocking the Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria in Distinct Compartments of Germinating Seeds
Authors: Gerna Davide , Clara David , Allwardt Dorothee , Mitter Birgit , Roach Thomas
Published: July 2022

Plant growth-promoting endophytic isolates that appear to advance seed germination are often obtained from plant niches other than the seed endosphere. Isolating pure cultures of native endophytes from seeds during germination is crucial to investigate their function during early plant growth.
Effects of
l
-Serine on Macrolide Resistance in Streptococcus suis
Authors: Wu Tong , Wang Xiaozhen , Dong Yue , Xing Chen , Chen Xueying , Li Lu , Dong Chunliu , Li Yanhua
Published: July 2022

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge. However, new drug development efforts consume considerable resources and time, and alleviating the pressure on existing drugs is the focus of our work.
Emergency contracting and the delivery of elective care services across the English National Health Service and independent sector during COVID-19: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Friebel Rocco , Fistein Jon , Maynou Laia , Anderson Michael
Published: July 2022

Background

Following a virtual standstill in the delivery of elective procedures in England, a national block contract between the NHS and the independent sector aimed to help restart surgical care. This study aims to describe subsequent changes in trends in elective care service delivery following implementation of the initial iteration of this contract.

Methods

Population-based retrospective cohort study, assessing the delivery of all publicly funded and privately funded elective care delivered in England between 1 April 2020 and 31 July 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. Discharge data from the Hospital Episode Statistics and private healthcare data from the Private Health Information Network was stratified by specialty, procedure, length of stay and patient complexity in terms of age and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Results

COVID-19 significantly reduced publicly funded elective care activity, though changes were more pronounced in the independent sector (−65.1%) compared with the NHS (−52.7%), whereas reductions in privately funded elective care activity were similar in both independent sector hospitals (−74.2%) and NHS hospitals (−72.9%). Patient complexity increased in the independent sector compared with the previous year, with mixed findings in NHS hospitals. Most specialties, irrespective of sector or funding mechanisms, experienced a reduction in hospital admissions. However, some specialities, including medical oncology, clinical oncology, clinical haematology and cardiology, experienced an increase in publicly-funded elective care activity in the independent sector.

Conclusion

Elective care delivered by the independent sector remained significantly below historic levels, although this overlooks significant variation between regions and specialities. There may be opportunities to learn from regions which achieved more significant increases in publicly funded elective care in independent sector providers as a strategy to address the growing backlog of elective care.
Impact of the Clinical Trials Act 2018 on clinical trial activity in Japan from 2018 to 2020: a retrospective database study using new and conventional Japanese registries
Authors: Taruno Hiroyuki , Oba Mari S , Takizawa Osamu , Kikuchi Kayoko , Matsui Kazuaki , Shikano Mayumi
Published: July 2022

Objective

To clarify the impact of Japan’s Clinical Trials Act (CTA), which was enacted in April 2018, on subsequent clinical trial activity through an analysis of Japanese registry data.

Design

Retrospective database study.

Setting

We extracted information on clinical intervention studies registered between 1 April 2018 and 30 September 2020 in the conventional University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) and the new Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT). We collected and analysed information on registration dates, intervention types, funding, secondary sponsors and use of designated staff in multidisciplinary roles (research planning support, research administration, data management, statistical analysis, monitoring and auditing). The temporal trends in clinical trial activity after CTA enactment were examined.

Results

A total of 577 CTA-compliant specified clinical trials (ie, studies funded by pharmaceutical companies or studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of off-label drugs or devices in humans) were registered in the jRCT. During the same period, 5068 clinical trials were registered in the UMIN-CTR. The number of specific clinical trials increased immediately after the implementation of the CTA and stabilised in late 2019, whereas the number of clinical trials registered in the UMIN-CTR generally declined over time. Specified clinical trials that received industry funding and public grants were more likely to use designated staff in multidisciplinary roles.

Conclusions

The implementation of the CTA has not reduced the number of specified clinical trials, but has reduced the total number of intervention trials. The use of designated staff in multidisciplinary roles is associated with funding, secondary sponsors and multicentre studies. It was inferred that funding was needed to establish research infrastructure systems that support high-quality research.
What is known from the existing literature about self-management of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse? A scoping review
Authors: Dwyer Lucy , Dowding Dawn , Kearney R
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Pelvic organ prolapse can be managed with a pessary. However, regular follow-up may deter women due to the inconvenience of frequent appointments, as well as preventing autonomous decision making. Pessary self-management may be a solution to these issues. However, there remains a number of uncertainties regarding pessary self-management. This scoping review aims to map available evidence about pessary self-management to identify knowledge gaps providing the basis for future research.

Design

Scoping review as detailed in the review protocol.

Data sources

A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases and a handsearch were undertaken during May 2021 to identify relevant articles using the search terms ‘pessary’ and ‘self-management’ or ‘self-care’.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data relevant to pessary self-management was extracted and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool used to assess empirical rigour. Thematic analysis was performed to evaluate the results.

Results

The database search identified 82 publications. After duplicates and articles not meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were removed, there were 23 eligible articles. A hand search revealed a further 19 articles, resulting in a total of 42 publications.

Findings relevant to pessary self-management were extracted and analysed for the emergence of themes. Recurrent themes in the literature were; the characteristics of self-managing women; pessary care; factors associated with decision making about self-management; teaching self-management and cost benefit.

Conclusions

Pessary self-management may offer benefits to some women without increased risk. Some women do not feel willing or able to self-manage their pessary. However, increased support may help women overcome this. Further in-depth exploration of factors which affect women’s willingness to self-manage their pessary is indicated to ensure better understanding and support as available for other conditions.
mHealth education for patients with chronic kidney disease: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Schultz Anders Nikolai Ørsted , Kampmann Jan Dominik , Kidholm Kristian , Moos Caroline , Bauer Eithne Hayes
Published: July 2022

Introduction

More than 10% of the population worldwide is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite many promising indications regarding the use of mHealth education for patients with CKD, there is still little evidence regarding the feasibility, effectiveness outcomes and outcome measures. Therefore, we will conduct a scoping review to examine the currently available evidence on mHealth education for patients with CKD and, thus, explore the existing evidence regarding feasibility, effectiveness outcomes and outcome measures, patient and/or provider perception and implementation challenges.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be conducted in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis chapter on scoping reviews.

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO will be searched. The search strategy will consist of blocks, which have been adopted and modified from former Cochrane reviews. Two independent reviewers will screen studies. Characteristics of the included studies, both quantitative and qualitative, will be reported using quantitative descriptive statistics. Quantitative results will be grouped by objectives (feasibility, effectiveness outcomes and outcome measures, patient perception and implementation challenges), types of intervention and characteristics of participants. Qualitative results will be organised into categories using an iterative process, as suggested by Pollock et al.

Ethics and dissemination

As this scoping review does not involve primary data collection, ethical permission is unnecessary. Results of the scoping review will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Trial registration number

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/gxkeh/).