bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth performance and rumen morphometrics of Nellore and ½ Angus/Nellore feedlot cattle adapted over 9 and 14 days to high‐concentrate diets
Authors: Watanabe Daniel Hideki Mariano , Bertoldi Gustavo Perina , dos Santos Anderson Augusto , da Silva Filho Wilson Inacio , de Oliveira Lucas Felipe Rebeschini , Pinto Ana Carolina Janssen , Ceola Stefano Pereira Murillo , Estevam Daniela Dutra , Squizatti Mariana Martins , Pinheiro Rafael Silvio Bonilha , Millen Danilo Domingues
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adapting Nellore and ½ Angus/Nellore (AN) feedlot cattle over periods of 9 and 14 days to high‐concentrate diets on performance, feeding behaviour, carcass traits and rumen morphometrics. Seventy‐two yearling bulls (313.5 kg ± 24.5), 36 Nellore and 36 AN, were randomly allocated in 24 pens (3 animals/pen; 24 m2 and 2.0 m of bunk space/animal) according to a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments as follows: Nellore adapted for 9 days, Nellore adapted for 14 days, AN adapted for 9 days, and AN adapted for 14 days. Each treatment was composed by 6 pens (considered the experimental unit in this study). The adaptation lasted either 9 or 14 days and consisted of 3 step‐up diets. Therefore, yearling bulls received the finishing diet containing 86% concentrate either on day 10 or 15 of the study, which lasted 89 days taking into account adaptation and finishing periods. Cattle were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir, and two 1‐cm2‐rumen fragments, one from cranial and another from ventral sac, were collected. The AN cattle outperformed Nellore in terms of average daily gain (1.71 kg/day vs. 1.27 kg/day, p < 0.01), gain:feed ratio (0.137 kg/kg vs. 0.127 kg/kg, p = 0.02) and hot carcass weight (243.64 kg vs. 228.98 kg, p < 0.01). No main effect of the adaptation period was observed for any of the feedlot performance and carcass traits variables evaluated. Compared to feedlot cattle adapted for 9 days, feedlot cattle adapted for 14 days sorted against long (0.68 vs. 0.91, p < 0.01) and for fine particles (1.04 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01). An interaction (p < 0.01) of genotype and adaptation period was observed for rumenitis, where Nellore bulls adapted for 14 days presented the highest scores. In conclusion, there was no evidence that either Nellore or AN cattle benefit from an adaptation period shorter than 14 days.
Impact of a revised postoperative care plan on pain and recovery trajectory following pediatric tonsillectomy
Authors: Lagrange Claudia , Jepp Catherine , Slevin Lliana , Drake‐Brockman Thomas F. E. , Bumbak Paul , Herbert Haley , von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S. , Sommerfield David
Published: March 2021

Background

A previous cohort of adenotonsillectomy patients at our institution demonstrated moderate‐severe post‐tonsillectomy pain scores lasting a median (range) duration of 6 (0–23) days and postdischarge nausea and vomiting affecting 8% of children on day 1 following surgery. In this subsequent cohort, we evaluate the impact of changes to our discharge medication and parental education on post‐tonsillectomy pain and recovery profile.

Methods

In this follow‐on, prospective observational cohort study, all patients undergoing tonsillectomy at our institution during the study period were discharged with standardized analgesia. Parents received a revised education package and a medication diary which were not provided to the previous cohort. Pain scores, rates of nausea and vomiting, medication usage and unplanned representation rates were collected by telephone from parents.

Results

Sixty‐nine patients were recruited. Moderate‐severe pain lasted a median (range) of 5 (0–12) days. Twenty‐nine (42%) had pain scores ≥4/10 beyond postoperative day 7. By postoperative day 5, only 37 (53%) parents continued to administer regular analgesia. The median number of oxycodone doses used was 5 (0–22), and only 28 (41%) parents had disposed of leftover oxycodone within 1 month of surgery. Twenty‐four (35%) patients experienced nausea or vomiting postdischarge. The median (range) time for return to normal activities was 6 (0–14) days. Thirty‐two/sixty‐nine (46%) patients had unplanned medical representations. Most occurred between postoperative day 5 and 7. Pain contributed to 16 (35%) representations.

Conclusions

Despite extensive changes to our discharge protocols parents continued to report a prolonged period of pain, post operative nausea and vomiting, and behavioral changes. Further work is required to examine barriers to compliance with simple analgesia and education in appropriate methods of opioid disposal.
Gel‐permeation chromatography–enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method for systematic mass distribution profiling of plant cell wall matrix polysaccharides
Authors: Sathitnaitham Sukhita , Suttangkakul Anongpat , Wonnapinij Passorn , McQueen‐Mason Simon J. , Vuttipongchaikij Supachai
Published: March 2021

Cell walls are dynamic and multi‐component materials that play important roles in many areas of plant biology. The composition and interactions of the structural elements give rise to material properties, which are modulated by the activity of wall‐related enzymes. Studies of the genes and enzymes that determine wall composition and function have made great progress, but rarely take account of potential compensatory changes in wall polymers that may accompany and accommodate changes in other components, particularly for specific polysaccharides. Here, we present a method that allows the simultaneous examination of the mass distributions and quantities of specific cell wall matrix components, allowing insight into direct and indirect consequences of cell wall manipulations. The method employs gel‐permeation chromatography fractionation of cell wall polymers followed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to identify polymer types. We demonstrate the potential of this method using glycan‐directed monoclonal antibodies to detect epitopes representing xyloglucans, heteromannans, glucuronoxylans, homogalacturonans (HGs) and methyl‐esterified HGs. The method was used to explore compositional diversity in different Arabidopsis organs and to examine the impacts of changing wall composition in a number of previously characterized cell wall mutants. As demonstrated in this article, this methodology allows a much deeper understanding of wall composition, its dynamism and plasticity to be obtained, furthering our knowledge of cell wall biology.
A Foucault Pendulum Pilgrimage in Paris
Authors: Olson Don
Published: March 2021

Most physics teachers have observed the majestic swings of a monumental pendulum at a science museum and have watched long enough to see the plane of oscillation slowly changing direction as Earth turns. The purpose of this article is to describe visits to Paris sites related to Jean Bernard Léon Foucault (1819-1868), with a special focus on the locations where he first developed and then demonstrated the apparatus now known as the Foucault pendulum.
A Race Between Rolling and Sliding Up and Down an Incline
Authors: Mungan Carl E.
Published: March 2021

Races between moving objects are an engaging way to teach dynamics to introductory physics students. One standard example consists in racing hollow and solid cylinders as they roll down an inclined plane. Another striking demonstration is a race between two marbles on side-by-side tracks that start and end together, but with one track taking a straight path and with the other following a cycloidal shape. In the present article, two objects (having the same mass and shape) are launched from the same starting height with the same speed up an inclined plane. One of the objects is subject to kinetic friction. The other object is not because it rolls without slipping on wheels along the incline with negligible rolling friction. Each object travels upward, slows down, and then turns around and retraces its path to its starting point. If the two objects are launched simultaneously, which one makes it back first?
When Negative Is Not “Less than Zero”: Electric Charge as a Signed Quantity
Authors: Olsho Alexis , Brahmia Suzanne White , Smith Trevor , Boudreaux Andrew
Published: March 2021

Electromagnetism (E&M) is often challenging for students enrolled in introductory college-level physics courses. Compared to mechanics, the mathematics of E&M is more sophisticated and the representations are more abstract. Furthermore, students may lack productive intuitions they had with force and motion. In this article, we explore the mathematization of electric charge. Specifically, we explore how difficulties with positive and negative signs can arise for learners who approach integers primarily as positions on a number line. We discuss the nuances of electric charge as a physical quantity and situate it in a body of work by mathematics and physics education researchers to characterize the uses and meanings of signs. We then describe preliminary research that illustrates the effect of wording differences on student reasoning about electric charge as a signed quantity. Finally, we discuss implications for instruction.
Diffraction Experiments with a Smart Cart
Authors: Shakur Asif , Binz Steven
Published: March 2021

The use of smartphones in experimental physics is by now widely accepted and documented. PASCO scientific’s Smart Cart, in combination with student-owned smartphones and free apps, has opened a new universe of low-cost experiments that have traditionally required cumbersome and expensive equipment. In this paper, we demonstrate the simplicity, convenience, and cost-savings achieved by replacing a plethora of traditional motion sensors, wires, interface boards, and other equipment clutter with the smart cart, PASPORT® High Sensitivity Light Sensor, and the free SPARKvue® app by carrying out diffraction measurements of light with a single as well as double slit. Rylander and Miller reported a similar experiment but with an ordinary laboratory cart and a motion sensor to extract the precise position of the light sensor. The use of the smart cart in this report obviates the need for using a motion sensor and the laborious extraction of the position data.
Understanding a Paradox in Special Relativity
Authors: Richards Walter Bruce
Published: March 2021

Einstein’s special theory of relativity includes many non-intuitive and apparently paradoxical conclusions about space and time. One of these is time dilation, the fact that a clock moving relative to an observer runs slower than an identical clock at rest in the observer’s reference frame. This is clearly exhibited in the extended mean lifetime of elementary particles moving at high speed, compared to their mean lifetime when at rest, and must be taken into account when processing signals from atomic clocks carried by satellites in the global positioning system (GPS). My intent in this note is not to derive this or other relativistic effects; such derivations may be found in many textbooks. Rather, I would like to share two figures I prepared while teaching elementary physics quite a few years ago, to help understand the apparent paradox that two observers, in relative motion, both measure the other’s clock to run slower than their own. It is my hope that instructors can reproduce these two figures and find them useful in discussions to illustrate these basic concepts. The sketches are only approximately drawn to scale.
LED gates for measuring kinematic parameters using the ambient light sensor of a smartphone
Authors: Namchanthra Witchayaporn , Puttharugsa Chokchai
Published: March 2021

Nowadays, electronic devices (especially smartphones) are developed to use as an alternative tool for recording experimental data in physics experiments. This is because of the embedded sensors in a smartphone such as the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, camera, microphone, and speaker. These sensors were used in physics experiments, such as the simple pendulum, spring pendulum, coupled pendulum, circular motion, Doppler effect, and spectrum of light, as well as video motion analysis. This paper describes a method for measuring the position-time of a moving object using the ambient light sensor of a smartphone. In the experiment, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), called LED gates, are arranged with equal distance on an inclined plane. A smartphone is attached to a cart and acts as the moving object on the inclined plane. With the appropriate application, the ambient light sensor of the smartphone measures the intensity of the LEDs with respect to time while the smartphone moves along the inclined plane. The results obtained using the LED gates method are in good agreement with that obtained using the video analysis method.
X-rays in the classroom
Authors: Lincoln James , Barrueto-Cabello Roberto
Published: March 2021

X-rays are such an important and familiar part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but is there a way to safely bring x-rays into your lecture? The demo team at the University of California at Berkeley seems to have managed this. They have an x-ray safe box that they use to produce a live x-ray image on a fluorescent screen. In this article, we describe the apparatus, provide an overview of how x-rays are produced, and explain the strategies the Berkeley team used to ensure that this demonstration is safe for everyone involved.
Depolarizing GABA
A
current in the prefrontal cortex is linked with cognitive impairment in a mouse model relevant for schizophrenia
Authors: Kim Haram R. , Rajagopal Lakshmi , Meltzer Herbert Y. , Martina Marco
Published: March 2021

Cognitive deficit in a rodent model of schizophrenia is linked to cortical depolarizing GABA current due to NKCC1 overexpression.
Observation of others’ painful heat stimulation involves responses in the spinal cord
Authors: Tinnermann Alexandra , Büchel Christian , Haaker Jan
Published: March 2021

Observation of others’ painful heat stimulation involves spinal cord responses that are distinct from sensory processing.
Time and space catch up with restoration programs that ignore ecosystem service trade-offs
Authors: Li Ruonan , Zheng Hua , O’Connor Patrick , Xu Huashan , Li Yunkai , Lu Fei , Robinson Brian E. , Ouyang Zhiyun , Hai Yue , Daily Gretchen C.
Published: March 2021

Ambitious investments in expanding forest cover globally need more careful analysis to avoid severe unintended consequences.
Progress in robotics for combating infectious diseases
Authors: Gao Anzhu , Murphy Robin R. , Chen Weidong , Dagnino Giulio , Fischer Peer , Gutierrez Maximiliano G. , Kundrat Dennis , Nelson Bradley J. , Shamsudhin Naveen , Su Hao , Xia Jingen , Zemmar Ajmal , Zhang Dandan , Wang Chen , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: March 2021

This Review explores the challenges and the opportunities for robotics to tackle infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
Dysfunction of the proteoglycan Tsukushi causes hydrocephalus through altered neurogenesis in the subventricular zone in mice
Authors: Ito Naofumi , Riyadh M. Asrafuzzaman , Ahmad Shah Adil Ishtiyaq , Hattori Satoko , Kanemura Yonehiro , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Abe Takaya , Furuta Yasuhide , Shinmyo Yohei , Kaneko Naoko , Hirota Yuki , Lupo Giuseppe , Hatakeyama Jun , Abdulhaleem M Felemban Athary , Anam Mohammad Badrul , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Takeo Toru , Takebayashi Hirohide , Takebayashi Minoru , Oike Yuichi , Nakagata Naomi , Shimamura Kenji , Holtzman Michael J. , Takahashi Yoshiko , Guillemot Francois , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Sawamoto Kazunobu , Ohta Kunimasa
Published: March 2021

Tsukushi loss in the mouse subventricular zone led to altered neurogenesis and hydrocephalus.
Soft, skin-interfaced sweat stickers for cystic fibrosis diagnosis and management
Authors: Ray Tyler R. , Ivanovic Maja , Curtis Paul M. , Franklin Daniel , Guventurk Kerem , Jeang William J. , Chafetz Joseph , Gaertner Hannah , Young Grace , Rebollo Steve , Model Jeffrey B. , Lee Stephen P. , Ciraldo John , Reeder Jonathan T. , Hourlier-Fargette Aurélie , Bandodkar Amay J. , Choi Jungil , Aranyosi Alexander J. , Ghaffari Roozbeh , McColley Susanna A. , Haymond Shannon , Rogers John A.
Published: March 2021

A soft, wearable microfluidic platform collects and quantitatively analyzes sweat biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
Sulfur Amino Acid Status Controls Selenium Methylation in Pseudomonas tolaasii: Identification of a Novel Metabolite from Promiscuous Enzyme Reactions
Authors: Liu Ying , Hedwig Sebastian , Schäffer Andreas , Lenz Markus , Martinez Mathieu
Published: March 2021

Volatilization from soil to the atmosphere is a major driver for Se deficiency. “Bottom-up” models for atmospheric Se transport are based on laboratory experiments quantifying volatile Se compounds. The high Se and low S concentrations in such studies poorly represent the environment.
Four-Hour Immunochromatographic Detection of Intestinal Carriage of Carbapenemase-Producing
Enterobacteriaceae
: a Validation Study
Authors: Gallah Salah , Villageois-Tran Khanh , Godmer Alexandre , Arlet Guillaume , Rottman Martin , Benzerara Yahia , Garnier Marc
Published: March 2021

The increasing incidence of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (C-PGNB) represents a major public health challenge. Rapid detection of digestive colonization with C-PGNB is fundamental to control their spread.
Revised Draft Genome Sequences of Rhodomicrobium vannielii ATCC 17100 and Rhodomicrobium udaipurense JA643
Authors: Conners Eric M. , Davenport Emily J. , Bose Arpita
Published: March 2021

Recent attempts to sequence regions of the
Rhodomicrobium vannielii
ATCC 17100 genome revealed discrepancies with the previously published genome. We report the revised draft genome sequences of the type strains
Rhodomicrobium vannielii
ATCC 17100 and
Rhodomicrobium udaipurense
JA643. These revisions will facilitate genetic studies of phototrophic metabolism in these bacteria.
Transition from a passive to active continental margin setting for the NE Asian continental margin during the Mesozoic: Insights from the sedimentary formations and paleogeography of the eastern Jiamusi Massif, NE China
Authors: Wang Yini , Xu Wenliang , Wang Feng
Published: March 2021

The Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the NE Asian continental margin has received much attention in recent years. However, previous studies focused mainly on the petrogenesis of igneous rocks and their relationship with Mesozoic tectonics, and there have been few studies of the Mesozoic sedimentary formations of the NE Asian continental margin. We combined zircon U-Pb ages with Hf isotopic and biostratigraphic data to reconstruct the Mesozoic paleogeography of the NE Asian continental margin. The results indicate that Mesozoic strata of the eastern Jiamusi Massif, NE China, include the Upper Triassic Nanshuangyashan Formation (Norian), Lower Jurassic volcanic rocks, and Lower Cretaceous Longzhaogou Group. The Upper Triassic Nanshuangyashan Formation consists of a suite of alternating marine and terrestrial sedimentary rocks with abundant fossils that formed in a passive continental margin setting. The Lower Jurassic strata comprise a suite of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks that include basaltic andesites, andesites, and rhyolites that formed in an active continental margin setting related to initial subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath Eurasia. The Lower Cretaceous Longzhaogou Group belong to alternating marine and terrestrial sedimentary formations that formed in an active continental margin setting related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Here, we integrate these data to reconstruct the Mesozoic tectonic history of the NE Asian continental margin, which comprises a Late Triassic passive continental margin, the initiation of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the Early Jurassic, and westward subduction and rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the Early Cretaceous.
Total body water in full-term and preterm newborns: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Young Aneurin , Brown Lisa K , Ennis Sarah , Beattie R Mark , Johnson Mark John
Published: March 2021

Background

Total body water (TBW) is one component of fat-free mass and changes in TBW are influenced by fluid shifts (especially during transition to postnatal life), electrolyte balance and nutritional status. Normal values for term-born neonates and preterm infants at birth have not been defined in large cohorts, limiting investigation into its monitoring and use in clinical practice.

Objective

To systematically review the evidence base for percentage of TBW in term-born infants, quantify the effect of prematurity on TBW at birth, and describe normal progression of TBW over time in preterm infants.

Methods

Systematic review of Medline, Web of Science Core Collection and EBSCO-CINAHL (January 1946 to January 2020). Included articles used dilutional methods to assess TBW.

Results

Searches identified 2349 articles of which 22 included data suitable for analysis. Mean TBW in term-born newborns was 73.8% (95% CI 72.47% to 75.06%, 15 studies, 433 infants). Meta-regression showed that TBW was higher in preterm infants (up to 90% at 26 weeks gestation, dropping to 75% at 36 weeks corrected gestation) and was negatively correlated with gestation at birth, falling 1.44% per week (95% CI 0.63% to 2.24%, 9 studies, 179 infants). Analysis of TBW over time during the ex utero growth of preterm infants was not possible due to paucity of data.

Conclusion

This review defines the normal TBW percentage in term-born infants and confirms and quantifies previous findings that preterm infants have a higher TBW percentage.
Bilateral acute pyelonephritis with left renal artery aneurysm as a cause of bilateral spontaneous subcapsular haematoma: lessons learnt
Authors: Barad Bhaumik , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Kumaresan Natarajan
Published: March 2021

Forniceal ruptures after acute pyelonephritis are relatively common. Bilateral spontaneous subcapsular haematoma (SSCH) is an uncommon sequela to pyelonephritis. We report a case of SSCH where the underlying cause of haematoma was a vascular anomaly. A 38-year-old woman with diabetes presented with fever, flank pain and shock following cystoscopy and Double J stenting done elsewhere. CT abdomen showed left subcapsular renal haematoma, managed by pigtail insertion. Postoperative CT showed right renal subcapsular haematoma and left moderate renal subcapsular haematoma. Renal angiogram showed pseudo-aneurysm on the left middle polar artery for which selective embolisation was performed. Physicians and urologists who come across SSCH for which no definite aetiology could be identified should keep in mind the possibility of an underlying vascular anomaly that could precipitate such a condition. The purpose of this report is to highlight the importance of remembering vascular causes in such unexplained cases of SSCH.
Large exudative retinal detachment with choroidal granuloma unmasking disseminated tuberculosis: imaging and management
Authors: Sachan Anusha , Chawla Rohan , Lata Suman
Published: March 2021

A 26-year-old man presented with diminution of vision in the left eye associated with malaise and occasional mild fever. On fundus examination, the patient had left eye inferior bullous retinal detachment with choroidal granuloma. Systemic examination revealed a non-tender swelling on the right wrist. Correlating ophthalmic and systemic findings, a presumptive diagnosis of left eye exudative retinal detachment with choroidal tuberculoma and tubercular osteomyelitis of the right wrist was made. On imaging, asymptomatic multiorgan involvement was observed in the chest, abdomen and spine. The patient was started on antitubercular treatment along with peribulbar steroid. A reduction in size of exudative retinal detachment and tuberculoma with improvement in vision was noted on serial follow-ups. This case highlights the importance of thorough systemic evaluation in cases of ocular tuberculosis as the eye may not be the primary site but the early presenting feature of disseminated tuberculosis. Local posterior subtenon can be used for faster resolution of exudative retinal detachment and intraocular inflammation.
The impact of care environment on the mental health of orphaned, separated and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: a prospective cohort analysis
Authors: Omari Felicita , Chrysanthopoulou Stavroula A , Embleton Lonnie E , Atwoli Lukoye , Ayuku David O , Sang Edwin , Braitstein Paula
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The effect of care environment on orphaned and separated children and adolescents’ (OSCA) mental health is not well characterised in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the risk of incident post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and suicidality among OSCA living in Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs), family-based care (FBC) and street-connected children and youth (SCY).

Methods

This prospective cohort followed up OSCA from 300 randomly selected households (FBC), 19 CCIs and 100 SCY in western Kenya from 2009 to 2019. Annual data were collected through standardised assessments. We fit survival regression models to investigate the association between care environment and mental health diagnoses.

Results

The analysis included 1931 participants: 1069 in FBC, 783 in CCIs and 79 SCY. At baseline, 1004 participants (52%) were male with a mean age (SD) of 13 years (2.37); 54% were double orphans. In adjusted analysis (adjusted HR, AHR), OSCA in CCIs were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (AHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.97), depression (AHR 0.48 95% CI 0.24 to 0.97), anxiety (AHR 0.56, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.68) and suicidality (AHR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) compared with those in FBC. SCY were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (AHR 4.52, 95% CI 4.10 to 4.97), depression (AHR 4.72, 95% CI 3.12 to 7.15), anxiety (AHR 4.71, 95% CI 1.56 to 14.26) and suicidality (AHR 3.10, 95% CI 2.14 to 4.48) compared with those in FBC.

Conclusion

OSCA living in CCIs in this setting were significantly less likely to have incident mental illness, while SCY were significantly more, compared with OSCA in FBC.
Guidance and conceptual tools to inform the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening interventions
Authors: Pulford Justin , Crossman Susie , Abomo Pierre , Amegee Quach Jessica , Begg Sara , Ding Yan , El Hajj Taghreed , Bates Imelda
Published: March 2021

This practice note presents four conceptual tools intended to support the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening (RCS) programmes in low-income and middle-income country settings. The tools may be used by a wide range of RCS stakeholders, including funders, implementing parties and programme evaluators, to guide decision-making in lieu of largely as yet unavailable empirical evidence. The first conceptual tool guides decision-making regarding RCS intervention design, focusing specifically on the combination and integration of potential intervention activities. The second conceptual tool provides a framework for assessing the implementation challenges of potential RCS interventions in terms of: (1) the overall cost of implementing the proposed intervention in a given context; (2) the length of time required to complete full implementation of the proposed intervention in a given context and (3) the level of control the implementing partners would have over the proposed intervention in a given context. The third conceptual tool provides a means to consider the anticipated impact of potential RCS interventions in order to inform selection decisions (ie, which out of a number of potential RCS intervention options may be most impactful in a given setting given the intervention design and implementation challenges). The fourth and final tool is designed to support the evaluation of a collective RCS effort, whether that be multiple RCS interventions delivered within the context of a single or continuous programme or multiple RCS programmes delivered in a common setting.
Utility of preinduction tests as predictors of attrition in infantry recruits: a prospective study
Authors: Fleischmann Chen , Yanovich R , Milgrom C , Eliyahu U , Gez H , Heled Y , Finestone A S
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Infantry recruit attrition wastes resources and can affect combat readiness. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of preinduction tests as a predictor of attrition among conscripts in the first year of infantry training.

Methods

303 infantry conscripted recruits participated in a prospective study. Before their service, recruits received health profile and Quality Group Scores (QGSs). Recruits were screened at induction using questionnaires, by functional movement screening (FMS) and by upper and lower quarter Y-balance, dynamic and anthropometric tests. They were followed for musculoskeletal injuries and attrition during the first year of training.

Results

165/303 (54.5%) recruits were diagnosed with musculoskeletal injury or pain during the first year of their training. 15.2% did not complete their first year of service as combatants and 5.9% were discharged. On multivariable binary stepwise logistic regression analysis for attrition, protective factors were higher QGSs (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.89) and recruits diagnosed with musculoskeletal injuries or pain (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.48). Pain in the balance test performed at the beginning of training was a risk factor (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.44 to 7.61). These factors explained only 15.4% of the variance in attrition.

Conclusions

FMS was not a significant predictor of infantry attrition. Measuring the three variables found to be associated with infantry attrition would seem to be valuable when the number of infantry candidates greatly exceeds the number of infantry positions. Transferring infantry attriters to non-combatant roles and not discharging them is a way to manage the problem of attrition.
Diagnostic performance of mid-upper arm circumference to identify overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sisay Binyam Girma , Hassen Hamid Yimam , Gebreyesus Seifu Hagos
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) has been suggested as an alternative screening tool to identify overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Several studies have examined the diagnostic performance of MUAC to identify overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. However, the existing literature shows a considerable variability in measures of diagnostic performance and hence makes it difficult to direct clinical and public health practice. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise evidence on the performance of MUAC to identify overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search of databases including PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO will be conducted. The search will cover all studies until 1 April 2021. Grey literature will also be retrieved from Google Scholar. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool will be used to assess the risk of bias and clinical applicability of each study. To assess possible publication bias, we will use Deeks’ funnel plot. We will investigate the sources of heterogeneity by visual inspection of the paired forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic plots. The pooled summary statistics for the area under the curve, sensitivities, specificities, likelihood ratios and diagnostic ORs with 95% CI will be reported.

Ethics and dissemination

The underlying study is based on published articles thus does not require ethical approval. The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated in different scientific conferences and seminars.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020183148.
A cross-sectional study of the association of age, gender, education and economic status with individual perceptions of governmental response to COVID-19
Authors: Lazarus Jeffrey V , Palayew Adam , Rabin Kenneth , Wyka Katarzyna , Hajo Sonia , Ratzan Scott , Fielding Jonathan , El-Mohandes Ayman
Published: March 2021

Objective

We assessed the impact of key population variables (age, gender, income and education) on perceptions of governmental effectiveness in communicating about COVID-19, helping meet needs for food and shelter, providing physical and mental healthcare services, and allocating dedicated resources to vulnerable populations.

Design

Cross-sectional study carried out in June 2020.

Participants and setting

13 426 individuals from 19 countries.

Results

More than 60% of all respondents felt their government had communicated adequately during the pandemic. National variances ranged from 83.4% in China down to 37.2% in Brazil, but overall, males and those with a higher income were more likely to rate government communications highly. Almost half (48.8%) of the respondents felt their government had ensured adequate access to physical health services (ranging from 89.3% for Singapore to 27.2% for Poland), with higher ratings reported by younger and higher-income respondents. Ratings of mental health support were lower overall (32.9%, ranging from 74.8% in China to around 15% in Brazil and Sweden), but highest among younger respondents. Providing support for basic necessities of food and housing was rated highest overall in China (79%) and lowest in Ecuador (14.6%), with higher ratings reported by younger, higher-income and better-educated respondents across all countries. The same three demographic groups tended to rate their country’s support to vulnerable groups more highly than other respondents, with national scores ranging from around 75% (Singapore and China) to 19.5% (Sweden). Subgroup findings are mostly independent of intercountry variations with 15% of variation being due to intercountry differences.

Conclusions

The tendency of younger, better-paid and better-educated respondents to rate their country’s response to the pandemic more highly, suggests that government responses must be nuanced and pay greater attention to the needs of less-advantaged citizens as they continue to address this pandemic.
Non-compliance with colonoscopy after a positive faecal immunochemical test doubles the risk of dying from colorectal cancer
Authors: Zorzi Manuel , Battagello Jessica , Selby Kevin , Capodaglio Giulia , Baracco Susanna , Rizzato Silvia , Chinellato Enrico , Guzzinati Stefano , Rugge Massimo
Published: March 2021

Background

The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) among subjects with a positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) who do not undergo a colonoscopy is unknown. We estimated whether non-compliance with colonoscopy after a positive FIT is associated with increased CRC incidence and mortality.

Methods

The FIT-based CRC screening programme in the Veneto region (Italy) invited persons aged 50 to 69 years with a positive FIT (>20 µg Hb/g faeces) for diagnostic colonoscopy at an endoscopic referral centre. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared the 10-year cumulative CRC incidence and mortality among FIT positives who completed a diagnostic colonoscopy within the programme (compliers) and those who did not (non-compliers), using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox-Aalen models.

Results

Some 88 013 patients who were FIT positive complied with colonoscopy (males: 56.1%; aged 50–59 years: 49.1%) while 23 410 did not (males: 54.6%; aged 50–59 years: 44.9%).

The 10-year cumulative incidence of CRC was 44.7 per 1000 (95% CI, 43.1 to 46.3) among colonoscopy compliers and 54.3 per 1000 (95% CI, 49.9 to 58.7) in non-compliers, while the cumulative mortality for CRC was 6.8 per 1000 (95% CI, 5.9 to 7.6) and 16.0 per 1000 (95% CI, 13.1 to 18.9), respectively. The risk of dying of CRC among non-compliers was 103% higher than among compliers (adjusted HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.68 to 2.44).

Conclusion

The excess risk of CRC death among those not completing colonoscopy after a positive faecal occult blood test should prompt screening programmes to adopt effective interventions to increase compliance in this high-risk population.
Long-term safety of infants from mothers with chronic hepatitis B treated with tenofovir disoproxil in China
Authors: Pan Calvin Q. , Dai Erhei , Duan Zhongping , Han Guorong , Zhao Wenjing , Wang Yuming , Zhang Huaihong , Zhu Baoshen , Jiang Hongxiu , Zhang Shuqin , Zhang Xiaohu , Zou Huaibin , Chen Xiuli , Chen Yu
Published: March 2021

Objective

The physical and neuromental development of infants remains uncertain after fetal exposure to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV. We aimed to investigate the safety of TDF therapy during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Design

Infants from a previous randomised controlled trial were recruited for our long-term follow-up (LTFU) study. Mothers with chronic hepatitis B were randomised to receive TDF therapy or no treatment during the third trimester. Infants’ physical growth or malformation, bone mineral density (BMD) and neurodevelopment, as assessed using Bayley-III assessment, were examined at 192 weeks of age.

Results

Of 180 eligible infants, 176/180 (98%) were enrolled and 145/176 (82%) completed the LTFU (control group: 75; TDF-treated group: 70). In the TDF-treated group, the mean duration of fetal exposure to TDF was 8.57±0.53 weeks. Congenital malformation rates were similar between the two groups at week 192. The mean body weight of boys in the control and TDF-treated groups was significantly higher (19.84±3.46 kg vs. 18.47±2.34 kg; p=0.03) and within the normal range (18.48±2.35 kg vs. 17.80±2.50 kg; p=0.07), respectively, when compared with the national standard. Other prespecified outcomes (head circumference, height, BMD, and cognitive, motor, social–emotional, and adaptive behaviour measurements) were all comparable between the groups.

Conclusion

Infants with fetal exposure to TDF had normal physical growth, BMD and neurodevelopment at week 192. Our findings provide evidence on the long-term safety of infants after fetal exposure to maternal TDF therapy for preventing hepatitis B transmission.

Trial registration number

NCT01488526.
Alterations in the human oral and gut microbiomes and lipidomics in COVID-19
Authors: Ren Zhigang , Wang Haiyu , Cui Guangying , Lu Haifeng , Wang Ling , Luo Hong , Chen Xinhua , Ren Hongyan , Sun Ranran , Liu Wenli , Liu Xiaorui , Liu Chao , Li Ang , Wang Xuemei , Rao Benchen , Yuan Chengyu , Zhang Hua , Sun Jiarui , Chen Xiaolong , Li Bingjie , Hu Chuansong , Wu Zhongwen , Yu Zujiang , Kan Quancheng , Li Lanjuan
Published: March 2021

Objective

To characterise the oral microbiome, gut microbiome and serum lipid profiles in patients with active COVID-19 and recovered patients; evaluate the potential of the microbiome as a non-invasive biomarker for COVID-19; and explore correlations between the microbiome and lipid profile.

Design

We collected and sequenced 392 tongue-coating samples, 172 faecal samples and 155 serum samples from Central China and East China. We characterised microbiome and lipid molecules, constructed microbial classifiers in discovery cohort and verified their diagnostic potential in 74 confirmed patients (CPs) from East China and 37 suspected patients (SPs) with IgG positivity.

Results

Oral and faecal microbial diversity was significantly decreased in CPs versus healthy controls (HCs). Compared with HCs, butyric acid-producing bacteria were decreased and lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria were increased in CPs in oral cavity. The classifiers based on 8 optimal oral microbial markers (7 faecal microbial markers) achieved good diagnostic efficiency in different cohorts. Importantly, diagnostic efficacy reached 87.24% in the cross-regional cohort. Moreover, the classifiers successfully diagnosed SPs with IgG antibody positivity as CPs, and diagnostic efficacy reached 92.11% (98.01% of faecal microbiome). Compared with CPs, 47 lipid molecules, including sphingomyelin (SM)(d40:4), SM(d38:5) and monoglyceride(33:5), were depleted, and 122 lipid molecules, including phosphatidylcholine(36:4p), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)(16:0p/20:5) and diglyceride(20:1/18:2), were enriched in confirmed patients recovery.

Conclusion

This study is the first to characterise the oral microbiome in COVID-19, and oral microbiomes and lipid alterations in recovered patients, to explore their correlations and to report the successful establishment and validation of a diagnostic model for COVID-19.
Animal researchers shoulder a psychological burden that animal ethics committees ought to address
Authors: King Mike , Zohny Hazem
Published: March 2021

Animal ethics committees (AECs) typically focus on the welfare of animals used in experiments, neglecting the potential welfare impact of that animal use on the animal laboratory personnel. Some of this work, particularly the killing of animals, can impose significant psychological burdens that can diminish the well-being of laboratory animal personnel, as well as their capacity to care for animals. We propose that AECs, which regulate animal research in part on the basis of reducing harm, can and ought to require that these harms to researchers are reduced as well. The paper starts by presenting evidence of these burdens and their harm, giving some examples showing how they may be mitigated. We then argue that AECs are well placed to account for these harms to personnel and ought to use their power to reduce their occurrence. We conclude by responding to four potential objections: (1) that this problem should be addressed through health and safety administration, not research ethics administration; (2) that the proposal is unjustifiably paternalistic; (3) that these harms to laboratory animal personnel ought to occur, given their treatment of animals; and (4) that mitigating them may lead to worse treatment of research animals.
Organisational factors and under-reporting of occupational injuries in Sweden: a population-based study using capture–recapture methodology
Authors: Orellana Cecilia , Kreshpaj Bertina , Burstrom Bo , Davis Letitia , Frumento Paolo , Hemmingsson Tomas , Johansson Gun , Kjellberg Katarina , Wegman David H , Bodin Theo
Published: March 2021

Objective

To estimate the magnitude of under-reporting of non-fatal occupational injuries (OIs) by different organisational factors in Sweden for the year 2013.

Methods

Capture–recapture methods were applied using two data sources: (1) the national OI register and (2) records from a labour market insurance company. To assure comparability of data sources, the analysis was restricted to the public sector and private companies with at least 50 employees. OIs were matched using personal identification number and reported injury dates (±7 days). Organisational factors were obtained from the national labour market register and injury severity (no healthcare/only outpatient/hospitalised) from the National Patient Register. Total number of OIs and ascertainment by data sources were estimated assuming data source independence.

Results

There were an estimated 98 493 OIs in 2013. Completeness of reporting OIs to the national register and to the insurance company was estimated at 73% and 43%, respectively. No report to either source was estimated at 15 000 OIs (~15%). Under-reporting to the national register differed by selected organisational factors, being higher among organisations in the public sector, those with more females, with a younger workforce and with a higher proportion of immigrants. Overall under-reporting was more common in agriculture (19.7%), other services (19.3%), commerce and hospitality (19.1%), health (18.4%) and education (18.4%). Under-reporting decreased as injury severity increased, with little variations across sectors of economic activity.

Conclusions

Results suggest considerable under-reporting of OIs in Sweden and differential under-reporting by organisational factors. Results are relevant for official estimates of burden and for setting priorities for workplace safety and prevention.
Improving metronidazole prescription practices in surgical patients: a full cycle audit
Authors: Sgrò Alessandro , Wu Diana A , Yalamarthi Satheesh
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Metronidazole is commonly prescribed for intra-abdominal infections. Oral metronidazole has high bioavailability (>95%) and intravenous metronidazole should be reserved for patients not suitable for oral preparations.

Methods and materials

This full cycle audit evaluated the type of metronidazole preparation prescribed in adult emergency surgical patients requiring first-line empirical antimicrobial therapy for intra-abdominal infections. The criterion for audit was the proportion of patients who were prescribed intravenous metronidazole when the oral route was available. The first cycle included all consecutive eligible patients between 20 April and 14 May 2020. After an intervention phase educating prescribers about the similar pharmacokinetic properties of oral and intravenous metronidazole, clinical practice was reaudited between 22 June and 16 July 2020. Data were collected by case note and drug chart review.

Results

A total of 54 patients were included in the first audit cycle. Of these, 11 (20.4%) were prescribed oral metronidazole and 43 (79.6%) were prescribed intravenous metronidazole. In the majority of cases (35/43, 81.4%), intravenous metronidazole was prescribed in the absence of clear contraindications to the oral preparation. Of the 61 patients included in the reaudit cycle, 23 (37.7%) were prescribed oral metronidazole and 38 (62.3%) were prescribed intravenous metronidazole. The proportion of patients prescribed intravenous metronidazole despite being suitable for oral preparation decreased from 81.4% in the first cycle to 34.2% (13/38) in the reaudit cycle (risk ratio 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.67, p<0.0001). Prescribing oral metronidazole when suitable saved up to £10.53/day per patient.

Conclusion

This full cycle audit led to a significant improvement in the use of oral metronidazole in suitable patients, as well as a considerable reduction in healthcare costs.
FINANCING AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES UNDER CREDITOR-MAXIMIZED LIQUIDATION
Authors: SHIBATA TAKASHI , NISHIHARA MICHI
Published: March 2021

We develop a contingent claim model to examine the interaction between financing and investment where equity holders decide when to default and debt holders decide when to liquidate as well as maximize the liquidation value. We show that if the debt holders maximize the residual value at liquidation, an increase in liquidation value increases the amount of debt issuance and investment quantity ex ante, delaying corporate investment. This relationship is based on the fact that an increase in the liquidation value decreases the credit spread of debt holders. These results fit well with those of existing empirical studies.
Multi-UAV Distributed Collaborative Coverage for Target Search Using Heuristic Strategy
Authors: Zhu Kai , Han Bin , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2021

Collaborative coverage for target search using a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has received increasing attention in recent years. However, the design of distributed control strategy and coordination mechanisms remains a challenge. This paper presents a distributed and online heuristic strategy to solve the problem of multi-UAV collaborative coverage. As a basis, each UAV maintains a probability grid map in the form of a locally stored matrix, without shared memory. Then we design two evaluation functions and related technical strategies to enable UAVs to make state transfer or area transfer decisions in an online self-organizing way. The simulation results show that the algorithm integrates geometric features such as parallel search and internal spiral search, and is not interfered by factors such as sudden failure of UAVs, changes in detection range, and target movement. Compared with other commonly used methods for target search, our strategy has high search efficiency, good robustness, and fault tolerance.