bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Videolaryngoscopy vs. flexible fibrescopy for tracheal intubation in patients with cervical spine immobilisation: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Choi S. , Yoo H. K. , Shin K. W. , Kim Y. J. , Yoon H. K. , Park H. P. , Oh H.
Published: May 2023

In patients with cervical spine immobilisation, tracheal intubation devices other than a direct laryngoscope are frequently used to facilitate tracheal intubation and avoid related complications. In this randomised controlled trial, we compared videolaryngoscopic and fibrescopic tracheal intubation in patients with a cervical collar. Tracheal intubation was performed using either a videolaryngoscope with a non‐channelled Macintosh blade (n = 166) or a flexible fibrescope (n = 164) in patients having elective cervical spine surgery whose neck was immobilised with a cervical collar to simulate a difficult airway. The primary outcome was the first attempt success rate of tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes were the overall success rate of tracheal intubation; time to tracheal intubation; use of additional airway manoeuvres; and incidence and severity of tracheal intubation‐related airway complications. First attempt success rate was higher in the videolaryngoscope group than in the fibrescope group (164/166 (98.8%) vs. 149/164 (90.9%), p = 0.003). Tracheal intubation was successful within three attempts in all patients. Median (IQR [range]) time to tracheal intubation was shorter (50.0 (41.0–72.0 [25.0–170.0]) s vs. 81.0 (65.0–107.0 [24.0–178.0]) s, p < 0.001) and additional airway manoeuvres were less frequent (30/166 (18.1%) vs. 91/164 (55.5%), p < 0.001) in the videolaryngoscope group compared with the fibrescope group. The incidence and severity of intubation‐related airway complications were not different between the two groups. When performing tracheal intubation in patients with a cervical collar, videolaryngoscopy with a non‐channelled Macintosh blade was superior to flexible fibrescopy.
The prevalence of myopia remains stable under tighter COVID‐19 social restriction in preschoolers receiving a school‐based eyecare program
Authors: Yang Yu‐Chieh , Tsai Der‐Chong , Wang Chiao‐Yu , Chen Yen‐Lin , Shyong Mong‐Ping , Hsu Nai‐Wei
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigated the impact of different levels of COVID‐19 social restrictions (social distancing in 2020, large‐scale home confinement in 2021) on myopia prevalence and behaviours in a preschool population with school‐based eyecare programme.

Methods

Repeated cross‐sectional surveys were conducted between August and December in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Children aged 5–6 years received ocular examinations, and questionnaires were answered by caregivers before the day of the examination. The main outcome measures were the changes in after‐school time spent on homework, screen‐based devices and outdoors. Secondary outcome was the change in myopia prevalence (spherical equivalent [SE] ≤ −0.5 D in either eye after cycloplegia).

Results

A total of 9997 preschoolers were included in the analysis. Under tighter restrictions, more preschoolers spent ≥1 h/day on screen‐based devices (42.8% in 2019, 45.2% in 2020, 48.9% in 2021, p < 0.001), and fewer preschoolers spent ≥30 min/day on after‐school outdoor activities (49.5% in 2019, 46.0% in 2020, 41.0% in 2021, p < 0.001) on weekdays. A similar trend was found on weekends. While more preschoolers spent ≥2 h/day on screen‐based devices (35.3% in 2019, 38.5% in 2020, 43.0% in 2021, p < 0.001), fewer preschoolers spent ≥2 h/day on outdoor activities (41.7% in 2019, 41.7% in 2020, 34.0% in 2021, p < 0.001). The mean SE and myopia prevalence were stable (9.1% in 2019, 10.3% in 2020, 9.4% in 2021, p = 0.707).

Conclusion

Our study showed dose‐dependent effect of social restrictions on near‐work and outdoor behaviours at home. The prevalence of myopia did not increase significantly with short‐term cessation of school‐based eyecare programmes.
The effects of rumen protected methionine supplementation on the performance of primiparous dairy cows using the Presynch‐Ovsynch protocol
Authors: Abedal‐Majed Mohamed Ayoub , Titi Hosam Hani , Al‐Qaisi Mohmmad , Abdelqader Anas , Tabbaa Mohammad Jihad
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rumen‐protected methionine (RPM) supplementation on the reproductive and productive performance of primiparous dairy cows fed two levels of protein. The Presynch‐Ovsynch protocol was used to synchronize 36 lactating Holstein cows that were assigned randomly to one of six dietary treatments: (1) 14% CP and without RPM diet (14CP‐0RPM; n = 6), (2) 14% CP and 15 g/head/day RPM (14CP‐15RPM; n = 6), (3) 14% CP and 25 g/head/day RPM (14CP‐25RPM; n = 6), (4) 16% CP and without RPM diet (16CP‐0RPM; n = 6), (5) 16% CP and 15 g/head/day RPM (16CP‐15RPM; n = 6), and (6) 16% CP and 25 g/head/day RPM (16CP‐25RPM; n = 6). Independent of CP levels, feeding RPM had reduced the calving interval (P < 0.01). Feeding RPM increased (P < 0.01) overall plasma progesterone (P4). Feeding 16CP‐15RPM increased (P < 0.01) overall plasma P4. Feeding 16% CP increased (P < 0.01) 4% fat corrected milk, energy corrected milk, milk fat and protein yield, and milk casein. Moreover, feeding the 25RPM has increased (P < 0.01) 4% fat corrected milk, energy corrected milk, milk fat, and protein yield. Compared with other treatments, feeding 16CP‐25RPM or 16CP‐15RPM enhanced (P < 0.01) milk yield and milk fat yield. In conclusion, feeding 16% CP with RPM boosted the productivity and reduced the calving interval in primiparous lactating dairy cows.
Alleviating early demyelination in ischaemia/reperfusion by inhibiting sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 2 could protect visual function from impairment
Authors: Xue Jingfei , Lin Jicheng , Liu Zhe , Zhang Qi , Tang Jiahui , Han Jiaxu , Wu Siting , Liu Canying , Zhao Ling , Li Yiqing , Zhuo Yehong
Published: May 2023

Retinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis and axonal degeneration, resulting in irreversible visual impairment. However, there are no available neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapies for retinal I/R injury, and more effective therapeutic approaches are needed. The role of the myelin sheath of the optic nerve after retinal I/R remains unknown. Here, we report that demyelination of the optic nerve is an early pathological feature of retinal I/R and identify sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) as a therapeutic target for alleviating demyelination in a model of retinal I/R caused by rapid changes in intraocular pressure. Targeting the myelin sheath via S1PR2 protected RGCs and visual function. In our experiment, we observed early damage to the myelin sheath and persistent demyelination accompanied by S1PR2 overexpression after injury. Blockade of S1PR2 by the pharmacological inhibitor JTE‐013 reversed demyelination, increased the number of oligodendrocytes, and inhibited microglial activation, contributing to the survival of RGCs and alleviating axonal damage. Finally, we evaluated the postoperative recovery of visual function by recording visual evoked potentials and assessing the quantitative optomotor response. In conclusion, this study is the first to reveal that alleviating demyelination by inhibiting S1PR2 overexpression may be a therapeutic strategy for retinal I/R‐related visual impairment.
The impact of serum magnesium and calcium on the risk of epilepsy: A mendelian randomization study
Authors: Guo Xiaoming , Zhu Yueli , Ying Caidi , Xu Ke , Hong Yuan
Published: May 2023

Aims

To investigate the causal role of serum magnesium and calcium in epilepsy or any of its subtypes through Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum magnesium and calcium were used as the instrumental variables. MR analyses were performed using the summary‐level data for epilepsy extracted from International League Against Epilepsy Consortium (15,212 cases and 29,677 controls) to obtain the causal estimates. The analyses were replicated using FinnGen data (7224 epilepsy cases and 208,845 controls), and a meta‐analysis was then conducted.

Results

The result of combined analyses showed that higher serum magnesium concentrations was associated with a reduced risk of overall epilepsy (odds ratios [OR] = 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12–0.62, p = 0.002). In ILAE, higher serum magnesium was suggestively associated with reduced risks of focal epilepsy (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10–0.62, p = 0.003). However, the results cannot be repeated in sensitivity analyses. As for serum calcium, the results did not reach statistical significance with overall epilepsy (OR = 0.60, 95% CI, 0.31–1.17, p = 0.134). However, genetically predicted serum calcium concentrations showed an inverse association with risk of generalized epilepsy (OR = 0.35, 95% CI, 0.17–0.74, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

The current MR analysis did not support a causal relationship between serum magnesium and epilepsy, but showed a causally negative association between genetically determined serum calcium and generalized epilepsy.
The risk of venous thromboembolism and blood hyperlactatemia is associated with increased mortality among critically ill patients with Covid‐19
Authors: Alshammary Amal F. , AlQarni Hassan M. , Farzan Raed , Ali Khan Imran , Vennu Vishal
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) following venous thromboembolism (VTE) and blood hyperlactatemia are associated with higher mortality. However, reliable biomarkers for this association remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the associations of VTE risk and blood hyperlactatemia with mortality among critically ill Covid‐19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

In this single‐centre retrospective study, we included 171 patients aged ≥18 years with confirmed Covid‐19 admitted to the ICU at a tertiary healthcare clinic in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia between 1 March 2020 and 31 January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: survivor and non‐survivor. The survivors have been identified as the patients discharged from the ICU alive. The VTE risk was defined using a Padua prediction score (PPS) >4. The blood lactate concentration (BLC) cut‐off value >2 mmol/L was used to determine the blood hyperlactatemia.

Results

Multi‐factor Cox analysis showed that PPS >4 and BLC >2 mmol/L were more likely to be significantly associated with higher odds of ICU mortality in critically ill Covid‐19 patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–8.08, p = 0.050; HR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.12–13.45, p = 0.033, respectively). The Area under the Curve for VTE and blood hyperlactatemia were 0.62 and 0.85, respectively.

Conclusion

VTE risk and blood hyperlactatemia have been associated with a higher mortality risk in critically ill Covid‐19 patients who are hospitalized in the ICU in Saudi Arabia. According to our findings, these people needed more effective VTE prevention strategies based on a personalized assessment of their risk of bleeding. Moreover, persons without diabetes and other groups with a high risk of dying from COVID‐19 may be recognized by measuring glucose as having elevated glucose and lactate jointly.
Beyond windfall gains: The redistribution of apprenticeship costs and vocational education of care workers
Authors: Schuss Eric
Published: May 2023

In many countries, training subsidies and levy schemes are used to tackle the problem that company‐based provision of apprenticeship training is low. In this paper, we consider the introduction of a levy scheme in the care sector and estimate the causal effect exerted by substantial redistribution of care worker apprenticeship costs on the training activity of care facilities. We exploit the fact that the underlying apprenticeship levy was introduced across the German federal states at different points in time. For ambulatory care, we find a positive effect on the probability of hiring new apprentices and on the number of new apprentices. Inpatient care facilities react only at the intensive margin. This suggests that the positive effects in this sector are driven mainly by facilities that have already provided training slots before the reform.
Self‐assessment skills of undergraduate dental students in the preclinical course of complete removable prosthodontics at Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Gholami Hooriyeh , Arshad Mahnaz , Kharazifard Mohammad Javad , Ghazanfari Rezvaneh
Published: May 2023

Introduction

This study evaluated the self‐assessment skills of third‐year dental students regarding their performance in complete removable prosthodontics (CRP) preclinical course.

Methods and Materials

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on all third‐year dental students attending the International Dental College of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The students were requested to self‐assess their performance in primary impression making, custom tray fabrication, border moulding, final impression making, master cast fabrication, record‐base fabrication and tooth arrangement in CRP preclinical course. The performance of dental students in each step was scored by themselves and their mentors. Data were analysed by the Mann–Whitney U, Pearson's correlation and t‐tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Totally 25 male (55.6%) and 20 female (44.4%) dental students were evaluated. Significant differences were noted between male and female dental students in self‐assessment scores regarding adequate extension of the custom tray (p = .027), the correct position of tray handle (p = .020), visibility of vestibular width and depth on the cast (p = .011), the coincidence of upper and lower midlines (p = .005) and correct orientation of maxillary and mandibular planes in the articulator (p = .036). The mean self‐assessment score of female students was significantly higher than that of male students (p = .01). The scores given by the mentors were not significantly different for male and female students (p = .975). The difference between the self‐assessment score of students and the mentor score was not significant (p = .067) either in males or in females (p > .05).

Conclusion

Undergraduate dental students favourably self‐assessed their performance in all steps of the preclinical course of CRP, comparable with their mentor assessment.
Inclusion discourses in contemporary Slovak education policy – From the individual to the community and from right to performance
Authors: Kaščák Ondrej , Strouhal Martin
Published: May 2023

The study on which this article reports sought to explain the complexity of the relationship between inclusion policies and practices in education in Slovakia. Education policy in Slovakia is characterised by an enduring resistance to inclusion practices, despite the presence of humanist inclusion discourses. Accordingly, education policy and practices in Slovakia manifest a conflicting or parallel application of humanist and neoliberal discourses on inclusion. The analysis presented identifies three types of inclusion discourses in Slovak education policy today: (1)general individualised, (2)specified individualised, and (3)neoliberaldiscourses. Concrete examples are provided of each of the three types of discourses in Slovak education policy, to illustrate specific educational policies in different education sectors. Specific national challenges related to notions of inclusion and the associated paradoxes and differing perceptions of inclusion are discussed. The conclusion highlights the question of whether a truly democratic society can exist without humanistic and inclusive ideals.
Fine motor control improves in older adults after 1 year of piano lessons: Analysis of individual development and its coupling with cognition and brain structure
Authors: Worschech Florian , James Clara E. , Jünemann Kristin , Sinke Christopher , Krüger Tillmann H. C. , Scholz Daniel S. , Kliegel Matthias , Marie Damien , Altenmüller Eckart
Published: May 2023

Musical training can improve fine motor skills and cognitive abilities and induce macrostructural brain changes. However, it is not clear whether the changes in motor skills occur simultaneously with changes in cognitive and neurophysiological parameters. In this study, 156 healthy, musically naïve and right‐handed older adults were recruited and randomly assigned to a piano training or a music listening group. Before, after 6 and 12 months, participants were scanned using MRI and assessed for fine motor skills, auditory working memory and processing speed. A Bayesian multilevel modelling approach was used to examine behavioural and neurophysiological group differences. The relationships between motor and cognitive and between motor and neurophysiological parameters were determined using latent change score models. Compared with music listening, practicing piano resulted in greater improvement in fine motor skills and probably working memory. Only in the piano group, unimanual fine motor skills and grey matter volume of the contralateral M1 changed together during the 6–12‐month period. Additionally, M1 co‐developed with ipsilateral putamen and thalamus. Playing piano induced more prevalent coupling between the motor and cognitive domains. However, there is little evidence that fine motor control develops concurrently with cognitive functions. Playing an instrument promotes motor, cognitive and neural development into older age. During the learning process, the consolidation of piano skills appears to take place in sensorimotor networks, enabling musicians to perform untrained motor tasks with higher acuity. Relationships between the development of motor acuity and cognition were bidirectional and can be explained by a common cause as well as by shared resources with compensatory mechanisms.
Rapid high performance liquid chromatography method for erlotinib quantification in vitro: Application to study the effect of resveratrol on metabolism and cellular uptake of erlotinib
Authors: Zayed Aref , Al Hroot Jomana , Mayyas Abdulraouf , Al‐Husein Belal
Published: May 2023

Background: Erlotinib is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor that is used for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Its metabolism is mainly mediated by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP 3A). Resveratrol, a natural compound found in many plants and supplements, is known to inhibit CYP3A enzyme, therefore, it may act as an inhibitor for the metabolism of erlotinib. Objective: Development of a rapid high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC‐PDA) method for the quantification of erlotinib in liver microsomes and cancer cells and its application to study resveratrol effect on metabolism and cellular uptake of erlotinib. Methods: HPLC‐PDA was used to develop an efficient bioanalytical method with a 2.5‐min runtime preceded by a simple protein precipitation step. The method was validated according to the European Medicines Agency guidelines. Erlotinib metabolic stability and resveratrol effect on erlotinib metabolite formation were evaluated in rat liver microsomes. Furthermore, the method was used to measure the intracellular concentrations of erlotinib in cancer colorectal cells and investigating resveratrol effect on the cellular uptake of erlotinib. Results: A rapid HPLC‐PDA method was developed and validated for the first time to address potential drug interaction of erlotinib with resveratrol. Resveratrol was a strong inhibitor of erlotinib metabolism in vitro with IC50 = 4.03 μM. Resveratrol, however, had no effect on erlotinib cellular uptake after 1 h incubation in human colorectal cancer cells. Conclusion: The study suggests that resveratrol may produce a potential herb–drug interaction with erlotinib at the metabolism level and should be investigated in patients in the clinic.
Expanding on the professional role of dental hygienists as key managers of medical–dental and hospital–dental clinic collaboration in a local Japanese hospital without a dentistry department: From a questionnaire survey after a web seminar
Authors: Nakayama Ryoko , Soga Yoshihiko , Fujii Setsuo , Tsukuda Kazunori , Kadoya Shinichi , Takahashi Kazushi , Saga Ryosuke , Nishimura Mamoru , Yokoyama Nobuji , Okita Atsushi
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Perioperative oral management (POM) was introduced into the Japanese universal health insurance system in 2012. Collaboration with dental clinics is important for hospitals without a dentistry department. A dental hygienist newly assigned as a member of the patient flow management centre led a seminar to promote collaboration via the web. This study represents the first step to explore the possible role of the hospital‐based dental hygienist in the field of regional medical–dental cooperation of POM by assessing their willingness to participate in providing this type of care by a survey.

Methods

The rate of attendees' satisfaction and the current problems of the collaboration for POM were evaluated through a questionnaire survey after the web seminar.

Results

All respondents reported satisfaction with the web seminar although it was the first experience of an online seminar for half of the respondents. All hospital dentists, but only 47.8% of dentists working at clinics, had participated in POM. Dental hygienist tended to show greater desire to participate in POM than dentists. All respondents appreciated the role played by the dental hygienist as a key manager of medical–dental collaboration between the hospital and local clinics.

Conclusion

The hospital‐based dental hygienist can play a role in planning and management of web seminars for POM, to raise awareness and promote regional medical–dental cooperation of POM.
Magneto‐optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of polycrystalline Tb3Al5O12 transparent ceramics
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Li Xiaoying , Hu Dianjun , Chen Penghui , Li Xiao , Xie Tengfei , Yuan Qiang , Wu Lexiang , Liu Qiang , Li Jiang
Published: May 2023

Terbium aluminum garnet (Tb3Al5O12, TAG) ceramics have become a promising magneto‐optical material owing to the outstanding comprehensive performance, including the magneto‐optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Fine‐grained TAG ceramics with high optical quality and mechanical properties have attracted much attention. In this study, TAG ceramics with fine grains and high optical quality are fabricated successfully by a two‐step sintering method from co‐precipitated nano‐powders. After pre‐sintered at 1525°C in vacuum and hot isostatic pressed at 1600°C, the in‐line transmittance of TAG ceramics reaches 81.8% at 1064 nm, and the average grain size is 7.1 μm. The Verdet constant of TAG ceramics is −179.6 ± 4.8 rad T−1 m−1 at 633 nm and −52.1 ± 1.9 rad T−1 m−1 at 1064 nm, higher than that of commercial Tb3Ga5O12 crystals. The thermal conductivity of TAG ceramics is determined from 25 to 450°C, and the result is 5.12 W m−1 K−1 at 25°C and 3.61 W m−1 K−1 at 450°C. A comparison of mechanical properties between large‐ and fine‐grained TAG ceramics fabricated under different conditions is conducted. The fine‐grained TAG ceramics possess a bending strength of 226.3 ± 16.4 MPa, which is 9.7% higher than that of the large‐grained ceramics. These results indicate that reducing the grain size on the premise of high optical quality helps improve the comprehensive performance of TAG ceramics.
Development of a carpark cardiac implantable electronic device clinic to improve time efficiency and patient satisfaction in the context of restrictions imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Enayati Anees , McCormack Cameron , Mckenna Jo , Chye David , Putra Fernan , Lim Han S , Teh Andrew W
Published: May 2023

Introduction

We evaluated time efficiency and patient satisfaction of a “car park clinic” (CPC) compared to traditional face‐to‐face (F2F) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Consecutive patients attending CPC between September 2020 and November 2021 were surveyed. CPC time was recorded by staff. F2F time was reported by patients and administrative data.

Results

A total of 591 patients attended the CPC. A total of 176 responses were collected for F2F clinic. Regarding satisfaction, 90% of CPC patients responded “happy” or “very happy.” 96% reported feeling “safe” or “very safe.” Patients spent significantly less time in CPC compared to F2F (17 ± 8 vs. 50 ± 24 min, p < .001).

Conclusion

CPC had excellent patient satisfaction and superior time efficiency compared to F2F.
Patients' perspectives on involvement in general practice: A thematic analysis of free‐text comments
Authors: Nørgaard Birgitte , Titlestad Signe Beck , Marcussen Michael
Published: May 2023

Background

General practice (GP) plays a core role in managing the clinical pathways of patients with chronic diseases. Despite well‐established knowledge of the benefits of involvement and personalized care, involvement in GP appears to be challenged. This study aimed to explore patient involvement in GP from the patients' perspectives.

Method

The study involved a questionnaire survey investigating patient involvement in GP from the patients' perspectives. The validated questionnaire includes an open‐ended question encouraging responders to provide additional comments regarding their involvement in GP. The results from these comments are presented in this paper. A thematic analysis was applied.

Results

Of the 468 responses, 139 included additional comments to the free‐text question. Through our analysis, six analytic themes were generated—To be seen, met or heard, To feel safe or not, To be involved or dictated to, Accessibility, COVID‐19, and For the resourceful—across 116 codings and 25 descriptive themes. The themes' interwovenness underscores the complexity of both involvement and how it is to live with a chronic disease. Our analysis indicates that involvement in GP is for the resourceful.

Conclusion

The six themes describing involvement in GP from the perspectives of patients with T2DM and/or COPD were deeply intertwined. Involvement is dependent on being seen, met and heard, all of which contribute to the patients' sense of feeling safe (or not). These aspects are dependent on accessibility to a general practitioner; thus, COVID‐19 was a barrier during the data‐collection period. Furthermore, it appeared that being resourceful not only contributed to a sense of being involved in GP but was perhaps even a prerequisite for being involved.
Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders—INfORM recommendations: Comprehensive and short‐form adaptations for adolescents
Authors: Ekberg EwaCarin , Nilsson Ing‐Marie , Michelotti Ambrosina , Al‐Khotani Amal , Alstergren Per , Rodrigues Conti Paulo Cesar , Durham Justin , Goulet Jean‐Paul , Hirsch Christian , Kalaykova Stanimira , Kapos Flavia P. , King Christopher D. , Komiyama Osamu , Koutris Michail , List Thomas , Lobbezoo Frank , Ohrbach Richard , Palermo Tonya M. , Peck Christopher C. , Penlington Chris , Restrepo Claudia , Rodrigues Maria Joao , Sharma Sonia , Svensson Peter , Visscher Corine M. , Wahlund Kerstin , Rongo Roberto ,   International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology (INfORM)
Published: May 2023

Background

The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for use in adults is in use worldwide. Until now, no version of this instrument for use in adolescents has been proposed.

Objective

To present comprehensive and short‐form adaptations of the adult version of DC/TMD that are appropriate for use with adolescents in clinical and research settings.

Methods

International experts in TMDs and experts in pain psychology participated in a Delphi process to identify ways of adapting the DC/TMD protocol for physical and psychosocial assessment of adolescents.

Results

The proposed adaptation defines adolescence as ages 10–19 years. Changes in the physical diagnosis (Axis I) include (i) adapting the language of the Demographics and the Symptom Questionnaires to be developmentally appropriate for adolescents, (ii) adding two general health questionnaires, one for the adolescent patient and one for their caregivers and (iii) replacing the TMD Pain Screener with the 3Q/TMD questionnaire. Changes in the psychosocial assessment (Axis II) include (i) adapting the language of the Graded Chronic Pain Scale to be developmentally appropriate for adolescents, (ii) adding anxiety and depression assessment that have been validated for adolescents and (iii) adding three constructs (stress, catastrophizing and sleep disorders) to assess psychosocial functioning in adolescents.

Conclusion

The recommended DC/TMD, including Axis I and Axis II for adolescents, is appropriate to use in clinical and research settings. This adapted first version for adolescents includes changes in Axis I and Axis II requiring reliability and validity testing in international settings. Official translations of the comprehensive and short‐form to different languages according to INfORM requirements will enable a worldwide dissemination and implementation.
Roles of Moral Foundations and Empathic Concern on Rights of Public Decision‐Making for Geological Disposal Facilities: Why is it Self‐evident that “the Concerned Party should be the Decision‐Maker” in the Context of NIMBY Facilities?1
Authors: Nonami Hiroshi , Sakamoto Go , Ohtomo Shoji , Tashiro Yutaka , Aoki Toshiaki , Oba Kentaro
Published: May 2023

When the location of NIMBY (not in my backyard) facilities is focused, legitimate decision‐making rights tend to be preferentially given to local residents, an attitude defined as a superior legitimization of the concerned parties. Moral foundations and empathic concern are hypothesized to predict the process of superior legitimization of the concerned parties. We conducted an experiment wherein participants evaluated the legitimacy of residents and government agencies in view of the site selection of a geological disposal facility focused on ingroups or outgroups. In both groups, the legitimacy of the residents was notably higher, and the roles of moral foundations and empathic concern on the judgment of legitimacy were indicated. One reason why residents are self‐evidently legitimatized superiorly in the context of NIMBY facilities, therefore, should be that such judgments are based on intuitive moral judgment and empathic concern.
Homelessness, Public Space and Civil Disobedience
Authors: Stevens Simon
Published: May 2023

This paper argues that anti‐social behaviour, in the context of homelessness, ought to be seen as acts of civil disobedience. Firstly, I identify public space as a hostile space for people experiencing homelessness. Secondly, I detail how this reveals a default interpretation of them as anti‐social through their mere presence. Thirdly, I explore how this de‐politicises. I go onto define and examine civil disobedience theory, as a counter narrative to anti‐social behaviour. I then argue how acts of disruption by people experiencing homelessness in public space can qualify as civil disobedience. I acknowledge this as a wicked problem but claim that flipping the default framing of homelessness in this way has normative gain, undoing the de‐politicising othering that anti‐social behaviour narratives have caused.
Mirabegron versus vibegron in previously untreated female patients with overactive bladder: A randomized, single‐clinic, open‐label trial
Authors: Sato Hirotaka , Otsuka Shota , Tsukada Sachiyuki
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of mirabegron compared with vibegron (both 50 mg once daily) in Japanese female patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

This prospective, 12‐week, two‐arm, parallel‐group, open‐label randomized trial (UMIN000038288) was conducted at a single clinic from December 2019 to September 2022. The primary efficacy outcome measure was the change in mean total overactive bladder symptom scores (OABSSs) from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) (Week 12). The secondary efficacy outcome measures were changes in mean International Prostate Symptom Score from baseline to EOT, the ratio of patients who achieved a minimal clinically important change (MCIC) of total OABSS, and individual domains of the King's Health Questionnaire. Safety assessments, such as adverse events (AEs), postvoid residual volume, and patient‐reported incidences, were recorded at every visit.

Results

There was no statistically significant adjusted mean difference between mirabegron and vibegron in terms of the primary outcome of the mean change from baseline to EOT in the total OABSS. The difference in the percentage of patients in the mirabegron and vibegron groups achieving an MCIC on the total OABSS was not statistically significant but appeared to be clinically important. The incidence of treatment‐related AEs was significantly higher for the vibegron group (38.5%) than the mirabegron group (19.1%) (p = .047).

Conclusions

These results showed that both drugs were effective in female OAB patients, with no significant differences in terms of efficacy. However, the safety of vibegron requires further investigation.
Improved estimates of abortion rates in tsetse (Glossina spp.)
Authors: Hargrove J. W.
Published: May 2023

Abortion rates were assessed among 170, 846 tsetse (154,228 Glossina pallidipes and 19,618 Glossina morsitans morsitans) sampled in Zimbabwe in 1988–1999. The study produced improved estimates of abortion rates and how these varied with fly age and size and temperatures experienced during pregnancy. An abortion was diagnosed if the uterus was empty and the largest oocyte <0.82 of the expected mature length. Abortion rates for G. pallidipes and G. m. morsitans were 0.64% (95% ci: 0.59–0.69) and 0.83% (0.62–1.10) for trapped flies and 2.03% (1.77–2.31) and 1.55% (1.20–1.98) for flies from artificial refuges. Abortion rates increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing wing length and wing fray. Contrary to laboratory findings, abortion rates did not increase in the oldest flies. Percentages of tsetse with empty uteri, regardless of abortion status, were significantly higher than estimated abortion percentages. For tsetse from traps, 4.01% (95% ci: 3.90–4.13) of G. pallidipes and 2.52% (2.14–2.95) of G. m. morsitans had empty uteri; for flies from artificial refuges, the percentages were 12.69% (12.07–13.34) and 14.90% (13.82–16.02), respectively. Abortion losses are small relative to losses at all other stages of life.
Broad‐scale genetic monitoring suggests density‐dependent dispersal in a large carnivore
Authors: Kopsala Evan , Kyle Christopher , Howe Eric , Potter Derek , Beauclerc Kaela , Northrup Joseph M.
Published: May 2023

Characterizing patterns and drivers of dispersal is fundamental to our understanding of animal ecology and ultimately informing species conservation and management strategies. In this study, we used microsatellite data from 3941 individual black bears Ursus americanus occupying 73 spatially distinct sampling areas across a large heterogeneous landscape to characterize dispersal via gene flow directionality. We fit spatial models to quantified gene flow to test hypotheses regarding drivers of putative dispersal patterns. Specifically, we tested the relative influence of food productivity gradients, bear density, and bear harvest on dispersal. We also evaluated differences in gene flow patterns within and between sexes to assess sex‐biased dispersal. We found evidence suggestive of positive density‐dependent, male‐biased dispersal. Our data show evidence of a relationship between dispersal and broad food productivity gradients. Specifically, male bears displayed preferential dispersal towards mixed deciduous forests with higher food productivity relative to less productive boreal forests. Given the dense sampling scheme across a continuous population, occupying a large heterogeneous landscape, these results provide key insight as to the likely drivers of dispersal patterns in a wide‐ranging mammal.
The novel KIR3DL3*117 allele identified by sequencing‐based typing in a Chinese Han individual
Authors: Yu Qiong , Yang Zhichao , Chen Hao , Deng Zhihui
Published: May 2023

The novel KIR3DL3*117 allele differs from the closest allele KIR3DL3*01002 by two mutations in exon 3.
Current state of clinical trials on xenograft
Authors: El Masri Jad , Afyouni Ahmad , Ghazi Maya , Baroud Tarek , Al Majdalany Doha , Saleh Aalaa , El Assaad Hadi , Salameh Pascale
Published: May 2023

Background

Xenotransplantation is a worth investing branch of science, since it aims to fulfil the demand on human cells, tissues and organs. Despite decades of consistent work in preclinical assessments, clinical trials on xenotransplantation are far from reaching the targeted goal. Our study aims to track the characteristics, assess the content and summarize the plan of each trial on skin, beta‐island, bone marrow, aortic valve and kidney xenografts, leading to a clear sorting of efforts made in this field.

Methods

In December 2022, we searched clinicaltrial.gov for interventional clinical trials related to xenograft of skin, pancreas, bone marrow, aortic valve and kidney. A total of 14 clinical trials are included in this study. Characteristics on each trial were gathered. Linked publications were searched using Medline/PubMed and Embase/Scopus. Content of trials was reviewed and summarized.

Results

Only 14 clinical trials met our study's criteria. The majority were completed, and most of the trials’ enrolment was between 11 and 50 participants. Nine trials used a xenograft of porcine origin. Six trials targeted skin xenotransplantation, four targeted β‐cells, two targeted bone marrow and one trial targeted each of the kidney and aortic valve. The average length of trials was 3.38 years. Four trials were conducted in the United States and two trials in each of Brazil, Argentina and Sweden. Of all the included trials, none had any results provided and only three had published work. Phases I, III, and IV had only one trial each. A total of 501 participants were enrolled in these trials.

Conclusion

This study sheds the light on the current state of clinical trials on xenograft. Characteristically, trials on this field are of low number, low enrolment, short duration, few related publications and no published results. Porcine organs are the most used in these trials, and skin is the most studied organ. An extension of the literature is highly needed due to the variety of conflicts mentioned. Overall, this study sheds the light on the necessity of managing research efforts, leading to the initiation of more trials targeting the field of xenotransplantation.
A Contribution to Printed Circuit Boards' Miniaturization by the Vertical Embedding of Passive Components
Authors: Lukacs Peter , Rovensky Tibor , Otahal Alexandr
Published: May 2023

This study describes a novel and unconventional approach for embedding passive surface mounted device (SMD) components into printed circuit boards. Therefore, passive components whose package size is 0201 are embedded in two types of vias. On the final quality of an embedded passive component, the effects of various technological factors, including tin-lead and lead-free solder pastes, various types and dimensions of vias, various soldering techniques, and sample positions during the reflow process, have been investigated and described. The results show the impact of tin-lead solder paste and polymeric solder paste on the creation of electrical shorts in the embedding of passive components. The application of microvias for the embedding of passive components eliminates the fundamental issues, such as electrical shorts, component dislocation, and the low success rate for creating a reliable solder joint. The proposed method for miniaturizing printed circuit boards by embedding passive components in microvias was verified by experimental results. The reliability of the proposed methodology is further supported by electrical measurements. This study describes an approach suitable to printed circuit board (PCB) prototyping that makes a negligible contribution to hardware design and electronic technologies.
Relaxation Fluidic Oscillators: Design Parameters, New Operating Modes, and Characteristics of Their Internal and External Flows
Authors: Saliba Georges C. , Raimbault Vincent , Batikh Ahmad , Colin Stéphane , Baldas Lucien
Published: May 2023

Fluidic oscillators are no-moving-part actuators that can be used to produce pulsating jets. The characteristics of these devices and of the flow fields they produce are of particular interest in the field of heat transfer, as pulsating impinging jets have been shown to improve heat transfer compared to steady jets. In this study, special focus is given to these characteristics as a preparation for a subsequent thermal study that will evaluate the performance of these pulsed jets against steady jets. The functioning of the device in response to different operating and design parameters is first considered. It was shown that a transition between different operating modes is possible, depending on both the inlet mass flowrate and the width of the feedback channel of the device. This was followed by a study of the velocity fields of the pulsed jets produced by the device. More specifically, attention is given to the developing characteristics and flow structures of the pulsating free jets of air which are then compared to equivalent steady jets. Finally, by taking advantage of the periodic aspect of the flow, the phase-averaged velocity field was reconstructed. Vortex dipoles were detected, tracked and their convection velocity computed from the same data and compared to a theoretical value from the literature. A proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of the synchronized raw data was then performed to further highlight the presence of these vortex structures and other flow instabilities.
A Modified Loss Breakdown Approach for Axial Turbines Operating With Blended Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Abdeldayem Abdelrahman S. , Salah Salma I. , White Martin T. , Sayma Abdulnaser I.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a modified loss breakdown approach is introduced for axial turbines operating with supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) mixtures using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results. Loss breakdown analysis has been previously developed using two approaches, however each approach has its own uncertainties. The first approach neglects the effects of the cross-interaction between the different loss sources, while the second approach ignores the potential changes to the boundary layer thicknesses and the loss source domains. Although the second methodology accounts for the interactions between the different loss sources, it may produce less accurate predictions for compact machines like sCO2 turbines where the boundary layer may dominate the flow passage. The proposed methodology aims to obtain the turbine loss breakdown using a single CFD model where all sources of aerodynamic loss coexist, while considering variable loss regions defined based on the velocity and entropy distribution results. A steady-state, single-stage, single-passage, three-dimensional numerical model is setup to simulate the turbine and verify the loss audit methodology. The results are verified against the published loss audit methodologies for a 130 MW axial turbine operating with CO2/C6F6 blend, designed using an in-house mean line design code. The results show a good agreement between the proposed approach and the multiple-model approaches from the literature. However, the existing approaches appear to overestimate endwall losses by 13–16% and underestimate the profile losses by 11–31% compared to the proposed approach. Compared to the Aungier mean line loss model, large differences in loss sources are observed from the CFD results, especially for the stator and rotor endwall losses which are found to be 3.2 and 1.6 times the CFD values, respectively. This helps to indicate limitations in existing mean line loss models.
Paragliders' launch trajectory is universal
Authors: Da Cruz Lopes Quentin , Ramananarivo Sophie , Cohen Caroline , Benzaquen Michael
Published: May 2023

We designed and built a reduced-scale model experiment to study the paragliding inflation and launching phase at given traction force. We show that the launch trajectory of a single skin glider is universal, that is, independent of the exerted force. As a consequence, the length of the take-off run required for the glider to reach its “ready to launch” vertical position is also universal. We successfully compare our results to full-scale experiments and show that such universality can be understood through a simple theoretical model.
Lower Extremity Physical Performance Tests for the Assessment of Athletes via Telehealth are Reliable
Authors: Jales Maycon Thomas Moises , Barbosa Germanna de Medeiros , Gonçalves Gustavo Viotto , Fonseca Fialho Hilmaynne Renaly , Calixtre Letícia Bojikian , Kamonseki Danilo Harudy
Published: May 2023

Context: Lower extremity physical performance tests (PPTs) have been widely used in sports rehabilitation and are commonly performed in person. However, some situations may disrupt the in-person health care delivery, such as social distancing due to the pandemic, traveling, and living in remote locations. Those situations may require adjustments in planning and applying measurement tests, and telehealth has become an alternative. Nevertheless, the reliability of lower extremity PPT tests via telehealth is still unknown. Objectives: To verify the test–retest reliability, SEM, and the minimum detectable change (MDC95) of PPTs via telehealth. Methods: Fifty asymptomatic athletes completed 2 assessment sessions 7 to 14 days apart. The assessment via telehealth consisted of warm-up exercises followed by the single-, triple-, and side-hop tests, and the long jump test, in random order. Intraclass correlation coefficient, SEM, and MDC95 were calculated for each PPT. Results: Single-hop test showed good to excellent reliability, with SEM and MDC95 ranging from 6.06 to 9.24 cm and 16.79 to 25.61 cm, respectively. The triple-hop test showed excellent reliability, with SEM and MDC95 ranging from 13.17 to 28.17 cm and 30.72 to 78.07 cm, respectively. Side-hop tests showed moderate reliability, with SEM and MDC95 ranging from 0.67 to 1.22 seconds and 2.00 to 3.39 seconds, respectively. The long jump test showed excellent reliability, with SEM and MDC95 ranging from 5.34 to 8.34 cm and 14.80 to 23.11 cm, respectively. Conclusion: The test–retest reliability of those PPTs via telehealth was acceptable. The SEM and MDC were provided to assist clinicians in interpreting those PPTs.
Comparative analyses of bat genomes identify distinct evolution of immunity in Old World fruit bats
Authors: Tian Shilin , Zeng Jiaming , Jiao Hengwu , Zhang Dejing , Zhang Libiao , Lei Cao-qi , Rossiter Stephen J. , Zhao Huabin
Published: May 2023

Bats have been identified as natural reservoir hosts of several zoonotic viruses, prompting suggestions that they have unique immunological adaptations. Among bats, Old World fruit bats (Pteropodidae) have been linked to multiple spillovers. To test for lineage-specific molecular adaptations in these bats, we developed a new assembly pipeline to generate a reference-quality genome of the fruit bat
Cynopterus sphinx
and used this in comparative analyses of 12 bat species, including six pteropodids. Our results reveal that immunity-related genes have higher evolutionary rates in pteropodids than in other bats. Several lineage-specific genetic changes were shared across pteropodids, including the loss of
NLRP1
, duplications of
PGLYRP1
and
C5AR2
, and amino acid replacements in
MyD88
. We introduced
MyD88
transgenes containing Pteropodidae-specific residues into bat and human cell lines and found evidence of dampened inflammatory responses. By uncovering distinct immune adaptations, our results could help explain why pteropodids are frequently identified as viral hosts.