bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating ethics in a pandemic—Contempt for the weak versus love of neighbor in a Swedish lens
Authors: Bergmann Sigurd
Published: November 2021

The article draws on the author's observations and reflections about Sweden's pandemic management from February 2020 to June 2021. It does not simply interpret the lessons one can learn from the Swedish biopolitical experiment, but focuses on some central ethical challenges that every nation had to face in an accelerating pandemic. The intention with such a sharp critical discussion of the Swedish experience is to clarify some of the crucial ethical dilemmas and abysses in pandemic ethics. One article cannot possibly cover the wide and deep agenda for all complex ethical dimensions in a pandemic. This contribution in particular explores why the method of natural herd immunization is unethical, and what kind of legal and ethical aspects are relevant in international law and the WHO's ethical codex for a pandemic. In a Christian perspective it seems not at all strange to approach the theme of pandemic ethic also with theological arguments. A creator God who became flesh is deeply involved in our bodily world and life. What counts as health therefore appears to be a central issue for believers and faith communities, as is faith in a God who bodily cares for and liberates God's creation in all its dimensions. The exploration of Sweden's pandemic experiment flows into a plea for to apply the triple command of love sharpened by the command of love of the poor and vulnerable, and concludes with a short meta‐ethical reflection on the need of aesth/ethical imagination of the other.
Challenges and opportunities in real‐world evidence on the renal effects of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo , Del Prato Stefano , Avogaro Angelo , Solini Anna
Published: November 2021

With increasing population aging and prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide, prevention of diabetic complications remains a major unmet need. While cardiovascular outcomes of diabetes are improving over time, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) still leads to an exceedingly high rate of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). A game‐changing opportunity is offered by treatment with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have indisputably shown that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the rate of DKD progression, the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the development of ESKD. In parallel, SGLT2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes, especially the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. Real‐world studies (RWSs) have largely confirmed the findings of RCTs in broader populations of subjects with T2D followed under routine care. In the present paper, we review RWSs exploring the renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and highlight the most critical challenges that can be encountered in designing and conducting such studies. Channelling bias (confounding by indication), time‐lag bias, conditioning on the future, database heterogeneity, linearity of eGFR change over time, and duration of observation are critical issues that may undermine the robustness of RWS findings. We then elaborate on the new opportunities to overcome such limitations by describing the design and objectives of the DARWIN (DApagliflozin Real‐World evIdeNce)‐Renal study, a new RWS promoted by the Italian Diabetes Society. Fine‐tuning of methods for comparative observational research will improve evidence derived from RWSs on the renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, aiding the evolving discussion regarding the place of SGLT2 inhibitors in T2D treatment algorithms in different stages of DKD.
Temporal trends in right heart strain in patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Peters Andrew C. , Madhan Ashwin Shaan , Kislitsina Olga , Elenbaas Christian , Nishtala Arvind , Freed Benjamin , Schimmel Daniel , Thomas James D. , Cuttica Michael , Malaisrie S. Christopher
Published: November 2021

Background

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is a curative procedure for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) and right atrial strain (RAS) are not well studied in a CTEPH population. We sought to determine temporal trends in RAS and RV FWS in patients post‐PTE.

Methods

28 patients undergoing PTE for CTEPH were prospectively enrolled in a surgical database. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of the right heart was performed including RV FWS, right atrial volume, and the three components of RAS: reservoir, conduit, and booster strain.

Results

Patients undergoing PTE demonstrated improvement in NYHA functional class (P < 0.001). Hemodynamic assessment showed improvement in mean pulmonary artery pressure from 49.7 ± 8.5 mm Hg to 23.9 ± 6.5 mm Hg (P < 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 7.8 ± 3.2 wu to 2.4 ± 1.3 wu (P < 0.001). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and lateral S` declined immediately post‐op. RV FWS improved from −14.4 ± 4% to −19 ± 3.4% post‐op and −21.2 ± 4.7% at long‐term follow‐up (P < 0.001). Improvement in RV FWS post‐op was driven primarily by increases in the apical and mid segments. RA volume declined significantly during the study period. RA reservoir and conduit strain improved after PTE.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing PTE for CTEPH had significant improvement in right heart hemodynamics immediately post‐op. Traditional echo metrics of RV performance including TAPSE and lateral S` did not improve. RV FWS improved, which was driven by changes in the apical and mid segments. This highlights that RV FWS is a viable and useful metric to follow in CTEPH patients post‐PTE.
Adapting, updating and translating the Social Functioning Scale to assess social, recreational and independent functioning among youth with psychosis in diverse sociocultural contexts
Authors: Pawliuk Nicole , Malla Ashok , Mohan Greeshma , Taksal Aarati , Pope Megan A. , Birchwood Maximillian , Mangala Ramamurti , Ramachandran Padmavati , Loohuis Heleen , Schmitz Norbert , Joober Ridha , Shah Jai , Rangaswamy Thara , Iyer Srividya N.
Published: November 2021

Aim

To compare social, recreational and independent functioning among persons with psychosis across two geo‐cultural contexts, we adapted the well‐established Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and translated it into French and Tamil. We present the development and psychometric testing of this adaptation, the SFS‐Early Intervention.

Methods

Sixteen items were added to reflect contemporary youth activities (e.g., online games) and 31 items adapted to enhance applicability and/or include context‐specific examples (e.g., ‘church activity’ replaced with ‘religious/spiritual activity’). Psychometric properties and participant feedback were evaluated.

Results

Test–retest reliability (ICCs) ranged from 0.813 to 0.964. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) ranged from .749 to .936 across sites and languages. Correlations with original subscales were high. The scale was rated easy to complete and understand.

Conclusions

The SFS‐Early Intervention is a promising patient‐reported measure of social, recreational and independent functioning. Our approach shows that conceptually sound existing measures are adaptable to different times and contexts.
Autoimmune and inflammatory manifestations associated with acute myeloid leukemia with Trisomy 8—Case series and review of the literature
Authors: Buchrits Shira , Kozlovoski Dror , Gafter‐Gvili Anat , Raanani Pia , Hayman Lucille , Revyako Igor , Bernstine Hanna , Wolach Ofir , Shimony Shai
Published: November 2021

AML can be associated with autoimmune or inflammatory phenomena (AIP) occurring prior, concomitantly, or after its diagnosis. Trisomy 8 is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities associated with AML. We describe three patients with AML, trisomy 8, and associated AIP and review the known literature on this association. All of our patients had major symptomatic relief when treated with leukemia‐directed therapy and corticosteroids. AIP in AML may be an underdiagnosed phenomenon, particularly in patients with trisomy 8.
Diagnostic evaluation of low‐rank matrix denoising algorithm‐based magnetic resonance imaging on tibial plateau fracture complicated with meniscus injury
Authors: Ke Ji , Wang Shufa , Qiu Zhao , Liu Quan
Published: November 2021

It was to analyse the denoising ability of low‐rank matrix‐based denoising algorithms for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, and explore the diagnostic value of MRI for tibial plateau fracture (TPF) with meniscus injury. The Gaussian mixture algorithm was introduced based on low‐rank matrix algorithm, and a new algorithm Gaussian mixture model‐based low‐rank matrix factorization (GLRMF) was established. Then, the root‐mean‐squared error (RMSE) of the GLRMF algorithm under different noise intensities was calculated, and the structural similarity (SSIM) of the GLRMF algorithm, anisotropic diffusion filter (ADF), and nonlocal means (NLM) algorithm was compared. Sixty cases of TPF patients diagnosed in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of X Hospital from March 2018 to October 2019 were recruited as the research objects. The results of Schatzker classification of patients were counted, and the results of intraoperative exploration or arthroscopy were used as the standard to analyse the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing TPFs with meniscus injuries. It was found that with the increase of noise intensity, the RMSE of the GLRMF algorithm showed an increasing trend. When the K value was 100, the denoising effect was relatively good. Under the same noise intensity, the SSIM of the GLRMF algorithm was higher than the other two algorithms. Moreover, type VI patients accounted for 55% at most. MRI diagnosed 56 cases (93.33%) of TPF patients with meniscus injury, and 52 cases (86.67%) of meniscus injury were found in intraoperative exploration. The sensitivity of MRI in diagnosing meniscus injury was 94.76%, the accuracy was 93.33%, and the specificity was 89%. It showed that the new GLRMF algorithm based on the low‐rank matrix algorithm had a good noise reduction effect and significantly improved the image quality. The accuracy of knee MRI scanning was significantly improved, it was safe, and it was worthy of clinical application.
Internet of things and deep learning enabled healthcare disease diagnosis using biomedical electrocardiogram signals
Authors: Khanna Ashish , Selvaraj Pandiaraj , Gupta Deepak , Sheikh Tariq Hussain , Pareek Piyush Kumar , Shankar Vishnu
Published: November 2021

With recent advancements in the internet of things (IoT), wearables, and sensing technologies, the quality of healthcare services gets improved and it caused a shift from conventional clinical‐based healthcare to real‐time monitoring. The sensors are commonly integrated into several medical gadgets to save the bio‐signals produced by the physiological activities of the human body. At the same time, a biomedical electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is employed as a familiar way to examine and diagnose cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which is rapid and non‐invasive. Since the increasing number of patients degrades the classification performance due to high differences in the ECG signal patterns among several patients, computer‐assisted automated diagnostic tools are essential for ECG signal classification. With this motivation, this paper introduces a new IoT and deep learning (DL) enabled healthcare disease diagnosis (IoTDL‐HDD) model using biomedical ECG signals. The proposed IoTDL‐HDD model aims to detect the presence of CVDs by the use of DL models in biomedical ECG signals. In addition, the proposed IoTDL‐HDD model utilizes a BiLSTM feature extraction technique to extract useful feature vectors from the ECG signals. For improving the efficiency of the BiLSTM technique, the artificial flora optimization (AFO) algorithm is employed as a hyperparameter optimizer. Besides, a fuzzy deep neural network (FDNN) classifier is employed for assigning proper class labels to the ECG signals. The performance of the IoTDL‐HDD model is examined on biomedical ECG signals and the outcomes are inspected in distinct features. The resultant experimental outcomes pointed out the supremacy of the IoTDL‐HDD model with the maximum accuracy of 93.452%.
First Nations gatekeepers as a common pool health care institution: Evidence from Canada
Authors: Ufodike Akolisa , Okafor Oliver Nnamdi , Opara Michael
Published: November 2021

This study investigates the roles of informal gatekeepers in the context of First Nations health care in Canada. While existing literature focuses on gatekeeping by professionals, such as corporate board members, auditors, general practitioners, and specialists, we present empirical evidence on the role of informal First Nations’ gatekeepers in a health care system. Gatekeepers engage with government and First Nations along a continuum of gatekeeping functions. Drawing on common pool theory, we use a case study to understand the gatekeepers’ roles. We identify First Nations gatekeepers’ roles to include health care program control, resource control, and ecosystem control. We also find that these gatekeepers constitute a viable long‐enduring common pool resource institution that can be useful for the federal government's phased approach in transitioning health care governance to the First Nations.
The intensity of the foreign body response to polyether‐polyurethane implant in diabetic mice is strain‐dependent
Authors: de Almeida Simone A. , Orellano Laura A. A. , Pereira Luciana X. , Viana Celso T. R. , Andrade Silvia P. , Campos Paula P. , Ferreira Mônica A. N. D.
Published: November 2021

A number of genetic factors have been linked to the development of diabetes, a condition that often requires implantable devices such as glucose sensors. In normoglycaemic individuals, this procedure induces a foreign body reaction (FBR) that is detrimental to bioimplant functionality. However, the influence of the genetic background on this reaction in diabetes has not been investigated. We examined the components of FBR (capsule thickness, collagen deposition, mast cell and foreign body giant cell number) in subcutaneous implants of polyether polyurethane (SIPP) in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes in Swiss, C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice. The fasting blood glucose levels before STZ injections were 133.5 ± 5.1 mg/dL, after the treatment increased 68.4% in Swiss mice, 62.4% in C57BL/6 and 30.9% in Balb/c mice. All FBR features were higher in implants of Swiss and C57BL/6 mice compared with those in implants of Balb/c. Likewise, the apoptotic index was higher in implants of diabetic Swiss and C57BL/6 mice whose glycaemic levels were the highest. Our findings show an association between the severity of hyperglycaemic levels and the intensity of the FBR to SIPP. These important strain‐related differences in susceptibility to diabetes and the intensity of the FBR must be considered in management using implantable devices in diabetic individuals.
The uniqueness of glass for passive thermal management for optical fibers
Authors: Ballato John , Dragic Peter D.
Published: November 2021

Optical fiber‐based lasers and amplifiers are ubiquitous tools across many practical applications including communications, metrology, sensing, manufacturing, machining, and directed energy. Even for the most efficient cases where only a few percent of the optical power is converted into heat, this heat generation can have wide‐ranging detrimental effects on overall system performance. In homage to the 2022 International Year of Glass, this paper provides a new look into the enabling roles that glass can play in the fully passive thermal management of active fiber lasers and amplifiers. Partially didactic, complemented with new insights and novel approaches and results, specific topics include means by which glass compositions can reduce the amount of heat generated by an active dopant and how the glass’ response to heat generation, for example, thermo‐optic and thermal expansion coefficients, can be minimized or otherwise used to largely mitigate parasitic thermal effects.
Improvements of virulence factor phenotypic tests for Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, a major fish pathogen
Authors: Girard Sarah B. , Paquet Valérie E. , Charette Steve J.
Published: November 2021

Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies salmonicida, a fish pathogen, expresses various virulence factors such as an A‐layer, lipases and proteases during the infection process. Not all strains of this bacterium express the same virulence factors. It is important to be able to evaluate which factors are present when characterizing strains. The A‐layer and secreted lipases and proteases are usually detected by agar‐based tests that require long incubation (24 h and more) and may provide ambiguous results. In the present study, protocols have been optimized to determine the presence of these virulence factors using liquid tests. For A‐layer detection, the optimized method stains the positive bacteria with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. The lipases are detected by a colorimetric biochemical reaction triggered by the degradation of p‐nitrophenyl dodecanoate into a yellow product detectable by spectrophotometry, if the result is positive. Both of these tests show results in less than an hour. Finally, the protease activity is measured by clarification of a medium containing milk during an overnight bacterial growth. These new protocols provide opportunities for quicker characterization of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida strains and, particularly, provide more precise results.
Forecaster Efficiency, Accuracy, and Disagreement: Evidence Using Individual‐Level Survey Data
Authors: CLEMENTS MICHAEL P.
Published: November 2021

Theories of expectations formation sometimes suppose that agents make efficient forecasts given their information sets. We use individual‐level data to test whether survey respondents' forecasts are efficient. We assess whether there are systematic differences between forecasters in terms of their degrees of contrarianism, and the accuracy of their forecasts, and whether these are explicable by inefficiencies in the use of information. We find that forecaster inefficiency cannot explain persistence in levels of disagreement across forecasters, but there is evidence that the inefficient use of information is responsible for persistent differences in accuracy across forecasters.
A comparison of high‐risk human papillomavirus DNA detection between urine and cervical sample testing in women with abnormal Pap smears
Authors: Punyashthira Awassada , Horthongkham Navin , Jaishuen Atthapon , Jareemit Nida , Achariyapota Vuthinun
Published: November 2021

Aims

To compare the clinical performance of high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) DNA detection between urine and cervical samples collected from the same patient for the detection of CIN2+ lesions (high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer lesions). The secondary objectives were to evaluate agreement among hrHPV genotypes and to compare patient satisfaction between urine and cervical sample collection.

Methods

This prospective cross‐sectional study enrolled 96 women with abnormal cervical cytology who attended the colposcopy clinic at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) between July 2016 and January 2017. Self‐collected random‐voiding and first stream urine samples were collected into a universal sterile urine container and immediately mixing with preservative before the pelvic examination. Cervical tissue sampling was performed according to standard treatment guidelines. Both specimens were sent for extraction and detection of hrHPV by Anyplex II HPV high‐risk testing. Study patients were surveyed to compare patient satisfaction between urine and cervical sample collection.

Results

Carcinogenic hrHPV positive rate was 73% in urine samples and 81% in cervical samples. The sensitivity for HPV in the detection CIN2+ was high in both the urine and cervical groups at 86.2% and 94.8%, respectively. Agreement between the urine and cervical groups for HPV 16 or 18 detection was high, with kappa values of 0.86 for subtypes 16/18. Urine specimen collection had significantly higher satisfaction and acceptability than cervical specimen collection.

Conclusion

Urine hrHPV testing by real‐time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of CIN2+ lesions, with very good agreement when compared with cervical sample testing.
Changes in bile acid subtypes and long‐term successful weight‐loss in response to weight‐loss diets: The POUNDS lost trial
Authors: Heianza Yoriko , Zhou Tao , He Hua , Rood Jennifer , Clish Clary B. , Bray George A. , Sacks Frank M. , Qi Lu
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

Primary bile acids (BAs) are synthesized in the liver and secondary BAs result from intestinal microbial activity. Different subtypes of BAs may be involved in regulating adiposity and energy homeostasis. We examined how changes in circulating BA subtypes induced by weight‐loss diets were associated with improvements in adiposity, regional fat deposition and energy metabolism among overweight and obese adults.

Methods

The study included 551 subjects who participated in a 2‐year weight‐loss diet intervention trial. Circulating 14 BA subtypes (primary and secondary unconjugated BAs and their taurine‐/glycine‐conjugates) were measured at baseline and 6 months. Associations of changes in BAs with changes in weight, waist circumference, resting energy expenditure (REE), body fat composition and fat distribution were evaluated.

Results

Greater decreases in primary BAs (cholate and chenodeoxycholate) and secondary BAs (deoxycholate and lithocholate) and their conjugates (except for glycolithocholate) were associated with more decreases in weight and waist circumference at 6 months (P‐after‐false‐discovery‐rate‐correction [PFDR] < .05). We found that changes in glycocholate and glycoursodeoxycholate were consistently associated with reductions of general and central adiposity, REE, whole‐body fat and visceral adipose tissue (PFDR < .05). Further, the initial (6‐month) changes in BA subtypes were differently predictive of successful weight loss over 2 years.

Conclusions

The decreases in primary and secondary BA subtypes after eating low‐calorie weight‐loss diets were significantly associated with improving adiposity, fat accumulation and energy metabolism, suggesting that specific BA subtypes would be predictive of long‐term successful weight loss and individuals' response to the treatment of weight‐loss diets.
Lions and brown bears colonized North America in multiple synchronous waves of dispersal across the Bering Land Bridge
Authors: Salis Alexander T. , Bray Sarah C. E. , Lee Michael S. Y. , Heiniger Holly , Barnett Ross , Burns James A. , Doronichev Vladimir , Fedje Daryl , Golovanova Liubov , Harington C. Richard , Hockett Bryan , Kosintsev Pavel , Lai Xulong , Mackie Quentin , Vasiliev Sergei , Weinstock Jacobo , Yamaguchi Nobuyuki , Meachen Julie A , Cooper Alan , Mitchell Kieren J.
Published: November 2021

The Bering Land Bridge connecting North America and Eurasia was periodically exposed and inundated by oscillating sea levels during the Pleistocene glacial cycles. This land connection allowed the intermittent dispersal of animals, including humans, between Western Beringia (far northeast Asia) and Eastern Beringia (northwest North America), changing the faunal community composition of both continents. The Pleistocene glacial cycles also had profound impacts on temperature, precipitation and vegetation, impacting faunal community structure and demography. While these palaeoenvironmental impacts have been studied in many large herbivores from Beringia (e.g., bison, mammoths, horses), the Pleistocene population dynamics of the diverse guild of carnivorans present in the region are less well understood, due to their lower abundances. In this study, we analyse mitochondrial genome data from ancient brown bears (Ursus arctos; n = 103) and lions (Panthera spp.; n = 39), two megafaunal carnivorans that dispersed into North America during the Pleistocene. Our results reveal striking synchronicity in the population dynamics of Beringian lions and brown bears, with multiple waves of dispersal across the Bering Land Bridge coinciding with glacial periods of low sea levels, as well as synchronous local extinctions in Eastern Beringia during Marine Isotope Stage 3. The evolutionary histories of these two taxa underline the crucial biogeographical role of the Bering Land Bridge in the distribution, turnover and maintenance of megafaunal populations in North America.
Exploring the relationship between depression and different multimorbidity patterns among older people covered by long‐term care insurance in Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Cancan , Peng Wenjia , Li Mengying , Li Xinghui , Yang Tingting , Yan Huosheng , Wang Zijing , Jia Xianjie , Hu Zhi , Wang Ying
Published: November 2021

Background

Depression is common in patients with multimorbidity, but little is known about the relationship between depression and multimorbidity. The purpose of our research was to investigate multimorbidity patterns and their association with depression in a sample of older people covered by long‐term care insurance in Shanghai, China.

Method

This was a population‐based cross‐sectional study, with 1871 participants aged ≥60 years old who are covered by Shanghai long‐term care insurance. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases at the same time. We collected information on chronic conditions using a self‐reported medical history, and we used the 30‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐30) to evaluate depressive symptoms. Patterns of multimorbidity were identified with exploratory factor analysis, using oblimin rotation. Logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between multimorbidity patterns and depressive symptoms.

Results

Among the participants, the prevalence of multimorbidity was 64.7%, and the prevalence of depression was 64.6%. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and cataracts showed strong associations with depression when co‐occurring with other conditions. Three patterns of multimorbidity were identified: a musculoskeletal pattern, cardiometabolic pattern, and degenerative disease pattern. Among these, the cardiometabolic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.223; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.102, 1.357) and degenerative disease (AOR 1.185; 95% CI 1.071, 1.311) patterns were associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Two of three multimorbidity patterns were found to be associated with depression. Physical and psychological dimensions require greater attention in the care of older adults who are covered by long‐term care insurance.
The numerical solutions of linear semidiscrete evolution problems on the half‐line using the Unified Transform Method
Authors: Cisneros Jorge , Deconinck Bernard
Published: November 2021

We discuss a semidiscrete analogue of the Unified Transform Method (UTM), introduced by A. S. Fokas, to solve initial‐boundary‐value problems for linear evolution partial differential equations of constant coefficients. The semidiscrete method is applied to various spacial discretizations of several first‐ and second‐order linear equations on the half‐line , producing the exact solution for the semidiscrete problem, given appropriate initial and boundary data. We additionally show how the UTM treats derivative boundary conditions and ghost points introduced by the choice of discretization stencil and propose the notion of “natural” discretizations. We consider the continuum limit of the semidiscrete solutions and provide several numerical examples.
Numerical Investigations Into Nonlinear Vibro-Ultrasonics and Surface Vibration Comparison Method for Detection of Defects in a Composite Laminate
Authors: Singh Ashish Kumar , Tan Vincent B. C. , Tay Tong Earn , Lee Heow Pueh
Published: November 2021

This paper begins with a numerical study based on earlier experiments of nonlinear vibro-ultrasonic behavior of a composite laminate with a delamination defect upon sinusoidal linear sweep signal excitation. A methodology to model laminates with cross-ply layup is presented which can be extended to any layup if desired. In comparison to experiments where it is challenging to visualize the fine details of vibrations, simulations make it easier to visualize and help in optimizing the defect probing methods. The paper goes on to discuss with the help of numerical results that a separation gap between the delamination surfaces occurs to be a common cause for the failure of nonlinear vibro-ultrasonic methods to detect delamination defects. This constraint can often be overcome with application of higher excitation amplitudes as has been demonstrated in several experimental works. However, in this study, a new approach named surface vibration comparison method to probe delamination defects in the absence of contact acoustic nonlinearity is proposed as a proof-of-concept. The technique is then evaluated for detection of weak kissing bond defects in composite beam specimens. Both the experimental and simulation results show potential of the method as damage detection technique in thin composite structures.
Ultra-wide operation band of the high-frequency underwater acoustic transducer realized by two-layer 1–3 piezoelectric composite
Authors: Ji Bocheng , Hong Lianjin , Lan Yu
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the two-layer 1–3 composite transducer using an unconventional part-excitation method is presented to achieve the ultra-wide operation band for the high-frequency underwater devices, in which the part-excitation refers to the method that only the lower-layer is excited, while the upper-layer in contact with the propagation medium is not excited. This method is first proposed by analyzing the longitudinal vibration modes of one piezoelectric rod in the 1–3 composite and finally, we conclude that if the excited lower-layer can be controlled to have thickness given by 3l/2n, where l is the whole thickness of the two-layer rod and n (n > 1) denotes the number of the coupled modes, then first n order modes can be activated simultaneously to form an ultra-wide operation band containing n response peaks. Finite element method (FEM) is employed to investigate the two-layer 1–3 composite with a thickness of 10 mm. The results show that when the thickness of the excited lower-layer is 3 mm (n = 5), the transducer attains the ultra-wideband by coupling five resonances, nearly covering the frequency range from 100 kHz to 1 MHz. According to the difference of response level, the whole band can be divided into multiple local wide bands. A prototype transducer is fabricated based on the FEM results, and the measured results show that the whole band contains three wide bands, covering the frequency ranges 125–295 kHz, 300–480 kHz, and 500–915 kHz, respectively.
microRNA-20-1 and microRNA-101a Suppress the NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation Production by Targeting TRAF6 in Miiuy Croaker
Authors: Cui Junxia , Gu Liping , Zhong Lichang , Liu Xuezhu , Sun Yuena , Xu Tianjun
Published: November 2021

Upon recognition of pathogen components by pattern recognition receptors, cells could be activated to produce inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. The inflammation is tightly modulated by the host to prevent inappropriate inflammatory responses.
SDHBvariant type impacts phenotype and malignancy in pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma
Authors: Bayley Jean Pierre , Bausch Birke , Jansen Jeroen C , Hensen Erik F , van der Tuin Karin , Corssmit Eleonora PM , Devilee Peter , Neumann Hartmut PH
Published: November 2021

Background

Traditional genotype-phenotype correlations for the succinate dehydrogenase-complex II (SDH) genes linkSDHBvariants to thoracic-abdominal pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (PPGL) andSDHDvariants to head and neck paraganglioma (HNPGL). However, in a recent study we found strong and specific genotype-phenotype associations forSDHDvariants. In the present study we zoom in on the genotype-phenotype associations ofSDHBgene variants, considering the impact of individual gene variants on disease risk and risk of malignancy.

Methods

We analysed two large independent data sets, including a total of 448 patients with PPGL and HNPGL, and studied the association of missense or truncatingSDHBvariants with tumour incidence, age of onset and malignancy risk using binomial testing and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

Compared with missense variants, truncatingSDHBvariants were significantly and consistently more common in patients with PPGL, by a 20 percentage point margin. Malignancy was also significantly more common in truncating versus missense variant carriers. No overall differences in age of PPGL onset were noted between carriers of the two variant types, although some individual variants may differ in certain cases. Missense variants were marginally over-represented among patients with HNPGL, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

SDHBtruncating variants convey an elevated risk for development of both PPGL and malignancy compared with missense variants. These results further support earlier robust associations between truncating variants and PPGL, and also suggest that the two variant types differ in their impact on complex II function, with PPGL/HNPGL tissues displaying differing sensitivities to changes in complex II function.
Hospitalised heat-related acute kidney injury in indoor and outdoor workers in the USA
Authors: Shi Dallas S , Weaver Virginia M , Hodgson Michael J , Tustin Aaron W
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To characterise heat-related acute kidney injury (HR-AKI) among US workers in a range of industries.

Methods

Two data sources were analysed: archived case files of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing from 2010 through 2020; and a Severe Injury Reports (SIR) database of work-related hospitalisations that employers reported to federal OSHA from 2015 to 2020. Confirmed, probable and possible cases of HR-AKI were ascertained by serum creatinine measurements and narrative incident descriptions. Industry-specific incidence rates of HR-AKI were computed. A capture–recapture analysis assessed under-reporting in SIR.

Results

There were 608 HR-AKI cases, including 22 confirmed cases and 586 probable or possible cases. HR-AKI occurred in indoor and outdoor industries including manufacturing, construction, mail and package delivery, and solid waste collection. Among confirmed cases, 95.2% were male, 50.0% had hypertension and 40.9% were newly hired workers. Incidence rates of AKI hospitalisations from 1.0 to 2.5 hours per 100 000 workers per year were observed in high-risk industries. Analysis of overlap between the data sources found that employers reported only 70.6% of eligible HR-AKI hospitalisations to OSHA, and only 41.2% of reports contained a consistent diagnosis.

Conclusions

Workers were hospitalised with HR-AKI in diverse industries, including indoor facilities. Because of under-reporting and underascertainment, national surveillance databases underestimate the true burden of occupational HR-AKI. Clinicians should consider kidney risk from recurrent heat stress. Employers should provide interventions, such as comprehensive heat stress prevention programmes, that include acclimatisation protocols for new workers, to prevent HR-AKI.
Linking the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program to commercial claims to establish a framework for real-world longitudinal stroke research
Authors: Patorno Elisabetta , Schneeweiss Sebastian , George Mary G , Tong Xin , Franklin Jessica M , Pawar Ajinkya , Mogun Helen , Moura Lidia M V R , Schwamm Lee H
Published: November 2021

Background

Non-interventional large-scale research on real-world patients who had a stroke requires the use of multiple data sources ensuring access to longitudinal data from large populations with clinically-detailed information. We sought to establish a framework for longitudinal research on patients hospitalised with stroke by linking information-rich, deidentified inpatient data from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP) to commercial and Medicare Advantage longitudinal claims data.

Methods

All stroke admissions in PCNASP between 2008 and 2015 were evaluated for linkage to longitudinal claims from a commercial insurer using an algorithm based on six available common data fields (patient age, gender, admission date, discharge date, discharge diagnosis and state) and a hospital match. We evaluated the linkage quality (via the percentage of unique records in the linked dataset) and the representativeness of the linked population. We also described medical history, stroke severity and patterns of medication use among the PCNASP-claims linked cohort.

Results

The linkage produced uniqueness equal to 99.1%. We identified 5644 linked and 98 896 unlinked patients who had an ischaemic stroke hospitalisation in claims data. Linked patients were younger than unlinked (69.7 vs 72.5 years), but otherwise similar by medical history, prestroke medication use or lab values. Stroke severity was mild and most patients were discharged home. Prestroke and discharge use of antihypertensive and statins in the PCNASP were greater than their use as measured by filled prescriptions in claims.

Conclusions

High-quality linkage between the PCNASP and commercial claims data is feasible. This linkage identified differences between reported or recommended versus actual out-of-hospital medication utilisation, highlighting the importance of longitudinal data availability for research aimed to improve the care of patients who had a stroke.
Parallel or interconnected pores’ formation through etchant selective silicon porosification
Authors: Rani Chanchal , Tanwar Manushree , Ghosh Tanushree , Kandpal Suchita , Pathak Devesh K. , Maximov Maxim Yu , Kumar Rajesh
Published: November 2021

The effect of the oxidizer present in the etching solution on the surface morphology and microstructure obtained after porosifying a p-type silicon wafer using metal-assisted chemical etching was studied. The morphologies of Si wafers porosified using two different solutions, HF/H2O2 and HF/KMnO4, were compared to establish how either of the oxidizers (H2O2 or KMnO4) should be chosen depending on the desired application. A comparative study revealed that parallel pores with wire-like structures or interconnected pores with cheese-like structures can be obtained when H2O2 or KMnO4 are chosen, respectively. Careful analysis of the SEM images was carried out using ImageJ to establish that the samples prepared using KMnO4 are more porous due to aggressive etching. Additionally, experimental and theoretical Raman spectroscopic studies have been utilized to study the presence of low-dimensional Si nanostructures, which are a few nanometers in size, at the microscopic level in porosified silicon.
Hantavirus outbreaks in the American Southwest: Propagation and retraction of rodent and virus diffusion waves from sky-island refugia
Authors: Parmenter Robert R. , Glass Gregory E.
Published: November 2021

Hantavirus outbreaks in the American Southwest are hypothesized to be driven by episodic seasonal events of high precipitation, promoting rapid increases in virus-reservoir rodent species that then move across the landscape from high quality montane forested habitats (refugia), eventually over-running human residences and increasing disease risk. In this study, the velocities of rodents and virus diffusion wave propagation and retraction were documented and quantified in the sky-islands of northern New Mexico and related to rodent-virus relationships in refugia versus nonrefugia habitats. Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) refugia populations exhibited higher Sin Nombre Virus (SNV) infection prevalence than nonrefugia populations. The velocity of propagating diffusion waves of Peromyscus from montane to lower grassland habitats was measured at [Formula: see text] m/day (SE), with wave retraction velocities of [Formula: see text] m/day. SNV infection diffusion wave propagation velocity within a deer mouse population averaged [Formula: see text] m/day, with a faster retraction wave velocity of [Formula: see text] m/day. A spatio-temporal analysis of human Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) cases during the initial 1993 epidemic revealed a positive linear relationship between the time during the epidemic and the distance of human cases from the nearest deer mouse refugium, with a landscape diffusion wave velocity of [Formula: see text] m/day ([Formula: see text]). These consistent diffusion propagation wave velocity results support the traveling wave component of the HPS outbreak theory and can provide information on space–time constraints for future outbreak forecasts.
Influence of piezoelectricity, doping and magnetostatic field on Brillouin amplification in compound (AIIIBV and AIIBVI) semiconductors
Authors: Kumar Arun , Dahiya Sunita , Singh Navneet , Singh Manjeet
Published: November 2021

A theoretical formulation followed by numerical analysis describing Brillouin amplification in compound (AIIIBV and AIIBVI) semiconductors is explored. The threshold condition for the onset of Brillouin amplification is determined. Well above the threshold intensity, the influence of piezoelectricity, doping concentration, and external magnetostatic field on the parameters characterizing Brillouin amplification viz. Brillouin amplification coefficient, transmitted intensity of Brillouin-scattered Stokes mode (BSSM), and Brillouin cell efficiency of the Brillouin cell isestimated. Numerical analysis is made for three different Brillouin cells consisting of [Formula: see text]-InSb, [Formula: see text]-GaAs, and [Formula: see text]-CdS, at 77[Formula: see text]K duly irradiated by a pulsed CO2 laser. Efforts are directed towards to determine appropriate values of doping concentration and magnetostatic field to enhance the parameters characterizing Brillouin amplification, at lower excitation intensity, and to establish the suitability of compound semiconductors as hosts for fabrication of efficient Brillouin amplifiers.
On the Generalized Strongly Nil-Clean Property of Matrix Rings
Authors: Kostić Aleksandra S. , Petrović Zoran Z. , Pucanović Zoran S. , Roslavcev Maja
Published: November 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be an associative unital ring and not necessarily commutative. We analyze conditions under which every [Formula: see text] matrix [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] is expressible as a sum [Formula: see text] of (commuting) idempotent matrices [Formula: see text] and a nilpotent matrix [Formula: see text].
Conformational Flexibilities and Solvation Properties of Insulin in Aromatic Amino Acid Solutions: A Molecular Dynamics Study Using CHARMM Drude Polarizable Model
Authors: Santra Santanu , Jana Madhurima
Published: November 2021

Aromatic amino acids (AAA) play a crucial role in the structure and function of proteins. A higher level of AAA causes several diseases, controls insulin levels. In this work, we carried out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations by using CHARMM Drude polarizable force field to investigate the conformational properties of insulin monomer in 2M phe, tyr, trp solutions as well as in pure aqueous solution to compare the relative changes of protein conformations, its solvation properties and the interactions of the free AAA with insulin. Although insulin’s native folded form was intact in all the solutions within the simulation length scale, we observed that the protein is a little more flexible and less compact in phe solution than in tyr/trp solutions. The free AAAs identified to self-aggregate around the protein surface and form clusters of different sizes. They interacted with insulin, significantly through cation/anion–π and π–π stacking, and partly through hydrogen bonded interactions. Among the three, trp was prone to interact through cation–π interactions while phe and tyr interacted through π–π stacking with insulin. Despite a significant number of free AAA molecules in the solvation shell, insulin was observed to be sufficiently hydrated and formed hydrogen bonds with water. Some of our findings agreed with the available experimental results that establish the reliability of the chosen force field. Our findings would interpret the interactions between the free AAA and insulin in solution, helpful to recognize the microscopic details of AAA governed biological processes in living organisms.
The Power of Weekly Group Video Recordings in Asynchronous Courses
Authors: Geary Danielle
Published: November 2021

Learning modalities and technology offer dozens of ideas on how to teach online, but still, two things often seem to be missing in the online classroom: class interaction and efficient grading and feedback. In this article, the author describes in detail two kinds of weekly recording activities that greatly add to student engagement and learning in asynchronous courses. Students can be a rather passive audience, but they become much more active in group-conversation video recordings in which the instructor is not present but does provide feedback upon review of the recording. Make them a weekly part of class, and voilà everything changes.
Solution Synthesis of Sb2S3 and Na3SbS4 Solid-State Electrolyte
Authors: Vaselabadi Saeed Ahmadi , Smith William H. , Wolden Colin A.
Published: November 2021

Sodium thioantimonate (Na3SbS4) is an attractive solid-state electrolyte for sodium-ion batteries due to its high ionic conductivity and stability in protic solvents. Herein, we describe solution-based routes for its synthesis. First, we demonstrate the synthesis of the Sb2S3 precursor via thermodynamically favorable metathesis between Na2S and SbCl3. This solution-based approach is further extended to couple the resulting Sb2S3 with Na2S for the synthesis of Na3SbS4. It is shown that ethanol is a superior solvent to water for solution-based synthesis of Na3SbS4 with respect to yield, morphology, and performance. Amorphous Sb2S3 synthesized from low-temperature metathesis produced highly crystalline Na3SbS4 with a room temperature Na+ conductivity of 0.52 mS cm−1 and low activation energy, comparable to leading values reported in the literature.
Impact of Electrode Thickness and Temperature on the Rate Capability of Li4Ti5O12/LiMn2O4 Cells
Authors: Ha Yeyoung , Colclasure Andrew M. , Trask Stephen E. , Ahmed Shabbir , Gering Kevin L. , Jansen Andrew N. , Burrell Anthony , Park Kyusung
Published: November 2021

Growing demand for stationary energy storage systems requires the development of low cost, long cycle life, safe batteries. Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) utilizing Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode and LiMn2O4 (LMO) cathode are promising candidates providing critical-material-free chemistry, high power capability, and long lifespan. However, their low energy density is a major drawback. In this work, we evaluate the rate performance of LTO/LMO cells fabricated with electrode loadings from 1.7 to 4.2 mAh cm−2 toward the development of high energy density and low cost LTO/LMO cells. The operating temperature is varied from 30 °C to 55 °C to evaluate the impact of electrode thickness vs temperature limitations on the electrode utilization. In addition, Newman modeling is performed to provide detailed understandings of the cell performance. Combining experimental and simulated results, we show the rate capability of the thicker electrodes is limited by the electrolyte transport. When the cells are discharged by applying pulsed current, Li+ ion depletion is mitigated and the discharge capacity increases. Thus, high energy density LTO/LMO cells for BTMS applications can operate more efficiently when intermittent rest is applied. Finally, overcoming electrolyte transport limitations will be the key to enabling the development of high energy density LTO/LMO cells using thick electrodes.