bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Science lost and lessons learned: A lab plots its comeback
Authors: Grimm David
Published: August 2021

A microbiology team regroups, with a more virtual lab and a bigger focus on mental health
‘Mini–Manhattan Projects’ for energy innovation wind down
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: August 2021

But hub model for bridging basic and applied research lives on
Population sequencing data reveal a compendium of mutational processes in the human germ line
Authors: Seplyarskiy Vladimir B. , Soldatov Ruslan A. , Koch Evan , McGinty Ryan J. , Goldmann Jakob M. , Hernandez Ryan D. , Barnes Kathleen , Correa Adolfo , Burchard Esteban G. , Ellinor Patrick T. , McGarvey Stephen T. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Redline Susan , Silverman Edwin , Weiss Scott T. , Arnett Donna K. , Blangero John , Boerwinkle Eric , He Jiang , Montgomery Courtney , Rao D. C. , Rotter Jerome I. , Taylor Kent D. , Brody Jennifer A. , Chen Yii-Der Ida , de las Fuentes Lisa , Hwu Chii-Min , Rich Stephen S. , Manichaikul Ani W. , Mychaleckyj Josyf C. , Palmer Nicholette D. , Smith Jennifer A. , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Peyser Patricia A. , Bielak Lawrence F. , O’Connor Timothy D. , Emery Leslie S. ,   NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium‡,   TOPMed Population Genetics Working Group, Gilissen Christian , Wong Wendy S. W. , Kharchenko Peter V. , Sunyaev Shamil
Published: August 2021

Gauging the spectrum of human mutations

It has become increasing clear that mutation affects phenotypic variation and disease risk across humans. However, there are many different types of mutation. Seplyarskiy
et al
. applied a matrix factorization method to large human genomic datasets to identify germline mutational processes in an unsupervised manner. From this survey, nine robust mutational components were identified and specific mechanisms generating seven of these processes are proposed from correlations with genomic features. These results confirm and improve upon our understanding of mutational processes and reveal likely mechanisms of mutation in the human genome. —LMZ
Plant-made vaccines and therapeutics
Authors: Fausther-Bovendo Hugues , Kobinger Gary
Published: August 2021

Advances in technology and manufacturing could boost the uptake of molecular farming
Observation of microwave shielding of ultracold molecules
Authors: Anderegg Loïc , Burchesky Sean , Bao Yicheng , Yu Scarlett S. , Karman Tijs , Chae Eunmi , Ni Kang-Kuen , Ketterle Wolfgang , Doyle John M.
Published: August 2021

Shielding ultracold molecules

Ultracold molecules hold promise for a wide range of exciting applications. However, such applications are currently hampered by the limited number of ultracold molecular ensembles that can be created and by their short lifetimes. Anderegg
et al
. used a microwave dressing field to tune the collisional properties of calcium monofluoride molecules trapped in optical tweezers. This approach allowed a sixfold suppression of inelastic trap-loss collisions. This scheme paves the way for the creation of a variety of long-lived ultracold molecular ensembles. —YS
Making machine learning trustworthy
Authors: Eshete Birhanu
Published: August 2021

Safety, transparency, and fairness are essential for high-stakes uses of machine learning
A fossil record of land plant origins from charophyte algae
Authors: Strother Paul K. , Foster Clinton
Published: August 2021

The timing of land plant origins

Until now, the first fossil evidence of land plants was from the Devonian era 420 million years ago. However, molecular phylogenetic evidence has suggested an earlier origin in the Cambrian. Strother
et al
. describe an assemblage of fossil spores from Ordivician deposits in Australia dating to approximately 480 million years ago (see the Perspective by Gensel). These spores are of intermediate morphology between confirmed land plant spores and earlier forms of uncertain relationship. This finding may help to resolve discrepancies between molecular and fossil data for the timing of land plant origins. —AMS
The cell of origin for Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Geboes Karen , Hoorens Anne
Published: August 2021

Undifferentiated cells that closely resemble gastric cells could be a biomarker for surveillance
Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus crispatus Type Strain ATCC 33820
Authors: Teodori Lucia , Colombini Lorenzo , Cuppone Anna Maria , Lazzeri Elisa , Pinzauti David , Santoro Francesco , Iannelli Francesco , Pozzi Gianni
Published: August 2021

The complete genome sequence of
Lactobacillus crispatus
type strain ATCC 33820 was obtained by combining Nanopore and Illumina sequencing technologies. The genome consists of a 2.2-Mb circular chromosome with 2,194 open reading frames and an average GC content of 37.0%.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Mucin Degrader Clostridium tertium WC0709
Authors: Musmeci Eliana , Candeliere Francesco , Amaretti Alberto , Rossi Maddalena , Raimondi Stefano
Published: August 2021

The draft genome sequence of
Clostridium tertium
WC0709, a gut bacterium able to use mucin in pure culture as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, is presented here. The genome sequence of
C. tertium
will provide valuable references for comparative genome analysis and for studying the relationship with the host.
Zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology reveals pre-Great Unconformity paleotopography in the Grand Canyon region, USA
Authors: Peak B.A. , Flowers R.M. , Macdonald F.A. , Cottle J.M.
Published: August 2021

The Great Unconformity is an iconic geologic feature that coincides with an enigmatic period of Earth's history that spans the assembly and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia and the Snowball Earth glaciations. We use zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology (ZHe) to explore the erosion history below the Great Unconformity at its classic Grand Canyon locality in Arizona, United States. ZHe dates are as old as 809 ± 25 Ma with data patterns that differ across both long (∼100 km) and short (tens of kilometers) spatial wavelengths. The spatially variable thermal histories implied by these data are best explained by Proterozoic syn-depositional normal faulting that induced differences in exhumation and burial across the region. The data, geologic relationships, and thermal history models suggest Neoproterozoic rock exhumation and the presence of a basement paleo high at the present-day Lower Granite Gorge synchronous with Grand Canyon Supergroup deposition at the present-day Upper Granite Gorge. The paleo high created a topographic barrier that may have limited deposition to restricted marine or nonmarine conditions. This paleotopographic evolution reflects protracted, multiphase tectonic activity during Rodinia assembly and breakup that induced multiple events that formed unconformities over hundreds of millions of years, all with claim to the title of a “Great Unconformity.”
Supplemental Material: Deformation between the highly oblique Yakutat–North American plate boundary and the Eastern Denali fault
Authors: Enkelmann E. , Falkowski S.
Published: August 2021

All peak fitting results from this study and previously published catchments (Table S1) and the single-grain data of the new data (Table S2).
The Ambiguity Issue in Solving Inverse Problems of Small-Angle Scattering: A Consistent Approach Using an Insulin Receptor-Related Receptor as an Example. Methods for Interpreting SAXS Data
Authors: Petoukhov M. V. , Konarev P. V. , Volkov V. V. , Mozhaev A. A. , Shtykova E. V.
Published: August 2021

The construction of three-dimensional models of protein macromolecules is a serious challenge due to the possible ambiguity of solving the inverse problem of reconstructing a three-dimensional structure from a one-dimensional small-angle scattering profile. The target function of this task can have several local minima, which leads to the dependence of the solution on the initial values of the model parameters and on the method of finding the global minimum. The problem of creating structural models is also complicated by averaging the scattering pattern over all orientations of particles in space and by the size and shape distribution of scattering objects in the case of polydispersity and/or polymorphism. In this study, the issue of ambiguity in solving inverse problems and restoring the three-dimensional structure of a protein is considered using the structure of the ectodomain of an insulin receptor-related receptor (ectoIRR) in solution as an example. The paper presents a consistent approach to solving this problem, starting from the determination of general structural parameters and ab initio reconstruction of shape to modeling by rigid bodies (using molecular tectonics), hybrid methods, and analysis of scattering profiles by singular vector decomposition.
Wide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in the assessment of retinal microvasculature and choroidal thickness in patients with myopia
Authors: Moon Jade Y. , Garg Itika , Cui Ying , Katz Raviv , Zhu Ying , Le Rongrong , Lu Yifan , Lu Edward S. , Ludwig Cassie A. , Elze Tobias , Wu David M. , Eliott Dean , Miller Joan W. , Kim Leo A. , Husain Deeba , Vavvas Demetrios G. , Miller John B.
Published: August 2021

Background/aims

Pathological myopia (PM) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. We aimed to evaluate microvascular and chorioretinal changes in different stages of myopia with wide-field (WF) swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional observational study included 186 eyes of 122 patients who had undergone imaging between November 2018 and October 2020. Vessel density (VD) and vessel skeletonised density (VSD) of superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus and whole retina, as well as foveal avascular zone parameters, retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal thickness (CT), were calculated.

Results

This study evaluated 75 eyes of 48 patients with high myopia (HM), 43 eyes of 31 patients with mild to moderate myopia and 68 eyes of 53 age-matched controls. Controlling for age and the presence of systemic hypertension, we found that HM was associated with decrease in VD and VSD in all layers on 12×12 mm² scans. Furthermore, HM was associated with a VD and VSD decrease in every Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid, with a larger decrease temporally (βVD=−0.39, βVSD=−10.25, p<0.01). HM was associated with decreased RT and CT. Reduction in RT was outside the macular region, while reduction in CT was in the macular region.

Conclusion

Using WF SS-OCTA, we identified reduction in microvasculature and structural changes associated with myopia. Decrease in VD and VSD was greater in the temporal quadrant, and reductions in RT and CT were uneven across the retina. Further work may help identify risk factors for the progression of PM and associated vision-threatening complications.
Trends and outcomes in primary health care expenditures in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–2017
Authors: Schneider Matthew T , Chang Angela Y , Crosby Sawyer W , Gloyd Stephen , Harle Anton C , Lim Stephen , Lozano Rafael , Micah Angela E , Tsakalos Golsum , Su Yanfang , Murray Christopher J L , Dieleman Joseph L
Published: August 2021

Introduction

As the world responds to COVID-19 and aims for the Sustainable Development Goals, the potential for primary healthcare (PHC) is substantial, although the trends and effectiveness of PHC expenditure are unknown. We estimate PHC expenditure for each low-income and middle-income country between 2000 and 2017 and test which health outputs and outcomes were associated with PHC expenditure.

Methods

We used three data sources to estimate PHC expenditures: recently published health expenditure estimates for each low-income and middle-income country, which were constructed using 1662 country-reported National Health Accounts; proprietary data from IQVIA to estimate expenditure of prescribed pharmaceuticals for PHC; and household surveys and costing estimates to estimate inpatient vaginal delivery expenditures. We employed regression analyses to measure the association between PHC expenditures and 15 health outcomes and intermediate health outputs.

Results

PHC expenditures in low-income and middle-income countries increased between 2000 and 2017, from $41 per capita (95% uncertainty interval $33–$49) to $90 ($73–$105). Expenditures for low-income countries plateaued since 2014 at $17 per capita ($15–$19). As national income increased, the proportion of health expenditures on PHC generally decrease; however, the fraction of PHC expenditures spent via ambulatory care providers grew. Increases in the fraction of health expenditures on PHC was associated with lower maternal mortality rate (p value≤0.001), improved coverage of antenatal care visits (p value≤0.001), measles vaccination (p value≤0.001) and an increase in the Health Access and Quality index (p value≤0.05). PHC expenditure was not systematically associated with all-age mortality, communicable and non-communicable disease (NCD) burden.

Conclusion

PHC expenditures were associated with maternal and child health but were not associated with reduction in health burden for other key causes of disability, such as NCDs. To combat changing disease burdens, policy-makers and health professionals need to adapt primary healthcare to ensure continued impact on emerging health challenges.
Experiences and needs of patients with MDR/XDR-TB: a qualitative study among Saharia tribe in Madhya Pradesh, Central India
Authors: Nigam Samridhi , Sharma Ravendra K , Yadav Rajiv , Rao Vikas Gangadhar , Mishra Prashant , Lingala Mercy Aparna , Bhat Jyothi
Published: August 2021

Background

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) continues to be a major public health threat posing a critical challenge to TB treatment and control worldwide. The present study was conducted among patients with DR-TB of the Saharia tribe residing in Madhya Pradesh state of Central India to document their experiences and needs, and to identify gaps for treatment adherence as this population is known to be poor because of migration and other factors.

Methods

We conducted 16 in-depth interviews on purposively selected patients with DR-TB among the Saharia tribe using a predesigned open-ended in-depth interview guide, which included questions on domains like general physical health, diagnosis, treatment adherence, side-effects of drugs and experience related to the health facility. Out of these interviews, various subthemes were extracted. The obtained qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis.

Results

The study helped to understand the experiences and needs of the patients with DR-TB in various stages from diagnosis to treatment. Also, there was the impact of factors like lack of education and awareness, poor living conditions and lack of healthcare facilities on predominance of the disease in the community. Poor access to a healthcare facility, high pill burden and related side-effects, longer duration of treatment, financial burden, misbeliefs and misconceptions were prominent issues posing a challenge to treatment adherence. The narratives pointed out their struggle at every stage be it with diagnosis, treatment initiation or treatment adherence.

Conclusion

It is paramount to address the needs and experiences of patients with DR-TB to develop a patient-centric and context-specific approach conducive to the sociocultural set-up of tribal people. This will scale down the attrition rate of tribal patients while adhering to the complete treatment process and reducing the high burden of TB among the Saharia community. In addition, tribal patients should be counselled at regular intervals to increase their confidence in the treatment.
Community health worker-led, technology-enabled private sector intervention for diabetes and hypertension management among urban poor: a retrospective cohort study from large Indian metropolitan city
Authors: Deo Sarang , Singh Preeti
Published: August 2021

Objectives

We assessed the effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs)-led, technology-enabled programme as a large-scale, real-world solution for screening and long-term management of diabetes and hypertension in low-income and middle-income countries.

Design

Retrospective cohort design.

Setting

Forty-seven low-income neighbourhoods of Hyderabad, a large Indian metropolis.

Participants

Participants (aged ≥20 years) who subscribed to an ongoing community-based chronic disease management programme employing CHWs and technology to manage diabetes and hypertension.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We used deidentified programme data between 1 March 2015 and 8 October 2018 to measure participants’ pre-enrolment and post-enrolment retention rate and within time-interval mean difference in participants’ fasting blood glucose and blood pressure using Kaplan-Meier and mixed-effect regression models, respectively.

Results

51 126 participants were screened (median age 41 years; 65.2% women). Participant acquisition rate (screening to enrolment) was 4%. Median (IQR) retention period was 163.3 days (87.9–288.8), with 12 months postenrolment retention rate as 16.5% (95% CI 14.7 to 18.3). Reduction in blood glucose and blood pressure levels varied by participants’ retention in the programme. Adjusted mean difference from baseline ranged from −14.0 mg/dL (95% CI −18.1 to −10.0) to −27.9 mg/dL (95% CI −47.6 to −8.1) for fasting blood glucose; −2.7 mm Hg (95% CI −7.2 to 2.7) to −7.1 mm Hg (95% CI −9.1 to −4.9) for systolic blood pressure and −1.7 mm Hg (95% CI −4.6 to 1.1) to −4.2 mm Hg (95% CI −4.9 to −3.6) for diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions

CHW-led, technology-enabled private sector interventions can feasibly screen individuals for non-communicable diseases and effectively manage those who continue on the programme in the long run. However, changes in the model (eg, integration with the public health system to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure) may be needed to increase its adoption by individuals and thereby improve its cost-effectiveness.
Strengthening ethics committees for health-related research in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Thurtle Val , Leather Andy JM , Wurie Haja , Foday Edward , Samai Mohamed , Parmar Divya
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Health research in low-income and middle-income countries, which face the greatest burden of disease, is a vital component of efforts to combat global health inequality. With increased research, there has also been concern about ethical and regulatory issues and the state of research ethics committees, with various attempts to strengthen them. This scoping review examines the literature on ethics committees for health-related research in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on regulatory governance and leadership, administrative and financial capacity, and conduct of ethical reviews.

Methods and analysis

We will use the methodological approach proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and adapted by Levacet aland the Joanna Briggs Institute. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are based on the ‘Population–Concept–Context’ framework. Literature (from January 2000 to December 2020) will be searched in multiple databases including Embase and PubMed and websites of relevant organisations. All records will be screened by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review flowchart: two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, and full text of included records. Using an inductive approach, we will synthesise the literature, identify best practice and gaps in evidence on strengthening research ethics committees.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required as the review will include only published literature. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at stakeholder meetings and conferences.
Involvement of people who inject drugs in injection initiation events: a cross-sectional analysis identifying similarities and differences across three North American settings
Authors: Marks Charles , Meyers Stephanie A , Jain Sonia , Sun Xiaoying , Hayashi Kanna , Gonzalez-Zuniga Patricia , Strathdee Steffanie A , Garfein Richard S , Milloy M J , DeBeck Kora , Cummins Kevin , Werb Dan
Published: August 2021

Objectives

People who inject drugs (PWID) play an integral role in facilitating the entry of others into injection drug use (IDU). We sought to assess factors influencing PWID in providing IDU initiation assistance across three distinct North American settings and to generate pooled measures of risk.

Design

We employed data from three PWID cohort studies participating inPReventing Injecting by Modifying Existing Responses(PRIMER), for this cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

Tijuana, Mexico; San Diego, USA; Vancouver, Canada.

Participants

A total of 2944 participants were included in this study (Tijuana: n=766, San Diego: n=353, Vancouver: n=1825).

Measurements

The outcome was defined as recently (ie, past 6 months) assisting in an IDU initiation event. Independent variables of interest were identified from previous PRIMER analyses. Site-specific multiple modified Poisson regressions were fit. Pooled relative risks (pRR) were calculated and heterogeneity across sites was assessed via linear random effects models.

Results

Evidence across all three sites indicated that having a history of providing IDU initiation assistance (pRR: 4.83, 95% CI: 3.49 to 6.66) and recently being stopped by law enforcement (pRR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.07) were associated with a higher risk of providing assistance with IDU initiation; while recent opioid agonist treatment (OAT) enrolment (pRR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.96) and no recent IDU (pRR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.64) were associated with a lower risk. We identified substantial differences across site in the association of age (I2: 52%), recent housing insecurity (I2: 39%) and recent non-injection heroin use (I2: 78%).

Conclusion

We identified common and site-specific factors related to PWID’s risk of assisting in IDU initiation events. Individuals reporting a history of assisting IDU initiations, being recently stopped by law enforcement, and recently injecting methamphetamine/speedball were more likely to have recently assisted an IDU initiation. Whereas those who reported not recently engaging in IDU and those recently enrolled in OAT were less likely to have done so. Interventions and harm reduction strategies aimed at reducing the harms of IDU should incorporate context-specific approaches to reduce the initiation of IDU.
Quality of care, resource use and patient outcome by use of emergency response team compared with standard care for critically ill medical patients in the emergency department: a retrospective single-centre cohort study from Norway
Authors: Engebretsen Stine , Bogstrand Stig Tore , Jacobsen Dag , Rimstad Rune
Published: August 2021

Objective

The study aimed to investigate quality of care, resource use and patient outcome in management by an emergency response team versus standard care for critically ill medical patients in the emergency department (ED). The emergency response team was multidisciplinary and had eight members, with a registrar in internal medicine as team leader.

Design

Register-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital in Norway.

Participants

The study included 1120 patients with National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) 5–10 points from 2015 and 2016. Patients missing ≥3 NEWS2 part scores, <18 years and with orders ‘Not for ICU’ or ‘Not for resuscitation’ were excluded.

Outcome measures

Quality of care: pain assessment documented, analgesics given within 20 min, complete set of vital signs documented and antibiotics within 60 min if sepsis. Resource use: >3 diagnostic interventions, critical care in the ED and ED length of stay (LOS) <180 min. Patient outcome: intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU LOS <66 hours, hospital LOS <194 hours and mortality.

Results

The median age was 66 years, 53.5% were male, 44.3% were admitted to the ICU and the mortality rate was 10.6%. Altogether 691 patients received team management and 429 standard care. Team management had a positive association with ‘complete set of vital signs documented’ (OR 1.720, CI 1.254 to 2.360), ‘analgesics given within 20 minutes’ (OR 3.268, CI 1.375 to 7.767) and ‘antibiotics within 60 minutes if sepsis’ (OR 7.880, CI 3.322 to 18.691), but a negative association with ‘ pain assessment documented’ (OR 0.068, CI 0.037 to 0.128). Team management was also associated with ‘critical care in the ED’ (OR 9.900, CI 7.127 to 13.751), ‘ED LOS <180 min’ (OR 2.944, CI 2.070 to 4.187), ‘ICU admission’ (OR 2.763, CI 1.962 to 3.891) and ‘mortality’ (OR 1.882, CI 1.142 to 3.102).

Conclusions

Team management showed positive results for quality of care and resource use. The results for later outcomes such as mortality, ICU LOS and hospital LOS were more ambiguous.
Antimicrobial stewardship interventions in least developed and low-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mzumara Grace Wezi , Mambiya Michael , Iroh Tam Pui-Ying
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasing in low resource settings. It complicates the management of infectious diseases and is an increasing cause of death. This is due to, among other things, lack of health resources for appropriate diagnosis and unregulated access to antimicrobials in the public sphere. Developing context-specific interventions that enable judicious use of antimicrobials is important to curb this problem.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) approaches in Development Assistance Committee in least developed and low-income countries. The inclusion criteria are antimicrobial stewardship interventions in hospitalised patients of all age groups and exclusion criteria are community-based trials and studies that solely focus on viral, fungal or parasite infections. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions will be classified as structural, enabling, persuasive, restrictive or combined. Outcomes of included studies will be classified as clinical, microbiological or behavioural outcomes. The studies to be included will be randomised controlled trials, controlled before–after studies, interrupted time series trials, cohort and qualitative studies. Data will be extracted using forms adapted from the Cochrane collaboration data collection form. This systematic review will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and risk of bias will be done according to the Integrated quality Criteria for Review of Multiple Study Designs.

Ethics and dissemination

Our findings will be presented to clinicians and policymakers, to support developing AMS protocols for low resource settings. We will publish our results in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

CRD42020210634.
Scope, context and quality of telerehabilitation guidelines for physical disabilities: a scoping review
Authors: Anil Krithika , Freeman Jennifer A , Buckingham Sarah , Demain Sara , Gunn Hilary , Jones Ray B , Logan Angela , Marsden Jonathan , Playford Diane , Sein Kim , Kent Bridie
Published: August 2021

Objective

To identify the available guidance and training to implement telerehabilitation movement assessments for people (adults and children) with a physical disability, including those recovering from COVID-19.

Design

Rapid scoping review.

Included sources and articles

PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro, UK Health Forum, WHO, National Archives and NHS England were searched using the participant–concept–context framework from 2015 to August 2020. Primary studies that recruited individuals with physical disabilities and guidance documents aimed at providers to implement movement-related telerehabilitation were included.

Results

23 articles (11 primary research studies, 3 systematic reviews and 9 guidance documents) were included out of 7857 that were identified from the literature search. Two main issues were found: (1) telerehabilitation guidance (from both research studies and guidance documents) was not specific to movement-related assessment and (2) most primary research studies provided neither guidance nor training of movement-specific assessment to practitioners. Of the COVID-19 related guidance, two articles reported COVID-19 management that only referred to identifying COVID-19 status without references to specific movement-related guidance.

Conclusions

Telerehabilitation guidance and training have existed pre-COVID-19, yet the lack of specific movement-related information and provider support is surprising. This gap must be addressed to optimise effective implementation of remote assessments for those with physical disabilities.

Review registration

Open Science Framework:osf.io/vm6sp.
Gestational weight gain in a migration context: are migrant women more at risk of inadequate or excessive weight gain during pregnancy?
Authors: Poncet Lorraine , Panjo Henri , Schmitz Thomas , Luton Dominique , Mandelbrot Laurent , Estellat Candice , Andro Armelle , Ringa Virginie , Azria Elie
Published: August 2021

Background

Inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Little is known on adequacy of GWG in migrant women. This study investigates whether migrant women in France are at higher risk of inadequate or excessive GWG, and what characteristics are associated with GWG in migrant and non-migrant groups.

Methods

We used data from the PreCARE multicentric prospective cohort (N=10 419). The study includes 5403 women with singleton deliveries, with non-migrant (n=2656) and migrant (n=2747) status. We used multinomial logistic regression, adjusting for maternal age and parity, to investigate the association of migrant status, socioeconomic status-related variables and GWG. In stratified analyses, we identified factors associated with GWG in both groups.

Results

Compared with non-migrant women, migrant women had increased risk of inadequate GWG (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.18; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.34). Non-migrant women with foreign origins had increased risk of excessive GWG (aOR 1.58; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.92). Women born in Sub-Saharan Africa had increased risk of both inadequate and excessive GWG. Regardless of migration status, women with lower education and women who did not start pregnancy with a normal weight were less likely to gain adequately. Inadequate prenatal care was associated with inadequate GWG only among non-migrant women.

Conclusion

Migrant women are at higher risk of inadequate GWG.
Rate of change in acetylcholine receptor antibody levels predicts myasthenia gravis outcome
Authors: Kojima Yuta , Uzawa Akiyuki , Ozawa Yukiko , Yasuda Manato , Onishi Yosuke , Akamine Hiroyuki , Kawaguchi Naoki , Himuro Keiichi , Noto Yu-ichi , Mizuno Toshiki , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the association between changes in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR Ab) levels induced by immunosuppressive treatment and myasthenia gravis (MG) prognosis at 1-year post-treatment in patients with MG.

Methods

We included 53 consecutive AChR Ab-positive patients with MG whose AChR Ab levels were remeasured within 100 days of initiating immunosuppressive treatment (median remeasuring time post-treatment: 71 (55–84) days). The AChR Ab level reduction rate (RR-AChRAb, %/day) adjusted for the time between treatment initiation, and AChR Ab level remeasurement was calculated as follows: (pretreatment–post-treatment AChR Ab level)/pretreatment AChR Ab level/days between therapy initiation and AChR Ab level remeasurement ×100. Participants were divided into two groups based on the cut-off value of RR-AChR Ab, determined using receiver operating characteristic analyses for achieving minimal manifestation (MM) or better status at 1-year postimmunosuppressive treatment. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status and MG activity of daily living (MG-ADL) score at 1-year post-treatment were compared between the two groups.

Results

The RR-AChRAb cut-off value was 0.64%/day. The high RR-AChRAb group had a higher ratio of MM or better status (90% vs 65%, p=0.03) and lower MG-ADL score (median; 1 vs 2, p=0.04) than the low RR-AChRAb group. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed the early MM achievement in the high RR-AChRAb group (p=0.002, log-rank test).

Conclusions

High RR-AChRAb is associated with a favourable outcome at 1-year post-treatment. AChR Ab remeasurement within 100 days of therapy may be useful for predicting AChR Ab-positive MG outcomes at 1-year post-treatment.
Leadership: an effective human factor during COVID-19
Authors: Dhahri Adeel Abbas , Refson Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Background

A hybrid leader is an individual with a professional background who takes on managerial roles. For surgeons, leadership is a non-technical skill within a domain of a human factor and a diverse role that makes them an effective hybrid leader.

Objectives

We hypothesised that a surgical leader acts as a link between different departments in an organisation to influence performance at the workplace to bring positive changes in healthcare and patient safety.

Methods

We followed the nine-dimension Healthcare Leadership Model (HLM) and reflected on the leadership roles within our surgical department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom.

Results

Changes were quickly adopted and monitored while leadership learned adaptability to function quickly. Hierarchical decision making was removed while levelling up communication. Telemedicine was quickly adopted at both elective and ambulatory emergency settings. The local survey also showed trust and co-operation among team members.

Conclusions

Hybrid surgical leadership is a complex but divergent role that acts as a bridge between the surgical team and others in administrative roles that promotes safer patient outcomes and better well-being for the organisations’ members
Coronal sulcus–based ventral mucosal flap to help penile coverage in severe concealed penis
Authors: Jesus Lisieux , Jamel Flavia Amaro , Gomes Fernanda , Ribeiro Talia Dias , Dekermacher Samuel
Published: August 2021

Introduction

There are many techniques to treat congenital concealed penis (CP). Skin resurfacing is the most difficult step in severe cases. We aim to show medium-term results of coronal sulcus–based triangular ventral mucosal flap (CBVMF) as a treatment of prepubertal severe CP, a recently reported technique. We aim to determine whether results are durable and if the technique is associated with persistent mucosal redundancy or with a permanent unequal penile color pattern.

Methods

CP cases reconstructed with CBVMF were reviewed. Preoperative complaints, degree of motivation of the child/parent to surgery, satisfaction of parent/child with results, and surgical complications were described.

Results

Seven patients (6 months to 6 years old) were treated with CBVMP. Two patients showed megaprepuce and another was submitted to a limited postectomy 3 years before. One family was not fully satisfied (expected “bigger penis”), but acknowledged that the penis was now well exposed. No child talked about the problem preoperatively, but all of the boys were fully satisfied with the results of the surgery and verbalized this in the interviews. Flap edema resolved after 3 months in all but one patient. The flaps assumed the color of penile skin in the medium term.

Conclusions

CBMVP results were satisfactory. Serious complications did not occur. Flap edema does not persist in the medium term, and redundancy was not a problem. The color of the flap tended to evolve into a pattern similar to the penile skin.
Testing the Bethe ansatz with large N renormalons
Authors: Mariño Marcos , Miravitllas Ramon , Reis Tomás
Published: August 2021

The ground-state energy of integrable asymptotically free theories can be conjecturally computed using the Bethe ansatz once the theory has been coupled to an external potential through a conserved charge. This leads to a precise prediction for the perturbative expansion of the energy. We provide a non-trivial test of this prediction in the non-linear sigma model and its supersymmetric extension, by calculating analytically the associated Feynman diagrams at next-to-leading order in the 1/N expansion, and at all loops. By investigating the large order behavior of the diagrams, we locate the position of the renormalons of the theory and we obtain an analytic expression for the large N trans-series associated to each. As a spin-off of our calculation, we provide a direct derivation of the beta function of these theories, at next-to-leading order in the 1/N expansion.
TEACHER TEAM-BASED INCENTIVES: EVIDENCE FROM A NATURAL EXPERIMENT IN A CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Authors: LEONG KAIWEN , LI HUAILU , LI DAN , XIE YUCHEN
Published: August 2021

Using a natural experiment, we examine the causal effect of a team incentive scheme on teachers in a Chinese middle school that intended to help the school’s students improve in their weak subjects. The scheme was successful, the average treatment effect is positively significant in math and total scores. The most improvement observed in top students’ weak subjects. The top students weak in math, English and social science improved in those subjects by 0.12, 0.10, 0.16 standard deviations, respectively. Students at the bottom 20% of the testing distribution also improved in Chinese and math.
Thermal transport of hybrid nanofluids with entropy generation: A numerical simulation
Authors: Waqas Hassan , Bukhari Faisal Fareed , Muhammad Taseer , Farooq Umar
Published: August 2021

In this research, thermal radiation, entropy generation and variable thermal conductivity effects on hybrid nanofluids by moving sheet are analyzed. The liquid is placed by stretchable flat wall that is flowing in a nonlinear pattern. Thermal conductivity changes with temperature governed by thermal radiation and MHD is incorporated. Approximations of boundary layer correspond to a set of PDEs which are then changed into ODEs by considering suitable variables. The resulting ODEs are solved using the bvp4c method. The implication with considerable physical characteristics on temperature, entropy generation and velocity profile is graphically represented and numerically discussed. Entropy generation increases for increasing Reynolds number, velocity slip parameter, Brinkman number and magnetic parameter. Scientists have recently established a rising interest in the importance of nanoparticles due to their numerous technical, industrial and commercial uses. The provided insights can be used in extrusion application areas, macromolecules, biomimetic systems, energy production and industrial process improvements.
Estimation of second harmonic generation intensity-noise in random periodically poled lithium niobate
Authors: Madhu  , Jain Muskaan , Dwivedi Prashant Povel
Published: August 2021

Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) predominantly has a random duty-cycle error (RDE), latent in them by virtue of poling mechanism. This error needs to be quantitatively predicted to abstain from parasitic harmonic generation. In this paper, we have calculated the influence of the RDEs degenerate noise in second-harmonic generation (SHG) consisting of PPLN. Here, we propose a method for calculating the random domain-wall distribution statistics by the SHG. We explored the equivalence between the statistics of random domain distribution by SHG and far-field diffraction pattern method.
COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR WAVE SPEED ESTIMATION AT A SINGLE AND TWO MEASUREMENT POINTS
Authors: AYADI ASMA , SAHTOUT WASSILA , BALEDENT OLIVIER
Published: August 2021

Local wave speed is a prognostic detector that allows the analysis of cardiovascular function. Objectives: This study compared wave speed ([Formula: see text] measurements at single-point and two-point techniques. Material and methods: [Formula: see text] were determined from the cepstral analysis of the blood flow velocities, which identified the arrivals times of reflected waves. The blood velocities waveforms were measured by using phase-contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) for 20 subjects on young and old healthy subjects.  Local wave speed was estimated through the arrivals time of reflections waves ([Formula: see text] and the distance separating the measurement site to reflection area ([Formula: see text] or the distance separating the two measurement sites. Results: Our obtained results were in total agreement with reference values reported in the literature. Moreover, the detected results show that there is a high correlation ([Formula: see text]) between the two methods. Conclusion: The analysis of the wave speed variations with advancing age is also achieved out through different regression models.
On the vertical distribution of values of L-functions in the Selberg class
Authors: Sourmelidis Athanasios , Srichan Teerapat , Steuding Jörn
Published: August 2021

We prove explicit formulae for [Formula: see text]-points of [Formula: see text]-functions from the Selberg class. Next we extend a theorem of Littlewood on the vertical distribution of zeros of the Riemann zeta-function [Formula: see text] to the case of [Formula: see text]-points of the aforementioned [Formula: see text]-functions. This result implies the uniform distribution of subsequences of [Formula: see text]-points and from this a discrete universality theorem in the spirit of Voronin is derived.
Trigger Finger Associated with Fencing in an Adolescent: A Case Report
Authors: Au Eong Jonathan T. W. , Sebastin Sandeep Jacob
Published: August 2021

Trigger digits in children are rare and the vast majority of cases are primary and involve the thumb. Although there are isolated reports of trigger digits in children after trauma, we were unable to find any report of a trigger digit in a child caused by repetitive forceful gripping. We report a 14-year-old fencer who developed a trigger of his middle finger to highlight this unusual association. This was initially managed with a splint and analgesics and eventually required two intrathecal steroid injections for resolution of symptoms.
Total Distal Radioulnar Joint Arthroplasty for Paediatric Post-Traumatic Distal Ulna Growth Arrest
Authors: Sivakumar Brahman , Graham David J. , Jones Neil F.
Published: August 2021

Growth arrest following paediatric distal radius and ulnar fractures infrequently results in a symptomatic deformity. The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) plays a complex role in the motion of the wrist, allowing for forearm rotation, and acceptable reconstruction options are limited when severe deformity does occur. We present a case of symptomatic severe post traumatic growth arrest of the distal radioulnar joint which was treated by osteotomy and Scheker total distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty.
How to Construct Quantum Random Functions
Authors: Zhandry Mark
Published: August 2021

Pseudorandom functions
(
PRFs
) are one of the foundational concepts in theoretical computer science, with numerous applications in complexity theory and cryptography. In this work, we study the security of PRFs when evaluated on quantum superpositions of inputs. The classical techniques for arguing the security of PRFs do not carry over to this setting, even if the underlying building blocks are quantum resistant. We therefore develop a new proof technique to show that many of the classical PRF constructions remain secure when evaluated on superpositions.
A BERT-Based Two-Stage Model for Chinese Chengyu Recommendation
Authors: Tan Minghuan , Jiang Jing , Dai Bing Tian
Published: August 2021

In Chinese, Chengyu are fixed phrases consisting of four characters. As a type of idioms, their meanings usually cannot be derived from their component characters. In this article, we study the task of recommending a Chengyu given a textual context. Observing some of the limitations with existing work, we propose a two-stage model, where during the first stage we re-train a Chinese BERT model by masking out Chengyu from a large Chinese corpus with a wide coverage of Chengyu. During the second stage, we fine-tune the re-trained, Chengyu-oriented BERT on a specific Chengyu recommendation dataset. We evaluate this method on ChID and CCT datasets and find that it can achieve the state of the art on both datasets. Ablation studies show that both stages of training are critical for the performance gain.
Effect of Additives on the Interfacial Degradation Phenomena of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Thin-Film Electrodes
Authors: Inamoto Junichi , Yasue Takuro , Matsuo Yoshiaki
Published: August 2021

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 shows promise as a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, because the material has a higher operating potential than conventional cathodes, interfacial side reactions are accelerated during cycling, which degrades the outmost surface of the material. Although it has been reported that some additives offer effective protection against degradation, their protection mechanism has not been clarified in detail. Here, the effect of additives on the surface states of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 was investigated using thin film model electrodes. It was found that surface film was not formed on LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 in additive-free electrolyte solution even after cycling at 55 °C, and severe dissolution of transition metal ions continuously occurred, leading to rapid capacity fading. Addition of ethylene glycol bis(propionitrile) ether (EGBE) effectively suppressed the capacity fading at 55 °C. Analysis with redox reaction of ferrocene on the electrodes, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicated that surface film hardly formed in EGBE-containing solution, but the dissolution was effectively suppressed. Because a nitrile group tends to adsorb on positive active material at high potential, it was concluded that the adsorption layer of EGBE impeded side reactions at the interface, resulting in improved cycleability of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4.
Understanding the Impact of Microstructure on Charge Transport in Polycrystalline Materials Through Impedance Modelling
Authors: Eckhardt Janis K. , Burkhardt Simon , Zahnow Julian , Elm Matthias T. , Janek Jürgen , Klar Peter J. , Heiliger Christian
Published: August 2021

Charge transport in polycrystalline electronic or ionic conductors is usually analyzed by serial macroscopic equivalent circuits, e.g., the brick layer model, which assume a homogeneous electric potential distribution across the sample. In such analyses, the microstructure is highly idealized and usually not representative of the actual microstructure. Here, we use a network model approach to investigate the impact of the sample’s microstructure on the impedance. We find that this influence can be severe and should not be ignored. The interplay between microscopic transport paths affects the impedance response, which is reflected in both the frequency and the time domain. Especially in the distribution of relaxation times additional signals are identified and studied systematically. These additional contributions cannot be assigned to a microscopic transport process as usually done in a conventional analysis based on an equivalent circuit model fitted to the impedance data. The neglect of the peculiarities of the real microstructure in impedance analyses based on the brick layer model may yield deviations in the order of 100 % in terms of the derived microscopic transport parameters. The microstructures used as input for the modelling are digitalized electron microscope images of polycrystalline samples.