bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health literacy and consumer health information
Authors: Grant Maria J.
Published: March 2023

The rigours of the past few years have demonstrated the importance of good health literacy levels with the imperative of being able to obtain and interpret information to maintain and improve one's health never more apparent. With this in mind, this issue is focused on consumer health information, the gender and population group differences that exist in information seeking behaviour, the challenges of understanding medical explanations and terminology, and existing criteria to assess and ultimately produce better consumer health information.
Mood management through metaverse enhancing life satisfaction
Authors: Choi Dooyoung , Lee Ha Kyung , Kim Do Yuon
Published: March 2023

This study aims to explore a social metaverse's positive effects as mood management on consumers' life satisfaction and usage intentions. A total of 304 survey responses from active users of a popular social metaverse platform, Zepeto, were collected with help from an online survey firm. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted using AMOS 25.0. The direct paths from social metaverse consumption as positive mood enhancement and negative mood alleviation to consumers' life satisfaction were significant, which led to greater usage intentions. Positive mood enhancement influenced usage intentions both directly and indirectly through increased life satisfaction; however, the effect of negative mood alleviation on usage intentions was fully mediated by life satisfaction. Interestingly, for the players who spend money in the social metaverse, only the path from negative mood alleviation to usage intentions mediated by life satisfaction was significant.
l‐Arginine and l‐lysine can weaken the intermolecular interactions of main myofibrillar proteins: the roles in improving the tenderness of pork Longissimus lumborum muscle
Authors: Chen Li , Li Rui , Zhou Cunliu
Published: March 2023

This work aims at investigating the mechanisms underlying the effects of l‐arginine and l‐lysine on the tenderness of pork Longissimus lumborum muscle. The results indicated that on day 7, L‐arginine and l‐lysine were able to decrease the shear force from 71.47 to 27.59 or 32.53 N, but raise the myofibrillar fragmentation index from 70.93 to 88.2 or 92.4, compared to the control. Additionally, l‐arginine inhibited the degradation of desmin, troponin‐T and titin; while l‐lysine inhibited the degradation of desmin, troponin‐T, titin and nebulin. l‐Arginine, especially l‐lysine alleviated the Z‐disc damage, while accelerated the M‐line damage. l‐Arginine and l‐lysine promoted the extraction of myosin, titin and some unidentified proteins, decreased ionic bonds but increased hydrophobic interactions. The results suggest that the weakening of the intermolecular interactions between main myofibrillar proteins by l‐arginine or l‐lysine may play crucial roles in improving meat tenderness. The finding may broaden the way to tenderise meat.
Profile of people attending emergency departments with thoughts of self‐harm and suicide: A descriptive study of a nurse‐led programme in Ireland
Authors: Kavalidou Katerina , Zortea Tiago C. , Griffin Eve , Troya M. Isabela
Published: March 2023

Increasing research has been conducted on individuals presenting with self‐harm at emergency departments (EDs). However, less is known about individuals presenting to EDs with only self‐harm ideation. We aimed to describe the characteristics of those attending Irish hospitals with self‐harm ideation and investigate any differences in comparison to those presenting with suicide ideation. A prospective cohort study was conducted on Irish ED presentations due to suicidal and self‐harm ideation. Data were obtained from the service improvement data set of a dedicated nurse‐led National Clinical programme for the assessment of those presenting to Irish emergency departments due to Self‐harm and Suicide‐related Ideation (NCPSHI). A total of 10 602 anonymized presentation data were analysed from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019. Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare those with suicidal and self‐harm ideation on sociodemographic and care interventions. Being female and aged <29 were more prevalent among the self‐harm ideation presentations. Compared to the self‐harm ideation group, a higher proportion of those with suicidal thoughts received an emergency care plan (63% vs 58%, p = 0.002) and General Practitioner letter sent within 24 h of presentation (75% vs 69%, p = 0.045). Little variation was found between hospitals for self‐harm ideation in both years. Our study suggests that females and younger populations are more prevalent in hospital presentations due self‐harm ideation, while presentations related to suicidal ideation are more often made by males and involving substance use. Attention should be given to the relationship between clinicians' attitudes towards care provision and the content of suicide‐related ideation ED disclosure.
RETRACTED: Effect of honey dressing in the management of diabetic foot ulcers: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Shaoting , Xiao Ting , Ye Ning , Yang Guosheng , Chen Haiting , Liang Xia , Li Tuodi , Wang Jinying , Peng Yaozhong , Li Yuan , Liu Yanping
Published: March 2023

A meta‐analysis study to assess the effect of honey dressing (HD) in the management of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). A comprehensive literature examination till January 2023 was implemented and 1794 linked studies were appraised. The picked studies contained 882 subjects with DFUs were in the picked studies' baseline, 424 of them were using HD, and 458 were using a control. Odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the consequence of HD in the management of DFUs after DFU by the dichotomous and continuous styles and a fixed or random model. The HD applied to DFUs caused a significantly higher wound healing rate (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.45‐2.93, P < .001) and lower wound healing time (MD, −10.42; 95% CI, −16.27‐ −4.58, P < .001) compared with the control. The HD applied to DFUs caused a significantly higher wound healing rate and lower wound healing time compared with the control. Although precautions should be taken when commerce with the consequences since most of the picked studies for this meta‐analysis was with low sample sizes.
The effects of a sleep‐focused smartphone application on insomnia and depressive symptoms: a randomised controlled trial and mediation analysis
Authors: Werner‐Seidler Aliza , Li Sophie H. , Spanos Samantha , Johnston Lara , O'Dea Bridianne , Torok Michelle , Ritterband Lee , Newby Jill M. , Mackinnon Andrew J. , Christensen Helen
Published: March 2023

Background

Rates of depression are increasing among adolescents. A novel way to reduce depression is by improving sleep. We evaluated whether an app‐based intervention for insomnia improved sleep and depression, and whether changes in insomnia mediated changes in depression.

Methods

We conducted a 2‐arm single‐blind randomised controlled trial at the Black Dog Institute in Australia. Adolescents 12–16 years experiencing insomnia symptoms were randomly allocated to receive Sleep Ninja, an app‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program for insomnia, or to an active control group involving weekly text message sleep tips. Assessments took place at baseline, 6 weeks (post‐intervention) and 14 weeks (post‐baseline). Co‐primary outcomes were symptoms of insomnia and depression at post‐intervention (primary endpoint). Intent‐to‐treat analyses were conducted. The trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12619001462178.

Results

Between October 25, 2019, and September 6, 2020, 264 participants were randomised to receive Sleep Ninja (n = 131) or to the control group (n = 133). Relative to the control group, those allocated to the intervention reported a greater reduction in insomnia symptoms at 6 weeks (95% CI: −2.96 to −0.41, d = .41) and 14 weeks (95% CI: −3.34 to −0.19, d = .39), and a greater reduction in depression symptoms at 6 weeks (95% CI: −3.46 to −0.56, d = .28) but not 14 weeks (p < 1). Change in insomnia mediated change in depression. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

An app‐delivered program for insomnia could be a practical, non‐stigmatising and scalable way to reduce symptoms of insomnia and depression among adolescents experiencing difficulties getting enough good quality sleep.
Dividends and share repurchases during the COVID‐19 economic crisis
Authors: Mazur Mieszko , Dang Man , Vo Thi Thuy Anh
Published: March 2023

In this article, we examine dividends and share repurchases of S&P 1500 firms during the COVID‐19 crisis characterized by the stock market crash and a relatively quick stock price recovery propelled by technology stocks. We find that the great majority of firms either maintain or increase the level of dividends during the crisis period. Yet, the relation between the dividend payout and reported earnings is negative and significant. This relation also holds for other types of payouts, including share repurchases and special dividends. Moreover, we find that both forecasted and realized earnings of up to 1 year into the future are negatively associated with current dividends, implying that existing payout policies are unsustainable in the longer term. Surprisingly, the difference‐in‐differences test shows that firms strongly affected by the COVID‐19 crisis have higher dividend payouts (relative to net earnings) compared to unaffected firms. The same test indicates that strongly affected firms significantly reduce repurchases.
Advancing operational flood forecasting, early warning and risk management with new emerging science: Gaps, opportunities and barriers in Kenya
Authors: Kiptum Augustine , Mwangi Emmah , Otieno George , Njogu Andrew , Kilavi Mary , Mwai Zacharia , MacLeod Dave , Neal Jeff , Hawker Laurence , O'Shea Tom , Saado Halima , Visman Emma , Majani Bernard , Todd Martin C.
Published: March 2023

Kenya and the wider East African region suffer from significant flood risk, as illustrated by major losses of lives, livelihoods and assets in the most recent years. This is likely to increase in future as exposure rises and rainfall intensifies under climate change. Accordingly, flood risk management is a priority action area in Kenya's national climate change adaptation planning. Here, we outline the opportunities and challenges to improve end‐to‐end flood early warning systems, considering the scientific, technical and institutional/governance dimensions. We demonstrate improvements in rainfall forecasts, river flow, inundation and baseline flood risk information. Notably, East Africa is a ‘sweetspot’ for rainfall predictability at sub‐seasonal to seasonal timescales for extending forecast lead times beyond a few days and for ensemble flood forecasting. Further, we demonstrate coupled ensemble flow forecasting, new flood inundation simulation, vulnerability and exposure data to support Impact based Forecasting (IbF). We illustrate these advances in the case of fluvial and urban flooding and reflect on the potential for improved flood preparedness action. However, we note that, unlike for drought, there remains no national flood risk management framework in Kenya and there is need to enhance institutional capacities and arrangements to take full advantage of these scientific advances.
Modelling economic risk to sea‐level rise and storms at the coastal margin
Authors: Eaves Ashton , Kench Paul , McDonald Garry , Dickson Mark , Storey Belinda
Published: March 2023

We develop a methodological approach through integrated assessment using System Dynamics modelling and Scenario Planning to investigate the economic vulnerability of coastal communities to the compounding impacts of sea‐level rise (SLR) and storm flooding and inundation associated with climate change. The approach uses a coastal flood risk assessment that quantifies physical drivers alongside socio‐economic well‐being for coastal communities to provide a methodology for managing uncertain futures through causal relationships in System Dynamics. A New Zealand case study is used to illustrate the long‐term economic impacts of inaction under different SLR projections and recognise critical tolerance thresholds to help exposed property owners plan their future. Modelling scenarios using this integrated approach identified two stand‐out drivers that influence a behavioural response of communities to coastal inundation at the local scale: first, the ongoing likelihood of risk transfer to the insurance industry, and second, the decisions of households and firms to accept risk for the added value of coastal living. Model outputs suggest that the threat posed by coastal hazards drives a behavioural, socio‐economic response that exceeds the initial economic exposure of capital assets. In the economic short term (1–10 years) and medium term (10–20 years), vulnerable communities accept the risk of capital loss and loss of insurability, favouring the amenity of coastal living. However, in the long term (+20 years), economic losses from repeat flooding increase risk‐based insurance premiums, promote insurance withdrawal and drive negative corrections in property valuations. Unanticipated insights were obtained from the modelling, including the likely timing of tolerance thresholds, particularly the insurance withdrawal point, which is critical to insurer/consumer decision‐making and community planning.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in tuberculous meningitis: A systematic review
Authors: Badillo Stephanie Patricia J. , Navarro Jose C. , Qureshi Adnan I. , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Tuberculous (TB) meningitis is a common type of central nervous system infection, and may cause multifocal cerebral infarctions due to the involvement of cerebral vasculature. This systematic review aims to review and synthesize the utility of transcranial Doppler (TCD) in TB meningitis.

Methods

This is a systematic review of observational studies on the use of TCD in patients diagnosed to have TB meningitis. Study outcomes included changes in TCD parameters during stages of TB meningitis, frequency of neurologic complications (such as hydrocephalus, vasculopathy, and cerebral infarction), correlation of TCD findings with neuroimaging, and functional outcomes.

Results

Five studies were included with a total of 141 participants, with ages from 4 months to 75 years. The most common neurologic complication was hydrocephalus (87.1%), cerebral infarction (29.2%), and arterial stenosis (26.3%). There was increased mean flow velocity (MFV) most commonly in the middle cerebral artery in the early stage of TB meningitis, and decreased MFV in the advanced disease stage. TCD findings of stenosis were well correlated with CT or MR angiogram. Among patients with hydrocephalus, pulsatility indices were significantly decreased after ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

Conclusions

A considerable proportion of patients with TB meningitis develop cerebral hemodynamic disturbances which lead to cerebral ischemia and affect clinical outcomes. TCD is a reliable tool for the diagnosis of vasculopathy and increased intracranial pressure and can thus help monitor disease progression and treatment response. Future studies with larger populations and longer follow‐ups are recommended to determine the association of TCD findings with functional outcomes.
Effective algorithms for optimal portfolio deleveraging problem with cross impact
Authors: Luo Hezhi , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Xianye , Li Duan , Wu Huixian
Published: March 2023

We investigate the optimal portfolio deleveraging (OPD) problem with permanent and temporary price impacts, where the objective is to maximize equity while meeting a prescribed debt/equity requirement. We take the real situation with cross impact among different assets into consideration. The resulting problem is, however, a nonconvex quadratic program with a quadratic constraint and a box constraint, which is known to be NP‐hard. In this paper, we first develop a successive convex optimization (SCO) approach for solving the OPD problem and show that the SCO algorithm converges to a KKT point of its transformed problem. Second, we propose an effective global algorithm for the OPD problem, which integrates the SCO method, simple convex relaxation, and a branch‐and‐bound framework, to identify a global optimal solution to the OPD problem within a prespecified ε‐tolerance. We establish the global convergence of our algorithm and estimate its complexity. We also conduct numerical experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms with both real data and randomly generated medium‐ and large‐scale OPD instances.
On the Shoulders of Giants Or the Back of a Mule: Awareness of Multiplicity In Citational Politics
Authors: Blell Mwenza
Published: March 2023

Citational practices reflect values and valuation in academia. Far from being merely consciously or unconsciously political, they reflect academic “upbringing” in complex ways, and, although one may be unhappy at how they were raised, it still may not be clear how to live better. In this article, I highlight aspects of my upbringing in anthropology, noting how I was instructed in citational practice by senior anthropologists from biological and social anthropology. In exploring my journey from naivete to an understanding of citational politics, I describe two figures, the giant and the mule. These figures illustrate the impacts of the practices I was taught. One comes to us from the history of great white men of Europe, the other from Black feminist anthropological fiction of the United States.
Tau accumulates differently in four subtypes of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Yoshizaki Takahito , Minatani Shinobu , Namba Hiroto , Takeda Akitoshi , Kawabe Joji , Mizuta Hideko , Wada Yasuhiro , Mawatari Aya , Watanabe Yasuyoshi , Shimada Hitoshi , Higuchi Makoto , Itoh Yoshiaki
Published: March 2023

Background

Heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported on the basis of clinical, neuropathological, and neuroimaging data. However, most of the indices, including cerebral atrophy evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation detected using positron emission tomography (PET), lack sensitivity, and specificity for categorization.

Aim

Herein, we used a novel PET ligand for tau to estimate the differential distribution of tau in the subtypes of AD.

Methods

Patients with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA; n = 3), frontal variant of AD (FAD; n = 1), logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (LPPA; n = 2), typical AD (TAD; n = 6), and healthy controls (HC; n = 12) were studied. Aβ and tau accumulation were evaluated using [11C]PiB and [11C]PBB3, respectively.

Results

Amyloid β accumulation was confirmed in all PCA, FAD, LPPA, and TAD cases. Tau accumulation was dominantly high in the occipital lobes in the PCA, strikingly high in the frontal lobes in the FAD, and moderately high in the angular gyrus of the dominant hemisphere in the LPPA. Tau accumulation in TAD cases was significantly higher than age‐dependent tau accumulation in HC in these subtype‐specific regions as well as in AD signature regions. Glucose utilization was reversely correlated with PBB3 accumulation in the subtype‐specific regions.

Conclusions

Tau accumulates differently in the four subtypes of AD, suggesting that tau pathology may be closely associated with unique clinical features.
Scale, scope, and the international expansion strategies of multiproduct firms
Authors: Ross Yeaple Stephen
Published: March 2023

A growing literature seeks to understand how the characteristics of firms shape the manner in which they serve foreign markets. We consider an environment in which multiproduct firms can sell their products in multiple countries from multiple locations. We show that there are strong empirical regularities in the expansion strategies of U.S. multinational firms and that simple extensions of standard models do not explain these regularities. We augment these models by introducing a framework in which organizational capital is a scarce input within the firm that has to be allocated to particular products and production locations and show that the standard model, so amended, is consistent with the data. We then use the model to analyze the productivity effect of changes in international frictions both within and across firms.
Two birds with one stone: Reducing corruption raises national income
Authors: Pavlik Jamie Bologna , Grier Robin M. , Grier Kevin B.
Published: March 2023

Objective

This article estimates the causal effect of corruption reform on economic growth across a sample of 122 countries from 1980 to 2015.

Methods

We first identify countries that experienced large and sustained increases in corruption control, we refer this group as the treatment group. We then utilize two empirical estimation techniques to estimate the causal effect of corruption on economic growth—matching methods and a doubly robust, difference‐in‐difference, event study model.

Results

We find that sustained corruption reform leads to dramatic increases in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Across a variety of methods, the effect at 10 years after reform is on the order of a 20 percent to 25 percent increase in average living standards.

Conclusions

Even though corruption is often cited as a fundamental obstacle to economic development, lasting anti‐corruption reform is relatively rare. We find, however, that the benefits of this type of reform might be significantly higher than policymakers believe. Thus, successful reform brings a win–win outcome of less corruption and higher average incomes.
Change of logic, without change of meaning
Authors: Omori Hitoshi , Arenhart Jonas R. B.
Published: March 2023

Change of logic is typically taken as requiring that the meanings of the connectives change too. As a result, it has been argued that legitimate rivalry between logics is under threat. This is, in a nutshell, the meaning‐variance argument, traditionally attributed to Quine. In this paper, we present a semantic framework that allows us to resist the meaning‐variance claim for an important class of systems: classical logic, the logic of paradox and strong Kleene logic. The major feature of the semantics is that the connectives have the same meanings in these systems, so that the meaning‐variance argument is straightforwardly blocked. We discuss the effects of this semantics for two uses of the argument of meaning variance, and also consider its impact on related issues.
Biochemistry and genetics of floral scent: a historical perspective
Authors: Pichersky Eran
Published: March 2023

Floral scent plays a crucial role in the reproductive process of many plants. Humans have been fascinated by floral scents throughout history, and have transported and traded floral scent products for which they have found multiple uses, such as in food additives, hygiene and perfume products, and medicines. Yet the scientific study of how plants synthesize floral scent compounds began later than studies on most other major plant metabolites, and the first report of the characterization of an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of a floral scent compound, namely linalool in Clarkia breweri, a California annual, appeared in 1994. In the almost 30 years since, enzymes and genes involved in the synthesis of hundreds of scent compounds from multiple plant species have been described. This review recapitulates this history and describes the major findings relating to the various aspects of floral scent biosynthesis and emission, including genes and enzymes and their evolution, storage and emission of scent volatiles, and the regulation of the biochemical processes.
CT features of primary bone neoplasia of the thoracic wall in dogs
Authors: Cordella Alessia , Stock Emmelie , Bertolini Giovanna , Strohmayer Carina , Serra Giulia Dalla , Saunders Jimmy
Published: March 2023

Primary thoracic wall neoplasia is uncommon in dogs and the prognosis depends on tumor type. The aims of this retrospective, multi‐center, observational study were to describe CT features of primary thoracic wall neoplasia in dogs and to test the hypothesis that CT features would differ among tumor types. Dogs with a diagnosis of primary thoracic wall bone neoplasia and thoracic CT study were included. CT findings recorded were as follows: dimensions, location, invasiveness, grade and type of mineral attenuation, periosteal reaction, contrast enhancement, and presence of presumed pulmonary metastases, pleural effusion, and sternal lymphadenopathy. Fifty‐eight cases were included (54 ribs and four sternum). Fifty‐six were malignant (sarcomas ‐ SARC) and two were benign (chondromas ‐ CHO). Out of the 56 malignant tumors, 41 had histological confirmation of the tumor type: 23 (56%) osteosarcomas (OSA), 10 (24%) chondrosarcomas (CSA), and eight (20%) hemangiosarcomas (HSA). The majority of rib tumors were right‐sided (59%) and ventrally located (72%). Malignant masses showed severe invasiveness, mild/moderate contrast enhancement, and different grades of mineral attenuation. Sternal lymphadenopathy was significantly more frequent in dogs with OSA and HSA compared to dogs with CSA (p = 0.004 and p = 0.023). Dogs with HSA showed significantly lower mineral attenuation grades compared to dogs with OSA (p = 0.043). Primary thoracic wall bone neoplasias were more frequently arising from the ribs, with only a few cases of sternal masses. Findings can be used to help prioritize differential diagnoses for CT studies of dogs with thoracic wall neoplasia.
Minimum Friction Coefficient-Based Precision Manipulation Workspace Analysis of the Three-Fingered Metamorphic Hand
Authors: Lin Yen-Hua , Wang Tun , Spyrakos-Papastavridis Emmanouil , Fu Zhongtao , Xu Shuangjia , Dai Jian S.
Published: March 2023

Reconfigurable robotic hands can constitute one of the future trends of dexterous manipulator design, as they can strike a balance between precision, force exertion, flexibility, and adaptability. However, the feasible manipulation workspace of a reconfigurable robotic hand, the metamorphic hand, is complex as the finger operation planes alter with the reconfigurable palm’s motions. Different useful workspace approaches and grasp quality metrics have been introduced, but a precision manipulation workspace (PMW) approach for reconfigurable robotic hands has yet to be presented. This paper presents a hand workspace taxonomy based on previous studies, and a new approach to obtaining a PMW of a robotic hand which satisfies three properties: force closure, singularity avoidance, and interference avoidance. A grasp quality metric, termed the minimum friction coefficient (MFC), is introduced to indicate the force-closure conditions of a robotic hand’s configurations. Unlike the previous grasp quality metrics targeting online grasp-planning tasks, this MFC-based measure focuses on the offline design of robotic hands. This method is essential for conducting grasp planning, design optimization, and actuation reduction for reconfigurable robotic hands. Further, the approach is applied to a three-fingered metamorphic hand, and the results are studied thoroughly.
Experimental Study on Combustion and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Li/SF6 based on Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Combustor
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhu Wei-Bing , Ma Tong-Ling , Chen Hong , Cai Wen-Zhe , Tang Xing-Yan
Published: March 2023

The Li/SF6 combustion reaction can provide power for unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) due to the advantages of high heat release and no gaseous combustion products. Exploring the combustion and heat transfer characteristics of Li/SF6 can greatly improve the performance of the UUV combustor. In this paper, based on the operation requirements of UUV combustor, the C300 combustion reactor is designed, the Li/SF6 combustion experimental system is established, and the Li/SF6 combustion and heat transfer experiments are performed. The experimental results show that the overall combustion process lasts about 1.55 h, and the flame temperature is higher than 1768 °C. The temperature in the gas phase decreased gradually along the radial direction and increased along the axis. Eight quasi-equilibrium states are detected, and the maximum combustion power is 12.73 kW. As the pressure increases, the combustion power will increase accordingly. Under the maximum power, the heat transfer efficiency of the C300 combustion reactor can be calculated to be η=85.93% by using water as the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer quantity of the combustion furnace Qf is 2.07 times that of the combustion chamber Qc, and the heat generated by combustion is concentrated in the lower part of the combustion reactor. In addition, a thermal resistance model is proposed to optimize the heat transfer process. Finally, the upper fuel is fully combusted, while the bottom fuel is poorly combusted due to the phenomenon of insufficient melting and combustion product covering.
A Novel Upscaling Method for Evaluating Mechanical Properties of the Shale Oil Reservoir Based on Cluster Analysis and Nanoindentation
Authors: Siwei Meng , Zihan Zhang , Jiaping Tao , Chuanqing Zhang , Liu Yang , Jianchun Xu
Published: March 2023

Shale formations as major unconventional energy resources are crucial in satisfying the global energy needs of the future. Via nanoindentation method and upscale method, the macromechanical parameters of shale, such as hardness, elastic modulus, are obtained. The conventional Mori–Tanaka upscale method only divides the data into three mineral classes and fails to fully incorporate micromechanical properties to reflect the macroscale properties of samples. The research measures micromechanical parameters of shale via nanoindentation and performs cluster analysis of nanoindentation measurements. The results of cluster analysis are then combined with the Mori–Tanaka upscale model to evaluate the macroscale mechanical property of shale. The elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness are divided into five groups (clusters) via cluster analysis, with each representing a certain mineral composition. This research is of great significance for more reasonably and accurately characterizing shale mechanical properties, optimizing the recovery scheme, and improving the recovery efficiency of shale gas.
On the Feasibility of Dynamic Substructuring for Hybrid Testing of Vibrating Structures
Authors: Hu An , Paoletti Paolo
Published: March 2023

Dynamically substructured systems (DSS) are a typical technique to achieve real-time numerical simulations combined with physically tested components. However, a rigorous feasibility analysis before the implementation is missing. This paper is aimed to fill this gap by establishing rigorous conditions for when DSS is suitable for dynamic testing. The proposed method is based on novel symbolic recursive formulations for the transfer functions describing a generic lumped parameter vibrating structure, enabling the analysis of structural and other properties without requiring the computation of explicit symbolic expressions for the transfer functions involved, representing a significant breakthrough as it allows to perform feasibility analysis in analytical form, rather than solely relying on numerical approaches. The series of analytical conclusions presented in this paper, and future ones unlocked by the proposed approach, will significantly enrich the research in the community of DSS and structural vibrations. In particular, the proposed approach allows performing analysis of causality, controllability, and observability using much reduced knowledge of the structure, thus significantly simplifying such analysis. Analytical conclusions on stability can also be made with the help of novel recursive form, removing the need of repeatedly calculating the roots of characteristic equations, a task that can be performed only via numerical approaches and for which analytical results are not available. The proposed methodology can be applied to a whole class of vibration problems and is not linked to any specific structure, going beyond the specific examples available in the literature.
Genome structures resolve the early diversification of teleost fishes
Authors: Parey Elise , Louis Alexandra , Montfort Jerome , Bouchez Olivier , Roques Céline , Iampietro Carole , Lluch Jerome , Castinel Adrien , Donnadieu Cécile , Desvignes Thomas , Floi Bucao Christabel , Jouanno Elodie , Wen Ming , Mejri Sahar , Dirks Ron , Jansen Hans , Henkel Christiaan , Chen Wei-Jen , Zahm Margot , Cabau Cédric , Klopp Christophe , Thompson Andrew W. , Robinson-Rechavi Marc , Braasch Ingo , Lecointre Guillaume , Bobe Julien , Postlethwait John H. , Berthelot Camille , Roest Crollius Hugues , Guiguen Yann
Published: March 2023

Accurate species phylogenies are a prerequisite for all evolutionary research. Teleosts are the largest and most diversified group of extant vertebrates, but relationships among their three oldest extant lineages remain unresolved. On the basis of seven high-quality new genome assemblies in Elopomorpha (tarpons, eels), we revisited the topology of the deepest branches of the teleost phylogeny using independent gene sequence and chromosomal rearrangement phylogenomic approaches. These analyses converged to a single scenario that unambiguously places the Elopomorpha and Osteoglossomorpha (arapaima, elephantnose fish) in a monophyletic sister group to all other teleosts, i.e., the Clupeocephala lineage (zebrafish, medaka). This finding resolves more than 50 years of controversy on the evolutionary relationships of these lineages and highlights the power of combining different levels of genome-wide information to solve complex phylogenies.
Complete Sequence of the Closed Circular Extrachromosomal Element of Naegleria jadini Willaert and Ray (Strain ITMAP400)
Authors: Nguyen Brian T. , Chapman Nora M. , Stessman Holly A. F. , Tracy Steven , Drescher Kristen M.
Published: March 2023

Amoebae of the
Naegleria
genus carry all ribosome-encoding DNA on closed circular extrachromosomal elements (CERE). We report the sequence of the CERE of
Naegleria jadini
(strain Willaert and Ray).
Mycobiome Study Reveals Different Pathogens of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Shape Characteristic Vaginal Bacteriome
Authors: Zhao Changying , Li Ying , Chen Bin , Yue Kaile , Su Zhenzhen , Xu Jing , Xue Wanhua , Zhao Guoping , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

Fungi headed by
C. albicans
play a critical role in VVC but are not sufficient for its occurrence, indicating the involvement of other factors, such as the vaginal bacteriome. We found that different CST correspond to different bacterial composition in patients with VVC, and this could underlie the alteration of vaginal microorganism environment in VVC patients.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Management of constipation in childhood
Authors: Copley Sian , Lawson Maureen , King David Anthony
Published: March 2023

Constipation is common in childhood. It is a frequent presentation to primary care and common reason for referral to secondary and tertiary care. In the majority of cases, childhood constipation is idiopathic, with no significant underlying cause, but still presents a significant issue to patients, families and healthcare providers. We consider a case of idiopathic constipation, review the current evidence base for investigations and treatment and suggest practical management strategies.
Derivation and validation of a novel risk score to predict need for haemostatic intervention in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (London Haemostat Score)
Authors: Marks Isobel , Janmohamed Imran Karim , Malas Sadek , Mavrou Athina , Banister Thomas , Patel Nisha , Ayaru Lakshmana
Published: March 2023

Background

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a common medical emergency, which takes up considerable healthcare resources. However, only approximately 20%–30% of bleeds require urgent haemostatic intervention. Current standard of care is for all patients admitted to hospital to undergo endoscopy within 24 hours for risk stratification, but this is difficult to achieve in practice, invasive and costly.

Aim

To develop a novel non-endoscopic risk stratification tool for AUGIB to predict the need for haemostatic intervention by endoscopic, radiological or surgical treatments. We compared this with the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS).

Design

Model development was carried out using a derivation (n=466) and prospectively collected validation cohort (n=404) of patients who were admitted with AUGIB to three large hospitals in London, UK (2015–2020). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables that were associated with increased or decreased chances of requiring haemostatic intervention. This model was converted into a risk scoring system, the London Haemostat Score (LHS).

Results

The LHS was more accurate at predicting need for haemostatic intervention than the GBS, in the derivation cohort (area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) 0.82; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.86 vs 0.72; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.77; p<0.001) and validation cohort (AUROC 0.80; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.85 vs 0.72; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.78; p<0.001). At cut-off scores at which LHS and GBS identified patients who required haemostatic intervention with 98% sensitivity, the specificity of the LHS was 41% vs 18% with the GBS (p<0.001). This could translate to 32% of inpatient endoscopies for AUGIB being avoided at a cost of only a 0.5% false negative rate.

Conclusions

The LHS is accurate at predicting the need for haemostatic intervention in AUGIB and could be used to identify a proportion of low-risk patients who can undergo delayed or outpatient endoscopy. Validation in other geographical settings is required before routine clinical use.
Using the Johns Hopkins ACG Case-Mix System for population segmentation in a hospital-based adult patient population in Singapore
Authors: Tan Joshua Kuan , Zhang Xiaojin , Cheng Dawn , Leong Ian Yi Onn , Wong Chia Siong , Tey Jeannie , Loh Shu Ching , Soh Eugene Fidelis , Lim Wei Yen
Published: March 2023

Objective

Population health management involves risk characterisation and patient segmentation. Almost all population segmentation tools require comprehensive health information spanning the full care continuum. We assessed the utility of applying the ACG System as a population risk segmentation tool using only hospital data.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital in central Singapore.

Participants

100 000 randomly selected adult patients from 1 January to 31 December 2017.

Intervention

Hospital encounters, diagnoses codes and medications prescribed to the participants were used as input data to the ACG System.

Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures

Hospital costs, admission episodes and mortality of these patients in the subsequent year (2018) were used to assess the utility of ACG System outputs such as resource utilisation bands (RUBs) in stratifying patients and identifying high hospital care users.

Results

Patients placed in higher RUBs had higher prospective (2018) healthcare costs, and were more likely to have healthcare costs in the top five percentile, to have three or more hospital admissions, and to die in the subsequent year. A combination of RUBs and ACG System generated rank probability of high healthcare costs, age and gender that had good discriminatory ability for all three outcomes, with area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.827, 0.889 and 0.876, respectively. Application of machine learning methods improved AUCs marginally by about 0.02 in predicting the top five percentile of healthcare costs and death in the subsequent year.

Conclusion

A population stratification and risk prediction tool can be used to appropriately segment populations in a hospital patient population even with incomplete clinical data.
Loss to 5-year follow-up in the population-based Telemark Study: risk factors and potential for bias
Authors: Zivadinovic Nikola , Abrahamsen Regine , Pesonen Maiju , Wagstaff Anthony , Torén Kjell , Henneberger Paul K , Kongerud Johny , Fell Anne Kristin Moeller
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to characterise participants lost to follow-up and identify possible factors associated with non-participation in a prospective population-based study of respiratory health in Norway. We also aimed to analyse the impact of potentially biased risk estimates associated with a high proportion of non-responders.

Design

Prospective 5-year follow-up study.

Setting

Randomly selected inhabitants from the general population of Telemark County in south-eastern Norway were invited to fill in a postal questionnaire in 2013. Responders in 2013 were followed-up in 2018.

Participants

16 099 participants aged 16–50 years completed the baseline study. 7958 responded at the 5-year follow-up, while 7723 did not.

Main outcome measures

χ2test was performed to compare demographic and respiratory health-related characteristics between those who participated in 2018 and those who were lost to follow-up. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between loss to follow-up, background variables, respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure and interactions, and to analyse whether loss to follow-up leads to biased risk estimates.

Results

7723 (49%) participants were lost to follow-up. Loss to follow-up was significantly higher for male participants, those in the youngest age group (16–30 years), those in lowest education level category and among current smokers (all p<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, loss to follow-up was significantly associated with unemployment (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.46), reduced work ability (1.48, 1.35 to 1.60), asthma (1.22, 1.10 to 1.35), being woken by chest tightness (1.22, 1.11 to 1.34) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.81, 1.30 to 2.52). Participants with more respiratory symptoms and exposure to vapour, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF) (1.07 to 1.00–1.15), low-molecular weight (LMW) agents (1.19, 1.00 to 1.41) and irritating agents (1.15, 1.05 to 1.26) were more likely to be lost to follow-up. We found no statistically significant association of wheezing and exposure to LMW agents for all participants at baseline (1.11, 0.90 to 1.36), responders in 2018 (1.12, 0.83 to 1.53) and those lost to follow-up (1.07, 0.81 to 1.42).

Conclusion

The risk factors for loss to 5-year follow-up were comparable to those reported in other population-based studies and included younger age, male gender, current smoking, lower educational level and higher symptom prevalence and morbidity. We found that exposure to VGDF, irritating and LMW agents can be risk factors associated with loss to follow-up. Results suggest that loss to follow-up did not affect estimates of occupational exposure as a risk factor for respiratory symptoms.
Prognostic value of miR-219-5p in relation to mortality in patients with small cell lung cancer: a retrospective, observational cohort study in China
Authors: Wu Xiangmei , Zhang Jigang , Zhang Xiaohui , Xiang Mengqi , Xu Zhihua , Cao Zhijun
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a lethal human malignancy, and previous studies support the contribution of microRNA to cancer progression. The prognostic value of miR-219-5p in patients with SCLC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of miR-219-5p with respect to mortality in patients with SCLC and to incorporate miR-219-5p level into a prediction model and nomogram for mortality.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting and participants

Our main cohort included data from 133 patients with SCLC between 1 March 2010 and 1 June 2015 from the Suzhou Xiangcheng People’s Hospital. Data from 86 patients with non-SCLC at Sichuan Cancer Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were used for external validation.

Outcome measures

Tissue samples were taken during admission and stored, and miR-219-5p levels were measured at a later date. A Cox proportional hazard model was used for survival analyses and for analysing risk factors to create a nomogram for mortality prediction. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by C-index and calibration curve.

Results

Mortality in patients with a high level of miR-219-5p (≥1.50) (n=67) was 74.6%, while mortality in the low-level group (n=66) was 100.0%. Based on univariate analysis, we included significant factors (p<0.05) in a multivariate regression model: patients with high level of miR-219-5p (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.26–0.59, p<0.001), immunotherapy (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23–0.84, p<0.001) and prognostic nutritional index score >47.9 (HR=0.45, 95% CI 0.24–0.83, p=0.01) remained statistically significant factors for improved overall survival. The nomogram had good accuracy in estimating the risk, with a bootstrap-corrected C-index of 0.691. External validation indicated an area under the curve of 0.749 (0.709–0.788).

Conclusions

The miR-219-5p level was associated with a reduced risk of mortality in patients with SCLC. A nomogram incorporating MiR-219-5p level and clinical factors demonstrated good accuracy in estimating the risk of overall mortality. Prospective validation of the prognostic nomogram is needed.
Arterial hypertension and its covariates among nomadic Raute hunter-gatherers of Western Nepal: a mixed-method study
Authors: Koirala Tapendra , B C Udaya Bahadur , Shrestha Carmina , Paudel Ujjawal , Dhital Rolina , Pokharel Sunil , Subedi Madhusudan
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of, and understand the factors associated with, hypertension among the nomadic Raute hunter-gatherers of Western Nepal.

Design

A mixed-method study.

Setting

The study was carried out at Raute temporary campsites in the Surkhet District of Karnali Province between May and September 2021.

Participants

The questionnaire-based survey included all males and non-pregnant females of the nomadic Raute group aged 15 years and above. In-depth interviews were conducted among purposively selected 15 Raute participants and four non-Raute key informants to help explain and enrich the quantitative findings.

Outcome measures

The prevalence of hypertension (defined as brachial artery blood pressure of systolic ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg) and its sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural covariates.

Results

Of the 85 eligible participants, 81 (median age 35 years (IQR: 26–51), 46.9% female) were included in the final analysis. Hypertension was found in 10.5% of females, 48.8% of males and 30.9% of the total population. Current alcohol and tobacco use were high (91.4% and 70.4%, respectively), with concerning high rates among youths. Males, older people, current drinkers and current tobacco users were more likely to have hypertension. Our qualitative analysis suggests that the traditional forest-based Raute economy is gradually transitioning into a cash-based one that heavily relies on government incentives. Consumption of commercial foods, drinks and tobacco products is increasing as their market involvement grows.

Conclusion

This study found a high burden of hypertension, alcohol and tobacco use among nomadic Raute hunter-gatherers facing socioeconomic and dietary transitions. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of these changes on their health. This study is expected to help appraise concerned policymakers of an emerging health concern and formulate context-specific and culturally sensitive interventions to limit hypertension-related morbidities and mortalities in this endangered population.