bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An alternative method of dispersive solid‐phase extracting Hg (II) from environmental aqueous solutions using carboxylic functionalized carbon nanotubes
Authors: karimnezhad Kamelia , Moghimi Ali , Adnan Rohana , Abniki Milad
Published: October 2022

This study is a simple method for rapid sample preparation before instrumental experiment, which is an important tool and the main step in an analytical proceeding. Till now, different sample preparation procedures based on solid‐phase extraction manner were developed to isolate different types of analytes from different matrices. In this method, the preconcentration and removal of trace amounts of Hg (II) ion in aqueous samples with nanotubes functionalized carboxyl are displayed. The analysis of Hg2+ ions concentration in water solutions was accomplished by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Some parameters including the pH, value, and type of desorption eluent solvent, extraction time, ions effect etc. were optimized. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models were employed to estimate Hg (II) ions adsorption. The Freundlich model was obtained from the study of isotherm studies. The kinetic studies demonstrate the adsorption of Hg (II) ions by adsorbent fitted with the pseudo‐second‐order type and resulting from that chemisorption is the rate‐limiting process in the Hg (II) adsorption. The concentration parameter such as level of detection of proposed method, and relative standard deviation test were obtained as 20.83, 6 µg L−1, and 1.16%, respectively.
A task segmentation and computing offload algorithm for mobile edge computing
Authors: Shi Xingyan
Published: October 2022

In the existing mobile edge computing (MEC) environment, edge servers have limited computing power and cannot process data in real time. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a task segmentation and computing offloading algorithm for mobile edge computing (MEC). Firstly, the computing tasks of mobile terminals are segmented under the network framework of cloud‐side‐device collaboration, and a task offloading optimization model is designed to minimize the total delay of mobile devices. Secondly, the computing resource allocation parameters and action space parameters are discretized, and a computing offloading algorithm based on Deep Q Network (DQN) is proposed. The algorithm extracts feature from high‐dimensional data and uses deep neural network to estimate Q‐value of actions to maximize the summation of system delays. Finally, simulation experiments show that when the cloud computing capacity is 7 × 1011 central processing unit (CPU) cycle/s, the total delay of proposed algorithm is only 1.116 s, while the total delays of comparison algorithms are 1.251 s and 1.193 s, respectively. Therefore, compared with the comparison algorithm, the proposed algorithm can better reduce the total system delay.
Design of a fully integrated VHF CP‐PLL frequency synthesizer with an all‐digital defect‐oriented built‐in self‐test
Authors: Kommey Benjamin , Boateng Kwame Osei , Yankey Jephthah , Addo Ernest Ofosu , Agbemenu Andrew Selasi , Tchao Eric Tutu , Akowuah Bright Yeboah
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the design of an on‐chip charge pump phase‐locked loop (CP‐PLL) with a fully digital defect‐oriented built‐in self‐test (BIST) for very‐high frequency (VHF) applications. The frequency synthesizer has a 40–100 MHz tuning range and uses a ring voltage‐controlled oscillator for frequency synthesis. The PLL exhibits a phase noise of −132 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz and consumes 1.8 mW on a 3 V supply. The BIST implementation uses fewer external input or output, is capable of efficient fault diagnosis, and is compact, posing a low area overhead. The integrated circuit design was realized in the AMI 0.6μ complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor process.
Meanderings of a Curious Chemist
Authors: Zard Samir Z.
Published: October 2022

This account relates briefly the personal trajectory of the author and the thought processes that went into solving synthetic problems and developing new reactions more generally useful in organic synthesis.

1 Preamble and Early Education

2 In France with Sir Derek Barton

3 Chemistry at Ecole Polytechnique and at the ICSN

4 Final Remarks
Imaging of Drug-Related Pneumonitis in Oncology
Authors: Tseng Shu-Chi , Lee Ho Yun , Nishino Mizuki
Published: October 2022

Clinical applications of novel anticancer agents in the past few decades brought marked advances in cancer treatment, enabling remarkable efficacy and effectiveness; however, these novel agents are also associated with toxicities. Among various toxicities, drug-related pneumonitis is one of the major clinical challenges in the management of cancer patients. Imaging plays a key role in detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of drug-related pneumonitis during cancer treatment. In the current era of precision oncology, pneumonitis from molecular targeted therapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has been recognized as an event of clinical significance. Additionally, further advances of therapeutic approaches in cancer have brought several emerging issues in diagnosis and monitoring of pneumonitis. This article will describe the computed tomography (CT) pattern-based approach for drug-related pneumonitis that has been utilized to describe the imaging manifestations of pneumonitis from novel cancer therapies. Then, we will discuss pneumonitis from representative agents of precision cancer therapy, including mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and ICI, focusing on the incidence, risk factors, and the spectrum of CT patterns. Finally, the article will address emerging challenges in the diagnosis and monitoring of pneumonitis, including pneumonitis from combination ICI and radiation therapy and from antibody conjugate therapy, as well as the overlapping imaging features of drug-related pneumonitis and coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia. The review is designed to provide a practical overview of drug-related pneumonitis from cutting-edge cancer therapy with emphasis on the role of imaging.
Microshear Bond Strength of Bioactive Materials to Dentin and Resin Composite
Authors: Ahmed Basma , Hamama Hamdi H. , Mahmoud Salah Hasab
Published: October 2022

Objectives The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate microshear bond strength (μSBS) of bioactive ionic resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer liner (RMGI) to dentin and resin composite.

Materials and Methods The enamel of 11 posterior molar teeth was removed to expose dentin and then placed in acrylic blocks. Each specimen received three microcylindrical Tygon tubes filled with bioactive ionic resin composite (Activa Bioactive base/liner (Pulpdent, MA, USA)), RMGI (Riva light cure SDI LTD, Bayswater, Australia), and resin composite (Filtek Z350xt, MN, USA). Composite discs (n = 11) were fabricated from nanofilled resin composite (Filtek Z350xt) and then fixed in acrylic blocks. Each specimen received two microcylindrical Tygon tubes filled with Activa Bioactive base/liner and Riva RMGI. All specimens were mounted individually to universal testing machine for μSBS test. Failure modes were analyzed using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope.

Results Filtek Z350xt nanofilled resin composite showed the highest μSBS values. No statistical significant difference was found between Activa Bioactive and Riva RMGI (p > 0.05).

Conclusion Bioactive ionic resin composite liner exhibited similar bond strength as RMGI to dentin and resin composite.
Early Childhood Caries and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Single-Session Therapy Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Ludovichetti Francesco Saverio , Zuccon Andrea , Cantatore Donatella , Zambon Giulia , Girotto Luca , Lucchi Patrizia , Stellini Edoardo , Mazzoleni Sergio
Published: October 2022

Objective  The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the treatment of ECC, performed in a single-session dental treatment under general anesthesia, can affect the quality of life of pediatric patients. It was assessed whether risks and discomforts involved in SSGA are outweighed by its effectiveness and reliability in improving oral health-related quality of life.

Materials and Methods The quality of life that was assessed in this prospective study was oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL). Pediatric patients aged between 3 and 6 years with ECC undergoing dental treatment in SSGA were asked to fill in the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) form both before and 1 month after the intervention. The data obtained were then statistically elaborated and analyzed to evaluate the actual significance of the differences found between the values before and after treatment and between the two sexes.

Results Mean ECOHIS score before treatment was 30.58, following a large decrease after treatment, with a mean score of 2.94. Most parameters show a significant improvement between pre- and post-SSGA treatments, mainly those related to oral–dental pain, daytime irritability, and impact on family environment. Average ECOHIS scores for males and females are 31.72 and 29.76 before treatment and 3.55 and 2.52 1 month after treatment, respectively, showing no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion The dental treatment of young children under SSGA is associated with considerable improvement in their OHRQL. It can be considered an effective and reliable way of managing cases that cannot be dealt with by alternative methods.
Oral Health Attitude with the Socioeconomic Conditions of Mothers with Growth Stunting Children
Authors: Putri Nadhira Aulia , Setiawan Asty Samiaty , Setiawan Arlette Suzy
Published: October 2022

Objective This study analyzes the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children.

Materials and Methods The research method uses correlational test with Spearman rank. The sampling technique used purposive sampling based on the inclusion criteria of mothers who had stunted children in Lengkong District, Bandung City.

Result Data analysis by the Spearman Rank resulted p-value of 0.019 (p < 0.05) which leads to a positive relationship between socioeconomic conditions an mother's attitude in maintaining the dental health of stunting children.

Conclusion From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the attitude of mothers in maintaining the dental health of stunting children in Lengkong District, Bandung City.
The Outcome of Progressive Uterine Sarcoma with Potential Bone Involvement
Authors: Al-Ibraheem Akram , Abdlkadir Ahmed S.
Published: October 2022

High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGESS) is a very rare kind of uterine tumor that accounts for less than 2% of all uterine cancers. The usual sites of metastasis are the abdomen and lung, while bone metastasis is very rare, with only a few cases reported till now. We present a case of HGESS with bone metastasis and review the literature.
The Prevalence, Location, and Dimensions Of Interthalamic Adhesions and Their Clinical Significance: Corpse Brain Analysis
Authors: Patra Apurba , Ravi Kumar Satish , Asghar Adil
Published: October 2022

Background Interthalamic adhesion (ITA) or massa intermedia is a midline rod-like neural structure interconnecting the medial surfaces of two thalami. Its absence is considered as a midline defect associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, location, and dimensions of the ITA in South Asian brains.

Materials and Methods One hundred midsagittal sections of adult cadaveric brains were examined for the presence or absence of ITAs, their location about the lateral wall of the third ventricle, and their dimensions.

Results ITA was found in 86 sections. In two cases, it was double. There was no significant relationship between the incidence of ITAs and sex (p > 0.05). The ITA was most commonly located in the anterosuperior quadrant. The horizontal diameter was 4.61 ± 1.17 mm, and the vertical diameter was 3.10 ± 0.78 mm. In all cases, the horizontal diameter was longer than the vertical. The average area of the ITA was significantly larger in females (17.56 ± 5.26 mm2) than in males (13.62 ± 5.22 mm2) (p = 0.025).

Conclusion Presence of ITA is common in South Asian brains, with usual location in the anterosuperior quadrant of the lateral wall of the third ventricle. The cross-sectional area of the ITA was significantly larger in females than in males. No correlation was found between the surface area of the ITA and the length of the third ventricle.
Study of Association of Various Psychiatric Disorders in Brain Tumors
Authors: Sharma Achal , Das Anand Kumar , Jain Akhilesh , Purohit Devendra Kumar , Solanki Ram Kumar , Gupta Ajay
Published: October 2022

Background Brain tumors may be associated with high morbidity, and psychiatric symptoms may be an early manifestation. It is important to address mental symptoms as early as possible because they are prone to develop psychiatric comorbidities in future. If untreated, these situations may worsen and lead to burden upon caregivers.

Methods A total of 176 brain tumor patients between January 2021 and January 2022 constituted the sample size. All recently diagnosed cases of brain tumor with age equal to or more than 18 years who can comprehend and answer questionnaires were included. Patients with a long history of brain tumor or who had a history of a psychiatric illness other than presenting symptoms or any other serious medical illness were excluded.

Results Twenty-seven percent of brain tumor patients had psychiatric symptoms. Depressive symptoms were the most common, associated with 24% of patients, followed by anxiety disorders. Psychiatric disorders were more common in supratentorial compared to infratentorial tumors. Psychiatric symptoms seem to be associated more commonly with malignant tumors and peritumoral edema. Among malignant tumors, depressive symptoms tend to be related with high-grade glioma, and among benign tumors, they were more common in meningioma. No predilection to laterality and anatomical lobe involvement is reported.

Conclusion Screening of psychiatric disorders should be a routine in brain tumor patients. An integrated approach is required to treat brain tumor patients. Healthcare professionals should be more vigilant about the onset of psychiatric symptoms and the need of palliative care to improve the quality of life.
Numerical investigation and parametric analysis of an attached eddy model applied to inlet condition
Authors: Wu Gen , Fang Le , Zhang Jin
Published: October 2022

Generating a realistic turbulent field at the inflow is of great importance as well as a complex challenge for large-eddy simulation. As a new synthetic turbulence method, the attached eddy model (AEM) was initially proposed by Townsend, where the velocity field is induced by a hierarchy of randomly distributed Λ-shape eddies by using the Biot–Savart law. Although extensive research has theoretically proved the existence and effectiveness of AEM, there have been a few numerical investigations on its practical applications. In this paper, the AEM method is implemented in an open-source software code_saturne to generate inlet conditions. The AEM generation process is detailed and described by defining various parameters. The new model is then applied to turbulent channel flows with Reτ = 180, 395, and 590, respectively. The results are compared with the direct numerical simulation to validate its ability to accurately predict the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles. It is also compared with the simulation by using the synthetic eddy method to assess its potential to improve the drop process of the wall shear stress. AEM is shown to be efficient in developing turbulent kinetic energy in the near-wall region. Furthermore, a parametric analysis of the present model is carried out to discuss in detail the specific effect of each factor. This parametric analysis shows the impact of different model settings on the velocity fluctuation. These results are expected to inspire future practical applications of AEM.
Linear temporal stability analysis on the inviscid sheared convective boundary layer flow
Authors: Xiao Yuan , Lin Wenxian , Ding Junling
Published: October 2022

A linear temporal stability analysis is conducted for inviscid sheared convective boundary layer flow, in which the sheared instability with stable stratification coexists with and caps over the thermal instability with unstable stratification. The classic Taylor–Goldstein equation is applied with different stratification factors Js and Jb in the Brunt–Väisälä frequency, respectively. Two shear-thermal hybrid instabilities, the hybrid shear stratified (HSS) and hybrid Rayleigh–Bénard (HRB) modes, are obtained by solving the eigenvalue problems. It is found that the temporal growth rates of the HSS and HRB modes vary differently with increased Jb in two distinct wavenumber (α̃) regions defined by the intersection point between the stability boundaries of the HSS and HRB modes. Based on Jb,cr where the temporal growth rate of the HSS and HRB are equal, a map of the unique critical boundary, which separates the effective regions of the HSS and HRB modes, is constructed and found to be dependent on Js, Jb, and α̃. The examinations of the subordinate eigenfunctions indicate that the shear instability is well developed in the HSS mode, in which the large vortex structures may prevail and suppress the formation of convective rolls; the shear instability in the HRB mode is either “partly developed” when JbJb,cr, thus only plays a secondary role to modify the dominant convective rolls, and as Jb increases, the eigenfunctions of the HSS mode exhibit different transitional behaviors in the two regions, signifying the “shear enhancement” and “shear sheltering” of the entrainment of buoyancy flux.
Effect of the odd viscosity on Faraday wave instability
Authors: Chu Xin , Chang Long , Jia Beinan , Jian Yongjun
Published: October 2022

Faraday waves arise in fluid systems with free surfaces subject to vertical oscillations of sufficient strength due to parametric resonance. The odd viscosity is a peculiar part of the viscosity stress tensor that does not result in dissipation and is allowed when parity symmetry is broken spontaneously or due to external magnetic fields or rotations. The effect of the odd viscosity on the classic Faraday instability of thin liquid films in infinite horizontal plates is investigated by utilizing both linear Floquet theory and nonlinear lubrication theory based on the weighted residual model. This work derives the nonlinear evolution equations about the flow rate and free surface height, and linear stability analysis is performed to achieve the damped Mathieu equation. The results show that the neutral stability curves derived from the Mathieu equation agree well with those obtained from the linear Floquet analysis, especially for lower viscosity ratios μ. The nonlinear numerical results simulated by the method of lines indicate interesting results where the odd viscosity gives rise to a “sliding” of the wave configuration parallel to the wall, and the interface wave then translates into a traveling wave.
Predicting the drop size passing through a superhydrophobic orifice
Authors: Jereb Samo , Zupančič Matevž , Može Matic , Golobič Iztok
Published: October 2022

Superhydrophobic surfaces can be utilized in various applications, such as enhanced heat transfer, anti-icing, self-cleaning, and viscous drag reduction. In this work, we investigated the water droplet size separation using superhydrophobic surfaces, which is relatively new and unexplored research field, but yet promising for pharmaceutical and medical applications. We developed a theoretical model for predicting the diameter of a droplet passing through a smaller superhydrophobic orifice by considering the balance of forces, geometrical characteristics, and the surface wettability. For verification of the model, experimental water droplet size separation was conducted using a thin superhydrophobic copper foil with a laser-cut orifice with a diameter ranging from 1.2 to 2.1 mm. A comparison of the experimental and analytical results has shown that the error of the model is less than 20% within the model's validity range with the upper limit at the capillary length of the fluid. By moving away from this limit toward smaller droplet diameters, the accuracy of the model improves and reaches an error of less than 7% at the smallest used orifice diameter of 1.2 mm.
Effect of corrugation on limiting arc-tab mixing performance
Authors: Rathakrishnan Ethirajan
Published: October 2022

The effect of corrugation on the mixing promoting performance of a limiting arc-tab has been assessed by studying the decay of a Mach 1.76 jet emerging from a convergent-divergent nozzle, with a limiting arc-tab, with and without corrugation, running along a diameter at the nozzle exit, operated at nozzle pressure ratios of 4.5 and 8. Uncontrolled jet was also studied for comparison. The physics behind the difference between the mixing caused by the uncorrugated and corrugated tabs in the presence of adverse and favorable pressure gradient is addressed using the shadowgraph images of the jet core as the main source and the centerline pitot pressure decay as the supporting material. The results show that the mixing promotion caused by the tabs leads to the shortening of the third and fourth shock cells in the jet core. This can be regarded as an advantage from the screech suppression point of view.
Case presentations of medication management for patients at risk for drug-associated acute kidney injury identified with a CDS system and a novel biomarker
Authors: Williams Victoria L , Groetzinger Lara M , Smithburger Pamela L , Imhoff Allison , Culley Colleen M , Murugan Raghavan , Kellum John A , Kane-Gill Sandra L
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Traditional methods used to evaluate changes in kidney function to identify acute kidney injury (AKI) have significant limitations. Damage biomarkers can identify patients at risk for AKI prior to changes in kidney function. While clinical trials have shown that biomarker-guided treatment can improve outcomes, whether these biomarkers can influence providers’ choice of treatment strategy for risk prediction, surveillance, or diagnostic evaluation in clinical practice is uncertain.

This case series describes 4 patients at an academic medical center whose care was informed by kidney biomarker utilization in conjunction with a clinical decision support system (CDSS). Though each patient’s clinical presentation was unique, kidney biomarkers were successfully employed as clinical tools in evaluating the risks and benefits of nephrotoxic medications.

Conclusion

This case series demonstrates 4 scenarios in which a kidney injury biomarker used in conjunction with CDSS and consideration of the patients’ clinical presentation informed treatment strategies with the intent to prevent AKI.
Structural basis for the substrate specificity switching of lysoplasmalogen-specific phospholipase D fromThermocrispumsp. RD004668
Authors: Hamana Hiroaki , Yasutake Yoshiaki , Kato-Murayama Miyuki , Hosaka Toshiaki , Shirouzu Mikako , Sakasegawa Shin-ichi , Sugimori Daisuke , Murayama Kazutaka
Published: October 2022

Lysoplasmalogen-specific phospholipase D (LyPls-PLD) hydrolyzes choline lysoplasmalogen to choline and 1-(1-alkenyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphate. Mutation of F211 to leucine altered its substrate specificity from lysoplasmalogen to 1-O-hexadecyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lysoPAF). Enzymes specific to lysoPAF have good potential for clinical application, and understanding the mechanism of their activity is important. The crystal structure of LyPls-PLD exhibited a TIM barrel fold assigned to glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase, a member of glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase. LyPls-PLD possesses a hydrophobic cleft for the binding of the aliphatic chain of the substrate. In the structure of the F211L mutant, Met232 and Tyr258 form a “small lid” structure that stabilizes the binding of the aliphatic chain of the substrate. In contrast, F211 may inhibit small lid formation in the wild-type structure. LysoPAF possesses a flexible aliphatic chain; therefore, a small lid is effective for stabilizing the substrate during catalytic reactions.
Image-domain DAS 3D VSP elastic transmission tomography
Authors: Oren Can , Shragge Jeffrey
Published: October 2022

Full-wavefield elastic imaging of active-source seismic data acquired by downhole receivers commonly offers higher-resolution subsurface images in the vicinity of a borehole compared to conventional surface seismic data sets, which can lack higher-frequency wavefield components due to longer travel paths and increased attenuation. An increasingly used approach for downhole acquisition is vertical seismic profiling (VSP), which has become more attractive when coupled with distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using optical fibres installed in wells. The main difficulty for generating high-quality images with full-wavefield imaging tools for DAS VSP data, though, is the need for an accurate velocity model. To build plausible velocity models using active-source DAS VSP data, we adopt a 3-D image-domain elastic transmission tomography technique, originally developed for surface-recorded passive (microseismic) data, by exchanging the source and receiver positions (i.e. reciprocity) to mimic a passive-seismic surface monitoring scenario. The inversion approach exploits various images for each source constructed through time-reverse imaging (TRI) of downgoing P- and S-wave first-arrival waveforms. The TRI process uses the kinetic term of the (extended) PS energy imaging condition that exhibits sufficient sensitivity to velocity model errors. The method automatically updates the P- and S-wave velocity models to optimize image focusing via adjoint-state inversion. We illustrate the efficacy of the adopted elastic inversion technique using an active-source DAS 3-D VSP field data set acquired in the North Slope of Alaska. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the inverted elastic velocity models can be further used in full-wavefield acoustic/elastic imaging algorithms to obtain accurate subsurface images.
How have researchers defined institutions, politics, organizations and governance in research related to epidemic and pandemic response? A scoping review to map current concepts
Authors: Wu Austin , Khanna Shivangi , Keidar Shelly , Berman Peter , Brubacher Laura Jane
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the literature on public health interventions and health outcomes in the context of epidemic and pandemic response has grown immensely. However, relatively few of these studies have situated their findings within the institutional, political, organizational and governmental (IPOG) context in which interventions and outcomes exist. This conceptual mapping scoping study synthesized the published literature on the impact of IPOG factors on epidemic and pandemic response and critically examined definitions and uses of the terms IPOG in this literature. This research involved a comprehensive search of four databases across the social, health and biomedical sciences as well as multi-level eligibility screening conducted by two independent reviewers. Data on the temporal, geographic and topical range of studies were extracted, then descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize these data. Hybrid inductive and deductive qualitative analysis of the full-text articles was conducted to critically analyse the definitions and uses of these terms in the literature. The searches retrieved 4918 distinct articles; 65 met the inclusion criteria and were thus reviewed. These articles were published from 2004 to 2022, were mostly written about COVID-19 (61.5%) and most frequently engaged with the concept of governance (36.9%) in relation to epidemic and pandemic response. Emergent themes related to the variable use of the investigated terms, the significant increase in relevant literature published amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a lack of consistent definitions used across all four terms: institutions, politics, organizations and governance. This study revealed opportunities for health systems researchers to further engage in interdisciplinary work with fields such as law and political science, to become more forthright in defining factors that shape responses to epidemics and pandemics and to develop greater consistency in using these IPOG terms in order to lessen confusion among a rapidly growing body of literature.
Early postoperative organ dysfunction is highly associated with the mortality risk of patients with type A aortic dissection
Authors: Luo Ming-Hao , Luo Jing-Chao , Zhang Yi-Jie , Xu Xin , Su Ying , Li Jia-Kun , Wang Chun-Sheng , Lai Hao , Sun Yong-Xin , Li Jun , Tu Guo-Wei , Luo Zhe
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the impact of early postoperative organ dysfunction (EPOD) on in-hospital mortality of patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) after surgery.

METHODS

Patients with TAAD who underwent surgical repair requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest from January 2020 to December 2021 were included. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was calculated for 3 days postoperatively to stratify the severity of organ dysfunction. Patients with the SOFA of 0–4, 5–8 or >8 were defined as mild, moderate or severe EPOD. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and a composite secondary outcome was defined as in-hospital death or any major complications. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare survival probability. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration plots were used to evaluate the predictive power and overall performance of SOFA.

RESULTS

Of the 368 patients, 5 patients (3%) with moderate EPOD and 33 patients (23%) with severe EPOD died. No patient died with mild EPOD. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of SOFA for predicting mortality and the composite outcome were 0.85 (0.81–0.88) and 0.81 (0.77–0.85) on postoperative day 1. Each point of postoperative day 1 SOFA score corresponded to an odds ratio of 1.65 (1.42–1.92) for mortality. Of the 6 components of the SOFA system, only coagulation (2.34 [1.32–4.13]), cardiovascular (1.47 [1.04–2.08]), central nervous system (1.96 [1.36–2.82]) and renal (1.67 [1.04–2.70]) functions were associated with the higher risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

EPOD stratified by the SOFA score was associated with a higher risk of death and predicted the clinical outcomes of patients with TAAD with good accuracy.
In vitro activity of aztreonam in combination with newly developed β-lactamase inhibitors against MDR Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing metallo-β-lactamases
Authors: Le Terrier Christophe , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the in vitro activity of aztreonam in combination with novel β-lactamase inhibitors, namely avibactam, nacubactam, taniborbactam and zidebactam, against MDR MBL-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

Methods

MIC values of aztreonam, aztreonam/β-lactam inhibitor but also cefiderocol as comparator were determined for 64 and 39 clinical Enterobacterales or P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively, producing representative MBLs, i.e. derivatives of NDM (n = 64), VIM (n = 32), IMP (n = 8) and SPM (n = 2). MICs were also determined for Escherichia coli TOP10 and P. aeruginosa PAO1 harbouring recombinant plasmids producing the different β-lactamases under isogenic backgrounds (n = 22 and n = 11, respectively). Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations were additionally determined for the abovementioned β-lactamase inhibitors using β-lactamase crude extracts.

Results

The susceptibility rate for aztreonam was 17.1% among MBL-producing Enterobacterales, while it was very high with aztreonam/zidebactam (98.4%), and to a lower extent with aztreonam/nacubactam (84.4%) and aztreonam/taniborbactam (75%), compared with aztreonam/avibactam (70.3%) and cefiderocol (39.1%). Among MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates, the susceptibility rates were 53.8% with aztreonam, 66.7% with aztreonam/nacubactam and aztreonam/taniborbactam combinations, and 69.2% with aztreonam/avibactam, aztreonam/zidebactam and cefiderocol.

Conclusions

Altogether, these results showed that combinations including aztreonam and novel β-lactamase inhibitors, such as zidebactam, nacubactam or taniborbactam, have a very significant in vitro activity against MDR MBL-producing Enterobacterales clinical isolates, the aztreonam/zidebactam combination being the best option. On the other hand, aztreonam/zidebactam is equivalent to aztreonam/avibactam and cefiderocol among MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates.
GyrB in silico mining in 27 151 global gonococcal genomes from 1928–2021 combined with zoliflodacin in vitro testing of 71 international gonococcal isolates with different GyrB, ParC and ParE substitutions confirms high susceptibility
Authors: Golparian Daniel , Jacobsson Susanne , Sánchez-Busó Leonor , Bazzo Maria Luiza , Lan Pham Thi , Galarza Patricia , Ohnishi Makoto , Unemo Magnus
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global threat and novel treatment alternatives are imperative. Herein, susceptibility to the novel antimicrobial zoliflodacin, currently in a global Phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial for gonorrhoea treatment, was investigated by screening for zoliflodacin GyrB target mutations in publicly available gonococcal genomes and, where feasible, determination of the associated zoliflodacin MIC.

Methods

The European Nucleotide Archive was queried using the search term ‘Taxon: 485’. DNA sequences from 27 151 gonococcal isolates were analysed and gyrB, gyrA, parC and parE alleles characterized.

Results

GyrB amino acid alterations were rare (97.0% of isolates had a wild-type GyrB sequence). GyrB V470L (2.7% of isolates) was the most prevalent alteration, followed by S467N (0.12%), N. meningitidis GyrB (0.092%), V470I (0.059%), Q468R/P (0.015%), A466T (0.0074%), L425I + L465I (0.0037%), L465I (0.0037%), G482S (0.0037%) and D429V (0.0037%). Only one isolate (0.0037%) carried a substitution in a resistance-associated GyrB codon (D429V), resulting in a zoliflodacin MIC of 8 mg/L. None of the other detected gyrB, gyrA, parC or parE mutations caused a zoliflodacin MIC outside the wild-type MIC distribution.

Conclusions

The zoliflodacin target GyrB was highly conserved among 27 151 global gonococcal isolates cultured in 1928–2021. The single zoliflodacin-resistant clinical isolate (0.0037%) was cultured from a male patient in Japan in 2000. Evidently, this strain has not clonally expanded nor has the gyrB zoliflodacin-resistance mutation disseminated through horizontal gene transfer to other strains. Phenotypic and genomic surveillance, including gyrB mutations, of zoliflodacin susceptibility are imperative.
Multisite evaluation of prediction models for emergency department crowding before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Smith Ari J , Patterson Brian W , Pulia Michael S , Mayer John , Schwei Rebecca J , Nagarajan Radha , Liao Frank , Shah Manish N , Boutilier Justin J
Published: October 2022

Objective

To develop a machine learning framework to forecast emergency department (ED) crowding and to evaluate model performance under spatial and temporal data drift.

Materials and Methods

We obtained 4 datasets, identified by the location: 1—large academic hospital and 2—rural hospital, and time period: pre-coronavirus disease (COVID) (January 1, 2019–February 1, 2020) and COVID-era (May 15, 2020–February 1, 2021). Our primary target was a binary outcome that is equal to 1 if the number of patients with acute respiratory illness that were ED boarding for more than 4 h was above a prescribed historical percentile. We trained a random forest and used the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate out-of-sample performance for 2 experiments: (1) we evaluated the impact of sudden temporal drift by training models using pre-COVID data and testing them during the COVID-era, (2) we evaluated the impact of spatial drift by testing models trained at location 1 on data from location 2, and vice versa.

Results

The baseline AUC values for ED boarding ranged from 0.54 (pre-COVID at location 2) to 0.81 (COVID-era at location 1). Models trained with pre-COVID data performed similarly to COVID-era models (0.82 vs 0.78 at location 1). Models that were transferred from location 2 to location 1 performed worse than models trained at location 1 (0.51 vs 0.78).

Discussion and Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that ED boarding is a predictable metric for ED crowding, models were not significantly impacted by temporal data drift, and any attempts at implementation must consider spatial data drift.
Disconnectivity synced with identity cultivation: adolescent narratives of digital disconnection
Authors: Agai Mehri S
Published: October 2022

This article elucidates adolescent digital disconnection through the lens of narrative identity development to answer the research question: “How do adolescent disconnection experiences play into ongoing identity development processes?” The study draws from qualitative interviews with 17 Norwegian adolescents. The findings indicate that adolescents are ambivalent about their relationships with social networking sites, producing ripple effects on their motivation and disconnection practices. The findings are explained through the cultivation of narrative identity. Thus, this article proposes that adolescent digital disconnection is aligned with identity formation, reflected in narrative themes and corresponding features. By detailing how ongoing identity construction processes underpin the need and ability to disconnect, this article contributes a developmental perspective to the digital disconnection literature.
Elastic wave pre-stack reverse-time migration based on the second-order P- and S-wave decoupling equation
Authors: Bao Yu , Wang Yong , Deng Guangxiao , Mao Qinghui
Published: October 2022

The problems of large computation, large storage and low-frequency noises have been the key factors limiting the development of elastic wave pre-stack reverse-time migration (RTM). Most research has centered on the wave equation of first-order velocity stress and using Helmholtz separation to get pure primary and secondary waves. However, the cost is enormous and the amplitude and phase of wavefields will be changed. So, we use the second-order P- and S-wave decoupling equations to construct seismic wavefields that reduce the number of variables, and the storage space required for boundary wavefields is reduced by ∼78%. Then we bring the boundary-saving approach into our study during the wavefield extrapolation process so that we can reconstruct the source wavefields completely. Finally, for the wave equations of second-order displacement used in this study, the Poynting vector expressed by the traditional method was not applicable. Therefore, we derived the formula of the energy flux density vector represented by displacements and used it in directional traveling wave decomposition to suppress low-frequency noise in the imaging profile. Subsequently, based on the inner product imaging conditions, the RTM of the 2-D salt dome model was calculated. The results illustrate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed solution.
Single Mowing Event Does Not Reduce Abundance of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) on Recreational Hiking Trails
Authors: Lee Xia , Maxson George-Ann , Paskewitz Susan
Published: October 2022

Nuisance and medically important ticks can be abundant in a variety of forested landscapes, including recreational parks. Strategies to reduce the abundance of host-seeking ticks in high-use areas within parks are limited. Mowing vegetation is a recommended method to control ticks, but few studies have evaluated the efficacy of this practice. The goal of this study was to determine if a single mowing event could reduce the abundance of host-seeking ticks on recreational trails. Ticks were collected by dragging trails at three recreational parks in northern Minnesota during June and July, 2021. A pre-intervention sample was taken followed by six consecutive weeks of tick sampling. We encountered a total of 3,456 ticks (2,459 Ixodes scapularis Say and 997 Dermacentor variabilis L.) during the 7-week study period. There were no significant differences in the abundance of I. scapularis (adults) or D. variabilis (adults only) between control and mown trail sections. Mowing was a significant predictor of nymphal I. scapularis abundance but trended towards more ticks in mown sections compared to controls. These results suggest that a single mowing intervention during early June is likely to be ineffective as a strategy to reduce the risk of human contacts with ticks on trails.
MUSE Analysis of Gas around Galaxies (MAGG) – IV. The gaseous environment of z ∼ 3–4 Ly α emitting galaxies
Authors: Lofthouse Emma K , Fumagalli Michele , Fossati Matteo , Dutta Rajeshwari , Galbiati Marta , Arrigoni Battaia Fabrizio , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Christensen Lise , Cooke Ryan J , Longobardi Alessia , Murphy Michael T , Prochaska J Xavier
Published: October 2022

We study the link between galaxies and H i-selected absorption systems at z ∼ 3–4 in the MUSE Analysis of Gas around Galaxies (MAGG) survey, an ESO large programme consisting of integral field spectroscopic observations of 28 quasar fields hosting 61 strong absorbers with $\rm N_{\rm H\,{\small I}}\gtrsim 10^{16.5}~\rm cm^{-2}$. We identify 127 Ly α emitting galaxies (LAEs) around the absorbers, corresponding to a detection rate of 82 ± 16 per cent. The luminosity function of these LAEs is ≈5 times higher in normalization than the field population and we detect a significant clustering of galaxies with respect to the gas, confirming that high column density absorbers and LAEs trace each other. Between 30 and 40 per cent of the absorbers are associated with multiple LAEs, which lie preferentially along filaments. Galaxies in groups also exhibit a three times higher covering factor of optically thick gas compared to isolated systems. No significant correlations are identified between the emission properties of LAEs and the absorption properties of optically thick gas clouds, except for a weak preference of brighter and multiple galaxies to reside near broad absorbers. Based on the measured impact parameters and the covering factor, we conclude that the near totality of optically thick gas in the Universe can be found in the outer circumgalactic medium (CGM) of LAEs or in the intergalactic medium (IGM) in proximity to these galaxies. Thus, LAEs act as tracers of larger scale structures within which both galaxies and optically thick clouds are embedded. The patchy and inhomogeneous nature of the CGM and IGM explains the lack of correlations between absorption and emission properties. This implies that very large samples are needed to unveil the trends that encode the properties of the baryon cycle.
The effect of the deforming dark matter haloes of the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud on the Orphan–Chenab stream
Authors: Lilleengen Sophia , Petersen Michael S , Erkal Denis , Peñarrubia Jorge , Koposov Sergey E , Li Ting S , Cullinane Lara R , Ji Alexander P , Kuehn Kyler , Lewis Geraint F , Mackey Dougal , Pace Andrew B , Shipp Nora , Zucker Daniel B , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Hilmi Tariq ,   (S5 Collaboration)
Published: October 2022

It has recently been shown that the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) has a substantial effect on the Milky Way’s stellar halo and stellar streams. Here, we explore how deformations of the Milky Way and LMC’s dark matter haloes affect stellar streams, and whether these effects are observable. In particular, we focus on the Orphan–Chenab (OC) stream which passes particularly close to the LMC and spans a large portion of the Milky Way’s halo. We represent the Milky Way–LMC system using basis function expansions that capture their evolution in an N-body simulation. We present the properties of this system, such as the evolution of the densities and force fields of each galaxy. The OC stream is evolved in this time-dependent, deforming potential, and we investigate the effects of the various moments of the Milky Way and the LMC. We find that the simulated OC stream is strongly influenced by the deformations of both the Milky Way and the LMC and that this effect is much larger than current observational errors. In particular, the Milky Way dipole has the biggest impact on the stream, followed by the evolution of the LMC’s monopole, and the LMC’s quadrupole. Detecting these effects would confirm a key prediction of collisionless, cold dark matter, and would be a powerful test of alternative dark matter and alternative gravity models.
Orphan crops and the vulnerability of rural livelihoods: The case of enset in Ethiopia
Authors: Feyisa Ashenafi Duguma , de Mey Yann , Maertens Miet
Published: October 2022

This study examines the role of enset or false banana, an orphan crop with high resilience to extreme environmental conditions, high nutritional value, and long storability, in the livelihood of rural households in Ethiopia. With its specific characteristics, enset could reduce households’ vulnerability but this is poorly understood as orphan crops typically receive little research attention. We analyze the contribution of enset to household income, food security, and vulnerability to shocks. We use data from a comprehensive household survey, covering 684 rural households in Southern Ethiopia. We rely on the sustainable livelihoods framework to guide the empirical analysis and use a stepwise regression approach combined with a control function method to limit endogeneity bias. We find that household income slightly improves with enset cultivation, but food security does not. Yet, enset plants significantly reduce the negative impact of shocks on food security. Households with enset plants are less vulnerable to shocks and perceive less risk.
Integrating technology to increase the reach of CBT-I: state of the science and challenges ahead
Authors: Manber Rachel , Alcántara Carmela , Bei Bei , Morin Charles M , van Straten Annemieke A
Published: October 2022

In this Round Table Discussion, an international panel of experts discuss issues related to the use of technology in the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), in order to increase its reach. Panelists were, in alphabetical order, Carmela Alcántara, PhD, an Associate Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York, USA, Bei Bei, PhD., an Associate Professor at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, Charles M. Morin, PhD., a Professor of Psychology at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada, and Annemieke A. van Straten, PhD., a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The session was chaired by Rachel Manber, PhD., a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, USA. In their introductions each panelist discussed the use of technology in their respective country. All indicated that the most common way technology is used in the treatment of insomnia is through the use of video calls (telemedicine) to deliver individual CBT-I, and that this is mostly covered by publicly funded health insurance programs such as Medicare, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also some fully automated insomnia treatment programs, but they’re often not covered by Medicare or other health insurance programs.