bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plants for making wooden bowls and related traditional knowledge in the Gyirong Valley, Tibet, China
Authors: Ding Xiao-Yong , Guo Chang-An , Hu Hua-Bin , Wang Yu-Hua
Published: March 2022

Background

The wooden bowl is an important symbol of the Tibetan cultures, yet, in China, little has been documented regarding the raw materials used to make these items as well as their cultural significance in Tibet. This study explores the ethnobotanical uses of plants used to make wooden bowls to understand their sustainability, cultural significance, and current status of related traditional knowledge in Gyirong Town, which is one of the most famous places for wooden bowl making.

Materials and methods

Between 2019 and 2021, key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observations were used to conduct ethnobotanical field surveys in Gyirong Valley. The field work was performed with the assistance of local guides. In this study, we utilized a use-report (UR) to reflect the number of mentions of a species by locals.

Results

Our results show that 16 different plants are used during the wooden bowl making process, of which nine are used as raw materials, three for dyeing, and four for varnishing. Although communities rely heavily on these plants, good management and collection methods were observed. We also documented the use of Fallopia denticulata as a red dye and four species of Impatiens as wood varnishes for the first time.

Conclusion

The wooden bowl craftsmen and their housewives have a wealth of traditional knowledge of using plants to make wooden bowls in Gyirong Town. And the wooden bowls are now also offering benefits to the locals as well. The government and local people are committed to the protection and development of traditional knowledge related to wooden bowls, and this knowledge maintains a healthy degree of vitality. This research can provide insights into the vitality of traditional handicrafts that are facing challenges and promote their protection.
Do providers use computerized clinical decision support systems? A systematic review and meta-regression of clinical decision support uptake
Authors: Kouri Andrew , Yamada Janet , Lam Shin Cheung Jeffrey , Van de Velde Stijn , Gupta Samir
Published: March 2022

Background

Computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are a promising knowledge translation tool, but often fail to meaningfully influence the outcomes they target. Low CDSS provider uptake is a potential contributor to this problem but has not been systematically studied. The objective of this systematic review and meta-regression was to determine reported CDSS uptake and identify which CDSS features may influence uptake.

Methods

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials were searched from January 2000 to August 2020. Randomized, non-randomized, and quasi-experimental trials reporting CDSS uptake in any patient population or setting were included. The main outcome extracted was CDSS uptake, reported as a raw proportion, and representing the number of times the CDSS was used or accessed over the total number of times it could have been interacted with. We also extracted context, content, system, and implementation features that might influence uptake, for each CDSS. Overall weighted uptake was calculated using random-effects meta-analysis and determinants of uptake were investigated using multivariable meta-regression.

Results

Among 7995 citations screened, 55 studies involving 373,608 patients and 3607 providers met full inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that overall CDSS uptake was 34.2% (95% CI 23.2 to 47.1%). Uptake was only reported in 12.4% of studies that otherwise met inclusion criteria. Multivariable meta-regression revealed the following factors significantly associated with uptake: (1) formally evaluating the availability and quality of the patient data needed to inform CDSS advice; and (2) identifying and addressing other barriers to the behaviour change targeted by the CDSS.

Conclusions and relevance

System uptake was seldom reported in CDSS trials. When reported, uptake was low. This represents a major and potentially modifiable barrier to overall CDSS effectiveness. We found that features relating to CDSS context and implementation strategy best predicted uptake. Future studies should measure the impact of addressing these features as part of the CDSS implementation strategy. Uptake reporting must also become standard in future studies reporting CDSS intervention effects.

Registration

Pre-registered on PROSPERO, CRD42018092337
Background factors involved in the epidemiology of functional constipation in the Japanese population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yamamoto Sayuri , Ohashi Wataru , Yamaguchi Yoshiharu , Inamoto Shunsuke , Koshino Akira , Sugiyama Tomoya , Nagao Kazuhiro , Tamura Yasuhiro , Izawa Shinya , Ebi Masahide , Usami Jun , Hamano Koichi , Izumi Junko , Wakita Yoshinori , Funaki Yasushi , Ogasawara Naotaka , Sasaki Makoto , Maekawa Masato , Kasugai Kunio
Published: March 2022

Background

Functional constipation (FC), a functional bowel disorder with symptoms of constipation, has considerable impact on quality of life. As data regarding its prevalence and epidemiology are lacking, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, population composition, lifestyle, quality of life, and clinical characteristics of these individuals by comparing people with and without FC. These parameters were also compared among individuals with strong and weak awareness of constipation.

Methods

An internet survey was conducted among 10,000 individuals aged 20–69 years from the general Japanese population; they were registered with an internet survey company. The following data were obtained: age, sex, educational history, occupation, residence, history of other diseases, lifestyle (including smoking/drinking habits using the Japanese Health Practice Index, medication use, symptoms of constipation according to the Rome III criteria, stool types according to the Bristol stool scale, and use of laxatives, including the place of purchase and cost per month or acceptable cost per month. The 8-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire was also used; FC was diagnosed based on Rome III criteria. All respondents were classified according to their awareness of constipation (i.e. strong or weak), and their characteristic features were compared.

Results

The data of 3000 respondents were evaluated; 262 (8.7%) had FC, which was common among older adults, women, and homemakers. FC was associated with changes in the frequency of bowel movement, sensation of incomplete or scanty evacuation, and the use of manual maneuvers; these are consequential clinical symptoms of FC. These individuals frequently skipped breakfast, had insufficient sleep, had more severe constipation, and had purchased laxatives in pharmacies or online more often than those without FC. A strong awareness of constipation was significantly more prevalent among women and homemakers. A history of anemia and cardiovascular disease was significantly more frequent in the strong awareness group, whereas a history of hypertension was more frequent in the weak awareness group.

Conclusions

Appropriate and comprehensive management should be provided for FC, based on the understanding of its characteristic features and considering the symptoms and lifestyle.
Rescue blankets as multifunctional rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies: a commentary
Authors: Wallner Bernd , Salchner Hannah , Isser Markus , Schachner Thomas , Wiedermann Franz J. , Lederer Wolfgang
Published: March 2022

Emergency applications of rescue blankets go far beyond protection from hypothermia. In this review alternative applicabilities of these remarkable multifunctional tools were highlighted. Newly fabricated rescue blankets prove impressive robustness. The high tensile strength along with its low weight enable further applications, e.g. immobilization of injured extremities, splinting, wound dressing, a makeshift chest seal in sucking chest wounds, amongst others. Furthermore, the foil can be used as a vapour barrier, as eye protection and it can even be used to construct a stopgap bivouac sack, as alternative tool for transportation in the remote area and a wind shield or a water reservoir in the wilderness. During search-and-rescue missions the light reflection from the gold surface enhances visibility and increases the chance to be found. Rescue blankets are essential parts of first aid kits and backpacks in alpine and wilderness environment with multifunctional applicabilities. In this commentary to a review we want to evaluate the numerous applicabilities of rescue blankets in the treatment of emergencies by wilderness medicine and pre-hospital EMS.
Adapted laboratory evolution of Thermotoga sp. strain RQ7 under carbon starvation
Authors: Gautam Jyotshana , Xu Hui , Hu Junxi , Pennacchio Christa , Lipzen Anna , Martin Joel , Xu Zhaohui
Published: March 2022

Objective

Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) is an effective approach to study the evolution behavior of bacterial cultures and to select for strains with desired metabolic features. In this study, we explored the possibility of evolving Thermotoga sp. strain RQ7 for cellulose-degrading abilities.

Results

Wild type RQ7 strain was subject to a series of transfers over six and half years with cellulose filter paper as the main and eventually the sole carbon source. Each transfer was accompanied with the addition of 50 μg of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus DSM 8903 genomic DNA. A total of 331 transfers were completed. No cellulose degradation was observed with the RQ7 cultures. Thirty three (33) isolates from six time points were sampled and sequenced. Nineteen (19) of the 33 isolates were unique, and the rest were duplicated clones. None of the isolates acquired C. saccharolyticus DNA, but all accumulated small-scale mutations throughout their genomes. Sequence analyses revealed 35 mutations that were preserved throughout the generations and another 15 mutations emerged near the end of the study. Many of the affected genes participate in phosphate metabolism, substrate transport, stress response, sensory transduction, and gene regulation.
Combining data to perform population-based observational studies: know your sources. The case of thyroid cancer in Belgium
Authors: Decallonne Brigitte , Snyers Bérengère , Elaut Nathalie , Peene Bernard , Verbeeck Julie , Van den Bruel Annick , De Schutter Harlinde
Published: March 2022

Background

Large scale observational studies are crucial to study thyroid cancer incidence and management, known to vary in time and place. Combining cancer registry data with other data sources enables execution of population-based studies, provided data sources are accurate. The objective was to compare thyroid tumour and treatment information between the available data sources in Belgium.

Methods

We performed a retrospective national population-based cohort study. All patients with thyroid cancer diagnosis in Belgium between 2009 and 2011 (N = 2659 patients) were retrieved from the Belgian Cancer Registry database, containing standard patient and tumour characteristics. Additionally, information was obtained from the following sources: a) detailed pathology reports b) the health insurance company database for reimbursed performed therapeutic acts (both available forN = 2400 patients) c) registration forms for performed and/or planned treatments at the time of the multidisciplinary team meeting (available forN = 1819 patients). More precisely, information was retrieved regarding characteristics of the tumour (histologic subtype, tumour size, lymph node status (source a)) and the treatment (thyroid surgery (a,b,c), lymph node dissection (a,b), postoperative administration of radioactive iodine (b,c)).

Results

High concordance in histological cancer subtype (> 90%), tumour size (96.2%) and lymph node involvement (89.2%) categories was found between the cancer registry database and the pathology reports. Tumour subcategories (such as microcarcinoma, tumor ≤1 cm diameter) were more specified in the pathology reports. The therapeutic act of thyroid surgery as mentioned in the pathology reports and health insurance company database was concordant in 92.7%, while reports from multidisciplinary team meetings showed 88.5% of concordance with pathology reports and 86.1% with health insurance data. With regard to postoperative radioiodine administration, reports from multidisciplinary teams and health insurance data were concordant in 76.8%.

Conclusion

Combining registered and/or administrative data results in sufficiently accurate information to perform large scale observational studies on thyroid cancer in Belgium. However, thorough and continuous quality control and insight in strengths and limitations of each cancer data source is crucial.
Maxillofacial free flap surgery outcomes in critical care: a single-center investigation looking for clues to improvement
Authors: Denis Bruno , Gourbeix Claire , Coninckx Marine , Foy Jean-Philippe , Bertolus Chloé , Constantin Jean-Michel , Degos Vincent
Published: March 2022

Background

Maxillofacial surgery for free flap reconstructions is associated with many complications due to technical complexity and comorbidity of patients. With a focus on critical care, the authors studied the impact of complications to highlight predictors of poor postoperative outcomes in order to implement optimization protocols.

Methods

This case-control study analyzed the relationship between perioperative variables and postoperative medical and surgical complications of patients who underwent head and neck surgery using fibular and forearm free flaps. The primary objective was the incidence of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Secondary objectives were the incidence of ICU readmissions, postoperative infections, and 1-year mortality. A univariable logistic regression model was used. A study of mortality was performed with survival analysis. Regarding our primary objective, we performed a Benjamini-Hochberg procedure and a multivariable Poisson regression with defined variables of interest.

Results

The data of 118 hospital stays were included. Prolonged ICU LOS was observed in 47% of cases and was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumopathies, intraoperative blood transfusion, and surgical duration. Medical and surgical complications were associated with prolonged ICU LOS. After the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure, infectious complications, complications, major complications, total number of pneumopathies, and operative time remained significant. At least one complication was experienced by 71% of patients during the hospitalization, and 33% of patients suffered from major complications. Infectious complications were the most common (40% of patients) and were mainly caused by pneumonia (25% of patients); these complications were associated with low preoperative hemoglobin level, intraoperative blood transfusion, accumulation of reversible cardiovascular risk factors, chronic alcohol consumption, and duration of surgery. Pneumonia was specifically associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The ICU readmission rate was 10% and was associated with lower preoperative hemoglobin level, pneumopathies, surgical duration, and use of a fibular flap. The 1-year mortality was 12%, and the survival analysis showed no association with prolonged ICU LOS. Poisson regression showed that ICU LOS was prolonged by smoking history, lower preoperative hemoglobin level, intraoperative blood transfusion, major complication, and pneumopathies.

Conclusions

Practices such as blood management and respiratory prehabilitation could be beneficial and should be evaluated as a part of global improvement strategies.
Clinical characteristics of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis in patients with a long-term history of mental disorders
Authors: Wang Hai-Yang , Yang Xiao-Yu , Han Jinming , Liu Huakun , Yan Zhong-Rui , Liang Zhanhua
Published: March 2022

Background

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by complex neuropsychiatric syndromes during disease onset. Although this disease has been well documented in the last decade, clinical characteristics of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in patients with long-term diagnostic history of mental disorders remain unclear.

Methods

Here, we reviewed and analyzed series of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis patients with a long-term medical history of psychiatric disorders through a review of literature using PubMed, web of science and Embase database. In addition, we described a patient of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with a long-term history of major depressive disorder.

Results

A total of 14 patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and a long-term history of mental disorders were included in our study. We found that most patients were adult (92.9%) and female (78.6%). These patients often first visited a psychiatric department (71.43%). The mean disease course of psychiatric disorders was more than 9 years. Speech impairment (71.4%), abnormal behaviors (64.3%), and catatonia (64.3%) were the most common clinical symptoms. Most patients (85.7%) had a satisfactory prognosis after immunotherapy.

Conclusion

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in individuals with mental disorders is an underestimated condition, yet it presents complex clinical symptoms. Mental and behavioral impairments are more frequently observed in newly diagnosed anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis patients with a long-term history of mental disorders than those without mental illness. A diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis should be considered when patients with mental illness show sudden fluctuations in psychiatric symptoms.
Functional roles of taurine, L-theanine, L-citrulline, and betaine during heat stress in poultry
Authors: Uyanga Victoria Anthony , Oke Emmanuel O. , Amevor Felix Kwame , Zhao Jingpeng , Wang Xiaojuan , Jiao Hongchao , Onagbesan Okanlawon M. , Lin Hai
Published: March 2022

Heat stress (HS) is an important environmental stress factor affecting poultry production on a global scale. With the rise in ambient temperature and increasing effects of global warming, it becomes pertinent to understand the effects of HS on poultry production and the strategies that can be adopted to mitigate its detrimental impacts on the performance, health, welfare, immunity, and survival of birds. Amino acids (AAs) have been increasingly adopted as nutritional modifiers in animals to ameliorate the adverse effects of HS. They are essential for protein synthesis, growth, maintenance, reproduction, immunity, stress response, and whole-body homeostasis. However, HS tends to adversely affect the availability, transport, absorption, and utilization of these AAs. Studies have investigated the provision of these AAs to poultry during HS conditions, and variable findings have been reported. Taurine, L-theanine, and L-citrulline are non-essential amino acids that are increasingly gaining attention as nutritional supplements in HS animals. Similarly, betaine is an amino acid derivative that possesses favorable biological properties which contributes to its role as a functional additive during HS. Of particular note, taurine is negligible in plants, while betaine, L-theanine, and L-citrulline can be found in selected plants. These nutrients are barely found in feed ingredients, but their supply has been shown to elicit important physiological roles including anti-stress effects, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, gut promoting, and immunomodulatory functions. The present review provides information on the use of these nutritionally and physiologically beneficial nutrients as functional additives to poultry diets during HS conditions. Presently, although several studies have reported on the positive effects of these additives in human and murine studies, however, there is limited information regarding their utilization during heat stress in poultry nutrition. Therefore, this review aims to expound on the functional properties of these nutrients, their potentials for HS alleviation, and to stimulate further researches on their biological roles in poultry nutrition.
Validity and reliability of performance tests as balance measures in patients with total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Sarac Devrim Can , Unver Bayram , Karatosun Vasfi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate validity and reliability of the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Single Leg Stance Test (SLST), 2 Minute Walk Test (2MWT), and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSST) for evaluating balance in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study included 41 participants who had undergone TKA 6 months before the study due to osteoarthritis. Participants performed the TUG, 10MWT, SLST, 5xSST, and 2MWT. Each of the tests was performed twice, with a 1-day interval between tests. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models were used to determine the test–retest reliability. The level of correlations between performance tests and Berg Balance Scale and Fall Efficacy Scale-International were used to establish concurrent and convergent validity of the performance tests, respectively.

Results

The mean age of the subjects was 64.07 ± 10.57 years. All tests showed excellent reliability (ICC > 0.94), excluding SLST that demonstrated good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.72). All of the tests (SLST, 10MWT, 5xSST, 2MWT, TUG) were found to have good validity (rho > 0.704).

Conclusions

According to these results, TUG, 10MWT, SLST, 5xSST, and 2MWT are reliable and valid outcome measures in patients with TKA, and could be used to assess balance after TKA surgery.
The use of tantalum cones and diaphyseal-engaging stems in tibial component revision: a consecutive series
Authors: Spinello P. , Thiele R. A. Ruberte , Zepeda K. , Giori N. , Indelli P. F.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Revision knee arthroplasty presents a number of challenges, including management of bone loss. The goal in managing moderate to large bone defects is fixation that is sufficient enough to allow early weight-bearing. The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical technique and clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients treated with porous tantalum metaphyseal cones in combination with long uncemented diaphyseal-engaging stems to manage tibial bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials and methods

Thirty-six aseptic revision TKAs were performed at our institution between 2016 and 2019 by two senior authors. A single trabecular metal tantalum cone combined with a long (100 or 155 mm) press fit, diaphyseal-engaging stem was used in all cases to reconstruct metaphyseal bone defects and to augment tibial fixation. Cemented stems were excluded. The tibiofemoral angle was measured along the tibial and femoral shaft axes on the weight-bearing anteroposterior radiograph at final follow-up (range 15–56 months). All clinical and surgical complications, reoperations, and revisions of any component were recorded. Survivorship free of revision was evaluated at the time of the latest follow-up.

Results

The mean Knee Society Score (KSS) and Knee Society Function Score (KSS-F) improved significantly from 29.7 points preoperatively (range 11–54 points) to 86 points (range 43–99 points) and from 20.4 points preoperatively (range 0–55 points) to 72.3 points (range 30–90 points) (p < 0.05), respectively. Eleven tibial constructs (30.5%) had incomplete, nonprogressive radiolucent lines (≤ 2 mm). All tibial cones demonstrated osteointegration. One patient underwent a full revision for periprosthetic joint infection, and survivorship free of any component revision was 91.7% at final follow-up.

Conclusions

Hybrid fixation with uncemented diaphyseal-engaging stems and porous tantalum metaphyseal cones resulted in radiographic lack of osteolysis, good clinical outcomes, and survivorship of 91.7% at a median follow-up of 33 months when considering all-cause revision as the endpoint.
Effects of chirality and inhomogeneous growth on the morphology of plant tendril
Authors: Zhao Hui-Chuan , Bian Li-Chun , Zhang Tao , Dong Jia-Jun
Published: March 2022

By controlling the growth rate, biomaterials with chiral microstructure can produce nonuniform prestress and then form chiral morphologies, such as twisted biological filaments, while it is not clear how the chiral microstructure of biomaterials affects the formation and movement of its macro chiral morphologies under the action of uneven prestresses. In this work, a double-layered composite beam model considering the chiral microstructure of biological materials based on experimental observations is established. The influences of inhomogeneous growth and chiral microstructure on the formation of the chiral morphologies of tendrils are considered as a typical example and discussed in detail. The results show that the macro chiral phases of plant tendrils provide a remarkable dependence on their chiral microstructures.
Periodic solution of the time-space fractional Sasa-Satsuma equation in the monomode optical fibers by the energy balance theory
Authors: Wang Kang-Jia , Liu Jing-Hua
Published: March 2022

Zhang and Wang developed the periodic solution of the time-space fractional Sasa-Satsuma equation by an ancient Chinese algorithm in EPL, 137 (2022) 62001. In this letter, a new method called the energy balance theory (EBT) is used to study the problem. This theory offers a promising approach by constructing the variational principle and the Hamiltonian for the problem. As anticipated, the solution obtained by the EBT is the same as the solution obtained in the above-mentioned EPL paper, which strongly verifies the effectiveness and reliability of the EBT. Finally, graphical simulations of the solution with different fractional orders are presented in the form of 2-D and 3-D surfaces. The discovery of this work is expected to contribute to the study of periodic solutions of the partial differential equations arising in optics.
A constitutively expressed fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell-cycle indicator (FUCCI) in axolotls for studying tissue regeneration
Authors: Duerr Timothy J. , Jeon Eun Kyung , Wells Kaylee M. , Villanueva Antonio , Seifert Ashley W. , McCusker Catherine D. , Monaghan James R.
Published: March 2022

Regulation of cell cycle progression is essential for cell proliferation during regeneration following injury. After appendage amputation, the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) regenerates missing structures through an accumulation of proliferating cells known as the blastema. To study cell division during blastema growth, we generated a transgenic line of axolotls that ubiquitously expresses a bicistronic version of the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell-cycle indicator (FUCCI). We demonstrate near-ubiquitous FUCCI expression in developing and adult tissues, and validate these expression patterns with DNA synthesis and mitosis phase markers. We demonstrate the utility of FUCCI for live and whole-mount imaging, showing the predominantly local contribution of cells during limb and tail regeneration. We also show that spinal cord amputation results in increased proliferation at least 5 mm from the site of injury. Finally, we use multimodal staining to provide cell type information for cycling cells by combining fluorescence in situ hybridization, EdU click-chemistry and immunohistochemistry on a single FUCCI tissue section. This new line of animals will be useful for studying cell cycle dynamics using in situ endpoint assays and in vivo imaging in developing and regenerating animals.
Phthalocyanine-Based Radicals as Single-Component Molecular Conductors
Authors: Sato Ryoya , Gouchi Jun , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Matsuda Masaki
Published: March 2022

A neutral radical crystal with a two-dimensional network, namely Co(Pc)Br2 (Pc: phthalocyanine) was synthesized. Additionally, intermolecular contacts between the two-dimensional sheets, leading to isotropic semiconducting behavior, were observed. Furthermore, previously reported Co(Pc)Cl2 was revealed to have a three-dimensional network with isotropic nature and exhibited a metallic nature at 8 GPa.
The interplay between translational efficiency, poly(A) tails, microRNAs, and neuronal activation
Authors: Eisen Timothy J. , Li Jingyi Jessica , Bartel David P.
Published: March 2022

Neurons provide a rich setting for studying post-transcriptional control. Here, we investigate the landscape of translational control in neurons and search for mRNA features that explain differences in translational efficiency (TE), considering the interplay between TE, mRNA poly(A)-tail lengths, microRNAs, and neuronal activation. In neurons and brain tissues, TE correlates with tail length, and a few dozen mRNAs appear to undergo cytoplasmic polyadenylation upon light or chemical stimulation. However, the correlation between TE and tail length is modest, explaining <5% of TE variance, and even this modest relationship diminishes when accounting for other mRNA features. Thus, tail length appears to affect TE only minimally. Accordingly, miRNAs, which accelerate deadenylation of their mRNA targets, primarily influence target mRNA levels, with no detectable effect on either steady-state tail lengths or TE. Larger correlates with TE include codon composition and predicted mRNA folding energy. When combined in a model, the identified correlates explain 38%–45% of TE variance. These results provide a framework for considering the relative impact of factors that contribute to translational control in neurons. They indicate that when examined in bulk, translational control in neurons largely resembles that of other types of post-embryonic cells. Thus, detection of more specialized control might require analyses that can distinguish translation occurring in neuronal processes from that occurring in cell bodies.
Waning anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody in CoronaVac-vaccinated individuals in Indonesia
Authors: Harapan Harapan , Ar Royan Hibban , Tyas Islam Ing , Nadira Auda , Abdi Irham Faraby , Anwar Samsul , Husnah Milda , Ichsan Ichsan , Pranata Agung , Mudatsir Mudatsir , Syukri Maimun , Rizal Samsul , . Razali , . Hamdani , Kurniawan Rudi , Irwansyah Irwansyah , Sofyan Sarwo Edhy
Published: March 2022

Background: The decrease of immunity acquired from COVID-19 vaccines is a potential cause of breakthrough infection. Understanding the dynamics of immune responses of vaccine-induced antibodies post-vaccination is important. This study aimed to measure the level of neutralizing antibody (NAb) anti-SRBD in individuals at different time points upon the receipt of the second dose of CoronaVac vaccine, as well as evaluate the plausible associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among CoronaVac-vaccinated residents in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The level of NAb titre was measured using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay. A set of standardized and validated questionnaires were used to assess the demographics and other plausible associated factors.

Results: Our results showed waning SARS-Cov-2 NAb titres over time post-vaccination. Compared to samples of the first month post-vaccination, the levels of NAb titres were significantly lower than those of five-months (mean 184.6 vs. 101.8 IU/mL, p = 0.009) and six-months post-vaccination (mean 184.6 vs. 95.59 IU/mL, p = 0.001). This suggests that the length of time post-vaccination was negatively correlated with antibody anti-SRBD titre. A protective level of NAbs titres (threshold of 15 IU/mL) was observed from all the samples vaccinated within one to three months; however, only 73.7% and 78.9% of the sera from five- and six-months possessed the protective titres against SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The titre of NAb anti-SRBD was found significantly higher in sera of individuals having a regular healthy meal intake compared to those who did not (mean 136.7 vs. 110.4 IU/mL, p = 0.044), including in subgroup analysis that included those five to six months post-vaccination only (mean 79.0 vs. 134.5 IU/mL, p = 0.009).

Conclusions: This study provides insights on the efficacy of CoronaVac vaccine in protecting individuals against SARS-CoV-2 infection over time, which may contribute to future vaccination policy management to improve and prolong protective strategy.
Rice straw decomposition in paddy surface water potentially reduces soil methane (CH4) emission
Authors: Van Thao Huynh , Oda Masato , Chiem Nguyen Huu
Published: March 2022

Background: Rice cultivation is a significant methane (CH4) emission source. Rice straw (RS) incorporation into the soil is a key factor that produces higher CH4 emission. The RS waterlogging approach on the soil surface possibly reduces CH4 emission due to not being buried into the soil. However, evaluation of CH4 emission by this approach has not been determined. The objective of this study was to examine CH4 emission under RS waterlogging on surface water compared with RS incorporation into the soil.

Methods: We carried out a microcosm experiment in a screen-house with two treatments, including (i) RS incorporation into the soil and (ii) RS waterlogging on the soil surface in triplicates. We compared the CH4 emissions and CH4 accumulation for the rice-growing and off-sowing periods. Yield-scaled CH4 emission was assessed based on total methane emission and rice yield.

Results: The results demonstrated that RS waterlogging reduced CH4 emission by 16.9% compared to RS incorporation into the soil. During the rice-growing period, total CH4 emission from RS waterlogging accounted for 36% of the incorporation treatment. However, RS waterlogging is caused by high emissions during the off-sowing stage. The difference between yield-scaled CH4 emissions was insignificant.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the treatment of RS by waterlogging is an appropriate alternative to conventional RS practices known as incorporation, which increases greenhouse CH4 emission. However, high CH4 emission during the off-sowing period, and RS accumulation in the field are key drivers that possibly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, further evaluation is needed to determine the long-term effects of this approach.
How staying in a single room affects the experiences of haematology inpatients in an Australian cancer hospital
Authors: Bishop Emma , Miller Charne , Miller Sam , McKellar Catherine
Published: March 2022

Background:

It has been suggested that single rooms for patients improve patient dignity and privacy and reduce infection transmission, but they can be socially isolating. It is not well understood how single rooms affect long-stay patients.

Aims:

To understand the experience of being an inpatient in a ward with single-room design.

Methods:

A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients (n=10) in a newly built cancer hospital with a 100% single-room haematology ward. Interviews were analysed using Colaizzi's (1978) seven-step analysis.

Findings:

Patients described their experiences of their acute stay using the concepts of privacy, isolation and independence, as well as enabling sleep. Privacy enabled patients to have their own toilet, was perceived to aid infection control and provided silence. Privacy came at a cost of isolation, but patients re-framed this as expected and necessary for self-preservation. Furthermore, they were unsure as to whether other patients would reciprocate social contact and instead relied on the healthcare team. Patients sought independence during their acute stay as it enabled them to control the environment and create a space for healing. The ability to sleep and be rested was also a critical feature of patients' stay.

Conclusion:

The research highlighted that haematology patients prefer single rooms. However, because they experienced isolation, it also highlighted the importance of facilitating and enabling peer support within the haematology setting.
Sexual and reproductive health prescribing
Authors: Robertson Deborah
Published: March 2022

Deborah Robertson provides an overview of recently published articles that may be of interest to non-medical prescribers. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided
The pharmacology of allergic rhinitis treatments
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: March 2022

Allergic rhinitis (AR), the most common chronic allergy in Europe, can markedly undermine quality of life. While there are numerous over-the-counter and prescription drug options, treatment can present challenges. Indeed, many people with AR show poor symptom control despite self-medication. This review focuses on the pharmacology of the main drugs used in primary care to treat AR.
Addressing health inequity in the UK: people who are homeless, from ethnic minority groups or LGBTQ+ communities
Authors: Heaslip Vanessa , Thompson Ruth , Tauringana Memory , Holland Sharon , Glendening Nikki
Published: March 2022

In this article, the second of two, Vanessa Heaslip et al explores health inequity in three groups: people who are homeless, individuals from LGBTQ+ groups and ethnic minority communities

Practice nurses who work in GP practices as part of the multidisciplinary team have a key role in the assessment, screening and treatment of people throughout their lives. This article, the second in the series of two, will build on the practice nurse's understanding of health inequity in three particular communities: people who are homeless, individuals from LGBTQ+ groups and ethnic minority communities. The article will also explore the role practice nurses can play in addressing poor health outcomes for individuals in these communities. This article will explore inequity in these groups by looking at four main areas: health status, access to care, quality, and experience of care and behavioural risk factors.
How to recognise and support someone with an eating disorder
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: March 2022

Sarah Jane Palmer explores how to support patients with eating disorders
Hydrogen: The Future’s Fuel
Authors: Yusuf Mohammad
Published: March 2022

The exploitation of fossil fuels at a tremendous scale, especially after the industrial revolution in the 18th century, has instigated damage to the environment. The usage of fossil-based fuels results in an excess accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs), i.e., mainly CH4 and CO2, in the atmosphere. This is the reason for decreased air quality, increased global warming, and disturbed seasonal variations in many world regions. The usage of Hydrogen (H2) as a fuel is a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its high calorific value, clean-burning characteristics, and abundance availability from different feedstocks. H2 can be a game-changer in the fuel industry especially if utilized commercially in the transportation sector giving net-zero carbon emission. The recent research is going on the techno-economic feasibility of H2 production, and recently an Indian Oil & Gas conglomerate Reliance Industries pledged to produce blue H2 at $1.2-$1.5 /Kg. The concept of the H2 economy is encouraging and supports the pledges of the Paris Agreement. The different H2 production techniques, along with the corresponding color spectrum, have been discussed in this article. Finally, the prospects and advantages of green H2 have been discussed over its other color spectrum.
Benchmarking quantum Stirling and Otto cycles for an interacting spin
system
Authors: Çakmak Selçuk
Published: March 2022

A properly selected quantum heat engine consumes resources efficiently. Also, there are many parameters to determine the right option. In this study, we construct and compare the quantum mechanical counterparts of Stirling and Otto cycles for an experimentally achievable quantum working medium where two spins 1/2 interact through isotropic Heisenberg interaction in the tunable external magnetic field. We consider two comparison cases that operate heat cycles with the same system parameters or equal efficiencies. The quantum Stirling cycle produces more work than that of the Otto cycle under the same parameters or equal efficiency conditions. The quantum Stirling engine operates a wider range of coupling strengths. The work performed in the cycles is enhanced by coupling strength. On the other hand, we investigate the role of coupling strength on the performance of the non-regenerative quantum Stirling heat cycle under various magnitudes of the magnetic field. The distance between the applied magnetic fields at the initial and final points of the isothermal stage is found to be an enhancer for the work output and efficiency of the quantum Stirling cycle.
Generation and complete polarimetry of ultrashort circularly polarized extreme-ultraviolet pulses
Authors: Svoboda Vít , Waters Max D. J. , Zindel Daniel , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: March 2022

The generation of ultrashort circularly polarized pulses in the extreme-ultraviolet spectral range has recently attracted considerable interest for applications in time-resolved circular-dichroism experiments. Here, we demonstrate a simple approach to generate near-circularly polarized femtosecond pulses in the vacuum-ultraviolet. The ellipticity of the generated light can be continuously tuned from linear to near-circular, as demonstrated by detailed polarimetry measurements. Combining optical polarimetry with photoelectron circular-dichroism (PECD) measurements, we demonstrate a novel approach to characterizing the polarization state of light in terms of all four Stokes parameters. For photon energies of 9.3 eV, we obtained S3 = 0.96 ± 0.02 and a degree of polarization of 97±2%, i.e. the highest values reported from any harmonic-generation source so far. This source is directly applicable to circular-dichroism experiments, also enabling time-resolved PECD in the extreme-ultraviolet, a general approach to probing time-dependent chirality during chemical processes on (sub)-femtosecond time scales.
High-performance imaging with an advanced non-imaging lens based on full-path optical diffraction calculation in two-dimensional space
Authors: Liu Yingli , Dai Yijie , Shen Fanqi , Yang Lin , Ding Zhanghao , Zheng Zhenrong , Wu Rengmao , Xu Liu
Published: March 2022

High-performance image-forming systems often require high system complexity due to the overdetermined nature of optical aberration correction. What we present here is a novel computational imaging modality which can achieve high-performance imaging using a simple non-image-forming optical system. The presented optical system contains an aspherical non-imaging lens which is designed with the optimal transfer of light radiation between an object and a detector. All spatial frequencies of the object collected by the non-imaging lens are delivered to the detector. No image is formed on the detector, and a full-path optical diffraction calculation method is developed to recover a high-quality image of the object from multiple intensity measurements. The effectiveness and high performance of the proposed imaging modality is verified by the examples.
Numerical scheme for a nonlinear optical response of a metallic nanostructure: quantum hydrodynamic theory solved by adopting an effective Schrödinger equation
Authors: Takeuci Takashi , Yabana Kazuhiro
Published: March 2022

Quantum hydrodynamic theory (QHT) can describe some of the characteristic features of quantum electron dynamics that appear in metallic nanostructures, such as spatial nonlocality, electron spill-out, and quantum tunneling. Furthermore, numerical simulations based on QHT are more efficient than fully quantum mechanical approaches, as exemplified by time-dependent density functional theory using a jellium model. However, QHT involves kinetic energy functionals, the practical implementation of which typically induces significant numerical instabilities, particularly in nonlinear optical phenomena. To mitigate this problem, we develop a numerical solution to QHT that is quite stable, even in a nonlinear regime. The key to our approach is to rewrite the dynamical equation of QHT using the effective Schrödinger equation. We apply the new method to the linear and nonlinear responses of a metallic nanoparticle and compare the results with fully quantum mechanical calculations. The results demonstrate the numerical stability of our method, as well as the reliability and limitations of QHT.
Gas-phase pressure measurement using femtosecond laser-induced grating scattering technique
Authors: Wu Yulan , Zhuzou Mingyang , Zhao Tongxun , Ding Pengji , Sun Shaohua , Wang Jijin , Liu Zuoye , Hu Bitao
Published: March 2022

Gas-phase pressure measurements remain challenging in situations where local pressure rapidly changes or in hostile environments such as turbulent combustion. In this work, we demonstrate the implementation of the recently developed femtosecond laser-induced grating scattering (fs-LIGS) technique for pressure measurement in ambient air. With an overall femtosecond laser pulse energy of 185 μJ, fs-LIGS signals were generated for various gas pressure ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 bar. By theoretically fitting the signal and extracting the time constant of the stationary density modulation damping, the pressure is successfully derived. The derived values were compared to the gauge pressure, which shows a quasi-linear dependence with a slope of 0.96, suggesting the feasibility of the fs-LIGS technique for gas-phase pressure measurements.
Feed-forward neural network as nonlinear dynamics integrator for supercontinuum generation: erratum
Authors: Salmela Lauri , Hary Mathilde , Mabed Mehdi , Foi Alessandro , Dudley John M. , Genty Goëry
Published: March 2022

We present an erratum to our Letter [Opt. Lett. 47, 802 (2022)10.1364/OL.448571]. This erratum corrects an error in the sign of one of the higher-order dispersion coefficient used in the simulations of Figs. 2 and 4, as well as in Figs. S1 and S3. The simulations in the original Letter were performed using the correct value, and therefore this correction does not affect any of the results and conclusions of the original Letter.
Personalized pathology test for Cardio-vascular disease: Approximate Bayesian computation with discriminative summary statistics learning
Authors: Dutta Ritabrata , Zouaoui Boudjeltia Karim , Kotsalos Christos , Rousseau Alexandre , Ribeiro de Sousa Daniel , Desmet Jean-Marc , Van Meerhaeghe Alain , Mira Antonietta , Chopard Bastien
Published: March 2022

Cardio/cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) have become one of the major health issue in our societies. But recent studies show that the present pathology tests to detect CVD are ineffectual as they do not consider different stages of platelet activation or the molecular dynamics involved in platelet interactions and are incapable to consider inter-individual variability. Here we propose a stochastic platelet deposition model and an inferential scheme to estimate the biologically meaningful model parameters using approximate Bayesian computation with a summary statistic that maximally discriminates between different types of patients. Inferred parameters from data collected on healthy volunteers and different patient types help us to identify specific biological parameters and hence biological reasoning behind the dysfunction for each type of patients. This work opens up an unprecedented opportunity of personalized pathology test for CVD detection and medical treatment.