bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Failure to Rescue Pediatric Recipients of Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Single‐Center Study of Technical Complications in 500 Primary Grafts
Authors: Channaoui Aniss , de Magnée Catherine , Tambucci Roberto , Bonaccorsi‐Riani Eliano , Pirotte Thierry , Magasich‐Airola Natalia , Detaille Thierry , Houtekie Laurent , Menten Renaud , Dumitriu Dana , van den Hove Marguerite , Baldin Pamela , Smets Françoise , Scheers Isabelle , Jannone Giulia , Sokal Etienne , Stephenne Xavier , Reding Raymond
Published: September 2024

Background

The concept of failure to rescue (FTR) has been used to evaluate the quality of care in several surgical specialties but has not been well‐studied after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in children.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed 500 pediatric LDLT performed at a single center between 1993 and 2022. The recipient outcomes were assessed by means of patient and graft survival rates, retransplantation rates, and arterial/portal/biliary complication rates. Graft and patient losses secondary to these complications were calculated regarding FTR for patients (FTRp) and grafts (FTRg).

Results

Overall 1‐ and 5‐year patient survival rates were 94.5% and 92.1%, respectively, the corresponding figures for graft survival being 92.7% and 89.8%. One‐year hepatic artery complication rate was 3.6% (n = 18 cases), the respective rates for portal vein complications and biliary complications being 5.7% (n = 57) and 15.6% (n = 101). One‐year FTRp rates for hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein thrombosis, anastomotic biliary stricture, and intrahepatic biliary stricture were 28.6%, 9.4%, 3.6%, and 0%, respectively. The corresponding FTRg rates being 21.4%, 6.3%, 0%, and 36.4%.

Conclusion

Such novel analytical method may offer valuable insights for optimizing quality of care in pediatric LDLT.
A resource of identified and annotated lincRNAs expressed during somatic embryogenesis development in Norway spruce
Authors: Canovi Camilla , Stojkovič Katja , Benítez Aarón Ayllón , Delhomme Nicolas , Egertsdotter Ulrika , Street Nathaniel R.
Published: September 2024

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of many biological processes, although their regulatory roles remain poorly characterized in woody plants, especially in gymnosperms. A major challenge of working with lncRNAs is to assign functional annotations, since they have a low coding potential and low cross‐species conservation.

We utilised an existing RNA‐Sequencing resource and performed short RNA sequencing of somatic embryogenesis developmental stages in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst). We implemented a pipeline to identify lncRNAs located within the intergenic space (lincRNAs) and generated a co‐expression network including protein coding, lincRNA and miRNA genes.

To assign putative functional annotation, we employed a guilt‐by‐association approach using the co‐expression network and integrated these results with annotation assigned using semantic similarity and co‐expression. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between lincRNAs and miRNAs, and identified which lincRNAs are conserved in other species. We identified lincRNAs with clear evidence of differential expression during somatic embryogenesis and used network connectivity to identify those with the greatest regulatory potential.

This work provides the most comprehensive view of lincRNAs in Norway spruce and is the first study to perform global identification of lincRNAs during somatic embryogenesis in conifers. The data have been integrated into the expression visualisation tools at the PlantGenIE.org web resource to enable easy access to the community. This will facilitate the use of the data to address novel questions about the role of lincRNAs in the regulation of embryogenesis and facilitate future comparative genomics studies.
Inflammation indices in association with periodontitis and cancer
Authors: Walther Kay‐Arne , Gröger Sabine , Vogler Jonas Adrian Helmut , Wöstmann Bernd , Meyle Jörg
Published: September 2024

Inflammation is a complex physiological process that plays a pivotal role in many if not all pathological conditions, including infectious as well as inflammatory diseases, like periodontitis and autoimmune disorders. Inflammatory response to periodontal biofilms and tissue destruction in periodontitis is associated with the release of inflammatory mediators. Chronic inflammation can promote the development of cancer. Persistence of inflammatory mediators plays a crucial role in this process. Quantification and monitoring of the severity of inflammation in relation to cancer is essential. Periodontitis is mainly quantified based on the severity and extent of attachment loss and/or pocket probing depth, in addition with bleeding on probing. In recent years, studies started to investigate inflammation indices in association with periodontal diseases. To date, only few reviews have been published focusing on the relationship between blood cell count, inflammation indices, and periodontitis. This review presents a comprehensive overview of different systemic inflammation indices, their methods of measurement, and the clinical applications in relation to periodontitis and cancer. This review outlines the physiological basis of inflammation and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the parameters described. Key inflammation indices are commonly utilized in periodontology such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Inflammation indices like the platelet to lymphocyte ratio, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, red blood cell distribution width, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio, delta neutrophil index, and the systemic immune inflammation index are also used in hospital settings and will be discussed. The clinical roles and limitations, relationship to systemic diseases as well as their association to periodontitis and treatment response are described.
Inclusive education and labour productivity: The case of Sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Wirajing Muhamadu Awal Kindzeka , Nchofoung Tii N. , Nanfosso Roger Tsafack
Published: September 2024

Education is instrumental in developing skills that determine the level of labour productivity in an economy. This study cross‐examines the effect of inclusive education on labour productivity growth in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). The methodology involves the instrumental variable two‐stage least square (IV‐2SLS) with data collected for 48 SSA countries spanning between the years 2000–2021. The following results are arrived at: (i) Inclusive education significantly boosts labour productivity across all income groups. (ii) Pre‐primary, secondary and tertiary education significantly affect labour productivity more than primary education with the impact less evident in middle‐income countries. (iii) The impact of secondary and primary educational enrolments on labour productivity is greater in African countries that follow the French civil system compared to those under British common‐law jurisdiction. Based on the study findings, the following policy recommendations can be forwarded: SSA countries should design policies that improve the productive capacity of their workforce through the enhancement of inclusive education. In addition, more investments should be made in the educational sector to increase access to education and equitable opportunities for schooling for all, especially in Africa where the attainment rate has been relatively low.
On a healing journey together and apart: A Swedish critical incident technique study on family involvement from a patient perspective in relation to elective open‐heart surgery
Authors: Drakenberg Anna , Sundqvist Ann‐Sofie , Fridlund Bengt , Ericsson Elisabeth
Published: September 2024

Background

As family members affect patient outcomes following open‐heart surgery, the objective was to provide updated knowledge on family involvement in to guide future interventions facilitating family involvement.

Aim

The aim was to explore and describe the experiences and actions of important situations of family involvement asexpressed by patients who underwent elective open‐heart surgery in Sweden.

Methodological Design and Justification

The critical incident technique (CIT) was used, which is a qualitative research method suitable for clinical problems when a phenomenon is known but the experiences and consequences of it are not.

Ethical Issues and Approval

Considerations for patient integrity were made during the recruitment phase by ensuring that voluntary informed consent was obtained in two steps.

Research Methods

Individual interviews were conducted with 35 patients who underwent open‐heart surgery in Sweden in 2023. Important situations were analysed according to the CIT method.

Results

Two main areas emerged: Patients described important situations of family involvement as experiences of mutual dependency while also being independent individuals. These experiences led to balancing healing and risk‐taking activities as a family. The positive consequences of family involvement described by patients included improved recovery through practical help at home and emotional support.

Conclusions

As complements to preserving the existing positive aspects of family involvement, social support screening, the establishment of individualised visitation policies and the provision of professional and peer support earlier can improve patient recovery following open‐heart surgery.
A journey through transitional care–family members' experiences post a life‐threatening situation: A qualitative study
Authors: Gyllander Theresa , Näppä Ulla , Häggström Marie
Published: September 2024

Background

Being a family member to someone who suffers from a serious illness can change one's perspectives about life. A sudden and severe illness can result in a demanding journey that involves acute admission to hospital, intensive care, post‐care, and finally, returning home.

Aim

To describe the experience of staying beside a next of kin throughout the healthcare journey, from the onset of illness at home, to the intensive care unit, post‐care, and returning home.

Methods

The study employed a qualitative design, with data collected via semi‐structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. A purposive sampling was used to recruit participants (n = 14), who had experiences of staying beside a next of kin throughout the healthcare journey from the onset of illness to discharge from the hospital.

Findings

Family members’ experiences were captured under the overarching theme Journey through an emotional turmoil and the themes Entering a new world, Continuing the journey towards something unknown, and Striving for the new normal at home. They described going through a non‐linear process, characterised by transitions or changes in several aspects. The transitions included shifts in the roles that the family members played, in the various environments they found themselves in, and in the progression of the patient's illness or injury.

Conclusion

The study suggested that family members with a next of kin who experienced life‐threatening situations undergo challenging transitions. The informal caregiver role placed on family members of intensive care unit‐survivors significantly impacts their lives and the healthcare systems should prioritise providing high‐quality support to family members throughout the entire healthcare journey. Elevating the importance of nursing care within the healthcare system can contribute to delivering holistic care and facilitating transitions. Further research should focus on understanding the support that family members perceive as necessary to facilitate their transition and enhance their well‐being.
Influence of Menstrual Phase and Symptoms on Match Running in Professional Footballers
Authors: Brown Georgia A. , Duffield Rob
Published: September 2024

This study examined the effects of menstrual cycle phases and symptoms on match running performance in football (soccer) players. Twenty‐one nonhormonal contraceptive using football players from four professional teams were monitored for up to four menstrual cycles during a domestic league season. Menstrual phases, classified as early‐follicular phase (EFP), mid‐late follicular phase (MFP), and luteal phase (LP), were determined by self‐reporting of menstruation and urinary hormone tests (luteinizing hormone and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide). On match day, players completed a menstrual symptom severity questionnaire. In repeated matches, players wore 10 Hz Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices to measure relative (/min) total distance, high‐speed running distance, very high‐speed distance, peak speed, acceleration count, and deceleration count. Linear mixed models were performed for each GPS measure to determine the relationship with phase or symptoms. Data for 7 and 10 players were included for menstrual phase and menstrual symptoms analyses, respectively. A significantly higher total distance was reported during MFP compared to EFP (Δ 5.1 m min−1; p = 0.04) and LP (Δ 5.8 m min−1; p = 0.007). Significantly greater high‐speed running was reported during MFP compared to EFP (Δ 1.2 m min−1; p = 0.012) and LP (Δ 1.1 m min−1; p = 0.007). No significant effect of menstrual phase was found for any other GPS measures (p > 0.05). Accelerations declined with increasing symptom severity (p = 0.021, estimate = −0.01count.min−1). Menstrual symptom severity did not affect any other GPS measures (p > 0.05). In conclusion, greater total distance and high‐speed running occurred during the MFP. Additionally, accelerations minimally decreased with increasing menstrual symptom severity. Large intra‐ and inter‐variability existed, suggesting individualized monitoring and management of menstrual effects on performance would be beneficial.
Research on Social Stratification in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Carlos A. Costa , Carvalhaes Flavio
Published: September 2024

Brazil, as the most unequal and populous country in Latin America, demands a closer examination of its patterns and trends of social stratification. With an emphasis on recent contributions, the paper reviews the literature on four major areas of stratification research: race relations and inequality, educational stratification, intergenerational mobility, and income inequality. The literature on racial stratification focuses on the following subjects: racial classification, discrimination, marital selectivity, educational stratification, and intergenerational mobility. In addition, educational stratification literature concerning trends and patterns is reviewed with special attention to studies advanced by sociologists of social stratification. Intergenerational mobility studies are also presented and discussed. Finally, studies on income and wealth inequality are reviewed. In all these areas the contribution of sociologists is highlighted, and trends and patterns of stratification are presented.
The Manipulation Argument and a Kantian account of freedom
Authors: Lee Byeong D.
Published: September 2024

On Kant's view, we are rational beings who are morally responsible for our actions. The main goal of this paper is to show that this Kantian view of ourselves is not undermined by the Manipulation Argument, which is currently the biggest challenge to compatibilism. To this end, I argue that a Kantian account of freedom offers a new soft‐line reply to this argument. On this Kantian account, moral responsibility requires not only positive freedom but also negative freedom. An agent is free in the positive sense just in case the agent has the rational capacity to act in compliance with moral norms. And an agent lacks negative freedom regarding their actions when these actions are determined by internal or external factors beyond their rational control. Based on this Kantian account, I provide a principled explanation of why there is a significant difference between manipulated actions and merely causally determined actions regarding moral responsibility. In addition, I bring out the distinctive characteristics of my Kantian account further by comparing it with two competing conceptions of freedom: leeway freedom and sourcehood freedom.
Impact of elevated direct factor Xa inhibitor plasma levels on perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing urgent surgery
Authors: Mair Alexander , Sahli Sebastian D. , Studt Jan‐Dirk , Braun Julia , Lunkiewicz Justyna , Spahn Donat R. , Kaserer Alexander
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Data on the perioperative bleeding risk associated with elevated plasma levels of direct factor Xa inhibitors (FXa inhibitors) are limited. This study examines perioperative red blood cell (RBC) loss in patients undergoing urgent surgery with a residual FXa inhibitor level exceeding 100 mcg/L and without preoperative FXa inhibitor reversal.

Methods

This retrospective analysis includes data from 32 patients who underwent urgent noncardiac surgery between 2018 and 2022. This study aims to analyze perioperative RBC loss in patients undergoing urgent surgery with a residual FXa inhibitor level exceeding 100 mcg/L and without preoperative FXa inhibitor antidote‐based reversal or unspecific treatment with 4‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). All patients were managed using a watch‐and‐wait strategy.

Results

The last determination of FXa inhibitor plasma concentration prior to surgery showed a median of 245 mcg/L (IQR 144–345), with a median time interval of 3.8 h (IQR 2.4–7.2) before incision. Median RBC loss during surgery was 49 mL (IQR 0–253), 189 mL (IQR 104–217) until POD1 and 254 mL (IQR 58–265) until POD3. Only one patient required intraoperative treatment with 4‐factor‐PCC and none required reversal with andexanet alfa. Linear regression models found no significant influence of FXa inhibitor plasma levels on intraoperative RBC loss. Rivaroxaban was associated with higher RBC loss until postoperative Day 1 compared with apixaban. No thromboembolic events were observed.

Conclusion

Despite markedly elevated plasma concentrations of residual direct FXa inhibitors, perioperative RBC loss was limited in patients undergoing urgent noncardiac surgery. The intraoperative watch‐and‐wait strategy with selective intraoperative FXa inhibitor reversal or treatment only when required appears to be an appropriate approach.
Skin metabolism in obesity: A narrative review
Authors: Zaccaron Rubya Pereira , Mendes Carolini , da Costa Camila , Silveira Paulo Cesar Lock , Rezin Gislaine Tezza
Published: September 2024

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease in which excess body fat triggers negative health effects. Systemically, obesity causes several changes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis; factors linked to the slow and incomplete epithelial regenerative process. Specifically, in the integumentary system, obesity causes an expansion of the skin's surface area and changes in collagen deposition. Molecular underpinnings of why obesity delays wound healing are still poorly understood. In addition to the primary role of dermal adipocytes in lipid storage and heat insulation, they also promote skin immunity, wound healing and hair follicle cycling. As a consequence of the cellular and dysfunctional adaptations of adipocytes, inflammatory immune alterations, alteration in the expression of proteins genes associated with the blood supply, altered collagen formation through fibroblast senescence and excessive degradation of extracellular matrix proteins are metabolic characteristics of the system in obesity that contribute to sustained inflammation and decreased mechanical resistance of the skin.
Curves are algebraic K(π,1)$K(\pi,1)$: Theoretical and practical aspects
Authors: Levrat Christophe
Published: September 2024

We prove that any geometrically connected curve over a field is an algebraic , as soon as its geometric irreducible components have nonzero genus. This means that the cohomology of any locally constant constructible étale sheaf of ‐modules, with invertible in , is canonically isomorphic to the cohomology of its corresponding ‐module. To this end, we explicitly construct some Galois coverings of corresponding to Galois coverings of the normalisation of its irreducible components. When is finite or algebraically closed, we precisely describe finite quotients of that allow to compute the cohomology groups of the sheaf, and give explicit descriptions of the cup products and in étale cohomology in terms of finite group cohomology.
El círculo vicioso de la expresión violenta y la polarización ideológico-afectiva en tiempos de COVID-19. La opinión pública digital colombiana en X e Instagram
Authors: Moreno-Martínez Óscar
Published: September 2024

Este artículo analiza 102 piezas digitales y 2761 comentarios de X e Instagram respecto a ocho hitos de discriminación y trece perfiles de profesionales de la salud y líderes sociales en el marco de la pandemia del COVID-19 en Colombia. Utilizando el análisis de contenido cuantitativo, el análisis de sentimientos y el small data, el artículo propone una reflexión sobre la construcción de relatos digitales próximos a la reconciliación y la salud mental. El artículo discute dos hallazgos: primero, los relatos digitales observados se enmarcan en el círculo vicioso de la expresión violenta; es decir, el reiterado uso de expresiones violentas para deslegitimar episodios de discriminación. Segundo, los relatos digitales se enmarcan en la polarización ideológico-afectiva; es decir, están llenos de sentimientos negativos y agresivos entre ideologías opuestas que mezclan la coyuntura de la pandemia con el lenguaje propio del conflicto armado colombiano.
Neuro-Cognitive Insights Into Engineering Design: Exploring Electroencephalography Predictive Associations With Task Performance
Authors: Li Shumin , Becattini Niccolò , Cascini Gaetano
Published: September 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between brain activity, measured by electroencephalography (EEG) data, and the performance assessment result of engineering design activities involving different cognitive processes. Employing a novel signal processing pipeline, we analyzed EEG variations of 37 subjects during two design tasks that mostly leverage, respectively, convergent and divergent thinking: the design with morphological table (task and the problem-solving task. The EEG recordings underwent meticulous artifact removal, allowing for a comprehensive investigation into the statistical relationships between frequency bands, channels, and design outcome performance metrics. The developed models linking better design outcomes with brain (de)synchronization demonstrated remarkable accuracy, precision, and recall across performance metrics for both tasks. Notably, the EEG data in theta band measured from the frontal area at both hemispheres and a left parietal/occipital channel were essential for estimating better design performance with brain desynchronization. On the contrary, the model based on brain synchronization produces precise estimations of design performance with alpha band and channels in temporal and parietal areas. These findings highlight EEG variation as a viable proxy for design performance, paving the way for more effective performance prediction models with fewer sensors. Overall, this research contributes to the emerging field of neurocognitive design assessment and underscores the potential for EEG-based predictions in engineering design tasks.
Who Does Design Research Serve? A Critical Evaluation of the Diversity of Samples Studied in Design Theory and Methods Research
Authors: Johnson Erin , Toh Christine , Menold Jessica
Published: September 2024

Human subjects are often used in design theory and methods studies to understand how designers behave and link behaviors with design outcomes. We highlight that much of our past work and resultant knowledge in design theory and methodology (DTM) has used data from samples composed mainly of White men. We argue, therefore, that the tools, methods, and practices conceived through research intended for universal use may not be as generalizable as intended. We support this assertion through a quantitative assessment of past DTM literature. We definitively demonstrate a historic lack of diversity in human-subjects research in DTM through a critical review of 109 published works. Our findings suggest that age, gender, and race/ethnic background are underreported. This work is a call to action for researchers to reflect on who are the beneficiaries of design theory and methods research, how participant background might impact the findings, and what strategies can be employed to fulfill our promise of a more equitable design community and impact.
Exploring the Manifestation of Design for Manufacturing Heuristics in Students' Early-Stage Engineering Design Concepts
Authors: Pearl Seth , Meisel Nicholas A.
Published: September 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) can produce designs in a manner that greatly differs from the methods used in the older, more familiar technologies of traditional manufacturing (TM). As an example, AM's layer-by-layer approach to manufacturing designs can lead to the production of intricate geometries and make use of multiple materials, made possible without added manufacturing cost and time due to AM's “free complexity.” Despite this contrasting method for manufacturing designs, designers often forgo the new design considerations for AM (AM design heuristics). Instead, they rely on their familiarity with the design considerations for TM (TM design heuristics) regardless of the intended manufacturing process. For designs that are intended to be manufactured using AM, this usage of TM design considerations is wasteful as it leads to unnecessary material usage, increased manufacturing time, and can result in designs that are poorly manufactured. To remedy this problem, there is a need to intervene early in the design process to help address any concerns regarding the use of AM design heuristics. This work aims to address this opportunity through a preliminary exploration of the design heuristics that students naturally leverage when creating designs in the context of TM and AM. In this study, 117 students in an upper-level engineering design course were given an open-ended design challenge and later tasked with self-evaluating their designs for their manufacturability with TM and AM. This evaluation of the students' designs was later repeated by relevant experts, who would identify the common design heuristics that students are most likely to use in their designs. Future studies will build on these findings by cementing early-stage design support tools that emphasize the significant heuristics found herein. For example, this work found that the design heuristic “incorporating complexity” was the most significant indicator of designs most suited for AM and should therefore be highly encouraged/emphasized when guiding designers in the use of AM. In doing so, it will be possible for early-stage design support tools to maximally improve designs that are intended to be manufactured for AM.
Micro-Channel Cooling of Hot Spots Through Nonuniform Aspect Ratio Designs
Authors: McCreary Chase A. , Solovitz Stephen A.
Published: September 2024

Electronic devices experience spatial variation in power dissipation, which results in high-temperature hot spots. These locations require aggressive thermal management, which can be complex and costly. Simple solutions such as single-phase microchannels can provide adequate heat transfer, but they are not designed to control heat transfer locally. However, microchannels can be tailored to control local flowrates and heat transfer, potentially mitigating hot spot temperatures. Using a conductive and convective resistance network for a micro-channel, an analytical model is generated for heat transfer within an individual passage. For a given channel width, this model relates the channel depth to its resistance through a power law. Over a wide range of heat fluxes, the optimal design balances local temperatures to within 3 K. The analytical model is validated using computational simulations of the optimized heat sink. For a randomly generated, nonuniform power distribution, device temperatures are balanced with a sample standard deviation below 2.5%, which is significantly better than a baseline design. When heat spreading is incorporated, the temperature increase is smaller but remains uniform, indicating that the hot spots can be mitigated.
Discrimination of double-click synthetic echoes by bottlenose dolphins: Effects of inter-highlight interval and phase
Authors: Mulsow Jason , Accomando Alyssa W. , Christman Katie A. , Houser Dorian S. , Finneran James J.
Published: September 2024

Two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were trained to discriminate double-click synthetic “echoes” differing in inter-highlight interval (IHI). In the first experimental task, dolphins passively listened to background (S−) stimuli with constant IHI and responded on discriminating a change to target (S+) stimuli with a slightly increased IHI. The second task was similar, but the highlights were assigned random, frequency-independent phase angles. This phase randomization was designed to interfere with potential auditory cues from characteristic spectral interference patterns linked to IHI changes. Discrimination thresholds were higher with randomized phase when the S− stimuli had IHIs of 50–250 μs. Thresholds were highest and comparable at the longest S− IHIs of 375 and 500 μs and were independent of phase condition. Although dolphin detection of changes in highlight envelope timing can explain threshold patterns at 375 and 500 μs, this cue did not explain performance at IHIs less than the dolphin auditory temporal window of ∼250 μs. Modeling results suggested that phase manipulations eliminated the availability of a simple difference in spectral magnitudes at the shortest IHIs, but the perception of a time separation pitch cue may still explain the dolphins' observed threshold patterns.
An analytical model of spatial correlation between vector fields of surface generated noise in a stratified ocean
Authors: Shin Donghoon , Park Jisung
Published: September 2024

Traditionally, hydrophone-based acoustic pressure information has been utilized for underwater detection, but the advent of vector sensors has enabled the utilization of particle velocity of sound waves. A vector sensor adds three-axis particle velocity vector components to the conventional acoustic pressure sensor, representing spatial correlation not as a scalar function but as a matrix of four vector components. While analytical solutions exist for vector sensor spatial correlation in the case of simple isotropic noise, such noise fails to reflect the medium properties of the ocean, such as sound speed or density. Previous investigation reflecting the ocean environment derived a pressure spatial correlation model for surface generated noise in a stratified ocean, but this model is limited in the applicability to vector sensors. In this work, we extend the pressure spatial correlation model to vector fields, and by comparing with isotropic noise, we have confirmed that ocean environmental factors significantly influence the spatial correlation of vector sensors.
Lacertus Syndrome in a Male Collegiate Tennis Athlete: A Level 4 Case Report
Authors: Richardson Lauren N. , Lopez Rebecca M. , Wilson Barbara B. , Tritsch Amanda J. , Cohen Gary W.
Published: September 2024

A 24-year-old male collegiate tennis athlete presented with pain, weakness, and numbness consistent with the ulnar nerve distribution in the left distal upper extremity following excessive wrist and forearm flexion and pronation. The patient was diagnosed with lacertus syndrome after referral for imaging. Lacertus syndrome is an exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm, typically including median nerve entrapment and surgical intervention. The uniqueness of this case included ulnar nerve involvement and resolution with interprofessional conservative management. Athletic trainers should consider including other health care professionals to conservatively manage lacertus syndrome in patients with delayed symptom onset during repetitive wrist and forearm activities.
Throwing Them Under the Bus: The Framing of a Critical Incident at the Tour de France
Authors: Snelgrove Ryan , Wood Laura , Hoeber Larena , Hoeber Orland
Published: September 2024

In the context of sport events, several stakeholders’ reputations could be impacted by critical incidents, including event organizers, athletes, teams, countries represented by athletes, and sponsors. The purposes of this study were to develop an understanding of (a) how an event organizer, media, and the public framed a critical incident in a rhetorical arena and (b) how frames were connected with the reputations of event stakeholders immediately following a critical incident. A three-phase approach was employed that involved collecting and analyzing data from X/Twitter about a bus crash at the 2013 Tour de France. The critical incident was framed in nine different ways, many of which were emergent. Findings demonstrated that critical incidents at a sport event are interpreted and framed in multiple ways and can have an impact on the reputations of the event and other event stakeholders.
Strategic Analysis of Net Exchanges in Professional Padel: Insights From Different Competition Phases of the World Padel Tour Finland Padel Open Tournament
Authors: Escudero-Tena Adrián , Conde-Ripoll Rafael , Lupo Corrado , Ungureanu Alexandru Nicolae
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study analyzed the effectiveness of net exchanges (ie, number of times the pairs exchange their zone on the court from the net zone to the back zone or vice versa) in men’s and women’s professional padel depending on the competition phase. Methods: Data were collected from 41 matches, comprising a total of 4829 points, from both the qualifying and the main draws of the World Padel Tour Finland Padel Open tournament. Descriptive analysis (frequency and percentage) and inferential tests (Pearson chi-square [χ2], Cramer V coefficient [Vc], corrected standardized residuals, and chi-squared automatic interaction detection) were carried out. Results: There were significant differences (P < .05) in net exchanges between the main and qualifying draws, both in men’s (79.6% vs 72.1% for no exchanges) and women’s (62.2% vs 57.6% for no exchanges) padel. Additionally, differences in the likelihood of winning points based on whether the serving pair or the returning pair finished the rally at the net were highlighted. Indeed, finishing rallies at the net for the serving pairs increased the probability of scoring a winning shot (ie, in even-numbered net exchanges), while finishing rallies away from the net (ie, in odd-numbered net exchanges) was more likely to result in errors, for both male and female players and main and qualifying draws. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the strategic behavior of professional padel matches, highlighting the importance of net dominance and its impact on match outcomes, particularly in relation to gender differences and phase of competition.
Implementation Evaluation of a Parks- and Faith-Based Multilevel Intervention to Promote Physical Activity Among Latinos
Authors: Perez Lilian G. , Blagg Tara , Celeste-Villalvir Alane , Castro Gabriela , Mata Michael A. , Perez Sergio , Arredondo Elva , Loy Steven , Larson Anne , Derose Kathryn P.
Published: September 2024

Background: Latinos in the United States face multiple barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA). We implemented a faith-based multilevel intervention to promote PA in parks for Latino adults, which was partially adapted to a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluated it using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. Methods: We conducted in-depth semistructured interviews (83% in Spanish) with 24 intervention participants (75% women) participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial in 2019–2022 that linked 6 churches (3 intervention, 3 control) with parks in East Los Angeles, CA. The intervention included in-person, park-based fitness classes, which were adapted to Facebook during the pandemic; PA motivational text messages; and other activities. Interviews assessed Reach (participation), Effectiveness (perceived impacts), Implementation (participation barriers/facilitators), and Maintenance (plans for sustaining PA), as well as perceived pandemic impacts. Results: About 80% of interviewees participated in ≥1 park class and 67% in ≥1 virtual class (Reach). Interviewees perceived positive intervention impacts across multiple health and well-being domains (Effectiveness) despite perceived negative pandemic impacts; several facilitators to participation (personal, social, program) and few barriers (personal, virtual, environmental; Implementation); and plans for maintaining PA (eg, revisiting intervention text messages and video recordings; Maintenance). Conclusions: Findings support the utility of Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance to understand the broad impacts of a faith-based PA intervention. Findings point to the adaptability and robustness of the intervention during a public health crisis. Overall, findings may help inform the translation of the intervention to other communities to advance health equity.
Motor Point as an Alternative to Femoral Nerve Stimulation for the Assessment of Quadriceps Muscle Inhibition in Healthy Women
Authors: Pompeo Klauber D. , Rabello Rodrigo , Morales Anete B. , Klein Kelli D. , Frasson Viviane B. , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Vaz Marco A.
Published: September 2024

Context: The evaluation of quadriceps muscle inhibition with the interpolated twitch technique is usually performed by stimulating the femoral nerve (FN). However, there are some problems related to the use of this stimulation site, which may be partially overcome by delivering the stimulation over the motor point (MP). This study sought to compare MP to FN stimulation at different joint angles for the evaluation of quadriceps muscle inhibition, resting peak torque, and discomfort in healthy women. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Sixteen healthy women (age: 28 [4] y; body mass: 60 [5] kg; height: 162 [5] cm) participated in this study. Supramaximal paired stimuli were delivered to the FN and to the rectus femoris MP before and during maximal voluntary contractions at different knee angles (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion) to assess muscle inhibition and resting peak torque. Discomfort was also recorded for each stimulation site and knee angle. Results: Muscle inhibition was similar between the 2 stimulation sites (P > .05) and was higher at 45° than at 90° (P = .03). MP stimulation evoked lower resting peak torque at 30° (P = .004), 60° (P = .006), and 90° (P = .006) and higher discomfort at 30° (P = .008) and 90° (P = .027) compared to FN stimulation. Conclusions: Despite lower resting peak torque and higher discomfort at some angles, MP stimulation provided similar muscle inhibition to FN stimulation at all knee angles and is therefore a valid method to evaluate quadriceps muscle inhibition in healthy women. MP stimulation can be used as an alternative to FN stimulation for the evaluation of quadriceps muscle inhibition with no added discomfort at the angles where muscle inhibition is the highest.
Loss of synovial tissue macrophage homeostasis precedes rheumatoid arthritis clinical onset
Authors: Hanlon Megan M. , Smith Conor M. , Canavan Mary , Neto Nuno G. B. , Song Qingxuan , Lewis Myles J. , O’Rourke Aoife M. , Tynan Orla , Barker Brianne E. , Gallagher Phil , Mullan Ronan , Hurson Conor , Moran Barry , Monaghan Michael G. , Pitzalis Costantino , Fletcher Jean M. , Nagpal Sunil , Veale Douglas J. , Fearon Ursula
Published: September 2024

This study performed an in-depth investigation into the myeloid cellular landscape in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), “individuals at risk” of RA, and healthy controls (HC). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the presence of a CD40-expressing CD206
+
CD163
+
macrophage population dominating the inflamed RA synovium, associated with disease activity and treatment response. In-depth RNA sequencing and metabolic analysis demonstrated that this macrophage population is transcriptionally distinct, displaying unique inflammatory and tissue-resident gene signatures, has a stable bioenergetic profile, and regulates stromal cell responses. Single-cell RNA sequencing profiling of 67,908 RA and HC synovial tissue cells identified nine transcriptionally distinct macrophage clusters. IL-1B
+
CCL20
+
and SPP1
+
MT2A
+
are the principal macrophage clusters in RA synovium, displaying heightened CD40 gene expression, capable of shaping stromal cell responses, and are importantly enriched before disease onset. Combined, these findings identify the presence of an early pathogenic myeloid signature that shapes the RA joint microenvironment and represents a unique opportunity for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
Exploring global oceanic persistence and ecological effects of legacy persistent organic pollutants across five decades
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Li , Xie Zhiyong , Ma Jianmin , Li Yi-Fan , Cai Minghong , Ren Nan-Qi , Kallenborn Roland , Zhang Zi-Feng , Zhang Xianming , C.G. Muir Derek
Published: September 2024

Global monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has intensified following regulatory efforts aimed at reducing their release. In this context, we compiled over 10,000 POP measurements, reported from 1980 to 2023, to assess the effectiveness of these legislative measures in the global marine environments. While a general decreasing trend in legacy POP concentrations is evident across various maritime regions, highlighting the success of source control measures, the Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas have experienced a rise in POP levels. This increase suggests the northward migration of pollutants via ocean currents from mid-latitude regions to polar areas. Despite global efforts to reduce emissions, the continued transport and accumulation of pollutants to the Arctic regions may have substantial ecological impacts. Addressing these environmental challenges demands a thorough understanding of POP dynamics, including response times, multiphase transport, and biogeochemical cycling. Continued research into these processes is vital to accurately map their distribution and temporal variations within marine systems.
The energy metabolism of
Cupriavidus necator
in different trophic conditions
Authors: Jahn Michael , Crang Nick , Gynnå Arvid H. , Kabova Deria , Frielingsdorf Stefan , Lenz Oliver , Charpentier Emmanuelle , Hudson Elton P.
Published: September 2024

The “knallgas” bacterium
Cupriavidus necator
is attracting interest due to its extremely versatile metabolism.
C. necator
can use hydrogen or formic acid as an energy source, fixes CO
2
via
the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle, and grows on organic acids and sugars. Its tripartite genome is notable for its size and duplications of key genes (CBB cycle, hydrogenases, and nitrate reductases). Little is known about which of these isoenzymes and their cofactors are actually utilized for growth on different substrates. Here, we investigated the energy metabolism of
C. necator
H16 by growing a barcoded transposon knockout library on succinate, fructose, hydrogen (H
2
/CO
2
), and formic acid. The fitness contribution of each gene was determined from enrichment or depletion of the corresponding mutants. Fitness analysis revealed that (i) some, but not all, molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis genes were essential for growth on formate and nitrate respiration. (ii) Soluble formate dehydrogenase (FDH) was the dominant enzyme for formate oxidation, not membrane-bound FDH. (iii) For hydrogenases, both soluble and membrane-bound enzymes were utilized for lithoautotrophic growth. (iv) Of the six terminal respiratory complexes in
C. necator
H16, only some are utilized, and utilization depends on the energy source. (v) Deletion of hydrogenase-related genes boosted heterotrophic growth, and we show that the relief from associated protein cost is responsible for this phenomenon. This study evaluates the contribution of each of
C. necator
’s genes to fitness in biotechnologically relevant growth regimes. Our results illustrate the genomic redundancy of this generalist bacterium and inspire future engineering strategies.

IMPORTANCE

The soil bacterium
Cupriavidus necator
can grow on gas mixtures of CO
2
, H
2
, and O
2
. It also consumes formic acid as carbon and energy source and various other substrates. This metabolic flexibility comes at a price, for example, a comparatively large genome (6.6 Mb) and a significant background expression of lowly utilized genes. In this study, we mutated every non-essential gene in
C. necator
using barcoded transposons in order to determine their effect on fitness. We grew the mutant library in various trophic conditions including hydrogen and formate as the sole energy source. Fitness analysis revealed which of the various energy-generating iso-enzymes are actually utilized in which condition. For example, only a few of the six terminal respiratory complexes are used, and utilization depends on the substrate. We also show that the protein cost for the various lowly utilized enzymes represents a significant growth disadvantage in specific conditions, offering a route to rational engineering of the genome. All fitness data are available in an interactive app at
https://m-jahn.shinyapps.io/ShinyLib/
.
The American Society for Microbiology collaboration with the CDC Laboratory Medicine Best Practices initiative for evidence-based laboratory medicine
Authors: Weissfeld Alice S. , Baselski Vickie , Cornish Nancy E. , Kraft Colleen S. , LaRocco Mark T. , McNult Peggy , Nachamkin Irving , Parrott James Scott , Richter Sandra S. , Rubinstein Matthew , Saubolle Michael A. , Sautter Robert L. , Snyder James W. , Taliano Joanna , Wolk Donna M.
Published: September 2024

Clinical medicine has embraced the use of evidence for patient treatment decisions; however, the evaluation strategy for evidence in laboratory medicine practices has lagged. It was not until the end of the 20th century that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), now the National Academy of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems (CDC DLS), focused on laboratory tests and how testing processes can be designed to benefit patient care. In collaboration with CDC DLS, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) used an evidence review method developed by the CDC DLS to develop a program for creating laboratory testing guidelines and practices. The CDC DLS method is called the Laboratory Medicine Best Practices (LMBP) initiative and uses the A-6 cycle method. Adaptations made by ASM are called Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines (EBLMPG). This review details how the ASM Systematic Review (SR) Processes were developed and executed collaboratively with CDC’s DLS. The review also describes the ASM transition from LMBP to the organization’s current EBLMPG, maintaining a commitment to working with agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other partners to ensure that EBLMPG evidence is readily understood and consistently used.