bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of scenarios to increase waterfowl hunting participation
Authors: Hinrichs Matthew P. , Nawrocki Julia , Gruntorad Matthew P. , Vrtiska Mark P. , Pegg Mark A. , Chizinski Christopher J.
Published: October 2023

Since the 1970s, waterfowl hunting participation has declined in the United States, which has resulted in socioeconomic consequences for waterfowl conservation and management. Attempts to increase the waterfowl hunter population have been difficult, partly due to social factors (e.g., constraints, motivations, demographics) influencing who participates, frequency of participation, and diversity of desired outcomes from hunting experiences. We examined the preferences of 10 potential management options by hunters and anglers from several states in the central U.S. during 2018. Respondents were grouped into the following activity groups based on responses to survey questions: frequent waterfowl hunters, sporadic waterfowl hunters, previous waterfowl hunters, hunters (never hunted waterfowl), and nonhunters (anglers who have never hunted). All ordinal models indicated that the ability of the scenario to increase participation significantly (P < 0.05) depended on the activity group. Scenarios, including Having someone to take the respondent hunting (probability of increasing participation > 0.35 for all activity groups) and Special areas for new waterfowl hunters, had the greatest indication (probability > 0.40) of increased waterfowl hunting participation across activity groups. Frequent and sporadic waterfowl hunters ranked Special areas to allow for a quality hunt highest, while hunters and non‐hunters ranked Someone to take me hunting as the most preferred scenario. Information for what new/inexperienced hunters need, Classes or materials to teach waterfowl ID, and Ability to rent equipment were scenarios consistently ranked as the lowest for all activity groups. Our research underscores that only some of the scenarios had the same appeal to all activity groups, which implies a need for a greater diversity of experiences in the landscape of public waterfowl hunting access. Also, continued promotion of current waterfowl hunters taking new or inexperienced individuals may increase waterfowl hunting participation.
Fluorescence Microscopy of Nanochannel-Confined DNA
Authors: KK Sriram , Persson Fredrik , Fritzsche Joachim , Beech Jason P. , Tegenfeldt Jonas O. , Westerlund Fredrik
Published: October 2023

Stretching of DNA in nanoscale confinement allows for several important studies. The genetic contents of the DNA can be visualized on the single DNA molecule level, and the polymer physics of confined DNA and also DNA/protein and other DNA/DNA-binding molecule interactions can be explored. This chapter describes the basic steps to fabricate the nanostructures, perform the experiments, and analyze the data.
Relational Interventions in Complex Situations: Sessions with Substance Using Parents
Authors: Myra Siv Merete
Published: October 2023

This chapter describes therapeutic encounters with two parents and their three-month-old daughter Ina. The parents have substance use problems and are undergoing treatment in an inpatient family unit in a Norwegian specialist healthcare facility. Case-based illustrations are used to describe the couple’s dilemmas and how a systemic approach can be useful in the sessions with the parents. The chapter illustrates how it can be easy to lose sight of the way a small intervention can be big enough in the first session with parents.
Tailoring Treatment in the Context of a Manual: A New Horizon for Family Therapy with Families with a Young Person Suffering from an Eating Disorder
Authors: Torsteinsson Vigdis Wie , Hægland Gina
Published: October 2023

This chapter offers some new perspectives on how to work therapeutically within the framework of a manual. The Family-Based Treatment (FBT) manual works as an example, but the points that are underscored can be useful in any manualized context. The authors suggest a possible way to modify the manual without removing the efficient factors that have been the core of the positive FBT results. That means focusing on what we so far know about the success factors, combined with ideas that can be positive modifiers of the stringent manual in order to individualize interventions to each family and arguing for these modifications as possibilities to make family therapy an even more efficient intervention for the families who need our assistance.
Approximate Geographies: A Response to José Fernando Serrano Amaya
Authors: Wood Julian
Published: October 2023

The following piece addresses some of the issues raised by Serrano Amaya about the usefulness of southern theory as a concept and as a call to arms. In a spirit of positive criticism, it addresses some of the ellipses inevitable in a project as ambitious as southern theory. It engages with the unequal nature of the exchange between northern and southern theorising. It also traces some of the lineage of the project and raises some issues about the ‘geographic’ distinctions between the global north and the global south. It briefly compares this to the east-west ‘axis’ as recognised and theorised by Edward Said. Lastly, it suggests a reading of southern theory which resists individualist models of theory production.
What Stories to Tell: A Response to Remy Low
Authors: Grice Christine
Published: October 2023

Our legacy to the late philosophical historian, Hayden White, is to question the truths of the myths we create in our work. Collectively, we co-create records of interactions with students, teachers, and leaders as we inquire into the practical past of participants. Philosophy enables us to map perceptions of what is valid, in order to make meaning from their understandings of known realities. Research is dependent upon the analysis of the fictional narratives of those we interpret. Hayden White’s discordant imagery of a concentration camp reconstructed into a zoo prompted me to consider the importance of exposing and interrogating our own subjective assumptions and representations as educators and researchers. Like the zoo, we utilise myths and metaphors as palatable mediums for exploring confronting truths. Our critical theory group has inspired us to interrogate our assumptions, to utilise myth as a tool of liberation, and to risk representing others instead of serving ourselves. White (Historein, 10, 10–19, 2010) explores how creativity helps us conceptualise solidarity, solutions, and new possibilities in education.
Staging Culture, Selling Authenticity: The Commodification of the Cham Community’s Traditions
Authors: Tuyen Quang Dai
Published: October 2023

The commodification of sacred spaces is becoming increasingly prevalent in the tourism industry. However, sacred spaces play a vital role in the creation and maintenance of cultural identities for local populations.
Critical endpoint of (3+1)-dimensional finite density ℤ3 gauge-Higgs model with tensor renormalization group
Authors: Akiyama Shinichiro , Kuramashi Yoshinobu
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The critical endpoint of the (3+1)-dimensional ℤ3 gauge-Higgs model at finite density is determined by the tensor renormalization group method. This work is an extension of the previous one on the ℤ2 model. The vital difference between them is that the ℤ3 model suffers from the sign problem, while the ℤ2 model does not. We show that the tensor renormalization group method allows us to locate the critical endpoint for the ℤ3 gauge-Higgs model at finite density, regardless of the sign problem.
On sets related to integer partitions with quasi-required elements and disallowed elements
Authors: Robles-Pérez Aureliano M. , Rosales José Carlos
Published: October 2023

Given a set A of non-negative integers and a set B of positive integers, we are interested in computing all sets C (of positive integers) that are minimal in the family of sets K (of positive integers) such that (i) K contains no elements generated by non-negative integer linear combinations of elements in A and (ii) for any partition of an element in B there is at least one summand that belongs to K. To solve this question, we translate it into a numerical semigroups problem.
On symbolic computation of C.P. Okeke functional equations using Python programming language
Authors: Okeke Chisom Prince , Ogala Wisdom I. , Nadhomi Timothy
Published: October 2023

This present paper is inspired by one of the questions posed by Okeke (Results Math 78(96):1-30, 2023, see Remark 2.10b). In particular, we aim to develop a robust computer code based on the theoretical results obtained in Okeke (2023), which determines the polynomial solutions of the following functional equation, $$\begin{aligned} \textstyle \sum \limits _{i=1}^n \gamma _i F(a_i x + b_i y)=\textstyle \sum \limits _{j=1}^m(\alpha _j x + \beta _j y) f(c_j x + d_j y), \end{aligned}$$

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and $$a_i,b_i,c_j,d_j \in \mathbb {Q},$$

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and their special forms. The primary motivation for writing such a computer code is that solving even simple equations belonging to class (0.1) needs long and tiresome calculations. Therefore, one of the advantages of such a computer code is that it allows us to solve complicated problems quickly, easily, and efficiently. Additionally, the computer code will significantly improve the level of accuracy in calculations. Along with that, there is also the factor of speed. We point out that the computer code will operate with symbolic calculations provided by the programming language Python, which means that it does not contain any numerical or approximate methods, and it yields the exact solutions of the equations considered.
Genomisches Neugeborenenscreening – Forschungsansätze, Herausforderungen und Chancen
Authors: Brennenstuhl Heiko , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: October 2023

Die Anwendung von Hochdurchsatz-Sequenziermethoden für ein populationsbasiertes genomisches Neugeborenenscreening (gNBS) bietet zahlreiche Chancen für die Verbesserung der Bevölkerungsgesundheit. Ein solches würde ermöglichen, die Diagnose zahlreicher genetischer Erkrankungen bereits in einem frühen, präsymptomatischen Stadium zu stellen, und böte große Flexibilität bei der Auswahl und Erweiterung von Zielkrankheiten. National und international werden daher Anstrengungen unternommen, um die ethischen, rechtlichen, sozialen, psychologischen und technischen Aspekte des gNBS zu untersuchen. Neben den vielen Chancen existieren auch zahlreiche Herausforderungen und noch offene Fragen: Wann und wie sollten Erziehungsberechtigte über ein solches Screening informiert werden? Auf welche Krankheiten sollte gescreent werden? Wie soll mit Zufallsbefunden oder der Feststellung einer genetischen Veranlagung umgegangen werden? Sollen die Daten langfristig gespeichert werden und, wenn ja, wie kann dies sicher geschehen? Unter der Voraussetzung einer angemessenen Rechtsgrundlage und eines transparenten Einwilligungsprozesses hat das genomische Neugeborenenscreening das Potenzial, die Art und Weise, wie wir angeborene Krankheiten diagnostizieren, grundlegend zu verändern. Es gibt jedoch noch viel zu tun. Um ein gutes Verständnis und eine ausreichende Akzeptanz des gNBS bei allen Beteiligten zu erreichen und so den Nutzen für die Bevölkerung zu maximieren, ist ein öffentlicher Diskurs über die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des gNBS von zentraler Bedeutung. Dieser Beitrag hat das Ziel, einen Überblick über die innovativen technischen Entwicklungen in der Humangenetik, nationale und internationale Forschungsansätze sowie über Chancen und Herausforderungen bei der Entwicklung eines genomischen Neugeborenenscreenings zu geben.
PROMIS physical function and pain perform poorly psychometrically in patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction
Authors: Huddleston Hailey P. , Lavoie‐Gagne Ophelie , Mehta Nabil , Walsh Justin M. , Fu Michael C. , Forsythe Brian , Verma Nikhil N. , Cole Brian J. , Yanke Adam B.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity, floor and ceiling effects, and dimensionality of PROMIS Physical Function (PF) and Pain compared to legacy patient reported outcome (PRO) measures in patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.

Methods

Patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction between 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperatively, patients completed the IKDC, VR‐12, Kujala, SF‐12, KOOS JR, PROMIS PF and Pain surveys. Inter‐survey convergence was assessed with Spearman correlations. Psychometric analysis included investigations of inter‐survey convergent validity, intra‐survey floor and ceiling effects, and Rasch analyses with person–item fit and iterative question elimination model fit testing.

Results

A total of 76 patients (mean age: 22.6 ± 8.4 years) who completed preoperative surveys were included (compliance: 91.7–96.2%). Preoperatively, age was significantly associated with both PROMIS PF (coefficient:  – 0.291, P = 0.005) and Pain scores (coefficient: 0.294, P = 0.002). PROMIS PF had a Very Good correlation with IKDC and PROMIS Pain had a Very Good correlation with KOOS JR. Other correlations ranged from Poor to Good. No significant floor or ceiling effects were observed for any PRO. On iterative question elimination Rasch modelling, only two questions from PROMIS PF remained after 6 rounds of elimination while PROMIS Pain had no questions remaining after 3 rounds of elimination.

Conclusion

Preoperative PROMIS PF and Pain provided only Fair to Good correlations with most legacy PROs. Although no significant floor and ceiling effects were observed, PROMIS PF and Pain did not perform well psychometrically in this population of patients undergoing MPFL reconstruction. These results suggest PROMIS questionnaires should be used with caution in this population, especially if used in isolation, when discussing clinical expectations with patients. The authors recommend continued use of legacy PROs specific to assessment of patellar instability and function that have established validity in patellar instability populations.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
The use of deep learning enables high diagnostic accuracy in detecting syndesmotic instability on weight‐bearing CT scanning
Authors: Borjali Alireza , Ashkani‐Esfahani Soheil , Bhimani Rohan , Guss Daniel , Muratoglu Orhun K. , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Varadarajan Kartik Mangudi , Lubberts Bart
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Delayed diagnosis of syndesmosis instability can lead to significant morbidity and accelerated arthritic change in the ankle joint. Weight‐bearing computed tomography (WBCT) has shown promising potential for early and reliable detection of isolated syndesmotic instability using 3D volumetric measurements. While these measurements have been reported to be highly accurate, they are also experience‐dependent, time‐consuming, and need a particular 3D measurement software tool that leads the clinicians to still show more interest in the conventional diagnostic methods for syndesmotic instability. The purpose of this study was to increase accuracy, accelerate analysis time, and reduce interobserver bias by automating 3D volume assessment of syndesmosis anatomy using WBCT scans.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using previously collected WBCT scans of patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability. One‐hundred and forty‐four bilateral ankle WBCT scans were evaluated (48 unstable, 96 control). We developed three deep learning models for analyzing WBCT scans to recognize syndesmosis instability. These three models included two state‐of‐the‐art models (Model 1—3D Convolutional Neural Network [CNN], and Model 2—CNN with long short‐term memory [LSTM]), and a new model (Model 3—differential CNN LSTM) that we introduced in this study.

Results

Model 1 failed to analyze the WBCT scans (F1 score = 0). Model 2 only misclassified two cases (F1 score = 0.80). Model 3 outperformed Model 2 and achieved a nearly perfect performance, misclassifying only one case (F1 score = 0.91) in the control group as unstable while being faster than Model 2.

Conclusions

In this study, a deep learning model for 3D WBCT syndesmosis assessment was developed that achieved very high accuracy and accelerated analytics. This deep learning model shows promise for use by clinicians to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce measurement bias, and save both time and expenditure for the healthcare system.

Level of evidence

II.
There is no difference in the efficacy of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autograft combined with or without ligament augmentation: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Man Qian , Gao Yitian , Wang Hangle , Ma Yong , Meng Qingyang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine the efficacy of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using autograft combined with or without ligament augmentation.

Methods

A computerized search of the databases was conducted, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. Only prospective or retrospective comparative studies with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up were considered for inclusion. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and methodological quality assessment. A Mantel–Haenszel analysis was used for the pooling of results. Sensitivity analysis was performed to maintain the stability of results. The egger test was applied to assess the publication bias.

Results

Fourteen studies were included. The total cohort was 1353 patients (non‐augmented group: 763 patients; augmented group: 590 patients). There were three Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs, Level I), six retrospective comparative studies (Level III) and five case–control studies (Level III). The follow‐up rate was ≥ 88% and the follow‐up periods were ≥ 24 months in all included studies. The augmented graft used to compare with autograft included the Ligament Augmentation Device (LAD), the Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) artificial ligament, FiberTape, hamstring tendon allograft, degradable poly (urethane urea). No significant differences were observed between the augmented and non‐augmented groups regarding postoperative patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), including the International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score and Tegner score, knee laxity, including KT‐1000, side‐to‐side difference, Lachman test and pivot shift and rate of graft failure.

Conclusions

ACLR using autografts combined with ligament augmentation shows no advantages in PROs, knee laxity and graft failure rate compared with using autografts only.

Level of evidence

Level III.

Trial registration

The research protocol was registered at the PROSPERO database (CRD42022324784).
p53 stabilisation potentiates [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE treatment in neuroblastoma xenografts
Authors: Berglund Hanna , Salomonsson Sara Lundsten , Mohajershojai Tabassom , Gago Fernando Jose Ferrer , Lane David P. , Nestor Marika
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Molecular radiotherapy is a treatment modality that is highly suitable for targeting micrometastases and [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE is currently being explored as a potential novel treatment option for high-risk neuroblastoma. p53 is a key player in the proapoptotic signalling in response to radiation-induced DNA damage and is therefore a potential target for radiosensitisation.

Methods

This study investigated the use of the p53 stabilising peptide VIP116 and [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE, either alone or in combination, for treatment of neuroblastoma tumour xenografts in mice. Initially, the uptake of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in the tumours was confirmed, and the efficacy of VIP116 as a monotherapy was evaluated. Subsequently, mice with neuroblastoma tumour xenografts were treated with placebo, VIP116, [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE or a combination of both agents.

Results

The results demonstrated that monotherapy with either VIP116 or [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE significantly prolonged median survival compared to the placebo group (90 and 96.5 days vs. 50.5 days, respectively). Notably, the combination treatment further improved median survival to over 120 days. Furthermore, the combination group exhibited the highest percentage of complete remission, corresponding to a twofold increase compared to the placebo group. Importantly, none of the treatments induced significant nephrotoxicity. Additionally, the therapies affected various molecular targets involved in critical processes such as apoptosis, hypoxia and angiogenesis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combination of VIP116 and [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE presents a promising novel treatment approach for neuroblastoma. These findings hold potential to advance research efforts towards a potential cure for this vulnerable patient population.
Exploring spaces of semi-directed level-1 networks
Authors: Linz Simone , Wicke Kristina
Published: October 2023

Semi-directed phylogenetic networks have recently emerged as a class of phylogenetic networks sitting between rooted (directed) and unrooted (undirected) phylogenetic networks as they contain both directed as well as undirected edges. While various spaces of rooted phylogenetic networks and unrooted phylogenetic networks have been analyzed in recent years and several rearrangement moves to traverse these spaces have been introduced, little is known about spaces of semi-directed phylogenetic networks. Here, we propose a simple rearrangement move for semi-directed phylogenetic networks, called cut edge transfer (CET), and show that the space of semi-directed level-1 networks with precisely k reticulations is connected under CET. This level-1 space is currently the predominantly used search space for most algorithms that reconstruct semi-directed phylogenetic networks. Our results imply that every semi-directed level-1 network with a fixed number of reticulations and leaf set can be reached from any other such network by a sequence of CETs. By introducing two additional moves, R$$^+$$

+

and R$$^-$$

-

, that allow for the addition and deletion, respectively, of a reticulation, we then establish connectedness for the space of all semi-directed level-1 networks on a fixed leaf set. As a byproduct of our results for semi-directed phylogenetic networks, we also show that the space of rooted level-1 networks with a fixed number of reticulations and leaf set is connected under CET, when translated into the rooted setting.
Waiting times between examinations with intravascularly administered contrast media: a review of contrast media pharmacokinetics and updated ESUR Contrast Media Safety Committee guidelines
Authors: van der Molen Aart J. , Dekkers Ilona A. , Geenen Remy W. F. , Bellin Marie-France , Bertolotto Michele , Brismar Torkel B. , Correas Jean-Michel , Heinz-Peer Gertraud , Mahnken Andreas H. , Quattrocchi Carlo C. , Radbruch Alexander , Reimer Peter , Roditi Giles , Romanini Laura , Sebastià Carmen , Stacul Fulvio , Clement Olivier
Published: October 2023

The pharmacokinetics of contrast media (CM) will determine how long safe waiting intervals between successive CT or MRI examinations should be. The Contrast Media Safety Committee has reviewed the data on pharmacokinetics of contrast media to suggest safe waiting intervals between successive contrast-enhanced imaging studies in relation to the renal function of the patient.

Clinical relevance statement

Consider a waiting time between elective contrast-enhanced CT and (coronary) angiography with successive iodine-based contrast media administrations in patients with normal renal function (eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) of optimally 12 h (near complete clearance of the previously administered iodine-based contrast media) and minimally 4 h (if clinical indication requires rapid follow-up).

Key Points

• Pharmacokinetics of contrast media will guide safe waiting times between successive administrations.

• Safe waiting times increase with increasing renal insufficiency.

• Iodine-based contrast media influence MRI signal intensities and gadolinium-based contrast agents influence CT attenuation.
MRI-derived extracellular volume as a biomarker of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Folco Gianluca , Monti Caterina B. , Zanardo Moreno , Silletta Francesco , Capra Davide , Secchi Francesco , Sardanelli Francesco
Published: October 2023

Objectives

MRI-derived extracellular volume (ECV) allows characterization of myocardial changes before the onset of overt pathology, which may be caused by cancer therapy cardiotoxicity. Our purpose was to review studies exploring the role of MRI-derived ECV as an early cardiotoxicity biomarker to guide timely intervention.

Materials and methods

In April 2022, we performed a systematic search on EMBASE and PubMed for articles on MRI-derived ECV as a biomarker of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity. Two blinded researchers screened the retrieved articles, including those reporting ECV values at least 3 months from cardiotoxic treatment. Data extraction was performed for each article, including clinical and technical data, and ECV values. Pooled ECV was calculated using the random effects model and compared among different treatment regimens and among those who did or did not experience overt cardiac dysfunction. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to appraise which clinical or technical variables yielded a significant impact on ECV.

Results

Overall, 19 studies were included. Study populations ranged from 9 to 236 patients, for a total of 1123 individuals, with an average age ranging from 12.5 to 74 years. Most studies included patients with breast or esophageal cancer, treated with anthracyclines and chest radiotherapy. Pooled ECV was 28.44% (95% confidence interval, CI, 26.85−30.03%) among subjects who had undergone cardiotoxic cancer therapy, versus 25.23% (95%CI 23.31−27.14%) among those who had not (p = .003).

Conclusion

A higher ECV in patients who underwent cardiotoxic treatment could imply subclinical changes in the myocardium, present even before overt cardiac pathology is detectable.

Clinical relevance statement

The ability to detect subclinical changes in the myocardium displayed by ECV suggests its use as an early biomarker of cancer therapy–related cardiotoxicity.

Key Points

• Cardiotoxicity is a common adverse effect of cancer therapy; therefore, its prompt detection could improve patient outcomes.

• Pooled MRI-derived myocardial extracellular volume was higher in patients who underwent cardiotoxic cancer therapy than in those who did not (28.44% versus 25.23%, p = .003).

• MRI-derived myocardial extracellular volume represents a potential early biomarker of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity.
Assessment of seasonal forecasting errors of the ECMWF system in the eastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Mayer Michael , Balmaseda Magdalena Alonso , Johnson Stephanie , Vitart Frederic
Published: October 2023

The interannual variability of the Equatorial Eastern Indian Ocean (EEIO) is highly relevant for the climate anomalies on adjacent continents and affects global teleconnection patterns. Yet, this is an area where seasonal forecasting systems exhibit large errors. Here we investigate the reasons for these errors in the ECMWF seasonal forecasting system SEAS5 using tailored diagnostics and a series of numerical experiments.

Results indicate that there are two fundamental and independent sources of forecast errors in the EEIO. The first one is of atmospheric nature and is largely related with too strong and stable easterly atmospheric circulation present in the equatorial Indian Ocean. This induces an easterly bias which leaves the coupled model predominantly in a state with a shallow thermocline and cold SSTs in the EEIO. The second error is of oceanic origin, associated with a too shallow thermocline, which enhances the SST errors arising from errors in the wind. Ocean initial conditions, which depend on both the quality of the assimilation and the ocean model, play an important role in this context. Nevertheless, it is found that the version of the ocean model used for the forecast can also play a non-negligible role at the seasonal time scales, by amplifying or damping the subsurface errors in the initial conditions.

Errors in the EEIO are regime-dependent, having different causes in the warm (deep thermocline) regime with strong atmospheric convection and in the cold (shallow thermocline) regime. Errors also exhibit decadal variations, which challenges the calibration methods used in seasonal forecasts.
Intake reminders are effective in enhancing adherence to direct oral anticoagulants in stroke patients: a randomised cross-over trial (MAAESTRO study)
Authors: Dietrich Fine , Polymeris Alexandros A. , Albert Valerie , Engelter Stefan T. , Hersberger Kurt E. , Schaedelin Sabine , Lyrer Philippe A. , Arnet Isabelle
Published: October 2023

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) effectively prevent recurrent ischaemic events in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with recent stroke. However, excellent adherence to DOAC is mandatory to guarantee sufficient anticoagulation as the effect quickly subsides.

Aim

To investigate the effect of intake reminders on adherence to DOAC.

Methods

MAAESTRO was a randomised, cross-over study in DOAC-treated AF patients hospitalised for ischaemic stroke. Adherence was measured by electronic monitoring for 12 months. After an observational phase, patients were randomised to obtain an intake reminder either in the first or the second half of the subsequent 6-month interventional phase. The primary outcome was 100%-timing adherence. Secondary outcomes were 100%-taking adherence, and overall timing and taking adherence. We analysed adherence outcomes using McNemar’s test or mixed-effects logistic models.

Results

Between January 2018 and March 2022, 130 stroke patients were included, of whom 42 dropped out before randomisation. Analysis was performed with 84 patients (mean age: 76.5 years, 39.3% women). A 100%-timing adherence was observed in 10 patients who were using the reminder, and in zero patients without reminder (p = 0.002). The reminder significantly improved adherence to DOAC, with study participants having 2.7-fold increased odds to achieve an alternative threshold of 90%-timing adherence (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.05–6.69; p = 0.039). A similar effect was observed for 90%-taking adherence (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.20–7.80; p = 0.019). Overall timing and taking adherence increased significantly when using the reminder (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.55–1.86, p < 0.01; and OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.52–1.84; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Intake reminders increased adherence to DOAC in patients with stroke attributable to atrial fibrillation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03344146.
Contribution of T helper 17 cells and interleukin-17 to the pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia in Egyptian children
Authors: Hassan Tamer , Zakaria Marwa , Diaa Asmaa , Abdalla Ayman E. L. Sayed , Ahmed AL Sayed M. Sayed , Abdelmonem Doaa M. , Abdelaziz Eman
Published: October 2023

Though pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is still rendered unclear, yet there are many research efforts that have been directed to the role of T helper 17 (Th17) and interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the pathogenesis of this disease. The Th17 cell, which produces IL-17, is a subset of T helper cells. Interleukin 17 is pro-inflammatory cytokine that is recently proved to have a crucial role in the emergence of autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the role of T helper17 cells and interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children. This study was carried out on 100 children with ITP and 100 apparently healthy children as a control group. Patients were subjected to full medical history taking, thorough physical examination and routine investigations according to our local standards. Percentage of Th17 cells was measured by flow cytometry in study groups. Also, serum IL-17 was measured in in study groups by ELISA. Th 17 cells were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Moreover, 3.1-fold increased serum levels of IL-17 were observed in patients with ITP compared to controls. Newly diagnosed patients had significantly higher percentage of Th-17cells as well as higher IL-17 levels than patients with either persistent or chronic ITP.

   Conclusion: We concluded that Th 17 cells and IL-17 seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children.

What is Known -- What is New:• The pathogenesis of ITP is heterogeneous A novel subset of CD4+ T cells, distinct from Th1 and Th2, was recently identified. It is characterized by the production of IL-17 and, therefore, designated as Th17 cells. Several studies support a pivotal role for serum cytokines in the pathogenesis of ITP and provide evidence to suggest that helper Tlymphocytes polarize into Th1 and Th2 immune response. we aimed to investigate the role of T helper17 cells and interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children.
Diaphragmatic muscle function in term and preterm infants
Authors: Fouzas Sotirios , Vervenioti Aggeliki , Tsintoni Asimina , Dassios Theodore , Karatza Ageliki A. , Dimitriou Gabriel
Published: October 2023

We aimed to assess the determinants of diaphragmatic function in term and preterm infants. 149 infants (56 term; 93 preterm, of whom 14 were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia—BPD) were studied before discharge. Diaphragmatic function was assessed by measurement of the maximum transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax)—a measure of diaphragmatic strength, and the pressure–time index of the diaphragm (PTIdi)—a measure of the load-to-capacity ratio of the diaphragm. The Pdimax was higher in term than preterm infants without BPD (90.1 ± 16.3 vs 81.1 ± 11.8 cmH2O; P = 0.001). Term-born infants also had lower PTIdi compared to preterms without BPD (0.052 ± 0.014 vs 0.060 ± 0.017; P = 0.006). In term and preterm infants without BPD, GA was the most significant predictor of Pdimax and PTIdi, independently of the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen support. In infants with GA < 32 weeks (n = 30), the Pdimax was higher in infants without BPD compared to those with BPD (76.1 ± 11.1 vs 65.2 ± 11.9 cmH2O; P = 0.015). Preterms without BPD also had lower PTIdi compared to those with BPD (0.069 ± 0.016 vs 0.109 ± 0.017; P < 0.001). In this subgroup, GA was the only significant independent determinant of Pdimax, while BPD and the GA were significant determinants of the PTIdi.

  Conclusions: Preterm infants present lower diaphragmatic strength and impaired ability to sustain the generated force over time, which renders them prone to diaphragmatic fatigue. In very preterm infants, BPD may further aggravate diaphragmatic function.

What is Known:• The diaphragm of preterm infants has limited capacity to undertake the work of breathing effectively.• The maximum transdiaphragmatic pressure (a measure of diaphragmatic strength) and the pressure–time index of the diaphragm (a measure of the load-to-capacity ratio of the muscle) have not been extensively assessed in small infants.

What is New:• Preterm infants have lower diaphragmatic strength and impaired ability to sustain the generated force over time, which renders them prone to diaphragmatic fatigue.• In very preterm infants, bronchopulmonary dysplasia may further impair diaphragmatic function.
Oral somatosensory alterations and salivary dysfunction in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Riantiningtyas Reisya Rizki , Valenti Alexandre , Dougkas Anestis , Bredie Wender L. P. , Kwiecien Camille , Bruyas Amandine , Giboreau Agnès , Carrouel Florence
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk of malnutrition due to eating difficulties partly mediated by sensory alterations and salivary dysfunction. Clinical studies have mostly focused on taste and smell alterations, while changes in oral somatosensory perception are largely understudied. The study aimed to investigate oral somatosensory (tactile, texture, chemesthetic, and thermal) responses and salivary functions of HNC patients in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using psychophysical tests in HNC patients (n = 30) and in age- and gender-matched control subjects (n = 30). The tests included measurements of point-pressure tactile sensitivity, whole-mouth chemesthetic stimulation, food texture discrimination, and temperature discrimination. Salivary functions, including hydration, saliva consistency, pH, volume, and buffering capacity, were also evaluated.

Results

HNC patients demonstrated significantly lower chemesthetic sensitivity (for medium and high concentrations, p < 0.05), thermal sensitivity (p = 0.038), and salivary functions (p = 0.001). There were indications of lower tactile sensitivity in the patient group (p = 0.101). Patients were also less sensitive to differences in food roughness (p = 0.003) and firmness (p = 0.025).

Conclusion

This study provided evidence that sensory alterations in HNC patients extend beyond their taste and smell. The measurements demonstrated lower somatosensory responses, in part associated with their reduced salivary function. Oral somatosensory alterations and salivary dysfunction may consequently impart the eating experience of HNC patients. Thus, further investigations on food adjustments for this patient group seem warranted.
The association between sourcing skills and intertextual integration in lower secondary school students
Authors: Incognito Oriana , Tarchi Christian
Published: October 2023

Sourcing and intertextual integration skills are critical to the development of young students’ digital literacy skills. Sourcing skills include identifying source parameters (e.g., recognizing the author, publication date, publisher) and analyzing the author’s expertise. The objective of this study is to investigate which sourcing skills used by students in document selection are most associated with intertextual integration skills. A total of 165 students attending lower secondary school participated in the research. Students completed a sourcing inventory, an intertextual integration task (after reading multiple texts), and control variables measures (prior knowledge, prior beliefs, and text comprehension). The results of exploratory factor analysis showed three dimensions for sourcing, namely source identification, author’s competence, and judgment on website choice. Furthermore, hierarchical regressions showed that author competence was the only sourcing factor associated with intertextual integration skills, after controlling for the effect of control variables. These results suggest that even younger students pay attention to author expertise when choosing texts to use for their assignments, and doing so enhances their competence in integrating information across sources.
A review to frame the utilization of Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) cultivars in alley cropping systems
Authors: Bishop Benjamin , Meier Nicholas A. , Coggeshall Mark V. , Lovell Sarah T. , Revord Ronald S.
Published: October 2023

Agroforestry adoptition is gaining considerable traction in the temperate US with growing popularity and government incentives (e.g., the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project) for systems with greenhouse gas mitigation potential. The identification of complementary species combinations will accelerate the expansion of temperate agroforestry. Since the mid-19th century, European timber plantations have taken advantage of the late-leafing habit of walnut (Juglans spp.) to grow a spring grain crop between the tree rows. Such alley cropping systems increase land-use efficiency and provide extensive environmental benefits. A parallel but underutilized opportunity in North American involves incorporating eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) cultivars into alley cropping systems (ACS). Eastern black walnut, henceforth referred to as black walnut, is native to North America and exhibits architectural and phenological characters for reduced competition with winter cereal crops grown in alleys. Black walnut also produces nutritious nuts, and cultivars with improved kernel percentage and mass offer potential to cultivate the species as a domesticated orchard crop, as opposed to just the high-quality timber for which it is well-known. However, field observations suggest significant variation in tree architecture and phenology amongst cultivars, which is likely to influence complementarity with winter grains. Comprehensive characterization of trait genetic diversity is needed to best leverage germplasm into productive systems. Here, we review literature related to implementing ACS with consideration of cultivar-dependent traits that may reduce interspecific competition. While the focus is directed toward black walnut, broad characterization of other underutilized fruit/nut species will allow for robust diversification of ACS.
Metrics on space of closed orbits for near-Earth objects identification
Authors: Vananti A. , Meyer zu Westram Moritz , Schildknecht T.
Published: October 2023

In the characterization of the space debris environment, the computation of the orbit of the debris objects is usually conducted by considering the association of short sequences of observations called tracklets. In case the orbits can be already determined with sufficient accuracy from single tracklets, it is necessary to define a criterion to decide if two calculated orbits correspond to the same object. One possibility is to introduce a definition of distance between orbits and to consider a threshold below which the two orbits are considered to be originating from the same object. The concept of distance is quite general and leaves room to different definitions. There are different ways to describe and to parameterize the space of the possible orbits. In this article, new metrics are proposed which extend distance definitions suggested in previous works. In these metrics in addition to orbital plane and orbital shape, also the position of the object along the orbit is taken into account. The obtained distances are scaled according to the orbit covariance. This has the advantage that the distance between orbits with different accuracy can be evaluated. The proposed metrics are then compared with existing common metrics to assess their applicability.
The Many Forms of Co-kriging: A Diversity of Multivariate Spatial Estimators
Authors: Dowd Peter A. , Pardo-Igúzquiza Eulogio
Published: October 2023

In this expository review paper, we show that co-kriging, a widely used geostatistical multivariate optimal linear estimator, has a diverse range of extensions that we have collected and illustrated to show the potential of this spatial interpolator. In the context of spatial stochastic processes, this paper covers scenarios including increasing the spatial resolution of a spatial variable (downscaling), solving inverse problems, estimating directional derivatives, and spatial interpolation taking boundary conditions into account. All these spatial interpolators are optimal linear estimators in the sense of being unbiased and minimising the variance of the estimation error.
Greedy optimization of resistance-based graph robustness with global and local edge insertions
Authors: Predari Maria , Berner Lukas , Kooij Robert , Meyerhenke Henning
Published: October 2023

The total effective resistance, also called the Kirchhoff index, provides a robustness measure for a graphG. We consider two optimization problems of addingknew edges toGsuch that the resulting graph has minimal total effective resistance (i.e., is most robust)—one where the new edges can be anywhere in the graph and one where the new edges need to be incident to a specified focus node. The total effective resistance and effective resistances between nodes can be computed using the pseudoinverse of the graph Laplacian. The pseudoinverse may be computed explicitly via pseudoinversion, yet this takes cubic time in practice and quadratic space. We instead exploit combinatorial and algebraic connections to speed up gain computations in an established generic greedy heuristic. Moreover, we leverage existing randomized techniques to boost the performance of our approaches by introducing a sub-sampling step. Our different graph- and matrix-based approaches are indeed significantly faster than the state-of-the-art greedy algorithm, while their quality remains reasonably high and is often quite close. Our experiments show that we can now process larger graphs for which the application of the state-of-the-art greedy approach was impractical before.
Pyrazole-vaniline Schiff base disperse azo dyes for UV protective clothing: synthesis, characterization, comparative study of UPF, dyeing properties and potent antimicrobial activity
Authors: Noser Ahmed A. , Ibrahim Saham A. , Abd El Salam Hayam A. , El-Ebiary Nora M. A. , Mandour Hamada S. A.
Published: October 2023

From 5-amino pyrazole, azo disperse pyrazole dyes containing o-vanillin have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses and Spectroscopic techniques. All synthesized dyes have been effectively used on polyester fabrics as disperse dyes, and the performances of dyeing have been studied and evaluated. The dyes have good depth, brightness and good leveling properties. The fastness properties of the dyed samples have been thoroughly examined and assessed with regard to washing, perspiration, rubbing, and light fastness. Color representation, colorimetric data (L*, a*, b, C*, h, and K/S), and other multifunctional features have also been studied. The degree of exhaustion and fixation were attained. Additionally, the dyed fabrics were put through an ultraviolet protection factor test, with the findings demonstrating that these dyes provided superior UV protection. The synthetic dyes were tested in- vitro against different bacteria and fungi, all of the dyes shown a significant activity compared with the standard drug.

Graphical abstract
Benotungspraxis im Sportunterricht an Grundschulen und in der Sekundarstufe II – Eine qualitative Untersuchung zu Benotungskriterien und deren Gewichtung
Authors: Gehrmann Sebastian , Kastrup Valerie
Published: October 2023

Die Beschränkung auf die sportmotorische Leistung als Indikator für die Sportnote ist nicht mit den Zielen des kompetenzorientierten Sportunterrichts vereinbar, in welchem sich Leistungen und entsprechend auch die Noten aus weiteren Dimensionen wie dem Leistungsfortschritt, der Leistungsbereitschaft sowie kognitiven und sozialen Kompetenzen zusammensetzen. In der vorliegenden Studie werden jeweils zehn Sportlehrkräfte der Primar- sowie der Sekundarstufe II in leitfadengestützten Interviews gefragt, welche Dimensionen sie für die Benotung der Schüler*innen heranziehen und wie stark sie diese jeweils gewichten. Mit Hilfe der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse werden die Daten ausgewertet und die Aussagen verglichen.

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die sportmotorische Dimension von beiden Gruppen jeweils als die bedeutsamste für die Gesamtnote angesehen wird, wobei die Lehrkräfte der Sekundarstufe II dieser Dimension eine noch größere Bedeutung beimessen. In der Sekundarstufe II können alle anderen Dimensionen kumuliert die Note im Fach Sport maximal um eine ganze Stufe ändern, während die soziale Dimension und die Leistungsbereitschaft die Note in der Grundschule stark beeinflussen und bis zu 50 % dieser ausmachen können.