bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrast‐enhanced, single‐shot LED array microscopy based on Fourier ptychographic algorithm and deep learning
Authors: Wang Shengping , Zhang Zibang , Yao Manhong , Deng Zihao , Peng Junzheng , Zhong Jingang
Published: August 2023

LED array microscopes have the advantages of miniaturisation and low cost. It has been demonstrated that LED array microscopes outperform Köhler illumination microscopes in some applications. A LED array allows for a large numerical aperture of illumination. The larger numerical aperture of illumination brings the higher spatial resolution, but the lower image contrast as well. Therefore, there is a tradeoff between resolution and contrast for LED array microscopes. The Fourier ptychographic algorithm can overcome this tradeoff by increasing image contrast without sacrificing spatial resolution. However, the Fourier ptychographic algorithm requires acquisition of multiple images, which is time‐consuming and results in live sample imaging challenging. To solve this problem, we develop contrast‐enhanced, single‐shot LED array microscopy based on the Fourier ptychographic algorithm and deep learning. The sample to be imaged is under illumination by all LEDs of the array simultaneously. The image captured is fed to several trained convolutional neural networks to generate the same number of images that are required by the Fourier ptychographic algorithm. We experimentally present that the image contrast of the final reconstruction is remarkably improved in comparison with the image captured. The proposed method can also produce chromatic‐aberration‐free results, even when an objective without aberration correction is used. We believe the method might provide live sample imaging with a low‐cost approach.
Metabolic aspects of genetic ion channel epilepsies
Authors: Neal Elliott S. , Xu Weizhi , Borges Karin
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, particularly in countries with high incomes, individual mutations in people affected by genetic epilepsies are identified, and genetic therapies are being developed. In addition, drugs are being screened to directly target specific mutations, and personalised medicine is possible. However, people with epilepsy do not yet benefit from these advances, and many types of epilepsies are medication‐resistant, including Dravet syndrome. Thus, in the meantime, alternative and effective treatment options are needed. There is increasing evidence that metabolic deficits contribute to epileptic seizures and that such metabolic impairments may be amenable to treatment, with metabolic treatment options like the ketogenic diet being employed with some success. However, the brain metabolic alterations that occur in ion channel epilepsies are not well‐understood, nor how these may differ from epilepsies that are of acquired and unknown origins. Here, we provide an overview of studies investigating metabolic alterations in epilepsies caused by mutations in the SCN1A and KCNA1 genes, which are currently the most studied ion channel epilepsies in animal models. The metabolic changes found in these models are likely to contribute to seizures. A metabolic basis of these ion channel epilepsies is supported by human and/or animal studies that show beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet, which may be mediated by the provision of auxiliary brain fuel in the form of ketone bodies. Other potentially more preferred dietary therapies including medium‐chain triglycerides and triheptanoin have also been tested in a limited number of studies, but their efficacies remain to be clearly established. The extent to which brain metabolism is affected in people with Dravet syndrome, KCNA1 epilepsy and the models thereof still requires clarification. This requires more experiments that yield functional insight into metabolism.

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Muscle activity between dentate and edentulous patients rehabilitated with dental prostheses: A systematic review
Authors: Neves Bruna Rocha , Costa Rayanna Thayse Florêncio , Vasconcelos Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito , Pellizzer Eduardo Piza , Moraes Sandra Lúcia Dantas
Published: August 2023

Background

Adequate muscle activity is important for the success of oral rehabilitation: it maintains the integrity of the stomatognathic system and is responsible for chewing movements needed to break, crush and grind food.

Objective

To compare muscle activity using electromyography (EMG) while clenching or chewing soft and/or hard foods among individuals with natural dentition (ND) and edentulous patients rehabilitated with dental prostheses.

Methods

This review was conducted until March, 2023, and the research question was “Is the muscle activity of edentulous patients rehabilitated with dental prostheses similar to that of dentate individuals?” A search strategy was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Lilacs, Embase and manual journal searches.

Results

Ten studies were included in the analysis. Most of them reported that individuals with ND had significant higher muscle activity (clenching or chewing) than complete dentures (CD) users. However, no difference was observed between patients with full mouth implant‐supported fixed dental prosthesis (ISFDP) and ND. Additionally, two studies compared patients with mandibular ISFDP with maxillary CD and individuals with ND and found no differences; however, one study concluded that patients with ISFDP with CD (maxillary or mandibular) had lower muscle activity than individuals with ND. Only one study reported a higher muscle activity in patients with full‐mouth ISFDP than in individuals with ND.

Conclusions

Bimaxillary CD users had lower muscle activity than individuals with ND. During rehabilitation, the muscle activity of patients with full‐mouth ISFDP and mandibular ISFDP with maxillary CD is similar to individuals with ND.
Effects of periodontal cells‐derived extracellular vesicles on mesenchymal stromal cell function
Authors: Han Pingping , Johnson Nigel , Abdal‐hay Abdalla , Moran Corey S. , Salomon Carlos , Ivanovski Sašo
Published: August 2023

Objective

To enrich and compare three extracellular vesicles—EV subtypes (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and small EV) from three periodontal cells (periodontal ligament cells—PDLCs, alveolar bone‐derived osteoblasts—OBs and gingival fibroblasts—GFs), and assess uptake and cell function changes in buccal fat pad‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BFP‐MSCs).

Background

Periodontal cells such as PDLCs, OBs and GFs have the potential to enhance bone and periodontal regeneration, but face significant challenges, such as the regulatory and cost implications of in vitro cell culture and storage. To address these challenges, it is important to explore alternative ‘cell‐free’ strategies, such as extracellular vesicles which have emerged as promising tools in regenerative medicine, to facilitate osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration.

Methods and Materials

Serial centrifuges at 2600 and 16 000 g were used to isolate apoptotic bodies and microvesicles respectively. Small EV—sEV was enriched by our in‐house size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The cellular uptake, proliferation, migration and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation genes were analysed after EVs uptake in BFP‐MSCs.

Results

Three EV subtypes were enriched and characterised by morphology, particle size and EV‐associated protein expression—CD9. Cellular uptake of the three EVs subtypes was observed in BFP‐MSCs for up to 7 days. sEV from the three periodontal cells promoted proliferation, migration and osteogenic gene expression. hOBs‐sEV showed superior levels of osteogenesis markers compared to that hPDLCs‐sEV and hGFs‐sEV, while hOBs‐16k EV promoted adipogenic gene expression compared to that from hPDLCs and hGFs.

Conclusions

Our proof‐of‐concept data demonstrate that hOBs‐sEV might be an alternative cell‐free therapeutic for bone tissue engineering.
Effects of different sodium acetate levels on growth, antioxidant capacity, and fat deposition in juvenile Onychostoma macrolepis fed a high fat diet
Authors: Gou Nina , Jin Tiezhi , Yang Bin , Wang Kaifeng
Published: August 2023

Short‐chain fatty acids are regarded as promising feed additives, acetate is one of them. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of sodium acetate (SA) on Onychostoma macrolepis fed a high‐fat diet. O. macrolepis (2.1 ± 0.1 g) were reared in 12 aquariums (three aquarium/group, 15 fish/aquarium), fed a high‐fat diet (control), and a high‐fat diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% SA for 56 days. Diet supplemented with 1.0% SA significantly increased the weight gain of O. macrolepis fed the high‐fat diet. Dietary SA reduced serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The addition of 1.0% and 2.0% SA significantly decreased non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and TG concentrations in liver. Dietary SA (1.0% and 2.0%) significantly improved total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase activities in the liver. In comparison to the control group, the addition of 1.0% and 2.0% SA significantly up‐regulated lipolysis gene expression levels in the liver. These findings suggest that high fat diets supplemented with 1%–2.0% SA can improve growth, liver health, and antioxidant capacity in O. macrolepis.
Transformative leadership: President Ricardo Lagos and democratic civilian control of armed forces in Chile (2000–2006)
Authors: Avendaño Mireya Dávila
Published: August 2023

In Chile, military subordination to civilians has been a difficult, gradual, and unaccomplished process. Using a qualitative approach, this case study analyzes how a head of state—President Ricardo Lagos (2000–2006)—introduced without constitutional prerogatives important changes in military subordination to civilian authorities. Based on political leadership studies and civil–military relations theory, we analyze the constitutional reforms that ended military presence in the Senate, and two policy changes—military acquisitions and human rights. We argue that President Lagos' transformation type of effective leadership made these changes possible.
Cool, dry nights and short heatwaves during growth result in longer telomeres in temperate songbird nestlings
Authors: Eastwood Justin R. , Dupoué Andréaz , Verhulst Simon , Cockburn Andrew , Peters Anne
Published: August 2023

Exposure to rising sublethal temperatures can affect development and somatic condition, and thereby Darwinian fitness. In the context of climate warming, these changes could have implications for population viability, but they can be subtle and consequently difficult to quantify. Using telomere length (TL) as a known biomarker of somatic condition in early life, we investigated the impact of pre‐hatching and nestling climate on six cohorts of wild nestling superb fairy wrens (Malurus cyaneus) in temperate south‐eastern Australia. Models incorporating only climate information from the nestling phase were best supported compared to those including the (pre‐)laying to incubation phase (previously shown to affect mass) or both phases combined. This implies that nestling TL is most sensitive to ambient climate in the nestling phase. The top model showed a negative relationship between early‐life TL and nestling mean daily minimum temperature when rainfall was low which gradually became positive with increasing rainfall. In addition, there was a positive relationship between TL and the frequency of hot days (daily maximum temperature ≥35°C), although these temperatures were rare and short‐term. Including other pre‐hatching and nestling period, climate variables (e.g., mean daily maximum temperature and mean diurnal temperature variability) did not improve the prediction of nestling TL. Overall, our results suggest that cooler nights when conditions are dry and short‐term temperature spikes above 35°C during development are conducive for somatic maintenance. While these findings indicate a potential pathway for climate warming to impact wildlife fitness, they emphasize the need to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these complex associations.
The PIF1/PIF3‐MED25‐HDA19 transcriptional repression complex regulates phytochrome signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Guo Qiang , Jing Yanjun , Gao Yuan , Liu Yitong , Fang Xiaofeng , Lin Rongcheng
Published: August 2023

Light signals are perceived by photoreceptors, triggering the contrasting developmental transition in dark‐germinated seedlings. Phytochrome‐interacting factors (PIFs) are key regulators of this transition. Despite their prominent functions in transcriptional activation, little is known about PIFs' roles in transcriptional repression.

Here, we provide evidence that histone acetylation is involved in regulating phytochrome‐PIFs signaling in Arabidopsis.

The histone deacetylase HDA19 interacts and forms a complex with PIF1 and PIF3 and the Mediator subunit MED25. The med25/hda19 double mutant mimics and enhances the phenotype of pif1/pif3 in both light and darkness. HDA19 and MED25 are recruited by PIF1/PIF3 to the target loci to reduce histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility, providing a mechanism for PIF1/PIF3‐mediated transcriptional repression. Furthermore, MED25 forms liquid‐like condensates, which can compartmentalize PIF1/PIF3 and HDA19 in vitro and in vivo, and the number of MED25 puncta increases in darkness.

Collectively, our study establishes a mechanism wherein PIF1/PIF3 interact with HDA19 and MED25 to mediate transcriptional repression in the phytochrome signaling pathway and suggests that condensate formation with Mediator may explain the distinct and specific transcriptional activity of PIF proteins.
Coordination of growth and drought responses by GA‐ABA signaling in rice
Authors: Liao Zhigang , Zhang Yunchao , Yu Qing , Fang Weicong , Chen Meiyao , Li Tianfei , Liu Yi , Liu Zaochang , Chen Liang , Yu Shunwu , Xia Hui , Xue Hong‐Wei , Yu Hong , Luo Lijun
Published: August 2023

The drought caused by global warming seriously affects the crop growth and agricultural production. Plants have evolved distinct strategies to cope with the drought environment. Under drought stress, energy and resources should be diverted from growth toward stress management.

However, the molecular mechanism underlying coordination of growth and drought response remains largely elusive.

Here, we discovered that most of the gibberellin (GA) metabolic genes were regulated by water scarcity in rice, leading to the lower GA contents and hence inhibited plant growth. Low GA contents resulted in the accumulation of more GA signaling negative regulator SLENDER RICE 1, which inhibited the degradation of abscisic acid (ABA) receptor PYL10 by competitively binding to the co‐activator of anaphase‐promoting complex TAD1, resulting in the enhanced ABA response and drought tolerance.

These results elucidate the synergistic regulation of crop growth inhibition and promotion of drought tolerance and survival, and provide useful genetic resource in breeding improvement of crop drought resistance.
Functional identity drives tree species richness‐induced increases in litterfall production and forest floor mass in young tree communities
Authors: Wan Xiaohua , Joly François‐Xavier , Jia Hui , Zhu Min , Fu Yanrong , Huang Zhiqun
Published: August 2023

Forest floor accumulation is a key process that influences ecosystem carbon cycling. Despite evidence suggesting that tree diversity and soil carbon are positively correlated, most soil carbon studies typically omit the response of the forest floor carbon to tree diversity loss.

Here, we evaluated how tree species richness affects forest floor mass and how this effect is mediated by litterfall production and forest floor decay rate in a tree diversity experiment in a subtropical forest.

We observed that greater tree species richness leads to higher forest floor accumulation at the soil surface through increasing litterfall production – positively linked to functional trait identity (i.e. community‐weighted mean functional trait) rather than functional diversity – and unchanged forest floor decay. Interestingly, structural equation modelling revealed that this lack of overall significant tree species richness effect on forest floor decay rate was due to two indirect and opposite effects cancelling each other out. Indeed, tree species richness increased forest floor decay rate through increasing litterfall production while decreasing forest floor decay rate by increasing litter species richness.

Our reports of greater organic matter accumulation in the forest floor in species‐rich forests suggest that tree diversity may have long‐term and important effect on ecosystem carbon cycling and services.
Responsibility and iterated knowledge
Authors: Kaiserman Alex
Published: August 2023

I defend an iterated knowledge condition on responsibility for outcomes: one is responsible for a consequence of one's action only if one was in a position to know that, for all one was in a position to know, one's action would have that consequence.
Optimal capacity sizing of park‐and‐ride lots with information‐aware commuters
Authors: Wang Xinchang , He Qie
Published: August 2023

We study capacity sizing of park‐and‐ride lots that offer services to commuters sensitive to congestion and parking availability information. The goal is to determine parking lot capacities that maximize the total social welfare for commuters whose parking lot choices are predicted using the multinomial logit model. We formulate the problem as a nonconvex nonlinear program that involves a lower and an upper bound on each lot's capacity, and a fixed‐point constraint reflecting the effects of parking information and congestion on commuters' lot choices. We show that except for at most one lot, the optimal capacity of each lot takes one of three possible values. Based on analytical results, we develop a one‐variable search algorithm to solve the model. We learn from numerical results that the optimal capacity of a lot with a high intrinsic utility tends to be equal to the upper bound. By contrast, a lot with a low or moderate‐sized intrinsic utility tends to attain an optimal capacity on its effective lower bound. We evaluate the performance of the optimal solution under different choice scenarios of commuters who are shared with real‐time parking information. We learn that commuters are better off in an average choice scenario when both the effects of parking information and congestion are considered in the model than when either effect is ignored from the model.
Fear lies in the eyes of the beholder—Robust evidence for reduced gaze dispersion upon avoidable threat
Authors: Merscher Alma‐Sophia , Gamer Matthias
Published: August 2023

A rapid detection and processing of relevant information in our environment is crucial for survival. The human eyes are drawn to social or threatening stimuli as they may carry essential information on how to behave appropriately in a given context. Recent studies further showed a centralization of gaze that reminded of freezing behaviors in rodents. Probably constituting a component of an adaptive defense mode, centralized eye movements predicted the speed of motor actions. Here we conducted two experiments to examine if and how these presumably survival‐relevant gaze patterns interact. Subjects viewed images including social, that is, faces (Experiment 1, N = 50) or threatening stimuli, that is, snakes or spiders (Experiment 2, N = 50) while awaiting an inevitable (shock), no (safety), or an avoidable shock (flight) they could escape from by a fast button press. The social and threatening cues within the scenes differed in their distance from the image center and we acquired eye‐tracking and autonomic physiological data. Although we observed an initial orienting toward social and threatening stimulus aspects, this exploration pattern vanished towards the end of flight trials when a pronounced centralization of gaze emerged. Replicating previous findings, the amount of this center bias predicted the speed of motor reactions, and we observed a concurrent activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Taken together, the exploration of potentially relevant cues seems to be part of a reflexive‐orienting response regardless of contextual valence. However, centralization of gaze may be a threat‐specific action‐preparatory response that occurs across a wide range of stimulus contexts.
A gendered analysis of the effect of financial inclusion on household welfare in Burundi
Authors: Atta‐Aidoo Jonathan , Matthew Ester Cosmas , Saleh Abdulkarim Onah , Bizoza Saidi
Published: August 2023

Despite an improving financial inclusion situation across the developing world, there still exist wide gender gaps in financial inclusion, especially in fragile and post‐conflict countries. In our study, we designed and implemented a survey consisting of 860 households across urban and rural Burundi to examine the effect of financial inclusion on household asset‐based welfare from a gendered perspective. To address any endogeneity concerns, we apply the two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regression method. We find that most Burundian households prefer to save their money at home rather than at a financial institution. Also, mobile money is mainly employed as a means of receiving and withdrawing cash. Our 2SLS regression results reveal that improved financial inclusion has a greater effect on the welfare of female‐headed households than on male‐headed households. We recommend the use of social networks as an avenue to promote financial inclusion and literacy. Additionally, the Government of Burundi can collaborate with the telecommunication operators to institute small loan schemes through the mobile money platform to enhance access to credit, especially for women.
Safety plan use in the daily lives of adolescents after psychiatric hospitalization
Authors: May Alexis M. , Al‐Dajani Nadia , Ballard Elizabeth D. , Czyz Ewa
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Safety planning type interventions (SPTI's) are brief suicide‐specific interventions. Little is known about safety plan use during high‐risk periods, and whether safety plan use is influenced by baseline characteristics. This study examined how adolescents recently hospitalized for suicide risk use their safety plans post‐discharge, tested moderators of safety plan utilization, and explored the relationship between changes in utilization and changes in suicidal ideation (SI) over time.

Methods

Seventy‐eight adolescents hospitalized for suicide risk who participated in a pilot trial of safety planning responded to one survey/day for 4 weeks post‐discharge and completed a 1‐month assessment.

Results

Over 90% of adolescents reported having access to their safety plan during the month post‐discharge. Safety plan use and SI declined over time. No baseline characteristics predicted safety plan use in the 4 weeks after discharge, or changes in safety plan use over time. However, the relationship between changes in safety plan use and changes in SI was moderated. For girls, SI and safety plan use rose and fell together; for boys, safety plan use declined regardless of changes in SI.

Conclusions

High‐risk adolescents retain and use their safety plans. Results underscore the importance of looking at sex effects on SPTI utilization.
Protect the land. Poison the sea. An environmental history of the Kirkcudbright Training Area and the firing of depleted uranium by the British Army (1982–2013)
Authors: Boyd Alexander
Published: August 2023

Located in the South West of Scotland, the Kirkcudbright Training Area, alongside the extensive Dundrennan weapons ranges, have been used since the Second World War for the training of the British Army. From the Cold War to today, Dundrennan has been the testing ground for the majority of British armoured vehicles, and the controversial firing of depleted uranium shells which took place from 1982 to 2013. This paper examines the response to the firings from protestors, campaigners and environmental campaign groups, and outlines why Scottish nationalists found common ground with them in opposing the actions of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The response by the MOD, and in particular the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), to accusations of environmental mismanagement of the site are also discussed here. This counter narrative, which stresses the role of military conservation practices (known as ‘khaki conservation’) disseminated through the DIO publication Sanctuary is also scrutinised, noting the tensions between the requirements of the military and its environmental impact.
Precarious work: A global perspective
Authors: Shin Kwang‐Yeong , Kalleberg Arne L. , Hewison Kevin
Published: August 2023

Precarious work is universal, though its forms and consequences vary across countries due to institutional, cultural, and historical differences. This article reviews recent research on precarious work from a global perspective, emphasizing the comparative and interdisciplinary research needed for a comprehensive understanding of the structural transformations in contemporary capitalism that promote precarious work. The article has three foci. First, research that details the diverse forms of precarious work, which have become increasingly heterogeneous as national labor markets have been interwoven with global production networks. Second, research on precarious work that emphasizes its disparate impacts for women, youth, the elderly, racial and ethnic minority groups, and migrants, revealing an articulation of precarity and social cleavages. Third, research on the politics associated with precarious work and how some precarious workers have successfully organized and mobilized their interests, such as by unionizing and becoming involved in electoral politics. Still, questions remain regarding precarious work: how precarious workers differ from regular workers in representing their interests and demands and whether precarious workers are a new, independent social class or remain part of a changing working class. Finally, topics for future research on the global dimensions of precarious work are discussed.
A novel approach for quantifying similarities between different debris flow sites using field investigations and numerical modelling
Authors: Abraham Minu Treesa , Satyam Neelima , Pradhan Biswajeet
Published: August 2023

Debris flows are geomorphological processes that affect the landscape evolution process of any region. In this study, an integrated methodology is proposed to identify the chance of further debris flows and quantify the similarities between debris flow locations, materials and rheology, using field and laboratory investigations and remote sensing data. The method was tested for four failure‐triggered debris flow sites in the Western Ghats of India, using dimensionless parametric similarity values ranging from 0 to 1. The maximum parametric similarity was observed as 0.84 when comparing the flow accumulation values of Sites 3 and 4, and the maximum overall site similarity was 0.68. The calibrated rheological parameters of one site were found to be satisfactory in modelling the shape of debris flow at all other sites. The findings can be used to identify similar hotspots in the region and to simulate debris flows for quantitative hazard assessment.
Biomechanical comparison of canine median sternotomy closure using suture tape and orthopedic wire cerclage
Authors: Rivenburg Rachel E. , Maxwell Elizabeth A. , Bertran Judith , Souza Carlos H. De Mello , Smith Benjamin L.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To compare the mechanical properties of suture tape and orthopedic wire cerclage in an ex vivo canine median sternotomy model.

Study design

Ex vivo.

Animals

Twelve large‐breed canine cadaveric sternums.

Methods

Median sternotomies were performed, leaving the manubrium intact. The specimens were randomly assigned to group W (20‐gauge stainless steel orthopedic wire cerclage in a figure‐of‐eight pattern) or group ST (suture tape in a figure‐of‐eight pattern). Each specimen was laterally distracted until failure using an electrodynamic materials‐testing system.

Results

No differences were observed for displacement, yield load, maximum load, implant failure between the groups. The orthopedic wire construct was stiffer than the suture tape construct.

Conclusion

Suture tape was biomechanically similar to orthopedic wire cerclage for sternotomy closure in dogs, although wire constructs were stiffer.

Clinical significance

Suture tape may represent an alternative to cerclage wire for sternotomy closure in dogs. Additional studies evaluating its clinical use are needed.
Considerações éticas sobre as memórias da violência urbana
Authors: Gama Aline
Published: August 2023

O artigo trata das contradições sobre a construção da memória de familiares de vítimas da violência do Rio de Janeiro materializada em objetos, imagens e discursos. Enquanto essas são um argumento para que novas violências não aconteçam e se repare o mal sofrido, também reforçam estigmas sobre identidades individuais e coletivas e permeiam as demais relações familiares. A partir da etnografia com familiares de vítimas, a análise dos aspectos normativos de como os usos das experiências passadas serve para impedir a repetição dos mesmos tipos de violências apresenta situações liminares. A pergunta como e até que ponto as violências devem ser lembradas é discutida a partir de considerações éticas e morais, baseadas nos trabalhos de Avishai Margalit, Tzvetan Todorov, Paul Ricoeur e Maurice Halbwachs, que foram primordiais para pensar as formas de agenciamento das memórias individuais e coletivas.
Spatiotemporal evolution of excitation temperature of vacuum arcs by tomography
Authors: Cao Bo , Li Rui , Cao Zhiyuan , Li Haomin , Sun Liqiong , Geng Yingsan , Wang Jianhua , Wang Zhenxing
Published: August 2023

The excitation temperature is crucial for understanding the dynamic processes of a vacuum arc. The traditional methods based on optical emission spectroscopy can only provide 1D or 2D temperature distribution. Due to the absorption effect, it is difficult to obtain accurate information about the radiation emitted by the arc. This can result in measurement errors or even lead to incorrect conclusions. To address these issues, we developed a 3D tomography reconstruction algorithm that takes the absorption effect into account. The method reconstructed the emission coefficients of the vacuum arc and calculated the excitation temperature from spectral line ratios. Absorption coefficients are then calculated using Kirchhoff's law and integrated along optical paths to determine optical depths. Finally, the tomography algorithm was corrected for optical depth using the Beer–Lambert law. The results indicate that, under the axial magnetic field, the excitation temperature is radially nonuniform and deviates from the axisymmetric distribution. After considering the absorption effect, the calculated values of excitation temperature would increase and the measurement deviations are related to the axial position. Additionally, the increments across the arc slice are comparable to each other.
Complete genome sequence of
Bacillus subtilis
strain MARUCo01 isolated from marine sediments of the Indian Ocean in Bagamoyo, Tanzania
Authors: Maghembe Reuben , Moto Edward , Makaranga Abdalah , Mdoe France , Mpemba James , Magulye Maximilian A. K. , Mark Deogratius , Mtewa Andrew
Published: August 2023

Bacillus subtilis
has emerged as a species with potential for versatile nonribosomal peptides and polyketides of therapeutic importance, including antibiotics. From our molecular bioprospecting project, we report a full genome of
Bacillus subtilis
strain MARUCo01 locally isolated from sediments of the Indian Ocean along the coast of Bagamoyo in Tanzania.
Trends of hospitalisation for patients with liver cirrhosis in Ningxia, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Chao , Shi Hongjuan , Chen Chen , Liu Yining , Lv Yongtao , Zhang Hua , Liang Peifeng
Published: August 2023

Objective

To evaluate the changing trends of hospitalisation for patients with liver cirrhosis between 2015 and 2019 by using hospitalisation summary records in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), China.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Hospitalisation summary records between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 from 28 top-ranking hospitals in NHAR were extracted and rigorously analysed.

Participants

During the study period, hospitalisation records referring to liver cirrhosis were included. Records with missing data were excluded. A total of 16 566 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in this study.

Outcome measures

International Classification of Diseases codes, tenth version (ICD-10) and text-diagnoses were used to identify hospitalisation records referring to liver cirrhosis.

Results

Between 2015 and 2019, hospitalisation rates for liver cirrhosis declined from 8.38% to 5.57%. Chronic viral hepatitis accounted for almost 70% of all liver cirrhosis admissions; the remaining 30% of patients were admitted due to non-viral hepatitis cirrhosis (28.06%) and alcoholic cirrhosis (2.05%). The male-to-female hospitalisation rate ratio for liver cirrhosis was 2.57. The hospitalisation rate for workers with hepatitis cirrhosis was significantly higher than farmers (hospitalisation rate ratio (RR)=1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15, p<0.001); this was also the case for alcoholic cirrhosis (RR=5.23, 95% CI 3.34 to 8.20). However, the hospitalisation rate for workers with non-viral hepatitis cirrhosis was significantly lower than for farmers (RR=5.23, 95% CI 3.34 to 8.20, p<0.001). The hospitalisation rate increased in patients over the age of 30 years and reached a peak at the age of 45–50 years.

Conclusions

The hospitalisation rate for liver cirrhosis has declined over recent years and chronic viral hepatitis remains the major cause of liver cirrhosis in NHAR. Hospitalisation summary records can efficiently reflect the local changing trends of hospitalisation for liver cirrhosis and represent an efficient strategy for the surveillance of chronic disease.
Prognostic value of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio for acute kidney injury and in-hospital mortality in intensive care unit patients with intracerebral haemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study using the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Yang Fugang , Wang Rui , Lu Wei , Hu Hongtao , Li Zhiqiang , Shui Hua
Published: August 2023

Objective

We sought to evaluate the prognostic ability of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (BAR) for acute kidney injury (AKI) and in-hospital mortality in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in intensive care unit (ICU).

Design

A retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching.

Setting

ICU of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Participants

The data of patients with ICH were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (V.1.0) database. A total of 1510 patients with ICH were enrolled in our study.

Main outcome and measure

The optimal threshold value of BAR is determined by the means of X-tile software (V.3.6.1) and the crude cohort was categorised into two groups on the foundation of the optimal cut-off BAR (6.0 mg/g). Propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting were performed to control for confounders. The predictive performance of BAR for AKI was tested using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the association between BAR and in-hospital mortality.

Results

The optimal cut-off value for BAR was 6.0 mg/g. After matching, multivariate logistic analysis showed that the high-BAR group had a significantly higher risk of AKI (OR, 2.60; 95% confidence index, 95% CI, 1.86 to 3.65, p<0.001). What’s more, a higher BAR was also an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (HR, 2.84; 95% confidence index, 95% CI, 1.96 to 4.14, p<0.001) in terms of multivariate Cox regression analysis. These findings were further demonstrated in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

BAR is a promising and easily available biomarker that could serve as a prognostic predictor of AKI and in-hospital mortality in patients with ICH in the ICU.
Predicting falls-related admissions in older adults in Alberta, Canada: a machine-learning falls prevention tool developed using population administrative health data
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Kulkarni Vinaykumar , Joon Tanya , Eurich Dean T , Simpson Scot H , Voaklander Don , Wright Bruce , Samanani Salim
Published: August 2023

Objective

To construct a machine-learning (ML) model for health systems with organised falls prevention programmes to identify older adults at risk for fall-related admissions.

Design

This prognostic study used population-level administrative health data to develop an ML prediction model.

Setting

This study took place in Alberta, Canada during 2018–2019.

Participants

Albertans aged 65 and older with at least one prior admission. Those with palliative conditions or emigrated out of Alberta were excluded.

Exposure

Unit of analysis was the individual person.

Main outcomes/measures

We identified fall-related admissions. A CatBoost model was developed on 2018 data to predict risk of fall-related emergency department visits or hospitalisations. Temporal validation was done using 2019 data to evaluate model performance. We reported discrimination, calibration and other relevant metrics measured at the end of 2019 on both ranked predictions and predicted probability thresholds. A cost-savings simulation was performed using 2019 data.

Results

Final number of study participants was 224 445. The validation set had 203 584 participants with 19 389 fall-related events (9.5% pretest probability) and an ML model c-statistic of 0.70. The highest ranked predictions had post-test probabilities ranging from 40% to 50%. Net benefit analysis presented mixed results with some net benefit using the ML model in the 6%–30% range. The top 50 percentile of predicted risks represented nearly $C60 million in health system costs related to falls. Intervening on the top 25 or 50 percentiles of predicted risk could realise substantial (up to $C16 million) savings.

Conclusion

ML prediction models based on population-level administrative data can assist health systems with fall prevention programmes identify older adults at risk of fall-related admissions and reduce costs. ML predictions based on ranked predictions or probability thresholds could guide subsequent interventions to mitigate fall risks. Increased access to diverse forms of data could improve ML performance and further reduce costs.
Resources available for parent-provider vaccine communication in pregnancy in Canada: a scoping review
Authors: Surti Monica Santosh , Amarbayan Megan Mungunzul , McNeil Deborah A , Hayden K Alix , Donald Maoliosa , Patey Andrea M , Bruce Marcia , Castillo Eliana
Published: August 2023

Objective

Vaccination in pregnancy (VIP) is a protective measure for pregnant individuals and their babies. Healthcare provider’s (HCP) recommendations are important in promoting VIP. However, a lack of strong recommendations and accessible resources to facilitate communication impact uptake. This study sought to determine the extent of and characterise the resources available for parent-provider vaccine communication in pregnancy in Canada using a behavioural theory-informed approach.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

In accordance with the JBI methodology, nine disciplinary and interdisciplinary databases were searched, and a systematic grey literature search was conducted in March and January 2022, respectively. Eligible studies included resources available to HCPs practising in Canada when discussing VIP, and resources tailored to pregnant individuals. Two reviewers piloted a representative sample of published and grey literature using inclusion-exclusion criteria and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance guidelines (for grey literature only). Sixty-five published articles and 1079 grey reports were screened for eligibility, of which 19 articles and 166 reports were included, respectively.

Results

From the 19 published literature articles and 166 grey literature reports, 95% were driven by the ‘Knowledge’ domain of the Theoretical Domains Framework, while n=34 (18%) addressed the ‘Skills’ domain. Other gaps included a lack of VIP-specific tools to address hesitancy and a lack of information on culturally safe counselling practices.

Conclusion

The study suggests a need for resources in Canada to improve VIP communication skills and improve access to vaccination information for HCPs and pregnant individuals. The absence of such resources may hinder VIP uptake.
Use of audience response systems (ARS) in physiotherapists’ training: a qualitative study
Authors: Bertoni Gianluca , Marchesini Evelin , Zanchettin Francesca Elena , Crestini Michele , Testa Marco , Battista Simone
Published: August 2023

Objective

To explore the experience of using audience response systems (ARS) in postgraduate physiotherapy training.

Design

Qualitative interview study following the ‘reflexive thematic analysis’ by Braun and Clarke.

Setting

Higher education university.

Participants

Ten Italian students (60% men, N=6; 40% women, N=4) agreed to partake in the interviews.

Results

We generated four themes. Specifically, the ARS were perceived: (1) as a ‘Shared Compass’ (theme 1) between the student and the lecturers to monitor and modify the ongoing students’ learning journey; (2) useful to ‘Come Out of Your Shell’ (theme 2) as they help students to overcome shyness and build a team with peers; (3) as ‘A Square Peg in a Round Hole’ (theme 3) as they should not be used in situations that do not suit them; (4) as ‘Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea’ (theme 4) as mixed opinions among ARS’ utilities were found under some circumstances (eg, memorisation process and clinical reasoning).

Conclusion

Physiotherapy lecturers must use ARS critically, respecting when (eg, not at the end of the lesson) and how to propose them, keeping in mind that some skills (eg, practical ones) might not benefit from their use. Moreover, they need to consider that the ARS are not a tool for everyone, so ARS must be integrated into a multimodal teaching paradigm.
Clinical characteristics in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Japan: a case–control study using a 5-year large-scale claims database
Authors: Tokutsu Kei , Ito Kaoru , Kawazoe Shigeki , Minami Sota , Fujimoto Kenji , Muramatsu Keiji , Matsuda Shinya
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To examine the clinical characteristics of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and associated comorbidities.

Design

A case–control study using the national health insurance and the long-term elderly health insurance claims database.

Setting

Eligible patients diagnosed with NASH (ICD-10 K-75.8, other inflammatory liver disease or K-76.0, other fatty liver) between April 2015 and March 2020 were included.

Participants

Patients who met the diagnostic definitions for NASH (n=545) were matched with non-NASH controls (n=185 264) and randomly selected according to sex, birth year and residential area.

Interventions

No interventions were made.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

ORs were estimated for the relationship between patient background, such as age and sex, body mass index (BMI), NASH-related comorbidities and lifestyle-related diseases.

Results

In total, 545 patients with NASH (38.3% men) and 185 264 non-NASH controls (43.2% men) were identified, with median ages of 68 (IQR 63.0–75.0) and 65 (IQR 44.0–74.0) years, respectively. BMI was significantly higher in patients with NASH than in controls (25.8 kg/m2vs 22.9 kg/m2, p<0.001). The proportions of women, patients with hypertension, patients with dyslipidaemia and patients with type 2 diabetes were higher in the NASH group. In addition, NASH was associated with an increased risk of hepatic cirrhosis (OR 28.81 (95% CI 21.79 to 38.08)), followed by liver cancer (OR 18.38 (95% CI 12.56 to 26.89)). There was no significant association between NASH and risk for depression (OR 1.11 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.41)), insomnia (OR 1.12 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.34)) or chronic kidney diseases (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.58 to 1.12)).

Conclusions

In the daily medical care of patients, it is necessary to consider sex and age differences and to pay close attention to the risk of liver cancer, as well as other lifestyle-related comorbidities associated with NASH.
What do we know about pseudodementia?
Authors: Mouta Salomé , Fonseca Vaz Isabel , Pires Miguel , Ramos Sara , Figueiredo Diana
Published: August 2023

Depression and dementia can lead to generalised cognitive and memory dysfunction. Thus, differentiating these disorders is important and challenging. Pseudodementia is a term used clinically to describe symptoms that resemble dementia but are caused by other conditions (most frequently depression), rather than being recognised as an official diagnosis. Pseudodementia is characterised by a cognitive impairment that mimics dementia but which does not have its origin in neurological degeneration, deriving instead from functional psychiatric conditions. This condition is more commonly observed in older adults (particularly those over the age of 50 or 60 years), and its risk factors overlap with those for depression. Pseudodementia is essentially characterised by deficits in memory, executive function and speech and, therefore, can easily be confused with dementia, although there are aspects that allow its differentiation. Diagnosing pseudodementia can be difficult, especially as there is significant overlap between its symptoms and those of other conditions. However, it is important to recognise characteristic aspects of this disorder, as its correct identification is essential for proper treatment.
A CNN Compression Method via Dynamic Channel Ranking Strategy
Authors: Wen Ruiming , Wang Jian , Xie Yuanlun , Tian Wenhong
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the rapid development of mobile devices and embedded system raises a demand for intelligent models to address increasingly complicated problems. However, the complexity of the structure and extensive parameters press significantly on efficiency, storage space, and energy consumption. Additionally, the explosive growth of tasks with enormous model structures and parameters makes it impossible to compress models manually. Thus, a standardized and effective model compression solution achieving lightweight neural networks is established as an urgent demand by the industry. Accordingly, Dynamic Channel Ranking Strategy (DCRS) method is proposed to compress deep convolutional neural networks. DCRS selects channels with high contribution of each prunable layer according to compression ratio searched by reinforcement learning agent. Compared with current model compression methods, DCRS efficaciously applies various channel ranking strategies on prunable layers. Experiments indicate with a 50% compression ratio, compressed MobileNet achieved 70.62% top1 and 88.2% top5 accuracy on ImageNet, and compressed ResNet achieved 92.03% accuracy on CIFAR-10. DCRS reduces more FLOPS in these neural networks. The compressed model achieves the best Top-1 and Top-5 accuracy on ResNet50, the best Top-1 accuracy on MobilNetV1.
In Search of Continuous Improvement: An interview with Watermark's Brian Robinson
Authors: Dousay Tonia A.
Published: August 2023

One might say that Watermark's Vice President of Product is on a mission of continuous improvement. Or rather, his passion is helping institutions implement and experience the benefits of the continuous improvement cycle. With philosophies based on human-centered approaches to design, it's clear that Brian Robinson understands the theoretical foundations of and practical approaches to this critical work in institutional evaluation and effectiveness. This interview takes readers on a journey through the underlying components and future of continuous improvement through the eyes of a leading educational technology executive.