bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between indwelling site and peripheral venous catheter‐related complications in adult hospitalized patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fan Xiao‐wen , Xu Lei , Wei Wen‐Shi , Chen Ya‐Mei , Yang Yi‐Qun
Published: March 2022

Aims and objectives

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the incidence of PVC‐related complications between catheterisation in the forearm and back of the hand in adult patients.

Background

A peripheral intravenous catheter (PVC) is often inserted as part of care during patients’ hospitalisation. The catheter is typically inserted in the forearm or at the back of the hand in usual practice. Studies have not yet reached a consensus on the optimal insertion site in any clinical setting.

Design

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis based on PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

We searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL. Randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, case–control studies and cross‐sectional studies from inception to July 2021 reporting the incidence of PVC‐related complications at the forearm and back of the hand were included. Fixed‐effects models and random‐effects models were used to derive the pooled risk ratios.

Results

Twenty‐four studies involving 16562 PVCs met our inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis showed that compared with PVC placement in the back of the hand, placement in the forearm was associated with a higher incidence of total complications and infiltration/extravasation. However, the differences between the PVC indwelling sites were not significant (total complications:P = 0.43; phlebitis:P = 0.35; infiltration/extravasation:P = 0.51). Both incidence of total complications and infiltration/extravasation analyses showed high heterogeneity (total complications:I2 = 60%; infiltration/extravasation:I2 = 58%).

Conclusion

Available evidence suggests that there is no significant difference between PVC placement in the forearm and at the back of the hand in terms of the incidence of complications, thus making both approaches suitable.

Relevance to clinical practice

For patients who need indwelling PVC, medical staff can choose the best indwelling site, and both forearm and back of the hand are suitable.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the effectiveness of FemiCushion in pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Nomura Yukiko , Okada Yoshiyuki , Nakagawa Chie , Kurokawa Ippei , Shigeta Miwa , Fujisawa Hidefumi , Yoshimura Yasukuni
Published: March 2022

Aims

FemiCushion (FC) is a supportive device for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but its effectiveness has not been evaluated with imaging studies. This study utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the anatomic changes induced by FC use in patients with severe POP.

Methods

This prospective study examined patients with stage 3 or 4 POP who underwent treatment with FC and received a diagnostic MRI. Measurements were made in the midsagittal plane at rest and during straining with and without FC. The vertical distances from the lowest points of the anterior and posterior vaginal wall (A; P), uterine cervix or vaginal stump (C), and perineal body (PB) to the Pelvic Inclination Correction System line were measured, along with the lengths of the urogenital (UGH) and levator hiatus (LH).

Results

Twelve patients were included in the study. The median age was 72 (range, 56–84) years. All reference points were positioned significantly higher with the FC than without the FC (median ΔA: 11 mm, p = 0.005; ΔC: 14 mm, p = 0.011; ΔP: 6 mm, p = 0.008; ΔPB: 7 mm, p = 0.002). Median UGH and LH lengths during straining were significantly shorter with the FC than without the FC (UGH: 44 mm vs. 53 mm, p = 0.002; LH: 60 vs. 65 mm, p = 0.021).

Conclusions

This is the first report on the use of MRI to measure the performance of FC. Our study demonstrates that FC effectively repositioned the organs involved in POP.
Culture and Stress Coping: Cultural Variations in the Endorsement of Primary and Secondary Control Coping for Daily Stress Across European Canadians, East Asian Canadians, and the Japanese
Authors: Han Jing Yi , Lee Hajin , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Masuda Takahiko
Published: March 2022

People's daily stress experiences differ across cultures. The current study examined how people cope with daily stress by applying primary and secondary control coping and how people change their strategies across situations (actual vs. ideal situations). European Canadians (n = 100), East Asian Canadians (n = 98), and the Japanese (n = 103) read 40 stress scenarios and judged their endorsement of stress coping strategies based on their actual primary and secondary control coping usage in the past, as well as their ideal preference of each coping strategy for each stress scenario. We examined whether primary versus secondary control coping usage differs across cultural groups. The results indicated the following. (a) European Canadians showed an overall usage for primary control coping over secondary control; however, there was no selection of primary control coping over secondary control coping for East Asian Canadians or the Japanese. (b) All cultural groups preferentially endorsed primary control coping over secondary control coping for their ideal preference of coping strategy. Nevertheless, the Japanese still showed more preference for endorsing secondary control coping as an ideal coping strategy compared to European Canadians. (c) There were mediational relationships between culture, independence, and the primary–secondary difference in control coping. (d) East Asian Canadians demonstrated a unique coping pattern, and we inferred that it reflected their multicultural identity. We discussed both academic and societal implications and assert that the present findings demonstrate significant relationships between people's culture and well‐being.
Autoregressive mixture models for clustering time series
Authors: Ren Benny , Barnett Ian
Published: March 2022

Clustering time series into similar groups can improve models by combining information across like time series. While there is a well developed body of literature for clustering of time series, these approaches tend to generate clusters independently of model training, which can lead to poor model fit. We propose a novel distributed approach that simultaneously clusters and fits autoregression models for groups of similar individuals. We apply a Wishart mixture model so as to cluster individuals while modelling the corresponding autocovariance matrices at the same time. The fitted Wishart scale matrices map to cluster‐level autoregressive coefficients through the Yule–Walker equations, fitting robust parsimonious autoregressive mixture models. This approach is able to discern differences in underlying autocorrelation variation of time series in settings with large heterogeneous datasets. We prove consistency of our cluster membership estimator, asymptotic distributions of coefficients and compare our approach against competing methods through simulation as well as by fitting a COVID‐19 forecast model.
Bacterial‐fungal interactions and their impact on microbial pathogenesis
Authors: MacAlpine Jessie , Robbins Nicole , Cowen Leah E.
Published: March 2022

Microbial communities of the human microbiota exhibit diverse effects on human health and disease. Microbial homeostasis is important for normal physiological functions and changes to the microbiota are associated with many human diseases including diabetes, cancer, and colitis. In addition, there are many microorganisms that are either commensal or acquired from environmental reservoirs that can cause diverse pathologies. Importantly, the balance between health and disease is intricately connected to how members of the microbiota interact and affect one another's growth and pathogenicity. However, the mechanisms that govern these interactions are only beginning to be understood. In this review, we outline bacterial‐fungal interactions in the human body, including examining the mechanisms by which bacteria govern fungal growth and virulence, as well as how fungi regulate bacterial pathogenesis. We summarize advances in the understanding of chemical, physical, and protein‐based interactions, and their role in exacerbating or impeding human disease. We focus on the three fungal species responsible for the majority of systemic fungal infections in humans: Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. We conclude by summarizing recent studies that have mined microbes for novel antimicrobials and antivirulence factors, highlighting the potential of the human microbiota as a rich resource for small molecule discovery.
Intrinsic variation in the vertically transmitted core virome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Coatsworth Heather , Bozic Jovana , Carrillo Juliana , Buckner Eva A. , Rivers Adam R. , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Mathias Derrick K.
Published: March 2022

Virome studies among metazoans have revealed the ubiquity of RNA viruses in animals, contributing to a fundamental rethinking of the relationships between organisms and their microbiota. Mosquito viromes, often scrutinized due to their public health relevance, may also provide insight into broadly applicable concepts, such as a “core virome,” a set of viruses consistently associated with a host species or population that may fundamentally impact its basic biology. A subset of mosquito‐associated viruses (MAVs) could comprise such a core, and MAVs can be categorized as (i) arboviruses, which alternate between mosquito and vertebrate hosts, (ii) insect‐specific viruses, which cannot replicate in vertebrate cells, and (iii) viruses with unknown specificity. MAVs have been widely characterized in the disease vector Aedes aegypti, and the occurrence of a core virome in this species has been proposed but remains unclear. Using a wild population previously surveyed for MAVs and a common laboratory strain, we investigated viromes in reproductive tissue via metagenomic RNA sequencing. Virome composition varied across samples, but four groups comprised >97% of virus sequences: a novel partiti‐like virus (Partitiviridae), a toti‐like virus (Totiviridae), unclassified Riboviria, and four orthomyxo‐like viruses (Orthormyxoviridae). Whole or partial genomes for the partiti‐like virus, toti‐like virus, and one orthomyxo‐like virus were assembled and analysed phylogenetically. Multigenerational maintenance of these MAVs was confirmed by RT‐PCR, indicating vertical transmission as a mechanism for persistence. This study provides fundamental information regarding MAV ecology and variability in A. aegypti and the potential for vertically maintained core viromes at the population level.
Host blood meal identity modifies vector gene expression and competency
Authors: Ring Kacie , Couper Lisa I. , Sapiro Anne L. , Yarza Fauna , Yang X. Frank , Clay Keith , Mateusiak Chase , Chou Seemay , Swei Andrea
Published: March 2022

A vector's susceptibility and ability to transmit a pathogen—termed vector competency—determines disease outcomes, yet the ecological factors influencing tick vector competency remain largely unknown. Ixodes pacificus, the tick vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) in the western U.S., feeds on rodents, birds, and lizards. Rodents and birds are reservoirs for Bb and infect juvenile ticks, while lizards are refractory to Bb and cannot infect feeding ticks. Additionally, the lizard bloodmeal contains borreliacidal properties, clearing previously infected feeding ticks of their Bb infection. Despite I. pacificus feeding on a range of hosts, it is undetermined how the host identity of the larval bloodmeal affects future nymphal vector competency. We experimentally evaluate the influence of larval host bloodmeal on Bb acquisition by nymphal I. pacificus. Larval I. pacificus were fed on either lizards or mice and after molting, nymphs were fed on Bb‐infected mice. We found that lizard‐fed larvae were significantly more likely to become infected with Bb during their next bloodmeal than mouse‐fed larvae. We also conducted the first RNA‐seq analysis on whole‐bodied I. pacificus and found significant upregulation of tick antioxidants and antimicrobial peptides in the lizard‐fed group. Our results indicate that the lizard bloodmeal significantly alters vector competency and gene regulation in ticks, highlighting the importance of host bloodmeal identity in vector‐borne disease transmission and upends prior notions about the role of lizards in Lyme disease community ecology.
Microvascular remodeling following skin injury
Authors: Wikslund Liv Kristin , Kaljusto Mari‐Liis , Amundsen Vivian Shubira , Kvernebo Knut
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe possible remodeling (i.e., dilatation and elongation) of papillary capillaries induced by increased oxygen demand for the repair process following a skin wound.

Methods

Computer‐assisted video microscopy was used to examine 10 healthy volunteers before (baseline) and after (≈1 h and ≈24 h) an incision (5 mm long and 1 mm deep) on the forearm, 0–1 mm and 30 mm (control site) from the incision. We defined categories from 0 (low) to 3 (high) to grade dilatation and elongation of the nutritive papillary capillaries, as well as the visibility of the superficial vascular plexus. Approximately 10 000 capillaries from 200 films were scored.

Results

The nutritive papillary capillaries were dilated and elongated (p < 0.01) after ≈24 h; that is, elongation (score 1.9 ± 0.9) vs baseline (score 0.9 ± 0.6), p < 0.01 and dilatation (score 2.2 ± 0.7) vs baseline (score 0.3 ± 0.3), p < 0.01. Superficial plexus visibility increased (p < 0.01) after ≈1 h (score 2.0 ± 0.7) and ≈24 h (score 2.7 ± 0.3) vs baseline (score 0.8 ± 0.4).

Conclusion

The superficial vascular skin plexus showed enhanced visibility already ≈1 h after the skin trauma. Morphological remodeling in the nutritive papillary capillaries—dilatation and elongation after ≈24 h—facilitate increased O2 supply.
Vocal melody and musical background are simultaneously processed by the brain for musical predictions
Authors: Chabin Thibault , Pazart Lionel , Gabriel Damien
Published: March 2022

Musical pleasure is related to the capacity to predict and anticipate the music. By recording early cerebral responses of 16 participants with electroencephalography during periods of silence inserted in known and unknown songs, we aimed to measure the contribution of different musical attributes to musical predictions. We investigated the mismatch between past encoded musical features and the current sensory inputs when listening to lyrics associated with vocal melody, only background instrumental material, or both attributes grouped together. When participants were listening to chords and lyrics for known songs, the brain responses related to musical violation produced event‐related potential responses around 150–200 ms that were of a larger amplitude than for chords or lyrics only. Microstate analysis also revealed that for chords and lyrics, the global field power had an increased stability and a longer duration. The source localization identified that the right superior temporal and frontal gyri and the inferior and medial frontal gyri were activated for a longer time for chords and lyrics, likely caused by the increased complexity of the stimuli. We conclude that grouped together, a broader integration and retrieval of several musical attributes at the same time recruit larger neuronal networks that lead to more accurate predictions.
Severe recalcitrant hidradenitis suppurativa in a 2‐year‐old boy with partial trisomy 13
Authors: Keyes Emily , Larijani Mary , Castelo‐Soccio Leslie , Treat James R.
Published: March 2022

We report the case of a 2‐year‐old boy with mosaic trisomy 13 and immunodeficiency who developed severe hidradenitis suppurativa beginning at the age of 18 months. Unresponsive to standard therapies, he exhibited a partial response to immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
CEDNIK syndrome with phenotypic variability
Authors: Nanda Arti , Karam Tarek M. , AlLafi Atlal
Published: March 2022

CEDNIK syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by cerebral dysgenesis, neuropathy, ichthyosis, and keratoderma of which 25 cases from 19 families have been reported to date. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss‐of‐function pathogenic variant of the SNAP29 gene encoding a member of the SNARE family of proteins. We describe two female siblings from a Syrian parent‐related family with CEDNIK syndrome due to homozygous pathogenic variant in SNAP29 [c.223delG(p.Val75Serf*28)]. Palmoplantar keratoderma, reported as a cardinal sign in CEDNIK syndrome, was absent in both patients as of the last follow‐up, and one of our patients had a verrucous venous malformation, a finding that has not been previously reported.
Dalit religion
Authors: Mohan P. Sanal , Lee Joel
Published: March 2022

A reckoning with the question of Dalit religion is overdue. The religious worlds of that swath of the population of South Asia subject to the structural violence of “untouchability” have long been misapprehended—a consequence, in large part, of classificatory practices of the colonial and postcolonial state—as a kind of unlettered adjunct to Hinduism. This article assembles scholarly findings of recent years to foreground how Dalits themselves have constructed religious community across time and space. Dalit religion, we argue, is better understood not as a variant of Hinduism but as a critical provocation to all religion in South Asia, as well as a congeries of autonomous regional traditions that, too long obfuscated under colonial and brahminical taxonomies of religion, call out for study on their own terms.
Inflation and the Income Share of the Rich: Evidence for 14 OECD Countries
Authors: El Herradi Mehdi , Haan Jakob , Leroy Aurélien
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the distributional implications of inflation on top income shares in 14 advanced economies using data over the period 1920–2016. We use local projections to analyze how top income shares respond to an inflation shock, and panel regressions in which all variables are defined as 5‐year averages to examine the impact of inflation on the position of the top‐one‐percent in the long run. Our findings suggest that inflation reduces the share of national income held by the top 1 percent. Furthermore, we find that inflation shocks and long‐run inflation have similar effects on top income shares.
Gifting Relationships and School Dropout in Rural Malawi: Examining Differences by Gender and Poverty Level
Authors: Pike Isabel , Grant Monica
Published: March 2022

Research from sub‐Saharan Africa has shown the heightened likelihood of dropping out of school for students in sexual relationships, particularly girls. However, our knowledge is limited as to whether the risk of school dropout is exacerbated by the exchange of gifts in the relationship as well as students’ poverty level. Drawing on longitudinal survey data from rural Malawi, this study explores these questions, examining differences by gender and poverty level in the association between being in a sexual relationship in which gifts are exchanged and school dropout for adolescents in primary school. Our findings show that for both boys and girls, being in a gifting relationship heightens the risk of school dropout and eliminates the protective advantages of being nonpoor on dropout. However, non‐gifting sexual relationships also erase the protective advantage of being nonpoor for girls, but not for boys. These results point to the value of examining poverty–gender interactions to gain a more nuanced understanding of the impact of sexual relationships on adolescent trajectories.
Exchange rates and foreign direct investment: Evidence from Chinese firm‐level data
Authors: Li Shi , Nakagawa Hironobu
Published: March 2022

This study investigates the effect of the exchange rate on foreign direct investment (FDI). The exchange rate effect manifests itself theoretically but remains ambiguous empirically. In the literature, (a) FDI is treated predominantly as a continuous variable, while the discrete nature of FDI decisions is neglected; (b) FDI data are in aggregated form, masking the true firm‐level exchange‐rate–FDI relationship; and (c) regression models adopted are ill‐suited to analyse exchange rate and FDI data as both of these display different time‐series properties. To overcome these problems, we propose the use of (i) a discrete choice model with a mixed logit application to capture discrete investment decisions and firm heterogeneity; (ii) cross‐section dimension to reduce the problem arising from the time‐series dimension; and (iii) firm‐level location choice data and real exchange rate data reflecting international price level differences so that (i) and (ii) are implemented. With these new features, we perform an empirical analysis using firm‐level data on the location choice of Chinese outward FDI during 2005–2016. Our estimation results detect a significant exchange rate effect not accounted for previously, explaining why the evidence for the effect has been mixed across studies.
Arterial supply to the scrotum: A cadaveric angiographic study
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed H. , Degner Daniel A. , Stanley Bryden J.
Published: March 2022

Objective

To determine the dominant arterial supply to the scrotum.

Study design

Experimental anatomic study.

Animals

Intact male canine cadavers (n = 10).

Methods

Barium sulfate was injected into the internal iliac artery (n = 7) or into the pudendoepigastric trunk (n = 3). The perineal, scrotal, and prescrotal skin was sharply dissected from cadavers and radiographed. Angiograms were subjectively reviewed by 3 investigators.

Results

Angiograms were completed successfully in all 10 dogs, with no difference between frozen and fresh cadavers. The dominant blood supply to the scrotum was consistently identified as arising from the ventral perineal arteries, originating from the internal pudendal arteries, coursing ventrally and cranially toward the caudal scrotum before terminating as the dorsal scrotal arteries (n = 7). The blood supply to the cranial scrotum was more limited (n = 3) as only the cranial border of the scrotum was perfused by the ventral scrotal arteries.

Conclusion

Based on this anatomic perfusion study, the dorsal scrotal arteries appear to supply a larger area than the ventral scrotal arteries.

Clinical significance

These results provide evidence to justify further consideration of a scrotal flap using the caudal perineal skin as the main cutaneous pedicle to reconstruct defects located on the caudal, medial, and lateral thighs in dogs. Such a flap should be based on the caudal blood supply and the base of this flap should be located caudal to the scrotum to preserve its main blood supply.
Medical‐surgical nurses' EBP beliefs and competencies
Authors: Yoder Linda H. , Cengiz Adem , Hinkley Terri , Hertel Robin A. , Gallagher‐Ford Lynn , Koshy Thomas Bindu
Published: March 2022

Background

The lack of evidence‐based practice (EBP) knowledge and inability to implement EBP among nurses is a major barrier to quality nursing care. The literature shows that nurses highly value the use of EBP, however, they lack necessary EBP competencies. Although medical‐surgical nurses were included in studies examining cross‐sections of the nursing workforce, no studies exist specifically investigating their EBP beliefs and EBP competencies.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe medical‐surgical nurses’ self‐reported EBP beliefs and competencies.

Method

A descriptive, cross‐sectional design employing survey methodology was used.

Results

A total of 1,709 medical‐surgical nurses participated for a response rate of 13%. The findings revealed that medical‐surgical nurses had positive beliefs about EBP. However, they rated themselves competent in only 2 EBP competencies of 24. Medical‐surgical nurses working in units or organizations that had a special designation such as Academy of Medical‐Surgical Nurses Premier Recognition in the Specialty of Med‐Surg (AMSN PRISM; p = .001) or Pathway to Excellence (p = .006) reported greater EBP competency scores. Also, nurses educated at the master's level or higher had better EBP competency scores (p < .0001).

Linking Evidence to Action

Medical‐surgical nurses need support at the personal and organizational levels to improve their EBP competence and increase uptake of EBP in their practice. Therefore, individual nurses must reflect on their EBP competence level and pursue opportunities to develop these essential attributes. Leaders must also create practice environments where EBP is valued, and barriers to EBP implementation are eliminated. Faculty in prelicensure and graduate programs should integrate EBP into their curricula and assess students’ EBP competencies.
Zoonotic bacteria in clinically healthy goats in petting zoo settings of zoological gardens in Germany
Authors: Göttling Jannis , Heckel Jens‐Ove , Hotzel Helmut , Fruth Angelika , Pfeifer Yvonne , Henning Klaus , Kopp Peter , Mertens‐Scholz Katja , Rietschel Wolfram , Pfeffer Martin
Published: March 2022

Goats and other small ruminants are frequently used as contact animals in petting zoo settings of zoological gardens. However, they are capable to carry a broad spectrum of zoonotic pathogens without clinical signs. In this study, we analysed the presence of different zoonotic pathogens in 300 clinically healthy goats from 14 zoological gardens in Germany. Rectal and nasal swabs were investigated with a series of cultural and molecular techniques. In addition, vaginal swabs of the 230 female goats were investigated for the presence of Coxiella burnetii by real‐time PCR. Antibodies against C. burnetii were tested in milk and serum by ELISA. Campylobacter spp. were found in 22.7%, Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli in 20.0% and Arcobacter spp. were found in 1.7% of the tested 300 goats after culture from rectal swabs and subsequent PCR. One sample contained an Escherichia fergusonii isolate with a blaCTX‐M‐1‐encoded extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase phenotype. Neither Yersinia spp. nor Salmonella spp. were found. Nasal swabs of 20.7% of the goats yielded Staphylococcus aureus including one mecC‐positive methicillin‐resistant isolate. Neither Yersinia spp. nor Salmonella spp. were found, and none of the 230 vaginal swabs was positive for C. burnetii. Attempts to detect dermatophytes failed. In conclusion, a possible risk of transmission of zoonotic bacteria from goats in petting zoos to visitors should be considered. Appropriate information and facilities for hand washing and disinfection should be provided in all zoological gardens using goats as contact animals due to the regular presence of zoonotic bacteria in the collection.
Immobilization of maltogenic amylase in alginate-chitosan beads for improved enzyme retention and stability
Authors: Muhammad Firdaus Kumar Nurhidayah Kumar , Chee Meng Chew , Abdul Manas Nor Hasmaliana , Ahmad Rabiatul Adawiyah , Mohd Fuzi Siti Fatimah Zaharah , A. Rahman Roshanida , Md Illias Rosli
Published: March 2022

Maltogenic amylase (Mag1) is a potent enzyme that hydrolyzes the glycosidic bond of polysaccharides to produce malto-oligosaccharides (MOS). However, the Mag1 enzyme has poor stability and reusability, leading to inefficient MOS production. Enzyme immobilization is a promising method to solve the enzyme stability problem. Entrapment and encapsulation technique was used in this study to immobilize Mag1 because of high biocompatibility and prevention of enzyme degradation, hence lesser loss of enzymatic activity. Chitosan was used as a coating membrane on the alginate matrix, preventing enzyme leaching from the beads. Mag1 entrapped in alginate-chitosan beads showed better performance compared to alginate beads in terms of thermostability, reusability and enzyme retention. Alginate-chitosan beads showed improvement of temperature stability of approximately 35%, 30% and 20% at a respective temperature of 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C. Reusability analysis showed immobilized Mag1 can be used up to at least eight cycles with retained activity of 80% and 70% from its initial activity for alginate-chitosan and alginate beads respectively. Enzyme leakage percentage in alginate-chitosan was 7-21%, while that in alginate was 12-35%. The overall findings envisage the promising application of alginate-chitosan beads immobilized Mag1 as a biocatalyst for MOS synthesis.
Joint Effects of Dispersal and Trophic Interactions on the Biodiversity of Species
Authors: Abdul Shamad Nur Farhana Hazwani , Mohd Mohd Hafiz
Published: March 2022

Local dispersal and trophic interactions are thought to have important influences on species range limits (i.e., the boundaries of locations where species is found) across geographical regions. To better understand this problem, we perform a numerical bifurcation analysis of a partial differential equations model. This system consists of prey-predator interactions, environmental suitability, and local dispersal terms. The main objective of this investigation is to examine the combined effects of distinct ecological factors on species population dynamics. In the absence of dispersal, our results show that variations in abiotic environments and handling times of predator lead to different outcomes of species interactions (i.e., stable limit cycles, species coexistence, and species exclusion). The inclusion of dispersal into this system reduces the predation pressure and stabilizes this ecological community to mediate species biodiversity. Local dispersal also induces intriguing dynamical behaviour in the system such as bistability and unstable limit cycles.
Unsteady Falkner-Skan flow of Hybrid Nanofluid over a Nonlinear Moving Wedge
Authors: Murad Nurul Musfirah , Rawi Noraihan Afiqah , Shafie Sharidan , Lim Yeou Jiann , Mahat Rahimah
Published: March 2022

The efficient heat transfer performance of hybrid nanofluid making the fluid crucial in many industrial applications like heat exchangers, nuclear reactors, automotive cooling systems, and most manufacturing processes. This study aims to uncover the properties of an unsteady Falkner-Skan hybrid nanofluid flows over a nonlinear moving wedge with the convective boundary condition. The water-based hybrid nanofluid that is considered in this research is composite nanoparticles of copper (Cu) and alumina (Al2O3). The governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by applying suitable similarity variables. Then, the transformed equations are numerically solved by utilizing the Keller-Box method. The effects of various pertinent parameters such as unsteady parameter, moving wedge parameter and the angle wedge parameter on the fluid flows and heat transfer are examined and graphically presented. The moving wedge parameter has enhanced the velocity profile and the heat transfer performance of the fluid. However, an opposite tendency is observed in temperature profiles for the increment of the angle wedge parameter.
An Active Flow Control Approach for Spatially Growing Mixing Layer
Authors: Kaul Upender K.
Published: March 2022

A control approach is proposed in this study that controls the growth of a spatially growing mixing layer in an open loop. Due to the similarity of the mixing layer dynamics in the temporal and spatial domains, the control is exercised in the temporal domain that leads to optimization of the layer in the spatial domain. The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control in the temporal domain uses Navier–Stokes equations as the plant model. Apart from being prohibitively expensive, control in the spatial domain presents convective time delay problems. These barriers are circumvented by solving the control problem in the temporal domain very rapidly, based on a given set point in the linear regime. Once the set point in the temporal domain is reached, the corresponding initial conditions in the temporal domain are mapped to inflow boundary conditions in the spatial domain. With these mapped inflow boundary conditions in the spatial domain, the spatial development of the mixing layer is followed, which confirms the efficacy of control in the spatial domain. The present control methodology offers a new paradigm for control of the spatially growing mixing layer.
Making the Urban Sky View Factor With Numerical Models Consistent With Radiation Heat Transfer Theory
Authors: Rehman N. U. , Anderson T. N. , Nates R. J.
Published: March 2022

This work proposes a method for removing the inconsistency between the numerical models used for determining the sky view factor (SVF) in an urban environment and fundamental radiation heat transfer theory. For this purpose, a transformation of the coordinate system from global to surface was developed, which corrected the measurement of the angular coordinates of the elements in the discretized sky vault. The transformation was deployed in a published numerical model and was validated in a non-urban environment with a widely used analytical expression for the SVF, with which it was found to be in excellent agreement. The method was subsequently applied to an urban scenario, and the results were compared with the original numerical model. The proposed method provides a better determination of the SVF as a function of the surface azimuth and tilt angle.
Enhanced Heat Transfer Performance of Multiple Triangular Air Flow Passages in Parallel With Inclined Fins for Flat Plate Solar Air Heater
Authors: Karwa Rajendra
Published: March 2022

This paper presents results of a study of heat transfer performance of multiple equilateral triangular parallel air flow passages below a uniformly heated flat plate having inclined fins of different thickness, length, and material covering a part of the side walls of the duct for transition to early turbulent regimes using appropriate experimental heat transfer coefficient and friction factor correlations from the literature. The heat transfer performance enhancement at equal pumping power has been measured in terms of a performance parameter (hA/hsAs), where hA is the product of heat transfer coefficient and total heat transfer area for the finned triangular duct, and hsAs is the product for the triangular duct with heated flat plate without fins and adiabatic side walls. The values of the performance parameter for steel fins integral with the heated plate are found to be 1.71–1.78 for 1.0 mm thick fins of 15 mm length and 1.94–2.04 for 1.5 mm thick fins of 20 mm length. For aluminum fins, the performance parameter is 2.36–2.54 for 30 mm long fins of 1–1.5 mm thickness. The results of the presented novel scheme of the finned heated plate can be utilized for the development of enhanced performance solar air heater with the finned absorber plate. Since the presented scheme enhances heat transfer without increased pumping power penalty, the existing smooth rectangular duct solar collectors can be modified for enhanced performance.
Associations of Physical Activity Enjoyment and Physical Education Enjoyment With Segmented Daily Physical Activity in Children: Exploring Tenets of the Trans-Contextual Model of Motivation
Authors: Burns Ryan D. , Bai Yang , Podlog Leslie W. , Brusseau Timothy A. , Welk Gregory J.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This study examined the associations between physical activity enjoyment and physical education enjoyment with segmented physical activity in children. Method: Using student-level data from the School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health project (N = 1,986), the Youth Activity Profile (YAP) assessed physical activity before school, during physical education, recess, after school, and evening. Segmented YAP scores were regressed onto two enjoyment variables using a seemingly unrelated regression system. Results: Physical activity enjoyment and physical education enjoyment significantly associated with YAP scores during all segments, but physical education enjoyment showed stronger associations during physical education. Older students had higher physical activity before school and in the evening, and physical education enjoyment was more influential for females before school. Conclusion: This study supports tenets of the trans-contextual model of motivation. Improving both physical activity and physical education enjoyment may yield improvements in physical activity behaviors during physical education and all other day segments.
Aristotle’s Conception of Arete and the Meaning of Records in Sport
Authors: Twietmeyer Gregg , Johnson Tyler G.
Published: March 2022

The modern sports world is currently obsessed with records, data, statistics, and/or the objective measurement of human performance. A primary message originating from this trend—manifesting in youth, club, interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional sport—is that breaking records and improving one’s statistical output is the main objective of sport. In this article, we argue for why a predominant focus on records, stats, and winning is self-limiting and thereby misses the mark of what sport and sporting performance are. It is human beings who play sports rather than mere physical mechanical objects. Furthermore, we propose an arete-based philosophical perspective—taken directly from the ancient Greeks and particularly Aristotle—for how we ought to conceptualize and pursue sport. An arete-based philosophy captures the true essence of what sport is about by rooting it in what is “good and beautiful” (kalokagathia as the Greeks called it). Arete or “virtue” is, for Aristotle, about the cultivation of human excellence. Excellence, however, is not myopically reduced to “being the best,” “achieving fame or honor,” or “winning.” Instead, arete aims at cultivating the skills, both kinesthetic and moral, that lead to a good life. Elite performance, no matter how impressive, is never more than one small aspect of such a life. Character matters too, which means human excellence is never reducible to the measurable. After articulating this Aristotelian philosophy of sport, we then conclude the article by offering five recommendations for how teachers, coaches, and leaders of sport organizations can improve the culture of sport. Physical educators and coaches would be wise to take this Aristotelian conception of arete to heart.
Metabacillus dongyingensis
sp. nov. Is Represented by the Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium BY2G20 Isolated from Saline-Alkaline Soil and Enhances the Growth of
Zea mays
L. under Salt Stress
Authors: Yin Zhiqiu , Wang Xin , Hu Yujie , Zhang Jikun , Li Hui , Cui Yanru , Zhao Dongying , Dong Xusheng , Zhang Xiaohang , Liu Kai , Du Binghai , Ding Yanqin , Wang Chengqiang
Published: March 2022

Plant growth and yield are adversely affected by soil salinity. PGPRs can promote plant growth and enhance plant tolerance to salt stress.
Degree of Freedom of Gene Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yang Zhen , Xu Feng , Xue Aijuan , Lv Hong , He Yungang
Published: March 2022

The complexity of genome-wide gene expression has not yet been adequately addressed due to a lack of comprehensive statistical analyses. In the present study, we introduce degree of freedom (DOF) as a summary statistic for evaluating gene expression complexity.
Characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among adults aged 50 years and above in England (8 December 2020–17 May 2021): a population-level observational study
Authors: Tessier Elise , Rai Yuma , Clarke Eleanor , Lakhani Anissa , Tsang Camille , Makwana Ashley , Heard Heather , Rickeard Tim , Lakhani Shreya , Roy Partho , Edelstein Michael , Ramsay Mary , Lopez-Bernal Jamie , White Joanne , Andrews Nick , Campbell Colin N J , Stowe Julia
Published: March 2022

Objective

To determine characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine coverage among individuals aged 50 years and above in England since the beginning of the programme.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study assessed by logistic regression and mean prevalence margins.

Setting

COVID-19 vaccinations delivered in England from 8 December 2020 to 17 May 2021.

Participants

30 624 257/61 967 781 (49.4%) and 17 360 045/61 967 781 (28.1%) individuals in England were recorded as vaccinated in the National Immunisation Management System with a first dose and a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, respectively.

Interventions

Vaccination status with COVID-19 vaccinations.

Main outcome measures

Proportion, adjusted ORs and mean prevalence margins for individuals not vaccinated with dose 1 among those aged 50–69 years and dose 1 and 2 among those aged 70 years and above.

Results

Of individuals aged 50 years and above, black/African/Caribbean ethnic group was the least likely of all ethnic groups to be vaccinated with dose 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, of those aged 70 years and above, the odds of not having dose 2 was 5.53 (95% CI 5.42 to 5.63) and 5.36 (95% CI 5.29 to 5.43) greater among Pakistani and black/African/Caribbean compared with white British ethnicity, respectively. The odds of not receiving dose 2 was 1.18 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.20) higher among individuals who lived in a care home compared with those who did not. This was the opposite to that observed for dose 1, where the odds of being unvaccinated was significantly higher among those not living in a care home (0.89 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.91)).

Conclusions

We found that there are characteristics associated with low COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Inequalities, such as ethnicity are a major contributor to suboptimal coverage and tailored interventions are required to improve coverage and protect the population from SARS-CoV-2.
Adherence to UNRWA’s anaemia treatment guidelines in the Jerash Camp Health Centre, Jordan: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Harada Yuriko , Kishk Nada Abu , Hajat Shakoor , Akita Mio , Horino Masako , Albaik Shatha , Naqera Khalil Abu , Hababeh Majed , Habash Rami , Seita Akihiro
Published: March 2022

Objective

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides primary healthcare to 2.2 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan. This study aimed to measure patient and doctor adherence to the UNRWA guidelines for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in moderate to severe anaemia children, defined as haemoglobin (Hb) level <10.0 g/L.

Design, setting and participants

A retrospective observational study was conducted by analysing the electronic health records of 717 children (353 boys and 364 girls) children aged 12 months old in 2018 in the Jerash Camp Health Centre, Jordan.

Outcome

Patient adherence to the UNRWA guidelines was calculated by the proportion of health centre visits and doctor adherence by the proportions of Hb tests and iron supplementation among moderate to severe anaemia children at screening, first, second and third follow-up visits, respectively using STATA.

Results

The prevalence of moderate to severe anaemia was 15.6% among 12-month-old children. After 1 month of iron supplementation, 83.7% of anaemic children improved their Hb status: mean±SD from 9.1±0.6 g/L to 10.1±1.0 g/L. Patient and doctor adherence to the UNRWA guidelines was above 80% at the screening visit but progressively decreased at follow-up visits, especially patient adherence at the third follow-up visit of 34.4%. The analysis revealed unnecessary health centre visits and iron supplementation being given to mildly anaemic children (Hb level=10.0 g/L–10.9 g/L). Additionally, children visited the health centre at an age significantly later compared with that recommended by the UNRWA guidelines for the screening, first and second follow-up visits (p-value<0.05).

Conclusion

Adherence to the UNRWA guidelines was above 80% at screening but much lower at follow-up visits. Urgent action is needed to improve adherence at follow-up visits and to minimise any unnecessary health centre visits and iron supplementation to mildly anaemic children.
Efficacy and safety of autologous adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction in patients with thin endometrium: a protocol for a single-centre, longitudinal, prospective self-control study
Authors: Yang Shuo , Liu Fen-Ting , Peng Tian-Liu , Yu Yang , Li Rong
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Endometrial thickness is an important parameter to evaluate endometrial receptivity. An appropriate endometrial thickness is necessary for both embryo implantation and maintaining normal pregnancy. Women with thin endometrium are one of the critical challenges in the clinic, and current therapeutic strategies for thin endometrium remain suboptimal. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) derived from adipose tissue contains a variety of cells, mainly adipose-derived stem/stromal cells and adipose cells. Recently, adipose tissue-derived SVF showed tremendous potential for treating thin endometrium due to its capacity to repair and regenerate tissues. The application of SVF in animal models for treating thin endometrium has been investigated. However, limited evidence has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of autologous SVF in patients with thin endometrium.

Methods and analysis

This study is a single-centre, longitudinal, prospective self-control study to investigate the preliminary efficacy and safety of autologous SVF in improving the pregnancy outcome of infertile patients with thin endometrium. Thirty patients diagnosed with thin endometrium will be recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The SVF suspension will be transferred into the uterine cavity via an embryo transfer catheter. Then, comparisons between pretreatment and post-treatment will be analysed, and the outcomes, including endometrial thickness, menstrual volume and duration, frequency and severity of adverse events and early pregnancy outcomes, will be measured within a 3-month follow-up, while late pregnancy outcomes and their offspring will be followed up via telephone for 2 years. The proportion of patients with improved symptoms will be calculated and compared.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Third Hospital (reference number: REC2020-165). Written informed consent will be provided for patients before being included. The results will be presented at academic conferences and a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000035126.