bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of 252Cf sources with a Ge gamma-ray detector
Authors: Becker Frank B E , Dagan Ron , Marquardt Christian M
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the feasibility of combining high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy with the simulation capabilities of the Nucleonica Nuclear Science Portal with the aim to determine the properties of Cf sources. In this contribution, we present the results for a 20-month-old and a 49-year-old Cf source. In particular, the question arises whether the neutron emission rate can be determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy.
Environmental airborne tritium monitoring system based on absorption of tritiated water on calcium chloride
Authors: Tsroya Shimon , Kravchik Tuvia , Dolgin Bella
Published: October 2023

Environmental monitoring of tritium around nuclear facilities is conducted in order to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements on the protection of members of the public. Multiple techniques are used to monitor its concentration in air, soil and flora. A new monitoring system was developed, which is based on the absorption of tritiated water on Calcium Chloride grains. Calcium Chloride has an improved capability to absorb water vapor, compared with other absorbents/adsorbents: it can absorb water vapor as much as three times its own weight. The Calcium Chloride is inserted inside a plastic bag where it interacts with environmental vapor through a membrane filter “window”. The tritium absorption rate is then controlled by adjusting the free area of the membrane filter. After the determination of the tritium activity absorbed in the calcium chloride using a liquid scintillation system, a model is used to estimate its airborne concentration, considering the environmental conditions.
sTREM2 is a plasma biomarker for human NASH and promotes hepatocyte lipid accumulation
Authors: Kothari Vishal , Savard Christopher , Tang Jingjing , Lee Sum P. , Subramanian Savitha , Wang Shari , den Hartigh Laura J. , Bornfeldt Karin E. , Ioannou George N.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Pathogenetic mechanisms of the progression of NAFL to advanced NASH coupled with potential noninvasive biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets are active areas of investigation. The recent finding that increased plasma levels of a protein shed by myeloid cells —soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) —may be a biomarker for NASH has received much interest. We aimed to test sTREM2 as a biomarker for human NASH and investigate the role of sTREM2 in the pathogenesis of NASH.

Methods:

We conducted studies in both humans (comparing patients with NASH vs. NAFL) and in mice (comparing different mouse models of NASH) involving measurements of TREM2 gene and protein expression levels in the liver as well as circulating sTREM2 levels in plasma. We investigated the pathogenetic role of sTREM2 in hepatic steatosis using primary hepatocytes and bone marrow derived macrophages.

Results:

RNA sequencing analysis of livers from patients with NASH or NAFL as well as livers from 2 mouse models of NASH revealed elevated TREM2 expression in patients/mice with NASH as compared with NAFL. Plasma levels of sTREM2 were significantly higher in a well-characterized cohort of patients with biopsy-proven NASH versus NAFL (area under receiver-operating curve 0.807). Mechanistic studies revealed that cocultures of primary hepatocytes and macrophages with an impaired ability to shed sTREM2 resulted in reduced hepatocyte lipid droplet formation on palmitate stimulation, an effect that was counteracted by the addition of exogenous sTREM2 chimeric protein. Conversely, exogenous sTREM2 chimeric protein increased lipid droplet formation, triglyceride content, and expression of the lipid transporter CD36 in hepatocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of CD36 markedly attenuated sTREM2-induced lipid droplet formation in mouse primary hepatocytes.

Conclusions:

Elevated levels of sTREM2 due to TREM2 shedding may directly contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD by promoting hepatocyte lipid accumulation, as well as serving as a biomarker for distinguishing patients with NASH versus NAFL. Further investigation of sTREM2 as a clinically useful diagnostic biomarker and of the therapeutic effects of targeting sTREM2 in NASH is warranted.
Incidence and Predictors of Pregnancy in Women Enrolled in Large Multinational HIV Treatment Trials of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group
Authors: Omoz-Oarhe Ayotunde E. , Hughes Michael D. , Yajing Bao , Short William R. , Mngqibisa Rosie , Cohn Susan E. , Weinberg Adriana , La Rosa Alberto , Collier Ann , Samaneka Wadzanai , Morroni Chelsea , Lockman Shahin
Published: October 2023

Objectives:

Women are under-represented in clinical trials and must often commit to using contraception to enroll. We sought to determine the incidence and predictors of pregnancy in women participating in HIV treatment trials.

Design:

Individual participant data meta-analysis.

Methods:

We included data from multicountry HIV treatment trials conducted during the period 2005–2019 by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group that included females with HIV who were of reproductive potential, did not intend to become pregnant, and agreed to use effective contraception during study treatment. We extracted data from all female participants of age 18–55 years, including occurrence and dates of pregnancy on-study; however, only a few incident pregnancy predictor variables were available for analysis.

Results:

One thousand six hundred twenty-six women from 4 trials were included. Over a median of 28 months (6461 person-years) of follow-up, 143 (9%) women became pregnant, for an overall incidence of 2.2 pregnancies/100 person-years (range 0.5–3/100 person-years, by study). In multivariable analysis including baseline age, type of regimen, and country as predictor variables, younger age remained the strongest predictor of incident pregnancy (P < 0.0001 adjusted for country and antiretroviral treatment regimen). CD4 and HIV-1 RNA were not associated with pregnancy incidence.

Conclusions:

Pregnancy incidence was 2.2/100 person-years in female participants of HIV treatment trials. Rather than leading to exclusion of young women from trials, this finding should prompt appropriate adaptations in study design and analysis for earlier generation of pregnancy safety information for drugs.
Elective Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair leads to an Increase in Life-Expectancy over Watchful Waiting in Asymptomatic Patients
Authors: DeMeester Steven R. , Bernard Lisa , Schoppmann Sebastian F. , Kloosterman Robert , Roth J. Scott
Published: October 2023

Objective:

The aim of this study was to perform an updated Markov analysis to determine the optimal management strategy for patients with an asymptomatic paraesophageal hernia (PEH): elective laparoscopic hernia repair (ELHR) versus watchful waiting (WW).

Summary background data:

Currently it is recommended that patients with an asymptomatic PEH not undergo repair based on a 20-year-old Markov analysis. The current recommendation might lead to preventable hospitalizations for acute PEH-related complications and compromised survival.

Methods:

A Markov model with updated variables was used to compare life-years (LYs) gained with ELHR versus WW in patients with a PEH. One-way sensitivity analyses evaluated the robustness of the analysis to alternative data inputs, while probabilistic sensitivity analysis quantified the level of confidence in the results in relation to the uncertainty across all model inputs.

Results:

At age 40-90 ELHR led to greater life expectancy than WW, particularly in women. The gain in L-Ys (2.6) was greatest in a 40-year-old woman and diminished with increasing age. Sensitivity analysis showed that alternative values resulted in modest changes in the difference in L-Ys, but ELHR remained the preferred strategy. Probabilistic analysis showed that ELHR was the preferred strategy in 100% of 10,000 simulations for age 65, 98% for age 80, 90% for age 85 and 59% of simulations in 90-year-old women.

Conclusions:

This updated analysis showed that ELHR leads to an increase in L-Ys over WW in healthy patients aged 40-90 years with an asymptomatic PEH. In this new paradigm all patients with a PEH, regardless of symptoms, should be referred for consideration of elective repair to maximize their life expectancy.
Face masks to control the source of respiratory infections: A systematic review of the scientific literature before and after COVID-19
Authors: Brown Elissa , Haslam Alyson , Prasad Vinay
Published: October 2023

Objective

To examine the scientific literature on mask-use as source control to protect others from respiratory infections before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

We examined primary research on mask usage as a means of source control to protect others by reducing the spread of respiratory diseases and contrasted the literature published before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with that published afterward. Articles were obtained through a search of PubMed and a review of article references. March 1, 2020 was selected as the cutoff date to distinguish between the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods.

Results

195 articles met our inclusion criteria. The sample included 55 articles on source control published before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 140 articles published after the pandemic began, representing a 154.5% increase. The percentage of randomized control trials (RCT) and cluster RCTs declined by 94.9% (p<0.001), representing only 1.4% of the post-pandemic literature. The percentage of studies conducted on human subjects declined by 48.8% (p<0.001), and the percentage of studies in healthcare facilities declined by 64.5% (p=0.019). One in 5 post-pandemic studies (21.4%) were conducted in “real world” settings; 1 in 10 post-pandemic studies (10.0%) were done with computer modeling. Study authors were significantly more supportive of masks as source control in the post-pandemic literature.

Conclusions

The quality of evidence in the published literature on masks as source control is lower after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with notable shifts in methodologies, research subjects, setting, and author tone.
Tongue swab testing on two automated tuberculosis diagnostic platforms, Cepheid Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra and Molbio Truenat® MTB Ultima
Authors: Wood Rachel C. , Luabeya Angelique K. , Dragovich Rane B. , Olson Alaina M. , Lochner Katherine A. , Weigel Kris M. , Codsi Renée , Mulenga Humphrey , de Vos Margaretha , Kohli Mikashmi , Penn-Nicholson Adam , Hatherill Mark , Cangelosi Gerard A.
Published: October 2023

Tongue dorsum swabbing is a potential alternative to sputum collection for tuberculosis (TB) testing. Previous studies showed that Cepheid Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) can detectMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) DNA in tongue swabs stored in buffer, with 72% sensitivity and 100% specificity relative to a sputum microbiological reference standard (sputum MRS). The present study evaluated a more convenient sample collection protocol (dry swab storage), combined with streamlined sample processing protocols, for side-by-side analysis using two commercial TB diagnostic tests: Xpert Ultra and Molbio Truenat® MTB Ultima (MTB Ultima). Copan FLOQSwabs were self-collected, or collected by study workers, from 321 participants in Western Cape, South Africa. All participants had symptoms suggestive of TB, and 245 of them had sputum MRS-confirmed TB (by sputum culture and/or Xpert Ultra). One tongue swab per participant was tested on Xpert Ultra and another tongue swab was tested with MTB Ultima. Xpert Ultra was 75.4% sensitive and 100% specific, and MTB Ultima was 71.6% sensitive and 96.9% specific, relative to sputum MRS. When sample lysates that were false-negative by MTB Ultima were frozen, thawed, and re-tested, MTB Ultima sensitivity rose to 79.1%. Both tests were more sensitive with swabs from participants with higher sputum Xpert semi-quantitative results. The protocol for Xpert Ultra enabled fast and easy testing of dry-stored swabs with no loss of accuracy relative to previous methods. MTB Ultima testing of dry-stored swabs exhibited comparable performance to Xpert Ultra. These results further support tongue swabs as easy-to-collect samples for high-throughput TB testing.
Site-specific arrangement and structure determination of minor groove binding molecules in self-assembled three-dimensional DNA crystals
Authors: Simmons Chad R. , Buchberger Alex , Henry Skylar J.W. , Novacek Alexandra , Fahmi Nour Eddine , MacCulloch Tara , Stephanopoulos Nicholas , Yan Hao
Published: October 2023

The structural analysis of guest molecules in rationally designed and self-assembling DNA crystals has proven elusive since its conception. Oligonucleotide frameworks provide an especially attractive route towards studying DNA-binding molecules by using three-dimensional lattices with defined sequence and structure. In this work, we site-specifically position a suite of minor groove binding molecules, and solve their structures via x-ray crystallography, as a proof-of-principle towards scaffolding larger guest species. Two crystal motifs were used to precisely immobilize the molecules DAPI, Hoechst, and netropsin at defined positions in the lattice, allowing us to control occupancy within the crystal. We also solved the structure of a three-ring imidazole-pyrrole-pyrrole polyamide molecule, which sequence-specifically packs in an anti-parallel dimeric arrangement within the minor groove. Finally, we engineered a crystal designed to position both netropsin and the polyamide at two distinct locations within the same lattice. Our work elucidates the design principles for the spatial arrangement of functional guests within lattices and opens new potential opportunities for the use of DNA crystals to display and structurally characterize small molecules, peptides, and ultimately proteins of unknown structure.
Self-goal setting as a way to career sustainability: exploring the roles of career crafting and perceived organizational goal clarity
Authors: Ge Xiaolin , Yu Haibo , Zhang Qing , Song Shanghao , Liu Siyuan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

As an increasingly important variable in the career field, career sustainability has received particular attention, yet few empirical studies have been conducted to examine its antecedents. The authors propose a moderated mediation model based on the goal-setting theory and the wise proactivity perspective for exploring when and how self-goal setting can influence career sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a time-lagged design and collect three waves of data from 1,260 teachers in basic education schools in China. The authors test the proposed hypotheses with SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3.

Findings

The results show that self-goal setting positively relates to career sustainability and that career crafting plays a mediating role in this relationship. This relationship is strengthened when perceived organizational goal clarity is high.

Originality/value

The authors extend the application scenarios of the goal-setting theory to the field of career research and find out that self-goal setting is also a self-initiated and wise antecedent of career sustainability. From a wise proactivity perspective, the authors examine the mediating mechanism of career crafting to make positive career outcomes. Furthermore, the authors consider the impact of perceived organizational goal clarity as a boundary condition and broaden the understanding of “when to wise proactivity” from the goal-setting theory.
Fast solution of reliability-based robust design optimization by reducing the evaluation number for the performance functions
Authors: Lai Xiongming , Chen Yuxin , Zhang Yong , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The paper proposed a fast procedure for solving the reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) by modifying the RBRDO formulation and transforming it into a series of RBRDO subproblems. Then for each subproblem, the objective function, constraint function and reliability index are approximated using Taylor series expansion, and their approximate forms depend on the deterministic design vector rather than the random vector and the uncertain estimation in the inner loop of RBRDO can be avoided. In this way, it can greatly reduce the evaluation number of performance function. Lastly, the trust region method is used to manage the above sequential RBRDO subproblems for convergence.

Design/methodology/approach

As is known, RBRDO is nested optimization, where the outer loop updates the design vector and the inner loop estimate the uncertainties. When solving the RBRDO, a large evaluation number of performance functions are needed. Aiming at this issue, the paper proposed a fast integrated procedure for solving the RBRDO by reducing the evaluation number for the performance functions. First, it transforms the original RBRDO problem into a series of RBRDO subproblems. In each subproblem, the objective function, constraint function and reliability index caused are approximated using simple explicit functions that solely depend on the deterministic design vector rather than the random vector. In this way, the need for extensive sampling simulation in the inner loop is greatly reduced. As a result, the evaluation number for performance functions is significantly reduced, leading to a substantial reduction in computation cost. The trust region method is then employed to handle the sequential RBRDO subproblems, ensuring convergence to the optimal solutions. Finally, the engineering test and the application are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methods.

Findings

The paper proposes a fast procedure of solving the RBRDO can greatly reduce the evaluation number of performance function within the RBRDO and the computation cost can be saved greatly, which makes it suitable for engineering applications.

Originality/value

The standard deviation of the original objective function of the RBRDO is replaced by the mean and the reliability index of the original objective function, which are further approximated by using Taylor series expansion and their approximate forms depend on the deterministic design vector rather than the random vector. Moreover, the constraint functions are also approximated by using Taylor series expansion. In this way, the uncertainty estimation of the performance functions (i.e. the mean of the objective function, the constraint functions) and the reliability index of the objective function are avoided within the inner loop of the RBRDO.
A retailing dilemma: sell only in-person or go multiple channel and digital?
Authors: Collin-Lachaud Isabelle , Do Vale Guillaume , Reynolds Jonathan , Cuthbertson Richard
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Digitalization and multi-channel strategy have appeared as recurrent themes in retailing for years, yet some major international as well as domestic mass retailers have chosen to retain a single, physical channel focus for customer transactions. These retailers, despite the digital mindset preoccupying the retailing sector, have chosen to rely fully, or predominantly, on their stores to generate revenues. A number of questions arise from this approach. This paper aims to understand the rationale for marketing and strategic practices which appear to go against the dominant, strongly digitally oriented, discourses and practices in the field of retailing. Why do some retailers choose not to add a digital transactional channel? Are there defensible reasons for this choice? Can such a strategy successfully create value?

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a qualitative, multiple case study of the strategies adopted by Primark (fashion) and Aldi (food), two major retailers that retain a largely single-channel transaction focus, in France and the UK.

Findings

This research suggests that some retailers may still be able to succeed by maintaining a single-transactional physical channel to avoid a cost trap which extensive moves towards digitalization of transactions might mean for them. In such circumstances, refusing to adopt a digital value proposition may be a means of preserving the success of their original business model.

Originality/value

Despite the weight of academic and practitioner discourses on the urge to undertake digital transformation, this work provides a comprehensive illustration of the rationale for sticking to a single physical channel to preserve the profitability of a traditional store-based business model.
Assessing fish–fishery dynamics from a spatially explicit metapopulation perspective reveals winners and losers in fisheries management
Authors: Radici Andrea , Claudet Joachim , Ligas Alessandro , Bitetto Isabella , Lembo Giuseppe , Spedicato Maria Teresa , Sartor Paolo , Piccardi Carlo , Melià Paco
Published: October 2023

Sustainable management of living resources must reconcile biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic viability of human activities. In the case of fisheries, sustainable management design is made challenging by the complex spatiotemporal interactions between fish and fisheries.

We develop a comprehensive metapopulation framework integrating data on species life‐history traits, connectivity and habitat distribution to identify priority areas for fishing regulation and assess how management impacts are spatially distributed. We trial this approach on European hake fisheries in the north‐western Mediterranean, where we assess area‐based management scenarios in terms of stock status and fishery productivity to prioritize areas for protection.

Model simulations show that local fishery closures have the potential to enhance both spawning stock biomass and landings on a regional scale compared to a status quo scenario, but that improving protection is easier than increasing productivity. Moreover, the interaction between metapopulation dynamics and the redistribution of fishing effort following local closures implies that benefits and drawbacks are heterogeneously distributed in space, the former being concentrated in the proximity of the protected site.

A network analysis shows that priority areas for protection are those with the highest connectivity (as expressed by network metrics) if the objective is to improve the spawning stock, while no significant relationship emerges between connectivity and potential for increased landings.

Synthesis and applications. Our framework provides a tool for (1) assessing area‐based management measures aimed at improving fisheries outcomes in terms of both conservation and socioeconomic viability and (2) describing the spatial distribution of costs and benefits, which can help guide effective management and gain stakeholder support. Adult dispersal remains the main source of uncertainty that needs to be investigated to effectively apply our model to fisheries regulation.
Homo(sexual) socialist: Psychiatry and homosexuality in China in the Mao and early Deng eras
Authors: Chen Mian
Published: October 2023

This article focuses on the relationship between psychiatry and homosexuality in the People's Republic of China from the Mao era to early Deng era (1949–c.90). I argue that, entangled with the multi‐centred global psychopathological regime of homosexuality, the psychiatric discourse in China perpetuated a medicalised concept of homosexuality from the Mao period through the early Deng years. This article further situates homosexuality in Mao's China in the socialist camp to call for a decentring historiography of modern homosexuality. It also contributes to the understanding of the continuity between the Mao era and the Deng era.
Hyperglycaemia aversion in type 1 diabetes: A grounded theory study
Authors: McKechnie Vicky , Oliver Nick , Amiel Stephanie A. , Fox John R. E.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Very little is known about the circumstances under which hyperglycaemia aversion develops and is maintained. The present study aimed to identify psychological factors involved in the process of hyperglycaemia aversion and to understand how it affects people's self‐management of type 1 diabetes.

Design

Qualitative, in‐depth interviews were used.

Methods

A constructivist grounded theory study, using semi‐structured participant interviews, was undertaken to build a theoretical model of the process of hyperglycaemia aversion.

Results

Eighteen participants were interviewed. Fifteen were considered hyperglycaemia averse and included in the analysis. A theoretical model was developed to describe and explain processes involved in hyperglycaemia aversion. Many participants held very high standards for themselves and often had a strong preference for control. While some participants described anxiety associated with higher blood glucose, the most proximal driver of their approach was self‐criticism and frustration associated with not meeting their own high standards for blood glucose. A number of attentional processes and beliefs, mostly related to hypoglycaemia, maintained and reinforced their blood glucose preference. Diabetes technology served as an enabler, raiser of standards, and additional critical judge of participants' hyperglycaemia aversion.

Conclusions

The trans‐diagnostic concept of emotional over‐control is used to understand the proposed model of processes of hyperglycaemia aversion. The present study offers new insight which will aid clinicians in identifying and supporting those who may be at risk of psychological distress and harm associated with a preference for avoidance of higher blood glucose levels.
Uptake of mandated pregnancy warnings in the Australian alcoholic ready‐to‐drink beverage market
Authors: Sträuli Bella , Davies Tazman , Jan Stephen , Booth Leon , Laznik Nadia , Taylor Fraser , Pettigrew Simone
Published: October 2023

Introduction

A mandatory pregnancy warning was introduced in Australia 2020 to advise the public of the potential harms of prenatal alcohol exposure. Due to industry pressure, a 3‐year implementation period was granted. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent to which the mandatory warning had been applied to ready‐to‐drink (RTD) alcohol product labels almost 2 years into the implementation period.

Methods

The sample included 491 RTD products sold in three alcohol stores in Sydney, Australia in March–May 2022. Identified warnings were categorised as a mandated warning, a DrinkWise warning (an industry‐developed option) or ‘Other’ warning. Analyses were conducted overall and by RTD type.

Results

Almost all (94%) of the sampled RTD products had some form of pregnancy warning, but only 36% displayed the mandatory version. Of the non‐mandatory warnings, 74% were DrinkWise warnings (42% of total sample) and 27% were ‘Other’ warnings (15% of total sample). There was no apparent relationship between alcohol content and likelihood of displaying a mandatory warning.

Discussion and Conclusions

Two years into the three‐year implementation period for the mandatory pregnancy warning, only around one‐third of the assessed RTD products exhibited compliance. Uptake of the mandatory pregnancy warning appears to be slow. Continued monitoring will be required to determine whether the alcohol industry meets its obligations within and beyond the implementation period.
Psychometric testing of the Chinese National Health Service Sustainability Model as an instrument to assess innovation in Chinese nursing settings
Authors: Lai Jie , Maher Lynne , Zhou Chunlan , Zhou Yanni , Li Chaixiu , Fu Jiaqi , Deng Shisi , Zhang Yujie , Guo Zihan , Wu Yanni
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To conduct psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the National Health Service Sustainability Model as an instrument to assess the sustainability of innovation in the Chinese nursing setting.

Background

Evidence‐based practice is recognized worldwide as a way to improve the quality of healthcare; however, many evidence‐based practice programmes decline over time and do not sustain the benefits of their improvements. A sustainability assessment tool is used internationally but its use has not been validated in China.

Design

A methodological study to test instrument validity and reliability.

Methods

The data collection was conducted from 15 June 2022 to 31 August 2022. The internal consistency of the Chinese version of the sustainability model was measured with Cronbach's alpha. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the model's structural validity.

Results

Four hundred eighty‐three questionnaires were returned, of which 478 were valid. The short time taken to evaluate the Chinese version of the sustainability model demonstrated its efficiency and ability to adapt to a busy clinical environment. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit model and supported the convergence validity of the sustainability model. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.905 for the total scale, which indicated good internal consistency.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that the Chinese version of the sustainability model is a valid, reliable and efficient tool for measuring the sustainability of evidence‐based practices in Chinese nursing settings.
Bruxism management in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and down syndrome – A systematic review
Authors: Khan Afsary Jahan , Afrose Tasin , Nuha Fowjia Ayesha , Islam Muhammad Asiful , Ahmad Mas Suryalis Binti
Published: October 2023

Background

In dentistry, association between bruxism and individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS) is high. Bruxism is one of the most common oral and psychophysiological disorders, that is still an unsolved issue with limited data.

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate evidence about bruxism and its management in individuals with ASD and DS.

Materials and Methods

The researchers performed an electronic search using keywords on three databases, reference lists and complemented by manual searching from January 2000 to February 2023 to find out the relevant documents. An extensive literature review using the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analysis” method was carried out. PICO parameters were formulated, and studies risk of bias was evaluated using the JBI critical appraisal checklist tool for case reports.

Results

Out of 527 documents, 8 case studies and one review paper were identified as final articles for data synthesis. The findings showed, bruxism was reduced for all the participants with ASD and DS after implementation of functional analysis or dental treatment.

Conclusion

The current SR found that despite the positive results of all the studies, there was a lack of evidence due to a limited number of studies and only case studies were conducted through functional analysis and dental treatment.

Novelty

This SR is the first study on bruxism treatments in individuals with ASD and DS that included all the available studies (n = 9) since last 23 years and the first study that specifically addresses the incorporation of case reports in a systemic review.
Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of 2.4 mm LCP plate rod constructs versus 2.7 mm LCP applied to the feline tibia
Authors: Gutbrod A. , Longo F. , Affentranger R. , Ferguson S. J. , Pozzi A. , Knell S. C.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To compare the stiffness and strength of three plate and rod fixation constructs applied to a feline tibial gap model.

Study design

Ex vivo study.

Sample population

Thirty‐three unpaired tibiae obtained from skeletally mature cats.

Methods

The tibiae were randomly divided into three groups. The following implants were then applied to the feline tibiae prior to the creation of a 10 mm diaphyseal gap. Group 1: 2.4 mm locking compression plate (LCP) and 1.0 mm intramedullary pin (IMP). Group 2: 2.4 mm LCP and 1.6 mm IMP. Group 3: 2.7 mm LCP. Subsequently, each specimen was tested for torsion, axial compression, and axial load until construct failure. Student's t‐tests were used to compare the torsional and axial stiffness, yield load, and maximum axial force.

Results

Group 2 had higher axial stiffness than group 3 (p = .013). Group 1 showed a lower maximum axial force and yield point than groups 2 and 3 (p < .01; p < .05, respectively). There were no among‐group differences in torsional stiffness.

Conclusion

Constructs with a 2.4 mm LCP and 1.6 mm IMP provided the strongest and most rigid constructs in a feline tibia gap model.

Clinical significance

A plate‐rod construct combining a 2.4 mm LCP and a 1.6 mm IMP is appropriate for achieving high implant stiffness and resisting maximum axial force in treatment of tibial fractures in cats.
Joint geoacoustic inversion based on Pearson correlation coefficient constraints
Authors: Ding Jiaqi , Zhao Xiaofeng , Yang Pinglv
Published: October 2023

This Letter proposes a joint geoacoustic inversion method for modal group velocity dispersion and amplitudes of waveform by incorporating a Pearson correlation constraint. Numerical simulations show that this joint inversion leads to improved geoacoustic inversion performance with smaller uncertainties compared to separate inversion methods when applied to data from a single receiver. Additionally, the effective use of the Wasserstein metric from optimal transport theory is explored and compared to the more-common L2 norm misfit measure. The Letter also presents a qualitative representation of joint inversion convergence obtained through multiple independent runs of genetic algorithms. The algorithm is applied to simulated data.
Supplemental Material: Warming, acidification, and calcification feedback during the first hyperthermal of the Cenozoic—The Latest Danian Event
Authors: Harbich Margareta , al. et
Published: October 2023

Sample site, detailed description of methods, full data table, and additional figures (foraminiferal SEM imagery; data plotted against depth). 
Supplemental Material: No evidence for a volcanic trigger for late Cambrian carbon-cycle perturbations
Authors: Frieling Joost , al. et
Published: October 2023

Detailed description of analytical methods. 
Supplemental Material: In situ U-Pb dating of carbonate veins in Cambrian shales constrains fluid flow and hydrocarbon evolution at the southeastern margin of the Upper Yangtze platform, southwest China
Authors: Fan Qingqing , Liu Dadong , et al.
Published: October 2023

The data of carbonate U-Pb isotopes, rare earth element, and carbon-oxygen isotopes.
Oral vitiligo: a predominant spread from oral mucosa
Authors: Chellapandian Naveenaa , Boopathi Durgadevi
Published: October 2023

Depigmented lesions of the oral cavity have been rarely reported. Vitiligo has been defined as an acquired, slowly progressive loss of cutaneous pigment which occurs as irregular, sharply defined patches which may or may not be surrounded by macroscopic hyperpigmentation. Though vitiligo is a common condition affecting the skin having global a prevalence of 0.5%–2% the same affecting the oral mucosal tissue is a rare scenario. Literature review yields only a dearth of cases of oral vitiligo until now. Here we report a case of oral vitiligo involving the entire oral mucosal tissues with anaemic stomatitis. This case is unique as it had entire oral mucosal involvement and the skin involvement being minimal.
Age-period-cohort analysis and projection of cancer mortality in Hong Kong, 1998–2030
Authors: Zhao Yanji , Zhuang Zian , Yang Lin , He Daihai
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To explore the relationship between immigration groups and cancer mortality, this study aimed to explore age, period, birth cohort effects and effects across genders and immigration groups on mortality rates of lung, pancreatic, colon, liver, prostate and stomach cancers and their projections.

Design, setting, and participants

Death registry data in Hong Kong between 1998 and 2021, which were stratified by age, sex and immigration status. Immigration status was classified into three groups: locals born in Hong Kong, long-stay immigrants and short-stay immigrants.

Methods

Age-period-cohort (APC) analysis was used to examine age, period, and birth cohort effects for genders and immigration groups from 1998 to 2021. Bayesian APC models were applied to predict the mortality rates from 2022 to 2030.

Results

Short-stay immigrants revealed pronounced fluctuations of mortality rates by age and of relative risks by cohort and period effects for six types of cancers than those of long-stay immigrants and locals. Immigrants for each type of cancer and gender will be at a higher mortality risk than locals. After 2021, decreasing trends (p<0.05) or plateau (p>0.05) of forecasting mortality rates of cancers occur for all immigration groups, except for increasing trends for short-stay male immigrants with colon cancer (p<0.05, Avg+0.30 deaths/100 000 per annum from 15.47 to 18.50 deaths/100 000) and long-stay male immigrants with pancreatic cancer (p<0.05, Avg+0.72 deaths/100 000 per annum from 16.30 to 23.49 deaths/100 000).

Conclusions

Findings underscore the effect of gender and immigration status in Hong Kong on mortality risks of cancers that immigrants for each type of cancer and gender will be at a higher mortality risk than locals.
Effect of virtual reality-based exercise and physical exercise on adolescents with overweight and obesity: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wu Qian , Han Rui , Li Zhen , Huang Xiaojun , Cheng Di , Ni Jiacheng , Zhang Shizhe , Tan Xunan , Kang Piao , Yu Shujie , Chen Anran , Lu Yuwei , Yao Fangshu , Jin Zihao , Qin Yiming , Guo Jingyi , Liu Dan , Zhang Ying , Song Yanxia , Zhu Liping , Lu Qin , Chen Qiandi , Lin Chengxiang , Fang Qichen , Maimaitikasimu Maituersong , Wu Jiarui , Jia Weiping , Sheng Bin , Wang Jihong , Li Huating
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease that has affected many adolescents in recent decades. Clinical practice guidelines recommend exercise as the key treatment option for adolescents with overweight and obesity. However, the effects of virtual reality (VR) exercise on the physical and brain health of adolescents with overweight and obese remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of physical and VR exercises on physical and brain outcomes and explore the differences in benefits between them. Moreover, we will apply a multiomics analysis to investigate the mechanism underlying the effects of physical and VR exercises on adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled clinical trial will include 220 adolescents with overweight and obesity aged between 11 and 17 years. The participants will be randomised into five groups after screening. Participants in the exercise groups will perform an exercise programme by adding physical or VR table tennis or soccer classes to routine physical education classes in schools three times a week for 8 weeks. Participants in the control group will maintain their usual physical activity. The primary outcome will be the change in body fat mass measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The secondary outcomes will include changes in other physical health-related parameters, brain health-related parameters and multiomics variables.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Dissemination of the findings will include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and media releases.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300068786.
Attitudes of healthcare professionals in treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Pinker India , Pilleron Sophie
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The number of older adults with cancer is increasing worldwide. These patients’ unique care needs, arising from comorbidity, polypharmacy and frailty, often necessitate healthcare professionals (HCPs) to rely on their own attitudes and assumptions to a greater extent when making decisions due to limited evidence. Differences in patient and HCP attitudes can impact treatment decisions and patient outcomes. There is limited research, however, on HCP attitudes in treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer. This scoping review aims to explore the attitudes of HCPs in treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer.

Methods and analysis

The electronic databases PubMed, Elsevier Embase, Medline (from Embase) and EBSCO CINAHL Complete will be searched on 4 July 2023 to identify eligible studies based on the developed inclusion and exclusion criteria. No restrictions on study period, geography or language will be applied. Screening and data extraction will be completed independently by teams of two reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. The review findings will be presented as tables and in a narrative summary.

This scoping review follows the framework of Arksey and O’Malley with the Levac extension. Data extraction and analysis will be performed to identify patterns and gaps in the literature to provide an overview of the attitudes of HCPs in treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is needed. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences, providing insights to improve treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer and guide future interventions for HCPs in geriatric oncology.

Trial registration number

Registered on Open Science Framework athttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/T7FD3.
The combined treatment of insulin and naringin improves bone properties in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Rodríguez Valeria A. , Picotto Gabriela , Rivoira María A. , Rigalli Alfredo , Tolosa de Talamoni Nori
Published: October 2023

We have studied the effects of individual and combined treatment of insulin (I) and naringin (NAR) on the bone structure and biomechanical properties of femurs from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: (1) controls, (2) STZ-induced diabetic rats, (3) STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with I, (4) STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with NAR, and (5) STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with I + NAR. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone histomorphometry, biomechanical testing, and bone biomarker expressions were accomplished in femur of all animals, as well as serum biochemical analyses. The combined treatment of I + NAR increased the body weight and the femur BMD from STZ-induced diabetic rats. The bone biomechanical properties and the bone morphology of the femurs from STZ-induced diabetic rats were also improved by the combined treatment. The increased number of osteoclasts in STZ-induced diabetic rats was partially prevented by I, NAR, or I + NAR. NAR or I + NAR completely blocked the decrease in the number of osteocalcin (+) cells in the femur from STZ-induced diabetic rats. RUNX family transcription factor 2 immunostaining was much lower in STZ-induced diabetic rats than in control animals; the combination of I + NAR totally blocked this effect. The combined treatment not only ameliorated bone quality and function, but also normalized the variables related to glucose metabolism. Therefore, the combination of I + NAR might be a better therapeutic strategy than the individual I or NAR administration to reduce bone complications in diabetic patients.
A new determinantal formula for three matrices
Authors: Khurana Dinesh , Lam T. Y.
Published: October 2023

For any three [Formula: see text] matrices [Formula: see text] over a commutative ring [Formula: see text], we prove that [Formula: see text]. This apparently new formula may be regarded as a “ternary generalization” of Sylvester’s classical determinantal formula [Formula: see text] for any pair of [Formula: see text] matrices [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. By suitably specializing our ternary formula above, we have also obtained several other binary determinantal and tracial identities that are hitherto unknown.
Self-Adaptive Testing in the Field
Authors: Silva Samira , Pelliccione Patrizio , Bertolino Antonia
Published: October 2023

We are increasingly surrounded by systems connecting us with the digital world and facilitating our life by supporting our work, leisure, activities at home, health, and so on. These systems are pressed by two forces. On the one side, they operate in environments that are increasingly challenging due to uncertainty and uncontrollability. On the other side, they need to evolve, often in a continuous fashion, to meet changing needs, to offer new functionalities, or also to fix emerging failures. To make the picture even more complex, these systems rarely work in isolation and often need to collaborate with other systems, as well as humans. All such facets call for moving their validation during operation, as offered by approaches called testing in the field.

In this article, we observe that even the field-based testing approaches should change over time to follow and adapt to the changes and evolution of collaborating systems or environments or users’ behaviors. We provide a taxonomy of this new category of testing that we call
self-adaptive testing in the field (SATF)
, together with a reference architecture for SATF approaches. To achieve this objective, we surveyed the literature and collected feedback and contributions from experts in the domain via a questionnaire and interviews.
Guillain–Barré Syndrome Post COVID-19 Vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine: A Colombian Case Report
Authors: Hurtado Isabel Cristina , Vallejo-Serna Raul , Hurtado-Zapata Juan Sebastian , Misnaza Sandra Patricia
Published: October 2023

Background. Adverse events after vaccination against COVID-19 include rare events, such as Guillain–Barré syndrome. Study Aims. Documentation of clinical and temporary characteristics of the Guillain–Barré syndrome after using anti-COVID-19 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Case Presentation. An adult, 29-year-old male, without relevant medical history, who developed neuromuscular symptoms nine days after administration of the first dose of anti-COVID-19 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Results. Symptoms appeared nine days after vaccination, with lower limbs paresthesia. Three days later, paresthesia of upper limbs occurred. The following day, distal weakness of limbs, with standing and gripping difficulties, occurred. The clinical evaluation demonstrated dysarthria, incomplete palpebral closure, bilateral facial, and tongue paresis. The electromyography was compatible with a motor demyelinating polyneuropathy, confirming the diagnosis of the Guillain–Barré syndrome. Management with five sessions of plasma exchange was prescribed, with favorable clinical results. Conclusions. Clinical and laboratory tests confirmed the Guillain–Barré syndrome and the time elapsed from the date of the vaccine administration to the appearance of initial symptoms, added to the absence of other causes, and allowed to establish that the disease was caused by the vaccination.
Dye Laser to Treat an Arteriovenous Malformation of the Tongue: 40-Month Follow-Up
Authors: Armogida Niccolò Giuseppe , Esposito Luigi , Calabria Elena , Cernera Mariangela , Spagnuolo Gianrico , Iaculli Flavia
Published: October 2023

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections between blood vessels that bypass the normal capillary bed. To avoid the invasiveness of the gold standard surgical excision, the use of dye laser has been suggested as an alternative. A 53-year-old man in good overall health presented with a large bluish-red nodular growth covered by intact mucosa on the left side of his tongue. The growth had a hard-elastic consistency and was not painful to touch. Imaging investigations revealed a capsulated growth consistent with a diagnosis of AVM. The patient underwent two sessions of rhodamine dye laser treatment using the following parameters: fluence of 12 J/cm2, 6 mm laser spot, a single pulse with repetition up to 1.0 Hz, and a pulse duration of 3.0 ms. Follow-up examinations were conducted at 12, 24, 36, and 40 months after the treatment. At the 40-month follow-up, the lesion had reduced in size, with a more organized vascular network, and was not clinically detectable. Considering the limitations of this case report, the application of dye laser appears to be a potentially successful treatment option for AVMs.