bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prognosis of neonatal respiratory status within three years after birth in chronic abruption‐oligohydramnios sequence
Authors: Nishikawa Shoko , Taki Mana , Okamoto Haruko , Kawamura Yosuke , Chigusa Yoshitsugu , Tomotaki Seiichi , Mandai Masaki , Mogami Haruta
Published: August 2023

Aim

Chronic abruption‐oligohydramnios sequence (CAOS), which is characterized by vaginal bleeding and oligohydramnios, adversely affects the lungs of fetuses due to bloody amniotic fluid and oligohydramnios. The criteria for termination of pregnancy remain controversial. This study aimed to examine respiratory function in infants within 3 years after birth and risk factors for respiratory prognosis, and to clarify the management of CAOS.

Methods

This study is a case series of patients with CAOS managed at our institution between 2010 and 2020. The clinical data of the patients and their infants within 3 years after birth were reviewed. The amniotic fluid volume was measured using the maximum vertical pocket (MVP).

Results

Six of 17 neonates (35.3%) used inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) to improve oxygenation. Women with longer periods of MVP <1 cm delivered more neonates using iNO; however, periods of MVP <2 cm were not associated with iNO use. Almost half of the infants required home oxygen therapy when discharged, regardless of amniotic fluid volume. At 18 months corrected age, only one child needed respiratory support, and the others discontinued. Two neonates, both born at 23 weeks of gestational age, died within 1 month after birth because of extremely preterm birth.

Conclusions

The amniotic fluid volume could predict the use of iNO in neonates, but it did not affect the child's respiratory function after the newborn period. Almost all children born to women with CAOS can improve their respiratory function as they grow up.
Coloniality and Indigenous ways of knowing at the edges: Emplacing Earth kin in conservation communities
Authors: Weber Elaina J. W. , Barron Elizabeth S.
Published: August 2023

Participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities is encouraged in calls for sustainable transitions and transformations. The term ‘community’ is widely used yet nebulously defined. Conservation that removes people from their communities of land invokes epistemological authority and displaced relationships. We relate our work to the articles in this special issue to rethink the relationship between humans and nature in conservation. We propose expanding the term ‘local communities’ to include more than just humans. By decentring the human subject, we rethink what it means to participate in community and place‐making, further unpacking the ethical motivations of emplacement.
Overlap of pain‐related and general measures of disability among adults with chronic pain
Authors: Moore Ashley , Tumin Dmitry
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Chronic pain is known to be correlated with disability. We aimed to determine the overlap between a general self‐reported measure of disability and a measure of disability due to pain problems among adults with chronic pain.

Materials and Methods

We used data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and analyzed respondents with chronic pain in the past 3 months. General disability was defined as being limited in the kind or amount of work one can do due to any physical, mental, or emotional problem. Pain‐related disability was defined as pain limiting one's activity on “most days” or “every day.”

Results

Based on a sample of 6874 respondents with chronic pain, 58% had either kind of disability, including 9% who reported only pain‐related, but not general disability; and 27% who reported both types of disability. Respondents reporting only pain‐related, but not general disability tended to be younger and had lower rates of obesity, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension than respondents reporting both pain‐related and general disability.

Discussion

Among people with chronic pain, most people with disability are experiencing limitations related to pain problems. Assessment of disability without addressing pain interference has likely underestimated the disability burden in this population.
Giving up gratitude
Authors: Coren Daniel
Published: August 2023

Resentment is a negative reaction to expressions of bad will. Gratitude is a positive reaction to expressions of good will. To give up resentment, when someone has wronged you, is to forgive them. We might expect an analog for giving up gratitude. The practice features in some ordinary and extraordinary moments in our lives. But it is unnamed and unstudied. I clarify what giving up gratitude is. I identify three types of ordinary and important cases. I then attend to implications; in particular, my account sheds light on restorations of gratitude analogous to un‐forgiving. Restoring gratitude may help to repair relationships, and restoring your once‐lost gratitude may be morally required in some contexts. More generally, by taking account of gratitude as a dynamic attitude that may be given up and restored as fits the situation and one's judgment, we may better understand the power and flexibility of gratitude's everyday function.
A possible mechanism for partial crowding‐out of R&D subsidies in developing countries
Authors: Rochina Barrachina María Engracia , Rodríguez Moreno Jorge Antonio
Published: August 2023

We analyze the effectiveness of R&D subsidies on firms' R&D efforts in a developing country like Ecuador. We use the National Survey of Innovation Activities. Methodologically, we employ a structural framework that considers simultaneity and selection issues. Our results indicate that subsidies have an extensive margin effect, as they encourage firms to carry out R&D activities, and an intensive margin effect, as they increase firms' total innovation effort. However, this is compatible with partial crowding‐out of private efforts by public funds. One possible mechanism to explain this result is that, in developing countries with less developed capital markets, firms with financial constraints may divert part of the subsidy to invest in fixed capital. We find some support for this hypothesis, as the most financially constrained firms both explain the crowding‐out effect and increase their fixed capital investment when receiving a subsidy. For other firms, we observe crowding‐in, and their fixed capital investment remains insensitive to the subsidy.
Exploring intra‐ and inter‐cultural differences in toddlers’ time allocation in a Yucatec Maya and US community
Authors: Padilla‐Iglesias Cecilia , Basargekar Abha , Woodward Amanda L. , Shneidman Laura A.
Published: August 2023

The extent to which toddlers have opportunities to learn in interactive, observational, and independent contexts is thought to vary by culture. However quantitative assessments of cultural variability and of the factors driving intra‐ and inter‐cultural differences in toddler's time allocation are lacking. This paper provides a comparative and quantitative examination of how toddlers spend their time and with whom (adults or children) in two communities (rural Yucatec Maya, urban United States). Additionally, it considers individual factors that predict time allocation. Results demonstrated that Maya toddlers spent more time in independent contexts compared to US toddlers and spent more time exclusively with other children than did US toddlers. Maya toddlers were more likely than US toddlers to spend time observing other people, however, when given the opportunity to observe others there were no differences in visual attentional allocation across cultures. For Maya toddlers maternal schooling related negatively to both time spent with other children and time spent in interactive contexts. The findings highlight the need for researchers to include diverse populations when considering early social experiences as well as assessing factors that may contribute differentially to variations in early experience across cultures.
In vivo evaluation of sunscreen application by multispectral imaging: A new tool for educating sunscreen users
Authors: Le Digabel Jimmy , Questel Emmanuel , Lauze Christophe , Carballido Fabienne , Josse Gwendal
Published: August 2023

Background

The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens is evaluated using standardized protocols based on the application of 2 mg/cm2 of product. However, the amount of product applied by sunscreen users in real life is likely to be much lower.

Objectives

To evaluate a new multispectral imaging approach for determining the actual quantity of sunscreen applied by users and to assess the benefits of an application guide for the use of an SPF 50+ sunscreen.

Materials and methods

Analyses of the reflectance spectra obtained from multispectral images were used to determine the actual dose of sunscreen that 26 healthy volunteers applied to their face following three application modalities: a single application, reapplication after 30 min, and application according to an instruction guide.

Results

Without the application guide, volunteers applied an average of 1.04 mg/cm2 of sunscreen during the single application and 1.23 mg/cm2 during the repeated application. With the application guide, the amount of sunscreen applied was 1.45 mg/cm2: around 40% higher than during the single application. Spreading of the sunscreen was also less uniform with the unguided single application than with the other application modalities.

Conclusions

This study showed that the multispectral imaging approach can be used to measure the amount of sunscreen applied in vivo. Our findings confirmed that the standard dose used for SPF measurements and other sunscreen tests is far higher than that applied by users in practice. Providing users with precise guidelines could increase the amount of sunscreen applied, resulting in more adequate photoprotection.
Biomechanical evaluation of three adjunctive methods of orthopedic tension band‐wire fixation to augment simulated patella tendon repairs in dogs
Authors: McKay Rachel M. , Duffy Daniel J. , Chang Yi‐Jen , Beamon Weston , Moore George E.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effects of three adjunctive methods of tension band wire fixation (TBWF) on the biomechanical properties, gap formation, and failure mode in simulated canine patella tendon rupture (RPT).

Study design

Randomized, ex vivo.

Sample population

Paired hindlimbs from 32 dog cadavers.

Methods

Patellar tendons (PTs) and associated bone‐muscle‐tendon units were harvested. Each PT was transected then sutured using a core locking loop and simple continuous epitendinous pattern. Each hindlimb was randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 18 hindlimbs/group) using 18 gauge 316 L wire, anchored to the tibial crest distally, to perform transpatellar, suprapatellar, or combined tension band‐wire (TBW) augmentation. Ten hindlimbs were utilized as control specimens. Yield, peak, and failure loads, stiffness, loads to 1 and 3 mm gap formation, and failure mode were evaluated.

Results

Combined transpatellar and suprapatellar TBW augmentation was superior to transpatellar or suprapatellar groups alone. Yield (p = .0008), peak (p = .004), and failure loads (p = .005) were greater for the combined group than for the transpatellar (p = .048) and suprapatellar groups (p = .01) respectively. There was no difference regarding the occurrence of 1 or 3 mm gap formation (1 mm, p = .05; 3 mm, p = .06); however, loads required to cause gap formation were greater in the combined group (p = .036). Mode of failure differed between techniques used for PT augmentation (p < .001).

Conclusion

Combined transpatellar and suprapatellar adjunctive TBW augmentation for simulated PT repairs was biomechanically superior to either transpatellar or suprapatellar TBWF alone.

Clinical significance

Combined suprapatellar and transpatellar TBWF may offer a viable surgical option for increased repair‐site strength and greater loads to gap formation. Further studies investigating alternative techniques and materials for RPT repair augmentation are warranted.
Multi-Objective Surrogate-Based Optimization Method for the Scaling of Combustion Chambers
Authors: Lambert B. , Eckel G. , Le Clercq P. , Zahn M. , Ripplinger T.
Published: August 2023

In this study, we developed an efficient computer-aided design tool for scaling combustor designs. From a limited number of fluid simulations, an original design is scaled while preserving most of the flow properties, using a multi-objective optimization method and deep neural network or kriging surrogate models. The accuracy and robustness of the method were first tested with a simple geometry. Investigations have shown a strong sensitivity of the surrogate models to the sample distribution, which can be reduced using a strategic sampling method. Subsequently, the geometry was scaled down to a factor of two using both surrogate models while preserving most of the flow features.
On the Over-Prediction of Centrifugal Compressor Pressure Ratio in the High Impeller Tip Mach Number Regime
Authors: Qiao Bing , He Xiao , Vahdati Mehdi , Ju Yaping , Zhang Chuhua
Published: August 2023

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation is a routinely used tool for turbomachinery research and development, but it often over-predicts the pressure ratio of centrifugal compressors especially in the high impeller tip Mach number regime. In this work, the effects of a series of geometrical and numerical uncertainties and errors on the aerodynamic performance of a centrifugal compressor are investigated systematically. The investigated compressor is the NASA CC3 centrifugal compressor under different impeller tip Mach number conditions. The investigated geometrical/numerical factors include the impeller blade fillet, the impeller hub cavity, the impeller running tip clearance, the averaging method in the post-process, the turbulence model, the inlet duct hub rotation, and the inlet turbulence boundary condition. Results show that the uncertainty of the predicted total pressure ratio generally increases with the impeller tip Mach number. Among the investigated factors, the averaging method, the impeller blade fillet, the turbulence model, and the impeller hub cavity have the most pronounced effects in determining the compressor total pressure ratio. By adopting realistic geometric features, advanced turbulence modeling treatments, and the same averaging method as the experiment, the over-prediction in the total pressure ratio can be alleviated. Detailed flow mechanism analysis with respect to the impeller hub cavity and the turbulence model has been performed. These findings provide valuable guidance for future RANS simulations of centrifugal compressors.
Feasibility of a Virtual Health-Promoting Intervention (Choose to Move) for Older Adults: A Rapid Adaptation in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Gray Samantha M. , Nettlefold Lindsay , Mackey Dawn , Gould Joanie Sims , McKay Heather A.
Published: August 2023

To support older adults during the first wave of COVID-19, we rapidly adapted our effective health-promoting intervention (Choose to Move [CTM]) for virtual delivery in British Columbia, Canada. The intervention was delivered (April–October 2020) to 33 groups of older adults (“programs”) who were a convenience sample (had previously completed CTM in person; n = 153; 86% female; 73 [6] years). We compared implementation outcomes (recruitment, dose received, retention, and completion of virtual data collection) to predetermined feasibility targets. We assessed mobility, physical activity, and social health outcomes pre- and postintervention (3 months) with validated surveys. We met most (dose received, retention, and virtual data collection), but not all (recruitment), feasibility targets. Approximately two thirds of older adults maintained or improved mobility, physical activity, and social health outcomes at 3 months. It was feasible to implement and evaluate CTM virtually. In future, virtual CTM could help us reach homebound older adults and/or serve as support during public health emergencies.
Response to comment on “Food Wanting is Mediated by Transient Activation of Dopaminergic Signaling in the Honeybee Brain”
Authors: Su Songkun , Giurfa Martin
Published: August 2023

In a technical comment, Barron
et al
. (

1

) criticized the work of Huang
et al
. (

2

) putting the accent on the quantification of dopamine levels via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), yet also including data interpretation through alternative hypotheses aimed at invalidating the original ones proposed by Huang
et al
. We thank the authors of this technical comment, which allows us to clarify technical aspects of our work that may have been unclear, and for promoting discussion around the conclusions of our work. Below we provide answers to the points raised in their comment.
Ferroelectric polymers take a step toward bioelectronics
Authors: Zhang Han-Yue , Xiong Ren-Gen
Published: August 2023

Chemical modification opens new applications for polymers in wearables
Tixagevimab/cilgavimab for preventing COVID-19 during the Omicron surge: retrospective analysis of National Veterans Health Administration electronic data
Authors: Young-Xu Yinong , Epstein Lauren , Marconi Vincent C. , Davey Victoria , Korves Caroline , Zwain Gabrielle , Smith Jeremy , Cunningham Fran , Bonomo Robert A. , Ginde Adit A.
Published: August 2023

Little is known regarding the effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated immunocompromised patients, particularly after the emergence of the Omicron variant. In this retrospective cohort study with exact matching and propensity score adjustment within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, we selected immunocompromised veterans age ≥18 years as of 1 January 2022, receiving VA healthcare. We compared a cohort of 1,878 patients treated with at least one dose of intramuscular tixagevimab/cilgavimab to 7,014 matched controls selected from patients who met study criteria but were not treated. Patients were followed through 15 June 2022, or until death, whichever occurred earlier. The primary outcome was a composite of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI for the association between receipt of tixagevimab/cilgavimab and outcomes. Most (73%) tixagevimab/cilgavimab recipients were ≥65 years old, and 80% had ≥3 mRNA vaccine doses or two doses of Ad26.COV2. Compared to matched controls, recipients had a lower incidence of the composite COVID-19 outcome (49/1,878 [2.6%] versus 312/7,014 [4.4%]; HR 0.35; 95% CI, 0.24–0.52), and individually SARS-CoV-2 infection (HR 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22–0.88), COVID-19 hospitalization (HR 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10–0.59), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.32; 95% CI, 0.19–0.55). In conclusion, tixagevimab/cilgavimab was associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 during the Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.12.1 surge.

IMPORTANCE

SARS-CoV-2 remains an ongoing global health crisis that justifies continued efforts to validate and expand, when possible, knowledge on the efficacy of available vaccines and treatments. Clinical trials have been limited due to fast tracking of medications for mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic for the general population. We present a real-world analysis, using electronic health record data, of the effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in the unique population of U.S. veterans. Unlike those in the PROVENT clinical trial from which the emergency use authorization for tixagevimab/cilgavimab as a preventative treatment arose, the veterans population is highly immunocompromised and nearly 96% totally vaccinated. These demographics allowed us to analyze the effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in preventing COVID-19 under different conditions in a more fragile population than that of the initial clinical trial.
Complete genome sequence of
Proteiniclasticum
sp. QWL-01, isolated from sewage sludge
Authors: Qiu Wanling , Zhu Junyu , Shih Chao-Jen , Wu Yen-Chi , You Yi-Ting , Wu Chih-Hung , Liao Ching-Hua , Lai Shu-Jung , Chen Sheng-Chung
Published: August 2023

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Proteiniclasticum
sp. QWL-01 (= BCRC 81396), isolated from sewage sludge of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd., Fujian, China. The genome of strain QWL-01 was selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analysis.
Complete genome sequence of
Brucella pseudintermedia
ASAG-D25, isolated from the wheat ear
Authors: Wang Nanxi , Wang Yang , Jin Yi , Guo Baoyuan , Cui Hua , Yang Yongtan
Published: August 2023

Brucella pseudintermedia
ASAG-D25 was isolated from the wheat ear sample in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. The complete genome sequence of
B. pseudintermedia
will provide an important resource for better understanding of the genetic features of the species within the family of
Brucellaceae
.
The cervical microbiota of Hispanics living in Puerto Rico is nonoptimal regardless of HPV status
Authors: Vargas-Robles Daniela , Romaguera Josefina , Alvarado-Velez Ian , Tosado-Rodríguez Eduardo , Dominicci-Maura Anelisse , Sanchez Maria , Wiggin Kara J. , Martinez-Ferrer Magaly , Gilbert Jack A. , Forney Larry J. , Godoy-Vitorino Filipa
Published: August 2023

The cervicovaginal microbiota is influenced by host physiology, immunology, lifestyle, and ethnicity. We hypothesized that there would be differences in the cervicovaginal microbiota among pregnant, nonpregnant, and menopausal women living in Puerto Rico (PR) with and without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer. We specifically wanted to determine if the microbiota is associated with variations in cervical cytology. A total of 294 women, including reproductive-age nonpregnant (
N
= 196), pregnant (
N
= 37), and menopausal (
N
= 61) women, were enrolled. The cervicovaginal bacteria were characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, the HPV was genotyped with SPF10-LiPA, and cervical cytology was quantified. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV, 67.3%) was prevalent, including genotypes not covered by the 9vt HPV vaccine. Cervical lesions (34%) were also common. The cervical microbiota was dominated by
Lactobacillus iners
. Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters exhibited a decrease in diversity and abundance of microbes associated with bacterial vaginosis. Women in menopause had greater alpha diversity, a greater proportion of facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria, and higher cervicovaginal pH than premenopausal women. Cervical lesions were associated with greater alpha diversity. However, no significant associations between the microbiota and HPV infection (HR or LR-HPV types) were found. The cervicovaginal microbiota of women living in Puerto Rican were either dominated by
L. iners
or diverse microbial communities regardless of a woman’s physiological stage. We postulate that the microbiota and the high prevalence of HR-HPV increase the risk of cervical lesions among women living in PR.

IMPORTANCE

In the enclosed manuscript, we provide the first in-depth characterization of the cervicovaginal microbiota of Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico (PR), using a 16S rRNA approach, and include women of different physiological stages. Surprisingly we found that high-risk HPV was ubiquitous with a prevalence of 67.3%, including types not covered by the 9vt HPV vaccine. We also found highly diverse microbial communities across women groups—with a reduction in pregnant women, but dominated by nonoptimal
Lactobacillus iners
. Additionally, we found vaginosis-associated bacteria as
Dialister
spp.,
Gardnerella
spp.,
Clostridium
, or
Prevotella
among most women. We believe this is a relevant and timely article expanding knowledge on the cervicovaginal microbiome of PR women, where we postulate that these highly diverse communities are conducive to cervical disease.
Investigation on the possibility of dynamic COVID-Zero strategy in China: a population-based transmission model analysis and economic evaluation
Authors: Wang Xuechun , Pei Shaojun , Wang Lianhao , La Bin , Zhao Mingchen , Zhang Xiangyu , Jia Zhongwei
Published: August 2023

Objective

To explore the feasible and cost-effective intervention strategies to achieve the goal of dynamic COVID-Zero in China.

Design

A Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Recovered model combined economic evaluation was used to generate the number of infections, the time for dynamic COVID-Zero and calculate cost-effectiveness under different intervention strategies. The model simulated the 1 year spread of COVID-19 in mainland China after 100 initial infections were imported.

Interventions

According to close contact tracing degree from 80% to 100%, close contact tracing time from 2 days to 1 day, isolation time from 14 days to 7 days, scope of nucleic acid testing (NAT) from 10% to 100% and NAT frequency from weekly to every day, 720 scenarios were simulated.

Outcome measure

Cumulative number of infections (CI), social COVID-Zero duration (SCD), total cost (TC) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results

205 of 720 scenarios could achieve the total COVID-Zero since the first case was reported. The fastest and most cost-effective strategy was Scenario 680, in which all close contacts were traced within 1 day, the isolation time was 14 days and 10% of the national population was randomly checked for NAT every day. In Scenario 680, the CI was 280 (100 initial infections) and the SCD was 13 days. The TC was ¥4126 hundred million and the cost of reducing one infection was ¥47 470. However, when the close contact tracing time was 2 days and the degree of close contact tracing was 80%–90%, the SCD would double to 24–101 days and the TCs increased by ¥16 505 to 37 134 hundred million compared with Scenario 680.

Conclusions

If all close contact was controlled within 1 day, the rapid social COVID-Zero can be achieved effectively and cost-effectively. Therefore, the future prevention and control of emerging respiratory infectious diseases can focus on enhancing the ability of close contact tracing.
The potential of intervening on childhood adversity to reduce socioeconomic inequities in body mass index and inflammation among Australian and UK children: A causal mediation analysis
Authors: Priest Naomi , Guo Shuaijun , Gondek Dawid , O'Connor Meredith , Moreno-Betancur Margarita , Gray Sarah , Lacey Rebecca , Burgner David P , Woolfenden Sue , Badland Hannah , Redmond Gerry , Juonala Markus , Lange Katherine , Goldfeld Sharon
Published: August 2023

Background

Lower maternal education is associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and higher chronic inflammation in offspring. Childhood adversity potentially mediates these associations. We examined the extent to which addressing childhood adversity could reduce socioeconomic inequities in these outcomes.

Methods

We analysed data from two early-life longitudinal cohorts: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC; n=1873) and the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; n=7085). Exposure: low/medium (below university degree) versus high maternal education, as a key indicator of family socioeconomic position (0–1 year). Outcomes: BMI and log-transformed glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) (LSAC: 11–12 years; ALSPAC: 15.5 years). Mediator: multiple adversities (≥2/<2) indicated by family violence, mental illness, substance abuse and harsh parenting (LSAC: 2–11 years; ALSPAC: 1–12 years). A causal mediation analysis was conducted.

Results

Low/medium maternal education was associated with up to 1.03 kg/m2higher BMI (95% CI: 0.95 to 1.10) and up to 1.69% higher GlycA (95% CI: 1.68 to 1.71) compared with high maternal education, adjusting for confounders. Causal mediation analysis estimated that decreasing the levels of multiple adversities in children with low/medium maternal education to be like their high maternal education peers could reduce BMI inequalities by up to 1.8% and up to 3.3% in GlycA.

Conclusions

Our findings in both cohorts suggest that slight reductions in socioeconomic inequities in children’s BMI and inflammation could be achieved by addressing childhood adversities. Public health and social policy efforts should help those affected by childhood adversity, but also consider underlying socioeconomic conditions that drive health inequities.
Nutritional peripheral neuropathies
Authors: Kramarz Caroline , Murphy Elaine , Reilly Mary M , Rossor Alexander M
Published: August 2023

Nutritional peripheral neuropathies are a global problem, heavily influenced by geopolitical, cultural and socioeconomic factors. Peripheral neuropathy occurs most frequently secondary to B-vitamin deficiencies, which is suspected to increase in years to come due to the popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets and increased use of bariatric surgery.

This review will focus on the common B-vitamins for which a causal link to peripheral neuropathy is more established (vitamins B1, B2, B6, B9and B12). We will review the historical human and animal data on which much of the clinical descriptions of vitamin deficiencies are based and summarise current available tools for accurately diagnosing a nutritional deficiency. We will also review recently described genetic diseases due to pathogenic variants in genes involved in B-vitamin metabolism that have helped to inform the phenotypes and potential causality of certain B-vitamins in peripheral neuropathy (B2and B9).

Endemic outbreaks of peripheral neuropathy over the last two centuries have been linked to food shortages and nutritional deficiency. These include outbreaks in Jamaican sugar plantation workers in the nineteenth century (Strachan’s syndrome), World War two prisoners of war, Cuban endemic neuropathy and also Tanzanian endemic optic neuropathy, which remains a significant public health burden today. An improved understanding of lack of which vitamins cause peripheral neuropathy and how to identify specific deficiencies may lead to prevention of significant and irreversible disability in vulnerable populations.
Ventrolateral pontomedullary junction ischaemic stroke imitating isolated facial nerve palsy
Authors: Hartnett Patrick , Zambrano Daniela
Published: August 2023

A 75-year-old woman presenting with unilateral lower motor neurone facial weakness was ultimately diagnosed with an ischaemic stroke at the pontomedullary junction affecting the facial nerve fascicles. Isolated, unilateral, upper and lower facial weakness is typically caused by lesions affecting the facial nerve, such as Bell’s palsy, though rarely can be a manifestation of acute ischaemic stroke. It is important for neurologists and emergency providers to determine appropriately which patients with facial weakness require neuroimaging and which do not.
Retrospective testing for mpox virus in routine STI screens from men who have sex with men in England, August–October 2022
Authors: Pitt-Kendall Rachel , Foster Clare , Rayment Michael , Orzechowska Beata , Mammadov Rufat , Soni Suneeta , Mortlock Simon , Owen Jodie , Uglow Luke , Day Michaela Joanne , Rai Gurung Rupa , Savary-Trathen Amber , Jenkins Rhian , McGuire Emma , Gordon Natalie , Day Sara Louise , Kelly Adrian M , Goward Charlotte , Folkard Kate , Charles Hannah , Mohammed Hamish , Brown Colin S , Fifer Helen
Published: August 2023

Objectives

A global outbreak of mpox (monkeypox) has been ongoing since 2022, with most cases in the UK detected in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Asymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic mpox infection has been reported outside of the UK. We aimed to investigate whether mpox could be detected in specimens from GBMSM in England who were attending sexual health services (SHSs) for asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection screening.

Methods

Anonymised, residual clinical specimens from GBMSM undertaking routine asymptomatic screening for gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG)) and chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis(CT)) infection were tested for the presence of mpox virus. Specimens were collected between 1 August and 7 October 2022 from three SHSs in high-mpox incidence areas in England. Testing was performed using a dual-clade, mpox virus-specific real-time PCR.

Results

During the collection period, 2927 clinical specimens (951 pharyngeal swabs, 1022 urine specimens and 954 rectal swabs) were obtained from 1159 GBMSM. Mpox virus was detected in four specimens from two participants who attended the same SHS at different times (the first during the week 8–12 of August, the second during the week 19–23 of September). One participant was positive in the urine specimen only, while the other tested positive at all three sites.

Conclusions

A very low prevalence (2 of 1159, 0.17%) of mpox infection was detected in GBMSM attending SHS in England for asymptomatic NG/CT screening, suggesting that undetected infection in this population was unlikely to be a main driver of transmission. Confirmed mpox cases in the UK declined from over 1100 per month in June and July to 764 cumulatively during the collection period. These data give reassurance that the observed reduction in cases during the collection period was not due to undetected infection or changes in presentation among SHS attendees. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support routine testing of asymptomatic GBMSM for mpox infection in England.
Legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide: advanced cancer patient opinions – cross-sectional multicentre study
Authors: Salas Sebastien , Economos Guillaume , Hugues Damien , Gilbert Elise , Gracia Dominique , Poulain Philippe , Mateus Christine , Collet Elsa , Planchet-Barraud Brigitte , Colpaert Andre , Perceau-Chambard Élise , Calvel Laurent Yves , Franck Cecile , Mallet Donatien , Baumstarck Karine , Evin Adrien
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The French government voted a new law in February 2016 called the Claeys-Leonetti Law, which established the right to deep and continuous sedation, confirmed the ban on euthanasia and ruled out physician-assisted suicide. The aim of this work was to gather the opinion of patients on continuous sedation and the legalisation of medical assistance in dying and to explore determinants associated with favourable and unfavourable opinions.

Methods

This was a French national prospective multicentre study between 2016 and 2020.

Results

331 patients with incurable cancer suffering from locally advanced or metastatic cancer in 14 palliative care units were interviewed. 48.6% of participants expressed a favourable opinion about physician-assisted suicide and 27.2% an unfavourable opinion about its legalisation. Regarding euthanasia, 52% of patients were in favour of its legalisation. In univariate analysis, the only factor determining opinion was belief in God.

Conclusions

While most healthy French people are in favour of legalising euthanasia, only half of palliative care patients expressed this opinion. Medical palliative care specialists were largely opposed to euthanasia. The only determining factor identified was a cultural factor that was independent of the other studied variables. This common factor was found in other studies conducted on cohorts from other countries. This study contributes to the knowledge and thinking about the impact of patients’ personal beliefs and values regarding their opinions about euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Trial registration number

NCT03664856.
Horizon thermodynamics and cosmological equations: a holographic-like connection between thermostatistical quantities on a cosmological horizon and in the bulk
Authors: Komatsu Nobuyoshi
Published: August 2023

Horizon thermodynamics is expected to be related to the effective energy based on the energy density calculated from the Friedmann equation for a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe. In the present study, the effective energy and thermostatistical quantities on a cosmological horizon are examined to clarify the holographic-like connection between them, with a focus on a de Sitter universe. To this end, the Helmholtz free energy on the horizon is derived from horizon thermodynamics. The free energy is found to be equivalent to the effective energy calculated from the Friedmann equation. This consistency is interpreted as a kind of holographic-like connection. To examine this connection, Padmanabhan’s holographic equipartition law, which is related to the origin of spacetime dynamics, is applied to a de Sitter universe. It is found that the law should lead to a holographic-like connection. The holographic-like connection is considered to be a bridge between thermostatistical quantities on the horizon and in the bulk. For example, cosmological equations for a flat FRW universe can be derived from horizon thermodynamics by accepting the connection as a viable scenario. In addition, a thermal entropy equivalent to the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy is obtained from the Friedmann equation using the concept of a canonical ensemble in statistical physics. The present study should provide new insight into the discussion of horizon thermodynamics and cosmological equations.
Geochemical dispersion evaluation by criterion-based backward elimination at the Glojeh polymetallic Au (Ag–Cu–Pb–Zn) vein deposit, NW Iran
Authors: Darabi-Golestan Farshad
Published: August 2023

We applied the backward elimination method as a criterion-based iterative stepwise method to estimate the concentration of Au from the variables Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn. We optimized the quadratic polynomial model on various boreholes and trenches. The results indicate that the vertical zonation of Au is associated with Ag and Cu, along with their respective elemental functions Ag × Cu, Pb
2
, Pb × Zn and Zn
2
. On the other hand, the lateral dispersion of Au is determined by Pb and Zn, along with the essential functions Ag × Zn and Pb × Zn. Zonation is in-depth and is indicated primarily by Zn rather than Cu and minor Pb, with Cu–Pb–Zn gradually extending upward at the upper levels. The vertical zonation trend describes the Ag < Au < Cu < Pb < Zn sequence from proximal to distal veins, with the near-surface zone exhibiting enrichment in Zn. At the Glojeh site, the host rock value, Ag × Cu, Zn
2
and Pb × Zn were identified as strong indicators of the vertical occurrence of Au in the upper host rock, whereas Pb
2
proved more suitable for the deeper boreholes. Cu→Pb→Zn demonstrates the enrichment trend from depth to the surface. The lateral kriging surface estimation confirms the dispersion pattern of elements revealed in-depth at Glojeh. Our aims with this approach were to reduce the cost of fire-assay analysis due to high-precision estimation by associated variables and to determine elemental interactions and the lateral or vertical dependencies of elements.
The Sommerodde (Telychian, Silurian) positive carbon isotope excursion: why is its magnitude so variable?
Authors: Loydell David K. , Gutiérrez-Marco Juan Carlos , Štorch Petr
Published: August 2023

The Sommerodde positive organic carbon isotope excursion (SOCIE) within the
Oktavites spiralis
graptolite Biozone (Telychian, Silurian) was first identified in the Sommerodde-1 core, Bornholm, Denmark, where it is the largest positive excursion within the Upper Ordovician–lower Silurian part of the core. Other published occurrences of the SOCIE are discussed here, including new

δ

13
C
org
data from the Jabalón River section, Corral de Calatrava, central Spain, where the SOCIE is only a very minor positive excursion. Very unusually, the SOCIE is best developed in deeper water settings, contrary to the typical pattern of declining excursion magnitude offshore. In the Sommerodde-1 core (Bornholm), and where it has been tentatively identified in the Vežaičiai-2 core (Lithuania), the SOCIE is developed in pale, organic-poor mudstones. It is considered likely that the magnitude of the SOCIE has been enhanced in the Sommerodde-1 core record by a change in organic matter composition in the deep-marine environment that did not have such a significant effect in shallower marine environments.

Supplementary material:
A table of organic carbon isotope data from the Jabalón River section, Corral de Calatrava, central Spain is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6769514

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Chemical Evolution of the Mid-Paleozoic Earth System and Biotic Response collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/chemical-evolution-of-the-mid-paleozoic-earth-system
Repercussions of Using DNN Compilers on Edge GPUs for Real Time and Safety Critical Systems: A Quantitative Audit
Authors: Shafi Omais , Pandit Mohammad Khalid , Saini Amarjeet , Ananthanarayanan Gayathri , Sen Rijurekha
Published: August 2023

Rapid advancements in edge devices have led to a large deployment of deep neural network (DNN) based workloads. To utilize the resources at the edge effectively, many DNN compilers are proposed that efficiently map the high level DNN models developed in frameworks like PyTorch, Tensorflow, Caffe, and so on into minimum deployable lightweight execution engines. For real time applications like ADAS, these compiler optimized engines should give precise, reproducible, and predictable inferences, both in-terms of runtime and output consistency. This article is the first effort in empirically auditing state-of-the-art DNN compilers viz TensorRT, AutoTVM, and AutoScheduler. We characterize the NN compilers based on their performance predictability w.r.t inference latency, output reproducibility, hardware utilization, and so on and based on that provide various recommendations. Our methodology and findings can potentially help the application developers, in making informed decision about the choice of DNN compiler, in a real time safety critical setting.
Enhanced PATRON: Fault Injection and Power-aware FSM Encoding Through Linear Programming
Authors: Choudhury Muhtadi , Gao Minyan , Varna Avinash , Peer Elad , Forte Domenic
Published: August 2023

Since finite state machines (FSMs) regulate the control flow in circuits, a computing system’s security might be breached by attacking the FSM. Physical attacks are especially worrisome because they can bypass software countermeasures. For example, an attacker can gain illegal access to the sensitive states of an FSM through fault injection, leading to privilege escalation and/or information leakage. Laser fault injection (LFI) provides one of the most effective attack vectors by enabling adversaries to precisely overturn single flip-flops states. Although conventional error correction/detection methodologies have been employed to improve FSM resiliency, their substantial overhead makes them unattractive to circuit designers. In our prior work, a novel decision diagram-based FSM encoding scheme called PATRON was proposed to resist LFI according to attack parameters, e.g., number of simultaneous faults. Although PATRON bested traditional encodings keeping overhead minimum, it provided numerous candidates for FSM designs requiring exhaustive and manual effort to select one optimum candidate. In this article, we automatically select an optimum candidate by enhancing PATRON using linear programming (LP). First, we exploit the proportionality between dynamic power dissipation and switching activity in digital CMOS circuits. Thus, our LP objective minimizes the number of FSM bit switches per transition, for comparatively lower switching activity and hence total power consumption. Second, additional LP constraints along with incorporating the original PATRON rules, systematically enforce bidirectionality to at least two state elements per FSM transition. This bestows protection against different types of fault injection, which we capture with a new unidirectional metric. Enhanced PATRON (EP) achieves superior security at lower power consumption in average compared to PATRON, error-coding, and traditional FSM encoding on five popular benchmarks.
Multiobjective Evolutionary Component Effect on Algorithm Behaviour
Authors: Lavinas Yuri , Ladeira Marcelo , Ochoa Gabriela , Aranha Claus
Published: August 2023

The performance of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) varies across problems, making it hard to develop new algorithms or apply existing ones to new problems. To simplify the development and application of new multiobjective algorithms, there has been an increasing interest in their automatic design from their components. These automatically designed metaheuristics can outperform their human-developed counterparts. However, it is still unknown what are the most influential components that lead to performance improvements. This study specifies a new methodology to investigate the effects of the final configuration of an automatically designed algorithm. We apply this methodology to a tuned Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm based on Decomposition (MOEA/D) designed by the iterated racing (irace) configuration package on constrained problems of 3 groups: (1) analytical real-world problems, (2) analytical artificial problems and (3) simulated real-world. We then compare the impact of the algorithm components in terms of their Search Trajectory Networks (STNs), the diversity of the population, and the anytime hypervolume values. Looking at the objective space behavior, the MOEAs studied converged before half of the search to generally good HV values in the analytical artificial problems and the analytical real-world problems. For the simulated problems, the HV values are still improving at the end of the run. In terms of decision space behavior, we see a diverse set of the trajectories of the STNs in the analytical artificial problems. These trajectories are more similar and frequently reach optimal solutions in the other problems.
Receptor-associated protein impairs ligand binding to megalin and megalin-dependent endocytic flux in proximal tubule cells
Authors: Long Kimberly R. , Rbaibi Youssef , Kashlan Ossama B. , Weisz Ora A.
Published: August 2023

Receptor-associated protein inhibits binding and uptake of all known endogenous ligands by megalin and cubilin receptors via unknown mechanism(s). Here, we took advantage of recently generated knockout cell lines to dissect the effect of this protein on megalin- and cubilin-mediated endocytosis. Our study reveals a novel role for receptor-associated protein in blocking megalin-stimulated endocytic uptake of fluid-phase markers and receptor-bound ligands in proximal tubule cells in addition to its direct effect on ligand binding to megalin receptors.
Supplementary Data from A Targeted Thorium-227 Conjugate Demonstrates Efficacy in Preclinical Models of Acquired Drug Resistance and Combination Potential with Chemotherapeutics and Antiangiogenic Therapies
Authors: Zitzmann-Kolbe Sabine , Kristian Alexander , Zopf Dieter , Kamfenkel Claudia , Politz Oliver , Ellingsen Christine , Hilbig Jochen , Juul Mark U. , Fonslet Jesper , Nielsen Carsten H. , Schatz Christoph A. , Bjerke Roger M. , Cuthbertson Alan S. , Mumberg Dominik , Hagemann Urs B.
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Tables and Supplementary Methods
Supplementary Figure Legends from Targeting Upregulated cIAP2 in SOX10-Deficient Drug Tolerant Melanoma
Authors: Glasheen McKenna Q. , Caksa Signe , Young Amelia G. , Wilski Nicole A. , Ott Connor A. , Chervoneva Inna , Flaherty Keith T. , Herlyn Meenhard , Xu Xiaowei , Aplin Andrew E. , Capparelli Claudia
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Figure Legends and References
A teoria antiga dos estados de causa e a sua aplicação argumentativa
Authors: Pustrelo Matheus de Barros
Published: August 2023

Resumo: objetivamos apresentar a celebérrima teoria argumentativa dos estados de causa, embora esquecida, que norteou, e ainda norteia, a estruturação e tratamento de controvérsias políticas, tanto as fictícias como as reais. Para isso, cabe-nos dar seus contornos teóricos, devidamente acompanhados de exemplificação.