bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the integrated gateway model on child nutrition behaviors in Niger: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Dougherty Leanne , Dadi Chaibou
Published: April 2024

Objective

To identify potential gateway factors and behaviors that are associated with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in the Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger through application of the Integrated Gateway Model.

Methods

We analyzed data from 2,727 married women of reproductive age including details on child feeding practices for their 2,551 children between the ages of 0 to 23 months. We assessed the association of three gateway behaviors (i.e., any antenatal care, facility delivery, and communication on nutrition practices) and gateway factors (i.e., behavioral determinants, exposure to information, decision-making agency, and woman’s group participation) on four IYCF practices (i.e., early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency, and minimum dietary diversity) while controlling for age, parity, educational attainment, and household wealth.

Results

We found antenatal care was associated with exclusive breastfeeding of children 0–5 months [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.33)], and minimum meal frequency of children 6–23 months [aOR: 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03–1.17)], and facility delivery was associated with early initiation of breastfeeding among children 0–5 months [aOR: 2.08 (95% CI: 1.39–3.12)]. We found negative associations with exclusive breastfeeding and communication on nutrition practices with husbands, family/friends, and health workers. Exposure to nutrition messages through radio, women’s groups participation, and with health workers was positively associated with minimum dietary diversity. Self-efficacy was positively associated with both early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding among children 0–5 months and minimum dietary diversity among children 6–23 months. Women’s agency was positively associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.

Conclusion

The association of antenatal care and facility delivery with child nutrition outcomes suggest intervening before a woman becomes pregnant or early in her pregnancy could improve nutrition outcomes. Programs strengthening the continuum of care should identify gateway behaviors to maximize adoption of priority health behaviors.
Local circulation of elites punctuated by transregional mobility enabled steppe political consolidation in the Xiongnu nomadic state
Authors: Makarewicz Cheryl A. , Winter-Schuh Christine , Jackson Meghan , Johannesson Erik G. , Amartuvshin Chunag , Honeychurch William
Published: April 2024

The Xiongnu polity (ca. 200 BC– 150 AD) emerged out of indigenous community-centered socio-political structures to forge a powerful state that commanded the Mongolian steppe and beyond. Underpinned by a highly mobile pastoralist population, accustomed to seasonally rhythmic moves and embedded in an equestrian culture that facilitated rapid transport over long-distances, it remains unclear precisely how the movement of commoners, local aristocrats and regional elites abetted the formation and organization of Xiongnu state structures. Here, we evaluate Xiongnu movement and dietary intake through multi-stable isotopic analyses of tooth enamel from directly dated Xiongnu intermediate elites recovered from the mortuary center of Baga Gazaryn Chuluu–a prominent granite outcrop set in the Gobi Desert. Carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis indicates millet was consumed by some individuals, but whether or not this C4cultivar contributed to the diets of most elites remains ambiguous in this C3/C4desert-steppe environment. The effectiveness of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) to establish mobility appears much reduced in steppe environments, where geospatially sensitive information appears disrupted by extraordinary seasonality in meteoric water oxygen isotopes, pronounced oxygen isotopic variation in potential drinking water sources, and culturally mediated drinking practices. Most revealing, strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) indicate circulation of local elites around this central place and beyond, a mobility format that helped leaders cement their own position through political consolidation of spatially dispersed mobile pastoralist communities. The consistent presence at Baga Gazaryn Chuluu of extra-local intermediate elites also points toward the importance of transregional mobility in binding together the Xiongnu polity over the vast distances of the eastern steppe.
The contribution of abortive infection to preventing populations of Lactococcus lactis from succumbing to infections with bacteriophage
Authors: Rodríguez-Román Eduardo , Manuel Joshua A. , Goldberg David , Levin Bruce R.
Published: April 2024

In the dairy industry bacteriophage (phage) contamination significantly impairs the production and quality of products like yogurt and cheese. To combat this issue, the strains of bacteria used as starter cultures possess mechanisms that make them resistant to phage infection, such as envelope resistance, or processes that render them immune to phage infection, such as restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas. Lactococcus lactis, used to manufacture cheese and other dairy products, can also block the reproduction of infecting phages by abortive infection (Abi), a process in which phage-infected cells die before the phage replicate. We employ mathematical-computer simulation models and experiments with two Lactococcus lactis strains and two lytic phages to investigate the conditions under which Abi can limit the proliferation of phages in L. lactis populations and prevent the extinction of their populations by these viruses. According to our model, if Abi is almost perfect and there are no other populations of bacteria capable of supporting the replication of the L. lactis phages, Abi can protect bacterial populations from succumbing to infections with these viruses. This prediction is supported by the results of our experiment, which indicate that Abi can help protect L. lactis populations from extinction by lytic phage infections. However, our results also predict abortive infection is only one element of L. lactis defenses against phage infection. Mutant phages that can circumvent the Abi systems of these bacteria emerge. The survival of L. lactis populations then depends on the evolution of envelope mutants that are resistant to the evolved host-range phage.
Can telehealth expansion boost health care utilization specifically for patients with substance use disorders relative to patients with other types of chronic disease?
Authors: Tilhou Alyssa Shell , Dague Laura , Chachlani Preeti , Burns Marguerite
Published: April 2024

Objective

Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) exhibit low healthcare utilization despite high risk of poor outcomes. Telehealth expansion may boost utilization, but it is unclear whether telehealth can increase utilization for patients with SUDs beyond that expected for other chronic diseases amenable to remote treatment, like type 2 diabetes. This information is needed by health systems striving to improve SUD outcomes, specifically. This study compared the impact of telehealth expansion during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on utilization for patients with SUDs and diabetes.

Methods

Using Wisconsin Medicaid administrative, enrollment and claims data 12/1/2018-12/31/2020, this cohort study included nonpregnant, nondisabled adults 19–64 years with SUDs (N = 17,336) or diabetes (N = 8,499). Outcomes included having a primary care visit in the week (any, and telehealth) for any diagnosis, or a SUD or diabetes diagnosis; and the weekly fraction of visits completed by telehealth. Logistic and fractional regression examined outcomes pre- and post-PHE. Covariates included age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, geography, and comorbid medical and psychotic disorders.

Results

Post-PHE, patients with SUDs exhibited greater likelihood of telehealth utilization (percentage point difference (PPD) per person-week: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.001–0.003; p<0.001) and greater fractional telehealth use (PPD: 1.8; 95%CI: 0.002–0.033; p = 0.025) than patients with diabetes despite a larger overall drop in visits (PPD: -0.5; 95%CI: -0.007- -0.003; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Following telehealth expansion, patients with SUDs exhibited greater likelihood of telehealth utilization than patients with diabetes. This advantage lessened the substantial PHE-induced healthcare disruption experienced by patients with SUDs. Telehealth may boost utilization for patients with SUDs.
Short communication: Binocular rivalry dynamics during locomotion
Authors: Szekely Brian , Keys Robert , MacNeilage Paul , Alais David
Published: April 2024

Locomotion has been shown to impact aspects of visual processing in both humans and animal models. In the current study, we assess the impact of locomotion on the dynamics of binocular rivalry. We presented orthogonal gratings, one contrast-modulating at 0.8 Hz (matching average step frequency) and the other at 3.2 Hz, to participants using a virtual reality headset. We compared two conditions: stationary and walking. We continuously monitored participants’ foot position using tracking devices to measure the step cycle. During the walking condition, participants viewed the rivaling gratings for 60-second trials while walking on a circular path in a virtual reality environment. During the stationary condition, observers viewed the same stimuli and environment while standing still. The task was to continuously indicate the dominant percept via button press using handheld controllers. We found no significant differences between walking and standing for normalized dominance duration distributions, mean normalized dominance distributions, mean alternation rates, or mean fitted frequencies. Although our findings do not align with prior research highlighting distinctions in normalized dominance distributions between walking and standing, our study contributes unique evidence indicating that alternation rates vary across the step cycle. Specifically, we observed that the number of alternations is at its lowest during toe-off phases and reaches its peak at heel strike. This novel insight enhances our understanding of the dynamic nature of alternation patterns throughout the step cycle.
Diversity of returnee executives’ foreign experience and corporate social responsibility performance
Authors: Wu Yunyu , Zhang Weiguo , Li Hua
Published: April 2024

Top managers’ past experiences (e.g., foreign experience) significantly impact their decision-making behavior, which may influence firms’ sustainable development. The available literature, focusing on the role of the increase in the number of top executives with foreign experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR), yields mixed results. In order to clarify the ambiguous relationship between executive foreign experience and CSR, we empirically examine the effect of the geographic diversity of top executives’ foreign experience on CSR. Based on a hand-collected dataset of the top management team’s (TMT’s) foreign experience, we demonstrate the positive impact of the geographic diversity of returnee executives’ foreign experience on firms’ CSR using Chinese A-share listed firms from 2009 to 2018. Moreover, this impact is stronger in firms with political connections with the central government and in regions with good market development. Furthermore, the mechanism analysis shows that returnee executives drive firms’ CSR by promoting corporate donations and green innovation. This paper offers clear policy implications by suggesting that hiring returnees with a broad geographic scope of foreign experience as corporate executives is an efficient way to enhance firms’ CSR.
Using atomistic solution scattering modelling to elucidate the role of the Fc glycans in human IgG4
Authors: Spiteri Valentina A. , Doutch James , Rambo Robert P. , Bhatt Jayesh S. , Gor Jayesh , Dalby Paul A. , Perkins Stephen J.
Published: April 2024

Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) exists as four subclasses IgG1-4, each of which has two Fab subunits joined by two hinges to a Fc subunit. IgG4 has the shortest hinge with 12 residues. The Fc subunit has two glycan chains, but the importance of glycosylation is not fully understood in IgG4. Here, to evaluate the stability and structure of non-glycosylated IgG4, we performed a multidisciplinary structural study of glycosylated and deglycosylated human IgG4 A33 for comparison with our similar study of human IgG1 A33. After deglycosylation, IgG4 was found to be monomeric by analytical ultracentrifugation; its sedimentation coefficient of 6.52 S was reduced by 0.27 S in reflection of its lower mass. X-ray and neutron solution scattering showed that the overall Guinier radius of gyration RG and its cross-sectional values after deglycosylation were almost unchanged. In the P(r) distance distribution curves, the two M1 and M2 peaks that monitor the two most common distances within IgG4 were unchanged following deglycosylation. Further insight from Monte Carlo simulations for glycosylated and deglycosylated IgG4 came from 111,382 and 117,135 possible structures respectively. Their comparison to the X-ray and neutron scattering curves identified several hundred best-fit models for both forms of IgG4. Principal component analyses showed that glycosylated and deglycosylated IgG4 exhibited different conformations from each other. Within the constraint of unchanged RG and M1-M2 values, the glycosylated IgG4 models showed more restricted Fc conformations compared to deglycosylated IgG4, but no other changes. Kratky plots supported this interpretation of greater disorder upon deglycosylation, also observed in IgG1. Overall, these more variable Fc conformations may demonstrate a generalisable impact of deglycosylation on Fc structures, but with no large conformational changes in IgG4 unlike those seen in IgG1.
Short-stay urgent hospital admissions of children with convulsions: A mixed methods exploratory study to inform out of hospital care pathways
Authors: Malcolm Cari , Hoddinott Pat , King Emma , Dick Smita , Kyle Richard , Wilson Philip , France Emma , Aucott Lorna , Turner Stephen W.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To inform interventions focused on safely reducing urgent paediatric short stay admissions (SSAs) for convulsions.

Methods

Routinely acquired administrative data from hospital admissions in Scotland between 2015–2017 investigated characteristics of unscheduled SSAs (an urgent admission where admission and discharge occur on the same day) for a diagnosis of febrile and/or afebrile convulsions. Semi-structured interviews to explore perspectives of health professionals (n = 19) making referral or admission decisions about convulsions were undertaken. Interpretation of mixed methods findings was complemented by interviews with four parents with experience of unscheduled SSAs of children with convulsion.

Results

Most SSAs for convulsions present initially at hospital emergency departments (ED). In a subset of 10,588 (11%) of all cause SSAs with linked general practice data available, 72 (37%) children with a convulsion contacted both the GP and ED pre-admission. Within 30 days of discharge, 10% (n = 141) of children admitted with afebrile convulsions had been readmitted to hospital with a further convulsion. Interview data suggest that panic and anxiety, through fear that the situation is life threatening, was a primary factor driving hospital attendance and admission. Lengthy waits to speak to appropriate professionals exacerbate parental anxiety and can trigger direct attendance at ED, whereas some children with complex needs had direct access to convulsion professionals.

Conclusions

SSAs for convulsions are different to SSAs for other conditions and our findings could inform new efficient convulsion-specific pre and post hospital pathways designed to improve family experiences and reduce admissions and readmissions.
Audiovisual Moments in Time: A large-scale annotated dataset of audiovisual actions
Authors: Joannou Michael , Rotshtein Pia , Noppeney Uta
Published: April 2024

We present Audiovisual Moments in Time (AVMIT), a large-scale dataset of audiovisual action events. In an extensive annotation task 11 participants labelled a subset of 3-second audiovisual videos from the Moments in Time dataset (MIT). For each trial, participants assessed whether the labelled audiovisual action event was present and whether it was the most prominent feature of the video. The dataset includes the annotation of 57,177 audiovisual videos, each independently evaluated by 3 of 11 trained participants. From this initial collection, we created a curated test set of 16 distinct action classes, with 60 videos each (960 videos). We also offer 2 sets of pre-computed audiovisual feature embeddings, using VGGish/YamNet for audio data and VGG16/EfficientNetB0 for visual data, thereby lowering the barrier to entry for audiovisual DNN research. We explored the advantages of AVMIT annotations and feature embeddings to improve performance on audiovisual event recognition. A series of 6 Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) were trained on either AVMIT-filtered audiovisual events or modality-agnostic events from MIT, and then tested on our audiovisual test set. In all RNNs, top 1 accuracy was increased by 2.71-5.94% by training exclusively on audiovisual events, even outweighing a three-fold increase in training data. Additionally, we introduce the Supervised Audiovisual Correspondence (SAVC) task whereby a classifier must discern whether audio and visual streams correspond to the same action label. We trained 6 RNNs on the SAVC task, with or without AVMIT-filtering, to explore whether AVMIT is helpful for cross-modal learning. In all RNNs, accuracy improved by 2.09-19.16% with AVMIT-filtered data. We anticipate that the newly annotated AVMIT dataset will serve as a valuable resource for research and comparative experiments involving computational models and human participants, specifically when addressing research questions where audiovisual correspondence is of critical importance.
Editing of SlWRKY29 by CRISPR-activation promotes somatic embryogenesis in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom
Authors: Valencia-Lozano Eliana , Cabrera-Ponce José Luis , Barraza Aarón , López-Calleja Alberto Cristian , García-Vázquez Elsa , Rivera-Toro Diana Marcela , de Folter Stefan , Alvarez-Venegas Raúl
Published: April 2024

At present, the development of plants with improved traits like superior quality, high yield, or stress resistance, are highly desirable in agriculture. Accelerated crop improvement, however, must capitalize on revolutionary new plant breeding technologies, like genetically modified and gene-edited crops, to heighten food crop traits. Genome editing still faces ineffective methods for the transformation and regeneration of different plant species and must surpass the genotype dependency of the transformation process. Tomato is considered an alternative plant model system to rice and Arabidopsis, and a model organism for fleshy-fruited plants. Furthermore, tomato cultivars like Micro-Tom are excellent models for tomato research due to its short life cycle, small size, and capacity to grow at high density. Therefore, we developed an indirect somatic embryo protocol from cotyledonary tomato explants and used this to generate epigenetically edited tomato plants for the SlWRKY29 gene via CRISPR-activation (CRISPRa). We found that epigenetic reprogramming for SlWRKY29 establishes a transcriptionally permissive chromatin state, as determined by an enrichment of the H3K4me3 mark. A whole transcriptome analysis of CRISPRa-edited pro-embryogenic masses and mature somatic embryos allowed us to characterize the mechanism driving somatic embryo induction in the edited tomato cv. Micro-Tom. Furthermore, we show that enhanced embryo induction and maturation are influenced by the transcriptional effector employed during CRISPRa, as well as by the medium composition and in vitro environmental conditions such as osmotic components, plant growth regulators, and light intensity.
Assessing equity in the uptake of remote foot temperature monitoring in a large integrated US healthcare system
Authors: Littman Alyson J. , Timmons Andrew K. , Jones Kenneth T. , Shirley Suzanne , Robbins Jeffrey , Moy Ernest
Published: April 2024

Objective

We assessed equity in the uptake of remote foot temperature monitoring (RTM) for amputation prevention throughout a large, integrated US healthcare system between 2019 and 2021, including comparisons across facilities and between patients enrolled and eligible patients not enrolled in RTM focusing on the Reach and Adoption dimensions of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Material and methods

To assess whether there was equitable use of RTM across facilities, we examined distributions of patient demographic, geographic, and facility characteristics across facility RTM use categories (e.g., no RTM use, and low, moderate, and high RTM use) among all eligible patients (n = 46,294). Second, to understand whether, among facilities using RTM, there was equitable enrollment of patients in RTM, we compared characteristics of patients enrolled in RTM (n = 1066) relative to a group of eligible patients not enrolled in RTM (n = 27,166) using logistic regression and including all covariates.

Results

RTM use increased substantially from an average of 11 patients per month to over 40 patients per month between 2019 and 2021. High-use RTM facilities had higher complexity and a lower ratio of patients per podiatrist but did not have consistent evidence of better footcare process measures. Among facilities offering RTM, enrollment varied by age, was inversely associated with Black race (vs. white), low income, living far from specialty care, and being in the highest quartiles of telehealth use prior to enrollment. Enrollment was positively associated with having osteomyelitis, Charcot foot, a partial foot amputation, BMI≥30 kg/m2, and high outpatient utilization.

Conclusions

RTM growth was concentrated in a small number of higher-resourced facilities, with evidence of lower enrollment among those who were Black and lived farther from specialty care. Future studies are needed to identify and address barriers to uptake of new interventions like RTM to prevent exacerbating existing ulceration and amputation disparities.
The retinoid X receptor has a critical role in synthetic rexinoid-induced increase in cellular all-trans-retinoic acid
Authors: Belyaeva Olga V. , Klyuyeva Alla V. , Vyas Ansh , Berger Wilhelm K. , Halasz Laszlo , Yu Jianshi , Atigadda Venkatram R. , Slay Aja , Goggans Kelli R. , Renfrow Matthew B. , Kane Maureen A. , Nagy Laszlo , Kedishvili Natalia Y.
Published: April 2024

Rexinoids are agonists of nuclear rexinoid X receptors (RXR) that heterodimerize with other nuclear receptors to regulate gene transcription. A number of selective RXR agonists have been developed for clinical use but their application has been hampered by the unwanted side effects associated with the use of rexinoids and a limited understanding of their mechanisms of action across different cell types. Our previous studies showed that treatment of organotypic human epidermis with the low toxicity UAB30 and UAB110 rexinoids resulted in increased steady-state levels of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), the obligatory ligand of the RXR-RAR heterodimers. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the increase in ATRA levels using a dominant negative RXRα that lacks the activation function 2 (AF-2) domain. The results demonstrated that overexpression of dnRXRα in human organotypic epidermis markedly reduced signaling by resident ATRA, suggesting the existence of endogenous RXR ligand, diminished the biological effects of UAB30 and UAB110 on epidermis morphology and gene expression, and nearly abolished the rexinoid-induced increase in ATRA levels. Global transcriptome analysis of dnRXRα-rafts in comparison to empty vector-transduced rafts showed that over 95% of the differentially expressed genes in rexinoid-treated rafts constitute direct or indirect ATRA-regulated genes. Thus, the biological effects of UAB30 and UAB110 are mediated through the AF-2 domain of RXRα with minimal side effects in human epidermis. As ATRA levels are known to be reduced in certain epithelial pathologies, treatment with UAB30 and UAB110 may represent a promising therapy for normalizing the endogenous ATRA concentration and signaling in epithelial tissues.
Our perception may not be reality: A longitudinal study of the relationship between perceived and actual change in smoking behavior
Authors: Andersen Astrid Juhl , Wallez Solène , Melchior Maria , Mary-Krause Murielle
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Results of the impact of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in cigarette smoking are mixed. Previous studies examining smoking changes during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020 have mainly focused on smoker’s perception of changes in cigarette consumption. Such measure has not been widely used in other contexts, and therefore we aim to compare the discrepancy between smokers’ perceived changes in cigarette smoking and the actual change in the number of cigarettes smoked, using repeated measurements.

Methods

We included 134 smokers from the French TEMPO cohort with repeated measurements of their perceived changes in smoking habits during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of cigarettes smoked repeatedly from March to May 2020. We used generalized estimation equations (GEE) to examine the association between changes in the number of cigarettes smoked and the odds of mismatched answers.

Results

The results suggest that at each study wave, 27–45% of participants provided mismatching answers between their perceived change in smoking habits and the actual change in the number of cigarettes smoked daily, measured repeatedly. Results from GEE analysis demonstrated that a mismatching assessment of smoking behavior was elevated among those who had an increase (OR = 2.52 [1.37;4.65]) or a decrease (OR = 5.73 [3.27;10.03]) in number of cigarettes smoked.

Discussion

Our findings highlight the possibility of obtaining different results depending on how changes in tobacco smoking are measured. This highlights the risk of underestimating the actual changes in cigarette smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also more generally when validating public health interventions or smoking cessation programs. Therefore, objective measures such as the actual consumption of psychoactive substances should be utilized, preferably on a longitudinal basis, to mitigate recall bias.
The right amygdala and migraine: Analyzing volume reduction and its relationship with symptom severity
Authors: Kosuge Shota , Masaoka Yuri , Kasai Hideyo , Honma Motoyasu , Murakami Kouzou , Yoshii Nobuyuki , Watanabe Keiko , Naito Takaaki , Kosuge Miku , Matsui Misa , Shoji Daiki , Sakakura Syunsuke , Murakami Hidetomo , Izumizaki Masahiko
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to explore the relationship between gray matter volume changes and various clinical parameters in patients with migraine, focusing on symptom severity, quality of life, and states of depression and anxiety. Using a case-control design, we examined 33 patients with migraine, with or without aura, and 27 age-matched healthy subjects. We used magnetic resonance imaging to assess the volumes of 140 bilateral brain regions. Clinical evaluations included the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Spielberger’s State and Trait Anxiety scales, and the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We compared the scores of these measures between migraine patients and healthy controls to examine the interplay between brain structure and clinical symptoms. Significant volumetric differences were observed in the pallidum and amygdala between migraine patients and healthy individuals. The reduction in the right amygdala volume correlated significantly with migraine severity as measured by the Migraine Disability Assessment. Path analysis revealed a model where Migraine Disability Assessment scores were influenced by Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire outcomes, which were further affected by depression, anxiety, and a low right pallidum volume. Our findings suggest that the chronicity and severity of migraine headaches specifically affect the right amygdala. Our path model suggests a complex relationship whereby migraine disability is strongly influenced by quality of life, which is, in turn, affected by psychological states, such as anxiety and depression.
Effects of Thidiazuron and Pollinator visits on Fruit Set and Quality of 'Maxigala' Apple Trees
Authors: Bizotto Lucas de Almeida , Santos Régis Sivori Silva dos , Boff Mari Ines Carissimi
Published: April 2024

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of thidiazuron (TDZ) application and pollinator visits on fruit set and quality in apple trees of the cultivar Maxigala. The experiment was conducted at the Temperate Fruit Farming Experimental Station of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA Grape and Wine), in Vacaria, RS, Brazil. The evaluated treatments were: TDZ application; floral visitors combined with TDZ application; floral visitors; and control (no floral visitors with no TDZ application). The highest mean final fruit set was found for the treatment with only TDZ application, followed by that with floral visitors and TDZ application.
Venous thromboembolism in complicated cervical spine injury
Authors: Lebedeva M. N. , Vitkovskaya I. V. , Ivanova E. Yu. , Lukinov V. L. , Rerikh V. V.
Published: April 2024

Objective. To determine incidence rate and risk factors for the development of venous thromboembolism in complicated cervical spine injury.Material and Methods. The study included 34 patients with acute complicated cervical spine injury. Inclusion criteria were newly diagnosed venous thromboembolic complications, and application of low-frequency piezothromboelastography to study the hemostasis system. All patients received standard drug thromboprophylaxis. Patients were divided into two study groups: Group I included 21 patientswith venous thromboembolic complications, and Group II – 13 patients without thromboembolic complications.Results. The incidence of venous thromboembolism in the total sample was 61.8 %. Pulmonary artery embolism developed in 4.7 % of cases. In 91,0 % of cases, thrombosis was asymptomatic. The state of the hemostatic system in Group I before the start of thromboprophylaxis was characterized by chronometric hypocoagulation, and structural hypercoagulation with a 2.6-fold increase in the intensity of clot retraction and lysis. In Group II, there was chronometric and structural hypercoagulation with a 14.4-fold increase in the intensity of clot retraction and lysis. The main significant predictors of the development of venous thromboembolism were identified as intestinal paresis (p = 0.004), absence of changes in neurological status (p = 0.012), length of stay in the ICU (p = 0.025), and length of hospitalstay (p = 0.039). The building of a multivariate logistic regression model revealed multiplicative significant predictors of the development of thromboembolism. It has been shown that the presence of intestinal paresis is associated with a 25.07-fold increase in the chances of developing DVT of lower extremities.

Conclusion. Considering the high incidence of venous thromboembolic complications in patients with complicated cervical spine injury, further research is required to study the effectiveness and safety of correction of drug thromboprophylaxis regimens in the form of increasing doses of anticoagulants or the frequency of their administration.
Terminology and conceptual apparatus of tissue donation and tissue banking: interdisciplinary expert consensus (Part 2)
Authors: Kirilova I. A. , Aleynik D. Ya. , Basankin I. V. , Bozhkova S. A. , Borovkova N. V. , Vorobyev K. A. , Burtsev A. V. , Vissarionov S. V. , Gilevich I. V. , Guzyukina S. A. , Kozlovskikh O. V. , Kulakova K. V. , Makarov M. S. , Mushkin A. Yu. , Nazarenko A. G. , Nikolayev N. S. , Ovsyankin A. V. , Ovchinnikov E. N. , Peleganchuk V. A. , Ponomarev I. N. , Ryabykh S. O. , Smolentsev D. V. , Tikhilov R. M. , Shangina O. R. , Cherdantseva L. A. , Korytkin A. A.
Published: April 2024

The second part of an interdisciplinary expert consensus on tissue banking is presented. An analysis and attempt was made to systematize some of the terms and definitions used by tissue bank specialists in the process of their work and presented in the Federal laws and orders of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation regulating medical activities in the field of tissue donation and their clinical use.
Approaching sustainability in Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Thakur Anjali , Mukhopadhyay Tapasyapreeti , Ahirwar Ashok Kumar
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Clinical laboratories and the total testing process are major consumers of energy, water, and hazardous chemicals, and produce significant amounts of biomedical waste. Since the processes in the clinical laboratory and the total testing process go hand in hand it mandates a holistic, and comprehensive approach towards sustainability.

Content

This review article identifies the various sources and activities in Laboratory Medicine that challenge sustainability and also discusses the various approaches that can be implemented to achieve sustainability in laboratory operations to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The article highlights how the integration of technological advancements, efficient resource management, staff training and sensitization, protocol development towards sustainability, and other environmental considerations contributes significantly to a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.

Outlook

Variables and resources that negatively impact the environment must be identified and addressed comprehensively to attain a long-lasting level of carbon neutrality.
Verification of bile acid determination method and establishing reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in third-trimester pregnant women
Authors: Zorić Lara , Štritof Petra Glad , Čičak Helena , Zekan Paulo , Pavasović Maria Gotić , Blagaić Vladimir , Čoklo Miran , Šimundić Ana-Maria , Dukić Lora
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The aims of this study were to verify the bile acids (BA) method and to establish reference intervals (RIs) for bile acids (BA) and biochemical and haematological parameters in Croatian pregnant women.

Methods

BA spectrophotometric method verification was performed on Siemens Atellica Solution CH 930 automated analyser using Sentinel reagent. Stability, precision, trueness, linearity, and RIs, as well as lipemia interference were tested according to CLSI guidelines. BA, biochemical, and haematological parameters were measured in serum (BA, biochemical) and whole blood (haematological) samples of fasting healthy third-trimester pregnant women from Croatia (n=121). The establishment of the RIs was done a priori according to the CLSI EP28-A3C:2010 guideline. Selected reference individuals’ data were analysed using parametric, non-parametric, and robust methods.

Results

Stability study showed that BA are stable in serum samples for 2 days at 20 °C, 14 days at 4–8 °C, and 22 days at −20 °C. The precision study and adult RIs verification met the criteria. Linearity was verified for the concentration range of 3.5–172.1 μmol/L whereas the lipemia interference test showed a positive bias (%) in BA concentration. The determined reference limits generally exhibited better precision for haematological parameters, being lower than the upper recommended value 0.2, unlike biochemical parameters. Haematological parameters showed notable differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women, while many biochemical parameters’ RIs remained similar. Only ALT and GGT showed lower non-comparable RI upper limits in the population pregnant women.

Conclusions

Spectrophotometric BA method showed satisfactory performance and all examined parameters were within the set criteria. Moreover, RIs for key biochemical and haematological parameters, including BAs, have been established for the first time in the population of Croatian pregnant women.
An equation for complex fractional diffusion created by the Struve function with a T-symmetric univalent solution
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha W. , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: April 2024

A

T

T

-symmetric univalent function is a complex valued function that is conformally mapping the unit disk onto itself and satisfies the symmetry condition

ϕ

[

T

]

(

ζ

)

=

[

ϕ

(

ζ

T

)

]

1
∕
T

{\phi }^{\left[T]}\left(\zeta )={\left[\phi \left({\zeta }^{T})]}^{1/T}

for all

ζ

\zeta

in the unit disk. In other words, it is a complex function that preserves the unit disk’s shape and orientation and is symmetric about the unit circle. They are used in the study of geometric function theory and the theory of univalent functions. In recent effort, we extend the class of fractional anomalous diffusion equations in a symmetric complex domain. we aim to present the analytic univalent solution for such a class using special functions technique. Our analysis and comparative findings are further supported by the geometric simulations for the univalent solution such as the convexity and starlikeness of the diffusion. As a consequence of illustration of a list of conditions yielding the univalent solutions (normalize analytic function in the open unit disk), the normalization of diffusion shape is achieved.
Deepening the Case for Egalitarianism in the International Order: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Obiora L. Amede
Published: April 2024

This essay appraises the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2023 as a watershed to reflect on the promises and problems of implementing the international human rights agenda. It posits that the time is ripe to accelerate progress on this fundamental global governance technology by reaping historic lessons that are reshaping international relations in the contemporary arena. This is with a view to mitigate complex ambiguities and contradictions which hamstring the mobilization of meaningful solidarity and will power that are necessary for cooperation among states to help evolve a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world. In this light, the essay articulates the institutionalization of the international human rights regime as approximating a proxy for equality as a core value to strengthen the global common good. Building on this formulation, it proffers inequality as a warning system that is useful to radically rethink conventional pathways that compromise the international security architecture. Zeroing in on Africa as an instructive frame of reference, the essay explores how unfolding opportunities for urgent multilateral action might nurture innovative solutions to wage a sustainable war against cross-pollinating vulnerabilities that are decisively fueling insecurities and escalating future uncertainties.
CFD simulation study of internal mixing and flow of a modified airlift bioreactor
Authors: Lingwei Zeng , Zhenpeng Li , Jun Li , Dongmei Yan , Fuchuan Huang
Published: April 2024

When the airlift bioreactor is applied to the field of industrial fermentation, there is a common problem of low mixing and flow efficiency due to its simple structure. In order to expand the application of airlift bioreactor in the field of industrial fermentation, a new type of airlift bioreactor with three-dimensional bumps in the draft tube has been designed to enhance the mixing and flow of gas-liquid two-phase in the reactor. In order to determine the specific influence of the three-dimensional bumps on the internal flow field of the reactor, and to provide technical reference for the improvement of the structure of the airlift bioreactor, in this paper, the CFD simulation of this type of bioreactor is carried out. Based on the Euler multiphase flow, the Realizable k-ε model was used to analyze the flow field of the reactor with average gas-liquid flow linear velocity and temperature as parameters. The results show that under certain conditions, the three-dimensional bumps inside the draft tube can effectively accelerate the gas-liquid two-phase flow and better promotes the mixing of pig manure fermentation broth and air.
Conceptual design of a fixed bed N2O decomposition reactor with a heat pipe heat exchanger
Authors: He Dong , Bai Xiaoyue , Tao Hanzhong , Li Yannan , Lin Shuo
Published: April 2024

This paper introduces a novel process for decomposing N2O through interstage cooling utilizing a heat pipe heat exchanger. The reactor design involves segmenting the fixed bed reactor into multiple layers and integrating heat pipe heat exchangers between these layers to efficiently dissipate the high heat generated by the upper fixed bed reactor. This innovative approach facilitates the direct decomposition of N2O feedgas with high concentrations, obviating the need for gas dilution. The study conducted in this paper employed Fluent and ASPEN PLUS to investigate N2O decomposition with interstage cooling using heat pipe heat exchangers, as well as decomposition after dilution. A comparison between the two methods was made based on catalyst dosage, temperature uniformity, and reactor energy consumption. The results demonstrate that the proposed method for N2O decomposition via interstage cooling with a heat pipe heat exchanger is a viable option, offering the desired temperature control and enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, this reactor design effectively reduces both catalyst usage and energy consumption, providing substantial advantages over traditional approaches.
A tapestry of habitats: exploring abundance and habitat preferences of the Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) across the Central Himalayan landscape
Authors: Sharma Chandra Maya , Bhattacharjee Saurav , Sharief Amira , Joshi Bheem Dutt , Thakur Mukesh , Sharma Lalit Kumar
Published: April 2024

Understanding the occupancy and density estimate of Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) at a landscape scale is crucial due to their significant ecological impact on ecosystems, particularly as prey for large predators. This study employed a single-season site occupancy model to assess the occupancy and density of Northern Red Muntjac using camera traps in the east Sikkim and Darjeeling hills Central Himalayan landscape from 2018 to 2020. A total of 513 photo captures of Northern Red Muntjac were obtained from 3150 trap nights with a naive occupancy estimate of 0.64 for the Central Himalayan landscape. The top model revealed positive influences of broadleaved forest (β = 0.93 ± 0.26), mixed forest (β = 0.6 ± 0.47), and slope (β = 0.2 ± 0.24) on the occupancy probability, while elevation (β = −0.08 ± 0.24) and ruggedness (β = −0.53 ± 0.23) had negative influences. Similarly, broadleaved forest (β = 1.3 ± 0.24), mixed forest (β = 0.74 ± 0.39), and ruggedness (β = 0.62 ± 0.25) positively influenced the detection probability, whereas elevation (β = −0.3 ± 0.22) and slope (β = −1.13 ± 1.21) had negative effects. The study estimated a total abundance of 169.23 ± 20.77 individuals with a density of 0.33 per square kilometre in the landscape. This study is a pioneering effort and provides a foundation for future investigations into the occupancy and density estimate of Northern Red Muntjac in the Central Himalayas.
Clinical analysis of incomplete rupture of the uterus secondary to previous cesarean section
Authors: Yang Hong , Zhao Yun , Tu Jiahui , Chang Yanan , Xiao Chanyun
Published: April 2024

Uterine rupture is a rupture of the body or lower part of the uterus during pregnancy or delivery. Total of 98 cases with incomplete uterine rupture were classified as the incomplete uterine rupture group, 100 cases with a history of cesarean delivery without uterine rupture were classified as the non-ruptured uterus group, and controls were selected using a systematic sampling method. The maternal age ≥35 years were associated with 2.18 times higher odds of having an incomplete uterine rupture. The odd of having an incomplete uterine rupture was 3.744 times higher for a woman with delivery interval ≤36 months. Having pregnancy complication was associated with 3.961 times higher odds of having an incomplete uterine rupture. The neonatal weight was lighter in the incomplete uterine rupture group (P = 0.007). The number of preterm birth and transfer to the NICU were higher in the incomplete uterine rupture group (P ＜ 0.01). The operation time and the length of time in hospital were longer in the group with incomplete uterine rupture (P ＜ 0.01). Age ≥35 years, delivery interval ≤36 month, and pregnancy with complication were independent risk factors of incomplete rupture of the uterus secondary to previous cesarean section.
Abnormal sleep duration is associated with sarcopenia in older Chinese people: A large retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Peng Xilin , Zhou Ruihao , Liu Congqi , Chen Xudong , Zhu Tao , Chen Guo
Published: April 2024

Aim

Abnormalities in sleep patterns are a common health problem for the older adults. The relationship between sarcopenia and sleep duration in older people is controversial. This research is to examine the association between sleep duration and sarcopenia.

Methods

We drew 21,095 adults from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). Not only we explore the relationship between sleep duration and sarcopenia, but also compare sleep duration to three sarcopenia subcomponents. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis was conducted by the gender and residence area to ascertain the discrepancy, separately. Finally, using restricted cubic spline to find the non-linear association between them.

Results

Among 7,342 community older adults engaged by CHARLS in 2015, the incidence of possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia was 23.14 and 11.30%, separately. Sleep duration (≤6 h) [OR(95%CI) = 1.30(1.03–1.65), p < 0.05] and (≥8 h) [OR(95%CI) = 1.33(1.05–1.69), p < 0.05] were significantly linked with possible sarcopenia, while long sleep duration (≥8 h) [OR(95%CI) = 1.41(1.01–2.02), p < 0.05] was correlated strongly with sarcopenia. A non-linear relationship (U-shaped) between sarcopenia risk and sleep duration was found (p for non-linear = 0.009).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of sleep duration in the onset of sarcopenia and might assist older persons to maintain good sleeping habits.
Decolonizing the Past and Confronting Climate Change Futures: Bringing the State Back In
Authors: Schroeder Ralph
Published: April 2024

Macro-social theory has been on the wane. There are various reasons for this, but among the consequences of this gap is that an urgent social problem – climate change – has received little attention and is poorly connected to existing theories. This problem, in turn, is tied to the fact that the transition to modernity is no longer central to social theory. Instead, a recent focus has been on how the “rise of the West” is predicated on dominance over “the rest.” This essay addresses both problems, arguing that the transition to modernity is still central, but that a second transition, the post-war “great acceleration” and how it led to an “age of limits,” should be equally central. The essay traces the transformation of nature and its impact on the climate through these two transitions, and argues that responsibility for addressing the consequences of climate change will increasingly mean tracking the connections, and lack of connections, between the Global North and South.