bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular matrix‐related and serine protease proteins in the amniotic fluid of women with early preterm labor: Association with spontaneous preterm birth, intra‐amniotic inflammation, and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity
Authors: Lee Kyong‐No , Park Kyo Hoon , Ahn Kwanghee , Im Eun Mi , Oh Eunji , Cho Iseop
Published: June 2023

Problem

We aimed to determine whether altered levels of various extracellular matrix (ECM)‐related and serine protease proteins in the amniotic fluid (AF) are associated with imminent spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB; ≤7 days) and intra‐amniotic inflammation and/or microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (IAI/MIAC) in women with early preterm labor (PTL).

Method of study

This retrospective cohort study included 252 women with singleton pregnancies undergoing transabdominal amniocentesis who demonstrated PTL (24–31 weeks). The AF was cultured for microorganism detection to characterize MIAC. IL‐6 concentrations were determined in the AF samples to identify IAI (≥2.6 ng/mL). The following mediators were measured in the AF samples using ELISA: kallistatin, lumican, MMP‐2, SPARC, TGFBI, and uPA.

Results

Kallistatin, MMP‐2, TGFBI, and uPA levels were significantly higher and SPARC and lumican levels were significantly lower in the AF of women who spontaneously delivered within 7 days than in the AF of those who delivered after 7 days; the levels of the first five mediators were independent of baseline clinical variables. In the multivariate analysis, elevated levels of kallistatin, MMP‐2, TGFBI, and uPA and low levels of lumican and SPARC in the AF were significantly associated with IAI/MIAC and MIAC, even after adjusting for the gestational age at sampling. The areas under the curves of the aforementioned biomarkers ranged from 0.58 to 0.87 for the diagnoses of each of the corresponding endpoints.

Conclusion

ECM‐related (SPARC, TGFBI, lumican, and MMP‐2) and serine protease (kallistatin and uPA) proteins in the AF are involved in preterm parturition and regulation of intra‐amniotic inflammatory/infectious responses in PTL.
Water column contributions to coral reef productivity: overcoming challenges of context dependence
Authors: Shakya Anjali W. , Allgeier Jacob E.
Published: June 2023

Coral reefs are declining at an unprecedented rate. Effective management and conservation initiatives necessitate improved understanding of the drivers of production because the high rates found in these ecosystems are the foundation of the many services they provide. The water column is the nexus of coral reef ecosystem dynamics, and functions as the interface through which essentially all energy and nutrients are transferred to fuel both new and recycled production. Substantial research has described many aspects of water column dynamics, often focusing on specific components because water column dynamics are highly spatially and temporally context dependent. Although necessary, a cost of this approach is that these dynamics are often not well linked to the broader ecosystem or across systems. To help overcome the challenge of context dependence, we provide a comprehensive review of this literature, and synthesise it through the perspective of ecosystem ecology. Specifically, we provide a framework to organise the drivers of temporal and spatial variation in production dynamics, structured around five primary state factors. These state factors are used to deconstruct the environmental contexts in which three water column sub‐food webs mediate ‘new’ and ‘recycled’ production. We then highlight critical pathways by which global change drivers are altering coral reefs via the water column. We end by discussing four key knowledge gaps hindering understanding of the role of the water column for mediating coral reef production, and how overcoming these could improve conservation and management strategies. Throughout, we identify areas of extensive research and those where studies remain lacking and provide a database of 84 published studies. Improved integration of water column dynamics into models of coral reef ecosystem function is imperative to achieve the understanding of ecosystem production necessary to develop effective conservation and management strategies needed to stem global coral loss.
A homozygous founder variant in PDE2A causes paroxysmal dyskinesia with intellectual disability
Authors: Yousaf Hammad , Rehmat Shagufta , Jameel Muhammad , Ibrahim Rabab , Hashmi Sohana Nadeem , Makhdoom Ehtisham Ul Haq , Iwaszkiewicz Justyna , Saadi Saadia Maryam , Tariq Muhammad , Baig Shahid M. , Toft Mathias , Fatima Ambrin , Iqbal Zafar
Published: June 2023

Intellectual developmental disorder with paroxysmal dyskinesia or seizures (IDDPADS, OMIM#619150) is an ultra‐rare childhood‐onset autosomal recessive movement disorder manifesting paroxysmal dyskinesia, global developmental delay, impaired cognition, progressive psychomotor deterioration and/or drug‐refractory seizures. We investigated three consanguineous Pakistani families with six affected individuals presenting overlapping phenotypes partially consistent with the reported characteristics of IDDPADS. Whole exome sequencing identified a novel missense variant in Phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A): NM_002599.4: c.1514T > C p.(Phe505Ser) that segregated with the disease status of individuals in these families. Retrospectively, we performed haplotype analysis that revealed a 3.16 Mb shared haplotype at 11q13.4 among three families suggesting a founder effect in this region. Moreover, we also observed abnormal mitochondrial morphology in patient fibroblasts compared to controls. Belonging to diverse age groups (13 years‐60 years), patients presented paroxysmal dyskinesia, developmental delay, cognitive abnormalities, speech impairment, and drug‐refractory seizures with variable onset of disease (as early as 3 months of age to 7 years). Together with the previous reports, we observed that intellectual disability, progressive psychomotor deterioration, and drug‐refractory seizures are consistent outcomes of the disease. However, permanent choreodystonia showed variability. We also noticed that the later onset of paroxysmal dyskinesia manifests severe attacks in terms of duration. Being the first report from Pakistan, we add to the clinical and mutation spectrum of PDE2A‐related recessive disease raising the total number of patients from six to 12 and variants from five to six. Together, with our findings, the role of PDE2A is strengthened in critical physio‐neurological processes.
Early changes in soluble intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 as prognostic biomarkers to immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Ji Dongmei , Jiang Shiyu , Zhang Qunling , Wang Y. Ken , Zhang Jian , Shen Weina , Li Wenhua , Liu Rujiao , Wang Jessica , Mavis Cory , Gu Juan J. , Hu Xichun
Published: June 2023

Serologic biomarker to predict clinical outcome is needed for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We evaluated soluble intercellular adhesion molecules‐1 (sICAM‐1) as a predictor of response to ICIs treatment. Ninety‐five patients with cancer treated with ICI were studied. The serum sICAM‐1 levels of baseline, post two cycle therapy and end of therapy (EOT) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. We randomly assigned the patients into the primary cohort (n = 47) and validation cohort (n = 48). Serum sICAM‐1 post two cycle (277.7 ± 181.6 ng/mL) and EOT (403.9 ± 218.9 ng/mL) were significantly elevated compared to baseline (244.8 ± 153.8 ng/mL, p = 0.008 and p = 0.004, respectively). Early changes of sICAM‐1 (ΔsICAM‐1), deemed as sICAM‐1 after two cycles minus baseline, were assessed. Following ICI treatments, responders had significantly lower ΔsICAM‐1 compared with nonresponders in the primary cohort (p = 0.040) and the validation cohort (p = 0.026). High ΔsICAM‐1 was strongly associated with inferior progression‐free survival (PFS; (primary cohort: p = 0.001 and validation cohort: p = 0.002) and overall survival (OS; (primary cohort: p < 0.001 and validation cohort: p = 0.007). The ΔsICAM‐1 remained independently associated with worse PFS and OS in the primary cohort and the validation cohort. Subgroup analysis indicated patients whose sICAM‐1 significantly elevated had shorter PFS and OS in both anti‐PD‐1 and anti‐PD‐L1 treatment groups. Early change of serum sICAM‐1 could be used to monitor and predict clinical benefit of ICI therapy in patients with solid cancer.
The agential perspective: Countermapping the modern synthesis
Authors: Walsh Denis M. , Rupik Gregory
Published: June 2023

We compare and contrast two theoretical perspectives on adaptive evolution—the orthodox Modern Synthesis perspective, and the nascent Agential Perspective. To do so, we develop the idea from Rasmus Grønfeldt Winther of a ‘countermap’, as a means for comparing the respective ontologies of different scientific perspectives. We conclude that the modern Synthesis perspective achieves an impressively comprehensive view of a universal set of dynamical properties of populations, but at the considerable cost of radically distorting the nature of the biological processes that contribute to evolution. For its part, the Agential Perspective offers the prospect of representing the biological processes of evolution with much greater fidelity, but at the expense of generality. Trade‐offs of this sort are endemic to science, and inevitable. Recognizing them helps us to avoid the pitfalls of ‘illicit reification’, i.e. the mistake of interpreting a feature of a scientific perspective as a feature of the non‐perspectival world. We argue that much of the traditional Modern Synthesis representation of the biology of evolution commits this illicit reification.
Consumers' preference for downsizing over package price increases
Authors: Kim In Kyung
Published: June 2023

In this paper, I study how and why consumers react differently to package downsizing and package price increases that result in the same degree of unit price increases. Utilizing differential responses of South Korean milk manufacturers to the production cost rise in 2018, I first show that consumers strongly prefer downsizing to package price increases, and this tendency does not diminish over time. Then, I develop a theoretical model whose prediction is consistent with the empirical findings, providing a simple but novel explanation of why fully informed consumers would be less sensitive to downsizing than package price increases.
Tracking potential biosecurity incursions using publicly available images: A case of coconut rhinoceros beetle
Authors: Paudel Sulav , Jackson Trevor A.
Published: June 2023

The coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (L.), (CRB) is a major pest of coconut and oil palms that causes significant damage in the Asia/Pacific region. Traditional methods for surveillance and detection of CRB involve in‐person inspections, but these are expensive to carry out and were made impossible by travel restrictions during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this paper, a method to remotely detect possible CRB incursions and assess damage levels using publicly available images is described. The method involves searching for pictures of palms and identifying those with the distinctive V‐shaped cuts in fronds characteristic of CRB feeding. The method was validated by examining palm images from known outbreak areas and those free from the pest. We found evidence of CRB damage in the previously unreported site of Dili, Timor Leste and possible evidence of CRB in the Solomon Islands even before it was first reported in 2015. Potential limitations and broader applications of this approach are also discussed.
Hey Google! Intelligent personal assistants and well‐being in the context of disability during COVID‐19
Authors: van Wingerden E. , Vacaru S. V. , Holstege L. , Sterkenburg P. S.
Published: June 2023

Background

Amidst the greatest technological advancement that societies have seen, the (health)care and quality of life of all, and especially of vulnerable individuals, see unprecedented improvements. Intelligent personal assistants (IPAs), such as Google Home (GH), can easily be implemented in their daily lives to facilitate routines. Technology can offer significant benefits for individuals with impairments and/or limitations in achieving greater autonomy and well‐being. However, this opportunity still needs to be fully exploited, especially in long‐term care facilities. Furthermore, such potential may be particularly needed during social isolation due to health concerns, such as the COVID‐19 lockdowns and restrictions. We investigated the validity of implementing GH in residential care for individuals with visual impairments (VIs) and intellectual disabilities (IDs) and assessed the effects of a 10‐week intervention on self‐reported well‐being.

Methods

We used a mixed‐methods multiple case studies approach (N = 7) and performed intensive assessments (20 weeks), including self‐report well‐being questionnaires and observations focusing on well‐being, autonomy, social participation and GH experiences. Nonoverlap of all pairs analyses were performed for quantitative data indexing performance differences between intervention phases. Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data.

Results

We found meaningful improvements in well‐being in five clients, while all rated the experience of using GH positively.

Conclusions

Our findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses document that individuals with VI and/or ID benefit from IPAs in fostering better autonomy by facilitating access to information and entertainment. Further implications and possible barriers to large‐scale implementation of IPAs in residential care are discussed.
Hybridization in late stages of speciation: Strong but incomplete genome‐wide reproductive isolation and ‘large Z‐effect’ in a moving hybrid zone
Authors: Caeiro‐Dias Guilherme , Brelsford Alan , Meneses‐Ribeiro Mariana , Crochet Pierre‐André , Pinho Catarina
Published: June 2023

In organisms reproducing sexually, speciation occurs when increasing divergence results in pre‐ or post‐zygotic reproductive isolation between lineages. Studies focusing on reproductive isolation origin in early stages of speciation are common and many rely on genomic scans to infer introgression providing limited information on the genomic architecture of reproductive isolation long‐term maintenance. This study analyses a natural hybrid zone between two species in a late stage of speciation. We used ddRADseq genotyping in the contact betweenPodarcis bocageiandP. carbonellito examine admixture extent, analyse hybrid zone stability and assess genome‐wide variation in selection against introgression. We confirmed strong but incomplete reproductive isolation in a bimodal hybrid zone. New findings revealed population genetic structure withinP. carbonelliin the contact zone; geographical and genomic clines analysis suggested strong selection against gene flow, but a relatively small proportion of the loci can introgress, mostly within the narrow contact zone. However, geographical clines revealed that a few introgressed loci show signs of potential positive selection, particularly intoP. bocagei. Geographical clines also detected a signal of hybrid zone movement towardsP. bocageidistribution. Genomic cline analysis revealed heterogeneous patterns of introgression among loci within the syntopy zone, but the majority maintain a strong association with the genomic background of origin. However, incongruences between both cline approaches were found, potentially driven by confounding effects on genomic clines. Last, an important role of the Z chromosome in reproductive isolation is suggested. Importantly, overall patterns of restricted introgression seem to result from numerous strong intrinsic barriers across the genome.
Comparison of the femoral condylar ellipse line and the surgical epicondylar axis: 3D measurement by MRI scans in healthy Chinese people
Authors: Zhang Guanpeng , Liu Mingyang , Fan Shenghu , Liu Zhaoliang , Nie Xinlin , Qi Xin , Yang Chen
Published: June 2023

Objective

The sagittal shapes of the femoral condyles were thought to consist of circles. However, the line connecting the centers of circles was not consistent with the surgical epicondylar axis (SEA) which was commonly used in surgery. Recently, ellipses have been proposed as an alternative method to represent the sagittal femoral condylar shape. Does the condylar ellipse line (CEL) coincide with the SEA in 3D MRI reconstruction analysis?

Methods

From May to August 2021, a total of 80 healthy subjects were scanned by MRI on the right knee in this retrospective study. The ellipses on the most distal slices of the medial and lateral condyles were determined. A line connecting the centers of the medial and lateral ellipses was the CEL. A line connecting the deepest point of the medial sulcus and the most prominent point of the lateral epicondyle was the SEA. Angular measurement of the SEA and the CEL relative to the posterior condylar line (PCL) and the distal condylar line (DCL) was performed on an axial and coronal view of the 3D model, respectively. Measurements were compared between males and females by using the independent‐samples t‐test. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between SEA‐PCL and CEL‐PCL, SEA‐DCL, and CEL‐DCL.

Results

On the axial view, the mean SEA‐CEL was 0.35° ± 0.96°. SEA‐PCL (2.91° ± 1.40°) had a high correlation with CEL‐PCL (3.27° ± 1.11°) (r = 0.731, p < 0.001). On the coronal view, the mean coronal SEA‐CEL was 1.35° ± 1.13°. SEA‐DCL (1.35° ± 1.13°) had a low correlation with CEL‐DCL (0.18° ± 0.84°) (r = 0.319, p = 0.007). On the sagittal view, the outlet points of the CEL on the medial and lateral epicondyles were anatomically located in the anteroinferior direction to the SEA.

Conclusions

CEL traversed the medial and lateral epicondyles, which has a mean deviation of 0.35° with SEA on axial view and a mean deviation of 0.18° with DCL on coronal view. This study suggested that the ellipse approach is an improved scheme for representing the femoral condylar shape.
Disturbing the peace
Authors: Bohrer Ashley J.
Published: June 2023

This paper analyzes how the US state deploys the concept of “peace” against protesters in the use of legal charges related to “disturbing the peace” and other related infractions. Taking the US 2020 Racial Justice Uprisings as a case study, I argue that underneath the criminalization of protest under the auspices of “keeping the peace” is a central facet of state‐backed epistemic violence.
Total and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in the first 3 years after the collapse of the Fundão Dam: are we on the ecosystem recovery pathway?
Authors: de Prado Isabelle Gonçalves Oliveira , Veloso Tomás Gomes Reis , da Luz José Maria Rodrigues , da Silva Marliane de Cássia Soares , de Prado Danielle Gonçalves Oliveira , Parsons William F. J. , Khasa Damase P. , Kasuya Maria Catarina Megumi
Published: June 2023

After the collapse of Fundão Dam in Mariana‐MG, Brazil, the discharge of iron ore mining waste into the Doce River watershed negatively impacted the landscape. Monitoring the composition and species richness of soil microbiota may be useful bioindicators of ecosystem recovery. This study aimed to compare soil chemical properties, total fungal species, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in sites unaffected and affected by mining tailings in the first 3 years after the collapse of Fundão Dam. Soil and root samples were collected in dry and rainy seasons over 3 years in unaffected (adjacent forest and pasture) and affected areas (REC1, REC2, and PASTrec) by mine tailings. Changes in soil chemical properties over the sampling period were measured by routine chemical analyses. Total fungi in the soil was determined by high‐throughput sequencing. AMF community was evaluated using spore number, root colonization, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Affected sites had higher ranges of pH and lower soil organic matter than unaffected sites. Revegetation had a positive effect on soil fungal community. Increased similarity in AMF DGGE analysis was observed in the two sampling sites over time. A high similarity of total fungi and AMF was observed between REC and pasture areas, suggesting that revegetation strategy employed may be heading towards a pasture condition. Thus, post‐disturbance analysis of this study was important to evaluate of ecosystem recovery affected by the rupture of iron ore mining dam and demonstrated that the soil microbiota was a sensitive bioindicator in this long path of ecosystem recovery.
How a geneticist led an effort to free a convicted serial murderer
Authors: Travis John
Published: June 2023

“Science has been heard,” says Carola Vinuesa after mother jailed for killing her four kids was pardoned and released
Whole-Genome Sequencing of 11 High-Risk Clone ST111 Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from French Hospitals
Authors: Anbo Mikkel , Chichkova Mariana Antonova Tavares , Gençay Yilmaz Emre , Salazar Alex , Jeannot Katy , Jelsbak Lars
Published: June 2023

This study reports high-quality genomes of 11 sequence type 111 (ST111) isolates of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. This ST is known for its worldwide dissemination and high capacity to acquire antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This study used long- and short-read sequencing to provide high-quality closed genomes for most of the isolates.
Genome Sequence of a Clostridioides difficile Strain Isolated from Feces from a Patient in Southern Thailand
Authors: Yaikhan Thunchanok , Surachat Komwit , Romyasamit Chonticha , Luenglusontigit Pawarisa , Chukamnerd Arnon , Saengsuwan Phanvasri , Wonglapsuwan Monwadee , Singkhamanan Kamonnut
Published: June 2023

Clostridioides difficile
is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic, toxin-producing bacillus that is linked to antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of a
C. difficile
strain isolated from stool from a patient, using next-generation sequencing (MGISEG-2000).
De novo
assembly revealed a genome length of 4,208,266 bp. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) results showed that the isolate belonged to sequence type 23 (ST23).
Complete Genome Sequence of a Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolate from Healthy Skin with Upregulation of Protease EcpA
Authors: Cao Annie L. , Mills Krista B. , Nguyen Amber , Costa Flavia G. , Wall Elena , Horswill Alexander R.
Published: June 2023

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is a ubiquitous skin commensal that has the potential to become pathogenic and cause disease. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a
S. epidermidis
strain isolated from adult healthy skin that shows high expression of the virulence factor extracellular cysteine protease A (EcpA).
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Profiling Uncovers Response Mechanisms of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM 3922
T
to Acid Stress
Authors: Xu Junnan , Zhao Ning , Meng Xuemei , Li Jun , Zhang Tong , Xu Ruoyun , Wei Xinyuan , Fan Mingtao
Published: June 2023

Fruit juice spoilage caused by
A. acidoterrestris
contamination has become a major concern and challenge in the food industry, and this bacterium has been suggested as a target microbe in the design of the pasteurization process. However, the response mechanisms of
A. acidoterrestris
to acid stress still remain unknown.
Biochemical and Multi-Omics Approaches To Obtain Molecular Insights into the Catabolism of the Plasticizer Benzyl Butyl Phthalate in
Rhodococcus
sp. Strain PAE-6
Authors: Basu Suman , Dhar Rinita , Bhattacharyya Mousumi , Dutta Tapan K.
Published: June 2023

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), an estrogenic, high-molecular-weight phthalic acid diester, is an extensively used plasticizer throughout the world. Due to its structural rigidity and hydrophobic nature, BBP gets adsorbed on sediments and largely escapes the biotic and abiotic degradative processes of the ecosystem.
Altered Respiratory Microbiomes, Plasma Metabolites, and Immune Responses in Influenza A Virus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Coinfection
Authors: Chen Qichao , Liu Manjiao , Guo Hao , Wang Kaiying , Liu Jiangfeng , Wang Yun , Lin Yanfeng , Li Jinhui , Li Peihan , Yang Lang , Jia Leili , Yang Juntao , Li Peng , Song Hongbin
Published: June 2023

The respiratory microbiome plays an important role in respiratory tract infections. In this study, we characterized the URT and LRT microbiota, the host immune response, and plasma metabolic profiles during IAV-MRSA coinfection and evaluated their correlations.
Avulsion dynamics determine fluvial fan morphology in a cellular model
Authors: Martin Harrison K. , Edmonds Douglas A.
Published: June 2023

Fluvial fans are large, low-gradient depositional systems that occur in sedimentary basins worldwide. Fluvial fans can represent much of the geologic record of foreland basins, create hazards, and record paleoclimate and tectonic signals. However, we lack an understanding of how fluvial fans grow into the variety of shapes observed around the world. We explored this aspect using a cellular model of foreland basin landscape evolution with rules for sediment transport, river avulsion, and floodplain processes. We tested the hypothesis that avulsion dynamics, namely, avulsion trigger period and abandoned channel dynamics, are a primary control on fluvial fan development. We found that shorter trigger periods lead to rounder planform fluvial fan shapes because, between avulsions, channel aggradation (and thus avulsion setup) propagates shorter distances from the upstream boundary along channel pathways. This prioritizes lateral sediment dispersion, creating shorter, rounder fans, over sediment delivery further into the basin, which would create elongated fans. Modeled fans with abandoned channel attraction (but not repulsion) generated a commonly observed abrupt fan boundary marked by a transition from distributary to tributary channel patterns. While fluvial fans are thought to be linked to climate, they can occur anywhere that rivers aggrade, lose lateral confinement, and preserve alluvial topography. Instead, fluvial fans might be more recognizable in environments that frequently trigger avulsions and preserve abandoned channels that capture future avulsions.
Scoping review on the use of South-South learning exchange to scale up evidence-based practices in family planning
Authors: Allagh Komal Preet , Triulzi Isotta , Kiarie James , Kabra Rita
Published: June 2023

Background

South-South learning exchange (SSLE) is an interactive learning process where teams from low-income and middle-income countries exchange knowledge and experience to support one or both team’s work towards a change in policies, programmes or practices. SSLE has been used by countries to improve family planning (FP) outcomes such as increased contraceptive prevalence rate and reduced unmet need for FP, but at present, there are no reviews that summarise its use. We conducted a scoping review with stakeholder consultations to summarise the use of SSLE to change FP outcomes.

Objective

To systematically identify and map the purposes, approaches, outputs, outcomes, enablers and barriers to using SSLE in FP.

Methods

A search was conducted on electronic databases, grey literature sources, websites and the reference list of included studies. The scoping review is based on an adapted version of Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework suggested by Levacet al. Experts were interviewed on their experiences in SSLE.

Results

The initial search yielded 1483 articles; however, only 29 were selected in the final analysis. The articles were published between 2008 and 2022. Most of the articles were reports, case studies or press releases, only two were peer-reviewed publications. Capacity building of FP providers, policy-makers and community was the most commonly reported purpose of SSLE, with study tours (57%) being the most common approach. Policy dialogue was the most common (45%) output and improved contraceptive prevalence was the most frequently reported outcome. The experiences of the 16 interviewed experts aligned with the scoping review findings.

Conclusion

The evidence on the effectiveness of SSLE for addressing FP outcomes is very limited and of very low quality. We call on stakeholders conducting SSLE to document their experiences in detail, including the outcomes achieved.
Management of the infected arterial pseudoaneurysm secondary to groin injecting drug use and outcomes: a systematic review protocol
Authors: MacLeod Caitlin Sara , Radley Andrew , Strachan David , Khan Faisel , Nagy John , Suttie Stuart
Published: June 2023

Introduction

People who inject drugs are at risk of a range of injecting-related infections and injuries, which can threaten life and limb. In parallel to escalating rates of drug-related deaths seen in Scotland and the UK, there has also been an increase in hospital admissions for skin and soft tissue infections related to injecting drug use. One such injecting complication is the infected arterial pseudoaneurysm, which risks rupture and life-threatening haemorrhage. Surgical management options for the infected arterial pseudoaneurysm secondary to groin injecting drug use remain contentious, with some advocates for ligation and debridement alone, whilst others promote acute arterial reconstruction (suture or patch repair, bypass or, more recently, endovascular stent-graft placement). Rates of major lower limb amputations related to surgical management for this pathology vary in the literature. This review aims to evaluate the outcomes of arterial ligation alone compared with arterial reconstruction, including open and endovascular options, for the infected arterial pseudoaneurysm secondary to groin injecting drug use.

Methods and analysis

The methods will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Three electronic databases will be searched and the resultant papers screened according to the study inclusion and exclusion criteria (detailed in the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study design statement). Grey literature will be excluded. All papers at each stage will be screened by two independent authors, with disagreements arbitrated by a third. Papers will be subject to appropriate standardised quality assessments.

Primary outcome

Major lower limb amputation.

Secondary outcomes

Reintervention rate, rebleeding rate, development of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia 30-day mortality and claudication.

Ethics and dissemination

This is a systematic review based on previously conducted studies, therefore, no ethical approval is required. The results of this work will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022358209.
Systematic review of efficacy and meta-analysis of safety of ranibizumab biosimilars relative to reference ranibizumab anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD treatment
Authors: Hatamnejad Amin , Dadak Rohan , Orr Samantha , Wykoff Charles , Choudhry Netan
Published: June 2023

Topic

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a summary of the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab biosimilars relative to reference ranibizumab anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

We conducted systematic searches from January 2003 to August 2022 on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials. We included studies reporting changes in early treatment diabetic retinopathy study-measured best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), number of patients who lost or gained more than 15 letters in BCVA from baseline, changes in retinal thickness and adverse events between treatment arms. The following studies were excluded: studies that did not report visual outcomes following biosimilar and reference ranibizumab intravitreal injections, study arms combining anti-VEGF agents with laser or steroid injections, sham injections as a control comparator, studies without English full texts and non-comparative, observational study design.

Results

Five studies reported on four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 1544 eyes at baseline were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The studies in our systematic review found no significant differences between reference ranibizumab and ranibizumab biosimilar medications (FYB201, SB11, RanizuRel and Lupin’s ranibizumab) for visual and anatomical outcomes. No significant differences were detected between biosimilar and reference ranibizumab for treatment emergent adverse events (risk ratio, RR 1.06, 95% CI (0.91 to 1.23), p=0.45, I2=52%) or IOP-related adverse events with significant heterogeneity (RR 2.59, 95% CI (0.11 to 62.25), p=0.56, I2=76%).

Conclusion

This systematic review of four RCTs demonstrated no significant difference in visual outcomes, retinal thickness outcomes, as well as meta-analysis of adverse events between biosimilar and reference ranibizumab therapies for nAMD treatment.
Current advances in microbiome sciences within the US Department of Defense�part 1: microbiomes for human health and performance
Authors: Colston Sophie M , Barbato R A , Goodson M S , Karl J P , Kokoska R J , Leary D D , Racicot K , Varaljay V , Soares J W
Published: June 2023

Microbiomes involve complex microbial communities where the microorganisms interact with one another as well as their associated hosts or environmental niches. The characterisation of these communities and associations have largely been achieved through �omics� technologies, such as metagenomics, metaproteomics and metametabolomics, and model systems. Recent research in host-associated microbiomes have been aimed at understanding the roles microbes may play in host fitness or conversely how host activities/conditions may perturb the microbial community, which can further affect host health. These studies have led to the investigation of detection, intervention or modulation methods, which may serve to provide benefits to the host and advance our understanding of microbiome associations. With the clear implications on human health and disease, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has made microbiome research a priority, with the founding of the Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium (TSMC) to enhance collaboration, coordination and communication of microbiome research among DoD organisations and partners in academia and industry. DoD microbiome research focuses mainly on the following themes: (1) Human health and performance; (2) Environmental microbiomes; and (3) Enabling technologies. This review provides an update of current DoD microbiome research efforts centred on human health and performance and highlights innovative research being done in academia and industry that can be leveraged by the DoD. These topics were also communicated and further discussed during the fifth Annual TSMC Symposium. This paper forms part of the special issue of
BMJ Military Health
dedicated to Personalised Digital Technology for Mental Health in the Armed Forces.
THE FRACTIONAL VOLATILITY MODEL AND ROUGH VOLATILITY
Authors: MENDES R. VILELA
Published: June 2023

The question of the volatility roughness is interpreted in the framework of a data-reconstructed fractional volatility model, where volatility is driven by fractional noise. Some examples are worked out and, using the Malliavin calculus for fractional processes, an option pricing equation and its solution are obtained.
On the Set Operational Laws in Uncertain Sets Using Inverse Membership Functions
Authors: Ghaffari-Hadigheh Alireza
Published: June 2023

It would be useful to construct uncertain sets using set operations applied on other uncertain sets. When the membership functions of the components are known, finding the membership function of the produced uncertain set is straightforward. However, when only the inverse membership functions of components are available, one must first find the membership functions and then use the known relations. Here, we establish the relation between the inverse membership function of the produced uncertain set and its component’s inverse membership functions. Some simple examples verify the findings. We also denote how it can be used to easily calculate expected value of such an uncertain set just by using the inverse membership functions of its components.
Evading Anti-Phishing Models: A Field Note Documenting an Experience in the Machine Learning Security Evasion Competition 2022
Authors: Gao Yang , Ampel Benjamin M. , Samtani Sagar
Published: June 2023

Although machine learning-based anti-phishing detectors have provided promising results in phishing website detection, they remain vulnerable to evasion attacks. The Machine Learning Security Evasion Competition 2022 (MLSEC 2022) provides researchers and practitioners with the opportunity to deploy evasion attacks against anti-phishing machine learning models in real-world settings. In this field note, we share our experience participating in MLSEC 2022. We manipulated the source code of ten phishing HTML pages provided by the competition using obfuscation techniques to evade anti-phishing models. Our evasion attacks employing a benign overlap strategy achieved third place in the competition with 46 out of a potential 80 points. The results of our MLSEC 2022 performance can provide valuable insights for research seeking to robustify machine learning-based anti-phishing detectors.
Performance Comparison of Timing-Based Anomaly Detectors for Controller Area Network: A Reproducible Study
Authors: Pollicino Francesco , Stabili Dario , Marchetti Mirco
Published: June 2023

This work presents an experimental evaluation of the detection performance of eight different algorithms for anomaly detection on the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of modern vehicles based on the analysis of the timing or frequency of CAN messages. This work solves the current limitations of related scientific literature, which is based on a private dataset and lacks open implementations and a detailed description of the detection algorithms. These drawbacks prevent the reproducibility of published results, making it impossible to compare a novel proposal against related work, thus hindering the advancement of science. This article solves these issues by publicly releasing implementations and labeled datasets and by describing unbiased experimental comparisons.
Transient Nyquist Diagram for Fuel Cells
Authors: Egami Masahiro
Published: June 2023

Transient Nyquist diagrams were calculated by significantly changing the load current of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) while a perturbation current of a constant amplitude of ±2 A (±0.04 A cm−2) was simultaneously applied to the load current. The frequencies used for the calculation ranged from approx. 0.38 Hz to approx. 10 kHz, the number of noise-reduced impedance points was 255, and the measurement time was approx. 2.6 s. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to calculate the impedance, and the ergodic hypothesis was used for noise reduction. Instead of a time-averaged impedance, this method uses an ensemble average of impedances with different frequencies (quasi-ensemble-median). The load current was changed in the form of a step or ramp, or in a form equivalent to the US06 drive cycle. The obtained transient Nyquist diagrams were arc-shaped, similar to those obtained by the usual FRA method, and altering RH did not change their shape. For the step response and US06 drive cycle, a local increase in impedance was observed when the load current increased sharply. This is believed to be caused by an increase in gas diffusion resistance or charge transfer resistance.
Investigation of Reduction Mechanism and the Effect of NaCl-CaCl2 Mixture on Tungsten Production from Tungsten Sulfide
Authors: Yilmaz O. , Erdogan M. , Karakaya I.
Published: June 2023

Tungsten powder production from its sulfide by constant voltage electrochemical reduction was studied in CaCl2-NaCl salt solutions by varying composition at 750 °C. The mechanism of the reduction process was investigated by means of linear sweep voltammetry analysis using three electrodes; tungsten reference, graphite and WS2 porous pellet in eutectic CaCl2-NaCl salt mixture. The characterization studies were performed by X-ray Diffraction analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope. The produced powder contained tungsten produced by the complete reduction of WS2 with some by-products containing mainly Ca compounds. Tungsten could be separated successfully from the by-products after an acid treatment using dilute HCl. Furthermore, it was observed that the increase in CaCl2 could lead to an approximate doubling of the reduction rate within the parameter ranges covered in this study.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Properties of Ytterbium Chloride and Fluoride Complexes in Chloride Melts
Authors: Kuznetsov S. A. , Stulov Yu.V. , Gaune-Escard M.
Published: June 2023

The electrochemical behavior of trichloride ytterbium in NaCl-KCl, KCl, and CsCl melts was studied in the temperature range 973–1173 K by different electrochemical methods. The diffusion coefficients (D) of Yb(III) and Yb(II) were determined by linear sweep voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry methods. The standard rate constants of charge transfer (k
s) for the Yb(III)/Yb(II) redox couple were calculated on the basis of cyclic voltammetry data using Nicholson’s equation. The formal redox potentials E

*

Yb(III)/Yb(II) in alkali chloride melts were obtained by the cyclic voltammetry and the Gibbs free energy for the reaction: YbCl2(sol.) + 1/2 Cl2(g.) ↔YbCl3(sol.) in alkali chloride melts was calculated. The electrochemical behavior of the Yb(III)/Yb(II) redox couple in the NaCl-KCl- NaF (5 wt%) melt was studied. A comparative analysis of electrochemical behavior of ytterbium chloride complexes in the NaCl-KCl melt and ytterbium fluoride complexes in the NaCl-KCl- NaF (5 wt%) melt was performed. It was shown that the formation of the stronger fluoride complexes reduced diffusion coefficients, standard rate constants of charge transfer for the Yb(III)/Yb(II) redox couple, and shifted the formal standard redox potentials to more electronegative values.
Emission Enhancement of Eu3+ Ions in LiY(PO3)4 Phosphate Phosphors via Anionic SO4
2− Substitution
Authors: Qiao Xuebin , Zhao Jingsong , Xu Chenchen , Liu Yang , Tsuboi Taiju
Published: June 2023

Eu3+-doped LiY(PO3)4(1-x)(SO4)4x (LYSO:Eu) phosphors are synthesized by high-temperature solid-phase method. The crystal structure, microscopic morphology and photo-spectrographic characteristics are analyzed respectively. The phosphor exhibits the strongest excitation peak at 397 nm, which indicates that the sample can be effectively excited by the near-ultraviolet/ultraviolet LED chip. The characteristic emission peaks of Eu3+ ion 5D0→7FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) are observed from the PL spectrum, and the orange emission peak originating from the magnetic dipole transition 5D0→7F1 of Eu3+ is located near 597 nm. When the SO4
2− concentration exceeds 22.5 mol%, the quenching of the phosphor occurs. The Eu3+ emission still retains 78.8% of the initial strength at 495 K, with excellent thermal stability. The emission intensity is decreased with the increase of SO4
2− concentration, indicating that the SO4
2− co-doping leads to an increase in the probability of non-radiative transitions. The best quantum efficiency of the LiY0.95(PO3)2.6(SO4)1.4: 0.05Eu3+ sample is 86.65%, and the CIE chromaticity coordinates of this sample are (0.653, 0.347), which are close to the international standard red color coordinates (0.67, 0.33). These results indicate that LYSO:Eu has a good application in NUV/UV excited white LEDs. Influence of anionic substitutions of SO4
2− on the optical properties is discussed.
Multitissue responses to exercise: a MoTrPAC feasibility study
Authors: Chambers Toby L. , Stroh Andrew M. , Chavez Clarisa , Brandt Anna R. , Claiborne Alex , Fountain William A. , Gries Kevin J. , Jones Andrew M. , Kuszmaul Dillon J. , Lee Gary A. , Lester Bridget E. , Lynch Colleen E. , Minchev Kiril , Montenegro Cristhian F. , Naruse Masatoshi , Raue Ulrika , Trappe Todd A. , Trappe Scott
Published: June 2023

This study highlights the feasibility of key aspects of the MoTrPAC adult human clinical protocols. This initial preview of what can be expected from acute exercise trial data from MoTrPAC provides an impetus for scientists to design exercise studies to interlace with the rich phenotypic and -omics data that will populate the MoTrPAC DataHub at the completion of the parent protocol.
Analgesic Effect of Passive Range-of-Motion Exercise on the Healthy Side for Pain after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Eto Shuichi , Sonohata Motoki , Takei Yasuo , Ueno Masaya , Fukumori Norio , Mawatari Masaaki
Published: June 2023

Background. Exercise can reduce the pain threshold momentarily and induce analgesia, which is called exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Exercise therapy for inducing EIH may be an effective treatment option for pain. We aimed at investigating whether continuous passive motion (CPM) on both healthy and affected sides could induce EIH and reduce pain in the operated knee in patients after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients and Methods. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a bilateral group that received bilateral exercise on the operated and healthy sides and a unilateral group that received exercise therapy only on the affected side. We enrolled 40 patients aged ≥60 years who were scheduled to undergo unilateral TKA. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and range of motion (ROM) on the operated side were measured immediately before and after CPM on postoperative days 2, 4, 7, and 14. The primary outcome was the difference in the VAS scores before and after CPM on postoperative day 14. The secondary outcome was the difference in the ROM before and after CPM on postoperative day 14. Results. Comparison of VAS scores before and after CPM showed no significant intergroup differences on all measurement dates. However, there was a significant difference in values on day 14 (

P
<
0.05

). Both groups showed an increase in ROM after CPM, with significant increments observed on days 2 and 4 in the bilateral group and on day 14 in the unilateral group. There was no significant difference in values on postoperative day 14. Conclusion. Post-TKA pain was reduced by performing the same exercise on the healthy knee during CPM therapy. This could be due to EIH, and the results indicated that EIH can also influence postoperative pain immediately after surgery.