bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective treatment of refractory complex facial pain with motor cortex stimulation by spinal paddle electrodes using multimodal imaging
Authors: Gong Andrew D. , Gilbert Olivia E. , Mugge Luke A. , Dang Danielle D. , Dang John V. , Awan Omar , Leiphart James W. , Shenai Mahesh B.
Published: April 2022

Background

Complex facial pain is a debilitating condition with varying etiologies that overall responds poorly to both medical and traditional surgical management. Cortical stimulation is a unique therapeutic intervention which can be effective for some types of complex facial pain syndromes (CFPS). However, the novel use of preoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) coupled with intraoperative stimulation mapping and phase reversal to improve the accuracy for placement of spinal paddle electrodes in motor cortex stimulation, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature.

Case presentation

Here, we present a unique case of a 56-year-old male who developed left-sided complex facial pain syndrome after a stroke refractory to medical management and peripheral nerve stimulation. He previously underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) with limited control of his left-sided facial pain. In order to treat this, the patient underwent motor cortex stimulation. The motor strip of the face and tongue was identified preoperatively with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Intraoperatively, phase reversal was used to identify corticospinal tracts and stimulus mapping confirmed the location before the epidural placement of two spinal paddle electrodes. Postoperatively, the patient reported significant reduction in pain levels, burning dysesthesias, and intensity and frequency of symptoms. This trend continued, and the patient experienced equivalent levels of relief at 6 months.

Conclusions

This is a rare case report of successful motor cortex stimulation with the novel preoperative use of fMRI and DTI, coupled with intraoperative functional mapping, to successfully guide the placement of spinal paddle electrodes for the treatment of CFPS.
Optogenetics in cardiology: methodology and future applications
Authors: Sung Yen-Ling , Wang Ting-Wei , Lin Ting-Tse , Lin Shien-Fong
Published: April 2022

Optogenetics is an emerging biological approach with the unique capability of specific targeting due to the precise light control with high spatial and temporal resolution. It uses selected light wavelengths to control and modulate the biological functions of cells, tissues, and organ levels. Optogenetics has been instrumental in different biomedical applications, including neuroscience, diabetes, and mitochondria, based on distinctive optical biomedical effects with light modulation. Nowadays, optogenetics in cardiology is rapidly evolving for the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Several in vitro and in vivo research for cardiac optogenetics demonstrated visible progress. The optogenetics technique can be applied to address critical cardiovascular problems such as heart failure and arrhythmia. To this end, this paper reviews cardiac electrophysiology and the technical progress about experimental and clinical cardiac optogenetics and provides the background and evolution of cardiac optogenetics. We reviewed the literature to demonstrate the servo type, transfection efficiency, signal recording, and heart disease targets in optogenetic applications. Such literature review would hopefully expedite the progress of optogenetics in cardiology and further expect to translate into the clinical terminal in the future.
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Endogenous Sex Hormones in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ottarsdottir Kristin , Tivesten Åsa , Li Ying , Lindblad Ulf , Hellgren Margareta , Ohlsson Claes , Daka Bledar
Published: April 2022

Context

It is uncertain which cardiovascular risk factors are associated with sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and sex hormones in a cross-sectional, observational population study.

Methods

In this Swedish population study, participants were physically examined from 2002 to 2004, and endogenous sex hormones were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Women aged 55 years or older with estradiol levels below 20 pg/mL and not using any hormonal therapy were eligible for inclusion in the study (N = 146). Variable selection and bootstrap stability analyses were performed and linear regression models presented, with each of the 8 hormones as outcome variables.

Results

Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with estradiol (β = 0.054, P < .001), but negatively associated with 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = –0.023, P = .028). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was negatively associated with dihydrotestosterone (β = –2.195, P = .002) and testosterone (β = –1.541, P = .004). The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was positively associated with androstenedione (β = 0.071, P = .032), estradiol (β = 0.091, P = .009), estrone (β = 0.075, P = 0.009), and 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = 0.157, P = .001). Age was positively associated with testosterone (β = 0.017, P = .042). C-reactive protein showed an inverse association with progesterone (β = –0.028, P = .037). Lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with higher estradiol levels (β = –0.093, P = .049), whereas lower triglycerides were associated with higher concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (β = –0.208, P = .016).

Conclusion

In postmenopausal women, WHR was strongly inversely associated with androgens, while BMI was positively associated with estrogens.
Notes on Radical Hope; or, The Ethical Turn in Anthropology
Authors: Clitandre Nadège T.
Published: April 2022

Examining Greg Beckett’s 2019 There Is No More Haiti: Between Life and Death in Port-au-Prince, this critical essay explores the notion of radical hope in the midst of tragedy and crisis in Haiti. It attempts to reframe the idea of hope from the perspective of a Haitian American who studies Haiti through the lens of literary texts and within a global analysis, arguing that Beckett’s book is more than an anthropological study of crisis; it is an act of memorializing the various ways a generation reflects on the idea of hope. The author’s reading of There Is No More Haiti calls for more critical studies on what Haitians can teach us about the importance of hope in times of disaster, about the understanding of hope as a pervasive feeling.
A PKC that controls polyphosphate levels, pinocytosis and exocytosis, regulates stationary phase onset in Dictyostelium
Authors: Umachandran Shalini , Mohamed Wasima , Jayaraman Meenakshi , Hyde Geoff , Brazill Derrick , Baskar Ramamurthy
Published: April 2022

Many cells can pause their growth cycle, a topic much enriched by studies of the stationary phase (SP) of model microorganisms. Although several kinases are implicated in SP onset, whether protein kinase C has a role remains unknown. We show that Dictyostelium discoideum cells lacking pkcA entered SP at a reduced cell density, but only in shaking conditions. Precocious SP entry occurs because levels of extracellular polyphosphate (polyP) reach the threshold needed to induce the SP onset at a lower cell density than seen in wild-type cells; adding exopolyphosphatase to pkcA− cells reverses the effect and mimics wild-type growth. PkcA-mediated regulation of polyP depended on inositol hexakisphosphate kinase and phospholipase D. PkcA− mutants also had higher F-actin levels, higher rates of exocytosis and lower pinocytosis rates. Postlysosomes were smaller and present in fewer pkcA− cells compared to the wild type. Overall, the results suggest that a reduced PkcA level triggers SP primarily because cells do not acquire or retain nutrients as efficiently, thus mimicking, or amplifying, the conditions of actual starvation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Sex-specific multivariate morphology/performance relationships in Anolis carolinensis
Authors: Simon Monique Nouailhetas , Cespedes Ann M. , Lailvaux Simon P.
Published: April 2022

Animals rely on their ability to perform certain tasks sufficiently well to survive, secure mates and reproduce. Performance traits depend on morphology, and so morphological traits should predict performance, yet this relationship is often confounded by multiple competing performance demands. Males and females experience different selection pressures on performance, and the consequent sexual conflict over performance expression can either constrain performance evolution or drive sexual dimorphism in both size and shape. Furthermore, change in a single morphological trait may benefit some performance traits at the expense of others, resulting in functional trade-offs. Identifying general or sex-specific relationships between morphology and performance at the organismal level thus requires a multivariate approach, as individuals are products of both an integrated phenotype and the ecological environment in which they have developed and evolved. We estimated the multivariate morphology→performance gradient in wild-caught, green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) by measuring external morphology and forelimb and hindlimb musculature, and mapping these morphological traits to seven measured performance traits that cover the broad range of ecological challenges faced by these animals (sprint speed, endurance, exertion distance, climbing power, jump power, cling force and bite force). We demonstrate that males and females differ in their multivariate mapping of traits on performance, indicating that sex-specific ecological demands likely shape these relationships, but do not differ in performance integration.
Measurement of oxygen consumption in Tenebrio molitor using a sensitive, inexpensive, sensor-based coulometric microrespirometer
Authors: Sandstrom David J. , Offord Bruce W.
Published: April 2022

Coulometric respirometry is a highly sensitive method for measuring O2 consumption in small organisms but it is not in widespread use among physiologists. Here, we describe a coulometric microrespirometer based on a digital environmental sensor inside a sealed glass chamber and controlled by an Arduino™ microcontroller. As O2 is consumed, exhaled CO2 is removed, causing pressure to decrease in the chamber. The sensor detects the decreased pressure, and the controller activates electrolytic production of O2, returning pressure to the initial value. O2 consumption is calculated from electrolytic charge transfer. The effects of developmental stage, body mass and temperature on O2 consumption of Tenebrio molitor beetles were easily measured by the apparatus. This straightforward design is a significant innovation in that it provides continuous data regarding environmental conditions inside the experimental chamber, can be fabricated easily, and is adaptable to a wide range of uses.
A Theory of Structural Change That Can Fit the Data
Authors: Alder Simon , Boppart Timo , Müller Andreas
Published: April 2022

We study structural change in the historical consumption expenditure of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia over more than a century. We characterize the most general class of preferences in a time-additive setting that admits aggregation of the saving decision and allows us to identify preference parameters from aggregate data. We parameterize and estimate such intertemporally aggregable (IA) preferences and discuss their properties in a dynamic general equilibrium framework with sustained growth. Our preference class is considerably more flexible than the Gorman form or PIGL, giving rise to a good fit of the non-monotonic pattern of structural change. (JEL C51, E21, L16, N10)
Εκπαιδευτικό ντοκιμαντέρ «Ανακυκλώνουμε, δεν πετάμε»
Authors: Μπαλτά Μαρία , Παπαχλιμίντζου Παρασκευή , Ράμα Άννα , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: April 2022

Η ταινία «Δεν πετάμε, ανακυκλώνουμε!», αποτελεί ένα ντοκιμαντέρ που δημιουργήθηκε στα πλαίσια του ΠΜΣ “Εκπαιδευτικός Σχεδιασμός Διαδικτυακής Εκπαίδευσης”. Βασικός στόχος του είναι να ενημερώσει, να προβληματίσει αλλά και να ευαισθητοποιήσει τους μαθητές, γύρω από την έννοια και τις διαστάσεις της έννοιας της ανακύκλωσης, με συμβάντα που συμβαίνουν τόσο στην Αθήνα όσο και σε μια επαρχιακή πόλη, τα Καμένα Βούρλα. Σχετίζεται με το ζήτημα της ρύπανσης των σκουπιδιών στις πόλεις, την επεξήγηση και την ανάλυση της σημασίας της έννοιας της ανακύκλωσης, την διαδικασία που επιτελείται στα εργοστάσια ανακύκλωσης καθώς και τα υλικά που παράγονται αλλά και τη σύνδεση με την εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα και την οπτική των παιδιών. Έπειτα από μια σύντομη μελέτη της βιβλιογραφία, και ούσες δασκάλες, κατανοούμε πως έχει εκδηλωθεί μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον γύρω από την έννοια  της ανακύκλωσης, η οποία  σε κάποιο βαθμό  παρουσιάζεται συγκεχυμένη στο μυαλό των μαθητών. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο λοιπόν, προκειμένου οι μαθητές να ενημερωθούν για την έννοια και τη σπουδαιότητα της διαδικασίας της ανακύκλωσης, ενσωματώσαμε έντονες εικόνες, ήχο, πραγματικά δεδομένα και συνεντεύξεις μαθητών.
Το επιμορφωτικό ντοκιμαντέρ «Η διαδρομή του βιβλίου: από το συγγραφέα στον αναγνώστη»
Authors: Κατιδιώτη Ιωάννα , Μπαμπουκλή Ιωάννα , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: April 2022

Το επιμορφωτικό ντοκιμαντέρ «Η διαδρομή του βιβλίου: από το συγγραφέα στον αναγνώστη» στοχεύει στην πληροφόρηση των θεατών σχετικά με τη διαδικασία δημιουργίας ενός βιβλίου και τα επιμέρους στάδια που αυτή περιλαμβάνει, ξεκινώντας από τη συγγραφή ενός βιβλίου μέχρι τα αντίτυπά του να τοποθετηθούν στα ράφια των βιβλιοπωλείων. Η διαδρομή ξεκινάει από το συγγραφέα, συνεχίζει με τον εκδοτικό οίκο, ακολουθεί η παραγωγή (τυπογραφείο και βιβλιοδετείο), η προώθηση του βιβλίου από τον εκδοτικό οίκο και τέλος, το βιβλιοπωλείο, όπου ο αναγνώστης μπορεί να αγοράσει το βιβλίο. Ταυτόχρονα, το ντοκιμαντέρ προσφέρει ιστορικά στοιχεία σχετικά με τη δημιουργία βιβλίων.
Το οπτικοακουστικό έργο “Το Αιγαίο στις φλόγες”, ως μέσο για την ευαισθητοποίηση των μαθητών για την ιστορία του Αιγαίου.
Authors: Κεραμιδάς Παναγιώτης , Κουτσοτόλη Ιωάννα , Κουρκουλιώτη Παναγιώτα , Κυριάκος Παναγιώτης , Πανουσέρης Θωμάς , Κανύχης Παναγιώτης
Published: April 2022

Γενικό στόχο του παρόντος άρθρου αποτελεί η ανάλυση της ταινίας “Το Αιγαίο στις φλόγες”. Μέσα από την ανάλυση των δομικών στοιχείων της ταινίας και τον μεθόδων που ακολουθήθηκαν για την δημιουργία της, κρίνεται η προστιθέμενη αξία αυτού του οπτικοακουστικού έργου στην διαθεματική διδασκαλία της Ιστορίας. Στη συγκεκριμένη ταινία θα γίνει μια ιστορική αναδρομή με τις μεγαλύτερες και ηρωικότερες ναυμαχίες που έλαβαν χώρα στο Αιγαίο πέλαγος. Ξεκινώντας λοιπόναπό την αρχαιότητα γίνεται αναφορά στις ναυμαχίες του Αρτεμισίου και της Σαλαμίνας το 480 π.Χ. Ακόμα περιγράφονται οι ναυμαχίες της Μυκάλης το 479 π.Χ. και των Αργινουσών και των Αιγός ποταμών. Περνώντας ύστερα στην περίοδο της βυζαντινής αυτοκρατορίας γίνεται αναφορά στις ναυμαχίες του Κορινθιακού κόλπου, του Χάνδακα της Κρήτης. Την περίοδο της τουρκοκρατίας ξεχώρισε η ναυμαχία της Άνδρου ενώ την περίοδο της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης ξεχωρίζει η ναυμαχία του Γέροντα καθώς και πολλές άλλες. Στους Βαλκανικούς Πολέμους τρία είναι τα σημαντικά γεγονότα στους θαλάσσιους πολέμους. Το πρώτο είναι η καταβύθιση του θωρηκτού Φετίχ Μπουλέντ στις 18 Οκτωβρίου του 1912 το δεύτερο με το θωρηκτό Αβέρωφ Παύλος Κουντουριώτης στα Στενά και το τρίτο είναι η Ναυμαχία της Λήμνου. Τέλος αναφέρεται η αξιόλογη δράση των υποβρυχίων Κατσώνης, Παπανικολής και τα αντιτορπιλικά Αδρίας και βασίλισσα Όλγα την περίοδο του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου.
Η συσχέτιση βιοδεικτών με την παραμόρφωση του μυοκαρδίου και την παρουσία αρρυθμιών σε ενήλικες ασθενείς με συγγενή καρδιοπάθεια
Authors: Παντελάκης Ιωάννης
Published: April 2022

Σκοπός: Μελετήσαμε, σε πληθυσμό ενηλίκων ασθενών με συγγενή καρδιοπάθεια, την προγνωστική αξία των επιπέδων της Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) και τη συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) καθώς επίσης και τη συσχέτισή τους με το NT-proBNP και την αρρυθμιογένεση.Υλικά και μέθοδος: Μελετήθηκαν 58 ασθενείς (26 άνδρες, μέση ηλικία 37 έτη ± 16,8 έτη) με συγγενείς καρδιοπάθειες. Όλοι οι ασθενείς υποβλήθηκαν σε ηχωκαρδιογράφημα, 24ωρη καταγραφή καρδιακού ρυθμού και προσδιορισμό επιπέδων στο πλάσμα NT-proBNP και Gal-3. Οι ασθενείς παρακολουθήθηκαν (μέσος χρόνος 790.5 ημέρες -IQR 350.3 ημέρες) και κατεγράφησαν τα μείζονα καρδιαγγειακά συμβάματα (MACE). Αποτελέσματα: Τα μέσα επίπεδα Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) ήταν 17.07 ± 6.38 ng/m. Τα επίπεδα της Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) του πλάσματος συσχετίστηκαν με τα επίπεδα logNT-proBNP (r=0.456, p=0.001). Τα επίπεδα Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) σχετίστηκαν με υπερκοιλιακή ταχυκαρδία (SVT) (p < 0.001) και κοιλιακή ταχυκαρδία (VT) (p < 0.001), χωρίς όμως να συσχετιστούν με MACE (HR 1.018, 95% CI 0.944–1.098, p = 0.641). Η μέση συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) στους ασθενείς με συστηματική αριστερή κοιλία ήταν σημαντικά χαμηλότερο (-15.91% ± 4.09%) σε σύγκριση με τους ασθενείς με συστηματική δεξιά κοιλία και μονήρης κοιλία (-11.42% ± 3.37% και -11.9% ± 5.06%, αντίστοιχα, p = 0.021). Η συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) συσχετίστηκε με τα επίπεδα πλάσματος Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) (r = 0.313, p = 0.027) και logNT-proBNP (r = 0.479, p < 0.001). Η συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) σχετίστηκε επίσης, με επεισόδια κοιλιακής αρρυθμίας (p = 0.004). Το NT-proBNP (AUC 0.750, p = 0.03) και το SV GLS (AUC 0.745, p = 0.03), προέβλεψαν τα μείζονα καρδιαγγειακά συμβάματα (MACE). Σε πολυπαραγωντική ανάλυση, η συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) (p = 0.004) και το logNT-proBNP (p = 0.009) διατήρησαν την προγνωστική τους αξία.Συμπέρασμα: Στους ασθενείς με συγγενή καρδιοπάθεια, η συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS) προέβλεψε τα μείζονα καρδιαγγειακά συμβάματα (MACE), ανεξάρτητα από το logNT-proBNP και σχετίστηκε με επεισόδια κοιλιακής αρρυθμίας. Τα επίπεδα Γκαλεκτίνης-3 (Gal-3) σχετίστηκαν με τα επίπεδα NT-proBNP και τη συνολική επιμήκης παραμόρφωση της συστηματικής κοιλίας (SV GLS), καθώς επίσης, με επεισόδια υπερκοιλιακής ταχυκαρδίας και κοιλιακής ταχυκαρδίας, χωρίς όμως να αναδείξουν σημαντική προγνωστική αξία.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency department: A protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: O'Shaughnessy Íde , Robinson Katie , O'Connor Margaret , Conneely Mairéad , Steed Fiona , Ryan Damien , Carey Leonora , Shchetkovsky Denys , Shanahan Elaine , Leahy Aoife , Quinn Colin , Galvin Rose
Published: April 2022

Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been shown to improve outcomes in hospitalised older adults; however, there is currently no compelling evidence to support CGA interventions within the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this study is  to explore the clinical and process outcomes of older adults who receive ED-CGA over a period of six months after their initial ED attendance.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: The STrengthening the Reporting of the OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) standardised reporting guidelines will be adhered to. Older adults aged ≥65 years who score ≥2 on the Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) tool and present to the ED with a medical complaint during the operational hours of the dedicated interdisciplinary team, will be considered eligible for recruitment. Demographic and health assessment information will be obtained at the ED index attendance followed by completion of an interdisciplinary CGA. A dedicated research nurse will complete follow-up telephone interviews with participants at 30 days and six months. The primary outcome will be incidence of hospital admission from the ED index attendance. Secondary outcomes will include functional decline, patient satisfaction with the ED index attendance, unscheduled ED reattendance(s), unscheduled hospital (re)admission(s), nursing home admission(s), healthcare utilisation, and death. Descriptive statistics will be used to profile the characteristics of the study participants and multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis will be used to analyse risk of adverse outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was granted by the University of Limerick Hospital Group Hospital Research Ethics Committee (107/2021). The authors will disseminate study findings through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at national and international conferences. Patient and public involvement will be sought from a panel of older adults at the Ageing Research Centre in the University of Limerick.

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05252182.
Resource (in)efficiency in the EU: a case of plastic waste
Authors: Baran Bernadeta
Published: April 2022

Motivation: Plastics are versatile materials with applications in numerous sectors. They contribute to effective resource protection during their usage phase but a great challenge is increasing amount of unmanaged plastic waste and its environmental impact. Meanwhile, plastic waste is a valuable raw material. Appropriate management reduces environmental pressure and brings economic benefits. The transition to circularity is a strategic objective of the EU but it involves numerous obstacles. This article deals with these issues.

Aim: The purpose of the article is to indicate the scale of losses in one of key waste stream — plastic waste — by looking at origin, way of collection and treatment of end-of-use plastics. The analysis aims to show the level of recycling in relation to the demand for plastic (as commonly used recycling indicator refers only to the plastic waste collected), the way the plastic waste is managed in various sectors and the specific barriers to its recycling.

Results: Recycling of plastic waste accounts for only about 5–10% of the total demand for plastic. Overall, post-consumer plastic waste collected for treatment constitutes 49% of plastics production. 32.5% of those collected plastics is recycled, compared with 25% of plastics landfilled and 42.5% recovered for energy. Still a lot of plastic waste is exported to developing countries, some is hidden in untracked trade flow or illegal landfills. The EU is shifting from linear to circular approach but it is only the beginning of economic transformation towards plastics circularity.
VAT revenues in 2008–2020: trends and challenges of Covid-19
Authors: Dziemianowicz Ryta , Budlewska Renata
Published: April 2022

Motivation: VAT revenues are particularly vulnerable to economic turbulence, especially if the crisis directly affects private consumption or changes its structure. Even when consumption levels are relatively high, VAT revenues may be lower due to a shift in consumer spending to the most essential goods or services or an increase in public sector consumption. Because of the reduction in operation and the closure of many businesses, the Covid-19 crisis is likely to have an even greater impact on consumption than the previous financial crisis of 2008.

Aim: The purpose of this article is to analyse VAT revenues in OECD countries over the period 2008–2020, identify general trends, and highlight similarities and differences in this regard between the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 crisis.

Results: Consumption taxes account for about 33% of all taxes collected in OECD countries, of which 20% is VAT. Covid-19 could change that in an important manner. After the 2008 global financial crisis, tax revenues, including VAT, returned to pre-crisis levels after an average of eight years. VAT revenues in relation to GDP peaked in 2016, and have been stable since then. Due to reduced operation and closure of businesses, the Covid-19 epidemic not only changed the structure of private consumption, but also significantly affected its level. In addition, government actions reducing certain rates have contributed to the decline in VAT revenues. As the survey results indicate, standard VAT rates between 2017 and 2020 were at record high levels, averaging 19.3%. With such high rates, in order to re-store VAT revenues after the crisis, governments may have to think about how to broaden the tax base (e.g., temporarily lower rates and stimulate consumption).
BS index: incorporating R&D subsidies into B index
Authors: Zegarowicz Łukasz
Published: April 2022

Motivation: The B index is a measure of the generosity of R&D tax incentives proposed by Warda in 2001 and is now widely used by the OECD. The author of this index already in 2001 indicated that developing it with measures of the availability of direct subsidies would improve the B index as a comprehensive measure of the attractiveness of R&D policies.

Aim: Extension of the B index, used by the OECD to measure the impact of tax incentives on the conditions of investing in R&D, to include direct funding, i.e. subsidies and grants.

Results: The study proposes several methods of including direct funding in the B index calculation. They depend on specific rules on which it is possible to combine the benefits of using tax incentives and direct subsidies in different countries: mutually exclusive in their use, grant funding reduces base of R&D tax credit/allowance, grant funding is part of taxable income, ceiling on total support (direct and tax), complementary in their use. The share of subsidies and direct grants in BERD in each country, broken down into SMEs and large enterprises, was adopted as the measure representing direct funding. The results show an increase in the expected subsidy rate in most of the surveyed countries in 2017. Increase is on average higher in the case of SMEs than in the case of large enterprises. The developed methods can be used for comprehensive in-depth analyzes and comparisons of R&D support policies applied in different countries. And after extending the calculations to historical data, they can be used as an important source material in modeling the impact of R&D support policies on R&D inputs and outputs.
Evidence-based management of disease-related malnutrition: updated guidance
Authors: Holdoway Anne , Franklin Hilary
Published: April 2022

Anne Holdoway and Hilary Franklin outline the updated guidelines produced by the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community panel

This article outlines the updated guidelines produced by the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community panel, which aims to assist and support health and social care professionals working in the community to identify and manage malnutrition, particularly that related to ageing, disease and long-term medical conditions.
Making self-harm everyone's business: a consideration of the new national guideline
Authors: Clough Isobel
Published: April 2022

This article discusses the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's consultation and draft guideline on self-harm management, placing the recommendations in the context of ongoing pressures on NHS services and the UK's growing mental health crisis
Evaluating Forest Cover Changes in Protected Areas Using Geospatial Analysis in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors:   Master of Science Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Lee Kyuho , Wangpakapattanawong Prasit ,   Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Khokthong Watit ,   Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Published: April 2022

Abstract Protected areas have been developed in Thailand to conserve the natural environment required for wildlife and human beings, and to prevent disasters. It is necessary to address doubts about effectiveness of protected areas because regulations have been changed or are ignored in some communities and regions, especially in Chiang Mai province, which is facing the loss of natural forest areas under area transformations. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of forest protected areas. To do this, this study focused on analyzing multi-year land cover changes in Chiang Mai over two decades (1995-2015) with four land cover types: forest, agriculture, urban, and water bodies, inside and outside protected areas. The results suggest that the establishment of forest protected areas assisted to curtail urban expansion compared to non-protected areas. The protected areas effectively kept the number of divided forest patches small, and the forest patches were larger than in non-protected areas. We detected clearing of forests in protected areas, where they were transformed into agricultural areas. However, agricultural patches in protected areas were smaller and in higher densities than in non-protected areas. We conclude that the main contribution of forest cover loss in Chiang Mai is transition to agricultural areas, and that designated national parks and wildlife sanctuaries could help to effectively conserve such forest areas. Keywords: Land cover change, Land transformation, Protected areas, Non-protected areas, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Effect of Nocturnal and Diurnal Moderate-intensity Swimming Exercise on Increasing Irisin Level of Female Mice (Mus musculus)
Authors:   Sport Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, Antoni Muhamad Fauzi , Rejeki Purwo Sri ,   Sport Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia,   Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, . Sulistiawati ,   Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, Pranoto Adi ,   Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, Wigati Kristanti Wanito ,   Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, Sari Gadis Meinar ,   Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, Lesmana Ronny ,   Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, Yamaoka Yoshio ,   Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Japan
Published: April 2022

Abstract This study aims to compare moderate-intensity swimming exercise in the morning and at night towards the increment of irisin levels in female mice (Mus musculus). This research is a real experiment with the randomized control group post-test-only design. A total of 24 female mice (Mus musculus), aged 3 months old, and weighing 20-40 grams (Lee’s Index Value > 0.3) were randomized into three groups, namely G1 (n = 8, control without intervention), G2 (n = 8, moderate-intensity swimming exercise in the morning), and G3 (n = 8, moderate-intensity swimming exercise at night). Swimming exercises were carried out 3x/w for 4 weeks with an intensity of 6% of body weight and the duration was 70% of maximum swimming time. Irisin levels were measured using the ELISA method. The data analysis techniques used were one-way ANOVA test and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test. The results that were obtained from this experimental study were mean levels of irisin in G1 (1.86 ± 0.06 ng/mL), G2 (2.66 ± 0.12 ng/mL), G3 (3.43 ± 0.35 ng/mL), and (P ≤ 0.001). The results of Tukey's HSD post-hoc test showed that there was a significant difference in the mean post-training irisin levels between G2 and G1 (P ≤ 0.05), G3 and G1 (P ≤ 0.001), and G3 and G2 (P ≤ 0.05). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that moderate-intensity swimming exercises in the morning and at night were able to increase irisin levels. However, moderate-intensity swimming exercise at night showed a higher effectiveness in increasing irisin levels of female mice (Mus musculus). Keywords: Obesity, Irisin levels, Morning exercise, Night exercise
A Cybersecurity Culture Framework for Grassroots Levels in Zimbabwe
Authors: Kabanda Gabriel , Chingoriwo Tinashe
Published: April 2022

Cybersecurity is a combination of technologies, processes and operations that are designed to protect information systems, computers, devices, programs, data and networks from internal or external threats, harm, damage, attacks or unauthorized access1.The research was purposed to develop a cybersecurity culture framework which ensures that grassroot users of cyberspace are secured from cyber threats. Literature review showed that in Zimbabwe, no research had attempted to come up with a cybersecurity culture framework for grassroot users of cyberspace.The research was guided by the interpretivist paradigm and employed a qualitative methodology. A descriptive research design was used to answer the research questions and unstructured interviews were done to ascertain the cybersecurity needs and challenges of grassroot users of cyberspace. A cybersecurity culture framework was then crafted based on the research findings. The researchers recommended that Zimbabwe should have a cybersecurity vision and strategy that cascades to the grassroot users of cyberspace. Furthermore, the education curricula should be revised so that it incorporates cybersecurity courses at primary and secondary school level .This will then ensure that ICT adoption is matched with cyber hygiene and responsible use of cyberspace.
Supine correction index as a predictor for brace outcome in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Wong Lester P. K. , Cheung Prudence W. H. , Cheung Jason P. Y.
Published: April 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of morphological spinal parameters to predict the outcome of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to establish a novel supine correction index (SCI) for guiding bracing treatment.

Methods

Patients with AIS to be treated by bracing were prospectively recruited between December 2016 and 2018, and were followed until brace removal. In all, 207 patients with a mean age at recruitment of 12.8 years (SD 1.2) were enrolled. Cobb angles, supine flexibility, and the rate of in-brace correction were measured and used to predict curve progression at the end of follow-up. The SCI was defined as the ratio between correction rate and flexibility. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to assess the optimal thresholds for flexibility, correction rate, and SCI in predicting a higher risk of progression, defined by a change in Cobb angle of ≥ 5° or the need for surgery.

Results

The baseline Cobb angles were similar (p = 0.374) in patients whose curves progressed (32.7° (SD 10.7)) and in those whose curves remained stable (31.4° (SD 6.1)). High supine flexibility (odds ratio (OR) 0.947 (95% CI 0.910 to 0.984); p = 0.006) and correction rate (OR 0.926 (95% CI 0.890 to 0.964); p < 0.001) predicted a lower incidence of progression after adjusting for Cobb angle, Risser sign, curve type, menarche status, distal radius and ulna grading, and brace compliance. ROC curve analysis identified a cut-off of 18.1% for flexibility (sensitivity 0.682, specificity 0.704) and a cut-off of 28.8% for correction rate (sensitivity 0.773, specificity 0.691) in predicting a lower risk of curve progression. A SCI of greater than 1.21 predicted a lower risk of progression (OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.251 to 0.955); sensitivity 0.583, specificity 0.591; p = 0.036).

Conclusion

A higher supine flexibility (18.1%) and correction rate (28.8%), and a SCI of greater than 1.21 predicted a lower risk of progression. These novel parameters can be used as a guide to optimize the outcome of bracing. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(4):495–503.
The British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance study: Perthes’ disease
Authors: Perry Daniel C. , Arch Barbara , Appelbe Duncan , Francis Priya , Craven Joanna , Monsell Fergal P. , Williamson Paula , Knight Marian ,   on behalf of the BOSS collaborators
Published: April 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of Perthes’ disease of the hip.

Methods

This was an anonymized comprehensive cohort study of Perthes’ disease, with a nested consented cohort. A total of 143 of 144 hospitals treating children’s hip disease in the UK participated over an 18-month period. Cases were cross-checked using a secondary independent reporting network of trainee surgeons to minimize those missing. Clinician-reported outcomes were collected until two years. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected for a subset of participants.

Results

Overall, 371 children (396 hips) were newly affected by Perthes’ disease arising from 63 hospitals, with a median of two patients (interquartile range 1.0 to 5.5) per hospital. The annual incidence was 2.48 patients (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.20 to 2.76) per 100,000 zero- to 14-year-olds. Of these, 117 hips (36.4%) were treated surgically. There was considerable variation in the treatment strategy, and an optimized decision tree identified joint stiffness and age above eight years as the key determinants for containment surgery. A total of 348 hips (88.5%) had outcomes to two years, of which 227 were in the late reossification stage for which a hip shape outcome (Stulberg grade) was assigned. The independent predictors of a poorer radiological outcome were female sex (odds ratio (OR) 2.27 (95% CI 1.19 to 4.35)), age above six years (OR 2.62 (95% CI (1.30 to 5.28)), and over 50% radiological collapse at inclusion (OR 2.19 (95% CI 0.99 to 4.83)). Surgery had no effect on radiological outcomes (OR 1.03 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.96)). PROMs indicated the marked effect of the disease on the child, which persisted at two years.

Conclusion

Despite the frequency of containment surgery, we found no evidence of improved outcomes. There appears to be a sufficient case volume and community equipoise among surgeons to embark on a randomized clinical trial to definitively investigate the effectiveness of containment surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(4):510–518.
April 2022 Critical Care Case of the Month: Bullous Skin Lesions in the ICU
Authors:   University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA, Wat Margaret , Bilal Jawad , Chacon Martin , Klotz Stephen , Campion Janet
Published: April 2022

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. History of Present Illness: A 29-year-old woman with a past medical history of lupus and prior pulmonary embolism complained of a 2-week history of nonproductive cough. The cough began after her son was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms progressively worsened and now she is admitted from the emergency department (ED) with generalized weakness and progressive shortness of breath. Earlier in the day at an outside hospital, she tested positive for RSV, negative for COVID-19 and had normal O2 saturations and was discharged home. She has not received COVID-19 vaccine. Symptoms progressed, 911 was called and in the emergency department (ED), she was found to have temperature = 104°F, SpO2 = 64% on room air, and fasting blood sugar in the 40s. She was lethargic with visible respiratory distress and unable to answer questions. Past Medical History: • Systemic lupus erythematosus • Membranous lupus nephritis • Raynaud's syndrome Mixed connective tissue disease, …
Enhanced performance of a reservoir computing system based on a dual-loop optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Cai Shiyi , Wang Muguang , Han Mengyao , Wu Beilei , Sun Jian , Zhang Jianyong
Published: April 2022

Time-delayed reservoir computing (RC) is a brain inspired paradigm for processing temporal information, with simplification in the network’s architecture using virtual nodes embedded in a temporal delay line. In this work, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, RC system based on a dual-loop optoelectronic oscillator is proposed to enhance the prediction and classification. The hardware is compact and easy to implement, and only a section of fiber compared to the traditional optoelectronic oscillator reservoir is added to conform the dual-loop scheme. Compared with the traditional reservoir, a remarkable performance of the proposed RC system is demonstrated by simulation on three well-known tasks, namely the nonlinear auto regressive moving average (NARMA10) task, signal waveform recognized task, and handwritten numeral recognition. The parameter optimization in the NARMA10 task is presented with influenced factors. The novel RC system finally obtains a normalized mean square error at

0.0493

±

0.007

in NARMA10 task,

6.172

×

1

0

−
6

in signal waveform recognized task, and a word error rate at 9% in handwritten numeral recognition with suitable parameters.
Cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in COVID-19: A hospital-based study in India
Authors: Sharma Arvind K. , Baig Vaseem Naheed , Sharma Sonali , Dalela Gaurav , Panwar Raja Babu , Katoch Vishwa Mohan , Gupta Rajeev
Published: April 2022

Background & objectives

Presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors enhance adverse outcomes in COVID-19. To determine association of risk factors with clinical outcomes in India we performed a study.

Methods

Successive virologically confirmed adult patients of COVID-19 at a government hospital were recruited at admission and data on clinical presentation and in-hospital outcomes were obtained. The cohort was classified according to age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and tobacco use. In-hospital death was the primary outcome. Logistic regression was performed to compared outcomes in different groups.

Results

From April to September 2020 we recruited 4645 (men 3386, women 1259) out of 5103 virologically confirmed COVID-19 patients (91.0%). Mean age was 46±18y, hypertension was in 17.8%, diabetes in 16.6% and any tobacco-use in 29.5%. Duration of hospital stay was 6.8±3.7 days, supplemental oxygen was in 18.4%, non-invasive ventilation in 7.1%, mechanical ventilation in 3.6% and 7.3% died. Unadjusted and age-sex adjusted odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) for in-hospital mortality, respectively, were: age ≥60y vs <40y, OR 8.47(95% CI 5.87–12.21) and 8.49(5.88–12.25), age 40-59y vs <40y 3.69(2.53–5.38) and 3.66(2.50–5.33), men vs women 1.88(1.41–2.51) and 1.26(0.91–1.48); hypertension 2.22(1.74–2.83) and 1.32(1.02–1.70), diabetes 1.88(1.46–2.43) and 1.16(0.89–1.52); and tobacco 1.29(1.02–1.63) and 1.28(1.00–1.63). Need for invasive and non-invasive ventilation was greater among patients in age-groups 40–49 and ≥60y and hypertension. Multivariate adjustment for social factors, clinical features and biochemical tests attenuated significance of all risk factors.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular risk factors, age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes and tobacco-use, are associated with greater risk of in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients.
External validation of cardiac arrest-specific prognostication scores developed for early prognosis estimation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a Korean multicenter cohort
Authors: Heo Wan Young , Jung Yong Hun , Lee Hyoung Youn , Jeung Kyung Woon , Lee Byung Kook , Youn Chun Song , Choi Seung Pill , Park Kyu Nam , Min Yong Il ,   on behalf of the Korean Hypothermia Network Investigators
Published: April 2022

We evaluated the performance of cardiac arrest-specific prognostication scores developed for outcome prediction in the early hours after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in predicting long-term outcomes using independent data. The following scores were calculated for 1,163 OHCA patients who were treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) at 21 hospitals in South Korea: OHCA, cardiac arrest hospital prognosis (CAHP), C-GRApH (named on the basis of its variables), TTM risk, 5-R, NULL-PLEASE (named on the basis of its variables), Serbian quality of life long-term (SR-QOLl), cardiac arrest survival, revised post-cardiac arrest syndrome for therapeutic hypothermia (rCAST), Polish hypothermia registry (PHR) risk, and PROgnostication using LOGistic regression model for Unselected adult cardiac arrest patients in the Early stages (PROLOGUE) scores and prediction score by Aschauer et al. Their accuracies in predicting poor outcome at 6 months after OHCA were determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration belt. In the complete-case analyses, the PROLOGUE score showed the highest AUC (0.923; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.904–0.941), whereas the SR-QOLl score had the lowest AUC (0.749; 95% CI, 0.711–0.786). The discrimination performances were similar in the analyses after multiple imputation. The PROLOGUE, TTM risk, CAHP, NULL-PLEASE, 5-R, and cardiac arrest survival scores were well calibrated. The rCAST and PHR risk scores showed acceptable overall calibration, although they showed miscalibration under the 80% CI level at extreme prediction values. The OHCA score, C-GRApH score, prediction score by Aschauer et al., and SR-QOLl score showed significant miscalibration in both complete-case (P = 0.026, 0.013, 0.005, and < 0.001, respectively) and multiple-imputation analyses (P = 0.007, 0.018, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the discrimination performances of the prognostication scores were all acceptable, but some showed significant miscalibration.
Effects of Guangzhou seasonal climate change on the development of Aedes albopictus and its susceptibility to DENV-2
Authors: Wu Shanshan , He Yulan , Wei Yong , Fan Peiyang , Ni Weigui , Zhong Daibin , Zhou Guofa , Zheng Xueli
Published: April 2022

The susceptibility of Asian tiger mosquitoes to DENV-2 in different seasons was observed in simulated field environments as a reference to design dengue fever control strategies in Guangzhou. The life table experiments of mosquitoes in four seasons were carried out in the field. The susceptibility of Ae. albopictus to dengue virus was observed in both environments in Guangzhou in summer and winter. Ae. albopictus was infected with dengue virus by oral feeding. On day 7 and 14 after infection, the viral load in the head, ovary, and midgut of the mosquito was detected using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Immune-associated gene expression in infected mosquitoes was performed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The hatching rate and pupation rate of Ae. albopictus larvae in different seasons differed significantly. The winter hatching rate of larvae was lower than that in summer, and the incubation time was longer than in summer. In the winter field environment, Ae. albopictus still underwent basic growth and development processes. Mosquitoes in the simulated field environment were more susceptible to DENV-2 than those in the simulated laboratory environment. In the midgut, viral RNA levels on day 7 in summer were higher than those on day 7 in winter (F = 14.459, P = 0.01); ovarian viral RNA levels on day 7 in summer were higher than those on day 7 in winter (F = 8.656, P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the viral load at other time points (P > 0.05). Dicer-2 mRNA expression on day 7 in winter was 4.071 times than that on day 7 in summer: the viral load and Dicer-2 expression correlated moderately. Ae. albopictus could still develop and transmit dengue virus in winter in Guangzhou. Mosquitoes under simulated field conditions were more susceptible to DENV-2 than those under simulated laboratory conditions.