bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity in Japan: Consensus statement of the Japanese Working Group on Sarcopenic Obesity
Authors: Ishii Kojiro , Ogawa Wataru , Kimura Yutaka , Kusakabe Toru , Miyazaki Ryo , Sanada Kiyoshi , Satoh‐Asahara Noriko , Someya Yuki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Ueki Kohjiro , Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Watanabe Yuya , Yamada Minoru , Arai Hidenori
Published: September 2024

Sarcopenic obesity is the co‐existence of obesity and sarcopenia in individuals aged 40–75 years. The Japanese Working Group on Sarcopenic Obesity has developed diagnostic criteria tailored for the Japanese population, considering their unique characteristics compared with European populations. Our algorithm consists of two steps: screening and diagnosis. The screening of obesity mandates using waist circumference and/or body mass index (BMI) based on national standards, while screening for sarcopenia involves the “finger ring test” in addition to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. The final diagnosis of sarcopenia involves handgrip strength for low muscle strength, the five‐times chair stand test for low physical function, and limb skeletal muscle mass (corrected for BMI) for low muscle mass. Obesity is assessed by visceral fat area or body fat percentage. Sarcopenic obesity is then categorized into Stage I, with muscle weakness/loss of function, loss of muscle mass, and obesity; or Stage II, which includes complications. Further clinical validation is needed to refine the consensus and age range. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••.
Emotional labor, conflicting caregiving responsibilities and resilience among foreign female caregivers in Japan: A photovoice study
Authors: Sever Melih , Tiryaki Ayşe
Published: September 2024

Prompted by Japan's aging population and the growing demand for migrant female caregivers, this study employs a participatory action research method—photovoice (N = 11) and interviews (N = 9) to investigate the emotional labor, conflicting caregiving responsibilities, and resilience among foreign female caregivers in Japan. A total of 47 photographs and nine interviews were gathered, revealing three main themes with several sub‐themes, such as discrimination, loneliness, ergonomic challenges, and emotional burden. The findings shed light on the stigmatization faced by foreign female caregivers in Japan, who are often perceived as inadequately qualified for their roles. It particularly emphasizes the difficulties they face in balancing their caregiving duties in Japan with the inability to care for their own families back home. Additionally, Japan's stringent immigration policies, patriarchal social structure and the experiences of discrimination further complicate their situation. We recommend that policies and programs focus on improving working conditions (such as reducing workload and increasing wages), supporting family unity, and providing greater flexibility for social integration among migrant caregivers.
A Patient and Public Engagement Project to Inform Dementia Care in a UK Hospital Trust
Authors: Marrow Rachel K. , Cronin Camille , Ashby Victor , Currid Thomas , Alexander Marie
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The increasing prevalence of dementia in the United Kingdom presents significant challenges for healthcare, with projections estimating over a million affected individuals by 2025, costing the NHS £6.3 billion annually. Hospital admissions among dementia patients are common, occupying about 25% of UK hospital beds and leading to prolonged stays and diminished health outcomes.

Method

This paper presents the opening stages, part of a larger project where Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) was employed to understand and navigate what it means for hospital care for a person living with dementia. To understand hospital care for dementia patients, focus groups were conducted through dementia cafés in Essex and Suffolk from February to July 2023 engaging patients, carers and family members.

Results

Recognised processes for reporting PPIE and thematic analysis were used and identified six themes and 21 subthemes regarding hospital care: individualised care, role of carers, basic care, interpersonal communication, information sharing and staffing.

Discussion

The results from the PPIE will be used to inform and work with stakeholders through the next phases of the project, which involves examining care processes in the hospital, identifying touchpoints and evaluating these areas. The project continues to be informed by stakeholders including people living with dementia, carers and staff. Additionally, the results may inform other service providers for care enhancements, processes and delivery.

Conclusion

Moving forward, the study emphasises the importance of building collaborative relationships with stakeholders involved in dementia care. Additionally, it provides insights to focus areas that are fundamental for acute care organisations when delivering care to people living with dementia. By incorporating insights from PPIE, this project seeks to identify inequalities in dementia care services, improve hospital care for people living with dementia, fostering a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment.

Patient or Public Contribution

The purpose of the study was to explore the most important issues around hospital care for people with dementia, their carers and families. Persons living with dementia, carers and family members were involved in the study through community dementia cafés and recruited to take part in focus groups to discuss hospital care for patients with dementia. The design of questions and materials for the discussions was developed through consultation with the university department's service user lead and dementia specialist and reviewed by a service user member living with dementia. A pilot focus group was conducted with a group of carers. We worked with the dementia café managers to coordinate recruitment and a suitable environment to run the focus groups.

Trial Registration

Not applicable.
Integrating Nursing Practice and Policy in Opioid Overdose Prevention: Analysis of the Opioid‐Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach Practice Guide
Authors: Kyei Evans F. , Ansong Rockson , Kyei Grace K.
Published: September 2024

Aim

To present a comprehensive analysis of the Opioid‐Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA) Practice Guide 2023, evaluating its alignment with Russell and Fawcett's conceptual model of nursing and health policy and highlighting the implications for nursing practice and policy.

Design

This paper employs a policy analysis framework to evaluate the ORCCA Practice Guide, using Russell and Fawcett's conceptual model as a lens to assess the policy's structure and implementation.

Methods

The analysis is framed by Russell and Fawcett's conceptual model, focusing on the dimensions of efficacy, effectiveness, equity and justice. This framework assesses how well the ORCCA's strategies align with these dimensions in the context of nursing and health policy.

Results

Key findings indicate that the ORCCA's strategies are integral to nursing practice, particularly in frontline interventions such as education, naloxone distribution and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) delivery. The integration of these strategies demonstrates a significant impact on the opioid crisis, enhancing the roles nurses play in opioid overdose prevention.

Conclusion

The ORCCA Practice Guide represents a multifaceted approach to addressing the opioid crisis, with strong alignment to the conceptual model used for analysis. It underscores the essential role of nurses in implementing and refining opioid overdose reduction strategies.

Implications

The study highlights the critical need for nursing involvement in policy formation and practice implementation, suggesting that nurses are key to advancing comprehensive opioid overdose prevention measures.

Impact

This study addresses the problem of opioid overdoses and the need for effective interventions. The main findings show the importance of nurse‐driven strategies in opioid crisis management. The research impacts public health policy and practice, particularly influencing how nursing approaches are integrated into overall health strategies for overdose prevention.

No Patient or Public Contribution

No patients, caregivers, or members of the public were involved in conducting this analysis.
Combined approach of high‐power and very high‐power, short‐duration ablation in superior vena cava isolation
Authors: Makita Toshio , Kuwahara Taishi , Takahashi Kenta , Oshio Takuya , Kadono Kenta , Oyagi Yoshimi , Ito Yayoi , Takahashi Ryo
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The effectiveness and safety of 50 W, high‐power, short‐duration (HPSD) ablation in superior vena cava isolation (SVCI) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported. However, the acute outcomes of SVCI combined with 90 W/4 s, very high‐power, short‐duration (vHPSD) ablation remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate a novel approach that combines 50 W‐HPSD and 90 W/4 s‐vHPSD ablation in SVCI and to elucidate the characteristics, outcomes, and safety of this approach by comparing SVCI with conventional ablation index (AI)‐guided middle‐power, middle‐duration (MPMD) ablation.

Methods

Overall, 126 patients who underwent AF ablation with SVCI using the QDOT MICROTM catheter were retrospectively reviewed; one group underwent SVCI with a combined approach of HPSD and vHPSD ablation (50 W/90 W group, n = 73) and another group underwent AI‐guided MPMD ablation (30–40 W group, n = 53). This study compared the procedural details, radiofrequency (RF) ablation profiles, and complications. The RF settings used in the 50 W/90 W group were 50 W/7 s for the lateral segment close to the phrenic nerve and 90 W/4 s for the nonlateral segment.

Results

The 50 W/90 W group required a significantly shorter procedural time (3.2 vs. 5.9 min, p < .001), shorter RF duration (42.0 vs. 162.0 s, p < .001), and lower RF energy (2834 vs. 5480 J, p < .001) than the 30–40 W group. Procedural success, first‐pass SVCI, number of RF applications, and SVC reconnection after isoproterenol loading were comparable between the groups. The maximum tip‐electrode temperature of the multi‐thermocouple system was significantly higher in the 50 W/90 W group than in the 30–40 W group (50.0°C vs. 47.0°C, p < .001). No complications, such as phrenic nerve injury or bleeding requiring transfusion, were observed in either group.

Conclusions

The combined approach of 50 W/7 s‐HPSD and 90 W/4 s‐vHPSD ablation resulted in successful and safe SVCI with shorter procedural time, shorter RF duration, and lower RF energy.
Pobrecitos: Determinations of deservingness in the Costa Rican asylum process
Authors: Fouratt Caitlin E.
Published: September 2024

This article examines how Costa Rica's asylum process enacts bureaucratic bordering, shaping refugee deservingness through intertwined logics of security and humanitarianism. Based on fieldwork from 2016 to 2022, the analysis focuses on two areas: daily interactions between asylum officials and applicants, and the bureaucratic practices in humanitarian aid distribution. The first case analyzes a form of micro‐level bureaucratic bordering in the ways officials draw on racialized understandings of cultural, social, and economic differences to categorize asylum seekers as deserving or undeserving. The second explores how a restructured aid system, with NGOs as filters, erects bureaucratic barriers that complicate access to services for asylum seekers. Both cases demonstrate how deservingness is determined through the interplay of institutions, actors, and procedures, reflecting broader trends of the intersection of security and humanitarianism in migration management, ultimately marginalizing those least equipped to navigate the bureaucratic complexities of the asylum system.
The Impact of Obesity on Childbirth Expectations
Authors: Messer Tamara A. , Blank Fabienne , Grand‐Guillaume‐Perrenoud Jean Anthony , Aubry Evelyne M.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Positive childbirth expectations are crucial for fostering a positive labor experience and enhancing the health and well‐being of both the woman and her newborn. However, the impact of obesity on childbirth expectations remains underexplored. We aim to assess childbirth expectations in women living with obesity to enhance perinatal care tailored to their specific needs.

Methods

Using an adapted version of the Childbirth Expectation Questionnaire (CEQ) in a nationwide online survey, we assessed expectations on childbirth of pregnant women living in Switzerland. We performed one‐way analysis of variance and independent t tests to analyze associations between childbirth expectations and women's characteristics such as body mass index (BMI). Binomial logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of positive birth expectations occurring based on individual and contextual factors.

Results

In total, 961 pregnant women responded to the CEQ through social media. Increased BMI was associated with lower mean scores in overall birth expectations (P = .008), whereas women accompanied by midwives during pregnancy showed significantly increased mean scores (P < .001). Regression analysis revealed that women living with obesity were less likely to have positive expectations for their upcoming childbirth when compared with others (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.95; P = .027). Conversely, midwifery care and plans for nonclinical births were associated with increased positive childbirth expectations (aOR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.11‐6.32; P < .001 and aOR, 4.77; 95% CI, 3.37‐6.74; P < .001, respectively).

Discussion

Women living with obesity exhibited significantly lower childbirth expectations compared with other women, impacting birth outcomes and satisfaction. Midwife involvement correlated with more positive expectations, emphasizing their role in improving women's realistic expectations and fostering well‐being. Enhanced accessibility to models of care with midwifery continuity may be a crucial factor in promoting positive expectations among women living with obesity.
Sleep problems and executive dysfunctions in pre‐school children
Authors: Tangwijitsakul Hathaipohn , Likhitweerawong Narueporn , Boonchooduang Nonglak , Chonchaiya Weerasak , Louthrenoo Orawan
Published: September 2024

Aim

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between sleep problems and executive functions in pre‐school children as reported by parents/caregivers.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study of caregiver‐child dyads was conducted in a public kindergarten school in Northern Thailand. Sleep problems were evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), whereas executive functions were assessed using the Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function – pre‐school version (BRIEF‐P). T‐scores greater than 65 of the BRIEF‐P were defined as deficits in executive functions. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess the association between the executive function components and the total CSHQ scores.

Results

Participants included 356 children, with a mean age of 5.04 (0.54) years. The total CSHQ scores of the executive dysfunction group were significantly higher than those of the group with executive functions below the cutoff (P < 0.001), which indicated more of sleep problems, including sleep‐onset delay, night waking and daytime sleepiness. However, the duration of night sleep, night awake, afternoon nap and total sleep time reported by parents did not differ between the two groups. Weak positive correlations between the total CSHQ and subscale scores and the Global Executive Composite score of the BRIEF‐P were noted. After adjusting for confounding variables, including child's age, gender, prematurity, maternal age and education, family income and media viewing time from the multiple linear regression analysis, the total CSHQ scores were significantly correlated with worse Global Executive Composite scores, which is the summary of five domains of executive functions (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlights the association between sleep problems and deficits in executive functions in healthy pre‐school children. Health‐care providers are encouraged to consistently advocate for proper sleep hygiene and practices to enhance executive functions in pre‐schoolers.
Diagnostic accuracy of radiographs for the diagnosis of humeral intracondylar fissure in dogs
Authors: Sprocatti M. , Solano M. A. , Volckaert V. , Danielski A.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of radiographs in identifying humeral intracondylar fissures in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Clinical data from dogs undergoing CT and radiographic elbow investigations at a single institution were reviewed. Based on CT diagnosis, radiographs were classified as having fissures and not having fissures. The radiographic images were evaluated by three blinded observers for the presence/absence of a fissure, type (partial or complete), and for secondary signs that could suggest the presence of a fissure in case this was not visible.

Results

A total of 81 radiographs (76 elbows) were reviewed. Based on CT findings, 37 elbows had fissures and 44 did not. Radiographic interpretation demonstrated a sensitivity of 47.7% (confidence interval 95%: 0.40 to 0.59) and specificity of 85.6% (confidence interval 95%: 0.72 to 0.93) in correctly identifying humeral intracondylar fissures. The positive predictive value was 75.5% (confidence interval 95%: 0.64 to 0.84) and the negative predictive value was 66.1% (confidence interval 95%: 0.63 to 0.68). Agreement with CT images was <0.4, and interobserver and intraobserver agreements were <0.8. The radiographic orientation and type of fissure did not significantly affect interpretation outcomes.

Clinical Significance

Radiographic imaging alone is insufficient for reliably diagnosing humeral intracondylar fissures in dogs.
Identifying actions taken by health care professionals during procedures involving children with autism spectrum disorders in a high technological environment: Using critical incident technique
Authors: Pettersson Emelie , Christensen Berit Møller , Berglund Ingalill Gimbler , Huus Karina
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To explore actions taken by health care professionals during a procedure with a child with autism spectrum disorder

Design and Method

Critical incident technique was used, which is a technique with a qualitative descriptive retrospective design, to capture situations experienced by health care professionals during a procedure in an anaesthesia or radiology department. Health care professionals from anaesthesia and radiology departments (n = 20) were interviewed about situations affecting the procedure.

Results

The findings revealed a broad range of actions (n = 205) taken by the health care professionals during a procedure with a child with autism spectrum disorder. The analysis resulted in two main areas: Finding a way to facilitate a procedure in a high technology environment and Creating a trustful relationship with a child with autism spectrum disorder. The most common action in the first area, was to adjust routines. In the second area the most common action was to take one step at a time and not force or rush the child during the procedure.

Practice Implications

The health care professionals used a broad range of different actions to facilitate a procedure in the high technology environment for a child with ASD, which indicates the need for a flexible approach. The actions taken included both adjustments to the environment and enhancing interactions with the child.
High‐nitrogen‐induced γ‐aminobutyric acid triggers host immunity and pathogen oxidative stress tolerance in tomato and Ralstonia solanacearum interaction
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Yushu , Ji Tuo , Wang Chengqiang , Shi Qinghua , Li Chuanyou , Wei Jin‐Wei , Gong Biao
Published: September 2024

Soil nitrogen (N) significantly influences the interaction between plants and pathogens, yet its impact on host defenses and pathogen strategies via alterations in plant metabolism remains unclear.

Through metabolic and genetic studies, this research demonstrates that high‐N‐input exacerbates tomato bacterial wilt by altering γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism of host plants.

Under high‐N conditions, the nitrate sensor NIN‐like protein 7 (SlNLP7) promotes the glutamate decarboxylase 2/4 (SlGAD2/4) transcription and GABA synthesis by directly binding to the promoters of SlGAD2/4. The tomato plants with enhanced GABA levels showed stronger immune responses but remained susceptible to Ralstonia solanacearum. This led to the discovery that GABA produced by the host actually heightens the pathogen's virulence. We identified the R. solanacearum LysR‐type transcriptional regulator OxyR protein, which senses host‐derived GABA and, upon interaction, triggers a response involving protein dimerization that enhances the pathogen's oxidative stress tolerance by activating the expression of catalase (katE/katGa).

These findings reveal GABA's dual role in activating host immunity and enhancing pathogen tolerance to oxidative stress, highlighting the complex relationship between tomato plants and R. solanacearum, influenced by soil N status.
Combining Tibial Cortex Transverse Transport (TTT) and Endovascular Therapy (EVT) for Limb Salvage in Chronic Limb‐Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Ding Yi , Yu Dapeng , Huang Haoheng , Peng Xiao , Yang Shenghui , Lin Zhanming , Zhou Peiling , Liang Jilin , Zou Xiaochong , Mo Ruiqing , Pan Kaixiang , Zheng Puxiang , Kuang Xiaocong , Nie Xinyu , Hua Qikai
Published: September 2024

Objective

The clinical management of patients with chronic limb‐threatening ischemia (CLTI) faces great challenges. Enhancing wound healing and limb preservation rates in this cohort is a critical objective. This study investigates the effectiveness of combining tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) and endovascular therapy (EVT) for the treatment of patients with severe CLTI. We aim to evaluate the therapeutic results of this combined approach on the specified patient group.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to compare EVT with the combination of TTT and EVT in patients (Rutherford category 5 and above) with CLTI at Guangxi Medical University's First Affiliated Hospital from June 2017 to June 2023. This cohort was subjected to a follow‐up period ranging from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 12 months. The primary outcome measures included amputation‐free survival (AFS) (avoidance of above‐ankle amputation or death from any cause), overall mortality, limb salvage rates, wound healing efficiency, and the technical efficacy of the applied treatments. A variety of statistical analyses including chi‐square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses.

Results

In this study, 131 patients with CLTI were included: 76 in the control group receiving only EVT treatment and 55 in the TTT + EVT group. The two groups were matched on demographic and clinical characteristics. In the TTT + EVT group, after more than 6 months of follow‐up, 85.5% of patients achieved AFS, and wound healing was observed in 54.5% (30 of 55 patients). After more than 12 months of follow‐up, 81.9% achieved AFS, with wound healing in 32 patients. Furthermore, after more than 24 months, 74.2% of patients remained amputation‐free, with wound healing in all surviving patients. In the control group, after more than 6 months of follow‐up, 72.4% of patients achieved AFS, and wound healing was observed in 51.3% (39 of 96 patients). After more than 12 months, 48.9% achieved AFS, with wound healing in 21 patients.

Conclusion

We found that combining therapy of TTT and EVT is safe and can be successfully administered in patients with CLTI and it enhances wound healing and AFS.
A Framework for Measuring Tree Rings Based on Panchromatic Images and Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Sheng , Zhao Chaoyue , Su Yun , Cao Kangjian , Mou Chao , Xu Fu
Published: September 2024

Tree‐ring data are pivotal for decoding the age and growth patterns of trees, reflecting the impact of environmental factors over time. Addressing the significant shortcomings of traditional, labour‐intensive and resource‐demanding methods, we propose an innovative automated technique that utilizes panchromatic images and deep learning for measuring tree rings. The method utilizes convolutional neural networks to enhance image quality, precisely delineate tree rings through segmentation and perform ring counting and width calculation in the post‐processing stage. We compiled an extensive data set from diverse sources, including Beijing Forestry University and the Summer Palace, to train our algorithm. The performance of our method was validated empirically, demonstrating its potential to transform tree‐ring analysis and provide deeper insights into ecological and climatological research.
An EIL Family Transcription Factor From Switchgrass Affects Sulphur Assimilation and Root Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sun Zhen , Su Yanlong , Wang Heping , Wu Zhenying , Zhao Hongbo , Wang Honglun , He Feng , Fu Chunxiang
Published: September 2024

Sulphur limitation 1 (SLIM1), a member of ethylene‐insensitive3‐like (EIN3/EIL) protein family, is recognised as the pivotal transcription factor regulating sulphur assimilation, essential for maintaining sulphur homoeostasis in Arabidopsis. However, the function of its monocot homologues is largely unknown. In this study, we identified PvEIL3a, a homologous gene of AtSLIM1, from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a significant perennial bioenergy crop. Our results demonstrated that introducing PvEIL3a into Arabidopsis slim1 mutants significantly increased the expression of genes responsive to sulphur deficiency, and transgenic plants exhibited shortened root length and delayed development. Moreover, PvEIL3a activated the expression of AtAPR1, AtSULTR1;1 and AtBGLU30, which plays an important role in sulphur assimilation and glucosinolate metabolism. Results of transcriptome and metabonomic analysis further indicated a perturbation in the metabolic pathways of tryptophan‐dependent indole glucosinolates (IGs), camalexin and auxin. In addition, PvEIL3a conservatively regulated sulphur assimilation and the biosynthesis of tryptophan pathway‐derived secondary metabolites, which reduced the biosynthesis of indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) and inhibited the root elongation of transgenic Arabidopsis. In conclusion, this study highlights the functional difference of the ethylene‐insensitive 3‐like (EIL) family gene in monocot and dicot plants, thereby deepening the understanding of the specific biological roles of EIL3 in monocot plant species.
Species‐Specific Root Distribution and Leaf Iso/Anisohydric Tendencies Shape Transpiration Patterns Across Heterogeneous Karst Habitats
Authors: Liu Wenna , Behzad Hamid M. , Luo Zidong , Huang Li , Nie Yunpeng , Chen Hongsong
Published: September 2024

The driving forces of transpiration are not only atmospheric evaporation but also root zone water supply and stomatal regulation among species. However, the biophysiological drivers of transpiration remain incompletely understood in heterogeneous karst habitats. This study investigated the commonly coexisting tree species Mallotus philippensis and Celtis biondii in two typical karst habitats: rock‐dominated (RD) habitat and control soil‐dominated (SD) habitat. Over 2 years, soil moisture, transpiration, root distribution, and leaf water potential were measured. The results showed that soil moisture in the RD habitat was significantly lower than in the SD habitat. Transpiration patterns also differed between habitats, with species‐specific distinctions driven by biophysiological traits. M. philippensis showed small hydroscape areas and its root system mainly distributed in the soil zone in both habitats. The isohydric behaviour and lower root density in the RD habitat drove M. philippensis to reduce transpiration in response to soil water deficiency. Conversely, C. biondii had large hydroscape areas and roots capable of penetrating bedrock. It transpired higher relying on ample accessible water through anisohydric behaviour and having a more robust root system both in soil and bedrock zones in the RD habitat. Our study highlights the critical role of root water accessibility and leaf iso/anisohydric tendencies in driving transpiration.
Fish Genomics and Its Application in Disease‐Resistance Breeding
Authors: Huang Yu , Li Zeyu , Li Mengcheng , Zhang Xinhui , Shi Qiong , Xu Zhen
Published: September 2024

Global aquaculture production has been rising for several decades, with up to 76% of the total production from fish. However, the problem of fish diseases is becoming more and more prominent in today's context of pursuing sustainable aquaculture. Since the first fish genome assembly reported in 2002, genomic approaches have been successfully implemented in fish breeding to enhance disease resistance and reduce economic losses caused by diverse fish diseases. Here, we present a review of the current progress in fish genomics and its application in disease‐resistance breeding. First, assembly data for all publicly available fish genomes were curated and statistical analysis of these data were performed. Subsequently, genomics‐assisted breeding approaches (including quantitative trait loci mapping, genome‐wide association study, marker‐assisted selection, genomic selection, gene transfer, and genome editing) that have been applied in practical disease–resistance breeding programs are outlined. In addition, candidate genetic markers that could possibly be utilized in breeding were summarized. Finally, remaining challenges and further directions were discussed. In summary, this review provides insight into fish genomics and genomics‐assisted breeding of disease‐resistant fish varieties.
Explaining state efforts to create Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) agreements
Authors: Mayer Martin K. , Morris John C. , McNamara Madeleine W. , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: September 2024

Objectives

With the rejuvenated emphasis on nonpoint pollution under the Water Quality Act (WQA) of 1987, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to face an onslaught of lawsuits designed to pressure the EPA to enforce the requirements of Section 319 of the WQA to address nonpoint pollution. Known as Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) agreements, the purpose of these plans was to limit the amount of polluted runoff reaching a state's waterways. While some states took a proactive stance on these plans, other states resisted the implementation of Section 319. This article seeks to understand state choices in the development and implementation of TMDL agreements.

Methods

Utilizing a data set spanning state‐level data from 2000 to 2020, we test a novel cross‐sectional time series model employing the number agreements entered into by a state as the dependent variable.

Results

We find that both political and need explanations are generally supported, while policy need explanations are somewhat more promising.

Conclusions

Taken together, the models offer several insights into state choices around TMDL creation. The political model is the weakest, suggesting that TMDLs are not overtly political. Policy needs seem to play a more critical role in the preponderance of TMDL agreements than partisan politics.
Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Tissues of Anadromous Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Collected From Nunavik, Québec, Canada
Authors: Merks Harriet , Gomes Renessa , Zhu Shawna , Meymandy Mahdid , Reiling Sarah J. , Bolduc Sara , Mainguy Julien , Dixon Brent R.
Published: September 2024

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a very common zoonotic parasite in humans and animals worldwide. Human seroprevalence is high in some regions of Canada's North and is thought to be associated with the consumption of traditionally prepared country foods, such as caribou, walrus, ringed seal and beluga. While numerous studies have reported on the prevalence of T. gondii in these animals, in the general absence of felid definitive hosts in the North there has been considerable debate regarding the source of infection, particularly in marine mammals. It has been proposed that fish could be involved in this transmission.

Aims

The objectives of the present study were to perform a targeted survey to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in various tissues of anadromous Arctic charr sampled in Nunavik, Québec, and to investigate the possible role of this commonly consumed fish in the transmission of infection to humans and marine mammals in Canada's North.

Methods and Results

A total of 126 individual Arctic charr were sampled from several sites in Nunavik, and various tissues were tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR. Overall, 12 out of 126 (9.5%) Arctic charr tested in the present study were PCR‐positive, as confirmed by DNA sequencing. Brain tissue was most commonly found to be positive, followed by heart tissue, while none of the dorsal muscle samples tested were positive.

Conclusions

Although the presence of T. gondii DNA in brain and heart tissues of Arctic charr is very intriguing, infection in these fish, and their possible role in the transmission of this parasite to humans and marine mammals, will need to be confirmed using mouse bioassays. Arctic charr are likely exposed to T. gondii through the ingestion of oocysts transported by surface water and ocean currents from more southerly regions where the definitive felid hosts are more abundant. If infection in Arctic charr can be confirmed, it is possible that these fish could play an important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to Inuit, either directly through the consumption of raw fish or indirectly through the infection of fish‐eating marine mammals harvested as country foods.
Defining the exit meta-analysis
Authors: Abdulmajeed Jazeel , Furuya-Kanamori Luis , Chivese Tawanda , Xu Chang , Thalib Lukman , Doi Suhail A.R.
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

In recent decades, clinical research has seen significant advancements, both in the generation and synthesis of evidence through meta-analyses. Despite these methodological advancements, there is a growing concern about the accumulation of repetitive and redundant literature, potentially contributing to research waste. This highlights the necessity for a mechanism to determine when a meta-analysis has conclusively addressed a research question, signaling no further need for additional studies—a concept we term an “exit” meta-analysis.

Methods:

We introduced a convergence index, the Doi-Abdulmajeed Trial Stability (DAts) index, and a convergence plot to determine the exit status of a meta-analysis. The performance of DAts was examined through simulation and applied to two real-world meta-analyses.

Results:

The DAts index and convergence plot demonstrate highly effective discriminative ability across varying study scenarios. This represents the first attempt to define an exit meta-analysis using a quantitative measurement of stability (as opposed to sufficiency) and its corresponding plot. The application to real-world scenarios further validated the utility of DAts and the convergence plot in identifying a conclusive (exit) meta-analyses.

Conclusion:

The new development of DAts and the convergence plot provide a promising tool for investigating the conclusiveness of meta-analyses. By identifying an exit status for meta-analysis, the scientific community may be equipped to make better-informed decisions on the continuation of research on a specific topic, thereby preventing research waste and focusing efforts on areas with unresolved questions.
Critical Shear Stresses for Erosion From Yield Stresses
Authors: Pease Leonard F. , Fuher Arich J. , Bamberger Judith Ann , Minette Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Here we evaluate the assertion that critical shear stresses for erosion may be derived from yield stresses for nominally cohesive particle beds across the full range of particle Reynolds numbers. The critical shear stress for erosion for non-cohesive particle beds may be estimated from the Shields diagrams or the analytical expressions from conservation of force about a particle at the interface. However, equivalent diagrams for cohesive particle beds have remained elusive. In 1992, pioneering analysis by Dade included the influence of the van der Waals force in particle forces balances to show that the critical shear stresses for erosion may be related to yield stresses subject to the limitations of small particle Reynolds numbers, flat particle beds, uniform particle diameters, and negligible electrostatic forces. Here we relax these restrictions. We find that the critical shear stress for erosion does relate to the yield stresses in a linear fashion for sufficiently large yield stresses. A criterion is developed to determine when the yield stresses may be important.
Dynamic Behavior of Two-Pairs of Vortices Rolled Up From Elastic Butterfly Wings
Authors: Haishi Sei , Fuchiwaki Masaki
Published: September 2024

A moving elastic airfoil leads to fluid-structure interaction, complicating the flow field. Although the flow field around a moving elastic airfoil is complicated, elastic airfoils have some advantages. Recently, very thin membrane airfoils have also attracted attention. However, the flow field and the interaction between it and the deformation of the thin membrane are not fully understood. In this study, we investigate the flow field around a membrane airfoil based on the flapping motion of a butterfly wing. The deformation of a butterfly wing and the behavior of vortices that roll up from the leading edge, trailing edge, and wing tip as it flaps are quantitatively examined. The relationship between wing deformation and vortex behavior is also investigated. The fine arch wing shape contributes to the development of vorticity and the dynamic behavior of the vortex ring on the downstroke. However, on the upstroke, the complicated wing shape cannot generate developed vortices and the vortex ring remains mostly unchanged.
Optimization of a Closed 2-Channel Impeller With Experimental and Optical Support
Authors: Beck David , Thamsen Paul Uwe
Published: September 2024

Due to the high number of solids in wastewater and the resulting increased susceptibility to clogging for wastewater pumps, wastewater impellers are classically designed with a low number of blades as semi-open or closed impellers. In addition to higher possible efficiencies, the closed impellers also have an advantage in terms of resistance to wear compared to semi-open impellers. However, the closed 2-channel impellers have not yet been able to demonstrate good resistance to clogging by fibrous materials.

Based on an already tested impeller (MOD 0), two further modifications are discussed in this publication, which show significant improvements in clogging behavior with the help of a optimization methodology. These are mainly achieved in the first modification (MOD 1) by a strongly thickened blade geometry, which can already achieve an initial improvement in clogging susceptibility. The second modification (MOD 2) takes up this thickened blade, whereby the concave suction side of the blade is made convex. This also significantly improves the slipping behavior of the dusters, resulting in a closed 2-channel impeller with a low susceptibility to clogging.
Comparison of Vortex Structures and Turbulent Heat Transport for a Single Jet and Multiple Jets in Crossflow
Authors: Hu Xidong , Onishi Ryo
Published: September 2024

Large eddy simulation has been carried out for a single jet and five spanwise jets with the jet-to-jet spacing of 1.6 jet nozzle diameter. The jet to crossflow velocity ratio VR is 3.3 and the Reynolds number Rec is 2100, based on crossflow velocity and jet nozzle diameter. The numerical schemes used can reproduce the typical vortex structures of a single jet in crossflow and provide good prediction accuracy. The principal finding is that the counter-rotating vortex pair is only formed in a very short distance in the multi-jets and cannot evolve further due to the significant compression in the spanwise direction and strong stretch in the streamwise direction. The hanging vortex in the multi-jets is split into two disconnected parts, which yields a cat-ear-shaped vortex on the lateral side of the jet body. A pulsating jet flow pattern is formed in the spacing of adjacent jets with the frequency of 32 Hz, which subsequently generates lots of small wakes to the jet downstream. It is found that the turbulent heat flux 〈w′T′〉 is larger in the jet-to-jet border because of the interaction while the turbulent heat flux 〈u′T′〉 is larger at the jet rear because of the velocity acceleration in the multi-jets body.
Experimental Investigation of Gas-Carry-Under at Varying Watercuts for GLCC© Applications
Authors: Awofuwa Daniel O. , Mohan Ram S. , Shoham Ovadia , Kolla Srinivas Swaroop
Published: September 2024

The Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC©) is a state-of-the-art multiphase flow compact separator that relies on centrifugal action for separation. The efficient separation of the gas phase is dependent on the swirl intensity of the continuous phase acting on the bubbles, which is, in turn, influenced by the flow rates of the incoming liquid and its properties. Since this action on the gas bubbles is directly related to the unwanted occurrence of Gas-Carry-Under (GCU) in the GLCC, it is necessary to investigate gas-carry-under at varying water cuts to develop a more robust mechanistic model for future GLCC designs.

The main objective of this novel study was to acquire experimental data for three-phase flow (air, water, and mineral oil) using the GLCC test section of the 4-phase TUSTP (Tulsa University Separation Technology Projects) experimental flow loop at the University of Tulsa equipped with a state-of-the-art data acquisition system. GCU data at various water-cuts namely 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% under active control configuration with the liquid level maintained at 6-inch below the inlet of the GLCC are presented for the first time. Analysis of the experimental data shows that the GCU decreases with increased water cut with the most gas-carry-under occurring at 0% water cut (pure mineral oil). In addition, the data shows that GCU decreases with an increase in the superficial liquid velocity across all water cuts.
Investigating Irrigant Flow Characteristics During Manual Root Canal Irrigation Process Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Banjaday Bibek , Janes J. Gregory , Kocharian Tikran , Manoharan Sanjivan
Published: September 2024

Root Canal Therapy (Endodontic Treatment) is a dental procedure to treat the infected pulp of a tooth. Despite its widespread use, studies reveal bacteria persisting at the root canal’s bottom (apical third), a primary cause of treatment failure. Accessing this region proves challenging due to numerous parameters governing flow characteristics. A comprehensive understanding of how these factors impact flow patterns within the root canal is crucial. While experimental techniques aid in understanding flow patterns, they lack insights into critical characteristics like wall shear stress and turbulent intensity. Computational Fluid Dynamics allows a nuanced understanding of process parameters’ effect on irrigant flow characteristics.

Previous CFD studies focused on oversimplified root canal geometry, yet the human tooth is more complex. This study explores flow characteristics within a realistic and simplified root canal of a canine using a 30G side-vented needle. Flow characteristics examined involved fluid inlet velocity and needle insertion depth. Realistic geometry showed improved flow penetration, significantly lower apical pressures, and reduced shear stress compared to its simplified counterpart. Increased needle depth led to substantially smaller apical pressures, improved flow penetration, altered turbulent intensity patterns, and reduced wall shear stresses compared to the simplified geometry.
Large Eddy Simulation of a Regenerative Pump
Authors: Javadi Ardalan , Aidun Cyrus K.
Published: September 2024

Large eddy simulation (LES) of a regenerative pump is carried out to insightfully analyse the vortical flow driven by the impeller. The driven mechanism yields high heads in circumferential travel of pumped fluid through the impeller’s blades and the annular open side channel. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) is employed to figure out a compromise among imperative geometrical parameters for an averaged uniform outflow. The symmetric side channel reduces the unsteadiness of the outflow in the streamlined outlet. On the other hand, the well-resolved LES result, which is validated against experimental measurement, elaborates the flow field characteristics such as coherent structures generated from the fluid axially entering the inter-blade channel close to the hub and being radially discharged from the channel. This recirculation decides about the mixing rate of pump, the turbulent intensity and the structure size which are of particular interests. The flow entering the side channel transfers the added angular momentum to the peripheral flow in the circumferential direction and into the following inter-blade channels. This repetitive (regenerative) helical path generates high heads at relatively low specific speeds in a single impeller stage.
Modelling Supercritical CO2 Bubble Breakup Dynamics in Twin Screw Extruders
Authors: Kousemaker Tim M. , Druetta Pablo D. , Picchioni Francesco , Vakis Antonis I.
Published: September 2024

Twin screw extruders are commonly used in polymer processing. Key design features of these devices are the kneading blocks, which are designed and arranged such that e.g., additives and fillers are efficiently distributed in the polymer melt. This work presents CFD analysis of bubble breakup in these kneading zones, comparing counterrotating to corotating systems using both 2D and 3D analyses. The Level Set method is used to model a multiphase system of dispersed supercritical CO2 bubbles in a polypropylene phase. Droplets with radii of 0.5 mm are initialized close to the zone in between the kneading blocks. The results show that the bubble breakup phenomena differ in counter and corotating systems due to different flow profiles. In both cases the breakup shapes are predominantly driven by flow characteristics with counterrotating configurations showing stronger elongation of the bubbles due to elongational flow sections close to the initialization of the original bubble, leading to pinch-off of smaller bubbles compared to the corotating cases.