bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substituting ryegrass-based pasture with graded levels of forage rape in the diet of lambs decreases methane emissions and increases propionate, succinate, and primary alcohols in the rumen
Authors: Della Rosa Maria M , Sandoval Edgar , Reid Peter , Luo Dongwen , Pacheco David , Janssen Peter H , Jonker Arjan
Published: June 2022

Feeding 100% forage rape to sheep consistently lowers methane emissions per unit of intake (CH4/DMI) compared to those fed 100% ryegrass pasture. However, forage rape is usually supplemented with other feeds, which might impact the mitigation potential provided by forage rape. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of substituting ryegrass with graded levels of forage rape in the diet of lambs on methane emissions and rumen fermentation characteristics. Seventy wether lambs (n = 14/treatment) were fed a ryegrass-based pasture substituted with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of forage rape (Brassica napus; FR0, FR25, FR50, FR75, and FR100, respectively) on a dry matter basis. Methane emissions and dry matter intake were measured for 48 h in respiration chambers and a rumen fluid sample was collected. CH4/DMI decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing forage rape inclusion in the diet so that sheep fed FR100 and FR75 emitted 34% and 11% less, respectively, than those fed FR0. CH4/DMI differences for lambs fed FR25 and FR50 were much smaller (<6%) relative to FR0. The pH of rumen fluid decreased (P < 0.01) at higher levels of forage rape inclusion in the diet (FR75 and FR100) compared to low levels of inclusion (FR0, F25, and F50). The proportion of ruminal acetate was least in FR100 (30%) followed by FR75 (10%), FR50 (8%), and FR25 (4%) compared with FR0 (P < 0.001). The proportion of propionate plus succinate was greater for FR100 (+40%), FR75 (+28%), and FR50 (+29%) compared with FR0, with FR25 intermediate (P < 0.001). The methanol concentration, and ethanol and propanol proportions in rumen fluid were greater for FR100 compared with any other treatment (P < 0.001). In conclusion, CH4/DMI decreased at high levels of forage rape inclusion in the diet and especially feeding FR100 was associated with a pronounced shift in rumen fermentation profile, with a significant presence of succinate, ethanol, propanol, methanol, valerate, and caproate.
Peer Support Groups: Identifying Disparities to Improve Participation
Authors: Ross Erin E , Colbath Rachel A , Yu Jeremy , Munabi Naikhoba , Gillenwater T Justin , Yenikomshian Haig A
Published: June 2022

Disparities in psychosocial outcomes after burn injury exist in patients from racial or ethnic minority groups in the United States. Peer support groups can help patients with many psychosocial aspects of recovery from burns; however, access to such support among patients of racial and ethnic minority or low socioeconomic groups are unknown. The present study examined participation rates in outpatient peer support within this patient population. Patients attending outpatient clinic at an urban safety-net hospital and regional burn center with a majority minority patient population were asked about participation in burn survivor group, interest in joining a group, and given validated survey questions about managing emotions and social interactions since injury. Current or past participation in peer support was low (4.2%), and 30.3% of patients not already in support group were interested in joining. Interest in future participation in peer support was highest among Hispanic patients (37.0%) and lowest among Black patients (0%). Logistic regression models demonstrated that increased total body surface area burned, hospital length of stay, and need for surgical intervention were associated with interest in joining or having joined a peer support group. Effectiveness of management of emotions and social interactions were not associated with interest in joining peer support in the future. These findings demonstrate a considerable difference between levels of interest and participation in peer support within this population. Improving access to and education about benefits of peer support in underresourced communities may help to address the variation in psychosocial outcomes of patients across racial or ethnic minority groups recovering from burns.
Methodology to estimate logistics costs for vertically transported prefabricated wall panels
Authors: Lee Yujin , Kim Jung In , Flager Forest , Fischer Martin
Published: June 2022

When transporting prefabricated exterior panels vertically, shipping frame types and site conditions affect panel logistics. Thus, it is crucial that project participants estimate the logistics costs considering these factors, which vary by projects, to select the most economic option rapidly and consistently for a specific project in addition to three important objectives of panel logistics (i.e. number of trailers, reshuffling effort, and panel stability). In this study, the authors developed a methodology to generate loading plans for different types of shipping frames and site conditions using both first fit and next fit algorithms and evaluate the cost-related items for the loading plans considering project conditions. To demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology, the authors conducted a case study and compared the logistics costs for three different frame options considering site conditions. The results show that the methodology enables project participants to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different frame options based on given site conditions, which can guide project participants to make informed decisions about the preferred frame option.
End-to-end digitization of image format piping and instrumentation diagrams at an industrially applicable level
Authors: Kim Byung Chul , Kim Hyungki , Moon Yoochan , Lee Gwang , Mun Duhwan
Published: June 2022

This study proposes an end-to-end digitization method for converting piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) in the image format to digital P&IDs. Automating this process is an important concern in the process plant industry because presently image P&IDs are manually converted into digital P&IDs. The proposed method comprises object recognition within the P&ID images, topology reconstruction of recognized objects, and digital P&ID generation. A data set comprising 75 031 symbol, 10 073 text, and 90 054 line data was constructed to train the deep neural networks used for recognizing symbols, text, and lines. Topology reconstruction and digital P&ID generation were developed based on traditional rule-based approaches. Five test P&IDs were digitalized in the experiments. The experimental results for recognizing symbols, text, and lines showed good precision and recall performance, with averages of 96.65%/96.40%, 90.65%/92.16%, and 95.25%/87.91%, respectively. The topology reconstruction results showed an average precision of 99.56% and recall of 96.07%. The digitization was completed in <3.5 hours (8488.2 s on average) for five test P&IDs.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Merger Control in an Algorithmic Pricing World
Authors: Coutts Michael David
Published: June 2022

This paper considers whether pricing algorithms present novel issues that existing merger control frameworks and practices are inadequate to address, particularly in relation to pre-merger disclosure of pricing algorithms and the suitability of current tests and remedies for addressing coordinated effects. Through a comparative and critical analysis of the merger control regimes and practices of the European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia, this paper finds that whilst such regimes and practices are broadly adequate for dealing with algorithmic transactions, there are nonetheless potential areas for improvement. Disclosure of a pricing algorithm may contravene prohibitions on the sharing of competitively sensitive information. As such, merger parties may need to rethink aspects of their usual due diligence procedures. Pricing algorithms may also increase the potential for coordinated effects to arise in some markets that would ordinarily have been considered too complex, asymmetric, opaque, or insufficiently concentrated for tacit coordination to occur, or be used to retaliate more effectively against deviations from a coordinated equilibrium, or to raise the height of barriers to entry. Competition authorities may therefore need to amend their standard approach to investigating and assessing coordinated effects, as well as their traditional approach to remedies.
Survival outcome of cervical cancer patients treated by image-guided brachytherapy: a ‘real world’ single center experience in Thailand from 2008 to 2018
Authors: Tharavichitkul Ekkasit , Jia-Mahasap Bongkot , Muangwong Pooriwat , Chakrabandhu Somvilai , Klunklin Pitchayaponne , Onchan Wimrak , Tippanya Damrongsak , Nobnop Wannapa , Watcharawipha Anirut , Kittidachanan Kittikun , Galalae Ravan M , Chitapanarux Imjai
Published: June 2022

The objective of our study was to evaluate the survival outcome of cervical cancer patients treated using image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT). From 2008 to 2018, 341 patients with cervical cancer were treated by radical radiotherapy. IGBT (by computed tomography [CT] or transabdominal ultrasound [TAUS]) was used to treat all of these patients. The characteristic data and patient status after treatment were recorded. All data were evaluated for survival outcome analysis. From a total of 341 patients, 295 patients were analyzed and 46 patients were excluded due to data missing in the survival outcomes. At the median follow-up time of 48 months (IQR 30–80 months), The 4-year local control, progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 89.5%, 74.9% and 69.1%, respectively. For overall survival, the size (> 5 cm), pathology (non-SCCA), stage (stage III–IV by FIGO 2009), lymph node (LN) (presented) and overall treatment time (OTT) (> 56 days) showed statistical significance in univariate analysis while non-SCCA pathology, advanced stage, presented LN and longer OTT showed statistical significance in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, our analysis reports a 4-year overall survival rate of 69.1%. Non-SCCA pathology, advanced stage disease, LN presence and longer OTT showed worse prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.
Sir Daniel Fleming, 1633–1701: Magistrate, Antiquary and Book-Collector
Authors: Barker Nicolas
Published: June 2022

Sir Daniel Fleming, 1633–1701, came of a family long established in Westmorland, where he served as a magistrate, and recorder of public events. He accumulated a considerable library of mainly English books, which he marked in a distinctive manner. This collection passed through the hands of his descendants over three hundred years, including his son Sir George Fleming, bishop of Carlisle 1735–47), and ending with the neighbouring Senhouse family. The nature and form of the books thus accumulated are discussed, together with the life and times of the last member of the family, Roger Senhouse (1899–1970).
Eclipse timing variations in post-common envelope binaries: Are they a reliable indicator of circumbinary companions?
Authors: Pulley D , Sharp I D , Mallett J , von Harrach S
Published: June 2022

Post-common envelope binary systems evolve when matter is transferred from the primary star at a rate that cannot be accommodated by its secondary companion. A common envelope forms, which is subsequently ejected resulting in a system with a binary period frequently between 2 and 3 h. Where circumbinary companions are predicted, it remains unclear whether they form before or after the common envelope ejection. From observations of eclipse timing variations (ETVs), exoplanet data bases e.g. NASA Exoplanet Archive, list typically a dozen systems with confirmed circumbinary planets. Here, we examine seven of these systems, discuss other possible causes, and consider whether, for these dynamic systems, the ETV methodology is a reliable indicator of planetary companions. The systems selected were those where we could determine precise eclipse timings, free from significant extraneous effects such as pulsations, and present 163 new times of minima permitting us to test existing models. Over 30 circumbinary models have been proposed for these seven systems and note that all, other than the latest model for NY Vir, which remains to be fully tested, fail within a year to accurately predict eclipse times. In examining alternative mechanisms, we find that magnetic effects could contribute significantly in two of the seven systems studied. We conclude that the structure of these dynamic systems, with the extreme temperature differences and small binary separations, is not fully understood and that many factors may contribute to the observed ETVs.
On the relationship between the duration and energy of non-repeating fast radio bursts: census with the CHIME data
Authors: Kim Seong Jin , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Chen Bo Han , Goto Tomotsugu , Ho Simon C-C , Hsiao Tiger Yu-Yang , Wong Yi Hang Valerie , Yamasaki Shotaro
Published: June 2022

A correlation between the intrinsic energy and the burst duration of non-repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) has been reported. If it exists, the correlation could be used to estimate the intrinsic energy from the duration, and thus could provide a new distance measure for cosmology. However, the correlation arose from small-number statistics (68 FRBs) and was not free from contamination by latent repeating populations, which might not have such a correlation. Finding a way to separate/exclude the repeating bursts from the mixture of all different types of FRBs is essential for investigating this property. Using a much larger sample from the new FRB catalogue (containing 536 FRBs) recently released by the CHIME (Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment)/FRB Project, combined with a new classification method developed based on unsupervised machine learning, we carried out further scrutiny of the relationship. We found that there is a weak correlation between the intrinsic energy and duration for non-repeating FRBs at z < 0.3, with a Kendall τ correlation coefficient of 0.239 and a significance of 0.001 (statistically significant), whose slope looks similar to that of gamma-ray bursts. This correlation becomes weaker and insignificant at higher redshifts (z > 0.3), possibly owing to the lack of faint FRBs at high z and/or the redshift evolution of the correlation. The ‘scattering time’ in the CHIME/FRB catalogue shows an intriguing trend: it varies along the line obtained from a linear fit on the energy versus duration plane between these two parameters. A possible cosmological application of the relationship must wait for more observations of faint FRBs at high z.
Magnetic confinement of dense plasma inside (and outside) stellar coronae
Authors: Waugh Rose F P , Jardine Moira M
Published: June 2022

Magnetic confinement of dense plasma is found in the magnetospheres of both high- and low-mass stars. Trapped material traces the magnetic field structure, often at large distances from the star where the magnetic structure is otherwise difficult to observe. This work looks specifically at rapidly rotating, solar-like stars where this behaviour is well observed in the form of ‘slingshot’ prominences. We have produced a model for generating cooled magnetic loops in equilibrium with a range of coronal magnetic fields. These loops can be used to populate model coronae and confine material at a wide range of heights above the stellar surface. We calculate masses for slingshot prominences for the star AB Doradus that are consistent with observational values. The model produces two types of solution: loops with summits at low heights and tall solutions beyond the co-rotation radius. We show that the low-lying solutions are footpoint heavy and generally follow the shape of the background field. We refer to these as solar-like prominences. The tall solutions are summit heavy and are centrifugally supported. These are are the slingshot prominences. These tall solutions can be found within the stellar wind, beyond the closed corona. H α trails are generated for various coronal field structures with a range of field geometries and coronal extents. Similar H α trails are produced by a range of global field structures, which implies that magnetic confinement of material should be common in rapidly rotating stars.
FRK inhibits glioblastoma progression via phosphorylating YAP and inducing its ubiquitylation and degradation by Siah1
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Kai , Fu Jiale , Zhang Yu , Mao Yufei , Wang Xu , Wang Xiang , Yu Rutong , Zhou Xiuping
Published: June 2022

Background

We previously report that yes-associated protein (YAP), the core downstream effector of Hippo pathway, promotes the malignant progression of glioblastoma (GBM). However, although classical regulatory mechanisms of YAP are well explored, how YAP is modulated by the Hippo-independent manner remains poorly understood. Meanwhile, the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Fyn-related kinase (FRK), which exhibits low expression and possesses tumor suppressor effects in GBM, is reported to be involved in regulation of protein phosphorylation. Here, we examined whether FRK could impede tumor progression by modulating YAP activities.

Methods

Human GBM cells and intracranial GBM model were used to assess the effects of FRK and YAP on the malignant biological behaviors of GBM. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of core proteins in GBM tissues. Co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, luciferase assay and ubiquitination assay were utilized to determine the protein–protein interactions and related molecular mechanisms.

Results

The expression levels of FRK and YAP were inversely correlated with each other in glioma tissues. In addition, FRK promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of YAP, leading to tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FRK interacted with and phosphorylated YAP on Tyr391/407/444, which recruited the classical E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah1 to catalyze ubiquitination and eventually degradation of YAP. Siah1 is required for YAP destabilization initiated by FRK.

Conclusions

We identify a novel mechanism by which FRK orchestrates tumor-suppression effect through phosphorylating YAP and inducing its ubiquitination by Siah1. FRK-Siah1-YAP signaling axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for GBM treatment.
Targeting protein arginine methyltransferase 5 sensitizes glioblastoma to trametinib
Authors: Banasavadi-Siddegowda Yeshavanth Kumar , Namagiri Sriya , Otani Yoshihiro , Sur Hannah , Rivas Sarah , Bryant Jean-Paul , Shellbourn Allison , Rock Mitchell , Chowdhury Ashis , Lewis Cole T , Shimizu Toshihiko , Walbridge Stuart , Kumarasamy Sivarajan , Shah Ashish H , Lee Tae Jin , Maric Dragan , Yan Yuanqing , Yoo Ji Young , Kumbar Sangamesh G , Heiss John D , Kaur Balveen
Published: June 2022

Background

The prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) remains dismal because therapeutic approaches have limited effectiveness. A new targeted treatment using MEK inhibitors, including trametinib, has been proposed to improve GBM therapy. Trametinib had a promising preclinical effect against several cancers, but its adaptive treatment resistance precluded its clinical translation in GBM. Previously, we have demonstrated that protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is upregulated in GBM and its inhibition promotes apoptosis and senescence in differentiated and stem-like tumor cells, respectively. We tested whether inhibition of PRMT5 can enhance the efficacy of trametinib against GBM.

Methods

Patient-derived primary GBM neurospheres (GBMNS) with transient PRMT5 knockdown were treated with trametinib and cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, ELISA, and western blot were analyzed. In vivo, NSG mice were intracranially implanted with PRMT5-intact and -depleted GBMNS, treated with trametinib by daily oral gavage, and observed for tumor progression and mice survival rate.

Results

PRMT5 depletion enhanced trametinib-induced cytotoxicity in GBMNS. PRMT5 knockdown significantly decreased trametinib-induced AKT and ERBB3 escape pathways. However, ERBB3 inhibition alone failed to block trametinib-induced AKT activity suggesting that the enhanced antitumor effect imparted by PRMT5 knockdown in trametinib-treated GBMNS resulted from AKT inhibition and not ERBB3 inhibition. In orthotopic murine xenograft models, PRMT5-depletion extended the survival of tumor-bearing mice, and combination with trametinib further increased survival.

Conclusion

Combined PRMT5/MEK inhibition synergistically inhibited GBM in animal models and is a promising strategy for GBM therapy.
Working with curiosity: Knowledge transfer practitioners’ ambivalence at CERN
Authors: Yeh Chih-wei
Published: June 2022

Current science-policy trends emphasise efficiency, application orientation, and accountability. This article is inspired by the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012; the author studies how the knowledge transfer practitioners at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the birthplace of the Higgs boson, account for their experiences at CERN. In the body of the Science Policy Studies literature, the knowledge transfer practitioners’ perspective on the wider impacts of particle and high-energy physics research is relatively understudied. The data are generated from qualitative interviews. Constructivist discourse analysis, which is introduced from Science and Technology Studies, is applied to the data; namely, this research focuses on the practitioners’ worldview and their perceived situation at CERN. As a result, there is a repetitive sense of ambivalence towards knowledge transfer in the discourse. Practical suggestions are provided in response to this ambivalence.
Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbial on immunity markers and intestinal morphology in diets fed to weanling pigs
Authors: Lewton Jaron R , Woodward Adrienne D , Moser Ronny L , Thelen Kyan M , Moeser Adam J , Trottier Nathalie L , Tempelman Robert J , Rozeboom Dale W
Published: June 2022

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on nursery pig health as indicated by intestinal mucosal and blood plasma immunological markers and intestinal morphology. Eighty pigs, of equal number of barrows and gilts (initial BW: 7.0 ± 0.60 kg), weaned at 21 ± 1 d of age were randomly allotted to sixteen pens, with five pigs per pen. Two dietary treatments were implemented, a basal control (CON) and a basal control plus DFM (CDFM). Both diets were corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains based and were formulated to meet or exceed all nutritional requirements (NRC, 2012) and manufactured on site. Diets were fed for 42 d. On d 21 and 42 of the experiment, one pig per pen was randomly selected and euthanized, with equal number of males and females represented. Blood samples were collected prior to euthanasia for assessment of plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein. Segments of the gastrointestinal tract including duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ascending and distal colon were removed for analysis of intestinal morphology, and levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Jejunal villus height was greater in the CDFM pigs as compared with CON pigs (P = 0.02) and ascending colon crypt depth tended to be greater on d 21 (P = 0.10). Compared to CON, CDFM significantly increased overall plasma IgA (P = 0.03) (0.58 vs. 0.73 0.05 mg/mL, respectively), while it tended to increase plasma IgA (P = 0.06) on d 21 (0.34 vs. 0.54 ± 0.07 mg/mL, respectively) and tended to increase overall IL-10 (P = 0.10) in the jejunum (113 vs. 195 ± 35 pg/mL, respectively). Addition of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based DFM may have an early benefit to nursery pig health status, observed through specific changes in morphology and both systemic and localized immunological markers.
Neural basis for anxiety and anxiety-related physiological responses during a driving situation: an fMRI study
Authors: Sasaoka Takafumi , Harada Tokiko , Sato Daichi , Michida Nanae , Yonezawa Hironobu , Takayama Masatoshi , Nouzawa Takahide , Yamawaki Shigeto
Published: June 2022

Although the exteroceptive and interoceptive prediction of a negative event increases a person’s anxiety in daily life situations, the relationship between the brain mechanism of anxiety and the anxiety-related autonomic response has not been fully understood. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we examined the neural basis of anxiety and anxiety-related autonomic responses in a daily driving situation. Participants viewed a driving video clip in the first-person perspective. During the video clip, participants were presented with a cue to indicate whether a subsequent crash could occur (attention condition) or not (safe condition). Enhanced activities in the anterior insula, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, thalamus, and periaqueductal gray, and higher sympathetic nerve responses (pupil dilation and peripheral arterial stiffness) were triggered by the attention condition but not with the safe condition. Autonomic response-related functional connectivity was detected in the visual cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, and MCC/PCC with the right anterior insula and its adjacent regions as seed regions. Thus, the right anterior insula and adjacent regions, in collaboration with other regions play a role in eliciting anxiety based on the prediction of negative events, by mediating anxiety-related autonomic responses according to interoceptive information.
Expanding Clinical Trials Designs to Extend Equitable Hearing Care
Authors: Patterson Rolvix , Schuh Marissa , Bush Matthew L. , Nieman Carrie L. , Robler Samantha Kleindienst , Emmett Susan D.
Published: June 2022

Clinical trials are critically important to translate scientific innovations into clinical practice. Hearing healthcare depends on this translational approach to improve outcomes and quality of life. Across the spectrum of healthcare, there is a lack of diverse participation in clinical trials, a failure to recruit and retain underrepresented and underserved populations, and an absence of rigorous dissemination and implementation of novel research to broader populations. The field of hearing healthcare research would benefit from expanding the types and designs of clinical trials that extend hearing healthcare and novel interventions to diverse populations, as well as emphasizing trials that evaluate factors influencing how that care can be delivered effectively. This article explores the following: (1) the role, value, and design types of clinical trials (randomized controlled, cluster randomized, stepped wedge, and mixed methods) to address health equity; (2) the importance of integrating community and stakeholder involvement; and (3) dissemination and implementation frameworks and designs for clinical trials (hybrid trial designs). By adopting a broader range of clinical trial designs, hearing healthcare researchers may be able to extend scientific discoveries to a more diverse population.
Community-Based Participatory Research and Human-Centered Design Principles to Advance Hearing Health Equity
Authors: Marrone Nicole L. , Nieman Carrie L. , Coco Laura
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

Inclusive and equitable research is an ethical imperative. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) as well as human-centered design are approaches that center partnership between community members and academic researchers. Together, academic-community research teams iteratively study community priorities, collaboratively develop ethical study designs, and co-create innovations that are accessible and meaningful to the community partners while advancing science. The foundation of the CBPR approach is reliant on its core principles of equity, colearning, shared power in decision-making, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. While the CBPR approach has been used extensively in public health and other areas of healthcare research, the approach is relatively new to audiology, otolaryngology, and hearing health research. The purpose of the present article is to advance an understanding of the CBPR approach, along with principles from human-centered design, in the context of research aimed to advance equity and access in hearing healthcare.

Design:

The literature is reviewed to provide an introduction for auditory scientists to the CBPR approach and human-centered design, including discussion of the underlying principles of CBPR and where it fits along a community-engaged continuum, theoretical and evaluation frameworks, as well as applications within auditory research.

Results:

Recent applications of CBPR have been framed broadly within the theoretical positions of the socioecological model for a systems-level approach to community-engaged research and the Health Services Utilization model within health services and disparities research using CBPR. Utilizing human-centered design strategies can work in tandem with a CBPR approach to engage a wide range of people in the research process and move toward the development of innovative yet feasible solutions.

Conclusions:

Leveraging the principles of CBPR is an intricate and dynamic process, may not be a fit for some topics, some researchers’ skillsets, and may be beyond some projects’ resources. When implemented skillfully and authentically, CBPR can be of benefit by elevating and empowering community voices and cultural perspectives historically marginalized in society and underrepresented within research. With a focus on health equity, this review of CBPR in the study of hearing healthcare emphasizes how this approach to research can help to advance inclusion, diversity, and access to innovation.
DermACELL Acellular Dermal Matrix in Oncologic Breast Reconstruction: A Cohort Study and Systematic Review
Authors: Swisher Austin R. , Landau Mark J. , Kadakia Nikita , Holzmer Stephanie W. , Kim Hahns Y.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are commonly used in tissue expander and direct-to-implant reconstruction following mastectomy. Few studies have reported outcomes of DermACELL use or compared DermACELL with AlloDerm ADM. This study sought to compare outcomes of DermACELL and AlloDerm in oncologic breast reconstruction and to review the literature reporting outcomes of patients undergoing reconstruction using DermACELL.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare outcomes between DermACELL and AlloDerm ADM, and a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis to evaluate clinical outcomes with DermACELL.

Results:

Seventy-four patients (128 breasts) undergoing immediate reconstruction were evaluated retrospectively. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Our systematic review of the literature yielded 12 total studies reporting DermACELL use for breast reconstruction encompassing 518 patients and 608 total breasts. A pooled analysis of the published data did not reveal a significant change in the rate of explantation when either chemotherapy or radiation was used. Meta-analysis did not show a significant difference in the rate of any of the complications evaluated.

Conclusion:

DermACELL is safe to use with a relatively consistent complication profile as compared with AlloDerm.
Assessing Use of Gender Diverse Language in Patient Education Materials on Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Powell Lauren E. , Smith Rachel M. , Baek Annabel E. , Goodreau Adam M. , Pozez Andrea L.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Utilizing inclusive terminology in patient education materials is an increasing area of focus in plastic surgery. Over 300,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020, affecting cisgender and gender diverse patients alike. Both cisgender and gender diverse patients may choose to undergo breast reconstruction. This study aims to assess the use of inclusive language in online patient education materials on reconstruction after breast cancer.

Methods:

Materials were collected from all academic hospitals with a plastic surgery integrated and/or independent residency program, 97 in total. Programs were further classified by the presence of a comprehensive gender program. Materials were analyzed for gender diverse terminology outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. A chi-square test evaluated for statistical significance of inclusive terminology based on the presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program.

Results:

The majority (75%) of programs referenced cis women alone, with 25% referring to both men and women or using gender neutral terms such as “patients.” Although most (85%) programs wrote in second person (“you”), 15% used she/her/hers pronouns alone, and no programs utilized gender diverse language outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. The presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program was not predictive of the use of inclusive terminology (P = 0.32).

Conclusions:

This study found that only 25% of breast reconstruction materials contained inclusive gender terminology. Plastic surgeons should provide patient education materials with language that supports members of a gender diverse population to facilitate a safe, inclusive space and conversation.
Impact of a Transition of Care Pharmacist in a Community Hospital Discharge Model
Authors: Rudawsky Nicole , Patel Hinal U.
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Pharmacists can provide a variety of discharge services that aid in transitions of care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a pilot program implementing a unit-based clinical pharmacist at a community teaching hospital.

Methods:

This prospective study evaluated pharmacist-led discharge services on an adult medicine unit over a 5-week period. The control cohort received usual care, and the intervention cohort received additional pharmacy services (e.g., counseling, medication reconciliation, ensuring medication access, and overcoming discharge barriers). The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes included emergency department (ED) utilization, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores, and patient satisfaction survey scores.

Results:

Overall, 197 patients were included in the control group and 210 in the intervention group. Characteristics including previous hospital utilization, comorbidity count, and medication count at discharge were similar between groups. A reduction in 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions was observed in the cohort receiving pharmacist intervention, 13.3% versus 20.8% (p = 0.044). This study also demonstrated a significant decrease in ED utilization rates and improved patient satisfaction.

Conclusions:

This study adds to the growing body of literature supporting transition of care pharmacists in the hospital discharge model to improve patient care.
Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sitohang Irma Bernadette S. , Makes Wresti Indriatmi , Sandora Normalina , Suryanegara Jose
Published: June 2022

Background:

Aging, an inevitable and continuous process in one’s lifetime, has all along been a focus of interest, especially for women, yet photoaging treatment to slow the process remains challenging. Recent studies have demonstrated the potency of topical tretinoin in the treatment of photoaging. Tretinoin, a metabolite of retinoids, shows prominent efficacy to regulate proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells and induce new collagen formation.

Objective:

This review aims to study the current evidence on topical tretinoin for photoaging treatment.

Methods:

A systematic search of the literature was performed from Medline, Cochrane Central, Embase, and PubMed databases for published articles in the past 20 years. Only randomized controlled trials investigating tretinoin for photoaging treatment were included in our review.

Results:

A total of 180 studies were initially examined, of which 7 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Four studies included only women as their participants, while the rest demonstrated women as their majority subjects. All studies that indicated topical tretinoin were safe and well tolerated in all patients. Topical tretinoin dosage varied from 0.025% to 5% while duration of treatment ranged from 3 months up to 24 months. With regard to efficacy, all studies consistently reported that topical tretinoin was efficacious in improving clinical appearance of photoaging in terms of wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and lentigines as early as 1 month and lasted after 24 months.

Limitations:

Different tretinoin formulas used, different outcome parameters, and limited recent studies on topical tretinoin cause lack of uniformity in the evidences.

Conclusion:

Topical tretinoin is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for long-term treatment of photoaging. Further research is required to compare dose-ranging topical tretinoin to other agents to provide the best treatment strategy for photoaged skin.
Influence of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy on serum folate level in skin of color females: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Alhameedy Meshal M. , Basendwh Mohammad A.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) (311–312 nm) is widely used for dermatological conditions with a favorable side-effect profile during pregnancy. Recently published data showed that NB-UVB might decrease serum folate level in Fitzpatrick skin phenotype I–III, especially at higher doses; this may predispose newborns to neural tube defects.

Objective:

To compare serum folate levels of skin of color females treated with NB-UVB and healthy females of childbearing age, as well as to note whether subsequent complications have been observed, if any.

Methods:

Multicenter, cross-sectional study of 30 females (N = 30): 15 female patients undergoing NB-UVB phototherapy as well as 15 age-, gender-, and skin phenotype-matched healthy volunteers who were enrolled into the study after excluding factors known to alter serum folate concentration. NB-UVB exposures were performed 2–3 times a week for at least 8–12 weeks (mean cumulative NB-UVB dose ± standard deviation [SD] was 55 ± 79 J/cm2).

Results:

Mean serum folate ± SD in NB-UVB exposed and healthy controls were 10.3 ± 4 and 8.3 ± 3 ng/mL, respectively. This was not a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .14).

Limitations:

Small sample size (N = 30) and a cross-sectional study type.

Conclusion:

Cumulative NB-UVB exposure is not associated with a statistically significant difference in serum folate level (P > .05) in skin of color females of childbearing age in comparison to age-, gender-, and skin phenotype-matched healthy females, even with the relatively higher cumulative doses (mean ± SD was 55 ± 79 J/cm2) that have been shown to reduce serum folate level in lighter skin phenotypes.
Lifestyle habits and impact of the Mediterranean diet on facial acne severity in French women: a case-control study
Authors: Ah-Thiane Laurie , Nguyen Jean Michel , Khammari Amir , Dréno Brigitte
Published: June 2022

Acne is a common benign inflammatory disease, but it has a significant psychosocial impact. The role of the diet in the development of acne is controversial. Some daily foods such as milk and fast-release sugars tend to promote acne. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is based on virgin olive oil and nuts that are rich in polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess an association between the adherence to the MD and the severity of facial acne in French women. A case-control observational study was conducted in Nantes Hospital (France). Based on a validated PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránean questionnaire, the adherence to the MD was assessed. The Global Evaluation Acne severity score was assessed by a trained dermatologist. Forty women with mild-to-severe acne and 40 control subjects were included. A global linear model identified a significant negative correlation between the severity of acne and the adherence to the MD in acne patients (regression coefficient = −0.17; P = 0.017). This was the first study conducted in France to investigate the relationship between the adherence to the MD and the severity of facial acne in women. This study confirmed the importance of using a holistic approach for acne management. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Complex (Multimodality) Suicides in New York City
Authors: Merkulova Yekaterina V. , Stahl-Herz Jay
Published: June 2022

Complex (or multimodality) suicides pose a challenge for forensic pathologists, because they are infrequent and can be mistaken for the more frequent multiple-injury homicides. Complex suicides are suicides in which 2 or more self-inflicted injurious modalities are used. Among all suicides, this specific type has an incidence of 1.5% to 5%.
1
Few publications exist that examined complex suicides, with the largest review discussing only 19 cases.
2,3
To address the need for better characterization of complex suicides, a 10-year retrospective review was conducted of the database of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. This is the largest case review to date, with 93 complex suicide cases studied and the first American study contributing to this field. Results provide information regarding the demographics of decedents, incidence of mechanisms used, and mechanisms used in series. Results show that in New York City (NYC), complex suicides predominantly include asphyxia, blunt trauma, and drug toxicity. In addition, suicides in NYC occur at a similar incidence to their US national incidence, and demographics of decedents and most common injury mechanisms mirror those of simple suicides in NYC. However, injury mechanisms do not mirror those that are most common nationally. This contrasts with published data and provides a novel insight into suicide modalities in NYC.
Structural Inequities in the Treatment of Standardized Patients and What That Means for Patient Care
Authors: West Temple D.
Published: June 2022

Summary Statement

Standardized patients (SPs) play a pivotal role in medical education. They are proxies for real patients, preparing students to meet the challenges of excellent patient care. Human simulation, with SPs, is used for teaching and assessing communication and clinical skills in medical education around the world. Standardized patients work individually with other faculty, students, or in conjunction with medical faculty to facilitate learning with feedback. In most simulation centers, SPs receive extensive training in communication and clinical skills, yet they inhabit territory often unrecognized as professional in medical education. The manner in which SPs are seen and treated by faculty and students may be a reflection of how real patients are seen and treated—not always heard, not always respected—and this tension detracts from both simulated and real patient encounters. Exploring how SPs, as proxies for real patients, are treated in medical education is a key to what we might learn and how we might close gaps in cultural respect and, ultimately, in patient care.
Extracting stochastic governing laws by non-local Kramers–Moyal formulae
Authors: Lu Yubin , Li Yang , Duan Jinqiao
Published: June 2022

With the rapid development of computational techniques and scientific tools, great progress of data-driven analysis has been made to extract governing laws of dynamical systems from data. Despite the wide occurrences of non-Gaussian fluctuations, the effective data-driven methods to identify stochastic differential equations with non-Gaussian Lévy noise are relatively few so far. In this work, we propose a data-driven approach to extract stochastic governing laws with both (Gaussian) Brownian motion and (non-Gaussian) Lévy motion, from short bursts of simulation data. Specifically, we use the normalizing flows technology to estimate the transition probability density function (solution of non-local Fokker–Planck equations) from data, and then substitute it into the recently proposed non-local Kramers–Moyal formulae to approximate Lévy jump measure, drift coefficient and diffusion coefficient. We demonstrate that this approach can learn the stochastic differential equation with Lévy motion. We present examples with one- and two-dimensional decoupled and coupled systems to illustrate our method. This approach will become an effective tool for discovering stochastic governing laws and understanding complex dynamical behaviours.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Data-driven prediction in dynamical systems’.
Optimal criteria and their asymptotic form for data selection in data-driven reduced-order modelling with Gaussian process regression
Authors: Sapsis Themistoklis P. , Blanchard Antoine
Published: June 2022

We derive criteria for the selection of datapoints used for data-driven reduced-order modelling and other areas of supervised learning based on Gaussian process regression (GPR). While this is a well-studied area in the fields of active learning and optimal experimental design, most criteria in the literature are empirical. Here we introduce an optimality condition for the selection of a new input defined as the minimizer of the distance between the approximated output probability density function (pdf) of the reduced-order model and the exact one. Given that the exact pdf is unknown, we define the selection criterion as the supremum over the unit sphere of the native Hilbert space for the GPR. The resulting selection criterion, however, has a form that is difficult to compute. We combine results from GPR theory and asymptotic analysis to derive a computable form of the defined optimality criterion that is valid in the limit of small predictive variance. The derived asymptotic form of the selection criterion leads to convergence of the GPR model that guarantees a balanced distribution of data resources between probable and large-deviation outputs, resulting in an effective way of sampling towards data-driven reduced-order modelling.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Data-driven prediction in dynamical systems’.
Hierarchical deep learning of multiscale differential equation time-steppers
Authors: Liu Yuying , Kutz J. Nathan , Brunton Steven L.
Published: June 2022

Nonlinear differential equations rarely admit closed-form solutions, thus requiring numerical time-stepping algorithms to approximate solutions. Further, many systems characterized by multiscale physics exhibit dynamics over a vast range of timescales, making numerical integration expensive. In this work, we develop a hierarchy of deep neural network time-steppers to approximate the dynamical system flow map over a range of time-scales. The model is purely data-driven, enabling accurate and efficient numerical integration and forecasting. Similar ideas can be used to couple neural network-based models with classical numerical time-steppers. Our hierarchical time-stepping scheme provides advantages over current time-stepping algorithms, including (i) capturing a range of timescales, (ii) improved accuracy in comparison with leading neural network architectures, (iii) efficiency in long-time forecasting due to explicit training of slow time-scale dynamics, and (iv) a flexible framework that is parallelizable and may be integrated with standard numerical time-stepping algorithms. The method is demonstrated on numerous nonlinear dynamical systems, including the Van der Pol oscillator, the Lorenz system, the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation, and fluid flow pass a cylinder; audio and video signals are also explored. On the sequence generation examples, we benchmark our algorithm against state-of-the-art methods, such as LSTM, reservoir computing and clockwork RNN.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Data-driven prediction in dynamical systems’.