bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying the Pediatric Appendicitis Score to predict complicated appendicitis in children
Authors: Fujii Takayuki , Tanaka Aya , Katami Hiroto , Shimono Ryuichi
Published: July 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and other indicators to enable the prediction of complicated appendicitis (CA) in children.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study evaluated children (n = 161) aged ≤16 years with acute appendicitis between 2008 and 2020. Demographic data, symptoms, physical findings, laboratory data, and PASs were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for CA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. The diagnostic performance of each predictor was evaluated.

Results

Multivariate analysis identified three predictors for CA: duration of symptoms >1 day, C‐reactive protein (CRP) level > 4 mg/dL, and PAS ≥ 8. The ROC curve of the combined three predictors showed an area under the curve of 0.91. The multivariate ROC curve revealed that the presence of a PAS contributed to a significant improvement in the diagnosis of CA compared to the absence of PAS. When combined, the three predictors had a high specificity of 99% and positive predictive value of 98%.

Conclusions

A symptom duration >1 day, CRP > 4 mg/dL, and PAS ≥ 8 were predictors for CA. The PAS can be useful for prediction of CA when combined with the duration of symptoms, CRP, or both.
Expression of overadaptation in children through drawing a man as a projective measure: a community sample study
Authors: Horiuchi Fumie , Yoshino‐Ozaki Ayumi , Hattori Hideyuki , Hosokawa Rie , Nakachi Kiwamu , Ito Ruriko , Miyama Tomoe , Tachibana Yumina , Inoue Saori , Kawabe Kentaro , Ueno Shuichi
Published: July 2021

Background

Overadaptation, the behavior of individuals who follow the expectations of others as perfectly as possible, is often observed and related to maladjustment, school refusal, and physical symptoms; however, no method has been proposed yet to assess the overadaptive tendency. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Goodenough Draw‐a‐Man (DAM) test as a projective measure of overadaptation in children.

Methods

Eighty children (36 boys, 44 girls), aged 6–8 years, were assessed for their ability to draw a man using the DAM test. Class teachers were asked to assess whether each child was overadapting. The total and subscale DAM scores and pass rates were compared between children with a teacher‐assessed tendency for overadaptation and control children, separately for girls and boys.

Results

The mean total DAM score was significantly higher for girls versus boys for both the overadapting children and controls. For boys, no significant differences on the total and subscale DAM scores were noted between the overadapting boys and controls. Conversely, for girls, total and three subscale DAM scores (Mouth/Nose/Ears, Hair, Fingers) were significantly higher in the overadapting girls versus controls. Moreover, for girls, the DAM pass rates on five items (ratio of head; ears present; position and shape of nose; depiction of hair, not to see the scalp; details of fingers) were higher in the overadapting girls versus controls.

Conclusions

The DAM test could identify the overadaptive tendencies of girls aged 6–8 years.
First‐line haploidentical stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with severe aplastic anemia using mobilized peripheral blood as source of CD34+: Single‐institutional experience in a transplant center from northeast Mexico
Authors: Gonzalez‐Villarreal Guadalupe , Pequeño‐Luevano Myrna , Baltazar‐Arellano Severiano , Sandoval Adriana , Sotomayor‐ Duque Guillermo , Martinez‐Pozos Gerardo , Ortega Andrés , de Leon Rosa , Hernandez Roberto
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The only curative treatment for severe aplastic anemia in children is an allogeneic stem cell transplant; however, few patients have a matched related or unrelated donor. Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo‐SCT) using bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) has been recently described as effective and safe. In this study, we retrospectively report the outcome of twelve pediatric patients who underwent haplo‐SCT using only PBSC.

Methods

The conditioning regimen consisted on rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (r‐ATG) 2.5 mg/kg/d on days −7, −6,‐5, and −4, and cyclophosphamide (Cy) 50 mg/kg/d on days −3 and −2. We used Cy 50 mg/kg/d on days +3 and +4, tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid as graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis.

Results

The median follow‐up was 1,099 days (45–1258 days). The overall survival rate up‐to‐date is 83.3%. In 10 of the 12 patients, a sustained graft was achieved. None of the patients had acute or chronic GVHD.

Conclusions

Haplo‐SCT could be established as a first‐line treatment when there is no matched related or unrelated donor. According to this short sample and previous reports, PBSC are a feasible option effectively used as the sole source of stem cells. Additionally, post‐transplant cyclophosphamide remains a good strategy for GVHD prevention.
The Case of Piruani: Contested Justice, Legal Pluralism, and Indigeneity in Highland Bolivia
Authors: Doyle Matthew
Published: July 2021

The 2009 Bolivian constitution included provisions that establish a radical form of de jure legal pluralism by creating a parallel legal system that gives full recognition to the nonstate legal orders and forms of conflict resolution of Indigenous communities. This article examines how a land dispute within a Bolivian highland Indigenous community resulted in a disagreement between different local forms of political and judicial authority. This turned on the question of which authorities had the right to judge the case, the nature of justice and indigeneity, and the legal pluralism enshrined in the constitution. Analysis of this situation illustrates not only the internal tensions and paradoxical effects of this juridical project but also the potential limitations of any attempt to formally recognize legal plurality. [legal pluralism, Indigenous justice, usos y costumbres, plurinational state, Movimiento al Socialismo]
Improving police responses to suicide‐related emergencies: New evidence on the effectiveness of co‐response police‐mental health programs
Authors: Blais Etienne , Brisebois David
Published: July 2021

Background

Several police organizations have implemented training programs and co‐response police‐mental health programs to improve interventions among people in crisis. Some researchers have questioned the “one size fits all” approach of these programs and their ability to improve the management of specific psychosocial emergencies such as suicide‐related behaviors.

Objectives

This study evaluates the effect of a co‐response police‐mental health program introduced by the Laval Police Department to improve interventions in suicide‐related calls.

Methods

Propensity score matching techniques were used to match 130 observations of a control group with 251 observations of a treatment group. Average treatment effects (ATEs) were then computed.

Results

Results indicate that the co‐response program was associated with significant decreases in police use of force (ATE = −0.077; p ≤ 0.05) and transports to hospital (ATE = −0.773; p ≤ .01). Increases were observed in referrals to community resources (ATE = 0.285; p ≤ 0.01), and individuals managed through their social network (ATE = 0.530; p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that co‐response police‐mental health programs can improve the management of people showing suicide‐related behaviors.
Increased copy number of gibberellin 2‐oxidase 8 genes reduced trailing growth and shoot length during soybean domestication
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Man‐Wah , Wong Fuk‐Ling , Luk Ching‐Yee , Chung Claire Yik‐Lok , Yung Wai‐Shing , Wang Zhili , Xie Min , Song Shikui , Chung Gyuhwa , Chan Ting‐Fung , Lam Hon‐Ming
Published: July 2021

Copy number variations (CNVs) play important roles in crop domestication. However, there is only very limited information on the involvement of CNVs in soybean domestication. Trailing growth and long shoots are soybean adaptations for natural habitats but cause lodging that hampers yield in cultivation. Previous studies have focused on Dt1/2 affecting the indeterminate/determinate growth habit, whereas the possible role of the gibberellin pathway remained unclear. In the present study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of a recombinant inbred population of 460 lines revealed a trailing‐growth‐and‐shoot‐length QTL. A CNV region within this QTL was identified, featuring the apical bud‐expressed gibberellin 2‐oxidase 8A/B, the copy numbers of which were positively correlated with expression levels and negatively with trailing growth and shoot length, and their effects were demonstrated by transgenic soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana. Based on the fixation index, this CNV region underwent intense selection during the initial domestication process.
Xenotransplantation of tannic acid‐encapsulated neonatal porcine islets decreases proinflammatory innate immune responses
Authors: Barra Jessie M. , Kozlovskaya Veronika , Kepple Jessica D. , Seeberger Karen L. , Kuppan Purushothaman , Hunter Chad S. , Korbutt Gregory S. , Kharlampieva Eugenia , Tse Hubert M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Islet transplantation with neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D), but immune rejection poses a major hurdle for clinical use. Innate immune‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis can facilitate islet xenograft destruction and enhance adaptive immune responses.

Methods

To suppress ROS‐mediated xenograft destruction, we utilized nanothin encapsulation materials composed of multilayers of tannic acid (TA), an antioxidant, and a neutral polymer, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON). We hypothesized that (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs will maintain euglycemia and dampen proinflammatory innate immune responses following xenotransplantation.

Results

(PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs were viable and glucose‐responsive similar to non‐encapsulated NPIs. Transplantation of (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs into hyperglycemic C57BL/6.Rag or NOD.Rag mice restored euglycemia, exhibited glucose tolerance, and maintained islet‐specific transcription factor levels similar to non‐encapsulated NPIs. Gene expression analysis of (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated grafts post‐transplantation displayed reduced proinflammatory Ccl5, Cxcl10, Tnf, and Stat1 while enhancing alternatively activated macrophage Retnla, Arg1, and Stat6 mRNA accumulation compared with controls. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated significantly reduced innate immune infiltration, MHC‐II, co‐stimulatory molecule, and TNF expression with concomitant increases in arginase‐1+ macrophages and dendritic cells. Similar alterations in immune responses were observed following xenotransplantation into immunocompetent NOD mice.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that (PVPON/TA) encapsulation of NPIs is an effective strategy to decrease inflammatory innate immune signals involved in NPI xenograft responses through STAT1/6 modulation without compromising islet function.
Epidemiology associated with the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Nunavik’s Inuit population using the 2017 Qanuilirpitaa cross‐sectional health survey
Authors: Ducrocq Julie , Ndao Momar , Yansouni Cedric P. , Proulx Jean‐François , Mondor Myrto , Hamel Denis , Lévesque Benoit , De Serres Gaston , Talbot Denis
Published: July 2021

Foci of high seroprevalence against Toxoplasma gondii are observed in Nunavik, the Inuit land of Northern Quebec (Canada). Considering the rare occurrence of felids in the region, exposure is suspected to be driven by water‐ and food‐borne transmission routes. Hypotheses were that drinking untreated water from natural sources and eating country food mostly raw increased the risk of exposure to the parasite. Data from 1,300 Inuit participants of the 2017 Nunavik Health Survey were included in three weighted robust Poisson regression models. The effect of three types of exposure variables: (1) water treatment (yes/no) and if country food was mostly eaten raw (yes/no); (2) main source of drinking water (bottled/municipal/natural) and frequency of country food consumption (continuous) and (3) drinking water risk (low/intermediate/high) and frequency of a raw country food consumption (continuous), on the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies were estimated. Models were adjusted for age, sex and ecological region, with multiple sensitivity analyses being performed. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalences were consistently correlated with age quadratically, sex (prevalence ratio = PRwoman/man ranged from 1.18 to 1.22), ecological region (PRHudsonBay/HudsonStrait ranged from 2.18 to 2.41; PRHudsonBay/UngavaBay ranged from 1.52 to 1.59) and consuming bivalve mollusc/urchin (PR varied from 1.02 to 1.21) across all three models. Each increase of two consumptions per month of beluga (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.03), seal liver (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.02) and goose (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.02) were also associated with seropositivity, albeit more clearly in models 2 and 3, while drinking water mainly from natural (PR of 1.47) or municipal (PR = 1.42) sources compared to bottled water, was correlated with seroprevalence, although results were compatible with the null. Our results suggest that both the oocyst‐ (mollusc/urchin, drinking water) and cyst‐borne (walrus, seal liver and goose) transmission pathways could be present in Nunavik.
Japanese encephalitis virus infection in meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
Authors: Piewbang Chutchai , Wardhani Sabrina Wahyu , Chaiyasak Surangkanang , Yostawonkul Jakarwan , Kasantikul Tanit , Techangamsuwan Somporn
Published: July 2021

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection has been recognized as a serious disease in humans. Wildlife animal infections due to JEV have not been well described. This study identified JEV infection in two deceased meerkats in Thailand, with clinical signs of neurological disease. Histopathology of brains revealed severe lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing meningoencephalitis, while similar inflammation was observed in the lung and liver. Partial JEV sequences were identified from the formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded‐derived brain sections of two meerkats and were found to be genetically similar to a JEV strain detected in China but not from a local strain. Using immunohistochemistry, the virus was identified in neurons and glial cells, and also found in bronchial glands, Kupffer's cells in liver, lymphocytes in the spleen and pancreatic acini, which suggests extraneural infection. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of spheroid viral particles in the lungs. These findings may suggest that infection of extraneural organs in meerkats is similar to that described in JEV‐infected humans. In conclusion, this study identified the first JEV infection in meerkats as an interesting case study. The JEV should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in meerkats with encephalitis. Further surveillance on JEV infection in meerkats and other wildlife species in a large cohort is needed in the future study.
Nicotine Affects Murine Aortic Stiffness and Fatigue Response During Supraphysiological Cycling
Authors: Ho Elizabeth , Mulorz Joscha , Wong Jason , Wagenhäuser Markus U. , Tsao Philip S. , Ramasubramanian Anand K. , Lee Sang-Joon John
Published: July 2021

Nicotine exposure is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases. Although the deleterious effects of nicotine on aortic remodeling processes have been studied to some extent, the biophysical consequences are not fully elucidated. In this investigation, we applied quasi-static and dynamic loading to quantify ways in which exposure to nicotine affects the mechanical behavior of murine arterial tissue. Segments of thoracic aortas from C57BL/6 mice exposed to 25 mg/kg/day of subcutaneous nicotine for 28 days were subjected to uniaxial tensile loading in an open-circumferential configuration. Comparing aorta segments from nicotine-treated mice relative to an equal number of control counterparts, stiffness in the circumferential direction was nearly twofold higher (377 kPa ± 165 kPa versus 191 kPa ± 65 kPa, n = 5, p = 0.03) at 50% strain. Using a degradative power-law fit to fatigue data at supraphysiological loading, we observed that nicotine-treated aortas exhibited significantly higher peak stress, greater loss of tension, and wider oscillation band than control aortas (p ≤ 0.01 for all three variables). Compared to simple stress relaxation tests, fatigue cycling is shown to be more sensitive and versatile in discerning nicotine-induced changes in mechanical behavior over many cycles. Supraphysiological fatigue cycling thus may have broader potential to reveal subtle changes in vascular mechanics caused by other exogenous toxins or pathological conditions
Evaluation of STEM Engagement Activities on the Attitudes and Perceptions of Mechanical Engineering S-STEM Scholars
Authors: Zhu Liang , Sun Shuyan , Timmie Topoleski L. D. , Eggleton Charles , Ma Ronghui , Madan Deepa
Published: July 2021

Since 2009, the mechanical engineering (ME) scholarship-science technology engineering and mathematics (S-STEM) Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has provided financial support and program activities to ME undergraduate students aiming at improving their retention and graduation rates. The objective of this study is to identify program activities that were most effective to help students for improvements. Current ME S-STEM scholars were asked to complete a survey that measures their scientific efficacy, engineering identity, expectations, integration, and sense of belonging, as well as how program activities impact their attitudes and perceptions. Analyses of 36 collected surveys showed that scholars reported high levels of engineering identity, expectations, and sense of belonging. However, further improvements were needed to help students in achieving scientific efficacy and academic integration into the program. Results demonstrated that pro-active mentoring was the most effective method contributing to positive attitudes and perceptions. The implemented S-STEM research-related activities and internship were viewed favorably by the scholars in helping them establish their scientific efficacy and engineering identity, and understand their expectations and goals. Community building activities were considered helpful for them to integrate into campus life and improve their sense of belonging to the campus and program. Scholars identified mentoring, research related activities, internships, and social interaction with faculty and their peers as important factors for their retention and graduation. Although the sample size was small in the study, we believe that the cost-effective activities identified could be adopted by other institutions to further improve students' retention and graduation rates in engineering programs.
Rotorcraft Dynamic Platform Landings Using Robotic Landing Gear
Authors: León Benjamin L. , Rimoli Julian J. , Di Leo Claudio V.
Published: July 2021

Articulating landing gear that use closed-loop feedback control are proven to expand the landing capabilities of rotorcraft on sloped and rough terrain. These systems are commonly referred to as robotic landing gear (RLG). Modern RLG systems have limitations for landing on dynamic platforms because their controllers do not incorporate fuselage roll and roll rate feedback. This work presents a proven crashworthy cable-driven RLG system for the commercial S-100 Camcopter that expands static landing zone limits by a factor of three and enables dynamic platform landings in rough sea state (SS) conditions. A new roll and foot-force feedback fused control algorithm is developed to enable ship deck landings of an RLG equipped S-100 without the need for deck lock or advanced vision-based landing systems. Multibody dynamic simulations of the aircraft, landing gear, and new control system show the benefits of this combined roll and force feedback approach. Results include experimental dynamic landings on platforms rolling under sinusoidal motion and simulated SS conditions. The experiments demonstrate, in a limited fashion, the usability of the RLG through ground experimentation, and the results are compared to simulations. Additional simulations of landings of the S-100 with rigid and active landing gear with more challenging landing conditions than experimentally tested are presented. Such results aid in understanding how RLG with this new roll and contact force fused controller prevent dynamic rollover.
Measurement of Deformation Heterogeneity During Shale Swelling Using Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Naik Parrikar Prathmesh , Mokhtari Mehdi , Saidzade Asiman
Published: July 2021

Rock-fluid interactions in shale formations are one of the main sources of wellbore instability issues and inadequate stimulation performance. For better planning of fracturing operations and optimizing production from these reservoirs, it is important to understand the mechanisms behind these interactions. These issues are especially prevalent in clay-rich shales, such as Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, which is the subject of this study. Conventional techniques to quantify these shale-fluid interactions comprise of measuring swelling in powdered rock grains or measurement of deformation in the whole pieces of the core using a linear variable differential transformer and strain gages. However, the contribution from individual laminae to overall deformation cannot be evaluated using these methods. In this study, we developed an experimental setup to evaluate the spatial deformation in shale during interaction with water using digital image correlation (DIC). Deformation of two shale samples, with 34 wt% to 51 wt% clay content, was studied. White paint was used to generate a random speckle pattern on the specimen and then immersed in deionized water. The deformation process was captured using a digital camera and images were analyzed using DIC to quantify the deformation. The implementation of the DIC technique enables the visualization and quantification of spatial deformation in the specimen during interacting with water. The results show the localization of large strains in select laminations. The results provide a better understanding of shale deformation when interacting with water in comparison to traditional measurements that can provide only an average strain value.
Performance Improvement of a Thermoacoustic Stirling Engine With In-Line Phase-Adjuster
Authors: Dhuchakallaya Isares , Saechan Patcharin
Published: July 2021

This study examined the influence of an in-line phase-adjuster on the energy conversion efficiency of a thermoacoustic Stirling heat engine (TASHE). The numerical and experimental investigations were performed. An acoustic field in the system can be adjusted using the phase-adjuster. Therefore, the thermoacoustic engine could maintain high-level performance at all operating conditions. The engine is composed of a torus section where core components were located, and a long resonator pipe. The phase-adjuster or the telescopic in-line piston was set up at the tail of the resonance tube. The TASHE was modeled by employing DeltaEC to search the optimal configurations of the prototype. Due to the variations of acoustic loads or operating conditions from the design criteria, the engine absolutely cannot maintain maximum efficiency. The proposed phase-adjuster could bring back its maximum efficiency by re-matching the acoustic impedance in the regenerator. The TASHE was designed to operate with compressed air at 9 bar. In the experiments, the self-excited temperature of the engine was around 480 °C, and the steady-state temperature was about 397 °C. The TASHE can provide an acoustic power of up to 40 W. The thermo-to-acoustic efficiency of 12.03% related to 22.56% of the theoretical Carnot efficiency was achieved. There was a reasonably good agreement between the measured and DeltaEC simulation results. This can reflect on the preciseness of the proposed model. Furthermore, the function of the phase-adjuster in tuning the acoustic impedance was also demonstrated experimentally. In case of the TASHE being operated under the off-design conditions, i.e., due to pressure leak or heat losses, these scenarios would drop the efficiency of the system. The research presented in this study can confirm that the phase-adjuster is the component applied to tune the acoustic field in the regenerator accurately with minimum changes in the system. It could help to improve the efficiency of such consequences.
Design of Precision Hot Embossing Machine for Micropatterning on PMMA
Authors: P. Sridhar , Bahga Supreet S. , Khatait Jitendra P.
Published: July 2021

A microfluidic chip requires microchannels to be created on a substrate. This paper focuses on the design and development of a precision hot embossing machine for replication of microstructures on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate. Kinematic coupling using three spherical balls in radial v-grooves is used to achieve precise positioning of the mold insert with the base. Flexure-based parallel guidance mechanism is used for one degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion required for the embossing process. The mechanism allows the motion of the mold normal to the substrate surface. Flexure-based kinematic coupling with the thermal center is designed to mitigate thermal stress build-up during heating and cooling of the mold insert. An Arduino-based microcontroller is developed to control the temperature profile during the process. A prototype is fabricated and experiments are performed with an aluminum mold insert on a PMMA substrate. The result shows the feasibility of the concept and the setup can be used to develop a cost-effective precision hot embossing machine for creating micropatterns for microfluidic applications.
Understanding Variations in the Health Consequences of Sedentary Behavior: A Taxonomy of Social Interaction, Novelty, Choice, and Cognition
Authors: Taylor Wendell C.
Published: July 2021

The study of sedentary behaviors requires taxonomies (classification schemes) to standardize data collection, measurements, and outcomes. Three taxonomies of sedentary behaviors have been identified, but none address an important challenge in sedentary behavior research, which is to distinguish between beneficial and detrimental health effects of various sedentary behaviors. Some sedentary behaviors (e.g., reading) are associated with positive health outcomes, whereas other sedentary behaviors (e.g., television viewing) are associated with adverse health outcomes. To address directly this complexity and present a different conception and understanding of discrepant findings related to health outcomes, a new taxonomy is needed. The development of the new taxonomy is guided by analysis of literature and selection of a relevant and informative behavioral sciences theoretical framework (i.e., self-determination theory). Because older adults are an increasing percentage of the population and report a high prevalence of sedentary behaviors, the new taxonomy was designed for older adults with potential application to all age groups. Taylor’s taxonomy of sedentary behaviors is parsimonious with four domains: social interaction (i.e., not solitary, companionship, interacting, and connecting with others); novelty (i.e., refreshingly new, unusual, or different); choice (i.e., volition, preferred option or alternative, the power, freedom, or decision to choose); and cognition (i.e., mentally stimulating and engaging).
Enhancing tumor infiltration
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: July 2021

Targeting a chemokine receptor inhibitor enhances the trafficking of antitumor T cells into tumors.
Characterizing Microbiomes via Sequencing of Marker Loci: Techniques To Improve Throughput, Account for Cross-Contamination, and Reduce Cost
Authors: Harrison Joshua G. , Randolph Gregory D. , Buerkle C. Alex
Published: July 2021

New methods to characterize microbiomes reduce technology-imposed limitations to study design, but many new approaches have not been widely adopted. Here, we present techniques to increase throughput and reduce contamination alongside a thorough review of current best practices.
Promoter Architecture Differences among
Alphaproteobacteria
and Other Bacterial Taxa
Authors: Myers Kevin S. , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: July 2021

Transcription of DNA to RNA by RNA polymerase is essential for cells to grow, develop, and respond to stress. Understanding the process and control of transcription is important for health, disease, the environment, and biotechnology.
Growth in extremely preterm children born in England in 1995 and 2006: the EPICure studies
Authors: Ni Yanyan , Lancaster Rebecca , Suonpera Emmi , Bernardi Marialivia , Fahy Amanda , Larsen Jennifer , Trickett Jayne , Hurst John R , Wolke Dieter , Johnson Samantha , Marlow Neil
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To determine growth outcomes at 11 years of age in children born <27 weeks of gestation in England in 2006 (EPICure2) and to compare growth from birth to 11 years of age for births<26 weeks with those in England in 1995 (EPICure).

Methods

200 EPICure2 children assessed at 11 years alongside 143 term-born controls. Growth measures from birth to 11 years were compared for births<26 weeks between EPICure2 (n=112) and EPICure (n=176). Growth parameter z-scores were derived from 1990 UK standards.

Results

Among EPICure2 children, mean z-scores for height and weight were close to the population standards (0.08 and 0.18 SD, respectively) but significantly below those of controls: difference in mean (Δ) z-scores for weight −0.42 SD (95% CI −0.68 to –0.17), for height −0.45 SD (−0.70 to –0.20) and for head circumference (HC) −1.05 SD (−1.35 to –0.75); mean body mass index (BMI) z-score in EPICure2 children was 0.18 SD, not significantly different from controls (0.43 SD, p=0.065). Compared with EPICure, EPICure2 children born <26 weeks at 11 years had higher z-scores for weight (Δ 0.72 (0.47, 0.96)), height (Δ 0.55 (0.29, 0.81)) and BMI (Δ 0.56 (0.24, 0.87)), which were not fully explained by perinatal/demographic differences between eras. Weight catch-up was greater from term-age to 2.5/3 years in EPICure2 than in EPICure (1.25 SD vs 0.53 SD; p<0.001). Poor HC growth was observed in EPICure2, unchanged from EPICure.

Conclusions

Since 1995, childhood growth in weight, height and BMI have improved for births <26 weeks of gestation, but there was no improvement in head growth.
Characteristics of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in Germany: results of a 2-year prospective nationwide surveillance study
Authors: Kidszun André , Bruns Anna , Schreiner Daniel , Tippmann Susanne , Winter Julia , Pokora Roman M , Urschitz Michael S , Mildenberger Eva
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess incidence and burden of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections and to explore possible transmission routes.

Methods

A 2-year prospective nationwide surveillance study performed in 2017 and 2018. All German paediatric departments (n=464 in 2017, n=441 in 2018) were contacted on a monthly basis to report potential cases of neonatal HSV infections. Infants with a postnatal age of ≤60 days and a positive HSV PCR or HSV culture from skin, mucous membrane, vesicles or conjunctival smear, blood or cerebrospinal fluid were included in the study.

Results

37 cases were analysed. 29 patients who exhibited no or only mild clinical symptoms were discharged home without organ damage or neurological abnormalities. Four patients showed significant neurological impairment, one patient required liver transplantation and two patients died during in-patient treatment. The 2-year incidence of neonatal HSV infections was 2.35 per 100 000 live births (95% CI 1.69 to 3.02) and disease-specific mortality was 0.13 per 100 000 live births (95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Data on possible transmission routes were available in 23 cases. In 20 cases, an orofacial HSV infection was present in one or more family members. An active maternal genital HSV infection was reported in 3 cases.

Conclusion

Neonatal HSV infections are rare in Germany. Most infants have a benign clinical course, but some infants are severely affected. Postnatal HSV exposure may account for a considerable number of neonatal HSV infections.
Titres and neutralising capacity of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in human milk: a systematic review
Authors: Low Jia Ming , Low Yue Wey , Zhong Youjia , Lee Cheuk Yiu Charlotte , Chan Ming , Ng Nicholas Beng Hui , Amin Zubair , Ng Yvonne Peng Mei
Published: July 2021

Objective

Synthesise evidence on production of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human milk of individuals who had COVID-19, and antibodies’ ability to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

Design

A systematic review of studies published from 1 December 2019 to 16 February 2021 without study design restrictions.

Setting

Data were sourced from PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CNKI, CINAHL and WHO COVID-19 database. Search was also performed through reviewing references of selected articles, Google Scholar and preprint servers. Studies that tested human milk for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were included.

Patients

Individuals with COVID-19 infection and human milk tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies.

Main outcome measures

The presence of neutralising antibodies in milk samples provided by individuals with COVID-19 infection.

Results

Individual participant data from 161 persons (14 studies) were extracted and re-pooled. Milk from 133 (82.6%) individuals demonstrated the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM and/or IgG. Illness severity data were available in 146 individuals; 5 (3.4%) had severe disease, 128 (87.7%) had mild disease, while 13 (8.9%) were asymptomatic. Presence of neutralising antibodies in milk from 20 (41.7%) of 48 individuals neutralised SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in vitro. Neutralising capacity of antibodies was lost after Holder pasteurisation but preserved after high-pressure pasteurisation.

Conclusion

Human milk of lactating individuals after COVID-19 infection contains anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, IgM and/or IgA, even after mild or asymptomatic infection. Current evidence demonstrates that these antibodies can neutralise SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro. Holder pasteurisation deactivates SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA, while high-pressure pasteurisation preserves the SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA function.
Long-term trends in population-based hospitalisation rates for myocardial infarction in England: a national database study of 3.5 million admissions, 1968–2016
Authors: Wright F Lucy , Townsend Nick , Greenland Melanie , Goldacre Michael J , Smolina Kate , Lacey Ben , Nedkoff Lee
Published: July 2021

Aim

To analyse the timing and scale of temporal changes in rates of hospitalised myocardial infarction (MI) in England by age and sex from 1968 to 2016.

Methods

MI admissions for adults aged 15–84 years were identified from electronic hospital data. We calculated age-standardised and age-specific rates, and examined trends using joinpoint.

Results

From 1968 to 2016, there were 3.5 million admissions for MI in England (68% men). Rates increased in the early years of the study in both men and women, peaked in the mid-1980s (355 per 100 000 population in men; 127 in women) and declined by 38.8% in men and 37.4% in women from 1990 to 2011. From 2012, however, modest increases were observed in both sexes. Long-term trends in rates over the study period varied by age and sex, with those aged 70 years and older having the greatest and most sustained increases in the early years (1968–1985). During subsequent years, rates decreased in most age groups until 2010–2011. The exception was younger women (35–49 years) and men (15–34 years) who experienced significant increases from the mid-1990s to 2007 (range +2.1%/year to 4.7%/year). From 2012 onwards, rates increased in all age groups except the oldest, with the most marked increases in men aged 15–34 years (7.2%/year) and women aged 40–49 (6.9%–7.3%/year) .

Conclusion

Despite substantial declines in hospital admission rates for MI in England since 1990, the burden of annual admissions remains high. Continued surveillance of trends and coronary disease preventive strategies are warranted.
Use of heated tobacco products where their use is prohibited
Authors: Lee Jung Ah , Lee Cheolmin , Cho Hong-Jun
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Stealth use implies using tobacco products where their use is prohibited. This paper aimed to investigate stealth use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in terms of its prevalence and associated factors.

Methods

An online survey was conducted to investigate the use of HTPs in 7000 randomly selected participants (2300 men and 4700 women, aged 20–69 years) from the database registered with an online-research company; we used a sex ratio of 1:2, considering a low female prevalence of tobacco use in Korea. Of total participants, 574 (8.2%) were current HTP users. Among them, we identified the participants who had practised HTPs stealth use, and evaluated associated factors using multivariable Poisson regression.

Results

A total of 574 participants were identified as current HTP users, and 455 (79.2%) reported stealth use of HTPs during the month before the survey. Stealth use was more frequent in dual cigarette users (HTPs and electronic cigarettes (ECs); adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.33, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.52) and triple users (HTPs, ECs and combustible cigarettes; aPR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.33), as compared with single-HTP users. Stealth use was more prevalent among participants who agreed with allowing indoor HTP use (aPR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.26).

Conclusion

Stealth use was prevalent among current HTP users, especially among the poly-users of tobacco products. Considering the positive relationship between an agreement with allowing indoor use of HTPs and stealth use, a campaign to promote change in attitudes of HTP users about their indoor use may be warranted to protect non-users.
QCD phase transition and equation of state of stellar strong interaction matter via Dyson–Schwinger equation approach
Authors: Bai Zhan , Liu Yu-xin
Published: July 2021

We study the phase structure and phase transition of cold dense QCD matter via the Dyson–Schwinger equation approach. We take the rainbow approximation and the Gaussian-type gluon model. In order to guarantee that the quark number density begins to appear at the nuclear liquid-gas phase transition chemical potential, we propose a chemical potential dependent modification factor for the gluon model. We find that for the iso-symmetric quark matter, the modification reduces the chemical potential of the phase coexistence region of the first-order phase transition. We also implement the relativistic mean field theory to describe the hadron matter, and make use of the Maxwell and Gibbs construction method to study the phase transition of $$\beta $$
β
-equilibrium and charge neutral matter in compact stars. The results show that the phase transition will not happen in case of the Gaussian-type gluon model without any modification. The results also indicate that the upper boundary of the coexistence region should be larger than the current Nambu solution existing region. We also calculate the mass-radius relation of the compact stars, and find that the hadron-quark phase transition happens at too high chemical potential so that the maximum mass of the compact star is hardly affected by the hadron-quark phase transition.
The P-wave charmonium annihilation into two photons $$\chi _{c0, c2}\rightarrow \gamma \gamma $$ with high-order QCD corrections
Authors: Zhou Hua , Yu Qing , Huang Xu-Dong , Zheng Xu-Chang , Wu Xing-Gang
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we present a new analysis on the P-wave charmonium annihilation into two photons up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections by using the principle of maximum conformality (PMC). The conventional perturbative QCD prediction shows strong scale dependence and deviates largely from the BESIII measurements. After applying the PMC, we obtain a more precise scale-invariant pQCD prediction, which also agrees with the BESIII measurements within errors, i.e. $$R={\Gamma _{\gamma \gamma }(\chi _{c2})} /{\Gamma _{\gamma \gamma }(\chi _{c0})}=0.246\pm 0.013$$

R
=

Γ

γ
γ

(

χ

c
2

)

/

Γ

γ
γ

(

χ

c
0

)

=
0.246
±
0.013

, where the error is for $$\Delta \alpha _s(M_\tau )=\pm 0.016$$

Δ

α
s

(

M
τ

)

=
±
0.016

. By further considering the color-octet contributions, even the central value can be in agreement with the data. This shows the importance of a correct scale-setting approach. We also give a prediction for the ratio involving $$\chi _{b0, b2} \rightarrow \gamma \gamma $$

χ

b
0
,
b
2

→
γ
γ

, which could be tested in future Belle II experiment.
Automated Brain Imaging Diagnosis and Classification Model using Rat Swarm Optimization with Deep Learning based Capsule Network
Authors: Vasantharaj A. , Rani Pacha Shoba , Huque Sirajul , Raghuram K. S. , Ganeshkumar R. , Shafi Sebahadin Nasir
Published: July 2021

Earlier identification of brain tumor (BT) is essential to increase the survival rate of the patients. The commonly used imaging technique for BT diagnosis is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Automated BT classification model is required for assisting the radiologists to save time and enhance efficiency. The classification of BT is difficult owing to the non-uniform shapes of tumors and location of tumors in the brain. Therefore, deep learning (DL) models can be employed for the effective identification, prediction, and diagnosis of diseases. In this view, this paper presents an automated BT diagnosis using rat swarm optimization (RSO) with deep learning based capsule network (DLCN) model, named RSO-DLCN model. The presented RSO-DLCN model involves bilateral filtering (BF) based preprocessing to enhance the quality of the MRI. Besides, non-iterative grabcut based segmentation (NIGCS) technique is applied to detect the affected tumor regions. In addition, DLCN model based feature extractor with RSO algorithm based parameter optimization processes takes place. Finally, extreme learning machine with stacked autoencoder (ELM-SA) based classifier is employed for the effective classification of BT. For validating the BT diagnostic performance of the presented RSO-DLCN model, an extensive set of simulations were carried out and the results are inspected under diverse dimensions. The simulation outcome demonstrated the promising results of the RSO-DLCN model on BT diagnosis with the sensitivity of 98.4%, specificity of 99%, and accuracy of 98.7%.
A Survey of Microarchitectural Side-channel Vulnerabilities, Attacks, and Defenses in Cryptography
Authors: Lou Xiaoxuan , Zhang Tianwei , Jiang Jun , Zhang Yinqian
Published: July 2021

Side-channel attacks have become a severe threat to the confidentiality of computer applications and systems. One popular type of such attacks is the microarchitectural attack, where the adversary exploits the hardware features to break the protection enforced by the operating system and steal the secrets from the program. In this article, we systematize microarchitectural side channels with a focus on attacks and defenses in cryptographic applications. We make three contributions. (1) We survey past research literature to categorize microarchitectural side-channel attacks. Since these are hardware attacks targeting software, we summarize the vulnerable implementations in software, as well as flawed designs in hardware. (2) We identify common strategies to mitigate microarchitectural attacks, from the application, OS, and hardware levels. (3) We conduct a large-scale evaluation on popular cryptographic applications in the real world and analyze the severity, practicality, and impact of side-channel vulnerabilities. This survey is expected to inspire side-channel research community to discover new attacks, and more importantly, propose new defense solutions against them.
Security Vulnerabilities of SGX and Countermeasures
Authors: Fei Shufan , Yan Zheng , Ding Wenxiu , Xie Haomeng
Published: July 2021

Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) have been widely used in many security-critical applications. The popularity of TEEs derives from its high security and trustworthiness supported by secure hardware. Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) is one of the most representative TEEs that creates an isolated environment on an untrusted operating system, thus providing run-time protection for the execution of security-critical code and data. However, Intel SGX is far from the acme of perfection. It has become a target of various attacks due to its security vulnerabilities. Researchers and practitioners have paid attention to the security vulnerabilities of SGX and investigated optimization solutions in real applications. Unfortunately, existing literature lacks a thorough review of security vulnerabilities of SGX and their countermeasures. In this article, we fill this gap. Specifically, we propose two sets of criteria for estimating security risks of existing attacks and evaluating defense effects brought by attack countermeasures. Furthermore, we propose a taxonomy of SGX security vulnerabilities and shed light on corresponding attack vectors. After that, we review published attacks and existing countermeasures, as well as evaluate them by employing our proposed criteria. At last, on the strength of our survey, we propose some open challenges and future directions in the research of SGX security.
A Survey on Bias and Fairness in Machine Learning
Authors: Mehrabi Ninareh , Morstatter Fred , Saxena Nripsuta , Lerman Kristina , Galstyan Aram
Published: July 2021

With the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems and applications in our everyday lives, accounting for fairness has gained significant importance in designing and engineering of such systems. AI systems can be used in many sensitive environments to make important and life-changing decisions; thus, it is crucial to ensure that these decisions do not reflect discriminatory behavior toward certain groups or populations. More recently some work has been developed in traditional machine learning and deep learning that address such challenges in different subdomains. With the commercialization of these systems, researchers are becoming more aware of the biases that these applications can contain and are attempting to address them. In this survey, we investigated different real-world applications that have shown biases in various ways, and we listed different sources of biases that can affect AI applications. We then created a taxonomy for fairness definitions that machine learning researchers have defined to avoid the existing bias in AI systems. In addition to that, we examined different domains and subdomains in AI showing what researchers have observed with regard to unfair outcomes in the state-of-the-art methods and ways they have tried to address them. There are still many future directions and solutions that can be taken to mitigate the problem of bias in AI systems. We are hoping that this survey will motivate researchers to tackle these issues in the near future by observing existing work in their respective fields.