bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ara h 2‐specific IgE epitope‐like peptides inhibit the binding of IgE to Ara h 2 and suppress lgE‐dependent effector cell activation
Authors: Korošec Peter , Koren Ana , Debeljak Jerneja , Zahirović Abida , Skerbinjek‐Kavalar Maja , Berce Vojko , Dejanović Luka , Luzar Jernej , Štrukelj Borut , Lunder Mojca
Published: April 2023

Background

Clinical and experimental analyses indicate a pathognomonic role for allergen IgE crosslinking through epitope–paratope interactions as a major initial step in the cascade leading to effector cell activation and clinical manifestations of lgE‐mediated food allergies. We aimed to undertake the initial development and assessment of Ara h 2‐specific IgE epitope‐like peptides that can bind to allergen‐specific IgE paratopes and suppress effector cell activation.

Methods

We performed biopanning, screening, IgE binding, selection and mapping of peptides. We generated synthetic peptides for use in all functional experiments. ImmunoCAP inhibition, basophil and mast cell activation tests, with LAD2 cells, a human mast cell line were performed. Twenty‐six children or young adults who had peanut allergy were studied.

Results

We identified and selected three linear peptides (DHPRFNRDNDVA, DHPRYGP and DHPRFST), and immunoblot analyses revealed binding to lgE from peanut‐allergic individuals. The peptide sequences were aligned to the disordered region corresponding to the loop between helices 2 and 3 of Ara h 2, and conformational mapping showed that the peptides match the surface of Ara h 2 and h 6 but not other peanut allergens. In ImmunoCAP inhibition experiments, the peptides significantly inhibit the binding of IgE to Ara h 2 (p < .001). In basophil and mast cell activation tests, the peptides significantly suppressed Ara h 2‐induced effector cell activation (p < .05) and increased the half‐maximal Ara h 2 effective concentration (p < .05). Binding of the peptides to specific IgEs did not induce activation of basophils or mast cells.

Conclusions

These studies show that the indicated peptides reduce the allergenic activity of Ara h 2 and suppress lgE‐dependent basophil and mast cell activation. These observations may suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for food allergy based on epitope–paratop blocking.
Impact of donor ventricular function on heart transplantation outcomes
Authors: Firoz Ahad , Yanagida Roh , Hamad Eman , Kashem Mohammed , Toyoda Yoshiya
Published: April 2023

Background

Some heart transplant (HTx) centers have expanded their donor eligibility criteria in response to the organ shortage; one area of active interest involves utilizing hearts with ventricular dysfunction. Our study seeks to identify if a relationship exists between donor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and ischemic time or donor age on HTx outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on adult patients who had a HTx between 1996 and 2021 (n = 46,936). Donor LVEF (dLVEF) values were categorized into three groups: <50%, 50%–70%, and >70%. Ischemic time and donor age were stratified into four groups: ≤2.0, 2.1–3.0, 3.1–4.0, >4.0 h, and ≤30, 31–40, 41–50, >50 years, respectively. The outcome of interest was long‐term survival.

Results

Multivariable survival analysis found a slight increase in overall mortality risk for patients with donor ejection fractions <50% (HR = 1.16, p = .013). However, subsequent subgroup investigation discovered that this elevated hazard was only applicable when ischemic time was prolonged to >3.0 h (3.1–4.0 h: HR = 1.23, p = .024; > 4.0 h: HR = 1.52, p < .001). There was no significant difference in survival between dLVEF groups when ischemic time was limited to ≤3.0 h or when stratified by donor age.

Conclusion

HTx patients with a low donor ejection fraction have comparable survival to recipients with a normal dLVEF when ischemic time is limited to ≤3.0 h. Reduced dLVEF does not appear to be sensitive to advanced donor age. The clinical implications of our study may encourage the recruitment of more donor hearts for transplantation.
Validation of the French version of the Global Functioning: Social and Global Functioning: Role Scales in adolescents and young adults seeking help in early intervention clinics
Authors: Lucarini Valeria , Kazes Mathilde , Krebs Emma , Morin Valentine , Godignon Maud , De Gasquet Marie , Ton Trang , Féron Marion , Tanguy Guillaume , Lévi Agnès , Bellot Cécile , Willard Dominique , Auther Andrea M. , Cornblatt Barbara , Bralet Marie‐Cécile , Krebs Marie‐Odile
Published: April 2023

Aim

Social and role functioning impairments characterize patients along the schizophrenia spectrum, but the existing evaluations tools do not specifically address younger population issues. The Global Functioning Social (GF:S) and Global Functioning Role (GF:R) scales have been specifically designed for that purpose. The aim of this study is to establish the reliability and concurrent validity of the French version of GF:S and GF:R scales.

Methods

The two scales GF: Social (GF:S) and Role (GF:R) have first been translated into French and independently back translated and validated by the original authors. Between March 2021 and March 2022, we enrolled 51 participants (20.3 ± 3.7 years old; female = 22/51) amongst help‐seekers referring to two different early mental health services in the Île‐de‐France. In an ecological design, participants met different diagnoses, 7 (13.7%) met the criteria for Ultra‐High Risk of psychosis (UHR) using CAARMS criteria.

Results

Inter‐rater reliability was excellent for scores related to the past month and to the higher levels of functioning over the past year. Both scales showed good to excellent concurrent validity as measured by correlation with the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP).

Conclusion

Overall, this study confirms the reliability and validity of the French version of the GF:S and GF:R scales. The use of these scales may improve the evaluation of social and occupational functioning in French‐speaking young help‐seekers, in a transdiagnostic approach, both in clinical and research settings.
Sequencing and combination of currentsmall‐moleculeinhibitors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Where is the evidence?
Authors: Chung Clement , Umoru Godsfavour , Abboud Karen , Hobaugh Eleanor
Published: April 2023

Small‐molecule inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a landscape once dominated by chemoimmunotherapy (i.e., an anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody in combination with systemic chemotherapy) in fit and unfit individuals. Key challenges include the management of refractory disease as well as the optimization of the therapy sequence. Decreased responsiveness has been observed with prolonged treatment, especially with Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors which are given continuously, while venetoclax, an agent that targets dysregulations in intrinsic apoptosis signaling, has a fixed duration when combined with anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibodies or BTK inhibitors. Combination therapy aims to synergistically target different oncogenic signaling pathways to abrogate the proliferation of resistant clones and thereby allows for fixed‐duration treatments. An advantage of fixed‐duration therapy is the potential to decrease financial and drug‐induced toxicities. Sequencing of therapies is important to individualize treatment decisions based on factors such as age, comorbidities, tolerability, and patient preferences. However, to date, there are limited data to guide the rational sequencing or combination of these therapies, since conventional chemoimmunotherapy or chemotherapy regimens were used as comparators against these small‐molecule inhibitors in trials that led to their regulatory approvals. In this article, we examined and evaluated the current evidence for sequencing versus the combination of small‐molecule inhibitors for CLL by conducting comprehensive searches of the United States National Library of Medicine PubMed database, key meeting abstracts, and clinical practice guidelines. We also summarized findings from expert opinions to elucidate best practices for clinical scenarios with limited evidence to guide treatment selection.
A mammal and bird's‐eye‐view of the pupil during sleep and wakefulness
Authors: Ungurean Gianina , Rattenborg Niels C.
Published: April 2023

Besides regulating the amount of light that reaches the retina, fluctuations in pupil size also occur in isoluminant conditions during accommodation, during movement and in relation to cognitive workload, attention and emotion. Recent studies in mammals and birds revealed that the pupils are also highly dynamic in the dark during sleep. However, despite exhibiting similar sleep states (rapid eye movement [REM] and non‐REM [NREM] sleep), wake and sleep state‐dependent changes in pupil size are opposite between mammals and birds, due in part to differences in the type (striated vs. smooth) and control of the iris muscles. Given the link between pupil dynamics and cognitive processes occurring during wakefulness, sleep‐related changes in pupil size might indicate when related processes are occurring during sleep. Moreover, the divergent pupillary behaviour observed between mammals and birds raises the possibility that changes in pupil size in birds are a readout of processes not reflected in the mammalian pupil.
Patterns of response to anti‐calcitonin gene‐related peptide monoclonal antibodies during first 6 months of treatment in resistant migraine patients: Impact on outcome
Authors: Torres‐Ferrus Marta , Gallardo Victor J. , Alpuente Alicia , Caronna Edoardo , Giné‐Ciprés Eulalia , Pozo‐Rosich Patricia
Published: April 2023

Background and purpose

The response pattern to monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene‐related peptide (anti‐CGRP MAbs) shown in migraine prevention clinical trials is not always reproducible at an individual level. This study was undertaken to describe patterns of start and consistency of the response to anti‐CGRP MAbs during the first 6 months of treatment and the association with baseline clinical characteristics.

Methods

This is a prospective clinical cohort observational study. We included migraine patients treated with erenumab or galcanezumab evaluated at baseline and after 3 and 6 months (M3, M6) of treatment. The response was categorized according to reduction in monthly headache days (MHD): Sustained‐response (SustainedR, ≥50% at M3 and M6), Short‐Response (ShortR, M3 ≥50% and M6 <50%), Late‐Response (LateR, M3 <50% and M6 ≥50%), Limited‐Response (LimitedR, 25%–50% at M3 and M6), and No‐Response (NoR, <25% at M3 and M6). Response patterns were compared at baseline and with outcome variables at M3 and M6.

Results

We included 357 patients with a headache frequency of 21.0 (interquartile range = 16.0–28.0) MHD, and 84.0% (300/357) were chronic migraine. The distribution according to response pattern was 37.0% (110/297) SustainedR, 16.8% (50/297) LateR, 10.4% (31/297) ShortR, 22.6% (67/297) LimitedR, and 13.1% NoR (39/297). The SustainedR and LateR groups showed statistically significant anxiety and depression score reduction at M3 and M6 compared to the other groups.

Conclusions

Initial response to anti‐CGRP MAbs is not consistent in all patients. Persistence of anxiety and depression might be associated with lower response rates at M6.
Teaching English to young learners in private sector of Iranian ELT: Challenges and local realities
Authors: Tavakol Mahbube , Tavakoli Mansoor
Published: April 2023

The growing phenomenon of (pre)primary English education worldwide has resulted in the rise in prominence of the discipline of teaching English to young learners (TEYL). Under the global forces and parents' pressure, early EFL learning has also turned into a pervasive trend in the marketized private sector of Iranian ELT as evidenced by the ever‐growing number of classes of ever‐younger learners. However, it is not clear what stands at its core because it has not received the attention it deserves, and reports on its status quo are almost non‐existent. This qualitative study was conducted to shine the spotlight on some local realities and challenges faced by Iranian TEYL to trigger more intensive research and informed discussion into this Cinderella area of scholarship. The findings regarding each aspect are presented and discussed along with implications and directions for future research.
Multilevel calibration procedure for the oral health national multicenter survey in primary teeth
Authors: Markovic Dejan , Vukovic Ana , Soldatovic Ivan , Peric Tamara , Kilibarda Biljana , Rosianu Ruxandra Sava , Campus Guglielmo
Published: April 2023

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) requires systematically collected and standardized data.

Aim

To describe a novel multilevel calibration procedure in primary dentition.

Design

Calibration method involved two calibration levels: the first (L1) involved an interexaminer agreement between three main investigators, the group leaders (GLs) in the following level; the second level (L2) involved three groups of 11 paediatric dentists and interexaminer agreement assessment according to the GLs in each group. The study sample consisted of 650 primary teeth surfaces in eight children (mean age 6.56 ± 2.22 years). Surface‐by‐surface percent agreement, tooth‐by‐tooth percent agreement, Cohen's kappa, and Fleiss kappa statistics were used to calculate interexaminer reliability. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 27.0.

Results

Surface‐by‐surface percent agreement regarding ICDASepi‐merged revealed almost perfect agreement (>90.00%) on both L1 and L2. Kappa values and ranges showed good agreement at both L1 (overall κ = .95) and L2 (overall κ = .98) and almost perfect consistency was detected between GLs at L1 (>91.30%) and substantial agreement at L2 (>85.00%). All examiners at L2 showed almost perfect positive agreement (sensitivity = 96.77%–100%) when detecting the presence of dental plaque.

Conclusion

The calibration procedure appeared feasible prior to organizing multicenter epidemiological oral health survey in large population groups of preschool children, with higher number of examiners.
A nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag analysis on the macroeconomic effect of global oil price in the Philippines
Authors: Deluna Roperto S. , Tatlonghari Virgilio M. , Loanzon Jeanette Isabelle V.
Published: April 2023

Studies have pointed out that oil price volatility influenced economic output and growth among developing and net oil‐importing countries. More than a quarter of the Philippines’ energy demand depends on crude oil, and 99% of the crude oil demand is imported mainly from the Middle East. This study was conducted to determine if there is a nonlinear or asymmetric output response to oil price movements and examine which economic sector in the Philippines is the most vulnerable to oil shocks. This contributes to the literature for a case of developing, oil importing, inflation targeting and post‐oil industry deregulated economy. A nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag model was applied to observe quarterly data from 1998:Q1 to 2019:Q4 of the relevant economic variables. Results revealed an asymmetric effect of non‐oil variables on sectoral performance. World oil prices affect economic sector outputs symmetrically or linearly. The service sector is found to be the most vulnerable sector to oil price shocks. The absence of asymmetry can be attributed to increased competition in the Philippines’ domestic oil industry brought about by oil market deregulation. Improving the energy mix and reducing oil intensity is vital to offset any oil price shock transmission to an oil‐importing economy like the Philippines.
Food assessment for pesticide's contamination in Chugchilán parish crops in Cotopaxi (Ecuador)
Authors: Oviedo‐Chávez Augusto César , Rojas‐González Edgar Wilson , Vinueza‐Galárraga Julio César , Andrade‐Zurita Myriam Jicela , Sarmiento‐Sarmiento Nelly Guadalupe , Ochsner‐Mera Rosmerie
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study is to evaluate the contamination by pesticides in food grown in the parish of Chugchilán. From 258 families that were part of the main project, a sub‐sample of 26 families was obtained and, for each of them, a sample of food was extracted and evaluated by chromatographic methods. The main pesticides found in the locality are from the group of organophosphates, carbamates, dithiocarbamates, and glyphosate. Contamination by organophosphates, carbamates, and dithiocarbamates is well below the maximum residue limits while glyphosate is found in most foods exceeding the maximum residue limit, mainly in radish with 8.36 mg/kg being the limit of .1 mg/kg. There is evidence of contamination in food by pesticides, however, the values obtained are below the maximum residue limits with the exception of glyphosate. Organochlorines usage was not detected in any sample.

Practical applications

This study may be of interest to the scientific community as it learns about the impact of pesticides on population food security, mainly vulnerable. Similarly, it can be a contribution to the agricultural community interested in eliminating pesticides from their production by implementing new cultivation techniques that are friendly to the environment and consumers health. It benefits the population of Chugchilán, since the information about the crops in the area allowing them to take actions and strategies that improve food quality and its population health.
Perspectives on implementing exercise bikes for use by inpatient mental health staff in the workplace: A qualitative study investigating staff attitudes
Authors: Martland Rebecca , Gaughran Fiona , Stubbs Brendon , Onwumere Juliana
Published: April 2023

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Mental health nursing staff may experience psychological stress and burnout. Exercise provision for mental health staff may improve staff physical and mental wellbeing and mitigate against psychological burnout.

Existing research suggests the provision of exercise equipment for mental health nursing staff may improve staff attitudes towards physical activity and staff confidence in motivating physical activity amongst patient groups they care for, although more research is needed, and research investigating the attitudes of mental health staff towards such initiatives is warranted.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Access to fitness facilities in the workplace for mental health staff was endorsed.

Logistical and practical concerns (i.e. shower access, time) were noted as barriers to implementation of fitness facilities in the workplace for staff use.

Mental health staff expressed desire to have access to varied gym equipment at work

What are the implications for practice?

The introduction of fitness facilities in the workplace environment for staff use was actively endorsed by mental health professionals, suggesting such initiatives may be warranted in mental health settings. However, barriers to successful implementation were noted and are worth considering in preparation for trialling provision of exercise equipment for staff use.

Introduction

Exercise equipment for mental health staff may improve staff wellbeing, mitigate against stress and improve staff attitudes towards physical activity. This said, there is a lack of researching investigating the attitudes of mental health staff towards the provision of fitness facilities in the workplace.

Aim

The study investigated staff attitudes towards being offered exercise bikes in the workplace.

Method

Three focus groups and one individual interview were conducted with 12 healthcare professionals. Data were subject to a thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified. (1) ‘This sounds like a good idea’, which reflected positive views in the provision of exercise in the workplace for staff use. (2) ‘I'm not sure it would work because …’, which reflected implementation concerns including not having access to shower facilities and time constraints. (3) ‘Balancing choice’, which reflected participant's desire to have access to varied gym equipment.

Discussion

The introduction of fitness facilities in the workplace for staff use was endorsed. However, implementation barriers were noted.

Implications for Practice

This research provides justification for the exploration of the feasibility and benefits of providing exercise equipment for mental health staff in the workplace but presents implementation barriers that are worth considering before trialling provision of exercise equipment.
Saying ‘gay’ in reproductive health education
Authors: French Cory B.
Published: April 2023

French argues that improving the diversity reflected in reproductive health education with queer pedagogy is key to meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
Framework for cyber risk loss distribution of hospital infrastructure: Bond percolation on mixed random graphs approach
Authors: Chiaradonna Stefano , Jevtić Petar , Lanchier Nicolas
Published: April 2023

Networks like those of healthcare infrastructure have been a primary target of cyberattacks for over a decade. From just a single cyberattack, a healthcare facility would expect to see millions of dollars in losses from legal fines, business interruption, and loss of revenue. As more medical devices become interconnected, more cyber vulnerabilities emerge, resulting in more potential exploitation that may disrupt patient care and give rise to catastrophic financial losses. In this paper, we propose a structural model of an aggregate loss distribution across multiple cyberattacks on a prototypical hospital network. Modeled as a mixed random graph, the hospital network consists of various patient‐monitoring devices and medical imaging equipment as random nodes to account for the variable occupancy of patient rooms and availability of imaging equipment that are connected by bidirectional edges to fixed hospital and radiological information systems. Our framework accounts for the documented cyber vulnerabilities of a hospital's trusted internal network of its major medical assets. To our knowledge, there exist no other models of an aggregate loss distribution for cyber risk in this setting. We contextualize the problem in the probabilistic graph‐theoretical framework using a percolation model and combinatorial techniques to compute the mean and variance of the loss distribution for a mixed random network with associated random costs that can be useful for healthcare administrators and cybersecurity professionals to improve cybersecurity management strategies. By characterizing this distribution, we allow for the further utility of pricing cyber risk.
Marcos: Buen Anuncio con inicio, pero sin final. Estrategia comunicativa de Mc 16,1-8
Authors: Osorno Zuluaga Patricia Milena
Published: April 2023

Este artículo busca demostrar, a partir de la estrategia comunicativa-pragmática, que Mc 16, 1-8 es el final eficaz que el autor propone a todo lector. Las diversas hipótesis generadas por Mc 16, 1-8, –texto que sigue siendo una crux interpretum, tanto para exégetas como para hermeneutas– son el punto de partida. Lo dicho está evidenciado, desde muy temprano, en las correcciones de las que ha sido víctima: mutilaciones, intentos de armonización y ampliaciones que pretenden llevar a feliz término el Evangelio de Jesús Mesías Hijo de Dios, un Buen Anuncio con ἀρχή (Mc 1,1), pero sin un final.La estrategia del autor del Evangelio según Marcos es dejar el final de su obra abierto, a fin de empujar al lector en el fatigoso paso de espectador a discípulo. A partir de lo expuesto, las preguntas que se formulan para la investigación van direccionadas (como es propio de la aproximación comunicativa-pragmática) a delinear los efectos que busca lograr Marcos con su final en los diferentes tipos de lectores; esto, teniendo presente que cuando un autor pone en marcha una obra escrita lo hace mediante estrategias que hagan factible, comprensible y eficaz el mensaje que busca comunicar. Cuando se trata del final de la obra, el momento de clímax, es fundamental preguntarse y profundizar en la potencia performativa de los motivos semánticos que lo cohesionan. Por último, se presta atención a cómo se verifica en cada uno de los enunciados que la comunicación vaya direccionada a alcanzar su “final feliz”. Es precisamente en este punto donde se argumenta que Marcos presenta como resultado de su estrategia un final tan paradójico como paradigmático.
Análisis crítico de la noción de progreso social
Authors: Sánchez Cárcamo Ricardo Antonio , Cifuentes Sarmiento José Alejandro
Published: April 2023

La pregunta sobre cuáles son los cambios conceptuales del progreso social implica necesariamente comprender el devenir del liberalismo político-económico en Occidente. De esta forma, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar el concepto del progreso social en su desarrollo histórico y mostrar las variaciones asociada a las libertades individuales. Esta reflexión histórico-filosófica se basa en el materialismo y, a partir de ahí, se identifica que el progreso social en la historia se limita al racionalismo liberal que configura el homo œconomicus, distante del objetivo de cohesión social.
Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Strategy for Power Battery System Based on Dynamic Weight
Authors: Xu You , Liu Hongxian , Zheng Zhenxin , Yao Jingxiang , Zhou Kaiqing , Li Jiehao
Published: April 2023

New energy vehicles are an effective solution to solve the situation of carbon neutrality with carbon peaking in China. The power battery system is the key component of new energy vehicles, and its performance is directly related to the safety and cruising range. Since the performance of the battery system is affected by factors such as electrical contact stability, voltage and current characteristics, and temperature, its full life cycle performance cannot be comprehensively evaluated, resulting in inefficient prediction and protective measures. In this paper, the electrical contact stability was studied, and the evaluation index was proposed by calculating the volatility of the battery state equation. The parameters, including electrical contact stability, polynomial-based state of charge, state of health, state of consistency, and battery system temperature, constituted the performance matrix of the battery system. A comprehensive performance evaluation method for a power battery system based on dynamic weight is designed with normalized classification. Finally, the cyclic charge/discharge test experiment under the vibration state was carried out to verify the effectiveness of the method. The result showed that the method could characterize various functions and provide an intuitive and detailed evaluation for the safety prediction of a battery system.
Robust Multilegged Walking Robots for Interactions With Different Terrains
Authors: Robson Nina , Audrey Vanessa , Dwivedi Ashutosh , Kunzmann Dylan
Published: April 2023

This paper explores the kinematic synthesis, design, and pilot experimental testing of a six-legged walking robotic platform able to traverse through different terrains. We aim to develop a structured approach to designing the limb morphology using a relaxed kinematic task with incorporated conditions on foot-environments interaction, specifically contact force direction and curvature constraints, related to maintaining contact. The design approach builds up incrementally starting with studying the basic human leg walking trajectory and then defining a “relaxed” kinematic task. The “relaxed” kinematic task consists only of two contact locations (toe-off and heel-strike) with higher-order motion task specifications compatible with foot-terrain(s) contact and curvature constraints in the vicinity of the two contacts. As the next step, an eight-bar leg image is created based on the “relaxed” kinematic task and incorporated within a six-legged walking robot. Pilot experimental tests explore if the proposed approach results in an adaptable behavior which allows the platform to incorporate different walking foot trajectories and gait styles coupled to each environment. The results suggest that the proposed “relaxed” higher-order motion task combined with the leg morphological properties and feet material allowed the platform to walk stably on the different terrains. Here we would like to note that one of the main advantages of the proposed method in comparison with other existing walking platforms is that the proposed robotic platform has carefully designed limb morphology with incorporated conditions on foot-environment interaction. Additionally, while most of the existing multilegged platforms incorporate one actuator per leg, or per joint, our goal is to explore the possibility of using a single actuator to drive all six legs of the platform. This is a critical step which opens the door for the development of future transformative technology that is largely independent of human control and able to learn about the environment through their own sensory systems.
Enhancement of electrical properties of a-IGZO thin film transistor by low temperature (150 °C) microwave annealing for flexible electronics
Authors: Jung Taeseung , Han Jung Hoon , Nam Sooji , Jeon Sanghun
Published: April 2023

A relatively low-temperature process is required to fabricate amorphous oxide thin film transistor (TFT) display backplanes for flexible electronics. However, in order to ensure the outstanding electrical property of TFT, a typical post-annealing process should be performed at 300 °C or above. This is not compatible with flexible substrates in the process. In our work, we applied microwave annealing (MWA) at a low-temperature (150 °C) to the oxide TFT and verified its feasibility through the evaluation of various electrical properties. Even an a-IGZO TFT by MWA at such a low-temperature shows high mobility (29.0 cm2/V s) by DC ID-VG measurement, which is 4 ∼ 5 times higher than other counterparts, indicating that the MWA process is very effective to minimize the defects in an oxide semiconductor channel. To further investigate the intrinsic mobility of TFT with negligible charge trapping, we carried out fast and pulse ID-VG measurement methods. The intrinsic mobility extracted from this measurement is found to be 35.3 cm2/V s, 21.7% higher than that of DC ID-VG. We are expecting that the low-temperature MWA process would be widely used for the process of oxide TFT in a flexible platform.
Effect of Clay Minerals on Carbonate Precipitation Induced by Cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp.
Authors: Wang Xiao , Kong Xiangxin , Liu Qian , Li Kun , Jiang Zaixing , Gai Hengjun , Xiao Meng
Published: April 2023

The biogenesis of lacustrine fine-grained carbonates is of great significance to the exploitation of shale oil. Clay minerals are an important component of lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks, which is conductive to the aggregation and settlement of cyanobacteria.
Patient preferences for anti-hyperglycaemic medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus in China: findings from a national survey
Authors: Liu Shimeng , Liu Jing , Si Lei , Ke Xiong , Liu Liu , Ren Yanfeng , Bao Shiyi , Li Fuming , Yu Yijiang , Pan Qi , Wei Yan , Chen Yingyao
Published: April 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the preferences regarding risks, benefits and other treatment attributes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China when selecting a second-line anti-hyperglycaemic medicine.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment with hypothetical anti-hyperglycaemic medication profiles was performed using a face-to-face survey administered to patients with T2DM. The medication profile was described using seven attributes: treatment efficacy, hypoglycaemia risk, cardiovascular benefits, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, weight change, mode of administration and out-of-pocket cost. Participants chose between medication profiles by comparing attributes. Data were analysed using a mixed logit model with marginal willingness to pay (mWTP) and maximum acceptable risk (MAR) calculated. The preference heterogeneity within the sample was explored using a latent class model (LCM).

Results

A total of 3327 respondents from five major geographical regions completed the survey. Treatment efficacy, hypoglycaemia risk, cardiovascular benefits and GI adverse events were major concerns among the seven attributes measured. Weight change and mode of administration were of lesser concern. Regarding mWTP, respondents would pay ¥236.1 (US$36.6) for an anti-hyperglycaemic medication with an efficacy of 2.5% points reduction in HbA1c, while they were willing to accept a weight gain of 3 kg only if they received a compensation of ¥56.7 (US$8.8). Respondents were willing to accept a relatively large increase in hypoglycaemia risk (MAR=15.9%) to improve treatment efficacy from intermediate (1.0% points) to high (1.5% points). LCM identified the following four unobserved subgroups: trypanophobia, cardiovascular-benefits-focused, safety-focused and efficacy-focused and cost-sensitive.

Conclusion

Patients with T2DM prioritised free out-of-pocket costs, highest efficacy, no hypoglycaemia risk and cardiovascular benefits over weight change and mode of administration. There exists great preference heterogeneity among patients, which should be taken into account in healthcare decision-making processes.
Primary caregivers’ perceptions of factors influencing preschool children’s oral health: social practices perspective—a protocol for qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Matic Girard Ivana , Ward Paul , Durey Angela , Lund Stephan , Calache Hanny , Baker Sarah R , Slack-Smith Linda
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The role of primary caregivers in setting the foundation for a child’s oral health throughout life is well recognised. Due to the dominant behaviour-based approach, research to date has mainly focused on exploring individual primary caregivers’ oral health knowledge and behaviours. A social science approach involving social practice theories moves beyond individual attitudes, behaviour and choices to offer a better understanding of the ways in which collective activity relates to health. This qualitative metasynthesis will involve an interpretive synthesis of data found in published qualitative literature from developed countries. The aim of the metasynthesis is to identify social practices in families from published qualitative research with caregivers on preschool children’s oral health.

Methods and analysis

This is a protocol for qualitative metasynthesis. The following databases will be used: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source (DOSS) using the web-based database search platform Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Scopus. The research team has determined search strategies by using relevant key terms. Qualitative studies published in English language on family factors related to preschool children (aged 0–5 years) from developed countries (2022 United Nations classification) will be included. Qualitative data analysis will involve thematic analysis of the reported factors influencing oral health of preschool children, from the perspective of social practice theory. Researchers will use NVivo software for organising and managing the data.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethics approval is required, as this study does not involve human subjects. Findings will be disseminated through professional networks, conference presentations and submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Availability of rehabilitation services for communication disorders in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Caldera A V , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Munasinghe T U , Perera K M N , Muttiah Nimisha , Tilakarathne D , Peiris M K R R , Thamilchelvan E , Sooriyaarachchi Chamilka , Nasma Mohamed Naseem , Manamperige R M , Ariyasena A D K , Sumanasena Samanmali P
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To describe the rehabilitation services available for communication disorders in Sri Lanka and to estimate the adequacy of the services in provinces and districts of the country.

Setting

The study considered government and private institutions, which provide rehabilitation services for communication disorders in Sri Lanka.

Participants

Institutions providing services of speech–language pathologists, audiologists and audiology technicians in Sri Lanka.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We investigated the number of government hospitals and private institutions, which provide speech–language pathology and audiology services in Sri Lanka as the primary outcome measure. A number of speech–language pathologists, audiologists and audiology technicians working in the institutions were obtained from records and institution-based inquiries to identify the adequacy of the services in the country as the secondary outcome measure.

Results

Of the 647 government hospitals that provide free healthcare services in the country, 45 and 33 hospitals had speech and language therapy and audiology units, respectively. Government hospitals do not have audiologists but only have audiology technicians. The number of speech and language therapists and audiology technicians in the government sector per 100 000 population in the country was 0.44 and 0.18, respectively. There were wide variations in specialist to population ratio between districts. 77 private centres provide speech therapy services in 15 out of the 25 districts; 36 private centres provide audiological evaluations in 9 districts.

Conclusions

The number of specialist speech and language therapists and audiologists is not sufficient to provide adequate rehabilitation services for communications disorder for the Sri Lankan population. Not recruiting audiologists to the government sector affects the management of hearing impairment in the affected.
Association between engagement in exercise training and peak cardiac biomarker concentrations following ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: de Koning Iris Apolonia , van Bakel B M A , Rotbi Hajar , Van Geuns Robert-Jan M , Cramer G Etienne , Pop Gheorghe A M , Eijsvogels Thijs , Thijssen Dick H J
Published: April 2023

Background

Regular exercise training is an important factor in prevention of myocardial infarction (MI). However, little is known whether exercise engagement prior to MI is related to the magnitude of post-MI cardiac biomarker concentrations and clinical outcomes.

Objectives

We tested the hypothesis that exercise engagement in the week prior MI is related to lower cardiac biomarker concentrations following ST-elevated MI (STEMI).

Methods

We recruited hospitalised STEMI patients and assessed the amount of exercise engagement in the 7 days preceding MI onset using a validated questionnaire. Patients were classified as ‘exercise’ if they performed any vigorous exercise in the week prior MI, or as ‘control’ if they did not. Post-MI peak concentrations of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (peak-hs-cTnT) and creatine kinase (peak-CK) were examined. We also explored whether exercise engagement prior MI is related to the clinical course (duration of hospitalisation and incidence of in-hospital, 30-day and 6-month major adverse cardiac events (reinfarction, target vessel revascularisation, cardiogenic shock or death)).

Results

In total, 98 STEMI patients were included, of which 16% (n=16) was classified as ‘exercise’, and 84% (n=82) as ‘control’. Post-MI peak-hs-cTnT and peak-CK concentrations were lower in the exercise group (941 (645–2925) ng/mL; 477 (346–1402) U/L, respectively) compared with controls (3136 (1553–4969) ng/mL, p=0.010; 1055 (596–2019) U/L, p=0.016, respectively). During follow-up, no significant differences were found between both groups.

Conclusion

Engagement in exercise is associated with lower cardiac biomarker peak concentrations following STEMI. These data could provide further support for the cardiovascular health benefits of exercise training.
On the impacts of higher tobacco taxes in Argentina: a computable general equilibrium approach
Authors: Cicowiez Martin , Cruces Guillermo , Falcone Guillermo , Puig Jorge
Published: April 2023

Objectives

We analyse the employment effects of increasing tobacco taxation in Argentina by building a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model.

Methods

In line with recent changes in tobacco taxation in the country, the CGE model simulates an increase in excise tax on cigarettes.

Results

The results show that even a substantial increase in tobacco taxation induces a zero-net change in overall employment in the economy when the newly raised tax revenues are spent by the government on education, health or public infrastructure. Increased tobacco taxes may shift jobs from tobacco-related sectors to other sectors of the economy, but the overall impact on the total number of jobs is negligible.

Conclusions

The widely documented positive effects of higher tobacco taxes (including a healthier population, more productive workers, savings from avoided costs of medical treatment for tobacco-related diseases, reductions in the number of new young smokers, among others) would far outweigh the nearly null effect of higher taxes on total net employment.
Novel CoMnFeO4-MWCNT nanocomposite based on a green synthesized method for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Babapoor Aziz , Mirzayi Behruz , Salehghadimi Laleh , Hadi Raha , Farhoudian Sana , Paar Meysam
Published: April 2023

A novel nanocomposite of CoMnFeO4-MWCNT has been synthesized via green and simple hydrothermal method and the structure characterization has been done through FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDX, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis in this research. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge methods are picked as the strategies to compare their supercapacitor behavior. The specific capacitance of about 1310 F g−1 (at 1 A g−1) in 3 mol L−1 KOH has been recorded for CoMnFeO4-MWCNT nanocomposite when the working voltage is 1.2 V. Moreover, this nanocomposite retains 89% of its initial capacitance after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. Also, some initial mechanistic studies are performed to achieve a deeper insight into the electrochemical behavior of the nanocomposite implying that the oxidation-reduction process of CoMnFeO4-MWCNT nanocomposite is generally quasi-reversible and diffusion-controlled. From the view of time, coat, and environment, the hydrothermal process is much more reliable and beneficial regarding higher performance.
Quantification of pulmonary involvement in COVID-19 pneumonia: an upgrade of the LungQuant software for lung CT segmentation
Authors: Lizzi Francesca , Postuma Ian , Brero Francesca , Cabini Raffaella Fiamma , Fantacci Maria Evelina , Lascialfari Alessandro , Oliva Piernicola , Rinaldi Lisa , Retico Alessandra
Published: April 2023

Computed tomography (CT) scans are used to evaluate the severity of lung involvement in patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we present an improved version of the LungQuant automatic segmentation software (LungQuantv2), which implements a cascade of three deep neural networks (DNNs) to segment the lungs and the lung lesions associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. The first network (BB-net) defines a bounding box enclosing the lungs, the second one (U-net$$_1$$

1

) outputs the mask of the lungs, and the final one (U-net$$_2$$

2

) generates the mask of the COVID-19 lesions. With respect to the previous version (LungQuantv1), three main improvements are introduced: the BB-net, a new term in the loss function in the U-net for lesion segmentation and a post-processing procedure to separate the right and left lungs. The three DNNs were optimized, trained and tested on publicly available CT scans. We evaluated the system segmentation capability on an independent test set consisting of ten fully annotated CT scans, the COVID-19-CT-Seg benchmark dataset. The test performances are reported by means of the volumetric dice similarity coefficient (vDSC) and the surface dice similarity coefficient (sDSC) between the reference and the segmented objects. LungQuantv2 achieves a vDSC (sDSC) equal to 0.96 ± 0.01 (0.97 ± 0.01) and 0.69 ± 0.08 (0.83 ± 0.07) for the lung and lesion segmentations, respectively. The output of the segmentation software was then used to assess the percentage of infected lungs, obtaining a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) equal to 2%.
SOLITARY WAVE DYNAMICS OF THE LOCAL FRACTIONAL BOGOYAVLENSKY–KONOPELCHENKO MODEL
Authors: WANG KANGLE
Published: April 2023

In this study, the local fractional derivative is employed to build the fractional Bogoyavlensky–Konopelchenko model, which is then used to develop the interaction between long wave propagation and Riemann wave propagating under particular conditions. The major goal of this study is to obtain some new solitary wave solutions of the local fractional Bogoyavlensky–Konopelchenko model using two effective methods, the Yang–Machado–Baleanu–Cattain wave method (YMBCWM) and fractional sech function method (FSFM). These obtained solitary wave solutions are unique from those found in the literature. Several 3D simulation figures show the dynamic behavior of these new solitary wave solutions. The two novel approaches bring new perspectives for resolving the same class of fractional wave equations.
PIRAP: Medical Cancer Rehabilitation Healthcare Center Data Maintenance Based on IoT-Based Deep Federated Collaborative Learning
Authors: Thirugnanam Tamizharasi , Galety Mohammad Gouse , Pradhan Manas Ranjan , Agrawal Ruchi , Shobanadevi A. , Almufti Saman M. , Kumar R. Lakshmana
Published: April 2023

Medical cancer rehabilitation healthcare center data maintenance is a global challenge with increased mortality risk. The Internet of Things (IoT)-based applications in healthcare were implemented through sensors and various connecting devices. The main problem of this procedure is the privacy of data, which is the biggest challenge with IoT, as all the connected devices transfer data in real time, the integration of multiple and other protocols can be hacked by the end-to-end connection, and it is not secure, security issues may crop up due to handling of such massive data in real time. Recent studies showed that a more structured risk assessment is needed to secure the medical cancer rehabilitation healthcare center data maintenance. In this respect, collaborative learning frameworks, such as Deep Federated Collaborative Learning (DFCL), are implemented for the study of medical cancer rehabilitation healthcare center data maintenance based on IoT-based systems and are proposed with smart short-term Bayesian convolution network systems for data analysis. This DFCL approach has been preferred in this context, strengthening privacy by allowing sensitive data to be retained. Experiments on benchmark datasets demonstrate that the federated model balances fairness, privacy, and accuracy. In this paper, we analyze administrative data count by medical stages taken from 2016 to 2022, the administrative data include data for routine operations. It is frequently used to assess by achieving an accuracy range of 19.8%. The leading diagnoses taken as per the patient’s cost and stay count identifying a disease, illness, or problem by examining the unusual combination of symptoms made an accurate diagnosis which is 26% more efficient than the leading diagnosis. The hospital dictionary analysis is based on dictionary analysis count and data visualization summary; accuracy is 50% higher than the existing data visualization summary. By comparing the hospital dictionary, home health care analysis shows a 44.5% efficient analysis rate for patient data maintenance. Moreover, the adult day-care centers analyzed 88.6% efficient analysis rate for patient data maintenance with 750 patients.
Generalized Means and Randomization Scheme of Nash Equilibria
Authors: Briec Walter , Dumas Audrey , Mauranyapin Jeremie
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a class of generalized convex games is introduced. Existence properties of Nash equilibria, in mixed and pure strategies, are proposed. These properties are studied by considering limit cases related to a specific class of semi-lattice games. We propose an interpretation of our results based on Atkinson’s notion of generalized means. We also show that our approach makes it possible to propose a preference scheme taking into account the notion of prioritarianism.