bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaving class behind?
Authors: Lee Shuyu
Published: May 2022

David Foster Wallace’s novel The Pale King (2011) presents a social mobility narrative marked by the conflicting support for and challenge against the neoliberal ideology of meritocratic individualism. In the Toni Ware sections of the novel, the portrait of the working class is dominated by a solitary genius protagonist. Toni’s escape from poverty relies on both contingent circumstance and personal merit. Even though Toni subverts the myth of the classless society that grounds the middle‐class ideology of consumer capitalism, the way she does so embodies the rugged individualism that underlies precisely this ideology. Interrogating these ambiguities, this essay argues that Wallace’s social mobility narrative of the Toni Ware sections, while going some way toward resisting meritocracy and individualism, also supports these neoliberal middle‐class ideological discourses by making its upwardly mobile protagonist a solitary genius. Moreover, by showing the adult Toni’s rebellion against the myth of the classless society to be an outsider renegade’s descent into sociopathic villainy, the story affirms her subversion yet problematizes individualistic rebellion.
Anti‐Trichuris mucosal responses are maintained during H. bakeri co‐infection despite impaired parasite expulsion
Authors: Colombo Stefano A. P. , Thompson Seona , Bancroft Allison J. , Grencis Richard K.
Published: May 2022

In endemic regions concurrent infection with multiple gastrointestinal (GI) helminth species is more common than single species infection. However, the majority of model helminth infections focus on single species infections leading to a lack of understanding of how co‐infection influences anti‐parasite immune responses. Here, we use a model co‐infection of Trichuris muris (Tm) and Heligmosomoides bakeri (Hb) to investigate the effect of Hb on anti‐Tm immune responses. We observed a complete impairment of Tm expulsion in immune competent C57BL/6 mice when co‐infected with Hb. This was coupled with reduced cellularity in the colonic mesenteric lymph node (cMLN) proximal to the caecum, however, cMLN cytokine responses and caecal mucosal immune responses in co‐infected mice were not significantly different from mice infected with Tm alone. Interestingly, in immune‐compromised mice, we found co‐infection resulted in enhanced growth and fecundity of female Tm parasites. These data suggest that during helminth‐helminth co‐infection, immune‐independent signals between species may promote survival and growth.
Symmetrisation and the Feigin–Frenkel centre
Authors: Yakimova Oksana
Published: May 2022

For complex simple Lie algebras of types B, C, and D, we provide new explicit formulas for the generators of the commutative subalgebra $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})\subset {{\mathcal {U}}}(t^{-1}\mathfrak g[t^{-1}])$ known as the Feigin–Frenkel centre. These formulas make use of the symmetrisation map as well as of some well-chosen symmetric invariants of $\mathfrak g$. There are some general results on the rôle of the symmetrisation map in the explicit description of the Feigin–Frenkel centre. Our method reduces questions about elements of $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})$ to questions on the structure of the symmetric invariants in a type-free way. As an illustration, we deal with type G$_2$ by hand. One of our technical tools is the map ${\sf m}\!\!: {{\mathcal {S}}}^{k}(\mathfrak g)\to \Lambda ^{2}\mathfrak g \otimes {{\mathcal {S}}}^{k-3}(\mathfrak g)$ introduced here. As the results show, a better understanding of this map will lead to a better understanding of $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})$.
Creatine supplementation reduces the cerebral oxidative and metabolic stress responses to acute in utero hypoxia in the late‐gestation fetal sheep
Authors: Tran Nhi Thao , Kowalski Greg M. , Muccini Anna M. , Nitsos Ilias , Hale Nadia , Snow Rod J. , Walker David W. , Ellery Stacey J.
Published: May 2022

Prophylactic creatine treatment may reduce hypoxic brain injury due to its ability to sustain intracellular ATP levels thereby reducing oxidative and metabolic stress responses during oxygen deprivation. Using microdialysis, we investigated the real‐time in vivo effects of fetal creatine supplementation on cerebral metabolism following acute in utero hypoxia caused by umbilical cord occlusion (UCO). Fetal sheep (118 days’ gestational age (dGA)) were implanted with an inflatable Silastic cuff around the umbilical cord and a microdialysis probe inserted into the right cerebral hemisphere for interstitial fluid sampling. Creatine (6 mg kg−1 h−1) or saline was continuously infused intravenously from 122 dGA. At 131 dGA, a 10 min UCO was induced. Hourly microdialysis samples were obtained from −24 to 72 h post‐UCO and analysed for percentage change of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and interstitial metabolites (lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, glycerol, glycine). Histochemical markers of protein and lipid oxidation were assessed at post‐mortem 72 h post‐UCO. Prior to UCO, creatine treatment reduced pyruvate and glycerol concentrations in the microdialysate outflow. Creatine treatment reduced interstitial cerebral •OH outflow 0 to 24 h post‐UCO. Fetuses with higher arterial creatine concentrations before UCO presented with reduced levels of hypoxaemia ( and ) during UCO which associated with reduced interstitial cerebral pyruvate, lactate and •OH accumulation. No effects of creatine treatment on immunohistochemical markers of oxidative stress were found. In conclusion, fetal creatine treatment decreased cerebral outflow of •OH and was associated with an improvement in cerebral bioenergetics following acute hypoxia.

image

Key points

Fetal hypoxia can cause persistent metabolic and oxidative stress responses that disturb energy homeostasis in the brain. Creatine in its phosphorylated form is an endogenous phosphagen; therefore, supplementation is a proposed prophylactic treatment for fetal hypoxia.

Fetal sheep instrumented with a cerebral microdialysis probe were continuously infused with or without creatine‐monohydrate for 10 days before induction of 10 min umbilical cord occlusion (UCO; 131 days’ gestation). Cerebral interstitial fluid was collected up to 72 h following UCO.

Prior to UCO, fetal creatine supplementation reduced interstitial cerebral pyruvate and glycerol concentrations.

Fetal creatine supplementation reduced cerebral hydroxyl radical efflux up to 24 h post‐UCO. Fetuses with higher arterial creatine concentrations before UCO and reduced levels of systemic hypoxaemia during UCO were associated with reduced cerebral interstitial pyruvate, lactate and •OH following UCO.

Creatine supplementation leads to some improvements in cerebral bioenergetics following in utero acute hypoxia.
Contienda por la Ley Estatutaria de Salud en Colombia, 2008-2015: entre el mercado y el derecho
Authors: Arias Trejos Paula Andrea , Gómez Mosquera Maria del Pilar , Borrero Ramírez Yadira
Published: May 2022

El presente estudio muestra las disputas alrededor del derecho a la salud, tiene como punto de partida el 2008, año en que se declaró la salud como derecho fundamental autónomo por parte de la Corte Constitucional (CC), y finaliza en 2015, momento en que se promulga la Ley Estatutaria en Salud (LES). Esta aproximación se realizó mediante el análisis documental de fuentes de los Archivos del Congreso, la Corte Constitucional, la prensa y los textos académicos. Asimismo, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a actores claves de la contienda y se implementaron categorías de análisis relacionadas con la concepción sobre el derecho a la salud (DS), la posición actual frente al derecho, entre otras. A partir de ello, se evidenciaron avances en la jurisprudencia del derecho, la dicotomía de un Estado garante de la salud como derecho fundamental y a su vez defensor del mercado, posturas de los actores que transitan entre la defensa de un sistema costo-efectivo y grupos proclives a defender la salud como derecho fundamental a cargo del Estado.
The Effect of Depression on Paid Sick Leave due to Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease in low- wage workers. (Depression and Sick Leave)
Authors: Prada Sergio Ivan , Rincón-Hoyos Hernán G , Pérez Ana M , Sierra-Ruiz Melibea , Serna Valentina
Published: May 2022

Background: Colombia's health system allows workers to claim paid sick leave due to health conditions, some of this conditions are related to metabolic and cardiovascular disease. There has been an association between these diseases and depression. However, the effect of behavioral disorders such as depression on absence from work is unknown in the developing world. The objective of the research is to estimate whether low-wage workers suffering from depression, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease request more paid sick days than people with the same medical comorbidities, but without depression.
Data and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using data from an insurer in the southwestern region of Colombia in 2016. Depression was identified using an international algorithm that detects chronic conditions from diagnosis and pharmacy data. Outcome variables were the number of days on sick leave allowed by the insurer in one year, and the amount paid by the insurer. We used multivariate regression to estimate whether depression increases sick leave due to metabolic and cardiovascular disease after pre-processing the data using coarsened exact matching.
Results: Individuals diagnosed with depressive disorders and absent from work due to metabolic and cardiovascular disease tend to have more paid sick days throughout the year than individuals with no depression suffering from these diseases. Additional absence days were statistically significant in nutritional and metabolic disease (10.6 days) and circulatory diseases (7.4 days).
Conclusions: Depression comorbid with a physical disease increases the number of days and consequently the associated costs to the insurer. The incremental cost due to depression is higher compared to what insurers receive annually from the government to cover health services; consequently, additional research is warranted to identify prevention activities that can treat depression, thus lowering the healthcare system's financial burden.
Adaptive Uncertainty Estimator-Based Sliding Mode Control for a Spherical Robot: Methodology and Verification
Authors: Zhang Lufeng , Ren Xuemei , Zheng Dongdong
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an adaptive uncertainty estimator-based proportional-integral (PI) type sliding mode control for a spherical robot with structural uncertainties and external disturbance. By projection method, the 3D robot dynamic model with structural asymmetry is decoupled into the balance subsystem and velocity subsystem, and the kinetics equations are established based on Newton–Euler's law. To estimate the unknown structural dynamics in the balance subsystem and external disturbance in the velocity subsystem, adaptive law containing both control and estimation error information is proposed for the uncertainty estimator (UE) design. Then, an uncertainty estimator-based PI type uncertainty estimator sliding mode controller (UESMC) is introduced for balance and velocity control, leading to enhanced disturbance rejection capability and a reduced steady-state error. Simulations and experiments on a real spherical robot are conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control strategies.
Medial and Lateral Tibiofemoral Compressive Forces in Patients Following Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty During Stationary Cycling
Authors: Hummer Erik T. , Thorsen Tanner , Weinhandl Joshua T. , Reinbolt Jeffrey A. , Cates Harrold , Zhang Songning
Published: May 2022

Patients following unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) display interlimb differences in knee joint kinetics during gait and more recently, stationary cycling. The purpose of this study was to use musculoskeletal modeling to estimate total, medial, and lateral tibiofemoral compressive forces for patients following TKA during stationary cycling. Fifteen patients of unilateral TKA, from the same surgeon, participated in cycling at 2 workrates (80 and 100 W). A knee model (OpenSim 3.2) was used to estimate total, medial, and lateral tibiofemoral compressive forces for replaced and nonreplaced limbs. A 2 × 2 (limb × workrate) and a 2 × 2 × 2 (compartment × limb × workrate) analysis of variance were run on the selected variables. Peak medial tibiofemoral compressive force was 23.5% lower for replaced compared to nonreplaced limbs (P = .004, G = 0.80). Peak medial tibiofemoral compressive force was 48.0% greater than peak lateral tibiofemoral compressive force in nonreplaced limbs (MD = 344.5 N, P < .001, G = 1.6) with no difference in replaced limbs (P = .274). Following TKA, patients have greater medial compartment loading on their nonreplaced compared to their replaced limbs and ipsilateral lateral compartment loading. This disproportionate loading may be cause for concern regarding exacerbating contralateral knee osteoarthritis.
The fastest R&D lab on the planet
Racing Green: How Motorsport Science Can Save the World
Kit Chapman
Bloomsbury Sigma, 2022. 320 pp.
Authors: Vinsel Lee
Published: May 2022

From car safety to road design, motorsport innovation has spilled over into other arenas
In Other Journals
Authors: Stern Peter , Hurtley Stella M. , Lopez Bianca , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Funk Michael A. , Smith Keith T. , Yeston Jake
Published: May 2022

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Insights in the Complex DegU, DegS, and Spo0A Regulation System of Paenibacillus polymyxa by CRISPR-Cas9-Based Targeted Point Mutations
Authors: Meliawati Meliawati , May Tobias , Eckerlin Jeanette , Heinrich Daniel , Herold Andrea , Schmid Jochen
Published: May 2022

To date, only limited knowledge is available on how complex cellular behaviors are regulated in
P. polymyxa
. In this study, we investigate several regulatory proteins which play a role in governing different physiological traits.
Macrophage Cell Lines and Murine Infection by Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi L-Form Bacteria
Authors: Ganguli Debayan , Chakraborty Swarnali , Chakraborty Suparna , Pal Ananda , Gope Animesh , Das Santasabuj
Published: May 2022

Antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria has emerged as a major threat to public health worldwide. While stable resistance due to the acquisition of genomic mutations or plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes is well established, much less is known about the temporary and reversible resistance induced by antibiotic treatment, such as that due to treatment with bacterial cell wall-inhibiting antibiotics such as ampicillin.
Successful Direct Whole Genome Sequencing and Revivification of Freeze-Dried Nontuberculous Mycobacteria after More than Half a Century of Storage
Authors: Iversen Xenia Emilie Sinding , Norman Anders , Folkvardsen Dorte Bek , Svensson Erik , Rasmussen Erik Michael , Lillebaek Troels
Published: May 2022

The genus
Mycobacterium
was described more than a century ago and new species are continuously identified and described. There is an ongoing discussion about an increase in the incidence of disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
Colon Tumors in Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF)-Colonized Mice Do Not Display a Unique Mutational Signature but Instead Possess Host-Dependent Alterations in the APC Gene
Authors: Allen Jawara , Rosendahl Huber Axel , Pleguezuelos-Manzano Cayetano , Puschhof Jens , Wu Shaoguang , Wu Xinqun , Boot Charelle , Saftien Aurelia , O’Hagan Heather M. , Wang Hao , van Boxtel Ruben , Clevers Hans , Sears Cynthia L.
Published: May 2022

Many studies have shown that microbiome composition in both the mucosa and the stool differs in individuals with sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Both human and mouse models have established a strong association between particular microbes and colon tumor induction.
Paediatric neuroblastoma presenting as an asymptomatic abdominal mass: a report on the importance of a complete clinical examination with a view to a timely diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in paediatric oncology
Authors: Granja Cátia , Mota Lourdes
Published: May 2022

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children after lymphoblastic leukaemias, brain tumours and lymphomas.

We report a case of an NB in a previously healthy toddler. Though she had no abdominal complaints, on physical examination, she had a palpable mass identified over the right upper portion of the abdomen. Imaging studies demonstrated a heterogeneous tumour with an irregular capsule and visible calcifications.

After initial diagnosis, the patient underwent chemotherapy and was subjected to a radical resection of the tumour 4 months later. One-year follow-up of the patient showed no recurrence.

In children, oncological diseases are often asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms, and in remote locations where specialised/paediatric services may not be available, the importance of medical training in paediatrics is highlighted, with emphasis on performing a complete clinical examination, namely abdominal palpation. The role of timely referral will be evident in such a situation.
Accidental peritoneum-cutaneous fistula after insufflation of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum in a large incisional hernia with loss of domain
Authors: Guerrero-Antolino Pablo , Pous-Serrano Salvador , Bueno-Lledo Jose , Torregrosa-Gallud Antonio
Published: May 2022

Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum has represented an important advancement in achieving the reintroduction of large herniated volumes into the abdominal cavity. However, this technique is not free of complications. We present a case of a man in his 70s with an accidental peritoneal-cutaneous fistula, secondary to the excessive pressure of the pneumoperitoneum, during the preparation of a large incisional hernia with loss of domain intervention.
Powers, engagements and resultant influences over the design and implementation of medicine pricing policies in Ghana
Authors: Koduah Augustina , Baatiema Leonard , Kretchy Irene A , Agyepong Irene Akua , Danso-Appiah Anthony , de Chavez Anna Cronin , Ensor Timothy , Mirzoev Tolib
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Universal availability and affordability of essential medicines are determined by effective design and implementation of relevant policies, typically involving multiple stakeholders. This paper examined stakeholder engagements, powers and resultant influences over design and implementation of four medicines pricing policies in Ghana: Health Commodity Supply Chain Master Plan, framework contracting for high demand medicines, Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions for selected essential medicines, and ring-fencing medicines for local manufacturing.

Methods

Data were collected using reviews of policy documentation (n=16), consultative meetings with key policy actors (n=5) and in-depth interviews (n=29) with purposefully identified national-level policymakers, public and private health professionals including members of the National Medicine Pricing Committee, pharmaceutical wholesalers and importers. Data were analysed using thematic framework.

Results

A total of 46 stakeholders were identified, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, other government agencies, development partners, pharmaceutical industry and professional bodies. The Ministry of Health coordinated policy processes, utilising its bureaucratic mandate and exerted high influences over each policy. Most stakeholders were highly engaged in policy processes. Whereas some led or coproduced the policies in the design stage and participated in policy implementation, others were consulted for their inputs, views and opinions. Stakeholder powers reflected their expertise, bureaucratic mandates and through participation in national level consultation meetings, influences policy contents and implementation. A wider range of stakeholders were involved in the VAT exemption policies, reflecting their multisectoral nature. A minority of stakeholders, such as service providers were not engaged despite their interest in medicines pricing, and consequently did not influence policies.

Conclusions

Stakeholder powers were central to their engagements in, and resultant influences over medicine pricing policy processes. Effective leadership is important for inclusive and participatory policymaking, and one should be cognisant of the nature of policy issues and approaches to policy design and implementation.
Workloads and activity standards for integrated health service delivery: insights from 12 countries in the WHO African region
Authors: Ahmat Adam , Millogo Jean Jacques Salvador , Illou Mourtala Mahaman Abdou , Maritza Titus , Bamogo Francis , Okoroafor Sunny C , Nyoni Jennifer , Asamani James Avoka
Published: May 2022

Over the past decade, many African countries have made progress not only in recruiting more health workers but also in rationalising their distribution and establishing evidence-based staffing norms and standards. Still, staffing of health facilities remains inadequate, unrelated to needs and the actual workloads of health facilities. Several countries in Africa applied the workload indicators of staffing need (WISN) method to address these issues. The WISN method is a facility and cadre-oriented human resource planning and management tool that enables health managers to determine the appropriate number of health workers required to deliver quality health services based on workload. In this paper, we synthesised and presented the workload components and activity standards of the health service activities for general medical practitioners, nurses and midwives in primary healthcare settings based on WISN studies conducted in 12 African countries. The workload components and activity standards were synthesised based on the time taken for each health service activity, with the minimum and maximum unit of time and the mean and median of the number of observations established. For general medical practitioners, minimal variations in the country estimations for discharging patients, referrals and emergency management presented large variations in recorded admissions, minor operations and ward rounds. The variations in service standards for nurses were minimal for 8 of 11 activities while the time spent on counselling, patient referral activities, review consultation varied greatly. For the midwives, the mean values and the median values for 10 of 14 activities were similar for the countries with wide variations observed for admission for pregnant mothers, monitoring of labour, family planning (insertion), postnatal care, normal delivery and immediate postnatal care. We also shared experiences in workload component and activity standard setting processes and considerations for practice. The findings of this synthesis are helpful to countries in defining health service activities and service standards for general medical practitioners, nurses and midwives in the primary level of care, which is relevant in essential service package delivery towards improved access to quality health services.
Conflict-related excess mortality and disability in Northwest Syria
Authors: Alrashid Alhiraki Omar , Fahham Ola , Dubies Hussam Alden , Abou Hatab Jawad , Ba'Ath Muhammad Eyad
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The Syrian conflict that started in 2011 has been ongoing for over a decade without an end in sight. Estimates regarding excess mortality and conflict-related disability vary widely, and little field research has been done to address this topic.

Methods

A population-based field survey was conducted from 10 to 18 November 2020 in Northwest Syria. Forty-nine clusters were selected using staged sampling based on predefined population distribution maps. Data were collected for the period from 2000 to 2020 and were divided into pre-conflict (2000–2010) and conflict (2011–2020) periods. Mortality rates were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 1483 households were surveyed, for a population of 12 268 people. The crude mortality rate increased 3.55 times between the two periods (p>0.001). In total, 54.3% of war-related deaths were caused by aerial attacks. Despite the continued increase in mortality rates during the conflict period, most deaths from 2017 onwards were related to non-violent causes. Overall, directly and indirectly, the conflict seems to have caused approximately 874 000 excess deaths. A total of 14.9% of households reported having at least one substantial violence-related disability since 2011.

Conclusion

The conflict caused the tripling of mortality rates in Syria. The estimated excess mortality in our study is higher than previous estimates. From 2017 onwards, most conflict-related deaths were due to non-violent causes. There is a high prevalence of violence-related disabilities in the studied communities. Our data could prove useful for health policymakers.
Does higher early neonatal mortality in boys reverse over the neonatal period? A pooled analysis from three trials of Nepal
Authors: Subedi Seema , Katz Joanne , Erchick Daniel Joseph , Verhulst Andrea , Khatry Subarna K , Mullany Luke C , Tielsch James M , LeClerq Steven C , Christian Parul , West Keith P , Guillot Michel
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Neonatal mortality is generally 20% higher in boys than girls due to biological phenomena. Only a few studies have examined more finely categorised age patterns of neonatal mortality by sex, especially in the first few days of life. The objective of this study is to examine sex differentials in neonatal mortality by detailed ages in a low-income setting.

Design

This is a secondary observational analysis of data.

Setting

Rural Sarlahi district, Nepal.

Participants

Neonates born between 1999 and 2017 in three randomised controlled trials.

Outcome measures

We calculated study-specific and pooled mortality rates for boys and girls by ages (0–1, 1–3, 3–7, 7–14, 14–21 and 21–28 days) and estimated HR using Cox proportional hazards models for male versus female mortality for treatment and control groups together (n=59 729).

Results

Neonatal mortality was higher in boys than girls in individual studies: 44.2 vs 39.7 in boys and girls in 1999–2000; 30.0 vs 29.6 in 2002–2006; 33.4 vs 29.4 in 2010–2017; and 33.0 vs 30.2 in the pooled data analysis. Pooled data found that early neonatal mortality (HR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.30) was significantly higher in boys than girls. All individual datasets showed a reversal in mortality by sex after the third week of life. In the fourth week, a reversal was observed, with mortality in girls 2.43 times higher than boys (HR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.79).

Conclusions

Boys had higher mortality in the first week followed by no sex difference in weeks 2 and 3 and a reversal in risk in week 4, with girls dying at more than twice the rate of boys. This may be a result of gender discrimination and social norms in this setting. Interventions to reduce gender discrimination at the household level may reduce female neonatal mortality.

Trial registration number

NCT00115271, NCT00109616, NCT01177111.
Factors influencing decisions about whether to participate in health research by people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds: a realist review
Authors: Hoverd Eleanor Jayne , Hawker-Bond George , Staniszewska Sophie , Dale Jeremy
Published: May 2022

Objective

To develop and refine a programme theory that explains factors that influence decisions to take part in health research by people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Design

Realist review following a sequence of five steps: (a) scoping search and identification of programme theory; (b) evidence searching; (c) critical appraisal and data extraction; (d) organisation of evidence and (e) refinement of programme theory.

Eligibility criteria

Documents (including peer-reviewed articles, grey literature, websites, reports and conference papers) either full text, or a section of relevance to the overarching research question were included.

Data sources

EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, Psych Info, Google and Google Scholar were searched iteratively between May and August 2020. Search strategy was refined for each database providing a broad enough review for building of programme theory.

Analysis

Data from eligible documents was extracted to build understanding of the factors that influence decision-making. Data were mapped to create a data matrix according to context (C), mechanism (M), outcome (O), configurations (C) (CMOCs) for the process of informed consent, to aid interpretation and produce final programme theory.

Results

566 documents were screened and 71 included. Final programme theory was underpinned by CMOCs on processes influencing decisions to take part in research. Key findings indicate the type of infrastructure required, for example, resources, services and policies, to support inclusion in health research, with a greater need to increase the social presence of researchers within communities, improve cultural competency of individuals and organisations, reduce the complexity of participant information, and provide additional resources to support adaptive processes and shared decision making.

Conclusion

The review indicates the need for a more inclusive research infrastructure that facilitates diverse participation in health research through incorporating adaptive processes that support shared decision making within the informed consent process and in the conduct of research projects.
TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit for SiRe NGS panel: an international performance evaluation study
Authors: Malapelle Umberto , Pepe Francesco , Pisapia Pasquale , Sgariglia Roberta , Nacchio Mariantonia , Barberis Massimo , Bilh Michel , Bubendorf Lukas , Büttner Reinhard , Cabibi Daniela , Castiglia Marta , De Andrea Carlos E , de Biase Dario , Dumur Catherine I , Fontanini Gabriella , Freire Javier , Gristina Valerio , Hofman Paul , Ilie Marius , Lozano Maria Dolores , Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine , Pappesch Roberto , Pelusi Natalie , Roma Gianluca , Russo Antonio , Savic Spasenija , Siemanowski Janna , Tallini Giovanni , Tischler Verena , Vander Borght Sara , Weynand Birgit , Xu Tom , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: May 2022

Aim

Next generation sequencing (NGS) represents a key diagnostic tool to identify clinically relevant gene alterations for treatment-decision making in cancer care. However, the complex manual workflow required for NGS has limited its implementation in routine clinical practice. In this worldwide study, we validated the clinical performance of the TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit for NGS analysis. Impressively, this new assay obviates the need for separate, labour intensive and time-consuming pre-analytical steps of DNA extraction, purification and isolation from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens in the NGS workflow.

Methods

The TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit, which enables NGS analysis directly from FFPE, was specifically developed for this study by TargetPlex Genomics Pleasanton, California. Eleven institutions agreed to take part in the study coordinated by the Molecular Cytopathology Meeting Group (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy). All participating institutions received a specific Library Preparation Kit to test eight FFPE samples previously assessed with standard protocols. The analytical parameters and mutations detected in each sample were then compared with those previously obtained with standard protocols.

Results

Overall, 92.8% of the samples were successfully analysed with the TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit on Thermo Fisher Scientific and Illumina platforms. Altogether, in comparison with the standard workflow, the TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit was able to detect 90.5% of the variants.

Conclusion

The TargetPlex FFPE-Direct DNA Library Preparation Kit combined with the SiRe panel constitutes a convenient, practical and robust cost-saving solution for FFPE NGS analysis in routine practice.
The growth behaviour of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the presence of inter- and intraspecific neighbours
Authors: Saleh Osama S. , Kniss Andrew R.
Published: May 2022

Competition is an important factor shaping plant communities. We studied the interaction of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. “AP503cl2”) with neighbouring plant species under controlled greenhouse conditions. We observed that winter wheat leaves growing toward other winter wheat cultivars were shorter when compared with leaves growing toward non-wheat neighbours. The angle between the lateral tillers of neighbours varied as follows: 63° where the neighbours were winter wheat of the same cultivar (“AP503cl2”), 92° where no neighbours exist, and 94°–134° with all other neighbours. Generally, roots were longer compared with the shoots, but more biomass was allocated to the shoots compared with roots.
Triticale cultivars and seeding rates affect wheat stem sawfly survivorship and parasitism by Bracon cephi
Authors: Carcamo H. , Beres B. , Wijerathna A. , Schwinghamer T.
Published: May 2022

Several insects, including the wheat stem sawfly ( Cephus cinctus Norton, Hymenoptera: Cephidae), interfere with biomass and grain production of triticale (× Triticosecale). We conducted a 2-year study in southern Alberta to compare the cultivars Pronghorn and AC Ultima at 200 and 400 seeds/m2 in terms of wheat stem sawfly damage and incidence of a parasitoid wasp ( Bracon cephi Gahan, Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Plants of AC Ultima seeded at the high rate were on average less damaged than those of Pronghorn, and had more parasitoids. AC Ultima was characterized by more solid pith development in the lumen, compared with Pronghorn, and it can be considered adequate germplasm for the development of more resistant solid triticale cultivars.
Policies Supporting Firms in the Face of Global Financial Shocks
Authors: Zehri Chokri , Hamad Abualhassan Jumaa Hamid
Published: May 2022

This paper studies the empirical impact of Foreign Assets Management (FAM) on companies’ capital expenditure in emerging market economies with International Financial Shocks (IFS). The empirical analysis uses annual data of 2,931 publicly listed companies in 45 emerging market economies from 2000 to 2019. We analyzed a multiplicative regression of a canonical capital expenditure Q model. The findings show that FAM positively affects companies’ capital expenditure. Moreover, financially restricted companies are more sensitive to the favorable impact of FAM compared to restricted companies. Our results highlight the relevance of considering companies’ heterogeneity when examining the effect of macro-management policies. In addition, FAM has a more favorable impact on companies’ capital expenditure in economies that concurrently use capital controls and macroprudential policy. Finally, our findings suggest that successful macro-management policies insulate capital expenditure from adverse IFS. This result highlights the role of more coordinated approaches to repel adverse international shocks.
Influence Maximization Revisited: Efficient Sampling with Bound Tightened
Authors: Guo Qintian , Wang Sibo , Wei Zhewei , Lin Wenqing , Tang Jing
Published: May 2022

Given a social network
G
with
n
nodes and
m
edges, a positive integer
k
, and a cascade model
C
, the
influence maximization (IM)
problem asks for
k
nodes in
G
such that the expected number of nodes influenced by the
k
nodes under cascade model
C
is maximized. The state-of-the-art approximate solutions run in
O(k(n+m)
log
n/
ε
2
) expected time while returning a (1 - 1/
e
- ε) approximate solution with at least 1 - 1/
n
probability. A key phase of these IM algorithms is the random
reverse reachable (RR)
set generation, and this phase significantly affects the efficiency and scalability of the state-of-the-art IM algorithms.

In this article, we present a study on this key phase and propose an efficient random RR set generation algorithm under IC model. With the new algorithm, we show that the expected running time of existing IM algorithms under IC model can be improved to
O(k ċ n
log
n ċ
2
), when for any node
v
, the total weight of its incoming edges is no larger than a constant. For the general IC model where the weights are skewed, we present a sampling algorithm SKIP. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first index-free algorithm that achieves the optimal time complexity of the sorted subset sampling problem.

Moreover, existing approximate IM algorithms suffer from scalability issues in high influence networks where the size of random RR sets is usually quite large. We tackle this challenging issue by reducing the average size of random RR sets without sacrificing the approximation guarantee. The proposed solution is orders of magnitude faster than states of the art as shown in our experiment.

Besides, we investigate the issues of forward propagation and derive its time complexity with our proposed subset sampling techniques. We also present a heuristic condition to indicate when the forward propagation approach should be utilized to estimate the expected influence of a given seed set.
The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Dietary Methionine Restriction
Authors: Fang Han , Stone Kirsten P. , Wanders Desiree , Forney Laura A. , Gettys Thomas W.
Published: May 2022

The original description of dietary methionine restriction (MR) used semipurified diets to limit methionine intake to 20% of normal levels, and this reduction in dietary methionine increased longevity by ∼30% in rats. The MR diet also produces paradoxical increases in energy intake and expenditure and limits fat deposition while reducing tissue and circulating lipids and enhancing overall insulin sensitivity. In the years following the original 1993 report, a comprehensive effort has been made to understand the nutrient sensing and signaling systems linking reduced dietary methionine to the behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional components of the response. Recent work has shown that transcriptional activation of hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key event linking the MR diet to many but not all components of its metabolic phenotype. These findings raise the interesting possibility of developing therapeutic, MR-based diets that produce the beneficial effects of FGF21 by nutritionally modulating its transcription and release.
Effects of Different Delivery Modes on Pelvic Floor Function in Parturients 6–8 Weeks after Delivery Using Transperineal Four-Dimensional Ultrasound
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Qirong , Zhao Xuemei , Wang Xia , Zhou Wenji , Kang Liqing
Published: May 2022

Objective. To evaluate the effects of different delivery modes on pelvic floor function in parturients 6–8 weeks after delivery using transperineal four-dimensional ultrasound. Methods. Pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery in 40 vaginal delivery parturients between November 2018 and December 2020 was assessed by four-dimensional ultrasound, with 40 selective cesarean section delivery parturients as a control group. The imaging results of the two groups were compared. Results. The levels of clinical indexes such as UVJ-M,

A

r

,

A

v

, θ,

D

r

,

D

v

, and ARJ-VDv in the selective cesarean section group were significantly lower than those in the vaginal delivery group 6–8 weeks after delivery (

P
<
0.05

). However, no significant difference in CV-VD was observed under Valsalva action and at rest between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). No significant difference in ARJ-VD was found at rest between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse in the selective cesarean section group (40.0%) was significantly lower than that in the vaginal delivery group (62.5%) (

P
<
0.05

). No significant difference in the parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus at rest was observed between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). The parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus under maximum Valsalva action in the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than those in the selective cesarean section group (

P
<
0.05

). Whether the patient was complicated with diabetes had no significant effect on the functional injury of pelvic floor muscle (

P
>
0.05

). Conclusion. The pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery was significantly more affected in vaginal delivery than in selective cesarean section. Selective cesarean section had certain but limited protective effect on maternal pelvic floor tissue.
A Novel Nontraumatic Gingival Retraction Method for a Single-Unit Crown Impression
Authors: Al-Nasser Hozaifa , Al-Houri Nabil , Mouti Anas , Alajami Heba
Published: May 2022

Until now, there have been three traditional options for gingival retraction procedures, mechanical, chemicomechanical, and surgical methods, which have a degree of trauma that varies according to the clinical experience. The gingival tissue may be very delicate and susceptible to recession if too much trauma was applied. This article describes a novel nontraumatic gingival retraction method, without cords, chemicals, surgery, or any special equipment.
Intelligent Identification of Embedded System Equipment State Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Xu Ying
Published: May 2022

IoT (Internet of things) technology will be more widely used in the manufacturing industry, which will bring new trends to the development of the manufacturing industry. With the continuous advancement of IoT technology in the power field, the integration of IoT and smart grid has become a new topic. In the process of monitoring and troubleshooting the whole EPSE (Embedded Power System Equipment), it is very important to conduct a comprehensive analysis and routine testing on specific equipment and systems, so that the power system can work stably. In this paper, the knowledge sharing and transfer model of EPSE based on IoT is analyzed, and an intelligent identification method of EPSE state based on the GA-C_HMM (Genetic Algorithm-Coupled Hidden Markov Model) algorithm is proposed. After the GA parameters are optimized, the state model library is constructed by fitting each state data of the equipment to C_HMM, and the state of the equipment is determined by calculating the maximum probability value of the signal to be diagnosed. The experimental results show that when the recognition time is 12 hours, the recognition accuracy rate of the existing recognition method is 69.7%, and that of the recognition method in this paper is 98.3%, which shows that the recognition accuracy rate of the recognition method adopted in this study is higher than that of the existing methods and the recognition ability is stronger.
Wearable-Based Virtual Display Information Processing and Data Fusion Research
Authors: Lv Feng , Liu Hongmin
Published: May 2022

This paper is combined with the existing acquisition module design to achieve the upper computer online information monitoring system. Real-time mapping technology is adopted to change the trend of data collection potential for real-time tracking and monitoring. The monitoring data can be predicted and analyzed by changing trend, at the same time combined with SQL2008 database technology, user login system, registration system, monitoring system, data query, and data storage system. The integration and other functions are improved, so that the system not only has the advantages of information management platform but also realizes the remote client base matching layer wireless information real-time monitoring function. Data fusion technology refers to the information processing technology that uses computer to automatically analyze and synthesize some observation information obtained in time and sequence under certain criteria, so as to complete the required decision-making and evaluation tasks. The intelligent wearable online information monitoring system designed in this paper realizes wireless sensor network, to some extent feedback and monitoring of underlying real information. Through the corresponding information processing and data fusion, the user can easily and clearly get product information. Based on the existing 80 sets of data, the experiment trains and extracts 320 feature vectors, which verify the effectiveness of the method.
An Intelligent Recommendation Method for Tourist Attractions Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Yang Manhua
Published: May 2022

Tourists are the people who can be seen all over the world. Therefore, this has increased the demand for product supply in tourist locations. Technological development would be the only solution to solve those issues related to the demand and supply of the products. Furthermore, a tourist needs enough information about the country he wishes to travel. Some specific data required include hotels, destinations, malls, and tourist places, and they are needed before they land on the tourist country. The data collection can be achieved by applying trending technologies such as deep learning algorithms and some intelligent systems. Furthermore, the tourist may collect information about the locations through feasible devices such as laptops and mobile phones. Among the varying devices and technologies, the most preferred and convenient device should be carried wherever they travel with ease. For example, cellular phones may be considered the easiest modem to carry and use with this specification. In this perspective, the lightweight deep learning model will make significant technology access to resources. Typically, deep learning models are designed with the prospect of extracting the features, potentially to create easy tool access within the mobile accessing service. Visual Bayesian Personalized Ranking (VBPR) Algorithm using DL is implemented for initiating the recommendation system for tourist attractions in any given location. The proposed model was compared with various existing algorithms, and it was found that the proposed system had delivered 98.56% of accurate recommendations for tourist travelers.
Homeobox A1 Facilitates Immune Escape and Alleviates Oxidative Stress in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Fen , Tian Hui , Liu Xinchao , Guan Yuanxiazi , Zhu Ying , Ren Peng , Zhang Jianbo , Dong Yinjun , Fu Lei
Published: May 2022

Objective. Recent studies have demonstrated that homeobox A1 (HOXA1) is upregulated in lung cancer due to RNA modifications (N6-methyladenosine), but the specific function of HOXA1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains indistinct. Herein, we investigated the role of HOXA1 in LUAD biology. Methods. This study presented pancancer analysis of associations of HOXA1 with prognosis, TMB, and immune checkpoints. The expression of HOXA1 was detected in LUAD and normal tissues with immunohistochemistry and western blot. Through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis, HOXA1-derived gene model was conducted in LUAD. Correlations of HOXA1 with immune cell infiltrations, immune checkpoints, HLAs, and chemotherapeutic sensitivity were evaluated. Colony formation, proliferation, and migration of LUAD cells with si-HOXA1 transfection were investigated, and the effects of HOXA1 on T cell exhaustion were assessed in vitro. Results. HOXA1 expression was a risk factor of overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free interval of LUAD. HOXA1 exhibited prominent associations with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and HLAs. HOXA1-derived gene signature reliably and independently predicted LUAD outcomes. Also, high-risk cases presented increased sensitivity to cisplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, and etoposide. HOXA1 knockdown exhibited an inhibitory effect on proliferation and migration abilities of LUAD cells. Silencing HOXA1 weakened the expression of antioxidative stress markers Nrf2/HO-1 and T cell exhaustion marker CD155 in LUAD cells. Moreover, LUAD cells with HOXA1 knockdown enhanced the CD8+ T cell response. Conclusion. Our data support the oncogenic function and prognostic significance of HOXA1 that facilitates immune escape and alleviates oxidative stress of LUAD.