bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An immersed boundary vector potential‐vorticity meshless solver of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equation
Authors: Bourantas George C. , Zwick Benjamin F. , Lavier Theo Philippe , Loukopoulos Vassilios C. , Dimas Athanassios A. , Wittek Adam , Miller Karol
Published: August 2022

We present a strong form meshless solver for numerical solution of the nonstationary, incompressible, viscous Navier–Stokes equations in two (2D) and three dimensions (3D). We solve the flow equations in their stream function‐vorticity (in 2D) and vector potential‐vorticity (in 3D) formulation, by extending to 3D flows the boundary condition‐enforced immersed boundary method, originally introduced in the literature for 2D problems. We use a Cartesian grid, uniform or locally refined, to discretize the spatial domain. We apply an explicit time integration scheme to update the transient vorticity equations, and we solve the Poisson type equation for the stream function or vector potential field using the meshless point collocation method. Spatial derivatives of the unknown field functions are computed using the discretization‐corrected particle strength exchange method. We verify the accuracy of the proposed numerical scheme through commonly used benchmark and example problems. Excellent agreement with the data from the literature was achieved. The proposed method was shown to be very efficient, having relatively large critical time steps.
Global burden of liver cancer in males and females: Changing etiological basis and the growing contribution of NASH
Authors: Tan Darren Jun Hao , Setiawan Veronica Wendy , Ng Cheng Han , Lim Wen Hui , Muthiah Mark D. , Tan Eunice X. , Dan Yock Young , Roberts Lewis R. , Loomba Rohit , Huang Daniel Q.
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim:

The etiology of liver diseases has changed in recent years, but its impact on the comparative burden of liver cancer between males and females is unclear. We estimated sex differences in the burden of liver cancer across 204 countries and territories from 2010 to 2019.

Approach and Result:

We analyzed temporal trends in the burden of liver cancer using the methodology framework of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. We estimated annual frequencies and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) of liver cancer incidence, death, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) by sex, country, region, and etiology of liver disease. Globally in 2019, the frequency of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs due to liver cancer were 376,483, 333,672, and 9,048,723 in males, versus 157,881, 150,904, and 3,479,699 in females. From 2010 to 2019, the incidence ASRs in males increased while death and DALY ASRs remained stable; incidence, death, and DALY ASRs in females decreased. Death ASRs for both sexes increased only in the Americas and remained stable or declined in remaining regions. In 2019, hepatitis B was the leading cause of liver cancer death in males, and hepatitis C in females. From 2010 to 2019, NASH had the fastest growing death ASRs in males and females. The ratio of female‐to‐male death ASRs in 2019 was lowest in hepatitis B (0.2) and highest in NASH (0.9).

Conclusions:

The overall burden of liver cancer is higher in males, although incidence and death ASRs from NASH‐associated liver cancer in females approach that of males.
The HSP90 inhibitor 17‐DMAG alleviates primary biliary cholangitis via cholangiocyte necroptosis prevention
Authors: Chen Liuying , Fan Huiqian , Chu Huikuan , Du Fan , Chen Yixiong , Hu Lilin , Li Zhonglin , Wang Weijun , Hou Xiaohua , Yang Ling
Published: August 2022

Cholangiocyte death accompanied by the progression of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Thus, we are aimed to explore the role of HSP90 and a potential treatment strategy in cholangiocyte necroptosis. First, we detected the expression of HSP90 and necroptotic markers in liver tissues from patients and mice with PBC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, the HSP90 inhibitor, 17‐dimethylaminoethylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin (17‐DMAG), was administered by intraperitoneal injection to evaluate its therapeutic effect for PBC by IHC, real‐time PCR, and western blotting. Human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (HIBECs) were induced to necroptosis by toxic bile acid and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and evaluated via Cell Counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometry assays. Additionally, 17‐DMAG, cycloheximide, and a proteasome inhibitor were used to evaluate the role of HSP90 in cholangiocyte necroptosis. We found that the expression of HSP90 was elevated in the cholangiocytes of patients and mice with PBC, along with higher expressions of receptor‐interacting serine/threonine‐protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein (MLKL), and phosphorylated‐MLKL (p‐MLKL). Proinflammatory cytokines and antibody levels of the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex decreased after treatment with 17‐DMAG in PBC mice. Meanwhile, RIPK1, RIPK3, phosphorylated‐RIPK3, MLKL, and p‐MLKL protein expressions decreased with 17‐DMAG treatment. In vitro, 17‐DMAG and necrostatin‐1 prevented glycochenodeoxycholic acid and LPS‐induced necroptosis of HIBECs. Immunoprecipitation and high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed that RIPK1 combined with HSP90. Additionally, the 17‐DMAG treatment reduced the RIPK1 half‐life. Overall, 17‐DMAG might be a potential therapeutic agent for PBC via cholangiocyte necroptosis prevention by accelerating RIPK1 degradation.
Districts' and schools' role in identifying and providing services for homeless students: Nested ecological case studies in school districts with high‐ and low‐socioeconomic status
Authors: Moore Hadass , Astor Ron Avi , Capp Gordon
Published: August 2022

Even though homeless students are nested in schools and districts with different socioeconomic status (SES) contexts, little is known about the role of schools and districts for homeless students in these differing contexts. This comparative case study explored the identification, service provision, and school experience of homeless students in high‐ and low‐SES districts. Mixed‐methods case study methodology was used to compare two school districts and their four elementary and middle schools in California. The districts differed based on their SES: low to medium versus high. Findings show that despite differences in the SES context, both districts were underidentifying homeless students. Hence, both districts were underserving and lacking awareness of homeless students that were not identified. However, the low‐SES district had far greater poverty awareness and, subsequently, an existing organizational structure than the high‐SES district to support identified homeless students. Poverty awareness and districts' organizational structure are important contextual factors to consider in designing local and tailored interventions and services for homeless students.
Request for biliary drainage for IgG4‐SC could be waived before steroid administration?
Authors: Kurita Yusuke , Kubota Kensuke , Suzuki Ko , Yagi Shin , Hasegawa Sho , Sato Takamitsu , Hosono Kunihiro , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Endo Itaru , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: August 2022

Background

In IgG4‐related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4‐SC), the necessity of biliary drainage (BD) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively investigate the improvement of liver damage and jaundice in cases of IgG4‐SC with and without BD, before starting steroids.

Methods

A total of 52 patients with IgG4‐SC were investigated in the study. The study endpoints were the normalization rate of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)/total bilirubin (T‐Bil) after 8 weeks of steroids, with and without BD.

Results

Propensity score matching was performed based on ALP and T‐Bil, and 28 patients were included. There were 14 patients each in the BD and non‐BD groups. Before initiation of steroids, the mean ALP in the BD group and the non‐BD group was 378/461 (P = .541); the mean T‐Bil was 2.5/1.8 (P = .401). Eight weeks after initiation of steroids, ALP improvement rate in the BD group/non‐BD group was 69.2%/61.5% (P = 1.000), and T‐Bil improvement rate was 100%/100% (P = Ns).

Conclusions

Steroids for IgG4‐SC could prove effective in improving liver damage and jaundice, regardless of the presence or absence of BD. BD for IgG4‐SC aimed to improve jaundice may not be necessary.
Synthesis and evaluation of new phosphonated δ‐lactam and glutarimide derivatives as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Abdelli Abderrahmen , Bejaoui Oumayma , Bougatef Hajer , Ouni Sarra , Sila Assaâd , M'rabet Hedi , Moreau Xavier , Efrit Mohamed Lotfi , Prim Damien
Published: August 2022

An efficient synthesis of new γ,δ‐insaturated δ‐lactam and glutarimide derivatives bearing a phosphonomethyl group from a common allylphosphonate precursor is described. Our approach is based on a two‐step procedure involving the preparation of phosphonated‐1,5‐ketoester and −1,5‐diester followed by an amidation–heterocyclization sequence. The first step proceeds via Michael's addition of ethyl acetoacetate and diethyl malonate on an allylphosphonate starting material. The second step consists of a base‐promoted intramolecular amidation‐cyclization sequence with primary amines, which accounts for the construction of δ‐lactams and glutarimide skeletons. We performed the evaluation of angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition using an in vitro enzyme assay on six new compounds. Five compounds showed potent ACE inhibitory activity, with IC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.27 mg/ml. Compared with Captopril, used as a reference drug, two new glutarimide derivatives exhibited higher efficiency ACE inhibition activity.
Outbreak of acute respiratory disease caused by human adenovirus type 7 and human coronavirus‐229E in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Liu Shelan , Cai Jian , Li Yumin , Ying Lihong , Li Huan , Zhu An , Li Lin , Zhu Haiying , Dong Shengcao , Ying Ruyao , Chan Ta‐Chien , Wu Hanting , Pan Jinren , Chen Yin
Published: August 2022

In 2019, an outbreak of pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF) occurred at a swimming center in Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 97 (13.55%) of the 716 amateur swimmers had illnesses, with 24 patients (24.74%) hospitalized in the pediatric ward. Human adenovirus serotype 7 (HAdV‐7) was isolated from one concentrated water from the swimming pool, and 20 of 97 positive cases without liver damage. This outbreak led to a nosocomial outbreak in the pediatric ward, in which 1 nurse had a fever and was confirmed to be adenovirus positive. The hexon, fiber, and penton genes from 20 outbreak cases, 1 water sample, and 1 nurse had 100% homology. Furthermore, 2 cases admitted to the pediatric ward, 2 parents, and 1 doctor were confirmed to be human coronaviruses (HCoV‐229E) positive. Finally, all outbreak cases had fully recovered, regardless of a single infection (adenovirus or HCoV‐229E) or coinfection of these two viruses simultaneously. Thus, PCF and acute respiratory disease outbreaks in Zhejiang were caused by the completely homologous type 7 adenovirus and HCoV‐229E, respectively. The swimming pool water contaminated with HAdV‐7 was most likely the source of the PCF outbreak, whereas nosocomial transmission might be the source of HCoV‐229E outbreak.
A step back to move forward: a geological re‐evaluation of the El Castillo Cave Middle Palaeolithic lithostratigraphic units (Cantabria, northern Iberia)
Authors: Martín‐Perea David M. , Maíllo‐Fernández José‐Manuel , Marín Juan , Arroyo Xabier , Asiaín Raquel
Published: August 2022

El Castillo Cave is one of the most important sites for understanding the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic in Europe. Despite its importance, the absence of a widely used stratigraphic section with detailed lithostratigraphic descriptions and correlations between the different geological and archaeological interpretations has led to confusion in the correct identification of lithostratigraphic units in the lowermost, Middle Palaeolithic sequence. This study establishes a new lithostratigraphic framework for the site, which can be accurately correlated to previous geological and archaeological studies and generates a solid working basis for framing the Mousterian of El Castillo Cave in the Cantabrian region and southwestern Europe. The geological re‐evaluation of Unit XX (‘Mousterian Alpha’) has expanded its chronology, now ranging from 49 130–43 260 cal bp to 70 400 ± 9600 bp. Unit XXII (‘Mousterian Bet’) would consequently yield an age older than 70 400 ± 9600 bp and younger than the underlying speleothem (Unit XXIIIb), dated to 89 000 +11 000/‐10 000 bp.
Water/fat separation for self‐navigated diffusion‐weighted multishot echo‐planar imaging
Authors: Dong Yiming , Riedel Malte , Koolstra Kirsten , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Börnert Peter
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop a self‐navigation strategy to improve scan efficiency and image quality of water/fat‐separated, diffusion‐weighted multishot echo‐planar imaging (ms‐EPI). This is accomplished by acquiring chemical shift‐encoded diffusion‐weighted data and using an appropriate water‐fat and diffusion‐encoded signal model to enable reconstruction directly from k‐space data. Multishot EPI provides reduced geometric distortion and improved signal‐to‐noise ratio in diffusion‐weighted imaging compared with single‐shot approaches. Multishot acquisitions require corrections for physiological motion‐induced shot‐to‐shot phase errors using either extra navigators or self‐navigation principles. In addition, proper fat suppression is important, especially in regions with large B0 inhomogeneity. This makes the use of chemical shift encoding attractive. However, when combined with ms‐EPI, shot‐to‐shot phase navigation can be challenging because of the spatial displacement of fat signals along the phase‐encoding direction. In this work, a new model‐based, self‐navigated water/fat separation reconstruction algorithm is proposed. Experiments in legs and in the head–neck region of 10 subjects were performed to validate the algorithm. The results are compared with an image‐based, two‐dimensional (2D) navigated water/fat separation approach for ms‐EPI and with a conventional fat saturation approach. Compared with the 2D navigated method, the use of self‐navigation reduced the shot duration time by 30%–35%. The proposed algorithm provided improved diffusion‐weighted water images in both leg and head–neck regions compared with the 2D navigator‐based approach. The proposed algorithm also produced better fat suppression compared with the conventional fat saturation technique in the B0 inhomogeneous regions. In conclusion, the proposed self‐navigated reconstruction algorithm can produce superior water‐only diffusion‐weighted EPI images with less artefacts compared with the existing methods.
Responding to the COVID‐19 public health emergency: The usefulness of an online brief psychological intervention with Italian university students
Authors: Cerutti Rita , Spensieri Valentina , Amendola Simone , Biuso Giuseppe Stefano , Renzi Alessia , Tambelli Renata
Published: August 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought about new stressors on university students, with a negative impact on their mental health and well‐being. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of a brief psychodynamically oriented intervention on general functioning by investigating changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and burnout. The sample was comprised of 67 university students (22.4% males), with a mean age of 23.27 (standard deviation (SD) = 3.27), who asked for psychological help at a psychological university service. Pre‐ and posttreatment data showed a significant improvement in general functioning and symptom reduction due to the psychological intervention. The mean change was very high for depression (d = 1.11) and high for general functioning (d = 0.70) and anxiety (d = 0.69). Our findings showed the importance of considering university students a vulnerable population that requires specific services within the university context and underlined the fact that mental‐health‐promotion policies should be extensively implemented.
Inflammation and cardiovascular status impact midazolam pharmacokinetics in critically ill children: An observational, prospective, controlled study
Authors: Neupane Bikalpa , Pandya Hitesh , Pandya Tej , Austin Rupert , Spooner Neil , Rudge James , Mulla Hussain
Published: August 2022

Altered physiology caused by critical illness may change midazolam pharmacokinetics and thereby result in adverse reactions and outcomes in this vulnerable patient population. This study set out to determine which critical illness‐related factors impact midazolam pharmacokinetics in children using population modeling. This was an observational, prospective, controlled study of children receiving IV midazolam as part of routine care. Children recruited into the study were either critically‐ill receiving continuous infusions of midazolam or otherwise well, admitted for elective day‐case surgery (control) who received a single IV bolus dose of midazolam. The primary outcome was to determine the population pharmacokinetics and identify covariates that influence midazolam disposition during critical illness. Thirty‐five patients were recruited into the critically ill arm of the study, and 54 children into the control arm. Blood samples for assessing midazolam and 1‐OH‐midazolam concentrations were collected opportunistically (critically ill arm) and in pre‐set time windows (control arm). Pharmacokinetic modeling demonstrated a significant change in midazolam clearance with acute inflammation (measured using C‐Reactive Protein), cardio‐vascular status, and weight. Simulations predict that elevated C‐Reactive Protein and compromised cardiovascular function in critically ill children result in midazolam concentrations up to 10‐fold higher than in healthy children. The extremely high concentrations of midazolam observed in some critically‐ill children indicate that the current therapeutic dosing regimen for midazolam can lead to over‐dosing. Clinicians should be aware of this risk and intensify monitoring for oversedation in such patients.
A review on effects of human activities on aquatic organisms in the Yangtze River Basin since the 1950s
Authors: Yin Senlu , Yi Yujun , Liu Qi , Luo Qiyong , Chen Kebing
Published: August 2022

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, with abundant water resources, high water energy reserves, and rich biodiversity. Human activities have greatly changed the hydrology and ecology of the Yangtze River Basin since the 1950s. The aquatic biodiversity in the Yangtze River Basin has declined sharply, while the amount of fishery in the Yangtze River has been maintained due to higher intense of fishing, artificial proliferation intervention, and other factors. Human activities including overfishing, water polluting, damming, reclaiming wetlands, shipping and shoreline development, species introduction, and so forth have had great influence on aquatic ecosystems. This paper also reviewed the measures implemented to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the Yangtze River. By reviewing the evolutionary trend of aquatic organisms in the Yangtze River Basin and the related human activities, this paper helps to better understand the biodiversity of the Yangtze River, and requires more attention on the continuous impact of human activities, as well as the effectiveness of protection measures under the new situation of Yangtze River protection.
Efficient Perovskite Indoor Photovoltaics with Open‐Circuit Voltage of 1.15 V via Collaborative Optimization of CsPbI2Br Layer and Hole Transport Layer
Authors: Jiang Shan , Bai Yinglong , Xu Zhiyang , Wang Fuzhi , Xia Lixing , Yang Yun , Li Chenghao , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: August 2022

All‐inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite has attracted great attention due to the stable crystal structure and moisture resistance, and its 1.91 eV bandgap is close to the optimal bandgap of indoor artificial light sources, making it be the best candidate for the indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) to power a wide range of internet of things related electronic devices. Herein, we report on the preparation of CsPbI2Br with α‐phase and the improvement of its phase stability by adding lead acetate in the CsPbI2Br precursor. A series of dopant‐free conjugated polymers (P3HT, PBDB‐T, and PM6) with different highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels are introduced as hole transport layers for building IPV devices. The PM6 based devices having better energy alignment with perovskite demonstrate best indoor photovoltaic performance, giving a remarkable open‐circuit voltage of 1.15 V and high fill factor of 81.86% under 1000 lux (330 µW cm−2) light‐emitting diode illumination, and finally realizing a decent power conversion efficiency of 33.68%. Our findings suggest that collaboratively optimize the CsPbI2Br layer and hole transport layer is an effective approach to realize high performance IPVs.
STOPPAGE: Spatio‐temporal data driven cloud‐fog‐edge computing framework for pandemic monitoring and management
Authors: Ghosh Shreya , Mukherjee Anwesha , Ghosh Soumya K. , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: August 2022

Several global health incidents and evidences show the increasing likelihood of pandemics (large‐scale outbreaks of infectious disease), which has adversely affected all aspects of human lives. It is essential to develop an analytics framework by extracting and incorporating the knowledge of heterogeneous data‐sources to deliver insights for enhancing preparedness to combat the pandemic. Specifically, human mobility, travel history, and other transport statistics have significantly impact on the spread of any infectious disease. This article proposes a spatio‐temporal knowledge mining framework, named STOPPAGE, to model the impact of human mobility and other contextual information over the large geographic areas in different temporal scales. The framework has two key modules: (i) spatio‐temporal data and computing infrastructure using fog/edge based architecture; and (ii) spatio‐temporal data analytics module to efficiently extract knowledge from heterogeneous data sources. We created a pandemic‐knowledge graph to discover correlations among mobility information and disease spread, a deep learning architecture to predict the next hotspot zones. Further, we provide necessary support in home‐health monitoring utilizing Femtolet and fog/edge based solutions. The experimental evaluations on real‐life datasets related to COVID‐19 in India illustrate the efficacy of the proposed methods. STOPPAGE outperforms the existing works and baseline methods in terms of accuracy by (18–21)% in predicting hotspots and reduces the power consumption of the smartphone significantly. The scalability study yields that the STOPPAGE framework is flexible enough to analyze a huge amount of spatio‐temporal datasets and reduces the delay in predicting health status compared to the existing studies.
Three‐dimensional testing of fasteners
Authors: Konertz Dustin , Mahrenholtz Christoph , Mark Peter
Published: August 2022

Experimental results of tests to investigate the load‐bearing behavior of anchor channels embedded in concrete and subjected to loads in three‐dimensional (3D) interaction are presented. For testing, a variably adjustable rig is introduced in which arbitrary 3D loads are applied with just one hydraulic cylinder. Investigations focus on concrete failure. The test program includes variable load angles and anchor channels installed at the edges and at corner of concrete prisms. In both configurations a significant impact of the loading direction regarding the channel axis is found. Mathematically interaction is captured with trilinear and Lamè curves. Therein, the experimental findings are reflected by individual model parameters that yield the best fit in regression. For both configurations, an optimal prognosis model is derived which covers all 3D load situations in assured quality. Moreover, the tests prove the general suitability of the developed rig, which thus qualifies for application in other experimental settings.
Cross‐species transmission of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV‐1) to chinchillas
Authors: Shi Longyan , Huang Shuping , Lu Yuxin , Su Yuqing , Guo Lin , Guo Lijun , Xie Wei , Li Xiang , Wang Yulong , Yang Siyuan , Chai Hongliang , Wang Yajun
Published: August 2022

Background

Herpesviruses are a class of double‐stranded DNA viruses found in both vertebrates and invertebrates. They are usually highly host‐specific and do not easily spread across species. Chinchillas have gradually entered the Chinese pet market in recent years, but references to viral infections in chinchillas are extremely scarce, and only two reports about the herpesvirus in chinchillas are available at present.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to present the first report of FHV‐1 infection in chinchillas.

Methods

A total of 130 nasopharyngeal swab samples of chinchillas and three nasopharyngeal swabs of domestic cats collected from a chinchillas farm were investigated by nested PCR for FHV‐1.

Results

Four chinchillas were infected with FHV‐1, the positive rate was 3.08% (4/130), and two domestic cats were FHV‐1 positive (2/3). The 253 bp fragments of FHV‐1 gD gene from four chinchillas and two domestic cats were 100% identical, respectively, and the homology between chinchillas and domestic cat was 99.21%, but they all shared nearly 98.81% homology with the reference strain sequences. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that these four chinchillas strains were clustered together with FHV‐1.

Conclusions

This is the first time that FHV‐1 was detected in chinchillas and suggested chinchillas are susceptible to FHV‐1 and may play a role as a temporary reservoir for FHV‐1.
A narrative literature review on media and maternal health in Africa
Authors: Ohaja Magdalena , Senkyire Ephraim K. , Ewetan Olabanji , Asiedua Ernestina , Azuh Dominic
Published: August 2022

Health communication is a strategy used to disseminate health information to individuals and communities to enable them to make decisions that will enhance their health and well‐being. Particularly in the era of digital health, such strategies tend to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. Access to essential health information is a fundamental aspect of an effective health‐care system and is therefore crucial for achieving universal health coverage and other health‐related sustainable development goals. Traditional media play a crucial role in enhancing maternal and newborn health, which remains a significant challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa. This narrative literature review explores the use of mass media in disseminating maternal health‐related information in Africa. Twenty‐five articles were considered relevant and included in the review. The result is presented under the following themes (1) access to health information, (2) health‐seeking behavior, (3) birth preparedness, and (4) challenges associated with mass media. UNICEF Strategy for Health 2016–2030, African Union agenda 2063, and sustainable development goal #3 informed this review. As a major stakeholder in the African health sectors, the media plays a critical role in tackling systemic health inequities by promoting the sharing of maternal health information with citizens. There is a need for collaboration among all health stakeholders, as well as a sustainable relationship between media practitioners and health authorities for the promotion of improved maternal health in Africa.
News: The Pursuit of Immediacy
Authors: Fisher-Høyrem Stefan
Published: August 2022

Underpinning the Victorian public sphere was a network characterized by an intense pursuit of immediacy. By creating an abstract and ‘empty’ space where the public might observe and participate in ongoing events on a societal scale, this network served to establish public opinion as a source of political legitimacy. The telegraph, the development of professional journalistic skill sets, and the extraction of colonial natural resources made it possible to extend the news network beyond regional and national borders. The uniform typographical ‘form of news’ characterizing Victorian daily newspapers was an effect of specific technological adjustments needed to move newsworthy events across vast distances without interruption or distortion. In this way, the news network mediated a secular time independent of motion.
Iguanas, Isolation, and Ideas
Authors: Chevez Agustin
Published: August 2022

I am on a peak-hour, return leg flight from Sydney to Melbourne following a full day of meetings with clients where I shared the findings from our latest workplace design research. The conversations were fruitful, with a particular focus on innovation – a popular topic among organisations. We discussed the ways a workplace could help unearth ideas that organisations intuitively know exist in the ranks of their employees but can be awfully hard to uncover.
Rubbish Snakes
Authors: Chevez Agustin
Published: August 2022

Choosing to walk in cold temperatures to avoid encounters with some of the world’s most venomous snakes paid off. I only saw one of them on the entire walk and we seemed equally frightened of each other. I am sure that if snakes could scream, it would have yelled as loudly as I did.
Mind Lag
Authors: Chevez Agustin
Published: August 2022

I looked through the aeroplane window and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I recognised the route I had taken on my approach to Sydney. I grabbed my phone and took a picture of a distinctive section of the road that I had covered on day 32 of the walk, from Sanctuary Point (covered by the wing on the right) to Bomaderry (under the low-level clouds on the left) indicated with an ‘x’, Fig. 22.1.
A patterns of care analysis of hyperthermia in combination with radio(chemo)therapy or chemotherapy in European clinical centers
Authors: Ademaj Adela , Veltsista Paraskevi D. , Marder Dietmar , Hälg Roger A. , Puric Emsad , Brunner Thomas B. , Crezee Hans , Gabrys Dorota , Franckena Martine , Gani Cihan , Horsman Michael R. , Krempien Robert , Lindner Lars H. , Maluta Sergio , Notter Markus , Petzold Griseldis , Abdel-Rahman Sultan , Richetti Antonella , Thomsen Andreas R. , Tsoutsou Pelagia , Fietkau Rainer , Ott Oliver J. , Ghadjar Pirus , Riesterer Oliver
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The combination of hyperthermia (HT) with radio(chemo)therapy or chemotherapy (CT) is an established treatment strategy for specific indications. Its application in routine clinical practice in Europe depends on regulatory and local conditions. We conducted a survey among European clinical centers to determine current practice of HT.

Methods

A questionnaire with 22 questions was sent to 24 European HT centers. The questions were divided into two main categories. The first category assessed how many patients are treated with HT in combination with radio(chemo)therapy or CT for specific indications per year. The second category addressed which hyperthermia parameters are recorded. Analysis was performed using descriptive methods.

Results

The response rate was 71% (17/24) and 16 centers were included in this evaluation. Annually, these 16 centers treat approximately 637 patients using HT in combination with radio(chemo)therapy or CT. On average, 34% (range: 3–100%) of patients are treated in clinical study protocols. Temperature readings and the time interval between HT and radio(chemo)therapy or CT are recorded in 13 (81%) and 9 (56%) centers, respectively. The thermal dose quality parameter “cumulative equivalent minutes at 43 °C” (CEM43°C) is only evaluated in five (31%) centers for each HT session. With regard to treatment sequence, 8 (50%) centers administer HT before radio(chemo)therapy and the other 8 in the reverse order.

Conclusion

There is a significant heterogeneity among European HT centers as to the indications treated and the recording of thermometric parameters. More evidence from clinical studies is necessary to achieve standardization of HT practice.
Fluid dynamics and blood damage in the dilated ascending aorta after mechanical prosthetic valve implantation: an in vitro study
Authors: Querzoli Giorgio , Badas Maria Grazia , Ferrari Simone , Prost Roberto , Satta Vittorio , Matta Gildo
Published: August 2022

The implantation of aortic valve prostheses is often associated with the dilation of the ascending aorta. It is well known that the modification of the fluid dynamics induced by both the prosthetic valve and aortic dilation may, in turn, promote further vessel remodelling. Besides, when the prosthesis is mechanical, a major concern is the blood cell damage and platelet activation which requires a lifelong anticoagulant therapy, which in turn is an additional significant factor of comorbidity. We analysed in vitro the combined effect of the presence of a bileaflet mechanical aortic valve and the dilation of the aortic root in patient specific laboratory models. Three model aortas with increasing degree of dilation, hosted in a mock loop reproducing the heart flow pulsatility, were investigated. The measurement of the time-resolved velocity field allowed the analysis of the general structure of the flow and shear strain-rate distribution. Additionally, the Blood Damage Indexes (BDIs) for both haemolysis and platelet activation were computed along synthetic particle trajectories. Results suggest that a feedback process can be triggered since the aortic dilation tends to decrease the shear stresses at the walls and favour blood stasis: two factors that are known to promote vessel remodelling. Secondly, the analysis of BDIs shows that aortic dilation significantly increases the damage index for haemolysis, whereas a similar effect is not shown when focusing on platelet activation.

Graphical abstract
Clinical application of transoral and submental thyroidectomy (TOaST): a series of 54 human cases
Authors: Chen Hang , Deng Lijuan , Xu Keyi , Gong Zhixian , Zhu Xiaoping
Published: August 2022

Objective

A new endoscopic thyroidectomy approach—transoral and submental endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOaST)—was applied in clinical practice and considered an improved approach for endoscopic thyroid surgery via the oral approach. This paper discusses the feasibility and effectiveness of this surgical method.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 54 patients who had undergone TOaST in the thyroid disease center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between December 2020 and December 2021. The surgical data and techniques, complications, and cosmetic outcomes of these patients were studied.

Results

Among the total 54 patients, 23 underwent unilateral subtotal thyroidectomy, 3 patients underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy, 27 with unilateral thyroid cancer underwent affected thyroid + isthmus + central lymph node resection, and only 1 patient underwent total thyroidectomy. The mean operative time was 88.06 ± 12.03 min (range: 65–135 min), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 8.61 ± 4.60 ml (range: 5–20 ml), the mean postoperative drainage volume was 49.96 ± 9.88 ml (range: 30–60 ml), the mean drainage time was 36.61 ± 2.65 h (range: 32–50 h), and the mean length of hospital stay was 46.63 ± 3.28 h (range 45–70 h). One patient experienced transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and another patient experienced transient parathyroid dysfunction; there was no superior laryngeal nerve injury and other complications, such as postoperative subcutaneous hematoma, hypercapnia, mental nerve injury, tracheoesophageal injury, infection, or lymphatic leakage.

Conclusion

TOaST cannot only achieve a good therapeutic effect but also avoid mental nerve injury, reduce the discomfort of the patient’s jaw, obtain a good cosmetic effect, and facilitate the operation of the operator. It is an endoscopic thyroidectomy technique with a certain clinical value.
Incidence and associated factors for incidental prostate cancer among patients who underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia: first report from Somalia
Authors: Mohamed Abdikarim Hussein , Abdullahi Ismail Mohamud , Warsame Feysal Farah , Mohamud Hussein Ali
Published: August 2022

Background

The incidence rate of incidental prostate cancer (IPC) differs significantly among the reported studies in the relevant literature. There is a scarcity of studies regarding IPC reported from Sub-Saharan African Countries, including Somalia. The present is the first study that evaluates the incidence and associated factors for IPC among patients who had surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia at a tertiary hospital in Somalia.

Method

This retrospective study reviewed the data of 538 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia, 464 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and 74 patients with open prostatectomy (OP) over 5 years. A binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between perioperative factors such as age, prostate volume, total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) levels, type of surgery, specimen weight, and the finding of IPC.

Results

IPC was detected in 17.6%, 18.3% of TURP, and 13.5% of OP patients (p = 0.002). The mean age of the patients was 71.82 ± 7.4; IPC patients had a significantly higher mean age than the BPH group (74 ± 10.9 vs. 71.3 ± 10.8,p < 0.001). Sixty-two percent of the patients were T1b, while 57.8% had ISUP grade groups 1 and 2. Patients with T1a had significantly higher International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades 1 and 2 than those with T1b (69.4% in T1a vs. 50.8% in T1b,p < 0.001). Increased age, higher TPSA levels, low prostate volume, and specimen weight were independently associated with the finding of incidental prostate carcinoma (OR 1.978, 95% CI 0.95–1.60,P < 0.04; OR 1.839, 95% CI 0.99–2.02,P < 0.001; OR 1.457, 95% CI 0.7102.99,P < 0.001, OR 0.989, 95% CI 1.07–2.94,P = 0.01). IPC was most commonly managed by active surveillance (54.7%), followed by androgen deprivation therapy in 28.4%. The overall survival rate for a 5-year follow-up in the entire cohort was 79%. The cancer-specific mortality was 8.4%.

Conclusion

The study findings revealed a higher incidence and cancer-specific mortality rate of incidental prostate carcinoma. T1b stage, higher ISUP grade, older age, and higher preoperative TPSA were significantly associated with the overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality rate. More than half of the cases were managed by active surveillance, and it is a safe management strategy, particularly in low-income countries like Somalia.
Health care professionals’ understanding of contraindications for physical activity advice in the setting of stem cell transplantation
Authors: Meyer-Schwickerath Corinna , Köppel Maximilian , Kühl Rea , Rivera Janina Bujan , Tsiouris Angeliki , Huber Gerhard , Wiskemann Joachim
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Most patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are able to tolerate and benefit from physical activity (PA). Therefore, it is important that health care professionals (HCPs) advise patients to perform PA before, during, and after transplantation. By understanding which medical conditions and safety issues are associated with the (non-) promotion of PA, concrete actions and interventions can be planned and implemented.

Methods

Physicians (N = 51), nurses (N = 52), and physical therapists (N = 26) participated in a nationwide cross-sectional online survey. HCPs’ understanding of 15 medical conditions as contraindications for PA was assessed. Significant group differences were determined using chi-square analysis.

Results

Acute infection was the only condition which was considered as contraindication by all HCPs (62.7%). Cachexia (78%), having a stoma (91%), or port (96.2%), psychological problems (88.4%), and leukopenia (83.3%) were not considered as contraindications. Six conditions were rated inconsistently between the groups, whereas physicians had the least concerns regarding PA. Physicians with an additional training in PA perceived a platelet count of ≤ 50,000/μl significantly less often as contraindication (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The large number of potentially-answers especially in nursing staff and physical therapists might reflect caution or uncertainty. There is a clear need for a good multidisciplinary cooperation between all HCPs in order to support patients to confidently engage in PA. Furthermore, education possibilities and evidence-based courses to build knowledge regarding safety concerns should be the standard practice in the setting of HSCT. The investigative nature of the paper indicates that certain trends should be interrogated in a causal-longitudinal design.
The relationship between contact network and energy dissipation in granular materials
Authors: Essayah Abdurrahim , Shire Thomas , Gao Zhiwei
Published: August 2022

A micromechanical study of the relationship between contact force networks and energy dissipation is presented. A series of drained triaxial compression tests with different stress paths have been simulated using the discrete element method. Two existing contact force network partitioning methods have been used for analysing the energy dissipation, one based on the average contact force magnitude and the other based on the contribution of contact forces to the global deviator stress. For both methods, energy dissipation in neither the strong nor weak contact networks is negligible. When the average contact force partitioning method is used, over 70% of the energy dissipation occurs in the weak contact network, but the dissipation per sliding contact is higher in the strong contact network because the tangential contact force is higher. When the contact network is partitioned based on the contribution of forces to global deviator stress, more than 60% of the energy dissipation occurs in the strong contact network. A new normal contact force threshold for splitting energy dissipation is identified. Specifically, over 93% of energy dissipation occurs at contacts with a normal contact force below 2 times the average normal contact force. There is very small energy dissipation in contacts with higher normal contact force because there is little particle sliding.
Determining patterns in the composition of dissolved organic matter in fresh waters according to land use and management
Authors: Yates Christopher A. , Johnes Penny J. , Brailsford Francesca L. , Evans Christopher D. , Evershed Richard P. , Glanville Helen C. , Jones Davey L. , Lloyd Charlotte E. M. , Marshall Miles R. , Owen Alun T.
Published: August 2022

In fresh waters, the origins of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have been found to exert a fundamental control on its reactivity, and ultimately, its ecosystem functional role. A detailed understanding of landscape scale factors that control the export of DOM to aquatic ecosystems is, therefore, pivotal if the effects of DOM flux to fresh waters are to be fully understood. In this study we present data from a national sampling campaign across the United Kingdom in which we explore the variability in DOM composition in three broad landscape types defined by similar precipitation, geology, land use and management, hydrology, and nutrient enrichment status. We characterised samples from fifty-one sites, grouping them into one of three major underlying classifications: circumneutral streams underlain by clay and mudstone (referred to as ‘clay’), alkaline streams underlain by Cretaceous Chalk or by Carboniferous or Jurassic Limestone (‘limestone’), and acidic streams in peatland catchments underlain by a range of low permeability lithologies (‘peat’). DOM composition was assessed through organic matter stoichiometry (organic carbon: organic nitrogen; organic carbon: organic phosphorus; C/N(P)DOM) and metrics derived from ultra-violet (UV)/visible spectroscopic analysis of DOM such as specific UV absorption (a254 nm; SUVA254). We found similar SUVA254, C/NDOM and DOM/a254 relationships within classifications, demonstrating that despite a large degree of heterogeneity within environments, catchments with shared environmental character and anthropogenic disturbance export DOM with a similar composition and character. Improving our understanding of DOM characterisation is important to help predict shifts in stream ecosystem function, and ecological responses to enrichment or mitigation efforts and how these may result in species composition shifts and biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems.
Optic nerve injury models under varying forces
Authors: Sun Wu , Chao Guojun , Shang Mengqiu , Wu Qiong , Xia Yanting , Wei Qiping , Zhou Jian , Liao Liang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To explore the pathological changes in optic nerve injury models under varying forces.

Methods

The rats were classified into 4 groups: sham operation (SH), 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 N. Modeling was performed using the lateral optic nerve pulling method. Seven days after modeling, Brn3a immunofluorescence was used to detect retinal ganglion cell (RGC) number, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect RGC apoptosis, and flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) was used to detect the optic nerve function on days 1, 3, and 7 after modeling. In addition, LC3 II and P62 expression levels in retinal tissues were detected by western blotting to observe the changes in autophagy levels.

Results

RGC number decreased 7 d after modeling, and it showed a downward trend with increasing damaging force. The number of apoptotic RGCs in ganglion cell layer in the 0.3 and 0.5 N groups was increased and was higher than that in the 0.1 N group. The difference in FVEP of rats in each group was mainly reflected in the P2 peak latency. LC3 II and P62 expression levels in retinal tissue of 0.3 and 0.5 N groups were higher than those of the SH and 0.1 groups; however, the difference between the 0.1 N and SH groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Precisely controlling the force of the optic nerve clamping injury model is necessary because different forces acting on the optic nerve will lead to differences in the loss of optic neurons, the conduction function of the optic nerve, and autophagy level in retinal tissues.
The impact of cognitive aids on resuscitation performance in in-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Corazza Francesco , Fiorese Elena , Arpone Marta , Tardini Giacomo , Frigo Anna Chiara , Cheng Adam , Da Dalt Liviana , Bressan Silvia
Published: August 2022

Different cognitive aids have been recently developed to support the management of cardiac arrest, however, their effectiveness remains barely investigated. We aimed to assess whether clinicians using any cognitive aids compared to no or alternative cognitive aids for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) scenarios achieve improved resuscitation performance. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched to identify studies comparing the management of adult/paediatric IHCA simulated scenarios by health professionals using different or no cognitive aids. Our primary outcomes were adherence to guideline recommendations (overall team performance) and time to critical resuscitation actions. Random-effects model meta-analyses were performed. Of the 4.830 screened studies, 16 (14 adult, 2 paediatric) met inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses of eight eligible adult studies indicated that the use of electronic/paper-based cognitive aids, in comparison with no aid, was significantly associated with better overall resuscitation performance [standard mean difference (SMD) 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64; 1.69; I2 = 79%]. Meta-analyses of the two paediatric studies, showed non-significant improvement of critical actions for resuscitation (adherence to guideline recommended sequence of actions, time to defibrillation, rate of errors in defibrillation, time to start chest compressions), except for significant shorter time to amiodarone administration (SMD − 0.78; 95% CI − 1.39; − 0.18; I2 = 0). To conclude, the use of cognitive aids appears to have benefits in improving the management of simulated adult IHCA scenarios, with potential positive impact on clinical practice. Further paediatric studies are necessary to better assess the impact of cognitive aids on the management of IHCA scenarios.