bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying graded material transitions with low-cost additive manufacturing
Authors: Brauer Cole , Aukes Daniel
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Multimaterial components possess material boundaries that introduce potential points of failure. Graded material transitions can help mitigate the impact of these abrupt property changes. This approach is becoming increasingly accessible through three-dimensional (3D) printing, but it has yet to be extensively studied for rapid prototyping processes that are limited in resolution or number of material types. This study aims to investigate methods for applying graded transitions when using manufacturing processes with these limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces a series of transition types that have graded properties and are produced using a finite number of discrete materials. This study presents a workflow for generating, fabricating and testing these transition types. This study uses this workflow with two different manufacturing processes to characterize the impact of each transition type on the ultimate tensile strength of a component.

Findings

Graded transitions can improve the performance of a component if the proper transition type is used. For high-fidelity processes, the best performing transitions are those closest to a true gradient. For low-fidelity processes, the best performing transitions are those which provide a balance of graded properties and mechanical connection.

Research limitations/implications

The presented performance trends are specific to the studied processes and materials. Future work using different fabrication parameters can use the presented workflow to assess process-specific trends.

Originality/value

This work comprehensively compares different methods of creating graded transitions using discrete materials, including several novel approaches. It also provides a new design workflow that allows the design of graded transitions to be easily integrated into a 3D printing workflow.
A reconfigurable high-speed and low-complexity residue number system-based multiply-accumulate channel filter for software radio receivers
Authors: J. Britto Pari , K. Mariammal , D. Vaithiyanathan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Filter design plays an essential role in most communication standards. The essential element of the software-defined radio is a channelizer that comprises several channel filters. Designing filters with lower complexity, minimized area and enhanced speed is a demanding task in currently prevailing communication standards. This study aims to propose an efficient reconfigurable residue number system (RNS)-based multiply-accumulate (MAC) channel filter for software radio receivers.

Design/methodology/approach

RNS-based pipelined MAC module for the realization of channel finite impulse response (FIR) filter architecture is considered in this work. Further, the use of a single adder and single multiplier for realizing the filter architecture regardless of the number of taps offers effective resource sharing. This design provides significant improvement in speed of operation as well as a reduction in area complexity.

Findings

In this paper, two major tasks have been considered: first, the RNS number conversion is performed in which the integer is converted into several residues. These residues are processed in parallel and are applied to the MAC-FIR filter architecture. Second, the MAC filter architecture involves pipelining, which enhances the speed of operation to a significant extent. Also, the time-sharing-based design incorporates a single partial product-based shift and add multiplier and single adder, which provide a low complex design. The results show that the proposed 16-tap RNS-based pipelined MAC sub-filter achieves significant improvement in speed as well as 89.87% area optimization when examined with the conventional RNS-based FIR filter structure.

Originality/value

The proposed MAC-FIR filter architecture provides good performance in terms of complexity and speed of operation because of the use of the RNS scheme with pipelining and partial product-based shift and adds multiplier and single adder when examining with the conventional designs. The reported architecture can be used in software radios.
Genomic differentiation of three pico‐phytoplankton species in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Da Silva Ophélie , Ayata Sakina‐Dorothée , Ser‐Giacomi Enrico , Leconte Jade , Pelletier Eric , Fauvelot Cécile , Madoui Mohammed‐Amin , Guidi Lionel , Lombard Fabien , Bittner Lucie
Published: August 2022

For more than a decade, high‐throughput sequencing has transformed the study of marine planktonic communities and has highlighted the extent of protist diversity in these ecosystems. Nevertheless, little is known relative to their genomic diversity at the species‐scale as well as their major speciation mechanisms. An increasing number of data obtained from global scale sampling campaigns is becoming publicly available, and we postulate that metagenomic data could contribute to deciphering the processes shaping protist genomic differentiation in the marine realm. As a proof of concept, we developed a findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) pipeline and focused on the Mediterranean Sea to study three a priori abundant protist species: Bathycoccus prasinos, Pelagomonas calceolata and Phaeocystis cordata. We compared the genomic differentiation of each species in light of geographic, environmental and oceanographic distances. We highlighted that isolation‐by‐environment shapes the genomic differentiation of B. prasinos, whereas P. cordata is impacted by geographic distance (i.e. isolation‐by‐distance). At present time, the use of metagenomics to accurately estimate the genomic differentiation of protists remains challenging since coverages are lower compared to traditional population surveys. However, our approach sheds light on ecological and evolutionary processes occurring within natural marine populations and paves the way for future protist population metagenomic studies.
Insights into the monkeypox virus: Making of another pandemic within the pandemic?
Authors: Chadha Jatin , Khullar Lavanya , Gulati Pallavi , Chhibber Sanjay , Harjai Kusum
Published: August 2022

Just when the world started to adapt to the ‘new normal’ amid the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the world is witnessing the wrath of another viral disease, the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The virus is endemic to African countries, where several outbreaks have been reported in the past. However, the present cases have been reported in non‐endemic countries worldwide. Although MPX is considered to be a self‐limiting disease, recent reports on its incidence have proved otherwise. The 2022 multi‐country MPX outbreak has drawn the attention of global surveillance organizations and epidemiologists to trace its origin; however, there are existing gaps regarding the animal reservoirs, biological implications, and management of MPX. In view of the recent events, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared the ongoing MPX outbreak a global health emergency. Hence, the geographically expanding MPXV poses a significant threat to human health and public safety. In this review, the latest insights into the biology of MPXV have been provided by discussing its biological implications on human health, changing epidemiological footprint, and presently available intervention strategies. This review also sheds light on the existing lacunas and possible reasons that may have been responsible for the ongoing MPX outbreak.
The future of working from home in the public sector: What does the evidence tell us?
Authors: Williamson Sue , Pearce Alicia , Connor James , Weeratunga Vindhya , Dickinson Helen
Published: August 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic created a working from home experiment for the public sector. This paper examines what might happen next as countries move towards a COVID‐normal environment. Since the academic literature on public sector agencies and working from home since the onset of the pandemic is scant, we focus on the non‐peer‐reviewed literature as our evidence base. This paper identifies the main issues public sector agencies need to consider as new ways of working emerge. The key facets are emerging preferences for hybrid working, productivity and remote working, and impacts of working from home on employees, especially gender equality. We highlight a range of emerging challenges, including how to maintain productivity, the need to redevelop employee value propositions to attract and retain employees in this changing landscape, and the risks of proximity bias. We conclude by identifying questions to be addressed in subsequent research.
Effect of dialysate bicarbonate and sodium on blood pH in maintenance hemodialysis—A prospective study
Authors: Sridhar Nagaraja Rao , Chen Ziqiang , Yu Guan , Lambert Judy , Muscarella Mary , Nanjundegowda Madan , Panesar Mandip
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The validity of adjusting dialysate bicarbonate based on pre‐hemodialysis (HD) serum bicarbonate is unclear. There are no studies of the impact of dialysate sodium on blood pH.

Aims

To understand the impact of dialysate bicarbonate and sodium on blood pH.

Methods

Two hundred arterialized blood samples were obtained on the third session of HD with four configurations of dialysate: sodium (140, 137 mEq/L) and bicarbonate (38, 32 mEq/L).

Results

The correlation between pre‐HD serum bicarbonate and pH was modest (r = 0.6). A lower dialysate sodium (p = 0.035) and a higher bicarbonate (p = 0.02) associated with a higher post‐HD blood pH. The frequency of pre‐HD blood pH of <7.4 and a post‐HD blood pH of >7.5 did not differ for samples with serum bicarbonate <22, 22–26, or >26 mEq/L.

Discussion/Conclusions

Adjusting dialysate buffer based on pre‐HD serum bicarbonate is unnecessary. A higher bicarbonate and lower dialysate sodium associate with post‐HD alkalemia.
Impact of different processing techniques on the key volatile profile, sensory, and consumer acceptance of black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittadini)
Authors: Phong Win Nee , Sung Billy , Cao Zhanglong , Gibberd Mark R , Dykes Gary A. , Payne Alan D. , Coorey Ranil
Published: August 2022

Fresh truffles which include black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittadini) deteriorate and lose aroma rapidly after harvest; therefore, postharvest processing via freeze‐drying or encapsulation is an option to preserve truffle aroma for extended supply. However, the aroma profile that directly affects the truffle quality and consumer acceptance is influenced by processing and producers require processing options that balance processing feasibility with retention of a suitable aroma profile. This study aimed to determine the impact of freeze‐drying and encapsulation on the profile of key volatiles, consumer discrimination, and overall sensory impression (aroma intensity, liking, and acceptability) of processed truffle products compared to the starting material (positive control). The study combined experimental‐scale processing with GC‐MS analysis and consumer sensory evaluation to compare and optimize postharvest processing options. Based on the results, some volatile changes were detected in the processed truffle products compared to the positive control which were aligned with the consumer discrimination (triangle test) and the aroma intensity score (consumer sensory test). Despite some chemical and sensory differences detected, the consumer panel did not have any preference for processed truffle products compared to the positive control. The overall finding indicates the potential value of processing truffles into a natural flavoring ingredient for food application via freeze‐drying or encapsulation, which should be of great interest for the truffle and food industry. According to the correlation analysis, the consumer acceptance of a truffle product may be increased by retaining 1‐octen‐3‐ol and methional, while reducing the amount of p‐cresol in the product.

Practical Application

The postharvest process of turning truffles into a food flavoring ingredient may cause undesirable volatile changes that would directly impact the aroma quality and consumer acceptance of the processed truffle products. Hence, the impacts of freeze‐drying and encapsulation on the chemical and sensory profile of truffles were evaluated in this study. Overall, the results of the concurrent instrument and sensory analysis demonstrated that both freeze‐drying and encapsulation are potential options for processing.
The long‐term persistence of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in patients with moderate to severe immune‐mediated rheumatic diseases: A nation‐wide, population‐based real‐world study
Authors: Huang Jing‐Yang , Leong Pui‐Ying , Ker Amy , Chen Hsin‐Hua , Wei James Cheng‐Chung
Published: August 2022

Objectives

We aimed to compare the long‐term persistence between different tumor necrosis factor‐alpha inhibitors (TNFis) with immune‐mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD). This study can potentially provide insights into the real‐world evidence regarding safety and effectiveness of TNFi treatment in a Chinese population.

Methods

We enrolled newly diagnosed IMRD patients in this active comparator, retrospective cohort study by using National Taiwan insurance claim datasets. The drug survivals of first‐line TNFi agents, including etanercept, golimumab, and adalimumab were compared. Propensity score matching was conducted to control the confounding effect from the observed covariates. The cumulative proportion of discontinuation was calculated over 5 years. The multiple‐variable regression and propensity score analysis was used for confounding adjustment.

Results

After propensity score matching, there were 2267 patients identified in each etanercept, golimumab, and adalimumab group. We observed the 5‐year cumulative proportion of discontinuation was 52.80%, 45.85%, and 56.86% in etanercept, golimumab, and adalimumab, respectively. Compared with golimumab, increase of 31% (95% CI: 20‐43) and 38% (95% CI: 26‐50) risk of discontinuation were observed in etanercept and adalimumab. The factors including female gender, increasing age, long hospital stays, without co‐medication with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs or methotrexate were associated were discontinuation of first‐line TNFi treatment.

Conclusion

Golimumab had better drug survival than etanercept or adalimumab over 5 years of observation in Asian IMRD patients. Gender, age, longer hospital stays, concomitant use of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs were associated with survival with TNFis.
Norway: Political Developments and Data in 2021
Authors: BERGH JOHANNES , KARLSEN RUNE
Published: August 2022

The
main political event in Norway in 2021 was the Storting (parliamentary) election in September. After eight years of rule by a Conservative Party/Høyre Prime Minister, the 2021 election was a decisive win for the centre‐left. However, it was a win by a fragmented group of five parties, only two of which ended up forming the new government. Despite the new large centre‐left majority in Parliament, the new government, like the previous one, is a minority government. The Covid‐19 pandemic dominated Norwegian life through much of 2021, with two large‐scale lockdowns early in the year and in December. While the last (December) lockdown was a bit controversial, the government's handling of the pandemic was largely depoliticized. The main issues for voters in the election were environmental issues (including climate change). The pandemic did not register as an important issue among voters.
Inflammatory and immune markers in HIV‐infected older adults on long‐term antiretroviral therapy: Persistent elevation of sCD14 and of proinflammatory effector memory T cells
Authors: Watanabe Makiko , Jergovic Mladen , Davidson Lisa , LaFleur Bonnie J. , Castaneda Yvonne , Martinez Carmine , Smithey Megan J. , Stowe Raymond P. , Haddad Elias K. , Nikolich‐Žugich Janko
Published: August 2022

HIV‐positive patients whose viral loads are successfully controlled by active antiretroviral therapy (ART) show no clinical signs of AIDS. However, their lifespan is shorter compared with individuals with no HIV infection and they prematurely exhibit a multitude of chronic diseases typically associated with advanced age. It was hypothesized that immune system aging may correlate with, and provide useful biomarkers for, this premature loss of healthspan in HIV‐positive subjects. Here, we tested whether the immune correlates of aging, including cell numbers and phenotypes, inflammatory status, and control of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) in HIV‐positive subjects on long‐term successful ART (HIV+) may reveal increased “immunological age” compared with HIV‐negative, age‐matched cohort (HIV−) in participants between 50 and 69 years of age. Specifically, we expected that younger HIV+ subjects may immunologically resemble older individuals without HIV. We found no evidence to support this hypothesis. While T cells from HIV+ participants displayed differential expression in several differentiation and/or inhibitory/exhaustion markers in different T cell subpopulations, aging by a decade did not pronounce these changes. Similarly, while the HIV+ participants exhibited higher T cell responses and elevated inflammatory marker levels in plasma, indicative of chronic inflammation, this trait was not age‐sensitive. We did find differences in immune control of hCMV, and, more importantly, a sustained elevation of sCD14 and of proinflammatory CD4 and CD8 T cell responses across age groups, pointing towards uncontrolled inflammation as a factor in reduced healthspan in successfully treated older HIV+ patients.
Rural health service leaders co‐design state‐wide research addressing an emerging health issue: A case report
Authors: Field Michael , Buccheri Alison , King Olivia , Bishop Jaclyn , Wong Shee Anna , Imran Didir , Jacobs Jane , Versace Vincent , Isaacs Anton , Sutton Keith , Sourlos Nick , Murphy Fiona , Kennelly Melissa , Wood Elizabeth , Alston Laura
Published: August 2022

Aims

This commentary aims to describe a case of how meaningful co‐design between rural health service leaders and a health service‐embedded research unit can identify emerging research priorities and optimise translation.

Context

The challenges facing rural health services are unique, and the important role of health service leaders in the research response is increasingly recognised. Poorly‐designed research can contribute to research waste through reduced applicability of results to rural communities, and an opportunity exists to increase research co‐designed with rural health services through the involvement of research users during study planning.

Approach

In early 2020, leaders at a rural Victorian health service approached the embedded health service research unit to request research be conducted on an emerging issue: rural staff well‐being in the face of the COVID‐19 pandemic. This was based on their concern regarding the lack of available COVID‐19‐specific evidence to inform organisational policy. In collaboration with the rural health service executive, a translation‐focused study of staff well‐being with nine rural Victorian health services was developed. Key co‐design activities of the project included involving research end‐users as study investigators and conducting formal stakeholder engagement regarding study design and outcomes.

Conclusion

Meaningful co‐design of research with health services is a multifaceted process that can assist researchers and end‐users alike in identifying and responding to emerging health issues. In the rural setting where there is a vital need for impactful health research, we recommend that researchers should consider employing co‐design processes in order to minimise research waste and optimise the translatability of research findings.
Drugs and the skin: A concise review of cutaneous adverse drug reactions
Authors: Del Pozzo‐Magaña Blanca R. , Liy‐Wong Carmen
Published: August 2022

Drug‐induced skin disease or cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are terms that encompass the clinical manifestations of the skin, mucosae and adnexa induced by a drug or its metabolites. The skin is the organ most frequently affected by drug reactions, which may affect up to 10% of hospitalized patients and occur in 1–3% of multimedicated patients. Most CADRs are mild or self‐resolving conditions; however, 2–6.7% of could develop into potentially life‐threatening conditions. CADRs represent a heterogeneous field and can be diagnostically challenging as they may potentially mimic any dermatosis. Currently, there are between 29–35 different cutaneous drug‐reaction patterns reported ranging from mild dermatitis to an extensively burnt patient. The most frequently reported are maculopapular rash, urticaria/angioedema, fixed drug eruption and erythema multiforme. Less common but more severe patterns include erythroderma, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum. Almost any drug can induce a CADR, but antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and antiepileptics are the most frequently involved. Different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of CADRs, although in some cases, these remain still unknown. CADRs could be classified in different ways: (i) type A (augmented) or type B (bizarre); (ii) immediate or delayed; (iii) immune‐mediated or nonimmune‐mediated; (iv) nonsevere or life‐threatening; and (v) by their phenotype, including exanthematous, urticarial, pustular and blistering morphology. Recognizing a specific CADR will mostly depend on the ability of the physician to perform a detailed clinical examination, the proper description of the morphology of the skin lesions and supporting laboratory and/or skin biopsy findings.
Medicines legislation and regulation in the United Kingdom 1500‐2020
Authors: Ferner Robin E. , Aronson Jeffrey K.
Published: August 2022

The initial purposes of regulation of medicines in England, and latterly in the United Kingdom, were principally to raise government revenue, to discourage murder by poisoning and to regulate the activities of pharmacists. It was only much later that regulators sought to ensure that medicines were of good quality, reasonably safe, and at least somewhat effective, and to curtail misuse of drugs. Here we survey the history of the regulation of medicines and poisons in England from the perspective of clinicians with an interest in therapeutics.
Integrative Bayesian Models Using Post-Selective Inference: A Case Study in Radiogenomics
Authors: Panigrahi Snigdha , Mohammed Shariq , Rao Arvind , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: August 2022

Integrative analyses based on statistically relevant associations between genomics and a wealth of intermediary phenotypes (such as imaging) provide vital insights into their clinical relevance in terms of the disease mechanisms. Estimates for uncertainty in the resulting integrative models are however unreliable unless inference accounts for the selection of these associations with accuracy. In this paper, we develop selection-aware Bayesian methods, which (1) counteract the impact of model selection bias through a “selection-aware posterior” in a flexible class of integrative Bayesian models post a selection of promising variables via ℓ1-regularized algorithms; (2) strike an inevitable trade-off between the quality of model selection and inferential power when the same data set is used for both selection and uncertainty estimation. Central to our methodological development, a carefully constructed conditional likelihood function deployed with a reparameterization mapping provides tractable updates when gradient-based Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling is used for estimating uncertainties from the selection-aware posterior. Applying our methods to a radiogenomic analysis, we successfully recover several important gene pathways and estimate uncertainties for their associations with patient survival times.
Women's decision‐making autonomy in Dutch maternity care
Authors: Vogels‐Broeke Maaike , Cellissen Evelien , Daemers Darie , Budé Luc , de Vries Raymond , Nieuwenhuijze Marianne
Published: August 2022

Background

A positive childbirth experience is an important outcome of maternity care. A significant component of a positive birth experience is the ability to exercise autonomy in decision‐making. In this study, we explore women's reports of their autonomy during conversations about their care with maternity care practitioners during pregnancy and childbirth.

Method

Data were obtained from a cross‐sectional survey of women living in The Netherlands that asked about their experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, including their role in conversations concerning decisions about their care.

Results

A total of 3494 women were included in this study. Most women scored high on autonomy in decision‐making conversations. During the latter stage of pregnancy (32+ weeks) and in childbirth, women reported significantly lower levels of autonomy in their care conversations with obstetricians as compared with midwives. Linear regression analyses showed that women's perception of personal treatment increased women's reported autonomy in their conversations with both midwives and obstetricians. Almost half (49.1%) of the women who had at least one intervention during birth reported pressure to accept or submit to that intervention. This was indicated by 48.3% of women with induced labor, 47.3% who had an instrumental vaginal birth, 45.2% whose labor was augmented, and 41.9% of women who had a cesarean birth.

Conclusions

In general, women's sense of autonomy in decision‐making conversations during prenatal care and birth is high, but there is room for improvement, and this appeared most notably in conversations with obstetricians. Women's sense of autonomy can be enhanced with personal treatment, including shared decision‐making and the avoidance of pressuring women to accept interventions.
Psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa are associated with inflammatory bowel disease: a growing body of evidence
Authors: Levin Nikki A. , Rashighi Mehdi
Published: August 2022

Linked Article:  Schneeweiss et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 187:692–703.
A translation re-initiation variant in KLHL24 also causes epidermolysis bullosa simplex and dilated cardiomyopathy via intermediate filament degradation
Authors: Vermeer Mathilde C.S.C. , Al-Shinnag Mohammad , Silljé Herman H.W. , Gaytan Antonio Esquivel , Murrell Dedee F. , McGaughran Julie , Melbourne Wei , Cowan Timothy , van den Akker Peter C. , van Spaendonck-Zwarts Karin Y. , van der Meer Peter , Bolling Maria C.
Published: August 2022

This study shows that gain-of-function variants in KLHL24 causing EBS and DCM, do not only originate in the start-codon and suggest that any nonsense-inducing variant affecting nucleotides c.4_84 will likely cause the same effect on protein level and a similar potential lethal phenotype.
Early language outcomes in Argentinean toddlers: Associations with home literacy, screen exposure and joint media engagement
Authors: Medawar Julieta , Tabullo Ángel Javier , Gago‐Galvagno Lucas Gustavo
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to analyse the contribution of mothers' home literacy beliefs and practices and the quantity and quality of screen media exposure on Argentinean toddler's language. In addition, we considered parent–child joint engagement, as well as adult scaffolding behaviours during the use of electronic devices. A total of 465 mothers of 18–36 months old children completed an online survey including: the MacArthur Bates CDI, home literacy, screen exposure, joint engagement and scaffolding questionnaires. We observed positive effects of literacy beliefs, PC times and verbal scaffolding on language outcomes. TV exposure contributed negatively to vocabulary and, along with educational content, to sentence use. Shared reading and screen media experiences can be an opportunity for language stimulation, provided there is dialogue and joint engagement. Passive screen exposure and inadequate content may be detrimental for toddlers' language outcomes, probably by displacement of socially significant interactions.
Chronic browsing by an introduced mammalian herbivore in a tropical island alters species composition and functional traits of forest understory plant communities
Authors: Anujan Krishna , Ratnam Jayashree , Sankaran Mahesh
Published: August 2022

Mammalian herbivores have large‐scale impacts on vegetation, altering structure, and species composition, especially in tropical grasslands and savannas. However, there is limited understanding of the potential impacts of mammalian herbivores in tropical wet forests, where they are typically less abundant. We investigated the effects of an introduced mammalian herbivore chital (Axis axis) on vegetation structure, composition and leaf functional traits of tropical evergreen forests of the Andaman Islands, India. Across seven islands, representing a gradient of herbivore densities, increasing chital presence was associated with decreased understory richness, understory density and adult tree richness, but was not related to adult tree density or size class distributions. We also found a significant decrease in community level leaf palatability traits (specific leaf area decreased and leaf thickness increased) with increasing chital habitat use. This community level shift in leaf trait values was better explained by intraspecific variation in leaf traits across islands rather than changes in species composition. In summary, we show persistent long‐term impacts of an introduced mammalian herbivore on understory tropical tree communities although there is little impact on adult tree communities. Our results also show that functional traits of species can be altered in response to novel herbivory, even at herbivore densities where there are no detectable impacts on adult forest structure or composition. Such altered functional traits may potentially alter ecosystem functioning in these forests even without changes in vegetation structure.

Abstract in Hindi is available with online material.
BSACIguideline for the diagnosis and management of pollen food syndrome in theUK
Authors: Skypala Isabel J. , Hunter Hannah , Krishna Mamidipudi Thirumala , Rey‐Garcia Helena , Till Stephen J. , du Toit George , Angier Elizabeth , Baker Sarah , Stoenchev Kostadin V. , Luyt David K.
Published: August 2022

Pollen food syndrome (PFS) is a highly prevalent food allergy affecting pollen‐sensitized children and adults. Sufferers experience allergic symptoms when consuming raw plant foods, due to the homology between the pollen allergens and unstable proteins in these foods. The triggers involved can vary depending on the pollen sensitization, which in turn is affected by geographical location. The British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) identified a need to develop a guideline for the diagnosis and management of PFS in the United Kingdom (UK). Guidelines produced by the BSACI use either the GRADE or SIGN methodology; due to a lack of high‐quality evidence these recommendations were formulated using the SIGN guidelines, which is acknowledged to be less robust than the GRADE approach. The correct diagnosis of PFS ensures the avoidance of a misdiagnosis of a primary peanut or tree nut allergy or confusion with another plant food allergy to non‐specific lipid transfer proteins. The characteristic foods involved, and rapid‐onset oropharyngeal symptoms, mean PFS can often be diagnosed from the clinical history alone. However, reactions involving tree nuts, peanuts and soya milk or severe/atypical reactions to fruits and vegetables may require additional diagnostic tests. Management is through the exclusion of known trigger foods, which may appear to be simple, but is highly problematic if coupled with a pre‐existing food allergy or for individuals following a vegetarian/vegan diet. Immunotherapy to pollens is not an effective treatment for PFS, and although oral or sublingual immunotherapy to foods seems more promising, large, controlled studies are needed. The typically mild symptoms of PFS can lead to an erroneous perception that this condition is always easily managed, but severe reactions can occur, and anxiety about the onset of symptoms to new foods can have a profound effect on quality of life.
Shared and specific dynamics of brain activity and connectivity in amnestic and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Zhong Xiaomei , Chen Ben , Hou Le , Wang Qiang , Liu Meiling , Yang Mingfeng , Zhang Min , Zhou Huarong , Wu Zhangying , Zhang Si , Lin Gaohong , Ning Yuping
Published: August 2022

Aims

The present study aimed to compare temporal variability in the spontaneous fluctuations of activity and connectivity between amnestic MCI (aMCI) and nonamnestic MCI (naMCI), which enhances the understanding of their different pathophysiologies and provides targets for individualized intervention.

Methods

Sixty‐five naMCI and 48 aMCI subjects and 75 healthy controls were recruited. A sliding window analysis was used to evaluate the dynamic amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (dALFF), dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo), and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC). The caudal/rostral hippocampus was selected as the seeds for calculating dFC.

Results

Both aMCI and naMCI exhibited abnormal dALFF, dReHo, and hippocampal dFC compared with healthy controls. Compared with individuals with naMCI, those with aMCI exhibited (1) higher dALFF variability in the right putamen, left Rolandic operculum, and right middle cingulum, (2) lower dReHo variability in the right superior parietal lobule, and (3) lower dFC variability between the hippocampus and other regions (left superior occipital gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior cerebellum, precuneus, and right superior frontal gyrus). Additionally, variability in dALFF, dReHo, and hippocampal dFC exhibited different associations with cognitive scores in aMCI and naMCI patients, respectively. Finally, dReHo variability in the right superior parietal lobule and dFC variability between the right caudal hippocampus and left inferior cerebellum exhibited partially mediated effects on the different memory scores between people with aMCI and naMCI.

Conclusion

The aMCI and naMCI patients exhibited shared and specific patterns of dynamic brain activity and connectivity. The dReHo of the superior parietal lobule and dFC of the hippocampus‐cerebellum contributed to the memory heterogeneity of MCI subtypes. Analyzing the temporal variability in the spontaneous fluctuations of brain activity and connectivity provided a new perspective for exploring the different pathophysiological mechanisms in MCI subtypes.
Introducing dental trauma (a non‐curricular topic) into medical education: A viewpoint
Authors: Yeng Thai
Published: August 2022

The aim of this paper is focused on expanding medical students' knowledge and understanding of a non‐core curricular subject not normally offered in the medical curriculum. The critical juncture explored how to introduce a health‐related subject into medical education that complements without competing for space/time in medical students' core studies. Using dental trauma as an example, this paper supports the opportunity for medical students to learn online about managing dental injuries and to raise their awareness of the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of traumatic dental injuries before they graduate as medical doctors.
Evaluation of locking compression plate fixation of the distal phalanx to the hoof wall as a potential therapy for laminitis
Authors: Lean Natasha E. , Zedler Steven T. , Van Eps Andrew William , Engiles Julie B. , Ford Matthew , Stefanovski Darko , Walsh Donald Mark , Pollitt Christopher C.
Published: August 2022

Background

Surgical stabilisation of the distal phalanx (DP) is a potential therapeutic strategy for severe acute laminitis.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of locking compression plate (LCP) fixation of the DP to the dorsal hoof wall.

Study design

Ex vivo and in vivo experiments.

Methods

A T‐shaped LCP was applied to one limb per pair in six pairs of cadaver forelimbs subjected to a combination of thermally induced lamellar failure and vertical load to simulate severe acute laminitis. Standard radiographic measurements were used to compare DP displacement. The LCP was then applied to one forefoot in 12 healthy Standardbred horses either standing (n = 6) or under general anaesthesia (n = 6). Lameness was evaluated daily, then horses were euthanised (day 8) and lamellar tissue analysed using light microscopy, histomorphometery and molecular markers of apoptosis.

Results

In the cadaver limb model, LCP fixation prevented the significant changes in hoof‐distal phalanx distance, coronary extensor process distance and sole depth that characterised DP displacement in untreated limbs (p < 0.05). Application of the construct in vivo was well tolerated with minimal lameness (10/12 horses were sound at the trot on day 8); however, histology revealed dorsal lamellar pathology consistent with laminitis, but with extensive keratinocyte apoptosis. Adjacent to the LCP, caspase‐3 positive cell counts were approximately 20‐fold higher than control (p < 0.001).

Main limitations

Pathology was evaluated at a single time point. Microvascular perfusion was not evaluated.

Conclusions

Rigid fixation of the DP to the hoof capsule was achieved with the LCP construct in a cadaver limb laminitis model. In live horses, LCP fixation caused regional lamellar pathology with extensive apoptosis, likely due to disturbed lamellar microvascular perfusion and/or mechanostasis. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for refinement of the technique in order to avoid iatrogenic lamellar damage.
Multi‐criteria approach for handling sophisticated data transmission over gateways in blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) federated networks
Authors: Patil Suvarna , Gokhale Prasad
Published: August 2022

In the real‐world scenario, the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain federated networks implicate smart devices for gathering the data and then directing the data to the destined nodes through gateway devices. A gateway usually supports a number of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) irrespective of their underlying communication technologies. Furthermore, a gateway usually supports a number of WSNs with blockchain master nodes, which employ diverse communication technologies. As a result, gateways are meant to play a versatile role without worrying about the underlying architecture, hardware, and software details of the connecting nodes in blockchain federated networks. This paper proposes a two‐phased methodology for blockchain and IoT federated networks where efficient link selection based on a multi‐criteria‐based approach is performed. The dynamic gateway scheduling strategy is capable enough to support blockchain‐based transactions as well as communication in IoT devices. Furthermore, the proposed methodology enhances data transfer fairness for each gateway, resulting in efficient data transmission. Machine learning (ML) methods are also devised to analyze the status of the communication channels before employing the link selection mechanism. Then the selection of links is performed based on multi‐criteria statistical techniques. Finally, the scheduling is performed for selecting the appropriate gateway for channelizing the blockchain data speedily. The selection of links is made based on the dynamic status of the links. The usage of time series ML methods such as LSTM is made to predict the upcoming traffic on the links. Multiple criteria‐based statistical approaches are utilized for the selection of the link optimally. Finally, the scheduling is performed to fulfil the criteria of 6G networks, where network users are rewarded with seamless connectivity and uninterrupted services. The efficacy of the proposed two‐phased mechanism is demonstrated through simulation results. The results are demonstrated with respect to the total data conveyed, packet delivery ratio (PDR), energy consumed by the links, and throughput of the network. The PDR obtained by the proposed work for the high volume of data is 93% and for the low volume of data is 97%. The packet delay is reduced by 21% for low volume data and 19% for high volume data by the proposed methods. The data transmission is also optimized remarkably by the proposed method. The proposed fairness‐driven mechanism (FDM) is compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods to prove the viability and robustness of the two‐phased proposed mechanism of link selection for data transmission over blockchain and IoT federated networks.
The acculturation gap of parent–child relationships in immigrant families: A national study
Authors: Harris Kathleen Mullan , Chen Ping
Published: August 2022

Objective

We examined the acculturation processes involving intergenerational consonance and dissonance in parent–child relationships in U.S. immigrant families.

Background

This study is important because we lack national studies that examine the association between acculturation processes and intergenerational relationships among diverse racial/ethnic groups in immigrant families.

Method

Using national data from Add Health with diverse race/ethnicity, we measured acculturation levels by immigrant generation, age of arrival, and length of time. Intergenerational consonance (the degree to which children and parents share the same values and activities) was measured by family cohesion and sharing meals (specifically dinners) with parents. Intergenerational dissonance (the degree to which parents and children differ in expected norms and parents lose authority over their children) was measured by parent–child conflict and parental control. Ordinary least square, binary logistic, ordered logistic, and Poisson regressions were conducted depending on the nature of the four dependent variables.

Results

We found robust evidence that adolescents of the second immigrant generation acculturate more rapidly than those of the first generation and their immigrant parents creating a “gap” in intergenerational relationships. Thus, second‐generation adolescents experience lower levels of family cohesion, less frequency of sharing weekly dinners with parents, less parental control of adolescents' activities, and more serious arguments about their behaviors with their parents than their first‐generation counterparts.

Conclusion

This is the new evidence that is based on national data, across multiple measures of intergenerational relationships, and holds for diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Implications

The findings underscore the importance of developing culturally informed interventions supporting healthy parent–child relationships in immigrant families.
Extreme heatwave drives topography‐dependent patterns of mortality in a bed‐forming intertidal barnacle, with implications for associated community structure
Authors: Hesketh Amelia V. , Harley Christopher D. G.
Published: August 2022

Heatwave frequency and intensity will increase as climate change progresses. Intertidal sessile invertebrates, which often form thermally benign microhabitats for associated species, are vulnerable to thermal stress because they have minimal ability to behaviourally thermoregulate. Understanding what factors influence the mortality of biogenic species and how heatwaves might impact their ability to provide habitat is critical. Here, we characterize the community associated with the thatched barnacle, Semibalanus cariosus (Pallass, 1788), in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Then, we investigate what site‐level and plot‐level environmental factors explained variations in barnacle mortality resulting from an unprecedented regional heatwave in BC, Canada. Furthermore, we used a manipulative shading experiment deployed prior to the heatwave to examine the effect of thermal stress on barnacle survival and recruitment and the barnacle‐associated community. We identified 50 taxa inhabiting S. cariosus beds, with variations in community composition between sites. Site‐scale variables and algal canopy cover did not predict S. cariosus mortality, but patch‐scale variation in substratum orientation did, with more direct solar irradiance corresponding with higher barnacle mortality. The shading experiment demonstrated that S. cariosus survival, barnacle recruitment, and invertebrate community diversity were higher under shades where substratum temperatures were lower. Associated community composition also differed between shaded and non‐shaded plots, suggesting S. cariosus was not able to fully buffer acute thermal stress for its associated community. While habitat provisioning by intertidal foundation species is an important source of biodiversity, these species alone may not be enough to prevent substantial community shifts following extreme heatwaves. As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, they may further reduce diversity via the loss of biogenic habitat, and spatial variation in these impacts may be substantial.
Planetary geology: an historical and philosophical overview
Authors: Branco Hely Cristian , Mancini Fernando
Published: August 2022

The use of geological interpretations to better understand features that are observed outside the Earth defines what is known as planetary geology. It is a highly multi‐disciplinary field, using concepts from many areas of human knowledge to better understand the many objects of the Universe. Interpretations tend to be based on analogue models, created from observations made on the Earth and extrapolated to the many geological contexts of other celestial bodies. It is assumed that these models can always be used, as long as corrections considering differences in properties such as temperature, mass, atmospheric, crustal and mantel composition, amongst others, are made. In most cases, such correlations are possible, requiring minor to no significant modifications. However, a reasonable number of extra‐terrestrial features cannot be explained using the Earth as the unique comparison ground, requiring the use of other analogues as a basis, or even the creation of models and theories from scratch. Here, we present an overview of planetary geology: what it is, the limits of its application, the current state of the art and the meaning of this line of research in the era in which we live, where the exploration of other objects of the Solar System is a reality.
Post‐partum contraception in women living with HIV
Authors: Oceguera Sharon , Tulloch Karen , Tkachuk Stacey
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Rates of unintended pregnancy are higher in women living with HIV than in those without HIV. The World Health Organization and the Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines recommend preventing unintended pregnancies and offering contraception counselling to women living with HIV to reduce the rate of perinatal HIV transmission worldwide. No studies have assessed post‐partum (PP) contraception use in women living with HIV in Canada.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review including all women living with HIV followed by the Oak Tree Clinic who had a live birth between 1 January 2014 and 15 September 2019. The main objective was to quantify the proportion and types of contraception used by women living with HIV within 3 months PP and to evaluate whether contraception counselling is associated with contraception use.

Results

Of the 110 participants included, 79% were using contraception within 3 months PP. The most common contraception methods used were an intrauterine device in 22% of participants followed by depot‐medroxyprogesterone acetate in 18% of participants. Of those intending to use contraception PP, 86% and 92% were using contraception within 3 and 12 months PP, respectively. Contraception counselling during pregnancy, and up to 3 months PP, was associated with contraception use within 3 months PP (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The majority of women were using contraception within 3 months PP. Having a contraception plan resulted in a high rate of contraception use. Women living with HIV should have a PP contraception plan prior to giving birth to establish the necessary steps for starting highly reliable forms of contraception. Contraception counselling was associated with contraception use and should be incorporated during pregnancy and in the immediate PP period.