bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventing Unnecessary Surgery in Patients Presenting for Orthopedic Spine Surgery: Literature Review and Case Series
Authors: Saucedo Samuel , Katsuura Yoshihiro
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Almost 40% of patients who have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may have been misdiagnosed. Some of these patients may have undergone surgical procedures to address symptoms that could have actually be early indications of ALS. Up to 40% of patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have received an incorrect diagnosis, a number undergo surgical treatment for signs and symptoms that can be attributed to early manifestations of ALS. Initial presentation of ALS is elusive and is often mistaken for other disorders originating from the cervical spine such as cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. Such incorrect diagnoses often display symptoms that fall within the scope of an orthopedic spine surgeon, who can remedy said diagnoses. Given that a diagnosis of ALS is grave, it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis quickly, without unnecessary surgery. The objective of this series is to highlight patients who were referred by other physicians for spine surgery to remedy potential side effects of cervical myelopathy but were ultimately diagnosed with ALS. Case Report: Case 1: A 46-year-old Caucasian woman with carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical intervertebral disc degeneration. Case 2: A 77-year-old African American man with a history of arthritis, GERD, a herniated disc, claw hand, hypertension, prostate disease, and general weakness. Case 3: A 74-year-old Caucasian woman with a background history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, osteopenia, and foot drop. Conclusion: In orthopedic spine surgery, ALS could be an easily misdiagnosed disease, which can be mistaken for cervical spondylosis, cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, and lumbar myelopathy; it is of note to be aware of how ALS may initially present. It is imperative for the orthopedic spine surgeon to consider ALS with patients presenting with progressive unilateral/bilateral upper extremity weakness. Keywords: Unnecessary surgery, cervical, myelopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spine.
Fiber laser with intracavity parallel Mach–Zehnder interferometers towards Vernier refractive index sensing
Authors: Mohammed Saif A. , Al-Hayali Sarah Kadhim , Al-Janabi Abdul Hadi
Published: May 2023

In this paper, dual-wavelength laser emission of an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) with a tunable distinct wavelength selection of the simultaneously produced laser lines was achieved by applying a parallel comb filter configuration based on the optical Vernier effect. The intracavity inserted proposed comb filter consists of two parallel branches to generate the Vernier effect. Each branch is an in-line Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter, which is composed of a polarization-maintaining fiber fusion spliced between single-mode fibers with sphere shapes at both ends. The tunability of the selected laser wavelength was realized by submerging the proposed filter in different sodium chloride/water mixtures. The proposed comb filter-based Vernier effect was used to independently achieve the selection of the dual-wavelength EDFL lines and for refractive index (RI) sensing applications. The in-line MZI1 and MZI2 structures show a wavelength shift sensitivity to RI variations of −88 and 79 nm/RIU, respectively. Our proposed MZI structure presents a reliable, straightforward, and low-cost spectral comb filter for separate tunable dual-wavelength laser generation in the c-band region. Furthermore, the proposed filter structure-based Vernier effect presents a new perspective and method in the RI sensing application.
Broadband ultrafast-laser-absorption spectroscopy for multi-hydrocarbon measurements near 3.3  µm in flames
Authors: Chang Ziqiao , Tancin Ryan J. , Radhakrishna Vishnu , Lucht Robert P. , Goldenstein Christopher S.
Published: May 2023

This paper presents the development and application of a broadband
ultrafast-laser-absorption-spectroscopy (ULAS) technique operating in
the mid-infrared for simultaneous measurements of temperature, methane (CH4), and propane (C3H8) mole fractions. Single-shot
measurements targeting the C-H stretch fundamental vibration bands of CH4 and C3H8 near 3.3 µm were acquired in
both a heated gas cell up to ≈650K and laminar diffusion flames at
5 kHz. The average temperature error is 0.6%. The average
species mole fraction errors are 5.4% for CH4 and 9.9% for C3H8. This demonstrates that ULAS is
capable of providing high-fidelity hydrocarbon-based thermometry and
simultaneous measurements of both large and small hydrocarbons in
combustion gases.
Performance of optical sensors for cloud measurements deployed by the ARM Aerial Facility during ACE-ENA
Authors: Glienke Susanne , Allwayin Nithin , Mei Fan , Comstock Jennifer M. , Shaw Raymond A. , Tomlinson Jason , Schmid Beat
Published: May 2023

During the Aerosol and Cloud Experiment in the Eastern North Atlantic
(ACE-ENA), a variety of in situ optical
sensors using shadow imaging, scattering and holography were deployed
by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Aerial Facility to
determine cloud properties. Taking advantage of the wide, overlapping
range of instrumentation, we compare in
situ cloud data from several different measurement methods
for droplets up to 100 µm. Data processing was tailored to the
encountered conditions, leading to good agreement. Improvements
include noise reduction for holography and better out-of-focus
correction for shadow imaging. Comparison between direct liquid water
content measurements and optical sensors showed better agreement at
higher droplet number concentrations (>120/cm3).
Linear and nonlinear optical characterization of tellurium dioxide (α-TeO2) for generation of terahertz radiation using time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Ghorui Chandan , Chaudhary A. K.
Published: May 2023

This paper reports the linear and nonlinear optical characterization of α−TeO2 crystal in the optical and terahertz domains for efficient terahertz (THz) generation using a difference frequency mixing technique. We have ascertained the optical properties such as refractive index, absorption coefficients, real and imaginary dielectric constants, and coherence length l
c
=280mm at 1.77 THz range using an indigenously developed THz spectrometer. The value of refractive index was ascertained from temporal and spectral THz profiles of the crystal and employed for calculating the Type I phase-matching angle, i.e., θ=21.15∘ for the generation of tunable radiation between the 0.1 and 1.9 THz range. The figure of merits in the optical and THz domains lie between the 0.02–0.015 range. The effective bandwidth of the crystal lies between the 0.1 and 3.0 THz range.
Quantitative elemental analysis of bismuth brass with target-enhanced orthogonal double-pulse LIBS combined with variant one-point calibration
Authors: Chen S. L. , Li R. H. , Chen Y. Q.
Published: May 2023

Self-absorption and unknown transition probabilities of the analytical lines hinder the accurate quantitative elemental analysis of bismuth brass with conventional calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In this work, target-enhanced orthogonal double-pulse LIBS combined with a variant one-point calibration method was used to solve this problem and realize quantitative elemental analysis of bismuth brass with a relative error of less than 4%. This approach is able to reduce the influence of self-absorption and capable of using analytical lines with unknown transition probabilities while using a calibration-free algorithm, which is helpful for accurate quantitative elemental analysis of bismuth brass and other samples.
Improve accuracy and measurement range of sensing in km-level OFDR using spectral splicing method
Authors: Zhu Tingyi , Lin Cuofu , Yang Jun , Yu Zhangjun , Xu Pengbai , Wen Kunhua , Wang Yuncai , Qin Yuwen
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a spectral splicing method (SSM) for distributed strain sensing based on optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), which can achieve km level measurement length, µɛ level measurement sensitivity and 104 µɛ level measurement range. Based on the traditional method of cross-correlation demodulation, the SSM replaces the original centralized data processing method with a segmented processing method and achieves precise splicing of the spectrum corresponding to each signal segment by spatial position correction, thus realizing strain demodulation. Segmentation effectively suppresses the phase noise accumulated in the large sweep range over long distances, expands the sweep range that can be processed from the nm level to the 10 nm level, and improves strain sensitivity. Meanwhile, the spatial position correction rectifys the position error in the spatial domain caused by segmentation, which reduces the error from the 10 m level to the mm level, enabling precise splicing of spectra and expanding the spectral range, thus extending the strain range. In our experiments, we achieved a strain sensitivity of ±3.2 µɛ (3σ) over a length of 1 km with a spatial resolution of 1 cm and extended the strain measurement range to 10,000 µɛ. This method provides, what we believe to be, a new solution for achieving high accuracy and wide range OFDR sensing at the km level.
Narrowband mid-infrared thermal emitters based on the Fabry-Perot type of bound states in the continuum
Authors: Li Xue , Maqbool Esha , Han Zhanghua
Published: May 2023

The development of narrow-band thermal emitters operating at mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths is vital in numerous research fields. However, the previously reported results obtained with metallic metamaterials were not successful in achieving narrow bandwidths in the MIR region, which suggests low temporal coherence of the obtained thermal emissions. In this work, we demonstrate a new design strategy to realize this target by employing the bound state in the continuum (BIC) modes of the Fabry-Perot (FP) type. When a disk array of high-index dielectric supporting Mie resonances is separated from a highly reflective substrate by a low refractive index spacer layer with appropriate thickness, the destructive interference between the disk array and its mirror with respect to the substrate leads to the formation of FP-type BIC. Quasi-BIC resonances with ultra-high Q-factor (>103) are achievable by engineering the thickness of the buffer layer. This strategy is exemplified by an efficient thermal emitter operating at a wavelength of 4.587 µm with the on-resonance emissivity of near-unity and the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) less than 5 nm even along with consideration of metal substrate dissipation. The new thermal radiation source proposed in this work offers ultra-narrow bandwidth and high temporal coherence along with the economic advantages required for practical applications, compared to those infrared sources made from III-V semiconductors.
Adaptive liquid lens with controllable light intensity
Authors: Li Yangyu , Zhang Ziyi , Liu Xuning , Li Lin , Li Lei
Published: May 2023

An adaptive liquid lens with controllable light intensity is demonstrated, which can modulate both light intensity and beam spot size. The proposed lens consists of a dyed water solution, a transparent oil, and a transparent water solution. The dyed water solution is used to adjust light intensity distribution by varying the liquid-liquid (L-L) interface. The other two liquids are transparent and designed to control the spot size. In this way, two problems can be solved: the inhomogeneous attenuation of light can be achieved through the dyed layer, and a larger optical power tuning range can be achieved through the two L-L interfaces. Our proposed lens can be used for homogenization effects in laser illumination. In the experiment, an optical power tuning range from - 44.03 m−1 ∼ + 39.42 m−1 and an ∼ 89.84% homogenization level are achieved. Our proposed lens may also ease the vignetting problem in imaging systems.
Loss compensation of an ultra-wideband electro-optic modulator in heterogeneous silicon/erbium-doped lithium niobate
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiong Nina , Zou Weiwen
Published: May 2023

Electro-optic modulators (EOMs) are indispensable elements for integrated photonic circuits. However, optical insertion losses limit the utilization of EOMs for scalable integration. Here, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, EOM scheme on a heterogeneous platform of silicon- and erbium-doped lithium niobate (Si/Er:LN). In this design, electro-optic modulation and optical amplification are simultaneously employed in phase shifters of the EOM. The excellent electro-optic property of lithium niobate is maintained to achieve ultra-wideband modulation. Meanwhile, optical amplification is performed by adopting the stimulated transitions of erbium ions in the Er:LN, leading to effective optical loss compensation. Theoretical analysis shows that a bandwidth exceeding 170 GHz with a half-wave voltage of 3 V is successfully realized. Moreover, efficient propagation compensation of ∼4 dB is predicted at a wavelength of 1531 nm.
Freeform mirror validation by interferometric techniques using a spatial light modulator
Authors: García-Moreno Andrea , Belenguer-Dávila Tomás , González-Fernández Luis M.
Published: May 2023

The most widespread verification method for optical elements is interferometry but, in the case of freeform surfaces, a strong deviation of the slope along the surface can create areas in which the fringe density is too high for the interferometer to resolve them. The most desirable solution is to create a null or near null interferogram introducing compensating elements like a spatial light modulator (SLM) that provides the flexibility to accommodate the measurement of a wide range of free-form surfaces. This paper shows the process for a convex freeform mirror metrology. The method consists of inserting the SLM in the optical path to compensate the freeform component of the surface to be verified and to generate a null of aberrations in the interferometer. The system is previously modelled in an optical design software to calculate the required phase to be introduced in the SLM to generate the null. The arrangement of the SLM makes possible to keep its position fixed and use the same setup to measure a wide range of freeform surfaces, limited by the dynamic range of the SLM. For each specific surface, it is necessary to introduce suitable elements to compensate the base surface, reserving the SLM for the freeform component compensation. The method is illustrated with the verification of a convex freeform mirror whose freeform component is described by the astigmatism Zernike polynomial Z5.
Transcriptome-wide gene-gene interaction associations elucidate pathways and functional enrichment of complex traits
Authors: Evans Luke M. , Arehart Christopher H. , Grotzinger Andrew D. , Mize Travis J. , Brasher Maizy S. , Stitzel Jerry A. , Ehringer Marissa A. , Hoeffer Charles A.
Published: May 2023

It remains unknown to what extent gene-gene interactions contribute to complex traits. Here, we introduce a new approach using predicted gene expression to perform exhaustive transcriptome-wide interaction studies (TWISs) for multiple traits across all pairs of genes expressed in several tissue types. Using imputed transcriptomes, we simultaneously reduce the computational challenge and improve interpretability and statistical power. We discover (in the UK Biobank) and replicate (in independent cohorts) several interaction associations, and find several hub genes with numerous interactions. We also demonstrate that TWIS can identify novel associated genes because genes with many or strong interactions have smaller single-locus model effect sizes. Finally, we develop a method to test gene set enrichment of TWIS associations (E-TWIS), finding numerous pathways and networks enriched in interaction associations. Epistasis is may be widespread, and our procedure represents a tractable framework for beginning to explore gene interactions and identify novel genomic targets.
Functional analysis of three new alpha-thalassemia deletions involving MCS-R2 reveals the presence of an additional enhancer element in the 5’ boundary region
Authors: Capasso Serena , Cardiero Giovanna , Musollino Gennaro , Prezioso Romeo , Testa Rosario , Dembech Sabrina , Piluso Giulio , Nigro Vincenzo , Digilio F. Anna , Lacerra Giuseppina
Published: May 2023

We report three novel deletions involving the Multispecies Conserved Sequences (MCS) R2, also known as the Major Regulative Element (MRE), in patients showing the α-thalassemia phenotype. The three new rearrangements showed peculiar positions of the breakpoints. 1) The (αα)ES is a telomeric 110 kb deletion ending inside the MCS-R3 element. 2) The (αα)FG, 984 bp-long, ends 51 bp upstream to MCS-R2; both are associated with a severe α-thalassemia phenotype. 3) The (αα)CT, 5058 bp-long starts at position +93 of MCS-R2 and is the only one associated to a mild α-thalassemia phenotype. To understand the specific role of different segments of the MCS-R2 element and of its boundary regions we carried out transcriptional and expression analysis. Transcriptional analysis of patients’ reticulocytes showed that (αα)ES was unable to produce α2-globin mRNA, while a high level of expression of the α2-globin genes (56%) was detected in (αα)CT deletion, characterized by the presence of the first 93 bp of MCS-R2. Expression analysis of constructs containing breakpoints and boundary regions of the deletions (αα)CT and (αα)FG, showed comparable activity both for MCS-R2 and the boundary region (-682/-8). Considering that the (αα)CT deletion, almost entirely removing MCS-R2, has a less severe phenotype than the (αα)FG α0thalassemia deletion, removing both MCS-R2 almost entirely and an upstream 679 bp, we infer for the first time that an enhancer element must exist in this region that helps to increase the expression of the α-globin genes. The genotype-phenotype relationship of other previously published MCS-R2 deletions strengthened our hypothesis.
Community perceptions of vaccine advocacy for children under five in rural Guatemala
Authors: Williams Joshua T. B. , Robinson Kelsey , Abbott Elizabeth , Rojop Neudy , Shiffman Michelle , Rice John D. , O’Leary Sean T. , Asturias Edwin J.
Published: May 2023

Historically, partnerships with community leaders (e.g., religious leaders, teachers) have been critical to building vaccination confidence, but leaders may be increasingly vaccine hesitant. In rural Guatemala, the extent of vaccine hesitancy among community leaders is unclear, as are their perceptions of advocacy for childhood vaccines. We sought to: (i) compare Guatemalan religious leaders’ and community leaders’ attitudes toward childhood vaccines, (ii) describe leaders’ experiences and comfort with vaccination advocacy, and (iii) describe community members’ trust in them as vaccination advocates. In 2019, we surveyed religious leaders, other community leaders, and parents of children under five in rural Guatemala. We recorded participant demographic information and assessed participant vaccine hesitancy regarding childhood vaccines. We analyzed data descriptively and via adjusted regression modeling. Our sample included 50 religious leaders, 50 community leaders, and 150 community members (response rate: 99%); 14% of religious leaders and community leaders were vaccine hesitant, similar to community members (P = 0.71). In the prior year, 47% of leaders had spoken about vaccines in their formal role; 85% felt responsible to do so. Only 28% of parents trusted politicians “a lot” for vaccine advice, versus doctors (72%; P < 0.01), nurses (62%; P < 0.01), religious leaders (49%; P < 0.01), and teachers (48%; P < 0.01). In this study, religious leaders and community leaders were willing but incompletely engaged vaccination advocates. Most community members trusted doctors and nurses a lot for vaccination advice; half trusted teachers and religious leaders similarly. Public health officials in rural Guatemala can complement efforts by doctors and nurses through partnerships with teachers and religious leaders to increase vaccination confidence and delivery.
Sensitivity and specificity of human point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test in African livestock for rapid diagnosis of schistosomiasis: A Bayesian latent class analysis
Authors: Calvo-Urbano Beatriz , Léger Elsa , Gabain Isobel , De Dood Claudia J. , Diouf Nicolas D. , Borlase Anna , Rudge James W. , Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , Sène Mariama , Van Dam Govert J. , Walker Martin , Webster Joanne P.
Published: May 2023

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease (NTD) affecting both humans and animals. The morbidity and mortality inflicted upon livestock in the Afrotropical region has been largely overlooked, in part due to a lack of validated sensitive and specific tests, which do not require specialist training or equipment to deliver and interpret. As stressed within the recent WHO NTD 2021–2030 Roadmap and Revised Guideline for schistosomiasis, inexpensive, non-invasive, and sensitive diagnostic tests for livestock-use would also facilitate both prevalence mapping and appropriate intervention programmes. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the currently available point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test (POC-CCA), designed for Schistosoma mansoni detection in humans, for the detection of intestinal livestock schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma bovis and Schistosoma curassoni. POC-CCA, together with the circulating anodic antigen (CAA) test, miracidial hatching technique (MHT), Kato-Katz (KK) and organ and mesentery inspection (for animals from abattoirs only), were applied to samples collected from 195 animals (56 cattle and 139 small ruminants (goats and sheep) from abattoirs and living populations) from Senegal. POC-CCA sensitivity was greater in the S. curassoni-dominated Barkedji livestock, both for cattle (median 81%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 55%-98%) and small ruminants (49%; CrI: 29%-87%), than in the S. bovis-dominated Richard Toll ruminants (cattle: 62%; CrI: 41%-84%; small ruminants: 12%, CrI: 1%-37%). Overall, sensitivity was greater in cattle than in small ruminants. Small ruminants POC-CCA specificity was similar in both locations (91%; CrI: 77%-99%), whilst cattle POC-CCA specificity could not be assessed owing to the low number of uninfected cattle surveyed. Our results indicate that, whilst the current POC-CCA does represent a potential diagnostic tool for cattle and possibly for predominantly S. curassoni-infected livestock, future work is needed to develop parasite- and/or livestock-specific affordable and field-applicable diagnostic tests to enable determination of the true extent of livestock schistosomiasis.
Bacterial, fungal and parasitic co-infections in leprosy: A scoping review
Authors: Fróes Luis Alberto Ribeiro , Toma Tereza Setsuko , Jachiet Marie , Rousset Laurie , Poderoso Rosana Evangelista , Trindade Maria Angela Bianconcini
Published: May 2023

Background

In leprosy patients, the most commonly reported non-viral co-infections are Tuberculosis, Leishmaniasis, Chromoblastomycosis and Helminths. The presence of a secondary infection is believed to increase the likelihood of leprosy reactions. The purpose of this review was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the most reported bacterial, fungal, and parasitic co-infections in leprosy.

Methodology/Principal findings

Following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted by two independent reviewers, resulting in the inclusion of 89 studies. For tuberculosis, a total of 211 cases were identified, with a median age of 36 years and male predominance (82%). Leprosy was the initial infection in 89% of cases, 82% of individuals had multibacillary disease, and 17% developed leprosy reactions. For leishmaniasis, 464 cases were identified, with a median age of 44 years and male predominance (83%). Leprosy was the initial infection in 44% of cases, 76% of individuals presented with multibacillary disease, and 18% developed leprosy reactions. Regarding chromoblastomycosis, we identified 19 cases with a median age of 54 years and male predominance (88%). Leprosy was the primary infection in 66% of cases, 70% of individuals had multibacillary disease, and 35% developed leprosy reactions. Additionally, we found 151 cases of co-infection with leprosy and helminths, with a median age of 43 years and male predominance (68%). Leprosy was the primary infection in 66% of cases, and 76% of individuals presented with multibacillary disease, while the occurrence of leprosy reactions varied from 37% to 81% across studies.

Conclusion

We observed a male-dominated pattern of co-infections among working-age individuals with multibacillary leprosy. Unlike prior studies reporting increased leprosy reactions in chronic viral co-infections, our findings did not indicate any increase among bacterial, fungal, or parasitic co-infections. Rather, co-infections with tuberculosis and leishmaniasis appeared to reduce leprosy reactions.
Active sampling of volatile chemicals for non-invasive classification of chicken eggs by sex early in incubation
Authors: Borras Eva , Wang Ying , Shah Priyanka , Bellido Kevin , Hamera Katherine L. , Arlen Robert A. , McCartney Mitchell M. , Portillo Kristy , Zhou Huaijun , Davis Cristina E. , Turpen Thomas H.
Published: May 2023

According to industry estimates, approximately 7 billion day-old male chicks are disposed of annually worldwide because they are not of use to the layer industry. A practical process to identify the sex of the egg early in incubation without penetrating the egg would improve animal welfare, reduce food waste and mitigate environmental impact. We implemented a moderate vacuum pressure system through commercial egg-handling suction cups to collect volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Three separate experiments were set up to determine optimal conditions to collect eggs VOCs to discriminate male from female embryos. Optimal extraction time (2 min), storage conditions (short period of incubation during egg storage (SPIDES) at days 8–10 of incubation), and sampling temperature (37.5°C) were determined. Our VOC-based method could correctly differentiate male from female embryos with more than 80% accuracy. These specifications are compatible with the design of specialized automation equipment capable of high-throughput, in-ovo sexing based on chemical sensor microchips.
Validation of the family focused mental health practice questionnaire in measuring health and social care professionals’ family focused practice
Authors: Grant Anne , Lagdon Susan , Devaney John , Davidson Gavin , Duffy Joe , Perra Oliver
Published: May 2023

Background

Parental mental illness is a major public health issue and there is growing evidence that family focused practice can improve outcomes for parents and their families. However, few reliable and valid instruments measure mental health and social care professionals’ family focused practice.

Objectives

To explore the psychometric properties of the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire in a population of health and social care professionals.

Methods

Health and Social Care Professionals (n = 836) in Northern Ireland completed an adapted version of the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the structure of the underlying dimensions in the questionnaire. The results, and theoretical considerations, guided construction of a model that could explain variation in respondents’ items. This model was then validated using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis revealed that solutions including 12 to 16 factors provided a good fit to the data and indicated underlying factors that could be meaningfully interpreted in line with existing literature. From these exploratory analyses, we derived a model that included 14 factors and tested this model with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The results suggested 12 factors that summarized 46 items that were most optimal in reflecting family focused behaviours and professional and organizational factors. The 12 dimensions identified were meaningful and consistent with substantive theories: furthermore, their inter-correlations were consistent with known professional and organizational processes known to promote or hinder family focused practice.

Conclusion

This psychometric evaluation reveals that the scale provides a meaningful measure of professionals’ family focused practice within adult mental health and children’s services, and the factors that hinder and enable practice in this area. The findings, therefore, support the use of this measure to benchmark and further develop family focused practice in both adult mental health and children’s services.
Informative and adaptive distances and summary statistics in sequential approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: Schälte Yannik , Hasenauer Jan
Published: May 2023

Calibrating model parameters on heterogeneous data can be challenging and inefficient. This holds especially for likelihood-free methods such as approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), which rely on the comparison of relevant features in simulated and observed data and are popular for otherwise intractable problems. To address this problem, methods have been developed to scale-normalize data, and to derive informative low-dimensional summary statistics using inverse regression models of parameters on data. However, while approaches only correcting for scale can be inefficient on partly uninformative data, the use of summary statistics can lead to information loss and relies on the accuracy of employed methods. In this work, we first show that the combination of adaptive scale normalization with regression-based summary statistics is advantageous on heterogeneous parameter scales. Second, we present an approach employing regression models not to transform data, but to inform sensitivity weights quantifying data informativeness. Third, we discuss problems for regression models under non-identifiability, and present a solution using target augmentation. We demonstrate improved accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach on various problems, in particular robustness and wide applicability of the sensitivity weights. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the adaptive approach. The developed algorithms have been made available in the open-source Python toolbox pyABC.
Somatic characteristic, morphological asymmetry and postural stability of youth male canoeists compared to control. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Krzykała Magdalena , Karpowicz Krzysztof , Karpowicz Małgorzata , Bartkowiak Sylwia , Demuth Anna , Czerniak Urszula , Janowski Jarosław
Published: May 2023

Objective

To determine the relationships between selected morphological characteristics and the level of body composition asymmetry with postural stability among canoeists and a control group.

Methods

The sample consisted of 43 males (21 canoeists 21.8±3.29 years and 22 university students 21.7±1.32 years). Measurements included body height and weight. Segmental body composition analysis was assessed using the bioelectrical impedance by determining: fat mass (FM, kg, %), fat-free mass (FFM, kg) and predicted muscle mass (PMM, kg). Postural stability was tested using the BIODEX Balance System. Anterior–posterior stability index (APSI), medial–lateral stability index (MLSI) and overall stability index (OSI) were calculated.

Results

Our findings suggest that the canoeists had statistically lower level of fatty tissue compared to controls. There was a statistically important difference between groups in lower limb FM (% and kg). In both groups morphological asymmetry was observed, but in most cases—in athletes. Asymmetries between right and left arms appeared in all parameters, while asymmetries between right and left legs were noted in all parameters except FM (kg). There were relationships between stature and body weight with postural stability in canoeists. Canoeists demonstrated better balance than controls, particularly in the APSI. For all stability indices, significant differences were observed between right and left legs across all participants.

Conclusions

Athletes, with larger asymmetries or poorer balance, require more attention to improve performance and reduce the risk of overload injury. Future studies needed to develop sport-specific level of morphofunctional asymmetry which would be optimal for sport results and health as well.
Unplanned pregnancy and the association with maternal health and pregnancy outcomes: A Swedish cohort study
Authors: Carlander Alisa , Hultstrand Jenny Niemeyer , Reuterwall Isa , Jonsson Maria , Tydén Tanja , Kullinger Merit
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Unplanned pregnancies are common and associated with late initiation and inadequate antenatal care attendance, which may pose health risks to mother and child. How pregnancy planning relates to maternal health and delivery in Sweden, a country with free antenatal care and free abortion, has not been studied previously. Our aims were to study whether pregnancy planning was associated with antenatal care utilization and pregnancy outcomes in a Swedish setting.

Methods

Data for 2953 women, who answered a questionnaire when recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden and later gave birth, was linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The degree of pregnancy planning was estimated using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Unplanned (comprising unplanned and ambivalent intention to pregnancy) was compared to planned pregnancy. Differences between women with unplanned and planned pregnancy intention and associated pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression.

Results

There were 31% unplanned (2% unplanned and 29% ambivalent) pregnancies, whereas most woman (69%) reported their pregnancy to be planned. Women with an unplanned pregnancy enrolled later to antenatal care, but there was no difference in number of visits compared with planned pregnancy. Women with an unplanned pregnancy had higher odds to have induced labor (17% versus 13%; aOR 1.33 95% CI 1.06–1.67) and a longer hospital stay (41% versus 37%; aOR 1.21 95% CI 1.02–1.44). No associations were found between pregnancy planning and pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, epidural analgesia use, vacuum extraction delivery, Caesarean section or sphincter rupture.

Conclusions

Unplanned pregnancy was associated with delayed initiation of antenatal care, higher odds for induction of labor and longer hospital stay, but not with any severe pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that women with an unplanned pregnancy cope well in a setting with free abortion and free health care.
A novel partitivirus orchestrates conidiation, stress response, pathogenicity, and secondary metabolism of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium majus
Authors: Wang Ping , Yang Guogen , Shi Najie , Zhao Cheng , Hu Fenglin , Coutts Robert H. A. , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , Huang Bo
Published: May 2023

Mycoviruses are widely present in all major groups of fungi but those in entomopathogenic Metarhizium spp. remain understudied. In this investigation, a novel double-stranded (ds) RNA virus is isolated from Metarhizium majus and named Metarhizium majus partitivirus 1 (MmPV1). The complete genome sequence of MmPV1 comprises two monocistronic dsRNA segments (dsRNA 1 and dsRNA 2), which encode an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and a capsid protein (CP), respectively. MmPV1 is classified as a new member of the genus Gammapartitivirus in the family Partitiviridae based on phylogenetic analysis. As compared to an MmPV1-free strain, two isogenic MmPV1-infected single-spore isolates were compromised in terms of conidiation, and tolerance to heat shock and UV-B irradiation, while these phenotypes were accompanied by transcriptional suppression of multiple genes involved in conidiation, heat shock response and DNA damage repair. MmPV1 attenuated fungal virulence since infection resulted in reduced conidiation, hydrophobicity, adhesion, and cuticular penetration. Additionally, secondary metabolites were significantly altered by MmPV1 infection, including reduced production of triterpenoids, and metarhizins A and B, and increased production of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. However, expression of individual MmPV1 proteins in M. majus had no impact on the host phenotype, suggesting insubstantive links between defective phenotypes and a single viral protein. These findings indicate that MmPV1 infection decreases M. majus fitness to its environment and its insect-pathogenic lifestyle and environment through the orchestration of the host conidiation, stress tolerance, pathogenicity, and secondary metabolism.
Novel secreted STPKLRR from Vibrio splendidus AJ01 promotes pathogen internalization via mediating tropomodulin phosphorylation dependent cytoskeleton rearrangement
Authors: Dai Fa , Guo Ming , Shao Yina , Li Chenghua
Published: May 2023

We previously demonstrated that the flagellin of intracellular Vibrio splendidus AJ01 could be specifically identified by tropomodulin (Tmod) and further mediate p53-dependent coelomocyte apoptosis in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. In higher animals, Tmod serves as a regulator in stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton. However, the mechanism on how AJ01 breaks the AjTmod-stabilized cytoskeleton for internalization remains unclear. Here, we identified a novel AJ01 Type III secretion system (T3SS) effector of leucine-rich repeat-containing serine/threonine-protein kinase (STPKLRR) with five LRR domains and a serine/threonine kinase (STYKc) domain, which could specifically interact with tropomodulin domain of AjTmod. Furthermore, we found that STPKLRR directly phosphorylated AjTmod at serine 52 (S52) to reduce the binding stability between AjTmod and actin. After AjTmod dissociated from actin, the F-actin/G-actin ratio decreased to induce cytoskeletal rearrangement, which in turn promoted the internalization of AJ01. The STPKLRR knocked out strain could not phosphorylated AjTmod and displayed lower internalization capacity and pathogenic effect compared to AJ01. Overall, we demonstrated for the first time that the T3SS effector STPKLRR with kinase activity was a novel virulence factor in Vibrio and mediated self-internalization by targeting host AjTmod phosphorylation dependent cytoskeleton rearrangement, which provided a candidate target to control AJ01 infection in practice.
Segadors i anarquistes: a propòsit d’una nova lletra per a l’himne
Authors: Samper Prunera Emili
Published: May 2023

L’any 1899 La Nació Catalana va convocar un concurs per canviar la lletra de l’himne Els Segadors. Aquesta iniciativa va ser rebutjada frontalment per l’Agrupació Folklòrica que considerava que es malmetia una cançó popular. Aquest rebuig va ser compartit per reconegudes personalitats de l’època, entre les quals s’hi troben folkloristes com Francesc Maspons i Labrós o Cels Gomis. Tot i el rebuig mostrat, Gomis va redactar una nova lletra per a l’himne que no va enviar mai i que s’ha conservat al seu fons personal. En aquest article es ressegueix aquest episodi polèmic, amb les reaccions suscitades a la premsa, i es recupera la proposta de lletra per a l’himne que aquest folklorista no va arribar a publicar mai.
Els papers de la Festa: notes sobre l’Arxiu del Patronat del Misteri d’Elx
Authors: Castaño Garcia Joan
Published: May 2023

La creació del Patronat Nacional del Misteri d’Elx en 1951 com a organisme responsable del drama assumpcionista elxà, va posar en marxa un arxiu de documents i materials bibliogràfics i audiovisuals. Un arxiu que, amb el pas del temps i el creixement continuat dels seus fons, s’ha convertit en un instrument imprescindible per a les investigacions al voltant de la Festa d’Elx, única mostra del teatre religiós medieval que s’ha mantingut viva al llarg de més de cinc-cents anys. Aquest article descriu la fundació i evolució en els últims setanta anys d’aquest arxiu, així com els diferents apartats i materials que conté. S’acaba amb una reflexió de cara al futur amb un seguit d’actuacions que potencien aquest conjunt documental, que permeten donar als seus fons els tractaments tècnics recomanats per a la conservació adient i, sobretot, que el conserven com una eina fonamental per aprofundir en el coneixement i en la patrimonialització del Misteri d’Elx.
Anàlisi sociolingüística de la toponímia oficial de la ciutat d’Alacant
Authors: Salomón Uroz Marc
Published: May 2023

L’onomàstica, i en concret la toponímia, permet una gran varietat d’aproximacions, una de les quals és la sociolingüística. Tot i el trencament de la transmissió del valencià a la ciutat i la subsegüent substitució lingüística pel castellà, la toponímia ha romàs en bastants casos en valencià, que a través del castellà són deturpats, adaptats o traduïts per a ajustar-se al nou context lingüístic en castellà de la ciutat. Analitzem les característiques lingüístiques i sociolingüístiques dels topònims i els situem en la història de la substitució lingüística a la ciutat.
Ressenya del llibre: Em lliga la beutat de cada flor. Poesia escollida de Palmira Jaquetti i Isant Tarragona
Authors: Palau Vergés Montserrat
Published: May 2023

Ressenya del llibre: Em lliga la beutat de cada flor. Poesia escollida de Palmira Jaquetti. Tarragona: Publicacions de la Universitat Rovira i Virgili. ISBN 978-84-8424-918-4, 475 pp.
Conformidade contábil e a implementação de procedimentos contábeis patrimoniais: análise dos municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Sasso Maiara , Rosangela Pereira Ramos  , Patrícia Siqueira Varela
Published: May 2023

Objetivo: Identificar a relação entre a conformidade contábil e a implementação de Procedimentos Contábeis Patrimoniais (PCP) decorrentes da adoção de normas convergidas às IPSAS.
Método: A variável independente (conformidade contábil) foi construída por meio de impropriedades patrimoniais, orçamentárias e fiscais extraídas dos pareceres prévios de tribunais de contas; enquanto as variáveis dependentes (implementação obrigatória e voluntária de PCP) foi mensurada por meio da contagem do número de PCP implementados por 88 dos 92 municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os modelos de regressões Poisson e binomial negativo foram utilizados para a identificação da relação.
Resultados: Os resultados não indicam significância estatística da conformidade contábil com a implementação dos PCP analisados, mas apontam que a resposta do parecer prévio emitido pelos órgãos de controle externo, a faixa populacional e o índice de governança de tecnologia da informação têm relação positiva com a implementação. As despesas na função Administração também apresentam relação com a implementação, mas ela é negativa.
Contribuições: Além da construção de proxy para mensurar a qualificação da equipe de contabilidade, denominada conformidade contábil, os achados do presente estudo podem contribuir para a compreensão da atuação do contador do setor público em processos de reformas. A informação contábil tem o objetivo de dar suporte à tomada de decisão e promover a accountability. Contadores do setor público são essenciais para a geração dessas informações e este estudo inova ao abordar a relação entre a equipe de contabilidade e a implementação de PCP por meio da população de municípios de um estado.
Maxillary Sinus Volume and Its Effect on Treated Impacted Canines
Authors: Horáček Martin , Dostálová Taťjana , Urbanová Petra , Eliášová Hana , Špidlen Miloš , Hliňáková Petra
Published: May 2023

The goal of study was to explore the role of 3D CBCT (cone beam computer tomography) in detecting impacted canines and their movement to evaluate the influence of orthodontic therapy parameters on treatment options, and to monitor quality of healing process based on shape and size of sinus maxillae volume. It is known that the volume of maxillary sinus plays an important role in patients with impacted teeth. The prospective study consisted of 26 individuals. For each individual, pre-treatment and post-treatment CBCT data were acquired. Changes of size, and position of impacted canine in 3D CBCT image before and after therapy were prepared using 3D reconstruction. Volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinuses were performed before and after orthodontic therapy of impacted canines, using InVivo6 software. The main effects MANOVA performed on linear measurements showed metric differences between pre-op and post-op images. A paired t-test showed no statistically significant differences between pre-op and post-op values of the sinus volume. Changes of size and position of impacted canine in 3D image before and after therapy were precise and reproducible, using 3D reconstruction in three planes – horizontal, midsagittal, and coronal. The linear measurements showed metric differences between pre-op and post-op images.
Cord Herniation through the Site of Undiagnosed Thoracic Dermoid Tumour during Spinal Anaesthesia; Report of a Case and Describing Ways to Avoid
Authors: Parvaresh Mansour , Bahrami Eshagh , Ahmadi Sayedali , Fattahi Arash , Farid Ali
Published: May 2023

Spinal anaesthesia (SA) is one of the most prevalent types of anaesthetic procedures. There are very few reports of cord herniation through the site of spinal canal stenosis due to tumour. A 33-year-old female presented with acute paraparesis after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural mass from posterior of T6 to T8-T9 interface. We operated the patient and after laminectomy of T6 to T9, dermoid tumour containing hairs was totally resected and cord was completely decompressed. After 6 months, the patient is without any neurological deficit. Puncturing the dura with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the presence of an extramedullary mass could cause cord herniation through the blockade. In these cases, awareness about related signs even in absence of symptoms or complaints could help us to prevent post-SA neurological deficit.
A Second-Order Difference Scheme for Generalized Time-Fractional Diffusion Equation with Smooth Solutions
Authors: Khibiev Aslanbek , Alikhanov Anatoly , Huang Chengming
Published: May 2023

In the current work, we build a difference analog of the Caputo fractional derivative with generalized memory kernel (𝜇L2-1𝜎 formula).
The fundamental features of this difference operator are studied, and on its ground, some difference schemes generating approximations of the second order in time for the generalized time-fractional diffusion equation with variable coefficients are worked out.
We have proved stability and convergence of the given schemes in the grid

L
2

L_{2}

-norm with the rate equal to the order of the approximation error.
The achieved results are supported by the numerical computations performed for some test problems.
The Instability of the Market for Government Bonds in the EMU
Authors: Kleinert Joern
Published: May 2023

The introduction of the Transmission Protection Instrument is the latest evidence, that the EMU is confronted with unstable markets for government bonds. Based on a parsimonious model of the government bond market, I argue, that this results from the introduction of the euro, which has homogenized government bonds. Now, several easily substitutable bonds are traded at the same time. Investors sort according to return and risk instead of along currencies. This self-selection, however, creates instability in crises. Price convergence and sorting characterized the first decade of the euro, instability the second.