bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear Wave Elastography in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types 2 and 3
Authors: Karacabey Burçin Nazlı , Bayramoğlu Zuhal , Coşkun Orhan , Sarı Zeynep Nur Akyol , Özkan Melis Ulak , Yıldız Edibe Pembegül , Aydınlı Nur , Çalışkan Mine
Published: January 2023

Introduction This study aimed to investigate selective muscle involvement by shear wave elastography (SWE) in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3 and to compare SWE values with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in demonstrating muscle involvement.

Methods Seventeen patients with SMA types 2 and3 were included in the study. SWE was used to evaluate stiffness of the upper and lower extremities and paraspinal muscles. Involvement of the paraspinal muscles was evaluated using 1.5-T MRI.

Results Among the upper extremity muscles, SWE values were the highest for the triceps brachii; however, no significant difference was noted (p = 0.23). In post hoc analysis, a significant difference was observed between triceps brachii and biceps brachii (p = 0.003). Patients with a longer disease duration have the highest SWE values for the triceps brachii (r = 0.67, p = 0.003). Among the lower extremity muscles, SWE values for the iliopsoas were significantly higher than the gluteus maximus (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between SWE values and MRI scores of paraspinal muscles (r = 0.49, p = 0.045; r = 0.67, p = 0.003).

Conclusion This is the first study to report muscle involvement assessed by SWE in patients with SMA types 2 and 3. Our findings are similar to the presence of selective muscle involvement demonstrated in previous studies, and also SWE and MRI values were similar. SWE is an alternative noninvasive practical method that can be used to demonstrate muscle involvement in patients with SMA, to understand the pathogenesis of segmental involvement, and to guide future treatments or to monitor the effectiveness of existing new treatment options.
Solid-State Silver-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Fluorination of Cyclobutanols by Using Mechanochemistry
Authors: Isshiki Ryota , Kubota Koji , Ito Hajime
Published: January 2023

In this report, we demonstrate that a ball-milling technique facilitates fast and efficient silver-catalyzed ring-opening fluorination of cyclobutanols. This is the first report of a catalytic C–C bond-cleavage/functionalization reaction under solid-state mechanochemical conditions. The developed protocol affords a high yield of γ-fluorinated ketones within much shorter reaction times, and requires less silver catalyst and Selectfluor compared with the previous solution-based conditions. Notably, the process can be carried out in air. Because of the reduced use of chemicals and the simple time-saving experimental procedures, this technique is an efficient and environmentally friendly way to access γ-fluorinated ketones.
Development and Validation of Nocturia-Related Quality of Life Assessment Scale among Adults
Authors: Varughese Susamma , Rajeev Thekke Puthalath , Rodrigues Devina E. , Sucharitha Suresh
Published: January 2023

Background Nocturia has high impact on quality of life (QoL) based on varying geographical and cultural factors. Speculating this, nocturia-related QoL (NRQoL) assessment scale was developed precisely, appropriate to the Indian context.

Objective The current study aimed to develop and validate an NRQoL assessment scale for Indian adults.

Methods An exploratory descriptive design was performed among 420 cases and 206 controls aged 35 to 65 years from two selected tertiary hospitals in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. The NRQoL assessment scale was formulated through the following phases: review of literature, evaluation by experts, and pretesting. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to reduce the number of items and to define domains. Reliability, construct validity, discriminant validity, and convergent validity of the scale were calculated.

Results EFA resulted in the removal of seven items from a 36-item instrument, resulting NRQoL assessment scale into six domains as follows: (1) functional, (2) sleep, (3) emotional, (4) physical, (5) social and family, and (6) spiritual. The findings from the tertiary hospitals study confirmed that the scale was valid and reliable to measure NRQoL among adults.

Conclusion The NRQoL assessment scale is a new, valid, and reliable instrument that is well-understood by adults and can be answered quickly. It is a useful new tool that can be translated and tested in other cultures and languages.
Complications of 90Y Radioembolization Treatment for Liver Tumors
Authors: Eghbali Mason , Haber Zachary M. , Srinivasa Ravi N. , Padia Siddharth A.
Published: January 2023

Y90 radioembolization has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with HCC and for certain liver metastases, such as neuroendocrine tumors, uveal melanomas, and breast cancer. Although the procedure is relatively safe, the complications associated with radioembolization vary greatly in their locations, presentation, and severity. This review aims to discuss and increase awareness of the potential complications associated with radioembolization.
Virtual Ophthalmology Rotation for Visiting Medical Students: An Opportunity to Enhance Diversity in the Workforce
Authors: Yousuf Salman J. , Nguyen Nguyen S. , Oskuei Monika Farhangi , Kwagyan John , Jones Leslie S.
Published: January 2023

Introduction We created a virtual rotation to facilitate the exposure of ophthalmology to medical students and serve as a pilot program to help attract students from under-represented in medicine (URM) backgrounds. In addition to the rotation eliminating the financial burdens associated with in-person away rotations, we offered a not-for-credit (i.e., drop-in) option that included sessions outside the typical clinic hours. This option reduced scheduling conflicts as a barrier to enrollment and allowed junior medical students and postgraduates to participate and hopefully further develop an interest in ophthalmology.

Methods Before the rotation, participants completed a pre-test and a survey to collect data on learners' backgrounds and interest in applying for ophthalmology residency. The rotation included live lectures, case-based discussions, chart reviews, and guided self-study. Following the rotation, participants completed a post-test and a survey to query applicants on the online rotation's utility and delivery.

Results Eleven learners enrolled in the course and completed the prerotation survey and test. Approximately one-third (4/11; 36%) were URM students and two-thirds (7/11; 64%) were female. All responded they were planning to apply for ophthalmology residency. All responded they strongly agreed that the rotation increased their general knowledge in ophthalmology, and 89% (9/11) strongly agreed that it improved their ability to diagnose and manage actual patients. Nearly all (7/8; 87.5%) strongly agreed the rotation provided the opportunity to seek support for the residency application process, and all found the online platform reliable and easy to access. Exam scores improved significantly from pre- to post-tests (60 vs. 79%; p < 0.01).

Conclusions The rotation attracted a substantial proportion of URM students. Learners reported that the virtual rotation effectively taught and supported their endeavors to become ophthalmologists. Virtual rotations for visiting students can reduce barriers such as travel, financial costs, and time constraints that might otherwise hinder exposure to specialty training that is not offered or is underrepresented at students' home institutions. Increasing exposure and offering mentorship through this novel platform deserves further study to enhance diversity and inclusion in medicine.
Race and Gender in Ophthalmology: A National Analysis of Medical Students with Intention to Pursue the Field
Authors: Chhoa John , Jawiche John , Uppal Priya A. , Arunachalam Thilaka , Nguyen Mytien , Eggan Branden , Mason Hyacinth , Busingye Jacqueline
Published: January 2023

Purpose The field of ophthalmology must become more reflective of the increasingly diverse U.S. population. This study characterizes students intending to pursue ophthalmology and practice in an underserved area versus other surgical and nonsurgical fields.

Subjects Deidentified responses from 92,080 U.S. MD students who matriculated in the academic years beginning from 2007 to 2011 were obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Graduation Questionnaires.

Methods Study participants were those who fully completed the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire. Chi-squared and multivariate logistical regressions were used for analyses.

Results Ophthalmology intending graduates (OIG; n = 1,177) compared with other surgical intending graduates (n = 7,955) were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–1.66), Asian (1.71 [1.46–2.01]), and have conducted a research project with a faculty member (1.58 [1.26–1.98]). OIG compared with nonsurgery intending graduates (n = 35,865) were more likely to have completed a research project with a faculty member (4.78 [3.86–5.92]), to be Asian (1.4 [1.21–1.62]), and have received scholarships (1.18 [1.04–1.34]). OIG were less likely to be female (0.64 [0.57–0.73]) and Black/African American (0.5 [0.33–0.74]). Among OIG, Black/African American students and multiracial students were more likely than non-Hispanic (NH) White students to report intention to practice in underserved areas (IPUA; 14.29 [1.82–111.88] and 2.5 [1.06–5.92]), respectively. OIG with global health experience were more likely to report IPUA (1.64 [1.2–2.25]).

Conclusion Females and underrepresented in medicine (URM), respectively, were more likely to be nonsurgery intending graduates than OIG, which, if not addressed, may lead to a persistent underrepresentation of these groups in the field. In addition, URM students, including African American students, were more likely to report IPUA, which further emphasizes the importance of more URM students entering the field to address these growing gaps in medical care. Finally, we recommend increased mentorship to help address these disparities.
Preoperative Assessment and Optimization of Cardiopulmonary Disease in Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Savery Kelsey E. , Kleiman Amanda M. , Walters Susan M.
Published: January 2023

More than 50 million surgical procedures are carried out every year in the United States with the estimated risk of major adverse cardiac events perioperatively between 1.4 and 3.9%. Given that the majority of surgeries are elective, this allows ample opportunity to identify patients at higher risk of perioperative adverse events and optimize them for surgery. Preexisting cardiopulmonary disease is a major risk factor for adverse events perioperatively and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. It can predispose patients to perioperative myocardial ischemia and infarction, perioperative pulmonary complications, and perioperative stroke among other complications. This article details an approach to preoperative interview and examination, indications for preoperative testing, and strategies for optimization in patients with underlying cardiopulmonary disease. It also includes guidelines on optimal timing of elective surgery in certain clinical scenarios that can escalate perioperative risk. Through the use of thorough preoperative assessment, targeted preoperative testing, and multidisciplinary optimization of preexisting disease, perioperative risk can be decreased significantly and perioperative outcomes improved.
Social Determinants of Health and Impact in Perioperative Space
Authors: Devin Courtney L. , Shaffer Virginia O.
Published: January 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the social determinants of health (SDOH) as “the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks,” which includes economic stability, access to quality health care, and physical environment. There is increasing evidence that SDOH have an impact in shaping a patient's access and recovery from surgery. This review evaluates the role surgeons play in reducing these disparities.
Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making in the Perioperative Environment
Authors: Krebs Elizabeth D. , Hoang Sook C.
Published: January 2023

Informed consent and shared decision making (SDM) are crucial portions of preoperative patient management. Informed consent is a standard for surgery from both a legal and ethical standpoint, involving disclosure of potential risks of a procedure and ensuring patient understanding of these risks. SDM is a process in which a clinician and patients decide between two or more treatment plans, taking into account the patient's goals and values. SDM is a particularly important aspect of patient-centered care when two or more treatment options exist or in situations where an indicated treatment may not align with the patient's long-term goals. This article details aspects of and issues surrounding informed consent and SDM.
Fast transonic flow prediction enables efficient aerodynamic design
Authors: Zhou Hongjie , Xie Fangfang , Ji Tingwei , Zhang Xinshuai , Zheng Changdong , Zheng Yao
Published: January 2023

A deep learning framework is proposed for real-time transonic flow prediction. To capture the complex shock discontinuity of transonic flow, we introduce the residual network ResNet and deconvolutional neural networks to learn the nonlinear discontinuity phenomenon in transonic flow, which is affected by the Mach number, angle of attack, Reynolds number, and aerodynamic shape. In our framework, flow field variables on actual grid points are utilized in the neural network training to avoid the interpolation operation and the input of spatial position with a point cloud that is required with traditional convolutional neural networks. To investigate and validate the proposed framework, transonic flows around two-dimensional airfoils and three-dimensional wings are utilized to verify its effectiveness and prediction accuracy. The results prove that the model is able to efficiently learn the transonic flow field under the influence of the Mach number, angle of attack, Reynolds number, and aerodynamic shape. Significantly, some essential physical features, such as shock strength and location, flow separation, and the boundary layer, are accurately captured by this model. Furthermore, it is shown that our framework is able to make accurate predictions of the pressure distribution and aerodynamic coefficients. Thus, the present work provides an efficient and robust surrogate model for computational fluid dynamics simulation that enhances the efficiency of complex aerodynamic shape design optimization tasks and represents a step toward the realization of the digital twin concept.
Reducing koala roadkill: a social marketing formative study
Authors: Pang Bo , Zhang Anran , Seydel Tori , David Patricia , Yousef Murooj , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn
Published: January 2023

Context Koalas are an Australian icon and their numbers are seriously declining. In some regions, a key threat to koalas is vehicle strikes. Therefore, understanding what might convince people to be more vigilant and willing to slow down in areas with high koala numbers is an important research undertaking. Aims This study aims to use the wildlife value orientation (WVO) framework, a value-based segmentation process, to extend conservation insight. It will do this by demonstrating the application of social cognitive theory (SCT), to investigate how wildlife beliefs can help in identifying worthwhile groups to target with wildlife conservation interventions. The findings of this study can be used to benefit koalas by assisting conservation planning efforts to decrease driving speed and promote positive changes in driving behaviour. Method Data collection through intercept surveys was employed by convenience sampling in 2019. A total of 661 responses were collected from residents of a koala priority conservation area in Queensland, Australia. Respondents were asked about their wildlife values, beliefs, attitudes, norms, barriers, and intentions to slow down, while driving in a koala area. Four key groups were identified based on respondents’ WVO (i.e. mutualists, pluralists, traditionalists and distanced) and multigroup structural equation modelling was conducted to understand group differences. Key results The analysis identified several significant psychographic factors that influenced people’s intentions to protect koalas dependent on what wildlife value respondents held. Injunctive norms were important, positively influencing the intention of traditionalists and pluralists to slow down while driving in a koala area. Individual attitude positively influenced safe driving intention for pluralists, while perceived barriers negatively influenced mutualists’ intention to slow down. Other groups did not show similar results. Conclusion A person’s WVO can influence their intention to protect koalas by modifying their driving behaviour. Various social marketing approaches can benefit conservation strategies aimed at different WVO groups with targeted messages and interventions for each group. Implications This paper demonstrates the value of SCT in explaining people’s intention to slow down to protect koalas. The identification of group differences demonstrates that varied approaches are required to deliver behavioural change to benefit koalas.
Light–matter quantum interface with continuous pump and probe
Authors: Roth Alexander , Hammerer Klemens , Tikhonov Kirill S
Published: January 2023

Spin-polarized atomic ensembles probed by light based on the Faraday interaction are a versatile platform for numerous applications in quantum metrology and quantum information processing. Here we consider an ensemble of Alkali atoms that are continuously optically pumped and probed. Due to the collective scattering of photons at large optical depth, the steady state of atoms does not correspond to an uncorrelated tensor-product state, as is usually assumed. We introduce a self-consistent method to approximate the steady state including the pair correlations, taking into account the multilevel structure of atoms. We find and characterize regimes of Raman lasing, akin to the model of a superradiant laser. We determine the spectrum of the collectively scattered photons, which also characterizes the coherence time of the collective spin excitations on top of the stationary correlated mean-field state, as relevant for applications in metrology and quantum information.
A vibration compensation optimization method for a mobile atomic gravimeter
Authors: Gong Wen-Bin , Li An , Ma Jin-Xiu , Tang Biao , Qin Fang-Jun
Published: January 2023

Information on the Earth’s gravity provides significant strategic support for economies, defense and security. An atomic gravimeter (AG) realizes highly precise measurements of gravitational acceleration by virtue of atomic interference. Vibration noise is a strong contributor to limitations on the measurement sensitivity and accuracy of an AG. Vibration compensation methods thus enhance the environmental adaptability of an AG since it can facilitate the measurement of gravity when an isolation platform is unavailable. A dynamic compensation filter is here devised for correction of the data output from a seismometer, which expands the bandwidth of the seismometer and lowers the distortion of vibration signals. Additionally, a transfer function estimation is introduced to better reflect the actual vibration of the Raman mirror. Based on a simplified transfer function model, this method can modify the interference fringes of the AG in real time. The experimental results show that the proposed optimization method can attenuate the cosine fitting phase uncertainty of interference fringes by up to 85.91%, and reach an uncertainty of about 76.37 μGal in a complicated vibration environment. The AG’s measurement accuracy is effectively improved by the proposed method. It is verified that the proposed method is effective and adaptable in a complicated noise environment.
A feasibility study towards traceable calibration of size and form of microspheres by stitching AFM images using ICP point-to-plane algorithm
Authors: Dai Gaoliang , Degenhardt Johannes , Hu Xiukun , Wolff Helmut , Tutsch Rainer , Manske Eberhard
Published: January 2023

We present a new method for traceable calibration of size and form error of microspheres, which was realised by stitching a series of atomic force microscopic (AFM) images measured at different orientations of microspheres using the metrological large range AFM of the PTB. The stitching algorithm is achieved using an iterative closest point point-to-plane algorithm. As the AFM tip geometry is one of the most significant error sources for the developed method, it was traceably calibrated to a line width standard (type IVPS100-PTB), whose feature geometry was calibrated with a traceable route to the lattice constant of crystal silicon. Measurement setup, scan strategy, and data evaluation processes have been detailed in the paper. Measurement results show high stability and robustness of the developed method. For instance, the standard deviation of four repeated measurements reaches 5 nm, indicating promising performance.
Multi-source alignment domain adaptation with similarity measurement for cross-domain bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Xu Yiyun , Chen Liang , Zhang Fusheng , Wang Shubei , Shi Juanjuan , Shen Changqing
Published: January 2023

Variations in bearing operating conditions may cause a shift in the feature distribution of fault signals, weakening the generalization ability of the fault diagnosis model. Traditional methods with domain adaptation (DA) extract invariant cross-domain fault features, but they are mostly applied to a single-source domain. In the case of multi-source cross-domain transfer, however, determining which source domain has a better transfer effect to the target domain is difficult. In this paper, we aim to combine the transferable knowledge contained in all available source domains to improve the transfer performance. Low-correlation features are often more prone to bias under variable working conditions. The contribution of high-correlation features to the model must be increased. Accordingly, a multi-source alignment DA network with similarity measurement (MADASM) is proposed for this issue. First, DA is performed for each combination of source and target domains, and similarity measurement is introduced to constrain the similarity between the input and the central features. Second, the learned features are inputted into the corresponding domain-specific classifiers, of which the classifier discrepancy loss is then introduced to minimize the difference between the outputs of each domain-specific classifier, resulting in consistent prediction results for classifiers on the target domain. Finally, the average of output probabilities from all the classifier is calculated as the diagnosis result. Experimental results show that MADASM can fully utilize fault category information in multiple source domains to extract fault features with high correlation even in challenging scenarios with unknown data labels and lacking of prior knowledge in target domain.
3D ground penetrating radar cavity identification algorithm for urban roads using transfer learning
Authors: Li Fanruo , Yang Feng , Qiao Xu , Xing Wentai , Zhou Cheng , Xing Honjia
Published: January 2023

3D ground penetrating radar (GPR) is the main method for the detection of underground cavities in urban roads. The number of road cavity samples detected by 3D radar is small, whereas the intelligent identification model require a large number of learning samples for model training, resulting in inadequate model training. This causes the model to be less accurate in identifying cavities, resulting in many misses and misjudgments. Given the above problems, combined with the detection characteristics of the vertical, the horizontal, and the crossed slices obtained in one detection process of 3D GPR, a 3D GPR cavity intelligent recognition model based on model-based transfer learning is proposed. Firstly, a large amount of 3D GPR data of urban road models with cavities are obtained through forwarding simulation. And the intelligent recognition model was pre-trained on the cavity detection data on three types of slices respectively. Then, through model-based transfer learning, a small amount of real underground cavity data is used to speed up the convergence speed of model training and optimize the structural parameters. It breaks through the limitation of the insufficient number of cavity samples for 3D radar detection on the intelligent learning model training, reduces algorithm training costs, and improves identification accuracy.
Impact of Undertreatment of Depression on Suicide Risk Among Children and Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder: A Microsimulation Study
Authors: Zhang Chengchen , Zafari Zafar , Slejko Julia F , Castillo Wendy Camelo , Reeves Gloria M , dosReis Susan
Published: January 2023

Undertreatment of depression is common among children and adolescents, but evidence of the impact of undertreatment of depression on risk of suicide is limited due to the low base rate of suicide in the population and lack of sufficient data sources. We developed a microsimulation model that uses evidence from multiple sources to study the impact of different durations of antidepressant treatment on suicide risk in a synthesized sample that is nationally representative of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder. Compared with receiving no treatment, suicide rate and risk of suicide attempt both decreased with increasing duration of antidepressant treatment (for 12 weeks, suicide rate ratios = 0.78 (95% credible interval (CrI): 0.58, 1.15), 36 weeks, 0.65 (95% CrI: 0.44, 0.90), and 52 weeks, 0.63 (95% CrI: 0.45, 0.72); for suicide attempt: 12 weeks, suicide risk ratios = 0.68 (95% CrI: 0.62, 0.69), 36 weeks, 0.56 (95% CrI: 0.52, 0.57), and 52 weeks, 0.55 (95% CrI: 0.51, 0.56). The suicide rate and risk of suicide attempt were lower in children than in adolescents. Males had a lower risk of suicide attempt but higher suicide rate than females. The findings from the microsimulation model show that completion of 12–36 weeks of antidepressant treatment may reduce suicide attempt and suicide among children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.
Potent antibiotic design via guided search from antibacterial activity evaluations
Authors: Chen Lu , Yu Liang , Gao Lin
Published: January 2023

Motivation

The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria makes the discovery of new antibiotics an urgent issue, but finding new molecules with the desired antibacterial activity is an extremely difficult task. To address this challenge, we established a framework, MDAGS (Molecular Design via Attribute-Guided Search), to optimize and generate potent antibiotic molecules.

Results

By designing the antibacterial activity latent space and guiding the optimization of functional compounds based on this space, the model MDAGS can generate novel compounds with desirable antibacterial activity without the need for extensive expensive and time-consuming evaluations. Compared with existing antibiotics, candidate antibacterial compounds generated by MDAGS always possessed significantly better antibacterial activity and ensured high similarity. Furthermore, although without explicit constraints on similarity to known antibiotics, these candidate antibacterial compounds all exhibited the highest structural similarity to antibiotics of expected function in the DrugBank database query. Overall, our approach provides a viable solution to the problem of bacterial drug resistance.

Availability and implementation

Code of the model and datasets can be downloaded from GitHub (https://github.com/LiangYu-Xidian/MDAGS).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Poor Clares, rich in music: unique polyphonic Benedicamus Domino settings from southern Polish convents in the late 13th and early 14th centuries
Authors: Budzińska-Bennett Agnieszka
Published: January 2023

Under the reign of Duke Bolesław V, Poland lived through a period of cultural prosperity with several newly founded monastic centres and productive scriptoria. Particularly important were two convents of the Order of St Clare, founded by the duke’s sister, the blessed Salomea, and his wife, St Kinga. Both cloisters were led in the spirit of royal foundations and were important repositories of medieval chant and polyphony. While Stary Sącz (founded 1280) is famous for preserving several polyphonic unica, such as the four-part conductus Omnia bene­ficia and fragments of Notre Dame motets, it also contains contrary-motion two-voice Benedicamus settings, added beneath monophonic Benedicamus melodies, which seem to be written records of the kinds of oral polyphonic practices common in female cloisters. Unique two- and three-part troped Benedicamus settings are also preserved in the archive in Kraków, where they too were a late addition to an earlier manuscript, revealing a particular interest in the provision of notated polyphony for the Benedicamus. This article investigates these polyphonic Benedicamus settings in their broader liturgical context. It identifies several new plainchant concordances and reflects on the status of music and polyphony in the Clarist Order in southern Poland.
In pursuit of balance: renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors and hyperkalaemia treatment
Authors: Sciatti Edoardo , D’Elia Emilia , Balestrieri Giulio , D’Isa Salvatore , Iacovoni Attilio , Senni Michele
Published: January 2023

Hyperkalaemia is a life-threatening condition leading to significant morbidity and mortality. It is common in heart failure (HF) patients due to the disease itself, which often co-exists with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, the fluctuations in renal function, and the use of some drugs [i.e. renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors]. In particular, hyperkalaemia opposes to their administration or up-titration, thus impacting on mortality. New K+ binders, namely, patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, are an intriguing option to manage hyperkalaemia in HF patients, both to reduce its fatal effects and to let clinicians up-titrate RAAS inhibitors. Even if their real impact on strong outcomes is still to be determined, we hereby provide an overview of hyperkalaemia in HF and its current management. New trials are welcome to fill the gap in knowledge.
An efficient exact algorithm for identifying hybrids using population genomic sequences
Authors: Chakraborty Sneha , Rannala Bruce
Published: January 2023

The identification of individuals that have a recent hybrid ancestry (between populations or species) has been a goal of naturalists for centuries. Since the 1960s, codominant genetic markers have been used with statistical and computational methods to identify F1 hybrids and backcrosses. Existing hybrid inference methods assume that alleles at different loci undergo independent assortment (are unlinked or in population linkage equilibrium). Genomic datasets include thousands of markers that are located on the same chromosome and are in population linkage disequilibrium which violate this assumption. Existing methods may therefore be viewed as composite likelihoods when applied to genomic datasets and their performance in identifying hybrid ancestry (which is a model-choice problem) is unknown. Here, we develop a new program Mongrail that implements a full-likelihood Bayesian hybrid inference method that explicitly models linkage and recombination, generating the posterior probability of different F1 or F2 hybrid, or backcross, genealogical classes. We use simulations to compare the statistical performance of Mongrail with that of an existing composite likelihood method (NewHybrids) and apply the method to analyze genome sequence data for hybridizing species of barred and spotted owls.
An Automated, Home-Cage, Video Monitoring-based Mouse Frailty Index Detects Age-associated Morbidity in C57BL/6 and Diversity Outbred Mice
Authors: Ruby J Graham , Di Francesco Andrea , Ylagan Paulo , Luo Angela , Keyser Robert , Williams Owen , Spock Sarah , Li Wenzhou , Vongtharangsy Nalien , Chatterjee Sandip , Sloan Cricket A , Ledogar Charles , Kuiper Veronica , Kite Janessa , Cosino Marcelo , Cha Paulyn , Karlsson Eleanor M
Published: January 2023

Frailty indexes (FIs) provide quantitative measurements of nonspecific health decline and are particularly useful as longitudinal monitors of morbidity in aging studies. For mouse studies, frailty assessments can be taken noninvasively, but they require handling and direct observation that is labor-intensive to the scientist and stress inducing to the animal. Here, we implement, evaluate, and provide a refined digital FI composed entirely of computational analyses of home-cage video and compare it to manually obtained frailty scores in both C57BL/6 and genetically heterogeneous Diversity Outbred mice. We show that the frailty scores assigned by our digital index correlate with both manually obtained frailty scores and chronological age. Thus, we provide an automated tool for frailty assessment that can be collected reproducibly, at scale, without substantial labor cost.
Population-based genetic analysis in infertile men reveals novel mutations of ADAD family members in patients with impaired spermatogenesis
Authors: Dai Siyu , Liu Mohan , Liu Man , Jiang Chuan , Yang Yanting , Han Huifeng , Yang Yihong , Jiang Xiaohui , Shen Ying
Published: January 2023

The testis-specific adenosine deaminase domain-containing (ADAD) protein family, including ADAD1 and ADAD2, has been confirmed to be essential in mouse male fertility. However, the roles of ADAD1 and ADAD2 in human reproductive biology are unclear. Herein, whole-exome sequencing was conducted for 337 infertile patients to detect pathogenic variants in ADAD1 and ADAD2. Importantly, a novel deleterious biallelic variant of NM_001159285.2:c.1408G > T (p.V470F) and NM_001159285.2:c.1418A > G (p.E473G) in ADAD1 and a pathogenic homozygous missense variant of NM_001145400.2:c.1381C > T (p.R461W) in ADAD2 were identified in this infertile cohort with frequencies of 0.29 (1/337) and 0.59% (2/337), respectively. Electron microscopy revealed an abnormal morphology and severely disorganized ultrastructure of sperm from the patients. Immunofluorescence and western blotting showed a sharp decrease in ADAD1 and ADAD2 expression in sperm from the patients. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis suggested that ADAD2 interacts with DNAH17. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the expression of DNAH17 was markedly downregulated in the sperm of patients harboring ADAD2 variants. In addition, the expression of several autophagy regulators was significantly disrupted in the sperm of patients harboring ADAD2 variants. In conclusion, we identified novel ADAD1 and ADAD2 variants in three infertile patients from a large infertile cohort, first providing evidence that ADAD1 and ADAD2 variants might be a candidate genetic cause of human male infertility. Moreover, an important new dimension to our understanding of the genotype–phenotype correlations between the ADAD gene family and male infertility in humans has been uncovered, providing valuable information for the genetic diagnosis of male infertility.
An unconditionally energy stable finite element scheme for a nonlinear fluid–fluid interaction model
Authors: Li Wei , Huang Pengzhan , He Yinnian
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we design a decoupled scheme for solving a fluid–fluid interaction problem, which includes two Navier–Stokes equations coupled by some nonlinear interface conditions. Compared with two decoupled schemes proposed by Connors et al. (2012, Decoupled time stepping methods for fluid–fluid interaction. SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 50, 1297–1319) for the fluid–fluid interaction problem, we deal with these nonlinear interface conditions by applying explicit scheme. The presented fully discrete scheme is a combination of a mixed finite element approximation for spatial discretization, the first-order backward Euler scheme for temporal discretization and explicit treatment for the interface conditions and the nonlinear terms. Moreover, the unconditional energy stability is established and error estimate for the fully discrete scheme is also showed. Finally, some numerical experiments are provided to verify the theoretical results, which illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the presented scheme.
Security beyond Biopolitics: The Spheropolitics, Co-Immunity, and Atmospheres of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Weinfurter Jaroslav
Published: January 2023

This article explores the limitations of the oft-used biopolitical frameworks of interpreting the regulatory emergency measures that have been enacted worldwide in the face of the spreading pandemic of COVID-19. Not only have the state responses to coronavirus often been beset by manner of “biopolitical failures,” it is also the Foucauldian emphasis on the top-down formation and application of immunity that produces a view of health security that is much too narrow. In proposing an alternative framework, the article draws from the spherology of Peter Sloterdijk and suggests a transition from bio- to a distinctly sphero-political theory of immunity that is capable of integrating the ontological synergies that exist between human bodies, spaces, and atmospheres. More specifically, the spheropolitics of coronavirus are discussed in relation to the security dispositif of the household and examined through the case of the Czech Republic.
Virtual Flipped Classroom in HCI Courses: Case Studies on the Experience of Brazilian Students
Authors: Zaina Luciana A M , Martinelli Suéllen R
Published: January 2023

The interest in virtual learning is not new; however, it has become a hot topic since the outbreak of COVID-19. In the area of human–computer interaction (HCI), there have been few educational experiences conducted in fully online mode. This paper examines a virtual flipped classroom–based approach, which was adopted to support HCI teaching–learning by using online tools. We conducted two case studies at a Brazilian University and carried out qualitative data analysis. We also investigated how this approach affected the experience of undergraduate and graduate students, together with the skills it enabled them to acquire. The results revealed a high degree of satisfaction and motivation felt by students when they adopted this approach and a change in their mindset about the importance of HCI in their future job activities as professionals. Skills related to effective work in group management and innovative thinking were also stimulated by our approach.
Optimizing patient recruitment into clinical trials of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
Authors: Paul Mical , Dishon-Benattar Yael , Dickstein Yaakov , Yahav Dafna
Published: January 2023

Recruitment of patients with critical priority antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria into drug approval randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has not been successful to date. Approaching from the viewpoint of clinician-investigators and learning from the experience of AMR-focused investigator-initiated trials, we present suggestions to improve feasibility and efficiency of RCTs evaluating patients with severe infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative or other AMR bacteria. Considerations address the trials’ eligibility criteria, whether the focus of the trial is pathogen- or syndrome-targeted, trials’ case report forms and monitoring, informed consent strategies for the recruitment of extremely ill patients, team dedication and incentives to run the trial and alternative trial designs. Evidence on the effects of new drugs against the AMR that these drugs target is weak and needs to be improved through better industry–academic collaboration, taking advantage of the different strengths of industry-led and investigator-initiated research.
The role of temperature and carbon dioxide climatic stress factors on the growth kinetics ofEscherichia coli
Authors: Roufou Styliani , Griffin Sholeem , Attard Juan , Katsini Lydia , Polańska Monika , Van Impe Jan F M , Gatt Ruben , Valdramidis Vasilis P
Published: January 2023

Aims

The global level of carbon dioxide and temperature in the atmosphere is expected to increase, which may affect the survival of the stress-adapted bacteria. In this study, the effect of temperature and dissolved carbon dioxide on the growth rate of Escherichia coli-eGFP tagged strain was studied, thus assessing its response to induced environmental stress factors.

Methods and results

A kinetic assay has been performed using a microplate reader with a spectrofluorometer to determine the specific growth rates. Polynomial models were developed to correlate the environmental conditions of temperature and carbon dioxide with Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) growth in culture media and dairy by-products. At a temperature of 42°C, as the dissolved CO2 increased, a decrease in μmax by 0.76 h−1 was observed. In contrast, at 27°C, this increase led to an increase in μmax by 0.99 h−1. Moreover, a correction factor was added when applying the model to dairy whey samples.

Conclusions

The application of this developed model can be considered a useful tool for predicting the growth of Escherichia coli using climate projections.
A scoping review of digital health interventions for combating COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation
Authors: Czerniak Katarzyna , Pillai Raji , Parmar Abhi , Ramnath Kavita , Krocker Joseph , Myneni Sahiti
Published: January 2023

Objective

We provide a scoping review of Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) that mitigate COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation seeding and spread.

Materials and Methods

We applied our search protocol to PubMed, PsychINFO, and Web of Science to screen 1666 articles. The 17 articles included in this paper are experimental and interventional studies that developed and tested public consumer-facing DHIs. We examined these DHIs to understand digital features, incorporation of theory, the role of healthcare professionals, end-user experience, and implementation issues.

Results

The majority of studies (n = 11) used social media in DHIs, but there was a lack of platform-agnostic generalizability. Only half of the studies (n = 9) specified a theory, framework, or model to guide DHIs. Nine studies involve healthcare professionals as design or implementation contributors. Only one DHI was evaluated for user perceptions and acceptance.

Discussion

The translation of advances in online social computing to interventions is sparse. The limited application of behavioral theory and cognitive models of reasoning has resulted in suboptimal targeting of psychosocial variables and individual factors that may drive resistance to misinformation. This affects large-scale implementation and community outreach efforts. DHIs optimized through community-engaged participatory methods that enable understanding of unique needs of vulnerable communities are urgently needed.

Conclusions

We recommend community engagement and theory-guided engineering of equitable DHIs. It is important to consider the problem of misinformation and disinformation through a multilevel lens that illuminates personal, clinical, cultural, and social pathways to mitigate the negative consequences of misinformation and disinformation on human health and wellness.
Aesthetic Treatment of Acute Burns of the Face Using Electro-Photobiomodulation
Authors: Elmelegy Nader Gomaa
Published: January 2023

The quicker a second-degree burn wound heals, the less surgery is required. Low-energy laser therapy may expedite the healing of wounds, according to recent literature findings. To establish this, it was decided to carry out a clinical trial on acute burn patients to demonstrate whether electro-photobiomodulation (EPBM) therapy can hasten wound closure, thereby obviating the need for surgery without worsening hypertrophic scarring and contracture. In clinical prospective analysis, 42 acute burn patients with recent burns to the face alone (13) or the face and additional areas (29). Twenty-six males and 16 women were included. All patients received twice-weekly sessions of intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency for the face and other areas. Clinical assessment showed excellent results in 34 (81%) patients, good results in 6 (14.3%) patients, fair results in two (4.7%) patients, and no poor results were reported. The results of this clinical trial showed that IPL and radiofrequency therapy can rapidly heal deep skin burns without the need for surgery. and lowered the incidence of hypertrophic scarring and contractures. EPBM induces better aesthetic and functional outcomes (particularly in burns of the face).
Characterization and design of two-dimensional multi-morphology cellular structures for desired deformation
Authors: Kim Youngdoo , Nguyen Phong C H , Kim Hoon , Choi Hae-Jin , Choi Young
Published: January 2023

Multi-morphology cellular structures have recently gained increased attention in many areas owing to their capability to adjust their geometric and mechanical properties spatially. These cellular structures hence deform differently from conventional uniform cellular structures. However, the relationship between their geometric and the manner of their deformation has not been extensively investigated. In this study, the deformation of multi-morphology cellular structures was characterized, and a deformation prediction method was proposed. More closely, the effects of multi-morphology cellular structures’ design variables on their deformation were measured, and the effect of neighbouring unit cells at a given local area on deformation was evaluated. Based on the observations, a deformation prediction model considering the neighbouring effect was developed, and used in an optimization process for achieving the desired deformation. A numerical study was conducted to validate the proposed method, and the deformation of optimized multi-morphology cellular structures showed good agreement with the desired deformation.
Fungicide Exposure in Honey Bee Hives Varies By Time, Worker Role, and Proximity to Orchards in Spring
Authors: Perkins Jacquelyn A , Kim Kyungmin , Gut Larry J , Sundin George W , Wilson Julianna K
Published: January 2023

Fungicides are commonly applied to prevent diseases in eastern North American cherry orchards at the same time that honey bees (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) are rented for pollination services. Fungicide exposure in honey bees can cause negative health effects. To measure fungicide exposure, we sampled commercial honey bee colonies during orchard bloom at two commercial tart cherry orchards and one holding yard in northern Michigan over two seasons. Nurse bees, foragers, larvae, pollen, bee bread, and wax were screened for captan, chlorothalonil, and thiophanate-methyl. We also looked at the composition of pollens collected by foragers during spring bloom. We found differences in fungicide residue levels between nurse bees and foragers, with higher captan levels in nurse bees. We also found that residue levels of chlorothalonil in workers were significantly increased during tart cherry bloom, and that nurse bees from hives adjacent to orchards had significantly higher chlorothalonil residues than nurse bees from hives kept in a holding yard. Our results suggest that fungicide exposure of individual honey bees depends greatly on hive location in relation to mass-flowering crops, and worker role (life stage) at the time of collection. In some pollen samples, captan and chlorothalonil were detected at levels known to cause negative health effects for honey bees. This study increases our understanding of exposure risk for bees under current bloom time orchard management in this region. Further research is needed to balance crop disease management requirements with necessary pollination services and long-term pollinator health.