bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance and Capital Structure: Moderating Effect of Gender Diversity
Authors: Amin Ali , ur Rehman Ramiz , Ali Rizwan , Mohd Said Ridzwana
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates the effect of corporate governance on capital structure, and moderating impact of board gender diversity on this nexus. Using a sample of 2062 firm-year observations of 226 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from 2008 to 2019, we have conducted multiple regression analysis, and found that larger and independent board positively affect firm leverage, whereas, the negative impact of CEO duality was observed on this relationship. Moreover, we found that gender diversity is associated with better corporate governance quality and positively impact firm’s leverage. Additionally, the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation was applied for the robustness and the results obtained confirmed the main findings of the study. The study provides support for the mandatory placement of female directors on the corporate board by Code of Corporate Governance (CCG) regulations Pakistan, and needs for implementation of corporate governance mechanism in the listed firms to gain lender’s confidence.
Deep sequencing in CD34+ cells from peripheral blood enables sensitive detection of measurable residual disease in AML
Authors: Stasik Sebastian , Burkhard-Meier Clara , Kramer Michael , Middeke Jan M. , Oelschlaegel Uta , Sockel Katja , Ehninger Gerhard , Serve Hubert , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Baldus Claudia D. , Röllig Christoph , Bornhäuser Martin , Platzbecker Uwe , Thiede Christian
Published: March 2022

Monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is predictive of disease recurrence and may identify patients who benefit from treatment intensification. Current MRD techniques rely on multicolor flow cytometry or molecular methods, but are limited in applicability or sensitivity. We evaluated the feasibility of a novel approach for MRD detection in peripheral blood (PB), which combines immunomagnetic preenrichment and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for isolation of CD34+ cells with error-reduced targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). For clinical validation, we retrospectively analyzed 429 PB and 55 bone marrow (BM) samples of 40 patients with AML or high-risk MDS, with/without molecular relapse based on CD34+ donor chimerism (DC), in complete remission after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Enrichment of CD34+ cells for NGS increased the detection of mutant alleles in PB ∼1000-fold (median variant allele frequency, 1.27% vs 0.0046% in unsorted PB; P < .0001). Although a strong correlation was observed for the parallel analysis of CD34+ PB cells with NGS and DC (r = 0.8601), the combination of FACS and NGS improved sensitivity for MRD detection in dilution experiments ∼10-fold to levels of 10−6. In both assays, MRD detection was superior using PB vs BM for CD34+ enrichment. Importantly, NGS on CD34+ PB cells enabled prediction of molecular relapse with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%), and significantly earlier (median, 48 days; range, 0-281; P = .0011) than by CD34+ DC or NGS of unsorted PB, providing additional time for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, panel sequencing in CD34+ cells allowed for the early assessment of clonal trajectories in hematological complete remission.
On Bayesian modeling of censored data in JAGS
Authors: Qi Xinyue , Zhou Shouhao , Plummer Martyn
Published: March 2022

Background

Just Another Gibbs Sampling (JAGS) is a convenient tool to draw posterior samples using Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Bayesian modeling. However, the built-in function for censored data misspecifies the default computation of deviance function, which limits likelihood-based Bayesian model comparison.

Results

To establish an automatic approach to specifying the correct deviance function in JAGS, we propose a simple and generic alternative modeling strategy for the analysis of censored outcomes. The two illustrative examples demonstrate that the alternative strategy not only properly draws posterior samples in JAGS, but also automatically delivers the correct deviance for model assessment. In the survival data application, our proposed method provides the correct value of mean deviance based on the exact likelihood function. In the drug safety data application, the deviance information criterion and penalized expected deviance for seven Bayesian models of censored data are simultaneously computed by our proposed approach and compared to examine the model performance.

Conclusions

We propose an effective strategy to model censored data in the Bayesian modeling framework in JAGS with the correct deviance specification, which can simplify the calculation of popular Kullback–Leibler based measures for model selection. The proposed approach applies to a broad spectrum of censored data types, such as survival data, and facilitates different censored Bayesian model structures.
Analysis of the complete genome sequences of Clostridium perfringens strains harbouring the binary enterotoxin BEC gene and comparative genomics of pCP13-like family plasmids
Authors: Ueda Kengo , Kawahara Kazuki , Kimoto Narumi , Yamaguchi Yusuke , Yamada Kazuhiro , Oki Hiroya , Yoshida Takuya , Matsuda Shigeaki , Matsumoto Yuki , Motooka Daisuke , Kawatsu Kentaro , Iida Tetsuya , Nakamura Shota , Ohkubo Tadayasu , Yonogi Shinya
Published: March 2022

Background

BEC-producing Clostridium perfringens is a causative agent of foodborne gastroenteritis. It was first reported in 2014, and since then, several isolates have been identified in Japan and the United Kingdom. The novel binary ADP-ribosylating toxin BEC, which consists of two components (BECa and BECb), is encoded on a plasmid that is similar to pCP13 and harbours a conjugation locus, called Pcp, encoding homologous proteins of the type 4 secretion system. Despite the high in vitro conjugation frequency of pCP13, its dissemination and that of related plasmids, including bec-harbouring plasmids, in the natural environment have not been characterised. This lack of knowledge has limited our understanding of the genomic epidemiology of bec-harbouring C. perfringens strains.

Results

In this study, we determined the complete genome sequences of five bec-harbouring C. perfringens strains isolated from 2009 to 2019. Each isolate contains a ~ 3.36 Mbp chromosome and 1–3 plasmids of either the pCW3-like family, pCP13-like family, or an unknown family, and the bec-encoding region in all five isolates was located on a ~ 54 kbp pCP13-like plasmid. Phylogenetic and SNP analyses of these complete genome sequences and the 211 assembled C. perfringens genomes in GenBank showed that although these bec-harbouring strains were split into two phylogenetic clades, the sequences of the bec-encoding plasmids were nearly identical (>99.81%), with a significantly smaller SNP accumulation rate than that of their chromosomes. Given that the Pcp locus is conserved in these pCP13-like plasmids, we propose a mechanism in which the plasmids were disseminated by horizontal gene transfer. Data mining showed that strains carrying pCP13-like family plasmids were unexpectedly common (58/216 strains) and widely disseminated among the various C. perfringens clades. Although these plasmids possess a conserved Pcp locus, their ‘accessory regions’ can accommodate a wide variety of genes, including virulence-associated genes, such as becA/becB and cbp2. These results suggest that this family of plasmids can integrate various foreign genes and is transmissible among C. perfringens strains.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential significance of pCP13-like plasmids, including bec-encoding plasmids, for the characterisation and monitoring of the dissemination of pathogenic C. perfringens strains.
Favorable QTLs from Oryza longistaminata improve rice drought resistance
Authors: Huang Shaoying , Liu Manman , Chen Gaili , Si Fengfeng , Fan Fengfeng , Guo Yu , Yuan Lei , Yang Fang , Li Shaoqing
Published: March 2022

Background

Drought is the major abiotic stress to rice grain production under unpredictable changing climatic environments. Wild rice of O. longistaminata show diverse responses and strong tolerance to stress environments. In order to identify whether the O. longistaminata can improve the rice drought resistance or not, a BIL population of 143 BC2F20 lines derived from the cross between the cultivar rice 9311 and O. longistaminata were assessed under stress of 20% PEG6000.

Results

In total, 28 QTLs related to drought resistance based on eight agronomic traits of seedlings were identified. Of which, thirteen QTLs including two QTLs for leaf drying, one QTL for leaf rolling, one QTL for leaf number, five QTLs for dry weight of root, two QTLs for dry weight of shoot, one QTL for maximum root length and two QTLs for maximum shoot length were derived from O. longistaminata. What’s more, qDWR8.1 for dry weight of root was repeatedly detected and fine-mapped to an interval about 36.2 Kb. The unique allele of MH08g0242800 annotated as ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit from O. longistaminata was suggested as the candidate gene for drought resistance. Further, six representative BIL lines were stably characterized showing significantly stronger drought resistance than 9311 based on principle component analysis, they each contained 2 ~ 5 QTLs including qDWR8.1 from O. longistaminata.

Conclusions

Together, our results indicate that the QTLs from O. longistaminata can effectively enhance the drought tolerance of rice, showing great potential value in breeding of elite rice varieties, which will lay a novel insight into the genetic network for drought tolerance of rice.
The impact of nucleic acid testing to detect human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus yields from a single blood center in China with 10-years review
Authors: Wu Danxiao , Feng Fangjun , Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Dairong , Hu Yiqin , Yu Yang , Huang Jihong , Wang Min , Dong Jie , Wu Yaling , Zhu Hong , Zhu Faming
Published: March 2022

Background

Since 2010, the Blood Center of Zhejiang province, China, has conducted a pilot nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) screening of blood donors for Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aims to assess the results of NAT testing over 10 years to establish the effects and factors influencing NAT yields of HBV, HCV, and HIV.

Methods

Blood donations from seven different blood services were screened for HBV DNA, HCV RNA, and HIV RNA using 6 mini pools (6MP) or individual donation (ID)-NAT method between August 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, at the NAT centralized screening center. We compared 3 transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assays and 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Further, HBV, HCV, and HIV NAT yields were calculated and donor characteristics and prevalence of HBV NAT yields analyzed. Donors with HCV and HIV NAT yield were also followed up.

Results

1916.31 per million donations were NAT screening positive overall. The NAT yields for HBV, HCV, HIV and non-discriminating reactive were 1062.90 per million, 0.97 per million, 1.45 per million, and 850.99 per million, respectively, which varied in the seven blood services and different years. HBV NAT yields were higher than those of HCV and HIV and varied across demographic groups. Risk factors included being male, old age, low education level, and first-time donors. We found no differences in NAT yields of HBV, HCV, and HIV between the 3 TMA and 2 PCR assays; nonetheless, statistically, significant differences were noted between the five assays.

Conclusion

In summary, NAT screening in blood donations reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and shortens the window period for serological marker screening. Therefore, a sensitive NAT screening method, ID-NAT workflow, and recruitment of regular low-risk donors are critical for blood safety.
Characteristics of Lyme optic neuritis: a case report of Lyme associated bilateral optic neuritis and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Lu Yezhong , Zand Ramin
Published: March 2022

Optic Neuritis is rare in Lyme borreliosis. The current knowledge of optic nerve involvement in Lyme borreliosis relies solely on case reports. The aim of this systematic review was to characterize and investigate the associated factors of optic neuritis in Lyme borreliosis. We further presented a very rare case of isolated bilateral optic neuritis in a Lyme seropositive patient.
How do maternal emotion and sleep conditions affect infant sleep: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Xuemei , Zhai Ronghui , Mo Jiafeng , Sun Jingzhou , Chen Peishan , Huang Yuejun
Published: March 2022

Background

Recent studies suggest that the incidence of infant sleep disorder is related to maternal emotional and sleep conditions, but how they influence each other is not fully understood.

Methods

A total of 513 pairs of parents and infants were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Maternal emotional and sleep conditions were assessed using a self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the third trimester and within 3 months after delivery. Infant sleep was assessed by the Brief Screening Questionnaire for Infant Sleep Problems within 3 months after birth. Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), melatonin receptors (MR), exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) receptors, and dopamine receptor (DR) in the placenta was detected by immunohistochemistry. Methylation of the promoter regions for the GR (NR3C1 and NR3C2), MR (MTNR1A and MTNR1B), EPAC (RASGRF1 and RASGRF2), and DR (DRD1 and DRD2) genes was assessed by next generation sequencing-based bisulfite sequencing PCR.

Results

The incidence of sleep disorders in infants 0–3 months of age in this cohort was 40.5%. Risk factors for infant sleep disorder were low education level of the father, depression of father, maternal postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum sleep disorder, and maternal sleep disorder extend from the third trimester to postpartum. There was no difference in expression of placental DR, GR, MR, and EPAC between mothers whose infants were with and without sleep disorders. Methylation of MTNR1B was higher and expression of MR was lower in the placenta of mothers with sleep disorder in the third trimester than in mothers without sleep disorder. Level of NR3C2 methylation was lower and GR expression was higher in the placenta of mothers with sleep disorder extend from the third trimester to postpartum than in mothers without sleep disorder.

Conclusion

Maternal sleep disorders in the third trimester could lead to decreased MR expression by up-regulating MTNR1B methylation, and then resulting in elevated cortisol and increased GR expression by down-regulating NR3C2 methylation, which could increase the incidence of maternal postpartum sleep disorders, finally, the maternal postpartum sleep disorder could result in the high incidence of infant sleep disorder.
A cross-sectional study of factors associated with regular dog walking and intention to walk the dog
Authors: Westgarth Carri , Christley Robert M. , Christian Hayley E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Dog walking is important for public health and dog welfare, yet some owners do not walk with their dogs regularly. This study examined factors associated with participation in regular dog walking and intention to dog walk, in order to inform physical activity interventions.

Methods

191 dog-owning adults from a UK community were surveyed about their participation in dog walking, intention to dog walk, attitudes and behavioural beliefs regarding dog walking, and dog and owner demographics. Principal components analysis identified owner profiles regarding attitudes and behavioural beliefs about dog walking. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with being a regular dog walker (achieving 150mins per week of dog walking) and having a high intention to dog walk (at least 30 mins per day for at least 5 days per week over the next month).

Results

Participants walked with their dogs for a median 7 times/week and 230 total minutes/week; regular dog walkers 9 times/week (400 minutes/week), compared to twice/week for irregular dog walkers (45 minutes/week). Being a regular dog walker was positively associated with having a high level of intention to walk the dog in the next month (OR=12.1 95%CI=3.5-42.4, P<0.001), being married or living with a partner (OR=33.5, 95%CI=2.5-458.8, P=0.01), and higher scores on a dog walking habit index (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.3-3.5, P<0.01). However, higher support from friends for walking was negatively associated with being a regular dog walker (OR=0.3, 95%CI=0.1-0.7, P<0.01). High intention to dog walk was associated with female owners (OR=4.7, 95%CI=1.2-18.5, P=0.03), dogs that lay on the sofa (OR=6.9, 95%CI=1.5-31.8, P=0.01), high levels of self-efficacy to walk the dog over the next month (OR=5.8, 95%CI=1.5-21.9, P=0.01), owner type with an attitude of high responsibility and enjoyment from walking (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.2-3.8, P=0.02), and higher scores on a dog walking habit index (OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.0-3.7, P=0.05). Reporting someone else walks the dog was negatively associated with high intention (OR=0.1, 95%CI=0.0-0.7, P=0.02).

Conclusions

Interventions to promote dog walking may benefit from increasing intention to dog walk in male owners, forming schedules and routines that involve multiple household members in dog walking, and establishing habits around dog walking. Interventions may also need to address how to overcome barriers and perceived challenges in regards to self-efficacy of dog walking, that may prevent intention from being translated into action.
Identification of a novel compound heterozygous SMG9 variants in a Chinese family with heart and brain malformation syndrome using whole exome sequencing
Authors: Yang Qi , Qin Zailong , Zhang Qinle , Yi Shang , Yi Sheng , Luo Jingsi
Published: March 2022

SMG9-deficiency syndrome, also known as heart and brain malformation syndrome, is a very rare congenital genetic disorder mainly characterized by brain, heart, and growth and developmental abnormalities. This syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease resulting from mutations in the SMG9 gene, which encodes a critical component of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Thus far, only twelve SMG9 deficiency patients have been reported with five novel homozygous SMG9 mutations. The most frequent characteristic features of these patients are facial dysmorphism, severe global developmental delay, intellectual disability, congenital heart disease, growth restriction, microcephaly, and brain abnormalities. Herein, whole exome sequencing was performed to identify novel compound heterozygous SMG9 variants (NM_019108.3: c.1318_1319delAG (p.Ser440*) and c.947A>G (p.His316Arg)) in the proband, who exhibited syndromic intellectual disability. Mutations were confirmed as segregating in his affected sister and other unaffected family members by Sanger sequencing. The patients we describe here have a similar dysmorphology profile associated with SMG9-deficiency syndrome. Comparing the phenotype with that of patients in published reports, our patients can walk independently and their growth parameters are normal. In addition, short stature, failure to thrive, and microcephaly were not observed. Possible residual function of the H316R SMG9 variant could explain the milder phenotype observed in our patients. Our report is the first description of a non-consanguineous Chinese pedigree with novel compound heterozygous variants in the SMG9 gene. The molecular confirmation of the patient expands the genetic spectrum of SMG9-deficiency syndrome, and the manifestation of SMG9-deficiency syndrome in the patient provides additional clinical information regarding this syndrome.
At the interface between the formal and informal, the actual and the real: a realist study protocol for governance and accountability practices in urban settings focusing on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights
Authors: Van Belle Sara
Published: March 2022

Background

This paper presents the protocol of a study that aims at exploring how different multi-level governance arrangements impact on sexual and reproductive health of adolescents living in informal settlements. The overall objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the causal chains underlying accountability in sexual and reproductive health for adolescent girls and young women living in urban informal settlements in low-and middle-income countries.

Methods

The overarching methodology is realist evaluation. The study adopts a case study design, through which governance and accountability practices in Mumbai, Delhi, Cotonou and Kampala will be examined. Different social science methods to develop and test a programme theory will be used. Heuristic tools for the analysis of the accountability ecosystem and mapping of governance arrangements, drawing from contextual political analysis and critical realism, will be developed in order to identify the intervention-context-actor-mechanism-outcome configurations.

Discussion

The methodological approach is geared towards building robust case-based explanation with due attention to context and the roles of different actors. The combination of different social science methods will lead us to a better grasp of the inherently political nature of social accountability.
Aged mice ovaries harbor stem cells and germ cell nests but fail to form follicles
Authors: Sharma Diksha , Bhartiya Deepa
Published: March 2022

Background

We recently published evidence to suggest that two populations of stem cells including very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and ovarian stem cells (OSCs) in ovary surface epithelium (OSE) undergo proliferation/differentiation, germ cell nests (GCN) formation, meiosis and eventually differentiate into oocytes that assemble as primordial follicles on regular basis during estrus cycle. Despite presence of stem cells, follicles get exhausted with advancing age in mice and result in senescence equivalent to menopause in women. Stem cells in aged ovaries can differentiate into oocytes upon transplantation into young ovaries, however, it is still not well understood why follicles get depleted with advancing age despite the presence of stem cells. The aim of the present study was to study stem cells and GCN in aged ovaries.

Methods

OSE cells from aged mice (> 18 months equivalent to > 55 years old women) were enzymatically separated and used to study stem cells. Viable (7-AAD negative) VSELs in the size range of 2–6 µm with a surface phenotype of Lin−CD45−Sca-1+were enumerated by flow cytometry. Immuno-fluorescence and RT-PCR analysis were done to study stem/progenitor cells (OCT-4, MVH, SCP3) and transcripts specific for VSELs (Oct-4A, Sox-2, Nanog), primordial germ cells (Stella), germ cells (Oct-4, Mvh), early meiosis (Mlh1, Scp1)and ring canals (Tex14).

Results

Putative VSELs and OSCs were detected as darkly stained, spherical cells with high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio along with germ cells nests (GCN) in Hematoxylin & Eosin stained OSE cells smears. Germ cells in GCN with distinct cytoplasmic continuity expressed OCT-4, MVH and SCP3. Transcripts specific for stem cells, early meiosis and ring canals were detected by RT-PCR studies.

Conclusion

Rather than resulting as a consequence of accelerated loss of primordial follicle and their subsequent depletion, ovarian senescence/menopause occurs as a result of stem cells dysfunction. VSELs and OSCs exist along with increased numbers of GCNs arrested in pre-meiotic or early meiotic stage in aged ovaries and primordial follicle assembly is blocked possibly due to age-related changes in their microenvironment.
Exploring dynamics in catastrophic health care expenditure in Nigeria
Authors: Edeh Henry C.
Published: March 2022

Background

The Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme aimed at making health care accessible and affordable since it’s became operational in 2005. However, many Nigerians still pay out of pocket for medical expenses, and this drive them to incurring catastrophic health expenditures. Although monitoring progress towards UHC is crucial, one single study exploring the dynamics in catastrophic health expenditure proportion, associated factors, inequality concentration, inequality size, together with decomposition using a longer period Nigeria panel household survey datasets is very scarce.

Methods

Data was drawn from three rounds of the Nigeria General Household Survey. The fixed percentage and rank-dependent thresholds were used to calculate and compare the proportion of households that incur catastrophic health expenditures. The logistic regression model was employed in analyzing the factors associated with catastrophic health expenditures. The concentration of catastrophic health expenditures inequality was assessed using the concentration curve, whereas the inequality size was determined using the concentration index. The decomposition method was used to decompose the concentration index into determining components.

Results

Relative to the fixed threshold value, the rank-dependent threshold revealed a higher share of households facing catastrophic health expenditures i.e., from 27% in 2010/2011 to 48% in 2015/2016. The two thresholds reveal similar trend, but differ in percentage points. The key factors associated with catastrophic health expenditures were economic status and geopolitical zone. Inequality in catastrophic health expenditures was found to be concentrated among the poor. The household economic status was uncovered as the major positive contributor to catastrophic health expenditures inequality across the sample periods.

Conclusion

The findings of the study imply that narrowing economic status gap across households, and increasing the depth of insurance are crucial mechanisms to reduce the probability of incurring catastrophic health expenditures among the poor in Nigeria.
The danger of a single story about Fulani pastoralists
Authors: Moritz Mark , Mbacke Mamediarra
Published: March 2022

In the last few years, an increasing number of articles, reports, websites, and official documents have been published with narratives that link Fulani pastoralists to insecurity in West and Central Africa. In this article, we critically analyse one of these documents: a legislation factsheet from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) titled Factsheet: Fulani Communities that was published in September 2020. We focus our analysis on this factsheet because it is an official document from a US government entity that aims to inform policy-makers, it contains problematic narratives that are emblematic of larger discourses about Fulani pastoralists, and it links to a number of questionable sources. We critically reviewed the narratives in the factsheet and the linked sources. We found that even though it aims to be fair and balanced, the factsheet is biased against Fulani pastoralists, primarily because it links one single group to violence and religious tension and its use of problematic sources. In conclusion, we find that the factsheet perpetuates a single story or stereotype about Fulani pastoralists and thereby fuels existing inflammatory rhetoric that will likely increase insecurity, rather than contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Development of an isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the accurate determination of neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam in kimchi cabbage reference materials
Authors: Ahn Seonghee , Son Sunwoong , Kim Byungjoo , Choi Kihwan
Published: March 2022

A method based on isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS) was established as a candidate reference method for accurate determination of neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam in kimchi cabbage. Their deuterated isotopes, imidacloprid-d4, chlothianidin-d3, and thiamethoxam-d4 were used as internal standards. The combination of HLB and Carb solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges was used to clean-up kimchi cabbage extracts. The ID-LC/MS/MS conditions were optimized with fortified kimchi cabbage samples for validation. Imidacloprid in the ERM-BC403 cucumber sample (0.627 ± 0.026) mg/kg was analyzed with the developed method, and the measured value (0.604 ± 0.028) mg/kg agreed within their uncertainties. The developed method was employed for the certification of kimchi cabbage reference materials prepared in this laboratory. The measured values of imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam are (0.860 ± 0.020) mg/kg, (0.524 ± 0.012) mg/kg, (0.787 ± 0.014) mg/kg, respectively. The standard deviation of the measured values for ten bottles was < 1%, and the measured values after one year agreed with their first measurements indicating reliable repeatability and reproducibility of the developed method.
Opportunities for extended community pharmacy services in United Arab Emirates: perception, practice, perceived barriers and willingness among community pharmacists
Authors: Palaian Subish , Alomar Muaed , Hassan Nageeb , Boura Fatima
Published: March 2022

Background

Community pharmacies are widely distributed in the United Arab Emirates where community pharmacists’ (CPs’) perspectives on provision of extended community pharmacy services (ECPS) is not known. This study assessed CPs perception, practices, perceived barriers and willingness to provide ECPS.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a self-administered Likert-type questionnaire (Cronbach alpha = 0.976) was conducted among 195 community CPs in Northern emirates, selected through multistage sampling technique. The filled questionnaires were assessed for CPs’ perception, practice, perceived barriers and willingness to perform ECPS. Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests examined the association between demography and outcome variables (alpha value of 0.05) with further analysis using Dunn’ post hoc test.

Results

Of the respondents, 71.8% (n = 140) ‘strongly agreed’ that every CP must provide ECPs and 39% (n = 76) ‘strongly agreed’ in supporting ECPS with another 44.1% (n = 86) ‘agreed’ on the same. The major barriers felt by CPs in practicing ECPS were lack of incentive for employee pharmacists [3 (2–3)], lack of documentation [3 (2–3)], insufficient time [3 (2–3)] and lack of patients’ demand [(2–3)]; maximum score (5–5). CPs also responded ‘completely’ willing to provide services such as blood pressure measurement, pregnancy testing and BMI measurement. Pharmacy location influenced practice score (p = 0.008) and access to the internet had a significant effect on barriers score (p = 0.000). Availability of drug information sources impacted perception (p = 0.038), practice (p = 0.000) and willingness scores (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

CPs’ perception on providing ECPS was positive and they are currently offering ECPS within their available resources and facilities. Less demand from patients and lack of time were reportedly the major barriers in offering ECPS. Proper utilization of CPs in providing ECPS can complement the healthcare system with additional cost and time savings for the patients.
Influence of composition-dependent thermal conductivity on the long-term evolution of primordial reservoirs in Earth's lower mantle
Authors: Li Yang , Deschamps Frédéric , Shi Zhidong , Guerrero Joshua M. , Hsieh Wen-Pin , Zhao Liang , Tackley Paul J.
Published: March 2022

The influence of composition-dependent thermal conductivity and heterogeneous internal heating of primordial dense material on the long-term evolution of primordial reservoirs in the lower mantle of the Earth is investigated utilizing thermochemical mantle convection simulations in a 2-D spherical annulus geometry. Our results show that a reduction in the thermal conductivity of primordial dense material due to iron enrichment does not substantially alter mantle dynamics nor the long-term stability of the reservoirs of this dense material. If the primordial dense material is also enriched in heat-producing elements, the average altitude of these reservoirs slightly increases as the thermal conductivity is reduced, therefore, covering smaller core–mantle boundary areas. Our study indicates that the composition-dependent thermal conductivity of primordial material plays a second order role in the long-term evolution of Earth's mantle.

Graphical Abstract
The 3-triangle method preserves the posterior tibial slope during high tibial valgus osteotomy: first preliminary data using a mathematical model
Authors: Weißenberger Manuel , Wagenbrenner Mike , Schote Fritz , Horas Konstantin , Schäfer Thomas , Rudert Maximilian , Barthel Thomas , Heinz Tizian , Reppenhagen Stephan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Despite much improved preoperative planning techniques accurate intraoperative assessment of the high tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO) remains challenging and often results in coronal over- and under-corrections as well as unintended changes of the posterior tibial slope. Noyes et al. reported a novel method for accurate intraoperative coronal and sagittal alignment correction based on a three-dimensional mathematical model. This is the first study examining preliminary data via the proposed Noyes approach for accurate intraoperative coronal and sagittal alignment correction during HTO.

Methods

From 2016 to 2020 a total of 24 patients (27 knees) underwent HTO applying the proposed Noyes method (Noyes-Group). Radiographic data was analyzed retrospectively and matched to patients that underwent HTO using the conventional method, i.e., gradual medial opening using a bone spreader under fluoroscopic control (Conventional-Group). All operative procedures were performed by an experienced surgeon at a single orthopaedic university center.

Results

From the preoperative to the postoperative visit no statistically significant changes of the posterior tibial slope were noted in the Noyes-Group compared to a significant increase in the Conventional-Group (p = 0.01). Regarding the axial alignment no significant differences between both groups were observed pre- and postoperatively. The number of over- and under-corrections did not differ significantly between both groups. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of the postoperative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) with the position of the weightbearing line on the tibial plateau.

Conclusion

The 3-triangle method by Noyes seems to be a promising approach for preservation of the posterior tibial slope during HTO.
Feasibility and acceptability of somatocognitive therapy in the management of women with provoked localized vestibulodynia—ProLoVe feasibility study
Authors: Kaarbø Mette Bøymo , Danielsen Kristine Grimen , Haugstad Gro Killi , Helgesen Anne Lise Ording , Wojniusz Slawomir
Published: March 2022

Background

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent chronic pain condition especially among young women. Pain is localized to the vulvar vestibule and is provoked by touch or pressure, such as penetrative intercourse. PVD can have profound consequences, adversely affecting a woman’s sexual life, relation to her partner, and her psychological health. There is an urgent need for well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to identify the most effective interventions for this neglected women’s health condition.

Aims

The primary aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of undertaking a full-scale RCT of somatocognitive therapy (SCT), a multimodal physiotherapy intervention, for women with PVD. The secondary aim is to evaluate the implementation and acceptability of SCT and its potential treatment effectiveness in PVD. In the full-scale RCT, SCT will be compared to standard PVD treatment.

Methods

A multimethod feasibility study with a single-arm before-after trial and qualitative interviews. Ten women with PVD, aged 18–33 were recruited from the Vulva Clinic at Oslo University Hospital. The intervention took place at Oslo Metropolitan University. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and the 8-month follow-up with the tampon test and self-report questionnaires. The main feasibility outcomes were evaluation of recruitment rate, adherence to assessment tools, and follow-up rate. The participants’ experiences with the primary outcome and the intervention were explored with semi-structured interviews.

Results

Ten out of 18 eligible patients were recruited over 11 weeks. None were lost to follow-up. Adherence to self-report questionnaires was excellent. Adherence to tampon tests and to the reporting of treatments was good, whereas adherence to the 14-day diary was poor. No adverse events were reported. The tampon test was suboptimal as a primary outcome. SCT was found to be an acceptable treatment, based on Global Perceived Effect scores and the participants’ experiences.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver a full-scale RCT of the SCT intervention for women with PVD. Some changes are suggested to optimize the protocol, such as increasing recruitment sites, change of primary outcome measures, and adding a booster session.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04208204. Retrospectively registered on December 23, 2019.
School-based self-management intervention using theatre to improve asthma control in adolescents: a pilot cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Harris Katherine , Newby Chris , Mosler Gioia , Steed Liz , Griffiths Chris , Grigg Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Background

Children with poorly controlled asthma have higher rates of unplanned healthcare use and school absences, as well as lower rates of medication adherence and knowledge. They also feel less comfortable using their medication at school, due to social fears and bullying. In this study, this was addressed through two school-based self-management interventions piloted to determine which one to use in a full trial.

Methods

We sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of two school-based self-management intervention aimed at improving asthma control. Schools in London were randomised to (i) a theatre workshop for the whole year group aimed at raising awareness of asthma in schools, followed by self-management workshops for children (full intervention), (ii) theatre workshop alone (theatre only), or (iii) usual care (controls). Opt-out consent was obtained from parents. The study was a cluster randomised pilot trial, using London schools as the unit of allocation. Our primary aim was to assess the feasibility of delivering a self-management intervention in schools aimed at improving the asthma control test (ACT) score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included acceptability of the school-based interventions, suitability of the theatre intervention and the full intervention with the self-management workshops, and generation of randomised data to inform future power calculations. Data were analysed by generalised mixed-effect models.

Results

The recruitment strategy for this trial was effective. Five schools were randomised to full intervention (189 children), four to theatre only (103 children), and six to controls (83 children). Asthma control test (ACT) score at baseline and 6 months was obtained from 178/358 participating children. Compared with the controls, there were no large differences found in ACT score with the full intervention; knowledge and perception of asthma improved though. GP and hospital visits increased in the full intervention group. Compared with controls, ACT score was unchanged in the theatre only group.

Conclusion

The asthma self-management intervention trial in schools is feasible and acceptable. The full intervention consisting of both theatre and self-management workshop for asthmatics tended to be better suited to improve outcomes than the theatre intervention on its own. This full intervention should be the one carried forward into a main trial if funding for further research was sought. Further work is needed to understand why there was evidence that unscheduled visits to healthcare professionals increased with the full intervention.

Trial registration

The study was registered on the clinical trials database on 14th May 2018 (ID NCT03536416).
Machine Learning for Predicting Discharge Disposition After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Satyadev Nihal , Warman Pranav I. , Seas Andreas , Kolls Brad J. , Haglund Michael M. , Fuller Anthony T. , Dunn Timothy W.
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND:

Current traumatic brain injury (TBI) prognostic calculators are commonly used to predict the mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale, but these outcomes are most relevant for severe TBI. Because mild and moderate TBI rarely reaches severe outcomes, there is a need for novel prognostic endpoints.

OBJECTIVE:

To generate machine learning (ML) models with a strong predictive capacity for trichotomized discharge disposition, an outcome not previously used in TBI prognostic models. The outcome can serve as a proxy for patients' functional status, even in mild and moderate patients with TBI.

METHODS:

Using a large data set (n = 5292) of patients with TBI from a quaternary care center and 84 predictors, including vitals, demographics, mechanism of injury, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, and comorbidities, we trained 6 different ML algorithms using a nested-stratified-cross-validation protocol. After optimizing hyperparameters and performing model selection, isotonic regression was applied to calibrate models.

RESULTS:

When maximizing the microaveraged area under the receiver operating characteristic curve during hyperparameter optimization, a random forest model exhibited top performance. A random forest model was also selected when maximizing the microaveraged area under the precision–recall curve. For both models, the weighted average area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.84 (95% CI 0.81-0.87) and the weighted average area under the precision–recall curves was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82-0.88).

CONCLUSION:

Our group presents high-performing ML models to predict trichotomized discharge disposition. These models can assist in optimization of patient triage and treatment, especially in cases of mild and moderate TBI.
Cancer cachexia: lessons from Drosophila
Authors: Liu Ying , Saavedra Pedro , Perrimon Norbert
Published: March 2022

Cachexia, a wasting syndrome that is often associated with cancer, is one of the primary causes of death in cancer patients. Cancer cachexia occurs largely due to systemic metabolic alterations stimulated by tumors. Despite the prevalence of cachexia, our understanding of how tumors interact with host tissues and how they affect metabolism is limited. Among the challenges of studying tumor–host tissue crosstalk are the complexity of cancer itself and our insufficient knowledge of the factors that tumors release into the blood. Drosophila is emerging as a powerful model in which to identify tumor-derived factors that influence systemic metabolism and tissue wasting. Strikingly, studies that are characterizing factors derived from different fly tumor cachexia models are identifying both common and distinct cachectic molecules, suggesting that cachexia is more than one disease and that fly models can help identify these differences. Here, we review what has been learned from studies of tumor-induced organ wasting in Drosophila and discuss the open questions.
Psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Cypriot student sample
Authors: Anthimou Antreas , Koutsogiorgi Chrystalla , Michaelides Michalis P.
Published: March 2022

Subjective well-being has been researched across multiple studies to identify how different people define happiness and satisfaction in their lives.  Life satisfaction, a key component of subjective well-being, has been used on its own as a global judgment of an individual’s subjective level of satisfaction with life.  The Satisfaction with Life scale (SWLS) allows people to express their perceptions about 5 simple statements. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the scale in a Cypriot sample of 341 university students.  Psychometric analysis revealed that the data fit well in a unidimensional factor model in a confirmatory factor analysis, with adequate reliability indices of McDonald’s ω and Cronbach’s α =.86, and test-retest reliability of Pearson r = .85.  SWLS scores had negative correlation coefficients with scores from trait anxiety, perceived stress, neuroticism, behavioral inhibition and depression measures, and moderate to strong positive correlations with scores from optimism and self-esteem measures; they were weakly positively associated with social desirability and uncorrelated with need for cognition scores. Overall, the SWLS scale had satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of reliability, factorial, convergent and discriminant validity and can be used with a Greek-speaking student population.
Μορφολογική επίγνωση και λεξιλόγιο: η εξέταση της μεταξύ τους σχέσης στο νηπιαγωγείο
Authors: Γρηγοράκης Ιωάννης
Published: March 2022

Σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης ήταν να εξετάσει τη σχέση μεταξύ της μορφολογικής επίγνωσης και του λεξιλογίου των παιδιών στο νηπιαγωγείο. Διακόσια δεκαπέντε ελληνόφωνα νήπια εξετάστηκαν σε τρεις δεξιότητες μορφολογικής επίγνωσης (κλίση, παραγωγή και σύνθεση), στο προσληπτικό λεξιλόγιο και στο εκφραστικό λεξιλόγιο. Παράλληλα, εξετάστηκαν και σε άλλες γνωστικές και γλωσσικές δεξιότητες. Τα αποτελέσματα των ιεραρχικών παλινδρομικών αναλύσεων έδειξαν ότι καθεμία από τις επιμέρους όψεις της μορφολογικής επίγνωσης (επίγνωση της κλίσης, της παραγωγής και της σύνθεσης) είχε μία ανεξάρτητη συμβολή τόσο στο προσληπτικό όσο και στο εκφραστικό λεξιλόγιο. Επιπλέον, τα αποτελέσματα  έδειξαν ότι ο κάθε τύπος λεξιλογίου είχε μία ανεξάρτητη συμβολή σε καθεμία από τις επιμέρους όψεις της μορφολογικής επίγνωσης. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά συμβάλλουν στην κατανόηση της  σχέσης μεταξύ των δύο αναπτυσσόμενων δεξιοτήτων, καθώς έδειξαν μία αμφίδρομη σχέση. Επίσης, υπογραμμίζουν τη σημασία που μπορεί να έχουν όλες οι επιμέρους όψεις της μορφολογικής επίγνωσης στη διαμόρφωση αυτής της σχέσης.
Kinematic analysis and motion planning simulation of cooperative robot
Authors: Song Enquan , Li Jiaqi , Liao Yuhe
Published: March 2022

Background: With the wide use of robots in electric welding and mechanical manufacturing, we need to reflect their trajectory at work, verify the effectiveness of robotic working principles and prevent unnecessary problems through simulation experiments. In order to meet the requirements of precision and controllable trajectory of robots in the assembly process, we need to model the kinematics of robots, and adopt an interpolation method to improve the kinematic accuracy of robots.

Methods: To solve the problems of low accuracy and poor stability of robots in assembly trajectory, a method which combines an optimized Denavit and Hartenberg (D-H) parameter modeling method and interpolation method is presented for the first time in this paper. For this purpose, the configuration and startup files required for robot motion planning are created to configure the corresponding simulation platform of an AUBO-i5 collaborative robot. In order to study the reliability of the proposed method, a three-dimensional environment model of the manipulator is established. Then, the robot’s linear trajectory planning is realized, and thus the position changes of each joint are analyzed.

Results: The simulation results show that the improved D-H method effectively improves the stability and accuracy of the motion trajectory of each joint and provides a basis for the robot to realize more flexible motion planning.

Conclusions: In the assembly process, we can use the simulation platform for simulation experiments to avoid unnecessary problems. In addition, we can use the improved D-H method and interpolation method to improve the trajectory accuracy of robots. The method presented in the paper can effectively reduce the damage of the robot in the process of use and improve the assembly efficiency of robots.