bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal pathogens associated with pre‐ And postharvest fruit rots of mango in southern Iran
Authors: Goudarzi Azadeh , Samavi Siavash , Amiri Mazraie Mohsen , Majidi Zahra
Published: July 2021

This study aimed at identifying fungal pathogens causing pre‐ and postharvest fruit rots on local cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in the main mango‐growing regions of southern Iran. Mango fruits showing rot symptoms from commercial orchards were used for isolation of fungal species associated with preharvest fruit rots. Latent infections were assessed on intact healthy mango fruits which were surface‐disinfested and incubated in moist chambers at 25ºC. For evaluation of postharvest wound infections, intact healthy mango fruits were artificially wounded and incubated in moist chambers at 25ºC. In addition, fungal decays were assessed on intact healthy mango fruits stored at 13ºC for up to 4 weeks. Isolated fungi were identified based on morphological characteristics, as well as sequence data from the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. In addition, the sequence data inferred from translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (tef1) gene were used for determination of Fusarium species and Alternaria and Colletotrichum isolates were defined genetically based on multi‐gene sequencing. Accordingly, eight fungal species, including Alternaria alternata, Neofussicoccum mediterraneum, Aureobasidium melanogenum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium proliferatum, Xenoacremonium falcatus, F. verticillioides and Diaporthe phyllanthicola, were identified to associate with preharvest mango fruit rots. Fungi associated with latent infections, mostly stem‐end rots, included A. alternata, N. mediterraneum, C. gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, F. proliferatum and A. melanogenum, and those associated with wound infections were A. alternata, N. mediterraneum, Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium spp. A. alternata was the only pathogen isolated from the fruits stored at low temperature. Pathogenicity of the selected isolates was demonstrated by fulfilling Koch's postulates.
Socioeconomic differences in food habits among 6‐ to 9‐year‐old children from 23 countries—WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI 2015/2017)
Authors: Fismen Anne‐Siri , Buoncristiano Marta , Williams Julianne , Helleve Arnfinn , Abdrakhmanova Shynar , Bakacs Márta , Bergh Ingunn Holden , Boymatova Khadichamo , Duleva Vesselka , Fijałkowska Anna , García‐Solano Marta , Gualtieri Andrea , Gutiérrez‐González Enrique , Hejgaard Tatjana , Huidumac‐Petrescu Constanta , Hyska Jolanda , Kelleher Cecily C. , Kierkegaard Lene , Kujundžić Enisa , Kunešová Marie , Milanović Sanja Musić , Nardone Paola , Nurk Eha , Ostojic Sergej M. , Ozcebe Lütfiye Hilal , Peterkova Valentina , Petrauskiene Ausra , Pudule Iveta , Rakhmatulleoeva Sanavbar , Rakovac Ivo , Rito Ana Isabel , Rutter Harry , Sacchini Elena , Stojisavljević Dragana , Farrugia Sant'Angelo Victoria , Shengelia Lela , Spinelli Angela , Spiroski Igor , Tanrygulyyeva Maya , Usupova Zhamilya , Weghuber Daniel , Breda João
Published: July 2021

Background

Socioeconomic differences in children's food habits are a key public health concern. In order to inform policy makers, cross‐country surveillance studies of dietary patterns across socioeconomic groups are required. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and children's food habits.

Methods

The study was based on nationally representative data from children aged 6–9 years (n = 129,164) in 23 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. Multivariate multilevel analyses were used to explore associations between children's food habits (consumption of fruit, vegetables, and sugar‐containing soft drinks) and parental education, perceived family wealth and parental employment status.

Results

Overall, the present study suggests that unhealthy food habits are associated with lower SES, particularly as assessed by parental education and family perceived wealth, but not parental employment status. We found cross‐national and regional variation in associations between SES and food habits and differences in the extent to which the respective indicators of SES were related to children's diet.

Conclusion

Socioeconomic differences in children's food habits exist in the majority of European and Asian countries examined in this study. The results are of relevance when addressing strategies, policy actions, and interventions targeting social inequalities in children's diets.
Stem bending generates electrical response in poplar
Authors: Tinturier Erwan , Badel Éric , Leblanc‐Fournier Nathalie , Julien Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2021

Under natural conditions, plants experience external mechanical stresses such as wind and touch that impact their growth. A remarkable feature of this mechanically induced growth response is that it may occur at a distance from the stimulation site, suggesting the existence of a signal propagating through the plant. In this study, we investigated the electrical response of poplar trees to a transient controlled bending stimulation of the stem that mimics the mechanical effect of wind. Stem bending was found to cause an electrical response that we called “gradual” potential, similar in shape to an action potential. However, this signal can be distinguished from the well‐known plant action potential by its propagation up to 20 cm along the stem and its strong dumping in velocity and amplitude. Two hypotheses regarding the mode of propagation of the “gradual” potential are discussed.
Perception of workplace social‐sexual behavior as sexual harassment post #MeToo in Scandinavia
Authors: Kessler Andrea M. , Kennair Leif Edward Ottesen , Grøntvedt Trond V. , Bjørkheim Ida , Drejer Idun , Bendixen Mons
Published: July 2021

In this study we examined how people perceive social‐sexual behavior of women and men, and how these perceptions were associated with beliefs about the outcomes of the #MeToo movement, sexism, traditional values, and gender equality. In addition, we examined the effect of having experienced sexual harassment on such perceptions. Analyses were performed on a Norwegian snowball social media sample covering 321 women and 168 men, aged 18–59 (M = 33.1). Outcome variables covered perceptions of scenarios that described opposite‐sex social‐sexual behaviors performed by female and male actors within the workplace environment. Path analysis showed that negative beliefs about the outcomes of the #MeToo movement was the principal predictor for perception of female and male social‐sexual behavior as sexual harassment for women and men participants. Traditional values, gender equality, and hostile sexism toward women were all associated with perception of social‐sexual behavior as sexual harassment, however the effects of these variables were only indirect and fully accounted for by the effect of negative #MeToo beliefs. For women, having experienced sexual harassment was associated with hostile sexism toward men, but had no effect on the perceptions over and above the effect of the other variables in the model. The predictors on participants’ perceptions were highly similar for women and men and for evaluations of female and male actors. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Examining suicide assessment measures for research use: Using item response theory to optimize psychometric assessment for research on suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder
Authors: McCall William V. , Porter Ben , Pate Ashley R. , Bolstad Courtney J. , Drapeau Christopher W. , Krystal Andrew D. , Benca Ruth M. , Rumble Meredith E. , Nadorff Michael R.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Progress reducing suicide death will require randomized clinical trials (RCTs) specifically targeting suicide risk. Even large RCTs may not stipulate suicide death as the primary outcome, as suicide death is relatively uncommon. Therefore, RCTs may need to specify suicidal ideation as a proxy indicator of risk. There is no consensus on the best tool for measuring suicidal ideation within RCTs. We contrasted the psychometric performance of three suicidal ideation measures to address this need.

Methods

We applied item response theory to the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), the Columbia‐Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C‐SSRS), and the suicide item of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) for 101 outpatients with depression and suicidal ideation participating in a RCT with suicidal ideation as the primary outcome.

Results

All measures of suicidal ideation were equally able to detect low and very high levels of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

The choice of the specific measure of suicidal ideation in a clinical trial may be dictated by time and financial resources versus the need for granularity in the interpretation of the scores.
Grieg's Sonic Afterimages
Authors: Rehding Alexander
Published: July 2021

As Neo-Riemannian transformations find their firm place in the analytical tool-kit, their function changes from a heuristic to describe harmonic progressions to a full-fledged analytical methodology. In this phase, the question of meaning looms large. Richard Cohn's (2004) associations
between hexatonic poles and the uncanny have done much to pave the way toward a hermeneutics of Neo-Riemannian theory. This analytical vignette focuses on an intriguing SLIDE progression in Grieg's final Lyric Piece, "Efterklang," and offers a contextual analysis in which this harmonic
transformation becomes meaningful. While the interpretation offered here remains specific to the piece at hand, the hermeneutic analysis may be used as a model for further such endeavours.
Canons and Contestable Cadences in Brahms's Op. 118 No. 4
Authors: Mutch Caleb
Published: July 2021

Brahms's F minor Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 4 prominently employs the fusty compositional technique of strict canon at the octave. Yet Brahms embeds this canon in music that is anything but fusty: as I demonstrate, unexpected features abound in the textures, dissonance treatment, modulatory
schemes, and motives with which Brahms girds the canon. The movement's approach to cadences is also remarkable. The presence of a continuous canon automatically precludes all voices coming to rest simultaneously, but Brahms further attenuates the piece's cadences. Most notably, in this movement
Brahms avoids traditional authentic-cadence closure entirely, writing not a single cadential progression from a root-position C major chord to a root-position F chord. Instead, I argue that Brahms effects tonal closure by using the augmented sixth chord, which supplants the dominant's usual
function. He does this most obviously by repeating the augmented sixth sonority in prominent positions within the ternary form's final A section. I also show that Brahms artfully foreshadows this chord's importance in the initial A section, where he successively tonicizes each member of that
harmony.
"Rudimenti di Musica per Accompagnare del Sig. r Maestro Vignali, A. 1789 D."
Authors: Curtice Sean , Carlisi Lydia
Published: July 2021

The recently discovered manuscript "Rudimenti di Musica per Accompagnare del Sig.r Maestro Vignali" (1789) merits a special place in the canon of eighteenth-century partimento sources, thanks to its illuminating music-theoretical perspectives and its remarkable collection
of twenty-four annotated partimenti. This English edition marks the first appearance of this manuscript source in print, making it easily accessible to scholars and performers for the first time.
A Modular Method for Mechanical Error Analysis of Planar Linkages Composed of Class II Assur Group Kinematic Chains
Authors: Hsu Kuan Lun , Chung Jia Yu
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a modular method for the mechanical error analysis of complex planar linkages. The topology of the linkage under investigation is decomposed into several class II Assur group kinematic chains (AGKCs) combined in a given sequence. Therefore, the mechanical error of the whole linkage can be analyzed by investigating the error propagations of adopted AGKCs in successive order. Because class II AGKCs are first served as modules, the mechanical error equations of these AGKCs in terms of each error in link lengths and joint variables can be pre-formulated and embedded in form of subroutines in any programmable language. Once the AGKCs constituting the linkage topology are identified, the corresponding subroutines are introduced to compute the error propagations in the linkage. Therefore, the presented modular approach can facilitate the analysis by concentrating on the topology decomposition instead of the algebraic derivation. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the advantage and flexibility of the modular approach.
Multiplane deconvolution in underwater acoustics: Simultaneous estimations of source level and position
Authors: Polichetti Maxime , Baron Valentin , Mars Jérôme I. , Nicolas Barbara
Published: July 2021

In many acoustic imaging applications, conventional beamforming (CBF) cannot provide both accurate position and source level estimates simultaneously. Also, the CBF acoustic maps suffer from many artifacts due to the spreading of large point-spread-functions. An original CLEAN deconvolution procedure, including an additional plane containing out-of-plane interfering sources, is proposed here to achieve simultaneous localization, source level estimation, and de-noising. The approach is illustrated using experimental data mimicking a challenging deep-sea mining configuration: an underwater acoustic source of interest is located 700 m below the sea surface, tens of meters from a 3 m-length array, with boat noise as the disturbing source.
Complete Genome Sequencing of Mycobacterium heckeshornense Strain JMUB5695, Isolated from Necrotizing Granulomatous Lesions
Authors: Katahira Katsuyuki , Watanabe Shinya , Wakamatsu Kentaro , Nagasawa Zenzo , Kawasaki Masayuki , Cui Longzhu
Published: July 2021

We report the complete genome sequence of
Mycobacterium heckeshornense
strain JMUB5695, which was isolated from necrotizing granulomatous lesions in a lung cancer patient. The complete genome consists of a 4,865,109-bp chromosome with a GC content of 65.9% and contains no plasmids.
Draft Genome Sequences of Pseudomonas spp. Isolated from Berry Surfaces in Commercial Cranberry Bogs in Massachusetts, USA
Authors: Koszewski Marit H. , Motevalli Sheyda , Soby Scott D.
Published: July 2021

The surfaces of plants are colonized by a rich diversity of microbes but are largely unexplored. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of five
Pseudomonas
spp. isolated from cultivated cranberry fruit surfaces. Although the isolates represent four different species, their genomes all contain conserved iron-sequestration and uptake genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of an NDM-1-Producing Sequence Type 101 (ST101) Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain, Marseille-Q1949
Authors: Chamieh Amanda , Zgheib Rita , El-Sawalhi Sabah , Azar Eid , Rolain Jean-Marc
Published: July 2021

A pan-drug-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain was isolated from the blood of a 70-year-old critically ill patient in April 2019. Interestingly, the patient recovered and was discharged home a month later. The genome of strain Marseille-Q1949 is 5,607,584-bp long and has a 57.1% G+C content and 5,467 protein-coding genes.
Severe multiorgan toxicity after first dose of Capizzi methotrexate in a young adult patient with acute lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Caldito Elena G , Pescatore Jay M , Elsebaie Maha
Published: July 2021

Methotrexate is a versatile antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent. We report a case of a young adult on the Cancer and Leukaemia Group B 10403 treatment protocol for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She has previously completed the induction and consolidation phases with good tolerance then started on Capizzi methotrexate during the interim maintenance phase. Few days after receiving one intermediate dose of methotrexate, she developed severe multiorgan toxicities including pancytopaenia and several dermatologic toxicities. The patient underwent extensive diagnostic workup, with all results negative, pointing eventually towards severe methotrexate toxicity. This case highlights the broad spectrum of toxicities that can occur even with low doses of methotrexate. Capizzi methotrexate therapy implies no leucovorin therapy, hence putting patients at risk for multiorgan toxicity. Our experience reinforces the importance of close monitoring for patients receiving methotrexate, regardless of dose, and the prompt administration of high-dose leucovorin once toxicity suspected.
Common elective orthopaedic procedures and their clinical effectiveness: umbrella review of level 1 evidence
Authors: Blom Ashley W , Donovan Richard L , Beswick Andrew D , Whitehouse Michael R , Kunutsor Setor K
Published: July 2021

Objective

To determine the clinical effectiveness of common elective orthopaedic procedures compared with no treatment, placebo, or non-operative care and assess the impact on clinical guidelines.

Design

Umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials or other study designs in the absence of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

Data sources

Ten of the most common elective orthopaedic procedures—arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic meniscal repair of the knee, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy of the knee, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic subacromial decompression, carpal tunnel decompression, lumbar spine decompression, lumbar spine fusion, total hip replacement, and total knee replacement—were studied. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and bibliographies were searched until September 2020.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (or in the absence of meta-analysis other study designs) that compared the clinical effectiveness of any of the 10 orthopaedic procedures with no treatment, placebo, or non-operative care.

Data extraction and synthesis

Summary data were extracted by two independent investigators, and a consensus was reached with the involvement of a third. The methodological quality of each meta-analysis was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews instrument. The Jadad decision algorithm was used to ascertain which meta-analysis represented the best evidence. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Evidence search was used to check whether recommendations for each procedure reflected the body of evidence.

Main outcome measures

Quality and quantity of evidence behind common elective orthopaedic interventions and comparisons with the strength of recommendations in relevant national clinical guidelines.

Results

Randomised controlled trial evidence supports the superiority of carpal tunnel decompression and total knee replacement over non-operative care. No randomised controlled trials specifically compared total hip replacement or meniscal repair with non-operative care. Trial evidence for the other six procedures showed no benefit over non-operative care.

Conclusions

Although they may be effective overall or in certain subgroups, no strong, high quality evidence base shows that many commonly performed elective orthopaedic procedures are more effective than non-operative alternatives. Despite the lack of strong evidence, some of these procedures are still recommended by national guidelines in certain situations.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018115917.
The Cedar Project: exploring the role of colonial harms and childhood maltreatment on HIV and hepatitis C infection in a cohort study involving young Indigenous people who use drugs in two Canadian cities
Authors: Pearce Margo E , Jongbloed Kate , Pooyak Sherri , Christian Wenecwtsin M , Teegee Maaxswxw Gibuu (White Wolf) Mary , Caron Nadine R , Thomas Victoria , Henderson Earl , Zamar David , Yoshida Eric M , Schechter Martin T , Spittal Patricia M
Published: July 2021

Objectives

This study examined associations between childhood maltreatment, colonial harms and sex/drug-related risks for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among young Indigenous people who use drugs.

Design

The Cedar Project is a cohort involving young Indigenous people who use drugs in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Indigenous collaborators, collectively known as the Cedar Project Partnership, govern the entire research process.

Setting

Vancouver is a large city on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples. Prince George is a mid-sized city, on the traditional territory of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

Participants

420 participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and returned for follow-up from 2003 to 2016.

Primary/secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were HIV and HCV infection over the study period. Secondary outcomes included sex and substance use-related risks.

Results

Prevalence of childhood maltreatment was 92.6% experienced any maltreatment; 73.4% experienced emotional abuse; 62.6% experienced physical abuse; 60.3% experienced sexual abuse; 69.5% experienced emotional neglect and 79.1% experienced physical neglect. We observed significant associations between childhood maltreatment and apprehensions into residential schools and foster care. All maltreatment types were associated with higher odds of sex/substance use-related risks; sexual abuse was associated with higher odds of HCV infection (adjusted OR: 1.67; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.66; p=0.031).

Conclusions

Findings reflect high prevalence of childhood maltreatment and their associations with HIV/HCV risk and HCV infection. Public health prevention and treatment initiatives must be trauma informed and culturally safe to support healing, health, and well-being.
Undernutrition and associated factors in orphan children aged 6–59 months in Gambella Southwest, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Feleke Solomon , Egata Gudina , Mesfin Firehiwot , Yilak Gizachew , Molla Abebaw
Published: July 2021

Objective

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and associated factors in orphaned children under 5 years old.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Gambella City, Ethiopia.

Participants

A sample of 419 under 5 orphaned children included in the study. Eligible households with orphans had selected using a systematic random sampling method. The lottery method was used when more than one eligible study participants live in the household. An OR with 95% CI was performed to measure the strength of association between each dependent variable and independent variables. Variables with p<0.05 were declared statistically significant.

Primary outcome

The main outcome of this study was the prevalence of undernutrition among orphaned under 5 and its associated factors.

Results

Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in orphan children under 5 were 12.2%, 37.8% and 21.7%, respectively. The prevalnce of wasting peaks among age group of 36–47 months (42.5%), whereas underweight peaks in 48–59 months (27.7%). Food insecurity, wealth index, family size, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea, fever 2 weeks before the survey, children under 5 and parents’ death were associated with undernutrition.

Conclusion

The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphan children under 5 was significantly high. Multisectoral collaborative efforts towards access to health services, improving income-generating activities, micronutrient supplementation and social support and protection targeting orphan and vulnerable populations have to be built up.
Prospective observational study to examine health-related quality of life and develop models to predict long-term patient-reported outcomes 6 months after hospital discharge with blunt thoracic injuries
Authors: Baker Edward , Battle Ceri , Banjeri Abhishek , Carlton Edward , Dixon Christine , Ferry Jennifer , Hopkins Philip , Jones Robert , Murrells Trevor , Norton Christine , Patient Lee , Rasheed Ashraf , Skene Imogen , Tabner Andrew , Tunnicliff Malcolm , Young Louise , Xyrichis Andreas , Lee Gerry
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study aimed to examine the long-term outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with blunt thoracic injuries over 6 months from hospital discharge and develop models to predict long-term patient-reported outcomes.

Design

A prospective observational study using longitudinal survey design.

Setting

The study recruitment was undertaken at 12 UK hospitals which represented diverse geographical locations and covered urban, suburban and rural areas across England and Wales.

Participants

337 patients admitted to hospital with blunt thoracic injuries were recruited between June 2018–October 2020.

Methods

Participants completed a bank of two quality of life surveys (Short Form-12 (SF-12) and EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels) and two pain questionnaires (Brief Pain Inventory and painDETECT Questionnaire) at four time points over the first 6 months after discharge from hospital. A total of 211 (63%) participants completed the outcomes data at 6 months after hospital discharge.

Outcomes measures

Three outcomes were measured using pre-existing and validated patient-reported outcome measures. Outcomes included: Poor physical function (SF-12 Physical Component Score); chronic pain (Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity Score); and neuropathic pain (painDETECT Questionnaire).

Results

Despite a trend towards improving physical functional and pain at 6 months, outcomes did not return to participants perceived baseline level of function. At 6 months after hospital discharge, 37% (n=77) of participants reported poor physical function; 36.5% (n=77) reported a chronic pain state; and 22% (n=47) reported pain with a neuropathic component. Predictive models were developed for each outcome highlighting important data collection requirements for predicting long-term outcomes in this population. Model diagnostics including calibration and discrimination statistics suggested good model fit in this development cohort.

Conclusions

This study identified the recovery trajectories for patients with blunt thoracic injuries over the first 6 months after hospital discharge and present prognostic models for three important outcomes which after external validation could be used as clinical risk stratification scores.
Operations management on the front line of COVID-19 vaccination: building capability at scale via technology-enhanced learning
Authors: Smith Iain M , Bayliss Elaine , Salisbury Hollie , Wheeler Ali
Published: July 2021

The globe is gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass population vaccination is seen as the solution. As vaccines become available, governments aim to deploy them as rapidly as possible. It is important, therefore, that the efficiency of vaccination processes is optimal.

Operations management is concerned with improving processes and comprises systematic approaches such as Lean. Lean focuses explicitly on process efficiency through the elimination of non-value adding steps to optimise processes for those who use and depend on them.

Technology-enhanced learning can be a strategy to build improvement capability at scale. A massive online programme to build capability in Lean has been developed by the regulator of England's National Health Service. Beta testing of this programme has been used by some test sites to refine their COVID-19 vaccination processes. The paper presents a case example of massive online learning supporting the use of Lean in the day-to-day operations management of COVID-19 vaccine processes.

The case example illustrates the challenges that vaccination processes may present and the need for responsive and effective operations management. Building capability to respond rapidly and systematically in dynamic situations to optimise flow, safety and patient experience may be beneficial.

Given the national imperative to achieve mass vaccination as rapidly as possible, systematic improvement methods such as Lean may have a contribution to make. Massive online programmes, such as that described here, may help with this effort by achieving timely knowledge transfer at large scale.
Making every drop count: reducing wastage of a novel blood component for transfusion of trauma patients
Authors: McCullagh Josephine , Proudlove Nathan , Tucker Harriet , Davies Jane , Edmondson Dave , Lancut Julia , Maddison Angela , Weaver Anne , Davenport Ross , Green Laura
Published: July 2021

Recent research demonstrates that transfusing whole blood (WB=red blood cells (RBC)+plasma+platelets) rather than just RBC (which is current National Health Service (NHS) practice) may improve outcomes for major trauma patients. As part of a programme to investigate provision of WB, NHS Blood and Transplant undertook a 2-year feasibility study to supply the Royal London Hospital (RLH) with (group O negative, ‘O neg’) leucodepleted red cell and plasma (LD-RCP) for transfusion of trauma patients with major haemorrhage in prehospital settings.

Incidents requiring such prehospital transfusion occur randomly, with very high variation. Availability is critical, but O neg LD-RCP is a scarce resource and has a limited shelf life (14 days) after which it must be disposed of. The consequences of wastage are the opportunity cost of loss of overall treatment capacity across the NHS and reputational damage.

The context was this feasibility study, set up to assess deliverability to RLH and subsequent wastage levels. Within this, we conducted a quality improvement project, which aimed to reduce the wastage of LD-RCP to no more than 8% (ie, 1 of the 12 units delivered per week).

Over this 2-year period, we reduced wastage from a weekly average of 70%–27%. This was achieved over four improvement cycles. The largest improvement came from moving near-expiry LD-RCP to the emergency department (ED) for use with their trauma patients, with subsequent improvements from embedding use in ED as routine practice, introducing a dedicated LD-RCP delivery schedule (which increased the units ≤2 days old at delivery from 42% to 83%) and aligning this delivery schedule to cover two cycles of peak demand (Fridays and Saturdays).
Combinatorial immunotherapy of N-803 (IL-15 superagonist) and dinutuximab with ex vivo expanded natural killer cells significantly enhances in vitro cytotoxicity against GD2+pediatric solid tumors and in vivo survival of xenografted immunodeficient NSG mice
Authors: Chu Yaya , Nayyar Gaurav , Jiang Susiyan , Rosenblum Jeremy M. , Soon-Shiong Patrick , Safrit Jeffrey T , Lee Dean A. , Cairo Mitchell S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Children with recurrent and/or metastatic osteosarcoma (OS), neuroblastoma (NB) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have a dismal event-free survival (<25%). The majority of these solid tumors highly express GD2. Dinutuximab, an anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody, significantly improved event-free survival in children with GD2+NB post autologous stem cell transplantation and enhanced natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Thus, approaches to increase NK cell number and activity, improve persistence and trafficking, and enhance tumor targeting may further improve the clinical benefit of dinutuximab. N-803 is a superagonist of an interleukin-15 (IL-15) variant bound to an IL-15 receptor alpha Su-Fc fusion with enhanced biological activity.

Methods

The anti-tumor combinatorial effects of N-803, dinutuximab and ex vivo expanded peripheral blood NK cells (exPBNK) were performed in vitro using cytoxicity assays against GD2+OS, NB and GBM cells. Perforin and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were measured by ELISA assays. Multiple cytokines/chemokines/growth factors released were measured by multiplex assays. Human OS, GBM or NB xenografted NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (NSG) mice were used to investigate the anti-tumor combinatorial effects in vivo.

Results

N-803 increased the viability and proliferation of exPBNK. The increased viability and proliferation are associated with increased phosphorylation of Stat3, Stat5, AKT, p38MAPK and the expression of NK activating receptors. The combination of dinutuximab and N-803 significantly enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity of exPBNK with enhanced perforin and IFN-γ release against OS, GBM and NB. The combination of exPBNK+N-803+dinutuximab significantly reduced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and stem cell growth factor beta (SCGF-β) from OS or GBM tumor cells. Furthermore, OS or GBM significantly inhibited the secretion of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) from exPBNK cells (p<0.001) but significantly enhanced monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) secretion from exPBNK cells (p<0.001). N-803 combined with dinutuximab and exPBNK cells significantly extended the survival of OS, GBM or NB xenografted NSG mice.

Conclusions

Our results provide the rationale for the development of a clinical trial of N-803 in combination with dinutuximab and ex vivo exPBNK cells in patients with recurrent or metastatic GD2+solid tumors.
Thrombectomy in special populations: report of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery Standards and Guidelines Committee
Authors: Al-Mufti Fawaz , Schirmer Clemens M , Starke Robert M , Chaudhary Neeraj , De Leacy Reade , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula I , Haranhalli Neil , Abecassis Isaac Josh , Amuluru Krishna , Bulsara Ketan R , Hetts Steven W
Published: July 2021

Background

The purpose of this guideline is to summarize the data available for performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke in special populations not typically included in large randomized controlled clinical trials, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, patients who have recently undergone surgery, and patients with thrombocytopenia, collagen vascular disorders, and endocarditis.

Methods

We performed a literature review for studies examining the indications, efficacy, and outcomes for patients undergoing MT for ischemic stroke aged <18 years and >80 years, pregnant patients, patients who have recently undergone surgery, and those with thrombocytopenia, collagen vascular diseases, or endocarditis. We graded the quality of the evidence.

Results

MT can be effective for the treatment of ELVO in ischemic stroke for patients over age 80 years and under age 18 years, thrombocytopenic patients, pregnant patients, and patients with endocarditis. While outcomes are worse compared to younger patients and those with normal platelet counts (respectively), there is still a benefit in the elderly (in both mRS and mortality). Data are very limited for patients with collagen vascular diseases; although diagnostic cerebral angiography carries increased risks, MT may be appropriate in carefully selected patients in whom untreated ELVO would likely result in disabling or fatal outcome.
Off-hour effect is not significant in endovascular treatment for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in a multicentre registry
Authors: Zha Mingming , Yang Qingwen , Liu Shuo , Huang Kangmo , Zhang Xiaohao , Wu Min , Cai Haodi , Lv Qiushi , Liu Rui , Yang Dong , Liu Xinfeng
Published: July 2021

Background and purpose

Whether the off-hour effect has an impact on workflow and outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (AC-LVO) remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients who presented or were treated during off-hour versus on-hour in a multi-center registry.

Methods

AC-LVO patients from 21 centres were categorised into the off-hour group and the on-hour group. Off-hour (weekends, holidays, and 18:00–7:59 on weekdays) and on-hour (8:00–17:59 on weekdays except for holidays) were defined according to arrival and groin-puncture time points, respectively. Subgroup comparisons between patients both arrived and treated during off-hour (true off-hour) and on-hour (true on-hour) were performed. The primary outcome was the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Secondary outcomes included favourable outcome (mRS 0–2 at 90 days), EVT-related time metrics, and other clinical outcomes. Ordinary and binary logistic regression and linear regression were taken to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

Of all 698 patients enrolled, 435 (62.3%) and 456 (65.3%) patients were categorised into the off-hour arrival and off-hour puncture group, respectively. Shorter onset to door time (adjusted ß coefficient: −21.56; 95% CI −39.96 to −3.16; p=0.022) was noted in the off-hour arrival group. Ordinal and dichotomous mRS scores at 90 days were comparable between the off-hour group and the on-hour group regardless of off-hour definitions. Other time metrics and outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Of 595 patients both presented and were treated during off-hour or on-hour, 394 patients were categorised into the true off-hour group and 201 into the true on-hour group. Time metrics and clinical outcomes were similar between the true off-hour and the true on-hour group.

Conclusions

The off-hour effect was not significant regarding clinical outcomes and in-hospital workflow in AC-LVO patients receiving EVT in this Chinese multicentre registry.
Social determinants associated with physical activity among Indigenous adults at the University of Saskatchewan
Authors: Ironside Avery , Ferguson Leah J. , Katapally Tarun R. , Hedayat Lila M. , Johnson Shara R. , Foulds Heather J.A.
Published: July 2021

Colonization impacts Indigenous Peoples’ way of life, culture, language, community structure and social networks. Links between social determinants of health and physical activity (PA) among Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, with 16% Indigenous residents, are unclear. This cross-sectional study, guided by Indigenous Community Advisors, compared moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), traditional Indigenous PA and musculoskeletal PA with social determinants of Indigenous (n = 124), including First Nations (n = 80, including 57 Cree/Nehiyawak) and Métis (n = 41), adults in Saskatchewan. Participants completed Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA, Social Support Index and traditional Indigenous PA participation questionnaires. Regression associated positive perception of social support with MVPA (R = 0.306, p = 0.02), while residential school experiences (R = 0.338, p = 0.02) and community support (R = 0.412, p = 0.01) were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation. Among Métis, discrimination experiences were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation (R = 0.459, p = 0.01). Traditional Indigenous PA participation was associated with community support among First Nations (R = 0.263, p = 0.04), and also foster care placement (R = 0.480, p = 0.01) for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations specifically. Among Cree/Nehiyawak, family support (R = 0.354, p = 0.04), discrimination experiences (R = 0.531, p = 0.01) and positive perceptions of support (R = 0.610, p = 0.003) were associated with musculoskeletal PA. Greater community, family and perceived social support, and experiences of discrimination, residential school and foster care are associated with more PA for Indigenous Peoples.

Novelty: Positive support perceptions predict physical activity among Indigenous Peoples. Family support, discrimination experiences and positive support perceptions predict physical activity for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations. Traditional physical activity was predicted by residential school experiences and community support (Indigenous Peoples), discrimination experiences (Métis), community support (First Nations), and foster care experiences (Cree/Nehiyawak).
Behaviour of slender concrete shear walls with high-strength reinforcement under reverse cyclic loading
Authors: Aghniaey Nima , Saatcioglu Murat , Aoude Hassan
Published: July 2021

Research on seismic behaviour of shear walls with high-strength steel is limited. A combined experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to assess seismic behaviour of flexure-dominant shear walls. A large-scale concrete shear wall with Grade 690 MPa (ASTM A1035) reinforcement and 84 MPa concrete was tested under simulated seismic loading. The wall represented a 6-story building shear wall with 4.53 m height and 1.45 m length. It sustained a lateral drift of 1.8% prior to developing failure due to the rupturing of longitudinal reinforcement. This is 35% less than the drift capacity of a companion wall reinforced with 400 MPa reinforcement tested earlier. VecTor2 software was used to conduct an analytical parametric study to expand the experimental findings. The results indicate that the reinforcement grade has a significant impact on strength, ductility, and hysteretic behaviour of shear walls.
Where do you come from, where do you go: early life stage drift and migrations of cod inferred from otolith microchemistry and genetic population assignment
Authors: Hüssy Karin , Albertsen Christoffer Moesgaard , Hemmer-Hansen Jakob , Vinther Morten , Serre Simon Hansen , Thomsen Tonny Bernt , Eero Margit
Published: July 2021

This study investigates stock mixing of genetically distinct Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks in the Kattegat, an area geographically located between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, by combining genetic population identification with habitat assignments from hatch to capture from otolith microchemistry. Cod captured in Kattegat were genetically assigned to either the North Sea or the endemic Kattegat population. Otolith chemical fingerprints differed significantly between populations during the larval and pelagic juvenile stage with higher strontium and lower barium and manganese concentrations in the North Sea population than the Kattegat population, indicating that North Sea cod are spawned in the North Sea or Skagerrak and drift into the Kattegat during the early life stages. Individual cod of both populations undertook frequent, but predominantly short-term, migrations to other areas than the Kattegat, with <25% of individuals remaining resident within the Kattegat throughout their life. Across seasons and age classes, the two populations were both most frequently distributed in the Kattegat (67%), with approximately 25% of both population distributed in the western Baltic Sea and less than 10% in the Skagerrak–North Sea. This study demonstrates the usefulness of this approach to infer population-specific connectivity and migration trajectories for individual fish and its potential applications in basic and applied fields of fish ecology and fisheries sciences.
Assessing the effects of climate change on urban watersheds: a review and call for future research
Authors: Alamdari Nasrin , Hogue Terri S.
Published: July 2021

Considerable efforts have been made to control and manage the hydrology and water quality of watersheds impacted by urban development through the construction of stormwater control measures (SCMs). Climate change (CC) could, however, undermine these efforts by intensifying precipitation and hydrologic extremes. Although the impact of CC on water resources has been well-documented, its impact on urban hydrology remains less studied. CC may complicate sustainable urban hydrology, which can cause a reduction in the efficiency of SCMs with changes in precipitation patterns (i.e., changes in duration, frequency, depth, and intensity). More intense precipitation may result in reduced runoff reduction and treatment efficiency, given that SCMs have a finite surface storage volume and surface infiltration capacity. Determining the functionality of various SCMs under future climate projections is important to better understand the impact of CC on urban stormwater and how well these practices can build resiliency into our urban environment. The purpose of this review is to provide the needs and opportunities for future research on quantifying the effect of CC on urban SCMs and to characterize the performance and effectiveness of these systems under existing and projected climate scenarios. A summary of the modeled constituents as well as the stormwater and climate models applied in these studies is provided. We concluded that there are still limitations in exploring the impact of future changes in meteorological variables that will influence the operation of SCMs in the long-term. Previous studies mostly focused on the impacts of CC on urban runoff quantity, and only a handful of studies have explored water quality impacts from CC, such as potential changes in water temperature, metals, and pathogens. Assessing the pollutant-removal efficiency of SCMs, such as bioretention, infiltration trenches, dry and wet swales, rooftop disconnections, and wet and dry ponds, which are common practices in urban watersheds, also needs more attention. Analysis of the cost of adapting SCMs for CC to maintain the same performance as current climate conditions is also recommended for future research.
Analysis of trigonometric chaotic sequence by proposing an index-based bit level scrambling image encryption
Authors: Yu Wanbo , Wang Hao
Published: July 2021

Chaotic map is applied to numerous research fields, such as encryption of data and information. In this paper, a novel bit-level scrambling encryption based on three-dimensional trigonometric chaotic sequence is proposed. This encryption is operated on grayscale images because pixel value of which is between 0 and 255, which can be converted into 8-bit binary number, then each image can be converted into eight binary images. Combine binary images a three-dimensional matrix as input, which have three index values width, height, and page. Generate three numbers by the chaotic sequence to locate the value of the matrix need to be changed. After the value is located, change its value 0 to 1 or 1 to 0, this is the basic encryption scheme. This paper makes a three-dimensional binary matrix with 32 images to test the encryption scheme, and get average value of images’ number of pixel change rate at 0.9603, unified averaged change intensity at 31.27%, information entropy at 7.9891, also the histograms. And correlation coefficients of each pixel from three directions are small. There are comparisons with other encryptions too. The key space of this encryption is more than 10[Formula: see text].
Shape evolution of Hg isotopes within the covariant density functional theory
Authors: Prassa V. , Karakatsanis K. E.
Published: July 2021

The shape evolution in the neutron-deficient Hg region is investigated within the covariant density functional framework. We study in detail the chain of even–even mercury isotopes 190−200Hg using the relativistic point coupling model. The low-energy excitation spectrum and the B(E2) transitions rates of even–even nuclei are obtained as solutions of a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) model, with parameters determined by constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the relativistic energy density functional DD-PC1, and a finite-range pairing interaction. The calculations suggest a very interesting structure evolution with coexisting configurations for 190Hg, increased collectivity for the isotopes 192−198Hg and a more spherical structure for 200Hg.