bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are periodontitis and psoriasis associated? A pre‐clinical murine model
Authors: Marruganti Crystal , Gaeta Carlo , Falciani Chiara , Cinotti Elisa , Rubegni Pietro , Alovisi Mario , Scotti Nicola , Baldi Andrea , Bellan Cristiana , Defraia Chiara , Fiorino Fabio , Valensin Silvia , Bellini Erika , De Rosa Antonella , D'Aiuto Francesco , Grandini Simone
Published: May 2024

Aim

To investigate the bidirectional influence between periodontitis and psoriasis, using the respective experimental models of ligature‐ and imiquimod‐induced diseases on murine models.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐two C57/BL6J mice were randomly allocated to four experimental groups: control (P− Pso−), ligature‐induced periodontitis (P+ Pso−), imiquimod‐induced psoriasis (P− Pso+) and periodontitis and psoriasis (P+ Pso+). Samples (maxilla, dorsal skin and blood) were harvested immediately after death. Measures of periodontitis (distance between the cemento‐enamel junction and alveolar bone crest [CEJ–ABC] and the number of osteoclasts) and psoriasis (epidermal thickness and infiltrate cell [/0.03mm2]) severity as well as systemic inflammation (IL‐6, IL‐17A, TNF‐α) were collected.

Results

The P+ Pso+ group exhibited the most severe experimental periodontitis and psoriasis, with the highest values of CEJ–ABC, number of osteoclasts, epidermal thickness and infiltrate cells in the dorsal skin, as well as the highest blood cytokine concentration. The P+ Pso− group presented with higher cell infiltrate (/0.03mm2) compared to the control group (p <.05), while the P− Pso+ group showed substantially higher alveolar bone loss (CEJ–ABC) than the control group (p <.05).

Conclusions

Experimental periodontitis may initiate and maintain psoriasiform skin inflammation and, vice versa, experimental psoriasis may contribute to the onset of periodontitis. In a combined model of the diseases, we propose a bidirectional association between periodontitis and psoriasis via systemic inflammation.
ADHD medication adherence reduces risk of committing minor offenses in adolescents
Authors: Rosenau Paul T. , Dietrich Andrea , van den Hoofdakker Barbara J. , Hoekstra Pieter J.
Published: May 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the association between adolescents’ adherence to attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication and their risk of committing minor offenses.

Methods

Using two Dutch databases, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics (SFK), we aimed to investigate the association between adherence to ADHD medication and registered minor offenses between 2005 and 2019 of 18,234 adolescents (12–18 years). We used Cox regression analyses to compare the rate of committing minor offenses of adolescents during periods of high ADHD medication adherence compared to periods of low adherence (i.e., periods with or without sufficient amounts of dispensed medication). We additionally tested associations with adherence to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as control medication and analyzed potential reverse causation.

Results

High ADHD medication adherence was associated with a reduced risk of committing a minor offense of between 33% and 38% compared to low adherence periods of ≥3 months (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.71) or ≥6 months (HR 0.62, CI 0.59–0.65). The reduction in risk can likely be attributed to ADHD medication, given the absence of effects of SSRIs and no reverse causation. The reduction rate remained between 16% and 55% per sex, stimulant versus non‐stimulant medication, different offense categories and further sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Among adolescents using ADHD medication, rates of criminality were lower during periods of high medication adherence, suggesting that adherence to ADHD medication may contribute to prevention of minor offenses in adolescents.
Efficacy and tolerability of oral semaglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Analysis report from diabetes specialist clinics
Authors: Inokuchi Tetsuaki , Fukumoto Yoshihide , Lee Gendai , Yokomizo Yoshifumi , Tanaka Kokichi , Chosa Michiko , Doi Masaru , Tamaki Noboru , Goto Seiichi , Ichikawa Kojiro , Kobayashi Kazuo
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ras) have emerged as pivotal agents in diabetes management and organ protection. However, their use is limited due to the necessity for injectable administration. The advent of the first oral GLP1Ra (oral semaglutide) in Japan since 2021 is expected to expand its usage. The aim of this study is to survey the efficacy and tolerability of oral semaglutide in clinical practice.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 120 outpatients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had received oral semaglutide for >6 months. Changes in clinical parameters during oral semaglutide treatment from baseline to 12 months were analyzed. The inverse probability weighting method using the propensity score was used to evaluate the differences in clinical parameters at 6 months after treatment, based on the patients’ obesity levels.

Results

Body weight (BW), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels at baseline decreased significantly after treatment compared with those at 12 months (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.03, respectively). The patients were divided into two groups using a cutoff baseline body mass index (BMI) of 30.3 kg/m2. Although no significant difference was observed, changes in body weight and HbA1c indicated a potentially greater decrease in the BMI ≧ 30.3 group than that in the BMI < 30.3 group (P = 0.07 and 0.13, respectively). Among 206 registered patients, 25 (12.1%) discontinued oral‐semaglutide treatment owing to adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusions

Oral semaglutide treatment demonstrates efficacy and tolerability for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan. Significant improvements in metabolic factors induced by oral semaglutide are anticipated, particularly in obese patients.
Effect of ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration on the drying characteristics and quality properties of goji
Authors: Wang Jinjin , Liu Changhong , Zheng Lei
Published: May 2024

The waxy layer on the surface of the goji fruit increases the dehydration time. In this study, the novel use of ultrasound pretreatment (10, 20, and 30 min) assisted with osmotic dehydration was utilized to improve drying efficiency and product quality of goji. The results showed that goji treated with ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration lost more water and gained more solids during osmotic dehydration than goji treated with osmotic dehydration only. Furthermore, the ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration pretreatment method shortened the drying time for freezing drying goji and lowered the water activity of the dried goji. This may be due to the destruction of the wax layer on the surface of the goji by ultrasound. The rehydration rate of the goji treated with ultrasound for 20 min was significantly higher than that of the samples dried by osmosis dehydration only. The application of ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration resulted in the best color and the highest glutathione and total free amino acid content of goji, especially the taurine. Besides the above, the antioxidant capacity of ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration‐treated goji was enhanced, with the highest 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values for the samples in the 20‐min ultrasound‐assisted group. The results demonstrate that ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration not only reduces the drying time of goji but also enhances its product quality.

Practical applications

This study explored the effects of different ultrasound‐assisted osmotic dehydration methods on the drying efficiency and quality of freeze‐dried goji. The findings provide a scientific basis for improving goji drying engineering and offer a potential strategy for enhancing goji quality.
Household chaos and child problem behaviors: A cross‐cultural examination of the mediating and moderating role of mindful parenting
Authors: Acet Pinar , Midouhas Emily , Oliver Bonamy R.
Published: May 2024

Household chaos has been shown to adversely associate with children's behavioral adjustment. However, the mechanism underlying the relationship between household chaos and children's behaviors is not yet fully understood. The current study proposes mindful parenting as an important mediating and moderating factor in the relationship between household chaos and child problem behaviors. This study also examines cultural influences in this process, comparing the UK and Türkiye, considering both mothers' and children's perspectives on mindful parenting. Cross‐sectional questionnaires were administered to mothers and their children aged 11–16 years in the UK (n = 90; 53.3% girl) and Türkiye (n = 154; 54.5% girl) in 2021. Mother reports of the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, as well as mother and child reports of Mindful Parenting Inventories for Parents (MPIP) and Children (MPIC), were used to assess household chaos, child problem behaviors, and mindful parenting, respectively. Multiple‐group path analysis revealed that household chaos was a significant indirect predictor of child problem behaviors via mindful parenting in both countries. Furthermore, simple slopes analysis showed that mindful parenting moderated the link between household chaos and child problem behaviors in the UK. Overall, our study sheds light on the importance of micro‐ and macro‐environmental factors and their interactions in children's adjustment.
Post‐drought community turnover and functional redundancy in a tropical forest understorey
Authors: Ferreira‐Santos Karina , Garbin Mário Luís , Carrijo Tatiana Tavares , Torres‐Leite Filipe , Cavatte Paulo Cezar , Dias André Tavares Corrêa
Published: May 2024

Questions

Drought events are increasingly frequent, threatening the biodiversity of tropical forests. The understorey comprises a large fraction of the total plant species richness of these systems with the presence of highly diverse angiosperm families. Here, we quantified the effects of a drought on abundance and functional structures and on the ecosystem functioning of Rubiaceae assemblages along a topographic gradient.

Location

Mata das Flores State Park, an Atlantic Forest fragment in southeast Brazil.

Methods

Two vegetation surveys were performed: one during an El Niño‐induced drought, and the other three years after this drought. Abundance and functional structures were assessed using the 16 most‐abundant species of Rubiaceae, which comprised 92% of the total abundance. A litter decomposition experiment was carried out to estimate the percentage of mass loss by the Rubiaceae species. We carried out Procrustes analyses on abundance and functional structures and used Generalized Linear Mixed Models to test the effects of drought and topographic habitats on taxonomic and functional compositions, and mass loss.

Results

We found that the functional structure and mass loss remained constant despite significant changes in the abundance structure after the drought.

Conclusion

The evidence points to the maintenance of ecosystem functioning through functional redundancy, because functionally similar less‐abundant species replaced each other after the drought. We show that swarms of species can maintain biological diversity and stability in ecosystem functioning under drought in the understorey of a tropical forest.
A qualitative study of Suaahara II influence on nutrition governance in Nepal
Authors: Eissler Sarah , Manandhar Shraddha , Sah Kavita , Neupane Bishow , Rana Pooja Pandey , Garn Kristine
Published: May 2024

Maternal and child undernutrition remain major public health problems in Nepal. Suaahara is a USAID‐funded multi‐sectoral nutrition programme aiming to strengthen local nutrition governance to reduce maternal and child undernutrition, among other objectives. The purpose of this study is to present findings from a recent qualitative evaluation of Suaahara II's influence on the decentralised implementation of Nepal's Multi‐sectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) and identifying gaps and areas for improvement at the federal, provincial, and local levels to strengthen nutrition governance. This study employed multiple qualitative methods, engaging over 100 multi‐sectoral nutrition stakeholders across three levels of government and eight districts. Thematic qualitative analysis was employed to identify emergent and salient themes, which were triangulated with other secondary data sources. Suaahara II had a positive influence on strengthening horizontal coordination for implementing the MSNP and effectively leveraged existing networks to strengthen implementation of nutrition‐focused activities at the municipal level. Although there was an observable increased demand for nutrition budgets attributable to Suaahara II activities, sufficient allocation and utilisation, particularly in non‐health sectors, did not meet these levels. Nepal's shift to federalism hindered vertical coordination of MSNP implementation. Some formal coordination mechanisms were strengthened, but variation in their effectiveness to strengthen horizontal and vertical coordination to implement MSNP activities continues. Finally, limited government ownership over nutrition activities and facilitating multi‐sector coordination to implement the MSNP threatened sustainability of Suaahara II's outcomes on nutrition governance. Future programmes should continue to build on the progress made under Suaahara II, and specifically aim to address challenges in vertical coordination to strengthen nutrition governance in Nepal.
Selection leads to remarkable variability in the outcomes of hybridisation across replicate hybrid zones
Authors: McFarlane S. Eryn , Jahner Joshua P. , Lindtke Dorothea , Buerkle C. Alex , Mandeville Elizabeth G.
Published: May 2024

Hybrid zones have been viewed as an opportunity to see speciation in action. When hybrid zones are replicated, it is assumed that if the same genetic incompatibilities are maintaining reproductive isolation across all instances of secondary contact, those incompatibilities should be identifiable by consistent patterns in the genome. In contrast, changes in allele frequencies due to genetic drift should be idiosyncratic for each hybrid zone. To test this assumption, we simulated 20 replicates of each of 12 hybrid zone scenarios with varied genetic incompatibilities, rates of migration, selection and different starting population size ratios of parental species. We found remarkable variability in the outcomes of hybridisation in replicate hybrid zones, particularly with Bateson–Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities and strong selection. We found substantial differences among replicates in the overall genomic composition of individuals, including admixture proportions, inter‐specific ancestry complement and number of ancestry junctions. Additionally, we found substantial variation in genomic clines among replicates at focal loci, regardless of locus‐specific selection. We conclude that processes other than selection are responsible for some consistent outcomes of hybridisation, whereas selection on incompatibilities can lead to genomically widespread and highly variable outcomes. We highlight the challenge of mapping between pattern and process in hybrid zones and call attention to how selection against incompatibilities will commonly lead to variable outcomes. We hope that this study informs future research on replicate hybrid zones and encourages further development of statistical techniques, theoretical models and exploration of additional axes of variation to understand reproductive isolation.
Cost identification in health professions education: A scoping review
Authors: Yaros Jennifer , de Mortier Chloé , oude Egbrink Mirjam , Evers Silvia , Paulus Aggie
Published: May 2024

Background

Resource scarcity in health professions education (HPE) demands rigorous consideration of costs. Yet, thus far, we have been unable to completely and consistently identify the costs of HPE. To address this knowledge gap and enable use of economic evidence in decision making, a detailed overview of all existing costs and approaches to cost identification in HPE is needed.

Objectives

This review summarises the diversity of costs, cost perspectives and cost identification methods used in economic research of HPE to answer the following questions: which educational topics, costs, cost perspectives and cost identification methods are being investigated in HPE literature?

Methods

This investigation followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews. PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL and PsycINFO were iteratively searched for English language publications between 2012 and 2022 that reported costs of HPE. Data was extracted for study characteristics, educational context and economic methodology.

Results

A total of 136 articles of original research on the costs of educating all major licence healthcare professionals were included. A diffuse interest in costs is reflected in publications from 93 distinct journals and by the diversity of educational topics and cost types explored. However, the majority of investigations failed to define the cost perspective (86, 63%) and cost identification methods (117, 86%) and did not demonstrate common reporting structure or cost terminology, all of which contribute to persistent inconsistencies in cost identification.

Conclusion

The source of disharmonious cost identification in HPE is fuelled by diverse interests and divergent concepts of costs and costing methodology. Left in its current state, disharmonious cost identification will continue to limit transparency, comparison and synthesis of evidence, hamper objectivity in implementation and policy decisions and impede the efficient and sustainable allocation of resources. A research agenda must be developed, prioritised, and validated by the broader community to develop a theoretical framework for HPE cost research, define stakeholders, elicit values and preferences and chart a path toward harmonised costing.
Market‐driven fortification of vitamins and minerals in packaged foods targeted at children in Brazil
Authors: Martins Amanda Corrêa , Kraemer Mariana Vieira dos Santos , Rodrigues Vanessa Mello , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas , Fernandes Ana Carolina , Bernardo Geyce Luci , Proença Rossana Pacheco da Costa , Uggioni Paula Lazzarin
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to characterise the market‐driven fortification of vitamins and minerals in packaged foods targeted at children in Brazil. We analysed 535 food labels using data collected in a census‐type method (n = 5620) of food labels in a Brazilian supermarket in 2013. Micronutrients declared in nutrition claims and the ingredients list (synthetic compounds) were considered to be added for commercial purposes. Analysis of the ingredients list and nutrition claims showed that market‐driven fortification of vitamins and minerals was present in 27.1% of foods. The main vitamins and minerals were vitamins A, B complex, C, D, calcium, iron and zinc. The food groups ‘Milk and dairy products’ and ‘Sugars, sugary foods and snacks’ had the highest frequencies of micronutrients declared in the ingredients list. Calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and all vitamins, except B7, were found to be added for commercial purposes. Micronutrients were found to be commonly added to packaged foods as a marketing strategy directed at parents and their children. Future studies should assess the amount of vitamins and minerals added to packaged foods targeted at children and whether intakes of vitamins and minerals in children are potentially excessive.
Averaging Estimation for Instrumental Variables Quantile Regression
Authors: Liu Xin
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes two averaging estimation methods to improve the finite‐sample efficiency of the instrumental variables quantile regression (IVQR) estimator. I propose using the usual quantile regression for averaging to take advantage of cases when endogeneity is not too strong. I also propose using two‐stage least squares to take advantage of cases when heterogeneity is not too strong. The first averaging method is to apply a recent proposal for GMM averaging to the IVQR model based on this proposed intuition. My implementation involves many computational considerations and builds on recent developments in the quantile literature. The second averaging method is a new bootstrap model averaging method that directly averages among IVQR, quantile regression, and two‐stage least squares estimators. More specifically, I find the optimal weights from bootstrapped samples and then apply the bootstrap‐optimal weights to the original sample. The bootstrap method is simpler to compute and generally performs better in simulations, but uniform dominance results have not been formally proved. Simulation results demonstrate that in the multiple‐regressors/instruments case, both the GMM averaging and bootstrap estimators have uniformly smaller risk than the IVQR estimator across data‐generating processes with a variety of combinations of different endogeneity levels and heterogeneity levels.
The effects of dietary macronutrient composition on resting energy expenditure following active weight loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ho Dang Khanh Ngan , Liao Yu Chi , Mayasari Noor Rohmah , Chien Mu‐Ming , Chung Mei , Bai Chyi‐Huey , Huang Ya‐Li , Chen Yang‐Ching , Tseng Sung‐Hui , Chang Chun‐Chao , Chiu Wan‐Chun , Sangopas Patchara , Tseng Hsiang‐Tung , Kao Jing Wen , Ngu Yi Jing , Chang Jung‐Su
Published: May 2024

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different dietary macronutrient patterns on changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) in relation to weight loss, categorized as minimal (<5%) and moderate to high (>5%). Changes in REE were assessed using a DerSimonian and Laird random‐effects meta‐analysis. A diet lower in carbohydrates (CHO) or higher in fat and protein was associated with smaller reductions in REE, with these trends being more pronounced among participants who experienced moderate to high weight loss. Adjusted meta‐regression analysis indicated that, within the participants who experienced moderate to high weight loss, each 1% increase in CHO intake was associated with a reduction of 2.30 kcal/day in REE (95% CI: −4.11 to −0.47, p = 0.013). In contrast, a 1% increase in protein and fat intake was correlated with an increase in REE by 3.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 5.07], p = 0.003) and 0.5 (95% CI [−2.43, 3.41], p = 0.740) kcal/day, respectively. No significant associations were found among participants who experienced minimal weight loss. These findings indicate that, under a caloric deficit, the impact of dietary macronutrient composition on REE may vary depending on the degree of weight loss and individual metabolic responses.
On the role of niche specialization in the geographic distribution of aphid asexual lineages: a case study using the leaf‐curl plum aphid superclones
Authors: Godefroid Martin , Meynard Christine N. , Clamens Anne‐Laure , Popkin Megan , Jousselin Emmanuelle
Published: May 2024

Asexual lineages often exhibit broad distributions and can thrive in extreme habitats compared to their sexual counterparts. Several hypotheses can be proposed to explain this pattern. Asexual lineages could be versatile genotypes with wide environmental tolerance, enabling their dispersal and persistence across large geographic areas. Alternatively, asexual genotypes could be ecological specialists that thrive in specific environments and outcompete relative colonizing distantly related with similar conditions in the process. Several aphid species feature widespread obligate asexual lineages, commonly known as ‘superclones'. Yet it is often unknown whether these clones are widespread ecological generalists or successful specialists. To explore these hypotheses, we examined climatic niche differentiation among six globally distributed obligate asexual lineages of the cosmopolitan aphid pest, Brachycaudus helichrysi. To ensure that we were investigating the aphid genotype niche and not a by‐product of their association with endosymbionts mediating thermal tolerance, we first verified that clones hosted similar endosymbiont communities. Subsequently, we conducted multivariate analyses on clone occurrence data on a worldwide scale. Our results revealed that, despite their global distribution, B. helichrysi superclones occupy different climatic niches. This study represents the first evidence that aphid superclone distribution can be mediated by distinctive ranges of climatic tolerance.
Peripheral myopic defocus signal affects the efficiency of visual information processing in myopic children
Authors: Ding Chenglu , Mao Danyi , Li Xue , Huang Yingying , Hou Fang , Chen Hao , Bao Jinhua
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Spectacle lenses with peripheral lenslets have shown promise for myopia control by providing peripheral myopic defocus signals. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged exposure (>6 months) to peripheral myopic defocus on visual information processing in myopic children.

Methods

The study included 30 myopic children who habitually wore spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL group) and 34 children who habitually wore single‐vision (SV group) spectacles. The quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) was used to measure contrast sensitivity (CS) under conditions of no or high noise. Both groups were tested with HAL and SV lenses. The perceptual template model was utilised to fit the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and determine differences in information processing efficiency through internal additive noise () and perceptual template gain (β).

Results

The areas under the log CSF in the SV group were significantly higher than for the HAL group in both zero‐noise conditions with the SV test lens (p = 0.03) and high‐noise conditions with the HAL test lens (p = 0.02). For 2 cycle per degree (cpd) stimuli, β was significantly higher in the SV group with the HAL test lens than in the HAL group (p = 0.02), while there was a trend towards a significant difference in β for 6 cpd stimuli (p = 0.07). However, there were no significant differences in between the two groups, with or without noise interference.

Conclusion

The reduced CS observed in myopic children wearing HAL lenses for 6 months or more may be due to decreased β. This suggests that prolonged use of spectacle lenses with peripheral myopic defocus signals may compromise the central visual system's ability to process additional external noise, resulting in decreased efficiency in visual information processing.
General versus domain‐specific grit in the work context
Authors: Postigo Álvaro , Álvarez‐Gutiérrez Francisco J. , Cuesta Marcelino , García‐Cueto Eduardo
Published: May 2024

Researchers have questioned whether grit should be conceptualized and measured as a global (i.e., domain‐general) or domain‐specific construct. Although evidence is beginning to appear that grit in educational and sport contexts may be measured as domain‐specific, it has not yet been explored in the organizational context. The objective of this research was to study the psychometric properties of grit as domain‐specific for subsequently analyzing if such domain‐specific grit (labor grit) improves the predictive validity of different organizational results. A sample of 326 active workers was used (Myears = 37.52; SD = 9.85). Their grit levels in the general domain and specific domain were evaluated, as well as their main personality traits and other organizational results such as work engagement and work performance. The grit instrument as domain‐specific showed excellent reliability (ω = 0.92), and the unidimensionality of the instrument was confirmed. The results point to the fact that giving an organizational connotation to the grit items does not improve the predictability of the results. However, labor grit adds incremental validity over personality traits and work engagement to predict task and contextual performance (Δr2 = 0.13), but not to predict counterproductive behavior.
A novel HLA‐C*03 variant, HLA‐C*03:620, identified in a Chinese individual
Authors: Pi Wenwen , Li Ying , Chen Chen , Zhang Wei , Zhu Faming
Published: May 2024

HLA‐C*03:620 differs from the HLA‐C*03:04:01:02 allele by one nucleotide substitution in the exon 3.
Influence of induction therapy and antiretroviral regimen on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients living with human immunodeficiency
Authors: Marks Christin Rogers , Durand Christine M. , Bowring Mary G. , Hand Jonathan , Abidi Maheen Z. , Malinis Maricar , Barnaba Brittany , Patel Het , Pavlakis Martha , Alonso Carolyn D.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Kidney transplantation has a survival benefit for people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and end‐stage kidney disease, however increased rates of rejection remain an issue. Questions remain regarding the impact of induction immunosuppression therapy and antiretroviral (ARV) choice on long‐term outcomes.

Methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of outcomes in recipients with HIV who received kidneys from donors without HIV transplanted between 2004 and 2019. The association between induction and ARV regimens and long‐term outcomes including rejection, graft, and recipient survival over 5 years was investigated using Cox regression modeling.

Results

Seventy‐eight kidney transplants (KT) performed in 77 recipients at five US transplant centers were included, with median follow up of 7.1 (4.3–10.7) years. Overall recipient and graft survival were 83% and 67%, respectively. Rejection occurred in 37% (29/78). Recipients with rejection were more likely to be younger, recipients of deceased donor organs, and Black. Receipt of rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (rATG) induction without protease‐inhibitor (PI)‐based ARVs was associated with 83% lower risk of rejection (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.17 (95% CI 0.05–0.63), p =.007) and a non‐statistically significantly lower risk of graft failure (aHR 0.18 (0.03–1.16), p =.07) when compared to those who received other induction and ARV combinations.

Conclusions

In this multicenter retrospective study, we found a trend toward lower rejection and improved graft survival among those who received both rATG for induction and PI‐sparing ARVs.

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Evaluation of a method to fluorescently label platelets for in‐human recovery and survival studies
Authors: Feldman Tamar P. , Brown Bethany L.
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives

Platelets for transfusion are evaluated for in vivo quality using recovery and survival measurements in healthy human subjects. Radiolabelling is the standard for tracing platelets post‐transfusion but imposes logistical and technical limitations. This study investigates the in vitro feasibility of labelling platelets with the calcein family of fluorescent dyes as an alternative to radioisotopes or biotin.

Materials and Methods

Protocols for radiolabelling were adapted for use with calcein acetoxymethyl ester (CAM) and biotin. Labelled platelets were analysed by flow cytometry and evaluated for activation and function. We tested feasibility for labelling without manipulation of platelets and for multiplexing of samples.

Results

Labelling at 2 μg CAM/1010 platelets resulted in >99% of CAM+ platelets. There was no significant difference in activation or aggregation between CAM‐labelled or biotinylated platelets and vehicle controls although %CD62P+ was significantly lower in platelets that were not processed for labelling. Addition of CAM to the platelet storage bag labelled >95% of platelets. Platelet populations labelled with different dyes could be distinguished by flow cytometry.

Conclusion

These data provide a rationale for further development of CAM and other fluorescent dyes as tools for measuring post‐transfusion kinetics of platelets.
The Hrushovski property for compact special cube complexes
Authors: Abdenbi Brahim , Wise Daniel T.
Published: May 2024

We show that any compact nonpositively curved cube complex embeds in a compact nonpositively curved cube complex where each combinatorial injective partial local isometry of extends to an automorphism of . When is special and the collection of injective partial local isometries satisfies certain conditions, we show that can be chosen to be special and the embedding can be chosen to be a local isometry.
Hausdorff limits of external rays: The topological picture
Authors: Petersen Carsten Lunde , Zakeri Saeed
Published: May 2024

We study Hausdorff limits of the external rays of a given periodic angle along a convergent sequence of polynomials of degree with connected Julia sets.
Physics-Informed Machine Learning of Argon Gas-Driven Melt Pool Dynamics
Authors: Sharma R. , Guo Y. B. , Raissi M. , Guo W. Grace
Published: May 2024

Melt pool dynamics in metal additive manufacturing (AM) is critical to process stability, microstructure formation, and final properties of the printed materials. Physics-based simulation, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD), is the dominant approach to predict melt pool dynamics. However, the physics-based simulation approaches suffer from the inherent issue of very high computational cost. This paper provides a physics-informed machine learning method by integrating the conventional neural networks with the governing physical laws to predict the melt pool dynamics, such as temperature, velocity, and pressure, without using any training data on velocity and pressure. This approach avoids solving the nonlinear Navier–Stokes equation numerically, which significantly reduces the computational cost (if including the cost of velocity data generation). The difficult-to-determine parameters' values of the governing equations can also be inferred through data-driven discovery. In addition, the physics-informed neural network (PINN) architecture has been optimized for efficient model training. The data-efficient PINN model is attributed to the extra penalty by incorporating governing PDEs, initial conditions, and boundary conditions in the PINN model.
Paper or Tablet? The Impact of Digital Tools on Sketching During Engineering Design Concept Generation
Authors: Das Madhurima , Huang May , Yang Maria C.
Published: May 2024

Sketching is an important tool for engineers during concept generation. Sketch quantity during this early stage of design has been linked with eventual design outcomes and sketch quality has been linked with design perceptions. As such, both are important metrics to track. Prior work has also found gender differences in some of these sketch attributes, and considering gender imbalances in the field, it is important to assess whether there are differences in performance by gender during concept generation and if the use of digital tools exacerbate or mitigate any of these potential differences in performance by gender. Given the increase in use of digital tablets for sketching, it is important to assess how tablet use affects early stage engineering design sketches. This is especially important as tablets can automatically smooth lines and help perfect sketch features, but these features may also take longer to use and may result in fewer sketches produced. This study investigates differences in sketch quality, quantity, and understandability (the effectiveness of the sketch as a communication tool) between sketching on a tablet and sketching with pen on paper during an engineering design concept generation exercise. Results indicate that there is no difference in sketch quantity or understandability between the two tools. However, sketch quality, smoothness, and proportion/accuracy are all higher for the pen and paper condition than for the tablet condition. Finally, no gender differences in performance for either sketch quantity or quality were found.
Drying Kinetics and Energy Consumption of Astragalus Membranaceus Under Infrared Drying
Authors: Huang Dan , Deng Ruowen , Auwal Musaddiq , Wang Wenpei , Gong Guiliang , Li Lijun , Sunden Bengt
Published: May 2024

The Astragalus membranaceus (AM) slices was dried using three infrared drying techniques, including near-infrared drying (NIR), mid-infrared drying (MIR), and far-infrared drying (FIR). Studies and discussions about the impacts of infrared temperature, power, slice thickness, and wavelength on the drying properties, energy consumption, and associated performance were conducted. Results showed that the drying rate increased with increasing infrared temperature and wavelength, and with decreasing slice thickness, whereas the drying process was not significantly influenced by the infrared power. The drying efficiency of FIR was superior to that of NIR, and with the increase in temperature, this improvement became more obvious. FIR drying was the fastest with the least energy consumption among the three drying methods. Rehydration ratio and color change of AM slices were proportional to infrared temperature and wavelength, but inversely proportional to slice thickness. The effective moisture diffusion coefficients of AM slices under NIR and FIR drying ranged from 0.49244 × 10−9 to 1.16352 × 10−9 m2/s and 1.00432 × 10−9 to 2.51135 × 10−9 m2/s, respectively.
Design and Optimization of Heat Dissipation for a High-Voltage Control Box in Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Zhang Jiajing , Li Hongqing , Chen Yun , Jiang Bingyun
Published: May 2024

To address the issue of excessive temperature rises within the field of electronic device cooling, this study adopts a multi-parameter optimization method. The primary objective is to explore and realize the design optimization of the shell structure of the high-voltage control box, aiming to effectively mitigate the temperature rise in internal components and enhance their thermal management efficacy without altering the fan performance, environmental conditions, or spatial layout. Initially, the study employs computational fluid dynamics methods to investigate the heat dissipation characteristics of the high-voltage control box, subsequently verifying the simulation parameters' accuracy through temperature rise tests. Building upon this foundation, the article conducts a thorough analysis of how the position and shape of the box's openings impact the device's temperature rise. The findings suggest that configuring circular openings on the front and rear sides can optimize the heat dissipation effect. Moreover, the SHERPA algorithm was employed to refine the size and distribution of the openings on the outer shell of the high-voltage control box through multi-parameter optimization, yielding locally optimal structural parameters. Post-optimization, the temperature measurement points within the high-voltage control box exhibited a maximum reduction in temperature rise of 27.16%. The pivotal contribution of this methodology is the application of a data-driven decision-making process for the enhancement of conventional heat dissipation designs. This research offers invaluable practical insights and novel perspectives on the optimization of thermal management designs for box-type electronic devices, significantly advancing the field of thermal management technology in electronic devices.
Changes in Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Across Retirement Transition as a Predictor of Self-Rated Health
Authors: Fröberg Andreas , Sacco Lawrence , Suorsa Kristin , Leskinen Tuija , Hettiarachchi Pasan , Svartengren Magnus , Stenholm Sari , Westerlund Hugo
Published: May 2024

Background: Retirement transition has been shown to associate with changes in physical activity (PA) and self-rated health (SRH), but their interrelationship is less studied. The aim was to investigate changes in accelerometer-measured total PA, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and sedentary time across retirement transition as a predictor of SRH. Methods: Data from the Swedish Retirement Study and the Finnish Retirement and Aging study were harmonized and pooled. Data from 3 waves (about 12 mo apart) were included: 1 preretirement (wave 1) and 2 postretirement follow-ups (wave 2–3). A totally of 245 participants (27% men) were included. Thigh-worn accelerometers were used to collect data for PA variables (wave 1–2), and SRH was obtained from the questionnaire (wave 1–3). Results: Between wave 1 and 2, total PA decreased with 11 (CI, −22 to −1) minutes per day, MVPA was stable (0 [CI, −3 to 3] min), and sedentary time decreased nonsignificantly with 9 (CI, −20 to 1) minutes. SRH changed between all 3 waves (all P < .001). At preretirement, 10 more minutes of MVPA was associated with greater odds of better SRH when adjusting for accelerometer wear-time, cohort, sex, age, and occupational status (odds ratio: 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02–1.22]). This association was no longer statistically significant when additionally adjusting for marital status, body mass index, and smoking. No significant associations were observed between changes in the PA variables during retirement transition and SRH at postretirement follow-ups. Conclusions: This study showed a cross-sectional association between MVPA and greater odds of reporting better SRH before retirement. No longitudinal associations were observed between changes in the PA variables from before to after retirement and later changes in SRH.
Treating Dystonia in a Soccer Player Through an Integrated Rehabilitative Approach: A Case Report
Authors: Giorgi Valeria , Apostolo Giovanni , Bertelè Laura
Published: May 2024

Context: Sport-related dystonia is a rare form of activity-specific dystonia that can severely impair an athlete’s ability to perform. Due to a lack of data on the condition, it is difficult to diagnose and often overlooked, and no gold standard treatment has yet been defined. Case Presentation: We present a rare and challenging case of sport-related dystonia that affected a 24-year-old male professional soccer player. The patient presented with severe rigidity and dystonia of the right lower-extremity, particularly the ankle and foot. The symptoms set on >1 year prior to the presentation to our outpatient clinic. He began to complain of stiffness and difficulty moving his lower limbs, especially his right leg, initially when playing soccer, but then also when walking normally. On presentation, he was unable to run and walked with difficulty, supporting his body weight only on the outside of his right foot. He also reported a motor trick and reverse motor trick involving the oral musculature in order to move his lower limb more freely. Management and Outcomes: An integrated rehabilitation approach based on postural rehabilitation, neuromuscular rehabilitation, and dental intervention was used to successfully treat this condition. The approach included: (1) postural rehabilitation with the Mézières-Bertelè method to reduce muscular stiffness, (2) neuromuscular re-education with Tai Chi exercises and electromyography-guided biofeedback, and (3) dental intervention and swallowing rehabilitation to limit impaired oral habits (due to the relationship between his impaired lower limb movements and motor tricks of the oral musculature). After 7 months of integrated rehabilitation, the patient returned to professional soccer. Conclusions: This case report highlights the potential efficacy of an integrative rehabilitation approach for sports dystonia, particularly in cases where traditional treatments may not be effective. Such an approach could be considered a valuable option in the management of this rare, but debilitating, condition in athletes. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of this approach in larger populations.
Experiences, Attitudes, and Perceived Competence Regarding Sustainable Development Among Physical Education and Health Teachers in Sweden
Authors: Wiklander Petter , Fröberg Andreas , Lundvall Suzanne
Published: May 2024

Purpose: Literature suggest that physical education and health (PEH) may contribute to the sustainable development (SD) agenda, yet little is known how PEH teachers relate SD to their teaching practices. This paper explores Swedish upper secondary PEH teachers’ experiences and perceived competence regarding teaching SD as part of PEH. Method: An online questionnaire was used to examine SD competence. Data from 702 PEH teachers were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: PEH teachers perceive higher competence regarding the social dimension of SD compared to the economic and environmental dimensions. Female teachers and those with more than 15 years teaching experiences reported the highest perceived competence. Seventy percent of the respondents perceived that they lacked competence to teach SD. Discussion/Conclusion: PEH teachers struggle to relate SD to PEH practice and call for support to increase their competence in terms of how to conceptualize and transform SD into PEH teaching practice.
Response of Knee Joint Biomechanics to Landing Under Internal and External Focus of Attention in Female Volleyball Players
Authors: Slovák Lukáš , Zahradník David , Land William M. , Sarvestan Javad , Hamill Joseph , Abdollahipour Reza
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of attentional focus instructions on the biomechanical variables associated with the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee joint during a drop landing task using a time series analysis. Ten female volleyball players (age: 20.4 ± 0.8 years, height: 169.7 ± 7.1 cm, mass: 57.6 ± 3.1 kg, experience: 6.3 ± 0.8 years) performed landings from a 50 cm height under three different attentional focus conditions: (1) external focus (focus on landing as soft as possible), (2) internal focus (focus on bending your knees when you land), and (3) control (no-focus instruction). Statistical parameter mapping in the sagittal plane during the crucial first 30% of landing time showed a significant effect of attentional focus instructions. Despite the similarity in landing performance across foci instructions, adopting an external focus instruction promoted reduced vertical ground reaction force and lower sagittal flexion moment during the first 30% of execution time compared to internal focus, suggesting reduced knee loading. Therefore, adopting an external focus of attention was suggested to reduce most biomechanical risk variables in the sagittal plane associated with anterior cruciate ligament injuries, compared to internal focus and control condition. No significant differences were found in the frontal and horizontal planes between the conditions during this crucial interval.
Zygosity-based sex determination in a butterfly drives hypervariability of
Masculinizer
Authors: van’t Hof Arjen E. , Whiteford Sam , Yung Carl J. , Yoshido Atsuo , Zrzavá Magda , de Jong Maaike A. , Tan Kian-Long , Zhu Dantong , Monteiro Antónia , Brakefield Paul M. , Marec František , Saccheri Ilik J.
Published: May 2024

Nature has devised many ways of producing males and females. Here, we report on a previously undescribed mechanism for Lepidoptera that functions without a female-specific gene. The number of alleles or allele heterozygosity in a single Z-linked gene (
BaMasc
) is the primary sex-determining switch in
Bicyclus anynana
butterflies. Embryos carrying a single
BaMasc
allele develop into WZ (or Z0) females, those carrying two distinct alleles develop into ZZ males, while (ZZ) homozygotes initiate female development, have mismatched dosage compensation, and die as embryos. Consequently, selection against homozygotes has favored the evolution of spectacular allelic diversity: 205 different coding sequences of
BaMasc
were detected in a sample of 246 females. The structural similarity of a hypervariable region (HVR) in
BaMasc
to the HVR in
Apis mellifera csd
suggests molecular convergence between deeply diverged insect lineages. Our discovery of this primary switch highlights the fascinating diversity of sex-determining mechanisms and underlying evolutionary drivers.