bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet‐guided HCV‐RNA testing: A promising tool to achieve hepatitis C micro‐elimination among men who have sex with men
Authors: Prinsenberg Tamara , Schinkel Janke , Zantkuijl Paul , Davidovich Udi , Prins Maria , van der Valk Marc
Published: May 2022

In the Netherlands, hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission occurs primarily in men who have sex with men (MSM). By early diagnosis and immediate treatment of acute HCV infections, HCV micro‐elimination in MSM is within reach. In cooperation with the community affected, we developed an online HCV‐RNA home‐based self‐sampling test service. This service combined online HCV self‐risk assessment with the possibility to test anonymously for HCV‐RNA. The service was available in the Netherlands from February 2018 till December 2020 and was promoted online on various dating sites and offline by community volunteers. Using website user data, test results and an online post‐test user survey, we evaluated the service and user experiences. The website page with information about testing was visited by 3401 unique users, of whom 2250 used the HCV‐risk assessment tool, 152 individuals purchased 194 HCV‐RNA tests, and 104 tests were used, of which 101 gave a conclusive result. The target population of MSM at risk was successfully reached with 44.1% of users receiving the advice to test. The test service had a satisfactory uptake (6.8%, 152/2250), a very high HCV‐RNA positivity rate (10.9%, 11/101) and was considered acceptable and easy to use by most MSM.

We demonstrate that an HCV‐RNA home‐based self‐sampling test service is successful in diagnosing HCV infections among MSM. This service could be a valuable addition to existing sexual healthcare services as it may reach men who are otherwise not tested.
Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intramuscular injection
Authors: Poapolathep Saranya , Klangkaew Narumol , Wongwaipairoj Tara , Chaiyabutr Narongsak , Giorgi Mario , Poapolathep Amnart
Published: May 2022

The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profiles of danofloxacin (DNX) in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis), following single intramuscular (i.m.) administrations at two different dosages of 6 and 12 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. DNX in the harvested crocodile plasma was extracted using liquid–liquid extraction and analyzed using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method equipped with fluorescence detection. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a non‐compartmental approach. DNX in plasma was quantifiable from 5 min to 168 h after i.m. administration at the two dosages in freshwater crocodiles. The area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) values increased in a dose‐dependent fashion. Long elimination half‐life (48.18 and 67.29 h) and low clearance (0.024 and 0.020 ml/g h) were obtained in the high‐ and low‐dose groups, respectively. According to the pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic surrogate (AUC0–24h/MIC > 125), i.m. single administration of DNX at a dosage of 6 mg/kg b.w. is predicted to have antibacterial success for disease caused by bacteria with MIC < 0.04 μg/ml in the freshwater crocodile, C. siamensis.
The Screening of Fixation‐Related Infection in Patients Undergoing Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty after Failed Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures: A Single‐Central Retrospective Study
Authors: Xu Hong , Liu Li , Xie Jinwei , Wang Duan , Huang Zeyu , Wang Wenqi , Zhou Zongke
Published: May 2022

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic values of preoperative plasma fibrinogen and platelet count for screening fixation‐related infection (FRI) in patients undergoing conversion total hip arthroplasty (cTHA) after failed internal fixation of hip fractures.

Method

This was a single‐center retrospective study. Data were retrospectively analyzed for 435 patients who underwent cTHA in our hospital from January 2008 to September 2020. They were divided into infected (n = 30) and non‐infected groups (n = 405) according to the 2013 International Consensus Meeting (ICM) criteria. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of plasma fibrinogen and platelet count were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Optimal predictive cutoffs of these two markers were determined based on the Youden index. In addition, the diagnostic value of preoperative serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for screening FRI were also evaluated based on the cutoffs recommended by the 2013 ICM Criteria. Finally, the diagnostic ability of various combinations of the plasma fibrinogen and platelet count as well as serum CRP and ESR was re‐assessed.

Results

The numbers of patients with and without FRI were 30 (6.9%) and 405 (93.1%), respectively. Areas under the ROC curves were 0.770 for fibrinogen, 0.606 for platelet, 0.844 for CRP and 0.749 for ESR. The optimal predictive cutoff of fibrinogen was 3.73 g/L, which gave sensitivity of 60.0% and specificity of 90.5%. The optimal predictive cutoff for platelet was 241.5 × 109/L, which gave sensitivity of 46.7% and specificity of 83.7%. The CRP gave sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 92.5% with the predetermined cutoff of 10 mg/L, while the ESR gave sensitivity of 67.5% and specificity of 72.4% % with the predetermined cutoff of 30 mm/h. The combination of CRP and ESR showed high specificity of 93.2% but low sensitivity of 66.7%, while the corresponding values for CRP with fibrinogen were satisfied both for sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 78.7%. The combination of these four biomarkers gave sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity of 85.7%.

Conclusion

Preoperative serum CRP, ESR, plasma fibrinogen and platelet count have low sensitivity on their own for screening FRI in patients, but the combination of CRP with fibrinogen shows promise for that.
Clinical Evaluation of Surgery for Single‐Segment Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Liang Zeyan , Xu Xiongjie , Chen Xinyao , Zhuang Yuandong , Wang Rui , Chen Chunmei
Published: May 2022

To compare the efficacy and safety of different surgical procedures for patients with single‐segment lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) was conducted in this study. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which reported 2 years' results after surgery were searched from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials up to February 2021. Eligible RCTs that contained at least two of the following surgical procedures, bilateral decompression via the unilateral approach (BDUL), decompression with conventional laminectomy (CL), decompression with fusion (DF), endoscopic decompression (ED), interspinous process devices only (IPDs), decompression with interlaminar stabilization (DILS), decompression with lumbar spinal process‐splitting laminectomy (LSPSL), and minimally invasive tubular decompression (MTD), would be included after screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Twenty eligible RCTs were included, with a total of 2201 patients enrolled. The NMA showed that the following surgical procedures ranked first (surface under the cumulative ranking) when compared with CL and DF: DILS for ODI (SUCRA 87.8%); LSPSL for back pain (95%); and MTD for leg pain (95.6%). MTD ranked among the top three surgical procedures for most outcomes. The quality of the synthesized evidence was low according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. DILS, LSPSL, MTD, IPDs, and ED are the most effective procedures for patients with single‐segment LSS. Because of combining efficacy and safety, MTD may be the most promising routine surgical option for treating single‐segment LSS.
Overview of developed core and mini core collections and their effective utilization in cultivated rice and its related species (Oryza sp.)—A review
Authors: Raturi Dhananjay , Chaudhary Manju , Bhat Vishnu , Goel Shailendra , Raina Soom Nath , Rajpal Vijay Rani , Singh Apekshita
Published: May 2022

Genus Oryza consists of two cultivated and 21 related wild species. Cultivated rice is not only the staple food of the majority of the countries in the world, but it also serves as a model crop for genomic studies. The rice germplasm is conserved in different gene banks around the world, which can be accessed for plant breeding programmes aiming to improve rice varieties. However, the ever‐increasing number of accessions poses problem of the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the germplasm. Therefore, to speed up characterization and utilization of germplasm, the concept of core collection (~10–20% of total base collection) was developed which provides maximum diversity in limited number of accessions. Similarly, a mini core collection (~1–2% of the entire collection) is constructed retaining maximum diversity to provide wider genetic coverage in manageable numbers. The present review summarizes the current information on different core and mini core sets developed for varied purposes from world rice collections using different strategies.
Advances in physiological mechanisms of selenium to improve heavy metal stress tolerance in plants
Authors: Lai X. , Yang X. , Rao S. , Zhu Z. , Cong X. , Ye J. , Zhang W. , Liao Y. , Cheng S. , Xu F.
Published: May 2022

Selenium (Se) is a metalloid mineral nutrient for human and animal health. Plants are the main foodstuff source of the Se intake of humans. For plants, the addition of an appropriate amount of Se could promotes growth and development, and improves the tolerance to environmental stress, especially stress from some of heavy metals (HM) stress, such as cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). This paper mainly reviews and summarizes the physiological mechanism of Se in enhancing HM stress tolerance in plants. The antagonistic effect of Se on HM is a comprehensive effect that includes many physiological mechanisms. Se can promote the removal of excessive reactive oxygen species and reduce the oxidative damage of plant cells under HM elements stress. Se participates in the regulation of the transportation and distribution of HM ions in plants, and alleviates the damage caused by of HM stress. Moreover, Se combine with HM elements to form Se‐HM complexes and promote the production of phytochelatins (PCs), thereby reducing the accumulation of HM ions in plants. Overall, Se plays an important role in plant response to HM stress, but current studies mainly focus on physiological mechanism, and further in‐depth study on the molecular mechanism is essential to confirm the participation of Se in plant response to environmental stress. This review helps to comprehensively understand the physiological mechanism of Se in plant tolerance against to HM stress of plants, and provides important theoretical support for the practical application of Se in environmental remediation and agricultural development.
Can public‐private innovation partnerships improve public services? Evidence from a synthetic control approach
Authors: Alonso José M. , Andrews Rhys
Published: May 2022

Public‐Private Innovation (PPI) Partnerships can generate innovative approaches to improving public services. However, incomplete contract theories point to difficulties in making public‐private collaborations work effectively and efficiently. Drawing on these theories, we analyze the transfer of the management of a children's social services department in a large metropolitan government in England to an “improvement partnership” between the local government and two private firms. Using a synthetic control method approach, we find little evidence of improved health or educational outcomes for looked after children during the years following the creation of the partnership. However, there appears to be an increase in the costs of providing children's social services, which documentary evidence suggests may be attributable to weak contract management capacity, difficulties embedding performance monitoring, and additional expenditures on the partnership's reform programme. Our findings therefore highlight that effective supervision of PPI partnerships is essential for making them a success.
Contracting out public participation to external consultants: Observations on epistemic justice
Authors: Levin Lia
Published: May 2022

Recent years have seen a rapidly growing trend of outsourcing elements of public participation from public institutions to external citizen engagement consultants (CECs). This study examined this phenomenon using the theoretical framework of epistemic in/justice. It is based on a sequential deductive‐inductive analysis of interviews with public administrators, private CECs, and citizens, all involved in participative initiatives in localities across Israel. While previous research on public participation has focused primarily on the dyadic relationship between governing institutions and selected beneficiaries of their services, the findings of the present study enable offering some observations about what happens when this dyad turns into a triad. A critical review of the findings suggests that while outsourcing public participation is often presented using discourses of progress and inclusion, in fact, it may preserve, or even deepen, epistemic injustices, especially for citizens belonging to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Maximizing social equity as a pillar of public administration: An examination of cannabis dispensary licensing in Pennsylvania
Authors: Hannah Alfred Lee , Mallinson Daniel J. , Azevedo Lauren
Published: May 2022

Public administration upholds four pillars of an administrative practice: economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and social equity. The question arises, however, how do administrators balance effectiveness and social equity when implementing policy? Can the values contributing to administrative decisions be measured? This study leverages the expansion of medical cannabis programs in the states to interrogate these questions. The awarding of dispensary licenses in Pennsylvania affords the ability to determine the effect of social equity scoring on license award decisions, relative to criteria that represent the other pillars. The results show that safety and business acumen were the most important determining factors in the awarding of licenses, both effectiveness concerns. Social equity does not emerge as a significant determinant until the second round of licensing. This study then discusses the future of social equity provisions for cannabis policy, as well as what the findings mean for social equity in public administration.
Contemporary Concise Review 2021: Pulmonary nodules from detection to intervention
Authors: Stone Emily , Leong Tracy L.
Published: May 2022

Summary of key points

The US Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) has updated screening criteria by expanding age range and reducing smoking history required for eligibility; the International Lung Screen Trial (ILST) data have shown that PLCOM2012 performs better for eligibility than USPSTF criteria.

Screening adherence is low (4%–6% of potential eligible candidates in the United States) and depends upon multiple system and patient/candidate‐related factors.

Smoking cessation in lung cancer improves survival (past prospective trial data, updated meta‐analysis data); smoking cessation is an essential component of lung cancer screening.

Circulating biomarkers are emerging to optimize screening and early diagnosis.

COVID‐19 continues to affect lung cancer treatment and screening through delays and disruptions; specific operational challenges need to be met.

Over 70% of suspected malignant lesions develop in the periphery of the lungs. Bronchoscopic navigational techniques have been steadily improving to allow greater accuracy with target lesion approximation and therefore diagnostic yield.

Fibre‐based imaging techniques provide real‐time microscopic tumour visualization, with potential diagnostic benefits.

With significant advances in peripheral lung cancer localization, bronchoscopically delivered ablative therapies are an emerging field in limited stage primary and oligometastatic disease.

In advanced stage lung cancer, small‐volume samples acquired through bronchoscopic techniques yield material of sufficient quantity and quality to support clinically relevant biomarker assessment.
Evidence of non‐site‐specific agricultural management effects on the score of visual soil quality indicators
Authors: Teixeira Fernando , Lemann Tatenda , Ferreira Carla , Glavan Matjaž , Zoltán Tóth , Hermann Tamás , Lipiec Jerzy , Frąc Magdalena , Reintam Endla , Xu Minggang , Fan Hongzhu , Ritsema Coen
Published: May 2022

This study investigates 11 agricultural management practices (AMPs) and their effects on seven visual soil quality indicators and soil aggregate stability. The survey carried out across eight pedoclimatic zones in Europe and China was based on visual soil assessments (New Zealand VSA method) performed on soils subject to different soil management practices and nearby similar soils, under similar farming features, without the distinctive soil management practice (control). Fisher's exact test was used to test if the management treatment was independent of the score of each visual soil quality indicator and to test if the management treatment produced a higher frequency of the score ‘good’. The results showed a statistically significant (α < .05) higher frequency of the score ‘good’ for ‘soil structure and consistency’ and/or ‘soil porosity’ for six AMPs. For no‐till AMP, the null hypothesis can also be rejected for ‘susceptibility to erosion’ and ‘soil stability’ and for ‘mulching + permanent soil cover’ AMP, for the ‘presence of tillage pan’ and ‘soil colour’. The hypothesis that the management treatment was independent of the score of each indicator was rejected for ‘soil structure and consistency’ of three AMPs, for ‘soil porosity’ of three AMPs, for ‘soil colour’ of one AMP and for the ‘presence of tillage pan’ of one AMP. This study demonstrates that farming systems sharing a common influential soil management practice at different locations and with different soil types significantly affect the score of some visual soil quality indicators.
Demand and usage of unrelated donor products for allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry analysis
Authors: Allan David S. , Green Meagan , Morris Gail , Weiss Jason , Dibdin Nicholas , Mercer Dena , Seftel Matthew
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives

Understanding changes in the demand and usage of unrelated allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) donors during the COVID‐19 pandemic is needed to optimize pandemic preparedness of registry and donor collection services. The aim of this study was to understand the extent to which the pandemic has impacted the demand and usage of unrelated donors and cord blood units (CBUs) at Canadian Blood Services (CBS).

Materials and Methods

Data regarding stem cell donor interest and product usage for unrelated allogeneic HCT were retrieved from the database at CBS using de‐identified anonymous information.

Results

Unrelated donor searches for Canadian patients remained unchanged by the pandemic, reflecting stable demand. The number of unrelated allogeneic transplants performed within Canada also remained stable, while the number of cord blood transplants increased, chiefly for paediatric patients. Requests for donor verification typing, a first signal of potential interest, increased from domestic centres during the first 6 months of the pandemic and decreased from international centres, before returning to baseline levels. The proportion of transplants for Canadian patients who used stem cell products procured from Canadian donors increased between 3 and 6 months after the start of the pandemic before returning to baseline and appears to be increasing again more than 1 year after the start of the pandemic. Use of CBUs for Canadian paediatric patients increased and remains elevated.

Conclusion

Demand for unrelated adult HCT donors has remained stable despite the evolving pandemic with a transient and recurring increased interest and usage of domestic adult donors. Use of CBUs for paediatric patients has increased and remains elevated. Registries and donor collection centres should maintain the capacity to expand services for domestic donor collection during pandemics to offset threats to international donor usage.
Groundwater quality analyses in off‐grid tropical island
Authors: Espaldon Achilles E. , Yu Jeco‐Espaldon Bernice Mae , Sado Tomoyasu , Tenebro Chuckcris P. , Dalisay Doralyn S. , Oguma Kumiko , Saludes Jonel P.
Published: May 2022

Tropical islands typically have limited access to safe water. In many cases, people in these communities source their drinking water from groundwater without quality evaluation and treatment. Thus, we determined the physico‐chemical and microbial characteristics of groundwater samples. Results showed substantial non‐compliance of parameters including microbial quality with the local and World Health Organization quality standards for drinking water. Significant seasonal differences were observed for turbidity, total iron (Fe), colour, hardness, Escherichia coli and total coliforms (n = 88; p < 0.0203), whereas the effect of elevation has moderate‐to‐strong correlations with pH (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity (r > −0.65, p < 0.001). The microbial profile revealed elevated levels up to a detectable limit of 5000 CFU/100 mL of E. coli. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis identified a potentially new strain with a 98.5% similarity to Shigella flexneri, having the presence of multidrug‐resistant and virulent genes.
Nurse practitioner‐led lung cancer screening clinic: An evidence‐based quality improvement evaluation
Authors: Schlabach Tyra , King Tara Spalla , Browning Kristine K. , Kue Jennifer
Published: May 2022

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Screening for lung cancer using low‐dose computed tomography of the chest (LDCT) can reduce mortality associated with lung cancer. LDCT is an under‐ordered screening study.

Aims

To evaluate the use of a nurse practitioner‐led lung cancer screening clinic (LCSC).

Methods

The absolute number of LDCT for lung cancer screenings obtained 12 months before implementing the nurse practitioner‐led LCSC was compared to the 12 months after clinic implementation using a casual comparison design. An electronic survey was conducted to assess the LCSC key stakeholders' perceptions of the clinic.

Results

An increase of 60% in the total number of LDCT for lung cancer screenings was observed. Qualitative data obtained through stakeholder evaluation of the clinic revealed that 85% of participants (n = 13) expressed that the LCSC was addressing barriers to lung cancer screening.

Linking Evidence to Action

A dedicated nurse practitioner‐led LCSC is a practical way to increase lung cancer screening by addressing established barriers to screening in the community setting.
Development of a Low-Cost Terrestrial Mobile Mapping System for Urban Vegetation Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Vestena Kauê De Moraes , Santos Daniel Rodrigues dos
Published: May 2022

Urbanization brought a lot of pollution-related issues that are mitigable by the presence of urban vegetation. Therefore, it is necessary to map vegetation in urban areas, to assist the planning and implementation of public policies. As a technology presented in the last decades, the so-called Terrestrial Mobile Mapping Systems - TMMS, are capable of providing cost and time effective data acquisition, they are composed primarily by a Navigation System and an Imaging System, both mounted on a rigid platform, attachable to the top ofa ground vehicle. In this context, it is proposed the creation of a low-cost TMMS, which has the feature of imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) where the vegetation is highly discriminable. After the image acquisition step, it becomes necessary for the semantic segmentation of vegetation and non-vegetation. The current state of the art algorithms in semantic segmentation scope are the Convolutional Neural Networks - CNNs. In this study, CNNs were trained and tested, reaching a mean value of 83% for the Intersection Over Union (IoU) indicator. From the results obtained, which demonstrated good performance for the trained neural network, it is possible to concludethat the developed TMMS is suitable to capture data regarding urban vegetation.
Design, Analysis, and Experiment of an Underactuated Robotic Gripper Actuated by Linear Series Elastic Actuator
Authors: Hua Hongliang , Liao Zhenqiang , Zhao Jingbo
Published: May 2022

The primary motivation of this study is to develop a cost-effective, safe, easily controlled, and passively adaptive robotic gripper. A novel linear series elastic actuated robotic gripper (LSEA-RG) is proposed to accomplish the aforementioned goals. The LSEA-RG has the ability to adaptively grasp objects with different shapes and sizes by grasping force control. First, the mechanical design, including the transmission scheme, the finger mechanism, and the actuating mechanism is presented. Subsequently, the kinematic analysis is performed to explore the transmission characteristic of the actuating displacement and force. Then a model-free control method based on the lookup functions of the kinematic transmission characteristics is presented to achieve the grasping range and force control. Finally, several grasping experiments are carried out based on the LSEA-RG prototype to evaluate the grasping performance. The results demonstrate that the presented grasping control method which based on the lookup functions is valid. The LSEA-RG could estimate the grasping force without the help of a fingertip force sensor and grasp objects with different shapes and hardness adaptively.
Mushroom-Shaped Micropillar With a Maximum Pull-Off Force
Authors: Zhao Jinsheng , Lu Taiping , Pan Taisong , Li Xiangyu , Shi Mingxing
Published: May 2022

The bioinspired structure of the mushroom-shaped micropillar has been considered a blueprint of functionalized adhesives due to its prominent dry adhesive performance. Among the design strategies, the geometrical parameters of the stalk and tip are of significance for improving their adhesion performance. In this study, mushroom-shaped micropillars in different diameters of the stalk and tip are fabricated by a new fabrication approach, and the adhesion measurements are performed to study the influences of loading conditions and geometrical parameters on the pull-off force. The experimental and numerical results suggest that the stalk and tip diameters strongly affect the interfacial detachment behavior and the pull-off force. Two detachment modes are distinguished by the positions of the crack initiation. Finite elemental analyses reveal the detachment mechanisms by the interfacial stress distribution and damage evolution. According to the detachment mechanisms, a structure design strategy for mushroom-shaped micropillar with maximum pull-off force is proposed. The present studies provide a fresh insight into the adhesion behaviors of mushroom-shaped micropillars and contribute to the future adhesive design.
Repeated Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Before Training Changes Visual Search and Improves Decision-Making Response Time in Soccer Athletes
Authors: Fortes Leonardo S. , Albuquerque Maicon R. , Faro Heloiana K.C. , de Lima-Júnior Dalton , Ferreira Maria E.C. , Almeida Sebastião S.
Published: May 2022

The study aimed to analyze the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on soccer athletes’ decision making and visual search behavior. It was a single-blind, randomized, and experimental investigation. The 23 soccer athletes were pair-matched according to decision-making skill and then randomized into two groups: a-tDCS and sham. The decision making (during small-sided game and screen task) and visual search behavior were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. Only the a-tDCS group reduced response time in the decision-making screen task (p < .05). The a-tDCS group showed a higher number of fixations than sham group (p < .05) during the small-sided game. The a-tDCS group showed a lower duration of fixation than sham group (p < .05) during the small-sided game. Our results indicated that using a-tDCS over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex changed visual search behavior and improved the response time of decision-making skill.
Underwater metamaterial absorber with impedance-matched composite
Authors: Qu Sichao , Gao Nan , Tinel Alain , Morvan Bruno , Romero-García Vicente , Groby Jean-Philippe , Sheng Ping
Published: May 2022

By using a structured tungsten-polyurethane composite that is impedance matched to water while simultaneously having a much slower longitudinal sound speed, we have theoretically designed and experimentally realized an underwater acoustic absorber exhibiting high absorption from 4 to 20 kHz, measured in a 5.6 m by 3.6 m water pool with the time-domain approach. The broadband functionality is achieved by optimally engineering the distribution of the Fabry-Perot resonances, based on an integration scheme, to attain impedance matching over a broad frequency range. The average thickness of the integrated absorber, 8.9 mm, is in the deep subwavelength regime (~λ/42 at 4 kHz) and close to the causal minimum thickness of 8.2 mm that is evaluated from the simulated absorption spectrum. The structured composite represents a new type of acoustic metamaterials that has high acoustic energy density and promises broad underwater applications.
Measuring conductance switching in single proteins using quantum tunneling
Authors: Tang Longhua , Yi Long , Jiang Tao , Ren Ren , Paulose Nadappuram Binoy , Zhang Bintian , Wu Jian , Liu Xu , Lindsay Stuart , Edel Joshua B. , Ivanov Aleksandar P.
Published: May 2022

Interpreting the electrical signatures of single proteins in electronic junctions has facilitated a better understanding of the intrinsic properties of proteins that are fundamental to chemical and biological processes. Often, this information is not accessible using ensemble and even single-molecule approaches. In addition, the fabrication of nanoscale single-protein junctions remains challenging as they often require sophisticated methods. We report on the fabrication of tunneling probes, direct measurement, and active control (switching) of single-protein conductance with an external field in solution. The probes allowed us to bridge a single streptavidin molecule to two independently addressable, biotin-terminated electrodes and measure single-protein tunneling response over long periods. We show that charge transport through the protein has multiple conductive pathways that depend on the magnitude of the applied bias. These findings open the door for the reliable fabrication of protein-based junctions and can enable their use in future protein-embedded bioelectronics applications.
Structural basis for long-chain isoprenoid synthesis by
cis
-prenyltransferases
Authors: Giladi Moshe , Lisnyansky Bar-El Michal , Vaňková Pavla , Ferofontov Alisa , Melvin Emelia , Alkaderi Suha , Kavan Daniel , Redko Boris , Haimov Elvira , Wiener Reuven , Man Petr , Haitin Yoni
Published: May 2022

Isoprenoids are synthesized by the prenyltransferase superfamily, which is subdivided according to the product stereoisomerism and length. In short- and medium-chain isoprenoids, product length correlates with active site volume. However, enzymes synthesizing long-chain products and rubber synthases fail to conform to this paradigm, because of an unexpectedly small active site. Here, we focused on the human
cis
-prenyltransferase complex (h
cis
-PT), residing at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and playing a crucial role in protein glycosylation. Crystallographic investigation of h
cis
-PT along the reaction cycle revealed an outlet for the elongating product. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analysis showed that the hydrophobic active site core is flanked by dynamic regions consistent with separate inlet and outlet orifices. Last, using a fluorescence substrate analog, we show that product elongation and membrane association are closely correlated. Together, our results support direct membrane insertion of the elongating isoprenoid during catalysis, uncoupling active site volume from product length.
Reduced platelet forces underlie impaired hemostasis in mouse models of
MYH9
-related disease
Authors: Baumann Juliane , Sachs Laura , Otto Oliver , Schoen Ingmar , Nestler Peter , Zaninetti Carlo , Kenny Martin , Kranz Ruth , von Eysmondt Hendrik , Rodriguez Johanna , Schäffer Tilman E. , Nagy Zoltan , Greinacher Andreas , Palankar Raghavendra , Bender Markus
Published: May 2022

MYH9
-related disease patients with mutations in the contractile protein nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA display, among others, macrothrombocytopenia and a mild-to-moderate bleeding tendency. In this study, we used three mouse lines, each with one point mutation in the
Myh9
gene at positions 702, 1424, or 1841, to investigate mechanisms underlying the increased bleeding risk. Agonist-induced activation of
Myh9
mutant platelets was comparable to controls. However, myosin light chain phosphorylation after activation was reduced in mutant platelets, which displayed altered biophysical characteristics and generated lower adhesion, interaction, and traction forces. Treatment with tranexamic acid restored clot retraction in the presence of tPA and reduced bleeding. We verified our findings from the mutant mice with platelets from patients with the respective mutation. These data suggest that reduced platelet forces lead to an increased bleeding tendency in patients with
MYH9
-related disease, and treatment with tranexamic acid can improve the hemostatic function.
Acacia Fiber Protects the Gut from Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Colonization Enabled by Antibiotics
Authors: Maeusli Marlène , Skandalis Nicholas , Lee Bosul , Lu Peggy , Miller Sarah , Yan Jun , Talyansky Yuli , Li Rachel , Reyna Zeferino , Guerrero Noel , Ulhaq Amber , Slarve Matthew , Theologidis Ioannis , Spellberg Brad , Luna Brian
Published: May 2022

A One Health-based strategy—the concept that human health and animal health are interconnected with the environment—is necessary to determine the drivers of antibiotic resistance from food to the clinic. Moreover, humans can ingest antibiotic-resistant bacteria on food and asymptomatically, or “silently,” carry such bacteria in the gut long before they develop an opportunistic extraintestinal infection.
Mutation L319Q in the PB1 Polymerase Subunit Improves Attenuation of a Candidate Live-Attenuated Influenza A Virus Vaccine
Authors: Nogales Aitor , Steel John , Liu Wen-Chun , Lowen Anice C. , Rodriguez Laura , Chiem Kevin , Cox Andrew , García-Sastre Adolfo , Albrecht Randy A. , Dewhurst Stephen , Martínez-Sobrido Luis
Published: May 2022

Vaccination represents the most effective strategy to reduce the impact of seasonal IAV infections. Although LAIV are superior in inducing protection and sterilizing immunity, they are not recommended for many individuals who are at high risk for severe disease.
IgA Serological Response for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium abscessus Infections in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Le Moigne Vincent , Roux Anne-Laure , Mahoudo Hélène , Christien Gaëtan , Ferroni Agnès , Dumitrescu Oana , Lina Gérard , Bouchara Jean-Philippe , Plésiat Patrick , Gaillard Jean-Louis , Canaan Stéphane , Héry-Arnaud Geneviève , Herrmann Jean-Louis
Published: May 2022

Mycobacterium abscessusis currently the most frequently isolated rapid growingmycobacteriumin human pathology and the major one involved in lung infections. It has recently emerged as responsible for severe pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or those who have undergone lung transplantation.
Tracheal Aspirate and Bronchoalveolar Lavage as Potential Specimen Types for COVID-19 Testing Using the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV
Authors: Kim Sang Ho , AlMutawa Fatimah
Published: May 2022

Cepheid’s Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV provides a means of rapid diagnosis that can help in hospital bed management and patient flow. It is also important for each microbiology lab to increase its capacity and most importantly have a different platform to overcome the anticipated reagent shortage at times of peak community transmission.
Supplemental Material: Late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic deposition of quartz arenites across southern Laurentia
Authors: Medaris L. Gordon , al. et
Published: May 2022

Chemical compositions of fine-grained sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks 
Two secondary localisation of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in the upper gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Calomino Natale , Fusario Daniele , Cencini Emanuele , Lazzi Stefano
Published: May 2022

Extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract represent 30%–40% of all extranodal lymphomas. Gastric lymphomas are increasingly described in the literature due to the development of diagnostic techniques and the increased incidence, together with the reduced incidence of gastric solid neoplasms. Significant diagnostic difficulties are determined by the non-specificity of the symptoms, which are mostly chronic, characterised by a slow progression. Localisation in the small intestine often appears as surgical urgency, due to the development of an intestinal obstruction or enterorrhagia. We present two cases of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma localisation, presented as a secondary lesion localised in the first one in the stomach, and in the second one in the first duodenal portion.
Non-surgical treatment of Lutembacher syndrome: combined percutaneous transcatheter therapy
Authors: Johny Dilip , Subramanyam Kodangala , Bhandary Ram Mohan , Rao Amita
Published: May 2022

A woman in her 30s presented with progressive worsening of dyspnoea for 6 months. On evaluation, she was diagnosed with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (mitral valve area of 0.6 cm2) and a large ostium secundum atrial septal defect (21 mm) with a left to right shunt and severe pulmonary artery hypertension. She was diagnosed with Lutembacher syndrome and was evaluated for suitability of a percutaneous approach. She was subjected to a combined procedure of percutaneous transluminal mitral commissurotomy followed by device closure of the atrial septal defect. The patient tolerated the procedure, remained haemodynamically stable and was discharged after 4 days. This procedure can prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with anaesthesia and cardiac surgery and the psychological trauma of a thoracotomy scar particularly in a female patient, as well as obviate the need for prolonged hospital stay.
Progressive MRI findings of West Nile virus encephalitis in a patient with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dervisoglu Elmire , Altintas Taslicay Ceylan , Alparslan Burcu , Anik Yonca
Published: May 2022

A man in his 70s was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fatigue, loss of appetite and fever. His neurological examination was normal. He had a medical history of diabetes mellitus for 25 years. Urine analysis showed many leucocytes. Empirical antibiotic treatment was started for urinary system infection. Three days later, his mental status worsened with confusion and disorientation. MRI of the brain was normal. Two days later, the patient was intubated because of respiratory insufficiency. MRI showed restricted diffusion in bilateral thalamic nuclei. Encephalitis and ischaemia were considered in the differential diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid IgM antibody for West Nile virus was positive. Sixteen days later, cranial nerve reflexes were lost. MRI showed restricted diffusion and increased T2 signal intensity in the dorsal medulla and increased T2 signal intensity without diffusion restriction in bilateral substantia nigra and dentate nuclei. He died of cardiac arrest 40 days after hospitalisation.
COVID-19 narratives and layered temporality
Authors: Howell Jessica
Published: May 2022

The essay outlines the ways in which narrative approaches to COVID-19 can draw on imaginative literature and critical oral history to resist the ‘closure’ often offered by cultural representations of epidemics. To support this goal, it analyses science and speculative fiction by Alejandro Morales and Tananarive Due in terms of how these works create alternative temporalities, which undermine colonial and racist medical discourse. The essay then examines a new archive of emerging autobiographical illness narratives, namely online Facebook posts and oral history samples by 'long COVID' survivors, for their alternate temporalities of illness.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma
Authors: Carnevale Joseph Anthony , Goldberg Jacob , Kocharian Gary , Rivera Maricruz , Giantini Larsen Alexandra , Garton Andrew , Ramos Alexander , Francis Jasmine H , Abramson David H , Pierre Gobin Y
Published: May 2022

Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for retinoblastoma is a minimally invasive and chemotherapeutic approach resulting in eye salvage and vision restoration or preservation. Moreover, IAC has proven to effectively treat advanced retinoblastoma while not compromising patient survival. Our institutional experience with IAC for retinoblastoma has included over 500 patients and over 2400 intra-arterial infusions. Each infusion is completed with the use of a micropuncture for arterial access and microcatheter for infusion, eliminating the need for guide catheters and related complications (video 1). This treatment modality has resulted in >95% ocular survival and reduces enucleation to <5% for this population. In addition to local therapy, including cryotherapy, intravitreal chemotherapy, or laser treatments, by the ophthalmologist, IAC has become an important component of comprehensive multidisciplinary and multimodal therapy for this disease. For what used to require a possibly vision-sacrificing procedure, retinoblastoma treated with IAC minimizes the need for enucleation while maximizing both patient and ocular survival.Supplementary data

Video 1
Neonatal pneumothorax in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Be wary of high ventilatory pressures
Authors: Rubalcava Nathan , Norwitz Gabriella A , Kim Aimee G , Weiner Gary , Matusko Niki , Arnold Meghan A , Mychaliska George B , Perrone Erin E
Published: May 2022

Background

Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) require invasive respiratory support and higher ventilator pressures may be associated with barotrauma. We sought to evaluate the risk factors associated with pneumothorax in CDH neonates prior to repair.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed newborns born with CDH between 2014 and 2019 who developed a pneumothorax, and we matched these cases to patients with CDH without pneumothorax.

Results

Twenty-six patients were included (n=13 per group). The pneumothorax group required extracorporeal life support (ECLS) more frequently (85% vs 54%, p=0.04), particularly among type A/B defects (31% vs 7%, p=0.01). The pneumothorax group had higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) within 1 hour of birth (p=0.02), at pneumothorax diagnosis (p=0.003), and at ECLS (p=0.02). The pneumothorax group had a higher mean airway pressure (Paw) at birth (p=0.01), within 1 hour of birth (p=0.01), and at pneumothorax diagnosis (p=0.04). Using multiple logistic regression with cluster robust SEs, higher Paw (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.72, p=0.03) and PEEP (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.14, p=0.007) were associated with an increased risk of developing pneumothorax. There was no difference in survival (p=0.09).

Conclusions

Development of a pneumothorax in CDH neonates is independently associated with higher Paw and higher PEEP. A pneumothorax increases the likelihood of treated with ECLS, even with smaller defect.
Neutrino: Chronicles of an aloof protagonist
Authors: Melfo Alejandra , Senjanović Goran
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we give a brief account of the history of neutrino, and how that most aloof of all particles shaped our search for a theory of fundamental interactions ever since it was theoretically proposed. We introduce the necessary concepts and phenomena in a nontechnical language aimed at a physicist with some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics. In showing that neutrino mass could be the door to new physics beyond the Standard Model, we emphasize the need to frame the issue in the context of a complete theory, with testable predictions accessible to present and near future experiments. We argue in favor of the minimal Left–Right symmetric theory as the strongest candidate for such theory, connecting neutrino mass with parity breakdown in nature. This is the theory that led originally to neutrino mass and the seesaw mechanism behind its smallness, but even more important, the theory that sheds light on a fundamental question that touches us all: the symmetry between left and right.
Nonlocal quark scalar condensate from the Dyson–Schwinger equation and the gluon vacuum polarization based on the OPE approach
Authors: Huang Jing-Hui , Duan Xue-Ying , Huan Chen , Wang Guang-Jun , Hu Xiang-Yun
Published: May 2022

Operator-product expansion (OPE) can be employed to obtain the lowest-order, nonlocal quark scalar condensate component of gluon vacuum polarization. In particular, the nonlocal quark scalar condensate can be calculated by solving the Dyson–Schwinger equation (DSE) of QCD. Then, field-theoretical aspects of the gluon vacuum polarization and nonperturbative gluon propagator are considered in the Landau gauge. The gluon propagator we obtained is finite in the infrared domain, where the single gluon mass [Formula: see text] can be determined. Our results for the [Formula: see text] ratio range of that from 1.32 to 1.36, which agrees with previous determinations for this ratio. Then, the analytic structure of the gluon propagators from the OPE results is explored. The analysis of the gluon Schwinger function finds clear evidence of the positivity violations in the gluon propagator. In addition, the results of replacing the OPE simplified quark loop with the full quark one-loop are calculated in vacuum to investigate how good the OPE approximation approach is. The results demonstrate that the OPE approach provides a good approximate method to calculate the full light [Formula: see text] quark loop in vacuum. In particular, the OPE approach can well approximate the approach with full quark one-loop in a specific model. Finally, a new method for obtaining the chemical potential dependence of the gluon vacuum polarization and the dressed gluon propagators is developed.
Quantum sharing of two unknown single-qubit states by using a six-qubit entangled state
Authors: Liu Yue-Qi , Zhang Gong-Xuan
Published: May 2022

Owing to the advantages of entanglement, in this work, an efficient and simple quantum sharing of two unknown state (QSTUS) protocol based on a six-qubit entangled state as the quantum channel is proposed. During the procession of the protocol, sender Alleyn possesses two unknown quantum states, at the same time, she wishes her four agents to share her quantum states. Hence, Alleyn implements two Bell basis measurements on her qubits, meanwhile the appointed controllers make a single-qubit measurement on her own qubit. Applying the suitable unitary operations, the state receivers can recover the original states. Analysis shows that only if all agents cooperate with each other, the proposed protocol QSTUS will be realized easily and successfully.