bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greening energy governance through agencification in the Global South: Drivers and implications
Authors: Prontera Andrea , Rubino Alessandro
Published: March 2023

This article offers the first comprehensive analysis of the emergent modes for greening electricity governance through agencification in the Global South by examining the drivers and role of renewable energy agencies (REAs) in various countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. Furthermore, the article illustrates the impact of this form of agencification on the deployment of renewables and the “democratization” of energy governance. We found that the diffusion of REAs is facilitated by the intermediation of international and transnational actors, whereas their role in national energy governance is constrained by the fossil fuels rentier political economy. As an institutional strategy for greening energy governance, agencification has the potential to foster the deployment of renewables: agencies can catalyze external funding overcoming regulatory and policy barriers. However, this strategy can reproduce top‐down approaches to policymaking, hindering the “democratic” potentials of the energy transition.
Hereditary thrombocytopenia with platelet sialic acid deficiency and mutations in the GNE genes
Authors: Montcrieff Caitlin , Ferreira Karen A. , Cheves Tracey A. , Massingham Lauren J. , Sweeney Joseph D.
Published: March 2023

Background

The inherited macrothrombocytopenias are rare disorders and the underlying cause can be identified in many cases but in some, this can remain enigmatic. Platelet transfusions are often administered during hemorrhagic events.

Methods

A patient with previously unexplained inherited macrothrombocytopenia with a platelet count between 3–20 × 109/L is described in which studies were performed using exome sequencing (ES) and platelet flow cytometry.

Results

Both the hemoglobin and white cell counts were normal. ES revealed two suspicious variants, one likely pathogenic and one a variant of uncertain significance, in the UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 2‐epimerase/N‐acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) gene, and flow cytometry showed diminished expression of surface platelet sialic acid (about 5%) but normal red cell sialic acid. The Thrombopoietin (TPO) level was low, and the patient responded to TPO‐mimetic treatment with an increase in the platelet count.

Conclusion

Two variants in the GNE gene were able to be upgraded to pathogenic with apparently restricted expression to the megakaryocyte lineage. Platelet transfusion may be avoided in these patients with TPO‐mimetic treatment.
Ballistic trauma to the axial skeleton in 13 animals
Authors: Linder Jessica , Daniel Jonathon , Vadurro Francesca , Londono Leonel , Beasley Michaela , Garcia Gabriel A. , Carrera‐Justiz Sheila
Published: March 2023

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation and outcome of small animals that sustained ballistic trauma to the axial skeleton.

Design

Retrospective, multicenter observational study.

Setting

Two university teaching hospitals.

Animals

Twelve client‐owned dogs and 1 client‐owned cat sustaining ballistic trauma to the axial skeleton.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Thirteen animals sustaining ballistic trauma to the axial skeleton with complete medical records were included in this study. Twelve of 13 animals survived to discharge; 1 animal was euthanized shortly after presentation. Two animals had ophthalmic abnormalities, 9 animals had neurologic lesions, and 2 animals had no significant ophthalmic or neurologic deficits. Neurolocalization of injury included peripheral vestibular (n = 1), multifocal brain (n = 1), brainstem (n = 1), C1–C5 (n = 1), C6–T2 (n = 1), T3–L3 (n = 3), and L4–S3 (n = 1). Seven dogs underwent surgical intervention: 5 neurosurgical, 1 enucleation, and 1 laparotomy. Median hospitalization time was 6 days with a range from 1 to 31 days.

Conclusions

Overall prognosis and outcome are variable and dependent on specific injury location and degree of injury.
Successful management of pelvic urethral strictures with balloon dilation in 3 cats
Authors: Hammond Tara N. , King Ryan G. , Danielson Kelson C.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To describe the successful management of pelvic urethral strictures in 3 young cats (1 after perineal urethrostomy, 1 after a third‐time urethral obstruction, and 1 with prolonged lower urinary tract signs post‐urethral obstruction) using balloon dilation and a short‐term, indwelling urethral catheter.

Case Summaries

A 9‐month‐old neutered male domestic longhair cat with a urethral obstruction and a suspected congenitally narrowed urethra was treated via perineal urethrostomy. The cat later developed acute kidney injury, multidrug‐resistant urinary tract infections, and a pelvic urethral stricture. A second case, a 2.3‐year‐old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, developed a stricture of the pelvic urethra after multiple obstructions and catheterizations. A third case, a 1.2‐year‐old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, had persistent and prolonged lower urinary tract signs after treatment for a urinary obstruction. The cat also had an abnormally small urethral opening and was ultimately found to have a proximal urethral stricture. The strictures in all 3 cases were successfully treated with a combination of fluoroscopic‐guided balloon dilation and short‐term indwelling urethral catheterization while managing any present infection.

New or Unique Information Provided

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published case series of successful balloon dilations paired with the use of a short‐term indwelling urethral catheter in cats that developed urethral strictures after catheterization due to urinary obstructions. This procedure appears safe and well tolerated and appears to offer a long‐term, cost‐effective solution to urethral strictures at the level of the pelvis.
Organizational factors and safe food handling by food service workers: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Nascimento Letícia Guimarães Perdomo , Ferreira Silvana Margarida Benevides , Palacio Fabiana Gulin Longhi , Takahashi Juliana , Puschel Vilanice Alves de Araújo , da Silva Ageo Mario Candido , da Cunha Diogo Thimoteo
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to explore and map the scientific evidence on organizational factors related to safe food handling by food service workers to prevent foodborne disease.

Introduction:

According to the World Health Organization, more than 600 million people become ill each year due to foodborne diseases. Improper food handling is one of the main causes of such diseases. Despite the growing literature on safe food handling, many studies focus on assessing and discussing cognitive variables, such as food safety knowledge. This indicates a need to study this topic from a new perspective, for example, through its organizational factors.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will include quantitative and qualitative studies on food handlers working in food services. Food handlers involved in industrial processing, planting, harvesting, and working on the street (street food) or in the home will be excluded.

Methods:

This review will use the JBI methodology for scoping reviews to identify published and unpublished studies in all languages, with no time limit. The following databases will be searched: Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts. A structured search for gray literature will also be conducted. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles will be screened by 2 reviewers for inclusion, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using a standardized form. The results will be summarized in tabular or graphical format, accompanied by a narrative summary.

Key details of this review project are available in Open Science Framework:

https://osf.io/hxfe4
Hybrid Kinematic-Dynamic Sideslip and Friction Estimation
Authors: Carnier Stefano , Corno Matteo , Savaresi Sergio M.
Published: March 2023

Vehicle sideslip and tyre/road friction are crucial variables for advanced vehicle stability control systems. Estimation is required since direct measurement through sensors is costly and unreliable. In this paper, we develop and validate a sideslip estimator robust to unknown road grip conditions. Particularly, the paper addresses the problem of rapid tyre/road friction adaptation when sudden road condition variations happen. The algorithm is based on a hybrid kinematic-dynamic closed-loop observer augmented with a tyre/road friction classifier that reinitializes the states of the estimator when a change of friction is detected. Extensive experiments on a four wheel drive electric vehicle carried out on different roads quantitatively validate the approach. The architecture guarantees accurate estimation on dry and wet asphalt and snow terrain with a maximum sideslip estimation error lower than 1.5 deg. The classifier correctly recognizes 87% of the friction changes; wrongly classifies 2% of the friction changes while it is unable to detect the change in 11% of the cases. The missed detections are due to the fact that the algorithm requires a certain level of vehicle excitation to detect a change of friction. The average classification time is 1.6 s. The tests also indicate the advantages of the friction classifiers on the sideslip estimation error.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Cold Flow Physics of a Nonpremixed Industrial Gas Burner
Authors: Ortolani A. , Yeadon J. , Ruane B. , Paul M. , Campobasso M. S.
Published: March 2023

The flow field of a nonpremixed industrial gas burner is analyzed with Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics validated against velocity and pressure measurements. Combustion is not modeled because the aim is optimizing the predictive capabilities of the cold flow before including chemistry. The system's complex flow physics, affected by a 90 deg turn, backward and forward facing steps, and transversal jets in the mainstream is investigated at full and partial load. The sensitivity of the computed flow field to inflow boundary condition setup, approach for resolving/modeling wall-bounded flows, and turbulence closure is assessed. In the first sensitivity analysis, the inflow boundary condition is prescribed using measured total pressure or measured velocity field. In the second, boundary layers are resolved down to the wall or modeled with wall functions. In the third sensitivity analysis, the turbulence closure uses the k−ω shear stress transport eddy viscosity model or two variants of the Reynolds stress model. The agreement between the predictions of most simulation setups among themselves and with the measurements is good. For a given type of inflow condition and wall flow treatment, the ω-based Reynolds stress model gives the best agreement with measurements among the considered turbulence models at full load. At partial load, the comparison with measured data highlights some scatter in the predictions of different patterns of the flow measurements. Overall, the findings of this study provide insight into the fluid dynamics of industrial gas burners and guidelines for their simulation-based analysis.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer and Flow Phenomena in Taylor Flow Through a Straight Mini-Channel
Authors: Etminan Amin , Muzychka Yuri S. , Pope Kevin
Published: March 2023

This study experimentally and numerically investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics and heat transfer of developing and fully developed laminar liquid–liquid Taylor flows. The problem is conducted in circular mini-channels with different diameters subjected to a constant wall temperature boundary condition. An experimental setup is designed employing an open-loop water/oil two-phase nonboiling flow at mini-scale tubing sizes of 1.42, 1.52, and 1.65 mm. Two silicone oils with the dynamic viscosities of 1 and 5 cSt at several volumetric flow rates are used to establish segmented flow. The impacts of the channel diameter, viscosity, and flow rate ratio on the flow pattern, pressure drop, film thickness, and heat transfer rate are discussed. In good agreement with the literature, it is found that the pressure drop generated by the interface increases the total pressure loss by up to 200% compared to the single-phase flow. The results also explain how recirculating regions within the slugs influence the film region and the physics of backflow. Furthermore, introducing segmented water slugs significantly enhances the heat transfer rate as the dimensionless thermal length decreases. A significant relation between the recirculating regions and heat transfer has been demonstrated for the first time.
Quasi-Dynamic Approximation of Unsteady Pressure Distribution for Transonic Airfoils in Flutter
Authors: Lepicovsky Jan , Šimurda David , Kielb Robert E. , Šidlof Petr , Štěpán Martin
Published: March 2023

A lack of reliable experimental data on transonic blade flutter in real turbomachines hampers the further improvement of computational design predictions for off-design operation regimes of newly-built machines. Acquiring unsteady pressure distribution on blades in real turbomachines already in operation is practically impossible. The goal of this work is to explore if an approximate unsteady pressure distribution can be created experimentally in a simple aerodynamic tunnel by composing a sequence of blade surface steady pressures acquired for gradually varying blade incidence angle offsets. An essential condition for such an approximation is the assumption that the dynamic pressure component induced by the blade motion is substantially smaller than the flow pattern changes caused by the variation of interblade channel geometry. The methodology is proposed for blade sections with prevailing two-dimensional flow. A dedicated test facility, called the blade flutter module (BFM), has been built and used for this purpose. The BFM is a linear cascade consisting of five transonic airfoils that can be operated either in a static or a dynamic regime. For the dynamic operation, any of the blades can be forcedly and independently oscillated at frequencies of up to 400 Hz with a maximum angular amplitude of 3 deg. The obtained results confirm that within the range of the test conditions, the proposed compounded quasi-dynamic approach exhibits similar characteristics to dynamically acquired unsteady blade pressures. This is true for a test range of a maximum inlet Mach number of 1.09, maximum blade oscillating frequency of 100 Hz, and measurement of unsteady pressure distribution on a blade suction surface. The corresponding blade chord based reduced frequency is 0.21.
Use of Convolutional Neural Network Image Classification and High-Speed Ion Probe Data Toward Real-Time Detonation Characterization in a Water-Cooled Rotating Detonation Engine
Authors: Johnson Kristyn B. , Ferguson Donald H. , Nix Andrew C.
Published: March 2023

As rotating detonation engines (RDEs) progress in maturity, the importance of monitoring advancements toward development of active control becomes more critical. Experimental RDE data processing at time scales which satisfy real-time diagnostics will likely require the use of machine learning. This study aims to develop and deploy a novel real-time monitoring technique capable of determining detonation wave number, direction, frequency, and individual wave speeds throughout experimental RDE operational windows. To do so, the diagnostic integrates image classification by a convolutional neural network (CNN) and ionization current signal analysis. Wave mode identification through single-image CNN classification bypasses the need to evaluate sequential images and offers instantaneous identification of the wave mode present in the RDE annulus. Real-time processing speeds are achieved due to low data volumes required by the methodology, namely one short-exposure image and a short window of sensor data to generate each diagnostic output. The diagnostic acquires live data using a modified experimental setup alongside Pylon and PyDAQmx libraries within a python data acquisition environment. Lab-deployed diagnostic results are presented across varying wave modes, operating conditions, and data quality, currently executed at 3–4 Hz with a variety of iteration speed optimization options to be considered as future work. These speeds exceed that of conventional techniques and offer a proven structure for real-time RDE monitoring. The demonstrated ability to analyze detonation wave presence and behavior during RDE operation will certainly play a vital role in the development of RDE active control, necessary for RDE technology maturation toward industrial integration.
Morphological and acoustic modeling of the vocal tract
Authors: Serrurier Antoine , Neuschaefer-Rube Christiane
Published: March 2023

In speech production, the anatomical morphology forms the substrate on which the speakers build their articulatory strategy to reach specific articulatory-acoustic goals. The aim of this study is to characterize morphological inter-speaker variability by building a shape model of the full vocal tract including hard and soft structures. Static magnetic resonance imaging data from 41 speakers articulating altogether 1947 phonemes were considered, and the midsagittal articulator contours were manually outlined. A phoneme-independent average-articulation representative of morphology was calculated as the speaker mean articulation. A principal component analysis-driven shape model was derived from average-articulations, leading to five morphological components, which explained 87% of the variance. Almost three-quarters of the variance was related to independent variations of the horizontal oral and vertical pharyngeal lengths, the latter capturing male-female differences. The three additional components captured shape variations related to head tilt and palate shape. Plane wave propagation acoustic simulations were run to characterize morphological components. A lengthening of 1 cm of the vocal tract in the vertical or horizontal directions led to a decrease in formant values of 7%–8%. Further analyses are required to analyze three-dimensional variability and to understand the morphological-acoustic relationships per phoneme. Average-articulations and model code are publicly available (https://github.com/tonioser/VTMorphologicalModel).
The adrenal stress response is an essential host response against therapy-induced lethal immune activation
Authors: Guo Ling , Wang Weinan , Wang Qian , Hao Dan , Ito Misa , Huang Bin , Mineo Chieko , Shaul Philip W. , Choi Jaebok , Huang L. Frank , Li Xiang-An
Published: March 2023

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a systemic inflammatory syndrome associated with infection- or drug-induced T cell activation and can cause multiple organ failure and even death. Because current treatments are ineffective in some patients with severe CRS, we set out to identify risk factors and mechanisms behind severe CRS that might lead to preventive therapies and better clinical outcomes in patients. In mice, we found that deficiency in the adrenal stress response—with similarities to such in patients called relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI)—conferred a high risk for lethal CRS. Mice treated with CD3 antibodies were protected against lethal CRS by the production of glucocorticoids (GC) induced by the adrenal stress response in a manner dependent on the scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI), a receptor for high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Mice with whole-body or adrenal gland-specific SR-BI deficiency exhibited impaired GC production, more severe CRS, and increased mortality in response to CD3 antibodies. Pretreatment with a low dose of GC effectively suppressed the development of CRS and rescued survival in SR-BI–deficient mice without compromising T cell function through apoptosis. Our findings suggest that RAI may be a risk factor for therapy-induced CRS and that pretreating RAI patients with GC may prevent lethal CRS.
Drug Susceptibility Profiling of
Prototheca
Species Isolated from Cases of Human Protothecosis
Authors: Proskurnicka Angelika , Żupnik Kinga , Bakuła Zofia , Iskra Mateusz , Rösler Uwe , Jagielski Tomasz
Published: March 2023

Prototheca
are unicellular, achlorophyllous, yeast-like microalgae that occur in a wide range of natural habitats. At least five species have been implicated as the causative agents of opportunistic infections of men.
Microbial Drivers of Plant Performance during Drought Depend upon Community Composition and the Greater Soil Environment
Authors: Moore Eric R. , Carter Kelsey R. , Heneghan John P. , Steadman Christina R. , Nachtsheim Abigael C. , Anderson-Cook Christine , Dickman L. Turin , Newman Brent D. , Dunbar John , Sevanto Sanna , Albright Michaeline B. N.
Published: March 2023

Globally, drought is an increasingly common and severe stress that causes significant damage to agricultural and wild plants, thereby threatening food security. Despite growing evidence of the potential benefits of soil microorganisms on plant performance under stress, decoupling the effects of the microbiome composition versus the water availability on plant growth and performance remains a challenge.
Retracted and Republished from: “Gut Microbiota Mediates the Therapeutic Effect of Monoclonal Anti-TLR4 Antibody on Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice”
Authors: Sun Xuewei , Cui Qian , Ni Juan , Liu Xiaoguang , Zhu Jin , Zhou Tingting , Huang HuaYing , OuYang Ke , Wu Yulong , Yang Zhan
Published: March 2023

In this study, we found that a monoclonal anti-Toll-like receptor 4 antibody can alleviate APAP-induced acute liver injury through changes in the gut microbiota, metabolic pathways, and gut barrier function. This work suggested that the gut microbiota can be a therapeutic target of APAP-induced acute liver injury, and we performed foundation for further research.
Reference centiles for infant sleep parameters from 4 to 16 weeks of age: findings from an Irish cohort
Authors: O Sullivan Marc Paul , Livingstone Vicki , Korotchikova Irina , Dempsey Eugene M , Murray Deirdre M , Boylan Geraldine B
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To establish unconditional reference centiles for sleep parameters in infants 4–16 weeks of age.

Design and setting

Secondary data analysis of sleep parameters recorded at 4–16 weeks of age in a longitudinal randomised controlled trial (RCT) (BabySMART).

Patients

Healthy term infants assigned to the non-intervention arm of the RCT.

Main outcome measures

Infants’ sleep duration was recorded by parents/guardians daily, from week 2–16 of age using a sleep diary. Reference centiles for total, daytime, night-time and longest sleep episode duration were estimated using multilevel modelling.

Results

One hundred and six infants, mean (SD) gestational age of 39.9 (1.2) weeks and mean (SD) birth weight of 3.6 (0.5) kg had sleep recorded contributing 1264 measurements for each sleep parameter. Between 4 and 16 weeks of age total sleep duration in a 24-hour period, night-time sleep duration in a 12-hour period and infant’s longest sleep episode duration increased, while daytime sleep duration in a 12-hour period decreased.

Conclusions

Reference centiles up to 4 months of age in infants highlight the gradual decrease in daytime sleep and large increases in night-time sleep, which occur in tandem with increasing lengths of sleep episodes. These reference centiles provide useful sleep values for infant sleep trajectory occurring in early life and may be helpful for parents and clinicians.

Trial registration number

NCT03381027.
Cyclosporine as an alternative immunosuppressant for steroid-resistant drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome
Authors: Tan Katrina , Testro Adam
Published: March 2023

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a multiorgan reaction associated with a broad range of commonly used medications. Most cases of DRESS syndrome resolve with cessation of the inciting agent; however, use of systemic immunosuppression, most commonly with oral corticosteroids, is also recommended in cases with visceral organ involvement.

We report a case of steroid-resistant relapsing–remitting DRESS syndrome secondary to sulfasalazine. Our patient experienced significant flare of symptoms of DRESS syndrome with multiple attempts to wean prednisolone. Initiation of cyclosporine as an alternative immunosuppressive agent to long-term corticosteroids has resulted in a 6-month remission in both dermatological and hepatic sequelae of DRESS syndrome.
US Food and Drug Administration regulatory reviewer disagreements and postmarket safety actions among new therapeutics
Authors: Eadie Ashley , MacGregor Andrea , Wallach Joshua , Ross Joseph , Herder Matthew
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To examine the association between regulatory reviewer disagreements and postmarket safety actions among novel therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2011 and 2015. Disagreements among FDA reviewers regarding the recommendation for a novel therapeutic’s approval, its safety, the indicated patient population and/or other parameters of the drug’s approval are common. However, the implications of such disagreements—particularly with respect to postmarket safety actions—are poorly understood.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

All novel therapeutics approved by the FDA between January 2011 and December 2015.

Participants

None.

Main outcome measures

Postmarket safety actions defined as new label warnings/increased warning severity, FDA safety communications and safety-related therapeutic withdrawals after the original regulatory approval.

Results

Among 174 novel therapeutics approved by the FDA between 2011 and 2015, 42 (24%) had at least one regulatory reviewer disagreement. Altogether, 156 instances of disagreement were observed. Following market approval, a total of 253 postmarket safety actions were taken by the FDA among all new therapeutics, with at least one postmarket safety action identified for 98 (56.3%) of the 174 novel therapeutic approvals. Overall, therapeutics that were the subject of disagreement during the FDA’s review had fewer safety actions following approval compared with therapeutics in which no disagreement was observed (38.1% vs 62.1%; RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.92; p=0.006). Therapeutic approvals containing at least one reviewer disagreement also more often carried a black box warning at the point of approval (47.7% vs 31.1%; RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.30; p=0.05).

Conclusions

This investigation of regulatory reviewer disagreements and postmarket safety actions among new therapeutics suggests that disagreements among regulatory reviewers may lead to important pre-emptive actions, potentially mitigating the need for postmarket safety actions to be taken.
Integrating contraceptive services into existing perinatal care: protocol for a community-based cluster randomised controlled trial in Shanghai, China
Authors: Jin Longmei , Yin Anxin , Zhang Xiaohua , Jiang Hong , Zhou Lu , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wang Xiurui , Qian Xu
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Postpartum contraception is essential to preventing unintended pregnancies and short interpregnancy intervals. The first year after childbirth is a critical period with a high risk of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion. However, the postpartum contraceptive services are weak in China’s existing maternal and child healthcare system. We propose to evaluate the effects of integrating postpartum contraceptive services into the existing perinatal care system via a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Methods and analysis

This cluster randomised controlled trial involves all 13 communities of Minhang District, Shanghai, China. Communities will be randomly allocated, seven in the intervention group and six in the control group. One thousand and three hundred women, 100 women in each community, will be recruited in the study. Women assigned to the intervention group will receive postpartum contraceptive education and counselling during pregnancy, childbirth hospitalisation, postpartum home visits and the 42-day postpartum clinic check-up. Women in the control group will receive routine antenatal and postpartum care. Participants will be recruited in the first trimester during pregnancy and followed up to 1 year postpartum. The primary outcome is the incidence of unintended pregnancy within 1 year after childbirth.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Minhang District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (#[2020]KS-02, #[2020]KS-05, #[2020]KS-05-EX). Results will be published in academic journals and disseminated in multiple formats for the health professionals and the public.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000034603.
Use of digital technologies by users of psychiatric inpatient services in Berlin, Germany: a cross-sectional patient survey
Authors: Marbin Derin , Gutwinski Stefan , Lech Sonia , Fürstenau Daniel , Kokwaro Linda , Krüger Helena , Schindel Daniel , Schreiter Stefanie
Published: March 2023

Few studies and almost exclusively from the USA have recently investigated mobile phone and computer use among users of psychiatric services, which is of high relevance regarding the increasing development of digital health applications and services.

Objective, design and setting

In a cross-sectional patient survey, we examined (a) rates and purposes of mobile phone, computer, internet and social media use, and (b) the role of social and clinical predictors on rates of utilisation among psychiatric inpatients in Berlin, Germany.

Participants and results

Descriptive analyses showed that among 496 participants, 84.9% owned a mobile phone and 59.3% a smartphone. Among 493 participants, 68.4% used a computer regularly. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed being homeless, diagnosis of a psychotic illness, being of older age and a lower level of education to be significant predictors for not owning a mobile phone, not using a computer regularly or having a social media account, respectively.

Conclusions

Users of psychiatric services may have access to mobile phones and computers, although rates are lower than in the general population. However, key barriers that need to be addressed regarding the development of and engagement with digital health interventions are factors of social exclusion like marginalised housing as well as clinical aspects like psychotic illness.
How can the priorities of older, frail patients and their carers be used to inform policy and practice at the end of life? Insights from qualitative research across multiple settings
Authors: Barker Rhiannon Jane , Wilson Patricia , Butler Claire
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The paper reports on experiences from older patients and their carers of current provision of end-of-life care in England. It draws on data from a study that sought to explore the extent to which national policy for end-of-life care in England was aligned with the aspirations of stakeholders. Specifically, the study explored the balance between clinical healthcare vs social and relational care asking how this was aligned to patient priorities at this time of life. Here, we examine the extent to which the patient voice is attended to when health and social care services are delivered to older people and consider how the experiences of patients and carers could be used to improve outcomes.

Design

The work draws on data collected as part of a realist informed study using a case study approach to gather data.

Setting

Clinical Commissioning Groups were used as the boundaries of the three case studies and within these geographical areas data was collected in hospitals, care homes, hospices and patient homes.

Participants

This paper reports on in-depth interviews conducted with 21 patients at the end of life and 22 relatives/carers (n=43).

Results

While the medical care patients received was generally praised, it was reported that relational care, particularly in respect to adult social care received at home, was fragmented and of varying quality. Relational and social support were key to the patient and carer experience yet appeared to be hard to access.

Conclusion

The work highlights the misalignment between the availability of different types of care at the end of life and patient priorities. More attention should be paid to the voice of older patients and their carers, drawing on their experiences to influence the way policy is translated into practice.
ADVANCE-TBI study protocol: traumatic brain injury outcomes in UK military personnel serving in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014 – a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Graham Neil S N , Blissitt Grace , Zimmerman Karl , Friedland Daniel , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel , Coady Emma , Heslegrave Amanda , Zetterberg Henrik , Escott-Price Valentina , Schofield Susie , Fear Nicola T , Boos Christopher , Bull Anthony M J , Cullinan Paul , Bennett Alexander , Sharp David J
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are highly variable, with cognitive and psychiatric problems often present in survivors, including an increased dementia risk in the long term. Military personnel are at an increased occupational risk of TBI, with high rates of complex polytrauma including TBI characterising the UK campaign in Afghanistan. The ArmeD SerVices TrAuma and RehabilitatioN OutComE (ADVANCE)-TBI substudy will describe the patterns, associations and long-term outcomes of TBI in the established ADVANCE cohort.

Methods and analysis

The ADVANCE cohort comprises 579 military personnel exposed to major battlefield trauma requiring medical evacuation, and 566 matched military personnel without major trauma. TBI exposure has been captured at baseline using a standardised interview and registry data, and will be refined at first follow-up visit with the Ohio State Method TBI interview (a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke TBI common data element). Participants will undergo blood sampling, MRI and detailed neuropsychological assessment longitudinally as part of their follow-up visits every 3–5 years over a 20-year period. Biomarkers of injury, neuroinflammation and degeneration will be quantified in blood, and polygenic risk scores calculated for neurodegeneration. Age-matched healthy volunteers will be recruited as controls for MRI analyses. We will describe TBI exposure across the cohort, and consider any relationship with advanced biomarkers of injury and clinical outcomes including cognitive performance, neuropsychiatric symptom burden and function. The influence of genotype will be assessed. This research will explore the relationship between military head injury exposure and long-term outcomes, providing insights into underlying disease mechanisms and informing prevention interventions.

Ethics and dissemination

The ADVANCE-TBI substudy has received a favourable opinion from the Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee (ref: 2126/MODREC/22). Findings will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
Australian inflammatory bowel disease consensus statements for preconception, pregnancy and breast feeding
Authors: Laube Robyn , Selinger Christian P , Seow Cynthia H , Christensen Britt , Flanagan Emma , Kennedy Debra , Mountifield Reme , Seeho Sean , Shand Antonia , Williams Astrid-Jane , Leong Rupert W
Published: March 2023

Objective

Because pregnancy outcomes tend to be worse in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in those without, we aimed to update consensus statements that guide the clinical management of pregnancy in patients with IBD.

Design

A multidisciplinary working group was established to formulate these consensus statements. A modified RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used, consisting of a literature review, online voting, discussion meeting and a second round of voting. The overall agreement among the delegates and appropriateness of the statement are reported.

Results

Agreement was reached for 38/39 statements which provide guidance on management of pregnancy in patients with IBD. Most medications can and should be continued throughout pregnancy, except for methotrexate, allopurinol and new small molecules, such as tofacitinib. Due to limited data, no conclusion was reached on the use of tioguanine during pregnancy. Achieving and maintaining IBD remission before conception and throughout pregnancy is crucial to optimise maternofetal outcomes. This requires a multidisciplinary approach to engage patients, allay anxieties and maximise adherence tomedication. Intestinal ultrasound can be used for disease monitoring during pregnancy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy or MRI where clinically necessary.

Conclusion

These consensus statements provide up-to-date, comprehensive recommendations for the management of pregnancy in patients with IBD. This will enable a high standard of care for patients with IBD across all clinical settings.
Node and Link Vulnerability in Complete Multipartite Networks
Authors: Berberler Zeynep Nihan , Aytaç Aysun
Published: March 2023

Networks are known to be prone to node or link failures. A central issue in the analysis of networks is the assessment of their stability and reliability. A central concept that is used to assess stability and robustness of the performance of a network under failures is that of vulnerability. Node and link residual closeness are novel sensitive graph based characteristics for network vulnerability analysis. Node and link residual closeness measure the vulnerability even when the removal of nodes or links does not disconnect the network. Node and link residual closeness are of great theoretical and practical significance to network design and optimization. In this paper, vulnerabilities of multipartite network type topologies to the failure of individual nodes and links are computed via node and link residual closeness which provides a much fuller characterization of the network. Then, how multipartite network type topologies perform when they suffer a node or a link failure is analyzed.
PBW-Basis of Reduced Drinfeld Double Hall Algebra of Type An via Gröbner–Shirshov Basis
Authors: Luo Yao , Obul Abdukadir
Published: March 2023

In the Ringel–Hall algebra of Dynkin type, the set of all commutator relations between the isoclasses of indecomposable representations forms a minimal Gröbner–Shirshov basis and the set of the corresponding irreducible elements forms a PBW-type basis of the Ringel–Hall algebra. We aim to generalize this result to the reduced Drinfeld double Hall algebra of type [Formula: see text]. First, we compute a minimal Gröbner–Shirshov basis for the reduced Drinfeld double Hall algebra of type [Formula: see text] by proving that all possible compositions between the commutator relations are trivial. Then, by taking the corresponding irreducible monomials, we construct a PBW-type basis for the reduced Drinfeld double Hall algebra of type [Formula: see text].
A New Approach to Jordan D-Bialgebras via Jordan–Manin Triples
Authors: Hou Dongping
Published: March 2023

Jordan D-bialgebras were introduced by Zhelyabin. In this paper, we use a new approach to study Jordan D-bialgebras by a new notion of the dual representation of the regular representation of a Jordan algebra. Motivated by the essential connection between Lie bialgebras and Manin triples, we give an explicit proof of the equivalence between Jordan D-bialgebras and a class of special Jordan–Manin triples called double constructions of pseudo-euclidean Jordan algebras. We also show that a Jordan D-bialgebra leads to the Jordan Yang–Baxter equation under the coboundary condition and an antisymmetric nondegenerate solution of the Jordan Yang–Baxter equation corresponds to an antisymmetric bilinear form, which we call a Jordan symplectic form on Jordan algebras. Furthermore, there exists a new algebra structure called pre-Jordan algebra on Jordan algebras with a Jordan symplectic form.
A New Algorithm for Euclidean Shortest Paths in the Plane
Authors: Wang Haitao
Published: March 2023

Given a set of pairwise disjoint polygonal obstacles in the plane, finding an obstacle-avoiding Euclidean shortest path between two points is a classical problem in computational geometry and has been studied extensively. Previously, Hershberger and Suri (inSIAM Journal on Computing, 1999) gave an algorithm ofO(nlogn) time andO(nlogn) space, wherenis the total number of vertices of all obstacles. Recently, by modifying Hershberger and Suri’s algorithm, Wang (in SODA’21) reduced the space toO(n)while the runtime of the algorithm is stillO(nlogn). In this article, we present a new algorithm ofO(n+hlogh) time andO(n)space, provided that a triangulation of the free space is given, wherehis the number of obstacles. The algorithm is better than the previous work whenhis relatively small. Our algorithm builds a shortest path map for a source pointsso that given any query pointt, the shortest path length fromstotcan be computed inO(logn) time and a shortests-tpath can be produced in additional time linear in the number of edges of the path.
Advances and Emerging Medical Applications of Direct Mass Spectrometry Technologies for Tissue Analysis
Authors: King Mary E. , Lin Monica , Spradlin Meredith , Eberlin Livia S.
Published: March 2023

Offering superb speed, chemical specificity, and analytical sensitivity, direct mass spectrometry (MS) technologies are highly amenable for the molecular analysis of complex tissues to aid in disease characterization and help identify new diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers. By enabling detection of clinically actionable molecular profiles from tissues and cells, direct MS technologies have the potential to guide treatment decisions and transform sample analysis within clinical workflows. In this review, we highlight recent health-related developments and applications of direct MS technologies that exhibit tangible potential to accelerate clinical research and disease diagnosis, including oncological and neurodegenerative diseases and microbial infections. We focus primarily on applications that employ direct MS technologies for tissue analysis, including MS imaging technologies to map spatial distributions of molecules in situ as well as handheld devices for rapid in vivo and ex vivo tissue analysis.
The Versatility of Piezoelectric Composites
Authors: Kabakov Peter , Kim Taeyang , Cheng Zhenxiang , Jiang Xiaoning , Zhang Shujun
Published: March 2023

Piezoelectric materials possess the capability to interchangeably convert electrical energy into a mechanical response. While current piezoelectric materials exhibit strong properties, known limitations have inhibited further development. This review describes the ability to combine different piezoelectric materials into a composite to create well-rounded properties. The different types of connectivity classes are described as well as important design considerations and theoretical models. The contributions from the active and passive phases are outlined, focusing primarily on ferroelectric ceramics and polymer-based composites. The key advantage of piezoelectric composites is their ability to combine the flexibility of polymers with the high electromechanical coupling and piezoelectric coefficients of ferroelectric ceramics or single crystals appropriate for a variety of applications. Composites are prominent in medical ultrasound imaging and therapy, underwater acoustic sensing, industrial structural health monitoring, energy harvesting, and numerous other emerging applications.
Small RNAs, Large Networks: Posttranscriptional Regulons in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Papenfort Kai , Melamed Sahar
Published: March 2023

Small regulatory RNA (sRNAs) are key mediators of posttranscriptional gene control in bacteria. Assisted by RNA-binding proteins, a single sRNA often modulates the expression of dozens of genes, and thus sRNAs frequently adopt central roles in regulatory networks. Posttranscriptional regulation by sRNAs comes with several unique features that cannot be achieved by transcriptional regulators. However, for optimal network performance, transcriptional and posttranscriptional control mechanisms typically go hand-in-hand. This view is reflected by the ever-growing class of mixed network motifs involving sRNAs and transcription factors, which are ubiquitous in biology and whose regulatory properties we are beginning to understand. In addition, sRNA activity can be antagonized by base-pairing with sponge RNAs, adding yet another layer of complexity to these networks. In this article, we summarize the regulatory concepts underlying sRNA-mediated gene control in bacteria and discuss how sRNAs shape the output of a network, focusing on several key examples.
What Is a Preferred Retinal Locus?
Authors: Tarita-Nistor Luminita , Sverdlichenko Irina , Mandelcorn Mark S.
Published: March 2023

This review examines the concept of the preferred retinal locus (PRL) in patients with macular diseases. Considering monocular and binocular viewing, we ( a) explain how to identify the PRL and discuss the pitfalls associated with its measurement, ( b) review the current hypotheses for PRL development, ( c) assess whether the PRL is the new reference point of the ocular motor system, and discuss ( d) the functional and ( e) the clinical implications of the PRL. We conclude that the current definition of the PRL is probably incomplete and should incorporate the need to evaluate the PRL in the framework of binocular viewing. We emphasize the need for more research.
Absence of gut microbiota impairs depletion of Paneth cells but not goblet cells in germ-free Atoh1lox/lox VilCreERT2 mice
Authors: Hassan Mohsin , Juanola Oriol , Huber Stefania , Kellmann Philipp , Zimmermann Jakob , Lazzarini Edoardo , Ganal-Vonarburg Stephanie C. , Gomez de Agüero Mercedes , Moghadamrad Sheida
Published: March 2023

Cre-lox system is a powerful and widely used research tool developed to understand the specific role of genes. It allows to control the spatial and temporal expression of genes in experimental models. Several limitations including toxicity of Cre recombinase or incomplete excision of floxed loci have been reported in the past. To date, this is the first research study reporting that gut microbes also influence the expected phenotype of Paneth cell depletion in the genetically modified Math1lox/loxVilCreERT2 mouse model.
Electrospun Cellulose Nanofiber Membranes as Multifunctional Separators for High Energy and Stable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Park Dongjoo , Park Sangbaek , Kim Dong-Wan
Published: March 2023

Although Li–S batteries (LSB) are one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage technologies, their practical applications are limited by their rapid capacity decay and uncontrolled lithium dendrite formation. In addition to the well-known role of a separator in lithium-ion batteries, LSB separators must perform additional functions. Using a facile electrospinning method, we developed an eco-friendly separator prepared from natural cellulose with an interconnected fibrous and porous structure rich in polar oxygen-containing functional groups. These polar functional groups enhance electrolyte wettability, polysulfide adsorption, and lithiophilicity, thus boosting LSB performance. A cellulose separator with a thickness (22 μm) comparable to that of a commercial polypropylene (Celgard) separator delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1458 mAh·g−1 at 0.1C with a high sulfur utilization of 87%, including a high reversible discharge capacity of 1091 mAh·g−1 for 100 cycles, exhibiting a 1.8-times greater capacity retention than those of Celgard-containing LSBs. In addition, an excellent rate capability of 908 mAh·g−1 can be achieved at a high rate of 1C. These intriguing characteristics indicate that these separators could replace conventional synthetic polymer-based separators for commercial LSBs.