bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigating the effects of road construction on arboreal Japanese mammals: benefits for both wildlife and people
Authors: Minato Shusaku , Otake Koichi , Iwamoto Kazuaki , Aiba Haruka , Sonoda Yoichi , Oda Shinji , Komatsu Hiroyuki , Iwabuchi Manami , Sato Yoshiharu , Sechibaru Junko , Yoshida Mieko , Okuda Atsuhiro , Yamamoto Osamu , Iwamoto Sayo , Kobayashi Yoshito , Fujiyama Kazuo , Kinoshita Tsuyoshi , Iijima Sho , Kagawa Hiroyuki , Kamimura Kouji , Nunome Mitsuo , Wakabayashi Chigako , Asari Yushin , Tamura Noriko , Morris Pat
Published: August 2022

Fragmentation of forest habitat has negative effects on arboreal mammals, compromising their natural dispersal and foraging movements. This paper describes an evolving series of mitigation measures aimed at creating cost-effective continuity pathways for arboreal mammals in Japan. The projects have focused on the endemic Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) a scarce, but popular and iconic species which provides an effective vehicle for environmental education and public engagement.
“Bringing you the Best”: John Player & Sons, Cricket, and the Politics of Tobacco Sport Sponsorship in Britain, 1969–1986
Authors: O’Neill Daniel , Greenwood Anna
Published: August 2022

This article explores some of the marketing strategies associated with the British tobacco industry’s sponsorship of sport during the 1960s and 1970s. It focuses on the British cigarette and tobacco manufacturer John Player & Sons and the firm’s pioneering initiative to sponsor one-day cricket, which began with the John Player League in 1969. The league was enormously popular and gained significant broadcast coverage, becoming an invaluable means of increasing public exposure for the company, in the context of the ban of cigarette advertising from British television. At a time when the link between smoking and disease was making headlines, John Player & Sons nimbly deflected attention away from the health issue, and instead consciously repositioned the tobacco company as a generous benefactor of the nation’s sport and leisure. Less conspicuously, but even more powerfully, spokespeople for the tobacco industry actively mobilised influential opinion behind the scenes in political circles. We show particularly how Denis Howell, Minister for Sport from 1964 to 1969 and from 1974 to 1979, became a valuable ally, acting as a bulwark against more restrictive government interventions into the sponsorship of sports by the tobacco industry. This alliance exposes changing industry–government relations and presents new historical context to better understand the way British tobacco manufacturers proactively sought to elide restrictions on their advertising activities from the 1980s onwards.
An outlook on larval morphology of Copelatinae diving beetles with phylogenetic considerations (Coleoptera: Adephaga, Dytiscidae)
Authors: ALARIE YVES , MICHAT MARIANO C. , WATANABE KOHEI , SHAVERDO HELENA , WANG LIANG-JONG , WATTS CHRIS H. S.
Published: August 2022

The larvae of 12 species of Copelatinae, Copelatus alternatus Sharp, 1882, C. caelatipennis princeps Young, 1963, C. glyphicus (Say, 1823), C. japonicus Sharp, 1884, C. masculinus Régimbart, 1899, C. nakamurai Guéorguiev, 1970, C. oblitus Sharp, 1882, C. parallelus Zimmermann, 1920, C. tenebrosus Régimbart, 1880, Exocelina australiae (Clark, 1863), E. ferruginea (Sharp, 1882), and Liopterus haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1787) are described or redescribed, including for the first time a detailed chaetotaxy analysis of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment and urogomphi. A provisional parsimony analysis based on larval characteristics of 13 copelatine species was conducted using the program TNT, which reinforces the monophyletic origin of the Copelatinae. Copelatinae larvae stand out from the remaining Dytiscidae based on several synapomorphies, including the unusual shorter length of the mesothoracic legs. Legs and urogomphi morphology suggest that Copelatinae larvae studied evolved a creeping way of life. The provisional phylogenetic analysis presented in this study provides some arguments for the validity of the taxonomic status of the genera Liopterus Dejean, 1833 and Exocelina Broun, 1886.
Diversity of Cichlid Fishes (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) in Chiapas, Mexico: A practical identification key with updated distribution maps
Authors: GÓMEZ-MARTÍNEZ RONI FERNANDO , LÓPEZ-VILA JESÚS MANUEL , MATAMOROS WILFREDO A. , GONZÁLEZ-DÍAZ ALFONSO A. , GÓMEZ-GONZÁLEZ ADÁN ENRIQUE
Published: August 2022

To accurately identify the species that make up the assemblage of the family Cichlidae in the Mexican state of Chiapas, we first updated the total species account (36 species) for the state and then created an identification key. For the distribution maps, the geographic records were projected using a geographic information system considering the layers of the two largest basins in the state (Grijalva and Usumacinta) and the Chiapas coast basin. The dichotomous key includes meristic, morphometric and coloration patterns that facilitate species identification present in the state. Rheoheros coeruleus (Stawikowski and Werner 1987) and Vieja breidohri Werner and Stawikowski 1987 are included in a key for the first time. The distributions of Paraneetroplus gibbiceps Steindachner 1864a, Rheoheros coeruleus, and Vieja zonata Meek 1905 in the state are mapped for the first time, and the range of 16 species was expanded. By updating and creating tools of great taxonomic use, we contribute to the study of this complex family with high morphological diversity.
On the taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer & Grey) and Barsine pulchra (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with descriptions of three new species from Indochina
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL , HUANG SI-YAO , SALDAITIS AIDAS
Published: August 2022

The taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer & Grey, 1852) and B. pulchra (Butler, 1877) is revised. Three new species are described: B. evrys sp. n. (Central and South Vietnam, and South-East Thailand), B. robusta sp. n. (North Thailand), and B. laotiana sp. n. (Сentral Laos). One taxon is revived from synonymy and upgraded to subspecies level: Barsine pulchra pulcherrima (Staudinger, 1887), stat. rev. Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, is excluded from the synonymy with Barsine striata and placed in synonymy with B. pulchra (=Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, stat. rev.). Lectotypes for Lithosia striata Bremer & Grey, 1852, Hypoprepia lanceolata Walker, 1854 and Miltochrista pulchra Butler, 1877 are designated. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.
Quantifying Uncertainty in Ice Particle Velocity–Dimension Relationships Using MC3E Observations
Authors: Dzambo Andrew M. , McFarquhar Greg , Finlon Joseph A.
Published: August 2022

Ice particle terminal fall velocity (Vt) is fundamental for determining microphysical processes, yet remains extremely challenging to measure. Current theoretical best estimates of Vt are functions of Reynolds number. The Reynolds number is related to the Best number, which is a function of ice particle mass, area ratio (Ar), and maximum dimension (Dmax). These estimates are not conducive for use in most models since model parameterizations often take the form , where (α, β) depend on habit and Dmax. A previously developed framework is used to determine surfaces of equally plausible (α, β) coefficients whereby ice particle size/shape distributions are combined with Vt best estimates to determine mass- (VM) or reflectivity-weighted (VZ) velocities that closely match parameterized VM,SD or VZ,SD calculated using the (α, β) coefficients using two approaches. The first uses surfaces of equally plausible (a, b) coefficients describing mass (M)–dimension relationships (i.e., ) to calculate mass- or reflectivity-weighted velocity from size/shape distributions that are then used to determine (α, β) coefficients. The second investigates how uncertainties in Ar, Dmax, and size distribution N(D) affect VM or VZ. For seven of nine flight legs flown on 20 and 23 May 2011 during the Mesoscale Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E), uncertainty from natural parameter variability—namely, the variability in ice particle parameters in similar meteorological conditions—exceeds uncertainties arising from different Ar assumptions or Dmax estimates. The combined uncertainty between Ar, Dmax, and N(D) produced smaller variability in (α, β) compared to varying M(D), demonstrating M(D) must be accurately quantified for model fall velocities. Primary sources of uncertainty vary considerably depending on environmental conditions.

Significance Statement

Ice particle fall velocity is fundamental for numerous processes within clouds, and hence is a critical property that must be accurately represented in weather and climate models. Using aircraft observations of ice particle shapes and sizes obtained in clouds behind midlatitude thunderstorms, this work develops a new framework for estimating ice particle fall velocities and their uncertainty, including quantifying the importance of different uncertainty sources from cloud microphysics measurements. Natural parameter variability contributes the most uncertainty in ice particle fall velocity estimates, although other sources can also be important contributors to uncertainty in certain conditions. Additional work examining ice particle data is needed to further understand how dependent uncertainty in certain ice particle properties are to local environmental conditions.
En-GARD: A Statistical Downscaling Framework to Produce and Test Large Ensembles of Climate Projections
Authors: Gutmann Ethan D. , Hamman Joseph. J. , Clark Martyn P. , Eidhammer Trude , Wood Andrew W. , Arnold Jeffrey R.
Published: August 2022

Statistical processing of numerical model output has been a part of both weather forecasting and climate applications for decades. Statistical techniques are used to correct systematic biases in atmospheric model outputs and to represent local effects that are unresolved by the model, referred to as downscaling. Many downscaling techniques have been developed, and it has been difficult to systematically explore the implications of the individual decisions made in the development of downscaling methods. Here we describe a unified framework that enables the user to evaluate multiple decisions made in the methods used to statistically postprocess output from weather and climate models. The Ensemble Generalized Analog Regression Downscaling (En-GARD) method enables the user to select any number of input variables, predictors, mathematical transformations, and combinations for use in parametric or nonparametric downscaling approaches. En-GARD enables explicitly predicting both the probability of event occurrence and the event magnitude. Outputs from En-GARD include errors in model fit, enabling the production of an ensemble of projections through sampling of the probability distributions of each climate variable. We apply En-GARD to regional climate model simulations to evaluate the relative importance of different downscaling method choices on simulations of the current and future climate. We show that choice of predictor variables is the most important decision affecting downscaled future climate outputs, while having little impact on the fidelity of downscaled outcomes for current climate. We also show that weak statistical relationships prevent such approaches from predicting large changes in extreme events on a daily time scale.
Analysis of Displacement Performance for a Horizontal Flowthrough Sequence Water Sampler
Authors: Fang Yuanli , Wu Yiping , Huang Haocai
Published: August 2022

The research on deep-sea hydrothermal fluids, cold springs, and other bottom water bodies has important implications for ecosystems. But the deep-sea environment is very harsh, and many existing sampling devices cannot meet the requirements in terms of sampling purity and gas preservation capabilities. Many current samplers are basically arranged in a vertical manner, which means that a set of trigger devices need to be installed at the entrance and exit of the sampling channel, which consumes a lot of space. Taking the flowthrough deep-seawater sequence sampling mechanism as the research object, we show a horizontal flowthrough water sampler. Through numerical simulation and experimental research on the displacement mechanism of the target sample and prefilled pure water, the displacement efficiencies under different flow velocities and sampling cavity shapes were obtained. The results confirmed that the positions of the inlet and outlet and the shapes of the sampling cavity have little influence on the displacement efficiencies at high flow rates. However, installing the inlet below the sampling cavity and installing the outlet above the sampling cavity can significantly reduce the blind area of displacement. Setting a small inclination angle to the capsule sampling cavity helps to improve the displacement effect at low flow rates. This design and research results not only simplified the complicated trigger mechanism of the traditional vertical water samplers, but also provided a reference for the operation modes of the samplers under different sample conditions.
Assessment of structural integrity of thermoset composite parts subjected to accelerated cooling during the manufacturing process using Puck criteria for failure initiation
Authors: Stolz Johannes Jakob , Fideu Paulin , Herrmann Axel Siegfried
Published: August 2022

For many applications, the production of large-scale lightweight parts using composite materials requires a curing stage at elevated temperatures with long cycles resulting from necessary heating and cooling steps. Here, an accelerated cooling stage after curing of the matrix can shorten process times and make it possible to demould the components in a hot state. In this paper, the impact of higher cooling rates on residual stresses and strains and the criticality for internal failures are investigated. A literature model using the pultrusion process including thick laminates and the interaction with a production tool was used for the implementation of a thermochemical calculation and an incremental linear-elastic mechanical model to calculate residual stresses induced during manufacturing stage. This way, the capability of flexible simulation environments for handling state of the art calculation schemes is investigated to allow the extension of the physics of those models. The model is implemented in both a representative environment for advanced structural analysis with highly customised element formulation such as Abaqus and a general-purpose FE package. Here, Comsol Multiphysics is used and extended by the calculation of the inter-fibre failure initiation. Using the proposed models applied to a plate geometry, stresses and strains induced in different cooling scenarios are investigated. The assumptions are validated by simulations including the whole curing process, by manufacturing trials on the coupon level and with mechanical tests.
Conflict Adaptation Effect on Numerical Inductive Reasoning: An ERP Study
Authors: Zheng Luming , Yuan Shangqing , Wu Xiaofei , Sun Tie
Published: August 2022

Conflict adaptation is of particular importance to human information processing, as it assists in efficient responding when confronted with inconsistent information. Past investigators have focused on the role and mechanisms of conflict adaptation effects in cognitive control tasks, but there have been few studies of conflict adaptation effects in numerical inductive reasoning. In this study we adopted identical, perceptual mismatch and rule violation conditions to investigate conflict adaptation in numerical inductive reasoning. Behaviorally, we found shorter response times on trials following our experimental condition, as compared to pre-trials. In our event-related potential (ERP) electroencephalogram (EEG) results, N2 reflected the improvement in processing efficiency of rule violations in numerical inductive reasoning. Thus, these data suggest the presence of a conflict adaptation effect in high-level processing.
Distress return migration amid COVID-19: Kerala’s response
Authors: Rajan S Irudaya , Pattath Balasubramanyam
Published: August 2022

Emigrants from Kerala, India, were among the international migrants affected by the displacing consequences of COVID-19 — job losses, decreasing wages, inadequate social protection systems, xenophobia and overall uncertainty — which led to large-scale return migration to India. Returning home due to exogenous shocks calls into question the voluntary nature of return, the ability of returnees to reintegrate and the sustainability of re-embedding in the home country. The role of return migrants in the development of their societies of origin is also unclear. In this commentary, we explore the circumstances of return migration since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on a case study of Kerala and provide insights on the future of emigration from this corridor along with policy suggestions. The role of return migrants in the development of their societies of origin requires further research and policy interventions.
Proteomic Profile Analysis of Synovial Fluid in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
Authors: Brophy Robert H. , Cai Lei , Zhang Qiang , Townsend R. Reid , Rai Muhammad Farooq
Published: August 2022

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are associated with posttraumatic osteoarthritis, but the early biological changes that initiate joint degeneration after this injury are not well characterized. ACL tears typically result in effusion in the knee, which may provide insight into the initial response of the joint to injuries.

Hypothesis:

Patient- and injury-specific factors are associated with the proteomics of synovial fluid in knees with ACL tears.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Synovial fluid was collected from 105 patients (38 male, 67 female) with an acute traumatic ACL tear. Patient- and injury-specific factors such as age, sex, body mass index, time from injury, presence/absence of concomitant meniscal tears, and location of concomitant bone bruises (if present) were recorded. The protein concentration of synovial fluid was measured, followed by benchmarking of samples for multi-affinity high-abundance protein depletion. An isotropically labeled high-resolution nano-liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry–based proteomic approach was used to determine the synovial fluid protein profile. Data were processed, quality controlled, and analyzed computationally for each patient and injury factor.

Results:

The proteomics of synovial fluid from ACL tears was associated with patient sex, injury pattern, and location of bone bruises but not with patient age, body mass index, or time from injury. Knees with an isolated ACL tear had higher glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and plastin 3 levels than knees with an ACL tear and meniscal tear. A bone bruise on the lateral femoral condyle was associated with elevated leptin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) levels. A bone bruise on the lateral tibial plateau was associated with decreased GPX1 levels. Male patients had higher matrix metalloproteinase 9 and lower G6PD levels than female patients.

Conclusion:

Patient sex, injury pattern, and bone bruise location were important determinants of the proteomic profile of effusion resulting from ACL tears.

Clinical Relevance:

Longitudinal follow-ups to see if and how proteomic differences relate to clinical outcomes and mechanistic studies to assess the role that specific proteins play in the joint are warranted. Ultimately, these investigations could lead to better approaches to predict clinical outcomes and identify possible interventions to optimize outcomes in these patients.
Collagen-binding fibroblast growth factor ameliorates liver fibrosis in murine bile duct ligation injury
Authors: Shi Qiangqiang , Wei Susu , Li Zhi Chao , Xu Jing , Li Yaxin , Guo Chuanlong , Wu Xianggen , Shi Chunying , Di Guohu
Published: August 2022

Cholestatic liver injury, characterized by liver fibrosis, has increasingly become a global health problem, with no effective treatment available. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) differentiate into myofibroblasts, leading to excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is a feature of liver fibrosis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has proven antifibrotic effects in chronic liver disease; however, the lack of an effective delivery system to the injury site reduces its therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of collagen-binding bFGF (CBD-bFGF) for the treatment of liver fibrosis in a murine bile duct ligation (BDL) model. We found that CBD-bFGF treatment significantly alleviated liver injury in the early phase of BDL injury, and was associated with decreased necroptotic cell death and inflammatory response. Moreover, CBD-bFGF had enhanced therapeutic effects for liver fibrosis on day 7 after surgery compared to those obtained with native bFGF treatment. In vitro, CBD-bFGF treatment notably inhibited TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cell activation, migration, and contraction compared with native bFGF. In conclusion, CBD-bFGF may be a promising treatment for hepatic fibrosis.
Legitimate Peripheral Participation by Novices in a Dungeons and Dragons Community
Authors: Giordano Michael J.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a cooperative tabletop roleplaying game in which players gather together to tell stories. Expert players have a wealth of experiences and game knowledge from which to draw upon while playing the game. Novices, on the other hand, have little experience to depend on when navigating the first few gaming sessions.

Objectives

The primary objective of this investigation was to describe how different novices become socialized to the D&D culture in this small community at the beginning of a new gaming campaign.

Methods

The present study is a cross-sectional qualitative participant observation of D&D novice socialization through the lens of communities of practice (CoP). Observation and interviews of two experts and five novice fifth edition D&D players revealed interactions and choices made by players related to the dissemination of cultural and practical knowledge and the fluidity of player and character identity within the scope of observed gameplay.

Results

The results showed that for some novices explicit in-game training was required to learn their role at the table, but socialization could come more quickly for novices who took extra steps to gain experience by engaging in the wider distributed and virtual community through online forums or viewing streamed actual-play D&D games. Three interaction types—player-to-player, player-to-dungeon master (DM), and character-to-character—for three distinct purposes—understanding game mechanics, describing scenes, and interacting in narrative—were observed. Additionally, the character choices regarding gender and in-game actions were explored.

Conclusion

The cooperative nature of D&D can afford novices explicit training from expert players at the table. However, as was observed during the game and confirmed in the interviews, socialization into this D&D gaming community also came from legitimate peripheral participation of the novices who engaged in the wider, virtual D&D community through online forums, actual-play streams and podcasts, and general knowledge of the fantasy genre.
Researching the Ethics of Data Collection in Post-conflict Acholiland (Northern Uganda): The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Authors: Owor Arthur
Published: August 2022

This research aims to contribute to debates on the decolonization of research in an African context with a focus on Gulu City in Northern Uganda. It seeks to investigate the key emerging contemporary ethical concerns in relation to researching post-conflict Northern Uganda, that is, before (clearance processes), during (conducting fieldwork alongside research collaborators) and after (information dissemination and data protection) research; examined with power relations as a denominator. The paper draws secondary sources, and primary data obtained through a set of qualitative research methodologies from research collaborators who have worked with foreign (Western) researchers. This study reveals the ethical issues and dilemmas that often precipitate the exploitation of research participants in the region. It also illustrates the dynamics of Uganda’s research industry and burgeoning research assistant culture and sub-economy. Finally, the research revealed the high levels of problematic data protection and storage issues in the region and the weaknesses of enforcement of data protection laws in the region and country. This points to the inconspicuous persistence of colonialism, oppression, and domination in systems of western research training and seek to include such an ethical understanding in their research practice.
Preservation of the fecal microbiome is associated with reduced severity of graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Burgos da Silva Marina , Ponce Doris M. , Dai Anqi , M. Devlin Sean , Gomes Antonio L. C. , Moore Gillian , Slingerland John , Shouval Roni , Armijo Gabriel K. , DeWolf Susan , Fei Teng , Clurman Annelie , Fontana Emily , Amoretti Luigi A. , Wright Roberta J. , Andrlova Hana , Miltiadous Oriana , Perales Miguel-Angel , Taur Ying , Peled Jonathan U. , van den Brink Marcel R. M.
Published: August 2022

Following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is frequently affected by acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), the pathophysiology of which is associated with a dysbiotic microbiome. Since microbial composition varies along the length of the GI tract, the authors hypothesized that microbiome features correlate with the pattern of organ involvement after allo-HCT. We evaluated 266 allo-HCT recipients from whom 1303 stool samples were profiled by 16S ribosomal gene sequencing. Patients were classified according to which organs were affected by aGVHD. In the 20 days prior to disease onset, GVHD patients had lower abundances of members of the class Clostridia, lower counts of butyrate producers, and lower ratios of strict-to-facultative (S/F) anaerobic bacteria compared with allograft recipients who were free of GVHD. GI GVHD patients showed significant reduction in microbial diversity preonset. Patients with lower GI aGVHD had lower S/F anaerobe ratios compared with those with isolated upper GI aGVHD. In the 20 days after disease onset, dysbiosis was observed only in GVHD patients with GI involvement, particularly those with lower-tract disease. Importantly, Clostridial and butyrate-producer abundance as well as S/F anaerobe ratio were predictors of longer overall survival; higher abundance of butyrate producers and higher S/F anaerobe ratio were associated with decreased risk of GVHD-related death. These findings suggest that the intestinal microbiome can serve as a biomarker for outcomes of allo-HCT patients with GVHD.
Use of penile shear wave elastosonography for the diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease: a prospective case–control study
Authors: Trama Francesco , Illiano Ester , Iacono Fabrizio , Ruffo Antonio , di Lauro Giovanni , Aveta Achille , Crocetto Felice , Manfredi Celeste , Costantini Elisabetta
Published: August 2022

Background

To evaluate the stiffness of the tunica albuginea (TA), we used a new noninvasive diagnostic technique called shear wave elastography (SWE). We determined whether SWE values are correlated with the degree of penile curvature, the time of disease onset, and pain severity experienced by patients during erection. This study analyzed the elasticity of the TA of patients with Peyronie’s disease compared to that of the control group. We also analyzed any correlations between the stiffness of the cavernous bodies and the degree of curvature, time from diagnosis to curvature onset, and erectile pain severity. This was a prospective case–control study involving 100 men enrolled from September 2020 to August 2021. Participants were divided into group A (case group, n = 50), which included men with PD, with or without pain, and with penile curvature, or group B (control group, n = 50), which included healthy patients older than 18 years who visited the urology clinic for reasons other than PD. The medical history was collected for all patients who also underwent objective examination, B-mode ultrasound evaluation, and SWE. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire was administered to all participants.

Results

There were no significant between-group differences regarding age, weight, and height (p > 0.05); however, there was a significant difference in the stiffness values (p < 0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between stiffness and the VAS score (p < 0.0001). A positive correlation was observed between the degree of curvature (p < 0.0001) and the time of curvature onset (p < 0.0001). The IIEF-15 scores were poorer in group A than in group B (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

SWE is an inexpensive, noninvasive method that can be used to measure the stiffness of PD patients.
Evaluation of data imputation strategies in complex, deeply-phenotyped data sets: the case of the EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project
Authors: Llera A. , Brammer M. , Oakley B. , Tillmann J. , Zabihi M. , Amelink J. S. , Mei T. , Charman T. , Ecker C. , Dell’Acqua F. , Banaschewski T. , Moessnang C. , Baron-Cohen S. , Holt R. , Durston S. , Murphy D. , Loth E. , Buitelaar J. K. , Floris D. L. , Beckmann C. F.
Published: August 2022

An increasing number of large-scale multi-modal research initiatives has been conducted in the typically developing population, e.g. Dev. Cogn. Neur. 32:43-54, 2018; PLoS Med. 12(3):e1001779, 2015; Elam and Van Essen, Enc. Comp. Neur., 2013, as well as in psychiatric cohorts, e.g. Trans. Psych. 10(1):100, 2020; Mol. Psych. 19:659–667, 2014; Mol. Aut. 8:24, 2017; Eur. Child and Adol. Psych. 24(3):265–281, 2015. Missing data is a common problem in such datasets due to the difficulty of assessing multiple measures on a large number of participants. The consequences of missing data accumulate when researchers aim to integrate relationships across multiple measures. Here we aim to evaluate different imputation strategies to fill in missing values in clinical data from a large (total N = 764) and deeply phenotyped (i.e. range of clinical and cognitive instruments administered) sample of N = 453 autistic individuals and N = 311 control individuals recruited as part of the EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP) consortium. In particular, we consider a total of 160 clinical measures divided in 15 overlapping subsets of participants. We use two simple but common univariate strategies—mean and median imputation—as well as a Round Robin regression approach involving four independent multivariate regression models including Bayesian Ridge regression, as well as several non-linear models: Decision Trees (Extra Trees., and Nearest Neighbours regression. We evaluate the models using the traditional mean square error towards removed available data, and also consider the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the observed and the imputed distributions. We show that all of the multivariate approaches tested provide a substantial improvement compared to typical univariate approaches. Further, our analyses reveal that across all 15 data-subsets tested, an Extra Trees regression approach provided the best global results. This not only allows the selection of a unique model to impute missing data for the LEAP project and delivers a fixed set of imputed clinical data to be used by researchers working with the LEAP dataset in the future, but provides more general guidelines for data imputation in large scale epidemiological studies.
Prediction model of delayed graft function based on clinical characteristics combined with serum IL-2 levels
Authors: Zhao Shitao , Liu Yuan , Zhou Chen , Chen Zide , Cai Zeyu , Han JiaLiang , Xiao Jiansheng , Xiao Qi
Published: August 2022

Background

Kidney transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication after kidney transplantation and exerts substantial effects on graft function and long-term graft survival. Therefore, the construction of an effective model to predict the occurrence of DGF is particularly important.

Methods

Seventy-one patients receiving their first kidney transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2020 to October 2021 were enrolled in the discovery cohort. Based on clinical characteristics and serum markers, a logistic regression model was used to simulate the risk of DGF in the discovery cohort. The DGF prediction model was named the prediction system and was composed of risk factors related to DGF. Thirty-two patients receiving a kidney transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2021 to February 2022 were enrolled in the validation cohort. The validation cohort was used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the prediction model.

Results

Cold ischemia time (CIT), donor history of diabetes mellitus, donor interleukin-2 (IL-2) level and donor terminal creatinine level constitute the prediction system. In the validation test, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.867 for the prediction system, and good calibration of the model was confirmed in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

This study constructed a reliable and highly accurate prediction model that provides a practical tool for predicting DGF. Additionally, IL-2 participates in the kidney injury process and may be a potential marker of kidney injury.
The Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool, a device for reducing the clinical impact of placental dysfunction and preterm birth: protocol for a mixed-methods early implementation evaluation study
Authors: Carter Jenny , Anumba Dilly , Brigante Lia , Burden Christy , Draycott Tim , Gillespie Siobhán , Harlev-Lam Birte , Judge Andrew , Lenguerrand Erik , Sheehan Elaine , Thilaganathan Basky , Wilson Hannah , Winter Cathy , Viner Maria , Sandall Jane
Published: August 2022

Background

Disparities in stillbirth and preterm birth persist even after correction for ethnicity and social deprivation, demonstrating that there is wide geographical variation in the quality of care. To address this inequity, Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement developed the Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool, which aims to support the provision of “the right care at the right time”, personalising risk assessment and care according to best evidence. This web-based clinical decision tool assesses the risk of preterm birth and placental dysfunction more accurately than current methods, and recommends best evidenced-based care pathways in a format accessible to both women and healthcare professionals. It also provides links to reliable sources of pregnancy information for women. The aim of this study is to evaluate implementation of Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool in four early-adopter UK maternity services, to inform wider scale-up.

Methods

The Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool has been developed involving maternity service users and healthcare professionals in partnership. This mixed-methods study will evaluate: maternity service user and provider acceptability and experience; barriers and facilitators to implementation; reach (whether particular groups are excluded and why), fidelity (degree to which the intervention is delivered as intended), and unintended consequences. Data will be gathered over 25 months through interviews, focus groups, questionnaires and through the Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool itself. The NASSS framework (Non-adoption or Abandonment of technology by individuals and difficulties achieving Scale-up, Spread and Sustainability) will inform data analysis.

Discussion

This paper describes the intervention, Tommy’s Clinical Decision Tool, according to TiDIER guidelines, and the protocol for the early adopter implementation evaluation study. Findings will inform future scale up.

Trial registration

This study was prospectively registered on the ISRCTN registry no. 13498237, on 31st January 2022.
Triple careers of athletes: exploring the challenges of planning a pregnancy among female elite athletes using semi-structured interviews
Authors: Dietz Pavel , Legat Larissa , Sattler Matteo C. , van Poppel Mireille N. M.
Published: August 2022

Background

The challenging factors that elite athletes perceive for combining their sportive career with planning a pregnancy and motherhood need to be identified in order to develop supportive measures. Therefore, this phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore challenges associated with planning a pregnancy among female, non-pregnant elite athletes.

Methods

Semi-structured skype-interviews were performed among female elite athletes (athletes competing on national or international level) aged 28 years or older. Using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis approach, anchor examples served to identify potential challenges of planning a pregnancy which were categorized independently by two researchers.

Results

Interviews of 16 elite athletes (mean age 30.7 years) entered analysis. Eleven challenges of planning a pregnancy were identified, categorized into organizational / environmental, financial, personal, and physical factors.

Conclusions

With regard to financial challenges, we propose mandatory maternity leave and continuation of the contracts and salary. Furthermore, mentoring programs may help to provide support and advice to new generations of female elite athletes and help to reduce concerns regarding the wish of becoming pregnant during a sportive career. In order to reduce physical concerns regarding pregnancy and exercise, we see a need for scientific studies investigating the association of sport discipline specific characteristics on sportive performance and the mother´s, fetus’ and child´s health. Finally, the results of the current study may be used in future quantitative studies to test specific hypotheses.
Correlation between human development index and its components with COVID-19 indices: a global level ecologic study
Authors: Mirahmadizadeh Alireza , Ghelichi-Ghojogh Mousa , Vali Mohebat , Jokari Kimia , Ghaem Haleh , Hemmati Abdolrasool , Jafari Fatemeh , Dehghani Seyed Sina , Hassani Amir Hossein , Jafari Alireza , Rezaei Fatemeh
Published: August 2022

Background

Given that COVID-19 continues to spread worldwide, attempts to restrain the virus and to prevent the effects that critically ill patients with COVID-19 have on healthcare systems, has become a public health priority. This ecological study aimed to investigate the correlation between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the epidemiological indicators of COVID-19, including the cumulative incidence rate of cases, the cumulative incidence rate of death, performed COVID-19 tests per million, recovery rate, and case fatality rate.

Methods

In this ecological study, a data set was provided, which included the epidemiologic indices of COVID-19, HDI, and its components for each country. Correlation coefficients were used to determine linear correlation. Also, the scatter plots of the HDI for the studied countries based on the epidemiologic indices of COVID-19 were drawn.

Results

This study showed that HDI and its components had positive correlation with a cumulative incidence rate of cases, the cumulative incidence rate of death, and performed COVID-19 tests (p < 0.001). HDI and two of its components, including literacy and Gross National Income (GNI) components had negative correlation with case fatality rate (CFR). Also, HDI and two of its components, including literacy and life expectancy components had negative correlation with recovery rate.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the HDI and its components can affect the epidemiological status of COVID-19. As HDI increased, the cumulative incidence rate of cases, cumulative incidence rate of death, and COVID-19 tests increased as well. As HDI increased, CFR and recovery rate decreased as well. Although the HDI is higher in high-income countries, these countries may have also better reporting and surveillance systems.
BindVAE: Dirichlet variational autoencoders for de novo motif discovery from accessible chromatin
Authors: Kshirsagar Meghana , Yuan Han , Ferres Juan Lavista , Leslie Christina
Published: August 2022

We present a novel unsupervised deep learning approach called BindVAE, based on Dirichlet variational autoencoders, for jointly decoding multiple TF binding signals from open chromatin regions. BindVAE can disentangle an input DNA sequence into distinct latent factors that encode cell-type specific in vivo binding signals for individual TFs, composite patterns for TFs involved in cooperative binding, and genomic context surrounding the binding sites. On the task of retrieving the motifs of expressed TFs in a given cell type, BindVAE is competitive with existing motif discovery approaches.
Application of different quantitative analytical techniques for estimation of aspirin and omeprazole in pharmaceutical preparation
Authors: Abdelazim Ahmed H. , Ramzy Sherif
Published: August 2022

Several quantitative analytical methods were used to estimate aspirin and omeprazole in recently FDA-approved tablets. The first derivative of the ratio spectra was used to resolve the recorded overlapping spectra between aspirin and omeprazole. The first derivative of the ratio spectra of the studied drug mixtures was divided by a spectrum of a standard solution of omeprazole for the estimation of aspirin. Also, the first derivative of the ratio spectra of the studied drug mixtures was divided by a spectrum of the standard solution of aspirin for the estimation of omeprazole. For the simultaneous quantitative analysis of aspirin and omeprazole, the TLC densitometry technique was applied using TLC aluminum silica gel plates, toluene–acetonitrile–methanol (7:2:0.5, by volume) as the mobile phase, and UV detection at 272 nm. The advantages and disadvantages of the proposed techniques were discussed in the context of the results and the sensitivity limits of the methods. The proposed techniques were validated and successfully applied to the analysis of drugs in pure and pharmaceutical forms. A statistical comparison of the data obtained by the described methods with other data obtained by a previously published HPLC method was performed. The results agreed well with respect to the recommended statistical tests. Furthermore, the greenness of the described methods was assessed using different tools, the analytical eco-scale, the green analytical procedure index and the AGREE evaluation method. The proposed methods showed more adherence to the greenness characters in comparison to the previously reported HPLC method.
The physiologic responses to a fluid bolus administration in old and young healthy adults
Authors: Cunningham Cordell , Tapking Christian , Salter Michael , Seeton Roger , Kramer George C. , Prough Donald S. , Sheffield-Moore Melinda , Kinsky Michael P.
Published: August 2022

Background

Organ function is known to decline with age. Optimizing cardiac, pulmonary and renal function in older adults has led to significant improvements in perioperative care. However, when substantial blood loss and fluid shifts occur, perioperative outcomes still remains poor, especially in older adults. We suspect that this could be due to age-related changes in endothelial function—an organ controlling the transport of fluid and solutes. The capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) is an important determinant of fluid transport. The CFC can be measured in vivo, which provides a tool to estimate endothelial barrier function. We have previously shown that the CFC increases when giving a fluid bolus resulting in increased vascular and extravascular volume expansion, in young adults. This study aimed to compare the physiologic determinants of fluid distribution in young versus older adults so that clinicians can best optimize perioperative fluid therapy.

Methods

Ten healthy young volunteers (ages 21–35) and nine healthy older volunteers (ages 60–75) received a 10 mL/kg fluid bolus over the course of twenty minutes. Hemodynamics, systolic and diastolic heart function, fluid volumetrics and microcirculatory determinants were measured before, during, and after the fluid bolus.

Results

Diastolic function was reduced in older versus younger adults before and after fluid bolus (P < 0.01). Basal CFC and plasma oncotic pressure were lower in the older versus younger adults. Further, CFC did not increase in older adults following the fluid bolus, whereas it did in younger adults (p < 0.05). Cumulative urinary output, while lower in older adults, was not significantly different (p = 0.059). Mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance were elevated in the older versus younger adults (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Older adults show a less reactive CFC to a fluid bolus, which could reduce blood to tissue transport of fluid. Diastolic dysfunction likely contributes to fluid maldistribution in older adults.
The efficacy of family treatments for adolescent anorexia nervosa in specialist versus non-specialist settings: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hambleton Ashlea , Aouad Phillip , Miskovic-Wheatley Jane , Le Grange Daniel , Touyz Stephen , Maguire Sarah
Published: August 2022

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is often diagnosed in adolescence, and most evidence-based treatments for AN in young people involve the family. Family therapies for AN are intensive, outpatient treatments that utilise the parents as the primary resource in the young person’s recovery. Research regarding family treatment for AN is often conducted in specialist settings—with relatively little data reporting the translation of this specialised treatment into real-world, non-specialist settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the efficacy of family treatments for adolescents with AN in specialist settings versus non-specialist settings.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Retrospective cohort studies, pilot studies, case series, randomised controlled trials and qualitative investigations that present original data and investigated the efficacy of family treatments for adolescents with AN in either a specialist or non-specialist setting will be included in the review. Data will be extracted by two reviewers and study quality will be assessed. The primary outcome, change in weight, will be used to determine via meta-analysis and, depending on study heterogeneity, subgroup analysis or meta-regression whether there is a statistically significant subgroup difference between specialist and non-specialist treatment settings. The review will also consider changes in eating disorder symptomology and related constructs.

Discussion

Results from this review will help determine if there is a difference in the efficacy of family treatments for adolescent AN in specialist versus non-specialist treatment settings, primarily in relation to weight recovery. This, in turn, will inform the translation of evidence-based interventions that are generally studied and implemented within specialist centres into the non-specialist health care system.
Raising capital amid economic policy uncertainty: an empirical investigation
Authors: Ashraf Dawood , Khawaja Mohsin , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates how economic policy uncertainty affects firms’ frequency and their choice of financial instruments to raise capital. By applying a three-step sequential framework over a sample of 6834 publicly listed US non-financial firms, we find that during periods of high economic uncertainty, firms raise capital more frequently with a preference toward debt financing. The empirical findings suggest that firms prefer debt financing over equity financing to avoid ownership dilution and high equity premia. The rise in leverage during periods of high economic uncertainty highlights the importance of scrutinizing policy tools used to stabilize the economy during such times.