bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hunger and its associated factors in the western Brazilian Amazon: a population-based study
Authors: da Mata Mayline Menezes , Neves José Anael , de Medeiros Maria Angélica Tavares
Published: August 2022

Background

Hunger affects millions of people worldwide. In the current pandemic scenario of coronavirus Brazil has experienced an epidemic peak of hunger, amplifying existing prepandemic vulnerabilities, mainly in the North Region of the country. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity and its associated factors in homes with children under 5 years of age in an urban area of a municipality of the western Brazilian Amazon.

Methods

A household survey was conducted with a probabilistic sample of 557 children and their families. Food insecurity (FI) was determined using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Associations between variables were analyzed based on the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated through multiple Poisson regression analysis. Variables with a P value < 0.05 after adjustments were considered significantly associated with the outcome.

Results

A prevalence of 76.5% (CI 1.36–2.67) food insecurity was found among the families in the study; 42.9% had moderate (CI 1.31–2.83) and severe (CI 1.10–1.83) food insecurity. Moderate and severe FI was associated with low family income (P = 0.00), participation in governmental income transfer programs (P = 0.01), and heads of household with less than 7 years of schooling (P = 0.02). Moreover, substantial frequencies of height deficit and being overweight were found among the children.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of hunger and food insecurity and its associated factors reflects the context of geographic isolation and social exclusion in which these families live, suggesting that a substantial portion of the population under 5 years of age had experienced episodes of hunger in the 90 days prior to the survey. The prevalence of height deficit and being overweight among the children reveals a scenario of epidemiological/nutritional polarization, requiring the formulation of specific public policies for this population.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Patient Blood Management: A Scoping Review
Authors: Meier Jens M. , Tschoellitsch Thomas
Published: August 2022

Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are widely used in many different fields of modern medicine. This narrative review gives, in the first part, a brief overview of the methods of ML and AI used in patient blood management (PBM) and, in the second part, aims at describing which fields have been analyzed using these methods so far. A total of 442 articles were identified by a literature search, and 47 of them were judged as qualified articles that applied ML and AI techniques in PBM. We assembled the eligible articles to provide insights into the areas of application, quality measures of these studies, and treatment outcomes that can pave the way for further adoption of this promising technology and its possible use in routine clinical decision making. The topics that have been investigated most often were the prediction of transfusion (30%), bleeding (28%), and laboratory studies (15%). Although in the last 3 years a constantly increasing number of questions of ML in PBM have been investigated, there is a vast scientific potential for further application of ML and AI in other fields of PBM.
Methods of Bloodless Care, Clinical Outcomes, and Costs for Adult Patients Who Decline Allogeneic Transfusions
Authors: Frank Steven M. , Pippa Andrew , Sherd Ish’shah , Scott Andrew V. , Lo Brian D. , Cruz Nicolas C. , Hendricks Elizabeth A. , Ness Paul M. , Chaturvedi Shruti , Resar Linda M. S.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Providing bloodless medical care for patients who wish to avoid allogeneic transfusion can be challenging; however, previous studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes when appropriate methods are used. Here, we report one of the largest series of patients receiving bloodless care, along with the methods used to provide such care, and the resulting outcomes.

METHODS:

In a retrospective cohort study, 1111 adult inpatients (age ≥18 years) at a single institution who declined allogeneic transfusion for religious or personal reasons between June 2012 and June 2016 were included, and the patient blood management methods are described. Patient characteristics, laboratory data, and transfusion rates, as well as clinical outcomes (morbidity, mortality, and length of stay) were compared to all other patients in the hospital who received standard care, including transfusions if needed (n = 137,009). Medical and surgical patients were analyzed as subgroups. The primary outcome was composite morbidity (any morbid event: infectious, thrombotic, ischemic, renal, or respiratory). Secondary outcomes included individual morbid events, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, total hospital charges, and costs.

RESULTS:

The bloodless cohort had more females and a lower case mix index, but more preadmission comorbidities. Mean nadir hemoglobin during hospitalization was lower in the bloodless (9.7 ± 2.6 g/dL) compared to the standard care (10.1 ± 2.4 g/dL) group (P < .0001). Composite morbidity occurred in 14.4% vs 16.0% (P = .16) of the bloodless and standard care patients, respectively. Length of stay and in-hospital mortality were similar between the bloodless and standard care patients. After Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons, hospital-acquired infection occurred less frequently in the bloodless compared to the standard care cohort (4.3% vs 8.3%) (P < .0001) in the medical patient subgroup, but not in the surgical subgroup. After propensity score adjustment in a multivariable model and adjustment for multiple comparisons, bloodless care was associated with less risk of hospital-acquired infection (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35–0.83; P = .0074) in the medical subgroup, but not in the surgical subgroup. Median total hospital charges (by 8.5%; P = .0017) and costs (by 8.7%; P = .0001) were lower in the bloodless compared to the standard care cohort, when all patients were included.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, adult patients receiving bloodless care had similar clinical outcomes compared to patients receiving standard care. Medical (but not surgical) bloodless patients may be at less risk for hospital-acquired infection compared to those receiving standard care. Bloodless care is cost-effective and should be considered as high-value practice.
Hospital-Acquired Infection, Length of Stay, and Readmission in Elective Surgery Patients Transfused 1 Unit of Red Blood Cells: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Trentino Kevin M. , Leahy Michael F. , Erber Wendy N. , Mace Hamish , Symons Kylie , Budgeon Charley A. , Murray Kevin
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Most patients transfused red blood cells in elective surgery receive small volumes of blood, which is likely to be discretionary and avoidable. We investigated the outcomes of patients who received a single unit of packed red blood cells during their hospital admission for an elective surgical procedure when compared to those not transfused.

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study included elective surgical admissions to 4 hospitals in Western Australia over a 6-year period. Participants were included if they were at least 18 years of age and were admitted for elective surgery between July 2014 and June 2020. We compared outcomes of patients who had received 1 unit of red blood cells to patients who had not been transfused. To balance differences in patient characteristics, we weighted our multivariable regression models using the inverse probability of treatment. In addition to propensity score weighting, our multivariable regression models adjusted for hemoglobin level, surgical procedure, patient age, gender, comorbidities, and the transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma or platelets. Outcomes studied were hospital-acquired infection, hospital length of stay, and all-cause emergency readmissions within 28 days.

RESULTS:

Overall, 767 (3.2%) patients received a transfusion of 1 unit of red blood cells throughout their admission. In the propensity score weighted analysis, the transfusion of a single unit of red blood cells was associated with higher odds of hospital-acquired infection (odds ratio, 3.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.99–5.20; P < .001). Patients who received 1 unit of red blood cells throughout their admission were more likely to have a longer hospital stay (rate ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.51–1.63; P < .001) and had 1.42 (95% CI, 1.20–1.69; P < .001) times higher odds of 28-day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that avoidance of even small volumes of packed red blood cells may prevent adverse clinical outcomes. This may encourage hospital administrators to implement strategies to avoid the transfusion of even small volumes of red blood cells by applying patient blood management practices.
Mechanical Linkage between Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia Accounts for Range of Motion of Human Ankle–Foot Complex
Authors: SHIOTANI HIROTO , TAKAHASHI KATSUKI , HONMA YUKI , TOMARI KAZUKI , HAYASHI HIDETAKA , SADO NATSUKI , KAWAKAMI YASUO
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The human ankle–foot complex possesses a passive range of motion (ROM) through changes in tibiocalcaneal (θ
cal) and foot arch (θ
arch) angles. Based on the anatomical linkage between the Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF), we hypothesized that AT and PF with different mechanical properties conjointly modulate the passive ROM of the human ankle–foot complex. We examined the association of AT and PF stiffness with passive ankle–foot ROM and further addressed differences between sexes.

Methods

A series of sagittal magnetic resonance images of the foot and passive ankle plantar flexion torque were obtained for 20 men and 20 women with their ankle–foot passively rotated from 30° of plantar flexion to 20° of dorsiflexion. Based on the measured changes in AT and PF lengths, θ
cal, θ
arch, and passive torque, AT and PF stiffness were determined.

Results

Upon passive ankle dorsiflexion, AT and PF were lengthened; their length changes were inversely correlated. Men showed a stiffer AT, more compliant PF, less calcaneal rotation, and greater foot arch deformation compared with women. Furthermore, we found inverse correlations between AT stiffness and ROM of θ
cal, and between PF stiffness and ROM of θ
arch in men and women.

Conclusions

Passive AT and PF extensibility counter each other. AT and PF stiffness and passive ROM of ankle–foot components were countered between sexes; however, associations between stiffness and passive ROM of the ankle–foot complex were consistent between sexes. Our findings support the notion that the balanced mechanical interaction between the AT and PF can account for the passive ROM of the human ankle–foot complex in vivo, and the differences between sexes.
Extended Match Time Exacerbates Fatigue and Impacts Physiological Responses in Male Soccer Players
Authors: MOHR MAGNI , ERMIDIS GEORGIOS , JAMURTAS ATHANASIOS Z. , VIGH-LARSEN Jeppe F. , POULIOS ATHANASIOS , DRAGANIDIS DIMITRIOS , PAPANIKOLAOU KONSTANTINOS , TSIMEAS PANAGIOTIS , BATSILAS DIMITRIOS , LOULES GEORGIOS , BATRAKOULIS ALEXIOS , SOVATZIDIS APOSTOLOS , NIELSEN JAKOB L. , TZATZAKIS THEOFANIS , DELI CHARIKLEIA K. , NYBO LARS , KRUSTRUP PETER , FATOUROS IOANNIS G.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study evaluated how extended match time (90 + 30 min) affected physiological responses and fatigue in male soccer players.

Methods

Twenty competitive players (mean ± SD: age, 20 ± 1 yr; maximal oxygen uptake, 59 ± 4 mL·min−1·kg−1) completed an experimental match with their activity pattern and heart rate assessed throughout the game, whereas countermovement jump performance and repeated sprint ability were tested and quadriceps muscle biopsies and venous blood samples were taken at baseline and after 90 and 120 min of match play.

Results

Less high-intensity running (12%) was performed in extra time in association with fewer intense accelerations and decelerations per minute compared with normal time. Peak sprint speed was 11% lower in extra time compared with normal time, and fatigue also manifested in impaired postmatch repeated sprint ability and countermovement jump performance (all P < 0.05). Muscle glycogen declined from 373 ± 59 mmol·kg−1 dry weight (dw) at baseline to 266 ± 64 mmol·kg−1 dw after 90 min, with a further decline to 186 ± 56 mmol·kg−1 dw after extra time (P < 0.05) and with single-fiber analyses revealing depleted or very low glycogen levels in ~75% of both slow and fast twitch fibers. Blood glucose did not change during the first 90-min but declined (P < 0.05) to 81 ± 8 mg·dL−1 after extra time. Plasma glycerol and ammonia peaked at 236 ± 33 mg·dL−1 and 75 ± 21 μmol·L−1 after the extra period.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate exacerbated fatigue after extra time compared with normal time, which seems to be associated with muscle glycogen depletion, reductions in blood glucose levels, and hyperammonemia. Together, this points to metabolic disturbances being a major part of the integrated and multifaceted fatigue response during extended soccer match play.
Reference Standards for Peak Rating of Perceived Exertion during Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Data from FRIEND
Authors: PETERMAN JAMES E. , ARENA ROSS , MYERS JONATHAN , HARBER MATTHEW P. , BONIKOWSKE AMANDA R. , SQUIRES RAY W. , KAMINSKY LEONARD A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Peak rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is measured during clinical cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and is commonly used as a subjective indicator of maximal effort. However, no study to date has reported reference standards or the distribution of peak RPE across a large cohort of apparently healthy individuals.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine reference standards for peak RPE when using the 6–20 Borg scale for both treadmill and cycle tests.

Methods

The analysis included 9551 tests (8821 treadmill, 730 cycle ergometer) from 13 laboratories within the Fitness Registry and Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND). Using data from tests conducted January 1, 1980, to January 1, 2021, percentiles of peak RPE for men and women were determined for each decade from 20 to 89 yr of age for treadmill and cycle exercise modes. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare differences in peak RPE values between sexes and across age groups.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in RPE between age groups whether the test was performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer (P < 0.05). However, the mean and median RPE for each sex, age group, and test mode were between 18 and 19. In addition, 83% of participants met the traditional RPE criteria of ≥18 for indicating sufficient maximal effort.

Conclusions

This report provides the first normative reference standards for peak RPE in both male and female individuals performing CPX on a treadmill or cycle ergometer. Furthermore, these reference standards highlight the general consistency of peak RPE responses during CPX.
Effect of Pregnancy in 42 Elite to World-Class Runners on Training and Performance Outcomes
Authors: DARROCH FRANCINE , SCHNEEBERG AMY , BRODIE RYAN , FERRARO ZACHARY M. , WYKES DYLAN , HIRA SARITA , GILES AUDREY R. , ADAMO KRISTI B. , STELLINGWERFF TRENT
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The International Olympic Committee expert group on pregnancy has identified a paucity of information regarding training and performance in truly elite athletes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify elite runners’ training volume throughout pregnancy and postpartum competition performance outcomes.

Methods

Forty-two elite (>50% competed at the World Championships/Olympic) middle-/long-distance runners’ training before, during, and after pregnancy (quality/quantity/type) data (retrospective questionnaire) and competition data (published online) were collected.

Results

Running volume decreased significantly (P < 0.01) from the first trimester (63 ± 34 km·wk−1) to the third trimester (30 ± 30 km·wk−1). Participants returned to activity/exercise at ~6 wk postpartum and to 80% of prepregnancy training volumes by 3 months. Participants who intended to return to equivalent performance levels postpregnancy, there was no statistical decrease in performance in the 1 to 3 yr postpregnancy compared with prepregnancy, and ~56% improved performances postpregnancy.

Conclusions

This study features the largest cohort of elite runners training and competition outcomes assessed throughout pregnancy, with training volumes being approximately two to four times greater than current guidelines. For the first time, performance was directly assessed (due to the quantifiable nature of elite running), and study participants who intended to return to high-level competition did so at a statistically similar level of performance in the 1- to 3-yr period postpregnancy. Taken together, this article provides much needed insights into current training practices and performance of elite pregnant runners, which should help to inform future training guidelines as well as sport policy and sponsor expectations around return to training timelines and performance.
Δημιουργία μοντέλων πρόβλεψης του κινδύνου χρεοκοπίας ελληνικών επιχειρήσεων
Authors: Σφακιανάκης Ευάγγελος
Published: August 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή έχει σαν σκοπό την μελέτη και περεταίρω ανάλυση του φαινομένου της εταιρικής πτώχευσης εστιάζοντας στα μοναδικά χαρακτηριστικά που παρουσιάζουν οι εισηγμένες στο Χ.Α παραγωγικές επιχειρήσεις, κατά την διάρκεια της οικονομικής κρίσεως (2008-2015). Αφού αναλυθεί όλη η σχετική βιβλιογραφία γύρω από το φαινόμενο της χρεοκοπίας και της ενδεχόμενης πρόβλεψης της, θα εφαρμοσθεί και αξιολογηθεί η απόδοση του μοντέλου του Altman (2000) πάνω στις βιομηχανικές εισηγμένες επιχειρήσεις στο Χ.Α κατά την διάρκεια της οικονομικής κρίσεως στην Ελλάδα. Έπειτα με την χρήση κατάλληλων στατιστικών μεθόδων και εργαλείων θα επιδιωχθεί η δημιουργία ενός νέου συνδυασμού-μοντέλου πρόβλεψης της χρεοκοπίας το οποίο θα παράγει καλύτερα αποτελέσματα κατά την εφαρμογή του στις εισηγμένες στο Χ.Α παραγωγικές επιχειρήσεις, ακόμα και σε περιόδους αβεβαιότητας (οικονομικής κρίσεως).Το συγκεκριμένο εγχείρημα δεν έχει δοκιμαστεί ποτέ ξανά στο παρελθόν καθώς κανένας ερευνητής δεν έχει ποτέ ασχοληθεί και εστιάσει στα μοναδικά χαρακτηριστικά και στο μείγμα που παρουσιάζουν οι ελληνικές επιχειρήσεις, έτσι ώστε να μπορεί να προβλέπει την πτώχευση τους σε στατιστικά σημαντικά επίπεδα. Αξίζει επίσης να τονισθεί ότι ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον στο όλο εγχείρημα προσδίδει η οικονομική συγκυρία κάτω από την οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί η έρευνα και ανάλυση, καθώς όλες οι επιχειρήσεις του δείγματος θα είναι επηρεασμένες από τις οικονομικές συνέπειες που τους έχει επιφέρει η οικονομική δυσπραγία στην Ελλάδα. Σαν συνέπεια, οι οικονομικά υγιείς επιχειρήσεις χαρακτηρίζονται από έντονη αβεβαιότητα και διαχωρίζονται πολύ πιο δύσκολα από τις αντίστοιχες οικονομικά υγιείς επιχειρήσεις μιας υγιούς οικονομίας. Οι συνθήκες αυτές κάνουν πολύ πιο απαιτητική αλλά και αναγκαία την εύρεση μοντέλου πρόβλεψης χρεοκοπίας που να μπορεί να αποδίδει ακόμα και υπό αυτές τις συνθήκες. Η συγκεκριμένη έρευνα αφορά τόσο το ερευνητικό όσο και το εν δυνάμει επενδυτικό και επιχειρηματικό κοινό της Ελλάδας, επιδιώκοντας να συνεισφέρει σημαντικά στην ήδη υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία της εταιρικής χρεοκοπίας αλλά και στην περεταίρω μελέτη του φαινομένου της οικονομικής κρίσεως.
Ιστορική και επιδημιολογική αποτύπωση του νοσολογικού φάσματος των Ελλήνων προσφύγων κατά τον Μεσοπόλεμο στην Κεντρική Μακεδονία
Authors: Μιχαλέας Σπυρίδων
Published: August 2022

Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης είναι η αποτύπωση του νοσολογικού φάσματος των Ελλήνων προσφύγων κατά την περίοδο του Μεσοπολέμου, σε σύγκριση με τον γηγενή πληθυσμό της Θεσσαλονίκης. Συγκεκριμένα, μελετήθηκαν τα μητρώα ασθενών του Νοσοκομείου «Ο Άγιος Δημήτριος» τα οποία αποτελούν αδημοσίευτο πρωτογενές υλικό. Η βιβλιογραφία σχετικά με το νοσολογικό φάσμα που επικρατούσε στην περιοχή είναι περιορισμένη. Τα μητρώα περιέχουν στοιχεία για περίπου 10.000 ασθενείς και φωτογραφήθηκαν στον χώρο του Νοσοκομείου. Το υλικό αυτό παρέχει τη σπάνια δυνατότητα άμεσης σύγκρισης του νοσολογικού φάσματος ανάμεσα σε πρόσφυγες και μη πρόσφυγες, δεδομένου ότι διέμεναν στην ίδια περιοχή και νοσηλεύονταν στο ίδιο Ίδρυμα. Τα κοινωνικοδημογραφικά και κλινικά δεδομένα από το νοσοκομειακό Αρχείο ψηφιοποιήθηκαν σε προκωδικοποιημένη βάση, με διασφάλιση της ανωνυμίας των καταχωρήσεων. Η παρούσα μελέτη θα μπορέσει να συμβάλει στην κάλυψη του βιβλιογραφικού κενού και στην προβολή των αντιξοοτήτων που αντιμετώπισε η ευάλωτη, ετερογενής πληθυσμιακή ομάδα των προσφύγων κατά τον Μεσοπόλεμο. Οι πρόσφυγες και οι μετανάστες ανά τους αιώνες αποτελούν ευάλωτες πληθυσμιακές ομάδες οι προσφυγικές μετακινήσεις απασχολούσαν -και συνεχίζουν να απασχολούν- την ελληνική κοινωνία. Η νοσηρότητα, ως πεδίο βιοεξουσίας (biopower) και βιοπολιτικής (biopolitics) κατά τον Φουκώ, παρουσιάζει ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον. Τα μητρώα ασθενών περιέχουν όλα τα απαραίτητα δεδομένα τα οποία θα μας χρησιμεύσουν αρχικά στην ταυτοποίηση των νόσων και σε δεύτερο επίπεδο στην ανασυγκρότηση της ιστορίας και στην κατανόηση των αντιλήψεων του κοινωνικού σώματος για την αρρώστια.
Curbing Emissions: Environmental Regulations and Product Offerings Across Markets
Authors: Han Zheng , Hu Bin , Dawande Milind
Published: August 2022

Problem definition: In the U.S. auto market, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) implements a stricter fuel economy standard in California than the federal standard implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Trump administration’s 2018 announcement to freeze the EPA standard threatened to widen its gap from the CARB standard and cause a split market where automakers offer differentiated car models in CARB and non-CARB states. Inspired by this crisis, we investigate three research questions: when is market unification (all vehicles meeting a common efficiency standard) attainable? Is unifying a split market likely to reduce total CO2emissions? If so, what strategies can help unify the market when unification does not occur naturally? Methodology/results: We adopt a game-theoretic model where two regulators with different levels of environmental awareness set efficiency standards in their respective markets, a firm offers product(s) for these markets, and consumers make purchases. We find that there exist cases where the firm offers a unified product for both markets, a different product in each market, or only serves one market, and our analysis suggests that unifying a split market may help curb emissions. We then propose and show that horizontal negotiations (between the regulators) and vertical negotiations (between a regulator and the firm) are potentially effective strategies to unify a split market and reduce emissions. Managerial implications: Our findings show that a more environmentally aware regulator can leverage its market power and reduce CO2emissions outside its jurisdiction through negotiations. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the regulator should prioritize horizontal negotiations while using vertical negotiations as a back-up option.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1141 .
Wheel Rail Wear Prediction and Dynamic Performance Analysis of Linear Metro
Authors: Chen Long , Feng Ding , Yu Yanxia , Zeng Yunfeng
Published: August 2022

In order to improve the safety of linear motor metro operation, the wheel rail wear prediction and dynamic performance analysis of linear motor metro are carried out. Firstly, the working principle and evolution process of the linear motor are analyzed, and the traveling wave magnetic field and slip ratio of the linear motor are calculated. Secondly, the friction principle between wheel and rail is analyzed, and the running data of wheel and rail area are collected by MiniProf series profiler. By calculating the wear energy flow density and wear mass flow density of wheel rail contact surface, the relationship between wear coefficient and energy flow density is obtained, and the wheel rail wear area is obtained, so as to complete the prediction of wheel rail wear. Finally, the running resistance of Metro is analyzed, including mechanical resistance and aerodynamic resistance. Combined with the calculation results of Metro kinetic energy and electromagnetic, the position of linear motor is obtained by modal superposition method in the elastic coordinate system, and the dynamic equation of linear motor Metro is constructed to complete the dynamic performance analysis of Metro. The experimental results show that this research method can accurately predict the wear of linear motor metro, and can study the running stability of Metro from the two aspects of horizontal stability and derailment coefficient.
Risk of agrochemical contamination in a hydrographic basin in the matopiba region in Brazil
Authors: Ferraz Fabrina Teixeira , França Luciano Cavalcante de Jesus , Aguiar Júnior Adênio Louzeiro de , Lima Temístocles Pacheco , Acerbi Júnior Fausto Weimar
Published: August 2022

The intensive use of agrochemicals has been associated with global human health problems and environmental contamination. Brazil is the world’s largest agrochemical consumer, and this position highlights the growth of agribusiness in the MATOPIBA region (Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia states). The use of agrochemicals is recurrent in local agricultural practices. However, there is little information on the environmental impacts and risks of contamination regarding river basins in this region. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the risk of contamination by agrochemicals in the basin area of the Açailândia River in Maranhão. From the multicriteria evaluation, environmental information plans were used to determine the trend of water behavior, infiltration, and runoff, along with agrochemical transportation. The joint evaluation of this information was used to generate the final map of the areas of contamination risk posed by agrochemicals in the region. The hydrographic basin presented high anthropization, with an increase of approximately 27% in land use and occupation by crops in the period from 1984 to 2018. The area of 1087.62 km², corresponding to 35.9% of the basin area, presented a high and extremely high risk of contamination.
Quantitative tumor depth determination using dual wavelength excitation fluorescence
Authors: O’Brien Christine M. , Bishop Kevin W. , Zhang Haini , Xu Xiao , Shmuylovich Leo , Conley Elizabeth , Nwosu Karen , Duncan Kathleen , Mondal Suman B. , Sudlow Gail , Achilefu Samuel
Published: August 2022

Quantifying solid tumor margins with fluorescence-guided surgery approaches is a challenge, particularly when using near infrared (NIR) wavelengths due to increased penetration depths. An NIR dual wavelength excitation fluorescence (DWEF) approach was developed that capitalizes on the wavelength-dependent attenuation of light in tissue to determine fluorophore depth. A portable dual wavelength excitation fluorescence imaging system was built and tested in parallel with an NIR tumor-targeting fluorophore in tissue mimicking phantoms, chicken tissue, and in vivo mouse models of breast cancer. The system showed high accuracy in all experiments. The low cost and simplicity of this approach make it ideal for clinical use.
Simple phase unwrapping method with continuous convex minimization
Authors: Lian Songzhe , Yang Haiquan , Kudo Hiroyuki
Published: August 2022

Phase unwrapping is a problem to reconstruct true phase values from modulo 2π phase values measured using various phase imaging techniques. This procedure is essentially formulated as a discrete optimization problem. However, most energy minimization methods using continuous optimization techniques have ignored the discrete nature and solved it as a continuous minimization problem directly, leading to losing exactness of the algorithms. We propose a new minimum norm method that can yield the optimal solution of the discrete problem by minimizing a continuous energy function. In contrast to the graph-cuts method, which is state of the art in this field, the proposed method requires much less memory space and a very simple implementation. Therefore, it can be simply extended to 3D or 4D phase unwrapping problems.
Expression of Calbindin-D28K in the Developing and Adult Mouse Cochlea
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Chen Huijun , Zhu Xin , Yu Hao
Published: August 2022

Herein, we aimed to use double-labeling immunofluorescence to describe the expression pattern of Calbindin-D28K (CaBP28K) in the mouse cochlea from late embryonic (E) stages to the adulthood. CaBP28K was expressed in the inner hair cells (IHCs) and the greater epithelial ridge (GER) at E17. In addition, its expression was observed in the interdental cells. On postnatal day 1 (P1), CaBP28K immunoreactivity was observed in the IHCs and outer hair cells (OHCs) and was also specifically expressed in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). At P8, CaBP28K labeling disappeared from the interdental cells, and the CaBP28K-positive domain within the GER shifted from the entire cytoplasm to only the apical and basal regions. At P14, CaBP28K immunoreactivity was lost from the GER; however, its expression in the IHCs and OHCs, as well as the SGNs, persisted into adulthood. The identification of CaBP28K in the hair cells (HCs) and cuticular plates, as well as SGNs, was confirmed by its colocalization with several markers for Sox2, Myosin VIIa, Phalloidin, and Tuj1. We also detected colocalization with calmodulin in the cytoplasm of both HCs and SGNs. Western blot revealed an increase in CaBP28K postnatal expression in the mouse cochlea.
Patterns of multimorbidity in India: A nationally representative cross-sectional study of individuals aged 15 to 49 years
Authors: Prenissl Jonas , De Neve Jan-Walter , Sudharsanan Nikkil , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Mohan Viswanathan , Awasthi Ashish , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Roy Ambuj , Tandon Nikhil , Davies Justine I. , Atun Rifat , Bärnighausen Till , Jaacks Lindsay M. , Vollmer Sebastian , Geldsetzer Pascal
Published: August 2022

There is a dearth of evidence on the epidemiology of multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multimorbidity in India and its variation among states and population groups. We analyzed data from a nationally representative household survey conducted in 2015–2016 among individuals aged 15 to 49 years. Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more conditions out of five common chronic morbidities in India: anemia, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. We disaggregated multimorbidity prevalence by condition, state, rural versus urban areas, district-level wealth, and individual-level sociodemographic characteristics. 712,822 individuals were included in the analysis. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 7·2% (95% CI, 7·1% - 7·4%), and was higher in urban (9·7% [95% CI, 9·4% - 10·1%]) than in rural (5·8% [95% CI, 5·7% - 6·0%]) areas. The three most prevalent morbidity combinations were hypertension with obesity (2·9% [95% CI, 2·8% - 3·1%]), hypertension with anemia (2·2% [95% CI, 2·1%– 2·3%]), and obesity with anemia (1·2% [95% CI, 1·1%– 1·2%]). The age-standardized multimorbidity prevalence varied from 3·4% (95% CI: 3·0% - 3·8%) in Chhattisgarh to 16·9% (95% CI: 13·2% - 21·5%) in Puducherry. Being a woman, being married, not currently smoking, greater household wealth, and living in urban areas were all associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity. Multimorbidity is common among young and middle-aged adults in India. This study can inform screening guidelines for chronic conditions and the targeting of relevant policies and interventions to those most in need.
Modeling the change in European and US COVID-19 death rates
Authors: Khan Zeina S. , Van Bussel Frank , Hussain Fazle
Published: August 2022

Motivated by several possible differences in Covid-19 virus strains, age demographics, and face mask wearing between continents and countries, we focussed on changes in Covid death rates in 2020. We have extended our Covid-19 multicompartment model (Khan et al., 2020) to fit cumulative case and death data for 49 European countries and 52 US states and territories during the recent pandemic, and found that the case mortality rate had decreased by at least 80% in most of the US and at least 90% in most of Europe. We found that death rate decreases do not have strong correlations to other model parameters (such as contact rate) or other standard state/national metrics such as population density, GDP, and median age. Almost all the decreases occurred between mid-April and mid-June 2020, which corresponds to the time when many state and national lockdowns were relaxed resulting in surges of new cases. We examine here several plausible causes for this drop—improvements in treatment, face mask wearing, new virus strains, testing, potentially changing demographics of infected patients, and changes in data collection and reporting—but none of their effects are as significant as the death rate changes suggest. In conclusion, this work shows that a two death rate model is effective in quantifying the reported drop in death rates.
Gestational age at birth and academic attainment in primary and secondary school in England: Evidence from a national cohort study
Authors: Alterman Neora , Johnson Samantha , Carson Claire , Petrou Stavros , Kurinzcuk Jennifer J. , Macfarlane Alison , Boyle Elaine , Quigley Maria A.
Published: August 2022

Preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) is a risk factor for poor educational outcomes. A dose-response effect of earlier gestational age at birth on poor primary school attainment has been observed, but evidence for secondary school attainment is limited and focused predominantly on the very preterm (<32 weeks) population. We examined the association between gestational age at birth and academic attainment at the end of primary and secondary schooling in England. Data for children born in England from 2000–2001 were drawn from the population-based UK Millennium Cohort Study. Information about the child’s birth, sociodemographic factors and health was collected from parents. Attainment on national tests at the end of primary (age 11) and secondary school (age 16) was derived from linked education records. Data on attainment in primary school was available for 6,950 pupils and that of secondary school was available for 7,131 pupils. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) for these outcomes were estimated at each stage separately using modified Poisson regression. At the end of primary school, 17.7% of children had not achieved the expected level in both English and Mathematics and this proportion increased with increasing prematurity. Compared to full term (39–41 weeks) children, the strongest associations were among children born moderately (32–33 weeks; aRR = 2.13 (95% CI 1.44–3.13)) and very preterm (aRR = 2.06 (95% CI 1.46–2.92)). Children born late preterm (34–36 weeks) and early term (37–38 weeks) were also at higher risk with aRR = 1.18 (95% CI 0.94–1.49) and aRR = 1.21 (95% CI 1.05–1.38), respectively. At the end of secondary school, 45.2% had not passed at least five General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations including English and Mathematics. Following adjustment, only children born very preterm were at significantly higher risk (aRR = 1.26 (95% CI 1.03–1.54)). All children born before full term are at risk of poorer attainment during primary school compared with term-born children, but only children born very preterm remain at risk at the end of secondary schooling. Children born very preterm may require additional educational support throughout compulsory schooling.
The influence of the Nutri-Score on the perceived healthiness of foods labelled with a nutrition claim of sugar
Authors: Jürkenbeck Kristin , Mehlhose Clara , Zühlsdorf Anke
Published: August 2022

High sugar intake in humans is associated with the development of overweight and other diet-related diseases. The World Health Organization and other health organizations recommend limiting the sugar intake to 10% of the total energy intake. There have been different approaches of front-of-pack labelling to reduce the amount of sugar in food products. Companies use nutrition claims to advertise the sugar content (e.g., without added sugar, 30% less sugar). Such nutrition claims can lead to false assumptions about the healthiness of foods and can lead to health-halo effects. Nutrition claims make products appear healthier than they really are, the aspect advertised in the nutrition claim is transferred to the entire food product. As a result, food products can be perceived as healthy even though they are not. Recently, the Nutri-Score was introduced in an increasing number of countries throughout Europe to provide consumers with an overview of the overall nutritional quality of a product. This study analyzes if the Nutri-Score can help to prevent health-halo effects caused by nutrition claims on sugar. Therefore, an online survey consisting of a split-sample design with more than 1,000 respondents was assessed. The results show that, depending on the initial perceived healthiness of a product, the Nutri-Score is able to prevent health-halo effects caused by claims on sugar. Making the Nutri-Score mandatory when using nutrition claims would be one possible way to reduce misperceptions about unhealthy food and reduce health-halo effects caused by claims on sugar.
Which communication technology is effective for promoting reproductive health? Television, radio, and mobile phones in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Iacoella Francesco , Gassmann Franziska , Tirivayi Nyasha
Published: August 2022

The use of radio and television as means to spread reproductive health awareness in Sub-Saharan Africa has been extensive, and its impacts significant. More recently, other means of communication, such as mobile phones, have received the attention of researchers and policy makers as health communication tools. However, evidence on which of the two types of communication (i.e. passive communication from TV/radio, or active communication through phones) is more effective in fostering better reproductive health choices is sparse. This study aims to identify the potential influence of TV or radio ownership as opposed to cell phone ownership on contraceptive use and access to maternal healthcare. Cross-sectional, individual analysis from eleven high-maternal mortality Sub-Saharan African countries is conducted. A total of 78,000 women in union are included in the analysis. Results indicate that ownership of TV or radio is more weakly correlated to better outcomes than mobile phone ownership is. Results are stronger for lower educated women and robust across all levels of wealth. Interestingly, the study also finds that decision-making power is a relevant mediator of cell phone ownership on contraceptive use, but not on maternal healthcare access. A key takeaway from the study is that, while the role of television and radio appears to have diminished in recent years, mobile phones have become a key tool for empowerment and behavioural change among Sub-Saharan African women. Health communication policies should be designed to take into account the now prominent role of mobile phones in affecting health behaviours.
Quantifying benefits of the Danish transfat ban for coronary heart disease mortality 1991–2007: Socioeconomic analysis using the IMPACTsec model
Authors: Bjoernsbo Kirsten Schroll , Joensen Albert Marni , Joergensen Torben , Lundbye-Christensen Soeren , Bysted Anette , Christensen Tue , Fagt Sisse , Capewell Simon , O’Flaherty Martin
Published: August 2022

Denmark has experienced a remarkable reduction in CVD mortality over recent decades. The scale of the health contribution from the Danish regulation on industrially produced trans fatty acid (ITFA) has therefore long been of interest. Thus the objective was to determine health and equity benefits of the Danish regulation on ITFA content in Danish food, by quantifying the relative contributions of changes in ITFA intake, other risk factors and treatments on coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality decline from 1991 to 2007 in Denmark, stratified by socioeconomic group. To evaluate the effects of the ITFA ban (Danish Order no. 160 of March 2003) the Danish IMPACTSEC model was extended to quantify reductions in CHD deaths attributable to changes in ITFA (%E) intake between 1991–2007. Population counts were obtained from the Danish Central Office of Civil Registration, financial income from Statistics Denmark and ITFA intake from Dan-MONICA III (1991) and DANSDA (2005–2008). Participants were adults aged 25–84 years living in Denmark in 1991 and 2007, stratified by socioeconomic quintiles. The main outcome measure was CHD deaths prevented or postponed (DPP). Mean energy intake from ITFA was decimated between 1991 and 2007, falling from 1.1%E to 0.1%E in men and from 1·0%E to 0·1%E in women. Approximately 1,191 (95% CI 989–1,409) fewer CHD deaths were attributable to the ITFA reduction, representing some 11% of the overall 11,100 mortality fall observed in the period. The greatest attributable mortality falls were seen in the most deprived quintiles. Adding ITFA data to the original IMPACTsec model improved the overall model fit from 64% to 73%. In conclusion: Denmark’s mandatory elimination of ITFA accounted for approximately 11% of the substantial reduction in CHD deaths observed between 1991 and 2007. The most deprived groups benefited the most, thus reducing inequalities. Adopting the Danish ITFA regulatory approach elsewhere could substantially reduce CHD mortality while improving health equity.
Local differential privacy protection for wearable device data
Authors: Li Zhangbing , Wang Baichuan , Li Jinsheng , Hua Yi , Zhang Shaobo
Published: August 2022

Personal data collected by wearable devices contains rich privacy. It is important to realize the personal privacy protection for user data without affecting the data collection of wearable device services. In order to protect users’ personal privacy, a collection scheme based on local differential privacy is proposed for the collected single attribute numerical stream data. At first, the stream data points collected by the wearable device are censored to identify the salient points, and the adaptive Laplacian mechanism is used to add noise to these salient points according to the assigned privacy budget; then the collector reconstructs and fits the stream data curve to the noise-added salient points, so as to protect the personal privacy of the data. This scheme is experimented on the heart rate dataset, and the results show that when the privacy budget is 0.5 (i.e., at higher privacy protection strength), the mean relative error is 0.12, which is 57.78% lower than the scheme of Kim et al. With the satisfaction of user privacy protection, the usability of mean value estimation of wearable device stream data is improved.
Multivariate analyses of Ethiopian durum wheat revealed stable and high yielding genotypes
Authors: Mulugeta Behailu , Tesfaye Kassahun , Geleta Mulatu , Johansson Eva , Hailesilassie Teklehaimanot , Hammenhag Cecilia , Hailu Faris , Ortiz Rodomiro
Published: August 2022

Improving crop adaptation and stability across diverse and changing environmental conditions is essential to increasing grain yield per unit area. In turn, this contributes to meeting the increasing global food demand. Nevertheless, a number of factors challenge the efficiency of crop improvement programs, of which genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) is one of the major factors. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and phenotypic stability of 385 Ethiopian durum wheat landraces and 35 cultivars; assess the pattern of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effect, and identify stable and high-yielding landraces or cultivars using the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype main effect plus genotype by environment interaction biplot (GGE-biplot). The experiment was laid out in an alpha lattice design with two replications at five test sites (Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Holeta, Kulumsa, and Sinana). The combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects (P≤ 0.01) of environments (E), genotype (G), and GEI on a phenotypic variation of traits evaluated, including grain yield. For all traits, the amount of phenotypic variance and GEI explained by the GGE biplot was higher than in AMMI2, but both exhibited significant effects of E and GEI on the genotypes. The AMMI model identified G169, G420, G413, G139, G415, G416, G417, and G418 as stable genotypes across testing sites. Whereas, the GGE biplot identified G169, G420, G415, G139, G106, G412, G413, and G417 as both high-yielding and stable across test sites. Hence, genotypes identified as stable and high yielding in the present study could be used in a durum wheat breeding program aimed at identifying genes and molecular markers associated with the crop’s productivity traits as well as developing stable and high-yielding cultivars for use in East Africa and beyond.
Revolution and reality shows: Nepal’s CPN and the media worlds of late capitalism
Authors: Stirr Anna
Published: August 2022

As performance reality television shows have become popular in Nepal, singers, musicians and dancers from the various communist parties’ cultural groups have begun to take part in them and draw on them for artistic inspiration. Yet reality shows are also closely associated with neo-liberal capitalism, and these artists’ participation has thus been criticized by some on the political left. This article examines the resulting interaction of aesthetics and values when communist artists, reality show expectations and cultural criticism meet. I draw on twenty years’ engagement with Nepal’s music industry as a performer and ethnographer, and in-person and online fieldwork with communist cultural groups between 2012 and 2021. I focus on artists associated with the far-left party known officially as the Communist Party of Nepal and informally as Biplav’s CPN; a party that emerged from the former CPN (Maoist). Outlining points of articulation and conflict between the values of these Maoist artists and of commercial music and dance competition reality shows, I argue that as communists living in late capitalism, these artists strive to use reality shows as platforms and as sources of artistic inspiration to shape reality and inspire others towards their dreams of creating a more egalitarian society.