bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of turning process parameters using a new hybrid evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Abderazek Hammoudi , Laouissi Aissa , Nouioua Mourad , Atanasovska Ivana
Published: August 2023

In this article, a new hybrid improved differential evolution and Nelder-Mead (IDE-NM) is introduced for optimizing the multi-objective machining process during the turning operation under three modes of lubrication conditions. The fitness functions are the tangential cutting force, the surface roughness, and the cutting power. Five mixed design variables are considered in the optimization procedure including the cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut, mode of lubrication, and the type of cutting material. The mathematical expressions of the three objectives are created based on experimental results and modeled using the artificial neural network (ANN). In the first step, the proposed method is examined by solving seven mechanical engineering design problems. The comparison results illustrate that the IDE-NM algorithm outperforms other state-of-the-art optimization methods considered in the literature. Moreover, for the turning operation problem, the results of IDE-NM are compared with those of four recent metaheuristics. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the four compared algorithms in terms of robustness, high success rate, and can provide effective solutions.
Analysis of the convergent section of a C-D nozzle and its influence on airflow performance using evolutionary strategies
Authors: Bahamon Blanco Jhan Jaider
Published: August 2023

The shape of a nozzle wall influences the phenomena associated with the behaviour of the fluid movement within the flow field mathematically described by the Navier—Stokes equations. This article studies different drawing techniques for the aerodynamic tracing of the wall contour searched by Vitoshinsky, Bell, Metha and Sivells. To the system of equations of the design models are added the math formulas that define Sauer’s method for redesigning the length of the converging section modifying simultaneously the contour sketches. The aim is to obtain a better distribution of the physical properties and to avoid excessive pressure in a limited space that could affect the internal structure of the wall. Numerical methods are used to visualize the features of the wave propagation, boundary layer separation and flow separation pattern to survey the appearance of the stream generated within the geometric profile of the wall and the ejected flow. A computational analysis is developed to make a comprehensive assessment of different chosen wall contours, including an optimized wall shape using genetic algorithms through a process to find maximum and minimum values of the cross-sectional area to change the wall layout. The selection carries out based on design parameters with variable area contraction ratio (from low to high) in the convergent section for being simulated in a boundary condition with a low-pressure ratio (NPR). Experimental data from Hunter's research are used for validation of the results for a J2-type aerospace nozzle operating at an NPR of 3.413.
The invisible frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining sourcing and the underrepresentation of female expertise in pandemic news coverage
Authors: Hubner Austin Y.
Published: August 2023

Several studies have shown that female experts are seldom quoted within news media coverage about health and science issues. Yet, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent race for a vaccine, female health and science workers (broadly defined) were at the forefront of the discovery, testing, and implementation of several vaccinations. This study examines the extent to which female experts were represented in news coverage about the vaccine over a 2-year period in The New York Times ( n = 1978). Of the expert sources quoted (3,555), the majority were male ( n = 2417) as compared to female ( n = 1138). This pattern held when looking specifically at researchers and medical experts. When both a male and female source were quoted, however, females were quoted first, suggesting that females were given the role of being a primary rather than supporting expert. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Whole Blood-Derived circUSP10 Acts as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Patients With Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bai Huihui , Jiang Meina , Fang Shuai , Peng Ziyi , Liang Nan , Cai Yuanting , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Chengwei , Han Ying , Shen Weiyu , Gong Zhaohui
Published: August 2023

Accumulating evidence has indicated that differentially expressed noncoding circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in the occurrence and development of various types of cancer. Here, we aimed to identify and explore the diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0003026 (named circUSP10) in patients with early non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The differentially expressed circRNAs were screened from the microarray-based assay of human NSCLC tissues and their corresponding noncancerous tissues, and the candidate circRNAs were further verified in patients with NSCLC using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Circulating circUSP10 was isolated from whole blood of healthy people and patients with NSCLC and was detected by RT-qPCR. In addition, the diagnostic value of circUSP10 in early NSCLC was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We found that circUSP10 was upregulated in tumor tissues from patients with early NSCLC and associated with tumor size and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Importantly, circUSP10 was obviously upregulated in the whole blood of patients with NSCLC. Additionally, whole blood–derived circUSP10 showed good diagnostic performance for screening early NSCLC and was relatively stable in blood under adverse conditions. These findings demonstrate that circUSP10 may act as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of early-stage NSCLC, suggesting the potential of circUSP10 in RNA-based therapy for cancer.
Working alongside next of kin to enhance discharge: A quality improvement collaboration to co-design discharge for mental health patients
Authors: Kealy-Bateman Warren , Stewart Daniel , Powell Hugh , Storrier Kirbie , Mackenzie Margo , Dowton Christopher
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Mental health (MH) patients seen in the emergency department (ED) setting are often viewed in isolation, outside of the context of their loved ones, the next of kin (NOK). This is especially problematic when a patient is detained under the mental health act. This project aimed to improve this engagement.

Methods

A sense of urgency was created from a guiding coalition of the local MH and ED executive of a rural hospital. The vision was communicated to the team for action. This was then institutionally incorporated as best practice during a 3 month trial.

Results

NOK were engaged more frequently as a result of this quality improvement strategy, rising to 90.8% (2021) from 63.2% (2020) compared to the previous year χ2 (1, N=166) =18.75, p = .000015. Admissions for all MH patients from the emergency department fell to 28.3% (2021) from 39% (2020) χ2 (1, N=652) =8.32, p = .0039.

Conclusions

Working with NOK is a best practice strategy that was embraced by clinicians when highlighted. This resulted in less restrictive practice and more community treatment. Creating a frame for the patient that is standardised, provides containment and co-designs future health care is beneficial.
Investor Intuition Promotes Gender Equality in Access to Reward-Based Crowdfunding
Authors: Fellnhofer Katharina , Deng Yu
Published: August 2023

Our study challenges the notion that intuition is used to explain away gender biases in access to finance, arguing instead that women's success in crowdfunding is rooted in the use of intuition. We measured investors' intuition using self-reports and fast investment decision-making related to crowdfunding campaigns in three randomized controlled experiments involving 2,911 subjects from Europe and the United States. Our Bayesian analysis provides evidence for a gender equality effect, suggesting that intuition cannot be cited as the reason for gender biases in investment decisions. Our research highlights the importance of reassessing the scientific reputation of intuition.
Quality of Evidence and Pedagogical Strategy in Using Gamification in Medical Education Literature: A Systematic Review
Authors: Salehi Amir Mohammad , Mohammadi Hossein Ali , Jenabi Ensiyeh , Khanlarzadeh Elham , Ashtari Koosha
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Gamification is the use of game principles in non-game settings such as medical education. Effective evidence for using gamification in medical education needs well-designed studies that describe outcomes related to interventions. The study objective was to systematically review the study designs describing gamification interventions in medical education focusing on their characteristics and medical students’ learning.

Methods

We systematically searched the databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until 2021. Articles were appraised using the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument (MERSQI).

Results

The search result included 423 articles, of which 53 articles had inclusion criteria. Of these, 23 articles were classified in the non-electronic games group and 30 studies in the electronic games group. The quality of evidence in both groups was assessed using the MERSQI average checklist. In total, 90% of studies reported the effectiveness of game intervention in one of the 4 levels of the Kirkpatrick pyramid. The predominant pedagogical approach in both groups was the cognitive approach. The psychomotor approach and the affective approach were more prominent in the electronic and non-electronic games groups, respectively.

Conclusion

This study shows that gamification training techniques improve the performance of medical students in most cases.
A New Approach to Advertising Education: The Transformative Impact of a Collaborative Research Laboratory
Authors: Deng Tao , Kim Hyejin , Uysal Nur
Published: August 2023

This paper explores the potential of a collaborative research laboratory to enhance advertising education by catalyzing student learning, engagement, and faculty interaction. By offering a comprehensive blueprint through this lab, we illuminate how institutions can leverage the benefits of such labs through immersing students in practical consumer and advertising research, audience analysis, and industry-aligned research tools and methodologies. We delve into a variety of engagement methods, ranging from lab-bounded courses, faculty-guided research projects to special topic workshops, and expert guest lectures. Despite the significant long-term investment required, this study underscores the lab’s potential to draw new students, faculty, corporate partners, and community members due to its applicability to the industry and rich networking opportunities. Furthermore, we address challenges tied to the lab operation and management, such as faculty workload, while acknowledging the lab’s promising potential as a focal point of advertising education.
Effect of Feeding Fresh or Frozen Breast Milk on the Gut Microbiota of Premature Infants: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Merter Özlem Selime , Altay Naime
Published: August 2023

Background

Breast milk is essential for premature infants. It contains a variety of functional and protective nutrients that help to create a suitable microenvironment for intestinal development and maturation. This prospective and observational study was planned to examine the effects of feeding premature infants with fresh or frozen breastmilk on their gut microbiota.

Materials and Methods

The study was carried out with a total of 40 infants, with a gestational age of 28–326 weeks, fed fresh ( n = 20) or frozen ( n = 20) breastmilk. Stool samples were stored at −80°C until analysis. Infants were included in groups based on the feed type, which accounted for more than 70% of their 10-day feeding. The Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and t-tests were used to evaluate the demographic data. Stool samples were analyzed by sequencing the V3–-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from the extracted DNA for microbiota analysis.

Results

Streptococcus and Enterobacteriales, the majority of which are considered human pathogens, in infants receiving frozen breastmilk ( Streptococcus 69%, Enterobacteriales 79%) was higher than that in infants receiving fresh breastmilk ( Streptococcus 16%, Enterobacteriales 49%). Further, the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species were more abundant in infants who received fresh breastmilk ( Lactobacillus 17%, Bifidobacterium 12%) than in infants who received frozen breastmilk ( Lactobacillus 3%, Bifidobacterium 1%).

Conclusion

Thus, compared to frozen breast milk, fresh breastmilk has an effect on the diversity of preterm infants’ gut microbiota.
Determinants of Adverse Birth Outcomes in Public Hospitals of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: A Multicenter Unmatched Case-Control Study
Authors: Roble Abdurahman Kedir , Gundappa Raghu , Sheik Abdirahman Fahima , Abdi Abdurehman Mohamed
Published: August 2023

Background:

Pregnancy outcomes that differ from normal live births are known as adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes also have significant effects on the infant’s family and society. There is limited data on adverse outcomes in eastern Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali region.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the determinants of adverse birth outcomes in the Somali Region Hospitals.

Design:

A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted to conduct this study.

Methods:

A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted between June and July 2021 in pregnant women who attended public hospitals in the Somali region. A total of 327 (109 cases and 218 controls) participants were included in this study. Women who gave birth with at least 1 adverse birth outcome were considered cases, and those who gave birth with normal birth outcomes were considered controls. Cases were recruited consecutively, and controls were selected using systematic sampling methods. Data was gathered using interviews, record reviews, using the pretested standard tools. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 22. Multivariable regression analysis with an adjusted odds ratio and a 95% confidence interval was used to identify the factors associated with adverse birth outcomes. Finally, P-values less than .05 were used to identify significantly associated predictors.

Results:

In the current study, rural residency [AOR = 2.80; 95%CI:(1.61-4.87)] lack of ANC follow-up [AOR = 3.27; 95%CI: (1.77-6.02)], pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR = 3.28; 95%CI: (1.74-6.17)] being anemic mothers [AOR = 3.51; 95%CI: (2.02-6.07)] and khat chewing [AOR = 4.54; 95%CI: (2.12-9.70)] were identified as determinants of adverse birth outcome.

Conclusions:

In the current study, rural residency, lack of ANC, being anemic in indexed pregnancies, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and khat chewing were determinants of adverse birth outcomes. Therefore, efforts should be made to enhance ANC follow-up, iron and folic acid supplementation, early treatments of pregnancy-induced hypertension, and information on the risk of chewing khat.
Lifestyle Medicine Interventions to Manage Hypertension in Brazilian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Correia Eduardo Thadeu de Oliveira
Published: August 2023

Hypertension and type 2 Diabetes (T2D) are highly associated and can promote an additive risk of mortality and hospitalization, as well as a significant burden on the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System. Despite this, blood pressure and glycemic control are still suboptimal and remain a significant challenge in Brazil. As it will be reviewed in this paper, current evidence supports the effectiveness of various dietary, exercise, and lifestyle interventions for hypertension and T2D. Among dietary interventions, the DASH diet appears to be particularly effective in reducing blood pressure and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular mortality, with a moderate effect on glycemic control. Regular physical activity, including aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise programs, is also recommended to reduce blood pressure, improve glycemic control and also reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Stress reduction programs have also been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure. However, although numerous lifestyle interventions are effective for hypertension and T2D, factors such as personal preferences, motivation, and cultural background should be considered to ensure the long-term sustainability of these interventions. In addition, there is a need for further research to determine the cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in the Brazilian population to encourage the development of evidence-based health policies.
The Use of Graphic Facilitation to Support Adherence to OCAP® Principles in Research With Indigenous Communities
Authors: Wright Amy L. , Butt Michelle L. , Miller Vicky , Jacobs Brenda , Ferron Era Mae
Published: August 2023

Graphic facilitation is a creative, robust visual communication process and tool that can be used by researchers for several benefits including improving data integrity; mitigating barriers between researchers and participants; promoting participants’ ownership of data, decision-making, and creativity; and, co-creating knowledge, which is of particular interest among certain cultures and in some contexts. For Indigenous Peoples who traditionally use visual, oral, and narrative modalities as primary forms of communication, graphic facilitation is a methodology that aligns well with these modes of communicating. In this article, we describe our use of graphic facilitation in a community-led project exploring Indigenous parents’ perceptions of community strengths, needs and priorities related to healthy early childhood development and optimal parenting. In collaboration with the Indigenous Friendship Centre in Hamilton, Canada, we held a Community Gathering that was facilitated by a graphic artist experienced in working with the Indigenous community; the findings resulting from the Gathering are presented. We discuss how researchers can use graphic facilitation as a tool to ensure adherence to the OCAP® principles of data ownership, control, access, and possession for the Indigenous community and describe the potential for mitigating power imbalances. Finally, considerations for researchers contemplating using graphic facilitation as a tool for research projects with Indigenous people and communities are presented.
Did COVID-19 Blur Partisan Boundaries? A Comparison of Partisan Affinity and Source Heterophily in Online Alternative News-Sharing Networks Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kristensen Jakob Bæk , Henriksen Frederik Møller , Mayerhöffer Eva
Published: August 2023

This study explores partisan and group heterophily within cross-platform online communities that share alternative news media content in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Austria. The analysis is related to the emergence of anti-systemic cross-partisan counter-publics in Europe that have gained momentum with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent resistance against government restrictions. Comparing two periods (before and after the outbreak of COVID-19), we investigate whether these developments foster cross-partisan information sharing in online communities that form around right-wing, left-wing, and anti-systemic alternative news media content. Drawing on a network-analytical approach, we study networks formed around URL sharing of alternative news content across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Telegram, TikTok, YouTube, and VKontakte. Data include 30 million social media posts from January 2019 to September 2021. The results show that overall source heterophily in online alternative news networks increases slightly with the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to the increased proliferation of anti-system news. This increase is, however, not an expression of a more profound collapse of bi-partisan, left-right cleavages and is contingent on country contexts. Except for the time of the initial outbreak, the overall sharing of COVID-19-related content tends to increase rather than decrease partisan homophily. Finally, the results show that non-bi-partisan, anti-system media have had a significant effect on alternative media information ecosystems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychometric Properties of an Instrument to Evaluate Students’ Perception of Learning Objects in Statistics
Authors: Durán-González Guillermo , Panes-Martínez Mónica , Monge-Rogel Ricardo , Juárez-Hernández Luis Gibran
Published: August 2023

Digital Learning Resources (DLRs) have the function of facilitating learning; however, the evaluation regarding their functionality is limited since there are few tools for this purpose. Of these, the instrument that stands out is “Perception of the use of Digital Learning Resources in Statistics” (IPDLR-S), which allows for evaluating the perception of undergraduate university students about the functionality of the LDRs. With the objective of providing a tool with scientific quality, the IPDLR-S instrument underwent to an analysis of construct validity and reliability. The instrument was applied to 1,148 university students, the construct validity analysis was performed using an exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis, and the reliability was determined by ordinal Cronbach’s alpha. According to the EFA, it was found that all the items are represented in the factorial model; however, differences were found for the theoretical model since a fourth dimension emerges (Cooperative Learning). On the other hand, using the CFA, the resulting factorial model showed a good fit (GFI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.064, CFI = 0.999, and TLI = 0.999). Overall reliability, as well as by factor showed an optimal value (ordinal Cronbach’s alpha > .98). The IPDLR-S instrument has adequate psychometric properties.
Study on the Technological Inductive Effects of Product Information Label: Evidence From the Energy-Efficiency Labeling System in China
Authors: Gong Yuanyuan , Liu Zhangsheng , Wu Shuangyin , Pu Shuhui , Zhang Xiaolu , Chen Lingkun
Published: August 2023

Under the dual goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutralization, it is of great practical significance to explore the impact of product information labeling on technological innovation. As an essential element in improving energy performance in consumer products, energy-efficiency labels (EEL) have played a vital role in the government’s portfolio of energy-efficiency improvement, technological progress, and carbon emission mitigation. We estimate the extent of the inductive effects of varying patent types on the relationship between the EEL system and technological innovation in a panel differences-in-differences framework based on the panel data of energy-saving patents and electricity-saving patents from 1998 to 2013 in China. Results indicate that the EEL system helps firms improve the ratio of energy-saving and electricity-saving patents to water-saving patents, and the rate of energy-saving and electricity-saving patents to all patents in the region. In another word, the EEL has a significant directed technological inducing effect. As for the role of the heterogeneity of patent types, the positive effects of the EEL system on invention patents are significantly suppressed in patent-for-utility models. Thus, it is suggested to improve the existing EEL system, gradually expand the product coverage of the EEL system, and increase the protection scope of utility model patents for achieving technological progress and sustainable development of society.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Family Time Among Married Working Women in South Korea
Authors: Lee Yoonjoo
Published: August 2023

Despite the importance of time with family when facing stressful events, there is insufficient understanding of time spent with family during the COVID-19 pandemic among married working women. This study examined how the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with time spent with family among such women in South Korea, focusing on variations according to occupation and employment status. To address these questions, we pooled cross-sectional data collected before and during the pandemic ( N = 13,089) and conducted independent t tests, ANOVAs, and ordinary least squares regression analyses. The results showed that married working women spent more time with their families during the pandemic than before. Furthermore, family time differed significantly according to occupation but not employment status. Both occupation and employment status moderated the association between the pandemic onset and time spent with family. Compared to clerks, managers, and professionals had greater increases in family time, while there were smaller increases for workers in service, sales, craft, and production. Moreover, temporarily employed women had a lower increase in family time than permanently employed women. We suggest that these differences may have arisen from the different levels of feasibility of having family-friendly work schedules and flexible working arrangements in different occupations and forms of employment.
Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire: A Mokken Scale Analysis
Authors: Dagsdóttir Bára Elísabet , Kristjánsdóttir Hafrún , Vésteinsdóttir Vaka , Thorsdottir Fanney
Published: August 2023

Athletes’ goal orientations have been associated with a wide array of sport-related behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions. The two main goal orientations defined in the achievement goal theory framework are task and ego orientations. The task and ego orientation questionnaire (TEOSQ) was developed to assess levels of task and ego goal orientations in sport-related settings and is widely used in research in the field of sport psychology. Its use in research rests on the assumption that sum scores of the TEOSQ can be used to order individuals by their levels of the two goal orientations. In this study, the soundness of this assumption is evaluated using Mokken scale analysis (MSA). TEOSQ responses from 749 football players were used in the analysis. Both the monotone homogeneity model and the double monotonicity model were fitted. The scalability coefficients for both the task and ego orientation subscales were 0.45 indicating a moderately good scalability. Invariant item ordering did not hold for either of the two subscales. There is definite room for improvement in the TEOSQ. Several improvement suggestions are made and further research directions are discussed.
Operationalizing the open city concept: A case study of Berlin
Authors: Abou Jaoude Grace , Murad Majd , Mumm Olaf , Carlow Vanessa Miriam
Published: August 2023

Framed by a utopian rhetoric, the Open City emerges as a potential guiding principle to the contradictory tendencies and calamities of cities. As an elusive concept with a panoply of context-bound interpretations, the Open City is an open-ended project that manifests through different situations across the city. The article aims to explore different attributes of the Open City, in the context of Berlin, based on a thorough literature review and operationalizes the concept using a systematized approach. Results revealed that openness in Berlin followed a center-periphery pattern, where areas that fostered a high degree of openness were mostly found in inner-city neighborhoods while a lower potential of openness prevailed along the edges. By analyzing the conditions of openness in relation to the built environment, we sought to contribute toward a better understanding of the Open City concept and provide an approach for analyzing openness that can be adapted to different geographic contexts.
Active surveillance of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccines in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Cherian Naveena Mary , Durai Dravya Anna , Jaisel Muhammed , Sharma Divyansh , Sebastian Juny , Basavaraja Chetak Kadabasal , Mathew Merrin
Published: August 2023

Background:

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent disease and save lives, but it may also produce some undesirable adverse events (AEs)which may affect healthy individuals. Therefore, the monitoring of AE following immunization (AEFIs) is necessary. The objective of this study was to assess the AEs following COVID-19 vaccinations in a tertiary care hospital.

Methodology:

The study was conducted as active vaccine safety surveillance for a period of 6 months among the COVID-19 vaccine beneficiaries of the study site. Active surveillance was conducted via initiating two telephone contacts. The first surveillance was conducted in 8 days and the second surveillance after 28 days of post-vaccination. All identified AEs following immunizations (AEFIs) were reported and analysed by the AEFI investigation team at the study site. The causality assessment of each identified AEFI was performed using the World Health Organization’s causality assessment algorithm.

Results:

A total of 2927 enrolled study population completed the study with a response rate of 80.85%. The study identified 902 AEFIs from 614 study populations with an incidence rate of 20.97%. Of which 794 and 79 AEFIs were associated with COVISHIELD™ and COVAXIN®, respectively. The majority of the events were reported among the age group of 18–29 years. Overall, only three events were serious and no deaths were reported among the study population. A total of 75.59% of events had a consistent causal association with vaccination and were categorized as vaccine product-related reactions. The study identified various factors such as gender ( p = 0.019), age ( p < 0.05), co-morbid status ( p = 0.032) and dose number ( p = 0.001) as potential predictors for development of AEFI.

Conclusion:

The study identified only 0.33% of events as serious, and 99.67% of the study population recovered from the AEFIs, which reveals that COVISHIELD™ and COVAXIN® have a generally favourable safety profile. However, close monitoring is required to identify the potential signals, as the safety data from the clinical trials are limited.
Context, culture, and cordons: The feasibility of post-earthquake cordons learned through a case study in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Shakti R , Orchiston Caroline HR
Published: August 2023

Increasingly, post-earthquake cordons (PECs) have been used to support response and recovery activities around the world. However, thus far, the empirical analysis of cordons has not considered the overarching feasibility of their use. This research aims to fill this gap through a case study of Kathmandu Valley following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal. It draws on a broader study that has investigated various aspects of cordons in New Zealand and Italy. In total, 13 interviews were conducted in the Nepali language with relevant experts of varying backgrounds and expertise such as academics, disaster management officers, policymakers, municipality representatives, and practitioners (INGO). The interviews were semi-structured and conducted through purposive and snowball sampling. The data was translated, transcribed, and then coded into NVivo software which was then analyzed inductively through an iterative thematic process. The findings of this research demonstrate the importance of context in understanding PECs and their implications on disaster response and recovery. For cordons to be feasible, many factors such as resource challenges (physical, economic, and human) and provisions for temporary housing, welfare, access to essential services, security, and availability of alternative transportation routes are essential. In addition, legislative frameworks, trust in government institutions, and cultural nuances need to be taken into consideration if PECs are to be feasible as a disaster response and recovery strategy.
Are Lateral Ankle Ligament Banding Patterns and Band Thickness Symmetrical Between Contralateral Uninjured Limbs?
Authors: Fenech Michelle
Published: August 2023

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine whether the number and thickness of ligament bands of lateral ankle ligaments are symmetrical between contralateral uninjured ankles of the same healthy person, using sonography.

Materials and Methods:

The ligaments investigated include the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL). The influence of age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and hours of physical exercise on uninjured ankle ligament band thickness was also explored. The lateral ankle ligaments of both limbs of 27 physically active adults (18–50 years of age) were sonographically imaged in short and long-axis planes to determine the number of bands and measure each band thickness. The ligament banding and ankle ligament band thickness was compared between contralateral uninjured limbs.

Results:

Bilateral symmetry of the number of ATFL, CFL, and AITFL bands was consistently identified between right and left uninjured limbs using short-axis sonographic imaging. No significant difference ( P > .05) in ankle ligament band thickness (acquired from long-axis images of ligament bands) between uninjured contralateral limbs was identified.

Conclusion:

The current sonographic practice of comparison of ankle ligament morphology and thickness between uninjured and injured limbs of the same person following an acute ankle injury to aid diagnosis of injury would appear justified.
Severe hypocalcemia after denosumab treatment leading to refractory ventricular tachycardia and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a case report
Authors: Okuno Fumito , Ito-Masui Asami , Hane Atsuya , Maeyama Keiko , Ikejiri Kaoru , Ishikura Ken , Yanagisawa Masashi , Dohi Kaoru , Suzuki Kei
Published: August 2023

Background

Severe hypocalcemia may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Denosumab is an effective treatment for osteoporosis that allows long intervals between doses. However, there is a risk of hypocalcemia in some patients. Due to the long half-life of denosumab, emergency physicians caring for patients presenting with symptoms of hypocalcemia may not be aware of the medication, and adverse effects may last longer.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anxiety disorder called for an ambulance for symptoms of hyperventilation and muscle cramps. After evaluation at the local hospital, she developed pulseless ventricular tachycardia and was resuscitated by defibrillation by the hospital staff. After conversion to sinus rhythm, she was transported to a tertiary center. Upon arrival, pulseless ventricular tachycardia occurred again, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) were implemented. Laboratory results showed severe hypocalcemia (corrected calcium level of 5.3 mg/dL) whereupon intravenous calcium supplementation was started. She had received the first dose of denosumab (60 mg) by subcutaneous injection 24 days prior to hospitalization. She was eventually weaned from ECMO and IABP support.

Conclusion

Cardiac arrest due to hypocalcemia is relatively rare but can be fatal. In the present case, hyperventilation may have acutely exacerbated pre-existing hypocalcemia, leading to ventricular tachycardia. The patient had a slightly decreased serum calcium level prior to denosumab. Close monitoring may be preferable after the primary dose of denosumab in selected patients. Emergency physicians caring for patients who may be suffering from symptoms/signs of hypocalcemia must be mindful of medications that have long half-lives and affect electrolyte balance when treating fatal arrhythmia due to hypocalcemia.
Population genetic differentiation of the ubiquitous brooding coral Pocillopora acuta along Phuket Island reefs in the Andaman Sea, Thailand
Authors: Fiesinger Anna , Held Christoph , Melzner Frank , Putchim Lalita , Reusch Thorsten B. H. , Schmidt Andrea L. , Wall Marlene
Published: August 2023

Background

The widespread Indo-Pacific coral species Pocillopora acuta Lamarck, 1816 displays varying levels of asexual versus sexual reproduction, with strong repercussions on genetic diversity, connectivity and genetic structuring within and among populations. For many geographic regions, baseline information on genetic diversity is still lacking, particularly in the Andaman Sea. The region suffered a massive heat-induced bleaching event in 2010 with high coral cover loss of branching coral species such as P. acuta. A subsequent bleaching in 2016, however, revealed a mild bleaching response in pocilloporids compared to other coral taxa in the region, suggesting that rare, heat tolerant genotypes had been selected by the 2010 bleaching event. In order to test whether this potential ‘evolutionary rescue’ event has led to a low genetic diversity, we conducted a population genetic survey covering a total of nine different P. acuta populations (336 individuals) along a 50 km coastal stretch around Phuket Island, Thailand. We used six microsatellite markers to assess genotypic diversity and to determine the prevalent mode of reproduction (i.e. sexual or asexual recruitment).

Results

In contrast to other Indian Ocean P. acuta populations, the majority of corals in this study adopted a sexual reproduction mode (75% across all populations). At the same time, substantial regional gene flow was observed around Phuket Island with strong genetic differentiation as indicated by three genetic clusters that were separated by only a few kilometers. Patterns of isolation by distance over 0.7 – 40 km suggest small-scale genetic barriers, such as changing currents throughout each monsoonal season, potentially contributing to locally restricted dispersal of P. acuta larvae.

Conclusions

The occurrence of distinct genetic clusters within short coastal stretches suggests that the 2010 bleaching event has not led to extreme genetic impoverishment. While more in-depth genomic analyses are necessary to investigate changes in genetic diversity following extreme bleaching events, our results will help guide conservation efforts to maintain genetic diversity of a coral species that likely will be dominant in future, warmer Andaman Sea reefs.
Integrated analyses of metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the potential regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs in gingerol biosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Wenlin , Yang Yang , Zhu Xuedong , Yang Suyu , Liao Ximei , Li Honglei , Li Zhexin , Liao Qinhong , Tang Jianmin , Zhao Guohua , Wu Lin
Published: August 2023

Background

As the characteristic functional component in ginger, gingerols possess several health-promoting properties. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as crucial regulators of diverse biological processes. However, lncRNAs in ginger are not yet identified so far, and their potential roles in gingerol biosynthesis are still unknown. In this study, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed in three main ginger cultivars (leshanhuangjiang, tonglingbaijiang, and yujiang 1 hao) in China to understand the potential roles of the specific lncRNAs in gingerol accumulation.

Results

A total of 744 metabolites were monitored by metabolomics analysis, which were divided into eleven categories. Among them, the largest group phenolic acid category contained 143 metabolites, including 21 gingerol derivatives. Of which, three gingerol analogs, [8]-shogaol, [10]-gingerol, and [12]-shogaol, accumulated significantly. Moreover, 16,346 lncRNAs, including 2,513, 1,225, and 2,884 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNA genes (DELs), were identified in all three comparisons by transcriptomic analysis. Gene ontology enrichment (GO) analysis showed that the DELs mainly enriched in the secondary metabolite biosynthetic process, response to plant hormones, and phenol-containing compound metabolic process. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of 11 DE gingerol biosynthesis enzyme genes (GBEGs) and 190 transcription factor genes (TF genes), such as MYB1, ERF100, WRKY40, etc. were strongly correlation coefficient with the contents of the three gingerol analogs. Furthermore, 7 and 111 upstream cis-acting lncRNAs, 1,200 and 2,225 upstream trans-acting lncRNAs corresponding to the GBEGs and TF genes were identified, respectively. Interestingly, 1,184 DELs might function as common upstream regulators to these GBEGs and TFs genes, such as LNC_008452, LNC_006109, LNC_004340, etc. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction networks (PPI) analysis indicated that three TF proteins, MYB4, MYB43, and WRKY70 might interact with four GBEG proteins (PAL1, PAL2, PAL3, and 4CL-4).

Conclusion

Based on these findings, we for the first time worldwide proposed a putative regulatory cascade of lncRNAs, TFs genes, and GBEGs involved in controlling of gingerol biosynthesis. These results not only provide novel insights into the lncRNAs involved in gingerol metabolism, but also lay a foundation for future in-depth studies of the related molecular mechanism.
A gene mutation-based risk model for prognostic prediction in liver metastases
Authors: Yu Bingran , Zhang Ning , Feng Yun , Xu Weiqi , Zhang Ti , Wang Lu
Published: August 2023

Background

Liver metastasis is the major challenge in the treatment for malignant tumors. Genomic profiling is increasingly used in the diagnosis, treatment and prediction of prognosis in malignancies. In this study, we constructed a gene mutation-based risk model to predict the survival of liver metastases.

Method

We identified the gene mutations associated with survival and constructed the risk model in the training cohort including 800 patients with liver metastases from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) dataset. Other 794 patients with liver metastases were collected from 4 cohorts for validation. Furthermore, the analyses of tumor microenvironment (TME) and somatic mutations were performed on 51 patients with breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) who had both somatic mutation data and RNA-sequencing data.

Results

A gene mutation-based risk model involved 10 genes was constructed to divide patients with liver metastases into the high- and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group had a longer survival time compared to those in the high-risk group, which was observed in both training and validation cohorts. The analyses of TME in BCLM showed that the low-risk group exhibited more immune infiltration than the high-risk group. Furthermore, the mutation signatures of the high-risk group were completely different from those of the low-risk group in patients with BCLM.

Conclusions

The gene mutation-based risk model constructed in our study exhibited the reliable ability of predicting the prognosis in liver metastases. The difference of TME and somatic mutations among BCLM patients with different risk score can guide the further research and treatment decisions for liver metastases.
A signaling complex of adenylate cyclase CyaC of Sinorhizobium meliloti with cAMP and the transcriptional regulators Clr and CycR
Authors: Klein Robin , Brehm Jannis , Wissig Juliane , Heermann Ralf , Unden Gottfried
Published: August 2023

Background

Adenylate cyclases (ACs) generate the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is found in all domains of life and is involved in the regulation of various cell physiological and metabolic processes. In the plant symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, synthesis of cAMP by the membrane-bound AC CyaC responds to the redox state of the respiratory chain and the respiratory quinones. However, nothing is known about the signaling cascade that is initiated by cAMP produced by CyaC.

Results

Here, the CRP-like transcriptional regulator Clr and the TetR-like regulator CycR (TR01819 protein) were identified to interact with CyaC using the bacterial two-hybrid system (BACTH), co-sedimentation assays, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Interaction of CycR with Clr, and of CyaC with Clr requires the presence of cAMP and of ATP, respectively, whereas that of CyaC with CycR was independent of the nucleotides.

Conclusion

The data implicate a ternary CyaC×CycR×cAMP-Clr complex, functioning as a specific signaling cascade which is formed after activation of CyaC and synthesis of cAMP. cAMP-Clr is thought to work in complex with CycR to regulate a subset of genes of the cAMP-Clr regulon in S. meliloti.
Sex-specific associations of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary plaque composition for hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis: a coronary computed tomography angiography study
Authors: Wu Mengshan , Feng Jintang , Zhang Zhang , Zhang Ningnannan , Yang Fan , Li Ruijun , Men Yueqi , Li Dong
Published: August 2023

Background

It has been reported that there are sex differences in plaque composition and hemodynamically significant stenosis. This study aimed to explore the impact of sex on cardiovascular risk factors for specific plaque compositions and hemodynamically significant stenosis.

Methods

Data regarding demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Hemodynamically significant stenosis was identified by a computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve of ≤ 0.8. Associations among cardiovascular risk factors, plaque composition, and hemodynamically significant stenosis were assessed using a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis across sexes. The discriminating capacity of diverse plaque components for hemodynamically significant stenosis was assessed by area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

A total of 1164 patients (489 men and 675 women) were included. For men, hyperlipidemia and cigarette smoking were risk factors for each plaque component (all P < 0.05), and diabetes mellitus also predicted fibrotic components (P < 0.05). For women, risk factors for each plaque component were hypertension and diabetes mellitus (all P < 0.01). Nonetheless, hyperlipidemia (P < 0.05) was a specific risk factor for non-calcified components. Calcified components combined with fibrotic components showed superior discrimination of hemodynamically significant stenosis in men and calcified components alone in women (all P < 0.01). Hypertension (P < 0.01) was a risk factor for hemodynamically significant stenosis in women. In contrast, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking were risk factors for hemodynamically significant stenosis in men (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In men, hemodynamically significant stenosis was predicted by a combination of calcified and fibrotic components with multiple risk factors. In women, hemodynamically significant stenosis was predicted by calcified components caused by a single risk factor. It might be a key point to improve prognosis by more precise risk management between men and women, which needs to be proved by further prospective trials.