bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing and characterizing geometric complexities of metal additively manufactured parts using x-ray micro-computed tomography and multiscale curvature analyses
Authors: Bartkowiak Tomasz , Gapiński Bartosz , Wieczorowski Michał , Mietliński Patryk , Brown Christopher A
Published: January 2023

This study explores a quantitative analysis of multiscale geometric characterization of laser melted parts made of Ti-6Al-4V to establish functional relations between geometric characterisations and formation, or process, parameters. A focus is here is on multiscale curvature as a characterization of local shape which, unlike conventional texture characterizations, does not require a datum. Surfaces were measured using microCT scanner which, unlike conventional optical and stylus methods, can measure surfaces of re-entrant features. Laser power and scanning speed were considered as crucial AM process parameters in this study. It was found that curvature performed well in discriminating surfaces by both crucial process parameters and their combination for all analysed scales ranging from 0.005 to 1.000 mm. Strong functional correlations were established using linear regression (R2 = 0.83) for the largest considered scale, while no correlations were observed for fine scales associated with the powder particle sizes. It was noticed that large scale curvature increases with laser power and decreases with the scanning speed. That showed that multiscale curvature can be an easy-to-implement and valuable analysis for complex, freeform, AM metal surfaces.
A new technique for 3D printing dielectric structures using aerosol-jettable photopolymers
Authors: Areias Christopher , Piro Yuri , Ranasingha Oshadha , Akyurtlu Alkim
Published: January 2023

In this article, we report the development of a new method for the 3D printing of dielectrics. An aerosol-jet printer is used to deposit overlapping layers of photopolymer material under ultraviolet floodlight in the assembly of ramping microstructures in situ without the need for supporting structures. Printing is conducted using an in-house photodielectric ink, the development of which is presented with an emphasis on dielectric and mechanical bulk material characterization. Low dielectric loss at the X-band and structural strength are demonstrated, followed by print characterization wherein the driving mechanisms of the new method are explored, tied to print conditions, and related to specific material properties. Finally, a complex structure in the form of a 3D flower is printed to demonstrate the controlled and repeatable performance of the proposed technique.
Signal regulatory protein alpha is a conserved marker for mouse and rat spermatogonial stem cells
Authors: Miyazaki Takehiro , Kanatsu-Shinohara Mito , Ema Masatsugu , Shinohara Takashi
Published: January 2023

Characterization of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) has been hampered by their low frequency and lack of features that distinguish them from committed spermatogonia. Few conserved SSC markers have been discovered. To identify a new SSC marker, we evaluated SIRPA expression in mouse and rat SSCs. SIRPA was expressed in a small population of undifferentiated spermatogonia. SIRPA, and its ligand CD47 were expressed in cultured SSCs. Expression of both SIRPA and CD47 was upregulated by supplementation of GDNF and FGF2, which promoted SSC self-renewal. Sirpa depletion by short hairpin RNA impaired the proliferation of cultured SSCs, and these cells showed decreased MAP2K1 activation and PTPN11 phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that SIRPA associates with PTPN11. Ptpn11 depletion impaired SSC activity in a manner similar to Sirpa depletion. SIRPA was expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia in rat and monkey testes. Xenogenic transplantation experiments demonstrated that SIRPA is expressed in rat SSCs. These results suggest that SIRPA is a conserved SSC marker that promotes SSC self-renewal division by activating the MAP2K1 pathway via PTPN11.
An Autoethnographic Perspective of Life Story Work
Authors: Ricketts Deyanna
Published: January 2023

Life Story Work (LSW) is an intervention primarily used with care-experienced young people to help them produce a coherent, co-produced life narrative. The intervention has been in circulation since the 1960s, yet it has still been vastly under-researched. This article examines two models of LSW in circulation in the UK today and concludes that each model has its advantages and limitations. However, more research into the outcomes of LSW is needed. The article offers an autoethnographic case study of the author’s own experience of LSW and its potential outcomes to help inspire more researchers examine this vital intervention for a young person’s development.
Cataloging natural sialic acids and other nonulosonic acids (NulOs), and their representation using the Symbol Nomenclature for Glycans
Authors: Lewis Amanda L , Toukach Philip , Bolton Evan , Chen Xi , Frank Martin , Lütteke Thomas , Knirel Yuriy , Schoenhofen Ian , Varki Ajit , Vinogradov Evgeny , Woods Robert J , Zachara Natasha , Zhang Jian , Kamerling Johannis P , Neelamegham Sriram ,   the SNFG Discussion Group, Darvill Alan , Dell Anne , Henrissat Bernard , Bertozzi Carolyn , Lisacek Frederique , Hart Gerald , Narimatsu Hisashi , Freeze Hudson , Yamada Issaku , Paulson James , Marth Jamey , Vliegenthart J F G , Aoki-Kinoshita Kiyoko F , Etzler Marilynn , Aebi Markus , Campbell Matthew , Tiemeyer Michael , Kanehisa Minoru , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Edwards Nathan , Packer Nicolle , Stanley Pamela , Rudd Pauline , Seeberger Peter , Mazumder Raja , Ranzinger Rene , Cummings Richard , Sayle Roger , Schnaar Ronald , Perez Serge , Kornfeld Stuart , Kinoshita Taroh , York William
Published: January 2023

Nonulosonic acids or non-2-ulosonic acids (NulOs) are an ancient family of 2-ketoaldonic acids (α-ketoaldonic acids) with a 9-carbon backbone. In nature, these monosaccharides occur either in a 3-deoxy form (referred to as “sialic acids”) or in a 3,9-dideoxy “sialic-acid-like” form. The former sialic acids are most common in the deuterostome lineage, including vertebrates, and mimicked by some of their pathogens. The latter sialic-acid-like molecules are found in bacteria and archaea. NulOs are often prominently positioned at the outermost tips of cell surface glycans, and have many key roles in evolution, biology and disease. The diversity of stereochemistry and structural modifications among the NulOs contributes to more than 90 sialic acid forms and 50 sialic-acid-like variants described thus far in nature. This paper reports the curation of these diverse naturally occurring NulOs at the NCBI sialic acid page (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/glycans/sialic.html) as part of the NCBI-Glycans initiative. This includes external links to relevant Carbohydrate Structure Databases. As the amino and hydroxyl groups of these monosaccharides are extensively derivatized by various substituents in nature, the Symbol Nomenclature For Glycans (SNFG) rules have been expanded to represent this natural diversity. These developments help illustrate the natural diversity of sialic acids and related NulOs, and enable their systematic representation in publications and online resources.
A review of the blue economy, potential, and opportunities in seven Caribbean nations pre-COVID-19
Authors: Phang Sui , March Antaya , Touron-Gardic Gregoire , Deane Kieran , Failler Pierre
Published: January 2023

Caribbean countries face many challenges to effectively implement and benefit from the blue economy. This study synthesized current available information from the literature about the main blue economy activities in the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, to highlight their value in the context of blue economic recovery. This timestamp of data provides a point of comparison to understand the vulnerability of blue economy sectors to external shocks. The top performing sectors prior to the pandemic were shipping and tourism, both of which were significant contributors to the GDP. The other sectors (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, etc.) in some countries were well established and in others, at a minimum, displayed potential for continued development. To valorize the blue economy in a post pandemic recovery, there are three core areas of opportunity: sustainable resource extraction and production; cultivated economic development; and improved ecosystem economic valuations. Harnessing these opportunities will require a transition from a traditional ocean economy towards a coordinated blue economy, including the adoption of effective governance and sustainability principles, improved social, economic, and environmental valuations, and sustainable financing, as well as a more regional coordinated approach to the management of resources.
Quantifying the potential impact of reducing recreational harvest limits on the catch of a key marine species using off-site angler survey data
Authors: Ochwada-Doyle Faith , Hughes Julian , Fowler Ashley M , Murphy Jeffrey , Stark Kate , Lowry Michael , West Laurie , Taylor Matthew D
Published: January 2023

Recreational fishing can have substantial ecological impacts, which must be managed against a background of critical socio-economic factors. However, it is often difficult to assess the effect of altered management arrangements on this sector’s harvest. Recreational fishing surveys can assist in quantifying the impact of changes to harvest limits. Here, we use survey data collected in 2013/2014 and 2017/2018 to estimate the total catch of Dusky Flathead (Platycephalus fuscus), a key Australian marine species, under a daily harvest limit of 10 fish per angler and simulated scenarios where the limit is reduced to 5, 3, or 1 fish per angler. We then test the significance of these changes in harvest limit on catch and also model the potential effects of year and region using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMz). For both sampled time periods, the GLMMz found that only the most stringent harvest limit reduction to 1 fish per angler would lower retained harvest significantly. None of the reductions in harvest limit increased the number of released Dusky Flathead significantly. We discuss how this novel quantitative approach can be used to inform alternative output management regulations by taking into account their potential ecological and socio-economic benefits for a recreational fishery.
Practices of Policy Orientation: A Study of the Heterogeneous Field of Democracy Promotion Research
Authors: Holthaus Leonie , Wolff Jonas
Published: January 2023

In this article, we address the question of how policy orientation shapes academic research from a sociological perspective. Policy orientation involves the mobilization of scientific resources and the “mobilization of the world.” Our analysis is based on Bourdieusian field theory and focuses on democracy promotion research (DPR). It shows that DPR is a heterogeneous academic field characterized by the field-specific demand for policy orientation. (Western) Scholars and, particularly, scholar-practitioners occupy central positions, and field-specific practices of policy orientation include stocktaking, evaluation, problem identification, and critical intervention. While we derive these insights from analysis of DPR, our findings are useful for the study of policy orientation in similar academic fields. For the reflexive and systematic analysis of how policy orientation shapes, for example, development studies and human rights research, we suggest a focus on interrelations between academic fields, field-specific struggles, and relationships with the respective policy fields.
Using Emotion4Down: Evaluating the Design of a Serious Video Game for Supporting Emotional Awareness with People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hernandez-Lara Marisela , Martinez-Garcia Ana I , Caro Karina
Published: January 2023

Down syndrome is considered the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. People with intellectual disabilities have deficits in intellectual functioning such as attention, reasoning and academic learning. According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intellectual disability encompasses only a person’s intellectual functioning; however, it can co-exist with other developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome may have intellectual disabilities in the mild to moderate range. Because of this, they exhibit some cognitive and emotional characteristics of intellectual disability. Among the emotional characteristics of these populations are difficulties in recognizing some emotions, which triggers anxiety and depression problems. The literature proposes using serious video games to support different skills of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Some of these works have shown how these serious video games support the development of different skills of these populations. However, they have not been designed to support their emotional awareness. Likewise, technology is aimed at supporting emotion recognition and identification, but most of these have been aimed at other populations, such as people with autism. This paper presents the evaluation process of the design of Emotion4Down: a serious video game to support emotional awareness. We conducted this evaluation in three stages involving people with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome.
The relationship between compliance and compulsion, and dynamics of diversion, in child welfare decision-making
Authors: Donnelly Michelle
Published: January 2023

This article explores the relationship between (parental) compliance and (child) compulsion, within the wider dynamics of diversion, in child welfare decision-making. It examines how notions of parental compliance can be used by decision-makers to distinguish between compulsory and voluntary forms of state intervention in children’s and families’ lives. The article focusses on Scotland as a case study by drawing on empirical findings from a qualitative investigation into gatekeeping decision-making in the children’s hearings system, which found that notions of parental compliance are significant to decisions about whether to bring children within the statutory child protection system in practice. Key findings on parental cooperation, engagement, and acceptance are conceptualised as forms of ‘compliance’, linked to the existing international evidence base, and analysed in terms of state power and coercion, parental stigma and resistance in child protection processes. The relationship between parental compliance and child compulsion is scrutinised, in light of the procedural peculiarities of the Scottish system and wider proliferation of diversionary strategies aimed at reducing the numbers of children being drawn into formal child protection processes. The conclusion is that positive parental compliance may support diversion from involuntary child protection processes but there should be limits to reliance on negative conceptions of non-compliance to support direction into the statutory system.
In a nutshell
Authors: Codogno Lorenzo , Galli Giampaolo
Published: January 2023

Strange as it may seem to most readers, there is a flurry of publications against meritocracy in the US and the UK. Hence the authors are rather precise in defining what they mean by meritocracy. Meritocracy is the idea that social and economic success should reflect talent, effort, and achievement. Would anyone be happy to know that her/his cardiologist was not selected according to merit and is, therefore, at best, a mediocre doctor? And why should merit be less important for such critical functions as those of the teachers to whom we entrust the education of our children, or those of the judges who have the power to limit our personal freedoms? Whatever criticism one may raise against meritocracy, one must always be aware that the alternative to it is patronage, which means essentially a semi-feudal system where positions in society are either inherited or obtained through connections with barons, dukes, bosses, etc. This is something that a modern liberal democracy cannot accept as a matter of principle. It cannot accept it because, in the absence of merit, leaders in all fields of society are mediocre, and they end up losing legitimacy. In a knowledge-based competitive scenario, a society not based on merit is unlikely to display economic growth. Lack of legitimacy and low economic growth give some justification to populist movements and create general resentment against the institutions that may undermine the very foundation of the democratic state.
Childhood Memories
Authors: Jahanbegloo Ramin
Published: January 2023

Vajpeyi’s initial schooling took place in a kasbah khurai in Sagar District, where again his grand-father was posted. His father was then moving around here and there because the University had not yet come up. But from the third standard in the primary school he came over to Sagar and he lived there till he graduated.
The Culture vs Strategy
Authors: Pawar V P , Kunte Bhagyashree , Tumuluri Srinivas
Published: January 2023

This case describes an Industrial Relations (IR) situation in an automobile company in India. It begins with the mention of incidents which begins with lockout at the company. A lockout is a temporary work stoppage or denial of employment initiated by the management of a company during a labour dispute. According to the rule, after the company’s lockout, workers are not paid till the time it (lockout) is revoked. The monthly salaries of its employees for the period before the incident will be paid only after the lockout is withdrawn and the plant starts functioning. The case highlights the growing number of instances of clashes between the employees and the management of companies in India, due to unjustified demands by the workers which are often guided by external parties such as trade unions and political parties. German automobile component manufacturer Bosch has declared a lockout at its Jaipur plant due to an ‘illegal go-slow’ action since 19 March 2015 and on an indefinite hunger strike by the union office bearers.
An Opaque Window
Authors: Mathur SB , Bokephode Sudhakar , Balsaraf DD
Published: January 2023

As regards two union situations in Alpha Automobiles (AA) the management should formulate a works council (WC) where in leaders of both the unions get equal opportunity to discuss and negotiate with management on a continuous basis. The WC should consist of employee representatives: president, general secretary, joint secretary, two members from each union. The first three positions should be rotated between two unions every eighteen months. There should be common minimum agreed points (CMAP) between management and the unions which will not be contested by the unions during validity of the MOA. Issues such as efficiency, wages, quality, safety, attendance and to maintain industrial peace should be included in these MAPS.
No sign of increased ethnic discrimination during a crisis: evidence from the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Auer Daniel , Ruedin Didier , Van Belle Eva
Published: January 2023

When crises hit, social theory predicts increased hostility toward immigrants. We exploit the Covid-19 pandemic as a unique exogenous crisis and examine whether discrimination increased in its wake. Repeating a field experiment in the Swiss housing market in 2018 and 2020, we find no evidence of increased discrimination against the most important immigrant groups in Switzerland. Contrarily, when uncertainty dominates the market, proprietors appear to change their selection behavior by substituting signals of ethnicity for other markers of solvency and reliability and, consequently, invitation rates for immigrants increase relative to native house-hunters. We conclude that crises do not necessarily increase discriminatory behavior in market situations.
Tranzschelia discolor as the Causal Agent of Rust on Nectarine, Peach, and Japanese Plum in Highland Areas of Northern Thailand
Authors: Chitta Pitaksin , Nontajak Sutasinee , Mabangkhru Natthawee , Bussaban Boonsom
Published: January 2023

A severe outbreak of rust disease was observed on Prunus species, P. persica (peach), P. persica var. nectarina (nectarine), and P. salicina (Japanese plum) cultivated in northern Thailand in the rainy season. Previous reports have identified the causal agents as Tranzschelia discolor and T. pruni-spinosae based on only morphological characteristics. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify rust fungi of Prunus spp. based on morphology and molecular analyses. Between May and July in 2020 and 2022, 18 isolates were collected from five areas in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. Symptoms of rust consisted of cinnamon brown pustules of uredinia that were hypophyllous and visible as pale greenish to chlorotic yellowish angular spots on the upper leaf surfaces. Urediniospore shape, size, and color were similar to T. discolor. Molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial 28S large subunit (LSU) region rRNA genes confirmed the isolates to be T. discolor. This is the first report of P. salicina as a host of T. discolor in Thailand.
Adjunctive Azithromycin Prophylaxis for Prelabor Cesarean Birth
Authors: Ruzic Martha F. , Blanchard Christina T. , Cozzi Gabriella D. , Howard Hannah R. , Casey Brian M. , Tita Alan T. , Kim Dhong-Jin , Szychowski Jeff M. , Subramaniam Akila
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate maternal postoperative infections before and after addition of adjunctive azithromycin to standard antibiotic prophylaxis for prelabor cesarean births.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with singleton gestations at more than 23 weeks of gestation who underwent prelabor cesarean birth at a single tertiary care center. Deliveries were categorized as those before implementation of 500 mg intravenous azithromycin in addition to standard preoperative cephalosporin antibiotic prophylaxis (pre-AZI group; January 2013–September 2015) and those after implementation of adjunctive azithromycin (post-AZI group; January 2016–December 2018). Cesarean births from October to December 2015 were excluded as a washout period. The primary outcome was a composite of postcesarean infections (endometritis, superficial or deep wound infections, intra-abdominal abscess, urinary tract infections). Secondary outcomes included composite components, other wound or postoperative complications, and select neonatal morbidities. Outcomes were compared between groups, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using multivariable analysis. Propensity score matching was performed to assess the robustness our analysis.

RESULTS:

Of 2,867 delivering patients included for analysis, 1,391 (48.5%) were in the pre-AZI group and 1,476 (51.5%) were in the post-AZI group. Patients in the post-AZI group were older and were more likely to have private insurance, use aspirin, and receive predelivery antibiotics within 2 weeks. There were significantly lower odds of composite infection after azithromycin implementation (3.3% vs 4.8%, aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.89), driven by a reduction in wound infection odds (2.4% vs 3.5%, aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39–0.98). There were lower odds of other postpartum complications, including wound seroma (0.5% vs 0.9%, aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.90) and dehiscence (0.5% vs 1.2%, aOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.79). There were no differences in select neonatal morbidities between groups. Of 1,138 matching sets in the propensity analysis, the primary outcome remained significantly lower in the post-AZI group (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41–0.99).

CONCLUSION:

Adopting adjunctive azithromycin for prelabor cesarean deliveries was associated with lower odds of postpartum infection.
Use of Conservative Therapies Before Hysterectomy for Uterine Leiomyomas
Authors: Liao Lillian , Chen Ling , Melamed Alexander , Hershman Dawn L. , Wright Jason D.
Published: January 2023

We used a claims database to identify patients with uterine leiomyomas who underwent hysterectomy between 2011 and 2019. Use of conservative medical and surgical interventions in the 24-month period before hysterectomy was explored. Overall, 59.7% of patients did not receive any conservative intervention before hysterectomy. Individuals who underwent hysterectomy in more recent years and those with endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, greater comorbidity, or prior venous thromboembolism were more likely to receive conservative interventions.
Complex Gynecologic Fistulas Presenting 10 Years After Uterine Artery Embolization
Authors: Fugaru Ioana , Fogaing Cora , Aldhaheri Sarah , Weibel Helene , Fahmy Nader
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, but long-term complications are under-reported.

CASE:

This is the case of a healthy 51-year-old woman who had previously undergone UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. The patient presented with gross hematuria and pelvic pain 10 years later. She was found to have both a vesicouterine and a uteroduodenal fistula. The patient was successfully treated with hysterectomy, excision of the vesicouterine fistula, partial cystectomy, excision of the duodenal fistula, and primary duodenal repair.

CONCLUSION:

Complex gynecologic fistulas may occur as a long-term complication in symptomatic women with a history of UAE.
Trends in Hysterectomy Rates Associated With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Authors: Emont Jordan , Wen Timothy , Friedman Alexander M. , Wright Jason D.
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To compare nationwide trends in the rate of inpatient and outpatient hysterectomy between 2019 and 2020 during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS:

Using weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample and the National Ambulatory Surgery Sample, we examined the number of hysterectomies performed by month from 2019 through 2020. Monthly trends were compared between years overall, stratified by the route of surgery (abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal) and by indication for surgery (benign, preinvasive, cancer). Trends analyses were conducted using Joinpoint regression and reported as average monthly percentage change (AMPC). Differences in demographic characteristics between the years were compared using χ2 tests.

RESULTS:

From January 2019 through December 2020, after weighting, 1,029,792 hysterectomies were performed, including 548,802 (53.2%) in 2019 and 480,990 (46.7%) in 2020. Starting in January 2020, monthly cases declined significantly, from 40,240 to a nadir of 10,566 hysterectomies in April 2020 (AMPC −29.2%, 95% CI −39.8% to −16.8%) (P<.001). The subsequent months saw a significant increase in cases, from the nadir in April 2020 to 40,023 cases in July 2020 (AMPC 39.4%, 95% CI 18.6–63.9%) (P=.001), which then stabilized to the end of the year (AMPC −1.3%, 95% CI −4.8% to 2.4%) (P=.46). In March 2020 there was a 24.0% decrease, in April 2020 a 74.2% decrease, and in May 2020 a 35.1% decrease compared with the respective months in 2019. The rates of vaginal hysterectomy declined more than the rates of other routes of surgery, and procedures performed for benign and preinvasive disease decreased more than those for cancer.

CONCLUSION:

The rate of hysterectomy in the United States decreased in 2020 compared with 2019, with the greatest decrease from March to May of 2020, corresponding with the initial wave of COVID-19.
Safety and Efficacy of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA Vaccines During Lactation
Authors: Shook Lydia L. , Edlow Andrea G.
Published: January 2023

In this review, we summarize the data on the safety and side-effect profile of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines during lactation to date, review what is known about mRNA vaccine components in breast milk, and discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in providing immune protection for the breastfeeding infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that lactating individuals receive COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and stay up to date on booster doses, including the bivalent COVID-19 booster. The lack of serious side effects in mothers or infants across numerous large studies and registries of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and lactation is reassuring. Although small quantities of mRNA may be transiently detectable in breast milk after maternal vaccination, there are no data demonstrating that vaccine mRNA can survive the infant gastrointestinal tract and no evidence that breast milk from lactating individuals who have received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine can cause harm to breastfeeding infants. In contrast, numerous studies demonstrate that the breast milk of vaccinated individuals contains severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–specific functional antibodies and T cells, which benefit the breastfeeding infant's developing immune system. Transfer of SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies from mother to infant is highest when vaccination occurs during pregnancy compared with lactation, because the breastfeeding infant receives both long-lasting antibodies through the placenta and breast-milk antibodies through breast milk. With clear data demonstrating efficacy and safety and no data demonstrating harm to mother or infant after COVID-19 vaccine administration during lactation, any recommendations to avoid vaccination while breastfeeding or to withhold breast milk from the infant for any period of time after vaccination are not supported by available evidence.
Implications for Prenatal Genetic Testing in the United States after the Reversal of Roe v Wade
Authors: Raymond Megan B. , Barbera Julie P. , Boudova Sarah , Vinekar Kavita , Horgan Rebecca , McLaren Rodney , Al-Kouatly Huda B.
Published: January 2023

Prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing should be offered to every pregnant individual, with methods varying based on gestational age. Since Roe v Wade was overturned in June 2022, many states have implemented gestational age–based abortion restrictions. It is critical that reproductive health care professionals be aware of the interaction between the timing of genetic screening and diagnostic testing and the availability of legal abortion services in their state. We examined individual state abortion restrictions per publicly available data from The New York Times and the Guttmacher Institute and reviewed which genetic screening and diagnostic tests could be performed to provide results in time for individuals to decide whether to terminate their pregnancies legally in each state. As of December 11, 2022, 14 states have restrictions in which no diagnostic testing could be completed before gestational age–based cutoffs. Gestational age–based abortion restrictions may also influence a patient to favor chorionic villous sampling (CVS) over amniocentesis. There are two states, Florida and Arizona, where CVS would be feasible before the state's gestational age limit on abortion but amniocentesis would not. Both CVS and amniocentesis are feasible in 35 states, with legal challenges pending in 8 of the 35. Seven states specifically prohibit abortion for fetuses with genetic abnormalities. Clinicians may be placed in the suboptimal position of counseling patients with screening results alone before the gestational age–based ban in their state. There are several potential downstream consequences of gestational age–based termination restrictions for current genetic screening and testing paradigms, from adjustments to counseling options to potentially higher CVS procedure rates. Clinicians should be prepared for practice patterns to change to best serve patients in this evolving legal context.
The Utilization of Sunscreen Prescriptions to Increase Patient Use
Authors: Roush James M. , Richards Elizabeth A. , Masterson Katrina , Potetz Janelle
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite the known benefits, many patients deny receiving sunscreen counseling. Over the past decade, rates and treatment costs for skin cancer have risen.

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate provider perceptions of using sunscreen prescriptions as a method to increase patient use.

Methods

A descriptive online survey using a convenience sample of dermatology, internal medicine, and family medicine providers was used. Descriptive statistics summarized quantitative variables, and thematic analysis examined open-ended questions.

Results

Provider (N = 38 total) thoughts about sunscreen prescriptions were mixed, with many viewing sunscreen prescriptions positively (n = 15, 42.9%). Commonly listed barriers included patient lack of motivation/interest (3.53 ± 0.89), lack of standard guidelines about sunscreen counseling and prescriptions (3.34 ± 1.12), and lack of education about prescribing sunscreen (3.26 ± 1.35). Facilitators included insurance coverage (n = 21, 61.8%) and having a standardized protocol (n = 8, 23.5%).

Conclusion

Most providers felt prescribing sunscreen would increase patient use. Study results imply providers would utilize sunscreen prescriptions if a clear, standardized protocol was present. Education may help alleviate concerns related to insurance coverage. In consideration of time constraints, it may be beneficial for sunscreen prescriptions to be added to routine after-visit summaries and educational materials.
The Relationship Between Spina Bifida and Folic Acid
Authors: Conner Black Amy
Published: January 2023

Spina bifida continues to affect more than 1,000 babies annually in the United States. A possible genetic variant may be linked to spina bifida. Prevention includes an adequate amount of folate and folic acid supplements in women capable of pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Pediatric Sepsis in the Emergency Department
Authors: Mercurio Laura , Pou Sovijja , Duffy Susan , Eickhoff Carsten
Published: January 2023

Objective

To identify underappreciated sepsis risk factors among children presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods

A retrospective observational study (2017–2019) of children aged 18 years and younger presenting to a pediatric ED at a tertiary care children's hospital with fever, hypotension, or an infectious disease International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnosis. Structured patient data including demographics, problem list, and vital signs were extracted for 35,074 qualifying ED encounters. According to the Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes Classification, confirmed by expert review, 191 patients met clinical sepsis criteria. Five machine learning models were trained to predict sepsis/nonsepsis outcomes. Top features enabling model performance (N = 20) were then extracted to identify patient risk factors.

Results

Machine learning methods reached a performance of up to 93% sensitivity and 84% specificity in identifying patients who received a hospital diagnosis of sepsis. A random forest classifier performed the best, followed by a classification and regression tree. Maximum documented heart rate was the top feature in these models, with importance coefficients (ICs) of 0.09 and 0.21, which represent how much an individual feature contributes to the model. Maximum mean arterial pressure was the second most important feature (IC 0.05, 0.13). Immunization status (IC 0.02), age (IC 0.03), and patient zip code (IC 0.02) were also among the top features enabling models to predict sepsis from ED visit data. Stratified analysis revealed changes in the predictive importance of risk factors by race, ethnicity, oncologic history, and insurance status.

Conclusions

Machine learning models trained to identify pediatric sepsis using ED clinical and sociodemographic variables confirmed well-established predictors, including heart rate and mean arterial pressure, and identified underappreciated relationships between sepsis and patient age, immunization status, and demographics.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Facial Anthropometric Variations Among Cisgender Females of Different Ethnicities: Implications for Feminizing Facial Gender Affirming Surgery
Authors: Kurian Keerthi , Hao Yvonne , Boczar Daniel , Brydges Hilliard T. , Parker Augustus , Chaya Bachar F. , Trilles Jorge , Rodriguez Colon Ricardo , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Feminizing Facial Gender-Affirming Surgery (FFGAS) is gaining popularity among the diverse population of patients impacted by gender incongruence. However, most studies examining facial femininity are based on Caucasians. Thus, it is unclear if ethnic differences exist in anthropometric measures relevant to FFGAS procedures. This study aims to analyze ethnic anthropometric variations in the cisgender female face to identify differences that are potentially relevant to FFGAS.

Methods:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed following PRISMA guidelines on June 25, 2021. Original studies reporting facial anthropometry in cisgender women were included. Anthropometric measures of interest included mandibular and zygomatic width, facial and forehead height, and nasolabial angle. A meta-analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model for each anthropometric measure.

Results:

A total of 1246 abstracts were screened, yielding 21 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Facial anthropometric data of 4792 cisgender females of 16 different ethnicities were analyzed. This meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with Caucasian cisgender women, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cisgender women had a wider mandible (Japanese +20.13 mm [SE 4.43, P<0.001, P value adjusted for multiple comparisons (p-adj)=0.002], Chinese +16.22 mm [SE 4.39, P=0.002, p-adj=0.013]; and Korean +14.46 mm [SE 3.97, P=0.002, p-adj=0.014]). Further, when compared with Caucasian cisgender women, Chinese cisgender women demonstrated a larger zygomatic width, African American cisgender women tended to have smaller nasolabial angles, and Indian and Japanese cisgender women tended to have a smaller and larger facial height, respectively. However, following P value adjustment for multiple comparisons, these differences were not found to be statistically significant.

Conclusions:

We found that mandibular width tends to be greater for Japanese and Chinese cisgender women relative to Caucasian cisgender women. This data may be useful in counseling patients during preoperative evaluations ahead of mandibular reduction. No other anthropometric features were found to be significantly different among the ethnic groups studied. This portends that current approaches to FFGAS, which emphasize patient-specific needs and maintenance of a harmonious appearance, may require minimal or no adjustment to account for ethnic facial anthropometric differences.
Tracking movements of an endangered bird using mark-recapture based on DNA-tagging
Authors: Bañuelos María José , Morán-Luis María , Mirol Patricia , Quevedo Mario
Published: January 2023

Knowing the location and movements of individuals at various temporal and spatial scales is an important facet of behaviour and ecology. In threatened populations, movements that would ensure adequate genetic flow and long term population viability are often challenged by habitat fragmentation. It is also in those endangered populations where capturing and handling individuals to equip them with transmitters or to obtain tissue samples may present additional logistical challenges. DNA-tagging, i.e. individual identification of samples obtained via non-invasive approaches, can reveal certain movement patterns. We used faecal material genetically assigned to individuals to indirectly track movements of a large-bodied, endangered forest bird, Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus), for three consecutive mating seasons. We identified 127 individuals, and registered movements of 70 of them (22 females, 48 males). Most movements were relatively short for capercaillie, mostly concentrated around display areas. We did not find differences in movement distances between females and males within mating seasons, or between them. Several longer, inter-valley movements up to 9.9 km of planimetric distance linked distant display areas, showing that both females and males of Cantabrian capercaillie were able to move through the landscape, complementing previous studies on gene flow. Those longer movements may be taking birds outside of the study area, and into historical capercaillie territories, which still include substantial forest cover. Tracking animals via DNA tagging, particularly those on endangered populations, showed clear advantages like non-intrusiveness and potential for sample sizes much larger than via direct handling. However, it also misses out on direct observation and natural history, which would provide key information like social status and timing of movements.
Oxycodone self-administration and reinstatement in male and female squirrel monkeys: Effects of alternative reinforcer availability
Authors: de Moura Fernando B , Booth Raymond G , Kohut Stephen J
Published: January 2023

The use of non-drug alternative reinforcers has long been utilized as a component of therapeutic interventions for the management of substance use disorder; however, the conditions under which alternative reinforcers are most effective are not well characterized. This study evaluated the impact of varying the magnitude of an alternative reinforcer on oxycodone self-administration and reinstatement in male and female squirrel monkeys. Subjects (n=4/sex) were trained under concurrent second-order schedules of reinforcement for intravenous oxycodone (0.001-0.1mg/kg/inj) on one lever, and sweetened condensed milk (5, 10, 20, 30% in water) on another. Oxycodone-primed reinstatement was evaluated by administering 0.32mg/kg oxycodone prior to sessions in which saline was available on the drug-paired lever. During oxycodone self-administration sessions, milk availability decreased oxycodone self-administration and preference in a concentration-dependent manner; low milk concentrations were more effective at decreasing oxycodone’s reinforcing potency in males. During reinstatement tests, milk significantly attenuated oxycodone-primed responding in both males and females; low milk concentrations were more effective at decreasing the priming effects of oxycodone in females. That alternative reinforcers differentially impacted self-administration and reinstatement in a sex-dependent manner suggests that treatment strategies that utilize alternative reinforcers may be more effective in males or females depending on when they are implemented.
GRIP: Graph Representation of Immune Repertoire Using Graph Neural Network and Transformer
Authors: Lee Yongju , Lee Hyunho , Shin Kyoungseob , Kwon Sunghoon
Published: January 2023

The immune repertoire is a collection of immune receptors that has emerged as an important biomarker for both the diagnostic and therapeutic of cancer patients. In terms of deep learning, analyzing immune repertoire is a challenging multiple-instance learning problem in which the immune repertoire of an individual is a bag, and the immune receptor is an instance. Although several deep learning methods for immune repertoire analysis are introduced, they consider the immune repertoire as a set-like structure that doesn’t take into account the nature of the immune response. When the immune response occurs, mutations are introduced to the immune receptor sequence sequentially to optimize the immune response against the pathogens that enter our body. As a result, immune receptors for the specific pathogen have the lineage of evolution; thus, the immune repertoire is better represented as a graph-like structure. In this work, we present our novel method, graph representation of immune repertoire (GRIP), which analyzes the immune repertoire as a hierarchical graph structure and utilize the collection of graph neural network followed by graph pooling and transformer to efficiently represents the immune repertoire as an embedding vector. We show that GRIP predicts the survival probability of cancer patients better than the set-based methods, and graph-based structure is critical for performance. Also, GRIP provides interpretable results, which prove that GRIP adequately uses the prognosis-related immune receptor and gives the further possibility to use the GRIP as the novel biomarker searching tool.
Apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts and suture patency is dependent on graded fibronectin cues
Authors: Feng Xiaotian , Molteni Helen , Gregory Megan , Lanza Jennifer , Polsani Nikaya , Wyetzner Rachel , Hawkins M. Brent , Holmes Greg , Hopyan Sevan , Harris Matthew P. , Atit Radhika P.
Published: January 2023

The skull roof, or calvaria, is comprised of interlocking plates of bone. Premature suture fusion (craniosynostosis, CS) or persistent fontanelles are common defects in calvarial development. Although some of the genetic causes of these disorders are known, we lack an understanding of the instructions directing the growth and migration of progenitors of these bones, which may affect the suture patency. Here, we identify graded expression of Fibronectin (FN1) protein in the mouse embryonic cranial mesenchyme (CM) that precedes the apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts. Syndromic forms of CS exhibit dysregulated FN1 expression, and we find FN1 expression is altered in a mouse CS model as well. Conditional deletion ofFn1in CM causes diminished frontal bone expansion by altering cell polarity and shape. To address how osteoprogenitors interact with the observed FN1 prepattern, we conditionally ablateWasl/N-Waspto disrupt F-actin junctions in migrating cells, impacting lamellipodia and cell-matrix interaction. Neural crest-targeted deletion ofWaslresults in a diminished actin network and reduced expansion of frontal bone primordia similar to conditionalFn1mutants. Interestingly, defective calvaria formation in both theFn1andWaslmutants occurs without a significant change in proliferation, survival, or osteogenesis. Finally, we find that CM-restrictedFn1deletion leads to premature fusion of coronal sutures. These data support a model of FN1 as a directional substrate for calvarial osteoblast migration that may be a common mechanism underlying many cranial disorders of disparate genetic etiologies.
The soft X-ray and XUV split-and-delay unit at beamlines FL23/24 at FLASH2
Authors: Dreimann Matthias , Wahlert Frank , Eckermann Dennis , Rosenthal Felix , Roling Sebastian , Reiker Tobias , Kuhlmann Marion , Toleikis Sven , Brachmanski Maciej , Treusch Rolf , Plönjes Elke , Siemer Björn , Zacharias Helmut
Published: January 2023

A split-and-delay unit for the extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray spectral regions has been built which enables time-resolved experiments at beamlines FL23 and FL24 at the Free-electron LASer in Hamburg (FLASH). Geometric wavefront splitting at a sharp edge of a beam splitting mirror is applied to split the incoming soft X-ray pulse into two beams. Ni and Pt coatings at grazing incidence angles have been chosen in order to cover the whole spectral range of FLASH2 and beyond, up to hν = 1800 eV. In the variable beam path with a grazing incidence angle of ϑd = 1.8°, the total transmission (T) ranges are of the order of 0.48 < T < 0.84 for hν < 100 eV and T > 0.50 for 100 eV < hν < 650 eV with the Ni coating, and T > 0.06 for hν < 1800 eV for the Pt coating. For a fixed beam path with a grazing incidence angle of ϑf = 1.3°, a transmission of T > 0.61 with the Ni coating and T > 0.23 with a Pt coating is achieved. Soft X-ray pump/soft X-ray probe experiments are possible within a delay range of −5 ps < Δt < +18 ps with a nominal time resolution of t
r = 66 as and a measured timing jitter of t
j = 121 ± 2 as. First experiments with the split-and-delay unit determined the averaged coherence time of FLASH2 to be τc = 1.75 fs at λ = 8 nm, measured at a purposely reduced coherence of the free-electron laser.