bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental breeding decisions and genetic quality predict social structure of independent offspring
Authors: Franks Victoria R. , Thorogood Rose , Brekke Patricia
Published: July 2023

Across the animal kingdom, newly independent juveniles form social associations that influence later fitness, mate choice and gene flow, but little is known about the ontogeny of social environments, particularly in wild populations. Here we test whether associations among young animals form randomly or are influenced by environmental or genetic conditions established by parents. Parents' decisions determine natal birth sites, which could affect who independent young initially encounter; secondly, mate choice determines genetic condition (e.g. inbreeding) of young and the parental care they receive, which can affect sociability. However, genetic and environmental factors are confounded unless related offspring experience different natal environments. Therefore, we used a long‐term genetic pedigree, breeding records and social network data from three cohorts of a songbird with high extra‐pair paternity (hihi, Notiomystis cincta) to disentangle (1) how nest location and relatedness contribute to association structure once juveniles disperse away from birth sites, and (2) if juvenile and/or parental inbreeding predicts individual sociability. We detected positive spatial autocorrelation: hihi that fledged closer by were more likely to associate even after dispersing, irrespective of genetic relatedness. Juvenile inbreeding did not predict sociability, but those raised by more inbred fathers formed more, stronger, associations, which did not depend on whether that male was the genetic parent or not. These results suggest that the natal environment created by parents, rather than focal genetic condition, establishes the foundation for social associations. Overall, we highlight how social inheritance may play an important role in population dynamics and evolutionary potential in wild animals.
Truth and consequences
Authors: Mitchell Polly , Cribb Alan , Entwistle Vikki
Published: July 2023

In his 1987 paper “Truth or Consequences,” Dan Brock describes a deep conflict between the goals and virtues of philosophical scholarship and public policymaking: whereas the former is concerned with the search for truth, the latter must primarily be concerned with promoting good consequences. When philosophers are engaged in policymaking, he argues, they must shift their primary goal from truth to consequences—but this has both moral and methodological costs. Brock’s argument exemplifies a pessimistic, but not uncommon, view of the possible shape and nature of applied philosophy. The present paper paints a richer and more optimistic picture. It argues that the difference between theoretical philosophy and applied philosophy is not best understood as a choice between truth and consequences. On the contrary, applied philosophers engage in forms of truth‐seeking that are properly concerned with consequences—including the consequences of philosophical practice itself.
Obesity prevalence factors associated with sympathetic overactivity and hypertension
Authors: Shah Wahid , Ali Imran , Shahid Waniya , Muhammad Shoaib , Iqbal Ahmar , Mehmood Arshad
Published: July 2023

Background

Obesity is the most significant worldwide public health problem and is integrally related to negative cardiovascular disease and hypertension results. The association between obesity and overweight elevated blood pressure is well known, and so it is calculated that 65%–78% of primary hypertension cases are accounted for by obesity.

Aim

This study aims to focus on whether obesity prevalence factors are associated with sympathetic overactivity and hypertension.

Methods

The pathways by which hypertension is induced by obesity are complicated and involve overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), enhancement of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS), modifications in cytokines produced from adipose, tolerance to insulin, and structural and functional renal changes.

Results

Obesity induces the activation of mineralocorticoid receptors independently of aldosterone or angiotensin II (ANG II). The SNS activation mechanism in obesity has not been completely elucidated; however, leptin and activation of the melanocortin brain system may be needed. Obesity‐associated hypertension becomes much more challenging to handle with continuous obesity, and the progression of target organ injury, especially renal injury, multiple antihypertensive medications, and other medical conditions, such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and inflammation, are also needed.

Conclusion

This review aimed to address the consequences of obesity and SNS function, risk factors, the impact of obesity, pharmacological treatment strategies for managing, and recommended exercise and diet.
Rapid evolution of a family‐diagnostic trait: artificial selection and correlated responses in wild radish,Raphanus raphanistrum
Authors: Conner Jeffrey K. , Issaka Salia Ousseini , Zhao Zhi‐Gang , Knapczyk Frances , Sahli Heather , Koelling Vanessa A. , Karoly Keith
Published: July 2023

The mechanisms underlying trait conservation over long evolutionary time scales are poorly known. These mechanisms fall into the two broad and nonmutually exclusive categories of constraint and selection. A variety of factors have been hypothesized to constrain trait evolution. Alternatively, selection can maintain similar trait values across many species if the causes of selection are also relatively conserved, while many sources of constraint may be overcome over longer periods of evolutionary divergence. An example of deep trait conservation is tetradynamy in the large family Brassicaceae, where the four medial stamens are longer than the two lateral stamens. Previous work has found selection to maintain this difference in lengths, which we call anther separation, in wild radish,Raphanus raphanistrum.

Here, we test the constraint hypothesis using five generations of artificial selection to reduce anther separation in wild radish.

We found a rapid linear response to this selection, with no evidence for depletion of genetic variation and correlated responses to this selection in only four of 15 other traits, suggesting a lack of strong constraint.

Taken together, available evidence suggests that tetradynamy is likely to be conserved due to selection, but the function of this trait remains unclear.
Valgus Stress Radiograph Can Predict Alignment Change of Medial Mobile‐Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Jiao Xufeng , Li Zheng , Du Mincong , An Shuai , Huang Jiang , Cao Guanglei
Published: July 2023

Objective

Finding reliable tools to predict alignment change after medial mobile‐bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can help surgeons avoid under‐ or over‐correction. This prospective study aimed to investigate whether the parameters related to medial collateral ligament tension on valgus stress radiograph can predict the alignment change of medial mobile‐bearing UKA and establish a prediction model.

Methods

This study prospectively included the patients undergoing medial mobile‐bearing UKA for knee osteoarthritis from November 2018 and April 2021. Patients took valgus stress radiograph and MRI preoperatively and took full‐length weight‐bearing anterior–posterior radiograph of the lower extremity preoperatively and postoperatively. The medial joint space width (MJSW) on valgus stress radiograph, area of femoral and tibial osteophyte on MRI, medial extrusion distance (MED) of the meniscus on MRI, and the change in hip‐knee‐ankle angle (∆HKAA) were measured. Factors influencing ∆HKAA were analyzed by correlation analysis. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to establish a prediction model of ∆HKAA.

Results

One hundred and seven knees were included. On average, the preoperative HKAA was 170.84° ± 3.73°, and UKA corrected the alignment to 175.16° ± 3.21° postoperatively (p < 0.001), with ∆HKAA of 4.33° ± 1.93°. Correlation analysis showed that ∆HKAA correlated with MJSW (r = 0.628, p < 0.001), MED (r = 0.262, p < 0.001), and tibial osteophyte area (r = 0.235, p < 0.001). The prediction model for ∆HKAA was obtained by multivariable linear regression: ∆HKAA = −2.003 + 0.947 × MJSW(mm) + 1.838 × total osteophyte area(cm2).

Conclusion

Valgus stress radiographic MJSW and osteophyte area are correlated to the alignment change of medial mobile‐bearing UKA. The prediction model for HKAA change is: ∆HKAA = −2.003 + 0.947 × MJSW(mm) + 1.838 × total osteophyte area(cm2).
Assessment of the stallion sperm acrosome in two different extenders: Spermac stain in comparison with PNA/PSA/PI triple‐staining
Authors: Dierberger H. , Pieper L. , Jung M. , Schulze M.
Published: July 2023

Since the stallion acrosome is very small compared to other species and cannot be properly assessed without additional staining, several labelling techniques were developed to facilitate its assessment. The aim of this study was to compare the Spermac stain (Minitüb GmbH) and a PNA/PSA/PI triple‐staining detected by flow cytometry with regard to method agreement for detecting non‐intact acrosomes within two different extenders. For this purpose, eighteen stallion ejaculates were split in half and diluted with the semen extenders EquiPlus or Gent (Minitüb GmbH) to a final concentration of 50 × 106 sperm/mL, respectively. Subsequently, 126 semen samples were stained with both methods between 4 and 240 h (mean: 63.8 ± 48.9 h) after semen collection. Calculated Intraclass correlation coefficients revealed excellent correlations between both methods for EquiPlus (r = .77, p < .001) and fair correlations for Gent (r = .49, p < .001). Interestingly, flow cytometry detected more non‐intact acrosomes in EquiPlus than in Gent (p < .001), whereas the Spermac stain showed no differences (p = .902) between extenders. The poorer method agreement in Gent could be caused by egg yolk artefacts, which made interpretation difficult, so flow cytometry might be preferred. The differences in detected non‐intact acrosomes between extenders highlighted the importance of establishing adapted laboratory protocols for different extender types in order to generate comparable results.
Constraints on dolomite formation in a Late Palaeozoic saline alkaline lake deposit, Junggar Basin, north‐west China
Authors: Guo Pei , Wen Huaguo , Sánchez‐Román Mónica
Published: July 2023

Alkaline lakes (pH > 9) are among the few modern sedimentary environments that are hydrochemically favourable for low‐temperature dolomite formation. While Mg‐clays and Mg‐evaporites also form more easily in alkaline environments, few studies have focused on how the kinetically inhibited dolomite wins the competition for Mg2+. Here, a basin‐wide survey of the distribution, paragenesis and stable C, O and Mg isotopes of main Mg‐rich minerals in the Late Palaeozoic saline alkaline lake deposit of the north‐west Junggar Basin, north‐west China, is conducted to study the influence of the formation and diagenesis of eitelite, northupite and Mg‐clays on dolomite formation. Large, isolated dolomite crystals (20 to 70 μm in diameter), show positive δ13C values (ranging from +1 to +7‰) and a restricted distribution in the mudstones of the lake‐transitional zone. These crystals have been interpreted as organogenic dolomite driven by methanogenesis via fermentation of organic substrates. The δ18O values of dolomitic mudstones (from −7.4 to +3.4‰), calcitic mudstones (from −15.1 to −3.3‰) and bedded Na‐carbonate evaporites (from +0.08 to +3.7‰), together with their Mg isotopic compositions, suggest that dolomite was not enriched in the most concentrated environments or during stages with most Mg sources, but in the organic‐rich deposits containing few other authigenic Mg‐rich minerals. Dolomite is at a competitive disadvantage for Mg2+ ions compared to Mg‐evaporite and Mg‐clay minerals due to its slow crystallization rates and the deficiency of micritic calcium carbonate precursors. However, it can nucleate and progressively grow into large crystals (>20 μm) if bacterial methanogenesis could effectively lower porewater pH (<8.5) and induce the dissolution of generated eitelite, northupite or Mg‐clays. These findings suggest that high salinity and/or high alkalinity are not always favourable conditions for dolomite formation and highlight the active role of pH fluctuations in inducing low‐temperature dolomite formation.
Pearl River sediment dispersal over its associated delta–estuary–shelf system during the Holocene
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Deng Bing , Saito Yoshiki , Wang Zhanghua , Yang Xiaoqiang , Wu Jiaxue
Published: July 2023

To understand the Holocene sedimentary evolution of the Pearl River associated delta–estuary–shelf system, high‐resolution seismic data were acquired from Lingdingyang Bay to the inner shelf. A Pearl‐derived Holocene subaqueous clinoform developed over the pre‐Holocene incised channel/valley network. Overlying the Holocene ravinement surface, progradational highstand and acoustically semi‐transparent or transparent transgressive system tracts are separated by a maximum flooding surface. Restricted and thick in‐channel/in‐valley retrogressive deposits represent an earlier transgressive deposit. Displaying a westward‐oriented along‐shore extent, the highstand sediment accumulated asymmetrically within 30 m water depths, corresponding to a modern hydrodynamic environment. The wedge‐shaped highstand unit thickened landward with a depocentre (>15 m) located in western Lingdingyang Bay, possibly because of higher sediment trap efficiency inside the salinity front. Preliminary analyses suggest that the Pearl River has been trapping sediment to fill its extensive estuarine system for most of the Holocene and its sediment trap efficiency is greater since the sea‐level highstand. Since ca 7.5 ka bp, the total volume of highstand sediment accumulated in the entire delta‐estuary‐shelf dispersal system was approximately 128.36 × 109 m3. The calculated highstand riverine sediment flux was 16.01 to 16.50 Mt/yr. This value is equivalent to approximately one‐fifth of the flux that occurred prior to widespread dam construction and likely related to late‐Holocene intensified anthropogenic influence in South China. Since ca 7.5 ka bp, only ca 35% of the Pearl‐derived sediment has been dispersed to offshore shelf areas from the delta‐estuary system. With the dramatic decrease in river sediment discharge in recent decades, a larger fraction of Pearl‐derived sediment transported to the shelf might have been interrupted and changed.
Triceps surae muscle forces during dynamic exercises in patients with Achilles tendinopathy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mylle Ine , Crouzier Marion , Hollville Enzo , Bogaerts Stijn , Vanwanseele Benedicte
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the individual triceps surae muscle forces during the execution of six different functional movements and rehabilitation exercises in patients with Achilles tendinopathy compared to a control group.

Methods

Triceps surae muscle forces of 15 participants with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and 15 healthy controls were estimated through a combination of experimental data and musculo‐skeletal modeling. Three‐dimensional motion capture and force plates were used to collect the ankle and knee joint angles and moments during three functional movements (walking, heel walking, and toe walking) and three rehabilitation exercises (bilateral heel drop, unilateral heel drop with extended knee and with flexed knee). A dynamic optimization method was used to obtain the modeled triceps surae muscle forces. Force‐sharing strategies were calculated at the peak triceps surae muscle force and compared between groups.

Results

Lower peak triceps surae forces were obtained for the AT group during dynamic exercises. Across all exercises, the average contribution of the soleus (SOL) to the total triceps surae muscle force was the largest (60.83 ± 13.89% [AT] > 56.90 ± 16.18% [healthy]), followed by the gastrocnemius medialis (29.87 ± 10.67% [AT] < 32.19 ± 12.90% [healthy]) and the gastrocnemius lateralis (9.30 ± 4.31% [AT] < 10.91 ± 4.66% [healthy]). The triceps surae force‐sharing strategy was different for the toe walking, heel walking, and the bilateral and unilateral heel drop with extended knee.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for altered triceps surae muscle force‐sharing strategies during dynamic tasks in patients with AT. The influence of altered muscle force‐sharing on the subtendon nonuniformity and/or the tendon loading should be explored in future work.
Heavy metal in Turkey: Tracking the tensions of democratization in the 1990s
Authors: Yildirim Yavuz
Published: July 2023

Music, as a form of public discourse, invariably becomes a social science field that is considered more in the postmodern era when the boundaries are blurred. This study examines the political and cultural links between the emergence of the heavy metal genre and Turkish democracy. There are correlations between the prevalence of heavy metal in Turkey and the country's social and political transition in the 1990s and the search for a new path. The main argument here is that, among the country's tense democratization efforts and social problems, the heavy metal genre also indirectly carries the distinct traces of a different political search for the youth of the 1990s, although not directly. Democratic politics is a process established by daily life with the direct influence of societal interactions, and Turkish politics, and cultural life, in this case, heavy metal, include important notions in this remarkable manner. The main point symbolized by metal music in Turkey was its lyrical and artistic ability to express different points of view loudly enough against the uniform religious and nationalist culture that could be offensive, while other mainstream ranges such as pop and arabesque music didn't mind this issue.
Social class, social networks and variety of weak and strong practices
Authors: Cebula Michał
Published: July 2023

Most research on the structural foundations of cultural consumption views tastes and practices as a better or worse emanation of social class or status. In contrast, this paper shows that cultural consumption is also embedded in a larger system of social networks. Not only does it examine whether having more diversified personal network translates into being involved in a wider range of cultural activities (omnivorousness), it also tests whether holding networks of different strength corresponds with different levels of cultural engagement (strong vs. weak). Based on the survey data collected in Poland in 2017, the analyses yield three main findings. First, cultural consumption continues to reflect social class divisions and is a potential mechanism for social exclusion. Second, network diversity is associated with cultural variety independently of class position. Third, the number of weak ties people hold is more strongly associated with the number of “weak” practices (that is practices of less frequency) and the number of strong ties is positively associated with the number of strong practices (voraciousness). These findings are discussed in terms of balance theory, interactional foci and weak versus strong culture. The implications of the article are that omnivorism both signifies class boundaries and indicates participation in different network structures.
Effects of reverse geocoding on OpenStreetMap tag quality assessment
Authors: Kilic Batuhan , Hacar Müslüm , Gülgen Fatih
Published: July 2023

OpenStreetMap (OSM), a widely‐used open‐source geographic information system platform, provides a vast geographic dataset in which users contribute both geometric information (nodes, ways, and relations) and semantic information (tags). This method of voluntary contributions is governed by the collective effort of the users. It is widely acknowledged that the quantity of tag information is substantial, but its quality is often poor. Researchers are therefore trying to assess the quality of the tags and enhance the data through various integration experiments. This article investigates the validity of the tags for geographical objects in metropolitan areas using municipal data and a reverse geocoding technique. The proposed method evaluates the data quality and the matching process carried out by reverse geocoding, using municipal points of interest as a reference. The accuracy of the tag and address information and road network centrality metrics were assessed for the OSM objects that were matched to the locations of interest. The tags were found to match the points of interest with an accuracy of 88%. Furthermore, the tag values were categorized and analyzed based on their similarity. It is concluded that in metropolitan settings where centers of interest are closely located, the accuracy of tags and addresses tends to decrease.
The economic growth–travel frequency nexus in China: Importance of the transport Kuznets curve
Authors: Jiao Zhilun , Shafiullah Muhammad , Khalid Usman , Song Malin , Shahbaz Muhammad
Published: July 2023

This study pioneers the analysis of transport Kuznets curve (TKC) for passengers in 31 Chinese provinces using data from 1980 to 2018 and a comprehensive non‐parametric econometric analysis approach. The empirical analysis finds convergence among most of the provinces in terms of travel frequency and economic growth, as well as the nexus between the variables. There is a non‐linear positive effect of economic growth on travel frequency in all 31 provinces, and evidence for the existence of TKC – in full or in part – in 30 provinces. The study provides the initial motivation for policymakers to undertake policies and projects commensurate with each province's transport growth nexus.
Combining ultrasound radiomics, complete blood count, and serum biochemical biomarkers for diagnosing intestinal disorders in cats using machine learning
Authors: Basran Parminder S. , Shcherban Natalya , Forman Marnin , Chang Jasmine , Nelissen Sophie , Recchia Benjamin K. , Porter Ian R.
Published: July 2023

This retrospective analytical observational cohort study aimed to model and predict the classification of feline intestinal diseases from segmentations of a transverse section from small intestine ultrasound (US) image, complete blood count (CBC), and serum biochemical profile data using a variety of machine‐learning approaches. In 149 cats from three institutions, images were obtained from cats with biopsy‐confirmed small cell epitheliotropic lymphoma (lymphoma), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), no pathology (“healthy”), and other conditions (warrant a biopsy for further diagnosis). CBC, blood serum chemistry, small intestinal ultrasound, and small intestinal biopsy were obtained within a 2‐week interval. CBC and serum biomarkers and radiomic features were combined for modeling. Four classification schemes were investigated: (1) normal versus abnormal; (2) warranting or not warranting a biopsy; (3) lymphoma, IBD, healthy, or other conditions; and (4) lymphoma, IBD, or other conditions. Two feature selection methods were used to identify the top 3, 5, 10, and 20 features, and six machine learning models were trained. The average (95% CI) performance of models for all combinations of features, numbers of features, and types of classifiers was 0.886 (0.871–0.912) for Model 1 (normal vs. abnormal), 0.751 (0.735–0.818) for Model 2 (biopsy vs. no biopsy), 0.504 (0.450–0.556) for Model 3 (lymphoma, IBD, healthy, or other), and 0.531 (0.426–0.589), for Model 4 (lymphoma, IBD, or other). Our findings suggest model accuracies above 0.85 can be achieved in Model 1 and 2, and that including CBC and biochemistry data with US radiomics data did not significantly improve accuracy in our models.
A type I conjecture and boundary representations of hyperbolic groups
Authors: Caprace Pierre‐Emmanuel , Kalantar Mehrdad , Monod Nicolas
Published: July 2023

We establish new results on the weak containment of quasi‐regular and Koopman representations of a second countable locally compact group associated with nonsingular ‐spaces. We deduce that any two boundary representations of a hyperbolic locally compact group are weakly equivalent. We also show that nonamenable hyperbolic locally compact groups with a cocompact amenable subgroup are characterized by the property that any two proper length functions are homothetic up to an additive constant. Combining those results with the work of Ł. Garncarek on the irreducibility of boundary representations of discrete hyperbolic groups, we deduce that a type I hyperbolic group with a cocompact lattice contains a cocompact amenable subgroup. Specializing to groups acting on trees, we answer a question of C. Houdayer and S. Raum.
Complete Genome Sequence
of
Burkholderia vietnamiensis LMG16232
Authors: Yap Zhong Ling , Motnenko Anna , Cardona Silvia
Published: July 2023

We report here the complete annotated closed genome sequence of
Burkholderia vietnamiensis
LMG16232. There were three contigs, with a combined size of 6,739,172 bp and a GC content of 67%.
Evaluation of an Automated System for the Counting of Microbial Colonies
Authors: Heuser Elisa , Becker Karsten , Idelevich Evgeny A.
Published: July 2023

Colony counting is a widely utilized technique in the field of microbiology. The accuracy and convenience of automated colony counters are essential for research and diagnostics.
Limited sulfur degassing and muted environmental impact of Ontong Java Plateau lavas
Authors: Eguchi James , Ding Shuo , Black Benjamin A.
Published: July 2023

The mainly deep-submarine Ontong Java Plateau (OJP) is the result of the largest outpouring of lava in the geologic record. Volcanic events of this magnitude can have dramatic environmental impacts due to volatile emissions. We report new S measurements in naturally glassy, olivine-hosted melt inclusions and pillow basalt glasses from the OJP. We combined these data with previous S measurements in OJP glasses to quantify S degassing in a suite of OJP glasses. Comparison with an S degassing model suggests OJP lavas that erupted at depths ~>1500 m did not degas S; OJP lavas that erupted at depths ~<1500 m degassed up to ~40% initial S, but these lavas likely made up a small fraction of OJP lavas. This result suggests that despite its large volume compared to continental large igneous provinces (LIPs), OJP lavas emitted less S, potentially contributing to its muted environmental impact. The OJP may provide a framework for the temporal evolution of S degassing at oceanic LIPs, with early eruptions at great water depths releasing limited to no S, and later eruptions at shallow water depths releasing larger, but still limited amounts of S. This framework may also have implications for continental LIP magmas, which may release significant amounts of CO2 but limited amounts of S during intrusive activity, with magmatic S emissions only becoming important during extrusive phases.
What can one legitimately expect from a health system? A conceptual analysis and a proposal for research and action
Authors: Lakin Kimberly , Kane Sumit
Published: July 2023

In 2007, the WHO proposed the Building Blocks Framework and articulated ‘responsiveness’ as one of the four goals for health systems. While researchers have studied and measured health systems responsiveness since, several aspects of the concept remain unexamined, including, understanding the notion of ‘legitimate expectations’—a notion central to the definition of responsiveness. We begin this analysis by providing a conceptual overview of how ‘legitimacy’ is understood in key social science disciplines. Drawing on insights from this overview, we examine how ‘legitimacy’ is understood in the literature on health systems responsiveness and reveal that there is currently little critical engagement with this notion of the ‘legitimacy’ of expectations. In response, we unpack the concept of ‘legitimate’ expectations and propose approaches and areas for reflection, research, and action. We conclude that contestation, and ongoing negotiation of entrenched health system processes and norms which establish citizens’ ‘legitimate’ expectations of health systems, is needed—through processes that ensure equitable and wide participation. We also call on researchers, in their capacity as key health policy actors, to trigger and initiate processes and help create equitable spaces for citizens to participate in establishing ‘legitimate’ expectations of health systems.
Long-term opioid therapy trajectories and overdose in patients with and without cancer
Authors: Merlin Jessica , Black Anne C , Midboe Amanda M , Troszak Lara , Asch Steven , Bohnert Amy , Fenton Brenda , Giannitrapani Karleen , Glassman Peter , Kerns Robert D , Silveira Maria , Lorenz Karl , Abel Erica , Becker William
Published: July 2023

Objective

Pain is experienced by most patients with cancer and opioids are a cornerstone of management. Our objectives were (1) to identify patterns or trajectories of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) and their correlates among patients with and without cancer and (2) to assess the association between trajectories and risk for opioid overdose, considering the potential moderating role of cancer.

Methods and analysis

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among individuals in the US Veterans Health Administration database with incident LTOT with and without cancer (N=44 351; N=285 772, respectively) between 2010 and 2017. We investigated the relationship between LTOT trajectory and all International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9-defined and ICD-10-defined accidental and intentional opioid-related overdoses.

Results

Trajectories of opioid receipt observed in patients without cancer and replicated in patients with cancer were: low-dose/stable trend, low-dose/de-escalating trend, moderate-dose/stable trend, moderate-dose/escalating with quadratic downturn trend and high-dose/escalating with quadratic downturn trend. Time to first overdose was significantly predicted by higher-dose and escalating trajectories; the two low-dose trajectories conferred similar, lower risk. Conditional HRs (99% CI) for the moderate-dose, moderate-dose/escalating with quadratic downturn and high-dose/escalating with quadratic downturn trends were 1.84 (1.18 to 2.85), 2.56 (1.54 to 4.25) and 2.41 (1.37 to 4.26), respectively. Effects of trajectories on time to overdose did not differ by presence of cancer; inferences were replicated when restricting to patients with stage 3/4 cancer.

Conclusion

Patients with cancer face opioid overdose risks such as patients without cancer. Future studies should seek to expand and address our knowledge about opioid risk in patients with cancer.
Effects of custom insoles for symptomatic hallux valgus: protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial
Authors: Cavalcanti Racklayne Ramos , Mendes André Augusto Martines Teixeira , Barbosa Germanna Medeiros , de Souza Marcelo Cardoso
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most prevalent forefoot deformities, and its frequency increases with age, reaching nearly 23% in adulthood (females are usually more affected). Studies on customised insoles and orthoses for HV showed inconclusive results. There is no consensus in literature regarding the ideal insole or length of use for pain relief or functional improvement in individuals with HV. This study will assess the effects of a customised insole with retrocapital bar associated with an infracapital bar of the first metatarsal on pain and function of individuals with symptomatic HV.

Methods

This is the protocol for a blinded, sham-controlled randomised clinical trial. Eighty participants with symptomatic HV will be randomised into two groups (40 per group): customised insole or sham insole. Assessments will be performed at baseline (T0), six (T6) and 12 weeks (T12) of intervention. A follow-up will occur after 4 weeks of intervention (T16). The primary and secondary outcomes will be pain (Numerical Pain Scale) and function (Foot Function Index), respectively.

Statistical analysis

Analysis of variance with a mixed design or Friedman’s test will be considered according to data distribution; post-hoc analyses will be performed using Bonferroni test. Time × group interaction and within-group and between-group differences will also be assessed. The intent-to-treat analysis will be used. A significance level of 5% and 95% s will be adopted for all statistical analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was approved by the research ethics committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi/Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN/FACISA; opinion number 5411306). The study results will be disseminated to participants, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and presented in scientific meetings.

Trial registrations number

NCT05408156.
The eliminate hepatitis C (EC) experience study: baseline characteristics of a cohort of people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Gunn Jack , O’Keefe Daniel , Draper Bridget Louise , Djordjevic Filip , Ryan Kathleen , Kerr Phoebe , Elsum Imogen , Gold Judy , Layton Chloe , Chan Kico , Dietze Paul , Higgs Peter , Doyle Joseph , Stoové Mark A , Hellard Margaret , Pedrana Alisa
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Direct-acting antivirals provide an opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat in Australia, yet barriers to care remain. In this study, we use baseline data from a longitudinal cohort of people who inject drugs to understand differences in participant characteristics and explore experiences of stigma, health service utilisation and health literacy between three care cascade groups.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Community and private primary healthcare services in Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

Participants completed baseline surveys between 19 September 2018 and 15 December 2020. We recruited 288 participants; the median age was 42 years (IQR: 37–49 years) and 198 (69%) were male. At baseline, 103 (36%) self-reported being ‘not engaged in testing’, 127 (44%) had HCV RNA positivity but were ‘not engaged in treatment’ and 58 (20%) were ‘engaged in HCV treatment’.

Outcome measures

Descriptive statistics were used to present the baseline demographics, health service utilisation and experiences of stigma data. We explored differences in these scales between participant demographics using χ2test or fisher’s exact tests, and differences between health literacy scores using one-way analysis of variance tests.

Results

A majority were in regular contact with multiple health services, and most had previously been identified as at-risk of HCV. In the 12 months preceding baseline, 70% reported any experiences of stigma related to injecting drug use. Assessment of health literacy data identified gaps for those ‘not engaged in testing’ and ‘not engaged in treatment’ across two relevant domains: ‘ability to appraise health information’ and ‘ability to actively engage with healthcare providers’.

Conclusion

In eliminate hepatitis C experience, lower HCV testing and treatment may be explained by experiences of stigmatisation or gaps in health literacy. Enhanced interventions targeting people who inject drugs to promote HCV care are needed.
Evolution of proton pump inhibitor prescribing from 2017 to 2021 at 14 secondary and tertiary hospitals in China：a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Min , Li Yuan , Chen Tao , Zhang Shengmin , Luo Hongli
Published: July 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the trend in prescribing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and expenditure in both secondary and tertiary hospitals in China between 2017 and 2021.

Design

Multicentre cross-sectional survey.

Setting

China, 14 medical centres, January 2017 to December 2021.

Participants

537 284 participants who were treated with PPI in 14 medical centres of China, between January 2017 and December 2021 were included.

Main outcomes and measures

The rate of PPI prescriptions, the defined daily doses (DDDs), DDDs/1000 inhabitants per day (DDDs/TID) and expenditure were analysed and plotted to demonstrate changes in prescription PPI use and expenditure.

Results

For both outpatient and inpatient settings, the rate of PPI prescribing decreased from 2017 to 2021. In outpatient settings, decreased slightly from 3.4% to 2.8%, however, in inpatient settings, showed a progressive decrease from 26.7% to 14.0%. The overall rate of injectable PPI prescriptions for inpatients decreased significantly from 21.2% to 7.3% between 2017 and 2021. Decreased trends in usage of oral PPI were observed (from 280 750 DDDs to 255 121 DDDs) between 2017 and 2021. However, usage of injectable PPI showed a significantly decrease from 191 451 DDDs to 68 806 DDDs from 2017 to 2021. In terms of DDDs/TID of PPI for inpatients decreased dramatically from 52.3 to 30.2 for the past 5 years. Expenditure on oral PPI decreased slightly from ¥1.98 million (Chinese currency Renminbi ‘yuan’) to ¥1.23 million for the past 5 years, whereas expenditure on injectable PPI showed a marked decrease from ¥2.61 million to ¥0.94 million. There was no statistical difference in both PPI use and expenditure between secondary and tertiary hospitals during the study period.

Conclusions

Decreased PPI use and expenditure were observed among secondary and tertiary hospitals over the past 5 years (2017–2021).
Evaluating a new emergency department avoidance service for older people: patient and relative experiences
Authors: Greene Leanne , Lane Rachel , Crotty Maria , Whitehead Craig , Potter Elizabeth , Bierer Petra , Laver Kate
Published: July 2023

Background

High emergency department (ED) usage by older individuals for non-emergencies is a global concern. ED avoidance initiatives have proven effective in addressing this issue. To specifically cater to individuals aged 65 and above, the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network introduced an innovative ED avoidance service. This study assessed the acceptability of the service among its users.

Method

The Complex And RestorativE (CARE) Centre is a six-bed unit staffed by a multidisciplinary geriatric team. Patients are transported directly to CARE after calling for an ambulance and being triaged by a paramedic. The evaluation took place between September 2021 and September 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and relatives who had accessed the service. Data analysis was performed using a six-step thematic analysis.

Results

Seventeen patients and 15 relatives were interviewed, who described the experience of 32 attendances to the urgent CARE centre between them. Patients accessed the service for several reasons but over half were associated with falls. There was a hesitation to call emergency services for several reasons, the primary being long wait times in ED and/or the prospect of an overnight stay in hospital. Some individuals attempted to contact their General Practitioner (GP) for the presenting problem but were unable to get a timely appointment. Most participants had previously attended a local ED and had a negative experience. All individuals reported favouring the CARE centre over the traditional ED for numerous reasons including a quieter and safer environment and specially trained geriatric staff who were less rushed than ED staff. Several participants would have appreciated a standardised follow-up process after discharge.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that ED admission avoidance programmes may be an acceptable alternative treatment for older people requiring urgent care, potentially benefiting both public health systems and user experience.
Mutation in mitral valve prolapse susceptible geneDCHS1causes familial mitral annular disjunction
Authors: Zhou Nan , Zhao Qianhao , Li Rui , Cheng Ruofei , Wu Qiuping , Cheng Jianding , Chen Yangxin
Published: July 2023

Background

Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an under-recognised phenotype associated with severe ventricular arrhythmias. Limited knowledge has been gained on its molecular genesis.

Methods

A total of 150 unrelated deceased Chinese were collected for whole-exome sequencing, with analysis focusing on a panel of 118 genes associated with ‘abnormal mitral valve morphology’. Cases were prespecified as ‘longitudinally extensive MAD (LE-MAD)’ or ‘longitudinally less-extensive MAD (LLE-MAD)’ according to the gross disjunctional length with a cut-off of 4.0 mm. The pedigree investigation was conducted on a case carrying an ultra-rare (minor allele frequency <0.1%) deleterious variant inDCHS1.

Results

Seventy-seven ultra-rare deleterious variants were finally identified. Exclusively, 12 ultra-rare deleterious variants distributed in nine genes occurred in LE-MAD, which wereANK1,COL3A1,DCHS1,FBN2,GNPTAB,LZTR1,PLD1,RYR1andVPS13B. Ultra-rare deleterious variants in those nine genes were predominantly distributed in LE-MAD compared with LLE-MAD (28% vs 5%, OR 7.30, 95% CI 2.33 to 23.38; p<0.001), and the only gene related to LE-MAD with borderline significance wasDCHS1. LE-MAD was consistently observed in a sizeable Chinese family, in which LE-MAD independently co-segregated with an ultra-rare deleterious variant inDCHS1, rs145429962.

Conclusion

This study initially proposed that isolated LE-MAD might be a particular phenotype of MAD with a complex genetic predisposition. Deleterious variants inDCHS1might be associated with the morphogenesis of LE-MAD.
Lidocaine infusion for malignant visceral pain: case report
Authors: Velilla Echeverri Diana Catalina , Gómez Díaz Mateo , Beltrán Pachón Paloma , Lasso Valenzuela David , Poveda Carreño Sofía , Erazo-Muñoz Marcela
Published: July 2023

Background

Visceral pain accounts for nearly 28% of cancer-related pain, and its effective management poses significant challenges. The diverse pathways of neurotransmission, neurotransmitters, channels, and receptors suggest the need for individualized analgesic therapy. Our objective is to explore a therapeutic alternative for managing malignant visceral pain in advanced cancer.

Cases

In this report, we present two patients with malignant bowel obstruction and severe visceral pain, despite receiving opioid treatment, necessitating an alternative approach. Surgical interventions were considered but promptly ruled out. Paracentesis was performed as necessary. Pain management was initiated using a combination of opioids and co-analgesics. However, both patients required opioid dose escalation without achieving adequate pain control or tolerating the associated side effects. Consequently, a lidocaine infusion was administered to alleviate pain.

Outcome

Following 24-48 hours of lidocaine infusion, both patients achieved satisfactory symptom control, enabling a reduction in opioid doses and improvement in intestinal transit. No side effects were reported during the treatment.

Discussion

Lidocaine infusions may be beneficial for pain management in patients with malignant bowel obstruction and visceral pain. The extent of pain control achieved in comparison to other therapeutics remains challenging to ascertain. We posit that lidocaine infusions, with their potential impact on visceral hypersensitivity, can enhance pain control and facilitate the recovery of bowel transit. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.
The Generalization of the Periodic Orbit Dividing Surface for Hamiltonian Systems with Three or More Degrees of Freedom – IV
Authors: Katsanikas Matthaios , Wiggins Stephen
Published: July 2023

Recently, we presented two methods of constructing periodic orbit dividing surfaces for Hamiltonian systems with three or more degrees of freedom [Katsanikas & Wiggins, 2021a, 2021b]. These methods were illustrated with an application to a quadratic normal form Hamiltonian system with three degrees of freedom. More precisely, in these papers we constructed a section of the dividing surfaces that intersect with the hypersurface [Formula: see text]. This was motivated by studies in reaction dynamics since in this model reaction occurs when the sign of the [Formula: see text] coordinate changes. In this paper, we continue the work of the third paper [Katsanikas & Wiggins, 2023] of this series of papers to construct the full dividing surfaces that are obtained by our algorithms and to prove the no-recrossing property. In the third paper we did this for the dividing surfaces of the first method [Katsanikas & Wiggins, 2021a]. Now we are doing the same for the dividing surfaces of the second method [Katsanikas & Wiggins, 2021b]. In addition, we computed the dividing surfaces of the second method for a coupled case of the quadratic normal form Hamiltonian system and we compared our results with those of the uncoupled case. This paper completes this series of papers about the construction of periodic orbit dividing surfaces for Hamiltonian systems with three or more degrees of freedom.
Scaling Analysis at Transition of Chaos Driven by Euler’s Numerical Algorithm
Authors: Cao Jinde , Ashish
Published: July 2023

Chaos is a nonlinear phenomenon that reveals itself everywhere in nature and in many fields of science. It has gained increasing attention from researchers and scientists over the last two decades. In this article, the nature of the fixed and periodic states are examined for a discrete two-parameter map; a composition of Euler’s numerical map and the logistic map. Further, the dynamical properties such as fixed states, period-doubling, and stability in fixed and periodic states are also described and the onset of chaos is characterized in detail followed by a few lemmas and remarks. Afterward, some scaling methods such as the bifurcation scale, fork-width scale, and Lyapunov exponent are illustrated to examine the appearance of chaos for the discrete two-parameter map. Experimental and numerical simulations are conducted followed by some bifurcation graphs, tables, and remarks. The scaling property is discussed in two key parameters. In addition, a comparative analysis of fork-width length, bifurcation length, and the maximum Lyapunov exponent is also presented to demonstrate the validity of the results.
A Robust Chaotic Map and Its Application to Speech Encryption in Dual Frequency Domain
Authors: Huang Yi-Bo , Xie Peng-Wei , Gao Jun-Bin , Zhang Qiu-Yu
Published: July 2023

When chaotic systems are used for speech encryption, their chaotic performance largely determines the security of speech encryption. However, traditional chaotic systems have problems such as parameter discontinuity, easy occurrence of chaos degradation, low complexity, and the existence of periodic windows in chaotic intervals. In real applications, chaotic mappings may fall into periodic windows, which is extremely unfavorable for security. In this paper, a new chaotic mapping 2D-LMSM is proposed by improving the chaotic logistic and sine mappings, and applied to speech encryption. Performance evaluation shows that this map can effectively generate robust chaotic signals in a wide parameter range. The 2D-LMSM achieves better robustness and desired chaotic properties than several existing two-dimensional chaotic maps. We propose a novel speech encryption algorithm using this map. First, it performs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the input speech signal to obtain real and imaginary values, which are encrypted by one-time scrambling encryption and XOR diffusion encryption with pseudorandom numbers generated by chaos; then, it performs secondary scrambling encryption by Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and 2D-LMSM; finally, it obtains encrypted speech data by Discrete Wavelet Inverse Transform (IDWT) and Fast Fourier Inverse Transform (IFFT). Experimental results show that this algorithm has good encryption and decryption performances and ensures system security.