bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow microenvironment drives AML cell OXPHOS addiction and AMPK inhibition to resist chemotherapy
Authors: You Ruolan , Hou Diyu , Wang Bin , Liu Jingru , Wang Xiaoting , Xiao Qirong , Pan Zhipeng , Li Dongliang , Feng Xiaoming , Kang Lixia , Chen Ping , Huang Huifang
Published: December 2021

The stromal niche plays a pivotal role in AML chemoresistance and energy metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark of a tumor. 5′-Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important energy sensor suppressing mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. However, the role of AMPK-mTORC1 pathway on connecting AML cell energy metabolism reprogramming and chemoresistance induced by the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is not defined. Here, with a co-culture system that simulates the interaction between BMM and AML cells, it is shown that stromal contact led to a decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy accompanied by an increase of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity and mitochondrial ATP synthesis in AML cells. The increased OXPHOS activity and excessive ATP production promoted chemoresistance of AML cells through inhibiting AMPK activity and in turn activating mTORC1 activity. In an in vivo AML mouse model, depletion of AMPK activity with genetic targeting promoted AML progression and reduced their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Collectively, AML cells’ acquired increased OXPHOS activity as well as AMPK inhibition could be therapeutically exploited in an effort to overcome BMM-mediated chemoresistance.
The effect of meteorological drought on vegetation cover in the Yellow River basin, China
Authors: Jia Lu , Yu Kun‐xia , Li Zhan‐bin , Li Peng , Xu Guo‐ce , Cheng Yu‐ting , Zhang Xiang , Yang Zhi
Published: December 2021

As a widespread natural disaster, drought has a significant impact on changes in regional vegetation cover. Based on 1‐month standardized precipitation index (SPI1), this study took the Yellow River basin (YRB) with frequent droughts as the research object, using NDVI data from 1999 to 2018, Mann–Kendall trend test, and correlation test to study the temporal and spatial characteristics of meteorological drought, explored the response of vegetation cover to meteorological drought, and further discussed the possible factors affecting meteorological drought. The results of the study showed that from 1999 to 2018, the SPI1 in the YRB had not increased significantly in a large area in different months (p > .05). On the monthly time scale, the NDVI of the YRB gradually increased from north to south, showing a significant increasing trend the central area (p < .05). And in the summer months, there was a significant positive correlation between SPI1 and NDVI in some areas (p < .05). In the meantime, sunspots, ENSO, and PDO had significant effects on the SPI1 in the YRB (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in areas with frequent extreme droughts, the average value of NDVI was high, which was mainly because the area was in a cultivated vegetation area with a wide‐scale policy of returning farmland to forest and afforestation activities. Returning farmland to forests and afforestation activities will help overcome the impact of meteorological drought and other adverse conditions on vegetation. Therefore, returning farmland to forests can be implemented for ecological restoration in arid areas in the YRB.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Zhang Xiumei , Chen Lei , Zhang Hong , Nong Lin , Wang Fumin
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To identify the ultrasonographic characteristics of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCT), and to assess the value of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline and 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS) in the evaluation of this disease.

Methods

Eight patients with 9 PSCCTs over a 20‐year study period were enrolled. Ultrasonic characteristics including nodule echogenicity, composition, shape, margin, calcification, size, vascularity, and cervical lymphadenopathy were reviewed. All nodules were then evaluated by 2017 ACR TI‐RADS and 2015 ATA guidelines.

Results

The average size of PSCCTs was 3.87 ± 1.41 cm. All PSCCTs were hypoechoic or very hypoechoic, solid nodules with intranodular vascularity. The average resistive index (RI) was 0.84 ± 0.18. Near half of PSCCTs (44.4%) demonstrated extrathyroidal extension. Taller‐than‐wide signs and cervical lymphadenopathy were observed in 33.3% of PSCCTs, and microcalcification was observed in 11.1% of them. All PSCCTs were classified as high suspicion patterns by 2015 ATA and recommended for fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). Six PSCCTs (66.7%) were classified as grade 5 by 2017 ACR TI‐RADS, while the remaining were grade 4. 88.9% of PSCCTs were recommended for FNA based on 2017 ACR TI‐RADS.

Conclusion

PSCCT has certain ultrasonic features, including relatively large, hypoechoic, or very hypoechoic solid nodules with intranodular vascularity and extrathyroidal extension. Both 2015 ATA and 2017 ACR TI‐RADS could identify PSCCT as suspicious for malignancy.
Posterior Globe Depth for Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurement in Ocular Ultrasound in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Petrou Stephen , Raio Christopher , Klein Lauren , Felicetta Michael
Published: December 2021

Background

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) is a readily available imaging modality in many emergency departments and health care facilities globally. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement via ocular ultrasound has been shown to accurately predict increased intracranial pressure. Classically, the preferred technique for sonographic measurement of ONSD has specified measurement at an optimal position of 3 mm posterior to the globe. This study aims to validate an alternative approach of depth measurement (between 3 and 8 mm), with the hypothesis that ONSD should not change in size as the distance posterior to the globe increases.

Methods

Healthy volunteers aged > 18 years were studied. A point 3 mm posterior to the optic disc was located. This was repeated at a point 5 mm as well as 8 mm posterior to the globe.

Results

We enrolled 10 healthy participants. When evaluating variability in ONSD measurements at each of the three distances, we found that the difference in the measurements at each distance was statistically significant. In investigating pairwise comparisons, there was no difference between 3 and 5 mm, but there were differences in ONSD measurements at 3 and 8 mm, as well as at 5 and 8 mm.

Conclusion

POCUS is readily available in many emergency departments and health care facilities across the world. The classically preferred technique for sonographic measurement of ONSD has specified measurement at an optimal position of 3 mm posterior to the globe. Our results identified that ONSD can be measured between 3 and 5 mm with no significant changes.
Physicochemical and nutritional properties of starches from nine Canadian‐grown peas compared with six commercial starches
Authors: Lu Zhan‐Hui , Lu Yiting , Donner Elizabeth , Liu Qiang , Bing Dengjin
Published: December 2021

The physicochemical properties and nutritional fractions of the starches isolated from nine Canadian‐grown peas, including marrowfat, green, and yellow pea types, were studied and compared with six commercial starches, to explore the unique properties of these pea starches. These nine pea starches were found to have high apparent amylose content (marrowfat peas, 51.3%–51.6%; yellow peas, 50.6%–53.8%; and green peas, 49.9%–54.2%) and a higher tendency than most commercial starches to retrograde. Although their physicochemical properties were not drastically different, a green pea variety, Limerick, stood out for its significantly high apparent amylose content (54.2%) and also the highest resistant starch (RS) content after cooking (29.5%), the latter even comparable with a commercial high amylose corn starch (29.8%). Principal component analysis indicated that amylose content, amylose leaching, and Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) parameters at the cooling stage are significantly positively correlated to the starch nutritional fractions of cooked samples. Cluster analysis showed a clear pattern that the RS content in cooked starches increased with the increasing amylose content in these starch samples. In general, these pea starches were rich in slowly digestible starch and high in RS after cooking (>16%). This study highlighted the unique properties of these pea starches, including their high amylose content, and ease of gelatinization yet strong tendency toward retrogradation, which resulted in superior final pasting viscosity and high RS content; thus, these pea starches could be the best alternative to commercial high amylose starches, to address the latter's deficiencies in pasting properties when applying in gel‐based low glycemic index (GI) foods.
Dystonia Due to GM3 Synthase Deficiency
Authors: Wang Alexander S. , Kilbane Camilla
Published: December 2021

Background

Gangliosides are expressed in neuronal membranes, and play roles in neuronal differentiation and cell regulation during brain development. The ST3GAL5 gene encodes the enzyme GM3 synthase, and its deficiency causes a rare condition described to cause refractory epilepsy, profound intellectual disability, quadriplegia, choreoathetosis, and pigmentary skin changes. GM3 synthase deficiency is rarely reported to cause dystonia. We report five cases of GM3 synthase deficiency involving a dystonic phenotype.

Cases

The five reported individuals were born of unaffected consanguineous parents from Old Order Amish families. They all developed refractory epilepsy and developmental regression within the first few months of life. They exhibit variable degrees of extrapyramidal movements, including orofacial, cervical, and limb dystonia, as well as choreoathetosis.

Conclusions

We report five individuals with GM3 synthase deficiency who developed dystonic features. Dystonia has previously been reported in only one case of GM3 synthase deficiency.
On the convergence rate of Fletcher‐Reeves nonlinear conjugate gradient methods satisfying strong Wolfe conditions: Application to parameter identification in problems governed by general dynamics
Authors: Riahi Mohamed Kamel , Qattan Issam A.
Published: December 2021

Over the last decades, many efforts have been made toward the understanding of the convergence rate of the gradient‐based method for both constrained and unconstrained optimization. The cases of the strongly convex and weakly convex payoff function have been extensively studied and are nowadays fully understood. Despite the impressive advances made in the convex optimization context, the nonlinear non‐convex optimization problems are still not fully exploited. In this paper, we are concerned with the nonlinear, non‐convex optimization problem under system dynamic constraints. We apply our analysis to parameter identification of systems governed by general nonlinear differential equations. The considered inverse problem is presented using optimal control tools. We tackle the optimization through the use of Fletcher‐Reeves nonlinear conjugate gradient method satisfying strong Wolfe conditions with inexact line search. We rigorously establish a convergence analysis of the method and report a new linear convergence rate which forms the main contribution of this work. The theoretical result reported in our analysis requires that the second derivative of the payoff functional be continuous and bounded. Numerical evidence on a selection of popular nonlinear models is presented as a direct application of parameter identification to support the theoretical findings.
The influence of chain‐end functionalization and stereocomplexation on the degradation stability under alkaline condition
Authors: Asano Shin , Choi Jaeyeong , Tran Thi Hang , Chanthaset Nalinthip , Ajiro Hiroharu
Published: December 2021

Hydrolytic degradation of polylactides (PLAs) bearing cinnamic acid derivatives was conducted and their thermal degradation temperature at 10% weight loss (T10) and melting point temperature (Tm) were measured, to confirm that a PLA stereocomplex could be modified for use in a wide range of application. The improved T10 values of PLA films by chain end modification were maintained after the alkaline degradation. The increase in Tm by stereocomplex formation was also maintained after degradation with a slight change in the melting point of the attached homopolymer. The present results indicate the suitability of chain end modification for the additional functionality of PLA stereocomplex films.
Institutional quality and poverty reduction in BRICS
Authors: Singh Bhanu Pratap
Published: December 2021

The present study aims to explore the relationship between governance conditions and absolute poverty reduction in BRICS countries from 1997 to 2011. The study employs Kao's cointegration followed by Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality tests. The investigation is based on six institutional measures of governance conditions (government effectiveness, political stability and absence of violence, control of corruption, voice and accountability, regulatory quality, and rule of law) that explain how the poverty rate could be speeded up by deep‐rooted poor institutional quality. The study's major finding shows that rule of law is the significant governance condition that directly helps in poverty reduction in BRICS countries. Other governance conditions affect poverty rates via income and distribution effects. This supports the assertion that strict compliance to the rule of law is the significant governance condition for poverty reduction. Whereas, in the short‐run only economic growth significantly contribute to absolute poverty reduction. Therefore, BRICS countries should focus on growth‐enhancing sectors and strict compliance with the rule of law to achieve lower poverty rates.
Protect students and staff from scams by providing proactive education, social media outreach
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2021

Anecdotal evidence suggests that scams targeting college campuses, both the community at large and  college and university students and staff, are on the rise — potentially due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Stimuli‐Mediated Specific Isolation of Exosomes from Blood Plasma for High‐Throughput Profiling of Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Liu Xuehui , Zong Zhiyou , Liu Xinzhuo , Li Qiang , Li Ang , Xu Chen , Liu Dingbin
Published: December 2021

Exosomes, ranging from 30–150 nm in diameter, have emerged as promising non‐invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of numerous diseases. However, current research on exosomes is largely restricted by the lack of an efficient method to isolate exosomes from real samples. Herein, the first stimuli‐mediated enrichment and purification system to selectively and efficiently extract exosomes from clinical plasma for high‐throughput profiling of exosomal mRNAs as cancer biomarkers is presented. This novel isolation system relies on specific installation of the stimuli‐responsive copolymers onto exosomal phospholipid bilayers, by which the enrichment and purification are exclusively achieved for exosomes rather than the non‐vesicle counterparts co‐existing in real samples. The stimuli‐mediated isolation system outperforms conventional methods such as ultracentrifugation and polyethylene glycol‐based precipitation in terms of isolation yield, purity, and retained bioactivity. The high performance of the isolation system is demonstrated by enriching exosomes from 77 blood plasma samples and validated the clinical potentials in profiling exosomal mRNAs for cancer diagnosis and discrimination with high accuracy. This simple isolation system can boost the development of extracellular vesicle research, not limited to exosomes, in both basic and clinical settings.
Saint-Venant torsion of orthotropic piezoelectric elliptical bar
Authors: Ecsedi István , Baksa Attila
Published: December 2021

The object of this paper is the Saint-Venant torsion of a solid elliptical cylinder made of orthotropic homogeneous piezoelectric material. We find the shape of the homogeneous orthotropic piezoelectric elliptical cross section which does not warp under the applied torque. The sizes of the orthotropic piezoelectric solid elliptical cross section, which has the maximum value of torsional rigidity for a given cross-sectional area, are also determined.
Incremental execution of temporal graph queries over runtime models with history and its applications
Authors: Sakizloglou Lucas , Ghahremani Sona , Barkowsky Matthias , Giese Holger
Published: December 2021

Modern software systems are intricate and operate in highly dynamic environments for which few assumptions can be made at design-time. This setting has sparked an interest in solutions that use a runtime model which reflects the system state and operational context to monitor and adapt the system in reaction to changes during its runtime. Few solutions focus on the evolution of the model over time, i.e., its history, although history is required for monitoring temporal behaviors and may enable more informed decision-making. One reason is that handling the history of a runtime model poses an important technical challenge, as it requires tracing a part of the model over multiple model snapshots in a timely manner. Additionally, the runtime setting calls for memory-efficient measures to store and check these snapshots. Following the common practice of representing a runtime model as a typed attributed graph, we introduce a language which supports the formulation of temporal graph queries, i.e., queries on the ordering and timing in which structural changes in the history of a runtime model occurred. We present a querying scheme for the execution of temporal graph queries over history-aware runtime models. Features such as temporal logic operators in queries, the incremental execution, the option to discard history that is no longer relevant to queries, and the in-memory storage of the model, distinguish our scheme from relevant solutions. By incorporating temporal operators, temporal graph queries can be used for runtime monitoring of temporal logic formulas. Building on this capability, we present an implementation of the scheme that is evaluated for runtime querying, monitoring, and adaptation scenarios from two application domains.
Vector Optimization w.r.t. Relatively Solid Convex Cones in Real Linear Spaces
Authors: Günther Christian , Khazayel Bahareh , Tammer Christiane
Published: December 2021

In vector optimization, it is of increasing interest to study problems where the image space (a real linear space) is preordered by a not necessarily solid (and not necessarily pointed) convex cone. It is well-known that there are many examples where the ordering cone of the image space has an empty (topological/algebraic) interior, for instance in optimal control, approximation theory, duality theory. Our aim is to consider Pareto-type solution concepts for such vector optimization problems based on the intrinsic core notion (a well-known generalized interiority notion). We propose a new Henig-type proper efficiency concept based on generalized dilating cones which are relatively solid (i.e., their intrinsic cores are nonempty). Using linear functionals from the dual cone of the ordering cone, we are able to characterize the sets of (weakly, properly) efficient solutions under certain generalized convexity assumptions. Toward this end, we employ separation theorems that are working in the considered setting.
The Glowing Screen Before Me and the Moral Law Within me: A Kantian Duty Against Screen Overexposure
Authors: Lo Re Stefano
Published: December 2021

This paper establishes a Kantian duty against screen overexposure. After defining screen exposure, I adopt a Kantian approach to its morality on the ground that Kant’s notion of duties to oneself easily captures wrongdoing in absence of harm or wrong to others. Then, I draw specifically on Kant’s ‘duties to oneself as an animal being’ to introduce a duty of self-government. This duty is based on the negative causal impact of the activities it regulates on a human being’s mental and physical powers, and, ultimately, on the moral employment of these powers. After doing so, I argue that the duty against screen overexposure is an instance of the duty of self-government. Finally, I consider some objections.
Maturational effect on physical capacities and anabolic hormones in under-16 elite footballers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Eskandarifard Ebrahim , Silva Rui , Nobari Hadi , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Pérez-Gómez Jorge , Figueiredo António José
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to describe the fitness and hormonal levels according to playing time (PT) (i.e., PT during season less (PT1) or more (PT2) than 50% of the total time) and maturation level (ML) (i.e., normal (ML1) and early maturity levels (ML2)), and to analyze the differences between groups for the measures of aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, power performance, and hormonal concentrations.

Methods

Twenty-four youth footballers of a U16 team participated in this study. Anthropometric measures, maturity status, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), maximal oxygen uptake, fatigue index, and countermovement jump were collected.

Results

Significant differences were found between both PT and ML groups for maturational status, aerobic capacity, power performance, and IGF1 concentrations. The interaction of PT and ML revealed significant differences for maturity offset and power performance. When using the skeletal age as a covariant, the previously significant differences found were reduced only to the fatigue index measure.

Conclusions

The response variables analyzed in the present study seem to be influenced by PT and ML. This must be considered when planning training, and coaches must be sensible to these effects as they may assume a preponderant role in PT.
A Rapid Prediction Model of Urban Flood Inundation in a High-Risk Area Coupling Machine Learning and Numerical Simulation Approaches
Authors: Yan Xingyu , Xu Kui , Feng Wenqiang , Chen Jing
Published: December 2021

Climate change has led to increasing frequency of sudden extreme heavy rainfall events in cities, resulting in great disaster losses. Therefore, in emergency management, we need to be timely in predicting urban floods. Although the existing machine learning models can quickly predict the depth of stagnant water, these models only target single points and require large amounts of measured data, which are currently lacking. Although numerical models can accurately simulate and predict such events, it takes a long time to perform the associated calculations, especially two-dimensional large-scale calculations, which cannot meet the needs of emergency management. Therefore, this article proposes a method of coupling neural networks and numerical models that can simulate and identify areas at high risk from urban floods and quickly predict the depth of water accumulation in these areas. Taking a drainage area in Tianjin Municipality, China, as an example, the results show that the simulation accuracy of this method is high, the Nash coefficient is 0.876, and the calculation time is 20 seconds. This method can quickly and accurately simulate the depth of water accumulation in high-risk areas in cities and provide technical support for urban flood emergency management.
Equivalence Conditions and Invariants for the General Form of Burgers’ Equations
Authors: Hesamiarshad Mostafa
Published: December 2021

Equivalence of differential equations is one of the most important concepts in the theory of differential equations. In this paper, the moving coframe method is applied to solve the local equivalence problem for the general form of Burgers’ equation, which has two independent variables under action of a pseudo-group of contact transformations. Using this method, we found the structure equations and invariants of these equations, as a result some conditions for equivalence of them will be given.
COVID Appropriate Behavior Compliance and Vaccine Hesitancy: Findings From a COVID-19 Health Education Campaign in a Government Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi, India
Authors: Das Aritrik , Ghai Glory , Alam Mohd , Pardeshi Geeta , Kishore Jugal
Published: December 2021

Public health measures remain the best available approach to tackle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, little is currently known about the compliance and acceptance of these measures by people in India. The Department of Community Medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), and Safdarjung Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, organized a health education campaign for raising awareness on COVID-19 in the hospital premises over a period of 15 d in May 2021. Educational and interactive sessions were conducted by medical residents, interns, and staff. Data on compliance to public health measures were collected and analyzed using SPSS 21. All quantitative variables were descriptively analyzed while qualitative data were narratively analyzed. A total of 84 (12.57%) of those observed were wearing their mask incorrectly. Social distancing was inadequate at 16 sites. Sixty-nine (10.33%) reported to have received single or both doses of vaccine. Common reasons for not getting vaccinated included doubts about vaccine efficacy, eligibility, adverse events, availability, and accessibility. Mask use was universal, but directives on correct protocol of wearing masks needs to be widely circulated. Credible information about vaccine safety, efficacy, availability, and accessibility needs to be available to the community to build confidence in COVID-19 vaccination.
Onset of vortex shedding around a short cylinder
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Feng Zhe , Zhang Mengqi
Published: December 2021

This paper presents results of three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) and global linear stability analyses of a viscous incompressible flow past a finite-length cylinder with two free flat ends. The cylindrical axis is normal to the streamwise direction. The work focuses on the effects of aspect ratios (in the range of

$0.5\leq {\small \text{AR}} \leq 2$

, cylinder length over diameter) and Reynolds numbers (

$Re\leq 1000$

based on cylinder diameter and uniform incoming velocity) on the onset of vortex shedding in this flow. All important flow patterns have been identified and studied, especially as

${\small \text{AR}}$

changes. The appearance of a steady wake pattern when

${\small \text{AR}} \leq 1.75$

has not been discussed earlier in the literature for this flow. Linear stability analyses based on the time-mean flow has been applied to understand the Hopf bifurcation past which vortex shedding happens. The nonlinear DNS results indicate that there are two vortex shedding patterns at different

$Re$

, one is transient and the other is nonlinearly saturated. The vortex-shedding frequencies of these two flow patterns correspond to the eigenfrequencies of the two global modes in the stability analysis of the time-mean flow. Wherever possible, we compare the results of our analyses to those of the flows past other short-

${\small \text{AR}}$

bluff bodies in order that our discussions bear more general meanings.
The logarithmic variance of streamwise velocity and conundrum in wall turbulence
Authors: Hwang Yongyun , Hutchins Nicholas , Marusic Ivan
Published: December 2021

The logarithmic dependence of streamwise turbulence intensity has been observed repeatedly in recent experimental and direct numerical simulation data. However, its spectral counterpart, a well-developed

$k^{-1}$

spectrum (

$k$

is the spatial wavenumber in a wall-parallel direction), has not been convincingly observed from the same data. In the present study, we revisit the spectrum-based attached eddy model of Perry and co-workers, who proposed the emergence of a

$k^{-1}$

spectrum in the inviscid limit, for small but finite

$z/\delta$

and for finite Reynolds numbers (

$z$

is the wall-normal coordinate, and

$\delta$

is the outer length scale). In the upper logarithmic layer (or inertial sublayer), a reexamination reveals that the intensity of the spectrum must vary with the wall-normal location at order of

$z/\delta$

, consistent with the early observation argued with ‘incomplete similarity’. The streamwise turbulence intensity is subsequently calculated, demonstrating that the existence of a well-developed

$k^{-1}$

spectrum is not a necessary condition for the approximate logarithmic wall-normal dependence of turbulence intensity – a more general condition is the existence of a premultiplied power-spectral intensity of

$O(1)$

for

$O(1/\delta ) < k < O(1/z)$

. Furthermore, it is shown that the Townsend–Perry constant must be weakly dependent on the Reynolds number. Finally, the analysis is semi-empirically extended to the lower logarithmic layer (or mesolayer), and a near-wall correction for the turbulence intensity is subsequently proposed. All the predictions of the proposed model and the related analyses/assumptions are validated with high-fidelity experimental data (Samie et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 851, 2018, pp. 391–415).
Missing men in family planning: understanding the socio-spatial differentials in male sterilization and male spacing methods of contraception in India
Authors: Prusty Ranjan Kumar , Begum Shahina
Published: December 2021

Male involvement in family planning results in improved reproductive health and gender outcomes for women. In India, the use of family planning methods remains largely female-dominated. Recent media reports have indicated a rapid decline in male sterilization use in the past few years. This study aimed to assess the trends in, patterns of and factors associated with the use of male sterilization and male spacing methods in India using data from four rounds of the National Family Health Survey, conducted from 1992 to 2016. Bivariate analysis was done to see the trends in, and patterns of, male sterilization and spacing methods, while multinomial logistic regression was used to understand the factors associated with male spacing methods and sterilization. The results show a marked decline in the prevalence of male sterilization from 1992–93 (3.5%) to 2015–16 (0.3%) in India. Of the 640 districts, only 21 had a more than 2% prevalence of male sterilization. Scheduled tribe couples were two times more likely to use male sterilization than other (upper/no caste) groups. Couples from the northern region were significantly more likely to use male sterilization (aOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.43–1.97) compared with those from the south. There was a regional disparity in male condom use, with a very small proportion of couples in the southern (1.1%), north-eastern (2.4%) and eastern (3.3%) regions using the method compared with couples from the northern region (9.7%). Couples from the northern (aOR: 8.89, 95% CI: 8.44–9.38), north-eastern (aOR: 11.37, 95% CI: 10.62–12.18), eastern (aOR: 6.96, 95% CI: 6.60–7.34), western (aOR: 4.65, 95% CI: 4.40–4.92) and central (aOR: 10.89, 95% CI: 10.35–11.46) regions were also significantly more likely to use male spacing methods than those from southern India. Therefore, a greater focus on increasing the use of male sterilization and condoms is required in India to reduce the gender disparity in the use of family planning methods.
The Demographic Effects of Colonialism: Forced Labor and Mortality in Java, 1834–1879
Authors: de Zwart Pim , Gallardo-Albarrán Daniel , Rijpma Auke
Published: December 2021

We investigate the demographic effects of forced labor under an extractive colonial regime: the Cultivation System in nineteenth-century Java. Our panel analyses show that labor demands are strongly positively associated with mortality rates, likely resulting from malnourishment and unhygienic conditions on plantations and the spread of infectious diseases. An instrumental variable approach, using international market prices for coffee and sugar for predicting labor demands, addresses potential endogeneity concerns. Our estimates suggest that without the abolition of the Cultivation System average overall mortality in Java would have been between 10 and 30 percent higher by the late 1870s.
Risk factors for hearing loss in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units
Authors: Pan L , Fang X , Chen H , Zhai F , Chen J
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study aimed to research risk factors of hearing loss among neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Method

Hearing screening tests were performed on 572 neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Those who failed screening tests were referred for diagnostic tests.

Results

The pass rates for automated auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission and acoustic impedance tests at first hearing screening were 69.93 per cent, 70.02 per cent and 92.92 per cent for 1144 ears. Failure in the first screening correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, revised advanced maternal age, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration score less than 8. Thirty cases failed in diagnostic hearing tests for brainstem auditory evoked potentials, 28 failed in otoacoustic emissions and 33 failed in acoustic impedance, which correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins, advanced maternal age and revised advanced maternal age.

Conclusion

Abnormalities in the hearing levels of most neonates who needed hearing retests were completely or partially reversible. Preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins and advanced maternal age are potential risk factors for hearing impairment.
Using community-based interviews to determine population size, distribution and nest site characteristics of Pallas's fish eagle in north-east Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Sayam U. , Foysal Mohammod , Khan Nazim Uddin
Published: December 2021

Pallas's fish eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus was recategorized from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2017 because of evidence that there is only a single population, which is declining as a result of continuous, widespread loss and degradation of freshwater wetlands. To determine the species’ status in Bangladesh, we conducted a large-scale community-based interview survey in north-east Bangladesh in 2017–2020. We also examined nest site habitat characteristics through field surveys and remotely sensed data. We conducted a total of 955 interviews in an area of 4,150 km2, through which we were able to determine the presence of 53 breeding pairs at a mean density of 1.2 nests per 100 km2. There was a higher nest density (3.7–4.8 nests per 100 km2) in some locations, which we identify as priority conservation areas. The majority of nests (62.2%) were close together and on tall trees with an open canopy structure. Nests were located within or close to (< 100 m) human settlements, and within 500 m of wetlands and rivers. Felling of nest trees, removal of nests by local people and loss of permanent wetlands (14.6% during 2010–2020) appeared to be the main threats. High nesting density in our study area suggests that the freshwater wetlands in north-east Bangladesh possibly hold the largest population of Pallas's fish eagle globally.
A review of audiovisual telemedicine utilization and satisfaction assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Agbali Raphael , Balas Andrew E. , Beltrame Francesco , De Leo Gianluca
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The use of telemedicine has broadened as technology that both restores continuity of care during disruptions in healthcare delivery and routinely provides primary care alone or in combination with in-person care. During the Covid-19 outbreak, the use of telemedicine as a routine care modality further accelerated.

Methods

A review of scientific studies that used telemedicine to provide care from December 2019 to December 2020 is presented. From an initial set of 2,191 articles, 36 studies are analyzed. Evidence is organized and evaluated according to the country of study, the clinical specialty, the technology platform used, and satisfaction and utilization outcomes.

Results

Thirty-one studies reported high patient satisfaction scores. Eight studies reported satisfaction from both providers and patients with no uniformly accepted assessment instrument. Eight studies conducted a descriptive analysis of telemedicine use and patient adoption patterns. Less than one-third of studies were controlled before/after studies. Most studies were conducted in the USA followed by Europe.

Conclusions

Reported satisfaction rates are high, consistent with previously documented research, whereas utilization rates increased significantly compared with the prepandemic period. Future work in developing standardized uniform assessment instruments, embedded with each telemedicine system, would increase versatility and agility in the assessment, boosting statistical power and the interpretation of results.
A framework for action to improve patient and public involvement in health technology assessment
Authors: Silva Aline Silveira , Facey Karen , Bryan Stirling , Galato Dayani
Published: December 2021

Background

Patient and public involvement (PPI) in the Brazilian Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process occurs in response to a legislative mandate for “social participation.” This resulted in some limited patient participation activities, and, therefore, a more systematic approach was needed. The study describes the development of a suggested framework for action to improve PPI in HTA.

Methods

This work used formal methodology to develop a PPI framework based on three-phase mixed-methods research with desktop review of Brazilian PPI activities in HTA; workshop, survey, and interviews with Brazilian stakeholders; and a rapid review of international practices to enact effective patient involvement. Patient partners reviewed the draft framework.

Results

According to patient group representatives, their involvement in the Brazilian HTA process is important but could be improved. Different stakeholders perceived barriers, identified values, and made suggestions for improvement, such as expansion of communication, capacity building, and transparency, to support more meaningful patient involvement. The international practices identified opportunities for earlier, more active, and collaborative PPI during all HTA stages, based on values and principles that are relevant for Brazilian patients and the public. These findings were synthesized to design a framework that defines and systematizes actions to support PPI in Brazil, highlighting the importance of evaluating these strategies.

Conclusions

Since the publication of this framework, some of its suggestions are being implemented in the Brazilian HTA process to improve PPI. We encourage other HTA organizations to consider a systematic and planned approach with regular evaluation when pursuing or strengthening involvement practices.
Optimizing red blood cell transfusion practices in the intensive care unit: a multi-phased health technology reassessment
Authors: Soril Lesley J.J. , Noseworthy Tom W. , Townsend Derek R. , Bagshaw Sean M. , Stelfox Henry T. , Zygun David A. , Clement Fiona M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Health technology reassessment (HTR) is a process to manage existing health technologies to ensure ongoing optimal use. A model to guide HTR was developed; however, there is limited practical experience. This paper addresses this knowledge gap through the completion of a multi-phase HTR of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective

The HTR consisted of three phases and here we report on the final phase: the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavior change interventions aimed at addressing inappropriate RBC transfusions in an ICU.

Methods

The interventions, comprised of group education and audit and feedback, were co-designed and implemented with clinical leaders. The intervention was evaluated through a controlled before-and-after pilot feasibility study. The primary outcome was the proportion of potentially inappropriate RBC transfusions (i.e., with a pre-transfusion hemoglobin of 70 g/L or more).

Results

There was marked variability in the monthly proportion of potentially inappropriate RBC transfusions. Relative to the pre-intervention phase, there was no significant difference in the proportion of potentially inappropriate RBC transfusions post-intervention. Lessons from this work include the importance of early and meaningful engagement of clinical leaders; tailoring the intervention modalities; and, efficient access to data through an electronic clinical information system.

Conclusions

It was feasible to design, implement, and evaluate a tailored, multi-modal behavior change intervention in this small-scale pilot study. However, early evaluation of the intervention revealed no change in technology use leading to reflection on the important question of how the HTR model needs to be improved.
Assessment of physician training and prediction of workforce needs in paediatric cardiac intensive care in the United States
Authors: Horak Robin V. , Marino Bradley S. , Werho David K. , Rhodes Leslie A. , Costello John M. , Cabrera Antonio G. , Cooper David S. , Bai Shasha , Tabbutt Sarah , Rao Isabelle , Scheinker David , Shin Andrew Y. , Krawczeski Catherine D.
Published: December 2021

Objective:

To assess the training and the future workforce needs of paediatric cardiac critical care faculty.

Design:

REDCap surveys were sent May−August 2019 to medical directors and faculty at the 120 US centres participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database. Faculty and directors were asked about personal training pathway and planned employment changes. Directors were additionally asked for current faculty numbers, expected job openings, presence of training programmes, and numbers of trainees. Predictive modelling of the workforce was performed using respondents’ data. Patient volume was projected from US Census data and compared to projected provider availability.

Measurements and main results:

Sixty-six per cent (79/120) of directors and 62% (294/477) of contacted faculty responded. Most respondents had training that incorporated critical care medicine with the majority completing training beyond categorical fellowship. Younger respondents and those in dedicated cardiac ICUs were more significantly likely to have advanced training or dual fellowships in cardiology and critical care medicine. An estimated 49–63 faculty enter the workforce annually from various training pathways. Based on modelling, these faculty will likely fill current and projected open positions over the next 5 years.

Conclusions:

Paediatric cardiac critical care training has evolved, such that the majority of faculty now have dual fellowship or advanced training. The projected number of incoming faculty will likely fill open positions within the next 5 years. Institutions with existing or anticipated training programmes should be cognisant of these data and prepare graduates for an increasingly competitive market.
Muḥammad ibn Maslama's Role in the Assassination of Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf
Authors: Perlman Yaara
Published: December 2021

Muḥammad ibn Maslama was a prominent companion of the Prophet Muḥammad who belonged to the Ḥāritha clan of the Medinan tribe of Aws. He played a key role in the events leading to the defeat of the three Jewish tribes of Medina and participated in the assassination of the Jewish leader Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf. Muḥammad ibn Maslama was connected to the Jews in various ways, as is evident, for example, from accounts claiming that he was Kaʿb's maternal nephew, and that his clan, the Banū Ḥāritha, lived in the predominantly Jewish oasis of Khaybar for nearly a year in the pre-Islamic period. Muḥammad ibn Maslama's role in Kaʿb's assassination has recently been argued to be of dubious historicity. This article offers a reassessment of this conclusion by placing the accounts of Muḥammad ibn Maslama's ties with the Jews, on the one hand, and those that depict him as their enemy, on the other, in the broader context of the change in the attitudes of some of the Anṣār towards the Jews during the Prophet's Medinan period. It argues that this change of attitudes is an attested historical pattern and, accordingly, that the fact of Muḥammad ibn Maslama's participation in the assassination of Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf can be deemed reliable.
An assessment of implementation gaps and priority recommendations on food environment policies: the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index in Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Miwa , Nomura Marika , Arai Yusuke , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Swinburn Boyd , Nishi Nobuo
Published: December 2021

Objective:

The current study aimed to evaluate policies and actions for food environments by the Japanese Government using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI).

Design:

Public health experts rated the extent of implementation of food environment-related Policy and the Infrastructure-support components, compared with international best practices. Subsequently, the experts proposed and prioritised future actions to address implementation gaps in an online workshop.

Setting:

Japan.

Participants:

A total of sixty-six experts rated policy implementation by the Japanese Government and twenty-three participated in the workshop on future actions.

Results:

The implementations of regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages were rated low in the domains of Food composition, Food labelling and Food promotion, Food prices and Food retail in the Policy component. The implementations of several domains in the Infrastructure-support component were, overall, rated at a higher level, specifically for monitoring and intelligence systems. Based on the rating, reducing health inequalities by supporting people, both economically and physically, was the highest priority for future actions in both components.

Conclusions:

The current study found that Japan has a robust system for long-term monitoring of population health but lacks regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages compared with international best practices. The current study confirmed the importance of continuous accumulation of evidence through national monitoring systems. Developing comprehensive regulations to restrict food marketing, sales and accessibility of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages is needed to improve the health of food environments in Japan.
An Atom Probe with Ultra-Low Hydrogen Background
Authors: Felfer Peter , Ott Benedict , Monajem Mehrpad , Dalbauer Valentin , Heller Martina , Josten Jan , Macaulay Chandra
Published: December 2021

Atom probe tomography (APT) is a single-ion sensitive time-of-flight mass spectrometry method with near-atomic spatial resolution. In principle, it can be used to detect any chemical element, but so far hydrogen in the form of protium (1H) had to be largely excluded. This is owing to the residual H emitted from the stainless-steel chambers and in-vacuum parts commonly used in atom probe instrumentation. This residual H is then picked up in the APT experiment. In this paper, we show that by replacing the stainless-steel chamber and in-vacuum parts with titanium parts, this residual H can largely be removed, thus enabling the direct imaging of H using APT. We show that besides the drastic reduction of H, also other contaminants such as O, OH, and H2O are reduced by employing this instrument. In the current set-up, the instrument is equipped with high-voltage pulsing limiting the application to conductive materials.