bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early integration of palliative care into oncological care: a focus on patient-important outcomes
Authors: Ansatbayeva Tolganay , Kaidarova Dilyara , Kunirova Gulnara , Khussainova Ilmira , Rakhmetova Venera , Smailova Dariga , Semenova Yuliya , Glushkova Natalya , Izmailovich Marina
Published: August 2022

Background:

Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality. Palliative care is designed to meet a range of cancer patients' priority issues, including the management of pain and other cancer-associated symptoms. Routine palliative care envisages the provision of not just medical therapy, but also psychological support, social support and spiritual assistance. What constitutes the best model for palliative care remains a matter of debate.

Aim:

This review was undertaken with the aim to discuss different aspects of early integration of palliative care into oncological care, with a focus on patient-important outcomes.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of publications was conducted with a focus on integrative palliative care for incurable cancer patients. For this purpose, the following databases and search engines were used: Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Research Gate, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY and Cyberleninka.

Results:

A comprehensive approach with early integration of different medical services appears to be the most promising. Integrative palliative care is best provided via specialised interdisciplinary teams, given that all members maintain systemic communications and regularly exchange information. This model ensures that timely and adequate interventions are provided to address the needs of patients.

Conclusion:

Further research is needed to pinpoint the most optimal strategies to deliver palliative care and make it as tailored to the patient's demands as possible.
Using polyvinyl alcohol-ionic hydrogels containing a wound healing agent to manage wounds in different environments
Authors: Napavichayanun Supamas , Yamdech Rungnapha , Pienpinijtham Prompong , Srichana Teerapol , Chencharoenwong Siripich , Reddy Narendra , Aramwit Pornanong
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To explore the effects of pH on properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-ionic hydrogels containing wound healing promoters.

Method:

PVA was combined with a natural wound healing promoter (silk sericin (SS)), and an anionic agent (eosin (ES)) or cationic agent (methylene blue (MB)), and made into hydrogels. Properties of the hydrogels and behaviour at different pHs were investigated.

Results:

The density and gel fraction of PVA/SS-ES hydrogel and PVA/SS-MB hydrogel were considerably lower compared with hydrogel without SS. The swelling ratio and degradation of the hydrogels increased with increasing SS concentration in all pH solutions. The influence of SS in interrupting long-chain PVA molecules was confirmed based on changes in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SS released from the gels was found to interact with the ionic agent and influenced the release profile of the ionic agent. Surprisingly, the anionic agent in PVA/SS-ES hydrogel showed 70% release in high pH solution whereas the cationic agent in PVA/SS-MB hydrogel showed 86% release in low pH solution. Moreover, the active agent could accumulate on the skin layer and had a positive effect on a specific wound area.

Conclusion:

Based on the results obtained in this study, it is suggested to use anionic hydrogels containing wound healing promoter for wounds at high pH and cationic hydrogels containing wound healing promoter for wounds with low pH. Ability to improve wound healing using a natural healing agent combined with ionic agents and controlling the pH of hydrogels will help in developing quick and low-cost treatment for wounds.
Species characterization and antifungal susceptibility profile of yeast isolates from blood cultures of fungemic patients in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand
Authors:   Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani Province, Thailand, Khumdee Pradchama , Hematulin Panarat ,   Microbiology Laboratory Unit, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani Province, Thailand, Yansombat Jiraporn ,   Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani Province, Thailand, Mungkornkaew Narissara ,   Microbiology Laboratory Unit, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani Province, Thailand, Kabir S. M. Lutful ,   Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh, Samosornsuk Worada ,   Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani Province, Thailand, Samosornsuk Seksun ,   Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani Province, Thailand
Published: August 2022

Background: Candida albicans is the most isolated fungal agent in a worldwide health system. Species distribution of Candida infection is different according to geographical regions. However, a shift in favor of non-albicans Candida species with antifungals resistance have increased as an important cause of candidemia. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the species of yeasts isolated from the blood samples of patients at the university hospital and to determine in vitro susceptibilities of three most common isolates against nine antifungal agents. Materials and methods:In total, 130 yeast isolates from 130 patients were defined the species using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out using broth dilution Sensititre YeastOne panels included amphotericin B, 5-fucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin. Results: The most common species in all age groups was C. tropicalis (n=48, 36.9%), followed by C. albicans (n=38, 29.2%). C. glabrata (n=23, 17.7%) was more common among elderly patients, while C. parapsilosis (n=9, 6.9%) was more frequently isolated from younger patients. Antifungal susceptibility testing in Candida species expressed MIC in the low level of almost antifungal drug except for reduced fluconazole susceptibility against C. glabrata and C. tropicalis isolates. Conclusion: C. tropicalis is the most common infection in candidemic patients. Fluconazole resistance strains were found in C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, respectively. In addition, voriconazole resistance strains were found in C. tropicalis.
A ATUAÇÃO DO GOVERNO DO ESTADO DA BAHIA SOBRE OS LIMITES DA LIBERDADE DE LOCOMOÇÃO EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA DA COVID-19
Authors: Bomfim Hortência , Reis Jaqueline , Silva Bárbara
Published: August 2022

O presente estudo objetiva demonstrar a restrição ao direito de locomoção em tempos de pandemia no Estado da Bahia, proveniente das medidas adotadas pelo governo estadual. Cumpre ressaltar que as questões trazidas pelos decretos, diante das interpretações e análises dessas ações visam entender o liame entre o direito de locomoção e a supremacia do interesse público sobre o privado. Por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, foram consultados autores como Alexandre de Moraes, Matheus Carvalho, dentre outros, para realizar a construção de uma perspectiva crítica sobre a temática central. Portanto, apresenta-se uma reflexão sobre a pandemia da COVID-19 e do direito constitucional de locomoção, atravessando momentos da história mundial e brasileira, até a análise dos direitos supracitados e a importância da supremacia do Direito Público.
A LETALIDADE POLICIAL E O PAPEL C(OMISSIVO) DO DIREITO: UMA ABORDAGEM DO RACISMO INSTITUCIONAL
Authors: Mota Pedro Antonio, Santos , Cerqueira da Silva Santos Gessica , Cadiz Santos França Thaynná , De Santana Ferreira dos Anjos Yasmim
Published: August 2022

A polícia brasileira é reconhecida como a que mais mata no mundo e as estatísticas de grupos de pesquisas denunciam que o negro é a maior vítima da letalidade policial. A truculência das abordagens policiais e a “licença para matar” concedida por autoridades políticas evidenciam o racismo institucional no corporativismo militar brasileiro. E, para melhor elucidação deste genocídio, este artigo objetiva ampliar a discussão desde o processo de racialização - inferiorização do negro em detrimento do branco – pautada pelo colonialismo, à instauração de uma Necropolítica neocolonial no Brasil, partindo de conceitos do filósofo negro Achille Mbembe, de modo a compreender o papel c(omissivo) empregado pelo Direito diante desta crise. A metodologia empregada foi a revisão de literatura referencial, narrativas negras e fontes jornalísticas, concatenadas às estatísticas de institutos de pesquisa, através de uma abordagem expositiva-argumentativa.
Generalized temporal coupled-mode theory for a P
T-symmetric optical resonator and Fano resonance in a P
T-symmetric photonic heterostructure
Authors: Wang Tiecheng
Published: August 2022

We have proposed generalized temporal coupled-mode theory for

P

T

-symmetric optical resonator, and on this basis we have explained the Fano resonance in

P

T

-symmetric photonic heterostructure. Our theoretical predictions agree very well with the simulated results obtained by transfer matrix method, which confirms the correctness of our theory. Compared with conventional Fano resonance in optical resonator with time-reversal symmetry, in this Fano resonance the amplitudes of scattering coefficients can be tuned in much larger range, which can be much larger than one, and tend to infinity at singular scattering point, where the rates of dissipation and accumulation are equal to each other and the difference of the phases of the coupling coefficients between output fields and resonant mode is equal to ±π/2. Not only that, the quality factor Q here can be negative out of accumulation, and approaches infinity at this singular scattering point. The phases of reflections jump π in the vicinity of the minima of corresponding amplitudes. We believe that we open a new door to study Fano resonance in non-Hermitian optics and inspire relevant study in other non-Hermitian wave systems.
Holographic near-eye display system with large viewing area based on liquid crystal axicon
Authors: Zheng Yi-Wei , Wang Di , Li Yi-Long , Li Nan-Nan , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a liquid crystal axicon based holographic near-eye display system with large viewing area is proposed. The viewing area of the system is extended by implementing the liquid crystal axicon. The error diffusion algorithm is used to calculate the computer-generated hologram (CGH). When incident on the liquid crystal axicon placed at the back focal plane of Fourier lens, the reconstruction light modulated by the CGH is deflected into two directions resulting in a viewing area extension. Meanwhile, to illustrate the potential of the proposed system, two-dimensional viewing area extension is demonstrated. It combines the frequency spectrum shift with the proposed system and achieves a double expansion of the horizontal viewing area and three-times expansion of the vertical viewing area. Feasibility of the proposed system is verified by optical experiments. The proposed system has potential applications in holographic augmented reality (AR) display.
Electro-optic metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Luyao , Shadrivov Ilya
Published: August 2022

We numerically study metasurfaces that incorporate electro-optic materials and show that they can achieve large amplitude and phase modulations across a distance that is a fraction of the operation wavelength. We show that the metasurfaces made of dielectric discs placed on a film of lithium niobate can exhibit three main types of resonances, associated with the Fabry-Perot modes in the structure, guided modes of the film and Mie modes of the disks. We compare metasurface performance in these different regimes for achieving largest electro-optic modulation and find that in the proposed geometry the strongest amplitude modulation can be achieved through excitation and re-emission of the guided modes in the substrate. We further show that to achieve larger 70 degrees phase modulation while maintaining high transmission, we need to utilise more complex metasurfaces that have at least two resonators per unit cell.
Three-dimensional reconstruction from a fringe projection system through a planar transparent medium
Authors: Chen Chao , Wang Huaiwen , Zhang Zonghua , Gao Feng
Published: August 2022

A vision measurement system is placed in a protective cover made of a transparent medium to avoid environmental influences. Due to the deflection of light rays on the front and rear surfaces of the transparent medium, the imaging position of an object on the camera target plane is deviated, which makes the traditional vision detection methods based on the triangulation principle produce large measurement errors. This work introduces a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method by fringe projection system through a planar transparent medium. We derive the coordinate transformation relationship between a real-object point and a pseudo-object point caused by light refraction based on Snell’s law of flat refraction. Based on the relationship, a modified fringe projection method is proposed for unbiased 3D reconstruction. Two experiments, including 3D shape measurement of a white plate with ring markers and 3D shape measurement of a regular spherical object are conducted. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in such measurement environment.
30-GBaud DP 16-QAM transmission in the E-band enabled by bismuth-doped fiber amplifiers
Authors: Donodin Aleksandr , Tan Mingming , Hazarika Pratim , Dvoyrin Vladislav , Phillips Ian , Harper Paul , Turitsyn Sergei K. , Forysiak Wladek
Published: August 2022

We report the transmission of five 30-GBaud dual polarization 16-QAM signals over 160 km of standard single-mode fiber in the E-band (1410–1460 nm). The transmission line consists of two 80-km spans and three independent bismuth-doped fiber amplifiers. The developed amplifiers feature a maximum gain of 27.3 dB, 33.8 dB, and 28.3 dB with a minimum noise figure of 4.8 dB, 4.7 dB, and 5.3 dB, respectively. The maximum signal Q2 factor penalty is 4.5 dB, and the overall performance of the system is above the pre-forward-error-correction (FEC) threshold for a 10−15 post-FEC bit error rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the record experimentally demonstrated transmission length for a coherent detection signal in the E-band.
Power and energy scaling of an acousto-optically Q switched Raman deep-red laser
Authors: Zhao Hui , Jiang Cong , Li Keyin , Zhou Haiqiong , Zhu Siqi , Yin Hao , Li Zhen , Chen Zhenqiang , Dai Shibo
Published: August 2022

An efficient high-power nanosecond pulsed deep-red laser at 745 nm is produced by intracavity frequency-doubling an acousto-optically Q switched Nd:YLF/KGW Raman laser using a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal. The critically phase-matched type-I LBO crystal with an optimized length of 25 mm is adopted to enable efficient second-harmonic generation and to suppress unwanted cascaded Stokes fields. Under a repetition rate of 4 kHz, the maximum average output power of 4.1 W is obtained with the launched pump power of 50 W, resulting in an overall optical power conversion efficiency of 8.2%. The average beam quality factor is determined to be M2 = 1.46. The pulse energy is scaled up to 3.3 mJ at the repetition rate of 1 kHz, corresponding to a pulse width of 4.2 ns and a peak power of up to 0.8 MW. Moreover, we theoretically investigate the dependence of the conversion efficiency on the walk-off angle as well as the fundamental and first-Stokes losses, which will guide further optimization of experimental devices.
All-optical ultrasonic detector based on differential interference
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Miao Yuhan , Ma Yiwen , Niu Pengfei , Zhang Liang , Zhang Limin , Gao Feng
Published: August 2022

We report on an all-optical ultrasonic detecting method based on differential interference. A linearly polarized probe beam is split into two closely separated ones with orthogonal polarization. After interacting with propagating ultrasonic waves in a coupling media, the split beams are recombined into one beam, with its polarization being changed into an elliptical one by the elastic-optical effect. The recombined beam is filtered by an analyzer and detected by a photodetector. The bandwidth and noise-equivalent pressure (NEP) of the acoustic detector are determined to be 107.4 MHz and 2.18 kPa, respectively. We also demonstrate its feasibility for photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) using agar-embedded phantoms.
Sparse phase retrieval using a physics-informed neural network for Fourier ptychographic microscopy
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Wang Tian , Feng Shaowei , Yang Yongxin , Lai Chunhong , Li Xinwei , Shao Lizhi , Jiang Xiaoming
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we report a sparse phase retrieval framework for Fourier ptychographic microscopy using the recently proposed principle of physics-informed neural networks. The phase retrieval problem is cast as training bidirectional mappings from the measured image space with random noise and the object space to be reconstructed, in which the image formation physics and convolutional neural network are integrated. Meanwhile, we slightly modify the mean absolute error loss function considering the signal characteristics. Two datasets are used to validate this framework. The results indicate that the proposed framework is able to reconstruct sparsely sampled data using a small aperture overlapping rate without additional data driving whereas conventional methods cannot.
Confinement and absorption layer free nanosecond laser shock peening of tungsten and its alloy
Authors: Banerjee Saumyabrata , Spear Jacob
Published: August 2022

Traditionally, nanosecond laser shock peening (ns-LSP) of metals requires an additional application of an absorption layer (black paint) and more importantly a confinement layer (typically water or transparent material) on the workpiece for introduction of compressive stresses. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, introduction of compressive stresses in pure tungsten and its alloy TAM7525 (75% tungsten and 25% copper) without any absorption and confinement layer for ns-LSP. Peak compressive stresses of −349 MPa and −357 MPa were measured in pure tungsten and TAM7525, respectively, when a 0.25-cm2 area was irradiated by a Yb:YAG laser (1030 nm) operating at ∼5 J, ∼2 ns with circular polarization. These peak compressive stresses (without confinement layer) compare well to those with tungsten ns-LSP done with water as confinement layer at twice the energy at 10-ns pulse duration. Furthermore, compared to femtosecond laser shock peening (fs-LSP) of aluminum at atmospheric pressure, the depth of compressive stresses recorded in tungsten and its alloy (∼7 times denser than aluminum) is nearly four times more in the case of confinement layer free nanosecond laser shock peening (CLF-ns-LSP).
DMC1 attenuates RAD51-mediated recombination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Da Ines Olivier , Bazile Jeanne , Gallego Maria E. , White Charles I.
Published: August 2022

Ensuring balanced distribution of chromosomes in gametes, meiotic recombination is essential for fertility in most sexually reproducing organisms. The repair of the programmed DNA double strand breaks that initiate meiotic recombination requires two DNA strand-exchange proteins, RAD51 and DMC1, to search for and invade an intact DNA molecule on the homologous chromosome. DMC1 is meiosis-specific, while RAD51 is essential for both mitotic and meiotic homologous recombination. DMC1 is the main catalytically active strand-exchange protein during meiosis, while this activity of RAD51 is downregulated. RAD51 is however an essential cofactor in meiosis, supporting the function of DMC1. This work presents a study of the mechanism(s) involved in this and our results point to DMC1 being, at least, a major actor in the meiotic suppression of the RAD51 strand-exchange activity in plants. Ectopic expression of DMC1 in somatic cells renders plants hypersensitive to DNA damage and specifically impairs RAD51-dependent homologous recombination. DNA damage-induced RAD51 focus formation in somatic cells is not however suppressed by ectopic expression of DMC1. Interestingly, DMC1 also forms damage-induced foci in these cells and we further show that the ability of DMC1 to prevent RAD51-mediated recombination is associated with local assembly of DMC1 at DNA breaks. In support of our hypothesis, expression of a dominant negative DMC1 protein in meiosis impairs RAD51-mediated DSB repair. We propose that DMC1 acts to prevent RAD51-mediated recombination in Arabidopsis and that this down-regulation requires local assembly of DMC1 nucleofilaments.
Integrated healthcare approach can curb the increasing cases of cryptococcosis in Africa
Authors: Ibe Chibuike , Okoye Chinonyelum Annette
Published: August 2022

Cryptococcosis is a neglected tropical infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in HIV–positive persons in Africa. Efforts to manage HIV infection have not had any significant impact on the fatalities due to cryptococcosis. An integrated healthcare approach that includes universal care coverage for Africans, expanded national care guidelines to include CrAg screening for vulnerable groups in all African countries, collaborative research, infection surveillance, and data sharing within Africa will mark a turnaround point.
Monitoring of urban ecological environment including air quality using satellite imagery
Authors: Wang Yuan , Cai Guoyin , Yang Liuzhong , Zhang Ning , Du Mingyi
Published: August 2022

Rapid urbanisation has highlighted problems in the urban ecological environment and stimulated research on the evaluation of urban environments. In previous studies, key factors such as greenness, wetness, and temperature were extracted from satellite images to assess the urban ecological environment. Although air pollution has become increasingly serious as urbanisation proceeds, information on air pollution is not included in existing models. The Sentinel-5P satellite launched by the European Space Agency in 2017 is a reliable data source for monitoring air quality. By making full use of images from Landsat 8, Sentinel-2A, and Sentinel-5P, this work attempts to construct a new remote sensing monitoring index for urban ecology by adding air quality information to the existing remote sensing ecological index. The proposed index was tested in the Beijing metropolitan area using satellite data from 2020. The results obtained using the proposed index differ greatly in the central urban region and near large bodies of water from those obtained using the existing remote sensing monitoring model, indicating that air quality plays a significant role in evaluating the urban ecological environment. Because the model constructed in this study integrates information on vegetation, soil, humidity, heat, and air quality, it can comprehensively and objectively reflect the quality of the urban ecological environment. Consequently, the proposed remote sensing index provides a new approach to effectively monitoring the urban ecological environment.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of their antioxidant activity and potential catalytic reduction activities with Direct Blue 15 or Direct Orange 26
Authors: Hu Daihua , Gao Tingting , Kong Xingang , Ma Na , Fu Jinhong , Meng Lina , Duan Xiaolong , Hu Ching Yuan , Chen Wang , Feng Zili , Latif Salman
Published: August 2022

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a water extract of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root by microwave irradiation and its antibacterial activities have been reported. However, AgNPs prepared from different parts of ginger root water or ethanol extract by ultrasound synthesis and their antioxidant activity and whether the biogenic could be used to catalyze the reduction of hazardous dye are unknown. This study concentrated on the facile green synthesis of AgNPs prepared from different parts (unpeeled ginger, peeled ginger, and ginger peel) of ginger root water or ethanol extract by the ultrasound-assisted method. We studied their antioxidant activity and catalytic degradation of hazardous dye Direct Orange 26 (DO26) and Direct Blue 15 (DB15). The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of AgNPs was at 428–443 nm. The biogenic AgNPs were approximately 2 nm in size with a regular spherical shape identified from TEM analysis. The ethanol extracts of dried unpeeled ginger and peeled ginger, fresh peeled ginger and ginger peel. The Z. officinale AgNPs synthesized by dried unpeeled ginger ethanol extract showed the best antioxidant activity. Their scavenging activities were significantly better than BHT (p <0.05). The different parts of ginger extracts showed no catalytic degradation activities of DB15 and DO26. Still, the synthesized Z. officinale AgNPs exhibited good catalytic degradation activities, while their ability to catalytic degradation to DB15 was better than DO26. In the additive ratio of 3 mL DB15, 0.1 mL NaBH4 and 0.1 mL AgNPs, the degradation rates of DB15 (or DO26) at 15 min, 30 min and 60 min were only 1.8% (0.9%), 2.8% (1.4%) and 3.5% (1.6%) in the absence of AgNPs. When adding Z. officinale AgNPs prepared from dried ginger peel ethanol extract or fresh ginger peel water extract, the degradation rates of DB15 sharply increased to 97% and 93% after 30 min, respectively. In conclusion, ginger extract has good antioxidant properties. Z. officinale AgNPs biosynthesis from ginger extract exhibit excellent catalytic degradation activities, especially for the ginger peel extract. They have application value in the treatment of textile effluents and provide a new idea and method for the comprehensive development and utilization of ginger resources.
Exploring the effects of added sugar labels on food purchasing behaviour in Australian parents: An online randomised controlled trial
Authors: Riesenberg Devorah , Peeters Anna , Backholer Kathryn , Martin Jane , Ni Mhurchu Cliona , Blake Miranda R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Evidence of the effects of front-of-pack added sugar labelling remains limited, especially for foods other than sugary drinks. More information is needed about which labels are likely to be most effective in reducing intended purchases of products with higher added sugar content in realistic contexts to inform policymakers’ decisions.

Objective

To determine the impact of added sugar labels on intended purchases of high sugar breakfast cereals, yoghurt, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Methods

Australian parents who were regular purchasers of relevant product categories completed an online parallel randomised controlled trial from 31 August 2020 to 13 February 2021. Participants selected their intended purchase from 10 products in each of packaged beverages, breakfast cereal, and yoghurt categories after randomisation to one of seven added sugar labelling conditions in current use or under consideration by the Australian Government. Logistic regressions assessed differences between intervention and control conditions in the odds of intended purchases of a high sugar product.

Results

2825 eligible participants were randomised with 2582 valid surveys analysed (Control n = 367; ‘Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) with Added Sugar’ n = 364; ‘Teaspoons of Sugar’ n = 369; ‘Warning’ n = 371; ‘Health Star Rating (HSR) using Total Sugar’ n = 368; ‘HSR with Added Sugar’ n = 371; ‘Sugar in the Ingredients List’ n = 372). No consistent effects were found on intended purchases of high sugar products overall or within product categories for any of the tested labels compared to controls (overall, ‘NIP with Added Sugar’: OR 1.00 [95%CI 0.83,1.20]; ‘Teaspoons of Sugar’: 0.94[0.80,1.11]; ‘Warning’: 1.10[0.93,1.30]; ‘HSR with Total Sugar’: 1.01[0.85,1.21]; ‘HSR with Added Sugar’: 1.09[0.92,1.30]; ‘Sugar in the Ingredients List’: 1.01[0.85,1.21]).

Conclusions

Findings reinforce the importance of ensuring nutrition labelling policies are introduced as part of a suite of interventions to influence both consumer and manufacturer behaviour.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12620000858998. Registered 28 August 2020, https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12620000858998.
Expansion of droplets during speaking and singing in Japanese
Authors: Kato Hideaki , Okamoto Ryuta , Miyoshi Sohei , Noguchi Sho , Umeda Masakazu , Chiba Yuhei
Published: August 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of infection clusters associated with choral singing have been reported. Singing generates droplets and carries the risk of spreading infection. However, no reports have explored droplet flight and aerosol production rates by singing and speaking in Japanese. First, we conducted an observation experiment evaluating the maximum flight distance and number of droplets generated by singing in Japanese, using a high-speed camera and particle counter. Twenty amateur choir members, 10 male and 10 female (five members for each of the four voices), participated in the experiment. Subsequently, although the maximum distance that droplets traveled by singing in Japanese was 61 cm for men (median of 46.5, interquartile range, 36–57) and 56 cm for women (median of 27.5, interquartile range, 20–50), droplets were observed anteriorly and laterally to be up to 66.8 cm. At the singer’s mouth, ≥ 5 μm droplets were observed, whereas not observed at 1 meter toward the front of the singers in women and men, respectively. In German singing, droplets were observed up to 111 cm toward the front of the singer, possibly reflecting differences in pronunciation. In Japanese reading aloud, droplets were also observed up to 47 cm toward the front, whereas no droplet dispersion was observed by speaking the Japanese /a/ vowel or singing with wearing surgical mask toward the front. The aerosols produced when reading singing the /u/ vowels were significantly higher than those in other vowels. When singing in a choral group, keeping a sufficient distance at the front and side is recommended in minimizing infectious spread. If distance is not possible, practicing with /a/ vowels and avoiding consonants may be an alternative method. Our observations lasted only 50 seconds per song, and further observational studies are needed to determine the dynamics of aerosols that stay for long periods.
A multidisciplinary Prematurity Research Cohort Study
Authors: Stout Molly J. , Chubiz Jessica , Raghuraman Nandini , Zhao Peinan , Tuuli Methodius G. , Wang Lihong V. , Cahill Alison G. , Cuculich Phillip S. , Wang Yong , Jungheim Emily S. , Herzog Erik D. , Fay Justin , Schwartz Alan L. , Macones George A. , England Sarah K.
Published: August 2022

Background

Worldwide, 10% of babies are born preterm, defined as a live birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death, and survivors face lifelong risks of adverse outcomes. New approaches with large sample sizes are needed to identify strategies to predict and prevent preterm birth. The primary aims of the Washington University Prematurity Research Cohort Study were to conduct three prospective projects addressing possible causes of preterm birth and provide data and samples for future research.

Study design

Pregnant patients were recruited into the cohort between January 2017 and January 2020. Consenting patients were enrolled into the study before 20 weeks’ gestation and followed through delivery. Participants completed demographic and lifestyle surveys; provided maternal blood, placenta samples, and cord blood; and participated in up to three projects focused on underlying physiology of preterm birth: cervical imaging (Project 1), circadian rhythms (Project 2), and uterine magnetic resonance imaging and electromyometrial imaging (Project 3).

Results

A total of 1260 participants were enrolled and delivered during the study period. Of the participants, 706 (56%) were Black/African American, 494 (39%) were nulliparous, and 185 (15%) had a previous preterm birth. Of the 1260 participants, 1220 (97%) delivered a live infant. Of the 1220 with a live birth, 163 (14.1%) had preterm birth, of which 74 (6.1%) were spontaneous preterm birth. Of the 1220 participants with a live birth, 841 participated in cervical imaging, 1047 contributed data and/or samples on circadian rhythms, and 39 underwent uterine magnetic resonance imaging. Of the 39, 25 underwent electromyometrial imaging.

Conclusion

We demonstrate feasibility of recruiting and retaining a diverse cohort in a complex prospective, longitudinal study throughout pregnancy. The extensive clinical, imaging, survey, and biologic data obtained will be used to explore cervical, uterine, and endocrine physiology of preterm birth and can be used to develop novel approaches to predict and prevent preterm birth.
Individualized tourism recommendation based on self-attention
Authors: Liu Guangjie , Ma Xin , Zhu Jinlong , Zhang Yu , Yang Danyang , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yi
Published: August 2022

Although the era of big data has brought convenience to daily life, it has also caused many problems. In the field of scenic tourism, it is increasingly difficult for people to choose the scenic spot that meets their needs from mass information. To provide high-quality services to users, a recommended tourism model is introduced in this paper. On the one hand, the tourism system utilises the users’ historical interactions with different scenic spots to infer their short- and long-term favorites. Among them, the users’ short-term demands are modelled through self-attention mechanism, and the proportion of short- and long-term favorites is calculated using the Euclidean distance. On the other hand, the system models the relationship between multiple scenic spots to strengthen the item relationship and further form the most relevant tourist recommendations.
The association between fecal microbiota, age and endoparasitism in adult alpacas
Authors: Bedenice Daniela , Resnick-Sousa Jessica , Bookbinder Lauren , Trautwein Victoria , Creasey Hannah N. , Widmer Giovanni
Published: August 2022

Endoparasitism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in alpacas (Lama pacos), with growing emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The purpose of the study was to correlate nematode worm burden and selected host phenotypic characteristics, such as age and weight, with the composition of the intestinal microbiota of adult alpacas. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from 102 healthy adult (2.1–11.2 years) alpacas at 3 separate timepoints (pre- and post-treatment with 8.8 mg/kg oral Levamisole HCL, and 4.6 months later) at a single farm. The profile of the fecal bacterial microbiota was characterized using 16S amplicon sequencing. Serial clinical exams and fecal egg counts were compared using related-samples analyses. The fecal microbiota of identically managed, healthy alpacas was characterized by a high level of temporal stability, as both α and β-diversity significantly correlated between sampling timepoints. Pairwise β-diversity between samples collected at each timepoint was low, ranging from 0.16–0.21 UniFrac distance units. The intensity of strongylid nematode infection (including Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus) was only significantly correlated with microbiota composition in samples collected 14 days after treatment with levamisole. Analysis of similarity revealed no clustering of microbiota from anthelmintic responders or non-responders. Alpaca age explained the largest proportion of fecal microbiota variation and was the only consistently significant predictor of fecal microbiota taxonomic composition, by impacting the ratio of relative Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes abundance. Firmicutes, mostly Clostridiales, was the most abundant taxon across all collections.
Improved joint line and posterior offset restoration in primary total knee replacement using a robotic-assisted surgical technique: An international multi-centre retrospective analysis of matched cohorts
Authors: Popat Ravi , Albelooshi Ali , Mahapatra Piyush , Bollars Peter , Ettinger Max , Jennings Simon , Van den Berg Jan-Louis , Nathwani Dinesh
Published: August 2022

Background

Accurate restoration of joint line height and posterior offset in primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) have been shown to be important factors in post-operative range of movement and function. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of joint line and posterior offset restoration in a group of patients that underwent robotic-assisted TKA (raTKA). A matched cohort of patients that underwent a TKA using a conventional jig-based technique was assessed for comparison. The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference between groups.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 120 patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis that received a TKA using the Navio Surgical System (n = 60), or Conventional manual TKA (n = 60). Procedures were performed between 1 January 2019 and 1 October 2019 at six different centres. Joint line height and posterior offset was measured pre-operatively and post-operatively on calibrated weight bearing plain radiographs of the knee. Two observers performed measurements using validated measuring tools. A BMI and age-matched cohort of patients that underwent TKA using a conventional technique in the same six centres were assessed for comparison. Mean values, standard deviations and confidence intervals are presented for change and absolute change in joint line height and posterior offset. Student’s t-test was used to compare the changes between techniques.

Results

Patients that underwent robotic-assisted TKA had joint line height and posterior offset restored more accurately than patients undergoing TKA using a conventional technique. Average change from pre-operative measurement in joint line height using raTKA was -0.38mm [95% CI: -0.79 to 0.03] vs 0.91 [0.14 to 1.68] with the conventional technique. Average absolute change in joint line height using raTKA was 1.96mm [1.74 to 2.18] vs 4.00mm [3.68 to 4.32] with the conventional technique. Average change in posterior offset using raTKA was 0.08mm [-0.40 to 0.56] vs 1.64mm [2.47 to 0.81] with the conventional technique. Average absolute change in posterior offset with raTKA was 2.19mm [1.92 to 2.46] vs 4.24mm [3.79 to 4.69] with the conventional technique. There was a significant difference when comparing absolute change in joint line height and posterior offset between groups (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted primary TKA restores the joint line height and posterior offset more accurately than conventional jig-based techniques.
Assessment of prescribed vs. achieved fluid balance during continuous renal replacement therapy and mortality outcome
Authors: Neyra Javier A. , Lambert Joshua , Ortiz-Soriano Victor , Cleland Daniel , Colquitt Jon , Adams Paul , Bissell Brittany D. , Chan Lili , Nadkarni Girish N. , Tolwani Ashita , Goldstein Stuart L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Fluid management during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) requires accuracy in the prescription of desired patient fluid balance (FBGoal) and precision in the attainable patient fluid balance (FBAchieved). Herein, we examined the association of the gap between prescribed vs. achieved patient fluid balance during CRRT (%FBGap) with hospital mortality in critically ill patients.

Methods

Cohort study of critically ill adults with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring CRRT and a prescription of negative fluid balance (mean patient fluid balance goal of negative ≥0.5 liters per day). Fluid management parameters included: 1) NUF (net ultrafiltration rate); 2) FBGoal; 3) FBAchieved; and 4) FBGap(%gap of fluid balance achieved vs. goal), all adjusted by patient’s weight (kg) and duration of CRRT (hours).

Results

Data from 653 patients (median of 102.2 patient-hours of CRRT) were analyzed. Mean (SD) age was 56.7 (14.6) years and 61.9% were male. Hospital mortality rate was 64%. Despite FBGoalwas similar in patients who died vs. survived, survivors achieved greater negative fluid balance during CRRT than non-survivors: median FBAchieved-0.25 [-0.52 to -0.05] vs. 0.06 [-0.26 to 0.62] ml/kg/h,p<0.001. Median NUF was lower in patients who died vs. survived: 1.06 [0.63–1.47] vs. 1.22 [0.82–1.69] ml/kg/h,p<0.001, and median %FBGapwas higher in patients who died (112.8%, 61.5 to 165.7) vs. survived (64.2%, 30.5 to 91.8),p<0.001. In multivariable models, higher %FBGapwas independently associated with increased risk of hospital mortality: aOR (95% CI) 1.01 (1.01–1.02),p<0.001. NUF was not associated with hospital mortality when adjusted by %FBGapand other clinical parameters: aOR 0.96 (0.72–1.28),p= 0.771.

Conclusions

Higher %FBGapwas independently associated with an increased risk of hospital mortality in critically ill adults with AKI on CRRT in whom clinicians prescribed negative fluid balance via CRRT. %FBGaprepresents a novel quality indicator of CRRT delivery that could assist with operationalizing fluid management interventions during CRRT.
Supplementary honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) pollination enhances fruit growth rate and fruit yield in Paeonia ostii (family: Paeoniaceae)
Authors: Zhang Kaiyue , Li Yuying , Sun Kaili , Bao Junyi , He Chunling , Hou Xiaogai
Published: August 2022

Insufficient pollination leads to low and unstable production of oil tree peony. Supplementary managed honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in agricultural ecosystems is a common practice for addressing the problem. At this study site (N 34°38′30″ and E 112°39′43″, with an altitude of 125.5 m), we set up four pollination areas (low-density bee pollination group (LDBP), high-density bee pollination group (HDBP), blank control group (CK1) and field control group (CK2)) to examine the pollination effectiveness of different densities of honeybee supplementation on oil tree peony (Paeonia ostii). Our work demonstrated that bee-pollination increased fruit size and growth rate. On average, bee-pollinated (LDBP) plants produced 63.16% more number of seeds per plant, showed also 53.47% more weight of seeds per plant than those in CK2. Also, seeds of LDBP contained, on average, 26.15% more oil content than CK2. Kernel percent and seed oil fatty acid content, however, were unaffected (F = 1.759, p = 0.074). Compared with LDBP, weight of seeds per plant and oil content with HDBP decreased by 21.89% and 2.63%, respectively. Following the same trend, compared with LDBP, HDBP slowed fruit growth and reduced fruit size. Our results showed that insufficient pollination limits fruit set in oil tree peony, while supplementary reasonable bee density in the field for pollination is an important strategy to maximize fruit yield.
Long-lasting effects of incentives and social preference: A public goods experiment
Authors: Nakagawa Maho , Lefebvre Mathieu , Stenger Anne
Published: August 2022

This paper addresses the question of the effectiveness and permanence of temporary incentives to contribute to a public good. Using a common experimental framework, we investigate the effects of a recommendation that takes the form of an exhortative message to contribute, a monetary punishment and a non-monetary reward to sustain high levels of contributions. In particular, we shed light on the differential impact these mechanisms have on heterogeneous types of agents. The results show that all three incentives increase contributions compared to a pre-phase where there is no incentive. Monetary sanctions lead to the highest contributions, but a sudden drop in contributions is observed once the incentive to punish is removed. On the contrary, Recommendation leads to the lowest contributions but maintains a long-lasting impact in thePost-policyphase. In particular, it makes free-riders increase their contribution over time in the post-incentive phase. Finally, non-monetary reward backfires against those who are weakly conditional cooperators. Our findings emphasize the importance of designing and maintaining incentives not only for free-riders, but for strong and weak conditional cooperators as well, depending on characteristics of the incentives.
Dynamic elite strategy mayfly algorithm
Authors: Du Qianhang , Zhu Honghao
Published: August 2022

The mayfly algorithm (MA), as a newly proposed intelligent optimization algorithm, is found that easy to fall into the local optimum and slow convergence speed. To address this, an improved mayfly algorithm based on dynamic elite strategy (DESMA) is proposed in this paper. Specifically, it first determines the specific space near the best mayfly in the current population, and dynamically sets the search radius. Then generating a certain number of elite mayflies within this range. Finally, the best one among the newly generated elite mayflies is selected to replace the best mayfly in the current population when the fitness value of elite mayfly is better than that of the best mayfly. Experimental results on 28 standard benchmark test functions from CEC2013 show that our proposed algorithm outperforms its peers in terms of accuracy speed and stability.
Combination of Ad-SGE-REIC and bevacizumab modulates glioma progression by suppressing tumor invasion and angiogenesis
Authors: Hattori Yasuhiko , Kurozumi Kazuhiko , Otani Yoshihiro , Uneda Atsuhito , Tsuboi Nobushige , Makino Keigo , Hirano Shuichiro , Fujii Kentaro , Tomita Yusuke , Oka Tetsuo , Matsumoto Yuji , Shimazu Yosuke , Michiue Hiroyuki , Kumon Hiromi , Date Isao
Published: August 2022

Reduced expression in immortalized cells/Dickkopf-3 (REIC/Dkk-3) is a tumor suppressor and its overexpression has been shown to exert anti-tumor effects as a therapeutic target gene in many human cancers. Recently, we demonstrated the anti-glioma effects of an adenoviral vector carrying REIC/Dkk-3 with the super gene expression system (Ad-SGE-REIC). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments such as bevacizumab have demonstrated convincing therapeutic advantage in patients with glioblastoma. However, bevacizumab did not improve overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In this study, we examined the effects of Ad-SGE-REIC on glioma treated with bevacizumab. Ad-SGE-REIC treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of invasion cells treated with bevacizumab. Western blot analyses revealed the increased expression of several endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in cells treated with both bevacizumab and Ad-SGE-REIC, as well as decreased β-catenin protein levels. In malignant glioma mouse models, overall survival was extended in the combination therapy group. These results suggest that the combination therapy of Ad-SGE-REIC and bevacizumab exerts anti-glioma effects by suppressing the angiogenesis and invasion of tumors. Combined Ad-SGE-REIC and bevacizumab might be a promising strategy for the treatment of malignant glioma.