bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A typological framework of non-floodplain wetlands for global collaborative research and sustainable use
Authors: Chen Wenjun , Thorslund Josefin , Nover Daniel M , Rains Mark C , Li Xin , Xu Bei , He Bin , Su Hui , Yen Haw , Liu Lei , Yuan Huili , Jarsjö Jerker , Viers Joshua H
Published: October 2022

Non-floodplain wetlands (NFWs) are important but vulnerable inland freshwater systems that are receiving increased attention and protection worldwide. However, a lack of consistent terminology, incohesive research objectives, and inherent heterogeneity in existing knowledge hinder cross-regional information sharing and global collaboration. To address this challenge and facilitate future management decisions, we synthesized recent work to understand the state of NFW science and explore new opportunities for research and sustainable NFW use globally. Results from our synthesis show that although NFWs have been widely studied across all continents, regional biases exist in the literature. We hypothesize these biases in the literature stem from terminology rather than real geographical bias around existence and functionality. To confirm this observation, we explored a set of geographically representative NFW regions around the world and characteristics of research focal areas. We conclude that there is more that unites NFW research and management efforts than we might otherwise appreciate. Furthermore, opportunities for cross-regional information sharing and global collaboration exist, but a unified terminology will be needed, as will a focus on wetland functionality. Based on these findings, we discuss four pathways that aid in better collaboration, including improved cohesion in classification and terminology, and unified approaches to modeling and simulation. In turn, legislative objectives must be informed by science to drive conservation and management priorities. Finally, an educational pathway serves to integrate the measures and to promote new technologies that aid in our collective understanding of NFWs. Our resulting framework from NFW synthesis serves to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable use and conservation of wetland systems globally.
Focus stacking in non-contact dermoscopy
Authors: Jütte Lennart , Yang Zhiyao , Sharma Gaurav , Roth Bernhard
Published: October 2022

Dermoscopy is the main tool for early detection of skin cancer. Non-contact dermoscopes often suffer from a small depth of field leading to images of skin topographies with regions that are not in focus. We aim to provide an easy-to-implement focus stacking-based approach to ensure all-in-focus images from a non-contact dermoscope. Further, we aim to extract additional information about the skin topography from the image stacks. The focus stacking procedure itself is implemented in a non-contact dermoscope with an electrically adjustable focus realized by using a tunable liquid lens. We show that all-in-focus imaging is possible for non-contact dermoscopy and deliver a method to extract topographical information for dermatologists from the acquired image stacks. Our finding indicate that the approach can be valuable for non-contact dermoscopic examination as well as for the early detection of skin diseases such as cancer as it possible to derive hyperfocus images and information on the skin topography. With this, we were able to develop a software for the acquisition of the raw image data and its processing into a high resolution hyperresolution dermoscopic image. In the next steps, we plan to apply the approach in the clinical environment for skin cancer diagnostics or imaging of inflammatory skin diseases.
Ultra-compact on-chip spoof surface plasmon polariton transmission lines with enhanced field confinements
Authors: He Pei Hang , Yao Dayue , Zhang Hao Chi , Wang Jiangpeng , Bao Di , Cui Tie Jun
Published: October 2022

On-chip transmission lines (TLs) for spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPPs) have been proved to suppress on-chip channel crosstalk in terahertz band due to their field confinement property. But the contradiction between strong field confinement and miniaturization limits the application of the on-chip SSPP TLs in millimeter and terahertz bands. Here, an ultra-compact on-chip SSPP TL with strong field confinement is proposed using 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The proposed SSPP TL reduces the cutoff frequency down to 435 GHz in a very limited TL width. Broadband feeding without using gradient transition structures is presented to guarantee the compact size. Compared to microstrip and the typical SSPP TLs, outstanding field confinement of the novel on-chip SSPP TL is demonstrated by the electrical-field- intensity distributions. Measured result matches to simulated one well. It is shown that the proposed on-chip SSPP TL possesses the lowest cutoff frequency and the smallest width relative to the cutoff wavelength, compared to the microstrip and the typical SSPP TLs. Thus the ultra-compact on-chip SSPP TL with strong field confinement may be widely used in the future miniaturized monolithic microwave integrated circuits.
Hypergeometric functions over finite fields
Authors: Fuselier Jenny , Long Ling , Ramakrishna Ravi , Swisher Holly , Tu Fang-Ting
Published: October 2022

Building on the developments of many people including Evans, Greene, Katz, McCarthy, Ono, Roberts, and Rodriguez-Villegas, we consider period functions for hypergeometric type algebraic varieties over finite fields and consequently study hypergeometric functions over finite fields in a manner that is parallel to that of the classical hypergeometric functions. Using a comparison between the classical gamma function and its finite field analogue the Gauss sum, we give a systematic way to obtain certain types of hypergeometric transformation and evaluation formulas over finite fields and interpret them geometrically using a Galois representation perspective. As an application, we obtain a few finite field analogues of algebraic hypergeometric identities, quadratic and higher transformation formulas, and evaluation formulas. We further apply these finite field formulas to compute the number of rational points of certain hypergeometric varieties.
A penalized linear mixed model with generalized method of moments estimators for complex phenotype prediction
Authors: Wang Xiaqiong , Wen Yalu
Published: October 2022

Motivation

Linear mixed models (LMMs) have long been the method of choice for risk prediction analysis on high-dimensional data. However, it remains computationally challenging to simultaneously model a large amount of variants that can be noise or have predictive effects of complex forms.

Results

In this work, we have developed a penalized LMM with generalized method of moments (pLMMGMM) estimators for prediction analysis. pLMMGMM is built within the LMM framework, where random effects are used to model the joint predictive effects from all variants within a region. Different from existing methods that focus on linear relationships and use empirical criteria for variable screening, pLMMGMM can efficiently detect regions that harbor genetic variants with both linear and non-linear predictive effects. In addition, unlike existing LMMs that can only handle a very limited number of random effects, pLMMGMM is much less computationally demanding. It can jointly consider a large number of regions and accurately detect those that are predictive. Through theoretical investigations, we have shown that our method has the selection consistency and asymptotic normality. Through extensive simulations and the analysis of PET-imaging outcomes, we have demonstrated that pLMMGMM outperformed existing models and it can accurately detect regions that harbor risk factors with various forms of predictive effects.

Availability and implementation

The R-package is available at https://github.com/XiaQiong/GMMLasso.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
MDSCAN: RMSD-based HDBSCAN clustering of long molecular dynamics
Authors: González-Alemán Roy , Platero-Rochart Daniel , Rodríguez-Serradet Alejandro , Hernández-Rodríguez Erix W , Caballero Julio , Leclerc Fabrice , Montero-Cabrera Luis
Published: October 2022

Motivation

The term clustering designates a comprehensive family of unsupervised learning methods allowing to group similar elements into sets called clusters. Geometrical clustering of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories is a well-established analysis to gain insights into the conformational behavior of simulated systems. However, popular variants collapse when processing relatively long trajectories because of their quadratic memory or time complexity. From the arsenal of clustering algorithms, HDBSCAN stands out as a hierarchical density-based alternative that provides robust differentiation of intimately related elements from noise data. Although a very efficient implementation of this algorithm is available for programming-skilled users (HDBSCAN*), it cannot treat long trajectories under the de facto molecular similarity metric RMSD.

Results

Here, we propose MDSCAN, an HDBSCAN-inspired software specifically conceived for non-programmers users to perform memory-efficient RMSD-based clustering of long MD trajectories. Methodological improvements over the original version include the encoding of trajectories as a particular class of vantage-point tree (decreasing time complexity), and a dual-heap approach to construct a quasi-minimum spanning tree (reducing memory complexity). MDSCAN was able to process a trajectory of 1 million frames using the RMSD metric in about 21 h with <8 GB of RAM, a task that would have taken a similar time but more than 32 TB of RAM with the accelerated HDBSCAN* implementation generally used.

Availability and implementation

The source code and documentation of MDSCAN are free and publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/LQCT/MDScan.git) and as a PyPI package (https://pypi.org/project/mdscan/).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Lower Demands but Less Meaningful Work? Changes in Work Situation and Health among Social Workers in a 15-Year Perspective
Authors: Tham Pia , Kåreholt Ingemar
Published: October 2022

The study aimed to investigate how working conditions, intention to leave and self-rated health among Swedish social workers in child welfare have developed over the course of fifteen years. In 2003 (n = 309), 2014 (n = 313) and 2018 (n = 305), the same questionnaire was distributed to social workers who were working with the same tasks in the same geographical areas. The results show that the social workers in 2018 overall rate their working conditions as better than they did in 2014, and in most respects also better than in 2003. The most salient improvements are that work demands in 2018 are described as significantly lower than in earlier years, and organisational climate, group work and support from their superior and co-workers are seen more positively. Despite these positive developments, the changes in how the social workers rate their health and to what extent they intend to leave the workplace were minor. Also, how the social workers rated positive challenges in work and the extent to which they perceived their work as meaningful or felt that their skills and knowledge often were useful in their work had deteriorated. Possible factors as the influence of New Public Management and increased use of manuals and forms are discussed.
MicroRNAs: emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets of bone fragility in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Smout Dieter , Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis H , Jørgensen Hanne Skou , Evenepoel Pieter
Published: October 2022

Bone fragility is highly prevalent, yet underdiagnosed in patients with chronic kidney disease. Incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology and limitations of current diagnostics contribute to therapeutic hesitation, if not nihilism. This narrative review addresses the question of whether microRNAs (miRNAs) may improve therapeutic decision making in osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy. miRNAs are key epigenetic regulators of bone homeostasis and show promise as both therapeutic targets and as biomarkers, primarily of bone turnover. Experimental studies show that miRNAs are involved in several osteogenic pathways. Clinical studies exploring the usefulness of circulating miRNAs for fracture risk stratification and for guiding and monitoring therapy are few and, so far, provide inconclusive results. Likely, (pre)analytical heterogeneity contributes to these equivocal results. In conclusion, miRNAs are promising in metabolic bone disease, both as a diagnostic tool and as therapeutic targets, but not yet ready for clinical prime time.
Virtual relationship memory: a conceptual model of mediated communication and relational dissolution
Authors: LeFebvre Leah E , Blackburn Kate G , Brody Nicholas
Published: October 2022

Virtual Relationship Memory (VRM) is a conceptual model to explore the way people remember and socially construct their romantic relationships, with a focus on the breakup process and memories after a relationship has ended. The model is situated within the research exploring relationships, technology, and memory. We articulate three components—objects, networks, and stories—which independently and concurrently represent how communication technology affects relational and memory-making processes. We first review research into memory, relational dissolution, and mediated communication to situate the VRM at the nexus of those three domains of study. We define and describe features of the VRM (objects, stories, and networks) and build towards a comprehensive conceptual model. To conclude, we present several potential future research directions—management strategies, curation of emotion, and dualistic functions of memory—with implications for building, extending, and stretching the boundaries of VRM.
PpTCP18 is upregulated by lncRNA5 and controls branch number in peach (Prunus persica) through positive feedback regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Xiaobei , Wang Qiuping , Yan Lixia , Hao Yuhang , Lian Xiaodong , Zhang Haipeng , Zheng Xianbo , Cheng Jun , Wang Wei , Zhang Langlang , Ye Xia , Li Jidong , Tan Bin , Feng Jiancan
Published: October 2022

Branch number is an important agronomic trait in peach (Prunus persica) trees because plant architecture affects fruit yield and quality. Although breeders can select varieties with different tree architecture, the biological mechanisms underlying architecture remain largely unclear. In this study, a pillar peach (‘Zhaoshouhong’) and a standard peach (‘Okubo’) were compared. ‘Zhaoshouhong’ was found to have significantly fewer secondary branches than ‘Okubo’. Treatment with the synthetic strigolactone (SL) GR24 decreased branch number. Transcriptome analysis indicated that PpTCP18 (a homologous gene of Arabidopsis thaliana BRC1) expression was negatively correlated with strigolactone synthesis gene expression, indicating that PpTCP18 may play an important role in peach branching. Yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift, dual-luciferase assays and PpTCP18-knockdown in peach leaf buds indicated that PpTCP18 could increase expression of PpLBO1, PpMAX1, and PpMAX4. Furthermore, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PpTCP18 clearly exhibited reduced primary rosette-leaf branches. Moreover, lncRNA sequencing and transient expression analysis revealed that lncRNA5 targeted PpTCP18, significantly increasing PpTCP18 expression. These results provide insights into the mRNA and lncRNA network in the peach SL signaling pathway and indicate that PpTCP18, a transcription factor downstream of SL signaling, is involved in positive feedback regulation of SL biosynthesis. This role of PpTCP18 may represent a novel mechanism in peach branching regulation. Our study improves current understanding of the mechanisms underlying peach branching and provides theoretical support for genetic improvement of peach tree architecture.
Invariant Measures for Horospherical Actions and Anosov Groups
Authors: Lee Minju , Oh Hee
Published: October 2022

Let $\Gamma $ be a Zariski dense Anosov subgroup of a connected semisimple real algebraic group $G$. For a maximal horospherical subgroup $N$ of $G$, we show that the space of all non-trivial $NM$-invariant ergodic and $A$-quasi-invariant Radon measures on $\Gamma \backslash G$, up to proportionality, is homeomorphic to ${\mathbb {R}}^{\text {rank}\,G-1}$, where $A$ is a maximal real split torus and $M$ is a maximal compact subgroup that normalizes $N$. One of the main ingredients is to establish the $NM$-ergodicity of all Burger–Roblin measures.
KMS States of Quasi-Free Dynamics on C*-Algebras of Product Systems over Right LCM Monoids
Authors: Gazdag Luca E , Laca Marcelo , Larsen Nadia S
Published: October 2022

We generalise recent results of Afsar, Larsen, and Neshveyev for product systems over quasi-lattice orders by showing that the equilibrium states of quasi-free dynamics on the Nica–Toeplitz $C^{\ast }$-algebras of product systems over right LCM monoids must satisfy a positivity condition encoded in a system of inequalities satisfied by their restrictions to the coefficient algebra. We prove that the reduction of this positivity condition to a finite subset of inequalities is valid for a wider class of monoids that properly includes finite-type Artin monoids, answering a question left open in their work. Our main technical tool is a combinatorially generated tree modelled on a recent construction developed by Boyu Li for dilations of contractive representations. We also obtain a reduction of the positivity condition to inequalities arising from a certain minimal subset that may not be finite but has the advantage of holding for all Noetherian right LCM monoids, and we present an example, arising from a finite-type Artin monoid, that exhibits a gap in its inverse temperature space.
Convergence of the KPZ Line Ensemble
Authors: Wu Xuan
Published: October 2022

In this paper we study the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang (KPZ) line ensemble under the KPZ scaling. Based on their Gibbs property, we derive quantitative local fluctuation estimates for the scaled KPZ line ensemble. This allows us to show the tightness of the scaled KPZ line ensemble. Together with the recent progress in [33], [36], and [15], the tightness result yields the conjectural convergence of the scaled KPZ line ensemble to the Airy line ensemble.
The Death of Major International Organizations: When Institutional Stickiness is not Enough
Authors: Dijkstra Hylke , Debre Maria J
Published: October 2022

Major international organizations (IOs) are heavily contested, but they are rarely dissolved. Scholars have focused on their longevity, making institutional arguments about replacement costs and institutional assets as well as IO agency to adapt and resist challenges. This article analyzes the limits of institutional stickiness by focusing on outlier cases. While major IOs are dissolved at considerably lower rates than minor IOs, the article nevertheless identifies twenty-one cases where major IOs have died since 1815. These are tough cases as they do not conform to our institutionalist expectations. To better understand these rare but important events, the article provides case illustrations from the League of Nations and International Refugee Organization, which were dissolved due to their perceived underperformance and a disappearing demand for cooperation. These cases show the limits of the institutional theories of IO stickiness: sometimes member states find high replacement costs justified or consider assets as sunk costs, and IOs may lack agency to strategically respond. This article refines theories of institutional stickiness and contributes to the institutional theory of the life and death of IOs.
European-wide antimicrobial resistance monitoring in commensal Escherichia coli isolated from healthy food animals between 2004 and 2018
Authors: De Jong Anno , El Garch Farid , Hocquet Didier , Prenger-Berninghoff Ellen , Dewulf Jeroen , Migura-Garcia Lourdes , Perrin-Guyomard Agnès , Veldman Kees T , Janosi Szilard , Skarzynska Magdalena , Simjee Shabbir , Moyaert Hilde , Rose Markus ,   EASSA Study Group, Ocak Marion , Butty Pascal , Klee Rebecca , Schiffer Guido , Stevenin Clelia , Serreyn Pieter-Jan , Temmerman Robin
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To describe the susceptibility of Escherichia coli to medically important antibiotics, collected over four periods (2004–2006, 2008–2009, 2013–2014, 2017–2018), from food-producing animals at slaughter.

Methods

Intestinal contents from cattle, pigs and broilers were randomly sampled (5–6 countries/host; ≥4 abattoirs/country; one sample/animal/farm) for isolation of Escherichia coli; antimicrobial susceptibilities were centrally determined by CLSI agar dilution. Clinical breakpoints (CLSI) and epidemiological cut-off values (EUCAST) were applied for data interpretation.

Results

In total, 10 613 E. coli strains were recovered. In broilers, resistance percentages were the lowest (P ≤ 0.01) in the latest time period. A significant decrease in MDR over time was also observed for broilers and a tendency for a decrease for pigs. Resistance to meropenem and tigecycline was absent, and resistance to azithromycin was 0.2%–2.0%. Also, low resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (1.1%–7.4%) was detected in broilers. Resistance to colistin varied between 0.1%–4.8%. E. coli from broilers showed high resistance to ciprofloxacin (7.3%–23.3%), whereas for cattle and pigs this was 0.2%–2.5%. Low/moderate resistance to chloramphenicol (9.3%–21.3%) and gentamicin (0.9%–7.0%) was observed in pigs and broilers. The highest resistance was noted for ampicillin (32.7%–65.3%), tetracycline (41.3%–67.5%), trimethoprim (32.0%–35.7%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (27.5%–49.7%) from pigs and broilers, with marked country differences. MDR peaked in pigs and broilers with 24 and 26 phenotypes, with 21.9%–26.2% and 18.7%–34.1% resistance, respectively.

Conclusions

In this pan-EU survey antibiotic susceptibility of commensal E. coli varied largely between antibiotics, animal species and countries. Resistance to critically important antibiotics for human medicine was absent or low, except for ciprofloxacin in broilers and ampicillin in pigs and broilers.
Frequency of drug-induced liver injury in children receiving anti-staphylococcal penicillins
Authors: Tang Kailey , Coombs Stefan , Gwee Amanda
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Anti-staphylococcal penicillins (ASPs) are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in children and are associated with a risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Despite the frequent use of ASPs in children, there is no consensus on whether liver function tests (LFTs) should be routinely monitored during treatment.

Objectives

To review the literature on the frequency of ASP-related DILI in children to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of hepatotoxicity.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase were searched in January 2022 for original studies of children who received cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin, methicillin, nafcillin or oxacillin that included ≥10 children aged up to 18 years, and presented data on the incidence of DILI in children exposed to ASPs.

Results

Overall, two studies of oral flucloxacillin, two of intravenous (IV) methicillin, three of IV nafcillin and four of IV oxacillin were included. The mean onset of DILI ranged between 7.0 and 19.0 days following commencement of antibiotic treatment and all episodes resolved between 14.2 and 16.0 days after drug discontinuation, with no specific treatment required. This review found that the incidence of DILI in children was 1 in 50 000 for oral flucloxacillin and ranged from 1 in 3 to 13 for IV oxacillin, methicillin and nafcillin.

Conclusions

This review found that routine LFT monitoring is not required in children receiving low dose oral flucloxacillin in a primary care setting, although pharmacovigilance is critical. For IV preparations, the existing data support routine LFT monitoring in those receiving treatment for at least 7 days.
Impact on renal function of daily and on-demand HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in the ANRS-PREVENIR study
Authors: Liegeon Geoffroy , Assoumou Lambert , Ghosn Jade , El Mouhebb Mayssam , Palich Romain , Palacios Christia , Slama Laurence , Surgers Laure , Genin Michèle , Beniguel Lydie , Goldwirt Lauriane , Duvivier Claudine , Rojas Castro Daniela , Costagliola Dominique , Molina Jean-Michel
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To assess the impact on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of different tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine dosing regimens for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Patients and methods

We included in the study individuals with baseline eGFR > 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 who initiated PrEP in the ongoing ANRS-PREVENIR PrEP cohort. We retrospectively classified PrEP users in three groups: ‘on-demand’ (reported at ≥75% of study visits), ‘daily’ (≥75% of study visits) or ‘switches’. We compared the area under curve (AUC) of the eGFR variation from baseline (ΔeGFR) between groups using analysis of covariance, and assessed factors associated with a negative AUC of ΔeGFR.

Results

From May 2017 to October 2020, 1253 PrEP-naïve participants (98% of MSM) were included in the study with a median follow-up of 22 months. 499 (40%), 494 (39%) and 260 (21%) users were in the group daily, on-demand and switches, respectively, for a median number of pills taken per week of 6, 1.7 and 4. The mean AUC of the ΔeGFR was −1.09 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the daily PrEP group, −0.69 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the switches group and +0.18 mL/min/1.73 m2 with on-demand PrEP. In a model adjusted on baseline age and eGFR, the AUC of the ΔeGFR was significantly higher with on-demand PrEP compared to daily PrEP (P = 0.037). Independent factors associated with a negative AUC of ΔeGFR were a daily PrEP regimen, a switches regimen, an age > 40 years and a baseline eGFR≥90 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusions

On-demand PrEP dosing had a smaller impact on eGFR evolution than daily PrEP, but the difference was not clinically relevant.
Protecting reproductive health information in the post-Roe era: interoperability strategies for healthcare institutions
Authors: Khanna Raman R , Murray Sara G , Wen Timothy , Salmeen Kirsten , Illangasekare Tushani , Benfield Nerys , Adler-Milstein Julia , Savage Lucia
Published: October 2022

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion, resulting in wide variability in access from severe restrictions in many states and fewer restrictions in others. Healthcare institutions capture information about patients’ pregnancy and abortion care and, due to interoperability, may share it in ways that expose their providers and patients to social stigma and potential legal jeopardy in states with severe restrictions. In this article, we describe sources of risk to patients and providers that arise from interoperability and specify actions that institutions can take to reduce that risk. Institutions have significant power to define their practices for how and where care is documented, how patients are identified, where data are sent or hosted, and how patients are counseled, and thus should protect patients’ privacy and ability to receive medical care that is safe and legal where it is performed.
A mobile health app may improve maternal and child health knowledge and practices among rural women with limited education in Uganda: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Musiimenta Angella , Tumuhimbise Wilson , Atukunda Esther C , Mugaba Aaron T , Asasira Justus , Katusiime Jane , Zender Raphael , Pinkwart Niels , Mugyenyi Godfrey Rwambuka , Haberer Jessica E
Published: October 2022

Objective

This article describes the impact of a mobile health app (MatHealth App) on maternal and child health knowledge and practices among women with limited education.

Materials and methods

Pregnant women initiating antenatal care (ANC) were randomized (1:1) to the MatHealth App versus routine care. Participants were followed until 6 weeks after delivery. Questionnaires for assessing knowledge and practices were administered to participants from both arms at baseline and endline. Using logistic regression, we estimated the difference in odds of having maternal health knowledge. We reviewed clinic records to capture maternal health practices.

Results

Of the 80 enrolled participants, 69 (86%) completed the study with a median follow-up of 6 months. Women in the MatHealth arm had 8.2 (P = .19), 3.6 (P = .14), and 6.4 (P = .25), respectively higher odds of knowing (1) the recommended gestation period for starting ANC, (2) the recommended number of ANC visits, and (3) the timing and frequency of recommended human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, respectively, compared to those in the routine care arm. All women in the MatHealth App arm exclusively breastfed their babies, and brought them at 6 weeks for HIV testing, compared to the routine care arm. Just over half of the women attended at least 4 prenatal visits across the 2 arms. The main reason for noncompliance to ANC appointments was a lack of transport to the clinic.

Discussion and conclusion

The app increased knowledge and practices although not reaching statistical significance. Future efforts can focus on addressing social and economic issues and assessing clinical outcomes.
UHPLC–MS-MS Determination of THC, CBD and Their Metabolites in Whole Blood of Light Cannabis Smokers
Authors: Lo Faro Alfredo Fabrizio , Tini Anastasio , Gottardi Josué , Pichini Simona , Carlier Jeremy , Giorgetti Raffaele , Busardò Francesco Paolo
Published: October 2022

“Light cannabis” is a product legally sold in Europe with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration <0.2% and variable cannabidiol (CBD) content. In this study, we aimed to assess the time courses of THC and metabolites (11-nor-9-carboxy-THC and 11-hydroxy-THC) and CBD and metabolites (CBD-7-oic acid, 7-hydroxy-CBD, 6α-hydroxy-CBD and 6β-hydroxy-CBD) in whole blood of 10 healthy participants after smoking one or four light cannabis cigarettes (0.16% THC and 5.8% CBD). Blood samples were collected 0.5–4 h after administration. Blood analysis was performed by reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode after glucuronide hydrolysis and liquid–liquid extraction in basic and acidic conditions. The method was validated following the most recent guidelines in toxicology: the method was linear, accurate, precise and sensitive (lower limits of quantification ranged from 0.005 to 0.01 ng/mL); carryover, matrix effect, recovery, process efficiency and dilution integrity were also assessed. As previously reported, the main metabolites of THC were THC-COOH and then 11-OH-THC, and the main metabolites of CBD were 7-OH-CBD and then 7-COOH-CBD. The time of the first collection, which likely occurred after the maximal concentration of most of the analytes, and the short monitoring time, up to 4 h after smoking, limited the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic parameters.
Electrical resistivity imaging of an enhanced aquifer recharge site
Authors: Fields Jon , Tandy Tyler , Halihan Todd , Ross Randall , Beak Doug , Neill Russell , Groves Justin
Published: October 2022

Enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) is defined as any engineered structure or enhanced natural feature designed to convey stormwater, surface water or wastewater directly into an aquifer (e.g. aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells) or into the vadose zone eventually percolating to an aquifer (e.g. spreading basins, dry well, etc.; USEPA 2021). Identifying the storage and flow capabilities of complex aquifers can improve the efficacy of many conceptual site models (CSM) for sites considered for ASR projects. In a karst setting, the EAR process may be able to take advantage of natural surficial features and the increased storage capacity of karst aquifers to improve recharge to groundwater. However, the suitability for an EAR project in a karst setting depends on the maturity of the karst and its preceding epikarst. The focus of flow within the epikarst causes enlargement of fractures and karst conduits. Thus, the storage and transmissivity within the karst vary greatly. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) is a well-known geophysical tool for mapping fractures and sinkholes, typical in karst settings. Locating enhanced water conveyance structures of a karst aquifer can improve the design and operation of an EAR site. This study investigated the hydraulic connection between shallow and deep groundwater using ERI to identify potential flow pathways and to improve our understanding of the storage mechanisms of the epikarst. The results presented in this paper validate the effectiveness of ERI in characterizing karst/epikarst and delineating soil, bedrock and local faults and fractures in the subsurface.
A Process-based Model with Temperature, Water, and Lab-derived Data Improves Predictions of Daily Culex pipiens/restuans Mosquito Density
Authors: Shutt D P , Goodsman D W , Martinez K , Hemez Z J L , Conrad J R , Xu C , Osthus D , Russell C , Hyman J M , Manore C A
Published: October 2022

While the number of human cases of mosquito-borne diseases has increased in North America in the last decade, accurate modeling of mosquito population density has remained a challenge. Longitudinal mosquito trap data over the many years needed for model calibration, and validation is relatively rare. In particular, capturing the relative changes in mosquito abundance across seasons is necessary for predicting the risk of disease spread as it varies from year to year. We developed a discrete, semi-stochastic, mechanistic process-based mosquito population model that captures life-cycle egg, larva, pupa, adult stages, and diapause for Culex pipiens (Diptera, Culicidae) and Culex restuans (Diptera, Culicidae) mosquito populations. This model combines known models for development and survival into a fully connected age-structured model that can reproduce mosquito population dynamics. Mosquito development through these stages is a function of time, temperature, daylight hours, and aquatic habitat availability. The time-dependent parameters are informed by both laboratory studies and mosquito trap data from the Greater Toronto Area. The model incorporates city-wide water-body gauge and precipitation data as a proxy for aquatic habitat. This approach accounts for the nonlinear interaction of temperature and aquatic habitat variability on the mosquito life stages. We demonstrate that the full model predicts the yearly variations in mosquito populations better than a statistical model using the same data sources. This improvement in modeling mosquito abundance can help guide interventions for reducing mosquito abundance in mitigating mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus.
National Forest Visitation Preferences and Avenues to Participation for Urban Hispanic Recreationists in the Portland Metropolitan Area (USA)
Authors: Cerveny Lee K , McLain Rebecca J , Banis David , Helmer Matthew
Published: October 2022

Health benefits of outdoor recreation have been broadly demonstrated and land managers recognize the equity implications of providing safe and inclusive outdoor spaces. Data on public lands visitation and outdoor participation show that Hispanic recreationists are less likely to engage in outdoor leisure than White persons. Early studies of outdoor preferences of Hispanic persons identified a desire for large-group settings and social activities. To update our understanding of outdoor recreation needs, preferences, and constraints, we collaborated with a Latinx organization in Portland, Oregon (USA). We collaboratively designed three focus groups that combined structured engagement, cognitive sorting, and participatory mapping to elicit desired outdoor activities and settings and identify constraints and opportunities. Results suggest that urban Hispanic recreationists seek a variety of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities and gravitate toward familiar settings. Predominant barriers relate to a lack of experience with outdoor activities and gear and lack of exposure to public land settings.

Study Implications: Early studies about Hispanic outdoor participation emphasized preferences for social activities in group settings. Urban Hispanic recreationists in our study sought a diversity of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities. Guided group outings and Spanish-language materials were identified as steps to increase participation. Barriers included a lack of awareness of prospective recreation sites, the absence of recreation partners, and unfamiliarity with outdoor gear. Agencies seeking to enhance access may gain the greatest efficiencies by enabling guided group events providing gear, instruction, and companionship. Outreach efforts in Spanish detailing information about setting and safety features would be well received.
De-Bordering Solidarity: Civil Society Actors Assisting Refused Asylum Seekers in Small Cities
Authors: Dimitriadis Iraklis , Ambrosini Maurizio
Published: October 2022

This article elaborates on the activities developed by various actors from the civil society in favour of non-deported refused asylum seekers (NDRAS) through the lens of ‘de-bordering solidarity’. Drawing on qualitative data collected in two small Italian cities ruled by anti-immigrant coalitions, this study explores the rationales and outcomes of migrant supporters’ actions in providing help to NDRAS, thus deepening the action of pro-immigrant civil society in small urban centres. The findings show that, while civil society’s engagement in the provision of basic needs to vulnerable people is unconditional, legal advice and practical help for access to regular status can be more selective and reflect lack of human and financial resources available, the low probability of a part of NDRAS to achieve legal status, low demand in local labour markets, and social workers’ and volunteers’ subjectivities. Despite recognizing such limits in solidarity activities, this article shows that civil society in practice challenges deportation policies through practical and daily solidarity that assumes political and cultural meanings. Based on these findings, this article suggests durable solutions for addressing the issues connected with the presence of NDRAS.
Duodenal transection following blunt abdominal trauma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Alkhulaiwi Hani , Alsarrani Faisal H , Alharbi Alanood A
Published: October 2022

Isolated duodenal transection—a rare complication of abdominal trauma—is a challenging dilemma and difficult to diagnose. As blunt duodenal injuries vary from mild hematoma or perforation to complete transection or complex pancreaticoduodenal disruption. A 21-year-old male medically free victim of motor vehicle collision was admitted to our hospital and evaluated in ER according to ATLS protocol. Patient was stable with positive fast scan so we proceeded for abdomen computed tomography, which showed duodenal injury with possible pancreatic transection and active arterial extravasation. Based on that patient was taken for exploratory laparotomy and primary repair. Duodenal injuries can be a result of different mechanism. Typically, it was the result of crush injury, however, it can be due to shear or bursting forces. With its anatomical location, reaching the accurate diagnosis might be delayed, which is associated with higher mortality rate. Due to different scales of severity and different presentation, the management varies based on the location and the involved surrounding structures. Although complete duodenal transection is rare with blunt injuries, high clinical suspicion is necessary to detect such injury early. Studies have shown that the outcomes are highly dictated by early diagnosis and prompt management.
Empirical Best Prediction of Small Area Means Based on a Unit-Level Gamma-Poisson Model
Authors: Berg Emily
Published: October 2022

Existing small area estimation procedures for count data have important limitations. For instance, an M-quantile-based method is known to be less efficient than model-based procedures if the assumptions of the model hold. Also, frequentist inference procedures for Poisson generalized linear mixed models can be computationally intensive or require approximations. Furthermore, area-level models are incapable of incorporating unit-level covariates. We overcome these limitations by developing a small area estimation procedure for a unit-level gamma-Poisson model. The conjugate form of the model permits computationally simple estimation and prediction procedures. We obtain a closed-form expression for the empirical best predictor of the mean as well as a closed-form mean square error estimator. We validate the procedure through simulations. We illustrate the proposed method using a subset of data from the Iowa Seat-Belt Use survey.
Chemical and physical processes caused by electrons impacting on H2O–CO mixed ices
Authors: Huang C-H , Cecchi-Pestellini C , Ciaravella A , Jiménez-Escobar A , Hsiao L-C , Sie N-E , Chen Y-J
Published: October 2022

Electron-induced chemistry is relevant to many processes that occur when an ionizing source interacts with matter, as in the formation of complex molecules within frozen condensates in space. We explore in this paper the radiolysis and the desorption processes affecting iced mixtures of water and carbon monoxide subjected to electron irradiation in the sub-keV regime. The experiments have been performed with the Interstellar Energetic Process System (IEPS), an ultra-high vacuum chamber equipped with an electron gun. The irradiated ices have been monitored with infrared and mass spectroscopies. We derive the chemistry and determine cross-sections for relevant processes as functions of the energy of the impacting electrons. We quantify the electron-stimulated desorption of some significant species in terms of their desorption yields, and relate these quantities to the electron penetration depth and the desorption-relevant length. The results of this study have been compared with the outcomes of similar experiments performed using pure carbon monoxide ices.
Spectroscopy of TOI-1259B – an unpolluted white dwarf companion to an inflated warm Saturn
Authors: Fitzmaurice Evan , Martin David V , Rodríguez Martínez Romy , Vallely Patrick , Stephan Alexander P , Boley Kiersten M , Pogge Rick , El-Badry Kareem , Kunovac Vedad , Triaud Amaury H M J
Published: October 2022

TOI-1259 consists of a transiting exoplanet orbiting a main-sequence star, with a bound outer white dwarf (WDs) companion. Less than a dozen systems with this architecture are known. We conduct follow-up spectroscopy on the WD TOI-1259B using the Large Binocular Telescope to better characterize it. We observe only strong hydrogen lines, making TOI-1259B a DA WD. We see no evidence of heavy element pollution, which would have been evidence of planetary material around the WD. Such pollution is seen in $\sim 25{-}50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of WDs, but it is unknown if this rate is higher or lower in TOI-1259-like systems that contain a known planet. Our spectroscopy permits an improved WD age measurement of $4.05^{+1.00}_{-0.42}$ Gyr, which matches gyrochronology of the main-sequence star. This is the first of an expanded sample of similar binaries that will allow us to calibrate these dating methods and provide a new perspective on planets in binaries.
Effectiveness of combined nutrition and exercise interventions on body weight, lean mass, and fat mass in adults diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Baguley Brenton J , Dalla Via Jack , Fraser Steve F , Daly Robin M , Kiss Nicole
Published: October 2022

Context

Changes in body weight and composition (fat and lean mass) are prominent side effects of cancer treatment. Nutrition and exercise interventions are both key strategies to protect against these adverse effects, yet their impact when combined has not been comprehensively reviewed in adults with cancer.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of combined nutrition and exercise interventions on body weight and composition in adults with cancer.

Data Sources

Four databases were searched until January 2021. Combined nutrition and exercise randomized controlled trials that detailed the nutrition and exercise prescription and reported body weight and composition outcomes were eligible.

Data Extraction

Risk of bias was assessed through the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The number of participants, mean values, and standard deviations of the outcome variables were extracted. Mean differences (MDs) were pooled using random-effects models. Predetermined subgroup analyses included cancer type, intervention intent, exercise modality, and use of behavior change strategies.

Data Analysis

Twenty-three RCTs were included. Nutrition plus exercise interventions significantly reduced body weight (MD −  2.13 kg; 95%CI, − 3.07 to − 1.19), fat mass (MD − 2.06 kg; 95%CI, − 3.02 to − 1.09), and lean mass (MD − 0.43; 95%CI, − 0.82 to − 0.04). Subgroup analyses in women with breast cancer showed that weight loss interventions and interventions incorporating behavior change strategies significantly reduced body weight and fat mass but also reduced lean mass. Interventions aiming to maintain body weight showed no changes in body weight, as intended.

Conclusion

Combined nutrition and exercise interventions successfully reduce body weight and fat mass in adults with cancer but also reduce lean mass. In contrast, weight loss–focused interventions are associated mostly with reduced lean mass.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42020161805.
Review of national nutrition standards with salt-related criteria for publicly funded institutions around the world
Authors: Rosewarne Emalie , Santos Joseph A , Hart Ashleigh C , Trieu Kathy , Tekle Dejen , Ide Nicole , Jones Alexandra , Ni Mhurchu Cliona , Webster Jacqui
Published: October 2022

Context

Creating healthy food environments through nutrition standards for publicly funded institutions (eg, schools, workplaces, and hospitals) provides an important opportunity to improve population diets.

Objective

This study aimed to identify countries with national nutrition standards for publicly funded institutions that included salt-related criteria and to describe and summarize these initiatives.

Data Sources

Peer-reviewed and grey literature was searched to December 2019, including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, TRoPHI, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane Public Health Group Specialised Register, and Effective Public Health Practice Project Database. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to country contacts and salt-reduction experts, and a targeted search on relevant government websites was conducted.

Data Extraction

Key characteristics of the national nutrition standards for publicly funded institutions were extracted, including name, governance, institution type, implementation status, and details of food and nutrient criteria.

Data Analysis

Nutrition standards were analyzed by World Health Organization region, World Bank income level, institution type, type of criteria, regulatory approach, and method of application. Sixty-six countries were identified as having national nutrition standards that included salt-related criteria for at least one publicly funded institution. Standards were more prevalent in the European Region, high-income countries, and schools compared to other regions, income levels, and institution types, respectively. Most standards were mandatory and contained nutrition criteria pertaining to both foods and nutrients.

Conclusion

Nutrition standards have the potential to significantly improve diets, but there is considerable scope to develop and implement nutrition standards more effectively using the new World Health Organization Action Framework.