bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caesarean section following antepartum stillbirth in Western Australia 2010–2015: A population‐based study
Authors: Bailey Helen D. , Adane Akilew A. , White Scott W. , Farrant Brad M. , Shepherd Carrington C.J.
Published: February 2022

Background

There is scant literature about antepartum stillbirth management but guidelines usually recommend reserving caesarean sections for exceptional circumstances. However, little is known about caesarean section rates following antepartum stillbirth in Australia.

Aims

We aimed to describe the onset of labour, mode of birth, and use of analgesia and anaesthesia following antepartum stillbirth and to identify factors associated with caesarean section.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used a population‐based dataset of all singleton antepartum stillbirths ≥20 weeks gestation in Western Australia between 2010‐2015. The overall, primary and repeat caesarean section rates for antepartum stillbirths were calculated and multivariable Poisson regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors, and to calculate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

This study included 634 antepartum stillbirths. Labour was spontaneous for 134 (21.1%), induced for 457 (72.1%), and 43 (6.8%) had a prelabour caesarean section. The overall, primary and repeat caesarean section rates were 8.5%, 4.6% and 23.0% respectively and increased with gestation (P trends all <0.01). Other factors associated with an increased caesarean section risk included: any placenta praevia or placental abruption, birth at a metropolitan private hospital, large‐for‐gestational‐age birthweight, and any maternal chronic condition. During labour, the most frequently used types of analgesia were systemic narcotics (46.0%) and regional blocks (34.7%) while among those who had a caesarean section, 40.7% had a general anaesthetic.

Conclusions

In Western Australia between 2010–2015, the caesarean section rates among women with antepartum stillbirths were low, in line with current guidelines.
Does governance matter for the public debt–inflation relationship in developed countries? Panel quantile regression approach
Authors: Nguyen Van Bon
Published: February 2022

Similar to most countries in the world, developed countries also run the economy in the direction of fiscal deficits. Borrowing is one of the solutions for budget deficits, which causes public debt to increase in these countries. Does high public debt increase inflation, and what is the role of governance in the public debt–inflation relationship? For these research questions, this study uses a panel quantile regression approach, the two‐step GMM (Generalized Method of Moments) Arellano–Bond estimator, and the FE‐IV (Fixed‐Effect Instrumental Variable) estimator to investigate empirically the effects of public debt, governance, and their interaction on inflation for a group of 34 developed countries from 2002 to 2019. The results show that public debt and governance reduce inflation, but their interaction stimulates it. These findings suggest some important policy implications on better governance for governments in developed countries to keep inflation at a low rate.
How Students’ Big Five personality traits manifest in perceived social loafing behavior
Authors: Sherif Dalia M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Social loafing (SL) has a detrimental impact on cooperative learning. SL dysfunctionalities are causing more faculty to avoid assigning group projects as part of their course work.

Aims

This qualitative case study examines how students’ personalities are expressed in social loafers’ behavior during university‐level group assignments at a Texas university. The case study added further depth and breadth to current literature on SL in cooperative learning by exploring the perpetrator’s personality expressions.

Sample(s)

Ten faculty members were interviewed, 32 students were surveyed, and 10 loafers were identified and self‐assessed.

Methods

A qualitative case study was used to provide in‐depth investigation of Big Five personality in SL behavior.

Results

The faculty interviews and students’ surveys revealed that Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness were not expressed in SL behavior for university‐level group assignments assessed by four IPIP facets. Openness to Experience (values, ideas, actions, and fantasy) was not expressed. Faculty and students indicated that loafers were not curious, barely prepared, with very short attention spans after which they get lost. Social loafers showed no originality, no active imagination, and no deep thinking.

Conscientiousness (achievement striving, dutifulness, competence, and order) was not expressed. For Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism, some facets were expressed, and others were withheld.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide faculty with a multifaceted understanding of students’ personality traits to better guide their group interaction and cooperative learning.
Paedophilia, or Paedophilic Breakdown? The Impetus to Seek Illegal Images Online, and Implications for Clinical Technique
Authors: Wood Heather
Published: February 2022

When a patient presents for psychotherapy having accessed illegal images of children online, it may be impossible to know at the outset whether this reflects an enduring sexual interest in children, or the transient emergence of paedophilic sexual interest associated with a breakdown in ego functioning. Concerns about risk and the emotive nature of paedophilia may undermine the therapist's or analyst's capacity to tolerate uncertainty and maintain analytic neutrality, leading to premature assumptions about the nature of the underlying pathology. This paper describes the treatment of a patient who had a conviction for viewing indecent images of children online, and the challenge of suspending judgement and maintaining analytic doubt while exploring the meaning of his actions. There was a pressure towards a sadomasochistic transference in which the therapist would be perceived to be cruel if doubting him, but weak and naive if not questioning him. Analytic work over seven years led to a formulation of his acting out as reflecting, not enduring paedophilia, but a ‘paedophilic breakdown’. Changes were evident in his psychic functioning and his external life, as well as in the quality of the therapeutic process. The countertransference challenges of this work are discussed.
Programmes to support paediatric to adult healthcare transitions for youth with complex care needs and their families: A scoping review
Authors: Doucet Shelley , Splane Jennifer , Luke Alison , Asher Kathryn E. , Breneol Sydney , Pidduck Jackie , Grant Amy , Dionne Emilie , Scott Cathie , Keeping‐Burke Lisa , McIsaac Jessie‐Lee , Gorter Jan Willem , Curran Janet
Published: February 2022

Background

An increasing number of children have complex care needs (CCN) that impact their health and cause limitations in their lives. More of these youth are transitioning from paediatric to adult healthcare due to complex conditions being increasingly associated with survival into adulthood. Typically, the transition process is plagued by barriers, which can lead to adverse health consequences. There is an increased need for transitional care interventions when moving from paediatric to adult healthcare. To date, literature associated with this process for youth with CCN and their families has not been systematically examined.

Objectives

The objective of this scoping review is to map the range of programmes in the literature that support youth with CCN and their families as they transition from paediatric to adult healthcare.

Methods

The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. A search, last run in April 2021, located published articles in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO and Social Work Abstracts databases.

Results

The search yielded 1523 citations, of which 47 articles met the eligibility criteria. A summary of the article characteristics, programme characteristics and programme barriers and enablers is provided. Overall, articles reported on a variety of programmes that focused on supporting youth with various conditions, beginning in the early or late teenage years. Financial support and lack of training for care providers were the most common transition program barriers, whereas a dedicated transition coordinator, collaborative care, transition tools and interpersonal support were the most common enablers. The most common patient‐level outcome reported was satisfaction.

Discussion

This review consolidates available information about interventions designed to support youth with CCN transitioning from paediatric to adult healthcare. The results will help to inform further research, as well as transition policy and practice advancement.
Retracted: A remote diagnosis of Parkinson's ailment using artificial intelligence based BPNN framework and cloud based storage architecture for securing data in cloud environment for the application of telecommunication technologies
Authors: Santhoshkumar S. P. , Beaulah H. Lilly , Alqahtani Abdulrahman Saad , Parthasarathy P. , Mubarakali Azath
Published: February 2022

Voice signal analysis and identification of disease framework for Parkinson's disease (PD) is most required thing in the past few years. A new framework for determination and identification of PD is the world's most severe neurological disorder, was proposed in this article. It is the most dangerous infection which disables individuals' discourse, and different attributes, for example feelings and sensation. In this work, we initially examined about a new approach for determining the PD. Second, we proposed cloud based storage architecture for securing data in cloud computing environment. Cloud based system for distinguishing and checking Parkinson infection will expand its significance in social insurance benefit in low asset setting and security examination. This structure guarantees effective handling of huge information in distributed computing condition and acquires business experiences. In the creating nations, where the greater part of the general population does not get appropriate social insurance benefits and are not concerned of Parkinson's sickness, not to mention recognizing and getting human services for PD, this framework can be extremely commonsense and helpful. The framework, PD affected patient can be effortlessly identified as well as analyzed by giving their voice tests over their telephones. The proposed frameworks are profited to accomplish 95.8% precision in the cloud condition for recognizing PD. It is normal that the proposed system will possibly empower social insurance benefit for PD patients, who live in remote territories.
Prevalence and correlates of cannabis use disorder among Australians using cannabis products to treat a medical condition
Authors: Mills Llewellyn , Lintzeris Nicholas , O'Malley Michael , Arnold Jonathon C. , McGregor Iain S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Prior research has examined the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use disorder (CUD) in people who use cannabis; however, these are poorly described for people using cannabis for medical reasons.

Methods

Data came from a 2018 to 2019 online, anonymous, cross‐sectional survey of Australians reporting using either illicit or licit cannabis for medical reasons within the past year. Included were questions on demographics, current and lifetime patterns of cannabis use, clinical conditions for which medical cannabis was used, and individual criteria for CUD and cannabis withdrawal syndrome. Bayesian Horseshoe logistic regression models were used to identify covariates associated with meeting CUD DSM‐5 conditions for any‐CUD (≥2/11 criteria) and moderate–severe‐CUD (≥4/11).

Results

A total of 905 participants were included in the analysis. The majority (98%) used illicit cannabis products. Criteria for any‐CUD criteria were met by 290 (32.0%), and 117 (12.9%) met criteria for moderate–severe‐CUD. Tolerance (21%) and withdrawal (35%) were the most commonly met criteria. Correlates with the strongest association with CUD were inhaled route of administration [odds ratio (OR) = 2.96, 95% credible interval 1.11, 7.06], frequency of cannabis use (OR = 1.24, 1.11–1.35), proportion of cannabis for medical reasons (OR = 0.83, 0.74, 0.94), frequency of tobacco use (OR = 1.10, 1.03, 1.17), age (OR = 0.75, 0.64, 0.90) and pain as main clinical indication (OR = 0.58, 0.36, 1.00).

Discussion and Conclusions

Prevalence of CUD in medical cannabis users appears comparable to ‘recreational’ users, with many similar correlates. CUD was associated with using cannabis to treat mental health rather than pain conditions and inhaled over other routes of administration.
Fire severity and its local extent are key to assessing impacts of Australian mega‐fires on koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) density
Authors: Law Brad S. , Gonsalves Leroy , Burgar Joanna , Brassil Traecey , Kerr Isobel , O’Loughlin Chris
Published: February 2022

Aim

Mega‐fires are predicted to increase with climate change. Australia experienced the largest ever documented forest fires in 2019–2020, but the response of most taxa remains poorly known. We used acoustic arrays to estimate impact of the mega‐fires on the density of an iconic marsupial.

Location

North‐east New South Wales, Australia.

Time period

Pre‐fire density estimated in 2018–2019 and post‐fire density in 2019–2020.

Major taxa studied

Koala, Phascolarctos cinereus.

Methods

We estimated male density before and after fires using large acoustic arrays and spatial count models. Acoustic arrays sampled three timber production forests with a gradient in fire severity and three unburnt controls in national parks.

Results

Koalas were temporarily extirpated where high fire severity dominated the landscape, but some localized recovery was evident after 1 year. Where moderate severity fire dominated, density was reduced by about 50% within 1 year, but koalas were widespread throughout the burnt area. In our third area dominated by low severity fire, no impact was detected as pre‐ and post‐fire uncertainty intervals overlapped. Control sites surveyed at similar times showed little change in density between years. There was no relationship between pyrodiversity and koala density. Within arrays broadly dominated by moderate or high severity fire, density 1 year after fire was lower in burnt patches of both low and high severity fire. Regionally, 9.8% of landscape samples (2 km × 2 km) in koala habitat were dominated by high fire severity, while a further 6.1% were dominated by moderate fire severity, suggesting c. 13% decline in koala density.

Main conclusions

A substantial impact of high severity fire was confirmed. Severe impacts were localized across the landscape, recovery had begun within a year and resilience was evident where low severity fire dominated. However, more frequent fires in the future will compound koala losses.
Radiation‐induced darkening and its suppression methods in Yb3+‐doped silica fiber core glasses
Authors: Shao Chongyun , Yu Chunlei , Jiao Yan , Boulon Georges , Guzik Malgorzata , Zhang Lei , Lou Fengguang , Wang Meng , Chen Weibiao , Hu Lili
Published: February 2022

Yb3+‐doped silica fiber (YDF) laser has important applications in space. However, the darkening effect caused by space ionizing radiation (called RD effect), which is due to the generation of color centers at the microscopic scale, can significantly deteriorate the performance of the YDF laser. This review mainly includes three aspects. First, we briefly introduce space radiation environment and challenges that optical fibers encounter in space. Second, we review the nature and generation mechanism of color centers responsible for RD in YDFs. Finally, we systematically introduce five methods to inhibit RD and their inhibition mechanisms.
How do maternal emotional regulation difficulties modulate the mother–infant behavioral synchrony?
Authors: Doba Karyn , Pezard Laurent , Nandrino Jean‐Louis
Published: February 2022

Mother–infant synchrony is one of the most important processes in the development of socio‐affective competencies in children. While maternal abilities and psychopathology are related to maladaptive mother–infant synchrony, it is as yet unclear how maternal emotion regulation difficulties contribute to it. Based on a panel of behavioral indicators (i.e., gaze, vocal, and motor), the present study examined mother–infant synchrony at 6 months of age in a modified version of Ainsworth's Strange Situation (n = 72 dyads). Mother–infant interaction sequences were characterized by indicators of complexity (LZ complexity of joint behavioral sequences) and of synchronization quality (cross‐recurrence plot quantification). Results showed that mothers’ touch was greater in the reunion condition than in the initial condition. Mothers’ motor behaviors were associated with the global levels of infants’ behavioral involvement in the reunion condition, unlike the symmetrical influence observed between mothers and infants in the initial condition. Results show that maternal anxiety mediates the relationships between mothers’ emotion regulation difficulties and gaze, vocal, and motor synchrony between mothers and infants in the initial and reunion conditions. This study emphasizes the central role of maternal emotion regulation difficulties in the establishment of maladaptive synchrony and in the adjustments of maternal physical contacts with infants.
Vaccine effectiveness against COVID‐19 among symptomatic persons aged ≥12 years with reported contact with COVID‐19 cases, February–September 2021
Authors: Chung Jessie R. , Kim Sara S. , Belongia Edward A. , McLean Huong Q. , King Jennifer P. , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Zimmerman Richard K. , Moehling Geffel Krissy , Martin Emily T. , Monto Arnold S. , Lamerato Lois E. , Gaglani Manjusha , Hoffman Eric , Volz Marcus , Jackson Michael L. , Jackson Lisa A. , Patel Manish M. , Flannery Brendan
Published: February 2022

Background

Individuals in contact with persons with COVID‐19 are at high risk of developing COVID‐19; protection offered by COVID‐19 vaccines in the context of known exposure is poorly understood.

Methods

Symptomatic outpatients aged ≥12 years reporting acute onset of COVID‐19‐like illness and tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 between February 1 and September 30, 2021 were enrolled. Participants were stratified by self‐report of having known contact with a COVID‐19 case in the 14 days prior to illness onset. Vaccine effectiveness was evaluated using the test‐negative study design and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 2229 participants, 283/451 (63%) of those reporting contact and 331/1778 (19%) without known contact tested SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive. Adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49%–83%) among fully vaccinated participants reporting a known contact versus 80% (95% CI, 72%–86%) among those with no known contact (p‐value for interaction = 0.2).

Conclusions

This study contributes to growing evidence of the benefits of vaccinations in preventing COVID‐19 and support vaccination recommendations and the importance of efforts to increase vaccination coverage.
Fitness‐related traits are maximized in recently introduced, slow‐growing populations of a global invasive clam
Authors: Hünicken Leandro A. , Sylvester Francisco , Bonel Nicolás
Published: February 2022

Many species are shifting their ranges and being forced to rapidly respond to novel stressful environmental conditions. Colonizing individuals experience strong selective forces that favor the expression of life history traits notably affecting dispersal and reproductive rates in newly invaded habitats. Limited information is currently available on trait variation within the invasive range despite being critical for understanding ecological and evolutionary factors that drive the process of range expansion of invasive species. Here we evaluated life history shifts in the widely introduced Asian clam Corbicula cf. C. fluminea within its invaded range. Through an exhaustive literature search, we obtained data for 17 invasive populations of this clam from different ecosystems worldwide. We tested the relationship between population and individual parameters relevant to the process of range expansion. Our main results are that recently introduced populations of clams were characterized by (a) low density and low rate of population increase, (b) earlier reproduction in slow‐growing populations of clams, and (c) no effect of density on population increase. All populations of the Asian clam analyzed in this study, which are fixed for one genotype (the lineage called Form A/R), experienced different selective environments in the introduced range. These findings support the perspective that adaptive phenotypic plasticity favored the expression of traits that maximize fitness in recently established populations, which faced stronger r‐selective forces relative to long‐established ones. We discuss the role of plasticity in facilitating rapid adaptation and in increasing the likelihood of populations to overcome difficulties associated with low densities and low population increase in newly invaded areas.
The interpersonal care relationship between nurses and older patients: A cross‐sectional study in three hospitals
Authors: Riviere Melissa , Duprez Veerle , Dufoort Heidy , Van Hecke Ann , Beeckman Dimitri , Verhaeghe Sofie , Deschodt Mieke
Published: February 2022

Aim

To gain insight into which elements of the interpersonal care relationship (IPCR) are perceived as occurring (less) frequently and as (not) disturbing from the perspective of hospitalized older patients.

Design

A cross‐sectional study in three Belgian hospitals.

Methods

A convenience sample of patients aged 75 years or older admitted to a non‐geriatric ward were recruited between May 2017 and April 2019. The Interpersonal Geriatric care relationship (InteGer) tool was used to identify elements of the IPCR and was completed by the researchers through structured patient interviews.

Results

The mean total scale score for frequency was 3.74 (SD 1.51) [range 0–12]. On subscale level, the highest mean score was in the accessibility and the lowest mean score in the humanization subscale. Statistically significant differences between the hypothesized and experienced disturbance were observed in 18 of the 30 items. Ten items score in the category ‘no action needed’ (not occurring, not disturbing), nine items in the category ‘remain attentive for patient experiences’ (occurring, not disturbing), 10 items in the category ‘further analyses or monitoring needed’ (not occurring, disturbing) and one item in the category ‘urgent action needed’ (occurring and disturbing).

Conclusion

Participants report mostly positive experiences related to the four subscales of the InteGer, that is, humanization, attentiveness, interest and accessibility. Insights from this study provide important opportunities in the context of care optimization for each category with the main focus on items with high experienced disturbance.

Impact

The InteGer can be used for monitoring IPCR and formulating action points at ward and hospital level to further improve the IPCR and quality of care.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Bissau, Western Africa
Authors: Turé Ruben , Damasceno Albertino , Djicó Mouhammed , Lunet Nuno
Published: February 2022

Hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In Guinea–Bissau there are no previous population‐based hypertension surveys. Therefore, the authors aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of high blood pressure among adults living in Bissau. A sample (n = 973) of dwellers in Bissau, aged 18–69 years, was assembled through stratified and cluster sampling. Patients underwent face‐to‐face interviews and blood pressure measurements following the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.9%, and 51.4% of hypertensive individuals were aware of their condition, of whom 51.8% reported having received pharmacological treatment in the previous 2 weeks. Among the latter, 49.9% had blood pressure values below 140/90 mm Hg. These findings show that hypertension has become a major public health problem in Guinea‐Bissau, emphasizing the urgent need to develop and implement national strategies for the prevention and management of hypertension.
Functionality‐based life cycle assessment framework: An information and communication technologies (ICT) product case study
Authors: Shi Lin , Mach Katharine J. , Suh Sangwon , Brandt Adam
Published: February 2022

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely applied to assessing the environmental impacts of information and communication technologies (ICT) products throughout their lifetime. Building upon LCA methodology, this study proposes a user‐oriented, functionality‐based LCA (FLCA) framework that evaluates the environmental impact of multifunctional ICT products such as smartphones. Incorporating the quality function deployment and LCA literature, we develop an approach that highlights the linkages among user behavior, product functionalities, and product environmental footprints. We use matrix algebra to outline a computational method and a streamlined process to operationalize such analysis. FLCA analyzes the impact of materials in the context of how they are used. To illustrate the concept with a simple example, our first case study calculates the manufacturing GHG emissions of a well‐known multifunctional product, a Swiss Army knife. In the second case study, we estimate the functionality‐based GHG emissions of a hypothetical smartphone. We consider various scopes of impact, including at the levels of device, infrastructure, and supply chains. Extending from LCA methods, FLCA moves away from a general understanding of functionality to a more granular perspective to accommodate the complexity in modern ICT products. Our study advances a user‐oriented perspective to understand product sustainability impacts. Additionally, it offers a method to provide empirical evidence of the “hidden” impacts of industrial products during consumption, enabling more precise linkage of the production‐consumption relationship through LCA toward better design to uncover and address users' needs.
Parental gender differences in attitudes and willingness to vaccinate against COVID‐19
Authors: Goldman Ran D , Ceballo Rosario ,   the International COVID‐19 Parental Attitude Study (COVIPAS) Group
Published: February 2022

Aims

COVID‐19 affects family life world‐wide. Determinants of hesitancy around vaccinating children against COVID‐19 are critical in guiding public health campaigns. Gender differences among parents may determine willingness to vaccinate children against COVID‐19.

Methods

Secondary analysis of the COVID‐19 Parental Attitude Study (COVIPAS) surveying care givers of children presenting for emergency care in 17 sites in 6 countries during peak pandemic (March–June, 2020). We assessed risk perceptions, vaccination history and plans to vaccinate children against COVID‐19 once available. We compared responses given by father or mother and used multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 2025 (75.4%) surveys were completed by mothers and 662 (24.6%) by fathers, 60 did not respond to question about future vaccination. Of 2627, 1721 (65.5%) were willing to vaccinate their children. In the multivariable analysis, both fathers and mothers were more willing to vaccinate their child if the parent was older and believed that social distancing is worthwhile, and if their child was up‐to‐date on childhood vaccines (odds ratio (OR) of 1.02, 3.90, 1.65 for mothers and 1.04, 4.76, 2.87 for fathers, respectively). Mothers (but not fathers) were more willing if they had more than a high school education (OR 1.38), and fathers (but not mothers) were more willing to vaccinate their male children (OR 1.62), compared to female children.

Conclusion

Unique differences between mothers and fathers underscore the need to view vaccine hesitancy as an acceptable parental response. Public health should plan targeted educational information for parents about a COVID‐19 vaccine for children.
Plasma pharmacokinetics, pulmonary disposition, and safety of subcutaneous gamithromycin in alpacas
Authors: Gordon Emma , Cebra Christopher K. , Stang Bernadette V. , Christensen John Mark , Alshahrani Sultan. M. , Duong Thanh , Huang Rose , Nosky Bruce
Published: February 2022

The study objective was to determine the disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells in alpacas. A single subcutaneous injection of gamithromycin (6.6 mg/kg) was administered to six healthy adult alpacas. At various time points after administration, gamithromycin concentrations were analyzed via LC‐MS/MS in plasma, PMNs, PELF, and BAL cells until Day 14 post‐injection. Plasma gamithromycin concentrations were measured in all six alpacas; the remaining three body compartments were analyzed in four alpacas. Gamithromycin rapidly concentrated in blood PMNs, BAL cells, and PELF. ShorterTmax, and lowerCmax,and AUC were observed in plasma than in the other three compartments.Cmaxwas highest in BAL cells (26001.80 ± 12400.00 ng/ml) and PMNs (2573.00 ± 963.30 ng/ml) compared to PELF (660.80 ± 413.70 ng/ml) and plasma (452.30 ± 196.20 ng/ml). Mean terminal half‐lives were 72.60 ± 14.10 h in plasma, 56.60 ± 10.60 h in PELF, 62.80 ± 85.30 h in PMNs, and 93.60 ± 124.80 h in BAL cells. No injection site reactions occurred. One alpaca developed colic but no other adverse reactions were noted. Overall, gamithromycin was highly concentrated in white blood cells and pulmonary fluids/cells. Clinical utilization of gamithromycin in alpacas should be done with caution until further investigation of potential for colic.
Short‐term and long‐term consequences of regeneration on the reproductive investment of a multivoltine lizard
Authors: Fernández‐Rodríguez I. , Braña F.
Published: February 2022

Autotomy is the ability to shed a body part when an animal receives an attack by a predator. It is often followed by regeneration of the lost parts to counteract dysfunctions related to limb amputation. Caudal autotomy is frequently used in lizards to avoid predation and is followed by tail regeneration. Regeneration is a costly process that can limit the resources available for somatic growth, accumulation of reserves and reproduction. We carried out two experiments to evaluate the short‐term and long‐term effects of regeneration following caudal autotomy on the reproductive investment of female wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), an iteroparous multivoltine species that produces 1–3 clutches per breeding season. In the short‐term experiment, we compared the clutches of intact and regenerating females to explore the effects of regeneration during the development of the second clutch (built under an income breeding strategy). In the long‐term experiment, we studied the investment made in the first spring clutch by intact and regenerating females, to assess the effects of regeneration that started prior to wintering, likely affecting the lipid storages required to develop that clutch (built under a capital breeding strategy). Regenerating females of both experiments presented a reduction in clutch mass relative to snout‐vent length, but greater in the short‐term than in the long‐term experiment. Furthermore, in the short‐term experiment, the amount of tail regenerated was negatively correlated with the investment in reproduction, and regenerating females presented higher egg failure rates. These effects were stronger when clutches were built mostly under an income breeding strategy, which suggests that capital breeding may buffer the costs of regeneration on reproduction.
Supporting in situ conservation of the genetic diversity of crop wild relatives using genomic technologies
Authors: Wambugu Peterson W. , Henry Robert
Published: February 2022

The last decade has witnessed huge technological advances in genomics, particularly in DNA sequencing. Here, we review the actual and potential application of genomics in supporting in situ conservation of crop wild relatives (CWRs). In addition to helping in prioritization of protection of CWR taxa and in situ conservation sites, genome analysis is allowing the identification of novel alleles that need to be prioritized for conservation. Genomics is enabling the identification of potential sources of important adaptive traits that can guide the establishment or enrichment of in situ genetic reserves. Genomic tools also have the potential for developing a robust framework for monitoring and reporting genome‐based indicators of genetic diversity changes associated with factors such as land use or climate change. These tools have been demonstrated to have an important role in managing the conservation of populations, supporting sustainable access and utilization of CWR diversity, enhancing accelerated domestication of new crops and forensic genomics thus preventing misappropriation of genetic resources. Despite this great potential, many policy makers and conservation managers have failed to recognize and appreciate the need to accelerate the application of genomics to support the conservation and management of biodiversity in CWRs to underpin global food security. Funding and inadequate genomic expertise among conservation practitioners also remain major hindrances to the widespread application of genomics in conservation.
A reproducible sensor pattern to suspect COVID19 pulmonary infection with LATITUDE. Case report and literature review
Authors: Zanchi Simone , La Greca Carmelo , Di Nanni Nunzia , Fogliata Emma , Zani Mariangela , Pecora Domenico
Published: February 2022

A 78 year‐old patient with postischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and severely reduced ejection fraction was implanted with a Boston Scientific RESONATE X4 CRT‐D and followed by LATITUDE remote monitoring platform. From the end of January to the end of March 2021 he was hospitalized for COVID19 pneumonia followed by two episodes of acute heart decompensation with bilateral pleural effusion. We remotely followed the patient and identified a typical Heart Logic sensor pattern linked to the COVID19 pneumonia, different from the one linked to the heart failure (HF). We eventually made a literature review on the topic.
Perioperative use of glucose containing solutions in infants less than 6 months of age: A clinical practice survey among US academic centers
Authors: Salik Irim , Doherty Tara , Kelley Ashley , Jacoby Michael , Mehta Bhupen , Pryjdun Olena , Mclean Maranatha , Barst Samuel
Published: February 2022

Background

Although there is a wide breadth of literature on glucose homeostasis in infants, standardization of perioperative hypoglycemia diagnosis and management is lacking.

Aims

Survey of academic pediatric anesthesiology departments across the USA to evaluate institutional policies regarding the perioperative use of glucose containing solutions in infants less than 6 months of age.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to 20 United States university affiliated academic pediatric anesthesiology departments.

Results

The responses suggest that, in the centers surveyed, glucose administration in infants is largely practitioner dependent. Two respondents (10%) claim to have a departmental policy regarding glucose administration in infants less than 6 months of age. In premature infants, 75% of respondents administer glucose. When administering glucose, 75% of physicians surveyed replete infants at their maintenance intravenous fluid rate. There was discrepancy among practitioners regarding initiation of hypoglycemia treatment, 35% treat infants at a blood glucose level of 70 mg/dl, 30% at BG 60 mg/dl, 25% at 50 mg/dl, and 10% are unsure.

Discussion

This survey highlights the lack of consensus, at least among pediatric anesthesiologists working in US academic centers, regarding blood glucose management in infants less than 6 months of age. There is a need to define the indications for using glucose containing solutions in infants during the perioperative period, their ideal content, the appropriate thresholds for hypo‐ and hyperglycemia as well as the optimal point‐of care glucose monitoring intervals.
A new perspective on breast cancer diagnostic guidelines to reduce overdiagnosis
Authors: Tunç Sait , Alagoz Oguzhan , Burnside Elizabeth S.
Published: February 2022

Overdiagnosis of breast cancer, defined as diagnosing a cancer that would otherwise not cause symptoms or death in a patient's lifetime, costs U.S. health care system over $1.2 billion annually. Overdiagnosis rates, estimated to be around 10%–40%, may be reduced if indolent breast findings can be identified and followed with noninvasive imaging rather than biopsy. However, there are no validated guidelines for radiologists to decide when to choose imaging options recognizing cancer grades and types. The aim of this study is to optimize breast cancer diagnostic decisions based on cancer types using a large‐scale finite‐horizon Markov decision process (MDP) model with 4.6 million states to help reduce overdiagnosis. We prove the optimality of a divide‐and‐search algorithm that relies on tight upper bounds on the optimal decision thresholds to find an exact optimal solution. We project the high‐dimensional MDP onto two lower dimensional MDPs and obtain feasible upper bounds on the optimal decision thresholds. We use real data from two private mammography databases and demonstrate our model performance through a previously validated simulation model that has been used by the policy makers to set the national screening guidelines in the United States. We find that a decision‐analytical framework optimizing diagnostic decisions while accounting for breast cancer types has a strong potential to improve the quality of life and alleviate the immense costs of overdiagnosis. Our model leads to a [Formula: see text] reduction in overdiagnosis on the screening population, which translates into an annual savings of approximately $300 million for the U.S. health care system.
Introducing Web in a Mixed-Mode Establishment Survey: Effects on Nonresponse
Authors: Gleiser Patrick , Sakshaug Joseph W. , Volkert Marieke , Ellguth Peter , Kohaut Susanne , Möller Iris
Published: February 2022

This study reports on a mode design experiment in which a Web starting mode was introduced for the first time in the Institute for Employment Research Establishment Panel. A cross-sectional sample of establishments was randomized to be interviewed via the traditional face-to-face procedure or a Web-first sequential mixed-mode design with face-to-face follow-ups. Extensive administrative data were used to estimate and compare nonresponse bias at multiple phases of the sequential mixed-mode design, and assess the relationship between mode design and establishment characteristics on the likelihood of response. We show that the final response rates and nonresponse bias were similar between both mode designs, but these results contrasted with the results at each phase of the sequential mode design. Larger establishments were significantly more likely to respond in the Web mode compared to the face-to-face mode. A moderate cost savings (of about 14% per respondent) was estimated for the Web-first sequential mode design.
Prediction and Outlier Detection in Classification Problems
Authors: Guan Leying , Tibshirani Robert
Published: February 2022

We consider the multi-class classification problem when the training data and the out-of-sample test data may have different distributions and propose a method called BCOPS (balanced and conformal optimized prediction sets). BCOPS constructs a prediction set C(x) as a subset of class labels, possibly empty. It tries to optimize the out-of-sample performance, aiming to include the correct class and to detect outliers x as often as possible. BCOPS returns no prediction (corresponding to C(x) equal to the empty set) if it infers x to be an outlier. The proposed method combines supervised learning algorithms with conformal prediction to minimize a misclassification loss averaged over the out-of-sample distribution. The constructed prediction sets have a finite sample coverage guarantee without distributional assumptions. We also propose a method to estimate the outlier detection rate of a given procedure. We prove asymptotic consistency and optimality of our proposals under suitable assumptions and illustrate our methods on real data examples.
Performance Improvement of a Mixed Flow Turbine Using 3D Blading
Authors: Elliott Matthew , Spence Stephen , Seiler Martin , Geron Marco
Published: February 2022

Mixed flow turbines have reached a level of maturity where iterative performance improvements are very small, with real performance benefits coming from better matching to a given application as opposed to improvements in technology. One ubiquitous design feature of mixed flow turbines used to control stress within the wheel is the radial fiber constraint, wherein blade material is stacked radially outward along the entirety of the blade. While this constraint yields a mechanical benefit, it constrains the aerodynamic design significantly, with the blade shape defined by one camberline. One potential means of realizing a performance improvement is the use of 3D blading, where the blade is not constrained to a radially fibered structure. In such a design, the blade shape could be freely modified to better control blade loading and secondary flows. This study investigated the viability of such 3D blading through optimization of a state of the art mixed flow turbine. An equivalent design was ensured by maintaining the meridional shape and operating conditions of the baseline (BL) wheel, thus facilitating a fair comparison between the radial and 3D wheels. The paper details the optimization including an innovative constraint-driven geometry modification tool, experimental validation of performance predictions, and an investigation into why 3D blading facilitated a performance improvement. The optimization process identified a performance improvement across the entire turbocharger operating line. With performance improvements facilitated through a reduction in tip leakage loss and improved pressure recovery within the conical diffuser. Importantly, the optimized design met targets for mass flow, maximum stress levels, and modal behavior, through the use of the novel geometry modification process.
Finite Element Analysis of the Load Factor and New Design Method for Bolted Joints Consisting of Dissimilar Hollow Cylinders Under Tensile Loads
Authors: Sawa Shunichiro , Sekiguchi Yasuhisa
Published: February 2022

In designing a bolted joint consisting of dissimilar hollow cylinders, the load factor (the ratio of an increment in axial bolt force to an external tensile load) is important. However, no researches on the characteristics of bolted joints consisting of dissimilar joint members have been conducted. In this paper, the effects of load application positions, the ratio b/a of the outside diameter to the inside diameter of dissimilar hollow cylinders, Young's modulus ratio between the dissimilar hollow cylinders on the load factor, and a load when the interface separation starts are examined using finite element method (FEM) calculations. As a result, it is found that the values of the load factor decrease as the ratio b/a increases, and the load application position approaches the interfaces, while the value of the load factor is independent of the bolt preload. For verification of the FEM calculations, experiments to measure the load factor and a load when the interfaces start to separate were carried out. The FEM results are fairly coincident with the experimental results. It is found that the value of the load factor is less than 0.15 for steel and aluminum joints, it is less than 0.1 for steel and steel joints, and it is less than 0.2 for aluminum and aluminum joints, where the bolt material is steel in this study. Finally, using the obtained load factor, a new design method for bolted joints with dissimilar hollow cylinders is demonstrated for determining the nominal diameter of bolt, the bolt strength grade, a target tightening torque, and a target bolt preload. Additionally, in the design procedure, an issue if a washer should be inserted or not inserted is discussed as well as determination of bolt preload.
Design and Evaluation of Lab-Scale, Heat Exchanger Prototypes to Provide Thermal Refugia for Trout
Authors: Rony Rajib Uddin , Gladen Adam C. , LaVallie Sarah , Kientz Jeremy
Published: February 2022

In recent years, some streams and fisheries have been experiencing higher surface water temperatures, which negatively impact cold-water trout species. One potential solution is to provide localized refugia of colder water produced via active cooling. The present work focuses on the design and testing of a small-scale prototype heat exchanger, for such a cooling system. An effectiveness-number of transfer units (NTU) approach was used to model the heat exchanger and guide the initial development of the prototypes. Based on the model, a staggered, tube-bundle heat exchanger was used. Various prototypes of the heat exchanger were tested in a 1/10th–scaled model of a section of the creek. The prototypes consisted of just the heat exchanger placed directly in the scaled-stream model and of the heat exchanger placed inside an enclosure with a downstream aperture. The results show that, without the enclosure, the average temperature difference is 0.64 °C, with a corresponding heat transfer requirement of 1.63 kW/°C of cooling. However, with an enclosure, the average temperature difference is 1.95 °C, which required 0.59 kW/°C of cooling. Modifications to the enclosure impact the average temperature difference and the temperature distribution within the enclosure, e.g., decrease the standard deviation of the temperature difference. Thus, the results demonstrate the need for an enclosure to achieve a meaningful cooling effect and to reduce the power requirement for the refugia. The enclosure design can be used to balance the requirements of obtaining the desired temperature difference with a relatively low spatial variation in that temperature difference.
Optimization of Energy Efficiency in Smart Manufacturing Through the Application of Cyber–Physical Systems and Industry 4.0 Technologies
Authors: Matsunaga Fernando , Zytkowski Vitor , Valle Pablo , Deschamps Fernando
Published: February 2022

Sustainability is a topic that has been addressed and enhanced with significant improvement opportunities by the fourth industrial revolution, which is an essential strategy in the medium- and long-term for industries to adapt to an urgent necessity from society: for competitive and sustainable manufacturing of goods. In that regard, energy efficiency is one of the key aspects for industries that want to achieve a sustainable and carbon neutral production process. This paper approaches how the application of technologies and methodologies can substantially improve processes overall efficiency in terms of energy consumption. This paper is divided in a three-step research, starting with: a systematic review to identify how smart manufacturing and cyber–physical systems are leveraging results in manufacturing energy efficiency; followed by experiments to make real-time monitoring and simulation of industrial energy consumption to optimize processes and reduce energy waste, and as a third and final step results are discussed showing gains in production planning and potential saving opportunities in manufacturing energy consumption and costs.