bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental attitudes towards vaccination against COVID‐19 of children 5–11 years old in Greece
Authors: Miliordos Konstantinos , Giannouchos Theodoros , Steletou Evangelia , Sanidas Georgios , Karkania Aglaia , Vervenioti Aggeliki , Dimitriou Gabriel , Gkentzi Despoina
Published: May 2022

Rationale

Vaccinating children against COVID‐19 is critical to contain the ongoing pandemic.

Aims/Objectives

The aim of the present study was to assess parents' and caregivers' intention to vaccinate their 5–11 years old children against COVID‐19 and to estimate the association between vaccination intention and sociodemographic, clinical and contextual factors.

Method

We conducted a questionnaire‐based survey on a convenience sample of parents in Patras, Western Greece.

Results

Out of 366 study participants, around 48% reported their intention to vaccinate their child. The main factors associated with positive attitudes were paediatrician recommendation, parental vaccination, and reliance on the healthcare providers for decision making. Of note, 80% of the 190 parents who did not intend to vaccinate their children would vaccinate them if the paediatrician recommended it.

Conclusion

Interventions to further train healthcare professionals to establish rapport with parents, and to provide adequate information about vaccinations are crucial to address concerns related to COVID‐19 vaccine benefits for children.
Vitamin B1 THIAMIN REQUIRING1 synthase mediates the maintenance of chloroplast function by regulating sugar and fatty acid metabolism in rice
Authors: Nie Yanshen , Yu Li , Mao Lianlian , Zou Wenxuan , Zhang Xiufeng , Zhao Jie
Published: May 2022

Vitamin B1 (VB1), including thiamin, thiamin monophosphate (TMP), and thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms. Nevertheless, the precise function of VB1 in rice remains unclear. Here, we described a VB1 auxotrophic mutant, chlorotic lethal seedling (cles) from the mutation of OsTH1, which displayed collapsed chloroplast membrane system and decreased pigment content. OsTH1 encoded a phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase/thiamin‐phosphate pyrophosphorylase, and was expressed in various tissues, especially in seedlings, leaves, and young panicles. The VB1 content in cles was markedly reduced, despite an increase in the expression of VB1 synthesis genes. The decreased TPP content affected the tricarboxylic acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, and de novo fatty acid synthesis, leading to a reduction in fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0) and sugars (sucrose and glucose) of cles. Additionally, irregular expression of chloroplast membrane synthesis genes led to membrane collapse. We also found that alternative splicing and translation allowed OsTH1 to be localized to both chloroplast and cytosol. Our study revealed that OsTH1 was an essential enzyme in VB1 biosynthesis and played crucial roles in seedling growth and development by participating in fatty acid and sugar metabolism, providing new perspectives on VB1 function in rice.
The difference in the effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccine based on smoking status
Authors: Hikari Takako , Honda Atsuko , Hashiguchi Mariko , Okuma Ryoichi , Kurihara Makiko , Fukuda Asako , Okuma Emi , Nakao Yoshifumi , Yokoyama Masatoshi
Published: May 2022

Aim

This study aimed to clarify (1) the effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine against precancerous lesions of uterine cervical cancer and (2) the difference in these effectiveness based on smoking status.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study considered women aged 20–24 who underwent cervical cancer screening in Saga City from April 2014 to March 2020. Cervical cytology and histological diagnosis were compared with or without HPV vaccination and smoking.

Results

The study included 7253 women (2467 vaccinated and 4786 unvaccinated). Among the vaccinated women, 462 were smokers, 2003 were nonsmokers: among the nonvaccinated women, the numbers were 1217 and 3554, respectively. 0.28% (7/2467) of participants with vaccination had HSIL+ compared to 0.77% (37/4786) without vaccination (odds ratio [OR] 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.81). About 0.32% (8/2467) with vaccination had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ compared to 0.69% (33/4786) without vaccination (OR 0.46, 95% CI, 0.21–1.00). Four women without vaccination had CIN3+. In nonsmokers, HPV vaccination significantly suppressed the incidence of HSIL+ from 0.42% (15/3554) to 0.1% (2/2003) (OR 0.21, 95% CI, 0.05–0.95), but the suppressive effect was not significant in smokers (OR 0.59, 95% CI, 0.22–1.56). In vaccinated women, the incidence of CIN2+ was 0.20% (4/2003) in nonsmokers and 0.87% (4/462) in smokers (OR 0.22, 95% CI, 0.05–0.89, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

HPV bivalent/quadrivalent vaccination is effective in protecting against CIN but insufficient in smokers. The nine‐valent vaccine should be introduced into routine vaccination as soon as possible to prevent high‐risk HPV infection other than 6/11/16/18.
Current concepts regarding Graves’ orbitopathy
Authors: Bartalena Luigi , Tanda Maria Laura
Published: May 2022

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an orbital autoimmune disorder and the main extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. GO affects about 30% of Graves’ patients, although fewer than 10% have severe forms requiring immunosuppressive treatments. Management of GO requires a multidisciplinary approach. Medical therapies for active moderate‐to‐severe forms of GO (traditionally, high‐dose glucocorticoids) often provide unsatisfactory results, and subsequently surgeries are often needed to cure residual manifestations. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of current concepts regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, assessment, and treatment of GO, and to present emerging targeted therapies and therapeutic perspectives. Original articles, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta‐analyses from 1980 to 2021 were searched using the following terms: Graves’ disease, Graves’ orbitopathy, thyroid eye disease, glucocorticoids, orbital radiotherapy, rituximab, cyclosporine, azathioprine, teprotumumab, TSH‐receptor antibody, smoking, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine, and antithyroid drugs. Recent studies suggest a secular trend toward a milder phenotype of GO. Standardized assessment at a thyroid eye clinic allows for a better general management plan. Treatment of active moderate‐to‐severe forms of GO still relies in most cases on high‐dose systemic—mainly intravenous—glucocorticoids as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies—such as mycophenolate, cyclosporine, azathioprine, or orbital radiotherapy—but novel biological agents—including teprotumumab, rituximab, and tocilizumab—have achieved encouraging results.
Temporal ranking for characterization and improved discrimination of protein beverages
Authors: Keefer Heather M. , Harwood Will S. , Castura John C. , Drake MaryAnne
Published: May 2022

We propose a new temporal sensory method called temporal ranking (TR) in which assessors indicate and rank the three most noticeable sensations at every time point. The TR method was compared to temporal‐check‐all‐that‐apply (TCATA) in two trained‐panel studies, one study involving six ready‐to‐mix (RTM) protein beverages and one study involving seven ready‐to‐drink (RTD) protein beverages. In each study, the same attributes were used in both methods; six attributes were evaluated for RTMs and 10 attributes for RTDs. A trained sensory panel (n = 10) completed TCATA and temporal ranking (TR) training exercises, then evaluated each beverage in triplicate using each method in a replicated balanced randomized design. To evaluate each temporal method (TR and TCATA), each test beverage was compared with the sucrose‐ or sucralose‐sweetened control beverage within each study (RTM and RTD). Although results from TR and TCATA often coincided, TR better differentiated the protein beverage formulations on more sensory attributes and detected differences between the test and control beverages (p < .05) when TCATA did not. Overall, TR was found to be more sensitive in detecting sensory differences than TCATA, and thus could improve the guidance for the development and formulation of foods.

Practical applications

This study proposes a new temporal method, temporal ranking, which has assessors continuously rank the three most noticeable attributes when evaluating a beverage. Temporal ranking data can give improved guidance, especially for products that might have side flavors, such as natural nonnutritive sweeteners or alternative protein sources. Further application of findings and methodologies from this study may help guide development and formulation of foods.
Complementary feeding and food‐group level inequality among Ethiopian children 6–23 months of age (2011–2019)
Authors: Tizazu Woinshet , Laillou Arnaud , Hailu Bayuh Asmamaw , Chitekwe Stanley , Baye Kaleab
Published: May 2022

Ensuring diet quality in the first 2 years of life is critical to preventing malnutrition and instilling healthy food preferences. Children's diet quality has changed little over time and inequalities by socioeconomic status, rural–urban residence, but also by food group may exist. Using data from the 2011, 2016 and 2019 demographic and health surveys (DHS), we estimated the prevalence and inequalities in the minimum diet diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). We further assessed food group‐level inequities. In 2019, only 13.5% of children 6–23 months of age met the MDD, 55% met the MMF and only 11% met the MAD indicator. Absolute and relative measures of inequality were calculated. Modest increases in MDD, MMF and MAD were observed over the past decade (2011–2019). These modest improvements were concentrated in limited geographical areas, among children in wealthier households, and urban residents. Unhealthy practices such as bottle‐feeding and zero fruit and vegetables have been increasing; whereas, inequities in the consumption of nutrient‐dense foods have widened. Nevertheless, children from the wealthiest quintile also failed to meet the MDD. Multisectoral efforts that span from diversifying the food supply, regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods, and promoting minimal processing of perishables (i.e., to extend shelf‐life) are needed. Context‐adapted behavioural change communication along with nutrition‐sensitive social protection schemes are also needed to equitably improve the diet quality of children in Ethiopia.
Interaction of drought‐ and pathogen‐induced mortality in Norway spruce and Scots pine
Authors: Gomez‐Gallego Mireia , Galiano Lucia , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Stenlid Jan , Capador‐Barreto Hernán D. , Elfstrand Malin , Camarero J. Julio , Oliva Jonàs
Published: May 2022

Pathogenic diseases frequently occur in drought‐stressed trees. However, their contribution to the process of drought‐induced mortality is poorly understood. We combined drought and stem inoculation treatments to study the physiological processes leading to drought‐induced mortality in Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) saplings infected with Heterobasidion annosum s.s. We analysed the saplings' water status, gas exchange, nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) and defence responses, and how they related to mortality. Saplings were followed for two growing seasons, including an artificially induced 3‐month dormancy period. The combined drought and pathogen treatment significantly increased spruce mortality; however, no interaction between these stressors was observed in pine, although individually each stressor caused mortality. Our results suggest that pathogen infection decreased carbon reserves in spruce, reducing the capacity of saplings to cope with drought, resulting in increased mortality rates. Defoliation, relative water content and the starch concentration of needles were predictors of mortality in both species under drought and pathogen infection. Infection and drought stress create conflicting needs for carbon to compartmentalize the pathogen and to avoid turgor loss, respectively. Heterobasidion annosum reduces the functional sapwood area and shifts NSC allocation patterns, reducing the capacity of trees to cope with drought.
Advantage integration: A methodological framework for growth and development
Authors: Xie Sherman , Xia Lin
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes an analytical framework for growth and development, and based on this methodological framework, this paper reveals why the United States has become powerful and predicts its probable decline. Different from the past views, this paper argues that the advantage integration–oriented production model and the proactive open strategy and policy orientation based on it are the core driving forces for growth and development. Driven by both capital and technology, the economic structure and social fabric of the United States has been undergoing tremendous changes for more than 200 years, so the members, the power, and the appeals of different interest groups are also changing. At the microlevel, the production model adapted to the economic structure and social fabric of the United States is changing, and correspondingly, at the macrolevel, the strategy and policy orientation of the United States are changing as well. This paper details the advantage integration–oriented development practices in U.S. history and briefly discusses the prospects of the practical application of this methodology. The United States is a typical country that achieved catch‐up through advantage integration and ultimately gained global economic dominance, and this implies that the strategy and policy based on this model of development are necessarily open and positive. However, the current growing conservative policy orientation in the United States may not be a good sign.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease and oral health: A narrative review
Authors: Mahajan Roopali , Kulkarni Roopali , Stoopler Eric T.
Published: May 2022

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a clinical condition in which stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus. It affects millions of people worldwide and has a detrimental effect on quality of life. Heartburn and acid regurgitation are typical GERD symptoms, while atypical manifestations include noncardiac chest pain, cough and laryngitis. The oral and maxillofacial manifestations of GERD may include dental erosion, xerostomia, mucositis, aphthous like ulcerations, sour taste, burning mouth, hyperesthesia, bruxism, and/or temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This narrative review provides oral health care professionals with an update to medical aspects of GERD, recognition and management of oral and maxillofacial manifestations of the condition and provision of appropriate dental care for this patient population.
Crisis text‐line interventions: Evaluation of texters' perceptions of effectiveness
Authors: Gould Madelyn S. , Pisani Anthony , Gallo Carlos , Ertefaie Ashkan , Harrington Donald , Kelberman Caroline , Green Shannon
Published: May 2022

Objective

Crisis Text Line (CTL), the largest provider of text‐based crisis intervention services in the U.S., has answered nearly 7 million conversations since its inception in 2013. The study's objective was to assess texter's perceptions of the effectiveness of CTL crisis interventions.

Method

Survey data completed by 85,877 texters linked to volunteer crisis counselor (CC) reports from October 12, 2017, to October 11, 2018 were analyzed. The relationship of several effectiveness measures with texters' demographic and psychosocial characteristics, frequency of CTL usage, and texters' perceptions of engagement with their CCs was examined using a series of logistic regression analyses.

Results

By the end of the text‐based conversation, nearly 90% of suicidal texters reported that the conversation was helpful, and nearly half reported being less suicidal.

Conclusions

Our study offers evidence for CTL's perceived effectiveness. These findings are of critical importance in light of the launch of a nationwide three‐digit number (988) for suicide prevention and mental health crisis supports in the U.S., which will include texting.
Quantification of root water uptake and redistribution using neutron imaging: a review and future directions
Authors: Cai Gaochao , Tötzke Christian , Kaestner Anders , Ahmed Mutez Ali
Published: May 2022

Quantifying root water uptake is essential to understanding plant water use and responses to different environmental conditions. However, non‐destructive measurement of water transport and related hydraulics in the soil–root system remains a challenge. Neutron imaging, with its high sensitivity to hydrogen, has become an unparalleled tool to visualize and quantify root water uptake in vivo. In combination with isotopes (e.g., deuterated water) and a diffusion–convection model, root water uptake and hydraulic redistribution in root and soil can be quantified. Here, we review recent advances in utilizing neutron imaging to visualize and quantify root water uptake, hydraulic redistribution in roots and soil, and root hydraulic properties of different plant species. Under uniform soil moisture distributions, neutron radiographic studies have shown that water uptake was not uniform along the root and depended on both root type and age. For both tap (e.g., lupine [Lupinus albus L.]) and fibrous (e.g., maize [Zea mays L.]) root systems, water was mainly taken up through lateral roots. In mature maize, the location of water uptake shifted from seminal roots and their laterals to crown/nodal roots and their laterals. Under non‐uniform soil moisture distributions, part of the water taken up during the daytime maintained the growth of crown/nodal roots in the upper, drier soil layers. Ultra‐fast neutron tomography provides new insights into 3D water movement in soil and roots. We discuss the limitations of using neutron imaging and propose future directions to utilize neutron imaging to advance our understanding of root water uptake and soil–root interactions.
α‐Synuclein fibrils explore actin‐mediated macropinocytosis for cellular entry into model neuroblastoma neurons
Authors: Hivare Pravin , Gadhavi Joshna , Bhatia Dhiraj , Gupta Sharad
Published: May 2022

Alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn), an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD or other α‐synucleinopathies. Recent investigations propose the transmission of α‐Syn protein fibrils, in a prion‐like manner, by entering proximal cells to seed further fibrillization in PD. Despite the recent advances, the mechanisms by which extracellular protein aggregates internalize into the cells remain poorly understood. Using a simple cell‐based model of human neuroblastoma‐derived differentiated neurons, we present the cellular internalization of α‐Syn PFF to check cellular uptake and recycling kinetics along with the standard endocytic markers Transferrin (Tf) marking clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME) and Galectin3 (Gal3) marking clathrin‐independent endocytosis (CIE). Specific inhibition of endocytic pathways using chemical inhibitors reveals no significant involvement of CME, CIE and caveolae‐mediated endocytosis (CvME). A substantial reduction in cellular uptake was observed after perturbation of actin polymerization and treatment with macropinosomes inhibitor. Our results show that α‐Syn PFF mainly internalizes into the SH‐SY5Y cells and differentiated neurons via the macropinocytosis pathway. The elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanism involved in the α‐Syn PFF internalization will help improve the understanding of α‐synucleinopathies including PD, and further design specific inhibitors for the same.
Development of the support vector regression–particle swarm optimization simulation‐optimization model for the assessment of a novel groundwater quality index
Authors: Mozaffari Saeed , Javadi Saman , Moghaddam Hamid Kardan , Randhir Timothy O.
Published: May 2022

The assessment and prediction of the groundwater resource quality are required for the sustainable management of this crucial resource. This study develops a new index for assessing and a model for predicting the quality of groundwater resources. The groundwater quality index (GWQI), the Shannon entropy method, was used to determine the weight of parameters, and the complex proportional assessment multi‐decision criteria method was used to score the GWQI. Water quality parameters, including TDS, EC, TH,
,
,
, pH,
,
,
and
, were used as decision criteria. The support vector regression–particle swarm optimization )SVR‐PSO( simulation–optimization model is developed to predict new GWQI (C‐GWQI) of the aquifer. The development of this new index called C‐GWQI is one of the innovations of this article. Based on these approaches, the index is used to determine three water quality classes (optimum, permissible, and impermissible) for drinking water following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The distribution of C‐GWQI shows that groundwater quality in most of the Zanjan aquifer of Iran was in the optimum range. Still, it is deteriorating into the permissible range due to pollution from urban areas during some periods. The hybrid SVR‐PSO model can predict the groundwater quality with sufficient accuracy with a Mean Absolute Relative Error (MARE) of 1.5% and 0.88% in training and testing phases, respectively. Results show that temperature, precipitation, evaporation, returned water and groundwater level did not significantly affect groundwater quality prediction. In contrast, the previous month's C‐GWQI, recharge, and discharge were most influential in predicting groundwater quality.
Muscle oxygenation during normoxic and hypoxic cycling exercise in humans with high‐affinity haemoglobin
Authors: Webb Kevin L. , Elshaer Ahmed N. , Dominelli Paolo B. , Senefeld Jonathon W. , Hammer Shane M. , Baker Sarah E. , Shepherd John R. A. , Roy Tuhin K. , Joyner Michael J. , Wiggins Chad C.
Published: May 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Do humans with high‐affinity haemoglobin (HAH) demonstrate attenuated skeletal muscle deoxygenation during normoxic and hypoxic exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Examination of near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived muscle oxygenation profiles suggests that fractional oxygen extraction is blunted during hypoxic exercise in humans with HAH compared with control subjects. However, muscle tissue oxygen saturation levels were higher in humans with HAH during exercise in normoxia compared with control subjects. These alterations in fractional oxygen extraction in humans with HAH might influence blood flow regulation and exercise capacity during hypoxia.

Recently, researchers in our laboratory have shown that humans with genetic mutations resulting in high‐affinity haemoglobin (HAH) demonstrate better maintained aerobic capacity and peak power output during hypoxic exercise versus normoxic exercise in comparison to humans with normal‐affinity haemoglobin. However, the influence of HAH on tissue oxygenation within exercising muscle during normoxia and hypoxia is unknown. Therefore, we examined near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived oxygenation profiles of the vastus lateralis during graded cycling exercise in normoxia and hypoxia among humans with HAH (n = 5) and control subjects with normal‐affinity haemoglobin (n = 12). The HAH group elicited a blunted increase of deoxygenated haemoglobin + myoglobin during hypoxic exercise compared with the control group (P = 0.03), suggesting reduced fractional oxygen extraction in the HAH group. In addition, the HAH group maintained a higher level of muscle tissue oxygen saturation during normoxic exercise (HAH, 75 ± 4% vs. controls, 65 ± 3%, P = 0.049) and there were no differences between groups in muscle tissue oxygen saturation during hypoxic exercise (HAH, 68 ± 3% vs. controls, 68 ± 2%, P = 0.943). Overall, our results suggest that humans with HAH might demonstrate divergent patterns of fractional oxygen extraction during hypoxic exercise and elevated muscle tissue oxygenation during normoxic exercise compared with control subjects.
Organic Farming: Is a Metamorphosis of Modern Agricultural Imperialism or a Postmodern Agricultural Model?
Authors: Yana Hamyana , Hidayat Kliwon , Sukesi Keppi , Yuliati Yayuk
Published: May 2022

The implementation of organic farming programs in Indonesia involves various actors and various interests in it. The relationship between actors and their interests has positioned organic agriculture at the intersection between modern agricultural camouflage and the antithesis of modern agriculture (postmodern agriculture). How did this happen? so this research is very important to provide a complete picture in describing the involvement of actors and power relations as one of the key factors that will determine theformulation of policies for developing organic agriculture in the future. This research used a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data collection techniques were carried out by in-depth interviews, observations, and document studies. The research data were analyzed concerning the Miles and Huberman (2002) framework, which consisted of stages of data reduction, analysis formulation, and concluding. The results showed that there were four typologies of actors, namely, type A actors oriented to spiritual values; actor type B oriented to moral values; type C actor is oriented to rational values and type D actor is oriented to political/powervalues. The struggle between actors is dominated by driving actors (advanced farmers or champions, state apparatus, capitalists) who have stronger knowledge power. The rhetoric and images narrated by the driving actors then become tools for domination to seize the rights of other actors with the interests and powers attached to each actor. The implementation of organic agriculture which is full of power interests puts organic farming programs in Indonesia trapped in a market trap and a poor meaning reduction of moral values, human values, spiritual values, and ecological values.
Design of Acoustic/Elastic Phase Gradient Metasurfaces: Principles, Functional Elements, Tunability, and Coding
Authors: Chen A-Li , Wang Yue-Sheng , Wang Yan-Feng , Zhou Hong-Tao , Yuan Si-Min
Published: May 2022

Acoustic/elastic metasurfaces as a kind of two-dimensional metamaterials are of subwavelength thickness and show remarkable ability of acoustic/elastic wave manipulation. They have potential applications in various fields such as acoustic imaging, communications, cloaking, camouflage, vibration/noise control, energy harvesting, and nondestructive testing. In this review, we mainly summarize recent developments in acoustic/elastic phase gradient metasurfaces, including design principles, design of functional elements, wave field manipulation with applications, design of tunable metasurfaces, as well as the emerging digital coding metasurfaces. At last, we outline the future research directions in this field.
Importance of Non-Newtonian Computational Fluid Modeling on Severely Calcified Aortic Valve Geometries—Insights From Quasi-Steady State Simulations
Authors: Mirza Asad , Ramaswamy Sharan
Published: May 2022

The Newtonian model has commonly been used to represent the viscosity of blood in the aorta, despite blood itself being a non-Newtonian fluid. This is justified where shear rates tend to be large. However, we hypothesized that using the Newtonian model to predict the hemodynamics on the aortic valve, particularly in those with severe calcifications, is inaccurate owing to valve leaflet geometry irregularities inducing multiple regions of low shear rates, <100 s−1, where a Newtonian model is invalid. We investigated the utility of three fluid viscosity models via quasi-static simulations: Newtonian, Carreau, and Quemada on a severely calcified aortic heart valve and compared their ability to capture important hemodynamic parameters of wall shear stress (WSS) and the oscillatory shear index (OSI). Our findings indicate that when the shear rates were large enough, >100 s−1, the use of a Newtonian model was justified. However, in spatial regions of relatively low shear rates, <100 s−1, specifically on the inner cusps of the fibrosa side of the valve, WSS calculations under a Newtonian model were found to be noticeably different when compared with their non-Newtonian, Carreau and Quemada counterparts. We hereby conclude that to facilitate more accurate computational flow simulations in severe aortic heart valve calcification, which is subjected to relatively large spatial regions of low shear (<100 s−1), a non-Newtonian model should be applied.
Design and Preliminary Evaluation of a Wearable Passive Cam-Based Shoulder Exoskeleton
Authors: Asgari Morteza , Phillips Elizabeth A. , Dalton Britt M. , Rudl Jennifer L. , Crouch Dustin L.
Published: May 2022

Mechanically passive exoskeletons may be a practical and affordable solution to meet a growing clinical need for continuous, home-based movement assistance. We designed, fabricated, and preliminarily evaluated the performance of a wearable, passive, cam-driven shoulder exoskeleton (WPCSE) prototype. The novel feature of the WPCSE is a modular spring-cam-wheel module, which generates an assistive force that can be customized to compensate for any proportion of the shoulder elevation moment due to gravity. We performed a benchtop experiment to validate the mechanical output of the WPCSE against our theoretical model. We also conducted a pilot biomechanics study (eight able-bodied subjects) to quantify the effect of a WPCSE prototype on muscle activity and shoulder kinematics during three shoulder movements. The shoulder elevation moment produced by the spring-cam-wheel module alone closely matched the desired theoretical moment. However, when measured from the full WPCSE prototype, the moment was lower (up to 30%) during positive shoulder elevation and higher (up to 120%) during negative shoulder elevation compared to the theoretical moment, due primarily to friction. Even so, a WPCSE prototype, compensating for about 25% of the shoulder elevation moment due to gravity, showed a trend of reducing root-mean-square electromyogram magnitudes of several muscles crossing the shoulder during shoulder elevation and horizontal adduction/abduction movements. Our results also showed that the WPCSE did not constrain or impede shoulder movements during the tested movements. The results provide proof-of-concept evidence that our WPCSE can potentially assist shoulder movements against gravity.
Optical measurements on a budget: A 3D-printed ellipsometer
Authors: Mantia Matthew , Bixby Teresa
Published: May 2022

Ellipsometry is an optical analysis technique that is useful for characterizing the physical properties of a thin-film system. Light reflected from a sample surface undergoes a change in polarization due to phase delay and anisotropic reflection. This enables one to perform non-destructive measurements of film thickness, surface roughness, refractive index, and other optical constants. Ellipsometric techniques are particularly convenient for characterizing coatings or films in the semiconductor and optics industries. However, these techniques may be inaccessible to undergraduate students and educators due to the prohibitive cost of ellipsometers and similar instrumentation. In response to this roadblock, we describe the construction of a simple, inexpensive, manually operated, rotating analyzer ellipsometer (RAE). Required materials include a laser pointer, polarizing film, photometric detector, and a 3D-printed opto-mechanical framework, which are all readily accessible at most institutions. The instrument's performance was evaluated by comparing thickness measurements of tetraethyl orthosilicate films to those determined by a commercially available reflectometer. An average film thickness difference of 0.77% was measured using the two instruments.
On the linearity of the generalized Lorentz transformation
Authors: Verheest Frank
Published: May 2022

Lorentz transformations between inertial observers, along with Einstein's theory of special relativity, remedied discrepancies between Newtonian physics and Maxwell's electromagnetism caused by the use of the same time in all inertial frames. In view of the fundamental importance of the relativity between inertial observers, there have been several papers deriving generalized Lorentz transformations without using light. Proving that general transformations are linear in space and time can be done in several ways, most commonly relying on a four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime, but other approaches are possible. A method is presented here that establishes the linearity of the transformation by considering velocity transformations in the light of Einstein's first relativity postulate of 1905. Once linearity is obtained, the remainder is fairly straightforward and parallels results and methods found in the literature.
Measuring the Hannay geometric phase
Authors: Fanchiotti H. , García Canal C. A. , Mayosky M. , Veiga A. , Vento V.
Published: May 2022

The Hannay geometric phase is the classical analog of the well-known Berry phase. Its most familiar example is the effect of the latitude λ on the motion of a Foucault pendulum. We describe an electronic network whose behavior is exactly equivalent to that of the pendulum. The circuit can be constructed from off-the-shelf components using two matched transconductance amplifiers that comprise a gyrator to introduce the non-reciprocal behavior needed to mimic the pendulum. One may precisely measure the dependence of the Hannay phase on λ by circuit simulation and by laboratory measurements on a constructed circuit.
The Supercrip Athlete in Media: Model of Inspiration or Able-Bodied Hegemony?
Authors: Sterba Danielle , Stapleton Jessie N. , Kennedy Winston
Published: May 2022

Options for athletes with disabilities to participate in sport have risen and, with them, supercrip representation. Supercrip is defined as a stereotypical representation of individuals with disabilities that highlights their accomplishments as inspirational stories of defying or overcoming their disability to succeed. With little consensus on how to represent disability in sport, it is imperative that this representation be investigated. The purpose of this commentary is to broadly examine assumptions of the supercrip model as a mode of representation for athletes with disabilities, explore its connection to able-bodied hegemony, and propose next steps in facilitating research and discourse around representation for athletes with disabilities. We conclude that able-bodied hegemony is the root of the supercrip model and that participatory action research, with stakeholders at the center, is necessary to fully evaluate the supercrip model.
Case Study: Improving Energy Status in a Wheelchair Athlete With Suppressed Resting Energy Expenditure
Authors: Flueck Joelle Leonie , Koehler Karsten
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Wheelchair athletes experience a reduction in fat-free mass due to the underlying condition and/or muscle disuse. This leads to a lower resting energy expenditure (REE), as well as a lower energy expenditure during exercise or daily activities. Traditional markers of low energy availability (LEA), including amenorrhea and low bone mineral density, are often inconclusive in wheelchair athletes. This case study provides data from a professional female wheelchair badminton player with multiple sclerosis who presented with a reduced measured-to-predicted REE ratio (REEratio), a common indicator of LEA in able-bodied athletes. Furthermore, a nutrition and exercise intervention was conducted to restore REE. Methods: REE and body composition were measured using indirect calorimetry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. The predicted REE of the REEratio was calculated using 2 separate approaches. An REEratio <0.9 was considered an indicator for LEA. A nutrition and exercise intervention was implemented to normalize REE and induce weight loss through increased meal frequency, a 200- to 400-kcal/d increase in energy intake, and added endurance exercise. Results: The athlete (33 y, 78 kg, 154 cm) initiallly showed an REEratio of 0.65 to 0.70, which increased to 1.00 to 1.09 after 1 year. The athlete lost 11.8 kg, almost exclusively (11 kg) in the form of fat mass. The athlete reported reduced fatigue and higher perceived fitness. Conclusion: The nutrition and exercise intervention successfully restored energy status, induced sustainable weight loss, and reduced fatigue in a wheelchair athlete with multiple sclerosis with presumed LEA. Methods to assess LEA in this population require further validation.
Population Pharmacokinetic Model and Alternative Dosing Regimens for Dolutegravir Coadministered with Rifampicin
Authors: Kawuma Aida N. , Wasmann Roeland E. , Dooley Kelly E. , Boffito Marta , Maartens Gary , Denti Paolo
Published: May 2022

Dolutegravir-based regimens are recommended as first-line therapy for HIV in low- and middle-income countries where tuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection. Concurrent HIV/tuberculosis treatment is challenging because of drug-drug interactions.
Growing Degree-Day Measurement of Cyst Germination Rates in the Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella
Authors: Fischer Alexis D. , Brosnahan Michael L.
Published: May 2022

Germination by benthic life history stages is the first step of bloom initiation in many, diverse phytoplankton species. This study outlines a growing degree-day (
DD
) approach for comparing the temperature dependence of germination rates measured in different populations.
FMDV 3A Antagonizes the Effect of ANXA1 to Positively Modulate Viral Replication
Authors: Ma XuSheng , Zhang KeShan , Luo ZhiKuan , Nian XiaoFeng , Choudhury S. K. Mohiuddin , Zhu ZiXiang , Song Rui , Pei JingJing , Huo YanLi , Li YuanYuan , Yang Fan , Cao WeiJun , Liu HuiSheng , Liu XiangTao , Zheng HaiXue
Published: May 2022

FMDV is a pathogen that causes one of the world’s most destructive and highly contagious animal diseases. The FMDV 3A protein plays a critical role in viral replication and host range.
Ex Vivo
Herpes Simplex Virus Reactivation Involves a Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase-Dependent Wave of Lytic Gene Expression That Is Independent of Histone Demethylase Activity and Viral Genome Synthesis
Authors: Whitford Abigail L. , Clinton Corinne A. , Kennedy E. B. Lane , Dochnal Sara A. , Suzich Jon B. , Cliffe Anna R.
Published: May 2022

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus from a latent infection is associated with clinical disease. To develop new therapeutics that prevent reactivation, it is important to understand how viral gene expression initiates following a reactivation stimulus.
Irreversible Loss of HIV-1 Proviral Competence in Myeloid Cells upon Suppression of NF-κB Activity
Authors: Peters Rebecca J. , Stevenson Mario
Published: May 2022

Although HIV-1 infection can be suppressed using antiretroviral therapy, it cannot yet be cured. This is because HIV-1 integrates itself into host cells and may become dormant but also remains ready to emerge from such reservoirs when antiretroviral therapy stops.
Copper Cytotoxicity: Cellular Casualties of Noncognate Coordination Chemistry
Authors: O’Hern Charlotte I. Z. , Djoko Karrera Y.
Published: May 2022

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for cells, but in excess it is cytotoxic. How Cu is cytotoxic is the subject of recent work by L. Zuily, N.
The Translational Landscape of SARS-CoV-2-infected Cells Reveals Suppression of Innate Immune Genes
Authors: Puray-Chavez Maritza , Lee Nakyung , Tenneti Kasyap , Wang Yiqing , Vuong Hung R. , Liu Yating , Horani Amjad , Huang Tao , Gunsten Sean P. , Case James B. , Yang Wei , Diamond Michael S. , Brody Steven L. , Dougherty Joseph , Kutluay Sebla B.
Published: May 2022

SARS-CoV-2 utilizes a number of strategies to modulate host responses to ensure efficient propagation. Here, we used ribosome profiling in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells to gain a deeper understanding of the translationally regulated events in infected cells.
What Causes the Cough in Whooping Cough?
Authors: Carbonetti Nicholas
Published: May 2022

What causes the cough in whooping cough (pertussis) has been a longstanding question in the field but has been difficult to answer because of the perceived lack of convenient small animal models. Y.
Salmonella Induces the cGAS-STING-Dependent Type I Interferon Response in Murine Macrophages by Triggering mtDNA Release
Authors: Xu Lei , Li Mengyuan , Yang Yadong , Zhang Chen , Xie Zhen , Tang Jingjing , Shi Zhenkun , Chen Shukun , Li Guangzhe , Gu Yanchao , Wang Xiao , Zhang Fuhua , Wang Yao , Shen Xihui
Published: May 2022

As one of the most common foodborne transmitted zoonotic pathogens,
S.
Typhimurium infection causes diarrheal disease in humans and animals.
S.
Typhimurium infection has been implicated as an inducer for the type I interferon (IFN) response in macrophages, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we reported that in addition to TLR4-dependent response, the cytosolic surveillance pathway (CSP) cGAS-STING is also required for the activation of type I IFN response during
S.
Typhimurium infection.
Phylogenomic Analyses of
Snodgrassella
Isolates from Honeybees and Bumblebees Reveal Taxonomic and Functional Diversity
Authors: Cornet Luc , Cleenwerck Ilse , Praet Jessy , Leonard Raphaël R. , Vereecken Nicolas J. , Michez Denis , Smagghe Guy , Baurain Denis , Vandamme Peter
Published: May 2022

The microbiome of honeybees (
Apis
spp.) and bumblebees (
Bombus
spp.) is highly conserved and represented by few phylotypes. This simplicity in taxon composition makes the bee’s microbiome an emergent model organism for the study of gut microbial communities.
Litter Mixing Alters Microbial Decomposer Community to Accelerate Tomato Root Litter Decomposition
Authors: Jin Xue , Wang Zhilin , Wu Fengzhi , Li Xiaogang , Zhou Xingang
Published: May 2022

Microbial decomposer community plays a key role in litter decomposition, which is an important regulator of soil carbon and nutrient cycling. Though changes in decomposer communities has been proposed as one of the potential underlying mechanisms driving the litter-mixture effects, direct evidence is still lacking.
An Altered Microbiota in the Lower and Upper Female Reproductive Tract of Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Liu Fen-Ting , Yang Shuo , Yang Zi , Zhou Ping , Peng Tianliu , Yin Jingwen , Ye Zhenhong , Shan Hongying , Yu Yang , Li Rong
Published: May 2022

As an obstacle to pregnancy, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) can be caused by a variety of factors, and a current understanding of the etiology of RSA is still lacking; half of cases have an unknown cause. A substantial fraction of patients show no improvement after treatment.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus NS4A Protein Interacts with PTEN-Induced Kinase 1 (PINK1) and Promotes Mitophagy in Infected Cells
Authors: Agarwal Anshu , Alam Mohd. Faraz , Basu Brohmomoy , Pattanayak Sabyasachi , Asthana Shailendra , Syed Gulam Hussain , Kalia Manjula , Vrati Sudhanshu
Published: May 2022

The JEV-infected mammalian cells show an enhanced mitophagy flux with a concomitant decline in the mitochondrial mass. We show that the NS4A protein of JEV localized to the mitochondria and interacted with PINK1 in Huh7 cells during infection with the virus and demonstrate that JEV-NS4A alone is sufficient to induce mitophagy. The study provides the first evidence of mitochondrial quality control dysregulation during JEV infection, largely mediated by its NS4A protein.
Characteristics of
Streptococcus agalactiae
Colonizing Nonpregnant Adults Support the Opportunistic Nature of Invasive Infections
Authors: Martins Elisabete R. , Nascimento do Ó Dulce , Marques Costa Ana Luísa , Melo-Cristino José , Ramirez Mário
Published: May 2022

The increasing incidence of
Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B streptococci [GBS]) infections in adults and the inability of antimicrobial prophylaxis peripartum to control late-onset infections in infants motivate the study of the asymptomatic carrier state in nonpregnant adults. We found an overall carriage rate like that of pregnant women, increasing with age, potentially contributing to the higher incidence of GBS infections with age.
Recovery of the Structure and Function of the Pig Manure Bacterial Community after Enrofloxacin Exposure
Authors: Chen Tao , Xie Gaomiao , Mi Jiandui , Wen Xin , Cao Zhen , Ma Baohua , Zou Yongde , Zhang Na , Wang Yan , Liao Xindi , Wu Yinbao
Published: May 2022

A stable intestinal bacterial community balance is beneficial for animal health. Enrofloxacin is widely used in animal husbandry as a therapeutic drug, but it can cause intestinal environmental imbalance.
Fifteen-minute consultation: A guide to the paediatric primary survey
Authors: Kavanagh Karl , Mullen Stephen , Sloane Charlotte , Watson Ben , Waterfield Thomas , Quinn Nuala
Published: May 2022

It’s 21:00 and you receive a stand-by call from the local ambulance service. Peter, a 9-year-old boy, was riding an electric scooter and has collided with a car. He has reduced consciousness, signs of shock and is hypoxic. How will you prepare your team? What are the possible injuries? Who will perform the primary survey? Injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population accounting for approximately half of all attendances to paediatric emergency departments in the UK and Ireland. Major trauma can be distressing for patients, parents and physicians. Managing major trauma is challenging and it is vital to have a clear and organised approach. In this 15-minute guide we describe a structured approach to the primary survey that includes how to prepare before the child’s arrival, the suggested roles of team members and the key components of the primary survey. We discuss life-threatening injuries, the life-saving bundle and the principles of resuscitation, and the role of imaging in the initial assessment of the injured child.
Dual-processing theory helps to explain delay in diagnosis of Stanford type A aortic dissection
Authors: Moffat Alexander , Formisano Francesco , Routledge Helen , Bradbury Eleanor , Wilson David
Published: May 2022

A woman in her 70s presented with chest pain, which was initially thought to be an acute coronary syndrome but subsequently felt to be pericarditis. Chest radiography and echocardiography demonstrated striking cardiomegaly and marked biatrial dilatation, likely secondary to undiagnosed restrictive cardiomyopathy. The patient remained well on the ward for some days with only mild discomfort and stable haemodynamics. CT of the thorax went on to unexpectedly demonstrate a Stanford type A aortic dissection. The patient was promptly transferred for emergent surgery but sadly died intraoperatively.

Delayed or missed diagnosis of acute aortic dissection (AAD) is common. The dual-processing theory (DPT) of human judgement can be applied to medical decision making and used to explain this potential for diagnostic error in AAD diagnosis. A greater awareness of DPT and the role of heuristics and biases in medical decision making may help to reduce medical diagnostic error.
Improved diabetes control, allowing insulin cessation, after direct acting antiviral treatment (DAAT) of hepatitis C
Authors: Surendran Aarthi , Bhalla Aditya , Whyte Martin Brunel
Published: May 2022

There is a bidirectional relationship between hepatitis C and type 2 diabetes. The risk for developing type 2 diabetes is increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection—with the prevalence of diabetes ranging from 13% to 33%. This is likely underpinned by insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes may also be a predisposing factor for HCV infection. The new non-interferon-based therapeutic regimens for hepatitis C have transformed care and can eradicate disease. In this report, we show how such a regimen eradicated viral load, improved hepatocellular blood markers and significantly improved dysglycaemia, such that all glucose-lowering medication could be stopped.