bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying Patient and Public Involvement in preclinical research: A co‐created scoping review
Authors: Carroll Pádraig , Dervan Adrian , Maher Anthony , McCarthy Ciarán , Woods Ian , Kavanagh Rachel , Beirne Cliff , Harte Geoff , O'Flynn Dónal , O'Connor Cian , McGuire Tara , Leahy Liam M. , Gonzalez Javier Gutierrez , Stasiewicz Martyna , Maughan Jack , Gouveia Pedro Jose , Murphy Paul J. , Quinlan John , Casey Sarah , Holton Alice , Smith Éimear , Moriarty Frank , O'Brien Fergal J. , Flood Michelle
Published: October 2022

Background

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research aims to improve the quality, relevance and appropriateness of research. PPI has an established role in clinical research where there is evidence of benefit, and where policymakers and funders place continued emphasis on its inclusion. However, for preclinical research, PPI has not yet achieved the same level of integration. As more researchers, including our team, aim to include PPI in preclinical research, the development of an evidence‐based approach is important. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify and map studies where PPI has been used in preclinical research and develop principles that can be applied in other projects.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to search the literature in Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Web of Science Core Collection to identify applied examples of preclinical PPI. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection and data extraction separately. Data were extracted relating to PPI in terms of (i) rationale and aims, (ii) approach used, (iii) benefits and challenges, (iv) impact and evaluation and (v) learning opportunities for preclinical PPI. Findings were reviewed collaboratively by PPI contributors and the research team to identify principles that could be applied to other projects.

Results

Nine studies were included in the final review with the majority of included studies reporting PPI to improve the relevance of their research, using approaches such as PPI advisory panels and workshops. Researchers report several benefits and challenges, although evidence of formal evaluation is limited.

Conclusion

Although currently there are few examples of preclinical research studies reporting empirical PPI activity, their findings may support those aiming to use PPI in preclinical research. Through collaborative analysis of the scoping review findings, several principles were developed that may be useful for other preclinical researchers.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study was conducted as part of a broader project aiming to develop an evidence base for preclinical PPI that draws on a 5‐year preclinical research programme focused on the development of advanced biomaterials for spinal cord repair as a case study. A PPI Advisory Panel comprising seriously injured rugby players, clinicians, preclinical researchers and PPI facilitators collaborated as co‐authors on the conceptualization, execution and writing of this review, including refining the findings into the set of principles reported here.
Progress of the social service professions in South Africa's developmental social welfare system: Social work, and child and youth care work
Authors: Gray Mel , Lombard Antoinette
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the progress of the social service professions delivering developmental social welfare in South Africa, a subject we have followed closely over the last 20 years. Being policy‐driven, developmental social welfare stemmed from expert social analyses that resulted in technically oriented solutions, including the broadening of social service professions. Twenty years on, it is hard to see developmental social welfare, as envisaged in government policy, in action, since the practice reality does not differ drastically from the prior apartheid system with the government's heavy reliance on social security as a poverty‐alleviation measure. The expanded social security budget has led to underfunded services and a crisis for social service professionals. This paper focuses on the regulated professions of social workers, and child and youth care workers. Our examination of critical issues for these occupational groups revealed that South Africa still has a long way to go in building a strong social service workforce.
The paradoxical role of radiation‐induced cGAS–STING signalling network in tumour immunity
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyi , Zhang Han , Zhang Jiajia , Yang Mengdie , Zhu Mengqin , Yin Yuzhen , Fan Xin , Yu Fei
Published: October 2022

The cyclic GMP–AMP synthase–stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) pathway is an essential component of the innate immune system and is central to the identification of abnormal DNA leakage caused by ionising radiation (IR) damage. Cell‐intrinsic cGAS–STING initiation has been revealed to have tremendous potential for facilitating interferon synthesis and T‐cell priming. Targeting the cGAS–STING axis has been proposed as a strategy to improve radiosensitivity or enhance immunosurveillance. However, due to the complex biology of the irradiated tumour microenvironment and the extensive involvement of the cGAS–STING pathway in various physiological and pathological processes, many defects in this strategy limit the therapeutic effect. Here, we outline the molecular mechanisms by which IR activates the cGAS–STING pathway and analyse the dichotomous roles of the cGAS–STING pathway in modulating cancer immunity after radiotherapy (RT). Then, based on the crosstalk between the cGAS–STING pathway and other signalling events induced by IR, such as necroptosis, autophagy and other cellular effects, we discuss the immunomodulatory actions of the broad cGAS–STING signalling network in RT and their potential therapeutic applications. Finally, recent advances in combination therapeutic strategies targeting cGAS–STING in RT are explored.
Inclusivity within Art and Design Education: The Boy Problem
Authors: Marx Hugo
Published: October 2022

As the gender disparity increases yearly within art—with substantially more girls choosing to continue with the subject into asessed years than boys at secondary school—this essay explores a handful of the influencing factors for this gender imbalance, before exploring the ways in which we might begin to remedy such an unacceptable polarisation in subject preference.
The Toxoplasma plant‐like vacuolar compartment (PLVAC)
Authors: Stasic Andrew J. , Moreno Silvia N. J. , Carruthers Vern B. , Dou Zhicheng
Published: October 2022

Toxoplasma gondii belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa and is an important cause of congenital disease and infection in immunocompromised patients. T. gondii shares several characteristics with plants including a nonphotosynthetic plastid termed apicoplast and a multivesicular organelle that was named the plant‐like vacuole (PLV) or vacuolar compartment (VAC). The name plant‐like vacuole was selected based on its resemblance in composition and function to plant vacuoles. The name VAC represents its general vacuolar characteristics. We will refer to the organelle as PLVAC in this review. New findings in recent years have revealed that the PLVAC represents the lysosomal compartment of T. gondii which has adapted peculiarities to fulfill specific Toxoplasma needs. In this review, we discuss the composition and functions of the PLVAC highlighting its roles in ion storage and homeostasis, endocytosis, exocytosis, and autophagy.
Sex reversal of pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis), a species with temperature‐dependent sex determination, in a seminatural environment
Authors: del Fresno Pamela S. , Garcia de Souza Javier R. , Colautti Darío C. , Yamamoto Yoji , Yokota Masashi , Strüssmann Carlos A. , Miranda Leandro A.
Published: October 2022

This study examined the changes in sex ratios and sex reversal rates in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis that occur with the progression of the spawning season in a seminatural setting. Four groups of hatchery‐produced pejerrey larvae were stocked in floating cages in La Salada de Monasterio lake (Pampas region), a natural habitat of this species, and reared from hatching beyond gonadal sex determination with minimum human interference. Cage 1 was stocked at the beginning of the spring spawning season and the other cages were stocked with monthly delays until cage 4 in early summer. The genotypic (amhy+, XY/YY; amhy−, XX) and phenotypic (testis, male; ovary, female) sex ratios and proportions of genotype/phenotype mismatched individuals were estimated and their relation to water temperature and daylength during the experiment was analysed by generalized linear modelling. Water temperature varied between 11 and 30.5°C, and daylength duration between 11 h 22 min and 14 h 35 min. Sex genotyping revealed nearly balanced sex ratios of XY/YY (46%–49.1%) and XX (50.9%–54%) fish in cages 2–4 whereas the genotypic sex ratio in cage 1 was clearly biased towards XY/YY fish (60.6%). Phenotypic males ranged from 42% to 54.4% in cages 1–3. Cage 4, in turn, had significantly more phenotypic males (66%). The percentage of XX males (phenotypic male/genotypic female) was 23.1% in cage 1, decreased to a minimum of 5.4% in cage 2 and gradually increased in cages 3 and 4 to a maximum of 40.7% in the latter. The percentages of XY/YY females (phenotypic female/genotypic male) were highest in cage 1 (30%) and decreased progressively in the other cages to a significantly lower value (4.3%) in cage 4. These results generally support the findings of laboratory studies on the effect of temperature on the sex determination of this species and also provide novel evidence of a XX genotype‐specific masculinizing effect of short daylength.
Redundancy analysis, genome‐wide association studies and the pigmentation of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)
Authors: Valette Théo , Leitwein Maëva , Lascaux Jean‐Marc , Desmarais Erick , Berrebi Patrick , Guinand Bruno
Published: October 2022

The association of molecular variants with phenotypic variation is a main issue in biology, often tackled with genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). GWAS are challenging, with increasing, but still limited, use in evolutionary biology. We used redundancy analysis (RDA) as a complimentary ordination approach to single‐ and multitrait GWAS to explore the molecular basis of pigmentation variation in brown trout (Salmo trutta) belonging to wild populations impacted by hatchery fish. Based on 75,684 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers, RDA, single‐ and multitrait GWAS allowed the extraction of 337 independent colour patterning loci (CPLs) associated with trout pigmentation traits, such as the number of red and black spots on flanks. Collectively, these CPLs (i) mapped onto 35 out of 40 brown trout linkage groups indicating a polygenic genomic architecture of pigmentation, (ii) were found to be associated with 218 candidate genes, including 197 genes formerly mentioned in the literature associated to skin pigmentation, skin patterning, differentiation or structure notably in a close relative, the rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss), and (iii) related to functions relevant to pigmentation variation (e.g., calcium‐ and ion‐binding, cell adhesion). Annotated CPLs include genes with well‐known pigmentation effects (e.g., PMEL, SLC45A2, SOX10), but also markers associated with genes formerly found expressed in rainbow or brown trout skins. RDA was also shown to be useful to investigate management issues, especially the dynamics of trout pigmentation submitted to several generations of hatchery introgression.
Time series canopy phenotyping enables the identification of genetic variants controlling dynamic phenotypes in soybean
Authors: Li Delin , Bai Dong , Tian Yu , Li Ying‐Hui , Zhao Chaosen , Wang Qi , Guo Shiyu , Gu Yongzhe , Luan Xiaoyan , Wang Ruizhen , Yang Jinliang , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Schnable James C. , Jin Xiuliang , Qiu Li‐Juan
Published: October 2022

Advances in plant phenotyping technologies are dramatically reducing the marginal costs of collecting multiple phenotypic measurements across several time points. Yet, most current approaches and best statistical practices implemented to link genetic and phenotypic variation in plants have been developed in an era of single‐time‐point data. Here, we used time‐series phenotypic data collected with an unmanned aircraft system for a large panel of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) varieties to identify previously uncharacterized loci. Specifically, we focused on the dissection of canopy coverage (CC) variation from this rich data set. We also inferred the speed of canopy closure, an additional dimension of CC, from the time‐series data, as it may represent an important trait for weed control. Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) identified 35 loci exhibiting dynamic associations with CC across developmental stages. The time‐series data enabled the identification of 10 known flowering time and plant height quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detected in previous studies of adult plants and the identification of novel QTLs influencing CC. These novel QTLs were disproportionately likely to act earlier in development, which may explain why they were missed in previous single‐time‐point studies. Moreover, this time‐series data set contributed to the high accuracy of the GWASs, which we evaluated by permutation tests, as evidenced by the repeated identification of loci across multiple time points. Two novel loci showed evidence of adaptive selection during domestication, with different genotypes/haplotypes favored in different geographic regions. In summary, the time‐series data, with soybean CC as an example, improved the accuracy and statistical power to dissect the genetic basis of traits and offered a promising opportunity for crop breeding with quantitative growth curves.
Self‐reported cognition in older adults with insomnia: Associations with sleep and domain specific cognition
Authors: Costa Amy N. , Curtis Ashley F. , Musich Madison , Guandique Alan A. , McCrae Christina S.
Published: October 2022

Poor subjective evaluation of cognition and sleep are associated with cognitive decline in older adults. Relationships among self‐reported cognition, sleep, and cognitive domains remain unclear. We evaluated the interactive associations of objective cognition and subjective sleep with self‐reported cognition in older adults with insomnia. Fifty‐one older adults (Mage = 69.19, SD = 7.95) with insomnia completed 14 days of self‐reported cognition ratings (0‐very poor, 100‐very good), sleep (total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep efficiency), and daily cognitive tasks: Letter series (reasoning), word list delayed recall (verbal memory), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (attention/processing speed), and number copy (processing speed). Multiple regressions for each cognitive task determined whether average objective cognition or sleep were independently/interactively associated with average self‐reported cognition, controlling for age, education, and depression. The interaction between SDMT performance and TST was associated with self‐reported cognition. Specifically, the relationship between scores and self‐reported cognition was congruent in those with the shortest TST. Similarly, the interactions between SDMT and WASO, as well as sleep efficiency, were associated with self‐reported. Specifically, the relationship between scores and self‐reported cognition was congruent in those with longest and average WASO, as well as shortest and average sleep efficiency. The findings suggest, in an older adult population with insomnia, a congruent association exists between attention/processing speed and self‐reported cognition in those with worse subjective sleep (shorter TST, longer WASO, and lower SE). Insomnia symptoms should be taken into consideration when examining the relationship between objective cognition and self‐reported cognition.
Factors associated with insomnia symptoms: A cross‐sectional study during a Covid‐19 fully restrictive lockdown
Authors: Christodoulou Nausicaa , Bertrand Léa , Palagini Laura , Frija‐Masson Justine , d'Ortho Marie‐Pia , Lejoyeux Michel , Riemann Dieter , Maruani Julia , Geoffroy Pierre A.
Published: October 2022

Insomnia is the most frequent sleep disorder and a public health concern that increased during the Covid 19 pandemic. Fully restrictive lockdowns during Covid are interesting periods to examine the impact of environmental and behavioural changes on the emergence of insomnia symptoms. In this cross‐sectional study we aimed to (1) determine the main factors associated with insomnia symptoms during a Covid‐19 fully restrictive lockdown examining the associated daily life alterations and (2) create a predictive model of insomnia symptoms. We used the data drawn from the “Covid‐RythmE” study that reached volunteers from the general French population through an online survey during the last 2 weeks of the 2 month full lockdown. Associations with insomnia symptoms were tested and significant associations were entered in a Backward Stepwise Logistic Regression (BSLR) to assess the best combination to classify individuals with or without insomnia symptoms. From the 1624 participants, 50.64% suffered from mild to severe insomnia symptoms as assessed by the ISI. The best combination for explaining insomnia symptoms with 74.26% of accuracy included: age (OR = 1.15), females (OR = 1.26), smaller home sizes (OR = 0.77), environmental noises (OR = 1.59), anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.24), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.15), regularity of sleep–wake schedules (OR = 1.25), exposure to screen during the morning (OR = 1.13), and LED light during the evening (OR = 1.17). Thus, lifestyle schedule and exposure to natural synchronizers such as light, are primordial in considering in insomnia physiopathology, prevention and treatment, as well as the associated mental health status.
Assessing job training effectiveness in Chile: A longitudinal approach
Authors: Didier Nicolas
Published: October 2022

The process of technological change brings significant challenges to societies. While private sector organizations seek to include new technologies in their production processes, individuals and government agencies look for possibilities for adaptation. In the context of highly unequal countries such as those in Latin America, the way the adaptation occurs can play a significant role in social mobility and family wealth creation. As the literature suggests, one of the essential policy tools to cope with changes in the labor market lies in job training policies. In this article, I assess the effectiveness of the Chilean training system, focusing on how training affects wages. Using the Casen household survey and the Social Protection Survey longitudinal versions, I estimate a training skill premium near 11%. While the different data sources show that job training has an effect, differentiation of this effect lies with the decision maker in the training process.
Intrapopulation variance in ecophysiological responses to water limitation in a butterfly metapopulation suggests adaptive resilience to environmental variability
Authors: Lehmann Philipp , Wheat Christopher W.
Published: October 2022

How organisms that are part of the same trophic network respond to environmental variability over small spatial scales has been studied in a multitude of systems. Prevailing theory suggests a large role for plasticity in key traits among interacting species that allows matching of life cycles or life‐history traits across environmental gradients, for instance insects tracking host‐plant phenology across variable environments (Posledovich et al. 2018). A key aspect that remains understudied is the extent of intrapopulation variability in plasticity and whether stressful conditions canalize plasticity to an optimal level, or alternatively if variation in plasticity indeed could increase fitness in itself via alternative strategies. In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Kahilainen et al. (2022) investigate this issue in a classical insect study system, the metapopulation of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitea cinxia) in the Åland archipelago of Finland. The authors first establish how a key host plant responds to water limitation, then quantify among‐family variation in larval growth and development across control and water‐limited host plants. Finally, they use RNA sequencing to gain mechanistic insights into some of these among‐family differences in larval performance in response to host‐plant variation, finding results suggesting the existence of heritable, intrapopulation variability in ecologically relevant plasticity. This final step represents a critically important and often overlooked component of efforts to predict sensitivity of biological systems to changing environmental conditions, since it provides a key metric of adaptive resilience present in the system.
Stem rot of jute (Corchorus spp.): New insight on its causal organisms
Authors: Mandal Kunal , Ghosh Dipankar , Kar Chandan S.
Published: October 2022

Stem rot disease is a major threat to the successful cultivation of jute (Corchorus spp.). Although Macrophomina phaseolina is the causal agent attributed to this disease, in the present study we documented the involvement of several pathogens. Disease samples were collected from West Bengal, a major jute‐growing state in India and six different types of symptoms were observed under field conditions. Isolated pathogens (n = 387) produced four types of colonies resembling growth patterns of Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Lasiodiplodia and Macrophomina. Based on pigmentation on the reverse side of plates, Diaporthe‐ and Lasiodiplodia‐type colonies formed two subgroups each. However, no correlation could be established between types of disease symptoms and the associated pathogens. While Colletotrichum was prevalent in the Coochbehar district, the spatial distribution of the other pathogens was random. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA and translation elongation factor 1‐α (TEF) genes from two representative isolates from each of six morphogroups were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were generated based on these sequences, which suggested that seven fungal pathogens belonging to four genera (Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Lasiodiplodia and Macrophomina) were involved with stem lesions of jute. Three recommended fungicides (carbendazim, hexaconazole and tebuconazole) were tested against the selected fungal pathogens and all were found effective in suppressing their growth in vitro.
Impact of self‐efficacy and percentage of English learners on implementation of instructional practices by secondary mathematics and science teachers
Authors: DeLozier Rebecca
Published: October 2022

This study analyzed data from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Study of secondary education teachers to investigate differences in instructional practices of mathematics and science teachers in relation to the percentage of English learners (EL) they instruct. The study used a series of regression models to examine if EL class composition and teacher self‐efficacy are significant predictors of clarity of instruction or cognitive activation practices. Further tests investigated whether the interaction of these terms moderated instructional practice. Results indicate that mathematics teachers increase the use of clarity of instruction but decrease cognitive activation practices with increased numbers of ELs but showed no correlation to instructional practices for science teachers. Results do not support a moderating effect of teacher self‐efficacy on the relationship between instructional practices and the percentage of ELs in classrooms, suggesting that trends associated with class composition are independent of teacher ability beliefs.
High false discovery rate of the Architect anti‐HCV screening test in blood donors in Uganda and evaluation of an algorithm for confirmatory testing
Authors: Lucey Olivia , Acana Susan , Olupot‐Olupot Peter , Muhindo Rita , Ayikobua Ronald , Uyoga Sophie , Kyeyune‐Byabazaire Dorothy , Cooke Graham , Maitland Kathryn
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives

Adequate supplies of donor blood remain a major challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa. This is exacerbated by a lack of confirmatory testing for transfusion‐transmitted infections by blood transfusion services (BTS), leading to significant blood disposal owing to putatively high seroprevalence rates amongst Ugandan blood donors. We aimed to ascertain the false discovery rate of the Architect anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening assay and categorize screen‐reactive samples into three groups: presumed false positive, active and past infection, and develop an algorithm for confirmatory testing.

Materials and Methods

A total of 470 screen‐reactive HCV blood donations were retested using the Architect anti‐HCV assay, an alternative antibody test (SD Biosensor) and a core antigen (cAg) test. signal‐to cut‐off (S/CO) ratios and pre‐analytical factors (centrifugation speed, haemolysis check, time between collection and testing) were recorded. Based on the S/CO ratio evaluation, we propose a testing algorithm to guide supplemental tests.

Results

The false discovery rate of the Architect anti‐HCV assay was 0.84 as 395/470 (84%) screen‐reactive samples had no evidence of HCV infection (SD Biosensor and cAg negative) (presumed false positive), 38/470 (8.1%) were antigenaemic, and 32/470 (6.8%) had evidence of past infection. The median S/CO ratios of the presumed false‐positive and active infection samples were 1.8 and 17.3, respectively. The positive predictive value of HCV positivity in samples with ratios above 12 was 91.8%. On retesting, 104/470 (22.1%) samples became negative.

Conclusion

The Architect anti‐HCV assay has a very high false discovery rate in Ugandan BTSs, leading to excessive blood disposal. Pre‐analytical factors likely contribute to this. An introduction of confirmatory testing using an algorithm based on S/CO ratio evaluation could limit unnecessary blood wastage and donor deferral.
Clodronate disodium is neither cytotoxic nor cytoprotective to normal and recombinant equine interleukin‐1β‐treated joint tissues in vitro
Authors: Vergara‐Hernandez Fernando B. , Panek Char L. , Nielsen Brian D. , Robison Cara I. , Colbath Aimee C.
Published: October 2022

Objective

To determine the effects of clodronate disodium (CLO) on control and recombinant equine interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐treated equine joint tissues.

Study design

In vitro experimental study.

Sample population

Cartilage explants, chondrocytes, and synoviocytes (n = 3 horses).

Methods

Monolayer cultures of chondrocytes and synoviocytes from three horses were subjected to: control media (CON), 5 ng/ml CLO (C/low), 50 ng/ml CLO (C/med), 100 ng/ml CLO (C/high), with and without IL‐1β, and 10 ng/ml IL‐1β (IL) alone for 72 hours. Cartilage explants from three horses were subjected to CON, IL, C/low, and C/med with and without IL‐1β for 72 hours. Culture media was analyzed for prostaglandin‐E2 (PGE2), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and nitric oxide (NO). Explant media was analyzed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and NO. At 72 hours, explant and monolayer culture viability were assessed, and explant GAG content was measured.

Results

IL‐1β treatment resulted in higher media concentrations of GAG, NO, PGE2, and IL‐6 compared to the CON treatment (p < .05), demonstrating a catabolic effect of IL‐1β on explants and monolayer cultures. CLO treatments did not increase media concentrations of GAG, NO, PGE2, or IL‐6 compared to CON, indicating no cytotoxic effect. Nevertheless, CLO treatments administered to IL‐1β‐treated monolayer cultures and explants did not significantly reduce the inflammatory response regardless of concentration.

Conclusion

CLO did not demonstrate cytotoxic nor cytoprotective effects in normal and IL‐1β‐stimulated chondrocytes, synoviocytes or explants in culture.

Clinical significance

This study does not support the use of CLO as an anti‐inflammatory treatment. Further research is necessary to confirm any anti‐inflammatory effects of CLO on joint tissues.
Casing Treatment: Its Potential and Limitations
Authors: Yoon Sungho , Cargill Patricia
Published: October 2022

Casing treatment is an advanced design feature intended to improve the stability of a compressor. Various investigations have been conducted based on both experimental and numerical studies at least over the last 50 years. In general, it has been demonstrated that a careful design of a casing treatment can substantially improve the stall margin of a tip-limited compressor although this generally comes with an aerodynamic efficiency penalty. This review paper revisits important past studies on casing treatments to clarify findings on the sometimes-conflicting results and understand what lessons are generally applicable to a wider group of machines. Circumferential grooves over a rotor tip have been in use for some time. Much recent work has focused on axial slots over a rotor tip, because of the significant stall margin improvement and the better efficiency potential of this configuration. This paper includes both configurations, with more emphasis on the latter. The paper concludes that casing treatment offers powerful benefits to a compressor and deserves continuing research and development. Good benefits result from axial slots which start ahead of the rotor leading edge and cover the front part of the rotor tip and include skew (tangential lean in the direction of rotation). Contributing physical mechanisms include increasing the axial momentum of the casing flow casing and reducing the aerodynamic blockage to improve the casing boundary layer and the tip leakage flow. The role of impacting unsteadiness is yet to be further clarified. Areas of further research are recommended, both experimental and analytical, including further work to understand and control the loss mechanisms, studying and controlling stage interaction effects in multistage compressors, and the simultaneous design optimization of the rotor blade with the casing treatment. Multi-disciplinary issues such as manufacturing cost, weight, length, durability, aeromechanics effects, and tolerance to dust and ice also deserve further attention.
Development of a Constant Force Suspended Backpack for Variable Load and Variable Speed Locomotion
Authors: Ju Haotian , Gao Liang , Li Hongwu , Sui Dongbao , Zhang Qinghua , Zhu Yanhe , Zhao Jie
Published: October 2022

Studies have shown that the suspended backpack, a wearable device allowing the backpack moving relative to user’s back, can effectively reduce the accelerative vertical force of the backpack to reduce the metabolic cost of users. However, the existing suspended backpack cannot eliminate the accelerative vertical force due to the nonzero suspension stiffness. This paper proposes a constant force suspended backpack adaptable to the varying load to eliminate the accelerative vertical force on the load. To this end, a spring constant force balancing mechanism is designed to achieve near-zero-stiffness suspension. Moreover, a multi-pulley compensation mechanism is proposed for compensating the balance error caused by the pulley diameter to achieve constant force theoretically, and an adjustable mechanism is added to the suspended backpack to nearly achieve constant force balance under different loads. We conducted experiments to validate the efficiency of the constant force suspended backpack. The results demonstrate that the suspended backpack can effectively reduce the maximum net metabolic power of the human by 13.1%, the displacement of the load is reduced by 87.5%, and the peak average acceleration vertical force reduction rate is 88.5%.
Assessment of Convective Heat Transfer Characteristics for Elliptical-Shaped Pin-Roughened Surface for the Jet Impingement Cooling
Authors: Yalçınkaya Orhan , Durmaz Ufuk , Tepe Ahmet Ümit , Uysal Ünal , Özel Mehmet Berkant
Published: October 2022

In a jet impingement cooling (JIC) system, the layout of the target surface and length of the jet holes can change both the flow field and the heat transfer characteristics. Elliptical-shaped pins (ESPs) with different heights and layouts on the target surface of the extended jet hole configurations were examined numerically in a jet impingement system. The ESPs were arranged in a staggered and circular form. Normalized nozzle length (Gj/Dj = 1.0, 2.0, 6.0) and normalized pin height (Hp/Dj = 0, 0.167, 0.417, 0.667) were investigated as geometric parameters. Also, the effect of different pin layouts (R1, R2, R3) on heat transfer dissipation was studied by changing the number of pin rows in particular configurations. A numerical model was developed and verified with experimental and numerical data from the literature. Numerical analyses were conducted with the shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model taking the boundary conditions into account under turbulent flow conditions (16,250 ≤ Re ≤ 32,500). Nusselt (Nu) numbers, pressure drop, and the thermo-hydraulic performance of the physical model were quantitatively researched to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of enhanced heat transfer by the ESPs. Results were compared with the orifice surface (Hp/Dj = 0 and Gj/Dj = 6.0). Results showed that area-averaged Nu number on the target wall increased up to 35.82% for Re = 16,250 by R2_Gj/Dj = 1.0 and Hp/Dj = 0.167 compared to the conventional JIC system. The performance evaluation criterion (PEC) was used to analyze the thermo-hydraulic performance of the examined physical models. According to the PEC values, the most feasible parameters for all Re numbers were R3_Gj/Dj = 1.0 and Hp/Dj = 0.167. Furthermore, increasing the number of pin rows in the channel also increased the uniformity of the local heat transfer distribution according to Nu contours.
Stability of a Rotor Partially Filled With Fluid: Test Facility and Experimental Results
Authors: Kasprzyk Marie , Sentmanat John , Delgado Adolfo
Published: October 2022

Fluid trapped in a hollow, rotating component may lead to subsynchronous vibrations, resulting in high vibration amplitudes. This asynchronous response is observed around 0.55–0.92× after passing through the first critical frequency and affects large rotating equipment such as centrifuges, fluid-cooled gas turbines, and jet engines. A test rig is designed to evaluate this self-excited asynchronous vibration. The high-speed rig comprises of a flexibly-mounted rotor partially filled with fluid, with an overhung test chamber providing an unobstructed view of the liquid surface. A squeeze film damper provides external damping and allows operation through the asynchronous response when the test chamber contains a large amount of fluid. The results show the rotor response with different fluid depths and external damping values as the rotor-bearing system transverses the first critical speed (cylindrical mode). The experiments show that only a small amount of oil (∼20 mL) is required to induce asynchronous excitations, and increasing the fluid depth increases the amplitude of vibration. External damping slightly decreases the response, but it also expands the range of frequencies where asynchronous vibrations occur. At a given speed ratio, the vibrations reach a limit cycle, and subsequently, begin to drop as the rotor speed increases past the first critical speed.
Agreement of Step-Based Metrics From ActiGraph and ActivPAL Accelerometers Worn Concurrently Among Older Adults
Authors: Hyde Eric T. , Nguyen Steve , Tuz-Zahra Fatima , Moore Christopher C. , Greenwood-Hickman Mikael Anne , Walker Rod L. , Natarajan Loki , Rosenberg Dori , Bellettiere John
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Our study evaluated the agreement of mean daily step counts, peak 1-min cadence, and peak 30-min cadence between the hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer, using the normal filter (AGN) and the low frequency extension (AGLFE), and the thigh-worn activPAL3 micro (AP) accelerometer among older adults. Methods: Nine-hundred and fifty-three older adults (≥65 years) were recruited to wear the ActiGraph device concurrently with the AP for 4–7 days beginning in 2016. Using the AP as the reference measure, device agreement for each step-based metric was assessed using mean differences (AGN − AP and AGLFE − AP), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Pearson and concordance correlation coefficients. Results: For AGN − AP, the mean differences and MAPE were: daily steps −1,851 steps/day and 27.2%, peak 1-min cadence −16.2 steps/min and 16.3%, and peak 30-min cadence −17.7 steps/min and 24.0%. Pearson coefficients were .94, .85, and .91 and concordance coefficients were .81, .65, and .73, respectively. For AGLFE − AP, the mean differences and MAPE were: daily steps 4,968 steps/day and 72.7%, peak 1-min cadence −1.4 steps/min and 4.7%, and peak 30-min cadence 1.4 steps/min and 7.0%. Pearson coefficients were .91, .91, and .95 and concordance coefficients were .49, .91, and .94, respectively. Conclusions: Compared with estimates from the AP, the AGN underestimated daily step counts by approximately 1,800 steps/day, while the AGLFE overestimated by approximately 5,000 steps/day. However, peak step cadence estimates generated from the AGLFE and AP had high agreement (MAPE ≤ 7.0%). Additional convergent validation studies of step-based metrics from concurrently worn accelerometers are needed for improved understanding of between-device agreement.
Metabolic Mechanism and Physiological Role of Glycerol 3-Phosphate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Liu Yidong , Sun Wenxuan , Ma Liting , Xu Rong , Yang Chunyu , Xu Ping , Ma Cuiqing , Gao Chao
Published: October 2022

In view of the intrinsic resistance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to antibiotics and its potential to acquire resistance to current antibiotics, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic options for the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium. Bacterial metabolic pathways have recently become a focus of interest as potential targets for the development of new antibiotics.
Staphylococcal Corneocyte Adhesion: Assay Optimization and Roles of Aap and SasG Adhesins in the Establishment of Healthy Skin Colonization
Authors: Mills Krista B. , Roy Paroma , Kwiecinski Jakub M. , Fey Paul D. , Horswill Alexander R.
Published: October 2022

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and acts as a shield against hazards such as harmful bacteria like
Staphylococcus aureus
. A diverse skin microbiota and immune cross talk control
S. aureus
numbers.
S. aureus
can bind to healthy skin and subsequently proliferate when the skin barrier is compromised, such as in a wound or in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).
Flexor tendon laceration of the hand from opening a glass ampoule
Authors: Estrella Emmanuel Pantaleon , Gavino Sarah Olivia Javier
Published: October 2022

Sharps and needlestick injuries are serious work-related injuries to the hand in healthcare workers (HCWs). We present two cases of HCWs with hand injuries from opening a medicinal glass ampoule. The index finger (IF) was involved in both cases, with an associated flexor tendon injury, presenting as inability to flex the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Sensation was intact, and radiographs showed no foreign body.

The surgical repair of the flexor tendon injury was carried out using the Wide-awake Local Anaesthesia No Tourniquet technique. The quality of the repair was tested intraoperatively. Physiotherapy involved gradual progression of finger flexion from 30% to 50% to full range of motion. At 36 and 42 months follow-up, they regained the IF range of motion and returned to work.

Flexor tendon injuries from opening medicinal glass ampoules are rare but can be devastating, with a long rehabilitation process after surgical repair.
Geographically regulated designs of incidence surveys can match the precision of classical survey designs whilst requiring smaller sample sizes: the case of snakebite envenoming in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ediriweera Dileepa Senajith , de Silva Tiloka , Kasturiratne Anuradhani , de Silva Hithanadura Janaka , Diggle Peter
Published: October 2022

Background

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease. Data from the worst affected countries are limited because conducting epidemiological surveys is challenging. We assessed the utility of inhibitory geostatistical design with close pairs (ICP) to estimate snakebite envenoming incidence.

Methods

The National Snakebite Survey (NSS) in Sri Lanka adopted a multistage cluster sampling design, based on population distribution, targeting 1% of the country’s population. Using a simulation-based study, we assessed predictive efficiency of ICP against a classical survey design at different fractions of the original sample size of the NSS. We also assessed travel distance, time taken to complete the survey, and sensitivity and specificity for detecting high-risk areas for snake envenoming, when using these methods.

Results

A classical survey design with 33% of the original NSS sample size was able to yield a similar predictive efficiency. ICP yielded the same at 25% of the NSS sample size, a 25% reduction in sample size compared with a classical survey design. ICP showed >80% sensitivity and specificity for detecting high-risk areas of envenoming when the sampling fraction was >20%. When ICP was adopted with 25% of the original NSS sample size, travel distance was reduced by >40% and time to conduct the survey was reduced by >75%.

Conclusions

This study showed that snakebite envenoming incidence can be estimated by adopting an ICP design with similar precision at a lower sample size than a classical design. This would substantially save resources and time taken to conduct epidemiological surveys and may be suited for low-resource settings.
Contributors to negative biopsychosocial health or performance outcomes in rugby players (CoNBO): a systematic review and Delphi study protocol
Authors: McCormack Sam , Till Kevin , Wenlock Jessica , Whitehead Sarah , Stokes Keith A , Bitcon Mark , Brown James , Cross Matt , Davies Phil , Falvey Éanna C , Flahive Sharron , Gardner Andrew , Hendricks Sharief , Johnston Rich , Mellalieu Stephen D , Parmley James , Phillips Gemma , Ramirez Carlos , Stein Joshua , Scantlebury Sean , West Stephen W , Jones Ben
Published: October 2022

The importance of contributors that can result in negative player outcomes in sport and the feasibility and barriers to modifying these to optimise player health and well-being have yet to be established. Within rugby codes (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens), within male and female cohorts across playing levels (full-time senior, part-time senior, age grade), this project aims to develop a consensus oncontributors tonegativebiopsychosocialoutcomes in rugby players (known as the CoNBO study) and establish stakeholder perceived importance of the identified contributors and barriers to their management. This project will consist of three parts; part 1: a systematic review, part 2: a three-round expert Delphi study and part 3: stakeholder rating of feasibility and barriers to management. Within part 1, systematic searches of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL) will be performed. The systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO. Studies will be searched to identify physical, psychological and/or social factors resulting in negative player outcomes in rugby. Part 2 will consist of a three-round expert Delphi consensus study to establish additional physical, psychological and/or social factors that result in negative player outcomes in rugby and their importance. In part 3, stakeholders (eg, coaches, chief executive officers and players) will provide perceptions of the feasibility and barriers to modifying the identified factors within their setting. On completion, several manuscripts will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The findings of this project have worldwide relevance for stakeholders in the rugby codes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022346751.
Effects of adding graded levels ofAchyranthes japonicaroot extract to low crude protein diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and meat quality parameters in broilers
Authors: Hossain Md Mortuza , Cho Sung Bo , Kim In Ho
Published: October 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Achyranthes japonica root extract (AJE) added to a low-protein diet on broiler growth performance, nutrient utilization, cecal microbiota, and meat quality parameters. A total of 450 Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were standard crude protein (SCP) diet, low crude protein (LCP) diet, and LCP diet supplemented with 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06% AJE. Here, the SCP and LCP diets were 21.50% and 21.07% CP during days 8–21 and 20.00% and 19.40% CP during days 22–35, respectively. The LCP diet tended to decrease total body weight gain (TBWG) compared with the SCP diet. Increasing levels of AJE inclusion linearly increased ( P < 0.05) TBWG and the LCP diet supplemented with AJE also increased ( P < 0.05) TBWG compared with the LCP diet, whereas feed intake and feed conversion ratio were unaffected. AJE supplementation to the LCP diet tended to increase energy digestibility compared with the LCP diet. Breast muscle weight tended to increase by a graded level of AJE supplementation. In conclusion, AJE supplementation represented a potential ability to maintain a similar growth performance when added to a low-protein diet by enhancing nitrogen digestibility and meat quality in broilers.
Geodesic congruences in modified Schwarzschild black holes
Authors: Wang Zi-Liang
Published: October 2022

We investigate two different kinds of modified Schwarzschild black holes: A regularized Schwarzschild black hole and a quantum deformed Schwarzschild black hole. We study the geodesics and geodesic congruences in these two modified Schwarzschild black holes. In particular, we calculate the expansion of radial timelike and null geodesic congruences. Based on these results, we discuss some similarities and differences between these two kinds of modified Schwarzschild black holes.
Innovation in the Teaching Mathematics: Rethinking the Foundational Principles that Underpin Teaching
Authors: Liljedahl Peter
Published: October 2022

If we want to innovate mathematics education — if we want to achieve something beyond conformity and compliance in mathematics education — these institutional norms need to be challenged. In this paper, I look at the results-first research methodology in which the institutional norms are challenged by the simple goal of increasing student thinking in the classroom. I share the specific results that emerged out of this research and use it as a specific case to argue that real innovation in mathematics education can only occur if we are willing to challenge the institutional norms that have been with us for 150 years.