bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SparkMaster 2: A New Software for Automatic Analysis of Calcium Spark Data
Authors: Tomek Jakub , Nieves-Cintron Madeline , Navedo Manuel F. , Ko Christopher Y. , Bers Donald M.
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:

Calcium (Ca) sparks are elementary units of subcellular Ca release in cardiomyocytes and other cells. Accordingly, Ca spark imaging is an essential tool for understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of Ca handling and is used to identify new drugs targeting Ca-related cellular dysfunction (eg, cardiac arrhythmias). The large volumes of imaging data produced during such experiments require accurate and high-throughput analysis.

METHODS:

We developed a new software tool SparkMaster 2 (SM2) for the analysis of Ca sparks imaged by confocal line-scan microscopy, combining high accuracy, flexibility, and user-friendliness. SM2 is distributed as a stand-alone application requiring no installation. It can be controlled using a simple-to-use graphical user interface, or using Python scripting.

RESULTS:

SM2 is shown to have the following strengths: (1) high accuracy at identifying Ca release events, clearly outperforming previous highly successful software SparkMaster; (2) multiple types of Ca release events can be identified using SM2: Ca sparks, waves, miniwaves, and long sparks; (3) SM2 can accurately split and analyze individual sparks within spark clusters, a capability not handled adequately by prior tools. We demonstrate the practical utility of SM2 in two case studies, investigating how Ca levels affect spontaneous Ca release, and how large-scale release events may promote release refractoriness. SM2 is also useful in atrial and smooth muscle myocytes, across different imaging conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:

SparkMaster 2 is a new, much-improved user-friendly software for accurate high-throughput analysis of line-scan Ca spark imaging data. It is free, easy to use, and provides valuable built-in features to facilitate visualization, analysis, and interpretation of Ca spark data. It should enhance the quality and throughput of Ca spark and wave analysis across cell types, particularly in the study of arrhythmogenic Ca release events in cardiomyocytes.
Prehospital Triage of Intracranial Hemorrhage and Anterior Large‐Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Stroke: Value of the Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation
Authors: Dekker Luuk , Geraedts Victor J. , Hubert Jeroen , Duijndam Dion , Durieux Marcel D.J. , Janssens Loes , Moojen Wouter A. , van Zwet Erik W. , Wermer Marieke J.H. , Kruyt Nyika D. , Wijngaard Ido R. van den
Published: August 2023

Background

The Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE) score can identify patients with anterior circulation large‐vessel occlusion (aLVO) ischemic stroke for transportation to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular thrombectomy. However, patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) may also benefit from direct transportation to a comprehensive stroke center for neurosurgical treatment. We aimed to assess if the RACE score can distinguish patients with ICH in addition to aLVO stroke from other patients with suspected stroke.

Methods

We analyzed data from the LPSS (Leiden Prehospital Stroke Study), a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study in 2 Dutch ambulance regions. Ambulance paramedics documented prehospital observations in all patients aged ≥18 years with suspected stroke. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of a positive RACE score (≥5 points) for a diagnosis of ICH or aLVO stroke, compared with patients with non‐aLVO stroke, transient ischemic attack, or stroke mimic. In addition, we performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated adjusted odds ratios (ORs).

Results

We included 2004 patients with a stroke code, of whom 149 had an ICH, 153 had an aLVO stroke, 687 had a non‐aLVO stroke, 262 had a transient ischemic attack, and 753 had a stroke mimic. Patients with ICH and aLVO stroke more often had a positive RACE score than other patients with suspected stroke (46.2% and 58.0%, respectively, versus 6.4%;
P
<0.01). A positive RACE score had a sensitivity of 52.7%, a specificity of 93.6%, a positive predictive value of 55.4%, and a negative predictive value of 92.9% for a diagnosis of ICH or aLVO stroke. In multivariable analysis, a positive RACE score had the strongest association with ICH or aLVO stroke (adjusted OR, 10.11 [95% CI, 6.84–14.93]).

Conclusions

Our study shows that the RACE score can also identify patients with ICH in addition to aLVO stroke. This emphasizes the potential of the RACE score for improving prehospital triage and allocation of patients with stroke.
Collective Resilience: Deterring China's Weaponization of
Economic Interdependence
Authors: Cha Victor D.
Published: August 2023

Since the 2010s, China has used economic coercion against Western and Asian states to achieve territorial and political goals. China's leveraging of its market is a form of “predatory liberalism” that weaponizes the networks of interdependence created by globalization. The United States and other like-minded partners have mostly used piecemeal “de-risking” measures such as decoupling, supply chain resilience, reshoring, and trade diversion to reduce dependence on China and thereby minimize vulnerability to its economic coercion. But these practices do not stop the Chinese government's economic bullying. “Collective resilience” is a peer competition strategy designed to deter the Xi Jinping regime's economic predation. What informs this strategy is the understanding that interdependence, even asymmetric interdependence, is a two-way street. Original trade data show that the previous and current targets of economic coercion by the Xi Jinping regime export over $46.6 billion worth of goods to China on which it is more than 70 percent dependent as a proportion of its total imports of those goods. These target states could band together in a collective resilience alliance and practice economic deterrence by promising to retaliate against China's high-dependence trade should Beijing act against any one of the alliance members.
Le culte de la déesse dardanienne, dea Dard(…), au cœur de la diplomatie divine de l’armée romaine
Authors: Hajdari Arben , Goddard Christophe J.
Published: August 2023

Tributes to the enigmatic dea Dard(…) show a typically Roman political and religious intention to show respect for a local deity, within the framework of the control of isolated but strategic areas in the heart of the Illyrian region and the province of Moesia Superior. These acts of piety reflect the desire on the part of the Roman authorities to carry out diplomatic action with the local population, particularly in the vicinity of the stationes, often away from the legions and officia of which they were a detachment. In any case, these dedications cannot be considered irrefutable proof of the resistance of a Dardanian identity to the Roman order. They do, of course, suggest that the cult of these local and enigmatic deities had survived in the heart of the province of Moesia Superior. The paradox lies in the fact that we know more about the existence of these local deities thanks to the tributes of Roman soldiers, even if their names remain unknown.
Inclusive Cultural and Religious Pluralism as an Indispensable Worldview for Peace in Africa
Authors: Iwuchukwu† Marinus Chijioke
Published: August 2023

Historically Africa has accommodated multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious peoples. Hospitality is imbedded in the DNA of Africa especially in the sub-Saharan parts of the continent. Sadly armed conflicts and violence are becoming quintessential to the African nomenclature. As a result, suffering, poverty, refugees, and emigration are also becoming endemic to the continent. This article seeks to highlight the benefits of inclusive pluralism as the philosophic/theological worldview that would assist toward the healing of the conflicts and violence attendant to cultural and religious diversity in different parts of Africa. It will explore scriptural evidences of inclusive religious pluralism in Christianity and Islam as well as in African Traditional Religions beliefs and practices. It will call for a new orientation for Africans in dialogue on the mindset of inclusive pluralism to accommodate the plurality of religions and cultures that richly color the different parts of Africa.
The Social and Cultural Impact of Post-War Measures on the Zimunya and Bvumba Communities, Colonial Zimbabwe, 1940s–1970s
Authors: Ruguwa Mathew
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the social and cultural effects of post-war measures on Zimunya and Bvumba communities of colonial Zimbabwe (then known as Southern Rhodesia). Guided by a combination of primary and secondary sources, the article argues that dispossession and forced relocations of Africans who had continued staying on the so-called European land after the passing of the Land Apportionment Act (LAA) of 1930 became acute in the immediate years after the Second World War. The granting of vast tracts of land in the Zimunya community to veterans of World War II by the colonial government under the Ex-Servicemen Land Resettlement Scheme and the purchasing of land for a timber estate in Bvumba by the Rhodesian Wattle Company (RWC) in the immediate post-Second World War period dispossessed rural residents of their land and curtailed the growth and development of peasant agriculture. People affected were forcibly displaced to “native” reserves where they responded to challenges they faced by resorting to various coping mechanisms such as hunting, foraging, and, attending to riverine gardens.
Is There a Role for Domestic Law in the Interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights?
Authors: Corcione Elena
Published: August 2023

In the context of the European Convention on Human Rights, the doctrine of autonomous concepts seems to perfectly embody the dogma of the limited relevance of domestic law before international courts, since it postulates that classifications and qualifications in national laws have a relative value and may only constitute a starting point for the Court’s interpretation. Traditionally, domestic law is merely considered as part of the State conduct subject to the Court’s judicial review vis-à-vis conventional obligations. However, the purported independence of autonomous concepts from domestic law is far from absolute in practice, since the process of interpretation of autonomous concepts may contemplate consensus arguments, possibly leading to support or disincentivize autonomous interpretation. The article explores the weaknesses and strengths of this possible approach, which ultimately serves the purpose of avoiding the adoption of autonomous concepts completely detached from national legal systems and preventing criticism of illegitimate judicial law-making.
Eliminating slurs from the scientific names of algae, fungi, and plants will cause minimal nomenclatural change
Authors: SMITH GIDEON F. , FIGUEIREDO ESTRELA
Published: August 2023

It was recently stated in Megataxa that: “Of course, we have a duty to eliminate obviously hurtful and discriminatory words from the scientific lexicon” (Pethiyagoda (2023: 24). However, contrasting with this statement, Pethiyagoda (2023) broadly supports retention of the status quo regarding the present-day names and epithets in use in the biological sciences, and the terminology used in other sciences. With reference to a proposal to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Turland et al. 2018), adoption of which would eliminate epithets with the root ca[f]f[e]r- from the scientific nomenclature in use for algae, fungi, and plants (Smith & Figueiredo 2021), Pethiyagoda (2023: 21) further stated that: “They [Hammer & Thiele (2021)] cite, for example, a proposal by Smith & Figueiredo (2021)”. This statement is not correct. Both Hammer & Thiele (2021) and Smith & Figueiredo (2021) were published on “15 December 2021”, and Hammer & Thiele (2021) could not have cited Smith & Figueiredo (2021). To prevent any misconceptions that might result from Pethiyagoda’s statement, we here note that Hammer & Thiele (2021) and Smith & Figueiredo (2021) were not aware of each other’s work until it was published.
A new genus and two new species of Platyarthridae Verhoeff, 1949 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) from Brazil
Authors: BEZERRA-PEREIRA CARLOS ANDERSON SOARES , GRANGEIRO DANIELA CORREIA , LIMA LUCAS RAMOS COSTA
Published: August 2023

A new genus and two new species of the family Platyarthridae are described from the Brazilian state of Piauí, Paratrichorhina piauiensis n. gen. et n. sp. and P. taitii n. gen. et n. sp. Similarities and differences with the other genera of the family are discussed, and a key to the family is provided.
Drivers of Snowfall Accumulation in the Central Idaho Mountains Using Long-Term High-Resolution WRF Simulations
Authors: Warms Mikell , Friedrich Katja , Xue Lulin , Tessendorf Sarah , Ikeda Kyoko
Published: August 2023

The western United States region, an economic and agricultural powerhouse, is highly dependent on winter snowpack from the mountain west. Coupled with increasing water and renewable electricity demands, the predictability and viability of snowpack resources in a changing climate are becoming increasingly important. In Idaho, specifically, up to 75% of the state’s electricity production comes from hydropower, which is dependent on the timing and volume of spring snowmelt. While we know that 1 April snowpack is declining from SNOTEL observations and is expected to continue to decline as indicated by GCM predictions, our ability to understand the variability of snowfall accumulation and distribution at the regional level is less robust. In this paper, we analyze snowfall events using 0.9-km-resolution WRF simulations to understand the variability of snowfall accumulation and distribution in the mountains of Idaho between 1 October 2016 and 31 April 2017. Various characteristics of snowfall events throughout the season are evaluated, including the spatial coverage, event durations, and snowfall rates, along with the relationship between cloud microphysical variables—particularly liquid and ice water content—on snowfall amounts. Our findings suggest that efficient snowfall conditions—for example, higher levels of elevated supercooled liquid water—can exist throughout the winter season but are more impactful when surface temperatures are near or below freezing. Inefficient snowfall events are common, exceeding 50% of the total snowfall events for the year, with some of those occurring in peak winter. For such events, glaciogenic cloud seeding could make a significant impact on snowpack development and viability in the region.

Significance Statement

The purpose and significance of this study is to better understand the variability of snowfall event accumulation and distribution in the Payette Mountains region of Idaho as it relates to the local topography, the drivers of snowfall events, the cloud microphysical properties, and what constitutes an efficient or inefficient snowfall event (i.e., its ability to convert atmospheric liquid water into snowfall). As part of this process, we identify how many snowfall events in a season are inefficient to determine the number of snowfall events in a season that are candidates for enhancement by glaciogenic cloud seeding.
High-Resolution Rainfall Maps from Commercial Microwave Links for a Data-Scarce Region in West Africa
Authors: Djibo Moumouni , Chwala Christian , Graf Maximilian , Polz Julius , Kunstmann Harald , Zougmoré François
Published: August 2023

We present high-resolution rainfall maps from commercial microwave link (CML) data in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Rainfall was quantified based on data from 100 CMLs along unique paths and interpolated to achieve rainfall maps with a 5-min temporal and 0.55-km spatial resolution for the monsoon season of 2020. Established processing methods were combined with newly developed filtering methods, minimizing the loss of data availability. The rainfall maps were analyzed qualitatively both at a 5-min and aggregated daily scales. We observed high spatiotemporal variability on the 5-min scale that cannot be captured with any existing measurement infrastructure in West Africa. For the quantitative evaluation, only one rain gauge with a daily resolution was available. Comparing the gauge data with the corresponding CML rainfall map pixel showed a high agreement, with a Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.95 and an underestimation of the CML rainfall maps of ∼10%. Because the CMLs closest to the gauge have the largest influence on the map pixel at the gauge location, we thinned out the CML network around the rain gauge synthetically in several steps and repeated the interpolation. The performance of these rainfall maps dropped only when a radius of 5 km was reached and approximately one-half of all CMLs were removed. We further compared ERA5 and GPM IMERG data with the rain gauge and found that they had much lower correlation than data from the CML rainfall maps. This clearly highlights the large benefit that CML data can provide in the data-scarce but densely populated African cities.

Significance Statement

In this study, we investigate the possibility of deriving accurate high-resolution rainfall maps from commercial microwave link (CML) data in West Africa. The main challenges are the lack of reference data in this area and the adoption of existing processing tools without reference data. We show CML rainfall maps for Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with a resolution of 5 min and 0.55 km, which is unprecedented in this region. The comparison with the only available rain gauge, which provides data only at a daily resolution, yields a Pearson correlation of >0.95. An analysis of synthetically thinned-out networks shows that this accuracy is valid for the whole domain. Comparing reanalysis and satellite data with the rain gauge and CML data showed a poor performance of these gridded reference datasets. Also, a high coincidence of temporal dynamics between CML rainfall maps and satellite products was observed. Overall, these findings support the potential of CMLs for future hydrometeorological applications in West Africa.
The Prevalence and Association of Biofilms With Otitis Media With Effusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Elzayat Saad , El-Deeb Mohamed E. , El-Shirbeny Hussein A. , El-Shirbiny Hassan , Abdel-Maboud Mohamed , Nasr Khaled
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

We aimed to identify the role of bacterial biofilms in the chronicity of otitis media with effusion and its resistance to antibiotics. We illustrated this role by reviewing, analyzing, and correlating the findings with the results of the included studies to reach clear evidence.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and GHL databases) was performed for all studies using the following strategy till April 2021 with the search terms: Biofilm and Middle ear effusion. We found 935 references, 421 were duplicates, and 514 were needed for further screening, and it was as follows: PubMed 215, Scopus 18, Cochrane 130, Web of Science 136, and GHL 15.

Results:

The pooled prevalence of culture-positive effusions was estimated to be 40% (95% CI [28%, 53%]) of the total OME population. Overall, the prevalence of PCR-positive effusions was estimated to be 97% (95% CI [95%, 99%]) of the total OME population. The pooled prevalence of EM-positive effusions was estimated to be 82% (95% CI [69%, 95%]) of the total OME population.

Conclusion:

The data presented in this study coincide with the significant role of bacterial biofilms in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media with effusion. The involvement of bacterial biofilm as a component of the OME pathogenic process can help us to explain why antimicrobial therapy is not always effective in the eradication of the disease process and, also explain the recurrence of middle ear effusion after treatment with tympanostomy tubes either with or without adenoidectomy.
“What Services?”: Stakeholders’ Perceived Unmet Support Needs for Parents With Neurological Disorders
Authors: Pituch Evelina , Ben Lagha Rym , Aunos Marjorie , Cormier Tiffanie , Carrier Annie , Gagnon Cynthia , Gilbert Véronique , Dominique Aysha , Duquette Antoine , Turcotte Marie , Wakil Rose-Marie , Bottari Carolina
Published: August 2023

Background. Knowledge about the needs of parents with neurological disorders who take care of young children is limited. Purpose. The overall aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived unmet parent needs, current supports, and potential solutions to optimize supports of parents with neurological disorders in early childhood in a Canadian setting. Method. Focus groups and individual interviews with parents ( n  =  8), spouses ( n  =  5), rehabilitation clinicians ( n  =  8), community partners ( n  =  7), and researchers ( n  =  7) were conducted with a total of 35 participants recruited using convenience sampling. Inductive iterative thematic analysis was performed. Findings. The participants identified the need for society to officially recognize parenting with disabilities, adjust public policies, increase the scope of public programs, consider child development and family well-being, and have barrier-free communities. Conclusion. Providing customized solutions that will adequately fill perceived service gaps is of utmost importance to address these families’ needs.
Head Injuries Among Children Treated in US Emergency Departments, 2015-2019
Authors: McAdams Rebecca J. , Acevedo-Fontánez Adrianna I. , Arcury-Quandt Alice E. , Heberger John R.
Published: August 2023

This study evaluates the epidemiology of nonfatal head injuries among children aged 1 to 4 years associated with consumer products and identifies the specific consumer products associated with these injuries. Data for children aged 1 to 4 years who presented to emergency departments (EDs) from 2015 to 2019 for a nonfatal head injury were extracted from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. An estimated 1 032 429 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 675 822-1 389 063) children presented to US EDs for head injuries, averaging 566 injuries daily. The average rate of head injury did not change over the 5-year study period (slope = −0.003; P = .852); it was highest among children aged 1 year (2.06 per 100 children aged 1 year), which was nearly 3 times that of children aged 4 years (rate ratio = 2.75; 95% CI: 2.73-2.77). Most injuries occurred at home (80.4%) and occurred from interacting with home furnishings (45.1%). This study underscores the need for increased head injury mitigation efforts among young children.
Developing Bioactive Dental Resins for Restorative Dentistry
Authors: Melo M.A.S. , Garcia I.M. , Mokeem L. , Weir M.D. , Xu H.H.K. , Montoya C. , Orrego S.
Published: August 2023

Despite its reputation as the most widely used restorative dental material currently, resin-based materials have acknowledged shortcomings. As most systematic survival studies of resin composites and dental adhesives indicate, secondary caries is the foremost reason for resin-based restoration failure and life span reduction. In subjects with high caries risk, the microbial community dominated by acidogenic and acid-tolerant bacteria triggers acid-induced deterioration of the bonding interface and/or bulk material and mineral loss around the restorations. In addition, resin-based materials undergo biodegradation in the oral cavity. As a result, the past decades have seen exponential growth in developing restorative dental materials for antimicrobial applications addressing secondary caries prevention and progression. Currently, the main challenge of bioactive resin development is the identification of efficient and safe anticaries agents that are detrimental free to final material properties and show satisfactory long-term performance and favorable clinical translation. This review centers on the continuous efforts to formulate novel bioactive resins employing 1 or multiple agents to enhance the antibiofilm efficacy or achieve multiple functionalities, such as remineralization and antimicrobial activity antidegradation. We present a comprehensive synthesis of the constraints and challenges encountered in the formulation process, the clinical performance-related prerequisites, the materials’ intended applicability, and the current advancements in clinical implementation. Moreover, we identify crucial vulnerabilities that arise during the development of dental materials, including particle aggregation, alterations in color, susceptibility to hydrolysis, and loss of physicomechanical core properties of the targeted materials.
Identifying User Needs and Current Challenges of External Interface Design for AV-VRU Communications: Insights from an Expert Survey Data Analysis
Authors: Ammar Dania , Wu Yi , Guo Huizhong , Misra Aditi , Jia Bochen , Bao Shan
Published: August 2023

The recent deployment of highly automated vehicles (AVs) in various cities highlights the potential improvement of transportation safety but also reveals the need for improved interaction between AVs and other road users, particularly vulnerable road users (VRUs). The reduction of driver involvement in this AV-VRU interaction results in the absence of human-to-human communication cues and thus calls for new system designs. Researchers have proposed designing external human–machine interfaces (e-HMIs) to replace these communication cues and improve the AV-VRU interaction. However, designing e-HMIs is complex and requires consideration of various factors, such as stakeholder responsibilities, context of use, user needs, implementation, design principles, and usability testing. This paper examines potential e-HMI design solutions from the perspective of experts to determine user needs and identify challenges. An online survey was conducted with 47 experts in the AV and VRU field to gather their opinions on anticipated issues in AV-VRU interaction, preferred e-HMI design options, and related concerns. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data revealed that experts view “Awareness” and “Intent” as the most important information to be communicated through visual e-HMIs placed on AVs. Open-ended questions also showed that there were fewer experts concerned about “Awareness” and “Intent” compared with other information types, and more experts concerned about auditory cues compared with visual cues and about VRU wearable or handheld devices installation locations compared with other locations. These findings provide insights into the efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, and challenges in developing e-HMIs for improved and safer communication between AVs and VRUs.
Prediction of the mechanical properties of heat-treated fused filament fabrication thermoplastics using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system
Authors: Pazhamannil Ribin Varghese , Hadidi Haitham Mohammed , Edacherian Abhilash , Puthumana Govindan
Published: August 2023

The requirement for post-processing methods in 3D printing has increased due to its major limitations such as poor mechanical and surface properties. Thermal annealing, a heat-treatment procedure, has proven to be an excellent approach for increasing the mechanical strength of additive manufactured thermoplastics. The optimized thermal annealing parameters for maximum tensile strength are identified. The Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) methodology is employed in this study to forecast the tensile strength of thermal annealed fused filament fabricated polylactic acid (PLA), carbon fiber filled polylactic acid (PLA-CF), and polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS). The root mean square error (RMSE) of the predicted tensile strength of PLA, PLA-CF, and PC-ABS are obtained as 1.012, 0.5, and 0.835 respectively. The coefficient of determination for the predicted model of thermoplastics PLA, PLA-CF, and PC-ABS is determined as 0.98, 0.99, and 0.89 respectively. The ANFIS model developed is successful in determining the tensile strength of annealed 3D printed thermoplastics at various annealing conditions of temperature and duration. Further, the study investigates the effect of heat treatment on the compressive, impact, and flexural properties of PLA prints.
Student Experiences of Online Problem-Based Learning in an Interdisciplinary Dietetic and Engineering Environment
Authors: Johnson Michael , Griffin Anne
Published: August 2023

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted access to in-person facilities and traditional experiential learning activities meant that new, online solutions were needed to facilitate student learning/development across the disciplines of Allied Health and Engineering. Purpose: This article describes research conducted as part of an interdisciplinary Dietetic/Electronic Engineering project to evaluate student experiences of online problem-based learning (PBL) activities in addressing this necessity. Methodology/Approach: The authors implemented a specific, health technology-based assignment using an online PBL approach to evaluate and develop the effectiveness of this approach for students’ experiential learning. Surveys and observations were used to evaluate the project effectiveness. Findings/Conclusions: Participating students reported on their experiences of working in interdisciplinary teams, focusing on aspects such as knowledge gained, collaboration, perspective, facilitation and experiential learning. Students identified enhanced learning and research skills as some key benefits. Drawbacks identified included difficulties associated with the online environment, such as synchronisation and remoteness. Implications: The use of interdisciplinary assignments highlights the many advantages/benefits which experiential pedagogies have in supporting students to integrate and apply their knowledge to a real-world problem space. The ability to connect student engagement and motivation to the development of critical thinking skills appears to enhance problem-solving in the student work.
Enhancing involvement of people with multiple sclerosis in clinical trial design
Authors: Gray Emma , Amjad Anneesa , Robertson Jenny , Beveridge Judy , Scott Susan , Peryer Guy , Braisher Marie , Pugh Cheryl , Peres Sara , Marrie Ruth Ann , Sormani Maria Pia , Chataway Jeremy
Published: August 2023

Background:

Although often overlooked, patient and public involvement (PPI) is vital when considering the design and delivery of complex and adaptive clinical trial designs for chronic health conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

We conducted a rapid review to assess current status of PPI in the design and conduct of clinical trials in MS over the last 5 years. We provide a case study describing PPI in the development of a platform clinical trial in progressive MS.

Results:

We identified only eight unique clinical trials that described PPI as part of articles or protocols; nearly, all were linked with funders who encourage or mandate PPI in health research. The OCTOPUS trial was co-designed with people affected by MS. They were central to every aspect from forming part of a governance group shaping the direction and strategy, to the working groups for treatment selection, trial design and delivery. They led the PPI strategy which enabled a more accessible, acceptable and inclusive design.

Conclusion:

Active, meaningful PPI in clinical trial design increases the quality and relevance of studies and the likelihood of impact for the patient community. We offer recommendations for enhancing PPI in future MS clinical trials.
Assessment of a new UV-C light-emitting diode–based technology for air sanitization in indoor sports environments
Authors: Palma Francesco , Baldelli Giulia , Amagliani Giulia , Aliano Mattia Paolo , Magnani Mauro , Brandi Giorgio , Schiavano Giuditta Fiorella
Published: August 2023

The beneficial effects that physical activity gives to our bodies are well known, but they could be compromised by reduced indoor air quality (IAQ) in confined sports environments. Within the latter, indoor air often may host high levels of biological pollutants (bacteria, viruses and moulds). The use of UV-C light-emitting diode (UV-C LED) technology can significantly reduce the airborne microbial load, giving many advantages both on a hygienic and ecological level thanks to their reduced environmental impact. In this study, a new eco-friendly technology, named ‘CSA System technology’ (international patent: US20220268458A1), was integrated into an innovative continuous sanitation air (CSA) device. A prototype called CSA System S14000 was installed in a university sport pressostatic structure, and its sanitation efficacy and efficiency were assessed. The prototype demonstrated high efficacy in eliminating airborne microorganisms, both in efficacy tests (inactivation rate around 99.92 ± 0.07%, log reduction of 3.22 ± 0.39) and in on-site environmental tests (inactivation rate around 70.7 ± 3.6% and 72.4 ± 3.3% for airborne bacteria and moulds, respectively). Based on the results, the installation of the tested device in indoor sports environments appears to be a promising solution to guarantee efficient and healthy sanitation for athletes during sporting activity.
Climate Anxiety: A Research Agenda Inspired by Emotion Research
Authors: van Valkengoed Anne M. , Steg Linda , de Jonge Peter
Published: August 2023

Climate anxiety refers to persistent, difficult-to-control apprehensiveness and worry about climate change. Research to better understand the prevalence, indicators, causes, and consequences of climate anxiety is needed, to which emotion researchers can make substantial contributions. First, emotion theory can inform an integrative and functional theory of climate anxiety, mapping interactions between its cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and physiological indicators. Second, appraisal theories can help to understand the reasons why people experience climate anxiety. Third, emotion researchers can contribute to theorizing when climate anxiety motivates climate action, accounting for non-linearity, interactions with other emotions and cognitions, and temporal dynamics. Fourth, emotion researchers can contribute to developing strategies to cope with climate anxiety, for example, by building on emotion regulation theory.
Does Running Increase the Risk of Hip and Knee Arthritis? A Survey of 3804 Marathon Runners
Authors: Hartwell Matthew J. , Tanenbaum Joseph E. , Chiampas George , Terry Michael A. , Tjong Vehniah K.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Long-distance running is a popular form of cardiovascular exercise with many well-described health benefits, from improving heart health to the management of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. The impact of long-distance running on joint health in recreational runners, however, remains inconclusive.

Hypothesis:

The prevalence of osteoarthritis in runners is not associated with an athlete’s running-related history, including the number of marathons completed, cumulative years of running, average weekly mileage, and average running pace.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A survey was distributed to all participants registered for the 2019 or 2021 Chicago marathon (n = 37,917). Surveys collected runner demographics and assessed for hip/knee pain, osteoarthritis, family history, surgical history, and running-related history. Running history included the number of marathons run, number of years running, average running pace, and average weekly mileage. The overall prevalence of osteoarthritis was identified, and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with the presence of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.

Results:

Surveys were completed by 3804 participants (response rate of 10.0%). The mean age was 43.9 years (range, 18-83 years) and participants had completed on average 9.5 marathons (median, 5 marathons; range, 1-664 marathons). The prevalence of hip and/or knee arthritis was 7.3%. A history of hip/knee injuries or surgery, advancing age, family history, and body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for arthritis. Cumulative number of years running, number of marathons completed, weekly mileage, and mean running pace were not significant predictors for arthritis. The majority (94.2%) of runners planned to run another marathon, despite 24.2% of all participants being told by a physician to do otherwise.

Conclusion:

From this largest surveyed group of marathon runners, the most significant risk factors for developing hip or knee arthritis were age, BMI, previous injury or surgery, and family history. There was no identified association between cumulative running history and the risk for arthritis.
Fit for Purpose? The Suitability of Oral Health Outcome Measures to Inform Policy
Authors: Nguyen T.M. , Rogers H. , Taylor G.D. , Tonmukayakul U. , Lin C. , Hall M. , Calache H. , Vernazza C.
Published: August 2023

Measuring outcomes for oral health is frequently undertaken using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. DMFT measures dental caries experience. As a condition-specific outcome, it is not relatable to consumers, nor does it capture the impact of dental caries on quality of life or outcomes that matter most to consumers. Efficient resource allocation should include patient values. It is crucial to use measurement instruments that record consumer values or preferences for oral health and oral diseases. These measures are often called patient-reported outcome measures and/or patient-reported experience measures. Outcome measures relevant to patients are recommended to influence and inform policy decision-making for oral health.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Oral health research and program evaluation should consider alternative outcome measures for population oral health other than the DMFT index.
High-intensity versus moderate-intensity statin treatment for patients with ischemic stroke: Nationwide cohort study
Authors: Bach Frederikke , Skajaa Nils , Esen Buket Öztürk , Fuglsang Cecilia Hvitfeldt , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Adelborg Kasper
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

Guidelines recommend high-intensity statin treatment after ischemic stroke, but evidence is sparse on the effectiveness and safety of different statin treatment intensities. We examined effectiveness and safety outcomes among patients initiating high-intensity versus moderate-intensity statins after ischemic stroke.

Methods:

In this population-based new-user active-comparator cohort study, we used the Danish Stroke Registry, covering all Danish hospitals, to identify patients with a first-time ischemic stroke during 2012–2021. Using multiple Danish registries, patients who redeemed a statin prescription within 21 days after stroke admission were classified as high-intensity statin initiators or moderate-intensity statin initiators. Propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance patient characteristics. We used competing risk methods to compute 5 year risk differences (RDs) and Cox proportional hazards regression to compute 5 year hazard ratios (HRs) of stroke recurrence, myocardial infarction, heart failure, venous thromboembolism, and all-cause mortality (effectiveness outcomes) and diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease (safety outcomes).

Results:

High-intensity ( n = 13,032) and moderate-intensity ( n = 14,355) statin initiators were identified. Risks of most examined effectiveness outcomes were comparable between statin intensities. There was no clear association between statin intensity and stroke recurrence (RD: 0.8% [95% CI: 0.1, 1.4], HR: 1.08 [95% CI: 0.96, 1.22]). All-cause mortality was slightly reduced among high-intensity statin initiators (RD: −1.1% [95% CI: −0.1, −2.1], HR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.85, 1.01]. Risks of most safety outcomes were comparable between statin intensities, but high-intensity statin use was associated with an increased risk of diabetes (RD: 1.2% [95% CI: 0.4, 1.9], HR: 1.10 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.21]).

Discussion and conclusion:

Compared with initiation of moderate-intensity statins, initiation of high-intensity statins after ischemic stroke was associated with similar risks of most effectiveness and safety outcomes. However, mortality risk was reduced, and diabetes risk was increased.
Fixed-intensity exercise tests to measure exertional dyspnoea in chronic heart and lung populations: a systematic review
Authors: Palmer Tanya , Obst Steven J. , Aitken Craig R. , Walsh James , Sabapathy Surendran , Adams Lewis , Morris Norman R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Exertional dyspnoea is the primary diagnostic symptom for chronic cardiopulmonary disease populations. Whilst a number of exercise tests are used, there remains no gold standard clinical measure of exertional dyspnoea. The aim of this review was to comprehensively describe and evaluate all types of fixed-intensity exercise tests used to assess exertional dyspnoea in chronic cardiopulmonary populations and, where possible, report the reliability and responsiveness of the tests.

Methods

A systematic search of five electronic databases identified papers that examined 1) fixed-intensity exercise tests and measured exertional dyspnoea, 2) chronic cardiopulmonary populations, 3) exertional dyspnoea reported at isotime or upon completion of fixed-duration exercise tests, and 4) published in English.

Results

Searches identified 8785 papers. 123 papers were included, covering exercise tests using a variety of fixed-intensity protocols. Three modes were identified, as follows: 1) cycling (n=87), 2) walking (n=31) and 3) other (step test (n=8) and arm exercise (n=2)). Most studies (98%) were performed on chronic respiratory disease patients. Nearly all studies (88%) used an incremental exercise test. 34% of studies used a fixed duration for the exercise test, with the remaining 66% using an exhaustion protocol recording exertional dyspnoea at isotime. Exertional dyspnoea was measured using the Borg scale (89%). 7% of studies reported reliability. Most studies (72%) examined the change in exertional dyspnoea in response to different interventions.

Conclusion

Considerable methodological variety of fixed-intensity exercise tests exists to assess exertional dyspnoea and most test protocols require incremental exercise tests. There does not appear to be a simple, universal test for measuring exertional dyspnoea in the clinical setting.
Post-COVID-19 dyspnoea and pulmonary imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guinto Elizabeth , Gerayeli Firoozeh V. , Eddy Rachel L. , Lee Hyun , Milne Stephen , Sin Don D.
Published: August 2023

Background

A proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience persistent dyspnoea without measurable impairments in lung function. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine relationships between dyspnoea and imaging abnormalities over time in post-COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we analysed studies published prior to 15 September 2022 and indexed by Google Scholar, PubMed and LitCOVID which assessed chest imaging in adults ≥3 months after COVID-19. Demographic, chest imaging, spirometric and post-COVID-19 symptom data were extracted. The relationships between imaging abnormalities and dyspnoea, sex and age were determined using a random effects model and meta-regression.

Results

47 studies were included in the meta-analysis (n=3557). The most prevalent computed tomography (CT) imaging abnormality was ground-glass opacities (GGOs) (44.9% (95% CI 37.0–52.9%) at any follow-up time-point). Occurrence of reticulations significantly decreased between early and late follow-up (p=0.01). The prevalence of imaging abnormalities was related to the proportion of patients with dyspnoea (p=0.012). The proportion of females was negatively correlated with the presence of reticulations (p=0.001), bronchiectasis (p=0.001) and consolidations (p=0.025). Age was positively correlated with imaging abnormalities across all modalities (p=0.002) and imaging abnormalities present only on CT (p=0.001) (GGOs (p=0.004) and reticulations (p=0.001)). Spirometric values improved during follow-up but remained within the normal range at all time-points.

Conclusions

Imaging abnormalities were common 3 months after COVID-19 and their occurrence was significantly related to the presence of dyspnoea. This suggests that CT imaging is a sensitive tool for detecting pulmonary abnormalities in patients with dyspnoea, even in the presence of normal spirometric measurements.
ggcoverage: an R package to visualize and annotate genome coverage for various NGS data
Authors: Song Yabing , Wang Jianbin
Published: August 2023

Background

Visualizing genome coverage is of vital importance to inspect and interpret various next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Besides genome coverage, genome annotations are also crucial in the visualization. While different NGS data require different annotations, how to visualize genome coverage and add the annotations appropriately and conveniently is challenging. Many tools have been developed to address this issue. However, existing tools are often inflexible, complicated, lack necessary preprocessing steps and annotations, and the figures generated support limited customization.

Results

Here, we introduceggcoverage, an R package to visualize and annotate genome coverage of multi-groups and multi-omics. The input files forggcoveragecan be in BAM, BigWig, BedGraph and TSV formats. For better usability,ggcoverageprovides reliable and efficient ways to perform read normalization, consensus peaks generation and track data loading with state-of-the-art tools.ggcoverageprovides various available annotations to adapt to different NGS data (e.g. WGS/WES, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq) and all the available annotations can be easily superimposed with ‘ + ’.ggcoveragecan generate publication-quality plots and users can customize the plots withggplot2. In addition,ggcoveragesupports the visualization and annotation of protein coverage.

Conclusions

ggcoverageprovides a flexible, programmable, efficient and user-friendly way to visualize and annotate genome coverage of multi-groups and multi-omics. Theggcoveragepackage is available athttps://github.com/showteeth/ggcoverageunder the MIT license, and the vignettes are available athttps://showteeth.github.io/ggcoverage/.
CapsNetYY1: identifying YY1-mediated chromatin loops based on a capsule network architecture
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Li Fenglin , Zhao Jianping , Zheng Chunhou
Published: August 2023

Background

Previous studies have identified that chromosome structure plays a very important role in gene control. The transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), a multifunctional DNA binding protein, could form a dimer to mediate chromatin loops and active enhancer-promoter interactions. The deletion of YY1 or point mutations at the YY1 binding sites significantly inhibit the enhancer-promoter interactions and affect gene expression. To date, only a few computational methods are available for identifying YY1-mediated chromatin loops.

Results

We proposed a novel model named CapsNetYY1, which was based on capsule network architecture to identify whether a pair of YY1 motifs can form a chromatin loop. Firstly, we encode the DNA sequence using one-hot encoding method. Secondly, multi-scale convolution layer is used to extract local features of the sequence, and bidirectional gated recurrent unit is used to learn the features across time steps. Finally, capsule networks (convolution capsule layer and digital capsule layer) used to extract higher level features and recognize YY1-mediated chromatin loops. Compared with DeepYY1, the only prediction for YY1-mediated chromatin loops, our model CapsNetYY1 achieved the better performance on the independent datasets (AUC $$> 0.99$$

>
0.99

).

Conclusion

The results indicate that CapsNetYY1 is an excellent method for identifying YY1-mediated chromatin loops. We believe that the CapsNetYY1 method will be used for predictive classification of other DNA sequences.