bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals That Rho GTPases Regulate Trap Development and Lifestyle Transition of the Nematode-Trapping Fungus
Arthrobotrys oligospora
Authors: Yang Le , Li Xuemei , Bai Na , Yang Xuewei , Zhang Ke-Qin , Yang Jinkui
Published: January 2022

Nematode-trapping (NT) fungi are widely distributed in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Their broad adaptability and flexible lifestyles make them ideal agents for controlling pathogenic nematodes.
Arthrobotrys oligospora
is a model species employed for understanding the interaction between fungi and nematodes.
Positive Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus EG004 on Cognitive Ability of Healthy Mice by Fecal Microbiome Analysis Using Full-Length 16S-23S rRNA Metagenome Sequencing
Authors: Jeon Soomin , Kim Hyaekang , Kim Jina , Seol Donghyeok , Jo Jinchul , Choi Youngseok , Cho Seoae , Kim Heebal
Published: January 2022

Recently, the concept of the “gut-brain axis” has risen and suggested that microbes in the GI tract affect the brain by modulating signal molecules. Although many pieces of research were reported in a short period, a signaling mechanism and the effects of a specific bacterial strain are still unclear.
The PqsE-RhlR Interaction Regulates RhlR DNA Binding to Control Virulence Factor Production in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Simanek Kayla A. , Taylor Isabelle R. , Richael Erica K. , Lasek-Nesselquist Erica , Bassler Bonnie L. , Paczkowski Jon E.
Published: January 2022

Bacteria use a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the group-wide detection of molecules called autoinducers (AI).
Distribution and Evolutionary History of Sialic Acid Catabolism in the Phylum
Actinobacteria
Authors: Li Yisong , Huang Ying
Published: January 2022

Sialic acids play essential roles in the physiology of humans and other metazoan animals, and microbial sialic acid catabolism (SAC) is one of the processes critical for pathogenesis. To date, microbial SAC is studied mainly in commensals and pathogens, while its distribution in free-living microbes and evolutionary pathway remain largely unexplored.
Physicians’ characteristics and practices associated with the provision of cancer screening advice to their patients: the Spanish SUN cohort study
Authors: Sayon-Orea Carmen , Carlos Silvia , Rico-Campà Anaïs , Fernández-Montero Alejandro , de la Fuente-Arrillaga Carmen , Toledo Estefanía , Kales Stefanos , Martínez-González Miguel Angel
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the association between cancer screening counselling provided by medical doctors to their patients and each doctor’s own anthropometrics, lifestyle, cancer screening practices, and personal and family history of cancer.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Substudy including physicians participating in a Spanish cohort study with open enrolment.

Participants

Among 22 800 participants in the cohort as of May 2018, there were 2371 physicians who had replied to the cohort baseline questionnaire, had an email account and were younger than 65 years (retirement age in Spain). From this subsample, 890 replied to an online questionnaire focused on their clinical practices related to the counselling provided to their patients and to their prescription practices of preventive medications. Their mean age was 51.7 (SD 9.4) years and 48% were women.

Outcome measures

Frequency of counselling given to their patients on specific practices of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer screenings.

Results

Counselling on cancer screening to their patients was provided by 65% of physicians in a scenario of colorectal cancer, 59% for prostate cancer and 58% for breast cancer. More frequent cancer screening counselling was associated with the specialties of family medicine (OR=9.4, 95% CI 5.1 to 17.1) and internal medicine (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7) as compared with other specialties. Recommending cancer screening was associated with more frequent counselling on smoking cessation (OR=3.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 5.4), having personally attended colorectal cancer screening (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.7) and prescribing blood pressure medication more often than their colleagues (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.7).

Conclusions

Among medical doctors, cancer screening counselling was provided to their patients more frequently for doctors with family medicine or internal medicine specialties and for physicians who regularly offered counselling on certain lifestyle behaviours, and those having personally attended colorectal cancer screening. Doctors’ own personal practices and knowledge of healthy lifestyles may help doctors to more frequently provide counselling on cancer screening to their patients.
Value-based care pathway for inflammatory bowel disease: a protocol for the multicentre longitudinal non-randomised parallel cluster IBD Value study with baseline period
Authors: van Linschoten Reinier Cornelis Anthonius , van Leeuwen Nikki , Nieboer Daan , Birnie Erwin , Scherpenzeel Menne , Verweij Karen Evelyne , de Jonge Vincent , Hazelzet Jan Antonius , van der Woude C. Janneke , West Rachel Louise , van Noord Desirée
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Biologics are effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, unwarranted variation in processes and outcomes has been reported in the treatment of IBD. A care pathway for the treatment of IBD has the potential to reduce practice variation and improve outcomes. This study aims to compare the effect of a uniform care pathway for the treatment of patients with IBD with biologics to the current situation.

Methods and analysis

IBD Value is a longitudinal multicentre non-randomised parallel cluster trial with a baseline period. The study takes place in eight centres in the Netherlands. The baseline period will run for 12 months, after which the care pathway will be implemented in 6 of the 8 participating hospitals during the implementation phase of 3 months. Hereafter, the effect of the care pathway will be assessed for 12 months. Total study period is 27 months. The primary outcome is the effect of the care pathway on disease control (IBD-Control questionnaire). Secondary outcomes are the effect of the care pathway on the other outcomes of the International Consortium of Health Outcomes Measurement IBD standard set, health-related generic quality of life, patient experiences and degree of variation; cost effectiveness of the care pathway; and the variation between hospitals in the aforementioned outcomes in the baseline period. Outcomes will be measured every 6 months. The study started on 1 December 2020 and a minimum of 200 patients will be included.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was deemed not to be subject to Dutch law (WMO; Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act) by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus MC, the Netherlands (registration number: MEC-2020–075) and a waiver was provided. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and presented at (inter)national conferences.

Trial registration number

NL8276.
Twelve-month prevalence of haemarthrosis and joint disease using the Haemophilia Joint Health score: evaluation of the UK National Haemophilia Database and Haemtrack patient reported data: an observational study
Authors: Wilkins Richard A , Stephensen David , Siddle Heidi , Scott Martin J , Xiang Hua , Horn Elizabeth , Palmer Ben , Chapman Graham J , Richards Michael , Walwyn Rebecca , Redmond Anthony
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To report the 12-month prevalence of joint bleeds from the National Haemophilia Database (NHD) and Haemtrack, a patient-reported online treatment diary and concurrent joint disease status using the haemophilia joint health score (HJHS) at individual joint level, in children and adults with severe haemophilia A and B (HA/HB) without a current inhibitor.

Design

A 2018 retrospective database study of NHD from which 2238 cases were identified, 463 patients had fully itemised HJHS of whom 273 were compliant in recording treatment using Haemtrack.

Setting

England, Wales and Scotland, UK.

Participants

Children (<18 years) and adults (≥18 years) with severe HA and HB (factor VIII/factor IX, <0.01 iu/mL) without a current inhibitor.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Prevalence of joint haemarthrosis and concurrent joint health measured using the HJHS.

Results

The median (IQR) age of children was 10 (6–13) and adults 40 (29–50) years. Haemarthrosis prevalence in HA/HB children was 33% and 47%, respectively, and 60% and 42%, respectively, in adults. The most common site of haemarthrosis in children was the knee in HA and ankle in HB. In adults, the incidence of haemarthrosis at the ankles and elbows was equal. The median total HJHS in HA/HB children was 0 and in adults with HA/HB, were 18 and 11, respectively. In adults with HA/HB, the median ankle HJHS of 4.0 was higher than the median HJHS of 1.0 for both the knee and elbow.

Conclusion

Despite therapeutic advances, only two-thirds of children and one-third of adults were bleed-free, even in a UK cohort selected for high compliance with prophylaxis. The median HJHS of zero in children suggests joint health is relatively unaffected during childhood. In adults, bleed rates were highest in ankles and elbows, but the ankles led to substantially worse joint health scores.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transplantation by income level and cumulative COVID-19 incidence: a multinational survey study
Authors: Sandal Shaifali , Massie Allan , Boyarsky Brian , Chiang Teresa Po-Yu , Thavorn Kednapa , Segev Dorry L , Cantarovich Marcelo
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the provisions of health services to necessary but deprioritised fields, such as transplantation. Many programmes had to ramp-down their activity, which may significantly affect transplant volumes. We aimed to pragmatically analyse measures of transplant activity and compare them by a country’s income level and cumulative COVID-19 incidence (CCI).

Design, setting and participants

From June to September 2020, we surveyed transplant physicians identified as key informants in their programmes. Of the 1267 eligible physicians, 40.5% from 71 countries participated.

Outcome

Four pragmatic measures of transplant activity.

Results

Overall, 46.5% of the programmes from high-income countries anticipate being able to maintain >75% of their transplant volume compared with 31.6% of the programmes from upper-middle-income countries, and with 21.7% from low/lower-middle-income countries (p<0.001). This could be because more programmes in high-income countries reported being able to perform transplantation/s (86.8%%–58.5%–67.9%, p<0.001), maintain prepandemic deceased donor offers (31.0%%–14.2%–26.4%, p<0.01) and avoid a ramp down phase (30.9%%–19.7%–8.3%, p<0.001), respectively. In a multivariable analysis that adjusted for CCI, programmes in upper-middle-income countries (adjusted OR, aOR=0.47, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.81) and low/lower-middle-income countries (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.67) had lower odds of being able to maintain >75% of their transplant volume, compared with programmes in high-income countries. Again, this could be attributed to lower-income being associated with 3.3–3.9 higher odds of performing no transplantation/s, 66%–68% lower odds of maintaining prepandemic donor offers and 37%–76% lower odds of avoiding ramp-down of transplantation. Overall, CCI was not associated with these measures.

Conclusions

The impact of the pandemic on transplantation was more in lower-income countries, independent of the COVID-19 burden. Given the lag of 1–2 years in objective data being reported by global registries, our findings may inform practice and policy. Transplant programmes in lower-income countries may need more effort to rebuild disrupted services and recuperate from the pandemic even if their COVID-19 burden was low.
Evaluation of initial shockable rhythm as an indicator of short no-flow time in cardiac arrest: a national registry study
Authors: Shibahashi Keita , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Ishida Takuto , Hamabe Yuichi
Published: January 2022

Background

The duration from collapse to initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (no-flow time) is one of the most important determinants of outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Initial shockable cardiac rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) is reported to be a marker of short no-flow time; however, there is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of initial shockable cardiac rhythm on treatment decisions. We investigated the association between initial shockable cardiac rhythm and the no-flow time and evaluated whether initial shockable cardiac rhythm can be a marker of short no-flow time in patients with OHCA.

Methods

Patients aged 18 years and older experiencing OHCA between 2010 and 2016 were selected from a nationwide population-based Japanese database. The association between the no-flow time duration and initial shockable cardiac rhythm was evaluated. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value.

Results

A total of 177 634 patients were eligible for the analysis. The median age was 77 years (58.3%, men). Initial shockable cardiac rhythm was recorded in 11.8% of the patients. No-flow time duration was significantly associated with lower probability of initial shockable cardiac rhythm, with an adjusted OR of 0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.97) per additional minute. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of initial shockable cardiac rhythm to identify a no-flow time of <5 min were 0.12 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.12), 0.88 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.89) and 0.35 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.35), respectively. The positive predictive values were 0.90, 0.95 and 0.99 with no-flow times of 15, 18 and 28 min, respectively.

Conclusions

Although there was a significant association between initial shockable cardiac rhythm and no-flow time duration, initial shockable cardiac rhythm was not reliable when solely used as a surrogate of a short no-flow time duration after OHCA.
Metabolic Effects of Medical Cannabis Treatment
Authors: Habib George , Aamar Suhail
Published: January 2022

Cannabis has a wide range of favorable clinical effects on pain, sleep, mood, gastrointestinal symptom, appetite and physical activity, factors that may affect the metabolic profile of the consumer. In this study, we prospectively evaluated patients recently starting medical cannabis treatment. All patients from the rheumatology clinic, who were just approved for medical cannabis treatment for resistant chronic pain, were recruited. After consent, demographic and clinical parameters were documented, including indication for medical cannabis treatment, way of consumption, type of cannabis and monthly dose of medical cannabis. Fasting morning blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, lipid profile, cortisol and uric acid levels, in addition to body weight, were obtained just prior to and 3 months following cannabis consumption. Wilcoxon’ sign rank test was used to compare baseline levels to those obtained 3 months later. Twenty-eight patients completed the study. Mean age of the patients was 47.8±9.1 years and ˜70% were female patients. 75% of all the patients had fibromyalgia. Mean monthly consumed cannabis amount was 22.21±3.6 g, and 21 (75%) patients used extracts (oil). There was no significant change in any parameter evaluated. The results of our study seem to indicate that medical cannabis, mainly extracts, have no significant effect on any parameter of the metabolic profile of patients with chronic pain syndrome, during 3 months of initial use.
Targeting disialoganglioside GD2 with chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T cells in lung cancer
Authors: Reppel Loïc , Tsahouridis Ourania , Akulian Jason , Davis Ian J , Lee Hong , Fucà Giovanni , Weiss Jared , Dotti Gianpietro , Pecot Chad V , Savoldo Barbara
Published: January 2022

Background

We explored whether the disialoganglioside GD2 (GD2) is expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC) and can be targeted by GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells.

Methods

GD2 expression was evaluated in tumor cell lines and tumor biopsies by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. We used a GD2.CAR that coexpress the IL-15 to promote T-cell proliferation and persistence, and the inducible caspase 9 gene safety switch to ablate GD2.CAR-T cells in case of unforeseen toxicity. The antitumor activity of GD2.CAR-T cells was evaluated using in vitro cocultures and in xenograft models of orthotopic and metastatic tumors. The modulation of the GD2 expression in tumor cell lines in response to an epigenetic drug was also evaluated.

Results

GD2 was expressed on the cell surface of four of fifteen SCLC and NSCLC cell lines (26.7%) tested by flow cytometry, and in 39% of SCLC, 72% of lung adenocarcinoma and 56% of squamous cell carcinoma analyzed by immunohistochemistry. GD2 expression by flow cytometry was also found on the cell surface of tumor cells freshly isolated from tumor biopsies. GD2.CAR-T cells exhibited antigen-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo in xenograft models of GD2-expressing lung tumors. Finally, to explore the applicability of this approach to antigen low expressing tumors, we showed that pretreatment of GD2low/neg lung cancer cell lines with the Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitor tazemetostat upregulated GD2 expression at sufficient levels to trigger GD2.CAR-T cell cytotoxic activity.

Conclusions

GD2 is a promising target for CAR-T cell therapy in lung cancer. Tazemetostat treatment could be used to upregulate GD2 expression in tumor cells, enhancing their susceptibility to CAR-T cell targeting.
Fat-rich versus carbohydrate-rich nutrition in ALS: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Dorst Johannes , Doenz Judith , Kandler Katharina , Dreyhaupt Jens , Tumani Hayrettin , Witzel Simon , Schuster Joachim , Ludolph Albert C
Published: January 2022

Objective

There is growing evidence that the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be influenced beneficially by applying high-caloric food supplements (HCSs). However, it is unknown which composition of nutrients offers optimal tolerability and weight gain.

Methods

We conducted a randomised controlled study (Safety and Tolerability of Ultra-high-caloric Food Supplements in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); TOLCAL-ALS study) in 64 patients with possible, probable or definite ALS according to El Escorial criteria. Patients were randomised into four groups: a high-caloric fatty supplement (HCFS; 405 kcal/day, 100% fat), an ultra-high-caloric fatty supplement (UHCFS; 810 kcal/day, 100% fat), an ultra-high-caloric, carbohydrate-rich supplement (UHCCS; 900 kcal/day, 49% carbohydrates) and an open control (OC) group without any supplement. The primary endpoint was tolerability. Patients were followed up over 4 weeks.

Results

Gastrointestinal side effects were most frequent in the UHCFS group (75.0%), while loss of appetite was most frequent in the UHCCS group (35.3%). During intervention, patients gained +0.9 kg/month of body weight (IQR −0.9 to 1.5; p=0.03) in the HCFS group and +0.9 kg/month (IQR −0.8 to 2.0; p=0.05) in the UHCFS group. A non-significant trend for weight gain (+0.6 kg/month (IQR −0.3 to 1.9; p=0.08)) was observed in the UHCCS group. Patients in OC group continued to lose body weight (−0.5 kg/month, IQR −1.4 to 1.3; p=0.42).

Interpretation

The findings suggest that HCSs frequently cause mild to moderate tolerability issues in patients with ALS, most notably gastrointestinal symptoms in high-fat supplements, and loss of appetite in high-carbohydrate supplements. All three HCSs tested are suited to increase body weight.
Endovascular treatment for cerebral venous thrombosis: current status, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Goyal Mayank , Fladt Joachim , Coutinho J M , McDonough Rosalie , Ospel Johanna
Published: January 2022

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) mostly affects young people. So far, endovascular treatment (EVT) has not been shown to be beneficial in CVT, partially because venous EVT tools are not yet fully optimized, and therefore EVT is only used as a rescue treatment in rare cases. Identifying a subgroup of CVT patients that could benefit from EVT is challenging, given the milder course of disease compared with acute ischemic stroke, the paucity of data on prognostic factors (both in the clinical and imaging domain), and the lack of consensus on what constitutes 'technical success' in CVT EVT. In this review, we discuss the major obstacles that are encountered when trying to identify CVT patients that may benefit from EVT, and propose a roadmap that could help to overcome these challenges in the near future.
Clinical outcomes of rescue stenting for failed endovascular thrombectomy: a multicenter prospective registry
Authors: Baek Jang-Hyun , Kim Byung Moon , Ihm Eun Hyun , Kim Chang-Hyun , Kim Dong Joon , Heo Ji Hoe , Nam Hyo Suk , Kim Young Dae , Suh Sangil , Kim Byungjun , Won Yoodong , Baek Byung Hyun , Yoon Woong , Kwon Hyon-Jo , Chang Yoonkyung , Jung Cheolkyu , Jeong Hae Woong
Published: January 2022

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a primary endovascular modality for acute intracranial large vessel occlusion. However, further treatment, such as rescue stenting, is occasionally necessary for refractory cases. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of rescue stenting in first-line MT failure and to identify the clinical factors affecting its clinical outcome.

Methods

A multicenter prospective registry was designed for this study. We enrolled consecutive patients who underwent rescue stenting for first-line MT failure. Endovascular details and outcomes, follow-up patency of the stented artery, and clinical outcomes were summarized and compared between the favorable and unfavorable outcome groups.

Results

A total of 78 patients were included. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was the most common etiology for rescue stenting (97.4%). Seventy-seven patients (98.7%) were successfully recanalized by rescue stenting. A favorable outcome was observed in 66.7% of patients. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality were observed in 5.1% and 4.0% of patients, respectively. The stented artery was patent in 82.1% of patients on follow-up angiography. In a multivariable analysis, a patent stent on follow-up angiography was an independent factor for a favorable outcome (OR 87.6; 95% CI 4.77 to 1608.9; p=0.003). Postprocedural intravenous maintenance of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor was significantly associated with the follow-up patency of the stented artery (OR 5.72; 95% CI 1.45 to 22.6; p=0.013).

Conclusions

In this multicenter prospective registry, rescue stenting for first-line MT failure was effective and safe. For a favorable outcome, follow-up patency of the stented artery was important, which was significantly associated with postprocedural maintenance of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Association of perioperative midazolam use and complications: a population-based analysis
Authors: Athanassoglou Vassilis , Cozowicz Crispiana , Zhong Haoyan , Illescas Alex , Poeran Jashvant , Liu Jiabin , Poultsides Lazaros , Memtsoudis Stavros G
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The benzodiazepine midazolam is the main sedative used in the perioperative setting, resulting in anxiolysis and a reduction in anesthetic dose requirements. However, benzodiazepine use is also associated with potentially serious side effects including respiratory complications, and postoperative delirium (POD). A paucity of population level data exists on current perioperative midazolam use in adult orthopedic surgery and its effects on complications. Using a large national dataset, we aimed to determine perioperative midazolam utilization patterns and to analyze its effect on postoperative outcomes.

Methods

Patients who underwent total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) were identified from Premier database (2006–2019). Primary exposure of interest was midazolam use on the day of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models were run to determine if midazolam was associated with postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications, delirium, and in-hospital falls.

Results

Among 2,848,897 patients, more than 75% received midazolam perioperatively. This was associated with increased adjusted odds for in-hospital falls in TKA/THA (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.14)/(OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.16), while a decrease in the adjusted odds for cardiac complications in TKA/THA (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.97)/(OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.97), and pulmonary complications (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.96) (all p<0.001) was seen. Most notably, the concurrent use of midazolam and gabapentinoids significantly increased the adjusted odds for postoperative complications, including pulmonary complications (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.27)/(OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.37), naloxone utilization (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.60)/(OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.56), and POD (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.52)/(OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.34) in THA/TKA.

Conclusion

Perioperative midazolam use was associated with an increase in postoperative patient falls, and a decrease in cardiac complications. Notably, the combined use of midazolam and gabapentinoids was associated with a substantial increase in the odds for respiratory failure and delirium. Given the high prevalence of benzodiazepines perioperatively, the risk benefit profile should be more clearly established to inform perioperative decision making.
Naturally leading: a content analysis of terms, themes and word associations in Natural American Spirit advertising, 2000–2020
Authors: Gratale Stefanie K , Ganz Ollie , Wackowski Olivia A , Lewis M Jane
Published: January 2022

Background

Natural American Spirit (NAS) is a cigarette brand distinguished by supposed ‘natural’, ‘additive-free’ characteristics, marketing of which is tied to misperceptions of reduced harm. In 2017, NAS’s manufacturer agreed (with the Food and Drug Administration) to remove ‘natural’/‘additive-free’ from US marketing. Prior research has explored NAS marketing immediately post-agreement. This study sought to identify prominent post-agreement terms and themes and analyse how they had been used in pre-agreement ads.

Methods

We conducted a content analysis of NAS ads from 2000 to 2020 (N=176), documenting prominent pre-agreement and post-agreement terms/themes and examining how they are used in NAS ads. We coded for descriptors, themes, imagery and promotions, and extended prior research by analysing how leading post-agreement terms were used in conjunction and thematically associated with ‘additive-free’ and ‘natural’ before the agreement.

Results

Results indicated ‘tobacco and water’ and ‘Real. Simple. Different.’ increased post-agreement, as did environmental imagery. ‘Organic’ was prominent pre-agreement and post-agreement. The descriptors used most often in post-agreement ads almost always appeared in conjunction with (and were thematically linked to) ‘natural’ and ‘additive-free’ in pre-agreement ads.

Conclusions

In the years since the agreement, NAS ads have heavily relied on still-allowable descriptors that may invite reduced risk misperceptions. Notably, these descriptors were consistently used alongside the banned terminology before the agreement and presented as if affiliated conceptually, possibly prompting similar connotations. Findings indicate a continuing need for research into NAS advertising effects and a potential role for additional regulatory action.
High-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) improves liver gluconeogenesis from lactate in Swiss mice
Authors: Muller Gabrielle Yasmin , Matos Felipe de Oliveira , Perego Junior Julio Ernesto , Kurauti Mirian Ayumi , Diaz Pedrosa Maria Montserrat
Published: January 2022

High-intensity physical exercise favors anaerobic glycolysis and increases lactatemia. Lactate is converted back to glucose in the liver, so that the lactate threshold, an indicator of physical performance, must be related to the gluconeogenic capacity of the liver. This research assessed the effect of a high-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) on liver gluconeogenesis from lactate. Swiss mice were trained (groups T) on vertical ladder with overload of 90% of their maximal load. Control animals remained untrained (groups C0 and C8). In situ liver perfusion with lactate and adrenaline was performed in rested mice after 6 hours of food deprivation. There were larger outputs of glucose (T6, 71.90%; T8, 54.53%) and pyruvate (T8, 129.28%) (representative values for 4 mM lactate) in the groups trained for 6 or 8 weeks (T6 and T8), and of glucose in the presence of adrenaline in group T8 (280%). The content of PEPCK, an important regulatory enzyme of the gluconeogenic pathway, was 69.13% higher in group T8 than in the age-matched untrained animals (C8). HIIRT augmented liver gluconeogenesis from lactate and this might improve the lactate threshold.

Novelty: The liver metabolizes lactate from muscle into glucose. Physical training may enhance the gluconeogenic capacity of the liver. As lactate clearance by the liver improves, lactate threshold is displaced to higher exercise intensities.
Joule–Thomson expansion in charged AdS black hole surrounded by a cosmological fluid in Rainbow Gravity
Authors: Silva G. V. , Bezerra V. B. , Graça J. P. Morais , Lobo I. P.
Published: January 2022

In this work, we analyze the Joule–Thomson expansion in an AdS Reissner–Nordström black hole, surrounded by an average cosmological fluid, in Rainbow Gravity. We plot the graphs corresponding to the inversion temperature curves and numerically calculate the ratio between the minimum of the inversion temperature and the critical temperature, with the aim of investigating how Rainbow Gravity alters such behaviors compared to General Relativity.
Models of activated recrystallization on isolated grain boundaries in polycrystals
Authors: Savotchenko S. E.
Published: January 2022

New phenomenological models of recrystallization of a polycrystalline material in two regimes are proposed taking into account the finite width of grain boundaries. The solutions are obtained in an analytical form for the initial-boundary value problems formulated. They describe the distributions of the concentration of impurities diffusing from the surface coating, both in the grain boundary and in the grain itself in the recrystallized region. The speed of the recrystallization front movement is indicated, which agrees with the types of the corresponding kinetic dependences observed in experiments.
Geometric parameters optimization of a two-dimensional phoxonic crystal with dual forbidden band characteristics
Authors: Ma Xingfu , Li Zhinong , Xiang Jiawei , Wang Chengjun
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a novel phoxonic crystal (PxC) structure composed of silicon, with optimal dual phononic band gap (PNBG) and photonic band gap (PTBG), is presented. Using the finite element analysis method, both the transmission characteristics and dispersion relation of PNBG and PTBG are calculated, and the existence of dual BGs is demonstrated by the means of the analysis of transmission for the PxC structure. The influences of structural parameters on the dual forbidden band characteristics are further explored, the sensitive structure parameters can be determined: the width of elastic beams, the length of square silicon, and the length of square hole. Using the orthogonal test, 25 experimental runs based on 3-factor and 5-level experiment are performed to finish the numerical experimental design and analysis. Four functional relationships can be acquired between the three sensitive parameters and dual BGs. Finally, the unified objective function method is employed to perform the construction of the single objective optimization model for the purpose of obtaining the optimal dual BGs and the corresponding optimal parameter combinations of the PxC structure. Such scheme can be used as the potential optimization way, which may find wide application in the development and design of PxCs.
Lie symmetry analysis and invariant solutions of (3+1)-dimensional Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa equation
Authors: Hu Hengchun , Sun Runlan
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the (3+1)-dimensional constant coefficient of Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa (CCDJKM) equation is studied. All of the vector fields, infinitesimal generators, Lie symmetry reductions and different similarity reduction solutions are constructed. Due to the arbitrary functions in the infinitesimal generators, the (3+1)-dimensional CCDJKM equation can further be reduced to many (2+1)-dimensional partial differential equations. The explicit solutions of the similarity reduction equations, which include the quasi-periodic wave solution, the interaction solution between the periodic wave and a kink soliton and the trigonometric function solutions, are constructed with proper arbitrary function selection, and these new exact solutions are given out analytically and graphically.
Sum of Certainties with the Product of Reasons: Neural Network with Fuzzy Aggregators
Authors: Kagan Evgeny , Rybalov Alexander , Yager Ronald
Published: January 2022

The paper attempts to bridge the gap between widely accepted models of biological systems based on the Tsetlin automata acting in random environment and traditional artificial neural networks that consist of the McCalloch and Pitts neurons. Using recently developed algebra with uninorm and absorbing norm aggregators, we consider the neurons as extended Tsetlin automata that implement multi-valued not - xor operator applied to the aggregated inputs and internal states, and then construct the network using these neurons. The inputs of the neurons are specified by the synapses that implement multi-valued joined and and or operations. We demonstrate that for favorable (in the sense of learning) states the suggested neurons act similarly to the traditional neurons, while for unfavorable states they immediately change their activity to the reverse one. Such properties of the neurons both results in the correct activity of the network and demonstrates better correspondence with the logics of natural neural networks.
Aggregation Operators with Undefined Inputs or Outputs
Authors: Běhounek Libor , Daňková Martina
Published: January 2022

We consider a generalization of aggregation and fusion functions when some of their inputs or outputs are undefined. For simplicity, we represent undefined values by a single NaN (not-a-number) value. We define four main methods of treating undefined values, observe some of their properties, and compare them with several mainstream implementations and norms for handling NaN values. Finally, as a case study demonstrating the apparatus's usefulness, the formalism is applied to the discrete fuzzy transform technique. The formalism allows us to prove a generalized approximation theorem for fuzzy transforms, which removes previously required restrictions on fuzzy partitions for sparse input data.
Extending Set Measures to Orthopair Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Xue Yige , Deng Yong
Published: January 2022

Yager have proposed the extending set measures to Pythagorean fuzzy sets, which is able to efficiently solve the problems of uncertain information representation in Pythagorean fuzzy environment. However, the Pythagorean fuzzy sets represent a limited range of fields, while the q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets can represent many fuzzy sets, including the Pythagorean fuzzy sets, Fermatean fuzzy sets, and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. In order to extend the extending set measures to Pythagorean fuzzy sets to a broader range, the paper proposes the extending set measures to orthopair fuzzy sets, which can extend the extending set measures to Pythagorean fuzzy sets to q-rung orthopair fuzzy environment. The extending set measures to orthopair fuzzy sets combined with level sets, measure, principle extension and Choquet Integral, which can greatly extend the ability of representing unknown information and processing unknown information. If the q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets degenerate into to Pythagorean fuzzy sets, then the extending set measures to orthopair fuzzy sets will be generated as the extending set measures to Pythagorean fuzzy sets. Numerical examples are designed to prove the effectiveness of the proposed models and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can extend the extending set measures to Pythagorean fuzzy sets to q-rung orthopair fuzzy environment successfully and solve issues of decision making under q-rung orthopair fuzzy environment effectively.
Personalized E-Learning Based on Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Sachdeva Shelly , Singh Monika , Kumar Neeraj , Goswami Puneet
Published: January 2022

With the advancement in technology, the approach to learning has also been modified. “Standardization” and “One-size-fits-all” has become an outdated concept. To adjust to the changing learning approaches, e-learning came into being, but this was not as per the knowledge and intelligence of users. This created a hurdle in the achievement of better learning and acquisition of skills. This calls for the provision of personalization in e-learning. Successful implementation of personalized e-learning in the present education system will lead to better and faster learning by adapting as per the preferences and knowledge of students. The core idea behind this research is to make an application using Android, which provides a personalized and adaptable route of e-learning using Ant Colony Optimization and recommendations from similar peers. This research will cater to the needs of many students, and it will help in decreasing the time taken to complete any subject or course. It will also help in attaining better and efficient learning as the learning route is determined as per the user. Also, the collection of records of every user will help in improving efficiency and accuracy in the determination of the learning path. The developed app aiming for adaptative e-learning can act as a promising solution during the Covid-19 scenario.
Early Design Space Exploration Framework for Memristive Crossbar Arrays
Authors: Zaman Md Adnan , Joshi Rajeev , Katkoori Srinivas
Published: January 2022

For memristive crossbar arrays, currently, no high-level design validation and early space exploration tools exist in the literature. Such tools are essential to quickly verify the design functionality as well as compare design alternatives in terms of power and performance. In this work, we propose a VHDL-based framework that enables us to quickly perform behavioral simulation as well as estimate dynamic energy consumption and speed of any large memristive crossbar array. We propose a high-level (VHDL) model of a memristor based on which crossbar architectures can be modeled. The individual memristor model is embedded with power and delay numbers obtained from a detailed memristor model. We demonstrate the framework for MAGIC-style memristive crossbars. We validate the framework against detailed Verilog-A based model on fifteen combinational benchmarks. For the single row model, we obtained 153x simulation speedup over HSPICE, average estimation errors of 6.64% and 0% for dynamic energy consumption and cycle-time, respectively. For the transpose model, we obtained average estimation errors of 5.51% and 10.90% for dynamic energy consumption and cycle-time, respectively. We also extend our framework to support another prominent logic style and validate through a case study. The proposed framework can be easily extended to other emerging technologies.
Hardware-accelerated Simulation-based Inference of Stochastic Epidemiology Models for COVID-19
Authors: Kulkarni Sourabh , Krell Mario Michael , Nabarro Seth , Moritz Csaba Andras
Published: January 2022

Epidemiology models are central to understanding and controlling large-scale pandemics. Several epidemiology models require simulation-based inference such as Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) to fit their parameters to observations. ABC inference is highly amenable to efficient hardware acceleration. In this work, we develop parallel ABC inference of a stochastic epidemiology model for COVID-19. The statistical inference framework is implemented and compared on Intel’s Xeon CPU, NVIDIA’s Tesla V100 GPU, Google’s V2 Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), and the Graphcore’s Mk1 Intelligence Processing Unit (IPU), and the results are discussed in the context of their computational architectures. Results show that TPUs are 3×, GPUs are 4×, and IPUs are 30× faster than Xeon CPUs. Extensive performance analysis indicates that the difference between IPU and GPU can be attributed to higher communication bandwidth, closeness of memory to compute, and higher compute power in the IPU. The proposed framework scales across 16 IPUs, with scaling overhead not exceeding 8% for the experiments performed. We present an example of our framework in practice, performing inference on the epidemiology model across three countries and giving a brief overview of the results.
The Evolution of Topic Modeling
Authors: Churchill Rob , Singh Lisa
Published: January 2022

Topic models have been applied to everything from books to newspapers to social media posts in an effort to identify the most prevalent themes of a text corpus. We provide an in-depth analysis of unsupervised topic models from their inception to today. We trace the origins of different types of contemporary topic models, beginning in the 1990s, and we compare their proposed algorithms, as well as their different evaluation approaches. Throughout, we also describe settings in which topic models have worked well and areas where new research is needed, setting the stage for the next generation of topic models.
Algorithms for quadratic forms over global function fields of odd characteristic
Authors: Darkey-Mensah Mawunyo Kofi
Published: January 2022

This paper presents an adaptation of recently developed algorithms for quadratic forms over number fields in [4] to global function fields of odd characteristics. First, we present algorithm for checking if a given non-degenerate quadratic form is isotropic or hyperbolic. Next we devise a method for computing the dimension of the anisotropic part of a quadratic form. Finally we present algorithms computing two field invariants: the level and the Pythagoras number.
Discovering multiple polylogarithm equations via symbolic computations
Authors: Matveiakin Andrei
Published: January 2022

We discuss how symbolic computations can be used to find functional equations for multiple polylogarithms and prove parts of Goncharov's depth conjecture. We present a custom-built C++ toolkit for polylogarithm symbol manipulations in Lie coalgebras and show how this approach compares favorably to the alternatives in terms of performance.
Eliminating Explicit and Implicit Biases in Health Care: Evidence and Research Needs
Authors: Vela Monica B. , Erondu Amarachi I. , Smith Nichole A. , Peek Monica E. , Woodruff James N. , Chin Marshall H.
Published: January 2022

Health care providers hold negative explicit and implicit biases against marginalized groups of people such as racial and ethnic minoritized populations. These biases permeate the health care system and affect patients via patient–clinician communication, clinical decision making, and institutionalized practices. Addressing bias remains a fundamental professional responsibility of those accountable for the health and wellness of our populations. Current interventions include instruction on the existence and harmful role of bias in perpetuating health disparities, as well as skills training for the management of bias. These interventions can raise awareness of provider bias and engage health care providers in establishing egalitarian goals for care delivery, but these changes are not sustained, and the interventions have not demonstrated change in behavior in the clinical or learning environment. Unfortunately, the efficacy of these interventions may be hampered by health care providers’ work and learning environments, which are rife with discriminatory practices that sustain the very biases US health care professions are seeking to diminish. We offer a conceptual model demonstrating that provider-level implicit bias interventions should be accompanied by interventions that systemically change structures inside and outside the health care system if the country is to succeed in influencing biases and reducing health inequities.
Growth of Interconnected ZnO Nanostructures-Its Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Nair Bini B. , Ahmed K. Ihsan , Bushiri M. Junaid
Published: January 2022

We report the synthesis of interconnected ZnO nano structures through the addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in a growth medium consisting of ZnCl2 and NaOH at a temperature of 70 °C with a reaction time of 24 h. The formation of interconnected ZnO is evaluated in accordance with the reaction time and reaction temperature used for the synthesis, and samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra- red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Photoluminescence (PL) and Electrochemical methods. BET studies show the mesoporous nature of ZnO grown with the addition of PVP in the growth medium. Interconnected ZnO nanostructures exhibit efficient visible light driven photo catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) attributed to interconnected morphology of ZnO. Electro chemical studies have shown that the interconnected ZnO nanostructures give higher order specific capacitance.
Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Properties of NiFe3O5
Authors: Hong Ka H. , Solana-Madruga Elena , Coduri Mauro , Ritter Clemens , Attfield J. Paul
Published: January 2022

A new CaFe3O5-type phase NiFe3O5 (orthorhombic Cmcm symmetry, cell parameters a = 2.89126(7), b = 9.71988(21) and c = 12.52694(27) Å) has been synthesised under pressures of 12–13 GPa at 1200 °C. NiFe3O5 has an inverse cation site distribution and reveals an interesting evolution from M2+(Fe3+)2Fe2+O5 to Fe2+(M2+
0.5Fe3+
0.5)2Fe3+O5 distributions over three distinct cation sites as M2+ cation size decreases from Ca to Ni. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show successive transitions at 275, ∼150, and ∼20 K and neutron diffraction data reveal a series of at least three spin-ordered phases with evolving propagation vectors k = [0 0 0] → [0 k

y
0] → [½ ½ 0] on cooling. The rich variety of magnetically ordered phases in NiFe3O5 likely results from frustration of Goodenough-Kanamori exchange interactions between the three spin sublattices, and further interesting magnetic materials are expected to be accessible within the CaFe3O5-type family.