bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In pursuit of biomarkers for predicting susceptibility to activity‐based anorexia in adolescent female rats
Authors: Milton Laura Karina , Patton Timothy , O'Keeffe Meredith , Oldfield Brian John , Foldi Claire Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Objective

Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa (AN) is critical for the implementation of early intervention strategies. Anxiety, obsessive–compulsive behavior, and immune dysfunction may be involved in the development of AN; however, their direct influence on susceptibility to the condition remains unclear. Here, we used the activity‐based anorexia (ABA) model to examine whether activity, anxiety‐like behavior, compulsive behavior, and circulating immune markers predict the subsequent development of pathological weight loss.

Method

Female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 44) underwent behavioral testing before exposure to ABA conditions after which they were separated into susceptible and resistant subpopulations. Blood was sampled before behavioral testing and after recovery from ABA to screen for proinflammatory cytokines.

Results

Rats that were vulnerable to pathological weight loss differed significantly from resistant rats on all key ABA parameters. While the primary measures of anxiety‐like or compulsive behavior were not shown to predict vulnerability to ABA, increased locomotion and anxiety‐like behavior were both associated with the extent of weight loss in susceptible but not resistant animals. Moreover, the change in expression of proinflammatory markers IL‐4 and IL‐6 evoked by ABA was associated with discrete vulnerability factors. Intriguingly, behavior related to risk assessment was shown to predict vulnerability to ABA.

Discussion

We did not find undisputable behavioral or immune predictors of susceptibility to pathological weight loss in the ABA rat model. Future research should examine the role of cognition in the development of ABA, dysfunction of which may represent an endophenotype linking anorectic, anxiety‐like and compulsive behavior.

Public Significance

Anorexia nervosa (AN) has among the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders and treatment options remain limited in their efficacy. Understanding what types of risk factors contribute to the development of AN is essential for implementing early intervention strategies. This study describes how some of the most common psychological features of AN could be used to predict susceptibility to pathological weight loss in a well‐established animal model.
Discriminating ecological processes affecting different dimensions of α‐ and β‐diversity in desert plant communities
Authors: Jiang Lamei , Hu Dong , Wang Hengfang , Lv Guanghui
Published: March 2022

Understanding the spatial distribution of plant diversity and its drivers are major challenges in biogeography and conservation biology. Integrating multiple facets of biodiversity (e.g., taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional biodiversity) may advance our understanding on how community assembly processes drive the distribution of biodiversity. In this study, plant communities in 60 sampling plots in desert ecosystems were investigated. The effects of local environment and spatial factors on the species, functional, and phylogenetic α‐ and β‐diversity (including turnover and nestedness components) of desert plant communities were investigated. The results showed that functional and phylogenetic α‐diversity were negatively correlated with species richness, and were significantly positively correlated with each other. Environmental filtering mainly influenced species richness and Rao quadratic entropy; phylogenetic α‐diversity was mainly influenced by dispersal limitation. Species and phylogenetic β‐diversity were mainly consisted of turnover component. The functional β‐diversity and its turnover component were mainly influenced by environmental factors, while dispersal limitation dominantly effected species and phylogenetic β‐diversity and their turnover component of species and phylogenetic β‐diversity. Soil organic carbon and soil pH significantly influenced different dimensions of α‐diversity, and soil moisture, salinity, organic carbon, and total nitrogen significantly influenced different dimensions of α‐ and β‐diversity and their components. Overall, it appeared that the relative influence of environmental and spatial factors on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity differed at the α and β scales. Quantifying α‐ and β‐diversity at different biodiversity dimensions can help researchers to more accurately assess patterns of diversity and community assembly.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on prescription of sacubitril/valsartan in Italy
Authors: Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Celant Simone , Olimpieri Pier Paolo , Colatrella Antonietta , Onder Graziano , Di Lenarda Andrea , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Reboldi Gianpaolo , Gensini Gian Franco , Colivicchi Furio , Russo Pierluigi
Published: March 2022

Aims

The present study sought to examine the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the prescription of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with heart failure (HF) in Italy.

Methods and results

Data from Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) monitoring registries were analysed. The sacubitril/valsartan monitoring registry is based on 6‐month prescriptions. A monthly aggregation on new activations throughout the observational period was computed. From March to December 2020, the initiation of new HF patients on sacubitril/valsartan decreased by nearly 40% with prescriptions dropping to values similar to 2018 when the registry was still operated off‐line. A slight increase in prescriptions was observed after the lockdown measures were lifted, but prescriptions remained constantly below the pre‐lockdown period.

Conclusion

A marked and worrisome decline during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the activation of a life‐saving treatment such as sacubitril/valsartan was observed. This decline was clearly linked to the lockdown measures instated to counteract the COVID‐19 pandemic. Upcoming studies should analyse the occurrence of new cases of HF as well as the severity of patients admitted to hospitals and their mortality compared to pre‐pandemic levels.
ChAdOx1‐S adenoviral vector vaccine applied intranasally elicits superior mucosal immunity compared to the intramuscular route of vaccination
Authors: Cokarić Brdovčak Maja , Materljan Jelena , Šustić Marko , Ravlić Sanda , Ružić Tina , Lisnić Berislav , Miklić Karmela , Brizić Ilija , Pribanić Matešić Marina , Juranić Lisnić Vanda , Halassy Beata , Rončević Dobrica , Knežević Zdravka , Štefan Leo , Bertoglio Federico , Schubert Maren , Čičin‐Šain Luka , Markotić Alemka , Jonjić Stipan , Krmpotić Astrid
Published: March 2022

COVID‐19 vaccines prevent severe forms of the disease, but do not warrant complete protection against breakthrough infections. This could be due to suboptimal mucosal immunity at the site of virus entry, given that all currently approved vaccines are administered via the intramuscular route. In this study, we assessed humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice after intranasal and intramuscular immunization with adenoviral vector ChAdOx1‐S expressing full‐length Spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2. We showed that both routes of vaccination induced a potent IgG antibody response, as well as robust neutralizing capacity, but intranasal vaccination elicited a superior IgA antibody titer in the sera and in the respiratory mucosa. Bronchoalveolar lavage from intranasally immunized mice efficiently neutralized SARS‐CoV‐2, which has not been the case in intramuscularly immunized group. Moreover, substantially higher percentages of epitope‐specific CD8 T cells exhibiting a tissue resident phenotype were found in the lungs of intranasally immunized animals. Finally, both intranasal and intramuscular vaccination with ChAdOx1‐S efficiently protected the mice after the challenge with recombinant herpesvirus expressing the Spike protein. Our results demonstrate that intranasal application of adenoviral vector ChAdOx1‐S induces superior mucosal immunity and therefore could be a promising strategy for putting the COVID‐19 pandemic under control.
Iron‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of Alcohols Using Benzoquinones as Electrochemically Regenerable Mediators
Authors: Ritz Mikhaila D. , Jones William D.
Published: March 2022

The efficient and atom economical iron‐catalyzed dehydrogenation of alcohols using benzoquinones as electrochemically regenerable mediators has been developed. In this work, an iron cyclopentadienone complex was electrochemically studied and tested for its effectiveness within this system. This methodology was then extended to various secondary and primary alcohols affording moderate to good yields of product.
Enhancing signals of microfluidic impedance cytometry through optimization of microelectrode array
Authors: Zhou Chenyang , Shen Hailong , Feng Huicheng , Yan Zhibin , Ji Bowen , Yuan Xichen , Zhang Ruirong , Chang Honglong
Published: March 2022

Microfluidic impedance cytometry shows a great value in biomedical diagnosis. However, the crosstalk between neighboring microelectrodes strongly weakens the impedance signal. Hereby, we demonstrate a novel microfluidic impedance cytometer consisted of sensing electrodes and ground electrodes (GNDs). The simulation reveals a signal enhancement by more than five times with GNDs compared to that without ones. We also found that the linear correlation between the impedance at a high frequency and that at a low frequency varies as microparticle size changes, which can be used for microparticle classification. The study can help with microelectrode optimization and signal processing for microfluidic impedance analysis.
Experimental investigation on the effects of using ethanol with biodiesel and diesel blends along with exhaust gas recirculation and magnetization of fuel in the diesel engine
Authors: Chandravanshi Ajay , Pandey Shrikant , Malviya Rakesh Kumar
Published: March 2022

With the utilization of biodiesel as fuel in diesel engines, performance parameters reduce while certain emissions like NOx increases. This study presents the extensive investigation on utilizing biodiesel blends, ethanol, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and magnetization of fuel (MF, 3000 Gauss) in a four‐stroke, single‐cylinder vertical diesel engine to get an optimum level of performance and emission characteristics. In this investigation, biodiesel blends, ethanol, and diesel have been used as fuel. EGR has been used with the BD20E5 (Fuel blends containing 20% biodiesel, 75% diesel, and 5% ethanol) blend only. The results of this experimental investigation show that there are increases of 0.36% and 0.33% in brake power and decreases of 4% and 5.7% in brake specific fuel consumption with BD20E5 and BD20 + MF, respectively, as compared to BD20 only. With 30%EGR and BD20E5 there is a decrease of 36.36% in NOx emission as compared to BD20E5. It is found that the use of ethanol in lower quantity (E5) in fuel blends improves performance parameters and reduces emissions of CO, NOx, and smoke as compared to unadded biodiesel blends. EGR reduces NOx emission very effectively, but at higher EGR volume (30% EGR), performance parameters deteriorate and emissions of CO, HC are higher. To overcome these penalties with higher EGR, it can be used in lower volume (10% EGR) in combination with 5% ethanol and magnetized fuel, which has given optimum results for performance as well as emission parameters.
Does fast‐food outlet density differ by area‐level disadvantage in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia?
Authors: Trapp Gina S. A. , Hooper Paula , Thornton Lukar , Kennington Kelly , Sartori Ainslie , Billingham Wesley , Bivoltsis Alexia
Published: March 2022

Issue addressed

Socio‐economic spatial patterning of fast‐food outlets can result in disparities in the availability and access of food across geographic areas, contributing to health inequalities. This study investigated whether area‐level socio‐economic disparities exist in fast‐food availability across the Perth metropolitan region of Western Australia.

Methods

Fast‐food outlet locations were sourced from Perth Local Governments in 2018/2019. All Perth suburbs (n = 328) were allocated a decile ranking based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio‐Economic Index for Areas with decile 1 indicating relatively greater disadvantage and decile 10 indicating a relative lack of disadvantage. Zero‐inflated negative binomial regression models, adjusted for suburb area and population density, were used to investigate the association between area‐level disadvantage decile and availability of fast‐food outlets.

Results

A socio‐economic gradient was identified; for every unit increase in disadvantage decile (ie a reduction in relative disadvantage), the count of fast‐food outlets decreased by 6% (P < .01), and the count of the “top ranking” fast‐food chains (ie McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster) decreased by 10% (P < .001).

Conclusions

Consistent with evidence internationally and from within Australia, socio‐economic spatial patterning of fast‐food outlet availability was shown to exist in Perth, with greater fast‐food availability in areas with more relative socio‐economic disadvantage.

So what?

To address health inequities associated with fast‐food consumption, policy and practice changes are needed that manage fast‐food outlet proliferation in areas of greater socio‐economic disadvantage.
Assessing changes in total water storage in two large freshwater lake basins of China
Authors: Zhang Dan , Liu Xiaomang , Li Xianghu , Bai Peng , Li Jiayun
Published: March 2022

The quantitative assessment of changes in total water storage (TWS) is of great significance for regional water resources management in basins with large lakes. Here, the basins of Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake, the two largest freshwater lakes in China, were selected to assess TWS changes using multi‐source datasets. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) TWS anomalies (TWSA) increased by 8.8 mm a−2 (p < 0.01) and 8.3 mm a−2 (p < 0.01) from 2003 to 2016 for the Poyang Lake Basin (PYLB) and Dongting Lake Basin (DTLB), respectively. Four major components, namely lake water storage, soil moisture storage, groundwater storage and reservoir storage, contributed positively to the TWSA increase in the two lake basins. The TWSA increase was dominated by groundwater storage increase (52.6%) over PYLB and by reservoir storage increase (47.4%) over DTLB. The increases in soil moisture storage contributed 22.4% and 27.6% to TWSA changes for PYLB and DTLB, respectively, which were mainly caused by increases in precipitation. The contributions of lake water storage to TWSA increases were only 4.3% and 1.3% in PYLB and DTLB, respectively, indicating that the impacts of water storage in natural lakes on TWS were far lower than those of reservoirs, even in basins with large lakes. The results highlight that reservoir and groundwater storage play crucial roles in TWS partitioning, suggesting that attention should be paid to the two components of land surface and hydrological simulations in highly populated lake basins under global change.
Left ventricular function and N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide levels in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Verma Shivani , Malik Sunita , Bansal Sandeep
Published: March 2022

To evaluate left ventricular function and measure N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in comparison to normotensive women and correlate these with maternal and neonatal outcomes. This was a prospective observational case–control study from 2018 to 2020 in an Indian tertiary care hospital and included antenatal women beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy with 160 women with HDP as cases and 160 normotensive women as controls. Echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular structure and function. Quantitative analysis of NT‐proBNP levels was performed based on fluorescence immunochromatography. Women with HDP were observed to have a significant difference in the value of left ventricular structure and function (P < 0.001). Mild systolic dysfunction was found in 13 (8.1%) women in the HDP group 8 (20%) women with severe pre‐eclampsia and 5 (33.3%) women with eclampsia). Significantly lower values of left ventricular ejection fraction and higher values of NT‐proBNP were recorded in women with HDP who developed maternal complications and had adverse neonatal outcomes (P < 0.001). Echocardiography and NT‐proBNP levels have been shown to have a significant role in women with severe forms of HDP to detect early signs of cardiac dysfunction.
Cabergoline for postpartum lactation suppression: Effect on blood pressure and pulse
Authors: Humphrey Sarah , Baechler Maeve , Schiff Melissa , Hitti Jane
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effect of cabergoline on maternal blood pressure and pulse immediately postpartum.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 224 post‐partum women who delivered at the University of Washington and did not breastfeed. Women who received 1 mg cabergoline within 48 h post‐partum were compared to unexposed non‐breastfeeding women. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse were assessed at 4‐h intervals up to 24 h after cabergoline administration, and compared to unexposed women using delivery as the reference time point. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse were compared using linear regression and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for age, indication for lactation suppression and weeks' gestation at delivery.

Results

Cabergoline‐exposed women had lower mean systolic blood pressure at all time intervals. The maximum systolic blood pressure decrease with cabergoline was −10.88 mmHg (95% confidence interval −18.15 to −3.61) at >20–24 h. Mean diastolic blood pressure among cabergoline‐exposed women decreased by −8.15 mmHg (95% confidence interval −13.94 to −2.36) at >20–24 h only. We found no significant difference in maternal pulse. Cabergoline was well tolerated with no adverse effects observed.

Conclusion

Cabergoline has minimal clinically‐relevant hemodynamic effects and was well tolerated among normotensive postpartum women.
Post‐bath incontinence (bathwater incontinence) can be managed with behavioral therapy
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Hirabayashi Hiroki , Matsuyama Aika , Sai Hiroki , Ishiyama Akinobu , Kurosu Haruka , Kato Takashi , Inoue Satoshi , Suzuki Shoji
Published: March 2022

Introduction

We encountered six post‐bath incontinence cases caused by bathwater entrapment in the vagina.

Case presentation

The age of onset was distributed from 16 to 78 (average 38) and five out of six patients were parous. Three patients developed post‐bath incontinence immediately after vaginal delivery. One patient developed post‐bath incontinence after beginning to bathe in a reclined position and another after undergoing transvaginal mesh surgery to treat prolapse. All patients showed dribbling incontinence without urgency limited to within 30 min after bathing. Patients were instructed to put a towel between their legs and apply abdominal pressure to evacuate the entrapped water. Additionally, they were advised to squat in the bathtub to prevent water entrapment. This simple behavioral therapy relieved symptoms.

Conclusion

The differential diagnosis of incontinence in women should include entrapped fluid incontinence such as bathwater incontinence, pool water incontinence, and vaginal reflux during micturition.
Macroscopic assembled graphene nanofilms based room temperature ultrafast mid‐infrared photodetectors
Authors: Peng Li , Liu Lixiang , Du Sichao , Bodepudi Srikrishna Chanakya , Li Lingfei , Liu Wei , Lai Runchen , Cao Xiaoxue , Fang Wenzhang , Liu Yingjun , Liu Xinyu , Lv Jianhang , Abid Muhammad , Liu Junxue , Jin Shengye , Wu Kaifeng , Lin Miao‐Ling , Cong Xin , Tan Ping‐Heng , Zhu Haiming , Xiong Qihua , Wang Xiaomu , Hu Weida , Duan Xiangfeng , Yu Bin , Xu Zhen , Xu Yang , Gao Chao
Published: March 2022

Graphene with linear energy dispersion and weak electron–phonon interaction is highly anticipated to harvest hot electrons in a broad wavelength range. However, the limited absorption and serious backscattering of hot‐electrons result in inadequate quantum yields, especially in the mid‐infrared range. Here, we report a macroscopic assembled graphene (nMAG) nanofilm/silicon heterojunction for ultrafast mid‐infrared photodetection. The assembled Schottky diode works in 1.5–4.0 μm at room temperature with fast response (20–30 ns, rising time, 4 mm2 window) and high detectivity (1.6 × 1011 to 1.9 × 109 Jones from 1.5 to 4.0 μm) under the pulsed laser, outperforming single‐layer‐graphene/silicon photodetectors by 2–8 orders. These performances are attributed to the greatly enhanced photo‐thermionic effect of electrons in nMAG due to its high light absorption (~40%), long carrier relaxation time (~20 ps), low work function (4.52 eV), and suppressed carrier number fluctuation. The nMAG provides a long‐range platform to understand the hot‐carrier dynamics in bulk 2D materials, leading to broadband and ultrafast MIR active imaging devices at room temperature.

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Classification‐based framework for binarization on mice eye image in vivo with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Ma Fei , Dai Cuixia , Meng Jing , Li Ying , Zhao Jingxiu , Zhang Yuanke , Wang Shengbo , Zhang Xueting , Cheng Ronghua
Published: March 2022

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography has drawn much attention in the medical imaging field. Binarization plays an important role in quantitative analysis of eye with optical coherence tomography. To address the problem of few training samples and contrast‐limited scene, we proposed a new binarization framework with specific‐patch SVM (SPSVM) for low‐intensity OCT image, which is open and classification‐based framework. This new framework contains two phases: training model and binarization threshold. In the training phase, firstly, the patches of target and background from few training samples are extracted as the ROI and the background, respectively. Then, PCA is conducted on all patches to reduce the dimension and learn the eigenvector subspace. Finally, the classification model is trained from the features of patches to get the target value of different patches. In the testing phase, the learned eigenvector subspace is conducted on the pixels of each patch. The binarization threshold of patch is obtained with the learned SVM model. We acquire a new OCT mice eye (OCT‐ME) database, which is publicly available at https://mip2019.github.io/spsvm. Extensive experiments were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SPSVM framework.
Exposure to Recurring Community Violence Scale: A validity and reliability study in Turkey
Authors: Kızıltepe Rukiye , Korkmaz Mediha , Yılmaz Irmak Türkan
Published: March 2022

Recent years have witnessed a substantial increase in the interest in violence occurring at home or school, as well as in neighborhoods. Yet, there is no standardized instrument to measure community violence in Turkey. Thus, the present study aimed to adapt the Exposure to Recurring Community Violence Scale into Turkish and explore its psychometric properties. The sample consisted of 210 participants (57% were females) between 18 and 64 years (Mage = 38.33, SD = 10.67). For criterion‐related validity, we evaluated the participants' scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Traumatic Life Events Form, the Relationship Quality Scale, and a Demographic Information Form. We performed all statistical analyses using the FACTOR and SPSS v.20 programs. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2‐factor structure for the scale (victimization and witnessing), explaining 52% of the total variance. As expected, the witnessing and victimization scores were correlated with the subscales of the BSI, the number of traumatic life events, and the subscales of The Relationship Quality Scale. For reliability concerns, we calculated Cronbach's α coefficients to be 0.79 for the victimization and 0.90 for the witnessing. Besides, the findings revealed acceptable psychometric properties for the Turkish version of the Exposure to Recurring Community Violence Scale. Thereby, we concluded that the scale can be used as a reliable and valid measure in the Turkish context. Overall, the scale will likely allow further research to scrutinize the risk factors and consequences of community violence.
Refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: Successful treatment with tirabrutinib plus conventional therapies
Authors: Naka Ryosuke , Kaneko Hitomi , Nagata Osamu , Tada Kohei , Tashima Masaharu , Mizutani Chisato , Imada Kazunori
Published: March 2022

When immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is secondary to malignant diseases, chemotherapy is expected to improve the platelet count (PC) as well. Herein, we report a case of a 72‐year‐old man with ITP refractory to standard therapies. IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was determined as an underlying disease. After bendamustine and rituximab (BR) therapy was found inadequately effective, tirabrutinib, a novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was initiated, and the PC normalised subsequently. Surveillance of underlying diseases with which effective therapies are available may help manage refractory ITP, and IgM‐MGUS is potentially a targetable underlying disease with this newly available drug.
A 588 nW, 1 nA current reference circuit with extremely low (0.002%/V) line sensitivity over a wide supply voltage range and low temperature coefficient
Authors: Mukherjee Koyel , Sau Trisha , Upadhyay Sneha , Mitra Susmita , Bhowmik Arpita , Sarkhel Saheli , Pandit Soumya , Pal Rajat Kumar
Published: March 2022

A 1 nA current reference circuit is designed in semiconductor laboratory (SCL) 0.18 μm standard threshold voltage CMOS technology under 1.8 V power supply. The reference current is extremely immune to supply variation and shows a line sensitivity of 0.002%/V at post layout simulation level, over a wide range of supply variation from 0.5 V to 3.5 V. The line sensitivity is much smaller than any relevant data so far reported. In addition, it has a very low temperature coefficient of 214 ppm/°C over a temperature variation from −50°C to 50°C. The circuit consumes a total power of 588 nW. The reported results are also studied at various process corners and under variable process parameters like oxide thickness and threshold voltage of transistors. A satisfactory behaviour of the circuit is obtained in all cases. The accuracy of the simulation results is validated through quite close matching of the results with that obtained through rigorously developed theoretical models.
Medication use to manage comorbidities in people with dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Kate , Alan Janine , Page Amy , Percival Mia , Etherton‐Beer Christopher
Published: March 2022

Aim

To investigate physical health outcomes associated with medications prescribed to manage chronic physical conditions in people living with dementia; and determine whether a dementia diagnosis altered drug utilisation patterns for physical health conditions.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, Central and Scopus were searched 01/2011 to 12/2020.

Study selection

Experimental and observational studies, where participants with dementia using medications prescribed by doctors to prevent or treat one or more chronic comorbid physical condition, were compared to no intervention, usual care, or a non‐dementia comparison group. The outcomes of interest were clinically meaningful physical outcomes, and medication utilisation patterns.

Results

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. All were of medium to high quality relative to their study design. Mixed findings were reported for ischemic stroke (n = 3), all‐cause mortality (n = 3) and bleeding‐related outcomes (n = 2). This is likely due to the heterogeneity in exposures reported. One study found that people with dementia, receiving antidiabetic management, had a higher rate of severe hypoglycaemia compared to people without dementia. Medication utilisation pattern outcomes included oral anticoagulant use before stroke‐related hospitalisation (n = 1), antithrombotic medication use before stroke‐related hospitalisation (n = 1), cardiovascular medication use for secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease (n = 1), antidepressant medication discontinuation (n = 1), osteoporosis treatment (n = 1), diabetic medication use (n = 2), and antihypertensive medication discontinuation (n = 1).

Conclusion

This systematic review showed there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that medication management in people with dementia should differ substantially to people without dementia. Comprehensive and high‐quality evidence is needed to improve confidence that medication prescribing achieves optimum clinical outcomes, quality of life, and benefit‐to‐risk determination in this vulnerable population.
Effect of chitosan/starch aldehyde‐catechin conjugate composite coating on the quality and shelf life of fresh pork loins
Authors: Hu Huixia , Yong Huimin , Zong Shuai , Jin Changhai , Liu Jun
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Fresh pork is susceptible to oxidation and spoilage. Edible coating containing antioxidant and antimicrobial agents can create moisture and oxygen barriers around pork and inhibit oxidation and microbial growth in the pork. In this study, chitosan in combination with starch aldehyde‐catechin conjugate (SACC) was used as a novel edible coating material for preserving fresh pork loins at chilled storage (4 ± 1 °C) for 14 days. Effect of chitosan/SACC composite coating on the quality of pork loins including weight loss, colour, pH value, microbial spoilage, lipid oxidation, protein oxidation, texture and sensory attributes during chilled storage was determined.

RESULTS

Chitosan and SACC had synergistic antioxidant and antimicrobial actions. As compared with uncoated and chitosan coated pork loins, chitosan/SACC coated pork loins showed lower weight loss (7.16%), pH value (5.99), total viable count (7.11 log CFU g−1), total volatile base nitrogen content (130.2 mg kg−1), lipid oxidation level (0.47 mg malondialdehyde kg−1), protein oxidation level (0.047 mmol free thiol group g−1) and shear force (27.40 N) on day 14. Meanwhile, chitosan/SACC composite coating effectively maintained the colour, micro‐structure and sensory attributes of pork loins throughout chilled storage period. The shelf life of pork loins was extended from 8 days (uncoated samples) to 14 days by chitosan/SACC composite coating.

CONCLUSION

Chitosan/SACC composite coating effectively retarded the oxidation and spoilage of pork loins during chilled storage. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Biomass‐derived porous material synthesized by one‐step calcination method for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls in water
Authors: Lv Siying , Gao Yinuo , Zhao Min , Jiang Xinyu , Li Xiaodong , Yang Jing , Chen Sen , Cui Shihai
Published: March 2022

Recent findings unfold that biomass materials with the micro/mesoporous structure were often treated as adsorbents for organic substances. In this work, a one‐step calcination method was adopted in the preparation of magnetic porous green bean biomass material. It has the properties of magnetism and porosity after the addition of Co(NO3)2 and high‐temperature calcination. A variety of characterizations have been operated, including energy dispersive X‐ray detector, vibrating sample magnetometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller analysis, and so on. It has a specific surface area of 168.1611 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.1764 cm3/g. The material was used in magnetic solid‐phase extraction of three polychlorinated biphenyls: 2‐chlorobiphenyl, 4‐chlorobiphenyl, and 2,2,5‐trichlorobiphenyl. Several factors were investigated, such as material amount, eluents, adsorption time, solution pH, salinity, and reusability. Under optimized conditions, good recoveries (90.24–93.34%) were achieved with the relative standard deviation in a range from 2.30 to 4.83%. Three real water samples (tap, river, and lake water) were tested to verify the accuracy of the method. This method can be successfully used in the analysis of some polychlorinated biphenyls congeners in water.
Decomposition of transmitted ultrasound wave through a 2‐D muscle–bone system
Authors: Gilbert Robert P. , Shoushani Michael
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we investigate ultrasound waves passing through a skeletal muscle segment of a specimen. The model is solved using an extension of a method due to Ilya Vekua. An ansatz is made that a solution to a partial differential equation can be found in a form resembling the ansatz of Vekua. It is shown that this is indeed possible. This method is used continuously throughout the paper to find simple representations of the acoustic equations in the different muscle and bone regions.
Near‐high frequency antenna for unmanned aerial system ice‐penetrating radar
Authors: Arnold Emily , Patil Ankur , Rodriguez‐Morales Fernando , Occhiogrosso Vincent
Published: March 2022

In this letter, we present the novel design of a near‐high frequency antenna for a small unmanned aircraft systems helicopter for the intended purpose of sounding and imaging temperate glaciers. The antenna leverages concepts in the areas of efficient electrically small antennas, structural antennas, and impedance matching to create a versatile design that is small and lightweight yet robust for airborne operations and has wider bandwidth than existing designs.
Technical note: Evaluation and second check of a commercial Monte Carlo dose engine for small‐field apertures in pencil beam scanning proton therapy
Authors: Holmes Jason , Shen Jiajian , Shan Jie , Patrick Christopher L. , Wong William W. , Foote Robert L. , Patel Samir H. , Bues Martin , Liu Wei
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of the RayStation Monte Carlo dose engine (RayStation MC) in modeling small‐field block apertures in proton pencil beam scanning. Furthermore, we evaluate the suitability of MCsquare as a second check for RayStation MC.

Methods

We have enhanced MCsquare to model block apertures. To test the accuracy of both RayStation MC and the newly enhanced MCsquare, we compare the dose predictions of each to in‐water dose measurements obtained using diode detectors and radiochromic film. Nine brass apertures with openings of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm and either 2 cm or 4 cm thickness were used in the irradiation of a water phantom. Two measurement setups were used, one with a range shifter and 119.7 MeV proton beam energy and the other with no range shifter and 147 MeV proton beam energy. To further test the validity of RayStation MC and MCsquare in modeling block apertures and to evaluate MCsquare as a second check tool, 10 small‐field (average target volume 8.3 cm3) patient treatment plans were calculated by each dose engine followed by a statistical comparison.

Results

Comparing to the absolute dose measurements in water, RayStation MC differed by 1.2% ± 1.0% while MCsquare differed by −1.8% ± 3.7% in the plateau region of a pristine Bragg peak. Compared to the in‐water film measurements, RayStation MC and MCsquare both performed well with an average 2D‐3D gamma passing rate of 99.4% and 99.7% (3%/3 mm), respectively. A t‐test comparing the agreement with the film measurements between RayStation MC and MCsquare suggested that the relative spatial dose distributions calculated by MCsquare and RayStation MC were statistically indistinguishable. Directly comparing the dose calculations between MCsquare and RayStation MC over 10 patients resulted in an average 3D‐3D gamma passing rates of 98.5% (3%/3 mm) and 94.1% (2%/2 mm), respectively.

Conclusion

The validity of RayStation MC algorithm for use with patient‐specific apertures has been expanded to include small apertures. MCsquare has been enhanced to model apertures and was found to be an adequate second check of RayStation MC in this scenario.
A dual‐scale homogenization method to study the properties of chopped carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix composites
Authors: Fu Yuan , Zheng Ping , Qiu Yi Jian , Liu Jin , Zhang You Liang , Lu Lei , Guo Hui
Published: March 2022

In this work, a dual‐scale homogenization (DSH) procedures including the representative volume element (RVE) and Unit cell (UC) with Halpin–Tsai models in the UC scale and space direction‐sensitive Hotelling expansion (SDSHE) models in RVE scale separately. These two methods are introduced and implemented to predict the response of effective elastic properties in chopped fiber reinforced epoxy matrix structures. A post‐processing scheme of subdomain in UC scale based on Gauss theorem is proposed in SDSHE method, which is used to extract the average strain and stress in UC three‐dimensional structure. In addition, the X‐ray computed tomography was used to determine the fourth order tensor orientation angle and the probability distribution information of chopped fiber length in testing samples. Homogenization properties in RVE scale, and inclusion volume fraction (VF), thickness of interface and orientation tensors are designed in UC scale and compared. The excellent correlations with experiments prove the effectiveness of the proposed models. Furthermore, the algorithm proposed in this paper realizes the homogenization of the two scales in the process of numerical analysis, and it will effectively take into account many problems that cannot be achieved by other algorithms, such as the path strain of the model, the thickness of the interface, and so on.
Standardized administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition across treatment settings
Authors: Luallin Stephanie , Hulac David , Pratt April A.
Published: March 2022

As rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increase, there is an increasing need for clinicians who offer accurate ASD assessments. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS‐2) is a standardized assessment tool that is commonly recommended for use in comprehensive ASD evaluations. However, practitioners do not always follow protocols established by assessment developers. Due to difficulty administering the ADOS‐2, limited access to training for practitioners, and the complexity of ASD symptom presentation, false diagnoses of ASD are common, creating barriers to appropriate services. The present study explores the standardized use of the ADOS‐2 across treatment settings. School and community practitioners involved in ASD assessment were surveyed on their use of the ADOS‐2. Participants (n = 268) included individuals working in an array of settings who performed ASD evaluations. Participant involvement in ASD evaluations, current work setting, types of ADOS‐2 specific training received, and ADOS‐2 module most often used, were explored. These characteristics were compared to use of the ADOS‐2 and likelihood of administering each activity. Findings suggest barriers to the use of and training on the ADOS‐2 for school‐based practitioners compared to those in other settings. Neither setting nor level of ADOS‐2 training impacted administration standardization of the measure for participants.
Age‐ and gender‐related characteristics in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Kang Kun‐Tai , Weng Wen‐Chin , Lee Pei‐Lin , Hsu Wei‐Chung
Published: March 2022

Background

Age and gender disparities in polysomnographic findings in children are not well understood.

Objective

This study determined age and gender‐related characteristics in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Method

Retrospectively, data were collected. We analyzed polysomnographic data in the following age groups: 3–6 years (n = 681), 6–9 years (n = 553), 9–12 years (n = 297), 12–15 years (n = 200), and 15–18 years (n = 111).

Results

A total of 1842 children were included (mean age: 8.0 years; boys: 67%; obesity: 21%). The apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) gradually increased with age (3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, and 15–18 years groups: 6.2, 5.9, 6.5, 8.1, and 9.9 event/h, respectively; p trend = 0.002). In all age groups, boys had a higher AHI than girls (7.8 vs. 4.1 events/h, p < 0.001). Children with obesity had a higher AHI than those without (12.9 vs. 4.9 events/h, p < 0.001). The mean AHI in the boys increased with age (3–6 to 15–18 years groups: 7.0–13.6 events/h, respectively; p trend < 0.001), whereas the mean AHI in the girls was not significantly different between ages (p trend = 0.492). In moderation analyses, gender was a moderator in the association between obesity and AHI, and the association between age and AHI during 12–15 and 15–18 years of ages.

Conclusion

Male gender and obesity increase risk of OSA. Regarding age disparities, this study discovered a higher AHI in male adolescents than in young boys.
Strength Criterion of HTPB Composite Solid Propellant under Tension‐Shear Loading at Low Temperature
Authors: Wang Jia‐xiang , Qiang Hong‐fu , Wang Zhe‐jun
Published: March 2022

The strength limits of composite solid propellants are different at different temperatures and loading states. To study the ultimate bearing capacity of Hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant, the tensile‐shear loading fixture and propellant specimens were designed, and the tensile‐shear tests of HTPB propellant at different temperatures (223–298 K) and strain rates (0.01–1.00 s−1) were carried out. The variation of ultimate load of HTPB propellant with loading conditions was analysed. Based on the twin shear unified strength theory, the strength criterion of HTPB propellant under low temperature tension‐shear load was established, and the variation of mechanical parameters and stress limit surface with temperature and strain rate were analysed. The results show that the twin shear unified strength theory can be well applied to the strength analysis of propellants. The ultimate bearing capacity of HTPB propellant is the smallest near the loading angle of 45°. The shape of strength limit surface is an equilateral semi‐infinite hexahedron. With the decrease of temperature and the increase of shear rate, the strength limit surface of HTPB propellant expands outward.
Offshore coxswain competency evaluation model for internal on‐board competency monitoring and assessment
Authors: Lim Wen Khai , Rusli Risza , Nazir Salman
Published: March 2022

Lifeboats are widely installed on offshore facilities to transfer personnel‐on‐board to safe location during an emergency. However, an unacceptably high number of incidents that cause serious or fatal injury to the involved crew still occur during routine maintenance and lifeboat drills. Therefore, a competency evaluation model that is suitable for implementation of on‐board offshore facilities and produces reliable results is essential. This paper proposes a theoretical competency evaluation model to minimize human error and continuously improve the proficiency of offshore lifeboat coxswains in on‐board offshore installations. The offshore coxswain competency evaluation model (OC2EM) is designed in two different sections: Section  1 comprises the base section, and Section  2 comprises the assessment section. OC2EM is assessed with the OPITO Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Competence Assessment and OPITO Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Training Standard, which are recognized globally in the oil and gas industry to determine the effectiveness and suitability for implementation. On the basis of the results obtained from the emergency scenarios generated and analysis with the OPITO training and competence standards, OC2EM has proven to be a promising model for implementation in on‐board offshore installations because of its capability to be implemented flexibly depending on the requirement of the particular installation while maintaining realistic results.
Trapezoid bioequivalence: A rational bioavailability evaluation approach on account of the pharmaceutical‐driven balance of population average and variability
Authors: Soufsaf Sara , Nekka Fahima , Li Jun
Published: March 2022

Among the current approaches for the analysis of bioequivalence, the average bioequivalence (ABE) is limited only to the mean bioavailability, whereas the population bioequivalence (PBE) criterion aggregates both mean and variance in a general comparison formula. However, a rational bioequivalence criterion capable of judging specific drug considerations is always still preferred. As an alternative approach, we introduce an aggregate criterion, namely, the trapezoid bioequivalence (TBE), which includes the consideration of both mean and variance of the bioavailability and adapted weighting of a drug's therapeutic properties. We first applied our method to specific simulated scenarios to compare the strengths and weaknesses of current bioequivalence approaches and demonstrate the improvements brought by TBE. As well, the impact of sample size and variability on ABE, PBE, and TBE are assessed using a population pharmacokinetic model of methylphenidate. Our results indicate that TBE inherits the advantages of both ABE and PBE while greatly reducing their inadequacies. Through simulations with population pharmacokinetic models of specific scenarios, we confirm that (1) TBE does not encounter the overly permissiveness issue of PBE, (2) TBE respects the hierarchy to ABE (TBE => ABE), and (3) TBE assesses bioequivalence with a restriction on without an increase to type 2 errors. The clinically inspired simulations demonstrate TBE’s superiority in a realistic context and its potential usefulness in practice. Moreover, the parameter choice in TBE may be adapted according to the specific context of a drug's pharmacological and pharmacodynamic properties.
Universal Quantum Multi‐Qubit Entangling Gates with Auxiliary Spaces
Authors: Liu Wen‐Qiang , Wei Hai‐Rui , Kwek Leong‐Chuan
Published: March 2022

Universal quantum entangling gates are a crucial building block in the large‐scale quantum computation and quantum communication, and it is an important task to find simple ways to implement them. Here an effective quantum circuit for the implementation of a controlled‐NOT (CNOT) gate is constructed by introducing a non‐computational quantum state in the auxiliary space. Furthermore, the method is extended to the construction of a general n‐control‐qubit Toffoli gate with qubit–qudit gates and single‐qudit gates. Based on the presented quantum circuits, the polarization CNOT and Toffoli gates with linear optics are designed by operating on the spatial‐mode degree of freedom of photons. The proposed optical schemes can be achieved with a higher success probability and no extra auxiliary photons are needed.
Humanistic science education: Updating our collective consciousness and offering fresh consideration
Authors: Southerland Sherry A. , Settlage John
Published: March 2022

We introduce a set of three essays devoted to Humanistic Science Education, an approach to science teaching and learning built around the premise that science is a human endeavor, with its own culture, values, knowledge, and practices. This portrayal of science emphasizes the need to contextualize science for students and to assist them in connecting science with other aspects of their lives. We describe how Humanistic Science Education is a promising approach given this particularly difficult juncture in our history and provide some timely examples of recent work that embodies this approach.