bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Relationship between Medication Adherence and Tacrolimus Coefficient of Variation
Authors: Leino Abbie D. , Abuls Karlis M. , Rodgers John Killian L. , Kuntz Kristin K.
Published: March 2022

Introduction: High tacrolimus intrapatient variability is associated with poor outcomes following transplantation. A commonly hypothesized cause of this variability is medication non-adherence, but this has not been conclusively demonstrated. Research Question: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between medication adherence and tacrolimus intrapatient variability. Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of kidney transplant recipients. Adherence was assessed at the 12-month clinic visit as a composite of patient self-report, pharmacist assessment, and lab monitoring frequency. Tacrolimus intrapatient variability was calculated as the coefficient of variation (CV). Linear regression and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis were used to assess the relationship between adherence and CV. Results: Nonadherence was identified in 37.5% of patients. The median CV was 27.1% for adherent patients and 29.8% for non-adherent patients ( P = 0.051). In the multivariable analysis, the only significant predictor of CV was the incidence of dose changes ( P = 0.002). ROC analysis demonstrated poor discriminant power with an AUC of 0.597. Discussion: The results fail to support a clinically meaningful relationship between medication adherence and tacrolimus CV. There is very little evidence at this time that adherence is the primary contributing factor to tacrolimus intrapatient variability and, by extension, that CV can be used as a surrogate for adherence.
Planned Obsolescence? The Role of the Town Common in the Making of Savannah’s Urban Plan
Authors: Gobel David W.
Published: March 2022

The colonial town common of Savannah, Georgia, played a vital role in the city’s history. It enabled public surveyors in the late 18th and early 19th century to expand the celebrated urban plan of streets and public squares that had been initiated by the city’s founder, James Oglethorpe. Its fortuitous role as an expansion zone, however, does not appear to have been intended from start as some have supposed. Instead, Savannah’s town common, like others of its time, was an unscripted, liminal space serving multiple, undesignated functions. This paper investigates its intended and actual use and its gradual disappearance
Fast and computationally efficient generative adversarial network algorithm for unmanned aerial vehicle–based network coverage optimization
Authors: Ružička Marek , Vološin Marcel , Gazda Juraj , Maksymyuk Taras , Han Longzhe , Dohler Mischa
Published: March 2022

The challenge of dynamic traffic demand in mobile networks is tackled by moving cells based on unmanned aerial vehicles. Considering the tremendous potential of unmanned aerial vehicles in the future, we propose a new heuristic algorithm for coverage optimization. The proposed algorithm is implemented based on a conditional generative adversarial neural network, with a unique multilayer sum-pooling loss function. To assess the performance of the proposed approach, we compare it with the optimal core-set algorithm and quasi-optimal spiral algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed approach converges to the quasi-optimal solution with a negligible difference from the global optimum while maintaining a quadratic complexity regardless of the number of users.
Using Informal Conversations in Qualitative Research
Authors: Swain Jon , King Brendan
Published: March 2022

The aim of this paper is to promote a greater use of informal conversations in qualitative research. Although not a new innovation, we posit that they are a neglected innovation and a method that should become more widely employed. We argue that these conversations create a greater ease of communication and often produce more naturalistic data. While many researchers have written about the use of informal conversations in ethnography, as part of participant observation, we are advocating that these conversations have an application beyond ethnography and can be used in more general qualitative exploration that occurs in everyday settings where talking is involved. They can be used as the main method but also to complement and add to more formal types of data created through interview. Sometimes informal conversations are not only the best way, they are the only way to generate data. We use examples to show how we have used informal conversations in our research, which we interrogate and use to raise a number of, mainly ethical and methodological, issues. We discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of using this method, including the status and validity of data produced.
Technical note: An alternative use of a steerable homemade for the treatment of chronic total occlusion of an iliac artery
Authors: Orellana Dávila Bernardo , Danese Massimo , Spataro Claudio , Coscarella Carlo , Giudice Rocco , Ferrer Ciro
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The complexity of the peripheral recanalization comes from the difficulty to cross the lesion or get into the subintimal space and its re-entry afterward, with a high risk of complications like artery dissection and/or rupture, which are life-threatening complications. To our knowledge, we report the first case of the use of a homemade steerable sheath for the successful revascularization of a heavy chronic total occlusion in a patient with unsuitable upper vascular access.

Technique

By contralateral vascular access and the use of a 6Fr 55-cm Cook Flexor sheath and a pre-looped 0.014” choice guidewire, a steerable homemade sheath was used to achieve the support, pushability, and steer needed to access the subintimal space at the origin of a heavy occluded common iliac artery, thus giving us the ability to cross the lesion.

Conclusions

The homemade steerable sheath is feasible, quick, cheap, and easy to use, sparing the use of re-entry systems and catheters for the attempts of subintimal navigation. In addition, this technique gives the advantage to steer the catheters and wires as needed, avoiding non-desired re-entry points with secondary collaterals lumen compromise or extensive dissections.
Incidental learning in music reading: The music contingency learning task
Authors: Iorio Claudia , Šaban Iva , Poulin-Charronnat Bénédicte , Schmidt James R
Published: March 2022

The present report investigated whether nonmusicians can incidentally learn musical skills needed for sight-reading. On each trial, participants identified a note name written inside of a note on the musical staff. In Experiment 1, each note was presented frequently with the congruent note name (e.g., “do” with the note for “do”) and rarely with the incongruent names (e.g., “do” with the note for “fa”). With or without deliberate learning instructions, a robust contingency learning effect was observed: faster responses for congruent trials compared with incongruent trials. Participants also explicitly identified the meaning of the note positions more accurately than chance. Experiment 2 ruled out the potential influence of preexisting knowledge on the contingency learning effect by presenting notes most often with an incongruent note name. Robust learning was again observed, suggesting that participants acquired sufficient knowledge of musical notation to produce automatic influences on behaviour (e.g., akin to the interference effect previously found in skilled musicians). A congruency effect was additionally observed in Experiment 2, however. Experiment 3 further explored to what extent this congruency effect might be due to prior music knowledge and/or spatial stimulus–response compatibility between note and response locations (analogous to the SMARC effect). Overall, our results open up new avenues for investigating the incidental learning of complex material, musical or otherwise, and for reinforcing learning even further.
An Active Compound From Pseudomonas aeruginosa B27
Authors: Zheng Xi , Qin Zixian , Kang Jialei , Wan Chunping , Li Guohong , Wang Xin
Published: March 2022

A compound was isolated from the fermented broth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The compound was determined as acridine-4-carboxylic acid based on nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry (MS), and single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis. Acridine-4-carboxylic acid showed significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, and Shinella sp. Moreover, the compound showed certain antitumor activities against HCT116, ST486, HCC1806, and A549 with IC50values of 38.38, 6.59, 20.69, and 82.81 μg/mL, respectively. In the test of nematicidal activity, acridine-4-carboxylic acid showed certain nematicidal activity against Caenorhabditis elegans and Meloidogyne incognita. In addition, the compound also exhibited 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. Therefore, this compound may be used as a potential antibacterial, antitumor, nematicidal, and antioxidative agent.
Holy shit I’m not white? No, we are just right…Brown Pasifika politics of resistance
Authors: Iosefo Fetaui , Iosefo-Williams Joshua
Published: March 2022

In each discipline of academia, brown bodies are few and far between. This critical collective autoethnography poetically, performatively decolonises two lived experiences of brown bodies. The two scholars live within the diaspora of Aotearoa, New Zealand; however, the bones of their ancestors are in Samoan. As a means of political resistance to the status quo, the Samoan Indigenous reference and Wayfinding is purposely included as foundational in decolonising.
Prospective Evaluation of Pain Flares and Time Until Pain Relief Following Musculoskeletal Corticosteroid Injections
Authors: Cushman Daniel M. , Kobayashi Jacqueline K. , Wheelwright John C. , English Joy , Monson Nicholas , Teramoto Masaru , Dunn Ryan , Lash Madison , Zarate Marisol
Published: March 2022

Background:

Corticosteroid injections are used ubiquitously within musculoskeletal medicine. One of the most common side effects is a postinjection pain flare, though little is known regarding this phenomenon.

Hypothesis:

Some risk factors are related to postinjection pain flare following an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection.

Study Design:

Prospective clinical research study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 2.

Methods:

Patients undergoing ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections in an academic orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic were approached to participate. Patients completed a survey immediately following their injection and again 2 weeks later, asking them about their pain and side effects. A postinjection pain flare was defined as an increase in pain, as defined by the patient.

Results:

A total of 140 patients completed the entirety of the study, with 29 (20.7%) patients reporting a flare of pain. There was a significant effect of younger age on the development of a pain flare after the injection, estimated as 5.5% decreased odds of developing a flare per year of age ( P < 0.01). Gender, injection location, body mass index (BMI), preinjection pain, and corticosteroid type had no contributing effect. When patients obtained relief following the corticosteroid injection, 60.4% had improved pain within 3 days, whereas over 93.7% obtained relief within a week.

Conclusion:

Pain flares seem to affect approximately 1 in 5 patients. With increasing age, the likelihood of postinjection pain flare becomes less likely. Sex, injection location, BMI, preinjection pain, and corticosteroid type do not seem to significantly relate to an increase in pain following injection.

Clinical Relevance:

Corticosteroid injections are common procedures in the orthopaedic and sports medicine settings. Younger patients can be counseled on the higher likelihood of a pain flare following a corticosteroid injection.
Examining the factors contributing to the association between non-albuminuric CKD and a low rate of kidney function decline in diabetes
Authors: Buyadaa Oyunchimeg , Salim Agus , Morton Jedidiah I. , Jandeleit-Dahm Karin , Magliano Dianna J. , Shaw Jonathan E.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Studies have shown that among people with diabetes, those with non-albuminuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a slower rate of reduction in renal function than do those with normal renal function. This suggests the presence of protective factors, the identification of which may open up targets for intervention. The aim of this study was to identify protective clinical factors and nonclinical biomarkers that contribute to the association between non-albuminuric CKD and the low rate of progression of CKD.

Methods:

We tested for significant associations of several clinical factors and 33 nonclinical biomarkers with (1) normoalbuminuria and (2) a low rate of CKD progression among participants with diabetes and CKD enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study in the United States. Factors significantly associated with both normoalbuminuria and a low rate of CKD progression were assessed in linear regression to estimate their potential contributions to the association between non-albuminuric CKD and rate of CKD progression.

Results:

Systolic blood pressure (SBP), glycated A1c (HbA1c), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and six biomarkers [β-trace protein (BTP), kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), fibrinogen, fractalkine, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitivity troponin-T (hsTnT)] were associated with both normoalbuminuria and a low rate of eGFR decline. The univariate β-coefficient for normoalbuminuria was 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82, 1.05]. When all associated factors and biomarkers were included, the regression coefficient decreased to 0.54 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.67). The factors that contributed to the association between non-albuminuric CKD and low rate of eGFR were lower levels of SBP, HbA1c, BTP, KIM-1, hsTnT, BNP, fibrinogen and fractalkine.

Conclusion:

Lower levels of SBP and biomarkers that have pro-inflammatory and vascular modulating features may explain up to 40% of the association between non-albuminuric CKD and low rate of CKD progression. Further investigation of these biomarkers may lead to therapeutic interventions.
Nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis in a cat: interlaboratory variation in cryptococcal antigen assay test results
Authors: McEwan Stephanie A , Sykes Jane E
Published: March 2022

Case summary

An indoor-only 6-year-old spayed female domestic cat was evaluated for a history of stertorous respiration. Skull radiographs revealed increased soft tissue density within the caudal aspect of the left nasal cavity. CT and rhinoscopy revealed a mass lesion in the choana, plus a smaller lesion, nearly completely occluding flow through the nasal passages. Rhinoscopy was used to collect a biopsy specimen from a fleshy, tan–yellow mass visualized in the caudal nasopharynx. Histopathology was diagnostic for Cryptococcus species infection and systemic antifungal therapy with fluconazole was initiated. Following a series of discordant results, serum samples were submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory that utilized a cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system with pretreatment of serum with pronase. Twenty-three months after the initial diagnosis, the cat’s serum cryptococcal antigen titer declined to 1:5 and the cat has responded well to continuing treatment.

Relevance and novel information

This case illustrates challenges associated with discordant test results for cryptococcal antigen among laboratories. Discordancies may be due to differences in assay design, or the underlying disease state itself, or whether serum is pre-treated with pronase; with some tests relying on the training and experience of the operator if the cryptococcal antigen detection test requires a subjective interpretation. It also resolves some confusion in the literature related to the assay types available and terminology used to describe them, and emphasizes the importance of considering cryptococcosis as an important differential for cats with upper respiratory signs, without nasal discharge, even if the cat is kept exclusively indoors.
The Influence of Culture on Early Childhood Education Curriculum in the UAE
Authors: Alhosani Najwa
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This article provides an overview of how childhood curriculum in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is designed to serve cultural values.

Design/Approach/Methods

The framework of kindergarten curriculum adopts the uniqueness of children laying the foundation for their cultural identity. This paper provides a description of how this is achieved through a case study of the kindergarten curriculum in the UAE.

Findings

The core elements of Emirati culture are delivered in the early childhood education (ECE) curriculum, which is influenced by global practices. Islamic studies is a key component in the Emirati kindergarten curriculum, which is designed to help children practice principles of religion, with the main Islamic values of gratitude and charity as aspects that are deeply embedded. Similarly, through social studies, children learn about Emirati heritage and culture. In addition to exposure to world communities, the learning experience engages children in authentic stories that relate to their personal lives, families, and community to build national awareness.

Originality/Value

This paper sheds light on ECE in the UAE. Although the topic is of interest to UAE policymakers and educators and the global audience interested in UAE education, there is no study to the researcher's best knowledge that has examined the influence of the UAE culture on ECE curriculum.
From experience to theory: Science recreation workshops as a practice-led approach in informal environments for science learning
Authors: García-Guerrero Miguel , Lewenstein Bruce V
Published: March 2022

Science recreation workshops (SRWs) create dynamic experiences in which participants discover, explore and understand natural phenomena. This serves as a unique and valuable means of the public communication of science and technology and informal science education activities, with the public at the centre of the process. To achieve this, SRWs integrate action and reflection not as a dichotomy, but as a complementary relation in which sensorial interaction is not a thoughtless process and mental activity is not disembodied. In this way, SRWs create virtuous cycles of meaningful learning.

However, SRW practitioners thus far have not paid enough attention to the development of a theoretical foundation to support their strategies; they remain highly dependent on empirical experience and tacit knowledge. The little attention paid to the creation of a conceptual framework represents a critical barrier for reflection, discussion and, with them, the maturation of the SRW community.

This work links a characterization of the SRW, built upon empirical experiences, to a variety of learning theories to identify an essential basis for discussion on the subject. Our objective is to complement the rich empirical tradition of the SRW with analytic elements intended to encourage discussion and promote—as tends to happen in activities with the public—virtuous cycles of theory and practice.
Systemic Challenges in Internship Training for Health-Service Psychology: A Call to Action From Trainee Stakeholders
Authors: Palitsky R. , Kaplan D. M. , Brodt M. A. , Anderson M. R. , Athey A. , Coffino J. A. , Egbert A. , Hallowell E. S. , Han G. T. , Hartmann M.-A. , Herbitter C. , Herrera Legon M. , Hughes C. D. , Jao N. C. , Kassel M. T. , Le T.-A. P. , Levin-Aspenson H. F. , López G. , Maroney M. R. , Medrano M. , Reznik S. J. , Rogers M. L. , Stevenson B.
Published: March 2022

The challenges observed in health-service-psychology (HSP) training during COVID-19 revealed systemic and philosophical issues that preexisted the pandemic but became more visible during the global health crisis. In a position article written by 23 trainees across different sites and training specializations, we use lessons learned from COVID-19 as a touchstone for a call to action in HSP training. Historically, trainee voices have been conspicuously absent from literature about clinical training. We describe long-standing dilemmas in HSP training that were exacerbated by the pandemic and will continue to require resolution after the pandemic has subsided. We make recommendations for systems-level changes that would advance equity and sustainability in HSP training. This article advances the conversation about HSP training by including the perspective of trainees as essential stakeholders.
Does Objectively Measured Social-Media or Smartphone Use Predict Depression, Anxiety, or Social Isolation Among Young Adults?
Authors: Sewall Craig J. R. , Goldstein Tina R. , Wright Aidan G. C. , Rosen Daniel
Published: March 2022

Despite a plethora of research, the link between digital-technology use and psychological distress among young adults remains inconclusive. Findings in this area are typically undermined by methodological limitations related to measurement, study design, and statistical analysis. Addressing these limitations, we examined the prospective, within-persons associations between three aspects of objectively measured digital-technology use (duration and frequency of smartphone use, duration of social-media use) and three aspects of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and social isolation) among a sample of young adults ( N = 384). Across 81 different model specifications, we found that most within-persons prospective effects between digital-technology use and psychological distress were statistically nonsignificant, and all were very small—even the largest effects were unlikely to register a meaningful impact on a person’s psychological distress. In post hoc subgroup analyses, we found scant evidence for the claim that digital-technology use is more harmful for women and/or younger people.
Endoscopic Spinal Surgery (BESS and UESS) Versus Microscopic Surgery in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kang Kyu-Bok , Shin Young-Soo , Seo Eun-Min
Published: March 2022

Study Design

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

Various minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed as alternatives to conventional surgery. According to recent studies, endoscopic spinal surgery (ESS) (biportal ESS [BESS] or uniportal ESS [UESS]) is more favorable compared with microscopic spinal surgery (MSS). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the latest evidence on the use of ESS compared with MSS in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Methods

A systematic electronic search using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Database, and Korea Med was performed until December 2019 to identify studies that compared ESS and MSS in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Results

Overall, 1167 patients were included from three randomized controlled trials, six retrospective cohorts, and two prospective case–control studies. This review only presented 3 direct comparative studies. The study had inherent limitations specifically in terms of the study design. Meta-analysis of hospital stay (days) showed significant difference between BESS and MSS, UESS and MSS, BESS +UESS, and MSS at the final follow-up (95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.66 to −.77; P = .003; I2 = 97%, 95% CI: −2.95 to −1.22; P <.00001; I2 = 90%, and 95% CI: −2.89 to −1.48; P <.00001; I2 = 96%, respectively). However, meta-analysis showed no significant difference in other results.

Conclusions

Although a shorter duration of hospital stay was observed in ESS, there were no significant differences in efficacy and safety between ESS and MSS. Further studies are required to validate these results.
Introducing the Sustainability Framework of ‘External Control’ in Interfirm Control
Authors: Chakhovich Terhi , Virtanen Tuija
Published: March 2022

This study addresses the phenomenon of interfirm control in the context of sustainability. The research question is how is it possible to develop interfirm control in the field of sustainability and with the associated stakeholder focus needed so that stakeholder views are taken as explicit goals. The study is connected to theories on interfirm control, control package and sustainability. The research uses an intensive case methodology and semi-structured interviews focusing on a case company in the building industry and its stakeholders. The major theme of control in the company studied is sustainability. The article shows how the company establishes interfirm control and even attempts to control its customers, which may be perceived as a relatively rare practice. However, it is shown that the control approach to sustainability can result in the theme being defined on the basis of the perspective of the industry, the company and control itself, not on the basis of stakeholder needs. Alternative ideas, such as wider societal and planet-related needs, contradictions within sustainability and the risk of simplification to economic concerns, are considered less. The study then presents a novel framework, ‘external control’, that considers stakeholder expectations as explicit goals. This framework of external control contributes to the interfirm control literature and ties missing perspectives to controls, thereby also contributing to the sustainability and control package literature.
Pediatric Hand Fracture Outcomes: How Often Do We Need to Operate?
Authors: Wei Sabrina , Forbes Diana , Hartley Rebecca L. , Salhi Saoussen , Fraulin Frankie O. G. , Harrop A. Robertson , Arneja Jugpal S.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Pediatric hand fractures are frequent presentations to the emergency department. This study set out to evaluate the epidemiology, management, and outcomes, where care was imparted and by whom, and offer resource utilization suggestions regarding pediatric fractures presenting to a Canadian pediatric hospital. Methods: Records of patients from 0 to 18 years of age who presented to the British Columbia Children’s Hospital Emergency Department between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2021, with metacarpal or phalangeal fractures were analyzed. Results: A total of 524 hand fractures were identified in 499 patients. Over 60% of fractures occurred in boys. The number of fractures peaked at the age of 11 years for girls and 12 years for boys. Open fractures accounted for only 4.0% of all fractures. Approximately 40% of fractures were epiphyseal growth plate fractures, with Salter-Harris II fractures being the most common diagnosis overall. Management was primarily nonsurgical, with 75% of fractures managed with immobilization alone and 23% of fractures managed with bedside closed reduction and immobilization. Of the fractures requiring closed reduction, the majority were performed by the emergency physician with a success rate of 82%. Only 2.3% of all fractures required surgery. Conclusions: Hand fractures are common pediatric injuries and make up a large proportion of emergency room visits. The majority of fractures do not require formal surgery and are well managed with immobilization alone or closed reduction by an emergency room physician and immobilization. Nonsurgical treatment offers very encouraging outcomes. A certain percentage of these simple fractures would likely benefit from primary care management alone and not require specialist intervention.
Oppari: A Tamil Musical Elegy Laced with Caste Prejudices and Identities
Authors: Deivendra Kumar A.
Published: March 2022

Though popular culture is celebrated among people across the country, the admiration for folklore and performing arts is very limited. In the domain of folklore, performing art forms are categorized and stratified based on ‘who is performing it’ or ‘who is eligible to perform’ with a benchmark of the social status of purity and pollution. This article discusses and reflects the dilution of casteism and fabricated caste identities and prejudices in oppari, ancient folklore and a musical dirge song performed in Tamil Nadu, which is considered as a polluted, discriminated cultural outcome and custom to be performed and etched with people belonging to oppressed classes in society. It also keeps a close lens and discussion on change in oppari, the role of casteism and its revamp in the contemporary scenario and sociocultural aspects of oppari within the realm of caste and performance.
The violence of involuntary resettlement and emerging resistance in Mozambique's Limpopo National Park: The role of physical and social infrastructure
Authors: Otsuki Kei
Published: March 2022

Nature conservation turns violent when it leads to enclosure, dispossession and militarisation, causing suffering among people living in the environment that is to be protected. Resettlement projects are meant to facilitate the process of repossession for dispossessed people as the proponents promise improved housing and physical infrastructure outside the protected area. While scholarly attention has been paid to the violence of dispossession, little is known about the ways in which the post-resettlement built environment turns violent for displaced people as well as people remaining in the protected area. Drawing on field research on water infrastructure in two resettlement villages in Mozambique's Limpopo National Park (LNP), this paper analyses how the violence of resettlement is entrenched in the material, ecological and political framework that shapes the resettlement project. It pays particular attention to the process by which the resettled citizens struggle with the everyday sufferings in their new built environment in order to expose how physical infrastructure and the lack thereof led to new social infrastructure, which have enabled the remaining park residents’ resistance against resettlement. The emerging resistance indicates the urgent need to pay attention to the built environment expanding outside the conservation area in order to address the violence of resettlement as well as to pursue nature conservation itself.
Region-specific linear site amplification model for peaty organic soil sites in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Tsai Yi Tyan , Stewart Jonathan P , Mikami Atsushi , Brandenberg Scott J
Published: March 2022

We develop a site amplification model for a regional geologic condition that includes surficial deposits of peaty organic soils in Hokkaido, Japan. We use ground motion data from national Japanese networks along with local data from the study region. We apply a non-reference site approach to infer site effects from misfits of reference ground motion models to data from 10 subduction zone earthquakes. Application of this approach requires removal of source-specific biases and careful consideration of source-to-site path effects. These considerations are essential to avoid mapping source- or path-related model misfits into estimates of site response. We consider three subduction ground motion models as reference models. By paying special attention to the conditions for which the path models are effective, and making adjustments for between-island path misfits (Hokkaido to Honshu and vice versa), we identify regional site effects that are insensitive to the ground motion models used in their derivation. Observed site responses are characterized by strong resonances at first-mode site frequencies, and as a result the regional model is conditioned on peak frequency from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios.
Ferrofettelite, [Ag6As2S7][Ag10FeAs2S8], a new sulfosalt from the Glasberg quarry, Odenwald, Germany
Authors: Bindi Luca , Downs Robert T.
Published: March 2022

Ferrofettelite, ideally [Ag6As2S7][Ag10FeAs2S8], is a new mineral (IMA2021-094) from the Glasberg quarry, Nieder-Beerbach, Odenwald, south-western Germany. It occurs as anhedral to subhedral flakes and grains up to 80 μm, associated with proustite and xanthoconite, on arsenolite, calcite and prehnite. Ferrofettelite is opaque with a metallic lustre and possesses a dark reddish-grey streak. It is brittle with an uneven fracture; the Vickers microhardness (VHN20) is 122 kg/mm2 (range 111–131). The calculated density is 5.74 g/cm3 (on the basis of the empirical formula). In plane-polarised reflected light, ferrofettelite is greyish white. Between crossed polars it is weakly anisotropic with red internal reflections. Electron-microprobe analyses give the chemical formula Ag16.04(Fe0.55Hg0.40Cu0.02)Σ0.97(As3.94Sb0.03)Σ3.97S15.02 on the basis of total atoms = 36.

Ferrofettelite is monoclinic, space group C2, with a = 26.011(2), b = 15.048(1), c = 15.513(1) Å, β = 90.40(1)° and V = 6071.9(7) Å3 for Z = 8. The six strongest Bragg peaks in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern (d, Å (I, %) (hkl) are: 3.18 (50) ($\bar{8}$01), 3.104 (100) (005), 3.004 (60) ($\bar{8}$02), 2.755 (40) ($\bar{4}$43), 2.501 (30) ($\bar{4}$44) and 1.880 (30) ($\overline {12}$40). The crystal structure can be described as the alternation of two kinds of layers along the c-axis: layer A with general composition [Ag6As2S7]2– and layer B with a general composition of [Ag10FeAs2S8]2+. In the structure, the Ag atoms adopt various coordinations extending from quasi linear to quasi tetrahedral, the AsS3 groups form pyramids as are typically observed in sulfosalts, and mixed (Fe,Hg) links two sulfur atoms in a linear coordination. Ferrofettelite is the first reported inorganic phase showing a linear coordination for Fe2+. The high-temperature behaviour of ferrofettelite was studied up to 410 K and compared to that of fettelite.
Statistical analysis of avian reproduction studies
Authors: Green John W. , Foudoulakis Manousos , Fredricks Timothy , Bean Thomas , Maul Jonathan , Plautz Stephanie , Valverde Pablo , Schapaugh Adam , Sopko Xiaoyi , Gao Zhenglei
Published: March 2022

Avian reproduction studies for regulatory risk assessment are undergoing review by regulatory authorities, often leading to requests for statistical re-analysis of older studies using newer methods, sometimes with older study data that do not support these newer methods. We propose detailed statistical protocols with updated statistical methodology for use with both new and older studies and recommend improvements in experimental study design to set up future studies for robust statistical analyses. There is increased regulatory and industry attention to the potential use of benchmark dose (BMD) methodology to derive the endpoint to be used in avian reproduction studies for regulatory risk assessment. We present benefits and limitations of this BMD approach for older studies being re-evaluated and for new studies designed for with BMD analysis anticipated. Model averaging is recommended as preferable to model selection for BMD analysis. Even for a new study following the modified experimental design analyses, with BMD methodology will only be possible for a restricted set of response variables. The judicious use of historical control data, identification of outlier data points, increased use of distributions more consistent with the nature of the data collected as opposed to forcing normality-based methods, and trend-based hypothesis tests are shown to be effective for many studies, but limitations on their applicability are also recognized and explained. Updated statistical methodologies are illustrated with case studies conducted under existing regulatory guidelines that have been submitted for product registrations. Through the adoption of alternative avian reproduction study design elements combined with the suggested revised statistical methodologies the conduct, analyses, and utility of avian reproduction studies for avian risk assessments can be improved.
Interpretable prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis from machine learning analysis of premature infant stool microbiota
Authors: Lin Yun Chao , Salleb-Aouissi Ansaf , Hooven Thomas A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common, potentially catastrophic intestinal disease among very low birthweight premature infants. Affecting up to 15% of neonates born weighing less than 1500 g, NEC causes sudden-onset, progressive intestinal inflammation and necrosis, which can lead to significant bowel loss, multi-organ injury, or death. No unifying cause of NEC has been identified, nor is there any reliable biomarker that indicates an individual patient’s risk of the disease. Without a way to predict NEC in advance, the current medical strategy involves close clinical monitoring in an effort to treat babies with NEC as quickly as possible before irrecoverable intestinal damage occurs. In this report, we describe a novel machine learning application for generating dynamic, individualized NEC risk scores based on intestinal microbiota data, which can be determined from sequencing bacterial DNA from otherwise discarded infant stool. A central insight that differentiates our work from past efforts was the recognition that disease prediction from stool microbiota represents a specific subtype of machine learning problem known as multiple instance learning (MIL).

Results

We used a neural network-based MIL architecture, which we tested on independent datasets from two cohorts encompassing 3595 stool samples from 261 at-risk infants. Our report also introduces a new concept called the “growing bag” analysis, which applies MIL over time, allowing incorporation of past data into each new risk calculation. This approach allowed early, accurate NEC prediction, with a mean sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 90%. True-positive NEC predictions occurred an average of 8 days before disease onset. We also demonstrate that an attention-gated mechanism incorporated into our MIL algorithm permits interpretation of NEC risk, identifying several bacterial taxa that past work has associated with NEC, and potentially pointing the way toward new hypotheses about NEC pathogenesis. Our system is flexible, accepting microbiota data generated from targeted 16S or “shotgun” whole-genome DNA sequencing. It performs well in the setting of common, potentially confounding preterm neonatal clinical events such as perinatal cardiopulmonary depression, antibiotic administration, feeding disruptions, or transitions between breast feeding and formula.

Conclusions

We have developed and validated a robust MIL-based system for NEC prediction from harmlessly collected premature infant stool. While this system was developed for NEC prediction, our MIL approach may also be applicable to other diseases characterized by changes in the human microbiota.
Oxidative stress-related circulating miRNA-27a is a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with sepsis
Authors: Ou Yingwei , An Rongcheng , Wang Haochu , Chen Lue , Shen Yong , Cai Wenwei , Zhu Wei
Published: March 2022

Background

Oxidative stress plays a critical role on the processes of sepsis, and several microRNAs have been identified that may regulate the occurrence of oxidative stress. However, the relation between oxidative stress-related microRNA 27a (miR-27a) and sepsis is unknown. The present study aimed to determine the value of circulating miR-27a for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 23 patients with sepsis and 25 without sepsis treated at the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) or our institution between January 2019 and January 2020. Levels of circulating miR-27a and levels of oxidative stress-related indicators were measured and compared between sepsis and non-sepsis patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine diagnostic efficiency of miR-27a.

Results

Circulating miR-27a levels in sepsis patients were higher than those in non-sepsis patients (p < 0.05), and levels were significantly higher in patients that died than those that lived (p < 0.05). In patients with sepsis, circulating miR-27a level was positively correlated with serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level (rs = 0.529, p = 0.007), and negatively correlated with serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) level (rs = − 0.477, p = 0.016). No significant correlation was observed between circulating miR-27a and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) in sepsis patients (rs = − 0.340, p = 0.096). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of miR-27a level for prediction of sepsis was 0.717 (p = 0.009) and for 28-day mortality was 0.739 (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

This study showed that circulating miR-27a level is correlated with oxidative stress and mortality in patients with sepsis, and may serve as a potential non-invasive molecular biomarker.
Diversity and antimicrobial activities of culturable actinomycetes from Odontotermes formosanus (Blattaria: Termitidae)
Authors: Long Yanhua , Zhang Yong , Huang Fang , Liu Song , Gao Tian , Zhang Yinglao
Published: March 2022

Background

Actinomycetes are important microbes, and they are very important for developing active substances for useful drugs. Actinomycetes are numerous inhabitants, and they are widely distributed in the nest of fungus-growing termites. Previously, we isolated and purified numerous actinomycetes from the combs of Odontotermes formosanus and obtained a variety of valuable natural products.

Results

Here, we isolated and purified actinomycetes from fungus-growing termite Odontotermes formosanus using medium-based cultures. Among the eight media tested, M7 and I-HV media were found suitable for isolating actinomycetes. Further, 84 actinomycetes, including 79 Streptomyces isolates, were isolated and purified from O. formosanus and its combs, which belong to four genera (Streptomyces, Kribbella, Amycolatopsis, and Cellulosimicrobium). Then, the type and quantity of actinomycetes were positively correlated with the activity range of termites. Twenty-two actinomycetes strains showed antimicrobial activities. Among them, the BYF18, BYF48, BYF70, and BYF106 strains exhibited antifungal activities against five pathogenic fungi, with zone of inhibition (ZOI) values ranging from 3 to 21 mm. Grincamycin N was isolated and purified from the metabolites of Streptomyces lannensis (BYF106), and it displayed antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI = 13.82 ± 0.52 mm) and Micrococcus tetragenus (ZOI = 17.6 ± 0.5 mm) (gentamycin sulfate, as the positive control, had ZOI values of 19.9 ± 0.5 mm and 30.83 ± 0.75 mm, against S. aureus and M. tetragenus, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that the actinomycetes associated with O. formosanus are important sources of new active substances.
Morphological, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of Sophora davidii mutants for plant height
Authors: Zhao Xin , Sun Xiao-Fu , Zhao Li-Li , Huang Li-Juan , Wang Pu-Chang
Published: March 2022

Sophora davidiiis an important plant resource in the karst region of Southwest China, butS. davidiiplant-height mutants are rarely reported. Therefore, we performed phenotypic, anatomic structural, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to study the mechanisms responsible forS. davidiiplant-height mutants. Phenotypic and anatomical observations showed that compared to the wild type, the dwarf mutant displayed a significant decrease in plant height, while the tall mutant displayed a significant increase in plant height. The dwarf mutant cells were smaller and more densely arranged, while those of the wild type and the tall mutant were larger and loosely arranged. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in cell wall biosynthesis, expansion, phytohormone biosynthesis, signal transduction pathways, flavonoid biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were significantly enriched in theS. davidiiplant-height mutants. Metabolomic analysis revealed 57 significantly differential metabolites screened from both the dwarf and tall mutants. A total of 8 significantly different flavonoid compounds were annotated to LIPID MAPS, and three metabolites (chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and scopoletin) were involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. These results shed light on the molecular mechanisms of plant height inS. davidiimutants and provide insight for further molecular breeding programs.
De novo assembly of a fruit transcriptome set identifies AmMYB10 as a key regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Aronia melanocarpa
Authors: Mahoney Jonathan D. , Wang Sining , Iorio Liam A. , Wegrzyn Jill L. , Dorris Matthew , Martin Derek , Bolling Bradley W. , Brand Mark H. , Wang Huanzhong
Published: March 2022

Aroniais a group of deciduous fruiting shrubs, of the Rosaceae family, native to eastern North America. Interest inAroniahas increased because of the high levels of dietary antioxidants inAroniafruits. Using Illumina RNA-seq transcriptome analysis, this study investigates the molecular mechanisms of polyphenol biosynthesis duringAroniafruit development. SixA.melanocarpa(diploid) accessions were collected at four fruit developmental stages. De novo assembly was performed with 341 million clean reads from 24 samples and assembled into 90,008 transcripts with an average length of 801 bp. The transcriptome had 96.1% complete according to Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCOs). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in flavonoid biosynthetic and metabolic processes, pigment biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolic processes, and polysaccharide metabolic processes based on significant Gene Ontology (GO) biological terms. The expression of ten anthocyanin biosynthetic genes showed significant up-regulation during fruit development according to the transcriptomic data, which was further confirmed using qRT-PCR expression analyses. Additionally, transcription factor genes were identified among the DEGs. Using a transient expression assay, we confirmed thatAmMYB10induces anthocyanin biosynthesis. The de novo transcriptome data provides a valuable resource for the understanding the molecular mechanisms of fruit anthocyanin biosynthesis inAroniaand species of theRosaceaefamily.
Development and validation of search filters to identify articles on deprescribing in Medline and Embase
Authors: Morel Thomas , Nguyen-Soenen Jérôme , Thompson Wade , Fournier Jean-Pascal
Published: March 2022

Background

Deprescribing literature has been increasing rapidly. Our aim was to develop and validate search filters to identify articles on deprescribing in Medline via PubMed and in Embase via Embase.com.

Methods

Articles published from 2011 to 2020 in a core set of eight journals (covering fields of interest for deprescribing, such as geriatrics, pharmacology and primary care) formed a reference set. Each article was screened independently in duplicate and classified as relevant or non-relevant to deprescribing. Relevant terms were identified by term frequency analysis in a 70% subset of the reference set. Selected title and abstract terms, MeSH terms and Emtree terms were combined to develop two highly sensitive filters for Medline via Pubmed and Embase via Embase.com. The filters were validated against the remaining 30% of the reference set. Sensitivity, specificity and precision were calculated with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

A total of 23,741 articles were aggregated in the reference set, and 224 were classified as relevant to deprescribing. A total of 34 terms and 4 MeSH terms were identified to develop the Medline search filter. A total of 27 terms and 6 Emtree terms were identified to develop the Embase search filter. The sensitivity was 92% (95% CI: 83–97%) in Medline via Pubmed and 91% (95% CI: 82–96%) in Embase via Embase.com.

Conclusions

These are the first deprescribing search filters that have been developed objectively and validated. These filters can be used in search strategies for future deprescribing reviews. Further prospective studies are needed to assess their effectiveness and efficiency when used in systematic reviews.