bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myofibroma mimicking peripheral nerve sheath tumour with ulnar nerve compression symptoms
Authors: Chim Harvey , Wiesemann Gayle Suk , Nasri Elham
Published: February 2023

We report a case of myofibroma encasing the ulnar nerve on the medial aspect of the left arm with motor and sensory deficit secondary to compression. Initially, the tumour appeared to be a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour based on preoperative imaging, with clinical examination positive for left hand clawing and a positive Wartenberg’s and Froment’s sign. However, intraoperative dissection demonstrated that the mass did not originate from the ulnar nerve proper, lowering suspicion for a peripheral nerve sheath tumour. Histopathological analysis showed spindle cell neoplasm, consistent with myofibroma. The patient underwent hand occupational therapy subsequently, with improvement of grip strength from 5 lb to 12 lb by 4 months postoperatively and resolution of clawing of the hand postoperatively. We discuss differentiating features for this rare occurrence of solitary adult myofibroma, where the final diagnosis was only made after formal histopathological analysis.
Osteochondral impression fracture of the patella after sports collision injury
Authors: Vesseur Maud AM , van Haasteren Johanna CM , Verstraelen Freek U , Boonen Bert
Published: February 2023

This article reports a case of a teenager who suffered a frontal collision sports injury. Computed Tomography (CT) revealed a fracture of the inferior pole of the patella without obvious displacement and retro patellar cortical impression with 5 mm step off. Surgical intervention was performed using β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and 3.0 cannulated screw fixation.

At 3-month follow-up, the wound showed good healing. No pain was observed. The patient was able to flex up to 100° with full extension. There were no signs of hydrops with full stability of the knee.

Good postoperative results can be obtained in osteochondral impression fractures of the patella using surgical intervention to elevate the osteochondral fragment, graft it with β-TCP and raft it with 3.0 cannulated screws.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long term risk of ischemic heart disease in mothers: national cohort and co-sibling study
Authors: Crump Casey , Sundquist Jan , McLaughlin Mary Ann , Dolan Siobhan M , Govindarajulu Usha , Sieh Weiva , Sundquist Kristina
Published: February 2023

Objective

To examine the associations between five major adverse pregnancy outcomes and long term risks of ischemic heart disease in mothers.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

All 2 195 266 women with a first singleton delivery in Sweden during 1973-2015.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measure was incidence of ischemic heart disease from delivery to 2018, identified from nationwide inpatient and outpatient diagnoses. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for ischemic heart disease associated with preterm delivery, small for gestational age, pre-eclampsia, other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and gestational diabetes, adjusting for other adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal factors. Co-sibling analyses assessed for confounding by shared familial (genetic and environmental) factors.

Results

During 53.6 million person years of follow-up, ischemic heart disease was diagnosed in 83 881 (3.8%) women. All five adverse pregnancy outcomes were independently associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease. In the 10 years after delivery, adjusted hazard ratios for ischemic heart disease associated with specific adverse pregnancy outcomes were 2.09 (95% confidence interval 1.77 to 2.46) for other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 1.72 (1.55 to 1.90) for preterm delivery, 1.54 (1.37 to 1.72) for pre-eclampsia, 1.30 (1.09 to 1.56) for gestational diabetes, and 1.10 (1.00 to 1.21) for small for gestational age. The hazard ratios remained significantly increased even 30-46 years after delivery: 1.47 (1.30 to 1.66) for other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 1.40 (1.29 to 1.51) for gestational diabetes, 1.32 (1.28 to 1.36) for pre-eclampsia, 1.23 (1.19 to 1.27) for preterm delivery, and 1.16 (1.13 to 1.19) for small for gestational age. These findings were only partially (<45%) explained by shared familial (genetic or environmental) factors. Women who experienced multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes showed further increases in risk (eg, <10 years after delivery, adjusted hazard ratios associated with 1, 2, or ≥3 adverse pregnancy outcomes were 1.29 (1.19 to 1.39), 1.80 (1.59 to 2.03), and 2.26 (1.89 to 2.70), respectively)).

Conclusions

In this large national cohort, women who experienced any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes showed an increased risk for ischemic heart disease up to 46 years after delivery. Women with adverse pregnancy outcomes should be considered for early preventive evaluation and long term risk reduction to help prevent the development of ischemic heart disease.
Comparing income-related inequality on health service utilisation between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and older rural residents in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Dan , Yang Jinjuan , Liu Hongmei , Ma Yunmiao , Jiang Jia
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study quantifies income-related inequalities in health service utilisation of older rural-to-urban migrant workers, by comparison with older rural residents, and identify with factors giving rise to the inequalities.

Setting

Nationally representative survey conducted in 29 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China.

Participants

952 older rural-to-urban migrant workers and 2676 older rural residents were identified for further analysis.

Main outcome measures

The probability of 2 weeks outpatient utilisation and inpatient utilisation.

Design

Coarsened exact matching was used to control the confounding factors between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and their rural counterparts. Concentration index was used to depict the inequality in health service utilisation, and it can be decomposed proportionally into contributions.

Results

The concentration indices of 2 weeks outpatient utilisation of two groups were −0.2061 (95% CI: 0.0193 to 0.1364) and −0.2041 (95% CI: 0.0594 to 0.1469), respectively. The concentration indices of inpatient of two groups were −0.0024 (95% CI: −0.0047 to 0.0639) and −0.1412 (95% CI: 0.0235 to 0.1125), respectively. The contributors of the inequality of 2 weeks outpatient utilisation of two groups were poor self-assessed health (SAH) status and richest group. The contributors of the inequality of inpatient utilisation of the rural elderly were poor SAH, fair SAH and sense of happiness. The horizontal inequality indices for 2 weeks outpatient of two groups were 0.1321 and −0.0.992, respectively. The horizontal inequality indices for the inpatient of two groups were −0.0032 and −0.0396, respectively.

Conclusions

The results illustrated the existence of a socioeconomic gradient in health service utilisation between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and older rural residents. Our studies provided evidences to take full account of the health service needs, contributing to more reliable understandings of inequalities in the health service utilisation. The results may be referential to identify policy priorities conducive to the health policy reform in the process of active ageing in China.
Presence of symptoms 6 weeks after COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated US healthcare personnel: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M , Plumb Ian D , Harland Kari K , Pilishvili Tamara , Fleming-Dutra Katherine E , Krishnadasan Anusha , Hoth Karin F , Saydah Sharon H , Mankoff Zachary , Haran John P , Briggs-Hagen Melissa , León Eliezer Santos , Talan David A
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Although COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against infection and severe disease, there is limited information on the effect of vaccination on prolonged symptoms following COVID-19. Our objective was to determine differences in prevalence of prolonged symptoms 6 weeks after onset of COVID-19 among healthcare personnel (HCP) by vaccination status, and to assess differences in timing of return to work.

Design

Cohort analysis of HCP with COVID-19 enrolled in a multicentre vaccine effectiveness study. HCP with COVID-19 between December 2020 and August 2021 were followed up 6 weeks after illness onset.

Setting

Health systems in 12 US states.

Participants

HCP participating in a vaccine effectiveness study were eligible for inclusion if they had laboratory-confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 with mRNA vaccination (symptom onset ≥14 days after two doses) or no prior vaccination. Among 681 eligible participants, 419 (61%) completed a follow-up survey to assess symptoms reported 6 weeks after illness onset.

Exposures

Two doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine compared with no COVID-19 vaccine.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of symptoms 6 weeks after onset of COVID-19 illness and days to return to work.

Results

Among 419 HCP with COVID-19, 298 (71%) reported one or more COVID-like symptoms 6 weeks after illness onset, with a lower prevalence among vaccinated participants compared with unvaccinated participants (60.6% vs 79.1%; adjusted risk ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.84). Following their illness, vaccinated HCP returned to work a median 2.0 days (95% CI 1.0 to 3.0) sooner than unvaccinated HCP (adjusted HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.79).

Conclusions

Receipt of two doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine among HCP with COVID-19 illness was associated with decreased prevalence of COVID-like symptoms at 6 weeks and earlier return to work.
Which interventions are effective at decreasing or increasing emergency department attendances or hospital admissions from long-term care facilities? A systematic review
Authors: Searle Ben , Barker Robert O , Stow Daniel , Spiers Gemma F , Pearson Fiona , Hanratty Barbara
Published: February 2023

Objective

UK long-term care facility residents account for 185 000 emergency hospital admissions each year. Avoidance of unnecessary hospital transfers benefits residents, reduces demand on the healthcare systems but is difficult to implement. We synthesised evidence on interventions that influence unplanned hospital admissions or attendances by long-term care facility residents.

Methods

This is a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched from 2012 to 2022, building on a review published in 2013. We included randomised controlled trials that evaluated interventions that influence (decrease or increase) acute hospital admissions or attendances of long-term care facility residents. Risk of bias and evidence quality were assessed using Cochrane Risk Of Bias-2 and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results

Forty-three randomised studies were included in this review. A narrative synthesis was conducted and the weight of evidence described with vote counting. Advance care planning and goals of care setting appear to be effective at reducing hospitalisations from long-term care facilities. Other effective interventions, in order of increasing risk of bias, were: nurse practitioner/specialist input, palliative care intervention, influenza vaccination and enhancing access to intravenous therapies in long-term care facilities.

Conclusions

Factors that affect hospitalisation and emergency department attendances of long-term care facility residents are complex. This review supports the already established use of advance care planning and influenza vaccination to reduce unscheduled hospital attendances. It is likely that more than one intervention will be needed to impact on healthcare usage across the long-term care facility population. The findings of this review are useful to identify effective interventions that can be combined, as well as highlighting interventions that either need evaluation or are not effective at decreasing healthcare usage.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020169604.
Protocol for treating lumbar spinal canal stenosis with a combination of ultrapurified, allogenic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and in situ-forming gel: a multicentre, prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sudo Hideki , Miyakoshi Takashi , Watanabe Yudai , Ito Yoichi M , Kahata Kaoru , Tha Khin Khin , Yokota Nozomi , Kato Hiroe , Terada Tomoko , Iwasaki Norimasa , Arato Teruyo , Sato Norihiro , Isoe Toshiyuki
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In patients with combined lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS), a herniated intervertebral disc (IVD) that compresses the dura mater and nerve roots is surgically treated with discectomy after laminoplasty. However, defects in the IVD after discectomy may lead to inadequate tissue healing and predispose patients to the development of IVD degeneration. Ultrapurified stem cells (rapidly expanding clones (RECs)), combined with an in situ-forming bioresorbable gel (dMD-001), have been developed to fill IVD defects and prevent IVD degeneration after discectomy. We aim to investigate the safety and efficacy of a new treatment method in which a combination of REC and dMD-001 is implanted into the IVD of patients with combined LSCS.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial. Forty-five participants aged 20–75 years diagnosed with combined LSCS will be assessed for eligibility. After performing laminoplasty and discectomy, participants will be randomised 1:1:1 into the combination of REC and dMD-001 (REC-dMD-001) group, the dMD-001 group or the laminoplasty and discectomy alone (control) group. The primary outcomes of the trial will be the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. The effectiveness will be assessed using visual analogue scale scores of back pain and leg pain as well as MRI-based estimations of morphological and compositional quality of the IVD tissue. Secondary outcomes will include self-assessed clinical scores and other MRI-based estimations of compositional quality of the IVD tissue. All evaluations will be performed at baseline and at 1, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after surgery.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the ethics committees of the institutions involved. We plan to conduct dissemination of the outcome data by presenting our data at national and international conferences, as well as through formal publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

jRCT2013210076.
Estimating the prevalence of non-cervical human papillomavirus infection in mainland China (PROGRESS-Plus): protocol of a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Wei , Kothari-Talwar Smita , Roberts Craig , Lu Qingbin , Lara Nuria , Panchal Ravi , Morais Edith , Chen Ya-Ting , Qiao Youlin , Cui Fuqiang
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmissible infection worldwide. Although the prevalence of cervical HPV infection has been extensively reported in women worldwide, few epidemiological studies have examined the prevalence of non-cervical HPV infection among both women and men, especially in China.

Methods and analysis

PROGRESS-Plus is a national, multisite, cross-sectional study that aims to estimate the prevalence of non-cervical HPV infection in women and men aged 18–60 years residing in mainland China. More specifically, PROGRESS-Plus will estimate the prevalence rate of HPV DNA in oral samples from both women and men, and that of anogenital samples from men. The secondary study objectives are to (1) report the aforementioned prevalence rates by HPV genotype, age and geographical region, (2) examine the concordance (ie, prevalence of the same HPV genotype) between the oral and anogenital samples among men, (3) explore risk factors associated with oral (in both women and men) and anogenital (in men only) HPV infection and (4) describe study participants’ health-related quality of life, health behaviour, sexual behaviour and health status.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol and all required documents have been submitted for review and approval to the Independent Ethics Committees of all the participating sites. All participants will provide their written informed consent on study entry, and all the recorded data will be treated as confidential.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Nigerians living with non-communicable diseases: a qualitative study
Authors: Ojewale Lucia Y , Mukumbang Ferdinand C
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The discovery and subsequent manufacture of various types of COVID-19 vaccines were considered a breakthrough in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccines warranted vulnerable populations such as people living with chronic non-communicable diseases and the elderly to be prioritised for vaccination. Nevertheless, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines among these populations was suboptimal. In this study, we aimed to describe the drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people living with chronic non-communicable diseases in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Method

We applied qualitative methods to explore the feelings and thoughts of people living with chronic non-communicable diseases towards COVID-19 vaccines, at a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 25 people living with chronic conditions through in-depth interviews. We thematically analysed the transcripts inductively and deductively. Dedoose qualitative data management software was used to manage the data.

Findings

Emerging subthemes were grouped into two major themes: Hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine related to biological concerns and those related to sociopolitical issues. Hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine associated with biological factors included: (1) concerns over the COVID-19 vaccine worsening the underlying chronic condition; (2) fear of harmful physiological consequences; (3) concerns over insufficient testing of vaccine for safety and (4) perceived vaccine infectiveness. Sociopolitical factors were related to (1) misconceptions of vaccines as a treatment for those with COVID-19; (2) mistrust of manufacturers (‘the whites’); (3) mistrust of government and (4) COVID-19 misinformation.

Conclusion

Public health education on the nature and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine is urgently needed among people living with chronic non-communicable diseases. These measures could improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake and healthcare usage in general. Paying attention to these factors could have implications for the management of the next global pandemic requiring mass vaccination.
Management and outcomes of intracranial fungal infections in children and adults in Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Takoutsing Berjo Dongmo , Ooi Setthasorn Zhi Yang , Egu Chinedu Brian , Gillespie Conor S , Bandyopadhyay Soham , Dada Olaoluwa Ezekiel , Dokponou Yao Christian Hugues , Dalle David Ulrich , Ciuculete Ana Catinca , Awad Ahmed K , Khan Mehdi , Erhabor Joshua , Ikwuegbuenyi Chibuikem A , Kesici Özgür , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The protocol presents the methodology of a scoping review that aims to synthesise contemporary evidence on the management and outcomes of intracranial fungal infections in Africa.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. The research question, inclusion and exclusion criteria and search strategy were developed based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome framework. A search will be conducted in electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, African Journals Online, Cochrane Library and African Index Medicus). No restrictions on language or date of publication will be made. Quantitative and qualitative data extracted from included articles will be presented through descriptive statistics and a narrative description.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol does not require ethical approval. Findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented at local, regional, national and international conferences.
Qualitative examination of collaboration in team-based primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ashcroft Rachelle , Donnelly Catherine , Lam Simon , Kourgiantakis Toula , Adamson Keith , Verilli David , Dolovich Lisa , Sheffield Peter , Kirvan Anne , Dancey Maya , Gill Sandeep , Mehta Kavita , Sur Deepy , Brown Judith Belle
Published: February 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe Ontario primary care teams’ experiences with collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive qualitative methods using focus groups conducted virtually for data collection.

Setting

Primary care teams located in Ontario, Canada.

Participants

Our study conducted 11 focus groups with 10 primary care teams, with a total of 48 participants reflecting a diverse range of interprofessional healthcare providers and administrators working in primary care.

Results

Three themes were identified using thematic analysis: (1) prepandemic team functioning facilitated adaptation, (2) new processes of team interactions and collaboration, and (3) team as a foundation of support.

Conclusions

Results revealed the importance of collaboration for provider well-being, and the challenges of providing collaborative team-based primary care in the pandemic context. Caution against converting primary care collaboration to predominantly virtual modalities postpandemic is recommended. Further research on team functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic in other healthcare organisations will offer additional insight regarding how primary care teams can work collaboratively in a postpandemic environment.
Co-developing patient and family engagement indicators for health system improvement with healthcare system stakeholders: a consensus study
Authors: Santana Maria-Jose , Ahmed Sadia , Fairie Paul , Zelinsky Sandra , Wilkinson Gloria , McCarron Tamara Lynne , Mork Mikie , Patel Jatin , Wasylak Tracy
Published: February 2023

Objective

To develop a set of patient and family engagement indicators (PFE-Is) for measuring engagement in health system improvement for a Canadian provincial health delivery system through an evidence-based consensus approach.

Design

This mixed-method, multiphase project included: (1) identification of existing measures of patient and family engagement through a review of the literature and consultations with a diverse provincial council of patients, caregivers, community members and researchers. The Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool (PPEET) was selected; (2) consultations on relevance, acceptability and importance with patient and family advisors, and staff members of Alberta Health Services’ Strategic Clinical Networks. This phase included surveys and one-on-one semi-structured interviews aimed to further explore the use of PPEET in this context. Findings from the survey and interviews informed the development of PFE-Is; (3) a Delphi consensus process using a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to identify and refine a core set of PFE-Is.

Participants

The consensus panel consisted of patients, family members, community representatives, clinicians, researchers and healthcare leadership.

Results

From an initial list of 33 evidence-based PFE-Is identified, the consensus process yielded 18 final indicators. These PFE-Is were grouped into seven themes: communication, comfort to contribute, support needed for engagement, impact and influence of engagement initiative, diversity of perspectives, respectful engagement, and working together indicators.

Conclusions

This group of final patient, family and health system leaders informed indicators can be used to measure and evaluate meaningful engagement in health research and system transformation. The use of these metrics can help to improve the quality of patient and family engagement to drive health research and system transformation.
Quality improvement tools to manage deceased organ donation processes: a scoping review
Authors: Silva Amina , Arora Samantha , Dhanani Sonny , Rochon Andrea , Giorno Luciana P. , Jackson Elayne , Hornby Laura , Latifi Marzieh , Lotherington Ken , Luctkar-Flude Marian , Petry Stefany , Wilson Lindsay , Silva e Silva Vanessa
Published: February 2023

Objective

To collate and summarise the literature on the quality improvement tools that have been developed for deceased organ donation processes after circulatory determination of death and neurological determination of death.

Design

Scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework.

Data sources

We searched for published (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science) and unpublished literature (organ donation organisation websites worldwide). The search was initially conducted on 17 July 2021 and updated on 1 June 2022. Included articles discussed the creation and/or use of quality improvement tools to manage deceased organ donation processes. Two independent reviewers screened the references, extracted and analysed the data.

Results

40 references were included in this review, and most records were written in English (n=38), originated in Canada (n=21), published between 2016 and 2022 (n=22), and were specific for donation after neurological determination of death (n=20). The tools identified included checklists, algorithms, flow charts, charts, pathways, decision tree maps and mobile apps. These tools were applied in the following phases of the organ donation process: (1) potential donor identification, (2) donor referral, (3) donor assessment and risk, (4) donor management, (5) withdrawal of life-sustaining measures, (6) death determination, (7) organ retrieval and (8) overall organ donation process.

Conclusions

We conducted a thorough investigation of the available quality improvement tools for deceased organ donation processes. The existing evidence lacks details in the report of methods used for development, testing and impact of these tools, and we could not locate tools specific for some phases of the organ donation process. Lastly, by mapping existing tools, we aim to facilitate both clinician choices among available tools, as well as research work building on existing knowledge.
Comparison of influenza and COVID-19 hospitalisations in British Columbia, Canada: a population-based study
Authors: Setayeshgar Solmaz , Wilton James , Sbihi Hind , Zandy Moe , Janjua Naveed , Choi Alexandra , Smolina Kate
Published: February 2023

Introduction

We compared the population rate of COVID-19 and influenza hospitalisations by age, COVID-19 vaccine status and pandemic phase, which was lacking in other studies.

Method

We conducted a population-based study using hospital data from the province of British Columbia (population 5.3 million) in Canada with universal healthcare coverage. We created two cohorts of COVID-19 hospitalisations based on date of admission: annual cohort (March 2020 to February 2021) and peak cohort (Omicron era; first 10 weeks of 2022). For comparison, we created influenza annual and peak cohorts using three historical periods years to capture varying severity and circulating strains: 2009/2010, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. We estimated hospitalisation rates per 100 000 population.

Results

COVID-19 and influenza hospitalisation rates by age group were ‘J’ shaped. The population rate of COVID-19 hospital admissions in the annual cohort (mostly unvaccinated; public health restrictions in place) was significantly higher than influenza among individuals aged 30–69 years, and comparable to the severe influenza year (2016/2017) among 70+. In the peak COVID-19 cohort (mostly vaccinated; few restrictions in place), the hospitalisation rate was comparable with influenza 2016/2017 in all age groups, although rates among the unvaccinated population were still higher than influenza among 18+. Among people aged 5–17 years, COVID-19 hospitalisation rates were lower than/comparable to influenza years in both cohorts. The COVID-19 hospitalisation rate among 0–4 years old, during Omicron, was higher than influenza 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 and lower than 2009/2010 pandemic.

Conclusions

During first Omicron wave, COVID-19 hospitalisation rates were significantly higher than historical influenza hospitalisation rates for unvaccinated adults but were comparable to influenza for vaccinated adults. For children, in the context of high infection levels, hospitalisation rates for COVID-19 were lower than 2009/2010 H1N1 influenza and comparable (higher for 0–4) to non-pandemic years, regardless of the vaccine status.
Nickel-catalyzedN-arylation of optically pure amino acid esters with activated (hetero)aryl electrophiles
Authors: Lundrigan Travis , P. Tassone Joseph , Stradiotto Mark
Published: February 2023

An efficient method for the C–N cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides with optically pure α-amino acid esters employing a commercially available nickel catalyst and weak inorganic base was developed. This is the first example of Ni-catalyzed N-arylation of amino acid esters without the use of electrochemistry, which was shown to effectively couple a variety of amino acid tert-butyl esters with (hetero)aryl chlorides, bromides, and tosylates in high yields and excellent enantioretention. Base-mediated racemization was revealed during control experiments, but increasing the steric bulk of the amino acid ester group limited the amount of racemization of the product.
How to promote the application of blockchain in prefabricated building supply chain? Analysis based on evolutionary game
Authors: Liu Yishu , Li Xiaojuan
Published: February 2023

Prefabricated buildings have become an effective way to sustainable development. At the same time, the process from component production to assembly also puts forward higher requirements for data between the subjects of each project. As a powerful database storage system, blockchain technology (BCT) can meet the needs of it, but the BCT has not been widely used. In addition, the Chinese government has issued a series of policy documents in recent years to promote smart digital technologies such as BCT, which have not been well implemented. Therefore, this paper analyzes the decision-making behavior mechanism of stakeholders and the factors that affect the implementation of BCT by establishing an asymmetric evolutionary game model. The model results reveal how to effectively promote the application of BCT in the supply chain of prefabricated buildings and help the government to stimulate the enthusiasm of other stakeholders to use BCT.
Competition overwhelms environment and genetic effects on growth rates of endangered white sturgeon from a conservation aquaculture program
Authors: Crossman James A. , Korman Josh , McLellan Jason G. , Howell Matthew D. , Miller Andy L.
Published: February 2023

Improving the status of endangered species can be challenging because the efficacy of conservation actions is often uncertain. Conservation aquaculture has been the main recovery action for endangered white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus) in the Transboundary Reach of the upper Columbia River. Using long-term mark-recapture data (2002–2018), we predicted variation in growth rates due to genetic, environmental, and competition effects to evaluate the efficacy of the aquaculture program. Environmental conditions (by season and country) and competition had the greatest effects on growth. Growth, length-at-age, weight-at-age, and condition factor were higher for fish residing in reservoir habitats (US) compared to those in riverine habitat (Canada). Growth declined over the study period but growth in length for larger fish remained higher in the US as fish > 100 cm fork length in Canada were not growing. Small differences in growth among families indicate that differences in genetics among parents spawned in the hatchery had negligible effects on growth in the wild. Our estimate of substantive negative density-dependent growth in Canada is important for management of conservation aquaculture for sturgeons.
The Quantum Mechanics Canonically Associated to Free Probability I: Free Momentum and Associated Kinetic Energy
Authors: Accardi Luigi , Hamdi Tarek , Lu Yun Gang
Published: February 2023

After a short review of the quantum mechanics canonically associated with a classical real valued random variable with all moments, we begin to study the quantum mechanics canonically associated to the standard semi-circle random variable [Formula: see text], characterized by the fact that its probability distribution is the semi-circle law [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text]. We prove that, in the identification of [Formula: see text] with the [Formula: see text]-mode interacting Fock space [Formula: see text], defined by the orthogonal polynomial gradation of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is mapped into position operator and its canonically associated momentum operator [Formula: see text] into [Formula: see text] times the [Formula: see text]-Hilbert transform [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text]. In the first part of the present paper, after briefly describing the simpler case of the [Formula: see text]-harmonic oscillator, we find an explicit expression for the action, on the [Formula: see text]-orthogonal polynomials, of the semi-circle analogue of the translation group [Formula: see text] and of the semi-circle analogue of the free evolution [Formula: see text], respectively, in terms of Bessel functions of the first kind and of confluent hyper-geometric series. These results require the solution of the inverse normal order problem on the quantum algebra canonically associated to the classical semi-circle random variable and are derived in the second part of the present paper. Since the problem to determine, with purely analytic techniques, the explicit form of the action of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on the [Formula: see text]-orthogonal polynomials is difficult, the above mentioned results show the power of the combination of these techniques with those developed within the algebraic approach to the theory of orthogonal polynomials.
Winter Storm Uri 2021: A Litmus Test for Extreme Event Resiliency
Authors: Kyne Dean
Published: February 2023

The Winter Storm Uri, which occurred in February 2021 (WSU2021), was regarded as a triple extreme weather event because it was a large winter storm, caused massive power outages, and occurred during a pandemic. The event spelled record-low temperatures, which caused power outages and blackouts, leaving over 4 million people without electricity during the ongoing pandemic. This study empirically examined the preparedness for, impacts from, and response to the WSU2021 of individual households who live in the Rio Grande Valley. Information on preparedness, impact, and the response was collected from the valley residents using an online survey instrument. The study’s findings suggested that low-income households were found to have positive associations with impact and response and negative associations with preparedness. In addition, the nation established a policy to promote and maintain the resiliency of 16 critical infrastructures 18 years ago, including the energy sector, but the efforts to make the emergency sector resilient were insufficient, leading to failing the litmus test for extreme event resiliency. Based on the study’s findings, the study concludes that it is imperative for all key stakeholders to build extreme event resiliency in the Rio Grande Valley.
Enriching Social Sharing for the Dementia Community: Insights from In-Person and Online Social Programs
Authors: Dai Jiamin , Moffatt Karyn
Published: February 2023

The dementia community faces major challenges in social engagements, which have been further complicated by the prolonged physical distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Designing digital tools for in-person social sharing in family and care facility settings has been well explored, but comparatively little HCI work has focused on the design of community-based social technologies for virtual settings. We present our virtual fieldwork on remote social activities explored by one dementia community in response to the impacts of the pandemic. Building upon our previously published on-site fieldwork in this community, we expand on our initial publication by follow-up interviewing caregivers and facilitators and reflecting on a virtual social program. Through thematic analysis and contrasting in-person and online formats of the program, we deepened the understanding of virtual social engagements of the dementia community, examining their efforts to leverage physical objects and environments, enhance open and flexible experiences, and expand collaborative space. We propose to open new design opportunities through holistic approaches, including reimagining community social spaces, rethinking agency in people with dementia and caregivers, and diversifying HCI support across communities and stakeholders.
Saliency Attack: Towards Imperceptible Black-box Adversarial Attack
Authors: Dai Zeyu , Liu Shengcai , Li Qing , Tang Ke
Published: February 2023

Deep neural networks are vulnerable to adversarial examples, even in the black-box setting where the attacker is only accessible to the model output. Recent studies have devised effective black-box attacks with high query efficiency. However, such performance is often accompanied by compromises in attack imperceptibility, hindering the practical use of these approaches. In this article, we propose to restrict the perturbations to a small
salient
region to generate adversarial examples that can hardly be perceived. This approach is readily compatible with many existing black-box attacks and can significantly improve their imperceptibility with little degradation in attack success rates. Furthermore, we propose the Saliency Attack, a new black-box attack aiming to refine the perturbations in the salient region to achieve even better imperceptibility. Extensive experiments show that compared to the state-of-the-art black-box attacks, our approach achieves much better imperceptibility scores, including most apparent distortion (MAD),
L
0
and
L
2
distances, and also obtains significantly better true success rate and effective query number judged by a human-like threshold on MAD. Importantly, the perturbations generated by our approach are interpretable to some extent. Finally, it is also demonstrated to be robust to different detection-based defenses.
CD
2
: Fine-grained 3D Mesh Reconstruction with Twice Chamfer Distance
Authors: Zeng Rongfei , Su Mai , Yu Ruiyun , Wang Xingwei
Published: February 2023

Monocular 3D reconstruction is to reconstruct the shape of object and its other information from a single RGB image. In 3D reconstruction, polygon mesh, with detailed surface information and low computational cost, is the most prevalent expression form obtained from deep learning models. However, the state-of-the-art schemes fail to directly generate well-structured meshes, and we identify that most meshes have severe Vertices Clustering (VC) and Illegal Twist (IT) problems. By analyzing the mesh deformation process, we pinpoint that the inappropriate usage of Chamfer Distance (CD) loss is a root cause of VC and IT problems in deep learning model. In this article, we initially demonstrate these two problems induced by CD loss with visual examples and quantitative analyses. Then, we propose a fine-grained reconstruction method CD
2
by employing Chamfer distance twice to perform a plausible and adaptive deformation. Extensive experiments on two 3D datasets and comparisons with five latest schemes demonstrate that our CD
2
directly generates a well-structured mesh and outperforms others in terms of several quantitative metrics.
Circadian gene expression in mouse renal proximal tubule
Authors: Bingham Molly A. , Neijman Kim , Yang Chin-Rang , Aponte Angel , Mak Angela , Kikuchi Hiroaki , Jung Hyun Jun , Poll Brian G. , Raghuram Viswanathan , Park Euijung , Chou Chung-Lin , Chen Lihe , Leipziger Jens , Knepper Mark A. , Dona Margo
Published: February 2023

Circadian variation in gene expression can be an important determinant in the regulation of kidney function. The authors used RNA-sequencing transcriptomics and LC-MS/MS-based proteomics to identify gene products expressed in a periodic manner. The data were used to construct user-friendly web resources.
Progressive exercise training improves cardiovascular psychophysiological outcomes in young adult women with a history of adverse childhood experiences
Authors: Rogers Emily M. , Banks Nile F. , Tomko Patrick M. , Sciarrillo Christina M. , Emerson Sam R. , Thomas Emily B.K. , Taylor Ashlee , Teague T. Kent , Jenkins Nathaniel D.M.
Published: February 2023

This randomized controlled pilot trial shows, for the first time, that 8 wk of structured, progressive exercise training lowers serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) and improves positive psychological coping in young women with significant early-life psychosocial stress. Furthermore, the observed associations among changes in psychological attributes, ET-1, and systolic blood pressure signify a potential interplay between positive psychology and cardiovascular disease risk among women with adverse childhood experiences.
Temporal longitudinal associations of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness with resting heart rate and inflammation in youth
Authors: Agbaje Andrew O. , Barmi Samuel , Sansum Kate M. , Baynard Tracy , Barker Alan R. , Tuomainen Tomi-Pekka
Published: February 2023

Higher arterial stiffness but not carotid-intima media thickness in adolescence preceded higher resting heart rate in young adulthood, however, elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein in adolescence preceded higher arterial stiffness and carotid intima-thickness in young adulthood in the temporal causal path. Low-grade inflammation during adolescence may be causally associated with the development of subclinical arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis in young adulthood.
Influence of Magnetic Wood on Mechanical and Electromagnetic Wave-Absorbing Properties of Polymer Composites
Authors: Geeri Satish , Murthy B. Krishna , Kolakoti Aditya , Murugan M. , Elumalai P. V. , Dhineshbabu N. R. , Prabhakar S.
Published: February 2023

The application of wireless electronic devices is increasing nowadays; hence, there is a necessity for electromagnetic wave-absorbing material, which is mechanically stable. Polymer composites with magnetic wood as filler material were fabricated by hand lay-up methods of 6 mm thickness. For the proposed immersion duration, magnetic wood was developed by in situ chemical co-precipitation methods. The microwave absorbing phenomenon is evaluated based on the complex permeability, complex permittivity, dielectric tangent, and magnetic tangent losses. The experimentation was done by vector network analyzer in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz by X-band and Through-reflect-line (TRL) calibration. It was observed that the reflection losses increase as the immersion time increases from −8.70 dB to −9.30 dB at the frequency range of 10.2 GHz. A similar trend is also followed for the mechanical properties like tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength with respect to the immersion time. The results revealed that the best mechanical and electromagnetic absorption properties are obtained for the specimens with immersion time of 72 hours. Validation is done for the electromagnetic wave-absorbing properties and mechanical properties by regression analysis, and the experimental data are in close agreement with the regression data.
High‐Precision Positioning Simulation and Experimental Research of Special Operation Vehicles Based on Network RTK
Authors: Zhao Zhongyi , Cui Yongzhi , Wang Shenyu
Published: February 2023

In terms of driverless systems, high‐precision positioning technology is one among the critical aspects of driverless cars to achieve driverlessness. This study analyzed the working principles of GNSS (global navigation satellite system) and SINS (strapdown inertial navigation system) and elaborated the principles of the least square method and LAMBDA algorithm in the integer ambiguity resolution. Based on the network RTK positioning technology and the abovementioned theory, the unmanned automatic work vehicle was used as the research object, and the fusion positioning algorithm of the BDS/GPS system and inertial sensor was used to propose a high‐precision positioning technology for the unmanned automatic work vehicle. The combined navigation system model was studied and constructed. Relevant verification was carried out through simulation and experiment. The results were as follows: the pitch angle error was less than 0.1°, the roll angle error was less than 0.05°, the speed error was less than 0.2 m/s, and the position error was less than 2.1 m. The outcomes indicate that an integrated navigation and positioning algorithm for driverless vehicles can significantly enhance the localisation accuracy and reliability of navigation. The research results are of engineering value and practical application for the development of unmanned automatic special vehicle positioning systems.
Quantifying Myocardial Blood Flow and Resistance Using 4D-Flow Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Gosling Rebecca C. , Williams Gareth , Al Baraikan Abdulaziz , Alabed Samer , Levelt Eylem , Chowdhary Amrit , Swoboda Peter P. , Halliday Ian , Hose D. Rodney , Gunn Julian P. , Greenwood John P. , Plein Sven , Swift Andrew J. , Wild James M. , Garg Pankaj , Morris Paul D.
Published: February 2023

Background. Ischaemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries is most commonly caused by coronary microvascular dysfunction but remains difficult to diagnose without invasive testing. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) can be quantified noninvasively on stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) or positron emission tomography but neither is routinely used in clinical practice due to practical and technical constraints. Quantification of coronary sinus (CS) flow may represent a simpler method for CMR MBF quantification. 4D flow CMR offers comprehensive intracardiac and transvalvular flow quantification. However, it is feasibility to quantify MBF remains unknown. Methods. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and healthy volunteers underwent CMR. The CS contours were traced from the 2-chamber view. A reformatted phase contrast plane was generated through the CS, and flow was quantified using 4D flow CMR over the cardiac cycle and normalised for myocardial mass. MBF and resistance (MyoR) was determined in ten healthy volunteers, ten patients with myocardial infarction (MI) without microvascular obstruction (MVO), and ten with known MVO. Results. MBF was quantified in all 30 subjects. MBF was highest in healthy controls (123.8 ± 48.4 mL/min), significantly lower in those with MI (85.7 ± 30.5 mL/min), and even lower in those with MI and MVO (67.9 ± 29.2 mL/min/) (

P
<
0.01

for both differences). Compared with healthy controls, MyoR was higher in those with MI and even higher in those with MI and MVO (0.79 (±0.35) versus 1.10 (±0.50) versus 1.50 (±0.69),

P
=
0.02

). Conclusions. MBF and MyoR can be quantified from 4D flow CMR. Resting MBF was reduced in patients with MI and MVO.