bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific differences in resting-state functional brain activity in pediatric concussion
Authors: Sharma Bhanu , Nowikow Cameron , DeMatteo Carol , Noseworthy Michael D. , Timmons Brian W.
Published: February 2023

Pediatric concussion has a rising incidence and can lead to long-term symptoms in nearly 30% of children. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) disturbances are a common pathological feature of pediatric concussion, though no studies have explicitly examined sex-differences with respect to this outcome, precluding a sex-specific understanding of the functional neuropathology of pediatric concussion. Therefore, we performed a secondary data analysis of rs-fMRI data collected on children with concussion (n = 29) recruited from in a pediatric hospital setting, with greater than 12:1 matched control data accessed from the open-source ABIDE-II database. Seed-based and region of interest (ROI) analyses were used to examine sex-based rs-fMRI differences; threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) and a family-wise error (FWE) corrected p-values were used to identify significantly different clusters. In comparing females with concussion to healthy females, groupwise differences were observed irrespective of seed selected. Notably, we observed (in order of largest effect) hypo-connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex of the salience network and the thalamus and precuneus (TFCE = 1473.5, p-FWE < 0.001) and the cingulate gyrus (TFCE = 769.3, p-FWE = 0.009), and the seed (posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)) of the default mode network and the paracingulate gyrus (TFCE = 1275.7, p-FWE  < 0.001), occipital pole right (TFCE = 1045.0, p-FWE = 0.001), and sub-callosal cortex (TFCE = 844.9, p-FWE = 0.005). Hyper-connectivity was observed between the salience network seed and the cerebellum (TFCE = 1719.3, p-FWE < 0.001) and the PCC and the thalamus (TFCE = 1198.3, p-FWE < 0.001), cuneal cortex (1070.9, p-FWE = 0.001), and lateral occipital cortex left (TFCE = 832.8, p-FWE = 0.006). ROI analyses showed 10 and 5 significant clusters of hypo- and hyper-connectivity in females, respectively. Only one cluster of difference was found between males with concussion and healthy males on seed-based analyses, and 3 clusters on ROI analyses. There are alterations in rs-fMRI in females with concussion at one-month post-injury that are minimally present in males, which provides further evidence that recovery timelines in pediatric concussion may differ by sex.
Reliability and validity of OpenPose for measuring hip-knee-ankle angle in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Saiki Yoshitomo , Kabata Tamon , Ojima Tomohiro , Kajino Yoshitomo , Inoue Daisuke , Ohmori Takaaki , Yoshitani Junya , Ueno Takuro , Yamamuro Yuki , Taninaka Atsushi , Kataoka Tomoyuki , Kubo Naoyuki , Hayashi Seigaku , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of OpenPose, a posture estimation algorithm, for measuring hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle in patients with knee osteoarthritis, by comparing it with radiography. In this prospective study, we analysed 60 knees (30 patients) with knee osteoarthritis. We measured HKA angle using OpenPose and radiography before or after total knee arthroplasty and assessed the test–retest reliability of each method with intraclass correlation coefficient (1, 1). We evaluated the ability to estimate the radiographic measurement values from the OpenPose values using linear regression analysis and used intraclass correlation coefficients (2, 1) and Bland–Altman analyses to evaluate the agreement and error between OpenPose and radiographic measurements. OpenPose had excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (1, 1) = 1.000) and excellent agreement with radiography (intraclass correlation coefficient (2, 1) = 0.915), with regression analysis indicating a large correlation (R2 = 0.865). OpenPose also had a 1.1° fixed error and no systematic error when compared with radiography. This is the first study to validate the use of OpenPose for the estimation of HKA angle in patients with knee osteoarthritis. OpenPose is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HKA angle in patients with knee osteoarthritis. OpenPose, which enables non-invasive and simple measurements, may be a useful tool to assess changes in HKA angle and monitor the progression and post-operative course of knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, this validated tool can be used not only in clinics and hospitals, but also at home and in training gyms; thus, its use could potentially be expanded to include self-assessment/monitoring.
Estimation of optimal tilt angles for photovoltaic panels in Egypt with experimental verifications
Authors: Abdelaal Ashraf K. , El-Fergany Attia
Published: February 2023

The principal target of this work is to compute the optimal tilt angle (OTA) for Photovoltaic (PV) panels. To perform this task, comprehensive simulations are done starting from altering the tilt angle (TA) daily, to use one fixed TA for all the year. The mathematical models for extra-terrestrial radiation (ETR) of both horizontal and inclined surfaces are presented firstly. At a later stage, the optimization formulation for the maximizing the solar radiation (SR) is adapted, and then the daily, monthly, seasonally, half-yearly and optimal fixed TAs are obtained. Although, the daily OTA produces the maximum SR, it is costly and impractical. It is found that altering the TA twice a year at optimal values that are computed as 5° and 50° for Suez city, gives the best results that are very near to the daily altering of the OTA. The difference between the two methods is 1.56% which is very small. Also, the two OTAs has SR better than that of the fixed OTA which is 28° by 7.77%. Also, it is found that the yearly fixed OTA (28°) is nearly equal to the latitude angle of Suez city which is 30°. The two OTAs method of this paper is different from the commonly used method that suggests two TAs. The first TA is used for winter months which is obtained by adding 15° to the latitude angle while the second TA is obtained by subtracting 15° from the latitude angle for the summer months. This commonly used method produces lesser SR than the two OTAs method of this paper. The theoretical work has been proved by an experimental work on two PV systems constructed at 25° and 30° TAs. The results of the experimental work agree with the theoretical results.
Theoretical investigation of the MXene precursors MoxV4-xAlC3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 4)
Authors: Moreno-Armenta Ma. Guadalupe , Guerrero-Sánchez J. , Gutiérrez-Ojeda S. J. , Fernández-Escamilla H. N. , Hoat D. M. , Ponce-Pérez R.
Published: February 2023

By first-principles total-energy calculations, we investigated the thermodynamic stability of the MAX solid solution MoxV4-xAlC3 in the 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 range. Results evidence that lattice parameter a increases as a function of Mo content, while the c parameter reaches its maximum expansion at x = 2.5. After that, a contraction is noticed. Mo occupies VI sites randomly until the out-of-plane ordered Mo2V2AlC3 alloy is formed. We employed the Defect Formation Energy (DFE) formalism to evaluate the thermodynamic stability of the alloys. Calculations show five stable compounds. At V-rich conditions and from Mo-rich to Mo-moderated conditions, the pristine V4AlC3 MAX is stable. In the region of V-poor conditions, from Mo-rich to Mo-moderated growth conditions, the solid solutions with x = 0.5, 1, and 1.5 and the o-MAX Mo2V2AlC3 are thermodynamically stable. The line profiles of the Electron Localization Function and Bader charge analysis show that the V-C interaction is mainly ionic, while the Mo-C is covalent. Also, the exfoliation energy to obtain a MXene layer is ~ 0.4 eV/Å2. DFE also shows that MXenes exfoliated from the MAX phase with the same Mo content and atomic arrangement are thermodynamically stable. Our results get a deeper atomic scale understanding of the previously reported experimental evidence.
Monitoring and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of laboratory rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Oh Dan Qi Priscilla , Grothe Iris , Lukaß Herbert , Kreiter Andreas K. , Hoffmann Markus , Wegener Detlef
Published: February 2023

The availability of effective vaccines and a high vaccination rate allowed the recent mitigation, or even withdrawal, of many protective measures for containing the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. At the same time, new and highly mutated variants of the virus are found to have significantly higher transmissibility and reduced vaccine efficacy, thus causing high infection rates during the third year of the pandemic. The combination of reduced measures and increased infectivity poses a particular risk for unvaccinated individuals, including animals susceptible to the virus. Among the latter, non-human primates (NHPs) are particularly vulnerable. They serve as important models in various fields of biomedical research and because of their cognitive capabilities, they receive particular attention in animal welfare regulations around the world. Yet, although they played an extraordinarily important role for developing and testing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the protection of captive rhesus monkeys against Covid-19 has rarely been discussed. We here report upon twofold mRNA vaccination of a cohort of 19 elderly rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) against infection by SARS-CoV-2. All animals were closely monitored on possible side effects of vaccination, and were tested for neutralising antibodies against the virus. The data show that vaccination of rhesus monkeys is a safe and reliable measure to protect these animals against SARS-CoV-2.
Interpersonal variability of the human gut virome confounds disease signal detection in IBD
Authors: Stockdale Stephen R. , Shkoporov Andrey N. , Khokhlova Ekaterina V. , Daly Karen M. , McDonnell Siobhan A. , O’ Regan Orla , Nolan James A. , Sutton Thomas D. S. , Clooney Adam G. , Ryan Feargal J. , Sheehan Donal , Lavelle Aonghus , Draper Lorraine A. , Shanahan Fergus , Ross R. Paul , Hill Colin
Published: February 2023

Viruses are increasingly recognised as important components of the human microbiome, fulfilling numerous ecological roles including bacterial predation, immune stimulation, genetic diversification, horizontal gene transfer, microbial interactions, and augmentation of metabolic functions. However, our current view of the human gut virome is tainted by previous sequencing requirements that necessitated the amplification of starting nucleic acids. In this study, we performed an original longitudinal analysis of 40 healthy control, 19 Crohn’s disease, and 20 ulcerative colitis viromes over three time points without an amplification bias, which revealed and highlighted the interpersonal individuality of the human gut virome. In contrast to a 16 S rRNA gene analysis of matched samples, we show that α- and β-diversity metrics of unamplified viromes are not as efficient at discerning controls from patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, we explored the intrinsic properties of unamplified gut viromes and show there is considerable interpersonal variability in viral taxa, infrequent longitudinal persistence of intrapersonal viruses, and vast fluctuations in the abundance of temporal viruses. Together, these properties of unamplified faecal viromes confound the ability to discern disease associations but significantly advance toward an unbiased and accurate representation of the human gut virome.
Computation of entropy values for non-electrolyte solute molecules in solution based on semi-empirical corrections to a polarized continuum model
Authors: Izato Yu-ichiro , Matsugi Akira , Koshi Mitsuo , Miyake Atsumi
Published: February 2023

A simple heuristic model was developed for estimating the entropy of a solute molecule in an ideal solution based on quantum mechanical calculations with polarizable continuum models (QM/PCMs).
Modulating the surface structure of nanodiamonds to enhance the electronic metal–support interaction of efficient ruthenium catalysts for levulinic acid hydrogenation
Authors: Lan Guojun , Li Zhenqing , Han Xiaojia , Zhang Liping , Qiu Yiyang , Sun Xiucheng , Cheng Zaizhe , Li Ying
Published: February 2023

The annealed nanodiamond-supported Ru NPs with high electron density exhibit efficient activity and high stability for hydrogenation of levulinic acid.
In situgrowth of amorphous vanadium oxide nanospheres on carbon cloth as free-standing cathodes used in high performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Han Xuguang , Zhang Yan , Liu Mengmeng , Sun Yifei , Gou Wenshan , Xu Zhao , Li Chang Ming
Published: February 2023

3D amorphous VOxmicrospheres werein situgrown on alkali-treated carbon cloth (VOxMSs@ACC) as cathodes for AZIBs. VOxMSs@ACC cathodes show excellent specific capacity and cycling performance due to rich active sites and fast ion transport rates.
A highly efficient bismuth substitution induced A-site ordered layered perovskite electrode for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Zhengpeng , Li Mingfei , Rao Muming , Jin Fangjun , Ling Yihan , Feng Peizhong , Wang Shaorong
Published: February 2023

A-Site substitution with bismuth promotes the oxygen vacancy formation in layered perovskite electrodes, which further enhances the electrochemical performance of symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells.
A comparison of para, meta, and ortho-carborane centred non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar cells
Authors: Aniés Filip , Furlan Francesco , Qiao Zhuoran , Pirela Valentina , Bidwell Matthew , Rimmele Martina , Martín Jaime , Gasparini Nicola , Heeney Martin
Published: February 2023

Unveiling the impact of different structural isomers of carborane-containing non-fullerene acceptors on optoelectronic properties and organic photovoltaic performance.
Accelerating computations of organometallic reaction energies through hybrid basis sets
Authors: Alves Júlia M. A. , Domingos Ivanna G. R. , de Oliveira Marcelo T.
Published: February 2023

A straightforward hybrid basis set approach to compute organometallic reaction energies is described to reduce computational times by up to 10-fold while maintaining the accuracy of DFT results.
Improving O&M decision tools for offshore wind farm vessel routing by incorporating weather uncertainty
Authors: Hadjoudj Yannis , Pandit Ravi Kumar
Published: February 2023

The growth of offshore wind farms depends significantly on how well offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are operated and maintained in the long term. The operation and maintenance (O&M) activities for offshore wind are relatively more challenging due to uncertain environmental conditions than onshore and due to this, vessel routing for offshore on‐site repair is remain complex and unreliable. Here, an improved data‐driven decision tool is proposed to robust the vessel routing for O&M tasks under numerous environmental conditions. A novel data‐driven technique based on operational datasets is presented to incorporate weather uncertainties, such as wind speed, wave period and wave height (significantly influence offshore crew repair works), into the O&M decision‐making process. Results show: (1) The inclusion of weather conditions improves the O&M model uncertainty and accuracy, (2) the implementation of a model allowing weather conditions to evolve has been added to vary the probabilities of successful transfers throughout the day, and (3) the reduction of risk of transfer failure by 15%. These conclusions are further supported by the performance error metrics and uncertainty calculations. Last but not least, by generating a variety of policies for consideration, this tool gave wind turbine operators a systematic and transparent way to evaluate trade‐offs and enable choices pertaining to offshore O&M. The full paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed technique for offshore vessel routing as well as how the environmental conditions affect them.
Factor XI Inhibitors in Early Clinical Trials: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Galli Mattia , Laborante Renzo , Ortega-Paz Luis , Franchi Francesco , Rollini Fabiana , D'Amario Domenico , Capodanno Davide , Tremoli Elena , Gibson Charles Micheal , Mehran Roxana , Angiolillo Dominick J.
Published: February 2023

Background Phase II randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on factor(F)XI inhibitors have shown promising results but they were burdened by low statistical power for clinical outcomes.

Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT comparing FXI inhibitors versus other anticoagulants (enoxaparin or direct oral anticoagulants, DOACs) or versus placebo on top of antiplatelet therapy.

Results Eight RCTs testing FXI inhibitors (ISIS 416858, osocimab, abelacimab, milvexian, asundexian) and enrolling 9,216 patients were included. Compared with enoxaparin, FXI inhibitors were associated with reduced any-bleeding (risk ratio [RR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–0.77), no difference in major bleeding (RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.41–2.28), and reduced trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49–0.79), the latter driven by the high-dose regimens. Compared with DOACs, FXI inhibitors were associated with a trend toward reduced any-bleeding (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.31–1.38) and no difference in major bleeding (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.22–4.78) or in trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.88–1.70). Compared with placebo, FXI inhibitors were associated with increased any-bleeding (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08–1.43) and a trend toward increased major bleeding (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.75–1.93), both driven by high-dose regimens, with no difference in trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.92–1.13).

Conclusion Results of this meta-analysis on FXI inhibitors suggest increased safety and efficacy compared with enoxaparin and modest increased safety compared with DOACs. The use of FXI inhibitors in adjunct to antiplatelet therapy versus placebo appears to be associated with a dose-dependent increase in bleeding without any difference in efficacy.

Study registration This study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022367706).
Split-Lobe for Tumor between Left S3 and S4 by Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy
Authors: Wang KangNing , Wei Xing , Fang Qiang
Published: February 2023

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy is an optimal treatment for malignant pulmonary ground glass nodules (GGNs). However, this surgery is complicated when tumors are located between more than two adjacent segments, although combined subsegmentectomy ensures sufficient margin under uniportal approach. Lobectomy might be inevitable, especially when resecting deep nodules in the central left upper lung lobe. Here, we present cases wherein we performed uniportal VATS (UVATS) resection for GGNs located between borders of left S3 and S4, with three-dimensional reconstruction conducted before surgery. The strategy of resecting central tumors in the left upper lung lobe between left S3 and S4 via UVATS is simple and feasible.
Surgery of a Giant Coronary Sinus Aneurysm Resulting from a Coronary Artery Fistula
Authors: Diab Nawras , Barghout Mohamed , Kueri Sami , Soschynski Martin , Siepe Matthias
Published: February 2023

Coronary artery fistula (CAF), complicated by the aneurysmal formation of the coronary sinus (CS), is a very rare form of CAF. Here we report a case of a 60- year-old woman with a giant aneurysm of the CS resulting from the right coronary artery (RCA) fistula. The patient was highly symptomatic with dyspnea due to compression of cardiac chambers. CS reconstruction was performed using a pericardial patch after directly closing the fistula from the RCA to the CS.
Zurich Mini Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in 42 Small Breed Dogs and 8 Cats: Surgical Technique and Outcomes
Authors: Vezzoni Aldo , Boano Simona , Sacristani Alyssa , Bresina Stephen , Lanz Otto I.
Published: February 2023

This report aims to describe implant characteristics and procedure for implantation, and comment on and report the clinical outcomes in small dogs and cats using the new Zurich mini cementless total hip system. This study involved 8 cats and 42 dogs, with 3 cats and 6 dogs having bilateral total hip arthroplasties (THA). The mean body weight for cats was 6.5 kg, and the mean body weight for dogs was 9.2 kg. In the group of THAs in cats, capital physeal fracture was the reason for performing a THA in six cases (60%), hip dysplasia was the underlying reason in four cases (30%) and hip luxation in one case (10%). Among the 48 THAs in dogs, hip dysplasia was the underlying cause for performing THA in 27 cases (56%), avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 12 cases (25%), traumatic luxation with underlying hip dysplasia in 4 cases (8.5%), capital physeal fracture in 4 cases (8.5%), and traumatic femoral head fracture in 1 adult dog (2%). Seven postoperative complications were encountered, and all were solved without the need for explanting the prosthesis, except in one case because of the owner's decision. In conclusion, the Zurich mini cementless total hip system performed well in this study, with most dogs and cats having an excellent outcome and no patient being too small for the available implant sizes.
Pathological Spectrum and β-APP Immunoreactivity as a Diagnostic Tool of Diffuse Axonal Injury following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Novel Classification
Authors: Sharma Meenakshi , Subramaniam Arulselvi , Sengar Kangana , Suri Vaishali , Agrawal Deepak , Chakraborty Nabarun , Pandey Ravindra Mohan , Malhotra Rajesh , Lalwani Sanjeev
Published: February 2023

Aim Different deposition patterns and grading systems used to define and identify DAI remain discordant and to date these are a challenge in clinical practice. Our main objective was to study the post-mortem axonal changes and develop a grading system to identify DAI on the basis of histopathological and immunoreactive β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) observations in severe TBI cases.

Methods Prospective study with 35 decedents with sTBI (GCS score ≤ 8) was conducted and samples were collected from three different sites–corpus callosum, thalamus and brain stem. Serial sections from each site were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of β-APP.

Results We developed a grading system based on histopathological characteristics to assess the overall damage of axonal injury. We found maximum histopathological changes in cases with prolonged stay. Corpus callosum showed maximum changes in both gradings. Curiously, we also detected axonal swellings with H&E staining. Usually neglected, the thalamus also showed significant histopathological and immunoreactive changes for sTBI.

Conclusion Our study based on histopathological and β-APP scoring system to define and identify DAI thus facilitates accurate diagnosis of DAI post mortem, which has forensic implications, and may further contribute toward survival and improvement of quality of life of sTBI patients.
Exploring hidden flow structures from sparse data through deep-learning-strengthened proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Yan Chang , Xu Shengfeng , Sun Zhenxu , Guo Dilong , Ju Shengjun , Huang Renfang , Yang Guowei
Published: February 2023

Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) enables complex flow fields to be decomposed into linear modes according to their energy, allowing the key features of the flow to be extracted. However, traditional POD requires high-quality inputs, namely, high-resolution spatiotemporal data. To alleviate the dependence of traditional POD on the quality and quantity of data, this paper presents a POD method that is strengthened by a physics-informed neural network (PINN) with an overlapping domain decomposition strategy. The loss function and convergence of modes are considered simultaneously to determine the convergence of the PINN-POD model. The proposed framework is applied to the flow past a two-dimensional circular cylinder at Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 10 000 and achieves accurate and robust extraction of flow structures from spatially sparse observation data. The spatial structures and dominant frequency can also be extracted under high-level noise. These results demonstrate that the proposed PINN-POD method is a reliable tool for extracting the key features from sparse observation data of flow fields, potentially shedding light on the data-driven discovery of hidden fluid dynamics.
Computational fluid dynamic analysis of corona virus patients breathing in an airplane
Authors: Rajendran Rahul R. , Țurcanu Florin Emilian , Tawfiqur Rahman MD. , Askarpour Homayoun
Published: February 2023

Effective ventilation systems are essential to control the transmission of airborne aerosol particles, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aircraft cabins, which is a significant concern for people commuting by airplane. Validated computational fluid dynamic models are frequently and effectively used to investigate air distribution and pollutant transport. In this study, the effectiveness of different ventilation systems with varying outlet vent locations were computationally compared to determine the best ventilation system for minimizing the risk of airborne transmission. The cabin air conditioning system was optimized to determine how design variables (air inlet temperature, outlet valve width and location, and mass flow rate) affect output parameters, including particle residence time, age of air, and thermal comfort conditions. Inlet mass flow rate was observed to be an influential variable impacting all output parameters, especially on age of air, where it was the most influential. In contrast, the least effective variable was width of the outlet valve, which only affected the particle residence time. Also, Predicted Mean Vote and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied indices were the most affected by air inlet temperature, which had an inverse relation, while the outlet valve location had the greatest effect on particle residence time.
Concentration field based micropore flow rate measurements
Authors: Edwards Matia P. , Gómez Samuel F. D. J. , Boutilier Michael S. H.
Published: February 2023

Demand is growing for a larger catalogue of experimental techniques to measure flow rates through micro-/nanoscale systems for both fundamental research and device development. Flow emerging from a hole in a plane wall is a common system of interest in such work for its relevance to membrane separation. In this paper, we consider the possibility of measuring volume flow rates through small scale orifice plates from images of dye dispersions downstream. Based on approximate analytical solutions to the advection–diffusion equation, we show that, at low Reynolds numbers, the concentration in the nearly hemispherical plume that forms increases linearly with inverse distance from the pore and that the slope is proportional to volume flow rate. From micrographs of fluorescent dye plumes taken downstream of micropores of three different diameters, we demonstrate that, at Reynolds numbers below 15, the volume flow rate can be determined by extracting this slope from fluorescence intensity images. At higher Reynolds numbers, laminar jets form. In this regime, we derive an approximate similarity solution for the concentration field and show agreement of imaged dye dispersion shapes with both analytical expressions for the streamlines and isoconcentration contours at Reynolds numbers above 25. The results validate a scalable method for flow rate measurements applicable to small micropores of any geometry in plane walls and to small areas of porous materials relevant to membrane systems.
Effect of central auditory processing disorders on contralateral routing of offside signals (CROS) hearing aids performance
Authors: Galhom Dalia Helal , Elnabtity Nadia Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess central auditory processing (CAP) tests in patients with single sided deafness (SSD)and to study the effect of central auditory processing disorders(CAPD) on the contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aid performance in these subjects.

Design:

This case-control study was performed in Audiovestibular unit, ENT Department. The study included 20 children with SSD and 20 healthy control children. All participants were subjected to CAP tests including pitch pattern sequence (PPS), gap in noise (GIN) and speech intelligibility in noise (SPIN) tests. The child was fitted with CROS and evaluated by SPIN test and bern benefit in single - sided deafness (BBSS) questionnaire.

Results:

There were lower SPIN, PPS, and GIN total correct scores in children with SSD than the control group. The group with normal central test battery has higher SPIN score and significant performance with questionnaire when fitted with CROS.

Conclusions:

Children with normal central auditory processing test battery performed better when fitted with CROS than those with abnormal test battery.
Perspectives and Experiences of Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure Among Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Natale Patrizia , Ni Jia Yi , Martinez-Martin David , Kelly Ayano , Chow Clara K , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Caillaud Corinne , Eggleton Benjamin , Scholes-Robertson Nicole , Craig Jonathan C , Strippoli Giovanni F M , Jaure Allison
Published: February 2023

Background

Self-monitoring of blood pressure is a key strategy in managing hypertension but may be challenging and burdensome for patients. The aim of the study was to describe the perspectives and experiences of self-monitoring of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched from database inception to March 2022. We used thematic synthesis to analyze the data.

Results

Thirty-five studies involving 872 patients aged 18–95 years were included. Four themes were identified: enabling autonomy and empowerment of own health (allowing access to comprehensive and accurate data, bolstering motivation for lifestyle changes, encouraging diligence in medication taking, gaining interest in self-management, and increasing awareness of health status); providing reassurance and convenience (instilling a sense of security, readiness for troubleshooting, and reducing the frequency of clinical appointments); triggering confusion and stress (anxiety and panic over “bad” numbers, constant reminder of illness identity, disregarded by clinicians, lack of confidence in interpreting and responding to results, redundancy of continuous monitoring, and uncertainties around targets and frequency of measures, concerns of unreliability); financial and operational burden of device (vulnerability preventing use, or unsustainable cost).

Conclusions

Inadequate knowledge about the benefits of lowering blood pressure, home blood pressure monitoring, blood pressure goals, and interpretation of blood pressure values, limited access to home blood pressure monitoring devices, and psychological burden with home blood pressure monitoring limit home blood pressure monitoring.
Haptools: a toolkit for admixture and haplotype analysis
Authors: Massarat Arya R , Lamkin Michael , Reeve Ciara , Williams Amy L , D’Antonio Matteo , Gymrek Melissa
Published: February 2023

Leveraging local ancestry and haplotype information in genome-wide association studies and downstream analyses can improve the utility of genomics for individuals from diverse and recently admixed ancestries. However, most existing simulation, visualization and variant analysis frameworks are based on variant-level analysis and do not automatically handle these features. We present haptools, an open-source toolkit for performing local ancestry aware and haplotype-based analysis of complex traits. Haptools supports fast simulation of admixed genomes, visualization of admixture tracks, simulation of haplotype- and local ancestry-specific phenotype effects and a variety of file operations and statistics computed in a haplotype-aware manner.

Availability and implementation

Haptools is freely available at https://github.com/cast-genomics/haptools.

Documentation

Detailed documentation is available at https://haptools.readthedocs.io.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Review of treatments for pseudofolliculitis barbae
Authors: Dalia Yoseph , Khatib Jude , Odens Herman , Patel Tejesh
Published: February 2023

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by follicular and perifollicular papules and pustules primarily affecting the beard and neck area. PFB is a condition that predominantly affects patients with skin of colour. The objective of this paper is to review the epidemiology, pathogenesis and presentation of PFB, and assess the most recent evidence-based treatment options and recommendations for PFB. This is important to increase the quality of care given to target patient populations and to address the prominent disparity in healthcare management of patients with skin of colour. A literature review was conducted utilizing PubMed and Cochrane Library. The key term ‘pseudofolliculitis barbae’ was used. Search parameters were set to search from 1987 to the present. Results were further narrowed by limiting the literature review to published observational studies, case studies, case series, randomized control trials and case–control studies. Effective treatment for PFB requires a multifaceted approach that targets various aspects of the pathogenesis. Current treatments include preventive measures, antibiotics, corticosteroids, keratolytics, chemical depilatories and/or laser treatments. Topical therapies are currently the mainstay treatment. However, laser hair removal has become a potential long-term treatment option, and additional studies are warranted to understand its long-term efficacy and permanency.
LY294002 ameliorates psoriatic skin inflammation in mice via blocking the Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop
Authors: Lin Yawen , Zhu Xiaofeng , Li Yiwen , Dou Yue , Wang Jing , Qi Ruiqun , Ma Lei
Published: February 2023

(IL)-17A, the effective factor of Th17 cells, acts an important pathological role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Notch1/hairy and split 1 (Hes1) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are interpenetrated and involved in Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A production. In this present study, we used imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse psoriatic skin inflammation to explore the possible mechanism of Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop in psoriasis by employing AKT inhibitor LY294002 as an intervention with the methods of flow cytometry analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. First, LY294002 inhibition can obviously alleviate the mouse psoriatic skin inflammation both in skin structural and histopathological characteristics, which is similar to the changes found in IL-17A antibody-treated mice. Additionally, the interaction between Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activator 1 (Act1) was demonstrated. LY294002 interruption resulted in consistent changes in expression levels of key signaling molecules both in Notch1/Hes1 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, chloroquine (CQ) can partly reverse the inhibitory effects of LY294002 on the Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop by affecting Notch1 ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation. The present study showed that LY294002 can exert the inhibitory effect on Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop to regulate Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A function in the process of psoriasis, which provides a new possible therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.
A Robust HPLC Method for Easily Oxidizable Phosphine Ligand Analysis
Authors: Weisel Lauren , Corcoran Liam , Castro Steve , He Yu
Published: February 2023

Phosphine ligands are widely used in the manufacture of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, for they play a key role in transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling. However, chromatographic analysis of phosphine ligands can be challenging because of the easily oxidizable nature of this class of compounds. This manuscript describes an out-of-specification (OOS) investigation study of XPhos raw material analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (LC). It is concluded that on-column degradation/oxidation is the culprit behind this OOS result. In addition, a slightly modified yet much improved new LC method is developed by adding a trace amount of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) into the aqueous mobile phase. TCEP is also a phosphine compound and is commonly used as a reducing reagent in molecular biology. The trace amount of TCEP serves as a surrogate reagent to passivate the LC column and eliminate the on-column degradation/oxidation. As a result, a much more robust performance is achieved with greatly improved method precision and sensitivity. This is a general approach and can be applied to the LC analysis of many other phosphine ligands in the same manner.
Molecular and Functional Changes to Postsynaptic Cholinergic Signaling in the Vestibular Sensory Organs of Aging C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Poppi Lauren A , Bigland Mark J , Cresswell Ethan T , Tabatabaee Hessam , Lorincz David , Drury Hannah R , Callister Robert J , Holt Joseph C , Lim Rebecca , Brichta Alan M , Smith Doug W
Published: February 2023

Cholinergic circuits in the central nervous system are vulnerable to age-related functional decline, but it is not known if aging impacts cholinergic signaling in the vestibular sensory organs, which are critically important to balance maintenance and visual gaze stability. We have previously shown cholinergic neurotransmission between vestibular efferent terminals and type II mechanosensory hair cells requires the alpha9 (Chrna9) nicotinic receptor subunit. Homozygous knockout of the alpha9 subunit causes vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation deficits that mirror those observed in aged mice. This prompted examination of cholinergic signaling in the vestibular sensory organs of aged mice. We confirmed older (>24 months) mice had impaired performance in a balance beam task compared to young (3–4 months) adult mice. While there was no qualitative loss of cholinergic axon varicosities in the crista ampullaris of old mice, qPCR analysis revealed reduced expression of nicotinic receptor subunit genes Chrna1, Chrna9, and Chrna10 in the cristae of old relative to young mice. Functionally, single-cell patch clamp recordings taken from type II vestibular hair cells exposed to acetylcholine show reduced conductance through alpha9/10 subunit-containing nicotinic receptors in older mice, despite preserved passive membrane properties and voltage-activated conductances. These findings suggest that cholinergic signaling in the peripheral vestibular sensory organs is vulnerable to aging processes, manifesting in dynamic molecular and functional age-related changes. Given the importance of these organs to our everyday activities, and the dramatic increase in fall incidence in the older, further investigation into the mechanisms of altered peripheral vestibular function in older humans is warranted.
The ground deformation of the south-eastern flank of Mount Etna monitored by GNSS and SAR interferometry from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Carnemolla Francesco , De Guidi Giorgio , Bonforte Alessandro , Brighenti Fabio , Briole Pierre
Published: February 2023

The south-eastern sector of the Mount Etna, Italy, is characterized by numerous active faults, in particular the Belpasso–Ognina lineament, the Tremestieri–San Gregorio–Acitrezza fault, the Trecastagni fault and the Fiandaca–Nizzeti fault including the Timpe Fault System. Their activity is the result of both volcanism and tectonics. Here, we analyse the ground deformation occurred from 2016 to 2019 across those active faults by using the GNSS data acquired at 22 permanent stations and 35 campaign points observed by the Etna Observatory (INGV) and by the University of Catania. We also use the time-series of line of sight displacement of permanent scatterers SENTINEL-1 A-DInSAR obtained by using the P-SBAS tool of the ESA GEP-TEP (Geohazards Thematic Exploitation Platform) service. We discriminate the contributions of the regional tectonic strain, the inflations, the deflations of the volcano and the gravitational sliding in order to analyse the deformation along the faults of the south-eastern flank of Etna. The shallow and destructive Mw = 4.9 earthquake of 2018 December 26 occurred within the studied area two days after a dyke intrusion, that propagated beneath the centre of the volcano accompanied by a short eruption. Both GNSS and InSAR time-series document well those events and allow to investigate the post-seismic sliding across the faults of south-eastern flank. We analyse the slow slip events (SSE) that are observed in the GNSS and InSAR time-series in the vicinity of the Acitrezza fault. We quantify and discuss the tectonic origin of the Belpasso–Ognina lineament that we interpreted as a tear fault.
Non-nutritive sweetener regulation and health: analysing applications to vary Australian and New Zealand food standards
Authors: Russell Cherie , Baker Phillip , Grimes Carley , Lawrence Mark A
Published: February 2023

We aimed to understand the process of setting or varying food standards related to non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in Australia and New Zealand. Overconsumption of added sugars is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Limiting added sugar consumption is recommended by the World Health Organization. NNS are sweet substances with little to no energy that can be used to maintain the sweetness of packaged food when added sugar is reduced. The health and dietary pattern impacts of NNS are contested. Understanding how and why applications for NNS are submitted, assessed and approved within food regulatory systems is important to contextualize the increasing availability of NNS in the food supply. We completed an interpretive content analysis of applications to change the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) Code, risk assessments and stakeholder submissions. Literature used in risk assessments were drawn from a mixture of documents supplied by industry and peer-reviewed studies. Risk assessments were primarily focussed on toxicological outcomes, while broader public health outcomes were not explicitly considered. Consumption data available to FSANZ were collected several years prior to dietary exposure assessments, and thus may not accurately represent current intakes. The study findings raise questions about whether the scope of what constitutes a ‘risk’ to public health in the setting of food standards needs to extend beyond immediate toxicological and food safety concerns, to include longer-term dietary balance considerations.
Social media for psychological support of patients with chronic non-infectious diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Bert Fabrizio , Lo Moro Giuseppina , Giacomini Gianmarco , Minutiello Ettore , Siliquini Roberta
Published: February 2023

Psychological complications of chronic diseases are often underestimated because they may be interpreted as normal consequences of the underlying illness. Additionally, chronic patients may find several obstacles to healthcare access, including physical, socioeconomic, geographical and psychological barriers. Social media may be potential tools to provide psychological care extending the possibility of treatment where the offer is limited. This review aimed to explore the use of social media in administering psychological interventions to patients with chronic noncommunicable diseases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo (from 2004 to 2021). Randomized controlled trials outlining the social media use in administering psychological assistance to patients with chronic noncommunicable diseases were considered eligible. Out of 9838 records identified, 75 papers were included. Peer-to-peer interaction was the most used (n = 22), mainly via chat rooms and forums. Interventions were mostly administered to patients with psychiatric (n = 41) or oncologic disorders (n = 12). This work highlighted a lack of tailored interventions based on disease, age or gender, and a use of a limited range of relatively old platforms such as emails, blogs and forums. To administer efficient interventions, it would be advisable to continuously analyze the evolving use of these tools.
Towards a mother-centred maternal health promotion
Authors: Neely Eva , Reed Anna
Published: February 2023

A transformative approach to maternal health promotion should be mother-centred, context-driven and grounded in lived experiences. Health promotion can achieve this by drawing on its disciplinary roots to extend and reorient maternal health promotion towards an approach of non-stigmatizing and equitable health promotion that has mothers’ well-being at the centre, particularly giving credit to marginalized, ‘non-normative’ maternities. This article draws on data from 18 workshops EN conducted across Aotearoa New Zealand, including 268 maternal health stakeholders. Drawing on design thinking, participants reimagined what a maternal health promotion approach informed by the Ottawa Charter action areas could comprise. The five themes included building connected systems close to home, developing mothering/parenting skills, addressing upstream determinants, mother-centred care and funding, and creating a collective mothering village. We discuss how these areas could better meet the unique challenges of transitioning to motherhood. Rather than focussing only on individual behaviours, many ideas reveal broader environmental and structural determinants. We link the themes to current literature and advance the agenda for centring the maternal in maternal health promotion.
Weak range-wide population structure in the blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) revealed by analysis of genome-wide SNPs
Authors: Dimens Pavel , Reynal Lionel , Pau Cedric , Arocha Freddy , Hazin Fabio , Roque Pollyana , Cummings Nancie J , Franks James S , Jones Kenneth L , Saillant Eric A
Published: February 2023

Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is a small tuna distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean where it is exploited by growing recreational and commercial regional fisheries. In this work, genome-wide genetic variation was analysed to investigate the occurrence of stock subdivision. A de novo assembly of the blackfin tuna genome was generated using Illumina paired-end sequencing data and applied as a reference for population genomic analysis of specimens from nine localities (average sample size per locality n = 72) spanning most of the blackfin tuna distribution range. A total of 2139 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were discovered and genotyped using the double-digest restriction associated DNA sequencing. Pairwise exact homogeneity tests were significant in 24 out of 36 population pairs and significant spatial autocorrelation of genotypes was observed for specimens collected within 2250 km of each other. However, divergence among locality samples was very low (pairwise FST range 0.0002–0.0025) and significant temporal variations were detected in localities sampled multiple times. Approaches to detect cryptic groups de novo were unsuccessful. Additional sampling is warranted to determine if multiple stocks need to be defined for management and assess temporal and spatial patterns of gene flow connecting them.