bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optically tunable engineered macromolecular fluorescent material analyzed using optical parameters
Authors: Kumar Rajan , Kumar Nishkarsh , Chandel Shubham , Tiwari Akash , Ghosh Nirmalya , Shunmugam Raja
Published: January 2023

There are extensive reports on bathochromic emissive material associated with non‐covalent interaction but the reports on emissive material with covalent crosslinked approach is limited. Therefore, we highlight unique method for synthesis of crosslinked polymeric materials formed via thermal Click reaction where the static aggregate of naphthalene (Np) in Polym‐Np or pyrene (Py) in Polym‐Py showed energy tunable emission. Initially, the crosslinked polymeric materials were well‐characterized using spectroscopic and analytical methods like NMR, ATR‐FTIR, rheometer, TGA and optical analysis. The energy tunability to fluorescence emission with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ‐ naphthalene and pyrene was observed. The quantum efficiency for the respective crosslinked polymers—Polym‐Np and Polym‐Py was found to be 2.54% and 8.72%. Moreover, the Full polarization fluorescence Mueller matrix (FLMM) spectroscopy was invoked to extract and quantify the molecular orientation of the ground and excited state of the crosslinked polymers—Polym‐Np and Polym‐Py. The polarization parameters (Fluorescence Diattenuation and Polarizance) based on fluorescence polarization showed that the PAHs within the crosslinked polymers found to be well organized in the excited state with respect to the ground state. Such materials have potential to application such as photocatalyst, chemosensor, etc.
Lightweight poly(vinylidene fluoride) based quaternary nanocomposite foams with efficient and tailorable electromagnetic interference shielding properties
Authors: Bai Yu'an , Wei Xinyi , Dun Dongxing , Bai Shijian , Zhou Hongfu , Wen Bianying , Wang Xiangdong , Hu Jing
Published: January 2023

Driven by rapidly growing demands in fields such as mobile electronics, aerospace and military, the need for functional materials with lightweight, good environmental stability and efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties has rose sharply. In this paper, quaternary nanocomposite foams comprising of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and Ni were developed by a melt blending and supercritical CO2foaming technology. Compared with pure PVDF, the crystallization temperature of PVDF/2CNTs/2GNPs/12Ni nanocomposite increased remarkably from 139.0 to 144.9°C. Rising the nanofiller loading from 0 to 16 wt% led to the enhancements of around four orders of magnitude in the storage modulus of PVDF nanocomposites as well as about three orders of magnitude in their complex viscosity. For a typical PVDF/2CNTs/2GNPs/12Ni nanocomposite, its EMI shielding effectiveness reached 32.2 dB, brought by dielectric loss and magnetic loss. The electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness of PVDF nanocomposite foam achieved the optimum values of 0.84 S/m and 19.4 dB, respectively, which originated from the introduction of pore structure and the gradual generation of nanofiller‐nanofiller conductive networks. This study took a promising way toward the fabrication of materials with adjustable EMI shielding property in the fields of electronics and aerospace industries.
Research on mechanical properties of metal entangled structure‐silicone rubber composite vibration damping materials
Authors: Zhiying Ren , Jinming Li , Honglin Qin , Hongbai Bai , Guibin Tan , Shuncong Zhong
Published: January 2023

Metal entangled structure is a porous metal damping material wound by spiral springs and formed by cold stamping. Its interior consists of interlocking and interlocking spiral springs. To further make the metal entangled structure have the characteristics of high stiffness and high damping at the same time, a high‐performance metal entangled structure‐silicone rubber composite damping material was designed. The viscoelastic properties, mechanical stability, deformation behavior, and damage mechanism of metal entangled structure‐silicone rubber composite were investigated by relaxation test, cyclic loading test, different loading rate test, and damage test, respectively. The effects of different preparation process parameters and loading conditions on the static mechanical properties of metal entangled structure‐silicone rubber composite were investigated. The experimental results show that metal entangled structure‐silicone rubber composite has good mechanical stability, insignificant viscoelasticity, and also variable damping and variable stiffness properties, and the load carrying capacity is substantially increased while maintaining good damping properties.
Long‐acting growth hormone in 2022
Authors: Steiner Margaret , Frank Jacklyn , Saenger Paul
Published: January 2023

After the isolation of pituitary growth hormone (GH) in 1957, this form of GH, always in limited supply, was the only drug available for the treatment of GH deficiency. In 1985, recombinant GH became available, and the modalities of GH therapies changed dramatically as the supply was unlimited. New indications for GH in pediatrics and adult medicine were developed. Treatment was daily. Now in 2021 long‐acting GH (LAGH) became available the world over making GH therapy more patient‐friendly and even showing slightly greater efficacy than daily GH therapy. We are now entering a new era of LAGH therapy for pediatric and adult use with new formulations of GH, which will predictably be the preferred form of GH therapy for years to come increasing adherence to GH therapy and possibly even efficacy, that is, better growth rate. The continued availability of new safety data will further solidify the use of LAGH in clinical medicine.
Evaluation of the safety of piperacillin‐tazobactam extended infusion in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Riggsbee Daniel , Engdahl Samantha , Pettit Rebecca S.
Published: January 2023

Background

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be treated with piperacillin‐tazobactam (PZT) for acute pulmonary exacerbations. Extending the infusion of PZT is one strategy to increase efficacy. Direct comparison, with respect to the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), between these two strategies has not been evaluated in pediatric patients with CF. The primary objective of this study was to compare the incidence of AKI in pediatric CF patients receiving extended infusion (EI) PZT versus traditional infusion (TI).

Methods

This IRB‐approved, retrospective analysis included patients ages 30 days to 18 years that received PZT for at least 48 h between January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2020. PZT was infused over 30 min (TI group) or 4 h (EI group).

Results

Two hundred and four patients were included (TI: 109, EI: 95). Median age was 8 years (4–13) and 7 years (3–12) in the TI and EI groups (p = 0.15). The groups did not differ significantly in their baseline characteristics. There were 12 (11%) AKIs in the TI group and 8 (8.4%) in the EI group (p = 0.53). There was one occurrence of serum sickness in the TI group and none in the EI group. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was similar between the two groups. Median treatment duration was 8 days (5–11) and 9 days (5–13) for the TI and EI groups, respectively (p = 0.24).

Conclusions

There was no significant increase in AKI in pediatric patients with CF receiving PZT by EI compared with TI. EI may be utilized to optimize the pharmacokinetics of PZT in pediatric CF patients.
Functional capacity and quality of life in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Silva Jonathan L. da , Soares Bruno A. , Silva Jaksoel C. , Blum Patrícia B. , Reimberg Mariana M. , Corso Simone Dal , Lanza Fernanda C.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To evaluate the functional and exercise capacity, lung function, quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA HbSS) and to test the reproducibility of functional capacity tests in this population.

Method

Cross‐sectional study with volunteers with SCA Hb‐SS (SCAG), aged 6–18 years matched in age and gender to the control group (CG) with healthy individuals. Spirometry, 5‐repetition sit‐to‐stand test (5STS‐test), modified shuttle test (MST), and Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) were performed. The reproducibility of 5STS‐test and MST was evaluated:

Results

Forty eight volunteers of SCAG and 48 of CG were evaluated. Lung function of SCAG (FVC: 92 ± 15% pred.; FEV1/FVC: 84 ± 8% pred.) was worse than the CG (104 ± 15% pred.; FEV1/FVC: 90 ± 6% pred.) p < 0.05. SCAG had worse functional capacity registered by distance walked: 576 m (515–672 m) and 5STS‐test: 8 s (7.4–8.9 s) compared with the CG who showed distance walked: 1010 m (887–1219 m) and 5STS‐test: 7 s (7.0–8.1 s), p < 0.001. SCAG had worse quality of life compared to CG, p < 0.05. The reproducibility of MST (ICC 0.99 (0.98–0.99 IC‐95%)) and 5STS‐test (ICC 0.80 (0.69–0.88) was considered good, p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia presented worse capacity to walk or run, and to perform sit‐to‐stand test when compared with their control peers. Additionally, they have poorer quality of life. The MST and 5STS‐test showed good reproducibility to be applied in pediatric individuals with SCA.
The use of DXA for early detection of pediatric cystic fibrosis‐related bone disease
Authors: Chadwick Christina , Arcinas Renallie , Ham Melissa , Huang Rong , Hunter Stacie , Mehta Megha , Sharma Preeti , Varghese Prigi Anu , Williams Kelli , Troendle David M. , Sathe Meghana
Published: January 2023

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF)‐related bone disease (CFBD) is seen in adults and can be associated with respiratory illness and malnutrition. There is limited and conflicting data regarding CFBD in pediatric CF. With longer life expectancy and promotion of disease prevention, pediatric CFBD demands further investigation.

Methods

Our center initiated a quality improvement (QI) project from April 2016 to December 2018 to improve CFBD screening in patients 8 years or older, per current CF Foundation (CFF) guidelines. Our team formulated a dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan algorithm based upon degree of bone mineral density (BMD); shared CFBD guideline recommendations in our quarterly newsletter; and ordered scans for eligible patients at weekly review meetings. We reviewed DXA results from 141 patients after institutional review board approval and gathered data including comorbidities, genetics, anthropometric measures, medication exposure, and relevant serum studies.

Results

Fifty‐three percent of our patients had normal BMD (n = 75). Seventeen patients (12%) had a Z score ≤ −2. Patients with lower BMD also had lower mean forced expiratory volume (FEV1) percent predicted (FEV1%) (p < 0.001) as well as lower body mass index % (p = 0.001). Patients with lower BMD were overall older at time of DXA (p = 0.016). During study duration, 13 patients who had abnormal DXA results underwent repeat DXAs after physical therapy; 11 of the 13 showed improvement in DXA results.

Conclusions

A DXA scan is a useful screening tool and can be used to identify pediatric patients who could benefit from further therapy and interventions to preserve adequate bone health and avoid further loss. QI initiatives can lead to improved screening and diagnosis and earlier intervention such as physical therapy. Further studies are needed to better understand the utility of physical therapy in children with CF.
Atomic Origins of Enhanced Ferroelectricity in Nanocolumnar PbTiO3/PbO Composite Thin Films
Authors: Li Mengsha , Chen Pingfan , Zhang Yingli , Zhang Yuan , Liu Zhenghao , Tang Chunhua , Chung Jing Yang , Gu Mingqiang , Li Junxue , Huang Zhen , Chow Gan Moog , Li Changjian , Pennycook Stephen J.
Published: January 2023

Nanocomposite films hold great promise for multifunctional devices by integrating different functionalities within a single film. The microstructure of the precipitate/secondary phase is an essential element in designing composites’ properties. The interphase strain between the matrix and secondary phase is responsible for strain‐mediated functionalities, such as magnetoelectric coupling and ferroelectricity. However, a quantitative microstructure‐dependent interphase strain characterization has been scarcely studied. Here, it is demonstrated that the PbTiO3(PTO)/PbO composite system can be prepared in nano‐spherical and nanocolumnar configurations by tuning the misfit strain, confirmed by a three‐dimensional reconstructive microscopy technique. With the atomic resolution quantitative microscopy with a depth resolution of a few nanometers, it is discovered that the strained region in PTO is much larger and more uniform in nanocolumnar compared to nano‐spherical composites, resulting in much enhanced ferroelectric properties. The interphase strain between PbO and PTO in the nanocolumnar structure leads to a giant c/a ratio of 1.20 (bulk value of 1.06), accompanied by a Ti polarization displacement of 0.48 Å and an effective ferroelectric polarization of 241.7 µC cm−2, three times compared to the bulk value. The quantitative atomic‐scale strain and polarization analysis on the interphase strain provides an important guideline for designing ferroelectric nanocomposites.
Using a run time assurance approach for certifying autonomy within naval aviation
Authors: Costello Donald , Xu Huan
Published: January 2023

The methods and procedures within United States naval aviation to certify an aircraft safe for flight are well established. However, these methods and procedures are based on clearing a system that is operated or monitored by a human. A fully autonomous system will not have a human in or on the loop and will therefore require a new method for certifying it safe for flight. This paper details how to use run time assurance as the framework for a safety of flight certification of autonomous behavior within United States naval aviation. We present an aerial refueling task with run time assurance as use case for the framework for certification. Within the use case we then give more details on the mechanics of using RTA to enable autonomous functionality within naval aviation.
A New SMO for Speed Estimation of Sensorless Induction Motor Drives at Zero and Low Speed
Authors: Che Haijun , Tao Yangyang , Yang Jingming , Zhao Zitong
Published: January 2023

A novel sliding mode observer for speed estimation in sensorless induction motor drives at zero and low speed is proposed in this paper. First, aiming at the poor stability when the induction motor runs at low speed, analyze the reasons of the poor stability and a new feedback gains design method is proposed. Second, for the problem of ignored flux error in speed estimation which cause speed error at low speed, a new compensation method is put forward, which can improve the accuracy of speed estimation in the dynamic and steady state of the system. Meanwhile, a continuous function is given which can replace sign, to restrain the chattering problem of sliding mode observer. Detailed simulation results are given showing the operation at zero and low speed, the results prove the effectiveness of the proposed sliding mode observer. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Prenatal genetic evaluation of fetuses with structural anomaly: is it time to shift from microarray to exome sequencing as a first‐tier test?
Authors: Lin X.‐M. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: January 2023

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Yaron et al. Click here to view the article.
Pathogenesis mechanisms of phytopathogen effectors
Authors: Sun Lifan , Wu Xiaoyun , Diao Jian , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2023

Plants commonly face the threat of invasion by a wide variety of pathogens and have developed sophisticated immune mechanisms to defend against infectious diseases. However, successful pathogens have evolved diverse mechanisms to overcome host immunity and cause diseases. Different cell structures and unique cellular organelles carried by plant cells endow plant‐specific defense mechanisms, in addition to the common framework of innate immune system shared by both plants and animals. Effectors serve as crucial virulence weapons employed by phytopathogens to disarm the plant immune system and promote infection. Here we summarized the many diverse strategies by which phytopathogen effectors overcome plant defense and prospected future perspectives.

This article is categorized under:

Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Sincov’s and other functional equations and negative interest rates
Authors: Kiss Gergely , Schwaiger Jens
Published: January 2023

Investigating the future value F(K, s, t) of a capital K invested between dates s and t, the “natural” condition $$F(K,s,t)\ge K$$

F
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has lost its naturality because of the strange fact of negative interest rates. This leads to the task of describing the possible solutions of the multiplicative Sincov equation $$f(s,u)=f(s,t)f(t,u)$$

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=
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for $$s\le t\le u$$

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where $$f(s,t)=0$$

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0

may happen. In this paper we solve this task and discuss connections to the theory of investments.
Combination strategy for consistent final, rapid and predicted Earth rotation parameters
Authors: Kehm Alexander , Hellmers Hendrik , Bloßfeld Mathis , Dill Robert , Angermann Detlef , Seitz Florian , Hugentobler Urs , Dobslaw Henryk , Thomas Maik , Thaller Daniela , Böhm Johannes , Schönemann Erik , Mayer Volker , Springer Tim , Otten Michiel , Bruni Sara , Enderle Werner
Published: January 2023

The accurate knowledge of the Earth’s orientation and rotation in space is essential for a broad variety of scientific and societal applications. Among others, these include global positioning, near-Earth and deep-space navigation, the realisation of precise reference and time systems as well as studies of geodynamics and global change phenomena. In this paper, we present a refined strategy for processing and combining Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) observations at the normal equation level and formulate recommendations for a consistent processing of the space-geodetic input data. Based on the developed strategy, we determine final and rapid Earth rotation parameter (ERP) solutions with low latency that also serve as the basis for a subsequent prediction of ERPs involving effective angular momentum data. Realising final ERPs on an accuracy level comparable to the final ERP benchmark solutions IERS 14C04 and JPL COMB2018, our strategy allows to enhance the consistency between final, rapid and predicted ERPs in terms of RMS differences by up to 50% compared to existing solutions. The findings of the study thus support the ambitious goals of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) in providing highly accurate and consistent time series of geodetic parameters for science and applications.
The impact of HLA polymorphism on herpesvirus infection and disease
Authors: Palmer William H. , Norman Paul J.
Published: January 2023

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are cell surface molecules, central in coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses, that are targets of strong diversifying natural selection by pathogens. Of these pathogens, human herpesviruses have a uniquely ancient relationship with our species, where coevolution likely has reciprocating impact on HLA and viral genomic diversity. Consistent with this notion, genetic variation at multiple HLA loci is strongly associated with modulating immunity to herpesvirus infection. Here, we synthesize published genetic associations of HLA with herpesvirus infection and disease, both from case/control and genome-wide association studies. We analyze genetic associations across the eight human herpesviruses and identify HLA alleles that are associated with diverse herpesvirus-related phenotypes. We find that whereas most HLA genetic associations are virus- or disease-specific, HLA-A*01 and HLA-A*02 allotypes may be more generally associated with immune susceptibility and control, respectively, across multiple herpesviruses. Connecting genetic association data with functional corroboration, we discuss mechanisms by which diverse HLA and cognate receptor allotypes direct variable immune responses during herpesvirus infection and pathogenesis. Together, this review examines the complexity of HLA-herpesvirus interactions driven by differential T cell and Natural Killer cell immune responses.
Prediction of recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hahn Stephan , Körber Sabine , Gerber Bernd , Stubert Johannes
Published: January 2023

Background

Women after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for development of GDM recurrence. It was the aim of our study to evaluate factors for prediction of risk of recurrence.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study we included 159 women with GDM and a subsequent pregnancy. Putative risk factors for GDM recurrence were analyzed by logistic regression models. Results were compared to a cohort of age-matched women without GDM as controls (n = 318).

Results

The overall risk of GDM recurrence was 72.3% (115/159). Risk factors of recurrence were a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 before the index pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) 2.8 [95% CI 1.3–6.2], p = 0,008), a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 before the subsequent pregnancy (OR 2.7 [95% CI 1.3–5.8]. p = 0.008), a positive family history (OR 4.3 [95% CI 1.2–15.4], p = 0.016) and insulin treatment during the index pregnancy (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.1–4.6], p = 0.023). Delivery by caesarean section (index pregnancy) was of borderline significance (OR 2.2 [95% CI 0.9–5.2], p = 0.069). Interpregnancy weight gain, excessive weight gain during the index pregnancy and fetal outcome where not predictive for GDM recurrence. Neonates after GDM revealed a higher frequency of transfer to intensive care unit compared to healthy controls (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.1–4.6], p = 0.0225). The best combined risk model for prediction of GDM recurrence including positive family history and a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 before the subsequent pregnancy revealed moderate test characteristics (positive likelihood ratio 7.8 [95% CI 1.1–54.7] and negative likelihood ratio 0.7 [95% CI 0.6–0.9]) with a positive predictive value of 96.6% in our cohort.

Conclusions

A positive family history of diabetes mellitus in combination with overweight or obesity were strongly associated with recurrence of a GDM in the subsequent pregnancy. Normalization of the pregravid BMI should be an effective approach for reducing the risk of GDM recurrence.
Patients’ perception of changes and consequences after tumor resection
Authors: Trost Carmen , Heisinger Stephan , Funovics Philipp T. , Windhager Reinhard , Hobusch Gerhard M. , Stamm Tanja
Published: January 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and consequences of surgical treatment of patients with musculoskeletal malignancies on everyday life.

Methods

A modified form of grounded theory was used for data collection and analysis. Data collection was systematic and analyzed simultaneously and 16 interviews were conducted: 2 narrative, 11 guided and 3 expert interviews (surgeon, physical therapist, support group). Data collection and analysis alternated until no new codes could be found. Once theoretical saturation was achieved, the main category was formed and described using the literature.

Results

The main category results from the combination of all categories and leads to the core category. In the center is the affected person and in the immediate environment are the patient’s relatives/partners. In the next instance the primary care physician is necessary to establish a sense of normalcy. This depends on the individuality of the person and the restored possibilities of movement.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the necessity of implementing psychosocial care involving the social environment is shown. The importance of relatives/partners for recovery is emphasized. Furthermore, the communication between the specialists and family physicians should be simplified.
Georg Schmorl prize of the German spine society (DWG) 2022: current treatment for inpatients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures—results of the EOFTT study
Authors: Ullrich Bernhard W. , Schenk Philipp , Scheyerer Max J. , Bäumlein Martin , Katscher Sebastian , Schnake Klaus J. , Zimmermann Volker , Schwarz Falko , Schmeiser Gregor , Scherer Michael , Müller Michael , Sprengel Kai , Osterhoff Georg , Liepold Katja , Schramm Simon , Baron Christopher , Siekmann Holger , Franck Alexander , Isik N. , Klauke Friederike , Spiegl Ulrich J. A. ,   Working Group Osteoporotic Fractures of the Spine Section of the German Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma
Published: January 2023

Aim

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures are of increasing importance. To identify the optimal treatment strategy this multicentre prospective cohort study was performed.

Purpose

Patients suffering from osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures were included. Excluded were tumour diseases, infections and limb fractures. Age, sex, trauma mechanism, OF classification, OF-score, treatment strategy, pain condition and mobilization were analysed.

Methods

A total of 518 patients’ aged 75 ± 10 (41–97) years were included in 17 centre. A total of 174 patients were treated conservatively, and 344 were treated surgically, of whom 310 (90%) received minimally invasive treatment. An increase in the OF classification was associated with an increase in both the likelihood of surgery and the surgical invasiveness.

Results

Five (3%) complications occurred during conservative treatment, and 46 (13%) occurred in the surgically treated patients. 4 surgical site infections and 2 mechanical failures requested revision surgery. At discharge pain improved significantly from a visual analogue scale score of 7.7 (surgical) and 6.0 (conservative) to a score of 4 in both groups (p < 0.001). Over the course of treatment, mobility improved significantly (p = 0.001), with a significantly stronger (p = 0.007) improvement in the surgically treated patients.

Conclusion

Fracture severity according to the OF classification is significantly correlated with higher surgery rates and higher invasiveness of surgery. The most commonly used surgical strategy was minimally invasive short-segmental hybrid stabilization followed by kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty. Despite the worse clinical conditions of the surgically treated patients both conservative and surgical treatment led to an improved pain situation and mobility during the inpatient stay to nearly the same level for both treatments.
Anti-dementia drugs: a descriptive study of the prescription pattern in Italy
Authors: Ippoliti Ilaria , Ancidoni Antonio , Da Cas Roberto , Pierantozzi Andrea , Vanacore Nicola , Trotta Francesco
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and memantine are currently the only anti-dementia drugs (ADDs) approved for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Italy. This nationwide study aims to characterize dementia drug utilization in a population > 65 years, during 2018–2020.

Methods

Different administrative healthcare databases were queried to collect both aggregate and individual data.

Results

ADD consumption remained stable throughout the study period (~ 9 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day). AChEI consumption was over 5 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day. Memantine consumption was nearly 4 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day, representing 40% of ADD consumption. The prevalence of use of memantine represented nearly half of ADD consumption, substantially unchanged over the 3 years. Comparing the AD prevalence with the prevalence of ADDs use, the gap becomes wider as age increases. In 2019, the proportion of private purchases of ADDs was 38%, mostly represented by donepezil and rivastigmine. In 2020, memantine was the only ADD with an increase in consumption (Δ% 19–20, 1.3%).

Discussion

To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to investigate the ADD prescription pattern in Italy with a Public Health approach. In 2019, the proportion of ADD private purchases point out several issues concerning the reimbursability of ADDs. From a regulatory perspective, ADDs can be reimbursed by the National Health System only to patients diagnosed with AD; therefore, the off-label use of ADDs in patients with mild cognitive impairment may partially explain this phenomenon. The study extends knowledge on the use of ADDs, providing comparisons with studies from other countries that investigate the prescription pattern of ADDs.
Development and Validation of the Adolescent and Children in Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Protective Factors Scale (ACRAM-PFS)
Authors: García-Mollá Adrián , Carbonell Ángela , Navarro-Pérez José Javier , Tomás José M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Child maltreatment is a significant global problem concerning over 25% of children around the world. Traditionally, the assessment of children’s welfare was characterized by the creation of instruments and models from the deficit-based theoretical framework.

Purpose

This study aims to develop an instrument to measure protective factors (the Adolescent and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Protective Factors Scale, ACRAM-PFS) and gather evidence on its psychometric properties. ACRAM-PFS is an 18-items scale for the assessment of protective factors of child maltreatment developed from the socioecological framework.

Method

Structural validity, reliability and convergent-related validity were studied for this measure in a sample of 616 children and adolescents, with age ranging from 0 to 18 years old (M = 12.14; SD = 5.22). Cases were informed by 286 child welfare workers. The sample was split in two subsamples, one to perform an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the second to perform a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Results

The CFA corroborate the three-factor structure that includes the children and adolescents’ resources, the family/caregiver’s resources and the community resources (χ2 = 278.005, df = 132, p < .001, CFI = 0.955, SRMR = .084, RMSEA = .061, [90% CI: .051-.071]). Results of convergent-related validity indicated significant correlation with CTQ-SF and protective factors dimension of C-CAPS.

Discussion

The results support that ACRAM-PFS is a rigorous measure for assessing protective factors for child maltreatment. The scale can serve as a key tool for designing strengths-based intervention strategies tailored to the actual needs of children and adolescents. The present study provides the implications for the development of protective factor scales in the field of child welfare.
Decrease of cancer diagnosis during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Angelini Marco , Teglia Federica , Astolfi Laura , Casolari Giulia , Boffetta Paolo
Published: January 2023

Many health services, including cancer care, have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. This study aimed at providing a systematic review of the impact of the epidemic on cancer diagnostic tests and diagnosis worldwide. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, databases such as Pubmed, Proquest and Scopus were searched comprehensively for articles published between January 1st, 2020 and December 12th, 2021. Observational studies and articles that reported data from single clinics and population registries comparing the number of cancer diagnostic tests and/or diagnosis performed before and during the pandemic, were included. Two pairs of independent reviewers extracted data from the selected studies. The weighted average of the percentage variation was calculated and compared between pandemic and pre-pandemic periods. Stratified analysis was performed by geographic area, time interval and study setting. The review was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022314314). The review comprised 61 articles, whose results referred to the period January–October 2020. We found an overall decrease of − 37.3% for diagnostic tests and − 27.0% for cancer diagnosis during the pandemic. For both outcomes we identified a U-shaped temporal trend, with an almost complete recovery for the number of cancer diagnosis after May 2020. We also analyzed differences by geographic area and screening setting. We provided a summary estimate of the decrease in cancer diagnosis and diagnostic tests, during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay in cancer diagnosis could lead to an increase in the number of avoidable cancer deaths. Further research is needed to assess the impact of the pandemic measures on cancer treatment and mortality.
Analysis of the compressible, isotropic, neo-Hookean hyperelastic model
Authors: Kossa Attila , Valentine Megan T. , McMeeking Robert M.
Published: January 2023

The most widely-used representation of the compressible, isotropic, neo-Hookean hyperelastic model is considered in this paper. The version under investigation is that which is implemented in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS, ANSYS and COMSOL. Transverse stretch solutions are obtained for the following homogeneous deformations: uniaxial loading, equibiaxial loading in plane stress, and uniaxial loading in plane strain. The ground-state Poisson’s ratio is used to parameterize the constitutive model, and stress solutions are computed numerically for the physically permitted range of its values. Despite its broad application to a number of engineering problems, the physical limitations of the model, particularly in the small to moderate stretch regimes, are not explored. In this work, we describe and analyze results and make some critical observations, underlining the model’s advantages and limitations. For example, a snap-back feature of the transverse stretch is identified in uniaxial compression, a physically undesirable behavior unless validated by experimental data. The domain of this non-unique solution is determined in terms of the ground-state Poisson’s ratio and the state of stretch and stress. The analyses we perform are essential to enable the understanding of the characteristics of the standard, compressible, isotropic, neo-Hookean model used in ABAQUS, ANSYS and COMSOL. In addition, our results provide a framework for the parameter-fitting procedure needed to characterize this standard, compressible, isotropic neo-Hookean model in terms of experimental data.
Fishing historical sources: a snapshot of 19th-century freshwater fauna in Spain
Authors: Blanco-Garrido Francisco , Hermoso Virgilio , Clavero Miguel
Published: January 2023

Historical information is needed to describe in a robust manner long-term changes in the distribution of organisms, although it is in general scarce or contained in non-scientific sources. Gazetteers (or geographical dictionaries) constitute a potential source of historical species records, which has not been accurately explored yet. The dictionary edited by Pascual Madoz between 1845 and 1850 extensively described the geography, population and socioeconomic aspects in Spain. The dictionary included abundant information on wild animals and plants, with a special focus on socioeconomically relevant species. Here, we present a database generated by collecting and georeferencing the mentions to freshwater fauna records in the Madoz, which includes 10,750 occurrence records of 39 freshwater-associated taxa from 5,472 localities. This database has been made public and usable (following FAIR criteria) in GBIF. Most of the records correspond to fish (10,201 records, 94.9% of total; 33 taxa), followed by crayfish (418 records, 3.9% of total; one species). Annelids (one taxon), amphibians (one taxon), reptiles (one taxon) and mammals (three species) sum up to 132 records (1.2% of total). The database presented here can be used to estimate the baseline ranges of many freshwater species, which should inform present-day management for the conservation and recovery of endangered species and freshwater communities.

Graphical abstract
Who Cares About Young People? An Ethical Reflection on the Losses Suffered by Adolescents, Beyond Those of School and Education, During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schweiger Gottfried
Published: January 2023

Adolescence is a valuable phase of life, not just because it is the phase of learning in school and preparing for a working life. During the COVID-19 pandemic it became clear that the rights, experiences, and lifeworlds of adolescents are considered less important than the needs of school, work, and productivity. However, there is an ethical claim for people to have a good adolescence, and this means that the losses of social contact, experiences, time, and space demanded of adolescents, in order to protect older and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be taken seriously. A distinctive quality of adolescence is that it cannot be repeated, nor can these experiences be replicated as adults. First experiences of independence, friendship, love, informality, recklessness, and youthful exuberance are intrinsically valuable and cannot be substituted for later in life. It is therefore not surprising that adolescents have sought and found their own spaces during the pandemic, some of them forbidden, because lock downs and closed social spaces have relegated them to the confines of their childhood bedrooms. In this paper, I explore an ethic of a good adolescence, which was impacted on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and consider what can be learned from this situation. Adolescents are to be taken seriously, their experiences are no less valuable than those of adults, and the losses they have suffered for the benefit of others should be honored. As far as possible, young people should be supported to have a voice in public discourse and in finding spaces to be adolescents.
Stratified assessment and warning regimen for prevention of acute adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media: results of 150,343 cases in a tertiary hospital
Authors: Liu Heng , Qiu Haiyan , Liu Junling , Wang Lingru , Zhao Li , Wang Yaling , Li Xue
Published: January 2023

For contrast-enhanced CT examinations, there is a lack of comprehensive optimal management strategies of risk factors to reduce the risk of iodinated contrast media (ICM)–induced acute adverse reactions (AAR). Here, we determine the relationship between the rate of ICM-AAR and a stratified assessment and warning (SAW) regimen, which integrated risk identification, stratification, early warning, and prevention. A total of 120,822 cases in the conventional assessment period (58 years ± 15, 55.25% men) and 150,343 cases (58 years ± 14, 55.83% men) in the SAW period were enrolled. The results showed that the total AAR incidence in the SAW period (414/150,343, 0.28%) was lower than that in the conventional assessment period (506/120,822, 0.42%, P < 0.001), in which the proportion of AAR patients decreased by one-third. It mainly presented as decreases in mild and moderate reactions (P < 0.001), and a decrease in the proportion of moderate AAR patients (P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed lower mild and moderate AAR incidence in patients with different risk levels and with different ICM injection parameters following SAW regimen. We concluded that SAW regimen was associated with lower incidence of mild and moderate AAR, and decreased proportion of moderate AAR patients, which held potential for improved ICM safety.

Graphical abstract
Population structure and genetic diversity of a germplasm for hybrid breeding in rye (Secale cereale L.) using high-density DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers
Authors: Niedziela Agnieszka , Bednarek Piotr Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Investigating genetic structure and diversity is crucial for the rye hybrid breeding strategy, leading to improved plant productivity and adaptation. The present study elucidated the population structure and genetic diversity of 188 rye accessions, comprising 94 pollen fertility restoration lines (RF) and 94 cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) lines with Pampa sterilizing cytoplasm using SNP and silicoDArT markers from the diversity array technology (DArT)-based sequencing platform (DArTseq). Expected heterozygosity (He) and Shanon’s diversity (I) indexes varied slightly between marker systems and groups of germplasms (He = 0.34, I = 0.51 for RF and CMS lines genotyped using SNPs; He = 0.31, I = 0.48, and He = 0.35, I = 0.53 for RF and CMS using silicoDArTs, respectively). ANOVA indicated moderate variation (7%) between RF and CMS breeding materials. The same parameter varied when chromosome-assigned markers were used and ranged from 5.8% for 5R to 7.4% for 4R. However, when silicoDArT markers were applied, the respective values varied from 6.4% (1R) to 8.2% (3R and 4R). The model-based (Bayesian) population structure analysis based on the total marker pool identified two major subpopulations for the studied rye germplasm. The first one (P1) encompasses 93 RF accessions, and the second one (P2) encompasses 94 CMS and one RF accession. However, a similar analysis related to markers assigned to selected chromosomes failed to put plant materials into any of the populations in the same way as the total marker pool. Furthermore, the differences in grouping depended on marker types used for analysis.
Stakeholder’s practices for the sustainability assessment of professional urban agriculture reveal numerous original criteria and indicators
Authors: Clerino Paola , Fargue-Lelièvre Agnès , Meynard Jean-Marc
Published: January 2023

With the rapid growth of professional intra-urban agriculture (PIUA) projects in the Global North, sponsors, projects leaders, and experts developing these projects are seeking to evaluate their sustainability. As existing assessment tools are not adapted to PIUA projects, they establish their own assessment practices. Our study examines these practices to identify their original features, criteria, and indicators used. To this end, we analysed 19 case studies of different PIUA projects. We identified four dimensions underpinning sustainability assessment, namely, internal sustainability, external sustainability, the project leader’s credibility, and the innovative nature of the project. We also shed light on the wide diversity of the 67 assessment criteria identified, as well as the qualitative nature of 78% of indicators used. In addition, our study highlights that assessment practices evolve over time as the project progresses from ideation to implementation, according to the variety of assessment situations. Our study is the first to provide an in-depth exploration of PIUA stakeholders’ sustainability assessment practices and to shed light on their specific features. Our results afford a better understanding of the way the sustainability of PIUA projects is assessed and contribute to reflection on the design of a flexible assessment tool, considering the diverse criteria and practices used by stakeholders to assess the sustainability of PIUA.
Long-term active restoration of degraded grasslands enhances vegetation resilience by altering the soil seed bank
Authors: Guo Na , Sang Chao , Huang Mei , Zhang Rui , Degen A. Allan , Ma Lina , Bai Yanfu , Zhang Tao , Wang Wenyin , Niu Jiahuan , Li Shanshan , Long Ruijun , Shang Zhanhuan
Published: January 2023

Long-term active restoration is often employed to restore degraded grasslands. The establishment of a viable soil seed bank is the key to successful restoration, as it enhances the resilience of vegetation. However, little is known of how the soil seed bank affects vegetation resilience following long-term active restoration of degraded grasslands. We determined seed abundance and species composition of the soil seed bank and soil properties and vegetation resilience of intact, degraded, and long-term (>10 years) actively restored grasslands on the Tibetan plateau (3900–4200 m a.s.l.). The plant-soil-seed bank quality index and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to assess the effect of the soil seed bank on vegetation resilience. After long-term (>10 years) active restoration of degraded grasslands by sowing seeds of native plant species, the densities of transient and persistent seeds increased by 5%, but seed richness (number of species) decreased by 25% when compared with degraded grasslands. This occurred largely as a result of an increase in grass but decrease in forb seeds. Persistent seeds of grasses play an important role in the productivity of restored grasslands, while the density of persistent seeds serves as an indicator of the resilience of vegetation. A combination of the plant community and soil properties determined seed density. Here, we show for the first time that long-term active restoration enhances vegetation resilience of grasslands by altering the soil seed bank. A high seed density of sown Gramineae and a low seed density of forbs in the soil seed bank is a key to the successful active restoration of degraded grasslands.
Modeling cell clusters and their near-wall dynamics in shear flow
Authors: Jančigová Iveta , Bohiniková Alžbeta , Mulík Michal , Cimrák Ivan
Published: January 2023

The studies that compare the metastatic potential of tumor cell clusters in microcirculation to that of single tumor cells show that the clusters contribute significantly to metastasizing. The metastatic potential is conditioned by the presence of the cancer cells near vessel walls. Detailed understanding of dynamical behavior of clusters near the vessel walls can thus elucidate the process of adhesion. We have developed a biomechanical model of cell clusters capable of simulating both strong and weak adhesion among the cells in the cluster in various spatial configurations. We have validated the model on data from cell separation experiments. The developed model has been used to study near-wall dynamics in shear flow with focus on cluster–wall contact. To quantify the presence of cells near walls, we have evaluated metrics involving time of contact and contact area of clusters tumbling and rolling near the wall. The computational results suggest two trends: First, more elastic clusters and clusters of weakly adhesive cells have decreased cluster–wall contact to the walls than rigid clusters or clusters composed of strongly adhesive cells. Second, more spherical cluster shapes tend to drift away from the walls, thus decreasing the wall contact time.
NCT:noise-control multi-object tracking
Authors: Zeng Kai , You Yujie , Shen Tao , Wang Qingwang , Tao Zhimin , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Quanjun
Published: January 2023

Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) is an important topic in computer vision. Recent MOT methods based on the anchor-free paradigm trade complicated hierarchical structures for tracking performance. However, existing anchor-free MOT methods ignore the noise in detection, data association, and trajectory reconnection stages, which results in serious problems, such as missing detection of small objects, insufficient motion information, and trajectory drifting. To solve these problems, this paper proposes Noise-Control Tracker (NCT), which focuses on the noise-control design of detection, association, and reconnection. First, a prior depth denoise method is introduced to suppress the fusion feature redundant noise, which can recover the gradient information of the heatmap fusion features. Then, the Smoothing Gain Kalman filter is designed, which combines the Gaussian function with the adaptive observation coefficient matrix to stabilize the mutation noise of Kalman gain. Finally, to address the drift noise issue, the gradient boosting reconnection context mechanism is designed, which realizes adaptive trajectory reconnection to effectively fill the gaps in trajectories. With the assistance of the plug-and-play noise-control method, the experimental results on MOTChallenge 16 &17 datasets indicate that the NCT can achieve better performance than other state-of-the-art trackers.