bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Failure load of the femoral insertion site of the anterior cruciate ligament in a porcine model: comparison of different portions and knee flexion angles
Authors: Yamauchi Shohei , Ishibashi Kyohei , Sasaki Eiji , Sasaki Shizuka , Kimura Yuka , Ishibashi Yasuyuki
Published: August 2021

Background

This study compared the failure load of the femoral insertion site of the anterior cruciate ligament between different portions and knee flexion angles.

Methods

In total, 87 fresh-frozen, porcine knees were used in this study. Three knees were used for histological evaluation; the remaining 84 knees were randomly divided into 4 groups: anterior anteromedial bundle, posterior anteromedial bundle, anterior posterolateral bundle, and posterior posterolateral bundle groups (n=21 per group). The anterior cruciate ligament femoral insertion site was divided into these four areas and excised, leaving a 3-mm square attachment in the center of each bundle. Tibia-anterior cruciate ligament-femur complexes were placed in a material testing machine at 30°, 120°, and 150° of knee flexion (n=7), and the failure load for each portion was measured under anterior tibial loading (0.33 mm/s).

Results

Histological study showed that the anterior cruciate ligament femoral insertion site consisted of direct and indirect insertions. Comparison of the failure load between the knee flexion angles revealed that all the failure loads decreased with knee flexion; significant decreases were observed in the failure load between 30 and 150° knee flexion in the posterior anteromedial bundle and posterior posterolateral bundle groups. Comparison of the failure load according to different portions revealed a significant difference between the anteromedial and posterolateral bundle groups at 150° of knee flexion, but no significant difference among the groups at 30° of flexion.

Conclusions

Although the failure load of the posterior portion decreased significantly in the knee flexion position, it (mainly consisting of indirect insertion) plays a significant role against anterior tibial load in the knee extension position; this appears to be related to the characteristics of the insertion site. Reflecting the complex structure and function of the ACL, this study showed that the failure load of the femoral insertion site varies with differences in positions and knee flexion angles.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene as a priority intervention for stunting in under-five children in northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ademas Ayechew , Adane Metadel , Keleb Awoke , Berihun Gete , Tesfaw Getu
Published: August 2021

Background

Stunting was a significant public health problem for under-five in developing countries including Ethiopia. Globally, it was estimated 21.9% or 149 million (81.7 million in Asia and 58.8 million in Africa) under-five children stunted in 2018. In East Africa, 24 million are stunted which is the highest-burden from African regions. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting and its association with Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in northwestern Ethiopia.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 630 participants from December to mid-January 2019. From five kebeles, two were selected by a simple random sampling technique for the study. To reach study participants a systematic sampling technique was used. Data were collected by using an observational checklist, pretested questionnaire, and anthropometric measurement. Anthropometric indicator, height-for-age was determined using the current World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was computed to analyze the data. From the multivariable analysis the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) andP-value < 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

Result

The prevalence of stunting among under-five children was 35.6% (95%CI; 31.9–39.5%). The result from this study showed that having illiterate father and mother, give birth before marriage (single), large family size, short maternal height, unimproved drinking water source, unimproved sanitation, poor hygienic practice, having diarrhea in the previous 2 weeks before the data collection, method of child feeding, age at which complementary feeding started, frequency of feeding, not deworming and mothers who had antenatal care visit of fewer than three times were statistically associated with stunting.

Conclusion

In this study, stunting was an important public health problem among under-five children. It remains the same as the national average prevalence of Ethiopia. To alleviate this problem proper family planning utilization, good dietary intake, maternal and paternal education, and WASH interventions are critical.
Effect of awake prone position on diaphragmatic thickening fraction in patients assisted by noninvasive ventilation for hypoxemic acute respiratory failure related to novel coronavirus disease
Authors: Cammarota Gianmaria , Rossi Elisa , Vitali Leonardo , Simonte Rachele , Sannipoli Tiziano , Anniciello Francesco , Vetrugno Luigi , Bignami Elena , Becattini Cecilia , Tesoro Simonetta , Azzolina Danila , Giacomucci Angelo , Navalesi Paolo , De Robertis Edoardo
Published: August 2021

Background

Awake prone position is an emerging rescue therapy applied in patients undergoing noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF) related to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Although applied to stabilize respiratory status, in awake patients, the application of prone position may reduce comfort with a consequent increase in the workload imposed on respiratory muscles. Thus, we primarily ascertained the effect of awake prone position on diaphragmatic thickening fraction, assessed through ultrasound, in COVID-19 patients undergoing NIV.

Methods

We enrolled all COVID-19 adult critically ill patients, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for hypoxemic ARF and undergoing NIV, deserving of awake prone positioning as a rescue therapy. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy and any contraindication to awake prone position and NIV. On ICU admission, after NIV onset, in supine position, and at 1 h following awake prone position application, diaphragmatic thickening fraction was obtained on the right side. Across all the study phases, NIV was maintained with the same setting present at study entry. Vital signs were monitored throughout the entire study period. Comfort was assessed through numerical rating scale (0 the worst comfort and 10 the highest comfort level). Data were presented in median and 25th–75th percentile range.

Results

From February to May 2021, 20 patients were enrolled and finally analyzed. Despite peripheral oxygen saturation improvement [96 (94–97)% supine vs 98 (96–99)% prone, p = 0.008], turning to prone position induced a worsening in comfort score from 7.0 (6.0–8.0) to 6.0 (5.0–7.0) (p = 0.012) and an increase in diaphragmatic thickening fraction from 33.3 (25.7–40.5)% to 41.5 (29.8–50.0)% (p = 0.025).

Conclusions

In our COVID-19 patients assisted by NIV in ICU, the application of awake prone position improved the oxygenation at the expense of a greater diaphragmatic thickening fraction compared to supine position.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04904731. Registered on 05/25/2021, retrospectively registered. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04904731.
Characterization of nit sheath protein functions and transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking in the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis
Authors: Kim Ju Hyeon , Lee Do Eun , Park SangYoun , Clark John M. , Lee Si Hyeock
Published: August 2021

Background

Head louse females secrete liquid glue during oviposition, which is solidified to form the nit sheath over the egg. Recently, two homologous proteins, named louse nit sheath protein (LNSP) 1 and LNSP 2, were identified as adhesive proteins but the precise mechanism of nit sheath solidification is unknown.

Methods

We determined the temporal transcriptome profiles of the head louse accessory glands plus oviduct, from which putative major structural proteins and those with functional importance were deduced. A series of RNA interference (RNAi) experiments and treatment of an inhibitor were conducted to elucidate the function and action mechanism of each component.

Results

By transcriptome profiling of genes expressed in the louse accessory glands plus uterus, the LNSP1 and LNSP2 along with two hypothetical proteins were confirmed to be the major structural proteins. In addition, several proteins with functional importance, including transglutaminase (TG), defensin 1 and defensin 2, were identified. WhenLNSP1was knocked down via RNA interference, most eggs became nonviable via desiccation, suggesting its role in desiccation resistance. Knockdown ofLNSP2, however, resulted in oviposition failure, which suggests that LNSP2 may serve as the basic platform to form the nit sheath and may have an additional function of lubrication. Knockdown ofTGalso impaired egg hatching, demonstrating its role in the cross-linking of nit sheath proteins. The role of TG in cross-linking was further confirmed by injecting or hair coating of GGsTop, a TG inhibitor.

Conclusions

Both LNSP1 and LNSP2 are essential for maintaining egg viability besides their function as glue. The TG-mediated cross-linking plays critical roles in water preservation that are essential for ensuring normal embryogenesis. TG-mediated cross-linking mechanism can be employed as a therapeutic target to control human louse eggs, and any topically applied TG inhibitors can be exploited as potential ovicidal agents.

Graphical abstract
Flexible soft-output decoding of polar codes
Authors: Lee Sunghoon , Park Jooyoun , Kim Il-Min , Heo Jun
Published: August 2021

In this research, we study soft-output decoding of polar codes. Two representative soft-output decoding algorithms are belief propagation (BP) and soft cancellation (SCAN). The BP algorithm has low latency but suffers from high computational complexity. On the other hand, the SCAN algorithm, which is proposed for reduced complexity of soft-output decoding, achieves good decoding performance but suffers from long latency. These two algorithms are suitable only for two extreme cases that need very low latency (but with high complexity) or very low complexity (but with high latency). However, many practical systems may need to work for the moderate cases (i.e., not too high latency and not too high complexity) rather than two extremes. To adapt to the various needs of the systems, we propose a very flexible soft-output decoding framework of polar codes. Depending on which system requirement is most crucial, the proposed scheme can adapt to the systems by controlling the level of parallelism. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can effectively adapt to various system requirements by changing the level of parallelism.
Convergence of proximal splitting algorithms in $\operatorname{CAT}(\kappa)$ spaces and beyond
Authors: Lauster Florian , Luke D. Russell
Published: August 2021

In the setting of$\operatorname{CAT}(\kappa)$CAT(κ)spaces, common fixed point iterations built from prox mappings (e.g. prox-prox, Krasnoselsky–Mann relaxations, nonlinear projected-gradients) converge locally linearly under the assumption of linear metric subregularity. Linear metric subregularity is in any case necessary for linearly convergent fixed point sequences, so the result is tight. To show this, we develop a theory of fixed point mappings that violate the usual assumptions of nonexpansiveness and firm nonexpansiveness inp-uniformly convex spaces.
Regulatory compliance among over-the-counter medicine sellers facilities within the Upper East Region of Ghana
Authors: Frempong Benjamin Kwarteng , Amalba Anthony , Donkor Nina , Akuffo Kwadwo Owusu
Published: August 2021

Background

Easy access to medicines provided by private medicine retailing facilities including that of over-the-counter medicine retailers, have gained prominence in sub-Saharan Africa. Although over-the-counter medicine-sellers (OTCMS) facilities play an indispensable role in healthcare delivery, there is inadequate information about their regulatory environment and whether their operations conform to regulatory provisions. Hence, this study sought to investigate the characteristics and predictors of regulatory practices among over-the-counter medicine sellers in Ghana.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study involving participants from 208 OTCMS facilities in eight (8) municipalities and districts (MDA’s) of the Upper East Region of Ghana. An initial census of facilities in the region was conducted between May and August 2016 and a follow-up conducted between December 2016 and March 2017. This ensured the identification and location of all OTCMS facilities within the selected MDA’s for study planning and data collection. The main outcome variable was regulatory compliance which is a composite of three indicators for regulatory practices (retention of medicine supplier’s invoices and receipts on-premises), licensing and registration requirements (appropriate signage), and equipment and material requirements (availability of reference material). Regulatory compliance was assessed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

In this survey, 21.5%, 38.2%, and 23.1% of the facilities surveyed had a good state of repair, had the owner of the facility available on the premises, and had received regulatory visit(s) in less than 12 months, respectively. Only 29.2% of facilities were regulatory compliant. After statistical adjustment, OTCMS facility location (compared with Rural: Urban, AOR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.74–10.17, p = 0.001) and staff trained in less than 1 year (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.02–7.62, p = 0.046) were significantly associated with regulatory compliance.

Conclusions

Regulatory compliance was low in the Upper East Region of Ghana, particularly across rural locations, where most of the facilities failed to meet the laid down provisions of the Pharmacy Council regarding practice, staff and premises requirements. This could be attributed to the fact that these areas are poorly resourced. Policymakers are been called on to put in place pragmatic measures in relation to OTCMS facility’s location and regulatory requirements to address the inequities in compliance.
Forensic examination of effects of rheumatoid arthritis on handwriting characteristics
Authors: Saini Komal , Sharma Bhavya , Kaur Manpreet
Published: August 2021

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to produce deformity of the joints and muscles which can affect the handwriting of an individual significantly. Examination of such handwriting specimens can become a challenging task for the document examiners. This can affect the accuracy of their opinions upon the related cases. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on handwriting characteristics qualitatively and statistically. The study also included qualitative analysis and comparison of line quality defects of copied writings and writings affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Results

Handwriting characteristics were analyzed qualitatively and statistically in old writings vs affected writings. All these handwriting characteristics were also analyzed qualitatively in copied writings vs affected writings. The results of the study showed significant deteriorating effects of rheumatoid arthritis on almost all handwriting characteristics, except for characteristics such as slant, retouching, and overwriting. The pictorial appearance of letters in the writings executed before and after the onset of illness was even observed to appear different altogether in case of some individuals with severely affected writings. Moreover, the analysis of copied writings indicated the execution of writing by a different person. Handwriting characteristics such as slant, spacing, and alignment were observed to show insignificance in analyzing differences between copied and genuine writings affected by the illness.

Conclusion

It has been concluded that rheumatoid arthritis causes deterioration of letters, tremor, disturbed rhythm, and a huge variation in other handwriting characteristics. The copied writings have also presented line quality defects like artificial tremor, hesitations, retouching, and unnatural pen lifts at all wrong places. The determination of these peculiarities may assist the document examiners in the differentiation of copied and affected writings.
Psychological well-being and burnout amongst medical students in India: a report from a nationally accessible survey
Authors: Philip Sharad , Molodynski Andrew , Barklie Lauren , Bhugra Dinesh , Chaturvedi Santosh K.
Published: August 2021

Background

Medical students in India face multiple challenges and sources of stress during their training. No nationally representative survey has yet been undertaken. We undertook a cross-sectional national survey to assess substance use, psychological well-being, and burnout using CAGE, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), and the short General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The survey was open to all medical students in India. Descriptive statistics along with chi square tests and Spearman’s correlation were performed.

Results

Burnout was reported by 86% of respondents for disengagement and 80% for exhaustion. Seventy percent had a score of more than 2 on the GHQ-12, indicating caseness.

Conclusions

This study reveals that medical students are going through exceptional stress when compared to their age-matched peers. More nationally representative studies must be conducted on a large scale to quantify the problem and to help design new interventions.
Quantitative MDCT and MRI assessment of hepatic steatosis in genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C patients with fibrosis
Authors: Seifeldein Gehan S. , Hassan Elham A. , Imam Hala M. , Makboul Rania , Idriss Naglaa K. , Gaber Marwa A. , Elkady Reem M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Hepatic steatosis has been shown to worsen the course of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, and it may reduce the efficacy of antiviral therapy and accelerate disease progression. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the role of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the quantitative assessment and grading of hepatic steatosis to evaluate the association between hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Egyptian genotype 4-CHC (G4-CHC) patients.

Results

Histopathological hepatic steatosis was found in 70.3% of 155 patients. No correlation was found between the CT ratio and pathological hepatic steatosis. Proton density fat fraction, T1-fat fraction, and fat percentage correlated with histological steatosis grading (r = 0.953, p < 0.001; r = 0.380, p = 0.027 and r = 0.384, p = 0.025, respectively). An agreement between steatosis grading by histology and 1H-MRS was found in 74.2% of patients. Compared to other MRI modalities, proton density fat fraction had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), with 0.910, 0.931, and 0.975 for mild, moderate, and severe steatosis, respectively. The cutoff with the best ability to predict steatosis was > 4.95 for a proton density fat fraction (AUC = 0.958) with 95.8% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 78.5% positive predictive value, and 96.1% negative predictive value.

Conclusion

1H-MRS had good diagnostic performance in predicting hepatic steatosis in G4-CHC patients, and hence, it may offer a useful noninvasive quantitative modality for grading steatosis with clinical applicability, especially in those where a liver biopsy cannot be done.
Offshore-onshore resistivity imaging of freshwater using a controlled-source electromagnetic method: A feasibility study
Authors: Ishizu Keiichi , Ogawa Yasuo
Published: August 2021

Coastal freshwater provides a water source for more than one billion people living in coastal regions. For sustainable groundwater management in coastal areas, an understanding of freshwater distribution is necessary. Freshwater distribution in a coastal area can extend across the shoreline and into the offshore region. Offshore-onshore mapping of freshwater helps us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the freshwater distribution in coastal areas. Resistivity imaging using electromagnetic methods has been used to reveal the freshwater distribution in coastal areas because electrical resistivity in these settings is primarily controlled by porosity and porewater salinity. We have considered a controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) method for offshore-onshore resistivity imaging of freshwater at a depth range of 0–500 m below the seafloor. Our CSEM method is novel in considering an array of onshore-offshore electromagnetic receivers with onshore electric dipole transmitters. We have conducted a feasibility study to investigate the ability of the CSEM method for offshore-onshore resistivity imaging of freshwater in a coastal area. The test results indicate that the method could image the resistivity distribution of freshwater located at a depth of 500 m below the seafloor. Our model study also indicates that the offshore-onshore CSEM method can detect offshore aquifers up to 5 km from the shoreline. These numerical test results imply that our CSEM method is a promising technique for offshore-onshore resistivity imaging of freshwater in coastal areas.
Can fluid-substitution models continue to ignore the complex physicochemical properties of crude oil?
Authors: Khodja Mohamed R. , Nizamuddin Syed , Ali Abdulwahab , Kandil Mohamed E. , El-Husseiny Ammar , Nazal Mazen K. , Babalola Lamidi O. , Solling Theis
Published: August 2021

The mechanical nature of fluid-substitution models has always been recognized as a major cause of their limited predictive power. For instance, saturants are typically treated as simple fluids characterized only by their densities, viscosities, and moduli of elasticity; their chemistry is just ignored, even when that fluid is crude oil. However, crude oil is a complex mixture of several thousand organic compounds characterized by a variety of molecular weights, polarities, and polarizabilities, and the response of its rheological behavior to acoustic wave propagation is difficult to predict, especially when it resides in the pore space of rocks. We have performed ultrasonic-velocity measurements on carbonate core plugs saturated with a brine and with a light crude oil that are mechanically similar (i.e., having comparable densities, viscosities, and moduli of elasticity) and that show a significant and consistent excess of hardening when the saturant is oil. Dispersion and wettability are excluded as explanations for the data. We hypothesize that asphaltene aggregation and adsorption as well as paraffin-wax crystallization (and possibly volumetric expansion) combine to cause crude oil to exhibit a dilatant-like behavior within the pore space of carbonates at ultrasonic frequencies. In general, the observed effect would be similar to the hardening of ooblek at high deformation rates. This hypothesis could be tested in the future by an adequate combination of high-resolution imaging and microfluidic setups. This and similar studies would be beneficial in developing physical fluid-substitution models with a more consistent predictive power.
Digital Literacy at an Urban Cancer Center: Implications for Technology Use and Vulnerable Patients
Authors: Leader Amy E. , Capparella Lisa M. , Waldman Lauren B. , Cammy Rebecca B. , Petok Alison R. , Dean Rebecca , Shimada Ayako , Yocavitch Liana , Rising Kristin L. , Garber Gregory D. , Worster Brooke , Dicker Adam P.
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

eHealth literacy, or the ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources, has become increasingly relevant in the era of COVID-19, when so many aspects of patient care became dependent on technology. We aimed to understand eHealth literacy among a diverse sample of patients with cancer and discuss ways for health systems and cancer centers to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of patients with cancer and caregivers was conducted at an NCI-designated cancer center to assess access to the Internet, smartphone ownership, use of mobile apps, willingness to engage remotely with the health care team, and use of the patient portal. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were used to assess frequencies and significant differences between variables.

RESULTS

Of 363 participants, 55% (n = 201) were female, 71% (n = 241) identified as non-Hispanic White, and 29% (n = 85) reported that their highest level of education was a high school diploma. Most (90%, n = 323) reported having access to the Internet and most (82%, n = 283) reported owning a smartphone. Younger patients or those with a college degree were significantly more likely to own a smartphone, access health information online, know how to download an app on their own, have an interest in communicating with their health care team remotely, or have an account on the electronic patient portal.

CONCLUSION

As cancer centers increasingly engage patients through electronic and mobile applications, patients with low or limited digital literacy may be excluded, exacerbating current cancer health disparities. Patient-, provider- and system-level technology barriers must be understood and mitigated.
Beyond the Front Line: Emerging Data for Maintenance Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Singh Harshabad , Perez Kimberly , Wolpin Brian M. , Aguirre Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.
Intrinsic positional memory guides target-specific axon regeneration in the zebrafish vagus nerve
Authors: Isabella Adam J. , Stonick Jason A. , Dubrulle Julien , Moens Cecilia B.
Published: August 2021

Regeneration after peripheral nerve damage requires that axons re-grow to the correct target tissues in a process called target-specific regeneration. Although much is known about the mechanisms that promote axon re-growth, re-growing axons often fail to reach the correct targets, resulting in impaired nerve function. We know very little about how axons achieve target-specific regeneration, particularly in branched nerves that require distinct targeting decisions at branch points. The zebrafish vagus motor nerve is a branched nerve with a well-defined topographic organization. Here, we track regeneration of individual vagus axons after whole-nerve laser severing and find a robust capacity for target-specific, functional re-growth. We then develop a new single-cell chimera injury model for precise manipulation of axon-environment interactions and find that (1) the guidance mechanism used during regeneration is distinct from the nerve's developmental guidance mechanism, (2) target selection is specified by neurons' intrinsic memory of their position within the brain, and (3) targeting to a branch requires its pre-existing innervation. This work establishes the zebrafish vagus nerve as a tractable regeneration model and reveals the mechanistic basis of target-specific regeneration.
Stromal androgen and hedgehog signaling regulates stem cell niches in pubertal prostate development
Authors: Olson Adam W. , Le Vien , Wang Jinhui , Hiroto Alex , Kim Won Kyung , Lee Dong-Hoon , Aldahl Joseph , Wu Xiwei , Kim Minhyung , Cunha Gerald R. , You Sungyong , Sun Zijie
Published: August 2021

Stromal androgen-receptor (AR) action is essential for prostate development, morphogenesis and regeneration. However, mechanisms underlying how stromal AR maintains the cell niche in support of pubertal prostatic epithelial growth are unknown. Here, using advanced mouse genetic tools, we demonstrate that selective deletion of stromal AR expression in prepubescent Shh-responsive Gli1-expressing cells significantly impedes pubertal prostate epithelial growth and development. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses showed that AR loss in these prepubescent Gli1-expressing cells dysregulates androgen signaling-initiated stromal-epithelial paracrine interactions, leading to growth retardation of pubertal prostate epithelia and significant development defects. Specifically, AR loss elevates Shh-signaling activation in both prostatic stromal and adjacent epithelial cells, directly inhibiting prostatic epithelial growth. Single-cell trajectory analyses further identified aberrant differentiation fates of prostatic epithelial cells directly altered by stromal AR deletion. In vivo recombination of AR-deficient stromal Gli1-lineage cells with wild-type prostatic epithelial cells failed to develop normal prostatic epithelia. These data demonstrate previously unidentified mechanisms underlying how stromal AR-signaling facilitates Shh-mediated cell niches in pubertal prostatic epithelial growth and development.
A simple computational method to estimate stance velocity in running
Authors: Burns Geoffrey T. , Zernicke Ronald F.
Published: August 2021

Running dynamical analyses typically approximate a runner's stance velocity as the average stride cycle velocity (the average running speed). That approximation necessarily overestimates stance velocity and biases subsequent results. Stance velocity is crucial in kinetic spring–mass analyses of running, where approximation of a runner's impact angle and calculation of leg stiffness require that input. Here, a new method is presented to approximate a runner's stance velocity via measurement of contact and flight times with the runner's average speed, leg length or height, and mass. This method accurately estimated the stance velocity of simulated spring–mass systems across typical running speeds of 3.5–5.5 m s−1 (r>0.99) and more accurately estimated the impact angle and leg stiffness. The method also accurately estimated the peak horizontal ground reaction force across speeds (r=0.82), but the bias magnitude increased with speed. Robustness of the new method was further tested for runners at 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 m s−1, and the new method provided steeper impact angles than those from traditional estimates and correspondingly higher leg stiffnesses, analogous to the observations in the simulation models. Horizontal ground reaction force estimates were weakly correlated in braking and propulsion. They were improved by a corrective algorithm, but the intra- and inter-individual variation persisted. The directionality and magnitude of angle and stiffness estimates in the human runners were similar to simulations, suggesting the new method more accurately modeled runners' spring–mass characteristics by using an accurate approximation of stance velocity. The new method can improve traditional kinetic analyses of running where stance velocity recordings are not captured with kinematic recordings and extend opportunities for accurate field-based analyses with limited measurement sources.
Oxidative damage increases with degree of simulated bacterial infection, but not ectoparasitism, in tree swallow nestlings
Authors: Butler Michael W. , Stierhoff Emma N. , Carpenetti Julianna M. , Bertone Matthew A. , Addesso Alyssa M. , Knutie Sarah A.
Published: August 2021

The purpose of mounting an immune response is to destroy pathogens, but this response comes at a physiological cost, including the generation of oxidative damage. However, many studies on the effects of immune challenges employ a single high dose of a simulated infection, meaning that the consequences of more mild immune challenges are poorly understood. We tested whether the degree of immunological challenge in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) affects oxidative physiology and body mass, and whether these metrics correlate with parasitic nest mite load. We injected 14 day old nestlings with 0, 0.01, 0.1 or 1 mg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) per kg body mass, then collected a blood sample 24 h later to quantify multiple physiological metrics, including oxidative damage (i.e. d-ROMs), circulating amounts of triglyceride and glycerol, and levels of the acute phase protein haptoglobin. After birds had fledged, we identified and counted parasitic nest mites (Dermanyssus spp. and Ornithonyssus spp.). We found that only nestlings injected with 1 mg LPS kg−1 body mass, which is a common dosage in ecoimmunological studies, lost more body mass than individuals from other treatment groups. However, every dose of LPS resulted in a commensurate increase in oxidative damage. Parasitic mite abundance had no effect on oxidative damage across treatments. The amount of oxidative damage correlated with haptoglobin levels, suggesting compensatory mechanisms to limit self-damage during an immune response. We conclude that while only the highest-intensity immune challenges resulted in costs related to body mass, even low-intensity immune challenges result in detectable increases in oxidative damage.
Discrete and Continuous One-Dimensional Channels Based on Pillar[n]arenes
Authors: Kato Kenichi , Ohtani Shunsuke , Fa Shixin , Ogoshi Tomoki
Published: August 2021

One-dimensional (1D) channel structures, have spaces, entrances, and exits of specific sizes, therefore guest molecules can travel through the channel from the entrance to the exit. Such 1D channel structures are therefore ideal platforms for transporting molecules. In this mini-review, we will discuss the preparation of molecular-scale continuous 1D channels from pillar[n]arenes by using non-covalent interactions and covalent bonding. Because of their highly symmetrical structures, pillar[n]arenes are suitable building blocks for constructing 1D channel structures. Continuous 1D channels can be prepared by connecting both pillar[n]arene rims via physical interactions. Pillar[5]arenes with different rims can be used to produce discrete 1D channels, e.g., dimers and trimers, via non-covalent bonds. Non-covalent 1D channels can be produced by complexation between pillar[n]arene wheels and polymeric axles. Continuous and discrete 1D channels can also be produced by connecting pillar[n]arene units via covalent bonds. We will also discuss the characteristic features and potential uses of these 1D channels in material applications.
Good participatory practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research: the case of a COVID-19 prevention study
Authors: Perrone Carlo , Schilling William , Callery James J. , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Chambers Mary , Chase Hannah , Dahal Piyush , Kanthawang Nipaphan , Nedsuwan Supalert , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Intralawan Daranee , Karkey Abhilasha , Mayxay Mayfong , Souvong Vimalay , Tran Minh Hien , Udas Shakya Summita , Sharma Sanjib Kumar , Uranw Surendra , Vannachione Souphaphone , Woodrow Charles , White Nicholas J. , Cheah Phaik Yeong
Published: August 2021

Background: The COPCOV study (chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine prevention of coronavirus disease), which started recruitment in April 2020, is a multi-country double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial which is being conducted in healthcare facilities involved in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case management. COPCOV aims to recruit healthcare workers and other staff employed in facilities managing people with proven or suspected COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a series of engagement sessions, each involving a short presentation of the study, a section where attendees were asked to express if they would be interested in participating in such a study and which information they would need to change their view and an open Q&A section. Answers were transcribed and coded into themes by two independent investigators. Themes were derived from the data. The aims were to assess the feasibility of the study at the respective sites, to identify context-specific ethical issues, to understand concerns potential participants might have, to fine tune research procedures and to refine COPCOV information materials. They complemented other site-specific engagement, communication and public relation activities such as press releases and websites.

Results: From 16th March 2020 to 20th January 2021, 12 engagement sessions were conducted in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and the UK involving 213 attendees in total. The sessions were designed to encourage potential participants and research professionals not directly involved in the project to interact with those who planned the study and those conducting it. Many attendees were keen to join the study while others had concerns. Questions raised revolved around the social value and study rationale; safety of trial medications and risk-benefit balance; study design and commitments.

Conclusions: These sessions helped us refine information materials, identify misunderstandings about the study as well as complement site feasibility assessments. Our experience strongly supports the use of participatory practices prior to conducting clinical trials.
Broken Kirschner Wire in Distal Interphalangeal Joint Fixation: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Kyung Jin , Park Jung Hyun , Koh Sung Hoon , Lee Dong Chul , Roh Si Young , Kim Jin Soo
Published: August 2021

Kirschner wire (K-wire) has been widely used for treatment of fracture for its cost-effectiveness and reliability. This case presents the K-wire breakage in distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) fixation. A 55-year-old male patient was injured by a knife and showed rupture of extensor tendon at 1/2 of middle phalanx. A 0.9-mm K-wire was implemented for DIPJ extension, and tenorrhaphy was done. After 6 weeks, we detected breakage of K-wire in the follow-up X-ray. The broken K-wire in the distal phalanx was removed. We removed the remaining K-wire through an incision on volar side of middle phalanx under C-arm after 2 weeks for the patient’s personal reasons. Breakage during postoperative K-wire maintenance is exceedingly rare. This patient is presumed to have ruptured because he continued using his finger. Therefore, while K-wire is present, continued use of finger without protection may cause breakage, so protective measures such as splint are required.
The Impact of Workload on Operational Risk: Evidence from a Commercial Bank
Authors: Xu Yuqian , Tan Tom Fangyun , Netessine Serguei
Published: August 2021

Operational risk has been among the three most significant types of risks in the financial services industry, and its management is mandated by Basel II regulations. To inform better labor decisions, this paper studies how workload affects banks’ operational risk event occurrence. To achieve this goal, we use a unique data set from a commercial bank in China that contains 1,441 operational risk events over 16 months. We find that workload has a U-shaped impact on operational risk error rate. More specifically, the error rate of operational risk events decreases first, as workload increases, and then increases. Furthermore, when workload is low, employees tend to make performance-seeking risks; however, when workload is high, employees tend to exhibit quality degradation due to cognitive multitasking. Based on the causal relationship between workload and operational risk events from the empirical analysis, we discuss staffing policies among branches aimed at reducing operational risk losses. We find that employing a flexible staffing rule can significantly reduce the number of operational risk events by 3.2%–10% under different scenarios. In addition, this significant performance improvement can be achieved by adding even a little bit of flexibility to the process by allowing employees to either switch their business lines in the same branch or switch branches within the same business lines on a quarterly basis.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Development of urination recognition technology based on Support Vector Machine using a smart band
Authors: Na Hyun Seok , Kim Khae Hawn
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of a urination management system by developing a smart band-based algorithm that recognizes the urination interval of women. We designed a device that recognizes the time and interval of urination based on the patient’s specific posture and posture changes. The technology used for recognition applied the Radial Basis Function kernel-based Support Vector Machine, a teaching and learning method that facilitates multidimensional analysis by simultaneously judging the characteristics of complex learning data. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed recognition technique, we compared actual urination and device-sensed urination. An experiment was performed to evaluate the performance of the recognition technology proposed in this study. The efficacy of smart band monitoring urination was evaluated in 10 female patients without urination problems. The entire experiment was performed over a total of 3 days. The average age of the participants was 28.73 years (26–34 years), and there were no signs of dysuria. The final accuracy of the algorithm was calculated based on clinical guidelines for urologists. The experiment showed a high average accuracy of 91.0%, proving the robustness of the proposed algorithm. This urination behavior recognition technique shows high accuracy and can be applied in clinical settings to characterize urination patterns in female patients. As wearable devices develop and become more common, algorithms that detect specific sequential body movement patterns that reflect specific physiological behaviors could become a new methodology to study human physiological behavior.
Mindful Parenting, Caregiver Distress, and Conduct Problems in Children With Autism
Authors: Raulston Tracy J. , Kosty Derek , McIntyre Laura Lee
Published: August 2021

Children with autism may display an externalizing problem behavior, which are associated with increased parenting stress and depression in caregivers. Mindful parenting is defined as having a non-judgmental moment-to-moment awareness during caregiver-child interactions. The extant literature is mixed, with some reporting that associations between child problem behavior and parenting stress and depression vary by level of mindful parenting, while others have not found these relations. We sought to extend these explorations. Participants who were caregivers of 75 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages 5–10, in the Pacific Northwestern region of the United States. Child conduct problems, parenting stress and caregiver depression, and mindful parenting were measured using caregiver-reported measures. Child conduct problems, parenting stress, and caregiver depression, and mindful parenting were all significantly correlated. The association between child conduct problems and parenting stress was significant for caregivers with high and low levels of mindful parenting. In contrast, the association between child conduct problems and caregiver depression was significant only for caregivers with low levels of mindful parenting. Our results suggest that mindful parenting may be a promising protective factor for the well-being of caregivers of children with autism. Implications are discussed.
Combined diffractive optical elements with adjustable optical properties controlled by a relative rotation: tutorial
Authors: Bernet S.
Published: August 2021

A pair of adjacent transmissive diffractive optical elements (DOEs) forms a combined DOE with tunable optical properties, as, for example, a diffractive lens with an adjustable focal length. The optical properties are controlled by a relative movement of the two DOEs, such as a translation or a rotation around the optical axis. Here we discuss various implementations of this principle, such as tunable diffractive lenses, axicons, vortex plates, and aberration correction devices. We discuss the limits of the tuning range and of diffraction efficiency. Furthermore, it is demonstrated how chromatic aberrations can be suppressed by using multi-order DOEs.
Dielectric and electro-optical responses of a dielectrically negative nematic liquid crystal doped with cationic surfactant
Authors: Shaban Hassanein , Wu Po-Chang , Lee Jia-Hong , Lee Wei
Published: August 2021

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was employed as an ionic dopant dispersed into a nematic liquid crystal characterized by its negative dielectric anisotropy. The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) effect in liquid crystal cells impregnated with various contents of CTAB was studied by dielectric spectroscopy and the corresponding electro-optical responses of the cells driven by an AC electric field were investigated. Compared with the undoped counterpart, the frequency range of the EHD regime after doping with 0.2-wt% CTAB into the liquid crystal was widened, and distinct optical textures, including dynamic scattering, stripes, and grids were unambiguously observed. The CTAB addition reduced the threshold voltage required for switching the planar state to other optical states generated by the EHD effect.
Unique properties of dually innervated dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex uncovered by 3D correlative light and electron microscopy
Authors: Gemin Olivier , Serna Pablo , Zamith Joseph , Assendorp Nora , Fossati Matteo , Rostaing Philippe , Triller Antoine , Charrier Cécile
Published: August 2021

Pyramidal neurons (PNs) are covered by thousands of dendritic spines receiving excitatory synaptic inputs. The ultrastructure of dendritic spines shapes signal compartmentalization, but ultrastructural diversity is rarely taken into account in computational models of synaptic integration. Here, we developed a 3D correlative light–electron microscopy (3D-CLEM) approach allowing the analysis of specific populations of synapses in genetically defined neuronal types in intact brain circuits. We used it to reconstruct segments of basal dendrites of layer 2/3 PNs of adult mouse somatosensory cortex and quantify spine ultrastructural diversity. We found that 10% of spines were dually innervated and 38% of inhibitory synapses localized to spines. Using our morphometric data to constrain a model of synaptic signal compartmentalization, we assessed the impact of spinous versus dendritic shaft inhibition. Our results indicate that spinous inhibition is locally more efficient than shaft inhibition and that it can decouple voltage and calcium signaling, potentially impacting synaptic plasticity.