bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research interrupted: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple sclerosis research in the field of rehabilitation and quality of life
Authors: Maguire Rebecca , Hynes Sinead , Seebacher Barbara , Block Valerie J , Zackowski Kathy M , Jonsdottir Johanna , Finlayson Marcia , Plummer Prue , Freeman Jennifer , Giesser Barbara , Geldern Gloria von , Ploughman Michelle
Published: August 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has likely had a negative impact on rehabilitation and quality of life (QoL) research in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method

We explored perceived barriers to research among 87 researchers, representing 18 countries, both prior to and since COVID-19.

Results

A Wilcoxon signed-rank test found that significantly more researchers reported experiencing barriers to research since the onset of the pandemic compared to pre-COVID-19 (p < .001), with 78% of respondents reporting at least some barriers since COVID-19. The most commonly-cited barriers related to participant access (n = 38) and interruptions/delays to projects (n = 19). Although no gender differences were found in the number of barriers reported, female respondents were more likely to cite time or competing demands as barriers to research. Females were also more likely to perceive being negatively impacted by the pandemic compared to other genders (p = .007).

Conclusions

Implications for the future landscape of rehabilitation research in MS are discussed.
Usability, functionality, and efficacy of a custom myoelectric elbow-wrist-hand orthosis to assist elbow function in individuals with stroke
Authors: Hoppe-Ludwig Shenan , Armitage Jodi , Turner Kristi L , O’Brien Megan K , Mummidisetty Chaithanya K , Koch Lori McGee , Kocherginsky Masha , Jayaraman Arun
Published: August 2021

Introduction

After stroke, upper limb impairment affects independent performance of activities of daily living. We evaluated the usability, functionality, and efficacy of a myoelectric elbow-wrist-hand orthosis to provide support, limit unsafe motion, and enhance the functional motion of paralyzed or weak upper limbs.

Methods

Individuals with stroke participated in a single-session study to evaluate the device. Ability to activate the device was tested in supported and unsupported shoulder position, as well as the elbow range of motion, ability to maintain elbow position, and ability to lift and hold a range of weights while using the device.

Results

No adverse events were reported. 71% of users were able to operate the device in all three active myoelectric activation modes (Biceps, Triceps, Dual) during testing. Users were able to hold a range of wrist weights (0.5–2 lbs) for 10–120 seconds, with the largest percentage of participants able to hold weights with the device in Biceps Mode.

Conclusions

The myoelectric elbow-wrist-hand orthosis improved range of motion during use and was efficacious at remediating upper extremity impairment after stroke. All users could operate the device in at least one mode, and most could lift and hold weights representative of some everyday objects using the device.
Negative Evaluations of National Ethics and Its Impact on Islamic Radicalism
Authors: Ludigdo Unti , Mashuri Ali
Published: August 2021

This research set out to examine the role of negative evaluations of national ethics in escalating Islamic radicalism. To this end, we conducted three studies among samples of Muslims in Indonesia. In Study 1b involving 610 participants, we tested in an explorative way the latent structure or the number of dimensions of negative evaluations of national ethics reflecting the perceived immorality, illegitimacy, and inefficiency of national ethics based on participants’ religious beliefs. We confirmed the number of dimensions of the negative evaluations of national ethics in Study 2 ( N = 214), which also showed as expected how they augmented feelings of in-group superiority and tendencies to justify violence. These radical beliefs ultimately evoked intentions to carry out unlawful collective actions and offensive Jihad, negative intergroup attitudes such as out-group blame and negative group-based emotions such as anger. We also observed in Study 2 how the acknowledgment or awareness that Islam and the nation are of equal importance to the Indonesian context, which we referred to as dual identity centrality, explained fewer negative evaluations of national ethics. In Study 3, we recruited 583 participants through an online experiment devised as an intervention that proved significant for the enhancement of dual identity centrality. Designed as an extension of Study 2 in which radical beliefs were complemented with radical thoughts such as dogmatic intolerance, Study 3 also demonstrated that each of those radical tendencies significantly contributed to negative group-based attitudes and emotions, as well as motivations to engage in violent actions. What can be derived from these empirical findings is that dual identity centrality holds potential for reducing the negative evaluations of national ethics, which in turn may overcome Islamic radicalism along with its detrimental intergroup consequences.
Financing Social Enterprises: An Upper Echelon Perspective
Authors: Shahi Ritesh , Parekh Nadiya
Published: August 2021

Social entrepreneurship literature is silent on what governs social enterprises’ (SE) financing decisions in contexts where there are no clear legal distinctions between social and commercial enterprises. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach, this research explores how social entrepreneurs decide their financial strategies and evaluate investors in such contexts where such blurred boundaries exist. The case study of nine Indian SEs operating in emerging sectors of health, education, and agriculture reveals social entrepreneurs’ perspectives on SE financing and practical dilemmas faced when moving beyond donation is considered. Our findings present that the organizational factors governing their financing strategy and due diligence criteria used for investor evaluation reflect the social entrepreneur’s value-based lens of self-conceptualizing their own vision of ‘What is a Social Enterprise’ in their financial decisions. Though this does not adhere to popular capital structure theories used in commercial finance, it conforms with Hambrick and Mason’s Upper Echelons Theory, which states that organizations reflect their top executive’s values and belief in their decisions. We observe in our study that self-discretion and value expression is a contextual necessity for social entrepreneurs operating in emerging sectors where there are no clear legal distinctions in organizational forms or theoretical directives on financing decisions.
The Outcome of Children With Malignant Bone Tumors: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Bordbar Mohammadreza , Sarfaraz Ali , Haghpanah Sezaneh , Zekavat Omidreza , Zareifar Soheila , Zarei Tahereh
Published: August 2021

Malignant bone tumors (MBT) account for 3% to 5% of cancers in children younger than 15 years. We aimed to report the outcome of children with MBT in 10 years in Southern Iran. During the study period, 100 patients (57 Osteosarcoma, 43 Ewing sarcoma) with an M/F ratio of 1.56 and a median age of 13.8 years (3.8-17.9) were diagnosed. Metastasis occurred in 27% of patients, mostly in the first 3 months of diagnosis. The mean survival time of MBT altogether was 94.1 months (95% CI: 86.5-101.7). The 5-year overall survival and event-free survivals were 85.2% (95% CI: 74%-91.8%) and 69.2% (95% CI: 56%-79%), respectively. Metastasis was the only independent risk factor of death in our study cohort (Hazard ratio 36.7, 95% CI: 4.8-282.6, P = .001) MBT in children mostly occur in adolescent boys. About one-third of them become metastatic, which is significantly associated with poor outcomes.
“It’s Like 1998 Again”: Why Parents Still Refuse and Delay Vaccines
Authors: Ugale Jiana L. , Spielvogle Heather , Spina Christine , Perreira Cathryn , Katz Ben , Pahud Barbara , Dempsey Amanda F. , Robinson Jeffrey D. , Garrett Kathleen , O’Leary Sean T. , Opel Douglas J.
Published: August 2021

We conducted a qualitative study from 2018 to 2019 to update the reasons why US parents’ refuse or delay vaccines. Four focus groups and 4 semi-structured interviews involving 33 primary care pediatric providers were conducted in Washington and Colorado. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes related to reasons for parental refusal or delay. Five predominant themes were identified: (1) vaccine safety, (2) relative influence of information sources, decision-makers, and timing, (3) low perceived risk of contracting vaccine-preventable disease, (4) lack of trust, and (5) religious objection. Vaccine safety was the theme mentioned most frequently by providers (N = 45 times by 26 providers) and religious objection to vaccination was referred to the least (N = 6 times by 6 providers). Provider-reported reasons for parental refusal or delay of childhood vaccines in 2018 to 2019 remain similar to those reported in previous studies.
Improvising against the racial state in Atlanta: Reimagining agency in environmental justice
Authors: Milligan Richard , McCreary Tyler , Jelks Na’Taki Osborne
Published: August 2021

Recent scholarship on environmental justice highlights a concern about the relationship between the racial state and social movement strategy. This paper addresses the ingenuity of environmental justice organizing in the Proctor Creek and South River watersheds of Atlanta, Georgia, each home to predominantly Black communities and unjust flows of toxicants and sewage through urban creeks, streams, and rivers. We begin from critiques of the failure of institutionalized environmental justice and the state’s role in maintaining environmental racisms. To examine organizing responses to these circumstances, we analyze the improvisational politics of social movements in the context of the racial state, theoretically drawing from Charles Lee’s Ingenious Citizenship (2016). Empirically investigating the work of Atlanta community organizers, we emphasize pathways of strategic innovation among environmental justice organizers that improvise against the racial state even while negotiating with it. The article presents evidence of organizers challenging dominant modes of quantifying environmental injustice, appropriating and repurposing the language of environmental restoration, and improvising in the spaces of environmental governance. While state recognition has sought to contain or co-opt movements, we demonstrate the continuing vitality of mobilizations that simultaneously make demands of the state and rupture the governing forms of knowledge and practice that reinforce environmental racisms.
Effect of scan pattern on Hastelloy-X wall structures built by laser-directed energy deposition-based additive manufacturing
Authors: Jinoop A. N. , Nayak S. K. , Yadav S. , Paul C. P. , Singh R. , Kumar J. Ganesh , Bindra K. S.
Published: August 2021

This article systematically analyzes the effect of scan pattern on the geometry and material properties of wall structures built using laser-directed energy deposition (LDED)-based additive manufacturing. Hastelloy-X (Hast-X), a nickel superalloy, is deposited using an indigenously developed 2-kW fiber laser–based LDED system. The wall structures are built using unidirectional and bidirectional scan patterns with the same LDED process parameters and effect of scan pattern on the geometry, microstructural and mechanical characteristics of Hast-X wall structures built using LDED. The wall width is higher for samples deposited with the bidirectional pattern at the starting and ending points as compared to walls built with the unidirectional pattern. Further, the range of width value is higher for walls built with bidirectional strategy as compared to walls built with unidirectional strategy. Wall height is more uniform with unidirectional deposition at the central region, with the range and standard deviation for walls built using bidirectional deposition at 3 and 2.5 times more than unidirectional deposition, respectively. The deposition rate for bidirectional deposition is two times that of unidirectional deposition. The microstructure of the built walls is cellular/dendritic, with bidirectional deposition showing a finer grain structure. Elemental mapping shows the presence of elemental segregation of Mo, C and Si, confirming the formation of Mo-rich carbides. Micro-hardness and ball indentation studies reveal higher mechanical strength for samples built using the bidirectional pattern, with unidirectional samples showing strength lower than the conventional wrought Hast-X samples (197 HV). This study paves a way to understand the effect of scan pattern on LDED built wall structures for building intricate thin-walled components.
Impact of Potentially Unwarranted Intravenous Antibiotics Targeting Pulmonary Infections in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Wu Sara , Alikhil Maryam , Forsyth Rochelle , Allen Bryan
Published: August 2021

Background

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) can present similarly to pulmonary infections. The additional volume and sodium received from intravenous antibiotics (IVAB) can be counterproductive, especially when strong evidence of infection is lacking.

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the impact of potentially unwarranted IVAB on clinical outcomes in patients with ADHF.

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective, cohort study evaluated adults admitted with ADHF, a chest radiograph within 24 hours, B-natriuretic peptide >100 pg/mL, and either received no IVAB or IVAB for at least 48 hours. Subjects with recent antibiotics, justification for antibiotics, or transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours of admission were excluded. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included utilization of loop diuretics, administration of fluid and sodium, mortality, and 30-day readmissions.

Results

Out of 240 subjects included, 120 received IVAB. LOS was significantly longer in the IVAB group (5.12 days vs 3.73 days; P < .001). LOS remained significantly longer in the IVAB group in a propensity score matched cohort (5.26 days vs 3.70 days; P < .001). The IVAB group received more volume and sodium from intravenous fluids ( P < .001). ICU admission greater than 24 hours after admission was higher with IVAB (20% vs 7.5%; P = .049). No significant differences in total loop diuretics, intubation rate, mortality, and 30-day readmissions were identified.

Conclusion

ADHF patients who received potentially unwarranted IVAB had longer hospital LOS and were more likely to be admitted to the ICU after 24 hours of hospitalization.
5-Azacytidine depletes HSCs and synergizes with an anti-CD117 antibody to augment donor engraftment in immunocompetent mice
Authors: Bankova Andriyana K. , Pang Wendy W. , Velasco Brenda J. , Long-Boyle Janel R. , Shizuru Judith A.
Published: August 2021

Depletion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is used therapeutically in many malignant and nonmalignant blood disorders in the setting of a hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) to eradicate diseased HSCs, thus allowing donor HSCs to engraft. Current treatments to eliminate HSCs rely on modalities that cause DNA strand breakage (ie, alkylators, radiation) resulting in multiple short-term and long-term toxicities and sometimes even death. These risks have severely limited the use of HCT to patients with few to no comorbidities and excluded many others with diseases that could be cured with an HCT. 5-Azacytidine (AZA) is a widely used hypomethylating agent that is thought to preferentially target leukemic cells in myeloid malignancies. Here, we reveal a previously unknown effect of AZA on HSCs. We show that AZA induces early HSC proliferation in vivo and exerts a direct cytotoxic effect on proliferating HSCs in vitro. When used to pretreat recipient mice for transplantation, AZA permitted low-level donor HSC engraftment. Moreover, by combining AZA with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting CD117 (c-Kit) (a molecule expressed on HSCs), more robust HSC depletion and substantially higher levels of multilineage donor cell engraftment were achieved in immunocompetent mice. The enhanced effectiveness of this combined regimen correlated with increased apoptotic cell death in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Together, these findings highlight a previously unknown therapeutic mechanism for AZA which may broaden its use in clinical practice. Moreover, the synergy we show between AZA and anti-CD117 mAb is a novel strategy to eradicate abnormal HSCs that can be rapidly tested in the clinical setting.
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of Para-aortic lymph node metastasis in uterine cervical cancer: diagnostic accuracy and impact on clinical decision making
Authors: Liu Junping , Liu Xin , Guo Zhengying , Lv Xiaojuan , Mao Weimin , Xu Dong , Wang Lijing
Published: August 2021

Objective

The main aim of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) in the diagnosis of para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis in uterine cervical cancer and to establish its potential impact on clinical therapeutic decision making.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 92 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer with PALN enlargement between 2010 and 2018. Cytological results obtained with US-FNAC were classified by the same experienced cellular pathologists. Diagnostic indicators were determined on the basis of biopsy, imaging and clinical follow-up results. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the differences of influencing factors. The effect of US-FNAC on clinical decision making was evaluated.

Results

Cytological results of US-FNAC were categorized as malignancy (n = 62; 67.4%), suspicious malignancy (n = 11; 12.0%), undetermined (n = 5; 5.4%), benign (n = 10; 10.9%), and inadequate (n = 4; 4.3%). Satisfactory biopsy samples were obtained from 95.7% of PALNs sampled (88/92). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of FNAC in distinguishing benign from malignant cases were 90.1% (95% CI: 0.809–0.953), 100% (95% CI: 0.561–1), 100% (95% CI: 0.938–1), 46.7% (95% CI: 0.223–0.726) and 90.9% (95% CI: 0.848–0.970), respectively. Univariate analysis indicated significant differences in experience of puncture physicians (radiologists) between the correct and wrong diagnosis groups (P < 0.05), which was further confirmed as an independent predictor of diagnostic accuracy in multivariate analysis (p = 0.031, OR = 0.077, 95% CI: 0.354–0.919). All patients tolerated the US-FNAC procedure well and only nine presented slight abdominal discomfort. The therapeutic strategies for 74 patients (80.4%) were influenced by US-FNAC findings.

Conclusions

US-FNAC was a relatively safe and effective technique for examination of enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes and may therefore serve as a routine diagnostic tool to guide clinical decision making for management of cervical cancer.
Walking onset: a poor predictor for motor and cognitive skills in healthy preschool children
Authors: Messerli-Bürgy Nadine , Kakebeeke Tanja H. , Meyer Andrea H. , Arhab Amar , Zysset Annina E. , Stülb Kerstin , Leeger-Aschmann Claudia S. , Schmutz Einat A. , Kriemler Susi , Puder Jardena J. , Munsch Simone , Jenni Oskar G.
Published: August 2021

Background

The onset of walking is thought to be an indicator of early development. However, evidence is mixed and clear data on this relationship at preschool age is missing. The study aimed at investigating if walking onset and motor and cognitive development in preschool children are related.

Methods

A total of 555 children (mean age 3.86 years) of the Swiss Preschoolers’ Health Study SPLASHY were tested twice at their childcare center (at baseline and one year later). Motor skills and cognitive skills were assessed by standardized testing procedures and parents were asked to provide information on walking onset of their child.

Results

Late onset of walking was related to poorer motor skills (fine motor skills, static and dynamic balance (all p < 0.003)) and poorer cognitive skills (selective attention and visual perception (p = 0.02; p = 0.001) in late preschool age.

Conclusions

For children with late walking onset a close monitoring of their development in the regular pediatric child health visits may be reasonable.

Trial registration: ISRCTN41045021.
Healthcare leaders’ use of innovative solutions to ensure resilience in healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in Norwegian nursing homes and home care services
Authors: Lyng Hilda Bø , Ree Eline , Wibe Torunn , Wiig Siri
Published: August 2021

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced a global crisis for the healthcare systems. Research has paid particular attention to hospitals and intensive care units. However, nursing homes and home care services in charge of a highly vulnerable group of patients have also been forced to adapt and transform to ensure the safety of patients and staff; yet they have not received enough research attention. This paper aims to explore how leaders in nursing homes and home care services used innovative solutions to handle the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure resilient performance during times of disruption and major challenges.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory case study was used to understand the research question. The selected case was a large city municipality in Norway. This specific municipality was heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; therefore, information from this municipality allowed us to gather rich information. Data were collected from documents, semi-structured interviews, and a survey. At the first interview phase, informants included 13 leaders, Head of nursing home (1 participant), Head of Sec. (4 participants), Quality manager (4 participants), Head of nursing home ward (3 participants), and a Professional development nurse (1 participant), at 13 different nursing homes and home care services.

At the second phase, an online survey was distributed at 16 different nursing homes and home care services to expand our understanding of the phenomenon from other leaders within the case municipality. Twenty-two leaders responded to the survey. The full dataset was analysed in accordance with inductive thematic analysis methodology.

Results

The empirical results from the analysis provide a new understanding of how nursing homes and home care leaders used innovative solutions to maintain appropriate care for infected and non-infected patients at their sites. The results showed that innovative solutions could be separated into technology for communication and remote care, practice innovations, service innovations, and physical innovations.

Conclusion

This study offers a new understanding of the influence of crisis-driven innovation for resilience in healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nursing home and home care leaders implemented several innovative solutions to ensure resilient performance during the first 6–9 months of the pandemic. In terms of resilience, different innovative solutions can be divided based on their influence into situational, structural, and systemic resilience. A framework for bridging innovative solutions and their influence on resilience in healthcare is outlined in the paper.
Does the primary tumour location affect the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy?
Authors: Chen Haipeng , Zhou Sicheng , Bi Jianjun , Feng Qiang , Jiang Zheng , Xu Jianping , Pei Wei , Liang Jianwei , Zhou Zhixiang , Wang Xishan
Published: August 2021

Background

The impact of primary tumour location on the prognosis of patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) arising from colorectal cancer (CRC) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is rarely discussed, and the evidence is still limited.

Methods

Patients with PM arising from CRC treated with CRS and HIPEC at the China National Cancer Center and Huanxing Cancer Hospital between June 2017 and June 2019 were systematically reviewed. Clinical characteristics, pathological features, perioperative parameters, and prognostic data were collected and analysed.

Results

A total of 70 patients were divided into two groups according to either colonic or rectal origin (18 patients in the rectum group and 52 patients in the colon group). Patients with PM of a colonic origin were more likely to develop grade 3–4 postoperative complications after CRS+HIPEC (38.9% vs 19.2%, P = 0.094), but this difference was not statistically significant. Patients with colon cancer had a longer median overall survival (OS) than patients with rectal cancer (27.0 vs 15.0 months, P = 0.011). In the multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors of reduced OS were a rectal origin (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.15–4.93, P = 0.035) and incomplete cytoreduction (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.06–4.17, P = 0.047).

Conclusion

CRS is a complex and potentially life-threatening procedure, and we suggest that the indications for CRS+HIPEC in patients with PM of rectal origin be more restrictive and that clinicians approach these cases with caution.
A novel mechanism for C1GALT1 in the regulation of gastric cancer progression
Authors: Dong Xiaoxia , Chen Chunli , Deng Xinzhou , Liu Yongyu , Duan Qiwen , Peng Zhen , Luo Zhiguo , Shen Li
Published: August 2021

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly aggressive and lethal disease around the world. High expression of core 1 β 1, 3-galactosyltransferase 1 (C1GALT1), the primary enzyme responsible for protein O-glycosylation, plays a critical role in gastric carcinogenesis. However, proteins that can be O-glycosylated by C1GALT1 in GC have not been completely elucidated. Also, the mechanism leading to its upregulation in GC is currently unknown.

Results

Using public databases and our patient samples, we confirmed that C1GALT1 expression was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in GC tissues. Elevated expression of C1GALT1 protein was closely associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor recurrence, and poor overall survival. With gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrated that C1GALT1 promoted GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. By employing lectin pull-down assay and mass spectrometry, integrin α5 was identified as a new downstream target of C1GALT1 in GC. C1GALT1 was able to modify O-linked glycosylation on integrin α5 and thereby modulate the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Functional experiments indicated that integrin α5 inhibition could reverse C1GALT1-mediated tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, transcription factor SP1 was found to bind to the C1GALT1 promoter region and activated its expression. Further investigation proved that miR-152 negatively regulated C1GALT1 expression by directly binding to its 3′ -UTR.

Conclusions

Our findings uncover a novel mechanism for C1GALT1 in the regulation of GC progression. Thus, C1GALT1 may serve as a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.
Estimating the lithospheric flexure of a plate with non-uniform flexural rigidity: a quantitative modelling approach
Authors: Xu Ming-Ju , Wu Zhao-Cai , Ji Fei , Ruan Ai-Guo , Li Chun-Feng , Gao Jin-Yao
Published: August 2021

Lithospheric deformation is a fundamental process in plate tectonics. It is, therefore, critical to determine how the lithosphere responds to geological loads to better understand tectonic processes. The lithosphere can be modelled as the flexure of a thin, elastic plate over long-term (> 105 yr) geological timescales. The partial differential equation for the flexure of an orthotropic plate is used indirectly to calculate theoretical admittance and coherence, which are then compared against the observed admittance and coherence to invert for the non-uniform flexural rigidity (or effective elastic thickness, Te) of the plate. However, the process for accurately recovering variable lithospheric flexure remains unresolved, as the classical lithospheric model may overestimate the deflection of the plate. Here we adopt the classic lithospheric model with applied external and internal loads at the surface and Moho, respectively, and assume that the compensation material is denser than the mantle material beneath the Moho. The lithospheric flexure errors are derived mainly from the Te and Moho recovery errors in this lithospheric model. Synthetic modelling is then performed to analyse the influence of the Te and Moho errors. The analysis of synthetic modelling shows that: (1) the Te error-induced flexure errors exhibit a rippling pattern, and the rippling pattern is broader in high Te regions; (2) the Moho error-induced flexure errors mainly occur in the low Te regions, and applying Airy isostasy theory in low Te regions may still greatly overestimate the lithospheric deformation amplitude; and (3) the lithospheric flexure errors are dominated by the Te and Moho errors in the high and low Te regions, respectively.
Chemoenzymatic access to enantiopure N-containing furfuryl alcohol from chitin-derived N-acetyl-D-glucosamine
Authors: Hao Ya-Cheng , Zong Min-Hua , Wang Zhi-Lin , Li Ning
Published: August 2021

Background

Chiral furfuryl alcohols are important precursors for the synthesis of valuable functionalized pyranones such as the rare sugar L-rednose. However, the synthesis of enantiopure chiral biobased furfuryl alcohols remains scarce. In this work, we present a chemoenzymatic route toward enantiopure nitrogen-containing (R)- and (S)-3-acetamido-5-(1-hydroxylethyl)furan (3A5HEF) from chitin-derived N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG).

Findings

3-Acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF) was obtained from NAG via ionic liquid/boric acid-catalyzed dehydration, in an isolated yield of approximately 31%. Carbonyl reductases from Streptomyces coelicolor (ScCR) and Bacillus sp. ECU0013 (YueD) were found to be good catalysts for asymmetric reduction of 3A5AF. Enantiocomplementary synthesis of (R)- and (S)-3A5HEF was implemented with the yields of up to  >  99% and the enantiomeric excess (ee) values of  >  99%. Besides, biocatalytic synthesis of (R)-3A5HEF was demonstrated on a preparative scale, with an isolated yield of 65%.

Conclusions

A two-step process toward the chiral furfuryl alcohol was successfully developed by integrating chemical catalysis with enzyme catalysis, with excellent enantioselectivities. This work demonstrates the power of the combination of chemo- and biocatalysis for selective valorization of biobased furans.

Graphic abstract
Sleep disorders and gout in Australian adults
Authors: New-Tolley Julia , Reynolds Amy C. , Appleton Sarah L. , Gill Tiffany K. , Lester Susan , Adams Robert J. , Hill Catherine L.
Published: August 2021

Background

The aims of our study were two-fold. Firstly, to determine if there is an association between gout and OSA in a representative Australian adult population. Secondly, to explore associations between gout and patient reported sleep outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional national online survey of a representative sample of Australian adults > 18 years assessed self-reported doctor-diagnosed OSA, insomnia and patient reported sleep outcomes. Possible undiagnosed OSA was estimated using self-reported frequent loud snoring and witnessed apnoeas. Participants self-reported physician-diagnosed gout and other health conditions. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for both objectives. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported.

Results

There were 1948 participants of whom 126 (6.5%) had gout and 124 (6.4%) had diagnosed sleep apnoea. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), sex, alcohol intake and the presence of arthritis, those with obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed on polysomnography were twice as likely to report having gout compared to those without. (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.6). Additionally, participants with symptoms suggestive of sleep apnoea were also twice as likely to have gout compared to those without (OR = 2.8, 95%CI 1.6–5.1). There was also a higher likelihood of restless legs syndrome, insomnia and worry about sleep in patients with gout.

Conclusion

Diagnosed and suspected OSA are associated with higher likelihood of gout. Participants with gout are also more likely to report suffering from restless legs syndrome, insomnia and worry about their sleep. Given the morbidity associated with sleep problems, we should be vigilant regarding sleep health in our patients with gout.
Electronic evidence and its authenticity in forensic evidence
Authors: Moussa Ahmad Fekry
Published: August 2021

Background

The basis for criminal trials is the judge’s conviction of the evidence presented in a case. His belief is based on the context or evidence he is satisfactory with and understands. However, the law may establish certain evidence for the judge to adhere to. This study aims to identify the extent of the authenticity and strength of digital or electronic evidence in criminal trials, by identifying legislative trends in the various legal systems, and examining what legal jurists have done to determine the extent of the authenticity of the electronic evidence of cybercrimes.

Results

This study will research the legitimacy of electronic evidence and the conditions for its verification, the extent of the authenticity of electronic evidence found during an investigation, the difficulties of obtaining electronic evidence that can be presented before the courts, and the extent of a presiding judge’s freedom to determine if electronic materials presented in court should be used as evidence.

Conclusions

Two conditions must be met: first, the electronic evidence must be legally obtained based on written permission from the competent investigation authorities; second, it must be verified as valid by computer science and information technology experts. If those two conditions are not met, the evidence is invalid.

The study gives reason to talk about the need for the adoption of international agreements on cooperation in the development and exchange of computer and information technologies, aimed at preserving electronic evidence from destruction and oblige countries to implement and comply with these agreements.
Balloon assisted, ultrasound guided percutaneous thrombin injection of a large radial artery pseudoaneurysm using a trans-venous approach via an Ipsilateral Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Gregory Mark , Guest Mike , Abdeen Islam , Steiner Kate
Published: August 2021

Background

Pseudoaneurysm formation is known to complicate arteriovenous haemodialysis access. Ultrasound guided thrombin injection is a recognised treatment option, but is not possible in pseudoaneurysms with no measurable neck. Balloon assisted techniques have been described in such cases, which transiently obstruct flow out of the pseudoaneurysm and thereby prevent non-target embolization during ultrasound guided percutaneous thrombin injection. We describe a balloon assisted technique for the treatment of a radial artery pseudoaneurysm, via retrograde access from the draining cephalic vein of an arteriovenous fistula.

Method

A 61-year-old male with a radio-cephalic fistula was found on duplex ultrasound to have a large radial artery pseudoaneurysm with no measurable neck, as well as a juxta-anastomotic cephalic vein stenosis. Endovascular treatment was selected over open surgery. Retrograde cephalic venous access was established, which allowed for concurrent treatment of both the venous stenosis and the arterial pseudoaneurysm. After balloon dilation of the juxta-anastomotic stenosis, a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter was advanced across the arteriovenous anastomosis and inflated across the neck of the radial artery pseudoaneurysm, to transiently obstruct blood flow. This allowed for safe injection of thrombin into the pseudoaneurysm by direct ultrasound guided sac puncture; thereby achieving thrombosis.

Conclusions

Balloon assisted ultrasound guided thrombin injection is an endovascular treatment option that can obviate the need for open surgery in cases involving pseudoaneurysms with no measurable neck. The technique described allowed both concurrent treatment of a juxta-anastomotic venous stenosis and treatment of an arterial pseudoaneurysm from a single venous puncture. This technique avoided arterial access and its inherent complications.
A method to quantify autonomic nervous system function in healthy, able-bodied individuals
Authors: Debnath Shubham , Levy Todd J. , Bellehsen Mayer , Schwartz Rebecca M. , Barnaby Douglas P. , Zanos Stavros , Volpe Bruce T. , Zanos Theodoros P.
Published: August 2021

Background

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) maintains physiological homeostasis in various organ systems via parasympathetic and sympathetic branches. ANS function is altered in common diffuse and focal conditions and heralds the beginning of environmental and disease stresses. Reliable, sensitive, and quantitative biomarkers, first defined in healthy participants, could discriminate among clinically useful changes in ANS function. This framework combines controlled autonomic testing with feature extraction during physiological responses.

Methods

Twenty-one individuals were assessed in two morning and two afternoon sessions over two weeks. Each session included five standard clinical tests probing autonomic function: squat test, cold pressor test, diving reflex test, deep breathing, and Valsalva maneuver. Noninvasive sensors captured continuous electrocardiography, blood pressure, breathing, electrodermal activity, and pupil diameter. Heart rate, heart rate variability, mean arterial pressure, electrodermal activity, and pupil diameter responses to the perturbations were extracted, and averages across participants were computed. A template matching algorithm calculated scaling and stretching features that optimally fit the average to an individual response. These features were grouped based on test and modality to derive sympathetic and parasympathetic indices for this healthy population.

Results

A significant positive correlation (p = 0.000377) was found between sympathetic amplitude response and body mass index. Additionally, longer duration and larger amplitude sympathetic and longer duration parasympathetic responses occurred in afternoon testing sessions; larger amplitude parasympathetic responses occurred in morning sessions.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the robustness and sensitivity of an algorithmic approach to extract multimodal responses from standard tests. This novel method of quantifying ANS function can be used for early diagnosis, measurement of disease progression, or treatment evaluation.

Trial registration

This study registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04100486. Registered September 24, 2019, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04100486.
Reasons for individual and concurrent use of vaped nicotine and cannabis: their similarities, differences, and association with product use
Authors: Smith Danielle M. , Kozlowski Lynn , O’Connor Richard J. , Hyland Andrew , Collins R. Lorraine
Published: August 2021

Background

Understanding similarities, differences, and associations between reasons people vape nicotine and cannabis may be important for identifying underlying contributors to their co-use.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 112 co-users of vaped nicotine and cannabis was conducted in 2020. A convenience sample of participants was recruited for the survey using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants responded to questions about their reasons for individual nicotine and cannabis product use and co-use and rated their level of agreement using numerical scales. Mean ratings for each reason for use subscale were examined across all participants and compared using paired samples t tests. Associations between reasons for use ratings and product consumption behaviors were examined using linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Cannabis vaping and smoking exhibited similar mean ratings for user experience and product/substance-related reasons for use. Mean ratings for reasons related to product utility were similar for cannabis vaping and nicotine vaping. Mean ratings for utility-related reasons for use were higher for cannabis vaping than cannabis smoking (mean (SD), 3.6 (± 1.0) vs. 2.6 (± 1.2), p < 0.0001). On average, harm reduction-related reasons for use were rated higher for nicotine vaping than cannabis vaping (2.4 (± 1.6) vs. 1.8 (± 1.4), p < 0.0001). Regression models showed higher average ratings for utility-related (b = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.03-0.60) and harm reduction-related (b = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04-0.37) reasons for nicotine vaping were associated with more frequent nicotine vaping (both p < 0.05). Higher average ratings for instrumentality-related reasons for co-use corresponded with more frequent monthly nicotine vaping (b = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.44) and higher odds of ever chasing cannabis with nicotine (aOR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.29-7.30).

Conclusions

Vaping serves purposes that differ by substance; nicotine vaping was more closely related to reducing tobacco smoking-related harms, and cannabis vaping was more closely related to circumventing social problems posed by cannabis smoking. Lifetime sequential co-use practices and more frequent nicotine vaping were associated with enhancing the intoxicating effects of cannabis. While replication of these findings using non convenience-based sampling approaches is warranted, results underscore the need to consider shared and unique aspects of nicotine and cannabis vaping, as well as cross-substance interactions between nicotine and cannabis.
Frequency-domain wave-equation traveltime inversion with a monofrequency component
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Yang Jizhong , Dong Liangguo , Liu Yuzhu
Published: August 2021

Wave-equation traveltime inversion (WTI) is a useful tool for background velocity model building. It is generally formulated and implemented in the time domain, in which the gradient is calculated by temporally crosscorrelating the source- and receiver-side wavefields. The time-domain source-side snapshots are either stored in memory or are reconstructed through back propagation. The memory requirements and computational cost of WTI are thus prohibitively expensive, especially for 3D applications. To partially alleviate this problem, we provide an implementation of WTI in the frequency domain with a monofrequency component. Because only one frequency is used, it is affordable to directly store the source- and receiver-side wavefields in memory. There is no need for wavefield reconstruction during gradient calculation. In such a way, we have dramatically reduced the memory requirements and computational cost compared with the traditional time-domain WTI realization. For practical implementation, the frequency-domain wavefield is calculated by time-domain finite-difference forward modeling and is transformed to the frequency domain by an on-the-fly discrete Fourier transform. Numerical examples on a simple lateral periodic velocity model and the Marmousi model demonstrate that our method can obtain accurate background velocity models comparable with those from time-domain WTI and frequency-domain WTI with multiple frequencies. A field data set test indicates that our method obtains a background velocity model that well predicts the seismic wave traveltime.
Well-Defined Hexagonal Platy Particles of Brucite, Brucite/Silica Core Shell, and Hollow Silica Particle
Authors: Kunthom Rungthip , Cheepborisutikul Siraphat Jan , Ogawa Makoto
Published: August 2021

Well-defined Mg(OH)2 (brucite) hexagonal platy particles with the lateral size of 80 nm were prepared by precipitation from an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride using a flow reactor with controlled pressure injection. The brucite particles were coated with a thin silica layer by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) catalyzed by ammonium hydroxide to obtain Mg(OH)2@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle. The heat treatment of the Mg(OH)2@SiO2 in air at 500 °C resulted in the transformation of brucite to periclase MgO. The Mg(OH)2 and MgO cores were removed from Mg(OH)2@SiO2 and MgO@SiO2 core-shell particles by etching with hydrochloric acid to obtain hollow silica particles with a lateral size range of 6 to 12 nm. Meanwhile, heat treatment of the Mg(OH)2@SiO2 at 1000 °C resulted in the transformation of brucite to periclase and forsterite.
Phase-Transition Devices Based on Organic Mott Insulators
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroshi M
Published: August 2021

Organic Mott-insulators are abundant among molecular conductors and are relevant to many emerging properties such as insulator-to-metal transitions, superconductivity, multiferroics, spin-liquids, and so on. In this review, phase transitions controlled by electric-field-induced carrier doping, strain-induced pressure effect, and light-induced carrier generation observed at a thin film single crystal surface of organic Mott-insulators are described. The control of electronic phases by external stimuli can give rise to a possibility of future application. At the same time, thermodynamic parameters can be tuned by those input signals to determine the system phase diagram, providing basic knowledge indispensable for Mott physics. Therefore, devices made of organic Mott-insulators can contribute to obtaining much information about Mott-transition and associated superconductivity, as well as the feasibility of application in future electronics.
Is the Supply of Charitable Donations Fixed? Evidence from Deadly Tornadoes
Authors: Deryugina Tatyana , Marx Benjamin M.
Published: August 2021

Do natural disasters increase charitable giving or simply reallocate a fixed supply of donations? We study this question using Internal Revenue Service data in the context of deadly tornadoes. We find that among zip codes located in the same state but more than 20 miles away from a tornado’s path, donations by households increase by about $2 million per tornado fatality. We find no negative effects of tornado fatalities on donations to charities located in these zip codes. The results imply that giving in response to new needs need not come at the expense of other causes. (JEL D64, L31, Q54)
A Behavioral Characterization of the Likelihood Ratio Order
Authors: Mihm Maximilian , Siga Lucas
Published: August 2021

It is well known that stochastic dominance is equivalent to a unanimity property for monotone expected utilities. For lotteries over a finite set of prizes, we establish an analogous relationship between likelihood ratio dominance and monotone betweenness preferences, which are an important generalization of expected utility. (JEL D11, D44)