bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an ultrasensitive molecularly imprinted poly‐(ortho‐phenylenediamine) based sensor for the determination of melamine adulteration in milk and infant formula
Authors: Heydarian‐Dehkordi Negin , Saei‐Dehkordi Seyyed Siavash , Izadi Zahra , Ghasemi‐Varnamkhasti Mahdi
Published: May 2022

A sensitive molecularly imprinted poly‐(ortho‐phenylenediamine) electrochemical sensor was fabricated for selective melamine detection in milk and infant formula. The pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified by deposition of Au nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on its surface. The fabrication of the electrode in various stages was monitored using cyclic voltammetry. The immobilized RGO, MIP, and gold nanoparticles on the PGE surface were morphologically characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Under the optimized conditions, the linear range and the limit of detection (LOD) were 10–17–10–8 M and 2.64 × 10–16 M (S/N = 3), respectively. The prepared sensor exhibited a good reproducibility and repeatability response. The recovery range of melamine‐spiked milk and infant formula was 92.7%–103.9% and 93.5%–105.8%, respectively. The sensor could apply successfully for melamine determination in milk and infant formula samples.
Option pricing with state‐dependent pricing kernel
Authors: Tong Chen , Hansen Peter Reinhard , Huang Zhuo
Published: May 2022

We introduce a new volatility model for option pricing that combines Markov switching with the realized generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) framework. This leads to a novel pricing kernel with a state‐dependent variance risk premium and a pricing formula for European options, which is derived with an analytical approximation method. We apply the Markov‐switching Realized GARCH model to Standard and Poor's 500 index options from 1990 to 2019 and find that investors' aversion to volatility‐specific risk is time‐varying. The proposed framework outperforms competing models and reduces (in‐sample and out‐of‐sample) option‐pricing errors by 15% or more.
Analyst rating matters for index futures
Authors: Han Liyan , Wei Xinbei , Yan Sen , Zhang Qunzi
Published: May 2022

Analyst recommendations convey valuable market‐wide information which implies analyst rating should generate reliable predictability for future market returns. This paper examines the predictive regressions which forecast the S&P 500 index futures return and volatility with lagged text‐based analyst rating index (TAR index). Empirical evidence shows that the TAR index generates superior in‐sample predictability. This substantial predictability remains after controlling the business cycles, macroeconomic factors, and economic conditions. Also, the TAR index outperforms the prevailing mean out‐of‐sample and generates significant economic performance. Notably, the TAR index also delivers consistent predictive gains on the volatility of index futures returns.
Prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors of delusions in patients with delirium
Authors: Tachibana Masako , Inada Toshiya , Ichida Masaru , Ozaki Norio
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Delirium may be divided into multiple subtypes with different pathological factors. This study aimed to focus on the delirium subtype in which delusions are conspicuous and explore its prevalence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors.

Methods

The subjects were 601 delirium cases referred to the department of psychiatry over 5 years at a general hospital. The Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98 was used to assess the delusions in patients with delirium, and the features of delusions (delusional form, object, and content) were examined. Multiple regression analysis was applied to determine whether individual factors were associated with the delusions.

Results

A total of 78 patients with delirium experienced delusions (13.0%). Most were classified as delusion of reference, such as persecution or poisoning, and 84.3% of patients believed that the persecutors were medical staff members. Older age (p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001), and living alone (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with delusions in patients with delirium.

Conclusions

The content of delusions was rooted in the distress caused by the patients' medical situation, and the features and risk factors of the delusions suggested a formal similarity with late paraphrenia and “lack‐of‐contact paranoia.” Psychological interventions that consider the isolation, anxiety, and fear behind delusions may be necessary in the care and treatment of these patients.
Longitudinal associations of parental monitoring and delinquent peer affiliation: The potential influence of parental solicitation and monitoring rules
Authors: Vaughan Erin P. , Speck Julianne S. , Frick Paul J. , Robertson Emily L. , Ray James V. , Thornton Laura C. , Wall Myers Tina D. , Steinberg Laurence , Cauffman Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Poor parental monitoring has been theorized as a key risk factor for an adolescent's association with deviant peers. However, measurements of parental monitoring often only measure parental knowledge rather than parental monitoring actions, leaving the true longitudinal associations between parental monitoring and peer delinquency unclear.

Methods

The current sample consisted of 1095 male justice‐involved adolescents (13–17 years old at baseline collected between 2011 and 2013) from across the United States who provided survey data every 6 months for 3 years. Longitudinal associations between parental monitoring constructs (i.e., parental solicitation and monitoring rules) and peer delinquency were tested using random intercept cross‐lagged panel models to investigate both between‐individual associations and within‐individual bidirectional effects.

Results

Although parental monitoring and peer delinquency were negatively related at a between‐individual level, very few within‐individual directional effects were found. The few within‐individual effects present indicated that parental solicitation predicted greater peer delinquency and peer delinquency predicted fewer parental monitoring rules over time.

Conclusions

Current findings indicate that, while greater overall parental monitoring is associated with less peer delinquency, there is little evidence that changes in parental monitoring lead to reductions in peer delinquency over time. Results support previous findings suggesting parental monitoring should not be the sole target of intervention for reducing peer delinquency.
Serum transfer RNA‐derived fragment tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD acts as a novel diagnostic biomarker for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Jipeng , Cao Chao , Fang Laifu , Yu Wanjun
Published: May 2022

Background

tRNA‐derived fragments (tRFs) have been found to have a crucial function in the pathophysiology of cancers. However, the function of tRFs in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is yet unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD serum expression from NSCLC patients and to determine its diagnostic usefulness.

Methods

By using stem‐loop quantitative real‐time PCR, we were able to detect various tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD expressions in 96 NSCLC serum samples, 96 healthy controls, and 20 pairs of NSCLC serum samples pre‐ and post‐surgery (qRT‐PCR). After that, we analyzed its diagnostic effectiveness using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Serum tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD expression was higher in NSCLC patients, and levels of tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD were linked to the clinical stage (p = 0.002) and the malignancy of lymph node (p = 0.012). In addition, after the procedure, the serum tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD expression in NSCLC patients dropped. With 48.96 percent sensitivity and 90.62 percent specificity, the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.733.

Conclusion

serum tRF‐31‐79MP9P9NH57SD possibly is a new and groundbreaking biomarker for the NSCLC.
Complete wastewater discoloration by a novel peroxidase source with promising bioxidative properties
Authors: Klanovicz Natalia , Stefanski Fábio Spitza , Camargo Aline Frumi , Michelon William , Treichel Helen , Teixeira Antonio Carlos Silva Costa
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Our study aimed to characterize and prospect immobilization strategies for a novel fungal peroxidase (POD) and insert it in pollutant remediation context. The enzymatic extract was obtained by submerged fermentation of Trichoderma koningiopsis in an alternative substrate consisting of fresh microalgal biomass. The immobilization efficiency was evaluated by monitoring the residual activity (RA) and the discoloration potential (DP) of a synthetic dye solution. Concomitantly, the POD catalytic properties were explored, and the most promising storage strategy to maintain the enzymatic activity was studied.

RESULTS

The novel and non‐purified guaiacol peroxidase from T. koningiopsis expressed a specific activity of up to 7801 U mg−1 in the free form, showing stability when subjected to up to 80 °C in a pH range between 4.0 and 8.0. Furthermore, the bioproduct immobilized on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, named magnetic nanozymes (MN‐POD), expressed up to 689% RA and 100% removal for the Direct Brown 27 dye. An increase in the enzymatic activity, in both free and immobilized forms, was also observed after storage for up to 8 months. The synthesized magnetic nanozymes showed good reusability, maintaining 13 546 U mg−1 after 10 cycles, and removing 94% of color in a second batch. Toxicological evaluation with Allium cepa indicated that the enzymatic discoloration process with immobilized POD was essential for eliminating genotoxic effects.

CONCLUSION

The T. koningiopsis peroxidase production and immobilization presented in this work are promising for the enzyme market and for wastewater treatment technologies due to their high bioxidative potential. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Production of filamentous fungal biomass with increased oil content using olive oil as a carbon source
Authors: Nazir Muhammad Tahir , Soufiani Amir Mahboubi , Ferreira Jorge A , Sar Taner , Taherzadeh Mohammad J
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Vegetable oil is more difficult for microorganisms to degrade compared with carbohydrates and protein. Oil‐rich waste creates serious environmental and health concerns if it remains untreated. The aim of the work reported here was to evaluate the effects on the nutritional composition of filamentous fungal biomass by growing it in pure olive oil as a carbon source.

RESULTS

The growth of different filamentous fungal strains (Aspergillus oryzae,Neurospora intermediaandRhizopus oryzae) was investigated in pure olive oil. A pre‐germination stage of either glucose or yeast extract was necessary for successful fungal growth in olive oil.A. oryzaeshowed superior performance in comparison withN. intermediaandR. oryzaein terms of biomass growth. The obtained biomass fromA. oryzaeandN. intermediawas analyzed for protein, fat, ash and alkali‐insoluble material, where the presence of olive oil had a steering effect on biomass growth (16 g L−1with oilversus4 g L−1without oil). Nutritional composition of the fungal biomass ofA. oryzaecontained 0.33% fat and 48% protein when cultivated in medium without olive oil supplementation, while 31% fat and 14% protein contents were observed in the presence of olive oil‐containing medium. Similar trends for fat and protein contents were observed for the biomass ofN. intermedia. Moreover, microscopy confirmed the presence of oil globules inside the fungal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Fat composition of fungal biomass can be steered through addition of olive oil, which increases the versatility of the produced biomass for various applications, namely in feed, food and biofuel production. © 2022 The Authors.Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnologypublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Experience of residents learning about social determinants of health and an assessment tool: Mixed‐methods research
Authors: Mizumoto Junki , Son Daisuke , Izumiya Masashi , Horita Shoko , Eto Masato
Published: May 2022

Background

Educating healthcare professionals about the social determinants of health is important in improving health outcomes of marginalized patients. Residents' experience of learning about the social determinants of health and a clinical assessment tool remains unclear.

Methods

Residents participated in an online session about the social determinants of health and the assessment tool. Using the New World Kirkpatrick Model, we obtained data about participants' experience from various perspectives. The data were analyzed using a concurrent triangulation mixed‐methods design.

Results

The study included 20 out of 30 residents. Their response was good, and self‐reported learning scores were increased by the session. They learned when to ask about patients' social conditions, what to ask, and how to coordinate medical care appropriately. Participants reported reflecting on their role as medical professionals and implementing new practices based on their learning, as well as concerns about addressing patients' social conditions.

Conclusion

Through learning about the social determinants of health, and assessment tools, residents both acquired knowledge and skills, and reflected on their previous practice, accepted patients as they are, understood difficult patients better, and developed interprofessional collaboration. Medical education about the social determinants of health can trigger changes in residents' views.
Patient and medication‐related factors associated with opioid use disorder after inpatient opioid administration
Authors: Swart Elizabeth C.S. , Newman Terri V. , Huang Yan , Howell Robert J. , Han Mei , Good Chester B. , Peasah Samuel K. , Parekh Natasha
Published: May 2022

Background

Examine baseline factors associated with a new diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD) within 12 months postdischarge among opioid‐naïve patients who received an opioid prescription in the inpatient setting.

Design/Setting

Retrospective cohort (surgery and nonsurgery) study of opioid‐naive patients who had at least one prescription for an opioid during an inpatient hospitalist between 2014 and 2017.

Participants

Twenty‐three thousand and thirty‐three patients were included.

Objective

The primary objective was to determine baseline factors associated with a new OUD diagnosis within 12 months of discharge. Baseline covariates included demographic information, clinical characteristics, medication use, characteristics related to index hospital encounter, and discharge location.

Findings

2.1% of the sample had a new diagnosis of OUD within a year after receiving an opioid during hospital admission. Patients between ages 25 and 34 had higher odds of a new OUD diagnosis compared to those 65 years of age and older (odds ratio [OR]: 6.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.02–12.1 [nonsurgery] and 4.69, 95% CI: 2.63–8.37 [surgery]). Patients from a high opioid geo‐rank region had higher odds of OUD diagnosis (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.31–3.31 [nonsurgery] and 1.80, 95% CI: 1.03–3.15 [surgery]). History of nonopioid‐related drug disorder, tobacco use disorder, mental health conditions, and gabapentin use 12 months prior to index date and white race were associated with higher odds of new OUD diagnosis.

Conclusions

It is important to identify and evaluate factors associated with developing a new diagnosis of OUD following hospitalization. This can inform pain management strategies within the hospital and at discharge, and prompt clinicians to screen for risk of OUD.
China's strategy of free trade area and economic regionalism
Authors: Lei Yu , Sui Sophia
Published: May 2022

China's FTA strategy and its efforts in economic regionalism in the Pacific region are providing new impetus to deepening economic interdependence with its partners and domestic reform to sustain the country's economic growth. The FTAs in the Pacific region provide China and its economic partners with convenient access to their mutual markets, investment destinations and resources, expanding their economic cooperation and trade. China is increasingly able to obtain economic benefits from the regional network of FTAs while intensifying its economic and, by extension, political relations with its partners. In the face of the enormous economic benefits, China's partners, particularly those without geopolitical competition and territorial disputes with China, may view China's rise as an “opportunity” for their economic growth and accept its concept of “peaceful rise.” In this sense, China's FTA strategy and the regional network of FTAs may help China reap not only economic but also geopolitical interest, accelerating its rise at the systemic (global) and subsystemic (regional) levels.
Cold sensor, hot topic: TRPM8 plays a role in monocyte function and differentiation
Authors: Trusiano Brie , Tupik Juselyn D , Allen Irving C
Published: May 2022

Understanding the innate immune system and how aberrant activation or impaired inhibition leads to the development of hyperinflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, is crucial for patient management and treatment. An emerging area of interest surrounding dysregulated inflammation focuses on membrane bound transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. These channels are permeable to calcium and other cations involved in the balance of leukocyte membrane potential and function, as well as afferent neuron signaling within the myenteric plexus of the GI tract, bladder, and skin. A particular channel, TRPM8, is an important cell surface marker for prostate cancer and participates in the function of cold sensing neurons. Specifically, this ion-gated receptor is shown to be activated by agonists such as menthol and eucalyptus, which aid in the soothing, cooling effects of these agents. Furthermore, the TRPM8 channel is also identified on the surface of resident tissue Mϕs and is also linked to the protective role and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) by sensory neurons.
Internationalization of counseling: Integrating the Western theories and practices into the local ways
Authors: Keklik İbrahim
Published: May 2022

The field of counseling has been expanding over the globe in recent decades. Countries newly establishing the profession seem to adapt Western‐originated theories and practices without sufficient alteration or modification to their local cultures. Turkey with its 70 years of experience with counseling is a significant example. In this paper, the need for integrating foreign theories, concepts, and practices into the local‐host cultures will be discussed from social justice and de‐colonialization point of view.
Tracking and plant growth‐promoting effect of Paraburkholderia tropica MTo‐293 applied to Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Vio Santiago A. , Bernabeu Pamela R. , García Sabrina S. , Galar María L. , Luna María F.
Published: May 2022

Paraburkholderia tropica MTo‐293 was applied as an experimental bio‐input to Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) cv. Platense. Different plant growth systems and inoculation strategies were tested to evaluate P. tropica plant colonization at the seedling stage (growth chamber) using culture‐dependent and ‐independent techniques. The effect of P. tropica on plant growth was evaluated in the growth chamber and greenhouse (productive stage) by biomass accumulation and fruit production, respectively. P. tropica was able to colonize the surface and inner root and stem of tomato seedlings regardless of the inoculation strategy—at sowing and/or before transplanting—showing the competitive nature of P. tropica in nonsterile substrate systems. A nested polymerase chain reaction was validated to track P. tropica in tomato plants even in the inner stem with endophytic P. tropica populations of less than 102 CFU g–1 of fresh weight. Efficient colonization of P. tropica correlated with a positive effect on tomato growth when applied at sowing and/or before transplanting: plant growth promotion was observed not only at the seedling stage but also at productive stages improving crop yield in two different seasons. To our knowledge, this report is the first to track and evaluate the plant growth‐promoting effect of P. tropica MTo‐293 in tomato plants grown in nonsterile substrate systems.
Assessing improvement in the fifth‐generation ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis precipitation over East Africa
Authors: Assamnew Abera Debebe , Mengistu Tsidu Gizaw
Published: May 2022

This study aims to assess the performance of European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) Reanalysis fifth generation (ERA5) in terms of the progress made over its predecessor, ERA‐Interim, over East Africa (EA) in reproducing observed rainfall. The observed rainfall used as reference rainfall are Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC) and Climate Research Unit Time Series (CRU‐TS). The performance of ERA5 to its predecessor is evaluated using root‐mean‐square error (RMSE), correlation, and bias. The reductions of wet bias from ERA‐Interim to ERA5 are 16.81–6.94% from June to September (JJAS), 31.99–19.33% from September to December (SOND), and 29.24–17.69% from December to February (DJF) over most of EA relative to CRU‐TS. Similar reductions in the wet bias relative to GPCC are also noted. Spatially, notable reductions are observed over western Ethiopia, Sudan Republic, South Sudan, and Uganda. The decreasing trends revealed in the bias of seasonal ERA5 rainfall relative to CRU‐TS and GPCC are attributed to an increase in the number and quality of assimilated observations in ERA5 over its predecessors. RMSE of ERA5 rainfall relative to the two reference rainfall and correlations with the two reference rainfall are consistent with spatial and temporal features captured in the bias. Specifically, the correlation of the monthly time series of ERA5 ranges from 0.90 with CRU‐TS over equatorial EA (EEA) to 0.98 with GPCC over southern EA (SEA) in contrast to that of ERA‐Interim which ranges from 0.84 with CRU‐TS over EEA to 0.93 with CRU‐TS over SEA. However, the wet bias in ERA5 along the Great Rift Valley remained the same as in ERA‐Interim whereas spatial correlation of ERA5 with the two reference rainfall is relatively weaker than that of ERA‐Interim.
Whether increased water‐use efficiency of Picea crassifolia promotes radial growth of trees in the eastern Qilian Mountains
Authors: Wang Kai , Gou Xiaohua , Gao Linlin , Liu Wenhuo , Fan Haowen , Zhang Weiguo , Yang Haijiang
Published: May 2022

Global change, characterized by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations and warming, is profoundly affecting terrestrial forests. However, whether the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration has a fertilizer effect on tree growth and whether intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) promotes tree growth in semi‐arid regions is not entirely clear. In this study, we evaluated the relationships between tree‐ring widths, δ13C values and iWUE of Qinghai Spruce (Picea crassifolia Kom.) in the eastern Qilian Mountains, northwestern China. We found that the iWUE is significantly consistent with the δ13C of rings in the high‐frequency signal, and the relationship between iWUE and tree‐ring width is unstable. The first‐order difference correlation analysis with meteorological data showed that both the iWUE and tree‐ring width were drought‐limited. The radial growth was mainly regulated by water availability in current April and July, while annual variation of iWUE was primarily controlled by that in current July. In the early stage of trees growth, there was a positive relationship between iWUE and radial growth due to the CO2 fertilization. During the 1970s–2000s, the effect of water availability in July on radial growth increases because of the decreased precipitation in July. This has decreased stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, carbon uptake and growth, contributing to the negatively significant correlation between tree‐ring widths and iWUE (p < .05). Since the year of 2010, the relationship between the radial growth and iWUE shifted because of the increased precipitation in July. This study provided new insights for whether increased water‐use efficiency enhances tree growth under semixeric conditions.
A determination of season shifting across Turkey in the period 1965–2020
Authors: Aksu Hakan
Published: May 2022

Significant changes in the onset, length and thermal characteristics of seasons have been reported all over the globe in recent decades; however, the spatiotemporal changes of seasonal characteristics in Turkey have received little attention in relation to seasons delineation. In this study, the changes in the characteristics of Turkish seasons have been examined from 1965 to 2020 by considering the daily average temperature data obtained from 65 meteorological stations. A nonstatic definition of season onset was used to delineate the seasons. The study also presents the response of seasons timing and thermal characteristics affected by climate change. All over Turkey, the trend rate for beginning of summer was determined to be 2.1 days·decade−1 from 1965 to 2020, while the beginning of winter has shifted forward at many stations in southeastern Anatolia. All the seasons have experienced increases in average temperatures. The maximum increase was in summer seasons and occurred at up to a rate of 0.7°C·decade−1. There has been almost no change in winter temperatures over the Mediterranean region. Eastern Marmara with the western and middle Black Sea regions experienced an extension of spring as well as a shortening of the autumn season. It was noted that the change in the beginning of summer occurred all over the country. However, the extension of spring and shortening of the autumn season was mainly limited to the western Black Sea regions. The seasons, defined by considering climate change and variability, showed significant trends for length, average temperature and their onset. To the best of the author's knowledge, the delineation of seasons using a dynamic approach is the first attempt of its kind in this study area.
Denoising Raman spectra using fully convolutional encoder–decoder network
Authors: Loc Irem , Kecoglu Ibrahim , Unlu Mehmet Burcin , Parlatan Ugur
Published: May 2022

Raman spectroscopy is a vibrational method that gives molecular information rapidly and non‐invasively. Despite its advantages, the weak intensity of Raman spectroscopy leads to low‐quality signals, particularly with tissue samples. The requirement of high exposure times makes Raman a time‐consuming process and diminishes its non‐invasive property while studying living tissues. Novel denoising techniques using convolutional neural networks (CNN) have achieved remarkable results in image processing. Here, we propose a similar approach for noise reduction for the Raman spectra acquired with 10
lower exposure times. In this work, we developed fully convolutional encoder‐decoder architecture (FCED) and trained them with noisy Raman signals. The results demonstrate that our model is superior (p value < 0.0001) to the conventional denoising techniques such as the Savitzky‐Golay filter and wavelet denoising. Improvement in the signal‐to‐noise ratio values ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on the initial signal‐to‐noise ratio. Thus, we proved that tissue analysis could be done in a shorter time without any need for instrumental enhancement.
Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Ryan Matthew T. , Montgomery Emily A. , Fryer Jacob , Yang Alex W. , Mills Channah , Watson Nora , Noller Michael , Riley Charles A. , Tolisano Anthony M.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To determine the proportion of otolaryngologists with work‐related musculoskeletal discomfort (WRMD) and to review objective ergonomic data that contribute to WRMD.

Study Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the literature identified 1121 articles for initial review of which 19 (3563 participants) met criteria for qualitative discussion and eight (2192 participants) met criteria for meta‐analysis. Random effects meta‐analyses were used to estimate the proportion of otolaryngologists reporting WRMD.

Results

The overall proportion (95% confidence intervals [CI]) of general otolaryngologists reporting WRMD was 0.79 (0.66, 0.88) for any symptoms; 0.54 (0.40, 0.67) for neck symptoms; 0.33 (0.20, 0.49) for shoulder symptoms; and 0.49 (0.40, 0.59) for back symptoms. Surgeons performing primarily subspecialty cases had a lower estimated overall prevalence of WRMD versus those performing general ENT cases, however the odds ratio (OR) was not statistically significant (OR [95% confidence interval] 0.53 [0.22, 1.25]). 23%–84% of otolaryngologists underwent medical treatment for WRMD. 5%–23% took time off work and 1%–6% stopped operating completely as a result of WRMD. 23%–62.5% of otolaryngologists believed WRMD negatively impacted their quality of life. Objective measures of ergonomic posture indicate moderate to severe risk of injury during the routine clinic and surgical procedures with none found to be low risk.

Conclusions

Ergonomic stressors among otolaryngologists contribute to a high rate of WRMD across all subspecialties with notable impact on productivity, longevity, and quality of life. Laryngoscope, 133:467–475, 2023
Creating a provincial post COVID‐19 interdisciplinary clinical care network as a learning health system during the pandemic: Integrating clinical care and research
Authors: Levin Adeera , Malbeuf Michelle , Hoens Alison M , Carlsten Christopher , Ryerson Christopher J , Cau Alessandro , Bryan Stirling , Robinson Jaclyn , Tarling Tamsin , Shum Joanne , Lavallee Danielle C
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Coronavirus Disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) affects multiple organ systems in the acute phase and also has long‐term sequelae. Research on the long‐term impacts of COVID‐19 is limited. The Post COVID‐19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network (PC‐ICCN), conceived in July 2020, is a provincially funded resource that is modelled as a Learning Health System (LHS), focused on those people with persistent symptoms post COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

The PC‐ICCN emerged through collaboration among over 60 clinical specialists, researchers, patients, and health administrators. At the core of the network are the post COVID‐19 Recovery Clinics (PCRCs), which provide direct patient care that includes standardized testing and education at regular follow‐up intervals for a minimum of 12 months post enrolment. The PC‐ICCN patient registry captures data on all COVID‐19 patients with confirmed infection, by laboratory testing or epi‐linkage, who have been referred to one of five post COVID‐19 Recovery Clinics at the time of referral, with data stored in a fully encrypted Oracle‐based provincial database. The PC‐ICCN has centralized administrative and operational oversight, multi‐stakeholder governance, purpose built data collection supported through clinical operations geographically dispersed across the province, and research operations including data analytics.

Results

To date, 5364 patients have been referred, with an increasing number and capacity of these clinics, and 2354 people have had at least one clinic visit. Since inception, the PC‐ICCN has received over 30 research proposal requests. This is aligned with the goal of creating infrastructure to support a wide variety of research to improve care and outcomes for patients experiencing long‐term symptoms following COVID‐19 infection.

Conclusions

The PC‐ICCN is a first‐in‐kind initiative in British Columbia to enhance knowledge and understanding of the sequelae of COVID‐19 infection over time. This provincial initiative serves as a model for other national and international endeavors to enable care as research and research as care.
DNA Hydrogels in the Perspective of Mechanical Properties
Authors: Cao Dengjie , Xie Yujie , Song Jie
Published: May 2022

Tailoring the mechanical properties has always been a key to the field of hydrogels in terms of different applications. Particularly, DNA hydrogels offer an unambiguous way to precisely tune the mechanical properties, largely on account of their programmable sequences, abundant responding toolbox, and various ligation approaches. In this review, DNA hydrogels from the perspective of mechanical properties, from a synthetic standpoint to different applications, are introduced. The relationship between the structure and their mechanical properties in DNA hydrogels and the methods of regulating the mechanical properties of DNA hydrogels are specifically summarized. Furthermore, several recent applications of DNA hydrogels in relation to their mechanical properties are discussed. Benefiting from the tunability and flexibility, rational design of mechanical properties in DNA hydrogels provided unheralded interest from fundamental science to extensive applications.
Clp ATPases differentially affect natural competence development in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Pandey Satya D. , Biswas Indranil
Published: May 2022

In naturally competent bacteria, DNA transformation through horizontal gene transfer is an evolutionary mechanism to receive extracellular DNA. Bacteria need to maintain a state of competence to accept foreign DNA, and this is an energy‐driven phenomenon that is tightly controlled. In Streptococcus, competence development is a complex process that is not fully understood. In this study, we used Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium, to determine how cell density affects competence development. We found that in S. mutans the transformation efficiency is maximum when the transforming DNA was added at low cell density and incubated for 2.5 h before selecting for transformants. We also found that S. mutans cells remain competent until the mid‐logarithmic phase, after which the competence decreases drastically. Surprisingly, we observed that individual components of Clp proteolytic complexes differentially regulate competence. If the transformation is carried out at the early growth phase, both ClpP protease and ClpX ATPase are needed for competence. In contrast, we found that both ClpC and ClpE negatively affect competence. We also found that if the transformation is carried out at the mid‐logarithmic growth phase ClpX is still required for competence, but ClpP negatively affects competence. While the exact reason for this differential effect of ClpP and ClpX on transformation is currently unknown, we found that both ClpC and ClpE have a negative effect on transformation, which was not reported before.
Locus Coeruleus Integrity from 7 T MRI Relates to Apathy and Cognition in Parkinsonian Disorders
Authors: Ye Rong , O'Callaghan Claire , Rua Catarina , Hezemans Frank H. , Holland Negin , Malpetti Maura , Jones P. Simon , Barker Roger A. , Williams‐Gray Caroline H. , Robbins Trevor W. , Passamonti Luca , Rowe James
Published: May 2022

Background

Neurodegeneration in the locus coeruleus (LC) contributes to neuropsychiatric symptoms in both Parkinson's disease (PD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Spatial precision of LC imaging is improved with ultrahigh field 7 T magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives

This study aimed to characterize the spatial patterns of LC pathological change in PD and PSP and the transdiagnostic relationship between LC signals and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Methods

Twenty‐five people with idiopathic PD, 14 people with probable PSP‐Richardson's syndrome, and 24 age‐matched healthy controls were recruited. Participants underwent clinical assessments and high‐resolution (0.08 mm3) 7 T‐magnetization‐transfer imaging to measure LC integrity in vivo. Spatial patterns of LC change were obtained using subregional mean contrast ratios and significant LC clusters; we further correlated the LC contrast with measures of apathy and cognition, using both mixed‐effect models and voxelwise analyses.

Results

PSP and PD groups showed significant LC degeneration in the caudal subregion relative to controls. Mixed‐effect models revealed a significant interaction between disease‐group and apathy‐related correlations with LC degeneration (β = 0.46, SE [standard error] = 0.17, F(1, 35) = 7.46, P = 0.01), driven by a strong correlation in PSP (β = −0.58, SE = 0.21, t(35) = −2.76, P = 0.009). Across both disease groups, voxelwise analyses indicated that lower LC integrity was associated with worse cognition and higher apathy scores.

Conclusions

The relationship between LC and nonmotor symptoms highlights a role for noradrenergic dysfunction across both PD and PSP, confirming the potential for noradrenergic therapeutic strategies to address transdiagnostic cognitive and behavioral features in neurodegenerative disease. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Functional validation of a novel AAAS variant in an atypical presentation of Allgrove syndrome
Authors: Macke Erica L. , Morales‐Rosado Joel A. , Macklin‐Mantia Sarah K. , Schmitz Christopher T. , Oskarsson Björn , Klee Eric W. , Wierenga Klaas J.
Published: May 2022

Background

Achalasia‐addisonianism‐alacrima syndrome, frequently referred to as Allgrove syndrome or Triple A syndrome, is a multisystem disorder resulting from homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the gene encoding aladin (AAAS). Aladin is a member of the WD‐repeat family of proteins and is a component of the nuclear pore complex. It is thought to be involved in nuclear import and export of molecules. Here, we describe an individual with a paternally inherited truncating variant and a maternally inherited, novel missense variant in AAAS presenting with alacrima, achalasia, anejaculation, optic atrophy, muscle weakness, dysarthria, and autonomic dysfunction.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing was performed in the proband, sister, and parents. Variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The localization of aladin to the nuclear pore was assessed in cells expressing the patient variant.

Results

Functional testing of the maternally inherited variant, p.(Arg270Pro), demonstrated decreased localization of aladin to the nuclear pore in cells expressing the variant, indicating a deleterious effect. Follow‐up testing in the proband's affected sister revealed that she also inherited the biallelic AAAS variants.

Conclusions

Review of the patient's clinical, pathological, and genetic findings resulted in a diagnosis of Triple A syndrome.
Almost automorphic solutions in distribution sense for Clifford‐valued stochastic neural network with delays
Authors: Xiang Jianglian , Tan Manchun , Zhang Xuemei
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a class of Clifford‐valued stochastic neural network with delays is investigated, by using a direct method, that is, without decomposing the Clifford‐valued system into a real‐valued system. Based on the contraction mapping principle and contradiction, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the existence and stability of almost automorphic solutions for the stochastic networks under consideration. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to show the feasibility of our results.
Myelin water fraction mapping from multiple echo spin echoes and an independent B1+ map
Authors: Mehdizadeh Nima , Wilman Alan H.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Myelin water fraction (MWF) is often obtained from a multiple echo spin echo (MESE) sequence using multi‐component T2 fitting with non‐negative least squares. This process fits many unknowns including B1+ to produce a T2 spectrum for each voxel. Presented is an alternative using a rapid B1+ mapping sequence to supply B1+ for the MWF fitting procedure.

Methods

Effects of B1+ errors on MWF calculations were modeled for 2D and 3D MESE using Bloch and extended phase graph simulations, respectively. Variations in SNR and relative refocusing widths were tested. Human brain experiments at 3 T used 2D MESE and an independent B1+ map. MWF maps were produced with the standard approach and with the use of the independent B1+ map. Differences in B1+ and mean MWF in specific brain regions were compared.

Results

For 2D MESE, MWF with the standard method was strongly affected by B1+ misestimations arising from limited SNR and response asymmetry around 180°, which decreased with increasing relative refocusing width. Using an independent B1+ map increased mean MWF and decreased coefficient of variation. Notable differences in vivo in 2D MESE were in areas of high B1+ such as thalamus and splenium where mean MWF increased by 88% and 31%, respectively (P < 0.001). Simulations also demonstrated the advantages of this approach for 3D MESE when SNR is <500.

Conclusion

For 2D MESE, because of increased complexity of decay curves and limited SNR, supplying B1+ improves MWF results in peripheral and central brain regions where flip angles differ substantially from 180°.
Segmenting electroencephalography wires reduces radiofrequency shielding artifacts in simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging at 7 T
Authors: Lê Thanh Phong , Gruetter Rolf , Jorge João , Ipek Özlem
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Simultaneous scalp electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) enable noninvasive assessment of brain function with high spatial and temporal resolution. However, at ultra‐high field, the data quality of both modalities is degraded by mutual interactions. Here, we thoroughly investigated the radiofrequency (RF) shielding artifact of a state‐of‐the‐art EEG‐fMRI setup, at 7 T, and design a practical solution to limit this issue.

Methods

Electromagnetic field simulations and MR measurements assessed the shielding effect of the EEG setup, more specifically the EEG wiring. The effectiveness of segmenting the wiring with resistors to reduce the transmit field disruption was evaluated on a wire‐only EEG model and a simulation model of the EEG cap.

Results

The EEG wiring was found to exert a dominant effect on the disruption of the transmit field, whose intensity varied periodically as a function of the wire length. Breaking the electrical continuity of the EEG wires into segments shorter than one quarter RF wavelength in air (25 cm at 7 T) reduced significantly the RF shielding artifacts. Simulations of the EEG cap with segmented wires indicated similar improvements for a moderate increase of the power deposition.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that segmenting the EEG wiring into shorter lengths using commercially available nonmagnetic resistors is effective at reducing RF shielding artifacts in simultaneous EEG‐fMRI. This prevents the formation of RF‐induced standing waves, without substantial specific absorption rate (SAR) penalties, and thereby enables benefiting from the functional sensitivity boosts achievable at ultra‐high field.
Adaptive fault‐tolerant containment control for stochastic nonlinear multi‐agent systems with input saturation
Authors: Cheng Shen , Cheng Zhijian , Ren Hongru , Lu Renquan
Published: May 2022

This article considers the fault‐tolerate containment control problem for stochastic nonlinear multi‐agent systems in the presence of input saturation and sensor faults. In order to solve the problem of input saturation, a smooth function is used to approximate the controller saturation function. Due to the excellent approximation characteristic, neural network (NN) is used to deal with unknown nonlinear functions and unknown sensor faults. Meanwhile, by using the auxiliary system and combining adaptive backstepping technique with adaptive NN control, a fault‐tolerant containment control approach is proposed. By using graph theory and stochastic Lyapunov stability theory, it can be proved that all signals in the closed‐loop system are semi‐globally uniformly ultimately bounded in probability. Finally, simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Effect of ultrasonic vibration time on the molecular stacking structure and mechanical properties of the injection molding workpiece
Authors: Zou Dejian , Yu Tongmin , Duan Chunzheng
Published: May 2022

To study the effect of the high‐frequency vibration time on the mechanical properties of the injection molding workpieces, apply an improved ultrasonic vibrator which contains the original ultrasonic vibrator and the mold insert to change the crystal structure during the melt cooling stage. The crystallinity, crystal perfection, and yield stress characteristics of the workpieces under three injection temperatures were compared with those without ultrasonic vibration. Results manifested that the change of the yield stress and cross‐section crystallinity of the sample obeys the Gaussian distribution at a specific ultrasonic vibration time. The maximum yield strength and the maximum change of the workpiece were 39.06 MPa (220°C, 8 s) and 12.70% (240°C, 10 s), respectively. With the ultrasonic vibration time increased, the crystallinity of the specimen surface decreased; the transition layer and crystal perfection increased first and then decreased. Therefore, considering the relationship between the ultrasonic vibration time and the yield stress, the vibration effect played a critical role at the initial stage of the ultrasonic vibration; the vibration induced the thermodynamics effect required a certain vibration time. This study contributed to changing the mechanism of crystal structure and yield stress under different ultrasonic vibration time.
Therapist‐led interventions for the treatment of traumatic stress symptoms in cancer survivors: A systematic literature review
Authors: D’Errico Danila , Schröder Thomas , Gresswell Mark
Published: May 2022

Objective

We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of therapist‐led interventions for reducing symptoms of traumatic stress in cancer survivors.

Methods

This systematic review was completed in accordance with the guidelines illustrated by Popay and colleagues and the following online databases, PsychInfo, Medline, CINAHL, were searched for peer‐reviewed literature. Further studies were searched through Google Scholar and manually scanning the reference lists of all included studies. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to report results.

Results

Sixteen studies were identified, their quality varied and the interventions broadly fell into two categories: CBT‐based and non‐CBT interventions. Effect sizes were small to moderate in 12 studies and large in four. Drop‐out rates were mostly low.

Conclusion

This review has demonstrated that the research in this field is still scarce and due to the data mostly suggesting a small to moderate effect, firm conclusions cannot be drawn on the effectiveness of the included interventions.
Ag2S Nanoparticles Evolved into Luminescent AgInS2@In2S3 Heteronanoparticles through Dual Formation Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Yongliang , Chang Cheng , Liu Peifeng , Lei Junyu , Cai Jing
Published: May 2022

A deep understanding of the growth kinetics and mechanism of metal sulfide nanostructure is helpful in preparing nanomaterials with controllable structures. This study reports a facile synthetic protocol for the luminescent AgInS2@In2S3 core@shell heteronanoparticles through the reaction of preformed Ag2S nanoparticles with excess [(C4H9)2NCS2]3In in dodecanethiol. A dual formation mechanism for the orthorhombic AgInS2 (o‐AgInS2) component is proposed, that is, the cation exchange of partial Ag+ in Ag2S nanoparticle by In3+ to produce the metastable AgInS2 and alloying of the In2S3 formed through direct decomposition of [(C4H9)2NCS2]3In with Ag2S nanoparticles to produce AgInS2. Following the dual formation mechanism, the Ag2S nanoparticle first evolves into the intermediate Ag2−3δInδS/o‐AgInS2 Janus heteronanoparticle without band‐edge emission of o‐AgInS2, then converts to the o‐AgInS2 nanoparticle, and finally transforms to the o‐AgInS2@In2S3 core@shell heteronanoparticle with band‐edge emission of o‐AgInS2. The appearance of band‐edge emission might be attributed to the removal of the surface defects of the o‐AgInS2 core by coating the In2S3 shell. This study would provide a facile protocol for the synthesis of IB‐IIIA‐VIA2 nanomaterials with controlled architecture and benefit the development of monochromatic luminescent apparatus.