bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 regulates the activation of mouse CD8 T cells
Authors: D'Angeli Vanessa , Monzón‐Casanova Elisa , Matheson Louise S. , Gizlenci Özge , Petkau Georg , Gooding Clare , Berrens Rebecca V. , Smith Christopher W. J. , Turner Martin
Published: April 2022

The RNA‐binding protein polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) has been found to have roles in CD4 T‐cell activation, but its function in CD8 T cells remains untested. We show it is dispensable for the development of naïve mouse CD8 T cells, but is necessary for the optimal expansion and production of effector molecules by antigen‐specific CD8 T cells in vivo. PTBP1 has an essential role in regulating the early events following activation of the naïve CD8 T cell leading to IL‐2 and TNF production. It is also required to protect activated CD8 T cells from apoptosis. PTBP1 controls alternative splicing of over 400 genes in naïve CD8 T cells in addition to regulating the abundance of ∼200 mRNAs. PTBP1 is required for the nuclear accumulation of c‐Fos, NFATc2, and NFATc3, but not NFATc1. This selective effect on NFAT proteins correlates with PTBP1‐promoted expression of the shorter Aβ1 isoform and exon 13 skipped Aβ2 isoform of the catalytic A‐subunit of calcineurin phosphatase. These findings reveal a crucial role for PTBP1 in regulating CD8 T‐cell activation.
Calix[8]quinone: A new promising macrocyclic molecule as an efficient organic cathode in lithium ion batteries with a highly‐concentrated electrolyte
Authors: Huang Weiwei , Liu Shuai , Li Chaobo , Lin Yilin , Hu Pandeng , Sun Zhaopeng , Zhang Qichun
Published: April 2022

Organic cathode materials have potential applications in rechargeable batteries due to their several advantages such as high specific capacity, flexible designability, plentiful raw materials, environmental friendliness, and renewability. However, their high solubility in organic electrolytes strongly impedes the further research progress. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop some new strategies to address this issue. Herein, we report one method to address this dissolution issue by increasing molecular weight without reducing theoretical capacity, where a novel Calix[8]quinone (C8Q) with 8p‐benzoquinone units connected by methylene groups was designed and prepared in a good yield (total: 23%). C8Q exhibits higher cycle stability (268 mAh g−1) in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) compared to the same series of substances Calix[4]quinone (C4Q, 30 mAh g−1) and Calix[6]quinone (C6Q, 207 mAh g−1) after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. Moreover, C8Q shows better electrochemical performance in 4.2 M LiTFSI‐AN highly‐concentrated electrolyte with special aggregate structure configured with high‐dissociation salt LiTFSI and low‐viscosity solvent acetonitrile (AN), namely, C8Q possesses high capacity (340 mAh g−1after 100 cycles at 0.2 C), superior rate ability (440 mAh g−1at 0.1 C and 167 mAh g−1at 5 C), and ultra‐long cycle life (220 mAh g−1after 1000 cycles at 0.5 C). This work could provide a promising strategy to address the dissolution issue of organic electrode materials in organic electrolyte.

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Weight‐loss interventions for improving emotional eating among adults with high body mass index: A systematic review with meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Chew Han Shi Jocelyn , Lau Siew Tiang , Lau Ying
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of weight‐loss interventions on emotional eating among adults with high body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression were performed on randomized controlled trials published from inception until 19 March 2021.

Results

Thirty‐one studies were included, representing 1203 participants with mean ages ranging from 21.8 to 57.3 years old and BMI 27.2–43.5 kg/m2. We found small‐to‐medium interventional effects on emotional eating (n = 18; Hedges' g = 0.22; p = 0.01, I2 = 61.7%), uncontrolled eating (n = 16; Hedges' g = 0.46; p < 0.001, I2 = 71.6%) and cognitive restraint (n = 18; Hedges' g = 0.42; p < 0.001, I2 = 75.8%). Small‐to‐medium interventional effects were only found for emotional eating (n = 8; Hedges' g = 0.45; p = 0.02, I2 = 74.3%) 3‐month post‐intervention, and on BMI (n = 4; Hedges' g = 0.43; p < 0.05, I2 = 33.4%) and weight (n = 6; Hedges' g = 0.36; p < 0.01, I2 < 10.4%) 12‐month post‐intervention. Age, male proportion, baseline BMI, attrition rate and intervention length were not significant moderators of the heterogeneity between studies.

Conclusion

Interventions improved emotional eating and weight loss along a year‐long trajectory.
A privacy‐preserving mechanism for social mobile crowdsensing using game theory
Authors: Esmaeilyfard Rasool , Esmaili Reyhaneh
Published: April 2022

Smartphones and mobile networks have created a new paradigm called mobile crowdsensing for data gathering and processing about a large‐scale phenomenon. This paradigm's development allows untrustworthy people to gather large amounts of information over time from the reported events. In this regard, mobile crowdsensing increases the possibility of violating users' privacy. Recently, social communication has added potential capabilities to mobile crowdsourcing environments. Based on these social communications, this article presents an analysis of user's interactions for privacy‐preserving using a signaling game with a dynamic approach and incomplete information. First, the analysis identifies the pure‐strategy profiles and mixed‐strategy profiles and the user's best strategy for accepting access requests in a single time slot. This analysis is then extended into a dynamic multistage game. In this analysis, users' beliefs about the violation of their privacy are analyzed and updated at every stage. As a result, the best response from users will be determined. Following this analysis, a mechanism is presented for privacy‐preserving in social mobile crowdsensing. The experimental results have also indicated the success of the proposed method in dealing with different types of user interaction.
Doppler estimation based on linear interpolation for underwater acoustic communication
Authors: Li Shibao , Wang PengHao , Wang Shuqi , Cong Yujie , Liu Jianhang , Cui Xuerong
Published: April 2022

In this article, we develop a Doppler estimation approach based on linear interpolation for underwater acoustic (UWA) OFDM system. Linear interpolation is used to achieve the resampling of the received signal. By interpolating the sampled signal with different compensation factors at the receiving end, the repeating structure of the CP‐OFDM symbol is used to maximize the correlation value at the fixed window to obtain the estimated value of the Doppler factor. The fixed window is determined based on the length of the cyclic prefix and the maximum path delay. In addition, we deduced the expression of the received discrete sequence to perform correlation operations after interpolation, which is the theoretical basis of our proposed algorithm. Moreover, in order to reduce the number of iterations, which means computational complexity in this algorithm, we recommend using the dichotomy to quickly find the maximum correlation value. Simulation proves that the proposed algorithm perform better than other CP‐OFDM‐based time‐domain autocorrelation algorithms.
Anti‐Black Racism as a Chronic Condition
Authors: Sederstrom Nneka , Lasege Tamika
Published: April 2022

Because America has a foundation of anti‐Black racism, being born Black in this nation yields an identity that breeds the consequences of a chronic condition. This article highlights several ways in which medicine and clinical ethics, despite the former's emphasis on doing no harm and the latter's emphasis on nonmaleficence, fail to address or acknowledge some of the key ways in which physicians can—and do—harm patients of color. To understand harm in a way that can provide real substance for ethical standards in the practice of medicine, physicians need to think about how treatment decisions are constrained by a patient's race. The color of one's skin can and does negatively affect the quality of a person's diagnosis, promoted care plan, and prognosis. Yet racism in medicine and bioethics persist—because a racist system serves the interests of the dominant caste, White people. As correctives to this system, the authors propose several antiracist commitments physicians or ethicists can make.
From a Reckoning to Racial Concordance: A Strategy to Protect Black Mothers, Children, and Infants
Authors: Johnson Nia
Published: April 2022

The grave state of health among Black Americans warrants reexamination of how to mitigate health disparities. In this commentary, which responds to the important concerns Nneka Sederstrom and Tamika Lasege raise in “Anti‐Black Racism as a Chronic Condition,” I argue that the use of racial concordance for Black patients can be a step toward reducing mortality rates and health care negligence for Black people. Racial concordance involves aligning patients with providers of their same race to mitigate implicit bias. Racial concordance is imperfect, but the unjust rates of mortality and other adverse health outcomes that Black Americans face each day in health care facilities may warrant taking seriously this solution.
Exploring the misalignment on the value of further research between payers and manufacturers. A case study on a novel total artificial heart
Authors: Federici Carlo , Pecchia Leandro
Published: April 2022

Payers and manufacturers can disagree on the appropriate level of evidence that is required for new medical devices, resulting in high societal costs due to decisions taken with sub‐optimal information. A cost‐effectiveness model of a hypothetical total artificial heart was built using data from the literature and the (simulated) results of a pivotal study. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) was calculated from both the payer and manufacturer perspectives, using net monetary benefit and the company's return on investment respectively. A function was also defined, linking effectiveness to market shares. Additional constraints such as a minimum clinical difference or maximum budget impact were introduced into the company's decisions to simulate additional barriers to adoption. The difference in the EVPI between manufacturers and payers varied greatly depending on the underlying decision rules and constraints. The manufacturer's EVPI depends on the probability of being reimbursed, the uncertainty on the (cost‐)effectiveness of the technology, as well as other parameters relating to initial investments, operating costs and market dynamics. The use of Value of information for both perspectives can outline potential misalignments and can be particularly useful to inform early dialogs between manufacturers and payers, or negotiations on conditional reimbursement schemes.
Surgical technique for superselective neck dissection under local anesthesia in recurrent head and neck cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Kenya , Ikeda Atsuo , Matsumoto Yoshifumi , Matsumura Satoko , Omura Go , Eguchi Kohtaro , Sakai Azusa , Ito Akiko , Matsumoto Fumihiko , Yoshimoto Seiichi
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to describe a safe and effective surgical technique for neck dissection under local anesthesia. An increasing number of patients cannot undergo general anesthesia due to systemic complication arising from old age. Moreover, the long‐term survival of patients with recurrent or metastatic cancer due to advances in chemotherapy has increased the necessity of neck dissection under local anesthesia. Appropriate pain control and selection of medical devices are important factors for success of the surgery under local anesthesia. In addition to the usual subcutaneous infiltration anesthesia for pain control, nerve blocks for each cervical nerve encountered during surgery are extremely effective. Since muscle relaxants are not available, sharp devices such as knife or scissors, instead of electric scalpel, should be used to prevent unexpected muscle contractions caused by electric current. This video presents well‐proven techniques and technical tips for superselective neck dissection under local anesthesia.
B‐cell activating factor (BAFF), BAFF promoter and BAFF receptor allelic variants in hepatitis C virus related Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis and Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: Gragnani Laura , Lorini Serena , Marri Silvia , Rattotti Sara , Madia Francesco , Zibellini Silvia , Monti Monica , Basile Umberto , Di Stasio Enrico , Libra Massimo , Arcaini Luca , Zignego Anna Linda
Published: April 2022

Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis (CV) is an autoimmune/lymphoproliferative disorder associated with HCV infection that in 5%–10% of cases evolves into a B cell Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). B‐cell activating factor (BAFF) is a key regulator in B‐cell development and survival. Particular genetic variants are responsible for BAFF signaling impairment in autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. We evaluated BAFF and BAFF‐receptor (BAFF‐R) polymorphisms in order to determine if they predispose to HCV‐related CV and NHL. The analysis was performed on 416 HCV‐chronically infected patients: 136 HCV without signs/symptoms of lymphoproliferations/autoimmunity (HCV), 166 HCV with CV (HCV‐CV) and 114 HCV with NHL (HCV‐NHL). Rs9514828 SNP on BAFF promoter, rs61756766 on BAFF‐R and rs12428930 on the BAFF gene were evaluated by Real‐Time PCR. Concerning rs9514828, the frequency of C/T genotype was significantly higher in HCV‐CV than in HCV. The difference in the distribution of the T/T mutant genotype in HCV‐CV compared to HCV was significant as well as the distribution of C/T and T/T genotype in HCV‐NHL versus HCV. T minor allele was more frequent in HCV‐NHL and HCV‐CV than in HCV. The distribution of C/T + T/T (for the dominant model of penetrance C/T + T/T vs. C/C) was significantly higher in HCV‐CV and HCV‐NHL than in HCV. Genotyping of rs61756766 on BAFF‐R coding gene, revealed C/T heterozygosis at a frequency of 11% in HCV‐NHL versus 3% in HCV. The T minor allele frequency was higher in HCV‐NHL than in HCV. No differences emerged by genotyping rs12428930 SNP on BAFF coding gene. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that BAFF/BAFF‐R genetic pattern has a role in the pathogenesis of HCV‐related lymphoproliferations. BAFF/BAFF‐R variants could identify a risk haplotype for HCV related CV and NHL and a BAFF/BAFF‐R genetic profile assessment could potentially contribute to tailoring anti‐BAFF therapy by identifying patients with BAFF alterations in which the treatment could be more beneficial.
Does social network impact rising out‐of‐pocket health care expenditure in India? A propensity score matching approach
Authors: Bhattacharjee Deepabali , Mohanty Pratap C.
Published: April 2022

Background

The out‐of‐pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health care in India is more than two‐third as per the recent estimates and is catastrophic. Literature identifies different factors, but little attention has been given to social network or social relationships as an essential factor in dealing with OOPE on health care.

Objectives

This paper targets to find the link or association between social network and OOPE on health care through access to information.

Methods

The paper uses India Human Development Survey (2011–12). Among the standard methods of impact evaluation, the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method is identified as the best fit to explain the role of social network on health care outcomes. Social network is considered as the treatment variable. The independent variables include age, sex, education, place of residence, household expenditure per capita and information index. The paper also applies Principal Component Analysis method to estimate information index with equal weight using variables such as newspapers, mobile phones, and Internet facilities.

Results

PSM result shows that direct social network reduces OOPE on health care by ₹1417 in a year. In balancing test, we see that for each of the covariate, the bias is actually reduced by applying PSM. The Information index has a positive relationship with both direct and indirect social network.

Conclusion

The paper suggests policy‐based interventions to enrich the social relationships and spread of information, in order to curtail the rising OOPE on health care in India.
“If we can just dream…” Māori talk about healthcare for bipolar disorder in New Zealand: A qualitative study privileging Indigenous voices on organisational transformation for health equity
Authors: Haitana Tracy , Pitama Suzanne , Cormack Donna , Clark Mau Te Rangimarie , Lacey Cameron
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This paper identifies barriers to equity and proposes changes to improve the organisation of healthcare in New Zealand for Māori with bipolar disorder (BD) and their families.

Design

A qualitative Kaupapa Māori methodology was used. Twenty‐four semi‐structured interviews were completed with Māori with BD and members of their family. Structural and descriptive coding was used to organise and analyse the data, including an analytic frame that explored participants' critique of attributes of the organisation of healthcare and alignment with Māori health policy.

Results

Transformation to the organisation of healthcare is needed to achieve health equity. Executive management must lead changes to organisational culture, deliver an equity partnership model with Māori, embed cultural safety and redesign the organisation of healthcare to improve wellbeing. Healthcare incentive structures must diversify, develop and retain a culturally competent health workforce. Information management and technology systems must guide continued whole system improvements.

Conclusion

This paper provides recommendations that should be considered in planned reforms to the organisation of healthcare in New Zealand. The challenge remains whether resourcing for an equitable healthcare organisation will be implemented in partial fulfilment of promises of equity in policy.
Framework synthesis to inform the ideation and design of a paper‐based health information system (PHISICC)
Authors: Zuske Meike‐Kathrin , Auer Christian , Oliver Sandy , Eyers John , Bosch‐Capblanch Xavier
Published: April 2022

Background

Health information systems (HIS) are meant to support decision‐making at all levels of the system, including frontline health workers. In field studies in Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Nigeria, we observed health workers' interactions with the HIS and identified twelve decision‐making components of HIS. The objective of this framework synthesis is to portray these components in HIS research, in order to inform the ideation of a paper‐based HIS intervention (PHISICC).

Methods

We searched studies in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, Epistemonikos, Medline, in‐Process on the Ovid platform, OpenGrey, PDQ  Evidence (“pretty darnd quick” Evidence), the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Library and included studies focussing on HIS interventions, data quality, information support tools and data use for decision‐making in the context of the governmental health care sector. We assessed the methodological quality of studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. We synthesised the findings based on the decision‐making components of HIS and thematic areas.

Results

The search identified 6784 studies; 50 were included. Most of the 50 studies had quality concerns. All studies included at least one of the decision‐making components: the most prominent were the technical aspects of ‘recording’ and ‘reporting’. Data use for decision‐making was much less represented.

Conclusion

HIS research focuses on the more technical aspects of HIS. Further research on HIS, given the strong push towards HIS digitalisation, should consider putting at the centre the human experience of decision‐making and data use, in order to make HIS relevant for quality of care.
Disquisition of thermophoresis and chemical reaction sketch in viscous stream over a wedge
Authors: Deka Bhaskarjyoti , Choudhury Rita
Published: April 2022

A computative exploration is engraved on synchronized heat and mass transmission in a stream across a wedge. The problem has been executed for MHD incompressible viscous fluid, which annexes the impact of thermophoresis. The sequels of chemical reactions and energy sources have also been encountered. The resulting equations are transmuted as nondimensional forms and a numerical method is executed to solve the same. The numerical results for velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions are illustrated in the form of graphs for various dimensionless parameters affecting the problem. Numerical data are computed for skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number for different parameters. The results have been depicted for possible cases by means of pictorial visualizations. The present study has importance in various sectors of industrial and engineering applications.
Mammographic breast density, body mass index and risk of breast cancer in Korean women aged 75 years and older
Authors: Tran Thi Xuan Mai , Kim Soyeoun , Song Huiyeon , Park Boyoung
Published: April 2022

Mammographic breast density and body mass index (BMI) are strong risk factors of breast cancer, but few studies have investigated these factors in older women. Our study assessed the association between breast density, BMI and the breast cancer risk among women aged ≥75 years. We included women who underwent breast cancer screening between 2009 and 2014 and were followed up until 2020. Breast density was measured using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. BMI was classified into three groups: <23, 23 to <25 and ≥25. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association of breast density and BMI with breast cancer risk. In 483 564 women, 1885 developed breast cancer. The 5‐year incidence increased with an increase in breast density and BMI. Increase in breast density was associated with an increased breast cancer risk in all BMI categories: among women with BMI <23, those with heterogeneous/extreme density had a 2.98‐fold (95% CI: 2.23‐3.80) increased risk of breast cancer compared to those with entirely fatty breasts. An increase in BMI was associated with increased breast cancer risk in women with the same breast density in all density categories. When the combined associations of breast density and BMI on the risk of breast cancer were considered, women with a BMI ≥25 and heterogeneous/extreme breast density had a 5.35‐fold (95% CI: 4.26‐6.72) increased risk of breast cancer compared to women with a BMI <23 and fatty breasts. Women aged ≥75 years, with dense breasts, regardless of BMI status, might benefit from a tailored screening strategy for early detection of breast cancer.
Programmable van‐der‐Waals heterostructure‐enabled optoelectronic synaptic floating‐gate transistors with ultra‐low energy consumption
Authors: Sun Yilin , Li Mingjie , Ding Yingtao , Wang Huaipeng , Wang Han , Chen Zhiming , Xie Dan
Published: April 2022

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures provide a unique opportunity to develop various electronic and optoelectronic devices with specific functions by designing novel device structures, especially for bioinspired neuromorphic optoelectronic devices, which require the integration of nonvolatile memory and excellent optical responses. Here, we demonstrate a programmable optoelectronic synaptic floating‐gate transistor based on multilayer graphene/h‐BN/MoS2 vdW heterostructures, where both plasticity emulation and modulation were successfully realized in a single device. The dynamic tunneling process of photogenerated carriers through the as‐fabricated vdW heterostructures contributed to a large memory ratio (105) between program and erase states. Our device can work as a functional or silent synapse by applying a program/erase voltage spike as a modulatory signal to determine the response to light stimulation, leading to a programmable operation in optoelectronic synaptic transistors. Moreover, an ultra‐low energy consumption per light spike event (~2.5 fJ) was obtained in the program state owing to a suppressed noise current by program operation in our floating‐gate transistor. This study proposes a feasible strategy to improve the functions of optoelectronic synaptic devices with ultra‐low energy consumption based on vdW heterostructures designed for highly efficient artificial neural networks.

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Adaptive denoising hyperspectral data for visualization enhancement of intraoperative tissue
Authors: Sun Jiuai , Wu Zhonghang , Wang Le , Yao Qi , Li Min , Yao Guangyu
Published: April 2022

The vast amount of reflectance information obtained from the hyperspectral imaging devices offers great opportunities for investigating the function and structure of human tissue. However, the captured hyperspectral data often contain various noises due to the intrinsic imperfection of associated electrical and optical imaging components. This work proposed an automatic total variation algorithm to suppress the noises while preserving the details of the spectral and spatial information. The variation of spectral images at neighboring bands was calculated for regulating the total variation of hyperspectral data so that the spectral‐dependent noises can be treated differentially across all bands. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method could effectively remove the spectral noises, especially near the ends of those extreme bands. The noise suppressed hyperspectral data could then be used for the visualization enhancement on pathophysiological conditions of intraoperative observed anatomies such as the vessels of brain tissues.
Child sexual abuse prevention involving mothers: A Quasi‐experimental study with Protection Motivation Theory‐based intervention
Authors: Bhagyalakshmi K. C. , Kumar Aneesh
Published: April 2022

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a worldwide problem. The safety of children is everybody's responsibility. Parental and family involvement is crucial in the CSA prevention process. Parental lack of knowledge may increase the risk of abuse among children. Educating parents is crucial as children are mostly dependent on them. The role of mothers in educating children on CSA is of relevance as they are identified as more sensitive and responsible caregivers. The present study aimed to promote knowledge and attitude towards CSA prevention among mothers through a psychoeducation program. A pre‐ and posttest design (n = 67) was used with an intervention based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). A CSA knowledge and attitude scale was developed for the assessment of the participants for the study. There were significant changes in knowledge and attitude among the participants after the intervention. The prevention of CSA will be effective with knowledge gains after the PMT‐based intervention. The intervention programs that involve mothers in CSA education have benefits. The findings of this study can be helpful to incorporate public health approaches to devise evidence‐based parental programs in community settings.
Exploring narrative feedback to undergraduate dental hygiene and dental therapy students
Authors: Louca Chris , Sparrius Martin , Sparrius Sandra K. , Sparrius Otto
Published: April 2022

Purpose/Objectives

The nature and quality of feedback provided during the training of healthcare students have been found to influence the progress of students throughout their clinical practice. The use of electronic systems for feedback is becoming more prevalent; but there appears to be an absence of research into the use of these systems with Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy students (DHDT). The aim of this study was to explore the written, narrative feedback provided by tutors to undergraduate DHDT students on a 3‐year BSc programme, using Liftupp – an Information Management System that incorporates electronic feedback mechanisms.

Methods

The data comprised written, narrative feedback to DHDT students (n = 96) on clinical performance in academic Years Two and Three entered into Liftupp by five clinical tutors (n = 5) over 2 academic years. These feedback comments were subjected to a thematic analysis and matrix queries using NVivo.

Results

Ten major themes were identified. Preliminary findings indicated that the constructive “Descriptive” theme was prominent across all tutors, while other constructive themes: “Directive” and “Positive” were linked more to individual tutors. The less constructive themes were infrequent in tutor feedback. In addition, unique feedback profiles for tutors were generated.

Conclusions

The analysis of narrative feedback from tutors on Liftupp enables the identification of feedback trends that can be reviewed and shared with tutors to improve the quality of their feedback. In addition, this research can be used to inform tutor training to promote the use of meaningful and effective feedback. Potential further research and limitations have been identified.
The effect of sea surface temperature and deforestation on the mid‐summer drought over Mexico and Central America
Authors: Corrales‐Suastegui Arturo , Fuentes‐Franco Ramon , Pavia Edgar G. , Torres‐Alavez Jose Abraham , Vichot‐Llano Alejandro , Cavazos Tereza , Giorgi Filippo
Published: April 2022

We analyse the effects of deforestation and the projected differential sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies between the tropical North Atlantic and the eastern North Pacific on the mid‐summer drought (MSD) over southern Mexico and Central America. To address these issues, we performed a set of three 6‐year (1996–2001) sensitivity experiments with RegCM4 driven by the ERA‐Interim reanalysis and employing different SST (projected end of century patterns under the RCP8.5 scenario) and vegetation (turning forest landuse into grass) configurations. The model domain follows the specifications of the COrdinated Regional Downscaling EXperiment (CORDEX) for Central America. Results indicate that projected SST patterns cause the MSD signal to almost disappear from the regional mean annual cycle, with its spatial extent decreasing from ~82 to ~48%. In the vegetation sensitivity experiment, the MSD intensity increases along the Pacific coast and Central America, while the MSD spatial extent remains almost unchanged. These regional changes in MSD can be explained in terms of the regional precipitation response to deforestation, primarily due to changes in vertical moisture advection.
CEUS‐assessed supraspinatus muscle perfusion improves after tendon repair and predicts anatomical and functional outcome: A 1‐year prospective pilot study
Authors: Mick Paul , Kunz Pierre , Fischer Christian , Gross Sascha , Doll Julian
Published: April 2022

Rotator cuff tear including SSP (Supraspinatus) tendon tears are a very common and often painful condition with several therapeutic options such as tendon repair. Reflected by the high retear rates, the preoperative selection of patients suitable for surgery or conservative treatment, which often yields comparable results, remains difficult. Using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), it is possible to quantify the SSP muscle perfusion as a surrogate parameter for its vitality and healing capabilities. In this study, we enrolled 20 patients who underwent an SSP repair for a preoperative and two postoperative (6 months and 1 year) clinical and sonographic exams including CEUS. Along with functional improvement (p < 0.001, Constant score), we found a significant increase in CEUS‐assessed muscle perfusion after tendon repair (p < 0.001). Furthermore, weak preoperative muscle perfusion was associated with a higher risk of a retear (χ2 = 0.045) and a moderate trend toward lower postoperative shoulder function that did not reach significance (r = 0.435; p = 0.055, DASH score). If confirmed in larger studies, CEUS might be a valuable additional diagnostic method for a precise selection of patients who most likely profit from a tendon repair and those who can be treated conservatively with an equally good outcome.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM‐5–Self‐Report in El Salvador
Authors: Rooney Evan E. , Stewart Regan W. , Ramachandran Sujith , Orengo‐Aguayo Rosaura , Young John
Published: April 2022

Conducting research in global applied settings necessitates the use of easily administered, brief, and evidentiary measures. One widely used, brief self‐report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents is the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM‐5–Self‐Report (CPSS‐5‐SR). The present study examined the factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, and convergent validity of the Spanish translation of the CPSS‐5‐SR in a sample of 1,296 third‐ through 12th‐graders in El Salvador (Mage = 12.73 years, SD = 2.67, 55.2% female, 100.0% Latinx). This sample was collected as part of a government‐led initiative to conduct broad school‐based psychopathology screening, with the wider goal of introducing trauma‐informed services into El Salvador's school system. Consistent with prior research, confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four‐factor DSM‐5 model displayed a strong fit with the data. Measurement invariance by gender was also examined, with results showing invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, indicating strong evidence that participants’ patterns of response did not differ by gender. The results also indicated strong reliability, Cronbach's α = .91, and convergent validity with measures of commonly comorbid psychopathology, rs = .43–.68. Total scale norms derived from the current sample are provided. These findings highlight the considerable levels of posttraumatic stress experienced by Salvadorian youth and the importance of establishing evidentiary measures of psychopathology that can be used in diverse global populations. In particular, psychometric research represents the first step in augmenting efforts to screen, refer, and treat youth impacted by violence across the globe.
Blue‐green light is required for a maximized fatty acid unsaturation and pigment concentration in the microalga Acutodesmus obliquus
Authors: Helamieh Mark , Reich Marco , Bory Sophie , Rohne Philipp , Riebesell Ulf , Kerner Martin , Kümmerer Klaus
Published: April 2022

Blue‐green light is known to maximize the degree of fatty acid (FA) unsaturation in microalgae. However, knowledge on the particular waveband responsible for this stimulation of FA desaturation and its impact on the pigment composition in microalgae remains limited. In this study, Acutodesmus obliquus was cultivated for 96 h at 15°C with different light spectra (380–700 nm, 470–700 nm, 520–700 nm, 600–700 nm, and dark controls). Growth was monitored daily, and qualitative characterization of the microalgal FA composition was achieved via gas chromatography coupled with electron impact ionization mass spectrometry (GC‐EI/MS). Additionally, a quantitative analysis of microalgal pigments was performed using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD). Spectra that included wavelengths between 470 and 520 nm led to a significantly higher percentage of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 18:3 and 16:4, compared to all other light conditions. However, no significant differences between the red light cultivations and the heterotrophic dark controls were observed for the FA 18:3 and 16:4. These results indicate, that exclusively the blue‐green light waveband between 470 and 520 nm is responsible for a maximized FA unsaturation in A. obliquus. Furthermore, the growth and production of pigments were impaired if blue‐green light (380–520 nm) was absent in the light spectrum. This knowledge can contribute to achieving a suitable microalgal pigment and FA composition for industrial purposes and must be considered in spectrally selective microalgae cultivation systems.
Advances in Photoelectric Detection Units for Imaging Based on Perovskite Materials
Authors: Wang Duo , Li Guoqiang
Published: April 2022

As an excellent representative of a new generation of semiconductor materials, perovskite materials are sweeping the whole photoelectric field like a storm (such as photovoltaic, electroluminescence, photoelectric detection and imaging, memristor, thermoelectricity, and other fields). In the field of photoelectric detection and imaging, perovskite materials show unique and excellent application potential of photoelectric detection and imaging. This paper overviews the recent advances of photoelectric detection units (PDUs) based on perovskite materials for imaging. First, the key characteristics and indexes of perovskite materials and PDUs are introduced. Then, the PDUs of conventional imaging in UV–vis–NIR band are introduced from organic–inorganic hybrid and all‐inorganic perovskite materials respectively. Then, the research of perovskite materials in X‐ray image detection and biological imaging is summarized. Finally, the application prospects of perovskite materials in PDUs imaging is discussed.
A Knitting Copolymerization Strategy to Build Porous Polytriazolium Salts for Removal of Anionic Dyes and MnO4−
Authors: Ai Chenxiang , Tang Juntao , Zhang Qingqing , Tang Xincun , Wu Shaofei , Pan Chunyue , Yu Guipeng , Yuan Jiayin
Published: April 2022

Although considerable efforts have been devoted to novel ionic porous networks (IPNs), the development of them in a scalable manner to tackle the issues in pollutant treatment by adsorption remains an imminent challenge. Herein, inspired by natural spider webs, a knitting copolymerization strategy is proposed to construct analogue triazolium salt‐based porous networks (IPN‐CSUs). It is not only convenient to incorporate the cationic motifs into the network, but easy to control over the contents of ionic pairs. The as‐prepared IPN‐CSUs displays a high surface area of 924 m2 g−1, a large pore volume of 1.27 cm3 g−1 and abundant ionic sites, thereby exhibiting fast adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity towards organic and inorganic pollutants. The kinetics and thermodynamics study reveal that the adsorption followed a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model correspondingly. Specifically, the maximum adsorption capacity of the IPN‐CSUs is as high as 1.82 mg mg−1 for permanganate ions and up to 0.54 mg mg−1 for methyl orange, which stands out among the previously reported porous adsorbents so far. It is expected that the strategy reported herein can be extended to the development of other potential efficient adsorbents in water purifications.
Do political risk and globalization undermine environmental quality? Empirical evidence from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries
Authors: Ashraf Junaid
Published: April 2022

The notion of globalization and modernization encourages bilateral cooperation and strategic connections between states. In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative under the “Going global strategy.” The present study's primary goal is to investigate the relationship between political risk, globalization, and ecological footprints for 75 Belt and Road Initiative countries from 1984 to 2019. It also investigates the moderating effect of the Belt and Road Initiative on ecological footprint. Moreover, the outcomes from the Generalized Method of Moments revealed that globalization increases environmental deterioration while a better political environment enhances environmental quality by minimizing their ecological footprint.
Salience and management‐by‐exception
Authors: Mosenhauer Moritz
Published: April 2022

This paper studies a firm's organisational responses if its agents misevaluate information. If a manager overreacts to unusual events, it may be desirable for the firm to adopt the management practice management‐by‐exception. I develop a theoretical framework to study this technique and derive conditions under parsimonious assumptions for when it should be adopted. Moreover, I show how further assumptions can refine the model's predictions, establishing a direct link between the manager's over‐responsiveness and organisational rigidity. The strategy is implemented by controlling the information that the manager receives.
Duopoly price competition with quality improvement spillover
Authors: Geng Xin , Chen Zepeng , Guo Xiaomeng , Xiao Guang
Published: April 2022

When competing firms embark and explore a new market, two salient features are often observed. On the one hand, the firms need to improve their quality by accumulating more experience and climbing up the learning curve. On the other hand, their quality may jointly expand the brand awareness of all competing products. In this article, we study a two‐period duopoly price competition where firms can improve their quality based on the accumulated demand (learn‐by‐doing effect) and their potential market size is positively affected by both firms' quality levels (quality spillover effect). In addition, we investigate two pricing schemes, namely, committed pricing and dynamic pricing, and their impact on the equilibrium outcomes. Assuming the two firms are symmetric in every aspect, our main findings include the following. First, we establish the existence and uniqueness of the pure Nash equilibrium for the dynamic game under either pricing scheme, and show that firms always set a low price in the first period to leverage quality improvement. As the quality spillover effect gets stronger, firms tend to raise their first‐period price, leading to a lower individual quality improvement and a non‐monotonic impact on firms' profit. Moreover, we find that committed pricing scheme benefits the duopoly when the spillover effect is strong, otherwise dynamic pricing scheme brings more profits. Finally, we examine two asymmetric cases where the firms are different in certain attributes pertaining to their learning speed and the quality spillover strength. Our analysis shows that the findings in the symmetric case still hold qualitatively. Useful managerial insights are derived from these studies.
International trends in prescription opioid sales among developed and developing economies, and the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional analysis of 66 countries
Authors: Gomes Tara , Callaway Kim Katherine , Suda Katie J. , Garg Ria , Tadrous Mina
Published: April 2022

Purpose

We sought to compare trends in opioid purchasing between developed and developing economies to understand patterns of opioid consumption, and how they were impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional study of retail pharmacy opioid sales from 66 jurisdictions between July 2014 and August 2020. We measured monthly population‐adjusted rate of opioid units purchased, stratified by development group and country, and used interventional time series analysis to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on rates of opioid purchasing among developed and developing economies separately.

Results

Rates of opioid purchasing were generally higher among developed economies, although trends differed considerably by development group. Rates of opioid purchasing declined 23.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] −34.7% to 3.6%) in the 5 years prior to the pandemic in developed economies, but rose 15.2% (95% CI 4.6%–35.6%) among developing economies. In March 2020 there was a short‐term increase in the rate of opioid purchases in both developing (10.9 units/1000 population increase; p < 0.0001) and developed (145.5 units/1000 population; p < 0.0001) economies, which was followed immediately by reduced opioid purchasing of a similar scale in April–May 2020 (−14.8 and −171.8 units/1000 population in developing and developed economies, respectively; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to disruptions in opioid purchasing around the world; although the specific impacts varied both between and among developed and developing economies. With global variation in opioid use, there is a need to monitor these trajectories to ensure the safety of opioid use, and adequate access to pain management globally.
Registration of ‘WA‐LE1’, an edible oil camelina cultivar
Authors: Craine Wilson , Lu Chaofu , Garrison Garneau Matthew , Bates Philip , Hulbert Scot
Published: April 2022

Erucic acid concentration in oil of most camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) genotypes exceeds the 2% threshold allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a food additive. Lowering erucic acid concentration below the FDA threshold enables marketing camelina as edible oil for human consumption, greatly expanding potential uses to include food ingredients such as marinades, salad dressings, spreads, and dips. A mutant camelina line, LE1914, created via ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis at one FAE1 locus (FAE1‐B), produces seed oil with low (∼0.6%) erucic acid concentration (LE). This mutant trait was introgressed into elite camelina breeding lines to create LE lines adapted to Pacific Northwest dryland agriculture. These LE lines were evaluated in a large, replicated field trial in Pullman, WA, in 2019. One line, ‘WA‐LE1’ (Reg. no. CV‐15, PI 699653), exhibited agronomic performance similar to check cultivars while maintaining the low (∼0.6%) erucic acid concentration necessary for FDA approval as a food additive. WA‐LE1 is an edible oil camelina cultivar that also contains the Group 2 herbicide resistance trait of WA‐HT1 that was released in 2018. WA‐LE1 should expand marketability and increase profitability of camelina crops in the Pacific Northwest.
Plasma functionalization of carbon nanotubes and radical penetration mechanism
Authors: Jung Unseok , Kim Hyun Su , Jeong Hyeon Su , Suhr Jonghwan , Kim Tae‐Hwan , Lee Hunsu
Published: April 2022

Owing to their superior properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted significant attention for various applications; however, their aggregation due to van der Waals forces hinders the industrial applications of CNTs. To overcome this problem, previous studies have proposed plasma functionalization, but its analysis is limited to the surface of thin‐film materials or involved small quantities of CNTs. In plasma functionalization, radicals need to penetrate from plasma into the CNTs to functionalize the entire CNTs. The radical penetration at all depths of CNTs is experimentally confirmed. The radical penetration mechanism with respect to thickness and free volume between CNTs is modeled using radical diffusion motion with the adoption of Knudsen diffusion.
Innovation and tinkering in the evolution of oxidases
Authors: Jabłońska Jagoda , Tawfik Dan S.
Published: April 2022

Although molecular oxygen is a relative newcomer to the biosphere, it has had a profound impact on metabolism. About 700 oxygen‐dependent enzymatic reactions are known, the vast majority of which emerged only after the appearance of oxygen in the biosphere, circa 3 billion years ago. Oxygen was a major driving force for evolutionary innovation—~60% of all known oxygen‐dependent enzyme families emerged as such; that is, the founding ancestor was an O2‐dependent enzyme. The other 40% seem to have diverged by tinkering from pre‐existing proteins whose function was not related to oxygen. Here, we focus on the latter. We describe transitions from various enzyme classes, as well as from non‐enzymatic proteins, and we explore these transitions in terms of catalytic chemistry, metabolism, and protein structure. These transitions vary from subtle ones, such as simply repurposing oxidoreductases by replacing an electron acceptor such as NAD by O2, to drastic changes in reaction mechanism, such as turning carboxylases and hydrolases into oxidases. The latter is more common and can occur with strikingly minor changes, for example, only one mutation in the active site. We further suggest that engineering enzymes to harness the extraordinary reactivity of oxygen may yield higher catabolic power and versatility.