bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of copeptin and mid‐regional proadrenomedullin in COVID‐19‐hospitalized patients
Authors: Indirli Rita , Bandera Alessandra , Valenti Luca , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Di Modugno Adriana , Tettamanti Mauro , Gualtierotti Roberta , Peyvandi Flora , Montano Nicola , Blasi Francesco , Costantino Giorgio , Resi Veronica , Orsi Emanuela , Arosio Maura , Mantovani Giovanna , Ferrante Emanuele ,   the COVID‐19 Network Working Group
Published: February 2022

Background

Biomarkers are used for diagnosis, risk stratification and medical decisions. Copeptin and mid‐regional proadrenomedullin (MR‐proADM) are markers of stress and endothelial function, respectively, which have been studied in pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock. This study aimed to assess whether copeptin and MR‐proADM could predict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in‐hospital outcomes, that is multi‐system complications, length of stay and mortality.

Methods

Copeptin and MR‐proADM were assessed at admission in 116 patients hospitalized with COVID‐19. Data were retrospectively extracted from an online database. The primary endpoint was in‐hospital mortality. The secondary endpoints were in‐hospital complications, the composite outcome ‘death, or admission to intensive care unit, or in‐hospital complications’, and length of stay. The predictive power was expressed as area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

Copeptin was increased in non‐survivors (median 29.7 [interquartile range 13.0–106.2] pmol/L) compared to survivors (10.9 [5.9–25.3] pmol/L, p < 0.01). The AUROC for mortality was 0.71, with a hazard ratio of 3.67 (p < 0.01) for copeptin values > 25.3 pmol/L. MR‐proADM differentiated survivors (0.8 [0.6–1.1] nmol/L) from non‐survivors (1.5 [1.1–2.8] nmol/L, p < 0.001) and yielded a AUROC of 0.79 and a hazard ratio of 7.02 (p < 0.001) for MR‐proADM values > 1.0 nmol/L. Copeptin and MR‐proADM predicted sepsis (AUROC 0.95 and 0.96 respectively), acute kidney injury (0.87 and 0.90), the composite outcome (0.69 and 0.75) and length of stay (r = 0.42, p < 0.001, and r = 0.46, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Admission MR‐proADM and copeptin may be implemented for early risk stratification in COVID‐19‐hospitalized patients to help identify those eligible for closer monitoring and care intensification.
PROMIS Pediatric Psychological Stress Measure: Validity for immigrant Latino youth
Authors: Sahbaz Sumeyra , Cox Ronald B. , Lin Hua , Washburn Isaac J. , Greder Kimberly A.
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study assesses the psychometric properties of the four‐ and eight‐item versions of the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Psychological Stress Measure (PPSM) for use with Latino immigrant adolescents.

Background

Immigrant Latino youth are exposed to numerous stressors that can have consequences affecting health well into adulthood. However, few studies have assessed the suitability of psychosocial measures for this group.

Methods

Participants included 286 first‐ and second‐generation immigrant Latino youth in middle school in an urban school district in the United States. Analyses included tests for reliability, validity, item characteristics, and measurement invariance across differing levels of acculturation and gender groups.

Results

Both the four‐ and the eight‐item PPSM are internally consistent, have strong construct validity, and strict factorial invariance across differing levels of acculturation. The four‐item PPSM demonstrates strict invariance, but the eight‐item version shows only configural invariance by gender.

Conclusion

The PPSM is a rigorous measure when assessing immigrant Latino youth stress level. The four‐item PPSM is brief, simple to administer, and appropriate for use with Latino youth across differing levels of acculturation and gender groups.

Implications

The four‐item PPSM lessens respondent fatigue and may be incorporated into tools practitioners and researchers use to assess perceived stress among immigrant Latino youth.
Beyond the Realistic‐Ethical Distinction in Deification: Reconsidering Norman Russell’s Assessment of Gregory of Nyssa
Authors: Lee Chungman
Published: February 2022

The notion of deification (θεοποίησις) or divinization (θέωσις), a fundamental theme in Eastern Orthodox theology, has long fascinated theologians from different traditions. In spite of the general interest in this theme, scholarship has fallen short on several accounts. One issue is that the intrinsic relationship between the ‘realistic’ and ‘ethical’ senses of deification has defied clear explanation. This failure is exemplified by Norman Russell’s The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition (2004), where the obscured relationship also yields an inaccurate assessment of Gregory’s theology. Revisiting Gregory’s notion of deification, this article proposes a new account for the intrinsic relationship between the ‘realistic’ and ‘ethical’ senses of deification, and suggests a revision of Russell’s reading of Gregory.
Abnormal dielectric relaxations and giant permittivity in SrTiO3 ceramic prepared by plasma activated sintering
Authors: He Zichen , Cao Minghe , Furman Eugene , Lanagan Michael T. , Hao Hua , Yao Zhonghua , Yu Zhiyong , Liu Hanxing
Published: February 2022

In this study, the dielectric properties of SrTiO3 ceramics prepared by plasma‐activated sintering (PAS) were investigated. One of the striking findings is that the material exhibits giant room temperature permittivity (k∼3.5 × 104) and low dielectric loss (∼0.05) at 1 kHz, with the permittivity exceeding that of the conventionally prepared SrTiO3（ST） ceramics (k∼300) by two orders of magnitude. The enhancement of the polarizability was caused by the high concentration of defect dipoles. In this paper, two dielectric relaxation modes of the PAS ceramics below 0°C have been mainly discussed. One dielectric relaxation mode showed higher activation energy than that of the dielectric peak in the same temperature range for the conventional SrTiO3‐based ceramics. This mode was sensitive to humidity, and the strength of this mode was associated with the oxygen vacancies concentration in the ceramics. The other mode exhibited abnormal slowing down of relaxation rate with increasing temperature, which is contrary to the typical dielectric relaxation behavior, and the anomaly persisted over a narrow temperature range. Both modes were observed at the same interface between the grain and grain boundaries.
Germline variant testing in serrated polyposis syndrome
Authors: Murphy Aisling , Solomons Joyce , Risby Peter , Gabriel Jessica , Bedenham Tina , Johnson Michael , Atkinson Nathan , Bailey Adam A , Bird‐Lieberman Elizabeth , Leedham Simon J , East James E , Biswas Sujata
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is now known to be the commonest polyposis syndrome. Previous analyses for germline variants have shown no consistent positive findings. To exclude other polyposis syndromes, 2019 British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines advise gene panel testing if the patient is under 50 years, there are multiple affected individuals within a family, or there is dysplasia within any of the polyps.

Methods

A database of SPS patients was established at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Patients were referred for genetic assessment based on personal and family history and patient preference. The majority were tested for a hereditary colorectal cancer panel including MUTYH, APC, PTEN, SMAD4, BMPR1A, STK11, NTLH1, POLD1, POLE, GREM1 (40‐kb duplication), PMS2, and Lynch syndrome mismatch repair genes.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐three patients were diagnosed with SPS based on World Health Organization 2019 criteria between February 2010 and December 2020. The mean age of diagnosis was 54.2 ± 16.8 years. Seventy‐three patients underwent genetic testing and 15/73 (20.5%) were found to have germline variants, of which 7/73 (9.6%) had a pathogenic variant (MUTYH n = 2, SMAD4 n = 1, CHEK2 n = 2, POLD1 n = 1, and RNF43 n = 1). Only 60% (9/15) of these patients would have been recommended for gene panel testing according to current BSG guidelines.

Conclusions

A total of 20.5% of SPS patients tested were affected by heterozygous germline variants, including previously unreported associations with CHEK2 and POLD1. This led to a change in management in seven patients (9.6%). Current recommendations may miss SPS associated with germline variants, which is more common than previously anticipated.
A bibliometric analysis of nursing and midwifery research in the Caribbean
Authors: Kahwa Eulalia , Dodd Adam , Conklin Jamie L. , Woods Giscombe Cheryl , Leak Bryant Ashley , Munroe Dawn , Henry Ferguson Verona , Gordon Singh Sheryon , Lynch Monique , Bolton Audra
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To determine the research output of Caribbean nurses and midwives.

Methods

We searched the Scopus database to identify publications by Caribbean nurses and midwives during the period 2000–2020. Publications were included in the analysis if they had at least one author who was either a nurse or midwife and affiliated with a Caribbean geographic location. All publication types and languages were included in the analysis. Organization analysis and collaboration networks were created using the VOS Viewer application.

Findings

The number of Scopus publications by Caribbean nurses and midwives progressively grew from 22 in 2000 to 584 in 2020. Cuba recorded the highest number of nursing research publications (319) followed by Jamaica (92), and Puerto Rico (59). Most publishing institutions were universities. The University of the West Indies (Jamaica) ranked highest with 15.2% of publications, followed by Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana with 14.4% of publications, Universidad de Puerto Rico ranked third with 9.8% of publications. The majority of publications (83.6%) were peer reviewed research articles, while review articles accounted for 9.8% of publications. Six out of the ten journals that published most research done by Caribbean nurse researchers were Cuban journals which published a total of n = 250 (75.8%) articles. All six journals had no impact factor and had low cite scores.

Conclusions

Our analysis of bibliometric indicators suggest that recent and steady growth in nursing and midwifery research in the Caribbean has had low visibility. Equipping nurses and midwives with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead, teach, and conduct high quality research through doctorate level education is an imperative for increasing research productivity among Caribbean nurses and midwives.

Clinical relevance

Nursing and midwifery research is critical for evidence‐based nursing and midwifery practice. High quality and context specific research evidence will enable Caribbean nurses and midwives to provide quality and culturally sensitive nursing and midwifery care and contribute to evidence informed policy decisions.
Regulation of Charlatans in High‐Skill Professions
Authors: BERK JONATHAN B. , VAN BINSBERGEN JULES H.
Published: February 2022

We model a market for a skill in short supply and high demand, where the presence of charlatans (professionals who sell a service they do not deliver on) is an equilibrium outcome. In the model, reducing the number of charlatans through regulation lowers consumer surplus because of the resulting reduction in competition among producers. Producers can benefit from this reduction, potentially explaining the regulation we observe. The effect on total surplus depends on the type of regulation. We derive the factors that drive the cross‐sectional variation in charlatans (regulation) across professions.
Did the COVID‐19 pandemic affect mental health, training progression, and fertility planning of obstetrics and gynecology trainees? A survey of London trainees
Authors: Gunasekera Ayanthi , Berg Lauren , Sekar Hashviniya , Patra‐Das Sayantana , Clarke Sonji , Yoong Wai
Published: February 2022

Purpose of Study

To assess impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on mental wellbeing, workload, training progression, and fertility planning among London Obstetrics and Gynecology trainees.

Design

An anonymous survey comprising 41 peer‐validated questions was sent to London trainees. Anxiety and depression were screened using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire 7 (GAD 7) and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9).

Results

One hundred and seventy‐seven trainees completed the questionnaire, of whom 54% were aged 25–34 years, 43% were senior trainees (ST6‐7), and 51% classified themselves as Black, Asian, and Minority Asian (BAME). Although the percentage of respondents with “moderate”/“severe” GAD 7 and PHQ‐9 scores was two to three times that of UK population estimates, median GAD 7 and PHQ‐9 scores were 7 and 6 (“mild”). Sixteen percent deferred their fertility plans and 26% of ST6‐7 trainees changed their Advanced Training Skills Modules. Other issues raised ranged from lack of assistance with electronic portfolio, postponement of examinations, poor senior input for mental health, lack of debriefing for redeployed trainees and requests for deferment of annual reviews.

Conclusions

The pandemic has incurred an impact on mental health, training progression, and fertility planning of London trainees. With recommencement of nonemergency consultations and elective gynecology theater, alongside Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Recovery Blueprint to optimize learning opportunities, there is optimism that these challenges can be overcome. Trainers and trainees need to safeguard training opportunities and consider innovative forms of future learning, while anticipating potential effects of subsequent waves.
Gender diversity on Malaysian corporate boards: a law and social movements perspective
Authors: CHEN VIVIEN , WELSH MICHELLE , CHEONG MAY FONG
Published: February 2022

This article is a unique investigation of the interaction between sociocultural perceptions of women in Malaysia and reforms implemented in that jurisdiction to promote gender diversity on corporate boards. It adopts a law and social movements perspective to better understand the legal reforms that have emerged, often amid fraught interactions between the state and women's rights activists due to their conflicting conceptions of gender roles. The article draws on empirical data to shed light on the practical workings of the reforms, ascertaining the perspective of insiders through interviews and examining the composition of the boards of 30 of the largest listed companies. While an increase in the representation of women on corporate boards suggests that the reforms have facilitated progress towards gender equality, such progress must be viewed in the context of prevalent conservative perceptions of gender roles, and sustained state resistance against women's rights activists, which together impede progress towards substantive equality.
Anti‐CD47 antibody treatment attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis in experimental non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis models
Authors: Gwag Taesik , Ma Eric , Zhou Changcheng , Wang Shuxia
Published: February 2022

Background & Aims

With the epidemic burden of obesity and metabolic diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) including steatohepatitis (NASH) has become the most common chronic liver disease in the western world. NASH may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, no treatment is available for NASH. Therefore, finding a therapy for NAFLD/NASH is in urgent need. Previously we have demonstrated that mice lacking CD47 or its ligand thrombospondin1 (TSP1) are protected from obesity‐associated NALFD. This suggests that CD47 blockade might be a novel treatment for obesity‐associated metabolic disease. Thus, in this study, the therapeutic potential of an anti‐CD47 antibody in NAFLD progression was determined.

Methods

Both diet‐induced NASH mouse model and human NASH organoid model were utilized in this study. NASH was induced in mice by feeding with diet enriched with fat, fructose and cholesterol (AMLN diet) for 20 weeks and then treated with anti‐CD47 antibody or control IgG for 4 weeks. Body weight, body composition and liver phenotype were analysed.

Results

We found that anti‐CD47 antibody treatment did not affect mice body weight, fat mass or liver steatosis. However, liver immune cell infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly reduced by anti‐CD47 antibody treatment. In vitro data further showed that CD47 blockade prevented hepatic stellate cell activation and NASH progression in a human NASH organoid model.

Conclusion

Collectively, these data suggest that anti‐CD47 antibody might be a new therapeutic option for obesity‐associated NASH and liver fibrosis.
Using Theory and Ethnography for Asylum Seekers Fleeing Gendered Violence
Authors: Stephen Lynn
Published: February 2022

This article focuses on how to use ethnography and theory to disrupt binaries between “state” and “non‐state” actors and violence and “private” and “public” actors and violence. I also touch on expanded use of the political opinion basis for asylum in relation to women resisting violence and immigrant rights activists who are undocumented.
MYB43 as a novel substrate for CRL4PRL1 E3 ligases negatively regulates cadmium tolerance through transcriptional inhibition of HMAs in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zheng Pengpeng , Cao Lei , Zhang Cheng , Pan Weicheng , Wang Wei , Yu Xin , Li Yaping , Fan Tingting , Miao Min , Tang Xiaofeng , Liu Yongsheng , Cao Shuqing
Published: February 2022

Controlled stability of proteins is a highly efficient mechanism to direct diverse processes in plants. A key regulatory system for protein stability is given by the CULLIN‐RING E3 ligases (CRLs).

In this work, MYB43 is identified as a novel target of a CUL4‐DDB1‐PRL1 (PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS 1)‐RING E3 ligase (CRL4PRL1 E3 ligase). Its stability depends on the presence of PRL1, a WD40‐containing protein functioning as a substrate receptor of the CRL4 E3 ligases.

Genetic studies have indicated that MYB43 is a negative regulator of cadmium (Cd) tolerance in Arabidopsis by transcriptional inhibition of important Cd transporters (HMA2, HMA3 and HMA4), while PRL1 and CUL4 positively regulate Cd tolerance. Expression of CUL4 and PRL1 was enhanced in response to Cd stress, and PRL1 can interact with and target MYB43 for degradation depending on assembly of CRL4PRL1 E3 ligase, and consequently increase the expression of HMA2, HMA3 and HMA4 through attenuating the transcriptional inhibition.

HMA2 and HMA4 are shown to transport cadmium ion (Cd2+) from the roots of plants to the shoots through the xylem, ultimately increasing the plants’ tolerance to Cd stress.
Comparisons of the Efficacy and Safety of Total Knee Arthroplasty by Different Surgical Approaches: A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Jin‐long , Zeng Ling‐feng , Pan Jian‐ke , Liang Gui‐hong , Huang He‐tao , Yang Wei‐yi , Luo Ming‐hui , Liu Jun
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this network meta‐analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) considering seven different surgical approaches. Four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science) were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving TKA with different surgical approaches. STATA 14.0 was used to construct network maps and publication bias graphs and conduct inconsistency tests, network meta‐analyses, and surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) calculations. A total of 51 RCTs involving 4061 patients and 4179 knees from 18 countries were included. Among the seven surgical approaches, the midvastus approach (MV) was the top choice to reduce tourniquet use time, the subvastus approach (SV) had the shortest operation time, the mini‐midvastus approach (Mini‐SV) was associated with the least amount of time to achieve straight leg raise (SLR) after surgery, the mini‐medial parapatellar approach (Mini‐MP) reduced postoperative pain effects, and the medial parapatellar approach (MP) was the best approach to improve range of motion (ROM). Excluding the quadriceps‐sparing approach (QS), which was not compared, the use of the mini‐midvastus (Mini‐MV) may shorten the hospital stay. There were no significant differences in blood loss, postoperative complications, American Knee Society Score (AKSS) objective, or AKSS functional between the seven surgical approaches (P > 0.05).
The structure of semantic norms
Authors: Kaplan Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

The normativity of meaning—introduced by Kripke in 1982, and the subject of active debate since the early 1990s—has been exclusively understood in terms of duty‐imposing norms. But there are norms of another type, well‐known within the philosophy of law: authority‐conferring norms. Philosophers thinking and writing about the normativity of meaning—normativists, anti‐normativists, and even Kripke himself—seem to have failed to consider the possibility that semantic norms are authority‐conferring. I argue that semantic norms should be understood as having an authority‐conferring structure, and show how this allows normativism about meaning to escape the two most popular arguments against it.
Urban post‐industrial landscapes have unrealized ecological potential
Authors: Merwin Laura , Umek Lauren , Anastasio Alison E.
Published: February 2022

Urbanized and post‐industrial sites often host considerable biodiversity but are too frequently dismissed by conservation professionals, in part because current species assemblages differ from the site's natural history. Given the dramatic and often irreversible changes to these sites, we conclude that historic ecosystems do not provide a useful reference for restoration. However, seen through a novel ecosystem lens, these landscapes already have conservation value and thus require nuanced restoration planning that recognizes their current and potential community composition. We highlight slag‐dominated sites in the brownfields of the Calumet region as an example of a post‐industrial landscape that may serve both as a recreational area for humans and a refuge for native biodiversity.
US tropical cyclone flood risk: Storm surge versus freshwater
Authors: Tonn Gina , Czajkowski Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

Despite persistent record‐breaking flood losses from tropical cyclones (TCs), the United States continues to be inadequately prepared for TC flood events, with the deficiency in residential flood insurance being a prime representation of this. One way to address this is through a better quantification of TC flood risk including variations associated with freshwater versus storm surge flood hazard and damage. We analyze actual residential flood claim data from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the full set of all 28 significant US landfalling TC‐related flood events from 2001 to 2014 which we split by storm surge and freshwater. We illustrate key differences between the numbers of claims, paid claim amounts, and damage for freshwater and surge claims, as well as evaluate differences associated with flood zone, state, TC event, and flood depth. Despite the typical focus on surge TC flooding, freshwater flooding accounts for over 60% of TC paid claim and damage amounts. Surge flooding often occurs outside of high‐velocity flood zones, which is not reflected in the NFIP premiums. Statistical analysis indicates that depth‐damage ratios vary significantly by surge versus freshwater and by geography. State‐level analysis shows that land‐use policies and building codes likely affect differences in damage along with storm characteristics and geography. The findings highlight the need to mitigate and manage both freshwater and surge TC flood risk and for more individualized flood insurance premiums less tied to flood zone. It appears that the latter need may be addressed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Risk Rating 2.0.
Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of polyester and polyblend suture techniques to perform equine laryngoplasty
Authors: Pressanto Maria Chiara , Pascoletti Giulia , Perkins Justin D. , Zanetti Elisabetta M. , Beccati Francesca , Santalucia Virginio , Pepe Marco
Published: February 2022

Objective

To validate the use of a polyblend tape suture in equine laryngoplasty (PL).

Study design

Experimental study.

Animals

Thirty‐two cadaveric larynges.

Methods

Each larynx was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: PL with polyblend tape suture (TigerTape), without (TT) or with a cannula (TTC) in the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage, and PL with polyester suture (Ethibond), without (EB) or with a cannula (EBC). Construct stiffness, total migration, creep, and drift values were measured after 3000 cycles. The specimens were then loaded to failure to assess their residual properties: load at failure, total energy, displacement, and 2 stiffness coefficients.

Results

After cyclic testing, the total migration and creep were lower in TTC (6.36 ± 1.20 mm; 1.35 ± 0.38 mm/s) than in EB (11.12 ± 4.20 mm; 3.39 ± 2.68 mm/s) and in the TT constructs (11.26 ± 1.49 mm; 3.20 ± 0.54 mm/s); however, no difference was found with EBC (9.19 ± 3.18 mm; 2.14 ± 0.99). A correlation was found between total migration and creep (R = .85). The TTC constructs failed at higher loads (129.51 ± 33.84 N) than EB (93.16 ± 18.21 N) and EBC (81.72 ± 13.26 N) whereas the EB and EBC constructs were less stiff than TT and TTC (P < .001).

Conclusion

Biomechanical properties were generally superior for the TTC constructs tested under cyclical loading. The TT and TTC constructs failed at a higher load than EB and EBC constructs. The cannula in TTC and EBC reduced the failure at the muscular process.

Clinical significance

These results provide evidence to support the in vivo evaluation of the polyblend tape suture with or without a cannula in the muscular process for laryngoplasty in horses.
Numerical Study of the Fluid Flow Around the Vertical, Deviated, and Horizontal Gas Condensate Wells From the Perspective of Fundamental Forces
Authors: Sheydaeemehr Mohammad , Sedaee Behnam
Published: February 2022

The well performance in gas condensate reservoirs (GCRs) is an essential factor addressing the condensate recovery. A vast and growing number of studies, including numerical simulations, have compared the deliverability of vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells in GCRs, because of the high economical values gained from these fields; it is worthy of further investigation from a new point of view. Here, we conduct an investigation into the well performance in different cases (vertical, deviated, and horizontal) in GCRs based on the fundamental forces that exist around the well. The most important fundamental forces affecting the fluid flow are inertial, viscous, capillary, and gravitational forces. The force ratios were expressed as some dimensionless numbers to adequately assess and compare the relative strength of fundamental forces around the well. These dimensionless numbers were calculated using simulation results and data from a real GCR which is in the Middle East for three cases of vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells. As a result, a general graphical representation was provided to indicate the relative importance of fundamental forces in different reservoir’ regions. The results of this study, as a qualitative criterion, can be used in checking or modifying the relative permeability correlations of GCRs.
Phononic Materials for Pulse Shaping in Elastic Waveguides Motivated by Shock Testing
Authors: Johnson William R. , Leamy Michael J. , DeLima Washington , Ruzzene Massimo
Published: February 2022

Mechanical shock events experienced by electronic systems can be reproduced in the laboratory using Hopkinson bar tests. In such tests, a projectile strikes a rod, creating a pulse which then travels into the electronic system. The quality of these tests depends on the closeness of the shape of the incident pulse to a desired shape specified for each test. This paper introduces a new approach for controlling the shape of the incident pulse through the use of phononic material concepts, thereby improving the test procedure. Two dispersion-modifying concepts, phononic crystals and local resonators, are examined for their wave-shaping capabilities in one-dimensional elastic waveguides. They are evaluated using a transfer matrix method to determine the output pulse shape in the time domain. Parametric studies show that no single parameter allows for precise-enough control to achieve the possible desired output pulse shapes. Instead, the parameters of an approximate, discrete model for a combined phononic crystal/locally resonant system are optimized together to achieve the desired pulse shape. A sensitivity analysis documents that the pulse shape is relatively insensitive to errors in the optimized parameter values. The optimized discrete model is then translated into a physical design, which when analyzed using the finite element (FE) method shows that desired pulse shapes are indeed produced.
An annotated checklist of the Iranian Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), with an updated key to the species
Authors: Kazemi Shahrooz , Mohammad-Doustaresharaf Mojtaba , Döker Ismail
Published: February 2022

A checklist of the Iranian Phytoseiidae, including 103 species belonging to 15 genera and three subfamilies, is presented. Among them, Typhlodromus Scheuten (31 species) and Neoseiulus Hughes (21 species) are the most specious genera. The checklist is annotated with some corrections to specific identities and known geographical and habitat distributions in Iran. An identification key to the reported phytoseiids from Iran is also provided. Finally, a list of invalid species reported from Iran is presented.
On the conjectured gravity-related collapse rate EΔ/ℏ of massive quantum superpositions
Authors: Diósi Lajos
Published: February 2022

Roger Penrose and the author share the proposal that the spatial superposition |x1⟩+|x2⟩ of a massive object collapses into its localized components |x1⟩ or |x2⟩ with the characteristic time ℏ/EΔ, where EΔ is the gravitational self-energy excess of the superposition versus the localized states. Underlying arguments of such radical departure from standard quantum mechanics and different derivations of the rate equation are briefly recapitulated and discussed.
Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Competitive Activities: An Examination Through Social Media
Authors: Bernstein Eve , Johnson Ingrid , Armstrong Tess , Lysniak Ulana
Published: February 2022

This study investigated physical education Facebook social media platforms to analyze comments by in-service teachers regarding their perceptions and experiences using competitive activities during secondary physical education classes. The last 5 years’ worth of initial postings and successive comments by a member and group members were examined. The community of practice framework guided this study. Data were compared with appropriate practice in sport. Over 745 lines of data, teachers’ responses were analyzed using NVivo (version 10.0). The first theme focused on the real game and the athlete. The second theme discussed separating genders; this theme had two subthemes, including (a) skill and gender: coed is great if you have skill and (b) gender-specific activities. The third theme focused on inappropriate activities, toughening up students, and that keeping score is fun. Results indicated teachers’ shared and conflicted perceptions that involved skill and gender during competitive activities.
Kinetic Analysis of the Fingers Under Different Ball Velocities During Overarm Throwing
Authors: Shibata Shohei , Inaba Yuki , Yoshioka Shinsuke , Fukashiro Senshi
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine changes in the kinetic parameters of the fingers caused by differences in ball velocity during overarm throwing. Six baseball players participated in the study, and the kinetics of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint were calculated using an inverse dynamics method. The results of Tukey’s multiple comparison tests showed that the torque and work of the wrist increased with increasing ball velocity (p < .05), indicating that wrist torque and work contributed to the adjustment of ball velocity. Peak MP joint torque also increased with ball velocity (p < .05), although the work of the MP joint remained relatively constant. We conclude that MP joint torque and work contribute to the achievement of stable ball release rather than adjusting ball velocity.
Timely explantation of tobramycin-impregnated beads and bone cement to avoid haemodialysis in a patient with worsening renal failure
Authors: Borick Joseph Jeffry , Balan Shuba , Lichtenberger Paola , Bjork Lauren
Published: February 2022

A male patient with right total knee arthroplasty complicated by prosthetic joint infection on intravenous antimicrobials developed an acute kidney injury (AKI) with creatinine up to 7.3 mg/dL (‘normal’ range (0.5-1.2 mg/dL)) after hardware removal and tobramycin loaded polymethylmethacrylate beads and spacer placement. The AKI was initially attributed to intravenous vancomycin. Despite discontinuing vancomycin, the AKI worsened. A tobramycin level was collected and resulted at 5.5 µg/mL. Due to high suspicion for aminoglycoside-induced renal toxicity and to prevent haemodialysis, the antibiotic cement spacer with tobramycin-impregnated beads was removed. After the removal, tobramycin level rapidly decreased and renal functions improved. AKI is an increasingly recognised complication related to antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) due to the systemic absorption of antibiotics. With this case we highlight the early recognition of ALBC-induced renal toxicity necessitating explantation of ALBC and beads in order to prevent haemodialysis and emphasise monitoring aminoglycoside levels in the early postoperative period.
Laryngeal keel in severe congenital glottic web: case report and review of literature
Authors: Baburajan Ramya , Balakumar Vivekanandan , Saravanam Prasanna Kumar , Lakshmanan Somu , Ravikumar Arunachalam
Published: February 2022

Glottic web is an abnormal soft tissue adhesion between the vocal cords which occurs due to failure of recanalisation. Congenital glottic webs comprises 5% of laryngeal anomalies. Cohen classified glottic webs into four types based on percentage of airway obliteration. Patients with severe glottic web—grade III and grade IV present with respiratory distress, stridor, phonatory difficulties or recurrent respiratory infections warranting urgent intervention. We are presenting our experience in managing two such patients with severe congenital glottic web. Diagnosis was confirmed by fibreoptic laryngoscopy under monitored anaesthetic care. Combined endoscopic excision of web with laryngofissure approach for keel stenting. In both our patients, we have used a silicone based keel for laryngeal stenting to provide strength and prevent re-webbing. During follow-up, both patients were found to have adequate phonation and normal airway thus demonstrating this method as safe option for adequate phonatory and airway outcomes.
Descemet’s membrane detachment after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy in a patient with pseudoexfoliation
Authors: Turaga Kiranmaye , Kalary Jayanthi , Velamala Indu Pavani
Published: February 2022

Laser peripheral iridotomy is a relatively safe and an effective treatment for pupillary block. Descemet’s membrane detachment (DMD) is an uncommon condition that occurs as a complication of intraocular surgery or after trauma. In this article, we report a case of DMD in a 71-year-old man after Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet laser peripheral iridotomy in an eye with pseudoexfoliation. The shock waves formed during photodisruption may produce linear cracks at the level of Descemet’s membrane; resulting in detachment. Hence, it is important to be aware of this rare complication especially in eyes with a shallow anterior chamber and predisposing factors like pseudoexfoliation.
Suboccipital extracranial and intracranial abscess of a neonate: an exceedingly rare occurrence
Authors: Furtado Leopoldo Mandic , Costa Val Filho José Aloysio , Simas Rayane Toledo , Ferreira João Paulo Uviera
Published: February 2022

Intracranial abscess is a life-threatening disease that is uncommon in paediatric populations. Although there have been few reports in the literature, some aetiologies, such as mastoiditis and sinusitis, have been proposed. The pathophysiology is not completely known, and there are no data regarding the long-term follow-up of these patients. Herein, we present a case of a newborn affected with a mass in the suboccipital region due to an extracranial and intracranial abscess that had no clear association with infections except for a transient fever episode 1 month earlier. Isolation of Staphylococcus aureusfrom an open-surgery sample identified the cause of the mass. The patient achieved excellent recovery with no recurrence even after 8 years of follow-up. To our knowledge, this rare pattern of infection highlights the importance of early diagnosis in combination with a surgical approach as an effective diagnosis and treatment approach that provided a good outcome.
Unusual presentation of stiff-person syndrome in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Munipalli Bala , Shah Jaimin S
Published: February 2022

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, autoimmune, neurological disorder that often occurs concurrently with other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, pernicious anaemia, vitiligo and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It also can manifest as a paraneoplastic syndrome. Although SPS classically presents with truncal and appendicular stiffness and lumbar hyperlordosis, it can present focally in a single limb (termedstiff-limb syndrome). Here, we describe a woman with stiff-limb syndrome who initially presented with concerns about right foot swelling and pain. She also was positive for anti-GAD65 (anti-GAD2) antibodies. With treatment, she regained the ability to drive and ambulate without a walker, and she had a noted reduction in stimulus-induced spasms.
Brugada pattern revealed during SARS-COV-2-related multi-systemic inflammatory syndrome in a 6-year-old child
Authors: Picconi Enzo , Buonsenso Danilo , De Rosa Gabriella , Morena Tony Christian
Published: February 2022

Rhythm abnormalities are rare during COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We are reporting the detection of type I Brugada pattern in a 6-year-old child with MIS-C. Following the start of treatment (systemic steroids and immunoglobulins), a gradual evolution of cardiac rhythm up to normalisation was observed, concomitantly with a progressive reduction of inflammatory markers.
Finding the facts in an infodemic: framing effective COVID-19 messages to connect people to authoritative content
Authors: Pattison Andrew B , Reinfelde Monta , Chang Hyunsoo , Chowdhury Mayukh , Cohen Emma , Malahy Sean , O’Connor Katie , Sellami Mehdi , Smith Karen L , Stanton Charlotte Y , Voets Bram , Wei Henry G
Published: February 2022

The public’s need for timely and trusted COVID-19 information remains high. Governments and global health agencies such as the WHO have sought to disseminate accurate and timely information to counteract misinformation and disinformation that has arisen as part of an ‘infodemic’—the overabundance of information on COVID-19—some accurate and some not. In early 2020, WHO began a collaboration with Google to run online public service announcements on COVID-19, in the form of search ads displayed above results of Google Search queries. Web-based text ads can drive online searchers of COVID-19 information to authoritative COVID-19 content but determining what message is most effective is a challenge. WHO wanted to understand which message framing, that is, the way in which ad information is worded for the public, leads searchers to click through to WHO content. WHO tested 71 text ads in English across four COVID-19 topics using a mix of message frames: descriptive, collective, gain, loss, appeals to values and emphasising reasons. Between 11 September 2020 and 23 November 2020, there were 13 million views of the experimental WHO text ads leading to 1.4 million click-throughs to the WHO website. Within the set of 71 ads, there was a large spread between the most effective and least effective messages; for messages on COVID-19, the best performing framings were more than twice as effective as the worst performing framings (18.7% vs 8.5% engagement rate). Health practitioners can apply the messaging tactics WHO found to be successful to rapidly optimise messages for their own public health campaigns and better reach the public with authoritative information. Similar collaboration between big technology companies and governments and global health agencies has the potential to advance public health.
Fellowships and defence engagement: from clinical niches to strategic impact
Authors: Lowe Jonathon , Potter D , Warner M , Horne S
Published: February 2022

Medical fellowships have traditionally developed the individual rather than furthering military or national strategic objectives. This paper describes a medical fellowship with the British Antarctic Survey to illustrate the benefits to the individual, to the military and to wider international defence engagement efforts.

By rebranding such fellowships as Defence Healthcare Engagement and by treating international organisations on a par with partner nations, the humble fellowship can facilitate enduring, mutually beneficial healthcare engagement at low cost and with minimal additional resources.
Development of chronic kidney disease influenced by serum urate and body mass index based on young-to-middle-aged Japanese men: a propensity score-matched cohort study
Authors: Kuma Akihiro , Mafune Kosuke , Uchino Bungo , Ochiai Yoko , Enta Kazuhiko , Kato Akihiko
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) level and body mass index (BMI) on the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in working men aged 20–60 years.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Data from employees’ annual health check-ups were collected from two companies in 2009 and 2014.

Participants

A total of 16 708 working men were recruited. We excluded participants with missing essential data (N=7801), who had basal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or proteinuria (N=698) or with the absence of follow-up data (N=2).

Primary outcome

eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or proteinuria (≥1+) in 2014 (defined as incident CKD).

Results

The cut-off values of SUA for incident CKD were 6.6 mg/dL in both young (20–39 years old) and middle-aged (40–60 years old) men analysed by receiver operator characteristics. ORs for incident CKD were assessed on propensity score-matched (1:1) cohorts. In young participants (N=1938), after propensity score matching, a coexistence of high-level SUA (≥6.6 mg/dL) and overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) was a significant risk factor of incident CKD (OR=2.18, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.31, p=0.025), but high-level SUA was not an independent risk factor without overweight status (p=0.174). In middle-aged participants (N=2944) after propensity score matching, high-level SUA was a significant risk factor of incident CKD both with or without overweight (OR=1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.04, p=0.037; OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.73, p=0.041, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that high-level SUA is strongly associated with incident CKD in overweight young adult men.
Assessing tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy from self-report, urinary cotinine and NNAL: a validation study using the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Peacock Janet L , Palys Thomas J , Halchenko Yuliya , Sayarath Vicki , Takigawa Cindy A , Murphy Sharon E , Peterson Lisa A , Baker Emily R , Karagas Margaret R
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Accurate assessment of tobacco smoke exposure is key to evaluate its effects. We sought to validate and establish cut-offs for self-reported smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy using urinary cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(-3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) in a large contemporary prospective study from the USA, with lower smoking prevalence than has previously been evaluated.

Design

Prospective birth cohort.

Setting

Pregnancy clinics in New Hampshire and Vermont, USA.

Participants

1396 women enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study with self-reported smoking, urinary cotinine, NNAL and pregnancy outcomes.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Cut-offs for urinary cotinine and NNAL concentrations were estimated from logistic regression models using Youden’s method to predict SHS and active smoking. Cotinine and NNAL were each used as the exposure in separate multifactorial models for pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Self-reported maternal smoking was: 72% non-smokers, 5.7% ex-smokers, 6.4% SHS exposure, 6.2% currently smoked, 10% unreported. Cotinine and NNAL levels were low and highly intercorrelated (r=0.91). Geometric mean cotinine, NNAL were 0.99 ng/mL, 0.05 pmol/mL, respectively. Cotinine cut-offs for SHS, current smoking were 1.2 ng/mL and 1.8 ng/mL (area under curve (AUC) 95% CI: 0.52 (0.47 to 0.57), 0.90 (0.85 to 0.94)). NNAL cut-off for current smoking was 0.09 pmol/mL (AUC=0.82 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.87)). Using cotinine and NNAL cut-offs combined gave similar AUC to cotinine alone, 0.87 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.91). Cotinine and NNAL gave almost identical effect estimates when modelling pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

In this population, we observed high concordance between self-complete questionnaire smoking data and urinary cotinine and NNAL. With respect to biomarkers, either cotinine or NNAL can be used as a measure of tobacco smoke exposure overall but only cotinine can be used to detect SHS.
How local partnerships to improve urgent and emergency care have impacted delayed transfers of care from hospitals in England: an analysis based on a synthetic control estimation method
Authors: Malisauskaite Gintare , Jones Karen , Allan Stephen , Roland Daniel , Birks Yvonne , Baxter Kate , Gridley Kate
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Patients should be discharged from hospital when they are medically fit. However, discharges are often delayed for non-medical reasons including access to social care. One aim of local health and social care partnerships to improve urgent and emergency care in England (known as urgent and emergency care (UEC) vanguards) was to improve integration of health and social care, which could lead to fewer delays. Consequently, we aimed to assess the impact of UEC vanguards on delayed discharges from hospital (delayed transfers of care (DTOC)) in England.

Design

Using a synthetic control estimation method 29 local authorities (LAs) that were UEC vanguards partners were averaged into a single ‘treated’ unit and compared with a unit created using data from LAs that were not UEC vanguards partners to estimate the impact of UEC vanguards on DTOC. Sensitivity analysis included fixed effects panel regressions and various placebo tests.

Setting

150 LAs in England (excluding city of London and Isles of Scilly); 29 LAs were partners in UEC vanguards between August 2015 and March 2018.

Primary outcome measure

Quarterly data on days of DTOC at LA level for the period 2010–2017.

Results

Synthetic control estimation showed a large difference in DTOC days between UEC vanguards partner LAs compared with those that were not, with on average 23.7% lower DTOC per quarter (491 DTOC days per quarter). Fixed effect panel regressions found DTOC rates lower by 43.1% (99% CI 13.8% to 72.4%) in UEC partner LAs after the start of the vanguards programme. We found no indication of UEC partner LAs having lower DTOC rates prior to initiation of vanguards.

Conclusions

The evidence indicates a sizeable statistically significant impact of UEC vanguards on DTOC; however, more research is required to explain the underlying reasons for this relationship.