bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling for dose selection for the first‐in‐human trial of the activated Factor XII inhibitor garadacimab (CSL312)
Authors: Pawaskar Dipti , Chen Xi , Glassman Fiona , May Frauke , Roberts Anthony , Biondo Mark , McKenzie Andrew , Nolte Marc W. , Jusko William J. , Tortorici Michael
Published: November 2021

Factor XII (FXII) is a serine protease involved in multiple cascades, including the kallikrein–kinin system. It may play a role in diseases in which the downstream cascades are dysregulated, such as hereditary angioedema. Garadacimab (CSL312) is a first‐in‐class, fully human, monoclonal antibody targeting activated FXII (FXIIa). We describe how translational pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling enabled dose selection for the phase I, first‐in‐human trial of garadacimab. The PK/PD data used for modeling were derived from preclinical PK/PD and safety studies. Garadacimab plasma concentrations rose with increasing dose, and clear dose‐related PD effects were observed (e.g., a mechanism‐based prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time). The PK/PD profile from cynomolgus monkeys was used to generate minimal physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (mPBPK) models with target‐mediated drug disposition (TMDD) for data prediction in cynomolgus monkeys. These models were later adapted for prediction of human data to establish dose selection. Based on the final mPBPK model with TMDD and assuming a weight of 70 kg for an adult human, a minimal inhibition (<10%) of FXIIa with a starting dose of 0.1 mg/kg garadacimab and a near maximal inhibition (>95%) at 10 mg/kg garadacimab were predicted. The phase I study is complete, and data on exposure profiles and inhibition of FXIIa‐mediated kallikrein activity observed in the trial support and validate these simulations. This emphasizes the utility and relevance of translational modeling and simulation in drug development.
Seeking survivals under COVID‐19: The WhatsApp platform's shopping service operations
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Siqin Tana , Chung Sai‐Ho , Choi Tsan‐Ming
Published: November 2021

Under COVID‐19 outbreak, retail operations are seriously threatened. There are lots of cases in which physical stores basically have to stop operating. This creates problems to the firm, its employees, and consumers. Recently, Timberland in Hong Kong and various other brands such as Joyce Boutiques and The North Face have established the “WhatsApp Shopping Service Operation” (WSO) in which consumers can shop by using the well‐established communication tool “WhatsApp.” Salespeople in stores provide services via WhatsApp to assist the consumers without them having to visit the stores. We collect primary data from real‐world cases and theoretically explore WSO. We build a standard consumer utility based model to derive the firm's optimal pricing and employment decisions under different cases. We evaluate the impacts of COVID‐19 and values of WSO implementation from the “Worker‐Consumer‐Company” (WCC) welfare perspective. Our results interestingly imply that WSO is superior to the traditional online channel in terms of keeping business under the pandemic; meanwhile, implementing WSO can help stimulate demand in the physical store under COVID‐19. However, whether WSO is effective to help increase the firm's profit and WCC welfare depends on both consumer type' distribution and consumers’ fear of infection. When consumers’ fear of infection is very polarized (i.e., extremely low or high), WSO is not recommended. We further propose that the government's subsidy for WSO implementation could be an effective way to help the firm improve its profit and WCC welfare. We also check the robustness of our study by extending the model to consider endogenous consumer type, endogenous service level, and WCC‐welfare‐oriented firm.
Development of directed global inhibition, competitive inhibition and behavioural inhibition during the transition between infancy and toddlerhood
Authors: Hendry Alexandra , Greenhalgh Isobel , Bailey Rhiannon , Fiske Abigail , Dvergsdal Henrik , Holmboe Karla
Published: November 2021

Inhibitory control (IC) is a core executive function integral to self‐regulation and cognitive control, yet is itself multi‐componential. Directed global inhibition entails stopping an action on demand. Competitive inhibition is engaged when an alternative response must also be produced. Related, but not an executive function, is temperamentally‐driven wariness of novelty, known as behavioural inhibition. Understanding early development of these components has been hampered by a shortage of suitable measures. We combine established and novel measures to capture directed global inhibition (Toy Prohibition, Touchscreen Prohibition), competitive inhibition (A‐not‐B, Early Childhood Inhibitory Touchscreen Task; ECITT) and behavioural inhibition (Touchscreen Approach) in 113 10‐ and 16‐month‐olds (73 seen longitudinally). ECITT performance shows good 1‐week test‐retest reliability at 10‐months (r = 0.30–0.60) but little stability to 16‐months. Directed global inhibition performance shows developmental progression but little stability of individual differences from 10 to 16 months. Performance on measures targeting similar IC components shows greater coherence at 16‐months (r = 0.23–0.59) compared with 10‐months (r = 0.09–0.35). Probing of ECITT condition effects indicates toddlers are more able, compared with infants, to override immediate prepotencies; indicative of increasingly flexible control over behaviour. However, exerting IC over cumulative prepotencies appears just as challenging for toddlers as infants. Exploratory analyses show little evidence for cross‐sectional or longitudinal associations between behavioural, directed global and competitive inhibition. In combination, these findings indicate that IC is not yet a stable, unidimensional construct during the transition between infancy and toddlerhood, and highlight the need for careful selection of multiple measures for those interested in capturing early variation in IC.
Development of the Brief Educational Guide for Individuals in Need (BEGIN): A psychoeducation intervention for individuals at risk for psychosis
Authors: Herrera Shaynna N. , Lyallpuri Romi , Sarac Cansu , Dobbs Matthew F. , Nnaji Obiora , Jespersen Rachel , DeLuca Joseph S. , Wyka Katarzyna E. , Yang Lawrence H. , Corcoran Cheryl M. , Landa Yulia
Published: November 2021

Aim

Identification of individuals with psychosis risk (PR) through screening and specialized assessment is becoming more widespread in an effort to promote early intervention and improve recovery outcomes. PR individuals report interest in psychoeducation, though such interventions are currently lacking. Our goal was to develop a structured PR psychoeducation intervention grounded in theory and stakeholder feedback.

Methods

By following a step‐by‐step intervention development model, we identified relevant conceptual frameworks, developed the content and format, and obtained stakeholder feedback. This process resulted in a 5‐session PR psychoeducation intervention, Brief Educational Guide for Individuals in Need (BEGIN), with content conveyed visually via a slideshow presentation. PR individuals (n = 5) and parents of PR individuals (n = 5) reviewed BEGIN's content and format, and provided feedback through semi‐structured qualitative interviews. Major themes were identified through iterative thematic analysis.

Results

PR individuals and parents had a positive impression of BEGIN's materials and step‐by‐step format and psychoeducation about the PR condition. They indicated that the intervention was likely to encourage agency. PR participants emphasized the importance of a patient's decision regarding whether their family member(s) should participate in BEGIN. Parents reported that BEGIN is an important first step in treatment and offers a safe therapeutic environment. Feedback was then utilized to modify the intervention.

Conclusions

BEGIN is desired by consumers and may lay the foundation for future engagement with treatment by facilitating agency. A feasibility trial is underway and future studies are needed to measure outcomes (e.g., treatment engagement) and evaluate BEGIN as an evidence‐based PR psychoeducation model.
Altered nociceptive behavior and emotional contagion of pain in mouse models of autism
Authors: Martin Loren J. , Poulson Sandra J. , Mannan Emma , Sivaselvachandran Sivaani , Cho Moonjeong , Setak Fatima , Chan Claire
Published: November 2021

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have altered sensory processing but may ineffectively communicate their experiences. Here, we used a battery of nociceptive behavioral tests to assess sensory alterations in two commonly used mouse models of ASD, BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR), and fragile‐X mental retardation‐1 knockout (Fmr1‐KO) mice. We also asked whether emotional contagion, a primitive form of empathy, was altered in BTBR and Fmr1 KO mice when experiencing pain with a social partner. BTBR mice demonstrated mixed nociceptive responses with hyporesponsivity to mechanical/thermal stimuli and intraplantar injections of formalin and capsaicin while displaying hypersensitivity on the acetic acid test. Fmr1‐KO mice were hyposensitive to mechanical stimuli and intraplantar injections of capsaicin and formalin. BTBR and Fmr1‐KO mice developed significantly less mechanical allodynia following intraplantar injections of complete Freund's adjuvant, while BTBR mice developed slightly more thermal hyperalgesia. Finally, as measured by the formalin and acetic acid writhing tests, BTBR and Fmr1‐KO mice did not show emotional contagion of pain. In sum, our findings indicate that depending on the sensation, pain responses may be mixed, which reflects findings in ASD individuals.
Jaw‐retraction exercise increases anterior hyoid excursion during swallowing in older adults with mild dysphagia
Authors: Hasegawa Shohei , Nakagawa Kazuharu , Yoshimi Kanako , Yamaguchi Kohei , Nakane Ayako , Ishii Miki , Okumura Takuma , Hara Koji , Minakuchi Shunsuke , Tohara Haruka
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed jaw‐retraction exercise for strengthening the geniohyoid muscle and thus improving the anterior movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing.

Background

Although previous studies suggest a relationship between anterior hyoid excursion and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, there are currently no reports of physical exercises without the use of special equipment that can effectively improve this movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing.

Materials and methods

This before‐after study included patients presenting to the authors' hospital with mild dysphagia (Level 5 on the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale). The participants were instructed to perform a jaw‐retraction exercise designed to strengthen the geniohyoid muscle. Each participant was instructed to perform two sets of the exercise daily for four weeks, with each set consisting of five repetitions. Before and after the four‐week training period, videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed and later analysed.

Results

Twenty‐five patients with a median age of 77 were included. The median peak anterior hyoid position before and after exercise were 129.82 and 132.74 (%C2‐C4 length), respectively, and this increase was found to be significant (P = .007). The median extent of UES opening before and after exercise were 8.6 and 9.3 (mm), respectively, and this increase was also found to be significant (P = .040).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the jaw‐retraction exercise can effectively improve the anterior movement of the hyoid bone. This exercise may be effective in individuals with oral frailty when signs of swallowing disorders are observed.
Contextualising colonial violence: Causality, continuity and the Holocaust
Authors: Bomholt Nielsen Mads
Published: November 2021

This article considers the problems that arises in linking colonialism and colonial violence to the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust. Links between colonialism and the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust, have again become popular with the increased focus on colonial violence. In German colonial history, a dominant tendency has been the ‘colonialsonderweg’ where continuities are drawn from colonial Africa to the Holocaust. Recently, British colonial violence too has been contextualised with the Holocaust, thus expanding the continuity thesis. Furthermore, Germany's confrontation with the Holocaust after 1945, some argue, serves as a model for how Britain should confront its past as a colonial power. This article argues that the invocation of the Holocaust as a benchmark for violence and a way to gauge colonial violence is generally unproductive and problematic. While intended to promote the historical significance of colonial violence, it does the opposite: it reduces it to a precursor and flattens the historical complexities that explained colonialism and colonial violence. Colonial violence, it is argued, is in itself significant and should therefore be separated from the Holocaust if we are to maintain its colonial context and historical specificity.
IgG seroprevalence of COVID‐19 among people living with HIV or at high risk of HIV in south‐west Germany: A seroprevalence study
Authors: Kaddu‐Mulindwa Dominic , Keuser Lukas , Lesan Vadim , Rissland Jürgen , Smola Sigrun , Werdecker Victoria , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Christofyllakis Konstantinos , Thurner Lorenz , Bewarder Moritz , Lohr Benedikt , Lutz Jens , Lohse Stefan , Rieke Ansgar
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Seroprevalence studies of SARS‐CoV‐2 have shown that there is a high number of undiagnosed missing cases. Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in people living with HIV (PLWH) is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a prospective cross‐sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 among PLWH without known diagnosis of COVID‐19 in the south‐west of Germany.

Methods

Serological testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies based on two assays was performed in PLWH who visited the outpatient HIV centre of two hospitals from April to June 2020. Additionally, patients had to answer questionnaires about possible COVID‐19‐related symptoms and predefined risk factors. Moreover, we tested 50 non‐HIV‐infected patients receiving post‐ or pre‐exposure (PEP/PrEP) HIV prophylaxis.

Results

In all, 594 (488 male, 106 female) PLWH (median age 51 years) and 50 PEP/PrEP‐users were included in the study. The estimated seroprevalence of the PLWH cohort was 1.85% (11/594), with 11 positive tested cases in the cohort. Among all patients, only five had COVID‐19‐related symptoms. One PCR‐positive patient did not show any antibody response in repeatedly carried out tests. None of the patients was hospitalized due to COVID‐19. Three PrEP users were tested positive. Three patients had been previously diagnosed with SARS‐COV‐2 infection before inclusion. The used questionnaire did not help to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 positive patients.

Conclusions

Despite the limitation of being only a snapshot in time because of the ongoing pandemic, to our knowledge this is the largest study so far on seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in PLWH in Germany. Our study suggests that the seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in PLWH is comparable to those previously reported for parts of the general German population and that the questionnaire used here might not be the best tool to predict COVID‐19 diagnosis.
Investigation and properties of novel low melting glasses in the ternary system Sb2O3–PbO–Me2O3
Authors: Taibi Yasmina , Poulain Marcel , Legouera Messaoud , Mebrek Alima
Published: November 2021

New glasses based on Sb2O3–PbO association have been synthesized and characterized. The limits for glass formation have been investigated in ternary systems encompassing trivalent oxides such as Al2O3, Ga2O3, and In2O3 as the third component. Fast quenching is required to prevent melt crystallization, which results in thin samples. Chemical analysis shows a rather good agreement between nominal and analyzed compositions. Glass transition temperature, Tg, ranges between 255°C and 280°C, depending on composition. Density and hardness have been measured for typical samples.
Experiences of home as an aspect of well‐being in people over 80 years: A mixed method study
Authors: Almevall Albin D. , Nordmark Sofi , Niklasson Johan , Zingmark Karin
Published: November 2021

Aims

To (1) describe experiences of home from a well‐being perspective, (2) describe participant characteristics and well‐being measures in relation to housing type (3) and how the aforementioned aspects may affect well‐being in very old persons.

Design

Cross‐sectional, convergent parallel‐results mixed method design with semi‐structured interviews analysed by qualitative content analysis, in relation to descriptive statistics and specific well‐being outcome measures related to home.

Methods

A total of 50 persons 80 years or older living in ordinary housing were interviewed (July 2017 to November 2018) about home in relation to well‐being, along with collection of participant characteristics and well‐being measures related to home.

Results

Participants described how home had become increasingly important as it provided autonomy and acted as a social and occupational hub. However, autonomy was not unconditional, and home could also be perceived as a place of inactive solitude. Results were interpreted as relating to being in the margins of home and had a major impact on well‐being. Housing type seemed of importance with higher measures of well‐being for participants in single‐living housing compared with those living in apartment.

Conclusion

Home is increasingly central to well‐being in old age; however, very old persons also have to relate to being physically and mentally in the margins of being able to remain in the home. These aspects of home potentially have a major impact on well‐being.

Impact

As very old persons living in ordinary housing will constitute a larger segment of society in coming years, aspects of home can potentially have a considerable impact on well‐being for this age‐group. This study describes aspects of home that contribute to, or has adverse impact on well‐being. These aspects need thorough consideration in policy‐making and planning of health care that can affect experiences of home.
I see something you do not: Eye movement modelling examples do not improve anomaly detection in interpreting medical images
Authors: Eder Thésése F. , Scheiter Katharina , Richter Juliane , Keutel Constanze , Hüttig Fabian
Published: November 2021

Background

When interpreting medical images such as dental panoramic radiographs (Orthopanthomogram, OPT), errors are frequent. Previous research has shown that eye movement modelling examples (EMME) are a supportive training method for medical image interpretation to reduce errors. To date, EMME support for OPTs has not been verified.

Objectives

We investigated whether a training with EMME and verbal explanations supports dental students in evaluating OPTs.

Methods

Dental students were randomly assigned to an intervention (N = 42) or a control group (N = 41). The intervention group received the EMME between pre‐ and post‐test. In a laboratory study, we measured students' gaze behaviour during evaluating OPTs and the detection rate of anomalies.

Results and conclusions

The training led to fewer, shorter, and later fixations on anomalies and no difference in visual coverage of the OPT. The detection rate of anomalies did not improve. We replicated the latter finding in an online study (N = 31). Students may not have been able to apply the information from the EMME to detect anomalies. The image reading processes changed to more efficient rather than deeper visual search.

Major takeaways

This study evaluated a training method with EMME for anomaly detection of OPTs. EMMEs did not improve the anomaly detection of dental students and changed their visual search process toward a more efficient rather than a deeper search.
Stage‐specific influence of temperature on the growth rate of Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) in early life
Authors: Jin Yan , Liu Zun‐lei , Yuan Xing‐wei , Jiang Ya‐zhou
Published: November 2021

Since 1850, each successive decade has been warmer than any preceding one. Warming could make a major contribution to the growth of fish larvae. To evaluate the influence of water temperature on the growth of larvae who spawned in later spring and early summer, we selected Scomberomorus niphonius, which has important ecological and economic value as a sample fish species. We conducted high‐resolution spatiotemporal surveys during the 2015 spawning season at an important spawning ground in China. We found that the temperature required for larval survival was stricter than that for spawning. Within the appropriate temperature range, a rapid rise in water temperature was favourable for larval hatching, but S. niphonius hatched at relatively low temperature exhibited a faster growth rate in the yolk‐sac and pre‐flexion stages. The accumulated temperature and hatching temperature significantly affected the growth rate of S. niphonius larvae. The model that considered developmental stages provided a better explanation of the data than the model that only considered the temperature effect. The model improvement in terms of variance explained was higher for the early developmental stages than for the later developmental stages, suggesting that stage‐specific temperature influences were prominent in the earlier stages, like the yolk‐sac stage, and then reduced. Our results implied that water temperature anomalies could be hazardous to fish larvae, especially for fish spawning in late spring and early summer. Given that early‐life stage fish are highly sensitive to water temperature, it is imperative to incorporate the potential effects of climate change into fisheries management.
Obesogenic diets induce anxiety in rodents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Clark Thomas D. , Crean Angela J. , Senior Alistair M.
Published: November 2021

Obesity and mood disorders have been linked in a positive feedback loop. However, due to the bidirectional relationship between obesity and mental health, it is not clear whether anxiety is correlated with or caused by consumption of obesogenic diets. Here, we present a meta‐analysis on the effects of dietary manipulation on rodent behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field test, the most common tests of anxiety‐like behavior in animal models. The main dataset examined effects of obesogenic diets on time spent in the open and movement around the mazes. Auxiliary datasets examined effects of caloric restriction and protein restriction. Obesogenic diets had a negative effect on the time spent in the open overall. Effects were stronger in males than females. No effect of diet on locomotion was found, indicating that increases in anxiety‐like behavior are not due to altered activity levels. No consistent effect of caloric restriction was observed, whereas protein restriction was associated with an increase in the time spent in the open. We show that obesogenic diets have a causative effect on anxiety‐like behaviors in rodents, and not via a change in activity. Further studies are required to determine why obesogenic diets induce these behavioral changes.
Chest trauma in children—what an anesthesiologist should know
Authors: Bird Ruth , Braunold Daniel , Matava Clyde T
Published: November 2021

Injury is the leading cause of death in children, with chest trauma accounting for 25% of this mortality. In addition, these patients often present with multiple system injuries, which require simultaneous management. These concurrent injuries can lead to challenges when prioritizing tasks in the resuscitation room and during anesthetic management. In addition, changes from spontaneous ventilation to positive pressure ventilation can impact lung physiology. Therefore, a clear communication plan with careful monitoring and vigilance is needed for intubation and ventilation in these children. These injuries also require specific strategies to prevent barotrauma which could lead to complications such as respiratory failure, pneumonia, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This educational review aims to guide clinicians managing pediatric chest trauma through some of the critical decision‐making regarding intubation, ventilation, and subsequent management of injuries.
Differences in birthweight by maternal and paternal nativity status in Canada
Authors: Behlim Tarannum , Basso Olga , Bushnik Tracey , Kramer Michael S. , Kaufman Jay S. , Yang Seungmi
Published: November 2021

Background

Parental nativity, as well as duration of residence of foreign‐born parents in the host country, has been shown to be associated with size at birth. However, most studies have focused on maternal nativity status only and have not accounted for important characteristics of both parents.

Objective

To explore whether maternal and paternal nativity and length of residence (LOR) are independently associated with birthweight for gestational age in a representative sample of infants in Canada.

Methods

We compared mean differences in sex‐ and gestational age‐standardised birthweight z‐score by nativity status of both parents in a nationally representative sample of 130,532 singleton infants born between May 2004 and May 2006 to mothers residing in Canada. We categorised parental nativity status into four groups (both parents Canada‐born, mother only foreign‐born, father only foreign‐born and both parents foreign‐born) and parents’ LOR into three (both ≤10 years, only one parent ≤10 years and both >10 years). We estimated mean differences in birthweight z‐score and their 95% confidence intervals in linear regression models adjusted for parity, parents’ ages, education, ethnicity and marital status of the mother.

Results

Compared with babies of Canada‐born couples, those of two foreign‐born parents had on average smaller birthweight z‐score, −0.23 (95% CI −0.28, −0.25). However, after adjustment, the mean difference in z‐score was −0.02 (95% CI −0.05, 0.00). Infants born to parents who had both resided in Canada for ≤10 years had a unadjusted mean difference in z‐score of −0.27 (95% CI −0.29, −0.26), compared infants whose parents were both Canada‐born, but the difference became negligible (−0.02, 95% CI −0.04, 0.01) after adjustment.

Conclusion

The birthweight differences by parental nativity or length of residence observed in our study population could be attributed to differences in the distribution of other parental characteristics that affect birthweight.
Evaluative image 2.0: A web mapping approach to capture people’s perceptions of a city
Authors: Barros Matheus Siqueira , Degbelo Auriol , Filomena Gabriele
Published: November 2021

Evaluative images can help urban planners understand the way citizens perceive their cities. In the seminal article by Jack Nasar, evaluative images were created by means of face‐to‐face interviews. The present article proposes, implements and evaluates a complementary approach to create evaluative images of cities, namely through web mapping. The approach was implemented in an open‐source system called eImage. A user study with 59 participants was conducted in Lisbon, Portugal, to test eImage for usability and usefulness. The study revealed that eImage can help different groups of society quickly voice their opinions on places in their cities that they like/dislike, and that a face‐to‐face data‐collection setting (as opposed to an online one) has a positive influence on the data‐collection workflow. The lessons learned in this study may be useful to planners interested in generating composite pictures of how citizens perceive their cities.
Predicted climate conditions and cover crop composition modify weed communities in semiarid agroecosystems
Authors: DuPre Mary E. , Seipel Tim , Bourgault Maryse , Boss Darin L. , Menalled Fabian D.
Published: November 2021

The US Northern Great Plains is one of the largest expanses of small grain agriculture, but excessive reliance on off‐farms inputs and predicted warmer and drier conditions hinder its agricultural sustainability. In this region, the use of cover crops represents a promising approach to increase biodiversity and reduce external inputs; however little information exists about how cover crop mixture composition, predicted climate and management systems could impact the performance of cover crops and weed communities. In the 4th cycle of a cover crop‐wheat rotation, we experimentally increased temperature and reduced moisture as expected to occur with climate change, and assessed impacts on the presence and composition of cover crop mixtures and termination methods on weed communities. Under ambient climate conditions, mean total cover crop biomass was 43%–53% greater in a five species early‐season cover crop mixture compared with a seven species mid‐season mixture, and differences were less pronounced in warmer and drier conditions (19%–24%). We observed a total of 18 weed species; 13 occurring in the early‐season mixture, 13 in the mid‐season mixtures and 14 in the fallow treatments. Weed species richness and diversity was lower in warmer and drier treatments, and we observed a shift in weed communities due to the presence and composition of cover crop mixtures as well as climate manipulations. Overall, results suggest that adoption of cover crop mixtures in semiarid agroecosystems requires jointly addressing weed management and soil moisture retention goals, a challenge further complicated by predicted climate conditions.
Methods to assess ambivalence toward food and diet: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Neto Daisuke Hayashi , Carvalho Samantha D.L. , Ribeiro Paula A.B. , Lavoie Kim L. , Bacon Simon L. , Cornélio Marilia E.
Published: November 2021

Objective:

This scoping review aims to identify and understand the different tools and methods used in studies in the field of human eating behavior to assess, measure, or classify participants’ ambivalence toward food and diet, as well as to identify which tools and methods are most frequently employed.

Introduction:

People's attitudes toward food and eating behaviors are often ambivalent (simultaneously positive and negative), making it harder to change eating behaviors in favor of a healthier diet. This highlights the importance of resolving diet-related ambivalence. Identifying and understanding the different methods used in the literature to assess attitudinal ambivalence toward food and diet will provide researchers with a range of options to choose from for future studies.

Inclusion criteria:

We will include peer-reviewed studies as well as preprints that assess the ambivalence of human participants toward food and diet, regardless of sex, age, or other sociodemographic factors. We will exclude studies in which the methods used to assess ambivalence are not detailed or cannot be reproduced, as well as studies that assess the ambivalence of participants toward farming and agricultural methods or toward methods of food production and preparation.

Methods:

This review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Peer-reviewed studies will be retrieved from MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Food Science Source, FSTA, and CINAHL, while preprints will be retrieved from PsyArXiv and MedArXiv. Two independent reviewers will screen the articles. All relevant extracted information will be presented as tables and a descriptive summary of the findings.
Weather Forecasting in Brazil: A Concise Historical Review
Authors: Marques Valdo Da Silva , Dereczynski Claudine
Published: November 2021

The main objective of this article is to describe the factors and issues responsible for the evolution of the weather forecast in Brazil.This is done based on a historical review of the formation and evolution of the national meteorological services in the last 170 yearsand on the development of weather forecasting methods. Changes in the routines of weather forecasting services in two centenaryBrazilian institutions, the National Institute of Meteorology and the Brazilian Navy, since the creation of the first subjective forecaststo the present day, are highlighted. Information about the 14 undergraduate courses in Meteorology in Brazil is given, which supportthe technological development of this science, through scientific research and training of human resources. The introduction ofmeteorological radar in the 1970s, and its current networks, as well as the elaboration of the first numerical weather predictions (NWP)by the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies (Centro de Previsão do Tempo e Estudos Climáticos do Instituto Nacionalde Pesquisas Espaciais – CPTEC/INPE), in 1995, are also described. To complement, a survey is presented, showing the currentworking conditions of weather forecasters. The survey results reveal that 45% of the 102 meteorologists interviewed use the CzechRepublic Windy application to prepare their weather forecasts operationally and almost 60% use the Wyoming University website toobtain data from radiosondes launched in Brazil. It is important to highlight that, since the introduction of NWP by CPTEC/INPE, at theend of the 1990s, there has been a great advance in the field of weather forecasting. Moreover, observational networks have undergonea great expansion, with a significant increase in the number of weather stations in recent decades. Despite all the progress achieved,there is still a need for the integration of observational networks and databases of various institutions. Finally, the development ofapplications that meet the demand of young meteorologists in the operational centers is advisable.
A Comprehensive Comparative Investigation of the Lifting Line Theory and Blade Element Momentum Theory Applied to Small Wind Turbines
Authors: Ismail Kamal A. R. , Okita Willian Minoru
Published: November 2021

Small wind turbines (WTs) are adequate for electricity generation in isolated areas to promote local expansion of commercial activities and social inclusion. Blade element momentum (BEM) method is usually used for performance prediction, but it generally produces overestimated predictions since the wake effects are not precisely accounted for. Lifting line theory (LLT) can represent the blade and wake effects more precisely. In the present investigation, the two methods are analyzed and their predictions of the aerodynamic performance of small WTs are compared. Conducted simulations showed a computational time of about 149.32 s for the Gottingen GO 398 based rotor simulated by the BEM and 1007.7 s for simulation by the LLT. The analysis of the power coefficient showed a maximum difference between the predictions of the two methods of about 4.4% in the case of Gottingen GO 398 airfoil-based rotor and 6.3% for simulations of the Joukowski J 0021 airfoil. In the case of the annual energy production, a difference of 2.35% is found between the predictions of the two methods. The effects of the blade geometrical variants such as twist angle and chord distributions increase the numerical deviations between the two methods due to the big number of iterations in the case of LLT. The cases analyzed showed deviations between 3.4% and 4.1%. As a whole, the results showed good performance of both methods; however, the LLT provides more precise results and more information on the local flow over the rotor blades.
Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Axially Crowned Rollers
Authors: Habchi W.
Published: November 2021

This work presents a comprehensive numerical study of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance in axially crowned rollers, based on a full-system finite element approach. Axial crowning has always been introduced to finite line contacts, as a mean for improving film thickness. Its influence on friction has often been overlooked though. The current work reveals that axial crowning has a negative influence on friction, increasing it significantly with respect to the reference case of straight rollers. It is shown that, with increased crowning height (or reduced crowning radius), minimum film thickness is increased, but so is friction. Therefore, film thickness enhancement comes at the expense of a deterioration in friction. Besides, achieving sufficient enhancements in minimum film thickness would require using relatively low crowning radii, which would lead to a substantial increase in friction. The frictional increase is traced back to an overall increase in contact pressures and effective contact area within the lubricating conjunction. It is also shown that, when film thickness is the most critical design parameter, the best compromise between enhanced film thickness and deteriorated friction would be to combine axial crowning with roller-end profiling. However, when friction is the most critical design parameter, a simple roller-end profiling would offer the best compromise.
IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 play distinct roles in initiating type I interferon–induced JAK-STAT signaling and activating STATs
Authors: Shemesh Maya , Lochte Sara , Piehler Jacob , Schreiber Gideon
Published: November 2021

The earliest intracellular signaling events induced by type I interferon receptor subunit activation are clarified.
Secreted Proteases Control the Timing of Aggregative Community Formation in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Jemielita Matthew , Mashruwala Ameya A. , Valastyan Julie S. , Wingreen Ned S. , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: November 2021

Bacteria can work as collectives to form multicellular communities.
Vibrio cholerae
, the bacterium that causes the disease cholera in humans, forms aggregated communities in liquid. Aggregate formation relies on a chemical communication process called quorum sensing.
Why Did the Bee Eat the Chicken? Symbiont Gain, Loss, and Retention in the Vulture Bee Microbiome
Authors: Figueroa Laura L. , Maccaro Jessica J. , Krichilsky Erin , Yanega Douglas , McFrederick Quinn S.
Published: November 2021

When asked where to find bees, people often picture fields of wildflowers. While true for almost all species, there is a group of specialized bees, also known as the vulture bees, that instead can be found slicing chunks of meat from carcasses in tropical rainforests.
Functional and Taxonomic Effects of Organic Amendments on the Restoration of Semiarid Quarry Soils
Authors: Miralles Isabel , Ortega Raúl , Comeau André M.
Published: November 2021

The restoration of soils impacted by human activities poses specific challenges regarding the reestablishment of functional microbial communities which will further support the reintroduction of plant species. Organic fertilizers, originating from either treated sewage or vegetable wastes, have shown promise in restoration experiments; however, we still do not have a clear understanding of the functional and taxonomic changes that occur during these treatments.
Mitral valve-in-valve implantation during pregnancy
Authors: Johnson Mark Zachary , Damianopoulos Nicholas James , Lee Felicity , Yong Gerald
Published: November 2021

A 32-year-old, 11-week pregnant African woman with known rheumatic heart disease presented to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath on exertion. She had undergone a double bioprosthetic valve replacement and left atrial appendage resection 8 years prior for severe mitral stenosis, moderate mitral regurgitation and moderate aortic regurgitation. A transo-oesophageal echocardiography at this presentation confirmed a morphologically calcified and stenosed mitral bioprosthesis, with moderate stenosis of her aortic bioprosthesis. Her multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and obstetricians, came to a consensus decision to proceed with a transseptal transcatheter valve implantation within the mitral valve prosthesis (valve-in-valve implantation). Transthoracic echocardiography performed 2 months post procedure showed satisfactory mitral valve gradients and at 30 weeks’ gestation, she successfully delivered her fifth child. 2 years later, the valve in valve complex is still functioning well.
COVID-19 mortality in women and men in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dalal Jyoti , Triulzi Isotta , James Ananthu , Nguimbis Benedict , Dri Gabriela Guizzo , Venkatasubramanian Akarsh , Noubi Tchoupopnou Royd Lucie , Botero Mesa Sara , Somerville Claire , Turchetti Giuseppe , Stoll Beat , Abbate Jessica Lee , Mboussou Franck , Impouma Benido , Keiser Olivia , Coelho Flávio Codeço
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Since sex-based biological and gender factors influence COVID-19 mortality, we wanted to investigate the difference in mortality rates between women and men in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Method

We included 69 580 cases of COVID-19, stratified by sex (men: n=43 071; women: n=26 509) and age (0–39 years: n=41 682; 40–59 years: n=20 757; 60+ years: n=7141), from 20 member nations of the WHO African region until 1 September 2020. We computed the SSA-specific and country-specific case fatality rates (CFRs) and sex-specific CFR differences across various age groups, using a Bayesian approach.

Results

A total of 1656 deaths (2.4% of total cases reported) were reported, with men accounting for 70.5% of total deaths. In SSA, women had a lower CFR than men (meanCFRdiff= −0.9%; 95% credible intervals (CIs) −1.1% to −0.6%). The mean CFR estimates increased with age, with the sex-specific CFR differences being significant among those aged 40 years or more (40–59 age group: meanCFRdiff= −0.7%; 95% CI −1.1% to −0.2%; 60+ years age group: meanCFRdiff= −3.9%; 95% CI −5.3% to −2.4%). At the country level, 7 of the 20 SSA countries reported significantly lower CFRs among women than men overall. Moreover, corresponding to the age-specific datasets, significantly lower CFRs in women than men were observed in the 60+ years age group in seven countries and 40–59 years age group in one country.

Conclusions

Sex and age are important predictors of COVID-19 mortality globally. Countries should prioritise the collection and use of sex-disaggregated data so as to design public health interventions and ensure that policies promote a gender-sensitive public health response.
Survey of workflow and cost implications of decommissioning regarding the Falsified Medicines Directive in Hungarian hospital pharmacies
Authors: Vajda Péter , Richter Katalin , Bodrogi Zsolt , Vida Robert G , Botz Lajos , Kovács Sándor , Zemplényi Antal , Bella Richárd , Fittler Andras
Published: November 2021

Objectives, setting and participants

In July 2011, the EU adopted the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) primarily aiming to prevent the infiltration of falsified medicines into the legitimate supply chain. Our aim was to measure the cost elements of FMD implementation and operation using an internationally adaptable tool among Hungarian hospital pharmacies.

Design

A 41-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate the implementation process and associated cost consequences leading up to February 2019, and the stabilisation period.

Results

Our representative data are supported by the high response rate, as 44.8% of the Hungarian hospital pharmacies have completed the survey. Human resource requirements related to decommissioning activities were measured as working hours and were expressed in full time equivalent (FTE). We have found an increased workload with extra 0.25 pharmacist and 0.75 technician FTE/institution at the end of the stabilisation period. The entire infrastructural and IT implementation costs were determined as €2173, on average (SD: €3366) and the median was €1506 (range: €0–€20 723). The total IT investment cost per institution was valued at €1410 (SD: €335). We identified a positive correlation (R=0.663) in consideration of the costs, the number of beds and the number of hospital locations with a multivariate linear regression model. At the time of our survey, 76.7% of the respondents experienced drug shortages, 58.1% reported suspected increase in drug costs regarding serialised medications, and 53.5% noticed an increase in packaging size.

Conclusions

Notably, our research is the first complex study depicting FMD cost implications in the hospital pharmacy sector in Central Europe, indicating decommissioning significantly impacted workflow referencing human resources and IT.
Frequencies and patterns of microbiology test requests from primary care in Oxfordshire, UK, 2008–2018: a retrospective cohort study of electronic health records to inform point-of-care testing
Authors: Ordóñez-Mena JM , Fanshawe Thomas R , Foster Dona , Andersson Monique , Oakley Sarah , Stoesser Nicole , Walker A. Sarah , Hayward Gail
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To inform point-of-care test (POCT) development, we quantified the primary care demand for laboratory microbiology tests by describing their frequencies overall, frequencies of positives, most common organisms identified, temporal trends in testing and patterns of cotesting on the same and subsequent dates.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Primary care practices in Oxfordshire.

Participants

393 905 patients (65% female; 49% aged 18–49).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The frequencies of all microbiology tests requested between 2008 and 2018 were quantified. Patterns of cotesting were investigated with heat maps. All analyses were done overall, by sex and age categories.

Results

1 596 752 microbiology tests were requested. Urine culture±microscopy was the most common of all tests (n=673 612, 42%), was mainly requested without other tests and was the most common test requested in follow-up within 7 and 14 days. Of all urine cultures, 180 047 (27%) were positive and 172 651 (26%) showed mixed growth, andEscherichia coliwas the most prevalent organism (132 277, 73% of positive urine cultures). Antenatal urine cultures and blood tests in pregnancy (hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis) formed a common test combination, consistent with their use in antenatal screening.

Conclusions

The greatest burden of microbiology testing in primary care is attributable to urine culture ± microscopy; genital and routine antenatal urine and blood testing are also significant contributors. Further research should focus on the feasibility and impact of POCTs for these specimen types.