bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Analysis of Lark‐Loop, Lasso‐Loop and Krackow Suture Technique in Tenodesis
Authors: Zhou Min , Zhou Chuanhai , Cui Dedong , Long Yi , Yan Yan , Zheng Zhenze , Meng Ke , Zhang Jinming , Hou Jingyi , Yang Rui
Published: March 2023

Objective

Strong tendon grasping is vital to the success of a tenodesis operation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial tendon‐fixation strength of the Lark‐Loop technique in arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis and compare it with others commonly used techniques.

Methods

Thirty‐three porcine superficial flexor digitorum tendons were harvested from a local slaughterhouse and randomly divided into three groups to perform three tendon fixation techniques (Lasso‐Loop stich group, Lark‐Loop stich group or Krackow stich group; 11 tendons each group) with a No. 2 suture, respectively. Each tendon was pre‐tensioned in 5°N for 2 min and then cyclically loaded 5 to 30°N for 500 cycles to assess displacement. After cyclic loading, the tendon was loaded to ultimate tendon‐suture configuration failure at the rate of 1 mm/s. Finally, the mode of failure and the construct stiffness of the tendon were recorded and calculated.

Results

After cyclical loading, the displacement of the Lark‐Loop group was equivalent to the Krakow group (P > 0.9999) but significantly smaller than the Lasso‐Loop group (P = 0.0009). The ultimate load to failure for the Lark‐Loop was equivalent to the Krakow technique group (P = 0.1463) but significantly greater than the Lasso‐Loop group (P < 0.0001). The stiffness for the Lark‐Loop was equivalent to the Krakow group (P = 0.4718) but significantly greater than the Lasso‐Loop technique group (P < 0.0001). In the Lark‐Loop and Krackow group, all the tendons failed by suture breakage, while all the tendons failed by suture cutting through the tendon in the Lasso‐Loop technique group.

Conclusion

Lark‐Loop suture technique has biomechanical properties comparable to Krackow and superior to the Lasso‐Loop in terms of suture displacement, ultimate load to failure, and stiffness. Therefore, the Lark‐Loop suture fixation technique may be beneficial for arthroscopic biceps tenodesis.
Iatrogenic cardiomyopathy in patients with manifest right supero‐paraseptal accessory pathways
Authors: Abdelrahim Elsheikh , Birchak John , Khan Arfaat , Maskoun Waddah
Published: March 2023

Introduction

We describe two patients with right supero‐paraseptal accessory pathway (SPAP) who developed left ventricular dysfunction associated with an increased degree of ventricular pre‐excitation and frequent orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT) due to worsening atrioventricular (AV) node conduction.

Methods and Results

Case 1: 48‐year‐old female with a history of normally functioning mechanical mitral valve, CABG, and ventricular pre‐excitation that worsened after her open heart surgery. She presented with frequent palpitations with documented supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and found to have a new left ventricular dysfunction with decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from 55% to 46% with dyssynchrony. An electrophysiological study confirmed a right SPAP and ORT. The pathway was successfully ablated from the antegrade approach after careful mapping. After ablation and 6‐month follow up echocardiogram showed improvement of EF to 54% and the LV dyssynchrony resolved. Case 2: 51‐year‐old male with a history of frequent SVT with recent unsuccessful ablations that resulted in worsening ventricular pre‐excitation, more frequent SVT, and new left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF from 60% to 40%). He was started on amiodarone which resulted in significant sinus bradycardia, intermittent ventricular pre‐excitation, and first degree AV block with significant increase in ORT events. His electrophysiology study confirmed SPAP which was successfully ablated from the antegrade approach after careful mapping. After 1 month, follow‐up echocardiogram showed an improved ejection fraction to 60%.

Conclusion

Left ventricular dysfunction due to dyssynchrony and symptomatic frequent ORT of right SPAP can develop in the setting of new iatrogenic diminished AV node conduction. Successful ablation will result in LV function recovery to baseline.
Cognitive functioning in children with atopic dermatitis: Pilot observations
Authors: Yu Kevin , Seegan Paige , Lattanzio Katherine , Chang Hannah , Wan Joy
Published: March 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that can adversely affect quality of life and carry significant burdens on physical, emotional, and social health. Recent evidence suggests that AD may also impair cognition, including attention and memory. In a pilot study of six children with AD, we administered a comprehensive battery of assessments to evaluate cognition and behavior and found that this approach was feasible and practical, which will enable the conduct of future larger‐scale studies to characterize the impact of AD on cognitive function.
Compensation and performance: A review and recommendations for the future
Authors: Fulmer Ingrid Smithey , Gerhart Barry , Kim Ji Hyun
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we undertake two primary tasks. First, we describe trends in pay → performance research since 1990. Examining 30+ years allows us to capture the evolution of thinking and methodology over time. For this purpose, we focus on scholarly work appearing inPersonnel Psychology (PP), as well as in theJournal of Applied Psychology(JAP) andAcademy of Management Journal(AMJ). As our second task, we go beyond analysis of broad trends, to take a deeper and more substantive dive into the specific topic of pay for performance (PFP) and related areas (pay dispersion, pay communication/transparency), while at the same time drawing on the broader literature on PFP that goes beyond the three journals listed above. We also discuss pay equity, endogeneity, and international issues. Finally, we suggest practical implications, as well as future research directions.
Couple disagreement: Inevitable and healthy? Belgian and Japanese conceptions
Authors: Schouten Anna , Boiger Michael , Uchida Atsuhiko , Ribbers Nathalie , Uchida Yukiko , Mesquita Batja
Published: March 2023

“Couples who argue together, stay together” is a popular English saying suggesting the necessity of disagreement for a healthy and stable romantic relationship. The present study explores whether Belgian and Japanese participants similarly view couple disagreement as a necessity, and whether conceptions of disagreement have implications for partners' ideas of how to deal with disagreement. We conducted four focus groups in each culture and analyzed them using thematic analysis. The findings suggested that Belgian participants thought that partners' needs unavoidably clash. They thus saw disagreement as inevitable. In contrast, Japanese participants thought of disagreement as avoidable. To avoid disagreement, they reported that they adjusted to and accepted the differences of their partner. Consistent with these respective conceptions of disagreement, Belgian participants highlighted the importance of addressing disagreement through open communication, while Japanese participants reported to frequently engage in indirect forms of communication such as mindreading. The differences in Belgian and Japanese conceptions of disagreement reflect different cultural notions of a healthy relationship, with Belgian partners valuing independence and Japanese emphasizing interdependence in the relationship. We discuss the implications of existing research on couple disagreement, which often starts from assumptions closer to the English saying and the Belgian conceptions of disagreement.
Assessment of the adverse effects of sirolimus versus everolimus in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Newland David M. , Rosete Beatrice E. , Law Yuk M. , Kemna Mariska S. , Albers Erin L. , Hong Borah J. , Ahmed Humera , Spencer Kathryn L. , Friedland‐Little Joshua M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Literature is limited comparing adverse effects (AEs) of the proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs) sirolimus (SRL) and everolimus (EVL) in pediatric heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Methods

Single‐center, observational cohort analysis assessing first use of SRL or EVL in pediatric HTx recipients <21 years of age with up to 2 years follow‐up between 2009 and 2020.

Results

Eighty‐seven patients were included, with 52 (59.8%) receiving EVL and 35 (40.2%) receiving SRL. Tacrolimus with PSI was the most common regimen. Intergroup comparison revealed lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and greater increase in eGFR from baseline to 6 months and latest follow‐up in SRL cohort compared to EVL cohort. There was greater increase in HDL cholesterol in SRL cohort compared to EVL cohort. Intragroup analysis revealed eGFR and HDL cholesterol increased significantly within SRL cohort, triglycerides and glycosylated hemoglobin increased in EVL cohort, and LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol increased in both cohorts (all p < .05). There were no differences in hematological indices or rates of aphthous ulcers, effusions, or infections between cohorts. Incidence of proteinuria was not significantly different among those screened within cohorts. Of those included in our analysis, one patient in SRL cohort (2.9%) and two in EVL cohort (3.8%) had PSI withdrawn due to AE.

Conclusion

Low‐dose PSIs in calcineurin inhibitor minimization regimens appear well‐tolerated with low withdrawal rate secondary to AE in pediatric HTx recipients. While incidence of most AE was similar between PSI, our results suggest EVL may be associated with less favorable metabolic impact than SRL in this population.
Meaning change
Authors: Reiland Indrek
Published: March 2023

The linguistic meaning of a word in a language is what fully competent speakers of the language have a grasp of merely in virtue of their semantic competence. The meanings of words sometimes change over time. ‘Meat’ used to mean ‘solid food’, but now means ‘animal flesh eaten as food’. This type of meaning change comes with change of topic, what we are talking about. Many people interested in conceptual engineering have claimed that there is also meaning change where topic is retained. For example, they claim that the meanings of ‘fish’ and ‘pasta’ have undergone such change, and that the meaning of ‘marriage’ would change this way after gay marriages become legal and widely accepted. In this paper, I relate two sets of relatively independent literatures: mainstream philosophy of language and conceptual engineering to argue that on a plausible and widely accepted Minimalist view of meaning that is part and parcel of anti‐descriptivism, none of the above sorts of cases involve meaning change with topic retention. I do this by showing how to distinguish minimalism about meaning from the related theses of externalism and anti‐individualism about intension and how to separate meaning from intension in a way that allows meaning and topic to remain the same despite changes in intension. The larger lesson is that much like we should not disregard the boundary between the narrowly meaning‐related (‘semantics’) and the more broadly communication‐related (‘pragmatics’), and we should not disregard the boundary between the former and the more broadly thought‐related, conceptual or cognitive (‘cognition’).
Social construction and indeterminacy
Authors: Richardson Kevin
Published: March 2023

An increasing number of philosophers argue that indeterminacy is metaphysical (or worldly) in the sense that indeterminacy has its source in the world itself (rather than how the world is represented or known). The standard arguments for metaphysical indeterminacy are centered around the sorites paradox. In this essay, I present a novel argument for metaphysical indeterminacy. I argue that metaphysical indeterminacy follows from the existence of constitutive social construction; there is indeterminacy in the social world because there is indeterminacy in how the social world is constructed.
Neural correlates of conflict adaptation predict daily stress reactivity
Authors: Lin Li , Schwabe Lars , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhan Lei , Zhang Liang
Published: March 2023

Chronic exposure to daily stress can be harmful to mental health especially when individuals lack adaptive adjustment mechanisms. The present study aimed to investigate how the adaptive capacities in cognition and emotion as well as their neural signatures could moderate the stress reactivity in daily life. Seventy‐five healthy participants aged 18–24 years participated in this study. We recorded brain activity using electroencephalography while participants were performing a conflict task and an emotion regulation task in the laboratory. Using the experience sampling method, participants were subsequently instructed to report their daily stress and daily affect on 14 consecutive days. Our results revealed that a larger adaptation effect in reaction times of the conflict task predicted a stronger negative affect in response to the stress of the same day. The adaptation effect in the N2 and P3 components elicited by the conflict task predicted a weaker influence of today's stress level on the next day's stress level, pointing to a better stress adaptation. However, emotion regulation capacities did not predict daily stress reactivity. Our data indicate that conflict adaption predicts two aspects of stress reactivity in daily life: how stress influences the negative affect that day, and how stress that day is related to stress the next day. These findings point to new avenues for early screening of stress‐vulnerable populations, with implications for the prevention and intervention of stress‐related mental disorders.
Information accessibility and export quality: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Guangzhong , Ding Hui , Jia Fansheng
Published: March 2023

Exploiting Google's 2010 withdrawal from mainland China, we examine the causal impact of information accessibility on export quality, and find that export quality decreases after Google's exit. The effect is more pronounced for firms and products facing greater information frictions, for firms in regions with local web filters, for firms trading with countries with more online information, and for firms facing fiercer product market competition. The more intensively affected firms also become less productive and their capital intensity declines after Google's exit. Overall, these results suggest that limited information accessibility may impair a country's international competitiveness through deteriorating export quality.
Mental health of Scandinavians during the first lockdown in the COVID‐19 pandemic: Psychosocial resources and coping strategies as protective or risk factors for anxiety and depression
Authors: Pedersen Heidi F. , Stripp Tobias K. , Hvidt Niels C. , Isene Tor‐Arne , la Cour Peter , Stålsett Gry , Danbolt Lars J.
Published: March 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic was a global health and economic crisis. In the early phase of the pandemic, studies found that populations were reporting lower levels of mental well‐being and high levels of distress and worry. This study investigated potential protective and risk factors such as sociodemographics and psychological factors such as adaptation/coping.

Methods

Two convenience samples from Norway and Denmark were recruited during the early phase of the first lockdown in May 2020 using snowball sampling primarily by social media. Measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire‐4 (PHQ‐4) for screening anxiety and depression, COVID‐19 distress, and coping strategies applied during the lockdown. Descriptive analyses were applied as well as bivariate correlations for associations between coping and mental health measures.

Results

Levels of anxiety and depression were not alarmingly high, but being young, single, and female constituted a higher risk for poorer mental health. Applying positive reframing strategies was negatively associated with poor mental health and high COVID‐19 stress, whereas distraction coping strategies were positively correlated with poor mental health and high COVID‐19 stress.

Conclusion

Applying positive reframing as a coping strategy may constitute a protective factor for mental health in the early phase of a crisis such as a pandemic. This knowledge may inform public health agencies on how to promote mental health in similar situations in the future. However, longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to investigate the long‐term effects of the different coping strategies applied.
Theorizing theory: Invitation to a broader conversation about ‘theory’ in sociology
Authors: Rasmussen Erik Børve , Johannessen Lars Emil Fagernes
Published: March 2023

‘Theory’ is a seminal term in sociology. Sociologists tend to ask that articles, chapters and monographs are ‘theoretical’, ‘develop theory’ or ‘make a theoretical contribution’. Yet, as demonstrated in Gabriel Abend’s 2008 article ‘The Meaning of ‘Theory’, it is generally unclear what sociologists mean when they talk about theory. Abend distinguishes seven different meanings sociologists tend to impute to ‘theory’ and argues that no single definition can usefully capture these substantively different meanings. Counter to Abend, we propose and defend a minimal and versatile theory of theory, which does capture the important common denominators in sociologists' various uses of the term theory. The major strengths of our proposal are that it enables informed and synthetic discussion and fosters reflexivity about differences and similarities between different types of theory. Our minimal theory of theory thus serves as an invitation to a broader conversation about theory in sociology.
Socioeconomic hardship, uncertainty about the future, and adolescent mental wellbeing over a year during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Green Kayla H. , Becht Andrik I. , van de Groep Suzanne , van der Cruijsen Renske , Sweijen Sophie W. , Crone Eveline A.
Published: March 2023

Socioeconomic vulnerabilities put adolescents at risk for mental wellbeing issues, also in times of a pandemic. In the present longitudinal online survey study, we explored changes in mental wellbeing (i.e., mood and life satisfaction) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Second, we examined how socioeconomic hardship in online home schooling predicted adolescents’ mental wellbeing 1 year later. Third, we tested whether this relation was mediated by feelings of uncertainty about the future. Fourth, we tested whether this relation was moderated (in terms of a protective factor) by self‐efficacy. In total, 177 Dutch‐speaking adolescents aged 10–18 years (Mage = 15.64, SDage = 1.72, 79% females) participated in all three 6‐month separated waves (T1 = May 2020, T2 = November 2020, and T3 = May 2021). Mood results demonstrated that feelings of vigor decreased between T1 and T2, and feelings of tension and depression increased between T1, T2, and T3. Socioeconomic hardship in online home schooling in the early phase of the pandemic was negatively associated with both baseline mental wellbeing and 1 year later. Socioeconomic hardship at T1 predicted higher feelings of future uncertainty at T2, and higher levels of future uncertainty were associated with lower feelings of vigor, and higher feelings of tension and depression at T3. However, we found no evidence for mediation or moderation effects. In conclusion, the present findings illustrate the complexity of disentangling the adverse effects of socioeconomic hardship on adolescent mental wellbeing.
Trust of demobilized combatants: Overcoming fear or becoming familiar?
Authors: Meernik James , Esparza Diego , Duncan Gustavo , Toro Clarita , Gaviria Juan Camilo
Published: March 2023

Background

One critical challenge facing postconflict societies concerns the reintegration of former combatants as productive members of society. Public trust in the legitimacy of a peace agreement is a critical component of rebuilding the economic and social foundations of a war‐torn nation.

Objectives

We argue that the levels of trust of former combatants and confidence in their effective demobilization depend on two critical features of the postconflict environment: fears of insecurity and community engagement.

Method

We focus our analysis on Colombia and utilize data from the Latin American Public Opinion Project to create a multivariate time‐series analysis of public trust in two groups—leftist rebels and rightist paramilitaries.

Results

We find that both the fear of former combatants and the level of engagement individuals have in their communities help predict respondent attitudes about trust in former combatants and reintegration.

Conclusion

Fear and familiarity are key determinants in reintegration of former combatants.
Immunomodulators for severe coronavirus disease‐2019 in transplant patients: Do they increase the risk of secondary infection?
Authors: Mendoza Maria A. , Ranganath Nischal , Chesdachai Supavit , Yetmar Zachary A. , Razonable Raymund , Abu Saleh Omar
Published: March 2023

Background

Current guidelines recommend immunomodulators, tocilizumab or baricitinib, for the management of severe coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) in patients with increasing oxygen requirements. Given their immunosuppressive effects, there is a concern for higher rates of infection among transplant recipients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of transplant patients with severe COVID‐19 between April 2020 and January 2022 was performed at the Mayo Clinic. The primary outcome was incidence of secondary infections after COVID‐19 diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were 90‐day mortality, ventilatory days, and thromboembolic events.

Results

A total of 191 hospitalized transplant patients were studied, including 77 (40.3%) patients who received an immunomodulator. Overall, 89% were solid organ transplant recipients, with kidney as the most common transplanted organ (50.3%). The majority (89.0%) required oxygen supplementation on admission, and 39.8% of these patients required mechanical ventilation during the hospital course. There was no significant difference in the incidence of secondary infections between those who received or did not receive an immunomodulator (p = .984). Likewise, there was no difference in 90‐day mortality between patients who received or did not receive an immunomodulator (p = .134). However, higher mortality was observed among patients that developed a secondary infection (p < .001).

Conclusion

The use of immunomodulators in transplant patients with severe COVID‐19 was not significantly associated with an increased risk of secondary infections. Secondary infections were associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality. Future studies of larger cohorts are needed to explore the effect of immunomodulators on survival among transplant patients with COVID‐19.

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A CsEIL3‐CsARN6.1 module promotes waterlogging‐triggered adventitious root formation in cucumber by activating the expression of CsPrx5
Authors: Xu Xuewen , Liu Mengyao , Hu Qiming , Yan Wenjing , Pan Jiawei , Yan Yongming , Chen Xuehao
Published: March 2023

The formation of adventitious roots (ARs) derived from hypocotyl is the most important morphological adaptation to waterlogging stress in Cucumis sativus (cucumber). Our previous study showed that cucumbers with the gene CsARN6.1, encoding an AAA ATPase domain‐containing protein, were more tolerant to waterlogging through increased AR formation. However, the apparent function of CsARN6.1 remained unknown. Here, we showed that the CsARN6.1 signal was predominantly observed throughout the cambium of hypocotyls, where de novo AR primordia are formed upon waterlogging treatment. The silencing of CsARN6.1 expression by virus‐induced gene silencing and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies adversely affects the formation of ARs under conditions of waterlogging. Waterlogging treatment significantly induced ethylene production, thus upregulating CsEIL3 expression, which encodes a putative transcription factor involved in ethylene signaling. Furthermore, yeast one‐hybrid, electrophoretic mobility assay and transient expression analyses showed that CsEIL3 binds directly to the CsARN6.1 promoter to initiate its expression. CsARN6.1 was found to interact with CsPrx5, a waterlogging‐responsive class‐III peroxidase that enhanced H2O2 production and increased AR formation. These data provide insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of AAA ATPase domain‐containing protein and uncover a molecular mechanism that links ethylene signaling with the formation of ARs triggered by waterlogging.
A novel FUT1*c.889C>T allele associated with the para‐Bombay AB phenotype and computational evaluation of the mutation effect
Authors: Luo Hong , Shao Yuan , Wen Jizhi , Chen Zhixiao , Ji Yanli , Wang Jiali , Wang Zhen , Luo Guangping
Published: March 2023

Background

Mutation in the FUT1 gene can impact the structure and function of α‐(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase 1 (α2FucT1). To explain the para‐Bombay phenotype of a novel FUT1 allele, three‐dimensional (3D) modeling and mutation effect analysis of α2FucT1 were performed by bioinformatic tools.

Materials and Methods

Blood and saliva samples were collected from a patient who was suspected to be a para‐Bombay phenotype. H, A, and B antigens were determined with routine serologic methods for those samples. FUT1 and FUT2 coding regions were determined by Sanger sequencing. The novel heterozygous mutation was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. 3D model of mutant α2FucT1 was built by Phyre 2 and the mutation effect was evaluated by Chimera, PROVEAN, and Polyphen‐2.

Results

Weak H, A, and B antigens were detected on RBCs of the proband and normal quantities of H, A, and B antigens were observed in his saliva. Cloning sequencing showed that the proband carried a novel FUT1 allele (c.889C>T, p.Leu297Phe) and a null FUT1*01N.06 allele. 3D model showed that the p.Leu297Phe variant in α2FucT1 reduced the number of hydrogen bonds and the mutation effect was predicted to be deleterious and possibly damaging, which suggested that the conformation and activity of the enzyme might be significantly damaged.

Conclusion

A novel missense mutation led to an amino acid variant p.Leu297Phe in α2FucT1, which was a potential cause of the inactivation of the enzyme. Computational evaluation was a convenient and useful approach for the mutation effect analysis of the enzyme.
Mycobacterium bovis in Egyptian mongoose, Spain
Authors: Ferreras‐Colino Elisa , Descalzo Esther , Romero Beatriz , Gortázar Christian , Ferreras Pablo
Published: March 2023

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis and other related mycobacteria has been reported in a wide range of mammals worldwide. In the case of the Herpestidae family, Mycobacterium mungi and M. bovis, both belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, have been reported in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in Africa and in Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) in Portugal, respectively. Thus, we hypothesized that Tuberculosis may occur in Egyptian mongooses from Spain. Twenty‐five found dead Egyptian mongooses were necropsied in order to detect macroscopic TB‐compatible lesions and mandibular lymph nodes and lungs were cultured onto mycobacteria‐specific growth media. We isolated M. bovis in 3/25 Egyptian mongooses (12.00%, IC95: 4.17–29.96%) and identified spoligotypes SB0121 (2/3) and SB0134 (1). No macroscopic TB‐compatible lesions were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. bovis in Egyptian mongoose in Spain, as well as the only study that includes spolygotyping in this species. Although the absence of visible lesions suggests a minor role of the Egyptian mongoose in Tuberculosis epidemiology, further research thereon is encouraged.
Taenia solium: Socioeconomic changes and prevalence evolution in four endemic communities in northwestern Mexico
Authors: Hernández‐Ramírez Carlos‐Víctor , Sánchez‐García Dulce‐Carolina , Carpio‐Pedroza Juan‐Carlos , Alcántara‐Anguiano Isabel , Meza‐Lucas Antonio , Tapia‐Romero Raquel , de‐la‐Rosa‐Arana Jorge‐Luis
Published: March 2023

In Mexico, for the past 30 years, a continuous decrease in the incidence of clinical taeniosis/cysticercosis has been documented. This work aimed to determine the influence of improvement in socioeconomic conditions on the prevalence of Taenia solium in four endemic communities in northwestern Mexico. This study was carried out in two phases. First, documentary information (1989–2018) was collected about the prevalence of Theridion solium in the federal entity of Sinaloa State. Second, a pilot study was performed in four communities of Sinaloa, which had an endemic history of Taenia transmission. In each community, a risk factor questionnaire was applied, and serum and stool samples were collected for convenience in a non‐probabilistic way. Anti‐cysticercus antibodies and adult worm coproantigen were determined. The documentary analysis showed the incidence of taeniosis and cysticercosis to have decreased by 98 and 53%, respectively, while the human development index increased by 5% (1992–2017). Our data suggest that the risk of parasitic transmission is low, although female sex was a risk factor for reporting tremors or seizures (prevalence rate 2.1336, CI: 1.1821–3.8508) and background of tapeworm infection (prevalence rate 1.2893, CI: 0.9795–1.6972). No tapeworms or eggs were found while examining stool samples, but protozoa cysts were observed in four samples. Unexpectedly, only one of the 79 stool samples was positive for coproantigens. This positive result was confirmed in a second sample. However, the evaluation of a third sample was negative. No antibodies were found in human (n = 377) or pig (n = 69) samples. These data suggest parasite transmission has been interrupted and could be possibly associated with improving socioeconomic conditions. Further studies are needed to determine the real prevalence of zoonoses in Mexico.
Peripheral nerve‐derived fibroblasts promote neurite outgrowth in adult dorsal root ganglion neurons more effectively than skin‐derived fibroblasts
Authors: Hara Masato , Kadoya Ken , Endo Takeshi , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: March 2023

Although fibroblasts (Fb) are components of a peripheral nerve involved in the regenerative process associated with peripheral nerve injury, detailed information regarding their characteristics is largely lacking. The objective of the present study was to investigate the capacity of Fb derived from peripheral nerves to stimulate the outgrowth of neurites from adult dorsal root ganglion neurons and to clarify their molecular characteristics. Fibroblasts were prepared from the epineurium and parenchyma of rat sciatic nerves and skin. The Fb derived from epineurium showed the greatest effect on neurite outgrowth, followed by the Fb derived from parenchyma, indicating that Fb derived from nerves promote neurite outgrowth more effectively than skin‐derived Fb. Although both soluble and cell‐surface factors contributed evenly to the neurite‐promoting effect of nerve‐derived Fb, in crush and transection injury models, Fb were not closely associated with regenerating axons, indicating that only soluble factors from Fb are available to regenerating axons. A transcriptome analysis revealed that the molecular profiles of these Fb were distinctly different and that the gene expression profiles of soluble factors that promote axonal growth are unique to each Fb. These findings indicate that Fb are molecularly and functionally different depending on their localization in nerve tissue and that Fb derived from epineurium might be involved more than was previously thought in axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.
Antagonism of TRPV4 channels partially reduces mechanotransduction in rat skeletal muscle afferents
Authors: Fukazawa Ayumi , Hori Amane , Hotta Norio , Katanosaka Kimiaki , Estrada Juan A. , Ishizawa Rie , Kim Han‐Kyul , Iwamoto Gary A. , Smith Scott A. , Vongpatanasin Wanpen , Mizuno Masaki
Published: March 2023

Mechanical distortion of working skeletal muscle induces sympathoexcitation via thin fibre afferents, a reflex response known as the skeletal muscle mechanoreflex. However, to date, the receptor ion channels responsible for mechanotransduction in skeletal muscle remain largely undetermined. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is known to sense mechanical stimuli such as shear stress or osmotic pressure in various organs. It is hypothesized that TRPV4 in thin‐fibre primary afferents innervating skeletal muscle is involved in mechanotransduction. Fluorescence immunostaining revealed that 20.1 ± 10.1% of TRPV4 positive neurons were small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons that were DiI‐labelled, and among them 9.5 ± 6.1% of TRPV4 co‐localized with the C‐fibre marker peripherin. In vitro whole‐cell patch clamp recordings from cultured rat DRG neurons demonstrated that mechanically activated current amplitude was significantly attenuated after the application of the TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 compared to control (P = 0.004). Such reductions were also observed in single‐fibre recordings from a muscle–nerve ex vivo preparation where HC067047 significantly decreased afferent discharge to mechanical stimulation (P = 0.007). Likewise, in an in vivo decerebrate rat preparation, the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to passive stretch of hindlimb muscle were significantly reduced by intra‐arterial injection of HC067047 (ΔRSNA: P = 0.019, ΔMAP: P = 0.002). The findings suggest that TRPV4 plays an important role in mechanotransduction contributing to the cardiovascular responses evoked by the skeletal muscle mechanoreflex during exercise.

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Key points

Although a mechanical stimulus to skeletal muscle reflexively activates the sympathetic nervous system, the receptors responsible for mechanotransduction in skeletal muscle thin fibre afferents have not been fully identified.

Evidence suggests that TRPV4 is a mechanosensitive channel that plays an important role in mechanotransduction within various organs.

Immunocytochemical staining demonstrates that TRPV4 is expressed in group IV skeletal muscle afferents. In addition, we show that the TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 decreases the responsiveness of thin fibre afferents to mechanical stimulation at the muscle tissue level as well as at the level of dorsal root ganglion neurons. Moreover, we demonstrate that intra‐arterial HC067047 injection attenuates the sympathetic and pressor responses to passive muscle stretch in decerebrate rats.

These data suggest that antagonism of TRPV4 attenuates mechanotransduction in skeletal muscle afferents.

The present study demonstrates a probable physiological role for TRPV4 in the regulation of mechanical sensation in somatosensory thin fibre muscle afferents.
A Method based on Evolutionary Algorithms and Channel Attention Mechanism to Enhance Cycle Generative Adversarial Network Performance for Image Translation
Authors: Xue Yu , Zhang Yixia , Neri Ferrante
Published: March 2023

A Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) can learn the relationship between two image domains and achieve unpaired image-to-image translation. One of the breakthroughs was Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Networks (CycleGAN), which is a popular method to transfer the content representations from the source domain to the target domain. Existing studies have gradually improved the performance of CycleGAN models by modifying the network structure or loss function of CycleGAN. However, these methods tend to suffer from training instability and the generators lack the ability to acquire the most discriminating features between the source and target domains, thus making the generated images of low fidelity and few texture details. To overcome these issues, this paper proposes a new method that combines Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) and Attention Mechanisms to train GANs. Specifically, from an initial CycleGAN, binary vectors indicating the activation of the weights of the generators are progressively improved upon by means of an EA. At the end of this process, the best-performing configurations of generators can be retained for image generation. In addition, to address the issues of low fidelity and lack of texture details on generated images, we make use of the channel attention mechanism. The latter component allows the candidate generators to learn important features of real images and thus generate images with higher quality. The experiments demonstrate qualitatively and quantitatively that the proposed method, namely, Attention evolutionary GAN (AevoGAN) alleviates the training instability problems of CycleGAN training. In the test results, the proposed method can generate higher quality images and obtain better results than the CycleGAN training methods present in the literature, in terms of Inception Score (IS), Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) and Kernel Inception Distance (KID).
Interpolated family of non-group-like simple integral fusion rings of Lie type
Authors: Liu Zhengwei , Palcoux Sebastien , Ren Yunxiang
Published: March 2023

This paper is motivated by the quest of a non-group irreducible finite index depth 2 maximal subfactor. We compute the generic fusion rules of the Grothendieck ring of Rep(PSL(2,[Formula: see text])), [Formula: see text] prime-power, by applying a Verlinde-like formula on the generic character table. We then prove that this family of fusion rings [Formula: see text] interpolates to all integers [Formula: see text], providing (when [Formula: see text] is not prime-power) the first example of infinite family of non-group-like simple integral fusion rings. Furthermore, they pass all the known criteria of (unitary) categorification. This provides infinitely many serious candidates for solving the famous open problem of whether there exists an integral fusion category which is not weakly group-theoretical. We prove that a complex categorification (if any) of an interpolated fusion ring [Formula: see text] (with [Formula: see text] non-prime-power) cannot be braided, and so its Drinfeld center must be simple. In general, this paper proves that a non-pointed simple fusion category is non-braided if and only if its Drinfeld center is simple; and also that every simple integral fusion category is weakly group-theoretical if and only if every simple integral modular fusion category is pointed.
Graphical User Interface for Design, Analysis, Validation, and Reporting of Continuous-Time Systems Using Wolfram Language
Authors: Lutovac-Banduka Maja , Milosevic Danijela , Cen Yigang , Kar Asutosh , Mladenovic Vladimir
Published: March 2023

A graphical user interface presented is intended for fast design, symbolic analysis, accurate simulation, exact verification, and test report preparation. It helps to skip the gap between theory and practice in electrical engineering because the numeric analysis is usually approximate, and the power of symbolic systems has insufficient speed even, for simple engineering problems. The software is written using a computer algebra system that is free on small computers. The mathematical representation of the system can be obtained automatically from the schematic description. Further automated symbolic manipulations are possible according to the user’s aspirations.
XL-BPMN Model-Based Service Similarity Measurement Technique
Authors: Song Cheeyang , Cho Eunsook
Published: March 2023

In service-oriented developments, existing studies do not give lots of efforts on a formalized and systematic method for measuring similarities between services for their reuse in business models. This deteriorates the reusability of the constructed service due to the developers’ intuition and informal service analyses. In this paper, we propose a technique for measuring similarity of services by analyzing syntax and semantics between services in the eXtended Layered business process modeling notation (XL-BPMN) model. First of all, the profiles of the formalized attributes for specifying services are defined, and the criteria for determining service similarities are established. To measure similarity between services, a technique both a syntactic similarity analysis facilitated by the XL-BPMN model-based edge counting method and a semantic similarity analysis based on meta data registry (MDR)-applied service attributes is specified. To automate analysis, a tool that can support the semantic similarity analysis technique is implemented. An online shopping mall system is investigated and evaluated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique. The similarity measurement technique, which is further formalized at upper business levels, can improve the accuracy of service analyses and enhance service reusability by distinguishing services with high similarity levels as common services.
A Formal Approach for Consistency Management in UML Models
Authors: Wen Hao , Wu Jinzhao , Jiang Jianmin , Tang Guofu , Hong Zhong
Published: March 2023

Consistency is a significant indicator to measure the correctness of a software system in its lifecycle. It is inevitable to introduce inconsistencies between different software artifacts in the software development process. In practice, developers perform consistency checking to detect inconsistencies, and apply their corresponding repairs to restore consistencies. Even if all inconsistencies can be repaired, how to preserve consistencies in the subsequent evolution should be considered. Consistency management (consistency checking and consistency preservation) is a challenging task, especially in the multi-view model-driven software development process. Although there are some efforts to discuss consistency management, most of them lack the support of formal methods. Our work aims to provide a framework for formal consistency management, which may be used in the practical software development process. A formal model, called a Structure model, is first presented for specifying the overall model-based structure of the software system. Next, the definition of consistency is given based on consistency rules. We then investigate consistency preservation under the following two situations. One is that if the initial system is inconsistent, then the consistency can be restored through repairs. The other is that if the initial system is consistent, then the consistency can be maintained through update propagation. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we finally present a case study with a prototype tool.
On retracts determinating commutative trusses
Authors: Andruszkiewicz R. R. , Pryszczepko K.
Published: March 2023

This paper is devoted to study some relationships of trusses with rings. We characterize abelian groups A such that every truss with retract A has exactly two non-commutative multiplications. We describe commutative rings with nontrivial multiplication having non-commutative extension by the ring of integers.
Dual natural-norm a posteriori error estimators for reduced basis approximations to parametrized linear equations
Authors: Edel P. , Maday Y.
Published: March 2023

In this work, the concept of dual natural-norm for parametrized linear equations is used to derive residual-based a posteriori error bounds characterized by a [Formula: see text] stability constant. We translate these error bounds into very effective practical a posteriori error estimators for reduced basis approximations and show how they can be efficiently computed following an offline/ online strategy. We prove that our practical dual natural-norm error estimator outperforms the classical inf–sup based error estimators in the self-adjoint case. Our findings are illustrated on anisotropic Helmholtz equations showing resonant behavior. Numerical results suggest that the proposed error estimator is able to successfully catch the correct order of magnitude of the reduced basis approximation error, thus outperforming the classical inf–sup based error estimator even for non-self-adjoint problems.
Analysis of divergence free conforming virtual elements for the Brinkman problem
Authors: Huang Xuehai , Wang Feng
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we develop stability analysis, including inverse inequality, [Formula: see text] norm equivalence and interpolation error estimates, for divergence free conforming virtual elements in arbitrary dimension. A local energy projector based on the local Stokes problem is suggested, which commutes with the divergence operator. After defining a discrete bilinear form and a stabilization involving only the boundary degrees of freedom (DoF) and parts of the interior DoF, a new divergence free conforming virtual element method is advanced for the Brinkman problem, which can be reduced to a simpler method due to the divergence free discrete velocity. An optimal convergence rate is derived for the discrete method. Furthermore, we achieve a uniform half convergence rate of the discrete method in consideration of the boundary layer phenomenon. Finally, some numerical results are provided to validate the convergence of the discrete method.
Generalized solution and eventual smoothness in a logarithmic Keller–Segel system for criminal activities
Authors: Li Bin , Xie Li
Published: March 2023

This paper focuses on a simplified variant of the Short et al. model, which is originally introduced by Rodríguez, and consists of a system of two coupled reaction–diffusion-like equations — one of which models the spatio-temporal evolution of the density of criminals and the other of which describes the dynamics of the attractiveness field. Such model is apparently comparable to the logarithmic Keller–Segel model for aggregation with the signal production and the cell proliferation and death. However, it is surprising that in the two-dimensional setting, the model shares some essential ingredients with the classical logarithmic Keller–Segel model with signal absorption rather than that with signal production, due to its special mechanism of proliferation and death for criminals. Precisely, it indicates that for all reasonably regular initial data, the corresponding initial-boundary value problem possesses a global generalized solution which is akin to that established for the classical logarithmic Keller–Segel system with signal absorption; however, it is different from the generalized framework for the counterpart with signal production. Furthermore, it demonstrates that such generalized solution becomes bounded and smooth at least eventually, and the long-time asymptotic behaviors of such solution are discussed as well.
A novel DWDM-based comb source for future optical network
Authors: Baskaran M. , Kishanlal M. Samayaraj Murali
Published: March 2023

In recent times, there has been enormous growth in internet-based applications such as online entertainment platforms, video conferencing and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) applications which might be the trend in future. In order to support such bandwidth-hungry applications, the speed of the network should be enhanced. Increasing the infrastructure of the network requires heavy investment. Another alternative to increase the capacity of the network is to use dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) which also results in increased costs as the lasers and other equipment needed for generation of wavelengths are required. In this work, an alternative cost effective technique is used to create a DWDM scenario using optical flat comb source (OFCS) by combining amplitude modulator (AM) and single drive mach zehnder modulator (SD-MZM). The spectral lines generated using this procedure can be used in Passive Optical Network (PON) as input sources. In this paper, 51 flat spectral lines are generated and transported over a distance of 100 km which are also capable of supporting a data rate of greater than 10 Gbps in a single spectral line.