bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on the relationship between spectral characterization and composition of plasma in laser additive manufacturing of gradient materials
Authors: Chen Bo , Meng Zheng , Yang Kai , Yao Yongzhen , Tan Caiwang , Song Xiaoguo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to predict and control the composition during laser additive manufacturing, since composition control is important for parts manufactured by laser additive manufacturing. Aluminum and steel functionally graded material (FGM) were manufactured by laser metal deposition, and the composition was analyzed by means of spectral analysis simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

The laser metal deposition process was carried out on a 5 mm thick 316L plate. Spectral line intensity ratio and plasma temperature were chosen as two main spectroscopic diagnosis parameters to predict the compositional variation. Single-trace single-layer experiments and single-trace multi-layer experiments were done, respectively, to test the feasibility of the spectral diagnosis method.

Findings

Experiment results showed that with the composition of metal powder changing from steel to aluminum, the spectral intensity ratio of the characteristic spectral line is proportional to the elemental content in the plasma. When the composition of deposition layers changed, the characteristic spectrum line intensity ratio changed obviously. And the linear chemical composition analysis results confirmed the gradient composition variation of the additive manufacturing parts. The results verified the feasibility of composition analysis based on spectral information in the laser additive manufacturing process.

Originality/value

The composition content of aluminum and steel FGM was diagnosed by spectral information during laser metal deposition, and the relationship between spectral intensity and composition was established.
Simple solution to preserve plant samples for microbiome analyses
Authors: Carvalhais Lilia C. , Dennis Paul G. , Poudel Amrit , Birt Henry W. G. , Bhuiyan Shamsul A. , Card Stuart D. , Joyce Priya A.
Published: October 2021

Culture‐independent survey techniques are fundamental tools when assessing plant microbiomes. These methods rely on DNA that is carefully preserved after collecting samples to achieve meaningful results. Immediately freezing samples to −80°C after collection is considered one of the most robust methods for preserving samples before DNA extraction but is often impractical. Preservation solutions can solve this problem, but commercially available products are expensive, and there is limited data comparing their efficacy with other preservation methods. In this study, we compared the impact of three methods of sample preservation on plant microbiome surveys: (1) RNAlater, a proprietary preservative, (2) a home‐made salt‐saturated dimethyl sulphoxide preservation solution (DESS), and (3) freezing at −80°C. DESS‐preserved samples, stored at room temperature for up to four weeks, did not show any significant differences to samples frozen at −80°C, while RNAlater inflated bacterial alpha diversity. Preservation treatments did not distinctively influence fungal alpha diversity. Our results demonstrate that DESS is a versatile and inexpensive preservative of DNA in plant material for diversity analyses of fungi and bacteria.
Capmatinib successfully overcomes tepotinib‐induced intolerable peripheral edema
Authors: Kunimasa Kei , Kawamura Takahisa , Tamiya Motohiro , Inoue Takako , Kuhara Hanako , Nishino Kazumi , Kumagai Toru
Published: October 2021

In May 2020 and February 2021, capmatinib and tepotinib, respectively were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metastatic non‐small cell lung carcinoma harboring mesenchymal‐epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 skipping alterations. Herein, we present a case of intolerable peripheral edema caused by tepotinib, in which MET inhibitor could be continued by switching to capmatinib. Peripheral edema has been identified as one of the most common adverse events in capmatinib and tepotinib; however, there is no unified management for this adverse event. This is the first report that two MET inhibitors have different effects on the development of peripheral edema, and that the MET inhibitors can be continued by switching these drugs.
Media intervention program for reducing unrealistic optimism bias: The link between unrealistic optimism, well‐being, and health
Authors: Dolinski Dariusz , Kulesza Wojciech , Muniak Paweł , Dolinska Barbara , Węgrzyn Rafał , Izydorczak Kamil
Published: October 2021

Unrealistic optimism is the tendency to perceive oneself as safer than others in situations that equally threaten everybody. By reducing fear, this bias boosts one's well‐being; however, it is also a deterrent to one's health. Three experiments were run in a mixed‐design on 1831 participants to eliminate unrealistic optimism (measured by two items—probability of COVID‐19 infection for oneself and for others; within‐subjects) toward the probability of COVID‐19 infection via articles/videos. A between‐subject factor was created by manipulation. Ostensibly, daily newspaper articles describing other people diligently following medical recommendations (experiment 1) and videos showing people who did not follow these recommendations (experiment 2) reduced unrealistic optimism. The third experiment, which included both articles and videos, replicated these results. These results can be applied to strategies for written and video communications that can be used by governments and public health agencies as best practices concerning not only COVID‐19 but also any subsequent public health threat while promoting proactive, optimal, and healthy functioning of the individual.
Improving efficiency of inference in clinical trials with external control data
Authors: Li Xinyu , Miao Wang , Lu Fang , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: October 2021

Suppose we are interested in the effect of a treatment in a clinical trial. The efficiency of inference may be limited due to small sample size. However, external control data are often available from historical studies. Motivated by an application to Helicobacter pylori infection, we show how to borrow strength from such data to improve efficiency of inference in the clinical trial. Under an exchangeability assumption about the potential outcome mean, we show that the semiparametric efficiency bound for estimating the average treatment effect can be reduced by incorporating both the clinical trial data and external controls. We then derive a doubly robust and locally efficient estimator. The improvement in efficiency is prominent especially when the external control data set has a large sample size and small variability. Our method allows for a relaxed overlap assumption, and we illustrate with the case where the clinical trial only contains a treated group. We also develop doubly robust and locally efficient approaches that extrapolate the causal effect in the clinical trial to the external population and the overall population. Our results also offer a meaningful implication for trial design and data collection. We evaluate the finite‐sample performance of the proposed estimators via simulation. In the Helicobacter pylori infection application, our approach shows that the combination treatment has potential efficacy advantages over the triple therapy.
A smoothed corrected score approach for proportional hazards model with misclassified discretized covariates induced by error‐contaminated continuous time‐dependent exposure
Authors: Song Xiao , Chao Edward C. , Wang Ching‐Yun
Published: October 2021

We consider the proportional hazards model in which the covariates include the discretized categories of a continuous time‐dependent exposure variable measured with error. Naively ignoring the measurement error in the analysis may cause biased estimation and erroneous inference. Although various approaches have been proposed to deal with measurement error when the hazard depends linearly on the time‐dependent variable, it has not yet been investigated how to correct when the hazard depends on the discretized categories of the time‐dependent variable. To fill this gap in the literature, we propose a smoothed corrected score approach based on approximation of the discretized categories after smoothing the indicator function. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator are established. The observation times of the time‐dependent variable are allowed to be informative. For comparison, we also extend to this setting two approximate approaches, the regression calibration and the risk‐set regression calibration. The methods are assessed by simulation studies and by application to data from an HIV clinical trial.
Seamless Parametrization of Spheres with Controlled Singularities
Authors: Levi Zohar
Published: October 2021

We present a method for constructing seamless parametrization for genus‐0 surfaces, which can handle any feasible cone configuration, thus allowing users to arbitrarily design and tailor a mapping as desired. The method directly constructs a self‐overlapping metapolygon of the domain boundary of the mapped cut mesh, which relieves the need of using an auxiliary surface. This simplifies the pipeline and allows for a necessary optimization of the boundary polygon before mapping the interior. Moreover, it enables handling larger meshes with more cones than previous methods can handle. Our construction is purely combinatorial, and it guarantees that the mapping is locally injective – a prerequisite to today's advanced optimization methods. This is achieved via careful construction of a simple domain boundary polygon, where existence of such a polygon is proven for all cases. We offer a numerically robust algorithm to automate the construction, which involves a solution of two linear problems. We offer a full pipeline, suggesting elegant solutions to sub‐problems, and demonstrate robustness through extensive experiments.
Incidence of paediatric multiple sclerosis and other acquired demyelinating syndromes: 10‐year follow‐up surveillance study
Authors: Abdel‐Mannan Omar , Absoud Michael , Benetou Christina , Hickson Helga , Hemingway Cheryl , Lim Ming , Wright Sukhvir , Hacohen Yael , Wassmer Evangeline ,   the UK Childhood Neuroinflammatory Disorders Network
Published: October 2021

Aim

To describe a 10‐year follow‐up of children (<16y) with acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) from a UK‐wide prospective surveillance study.

Method

Diagnoses were retrieved from the patients' records via the patients' paediatric or adult neurologist using a questionnaire. Demyelinating phenotypes at follow‐up were classified by an expert review panel.

Results

Twenty‐four out of 125 (19.2%) children (64 males, 61 females; median age 10y, range 1y 4mo–15y 11mo), identified in the original study, were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (incidence of 2.04/million children/year); 23 of 24 fulfilled 2017 McDonald criteria at onset. Aquaporin‐4‐antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders were diagnosed in three (2.4%, 0.26/million children/year), and relapsing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease in five (4%, 0.43/million children/year). Three out of 125 seronegative patients relapsed and 85 of 125 (68%) remained monophasic over 10 years. Five of 125 patients (4%) originally diagnosed with ADS were reclassified during follow‐up: three children diagnosed initially with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis were subsequently diagnosed with acute necrotising encephalopathy (RAN‐binding protein 2 mutation), primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (Munc 13‐4gene inversion), and anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor encephalitis. One child initially diagnosed with optic neuritis was later diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, and one presenting with transverse myelitis was subsequently diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome.

Interpretation

The majority of ADS presentations in children are monophasic, even at 10‐year follow‐up. Given the implications for treatment strategies, multiple sclerosis and central nervous system autoantibody mimics warrant extensive investigation.
Effects of continuous exposure to total dissolved gas supersaturation on swimming ability and recovery in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Cao Chenyang , Fan Zequn , Wang Yuanming , Liu Xiaoqing , Shi Haoran , Yang Yao
Published: October 2021

Total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation caused by flood discharge water is becoming a serious environmental problem that threatens the survival of fish. The swimming ability of fish may be influenced by TDG supersaturation. To investigate the effects of continuous exposure to TDG supersaturation on fish swimming ability, we measured the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and burst swimming speed (Uburst) of grass carp continuously exposed to TDG supersaturation. The Ucrit values of grass carp were 6.34–3.68 body length per second (BL/s) at 100%, 105%, 110%, 115%, 120%, 125%, 130% and 135% TDG, while the Uburst values were 10.2–8.96 BL/s at these TDG levels. The swimming ability (Ucrit and Uburst) of grass carp decreased with increasing TDG levels and was significantly decreased at higher TDG levels (>120%). A swimming ability recovery test was used to investigate the effects of recovery on the swimming ability of grass carp continuously exposed to TDG supersaturation. When grass carp experienced exposures of 115%, 120%, 125%, 130% and 135% TDG, the recovery ratios of Ucrit were 76%–82% and 77%–86% after recovering for 1 and 2 h, respectively, in freshwater (100% TDG). The recovery ratios of Uburst of grass carp were 84%–98% and 95%–97% under the same recovery conditions and TDG levels. The results showed that the recovery ratios of both Ucrit and Uburst increased with the extension of the recovery time. The swimming ability of grass carp provided with a 2‐h recovery time recovered almost completely.
Cerebellar pathology and disability worsening in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis: A retrospective analysis from the CombiRx trial
Authors: Petracca Maria , Cutter Gary , Cocozza Sirio , Freeman Leorah , Kangarlu John , Margoni Monica , Moro Matteo , Krieger Stephen , El Mendili Mohamed Mounir , Droby Amgad , Wolinsky Jerry S. , Lublin Fred , Inglese Matilde
Published: October 2021

Background and purpose

Cerebellar damage is a valuable predictor of disability, particularly in progressive multiple sclerosis. It is not clear if it could be an equally useful predictor of motor disability worsening in the relapsing‐remitting phenotype.

Aim

We aimed to determine whether cerebellar damage is an equally useful predictor of motor disability worsening in the relapsing‐remitting phenotype.

Methods

Cerebellar lesion loads and volumes were estimated using baseline magnetic resonance imaging from the CombiRx trial (n = 838). The relationship between cerebellar damage and time to disability worsening (confirmed disability progression [CDP], timed 25‐foot walk test [T25FWT] score worsening, nine‐hole peg test [9HPT] score worsening) was tested in stagewise and stepwise Cox proportional hazards models, accounting for demographics and supratentorial damage.

Results

Shorter time to 9HPT score worsening was associated with higher baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.408, p = 0.0042) and higher volume of supratentorial and cerebellar T2 lesions (HR 1.005 p = 0.0196 and HR 2.211, p = 0.0002, respectively). Shorter time to T25FWT score worsening was associated with higher baseline EDSS (HR 1.232, p = 0.0006). Shorter time to CDP was associated with older age (HR 1.026, p = 0.0010), lower baseline EDSS score (HR 0.428, p < 0.0001) and higher volume of supratentorial T2 lesions (HR 1.024, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Among the explored outcomes, single time‐point evaluation of cerebellar damage only allows the prediction of manual dexterity worsening. In clinical studies the selection of imaging biomarkers should be informed by the outcome of interest.
Enforced monoandry over generations induces a reduction of female investment into reproduction in a promiscuous bird
Authors: Sorci Gabriele , Lesobre Loïc , Vuarin Pauline , Levêque Gwènaëlle , Saint Jalme Michel , Lacroix Frédéric , Hingrat Yves
Published: October 2021

While uncovering the costs and benefits of polyandry has attracted considerable attention, assessing the net effect of sexual selection on population fitness requires the experimental manipulation of female mating over generations, which is usually only achievable in laboratory populations of arthropods. However, knowing if sexual selection improves or impairs the expression of life‐history traits is key for the management of captive populations of endangered species, which are mostly long‐lived birds and mammals. It might therefore be questionable to extrapolate the results gathered on laboratory populations of insects to infer the net effect of sexual selection on populations of endangered species. Here, we used a longitudinal dataset that has been collected on a long‐lived bird, the houbara bustard, kept in a conservation breeding program, to investigate the effect of enforced monoandry on female investment into reproduction. In captivity, female houbara bustards are artificially inseminated with sperm collected from a single male (enforced monoandry), or sequentially inseminated with semen of different males (polyandry), allowing postcopulatory sexual selection to operate. We identified female lines that were produced either by monoandrous or polyandrous inseminations over three generations, and we compared reproductive investment of females from the two mating system groups. We found that females in the polyandrous lines had higher investment into reproduction as they laid more eggs per season and produced heavier hatchlings. Higher reproductive investment into reproduction in the polyandrous lines did not result from inherited differences from females initially included in the two mating system groups. These results show that removal of sexual selection can alter reproductive investment after only few generations, potentially hindering population fitness and the success of conservation breeding programs.
Investigation of miR‐126‐3p loaded on adipose stem cell‐derived exosomes for wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhang Zhaofeng , Wang Yinmin , Shen Hua
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate the function of miR‐126‐3p loaded on adipose stem cell (ADSC)‐derived exosomes (ADSC‐Exos) in wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects.

Methods

ADSCs transfected with miR‐126‐3p mimic, miR‐126‐3p inhibitor or pcDNA3.1‐PIK3R2, or PKH26‐marked ADSC‐Exos were cultured with fibroblasts or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The proliferation and migration rates of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs were measured. Rats with full‐thickness skin defects were injected with ADSC‐Exos or exosomes extracted from ADSCs transfected with miR‐126‐3p inhibitor and the wound healing rates were measured. The wound bed, collagen deposition and angiogenesis in injured rats were assessed.

Results

ADSC‐Exos could be ingested by fibroblasts and HUVECs. Co‐incubation with ADSCs or ADSC‐Exos promoted the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs, which was further enhanced by miR‐126‐3p overexpression. Inhibition of ADSC‐Exos or miR‐126‐3p or PIK3R2 overexpression suppressed the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs. ADSC‐derived exosomal miR‐126‐3p increased wound healing rate, collagen deposition and newly formed vessels in the injured rats.

Conclusion

ADSC‐derived exosomal miR‐126‐3p promotes wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects by targeting PIK3R2.
Shop at your own risk? Consumer activities in fashion e‐commerce
Authors: Sutinen Ulla‐Maija , Saarijärvi Hannu , Yrjölä Mika
Published: October 2021

An important aspect of fashion e‐commerce is the emergence of new types of consumer behaviours that occur online. These behaviours are diverse and include searching for, comparing, ordering and returning fashion items. They are driven by various motivations, characterised by different types of perceived risks and objectives, and carried out through different consumer activities. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify and analyse consumer activities with an objective of managing the risk associated with fashion e‐commerce. This qualitative study identifies and discusses 12 risk management activities that consumers employ in fashion e‐commerce. These activities involve consumers searching for information and codes, making comparisons, adjusting their orders and delaying purchases. The activities vary in terms of their direction (product vs. process) and the type of risk being managed (economic vs. functional). The study extends the current understanding towards viewing fashion consumption behaviour as a combination of various consumer activities. The study further incorporates these activities into a tentative framework that helps illuminate the kinds of risk management activities consumers may employ. The activities identified in this study, along with the proposed categorisation, provide a framework for managers to consider in segmentation, web store design and the development of marketing communications. On a more general level, the study shifts the focus from how consumers perceive risk to how empowered consumers actively manage the risk in various ways.
Role of radiotherapy in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib
Authors: Chang Won Ick , Kim Byoung Hyuck , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Jung Yong Jin , Chie Eui Kyu
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim

This study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of locoregional radiation therapy (RT) before, after, and concurrent with sorafenib therapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

Patients treated with sorafenib for BCLC stage C HCC between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. In this study, only RT to locoregional sites, including the primary HCC, tumor thrombosis, or lymph node metastasis, was analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to adjust important baseline characteristics between groups.

Results

Among 398 patients treated with sorafenib, 68 (17.1%) patients were treated with locoregional RT. Median progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS) were 2.2 and 9.5 months, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, locoregional RT (P < 0.001) was associated with a favorable OS. After 1:1 propensity score matching, patients who did not receive locoregional RT showed a worse OS than those who received RT (median 9.6 vs 15.7 months, P = 0.017). Whereas locoregional RT before/concurrent with sorafenib did not result in prolonged OS, locoregional RT after sorafenib showed significantly prolonged OS compared with sorafenib without locoregional RT (P = 0.003). Moreover, patients treated with ≥ 12 weeks of sorafenib significantly benefited from locoregional RT (15.3 vs 23.6 months, P = 0.046).

Conclusion

Locoregional RT was associated with significantly longer survival in BCLC stage C HCC patients who were treated with sorafenib. Therefore, incorporating locoregional RT could improve the dismal prognosis for these patients.
Vasectomy of golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) using local anesthesia after sedation with dexmedetomidine‐ketamine‐meperidine
Authors: Ferraro Mario Antonio , Molina Camila Vieira , Gris Vanessa Nadine , Kierulff Maria Cecília Martins , Cortopassi Silvia Renata Gaido
Published: October 2021

The study evaluated the combination of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and meperidine for vasectomy in golden‐headed lion tamarins. Lidocaine infiltration was required for intraoperative analgesia and atipamezole was used at the end of the procedure. The protocol promoted satisfactory sedation and analgesia with a short recovery time in tamarins.
HINT1‐related neuropathy in Greek patients with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Kontogeorgiou Zoi , Voudommatis Charalampos , Kartanou Chrisoula , Pandis Dionysis , Breza Marianthi , Zambelis Thomas , Stefanis Leonidas , Panas Marios , Koutsis Georgios , Karadima Georgia
Published: October 2021

Autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia (ARAN‐NM) is a rare hereditary neuropathy within the Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) spectrum, linked to mutations in the histidine triad nucleotide‐binding protein 1 (HINT1) gene. HINT1‐related neuropathy is particularly common in selected populations from Central and Eastern Europe but rare in Western European cohorts. It has not been investigated to date in the Greek population. We presently investigated the frequency of HINT1‐neuropathy in a selected cohort of 42 Greek index patients with autosomal recessive or sporadic axonal hereditary neuropathy according to standard molecular genetics procedures. We identified 4 patients with biallelic mutations in HINT1, comprising 9.5% of all cases and 44.4% of cases also displaying neuromyotonia. The c.110G> C (p.Arg37Pro) HINT1 mutation was present in all cases (2 homozygous) and the c.250T> C (p.Cys84Arg) in 2 cases (compound heterozygous). HINT1‐related neuropathy patients were characterized by early onset and neuromyotonia. Two patients had noteworthy clinical features, one case developing myoclonic epilepsy and the other displaying “adducted thumbs.” We conclude that HINT1‐related neuropathy is common in selected Greek patients with hereditary neuropathy within the CMT spectrum, in accordance with some, but not all, European populations.
Systemic Financial Stress and Macroeconomic Amplifications in the United Kingdom*
Authors: Chatterjee Somnath , Chiu Ching‐Wai (Jeremy) , Duprey Thibaut , Hacıoğlu‐Hoke Sinem
Published: October 2021

We develop a daily composite index of financial stress for the United Kingdom over 50 years, the UKFSI. The index includes market stress indicators based on their incremental information to capture financial crises. During the COVID‐19 crisis, financial stress peaks but remains less severe than during the Global Financial Crisis. The UKFSI is used in a threshold vector autoregression to differentiate the economic dynamics between tranquil and stressful periods. We highlight the importance of nonlinearities that amplify shocks. But we find no evidence of financial shocks contributing to the COVID‐19 crisis, possibly reflecting effective policy interventions.
Correlation of CT Values and Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Chinese Patients with Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhu Chun‐xia , He Jin‐quan , Hu Yong‐cheng , Sun Jie
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) values and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly Chinese patients with proximal humeral fractures.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study involving 166 elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures between January and June 2015 in our hospital. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 89 patients were finally enrolled in this study. The spiral CT scanning was performed on these patients, and the CT images were obtained by using MIMICS software. The CT values in axial, coronal, and sagittal images of healthy proximal humeri were measured using a circular region of interest (ROI) by Image J. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Spearman rank correlation methods were used for analysis of the association between the proximal humerus average CT value (CTMean) and the lumbar spine as well as femoral neck BMD in patients with proximal humeral fractures, or osteoporotic patients.

Results

Among the included 89 patients, there were 26 males and 63 females, 69% and 84% of whom were diagnosed with osteoporosis, respectively. The lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD and the CTMean of the proximal humerus were higher in males than females with proximal humeral fractures (P < 0.05). This gender difference was also found in the osteoporotic patient population (P < 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation method showed that the lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD was closely related to the proximal humeral CTMean in males (r = 0.877, P = 0.000; r = 0.832, P = 0.000; respectively) and females (r = 0.806, P = 0.000; r = 0.616, P = 0.000; respectively) with proximal humeral fractures, as well as osteoporotic male (r = 0.745, P = 0.000; r = 0.575, P = 0.000; respectively) and female (r = 0.613, P = 0.000; r = 0.629, P = 0.000; respectively) patients.

Conclusions

The CT value of the proximal humerus is a rapid and accurate method by which bone quality can be assessed in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures. Moreover, the CT value of the proximal humerus is an alternative measurement of BMD that can guide surgeons in selecting the appropriate internal fixation material.
Strategies to overcome complicated situations in leadless pacemaker implantation
Authors: Chen Xueying , Huang Weijian
Published: October 2021

Although leadless pacemaker implantation is not complicated, challenges exist in complex situations, which can be prevented and resolved with appropriate treatments including dealing with the abnormal venous access or choosing a superior vena cava approach, implanting at the septum rather than the apex, a snare assistant technique to deployment, assurance of solid fixation, and snaring dislodged device.
A global comparison of the circumscription and compromise theory of career development in science career aspirations
Authors: Jones Lee Kenneth , Hite Rebecca L.
Published: October 2021

Globally, science interest in diminishing among students, and as a result the science career field has begun to suffer from a lack of science career aspirations. The issue is especially relevant in developed countries, such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea, because of their policies and efforts to promote science and science education with students in their country. This study uses the circumscription and compromise (C&C) theory of career development to ascertain what factors are contributing to the lack of science career aspirations. Data were sourced from a cross‐national, K‐12, expanded Draw‐a‐Scientist Test that was collected as part of a larger study on students’ science perceptions. A binary logistic regression was used to determine what factors, if any, were significant predictors of science circumscription in each of the four C&C stages. The factors tested were age grouping (6–8, 9–13, and 14–19), location (the United States, South Korea, Jamaica, Japan, and El Salvador), and gender. Results found that age was a significant predictor in all four stages, whereas gender was only significant in two. Significant variation between countries only occurred in stage 1 and stage 3.
Kidney transplant recipients’ attitudes toward COVID‐19 vaccination and barriers and enablers to vaccine acceptance
Authors: Tharmaraj Dhakshayini , Dendle Claire , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Mulley William R.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To identify barriers and enablers to COVID‐19 vaccination in renal transplant recipients who are undecided about vaccination.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to 876 adult kidney transplant recipients at a tertiary referral service, who had not been vaccinated against COVID‐19. The survey assessed willingness to be vaccinated, attitudes toward COVID‐19 vaccines, and barriers and enablers to proceeding with vaccination.

Results

The survey response rate was 54% (473/876). Three hundred and forty‐six (73.1%) participants planned to receive vaccination (yes group), 105 (22.2%) were undecided, and 22 (4.7%) refused vaccination. The undecided group were younger but were not different in other demographic characteristics to the yes group. The undecided group were less positive toward (34.29% vs. 91.3%, p < .001) and more concerned about (93.3% vs. 25.1%, p < .001) vaccination than the yes group. Their concerns related to vaccine safety (including harm to their transplant), poor efficacy, and a lack of rigorous testing in transplant recipients. Undecided recipients had received less vaccine‐specific information from medical specialists than the yes group. Most undecided participants (95.1%) were willing to proceed with vaccination with appropriate supports. The most desired supports were information and a recommendation to proceed with vaccination from their treating transplant specialist and team.

Conclusion(s)

Concerns about vaccine safety (including harm to transplant), poor vaccine efficacy, and lack of rigorous testing were barriers to vaccine uptake. Most undecided recipients would proceed with vaccination with specific recommendations and vaccine information provided by their transplant specialist/team. These simple interventions can be readily implemented to optimize vaccine uptake.
Implications and Recommendations for Equivalence Testing in Measures of Movement Behaviors: A Scoping Review
Authors: O’Brien Myles W.
Published: October 2021

Equivalence testing may provide complementary information to more frequently used statistical procedures because it determines whether physical behavior outcomes are statistically equivalent to criterion measures. A caveat of this procedure is the predetermined selection of upper and lower bounds of acceptable error around a specified zone of equivalence. With no clear guidelines available to assist researchers, these equivalence zones are arbitrarily selected. A scoping review of articles implementing equivalence testing was performed to determine the validity of physical behavior outcomes; the aim was to characterize how this procedure has been implemented and to provide recommendations. A literature search from five databases initially identified potentially 1,153 articles which resulted in the acceptance of 19 studies (20 arms) conducted in children/youth and 40 in adults (49 arms). Most studies were conducted in free-living conditions (children/youth = 13 arms; adults = 22 arms) and employed a ±10% equivalence zone. However, equivalence zones ranged from ±3% to ±25% with only a subset using absolute thresholds (e.g., ±1,000 steps/day). If these equivalence zones were increased or decreased by ±5%, 75% (15/20, children/youth) and 71% (35/49, adults), they would have exhibited opposing equivalence test outcomes (i.e., equivalent to nonequivalent or vice versa). This scoping review identifies the heterogeneous usage of equivalence testing in studies examining the accuracy of (in)activity measures. In the absence of evidence-based standardized equivalence criteria, presenting the percentage required to achieve statistical equivalence or using absolute thresholds as a proportion of the SD may be a better practice than arbitrarily selecting zones a priori.
Feasibility and Validity of Assessing Low-Income, African American Older Adults’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Through Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Maher Jaclyn P. , Sappenfield Kourtney , Scheer Heidi , Zecca Christine , Hevel Derek J. , Kennedy-Malone Laurie
Published: October 2021

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a methodological tool that can provide novel insights into the prediction and modeling of physical behavior; however, EMA has not been used to study physical activity (PA) or sedentary behavior (SB) among racial minority older adults. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and validity of an EMA protocol to assess racial minority older adults’ PA and SB. For 8 days, older adults (n = 91; 89% African American; 70% earning <$20,000/year) received six randomly prompted, smartphone-based EMA questionnaires per day and wore an activPAL monitor to measure PA and SB. The PA and SB were also self-reported through EMA. Participants were compliant with the EMA protocol on 92.4% of occasions. Participants were more likely to miss an EMA prompt in the afternoon compared to morning and on weekend days compared to weekdays. Participants were less likely to miss an EMA prompt when engaged in more device-based SB in the 30 min around the prompt. When participants self-reported PA, they engaged in less device-based PA in the 15 min after compared to the 15 min before the EMA prompt, suggesting possible reactance or disruption of PA. EMA-reported PA and SB were positively associated with device-based PA and SB in the 30 min around the EMA prompt, supporting criterion validity. Overall, the assessment of low-income, African American older adults’ PA and SB through EMA is feasible and valid, though physical behaviors may influence compliance and prompting may create reactivity.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: The Impact of Order of Performance on Learning Fundamental Movement Skills Through Video Analysis With Middle School Children
Authors: Thacker Anna , Ho Jennifer , Khawaja Arsalan , Katz Larry
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Through video analysis, this paper explores the impact that order of performance has on middle school students’ performance of fundamental movement skills within a peer-to-peer learning model. Order of performance refers to the order in which a student performed a skill while paired up with a peer. Method: Using a mobile application, Move Improve®, 18 students (eight males and 10 females) completed a standing jump and hollow body roll in partners assigned to order of performance (evaluator/performer). An independent samples t test was conducted to evaluate the differences in the mean scores between students who performed first and those who performed second for each skill. Results: There was a significant difference in standing jump scores (p < .01), where students who performed second had a higher average score than their peers who went first. Although not statistically significant (p = .293), results for hollow body roll also showed a similar performance pattern for students who went second compared with those who performed first. Conclusion: The order of performance within a peer-to-peer learning model may have a significant effect on performance scores for standing jump but not for hollow body roll. Reasons for the discrepancy may be due to a combination of skill familiarity, skill complexity, and training of observational learning.
Clinical Outcomes with Ertapenem for Pneumonia in Obese versus Nonobese Patients
Authors: Caputo Ryan , Rozycki Alan , McClain Megan , Sobhanie M. Mahdee , Coe Kelci , Colburn Nora , Wardlow Lynn
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study was to compare the rate of pneumonia resolution in obese (body mass index [BMI], ≥30 kg/m
2
) and nonobese (BMI, <30 kg/m
2
) patients treated with 1 gram ertapenem daily. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated patients treated at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center between 1 January 2015 and 31 August 2020.
Mechanistic Insight into Yeast Bloom in a Lactic Acid Bacteria Relaying-Community in the Start of Sourdough Microbiota Evolution
Authors: Oshiro Mugihito , Tanaka Masaru , Momoda Rie , Zendo Takeshi , Nakayama Jiro
Published: October 2021

Unpredictable evolution of spontaneous sourdough microbiota sometimes prevents bakers from making special-quality products because the unstable microbiota causes the product quality to fluctuate. Elucidation of the evolutionary mechanisms of the sourdough community, comprising yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is fundamental to control fermentation performance.
Primary Infection May Be an Underlying Factor Contributing to Lethal Hemorrhagic Disease Caused by Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus 3 in African Elephants (
Loxodonta africana
)
Authors: Pursell Taylor , Spencer Clinton Jennifer L. , Tan Jie , Peng Rongsheng , Qin Xiang , Doddapaneni Harshavardhan , Menon Vipin , Momin Zeineen , Kottapalli Kavya , Howard Lauren , Latimer Erin , Heaggans Sarah , Hayward Gary S. , Ling Paul D.
Published: October 2021

Prior to 2019, only five cases of clinical disease from EEHV infection among African elephants had been documented. Since 2019, there have been at least seven EEHV-HD cases in North American zoos, resulting in three fatalities, all associated with EEHV3.
Access to paediatric surgery: the geography of inequality in Nigeria
Authors: El Vilaly Mohamed Abd salam , Jones Maureen A , Stankey Makela Cordero , Seyi-Olajide Justina , Onajin-Obembe Bisola , Dasogot Andat , Klug Stefanie J , Meara John G , Ameh Emmanuel A , Osagie Olabisi O , Juran Sabrina
Published: October 2021

Background

About 96.3 million children and adolescents aged 0–19 years reside in Nigeria, comprising 54% of the population. Without adequate access to surgery for commonly treatable diseases, many face disability and increased risk of mortality. Due to this population’s unique perioperative needs, increasing access to paediatric surgical care requires a situational evaluation of the distribution of paediatric surgeons and anaesthesiologists. This study’s aim is to identify the percentage of Nigerian youth who reside within 2 hours of paediatric surgical care at the state and national level.

Methods

The Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria and the Nigeria Society of Anaesthetists provided surgical and anaesthesia workforce data by state. Health facilities with paediatric surgeons were converted to point locations and integrated with ancillary geospatial layers and population estimates from 2016 and 2017. Catchment areas of 2 hours of travel time around a facility were deployed as the benchmark indicator to establish timely access.

Results

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, the percentage of Nigeria’s 0–19 population residing within 2 hours of a health facility with a paediatric surgical and anaesthesia workforce ranges from less than 2% to 22.7%–30.5%. In 3 states, only 2.1%–4.8% of the population can access a facility within 2 hours, 12 have 4.9%–13.8%, and 8 have 13.9%–22.6%.

Conclusion

There is significant variation across Nigerian states regarding access to surgical care, with 69.5%–98% of Nigeria’s 0–19 population lacking access. Developing paediatric surgical services in underserved Nigerian states and investing in the training of paediatric surgical and anaesthesia workforce for those states are key components in improving the health of Nigeria’s 0–19 population and reducing Nigeria’s burden of surgical disease, in line with Nigeria’s National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anaesthesia and Nursing Plan.
‘I thought it would be a very clearly defined role and actually it wasn’t’: a qualitative study of transition training for pharmacists moving into general practice settings in Wales
Authors: Bartlett Sophie , Bullock Alison , Spittle Kate
Published: October 2021

Objective

Pharmacists are increasingly contributing to the skill mix of general practice surgeries to help alleviate pressures faced by UK doctors working in primary care. However, they need support in overcoming barriers to their integration. The purpose of this work was to evaluate a programme designed to support pharmacists’ transition to working in general practice settings. We explored the learning needs of pharmacists’, the barriers and enablers to their integration and provide recommendations based on our results.

Intervention

A qualitative evaluation of a 1-year transition programme in Wales starting in September 2018 to support pharmacists’ transition to working in general practice settings.

Design and setting

We employed an interpretative phenomenological approach involving 10 pharmacists across Wales enrolled on the transition to general practice training programme, and their tutors. Data were collected across two sequential phases: in phase 1 telephone interviews were held with pharmacists midway through their training; in phase 2, focus groups were conducted with both pharmacists and tutors towards the end of the programme.

Results

Pharmacists enter general practice settings with a variety of prior experience. The programme provided a framework that pharmacists found helpful to map their experience to but the programme needed to be flexible to individual learning needs. The tutor role was typically regarded as the most valuable component, but interaction with the wider general practice team was critical to ease the transition. Pharmacists encountered a lack of clarity about their role which impeded their integration into the workplace team.

Conclusions

A formal programme with a designated tutor can support pharmacists’ transition into general practice settings. The programme’s competency framework facilitated reciprocal understanding of the pharmacist’s role in the team, helped to manage expectations and enhanced collaborative practice. Recommendations to facilitate pharmacist integration into general practice settings are provided.
Level and predictors of dietary diversity among pregnant women in rural South-West Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Kuma Melesse Niguse , Tamiru Dessalegn , Belachew Tefera
Published: October 2021

Objective

To assess the magnitude of dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women in the rural communities of Jimma Zone, south-west Ethiopia.

Design

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 June to 30 June 2020.

Settings

The study was conducted in Seka Chekorsa and Mana districts. From a total of 63 listed kebeles, 21 were randomly selected.

Participants

Three hundred sixty first-trimester pregnant women have participated in this study. We used a systematic random sampling method to select the participants after a home-to-home census.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Dietary diversity was assessed using a 24 hours dietary recall method. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the study subjects. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was run to control for all possible confounding effects and measure the strength of association between the outcome of interest and predictor.

Results

The overall magnitude of adequate dietary diversity was found to be 186 (51.7%); 95% CI 46.1% to 56.4%). Having attended elementary education (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.45; 95% CI 1.33 to 4.51), completed grade 8 (AOR=6.05; 95% CI 2.65 to 13.80), attended high school (AOR=11.69; 95% CI 3.76 to 36.27), completed high school and above (AOR=2.92; 95% CI 1.16 to 7.32), husbands attended high school (AOR=2.92; 95% CI 1.15 to 7.47), family size of less than five (AOR=3.44; 95% CI to 1.77–6.66) were positively significantly associated with adequate dietary diversity. On the other hand, not had additional meal during pregnancy (AOR=0.42; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.83) was negatively associated with adequate dietary diversity.

Conclusions

We observed that the adequate dietary diversity score of pregnant women was low compared with the pooled proportion of dietary diversity conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, strengthening and promoting female education through intersectoral collaborations and additional meal counselling during pregnancy is indispensable.