bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
15% of Talar Osteochondral Lesions Are Present Bilaterally While Only 1 in 3 Bilateral Lesions Are Bilaterally Symptomatic
Authors: Rikken Quinten G.H. , Wolsink Lisanne M.E. , Dahmen Jari , Stufkens Sjoerd A.S. , Kerkhoffs Gino M.M.J.
Published: July 2022

Background:

The primary aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteochondral lesions of the contralateral talus in patients with computed tomography (CT)-confirmed osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The secondary aims were to determine if the contralateral lesions were symptomatic and to describe the demographic characteristics and radiographic presentation of patients with bilateral OLT.

Methods:

To identify patients with bilateral OLT, we utilized a cross-sectional database of consecutive patients with a CT-proven OLT who had undergone bilateral CT scanning at our hospital between January 1989 and June 2021. The primary outcome was the prevalence of bilateral OLT. Patients with bilateral OLT were grouped into a unilaterally symptomatic group and a bilaterally symptomatic group. Patient and lesion characteristics were compared between these groups as well as between the symptomatic and asymptomatic ankles in the unilaterally symptomatic group. Radiographic examination included lesion volume, location, and morphology.

Results:

Of 1,062 patients with OLT, 161 (15%) had bilateral OLT. Of the patients with bilateral OLT, 53 (33%) were bilaterally symptomatic. Patients who were bilaterally symptomatic were younger (p = 0.03) and more likely to present with a non-traumatic etiology (p < 0.01) in comparison with those who were unilaterally symptomatic. No differences were observed between the unilaterally and bilaterally symptomatic groups in terms of lesion morphology, volume, or location. In the unilaterally symptomatic group, lesion volume was significantly larger in symptomatic ankles in comparison with the contralateral, asymptomatic ankles (p < 0.01), but no significant differences were observed in terms of lesion morphology or location.

Conclusions:

In patients presenting with symptomatic OLT, the prevalence of bilateral OLT was 15%, and 1 in 3 patients with bilateral OLT were symptomatic on both sides. Larger lesion volume was associated with the presence of symptoms in patients with bilateral OLT. For patients with bilateral OLT, the treating team should be aware that younger patients and patients without a history of trauma are at a higher risk for having bilateral symptoms.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Biomechanical Modeling of Brachialis-to-Wrist Extensor Muscle Transfer Function for Daily Activities in Tetraplegia
Authors: Son Jongsang , Fridén Jan , Lieber Richard L.
Published: July 2022

Background:

We recently reported a novel case demonstrating the feasibility of a brachialis (BRA)-to-extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon transfer, but it is not yet known whether this transfer provides robust functional results across activities. The purpose of this study was to use biomechanical modeling to define the functional capacity of the BRA-to-ECRB tendon transfer in terms of enabling the performance of several activities of daily living.

Methods:

A model of the transferred BRA-ECRB muscle-tendon unit was developed to calculate isometric elbow and wrist joint torque as a function of elbow and wrist angles resulting from different BRA reattachment locations from 50 to 80 mm proximal to the wrist joint crease. Using this model, mathematical optimization predicted the optimal location for BRA reattachment in order to perform each of a number of important upper extremity tasks as well as to calculate a global optimum for performing all of the tasks.

Results:

Analysis of active joint torque showed that the entire elbow torque-angle curve surface shifted “diagonally” toward elbow flexion and wrist extension as the attachment location approached the wrist joint; peak wrist torque was produced at extended wrist angles. Our model predicted that the optimal attachment location for each different task ranged from 54.3 to 74.6 mm proximal to the wrist joint, which is feasible given the anatomy of the muscle-tendon unit. The attachment location to optimize performing all tasks was calculated as 63.5 mm proximal to the wrist joint.

Conclusions:

This study clearly demonstrates that the BRA, which is underused as a donor in tetraplegia surgery, is an excellent donor muscle to provide wrist extension. Biomechanical simulation further highlighted the need to consider not only donor-muscle appropriateness but the patient’s desired function when planning surgical tendon transfers.

Clinical Relevance:

Quantitative evaluation of the way that surgery affects daily tasks rather than simply matching muscle properties may be a more appropriate approach for surgeons to use when choosing and tensioning donor muscles.
The Forefront : A Review of ERDC Publications, Summer 2022
Authors: Moynihan Emily , O’Donoghue James
Published: July 2022

As the main research and development organization for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) helps solve our nation’s most challenging problems. With seven laboratories under the ERDC umbrella, ERDC expertise spans a wide range of disciplines. This provides researchers an amazing network of collaborators both within labs and across them. Many of the publications produced by ERDC through the Information Technology Laboratory’s Information Science and Knowledge Management Branch (ISKM), the publishing authority for ERDC, are a testament to the power of these partnerships. Therefore, in this issue of The Forefront, we wanted to highlight some of those collaborations, across ERDC and beyond. Colored flags at the top of each page indicate the laboratories involved in each report (see the end of this issue for a full list of the laboratories and their lab colors), in addition to USACE red for district collaborators and gray for others. Through these collaborations, ERDC is continuing to demonstrate its value nationally and internationally. Questions about the reports highlighted in The Forefront or others published by ERDC? Contact the ISKM virtual reference desk at erdclibrary@ask-a-librarian.info or visit ERDC Knowledge Core, ISKM’s online repository, at https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/. For general questions about editing and publishing at ERDC, you are also welcome to reach out to me at Emily.B.Moynihan@usace.army.mil. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for ERDC and seeing all the remarkable research that is yet to come.
Pesquisa cientométrica da alocação de recursos públicos em diferentes campos do conhecimento
Authors: Mateus Gavron Thiago , Menezes Elaine Cristina de Oliveira , Maury Raupp Fabiano
Published: July 2022

Objetivo da pesquisa: Analisar comparativamente quais diferentes campos de conhecimento têm se dedicado ao estudo das dimensões do processo alocativo.
Enquadramento teórico: O estudo compreende a alocação de recursos públicos como as diferentes formas e sistemas de deliberações políticas sobre o processo de criação e distribuição de riquezas da sociedade, que se consubstanciam no orçamento e no planejamento público sob duas dimensões: sociopolítica e econômico-financeira.
Metodologia: Realizou-se uma revisão de literatura de escopo a partir de metadados, aplicando sobre eles análises estatísticas relacionais de pesquisa bibliográfica. Demonstrou-se as características do tópico de estudo escolhido por meio de recursos cientométricos a partir de um fluxo metodológico sistemático. Foram investigados metadados de 3438 artigos, publicados entre 2016 e 2021, presentes na Web of Science, analisados no software VOS Viewer, buscando identificar nessa literatura linhas mestras e lacunas mais visíveis nos diferentes campos do conhecimento.
Resultados: Os estudos enfatizam a dimensão econômico-financeira. Todavia, percebem-se mudanças, em especial, em pesquisas de países europeus e norte-americanos, que têm revelado preocupação com questões socioambientais, ancoradas na dimensão sociopolítica do processo alocativo.
Originalidade: Trata-se de um estudo cuja revisão de escopo é inédita, sobretudo, por considerar uma visão ampla do processo de alocação de recursos públicos em diferentes campos do conhecimento.
Contribuições teóricas e práticas: É salutar a concentração de esforços para o entendimento da temática da alocação de recursos públicos no sentido de verificar quais campos têm produzido estudos sobre suas possibilidades e se tais estudos têm incorporado as diferentes dimensões do processo alocativo. Nessa direção, a pesquisa contribui a partir do momento em que apresenta o que se tem publicado, quem os artigos cocitam, onde publicam, bem como a agenda de pesquisa que tem sido construída.
Emprendimientos mapuchizados: una aproximación a la apropiación cultural de identidades mapuche en redes sociales
Authors: Maliqueo Orellana Victoria
Published: July 2022

En el presente artículo, doy cuenta de los resultados de la investigación de carácter etnográfico digital en la que realicé una revisión y sistematización de la emergencia de un número considerable de diversos emprendimientos en Instagram tras el estallido social en Chile (2019), que constató el uso de repertorios mapuches como identidad comercial, de manera sobresaliente en comparación con otras décadas.

La pregunta que propuse responder fue ¿cuáles son las expresiones de apropiación cultural de la identidad mapuche de emprendimientos de Instagram no pertenecientes a este pueblo, en Chile, en el periodo posterior al estallido social? El objetivo consistió en identificar publicaciones que manifestaran expresiones de apropiación cultural, tipificarlas y entender el carácter de sus narraciones; establecer comparaciones y analizar perfiles de acuerdo con las publicaciones.

Para ello, trabajé con el método etnográfico digital, revisando esta red social y seleccionando publicaciones de emprendimientos, y realizando entrevistas en profundidad de forma remota a emprendedores mapuches y efectuando un focus group virtual mixto compuesto por diferentes personas, mapuches y no mapuches, diversidad que me permitió acceder a distintos puntos de vista sobre el tema. En tanto, en la propuesta teórica destaco la revisión de autores referentes a la apropiación cultural y etnicidad, como perspectivas que expongo con la finalidad de establecer una visión que complejice este escenario, donde los límites entre la valorización de una cultura otra como la mapuche y la instrumentalización comercial son difusos.
#Instagrameable. Prácticas y rutinas de un grupo de fans de las social media influencers Katy Esquivel y Tana Rendón y la construcción de su capital cultural y narrativas femeninas
Authors: Félix Seras Diana
Published: July 2022

Este estudio busca conocer las prácticas y las rutinas de un grupo de fans peruanas de las social media influencers Katy Esquivel y Tana Rendón en Instagram, y cómo ese grupo construye un capital cultural y narrativas femeninas a partir de los contenidos mediáticos. Para responder esta pregunta se recurrió a la etnografía digital como metodología principal de trabajo de campo para encontrar a las fans y analizar sus publicaciones e interacciones sociales en la red social Instagram. Asimismo, esta investigación realizó entrevistas de manera remota y solo presencial antes del confinamiento social por covid-19. Entre los resultados se destacan las prácticas y rutinas creadas en torno a los contenidos mediáticos de las celebridades; además, que los consejos y lecciones son aprendidos por las fans para convertirse en emprendedores de sí mismas, y les sirven como referentes culturales que dan sentido a sus vidas. Las narrativas de las social media influencers se convierten en una segunda escuela para sus fans, lo que les permite construir un capital cultural, reconstruir sus subjetividades y consolidar una identidad propia como parte de una clase media global y cosmopolita.
Historicismo en la historia de las ideas. Los escritos de juventud del filósofo argentino Rodolfo Agoglia (1920-1985)
Authors: Gatica Noelia Liz
Published: July 2022

Se indaga en los alcances del concepto de «historia filosófica de la filosofía» propuesto por Rodolfo Agoglia, bajo el supuesto de que su crítica introduce elementos teóricos procedentes del historicismo que resultan fecundos para los estudios de historia de las ideas. Mediante las herramientas metodológicas configuradas en el cruce transdisciplinar de la historia de las ideas y la filosofía práctica, se analizan las características relevantes de su producción discursiva de juventud en el contexto de profesionalización de la filosofía en las universidades argentinas y de institucionalización de la historia de las ideas en América Latina.
Interactions between Glossina pallidipes Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus and tsetse endosymbionts in wild tsetse populations
Authors: Dieng Mouhamadou M. , Augustinos Antonios A. , Demirbas-Uzel Güler , Doudoumis Vangelis , Parker Andrew G. , Tsiamis George , Mach Robert L. , Bourtzis Kostas , Abd-Alla Adly M. M.
Published: July 2022

Background
Tsetse control is considered an effective and sustainable tactic for the control of cyclically transmitted trypanosomosis in the absence of effective vaccines and inexpensive, effective drugs. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is currently used to eliminate tsetse fly populations in an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) context in Senegal. For SIT, tsetse mass-rearing is a major milestone that associated microbes can influence. Tsetse flies can be infected with micro-organisms, including the primary and obligate Wigglesworthia glossinidia, the commensal Sodalis glossinidius, and Wolbachia pipientis. In addition, tsetse populations often carry a pathogenic DNA virus, the Glossina pallidipes Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus (GpSGHV) that hinders tsetse fertility and fecundity. Interactions between symbionts and pathogens might affect the performance of the insect host.
Methods
In the present study, we assessed associations of GpSGHV and tsetse endosymbionts under field conditions to decipher the possible bidirectional interactions in different Glossina species. We determined the co-infection pattern of GpSGHV and Wolbachia in natural tsetse populations. We further analyzed the interaction of both Wolbachia and GpSGHV infection with Sodalis and Wigglesworthia density using qPCR.
Results
The results indicated that the co-infection of GpSGHV and Wolbachia was most prevalent in Glossina austeni and Glossina morsitans morsitans, with an explicit significant negative correlation between GpSGHV and Wigglesworthia density. GpSGHV infection levels of more than 103.31 seems to be absent when Wolbachia infection was present at high density (> 107.36, suggesting a potential protective role of Wolbachia against GpSGHV.
Conclusion
The result indicates that Wolbachia infection might interact (with an undefined mechanism) antagonistically with SGHV infection protecting tsetse fly against GpSGHV, and the interactions between the tsetse host and its associated microbes are dynamic, likely species-specific and significant differences may exist between laboratory and field conditions.
Assessment of Quality of Ground Water Body of Neelangarai and Triplicane Area in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the Post Inundation Circumstances
Authors: Rajendran A. , Mansiya C. , Shanmuganathan M.
Published: July 2022

Although flood hit the entire part of Chennai, Tamil nadu some three years ago, the quality of water is still found to be worse because of major inundation in these areas. The current inspection deals with the physico-chemical analysis of the ground water samples collected from ten locations in Neelangarai and Triplicane area in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and assessed using Heber Water Quality Index (HWQI) in the post tsunami circumstances. The factors examined were pH, fecal coliform, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and turbidity. In addition to these parameters, pointers like electrical conductivity and salinity were also taken into consideration. The overall HWQI outcomes for all the trials in Neelangarai area were determined between 65.02 and 72.25 and Triplicane area was 66.64 - 70.71, which suggest that all the samples are medium to good in quality and could use for human consumption.
Impact of a disability-targeted livelihoods programme in Bangladesh: Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of STAR+
Authors: Banks Lena Morgon , Das Narayan , Davey Calum , Adiba Afsana , Ali M Mahzuz , Shakespeare Tom , Fleming Coral , Kuper Hannah
Published: July 2022

Introduction:
There is little evidence on the impact of livelihood interventions amongst people with disabilities. Effective programmes are critical for reducing the heightened risk of poverty and unemployment facing persons with disabilities. STAR + is a skills development and job placement programme targeted to out-of-school youth with disabilities (ages 14–35) living in poverty. It is a disability-targeted adaptation to an existing, effective intervention (STAR), which has been designed to address barriers to decent work for people with disabilities. This protocol describes the design of a cluster randomised controlled trial of STAR + in 39 of the 64 districts of Bangladesh.
Methods
BRAC has identified 1,500 youth with disabilities eligible for STAR + across its 91 branch offices (typically a geographical areas covering about 8 km radius from local BRAC office) catchment areas (clusters). BRAC has limited funding to deliver STAR + and so 45 of the 91 branches have been randomly allocated to implement STAR+ (intervention arm). The remaining 46 branches will not deliver STAR + at this time (control arm). Participants in the control-arm will receive usual care, meaning they are free to enrol in any other livelihood programmes run by BRAC or other organisations including standard STAR (being run in 15 control branches). The cRCT will assess the impact of STAR + after 12 months on employment status and earnings (primary outcomes), as well as poverty, participation and quality of life (secondary outcomes). Analysis will be through intention-to-treat, with a random effect at cluster level to account for the clustered design. Complementary qualitative research with participants will be conducted to triangulate findings of the cRCT, and a process evaluation will assess implementation fidelity, mechanisms of impact and the role of contextual factors in shaping variations in outcomes.
Discussion
This trial will provide evidence on the impact of a large-scale, disability-targeted intervention. Knowledge on the effectiveness of programmes is critical for informing policy and programming to address poverty and marginalisation amongst this group. Currently, there is little robust data on the effectiveness of livelihood programmes amongst people with disabilities, and so this trial will fill an important evidence gap.
Trial registration:
This study has been registered with the Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations, (RIDIE Study ID: 6238114b481ad) on February 25, 2022 and the ISRCTN Registry (ID: ISRCTN15742977).
Midgut volvulus adds a neutrophil-driven model of murine sepsis to the experimental hyperinflammation toolbox
Authors: Boettcher Michael , Kiwit Antonia , Lenz Moritz , Rohde Holger , Börnigen Daniela , Alawi Malik , Mohr Christoph , Raluy Laia Pagerols , Trochimiuk Magdalena , Knopf Jasmin , Reinshagen Konrad , Herrmann Martin , Elrod Julia
Published: July 2022

Background:
Severe infections that culminate in sepsis are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite continuous efforts in basis science and clinical research, evidence based-therapy is mostly limited to basic causal and supportive measures. Adjuvant therapies, often remain without clear evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the volvulus-sepsis model and to compare it with two established murine sepsis models.
Methods:
The technique of the murine model of midgut volvulus was optimized and was compared to two established models of murine sepsis, namely ceacal ligation and puncture (CLP) and i.p. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Results:
Midgut volvulus for 15 minutes caused a comparable mortality (40%) as CLP (55%) and peritoneal LPS injection (25%) at 48h. Oxidative stress was comparable, cfDNA, and splenic/hepatic and pulmonary translocation of bacteria were decreased and increased, respectively. DNases were increased compared to the established models. Proteomic analysis revealed Epo, IL1b, Prdx5, Parp1, Ccl2 and IL6 to be upregulated at 48h in comparison to the healthy controls.
Discussion and Conclusion:
Midgut volvulus is a stable and physiological model for sepsis. Depending on the duration and subsequent tissue damage, it represents a combination of ischemia-reperfusion injury and hyperinflammation.
Increasing Occupancy Levels in an Operating Room Environment Increases Detectable Ambient CO 2 Concentrations
Authors: Carroll Gregory T. , Kirschman David L. , Mammana Angela
Published: July 2022

The air in an operating room becomes more contaminated as the occupancy of the room increases. Individuals residing in a room can potentially emit infectious agents. In order to inhibit and better understand the epidemiology of surgical site infections, it is important to develop procedures to track room occupancy level and respiration. Exhaled CO2 provides a respiratory byproduct that can be tracked with IR light and is associated with human occupancy. Exhaled CO2 can also be used as an indirect measure of the potential release and level of infectious airborne agents. We show that non-dispersive infrared CO2 sensors can be used to detect CO2 in operating room air flow conditions of 20 air changes per hour and a positive pressure of 0.03 in. H2O. The CO2 concentration increased consecutively for occupation levels of one to four individuals, from approximately 65 ppm above the background level when one individual occupied the operating room for twenty minutes to approximately 300 ppm above the background when four individuals were present for twenty minutes. The amount of CO2 detected increases as the number of occupants increase, the activity level increases, the residency time increases and when the ventilation level is reduced.
Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Basilar Artery Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Malik Abid , MBBCh Brian Drumm , D’Anna Lucio , Brooks Isabelle , Low Benjamin , Raha Oishik , Shabbir Khawar , Vittay Orsolya , Kwan Joseph , Brown Zoe , Halse Omid , Jamil Sohaa , Kalladka Dheeraj , Venter Marius , Jenkins Harri , Rane Neil , Singh Abhinav , Patel Maneesh , Hall Charles , Fatania Gavin , Roi Dylan , Lobotesis Kyriakos , Banerjee Soma
Published: July 2022

Background
The evidence for mechanical thrombectomy in acute basilar artery occlusion has until now remained inconclusive with basilar artery strokes associated with high rates of death and disability. This systematic review and meta-analysis will summarize the available evidence for the effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in acute basilar artery occlusion compared to best medical therapy.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed and presented in conformity with the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) to test the primary hypothesis that mechanical thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion is associated with a different rate of good neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 3) at day 90. Secondary outcomes included mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and excellent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 2). We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to summarize the effect estimates for each outcome.
Results
We performed a random effects (Mantel-Haenszel) meta-analysis of the four included randomized controlled trials comprising a total of 988 participants. We found a statistically significant improvement in the rates of those with a good functional outcome (mRS 0–3, RR 1.54, 1.16–2.06, p = 0.003) and an excellent functional outcome (mRS 0–2, RR 1.69, 1.05–2.71, p = 0.03) in those who were treated with thrombectomy when compared to best medical therapy alone. Thrombectomy was associated with a higher level of sICH (RR 7.12, 2.16–23.54, p = 0.001) but this was not reflected in a higher mortality rate, conversely the mortality rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (RR 0.76, 0.65–0.89, p = 0.0004).
Conclusions
Our meta-analysis of the recently presented randomized controlled studies is the first to confirm the disability and mortality benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in basilar artery stroke.
Impact of Interface Trap Charges and Temperature on the Performance of Extended Source Double Gate TFET
Authors: Dharmender  , Nigam Kaushal , Kumar Satyendra
Published: July 2022

In this work, we have investigated the reliability of the extended source double gate tunnel field-effect transistor (ESDG-TFET) by considering the effect of the fixed donor (positive) and acceptor (negative) interface trap charges (ITCs) at the silicon-SiO2 interface and temperature variations ranging from 300K to 480K, on the DC, analog/radio frequency (RF), linearity and harmonic distortion performance parameters. A comparative analysis has been performed between conventional stack gate oxide double gate TFET (SGO-DG-TFET) and ESDG-TFET with similar dimensions. Different performance metrics such as transfer characteristics, parasitic capacitances, gain-bandwidth product (GBP), unity gain frequency (fT), transit time, transconductance frequency product (TFP), and linearity distortion performance parameters such as 2nd and 3rd order transconductance coefficients (gm2, gm3), 2nd and 3rd order voltage intercept points (VIP2, VIP3), 3rd order input intercept point, intermodulation distortion parameters (IIP3, IMD3), and 1dB compression point have been investigated. Moreover, 2nd and 3rd order harmonic distortions (HD2, HD3) and total harmonic distortion (THD) are investigated using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations. The Tables 2, 3 and 4 show that in terms of percentage variation, ESDG-TFET exhibits less variation as compared to SGO-DG-TFET, which indicates that the ESDG-TFET is more immune to ITCs and temperature variations. Thus, ESDG-TFET can be used for low power switching and analog/RF and high temperature applications.
Modulation of mouse laryngeal inflammatory and immune cell responses by low and high doses of mainstream cigarette smoke
Authors: Easwaran Meena , Martinez Joshua D. , Kim Juyong Brian , Erickson-DiRenzo Elizabeth
Published: July 2022

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for laryngeal diseases. Despite well-documented cigarette smoke (CS) induced laryngeal histopathological changes, the underlying immunopathological mechanisms remain largely unexplored. The goal of this study was to evaluate inflammatory and immune cell responses in a CS-exposed larynx. Specifically, we used a 4-week subacute whole-body CS inhalation mouse model to assess these responses in the laryngeal mucosa upon exposure to low (LD; 1 h/day) and high dose (HD; 4 h/day) CS. Laryngeal tissues were harvested and evaluated using a 254-plex NanoString inflammation panel and neutrophil/macrophage/T-cell immunohistochemistry (IHC). NanoString global and differential gene expression analysis revealed a unique expression profile only in the HD group, with 26 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). StringDB KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these DEGs with proinflammatory pathways including TNF and IL-17. Furthermore, inflammatory responses remained inhibited in conjunction with predicted activated states of anti-inflammatory regulators like PPARG and NFE2L2 upon Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Neutrophil/macrophage/T-cell recruitment responses remained inhibited as corroborated by IHC outcomes. Overall, our key findings are consistent with HD exposures being anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive. Furthermore, the identification of important regulatory genes, and enriched pathways may help improve clinical interventions for CS-induced laryngeal diseases.
Durability of PBO nets (Olyset Plus ® ), 12 months after their distribution in Bertoua, Cameroon
Authors: NKAHE Diane Leslie , Kopya Edmond , Siewe Idriss Nasser Ngangue , Mbiakop Paulette Ndjeunia , Chouakeu Nelly Armanda Kala , Awono-Ambene Parfait , Antonio-Nkondjio Christophe
Published: July 2022

Background
The rapid spread of pyrethroid resistance has led to a change in strategy, going from pyrethroid-based nets to PBO + pyrethroid-treated nets. Although these new nets may significantly improve the control of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, their durability in the field remain not yet well documented. This study investigates the durability and washing resistance of Olyset-Plus nets in the city centre and rural areas of Bertoua, Cameroon. In each site, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to at least 190 households with an Olyset-Plus net. Factors such as net use, physical integrity and bioefficacy were recorded. Bioassays were conducted on the collected nets to assess their bioefficacy and resistance to washing. They were tested against wild Anopheles gambiae sensus lato (s.l.). Unused nets and the Kisumu strain were used as controls. Washing and cone testing of the nets was carried out according to standard WHO protocols.
Results
A high rate of net use by children was recorded in the urban area (89.08% (106/119) compared to the rural area (39.73% (118/297). The majority of Olyset-Plus nets inspected 82.23% (162/197) in the rural area and 88.03% (206/234) in the urban centre were in good condition (Hole Index < 64). Only 5.58% and 6.84% of nets were badly torn in rural and urban sites respectively. Nets were washed more regularly in the urban centre. 88.10% of urban dwellers reported having washed their nets at least once compared to only 61.98% of rural dwellers. Bioefficacy tests with nets indicated a mortality rate ranging from 65.89% for unwashed nets to 86.66% for nets washed at least once. Bioefficacy varied significantly in the city of Bertoua according to net washing frequency, soaking time, soap type and drying location, whereas in the rural village, only washing and soaking status (washed or unwashed, soaked or unsoaked) significantly influenced the bioefficacy of Olyset-Plus nets.
Conclusions
This study revealed different handling practices of bed nets in rural and urban settings which could significantly affect Olyset-Plus nets bio-efficacy and durability. Routine monitoring and sensitization of communities on best practices concerning bed nets usage and handling during mass distribution might enhance the net durability in the field.
Ethics, Data Science, and Health and Human Services: Embedded Bias in Policy Approaches to Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Authors: Woodard Davon , Ashqar Huthaifa I , Ji Taoran
Published: July 2022

Background
This study aims to evaluate the Chicago Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative delivery optimization outcomes given policy-neutral and policy-focused approaches to deliver this program to at-risk teens across the City of Chicago.
Methods
We collect and compile several datasets from public sources including: Chicago Department of Public Health clinic locations, two public health statistics datasets, census data of Chicago, list of Chicago public high schools, and their Locations. Our policy-neutral approach will consist of an equal distribution of funds and resources to schools and centers, regardless of past trends and outcomes. The policy-focused approaches will evaluate two models: first, a funding model based on prediction models from historical data; and second, a funding model based on economic and social outcomes for communities.
Results
Results of this study confirms our initial hypothesis, that even though the models are optimized from a machine learning perspective, there is still possible that the models will produce wildly different results in the real-world application.
Conclusions
When ethics and ethical considerations are extended beyond algorithmic optimization to encompass output and societal optimization, the foundation and philosophical grounding of the decision-making process become even more critical in the knowledge discovery process.
Translating and validating the Child HCAHPS survey in Japan: A single-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Inata Yu , Nakagami-Yamaguchi Etsuko
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
The Child Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (Child HCAHPS) assesses the experiences of pediatric patients and their parents or guardians with inpatient care. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Child HCAHPS and to examine its validity and reliability.
Methods:
A draft Japanese version of the Child HCAHPS was produced in a conceptually equivalent and culturally appropriate manner. Using the draft Japanese version, the survey was administered using a push-to-web method to eligible parents/guardians of children (aged 0–17 years) discharged from a tertiary children’s hospital in Osaka, Japan in December 2021 through March 2022. Construct validity and internal consistency reliability were tested.
Results:
Of 1,300 eligible candidates to whom survey invitations were mailed, 460 returned complete surveys (response rate 35%). The validity of a composite “Involving teens in their care” remained unproven. With the remaining composites, however, confirmatory factor analysis showed fair goodness of fit of the same factor structure as that of the original Child HCAHPS (the comparative fit index = 0.92, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.90, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.052). The Cronbach coefficient was close to or above 0.7 for most of the items indicating a good reliability.
Conclusions:
The Japanese Child HCAHPS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for assessing patient and family experiences in a Japanese tertiary children’s hospital. However, several items and composites with suboptimal properties warrant further validation in future multicenter surveys.
ABGS Segmenter: Pixel wise Adaptive Background Subtraction and Intensity Ratio based Shadow Removal Approach for Moving Object Detection in Video Surveillance Application
Authors: Agrawal Supriya , Natu Prachi
Published: July 2022

Background subtraction approaches are used to detect moving objects with high recognition rate and less computation time. These methods are facing two challenges such as selection of appropriate threshold value and shadow pixels’ removal for correct foreground detection. In this paper, we solve these challenges by proposing new background subtraction method called ABGS Segmenter which is based on two level adaptive thresholding approach where reference frame is created using mean based thresholding to generate initial value of threshold and accelerate the process of foreground segmentation for remaining frames by adaptively updating the threshold value at pixel level. ABGS Segmenter is also capable to remove shadow pixels by fusing chromaticity based YCbCr color space model with intensity ratio method for improving the percentage of correct pixels’ classification measure. Comprehensive experiments are evaluated on three benchmark datasets (Highway, PET 2006 and SBU) and observed that proposed work achieves better results than existing methods.
H2O2 participates induction and formation of potato tubers by activating tuberization-related signal transduction pathways
Authors: Lei Chunxia , Ye Mingwang , Li Canhui , Gong Ming
Published: July 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS, especially hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) act as signaling molecules to mediate growth, development and stress response of plants. However, whether and how H2O2 is involved in induction and formation of potato tubers is little known. The present study showed that there was an obvious accumulation of ROS (including H2O2, O2·- and total ROS) during tuber induction and formation in stolons/tubers, especially in the hook-like subapical part of stolons prior to tuberization detected by staining observation and quantitative measurement. Furthermore, exogenous H2O2 treatment significantly enhanced percentage of tuber formation. By contrast, addition of either the ROS inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) or H2O2 scavenger catalase (CAT) resulted in a decline of tuber formation. In addition, expression analysis of 9 key tuberization-related genes demonstrated that the H2O2-induced tuberization could be associated with H2O2-controlled regulation of these tuberization- and signaling pathway-related genes, especially SELF-PRUNING 6A gene (StSP6A), which was dramatically up-regulated during early stage of tuber induction and H2O2 treatment. When StSP6A was knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing, the tuberization frequency of StSP6A null-mutants became extremely lower under H2O2 treatments. These findings indicate that H2O2 accumulation in stolons might plays an important role acting as a signaling molecule to initiate tuber induction, H2O2-induced tuber formation is triggered by regulating the tuberization-related gene expression and activating signal transduction pathways, and StSP6A is a pivotal player in the H2O2-induced tuber formation in potato.
HslO ameliorates arrested ΔrecA polA cell growth and reduces DNA damage and oxidative stress responses
Authors: Kaidow Akihiro , Ishii Noriko , Suzuki Shingo , Shiina Takashi , Endoh Kazuho , Murakami Yuuki , Kasahara Hirokazu
Published: July 2022

Chromosome damage combined with defective recombinase activity has been widely considered to render cells inviable, owing to deficient double-strand break repair. However, temperature-sensitive recAts polA cells grow well under both SOS response conditions and when supplemented with catalase at restrictive temperatures. These treatments reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which suggests that recAts polA cells are susceptible to ROS, but not chronic chromosome damage. Therefore, we investigated whether polA cells can tolerate a complete lack of recombinase function. We introduced a ΔrecA allele in polA cells in the presence or absence of the hslO expression plasmid. Induction of the hslO gene with IPTG resulted in increased cell viability in ΔrecA polA cells with the hslO expression plasmid. ΔrecA polA cells in the absence of the hslO expression plasmid showed L medium sensitivity with increasing ROS levels. Adding catalase to the culture medium significantly rescued growth arrest and increased ROS. These results suggest that hslO expression manages oxidative stress to an acceptable level in cells with oxidative damage and rescues cell growth. Overall, ROS may regulate several processes, from damage response to cell division, via ROS-sensitive cell metabolism.
The prognostic role of LIPG gene in lung adenocarcinoma and its possible mechanism
Authors: Wang Shan , Chen Zhaoxin , Lv Hongwei , wang Cong , Wei Huamin , Yu Jing
Published: July 2022

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), as the most common histological subtype of primary lung cancer, is characterized by rapid proliferation and easy metastasis. Although many biomarkers for LUAD have been identified, their specificity and sensitivity remain unsatisfactory. Abnormal lipid metabolism plays a major role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Endothelial lipase (EL) is a key enzyme in high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism, and its encoding gene is endothelial lipase gene (LIPG). In present study, bioinformatics and clinical sample data were used to explore the relationship between LIPG and clinical characteristics and prognosis of LUAD patients, and the possible mechanism of LIPG in LUAD was also explored. The results showed that LIPG is associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients, and may influence the occurrence and development of tumors by participating in lipid metabolism and immune signaling pathways of LUAD. The present study may provide new evidence for individualized precision therapy for LUAD patients.
Excellent multifunctional behaviors of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with graphene aerogel
Authors: Mahdavi Seyed Mostafa , Adibnazari Saeed
Published: July 2022

In this study, graphene aerogel (GA) was utilized to improve the multifunctionality of epoxy resin, which is highly necessary in its applications in integrated circuits and semiconductors. A scalable method with high capability for production of large size GA with desirable quality was proposed for GA synthesis. The synthesized GA was utilized to produce epoxy nanocomposite by epoxy resin infiltration in its macro-pores. Flexural modulus of the GA/epoxy nanocomposite was experimentally investigated and the results showed 30% increase with respect to the pure epoxy. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite reached to remarkable amount of 0.7 S/m, which is 13 orders of magnitudes more than the electrical conductivity of the neat epoxy. Moreover, the measured thermal conductivity for pure epoxy and GA/epoxy nanocomposites were 0.23 and 0.40 W/mK, respectively. The percentage of thermal conductivity enhancement per filler content is more than 101, which is in the top range of the reached values by various filler types in polymer nanocomposites. The proposed method could simultaneously increase the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of epoxy polymer, and could be greatly beneficial for applications that need epoxy polymer with high multifunctionality.
PrevAleNce and Associated factors of inappropriaTe dosing of direct Oral anticoaguLants In pAtients with Atrial Fibrillation: The ANATOLIA-AF Study
Authors: Kocabaş Umut , Ergin Işıl , Yavuz Veysel , Murat Selda , Özdemir İbrahim , Genç Ömer , Altın Cihan , Tüner Haşim , Meriç Bengisu Keskin , Çoner Ali , Yüce Elif İlkay , Boyraz Bedrettin , Aslan Onur , Dal Ahmet , Şen Taner , İbişoğlu Ersin , Erdoğan Aslan , Özgeyik Mehmet , Demir Mevlüt , Bilgel Ziya Gökalp , Şengör Büşra Güvendi , Urgun Örsan Deniz , Doğduş Mustafa , Tekin Deniz Dilan Naki , Çakal Sinem , Çayırlı Sercan , Güler Arda , Karabulut Dilay , Dalgıç Onur , Uzman Osman , Murat Bektaş , Şahin Şeyda , Karabulut Umut , Kıvrak Tarık , Coşgun Muharrem Said , Özyurtlu Ferhat , Kaplan Mehmet , Özçalık Emre
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants is associated with an increased risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, cardiovascular hospitalization, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The main goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants in real-life settings.Methods: This study was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study that included 2,004 patients with atrial fibrillation. The study population was recruited from 41 cardiology outpatient clinics between January and May 2021. The main criteria for inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing were defined according to the recommendations of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Results: The median age of the study population was 72 years and 58% were women. Nine hundred and eighty-seven patients were prescribed rivaroxaban, 658 apixaban, 239 edoxaban, and 120 dabigatran. A total of 498 patients (24.9%) did not receive the appropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants. In a logistic regression model, advanced age, presence of chronic kidney disease, presence of permanent atrial fibrillation, prescription of reduced doses of direct oral anticoagulants, prescription of edoxaban treatment, concomitant use of amiodarone treatment, and non-use of statin treatment were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the prevalence of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing according to the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations was 24.9% in patients with atrial fibrillation. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with the inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulants.
Crustal structure beneath earthquake swarm in the Noto peninsula, Japan
Authors: Nakajima Junichi
Published: July 2022

We carry out seismic tomography study to reveal three-dimensional (3D) seismic velocity structures in the Noto peninsula, Japan, where swarm-like seismic activity started in December 2020. The obtained results reveal a highly heterogeneous structure in the crust. The most striking feature is the existence of a low-velocity anomaly in the lower crust beneath the Noto earthquake swarm. Although the data set used in this study cannot resolve the upper mantle structure, previous regional tomographic studies suggest that a low-velocity anomaly exists at depths of 50–150 km around the Noto peninsula. We thus infer that fluids are supplied to the crustal level from the upper mantle low-velocity anomaly, which is interpreted as a fluid-rich region. The upward migration of the large volume of fluids over a very short time scale probably induces frequent aseismic slip along individual crustal faults, and numerous earthquakes are subsequently triggered as a result of stress loading by aseismic slip. Since major active faults exists at a shallower extension of the hypocenters of the Noto earthquake swarm, we consider that the Noto earthquake swarm occurs along pre-existing fault planes. Dense temporary seismic observations will highlight a smaller-scale (5–10 km) 3D seismic velocity model and finer hypocenter distribution, which provide additional information for better understanding of the generation mechanisms of the Noto earthquake swarm.
Photobiochemical mechanisms of biomolecules relevant to germicidal ultraviolet irradiation at 222 and 254 nm
Authors: Naito Keisuke , Sawadaishi Kazuyuki , Kawasaki Masahiro
Published: July 2022

To inactivate viruses and microorganisms, ultraviolet light in the short wavelength region is a promising candidate for mitigating the infection of disease. Recently, a 222-nm lamp has become available as a sterilisation lamp, while a 254-nm lamp has been conventional one. In this work, wavelength dependence of the photobiochemical mechanisms was investigated with 222- and 254-nm irradiation to analyze the underlying damage mechanisms of DNA/RNA and proteins, using Escherichia coli, a protease, an oligopeptide, amino acids, plasmid DNA and nucleosides. The photorepair of damaged DNA and the “dark” reversion of the hydrates of uracil phosphoramidite coupling blocks were also investigated.