bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of phase transition of crednerite/delafossite CuMn1−xCrxO2 on optical, thermal, and power factor properties
Authors: Srepusharawoot Pornjuk , Kosalwat Wattana , Ruttanapun Chesta
Published: November 2021

This study aims to investigate the effect of the phase transition of CuMn1−xCrxO2 compound on the Jahn–Teller effect which in turn affects the optical, thermal, and thermoelectric power factor properties. The CuMn1−xCrxO2 samples were synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method. The ab initio computation was applied to evaluate the electronic and optical properties in order to confirm the experiment data. The appearance of the phase transition from crednerite CuMnO2 to delafossite CuCrO2 was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and the ab initio computation through displaying the mixed crednerite/delafossite phase; and, the existence of the Jahn–Teller effect was confirmed by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique exhibiting the occurrence of mixed‐state Mn3+/Mn4+ ions. The results obtained from XRD, XPS, and the ab initio computation implied the decrease of the Jahn–Teller behavior with increased x content under the influence of the phase transition from the crednerite phase to the delafossite phase of CuMn1−xCrxO2. Surprisingly, the Jahn–Teller distortion reduction caused an increase in the energy gap of the optical property, electrical resistivity, and activation energy in thermally activated band conduction. The effect suffered the specific heat behavior by being separated into two groups of crednerite and delafossite, and enhanced the small polaron behavior by increasing the activation energy of thermally activated band conduction. The phase transition reduced the results of thermal conductivity, thermopower, and thermoelectric power factor properties. In other words, the effect of the phase transition from the crednerite CuMnO2 phase to the delafossite CuCrO2 phase on CuMn1−xCrxO2 compound reduced the Jahn–Teller effect with increased Cr content which in turn caused changes in the optical, thermal, and thermoelectric power factor properties. The effect of the phase transition is advantageous for the improvement of material properties.
Addressing amorphization and transgranular fracture of B4C through Si doping and TiB2 microparticle reinforcing
Authors: Hwang Chawon , Du Jun , Yang Qirong , Celik Azmi M. , Christian Kent , An Qi , Schaefer Mark C. , Xie Kelvin Y. , LaSalvia Jerry C. , Hemker Kevin J. , Goddard William A. , Haber Richard A.
Published: November 2021

Over the last two decades, many studies have contributed to improving our understanding of the brittle failure mechanisms of boron carbide and provided a road map for inhibiting the underlying mechanisms and improving the mechanical response of boron carbide. This paper provides a review of the design and processing approaches utilized to address the amorphization and transgranular fracture of boron carbide, which are mainly based on what we have found through 9 years of work in the field of boron carbides as armor ceramics.
Hydration kinetics and microstructure development of normal and NaAlO2‐activated Al‐doped β‐C2S pastes
Authors: Zhang Wensheng , Zhang Jiangtao , Ye Jiayuan , Ren Xuehong , Liu Lei , Shen Weiguo
Published: November 2021

Sodium aluminate (NaAlO2) can be used to accelerate hydration of Portland cements. Here, we compare the use of NaAlO2 solutions with deionized water on the hydration of Al‐doped β‐C2S. The microstructure development of hydration product C‐S‐H obtained from hydrated Al‐doped β‐C2S was investigated. NaAlO2 significantly improved the hydration kinetics of Al‐doped β‐C2S due to the enhancement in the precipitation of calcium hydroxide and stimulation of C‐(A)‐S‐H nucleation and increased the early‐age mechanical strength of Al‐doped β‐C2S pastes. NaAlO2 promoted the incorporation of Al in the C‐(A)‐S‐H structure and accelerated the formation of C‐(A)‐S‐H phases containing tetra‐, penta‐ and hexa‐coordinated Al in its composition. The alkali cations modified the electrostatic equilibrium of the C‐(A)‐S‐H, thus promoting the development of the nano‐mechanical properties.
Efficacy of tooth‐supported compared to implant‐supported full‐arch removable prostheses in patients with terminal dentition. A systematic review
Authors: Donos Nikolaos , André Mezzomo Luis , Mardas Nikolaos , Goldoni Matteo , Calciolari Elena
Published: November 2021

Aims

To compare tooth‐ (TSRP) and implant‐supported (ISRP) removable prostheses in terms of abutment and prosthesis survival (PICO 1) and estimated cumulative survival of teeth/implants and prostheses (PICO 2) at ≥12‐month post‐prosthesis delivery in patients with stage IV periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

Five databases were searched to identify RCTs, CCTs, single arms, prospective cohort studies, case series and retrospective studies. Duplicate screening was performed, and ranges for abutment and prosthesis survival were calculated.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included in the qualitative assessment. Only one study with critical risk of bias comparing the two treatment modalities reported similar survival rates at 2 years. Overall, prospective studies on ISRPs indicated an implant survival rate ranging from 96.4% to 100% and a prosthesis survival rate of 100% with a follow‐up from 12 to 54 months. Prospective studies on TSRPs indicated a tooth survival ranging from 85.71% to 100% at 1‐ to 10‐years follow‐up.

Conclusions

The available evidence is of poor quality, and it does not allow to make robust conclusions on the efficacy of these rehabilitations in stage IV periodontitis patients. Particularly for TSRPs, careful patient selection is crucial and a certain number of biological and prosthetic complications should be expected.
Lifetime prevalence and determinants of hand eczema in an adolescent population in Germany: 15‐year follow‐up of the LISA cohort study
Authors: Wang J. , Tischer C. , Standl M. , Weidinger S. , von Berg A. , Herberth G. , Yew Y.W. , Heinrich J. , Schmitt J. , Apfelbacher C.
Published: November 2021

Background

Hand eczema is a common inflammatory skin disorder in both adolescence and adulthood.

Objectives

We sought to assess the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema and associated exogenous and endogenous risk factors among adolescents in Germany.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study embedded into a prospective population‐based birth cohort in four regions of Germany, which recruited healthy neonates born between November 1997 and January 1999. We included 1736 participants who had completed the 15‐year follow‐up from birth cohort and 84.6% (1468/1736) had clearly reported whether they have ever had hand eczema. All the data were based on questionnaires and blood tests (immunoglobulin E). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine endogenous and exogenous factors in relation to the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema among adolescents.

Results

One thousand four hundred and sixty‐eight adolescents (715 girls, 48.7%) were included in the final analysis. The lifetime prevalence of hand eczema among adolescents at the age of 15 was 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.9%–12.1%), with a significantly higher lifetime prevalence among girls than boys (12.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.005). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated statistically significant associations between the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema and having ever been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8) or having ever had dry skin (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1), respectively. No statistically significant independent associations were found between asthma, hay fever, allergy‐related clinical symptoms, immunoglobulin E positivity and other exogenous factors in relation to hand eczema.

Conclusion

Our study fills a research gap on the epidemiological burden of hand eczema among adolescents. One out of ten ever suffered from hand eczema until age 15 years indicating that hand eczema constitutes a significant burden in paediatric populations. The role of atopic dermatitis in hand eczema reinforces previous findings. Exogenous risk factors warrant further investigation.
Effect of massage therapy with lavender oil on severity of restless legs syndrome and quality of life in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Döner Ayser , Taşcı Sultan
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study assessed the effects of massage therapy using 5% lavender oil on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the quality of life (QoL) of patients on hemodialysis (HD).

Design and methods

This is a randomized placebo‐controlled study with a pretest–posttest design. This study was conducted from January 30, 2019, to May 6, 2019, at HD centers in Turkey, and it includes 58 participants—31 study patients and 27 controls. Data were collected using patient identification form, RLS severity rating scale, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Scale (KDQOLTM‐36) and patient follow‐up charts. As per the massage therapy protocol, the patients in the study and control groups received massage therapy with lavender oil and baby oil, respectively.

Findings

RLS severity significantly decreased in all follow‐up weeks in the study group and in the first, second, and third follow‐up weeks in the control group. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of KDQOLTM‐36 subscales and total scores at the initial and final follow‐ups.

Conclusion

In HD patients, massage with lavender oil lessened the severity of RLS and improved the QoL. Accordingly, this therapy can be recommended to HD patients.

Clinical relevance

Massage therapy during HD sessions is easy, inexpensive, and patient‐friendly with no side effects. It is known to reduce symptoms and enable the patients to easily perform daily activities of living. Massage therapy with lavender oil is effective and can be easily applied to patients with RLS by nurses.

Trial registration

This study was registered under the Clinical Trials protocol registration system (NCT04630470) upon completion.
Identification of multinucleated cells in human kidney cortex: A way for tissue repairing?
Authors: Fantone Sonia , Tossetta Giovanni , Graciotti Laura , Galosi Andrea Benedetto , Skrami Edlira , Marzioni Daniela , Morroni Manrico
Published: November 2021

The presence of multinucleated cells has never been demonstrated in renal tissue, although, polyploid cells were recently observed in the tubules of normal and pathological human kidney. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to identify and quantify, by electron microscopy, multinucleated cells in the cortical tissue of normal human kidney i.e., in the three compartments of renal tubule: the proximal tubule (PT), the distal tubule (DT), and the collecting duct (CD), as well as, in the glomerulus (podocytes). The percentage of the multinucleated cells observed was 5% (95%CI: 3.6%–6.7%) in renal cortical tubules with distribution in each tubular compartment of 6% in PT, 4% in DT and 3% in CD with no statistically significant difference in the distribution of multinucleated cells according to tubular compartments. Four percent of analysed podocytes (in total 149 podocytes) were multinucleated (95%CI: 1.5%−8.6%). In conclusion, multinucleated cells were identified and quantified in functionally normal kidneys, as previously demonstrated in other organs such as the liver.
A comparative perspective of local electoral management bodies in Latin America
Authors: Romero Ballivián Salvador
Published: November 2021

There are not many studies on subnational electoral bodies in Latin America, especially with a comparative approach. This article describes these bodies based on their main traits and presents the first hypotheses to explain their development or atrophy. It posits that the nations' geographic extension and the complexity of the different levels of government—federalism or significant levels of mid‐level autonomy—are associated with a greater degree of institutionalization, autonomy, and strength at the subnational electoral level, such that a smaller nation, or the absence of a mid‐level government, limits consolidation. The article uses a comparative approach.
Changes in therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia
Authors: Ogasawara Sadahisa , Koroki Keisuke , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kazufumi , Kiyono Soichiro , Nakamura Masato , Kanogawa Naoya , Saito Tomoko , Kondo Takayuki , Nakagawa Ryo , Nakamoto Shingo , Muroyama Ryosuke , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Kato Naoya
Published: November 2021

The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is expected to increase, with most cases occurring in Asia. In some parts of Asia, the occurrence of HCC developing from metabolic‐related liver disease has markedly increased in recent years, whereas the occurrence of HCC developing from viral‐hepatitis–related liver disease has decreased. Advancements in the treatment of HCC over the past few decades has been remarkable, with most treatment strategies to remove or control liver tumours (hepatic resection, local ablation, radiation therapy, transarterial chemoembolisation, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy) primarily developing in Asia. In addition, recent progress in systemic therapies has prolonged the prognosis of advanced HCC. Nowadays, six regimens of systemic therapies have become available in most countries, according to phase III trials (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib and ramucirumab). In a global randomised phase III trial (IMbrave 150 trial), the most effective of the latest drug designs was newly emerged combination immunotherapy (atezolizumab plus bevacizumab), which has shown significantly prolonged overall survival compared with sorafenib, which was the first‐line systemic therapy for more than a decade. Now, the treatment dynamics for HCC are undergoing a major transition as a result of two important changes: the replacement of viral‐related HCC by metabolic‐related HCC and the emergence of combination immune therapy.
Complex basis of hybrid female sterility and Haldane's rule in Heliconius butterflies: Z‐linkage and epistasis
Authors: Rosser Neil , Edelman Nathaniel B. , Queste Lucie M. , Nelson Michaela , Seixas Fernando , Dasmahapatra Kanchon K. , Mallet James
Published: November 2021

Hybrids between species are often sterile or inviable. Hybrid unfitness usually evolves first in the heterogametic sex—a pattern known as Haldane's rule. The genetics of Haldane's rule have been extensively studied in species where the male is the heterogametic (XX/XY) sex, but its basis in taxa where the female is heterogametic (ZW/ZZ), such as Lepidoptera and birds, is largely unknown. Here, we analyse a new case of female hybrid sterility between geographic subspecies of Heliconius pardalinus. The two subspecies mate freely in captivity, but female F1 hybrids in both directions of cross are sterile. Sterility is due to arrested development of oocytes after they become differentiated from nurse cells, but before yolk deposition. We backcrossed fertile male F1 hybrids to parental females and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for female sterility. We also identified genes differentially expressed in the ovary as a function of oocyte development. The Z chromosome has a major effect, similar to the ‘large X effect’ in Drosophila, with strong epistatic interactions between loci at either end of the Z chromosome, and between the Z chromosome and autosomal loci on chromosomes 8 and 20. By intersecting the list of genes within these QTLs with those differentially expressed in sterile and fertile hybrids, we identified three candidate genes with relevant phenotypes. This study is the first to characterize hybrid sterility using genome mapping in the Lepidoptera and shows that it is produced by multiple complex epistatic interactions often involving the sex chromosome, as predicted by the dominance theory of Haldane's rule.
Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tihtonen Kati , Korhonen Päivi , Isojärvi Jaana , Ojala Riitta , Ashorn Ulla , Ashorn Per , Tammela Outi
Published: November 2021

Insufficient calcium intake during pregnancy may lead to maternal bone resorption and lower bone density of offspring. We evaluated the impact of supplementary calcium with or without vitamin D during pregnancy on maternal and offspring bone mineral density (BMD) and teeth firmness of the offspring. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched systematically in 11 databases. Two researchers independently screened the titles and abstracts of 3555 records and the full texts of 31 records to examine eligibility. The search yielded seven RCTs (11 reports, n = 1566).  No advantage of calcium supplementation was found on maternal BMD after delivery or during breastfeeding, or on offspring BMD, even when dietary calcium intake was low. The results were neither modified by the dose of calcium nor concomitant vitamin D administration. A suspicion of some long‐term harm of the intervention on maternal BMD and growth of female offspring was raised based on the data. One study suggested some benefit of high‐dose calcium supplementation on offspring teeth firmness at 12 years old. A low number of the studies and abundant missing data reduced the quality of the findings. The impact of calcium supplementation on maternal and offspring bone health was deemed unknown because of inconclusive research results.
Impact of risk of generalizability biases in adult obesity interventions: A meta‐epidemiological review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Beets Michael W. , von Klinggraeff Lauren , Burkart Sarah , Jones Alexis , Ioannidis John P. A. , Weaver R. Glenn , Okely Anthony D. , Lubans David , van Sluijs Esther , Jago Russell , Turner‐McGrievy Gabrielle , Thrasher James , Li Xiaoming
Published: November 2021

Biases introduced in early‐stage studies can lead to inflated early discoveries. The risk of generalizability biases (RGBs) identifies key features of feasibility studies that, when present, lead to reduced impact in a larger trial. This meta‐study examined the influence of RGBs in adult obesity interventions. Behavioral interventions with a published feasibility study and a larger scale trial of the same intervention (e.g., pairs) were identified. Each pair was coded for the presence of RGBs. Quantitative outcomes were extracted. Multilevel meta‐regression models were used to examine the impact of RGBs on the difference in the effect size (ES, standardized mean difference) from pilot to larger scale trial. A total of 114 pairs, representing 230 studies, were identified. Overall, 75% of the pairs had at least one RGB present. The four most prevalent RGBs were duration (33%), delivery agent (30%), implementation support (23%), and target audience (22%) bias. The largest reductions in the ES were observed in pairs where an RGB was present in the pilot and removed in the larger scale trial (average reduction ES −0.41, range −1.06 to 0.01), compared with pairs without an RGB (average reduction ES −0.15, range −0.18 to −0.14). Eliminating RGBs during early‐stage testing may result in improved evidence.
Burden of chronic low back pain: Association with pain severity and prescription medication use in five large European countries
Authors: Perrot Serge , Doane Michael J. , Jaffe Dena H. , Dragon Erika , Abraham Lucy , Viktrup Lars , Bushmakin Andrew G. , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Conaghan Philip G.
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study assessed associations between severity of, and prescription medication use for, chronic low back pain (CLBP) and health‐related quality of life, health status, work productivity, and healthcare resource utilization.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study utilized SF‐12, EQ‐5D‐5L, and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) questionnaires, and visits to healthcare providers among adults with self‐reported CLBP participating in the National Health and Wellness Survey in Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain. Respondents were stratified into four groups according to pain severity (mild or moderate/severe) and prescription medication use (Rx‐treated or Rx‐untreated). Differences between groups were estimated using generalized linear models controlling for sociodemographics and health characteristics.

Results

Of 2086 respondents with CLBP, 683 had mild pain (276 Rx‐untreated, 407 Rx‐treated) and 1403 had moderate/severe pain (781 Rx‐untreated, 622 Rx‐treated). Respondents with moderate/severe pain had significantly worse health‐related quality of life (SF‐12v2 physical component summary), health status (EQ‐5D‐5L), and both absenteeism and presenteeism compared with those with mild pain, including Rx‐untreated (moderate/severe pain Rx‐untreated vs. mild pain Rx‐untreated, p ≤ 0.05) and Rx‐treated (moderate/severe pain Rx‐treated vs. mild pain Rx‐treated, p ≤ 0.05) groups. Significantly more visits to healthcare providers in the last 6 months were reported for moderate/severe pain compared with mild pain for Rx‐treated (least squares mean 13.01 vs. 10.93, p = 0.012) but not Rx‐untreated (8.72 vs. 7.61, p = 0.072) groups. Health‐related quality of life (SF‐12v2 physical component summary) and health status (EQ‐5D‐5L), as well as absenteeism and presenteeism, were significantly worse, and healthcare utilization was significantly higher, in the moderate/severe pain Rx‐treated group compared with all other groups (all p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Greater severity of CLBP was associated with worse health‐related quality of life, health status, and absenteeism and presenteeism, irrespective of prescription medication use. Greater severity of CLBP was associated with increased healthcare utilization in prescription medication users.
A meta‐analysis of the interactive effects of UV and drought on plants
Authors: Jansen Marcel A. K. , Ač Alexander , Klem Karel , Urban Otmar
Published: November 2021

Interactions between climate change and UV penetration in the biosphere are resulting in the exposure of plants to new combinations of UV radiation and drought. In theory, the impacts of combinations of UV and drought may be additive, synergistic or antagonistic. Lack of understanding of the impacts of combined treatments creates substantial uncertainties that hamper predictions of future ecological change. Here, we compiled information from 52 publications and analysed the relative impacts of UV and/or drought. Both UV and drought have substantial negative effects on biomass accumulation, plant height, photosynthesis, leaf area and stomatal conductance and transpiration, while increasing stress‐associated symptoms such as MDA accumulation and reactive‐oxygen‐species content. Contents of proline, flavonoids, antioxidants and anthocyanins, associated with plant acclimation, are upregulated both under enhanced UV and drought. In plants exposed to both UV and drought, increases in plant defense responses are less‐than‐additive, and so are the damage and growth retardation. Less‐than‐additive effects were observed across field, glasshouse and growth‐chamber studies, indicating similar physiological response mechanisms. Induction of a degree of cross‐resistance seems the most likely interpretation of the observed less‐than‐additive responses. The data show that in future climates, the impacts of increases in drought exposure may be lessened by naturally high UV regimes.
Dementia in the era of COVID‐19. Some considerations and ethical issues
Authors: Cipriani Gabriele , Di Fiorino Mario , Cammisuli Davide M.
Published: November 2021

Living with dementia at any time brings everyday challenges for the patient and those around him/her. The Covid‐19 pandemic is making daily life harder. We aim to describe the problems of people with dementia during the time of such a pandemic and address the issue of their access to intensive care units. A systematic literature search (Cochrane Library (advanced search), and PubMed) was performed (for items up to 19 August 2020) using the following terms: ‘COVID‐19’, ‘dementia’, and ‘intensive care unit’. Studies were independently evaluated and selected for potential analysis. Five of 35 articles initially selected met the inclusion criteria. An additional Google Scholar search identified some striking statements from relevant authorities or scientists about the difficulty of living with dementia in the era of COVID‐19, and were also reported. To summarize, dementia‐related behaviours, increased age, and comorbid health conditions may increase the risk of contracting the virus. People with dementia in their own homes may already feel isolated, and additional rules for self‐isolation may make this worse. As COVID‐19 is spreading worldwide, governments and health authorities should devise better criteria for accessing intensive care units and allocating ventilators. If someone is given preference for medical care, it should be because that person has a better short‐term prognosis, not simply because that person is younger than someone else.
Usable and Precise Asymptotics for Generalized Linear Mixed Model Analysis and Design
Authors: Jiang Jiming , Wand Matt P. , Bhaskaran Aishwarya
Published: November 2021

We derive precise asymptotic results that are directly usable for confidence intervals and Wald hypothesis tests for likelihood-based generalized linear mixed model analysis. The essence of our approach is to derive the exact leading term behaviour of the Fisher information matrix when both the number of groups and number of observations within each group diverge. This leads to asymptotic normality results with simple studentizable forms. Similar analyses result in tractable leading term forms for the determination of approximate locally D-optimal designs.
Pilot study of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality—Group
Authors: Gutierrez Peter M. , Johnson Lora , Podlogar Matthew C. , Hagman Stacy , Muehler Tanner A. , Hanson Jetta , Pierson Jonathan T. , Brown Austin A. , O’Connor Stephen
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Few evidence‐based options exist for outpatient treatment of patients at risk of suicide, and to‐date almost all research has focused on individually delivered psychotherapy. Group therapy for veterans at risk of suicide is a promising alternative.

Methods

Thirty veterans receiving care at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the southern United States were randomized to either care as usual (CAU) or to CAU plus the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicide‐Group (CAMS‐G). Veterans were assessed prior to randomization to condition and at 1, 3, and 6 months post‐randomization on a range of suicide‐specific measures, burdensomeness, belonging, treatment satisfaction, and group cohesion.

Results

Across measures and follow‐up assessments, veterans in CAMS‐G reported good satisfaction with the intervention, a sense of cohesion with other members of the group, and reduced symptom distress. Veterans in both conditions reported decreases in suicidal ideation and behavior, with CAMS‐G participants potentially improving slightly faster.

Conclusion

This description of CAMS‐G for veterans adds to the growing literature on suicide‐specific interventions and supports the need for additional research to determine if wide‐spread rollout is justifiable.
Gut microbiota of elite female football players is not altered during an official international tournament
Authors: Oliveira Catarina B. , Marques Cláudia , Abreu Rodrigo , Figueiredo Pedro , Calhau Conceição , Brito João , Sousa Mónica
Published: November 2021

The current study aimed to investigate if the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players changes during an official international tournament. The study was conducted throughout ten consecutive days, encompassing seven training sessions, and three official matches. The matches were separated by 48–72 h. Seventeen elite female football players from the Portuguese women's national football team participated in the study. Fecal samples were collected at two time points: at the beginning and end of the tournament. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Throughout the study, the duration and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded after training sessions and matches. The internal load was determined by the session RPE. The gut microbiota of players was predominantly composed of bacteria from the phyla Firmicutes (50% of relative abundance) and Bacteroidetes (20%); the genera Faecalibacterium (29%) and Collinsella (16%); the species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (30%) and Collinsella aerofaciens (17%). Overall, no significant changes were observed between time points (p ≥ 0.05). Also, no relationship was found between any exercise parameter and the gut microbiota composition (p ≥ 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the physical and physiological demands of training and matches of an official international tournament did not change the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players. Furthermore, it supports that the gut microbiota of athletes appears resilient to the physical and physiological demands of training and match play.
“I’m Trying to Give Them My Face.” Everyday Embodied Agency of the Muslim Other in Amsterdam
Authors: Shaker Reza , van Lanen Sander , van Hoven Bettina
Published: November 2021

Focusing on the Muslim Other in Amsterdam, the article explores how individual young Muslims embody their agency in the forms of micro‐practices and socio‐spatial relations. By highlighting the spatio‐corporeal aspects of Muslims' presence within urban space, our ethnography foregrounds how young Muslims negotiate identities and belonging within everyday urban spaces of encounter. Dealing with the everyday panoptical white Othering gaze, we describe a range of “unremarkable” ordinary practices and everyday small agencies that young Muslims in Amsterdam adopt including invisibility, challenging whiteness, and accumulating whiteness.
A genealogy of komunitas: Varieties of social formation and their signification in Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: Lengauer Dayana
Published: November 2021

Bandung is bustling with the activities of young people organised in komunitas. These social formations display a striking variety in terms of size, coherence, activity, mediatisation, institutional background, internal hierarchies, gender and age composition. Despite this heterogeneity, they capitalise on similar values, like peer solidarity, creativity or friendship. By attending to the formation of specific groups—so called komunitas perdamaian, literally peace communities—I pursue a genealogy of Bandung's komunitas, seeking to uncover the social and discursive evolution of this phenomenon. Drawing on ethnographic data from 1‐year of fieldwork in Bandung, I argue that there are at least four variants of komunitas that became salient in distinct historical moments informing the ways these social formations are signified today: (a) punk/indie collectives that produced the style of the 1998 reform movement; (b) groups of young entrepreneurs that popularised creativity as Bandung's trademark in the 2000s; and (more recently) (c) Islamic proselytisation; and (d) peace movements, both of which epitomise creativity and solidarity, yet on different scales and to different ends.
Recent Progress on Tailoring and Modification of Membranes for Membrane Distillation: A Review
Authors: Alias Nur Hashimah , Sufianasuri Nur Fazira
Published: November 2021

Membrane distillation (MD) has gained the interest of many researchers since it is a promising method for the separation and purification process. Membrane distillation (MD) is a non-isothermal separation process in which differential vapor pressure between porous hydrophobic membrane surfaces acts as a driving factor. A hydrophobic membrane is used in the application of MD, which permits only the passage of vapor produced on the feed side through its pores to the permeate side. One of the most significant obstacles to the commercialisation of the MD method is a lack of appropriate membranes for the process. On the other hand, conventional hydrophobic membranes are subjected to rapid wetting and severe fouling, mainly when low surface tension compounds are present in saline water, resulting in decreased MD performance. In recent decades, MD membranes have received exceptional scientific interest, with substantial progress being made in the design and production of MD membranes appropriate for use in many applications. This review gives a comprehensive overview of recent research developments in the tailoring morphological structure of hydrophobic membranes, emphasising advancements in the fabrication and modification of membranes towards exhibiting high efficiency in the MD process. In addition, the critical morphology characteristics, mainly surface roughness, wettability, and water contact angle, are analysed. Finally, the challenges faced and future research direction is highlighted.
Preventing Enterprise Resource Planning Failure Through an Enhanced Approach to Solve Ineffective Communication
Authors: Ahmed Kabbary Mazen , N. A. Jawawi Dayang
Published: November 2021

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a widely known type of software that eases the managerial aspect in enterprises. It increases their efficiency and productivity which helps them to exponentially grow in a short span of time compared to organizations that are not using it. However, as much as productive it is, implementing it does not often succeed. Majority of ERP implementations ends up failing due to different types of factors. Spotting the light on technical aspects showed that several factors contribute to this failure. Starting from pre-implementation phase with Business Process Reengineering (BPR) execution failure, or during the implementation phase due to miscommunication or incapable project members. The research amount in this field, particularly in critical failure factors is not sufficient to learn from and avoid future implementations, hence this topic provides insights about this specific issue. Quantitative method is used to analyse the data collected from a survey questionnaire for those who got involved in ERP or BPR implementations. The research process goes through objectives from problem identification to an in-detail explanation about its causes and effects, to how it is going to be addressed, how the data is going to be collected and analysed, and finally the proposed approach with a technical evaluation for it. The final objective of the research results in developing an approach that minimises the negative contribution of two failure factors, poor BPR and ineffective communication on the mentioned implementations, or prevent them entirely. The reason these two were chosen were due to their high occurrence frequency and lack of research regarding why they are considered failure factors. Concluding the research, the mentioned enhanced approach is being evaluated showing its potential to solve these factors, as they are relying on each other, with additional suggestions to further improve the approach in future work.
Intrusion Alert Reduction Based on Unsupervised and Supervised Learning Algorithms
Authors: Afolabi-B Oyinkansola Oluwapelumi Kemi , MD Siraj Maheyzah
Published: November 2021

Security and protection of information is an ever-evolving process in the field of information security. One of the major tools of protection is the Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). For so many years, IDS have been developed for use in computer networks, they have been widely used to detect a range of network attacks; but one of its major drawbacks is that attackers, with the evolution of time and technology make it harder for IDS systems to cope. A sub-branch of IDS-Intrusion Alert Analysis was introduced into the research system to combat these problems and help support IDS by analyzing the alert triggered by the IDS. Intrusion Alert analysis has served as a good support for IDS systems for many years but also has its own short comings which are the amount of the voluminous number of alerts produced by IDS systems. From years of research, it has been observed that majority of the alerts produced are undesirables such as duplicates, false alerts, etc., leading to huge amounts of alerts causing alert flooding. This research proposed the reduction alert by targeting these undesirable alerts through the integration of supervised and unsupervised algorithms and approach. The research first selects significant features by comparing two feature ranking techniques this targets duplicates, low priority and irrelevant alert. To achieve further reduction, the research proposed the integration of supervised and unsupervised algorithms to filter out false alerts. Based on this, an effective model was gotten which achieved 94.02% reduction rate of alerts. Making use of the dataset ISCX 2012, experiments were conducted and the model with the highest reduction rate was chosen. The model was evaluated against other experimental results and benchmarked against a related work, it also improved on the said related work.
OTL-PEM: An Optimization-Based Two-Layer Pointwise Ensemble of Surrogate Models
Authors: Pang Yong , Wang Yitang , Sun Wei , Song Xueguan
Published: November 2021

The ensemble of surrogate models is increasingly implemented in practice for its more flexibility and resilience than individual models. The optimization-based two-layer pointwise ensemble of surrogate models (OTL-PEM) is proposed in this paper as a novel pointwise ensemble of surrogate models. The framework of two-layer surrogate models is defined in the OTL-PEM, with data-surrogate models having several types of individual surrogate models fitting the given dataset. In contrast, the weight-surrogate models are modeled based on the cross-validation errors aiming to fit the pointwise weights of several individual surrogate models. To avoid the negative influence of the poor individual surrogate models, the model selection problem is transformed into several optimization problems, which can be solved easily using a sophisticated optimization algorithm to eliminate the globally poor surrogate models. In addition, the optimization space is extracted to reduce the prediction instability caused by weight-surrogate model extrapolation. More than 40 test functions are used to select the appropriate hyperparameters of the OTL-PEM and evaluate the OTL-PEM’s performance. The results show that the OTL-PEM can provide more accurate and robust approximation performance than individual surrogate models and other ensembles of surrogate models.
Auditory-visual interactions in egocentric distance perception: Ventriloquism effect and aftereffect
Authors: Hládek Ľuboš , Seitz Aaron R. , Kopčo Norbert
Published: November 2021

This study describes data on auditory-visual integration and visually-guided adaptation of auditory distance perception using the ventriloquism effect (VE) and ventriloquism aftereffect (VAE). In an experiment, participants judged egocentric distance of interleaved auditory or auditory-visual stimuli with the auditory component located from 0.7 to 2.04 m in front of listeners in a real reverberant environment. The visual component of auditory-visual stimuli was displaced 30% closer (V-closer), 30% farther (V-farther), or aligned (V-aligned) with respect to the auditory component. The VE and VAE were measured in auditory and auditory-visual trials, respectively. Both effects were approximately independent of target distance when expressed in logarithmic units. The VE strength, defined as a difference of V-misaligned and V-aligned response bias, was approximately 72% of the auditory-visual disparity regardless of the visual-displacement direction, while the VAE was stronger in the V-farther (44%) than the V-closer (31%) condition. The VAE persisted to post-adaptation auditory-only blocks of trials, although it was diminished. The rates of build-up/break-down of the VAE were asymmetrical, with slower adaptation in the V-closer condition. These results suggest that auditory-visual distance integration is independent of the direction of induced shift, while the re-calibration is stronger and faster when evoked by more distant visual stimuli.
Decreased Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Activity Leads to Increased Sensitivity to
para
-Aminosalicylic Acid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Yu Ji-fang , Xu Jin-tian , Yang Shan-shan , Gao Mei-na , Si Hao-rui , Xiong Dong-yan , Gu Jing , Wu Zhi-long , Zhou Jie , Deng Jiao-yu
Published: November 2021

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, is one of the most fatal diseases in the world. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the production of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-CH
3
-THF), which is required for the
de novo
biosynthesis of methionine in bacteria. Here, we identified Rv2172c as an MTHFR in
M. tuberculosis
through
in vitro
and
in vivo
analyses and determined that the protein is essential for the
in vitro
growth of the bacterium.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Proven Invasive Aspergillosis Due to Rare/Cryptic Species in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Yamamuro Ryosuke , Kimura Muneyoshi , Asano-Mori Yuki , Abe Masahiro , Nakamura Shigeki , Umeyama Takashi , Yamagoe Satoshi , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Ogura Sho , Sakoh Takashi , Mitsuki Takashi , Yamaguchi Kyosuke , Yuasa Mitsuhiro , Kaji Daisuke , Kageyama Kosei , Nishida Aya , Taya Yuki , Ishiwata Kazuya , Takagi Shinsuke , Yamamoto Hisashi , Yamamoto Go , Uchida Naoyuki , Wake Atsushi , Taniguchi Shuichi , Araoka Hideki
Published: November 2021

There are few reports on the clinical course of proven invasive aspergillosis (IA) due to rare/cryptic species in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent allo-HSCT between January 2012 and December 2018.
Impact of
FKS1
Genotype on Echinocandin
In Vitro
Susceptibility in Candida auris and
In Vivo
Response in a Murine Model of Infection
Authors: Sharma Dipti , Paul Raees A. , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash M. , Kashyap Nisha , Bhattacharya Sanjay , Soman Rajeev , Shankarnarayan Shamanth A. , Chavan Dipali , Singh Shreya , Das Parijit , Kaur Harsimran , Ghosh Anup K. , Prasad Rajendra , Sanyal Kaustuv , Chakrabarti Arunaloke
Published: November 2021

Echinocandins are frontline antifungal agents in the management of invasive infections due to multidrug resistant
Candida auris
. The study aimed to evaluate echinocandin resistance in
C. auris
isolates of multicentric origin, identify the resistance mechanism, and analyze the pharmacodynamic response to caspofungin in a neutropenic mouse model of infection.
Effects of Inactivation of
d
,
d
-Transpeptidases of Acinetobacter baumannii on Bacterial Growth and Susceptibility to β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Toth Marta , Lee Mijoon , Stewart Nichole K. , Vakulenko Sergei B.
Published: November 2021

Resistance to β-lactams, the most used antibiotics worldwide, constitutes the major problem for the treatment of bacterial infections. In the nosocomial pathogen
Acinetobacter baumannii
, β-lactamase-mediated resistance to the carbapenem family of β-lactam antibiotics has resulted in the selection and dissemination of multidrug-resistant isolates, which often cause infections characterized by high mortality rates.
Plasmid-Mediated Ciprofloxacin Resistance Imparts a Selective Advantage on Escherichia coli ST131
Authors: Phan Minh-Duy , Peters Kate M. , Alvarez Fraga Laura , Wallis Steven C. , Hancock Steven J. , Nhu Nguyen Thi Khanh , Forde Brian M. , Bauer Michelle J. , Paterson David L. , Beatson Scott A. , Lipman Jeffrey , Schembri Mark A.
Published: November 2021

Escherichia coli
ST131 is a recently emerged antibiotic resistant clone responsible for high rates of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Despite its global dominance, the precise mechanisms that have driven the rapid dissemination of ST131 remain unknown.
Sodium and Potassium tert-Butyl Peroxide Hydrates: Crystal Structure and Properties
Authors: Medvedev A. G. , Sharipov M. Yu. , Mikhaylov A. A. , Grishanov D. A. , Churakov A. V. , Prikhodchenko P. V.
Published: November 2021

Sodium and potassium tert-butyl peroxide hydrates 2Na+·2C4H9$${\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$$·7H2O (I) and 2K+· 2C4H9$${\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$$·4H2O (II) were prepared. According to X-ray diffraction data (CIF files CCDC no. 2081025 (I) and no. 2081024 (II)), the compounds are coordination polymers in which alkali metal atoms have C.N.(Na) of 6 or C.N.(K) of 6 and 8. The crystal packings comprise layers with clearly defined hydrophobic surfaces consisting of hydrocarbon groups and hydrophilic inner areas including water molecules, alkali metal cations, and peroxy groups of the tert-butyl peroxide anions. Compounds were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry.
Bee sting leading to stroke: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Masaraddi Shivakumar K , Desai Rohan J , Deshpande Swanit Hemant , Patel Sameet
Published: November 2021

In India, bee stings are very common, seen mainly in farmers and honey collectors. Usually, it presents with local reactions and anaphylaxis. It rarely requires urgent hospitalisation. Other major complications seen are acute renal failure, intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis and acute pulmonary oedema. Stroke as a presentation is uncommon. We report a case of a 45-year-old man presenting with right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia due to multiple bee stings. Diffusion MRI showed left middle cerebral artery territory hyperacute infarct.
Case of successfully delivered dicavitary twins in uterus didelphus
Authors: Barnes Ellie , Walker Kate , Sayed Hazem Mohamed , Green Amanda
Published: November 2021

Uterus didelphus is a congenital abnormality arising from failure of fusion of Mullerian ducts, creating two separate uterine horns, two cervices and, in some cases, a vagina divided by a longitudinal septum. In this case, a 26-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed uterus didelphus spontaneously conceived dicavitary twins. Although initially wanting a vaginal birth, when both twins were in a breech presentation, a caesarean section was performed at 36 weeks, delivering two healthy babies. We will discuss the risk of obstetric complications in uterus didelphus and the challenges surrounding a vaginal delivery.
Time trends in contraceptive prescribing in UK primary care 2000–2018: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Pasvol Thomas Joshua , Macgregor E Anne , Rait Greta , Horsfall Laura
Published: November 2021

Background

Over the last 20 years, new contraceptive methods became available and incentives to increase contraceptive uptake were introduced. We aimed to describe temporal trends in non-barrier contraceptive prescribing in UK primary care for the period 2000–2018.

Methods

A repeated cross-sectional study using patient data from the IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) database. The proportion (95% CI) of women prescribed non-barrier contraception per year was captured.

Results

A total of 2 705 638 women aged 15–49 years were included. Between 2000 and 2018, the proportion of women prescribed combined hormonal contraception (CHC) fell from 26.2% (26.0%–26.3%) to 14.3% (14.2%–14.3%). Prescriptions for progestogen-only pills (POPs) and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) rose from 4.3% (4.3%–4.4%) to 10.8% (10.7%–10.9%) and 4.2% (4.1%–4.2%) to 6.5% (6.5%–6.6%), respectively. Comparing 2018 data for most deprived versus least deprived areas, women from the most deprived areas were more likely to be prescribed LARC (7.7% (7.5%–7.9%) vs 5.6% (5.4%–5.8%)) while women from the least deprived areas were more likely to be prescribed contraceptive pills (20.8% (21.1%–21.5%) vs 26.2% (26.5%–26.9%)). In 2009, LARC prescriptions increased irrespective of age and social deprivation in line with a pay-for-performance incentive. However, following the incentive's withdrawal in 2014, LARC prescriptions for adolescents aged 15–19 years fell from 6.8% (6.6%–7.0%) in 2013 to 5.6% (5.4%–5.8%) in 2018.

Conclusions

CHC prescribing fell by 46% while POP prescribing more than doubled. The type of contraception prescribed was influenced by social deprivation. Withdrawal of a pay-for-performance incentive may have adversely affected adolescent LARC uptake, highlighting the need for further intervention to target this at-risk group.