bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metallic Copper as Dehalogenation Catalyst in the Treatment of Water and Wastewaters
Authors: Shee Ali , Mackenzie Katrin
Published: October 2022

Most halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are toxic and carcinogenic, hence unwanted in the environment. Several technologies exist for the treatment of both legacy and newly contaminated zones. In many contaminated subsurface environments, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) as a reagent is the tool of choice, while palladium (Pd) as a catalyst faces technical challenges. A system comprising metallic copper and borohydride as a reducing agent (referred herein as copper-borohydride system, CBHS) provides an alternative to nZVI and Pd. This chapter presents a deeper understanding of the CBHS for the treatment of HOCs by highlighting the state of knowledge related to the i) type and classes of compounds that are treatable, ii) possible reaction pathways for their transformation, iii) specific metal activities for transformation of selected classes of HOCs, iv) influence of common water constituents on catalyst stability, and v) future perspectives regarding its application in water treatment applications. Furthermore, an up-to-date discussion is presented regarding the available techniques for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. Based on the evaluation criteria including product selectivity patterns, amount and the fate of intermediates, and metal cost and stabilities in water, the most suitable application areas for Cu, Pd, and nZVI are presented as recommendations.
Recent Advances in Quantum Dots-Based Biosensors
Authors: Safari Meysam
Published: October 2022

Biosensors can be developed using quantum dots (QDs). An inorganic nucleus with organic molecules attached to its surface is referred to as a QD, and they are a type of new fluorescent nanomaterial. QDs possess unique excellent optical properties and chemical properties, including broad excitation spectra, adjustable particle sizes, confined emission spectra, emission of multiple fluorescence colors, superior signal brightness, and extended fluorescence lifetime. QDs have abundant functional groups, which make it easy to form hybrid nanomaterials that perform analytically well. With functionalized sensing systems, we can detect metal ions, biomarkers, and antibiotics sensitively and selectively through the hybridization of QDs with nanomaterials. In this chapter, we first introduce the research trends in the application of QDs and then discuss their surface modification for biological applications.
Pediatric Epilepsy in West Africa: Prevalence, Causes, and Management
Authors: Olowe Taiwo Rhoda , Shekh-Ahmad Tawfeeq
Published: October 2022

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide. Global epilepsy prevalence has been reported to be the greatest in Africa, prevalent among children living in resource-poor areas compared with all other continents. In West Africa, a meta-analysis of epilepsy prevalence was quoted to be 13–15 per 1000 persons. As a result of the lack of specialists and electroencephalographic facilities, the type of seizures that are more likely reported in rural areas is generalized tonic-clonic seizures. A high prevalence of epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries has been identified with CNS infections due to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Parasitic infections including malaria, onchocerciasis, cysticercosis, and toxocariasis are believed to account for up to 27% of pediatric epilepsy cases reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, of which onchocerciasis has been more documented as a parasitic cause of epilepsy in most of west Africa. The management of epilepsy in West Africa centers around the administration of anti-seizure medications when available, and an onchocerciasis control program that has reduced onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in these countries. However, several management options put in place still seem insufficient to curb the disease prevalence, hence improved strategy for effective control of parasite-induced epilepsy in West Africa.
The Natural Antisense Transcript-Targeted Regulation Technology Using Sense Oligonucleotides and Its Application
Authors: Nishizawa Mikio , Okuyama Tetsuya , Nakatake Richi
Published: October 2022

Natural antisense transcripts (NATs or AS transcripts) are frequently transcribed from many eukaryotic genes and post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. The AS transcript is classified as noncoding RNA and acts as a regulatory RNA in concert with RNA-binding proteins that bind to cis-controlling elements on the mRNA, microRNAs, and drugs. The AS transcript that overlaps with mRNA regulates mRNA stability by interacting with mRNA, and the network of mRNAs, AS transcripts, microRNAs, and RNA-binding proteins finely tunes the output of gene regulation, i.e., mRNA levels. We found that single-stranded ‘sense’ oligonucleotides corresponding to an mRNA sequence decreased the mRNA levels by interfering with the mRNA-AS transcript interactions of several genes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interferon-alpha1 (IFN-A1) genes. In contrast, AntagoNAT oligonucleotides, which are complementary to AS transcripts, are sense oligonucleotides when they overlap with mRNA, but they increase the levels of specific mRNAs. Collectively, the sense oligonucleotide is a powerful tool for decreasing or increasing mRNA levels. The natural antisense transcript-targeted regulation (NATRE) technology using sense oligonucleotides is a method with a unique modality for modulating cytosolic mRNA levels and may be used to treat human diseases in which AS transcripts are involved.
Trans_Proc: A Processor to Implement the Linear Transformations on the Image and Signal Processing and Its Future Scope
Authors: Sanyal Atri , Sinha Amitabha
Published: October 2022

We present here Transproc, a reconfigurable generic processor which can execute operations related to linear transformations like FFT, FDCT or FDWT. A graph theoretic lemma is used to find the applicability of such a processor to calculate the flow graph related parallel operations found in these linear transformations. The architecture level design and processing element level design is presented. The primitive instruction set and the control signal implementing the instruction set is proposed. A detailed simulation validating the correctness of PE level and the architecture level data calculation and routing operations are carried out using Xilinx Vivado Webpack. The result related to size, power and timing requirement is presented.
Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced? Levels and Accessibility of Statistical Techniques in Nursing Research Articles
Authors: Tazik Khalil , Mousavi Asl Esmaeil , Maniati Mahmood
Published: October 2022

Context: This study investigated the uses of statistical techniques in nursing research articles (RAs) published within 2016 - 2020. Evidence Acquisition: Through stratified random sampling, 374 quantitative and mixed-method RAs were selected from five nursing journals (i.e., International Journal of Nursing Studies, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Nurse Education Today, Nursing Outlook, and Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing) published within 2016 - 2020. The statistical techniques used in these articles were derived, aggregated, and listed. Results: Descriptive statistics (20.59%) and multiple regression (15.74%) were the most frequent statistics used in the nursing RAs. Regarding the level of statistics, 49.83%, 17.00%, and 4.31% of the techniques were basic, intermediate, and advanced, respectively, indicating that basic statistical techniques are by far the most frequently used techniques in nursing RAs. The findings also revealed that students with basic and intermediate knowledge of statistics could understand 66.83% of the techniques used in nursing RAs. Conclusions: The classification of statistical techniques derived from RAs presented in this study can meet the needs of nurses who wish to understand the benefits of statistics in nursing practice and hopefully can encourage them to take this part of research and practice more seriously.
Congenital afibrinogenemia in a newborn
Authors: Özay Mustafa , Kara Mustafa , Keskin Zuhal
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare coagulation disorder characterized by a deficiency in the fibrinogen molecule. Fibrinogen is a hexameric glycoprotein consisting of a polypeptide chain encoded by FGB, FGA, and FGG and is required for normal hemostasis. Changes in FGA, FGB, and FGG may affect fibrinogen at different levels. As a result of these changes, fibrinogen cannot be detected in the blood. Clinical manifestations of such changes range from asymptomatic to life-threatening bleeding or thromboembolic events. Since it is an autosomal recessive disease, the risk is higher in children whose parents are related. Therefore, the disease is more common in regions where consanguineous marriage rates are high. Diagnosis is made by laboratory tests that show the absence of fibrinogen. These patients need to be treated with fibrinogen replacement therapy. Case presentation: This study reports the case of a newborn with congenital afibrinogenemia. The baby born from a first-degree consanguineous marriage was referred to our hospital due to bleeding and ecchymosis, and afibrinogenemia was diagnosed after coagulation tests were performed. Blood samples of the patient and his parents were sent to the Genetic Diseases Diagnosis Center for a genetic diagnosis of afibrinogenemia. A new homozygous mutation of FGB exon 7: c.1220c > t (p.t407 m) (p.thr407 met) was identified in the patient. The patients' parents were heterozygous for the same mutation. Prophylaxis was not recommended for our patient who was asymptomatic in the follow-up. Conclusions: We present the case of a hemorrhagic neonatal patient diagnosed with congenital afibrinogenemia and emphasize that fibrinogen testing should be included in the evaluation of such patients. Furthermore, congenital fibrinogen disorders may be more severe when caused due to unknown specific mutation genes. Therefore, a more center-involved genetic analysis is required to identify undiagnosed fibrinogen and fibrinogen mutations.
Body mass is linked with a broad range of personality nuances, but especially those with behavioral content: A multi-sample exploration
Authors: Arumäe Kadri , Vainik Uku , Mõttus René
Published: October 2022

Various personality domains and facets correlate with body mass index (BMI), but recent studies suggest that using narrower personality traits—nuances—could contribute to a more detailed understanding of personality–body weight associations. We used three large datasets with different inventories to describe nuances’ correlations with BMI and explore whether BMI predominantly correlated with affective, behavioral, cognitive, or motivational item content. BMI correlated with many nuances, most prominently those reflecting immoderation, lack of orderliness, talkativeness, leadership tendencies, anger, traditionalism, and preference for routine. The highest nuance-level correlation was .21, compared to .11 for the Five-Factor Model domains. BMI correlated most strongly with nuances predominantly reflecting behaviors. Nuance-based approaches can thus reveal the strength, multitude, and content-nature of personality–outcome correlations that can potentially remain hidden in broader traits. If personality traits become relevant in the prevention or treatment of obesity, a focus on narrow behavioral traits may be especially warranted.
DETERMINANTS OF USERS´ INTENTION TO PAY FOR IMPROVED WATER SERVICES IN RURAL DR CONGO
Authors: JIMENEZ REDAL RUBEN , RUIZ DE ARBULO LOPEZ PATXI , SANCHEZ  FUENTE FRANCISCO , MARTINEZ LOPEZ JABIER
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT:
Water policy makers across Sub-Saharan Africa have emphasized the need to improve understanding of users´ intention to pay for safe water services in order to achieve financial sustainability. Community demand for payable water provision will be critical for the implementation of an effective revenue collection system that ensures the long-term financing of the schemes. This investigation examines community´s intention to pay in seven water schemes in rural DRC. A cross-sectional survey to 1253 households has been implemented to assess user´s perceptions and a logistic regression model has been employed to analyse the association between nine hypothesized drivers. The analysis reveal that the main factors affecting stated intention to pay are the reliability of the supply, the sense of ownership and the trust among peer resource users. No evidence was found on the potential relationship with the time employed to access the improved source and with the participation in management meetings. These findings are relevant for water authorities, NGOs and development agents designing water policies that endorse sustainable service provision.

Keywords: Intention to Pay / Financial Sustainability / Rural Water Schemes / Revenue Collection
Rendering Supply Chains Research and Its (Dis)contents
Authors: Matthiessen Miriam , Steele Anne Lee
Published: October 2022

Supply chains are fundamental to contemporary forms of capitalist production and circulation, but rarely make themselves known unless they stop working. This ‘anti-paper’ documents the beginnings of a project grappling with the possibilities and limitations surrounding digital renderings of supply chains and related research online in a way that goes beyond the spectacle of breakage. It is an ‘anti-paper’ in that it documents process and learnings over findings, results, or other finalised outputs. Section one introduces the project and the wider context it was born from and into, while section two reviews the existing landscape of digital projects surrounding supply chains and our attempt to develop some heuristics for thinking through their underlying epistemological, informational, and design assumptions, and how approaches to digital supply chain renderings differ along these lines, with possibilities and constraints entailed by each. Section three documents the dilemmas faced so far in our own project, and section four concludes by reflecting on maintenance as a research ethos and its relevance to learning about supply chains.
Inconsistent Projections
Authors: Van de Ven Ruben , Plájás Ildikó Zonga
Published: October 2022

In this paper we propose a time-based digital tool, a diagram-in-the-making, as to learn about computer vision in the field of security. With this method we want to map the heterogeneous and multiple nature of security vision tech- nologies and their imaginaries. Concretely, we conducted qualitative interviews with professionals who develop, use or militate against these technologies and asked them to draw a diagram as to support their narrative. In spatialising the conversation, the diagrams allow for a wide variety of actants and relations to emerge. The time-based unfolding of the lines enacts imaginaries of computer vision practices which are intrinsically intertwined with the narratives of which they are part. It creates space for hesitation, uncertainties, incongruities and complexities that would have been rendered invisible in a geographic map. Through the spatial, material and temporal unfoldings of the diagrams we learn that security vision imaginaries are partial and contradictory.
Hyperimage Index
Authors: Yiu Sheung
Published: October 2022

Image has gone hyper, can research catch up? This essay proposes collective indexing as an alternative to academic publishing for rendering research on fast-changing and larger-than-human subjects such as algorithmic images. Following the introduction of notions of network and scale in my research, the essay articulates the value of collective indexing while mapping out contemporary examples. Collective indexing produces new ways of knowledge making and community building, as well as new forms of research aesthetics apt for addressing the distributed nature of algorithmic image systems.
Procedural Animism
Authors: Anikina Alexandra
Published: October 2022

The current proliferation of algorithmic agents (bots, virtual assistants, therapeutic chatbots) that boast real or exaggerated use of AI produces a wide range of interactions between them and humans. The ambiguity of various real and perceived agencies that arises in these encounters is usually dismissed in favour of designating them as technologically or socially determined. However, I argue that the ambiguity brought forth by different opacities, complexities and autonomies at work renders the imaginaries of these algorithms a powerful political and cultural tool. Following approaches from critical theory, posthumanities, decolonial AI and feminist STS that have already approached the boundary between human and non-human productively, it becomes possible to consider technological agents as algorithmic Others, whose outlines, in turn, reveal not only human fears and hopes for technology, but also what it means to be “human” and how normative “humanness” is constructed. Drawing on the work of Antoinette Rouvroy on algorithmic governmentality and Elizabeth A. Povinelli’s ideas of geontology and geontopower, this paper offers a conceptual model of procedural animism in order to rethink the questions of governance and relationality unfolding between humans and non-humans, between the do- mains of “Life” and “Non-Life”. In doing so, it illuminates a series of processes and procedures of (de)humanisation, image politics and figuration in the context of everyday communication and politically engaged art. Ultimately, what is at stake is a potential to consider alternative conceptions of algorithmic Others, ones that might be differently oriented within our environmental, political and cultural futures.
Russian E-commerce Market During COVID-19: Legal Regulation and Trends
Authors: Vronskaya Mariya Vladimirovna , Isaev Maksim Andreevich
Published: October 2022

The subject of research in this paper is the peculiarities of legal regulation and development of the e-commerce market during the period of coronavirus infection COVID-19. The author examines in detail the concept of "e-commerce", which is understood as an economic sphere that combines trade and financial transactions that are carried out through contactless interaction of the parties. The article also analyzes the system of legal regulation of the e-commerce market, identifies trends for further improvement. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the pandemic on civil law turnover, as a result of which the e-commerce market has become the dominant way of commodity exchange in the Russian Federation. The study provides statistics on commodity exchange on online platforms for 2021-2022, which has grown significantly compared to previous years. The main conclusions of the authors are that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the processes of digitalization of all spheres of public life, as a result of which trade and financial transactions for the most part began to be carried out via the Internet, laid the foundation of the digital economy; to date, electronic commerce has become predominant, but is not devoid of shortcomings of legal regulation; trends of strengthening digital transformation are aimed at delineating the legal status and responsibility of participants in trade ("marketplace", "online store", etc.), expanding the list of types of digital assets and determining their legal regime (account, account, etc.).
Determining the hip joint isokinetic muscle strength and range of motion of professional soccer players based on their field position
Authors: AlTaweel Ali , Nuhmani Shibili , Ahsan Mohammad , Abualait Turki , Muaidi Qassim
Published: October 2022

Background

Soccer players’ physical and physiological demands vary based on their field position. Although the hip joint has an important role in soccer, little information is available about the strength and flexibility of the hip joint based on player positions. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the differences in muscle strength and flexibility of the hip joint of professional soccer players based on their field position.

Methods

Ninety-six professional soccer players from Saudi Arabia were divided into four groups (goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers), with 24 participants in each group based on their field position. The Modified Thomas test was used to measure the hip extension range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength was assessed by an Isokinetic dynamometer.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the isokinetic strength at the hip joint movements between goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers (p ≥ 0.05). At the same time, there was a significant difference between groups in the hip extension ROM (p ≤ 0.05). according to different player positions. Post hoc tests reported significant differences between goalkeepers and defenders (p ≤ 0.05), midfielders (p ≤ 0.05), and attackers p ≤ 0.05). At the same time, there were no significant differences between defenders and midfielders (p ≥ 0.05), defenders and attackers (p ≥ 0.05), and midfielders and attackers (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion

Even though there was no significant difference in isokinetic strength, there was a significant difference in hip extension ROM among players based on field position. This study may help coaches and trainers to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of players and design training programs to rectify the weaker components and improve players’ performance in different playing positions.
Benthic ecosystem functioning under climate change: modelling the bioturbation potential for benthic key species in the southern North Sea
Authors: Weinert Michael , Kröncke Ingrid , Meyer Julia , Mathis Moritz , Pohlmann Thomas , Reiss Henning
Published: October 2022

Climate change affects the marine environment on many levels with profound consequences for numerous biological, chemical, and physical processes. Benthic bioturbation is one of the most relevant and significant processes for benthic-pelagic coupling and biogeochemical fluxes in marine sediments, such as the uptake, transport, and remineralisation of organic carbon. However, only little is known about how climate change affects the distribution and intensity of benthic bioturbation of a shallow temperate shelf sea system such as the southern North Sea. In this study, we modelled and projected changes in bioturbation potential (BPp) under a continuous global warming scenario for seven southern North Sea key bioturbators: Abra alba, Amphiura filiformis, Callianassa subterranea, Echinocardium cordatum, Goniada maculata, Nephtys hombergii, and Nucula nitidosa. Spatial changes in species bioturbation intensity are simulated for the years 2050 and 2099 based on one species distribution model per species driven by bottom temperature and salinity changes using the IPCC SRES scenario A1B. Local mean bottom temperature was projected to increase between 0.15 and 5.4 °C, while mean bottom salinity was projected to moderately decrease by 1.7. Our results show that the considered benthic species are strongly influenced by the temperature increase. Although the total BP remained rather constant in the southern North Sea, the BPp for four out of seven species was projected to increase, mainly due to a simultaneous northward range expansion, while the BPp in the core area of the southern North Sea declined for the same species. Bioturbation of the most important species, Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum, showed no substantial change in the spatial distribution, but over time. The BPp of E. cordatum remained almost constant until 2099, while the BPp of A. filiformis decreased by 41%. The northward expansion of some species and the decline of most species in the south led to a change of relative contribution to bioturbation in the southern North Sea. These results indicate that some of the selected key bioturbators in the southern North Sea might partly compensate the decrease in bioturbation by others. But especially in the depositional areas where bioturbation plays a specifically important role for ecosystem functioning, bioturbation potential declined until 2099, which might affect the biochemical cycling in sediments of some areas of the southern North Sea.
The Repercussions of Oil Price Fluctuations on Iraqs Gross Domestic Product Analytical Study for the Period between 2000-2019
Authors: Leiwi Atheer Abdullah A
Published: October 2022

From the results obtained with regard to the fluctuations in oil prices, there is a significant impact of oil prices on the overall economy, expressed in gross domestic product, as in a case like Iraq, the rise in oil prices leads to an increase in export earnings, and thus an increase in the volume of foreign trade, and when oil prices rise, the This leads to an increase in the flow of foreign currency represented in the US dollar to the national economy, and this causes a high rate of inflation on the one hand and an increase in the demand for imports on the other hand, which leads to an expansion in government spending, and high oil prices encourage investment (especially in the sector). Based on the statistical results and the conclusions reached, it is noted that the price of oil has a significant impact on the gross domestic product as the most important overall indicator of the Iraqi economy, which makes the latter hostage to its behavior in the global oil market. Finally, it should be noted that the uncertainty surrounding the oil market, which made it difficult to predict oil prices, has become necessary for the economic authorities in Iraq to: We take the issue of searching for new financial resources outside the oil sector seriously, so the study recommends the need to expedite the adoption of a policy aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenues in the national economy, and strive to diversify non-fuel exports, and support the pillars of the national economy to mitigate the effects of the external shock.
Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea Clinical Trials From 2011 to 2021
Authors: Ly Sophia , Miller John , Tong Lauren , Blake Lindsay , Mostaghimi Arash , Barbieri John S.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Acne and rosacea have substantial implications for quality of life, and it is therefore important to ensure the patient’s voice is being captured in pivotal randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Although patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a valuable tool to capture the patient perspective, little is known about use of PROMs in RCTs on acne and rosacea.

Objective

To characterize the use of PROMs in RCTs on acne and rosacea.

Evidence Review

A systematic literature search was conducted using the search termsacne vulgarisandrosaceain the following databases: MEDLINE through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified search hedge for RCTs from the McGill Library was applied. All phase 2, 3, and 4 RCTs published between December 31, 2011, through December 31, 2021, that evaluated the efficacy and safety of therapies for acne and rosacea vs any comparator were eligible for inclusion.

Findings

A total of 2461 publications describing RCTs were identified, of which 206 RCTs met the inclusion criteria (163 trials [79%] on acne and 43 [21%] on rosacea). At least 1 PROM was used in 53% of trials (110) included; PROM use was more common in rosacea RCTs (67% [n = 29]) compared with acne RCTs (50% [n = 81]). At least 1 dermatology-specific (13% [n = 27]) or disease-specific (14% [n = 28]) PROM was included in the RCTs analyzed. Only 7% of trials (14) included a PROM as a primary outcome measure. There was no statistically significant increase in PROM inclusion over the study period (11 of 21 trials in 2011 vs 5 of 12 trials in 2021).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review, PROMs were included in approximately one-half of acne and rosacea RCTs performed over the study period. In addition, PROMs were rarely used as a primary outcome measure, and inclusion of PROMs has not increased substantially over the past 10 years. Increasing use of PROMs in RCTs can ensure that the patient’s perspective is captured during the development of new treatments for acne and rosacea.
Evaluation of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diagnostic Criteria in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Kittler Nicole W. , Williams Jazzmin C. , Kudlinski Margaret V. , Lester Jenna , Hills Nancy , Abuabara Katrina , Naik Haley B.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with considerable diagnostic delay. Although most patients report adolescent onset, existing HS diagnostic criteria may not adequately capture disease in pediatric populations.

Objectives

To determine the proportion of physician-diagnosed pediatric patients with HS who met diagnostic criteria, and describe demographics, disease characteristics, and diagnostic patterns among pediatric patients with HS.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, electronic medical records from 2 sites of a single academic tertiary care center were included. Eligible patients were those born after January 1, 1993, and assigned International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9/10) codes for HS (ICD-9 705.83/ICD-10 L73.2) between January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2021. Patients were excluded if they were older than 18 years at diagnosis, had inaccessible diagnostic visit notes, or were unintentionally assigned an HS ICD code.

Exposures

Pediatric patients with HS.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Fulfillment of diagnostic criteria in pediatric patients with HS.

Results

A total of 297 adolescents with HS were included in the study; 123 patients were female (78.1%), 78 self-identified as Black (26.3%), and 116 self-identified as Hispanic (39.1%). The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 14.0 (13.0-16.0) years. Documentation from the diagnostic visit demonstrated that 127 (42.8%) patients did not meet all 3 major HS diagnostic criteria. Of these patients, 122 (96.1%) did not meet the recurrence interval criterion (≥2 lesions within 6 months). Overall, 96 patients who did not meet the recurrence interval criterion had documentation from additional visits in the health system; 59 (61.5%) had documentation of 1 or more additional lesions consistent with HS. Review of these additional records demonstrated that 26 of these 59 (44.1%) patients met the recurrence interval criterion after diagnosis, and 44 (74.6%) had recurrent lesions within a 1-year interval (median, 6.5 months; interquartile range, 3.5-12.2 months). Medical chart review was conducted from November 22, 2021, to January 12, 2022. Analysis was conducted from January 12, 2022, to January 15, 2022.

Conclusions and Relevance

Overall, 118 (40%) of 297 pediatric patients with HS in this retrospective cross-sectional study did not meet all major diagnostic criteria at the time of diagnosis, largely due to failure to fulfill the 6-month recurrence interval criterion. Future studies are needed to determine the appropriate recurrence interval to facilitate timely diagnosis and promote clinical trial eligibility for pediatric patients with HS.
Evaluation of an Automated Text Message–Based Program to Reduce Use of Acute Health Care Resources After Hospital Discharge
Authors: Bressman Eric , Long Judith A. , Honig Katherine , Zee Jarcy , McGlaughlin Nancy , Jointer Carlondra , Asch David A. , Burke Robert E. , Morgan Anna U.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Posthospital contact with a primary care team is an established pillar of safe transitions. The prevailing model of telephone outreach is usually limited in scope and operationally burdensome.

Objective

To determine whether a 30-day automated texting program to support primary care patients after hospital discharge is associated with reductions in the use of acute care resources.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used a difference-in-differences approach at 2 academic primary care practices in Philadelphia from January 27 through August 27, 2021. Established patients of the study practices who were 18 years or older, were discharged from an acute care hospitalization, and received the usual transitional care management telephone call were eligible for the study. At the intervention practice, 604 discharges were eligible and 430 (374 patients, of whom 46 had >1 discharge) were enrolled in the intervention. At the control practice, 953 patients met eligibility criteria. The study period, including before and after the intervention, ran from August 27, 2020, through August 27, 2021.

Exposure

Patients received automated check-in text messages from their primary care practice on a tapering schedule during the 30 days after discharge. Any needs identified by the automated messaging platform were escalated to practice staff for follow-up via an electronic medical record inbox.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary study outcome was any emergency department (ED) visit or readmission within 30 days of discharge. Secondary outcomes included any ED visit or any readmission within 30 days, analyzed separately, and 30- and 60-day mortality. Analyses were based on intention to treat.

Results

A total of 1885 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.2 [17.3] years; 1101 women [58.4%]) representing 2617 discharges (447 before and 604 after the intervention at the intervention practice; 613 before and 953 after the intervention at the control practice) were included in the analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for any use of acute care resources after implementation of the intervention was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.38-0.92). The aOR for an ED visit was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.45-1.30) and for a readmission was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.23-0.86). The aORs for death within 30 and 60 days of discharge at the intervention practice were 0.92 (95% CI, 0.23-3.61) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.21-1.85), respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that an automated texting program to support primary care patients after hospital discharge was associated with significant reductions in use of acute care resources. This patient-centered approach may serve as a model for improving postdischarge care.
Association of Exposure to Wildfire Air Pollution With Exacerbations of Atopic Dermatitis and Itch Among Older Adults
Authors: Fadadu Raj P. , Green Marcus , Jewell Nicholas P. , Grimes Barbara , Vargo Jason , Wei Maria L.
Published: October 2022

This cross-sectional study evaluates the association of exposure to wildfire air pollution with exacerbations of atopic dermatitis and itch among adults aged 65 years or older.
Inequity in National Institutes of Health Predoctoral Fellowships, 2001-2020
Authors: Nguyen Mytien , Nguyen Nghia D. , Chaudhry Sarwat I. , Desai Mayur M. , Cavazos Jose E. , Boatright Dowin
Published: October 2022

This cross-sectional study examines trends in number of awards and funding of general and diversity F31 predoctoral fellowships from 2001 to 2020.
Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate Dietary Intervention on Hemoglobin A1c
Authors: Dorans Kirsten S. , Bazzano Lydia A. , Qi Lu , He Hua , Chen Jing , Appel Lawrence J. , Chen Chung-Shiuan , Hsieh Ming-Hui , Hu Frank B. , Mills Katherine T. , Nguyen Bernadette T. , O’Brien Matthew J. , Samet Jonathan M. , Uwaifo Gabriel I. , He Jiang
Published: October 2022

Importance

Low-carbohydrate diets decrease hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among patients with type 2 diabetes at least as much as low-fat diets. However, evidence on the effects of low-carbohydrate diets on HbA1c among individuals with HbA1c in the range of prediabetes to diabetes not treated by diabetes medications is limited.

Objective

To study the effect of a behavioral intervention promoting a low-carbohydrate diet compared with usual diet on 6-month changes in HbA1c among individuals with elevated untreated HbA1c.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This 6-month randomized clinical trial with 2 parallel groups was conducted from September 2018 to June 2021 at an academic medical center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Laboratory analysts were blinded to assignment. Participants were aged 40 to 70 years with untreated HbA1c of 6.0% to 6.9% (42-52 mmol/mol). Data analysis was performed from November 2021 to September 2022.

Interventions

Participants were randomized to a low-carbohydrate diet intervention (target <40 net grams of carbohydrates during the first 3 months; <60 net grams for months 3 to 6) or usual diet. The low-carbohydrate diet group received dietary counseling.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Six-month change in HbA1c was the primary outcome. Outcomes were measured at 0, 3, and 6 months.

Results

Of 2722 prescreened participants, 962 underwent screening, and 150 were enrolled (mean [SD] age, 58.9 [7.9] years; 108 women [72%]; 88 Black participants [59%]) and randomized to either the low-carbohydrate diet intervention (75 participants) or usual diet (75 participants) group. Six-month data were collected on 142 participants (95%). Mean (SD) HbA1c was 6.16% (0.30%) at baseline. Compared with the usual diet group, the low-carbohydrate diet intervention group had significantly greater 6-month reductions in HbA1c (net difference, –0.23%; 95% CI, –0.32% to –0.14%; P < .001), fasting plasma glucose (–10.3 mg/dL; 95% CI, –15.6 to –4.9 mg/dL; P < .001), and body weight (–5.9 kg; 95% CI, –7.4 to –4.4 kg; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, a low-carbohydrate dietary intervention led to improvements in glycemia in individuals with elevated HbA1c not taking glucose-lowering medication, but the study was unable to evaluate its effects independently of weight loss. This diet, if sustained, might be a useful dietary approach for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, but more research is needed.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03675360
Practical Guide to Ethical Considerations in Clinical Trials in Surgery
Authors: Pawlik Timothy M. , Schwartz Todd A. , Itani Kamal M. F.
Published: October 2022

This Guide to Statistics and Methods provides an overview of current ethical considerations and standards for clinical research.
Practical Guide to Quality Control in Surgical Trials
Authors: Kim Lawrence T. , Kaji Amy H. , Salminen Paulina
Published: October 2022

This Guide to Statistics and Methods outlines the elements of clinical trial quality control that are important to safeguarding data integrity and addressing the unique challenges of procedural trials.
Metal trafficking in the cell: Combining atomic resolution with cellular dimension
Authors: Camponeschi Francesca , Banci Lucia
Published: October 2022

Metals are widely present in biological systems as simple ions or complex cofactors, and are involved in a variety of processes essential for life. Their transport inside cells and insertion into the binding sites of the proteins that need metals to function occur through complex and selective pathways involving dedicated multiprotein machineries specifically and transiently interacting with each other, often sharing the coordination of metal ions and/or cofactors. The understanding of these machineries requires integrated approaches, ranging from bioinformatics to experimental investigations, possibly in the cellular context. In this review, we report two case studies where the use of integrated in vitro and in cellulo approaches is necessary to clarify at atomic resolution essential aspects of metal trafficking in cells.
Evaluation of the feasibility of cardiac gating for SBRT of ventricular tachycardia based on real‐time ECG signal acquisition
Authors: Reis Cristiano Q. M. , Robar James L.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of cardiac synchronized gating in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) using a real‐time electrocardiogram (ECG) signal acquisition.

Methods and materials

Stability of beam characteristics during simulated ECG gating was examined by developing a microcontroller interface to a Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator allowing gating at frequencies and duty cycles relevant to cardiac rhythm. Delivery accuracy was evaluated by measuring dose linearity with an ionization chamber, and flatness and symmetry with a two‐dimensional detector array, for different gating windows within typical human cardiac cycle periods. To establish a practical method of gating based on actual ECG signals, an AD8232 Heart Monitor board was used to acquire the ECG signal and synchronize the beam delivery. Real‐time cardiac gated delivery measurements were performed for a single 10 × 10 cm2 field and for a VT‐SBRT plan using intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Results and discussion

Dose per monitor unit (MU) values were found to be linear within most gating windows investigated with maximum differences relative to non‐gated delivery of <2% for gating windows ≥200 ms and for >10 MUs. Beam profiles for both gated and non‐gated modes were also found to agree with maximum differences of 0.5% relative to central axis dose for all sets of beam‐on/beam‐off combinations. Comparison of dose distributions for intensity‐modulated SBRT plans between non‐gating and cardiac gating modes provided a gamma passing rate of 97.2% for a 2% 2 mm tolerance.

Conclusions

Beam output is stable with respect to linearity, flatness, and symmetry for gating windows within cardiac cycle periods. Agreement between dose distributions for VT‐SBRT using IMRT in non‐gated and cardiac cycle gated delivery modes shows that the proposed methodology is feasible. Technically, gating for delivery of SBRT for VT is possible with regard to beam stability.
Prior optic neuritis detection on peripapillary ring scans using deep learning
Authors: Motamedi Seyedamirhosein , Yadav Sunil Kumar , Kenney Rachel C. , Lin Ting‐Yi , Kauer‐Bonin Josef , Zimmermann Hanna G. , Galetta Steven L. , Balcer Laura J. , Paul Friedemann , Brandt Alexander U.
Published: October 2022

Background

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires demyelinating events that are disseminated in time and space. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) distinguishes eyes with a prior history of acute optic neuritis (ON) and may provide evidence to support a demyelinating attack.

Objective

To investigate whether a deep learning (DL)‐based network can distinguish between eyes with prior ON and healthy control (HC) eyes using peripapillary ring scans.

Methods

We included 1033 OCT scans from 415 healthy eyes (213 HC subjects) and 510 peripapillary ring scans from 164 eyes with prior acute ON (140 patients with MS). Data were split into 70% training, 15% validation, and 15% test data. We included 102 OCT scans from 80 healthy eyes (40 HC) and 61 scans from 40 ON eyes (31 MS patients) from an independent second center. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses with area under the curve (AUC) were used to investigate performance.

Results

We used a dilated residual convolutional neural network for the classification. The final network had an accuracy of 0.85 and an AUC of 0.86, whereas pRNFL only had an AUC of 0.77 in recognizing ON eyes. Using data from a second center, the network achieved an accuracy of 0.77 and an AUC of 0.90 compared to pRNFL, which had an AUC of 0.84.

Interpretation

DL‐based disease classification of prior ON is feasible and has the potential to outperform thickness‐based classification of eyes with and without history of prior ON.
Analysis of HTT CAG repeat expansion in Italian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Manini Arianna , Gagliardi Delia , Meneri Megi , Antognozzi Sara , Del Bo Roberto , Scaglione Cesa , Comi Giacomo Pietro , Corti Stefania , Ronchi Dario
Published: October 2022

HTT full‐penetrance pathogenic repeat expansions, the genetic cause of Huntington's disease (HD), have been recently reported in a minority of frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (0.13%). We analyzed HTT CAG repeats in an Italian cohort of ALS patients (n = 467) by repeat‐primed polymerase chain reaction. One patient harbored two expanded alleles in the HTT gene (42 and 37 CAG repeats). The absence of HD typical symptoms and the clinical picture consistent with ALS, corroborated by the diagnostic assessment, apparently excluded a misdiagnosis of HD.
Antibiofilm Activity of a Tunable Hypochlorous Acid‐Generating Electrochemical Bandage Controlled by a Wearable Potentiostat
Authors: Mohamed Abdelrhman , Raval Yash S. , Gelston Suzanne , Tibbits Gretchen , Ay Suat U. , Flurin Laure , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Patel Robin , Beyenal Haluk
Published: October 2022

Chronic wound biofilm infections represent a major clinical challenge which results in a substantial burden to patients and healthcare systems. Treatment with topical antibiotics is oftentimes ineffective as a result of antibiotic‐resistant microorganisms and biofilm‐specific antibiotic tolerance. Use of biocides such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has gained increasing attention due to the lack of known resistance mechanisms. An HOCl‐generating electrochemical bandage (e‐bandage) is designed that delivers HOCl continuously at low concentrations targeting infected wound beds in a similar manner to adhesive antimicrobial wound dressings. A battery‐operated wearable potentiostat is developed that controls the e‐bandage electrodes at potentials suitable for HOCl generation. It is demonstrated that e‐bandage treatment is tunable by changing the applied potential. HOCl generation on electrode surfaces is verified using microelectrodes. The developed e‐bandage shows time‐dependent responses against in vitro Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, reducing viable cells to nondetectable levels within 6 and 12 h of treatment, respectively. The developed e‐bandage should be further evaluated as an alternative to topical antibiotics to treat wound biofilm infections.
Transmissive Labyrinthine Acoustic Metamaterial‐Based Holography for Extraordinary Energy Harvesting
Authors: Bansal Shubhi , Choi Christabel , Hardwick James , Bagchi Biswajoy , Tiwari Manish K. , Subramanian Sriram
Published: October 2022

Conventional energy sources are continuously depleting, and the world is actively seeking new green and efficient energy solutions. Enormous amounts of acoustic energy are dissipated daily, but the low intensity and limited efficiency of current harvesting techniques are preventing its adoption as a ubiquitous method of power generation. Herein, a strategic solution to increase acoustic energy harvesting efficiency using a specially designed metamaterial is implemented. A scalable transmissive labyrinthine acoustic metamaterial (LAM) is designed, developed, and employed to maximize ultrasound (40 kHz) capture over its large surface area (>27 k mm2), which is focused onto a piezoelectric film (78.6 mm2), thus magnifying incident sound pressure by 13.6 times. Three different piezoelectric films – two commercial and one lab‐made nanocomposite film are tested with LAM in the acoustic energy harvesting system. An extraordinary voltage gain of 157–173% and a maximum power gain of 272% using the LAM compared to the case without the LAM are achieved. Multipoint focusing using holographic techniques, showcasing acoustic patterning to allow on‐demand simultaneous harvesting in separate locations, is demonstrated. Our versatile approach for high‐intensity acoustic energy harvesting opens future opportunities to exploit sound energy as a resource to contribute toward global sustainability.