bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulating interfacial bond for controlling load transfer in 3D printed fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Vemuganti Shreya , Soliman Eslam , Taha Mahmoud M Reda
Published: March 2024

The fiber/matrix interface is a critical item that affects Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites mechanical performance due to its control of the load transfer mechanism. Partially bonded interfaces have been shown to affect the failure mode of FRP composites. This article examines the significance of manipulating the fiber/matrix interfacial bond in 3D printed FRP composites on the mechanical performance of multilayer 3D printed FRP composites. Three designs are investigated with different fiber stacking sequences, fiber orientation, and interfacial bond configurations. The designs have a low coefficient of variation in load fractions between layers to enable a gradual load transfer and progressive failure. Utilizing 3D printer chamber temperature changes, a composite with a controlled bond configuration is achieved using thermal blocks. It was observed that the controlled bond configurations resulted in promoting progressive failure and increased the strain at failure of 3D printed FRP composites. The observations of direct tension tests were supported with interlayer shear strength and interfacial adhesion tests which explained the weakened load transfer in the thermal block configurations. Using the interface manipulation strategy with thermal blocks in 3D printed specimens, a 25% lower interlayer shear strength and a 65% lower interfacial adhesion was achieved compared with un-modified interfaces. These changes attribute to the altered load transfer mechanism in 3D printed glass fiber reinforced composites and high strain to failure of up to 5% using high strength high stiffness fiber orientations. This work does not incorporate any new materials into the thermoplastic-fiber 3D printed structure which has been the strategy of past work to modify mechanical performance. Alternatively, a unique approach by using chamber and print bed temperature characteristics to modify the interfacial bond has been adopted that has shown to promote progressive failures and improve ductility in FRP composites. This study furthers the development of ductile designs in FRP composites with 3D printing technology in aerospace, wind, infrastructure, and automobile applications.
The Social Comparison Rumination Scale: Development, Psychometric Properties, and Associations With Perfectionism, Narcissism, Burnout, and Distress
Authors: Flett Gordon L. , Nepon Taryn , Hewitt Paul L. , Su Chang , Yacyshyn Christa , Moore Kimberley , Lahijanian Atieh
Published: March 2024

In the current article, we describe the development and validation of the Social Comparison Rumination Scale. This measured was developed as a supplement to existing social comparison measures and to enable us to determine its potential relevance to perfectionism and other personality constructs. The Social Comparison Rumination Scale (SCRS) is a six-item inventory assessing the extent to which an individual is cognitively preoccupied and thinking repetitively about social comparison outcomes and information. Three studies with five samples of university students are described. Psychometric analyses established the SCRS consists of one factor assessed with high internal consistency and the measure is reliable and valid. Analyses showed that elevated levels of social comparison rumination are associated with trait perfectionism, perfectionistic automatic thoughts, perfectionistic self-presentation, ruminative brooding, burnout, depression, and fear of negative evaluation. Links were also established between social comparison rumination and both narcissism and dispositional envy. Overall, our findings support the further use of the SCRS and highlight the tendency of many people to think in deleterious ways about social comparisons long after the actual comparisons have taken place. We discuss social comparison rumination within the context of concerns about excessive social media use and young people being exposed to seemingly perfect lives that became a vexing cognitive preoccupation.
Circadian Variation in the Response to Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Evidence Appraisal
Authors: Wyse Cathy A. , Rudderham Laura M. , Nordon Enya A. , Ince Louise M. , Coogan Andrew N. , Lopez Lorna M.
Published: March 2024

Molecular timing mechanisms known as circadian clocks drive endogenous 24-h rhythmicity in most physiological functions, including innate and adaptive immunity. Consequently, the response to immune challenge such as vaccination might depend on the time of day of exposure. This study assessed whether the time of day of vaccination (TODV) is associated with the subsequent immune and clinical response by conducting a systematic review of previous studies. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google, Medline, and Embase were searched for studies that reported TODV and immune and clinical outcomes, yielding 3114 studies, 23 of which met the inclusion criteria. The global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination program facilitated investigation of TODV and almost half of the studies included reported data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was considerable heterogeneity in the demography of participants and type of vaccine, and most studies were biased by failure to account for immune status prior to vaccination, self-selection of vaccination time, or confounding factors such as sleep, chronotype, and shiftwork. The optimum TODV was concluded to be afternoon (5 studies), morning (5 studies), morning and afternoon (1 study), midday (1 study), and morning or late afternoon (1 study), with the remaining 10 studies reporting no effect. Further research is required to understand the relationship between TODV and subsequent immune outcome and whether any clinical benefit outweighs the potential effect of this intervention on vaccine uptake.
Divergent Circadian Foraging Strategies in Response to Diurnal Predation Versus Persistent Rain in Asian Weaver Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, Suggest Possible Energetic Trade-offs
Authors: Dolai Avishek , Soltani Severine , Smarr Benjamin , Das Amlan
Published: March 2024

The study of chronobiology of foraging behavior in social insects offers valuable models for the investigation of circadian rhythms. We scored hourly nest entries and exits of Oecophylla smaragdina (Asian weaver ant) workers in 9 active non-polydomous nests on days with and without rain and with and without a primarily diurnal predator present. After determining that Oecophylla display a high nest fidelity, we focused exclusively on analyzing nest entry counts: we found a significant decrease in overall entry counts of individual ants on rainy days compared with non-rainy days ( p < 0.0001). They usually maintain a typical diurnal pattern of foraging activity; however, that regularity was often distorted during rainy periods but appeared to quickly revert to typical patterns following rain. This lack of compensatory foraging activity following a period of rain supports the hypothesis that these ants have enough food reserves to withstand a pure masking-induced suppression of foraging activity. Predation through bird anting, too, decreased foraging activity but appeared to cause a reversal in foraging activity timing from diurnal to nocturnal foraging. Daily periodicity of foraging was significantly disrupted in most nests during rain; however, daily foraging periodicity was disrupted in only one nest due to presence of predators. Thus, rain and predation both exert significant impacts on the overall foraging activity of Asian weaver ants, but while persistent pressure from rain seemed to primarily cause masking (diminution) of circadian foraging activity, predation restricted to the daytime resulted in phase-inversion to nocturnal foraging activity, with little diminution. This is consistent with different energetic strategies being used in response to different pressures by this species.
A novel approach to work towards gender-responsive urban climate policy
Authors: Alber Gotelind
Published: March 2024

In collaboration with women’s organizations in India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa, an approach for a novel gender assessment of urban climate policies was developed and tested. The Gender Assessment and Monitoring of Mitigation and Adaptation (GAMMA) methodology allows for an in-depth analysis of the institutional framework and the mitigation and adaptation policies of cities. Its application by the women’s organizations in 14 pilot cities led to policy recommendations on how to integrate gender equality into urban mitigation and adaptation actions. The results of a monitoring exercise show that the project has made a significant step forward in raising awareness of gender issues and gender-responsive action at the urban level. It provides civil society organizations working on climate justice with a tool to push local governments to work towards low-carbon, resilient, gender-just and inclusive cities. It can also be used by local governments for self-assessment.
Book Review: Paul D. Reynolds, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The Global Scope of Business Creation Elgar Impact of Entrepreneurship Research Series
Authors: Rath Satyanarayan
Published: March 2024

Paul D. Reynolds, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The Global Scope of Business Creation Elgar Impact of Entrepreneurship Research Series (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022), 272 pp.
A process for Indigenous community research through meaningful engagement with Grandmother’s Bay
Authors: Teare Adrian , Mease Anne , Madampage Claudia , King Alexandra , King Malcolm
Published: March 2024

Historically, research partnerships between Indigenous communities and academic institutions were often harmful for communities; wise ways of achieving more balanced and just relationships are emerging. This project focuses on the research partnership between Grandmother’s Bay and the University of Saskatchewan with the objectives of providing knowledge on initiating Indigenous community-based research and maintaining good relationships between collaborators. One-on-one interviews were conducted with participants and analysed using etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), a thematic analysis approach. These themes indicated that research partnerships must proceed through relationships of trust that provide meaningful results and benefit to the community; that traditional approaches, culture, and intergenerational knowledge sharing are key to the research; effective communication and the Indigenous language are encouraged where possible; and ownership, creative design, and dissemination of the research belong to community. This project is the beginning of an ongoing relationship between Grandmother’s Bay and University of Saskatchewan.
Fear of Missing out on Financial Gains: Associations Between Fear of Missing Out, Problem Gambling, and Speculative Trading in College Students
Authors: Song Frank , Graupensperger Scott , Lostutter Ty W. , Larimer Mary E.
Published: March 2024

In recent years a fear of missing out (FOMO) on short-term monetary gains through speculative trading has been highlighted as a driving force of financial behaviors. Additionally, increasing evidence has likened speculative trading to gambling. The current study sought to determine whether financial FOMO is linked to stock market and cryptocurrency trading activities and problem gambling severity in both traditional gambling and financial trading domains, among a sample of 258 college students. Results of binomial regression and hurdle model analyses found that financial FOMO was linked to participation in stock market and cryptocurrency trading. Financial FOMO was also associated with problem gambling severity in traditional gambling and the presence of gambling problems in the stock market trading domain. Our results suggest that financial FOMO may be a salient risk factor of problem gambling in traditional gambling domains and, to a smaller degree, in the speculative trading domain among young adults.
Religiosity, Space-making, Exclusion: ‘Kanwar Yatra’ Celebrations in a North Indian City
Authors: Jha Avishek
Published: March 2024

Through an ethnographic study of Kanwar Yatra celebrations in a north Indian city, this article seeks to highlight the changing notions of public religiosity and mass celebrations in contemporary India. This article will first show how the festival of Kanwar Yatra is invested with diverse forms of religious performance and carnivalesque celebrations. In itself, these celebrations especially provide young people with avenues for fun and entertainment that combine ideas of lower middle-class consumerism with religious fervour in a public space. However, the evolving spaces that are built, even in the momentary conclusion of such a festival, are based on wider strategies of belonging and identity, often complicated further with the involvement of the state. Influenced by the projects of socio-cultural actors and political institutions, this article ultimately argues that Kanwar Yatra celebrations reproduce ideas of spatial domination, exclusion and surveillance of communities, with severe implications for minorities, especially Muslims.
How many heuristics are enough? Testing a parsimonious theory of possibility generation in problem-solving
Authors: Ormerod Thomas C
Published: March 2024

Despite widespread recognition of the need for general-purpose mechanisms in unified theories of cognition, accounts of human thinking often propose that performance is best explained by task- or problem-specific knowledge and heuristics, elements found even in theories proposing general-purpose mechanisms. Here, we argue that many of the effects explained by task- or problem-specific knowledge or heuristics can be better explained by two general mechanisms: maximisation of progress and learning from experience. In Experiment 1, performance on the Taxicab problem, variously described as requiring or not requiring insight, was unaffected by removal of content presumed to trigger a problem-specific heuristic. In Experiment 2, the order of move selection in the Hobbits and Orcs problem, usually described as a transformation problem that does not require insight to solve, was successfully modelled by a maximisation heuristic with conceptual encoding of intermediate states, irrespective of problem context. In Experiment 3, solution rates to the eight-coin puzzle, a problem generally accepted as requiring insight to solve, were increased by cueing moves. A parsimonious theory, based on progress maximisation plus conceptual learning during solution, appears sufficient to model performance across a wide range of problems.
Human tear film protein sampling using soft contact lenses
Authors: Roden Robert K. , Zuniga Nathan , Wright Joshua C. , Parkinson David H. , Jiang Fangfang , Patil Leena M. , Burlett Rebecca S. , Nitz Alyssa A. , Rogers Joshua J. , Pittman Jarett T. , Virgin Kenneth L. , Ackroyd P. Christine , Payne Samuel H. , Price John C. , Christensen Kenneth A.
Published: March 2024

Background

Human tear protein biomarkers are useful for detecting ocular and systemic diseases. Unfortunately, existing tear film sampling methods (Schirmer strip; SS and microcapillary tube; MCT) have significant drawbacks, such as pain, risk of injury, sampling difficulty, and proteomic disparities between methods. Here, we present an alternative tear protein sampling method using soft contact lenses (SCLs).

Results

We optimized the SCL protein sampling in vitro and performed in vivo studies in 6 subjects. Using Etafilcon A SCLs and 4M guanidine-HCl for protein removal, we sampled an average of 60 ± 31 µg of protein per eye. We also performed objective and subjective assessments of all sampling methods. Signs of irritation post-sampling were observed with SS but not with MCT and SCLs. Proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) revealed that all sampling methods resulted in the detection of abundant tear proteins. However, smaller subsets of unique and shared proteins were identified, particularly for SS and MCT. Additionally, there was no significant intrasubject variation between MCT and SCL sampling.

Conclusions

These experiments demonstrate that SCLs are an accessible tear-sampling method with the potential to surpass current methods in sampling basal tears.

Graphical Abstract
Antitumor efficiency and photostability of newly green synthesized silver/graphene oxide nanocomposite on different cancer cell lines
Authors: Faid Amna H. , Rafea M. Abdel , Gad Sara , Sharaky Marwa , Ramadan Marwa A.
Published: March 2024

It is crucial to enhance new compounds for the treatment of most malignancies, and graphene oxide/silver nanocomposite (GO/Ag NC) has been paying attention to biomedical applications such as malignancies. In this work, green synthesized Ag@Cht NPs were successfully produced using chitosan for reduction and stabilization and added on GO sheet forming novel GO/Ag NC. Then, the produced anticancer nanomaterials GO, Ag@Cht NPs, and GO/Ag NC were assessed for their cytotoxicity against four distinct cancer cell lines: H460, HCT116, MDA-MB-468, and FaDu cells, at varying concentrations, using SRP assay after 48 h. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized by TEM, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIRs, Raman spectroscopy and XRD. TEM images showed a regular spread of Ag@Cht NPs on the GO sheets with an average particle size of 15 nm. UV–Vis spectrophotometry shows two main characteristic peaks for GO/Ag NC, one close to 230 nm corresponds to GO, while the other peak at 425 nm due to Ag@Cht decorating the GO surface was blue shifted by few nanometers from 427 nm for Ag@Cht. Results of the laser irradiation by DPSS (diode-pumped solid state) confirm the photothermal stability of the prepared nanocomposite as there is no change in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with varying exposure time. FTIRs measurements indicate that Ag ions interact with a hydroxyl group. This interaction shifts the O–H wavenumber and decreases the bond stretching intensity. In addition, Ag@Cht NPs and Ag/GO NC showed enhanced activity against cancerous cells. Results showed that GO, Ag@Cht NPs, and GO/Ag NC at (200, 400, and 600 µg/ml) had an impact on all evaluated cell lines. In MDA-MB-468, HCT116, H460, and FaDu cells, Ag@Cht NPs had the most effect across all employed cell lines, with IC50 values of 5.5, 9, 6, and 7.75 µg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the produced novel nanocomposite may be an effective way to treat different cell lines, and future work is to use the prepared nanomaterials as anticancer drug delivery in photothermal chemotherapy combination treatment.
Genomic dissection of the correlation between milk yield and various health traits using functional and evolutionary information about imputed sequence variants of 34,497 German Holstein cows
Authors: Schneider Helen , Krizanac Ana-Marija , Falker-Gieske Clemens , Heise Johannes , Tetens Jens , Thaller Georg , Bennewitz Jörn
Published: March 2024

Background

Over the last decades, it was subject of many studies to investigate the genomic connection of milk production and health traits in dairy cattle. Thereby, incorporating functional information in genomic analyses has been shown to improve the understanding of biological and molecular mechanisms shaping complex traits and the accuracies of genomic prediction, especially in small populations and across-breed settings. Still, little is known about the contribution of different functional and evolutionary genome partitioning subsets to milk production and dairy health. Thus, we performed a uni- and a bivariate analysis of milk yield (MY) and eight health traits using a set of ~34,497 German Holstein cows with 50K chip genotypes and ~17 million imputed sequence variants divided into 27 subsets depending on their functional and evolutionary annotation. In the bivariate analysis, eight trait-combinations were observed that contrasted MY with each health trait. Two genomic relationship matrices (GRM) were included, one consisting of the 50K chip variants and one consisting of each set of subset variants, to obtain subset heritabilities and genetic correlations. In addition, 50K chip heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated applying merely the 50K GRM.

Results

In general, 50K chip heritabilities were larger than the subset heritabilities. The largest heritabilities were found for MY, which was 0.4358 for the 50K and 0.2757 for the subset heritabilities. Whereas all 50K genetic correlations were negative, subset genetic correlations were both, positive and negative (ranging from -0.9324 between MY and mastitis to 0.6662 between MY and digital dermatitis). The subsets containing variants which were annotated as noncoding related, splice sites, untranslated regions, metabolic quantitative trait loci, and young variants ranked highest in terms of their contribution to the traits’ genetic variance. We were able to show that linkage disequilibrium between subset variants and adjacent variants did not cause these subsets’ high effect.

Conclusion

Our results confirm the connection of milk production and health traits in dairy cattle via the animals’ metabolic state. In addition, they highlight the potential of including functional information in genomic analyses, which helps to dissect the extent and direction of the observed traits’ connection in more detail.
Primary-school-aged children inspire their peers and families to eat more vegetables in the KiiDSAY project: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: F. Karpouzis , A. Walsh , S. Shah , K. Ball , R. Lindberg
Published: March 2024

Background

While vegetable intakes in Australia remain sub-optimal across all age groups, children are rarely consulted about their ideas on how to increase consumption. Qualitative research involving children provides an opportunity to consider their views. The aim of the Kids initiative inspires Dietary Success in Adults and Youth (KiiDSAY) project was to explore the views of school-aged children, who had participated in a school-based nutrition education program, about inspiring their peers and families to eat more vegetables.

Methods

A total of 26 children (15 boys) aged 10–12 years from four primary schools in New South Wales, Australia, participated in seven focus group interviews. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants. The study involved open-ended semi-structured questions conducted via Zoom that were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis with deductive and inductive coding in NVivo.

Results

Four major themes emerged: (i) taste; (ii) family environment; (iii) healthy eating; and (iv) change makers; with subthemes that were embedded within Social Cognitive Theory and Ecological Model of Health Behaviour theoretical frameworks.

Conclusions

Children’s inputs hold great potential for informing future interventions, particularly when designing or refining school-based nutrition programs. Children offered suggestions on how to inspire increased vegetable consumption among their peers and families that could be taken into consideration for future research and practice. These included: cooking activities in the home and school settings using recipes that creatively hide/mask/enhance the flavour of vegetables, involving positive role models and supportive school environments. Additionally, children recommended a sequential approach to the delivery of recipes starting from fruit-based and transitioning to vegetable-based recipes. Given the challenges faced in increasing children’s vegetable consumption, particular focus on future research in this area is warranted.

Trial registration

FEAST Trial registered 14th December 2020 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620001347954).
Study protocol for the ACTIVE SCHOOL study investigating two different strategies of physical activity to improve academic performance in Schoolchildren
Authors: Jeppesen Lise Sohl , Damsgaard Linn , Stolpe Malene Norup , Melcher Jesper Ninn Sandfeld , Wienecke Jacob , Nielsen Glen , Smedegaard Søren , Henriksen Anne Husted , Hansen Rasmus Ahmt , Hillman Charles H , Tammelin Tuija H , Resaland Geir K , Daly-Smith Andrew , Bugge Anna
Published: March 2024

Background

Previous research has suggested that school-based physical activity (PA) interventions may have a positive impact on academic performance. However, existing literature on school-based interventions encompasses various forms of PA, spanning from vigorous intensity PA outside the academic classes to light intensity PA and movement integrated into academic learning tasks, and results on academic performance are inconclusive. ACTIVE SCHOOL will implement two different PA interventions for one school year and assess the effects on the pupils’ academic performance, with math performance as the primary outcome.

Methods/design

The ACTIVE SCHOOL project consists of two phases: 1) Development phase and 2) Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). In phase one, two interventions were developed in collaboration with school staff. The two interventions were tested in an 8-weeks feasibility study. In phase two, a RCT-study with three arms will be conducted in 9-10-year-old children for one school year. The RCT-study will be carried out in two intervention rounds during the school years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. Schools will be randomized to one of two interventions or control;1)Run, Jump & Fun intervention(4 × 30 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; 2)Move & Learn intervention(4 × 30 min/week focusing on embodied learning in math and Danish lessons); or 3) a control condition, consisting of normal teaching practices. Outcome measures include academic performance, PA level, cognitive functions, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry, well-being and school motivation (collected before, during and after the intervention period). A process evaluation will be conducted to assess implementation.

Discussion

The ACTIVE SCHOOL study will expand knowledge regarding the impact of PA on academic performance. The study will have the potential to significantly contribute to future research, as well as the scientific and educational debate on the best way to implement PA to support education and learning.

Trial registration

The study was registered on the 25th of October 2022 in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05602948.
Association between high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia among urban Indian women (15–49 years)
Authors: Pal Sanjay Kumar , Shekhar Chander
Published: March 2024

Background

Women in their reproductive age have tremendous health implications that affect their health and well-being. Anaemia is an indicator of inadequate dietary intake and poor health. Maternal malnutrition significantly impacts maternal and child health outcomes, increasing the mother's risk of dying during delivery. High-risk fertility behaviour is a barrier to reducing mother and child mortality. This study aims to examine the level of high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia among ever-married urban Indian women and also examine the linkages between the both.

Methods

Based on the National Family Health Survey's fifth round of data, the study analyzed 44,225 samples of ever-married urban women. Univariate and bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression have been used for the analysis.

Results

Findings suggested that more than half (55%) of the urban women were anaemic, and about one-fourth (24%) of women had any high-risk fertility behaviour. Furthermore, the results suggest that 20% of women were more vulnerable to anaemia due to high-risk fertility behaviour. For the specific category, 19% and 28% of women were more likely to be anaemic due to single and multiple high-risk fertility. However, after controlling for sociodemographic factors, the findings showed a statistically significant link between high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia. As a result, 16% of the women were more likely to be anaemic due to high-risk fertility behaviour, and 16% and 24% were more likely to be anaemic due to single and multiple high-risk fertility behaviour, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings exposed that maternal high-risk fertility behaviour is a significant factor in raising the chance of anaemia in ever-married urban women of reproductive age in forms of the short birth interval, advanced maternal age, and advanced maternal age & higher order. Policy and choice-based family planning techniques should be employed to minimize the high-risk fertility behaviour among Indian urban women. This might aid in the reduction of the malnutrition status of their children.
Exploring the link between walking and lung cancer risk: a two-stage Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Chen Fangjun , Lin Chutong , Gu Xing , Ning Yingze , He Huayu , Qiang Guangliang
Published: March 2024

Background

Previous observational research showed a potential link between physical activities such as walking and the risk of lung cancer. However, Mendelian randomization (MR) studies suggested there was no association between moderate to vigorous physical activity and lung cancer risk. We speculated that specific physical activities may be associated with lung cancer risk. Consequently, we conducted an MR study to examine the potential relationship between walking and the risk of lung cancer.

Methods

We collected genetic summary data from UK Biobank. After excluding SNPs with F values less than 10 and those associated with confounding factors, we conducted a MR analysis to assess the causal effects between different types of walk and lung cancer. We also performed sensitivity analysis to validate the robustness of our findings. Finally, we analyzed the possible mediators.

Results

MR analysis showed number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer risk (OR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.987–0.998, P = 0.009). Additionally, usual walking pace was identified as a potentially significant factor in lowering the risk (OR = 0.989, 95% CI = 0.980–0.998, P = 0.015). However, duration of walks alone did not show a significant association with lung cancer risk (OR = 0.991, 95%CI = 0.977–1.005, P = 0.216). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. And number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes could affect fed-up feelings and then lung cancer risk. There was a bidirectional relationship between usual walking pace and sedentary behaviors (time spent watching TV).

Conclusion

The study unveiled a genetically predicted causal relationship between number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes, usual walking pace, and the risk of lung cancer. The exploration of potential mediators of walking phenotypes and their impact on lung cancer risk suggests that specific physical activities may reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Computational fluid dynamics investigation on the irrigation of a real root canal with a side-vented needle
Authors: Yu Mingzhou , Li Yi , Zhao Mengdie , Huang Zhengqiu , Zhou Na , Jin Hanhui
Published: March 2024

Background

Root canal therapy is one of the main treatments for root canal diseases, and effective irrigation is the key to successful treatment. Side-vented needle is one of the commonly used needle types in clinic. In the real root canal, due to the influence of the curvature of the root canal, the irrigation flow field in different needle directions shows obvious differences. At the same time, changes in root canal curvature and working depth will lead to changes in irrigation efficiency and the flow field. Both the mainstream of the irrigation flow and the shear stress near the wall changes significant. Consequently, either the replacement in the root canal or the removal efficiency of the smear layers is apparently modified.

Materials and methods

In this paper, the permanent root canal of the maxillary first molar prepared until 15/04 were scanned by micro-CT, and then imported into the software for 3D reconstruction. The key parameters of flushing efficiency of 30G side needle at different working depths of 4.75 mm, 5 mm, 5.25 mm and 5.5 mm were compared. Meanwhile, the simulated models with different curvatures of 0°, 5°, 10°, 20° and 30° based on the real root canal were reconstructed to investigate the curvature effect on the irrigation efficiency.

Results

The results show that moderate working depth (such as 4.75 mm and 5.25 mm in present paper) helps to improve the replacement capacity of irrigation flow. At the same time, the apical pressure decreased as the working depth increased. The curvature of the root canal seriously affects the removal depth of the smear layers of the root canal. A root canal with a large curvature (especially 20° and 30°) can significantly improve the difficulty of irrigation.

Conclusions

(1) Moderate working depth helps to improve the displacement capacity, the ERD of the irrigation flow is generally improved at the working depths of 4.75 mm and 5.25 mm, and the apical pressure will decrease with the increase of working depth. (2) The large curvature of the root canal can significantly improve the difficulty of irrigation. The curvature of the root canal can severely influence the removal depth of the smear layer on the wall. It can be found both the span and the depth of the ESS for little curvatures (5° and 10°) root canals are higher than those for large curvatures (20° and 30°).
Predicting dental anxiety in young adults: classical statistical modelling approach versus machine learning approach
Authors: Ogwo Chukwuebuka , Osisioma Wisdom , Okoye David Ifeanyi , Patel Jay
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To predict and identify the key demographic and clinical exposure factors associated with dental anxiety among young adults, and to compare if the traditional statistical modelling approach provides similar results to the machine learning (ML) approach in predicting factors for dental anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of Western Illinois University students. Three survey instruments (sociodemographic questionnaire, modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS), and dental concerns assessment tool (DCA)) were distributed via email to the students using survey monkey. The dependent variable was the mean MDAS scores, while the independent variables were the sociodemographic and dental concern assessment variables. Multivariable analysis was done by comparing the classical statistical model and the machine learning model. The classical statistical modelling technique was conducted using the multiple linear regression analysis and the final model was selected based on Akaike information Criteria (AIC) using the backward stepwise technique while the machine learining modelling was performed by comparing two ML models: LASSO regression and extreme gradient boosting machine (XGBOOST) under 5-fold cross-validation using the resampling technique. All statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.1.3.

Results

The mean MDAS was 13.73 ± 5.51. After careful consideration of all possible fitted models and their interaction terms the classical statistical approach yielded a parsimonious model with 13 predictor variables with Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) of 2376.4. For the ML approach, the Lasso regression model was the best-performing model with a mean RMSE of 0.617, R2of 0.615, and MAE of 0.483. Comparing the variable selection of ML versus the classical statistical model, both model types identified 12 similar variables (out of 13) as the most important predictors of dental anxiety in this study population.

Conclusion

There is a high burden of dental anxiety within this study population. This study contributes to reducing the knowledge gap about the impact of clinical exposure variables on dental anxiety and the role of machine learningin the prediction of dental anxiety. The predictor variables identified can be used to inform public health interventions that are geared towards eliminating the individual clinical exposure triggers of dental anxiety are recommended.
Does the use of different scaffolds have an impact on the therapeutic efficacy of regenerative endodontic procedures? A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Feng , Sheng Kai , Yu Lintong , Wang Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

In the regenerative endodontic procedures, scaffolds could influence the prognosis of affected teeth. Currently, there is controversy regarding the postoperative evaluation of various scaffolds for pulp regeneration. The objective of this study was to access whether other scaffolds, used alone or in combination with blood clot (BC), are more effective than BC in regenerative endodontic procedures.

Methods

We systematically search the PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Randomized controlled trials examining the use of BC and other scaffold materials in the regenerative endodontic procedures were included. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis. The GRADE method was used to determine the quality of the evidence.

Results

We screened 168 RCTs related to young permanent tooth pulp necrosis through electronic and manual retrieval. A total of 28 RCTs were related to regenerative endodontic procedures. Ultimately, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the relevant meta-analysis. Only 2 studies were assessed to have a low risk of bias. High quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (RR=0.99, 95% CI=0.96 to 1.03; 434 participants, 12 studies); low-quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the increase in root length or root canal wall thickness between the two groups. Medium quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in pulp vitality testing between the two groups.

Conclusions

For clinical regenerative endodontic procedures, the most commonly used scaffolds include BC, PRP, and PRF. All the different scaffolds had fairly high clinical success rates, and the difference was not significant. For regenerative endodontic procedures involving young permanent teeth with pulp necrosis, clinical practitioners could choose a reasonable scaffold considering the conditions of the equipment and patients.
Machine learning to predict untreated dental caries in adolescents
Authors: Bomfim Rafael Aiello
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to predict adolescents with untreated dental caries through a machine-learning approach using three different algorithms

Methods

Data came from an epidemiological survey in the five largest cities in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, consumption of unhealthy foods and behaviours (use of dental floss and toothbrushing) were collected using Sisson’s theoretical model, in 615 adolescents. For the machine learning, three different algorithms were used: (1) XGboost; (2) decision tree and (3) logistic regression. The epidemiological baseline was used to train and test predictions to detect individuals with untreated dental caries, through eight main predictor variables. Analyzes were performed using the R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). The Ethics Committee approved the study..

Results

For the 615 adolescents, xgboost performed better with an area under the curve (AUC) of 84% versus 81% for the decision tree algorithm. The most important variables were the use of dental floss, unhealthy food consumption, self-declared race and exposure to fluoridated water.

Conclusions

Family health teams can improve the work process and use artificial intelligence mechanisms to predict adolescents with untreated dental caries, and, in this way, schedule dental appointments for the treatment of adolescents earlier.
When dying does not go well: a qualitative study
Authors: Breitsameter Christof
Published: March 2024

Background

Several studies deal with the question of what constitutes a "satisfactory death". A smaller number of studies deal with unsatisfactory dying processes. And only a few shed light on unsatisfactory deaths that take place in hospices and palliative care units, which see themselves as places conducive to a "good" death. What also remains largely undiscussed are the ethical aspects that accompany the observation of an unsatisfactory course of death.

Method

The research was carried out as an exploratory and qualitative study. The data collection and analysis were based on the methods of the "grounded theory".

Results

Notions of a bad death are articulated here, though hardly by the affected persons and their relatives themselves, but rather by the professionals. Principally, descriptions of unsatisfactory dying processes refer to deficient success in symptom control, whereby the principle of autonomy is of particular importance. The focus here is not only on the needs of patients, but also on the needs of staff. The manifestation of such notions is related to the requirements arising from a practice that apparently evokes a need for accountability in the form of communicative reassurance.

Conclusion

An idealised definition of "dying well" is in danger of losing sight of the contextual specifics of the practice involved, which can lead to ethically problematic situations.
A questionnaire survey on the implementation of palliative care in the emergency department in China
Authors: Li Yan , Zhu Huadong , Xu Jun , Yang Jing
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study was conducted to characterize the need for palliative care and its effect on patients with end-stage disease in the emergency department (ED).

Design

This was a prospective cohort study. A questionnaire survey was administered to patients with end-stage disease who were admitted to the resuscitation room of the ED and expected to live less than 6 months.

Results

A total of 82 of 2095 patients admitted to the resuscitation room were included. Only 1 (1.22%) patient had ever received palliative care before admission. Nine patients received palliative care consultation after admission, and they were more likely to select medical places of death accompanied by their families and do not resuscitate orders at the end of life after consultation (P < 0.05). Whether the disease had previously been actively treated and the number of children impacted the choice of treatment at the end of life (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Among patients with end-stage disease admitted to the ED, knowledge of palliative care was lacking. Palliative care could help them avoid the damage caused by pointless resuscitation.
The pharyngeal taste organ of a blood-feeding insect functions in food recognition
Authors: Ortega-Insaurralde Isabel , Latorre-Estivalis José Manuel , Costa-da-Silva Andre Luis , Cano Agustina , Insausti Teresita C. , Morales Héctor Salas , Pontes Gina , de Astrada Martín Berón , Ons Sheila , DeGennaro Matthew , Barrozo Romina B.
Published: March 2024

Background

Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from the vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in the pharynx, evaluate the suitability of the ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized the pharyngeal organ (PO) of the hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to determine its role in food assessment. The PO, located antero-dorsally in the pharynx, comprises eight taste sensilla that become bathed with the incoming blood.

Results

We showed that these taste sensilla house gustatory receptor neurons projecting their axons through the labral nerves to reach the subesophageal zone in the brain. We found that these neurons are electrically activated by relevant appetitive and aversive gustatory stimuli such as NaCl, ATP, and caffeine. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the expression of sensory-related gene families in the PO. We identified gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, transient receptor potential channels, pickpocket channels, opsins, takeouts, neuropeptide precursors, neuropeptide receptors, and biogenic amine receptors. RNA interference assays demonstrated that the salt-related pickpocket channel Rproppk014276 is required during feeding of an appetitive solution of NaCl and ATP.

Conclusions

We provide evidence of the role of the pharyngeal organ in food evaluation. This work shows a comprehensive characterization of a pharyngeal taste organ in a hematophagous insect.
Paxlovid use is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases in COVID-19 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Weijie , Wang Yu-Hsun , Huang Ching-Hua , Hsieh Tsung-Hsueh , Ibarburu Gema Hernández , Wei James Cheng-Chung
Published: March 2024

Background

Paxlovid has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not known whether Paxlovid can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in COVID-19-surviving patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs).

Methods

TriNetX data from the US Collaborative Network were used in this study. A total of 5,671,395 patients with AIRDs were enrolled between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. People diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the cohort (n = 238,142) from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. The Study population was divided into two groups based on Paxlovid use. Propensity score matching was used to generate groups with matched baseline characteristics. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals of cardiovascular outcomes, admission rate, mortality rate, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate were calculated between Paxlovid and non-Paxlovid groups. Subgroup analyses on sex, age, race, autoimmune diseases group, and sensitivity analyses for Paxlovid use within the first day or within 2–5 days of COVID-19 diagnosis were performed.

Results

Paxlovid use was associated with lower risks of cerebrovascular complications (HR = 0.65 [0.47–0.88]), arrhythmia outcomes (HR = 0.81 [0.68–0.94]), ischemic heart disease, other cardiac disorders (HR = 0.51 [0.35–0.74]) naming heart failure (HR = 0.41 [0.26–0.63]) and deep vein thrombosis (HR = 0.46 [0.24–0.87]) belonging to thrombotic disorders in AIRD patients with COVID-19. Compared with the Non-Paxlovid group, risks of major adverse cardiac events (HR = 0.56 [0.44–0.70]) and any cardiovascular outcome mentioned above (HR = 0.76 [0.66–0.86]) were lower in the Paxlovid group. Moreover, the mortality (HR = 0.21 [0.11–0.40]), admission (HR = 0.68 [0.60–0.76]), and ICU admission rates (HR = 0.52 [0.33–0.80]) were significantly lower in the Paxlovid group than in the non-Paxlovid group. Paxlovid appears to be more effective in male, older, and Black patients with AIRD. The risks of cardiovascular outcomes and severe conditions were reduced significantly with Paxlovid prescribed within the first day of COVID-19 diagnosis.

Conclusions

Paxlovid use is associated with a lower risk of CVDs and severe conditions in COVID-19-surviving patients with AIRD.