bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of gaps/overlaps induced waviness on the mechanical properties of automated fiber placement (AFP)-manufactured composite laminate
Authors: Ju Xiangwen , Xiao Jun , Wang Dongli , Zhao Cong , Gao Tiancheng , Wang Xianfeng
Published: April 2022

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process is widely used to produce lightweight composite components owing to its excellent flexibility and efficiency. However, the out-of-plane fiber waviness induced by gaps and overlaps inevitably formed in the AFP process lack experimental studies. Therefore, an experimental research is proposed to study the influence mechanism of out-of-plane fiber waviness. Herein, based on the description of the shape of the fiber waviness, the relationship between the magnitude factor and the axial elastic modulus of laminate with fiber waviness is established. By embedding gaps and overlaps in the layup, a new approach to manufacturing composite laminate with fiber waviness of sine wave and sine-like wave is proposed, and the rationality of the theoretical analysis on the elastic properties of laminate with fiber waviness is verified. Finally, the effect of the magnitude factor on the mechanical properties of composite laminate is obtained by tensile and compression test. Experimental results show that the tensile and compression properties of laminate decrease significantly with the increase of magnitude factor. The effect of sine-like wave on mechanical properties is similar to that of sine wave, and it is feasible to splice sine-like wave into sine wave for mechanical property analysis.
Role of small wetlands on the regime shift of ecological network in a wetlandscape
Authors: Kim Bin , Lee Junga , Park Jeryang
Published: April 2022

Globally, wetlands in many places have been at risk by natural and anthropogenic threats including climate change and land use and land cover change. Because of their significant contribution to providing various ecosystem services, understanding the vulnerability to various threats and the effects of their loss on various scales and aspects is an imminent issue for wetland conservation. On a landscape scale, these wetlands can be distributed in a variety of forms (e.g., by size, bathymetry, geology, etc.) and interconnected by dispersal of inhabiting species. Here, we use the network modeling approach associated with wetland hydrology to analyze potential shifts in an ecological network caused by hydro-climatic and anthropogenic forcings. We focus on the role of small wetlands which are often easily ignored in assessing landscape function because of their minor occupancy in an overall area. Specifically, by manipulating the hydrological status of the small wetlands, an area of which only contributes 0.82%, we observed the degrading effects on the characteristics (mean degree and network efficiency) of resulting ecological networks. Our results suggest that wetland size does not necessarily correlate with network centralities, and the loss of small wetlands acting as high centrality nodes induce a critical regime shift in network structure and function. Although hypothetically tested, because of their high sensitivity to hydro-climatic conditions and vulnerability to land use and land change along with climate change effects, the persisting functional loss of small wetlands is highly expected which eventually leads to trapping in the undesirable state of an ecological network. Our study is expected to provide a framework to evaluate the importance of small wetlands that can be easily ignored from an area-based point of view in a landscape.
Deep potentials for materials science
Authors: Wen Tongqi , Zhang Linfeng , Wang Han , E Weinan , Srolovitz David J
Published: April 2022

To fill the gap between accurate (and expensive) ab initio calculations and efficient atomistic simulations based on empirical interatomic potentials, a new class of descriptions of atomic interactions has emerged and been widely applied; i.e. machine learning potentials (MLPs). One recently developed type of MLP is the deep potential (DP) method. In this review, we provide an introduction to DP methods in computational materials science. The theory underlying the DP method is presented along with a step-by-step introduction to their development and use. We also review materials applications of DPs in a wide range of materials systems. The DP Library provides a platform for the development of DPs and a database of extant DPs. We discuss the accuracy and efficiency of DPs compared with ab initio methods and empirical potentials.
Power in World Politics
Authors: Guzzini Stefano
Published: April 2022

The concept of power derives its meanings and theoretical roles from the theories in which it is embedded. Hence, there is no one concept of power, no single understanding of power, even if these understandings stand in relation to each other. Besides the usual theoretical traditions common to the discipline of international relations and the social sciences, from rationalist to constructivist and post-structuralist approaches, there is, however, also a specificity of power being a concept used in both political theory and political practice. A critical survey of these approaches needs to cast a net wide to see both the differences and the links across these theoretical divides. Realist understandings of power are heavily impressed by political theory, especially when defining the ontology of “the political.” They are also characterized by their attempt, so far not successful, to translate practical maxims of power into a scientific theory. Liberal and structural power approaches use power as a central factor for understanding outcomes and hierarchies while generally neglecting any reference to political theory and often overloading the mere concept of power as if it were already a full-fledged theory. Finally, power has also been understood in the constitutive but often tacit processes of social recognition and identity formation, of technologies of government, and of the performativity of power categories when the latter interact with the social world, that is, the power politics that characterize the processes in which agents “make” the social world. Relating back to political practice and theory, these approaches risk repeating a realist fallacy. Whereas it is arguably correct to see power always connected to politics, not all politics is always connected or reducible to power. Seeing power not only as coercive but also productive should neither invite one to reduce all politics to it nor to turn power into the meta-physical prime mover of all things political.
Sociology and Psychology
Authors: Ridgeway Cecilia L.
Published: April 2022

Sociology is the social scientific investigation of groups, organizations, and societies and the interaction of people within social contexts. Psychology is typically defined as the study of mind and behavior. Despite the disciplines’ contrasting emphases on groups and collectivities versus the individual, there is an inherent overlap between their domains. The human species is distinctively characterized by individuals who think and act with a view to their own agency but do so in the contexts of groups and relationships upon which they depend for their very survival, let alone their well-being. Because of the dual primacy of the group and the individual that characterizes human life, there are few questions in either psychology or sociology that do not involve in some degree the concerns of the other discipline. This overlap in domain comes to the fore in social psychology, which exists as a long-standing subspecialty in both disciplines. The history of relations between sociology and psychology takes place through the entangled origins of the subspecialty of social psychology in each discipline and the subsequent post–World War II joint PhD programs and departments in social psychology and social relations. Driven by growing disciplinary competition and differentiation, this institutionalized cooperation between the disciplines collapsed at the end of the 1960s. Although the two social psychologies have since developed largely in parallel, the inherent overlap of subject matter has led to more informal cross-disciplinary dialog and mutual influence over a changing set of substantive topics of mutual concern.

Sociological social psychology can be divided into symbolic interactionism and the self, social structure and personality, and structural social psychology and group processes. Although different in substantive focus, each of these approaches examines linkages between various levels of social structure and individual action, with emphases on how structures and groups shape behavior in ways that reproduce societal structures but also potentially change them. Examples of recent substantive topics about which social psychologists in sociology and in psychology have engaged in substantial informal dialog are social identity theory and intergroup behavior, gender stereotypes and inequality, and status dynamics and status inequality among individuals and groups in society.
Monetary Flows and Currency Management in Ming-Qing China
Authors: Giráldez Arturo
Published: April 2022

In 1571, colonists from the viceroyalty of New Spain founded Manila as capital of the Philippines and established a line of navigation between its port, Cavite, and the Mexican city of Acapulco. Their ships linked the rich mines of the viceroyalties of Perú and New Spain with the Ming and Qing Chinese empires, inaugurating a global economy based on silver from Latin America, and, to a lesser extent, Japan. The Chinese adopted silver as money in response to the high inflation of paper notes as a result of imperial expenditures. Merchants in the southern maritime provinces initiated the inflow of silver in the 15th century, and the central government soon began commuting taxes in grain to payments in silver. The purchasing power of silver in China rose precipitously relative to that of Europe and Japan, stimulating European and Japanese appetites to trade with the Chinese empire. The global silver economy could be divided in three periods: (a) the Potosí–Japan Silver Cycle (1540–1640), when Japanese and Peruvian (modern Bolivia) mines were the main producers of silver. The cycle ended with the equalization of the relative global prices of silver and gold about 1640; (b) a shorter Mexican Silver Cycle (1700–1750), when México was the main producer of silver; followed by (c) the Tea and Opium Cycle, initiated by the Battle of Plassey in 1757 that led to the British control of Bengal, the Opium War (1839–1842), and the presence of foreign powers in Chinese territories. Silver continued its journey into China but the high-profit markets were generated by Chinese tea and opium from India. These trade cycles are the origin of the modern globalized economy.
Public Health and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Brolan Claire E.
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 crisis—the most catastrophic international public health emergency since the Spanish influenza 100 years ago—provides impetus to review the significance of public and global health in the context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) achievement. When countries unanimously adopted the 17 SDGs in September 2015, stakeholders had mixed views on global health goal SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Concern arose over the feasibility of achieving SDG 3 by 2030 when countries pursued its nine targets and four means of implementation with sixteen other ambitious global goals. Nonetheless, health surely cuts across the SDG framework: for instance, the underlying health determinants are expressed in many goals as is urban and planetary health. Although health (and its different constructions) is central to overall SDG achievement, SDG success depends on a paradigm shift toward whole-of-government policy and planning. Indeed, the 2030 Agenda echoes calls for a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to public health programming. This depends on another paradigm shift in public health tertiary education, practitioner training, and policy skills development within and beyond ministries of health. Added to this are the underlying problematics around SDG health financing, human resources for health, health target and indicator localization for equitable country responses that leave no one behind, strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems for inclusive and accountable health implementation, and the sidelining of human rights from SDG metrics. While COVID-19 has derailed SDG efforts, it could also be the ultimate game changer for intergenerational human and environmental health transformation. Yet strong global health governance and rights-based approaches remain key.
Martian Paleoclimate
Authors: Haberle Robert M.
Published: April 2022

The climate of Mars has evolved over time. Early in its history, between 3.7 and 4.1 billion years ago, the climate was warmer and wetter and the atmosphere thicker than it is today. Erosion rates were higher than today, and liquid water flowed on the planet’s surface, carving valley networks, filling lakes, creating deltas, and weathering rocks. This implies runoff and suggests rainfall and/or snowmelt. Oceans may have existed. Over time, the atmosphere thinned, erosion rates declined, water activity ceased, and cooler and drier conditions prevailed. Ice became the dominate form of surface water. Yet the climate continued to evolve, driven now by large variations in Mars’ orbit parameters. Beating in rhythm with these variations, surface ice has been repeatedly mobilized and moved around the planet, glaciers have advanced and retreated, dust storms and polar caps have come and gone, and the atmosphere has collapsed and re-inflated many times. The layered terrains that now characterize both polar regions are telltale signatures of this cyclical behavior and owe their existence to modulations of the seasonal cycles of dust, water, and CO2. Contrary to the early images from the Mariner flybys of the 1960s, Mars is and has been a dynamically active planet whose surface has been partly shaped through its interaction with a changing atmosphere and climate system.
Heterogeneity in Spatial Inequities in COVID-19 Vaccination Across 16 Large US Cities
Authors: Bilal Usama , Mullachery Pricila H , Schnake-Mahl Alina , Rollins Heather , McCulley Edwin , Kolker Jennifer , Barber Sharrelle , Diez Roux Ana V
Published: April 2022

Differences in vaccination coverage can perpetuate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disparities. We explored the association between neighborhood-level social vulnerability and COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 16 large US cities from the beginning of the vaccination campaign in December 2020 through September 2021. We calculated the proportion of fully vaccinated adults in 866 zip code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) of 16 large US cities: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, all in California; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, all in Texas. We computed absolute and relative total and Social Vulnerability Index–related inequities by city. COVID-19 vaccination coverage was 0.75 times (95% confidence interval: 0.69, 0.81) or 16 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 12.1, 20.3) lower in neighborhoods with the highest social vulnerability as compared with those with the lowest. These inequities were heterogeneous, with cities in the West generally displaying narrower inequities in both the absolute and relative scales. The Social Vulnerability Index domains of socioeconomic status and of household composition and disability showed the strongest associations with vaccination coverage. Inequities in COVID-19 vaccinations hamper efforts to achieve health equity, as they mirror and could lead to even wider inequities in other COVID-19 outcomes.
Implementation of a pharmacy residency resiliency program for PGY1 and PGY2 residents: Program structure and resident perceptions
Authors: Kneuss Tiffany G , Wolff Alexandra S , Meadors Patrick L , Reynolds Danya R , Hammer John M
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To describe the implementation of a pharmacy residency resiliency program (PRRP) for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residents, including program structure, strengths and weaknesses/limitations, resident perceptions as captured by a postprogram survey, generalizability to other institutions, and opportunities for future directions.

Pharmacy residents face significant pressure, workload, and stressors that put them at risk for burnout and depression. While resiliency has been a major area of focus to help combat these risks for healthcare professionals, little has been published regarding formal, structured resiliency training in pharmacy, especially in pharmacy residency programs. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) residency standards recommend that programs consider education related to burnout prevention and that mitigation strategies be provided to residents and other pharmacy personnel, but no formal pharmacy-specific programs or strategies have been established. We implemented a 12-month PRRP for PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents and conducted a postprogram survey to assess resident perceptions and to identify areas for growth.

Conclusion

Implementation of a PRRP was feasible and could be replicated at other institutions. Residents in our program reported a high level of satisfaction, skills gained, and positive attributes of the addition of the PRRP. Some notable factors contributing to success included the program’s longitudinal nature, use of a nonpharmacy facilitator, and impactful content from an established resiliency skills curriculum.
Are Lower-Strength Beers Gateways to Higher-Strength Beers? Time Series Analyses of Household Purchases from 64,280 British Households, 2015–2018
Authors: Jané Llopis Eva , O’Donnell Amy , Kaner Eileen , Anderson Peter
Published: April 2022

Aims

Buying and consuming no- (per cent alcohol by volume, ABV = 0.0%) and low- (ABV = >0.0% and ≤ 3.5%) alcohol beers could reduce alcohol consumption but only if they replace buying and drinking higher-strength beers. We assess whether buying new no- and low-alcohol beers increases or decreases British household purchases of same-branded higher strength beers.

Methods

Generalized linear models and interrupted time series analyses, using purchase data of 64,280 British households from Kantar Worldpanel’s household shopping panel, 2015–2018. We investigate the extent to which the launch of six new no- and low-alcohol beers affected the likelihood and volume of purchases of same-branded higher-strength beers.

Results

Households that had never previously bought a same-branded higher-strength beer but bought a new same-branded no- or low-alcohol beer were less than one-third as likely to go on and newly buy the same-branded higher-strength product. When they did later buy the higher-strength product, they bought half as much volume as households that had not bought a new same-branded no- or low-alcohol beer. For households that had previously purchased a higher-strength beer, the introduction of the new same-branded no- or low-alcohol beer was associated with decreased purchases of the volume of the higher-strength beer by, on average, one-fifth.

Conclusions

The increased availability of new no- and low-alcohol beers does not seem to be a gateway to purchasing same-branded higher-strength beers but rather seems to replace purchases of these higher-strength products. Thus, introduction of new no- and low-alcohol beers could contribute to reducing alcohol consumption.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates Following Use of Regular Compared With Defective Respirators When Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Follow-up Study
Authors: Kolstad Henrik A , Frydenberg Morten , Nielsen Kent Jacob , Schlünssen Vivi , Biering Karin , Kjærsgaard Mona , Vestergaard Jesper Medom , Würtz Else Toft , Pugdahl Kirsten , Würtz Anne Mette Lund , Hansen Karoline Kærgaard , Jespersen Sanne , Kragh Thomsen Marianne , Sørensen Mette Marie , Ellermann-Eriksen Svend , Dvinge Redder Jacob , Storgaard Merete
Published: April 2022

Background

There is strong observational evidence that respirators are highly effective in protecting the users from being infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), but the evidence for SARS-CoV-2 during daily work is limited. This study utilized a subset of healthcare workers’ temporary use of a new brand respirator with frequent defects when caring for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients to assess the protective effect of regular respirators against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We retrospectively followed 463 participants wearing a regular respirator and 168 wearing the new brand respirator day-by-day when caring for COVID-19 patients until testing polymerase chain reaction positive for SARS-CoV-2 between 27th December 2020 and 14th January 2021.

Results

We observed seven and eight incident SARS-CoV-2-infected cases. This corresponded with daily infection rates of 0.2 and 0.5%, an incidence rate ratio of 0.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1; 1.0], and an incidence rate difference of 0.3% (95% CI −0.1; 0.8) when comparing a regular with the new brand respirator.

Discussion

We regard the new brand respirator a sham intervention, and this study thus provides further evidence for the protective effect of respirators when exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Validation of a COVID-19 Job Exposure Matrix (COVID-19-JEM) for Occupational Risk of a SARS-CoV-2 Infection at Work: Using Data of Dutch Workers
Authors: van der Feltz Sophie , Peters Susan , Pronk Anjoeka , Schlünssen Vivi , Stokholm Zara A , Kolstad Henrik A , van Veldhoven Karin , Basinas Ioannis , van Tongeren Martie , Burdorf Alex , Oude Hengel Karen M
Published: April 2022

Objectives

A COVID-19 Job Exposure Matrix (COVID-19-JEM) has been developed, consisting of four dimensions on transmission, two on mitigation measures, and two on precarious work. This study aims to validate the COVID-19-JEM by (i) comparing risk scores assigned by the COVID-19-JEM with self-reported data, and (ii) estimating the associations between the COVID-19-JEM risk scores and self-reported COVID-19.

Methods

Data from measurements 2 (July 2020, n = 7690) and 4 (March 2021, n = 6794) of the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey-COVID-19 (NWCS-COVID-19) cohort study were used. Responses to questions related to the transmission risks and mitigation measures of Measurement 2 were used to calculate self-reported risk scores. These scores were compared with the COVID-19-JEM attributed risk scores, by assessing the percentage agreement and weighted kappa (κ). Based on Measurement 4, logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between all COVID-19-JEM risk scores and self-reported COVID-19 (infection in general and infected at work).

Results

The agreement between the COVID-19-JEM and questionnaire-based risk scores was good (κ ≥ 0.70) for most dimensions, except work location (κ = 0.56), and face covering (κ = 0.41). Apart from the precarious work dimensions, higher COVID-19-JEM assigned risk scores had higher odds ratios (ORs; ranging between 1.28 and 1.80) on having had COVID-19. Associations were stronger when the infection were thought to have happened at work (ORs between 2.33 and 11.62).

Conclusions

Generally, the COVID-19-JEM showed a good agreement with self-reported infection risks and infection rates at work. The next step is to validate the COVID-19-JEM with objective data in the Netherlands and beyond.
SimPlot++: a Python application for representing sequence similarity and detecting recombination
Authors: Samson Stéphane , Lord Étienne , Makarenkov Vladimir
Published: April 2022

Motivation

Accurate detection of sequence similarity and homologous recombination are essential parts of many evolutionary analyses.

Results

We have developed SimPlot++, an open-source multiplatform application implemented in Python, which can be used to produce publication quality sequence similarity plots using 63 nucleotide and 20 amino acid distance models, to detect intergenic and intragenic recombination events using Φ, Max-χ2, NSS or proportion tests, and to generate and analyze interactive sequence similarity networks. SimPlot++ supports multicore data processing and provides useful distance calculability diagnostics.

Availability and implementation

SimPlot++ is freely available on GitHub at: https://github.com/Stephane-S/Simplot_PlusPlus, as both an executable file (for Windows) and Python scripts (for Windows/Linux/MacOS).
Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging for prevention of anastomotic leak in totally minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Casas María A , Angeramo Cristian A , Bras Harriott Camila , Dreifuss Nicolás H , Schlottmann Francisco
Published: April 2022

Background

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging is an emerging technology that might help decreasing anastomotic leakage (AL) rates. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of ICG fluorescence imaging for the prevention of AL after minimally invasive esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis.

Methods

A systematic literature review of the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases was performed to identify all articles on totally minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Studies were then divided into two groups based on the use or not of ICG for perfusion assessment. Primary outcome was anastomotic leak. Secondary outcomes included operative time, ICG-related adverse reactions, and mortality rate. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall weighted proportion and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for main outcomes.

Results

A total of 3,171 patients were included for analysis: 381 (12%) with intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging and 2,790 (88%) without ICG. Mean patients’ age and proportion of males were similar between groups. Mean operative time was also similar between both groups (ICG: 354.8 vs. No-ICG: 354.1 minutes, P = 0.52). Mean ICG dose was 12 mg (5–21 mg). No ICG-related adverse reactions were reported. AL rate was 9% (95% CI, 5–17%) and 9% (95% CI, 7–12%) in the ICG and No-ICG groups, respectively. The risk of AL was similar between groups (odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.53–1.28, P = 0.45). Mortality was 3% (95% CI, 1–9%) in patients with ICG and 2% (95% CI, 2–3%) in those without ICG. Median length of hospital stay was also similar between groups (ICG: 13.6 vs. No-ICG: 11.2 days, P = 0.29).

Conclusion

The use of ICG fluorescence imaging for perfusion assessment does not seem to reduce AL rates in patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis.
The Impact of Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab on Articular Extra-Intestinal Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Real-Life Multicentre Cohort Study
Authors: De Galan Cara , Truyens Marie , Peeters Harald , Mesonero Gismero Francisco , Elorza Ainara , Torres Paola , Vandermeulen Liv , Jauregui Amezaga Aranzazu , Ferreiro-Iglesias Rocio , Holvoet Tom , Zabana Yamile , Reverter Laia Peries , Gonzales Gerard Bryan , Geldof Jeroen , Varkas Gaëlle , De Vos Martine , Lobatón Triana
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Extra-intestinal manifestations are frequently reported in inflammatory bowel diseases. However, data comparing the effect of vedolizumab and ustekinumab on articular extra-intestinal manifestations are limited. The aim here was to evaluate differences in new-onset and the evolution of pre-existing joint extra-intestinal manifestations during both treatments.

Methods

An international multicentre retrospective study was performed on inflammatory bowel disease patients who started vedolizumab or ustekinumab between May 2010 and December 2020. Extra-intestinal manifestations were assessed at baseline and joint extra-intestinal manifestations were evaluated throughout the 2-year follow-up. Arthropathy was defined by joint inflammation [arthritis/sacroiliitis], diagnosed by a rheumatologist, and arthralgia as articular pain without confirmed inflammation. Additionally, skin, ocular and hepatic extra-intestinal manifestations were assessed at baseline. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

In total, 911 patients [vedolizumab: 584; ustekinumab: 327] were included. Deterioration of pre-existing arthropathy and rate of new-onset arthropathy were not significantly associated with vedolizumab over ustekinumab. Arthropathy was used as reason to stop treatment in six vedolizumab and two ustekinumab patients. The odds of developing new arthralgia within 6 months was higher in patients who took vedolizumab compared to ustekinumab (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.28 [1.01–5.15], p = 0.047). However, this effect was not sustained during the 2-year follow-up (aOR: 1.35 [0.80-2.29], p = 0.259). Deterioration of pre-existing arthralgia was comparable between ustekinumab and vedolizumab-treated patients. In two vedolizumab-treated patients arthralgia was given as the reason to stop treatment.

Conclusions

Vedolizumab and ustekinumab can be used safely in patients with articular extra-intestinal manifestations. Only a temporary increased risk for developing arthralgia has been observed under vedolizumab.
OR54. Relationship Between Degree of Smoking Based on the Brinkman Index and Mean Tunica Intima-Media Thickness of the Carotid Artery (CIMT) in Young Adult Patients in H. Badaruddin Kasim Tabalong Regional Hospital, South Kalimantan
Authors: Nariswari R , Yutanto D
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

This study is to analyse the relationship between the degree of smoking based on the Brinkman Index and mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in young adult patients in H Badaruddin Kasim Tabalong Hospital.

Method and Results

This cross-sectional study included 38 patients undergoing medical check-up. The smoking degree was measured at the time of the medical checkup in H Badruddin Kasim Tabalong Hospital between February April March 2019. The subjects were categorised into three groups based on the Brinkman Index, mild smokers (n = 19), moderate smokers (n = 19), and there was no patient in the heavy smoker group (n = 0), according to their responses to a questionnaire. We compared the CIMT in the three groups after adjusting for age. CIMT was measured using doppler ultrasound. The analysis used by Pearson correlation and independent samples test (t-test). Multivariate analysis performed using linear regression. In both right and left carotid artery assessment, carotid intima-media thickness was significantly increased in moderate smoker group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.013, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between Brinkman Index and carotid intima-media thickness (p = 0.08, r = 0.425). The smoking period was significantly associated with carotid intima-media thickness in both right and left carotid artery (p = 0.001, p = 0.013, respectively). There was no significant association between the number of cigarettes consumed and carotid intima-media thickness.

Conclusion

The Brinkman Index is positively correlated with mean carotid intima-media thickness.
OR69. The impact of hypertension on clinical outcome of hemorrhagic stroke patients
Authors: Pinzon R T , Nunsio P N
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Hypertension is the hallmark of stroke that both increases the incidence and worsens the outcome of stroke. Hypertension is prevalent in the stroke population and is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of hypertension on the clinical outcome of hemorrhagic stroke patients.

Methods and Result

This was a retrospective study using secondary data from the electronic stroke registry of Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data is taken from the beginning to the end of 2020. The outcomes of the study were death, disability, and independence. This study used SPSS 2.0 with a significance level of 0,05. Among 431 patients with hemorrhagic stroke, 250 (58,0 %) were males and the majority of patients were in the age group 61-70 years, which was 131 (30.4%). Patients with hemorrhagic stroke who had hypertension as a comorbid had a worse outcome. On the death outcome, 169 (91,8 %) patients had hypertension as a comorbid, and 19 (8,2 %) did not. In the disability outcome, 152 (80.9%) patients had hypertension and 36 (19.1%) did not. Meanwhile, in the independence outcome, patients with hypertension were fewer in number than those without, namely 21 patients (35.6%) vs. 38 patients (64.4%). (p < 0,05)

Conclusion

Clinical outcomes are worse in hemorrhagic stroke patients with comorbid hypertension than in those without. Blood pressure management in hemorrhagic stroke patients is urgently needed to improve clinical outcomes in hemorrhagic stroke patients.
C64. New Onset PVC Bigeminy Post Covid-19 Infection: Another Covid-Cardiac Related Problem
Authors: Jeremiah B , Lubis A C , Hasan H
Published: April 2022

Background

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus that caused acute severe respiratory syndrome and other complication. Many cardiac complication already occurred such as carditis and acute heart failure. PVC bigeminy is a new complication that we found in our post covid-19 patient.

Case Summary

A 31-years-old female patient admitted to the outpatient department with chief complaint palpitation with chest discomfort in the past 1 month with a history covid-19 infection 3 months ago with prolong covid infection for 2 months. ECG showed sinus rhythm and bigeminy PVC with PVC LBBB morphology left inferior axis and transition zone in V4. The patient planned to do Electrophysiology study and ablation. From the EP study we found 2 type of PVC, both of the PVC have LBBB morphology with left inferior axis and transitional zone in V4. The first PVC had 42ms earliest activation time and the second PVC had 48ms earliest activation. We do ablation with non irrigating catheter on the first PVC but the PVC still remain. Then try with irrigating catheter and do the ablation. After the ablation the PVC already vanished and the ablation was successful.

Discussion

PVC bigeminy post covid-19 infection is a rare complication in covid-19 patient. PVC bigeminy cause several complain from palpitation, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. Ablation is one of the best way to treat PVC bigeminy patient with symptoms and in the patient the ablation was successful.
The importance of mentors and how to handle more than one mentor
Authors: Marshall Andrea G , Brady Lillian J , Palavicino-Maggio Caroline B , Neikirk Kit , Vue Zer , Beasley Heather K , Garza-Lopez Edgar , Murray Sandra A , Martinez Denise , Shuler Haysetta D , Spencer Elsie C , Morton Derrick J , Hinton Antentor Jr
Published: April 2022

Working with multiple mentors is a critical way for students to expand their network, gain opportunities, and better prepare for future scholastic or professional ventures. However, students from underrepresented groups (UR) are less likely to be mentored or have access to mentors, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. We developed and implemented a workshop, to provide the necessary foundation for students to be better prepared for establishing future mentorships throughout graduate and professional school. Faculty well-versed in the area of effective mentorship from multiple universities developed and delivered a 1.5-hour workshop to address the roles of a mentor, especially when it comes to UR students, and how students may effectively work with multiple mentors. This workshop was delivered to a group of students from, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Winston-Salem State University, and a pre/post-10-point Likert scale-based survey was administered where 1 represented strongly disagree and 10 was strongly agree. The questions used in this seminar were newly designed by the authors as program evaluations. We analyzed the raw data with nonparametric tests for comparison within paired samples. Wilcoxon matched-pairs and signed-rank tests showed statistically significant growth in student self-ratings related to the workshop learning objectives. The ‘How to Handle More than One Mentor to Achieve Excellence’ workshop was well-received as a component of pregraduate and preprofessional training. Incorporating workshops like this may increase student preparedness around developing and cultivating healthy mentorship relationships throughout STEM training.
Enrichment of Non-B-Form DNA at D. melanogaster Centromeres
Authors: Patchigolla Venkata S.P. , Mellone Barbara G.
Published: April 2022

Centromeres are essential chromosomal regions that mediate the accurate inheritance of genetic information during eukaryotic cell division. Despite their conserved function, centromeres do not contain conserved DNA sequences and are instead epigenetically marked by the presence of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant centromeric protein A. The functional contribution of centromeric DNA sequences to centromere identity remains elusive. Previous work found that dyad symmetries with a propensity to adopt noncanonical secondary DNA structures are enriched at the centromeres of several species. These findings lead to the proposal that noncanonical DNA structures may contribute to centromere specification. Here, we analyze the predicted secondary structures of the recently identified centromere DNA sequences of Drosophila melanogaster. Although dyad symmetries are only enriched on the Y centromere, we find that other types of noncanonical DNA structures, including melted DNA and G-quadruplexes, are common features of all D. melanogaster centromeres. Our work is consistent with previous models suggesting that noncanonical DNA secondary structures may be conserved features of centromeres with possible implications for centromere specification.
Assessing Patterns and Stability of ADL Hierarchical Scales for Functional Disability Assessment
Authors: Fong Joelle H , Youn Yongjoon
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

This study examined the stability over time of activities of daily living (ADL) items in 3 comparable longitudinal data sets and evaluated ADL loss sequences for older adults in the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Research Design and Methods

Data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, and its 2 international sister surveys, were analyzed. Participants were community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. For each data set, Rasch analysis was implemented to determine if the ordering of items remained stable across multiple waves (2006–2014), such that a single ADL hierarchy may be derived from multiwave data.

Results

Data fitted the Rasch model well. Item calibrations were sufficiently stable across measurement periods in each data set, reflecting a stable frame of reference. Results were also robust to sample variations. The derived ADL hierarchies based on scaled logit scores revealed that “dressing” and “bathing” were relatively more difficult items for older adults in all study populations.

Discussion and Implications

Scale stability is essential when exploiting longitudinal data to analyze patterns in ADL disabilities. The consistency in ADL scales across measurement periods supports their use as screening tools and identifying those at risk for transitions in care. Interventions to reduce dependency in bathing and dressing can help improve independent functioning for community-dwelling older adults.
Microfluidic preparation of spermatozoa for ICSI produces similar embryo quality to density-gradient centrifugation: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Quinn Molly M , Ribeiro Salustiano , Juarez-Hernandez Flor , Simbulan Rhodel K , Jalalian Liza , Cedars Marcelle I , Rosen Mitchell P
Published: April 2022

STUDY QUESTION

Does processing of spermatozoa for IVF with ICSI by a microfluidic sperm separation device improve embryo quality compared with density-gradient centrifugation?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Patients randomized to microfluidic sperm preparation had similar cleavage- and blastocyst-stage embryo quality and clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates to those who underwent standard sperm processing for IVF with ICSI.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Microfluidic sperm preparation can isolate spermatozoa for clinical use with minimal DNA fragmentation but with unclear impact on clinical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A prospective randomized controlled trial of 386 patients planning IVF from June 2017 through September 2021 was carried out.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

One hundred and ninety-two patients were allocated to sperm processing with a microfluidic sperm separation device for ICSI, while 194 patients were allocated to clinical standard density-gradient centrifugation (control) at an academic medical centre.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In an intention to treat analysis, there were no differences in high-quality cleavage-stage embryo fraction [66.0 (25.8)% control versus 68.0 (30.3) microfluidic sperm preparation, P = 0.541, absolute difference −2.0, 95% CI (−8.5, 4.5)], or high-quality blastocyst fraction [37.4 (25.4) control versus 37.4 (26.2) microfluidic sperm preparation, P = 0.985, absolute difference −0.6 95% CI (−6, 5.9)] between groups. There were no differences in the clinical pregnancy or ongoing pregnancy rates between groups.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The population studied was inclusive and did not attempt to isolate male factor infertility cases or patients with a history of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Microfluidic sperm separation performs similarly to density-gradient centrifugation in sperm preparation for IVF in an unselected population.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No external funding to declare. M.P.R. is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board for ZyMōt® Fertility, Inc.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03085433.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE

21 March 2017.

DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLLMENT

16 June 2017.
Age-Specific Estimates of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations in 6 European Countries: A Time Series Analysis
Authors: Johannesen Caroline K , van Wijhe Maarten , Tong Sabine , Fernández Liliana V , Heikkinen Terho , van Boven Michiel , Wang Xin , Bøås Håkon , Li You , Campbell Harry , Paget John , Stona Luca , Teirlinck Anne , Lehtonen Toni , Nohynek Hanna , Bangert Mathieu , Fischer Thea K ,   for the RESCEU Investigators, Nair Harish , Campbell Harry , Beutels Philippe , Bont Louis , Pollard Andrew , Openshaw Peter , Martinon-Torres Federico , Heikkinen Terho , Meijer Adam , Fischer Thea K , van den Berge Maarten , Giaquinto Carlo , Abram Michael , Swanson Kena , Rizkalla Bishoy , Vernhes Charlotte , Gallichan Scott , Aerssens Jeroen , Kumar Veena , Molero Eva
Published: April 2022

Background

Knowledge on age-specific hospitalizations associated with RSV infection is limited due to limited testing, especially in older children and adults in whom RSV infections are not expected to be severe. Burden estimates based on RSV coding of hospital admissions are known to underestimate the burden of RSV. We aimed to provide robust and reliable age-specific burden estimates of RSV-associated hospital admissions based on data on respiratory infections from national health registers and laboratory-confirmed cases of RSV.

Methods

We conducted multiseason regression analysis of weekly hospitalizations with respiratory infection and weekly laboratory-confirmed cases of RSV and influenza as covariates, based on national health registers and laboratory databases across 6 European countries. The burden of RSV-associated hospitalizations was estimated by age group, clinical diagnosis, and presence of underlying medical conditions.

Results

Across the 6 European countries, hospitalizations of children with respiratory infections were clearly associated with RSV, with associated proportions ranging from 28% to 60% in children younger than 3 months and we found substantial proportions of admissions to hospital with respiratory infections associated with RSV in children younger than 3 years. Associated proportions were highest among hospitalizations with ICD-10 codes of “bronchitis and bronchiolitis.” In all 6 countries, annual incidence of RSV-associated hospitalizations was >40 per 1000 persons in the age group 0–2 months. In age group 1–2 years the incidence rate ranged from 1.3 to 10.5 hospitalizations per 1000. Adults older than 85 years had hospitalizations with respiratory infection associated to RSV in all 6 countries although incidence rates were low.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the substantial proportion of RSV infections among hospital admissions across different ages and may help public health professionals and policy makers when planning prevention and control strategies. In addition, our findings provide valuable insights for health care professionals attending to both children and adults presenting with symptoms of viral respiratory infections.
A New Benzyl Phenethanolamine-β-Cyclodextrin Bonded Phase: Chiral Chromatography Performance and Application for LC-MS/MS Analysis of Pesticide Enantiomers in Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Li Liang , Jin Yongjiu , Jin Yanhong , Zhang Zhi , Zhu Zhou , Kou Haiqun
Published: April 2022

Background

At present, the research on achiral drug and pesticide residue detection methods is still the mainstay at home and abroad, and there is still a lack of systematic research on the enantiomeric analysis of chiral drugs and pesticides.

Objective

In order to prepare a novel chiral stationary phase, whose “multi-mode” chiral separation chromatographic performance and its utility was verified.

Method

An S-(-)-2-benzylamino-1-phenylethanol mono-derivative β-cyclodextrin bonded stationary phase (BzCSP) was prepared based on the “thiol-ene” addition reaction. The chiral compounds including four types of chiral compounds were used as “probes,” and their chiral chromatographic properties were evaluated. Furthermore, a new LC-MS/MS method for the determination of the enantiomeric residues of three chiral pesticides in five kinds of fruits and vegetables was established.

Results

The study found that the novel stationary phase was suitable for a variety of chromatographic modes (normal phase mode, reversed-phase mode, polar organic mode). The resolutions of hexaconazole (Hex), tebuconazole (Teb), and triticonazole (Trit) enantiomers could be up to 2.31, 1.68, and 1.48, respectively, within 30 min under reversed-phase chromatography. Based on the optimal chromatographic and mass spectrum conditions, a new LC-MS/MS quantitative method for the Hex, Teb, and Trit enantiomers was established by multi-reaction positive ion monitoring (MRM). The detection limits (LODs) of enantiomers were less than 0.89 µg/kg for Hex, 0.93 µg/kg for Teb, and 0.93 µg/kg for Trit, and the averaged recoveries of enantiomers were in the range of 75.8–106.3% for Hex, 77.4–116.3% for Teb, and 78.7–113.4% for Trit. The method had good reproducibility with the RSDs (<5%) for intraday and (<7%) for interday.

Conclusions

The established method had the characteristics of good selectivity, high sensitivity, strong resistance to matrix interference, and good reproducibility. It is indicated that the stationary phase prepared by the “thiol-ene” addition reaction is a new type of multi-mode stationary phase, which has a good development value.

Highlights

The study reported a new method for the rapid preparation of a rare “multi-mode” chiral stationary phase BzCSP based on the “thiol-ene” addition reaction and verified the practicability of BzCSP including good selectivity, high sensitivity, strong resistance to matrix interference, and good reproducibility.