bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of transperineal and transrectal targeted prostate biopsy using Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity score caliper method: A multicenter study of Turkish Urooncology Association
Authors: Koparal Murat Yavuz , Sözen Tevfik Sinan , Karşıyakalı Nejdet , Aslan Güven , Akdoğan Bülent , Şahin Bahadır , Türkeri Levent ,   Members of Turkish Urooncology Association
Published: December 2021

Objective

To compare the clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC)‐detecting results of transperineal and transrectal targeted biopsy (TPTB and TRTB, respectively) by performing matching analysis.

Patients and Methods

This study has used the PC and prostate biopsy database from the Turkish Urooncology Association. A total of 1143 patients with Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) with ≥3 lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and who had received a software‐guided transperineal/transrectal MRI/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion prostate biopsy with concomitant standard systematic 12‐core biopsy were included in this study. csPC detection rates of the TP and TR approaches were compared following Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity score caliper method. The following four variables were selected as covariates for the matching procedure: age, digital rectal examination findings, PSA density, and the index lesion PI‐RADS score.

Results

The matched sample included 508 TR and 276 TP patients. In both the TP and the TR groups, targeted biopsy was superior to systematic biopsy in detecting csPC (27.5% vs. 24.6%, p < 0.001 and 19.5% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Both TPTB and TP systematic biopsy was found to be superior to TRTB and TR systematic biopsy in terms of csPC detection (27.5% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.012 and 24.6% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.006). In patients with an anterior index lesion, an apical index lesion, and a larger prostate, the superiority of TPTB to TRTB was found to be more prominent in terms of csPC detection (37.8% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.044; 34.6% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.002; and 25% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.033, respectively).

Conclusion

Targeted biopsy was found to be superior to systematic biopsy in detecting csPC in both the TP and the TR approaches. The TP approach is preferred because of its clear superiority in detecting csPC in targeted biopsy, especially in patients with anterior and apical lesions and with larger prostates.
Find out how to build and lead successful teams
Authors: Simula Brandy L.
Published: December 2021

Building and leading successful teams requires a set of professional skills that hinge on intentional practices and strategies. Yet far too few of us leading teams in higher ed settings have received sufficient — if any — training in how to build and lead teams. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of learning to lead successful, productive, and inclusive teams, you're not alone.
Healing Diabetic Ulcers with MoO3−X Nanodots Possessing Intrinsic ROS‐Scavenging and Bacteria‐Killing Capacities
Authors: Duan Guangxin , Wen Ling , Sun Xingwei , Wei Zhuxin , Duan Ruixue , Zeng Jiangfeng , Cui Jiabin , Liu Chunyi , Yu Zepeng , Xie Xiaofang , Gao Mingyuan
Published: December 2021

Diabetic ulcers (DUs) appearing as chronic wounds are difficult to heal due to the oxidative stress in the wound microenvironment and their high susceptibility to bacterial infection. A routine treatment combining surgical debridement with anti‐infection therapy is widely used for treating DUs in the clinic, but hardly offers a satisfying wound healing outcome. It is known that a long‐term antibiotic treatment may also lead to the drug resistance of pathogens. To address these challenges, new strategies combining both reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and bacterial sterilization have been proposed for fighting against DUs. Following this idea, oxygen deficient molybdenum‐based nanodots (MoO3−X) for healing the DUs are reported. The ROS scavenging ability of MoO3−X nanodots is investigated and the antibacterial property of the nanodots is also demonstrated. The systematic cell and animal experimental results indicate that the MoO3−X nanodots can effectively reduce inflammation, promote epithelial cell regeneration, accelerate angiogenesis, and facilitate DUs recovery. Most importantly, they present excellent capacity to diminish infection of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, manifesting the potent application prospect of MoO3−X nanodots for diabetic wound therapy.
Molecular cloning and oxidative‐stress responses of a novel Phi class glutathione S‐transferase (GSTF) gene in the freshwater algae Closterium ehrenbergii
Authors: Abassi Sofia , Wang Hui , Kim Hansol , Ki Jang‐Seu
Published: December 2021

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) belong to a family of enzymes involved in diverse biological processes, including detoxification and protection against oxidative damage. Here, we determined the full‐length sequence (915 bp) of a novel Phi class cytosolic glutathione S‐transferase (GSTF) gene from the green algae Closterium ehrenbergii. We examined the gene structure and expression patterns in response to metals and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). It was significantly upregulated by metals, but responded differently to EDCs. The highest up‐regulation of CeGSTF was registered under 0.1 mg/L CuCl2 and 0.01 mg/L CuSO4 treatments. In a 72‐h course experiment with treatment of 0.1 mg/L CuCl2, CeGSTF was dramatically induced at 6 h, and then gradually decreased with increasing exposure time. This was consistent with the increase in both GST activity and ROS production in copper‐treated cells. These results suggest that CeGSTF may be involved in detoxification mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in green algae.
Die Abdominal Pain Unit als Behandlungspfad
Authors: Helbig Lukas , Stier Britta , Römer Claudia , Kilian Maik , Slagman Anna , Behrens Angelika , Stiehr Vera , Vollert Jörn Ole , Bachmann Ulrike , Möckel Martin
Published: December 2021

Hintergrund

Patient*innen mit atraumatischen Bauchschmerzen (aBS) sind in der Notaufnahme (NA) häufig und haben bei einem sehr weiten Spektrum verschiedener ursächlicher Diagnosen eine relativ hohe Krankenhaussterblichkeit. Eine schnelle, zielführende Diagnostik ist in diesem Zusammenhang essenziell.

Methode

In einem Delphi-Verfahren mit Vertreter*innen verschiedener Fachrichtungen wurde ein diagnostischer Behandlungspfad entworfen, der als „Abdominal Pain Unit“ (APU) bezeichnet wird.

Ergebnis

Der Behandlungspfad wurde als erweiterte Ereignisprozesskette dargestellt und die jeweiligen Entscheidungsfelder mit Dokumenten für ein standardisiertes Vorgehen hinterlegt.

Diskussion

Der APU-Behandlungspfad etabliert eine konsistente Versorgungsstruktur für Bauchschmerzpatient*innen. Er hat das Potenzial die Versorgungsqualität zu verbessern und die intrahospitale Mortalität langfristig zu senken.
Topological Singularities in Periodic Media: Ginzburg–Landau and Core-Radius Approaches
Authors: Alicandro Roberto , Braides Andrea , Cicalese Marco , De Luca Lucia , Piatnitski Andrey
Published: December 2021

We describe the emergence of topological singularities in periodic media within the Ginzburg–Landau model and the core-radius approach. The energy functionals of both models are denoted by$$E_{\varepsilon ,\delta }$$Eε,δ, where$$\varepsilon $$εrepresent the coherence length (in the Ginzburg–Landau model) or the core-radius size (in the core-radius approach) and$$\delta $$δdenotes the periodicity scale. We carry out the$$\Gamma $$Γ-convergence analysis of$$E_{\varepsilon ,\delta }$$Eε,δas$$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$ε→0and$$\delta =\delta _\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$δ=δε→0in the$$|\log \varepsilon |$$|logε|scaling regime, showing that the$$\Gamma $$Γ-limit consists in the energy cost of finitely many vortex-like point singularities of integer degree. After introducing the scale parameter$$\begin{aligned} \lambda =\min \Bigl \{1,\lim _{\varepsilon \rightarrow 0} {|\log \delta _\varepsilon |\over |\log \varepsilon |}\Bigr \} \end{aligned}$$λ=min{1,limε→0|logδε||logε|}(upon extraction of subsequences), we show that in a sense we always have a separation-of-scale effect: at scales smaller than$$\varepsilon ^\lambda $$ελwe first have a concentration process around some vortices whose location is subsequently optimized, while for scales larger than$$\varepsilon ^\lambda $$ελthe concentration process takes place “after” homogenization.
On the topology of moduli spaces of non-negatively curved Riemannian metrics
Authors: Tuschmann Wilderich , Wiemeler Michael
Published: December 2021

We study spaces and moduli spaces of Riemannian metrics with non-negative Ricci or non-negative sectional curvature on closed and open manifolds. We construct, in particular, the first classes of manifolds for which these moduli spaces have non-trivial rational homotopy, homology and cohomology groups. We also show that in every dimension at least seven (respectively, at least eight) there exist infinite sequences of closed (respectively, open) manifolds of pairwise distinct homotopy type for which the space and moduli space of Riemannian metrics with non-negative sectional curvature has infinitely many path components. A completely analogous statement holds for spaces and moduli spaces of non-negative Ricci curvature metrics.
MR elastography in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: inter-center and inter-analysis-method measurement reproducibility and accuracy at 3T
Authors: Tang An , Dzyubak Bogdan , Yin Meng , Schlein Alexandra , Henderson Walter C. , Hooker Jonathan C. , Delgado Timoteo I. , Middleton Michael S. , Zheng Lin , Wolfson Tanya , Gamst Anthony , Loomba Rohit , Ehman Richard L. , Sirlin Claude B.
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To assess reproducibility and fibrosis classification accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)–determined liver stiffness measured manually at two different centers, and by automated analysis software in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), using histopathology as a reference standard.

Methods

This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 91 adults with NAFLD who underwent liver MRE and biopsy. MRE-determined liver stiffness was measured independently for this analysis by an image analyst at each of two centers using standardized manual analysis methodology, and separately by an automated analysis. Reproducibility was assessed pairwise by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.

Results

ICC of liver stiffness measurements was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.97) between center 1 and center 2 analysts, 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94, 0.97) between the center 1 analyst and automated analysis, and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.96) between the center 2 analyst and automated analysis. Mean bias and 95% limits of agreement were 0.06 ± 0.38 kPa between center 1 and center 2 analysts, 0.05 ± 0.32 kPa between the center 1 analyst and automated analysis, and 0.11 ± 0.41 kPa between the center 2 analyst and automated analysis. The area under the ROC curves for the center 1 analyst, center 2 analyst, and automated analysis were 0.834, 0.833, and 0.847 for distinguishing fibrosis stage 0 vs. ≥ 1, and 0.939, 0.947, and 0.940 for distinguishing fibrosis stage ≤ 2 vs. ≥ 3.

Conclusion

MRE-determined liver stiffness can be measured with high reproducibility and fibrosis classification accuracy at different centers and by an automated analysis.

Key Points

•Reproducibility of MRE liver stiffness measurements in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is high between two experienced centers and between manual and automated analysis methods.

•Analysts at two centers had similar high diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing dichotomized fibrosis stages.

•Automated analysis provides similar diagnostic accuracy as manual analysis for advanced fibrosis.
Preoperative intravenous iron treatment reduces postoperative complications and postoperative anemia in preoperatively anemic patients with colon carcinoma
Authors: Kangaspunta Mikael , Mäkijärvi Jorma , Koskensalo Selja , Kokkola Arto , Arkkila Perttu , Scheinin Tom , Rasilainen Suvi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Anemia is common among patients with colorectal cancer and is associated with an increased risk of complications and poorer survival rate. The main objective of our study was to determine the effect of preoperative intravenous iron supplementation therapy on the need for red blood cell transfusions, other postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay in colon cancer patients undergoing colon resection.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from medical records of all 549 colon carcinoma patients who underwent a colon resection in Helsinki University Hospital during the years 2017 and 2018. The patients were divided into two cohorts: one with anemic patients treated with preoperative intravenous iron supplementation therapy (180 patients) and one with anemic patients without preoperative intravenous iron supplementation therapy (138 patients). Non-anemic patients and patients requiring emergency surgery were excluded (231 patients).

Results

Patients treated with intravenous iron had less postoperative complications (33.9% vs. 45.9%, p = 0.045) and a lower prevalence of anemia at 1 month after surgery (38.7% vs. 65.3%, p < 0.01) when compared with patients without preoperative iv iron treatment. No difference was found in the amount of red blood cell transfusions, length of stay, or mortality between the groups.

Conclusion

This is the first study demonstrating a significant decrease in postoperative complications in anemic colon cancer patients receiving preoperative intravenous iron supplementation therapy. This treatment also diminishes the rate of postoperative anemia, which is often associated with a facilitated recovery.
Receptor architecture of macaque and human early visual areas: not equal, but comparable
Authors: Rapan Lucija , Niu Meiqi , Zhao Ling , Funck Thomas , Amunts Katrin , Zilles Karl , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola
Published: December 2021

Existing cytoarchitectonic maps of the human and macaque posterior occipital cortex differ in the number of areas they display, thus hampering identification of homolog structures. We applied quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography to characterize the receptor architecture of the primary visual and early extrastriate cortex in macaque and human brains, using previously published cytoarchitectonic criteria as starting point of our analysis. We identified 8 receptor architectonically distinct areas in the macaque brain (mV1d, mV1v, mV2d, mV2v, mV3d, mV3v, mV3A, mV4v), and their respective counterpart areas in the human brain (hV1d, hV1v, hV2d, hV2v, hV3d, hV3v, hV3A, hV4v). Mean densities of 14 neurotransmitter receptors were quantified in each area, and ensuing receptor fingerprints used for multivariate analyses. The 1st principal component segregated macaque and human early visual areas differ. However, the 2nd principal component showed that within each species, area-specific differences in receptor fingerprints were associated with the hierarchical processing level of each area. Subdivisions of V2 and V3 were found to cluster together in both species and were segregated from subdivisions of V1 and from V4v. Thus, comparative studies like this provide valuable architectonic insights into how differences in underlying microstructure impact evolutionary changes in functional processing of the primate brain and, at the same time, provide strong arguments for use of macaque monkey brain as a suitable animal model for translational studies.
Challenges in the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in young children facilitated by means of revised diagnostic criteria including genetic testing for pathogenic NF1 gene variants
Authors: Kehrer-Sawatzki Hildegard , Cooper David N.
Published: December 2021

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most frequent disorder associated with multiple café-au-lait macules (CALM) which may either be present at birth or appear during the first year of life. Other NF1-associated features such as skin-fold freckling and Lisch nodules occur later during childhood whereas dermal neurofibromas are rare in young children and usually only arise during early adulthood. The NIH clinical diagnostic criteria for NF1, established in 1988, include the most common NF1-associated features. Since many of these features are age-dependent, arriving at a definitive diagnosis of NF1 by employing these criteria may not be possible in infancy if CALM are the only clinical feature evident. Indeed, approximately 46% of patients who are diagnosed with NF1 later in life do not meet the NIH diagnostic criteria by the age of 1 year. Further, the 1988 diagnostic criteria for NF1 are not specific enough to distinguish NF1 from other related disorders such as Legius syndrome. In this review, we outline the challenges faced in diagnosing NF1 in young children, and evaluate the utility of the recently revised (2021) diagnostic criteria for NF1, which include the presence of pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene and choroidal anomalies, for achieving an early and accurate diagnosis.
A Greedy Algorithm to Compute Arrangements of Lines in the Projective Plane
Authors: Cuntz Michael
Published: December 2021

We introduce a greedy algorithm optimizing arrangements of lines with respect to a property. We apply this algorithm to the case of simpliciality: it recovers all known simplicial arrangements of lines in a very short time and also produces a yet unknown simplicial arrangement with 35 lines. We compute a (certainly incomplete) database of combinatorially simplicial complex arrangements of hyperplanes with up to 50 lines. Surprisingly, it contains several examples whose matroids have an infinite space of realizations up to projectivities.
A prospective comparative analysis of the survival rates of conventional vs no-prep/minimally invasive veneers over a mean period of 9 years
Authors: Smielak Beata , Armata Oskar , Bojar Witold
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The present study compares the survival rates of 186 conventional and no-prep/minimally invasive porcelain veneers in 35 patients over a mean period of 9 years.

Materials and methods

The veneers were placed on the incisors, canines, and premolars in 35 patients between January 2009 and December 2010. Fourteen patients received 84 conventional veneers, and 21 patients received 102 no-prep/minimally invasive veneers. The restorations were evaluated at baseline and after every 6 months until June 2019 based on modified United States Public Health Service criteria. The data was analyzed by using Wilcoxon–Breslow–Gehan and Taron–Ware tests. Kaplan–Meier survival and success curves were plotted for two groups of veneers. The results were compared by using the log rank test. A test probability of P < .05 was regarded as significant, while a test probability of P < .01 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

The mean survival rate, according to the Kaplan–Meier estimator, was 9.67% for conventional veneers and 100% for the no-prep or minimal prep veneers. A total of ten absolute failures were observed in six patients: eight restoration chipping/fractures, one debonding, and one fracturing of the tooth. Mean success rate time for conventional veneers without absolute or relative failures was 9.32 years, and 10.28 years for no-prep/minimally invasive veneers.

Conclusions

Over a mean observation period of 9 years, the survival rate of no-prep/minimally invasive veneers exceed that of conventional veneers.

Clinical relevance

No-prep/minimally invasive veneers appear very effective and should always be considered in certain clinical situations.
Randomized maximum likelihood based posterior sampling
Authors: Ba Yuming , de Wiljes Jana , Oliver Dean S. , Reich Sebastian
Published: December 2021

Minimization of a stochastic cost function is commonly used for approximate sampling in high-dimensional Bayesian inverse problems with Gaussian prior distributions and multimodal posterior distributions. The density of the samples generated by minimization is not the desired target density, unless the observation operator is linear, but the distribution of samples is useful as a proposal density for importance sampling or for Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. In this paper, we focus on applications to sampling from multimodal posterior distributions in high dimensions. We first show that sampling from multimodal distributions is improved by computing all critical points instead of only minimizers of the objective function. For applications to high-dimensional geoscience inverse problems, we demonstrate an efficient approximate weighting that uses a low-rank Gauss-Newton approximation of the determinant of the Jacobian. The method is applied to two toy problems with known posterior distributions and a Darcy flow problem with multiple modes in the posterior.
Impaired ion homeostasis as a possible associate factor in mucopolysaccharidosis pathogenesis: transcriptomic, cellular and animal studies
Authors: Gaffke Lidia , Szczudło Zuzanna , Podlacha Magdalena , Cyske Zuzanna , Rintz Estera , Mantej Jagoda , Krzelowska Karolina , Węgrzyn Grzegorz , Pierzynowska Karolina
Published: December 2021

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of diseases caused by mutations resulting in deficiencies of lysosomal enzymes which lead to the accumulation of partially undegraded glycosaminoglycans (GAG). This phenomenon causes severe and chronic disturbances in the functioning of the organism, and leads to premature death. The metabolic defects affect also functions of the brain in most MPS types (except types IV, VI, and IX). The variety of symptoms, as well as the ineffectiveness of GAG-lowering therapies, question the early theory that GAG storage is the only cause of these diseases. As disorders of ion homeostasis increasingly turn out to be co-causes of the pathogenesis of various human diseases, the aim of this work was to determine the perturbations related to the maintenance of the ion balance at both the transcriptome and cellular levels in MPS. Transcriptomic studies, performed with fibroblasts derived from patients with all types/subtypes of MPS, showed extensive changes in the expression of genes involved in processes related to ion binding, transport and homeostasis. Detailed analysis of these data indicated specific changes in the expression of genes coding for proteins participating in the metabolism of Ca2+, Fe2+and Zn2+. The results of tests carried out with the mouse MPS I model (Idua−/−) showed reductions in concentrations of these 3 ions in the liver and spleen. The results of these studies indicate for the first time ionic concentration disorders as possible factors influencing the course of MPS and show them as hypothetical, additional therapeutic targets for this rare disease.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)
Authors: Calderon Caterina , Ferrando Pere J. , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano , Ferreira Estrella , Lee Eun Mi , Oporto-Alonso Marta , Obispo-Portero Berta M. , Mihic-Góngora Luka , Rodríguez-González Adan , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the internal structure of the EORTC QLQ-C30, to examine the validity and normative data for cancer patients.

Method

Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to explore the scale’s dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex and tumor site. All the analyses were based on a multicenter cohort of 931 patients who completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) and the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Results

Our findings indicate that the EORTC QLQ-C30 has acceptable psychometric properties and an internal structure that is well accounted for a bifactor model: a general factor that evaluates quality of life and a group factor that would analyze physical health that would be defined by physical function, role function, and fatigue. The result of the multi-group CFA revealed a strong invariance according to sex, tumor, and over time. Reliability of the EORTC exceeding 0.86 and the simple sum of the items of the scale was a good indicator of oncology patients’ quality of life. Both factors correlate closely with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress and are sensitive to change, especially the quality of life, with a significant decrease in the post-test.

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 proved to be a valid, reliable instrument to appraise quality of life in cancer patients. The normative data collected from this study may be useful for the early detection of initial symptoms of deterioration of quality of life in oncology patients.
Iron Oxide and Water Paste Rheology and Its Effect on Low Adhesion in the Wheel/Rail Interface
Authors: White Ben , Kempka Reuben , Laity Peter , Holland Chris , Six Klaus , Trummer Gerald , Buckley-Johnstone Luke , Lewis Roger
Published: December 2021

The “wet-rail” phenomenon results in low adhesion between wheel and rail throughout the year, occurring transiently on a slightly wet, or drying railhead. It has been previously proposed that it is caused by a mixture of iron oxides and small amounts of water (from dew or precipitation) on the railhead that form a friction reducing paste. This paper outlines a novel combination of rheology, modelling and experimental work using a twin disc test rig to determine how the rheology of this iron oxide paste affects adhesion. The yield strength of different types of iron oxides, along with solid oxide fraction of the friction reducing paste, was assessed and used as an input into an “adhesion model” for assessing water and oxide suspensions. The rheological and modelling results were compared against very low adhesion recorded in twin disc experimental validation when simulating the wet-rail phenomenon.
On the renormalization of entanglement entropy
Authors: Pang Jin-Yi , Chen Jiunn-Wei
Published: December 2021

The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a λϕ4 scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order λ once all the relevant operators up to dimension 4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.
Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Vaccine: A Survey of Health Care Workers in Oman
Authors: Khamis Faryal , Badahdah Abdallah , Al Mahyijari Nawal , Al Lawati Furqan , Al Noamani Jaleela , Al Salmi Issa , Al Bahrani Maher
Published: December 2021

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy among health care workers (HCWs) is widely reported. Here we report on the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and the factors associated with it in a sample of non-vaccinated HCWs. Data from 433 not vaccinated medical and non-medical HCWs from various health care facilities after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination in Oman were analyzed. Most of the participants were nurses (41.5%) followed by physicians (37.5%) and non-medical HCWs (21%). Forty percent of HCWs were willing to uptake the COVID-19 vaccines. Physicians and male HCWs had more positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccines than nurses and female HCWs. Concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines including unknown health issues, efficacy and safety were stated by the participants. Our results show a low level of willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs, an issue that must be urgently addressed.
Getting Your Feet Wet
Authors: Lemke Ashley , Grinnan Nicole Bucchino , Haigler Jay V.
Published: December 2021

There is a lack of broad representation in archaeology generally, and in a specialized field such as underwater archaeology, this issue is only exacerbated. Underwater archaeological sites are often “out of sight, out of mind,“” creating a general lack of awareness of underwater cultural heritage and career prospects in many communities. Coupled with a lack of education and the additional demands of working in a submerged environment (e.g., scuba diving), there is a striking lack of diversity in underwater archaeology. Overall, underwater archaeologists are a largely homogeneous group, particularly along the lines of race and wealth—categories that often overlap. In the context of asking broader questions such as “Why are there so few underwater archaeologists of color?” and “How can we do better?” this article outlines the barriers to inclusivity writ large in underwater archaeology and provides solutions for increasing diversity and accessibility in the field, including specific opportunities and resources for underrepresented groups to “get their feet wet.”
Conference report: the importance of the gut microbiome and nutrition on health
Authors: Ball Derek , Athanasiadou Spiridoula
Published: December 2021

The Nutrition Society Spring Conference (28–29 March 2021) focussed on the gut microbiome and health that was divided across three separate but inter-related areas from the impact of nutrition on the gut microbiome, the cause and effect of nutrition and health on the gut microbiome to the interaction between pathogens and gut microbiota. The program was supported by two plenary lectures, the first discussed the computational methods commonly employed to examine gut microbiota and the concluding lecture presented the interaction between gut microbiome, nutrition and health in older populations.
External validation of the Michigan PICC catheter–associated bloodstream infections score (MPC score) for predicting the risk of peripherally inserted central catheter–associated bloodstream infections: A single-center study in Japan
Authors: Sakai Hirotaka , Iwata Mitsunaga , Terasawa Teruhiko
Published: December 2021

The Michigan peripherally inserted central catheter–associated bloodstream infection score (MPC score) had been developed for hospitalized medical patients but had not been externally validated. A retrospective analysis of a clinically heterogeneous case-mix in a university hospital cohort in Japan failed to validate its originally reported good performance.
Independent and joint contribution of inappropriate complementary feeding and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices to stunted child growth
Authors: Saaka Mahama , Saapiire Ferguson N. , Dogoli Richard N.
Published: December 2021

The causes of undernutrition are often linked to inappropriate complementary feeding practices and poor households’ access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), but limited evidence exists on the combined effect of poor WASH and inappropriate complementary feeding practices on stunted child growth. We assessed the independent and joint contribution of inappropriate complementary feeding and poor WASH practices to stunted growth among children aged 6–23 months in the Jirapa Municipality of Ghana. A community-based cross-sectional analytical study design was used with a sample of 301 mothers/caregivers having children aged 6–23 months. The results indicate that in a multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for confounders, children receiving both unimproved water and inappropriate complementary feeding had a higher and significant odd of becoming stunted (adjusted odds ratio = 33. 92; 95 % confidence interval 3⋅04, 37⋅17; P = 0⋅004) compared to households having both improved water sources and appropriate complementary feeding practices. Except for unimproved drinking water sources, poor sanitation and hygiene, which comprised the use of unimproved household toilet facilities, washing hands without soap and improper disposal of child faeces were not associated with the risks of stunting among children aged 6–23 months. The combined effect of unimproved water and inappropriate complementary feeding on stunting was greater than either unimproved water only or inappropriate complementary feeding only.
Time as space vs. time as quantity in Spanish: a co-speech gesture study
Authors: Alcaraz Carrión Daniel , Valenzuela Javier
Published: December 2021

There is a distinction between languages that use the duration is length metaphor, like English (e.g., long time), and languages like Spanish that conceptualise time using the duration is quantity metaphor (e.g., much time). The present study examines the use of both metaphors, exploring their multimodal behaviour in Spanish speakers. We analyse co-speech gesture patterns in the TV news setting, using data from the NewsScape Library, that co-occur with expressions that trigger the duration is quantity construal (e.g., durante todo ‘during the whole’) and the duration is length construal in the from X to Y construction (e.g., desde el principio hasta el final ‘from beginning to end’). Results show that both metaphors tend to co-occur with a semantic gesture, with a preference for the lateral axis, as reported in previous studies. However, our data also indicate that the direction of the gesture changes depending on the construal. The duration is quantity metaphor tends to be performed with gestures with an outwards direction, in contrast with the duration is length construal, which employ a left-to-right directionality. These differences in gesture realisation point to the existence of different construals for the concept of temporal duration.
Semantic integration of multidimensional perceptual information in L1 sentence comprehension
Authors: Bai Bing , Yang Caimei , Fan Jiabao
Published: December 2021

Many studies have substantiated the perceptual symbol system, which assumes a routine generation of perceptual information during language comprehension, but little is known about the processing format in which the perceptual information of different dimensions is conveyed simultaneously during sentence comprehension. The current study provides the first experimental evidence of how multidimensional perceptual information (color and shape) was processed during online sentence comprehension in Mandarin. We designed three consecutive sentence–picture verification tasks that only differed in the delay of the display of pictures preceded by declarative sentences. The processing was analyzed in three stages based on time intervals (i.e., 0ms, +750ms, +1500ms). The response accuracy and response time data were reported. The initial stage (i.e., ISI=0ms) attested the match effect of color and shape, but the simulated representation of color and shape did not interact. In the intermediate stage (i.e., ISI=750ms), the routinely simulated color and shape interacted, but the match facilitation was found only in cases where one perceptual information was in mismatch while the other was not. In the final stage (i.e., ISI=1500ms), the match facilitation of one particular perceptual property was influenced by a mismatch with the other perceptual property. These results suggested that multiple perceptual information presented simultaneously was processed in an additive manner to a large extent before entering into the final stage, where the simulated perceptual information was integrated in a multiplicative manner. The results also suggested that color and shape were comparable to object recognition when conjointly conveyed. In relation to other evidence from behavioral and event-related potential studies on sentence reading in the discussion, we subscribed to the idea that the full semantic integration became available over time.
Late Pleistocene and Holocene aeolian activity in the Deliblato Sands, Serbia
Authors: Sipos György , Marković Slobodan B. , Gavrilov Milivoj B. , Balla Alexia , Filyó Dávid , Bartyik Tamás , Mészáros Minucher , Tóth Orsolya , van Leeuwen Boudewijn , Lukić Tin , Urdea Petru , Onaca Alexandru , Mezősi Gábor , Kiss Tímea
Published: December 2021

The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced topography reflecting extensive past aeolian events. Although lacking numerical age data, previous researchers have hypothesized various periods of dune formation. Our research goals were to map the main morphological units of the Deliblato Sands, and to provide the first optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages for the major dune types. Mapping was carried out using digital elevation models, satellite images, and GPS profiles. Dune development was investigated using OSL. Several tests were performed concerning thermal treatment, signal characteristics, dose recovery, and dose distributions to assess the suitability of sediments for luminescence dating. Based on our results, two dune generations could be identified that differed in morphology and age. Older dune forms are primarily low sand-supply, hairpin-like parabolic dunes that developed from the last glacial maximum until the end of the early Holocene, then became stabilized. Younger, superimposed parabolic dunes record an intensive aeolian signal from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The history of the Deliblato Sands fits with those from other European sand dune areas, and provides further details to understand paleoenvironmental changes in the region.
Submarine volcanic activity and giant amygdale formation along the Panama island arc as a precursor to 6000-year-old agate exploitation on Pedro González Island
Authors: Redwood Stewart D , Buchs David M , Cavell David Edward
Published: December 2021

An extensive deposit of agate occurs in Pedro González Island in the Gulf of Panama. Previous archaeological research showed that the agate was exploited between 6200 and 5600 cal BP to make stone tools found at the oldest known Preceramic human settlement in the Pearl Island archipelago. We constrain here the origin and geological context of the agate through a geological and geochemical study of the island. We show that it includes primary volcanic breccias, lavas, and tuffaceous marine deposits with sedimentary conglomerates and debris flow deposits, which we define as the Pedro González Formation. This formation records submarine to subaerial volcanic activity along an island arc during the Oligo-Miocene, confirming previous regional models that favour progressive emergence of the isthmus in the early Miocene. The igneous rocks have an extreme tholeiitic character that is interpreted to reflect magmatic cessation in eastern Panama during the early Miocene. The agate is hosted in andesitic lavas in unusually large amygdales up to 20–40 cm in diameter, as well as small amygdales (0.1–1.0 cm) in a bimodal distribution, and in veins. The large size of the agates made them suitable for tool manufacture. Field evidence suggests that the formation of large amygdales resulted from subaqueous lava–sediment interaction, in which water released from unconsolidated tuffaceous deposits at the base of lava flows rose through the lavas, coalesced, and accumulated below the chilled lava top, with subsequent hydrothermal mineralization. These amygdales could therefore be regarded as an unusual result of combined peperitic and hydrothermal processes.
Effects of milking, over-milking and vacuum levels on front and rear quarter teats in dairy cows
Authors: Vierbauch Theresa , Peinhopf-Petz Walter , Wittek Thomas
Published: December 2021

Mechanical forces to the teat and vacuum during milking negatively affect teat condition and may result in increased mastitis risk. We compared vacuum levels during milking and over-milking as well as teat condition before and after milking between front and rear teats. We expected that the lower milk yield of the front quarters would result in a longer over-milking and higher vacuum levels in front teats, resulting in morphological differences. The study comprised 540 dairy cows in 41 Austrian dairy farms with conventional milking systems. Before and after milking teats were visually assessed (colour, swelling, rings, hyperkeratosis) and teat dimensions (length, diameter, wall thickness, teat canal length) were measured manually and ultrasonographically. Vacuum measurements were taken using a vacuum measurement device attached to the cluster (short milk tube, pulsation tube and mouth-piece chamber). These various measurements of front and rear teats were compared and a multivariable analysis with backward stepwise procedure was used for inclusion or exclusion from the model. Front teats showed a poorer teat condition and were over-milked for longer in comparison to the rear teats. However, during milking and over-milking the vacuum levels in the mouthpiece chamber were significantly higher at the rear teats. The changes in front teat morphology were only partially caused by milking, over-milking and vacuum levels, with approximately 70% of the variation due to other, undetermined variables. Milking, over-milking and vacuum levels had no or very limited impact on the morphological changes of the rear teats.
Mentoring as a potential means to assist consumer representatives contribute effectively to the assessment of health technologies in Australia: a pragmatic review
Authors: Walker Christine , Donovan Jan , Watson Jo
Published: December 2021

Objectives

This project was implemented on behalf of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Consumer Consultative Committee (CCC) to explore training to support and retain new consumer representatives to participate effectively in HTA committees. These committees are key parts of the Australian Government's health system. Currently, there is no training available to them, specific to their roles in HTA committees. Hypothesizing that mentoring is appropriate, the project team undertook a literature review to identify definitions of mentoring, its benefits, skills requirements, resources, examples of best practice, and how mentoring might support consumer representatives in formal health technology assessment committee structures.

Methods

A rapid review was commenced by the project team and fifty-seven articles were identified and read independently. Following discussion, the team revised its approach as there was little evidence to assess and drew upon thirty-five articles where elements of mentoring were described. Discussion was followed by a thematic qualitative analysis exploring mentoring models.

Results

The project team agreed that features of mentoring programs were necessary to design a mentoring program under the headings of definitions, mentors’ qualities, benefits of training, resources, other considerations, and evaluation. These assist the design of a pilot project to test mentoring's effectiveness.

Conclusion

Mentoring may assist consumers working in the health technology area to develop their skills and competencies and contribute to representing the needs of health consumers in the approval of applications. A pilot mentoring program is currently being designed and will run with one mentor and one mentee in an HTA committee.
The effects of childhood unpredictability and harshness on emotional control and relationship quality: A life history perspective
Authors: Szepsenwol Ohad , Simpson Jeffry A. , Griskevicius Vladas , Zamir Osnat , Young Ethan S. , Shoshani Anat , Doron Guy
Published: December 2021

Being able to control oneself in emotionally upsetting situations is essential for good relationship functioning. According to life history theory, childhood exposure to harshness and unpredictability should forecast diminished emotional control and lower relationship quality. We examined this in three studies. In Studies 1 and 2, greater childhood unpredictability (frequent financial, residential, and familial changes), but not harshness (low SES), was associated with lower emotional control in adolescents (N = 1041) and adults (N = 327). These effects were stronger during the participants’ reproductive years. Moreover, in Study 2, greater childhood unpredictability was indirectly associated with lower relationship quality through lower emotional control. In study 3, we leveraged the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (N = 160). Greater early-life unpredictability (ages 0–4) prospectively predicted lower relationship quality at age 32 via lower emotional control at the same age. This relation was serially mediated by less supportive observed early maternal care (ages 1.5–3.5) and insecure attachment representations (ages 19 and 26). Early unpredictability also predicted greater observed emotional distress during conflict interactions with romantic partners (ages 19–36). These findings point to the role of emotional control in mediating the effects of unpredictable childhood environments on relationship functioning in adulthood.
A Mamluk-Venetian Memorandum on Asian Trade, AD 1503
Authors: APELLÁNIZ FRANCISCO
Published: December 2021

This article presents and discusses a source of unique importance for our knowledge of early modern global exchanges. Produced in 1503 by the Egyptian administration and found among the records of a Venetian company with global commercial interests, the document records hitherto unknown connections between the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, followed by cargo figures. By sending the Memorandum to the head office in Venice, the Company's agents in Egypt were labouring to solve the most important concern of Venice's information network, that of coordinating Indian with Mediterranean trading seasons. By analysing the document's context, namely, a company involved in the export of central European metals to Asia, this article focuses on the capacity of its agents to gather information through collaboration, networking and ultimately, friendship with Muslim partners and informers. The story of the 1503 Memorandum and its transmission raises questions about the mixed networks underpinning global exchanges, the role of information and the drive of the late Mamluk sultanate into the world of the Indian Ocean.
Sharwīn of Dastabay: Reconstructing an early Persian Tale
Authors: HÄMEEN-ANTTILA JAAKKO
Published: December 2021

The article discusses a little-known lost Persian tale,The Story of Sharwin of Dastabay, and traces references to it in Arabic, Persian, and Byzantine sources. The earliest references to the story come from the mid- to late eighth century, and it seems to have remained well known in Arabic and Persian literature until the early twelfth and possibly the early fourteenth century, while Byzantine literature shows that at least some of its elements circulated already in the mid-sixth century. The article also discusses how the story may have been transmitted both in Iran and, crossing the linguistic boundary, in an Arabic context. Though much of the story remains unknown, it is clear that it relates to later epics and reveals something of the literary context of Firdawsi and hisShahname.