bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early detection and intervention for young children with early developmental disabilities in Western Uganda: a mixed-methods evaluation
Authors: Sadoo S. , Nalugya R. , Lassman R. , Kohli-Lynch M. , Chariot G. , Davies H. G. , Katuutu E. , Clee M. , Seeley J. , Webb E. L. , Mutoni Vedastine R. , Beckerlegge F. , Tann C. J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Early support for children with developmental disabilities is crucial but frequently unavailable in low-resource settings. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a programme of early detection and intervention for young children with developmental disabilities in Western Uganda.

Methods

Early child development training for healthcare workers (HCWs) was implemented in three rural districts, and attendance was tracked. HCW knowledge and confidence were assessed pre-/post-intervention, and referral numbers tracked to evaluate impact. Facilitators were trained and mentored to deliver a participatory, group, early intervention programme (EIP) for young children with developmental disabilities and their families. Facilitators were tracked as they were identified, trained, and delivered the intervention, and attendance of families was tracked. Pre−/post-intervention assessments evaluated changes in family quality of life (PedsQL 2.0, Family Impact Module), and child nutritional outcomes. Focus group discussions with stakeholders also assessed feasibility, acceptability and impact.

Results

Overall, 93 HCWs from 45 healthcare facilities received training. In the pre−/post-evaluation, median knowledge and confidence scores increased significantly (from 4.0 to 7.0 and from 2.7 to 4.7, respectively (p < 0.001)). HCWs reported feeling empowered to refer and offer care for families with a young child with disability. Referral rates increased significantly from 148 to 251 per annum (70%;p = 0.03). Eleven EIP facilitators were trained, and all delivered the intervention; 84 families were enrolled, of which 78% attended at least 6 out of 10 modules. Amongst those with paired pre−/post-intervention data (n = 48), total family quality of life scores increased significantly (21%,p < 0.001). Improvements were seen across all domains of quality of life, with the largest impacts on emotional functioning and social functioning (p < 0.001). The programme was acceptable to caregivers and facilitators. Caregivers reported improved knowledge, family relationships, hope, emotional wellbeing, and reduced self-stigma.

Conclusions

A programme of early detection and intervention for children with early developmental disabilities and their families was feasible and acceptable in a rural community-based Ugandan setting. HCW training positively impacted knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and referral rates. Families enrolled to the EIP reported significant improvements in quality of life. Important programmatic barriers identified included geographical spread, poverty, gender inequality, and stigma.
Findings from precision oncology in the clinic: rare, novel variants are a significant contributor to scaling molecular diagnostics
Authors: Doig Kenneth D. , Love Christopher G. , Conway Thomas , Seleznev Andrei , Ma David , Fellowes Andrew , Blombery Piers , Fox Stephen B.
Published: March 2022

Background

Next generation sequencing for oncology patient management is now routine in clinical pathology laboratories. Although wet lab, sequencing and pipeline tasks are largely automated, the analysis of variants for clinical reporting remains largely a manual task. The increasing volume of sequencing data and the limited availability of genetic experts to analyse and report on variants in the data is a key scalability limit for molecular diagnostics.

Method

To determine the impact and size of the issue, we examined the longitudinally compiled genetic variants from 48,036 cancer patients over a six year period in a large cancer hospital from ten targeted cancer panel tests in germline, solid tumour and haematology contexts using hybridization capture and amplicon assays. This testing generated 24,168,398 sequenced variants of which 23,255 (8214 unique) were clinically reported.

Results

Of the reported variants, 17,240 (74.1%) were identified in more than one assay which allowed curated variant data to be reused in later reports. The remainder, 6015 (25.9%) were not subsequently seen in later assays and did not provide any reuse benefit. The number of new variants requiring curation has significantly increased over time from 1.72 to 3.73 variants per sample (292 curated variants per month). Analysis of the 23,255 variants reported, showed 28.6% (n = 2356) were not present in common public variant resources and therefore required de novo curation. These in-house only variants were enriched for indels, tumour suppressor genes and from solid tumour assays.

Conclusion

This analysis highlights the significant percentage of variants not present within common public variant resources and the level of non-recurrent variants that consequently require greater curation effort. Many of these variants are unique to a single patient and unlikely to appear in other patients reflecting the personalised nature of cancer genomics. This study depicts the real-world situation for pathology laboratories faced with curating increasing numbers of low-recurrence variants while needing to expedite the process of manual variant curation. In the absence of suitably accurate automated methods, new approaches are needed to scale oncology diagnostics for future genetic testing volumes.
Evaluation of the association between maternal folic acid supplementation and the risk of congenital heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Zhengpei , Gu Rui , Lian Zenglin , Gu Harvest F.
Published: March 2022

Background

Folic acid (FA), as a synthetic form of folate, has been widely used for dietary supplementation in pregnant women. The preventive effect of FA supplementation on the occurrence and recurrence of fetal neural tube defects (NTD) has been confirmed. Incidence of congenital heart diseases (CHD), however, has been parallelly increasing worldwide. The present study aimed to evaluate whether FA supplementation is associated with a decreased risk of CHD.

Methods

We searched the literature using PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, for the peer-reviewed studies which reported CHD and FA and followed with a meta-analysis. The study-specific relative risks were used as summary statistics for the association between maternal FA supplementation and CHD risk. Cochran'sQandI2statistics were used to test for the heterogeneity.

Results

Maternal FA supplementation was found to be associated with a decreased risk of CHD (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72–0.94). However, the heterogeneity of the association was high (P < 0.001,I2 = 92.7%). FA supplementation within 1 month before and after pregnancy correlated positively with CHD (OR 1.10, 95%CI 0.99–1.23), and high-dose FA intake is positively associated with atrial septal defect (OR 1.23, 95%CI 0.64–2.34). Pregnant women with irrational FA use may be at increased risk for CHD.

Conclusions

Data from the present study indicate that the heterogeneity of the association between maternal FA supplementation and CHD is high and suggest that the real relationship between maternal FA supplementation and CHD may need to be further investigated with well-designed clinical studies and biological experiments.
The political economy of health financing reforms in Zimbabwe: a scoping review
Authors: Mhazo Alison T. , Maponga Charles C.
Published: March 2022

Background

Implementation of health financing reforms for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is inherently political. Despite the political determinants of UHC, health financing reform in Zimbabwe is often portrayed as a technical exercise with a familiar path of a thorough diagnosis of technical gaps followed by detailed prescriptions of reform priorities. In this study, we sought to understand the interaction between political and economic aspects of health financing reforms since the country got its independence in 1980.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of health financing reforms in Zimbabwe and reviewed 84 relevant sources of information. We then conducted a thematic analysis using an adapted Fox and Reich’s framework of ideas and ideologies, interests and institutions.

Results

We found that ideas, institutions and interests significantly influence health financing reforms in Zimbabwe with implications on health system performance. Reform priorities of the 1980s were influenced by socialist ideologies with an interest to address pervasive health inequities inherited from the colonial racial system. The progress in equity realized in the 1980s was severely disrupted from the 1990s partly due to neo-liberal ideologies which steered interests towards market-oriented reforms. The period from the 2000s is characterized by increasing donor influence on health financing and a cumulative socio-economic collapse that resulted in a sharp and protracted decline in health spending and widening of health inequities.

Conclusion

Health financing reform process in Zimbabwe is heavily influenced by political economy characteristics which favor certain financing arrangements over others with profound implications on health system performance. We concluded that the political economy factors that slow down UHC reforms are not rooted in the ambiguities of ideas on what needs to be done. Instead, the missing link is how to move from intention to action by aligning espoused ideas with interests and institutions which is an inherently political and redistributive process. International and domestic actors involved in UHC in Zimbabwe  need to explicitly consider the politics of health financing reforms to improve the implementation feasibility of desired reforms.
Priorities for research on environment, climate and health, a European perspective
Authors: Drakvik Elina , Kogevinas Manolis , Bergman Åke , Devouge Anais , Barouki Robert ,   on behalf of the HERA (Health and Environment Research Agenda) Consortium, Barouki Robert , Kogevinas Manolis , Bergman Åke , Drakvik Elina , Devouge Anaïs , Sarigiannis Denis , Destoumieux-Garzón Delphine , Matthies-Wiesler Franziska , Peters Annette , Zalko Daniel , Villanueva Cristina , Tonne Cathryn , Cardis Elisabeth , Diago-Navarro Elizabeth , Antó Josep M. , Foraster Maria , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Straif Kurt , van Veldhoven Karin , Belesova Kristine , Pearce Neil , Haines Andy , Klánová Jana , Šebková Kateřina , Pokorný Lukáš , Hilscherová Klára , Boekhold Sandra , Staatsen Brigit , van der Vliet Nina , Furman Eeva , Paloniemi Riikka , Rekola Aino , Aulake Marianne , Byers Vivienne , Gilmer Alan , Huss Anke , Vermeulen Roel , Slama Rémy , Samson Michel , Albin Maria , Grönlund Åke , Garric Jeanne
Published: March 2022

Climate change, urbanisation, chemical pollution and disruption of ecosystems, including biodiversity loss, affect our health and wellbeing. Research is crucial to be able to respond to the current and future challenges that are often complex and interconnected by nature. The HERA Agenda, summarised in this commentary, identifies six thematic research goals in the environment, climate and health fields. These include research to 1) reduce the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on health and environment, 2) promote healthy lives in cities and communities, 3) eliminate harmful chemical exposures, 4) improve health impact assessment and implementation research, 5) develop infrastructures, technologies and human resources and 6) promote research on transformational change towards sustainability. Numerous specific recommendations for research topics, i.e., specific research goals, are presented under each major research goal. Several methods were used to define the priorities, including web-based surveys targeting researchers and stakeholder groups as well as a series of online and face-to-face workshops, involving hundreds of researchers and other stakeholders. The results call for an unprecedented effort to support a better understanding of the causes, interlinkages and impacts of environmental stressors on health and the environment. This will require breakdown of silos within policies, research, actors as well as in our institutional arrangements in order to enable more holistic approaches and solutions to emerge. The HERA project has developed a unique and exciting opportunity in Europe to consensuate priorities in research and strengthen research that has direct societal impact.
Dermatology workforce over a decade in Saudi Arabia: demographics, distributions, and future challenges
Authors: Alfawzan Abdulrahman , Altalhab Saad , Alkhowailed Mohammad
Published: March 2022

Background

The dermatology workforce is an important topic, as many countries are facing an undersupply of dermatologists, while some are expecting a surplus. Therefore, we conducted this study to identify the current dermatology workforce demographics in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the changes in such demographics over the last 10 years to identify future workforce-related challenges.

Methods

This study was conducted in SA, and it included all the practicing dermatologists in the country over the last decade (2010–2020). The number of practicing dermatologists, their gender, their nationality, and dermatology residency candidates and graduates were obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). The geographic distribution of dermatologists was obtained from the Ministry of Health Statistical Yearbook 2018.

Results

As of September 2020, there were 2678 practicing dermatologists in SA at a ratio of 7.82 dermatologists per 100 000 people. Of the 2678 dermatologists, only 24.8% were Saudis. The Saudi dermatologist ratio has been almost constant over 10 years, ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 per 100 000 people. Of all Saudi dermatologists, 42% were female. The number of residents who graduated from the residency program was not consistent for each year and ranged from 4 to 25. The number of dermatologists varied by region, with 9.2 in Riyadh and 3.4 in Najran per 100 000 people.

Conclusions

The results of our study revealed that a quarter of dermatologists in SA are Saudis. In addition, the number of non-Saudi dermatologists has increased in the last 10 years, while the number of Saudi dermatologists to the population has remained almost constant. There is also a geographic maldistribution of dermatologists, with urban areas having a higher number of dermatologists than rural areas. We encourage local studies that can elucidate the factors influencing the workforce, such as the dermatologist appointment waiting time, dermatologists’ working hours, and the geographic maldistribution of dermatologists in the country.
An NF-κB/OVOL2 circuit regulates glucose import and cell survival in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Rui , Geng Guo-Jun , Guo Jian-Guang , Mi Yan-Jun , Zhu Xiao-Lei , Li Ning , Liu Hong-Ming , Lin Jun-Feng , Wang Jian-Weng , Zhao Guang , Ye Guan-Zhi , Li Bo-An , Luo Qi-Cong , Jiang Jie
Published: March 2022

Background

Tumor cells tend to utilize glycolysis rather than aerobic respiration even under aerobic conditions. OVOL2, an inhibitory C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor, is a potential tumor suppressor in cancers. However, the association between OVOL2 and tumor energy metabolism is unknown.

Methods

Western blotting was used to determine the expression of OVOL2 in different non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and mouse models. The metabolic parameters in NSCLC cells following overexpression or knockdown OVOL2 were examined. To define the mechanism by which OVOL2 regulates aerobic glycolysis, interacting protein of OVOl2 and downstream molecular events were identified by luciferase assay and co-immunoprecipitation. We documented the regulatory mechanism in mouse xenograft models. Finally, clinical relevance of OVOL2, NF-κB signaling and GLUT1 was measured by immunostaining.

Results

OVOL2 is downregulated in NSCLC and overexpression of OVOL2 inhibits the survival of cancer cells. Moreover, OVOL2 directly binds to P65 and inhibits the recruitment of P300 but facilitates the binding of HDAC1 to P65, which in turn negatively regulates NF-κB signaling to suppress GLUT1 translocation and glucose import. In contrast, OVOL2 expression is negatively regulated by NF-κB signaling in NSCLC cells via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Re-expression of OVOL2 significantly compromise NF-κB signaling-induced GLUT1 translocation, aerobic glycolysis in NSCLC cells and mouse models. Immunostaining revealed inverse correlations between the OVOL2 and phosphorylated P65 levels and between the OVOL2 and membrane GLUT1 levels, and a strong correlation between the phosphorylated P65 and membrane GLUT1 levels.

Conclusions

These results suggest a regulatory circuit linking NF-κB and OVOL2, which highlights the role of NF-κB signaling and OVOL2 in the modulation of glucose metabolism in NSCLC.
Evaluation of a Type 2 diabetes risk reduction online program for women with recent gestational diabetes: a randomised trial
Authors: Taylor Rachael , Rollo Megan E. , Baldwin Jennifer N. , Hutchesson Melinda , Aguiar Elroy J. , Wynne Katie , Young Ashley , Callister Robin , Collins Clare E.
Published: March 2022

Background

To evaluate the preliminary efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the 3-month Body Balance Beyond (BBB) online program among Australian women with overweight/obesity and recent gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Women were  randomised into either: 1) High Personalisation (HP) (access to ‘BBB’ website, video coaching sessions, text message support); 2) Medium Personalisation (MP) (website and text message support); or 3) Low Personalisation (LP) (website only). Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate preliminary efficacy, weight, diet quality, physical activity levels, self-efficacy and quality of life (QoL) at baseline and 3-months. Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and retention metrics and acceptability determined via online process evaluation survey at 3-months.

Results

Eighty three women were randomised, with 76 completing the study. Self-efficacy scores showed significant improvements in confidence to resist eating in a variety of situations from baseline to 3-months in HP compared to MP and LP groups (P=.03). The difference in mean QoL scores favoured the HP compared to MP and LP groups (P=.03). Half of the women (HP n=17[81%], MP n=12[75%], LP n=9[56%]) lost weight at 3-months. No significant group-by-time effect were reported for other outcomes. Two-thirds of women in the HP group were satisfied with the program overall and 86% would recommend it to others, compared with 25% and 44% in the MP group, and 14% and 36% in the LP group, respectively.

Conclusions

Video coaching sessions were associated with improvements in QoL scores and self-efficacy, however further refinement of the BBB website and text messages support could improve program acceptability.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):
ACTRN12619000162112, registered 5 February 2019.
Predicting the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in USA
Authors: Ebubeogu Amarachukwu Felix , Ozigbu Chamberline Ekene , Maswadi Kholoud , Seixas Azizi , Ofem Paulinus , Conserve Donaldson F.
Published: March 2022

Background

Uncertainties surrounding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) remain a major global health challenge and requires attention. Researchers and medical experts have made remarkable efforts to reduce the number of cases and prevent future outbreaks through vaccines and other measures. However, there is little evidence on how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection entropy can be applied in predicting the possible number of infections and deaths. In addition, more studies on how the COVID-19 infection density contributes to the rise in infections are needed. This study demonstrates how the SARS-COV-2 daily infection entropy can be applied in predicting the number of infections within a given period. In addition, the infection density within a given population attributes to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and, consequently, the new variants.

Results

Using the COVID-19 initial data reported by Johns Hopkins University, World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), the result shows that the original SAR-COV-2 strain has R0<1 with an initial infection growth rate entropy of 9.11 bits for the United States (U.S.). At close proximity, the average infection time for an infected individual to infect others within a susceptible population is approximately 7 minutes. Assuming no vaccines were available, in the U.S., the number of infections could range between 41,220,199 and 82,440,398 in late March 2022 with approximately, 1,211,036 deaths. However, with the available vaccines, nearly 48 Million COVID-19 cases and 706, 437 deaths have been prevented.

Conclusion

The proposed technique will contribute to the ongoing investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic and a blueprint to address the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.
Subaxial lordosis loss and influence factors after posterior atlantoaxial fusion
Authors: Liu Shaoqiang , Liu Boling , Liang Guiqing , Chen Qiyong , Wang Huafeng , Lin Yuhan
Published: March 2022

Summary of background data

Cervical sagittal balance is an important evaluation index of cervical physiological function and surgical efficacy. Subaxial kyphosis after atlantoaxial fusion is negatively associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher incidence of lower cervical disk degeneration.

Objectives

This study aimed to confirm the factors that influence subaxial lordosis loss after posterior atlantoaxial fusion.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all patients following posterior C1–C2 fusion for atlantoaxial dislocation between January 2015 and December 2017. All charts, records, and imaging studies were reviewed for each case, and preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up plain films were evaluated. Comparing final follow-up and preoperative C2–C7 angle, patients were divided into two groups for further comparison: subaxial lordosis loss group and subaxial lordosis increase group.

Results

A total of 18 patients were included in the review, with an average radiographic follow-up of 8.4 ± 3.7 months (range 6–17 months). Subaxial lordosis loss was observed in 5 cases (27.8%) at the final follow-up, whereas 13 cases had an increase in subaxial lordosis. The cervical sagittal parameters of preoperative and final follow-up between two groups were compared, the preoperative C2–C7 angle of the subaxial lordosis loss group was bigger than the subaxial lordosis increase group (27.6° ± 10.5° vs 10.5° ± 10.5°, P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in other parameters. Univariate chi-square analysis showed that reduction in subaxial lordosis after posterior atlantoaxial fusion was associated with preoperative C2–C7 angle ≥ 20° (χ2 = 4.923, P = 0.026). However, Logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative C2–C7 angle ≥ 20° was not an independent risk factor (OR = 0.147, P = 0.225).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that subaxial lordosis loss may occur after posterior atlantoaxial fusion, and preoperative C2–C7 angle ≥ 20° was a risk factor of postoperative loss of subaxial lordosis.
Heartmate 3 as a bridge to heart transplantation in a patient with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: a case report
Authors: Barac Yaron D. , Ben-Avraham Ben , Hamdan Ashraf , Hirsch Rafael , Ben-Gal Tuvia , Aravot Danny
Published: March 2022

Background

We report the first use of Heartmate 3 (HM3) in a Congenitally corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA) as a Systemic Ventricular Assist Device (SVAD) to treat HF.

Case presentation

A 55 years old man with a Congenitally corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA) a rare condition in which Heart Failure (HF) is a common presentation in adult life and survival without heart transplantation is hardly an option. Systemic Ventricular Assist Device (SVAD) can be an option if an organ does not become available. We present the first ever implantation of HM3 LVAD (Abbott Inc, Chicago IL) implanted to this patient as a bridge to transplantation, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of the procedure. Due to the unique mediastinal configuration, 3D cardiac CT reconstruction should be used for planning the procedure—intra ventricular placement of the inflow as well as mediastinal placemat of the outflow and pump.

Conclusions

This successful first use of HM3 as a SVAD for ccTGA patients, opens a novel treatment option for these patients as a bridge for heart transplant or as definitive treatment.
Developing a post-discharge suicide prevention intervention for children and young people: a qualitative study of integrating the lived-experience of young people, their carers, and mental health clinicians
Authors: Watling David P. , Preece Megan H. W. , Hawgood Jacinta , Bloomfield Sharyn , Kõlves Kairi
Published: March 2022

Background

Suicide in young people is a leading cause of death. Interventions that are reflexive, tailored, and developed in concert with this at-risk population are needed. This study aimed to integrate lived-experience into the design of a suicide prevention intervention delivered by phone to young people post-discharge from an emergency department (ED) for suicide risk or self-harm.

Methods

Qualitative study was conducted at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane Australia. Four focus groups with young people with lived-experience, parents or carers and ED mental health clinicals were conducted. In total 5 young people with lived-experience of suicidality (17–21 years,Mage = 19.20), 3 parents and carers with a lived-experience of caring for a young person with mental illness, and 10 ED mental health clinicians participated in focus groups. Thefirst phaseof qualitative analysis involved a phenomenological analysis andsecond phaseincluded a deductive content analysis. The paper is following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Results

First phase, a phenomenological analysis identified three foundational themes to structure future follow-up phone interventions: a person-centred focus, the phone-call dynamic, and the phone-call purpose. Second phase, a deductive content analysis found that participants preferred an intervention that was structured, consistent, and finite. Moreover, an intervention that was authentic, able to facilitate and empower growing independence, and achievable of young people after an ED presentation was desired.

Conclusions

Participants expressed their desire for a responsive, structured, and clearly focused phone call that would recognise the young person and parent/carer’s needs while providing tailored support to ease transition from the ED to available community and family led care.
Are acute:chronic workload ratios of perceived exertion and running based variables sensible to detect variations between player positions over the season? A soccer team study
Authors: Nobari Hadi , Arslan Ersan , Martins Alexandre Duarte , Oliveira Rafael
Published: March 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to describe and compare the in-season variations of acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) coupled, uncoupled, and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) through session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance (SPRINT) in three different periods of an elite soccer season according to player positions.

Methods

Twenty male elite players (age: 29.4 ± 4.4) from an Asian First League team were daily monitored for twenty consecutive weeks during the 2017–2018 in-season. Forty-seven trainings and twenty matches were monitored using global positioning system units (GPS) to collect TD, HSRD and SPRINT. Through the collection of s-RPE, TD, HSRD, and SPRINT by ACWR and EWMA were calculated for each training session.

Results

The results revealed that according to different periods of the season, workload measures observed in mid-season were meaningfully higher compared with early-season (g = ranging from 0.53 to 4.98) except for EWMASPRINT. In general, wingers and strikers tended to have greater scores in workload measures compared to the defenders and midfielders (g = ranging from 0.41 to 5.42).

Conclusions

These findings may provide detailed information for coaches and sports scientists regarding the variations of acute and chronic workload ratio and external loading in-season and between player positions in an elite soccer team.
Extracellular enzyme activity of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae and their pathogenicity potential as a bio-control agent against whitefly pests, Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Gebremariam Amha , Chekol Yonas , Assefa Fassil
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study was aimed to assess the enzymatic activity and pathogenicity potential of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against whiteflies in Ethiopia.

Results

The data showed that Beauveria bassiana AAUMB-29, AAUMFB-77, and AAUEB-59 generated the highest chitinase (EI = 3.41), lipase (EI = 4.45), and protease activities (EI = 5.44) respectively. The pathogenicity study of isolates on whitefly nymphs and adults indicated significant variation (P < 0.05) with mortality ranging from 71.67 to 98.33% and 60 to 100% against Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum nymphs respectively. The mortality of adults was between 58 and 94.27% against B. tabaci and 59.03 to 95.37% against T.vaporariorum. The result also showed that AAUMB-29, AAUMFB-77, and AAUDM-43 were the most virulent with LC50 values of 2.7 × 104, 5.3 × 104, and 5.4 × 104 conidia/ml against nymphs of B. tabaci, and with LC50 values 6.8 × 104, 8.2 × 104, and 7.2 × 104 conidia/ml against nymphs of T. vaporariorum, respectively. The B. bassiana AAUMB-29, B. bassiana AAUMFB-77, and M. anisopliae AAUDM-43 induced the highest whitefly mortality than other isolates. These isolates can be recommended for further tests under field conditions to fully realize their potential as effective biocontrol agents against whitefly pests in tomato.
Microstructure analysis of 8 μm electrolytic Cu foil in plane view using EBSD and TEM
Authors: Kim Myeongjin , Park Hyun Soon
Published: March 2022

With the lightening of the mobile devices, thinning of electrolytic copper foil, which is mainly used as an anode collection of lithium secondary batteries, is needed. As the copper foil becomes ultrathin, mechanical properties such as deterioration of elongation rate and tear phenomenon are occurring, which is closely related to microstructure. However, there is a problem that it is not easy to prepare and observe specimens in the analysis of the microstructure of ultrathin copper foil. In this study, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) specimens were fabricated using only mechanical polishing to analyze the microstructure of 8 μm thick electrolytic copper foil in plane view. In addition, EBSD maps and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were compared and analyzed to find the optimal cleanup technique for properly correcting errors in EBSD maps.
CENTER-IT: a novel methodology for adapting multi-level interventions using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research—a case example of a school-supervised asthma intervention
Authors: Trivedi Michelle , Hoque Shushmita , Shillan Holly , Seay Hannah , Spano Michelle , Gaffin Jonathan , Phipatanakul Wanda , Rosal Milagros C. , Garg Arvin , Gerald Lynn B. , Broder-Fingert Sarabeth , Byatt Nancy , Lemon Stephenie , Pbert Lori
Published: March 2022

Background

Implementation science frameworks advise the engagement of multi-level partners (at the patient, provider, and systems level) to adapt and increase the uptake of evidence-based practices (EBPs). However, there is little guidance to ensure that systems-level adaptations reflect the voices of providers who deliver and patients/caregivers who receive EBPs.

Methods

We present a novel methodology, grounded in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), which anchors the engagement of multi-level partners to the voices of individuals who deliver and receive EBPs. Using the CFIR domains:intervention adaptation,individuals involved,inner/outer setting, andprocess, we illustrate our 4-step methodology through a case example of Asthma Link, a school-supervised asthma management intervention. In step 1, we interviewed “individuals involved” in the intervention (providers/caregivers/patients of Asthma Link) to identify implementation barriers. In step 2, we selected systems-level partners in the “inner and outer setting” that could assist with addressing these barriers. In step 3, we presented the barriers to these systems-level partners and conducted semi-structured interviews to elicit their recommended solutions (process). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and open-coded. A theoretical sampling model and deductive reasoning were used to identify solutions to implementation barriers. In step 4, we utilized multi-level input toadaptthe Asthma Linkintervention.

Results

Identified barriers included inability to obtain two inhalers for home and school use, inconsistent delivery of the inhaler to school by families, and challenges when schools did not have a nurse. Interviews conducted with school/clinic leaders, pharmacists, payors, legislators, and policymakers (n=22) elicited solutions to address provider and patient/caregiver-identified barriers, including (1) establishing a Medicaid-specific pharmacy policy to allow dispensation of two inhalers, (2) utilizing pharmacy-school delivery services to ensure medication reaches schools, and (3) identifying alternate (non-nurse) officials to supervise medication administration. The iterativeprocessof engaging multi-level partners helped to create an adapted Asthma Link intervention, primed for effective implementation.

Conclusions

This novel methodology, grounded in the CFIR, ensures that systems-level changes that require the engagement of multi-level partners reflect the voices of individuals who deliver and receive EBPs. This methodology demonstrates the dynamic interplay of CFIR domains to advance the field of implementation science.
Immunogenicity and clinical features relating to BNT162b2 messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S and ChAdOx1 adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review of non-interventional studies
Authors: Iheanacho Chinonyerem O. , Eze Uchenna I. H.
Published: March 2022

Background

Vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an important means of controlling the pandemic, however they are expected to stimulate immune responses when administered to confer immunity. In this review, we evaluated the clinical and laboratory features associated with BNT162b2 messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S and ChAdOx1 adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines, to determine their immunogenicity. Demographic distribution of pathogenic autoimmune response and time interval between vaccination and onset of symptoms were also assessed. This was to identify; persons at risk of developing auto-immune reactions and  markers to enhanced occurrence of this event.

Main body

Using relevant keywords, search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google scholar from November 2020 to May 31, 2021. Additional article was also identified through hand-searching of reference lists, and the review was conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines 2009. Study outcome measures were presence of antibodies after vaccination and evidence of autoimmune reactions, therefore studies relating these measures were considered eligible for this review. Studies showed stimulation of immune response with administration of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, ChAdOx1 and Ad26.COV2-S adenovirus vector-based vaccines. Aside SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies, elevated D-dimers, presence of PF4 and low fibrinogen were most commonly seen laboratory features in persons with autoimmune reactions following vaccination. In addition, thrombotic thrombocytopenia was the commonest clinical features observed with ChAdOx1 and Ad26.COV2-S adenovirus vector-based vaccines. Findings from this study also suggest higher susceptibility of women of 22–60 years to the pathogenic immunogenicity that may particular result from exposure to ChAdOx1 and Ad26.COV2-S adenovirus vector-based vaccines. Time interval of 4–37 days was mostly observed between vaccination and occurrence of a symptom.

Conclusion

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and other PF4 dependent syndrome are likely associated with ChAdOx1 and Ad26.COV2.S adenovirus vector vaccines, mostly occurring in women usually within 4–37 days of first dose of vaccine. Enhanced knowledge about vaccine adverse effects and its distribution is crucial for effective vaccination strategies.
The View from the Cotton: Reconsidering the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union
Authors: MANTHORNE JASON
Published: March 2022

Having been evicted from their farms because of incentives created by the New Deal’s Agricultural Adjustment Act, sharecroppers in Arkansas formed the bir acial Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union (STFU) in 1934. Led by socialists and radicals, the organization ultimately claimed upward of thirty thousand members and constituted an assault on the social, economic, and racial status quo of the South. Historians have celebrated the STFU, especially its commitment to biracial cooperation and equality. This article digs beneath this carefully constructed image of the union to scrutinize the internal dynamics of the movement. It revises a number of interpretations surrounding the STFU Although the greatest obstacles to the union’s success were external, it also faced internal divisions that diminished its efficacy. The STFU’s decentralized structure did not foster strong connections between leadership and membership, resulting in misunderstandings. But most importantly, the union struggled to live up to its creed of biracialism and equal treatment of African Americans. Ultimately, the STFU was less an aberration that tirelessly confronted the social and racial ills of the South and more an organization that reflected some of those ills even as it grappled with them.
Farm Crisis and Rural Revitalization in South-Central New York during the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: OSTERUD GREY
Published: March 2022

In contrast to both the critique of rural backwardness made by the Country Life Movement and the lament about rural declension expressed by proponents of agrarianism, the history of the Nanticoke Valley of south-central New York State demonstrates the possibilities for rural revitalization that lay in new connections between the countryside and the city. In the early twentieth century, as long-settled families departed for urban employment, European immigrant families escaping the mines and mills bought abandoned farms. Motorized transport enabled farming families to send household members to the city each day and furnished them with a local market for their produce. This flexible combination of subsistence production, wage labor, and petty commodity production revitalized the rural economy and sustained the community in spite of the consolidation of the dairy industry. This essay explores the social changes that accompanied this profound reorientation of local life.
Embracing complexity in Drosophila cancer models
Authors: Choutka Courtney , Cabrera Cecilia , Hirabayashi Susumu
Published: March 2022

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, largely due to metastases and cachexia. It is a complex disease that is commonly associated with a variety of comorbidities. With global increases in ageing populations and obesity, multimorbidity is a rapidly growing clinical issue in the context of cancer. Cancer is also genetically heterogeneous, with a tumour's unique profile determining its incidence of metastasis, degree of cachexia and response to therapeutics. These complexities of human cancer are difficult to replicate in animal models and are, in part, responsible for the failures in translational cancer research. In this Perspective, we highlight the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a powerful model organism to investigate multimorbidity and tumour diversity. We also highlight how harnessing these complexities in Drosophila can, potentially, enhance cancer research and advance therapeutic discoveries.
Το πολιτιστικό απόθεμα της Επαρχίας Ολυμπίας από τους Προϊστορικούς έως τους Νεότερους χρόνους και η διαχείρισή του ως μοχλός βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης της περιοχής
Authors: Λιάγκουρας Χρίστος
Published: March 2022

Η πολιτιστική κληρονομιά και οι φυσικοί πόροι αναγνωρίζονται ως κύρια στοιχεία της συγκρότησης της ταυτότητας κάθε περιοχής και ως συγκριτικά πλεονεκτήματα για την ανάπτυξή της. Η Επαρχία Ολυμπίας (Νότια Ηλεία), μολονότι διαθέτει ένα πλούσιο πολιτιστικό και φυσικό απόθεμα, έχει απολέσει την κοινωνική και οικονομική της δυναμική. Με το παρόν πόνημα, επιχειρείται για πρώτη φορά μια προσπάθεια διαχρονικής και ολιστικής προσέγγισης του μνημειακού και του φυσικού της πλούτου και παράλληλα προτείνεται ένα σχέδιο διαχείρισης με άξονα τη χάραξη τριών πολιτιστικών διαδρομών που αποσκοπεί στην ενθάρρυνση της τοπικής κοινωνίας για την ενεργή συμμετοχή της, στην ενδυνάμωση της κοινωνικής συνοχής, στη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξή της και στην προώθηση εναλλακτικών μορφών τουρισμού.
The accuracy of restoration of femoral head centre of rotation in the anteroposterior plane after uncemented total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Rajpura Asim , Asle Soheil Ghane , Ait Si Selmi Tarik , Board Tim
Published: March 2022

Aims

Hip arthroplasty aims to accurately recreate joint biomechanics. Considerable attention has been paid to vertical and horizontal offset, but femoral head centre in the anteroposterior (AP) plane has received little attention. This study investigates the accuracy of restoration of joint centre of rotation in the AP plane.

Methods

Postoperative CT scans of 40 patients who underwent unilateral uncemented total hip arthroplasty were analyzed. Anteroposterior offset (APO) and femoral anteversion were measured on both the operated and non-operated sides. Sagittal tilt of the femoral stem was also measured. APO measured on axial slices was defined as the perpendicular distance between a line drawn from the anterior most point of the proximal femur (anterior reference line) to the centre of the femoral head. The anterior reference line was made parallel to the posterior condylar axis of the knee to correct for rotation.

Results

Overall, 26/40 hips had a centre of rotation displaced posteriorly compared to the contralateral hip, increasing to 33/40 once corrected for sagittal tilt, with a mean posterior displacement of 7 mm. Linear regression analysis indicated that stem anteversion needed to be increased by 10.8° to recreate the head centre in the AP plane. Merely matching the native version would result in a 12 mm posterior displacement.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the significant incidence of posterior displacement of the head centre in uncemented hip arthroplasty. Effects of such displacement include a reduction in impingement free range of motion, potential alterations in muscle force vectors and lever arms, and impaired proprioception due to muscle fibre reorientation. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(3):180–188.
Tunable terahertz group slowing effect with plasmon-induced transparency metamaterial
Authors: Wang Baoku , Guo Tong , Gai Ke , Yan Fei , Wang Ruoxing , Li Li
Published: March 2022

We present a tunable plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) metamaterial for manipulating the group velocity of terahertz (THz) waves. The metamaterial is composed of metal split rings and photoconductive silicon strips. The strong PIT effect with slowing down THz waves is generated by the bright-bright mode coupling between the high-order plasmon mode and the lattice surface mode via electromagnetic destructive interference. By varying the conductivity of silicon strips, the group slowing performance is dynamically tunable. The group delay can achieve beyond 20 ps with the group index as high as 592, showing the promising application for THz signal manipulation.
Design of channeled spectropolarimeters
Authors: Hagen Nathan
Published: March 2022

I present design and tolerancing guidelines for constructing channeled spectropolarimeter systems employing high-order retarders. The discussion includes how to select appropriate retarder thicknesses, how to accurately align the elements, how to tolerance the retarders, and how to analyze the effect of different polarizer types on the system performance.
Influences of shape, size, and gloss on the perceived color difference of 3D printed objects
Authors: Huang Min , Pan Jie , Wang Yu , Li Yu , Hu Xiaoxue , Li Xiu , Xiang Dongqing , Hemingray Caroline , Xiao Kaida
Published: March 2022

In
order to study the influence
and mechanisms of color differences using 3D-shaped objects, 440 pairs
of 3D samples surrounding five CIE color centers (gray, red, yellow,
green, and blue) with the variations of gloss, size, and shape were
prepared by a Sailner 3D color printer, and their color differences
were assessed by

26

∼

45

observers using the gray-scale
method. The new color difference data were used to investigate the
parametric effects (gloss, 3D shape, and size) on the perceived color
difference. Results indicate that, for 3D objects, high gloss and
small size objects (2 cm) raise smaller visual color differences than
matte and large size objects (4 cm), and the visual color difference
of spheres is larger than that of the cone and cylinder sample pairs.
The chromaticity ellipses indicated that the glossy samples with
different shapes will arouse fairly different visual perceptions,
especially for sphere and cylinder samples.
Extracting more randomness using dimension witnesses with three mutually unbiased bases
Authors: Zhou Yao , Zhong Zhen-Qiu , Yin Zhen-Qiang , Wang Rong , Zhan Xiao-Hai , Wang Shuang , Chen Wei , Huang Wei , Xu Bing-Jie , Guo Guang-Can , Han Zheng-Fu
Published: March 2022

Random numbers are valuable for applications ranging from cryptographic tasks to numerical simulations. Genuine randomness is generally considered possible only with a quantum system described by quantum mechanics. The dimension witness allows us to distinguish between classical and quantum scenarios, and assess the system dimensions from experimental data. Accordingly, a quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on dimension witnesses has attracted intensive study. Here we extend the prepare-and-measure QRNG protocol proposed by Brunner et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 140407 (2014).PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.112.140407] to a more general and better one. In our protocol, all the mutually unbiased bases of two-dimensional Hilbert space can be used to bound the min-entropy, which leads to a higher random number generation rate in different optical path losses and different environmental disturbances. We also demonstrate a proof-of-principle realization of our protocol, in which the random number rate increases by more photon polarization mutually unbiased bases compared with the previous one. Our method may also be applicable in higher-dimensional quantum systems.