bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential impact of the adult‐targeted LiveLighter “Sugary Drinks” campaign on adolescent consumption: Findings from a national cross‐sectional school survey
Authors: Gascoyne Claudia , Scully Maree , Wakefield Melanie , Morley Belinda
Published: February 2023

Issue addressed

To examine the potential impact on trends in reported adolescent sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption following the adult‐targeted Western Australian (WA) LiveLighter “Sugary Drinks” campaign, which is a television‐led healthy lifestyle promotion and education mass media campaign that aired in multiple bursts between July 2013 and December 2018.

Methods

Data were from a repeated cross‐sectional survey of Australian secondary school students aged 12‐17 years conducted nation‐wide in 2009‐2010 (n = 13 790 from 238 schools), 2012‐2013 (n = 10 309 from 196 schools) and 2018 (n = 9102 from 104 schools).

Results

Significant declines in high SSB consumption (≥4 cups/week) were observed between 2009‐2010 and 2012‐2013 among students in both WA (27.1% vs 20.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50‐0.84, P = .001) and all other states and territories combined (30.6% vs 21.4%; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.53‐0.68, P < .001). Compared to 2012‐2013, the proportion of students in WA who reported high SSB consumption was significantly lower in 2018 (20.3% vs 9.6%; OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.21‐0.65, P = .001), whereas this significant decrease was not observed in all other states and territories combined (21.4% vs 17.8%; OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.67‐0.97, P = .024). Interaction testing indicated that the recent decline observed in WA was more pronounced among female than male students.

Conclusions

Mass media campaigns targeted towards the Australian adult population may have favourable effects among adolescents with the steeper decline in high SSB consumption observed in WA between 2012‐2013 and 2018 coinciding with the repeated airing of the LiveLighter “Sugary Drinks” campaign in this state.

So what?

Government investment in mass media campaigns may hasten declines in adolescents' SSB consumption.
Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus, HIV‐1 and Kaposi sarcoma risk in black South Africans diagnosed with cancer during antiretroviral treatment rollout
Authors: Motlhale Melitah , Muchengeti Mazvita , Bradshaw Debbie , Chen Wenlong Carl , Singini Mwiza Gideon , de Villiers Chantal Babb , Lewis Cathryn M. , Bender Noemi , Mathew Christopher G. , Newton Robert , Waterboer Tim , Singh Elvira , Sitas Freddy
Published: February 2023

Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes Kaposi sarcoma (KS). The risk of KS is amplified in HIV‐immunosuppressed individuals and antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces KS incidence. Reliable data on the relationship between these factors are lacking in Africa. We used questionnaires and serum from 7886 black South Africans (18‐74 years) with incident cancer, recruited between 1995 and 2016. ART rollout started in 2004. We measured associations between KS, HIV‐1 and KSHV before and after ART rollout. We measured seropositivity to HIV‐1, KSHV latency‐associated nuclear antigen (LANA) and glycoprotein (K8.1) and calculated case‐control‐adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in relation to KS and KSHV infection, before (1995‐2004), early (2005‐2009) and late (2010‐2016) ART rollout periods. KSHV seropositivity among 1237 KS cases was 98%. Among 6649 controls, KSHV seropositivity was higher in males (ORadj = 1.4 [95%CI 1.23‐1.52]), in persons with HIV, (ORadj = 4.2 [95%CI 3.74‐4.73]) and lower in high school leavers (ORadj = 0.7 [95%CI 0.59‐0.83]). KSHV seropositivity declined over the three ART rollout periods (37%, 28% and 28%, Ptrend < .001) coinciding with increases in high school leavers over the same periods (46%, 58% and 67%, Ptrend < .001). HIV‐1 seroprevalence increased from 10% in the pre‐ART period to 22% in the late ART period (Ptrend < .001). Compared to HIV‐1 and KSHV seronegatives, KSHV seropositives yielded an OR for KS of 26 (95%CI 11‐62) in HIV‐1 seronegative participants and an OR of 2501 (95%CI 1083‐5776) in HIV‐1 seropositive participants. HIV‐1 increases the risk of KS in those infected with KSHV by 100‐fold. Declines in KSHV seroprevalence coincide with ART rollout and with improvements in educational standards and general hygiene.
A novel technique of vagino‐hysteroscopy using alginate gel interface: A proof of concept study
Authors: Kalra Kanika , Jain Sandhya , Rajaram Shalini , Gupta Bindiya , Singla Anshuja
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare the feasibility of vagino‐hysteroscopy using alginate gel Interface (VAGI) with conventional vaginoscopic hysteroscopy (CVH).

Methods

Thirty women undergoing diagnostic vagino‐hysteroscopy were randomly allocated into Group I (VAGI): Alginate occluder was used at introitus to facilitate hydrodistension during hysteroscopy; or Group II: Underwent no‐touch hysteroscopy. Primary outcome was feasibility, defined as successful visualization of uterine cavity. Secondary outcomes included operative time, hydrostatic pressures for optimum visualization, pain experienced by patient on visual analog scale, maneuverability and surgeon satisfaction. Data analysis was performed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests for qualitative variables and Student t test for quantitative variables.

Results

VAGI was significantly better than CVH (80% vs. 33.3%; relative risk 8, P = 0.025). With VAGI, optimum visualization was achieved at significantly lower pressures at all levels (vagina, P = 0.034; cervix, P = 0.01; uterus, P < 0.001), in less time (P = 0.007), and using less irrigation fluid (P < 0.001). Surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher for VAGI (P = 0.009). Subgroup analysis showed higher likelihood of success of VAGI in women who were premenopausal (P = 0.015), younger than 45 years (P = 0.024), and had a history of vaginal birth (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

VAGI is quicker to perform and provides optimum visualization at much lower pressures than CVH. Use of alginate is patient friendly and yields higher surgeon satisfaction rate.
Intermediate phase assisted sequential deposition of reverse‐graded quasi‐2D alternating cation perovskites for MA‐free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Shaofu , Liu Yumin , Zou Junjie , Jin Junjun , Jiang Yun , Zeng Tao , Zhao Wenyan , He Rong‐Xiang , Chen Bolei , Chen Yu , Jin Shuoxue , Li Hong‐Xiang , Xie Zhipeng , Wang Chang‐An , Sun Weiwei , Cao Qiang , Zhao Xing‐Zhong
Published: February 2023

One‐step deposition approaches have been widely applied and developed in the fabrication of quasi‐2D perovskites. However, the regulation of quantum wells (QWs) and crystalline orientation is difficult and complicated when using this methodology. Sequential deposition is another widespread synthetic approach for preparing perovskite films and perovskite dimension engineering. In this article, δ‐CsPbI3 intermediate phase assisted sequential (IPAS) deposition is successfully carried out to fabricate MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites. The amount of the δ‐CsPbI3 intermediate phase in the PbI2 layer and the concentration of GAI molecule in the IPA solution both play important roles in the production of MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskite films. The n value of the MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites can be adjusted, which affects the photovoltaic performance and device stability. Compared with one‐step deposition, the MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites prepared via IPAS deposition have opposite reverse‐graded QW distribution and improved vertical orientation, leading to a remarkable PEC of up to 18.86% and allowing the preparation of unpackaged devices with prominent working stability (80%, ~400 h). The underlying mechanism and crystallization pathway of IPAS deposition confirm that sequential deposition has unique superiority in regulating the QW distribution and crystalline orientation of quasi‐2D perovskites.

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Chemical reprogramming of melanocytes to skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Yang Wenjun , Wang Yaqi , Du Yuanyuan , Li Jiyong , Jia Minzhi , Li Sheng , Ma Ruimiao , Li Cheng , Deng Hongkui , Hu Ping
Published: February 2023

Background

Direct cell‐fate conversion by chemical reprogramming is promising for regenerative cell therapies. However, this process requires the reactivation of a set of master transcription factors (TFs) of the target cell type, which has proven challenging using only small molecules.

Methods

We developed a novel small‐molecule cocktail permitting robust skin cell to muscle cell conversion. By single cell sequencing analysis, we identified a Pax3 (Paired box 3)‐expressing melanocyte population holding a superior myogenic potential outperforming other seven types of skin cells. We further validated the single cell sequencing analysis results using immunofluorescence staining, in situ hybridization and FACS sorting and confirmed the myogenic potential of melanocytes during chemical reprogramming. We used single cell RNA‐seq that detect the potential converted cell type, uncovering a unique role of Pax3 in facilitating chemical reprogramming from melanocytes to muscle cells.

Results

In this study, we demonstrated that the Pax3‐expressing melanocytes to be a skin cell type for skeletal muscle cell fate conversion in chemical reprogramming. By developing a small‐molecule cocktail, we showed an efficient melanocyte reprogramming to skeletal muscle cells (40%, P < 0.001). The endogenous expression of specific TFs may circumvent the additional requirement for TF reactivation and form a shortcut for cell fate conversion, suggesting a basic principle that could ease cell fate conversion.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the first report of melanocyte‐to‐muscle conversion by small molecules, suggesting a novel strategy for muscle regeneration. Furthermore, skin is one of the tissues closely located to skeletal muscle, and therefore, our results provide a promising foundation for therapeutic chemical reprogramming in vivo treating skeletal muscle degenerative diseases.
Preparation and performance of UiO‐66‐(COOH)2‐based mixed matrix membranes for efficient separation of Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Chen Minjuan , Zeng Jianxian , Wu Zhenwei , Zhang Rui , Yuan Zhengqiu , Huang Xiaoping , Jin Kai , Yang Shengkai , Li Yahong
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Developing new materials for separating Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions is significant. Metal–organic frameworks are regarded as excellent adsorption materials due to their high specific surface area and abundant adsorption sites. In this work, a novel UiO‐66‐(COOH)2‐based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was prepared by combining UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 with polyethersulfone (PES) for separating Sr2+.

RESULTS

The MMMs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and water contact angle and water flux measurements. Various contents (0–2.5 wt%) of UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 were blended into PES membranes. The results showed that incorporating UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 significantly increased membrane porosity and water flux, and reduced contact angle. The membrane (M4) that contained 2.0 wt% UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 exhibited an excellent morphology and the highest Sr2+ uptake capacity (111.9 μg cm−2). Adsorption kinetics and isotherms showed that the nature of the adsorption of the membrane towards Sr2+ was chemisorption, homogeneous and monolayer. Compared with the adsorption capacity of UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 towards Sr2+ in adsorption packed column, these values of M4 decreased by about 75% during membrane filtration. The rejection performance of MMMs increased with increasing UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 content. Breakthrough curves of MMMs were not correlated with flow rate in the range of 10–180 mL h−1. The presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions did not obviously affect the separation of Sr2+, but Pb2+ had a significant influence. Furthermore, after five adsorption–desorption experiments, the regeneration remained at about 95% of initial values.

CONCLUSIONS

The MMMs showed good adsorption capacity for Sr2+ and exhibited favorable reusability and stability. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
NiO‐Nanoparticles as green catalyst for an efficient synthesis of 4‐iminopyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine fluorophores via one pot cyclization of α‐aminonicotinonitrile
Authors: Hamza Ahmed , El‐Sayed Hassan A. , Moustafa Ahmed H. , El Rayes Samir M. , Aboelmaged Ahmed , Haggam Reda A.
Published: February 2023

Utilization of the nano‐catalysts in synthesis of applicable heterocycles is a key focus of research in green chemistry. The present work describes a one‐pot, three‐component, simple, and efficient approach for the synthesis of a new series of N‐bridged pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine candidates utilizing NiO‐NPs as a green catalyst. α‐Aminopyridine 1 was synthesized from one‐pot condensation of 4‐chlorobenzaldehyde, chloroacetyl chloride, and malononitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate. α‐Aminopyridine 1 was condensed with a variety of aromatic or/heteroaromatic aldehydes and malononitrile in the presence of NiO‐NPs to afford pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine derivatives in good yield (75–92%) and with simple purification. Mild reaction conditions, no‐column purification, and high yield of the products are evident features of such an approach, in addition to the high efficiency, cheap, soft, chemically stable, and readily available NiO‐NPs. The pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine fluorophores 3c,d, i, and 3j have higher fluorescence wavelengths at (λflu.max = 460–480 nm) than the rest of compounds 3a,b, and 3e–h (λflu.max = 430–455 nm).
A review of machine learning and satellite imagery for poverty prediction: Implications for development research and applications
Authors: Hall Ola , Dompae Francis , Wahab Ibrahim , Dzanku Fred Mawunyo
Published: February 2023

The field of artificial intelligence is seeing the increased application of satellite imagery to analyse poverty in its various manifestations. This nascent but rapidly growing intersection of scholarship holds the potential to help us better understand poverty by leveraging big data and recent advances in machine vision. In this study, we statistically analyse the literature in the expanding field of welfare and poverty predictions from the combination of machine learning and satellite imagery. Here, we apply an integrative review method to extract key data on factors related to the predictive power of welfare. We found that the most important factors correlated to the predictive power of welfare are the number of pre‐processing steps employed, the number of datasets used, the type of welfare indicator targeted and the choice of AI model. Studies that used stock measure indicators (assets) as targets achieved better performance—17 percentage points higher—in predicting welfare than those that targeted flow measures (income and consumption) ones. Additionally, we found that the combination of machine learning and deep learning significantly increases predictive power—by as much as 15 percentage points—compared to using either alone. Surprisingly, we found that the spatial resolution of the satellite imagery used is important but not critical to the performance as the relationship is positive but not statistically significant. These findings have important implications for future research in this domain and for anyone aspiring to use the methodology.
難治性ショックを伴うβ遮断薬，カルシウム拮抗薬中毒に対し集学的治療で救命し得た1例(Successful intensive management of poisoning induced by beta adrenergic blockers and calcium channel blockers with refractory shock: a case report)
Authors: 瑞樹 森 , 悠輔 澤田 , 裕斗 荒巻 , 潤 中島 , 秀明 八島 , 拓也 荒木 , 清宏 大嶋
Published: February 2023

40歳代の男性が意識障害で搬送された。来院時，心拍数45/分，血圧61/40mmHgと徐脈性ショックの状態だった。病歴，各種検査からβ遮断薬，カルシウム拮抗薬およびアンギオテンシンII受容体拮抗薬による急性薬物中毒を疑い，集中治療室に入室し全身管理を開始した。昇圧薬を開始したがショックの離脱に苦慮した。血液透析および持続的血液濾過透析を行ったところ循環動態は徐々に安定し，昇圧剤を漸減できた。第28病日に合併症を残すことなく独歩退院した。後日，来院時の血液検体を分析した結果，β遮断薬とカルシウム拮抗薬の血中濃度高値が確認された。原因不明の徐脈・低血圧を呈した際は循環器疾患，代謝性疾患などに加え降圧薬中毒を鑑別疾患として想起することが重要である。また，2種類の降圧薬による急性薬物中毒は，稀ではあるが致死的経過をたどることがあり，初療においてはショックを呈し，昇圧薬を使用しても蘇生に難渋する。体外循環，もしくは降圧薬の特性によっては血液浄化療法が効果的である。本症例では，とくにβ遮断薬に関しては早期の血液透析の導入が救命に寄与したと考えられた。
Efficient Delivery of Globotriaosylceramide Synthase siRNA using Polyhistidine‐Incorporated Lipid Nanoparticles
Authors: Kim In Gyu , Jung Won Ho , You Gayeon , Lee Hyukjin , Shin Yoo Jin , Lim Sun Woo , Chung Byung Ha , Mok Hyejung
Published: February 2023

In this study, a novel polyhistidine‐incorporated lipid nanoparticle (pHis/LNP) is developed for the delivery of therapeutic globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) synthase siRNAs using a microfluidic device with pHis as a biocompatible method of endosome escape. To inhibit the expression of Gb3 synthase, six siRNAs against Gb3 synthase are designed and an optimal siRNA sequence is selected. Selected Gb3 synthase siRNA is incorporated into pHis/LNP to prepare a spherical siRNA pHis/LNP with a size of 62.5 ± 1.9 nm and surface charge of −13.3 ± 4.2 mV. The pHis/LNP successfully protects siRNAs from degradation in 50% serum condition for 72 h. Prepared pHis/LNP exhibits superior stability for 20 days and excellent biocompatibility for A549 cells. After treatment with fluorescence‐labeled LNPs, dotted fluorescent signals are co‐localized with Lysotracker in cells with LNPs, whereas strong and diffused fluorescence intensity is observed in cells with pHis/LNPs probably due to successful endosomal escape. The extent of Gb3 synthase gene silencing by siRNA pHis/LNP is greatly improved (6.0‐fold) compared to that by siRNA/LNP. Taken together, considering that the fabricated siRNA pHis/LNP exhibits excellent biocompatibility and superior gene silencing activity over conventional LNP, these particles can be utilized for the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic siRNAs.
Large‐scale forcing over the homogeneous regions of summer rainfall anomalies in southern Africa
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie
Published: February 2023

For the study region (southern Africa), regional and remote large‐scale climate forcing play vital roles in the seasonal rainfall variability. Thus, uncovering the nature of the relationship between large‐scale circulations and homogeneous regions of rainfall anomalies will enhance the predictability of seasonal rainfall at specific domains in southern Africa. Considering both land and adjacent oceans in southern Africa, six austral summer homogeneous regions of rainfall anomalies were classified using the rotated principal component analysis. The analysis of the physical processes associated with the modulation of the distinct rainfall variability patterns reveals that generally, regional variations in cyclonic/anticyclonic circulations and convergence/divergence in the adjacent oceans (and landmasses) modulate the regional convergence of moisture fluxes in southern Africa. Some classified rainfall variability patterns feature homogeneous landmasses that are contiguous with the adjacent ocean, revealing land and adjacent oceans that respond coherently to the large‐scale circulation anomalies associated with the time development of the rainfall variability pattern. Further, remote climate drivers were found to be distinctively related to the regionalized rainfall anomalies, implying that the respective homogeneous rainfall regions respond differently to the large‐scale forcing induced by the (remote) climate drivers over southern Africa. Specifically, among the climate drivers that influence the hydroclimate of southern Africa, variations in the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and the El Niño Southern Oscillation are relatively more associated with regionalized summer rainfall anomalies in southern Africa. Above‐average Nino 3.4 index (i.e., El Niño) negatively correlates with regionalized summer rainfall anomalies over large parts of southern Africa. The positive phase of the SAM positively correlates with rainfall anomaly in the homogeneous summer rainfall region comprising the subtropical parts of southern Africa and the homogeneous summer rainfall region comprising the western equatorial parts of the study region.
Co‐model for chemical toxicity prediction based on multi‐task deep learning
Authors: Yuan Li Yuan , Chen Lingfeng , Pu Chengtao , Zang Chengdong , Yan YingChao , Chen Yadong , Zhang Yanmin , Liu Haichun
Published: February 2023

The toxicity of compounds is closely related to the effectiveness and safety of drug development, and accurately predicting the toxicity of compounds is one of the most challenging tasks in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. In this paper, we construct three types of models for single and multi‐tasking based on 2D and 3D descriptors, fingerprints and molecular graphs, and then validate the models with benchmark tests on the Tox21 data challenge. We found that due to the information sharing mechanism of multi‐task learning, it could address the imbalance problem of the Tox21 data sets to some extent, and the prediction performance of the multi‐task was significantly improved compared with the single task in general. Given the complement of the different molecular representations and modeling algorithms, we attempted to integrate them into a robust Co‐Model. Our Co‐Model performs well in various evaluation metrics on the test set and also achieves significant performance improvement compared to other models in the literature, which clearly demonstrates its superior predictive power and robustness.
Existence of solutions to the generalized periodic fractional boundary value problem
Authors: Fečkan Michal , Marynets Kateryna , Wang JinRong
Published: February 2023

We study a boundary value problem for a Caputo‐type fractional differential equation subjected to periodic boundary conditions. For an auxiliary problem with the simplified right‐hand side, we explicitly construct its unique solution. In addition, based on the theory of the topological index, we prove existence of at least one solution to the original problem.
Long‐Term High‐Fat Diet Decreases Renal Insulin‐Degrading Enzyme Expression and Function by Inhibiting the PPARγ Pathway
Authors: Su Qian , Huang Juan , Chen Xi , Wang Yijie , Shao Muqing , Yan Hongjia , Chen Caiyu , Ren Hongmei , Zhang Fuwei , Ni Yinxing , Jose Pedro A. , Zhong Jian , Yang Jian
Published: February 2023

Scope

Long‐term high‐fat diet (HFD) causes insulin resistance, which is a primary etiological factor in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Impaired insulin clearance is not only a consequence but also a cause of insulin resistance. The kidney is a major site of insulin clearance, where the insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE) plays a vital role in the proximal tubule. Thus, the study investigates the role of renal IDE in the regulation of insulin resistance in HFD‐induced obese mice.

Methods and results

Twenty four‐weeks of HFD in C57BL/6 mice causes insulin resistance and impaires insulin clearance, accompanied by a decrease in renal IDE expression and activity. Palmitic acid decreases IDE mRNA and protein expressions in HK‐2 cells. RNA‐Seq analysis found that the PPAR pathway is involved. 24‐weeks of HFD decreases renal PPARγ, but not PPARα or PPARβ/δ mRNA expression. The inhibition of IDE expression by palmitic acid is prevented by the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone. The amount of PPARγ bound to the promoters of IDE is decreased in palmitic acid‐treated cells. Rosiglitazone improves insulin clearance and insulin resistance and increases renal IDE expression in HFD fed‐mice.

Conclusion

Long‐term HFD decreases renal IDE expression and activity, and causes insulin resistance, which involves PPARγ.
Gender differences in the associations between knee pain and urinary incontinence in older adults: Cross‐sectional analysis from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research Study (MELoR)
Authors: Mat Sumaiyah , Jaafar Mohamad Hasif , Razack Azad H. A. , Lim Jasmine , Ong Teng Aik , Khong Su‐Yen , Kamaruzzaman Shahrul Bahyah , Chin Ai‐Vyrn , Abbas Azlina Amir , Chan Chee Ken , Hairi Noran Naqiah , Othman Sajaratulnisah , Tan Maw Pin ,   the MELoR investigators
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The common assumption that urinary incontinence occurs in osteoarthritis (OA) due to poor mobility is supported by limited evidence. The influence of gender in such associations is also yet to be elucidated.

Objective

This study, therefore, identified any potential associations between knee OA symptoms and urinary incontinence and further explore sex differences in the associations.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

University Hospital.

Participants

This was a cross‐sectional study from a longitudinal research study comprising 1221 community‐dwelling older persons (57% women), mean age (SD) 68.95 (7.49) years.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Presence of urinary incontinence: mixed, stress and urge symptoms. Physical performance and C‐reactive protein levels were also assessed.

Results

Two hundred and seventy‐seven (22.83%) individuals reported the presence of urinary incontinence: mixed (41.5%), stress (30%), and urge (28.5%) symptoms. In an unadjusted analysis, stratified by gender, the association between knee pain and urinary incontinence was only present in women with mixed symptoms. After further adjustment of demographics differences and body mass index, the association between knee pain with any urinary incontinence and mixed symptoms remained significant with the odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 1.48 (1.02–2.15) and 1.73 (1.06–2.83), respectively. This relationship was attenuated after further adjustment for waist circumference and impaired lower limb mobility.

Conclusion

Our study refutes previous assumptions that urinary incontinence in individuals with OA is attributed to impaired mobility alone, but introduces the role of abdominal obesity in this relationship, particularly in women. Future studies should assess the temporal relationship between body fat distribution and OA with urinary incontinence.
Preoperative electrodiagnostic studies and postoperative outcomes for ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow: A systematic review
Authors: Meiling James B. , Schappell Justin B. , Twohey Eric E. , Prokop Larry J. , Cushman Daniel M.
Published: February 2023

Objective

To analyze the association between preoperative electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies and postoperative pain and functional outcomes following ulnar nerve decompression and/or transposition for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).

Literature Survey

Protocol was submitted and database search was conducted by an experienced librarian of all available studies in the English language from 1990 to June 8, 2022. Databases included Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations and Daily, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus.

Methodology

Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective longitudinal studies, and studies involving adults ≥18 years of age who underwent ulnar nerve decompression and/or transposition for UNE. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Study Quality of Assessment Tool. Certainty in evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A meta‐analysis was not performed.

Synthesis

A total of 289 studies were screened, and 8 retrospective cohort studies met inclusion criteria comprising 762 patients. A decreased or absent preoperative sensory nerve action potential amplitude (SNAP) showed significance with worse postoperative outcomes. The presence of preoperative conduction block showed significance in higher quality studies. There was limited evidence for slow preoperative motor conduction velocities or preoperative electromyography (EMG) abnormalities and postoperative outcomes. Overall quality assessment demonstrated that two studies had “good,” four “fair,” and two “poor” quality of evidence. Certainty in evidence was “low” due to risk of bias.

Conclusions

A decreased or absent preoperative ulnar SNAP may predict worse postoperative outcomes. Per higher quality studies, preoperative conduction block at the elbow may also predict worse postoperative outcomes. Careful interpretation is required with a full understanding of the limited evidence, risk of bias, and low certainty in evidence to support the use of preoperative EDX to predict postoperative outcomes in UNE.
Cell‐level systems biology model to study inflammatory bowel diseases and their treatment options
Authors: Stübler Sabine , Kloft Charlotte , Huisinga Wilhelm
Published: February 2023

To help understand the complex and therapeutically challenging inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), we developed a systems biology model of the intestinal immune system that is able to describe main aspects of IBD and different treatment modalities thereof. The model, including key cell types and processes of the mucosal immune response, compiles a large amount of isolated experimental findings from literature into a larger context and allows for simulations of different inflammation scenarios based on the underlying data and assumptions. In the context of a large and diverse virtual IBD population, we characterized the patients based on their phenotype (in contrast to healthy individuals, they developed persistent inflammation after a trigger event) rather than on a priori assumptions on parameter differences to a healthy individual. This allowed to reproduce the enormous diversity of predispositions known to lead to IBD. Analyzing different treatment effects, the model provides insight into characteristics of individual drug therapy. We illustrate for anti‐TNF‐α therapy, how the model can be used (i) to decide for alternative treatments with best prospects in the case of nonresponse, and (ii) to identify promising combination therapies with other available treatment options.
Multi‐state reliability assessment for shipboard hybrid turbine‐diesel generation system with redundancy and aging effects
Authors: Xu Yifan , Shi Yuedong , Xiong Zihao , Yang Haojie
Published: February 2023

Complex system structures, dynamic energy demands, and tough operating environment pose a huge challenge to reliability assessment and risk control. Taking multi‐state, redundant structure and aging impact into account, reliability assessment for shipboard hybrid turbine‐diesel generation system is studied. This work adopts a comprehensive method combining the Markov method and universal generating function (UGF): the Markov method is used for reliability modeling at the unit level, and then synthesized and calculated through UGFs to obtain system‐level reliability. Based on the above methodology, this work presents a multi‐state system (MSS) model with different configuration structures and failure rate types, then compares the availability evaluation results of the single power generation system, the hybrid power system with redundancy and aging effects. The results show that (1) redundant design effectively improves system availability to meet power supply requirements; (2) in the case of system aging and imperfect repair, redundant configuration and power distribution can significantly improve the availability of power supply to be almost unaffected by aging, and effectively reduce the risk of performance failure; and (3) when the redundancy is applied, the system power supply availability is not sensitive in the high‐value range of the redundant installed capacity ratio, but sensitive in the high‐value range of effective coefficient about power compensation control.
Evaluating the efficiency of power‐series expansions as model potentials for finite‐temperature atomistic calculations
Authors: Bichelmaier Sebastian , Carrete Jesús , Madsen Georg K. H.
Published: February 2023

Given the cost of ab‐initio calculations, predictive studies of temperature‐dependent phenomena in strongly anharmonic systems pose a serious challenge. Using a relatively inexpensive surrogate model for the potential energy surface to build temperature‐dependent effective harmonic potentials is a possible solution. Automatic differentiation makes high‐order Taylor potentials as surrogate models a relatively accessible possibility. Here Lennard‐Jones clusters and solids are used as a test bench on which to perform a detailed analysis of such a procedure. It is found that results might only be valid in a narrow temperature regime, outside of which the local nature of Taylor expansions leads to drastic artifacts in the free energies and derived quantities such as the thermal expansion. Those shortcomings are traced to the limited flexibility of polynomials as approximants and are therefore fundamental. The observed behavior is confirmed using density functional theory on a five‐atom silver cluster. A global interpolation strategy, in the form of a neural‐network force field, is suggested as a better path to cost‐effective surrogate models.
Surgical accuracy and clinical outcomes of image‐free robotic‐assisted total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Lau Cyrus Tsun‐Kit , Chau Wai‐Wang , Lau Lawrence Chun‐Man , Ho Kevin Ki‐Wai , Ong Michael Tim‐Yun , Yung Patrick Shu‐Hang
Published: February 2023

Background

The development of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) has a good reputation for its effectiveness in reducing joint pain and improving range of motion. We aimed to review our early results using the image‐free robotic‐assisted technology in knee arthroplasty.

Methods

A total of 71 patients suffering from end‐stage OA knee receiving TKA operated by robotic‐assisted surgery between the years 2018 and mid‐2021 were recruited. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared with age and sex‐matched control group (conventional TKA).

Results

The radiological outcome showed significantly more postoperative lower limb alignment outliers in conventional side than robotic‐assisted sides. Postoperative knee scores were similar among both groups. Robotic‐assisted TKA required a longer implantation time but a shorter hospital stay.

Conclusion

Robotic‐assisted TKA achieved a lower rate of mechanical axis Outlier in the coronal and sagittal plane with a shorter hospital stay. Yet both methods achieve a similar functional outcome.
A Thermodynamic Model to Predict the Composition of Inclusions in Al‐Killed Ca‐Treated Steels
Authors: Wang Weijian , Wang Jujin , Ren Ying , Zhang Lifeng
Published: February 2023

Based on the principle of minimum Gibbs free energy, a thermodynamic model is established to predict the composition of inclusions in the Al‐killed steel during the calcium treatment process. The Wagner model combined with coexistence theory is applied to calculate the Gibbs free energy of the steel‐inclusion system. The composition evolution of inclusions is accurately predicted through the current thermodynamic model which is widely applied to predict the modification of inclusions by the calcium treatment process with different contents of total oxygen (T.O), total sulfur (T.S), and total calcium (T.Ca) in the molten steel. Alumina inclusions can be modified to liquid calcium aluminate inclusions with appropriate T.Ca contents. Solid CaS or CaO inclusions can be formed as a result of the excessive calcium addition to molten steel, while the insufficient calcium addition can hardly modify alumina inclusions to liquid ones. The effect of the T.O and T.S contents on the liquid window is also discussed. The relationship between the value of T.S/T.O in the molten steel and the composition of inclusions is also studied. Based on the established thermodynamic model, a software for the precise control of inclusions is also developed to guide the calcium treatment operation timely in the accrual refining process.
Use of Profilometry‐Based Indentation Plastometry to Study the Effects of Pipe Wall Flattening on Tensile Stress–Strain Curves of Steels
Authors: Warwick Marcus , Vaka Harika , Fang Chizhou , Campbell Jimmy , Dean James , Clyne Trevor William
Published: February 2023

Herein, the flattening and subsequent tensile testing (in the hoop direction) of steel pipes used for transmission of oil and gas are concerned. A particular focus is on the use of a novel indentation plastometry test (PIP), applied to the outer free surface of an as‐received pipe. This allows a stress–strain curve to be obtained from a relatively small volume (a disk of diameter about 1 mm and thickness around 100–200 μm). Whole section and reduced section tensile testing, of as‐received and flattened samples are carried out. Four different pipes are studied. While there are some variations between them, there is a general trend for near‐surface regions of the pipe to be a little harder than the interior, and for flattened pipes to be a little harder than unflattened ones, although these are not dramatic or well‐defined effects. PIP testing also confirms that these pipes exhibit little or no anisotropy. It is in general concluded that PIP‐derived stress–strain curves for testing of the outside of a pipe are likely to be quite close to those obtained by tensile testing of the whole section in the hoop direction, after flattening.
Experimental study of aggregate size and gradation on pervious concretes' mechanic, hydraulic, and surface properties
Authors: Yavuz Demet , Yazıcı Şemsi
Published: February 2023

As environmental impacts of materials in concrete construction have been an aspect that has been focused on lately, pervious concrete has been implemented widely around the world. Recently, as a reflection of this trend, research and application of pervious concrete have been multiplied. Pervious mixes are mostly being used on low traffic load environments such as pavements, parking lots, and greenhouses. Because of this inclination 10 ± 1.5 MPa is chosen in this study for target compressive strength. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of aggregate type and gradation on pervious concrete properties with target compressive strength of 10 ± 1.5 MPa. Three different coarse aggregate types (limestone, river, and recycled) and three different fractions (15–25, 10–15, and 5–15 mm) were considered. Recycled coarse aggregates were obtained from the previous mixes with limestone coarse aggregates produced for this study. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, splitting tensile and flexural strength, density, void content, abrasion strength, and drying shrinkage were determined. Results showed that it is possible to have similar compressive strength and higher void content for the pervious mixes produced with coarse recycled aggregates. While river coarse aggregates showed better quality for drying shrinkage, coarse limestone aggregates were more abrasion resistant.
Environmental Governance as Knowledge Co-production: The Emergence of Permaculture Movements in Indonesia
Authors: Hapsari Maharani
Published: February 2023

Current academic debate witnessed the salience of looking at the epistemic dimension of environmental governance. In such setting, this study learns from how knowledge co-production works in the emergence of permaculture movements in Indonesia. The method of this study departs from the concept of knowledge co-production and situates it within the broader literatures on social movement and counter-hegemonic politics. The data is based on the experiences of four permaculture communities in Indonesia, namely Bumi Langit Institute, Sendalu Permaculture, IDEP Foundation, and Jiwa Damai. This study argues that the formation of permaculture movements in Indonesia involves negotiated boundaries among different ways of knowing in the epistemic relations surrounding permaculture practices. The critical distancing that develops between the movements and the hegemonic knowledge structure seeks to transform agro-industrial knowledge practices toward an alternative knowledge system. The quest of epistemic leadership is constructed through the porous boundaries of knowledge co-production toward defining what permaculture means as a collective project.
The Conceptual Models of Dynamic Governance Toward Sustainable Urban Water Management in Metropolitan Area
Authors: Mulyana Wahyu , Prasojo Eko , Suganda Emirhadi , Moersidik Setyo Sarwanto
Published: February 2023

Water is a key resource needed for human life. Urban water supply has not met the target of fulfilling water rights in terms of quantity, quality, continuity, and affordability. Urban water management system still traditionally emphasizes the physical construction of infrastructure and are still managed fragmented. This research aims to develop the conceptual models of dynamic governance model in urban water governance. The research approach uses a qualitative method by using soft system methodology (SSM) to develop the conceptual model. Research results are the conceptual models of dynamic governance in urban water governance at the policy hierarchy process starting from policy, organizational and operational levels to achieve the goals of sustainable urban water management. The conceptual models are described through the pathways of activities based on the interaction between dynamic capabilities and organizational culture. The dynamic governance model is adapted in Bandung Metropolitan Area as an implementation strategy in the fast-growing urban area.
Local Resource Governance: Strategies for Adapting to Change
Authors: Turner-Walker Skye
Published: February 2023

Climate change is significantly impacting local communities throughout Indonesia that are dependent on access to ecosystems and weather-dependent resources. This chapter explores how local resource governance systems shape responsiveness and adaptive capacity of communities to pressures and change. Drawing on two comparative cases studies of coastal communities in Indonesia, this chapter conveys how active responses to environmental pressures and change over resource and land conflict, are indicative of adaptive capacity and how communities are likely to adapt to climate change impacts. The chapter argues through illustrative examples that local resource governance determines innovation and engagement through collective handling, reciprocity, cooperation and coordinated action, in order to adjust and adapt in dealing with environmental pressures, elite capture, conflict and change.
Local Governance of Sustainability Transition in Community-Scale Solar Water Pumping Systems in Indonesia
Authors: Rahmani Sita , Murayama Takehiko , Nishikizawa Shigeo , Roychansyah Muhammad Sani
Published: February 2023

Sustainability transition emerges in various types of community-scale projects. Indonesia has been actively implementing solar water pumping systems (SWPS) since 1982. However, for almost four decades, SWPS, as a niche innovation, have not achieved significant adoption of solar technology in the water utility sector. This study aimed to assess local governance aspects of SWPS in the context of sustainability transition from two perspectives: internal niche management and local actors. We assessed nine SWPS projects in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, using structured interviews that were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the discontinuation of support made SWPS unsustainable, operating only for an average of 4 years. Crucial operational factors included electrical damage, insufficient training, and lack of funds for damage repair. The iterative process of learning, network building, and vision did not eventuate. SWPS have direct benefit on the water supply; however, technological performance feedback related to the karst environment was insufficiently addressed and the network of actors did not expand to higher levels of local government. SWPS were viewed as an unreliable technology; hence, there was no vision for applying SWPS as a water utility. Solar photovoltaic pumps need strong support to compete with diesel and electrical water utility pumps. To achieve sustainability transition, it is imperative to generate vision, promote policy change, and build committed networks within local government rather than simply replicate the number of project installations.
Coastal Forest Re-Grabbing: A Case from Langkat, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Adhuri Dedi S. , Syafi’i Imam , Rahmayanti Atika Zahra , Putri Intan Adhi Perdana , Nadjib Mochammad
Published: February 2023

Grabbing in its various forms, such as land and maritime grabbing, has been a global concern. This is not only because it happened in many places but also the negative impacts on local people and the environment were often severe. Studies found that millions of local people were excluded from their access to resources they depended upon for decades or even generations. In some places, environmental impact occurred beyond the ability of the ecosystem to recover. This paper will also deal with the above issues. Nonetheless, while most studies focus on grabbing and their socio-environmental impacts, this paper will demonstrate the process of “re-grabbing.” This is how local community supported by NGOs and other agencies took back the control over the coastal mangrove forest taken and converted by a private company for palm oil plantation. This paper will explain the process and strategies employed by coastal communities in Langkat, North Sumatra, in resisting the palm oil plantation’s presence that has impacted their fishing and coastal livelihoods seriously. Interestingly, one of the strategies was “destroy and rehabilitate.” This is the destruction of coastal dikes and palm oil trees and the reestablishment of the mangrove forest. This strategy bears two results. The first is the recovery of the ecosystem, which supports the redevelopment of coastal livelihoods, the old and new. Second is the acknowledgment from the government on the fact that communities have rehabilitated the coastal mangrove well. This, in turn, has stimulated government to grand the communities the Hak Perhutanan Sosial (Social Forestry Right) to manage the designated forest. In conclusion, this paper will argue despite the fact that in most cases grabbing left the community and environment as the lost parties, with certain strategies the reality can be turned back for the favor of the communities and the environment.
Assessing the Governance Modes of Indonesia’s Forest Management Unit
Authors: Ramadhan Ramli , Karim Soetrisno , Fisher Micah R. , Mursyid Harsanto , Indrawan Mochamad
Published: February 2023

Discussions about forestry governance systems in Indonesia have always been an important area of policy and practice given the sector’s outsized role in natural resources management. In recent years, the forest management system has been intimately linked to the concept of a Forest Management Unit (FMU), which was established to conduct scientifically sound forest management practices. FMUs were created in response to the historical failures of rule-based forest management and privatization, which resulted in the emergence of the notion of professional forestry. However, forest governance systems are once again changing as a result of the aftermath of Indonesia’s Job Creation Act (a.k.a. Omnibus Law) and its derivative regulations. In this chapter, we apply a governance approach for assessing anticipated changes in the forestry sector. We understand governance as a process operationalized by actors, powers, and rules. Accordingly, we applied the lens of four governance modes in our analysis, which includes hierarchical governance, closed co-governance, open co-governance, and self-governance. FMUs assist the central government as a facilitating institution and provide a window into understanding ongoing forestry changes. Policy changes indicate that nongovernment actors are gaining increased access to permit-based forest use, thus potentially replacing the envisioned role of FMUs as key actors at the site level. Nevertheless, although forest use is increasingly being entrusted to nongovernment actors, governance will remain hierarchical, wherein the central government serves as the dominant actor enacting regulatory mechanisms and guiding actor interactions and participation. As a result, we show that previous modes of forestry sector governance are likely to endure and deepen in the post-Omnibus era.