bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of rice flour to corn grits ratio and rice bran oil addition on starch digestibility profiles and properties of extruded multigrain puffed snacks
Authors: Photinam Ratchaneeporn , Moongngarm Anuchita
Published: July 2023

Ingredients play an important role in multigrain puffed snack (PS) quality. Different rice flour (RF) to corn grits (CG) ratios with 3% and 5% rice bran oil (RBO) were assessed for starch digestibility, chemical, and physicochemical properties, and sensory acceptance of PS processed using a twin‐screw extruder. Fat and fibre content significantly increased. PS added with 5% RBO was harder with higher bulk density than 3% RBO. As the CG level increased, the expansion ratio of PS decreased, impacting the physical and sensory properties. The extruded PS exhibited a V‐type crystalline structure originating from the amylose‐lipid complex formation. PS prepared from 50%–60% RF and 10%–20% CG with 5% RBO had the highest content of slow‐digesting starch, resistant starch, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compounds. The optimal rice flour to corn grits ratio with added RBO of multigrain PS showed potential as a functional snack.
RETRACTED: Effect of topical antibiotics on the prevention and management of wound infections: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Meixue , Feng Haonan , Gao Yongtao , Gao Xiang , Ji Zhixin
Published: July 2023

A meta‐analysis research was implemented to appraise the effect of topical antibiotics (TAs) on the prevention and management of wound infections (WIs). Inclusive literature research was performed until April 2023, and 765 interconnected researches were reviewed. The 11 selected researches included 6500 persons with uncomplicated wounds at the starting point of the research: 2724 of them were utilising TAs, 3318 were utilising placebo and 458 were utilising antiseptics. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilised to appraise the consequence of TAs on the prevention and management of WIs by the dichotomous approach and a fixed or random model. TAs had significantly lower WI compared with placebo (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38–0.92, p = 0.02) and compared with antiseptics (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31–0.88, p = 0.01) in persons with uncomplicated wounds (UWs). TAs had significantly lower WIs compared with placebo and antiseptics in persons with UWs. However, caution needs to be taken when interacting with their values because of the low sample size of some of the chosen researches and low number of researches found for the comparisons in the meta‐analysis.
Reducing uncertainty in evidence‐based health policy by integrating empirical and theoretical evidence: An EbM+theory approach
Authors: Pfaff Holger , Schmitt Jochen
Published: July 2023

Background

To reduce their decisional uncertainty, health policy decision‐makers rely more often on experts or their intuition than on evidence‐based knowledge, especially in times of urgency. However, this practice is unacceptable from an evidence‐based medicine (EbM) perspective. Therefore, in fast‐changing and complex situations, we need an approach that delivers recommendations that serve decision‐makers' needs for urgent, sound and uncertainty‐reducing decisions based on the principles of EbM.

Aims

The aim of this paper is to propose an approach that serves this need by enriching EbM with theory.

Materials and Methods

We call this the EbM+theory approach, which integrates empirical and theoretical evidence in a context‐sensitive way to reduce intervention and implementation uncertainty.

Results

Within this framework, we propose two distinct roadmaps to decrease intervention and implementation uncertainty: one for simple and the other for complex interventions. As part of the roadmap, we present a three‐step approach: applying theory (step 1), conducting mechanistic studies (EbM+; step 2) and conducting experiments (EbM; step 3).

Discussion

This paper is a plea for integrating empirical and theoretical knowledge by combining EbM, EbM+ and theoretical knowledge in a common procedural framework that allows flexibility even in dynamic times. A further aim is to stimulate a discussion on using theories in health sciences, health policy, and implementation.

Conclusion

The main implications are that scientists and health politicians – the two main target groups of this paper—should receive more training in theoretical thinking; moreover, regulatory agencies like NICE may think about the usefulness of integrating elements of the EbM+theory approach into their considerations.
Knowledge about foodborne pathogens and PCR‐based microbial detection methods among Brazilian students and professionals: A survey
Authors: Lemos Lúcia Mara dos Reis , Silva Lorena Dutra , Arisi Ana Carolina Maisonnave
Published: July 2023

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used in several research areas and routine laboratory analyses, including foodborne pathogens detection. We aimed to investigate the knowledge about PCR‐based methods and foodborne pathogens among undergraduate and graduate Brazilian students and professionals. A cross‐sectional survey was carried out using an online questionnaire as data collection method. The questionnaire was validated and distributed through email and social networks. Data from 1246 respondents was collected. The knowledge scores were verified by correspondence analysis and discussed, 75.8% of the participants answered that they knew a foodborne pathogen and 71.4% of the participants answered that they did not study molecular biology techniques during undergraduate course. The highest level of knowledge was found among professionals with Masters' and PhD degrees. In conclusion, participants are not knowledgeable about PCR‐based methods and the level of academic training influences the knowledge of analytical foundations. Most participants did not study PCR and its application in detecting foodborne pathogens during undergraduate course. We suggested that undergraduate courses in Food Engineering and in Food Science and Technology include mandatory molecular biology classes in academic programs.
Expression pattern of PD‐1/PD‐L1 in primary liver cancer with clinical correlation
Authors: Zeng Tanlun , Zhao Qian , Liu Junyu , Dai Binghua , Wang Tengjiao , Yang Facai , Liu Hui , Ge Ruiliang , Ding Jin
Published: July 2023

Immunotherapy, including ICIs, has emerged as an invaluable treatment option for advanced PLC. Nevertheless, the expression patterns of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 in PLC remain incompletely understood. In this study, the expression pattern and clinical correlation of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 were analysed in 5245 PLC patients. The positivity rates of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 were very low in the patient PLCs, but the positivity rates of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 were higher in the ICC and cHCC‐ICC than in HCC. The expression of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 correlated with the malignant phenotypes and clinicopathological characteristics of PLC. Interestingly, PD‐1 positivity might serve as an independent prognostic factor. Based on a systematic analysis of a large amount of PLC tissues, we proposed a novel classification of PD‐1/PD‐L1 expression in HCC and ICC. In light of this stratification, we observed a close correlation between PD‐L1 levels and PD‐1 expression in HCC and ICC.
The Effects of Concreteness on Mathematical Manipulative Choice
Authors: Foulkes Megan , Sella Francesco , Wege Theresa Elise , Gilmore Camilla
Published: July 2023

There is mixed evidence as to whether concrete manipulatives (e.g., toy animals) are better than abstract manipulatives (e.g., counters) for teaching mathematical concepts to children. Concreteness is defined as the amount of extraneous information a manipulative provides, and in this study we aimed to unpick which dimensions of concreteness influence manipulative choice. Researchers, teachers, and parents completed a comparative judgment task comparing images of manipulatives varying in different dimensions of concreteness, selecting which they would choose to teach arithmetic to children. The findings indicated homogeneous, 3‐dimensional manipulatives were the most preferred across all groups to teach arithmetic to children, regardless of more extraneous features. This contradicts research recommendations to minimize the use of concrete manipulatives due to their distractive qualities. Instead, it suggests that some concrete features may be preferred in more naturalistic contexts. More research is required to investigate how different dimensions of concreteness influence learning outcomes for children both in artificial research contexts and in practice.
High vapour pressure deficit enhances turgor limitation of stem growth in an Asian tropical rainforest tree
Authors: Peters Richard L. , Kaewmano Arisa , Fu Pei‐Li , Fan Ze‐Xin , Sterck Frank , Steppe Kathy , Zuidema Pieter A.
Published: July 2023

Tropical forests are experiencing increases in vapour pressure deficit (D), with possible negative impacts on tree growth. Tree‐growth reduction due to rising D is commonly attributed to carbon limitation, thus overlooking the potentially important mechanism of D‐induced impairment of wood formation due to an increase in turgor limitation. Here we calibrate a mechanistic tree‐growth model to simulate turgor limitation of radial stem growth in mature Toona cilitata trees in an Asian tropical forest. Hourly sap flow and dendrometer measurements were collected to simulate turgor‐driven growth during the growing season. Simulated seasonal patterns of radial stem growth matched well with growth observations. Growth mainly occurred at night and its pre‐dawn build‐up appeared to be limited under higher D. Across seasons, the night‐time turgor pressure required for growth was negatively related to previous midday D, possibly due to a relatively high canopy conductance at high D, relative to stem rehydration. These findings provide the first evidence that tropical trees grow at night and that turgor pressure limits tree growth. We suggest including turgor limitation of tree stem growth in models also for tropical forest carbon dynamics, in particular, if these models simulate effects of warming and increased frequency of droughts.
Plant size directly correlates with water use efficiency in Arabidopsis
Authors: de Ollas Carlos , Segarra Clara , Blázquez Miguel A. , Agustí Javier , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio
Published: July 2023

Plant transpiration is a fundamental process that determines plant water use efficiency (WUE), thermoregulation, nutrition, and growth. How transpiration impacts on such essential physiological aspects and how the environment modulates these effects are fundamental questions about which little is known. We investigated the genetic and environmental factors underlying natural variation in plant transpiration and water use efficiency in a population of natural Arabidopsis thaliana accessions grown under homogeneous conditions. As expected, we observed large variation of total transpiration capacity, transpiration per surface unit, and WUE among A. thaliana accessions. Despite the variation of stomatal density and ABA content in the population, WUE did not correlate with any of these parameters. On the contrary, a surprising direct correlation was found between WUE and projected leaf area, with bigger plants displaying a more efficient use of water. Importantly, genome‐wide association studies further supported our observations through the identification of several loci involved in WUE variation, mutations in which caused a simultaneous reduction in plant size and a decrease in WUE. Altogether, our results strongly suggest that, although WUE depends on many parameters, plant size is an adaptive trait with respect to water use in A. thaliana.
The cysteine‐rich receptor‐like kinase CRK4 contributes to the different drought stress response between Columbia and Landsberg erecta
Authors: Zhao Min , Li Mengdan , Huang Meng , Liang Chaochao , Chen Donghua , Hwang Inhwan , Zhang Wei , Wang Mei
Published: July 2023

The natural variation between Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ecotypes Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler) strongly affects abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and drought tolerance. Here, we report that the cysteine‐rich receptor‐like protein kinase CRK4 is involved in regulating ABA signalling, which contributes to the differences in drought stress tolerance between Col‐0 and Ler‐0. Loss‐of‐function crk4 mutants in the Col‐0 background were less drought tolerant than Col‐0, whereas overexpressing CRK4 in the Ler‐0 background partially to completely restored the drought‐sensitive phenotype of Ler‐0. F1 plants derived from a cross between the crk4 mutant and Ler‐0 showed an ABA‐insensitive phenotype with respect to stomatal movement, along with reduced drought tolerance like Ler‐0. We demonstrate that CRK4 interacts with the U‐box E3 ligase PUB13 and enhances its abundance, thus promoting the degradation of ABA‐INSENSITIVE 1 (ABI1), a negative regulator of ABA signalling. Together, these findings reveal an important regulatory mechanism for modulating ABI1 levels by the CRK4‐PUB13 module to fine‐tune drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.
MicroRNA397 regulates tolerance to drought and fungal infection by regulating lignin deposition in chickpea root
Authors: Sharma Nilesh Kumar , Yadav Shalini , Gupta Santosh Kumar , Irulappan Vadivelmurugan , Francis Aleena , Senthil‐Kumar Muthappa , Chattopadhyay Debasis
Published: July 2023

Plants deposit lignin in the secondary cell wall as a common response to drought and pathogen attacks. Cell wall localised multicopper oxidase family enzymes LACCASES (LACs) catalyse the formation of monolignol radicals and facilitate lignin formation. We show an upregulation of the expression of several LAC genes and a downregulation of microRNA397 (CamiR397) in response to natural drought in chickpea roots. CamiR397 was found to target LAC4 and LAC17L out of twenty annotated LACs in chickpea. CamiR397 and its target genes are expressed in the root. Overexpression of CamiR397 reduced expression of LAC4 and LAC17L and lignin deposition in chickpea root xylem causing reduction in xylem wall thickness. Downregulation of CamiR397 activity by expressing a short tandem target mimic (STTM397) construct increased root lignin deposition in chickpea. CamiR397‐overexpressing and STTM397 chickpea lines showed sensitivity and tolerance, respectively, towards natural drought. Infection with a fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, responsible for dry root rot (DRR) disease in chickpea, induced local lignin deposition and LAC gene expression. CamiR397‐overexpressing and STTM397 chickpea lines showed more sensitivity and tolerance, respectively, to DRR. Our results demonstrated the regulatory role of CamiR397 in root lignification during drought and DRR in an agriculturally important crop chickpea.
Ferredoxin C2 is required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulation of photosynthetic antennae in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tournaire Marcela Davalos , Scharff Lars B. , Kramer Manuela , Goss Tatjana , Vuorijoki Linda , Rodriguez‐Heredia Melvin , Wilson Sam , Kruse Inga , Ruban Alexander , Balk L. Janneke , Hase Toshiharu , Jensen Poul‐Erik , Hanke Guy T.
Published: July 2023

Ferredoxins (Fd) are small iron‐sulphur proteins, with sub‐types that have evolved for specific redox functions. Ferredoxin C2 (FdC2) proteins are essential Fd homologues conserved in all photosynthetic organisms and a number of different FdC2 functions have been proposed in angiosperms. Here we use RNAi silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana to generate a viable fdC2 mutant line with near‐depleted FdC2 protein levels. Mutant leaves have ~50% less chlorophyll a and b, and chloroplasts have poorly developed thylakoid membrane structure. Transcriptomics indicates upregulation of genes involved in stress responses. Although fdC2 antisense plants show increased damage at photosystem II (PSII) when exposed to high light, PSII recovers at the same rate as wild type in the dark. This contradicts literature proposing that FdC2 regulates translation of the D1 subunit of PSII, by binding to psbA transcript. Measurement of chlorophyll biosynthesis intermediates revealed a build‐up of Mg‐protoporphyrin IX, the substrate of the aerobic cyclase. We localise FdC2 to the inner chloroplast envelope and show that the FdC2 RNAi line has a disproportionately lower protein abundance of antennae proteins, which are nuclear‐encoded and must be refolded at the envelope after import.
Suppression‐Induced Forgetting as a Model for Repression
Authors: Wessel Ineke
Published: July 2023

The Think/No‐Think (T/NT) task was designed to test whether the deliberate avoidance of retrieving a memory (i.e., suppression) hinders the subsequent recall of that memory. Forgetting effects obtained with the T/NT‐task (Suppression‐Induced Forgetting) are thought to result from memory inhibition: the deactivation of the representation of the to‐be‐suppressed memory. Memory inhibition can be specifically inferred from decreased performance on a test using Independent Probes—cues that are unrelated to the initial study phase in the T/NT‐procedure. The present contribution explores the evidence for the idea that Suppression‐Induced Forgetting obtained with such Independent Probes may provide a viable model for repression.

A review of the literature on Suppression‐Induced Forgetting with Independent Probes (SIF‐IP) suggests that reliable estimates of the overall effect size are unavailable, that the extent to which the literature suffers from publication bias is unknown and that reporting bias may obstruct a clear view of the percentage of studies that find a statistically significant effect. In addition, it is difficult to study SIF‐IP in autobiographical memories, due to their complexity and idiosyncrasy. All in all, it seems questionable whether suppression‐induced forgetting obtained with independent probes provides a viable model of repression.
“Live e-commerce” Mode of Public Welfare Communication of TV Station under the Background of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Yi , Xiao Yinjin
Published: July 2023

This study uses literature, observation,and case study methods to investigate the significance and advantages of the "Live broadcast+e-commerce" model for public service communication.The study summarizes the preliminary experience of the "Live broadcast+e-commerce" model in TV public service communication, and makes suggestions on the risks to be avoided in its subsequent development.The study concludes the following lessons: creating a fully integrated and efficient platform is the foundation for the development of the "Live broadcast+e-commerce" model; catering to the audience is the fundamental guide for setting up the whole process; grasping the quality of products is the key to achieve the purpose of using the "Live broadcast+e-commerce" model. The active introduction of "Traffic" is the magic weapon to achieve the double growth of economic and social benefits; the use of good e-commerce marketing means is a shortcut to improve quality and increase efficiency;the implantation of humanistic emotions and the creation of popular topics can give more vitality to live broadcast; the integration and rational use of resources to support the sustainable development of this model; the continuous introduction of the study also pointed out that the public service mode in TV stations is not only a good way to promote public service, but also a good way to maximize the effect of positive communication.
Bast Fiber Decortication for Biocomposites by a Mastication Process
Authors: Walczyk Daniel , Yang Jiachen , Gilbert Jenkins Jennifer
Published: July 2023

This paper discusses a new method for decorticating bast fiber stalks, particularly hemp and flax, through a mastication process without damaging the fiber for use in biocomposites. Conventional automated decortication methods provide high stalk processing throughput, but they significantly damage the bast fibers and adversely affect their performance in biocomposite applications. Initial experiments with industrial hemp using a matched set of tools indicate that indexing the stalk by, at most, half a tooling period for each mastication cycle maximizes both the crushed stalk flexing action and dehurding efficiency. Further process insight was gained through simple stalk-crushing experiments (force vs. deflection) between matching teeth with no indexing, where force spikes correspond to initial collapse of the stalk cross section and initial hurd bending fracture along the stalk length. A more extensive experimental design with stiffer tooling reveals that hurding efficiency is maximized by adding spaces in the bottom die for hurd to fall through, using the smallest practical indexing distance of less than half a tooling period, and using as many teeth as possible. However, shorter indexing and more teeth also decrease the throughput rate and complicate stalk handling. Future work for optimizing and commercializing the process is suggested.
Effect of Working Fluid, Orientation, and Cooling Mode on Thermal Performance of Miniature Flat Heat Pipe
Authors: Rathod Jigneshsinh , Lakhera Vikas , Shukla Atindra
Published: July 2023

Flat heat pipes (FHPs) are commonly used as a passive cooling system in portable electronic gadgets due to their compact profile. The present study investigates the effect of different working fluids on the thermal performance of a miniature FHP under different orientations and condenser cooling mechanisms and the start-up performance of FHP. Deionized water, acetone, ethanol, and methanol are chosen as working fluids in the FHP. Five different inclinations (0 deg (horizontal), 30 deg, 45 deg, 60 deg, and 90 deg (vertical)) and two different condenser cooling methods (natural convection and forced convection with fan cooling) are considered in this experimental study. The FHP thermal performance is quantified in terms of overall temperature difference, thermal resistance, and effective thermal conductivity. The results indicate that comparatively higher effective thermal conductivity values are obtained for methanol and acetone heat pipes at low heat loads and under natural convection. At higher heat loads, the ethanol heat pipe had higher effective thermal conductivity values for the same condenser cooling method. For the case of the forced convection cooling mode, the methanol heat pipe had enhanced thermal performance as compared to the other three fluids for all heat load ranges and different inclinations. Due to the higher boiling point of water, as a working fluid water is not suitable in most of the experimental trials except at high heat load under forced convection cooling and in a horizontal orientation. The maximum effective thermal conductivity of 7846 W/mK is obtained for FHP filled with methanol at 24 W heat load and 90 deg orientation under forced convection condenser cooling.
Stages of self-arrangement in growth of nanostructured graphene films related to the flow of ionized species during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Lukša Algimantas , Nargelienė Viktorija , Treideris Marius , Bukauskas Virginijus , Talaikis Martynas , Šetkus Arūnas
Published: July 2023

The ability to directly deposit graphene layers on diverse substrates (including the ones with existing functioning electronic devices) is a very attractive method for integrating two-dimensional materials into electronic systems based on typical semiconductors. However, the task is highly challenging due to the high temperatures required for synthesis of the graphene structures. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is an option that can be used to produce large-area graphene layers at sufficiently low temperatures. A lack of deep understanding of the plasma-associated processes limits the ability to directly control graphene growth. In this study, we experimentally investigated how the density of the ionized species flow influences the growth of the nanostructured graphene layers using a custom process chamber layout. The relationship between the growth of the nanostructured carbon-based films and the flow of the ionized species of the working gas mixture was quantitatively characterized for a set of specific parameters. We also analyzed the influence of deposition time and substrate temperature on the growth of the films and discuss the driving mechanisms. Three unique stages were identified in the self-arrangement of the layer. The activation energy of the process was ∼0.31 eV.
Low-temperature, single-source, chemical vapor deposition of molybdenum nitride thin films
Authors: Land Michael A. , Lomax Justin T. , Barry Seán T.
Published: July 2023

The 1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diazabutadiene adduct of bis(tert-butylimido)dichloro-molybdenum(VI), (tBuN)2MoCl2⋅dad, was used as a single-source precursor for the chemical vapor deposition of molybdenum nitride from 350–600 °C. Deposition at 400 °C had a growth rate of 55 nm h−1 and was comprised of a mixture of Mo2N and MoN, based on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction results. The films are essentially featureless and are as smooth as the underlying substrate, based on atomic force microscopy measurements. Because the depositions could be carried out at a low temperature, there was minimal carbon (1.4%) inclusion in the film as shown by XPS.
(AlCrNiTiZr)Nx high-entropy nitride coatings with enhanced hardness via tailoring N2 flow rates for anti-wear applications
Authors: Zheng Jia , Zhang Cunxiu , Li Jingchuan , Chen Junyi , Dong Yifan , Zhang Sam , Zhang Jian , Sun Deen
Published: July 2023

(AlCrNiTiZr)Nx high-entropy nitride coatings with enhanced hardness are prepared by reactive magnetron cosputtering. The chemical composition, microstructure, as well as mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings are studied systematically. With N2 flow rates from 0 to 16 SCCM, the nitrogen content of the coatings increases to 55.7 at. % and the phase structure changes from amorphous to face-centered cubic. The hardness of the coating increases, obviously, with an increase in the nitrogen content. When the nitrogen flow rate is 12 SCCM, the coating has the highest hardness of 31.77 GPa and the lowest wear rate of 1.23 × 10−5 mm3/(N m) at room temperature. The wear resistance results show that all the hardness, adhesion strength, and damage tolerance contribute to the coating’s wear resistance.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Two Kenyan Aspergillus minisclerotigenes Strains
Authors: Schamann Alexandra , Geisen Rolf , Schmidt-Heydt Markus
Published: July 2023

Here, we report the sequencing of the whole genome, including the mitochondrial DNA, of the two highly aflatoxigenic
Aspergillus minisclerotigenes
strains MRI390 and MRI400 using the MiSeq and PacBio platforms and the generated assemblies. The strains were isolated from Kenyan maize kernels.
Oxiconazole Potentiates Gentamicin against Gentamicin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Kaul Grace , Akhir Abdul , Shukla Manjulika , Shafi Hasham , Akunuri Ravikumar , Pawar Gaurav , Ghouse Mahammad , Srinivas Nanduri , Chopra Sidharth
Published: July 2023

Staphylococcus aureus
, which causes the majority of nosocomial and community-acquired infections globally, is a WHO high-priority pathogen for antibiotic research and development. In addition to invasive infections, it is the causative agent of moderate to severe skin infections, with an increasing prevalence of infections caused by MDR strains such as methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA).
Supplemental Material: Climatic regulation of atmospheric mercury deposition: Evidence from mercury isotopes in an alpine peat core
Authors: Xue Wen , al. et
Published: July 2023

 Tables S1 and S2 
Supplemental Material: Late Mesozoic impact of paleo-Pacific subduction on the North China craton revealed by apatite U-Pb and fission-track double dating and trace element analysis in the eastern Yanshan fold belt, northeastern Asia
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhang Zhiyong , et al.
Published: July 2023

Figures S1–S9 and Tables S1–S5. 
Vaccine effectiveness for prevention of covid-19 related hospital admission during pregnancy in England during the alpha and delta variant dominant periods of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: population based cohort study
Authors: Bosworth Matthew L , Schofield Ryan , Ayoubkhani Daniel , Charlton Loes , Nafilyan Vahé , Khunti Kamlesh , Zaccardi Francesco , Gillies Clare , Akbari Ashley , Knight Marian , Wood Rachael , Hardelid Pia , Zuccolo Luisa , Harrison Camille
Published: July 2023

Objective

To estimate vaccine effectiveness for preventing covid-19 related hospital admission in individuals first infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy compared with those of reproductive age who were not pregnant when first infected with the virus.

Design

Population based cohort study.

Setting

Office for National Statistics Public Health Data Asset linked dataset, providing national linked census and administrative data in England, 8 December 2020 to 31 August 2021.

Participants

815 477 females aged 18-45 years (mean age 30.4 years) who had documented evidence of a first SARS-CoV-2 infection in the NHS Test and Trace or Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Main outcome measures

Hospital admission where covid-19 was recorded as the primary diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for calendar time of infection, sociodemographic factors, and pre-existing health conditions related to uptake of the covid-19 vaccine and risk of severe covid-19 outcomes, were used to estimate vaccine effectiveness as the complement of the hazard ratio for hospital admission for covid-19.

Results

Compared with pregnant individuals who were not vaccinated, the adjusted rate of hospital admission for covid-19 was 77% (95% confidence interval 70% to 82%) lower for pregnant individuals who had received one dose and 83% (76% to 89%) lower for those who had received two doses of vaccine. These estimates were similar to those found in the non-pregnant group: 79% (77% to 81%) for one dose and 83% (82% to 85%) for two doses of vaccine. Among those who were vaccinated >90 days before infection, having two doses of vaccine was associated with a greater reduction in risk than one dose.

Conclusions

Covid-19 vaccination was associated with reduced rates of hospital admission in pregnant individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the reduction in risk was similar to that in non-pregnant individuals. Waning of vaccine effectiveness occurred more quickly after one than after two doses of vaccine.
Congenital anomalies and risk factors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moges Natnael , Anley Denekew Tenaw , Zemene Melkamu Aderajew , Adella Getachew Asmare , Solomon Yenealem , Bantie Berihun , Fenta Felek Sefineh , Dejenie Tadesse Asmamaw , Bayih Wubet Alebachew , Chanie Ermiase Sisay , Getaneh Fekadeselassie Belege , Kassaw Amare , Mengist Dessie Anteneh
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the pooled prevalence and identify risk factors of congenital anomalies among neonates in Africa.

Methods

The pooled birth prevalence of congenital anomalies was the first outcome of this review, and the pooled measure of association between congenital anomalies and related risk factors in Africa was the second. We conducted a thorough search of the databases PubMed/ Medline, PubMed Central, Hinary, Google, Cochrane Library, African Journals Online, Web of Science and Google Scholar up to 31 January 2023. The JBI appraisal checklist was used to evaluate the studies. STATA V.17 was used for the analysis. The I2test and Eggers and Beggs tests were used to measure study heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. The pooled prevalence of congenital anomalies was calculated using DerSimonian and Laird random-effect model. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were also performed.

Result

This systematic review and meta-analysis includes 32 studies with a total of 626 983 participants. The pooled prevalence of congenital anomalies was 23.5 (95% CI 20 to 26.9) per 1000 newborns. Not taking folic acid (pooled OR=2.67; 95% CI (1.42 to 5.00)), history of maternal illness (pooled OR=2.44, 95% CI (1.2 to 4.94)), history of drug use (pooled OR=2.74, 95% CI (1.29 to 5.81)), maternal age (>35 years.) (Pooled OR=1.97, 95% CI (1.15 to 3.37)), drinking alcohol (pooled OR=3.15, 95% CI (1.4 to 7.04)), kchat chewing (pooled OR=3.34, 5% CI (1.68 to 6.65)) and urban residence (pooled OR=0.58, 95% CI (0.36 to 0.95)) were had significant association with congenital anomalies.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of congenital abnormalities in Africa was found to be substantial, with significant regional variation. Appropriate folate supplementation during pregnancy, proper management of maternal sickness, proper antenatal care, referring healthcare personnel before using drugs, avoiding alcohol intake and kchat chewing are all important in lowering the occurrence of congenital abnormalities among newborns in Africa.
Reconsidering injection volume for caudal epidural block in young pediatric patients: a dynamic flow tracking experimental study
Authors: Kim Ha-Jung , Kim Hyungtae , Lee Sooho , Koh Won Uk , Park Soo-Sung , Ro Youngjin
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Caudal epidural block is a commonly used analgesic technique in pediatric patients. Ultrasound could be used to increase the accuracy of the block by visual confirmation of the drug-spreading. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the cephalad spread of injection volume by caudal route using dynamic ultrasound imaging in young pediatric patients.

Methods

Forty patients, aged 6–24 months, undergoing foot surgery were included. After inducing general anesthesia, an angiocatheter was inserted into the sacral canal under ultrasound guidance. Thereafter, the probe was placed in the paramedian sagittal oblique position, and prepared 0.15% ropivacaine was injected, 1 mL at a time, up to 1.0 mL.kg−1. The ultrasound probe was moved cranially following the bulk flow of local anesthetics. Our primary outcome was the required volume of local anesthetics to reach each level of interlaminar space.

Results

The dynamic flow tracking was available in 39 patients, and the required volume of the injectate to reach L5–S1, L4–L5, L3–L4, L2–L3, L1–L2, T12–L1, and T11–T12 was 0.125, 0.223, 0.381, 0.591, 0.797, 0.960, and 1.050 mL.kg−1, respectively. The required volume to reach the immediate upper spinal level was inconsistent across various spinal levels.

Conclusions

Local anesthetics of 0.223, 0.591, and 0.797 mL.kg−1could provide sufficient analgesia for localized foot, knee, and hip surgeries, respectively. However, since the required volume of the local anesthetics could not be calculated linearly, the real-time dynamic flow tracking technique for the caudal epidural block is recommended in young pediatric patients.

Trial registrations

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04039295).
Local anesthetic dosing and toxicity of pediatric truncal catheters: a narrative review of published practice
Authors: Fettiplace Michael , Joudeh Lana , Bungart Brittani , Boretsky Karen
Published: July 2023

Background/importance

Despite over 30 years of use by pediatric anesthesiologists, standardized dosing rates, dosing characteristics, and cases of toxicity of truncal nerve catheters are poorly described.

Objective

We reviewed the literature to characterize dosing and toxicity of paravertebral and transversus abdominis plane catheters in children (less than 18 years).

Evidence review

We searched for reports of ropivacaine or bupivacaine infusions in the paravertebral and transversus abdominis space intended for 24 hours or more of use in pediatric patients. We evaluated bolus dosing, infusion dosing, and cumulative 24-hour dosing in patients over and under 6 months. We also identified cases of local anesthetic systemic toxicity and toxic blood levels.

Findings

Following screening, we extracted data from 46 papers with 945 patients.

Bolus dosing was 2.5 mg/kg (median, range 0.6–5.0; n=466) and 1.25 mg/kg (median, range 0.5–2.5; n=294) for ropivacaine and bupivacaine, respectively. Infusion dosing was 0.5 mg/kg/hour (median, range 0.2–0.68; n=521) and 0.33 mg/kg/hour (median, range 0.1–1.0; n=423) for ropivacaine and bupivacaine, respectively, consistent with a dose equivalence of 1.5:1.0. A single case of toxicity was reported, and pharmacokinetic studies reported at least five cases with serum levels above the toxic threshold.

Conclusions

Bolus doses of bupivacaine and ropivacaine frequently comport with expert recommendations. Infusions in patients under 6 months used doses associated with toxicity and toxicity occurred at a rate consistent with single-shot blocks. Pediatric patients would benefit from specific recommendations about ropivacaine and bupivacaine dosing, including age-based dosing, breakthrough dosing, and intermittent bolus dosing.
Asymptotically locally flat and AdS higher-dimensional black holes of Einstein–Horndeski–Maxwell gravity in the light of EHT observations: shadow behavior and deflection angle
Authors: Nozari Kourosh , Saghafi Sara
Published: July 2023

Unification of gravity with other interactions, achieving the ultimate framework of quantum gravity, and fundamental problems in particle physics and cosmology motivate to consider extra spatial dimensions. The impact of these extra dimensions on the modified theories of gravity has attracted a lot of attention. One way to examine how extra dimensions affect the modified gravitational theories is to analytically investigate astrophysical phenomena, such as black hole shadows. In this study, we aim to investigate the behavior of the shadow shapes of higher-dimensional charged black hole solutions including asymptotically locally flat (ALF) and asymptotically locally AdS (ALAdS) in Einstein–Horndeski–Maxwell (EHM) gravitational theory. We utilize the Hamilton–Jacobi method to find photon orbits around these black holes as well as the Carter approach to formulate the geodesic equations. We examine how extra dimensions, negative cosmological constant, electric charge, and coupling constants of the EHM gravity affect the shadow size of the black hole. Then, we constrain these parameters by comparing the shadow radius of these black holes with the shadow size of M87* supermassive black hole captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaborations. We discover that generally the presence of extra dimensions within the EHM gravity results in reducing the shadow size of higher-dimensional ALF and ALAdS charged black holes, whereas the impact of electric charge on the shadow of these black holes is suppressible. Interestingly, we observe that decreasing the negative cosmological constant, i.e., increasing its absolute value, leads to increase the shadow size of the ALAdS charged higher-dimensional black hole in the EHM gravity. Surprisingly, based on the constraints from EHT observations, we discover that only the shadow size of the four dimensional ALF charged black hole lies in the confidence levels of EHT data, whereas owing to the presence of the negative cosmological constant, the shadow radius of the four, five, and seven dimensional ALAdS charged black holes lie within the EHT data confidence levels.
Linear scaling of lepton charge asymmetry in W± production in ultra-relativistic nuclear collisions from PACIAE model
Authors: Lei An-Ke , Zhou Dai-Mei , Yan Yu-Liang , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Zheng Liang , Wang Du-Juan , Li Xiao-Mei , Chen Gang , Cai Xu , Sa Ben-Hao
Published: July 2023

The lepton charge asymmetry in [Formula: see text] production in the nuclear collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TeV is investigated with a parton and hadron cascade model PACIAE. Recently published ALICE and the ATLAS data of lepton charge asymmetry are well reproduced. An interesting linear scaling behavior is observed in the lepton charge asymmetry as a function of the collision system valence quark number asymmetry among different sizes of nuclear collision systems at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TeV. This linear scaling behavior may serve as an additional constraint on the PDF (nPDF) extractions.
Mass spectra of double-bottom baryons
Authors: Li Zhen-Yu , Yu Guo-Liang , Wang Zhi-Gang , Gu Jian-Zhong , Shen Hong-Tao
Published: July 2023

Based on the relativistic quark model and the infinitesimally shifted Gaussian basis function method, we investigate the mass spectra of double-bottom baryons systematically. In the [Formula: see text]-mode which appears lower in energy than the other excited modes, we obtain the allowed quantum states and perform a systematic study of the mass spectra of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] families. We analyze the root mean square radii and quark radial probability density distributions to deeply understand the structure of the heavy baryons. Meanwhile, the mass spectra allow us to successfully construct the Regge trajectories in the [Formula: see text] plane. We also predict the masses of the ground states of double-bottom baryons and discuss the differences between the structures of our spectra and those from other theoretical methods. At last, the shell structure of the double-bottom baryon spectra is shown from which one could get a bird’s-eye view of the mass spectra. In this paper, we also make a hypothesis that the heavy baryon excitation may be dominated by the excitation of heavy quarks in the heavy quark limit. It could help to deepen the understanding of heavy baryons structure.
STRESS-DEPENDENT MODELS FOR PERMEABILITY AND POROSITY OF FRACTURED ROCK BASED ON FRACTAL THEORY
Authors: MIAO TONGJUN , CHEN AIMIN , LI ZUN , LIU DAPING , YU BOMING
Published: July 2023

The hydro-mechanical coupling behavior of the fractured rock is constitutive in accurately modeling the seepage properties such as permeability and porosity. In this work, the stress-dependent models for permeability and porosity of the fractured rock are proposed by employing the fractal geometry theory and the two-part Hooke’s model (TPHM). The proposed models for the permeability and porosity are related to the effective stress and the microstructures of fractures, such as the fractal dimension ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the maximum fracture length [Formula: see text], and fracture orientations ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] as well as porosities ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The validity of the proposed permeability model coupled with stress is validated by comparison with the available experimental data. The model predictions agree well with the experimental data. The effects of microstructures of fracture networks in fractured rock on the dimensionless stress-dependent permeability and porosity as well as the fractal dimension for fracture areas are also discussed in detail. The proposed models may shed much light on the fundamental behavior of coupled hydro-mechanical properties of fractured rock.
Explanatory Denotational Semantics for Complex Event Patterns
Authors: Zieliński Bartosz
Published: July 2023

Recent years brought popularity and importance of complex event processing (CEP) and associated query languages. CEP systems can be hard to understand. It is often non-trivial to determine streams of events matched by a query, and sometimes we may not notice important edge cases. Hence, the desirability of formal semantics permitting reasoning about resulting complex events and checking if actual matchings agree with our intentions follows. In the article, we introduce a pattern language
PatLang
with some unique syntactic features related to variable binding. We provide two distinct denotational semantics for
PatLang
:
Minimal semantics
, sufficient to describe when patterns match, and
tree semantics
, which provides detailed information about subpatterns with which the matched events actually match, i.e., information about interpretation of matched events induced by the pattern matching. The tree semantics is unnecessary for verifying correctness of pattern matching execution. However, we show that neither minimal semantics, nor semantics from the prior work suffices to effectively locate errors in patterns with respect to their intended meaning, and that the additional information provided by the tree semantics is crucial for that purpose. We prove that tree semantics can be mapped to minimal semantics. Finally, we provide some practical evaluation.
MOF-derived Cu/N–C Composite Based Electrochemical Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Catechol and Hydroquinone
Authors: Wang Qi , Liu Wenjing , Zhang Jinjin , Qu Jianying
Published: July 2023

In this work, Cu/N-C derived from MOF composites were synthesized and characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS and EIS, which was modified on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to construct a novel electrochemical sensor (Cu/N-C/GCE). Due to the good electrical conductivity and abundant catalytic active sites of Cu/N-C, Cu/N-C/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) with the oxidation peak potential difference of 112 mV. The proposed sensor could realize the simultaneous detection of CC and HQ successfully. Under optimal conditions, the redox peak currents of both CC and HQ have good linear relationship with their concentrations in the ranges of 0.50–100.00 μM and 0.50–150.00 μM with the detection limits for CC and HQ of 0.12 μM and 0.09 μM, respectively. At the same time, the sensor exhibits good stability, reproducibility and selectivity in the analysis of practical samples.
Development of Pd@MWCNT-Co3O4 Electrode Sensors Using Cobalt Recovered from Spent Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Reshma M. , Manu R.
Published: July 2023

The rampant use of various types of energy storage devices for different applications poses a great threat to the environment as most of the materials after their usage are not recycled properly. Battery materials that are exposed to the environment without proper recycling or recovery protocol are of more concern. In the present work, the chemical components recovered from spent lithium batteries were processed through suitable methods and were utilized for the fabrication of electrode materials for sensor application. The present work demonstrates a highly sensitive and cost-effective method for fabricating disposable non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on Pd functionalized MWCNT-Co3O4 electrode using cobalt recovered from a spent Li-ion battery. The incorporation of palladium onto the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and further deposition of this composite onto the Co3O4 substrate greatly enhanced the glucose sensing characteristics. The sensing behavior of the Co3O4 electrode and Pd@MWCNT-Co3O4 electrode towards glucose electro-oxidation were compared using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Chrono- amperometric (CA) techniques. A very low detection limit of 0.6 μM was obtained by the Pd@MWCNT-Co3O4 electrode towards glucose sensing. The sensor fabrication process was economical and possessed excellent stability, selectivity and good reproducibility.