bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children and Adults: Burden and Management
Authors: Legg Ewen
Published: January 2023

The third Encuentro Latinoamericano de Infecciones Respiratorias Recurrentes (ELAIR) took place in Mexico City, Mexico, on 11th–12th May 2017. ELAIR brought together experts from across Latin America and further afield, continuing an extraordinary didactic exercise on the cutting-edge advances of respiratory medicine. Impressive progress has been made in the past 15 years, with new treatments available to manage and prevent airway infections. It remains to be seen how this might affect the related conditions of wheezing and asthma in predisposed and sensitised subjects. However, early data suggest that lower respiratory infection rates may reduce the development of the above conditions which are closely related to viral infections. Immunomodulators that both prime the immune system to fight infection and reduce inflammation are likely to play a major role in secondary and even potentially primary prevention of atopic diseases.
White Material: Ivory tiles, white womanhood, and white supremacy in Jean-Marc Vallée’s Sharp Objects
Authors: Sanders Emily
Published: January 2023

Jean-Marc Vallée’s HBO miniseries, Sharp Objects (2018), follows Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) as she returns to her childhood home in Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two young girls. This article explores a specific type of object related to the systems of violence that reveal themselves over the course of the miniseries: ivory tiles. Here, the ivory tiles affixed to the floor of Camille’s mother’s, Adora Crellin’s (Patricia Clarkson), master bedroom both reveal and influence sinister behaviours of the household’s women. In employing concepts inspired from Thing Theory and Object-Oriented Ontology, as well as critical theory, this article examines how the ivory tiles possess multilayered excesses that constitute an object’s thingness. The foremost excess that informs the ivory tiles’ thingness, I contend, is its relationship to white supremacy. It is not only the tiles’ material history that informs its relationship to white supremacy, but how, through outlining the forms of agency things possess under Thing Theory, the tiles are able to reveal the forms of violence that are structured within the domestic sphere of the Crellin home. A product of violence, the ivory tiles as things speak back to the design of white supremacy.
Engram: Derrida's Reply to Stiegler
Authors: Senatore Mauro
Published: January 2023

This article focuses on two indices from Geschlecht III session XIII: (1) an apparently insignificant reference to Stiegler and (2) the recourse to the concept of the engram as a trope of other grammatological figures that are more frequent in Derrida's work. By interweaving these indexes together, the article suggests that Derrida's text can be read as a noteworthy stage in his ongoing dialogue with Bernard Stiegler surrounding the question posed by human evolution to any accounts of the history of life. Along this path, the article inscribes Derrida's (en-)grammatological history of life within the line of thought that goes from Richard Semon's engram theory to Simona Ginsburg and Eva Jablonka's contemporary re-elaboration of this theory. In doing so, it argues that, although for Stiegler Derrida's grammatology aligns with biological reductionism, the latter may provide the theoretical framework for current evolutionary accounts of life as plasticity.
Community Engagement for Civics Education (CE)2 or “CE Squared”
Authors: LAWRENCE STEVEN
Published: January 2023

• What is the role for higher education in encouraging citizen civic participation? • Does teaching civics really increase community interest in the political process? • Do “regular” people in the community care about the process of governing? • Would our state be a better place if more people registered and voted? This paper describes the successful development of a small grant funded project, Community Engagement for Civics Education: (CE)2, at Walters State Community College (Morristown, Tennessee) which culminated in a series of student-led public civics classes presented free on-campus for any member of our multi-county area who was interested in learning more about how our government works and how civic engagement can promote good government.
Single Member District Proportional Representation (SMDPR)
Authors: Falvey Denis
Published: January 2023

Developed in and for Canada, single member district proportional representation (SMDPR) is suitable for any country, especially a federation. SMDPR is a local party-list electoral system similar to both Canada’s current single member plurality (SMP) and Sweden’s party-list electoral systems; it preserves current Canadian district structure and political function, single member representation as the only form of representation, and can work with Canada’s SMP ballot. It promises to measurably outperform all electoral system types in major world use. Centered on voice expression, an appreciation of local representation’s importance for government stability, attention to applicable Canadian jurisprudence, and the interplay between allocation and matching divisions (defined herein), SMDPR is based on conceptual and purposive definitions of democracy and electoral system.
LITERATURE REVIEW EFFECTIVENESS THE USE OF BENGKUNG ON RECOVERY IN POSTPARTUM MOTHERS
Authors: Fajrin Irmasanti , Purwandari Atik , Mogonta Debbie Christie
Published: January 2023

Background : Indonesia is a country consisting of various tribes and cultures, each of which has a health tradition. some traditions have a bad effect on health but some have a positive impact on health. Bengkung is a long cloth about 10 meters long, used specifically to protect the mother's stomach after delivery. Its use begins after the 3rd to 40th day postpartum. Basically the benefit of the bengkung is to narrow the mother's movement so that her sitting position can be restrained. The purpose : of the study was to determine the effectiveness the use of bengkung on recovery in postpartum mothers based on a literature review. Method : This type of research is qualitative with literature review approach related to use of bengkung on recovery in postpartum mothers. The sources used in the electronic databases are Googlescholar, Researchgate, dan, Pubmed. The journals used in this study were published between 2015 and 2021, found 8 journals that met the inclusion criteria. Results : Analysis of the literature from eight journals found that the bengkung intervention was effective in the recovery of postpartum mothers including uterine involution, increasing milk production, reducing pain, and launching lochea expenditure and can be used as non-pharmacological therapy in the care of postpartum mothers. Conclusion, the use of jicama is effective for recovery in postpartum women. Recommendation : It is hoped that the use of Bengkung can be useful in the recovery of postpartum mothers when used with the correct technique.
Biosynthesis of aliphatic plastic monomers with amino residues in Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Park Gyuyeon , Kim Ye Chan , Jang Minjeong , Park Hyuna , Lee Hong-Weon , Jeon Wooyoung , Kim Byung-Gee , Choi Kwon-Young , Ahn Jungoh
Published: January 2023

Introduciton: The α,ω-diamines (NH2-(CH2)n-NH2) and ω -amino fatty acids (NH2-(CH2)n-COOH) have been widely used as building blocks in polymerindustries. Medium- to long-chain (C8 to C18) fatty acid monomers with amino residues are almost exclusively produced via chemical processes that generate hazardous waste and induce severe environmental problems, such as global warming and pollution. Here, we present the construction platformstrains of Yarrowia lipolytica a cheese-ripening yeast, for direct biotransformation of hydrocarbons into medium- to long-chain α,ω-diamines and ωamino fatty acids using metabolic engineering of endogenous fatty acid ω- and β-oxidation pathways and introducing heterologous ω-transaminase in Y. lipolytica.

Methods: We deleted six genes encoding the acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO1–6) and four fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase genes (FALDH1-4), which catalyze fatty acid β-oxidation and downstream oxidation of fatty aldehydes in Y. lipolytica, respectively. The ω-transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum DSM30191 was introduced into the genome of the ΔPOX ΔFALDH strain under the control of Y. lipolytica-derived EXP1 promoters.

Results and Discussion: The ΔPOX ΔFALDH strains with ω-CvTA successfully accumulated the corresponding C12 αω-diamines into a shaking culture medium with dodecane or dodecanol. In addition, these strains accumulated C12 ω-amino fatty acids from dodecanoic acid. With the commercially available α,ω-diacid bioprocess, this yeast biosynthesis producing medium- and longchain α,ω-diamines and ω-amino fatty acids could complete the yeast platform technology generating all medium- and long-chain aliphatic polyamide monomers, α,ω-biofunctionalized with one or both carboxylic acid and amino residues.
External validation of the SWEDEHEART score for predicting in-hospital major bleeding among East Asian patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Yabin , Lv Fei , Wei Qucheng , Gao Qiyue , Jiang Jun
Published: January 2023

Background

Risk scores for predicting in-hospital major bleeding in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are rare. The Swedish web-system for the enhancement and development of evidence-based care in heart disease evaluated according to recommended therapies (SWEDEHEART) score (SS), consisting of five common clinical variables, is a novel model for predicting in-hospital major bleeding. External validation of SS has not yet been completed.

Methods and results

A retrospective study recruiting consecutive East Asian patients diagnosed with AMI was conducted in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University. The primary endpoint was the ability of SS to predict in-hospital major bleeding, which was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 bleeding. To validate SS, the discrimination and calibration were assessed in the overall population and several subgroups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the areas under ROC curves (AUCs) were calculated for discrimination. The calibration of SS was evaluated with the unreliability U test. A total of 2,841 patients diagnosed with AMI during hospitalization were included, and 1.94% (55) of them experienced in-hospital major bleeding events. The AUC of SS for the whole population was only 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52–0.67], without an acceptable calibration (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, the highest AUC (0.72; 95% CI, 0.61–0.82) of SS for the primary endpoint was found in the diabetes subgroup, with an acceptable calibration (p = 0.87).

Conclusion

This external validation study showed that SS failed to exhibit sufficient accuracy in predicting in-hospital major bleeding among East Asian patients with AMI despite demonstrating acceptable performance in the diabetic subgroup of patients. Studies to uncover optimal prediction tools for in-hospital major bleeding risk in AMI are urgently warranted.
Successful ablation of morphology-changing premature ventricular contractions under the guidance of local voltage potentials: A case report
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhu Yuncai , Zhang Peng , He Tao , Liao Jie
Published: January 2023

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) stemming from the aortic sinus cusp often have preferential conduction to two exits in the outflow tract and exhibited two different morphologies of PVCs, which may render radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) difficult. A 67-year-old male patient underwent RACF for premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) characterizing by bi-morphology (left and right bundle branch block) on electrocardiogram. Dynamic changes in QRS morphology during ablation and evident local voltage potentials during electro-anatomical mapping were critical for identifying the real foci of origin of PVCs. Successful ablation was achieved at the left-right coronary cusp commissure.
Patent foramen ovale occlusion with the Cocoon PFO Occluder. The PROS-IT collaborative project
Authors: Testa Luca , Popolo Rubbio Antonio , Squillace Mattia , Albano Flavio , Cesario Vincenzo , Casenghi Matteo , Tarantini Giuseppe , Pagnotta Paolo , Ielasi Alfonso , Popusoi Grigore , Paloscia Leonardo , Durante Alessandro , Maffeo Diego , Meucci Francesco , Valentini Giuliano , Ussia Gian Paolo , Cioffi Paolo , Cortese Bernardo , Sangiorgi Giuseppe , Contegiacomo Gaetano , Bedogni Francesco
Published: January 2023

Background

The Cocoon patent foramen ovale (PFO) Occluder is a new generation nitinol alloy double-disk device coated with nanoplatinum, likely useful in patients with nickel hypersensitivity. Early results and mid-term outcomes of this device in percutaneous PFO closure are missing.

Aims

To assess the preliminary efficacy and safety profile of PFO closure with Cocoon device in an Italian multi-center registry.

Methods

This is a prospective registry of 189 consecutive adult patients treated with the Cocoon PFO Occluder at 15 Italian centers from May 2017 till May 2020. Patients were followed up for 2 years.

Results

Closure of the PFO with Cocoon Occluder was carried out successfully in all patients, with complete closure without residual shunt in 94.7% of the patients and minimal shunt in 5.3%. Except from a case of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and a major vascular bleeding, no procedural and in-hospital device-related complications occurred. No patient developed cardiac erosions, allergic reactions to nickel, or any other major complications during the follow-up. During the follow-up period, 2 cases of new-onset atrial fibrillation occurred within thirty-day.

Conclusions

Percutaneous closure of PFO with Cocoon Occluder provided satisfactory procedural and mid-term clinical follow-up results in a real-world registry.
Risk factors and a predictive model for nonfilter-associated inferior vena cava thrombosis in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Gong Maofeng , Kong Jie , Shi Yadong , Zhao Boxiang , Liu Zhengli , He Xu , Gu Jianping
Published: January 2023

Objective

Nonfilter-associated inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT) is an under-recognized but severe state of venous thromboembolism. The aims of this study were to investigate risk factors and develop a prediction model based on clinical data and imaging findings to evaluate the probability of IVCT in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT).

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. We analyzed the clinical data and multimodal imaging findings of consecutive patients with confirmed LEDVT between February 2016 and January 2022. The demographics, presentation of LEDVT, laboratory examination, thrombus characteristics, comorbidities and risk factors for LEDVT, and imaging findings were analyzed using an independent t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and regression analysis to determine the univariable and multivariable associations and to establish a predictive model to assess the probability of IVCT.

Results

A total of 267 eligible patients were included, of whom 40 were in the IVCT group and 227 were in the non-IVCT group. The incidence of nonfilter-associated IVCT was 15.0% (40/267). Age < 63.5 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–5.85, p = 0.029], male sex (OR 2.82; 95% CI, 1.19–6.72, p = 0.019), proximal DVT (OR 8.21; 95% CI, 1.01–66.76, p = 0.049), bilateral DVT (OR 7.30; 95% CI, 3.28–16.21, p < 0.001), and D-dimer >4.72 μg/ml (OR 4.64; 95% CI, 1.80–11.72, p = 0.001) were risk factors for IVCT's occurrence. Then, we established a prediction model based on these risk factors. The diagnostic efficiency [area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.858] for predicting IVCT was superior to that of isolated risk factors, including age < 63.5 years (AUC of ROC curve was 0.624) or D-dimer >4.72 μg/ml (AUC of ROC curve was 0.656).

Conclusion

Age < 63.5 years, male sex, proximal LEDVT, bilateral LEDVT and D-dimer >4.72 μg/ml were risk factors. The diagnostic efficiency of the predictive model for predicting IVCT was superior to that of a single risk factor alone. It may be used for predicting the probability of nonfilter-associated IVCT in patients with LEDVT.
Three-dimensional visualization of heart-wide myocardial architecture and vascular network simultaneously at single-cell resolution
Authors: Chen Jianwei , Liu Guangcai , Sun Wen , Zheng Yuanfang , Jin Jing , Chen Siqi , Yuan Jing , Gong Hui , Luo Qingming , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: January 2023

Obtaining various structures of the entire mature heart at single-cell resolution is highly desired in cardiac studies; however, effective methodologies are still lacking. Here, we propose a pipeline for labeling and imaging myocardial and vascular structures. In this pipeline, the myocardium is counterstained using fluorescent dyes and the cardiovasculature is labeled using transgenic markers. High-definition dual-color fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography is used to perform heart-wide tissue imaging, enabling the acquisition of whole-heart data at a voxel resolution of 0.32 × 0.32 × 1 μm3. Obtained structural data demonstrated the superiority of the pipeline. In particular, the three-dimensional morphology and spatial arrangement of reconstructed cardiomyocytes were revealed, and high-resolution vascular data helped determine differences in the features of endothelial cells and complex coiled capillaries. Our pipeline can be used in cardiac studies for examining the structures of the entire heart at the single-cell level.
User experience with a parenting chatbot micro intervention
Authors: Entenberg G. A. , Dosovitsky G. , Aghakhani S. , Mostovoy K. , Carre N. , Marshall Z. , Benfica D. , Mizrahi S. , Testerman A. , Rousseau A. , Lin G. , Bunge E. L.
Published: January 2023

Background

The use of chatbots to address mental health conditions have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, few studies aimed to teach parenting skills through chatbots, and there are no reports on parental user experience. Aim: This study aimed to assess the user experience of a parenting chatbot micro intervention to teach how to praise children in a Spanish-speaking country.

Methods

A sample of 89 parents were assigned to the chatbot micro intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial study. Completion rates, engagement, satisfaction, net promoter score, and acceptability were analyzed.

Results

66.3% of the participants completed the intervention. Participants exchanged an average of 49.8 messages (SD = 1.53), provided an average satisfaction score of 4.19 (SD = .79), and reported that they would recommend the chatbot to other parents (net promoter score = 4.63/5; SD = .66). Acceptability level was high (ease of use = 4.66 [SD = .73]; comfortability = 4.76 [SD = .46]; lack of technical problems = 4.69 [SD = .59]; interactivity = 4.51 [SD = .77]; usefulness for everyday life = 4.75 [SD = .54]).

Conclusions

Overall, users completed the intervention at a high rate, engaged with the chatbot, were satisfied, would recommend it to others, and reported a high level of acceptability. Chatbots have the potential to teach parenting skills however research on the efficacy of parenting chatbot interventions is needed.
Decoupled acoustoelasticity equations and stable FD modeling for wave propagation in prestressed media
Authors: Yang Haidi , Fu Li-Yun , Müller Tobias M. , Fu Bo-Ye
Published: January 2023

Seismic exploration of deep oil/gas reservoirs involves wave propagation in high-pressure media. Acoustoelasticity with the third-order elastic constants can account for nonlinear strain responses due to stresses of finite magnitude. Since current seismic exploration depends primarily on P waves, further development in prospecting technology to handle deep reflection data will benefit from the ability to decouple the elastic waves from high-pressure deep formations. We decouple the first-order velocity-stress acoustoelasticity equations for wave propagation under isotropic (confining) and anisotropic (uniaxial and pure shear) prestress conditions. A rotated staggered-grid finite-difference (RSG-FD) method is used to solve the decoupled acoustoelasticity equations with an unsplit convolutional perfectly matched layer (CPML) absorbing boundary. Numerical examples demonstrate the significant impact of prestressed conditions on seismic responses in both phase and amplitude. The stress-induced seismic anisotropy with orthotropic characteristics is strongly related to the orientation of prestresses. We compare the coupled and the decoupled wavefields to validate the proposed decoupling method. Investigation of the influence of prestresses on the acoustoelastic decoupling illustrates that the isotropic prestress does not affect the decoupling, but the anisotropic prestresses significantly affect the decoupling accuracy.
A study on the shear strength characteristics and microscopic mechanism of coal-bearing soil under dry-wet cycles
Authors: Fan Yakun , Zheng Mingxin , Wu Junhua
Published: January 2023

The slope of coal-bearing strata distributed along the high-speed highway (railway) is affected by the atmospheric dry-wet cycles (DWC), and the collapse occurs many times during the construction of such highways, in Pingxiang city, in the province of Jiangxi. The DWC affect the strength characteristics of the unsaturated coal-bearing soil (CBS). In order to study the shear-strength characteristics of the unsaturated CBS under the DWC, the relationship between the shear strength and matric suction was analyzed by using direct shear test of the unsaturated CBS, the filter paper method of the matrix suction measurement, and the scanning electron microscope test. The internal reasons of shear strength attenuation of unsaturated CBS under DWC are revealed from microscopic perspective. The results show that the DWC at 0 to 4 times, with an increase in the water content, the clay domains expanded unevenly. Further, the clay minerals that served as the cementing junctions and soluble salts were softened and dissolved, and the bonding strength between the basic units and the cohesion of the samples decreased, so that the shear strength of unsaturated CBS samples decreased with an increase in the water content, and increased with the increase of matric suction. Under the influence of the DWC, the CBS samples slaked, the quartz matrix between the fissures slaked, and produce fragments and debris which reduced the size of large particles, and the bonding strength between the basic units was low. Therefore, the matric suction and the shear strength of the unsaturated CBS samples with the same moisture content, under the same normal pressure, decreased gradually with an increase in the number of the DWC. It is feasible to study the strength characteristics of unsaturated CBS by combining the test methods of macroscopic strength, matric suction and microstructure of soil.
Reservoir characteristics and genesis of the Lower Ordovician Tongzi Formation in central Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Zhou Li , Tang Hao , Li Yading , Tao Ruiqing , Yan Wei , Ma Tao , Pan Shuang , Du Yi , Tan Zhenbo , Yang Xuefei
Published: January 2023

Although the Ordovician petroleum exploration in the Sichuan Basin has been developed slowly for a long time, deepening the research of reservoir characteristics and genesis is still a robust way to accelerate it. This paper characterizes the Ordovician reservoirs in the central part of Sichuan Basin and analyzes their genesis based on cores, thin sections, well logs and drilling data. The results show the reservoirs concentrated in the Lower Ordovician Tongzi Formation, which consist mainly of sandy oolitic dolostones, bioclastic dolostones, fine crystalline dolostones, sandy dolomitized conglomerates, sandy dolostones and dolomite sandstone. The porosity types include interparticle pore, intraparticle pore, moldic pore, fracture and vug. Throats are mostly necked and flaky. The Tongzi Formation reservoirs mainly experienced three types of diageneses, including compaction, cementation and dissolution. The reservoir development was controlled by multiple factors of deposition, diagenesis and tectonics; the shoal facies is the basis, the penecontemporaneous dissolution and dolomitization are the main driving force, and the burial dissolution is the aid. The study can provide reference for deepening the Ordovician petroleum exploration and development in the Sichuan Basin.
Urinary cortisol is lower in pregnant women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI
Authors: Hohman Emily E. , Smyth Joshua M. , McNitt Katherine M. , Pauley Abigail M. , Symons Downs Danielle , Savage Jennifer S.
Published: January 2023

Background/objectives

Although cortisol levels increase during normal pregnancy, particularly high levels of cortisol or stress have been associated with adverse maternal/child outcomes. Obesity is associated with altered cortisol metabolism, but there is limited information on pregnancy-related changes in cortisol in pregnant women with overweight/obesity. The objective of this study was to examine weekly measures of urinary cortisol and perceived stress throughout ~10-36 weeks gestation, if levels differ by pre-pregnancy BMI categories, and whether concurrent measures of urinary cortisol and perceived stress are associated.

Methods

Longitudinal observational data from Healthy Mom Zone, a gestational weight management intervention, and an ancillary fetal growth study were combined. Pregnant women with normal (n=7), overweight (n=11), or obese (n=14) pre-pregnancy BMI were recruited at >8 weeks gestation. Overnight urinary cortisol and Perceived Stress Scale were measured weekly from ~10-36 weeks gestation.

Results

Higher pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with overall lower urinary cortisol throughout gestation, but rate of increase in urinary cortisol across pregnancy was similar across weight status groups. Women with obesity reported higher levels of overall perceived stress than normal weight women. Regardless of weight status, perceived stress was not associated with gestational age or cortisol.

Conclusions

Although women with obesity reported higher perceived stress, they had lower urinary cortisol than women with normal BMI, and gestation-related increases in cortisol were similar across weight groups and unrelated to perceived stress, suggesting that physiological factors that drive increases in cortisol as pregnancy may outweigh effects of stress and adiposity.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03945266, identifier (NCT03945266)
Accuracy of in vivo microCT imaging in assessing the microstructural properties of the mouse tibia subchondral bone
Authors: Oliviero S. , Millard E. , Chen Z. , Rayson A. , Roberts B.C. , Ismail H.M.S. , Bellantuono I. , Dall’Ara E.
Published: January 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases. OA is characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage as well as the underlying subchondral bone. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a subset of OA caused by mechanical trauma. Mouse models, such as destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), are useful to study PTOA. Ex vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) imaging is the predominant technique used to scan the mouse knee in OA studies. Nevertheless, in vivo microCT enables the longitudinal assessment of bone microstructure, reducing measurement variability and number of animals required. The effect of image resolution in measuring subchondral bone parameters was previously evaluated only for a limited number of parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of in vivo microCT imaging in measuring the microstructural properties of the mouse tibia trabecular and cortical subchondral bone, with respect to ex vivo high resolution imaging, in a DMM model of PTOA. Sixteen male C57BL/6J mice received DMM surgery or sham operation at 14 weeks of age (N=8 per group). The right knee of each mouse was microCT scanned in vivo (10.4μm voxel size) and ex vivo (4.35μm voxel size) at the age of 26 weeks. Each image was aligned to a reference image using rigid registration. The subchondral cortical bone plate thickness was measured at the lateral and medial condyles. Standard morphometric parameters were measured in the subchondral trabecular bone. In vivo microCT imaging led to significant underestimation of bone volume fraction (-14%), bone surface density (-3%) and trabecular number (-16%), whereas trabecular thickness (+3%) and separation (+5%) were significantly overestimated. Nevertheless, most trabecular parameters measured in vivo were well correlated with ex vivo measurements (R2 = 0.69-0.81). Degree of anisotropy, structure model index and connectivity density were measured in vivo with lower accuracy. Excellent accuracy was found for cortical thickness measurements. In conclusion, this study identified what bone morphological parameters can be reliably measured by in vivo microCT imaging of the subchondral bone in the mouse tibia. It highlights that this approach can be used to study longitudinal effects of diseases and treatments on the subchondral cortical bone and on most subchondral trabecular bone parameters, but systematic over- or under-estimations should be considered when interpreting the results.
Diverse nanocomposites as a potential dressing for diabetic wound healing
Authors: Renuka Remya Rajan , Julius Angeline , Yoganandham Suman Thodhal , Umapathy Dhamodharan , Ramadoss Ramya , Samrot Antony V. , Vijay Danis D.
Published: January 2023

Wound healing is a programmed process of continuous events which is impaired in the case of diabetic patients. This impaired process of healing in diabetics leads to amputation, longer hospitalisation, immobilisation, low self-esteem, and mortality in some patients. This problem has paved the way for several innovative strategies like the use of nanotechnology for the treatment of wounds in diabetic patients. The use of biomaterials, nanomaterials have advanced approaches in tissue engineering by designing multi-functional nanocomposite scaffolds. Stimuli-responsive scaffolds that interact with the wound microenvironment and controlled release of bioactive molecules have helped in overcoming barriers in healing. The use of different types of nanocomposite scaffolds for faster healing of diabetic wounds is constantly being studied. Nanocomposites have helped in addressing specific issues with respect to healing and improving angiogenesis. Method: A literature search was followed to retrieve the articles on strategies for wound healing in diabetes across several databases like PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane database. The search was performed in May 2022 by two researchers independently. They keywords used were “diabetic wounds, nanotechnology, nanocomposites, nanoparticles, chronic diabetic wounds, diabetic foot ulcer, hydrogel”. Exclusion criteria included insulin resistance, burn wound, dressing material.
Circulating apelin and chemerin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Yiming , Xin Caihong , Fan Huaying , Sun Xin , Wang Hongli
Published: January 2023

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common gynecological endocrine disorders. Apelin and chemerin are newly identified adipokines, which are higher in obesity and diabetes. Studies have found that the serum apelin and chemerin levels in patients with PCOS are significantly increased. However, other studies showed the opposite results. Therefore, the relationship between those two adipokines and PCOS is still controversial.

Aim

This meta-analysis was conducted to statistically evaluate the apelin and chemerin levels of patients with PCOS.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases for potential studies. “Polycystic ovary syndrome” or “PCOS” in combination with the terms “apelin” or “chemerin” were used as keywords search titles or abstracts. The publication period examined was between 1990 and 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined as the results of the meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 148 articles were initially retrieved, and 18 qualified articles were finally obtained through preliminary screening and quality evaluation. The publications together contain 1,265 cases and 894 controls. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the circulating chemerin levels in patients with PCOS were significantly higher than those in the controls (SMD: 0.79, 95% CI [0.36, 1.23]), and there was no significant difference in circulating apelin between patients with PCOS and controls (SMD: 0.57, 95% CI [-0.21, 1.35]).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate circulating apelin and chemerin levels in patients with PCOS. Our findings suggest that circulating chemerin levels of patients with PCOS are significantly higher than those of healthy controls.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=218316, identifier CRD42020218316.
Sperm telomere length as a novel biomarker of male infertility and embryonic development: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Yacheng , Tan Yangyang , Qiu Xiaolong , Luo Hengfeng , Li Yuxiang , Li Ruijie , Yang Xukai
Published: January 2023

Background

Telomeres have an essential role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the human chromosomal genome and preserving essential DNA biological functions. Several articles have been published on the association of STL with male semen parameters and clinical pregnancy. The results, however, are either inconclusive or inconsistent. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the accuracy and clinical value of sperm telomere length (STL) as a new marker for diagnosing male infertility and predicting the quality of embryonic development.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive systematic search for relevant publications in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid, from database build to August 2022. All experimental studies exploring the association of STL with male semen quality, male infertility, or embryonic development were included.

Results

Overall, Twelve prospective observational cohort studies (1700 patients) were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a positive linear correlation between STL and semen parameters. The optimal cut-off value for STL diagnosing male infertility was 1.0, with a sensitivity and specificity of 80%. Regarding STL and embryonic development, the clinical pregnancy rate was associated with longer STL, and there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding fertilization rate.

Conclusion

Our study showed that STL has good diagnostic and predictive value for male fertility and clinical pregnancy and could be used as a new biomarker for diagnosing male infertility and predicting embryonic development.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022303333.
Analysis of current protection in distribution networks with clean energy access
Authors: Kun Huang , Rong Cai , Jingtao Zhao , Xundong Gong , Guodong Huang
Published: January 2023

With the rapid development of the new energy industry, distributed generation (DG) is connected to the power grid on a large scale, and the traditional relay protection scheme is no longer suitable for modern power systems. In order to solve this problem, this paper establishes a mathematical model of the equivalent circuit of distributed photovoltaic power supply according to the external characteristics of photovoltaic cells, and analyzes its volt-ampmeter characteristics and voltage output characteristics of power supply. On this basis, it analyzes and puts forward the control mode of DG when the distribution network is faulty. On the basis of the study, this article has double feeder distribution network as an example, the analysis when the line fault occurring at different extents of DG connected to different position on the influence of the distribution network current protection, the results show that when answering DG side in the feeder bus for distribution network of current protection, pick a smaller effect on both ends of feeder, has a certain symmetry. Finally, the accuracy of theoretical analysis is verified by establishing a simulation model in PSCAD.
Safety analysis of representative accidental transients for a 100 MWe small modular LBE-cooled reactor
Authors: Chen Kang , Tang Chuntao , Qian Yalan , Lin Qian , Zhao Jinkun , Lei Yun
Published: January 2023

Nuclear energy plays an important role in the green low-carbon energy. The lead-based reactor is one of the most popular small modular reactor types. The pre-conceptual design of a 100 MW(e) small modular lead-bismuth eutectic cooled reactor was developed by Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute CO., LTD. to meet the market demand of advanced small-scale nuclear plant. Representative accidents were analyzed for the 100 MW(e) small modular lead-bismuth reactor using ATHLET/MOD 3. The result shows that under the design basis conditions, the performance of the reactor can meet the safety criteria with the protection system working normally. The coolant solidification in the primary circuit under these transients should be prevented. Under the design extension condition, the highest cladding temperature is much lower than the melting point. In the unprotected reactivity insertion condition, there may be a short time of local melting of the fuel, which also meet the acceptance criteria. The safety analysis demonstrated the passive safety of the design with the negative temperature coefficient, strong natural circulation capability, and the passive residual heat removal system.
Evaluating the impact of free trade zone construction on urban air pollution in China—Empirical evidence from a spatial differences-in-differences approach
Authors: Lou Bailu , Xie Baiwei , Liu Peng , Zhu Mingzi , Xu Wangzi
Published: January 2023

The construction of China’s Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is an important strategy for China’s thorough deepening of opening up and achievement of long-term high-quality development. Based on the panel data of 283 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2008–2019, this paper adopts the methods of Spatial Differences-in-Differences (SDID), Spatial Differences-in-Differences-in-Differences (SDDD), and spatial intermediary effect test to empirically examine the impact and the spatial spillover of China’s free trade zone on the environmental pollution of the pilot areas and its influencing mechanism. According to the findings of the study, the establishment of pilot free trade zones may suppress urban PM2.5 emissions by around 2.9 percent, and FTZs can also greatly enhance the air quality of neighboring cities. Further examination of the influencing mechanism reveals that the establishment of a FTZ inhibits PM2.5 pollution and has a significant positive spillover on PM2.5 reduction in surrounding cities by the following means: attracting more foreign direct investment; improving the industrial structure through increasing the proportion of tertiary industry; prompting the local government to strengthen environmental regulation as part of the FTZ’s supporting policies; increasing the investment in science and technology innovation, developing scientific and technological level to achieve green production. The empirical results of this paper are still robust after a series of robustness tests when the explained variable is replaced by the traditional air pollution indicator industrial nitrogen oxide emissions, another sort of spatial matrix is introduced, the propensity score matching SDID (PSM-SDID) and placebo tests as well as winsorize method are carried out. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of FTZs on air pollution is modified by changes in city size, geographic location and city type, according to heterogeneity analysis. Finally, this paper proposes feasible policy recommendations.
Integrated transcriptome and network analysis identifies EZH2/CCNB1/PPARG as prognostic factors in breast cancer
Authors: Li Yalun , Chen Gang , Zhang Kun , Cao Jianqiao , Zhao Huishan , Cong Yizi , Qiao Guangdong
Published: January 2023

Breast cancer (BC) has high morbidity, with significant relapse and mortality rates in women worldwide. Therefore, further exploration of its pathogenesis is of great significance. This study selected therapy genes and possible biomarkers to predict BC using bioinformatic methods. To this end, the study examined 21 healthy breasts along with 457 BC tissues in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and then identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Survival-associated DEGs were screened using the Kaplan–Meier curve. Based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, survival-associated DEGs were mostly associated with cell division and cellular response to hormone stimulus. The enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway was mostly correlated with cell cycle and tyrosine metabolism. Using overlapped survival-associated DEGs, a survival-associated PPI network was constructed. PPI analysis revealed three hub genes (EZH2, CCNB1, and PPARG) by their degree of connection. These hub genes were confirmed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-BRCA dataset and BC tissue samples. Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the molecular mechanism of the potential therapy and prognostic genes were evaluated. Thus, hub genes were shown to be associated with KEGG_CELL_CYCLE and VANTVEER_BREAST_CANCER_POOR_PROGNOSIS gene sets. Finally, based on integrated bioinformatics analysis, this study identified three hub genes as possible prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BC. The results obtained further understanding of the underground molecular mechanisms related to BC occurrence and prognostic outcomes.
Mindful parenting—A thematic exploration of narratives from Indian mothers
Authors: Mazumdar Ketoki , Parekh Sneha , Sen Isha
Published: January 2023

Introduction

With the global crisis of COVID-19 continuing, Indian mothers have not received adequate attention with respect to their challenges and mothering experiences. The current study explored mindful parenting practices in a cohort of Indian mothers of children aged 10 years and below that emerged in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Methods

In-depth virtual interviews were conducted with 31 urban Indian mothers to explore their lived experiences of mothering during the global crisis and their engagements with mindful parenting practices. The data were thematically analyzed.

Results and Discussion

The study identified two overarching themes and nine subthemes. The first theme, pandemic-induced stress, included the sub-themes of increased workload, poor support system, lack of time for self, and emotional and physical distress. The second theme of mindful parenting included the sub-themes of awareness as a mother and around the child, acceptance toward self and the child, empathic understanding of self and the child, active engagement with the child, and emotional regulation. Increased workload on all fronts coupled with poor support and a lack of time for self-contributed to exacerbated emotional and physical stress in mothers. They addressed these concerns posed by their lived experiences by engaging in mindful parenting processes in their mothering practices. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based parenting techniques could be explored as possible interventions for mothers to alleviate their distress while drawing attention to larger structural changes and policy-level interventions addressing social issues such as gender inequality and childcare concerns.
The politics of statelessness, refugeehood, and humanitarianism of the Rohingyas
Authors: Kaveri  , Rajan S. Irudaya
Published: January 2023

Undoubtedly, the Rohingya crisis has been one among the most discussed issue in the last few years. The political exclusion and persecution revolve around the fault lines of modern nation-states built along the ethno-religious lines, making them the most persecuted minority in the world. Especially, post-global denunciation of the military crackdown in August 2017 and the United Nations accusing the country of “ethnic cleansing and genocide” led to the massive exodus of people to the neighboring countries and beyond. Yet, the existing political and protection space for stateless Rohingya refugees is extremely volatile due to the absence of legal mechanisms, un-documentedness, and rising security concerns globally often criminalizing them as illegal migrants/immigrants or threats to national security. Forcing them to live under continuous threat of detention, deportation, and forced relocation further tarnishes their identity between the man and the citizen, dumping them into a socio-legal limbo. Based on the ethnographic inquiry conducted among stateless Rohingya refugees living in semi-urban ghettoes of India- Delhi, Mewat, Hyderabad and Jammu, the article looks into the historical and political trajectory of exclusion, resistance, and counter-resilience of stateless Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar along exploring their refracted and displaced realities and complexities of “life” in asylum and protracted refugees in India. And, the responses made by national and international agencies to the crisis. In doing so, it provides a grim insight into the inadequate, inconsistent and highly uncoordinated national and international response to care and protection and aid politics that have contributed to the collective failure in addressing the crisis. Thereby, the study attempts to bring forth the wider debate upon issues of state and statehood, rights and humanitarianism within the nation-state paradigm.