bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why upright standing men urinate more efficiently than in supine position: A morphological analysis with real‐time magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Shimatani Kimihiro , Soufi Mazen , Sato Yoshinobu , Yamamoto Shingo , Kanematsu Akihiro
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Few studies have examined the effects of body position on urination efficiency morphologically. We aimed to dissect out the anatomical changes of pelvic organs during urination in the upright and supine positions by a real‐time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) system.

Methods

Thirteen healthy male volunteers aged 26–60 years were included in the study. The sagittal real‐time two‐dimensional images were taken to evaluate urinary efficiency, along with change in six morphological indices at the time of storage and the beginning of voiding, in both upright ant supine positions.

Results

Urination was more efficient in upright position than in supine position, as expressed by higher average rate of bladder emptying (9.9 ± 4.2 vs. 6.8 ± 2.9 ml/s, p < 0.05) and also by fewer participants showing significant residual urine (1/13 vs. 7/13, p < 0.05). At the onset of voiding in standing position, the levator ani (LA) muscle moves downward and backward followed by descent of the bladder neck and rotation of the prostate around the symphysis. Such changes were expressed by two morphological indices. One was posterior vesicourethral angle at the start of voiding, 152 ± 7 versus 140 ± 1 in upright and supine position (p < 0.05). The other index was the change in angle between the LA line and pubo‐coccygeal line in upright and supine position, 9.4 ± 9.9 versus 1.6 ± 7.9 before voiding (p < 0.05) and 30.2 ± 14.0 versus 17.3 ± 12.9 after the start of voiding (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The dynamic relaxation of LA seemed to be a key movement that enables more efficient urination in standing position than in supine position.
Detection of karst caves during tunnel construction using ground‐penetrating radar and advanced drilling: A case study in Guangxi Province, China
Authors: Lan Riyan , Liu Zonghui , Liu Maomao , Guan Qiyu , Yan Yuanfang , Sun Huaifeng , Zhou Dong
Published: April 2022

In karst topography, hidden caves or underground rivers may imperil the safety of tunnels. It is critical to accurately detect the location and geometric shape of hidden karst caves for assessing the safety of tunnels. This paper reports a case where a large karst cave was exposed during the construction of the Nongmo tunnel in Duan County, Guangxi, China. A 2D ground‐penetrating radar survey was employed to preliminarily detect the distribution of hidden karst caves along the tunnel axis. Advanced drilling was used to obtain the velocity of electromagnetic waves and verify the 2D ground‐penetrating radar detection. Ground‐penetrating radar 3D grid detection was carried out for further detecting the geometric shape of the hidden karst caves. Rotary thrust power ratio, which is a function of drilling speed, rotating speed, propulsion pressure and torque, was proposed to reflect the integrity of the surrounding rocks. It was found that the depth of the peak value in the rotary thrust power ratio curve is consistent with that of the amplitude jump in ground‐penetrating radar A‐scans and in time–frequency distributions. The results of 3D attributes analysis indicate that due to the variation of highlights in different ground‐penetrating radar signal attributes, the obtained karst cave shapes using different attributes would be various. A multi‐attributes fusion method was proposed to generate a data volume considering various attributes. The 2D geometric shapes at different depths were obtained using the anomalous body lineament in the generated date volume slices. The 3D geometric shapes were reproduced by combining the obtained 2D geometric shapes at various depths. Based on different detection and analysis methods, the outline shape of karst caves at YK364 + 199 ∼ YK364 + 184 of the Nongmo tunnel was revealed in detail.
The use of virtual reality during medical procedures in a pediatric orthopedic setting: A mixed‐methods pilot feasibility study
Authors: Addab Sofia , Hamdy Reggie , Le May Sylvie , Thorstad Kelly , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: April 2022

Medical procedures cause pain and anxiety in children. Distraction techniques, including virtual reality (VR), may be used in healthcare settings to reduce rates of undertreated procedural pain and anxiety. A mixed‐methods, concurrent triangulation design was piloted at a pediatric orthopedic hospital to assess the feasibility, clinical utility, tolerability, and initial clinical efficacy of VR distraction during medical procedures received by patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions. Questionnaire, scale, interview, observation, and focus group data were collected from patients, their parents, and healthcare professionals. Triangulation of key quantitative and qualitative findings produced final themes and meta‐themes. A total of 44 patients and their parents undergoing intravenous insertions (n = 30), pin removals (n = 7), blood draws (n = 3), Botox injections (n = 2), dressing change (n = 1), and urodynamic test (n = 1) were recruited along with 11 healthcare professionals performing the medical procedures. The following themes resulted from triangulation of data sources: VR intervention was (a) feasible because VR was easily implemented into the clinical workflow, (b) clinically useful as VR was accepted by stakeholders and easy to use, (c) tolerable as VR caused minimal discomfort, and (d) showed initial clinical efficacy in managing procedural pain and anxiety. These findings will inform policies and procedures for VR use in practice and a sustainable implementation across the [name of hospital removed for peer review] network.
Serum homocysteine level in pediatric patients with COVID‐19 and its correlation with the disease severity
Authors: Fouda Eman M. , Wahba Nancy S. , Elsharawy Asmaa I. M. , Ishak Sally R.
Published: April 2022

Background

Thrombosis and embolism are possible complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)‐19‐positive pediatric patients. Although the risk is lesser in children than it is in adults, it does exist during acute infection and multi‐inflammatory syndrome in children. Biomarkers such asd‐dimer, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen degradation products are ineffective at detecting disease severity. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a prothrombotic factor that has been reported to be higher in adult COVID‐19 patients, leading to speculation that it could be used as a biomarker for disease severity.

Purpose

To detect the correlation between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the severity of COVID‐19 in pediatrics.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 40 children with COVID‐19 and 40 healthy control subjects. Serum tHcy was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and correlated with the clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters of the patients.

Results

The median serum tHcy level in COVID‐19 patients was 27.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 23–31.75) μmol/L, while that in the controls was 1.8 (IQR: 1.6–1.875) μmol/L. There was a statistically significant increase in the tHcy level in cases compared to controls (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum tHcy and
d‐dimer, ferritin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and a highly significant positive correlation between tHcy and COVID‐19 reporting and data system score, pediatric intensive care unit admission, and the disease severity classification.

Conclusion

Hcy could be a biomarker of importance in predicting the severity of COVID‐19 in pediatrics.
Importance of chemical polymorphism in modern crop protection
Authors: Olenik Britta , Keil Birgit , Jeschke Peter
Published: April 2022

The development of agrochemical products faces many scientific challenges. After selection of an agrochemical candidate its properties will have to be optimized to guarantee best bioavailability and stability under many different conditions in various formulation types. These challenges are influenced by the solid‐state properties of the active ingredient and this makes the selection of an optimized solid‐state form of modern agrochemicals at early development stages very valuable. The increasing awareness of the solid state of agrochemicals is reflected in the importance of polymorphism patent applications, which may enhance the risk of litigations. This review aims to present strategies for the solid‐form selection process of agrochemical development candidates. It introduces the different techniques for crystallization and analytics and demonstrates the influence of the solid state on different formulation types. © 2022 The Authors.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Optimization of a pheromone lure by analyzing the peripheral coding of sex pheromones of Spodoptera frugiperda in China
Authors: Wang Chan , Zhang Sai , Guo Meng‐Bo , Hou Xiao‐Qing , Yang Bin , Wang Gui‐Rong
Published: April 2022

BACKGOUND

Sex pheromones of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, show differences in composition and proportions in different geographical populations, but always contain Z9‐14:OAc as the major component. Odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in the long trichoid sensilla (TS) of male antennae are essential to detect female‐released sex pheromones in moths.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified seven components from pheromone gland extracts of female S. frugiperda in the Yunnan population from China, including (Z)‐7‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z7‐12:OAc), (Z)‐9‐tetradecenal (Z9‐14:Ald), (Z)‐9‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z9‐12:OAc), (Z)‐9‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc), (E)‐11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate (E11‐14:OAc), (Z)‐11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z11‐14:OAc) and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z11‐16:OAc) at a ratio of 1.2:4:0.8:79.1:1.6:1.6:11.7 by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography‐electroantennographic detection showed that Z9‐14:OAc, Z7‐12:OAc and Z11‐16:OAc are the male antennal active components. Peripheral coding of pheromones in males was investigated by single sensillum recording. Five functional neurons housed in three types of TS were identified based on profiles of neuronal responses, which are responsible for attractive component Z9‐14:OAc, synergistic components Z7‐12:OAc, Z11‐16:OAc, interspecific pheromones (Z)‐9‐tetradecen‐1‐ol (Z9‐14:OH) and (Z,E)‐9,12‐tetradecadien‐1‐yl acetate (Z9,E12‐14:OAc), respectively. Wind tunnel and field tests demonstrated that a ternary combination of Z9‐14:OAc, Z7‐12:OAc and Z11‐16:OAc at a ratio of 88:1:11 shows the strongest attractiveness to males.

Conclusion

An optimized pheromone blend of Z9‐14:OAc, Z7‐12:OAc and Z11‐16:OAc in an 88:1:11 ratio was identified for monitoring the invasive pest S. frugiperda in China. Five functional ORNs encoding intra‐ and interspecific pheromones were identified in male antennae, of which three neurons encode attractive component Z9‐14:OAc, synergistic components Z7‐12:OAc and Z11‐16:OAc, respectively, and the other two neurons encode interspecific pheromones Z9‐14:OH and Z9,E12‐14:OAc, separately. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Notoginsenoside R1 ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction to circumvent neuronal energy failure in acute phase of focal cerebral ischemia
Authors: Liu Bowen , Zhao Tingting , Li Yiyang , Han Yan , Xu Youhua , Yang Hua , Wang Shengpeng , Zhao Yonghua , Li Ping , Wang Yitao
Published: April 2022

Due to sudden loss of cerebral blood circulation, acute ischemic stroke (IS) causes neuronal energy attenuation or even exhaustion by mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in aggravation of neurological injury. In this study, we investigated if Notoginsenoside R1 ameliorated cerebral energy metabolism by limiting neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction in acute IS. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (260–280 g) were selected and performed by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model. In vitro, the oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model of Neuro2a (N2a) cells was established. We found Notoginsenoside R1 treatment reduced rats' cerebral infarct volume and neurological deficits, with increased Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level together with upregulated expression of glucose transporter 1/3, monocarboxylate transporter 1 and citrate synthase in brain peri‐ischemic tissue. In vitro, OGD‐induced N2a cell death was inhibited, cell mitochondrial morphology was improved. Mitochondrial amount, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial DNA copy number were increased by Notoginsenoside R1 administration. Furthermore, mitochondrial energy metabolism‐related mRNA array found Atp12a and Atp6v1g3 gene expression were upregulated more than twofold, which were also verified in rat ischemic tissue by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Therefore, Notoginsenoside R1 administration increases cerebral glucose and lactate transportation and ATP levels, ameliorates neuronal mitochondrial function after IS. Notoginsenoside R1 may be a novel protective agent for neuronal mitochondria poststroke.
Evaluation of food packaging paper for microbial load and storage effect on the microbial activity of paper
Authors: Zaidi Saher , Vats Mudita , Kumar Nitin , Janbade Anuradha , Gupta Manoj Kumar
Published: April 2022

Paper and paper board are an ideal choice of packaging material due to their biodegradability. They are safer than commonly used plastic packaging materials. But due to the presence of carbon sources like cellulose and starch in paper, various pathogenic and non‐pathogenic microbes can grow well in them. The migration of microorganisms or their spores from paper to food may cause serious health hazards. Taking consumer concerns into picture, the regulatory authorities should come up for food packaging standards with regard to microbial limits of paper used in food packaging. This study pinpoints the correct approach, that is, the disintegration method in comparison to direct plating in evaluating the microbial load of 14 different samples of paper by demonstrating the limitations of methods that were eliminated. The samples were also tested for storage effect on microbial load and found to have significant reduction in bacterial load during storage at 4°C, but for fungi, it remained nearly unchanged. Further identification of predominating microbes was performed, and conclusions have been drawn on the presence of harmful and harmless species in the samples of paper. It was found that all the identified fungi are mycotoxin producing and may lead to illness of the consumer. Unlike fungi, dominating bacterial strains were found to be non‐harmful for food packaging purposes and ultimately for human use. Overall, there is an immediate need to set microbial limit standards in food packaging paper and paperboard in order to supply safe and hygiene food to consumers.
Clinical manifestations of a new alpha‐1 antitrypsin genetic variant: Q0parma
Authors: Aiello Marina , Frizzelli Annalisa , Marchi Laura , Ferrarotti Ilaria , Piloni Davide , Pelà Giovanna , De Simoni Alessandro , D'Aloisio Lorenzo , Calzetta Luigino , Chetta Alfredo
Published: April 2022

Alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal, codominant disorder caused by mutations of the SERPINA1 gene. Several mutations of SERPINA1 have been described associated with the development of pulmonary emphysema and/or chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Here, we report a very rare PI*Q0parma variant identified for the first time in an Italian family originally from the city of Parma in Northern Italy
Emerging UAV technology for disaster detection, mitigation, response, and preparedness
Authors: Khan Amina , Gupta Sumeet , Gupta Sachin Kumar
Published: April 2022

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have gained significant interest in research groups due to the wide range of applications, such as disaster surveillance and monitoring, rescue operations, military, civil, and so forth. UAVs are most often used to fulfill both user's services and requirements such as wireless communication facilities to end‐users, as a relay node to extend the coverage of the core network, and so forth. UAVs are versatile in design and can cover larger areas, contrary to the Tethered Balloon and Loon Balloon systems. Generally in any natural or human‐made disaster, there is a high potential risk of damage to buildings, transport systems, communication systems, and basic services. During heavy disasters like landslides, forest fires, floods, earthquakes, and so forth, the conventional terrestrial communication system gets destroyed, and people face many problems. In this case, UAVs prove to offer a better solution to provide fast, cost‐effective, easy to deploy, and secure wireless communication to the victims. But there are some issues like interference between UAVs and other base stations, coordination between UAVs, Quality of Service requirements, Size, Weight, and Power limitation, delay, coverage, positioning of UAVs, and so forth. This study article mainly highlighted these issues and try to present the recent developments of the state‐of‐the‐art to overcome these issues. In UAV communications, with an increasing emphasis on how UAVs can be integrated with different technologies, such as the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Network, Heterogeneous Network, and Cloud computing. The primary aim of this article is to examine how UAVs can assist survivors in floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, or in any natural or human‐made disaster situations, either in the present or soon. Also, it focused on various applications of UAVs in disaster management (DM). It underlines the significance of UAVs in DM and their advantages. It also focuses on the various issues and challenges faced by the UAV‐based infrastructure and security issues and gives future directions.
Flexible and Safe Additives‐Based Zinc‐Binder‐Free‐Hierarchical MnO2‐Solid Alkaline Polymer Battery for Potential Wearable Applications
Authors: Poosapati Aswani , Ambade Rohan B. , Madan Deepa
Published: April 2022

The next‐generation flexible wearable electronics are among the most rapidly growing industries due to their extended use in everyday applications resulting in an increased demand for cheaper, safer, and flexible energy storage devices. This study aims to investigate and enhance the overall performance of a Zn‐MnO2 alkaline battery and make it suitable for safe and flexible wearable applications. To achieve high cyclability and performance of the cathode, issues of low active‐material availability for redox reactions and inactive‐phase formations are overcome by fabricating a binder‐free hierarchical (increased surface area) additives (enabled reversible compound formation) based MnO2 cathode. Furthermore, zinc/stainless steel composite anode (to reduce anode shape changes) and calcium hydroxide coated polymer electrolyte (to stop zincate ion transfer) are used to improve cyclability. By assembling the above mentioned layers, excellent rate capabilities, high‐capacity utilization (487 mAh g−1), long cycling stabilities (1000 cycles with 70% retention), and high energy density (400 Wh kg−1) are achieved. Moreover, bending, hammering, puncturing, and lighting up an light emitting diode are conducted (under flat, bent, and cut) to demonstrate the cells’ safety, flexibility, and robustness. The successful findings in this study can chart new pathways to the development of safe, flexible, and cost‐effective next‐generation energy storage sources for wearables.
Equilibrated PtIr/IrOx Atomic Heterojunctions on Ultrafine 1D Nanowires Enable Superior Dual‐Electrocatalysis for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Huang Hongpu , Fu Luhong , Kong Weiqiang , Ma Hairui , Zhang Xue , Cai Junlin , Wang Shupeng , Xie Zhaoxiong , Xie Shuifen
Published: April 2022

Dual‐active‐sites atomically coupled on ultrafine 1D nanowires (NWs) can offer synergic atomic heterojunctions (AHJs) and high atomic‐utilization toward multipurpose and superior catalysis. Here, ≈2‐nm‐thick PtIr/IrOx hybrid NWs are elaborately synthesized with equilibrated Pt/IrOx AHJs as high‐efficiency bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. Mechanism studies reveal the atomically coupled Pt–IrOx dual‐sites are favorable for facilitating water dissociation, alleviating the binding of H* on Pt sites and inversely regulating the *OH adsorption and oxidation on bridge Ir–Ir sites. By simply equilibrating the Pt–IrOx ratio, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can be substantially accelerated. In particular, Pt‐rich PtIr/IrOx‐30 NWs attain 11‐fold enhancements for HER compared to Pt/C in 1.0 m KOH, while IrOx‐rich PtIr/IrOx‐50 NWs express about five times mass activity referring to Ir/C for OER. Remarkably, the ratio‐optimized PtIr/IrOx NWs electrode couple achieves a durably continuous H2 production under a substantially low cell voltage.
Transport Vibration and Shock Characteristics of A110 kV/40MVAVehicular Mobile Transformer
Authors: Fan Yadong , Xu Bing , Wang Jianguo , Wu Jinglu , Liu Zeting , Cai Li
Published: April 2022

Vehicular mobile transformers will suffer from frequent vibration and shock during transportation, which may lead to the damage of transformers. In order to understand the characteristics of vibration and shock during transportation, the three‐axis vibration and shock acceleration of a 110 kV/40MVA vehicular mobile transformer was measured by using a self‐developed transportation condition monitoring system. The time‐domain characteristics and frequency‐domain characteristics were analyzed. The relationship of vibration and shock acceleration with driving speed was also discussed. Results show that they‐axis vibration and shock acceleration is generally the lowest. The main frequency ofx‐axis acceleration is 4–8 Hz, whiley‐axis acceleration is 1–7 Hz and 25–28 Hz, andz‐axis acceleration is 1–5 Hz. The related scattered points of the vibration acceleration with the driving speed are approximately distributed on a straight line, and that of the shock acceleration with the driving speed are approximately distributed on an exponential function curve. According to the limitation of 3 g vibration and shock acceleration in international standards, the driving speed of the 110 kV vehicular mobile transformer in highway, highway ramp and the first class road are suggested to be limited to 66, 51, and 49 km/h, respectively. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
HybridTDPEEC/FDTDMethod for Lightning Transient Analysis in Solar Panels
Authors: Qi Ruihan , Ding Yuxuan , Du Yaping , Cai Hansheng , Jia Lei , Xiao Xiaobing , Liu Anjiang , Li Yue
Published: April 2022

Solar energy is one of the clean renewable energy, which plays an important role in energy strategy. As the solar panels of photovoltaic system are installed on the outdoor roof or open area, lightning is an important threat to the safe and stable operation of photovoltaic power generation system. Because of mutual coupling among the fine‐structure solar panel, the ground and the buried wire grid, special techniques are required to develop for simulating transients in the panels. In this paper, a hybrid time domain partial element equivalent circuit/finite difference time domain (TD‐PEEC/FDTD) method was proposed to solve the electromagnetic coupling problem of the coexistence of electrically large targets and electrically small target. The FDTD method was suitable for modeling fields in inhomogeneous media, while the TD‐PEEC method was efficient in modeling elaborate wires. By using the principle of equivalence, the algorithm and the target were parallelized in different regions, which can improve the efficiency of calculation to the greatest extent on the premise of ensuring the correctness and accuracy. Compared with the traditional FDTD method, the feasibility of the hybrid method was verified. Finally, the method was applied to the lightning transient analysis of the inclined photovoltaic panel in the process of indirect lightning stroke. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Reconstruction of the Internal Magnetic Configuration of Two Merging Spherical Tokamak Plasmas by External Probe Measurement and MHD Simulation
Authors: Ahmadi Tara , Ono Yasushi , Tanabe Hiroshi , Cai Yunhan
Published: April 2022

A novel model to reconstruct the magnetic configuration inside the TS‐6 spherical tokamak during the merging start‐up is presented, utilizing the external magnetic measurements with a 2D Hall‐MHD numerical simulation. A number of zero size numerical coils outside the measurement domain are responsible to produce the same poloidal flux values as the ones measured by the external probes located on the measurement boundary. This study shows that the reconstruction agrees with the measured one by 6% deviation during the merging. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Health status and risk profiles for brain aging of rural‐dwelling older adults: Data from the interdisciplinary baseline assessments in MIND‐China
Authors: Wang Yongxiang , Han Xiaolei , Zhang Xianda , Zhang Zhonglin , Cong Lin , Tang Shi , Hou Tingting , Liu Cuicui , Han Xiaojuan , Zhang Qinghua , Feng Jianli , Yin Ling , Song Lin , Dong Yi , Liu Rui , Li Yuanjing , Ngandu Tiia , Kivipelto Miia , Snyder Heather , Carrillo Maria , Persson Jonas , Fratiglioni Laura , Launer Lenore J , Jia Jianping , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Multidomain intervention approaches have emerged as a potential strategy to reduce dementia risk. We sought to describe the baseline assessment approaches, health conditions, and risk profiles for brain aging of participants in the randomized controlled Multimodal INterventions to delay Dementia and disability in rural China (MIND‐China).

Methods

MIND‐China engaged residents who were ≥60 years of age and living in rural communities in the western Shandong province. In March to September 2018, all participants underwent the core module assessments via face‐to‐face interviews, clinical examinations, neuropsychological testings, and laboratory tests. Specific modules of examination were performed for sub‐samples, including brain magnetic resonance imaging scans, genetic and blood biochemical markers, actigraphy testing, cardiopulmonary coupling analysis for sleep quality and disturbances, audiometric testing, and optical coherence tomography examination. We performed descriptive analysis.

Results

In total, 5765 participants (74.9% of all eligible residents) undertook the baseline assessments. The mean age was 70.9 years (standard deviation, 5.9), 57.2% were women, 40.6% were illiterate, and 88.3% were farmers. The overall prevalence of common chronic diseases was 67.2% for hypertension, 23.4% for dyslipidemia, 23.5% for heart disease, 14.4% for diabetes mellitus, and 5.4% for dementia. The prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, heart disease, depressive symptoms, and dementia were higher in women than in men (P < .05). Overall, 87.1% of the participants had at least two of the 15 chronic diseases (89.3% in women vs 84.2% in men, P < .001). Participants examined for the specific modules were younger, more likely to be women, and more educated than those not examined.

Discussion

Comprehensive baseline assessments of participants in MIND‐China provide extremely valuable data sources for interdisciplinary research into the complex relationships of aging, health, brain aging, and functional consequences among older adults living in the rural communities.

Highlights

MIND‐China is a multimodal intervention study among rural residents ≥60 years of age.

At baseline, 5765 participants undertook the interdisciplinary assessments.

The baseline assessments consisted of core module and specific modules.

Specific modules included brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood biomarkers, ActiGraph, cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC), pure‐tone audiometry (PTA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
‘We need ethical review processes for extreme clinical companion animal practices’
Authors: Fordyce Peter
Published: April 2022

Peter Fordyce argues that clinical ethical review processes in centres where extreme clinical companion animal practice occurs are needed to help reduce moral distress felt by team members, and reassure the public that the profession is acting ‘competently and humanely’ when it comes to such procedures.
David Bowen Lloyd George
Authors:   JMM and MP
Published: April 2022

A practitioner who went on to study law, which led to high office roles in London, before retirement enabled him to follow other interests.
Modular flavour symmetries and modulus stabilisation
Authors: Novichkov P. P. , Penedo J. T. , Petcov S. T.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We study the problem of modulus stabilisation in the framework of the modular symmetry approach to the flavour problem. By analysing simple UV-motivated CP-invariant potentials for the modulus τ we find that a class of these potentials has (non-fine-tuned) CP-breaking minima in the vicinity of the point of $$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_3^{ST} $$

ℤ
3
ST

residual symmetry, τ ≃ e2πi/3. Stabilising the modulus at these novel minima breaks spontaneously the CP symmetry and can naturally explain the mass hierarchies of charged leptons and possibly of quarks.
The generalized first law for more general matter
Authors: Chen Hong Zhe
Published: April 2022

Abstract

In previous work, a first law of generalized entropy was derived from semiclassical gravitational dynamics around thermal setups using an assumed relation between the matter modular Hamiltonian and the gravitational stress tensor. Allowing for non-minimal coupling between curvature and any tensor matter fields, we show however, that the modular Hamiltonian of thermal states is given by the integrated bulk Noether current associated to time translation plus a spacetime boundary term. One generally cannot express this in terms of gravitational stress tensor components. Still, working with the correct expression for the modular Hamiltonian, we are able to recover a first law of generalized entropy, with added benefits over the previous result. Firstly, any Wald-Dong contributions to generalized entropy resulting from non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature are included. Secondly, in gravitational equations of motion, we allow for a non-vanishing stress tensor expectation value in the unperturbed background and state, and account for background field perturbations as part of its variation. Finally, the quantum matter is allowed to contribute nontrivially to asymptotic energy, e.g. as is necessary, even for a minimally coupled Maxwell field, to recover the expected thermodynamic first law of charged black holes.
Duals of Feynman Integrals. Part II. Generalized unitarity
Authors: Caron-Huot Simon , Pokraka Andrzej
Published: April 2022

Abstract

The first paper of this series introduced objects (elements of twisted relative cohomology) that are Poincaré dual to Feynman integrals. We show how to use the pairing between these spaces — an algebraic invariant called the intersection number — to express a scattering amplitude over a minimal basis of integrals, bypassing the generation of integration-by-parts identities. The initial information is the integrand on cuts of various topologies, computable as products of on-shell trees, providing a systematic approach to generalized unitarity. We give two algorithms for computing the multi-variate intersection number. As a first example, we compute 4- and 5-point gluon amplitudes in generic space-time dimension. We also examine the 4-dimensional limit of our formalism and provide prescriptions for extracting rational terms.
Trampolinspringen-induzierte Makrohämaturie
Authors: Cox Alexander , Hofmann A. , Neissner C. , Federle C. , Rösch W. H.
Published: April 2022

Es wird über den Fall eines 12-jährigen Jungen mit sportinduzierter, rezidivierender Makrohämaturie und linksseitigen Flankenschmerzen berichtet. Nach umfangreicher laborchemischer sowie bildgebender Diagnostik wird in Zusammenschau des charakteristischen klinischen Bildes die Diagnose Nussknackersyndrom gestellt. Unter konservativen Maßnahmen sowie Verzicht auf den auslösenden Sport kam es zu einer klinischen sowie bildmorphologisch bestätigten Maturation.
Cost-utility analysis of teriflunomide in naïve vs. previously treated patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Italy
Authors: Lazzaro Carlo , Bergamaschi Roberto , Zaffaroni Mauro , Totaro Rocco , Paolicelli Damiano
Published: April 2022

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) accounts for 176 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (female/male ratio = 2:1) in Italy. For most of the patients (67%), the disease course is relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS).

Objective

To compare the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of teriflunomide in RRMS naïve patients vs. RRMS patients previously treated (experienced) with other disease-modifying therapies in Italy.

Methods

A four health states Markov model-supported cost-utility analysis (CUA) covering a 7-year timespan through annual cycles was developed, following the healthcare sector and the societal viewpoints. Part of the parameters that populated the Markov model was obtained from a questionnaire administered to four primary Italian MS centres. Costs of healthcare and non-healthcare resources, expressed in euro (€) 2019, and QALYs were discounted at 3% real social discount rate. One-way, scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses tested the uncertainty of the baseline findings.

Results

Baseline CUA shows that teriflunomide in RRMS naïve patients is strongly dominant vs. experienced patients (healthcare sector perspective: − €1042.68 and + 0.480 QALYs; societal perspective: − €6782.81 and + 0.480 QALYs). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the baseline results.

Conclusion

Teriflunomide in RRMS naïve vs. experienced patients is cost-effective and possibly strongly dominant from both the healthcare sector and the society viewpoints in Italy. Our findings need further confirmation from real-world studies.
“Dark patterns” in online services: a motivating study and agenda for future research
Authors: Runge Julian , Wentzel Daniel , Huh Ji Young , Chaney Allison
Published: April 2022

Some companies offering online services employ tactics that make it hard for customers to quit their accounts. These tactics are commonly referred to as “dark patterns” and may include hiding the cancelation procedure, asking customers to go through an excessive number of steps to complete the cancelation, or simply not letting customers quit their accounts straight away. Arguably, dark patterns are the result of misaligned incentives between companies and customers as companies can still benefit from their customers’ data even if they no longer use the companies’ services. Against this background, the authors conduct an observational survey of the state of current market practice and call for future research that enhances our understanding of dark patterns, their organizational antecedents, customers’ psychological responses to these tactics, and the wider consequences of dark patterns for firms and markets.
Breaking the right way: a closer look at how we dissolve commitments
Authors: Chennells Matthew , Michael John
Published: April 2022

Joint action enables us to achieve our goals more efficiently than we otherwise could, and in many cases to achieve goals that we could not otherwise achieve at all. It also presents us with the challenge of determining when and to what extent we should rely on others to make their contributions. Interpersonal commitments can help with this challenge – namely by reducing uncertainty about our own and our partner’s future actions, particularly when tempting alternative options are available to one or more parties. How we know whether a commitment is in place need not, however, be based on an explicit, identifiable event; in many cases, joint action is stabilized by individuals’ experience of an implicit sense of commitment, which is sensitive to subtle situational cues such as the effort costs invested by one or more agents. While an emerging body of work has investigated the conditions under which a sense of commitment may emerge and/or be strengthened, little attention has been paid to the conditions under which people are comfortable dissolving commitments. Specifically, what are the factors that modulate people’s motivation and which determine whether circumstances merit the dissolution of a commitment? After evaluating and rejecting the answers to this question suggested by standard approaches to commitment, we develop a new approach. The core insight which we articulate and defend is that, when considering whether new information or changing circumstances merit the dissolution of a commitment, people virtually bargain with their partners, performing a simulation of a bargaining process with the other person, including imagining how the other will feel and act towards them, and what effect this will have on them. The output of this simulation is a consciously accessible, affective state which provides motivation either to dissolve the commitment or to persist in it. Overall, our account expands our understanding of the phenomenology of being motivated to act committed in joint activity, an area in which existing accounts of interpersonal commitment fall short.
Clustering-enhanced stock price prediction using deep learning
Authors: Li Man , Zhu Ye , Shen Yuxin , Angelova Maia
Published: April 2022

In recent years, artificial intelligence technologies have been successfully applied in time series prediction and analytic tasks. At the same time, a lot of attention has been paid to financial time series prediction, which targets the development of novel deep learning models or optimize the forecasting results. To optimize the accuracy of stock price prediction, in this paper, we propose a clustering-enhanced deep learning framework to predict stock prices with three matured deep learning forecasting models, such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The proposed framework considers the clustering as the forecasting pre-processing, which can improve the quality of the training models. To achieve the effective clustering, we propose a new similarity measure, called Logistic Weighted Dynamic Time Warping (LWDTW), by extending a Weighted Dynamic Time Warping (WDTW) method to capture the relative importance of return observations when calculating distance matrices. Especially, based on the empirical distributions of stock returns, the cost weight function of WDTW is modified with logistic probability density distribution function. In addition, we further implement the clustering-based forecasting framework with the above three deep learning models. Finally, extensive experiments on daily US stock price data sets show that our framework has achieved excellent forecasting performance with overall best results for the combination of Logistic WDTW clustering and LSTM model using 5 different evaluation metrics.
Particulate matter emissions during autopsies: a method to reduce exposure
Authors: Dröge Janis , Moussaoui Ibrahim El , Klingelhöfer Doris , Held Hannelore , Groneberg David. A. , Verhoff Marcel A. , Plenzig Stefanie
Published: April 2022

Particulate matter emitted during autopsies can serve as a vector for numerous viruses or bacteria and can lead to infections. Reducing the exposure of those particles in indoor working environments is, therefore, an important issue. To assess the health risk for employees in forensic medicine, we measure particulate matter in the ambient air during autopsies by using an aerosol spectrometer. The autopsies were performed with either an ordinary oscillating saw or an adapted saw with a suction unit. The particle emissions from both saws were compared to each other in order to evaluate whether a technical adaption leads to a particle reduction. Furthermore, the particle exposure reduction by wearing a face mask and variations in the background concentration in the room were analyzed. High particle concentrations were measured while using the ordinary saw. By using the adapted saw or wearing a face mask, the particle exposure could mostly be avoided. On the majority of the working days, an increase in the background concentration could be observed. Based on this knowledge, the use of a proper suction unit and wearing a face mask during autopsies is necessary. Besides, it is important to have sufficient ventilation in the room so that long-lasting high background concentrations can be prevented.

Graphical abstract
Comparative Study on the Corrosion Performance of APS-, HVOF-, and HVAF-Sprayed NiCr and NiCrBSi Coatings in NaCl Solutions
Authors: Somervuori Mervi , Varis Tommi , Oksa Maria , Suhonen Tomi , Vuoristo Petri
Published: April 2022

Corrosion performance of NiCr and NiCrBSi coatings produced by APS, HVOF, and HVAF was studied by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests in 0.5 and 3.5 wt.% NaCl solutions. In the electrochemical measurements, the NiCr coatings performed better than the NiCrBSi coatings. The effect of the coating process on the corrosion resistance of the material was significantly lower than that of the selected materials, NiCr or NiCrBSi. All the coatings showed a tendency to passivate but suffered from localized corrosion. During immersion exposure for ten weeks, localized corrosion appeared at heterogeneous areas of the coatings, including voids, defects, or powder particles that had not melted during the spraying process.
The demise of Monechma: new combinations and a new classification in the resurrected genera Meiosperma and Pogonospermum (Acanthaceae)
Authors: Darbyshire Iain , Kiel Carrie A. , Chase Frances M. , Manzitto-Tripp Erin A.
Published: April 2022

Recent molecular phylogenetic results have demonstrated that Monechma s.l., a group of plants with ecological importance in the savanna and succulent biomes of sub-Saharan Africa, is polyphyletic with two discrete lineages recognisable. In the present work, we recognise Monechma Groups I and II at the generic rank, which can be distinguished by differences in inflorescence characteristics and seed morphology. The nomenclatural implications of these findings are investigated. The lectotype of Monechma, M. bracteatum Hochst., is a part of a small lineage of plants closely allied to Justicia L. sect. Harnieria (Solms) Benth. for which the earliest valid name is found to be Meiosperma Raf. Hence, Monechma is synonymised within Meiosperma, which comprises six accepted species and two undescribed taxa. The majority of species of former Monechma s.l. are resolved within the second lineage for which the only validly published generic name is Pogonospermum Hochst. This resurrected genus comprises 34 accepted species plus two undescribed taxa. Pogonospermum displays considerable morphological variation and is here subdivided into six sections based primarily on differences in plant habit, inflorescence form, calyx, bract and bracteole venation, and seed indumentum. The new combinations and new sections are validated, and seven accepted species names are lectotypified.
„Vielfalt vor Ort begegnen“ – wissenschaftliche Begleitung eines Modellprojekts zum professionellen Umgang mit Heterogenität in Kindertageseinrichtungen in Thüringen (WisBeV)
Authors: Lochner Barbara , Wutzler Michael , Rißmann Michaela , Rehklau Christine
Published: April 2022

Die wissenschaftliche Begleitung des Modellprojekts „Vielfalt vor Ort begegnen – professioneller Umgang mit Heterogenität in Kindertageseinrichtungen“ bringt auf Basis anwendungsbezogener Forschung wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zu diversitätssensibler Pädagogik in die pädagogische Praxis und Organisationsentwicklung von Kindertageseinrichtungen in Thüringen ein. Es wird an der Fachhochschule Erfurt unter Leitung von Michaela Rißmann, Barbara Lochner und Christine Rehklau im Auftrag des Thüringer Ministeriums für Bildung, Jugend und Sport von 2021 bis 2023 durchgeführt. Zunächst wird angestrebt, ein theoretisch fundiertes und empirisch validiertes Curriculum für die Fort- und Weiterbildung von Pädagog*innen zur Diversity-Reflexivität und den pädagogischen Umgang mit Heterogenität zu entwickeln. Insgesamt wird der Prozess – insbesondere für dessen Qualitätssicherung – von jeweils drei qualitativen und quantitativen Teilerhebungen und deren triangulativer Analyse begleitet.
Compassion Focused Group Therapy for Adult Female Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: a Preliminary Investigation
Authors: McLean Lisa , Steindl Stanley R. , Bambling Matthew
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The adverse effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are often significant and enduring. It is therefore important to identify therapeutic interventions that can effectively minimize these effects. Compassion focused therapy (CFT) was originally developed for people with high levels of self-criticism and shame. It holds significant promise as an intervention for survivors of CSA, but has not yet been empirically tested. This study explored both the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a CFT group intervention (CFT-SA) for adult female survivors of CSA.

Methods

CFT-SA was developed and tested with adult female survivors of CSA, to determine if there was any change in outcome measure scores after participating in the 12-week intervention (n = 30) and at 3-month post-intervention follow-up (n = 25).

Results

Low attrition and high session attendance, in addition to positive participant feedback, suggested the program had high acceptability. Significant improvement was observed across all outcome variables from pre- to post-intervention (n = 30), which were maintained at follow-up (n = 25). Participants demonstrated increased self-compassion and self-reassurance, and reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress, shame, and self-criticism, as well as fears of compassion, depression, anxiety, and stress, with medium to large effect sizes (d = .55 to 1.36). Across all measures, between 20 and 57% of participants demonstrated reliable change pre- to post-intervention, and 22 to 57% from pre-intervention to follow-up.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary support for the acceptability and potential benefits of utilizing CFT-SA as an intervention for adult female survivors of CSA and offers recommendations for future research.

Trial Registration.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12616001041448.