bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on Interface Thermal Resistance of Heat Dissipation Channel in Low-Temperature Detector
Authors: Li Shijun , Wu Shaojun , Lv Shimeng , Xie Teng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
To achieve a good heat dissipation effect in the heat dissipation channel of the low-temperature detector, it is necessary to study the thermal conductivity performance of GD414C and indium foil between detector and thermal conductive aluminum block. Based on the experimental principle and referring to the ASTM D-5470 testing method, a set of interface thermal resistance experimental testing equipment is designed. The experiment comparatively studies the relationship between the temperature difference between detector and thermal conductive aluminum block (TCAB) under different power and thermal conductive fillers. The experimental results show that when GD414C is filled between detector and thermal conductive aluminum block, the total thermal resistance is 0.728 ℃/W. When 0.1-mm-thick indium foil is filled, the total thermal resistance is 0.235 ℃/W. When 0.2-mm-thick indium foil is filled, the total thermal resistance is 0.123 ℃/W. Therefore, 0.2-mm-thick indium foil should be selected as the thermal conductive filler.
Impact of Low Freestream Turbulence and Surface Roughness on the Flat-Plate Boundary Layer Transition Under a High-Lift Airfoil Pressure Gradient
Authors: Jeong Heechan , Song Seung Jin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Effects of low incoming freestream turbulence level (Tu &lt; 1%) and surface roughness on the transition of flat-plate boundary layers under a high-lift airfoil pressure gradient have been investigated. Time-resolved streamwise and wall-normal velocity fields with surface roughness values of Ra/C = 0.065 × 10−5, 4.417 × 10−5, and 7.428 × 10−5 have been measured at a fixed Reynolds number of 5.2 × 105 and freestream turbulence intensity of 0.2%. For the reference smooth surface of Ra/C = 0.065 × 10−5, a laminar separation bubble forms from about 64% to 83% of the chord length. Increasing surface roughness has little impact on the laminar boundary layer separation onset but reduces the height and length of the separation bubble and induces earlier transition. For Ra/C = 4.417 × 10−5, displacement thickness during transition is slightly thinner and the overall momentum deficit is slightly lower than those for Ra/C = 0.065 × 10−5. For Ra/C = 7.428 × 10−5, the separation bubble becomes hardly visible as the transition mode approaches the attached mode, and turbulent mixing by the wall-bounded turbulence becomes dominant. In addition, the portion of turbulent wetted area increases due to earlier transition, and momentum deficit increases more rapidly in the turbulent wetted area. Thus, the overall momentum deficit for Ra/C = 7.428 × 10−5 is larger than that for Ra/C = 0.065 × 10−5.
A Holistic Focus of Attention Increases Torque Production and Electromyography Activity in an Isokinetic Elbow Flexion
Authors: Becker Kevin A. , Avalos Marco A. 
Published: May 2024

Recent research suggests that both a holistic focus of attention (i.e., focusing on the general feeling of a movement) and an external focus of attention improve motor performance relative to an internal focus of attention. The purpose of this study was to determine how a holistic, internal, and external focus impacts torque production and electromyography (EMG) activity in the biceps brachii during an isokinetic elbow flexion task. Twenty-four young adults completed five repetitions of an isokinetic elbow flexion task in internal, external, and holistic focus conditions. Peak torque, integrated torque, peak EMG amplitude, integrated EMG, and neuromuscular efficiency were averaged across trials in each condition. Peak torque, integrated torque, peak EMG amplitude, and integrated EMG were all significantly higher with a holistic focus than an internal or external focus. Internal and external focus conditions did not differ from each other in any variable. No differences due to focus were observed for neuromuscular efficiency. The present results suggest that using a holistic focus of attention can be a useful strategy for motor tasks requiring peak force production. However, it does not appear that this benefit is related to increased neuromuscular efficiency, as we hypothesized.
High efficacy treatment of murine
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
catheter-associated urinary tract infections using the c-di-GMP modulating anti-biofilm compound Disperazol in combination with ciprofloxacin
Authors: Hultqvist Louise Dahl , Andersen Jens Bo , Nilsson Carl Martin , Jansen Charlotte Uldahl , Rybtke Morten , Jakobsen Tim Holm , Nielsen Thomas Eiland , Qvortrup Klaus , Moser Claus , Graz Michael , Qvortrup Katrine , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Givskov Michael 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospitalized patients constitute an important medical problem. It is estimated that 75% of nosocomial UTIs are associated with urinary tract catheters with
P. aeruginosa
being a species that forms biofilms on these catheters. These infections are highly resistant to standard-of-care antibiotics, and the effects of the host immune defenses, which allows for development of persistent infections. With antibiotics losing their efficacy, new treatment options against resilient infections, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), are critically needed. Central to our anti-biofilm approach is the manipulation of the c-di-GMP signaling pathway in
P. aeruginosa
to switch bacteria from the protective biofilm to the unprotected planktonic mode of life. We recently identified a compound (H6-335-P1), that stimulates the c-di-GMP degrading activity of the
P. aeruginosa
BifA protein which plummets the intracellular c-di-GMP content and induces dispersal of
P. aeruginosa
biofilm bacteria into the planktonic state. In the present study, we formulated H6-335-P1 as a hydrochloride salt (Disperazol), which is water-soluble and facilitates delivery via injection or oral administration. Disperazol can work as a monotherapy, but we observed a 100-fold improvement in efficacy when treating murine
P. aeruginosa
CAUTIs with a Disperazol/ciprofloxacin combination. Biologically active Disperazol reached the bladder 30 min after oral administration. Our study provides proof of concept that Disperazol can be used in combination with a relevant antibiotic for effective treatment of CAUTIs.
On-target, dual aminopeptidase inhibition provides cross-species antimalarial activity
Authors: Edgar Rebecca C. S. , Malcolm Tess R. , Siddiqui Ghizal , Giannangelo Carlo , Counihan Natalie A. , Challis Matthew , Duffy Sandra , Chowdhury Mrittika , Marfurt Jutta , Dans Madeline , Wirjanata Grennady , Noviyanti Rintis , Daware Kajal , Suraweera Chathura D. , Price Ric N. , Wittlin Sergio , Avery Vicky M. , Drinkwater Nyssa , Charman Susan A. , Creek Darren J. , de Koning-Ward Tania F. , Scammells Peter J. , McGowan Sheena 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

To combat the global burden of malaria, development of new drugs to replace or complement current therapies is urgently required. Here, we show that the compound
MMV1557817
is a selective, nanomolar inhibitor of both
Plasmodium falciparum
and
Plasmodium vivax
aminopeptidases M1 and M17, leading to inhibition of end-stage hemoglobin digestion in asexual parasites.
MMV1557817
can kill sexual-stage
P. falciparum
, is active against murine malaria, and does not show any shift in activity against a panel of parasites resistant to other antimalarials.
MMV1557817
-resistant
P. falciparum
exhibited a slow growth rate that was quickly outcompeted by wild-type parasites and were sensitized to the current clinical drug, artemisinin. Overall, these results confirm
MMV1557817
as a lead compound for further drug development and highlights the potential of dual inhibition of M1 and M17 as an effective multi-species drug-targeting strategy.

IMPORTANCE

Each year, malaria infects approximately 240 million people and causes over 600,000 deaths, mostly in children under 5 years of age. For the past decade, artemisinin-based combination therapies have been recommended by the World Health Organization as the standard malaria treatment worldwide. Their widespread use has led to the development of artemisinin resistance in the form of delayed parasite clearance, alongside the rise of partner drug resistance. There is an urgent need to develop and deploy new antimalarial agents with novel targets and mechanisms of action. Here, we report a new and potent antimalarial compound, known as
MMV1557817
, and show that it targets multiple stages of the malaria parasite lifecycle, is active in a preliminary mouse malaria model, and has a novel mechanism of action. Excitingly, resistance to
MMV15578117
appears to be self-limiting, suggesting that development of the compound may provide a new class of antimalarial.
Retinal abnormalities in a patient with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita
Authors: Hokazono Kenzo , Urzedo Ana Bárbara Dias Lopes , Dias Paula Basso , Dias Natália Assumpção Lima 
Published: May 2024

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is a rare congenital vascular malformation characterised by cutaneous vascular abnormalities, typically diagnosed at birth or in the early postnatal period. Although typically benign, this disease is associated with other systemic abnormalities, including rare ocular alterations, such as congenital glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy.This manuscript describes a female infant, who presented with generalised livedo reticularis, a band of alopecia and cutaneous atrophy in the temporal region above the coronal suture. The patient was diagnosed with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita by a paediatrician, and an ophthalmological evaluation was requested. A funduscopy examination in both eyes showed temporal and superior retina with avascular areas with new vessels, venous dilations and shunts, and no retinal detachments. Given these findings, we performed retinal photocoagulation laser treatment with excellent results.This case report highlights the importance of early ophthalmological evaluation of children with this disease to prevent secondary complications, such as vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment.
Enhancing the structure–function relationship in glaucoma using anatomical compensation of retinal nerve fibre layer
Authors: Chua Jacqueline , Li Chi , Chong Rachel , Wong Tina T , Husain Rahat , Aung Tin , Schmetterer Leopold , Wong Damon Wing Kee 
Published: May 2024

Background/aimsTo investigate whether compensating retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements for demographic and anatomical ocular factors can strengthen the structure–function relationship in patients with glaucoma.Methods600 eyes from 412 patients with glaucoma (mean deviation of the visual field (MD VF) −6.53±5.55 dB) were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent standard automated perimetry and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging (Cirrus; Carl Zeiss Meditec). Compensated RNFL thickness was computed considering age, refractive error, optic disc parameters and retinal vessel density. The relationship between MD VF and RNFL thickness measurements, with or without demographic and anatomical compensation, was evaluated sectorally and focally.ResultsThe superior arcuate sector exhibited the highest correlation between measured RNFL and MD VF, with a correlation of 0.49 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.59). Applying the compensated RNFL data increased the correlation substantially to 0.62 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.70; p<0.001). Only 61% of the VF locations showed a significant relationship (Spearman’s correlation of at least 0.30) between structural and functional aspects using measured RNFL data, and this increased to 78% with compensated RNFL measurements. In the 10°–20° VF region, the slope below the breakpoint for compensated RNFL thickness demonstrated a more robust correlation (slope=1.66±0.18 µm/dB; p<0.001) than measured RNFL (slope=0.27±0.67 µm/dB; p=0.688).ConclusionCompensated RNFL data improve the correlation between RNFL measurements and VF parameters. This indicates that creating structure-to-function maps that consider anatomical variances may aid in identifying localised structural and functional loss in glaucoma.
Cardiovascular and mortality benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists as third-step glucose-lowering medicine in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: McCormick Thomas A , Kramer Jason , Liles Elizabeth G , Amos Qiana , Martin John P , Adams John L 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionStudies have found that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1) have cardiovascular benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or heart failure (HF). The literature does not provide evidence specifically for patients with these conditions who are adding one of these medicines to two glucose-lowering medications (ie, as “third-step” therapy). We explored the effects of different third-step medications on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes and these comorbid conditions. Specifically, we compared third-step SGLT2 or GLP1 to third-step dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4), insulin, or thiazolidinediones (TZD).Research design and methodsWe assembled a retrospective cohort of adults at five Kaiser Permanente sites with DM2 and ASCVD, CKD, or HF, initiating third-step treatment between 2016 and 2020. Propensity score weighted Poisson models were used to calculate adjusted rate ratios (ARRs) for all-cause mortality, incident major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), and incident HF hospitalization in patients initiating SGLT2 or GLP1 compared with DPP4, insulin, or TZD.ResultsWe identified 27 542 patients initiating third-step treatment with one or more of these conditions (19 958 with ASCVD, 14 577 with CKD, and 3919 with HF). ARRs for GLP1 and SGLT2 versus DPP4, insulin, and TZD in the patient subgroups ranged between 0.22 and 0.55 for all-cause mortality, 0.38 and 0.81 for MACE, and 0.46 and 1.05 for HF hospitalization. Many ARRs were statistically significant, and all significant ARRs showed a benefit (ARR <1) for GLP1 or SGLT2 when compared with DPP4, insulin, or TZD.ConclusionsThird-step SGLT2 and GLP1 are generally associated with a benefit for these outcomes in these patient groups when compared with third-step DPP4, insulin, or TZD. Our results add to evidence of a cardiovascular benefit of SGLT2 and GLP1 and could inform clinical guidelines for choosing third-step diabetes treatment.
Association between preconception care and family planning and previous adverse birth outcomes in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mekonnen Birye Dessalegn , Tsega Sintayehu Simie 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesInconsistent findings on the associations of preconception care with the utilisation of family planning and previous adverse birth outcomes have not been systematically reviewed in Ethiopia. Thus, this review aims to estimate the pooled association of preconception care with the utilisation of family planning and previous adverse birth outcomes in Ethiopia.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.Data sourcesMEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete, Scopus and Global Health were searched from inception to 28 July 2023.Eligibility criteriaObservational studies that reported preconception care as an outcome variable and the use of family planning before pregnancy or previous adverse birth outcomes as exposure variables were included.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently conducted study screening, data extraction and quality assessment. A fixed-effects model was used to determine the pooled association of preconception care with the utilisation of family planning and previous adverse birth outcomes.ResultsEight studies involving a total of 3829 participants were included in the review. The pooled meta-analysis found that women with a history of family planning use had a higher likelihood of using preconception care (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.74 to 2.52) than those women who did not use family planning before their current pregnancy. Likewise, the pooled meta-analysis found that women with prior adverse birth outcomes had a higher chance of using preconception care (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.06 to 10.74) than women with no history of prior adverse birth outcomes.ConclusionThis review indicated that utilisation of preconception care had a positive association with previous use of family planning and prior adverse birth outcomes. Thus, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders should strengthen the integration of preconception care with family planning and other maternal healthcare services.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023443855.
Frontline health workers’ experiences of providing care for people living with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a qualitative study
Authors: Baatiema Leonard , de-Graft Aikins Ama , Koram Kwadwo K , Kunfah Sheba Mary Pognaa , Allen Luke N , Abimbola Seye , Kruk Margaret 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted frontline health workers. However, a neglected dimension of this discourse was the extent to which the pandemic impacted frontline healthcare workers providing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) care. This study aims to understand the experiences of healthcare workers with no prior exposure to pandemics who provided care to people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs).MethodsA qualitative study design was employed, using a face-to-face in-depth interviews. Interviews were conducted in primary healthcare facilities in three administrative regions of Ghana, representing the Northern, Southern and Middle Belts. Only frontline health workers with roles in providing care for PLWNCDs were included. Purposive snowballing and convenience sampling methods were employed to select frontline health workers. An open-ended interview guide was used to facilitate data collection, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsA total of 47 frontline health workers were interviewed. Overall, these workers experienced diverse patient-driven and organisational challenges. Patient-level challenges included a decline in healthcare utilisation, non-adherence to treatment, a lack of continuity, fear and stigma. At the organisational levels, there was a lack of medical logistics, increased infection of workers and absenteeism, increased workload and burnout, limited motivational packages and inadequate guidelines and protocols. Workers coped and responded to the pandemic by postponing reviews and consultations, reducing inpatient and outpatient visits, changing their prescription practices, using teleconsultation and moving to long-shift systems.ConclusionThis study has brought to the fore the experiences that adversely affected frontline health workers and, in many ways, affected the care provided to PLWNCDs. Policymakers and health managers should take these experiences into account in plans to mitigate the impact of future pandemics.
Cohort profile: the Adverse Childhood Experiences cohort of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health
Authors: Kidman Rachel , Mwera James , Rui Yang (Tingting) , Breton Etienne , Zulu Andrew , Behrman Jere , Kohler Hans-Peter 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThe Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) cohort of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH-ACE) is a study of adolescents surveyed during 2017–2021. It provides an important opportunity to examine the longitudinal impact of ACEs on health and development across the early life course. The MLSFH-ACE cohort provides rich data on adolescents, their children and adult caregivers in a low-income, high-HIV-prevalence context in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).ParticipantsThe MLSFH-ACE cohort is a population-based study of adolescents living in three districts in rural Malawi. Wave 1 enrolment took place in 2017–2018 and included 2061 adolescents aged 10–16 years and 1438 caregivers. Wave 2 took place in 2021 and included data on 1878 adolescents and 208 offspring. Survey instruments captured ACEs during childhood and adolescence, HIV-related behavioural risk, mental and physical health, cognitive development and education, intimate partner violence (IPV), marriage and aspirations, early transitions to adulthood and protective factors. Biological indicators included HIV, herpes simplex virus and anthropometric measurements.Findings to dateKey findings include a high prevalence of ACEs among adolescents in Malawi, a low incidence of HIV and positive associations between ACE scores and composite HIV risk scores. There were also strong associations between ACEs and both IPV victimisation and perpetration.Future plansMLSFH-ACE data will be publicly released and will provide a wealth of information on ACEs and adolescent outcomes in low-income, HIV-endemic SSA contexts. Future expansions of the cohort are planned to capture data during early adulthood.
Risk equations for prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in UK: a retrospective study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) AURUM and GOLD databases
Authors: Perni Stefano , Prokopovich Polina 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundProsthetic joint infections (PJIs) are a serious negative outcome of arthroplasty with incidence of about 1%. Risk of PJI could depend on local treatment policies and guidelines; no UK-specific risk scoring is currently available.ObjectiveTo determine a risk quantification model for the development of PJI using electronic health records.DesignRecords in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD and AURUM of patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty between January 2007 and December 2014, with linkage to Hospital Episode Statistics and Office of National Statistics, were obtained. Cohorts’ characteristics and risk equations through parametric models were developed and compared between the two databases. Pooled cohort risk equations were determined for the UK population and simplified through stepwise selection.ResultsAfter applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 174 905 joints (1021 developed PJI) were identified in CPRD AURUM and 48 419 joints (228 developed PJI) in CPRD GOLD. Patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty in both databases exhibited different sociodemographic characteristics and medical/drug history. However, the quantification of the impact of such covariates (coefficients of parametric models fitted to the survival curves) on the risk of PJI between the two cohorts was not statistically significant. The log-normal model fitted to the pooled cohorts after stepwise selection had a C-statistic >0.7.ConclusionsThe risk prediction tool developed here could help prevent PJI through identifying modifiable risk factors pre-surgery and identifying the patients most likely to benefit from close monitoring/preventive actions. As derived from the UK population, such tool will help the National Health Service reduce the impact of PJI on its resources and patient lives.