Research Society Research Articles

Editorial

Peanut Science recognizes the contributions of past editor, Dr. Timothy Grey and past Executive Officer, Kim Cutchins, for their contributions to the publication of the peer-reviewed journal of the American Peanut Research and Education Society. Dr. Tim Grey served from 2013 to 2023 as Editor overseeing the publication of Volumes 41-49. As Executive Officer, Kim Cutchins oversaw the transition from a commercial peer-review and publishing platform to an open-source platform controlled by APRES. Peanut Science thanks Dr. Tim Grey and Kim Cutchins for their dedicated service to APRES.

International Society of Research and Advocacy for Developmental Coordination Disorder (ISRA-DCD)—15th Biannual Conference and International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC)—6th Assembly

International Society of Research and Advocacy for Developmental Coordination Disorder (ISRA-DCD)—15th Biannual Conference and International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC)—6th Assembly

Report on the 74<sup>th</sup>annual meeting of Japan Wood Research Society in Kyoto -Participating in the poster presentations of wood protection and chemical processing divisions-

Report on the 74<sup>th</sup>annual meeting of Japan Wood Research Society in Kyoto -Participating in the poster presentations of wood protection and chemical processing divisions-

Assessing the Correlation between the Radiological, Macroscopic and Histological Examination of Degenerative Changes of Articular Surfaces in Knee Osteoarthritis with Varus Deformity

Our study aims to compare the results of preoperative radiography and intraoperative visual assessment of the cartilage with histological assessment of joint surfaces of the medial and lateral compartments resected in patients during the total knee replacement. The cohort included 20 patients (9 men and 11 women) with the mean age of 66.6 (±7.0) years who met the inclusion criteria of the study. Degenerative changes of the knee joint seen on a preoperative weight-bearing anteroposterior X-ray were evaluated according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system separately for the medial and lateral compartment. Based on the visual appearance, the condition of articular surfaces was assessed using the International Cartilage Repair Society Score (ICRS Grade). The histological assessment of degenerative changes was conducted by a pathologist with the use of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Osteoarthritis Cartilage Histopathology Assessment System based on six grades of articular cartilage degeneration. The mean degree of degenerative changes based on the radiological classification was assessed as 3.5 (±0.6) for the medial compartment and 2.1 (±0.4) for the lateral compartment. The visually assessed chondropathy according to the ICRS Grade was 3.7 (±0.6) for the medial femoral condyle and 1.8 (±1.0) for the lateral femoral condyle. The histological score obtained using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Osteoarthritis Cartilage Histopathology Assessment was 4.9 (±1.1) for the medial femoral condyle and 2.4 (±0.7) for the lateral femoral condyle. In respect of the medial compartment, there was no statistically significant parametric correlation between the intraoperative visual assessment of the cartilage degeneration and the preoperative radiological grade r = 0.45. The histological assessment showed a statistically significant concordance both with the degree of chondropathy r = 0.76 and the radiological grade r = 0.64. In the lateral compartment, the parametric test showed a statistically significant concordance only between the radiological grade and the histological score r = 0.72. The correlation between the visual assessment of chondropathy and the radiological grade r = 0.27 as well as the histological score r = 0.24 was very low. In our cohort assessing the early degenerative changes of the lateral compartment as well as the more advanced degenerative changes of the medial compartment, the correlation between the intraoperative assessment of cartilage degeneration as a diagnostic method to examine the lateral compartment and the preoperative radiological grade was not confirmed. Our results failed to confirm a better reporting value of the visual cartilage degeneration assessment of the lateral compartment as against the preoperative X-ray. The space width without narrowing on an X-ray has no reporting value for this compartment in case of varus deformity. The results clearly indicate that the assessment of macroscopic appearance of the cartilage degeneration during arthroscopy does not necessarily guarantee good long-term clinical outcomes after high tibial osteotomy. The respective degrees of cartilage degeneration identified during the intraoperative visual assessment and the radiological grading of osteoarthritic changes did not correlate in either compartment. In the lateral compartment, the initial radiological and histological findings preceded the visually detectable cartilage changes. knee, cartilage, osteoarthritis, radiology, histology, arthroscopy, osteotomy.

Report on the 2024 spring meeting of bio-deterioration study group of Japan Wood Research Society “Protection of cultural properties（structures）”

Report on the 2024 spring meeting of bio-deterioration study group of Japan Wood Research Society “Protection of cultural properties（structures）”

Korean Consensus Criteria for the Severity Classification of Alopecia Areata.

A set of criteria for severity classification is essential in alopecia areata (AA). Currently, no guidelines are universally accepted for defining AA severity. This study aimed to establish a set of consensus criteria for classifying the severity of and identifying treatment refractoriness in AA. A preliminary draft of the definition for moderate-to-severe AA was crafted based on available evidence, and members of the Korean Hair Research Society (KHRS) subsequently endorsed the recommendation through an online survey. In the first Delphi round, consensus was attained on 15 questions. After refining certain items in the second round, consensus was achieved on 23 out of 26 questions. The KHRS first defined AA severity using the severity of alopecia tool (SALT). SALT ≥50 was defined as severe, 20≤ SALT <50 as moderate, and SALT <20 as mild. Moderate AA was considered severe if it meets one or more of the following criteria: dermatology life quality index >10, presence of accompanying eyebrow or eyelash loss, positive hair loss activity, or treatment-refractory AA. These consensus criteria can help clinicians accurately diagnose AA, provide appropriate treatment, and monitor its progression.

Intra-Articular Injection of Chitin Nanofiber Attenuates Osteoarthritis: An Experimental Study in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitin nanofibers (CNF) produced from crab shells as a medical material for the knee in an osteoarthritic rat model. The effect of intra-articular CNF injection was evaluated histologically among three groups: saline, hyaluronic acid (HA), and CNF injection groups. The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial, and meniscus scores were used for scoring. At 4 weeks, the CNF group had significantly lower scores than the saline group. The Synovial score was lower in HA and CNF groups at 4 weeks than in the saline group. At 4 weeks post-treatment, the thickening of the subchondral bone plate and angiogenesis were significantly reduced in the CNF treatment group compared to those in the saline treatment group (P = 0.02). The anti-inflammatory effects of CNF on knee osteoarthritis were comparable to that of HA in the early stages.

Report on the 74&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; annual meeting of Japan Wood Research Society in Kyoto -An essay on the oral presentations in wood protection and chemical processing divisions-

Report on the 74&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; annual meeting of Japan Wood Research Society in Kyoto -An essay on the oral presentations in wood protection and chemical processing divisions-

Oral appliance therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation as non-positive airway pressure treatment alternatives for obstructive sleep apnea: a narrative expert review.

This perspective on alternatives to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) summarizes the proceedings of a focus group that was conducted by the Sleep Research Society Foundation. This perspective is from a multidisciplinary panel of experts from sleep medicine, dental sleep medicine, and otolaryngology that aims to identify the current role of oral appliance therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation for the treatment of OSA with emphasis on the US practice arena. A secondary aim is to identify-from an implementation science standpoint-the various barriers and facilitators for adoption of non-PAP treatment that includes access to care, multidisciplinary expertise, reimbursement, regulatory aspects, current treatment guidelines, health policies, and other factors related to the delivery of care. The panel has contextualized the review with recent events-such as a large-scale PAP device recall compounded by supply chain woes of the pandemic-and emerging science in the field of OSA and offers solutions for multidisciplinary approaches while identifying knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.

Preface

The International Conference on Frontier Materials (ICFM) is initiated and sponsored by International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and Advanced Materials Alliance of CAST Members Societies (AMAC), and is co-organized by AMAC and Shanghai University. ICFM is intended to provide an open and exciting forum for researchers and students from materials science and interdisciplinary fields worldwide to present their new and exciting scientific discoveries and innovations in advanced materials. The conference is also designed to offer an international platform for researchers from industrial labs, academic institutes and business to discuss technology development and transfer as well as potential impact of frontier materials on commercial products and industrial applications.The first conference (ICMF2022) was held in May, 2022, by the hybridized approach of accepting both on-site participation and on-line presentation. The second one (ICFM2023) was held in Qingdao International Convention and Exhibition Center (Laoshan), Qingdao, China, Oct. 13-17.The ICMF2023 had 31 symposia which were grouped into seven topical clusters of Energy and Environmental Materials, Advanced Information Materials, Advanced Bio and Bio-Inspired Materials, Advanced Structural Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Low-Dimensional Materials, and Design, Preparation and Evaluation for Materials. There were nearly 2000 participants attending ICFM2023, and more than 800 scientists and graduate students presented lectures at the parallel sessions of 31 symposia.Eight plenary lectures were presented by world-renowned materials scientists from Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Four specific forums as well as Exhibition on Analysis and Testing Equipment for Materials were held simultaneously. During the conference, the awards of IUMRS-FMA (Frontier Materials Awards) to scientists and students who have made outstanding contribution in the field of Frontier Materials was issued.The Conference papers have been published on four materials related journals and conference proceedings. This conference volume comprises of selected papers mainly in the field of advanced high-temperature structure materials and materials characterization as well as eco-materials.I would like to express my appreciation to the paper referees of Profs. Yongwang Kang, Jiangbo Sha, Jinxia Song, Wenlong Xiao, Xinqing Zhao and Chungen Zhou. Thanks also go to Mrs. Xiaomei Ma for the work of papers’ duplicate checking. And the special appreciation should be given to Mrs. Flora Han and Mr. Jianyun Lin for their miscellaneous work to correct the information about the papers as well as communicate with the authors.Prof. Yafang HanChair of academic Committee of ICFM2023Guest Editor of IOP ICFM2023 ProceedingsList of Organizing Committee is available in this pdf.

Summary of the First Forum on Ethnic Costumes Research

Since it’s renaming in September 2022, the Ethnic Clothing Research Committee of the Chinese Anthropology and Ethnology Research Society has held two academic symposia in Lijiang and Shanghai. The events were aimed at exploring how the cultural heritage of ethnic costumes in the new era can genuinely and effectively consolidate the sense of a Chinese national community and aid rural revitalization. The committee, under the banner of “inherit tradition, innovate culture” and with the theme “Ethnic costume and the consolidation of Chinese national community consciousness”, held the first forum. The forum was a factual and practical implementation of spirit, cultural revitalization, and support for reinvigoration.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: Postoperative Functional Outcomes at 32 Years Mean Follow-Up.

Recent clinical and radiographic studies conducted over short and medium terms have demonstrated positive results in patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, the absence of long-term data, crucial for comprehending the impact on future quality of life, especially in young patients actively involved in very intense physical activities, remains a gap. This study aims to evaluate long-term functional outcomes in patients who underwent surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Patients meeting specific criteria (diagnosis of AIS, age at surgery between 12 and 18 years, and follow-up of at least 20 years) were identified from a large spine surgery center database. A questionnaire using "Google Form" assessed various outcomes, including Visual Analog Scale (VAS) back, VAS leg, Short Form 12 score (SF-12), Scoliosis Research Society 22 score (SRS-22), incidence of spine revision surgery, postoperative high demanding activities (work and sport), and possible pregnancies was sent to the enrolled patients. The authors analyzed the results regarding all patients included and, moreover, statistical analysis categorized patients into two groups based on the surgical fusion performed: Group 1 (non-instrumented technique according to Hibbs-Risser) and Group 2 (instrumented tecnique according to Cotrel-Dubousset). A total of 63 patients (mean age 47.5 years) were included, with a mean follow-up of 31.9 years. Patients were, in mean, 47.5 years old. Group 1 comprised 42 patients, and Group 2 had 21 patients. Revision surgery was required in 19% of patients, predominantly for implant issues in Group 2 (11.9% vs. 33%, p < 0.05). Overall outcomes were favorable: VAS back = 3.5, VAS leg = 2.5, SRS-22 = 3.5, SF-12 Physical Component Summary = 41.1, SF-12 Mental Component Summary = 46.7, with no significant differences between the group 1 and group 2. At 5-years FU, the non-reoperation rate was higher in the non-instrumented group (97.6% vs. 71.4%, p < 0.001). By means of SRS-22, overall satisfaction was 3.7 ± 1.2 on a maximum scale of 5. More than half of women have successfully completed one pregnancy. Most patients (87.3%) maintained regular work activity. Among sport practioners, half returned to the similar preoperative level. This study reveals favorable long-term functional results in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients after surgical fusion. Mild to moderate back and leg pain were observed, but overall satisfaction, sport participation, and work activity were high. Surgical technique (non-instrumented vs. instrumented) did not significantly impact long-term results, though the instrumented fusion exhibited a higher revision rate.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the Visual Analogue Scale for the Foot and Ankle (VASFA).

The main aim of this study is to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Visual Analogue Scale for the Foot and Ankle (VASFA) questionnaire, creating a Spanish-language version (VASFA-Sp), and to determine the measurement properties of this instrument. VASFA was cross-culturally translated into Spanish following the guidelines of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). The study sample was composed of 228 participants who were recruited from February to May 2022. All were at least 18 years old, gave signed informed consent to take part and properly completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measures-Sp and VASFA-Sp questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha and test/re-test reliability values were calculated. Structural validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis. The 228 patients included in the final analysis presented the following characteristics: 35.53% were male and 64.47% were female; the mean age was 35.95 (18-81) years; and the mean body mass index was 23.79. Internal consistency was excellent. The Cronbach's alpha for VASFA-Sp was 0.96 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.932 (95% CI; 0.84 to 0.97). Exploratory factor analysis identified one main factor. VASFA-Sp is a reliable, valid and sensitive questionnaire that is suitable for measuring perceived foot and ankle function impairment in a Spanish-speaking population.

Is the time right for a new initiative in mathematical modeling of the lower urinary tract? ICI-RS 2023.

A session at the 2023 International Consultation on Incontinence - Research Society (ICI-RS) held in Bristol, UK, focused on the question: Is the time right for a new initiative in mathematical modeling of the lower urinary tract (LUT)? The LUT is a complex system, comprising various synergetic components (i.e., bladder, urethra, neural control), each with its own dynamic functioning and high interindividual variability. This has led to a variety of different types of models for different purposes, each with advantages and disadvantages. When addressing the LUT, the modeling approach should be selected and sized according to the specific purpose, the targeted level of detail, and the available computational resources. Four areas were selected as examples to discuss: utility of nomograms in clinical use, value of fluid mechanical modeling, applications of models to simplify urodynamics, and utility of statistical models. A brief literature review is provided along with discussion of the merits of different types of models for different applications. Remaining research questions are provided. Inadequacies in current (outdated) models of the LUT as well as recent advances in computing power (e.g., quantum computing) and methods (e.g., artificial intelligence/machine learning), would dictate that the answer is an emphatic "Yes, the time is right for a new initiative in mathematical modeling of the LUT."

State of the science and recommendations for using wearable technology in sleep and circadian research.

Wearable sleep-tracking technology is of growing use in the sleep and circadian fields, including for applications across other disciplines, inclusive of a variety of disease states. Patients increasingly present sleep data derived from their wearable devices to their providers and the ever-increasing availability of commercial devices and new-generation research/clinical tools has led to the wide adoption of wearables in research, which has become even more relevant given the discontinuation of the Philips Respironics Actiwatch. Standards for evaluating the performance of wearable sleep-tracking devices have been introduced and the available evidence suggests that consumer-grade devices exceed the performance of traditional actigraphy in assessing sleep as defined by polysomnogram. However, clear limitations exist, for example, the misclassification of wakefulness during the sleep period, problems with sleep tracking outside of the main sleep bout or nighttime period, artifacts, and unclear translation of performance to individuals with certain characteristics or comorbidities. This is of particular relevance when person-specific factors (like skin color or obesity) negatively impact sensor performance with the potential downstream impact of augmenting already existing healthcare disparities. However, wearable sleep-tracking technology holds great promise for our field, given features distinct from traditional actigraphy such as measurement of autonomic parameters, estimation of circadian features, and the potential to integrate other self-reported, objective, and passively recorded health indicators. Scientists face numerous decision points and barriers when incorporating traditional actigraphy, consumer-grade multi-sensor devices, or contemporary research/clinical-grade sleep trackers into their research. Considerations include wearable device capabilities and performance, target population and goals of the study, wearable device outputs and availability of raw and aggregate data, and data extraction, processing, and analysis. Given the difficulties in the implementation and utilization of wearable sleep-tracking technology in real-world research and clinical settings, the following State of the Science review requested by the Sleep Research Society aims to address the following questions. What data can wearable sleep-tracking devices provide? How accurate are these data? What should be taken into account when incorporating wearable sleep-tracking devices into research? These outstanding questions and surrounding considerations motivated this work, outlining practical recommendations for using wearable technology in sleep and circadian research.

Can we increase the value of data from bladder diaries? International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society 2023.

Bladder diaries represent a fundamental component in the assessment of patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. Nevertheless, their importance often remains underappreciated and undervalued within clinical practice. This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing literature concerning the utility of bladder diaries, underscore the criticality of their precision, elucidate the factors contributing to noncompliance with bladder diary completion, and investigate potential strategies for enhancing patient compliance. A review of the English-language scientific literature available in the domains of Medline, Embase, Emcare, Midirs, and Cinahl was conducted. This was supplemented by discussion at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society Proposal session to define knowledge and identify gaps in knowledge surrounding the utility of bladder diaries. The existing evidence and outcome of the relevant discussion held in the meeting are presented. Bladder diaries (BD) serve to characterize the nature and severity of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and provide an objective record of an individual's urination patterns. They aid in the refinement and customization of treatment strategies based on the clinical responses documented in the diary, optimizing treatment outcomes. Notably, both BD and urodynamic studies (UDS) play complementary yet distinct roles in LUTS evaluation. BD offers a more comprehensive and accessible approach to assessing specific storage LUTS, particularly due to their affordability and widespread availability, especially in resource-limited settings. Nevertheless, the absence of a standardized BD format across global healthcare systems presents a significant challenge. Despite being recognized as reliable, noninvasive, validated, and cost-effective tools for evaluating patients with LUTS, the implementation and completion of BD have proven to be complex. The introduction of automated bladder diaries heralds an era of precise, real-time data collection, potentially enhancing the patient-clinician relationship. Completion of bladder diaries depends on an array of individual, social, and healthcare-specific factors. Compliance with bladder diary completion could be enhanced with clear instructions, patient education, regular follow-ups and positive re-enforcement. This study has identified four critical areas for future research: Addressing healthcare disparities between affluent and developing nations, enhancing the current functionality and effectiveness of bladder diaries, exploring the feasibility of incorporating bladder diaries into the treatment and education process and improving the quality and functionality of existing bladder diaries. Bladder diaries play a pivotal role in the evaluation and management of patients with LUTS, providing a holistic perspective. When their complete potential is harnessed, they have the capacity to revolutionize the paradigm of LUTS management, ushering in a patient-centered era of care.

Towards improving community detection in complex networks using influential nodes

Abstract Complex network analysis is inspired by empirical studies of real-world networks such as computer networks, technology networks and social networks. The analysis of community structure in complex networks is understood as an important issue by the research society. A community is a set of nodes in a network where the density of connections is high. The insight in the literature shows many approaches to identify influential nodes, but these approaches only lead to finding community centres. Meanwhile, clustering techniques are effectively used for community detection, where they can reveal group structure and hidden connections by considering topological and demographic information. This article presents an ensemble clustering algorithm based on influential nodes to improve community detection in complex networks. Considering different characteristics of the network, the proposed method seeks to discover common interests between users and their behaviours to identify the most suitable communities. First, a set of influential nodes are identified as community centres. Then, these centres are considered as cluster centres. After that, primary clusters are created based on the determined centres. Finally, the primary clusters are reclustered to form the final clusters. Here, the final clusters are considered as communities of users in the network. The simulation has been performed on real-world networks and the results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. Specifically, the communities identified by the proposed method are 2.1% better than the best existing state-of-the-art method in terms of modularity. Keywords: complex network; community detection; influential nodes; ensemble clustering.

Solution journalism - New trends in the current style of reporting practices

Purpose: The world of journalism is constantly evolving, with emerging practices and research trends. The purpose of this article is to learn about the birth and analyze the role of constructivist journalism in society and current trends in research and practice. Recently, many press agencies have noticed a trend in reporting style and redirected their efforts to change it. This new style is called solution journalism or constructive journalism. Method: This article systematically investigates the genesis, evolution, role, and emergent development trends of tectonic journalism, contextualizing it within the broader landscape of contemporary journalism research, practices, and development prospects. In doing so, it sheds light on how tectonic journalism is reshaping the field of journalism, and how it can be used to address the complex challenges facing journalism today. Results and discussion: Many journalism practice agencies and academic researchers have been studying and practicing this approach. For example, a 2017 report by the Solutions Journalism Network found that over 3,000 journalists have received formal training in solutions journalism. Therefore, they are Making it an increasingly popular and influential movement in the industry. Originality: This article is a vanguard for diversifying constructivist journalism research and promoting scientifically sound practices. It provides a much-needed platform for emerging voices and perspectives, and it challenges the status quo with rigor and evidence.

Dual Growing Rods and the Apical Control Technique for Treating Congenital Early-Onset Scoliosis: Lessons Learned.

Congenital early-onset scoliosis (CEOS) is characterized by a spectrum of vertebral anomalies, including formation failures and segmentation failures at the apex segment, which makes CEOS different from other etiologies of early-onset scoliosis. To date, studies on patients who have graduated from CEOS treatment using traditional dual growing rods (TDGR) have been scarce, and the preliminary results of TDGR with or without the apical control technique (ACT) have varied. We therefore compared the final outcomes of patients with CEOS who graduated from TDGR with or without the ACT. A retrospective study of patients with CEOS who had graduated from TDGR treatment performed from 2007 to 2020 was conducted. Graduation included final fusion or observation after reaching skeletal maturity. Patients were divided into the ACT-TDGR group (apical vertebrectomy and/or hemivertebrectomy with short fusion and TDGR) and the TDGR-only group. Demographic characteristics, radiographic data, patient-reported clinical outcomes, pulmonary function, and complications were analyzed. A total of 41 patients with CEOS were enrolled: 13 in the ACT-TDGR group and 28 in the TDGR-only group. The lengthening intervals were longer in the ACT-TDGR group (mean [and standard deviation], 1.26 ± 0.66 years) than in the TDGR-only group (0.80 ± 0.27 years). The preoperative main curve was larger in the ACT-TDGR group (80.53° ± 19.50°) than in the TDGR-only group (64.11° ± 17.50°). The residual curve was comparable between groups (26.31° ± 12.82° in the ACT-TDGR group compared with 27.76° ± 15.0° in the TDGR group) at the latest follow-up. The changes in apical vertebral rotation and thoracic rotation were significantly larger in the ACT-TDGR group. Patients had comparable T1-12 and T1-S1 heights, pulmonary function, and 22-item Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22) scores at the latest follow-up. The mean number of mechanical-related complications per patient was lower in the ACT-TDGR group (0.77 ± 0.73) than in the TDGR-only group (1.54 ± 1.43). Seventeen patients underwent final fusion. In this small-scale study, we observed that both ACT-TDGR and TDGR-only could correct the deformity while allowing for spinal growth in patients with CEOS. ACT-TDGR yielded better correction in severe cases and did not have a deleterious effect on spinal height. A large number of cases will be needed to validate the clinical value of the ACT. Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

APCP CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS: 2023

APCP CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS: 2023