bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Singularly perturbed quasilinear Choquard equations with nonlinearity satisfying Berestycki–Lions assumptions
Authors: Yang Heng
Published: October 2021

In the present paper, we consider the following singularly perturbed problem:$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} -\varepsilon ^{2}\Delta u+V(x)u-\varepsilon ^{2}\Delta (u^{2})u= \varepsilon ^{-\alpha }(I_{\alpha }*G(u))g(u), \quad x\in \mathbb{R}^{N}; \\ u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N}), \end{cases} $${−ε2Δu+V(x)u−ε2Δ(u2)u=ε−α(Iα∗G(u))g(u),x∈RN;u∈H1(RN),where$\varepsilon >0$ε>0is a parameter,$N\ge 3$N≥3,$\alpha \in (0, N)$α∈(0,N),$G(t)=\int _{0}^{t}g(s)\,\mathrm{d}s$G(t)=∫0tg(s)ds,$I_{\alpha }: \mathbb{R}^{N}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$Iα:RN→Ris the Riesz potential, and$V\in \mathcal{C}(\mathbb{R}^{N}, \mathbb{R})$V∈C(RN,R)with$0<\min_{x\in \mathbb{R}^{N}}V(x)< \lim_{|y|\to \infty }V(y)$0<minx∈RNV(x)0$ε0>0determined byVandgsuch that for$\varepsilon \in (0,\varepsilon _{0}]$ε∈(0,ε0]the above problem admits a semiclassical ground state solution$\hat{u}_{\varepsilon }$uˆεwith exponential decay at infinity. We also study the asymptotic behavior of$\{\hat{u}_{\varepsilon }\}${uˆε}as$\varepsilon \to 0$ε→0.
Stochastic model of the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tesfaye Aychew Wondyfraw , Satana Tesfaye Sama
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we formulate an SVITR deterministic model and extend it to a stochastic model by introducing intensity of stochastic factors and Brownian motion. Our basic qualitative analysis of both models includes the positivity of the solution, invariant region, disease-free equilibrium point, basic reproduction number, local and global stability of disease-free equilibrium point, endemic equilibrium point, and sensitivity. We obtain the stochastic reproduction number and local stability by using twice differentiable Itô’s formula. We prove the global stability of the disease-free equilibrium point by using a Lyapunov function. We determine the sensitivity of the effect of each parameter on basic reproduction number of the model by using a normalized sensitivity index formula. On the other hand, we demonstrate numerical simulation results of deterministic and stochastic models of COVID-19 by using Maple 18 and MATLAB software. Our simulation results indicate that reducing the contact between infected and susceptible individuals and improvement of treatment play a vital role in COVID-19 pandemic control.
Does descending health resources reform impact patient low-level hospital selection behavior? Evidence from Zhejiang, China
Authors: SUN Zesheng , WANG Shuhong , ZHAO Hongjun , ZHOU Xu , ZHANG Ludan , SHI Jiongping
Published: October 2021

Background

Since 2013, China launched descending resources reform, which is a new attempt to correct unbalanced allocation of health resources through human capital spillovers and brand implantation from high-level hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to explore the patients’ hospital selection response to this reform with the focus of low-level hospitals to better understand the effect of this reform on correcting regional inequality of health resources allocation.

Methods

The European Consumer Satisfaction Index model (ECSI) was used to design a questionnaire, and cross-sectional data from 17 hospitals were collected through 1287 questionnaires from Zhejiang Province. Patient hospital selection (loyalty) is measured using ordinary variables by considering patient willingness to choose a low-level hospital when suffering an illness or severe illness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the structure equation model are applied to examine the effect of reforms on patient behavior.

Results

The descending resources reform promotes improvements in the capabilities and medical environment of low-level hospitals, and descending doctors also have high accessibility. Perceived quality, patient expectations, and hospital image have significant positive effects on patient satisfaction, and the explanatory power of brand implantation from cooperative high-level hospitals and descending doctors is stronger than the image of the low-level hospital itself. And descending resources reform and patient satisfaction have significant positive impacts on patient’s choice for low-level hospitals with the existence of mediating effect of satisfaction.

Conclusions

This paper provides supporting empirical evidence of the descending resources reform’s impact on patients’ low-level hospital selection. This reform has been effective in improving the capabilities of low-level hospitals, and brand implantation of high-level hospitals shows strong explanatory power. China’s reform offers a distinct and valuable approach to correcting the uneven allocation of health resources. Besides, the findings also suggest that policymakers could pay more attention to the importance of information channels in impacting patient awareness, responses, and hospital selection.
Genetic spectrum and clinical features in a cohort of Chinese patients with autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias
Authors: Cheng Hao-Ling , Shao Ya-Ru , Dong Yi , Dong Hai-Lin , Yang Lu , Ma Yin , Shen Ying , Wu Zhi-Ying
Published: October 2021

Background

Although many causative genes have been uncovered in recent years, genetic diagnosis is still missing for approximately 50% of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia (ARCA) patients. Few studies have been performed to determine the genetic spectrum and clinical profile of ARCA patients in the Chinese population.

Methods

Fifty-four Chinese index patients with unexplained autosomal recessive or sporadic ataxia were investigated by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation (CNV) calling with ExomeDepth. Likely causal CNV predictions were validated by CNVseq.

Results

Thirty-eight mutations including 29 novel ones were identified in 25 out of the 54 patients, providing a 46.3% positive molecular diagnostic rate. Ten different genes were involved, of which four most common genes were SACS, SYNE1, ADCK3 and SETX, which accounted for 76.0% (19/25) of the positive cases. The de novo microdeletion in SACS was reported for the first time in China and the uniparental disomy of ADCK3 was reported for the first time worldwide. Clinical features of the patients carrying SACS, SYNE1 and ADCK3 mutations were summarized.

Conclusions

Our results expand the genetic spectrum and clinical profiles of ARCA patients, demonstrate the high efficiency and reliability of WES combined with CNV analysis in the diagnosis of suspected ARCA, and emphasize the importance of complete bioinformatics analysis of WES data for accurate diagnosis.
Astrocyte dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: from the perspectives of transmitted α-synuclein and genetic modulation
Authors: Wang Changjing , Yang Tongtong , Liang Meiyu , Xie Junxia , Song Ning
Published: October 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the elderly. While the etiology of PD is likely multifactorial with the involvement of genetic, environmental, aging and other factors, α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology is a pivotal mechanism underlying the development of PD. In recent years, astrocytes have attracted considerable attention in the field. Although astrocytes perform a variety of physiological functions in the brain, they are pivotal mediators of α-syn toxicity since they internalize α-syn released from damaged neurons, and this triggers an inflammatory response, protein degradation dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Astrocytes are indispensable coordinators in the background of several genetic mutations, includingPARK7, GBA1, LRRK2, ATP13A2, PINK1, PRKNandPLA2G6. As the most abundant glial cells in the brain, functional astrocytes can be replenished and even converted to functional neurons. In this review, we discuss astrocyte dysfunction in PD with an emphasis on α-syn toxicity and genetic modulation and conclude that astrocyte replenishment is a valuable therapeutic approach in PD.
Food security effects of smallholders’ participation in apple and mango value chains in north-western Ethiopia
Authors: Mossie Mengistie , Gerezgiher Alemseged , Ayalew Zemen , Elias Asres
Published: October 2021

Background

While it has identified that linking smallholders in the agri-food value chain remains to be a promising strategy to get out of the poverty trap in many developing countries, less is known about the food security implications of smallholders’ participation in the fruits value chain. This paper examines the effects of apple and mango smallholder farmers’ participation along the value chain, focusing on their household food security in north-western Ethiopia.

Methods

Primary data for the study were obtained from a random sample of 384 households, 211 of which are fruit value chain participants, and the remainder are non-participants. The study used the propensity score matching (PSM) method to establish a causal relationship between the participation of the fruit value chain and changes in household food security.

Results and conclusions

Results indicate that participation in the apple and mango value chain has a robust and positive effect on the food security of smallholders as measured by household food consumption in kilocalorie. The unconfoundedness and overlapping assumptions were fulfilled by applying the nearest neighbor and kernel-based matching algorithms. The study confirms that the more apple and mango farmers join the value chain, the higher their household food intake becomes. Support for fruit farmers is, therefore, a promising policy approach that can help improve household food security in rural Ethiopia.
Active virus-host interactions at sub-freezing temperatures in Arctic peat soil
Authors: Trubl Gareth , Kimbrel Jeffrey A. , Liquet-Gonzalez Jose , Nuccio Erin E. , Weber Peter K. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Jansson Janet K. , Waldrop Mark P. , Blazewicz Steven J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Winter carbon loss in northern ecosystems is estimated to be greater than the average growing season carbon uptake and is primarily driven by microbial decomposers. Viruses modulate microbial carbon cycling via induced mortality and metabolic controls, but it is unknown whether viruses are active under winter conditions (anoxic and sub-freezing temperatures).

Results

We used stable isotope probing (SIP) targeted metagenomics to reveal the genomic potential of active soil microbial populations under simulated winter conditions, with an emphasis on viruses and virus-host dynamics. Arctic peat soils from the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research site in Alaska were incubated under sub-freezing anoxic conditions with H218O or natural abundance water for 184 and 370 days. We sequenced 23 SIP-metagenomes and measured carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux throughout the experiment. We identified 46 bacterial populations (spanning 9 phyla) and 243 viral populations that actively took up 18O in soil and respired CO2 throughout the incubation. Active bacterial populations represented only a small portion of the detected microbial community and were capable of fermentation and organic matter degradation. In contrast, active viral populations represented a large portion of the detected viral community and one third were linked to active bacterial populations. We identified 86 auxiliary metabolic genes and other environmentally relevant genes. The majority of these genes were carried by active viral populations and had diverse functions such as carbon utilization and scavenging that could provide their host with a fitness advantage for utilizing much-needed carbon sources or acquiring essential nutrients.

Conclusions

Overall, there was a stark difference in the identity and function of the active bacterial and viral community compared to the unlabeled community that would have been overlooked with a non-targeted standard metagenomic analysis. Our results illustrate that substantial active virus-host interactions occur in sub-freezing anoxic conditions and highlight viruses as a major community-structuring agent that likely modulates carbon loss in peat soils during winter, which may be pivotal for understanding the future fate of arctic soils' vast carbon stocks.
Inefficient quality control of ribosome stalling during APP synthesis generates CAT-tailed species that precipitate hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rimal Suman , Li Yu , Vartak Rasika , Geng Ji , Tantray Ishaq , Li Shuangxi , Huh Sungun , Vogel Hannes , Glabe Charles , Grinberg Lea T. , Spina Salvatore , Seeley William W. , Guo Su , Lu Bingwei
Published: October 2021

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism is central to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, but the key etiological driver remains elusive. Recent failures of clinical trials targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, the proteolytic fragments of amyloid precursor protein (APP) that are the main component of amyloid plaques, suggest that the proteostasis-disrupting, key pathogenic species remain to be identified. Previous studies suggest that APP C-terminal fragment (APP.C99) can cause disease in an Aβ-independent manner. The mechanism of APP.C99 pathogenesis is incompletely understood. We used Drosophila models expressing APP.C99 with the native ER-targeting signal of human APP, expressing full-length human APP only, or co-expressing full-length human APP and β-secretase (BACE), to investigate mechanisms of APP.C99 pathogenesis. Key findings are validated in mammalian cell culture models, mouse 5xFAD model, and postmortem AD patient brain materials. We find that ribosomes stall at the ER membrane during co-translational translocation of APP.C99, activating ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) to resolve ribosome collision and stalled translation. Stalled APP.C99 species with C-terminal extensions (CAT-tails) resulting from inadequate RQC are prone to aggregation, causing endolysosomal and autophagy defects and seeding the aggregation of amyloid β peptides, the main component of amyloid plaques. Genetically removing stalled and CAT-tailed APP.C99 rescued proteostasis failure, endolysosomal/autophagy dysfunction, neuromuscular degeneration, and cognitive deficits in AD models. Our finding of RQC factor deposition at the core of amyloid plaques from AD brains further supports the central role of defective RQC of ribosome collision and stalled translation in AD pathogenesis. These findings demonstrate that amyloid plaque formation is the consequence and manifestation of a deeper level proteostasis failure caused by inadequate RQC of translational stalling and the resultant aberrantly modified APP.C99 species, previously unrecognized etiological drivers of AD and newly discovered therapeutic targets.
Cys-SH based quantitative redox proteomics of salt induced response in sugar beet monosomic addition line M14
Authors: Li Jinna , Wang Kun , Ji Meichao , Zhang Tingyue , Yang Chao , Liu He , Chen Sixue , Li Hongli , Li Haiying
Published: October 2021

Background

Salt stress is a major abiotic stress that limits plant growth, development and productivity. Studying the molecular mechanisms of salt stress tolerance may help to enhance crop productivity. Sugar beet monosomic addition line M14 exhibits tolerance to salt stress.

Results

In this work, the changes in the BvM14 proteome and redox proteome induced by salt stress were analyzed using a multiplex iodoTMTRAQ double labeling quantitative proteomics approach. A total of 80 proteins were differentially expressed under salt stress. Interestingly, A total of 48 redoxed peptides were identified for 42 potential redox-regulated proteins showed differential redox change under salt stress. A large proportion of the redox proteins were involved in photosynthesis, ROS homeostasis and other pathways. For example, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase changed in its redox state after salt treatments. In addition, three redox proteins involved in regulation of ROS homeostasis were also changed in redox states. Transcription levels of eighteen differential proteins and redox proteins were profiled. (The proteomics data generated in this study have been submitted to the ProteomeXchange and can be accessed via username: reviewer_pxd027550@ebi.ac.uk, password: q9YNM1Pe and proteomeXchange# PXD027550.)

Conclusions

The results showed involvement of protein redox modifications in BvM14 salt stress response and revealed the short-term salt responsive mechanisms. The knowledge may inform marker-based breeding effort of sugar beet and other crops for stress resilience and high yield.
Performance testing on Transparent Data Encryption for SQL Server's reliability and efficiency
Authors: Madyatmadja Evaristus Didik , Hakim Aditya Nur , Sembiring David Jumpa Malem
Published: October 2021

Data security is being one of the most crucial aspects to be focused on system development. However, using such a feature to enhance the security of data might affect the system's performance. This study aims to observe how substantial Transparent Data Encryption as a solution for data security on Microsoft SQL Server will affect the database management system's performance. Each of the system performance is conducted with stress and load test. This paper concentrates on the upsides of using Transparent Data Encryption over standard database by finding how significant performance degradation has occurred in terms of Reliability and Efficiency.
Dissimilarity space reinforced with manifold learning and latent space modeling for improved pattern classification
Authors: Rezazadeh Hamedani Azadeh , Moattar Mohammad Hossein , Forghani Yahya
Published: October 2021

Dissimilarity representation plays a very important role in pattern recognition due to its ability to capture structural and relational information between samples. Dissimilarity space embedding is an approach in which each sample is represented as a vector based on its dissimilarity to some other samples called prototypes. However, lack of neighborhood-preserving, fixed and usually considerable prototype set for all training samples cause low classification accuracy and high computational complexity. To address these challenges, our proposed method creates dissimilarity space considering the neighbors of each data point on the manifold. For this purpose, Locally Linear Embedding (LLE) is used as an unsupervised manifold learning algorithm. The only goal of this step is to learn the global structure and the neighborhood of data on the manifold and mapping or dimension reduction is not performed. In order to create the dissimilarity space, each sample is compared only with its prototype set including its k-nearest neighbors on the manifold using the geodesic distance metric. Geodesic distance metric is used for the structure preserving and is computed using the weighted LLE neighborhood graph. Finally, Latent Space Model (LSM), is applied to reduce the dimensions of the Euclidean latent space so that the second challenge is resolved. To evaluate the resulted representation ad so called dissimilarity space, two common classifiers namely K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) are applied. Experiments on different datasets which included both Euclidean and non-Euclidean spaces, demonstrate that using the proposed approach, classifiers outperform the other basic dissimilarity spaces in both accuracy and runtime.
Delineation of sedimentary basin structure beneath the Banyumas Basin, Central Java, Indonesia, using ambient seismic noise tomography
Authors: Setiawan Ahmad , Zulfakriza Zulfakriza , Nugraha Andri Dian , Rosalia Shindy , Priyono Awali , Widiyantoro Sri , Sahara David P. , Marjiyono Marjiyono , Setiawan Januar H. , Lelono Eko Budi , Permana Asep K. , Hidayat Hidayat
Published: October 2021

Subsurface images of an area with a thick volcanic layer generally cannot be well-imaged with conventional seismic exploration (seismic reflection) due to seismic wave scattering. Another method is needed to obtain an accurate subsurface image in a thick volcanic layer area. In this study, we applied ambient noise tomography (ANT) to image the shear-wave velocity (Vs) structure in the Banyumas Basin, Central Java, Indonesia, which has relatively thick volcanic layers. We aimed to delineate the sediment deposits and the sedimentary thickness in this area through the utilization of ambient seismic noise. The application of cross-correlations from ambient seismic noise has been widely applied in numerous locations to obtain a greater understanding of subsurface structures. In this study, more than 1000 pairs of vertical component cross-correlations were used to estimate the Green's Function of the Rayleigh wave. The Neighbourhood Algorithm (NA) was utilized to invert the dispersion curves at 121 grid points which were used to obtain a vertical depth profile of 1D Vs. The Vs map results show that the low Vs tend to trend in a northwest–southeast direction associated with two areas: the Majenang low, and the Citanduy low. The presence of low Vs values corresponds with Middle Miocene–Pliocene sedimentary rocks. Meanwhile, the high Vs values in this area might correspond with Oligocene–Early Miocene volcanic products and Eocene sediment. Our study was also able to reveal the thickness of sedimentary rocks in the Banyumas sedimentary basin, which is believed to have hydrocarbon potential.
Discrimination and isolation of the virus from free RNA fragments for the highly sensitive measurement of SARS-CoV-2 abundance on surfaces using a graphene oxide nano surface
Authors: Yoo Hyun Jin , Li Yun Guang , Cui Wen Ying , Chung Wonseok , Shin Yong-Beom , Kim Yeon-Sook , Baek Changyoon , Min Junhong
Published: October 2021

It is highly important to sensitively measure the abundance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on various surfaces. Here, we present a nucleic acid-based detection method consisting of a new sample preparation protocol that isolates only viruses, not the free RNA fragments already present on the surfaces of indoor human-inhabited environments, using a graphene oxide-coated microbead filter. Wet wipes (100 cm2), not cotton swabs, were used to collect viruses from environmental surfaces with large areas, and viruses were concentrated and separated with a graphene oxide-coated microbead filter. Viral RNA from virus was recovered 88.10 ± 8.03% from the surface and free RNA fragment was removed by 99.75 ± 0.19% from the final eluted solution. When we tested the developed method under laboratory conditions, a 10-fold higher viral detection sensitivity (Detection limit: 1 pfu/100 cm2) than the current commercial protocol was observed. Using our new sample preparation protocol, we also confirmed that the virus was effectively removed from surfaces after chemical disinfection; we were unable to measure the disinfection efficiency using the current commercial protocol because it cannot distinguish between viral RNA and free RNA fragments. Finally, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and bacteria in 12 individual negative pressure wards in which patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection had been hospitalized. Bacteria (based on 16 S DNA) were found in all samples collected from patient rooms; however, SARS-CoV-2 was mainly detected in rooms shared by two patients.
Combined approach to estimate the depth of the magma surface in a shallow conduit at Aso volcano, Japan
Authors: Ishii Kyoka , Yokoo Akihiko
Published: October 2021

Open-vent volcanoes provide opportunities to perform various methods of observation that can be used to study shallow plumbing systems. The depth of the magma–air interface in the shallow portion of the conduit can be used as an indicator of the volcanic activity of open-vent volcanoes. Although there are many methods used to estimate the depth, most of them cannot constrain the depth to a narrow range due to other unknown parameters. To constrain the depth more accurately, we combine two methods commonly used for estimating the depth of the magma–air interface. They consider the acoustic resonant frequency and the time delay of arrivals between the seismic and infrasound signals of explosions. Both methods have the same unknown parameters: the depth of the magma–air interface and the sound velocity inside the vent. Therefore, these unknowns are constrained so that both the observed resonant frequency and time delay can be explained simultaneously. We use seismo-acoustic data of Strombolian explosions recorded in the vicinity of Aso volcano, Japan, in 2015. The estimated depths and the sound velocities are 40–200 m and 300–680 m/s, respectively. The depth range is narrower than that of a previous study using only the time delay of arrivals. However, only a small amount of the observed data can be used for the estimation, as the rest of the data cannot provide realistic depths or sound velocities. In particular, a wide distribution of the observed time delay data cannot be explained by our simple assumptions. By considering a more complicated environment of explosions, such as source positions of explosions distributed across the whole surface of a lava pond in the conduit, most of the observed data can be used for estimation. This suggests that the factor controlling the observed time delay is not as simple as generally expected.

Graphic abstract
Implant survival after graftless sinus floor augmentation in highly atrophic maxillae: a randomized controlled trial in a split mouth study
Authors: Lie Suen A. N. , Leung Carine A. W. , Claessen Rick M. M. A. , Merten Hans-Albert , Kessler Peter A. W. H.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The success rate of dental implants after graftless sinus augmentation versus conventional sinus augmentation surgery in atrophic maxillae in edentulous patients was investigated.

Methods

This randomized study was performed in ten edentulous patients with marked maxillary atrophy. On the graftless side, the sinus membrane was lifted by a resorbable membrane. The control side was augmented with a mixture of autografts and xenografts. Implant placement followed 6 months postoperatively. Outcomes were implant survival, success of prosthetic rehabilitation and stability of vertical bone gain.

Results

Ten patients were included. Postoperative radiology showed sufficient bone gain on both maxillary sides. Follow-up varied from 57 to 88 months. The conventional side showed significant (p = 0.041) more bone gain than the experimental side (respectively, 9.69 mm and 6.20 mm). A total of 59 implants were placed: 30 after conventional, 29 after graftless augmentation. One implant was lost on the conventional side and four on the experimental side. The implant survival was significantly higher on the conventional side (96.7% vs. 86.2%,p < 0.001, RR = 4.14). Prosthetic restoration was functionally successful in all cases.

Conclusion

Bone gain and implant survival were significantly lower in the non-grafted side versus the grafted side. Prosthetic rehabilitation was possible in all ten patients. The non-grafted technique may have some potential for clinical use, although it showed poorer results.

Trial registrationThe Netherlands Trialregister. NTR NL3541 (NTR3696). Registered 20 January 2013,https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/3541.
Sexual orientation and health behaviors among college students in Italy
Authors: Sironi Maria , Fricke Julie
Published: October 2021

Studies regarding sexual orientation and health behaviors have largely neglected the Italian context. This research utilizes the second wave of the ‘Sexual and Emotional Life of Youths’ (SELFY) data set to compare the health behaviors of sexual minority (SM) and heterosexual college students in Italy. Results showed that bisexual women were more likely than heterosexual women to smoke both 1–7 and 8+ cigarettes per day, get drunk sometimes and often/very often, and use marijuana and/or ecstasy sometimes and often/very often. Homosexual women were more likely than heterosexual women to smoke 1–7 cigarettes per day, get drunk often/very often, and use marijuana and/or ecstasy often/very often. Homosexual men were more likely than heterosexual men to smoke 8+ cigarettes per day, but less likely to get drunk often/very often. Bisexual men were less likely than heterosexual men to participate in physical activity sometimes, often, and very often. Finally, bisexual men were less likely to exercise often than homosexual men. This work highlights that SM college students in Italy, particularly women, are more likely to engage in specific risky health behaviors compared to their heterosexual counterparts. More attention needs to be given to SMs in Italy to inform the Italian national health care system and to ensure that the appropriate care can be provided when required.
Predation of the Japanese keelback (Hebius vibakari Boie, 1826) by the Slender racer (Orientocoluber spinalis Peters, 1866)
Authors: Park Il-Kook , Park Jaejin , Park Jiho , Min Seong-Hun , Grajal-Puche Alejandro , Park Daesik
Published: October 2021

Background

The Slender racer (Orientocoluber spinalisPeters, 1866) has recently been reclassified to the new genusOrientocoluberfromHierophis. Ecological knowledge of this species is limited due to its highly mobile behavior. On 17 July 2020, we captured a femaleO. spinalison Oeyeon Island, Boryeong-si, Republic of Korea, and collected its feces for a diet analysis. We observed snake scales from the collected feces and subsequently determined the prey species through morphological and molecular methods.

Results

We initially hypothesized that the extracted fecal sample scales belonged toH. vibakari, due to their thin keel and rhombus shape. We also amplifiedH. vibakariDNA from the extracted fecal sample using Illumina sequencing methods. Our morphological and molecular results suggest thatO. spinalispredatesH. vibakarion Oeyeon Island.

Conclusion

This is the first report ofO. spinalispredating another snake species, ophiophagy, and implies thatH. vibakarimay be a crucial prey item forO. spinalison Oeyeon Island.
Violence and sociodemographic related factors among a sample of Egyptian women during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Moawad Asmaa Mohammad , El Desouky Eman D. , Salem Marwa Rashad , Elhawary Ahmed Sallam , Hussein Sara M. , Hassan Fatma Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Background

Violence against women is a worldwide problem that affects different social and economic classes, and this violence has almost increased with pandemics as the COVID-19 pandemic. The present survey aimed to assess the prevalence of violence against women in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the relationship between sociodemographic factors and violence exposure. A total of 509 women were recruited using a self-completion e-form questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of violence experienced by women was (43.8%); the most common type was the emotional representing (96.0%) of exposed women, while sexual violence was the least common (13.5%). Violence exposure was affected significantly by residence governorates, husbands’ working status, reduced husbands’ working hours, and history of violence exposure.

Conclusions

Violence against women in Egypt was increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raises the need for a strong and urgent anti-violence program to control this problem.
Response of camels and cow calves to 100% and 50% roughage rations fed consequently
Authors: El-Badawi A. Y. , Hassan A. , Abedo A. , Yacout M. , Khalel M. , Abou-Ward G. , Helal F. , El-Naggar S.
Published: October 2021

Background

Dromedary camels could be a successful and economic meat provider in poor greenery lands where feeds and water are scarcely available. Moreover, camels need lower amounts of protein in their rations than other ruminants, since they have an exceptional ability to recycle urea as a source of nitrogen when dietary protein is unavailable. The present preliminary study aimed to detect influence of feeding all roughage ration on growth performance of growing camels in comparison with cow calves and their response to the abrupt change into 50% roughage ration fed in the fed-lot condition.

Results

The results illustrated that with feeding 100% R ration camels could utilize available nutrients better than calves, and although the maintenance level of CP was not met for both species, camels exert higher resistance in losing weight than calves (− 93.7 vs. − 160.7 g/d). Shifting camels and calves on 50% R ration showed nearly similar nutritive values and comparable daily weight gain (942.75 g for camels and 968.50 g for calves). Feed conversion efficiency as Mcal ME and g DCP/kg gain was, respectively, 18.39 and 527 for camels and 18.42 and 555 for calves. Blood serum biochemical constituents were improved with 50% R than 100% R ration particularly for calves. Blood protein of camels was not influenced by changing ration. Urea concentration was higher in camel’s blood than calves with either 100% or 50% R rations. Camels clearly had lower contents of cholesterol and triglycerides than calves under the two feeding regimes.

Conclusion

The results revealed that growing camels could utilize the 100% R ration of very low protein content more efficiently than cow calves and had similar growth rate as that of calves with the 50% R ration.
Bilateral non-bifurcating carotid arteries in a patient with recurrent cerebrovascular events
Authors: Palaiodimou Lina , Papagiannopoulou Georgia , Theodorou Aikaterini , Bakola Eleni , Chondrogianni Maria , Stefanou Maria-Ioanna , Andreadou Elizabeth , Lachanis Stefanos , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Among congenital anomalies of the carotid artery circulation, the presence of a non-bifurcating carotid artery is extremely rare. Relevant cases with unilateral non-bifurcating carotid artery have scarcely been described in the literature. After extensive literature review, only one case with asymptomatic bilateral non-bifurcating carotid arteries associated with persistent proatlantal artery was identified.

Methods

We present the case of a 40-year-old man with recurrent cerebrovascular events presenting non-bifurcating carotid arteries bilaterally.

Results

A 40-year-old man presented in the emergency department with a transient ischemic attack. Past medical history included prior ischemic stroke of unknown etiology in the distribution of the left middle cerebral artery, untreated hyperlipidemia and tobacco use. Complete work-up in order to identify the underlying mechanism of the patient’s recurrent cerebrovascular events was negative, except for the finding of non-bifurcating carotid arteries bilaterally, associated with an extensive intracranial anastomosing arterial network. Long-term antiplatelet therapy and statins were administered as secondary stroke prevention therapy.

Discussion

Previous reports suggest that non-bifurcating carotid arteries may be associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation in symptomatic cases due to shear stress, tortuosity or other local factors. However, in the absence of atherosclerosis, the pathogenic association of bilateral non-bifurcating carotid arteries with cerebrovascular events remains questionable, but may be considered when other stroke etiologies are excluded.
Antimicrobial resistance national level dialogue and action in Ghana: setting and sustaining the agenda and outcomes
Authors: Koduah Augustina , Gyansa-Lutterodt Martha , Hedidor George Kwesi , Sekyi-Brown Reginald , Asiedu-Danso Michelle , Asare Brian Adu , Ackon Angela Ama , Annan Edith Andrews
Published: October 2021

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has gained national and international attention. The design and launch of national policy on antimicrobial use and resistance and action plan marked a milestone in Ghana’s commitment to control AMR. These strategies are some outcomes of getting and sustaining AMR issues prominence on government’s agenda. Understanding the agenda setting processes, policy actors involved and policy change is important as this provides insights on how and why policy actors defined and framed AMR issues to sustain its prominence despite the changing priorities of government agenda.

Objective

To examine the processes of setting and sustaining AMR issues on government agenda, the policy actors involved and resulting outcomes.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted and data collected through interviewing twenty-four respondents and reviewing technical working group meeting reports and health sector documents. Data was analysed drawing on Kingdon’s agenda setting framework.

Result

Members of a multisectoral technical working group (AMR platform) formed in 2011 constantly built consensus on AMR problem definition, solutions and actively engaged decision makers to mobilise support and interest. The AMR platform members sustained AMR attention and prominence on government’s agenda through the following multisectoral coordination mechanisms: (1) institutionalising AMR platform activities (2) gathering evidence, sharing findings, and supporting research (3) creating awareness and training (4) gaining and maintaining political support. The activities of the AMR platform contributed to three remarkable outcomes and these are (1) maintained network of AMR Champions, (2) design of a national policy on antimicrobial use and resistance in Ghana (1st edition) and national action plan (2017–2021), and (3) Ghana’s hosting of the second Global call to action on AMR.

Conclusion

The AMR platform members as influencers concentrated their efforts to move and sustain AMR issues on government agenda. The identified multisectoral coordination mechanisms collectively contributed to agenda setting processes and policy change. The AMR platform engagements are ongoing and it is important the momentum is maintained. As multisectoral coordination and activities are vital especially for AMR ‘One Health’ approach, we hope this paper presents lessons for better understanding of how and why multisectoral groups influence national level agenda setting processes.
An improved third-order HWCNS for compressible flow simulation on curvilinear grids
Authors: Cheng Mingyang , Tang Lingyan , Liu Yu , Zhu Huajun
Published: October 2021

Due to the very high requirements on the quality of computational grids, stability property and computational efficiency, the application of high-order schemes to complex flow simulation is greatly constrained. In order to solve these problems, the third-order hybrid cell-edge and cell-node weighted compact nonlinear scheme (HWCNS3) is improved by introducing a new nonlinear weighting mechanism. The new scheme uses only the central stencil to reconstruct the cell boundary value, which makes the convergence of the scheme more stable. The application of the scheme to Euler equations on curvilinear grids is also discussed. Numerical results show that the new HWCNS3 achieves the expected order in smooth regions, captures discontinuities sharply without obvious oscillation, has higher resolution than the original one and preserves freestream and vortex on curvilinear grids.
Ethnic preparation of Chubitchi, an alcoholic beverage of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya: a sociocultural analysis
Authors: Marak Silba R. , Sharma Dwijen , Sarma Hemen
Published: October 2021

The Garo community living in Meghalaya has always relied on fermented rice liquor known as Chubitchi as a main beverage in their everyday life. Chubitchi is celebrated by the Garos during feasts and ceremonies. The indigenous populations of North-East India prepare alcoholic beverage in their traditional ways, almost always using rice as the base for those drinks. Chubitchi is a popular traditional alcoholic beverage prepared by the Garo tribe of Meghalaya, India. It is consumed during festive occasions such as Wangala (harvest festival), Do.si Do.doka (wedding festivities) and religious rituals, and also served as refreshments for weary field labourers and guests. It has a great significance in the social and cultural life of the Garos. This paper deals with the traditional preparation of Chubitchi by the Garo tribe, which is a vital part of their culture, and also examines the sociocultural significance of the beverage.
Ethnic food culture of Chhattisgarh state of India
Authors: Shukla Akhilesh
Published: October 2021

Chhattisgarh state is situated in the central part of India and is also known as the ‘Bowl of rice’. Paddy is the principal crop of this state, and rice is the staple diet of the people. The state largely maintains its ethnic food culture as most of its population continues to live within rural and tribal areas. The state has nearly 44% of forest cover which serves as a decent source of food. People here prefer a vegetarian diet, and over 70 varieties of leaves, 25 varieties of tubers and roots are used here as vegetables. The present article is an attempt to explore the ethnic food culture of Chhattisgarh and to provide information about rice and non-rice-based traditional recipes, sweet dishes, leafy vegetables, tubers and roots which are consumed here. Irrespective of all the modern changes in food habits, the people of Chhattisgarh still preserve their traditional food culture.
The prospective prognostic value of the immune checkpoint BTLA expression in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Radwan Sara M. , Elleboudy Nooran S. , Nabih Nermeen A. , El-kholy Amal , Kamal Amany M.
Published: October 2021

Background

One of the crucial functions of the immune system is to prevent tumorigenesis, yet cancer occurs when malignant cells manage to evade immune surveillance via multiple strategies. Accordingly, this study aimed at assessing the potential significance of the novel immune checkpoint B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) as a prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in addition to how it relates to response to treatment and patients’ survival. Thus, mRNA expression of BTLA was investigated on peripheral blood in 60 AML patients and 15 healthy controls.

Results

BTLA expression was found to be significantly elevated (p = 0.024) in the tested AML cases in comparison with healthy controls. Moreover, BTLA was over-expressed in the CD13, CD33, and HLA-DR positive cases as compared to their negative counterparts (p = 0.003; p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively), and cases showing BTLA over-expression had significantly poorer overall survival times (p = 0.001) as confirmed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that BTLA over-expression may be associated with reduced immunity against tumors and could be recommended as a promising biomarker for unfavorable prognosis in AML.
Towards inclusion and diversity in the light of Universal Design: three administrative buildings in Aswan city as case studies
Authors: Khalil M. E. , Mohamed N. A. , Morghany E. A.
Published: October 2021

Social inclusion aims to achieve an inclusive society that entails respect for human diversity and upholds principles of equality and equity, allowing all groups to take part in the society. Universal Design (UD) promotes inclusiveness by supporting access for all and easy use of the built environment, thus eliminating any form of exclusion and discrimination.

This study examines the UD application in Aswan’s administrative buildings. The study relied on the descriptive, analytical, and inductive approach, through the identification of deficiencies in the selected administrative buildings’ design, and the clarification of development strategies to make these buildings for all. The case study method has two processes (approaches) in evaluating the case study buildings; the first was by the researchers according to UD requirements using the study’s checklist; the second was by users according to UD principles using interviews and task sheets.

This research aims at emphasizing the positive effects of UD application on the selected buildings. In addition, it also aims at determining the compatibility of those buildings with the UD concept.

The study result showed that the case study buildings are not compatible considerably with the requirements of the UD and its principles. The research concluded that architects should consider UD requirements and principles when designing administrative buildings and when rehabilitating and developing the existing ones.

Thus, the study’s outputs could be used as a guidance tool by architects and construction managers in introducing universally designed buildings to all users.
Genetic Counseling and Testing in African American Patients With Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Survey of US Breast Oncologists
Authors: Ademuyiwa Foluso O. , Salyer Patricia , Tao Yu , Luo Jingqin , Hensing Whitney L. , Afolalu Abisola , Peterson Lindsay L. , Weilbaecher Katherine , Housten Ashley J. , Baumann Ana A. , Desai Monica , Jones Susan , Linnenbringer Erin , Plichta Jennifer , Bierut Laura
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

To determine if physicians' self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding genetic counseling and testing (GCT) vary by patients' race.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide 49-item survey among breast oncology physicians in the United States. We queried respondents about their own demographics, clinical characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers in providing GCT to patients with breast cancer.

RESULTS

Our survey included responses from 277 physicians (females, 58.8%; medical oncologists, 75.1%; academic physicians, 61.7%; and Whites, 67.1%). Only 1.8% indicated that they were more likely to refer a White patient than refer an African American patient for GCT, and 66.9% believed that African American women with breast cancer have lower rates of GCT than White women. Regarding perceived barriers to GCT, 63.4% of respondents indicated that African American women face more barriers than White women do and 21% felt that African American women require more information and guidance during the GCT decision-making process than White women. Although 32% of respondents indicated that lack of trust was a barrier to GCT in all patients, 58.1% felt that this was a greater barrier for African American women ( P < .0001). Only 13.9% believed that noncompliance with GCT is a barrier for all patients, whereas 30.6% believed that African American women are more likely than White women to be noncompliant ( P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that racial differences exist in oncology physicians' perceived barriers to GCT for patients with breast cancer. This nationwide survey will serve as a basis for understanding physicians' determinants of GCT for African American women and highlights the necessity of education and interventions to address bias among physicians. Awareness of such physician biases can enable further work to address inequities, ultimately leading to improved GCT equity for African American women with breast cancer.
Severe Abdominal Wall Infection After Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Case Report
Authors: Hang Dustin , Weich Dean , Anderson Christopher , Dolinski Sylvia Yvonne
Published: October 2021

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are increasingly used for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. TAP blocks are easy to perform, reliably effective, and have an excellent safety profile. Nevertheless, we report a patient who underwent an open cholecystectomy and right hemicolectomy where a subcostal TAP block possibly contributed to an unusual abdominal wall abscess that lead to a prolonged and complicated postoperative course.