bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers 8 months after the first wave in Aden, Yemen
Authors: Malaeb Rami , Yousef Nagwan , Al-Nagdah Omar , Ali Qassem Hussein , Saeed Mohammed Ali Saleh , Haider Amna , Zelikova Evgenia , Malou Nada , Guiramand Sonia , Mills Clair , Luquero Francisco , Porten Klaudia
Published: November 2022

The true burden of COVID-19 in Yemen is underestimated. The healthcare system is dysfunctional and there is a high shortage of health care workers in the country. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 remains limited and official surveillance data is restricted to those who are severe or highly suspected. In this study, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) aimed to conduct serological screening using rapid tests for asymptomatic staff at the MSF Aden Trauma Center to determine the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity. Four months after the peak of the first wave, we offered all the staff at the MSF Aden Trauma Center PCR if symptomatic, and a baseline SARS-CoV-2 serology screening followed by follow-up screenings. A final round was scheduled four months after the baseline. A rapid serology lateral flow test, NG-Test IgM-IgG was used in all rounds and in the final round, an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for seropositivity. The level of agreement between the different serology assays used was investigated. Overall 69 out of 356 participants (19.4%, 95% CI 17.9–20.8) tested positive by NG-Test between September and November 2020. A sub-sample of 161 staff members were retested in January 2021. Of these, the NG-Test detected only 13 positive cases, whereas the ECLIA detected 109 positive cases. The adjusted seroprevalence by ECLIA was 59% (95%CI 52.2–65.9). The non-medical staff had significantly lower odds of seropositivity compared to the medical staff (AOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.15–0.7, p<0.001). The positive percent agreement between the two tests was very low (11%). Our results suggest a very high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers in Yemen, highlighting the need for regular testing and rapid vaccination of all healthcare workers in the country.
Analysis of bacterial contamination and the effectiveness of UV light-based reprocessing of everyday medical devices
Authors: Rudhart Stefan Alexander , Günther Frank , Dapper Laura Isabel , Gehrt Francesca , Stuck Boris Alexander , Hoch Stephan
Published: November 2022

Background

The reprocessing of daily used medical devices is often inadequate, making them a potential source of infection. In addition, there are usually no consistent and technically standardized procedures available for this purpose. Hence, the aim of this study is to analyze the bacterial contamination and the effectiveness of Ultraviolet light-based (UV light-based) reprocessing of daily used medical devices.

Material and methods

Six different everyday medical devices (20 each; stethoscopes, tourniquets, bandage scissors, reflex hammers, tuning forks, and nystagmus glasses) were tested for bacterial contamination. All medical devices were then exposed to UV-C light for 25 seconds. Medical devices with a smooth surface were pre-cleaned with a water-based wipe. Contact samples were taken before and after reprocessing.

Results

Immediately after clinical use, 104 of 120 contact samples showed an average bacterial contamination of 44.8±64.3 colony forming units (CFU) (0–300 CFU), also including potentially pathogenic bacteria. Two further culture media were completely overgrown with potentially pathogenic bacteria. The stethoscopes were found to have the highest average contamination of 90±91.6 CFU. After reprocessing, 118 of 120 samples were sterile, resulting in an average residual contamination of 0.02±0.1 CFU in two samples, whereby only bacteria of the ordinary skin flora were found.

Conclusion

The present study shows the potentially clinically relevant bacterial contamination of everyday used medical devices. The reprocessing method tested here using UV light appears to be a suitable method for disinfection, especially for objects that up to now have been difficult to disinfect or cannot be disinfected in a standardized manner.
E-cigarette aerosol exposure of pulmonary surfactant impairs its surface tension reducing function
Authors: Graham Emma , McCaig Lynda , Shui-Kei Lau Gloria , Tejura Akash , Cao Anne , Zuo Yi Y. , Veldhuizen Ruud
Published: November 2022

Introduction

E-cigarette (EC) and vaping use continue to remain popular amongst teenage and young adult populations, despite several reports of vaping associated lung injury. One of the first compounds that EC aerosols comes into contact within the lungs during a deep inhalation is pulmonary surfactant. Impairment of surfactant’s critical surface tension reducing activity can contribute to lung dysfunction. Currently, information on how EC aerosols impacts pulmonary surfactant remains limited. We hypothesized that exposure to EC aerosol impairs the surface tension reducing ability of surfactant.

Methods

Bovine Lipid Extract Surfactant (BLES) was used as a model surfactant in a direct exposure syringe system. BLES (2ml) was placed in a syringe (30ml) attached to an EC. The generated aerosol was drawn into the syringe and then expelled, repeated 30 times. Biophysical analysis after exposure was completed using a constrained drop surfactometer (CDS).

Results

Minimum surface tensions increased significantly after exposure to the EC aerosol across 20 compression/expansion cycles. Mixing of non-aerosolized e-liquid did not result in significant changes. Variation in device used, addition of nicotine, or temperature of the aerosol had no additional effect. Two e-liquid flavours, menthol and red wedding, had further detrimental effects, resulting in significantly higher surface tension than the vehicle exposed BLES. Menthol exposed BLES has the highest minimum surface tensions across all 20 compression/expansion cycles. Alteration of surfactant properties through interaction with the produced aerosol was observed with a basic e-liquid vehicle, however additional compounds produced by added flavourings appeared to be able to increase inhibition.

Conclusion

EC aerosols alter surfactant function through increases in minimum surface tension. This impairment may contribute to lung dysfunction and susceptibility to further injury.
Waist-to-hip circumference and waist-to-height ratio could strongly predict glycemic control than body mass index among adult patients with diabetes in Ethiopia: ROC analysis
Authors: Oumer Abdu , Ale Ahmed , Tariku Zerihun , Hamza Aragaw , Abera Legesse , Seifu Ashenafi
Published: November 2022

Background

Poorly controlled blood glucose is prevalent and contributes to the huge burden of diabetes related morbidity, and central obesity has a great role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its adverse complications, which could predict such risks, yet evidence is lacking. Hence, this paper is to evaluate the predictive performance of central obesity indices for glycemic control among adult patients with diabetes in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A survey of 432 randomly chosen patients with diabetes was conducted using a pretested questionnaire supplemented by chart review, anthropometrics, and biomarkers by trained data collectors. The poor glycemic control was assessed using a fasting blood glucose (FBS) level of above 130 and/or an HgA1c level above 7%. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured under standard procedures and we calculated waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The receiver operating characteristics curve was used to assess the predictive performance of obesity indices for glycemic control using area under the curve (AUC) and corresponding validity measures.

Results

A total of 432 (92%) patients with diabetes were enrolled with a mean age of 49.6 (±12.4) years. The mean fasting blood glucose level was 189 (±72) mg dl-1where 330 (76.4%) (95% CI: 74.4–78.4%) and 93.3% of them had poor glycemic control based on FBS and HgA1c, respectively. WC (AUC = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85–0.95), WHR (AUC = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.84), and WHtR (AUC = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.83–0.94) have a higher predictive performance for poor glycemic control at cut-off points above 100 cm, 0.95, and 0.62, respectively. However, obesity indices showed a lower predictive performance for poor glycemic control based on FBS. Body mass index (BMI) had a poor predictive performance for poor glycemic control (AUC = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.13–0.40).

Conclusions

Poor glycemic control is a public health concern and obesity indicators, typically WC, WHR, and WHtR, have a better predictive performance for poor glycemic control than BMI.
In search of diverse and connected teams: A computational approach to assemble diverse teams based on members’ social networks
Authors: Gómez-Zará Diego , Das Archan , Pawlow Bradley , Contractor Noshir
Published: November 2022

Previous research shows that teams with diverse backgrounds and skills can outperform homogeneous teams. However, people often prefer to work with others who are similar and familiar to them and fail to assemble teams with high diversity levels. We study the team formation problem by considering a pool of individuals with different skills and characteristics, and a social network that captures the familiarity among these individuals. The goal is to assign all individuals to diverse teams based on their social connections, thereby allowing them to preserve a level of familiarity. We formulate this team formation problem as a multi-objective optimization problem to split members into well-connected and diverse teams within a social network. We implement this problem employing the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), which finds team combinations with high familiarity and diversity levels inO(n2) time. We tested this algorithm on three empirically collected team formation datasets and against three benchmark algorithms. The experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm successfully formed teams that have both diversity in member attributes and previous connections between members. We discuss the benefits of using computational approaches to augment team formation and composition.
Rapid sample preparation and low-resource molecular detection of hepatopancreatic parvoviruses (HPV) by recombinase polymerase amplification lateral flow detection assay in shrimps (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis)
Authors: Pollak Nina M. , Fais Omar , Kristoffersen Joanna , Phuthaworn Chontida , Knibb Wayne , Macdonald Joanne
Published: November 2022

Background

Viral diseases are a major problem in shrimp aquaculture facilities as these diseases reduce growth rates, which inevitably lead to production and profit losses. Hepatopancreatic parvoviruses (HPV) are common diseases in shrimp that appear to be associated with high or low levels of replication in specific genetic lineages. Selective breeding may result in resistance to HPV and improved body traits such as body weight, meat yield and shrimp colour, facilitating shrimp farming. HPV virus titre is commonly determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR), which is a time-consuming method requiring laboratory equipment unsuitable for field implementation. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, robust, rapid and reliable method to detect HPV in low-resource environments.

Methods

We developed a rapid shrimp HPV test that uses (1) a simple three-step sample preparation protocol, followed by (2) isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral flow strip detection (LFD). Analytical sensitivity testing was performed in a background banana shrimp sample matrix, and retrospective testing of Fenneropenaeus merguiensis hepatopancreas tissues (n = 33) with known qPCR viral titres was used to determine diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Results

The rapid shrimp HPV test could detect as little as 35 genome-equivalent copies per reaction in homogenized F. merguiensis banana shrimp. Retrospective testing of stored tissues (n = 33) indicated 100% diagnostic sensitivity (95% confidence interval, CI: 86–100%) and 100% specificity (95% CI: 66–100%) for detection of HPV.

Conclusion

The rapid shrimp HPV test could be completed in only 40 minutes, and required only homogenization pestles, some pipettors, and a small heating block for single temperature incubation at 39°C. Critically, our procedure eliminated the time-consuming purification of nucleic acids from samples and when combined with RPA-LFD offers a user-friendly HPV detection format that can potentially be performed on-site. Our approach represents a major step forward in the development of a simple and sensitive end-point method for quick determination of unfavourable HPV virus numbers in shrimp, and has great potential to advance on-site management of shrimps in aquaculture.
In the line of fire: Debris throwing by wild octopuses
Authors: Godfrey-Smith Peter , Scheel David , Chancellor Stephanie , Linquist Stefan , Lawrence Matthew
Published: November 2022

Wild Octopus tetricus frequently propel shells, silt, and algae through the water by releasing these materials from their arms while creating a forceful jet from the siphon held under the arm web. These "throws" occur in several contexts at a site in Jervis Bay, Australia, including in interactions with other octopuses. Material thrown in interactive contexts frequently hits other octopuses. Some throws appear to be targeted on other individuals, as suggested by several kinds of evidence: Throws in interactive contexts were more vigorous than others, and more often used silt, rather than shells or algae. High vigor throws were more often accompanied by uniform or dark body patterns than other throws. Some throws were directed differently from beneath the arms and such throws were more likely to hit other octopuses. Throwing at other individuals in the same population, as apparently seen in these octopuses, is a rare form of nonhuman projectile use, previously seen only in some social mammals.
Predicting prediction: A systematic workflow to analyze factors affecting the classification performance in genomic biomarker discovery
Authors: Netzer Michael , Baumgartner Christian , Baumgarten Daniel
Published: November 2022

High throughput technologies in genomics enable the analysis of small alterations in gene expression levels. Patterns of such deviations are an important starting point for the discovery and verification of new biomarker candidates. Identifying such patterns is a challenging task that requires sophisticated machine learning approaches. Currently, there are a variety of classification models, and a common approach is to compare the performance and select the best one for a given classification problem. Since the association between the features of a data set and the performance of a particular classification method is still not fully understood, the main contribution of this work is to provide a new methodology for predicting the prediction results of different classifiers in the field of biomarker discovery. We propose here a three-steps computational workflow that includes an analysis of the data set characteristics, the calculation of the classification accuracy and, finally, the prediction of the resulting classification error. The experiments were carried out on synthetic and microarray datasets. Using this method, we showed that the predictability strongly depends on the discriminatory ability of the features, e.g., sets of genes, in two or multi-class datasets. If a dataset has a certain discriminatory ability, this method enables prediction of the classification performance before applying a learning model. Thus, our results contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between dataset characteristics and the corresponding performance of a machine learning method, and suggest the optimal classification method for a given dataset based on its discriminatory ability.
Seasonal variation and group size affect movement patterns of two pelagic dolphin species (Lagenorhynchus obscurus and Delphinus delphis)
Authors: Dans Silvana Laura , Luzenti Elvio Agustin , Coscarella Mariano Alberto , Joo Rocio , Degrati Mariana , Curcio Nadia Soledad
Published: November 2022

Movement is a key factor in the survival and reproduction of most organisms with important links to bioenergetics and population dynamics. Animals use movement strategies that minimize the costs of locating resources, maximizing energy gains. Effectiveness of these strategies depends on the spatial distribution, variability and predictability of resources. The study of fine-scale movement of small cetaceans in the pelagic domain is limited, in part because of the logistical difficulties associated with tagging and tracking them. Here we describe and model the fine-scale movement patterns of two pelagic dolphin species using georeferenced movement and behavioral data obtained by tracking dolphin groups on board small vessels. Movement patterns differed by species, group sizes and seasons. Dusky dolphin groups moved shorter distances when feeding and longer distances when traveling whereas the common dolphin did the same only when they moved in large groups. In summer, both dolphins cover longer distances in a more linear path, while in winter the movement is more erratic and moving shorter distances. Both species of dolphins prey on small pelagic fishes, which are patchily distributed and show seasonal variability in school sizes and distribution. However, dusky dolphins rely on anchovy to a larger extent than common dolphins. In Nuevo Gulf, anchovy shoals are smaller and separated by shorter distances in winter and dusky dolphins´ movement pattern is consistent with this. Dusky and common dolphins are impacted by tourism and fisheries. Further modelling of movement could be inform spatial based management tools.
Primary hypertension, anti-hypertensive medications and the risk of severe COVID-19 in UK Biobank
Authors: Pavey Holly , Kulkarni Spoorthy , Wood Angela , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Sever Peter , McEniery Carmel , Wilkinson Ian
Published: November 2022

Hypertension appears to be one of the commonest comorbidities in COVID-19 patients, although whether hypertensive individuals have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared with non-hypertensives is unclear. It is also unclear whether the absolute level of systolic blood pressure, or the type of anti-hypertensive medication is related to this risk. Analyses were conducted using data from the UK Biobank and linked health records. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the impact of hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and medications on the risk of severe COVID-19. 16,134 individuals tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus, 22% (n = 3,584) developed severe COVID-19 and 40% (n = 6,517) were hypertensive. Hypertension was associated with 22% higher odds of severe COVID-19 (Odds ratio (OR) 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 1.33), compared with normotension after adjusting for confounding variables. In those taking anti-hypertensive medications, elevated SBP showed a dose-response relationship with severe COVID-19 (150-159mmHg versus 120-129mmHg (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.44, 2.53), >180+mmHg versus 120-129mmHg (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.06, 3.51)). SBP <120mmHg was associated with greater odds of severe COVID-19 (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.11, 1.78). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers were not associated with altered risk of severe COVID-19. Hypertension is an important risk factor for COVID-19. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is warranted in case of more severe strains or other viruses in the future.
Evaluating the use of semi-structured crowdsourced data to quantify inequitable access to urban biodiversity: A case study with eBird
Authors: Grade Aaron M. , Chan Nathan W. , Gajbhiye Prashikdivya , Perkins Deja J. , Warren Paige S.
Published: November 2022

Credibly estimating social-ecological relationships requires data with broad coverage and fine geographic resolutions that are not typically available from standard ecological surveys. Open and unstructured data from crowdsourced platforms offer an opportunity for collecting large quantities of user-submitted ecological data. However, the representativeness of the areas sampled by these data portals is not well known. We investigate how data availability in eBird, one of the largest and most popular crowdsourced science platforms, correlates with race and income of census tracts in two cities: Boston, MA and Phoenix, AZ. We find that checklist submissions vary greatly across census tracts, with similar patterns within both metropolitan regions. In particular, census tracts with high income and high proportions of white residents are most likely to be represented in the data in both cities, which indicates selection bias in eBird coverage. Our results illustrate the non-representativeness of eBird data, and they also raise deeper questions about the validity of statistical inferences regarding disparities that can be drawn from such datasets. We discuss these challenges and illustrate how sample selection problems in unstructured or semi-structured crowdsourced data can lead to spurious conclusions regarding the relationships between race, income, and access to urban bird biodiversity. While crowdsourced data are indispensable and complementary to more traditional approaches for collecting ecological data, we conclude that unstructured or semi-structured data may not be well-suited for all lines of inquiry, particularly those requiring consistent data coverage, and should thus be handled with appropriate care.
Income inequality, voters’ support for public spending and the size of the welfare state. A simple political model
Authors: Solano-García Ángel
Published: November 2022

This paper studies the effect of income inequality and voters’ support for public spending on the choice of size of the welfare state. Based on new empirical findings showing that preferences for taxation depend on the nature of the policies financed with tax revenues (Barnes 2015, Ballard-Rosa 2016, Roosma 2016, and Berens 2019) I build a Downsian two-party political competition framework in which voters differ in both income (rich or poor) and ideology (liberal or conservative). Government provides two types of public services: one that increase the size of the welfare state and other that does not. Liberal (conservative) voters only care about the public service that increase (do not increase) the size of the welfare state. I find that the decisive voter and the size of the welfare state depends on both the level of income inequality and voters’ support for public spending. In particular, and different from the traditional models on redistributive politics (Romer 1975, Roberts 1977, and Meltzer 1981), I obtain that an increase in pre tax income inequality may reduce the size of the welfare state chosen by majority voting.
COVID-19 and the eye: Systemic and laboratory risk factors for retinopathy and detection of tear film SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a triplex RT-PCR assay
Authors: Shantha Jessica G. , Fashina Tolulope , Stittleburg Victoria , Randleman Casey , Ward Laura , Regueiro Matt , Krakow David , Linderman Susanne L. , Drews-Botsch Carolyn , Ahmed Rafi , Waggoner Jesse , Yeh Steven
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To assess hospitalized COVID-19 inpatients for the prevalence of retinopathy and tear film SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and associated risk factors for their detection.

Methods

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients underwent dilated ophthalmic examination and fundus photography. Conjunctival swabs were assessed for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR via a triple target assay. We assessed the relationships of retinopathy with clinical outcomes, systemic risk factors and laboratory data.

Results

The median age was 59.5 years and 29 (48%) were female. Retinopathy associated with COVID-19 was observed in 12 of 60 patients (20%). The median age of patients with COVID-19 retinopathy was 51.5 compared to 62.5 years in individuals without retinopathy (p = 0.01). Median BMI was 34.3 in patients with retinopathy versus 30.9 in those without retinopathy (p = 0.04). Fifteen of 60 patients (25%) tested SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive in their tear film without a relationship with timing of illness and hospitalization. The N2 gene was particularly sensitive with 18 of 19 eyes (94.7%) showing N2-positivity, including 2 patients with alpha variant-positivity (B.1.1.7).

Conclusion

Retinopathy was observed in 20% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients with retinopathy were more likely to be younger and have higher BMI than hospitalized patients without retinopathy. Tear film SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 25% of patients. The relationship of obesity and age with retinopathy requires further investigation.
The in silico and in vitro analysis of donepezil derivatives for Anopheles acetylcholinesterase inhibition
Authors: Rants’o Thankhoe A. , van Greunen Divan G. , van der Westhuizen C. Johan , Riley Darren L. , Panayides Jenny-Lee , Koekemoer Lizette L. , van Zyl Robyn L.
Published: November 2022

Current studies onAnophelesanticholinesterase insecticides are focusing on identifying agents with high selectivity towardsAnophelesover mammalian targets. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from electric eel is often used as the bioequivalent enzyme to study ligands designed for activity and inhibition in human. In this study, previously identified derivatives of a potent AChE, donepezil, that have exhibited low activity on electric eel AChE were assessed for potential AChE-based larvicidal effects on four African malaria vectors;An.funestus,An.arabiensis,An.gambiaeandAn.coluzzii. This led to the identification of four larvicidal agents with a lead molecule, 1-benzyl-N-(thiazol-2-yl) piperidine-4-carboxamide2showing selectivity forAn.arabiensisas a larvicidal AChE agent. Differential activities of this molecule onAn.arabiensisand electric eel AChE targets were studied through molecular modelling. Homology modelling was used to generate a three-dimensional structure of theAn.arabiensisAChE for this binding assay. The conformation of this molecule and corresponding interactions with the AChE catalytic site was markedly different between the two targets. Assessment of the differences between the AChE binding sites from electric eel, human andAnophelesrevealed that the electric eel and human AChE proteins were very similar. In contrast,AnophelesAChE had a smaller cysteine residue in place of bulky phenylalanine group at the entrance to the catalytic site, and a smaller aspartic acid residue at the base of the active site gorge, in place of the bulky tyrosine residues. Results from this study suggest that this difference affects the ligand orientation and corresponding interactions at the catalytic site. The lead molecule2also formed more favourable interactions withAn.arabiensisAChE model than otherAnophelesAChE targets, possibly explaining the observed selectivity among other assessedAnophelesspecies. This study suggests that 1-benzyl-N-(thiazol-2-yl) piperidine-4-carboxamide2may be a lead compound for designing novel insecticides againstAnophelesvectors with reduced toxic potential on humans.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early career dementia researchers: A global online survey
Authors: Bartels Sara Laureen , Shaaban C. Elizabeth , Brum Wagner S. , Welikovitch Lindsay A. , Folarin Royhaan , Smith Adam ,   on behalf of the ISTAART PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a public health priority and highlights research as an action to respond to the consequences, with early career dementia researchers (ECDRs) representing the key driving force. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, biomedical and psychosocial dementia research was strained worldwide. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of the pandemic on ECDRs.

Methods

In autumn 2021, the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Professional Interest Area to Elevate Early Career Researchers (PEERs) and University College London conducted an online survey querying ECDRs’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was shared through the ISTAART network, social media, podcasts, and emailing lists. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

Survey data from n = 321 ECDRs from 34 countries were analyzed (67.6% women; 78.8% working in academia). Overall, 77.8% of ECDRs surveyed indicated research delays, 53.9% made project adjustments, 37.9% required additional or extended funding, and 41.8% reported a negative impact on career progression. Moreover, 19.9% felt unsupported by their institutions and employers (33% felt well supported, 42.7% somewhat supported). ECDR’s conference attendance remained the same (26.5%) or increased (More: 28.6%; a lot more: 5.6%) since the start of the pandemic. Continental differences were visible, while the impact of the pandemic did not differ greatly based on ECDRs’ sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on ECDRs worldwide and institutions, employers, and funding bodies are urged to consider the implications and lessons-learned when working with, managing, and promoting ECDRs. Strategies related to the pandemic and general career support to improve ECDRs career progression are discussed, including social media training, digital networking, and benefits of hybrid events. Global resources specific for ECDRs are highlighted.
Cross-protection against African swine fever virus upon intranasal vaccination is associated with an adaptive-innate immune crosstalk
Authors: Bosch-Camós Laia , Alonso Uxía , Esteve-Codina Anna , Chang Chia-Yu , Martín-Mur Beatriz , Accensi Francesc , Muñoz Marta , Navas María J. , Dabad Marc , Vidal Enric , Pina-Pedrero Sonia , Pleguezuelos Patricia , Caratù Ginevra , Salas María L. , Liu Lihong , Bataklieva Stanimira , Gavrilov Boris , Rodríguez Fernando , Argilaguet Jordi
Published: November 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is causing a worldwide pandemic affecting the porcine industry and leading to important global economic consequences. The virus causes a highly lethal hemorrhagic disease in wild boars and domestic pigs. Lack of effective vaccines hampers the control of virus spread, thus increasing the pressure on the scientific community for urgent solutions. However, knowledge on the immune components associated with protection is very limited. Here we characterized the in vitro recall response induced by immune cells from pigs intranasally vaccinated with the BA71ΔCD2 deletion mutant virus. Vaccination conferred dose-dependent cross-protection associated with both ASFV-specific antibodies and IFNγ-secreting cells. Importantly, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics of blood and lymph node cells from vaccinated pigs revealed a positive feedback from adaptive to innate immunity. Indeed, activation of Th1 and cytotoxic T cells was concomitant with a rapid IFNγ-dependent triggering of an inflammatory response characterized by TNF-producing macrophages, as well as CXCL10-expressing lymphocytes and cross-presenting dendritic cells. Altogether, this study provides a detailed phenotypic characterization of the immune cell subsets involved in cross-protection against ASFV, and highlights key functional immune mechanisms to be considered for the development of an effective ASF vaccine.
Distribution of Phytophthora species causing Black Pod Disease of Cocoa
Authors: Etaware Peter
Published: November 2022

Phytophthora sp. accountable for cocoa pod rot thrives better between latitude 20°N and 20°S, where the atmosphere is humid (>65%), rainfall is abundant (1,000mm≤Rainfall≤3,000mm), altitude is low (<400m above sea level) and there is plenty of sunshine, with ambient temperature range between 15°C≤Temp.≤32°C (Etaware, 2022). Therefore, this research was designed to identify various hotspots suitable for Phytophthora sp. Global review of the species distribution showed thatPhytophthora sp. were identified in some selected countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Cameroun, Uganda (Africa), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela (South America), Mexico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, (North America), Spain, Portugal (Europe), Malaysia, Philippines (Asia), and Solomon Islands (Oceania). This will help cocoa farmers and researchers to effectively identify some of the diseases associated with their crops.
Simulation Training : It’s Role In Promoting Interest In Interventional Radiology Residency Amongst Medical Students
Authors: Stibbs Peter , Woo Joe , Bartlett Brett , Brody Tom
Published: November 2022

Simulation training has played an important role in developing the hand eye coordination and basic procedural skill sets necessary to perform invasive procedures in multiple procedural specialties such as interventional cardiology, general surgery, and endovascular intervention. Interventional radiology as a standalone residency is new to many medical students and as such, there can be a gap with regards to understanding and self identifying with the specialty. Simulation labs and simulation training are becoming more readily available within training institutions and larger medical centers. As such, medical simulation can be used not only as a tool for training residents in procedural skill sets, but also as a tool to help drive the interest and educate medical students in what interventional radiology is with regards to a specialty in the overall scheme of medicine, as well as to allow medical students to gain a healthy knowledge base and intrigue with regards to the residency as a whole which may help medical students make a definitive decision towards choosing interventional radiology as their residency of choice over other better known procedural specialties.
ETAPOD – A Virtual System for the Estimation of Black Pod Disease
Authors: Etaware Peter
Published: November 2022

Eight (8) models (MRM1-MRM8) were developed, programmed and tested, while five (5) models (MRM1-MRM5) were finally selected for optimization and performance check.he selected model MRM5 (débuted “ETAPOD”) outperformed all the other models. ETAPOD had 100% precision rating for BPD prediction in Ekiti (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015) with model efficiency of 95–100%. The performance of the model was rated 80% in 2010 and 2015 (Ondo) with model efficiency of 85–90%, 70% in 2011 (Osun) with model efficiency of 81–84%, 60% in 2010 (Ondo and Osun) and 2015 (Osun) with model efficiency of 75–80%, 40% in 2009 (Osun) with model efficiency of 65–69% and 0% 1n 2011 (Ondo) with model efficiency between 0 and 49%.
Decarbonising existing homes in Wales: a participatory behavioural systems mapping approach
Authors: Hale Joanna , Jofeh Christopher , Chadwick Paul
Published: November 2022

To reduce carbon emissions, urgent change is needed to high-carbon human behaviours including home energy use. Previous policy failures point to insufficient integration of systemic and behavioural approaches which are too often seen as alternative and incompatible approaches to bring about change. A novel behavioural systems mapping approach was used to inform national policy recommendations for energy-saving retrofit of homes in Wales. Three participatory workshops were held with the independent Welsh residential decarbonisation advisory group (‘the Advisory Group’) to: (1) map relationships between actors, behaviours and influences on behaviour within the home retrofit system; (2) provide training in the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework and (3) use these to develop policy recommendations for interventions. Recommendations were analysed using the capability, opportunity and motivation (COM-B) model of behaviour to assess whether they addressed these factors. Two behavioural systems maps (BSMs) were produced, representing privately rented and owner-occupied housing tenures. The main causal pathways and feedback loops in each map are described. Necessary interventions to achieve national-scale retrofit included: government-led investment, campaigns and awareness-building, financial-sector funding mechanisms, enforcement of regulations and creating more streamlined and trusted supply chain services. Of 27 final policy recommendations, six addressed capability, 24 opportunity and 12 motivation. Participatory behavioural systems mapping can be used in conjunction with behaviour change frameworks to develop policy recommendations that address the behavioural determinants of complex environmental problems in a systemic way. Research is underway to refine and extend the approach through application to other sustainability challenges and methods of constructing systems maps.
Nerve-spring technique could achieve a functional trifecta outcome of robotic intracorporeal studer’s orthotopic neobladder in the male
Authors: Cheng Qiang , Gu Liangyou , Chen Wenzheng , Zhao Xupeng , Ma Xin , Chang Xiao , Ai Qing , Li Hongzhao
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To summarize some key steps of functional improvement in robotic intracorporeal studer’s orthotopic neobladder (RISON) of males, especially for nerve-spring technique. We also presented the result of 1-year follow-up aimed to illustrate its functional trifecta outcomes.
Methods: Robotic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal studer’s orthotopic neobladder was performed on 33 male patients by the same surgeon from April 2018 to March 2019. Nerve-sparing technique had been used in 11 of the 33 patients. A prospectively maintained dataset was retrospectively searched and the related perioperative and follow-up data were analyzed. The functional trifecta outcomes referred to the freedom from recurrence, urinary continence and sexual function recovery after one year.
Results: A total of 33 males were included in our study. All perioperative information was recorded in detail. Thirty-two cases were confirmed to have negative surgical margin, except one pT3a case. And another case of incidental prostate cancer was diagnosed pathologically. All patients (100%) were recurrence-free one year after the operation. Eleven patients underwent nerve-sparing surgeries, including inter-fascial techniques or intra-fascial techniques. All these patients attained daytime continence (0 pad) at 1 month. With the nighttime continence, nerve-sparing group (2, 2 ,1) used fewer pads than other 22 cases (3, 3 ,2) at 1, 6 or 12 month(s) respectively. We defined urinary continence as 0 pad in daytime and no more than 1 pad in nighttime. The median preoperative score of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) in the 11 cases was 24. The sexual function recovery was defined as IIEF-6 > 20. The final trifecta rate was 54.5% and the median follow-up time lasted 17 months (range, 12 to 22 months).
Conclusions: RISON could be a safe and feasible choice of urinary diversion. Nerve sparing techniques might help the patients achieve a relatively higher functional trifecta rate.
“As if I Were an Illegal”
Authors: Woodard Lauren
Published: November 2022

This article examines how immigrants from post-Soviet countries engage in practices of racial passing to challenge ethnic stereotypes in Russia, the world’s fourth-largest migration destination. Ethnographic research reveals that immigrants shed signs of illegality to pass not necessarily as white, ethnic Russians (russkie) but instead as ethnically heterogeneous Russian citizens (rossiiane). The need to pass points to fundamental tensions within Russian society about belonging, tensions arising from a particular configuration of race, ethnicity, and language that emerged during the Soviet era. I show how ethnic Russianness operates akin to whiteness, the invisible ideal against which racialized bodies are marked, despite Soviet-era anti-racism campaigns and contemporary claims of Russia’s multiethnic diversity. This article contributes to scholarship analyzing migration and citizenship as racial projects by demonstrating how locally nuanced inflections of whiteness interact with global and transnational movements of white supremacy. 

РЕЗЮМЕ

В этой статье исследуется то, как иммигранты из постсоветских стран вовлечены в практики расового пассинга, усложняющие этнические стереотипы в России (занимающей четвертое место в мире по величине миграционного притока). Этнографическое исследование показывает, что иммигранты скрывают маркеры нелегальности, чтобы выдать себя не обязательно за белых этнических русских, а вместо этого за этнически неоднородных российских граждан (россияне). Необходимость такого пассинга указывает на фундаментальную напряженность в российском обществе относительно самоидентификации, которая возникает из-за особой конфигурации расы, этничности и языка, возникшей в советское время. Я показываю, как этническая ‘русскость’ действует подобно белизне, невидимому идеалу, рядом с которым существуют расиализированные тела, на фоне антирасистских кампаний советской эпохи и современных заявлений о многонациональности России. Эта статья вносит вклад в исследования, которые анализируют миграцию и гражданство как расовые проекты, демонстрируя, как локальные нюансы белизны взаимодействуют с глобальными и транснациональными движениями за превосходство белых.
Реализация виртуального осциллографа на базе микроконтроллера STM32
Authors:   Томский государственный университет систем управления и радиоэлектроники, Дмитриев В.М. , Гембух Л.А. ,   Томский государственный университет систем управления и радиоэлектроники, Сахабутдинов А.Е. ,   Томский государственный университет систем управления и радиоэлектроники
Published: November 2022

В статье представлены структурно-функциональная схема виртуального осциллографа, описание макетной платы, описание блока «COM-порт». Представлены режимы работы аналого-цифрового преобразователя и UART в микроконтроллере STM32. Из представленных режимов работы выбраны оптимальные для работы блока виртуального осциллографа. Цель исследования: разработать виртуальный осциллограф на основе микроконтроллера STM32, предложив его структурно-функциональную схему. Материалы и методы. Для разработки структуры виртуального осциллографа необходимо спроектировать схему его взаимодействия с лабораторной установкой, выбрать оптимальный метод для снятия напряжений с точек макетной платы и способ их передачи на компьютер. Также необходимо реализовать блок COM-порта и его взаимодействие с блоком виртуального осциллографа в среде моделирования. Результаты. Разработана структурно-функциональная схема программно-аппаратной реализации работы виртуального осциллографа. Описаны режимы работы аналого-цифрового преобразователя микроконтроллера STM32. Описаны режимы передачи данных по UART в STM32. Представлен формат передаваемых по UART кадров. Также реализован блок COM-порта и его взаимодействие с блоком виртуального осциллографа в среде моделирования МАРС. Заключение. В результате рассмотрения методов работы с внутренним аналого-цифровым преобразователем микроконтроллера STM32 и методов работы с UART был сделан вывод, что оптимальным режимом работы является работа с использованием технологии прямого доступа к памяти. Использование виртуального осциллографа позволяет сделать более удобным отображение аналоговых сигналов за счёт использования большого монитора компьютера. Также реализация на компьютере позволяет реализовать функционал для сравнения и хранения информации с множества каналов и сделать удобным масштабирование графика отображаемого сигнала. Использование внутренних аналого-цифровых преобразователей микроконтроллера позволяет значительно сэкономить на покупке реального осциллографа.
Компьютерное моделирование тросовой грозозащиты двухцепной ЛЭП класса напряжения 110 кВ в Simulink
Authors:   Пермский национальный исследовательский политехнический университет, Березниковский фи-лиал, Плехов П.В. , Затонский А.В. ,   Пермский национальный исследовательский политехнический университет, Березниковский фи-лиал, Долгополов И.С. ,   Пермский национальный исследовательский политехнический университет, Березниковский фи-лиал
Published: November 2022

В статье рассматривается проблема повышения качества грозозащиты за счет более точного расчета её параметров. В качестве средства защиты выбран защитный трос. Актуальность задачи обусловлена необходимостью повышения качества и бесперебойности энергоснабжения в современных условиях. В качестве объекта исследования выбран участок реальной сети электрических соединений напряжением 110 кВ в виде воздушных линий на опорах ПБ-100-8, к которым подключены разнородные потребители. Экспериментально установлено, что потребители оказывают друг на друга взаимное влияние. В этих условиях затруднительно применить традиционные методы расчета грозозащиты. Цель исследования – анализ влияния проводника грозотроса на переходные процессы реальной двухцепной воздушной линии электроснабжения. Материалы и методы. В пакете Simulink разработана имитационная модель взаимодействия элементов системы электроснабжения, выключателей и потребителей, воспроизводящая различные режимы работы сети: холостой ход, работу под нагрузкой, короткое замыкание. Ограничение перенапряжений в модели не учитывается в целях исследования. Недостающие данные получены из сторонних источников и с помощью программы Google Earth. Адекватность модели доказана путем сравнения результатов с экспериментальными данными, в том числе расчетами взаимного влияния потребителей. Результаты. Разработан сценарий моделирования, предусматривающий несколько переключений и коротких замыканий в сети. Проанализировано влияние грозозащитного троса в различных режимах работы. Путем анализа осциллограмм сети изучено взаимное влияние проводников разных цепей высоковольтной линии. Показано, что это влияние существенное, и его необходимо учитывать при расчете параметров средств грозозащиты. Оценено обратное влияние грозозащиты на электрическую сеть. Заключение. Разработанная модель может использоваться для широкого круга сетей 100 кВ, оснащенных средствами грозозащиты. В данном случае подтверждена эффективность выбранного защитного троса. Важным частным выводом из результатов моделирования является заключение о несущественной (менее 1 %) потере мощности в сети из-за организации тросовой грозозащиты.
REFORMASI KINERJA DINAS KEPENDUDUKAN DAN CATATAN SIPIL KOTA MALANG
Authors: Fadil Muhammad , Nur Busyra , Jihad M Ikhsanul , Abidin Zaenal
Published: November 2022

Public services become one of the obligations that must be done by the government, public services in the administrative field often have some problems such as delays in administrative management until the failure to run the bureaucracy there in, Therefore good governance is present in answering the problem by noble bureaucratic reform of the government. Often administrative problems arise due to problems of productivity, discipline, and effectiveness. Some administrative problems arise in some areas in Indonesia as well as in the city of Malang on the Civil Registration service of the city of Malang. The reform of the Government's Civil service is in institutional aspects by streamlined the organizational structure and changes in service procedures to maximize the provision of services to the community. In the workmanship that is still experiencing obstacles such as inadequate human resources therefore the reform is a fundamental effort to make changes in the direction of the better in terms of input and output bureaucracy related. In the process, the civil registration service of the city of Malang applies several things to bring bureaucracy reform.