bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic management for mastectomy and total hysterectomy in a 49-year-old woman with type 1 sialidosis: a case report
Authors: Furuya Tomonori , Itagaki Masumi , Sugaya Nami , Iida Ryoji , Maeda Takeshi , Suzuki Takahiro
Published: March 2021

Background

Sialidosis is an autosomal recessive glycoprotein storage disorder, caused by neuraminidase deficiency which leads to abnormal intracellular accumulation and urinary excretion of sialylated oligosaccharides, resulting in various morphological and functional disorders. Only a few reports have described the anesthetic managements of patients with sialidosis.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old woman with type 1 sialidosis suffered from all limb contractures, an ocular cherry-red spot, and myoclonic seizures of the limbs. She had been cognitively normal. She was separately scheduled for mastectomy under total intravenous anesthesia and total hysterectomy under combined general and epidural anesthesia uneventfully.

Conclusions

Our patient with type 1 sialidosis received both general and epidural anesthesia uneventfully. Anesthesiologists should carefully assess patients with sialidosis and give careful consideration to individually tailored anesthetic managements.
Translational simulation: from description to action
Authors: Nickson Christopher Peter , Petrosoniak Andrew , Barwick Stephanie , Brazil Victoria
Published: March 2021

This article describes an operational framework for implementing translational simulation in everyday practice. The framework, based on an input-process-output model, is developed from a critical review of the existing translational simulation literature and the collective experience of the authors’ affiliated translational simulation services. The article describes how translational simulation may be used to explore work environments and/or people in them, improve quality through targeted interventions focused on clinical performance/patient outcomes, and be used to design and test planned infrastructure or interventions. Representative case vignettes are used to show how the framework can be applied to real world healthcare problems, including clinical space testing, process development, and culture. Finally, future directions for translational simulation are discussed. As such, the article provides a road map for practitioners who seek to address health service outcomes using translational simulation.
Native Philippine Heterorhabditis indica isolates from banana and rice fields and preliminary results of their virulence against the larvae of super worm (Zophobas morio Fabricius Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Navarez Mara Louisa , Sangcopan Regina , Aryal Sitaram , Sumaya Neil Pep Dave , Bhat Aashaq Hussain , Sumaya Nanette Hope
Published: March 2021

Background

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae are used as biological control agents of several insect pests in lieu of synthetic pesticides.

Results

Using an insect-baiting technique, naturally occurring EPN isolates were collected from banana and rice fields in the municipality of Hagonoy, the Philippines. A total of 4 isolates were recovered from all the sites namely, HBP1, HBP2, HR3 and HR4. By combining morphometrical and ITS rDNA data, all the isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis indica. To initially assess their infectivity, virulence tests were conducted on the last instar larvae of the super worm, Zophobas morio Fabricius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), the model insect. HR3 isolate had the highest percentage mortality (56%), followed by HBP1 and HBP2 (33%), which were comparable to the available nematode in the market, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (44%), whereas the lowest was obtained in HR4 isolate (11%).

Conclusions

This study accounted 4 more H. indica isolates in addition to pre-existing isolates in the country, expanding its habitat range and geographic distribution. This also provides baseline information on the potential biocontrol utilization of native EPNs against soil-dwelling insect pests of agricultural crops. Further investigations are required to assess their efficacy against several other insect pests of economic importance for the integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in the country.
Clinical predictors to cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Elshebawy Haidy , Fahmy Ebtesam Mohamed , Elfayoumy Nervana Mohamed , Abdelalim Ahmed Mohamed , Ismail Rania Shehata
Published: March 2021

Background

Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized in multiple sclerosis, even in the early phase of the disease. Multiple sclerosis patients with even mild cognitive deficits may experience greater difficulties in social contact and daily activities, irrespective of physical handicap. This study aimed to estimate clinical predictors of cognitive dysfunction in a sample of Egyptian people with MS.

Results

Significant worse performance in assessed cognitive scales was observed in people with MS as compared to controls. This was related to low educational level, long disease duration, initial cerebellar and motor attacks, progressive course, frequent relapses, and immunosuppressive medications. Cognitive assessment scales were significantly negatively correlated with disability measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.

Conclusion

Predictors of cognitive impairment in people with MS were low educational level, longer disease duration, type of initial attack, frequent relapses, progressive form, higher clinical disability, and immunosuppressive treatment.
Investigating the performance gap between testing on real and denoised aggregates in non-intrusive load monitoring
Authors: Klemenjak Christoph , Makonin Stephen , Elmenreich Wilfried
Published: March 2021

Prudent and meaningful performance evaluation of algorithms is essential for the progression of any research field. In the field of Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM), performance evaluation can be conducted on real-world aggregate signals, provided by smart energy meters or artificial superpositions of individual load signals (i.e., denoised aggregates). It has long been suspected that testing on these denoised aggregates provides better evaluation results mainly due to the fact that the signal is less complex. Complexity in real-world aggregate signals increases with the number of unknown/untracked loads. Although this is a known performance reporting problem, an investigation into the actual performance gap between real and denoised testing is still pending. In this paper, we examine the performance gap between testing on real-world and denoised aggregates with the aim of bringing clarity into this matter. Starting with an assessment of noise levels in datasets, we find significant differences in test cases. We give broad insights into our evaluation setup comprising three load disaggregation algorithms, two of them relying on neural network architectures. The results presented in this paper, based on studies covering three scenarios with ascending noise levels, show a strong tendency towards load disaggregation algorithms providing significantly better performance on denoised aggregate signals. A closer look at the outcome of our studies reveals that all appliance types could be subject to this phenomenon. We conclude the paper by discussing aspects that could be causing these considerable gaps between real and denoised testing in NILM.
Identity and prevalence of wheat damping-off fungal pathogens in different fields of Basrah and Maysan provinces
Authors: Abass Mohammed Hamza , Madhi Qusai Hattab , Matrood Abdulnabi Abdul Ameer
Published: March 2021

Background

Wheat is the most consumed cereal crops in the world infected by several pathogens and pests causing significant losses. The most threatening pathogens are fungi which cause serious diseases on roots, leaves and heads as one of the most threatening pathogens in specific wheat-growing countries. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the prevalence of damping-off fungal pathogens in different wheat fields at Basra and Maysan provinces.

Results

Disease incidence determination and fungal isolation were carried out from two sites at Basra province (Al-Qurna and Al-Madinah) and three sites at Maysan province (Al-Amarah, Kumit, Ali Al Sharqi and Ali Al Gharbi). Al-Qurna fields had the highest disease incidence (32%), while Ali-Alsharqi fields had the lowest one (11%). Fourteen fungal genera were identified. Rhizoctonia solani had the highest appearance (21.6) and frequency (20.20%) percentages followed by Fusarium solani (16.11,14.01) percentages and Macrophomina phaseolina (12.2,11.1) percentages. Seed treatment with R. solani (Rs1 isolate) showed significant decrease in germination (56.6%) compared to F. solani and M. phaseolina treatments. Seed treatment with R. solani (Rs1 isolate) showed significant decrease in germination (56.6%) compared to F. solani and M. phaseolina treatments.

Conclusions

These results revealed the prevalence of wheat damping-off disease in all examined fields at both Basra and Maysan province; the highest disease incidence was seen in Basra wheat fields (Al-Qurna fields); the identification of fungal pathogens showed that the most isolated fungus was R. solani followed by F. solani and M. phaseolina. Laboratory experiments showed the pathogenicity of isolated fungi which varied according to the isolate type.
Adapting the Comprehensive Unit Safety Program (CUSP) implementation strategy to increase delivery of evidence-based cardiovascular risk factor care in community mental health organizations: protocol for a pilot study
Authors: McGinty Emma Elizabeth , Thompson David , Murphy Karly A. , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Wang Nae-Yuh , Dalcin Arlene , Mace Elizabeth , Gennusa Joseph V. , Daumit Gail L.
Published: March 2021

Background

People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder experience excess mortality driven in large part by high rates of poorly controlled and under-treated cardiovascular risk factors. In the USA, integrated “behavioral health home” models in which specialty mental health organizations coordinate and manage physical health care for people with SMI are designed to improve guideline-concordant cardiovascular care for this group. Such models have been shown to improve cardiovascular care for clients with SMI in randomized clinical trials, but real-world implementation has fallen short. Key implementation barriers include lack of alignment of specialty mental health program culture and physical health care coordination and management for clients with SMI and lack of structured protocols for conducting effective physical health care coordination and management in the specialty mental health program context. This protocol describes a pilot study of an implementation intervention designed to overcome these barriers.

Methods

This pilot study uses a single-group, pre/post-study design to examine the effects of an adapted Comprehensive Unit Safety Program (CUSP) implementation strategy designed to support behavioral health home programs in conducting effective cardiovascular care coordination and management for clients with SMI. The CUSP strategy, which was originally designed to improve inpatient safety, includes provider training, expert facilitation, and implementation of a five-step quality improvement process. We will examine the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the implementation strategy and how this strategy influences mental health organization culture; specialty mental health providers’ self-efficacy to conduct evidence-based cardiovascular care coordination and management; and receipt of guideline-concordant care for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus among people with SMI.

Discussion

While we apply CUSP to the implementation of evidence-based hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes care, this implementation strategy could be used in the future to support the delivery of other types of evidence-based care, such as smoking cessation treatment, in behavioral health home programs. CUSP is designed to be fully integrated into organizations, sustained indefinitely, and used to continually improve evidence-based practice delivery.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04696653. Registered on January 6, 2021
Culex quinquefasciatus: status as a threat to island avifauna and options for genetic control
Authors: Harvey-Samuel Tim , Ant Thomas , Sutton Jolene , Niebuhr Chris N. , Asigau Samoa , Parker Patricia , Sinkins Steven , Alphey Luke
Published: March 2021

The avifauna endemic to islands is particularly susceptible to population declines and extinctions resulting from the introduction of non-native pathogens. Three pathogens of concern are the avian malaria parasites, the avian poxviruses, and West Nile virus—each of which can be transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus, a highly adaptive and invasive mosquito. Culex quinquefasciatus has dramatically expanded its range in recent centuries and is now established throughout much of the tropics and sub-tropics, including on many islands that are remote from mainland landmasses and where this geographic separation historically protected island species from mosquito-borne diseases. The potential for ecological disruption by Cx. quinquefasciatus has been particularly striking in the Hawaiian Islands, where the introduction and transmission of avian malaria and avian poxvirus led to the extinction of several endemic bird species, with many more at risk. With Cx. quinquefasciatus now present in many insular communities and global trade and tourism increasing links between these areas, both to each other and to mainlands, there is growing concern that patterns of avian decline in Hawai‘i may be played out in other insular ecosystems. The implementation of traditional methods for Cx. quinquefasciatus control, including larval source management, is often impractical at large scale and when breeding sites are numerous and difficult to locate—typical issues associated with invasive species removal. One alternative approach would be the utilisation of genetic control methods, several of which have been successfully developed in other mosquitos such as Aedes aegypti and the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. However, the development of similar tools for Cx. quinquefasciatus has been comparatively limited. Here we review the threat that Cx. quinquefasciatus poses as a vector of avian pathogens to island avifauna and discuss specific examples of at-risk bird populations on the islands of Hawai‘i, New Zealand and Galápagos. We also review the major options for the deployment of genetic control tools against Cx. quinquefasciatus, and discuss the current state of the field with a focus on radiation-based sterilisation, transgenic methods, and transinfections using the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia.
Real-time sensing on the angular coordinates of nanoparticles using whispering-gallery mode optical microcavities
Authors: Pang Ting-Tian , Gao Yong-Pan , Xu Wen-Ling , Wang Chuan
Published: March 2021

We theoretically study the scattering-particles–induced field distribution in a whispering-gallery mode optical microcavity system. It is shown that the relative phase angle of the scatters can result in an asymmetric optical distribution. Different from the previous sensing scheme using spectrum scanning whose real time information is limited by the scanning frequency, the proposed scheme could realize the real-time sensing for the angular position of nanoparticles with stable frequency tricolor beams. Numerical simulation is performed to show the performance of the system under different coupling and dissipation condition for the nanoparticles. The scheme may have potential applications in the particle sensing and characterization of both the velocity and angular momentum of the nanoparticles.
Homogenization of layered media: Intrinsic and extrinsic symmetry breaking
Authors: Tsukerman Igor , Shahriyar Hossain A. N. M. , Chong Y. D.
Published: March 2021

A general homogenization procedure for periodic electromagnetic structures, when applied to layered media with asymmetric lattice cells, yields an effective tensor with magnetoelectric coupling. Accurate results for transmission and reflection are obtained even in cases where classical effective medium theory breaks down. Magnetoelectric coupling accounts for symmetry breaking in reflection and transmission when a non-symmetric structure is illuminated from two opposite sides.
Lifestyle Intervention Improves Prothrombotic Coagulation Profile in Individuals at High Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hörber Sebastian , Lehmann Rainer , Fritsche Louise , Machann Jürgen , Birkenfeld Andreas L , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Stefan Norbert , Heni Martin , Fritsche Andreas , Peter Andreas
Published: March 2021

Context

Patients with obesity and insulin resistance are at higher risk for arterial and venous thrombosis due to a prothrombotic state.

Objective

The present study addressed whether this is reversible by lifestyle intervention and elucidated potential underlying associations.

Methods

A total of 100 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting plasma glucose participated in a 1-year lifestyle intervention, including precise metabolic phenotyping and MRS-based determination of liver fat content as well as a comprehensive analysis of coagulation parameters before and after this intervention.

Results

During the lifestyle intervention, significant reductions in coagulation factor activities (II, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII) were observed. Accordingly, prothrombin time (PT%) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were slightly decreased and prolonged, respectively. Moreover, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and also protein C and protein S decreased. Fibrinogen, antithrombin, D-dimer, and FXIII remained unchanged. Searching for potential regulators, especially weight loss, but also liver fat reduction, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased low-grade inflammation were linked to favorable changes in hemostasis parameters. Independent of weight loss, liver fat reduction (FII, protein C, protein S, PAI-1, vWF), improved insulin sensitivity (protein S, PAI-1), and reduced low-grade inflammation (PT%, aPTT, FVIII/IX/XI/XII, vWF) were identified as single potential regulators.

Conclusion

Lifestyle intervention is able to improve a prothrombotic state in individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Besides body weight, liver fat content, insulin sensitivity, and systemic low-grade inflammation are potential mechanisms for improvements in hemostasis and could represent future therapeutic targets.
Biochemical Parameters of Diabetes Ketoacidosis in Patients with End-stage Kidney Disease and Preserved Renal Function
Authors: Galindo Rodolfo J , Pasquel Francisco J , Vellanki Priyathama , Zambrano Cesar , Albury Bonnie , Perez-Guzman Citlalli , Ziduo Zheng , Umpierrez Guillermo E
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Differences in biochemical parameters of diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been established. Accordingly, we assessed the relationship between degree of metabolic acidosis and ß-hydroxybutyrate in patients with ESKD (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2), moderate renal failure (eGFR 15–60), or preserved renal function (eGFR > 60).

Methods

This observational study included adults (18–80 years) with diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA), admitted to Emory University Hospitals between January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2016. DKA and renal stages were confirmed on admission laboratory values.

Results

Admission bicarbonate levels (13.9 ± 5 vs 13.4 ± 5.3 vs 13.8 ± 4.2 mmol/L, P = 0.7), and pH levels (7.2 ± 0.3 vs 7.2 ± 0.2 vs 7.2 ± 0.2, P = 0.8) were similar among groups. Patients with ESKD had lower mean ß-hydroxybutyrate level (4.3 ± 3.3 vs 5.6 ± 2.9 vs 5.9 ± 2.5 mmol/L, P = 0.01), but higher admission glucose (852 ± 340.4 vs 714.6 ± 253.3 mg/dL vs 518 ± 185.7 mg/dL, P < 0.01), anion gap (23.4 ± 7.6 vs 23 ± 6.9 vs 19.5 ± 4.7 mmol/L, P < 0.01), and osmolality (306 ± 20.6 vs 303.5 ± vs 293.1 ± 3.1mOsm/kg, P < 0.01) compared with patients with moderate renal failure and preserved renal function, respectively. The sensitivity of ß-hydroxybutyrate > 3 mmol/L for diagnosing DKA by bicarbonate level < 15 and <18 mmol/L was 86.9% and 72% in ESKD, 89.3% and 83.7% in moderate renal failure, and 96.2% and 88.3% in preserved renal function. In patients with ESKD, the corresponding ß-hydroxybutyrate with bicarbonate levels < 10, 10–15, <18 mmol/L were 5.5, 3.9, 3.0 mmol/L, respectively.

Conclusions

Significant metabolic differences were found among DKA patients with different levels of renal function. In patients with ESKD, a ß-hydroxybutyrate level > 3 mmol/L may assist with confirmation of DKA diagnosis.
Anatomy, Endocrine Regulation, and Embryonic Development of the Rete Testis
Authors: Major Andrew T , Estermann Martin A , Smith Craig A
Published: March 2021

Reproduction in males requires the transfer of spermatozoa from testis tubules via the rete system to the efferent ductules, epididymis, and vas deferens. The rete therefore forms an essential bridging system between the testis and excurrent ducts. Yet the embryonic origin and molecular regulation of rete testis development is poorly understood. This review examines the anatomy, endocrine control, and development of the mammalian rete testis, focusing on recent findings on its molecular regulation, identifying gaps in our knowledge, and identifying areas for future research. The rete testis develops in close association with Sertoli cells of the seminiferous cords, although unique molecular markers are sparce. Most recently, modern molecular approaches such as global RNA-seq have revealed the transcriptional signature of rete cell precursors, pointing to at least a partial common origin with Sertoli cells. In the mouse, genes involved in Sertoli cell development or maintenance, such as Sox9, Wt1, Sf1, and Dmrt1, are also expressed in cells of the rete system. Rete progenitor cells also express unique markers, such as Pax8, E-cadherin, and keratin 8. These must directly or indirectly regulate the physical joining of testis tubules to the efferent duct system and confer other physiological functions of the rete. The application of technologies such as single-cell RNA-seq will clarify the origin and developmental trajectory of this essential component of the male reproductive tract.
An assessment of the autism neuroimaging literature for the prospects of re-executability
Authors: Hodge Steven M. , Haselgrove Christian , Honor Leah , Kennedy David N. , Frazier Jean A.
Published: March 2021

Background: The degree of reproducibility of the neuroimaging literature in psychiatric application areas has been called into question and the issues that relate to this reproducibility are extremely complex. Some of these complexities have to do with the underlying biology of the disorders that we study and others arise due to the technology we apply to the analysis of the data we collect. Ultimately, the observations we make get communicated to the rest of the community through publications in the scientific literature.

Methods: We sought to perform a ‘re-executability survey’ to evaluate the recent neuroimaging literature with an eye toward seeing if the technical aspects of our publication practices are helping or hindering the overall quest for a more reproducible understanding of brain development and aging. The topic areas examined include availability of the data, the precision of the imaging method description and the reporting of the statistical analytic approach, and the availability of the complete results. We applied the survey to 50 publications in the autism neuroimaging literature that were published between September 16, 2017 to October 1, 2018.

Results: The results of the survey indicate that for the literature examined, data that is not already part of a public repository is rarely available, software tools are usually named but versions and operating system are not, it is expected that reasonably skilled analysts could approximately perform the analyses described, and the complete results of the studies are rarely available. 

Conclusions: We have identified that there is ample room for improvement in research publication practices. We hope exposing these issues in the retrospective literature can provide guidance and motivation for improving this aspect of our reporting practices in the future.
Accuracy of digital dental models and three-dimensional printed dental models in linear measurements and Bolton analysis
Authors: Suryajaya William , Purbiati Maria , Ismah Nada
Published: March 2021

Background: Due to advances in digital technology, it is possible to obtain digital dental models through intraoral scanning. The stereolithographic data collected from the scanner can subsequently be printed into a three-dimensional dental model in resinic material. However, the accuracy between digital dental models and printed dental models needs to be evaluated since it might affect diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontic treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of digital models scanned by a Trios intraoral scanner and three-dimensional dental models printed using a Formlabs 2 3D printer in linear measurements and Bolton analysis.

Methods: A total of 35 subjects were included in this study. All subjects were scanned using a Trios intraoral scanner to obtain digital study models. Stereolithographic data from previous scanning was printed using a Formlabs 2 3D printer to obtain printed study models. Mesiodistal, intercanine, intermolar, and Bolton analysis from all types of study models were measured. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability. All data were then statistically analyzed.

Results: The reliability tests were high for both intraobserver and interobserver reliability, which demonstrates high reproducibility for all measurements on all model types. Most of the data compared between study models showed no statistically significant differences, though some data differed significantly. However, the differences are considered clinically insignificant.

Conclusion: Digital dental models and three-dimensional printed dental models may be used interchangeably with plaster dental models for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.

Keywords: Accuracy, 3D printing, digital dental model, printed dental model.
Crystal structure of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter oxydans reveals tetrameric 6PGDHs as the crucial intermediate in the evolution of structure and cofactor preference in the 6PGDH family
Authors: Maturana Pablo , Tobar-Calfucoy Eduardo , Fuentealba Matías , Roversi Pietro , Garratt Richard , Cabrera Ricardo
Published: March 2021

Background: The enzyme 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) is the central enzyme of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Members of the 6PGDH family belong to different classes: either homodimeric enzymes assembled from long-chain subunits or homotetrameric ones assembled from short-chain subunits. Dimeric 6PGDHs bear an internal duplication absent in tetrameric 6PGDHs and distant homologues of the β-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase (βHADH) superfamily.

Methods: We use X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of the apo form of the 6PGDH from Gluconobacter oxydans (Go6PGDH). We carried out a structural and phylogenetic analysis of short and long-chain 6PGDHs. We put forward an evolutionary hypothesis explaining the differences seen in oligomeric state vs. dinucleotide preference of the 6PGDH family. We determined the cofactor preference of Go6PGDH at different 6-phosphogluconate concentrations, characterizing the wild-type enzyme and three-point mutants of residues in the cofactor binding site of Go6PGDH.

Results: The structural comparison suggests that the 6PG binding site initially evolved by exchanging C-terminal α-helices between subunits. An internal duplication event changed the quaternary structure of the enzyme from a tetrameric to a dimeric arrangement. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that 6PGDHs have spread from Bacteria to Archaea and Eukarya on multiple occasions by lateral gene transfer. Sequence motifs consistent with NAD+- and NADP+-specificity are found in the β2-α2 loop of dimeric and tetrameric 6PGDHs. Site-directed mutagenesis of Go6PGDH inspired by this analysis fully reverses dinucleotide preference. One of the mutants we engineered has the highest efficiency and specificity for NAD+ so far described for a 6PGDH.

Conclusions: The family 6PGDH comprises dimeric and tetrameric members whose active sites are conformed by a C-terminal α-helix contributed from adjacent subunits. Dimeric 6PGDHs have evolved from the duplication-fusion of the tetrameric C-terminal domain before independent transitions of cofactor specificity. Changes in the conserved β2-α2 loop are crucial to modulate the cofactor specificity in Go6PGDH.
Ethnic differences in the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza: an England population-based cohort study 2008-2018
Authors: Davidson Jennifer , Banerjee Amitava , Mathur Rohini , Ramsay Mary , Smeeth Liam , Walker Jemma , McDonald Helen , Warren-Gash Charlotte
Published: March 2021

Background: People of non-White ethnicity have a higher risk of severe outcomes following influenza infection. It is unclear whether this is driven by an increased risk of infection or complications. We therefore aimed to investigate the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza/influenza-like illness (ILI) by ethnicity in England from 2008-2018.

Methods: We used linked primary and secondary healthcare data (from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink [CPRD] GOLD and Aurum databases and Hospital Episodes Statistics Admitted Patient Care [HES APC]). We included patients with recorded ethnicity who were aged 40-64 years and did not have a chronic health condition that would render them eligible for influenza vaccination. ILI infection was identified from diagnostic codes in CPRD and HES APC. We calculated crude annual infection incidence rates by ethnic group. Multivariable Poisson regression models with random effects were used to estimate any ethnic disparities in infection risk. Our main analysis adjusted for age, sex, and influenza year.

Results: A total of 3,735,308 adults aged 40-64 years were included in the study; 87.6% White, 5.2% South Asian, 4.2% Black, 1.9% Other, and 1.1% Mixed. We identified 102,316 ILI episodes recorded among 94,623 patients. The rate of ILI was highest in the South Asian (9.6 per 1,000 person-years), Black (8.4 per 1,000 person-years) and Mixed (6.9 per 1,000 person-years) ethnic groups. The ILI rate in the White ethnic group was 5.7 per 1,000 person-years. After adjustment for age sex and influenza year, higher incidence rate ratios (IRR) for ILI were seen for South Asian (1.70, 95% CI 1.66-1.75), Black (1.48, 1.44-1.53) and Mixed (1.22, 1.15-1.30) groups compared to White ethnicity.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that influenza infection risk differs between White and non-White groups who are not eligible for routine influenza vaccination.
ВЫЯВЛЕНИЕ ТИПОВЫХ ПРОФИЛЕЙ РЕГИОНОВ С ТЕНДЕНЦИЕЙ К РОСТУ СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ НАПРЯЖЕННОСТИ НА ОСНОВЕ АНАЛИЗА ДАННЫХ СТАТИСТИКИ СУБЪЕКТОВ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ (ПЕРВОЕ ПОЛУГОДИЕ 2020 Г.)
Authors: Kuzina Natalia Vladimirovna
Published: March 2021

В настоящее время все более актуальными в связи с разворачивающимся экономическим и социальным кризисом становятся методики прогнозирования социальной и этно-культурной напряженности в регионах Российской Федерации с целью своевременного применения мер профилактики и предупреждения социальных взрывов.Цель – прогнозирование зон социальной напряженности и возможных локальных социальных взрывов на основании имеющихся статистических данных об экономической и социальной жизни регионов; выявление факторов-индикаторов возможного социального взрыва; описание основных профилей регионов с высоким уровнем риска роста социальной напряженности.Методика исследования. Проанализированы 70 показателей экономической, финансовой, демографической, социальной ситуации в регионах Российской Федерации за первое полугодие 2020 г. (январь-июнь, январь-июль) с целью выявления наиболее уязвимых регионов (данные ГУ МВД, Генеральной Прокуратуры России, Росстата, Минобрнауки России, Минздрава России). Данные были обработаны с помощью непараметрических методов математической статистики (корреляционный анализ, пакет STATISTICA 13).Результаты. Выявлены два основных профиля регионов с тенденцией к росту социальной напряженности.Область применения результатов. Выводы исследования будут полезны для органов государственного управления федерального и регионального уровней, для политических партий, крупных консалтинговых, логистических и страховых компаний, федеральных ритейлеров.
СИСТЕМА ПОДДЕРЖКИ ПРИНЯТИЯ РЕШЕНИЙ (СППР) В СЛОЖНЫХ ПРЕДПРИНИМАТЕЛЬСКИХ СТРУКТУРАХ КАК РАЗВИВАЮЩИЙСЯ ИНСТРУМЕНТ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ
Authors: Tsovma Denis Vladimirovich
Published: March 2021

Информационная поддержка принятия стратегических решений в группах компаний может быть, с одной стороны, очень актуальной ввиду большого числа учитываемых параметров, с другой стороны, вполне продуктивной ввиду объективной измеримости этих параметров. В отличие от традиционных подходов к экономическому анализу самостоятельного хозяйствующего субъекта, дочерние и зависимые общества (ДЗО) оцениваются и с точки зрения их влияния на материнскую компанию и группу компаний в целом. Поэтому автор исследования сформировал набор показателей, который можно перегруппировывать для различных аналитических и прогностических целей, тем самым создав и апробировав авторскую методику оценки деятельности ДЗО. Рекомендации в области стратегического управленческого решения даются на основании анализа сочетания полученных оценок. Качество прогностической функции СППР ГК проиллюстрировано соотнесением рекомендаций в области стратегического управленческого решения со стоимостью дочерних компаний в последующие годы.Цель – сформировав некоторую общую методологию, разработать технологию поддержки принятия стратегических управленческих решений в сложных предпринимательских образованиях типа «группа компаний».Метод или методология проведения работы: использованы комплексный и системный подходы, методы структурно-функционального исследования, сравнительного анализа, динамических рядов, графический метод и методы экономико-математического моделирования и др.Результаты: методика оценки деятельности ДЗО и информационной поддержки принятия стратегических управленческих решений в группах компаний.Область применения результатов: полученные результаты могут быть использованы крупными российскими компаниями с развитой сетью ДЗО при принятии стратегических решений, а также при разработке собственных корпоративных нормативных актов (стандартов, регламентов и т.п.) в области поддержки решений.
АГЕНТ-ОРИЕНТИРОВАННОЕ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ПОВЕДЕНИЯ ПОТРЕБИТЕЛЕЙ НА РЫНКЕ МОЛОЧНОЙ ПРОДУКЦИИ
Authors: Otmakhova Yuliya Sergeevna , Ibragimov Naimdzon Mulaboevich
Published: March 2021

Проблемы разнонаправленных интересов участников продовольственного рынка приводят к различным трансформациям потребительского спроса и актуализируют необходимость исследования и определения различных стратегий поведения потребителей на рынках социально-значимой пищевой продукции. В работе представлен авторский подход к построению агентно-ориентированной модели поведения потребителей на рынке молочной продукции в условиях информационной асимметрии и ограниченной рациональности действий агентов. Результаты проведенных вычислимых экспериментов позволили продемонстрировать стратегии поведения потребителей с изменением таких факторов как пищевые предпочтения, уровень цен, частота совершения покупки, степень приверженности к принципам здорового питания, лояльность к бренду, степень восприимчивости рекламной информации.Цель – разработать агент-ориентированную модель поведения потребителей молочной продукции с учетом ограниченной рациональности действий агентов.Метод и методология проведения работы: агент-ориентированный подход к моделированию рынка и модели потребительского поведения.Результаты. Результаты исследования представляют теоретическую основу для дальнейшего развития теории потребительского поведения и имитационного моделирования.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования могут быть использованы при определении инструментов государственного управления на рынке продуктов питания для снижения уровня асимметрии информации по потребительским характеристикам продуктов питания.
МОНЕТАРНОЕ НЕРАВЕНСТВО И ИНФЛЯЦИЯ: ОФИЦИАЛЬНАЯ СТАТИСТИКА И ОЦЕНКИ РОССИЯН
Authors: Rossoshanskii Aleksandr Igorevich , Belekhova Galina Vadimovna
Published: March 2021

Затяжной характер существенной доходной дифференциация населения и нестабильность потребительских цен влияют на неравномерное распределение ресурсов и жизненных возможностей среди различных групп населения, подвергая некоторые из них повышенному риску экономической уязвимости. Данные проблемы еще более усугубляются в периоды нестабильности социально-экономической жизни, вызванной политическими, техногенными или природными (например, пандемия 2020 г.) причинами. В связи с этим научную и практическую значимость приобретают задачи анализа складывающейся динамики неравенства и инфляции и выявления на этой основе рисков для благополучия населения.Цель работы: изучение тенденций монетарного неравенства и инфляции, складывающихся на фоне протекания пандемии, и выявление возможных рисков для материального благополучия россиян.Метод или методология проведения работы: общенаучные методы (анализ и синтез), динамический анализ официальных статистических данных и результатов национальных социологических опросов населения.Результаты: проанализированы динамика показателей доходного неравенства и инфляции, структура потребительских расходов, объемы вкладных и кредитных операций населения, тенденции восприятия населением материального положения и инфляции, практики адаптации населения в условиях карантинных ограничений. Выявлены современные тенденции социально-экономического положения и возможные риски для населения.Область применения результатов: результаты исследования могут быть использованы федеральными органами государственной власти для разработки направлений социальной политики по борьбе с бедностью и сокращению неравенства, для разработки направлений денежно-кредитной политики по снижению инфляции, а также научными работниками, интересующимися данной тематикой.
ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ «СКВОЗНЫХ» ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ В СФЕРЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО УПРАВЛЕНИЯ
Authors: Katrashova Yuliya Valentinovna , Mityashin Gleb Yurievich
Published: March 2021

В данной статье рассмотрены «сквозные» цифровые технологии в аспекте их применения в системе государственного управления. Определены наиболее перспективные направления реализации программ цифрового развития. Упомянутые авторами «сквозные» цифровые технологии, по их мнению, являются ключевыми для обеспечения технологической независимости государства будущего. В работе представлено описание каждой отдельной технологии и обоснованы преимущества ее интеграции в систему органов власти.Цель статьи: выявление сфер применения сквозных цифровых технологий в государственном управлении.Методология проведения работы: в статье использовался общенаучный метод анализа и синтеза, а также метод установления причинно-следственных связей.Результаты: обоснована эффективность применения «сквозных» цифровых технологий в государственном управлении и выявлены преимущества и риски.Область применения результатов: полученные результаты работы целесообразно применять в государственных органах для повышения эффективности принятия управленческих решений.
Ens realissimum: The Life and Philosophy of Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Authors: Gorohov Pavel
Published: March 2021

The monograph examines the philosophical foundations of the worldview of the greatest German poet, scientist and thinker through the prism of his spiritual activity, the foundation of which is the concept of "productivity". In addition, the following questions are studied: Goethe's contribution to natural science, the influence of philosophical traditions on Goethe's worldview. A philosophical commentary on the tragedy "Faust"is given. The monograph combines biographical and thematic approaches to the presentation of the material. For all those interested in the problems of the history of philosophy.
HUBUNGAN INTENSITAS NYERI DISMENORE DENGAN AKTIVITAS BELAJAR PADA REMAJA PUTRI USIA 15-18 TAHUN DI SMAN 1 BANGUNTAPAN YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Sanday Septi Della , Kusumasari Viantika , Sari Dian Nur Adkhana
Published: March 2021

Dysmenorrhea is one of the menstrual problems experienced by teenage girls. According to WHO, the incidence of dysmenorrhea throughout the world estimated prevalence of 16.8% -81%. Dysmenorrhea pain felt by a teenage girl during menstruation can affect the daily activities, including in learning activities at school. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of dysmenorrhea with learning activities in a teenage girl aged 15-18 years at Public High School 1 Banguntapan, Yogyakarta. This study used a cross-sectional design. The population was teenage girl class X-XI at Public High School 1 Banguntapan, Yogyakarta, totalling 133 people. Samples amounted to 80 people. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The research instrument used was NRS and learning activity questionnaire. Data analysis by Kendall tau. The results of this study showed that 42.5% of respondents experienced mild dysmenorrhea, and 57.5% experienced severe dysmenorrhea. Learning activities felt disturbed when dysmenorrhea was 88.8% of respondents, quite disturbed by 7.5%, and 3.8% felt undisturbed. The results of the Kendall analysis or the results show ρ = 0,000 (ρ <0.05). There is a relationship between dysmenorrhea with learning activities in a teenage girl aged 15-18 years at Public High School 1 Banguntapan, Yogyakarta.
Optimized Volterra filter equalizer based on weighted principal component analysis for IM-DD transmission
Authors: Yang Zheng , Fu Songnian , Tang Ming , Wang Yuncai , Qin Yuwen
Published: March 2021

Volterra filter equalizer (VFE) is a commonly-used nonlinear equalizer (NLE) to effectively mitigate both linear and nonlinear impairments arising in intensity-modulation direct-detection (IM-DD) transmission. However, the high calculation complexity of VFE becomes the bottleneck for the high-speed long-reach IM-DD transceiver. To achieve the hardware-efficient NLE, we propose an optimized VFE based on the weighted principal component analysis (WPCA), which uses both supervised weights and unsupervised PCA to extract principal components, so that the number of VFE taps can be significantly reduced without transmission penalty. It is experimentally verified that the proposed method can reduce 40% and 60% taps of traditional VFE, respectively, for C-band 80 Gb/s four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) transmission over 20 km chromatic dispersion (CD)-uncompensated standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) and 56 Gb/s PAM-4 transmission over 100 km CD-managed SSMF.
Cardiometabolic risk factors for COVID-19 susceptibility and severity: A Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Leong Aaron , Cole Joanne B. , Brenner Laura N. , Meigs James B. , Florez Jose C. , Mercader Josep M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Epidemiological studies report associations of diverse cardiometabolic conditions including obesity with COVID-19 illness, but causality has not been established. We sought to evaluate the associations of 17 cardiometabolic traits with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity using 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Methods and findings

We selected genetic variants associated with each exposure, including body mass index (BMI), at p < 5 × 10−8 from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). We then calculated inverse-variance-weighted averages of variant-specific estimates using summary statistics for susceptibility and severity from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative GWAS meta-analyses of population-based cohorts and hospital registries comprising individuals with self-reported or genetically inferred European ancestry. Susceptibility was defined as testing positive for COVID-19 and severity was defined as hospitalization with COVID-19 versus population controls (anyone not a case in contributing cohorts). We repeated the analysis for BMI with effect estimates from the UK Biobank and performed pairwise multivariable MR to estimate the direct effects and indirect effects of BMI through obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases. Using p < 0.05/34 tests = 0.0015 to declare statistical significance, we found a nonsignificant association of genetically higher BMI with testing positive for COVID-19 (14,134 COVID-19 cases/1,284,876 controls, p = 0.002; UK Biobank: odds ratio 1.06 [95% CI 1.02, 1.10] per kg/m2; p = 0.004]) and a statistically significant association with higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (6,406 hospitalized COVID-19 cases/902,088 controls, p = 4.3 × 10−5; UK Biobank: odds ratio 1.14 [95% CI 1.07, 1.21] per kg/m2, p = 2.1 × 10−5). The implied direct effect of BMI was abolished upon conditioning on the effect on type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. No other cardiometabolic exposures tested were associated with a higher risk of poorer COVID-19 outcomes. Small study samples and weak genetic instruments could have limited the detection of modest associations, and pleiotropy may have biased effect estimates away from the null.

Conclusions

In this study, we found genetic evidence to support higher BMI as a causal risk factor for COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. These results raise the possibility that obesity could amplify COVID-19 disease burden independently or through its cardiometabolic consequences and suggest that targeting obesity may be a strategy to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Removal modelling in ecology: A systematic review
Authors: Rodriguez de Rivera Oscar , McCrea Rachel
Published: March 2021

Removal models were proposed over 80 years ago as a tool to estimate unknown population size. More recently, they are used as an effective tool for management actions for the control of non desirable species, or for the evaluation of translocation management actions. Although the models have evolved over time, in essence, the protocol for data collection has remained similar: at each sampling occasion attempts are made to capture and remove individuals from the study area. Within this paper we review the literature of removal modelling and highlight the methodological developments for the analysis of removal data, in order to provide a unified resource for ecologists wishing to implement these approaches. Models for removal data have developed to better accommodate important features of the data and we discuss the shift in the required assumptions for the implementation of the models. The relative simplicity of this type of data and associated models mean that the method remains attractive and we discuss the potential future role of this technique.