bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migration of Sogatella furcifera between the Greater Mekong Subregion and northern China revealed by mtDNA and SNP
Authors: Yang Nan , Dong Zhaoke , Chen Aidong , Yin Yanqiong , Li Xiangyong , Chu Dong
Published: October 2020

Background: The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), is a migratory pest of rice in Asia. Shandong Province, in northern China, is located on the migration pathway of WBPH between southern and northeast China. The potential sources of WBPH in northern China are poorly understood. We studied the sources of WBPH in Shandong Province by determining the population genetic structure of WBPH in 18 sites distributed in Shandong and in six regions of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). We used mitochondrial gene and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for analysis.Results: All of the WBPH populations studied in the seven regions had low genetic diversity. Pairwise FST values ranged from -0.061 to 0.285, while FST based on SNP data ranged from -0.007 to 0.009. These two molecular markers revealed that 4.40% (mtDNA) and 0.19% (SNP) genetic variation could be explained by the interpopulation variation, while the rest came from intrapopulation variation. The populations in the seven geographic regions comprised four hypothetical genetic clusters (K = 4) not associated with geographic location. Eighty-four of 129 individuals distributed across the given area were designated as recent migrants or of admixed ancestry. Although the substantial migration presented, a weak but significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found (r = 0.083, P = 0.004).Conclusion: The Greater Mekong Subregion was the main genetic source of WBPH in Shandong, while other source populations may also exist. The genetic structure of WBPH is shaped by both migration and geographic barriers. These results help clarify the migration route and the source of WBPH in northern China.
Neurovascular, muscle, and skin changes on [18F]FDG PET/MRI in foot complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Authors: Yoon Daehyun , Xu Yingding , Cipriano Peter W. , Alam Israt S. , Aparici Carina Mari , Tawfik Vivianne L. , Curtin Catherine M. , Carroll Ian R. , Biswal Sandip
Published: October 2020

Background: The goal of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-invasive visualization of muscular, neurovascular, and skin changes secondary to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods: Seven adult patients with CRPS in the lower extremity and seven healthy adult controls participated in our [18F]FDG PET/MRI study. All participants received whole-body PET/MRI scans one hour after the injection of 10mCi [18F]FDG. Resulting PET/MRI images were reviewed by two radiologists. Metabolic and anatomic abnormalities identified, were grouped into muscular, neurovascular, and skin lesions. The [18F]FDG uptake of each lesion was compared with that of corresponding areas in controls using a Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: On PET images, muscular, neurovascular, and skin abnormalities were found in 5, 4 and 2 patients, respectively. However, on MRI images, no muscular abnormalities were detected. Neurovascular abnormalities and skin abnormalities in the affected limb were identified on MRI in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. The difference in [18F]FDG uptake between the patients and the controls was significant in muscle (p = 0.018) and neurovascular bundle (p = 0.0005).Conclusions: The increased uptake of [18F]FDG in the symptomatic areas likely reflects the increased metabolism due to the inflammatory response causing pain. Therefore, our approach combining metabolic ([18F]FDG PET) and anatomic (MRI) imaging may offer non-invasive monitoring of the distribution and progression of inflammatory changes associated with CRPS. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03195270. Registered 19 June 2017 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03195270
Distinct non-ischemic myocardial late gadolinium enhancement lesions in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bojer Annemie Stege , Sørensen Martin Heyn , Vejlstrup Niels , Goetze Jens P. , Gæde Peter , Madsen Per Lav
Published: October 2020

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) have described localised non-ischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) lesions of prognostic importance in various non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. Ischemic LGE lesions are prevalent in diabetes (DM), but non-ischemic LGE lesions have not previously been described or systematically studied in DM. Methods: 296 patients with type 2 DM (T2DM) and 25 sex-matched control subjects underwent echocardiography and CMR including adenosine-stress perfusion, T1-mapping and LGE. Results: 264 patients and all control subjects completed the CMR protocol. 78.4% of patients with T2DM had no LGE lesions; 11.0% had ischemic LGE lesions only; 9.5% had non-ischemic LGE lesions only; and 1.1% had both one ischemic and one non-ischemic lesion. The non-ischemic LGE lesions were situated mid-myocardial in the basal lateral or the basal inferolateral part of the left ventricle and the affected segments showed normal to high wall thickness and normal contraction. Patients with non-ischemic LGE lesions in comparison with patients without LGE lesions had increased myocardial mass (150±34 vs. 133±33 g, P=0.02), average E/e’(9.9 IQR8.7-12.6 vs. 8.8 IQR7.4-10.7, P=0.04), left atrial maximal volume (102 IQR84.6-115.2 vs. 91 IQR75.2-100.0 mL, P=0.049), NT-proBNP (8.9 IQR5.9-19.7 vs. 5.9 IQR5.9-10.1 µmol/L, P=0.02) and high-sensitive troponin (15.6 IQR13.0-26.1 vs. 13.0 IQR13.0-14.6 ng/L, P=0.007) and a higher prevalence of retinopathy (48 vs. 25 %, p=0.009) and autonomic neuropathy (52 vs. 30.5%, P=0.005).Conclusion A specific LGE pattern with lesions in the basal lateral or the basal inferolateral part of the left ventricle was found in patients with type 2 diabetes.Clinical trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02684331.
Germline Nuclear-predominant Pten Murine Model Exhibits Impaired Social and Perseverative Behavior, Microglial Activation, and Increased Oxytocinergic Activity
Authors: Sarn Nick , Thacker Stetson , Lee Hyunpil , Eng Charis
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a strong genetic etiology. Germline mutation in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN is one of the best described monogenic risk cases for ASD. Animal modeling of cell-specific Pten loss or mutation has provided insight into how disruptions to the function of PTEN affect neurodevelopment, neurobiology, and social behavior. As such, there is a growing need to understand more about how various aspects of PTEN activity, cell-compartment-specific functions, contribute to certain neurological or behavior phenotypes.MethodsTo understand more about the relationship between Pten localization and downstream effects on neurophenotypes, we generated the nuclear-predominant PtenY68H/+ mouse. We subjected the PtenY68H/+ mouse to morphological and behavioral phenotyping, including the three-chamber sociability and marble burying tests. We subsequently performed in vivo and in vitro cellular phenotyping and concluded the work with a transcriptomic survey of the PtenY68H/+ cortex, which profiled gene expression.ResultsDespite no significant changes in downstream canonical Pten signaling, we found that the PtenY68H/+ mouse presents with macrocephaly, social impairment (i.e., decreased sociability, decreased preference for novel social stimuli, and increased perseverative activity), with significant microglial activation accompanied by enhanced phagocytosis. Because of lack of canonical signaling alterations, we turned to analyzing the neural transcriptomes, which revealed overexpression of many genes involved in neuroinflammation and neuronal function, including oxytocin. Oxytocin transcript was 5-fold overexpressed (P = 0.0018) and oxytocin protein was strongly overexpressed in the PtenY68H/+ hypothalamus. ConclusionsThe nuclear-predominant PtenY68H/+ model has clarified that Pten dysfunction links to microglial pathology and that timed decreased in Pten levels is the provoking insult. Notably, we demonstrate that Pten dysfunction associates with changes in the oxytocin system, an important connection between a prominent ASD risk gene and a potent neuroendocrine regulator of social behavior. Ultimately, the findings from this work may reveal important biomarkers and/or novel therapeutic modalities that could be explored in individuals with germline mutations in PTEN with ASD.
Estimation of Time Factors in Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer with Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average Model After Dashboard Launching
Authors: Huang Wei-lun , Liu Wen-shan , Chen Po-chun , Chen Hsiu-min , Lee Ching-Chih
Published: October 2020

Background:Radiotherapy (RT) time factors are well-established prognostic factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We investigated the association of a nudge-based intervention for clinicians and time factors in a referral cancer center. Methods:We examined 89 OSCC patients receiving RT at our center between 2015 and 2017. A dashboard displaying dose/time variation between planned values and actual values was used in the electronic medical record since 2015. The association between planned and actual time factors [radiotherapy treatment time (RTT), OP to RT interval (ORI), and treatment package time (TPT)] and time period was analyzed with linear regression after dashboard launching. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was further used to establish the best-fit model for the intervals of the RT therapy process. Results: After dashboard implementation, the RT duration shortened from 48 days to 38.8 days (p value=0.013), waiting from 35.2 days to 33.5 days (p value=0.002), and total treatment duration from 80.8 days to 76 days (p value<0.001). Estimation of time factors with ARIMA found that the ARIMA model with an auto-regression term of 1, difference of 1, and a moving average term of 1, or ARIMA (1,1,1) model, could both describe and predict the days of RTT, ORI, and TPT well. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for the models were 4.2%, 4.7%, and 2.1% respectively, which implied the models were reasonable for use in the hospital setting.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that an electronic dashboard with alerts for RT interval can significantly shorten RTT for OSCC patients. Furthermore, AIRMA (1,1,1) provided an estimation of time factors.
Energy Consumption in Golf: Classifying Golf by Physical Activity Guidelines
Authors: Eigendorf Julian , Korallus Christoph , Riedel Tessa , Schäring Uli , Tegtbur Uwe
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Physical activity is known to improve physical fitness and health. Playing Golf is a wide spread leisure time activity, but has yet to be evaluated in regard of energy consumption and physical stress. We conducted a cross-over design study with two groups of different age and skill level to evaluate energy consumption and relative stress and compared the results with intensity levels of physical activity guidelines.Methods: We recruited 20 healthy, male subjects, 10 with a high skill level and 10 having a lower skill level. All subjects completed a graded exercise test (GXT), a golf practice session (each 5 strokes with 5 different clubs) and 9 holes of golf on two different days. During all testing sessions gas exchange data and heartrate was continuously captured with a mobile breathing gas analyzer.Results: Exercise intensities (as proportion of VO2peak) during practice were 34.2 ± 6.5 % in LOW and 36.4 ± 6.5 % in HIGH. %VO2peak while playing golf was 45.0 ± 6.4 % in LOW and 46.2 ± 8.8 % in HIGH. Mean METs during the 9 holes of golf were not significantly (p=0.596) different between groups LOW (5.13 ± 0.49) and HIGH (4.98 ± 0.77).Conclusion: The two groups showed neither during practice nor during playing golf significant differences in METs and %VO2. Both groups reached moderate intensity with METs and %VO2 according to the ACSM guidelines on the golf course but not on the driving range. The groups spent about half the time during playing 9 holes of golf in the “moderate” intensity category according to ACSM. Thus golf is a valid sport to improve physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors.
CypA: A Potential Target of Tumor Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy
Authors: Chu Man-Yu , Huang He-Cheng , Li En-Ming , Xu Li-Yan
Published: October 2020

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a ubiquitous and highly conserved protein. CypA,
the intracellular target protein for the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CsA), plays
important cellular roles through peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase). Increasing
evidence shows that CypA is up-regulated in a variety of human cancers. In addition to
being involved in the occurrence and development of multiple tumors, overexpression of
CypA has also been shown to be strongly associated with malignant transformation.
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the three main treatments for cancer. Chemotherapy
and radiotherapy are often used as direct or adjuvant treatments for cancer.
However, various side effects and resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy
bring great challenges to these two forms of treatment. According to recent reports, CypA
can improve the chemosensitivity and/or radiosensitivity of cancers, possibly by affecting
the expression of drug-resistant related proteins, cell cycle arrest and activation of
the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In this review, we focus
on the role of CypA in cancer, its impact on cancer chemotherapeutic and radiotherapy
sensitivity, and the mechanism of action. It is suggested that CypA may be a novel potential
therapeutic target for cancer chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Potential of Combination of Bone Marrow Nucleated and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Complete Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Katoh Shojiro , Dedeepiya Vidyasagar D. , Kuroda Satoshi , Iwasaki Masaru , Senthilkumar Rajappa , Preethy Senthilkumar , Abraham Samuel J.K.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Cell-based therapies represent one of the definitive treatment approaches
to SCI which, to become a routine clinical application, is marred by several known unknowns. The
Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells (BMMNCs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) represent the
most clinically applied cell types for SCI in humans, with safety established, and to an extent, efficacy
reported.

Methods:

In this review, we have analysed the clinical studies performed using BMMNC and
MSC for complete SCI separately, and the potential for applying those cells in combination. We
have also analysed those factors whose outcome in animal studies of SCI could be evaluated in
depth but the clinical outcome cannot be evaluated intrinsically owing to practical difficulties.

Conclusion:

A combination of these two cell types, BMMNC and MSC, has been proven to be advantageous
than applying them separately. Therefore, a thorough evaluation including the rationale
and potential implications of applying these two therapies has been presented here, and we hypothesize
that such a combination is likely to improvise the outcome of a wholesome approach to spinal
cord regeneration after SCI.
Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto Isolated from the Livestock of Qazvin, Iran
Authors: Shahnazi Mojtaba , Habibvand Maryam , Johkool Morteza Ghanbari , Hajialilo Elham , Sharifdini Meysam , Javadi Amir , Saraei Mehrzad
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Hydatidiosis is a serious parasitic disease in humans and livestock, worldwide.
Echinococcus granulosus shows notable genetic variation among intermediate hosts. Several
genotypes of the worm have been reported from different parts of Iran, but no information on the
parasite genotypes status in the study region is available. The current study investigated the presence
of different genotypes of E. granulosus in the livestock of Qazvin, Iran, by sequencing the mitochondrial
Cox1 genes.

Methodology:

One hundred twenty E. granulosus isolates, including 30 from goats, 40 from cattle
and 50 from sheep, were collected from the slaughterhouses in Qazvin province. Mitochondrial
Cox1 gene region was amplified by PCR and 30 isolates were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis
was performed by using the MEGA 7.0 software. Morphological analysis was performed on rostellar
hook length of protoscoleces.

Result:

All isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3 complex) among 17%
of the isolates clarified as G3 genotypes. G1 was the predominant genotype among the specimens.
No significant difference between the rostellar hooks measurements of different genotypes was observed.

Conclusion:

Our findings confirmed the presence of E. granulosus sensu stricto in the region, although
further studies are required to determine the haplotype diversity of E. granulosus using different
mitochondrial and nuclear genes.
Efektivitas penggunaan bahan ajar PPKn berdimensi penguatan pendidikan karakter dengan contoh kontekstual
Authors: Sulistyarini Sulistyarini , Dewantara Jagad Aditya
Published: October 2020

Artikel bertujuan untuk mengungkap efektivitas penggunaan bahan ajar PPKn berdimensi penguatan pendidikan karakter dengan contoh kontekstual bagi Siswa SMP di kota Singkawang. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen, yang berbentuk quasy experiment. Adapun objek penelitian ini adalah 61 peserta didik kelas VII pada SMP 13 19 Kota Singkawang. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik pengukuran menggunakan alat tes tertulis. Adapun alat analisis yang digunakan adalah uji beda dengan menggunakan t-test. Hasil perhitungan t-test menunjukkan bahwa signifikansi = 0,00 α 0,05, yang berarti bahwa terdapat perbedaaan hasil belajar antara hasil pre-test dengan hasil post-test secara signifikan, sementara dari hasil evaluasi lisan diketahui bahwa siswa mampu memberikan contoh dari empat jenis norma yang berlaku di lingkungan masyarakat secara variatif, serta mampu menunjukkan perilaku toleransi dalam keberagaman suku, agama, ras, dan antar golongan dalam bingkai Bhinneka Tunggal Ika yang ada di kota Singkawang. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan bahan ajar secara efektif berdampak terhadap peningkatan hasil belajar PPKn peserta didik SMP Kelas VII. ABSTRACTThe article aims to reveal the effectiveness of using PPKn teaching materials to strengthen character education with contextual examples for junior high school students in Singkawang. This research is experimental research, which is in the form of a quasi-experiment. The object of this research was 61 students of class VII at SMP 13 19 Singkawang City. The data was collected using measurement techniques using a written test. The analytical tool used is a different test using a t-test. The t-test calculation result shows that significance = 0.00 α 0.05, which means a significant difference in learning outcomes between the pre-test and post-test results. While from the results of the oral evaluation, students can provide examples of four types of norms that vary in society and can show tolerant behavior in the diversity of ethnicities, religions, races, and groups within the framework of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika in the city of Singkawang. Thus, teaching materials effectively impact improving the learning outcomes of Class VII Junior High School Students' PPKn.
Use of Social Media by Hospitals and Clinics in Japan: Descriptive Study
Authors: Sugawara Yuya , Murakami Masayasu , Narimatsu Hiroto
Published: October 2020

Background

The use of social media by hospitals has become widespread in the United States and Western European countries. However, in Japan, the extent to which hospitals and clinics use social media is unknown. Furthermore, recent revisions to the Medical Care Act may subject social media content to regulation.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine social media use in Japanese hospitals and clinics. We investigated the adoption of social media, analyzed social media content, and compared content with medical advertising guidelines.

Methods

We randomly sampled 300 hospitals and 300 clinics from a list of medical institutions that was compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We performed web and social media (Facebook and Twitter) searches using the hospital and clinic names to determine whether they had social media accounts. We collected Facebook posts and Twitter tweets and categorized them based on their content (eg, health promotion, participation in academic meetings and publications, public relations or news announcements, and recruitment). We compared the collected content with medical advertising guidelines.

Results

We found that 26.0% (78/300) of the hospitals and 7.7% (23/300) of the clinics used Facebook, Twitter, or both. Public relations or news announcements accounted for 53.99% (724/1341) of the Facebook posts by hospitals and 58.4% (122/209) of the Facebook posts by clinics. In hospitals, 16/1341 (1.19%) Facebook posts and 6/574 (1.0%) tweets and in clinics, 8/209 (3.8%) Facebook posts and 15/330 (4.5%) tweets could conflict medical advertising guidelines.

Conclusions

Fewer hospitals and clinics in Japan use social media as compared to other countries. Social media were mainly used for public relations. Some content disseminated by medical institutions could conflict with medical advertising guidelines. This study may serve as a reference for medical institutions to guide social media usage and may help improve medical website advertising in Japan.
Web-Based Relaxation Intervention for Stress During Social Isolation: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pizzoli Silvia Francesca Maria , Marzorati Chiara , Mazzoni Davide , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: October 2020

Background

Relaxation practices might be helpful exercises for coping with anxiety and stressful sensations. They may be of particular utility when used in web-based interventions during periods of social isolation.

Objective

This randomized study aimed to test whether web-based relaxation practices like natural sounds, deep respiration, and body scans can promote relaxation and a positive emotional state, and reduce psychomotor activation and preoccupation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions. Each condition was characterized by a single online session of a guided square breathing exercise, a guided body scan exercise, or natural sounds. The participants listened to one of the fully automated audio clips for 7 minutes and pre-post completed self-assessed scales on perceived relaxation, psychomotor activation, level of preoccupation associated with COVID-19, and emotional state. At the end of the session, qualitative reports on subjective experience were also collected.

Results

Overall, 294 participants completed 75% of the survey and 240 completed the entire survey as well as one of three randomly assigned interventions. Perceived relaxation, psychomotor activation/stress, and preoccupation related to COVID-19 showed a positive improvement after participants listened to the audio clips. The same pattern was observed for the valence and perceived dominance of the emotional state. The square breathing and body scan exercises yielded superior results compared to natural sounds in lowering perceived stress.

Conclusions

This study provides a novel insight that can guide the development of future low-cost web-based interventions to reduce preoccupation and stress in the general population.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/19236
Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Intimate Partner Violence Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations: Protocol for a Linear Three-Phase Study (Project Empower)
Authors: Stephenson Rob , Todd Kieran , Gamarel Kristi E , Bonar Erin E , Peitzmeier Sarah
Published: October 2020

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is approximately twice as prevalent among transgender and gender diverse individuals (those whose current gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth) than among cisgender individuals (those whose gender aligns with their sex assigned at birth). However, most existing scales measuring IPV are not validated among transgender and gender diverse populations and do not consider the unique forms of IPV experienced by transgender and gender diverse individuals.

Objective

This paper describes the protocol for Project Empower, a study that seeks to develop and validate a new scale to measure IPV as experienced by transgender and gender diverse adults. A new scale is necessary to improve the accuracy of IPV measurement among transgender and gender diverse populations and may inform the current tools used to screen and link to services for transgender and gender diverse people who experience or perpetrate IPV.

Methods

The proposed new scale will be developed by a linear three-phase process. In Phase I, we will recruit a maximum of 110 transgender and gender diverse participants to participate in in-depth interviews and focus groups. Phase I will collect qualitative data on the experiences of IPV among transgender and gender individuals. After generating scale items from the qualitative data in Phase I, Phase II will conduct up to 10 cognitive interviews to examine understanding of scale items and refine wording. Phase III will then conduct a survey with an online recruited sample of 700 transgender and gender diverse individuals to validate the scale using factor analysis and examine the prevalence, antecedents, and linked health outcomes of IPV. This study will generate the first comprehensive IPV scale including trans-specific IPV tactics that has undergone robust mixed-methods validation for use in transgender and gender diverse populations, regardless of sex assigned at birth.

Results

Project Empower launched in August 2019, with Phases I and II expected to be complete by late 2020. Phase III (survey of 700 transgender individuals) is expected to be launched in January 2021.

Conclusions

A scale that more accurately captures the forms of IPV experienced by transgender and gender diverse people not only has the potential to lead to more accurate measurements of prevalence but also can identify unique forms of violence that may form the basis of IPV prevention interventions. Additionally, identifying the forms of IPV experienced by transgender and gender diverse people has the potential to lead to the refinement of clinical screening tools used to identify and refer those who experience and perpetrate violence in clinical settings.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/23819
The Swiss Prison Study (SWIPS): Protocol for Establishing a Public Health Registry of Prisoners in Switzerland
Authors: Gaisl Thomas , Musli Naser , Baumgartner Patrick , Meier Marc , Rampini Silvana K , Blozik Eva , Battegay Edouard , Kohler Malcolm , Saxena Shekhar
Published: October 2020

Background

The health aspects, disease frequencies, and specific health interests of prisoners and refugees are poorly understood. Importantly, access to the health care system is limited for this vulnerable population. There has been no systematic investigation to understand the health issues of inmates in Switzerland. Furthermore, little is known on how recent migration flows in Europe may have affected the health conditions of inmates.

Objective

The Swiss Prison Study (SWIPS) is a large-scale observational study with the aim of establishing a public health registry in northern-central Switzerland. The primary objective is to establish a central database to assess disease prevalence (ie, International Classification of Diseases-10 codes [German modification]) among prisoners. The secondary objectives include the following: (1) to compare the 2015 versus 2020 disease prevalence among inmates against a representative sample from the local resident population, (2) to assess longitudinal changes in disease prevalence from 2015 to 2020 by using cross-sectional medical records from all inmates at the Police Prison Zurich, Switzerland, and (3) to identify unrecognized health problems to prepare successful public health strategies.

Methods

Demographic and health-related data such as age, sex, country of origin, duration of imprisonment, medication (including the drug name, brand, dosage, and release), and medical history (including the International Classification of Diseases-10 codes [German modification] for all diagnoses and external results that are part of the medical history in the prison) have been deposited in a central register over a span of 5 years (January 2015 to August 2020). The final cohort is expected to comprise approximately 50,000 to 60,000 prisoners from the Police Prison Zurich, Switzerland.

Results

This study was approved on August 5, 2019 by the ethical committee of the Canton of Zurich with the registration code KEK-ZH No. 2019-01055 and funded in August 2020 by the “Walter and Gertrud Siegenthaler” foundation and the “Theodor and Ida Herzog-Egli” foundation. This study is registered with the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number registry. Data collection started in August 2019 and results are expected to be published in 2021. Findings will be disseminated through scientific papers as well as presentations and public events.

Conclusions

This study will construct a valuable database of information regarding the health of inmates and refugees in Swiss prisons and will act as groundwork for future interventions in this vulnerable population.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN registry ISRCTN11714665; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11714665

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/23973
Analysis of the COVID-19 Epidemic Transmission Network in Mainland China: K-Core Decomposition Study
Authors: Qin Lei , Wang Yidan , Sun Qiang , Zhang Xiaomei , Shia Ben-Chang , Liu Chengcheng
Published: October 2020

Background

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, frequent interregional contacts and the high rate of infection spread have catalyzed the formation of an epidemic network.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify influential nodes and highlight the hidden structural properties of the COVID-19 epidemic network, which we believe is central to prevention and control of the epidemic.

Methods

We first constructed a network of the COVID-19 epidemic among 31 provinces in mainland China; after some basic characteristics were revealed by the degree distribution, the k-core decomposition method was employed to provide static and dynamic evidence to determine the influential nodes and hierarchical structure. We then exhibited the influence power of the above nodes and the evolution of this power.

Results

Only a small fraction of the provinces studied showed relatively strong outward or inward epidemic transmission effects. The three provinces of Hubei, Beijing, and Guangzhou showed the highest out-degrees, and the three highest in-degrees were observed for the provinces of Beijing, Henan, and Liaoning. In terms of the hierarchical structure of the COVID-19 epidemic network over the whole period, more than half of the 31 provinces were located in the innermost core. Considering the correlation of the characteristics and coreness of each province, we identified some significant negative and positive factors. Specific to the dynamic transmission process of the COVID-19 epidemic, three provinces of Anhui, Beijing, and Guangdong always showed the highest coreness from the third to the sixth week; meanwhile, Hubei Province maintained the highest coreness until the fifth week and then suddenly dropped to the lowest in the sixth week. We also found that the out-strengths of the innermost nodes were greater than their in-strengths before January 27, 2020, at which point a reversal occurred.

Conclusions

Increasing our understanding of how epidemic networks form and function may help reduce the damaging effects of COVID-19 in China as well as in other countries and territories worldwide.
Bridging the gap between perioperative pelvic floor training and urologic surgeries with risk of incontinence by digital technologies: a survey. (Preprint)
Authors: Mumm Jan Niclas , Bohn Lucas , Eismann Lennert , Buchner Alexander , Vilsmaier Theresa , Keller Patrick , Sommer Anne , Stief Christian , Kretschmer Alexander , Bauer Ricarda , Rodler Severin
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Pelvic floor training (PFT) is the gold standard for conservative treatment of male stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate patients´ perspective at risk of incontinence on PFT and application of digital technologies for PFT.

METHODS

Patients undergoing transurethral surgery of the prostate (group I), radical prostatectomy (group II) or treatment at a specialized incontinence outpatient clinic (group III) were surveyed anonymously. Chi-Square test and Kruskal-Wallis-analysis were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

180 patients were included in the final analysis. In group I (n=35) no patient underwent PFT prior to transurethral surgery. 23.5% of patients in group II (n=51) and 95.7% of patients in group III (n=94) performed PFT. 11.4% in group I, 80.4% in group II and 91.5% in group III have been advised to perform PFT by their urologist. Regarding the information level on PFT, patients from group I (median 1, range 0-5) are less satisfied than patients from group II (median 3, 0-9) or group III (median 5, range 0-10, p<0.001). 88.6% of patients from group I are willing to perform PFT as preventive treatment or to avoid incontinence surgery, 100% from group II and 68.4% from group III (p<0.001). The likelihood to use digital PFT is higher in group I (median: 9, range 0-10) and II (median: 9, range 0-10) than in group III (median: 4, range 0-10, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients at risk of incontinence currently have limited access to PFT, although they are willing to perform PFT. Digital PFT is highly accepted by patients preoperatively and might be a valuable tool to increase PFT participation.
The Road to Partnership: a Stepwise, Iterative Approach to Organisational Collaboration in RDM, Archives and Records Management
Authors: Harricharan Michelle , Manson Carly , Hylan Kirsten
Published: October 2020

Research data management (RDM) sits at the confluence of a number of related roles. The shape an RDM confluence takes depends on several factors including the nature of an organisation and the research that it undertakes. At St Georgeâ€™s, University of London, the UKâ€™s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research, RDM has been intricately interwoven with organisational information governance roles since its inception. RDM is represented on our institutional Information Governance Steering Group and our Information Management Team consisting of information governance, data protection, freedom of information, archives, records management and RDM.

This paper reports on how RDM, archives and records management have collaborated using a step-wise, iterative process to streamline and harmonise our guidance and workflows in relation to the stewardship, curation and preservation of research data. As part of this we consistently develop, conduct and evaluate small projects on managing, curating and preserving data. We present three projects that we collaborated on to transform research data services across each of our departments:

planning for, conducting and reporting on interviews with wet laboratory researchers

advocating, building a case for and delivering a university-wide digital preservation system

ongoing work to recover, preserve and facilitate access to a unique national health database

Learnings from these projects are used to develop our guidance, improve our activities and integrate our workflows, the outcomes of which may be further evaluated. Learnings are also used to improve our ways of working together. Through deeper integration of our activities and workflows, rather than simply aligning aspects of our work, we are increasingly becoming partners on research data stewardship, curation and preservation. This approach offers several benefits to the organisation as it allows us to build on our related knowledge and skills and deliver outcomes that demonstrate greater value to the organisation and the researchers we support.
Arab Spring as a Factor of Emergence of Salafi Parties in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Khayrullin T. R.
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the analysis of Salafi Islamism. Conservative Salafi Islamism during the events of the Arab spring received a new development. In particular, the fall of authoritarian regimes and the beginning of the democratic process in the Middle East and North Africa led to the creation of Salafi political parties. The Salafi sts believed, that in a favorable political environment, they would be able to defend their legal status and gain some privileges through participating in parliamentary elections. However, the creation of parties has deepened internal divisions within the Salafi movements. In particular, there were supporters among the Salafi sts, who defended the combination of student and political activities against those who considered participation in the political struggle as a temporary tactical action. The result of the disagreement was the emergence of a reformist movement, that began to see participation in politics as a tool for strengthening the position of the Salafi st movement.
Hagia Sophia as Mosque: Opinions and Perspectives
Authors: Shavrina M. S.
Published: October 2020

The article analyzes the discourse on changing the status of Hagia Sophia Museum (The Church of Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul. The research is based on a wide range of sources, including offi cial documents of international, public and religious organizations. The article presents the main participants’ positions in the discussion, refl ecting diff erent approaches to evaluating the transformation of Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque. The author concludes that the important step towards a constructive dialogue is to seek opportunities for involving representatives of the world and international religious communities in the work of collegial platforms operating within the country. In the future, such initiatives will help to provide a wide and open fi eld for discussion of the actual existence and further development of Hagia Sophia in the new conditions.
The Reception of Egyptian Modernism in Indonesia: Harun Nasution on Theology of Muhammad Abduh
Authors: Mukhetdinov D. V.
Published: October 2020

In the present article we are going look at the interpretation of the theology of Muhammad Abduh (1849–1905) undertaken by the Indonesian scholar Harun Nasution (1919–1998). Nasution compares Abduh’s position to neo- Mutazilism, relying on the treatise “Risālah al- Tawḥid”. Nasution carries out a step-by-step interpretation of the most popular “exoteric” work of the Egyptian thinker, proving the rationalist character of his theological system. From the point of view of Nasution, the division of the human race into the elect and commoners characteristic of Abduh is intended to confi rm the special ontological status of people endowed with high culture and advanced intellectual abilities. The elect are able to comprehend the entire area of intelligible being, which includes both God with his attributes and the created world. From this follows the limited, confi rmatory character of Revelation. It does not so much reveal to people a hitherto unfamiliar truth as confi rms (legitimizes) the knowledge already available to the Elect. Nasution believes that Abduh’s views on human freedom and divine justice are in confl ict with Asharism. Man is the source of his own actions, he is given the freedom to independently determine his own destiny. Allah Almighty rules the world through the eternal laws of nature, sunan, and prefers not to interfere in the aff airs of people directly, although he is interested in their welfare. The article concludes with critical remarks challenging the interpretive model proposed by Nasution and other neoMutazilite scholars of Abduh.
Sicily and Islam: Past and Present
Authors: Fais O. D.
Published: October 2020

In this article, the author analyzes the historical past of Sicily, a region that became the object of the Arab- Berber, or Saracen conquest in the early Middle Ages, and the current realities of this region of Italy in the light of the migration problem. The researcher in detail discusses the background, characteristics, time frame and results medieval “Arabization” of the region, the similarities and diff erences of Islamization in Sicily and other European regions undergoing the expansion of the Muslim. Special emphasis is placed on the relation of Sicily to the Muslims: the author examines the specifi city of the interpretation of the concept “Islam” in various segments of the population, features of the mapping Sicilian, religious affi liation and regional origin of migrants with their status in the local evaluation system, the reasons for the existence of positive attitudes towards Muslims and Islam, as well as the identity of the Sicilians and migrants and interpretation of each of these categories of the population of the terms “own” and “alien”.
Disputas por el gobierno de indígenas en la antigua Comisaría del Vaupés, 1960-1968
Authors: Santoyo Álvaro Andrés
Published: October 2020

En este artículo se reconstruyen, a partir de documentos de archivo, los ejes argumentativos de las disputas entre caucheros, misioneros y funcionarios alrededor de la regulación del trabajo indígena en el contexto de la explotación cauchera, como una manera de entender las discusiones existentes en las décadas de 1960 y 1970, sobre el gobierno de la población indígena de la antigua Comisaría del Vaupés. Dicha reconstrucción se realiza en tres apartados. En el primero se presenta la justificación, desde los caucheros, de la importancia de la industria del caucho para el progreso de la Comisaría y su influencia en el proceso de civilización de los indígenas. Enseguida, las querellas entre los tres actores sociales sobre la contratación de indígenas. Por último, el texto aborda el cierre de la disputas, a partir del análisis de la denominada Declaración de Miraflores, documento publicado por los misioneros católicos en la prensa colombiana en el que se denunciaron los abusos de los caucheros en la región.
Animalizar para distinguir. Narraciones y experiencias del conflicto político armado entre la Gente de centro
Authors: Tobón Marco Alejandro
Published: October 2020

En este artículo se pretende dar respuesta a dos preguntas. La primera: ¿De qué manera los uitoto, muinane, andoke y nonuya, autodenominados Gente de centro, construyen las diferencias culturales sobre sí mismos y las FARC y el ejército, que hacen presencia en su territorio? La segunda: ¿Qué recursos culturales emplean para tomar una posición como sujetos diferenciados no armados? Las distinciones entre los protagonistas de la guerra y las poblaciones del medio río Caquetá se erigen sobre nociones opuestas entre lo animal y lo humano, siendo guerrilla y ejército clasificados como “animales de monte” y la Gente de centro concebida a sí misma como humanidad verdadera. El autor insiste en nombrar esta clasificación cultural que “animaliza para diferenciar” como la política de la distinción.
Hydraulic analysis of gate valve using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Authors: Žic Elvis , Banko Patrik , Lešnik Luka
Published: October 2020

As a very important element of most water supply systems, valves are exposed to the effects of strong hydrodynamic forces. When exposed to large physical quantities, the valve and piping can be damaged, which could endanger the performance of a water supply system. This is the main reason why it is necessary to foresee and determine the maximum values of velocity, pressure and other physical quantities that can occur in the system under certain conditions. Predicting extreme conditions allows us to correctly size the valve for the expected conditions to which the valve might be exposed, which is also the main objective of this paper. One of the methods for predicting and determining extreme values on a valve is to perform a simulation with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This is exactly the method used in the preparation of this paper with the aim of gaining insight into the physical magnitudes for models of gate valves positioned inside a pipe under characteristic degrees of valve closure. The Ansys CFX 19.1 and Ansys Fluent 19.1 software was used to simulate the hydrodynamic analysis and obtain the required results. The hydrodynamic analysis was performed for four opening degrees of gate valve
Flow coefficient of the aggregates as a parameter characterizing the suitability of non-cohesive soils for earthworks
Authors: Majer Stanisław
Published: October 2020

The article presents the results of the flow coefficient of aggregate for 30 sands and aggregates. The introduction of European standards for the assessment of construction aggregates over 20 years ago introduced a number of new testing methods not previously used in Poland. One of them is the flow coefficient of aggregate, popularly called aggregate angularity. The method of determination is given in the standard PN-EN 933-6:2014. This standard defines the method of determining the index for coarse aggregates with grain sizes between 4 and 20 mm and fine aggregates with grain sizes below 2 mm. This test is particularly important when designing mineral-asphalt mixtures. Aggregate angularity, particularly in fine aggregates, is the main factor influencing the workability of mixtures. The flow time through the apparatus depends on the degree of roundness and form of the grain. The study determined the relationship between the flow coefficient of aggregate and CBR in relation to the uniformity coefficient. This indicator is still considered to be one of the main parameters that affect the suitability of non-cohesive soils in earthworks. It was proven that Ecs is more dependent on CBR than CU.
Displacement piles - classification and new methods for the calculation of bearing capacity
Authors: Gwizdała Kazimierz , Więcławski Paweł
Published: October 2020

The paper presents technological changes concerning not only the method of construction, but also the materials used. Another aspect is the methods of calculating the load-bearing capacity and settlement of piles. With acceptance for use the PN-EN:1997-1:2008 standard in 2010, it was necessary to change the approaches applied that based on many years of experience and tradition. The best method in this case is to forecast the full load-settlement characteristics. On the basis of the collected data, a comparative analysis of particular displacement piles technologies was made. The usefulness of individual methods of load-bearing capacity calculation depending on the pile technology was determined.