bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors and Inter-Linkage of Household and Individual Food Insecurity in Urban Geriatric Subjects: A Community Based Study from India
Authors: Keshari Dr. Priya , Shankar Dr. Hari
Published: September 2021

Food insecurity affects many dimensions of well-being. It may lead to under nutrition. Although geriatric subjects from food insecure households are more likely to have inadequate energy, household food security does not necessarily guarantee for energy adequacy at individual level. This community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 616 geriatric subjects to find out predictors of food insecurity at household and individual level and examine energy adequacy at family versus individual level. Subjects were selected by multistage sampling procedure from urban Varanasi, India. A predesigned, pretested proforma was used for collecting socioeconomic information. Food insecurity was assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; 24 hours recall method was used for energy intakes. For analysis of data SPSS version 22.0 was used. χ2 and logistic regression were used for inferential purpose. Food insecurity at household was 68.2%.The significant association of marital status, religion, type and size of family and literacy status with household food insecurity in univariate analysis got eliminated after applying logistic regression analysis; Adjusted Odds Ratios were higher for SC/ST Caste (2.13; 95% CI: 1-4.5) and upper lower plus lower socio economic status(24.13; 95% CI: 13.87-44.61). On energy intake considerations, of 53.9% subjects with household food insecurity, 80.7% had individual food insecurity whereas of 46.1% subjects with household food security 63.7% subjects had individual food insecurity. Caste and socioeconomic class predicted food insecurity at household level. Energy adequacy at family level did not ensure energy adequacy in geriatric subjects.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks Taxation Among Adults in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara
Authors: Jalloun Rola Adnan
Published: September 2021

Background: Over the last few decades, most governments have implemented taxation on foods and beverages associated with adverse health effects to decrease the risk of health-related problems and to support the quality of life of people. The objective of the study is to assess participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on soft drink (SD) and energy drink (ED) taxation in Al Madinah Al-Munawara. Methods: A total of 384 adults aged 18-45 years were randomly interviewed in different food markets. The interview lasted for 20 minutes, and it included questions to assess demographics and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding health-related problems and taxation of SDs and EDs. Results: The results showed that a high percentage of the participants did not drink SDs and EDs (52% and 65%, respectively). Although age was significantly associated only with EDs, not consuming SDs and EDs was significantly associated with education and body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, 56% of SD consumers supported taxation, with the greatest support among those aged 40-45 years old, who had graduated from college and who were classified as overweight or obese. ED consumers supported taxation by 60%, with the greatest support among females who aged 25-39 and those who were classified as overweight or obese. Conclusions: The findings suggest that high SD and ED taxation is likely to reduce the harmful effects of SD and ED consumption on health by reducing the amount purchased.
Improving the culture of care
Authors: Nash Kate
Published: September 2021

Kate Nash, Senior Lecturer and Professional Midwifery Advocate, provides an overview of the advocating for education and quality improvement (A-EQUIP) model and role of the Professional Midwifery Advocate
Breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome
Authors: Enoch Nicola
Published: September 2021

Nicola Enoch, Founder and Trustee of Positive about Down syndrome, highlights the reality versus perception of breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome
The effect of COVID-19 on intrapartum care: a case review from early in the pandemic
Authors: Martin Hayley , Hameed Aisha
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a marked impact on maternity services in the UK. Those who are pregnant are identified as a higher risk population and there have been significant changes in the structure of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. This case of interest explores a moderate case of SARS-CoV-2 during the intrapartum period in the early stages of the pandemic which was managed by a multidisciplinary approach. The family are well and are now fully recovered. Midwifery accounts recall uncertainties regarding personal protective equipment. Obstetricians recall minimalising patient contact where appropriate and anticipating for obstetric emergencies to reduce delays. Despite challenges, staff recall excellent multidisciplinary team work and the use of technology to facilitate communication between service user and birth partner.
Indemnity for dental nurses
Authors: Makin John
Published: September 2021

John Makin discusses the importance of having the right policy in place
An algorithmic approach to total hip arthroplasty in patient with post-polio paralysis and fixed pelvic obliquity
Authors: Malhotra Rajesh , Gautam Deepak , Gupta Saurabh , Eachempati Krishna K.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with post-polio residual paralysis (PPRP) is challenging. Despite relief in pain after THA, pre-existing muscle imbalance and altered gait may cause persistence of difficulty in walking. The associated soft tissue contractures not only imbalances the pelvis, but also poses the risk of dislocation, accelerated polyethylene liner wear, and early loosening.

Methods

In all, ten hips in ten patients with PPRP with fixed pelvic obliquity who underwent THA as per an algorithmic approach in two centres from January 2014 to March 2018 were followed-up for a minimum of two years (2 to 6). All patients required one or more additional soft tissue procedures in a pre-determined sequence to correct the pelvic obliquity. All were invited for the latest clinical and radiological assessment.

Results

The mean Harris Hip Score at the latest follow-up was 79.2 (68 to 90). There was significant improvement in the coronal pelvic obliquity from 16.6o (SD 7.9o) to 1.8o (SD 2.4o; p < 0.001). Radiographs of all ten hips showed stable prostheses with no signs of loosening or migration, regardless of whether paralytic or non-paralytic hip was replaced. No complications, including dislocation or infection related to the surgery, were observed in any patient. The subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy done in two patients had united by nine months.

Conclusion

Simultaneous correction of soft tissue contractures is necessary for obtaining a stable hip with balanced pelvis while treating hip arthritis by THA in patients with PPRP and fixed pelvic obliquity. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):696–704.
Independent contribution of optical attenuation length in ultrafast laser-induced structural change
Authors: Shibuya Tatsunori , Sakaue Kazuyuki , Ogawa Hiroshi , Satoh Daisuke , Dinh Thanh-Hung , Ishino Masahiko , Tanaka Masahito , Washio Masakazu , Higashiguchi Takeshi , Nishikino Masaharu , Kon Akira , Kubota Yuya , Inubushi Yuichi , Owada Shigeki , Kobayashi Yohei , Kuroda Ryunosuke
Published: September 2021

Although laser irradiation with femtosecond pulses is known to generate crystallization and morphological changes, the contribution of optical parameters to material changes is still in discussion. Here, we compare two structures irradiated near Si–L2,3 edges by an extreme ultraviolet femtosecond pulse. Our result implies that, despite the femtosecond irradiation regime, these values of the optical attenuation length between the wavelengths of 10.3-nm and 13.5-nm differ by one order of magnitude. From the structural comparison, the original crystalline state was maintained upon irradiation at 13.5-nm, on the other hand, transition to an amorphous state occurred at 10.3-nm. The difference in optical attenuation length directly influence to the decision of material crystallization or morphological changes, even if the irradiation condition is under the femtosecond regime and same pulse duration. Our result reveals the contribution of optical attenuation length in ultrafast laser-induced structural change.
Second-order statistical properties of conjugate mode “double-H” partially coherent beams in turbulence
Authors: Lin Rong , Wu Jidong , Dong Yiming , Gbur Greg , Cai Yangjian , Yu Jiayi
Published: September 2021

We present an analysis of the propagation properties of a recently introduced class of conjugate mode partially coherent beams (called “double-H" beams) in a turbulent atmosphere using the extended Huygens-Fresnel integral. We investigate how the phase constant φ 0 between the modes plays a role in controlling the evolution of the intensity distribution and resisting the degradation effects of the atmosphere. Our results indicate that this new class of structured beams provides a new degree of freedom for controlling the shape of the beams and improves turbulence resistance, with potential application in free-space optical communications.
Batch fabrication and compact integration of customized multispectral filter arrays towards snapshot imaging
Authors: Yu Xiaochang , Su Yang , Song Xuankun , Wang Fei , Gao Bo , Yu Yiting
Published: September 2021

Snapshot multispectral imaging (MSI) has been widely employed in the rapid visual inspection by virtues of the non-invasive detection mode and short integration time. As the critical functional elements of snapshot MSI, narrowband, customizable, and pixel-level multispectral filter arrays (MSFAs) that are compatible with imaging sensors are difficult to be efficiently manufactured. Meanwhile, monolithically integrating MSFAs into snapshot multispectral imagers still remains challenging considering the strict alignment precision. Here, we propose a cost-efficient, wafer-level, and customized approach for fabricating transmissive MSFAs based on Fabry-Perot structures, both in the pixel-level and window-tiled configuration, by utilizing the conventional lithography combined with the deposition method. The MSFA chips own a total dimension covering the area of 4.8 mm × 3.6 mm with 4 × 4 bands, possessing the capability to maintain narrow line widths (∼25 nm) across the whole visible frequencies. After the compact integration with the imaging sensor, the MSFAs are validated to be effective in filtering and target identification. Our proposed fabrication method and imaging mode show great potentials to be an alternative to MSFAs production and MSI, by reducing both complexity and cost of manufacturing, while increasing flexibility and customization of imaging system.
Photonic analog of Mollow triplet with on-chip photon-pair generation in dressed modes
Authors: Cui Chaohan , Zhang Liang , Fan Linran
Published: September 2021

Making analogy with atomic physics is a powerful tool for photonic technology, witnessed by the recent development in topological photonics and non-Hermitian photonics based on parity–time symmetry. The Mollow triplet is a prominent atomic effect with both fundamental and technological importance. Here we demonstrate the analog of the Mollow triplet with quantum photonic systems. Photonic entanglement is generated with spontaneous nonlinear processes in dressed photonic modes, which are introduced through coherent multimode coupling. We further demonstrate the possibility of the photonic system to realize different configurations of dressed states, leading to modification of the Mollow triplet. Our work would enable the investigation of complex atomic processes and the realization of unique quantum functionalities based on photonic systems.
Substrate dependent terahertz magneto-optical properties of monolayer WS2
Authors: Dong H. M. , Tao Z. H. , Duan Y. F. , Li L. L. , Huang F. , Peeters F. M.
Published: September 2021

Terahertz (THz) magneto-optical (MO) properties of monolayer (ML) tungsten disulfide (

W
S

2

), placed on different substrates and subjected to external magnetic fields, are studied using THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS). We find that the THz MO conductivity exhibits a nearly linear response in a weak magnetic field, while a distinctly nonlinear/oscillating behavior is found in strong magnetic fields owing to strong substrate-induced random impurity scattering and interactions. The THz MO response of ML

W
S

2

depends sensitively on the choice of the substrates, which we trace back to electronic localization and the impact of the substrates on the Landau level (LL) spectrum. Our results provide an in-depth understanding of the THz MO properties of ML

W
S

2

/substrate systems, especially the effect of substrates, which can be utilized to realize atomically thin THz MO nano-devices.
Demonstration of generating a 100 Gbit/s orbital-angular-momentum beam with a tunable mode order over a range of wavelengths using an integrated broadband pixel-array structure
Authors: Song Hao , Zhou Huibin , Zou Kaiheng , Zhang Runzhou , Pang Kai , Song Haoqian , Minoofar Amir , Su Xinzhou , Hu Nanzhe , Liu Cong , Bock Robert , Zach Shlomo , Tur Moshe , Willner Alan E.
Published: September 2021

We experimentally generate an orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) beam with a tunable mode order over a range of wavelengths utilizing an integrated broadband pixel-array OAM emitter. The emitter is composed of a 3-to-4 coupler, four phase controllers, and a mode convertor. An optical input is split into four waveguides by the coupler. Subsequently, the four waveguide fields are coherently combined and transformed into a free-space OAM beam by the mode convertor. By tuning the phase delay

Δ

φ

between the four waveguides using the integrated phase controllers, the OAM order of the generated beam could be changed. Our results show that (a) a single OAM beam with a tunable OAM order (

ℓ
=
−
1

or

ℓ
=
+
1

) is generated with the intermodal power coupling of

<

−

11

d
B

, and (b) in a wavelength range of 6.4 nm, a free-space link of a single 50 Gbaud quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) channel carried by the tunable OAM beam is achieved with a bit error rate below the forward-error-correction threshold. As proof of concept, a 400 Gbit/s OAM-multiplexed and WDM QPSK link is demonstrated with a

∼

1
−

dB OSNR penalty compared with a single-beam link.
Direct imaging of a photonic jet at shaped fiber tips
Authors: Bouaziz Djamila , Perrin Stephane , Hajj Tony , Chabrol Grégoire , Guessoum Assia , Demagh Nacer-Eddine , Lecler Sylvain
Published: September 2021

This Letter presents, to our knowledge, the first direct measurement of the three-dimensional distribution of photonic jets (PJs) generated by shaped-tip multimode optical fibers. A PJ at the distal end of optical fibers makes it easier to scan a sample, for lithography or optical analysis, for example, with a spot smaller than the diffraction limit. The backscattered light can also be easily collected. In this study, the volume of the PJ has been reconstructed using a stack of image planes and compared to numerical simulations. For the first time, the power distribution of the non-fundamental mode around the PJ has been observed, giving a better understanding of PJ-based laser etching using multimode optical fibers. An original 50/125 fiber with a microlens fitting just on its core has made it possible to strongly reduce the power spread compared to the thermoformed 100/140 fibers used in our previous works.
Cryptanalysis for a light-field 3D cryptosystem based on M-cGAN
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Ying , Li Da-Hai , Li Qiang , Zhao Wuxiang , Li Xiaowei
Published: September 2021

Integral imaging, as an excellent light-field three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique, is considered as one of the most important technologies for 3D encryption because of its obvious advantages of high robustness, security, and computational feasibility. However, to date, there is no effective cryptanalysis technology for the light-field 3D cryptosystem. In this Letter, a cryptanalysis algorithm based on deep learning for the light-field 3D cryptosystem is presented. The 3D image can be optically retrieved by the trained network model without encryption keys. The experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed method.
Fast recovery of ion-irradiation-induced defects in Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films at room temperature
Authors: Hafermann Martin , Schock Robin , Wan Chenghao , Rensberg Jura , Kats Mikhail A. , Ronning Carsten
Published: September 2021

Phase-change materials serve a broad field of applications ranging from non-volatile electronic memory to optical data storage by providing reversible, repeatable, and rapid switching between amorphous and crystalline states accompanied by large changes in the electrical and optical properties. Here, we demonstrate how ion irradiation can be used to tailor disorder in initially crystalline Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) thin films via the intentional creation of lattice defects. We found that continuous Ar+-ion irradiation at room temperature of GST films causes complete amorphization of GST when exceeding 0.6 (for rock-salt GST) and 3 (for hexagonal GST) displacements per atom (ndpa). While the transition from rock-salt to amorphous GST is caused by progressive amorphization via the accumulation of lattice defects, several transitions occur in hexagonal GST upon ion irradiation. In hexagonal GST, the creation of point defects and small defect clusters leads to the disordering of intrinsic vacancy layers (van der Waals gaps) that drives the electronic metal–insulator transition. Increasing disorder then induces a structural transition from hexagonal to rock-salt and then leads to amorphization. Furthermore, we observed different annealing behavior of defects for rock-salt and hexagonal GST. The higher amorphization threshold in hexagonal GST compared to rock-salt GST is caused by an increased defect-annealing rate, i.e., a higher resistance against ion-beam-induced disorder. Moreover, we observed that the recovery of defects in GST is on the time scale of seconds or less at room temperature.
Identification of novel genetic susceptibility loci for thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms via genome-wide association study using the UK Biobank Cohort
Authors: Ashvetiya Tamara , Fan Sherry X. , Chen Yi-Ju , Williams Charles H. , O’Connell Jeffery R. , Perry James A. , Hong Charles C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are known to have a strong genetic component.

Methods and results

In a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the UK Biobank, we analyzed the genomes of 1,363 individuals with AAA compared to 27,260 age, ancestry, and sex-matched controls (1:20 case:control study design). A similar analysis was repeated for 435 individuals with TAA compared to 8,700 controls. Polymorphism with minor allele frequency (MAF) >0.5% were evaluated.

We identified novel loci near LINC01021, ATOH8 and JAK2 genes that achieved genome-wide significance for AAA (p-value <5x10-8), in addition to three known loci. For TAA, three novel loci in CTNNA3, FRMD6 and MBP achieved genome-wide significance. There was no overlap in the genes associated with AAAs and TAAs. Additionally, we identified a linkage group of high-frequency variants (MAFs ~10%) encompassing FBN1, the causal gene for Marfan syndrome, which was associated with TAA. In FinnGen PheWeb, this FBN1 haplotype was associated with aortic dissection. Finally, we found that baseline bradycardia was associated with TAA, but not AAA.

Conclusions

Our GWAS found that AAA and TAA were associated with distinct sets of genes, suggesting distinct underlying genetic architecture. We also found association between baseline bradycardia and TAA. These findings, including JAK2 association, offer plausible mechanistic and therapeutic insights. We also found a common FBN1 linkage group that is associated with TAA and aortic dissection in patients who do not have Marfan syndrome. These FBN1 variants suggest shared pathophysiology between Marfan disease and sporadic TAA.
The impact of COVID-19 on trips to urban amenities: Examining travel behavior changes in Somerville, MA
Authors: Sevtsuk Andres , Hudson Annie , Halpern Dylan , Basu Rounaq , Ng Kloe , de Jong Jorrit
Published: September 2021

While there has been much speculation on how the pandemic has affected work location patterns and home location choices, there is sparse evidence regarding the impacts that COVID-19 has had on amenity visits in American cities, which typically constitute over half of all urban trips. Using aggregate app-based GPS positioning data from smartphone users, this study traces the changes in amenity visits in Somerville, MA from January 2019 to December 2020, describing how visits to particular types of amenities have changed as a result of business closures during the public health emergency. Has the pandemic fundamentally shifted amenity-oriented travel behavior or is consumer behavior returning to pre-pandemic trends? To address this question, we calibrate discrete choice models that are suited to Census block-group level analysis for each of the 24 months in a two-year period, and use them to analyze how visitors’ behavioral responses to various attributes of amenity clusters have shifted during different phases of the pandemic. Our findings suggest that in the first few months of the pandemic, amenity-visiting preferences significantly diverged from expected patterns. Even though overall trip volumes remained far below normal levels throughout the remainder of the year, preferences towards specific cluster attributes mostly returned to expected levels by September 2020. We also construct two scenarios to explore the implications of another shutdown and a full reopening, based on November 2020 consumer behavior. While government restrictions have played an important role in reducing visits to amenity clusters, our results imply that cautionary consumer behavior has played an important role as well, suggesting a likely long and slow path to economic recovery. By drawing on mobile phone location data and behavioral modeling, this paper offers timely insights to help decision-makers understand how this unprecedented health emergency is affecting amenity-related trips and where the greatest needs for intervention and support may exist.
Next-generation sequencing in childhood-onset epilepsies: Diagnostic yield and impact on neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) disease diagnosis
Authors: Gall Kimberly , Izzo Emanuela , Seppälä Eija H. , Alakurtti Kirsi , Koskinen Lotta , Saarinen Inka , Singh Akashdeep , Myllykangas Samuel , Koskenvuo Juha , Alastalo Tero-Pekka
Published: September 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common childhood-onset neurological conditions with a genetic etiology. Genetic diagnosis provides potential for etiologically-based management and treatment. Existing research has focused on early-onset (<24 months) epilepsies; data regarding later-onset epilepsies is limited. The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of a clinically available epilepsy panel in a selected pediatric epilepsy cohort with epilepsy onset between 24–60 months of life and evaluate whether this approach decreases the age of diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2). Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based epilepsy panels, including genes associated with epileptic encephalopathies and inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) that present with epilepsy, were used. Copy-number variant (CNV) detection from NGS data was included. Variant interpretation was performed per American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results are reported from 211 consecutive patients with the following inclusion criteria: 24–60 months of age at the time of enrollment, first unprovoked seizure at/after 24 months, and at least one additional finding such as EEG/MRI abnormalities, speech delay, or motor symptoms. Median age was 42 months at testing and 30 months at first seizure onset; the mean delay from first seizure to comprehensive genetic testing was 10.3 months. A genetic diagnosis was established in 43 patients (20.4%). CNVs were reported in 25.6% diagnosed patients; 27.3% of CNVs identified were intragenic. Within the diagnosed cohort, 11 (25.6%) patients were diagnosed with an IEM. The predominant molecular diagnosis was CLN2 (14% of diagnosed patients). For these patients, diagnosis was achieved 12–24 months earlier than reported by natural history of the disease. This study supports comprehensive genetic testing for patients whose first seizure occurs ≥ 24 months of age. It also supports early application of testing in this age group, as the identified diagnoses can have significant impact on patient management and outcome.
Mortality risk from acute aortic dissection among hospital admissions during weekends and holiday season
Authors: Su I-Min , Huang Huei-Kai , Liu Peter Pin-Sung , Hsu Jin-Yi , Lin Shu-Man , Loh Ching-Hui
Published: September 2021

Background

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality rate. Findings from previous studies addressing the “weekend effect” on the mortality rate from an acute aortic dissection mortality have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the effect of admission for acute aortic dissection during the holiday season has not been previously investigated.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of admission for acute aortic dissection during holiday season or weekends on the risk of mortality.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of nationwide cohort data from the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We collected data on all adult patients hospitalized for acute aortic dissection between 2001 and 2017 in Taiwan and classified them into the following three groups based on day of admission: holiday season (at least 4 consecutive days; n = 280), weekend (n = 1 041), and weekday (n = 3 109). The following three outcomes were evaluated: in-hospital mortality, 7-day mortality, and 180-day mortality.

Results

A multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for possible cofounders on the measured outcomes. Compared to weekday admissions for acute aortic dissection, weekend admissions resulted in a 29% increase in the risk of in-hospital death (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.59; P = 0.0153), with a 25% increase in the 7-day (aOR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.001–1.563; P = 0.0492) and 20% increase in the 180-day mortality risk (aOR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01–1.42; P = 0.0395). Of note, admission over the holiday season did not result in a higher mortality risk than for weekday admissions; this finding, however, might reflect insufficient statistical power on subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Patients admitted for acute aortic dissection during the weekends are at higher risk of mortality compared to those admitted on weekdays. Our finding likely reflects inadequate staffing and team experience of weekend staff and can guide healthcare policy makers to improve patient outcomes.
Conspicuous corruption: Evidence at a country level
Authors: Louridas Panos , Spinellis Diomidis
Published: September 2021

People can exhibit their status by the consumption of particular goods or experiential purchases; this is known as “conspicuous consumption”; the practice is widespread and explains the market characteristics of a whole class of goods, Veblen goods, demand for which increase in tandem with their price. The value of such positional goods lies in their distribution among the population—the rarer they are, the more desirable they become. At the same time, higher income, often associated with higher status, has been studied in its relation to unethical behavior. Here we present research that shows how a particular Veblen good, illicit behavior, and wealth, combine to produce the display of illegality as a status symbol. We gathered evidence at a large, country-level, scale of a particular form of consumption of an illictly acquired good for status purposes. We show that in Greece, a developed middle-income country, where authorities cannot issue custom vanity license plates, people acquire distinguishing plate numbers that act as vanity plate surrogates. We found that such license plates are more common in cars with bigger engines and in luxury brands, and are therefore associated with higher value vehicles. This cannot be explained under the lawful procedures for allocating license plates and must therefore be the result of illegal activities, such as graft. This suggests a pattern of “conspicuous corruption”, where individuals break the law and use their gains as status symbols, knowing that the symbols hint at rule-breaking, as long as the unlawful practice cannot be incontestably established.
Protocol for the conceptualization and evaluation of a screening-tool for fitness-to-drive assessment in older people with cognitive impairment
Authors: Zellner Leonhard , Herpich Florian , Brieber David , Herle Margit , Zwanzger Peter , Brunnauer Alexander
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Due to aging and health status people may be subjected to a decrease of cognitive ability and subsequently also a decline of driving safety. On the other hand there is a lack of valid and economically applicable instruments to assess driving performance.

Objective

The study is designed to develop a valid screening-tool for fitness-to-drive assessment in older people with cognitive impairment externally validated on the basis of on-road driving performance.

Methods

In a single-centre, non-randomized cross-sectional trial cognitive functioning and on-road-driving-behavior of older drivers will be assessed. Forty participants with cognitive impairment of different etiology and 40 healthy controls will undergo an extensive neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, an on-road driving assessment for external validation of fitness to drive will be carried out. Primary outcome measures will be performance in attention, executive functions and visuospatial tasks that will be validated with respect to performance on the on-road-driving-test. Secondary outcome measures will be sociodemographic, clinical- and driving characteristics to systematically examine their influence on the prediction of driving behavior.

Discussion

In clinical practice counselling patients with respect to driving safety is of great relevance. Thus, having valid, reliable, time economical and easily interpretable screening-tools on hand to counsel patients is of great relevance for practitioners.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. The trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and various conferences.

Trial registration

18–640.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register.

Registration number: DRKS00023549.
Comparative anatomy of the encephalon of new world primates with emphasis for the Sapajus sp
Authors: de Abreu Tainá , Tavares Maria Clotilde Henriques , Bretas Rafael , Rodrigues Rosângela Correa , Pissinati Alcides , Aversi-Ferreira Tales Alexandre
Published: September 2021

Studies about the anatomy of the New World Primates are scarce, mainly comparative neuroanatomy, then a morphological comparative analysis about the tropical Primates were performed and a effort was made for an Old World Primates and modern humans relationship for the obtained data; plus, comments about behavior e and allometry were performed to try link the high cognition and abilities of the Sapajus with the neuroanatomical results, however, despite the deep neuroanatomic data obtained, we do not found an intrinsic relation to explain that.
News media narratives of Covid-19 across 20 countries: Early global convergence and later regional divergence
Authors: Ng Reuben , Chow Ting Yu Joanne , Yang Wenshu
Published: September 2021

Background

Seldom in history does one get a ‘front row seat’—with large-scale dynamic data—on how online news media narratives shift with a global pandemic. News media narratives matter because they shape societal perceptions and influence the core tent poles of our society, from the economy to elections. Given its importance—and with the benefit of hindsight—we provide a systematic framework to analyze news narratives of Covid-19, laying the groundwork to evaluate policy and risk communications.

Objectives

We leverage a 10-billion-word-database of online news, taken from over 7,000 English newspapers and magazines across 20 countries, culminating in 28 million articles. First, we track the volume of Covid-19 conversations across 20 countries from before to during the pandemic (Oct’19 to May’20). Second, we distill the phases of global pandemic narratives, and elucidate regional differences.

Methods

To track the volume of Covid-19 narratives, we identified 10 target terms—Coronavirus, Covid-19, Covid, nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan Virus, Virus, Disease, Epidemic, Pandemic—and tracked their combined monthly prevalence across eight months from October 2019 through May 2020. Globally, across 20 countries, we identified 18,042,855 descriptors of the target terms. Further, these descriptors were analysed with natural language processing models to generate the top five topics of Covid-19 that were labelled by two independent researchers. This process was repeated across six continents to distil regional topics.

Results

Our model found four phases of online news media narratives: Pre-pandemic, Early, Peak and Recovery. Pre-pandemic narratives (Oct’19–Dec’19) were divergent across regions with Africa focused on monkeypox, Asia on dengue fever, and North America on Lyme disease and AIDS. Early (Jan–Feb’20) and Peak Pandemic (Mar–May’20) evidenced a global convergence, reflecting the omnipresence of Covid-19. The brief transition from early to peak pandemic narratives underscored the pandemic’s rapid spread. Emerging from the embers of the pandemic’s peak were nascent recovery words that are regionally divergent—Oceania focused on hope and an uncertain future while North America centered on re-opening the economy and tackling discrimination.

Conclusions

Practically, we presented a media barometer of Covid-19, and provided a framework to analyse the pandemic’s impact on societal perceptions—laying the important groundwork for policy makers to evaluate policy communications, and design risk communication strategies.
Virus–host interactions in carcinogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma: Potential roles of lost ARID1A expression in its early stage
Authors: Abe Hiroyuki , Kunita Akiko , Otake Yuya , Kanda Teru , Kaneda Atsushi , Ushiku Tetsuo , Fukayama Masashi
Published: September 2021

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a distinct molecular subtype of gastric cancer characterized by viral infection and cellular abnormalities, including loss of AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) expression (lost ARID1A). To evaluate the significance of lost ARID1A in the development of EBVaGC, we performed in situ hybridization of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) and immunohistochemistry of ARID1A in the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa and intramucosal cancer tissue of EBVaGC with in vitro infection analysis of ARID1A-knockdown and -knockout gastric cells. Screening of EBER by in situ hybridization revealed a frequency of approximately 0.2% EBER-positive epithelial cells in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa tissue samples. Six small foci of EBV-infected epithelial cells showed two types of histology: degenerated (n = 3) and metaplastic (n = 3) epithelial cells. ARID1A was lost in the former type. In intramucosal EBVaGC, there were ARID1A-lost (n = 5) and -preserved tumors (n = 7), suggesting that ARID1A-lost carcinomas are derived from ARID1A-lost precursor cells in the non-neoplastic mucosa. Lost ARID1A was also observed in non-neoplastic mucosa adjacent to an ARID1A-lost EBVaGC. In vitro experiments using siRNA knockdown and the CRISPR/Cas9-knockout system demonstrated that transient reduction or permanent loss of ARID1A expression markedly increased the efficiency of EBV infection to stomach epithelial cells. Taken together, lost ARID1A plays a role in initiating EBV-driven carcinogenesis in stomach epithelial cells, which develop to a distinct subtype of EBVaGC within the proper mucosal layer. Lost ARID1A is one of the constituents of virus–host interactions in the carcinogenesis of EBVaGC.
I am afraid, so I buy it! The effects of anxiety on consumer assimilation and differentiation needs amongst individuals primed with independent and interdependent self-construal
Authors: Drążkowski Dariusz , Behnke Maciej , Kaczmarek Lukasz D.
Published: September 2021

Individuals tend to satisfy their assimilation needs by purchasing products that bear a specific group identity. Such products might be preferred when an individual is threatened because anxiety increases affiliative needs. In contrast, individuals might be more attracted to unique-design products when they feel less anxious. We examined the impact of anxiety on assimilation and differentiation needs amongst consumers primed with independent and interdependent self-construal. We expected that anxiety would produce stronger assimilation needs and show a weaker preference for unique products. In Study 1 (N = 110), we found that individuals in the anxiety-inducing condition decreased their evaluation of unique products and exhibited stronger assimilation needs. Independents who felt anxiety reacted with a reduced preference for group-linked products. Study 2 (N = 102) found that introducing an anxiety-decreasing agent (vanilla scent) after a social identity threat reduced differentiation needs and preference for unique products. Physiological data showed that the social identity threat increased sympathetic arousal, but the vanilla scent did not have a soothing effect on physiological reactivity. Overall, this work showed that both anxiety and vanilla scent reduced consumer need for differentiation. Furthermore, for independents, anxiety reduced assimilation needs. We found novel determinants of assimilation/differentiation needs with implications for advertising and retailing products with a unique design.
Performance verification of the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 test for qualitative detection of IgG in Cali, Colombia
Authors: Castro Maria del Mar , Caicedo Isabella , Ortiz-Rojas Helen Johanna , Castillo Carmen Manuela , Medina Adriana Giovanna , Alexander Neal , Gómez Maria Adelaida , Albornoz Ludwig L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Adequate testing is critically important for control of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Antibody testing is an option for case management and epidemiologic studies, with high specificity and variable sensitivity. However, characteristics of local populations may affect performance of these tests. For this reason, the National Institute of Health (INS) and regulatory agencies in Colombia require verification of diagnostic accuracy of tests introduced to the Colombian market.

Methods

We conducted a validation study of the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 test for qualitative detection of IgG using the Abbott Architect i2000SR. Participants and retrospective samples were included from patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, age ≥18 years, and ≥8 days elapsed since initiation of symptoms. Pre-pandemic plasma samples (taken before October 2019) were used as controls. We estimated the sensitivity, specificity and agreement (kappa) of the Abbott IgG test compared to the gold standard (RT-PCR).

Results

The overall sensitivity was 83.1% (95% CI: 75.4–100). Sensitivity among patients with ≥14 days since the start of symptoms was 85.7%, reaching 88% in samples collected from patients with COVID-19 symptoms onset >60 days. Specificity was 100% and the kappa index of agreement was 0.804 (95% CI: 0.642–0.965).

Conclusions

Our findings show high sensitivity and specificity of the Abbott IgG test in a Colombian population, which meet the criteria set by the Colombian INS to aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19. Data from our patient groups also suggest that IgG response is detectable in a high proportion of individuals (88.1%) during the first two months following onset of symptoms.
Automatic detection of adult cardiomyocyte for high throughput measurements of calcium and contractility
Authors: Cao L. , Manders E. , Helmes M.
Published: September 2021

Simultaneous calcium and contractility measurements on isolated adult cardiomyocytes have been the gold standard for the last decades to study cardiac (patho)physiology. However, the throughput of this system is low which limits the number of compounds that can be tested per animal. We developed instrumentation and software that can automatically find adult cardiomyocytes. Cells are detected based on the cell boundary using a Sobel-filter to find the edge information in the field of view. Separately, we detected motion by calculating the variance of intensity for each pixel in the frame through time. Additionally, it detects the best region for calcium and contractility measurements. A sensitivity of 0.66 ± 0.08 and a precision of 0.82 ± 0.03 was reached using our cell finding algorithm. The percentage of cells that were found and had good contractility measurements was 90 ± 10%. In addition, the average time between 2 cardiomyocyte calcium and contractility measurements decreased from 93.5 ± 80.2 to 15.6 ± 8.0 seconds using our software and microscope. This drastically increases throughput and provides a higher statistical reliability when performing adult cardiomyocyte functional experiments.
Testing silicone digit extensions as a way to suppress natural sensation to evaluate supplementary tactile feedback
Authors: Engels Leonard F. , Cappello Leonardo , Fischer Anke , Cipriani Christian
Published: September 2021

Dexterous use of the hands depends critically on sensory feedback, so it is generally agreed that functional supplementary feedback would greatly improve the use of hand prostheses. Much research still focuses on improving non-invasive feedback that could potentially become available to all prosthesis users. However, few studies on supplementary tactile feedback for hand prostheses demonstrated a functional benefit. We suggest that confounding factors impede accurate assessment of feedback, e.g., testing non-amputee participants that inevitably focus intently on learning EMG control, the EMG’s susceptibility to noise and delays, and the limited dexterity of hand prostheses. In an attempt to assess the effect of feedback free from these constraints, we used silicone digit extensions to suppress natural tactile feedback from the fingertips and thus used the tactile feedback-deprived human hand as an approximation of an ideal feed-forward tool. Our non-amputee participants wore the extensions and performed a simple pick-and-lift task with known weight, followed by a more difficult pick-and-lift task with changing weight. They then repeated these tasks with one of three kinds of audio feedback. The tests were repeated over three days. We also conducted a similar experiment on a person with severe sensory neuropathy to test the feedback without the extensions. Furthermore, we used a questionnaire based on the NASA Task Load Index to gauge the subjective experience. Unexpectedly, we did not find any meaningful differences between the feedback groups, neither in the objective nor the subjective measurements. It is possible that the digit extensions did not fully suppress sensation, but since the participant with impaired sensation also did not improve with the supplementary feedback, we conclude that the feedback failed to provide relevant grasping information in our experiments. The study highlights the complex interaction between task, feedback variable, feedback delivery, and control, which seemingly rendered even rich, high-bandwidth acoustic feedback redundant, despite substantial sensory impairment.
Incidence of stroke in the first year after diagnosis of cancer—A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lun Ronda , Roy Danielle Carole , Ramsay Tim , Siegal Deborah , Shorr Risa , Fergusson Dean , Dowlatshahi Dar
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There is an increased risk of stroke in patients with cancer–this risk is particularly heightened around the time of cancer diagnosis, although no studies have systematically quantified this risk in the literature. Patients newly diagnosed with cancer without prior stroke represent a highly susceptible population in whom there is a window of opportunity to study and implement primary prevention strategies. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to identify the cumulative incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes during the first year after a diagnosis of cancer.

Methods and analysis

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed will be searched with the assistance from a medical information specialist, from 1980 until present. Eligible studies will include observational studies that have enrolled adult patients newly diagnosed with cancer and report outcomes of stroke during the first year of cancer diagnosis. We will exclude all randomized and non-randomized interventional studies. Data on participant characteristics, study design, baseline characteristics, and outcome characteristics will be extracted. Study quality will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies, and heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2 statistic. Pooled cumulative incidence will be calculated for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes separately using a random-effects model.

Ethics and dissemination

No formal research ethics approval is necessary as primary data collection will not be done. We will disseminate our findings through scientific conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and social media/the press. The findings from this review will inform clinicians and patients regarding the risk of stroke in patients newly diagnosed with cancer by quantifying the cumulative incidence of each subtype of stroke during the first year after a diagnosis of cancer. This represents a window of opportunity to implement prevention strategies in a susceptible population.

Registration ID with Open Science Framework

osf.io/ucwy9.
Cooling e-cigarette flavors and the association with e-cigarette use among a sample of high school students
Authors: Davis Danielle R. , Morean Meghan E. , Bold Krysten W. , Camenga Deepa , Kong Grace , Jackson Asti , Simon Patricia , Krishnan-Sarin Suchitra
Published: September 2021

Introduction

E-liquid flavor is typically presented by flavor category (e.g. menthol, mint, fruit, dessert). Cooling sensations produced by flavor additives such as menthol enhance appeal of e-cigarettes among youth, but not all e-liquids that produce cooling sensations are labeled as menthol. Sensory experiences produced by flavors may allow for a new way to capture e-cigarette flavor use. This study aims to examine use of flavors that produce cooling sensations among youth and its association with e-cigarette use behaviors.

Methods

A 2019 survey of high school students (n = 4875) examined use of e-cigarette flavors that produced cooling sensations (cooling flavors) among past 30-day e-cigarette users. E-cigarette use behaviors (flavor use, nicotine use, frequency of use) were examined between those who did and did not use cooling flavors. A binary logistic regression was used to examine associations between vaping frequency, nicotine (vs. non-nicotine) use, and vaping cooling flavors while controlling for demographics, number of flavors vaped in the past month, and vaping age of onset.

Results

51.6% (n = 473/916) of the analytic sample endorsed vaping cooling flavors. There were no demographic differences by vaping cooling flavors. Vaping cooling flavors was associated with vaping more frequently (AOR:1.04,95% CI:1.03,1.05) and vaping nicotine (AOR:2.37,95% CI:1.53,3.67).

Conclusion

Vaping cooling flavors was associated with greater nicotine vaping and frequency of e-cigarette use. Assessing sensory experience, such as cooling, in addition to flavor category may more fully capture e-cigarette flavor use and its impacts on youth e-cigarette use behaviors.