bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of experiment-driven stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the determination of tofacitinib in nanoparticles and skin matrix
Authors: Gorantla Srividya , Saha Ranendra N. , Singhvi Gautam
Published: August 2021

Background

Tofacitinib—an oral JAK inhibitor—has been recently approved by US FDA to treat moderate to severe RA. The delivery of tofacitinib to specific inflammation site at joint via topical route using nanoformulations helps in managing the potential adverse effects. The objective is to develop and validate a simple, specific, and sensitive stability-indicating HPLC method for quantification of tofacitinib in topical nanoformulations and different matrices (adhesive tape, and skin layers, i.e., stratum corneum, viable epidermis, and dermis). The major objective was to avoid use of instruments like LC–MS/MS and to ensure a widespread application of the method.

Result

A 32factorial ‘design of experiments’ was applied to optimize process variables, to understand the effect of variables on peak properties. The calibration curve showed regression coefficient (R2) 0.9999 and linearity in the concentration range of 50 to 15,000 ng/mL, which is suitable for the analysis of conventional dosage forms and nanoformulations. Method validation was performed as per ICH guideline Q2 (R1). The accuracy by recovery studies ranged between 98.09 and 100.82%. The % relative standard deviations in intraday and interday precisions were in the range of 1.16–1.72 and 1.22–1.80%, respectively. Forced degradation studies indicated the specificity of method and showed stability-indicating potential for tofacitinib peak.

Conclusion

The validated method provides a quantification method of tofacitinib in the presence of formulation excipients, dissolution media, and skin tissues in detail. In addition, the method was successfully utilized for determination of various dermatokinetics profile of tofacitinib.
Stability-indicating HPLC-DAD method for the determination of empagliflozin
Authors: Pathak Shilpi , Mishra Pradeep
Published: August 2021

Background

A stability-indicating RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for the estimation of empagliflozin drug and its tablet dosage form using a DAD detector. The mobile phase consisted of methanol/acetonitrile/0.1%OPA (75:20:5). The peak was observed at 2.54 min using 222.0 nm absorption maxima.

Results

Calibration curve plot was found within the range of 10–50 µg/mL. The coefficient of determination (R2) was found to be 0.9990. Forced degradation studies were performed for the empagliflozin in various conditions, and the results were calculated as %RSD values and were found to be within the limits.

Conclusion

The method was validated as per ICH guidelines with respect to all validation parameters.
Access Needs: Centering Students and Disrupting Ableist Norms in STEM
Authors: Reinholz Daniel L. , Ridgway Samantha W.
Published: August 2021

This essay provides concrete strategies for normalizing “access talk” and creating more accessible learning environments in STEM education. This supports both disabled and nondisabled students toward the goal of disability justice in STEM.
An Exploration across Institution Types of Undergraduate Life Sciences Student Decisions to Stay in or Leave an Academic-Year Research Experience
Authors: Gin Logan E. , Clark Carolyn E. , Elliott Deanna B. , Roderick Travis B. , Scott Rachel A. , Arellano Denisse , Ramirez Diana , Vargas Cindy , Velarde Kimberly , Aeschliman Allyson , Avalle Sarah T. , Berkheimer Jessica , Campos Rachel , Gerbasi Michael , Hughes Sophia , Roberts Julie A. , White Quinn M. , Wittekind Ehren , Zheng Yi , Cooper Katelyn M. , Brownell Sara E.
Published: August 2021

Many studies on persistence in undergraduate research experiences have been almost exclusively conducted at research-intensive (R1) institutions, and it is unclear whether such challenges are generalizable across institution types. A study previously conducted across public R1 institutions was extended to include other institution types to address this question.
Impact of Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model on Community Cancer Centers
Authors: Meeks Sanford L. , Mathews Ryan , Mojica Jennifer , Shah Amish P. , Kelly Patrick , Dvorak Tomas
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE:

An episode-based payment model, the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO-APM), is scheduled to go into effect in January 2022. This article investigates the effects of RO-APM on hospital-based and freestanding community centers.

METHODS:

Historical Medicare data used to generate the RO-APM base rates were reviewed. A sensitivity analysis was performed to show how the RO-APM reimbursements compare with current reimbursements for commonly accepted treatment schedules and with current reimbursements at a large community practice.

RESULTS:

The RO-APM base rates represent a 2.2% decrease in overall Medicare reimbursement. Freestanding centers have historically billed at higher rates than hospital-based centers, however, and the RO-APM base rates represent a 6% decrease in global reimbursement for freestanding centers. The sensitivity analysis showed that, except for proton therapy, moderately hypofractionated treatment schedules will receive comparable reimbursement under RO-APM. Treatments using higher numbers of fractions of intensity-modulated radiation therapy or protons will see larger decreases in reimbursement. Application of the RO-APM base rates to the 2020 Medicare treatments in our health care network would result in small changes in expected reimbursement, but our sensitivity analysis indicated that Medicare reimbursement reductions could be as large as 23%.

CONCLUSION:

Compared with historical Medicare reimbursement, RO-APM base rates provide lower reimbursement for many common treatment scenarios, and this will have a larger effect on centers that use complex treatment techniques and longer fractionation schedules or have a large Medicare population.
The Risk-Adjusted Carbon Price
Authors: Van den Bremer Ton S. , Van der Ploeg Frederick
Published: August 2021

The social cost of carbon is the expected present value of damages from emitting one ton of carbon today. We use perturbation theory to derive an approximate tractable expression for this cost adjusted for climatic and economic risk. We allow for different aversion to risk and intertemporal fluctuations, skewness and dynamics in the risk distributions of climate sensitivity and the damage ratio, and correlated shocks. We identify prudence, insurance, and exposure effects, reproduce earlier analytical results, and offer analytical insights into numerical results on the effects of economic and damage ratio uncertainty and convex damages on the optimal carbon price. (JEL E12, G22, H23, O44, Q35, Q51, Q54)
La ciudad: entre la biografía y el objeto.
Authors: Díez del Corral Juan
Published: August 2021

El autor propone diversos pensamientos y unas pequeñas y sensatas historias urbanas autobiográficas que permiten aprehender algunos de los cambios radicales en la viva (pero deteriorada) relación de los hombres con las ciudades. Frente al «ciudadano universal», que es ciudadano abstracto de un universo local, se nos invita a repensar y recuperar la condición de vecino y la calidad de buena vecindad, que es la que debe fundar la verdadera ciudadanía y los hábitos de la democracia y !ajusticia.
Mirada sobre las políticas urbanas francesas y la cuestión del multiculturalismo
Authors: BaudouÏ Rémi
Published: August 2021

En este artículo se hace un análisis y un balance de la evolución de las políticas urbanas en Francia desde los años 50 hasta la actualidad. A lo largo de este período, la política urbana se ha configurado como un modo de intervención pública central para tratar de asuntos relacionados con la «cohesión social». La creación o rehabilitación de «espacios públicos», concebidos como espacios necesarios para la aculturación republicana, ha sido objeto de una especial atención en las intervenciones urbanísticas. Este análisis se hace poniendo en correlación las políticas urbanas y de vivienda con la de inmigración que se caracterizan, en el caso francés, por dos principios: integración y rechazo tanto del comunitarismo como del multiculturalismo. En torno a estas cuestiones, se emprende una reflexión sobre los procesos de segregación, fracturas sociales y urbanas, sobre la formación de la ciudad dual y condiciones de la ciudadanía.
De los territorios locales a la internacionalización de lo religioso
Authors: Bekkar Rabia
Published: August 2021

A partir de un estudio de campo, la autora muestra las representaciones y prácticas de los grupos socio-religiosos del barrio de Belleville en París donde la religión es el terreno privilegiado -y menos cuestionada- de visibilidad de poblaciones con orígenes socioculturales diversos: judíos loubavitchs, musulmanes tablighi y catolicismo popular. En este artículo se hace un análisis de los efectos estructuradores del espacio local inducidos por los lugares de culto o de afirmación identitaria (iglesia, sinagoga, mezquita, comercios, escuelas, librerías... ), la privatización de espacios públicos y, a la vez, la publicización de unos movimientos religiosos que se inscriben progresivamente en unas complejas redes internacionales. Sobre un mismo territorio, estos diferentes grupos experimentan cotidianamente su mundialización.
John Soane, arquitecto del espacio y la luz.
Authors: Moleón Pedro
Published: August 2021

A propósito de la exposición celebrada bajo este título en la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Madrid, 6 de noviembre-14 de diciembre de 2001)
Rhabdomyolysis Following Administration of Comirnaty®
Authors: Elias Catarina , Cardoso Pedro , Gonçalves Diana , Vaz Inês , Cardoso Leila
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Vaccination against COVID-19 is essential to control the pandemic. The vaccines developed so far have good safety profiles but full knowledge of adverse effects will only be acquired with time and through case reports. Case Description: We present the case of a man admitted with rhabdomyolysis 3 days after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Comirnaty® Other traumatic, infectious, endocrine, electrolyte disturbance and autoimmune causes of rhabdomyolysis were excluded. The temporal relationship between vaccine administration and disease onset indicated possible causality. The patient had a favourable evolution after receiving fluids and completely recovered. To our knowledge, there have been only 69 reports of rhabdomyolysis following Comirnaty® administration in Europe, as stated by the European Medicines Agency, and this is the first case report in Portugal. Discussion: When a patient presents with rhabdomyolysis without an obvious traumatic or exertional cause, other aetiologies need to be excluded. Drug use is one of the most common causes of rhabdomyolysis in adults. Conclusion: We present a case compatible with an adverse effect of Comirnaty® in order to raise awareness of this condition in vaccinated patients.
INGESTION OF MICROPLASTICS BY BENTHIC MARINE ORGANISMS IN THE ILHA GRANDE BAY HERITAGE SITE ON SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL
Authors: Da Silva Paulo Cezar Azevedo , Sorrentino Rayane , Ramos Brenda Dos Santos , Senna André Rezende de , Skinner Luis Felipe
Published: August 2021

Inappropriate disposal, management, treatment of litter are the main sources of plastic accumulation. People, animals, wind, storms, and currents spread continuously the plastic in different sites in the world. Diverse animal groups have been ingesting small particles of plastic, the microplastics (MPs), resulting in negative effects in behaviour, consumption, and nutritional rates. Here, we reported the ingestion of MP by two benthic groups, Ascidiacea and Amphipoda from sites around llha Grande Bay, a Natural Heritage of Humanity site in the Southwest of Brazil.
O Espaço das mulheres na pandemia de Covid-19: uma análise entre agência e vulnerabilidade | The place of women in the Covid-19 pandemic: An analysis between agency and vulnerability
Authors: Lattanzi Menezes Eduarda , Aguiar Bruna Soares de
Published: August 2021

No contexto da pandemia da Covid-19, a Organização Mundial da Saúde orientou que os países restringissem a circulação de pessoas, de modo a evitar a propagação do vírus e criar alternativas para o enfrentamento da doença. A quarentena gerou, em muitos Estados, consequências econômicas e sociais. Considerando os Estados do Sul global, notam-se efeitos em determinados grupos sociais, incluindo as mulheres. Nesse sentido, este artigo questionará sobre o lugar das mulheres na gestão da pandemia, evidenciando a agência feminina na construção de alternativas para as sociedades. Este objetivo será alcançado por meio de uma análise feminista pós-colonial, a partir da aplicação metodológica de estudo de casos sobre três iniciativas de grupos de mulheres do Sul: as “Coronadamas”, no Irã; as mulheres indígenas de Santiago Jocotepec, no México, e o processo de tomada de decisão de mulheres na África Ocidental.Palavras-chave: Coronavírus; Feminismo; Sul Global.ABSTRACTIn the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization advised that countries restrict the movement of people to prevent the spread of the virus and create alternatives for coping with the disease. Quarantine has had economic and social consequences in many states. Considering the States of the Global South, there are effects on specific social groups, including women. This paper aims to put in the question where the place of women is in the management of the pandemic, highlighting the female agency in the construction of alternatives for societies. This objective will be achieved through a post-colonial feminist analysis, based on the methodological application of case studies on three initiatives by groups of women in the South: the “Coronadamas” in Iran; indigenous women from Santiago Jocotepec, Mexico, and the decision-making process of women in West Africa.Keywords: Coronavirus; Feminism; Global South. Recebido em: 02 abr. 2021 | Aceito em: 07 jun. 2021.
Frequency controlled beam scanning characteristic realized using a compact slow wave transmission line
Authors: Yin Jia-Yuan , Du Xiao Yu , Ning Yuan , Deng Jing-Ya , Guo Li-Xin
Published: August 2021

To simplify the design of a beam scanning device, we present a simple and compact structure to realize the frequency scanning characteristic based on a hybrid waveguide consisting of a spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) transmission line and half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW). Additionally, the radiation characteristic is implemented using periodically modulated slots. The scanning angle range covers backward to forward directions without an open stop band at the broadside. The results from both simulations and measurements show that the total scanning angle reaches 117° for a frequency range of 9–11.4 GHz. Owing to the inherent features of the HMSIW and the unique design of the SSPP transmission line, the entire structure is only

139.2

m
m

×

15

m
m

in size. Moreover, the average gain is approximately 6.5 dBi. Overall, the compact size and good performance ensure that the proposed design is favorable for planar integrated communication systems.
Highly sensitive Mach–Zehnder interferometric micromagnetic field sensor based on 3D printing technology
Authors: Zhang Dengwei , Zhang Zhihang , Wei Heming , Krishnaswamy Sridhar
Published: August 2021

A two-photon 3D printed polymer magnetic sensing device based on a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed. One arm of the MZI contains a hollow cavity and two connecting open channels that can be filled with magnetic fluids (MFs) and sealed by the UV curable adhesive, forming a magneto-optical component of the interferometer. As the magnetic field changes, the refractive index (RI) of the MF changes, and the effective RI of the guiding mode of the waveguide changes accordingly, which results in a change in the phase of the MZI. The interferometric spectra can be used to evaluate the sensing sensitivity. The MZI structure with a hollow length of 40 µm is fabricated, and the microstructure is encapsulated with MF, demonstrating a highly sensitive magnetic field device. The experimental results show that the magnetic field sensitivity of the fabricated magnetic field device is

−

1.675

n
m

/

O
e

. For a spectrometer with a resolution of 1 pm, the minimal detectable magnetic field resolution of the sensor is up to 59.7 nT with good stability.
Multiband radio-over-fiber system for a 5G mobile fronthaul network
Authors: Li Mingfang , Wang Muguang , Han Mengyao , Wu Beilei , Ding Qi
Published: August 2021

A multiband radio-over-fiber system for a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology mobile fronthaul network is proposed, which can transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in four different frequency bands of 700 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz with different data rates simultaneously. The proposed system can satisfy the multiscenario demand of 5G and realize 4G/5G coexistence. A dual-polarization binary phase-shift keying modulator is utilized to alleviate the interference between multiple-frequency bands. The system is analyzed theoretically and verified through simulation. The variations of error vector magnitudes (EVMs) of four transmitted RF signals in function of the received optical power (ROP) are investigated. The simulation results show that the system has good performance after 10 km standard single-mode fiber (SMMF) transmission. When the ROP is above

−

3.3

d
B
m

, the EVM of the system conforms to the 3GPP specification. The power penalty of the system is within 1.9 dB at the 3GPP EVM performance specification after transmitting over a 10 km SSMF.
Giant and tunable Goos-Hänchen shift with a high reflectance induced by PT-symmetry in atomic vapor
Authors: Han Peng , Li Wenxiu , Zhou Yang , Jiang Shuo , Chang Xiaoyang , Huang Anping , Zhang Hao , Xiao Zhisong
Published: August 2021

The Goos-Hänchen (GH) shifts of light beams reflected from conventional passive optical systems could be enhanced using the Brewster angle effect or resonance effect, but the maximum GH shift is located at the reflectance minima, which is difficult for experimental detection. In this paper, we present an efficient and flexible scheme to realize complex parity-time (PT)-symmetric periodic optical potentials (complex crystals) in helium atomic vapor. The GH shifts of probe light reflected from the complex crystal are theoretically investigated and large GH shifts could be obtained inside the high-reflection band. When the complex crystal is operated near the coherent perfect absorption-laser point, the maximum GH shift of probe light is exactly located at the reflectance peak. Moreover, the GH shifts could be easily controlled by adjusting the intensity of control light.
Single-pixel optical modulation analyzer: a low-complexity frequency-dependent IQ imbalance monitor based on direct detection with phase retrieval
Authors: Yoshida Yuki , Yoshida Setsuo , Oda Shoichiro , Hoshida Takeshi , Yamamoto Naokatsu , Kanno Atsushi
Published: August 2021

Tiny mismatches in timing, phase, and/or amplitude between in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) tributaries in an electro-optic IQ modulator, namely IQ imbalance, can severely affect high baud-rate and/or high modulation-order signals in modern coherent optical communications systems. To maintain such analog impairment within the tight penalty limit over wavelength and temperature during the product lifetime, in-service in-field monitoring and calibration of the IQ imbalance, including its frequency dependence, become increasingly important. In this study, we propose a low-complexity IQ monitoring technique based on direct detection with phase retrieval called a single-pixel optical modulation analyzer (SP-OMA). By reconstructing the optical phase information lost during the detection process computationally via phase retrieval, SP-OMA facilitates the in-service in-field monitoring of the frequency-dependent imbalance profile without sending dedicated pilot tones and regardless of any receiver/monitor-side IQ imbalance. The feasibility of SP-OMA is demonstrated both numerically and experimentally with a 63.25-Gbaud 16QAM signal.
Improving security in terahertz wireless links using beam symmetry of vortex and Gaussian beams
Authors: Troha Tinkara , Ostatnický Tomáš , Kužel Petr
Published: August 2021

We present an effective way to improve the security of a point-to-point terahertz wireless link on a physical layer supported by numerical calculations in the frame of Fourier optics. The improvement is based on original countermeasures which exploit three independent degrees of freedom of the carrier wave: its intensity and azimuthal and radial symmetry. When the transmission line is intercepted, the light beam is subject to changes in either of the three degrees of freedom. We propose a strategy to measure these changes and they are quantified by a single eavesdropping parameter that is shown to be correlated to the secrecy capacity of the transmission. Consequently, its excessive value serves as an indication of the beam interception. We consider the carrier wave in the form of Gaussian and vortex beams. Comparison between the two reveals that vortex beam ensures a even higher level of security.
Single step zero-thermal-expansion temperature measurement of optical reference cavities
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Ye Yanxia , Chang Jialu , Zhang Jingxuan , Sun Yunlong , He Leilei , Wu Qiyue , Lu Zehuang , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2021

State-of-the-art laser frequency stability has been pushed to the 10−17 level. The laser reference cavity is typically nested in a multi-layer thermal enclosure to increase vacuum thermal time constant and thermally controlled at the zero-thermal-expansion temperature to reduce the external temperature fluctuation effect. It is rather time consuming to accurately determine the zero-thermal-expansion temperature for a large thermal time constant system. Here we develop a fast method for measuring the zero-thermal-expansion temperature of the cavity by relying on just one single temperature scan. We first develop a theoretical model to predict the performance of the laser locked to the reference cavity, and then construct an evaluation system for verification of the model. The zero-thermal-expansion temperature of a 30-cm cavity is measured to be 4.3±0.5 °C. The fast and high precision method for determining the zero-thermal-expansion temperature will be valuable in improving long-term frequency stabilities of cavity stabilized lasers.
Synchrotron Light Sources for the 21st Century
Authors: Daukantas Patricia
Published: August 2021

Labs on five continents are upgrading their storage-ring
synchrotrons and free-electron lasers to make their X-ray beams brighter
and more adaptable to scientific and medical applications.
Investigation of the single scattering approximation through direct electromagnetic scattering simulation
Authors: Ma Lanxin , Zhai Jinan , Wang Chengchao
Published: August 2021

In this work, we investigate quantitatively the applicability conditions of single scattering approximation (SSA) through direct simulation of electromagnetic scattering by small volume elements filled with randomly distributed spherical particles. The influences of size parameter x, volume fraction fv, complex refractive index m and number N of particles on the nondimensional extinction cross section ηext and absorption cross section ηabs of particle groups are discussed. For non-absorbing particles with small size parameters (x = 0.1 and 0.2 in this study), due to the small phase shift across particles, the particle refractive index has almost no influence on the criteria for SSA. However, when the particle size increases or particle absorption is enhanced, the criteria for SSA will be closely related to the particle complex refractive index. Moreover, when the particle size is small, due to the weak multiple scattering between particles, the criteria for SSA can be regarded as the criteria for independent scattering approximation (ISA). But as the particles increase to relatively large sizes (x = 4.0 in this study), because of the enhancement of multiple scattering, the criteria for SSA and ISA should be treated differently. The widely used criteria obtained for bispheres may not be applicable to particle groups composed of lots of particles, and the optical thickness of dispersed media is not suitable for evaluating the applicability conditions of SSA. For particle groups composed of different particle numbers, due to the differences in dependent scattering and multiple scattering, the criteria for SSA are obviously different and the particle volume fraction should be small enough to make the SSA sufficiently accurate.
The genetics and evolution of eye color in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Si Si , Xu Xiao , Zhuang Yan , Gao Xiaodong , Zhang Honghai , Zou Zhengting , Luo Shu-Jin
Published: August 2021

The eye color of birds, generally referring to the color of the iris, results from both pigmentation and structural coloration. Avian iris colors exhibit striking interspecific and intraspecific variations that correspond to unique evolutionary and ecological histories. Here, we identified the genetic basis of pearl (white) iris color in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) to explore the largely unknown genetic mechanism underlying the evolution of avian iris coloration. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach in 92 pigeons, we mapped the pearl iris trait to a 9 kb region containing the facilitative glucose transporter gene SLC2A11B. A nonsense mutation (W49X) leading to a premature stop codon in SLC2A11B was identified as the causal variant. Transcriptome analysis suggested that SLC2A11B loss of function may downregulate the xanthophore-differentiation gene CSF1R and the key pteridine biosynthesis gene GCH1, thus resulting in the pearl iris phenotype. Coalescence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the mutation originated approximately 5,400 years ago, coinciding with the onset of pigeon domestication, while positive selection was likely associated with artificial breeding. Within Aves, potentially impaired SLC2A11B was found in six species from six distinct lineages, four of which associated with their signature brown or blue eyes and lack of pteridine. Analysis of vertebrate SLC2A11B orthologs revealed relaxed selection in the avian clade, consistent with the scenario that during and after avian divergence from the reptilian ancestor, the SLC2A11B-involved development of dermal chromatophores likely degenerated in the presence of feather coverage. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism of avian iris color variations and the evolution of pigmentation in vertebrates.
Patient prioritisation methods to shorten waiting times for elective surgery: A systematic review of how to improve access to surgery
Authors: Rathnayake Dimuthu , Clarke Mike , Jayasinghe Viraj
Published: August 2021

Background

Concern about long waiting times for elective surgeries is not a recent phenomenon, but it has been heightened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated measures. One way to alleviate the problem might be to use prioritisation methods for patients on the waiting list and a wide range of research is available on such methods. However, significant variations and inconsistencies have been reported in prioritisation protocols from various specialties, institutions, and health systems. To bridge the evidence gap in existing literature, this comprehensive systematic review will synthesise global evidence on policy strategies with a unique insight to patient prioritisation methods to reduce waiting times for elective surgeries. This will provide evidence that might help with the tremendous burden of surgical disease that is now apparent in many countries because of operations that were delayed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inform policy for sustainable healthcare management systems.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, with our most recent searches in January 2020. Articles published after 2013 on major elective surgery lists of adult patients were eligible, but cancer and cancer-related surgeries were excluded. Both randomised and non-randomised studies were eligible and the quality of studies was assessed with ROBINS-I and CASP tools. We registered the review in PROSPERO (CRD42019158455) and reported it in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

Results

The electronic search in five bibliographic databases yielded 7543 records (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane) and 17 eligible articles were identified in the screening. There were four quasi-experimental studies, 11 observational studies and two systematic reviews. These demonstrated moderate to low risk of bias in their research methods. Three studies tested generic approaches using common prioritisation systems for all elective surgeries in common. The other studies assessed specific prioritisation approaches for re-ordering the waiting list for a particular surgical specialty.

Conclusions

Explicit prioritisation tools with a standardised scoring system based on clear evidence-based criteria are likely to reduce waiting times and improve equitable access to health care. Multiple attributes need to be considered in defining a fair prioritisation system to overcome limitations with local variations and discriminations. Collating evidence from a diverse body of research provides a single framework to improve the quality and efficiency of elective surgical care provision in a variety of health settings. Universal prioritisation tools with vertical and horizontal equity would help with re-ordering patients on waiting lists for elective surgery and reduce waiting times.
Immunometabolic signatures predict risk of progression to sepsis in COVID-19
Authors: Herrera-Van Oostdam Ana Sofía , Castañeda-Delgado Julio E. , Oropeza-Valdez Juan José , Borrego Juan Carlos , Monárrez-Espino Joel , Zheng Jiamin , Mandal Rupasri , Zhang Lun , Soto-Guzmán Elizabeth , Fernández-Ruiz Julio César , Ochoa-González Fátima , Trejo Medinilla Flor M. , López Jesús Adrián , Wishart David S. , Enciso-Moreno José A. , López-Hernández Yamilé
Published: August 2021

Viral sepsis has been proposed as an accurate term to describe all multisystemic dysregulations and clinical findings in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. The adoption of this term may help the implementation of more accurate strategies of early diagnosis, prognosis, and in-hospital treatment. We accurately quantified 110 metabolites using targeted metabolomics, and 13 cytokines/chemokines in plasma samples of 121 COVID-19 patients with different levels of severity, and 37 non-COVID-19 individuals. Analyses revealed an integrated host-dependent dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines, neutrophil activation chemokines, glycolysis, mitochondrial metabolism, amino acid metabolism, polyamine synthesis, and lipid metabolism typical of sepsis processes distinctive of a mild disease. Dysregulated metabolites and cytokines/chemokines showed differential correlation patterns in mild and critically ill patients, indicating a crosstalk between metabolism and hyperinflammation. Using multivariate analysis, powerful models for diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 induced sepsis were generated, as well as for mortality prediction among septic patients. A metabolite panel made of kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, IL-6, LysoPC a C18:2, and phenylalanine discriminated non-COVID-19 from sepsis patients with an area under the curve (AUC (95%CI)) of 0.991 (0.986–0.995), with sensitivity of 0.978 (0.963–0.992) and specificity of 0.920 (0.890–0.949). The panel that included C10:2, IL-6, NLR, and C5 discriminated mild patients from sepsis patients with an AUC (95%CI) of 0.965 (0.952–0.977), with sensitivity of 0.993(0.984–1.000) and specificity of 0.851 (0.815–0.887). The panel with citric acid, LysoPC a C28:1, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio discriminated severe patients from sepsis patients with an AUC (95%CI) of 0.829 (0.800–0.858), with sensitivity of 0.738 (0.695–0.781) and specificity of 0.781 (0.735–0.827). Septic patients who survived were different from those that did not survive with a model consisting of hippuric acid, along with the presence of Type II diabetes, with an AUC (95%CI) of 0.831 (0.788–0.874), with sensitivity of 0.765 (0.697–0.832) and specificity of 0.817 (0.770–0.865).
Disruption of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Tat system perturbs PQS-dependent quorum sensing and biofilm maturation through lack of the Rieske cytochrome bc1 sub-unit
Authors: Soh Eliza Ye-Chen , Smith Frances , Gimenez Maxime Rémi , Yang Liang , Vejborg Rebecca Munk , Fletcher Matthew , Halliday Nigel , Bleves Sophie , Heeb Stephan , Cámara Miguel , Givskov Michael , Hardie Kim R. , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Ize Bérengère , Williams Paul
Published: August 2021

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a major constituent of the extracellular matrix ofPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms and its release is regulated via pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) dependent quorum sensing (QS). By screening aP.aeruginosatransposon library to identify factors required for DNA release, mutants with insertions in the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway were identified as exhibiting reduced eDNA release, and defective biofilm architecture with enhanced susceptibility to tobramycin.P.aeruginosa tatmutants showed substantial reductions in pyocyanin, rhamnolipid and membrane vesicle (MV) production consistent with perturbation of PQS-dependent QS as demonstrated by changes inpqsAexpression and 2-alkyl-4-quinolone (AQ) production. Provision of exogenous PQS to thetatmutants did not returnpqsA,rhlAorphzA1expression or pyocyanin production to wild type levels. However, transformation of thetatmutants with the AQ-independentpqseffectorpqsErestoredphzA1expression and pyocyanin production. Since mutation or inhibition of Tat prevented PQS-driven auto-induction, we sought to identify the Tat substrate(s) responsible. ApqsA::luxfusion was introduced into each of 34 validatedP.aeruginosaTat substrate deletion mutants. Analysis of each mutant for reduced bioluminescence revealed that the primary signalling defect was associated with the Rieske iron-sulfur subunit of the cytochromebc1complex. In common with the parent strain, a Rieske mutant exhibited defective PQS signalling, AQ production,rhlAexpression and eDNA release that could be restored by genetic complementation. This defect was also phenocopied by deletion ofcytBorcytC1. Thus, either lack of the Rieske sub-unit or mutation of cytochromebc1genes results in the perturbation of PQS-dependent autoinduction resulting in eDNA deficient biofilms, reduced antibiotic tolerance and compromised virulence factor production.
Avian influenza A virus susceptibility, infection, transmission, and antibody kinetics in European starlings
Authors: Ellis Jeremy W. , Root J. Jeffrey , McCurdy Loredana M. , Bentler Kevin T. , Barrett Nicole L. , VanDalen Kaci K. , Dirsmith Katherine L. , Shriner Susan A.
Published: August 2021

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose risks to public, agricultural, and wildlife health. Bridge hosts are spillover hosts that share habitat with both maintenance hosts (e.g., mallards) and target hosts (e.g., poultry). We conducted a comprehensive assessment of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), a common visitor to both urban and agricultural environments, to assess whether this species might act as a potential maintenance or bridge host for IAVs. First, we experimentally inoculated starlings with a wild bird IAV to investigate susceptibility and replication kinetics. Next, we evaluated whether IAV might spill over to starlings from sharing resources with a widespread IAV reservoir host. We accomplished this using a specially designed transmission cage to simulate natural environmental transmission by exposing starlings to water shared with IAV-infected mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). We then conducted a contact study to assess intraspecies transmission between starlings. In the initial experimental infection study, all inoculated starlings shed viral RNA and seroconverted. All starlings in the transmission study became infected and shed RNA at similar levels. All but one of these birds seroconverted, but detectable antibodies were relatively transient, falling to negative levels in a majority of birds by 59 days post contact. None of the contact starlings in the intraspecies transmission experiment became infected. In summary, we demonstrated that starlings may have the potential to act as IAV bridge hosts if they share water with IAV-infected waterfowl. However, starlings are unlikely to act as maintenance hosts due to limited, if any, intraspecies transmission. In addition, starlings have a relatively brief antibody response which should be considered when interpreting serology from field samples. Further study is needed to evaluate the potential for transmission from starlings to poultry, a possibility enhanced by starling’s behavioral trait of forming very large flocks which can descend on poultry facilities when natural resources are scarce.
Estimating cover fraction from TLS return intensity in coniferous and broadleaved tree shoots
Authors: Schraik Daniel , Hovi Aarne , Rautiainen Miina
Published: August 2021

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides a unique opportunity to study forest canopy structure and its spatial patterns such as foliage quantity and dispersal. Using TLS point clouds for estimating leaf area density with voxel-based methods is biased by the physical dimensions of laser beams, which violates the common assumption of beams being infinitely thin. Real laser beams have a footprint size larger than several millimeters. This leads to difficulties in estimating leaf area density from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in vegetation, where the target objects can be of similar or even smaller size than the beam footprint. To compensate for this bias, we propose a method to estimate the per-pulse cover fraction, defined as the fraction of laser beamsâ footprint area that is covered by vegetation targets, using the LiDAR return intensity and an experimental calibration measurement. We applied this method to a Leica P40 single-return instrument, and report our experimental results. We found that conifer foliage had a lower average per-pulse cover fraction than broadleaved foliage, indicating an increased number of partial hits in conifer foliage. We further discuss limitations of our method that stem from unknown target properties that influence the LiDAR return intensity and highlight potential ways to overcome the limitations and manage the remaining uncertainty. Our methodâs output, the per-beam cover fraction, may be useful in a weight function for methods that estimate leaf area density from LiDAR point clouds.
Visual Culture As a Teaching Practice in Visual Arts Education in Turkey: Practitioner Inquiry
Authors:   Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Turkey, Guler Ebru
Published: August 2021

The present research investigates the experiences of pre-service visual arts teachers in the planning and application phase of a course focusing on visual culture in the special teaching methods course. This course in Turkey provides information about how and with what type of methodologies arts-related topics should be taught in visual arts education. During the first semester, the course was conducted theoretically, and in the second semester the researcher focused on the application of these theories. In this research, visual culture is discussed as one of the special teaching methods of visual arts education. A total of five visual arts pre-service teachers were selected as participants using criterion sampling. The research used practitioner inquiry as a method and conducted during the 2017–2018 spring and 2018–2019 fall semesters, lasting 8 weeks in total. During the application process, the pre-service teachers taught their samples of course plans on visual culture that they created during their pre-service practice to the primary and secondary school students in 2 weeks of classes. The research data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, document review, and reflective notes and analyzed with descriptive methods. As a result of this research, the visual arts pre-service teachers saw the students gain a critical perspective, become more aware of issues in their daily lives, express themselves in a better way, and improve their inquiring skills with the application of a visual culture course plan. With the visual culture course plan, the pre-service teachers also gained several professional experiences and skills.
Insights on carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gajdács Márió , Kárpáti Krisztina , Stájer Anette , Zanetti Stefania , Donadu Matthew Gavino
Published: August 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is ubiquitous in nature, and may be a causative agent in severe, life-threatening infections. In >60% of cases, β-lactam antibiotics are used in the therapy of P. aeruginosa infections, therefore the emergence of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) is a signiﬁcant clinical concern. In this study, phenotypic methods were used to characterize ﬁfty-four (n = 54) P. aeruginosa isolates, which were included based on their suspected non-susceptibility to meropenem. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem, ceftazidime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, were determined using E-tests, while colistin MICs were determined using broth microdilution. The isolates were subjected to the modiﬁed Hodge test (MHT), the modiﬁed carbapenem-inactivation method (mCIM) and the imipenem/EDTA combined disk test (CDT). AmpC and eﬄux pump overexpression was studied using agar plates containing cloxacillin and phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN), respectively. Assessment of bioﬁlm-formation was carried out using the crystal violet tube-adherence method. 38.9% of the strains showed meropenem MICs in the resistant range (>8 mg/L). Eﬄux-pump overexpression and AmpC-hyperproduction was seen in 44.4% and 35.2% of isolates, respectively. 88.8% of the isolates were characterized as strong bioﬁlm-producers. On the other hand, the presence of carbapenemases was suspected in a minority (16.7%) of tested isolates. As safe and eﬀective therapeutic options in carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections are severely limited, characterization of these isolates using phenotypic and molecular-based methods is important to provide insights into the epidemiological features of these pathogens.
Epidermal micromorphology of ﬂoret parts in Aeluropus (Poaceae)
Authors: Mosaferi Samaneh , Keshavarzi Maryam
Published: August 2021

Aeluropus from Poaceae comprises 5 species in the world and 3 species in Iran. This halophytic perennial is distributed in salty and dry soils of Asia, Europe, and Africa. In addition to being used as fodder, it can stabilize the soil by its rhizome or stolon. These features make Aeluropus a valuable plant. In this study, lemma and palea of 10 populations of Aeluropus were studied micromorphologically by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine diagnostic features among species studied. Eight characters as micro-prickle, macro-hair, long cell outline, cork and silica cells, papilla, salt gland, and epicuticular wax were studied. The occurrence of salt glands and silica cells in populations/taxa studied showed the ability of Aeluropus to tolerate harsh habitats. Our result showed the taxonomic value of ﬂoret micromorphological features to separate Aeluropus species.
The Organization of Labor of Disabled People in the Kuznetsk District in the Second Half of the 1920-s-1930-s
Authors: Morozov N.M.
Published: August 2021

The organization of labor activities of disabled people in the territory of the Kuznetsk District in the second half of the 1920s - 1930s is being considered in the article. The dynamics of the development of the system of disability cooperation is shown. The study examined working conditions, the pay system, its advantages compared to the receipt of a tiny pension. Opportunities to train persons with disabilities in professions within the technical training plant have been identified. The main types of production activities in which disabled artels specialized were established, these are: artisanal production of food, basic necessities, trade and household services. The conclusion is drawn that economic problems of artels arose in connection with weak financial support from social securities, supply with raw materials and materials by the residual principle, domination of manual work, formal work of local councils with chairmen of the artels allowing cases of mismanagement and abuse of official position. In general, the level of organization of work of persons with disabilities in the Kuznetsk District was in line with the State’s policy of pragmatising their productive potential during the period of intensive industrial construction in the region.
Reasons and Nature of the Accession of Kazakhstan to the Russian Empire (Historiography of the Problem)
Authors: Alinov A.A. , Demin М.А.
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of historical concepts developed by Soviet, Russian and Kazakhstan historians on one of the most debatable issues in the history of Russian-Kazakh relations, regarding the reasons and nature of Kazakhstan's accession to the Russian Empire. Soviet historians have done a lot to accumulate a factual base for studying Russian-Kazakh relations. However, following predetermined ideological theses narrowed the problems of research and obscured the complexity and inconsistency of the phenomena under consideration.

In the post-Soviet period, Russian historical science uses the latest methodological approaches to study the phenomenon of empire, requiring neutral assessments taking into account various aspects of imperial construction and imperial practice. Onedimensional damning characteristics began to give way to issues of historical experience of the Russian Empire, explaining how, in conditions of confessional diversity and multinational composition of the population, it managed to maintain stability for many centuries.

In the 1990s in Kazakh historiography, the concept of "voluntary entry" of Kazakhstan into Russia was radically revised with an emphasis on exposing the colonial essence of Russian transformations in the region. Over the past two decades, Kazakh historical science has been gradually moving away from unilateral radical assessments and political conjuncture, more balanced and justified characteristics of the accession of the Kazakh Steppe to the Russian state appear.
Wang Zhen's Role in the Recovery of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corpus (Early 1980s)
Authors: Glazunov D.A.
Published: August 2021

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) or Bingtuan originates to the ancient military settlements (Tuntian or Tunken) on the border territories. Their goal is to protect and develop border areas, restore and progress the economy. Tunken, regardless of historical conditions, has always been an exclusively state-owned economic system. Therefore, the XPCC, despite the fact that it originated in 1952; it is based on the long tradition of its historical predecessors. At the same time, during the Soviet period, Tunken absorbed communist ideals, the experience of Soviet state farms, scientific achievements in the social and national building and military defense. In the subsequent period, in the Cultural Revolution, Bingt^n fell into disrepair and was liquidated. A new stage in the history of the Xinjiang Corps came with the beginning of the era of reform and opening. But all over china, the time of Bingtuan has come to an end: many state-owned enterprises and state farms associated with the development of border territories have totally transformed into independent economic units focused on the market. Thanks to the activities of Wang Zhen, who was well aware of the social realities of the region, an exception was made for Xinjiang, in which Bingtuan was restored in the early 1980s. The paper examines Wang Zhen's role in the revival of the XPCC, the reasons that influenced his position.