bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The local elites perception of “Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana” philosophies in the Green Village Program in Yogyakarta Province
Authors: Sulistiyani A T , Sutarno  , Setyono P , Wahyunengseh R D
Published: April 2021

This article explains the philosophy of “Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana” as the local wisdom of Yogyakarta Province, which is a fundamental value in the green village program to cope the climate change. The teaching of the value of caring for the environment has been widely recognized by society, however, it has been eroded by modernization. To overcome the gap in cultural understanding with low implementation and realization, then this research focuses on how philosophical values are imbued in the green village program based on the perception of the local elite? The survey result of 118 local elites had been distributed across 45 villages were processed using SPSS, in form of descriptive statistics. The applicative understanding of these values is not yet detailed and technical. Thus, the implementation of philosophical values for green village development planning is still limited. In order to enhance the inspiration and realization of the philosophy, it is necessary to develop the spirit, innovation, creativity, applicability, participatory and proactivity of the local elite. We prove that the local elite must be able to change the philosophical concept within real behavior to build a sustainable green village.
Synergy between myth and local wisdom in ecology balance of climate change in Java, Indonesia
Authors: Wibowo A , Sugihardjo  , Lestari E
Published: April 2021

Myth does not always receive a negative stigma in life, because some myths are built as effective communication media from generation to generation in environmental conservation. This research describes how myths and local wisdom synergize to build ecological balance in adapting to climate change. The research method is qualitative with an ethnographic approach. The research was carried out on the slopes of Mount Lawu, precisely in Genilangit Village, Poncol Sub-district, Magetan Regency, a region where many myths and local wisdom exist in environmental conservation. The results show that the synergy between myths and local wisdom has contributed to ecological balance. The synergy is shown in the form of values, norms, and customs that are applied to the daily lives of local people in adapting to climate change.
Optimization of livelihoods variations in vulnerable to climate change impacts through carbon pricing
Authors: Pambudi P A , Pramudianto A , Saiya H G , Leo S , Hakim M F
Published: April 2021

Climate change is a threat to the environment, especially dryland ecosystems, coastal areas, and forests. People who live in the forest area and depend on the forestry sector need to get protection, especially in terms of variations in livelihood sources to not depend on the forest sector and exploitation of forest resources. One prospective livelihood option is through carbon pricing. This study aimed to analyze the role of government in terms of creating livelihoods for vulnerable communities in the face of climate change, especially through carbon pricing mechanisms. The study used a qualitative approach with the literature review and desk study. Based on research results, it is known that the government had tried to establish international cooperation for carbon pricing. At present, the partnership had been established with 2 institutions in the European Union with a carbon trade value of 5 USD/ton CO2eq. Through this mechanism, people who live around forest areas have new livelihood options that can withstand land conversion and exploitation of timber resources. Thus, the rate of climate change can be reduced, and mitigation efforts can be strengthened through the carbon trading mechanism.
Dissemination of coopetition model as an effort to optimize management of tourism participation in South Lampung, Indonesia
Authors: Hermawan D , Hutagalung S S
Published: April 2021

This article is reviewing the acceptance of the coopetition model in managing community participation in tourism management. Climate change issues require the tourism sector to be more anticipatory in organizing the management of tourist destinations so as not to suffer damage. This research was conducted with a mixed method that surveyed 100 respondents, interviews, observation, and survey. Survey data were analyzed quantitatively to be able to show changes in the attitude of respondents towards model interventions. While qualitative data will be analyzed using interactive analysis methods. The results of the model dissemination identified that: (1) the community has a good understanding of the coopetition model (2) the community has the orientation to support the implementation of a model.
Smartphone-based GNSS Method for Covid-19 Information on Android (Case Study: Surabaya City)
Authors: Akbar A H , Cahyadi M N
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is the respiration diasease that can be transmitted from individual to another. There have been 3906 ODP (individual on monitoring) cases, 3303 PDP (patient under surveillance) cases, 2918 confirmed cases, 766 recovered patients, and 282 deaths in Surabaya, as recorded on June 6th, 2020. GIS (Geographical information system) is a science based on computer software, to provide digital form information and the earth’s geographic surface analysis. GNSS (global navigation satellite system) is the positioning system method using satellite, which can be used by a lot of people at the same time and designed to obtain three-dimension position. The combination of Smartphone’s GNSS positioning and the spatial data of Covid-19 distribution in Surabaya is expected to be able to give useful information about health condition toward citizen, especially about Covid-19 pandemic via application based. The outcome is a color-level based distribution of Covid-19 cases which can be accessed android smartphone. Sub district with the highest rate of Covid-19 cases does not necessarily have proper health protocol facilities, and so does other sub districts with high rates of Covid-19 cases. In fact, none of Covid-19 referral hospital located in the sub district with high rate of Covid-19 cases. Based on the results of the questionnaire, the applications namely “Cegah Covid-19 Surabaya” has received good responses. This application is currently able to run on Android smartphones with the versions of Android 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, and Lollipop.
3D Modeling of Bajang Ratu Temple using UAV Photogrammetry with Oblique Images
Authors: Cahyono Agung Budi , Hidayat Husnul , Dewi Arinda Kusuma
Published: April 2021

The Bajang Ratu Temple is located in Dukuh Kraton, Temon Village, Trowulan District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java, Indonesia, one of the heritage buildings of the Majapahit Kingdom. 3D modeling is one of the efforts that can be used to carry out reconstruction of the Bajang Ratu Temple. In this study, 3D modeling of Bajang Ratu Temple uses a close-range photogrammetry method with low and high oblique images taken using a non-metric camera on the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The results of this study were obtained geometric accuracy, that is RMSEx = 0,043 m, RMSEY = 0,049 m, and RMSEZ = 0,092 m for high oblique images. While, for low oblique images, the geometric accuracy are RMSEx = 0,054 m, RMSEY = 0,062 m, and RMSEZ = 0,120 m. The visual analysis results show that the exterior structure of the 3D model formed has resembled the true Bajang Ratu Temple in reality. Based on the shape’s analysis, the 3D model object has an RMSE value of less than 0.5 m, so that it can appropriate the criteria for Level of Detail of order three that is RMSE < 0.5 m.
Evaluation of Application of RRR (Right, Restriction, and Responsibility) Cadastre Concept for Management of Industrial Marine Space
Authors: Pribadi C B , Budisusanto Y , Raniah W
Published: April 2021

To balance conflicting ocean uses, coastal resource management, and marine development, a governance framework that must be sustainable, holistic and informed is needed. The RRR concept is a basis for managing the resources of coastal and marine areas within the scope of determination of territorial sea boundaries (restriction), boundaries of authority (rights / permits and responsibilities), which form integration between administrative areas at the national scale, provincial scale, and district / city scale. by paying attention to the existence of indigenous peoples, as well as the harmony and synergy between the central government and local governments. One of the utilization of sea space is the Port Work Environment Area, there are many port management models in Indonesia, there are public ports, and terminals for their own interests (TUKS). PT.Petrokimia Gresik is one of the industries owned by the State or State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) which has a port with Terminal for Interest (TUKS) model. In this research, an evaluation was carried out related to the application of RRR (Right, Restriction, and Responsibility)cadastre concept in the industrial coastal areas of PT Petrokimia Gresik and the surrounding coastal areas. The identification process is carried out on each RRR (Right, Restriction, and Responsibility) cadastral concept, which aims to evaluate its suitability. The Right concept is implemented in the form of a water area management permit owned by the industry. Then for the application of Restriction concept, it is implemented in form of boundaries for management of water areas around the coastal areas and waters of PT Petrokimia Gresik which is analyzed using NDWI (Normalized Different Water Index) classification method to obtain boundaries of the water area, the results of the analysis of land use changes of water areas to land in the number of additional areas for 4 years amount 438,723 m2. While the concept of Responsibility is implemented in form of protecting ecosystems around PT. Petrokimia Gresik’s industrial areas through activities related to environmental management written in environmental permits that have been pocketed by PT. Petrokimia Gresik.
Application of Different Coherence Threshold on PS-InSAR Technique for Monitoring Deformation on the LUSI Affected Area During 2017 and 2019
Authors: Fikri S , Anjasmara I M , Taufik M
Published: April 2021

Difficulties encountered in the DInSAR technique is the temporal and geometric decorrelation. This method’s main objective is to identify a single-pixel called Permanent Scatter (PS) over a long-time-interval and for a wide-angle of view variation. In this study, we aim to use the PS-InSAR technique to monitor land surface changes in the LUSI mud volcano area with coherence threshold difference analysis using the Sentinel 1A data set using SARPROZ as a tool. The land surface change that is our focus is west and east of the LUSI. Sentinel 1A data processing with different coherence threshold, affecting the number of PS points formed. Based on Fisher’s test on each coherence threshold showed that cumulative displacement and velocity did not differ significantly. During the 3 years since 2017 - 2019, the West LUSI region experienced average cumulative subsidence of -47.95 mm with an average velocity decline of 19.20 mm/year. The East LUSI region experiences average cumulative subsidence of 60.86 mm in the year, with an average velocity decline of 24.37 mm/year. The results of subsidence and velocity in this study are still in the line of sight (LOS)
Accuracy Analysis of Indonesian Geoid Model Based On Grids
Authors: Ladivanov F , Munthaha R I S , Aryadi Y
Published: April 2021

Providing geospatial data and information services like the Indonesian geoid model is one of the important things on implementation of The Regulation of Head of the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) No. 15 of 2013 about Indonesia Geospatial Reference System 2013 (SRGI2013). The geospatial information service requires innovation to fulfill the needs of the user. The provision of Indonesian geoid model with various grid resolutions is one of the forms of renewal that designed to meet the needs of users based on the accuracy level that needed. Each geoid model with a different grid resolution will produce different geometries as well. Therefore, the value of geoid undulation on a certain coordinate will be different according to the grid resolution. Based on that case, this paper will analyze the accuracy of The Indonesian geoid model based on the various grid resolution. Grids resolution that used in this case is 36”, 1’, 2.5’, and 5’. The accuracy of the geoid model is obtained from the standard deviation of the difference between geometric undulation values and gravimetric undulation values in 186 control points. The result of this study shows that Indonesian geoid model with the grid resolution 36”, 1’, 2.5’, and 5’ have the geoid accuracy 5.129 cm, 6.472 cm, 9.584 cm, dan 13.942 cm sequentially. Based on that result, we can conclude that the less grid resolution of geoid model will produce a higher accuracy of the geoid model. In addition, this study could be a consideration for every user to use the Indonesian geoid model based on their need and specification.
Extracting features from wrist vein images using fractional fourier transform for person verification
Authors: Massihi Negar , Rashidi Saeid
Published: April 2021

One of the major concerns is the security and protection of individuals’ privacy in society. Biometric methods have been developed in recent years and they are widely used in many places and devices to protect information and assets. Wrist veins are inside the body and their pattern is unique for each person. In this paper, the PUT wrist vein dataset is used that comprises of palm and wrist vein images and each section has 1200 images of right and left hand. Wrist vein images are analyzed in the time-frequency domain by applying Fractional Fourier transform (FrFT), and the extracted features include phase, magnitude, real, and imaginary parts of FrFT coefficients. Since the number of features is very large by implementing FrFT, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) is applied for feature scoring and the best features are selected by this tool. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to classify real and impostor samples. The results of various features extracted by FrFT are compared, and according to the obtained results, we deduced that the phase feature is stronger than other features for person authentication based on wrist vein images, and this feature achieved 100% accuracy.
Piezoelectric tunability and topological insulator transition in a GaN/InN/GaN quantum-well device
Authors: Barettin Daniele , Auf der Maur Matthias , Pecchia Alessandro , Zhang Yan , Willatzen Morten , Lin Wang Zhong
Published: April 2021

Using an 8-band

k

⋅

p

model it is demonstrated through the combination of strain and piezoelectricity that increasing the InN quantum-well thickness of a GaN-InN-GaN device changes the InN material from a positive bandgap semiconductor to a topological insulator (negative bandgap). Moderate strain tuning of a four monolayer InN layer for a GaN-InN-GaN device reveals a giant (one order of magnitude) tuning of current–voltage characteristics. It is verified that piezoelectricity plays an important role in controlling electron transport through the InN layer.
A Newton’s iteration converges quadratically to nonisolated solutions too
Authors: Zeng Zhonggang
Published: April 2021

The textbook Newton’s iteration is practically inapplicable on nonisolated solutions of unregularized nonlinear systems. With a simple modification, a version of Newton’s iteration regains its local quadratic convergence to nonisolated zeros of smooth mappings assuming the solutions are semiregular as properly defined regardless of whether the system is square, underdetermined or overdetermined. Furthermore, the iteration serves as a de facto regularization mechanism for computing singular zeros from empirical data. Even if the given system is perturbed so that the nonisolated solution disappears, the iteration still locally converges to a stationary point that approximates a solution of the underlying system with an error bound in the same order of the data accuracy. Geometrically, the iteration approximately converges to the nearest point on the solution manifold. This extension simplifies nonlinear system modeling by eliminating the zero isolation process and enables a wide range of applications in algebraic computation.
Quasi-parabolic Higgs bundles and null hyperpolygon spaces
Authors: Godinho Leonor , Mandini Alessia
Published: April 2021

We introduce the moduli space of quasi-parabolic

S
L
(
2
,

C

)

SL(2,\mathbb {C})

-Higgs bundles over a compact Riemann surface

Σ
\Sigma

and consider a natural involution, studying its fixed point locus when

Σ
\Sigma

is

C

P

1

\mathbb {C} \mathbb {P}^1

and establishing an identification with a moduli space of null polygons in Minkowski

3
3

-space.
Ant Thermal Tolerance: A Review of Methods, Hypotheses, and Sources of Variation
Authors: Roeder Karl A , Roeder Diane V , Bujan Jelena
Published: April 2021

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are a conspicuous group of ectotherms whose behavior, distribution, physiology, and fitness are regulated by temperature. Consequently, interest in traits like thermal tolerance that enable ants to survive and thrive in variable climates has increased exponentially over the past few decades. Here, we synthesize the published literature on the thermal tolerance of ants. We begin our review with discussion of common metrics: critical thermal limits, lethal thermal limits, knock-down resistance, chill-coma recovery, and supercooling. In particular, we highlight the ways each thermal metric is quantified and offer a set of methodological caveats for consideration. We next describe patterns and hypotheses for ant thermal tolerance along spatial and temporal temperature gradients. Spatially, we focus on relationships with latitude, elevation, urbanization, and microclimate. Temporally, we focus on seasonal plasticity, daily variation, dominance-thermal tolerance tradeoffs, and acclimation. We further discuss other sources of variation including evolutionary history, body size, age, castes, and nutrition. Finally, we highlight several topics of interest to ant thermal biologists, ranging in scope from methods development to the impacts of climate change.
The Fusion of Ideology, Technology and Economic Power: Implications of the Emerging New United States National Security Conceptualization
Authors: Slawotsky Joel
Published: April 2021

The historical narrative of the national security exception in trade and investment has long been understood from the perspective of measures to defend the nation from military attack or territorial invasion. The cornerstone of the existing global governance model encourages non-discriminatory trade and vigorous cross-border investment, thus the security exception in international economic agreements was envisioned as a “last-resort” allowing a nation to override international economic obligations only if necessary and invoked in good-faith to protect essential security. However, in a world of emergent technology, with potentially devastating future effects, theorizing national security is more difficult and complex. Moreover, the two primary global powers are locked in a hegemonic struggle. The United States has in recent years aggressively resorted to national security to justify investment and trade policies against China. The foundational basis for doing so is a new conceptualization of national security constituting a fusion of interests encompassing the ideological, technological and economic. This re-conceptualization radically re-defines the understanding of national security. Taken to its logical conclusion, the new conceptualization of security risks an unfettered broadening of the exception, driving a transformative re-alignment in the global international economic architecture.
Hypophosphatemia in cancer patients
Authors: Adhikari Shreedhar , Mamlouk Omar , Rondon-Berrios Helbert , Workeneh Biruh T
Published: April 2021

Dysregulation of phosphorus homeostasis resulting in hypophosphatemia is common in cancer patients and can result in serious complications and impact outcomes. Several factors, including critical illness, nutritional status, cancer type and therapy, influence the development of hypophosphatemia. Hypophosphatemia can develop as a result of phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors or as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. The clinical presentation for hypophosphatemia varies depending on the duration and severity of the hypophosphatemia and affects several organ systems. Among other serious effects, hypophosphatemia can impair tissue oxygenation and can cause hemolysis, leukocyte and platelet dysfunction, encephalopathy, seizures, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, rhabdomyolysis and coma. Multiple studies have demonstrated that hypophosphatemia is an adverse prognostic marker in inpatients with increased in-hospital stay, mortality and postoperative complications. The phosphate level is homeostatically regulated and maintained in a narrow range by three main hormones: parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitaminD3. Together, these hormones regulate how the intestine, kidneys and bones traffic phosphorus. Several hematological malignancies and cancer therapies are associated with proximal tubular dysfunction (Fanconi syndrome), resulting in phosphaturia. Caution should be taken with parenteral administration of phosphate salts, because secondary complications can develop, principally due to hypocalcemia. The general approach to hypophosphatemia should target the underlying cause. Early recognition and prevention are essential and the approach to hypophosphatemia in the cancer patient, because of the nuances and complexity, should be multidisciplinary.
The Trajectory of the Democratic Entitlement Thesis in International Legal Scholarship: A Reply to Akbar Rasulov
Authors: Roth Brad R
Published: April 2021

Akbar Rasulov’s provocative discussion of the ‘The Curious Case of the International Law of Democracy and the Politics of International Legal Scholarship’ makes two remarkable assertions: i) that the critics of the democratic entitlement thesis won a decisive victory in the contest to influence ‘the conventional wisdom’ within international legal scholarship; and ii) that the critiques objectively served ‘a fundamentally reactionary political agenda’. Beyond overstating both the critiques’ harshness and their impact, Rasulov is too quick to associate their methodological orthodoxy with ‘right-wing’ outcomes, neglecting to appreciate that their authors’ primary objective was to resist neo-colonialist tendencies. Whereas departures from standard source doctrines may in an earlier era have been directed towards redress of power imbalances inherited from colonialism, the ‘pro-democratic’ departures of the post-Cold War era tended to license impositions on the self-government of the poorer and weaker states. The democratic entitlement’s critics sought precisely to conserve gains that had earlier been won by sectors of the international community resistant to neo-colonialism.
Tof1p Regulates DNA Damage Responses During S Phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Foss Eric J
Published: April 2021

A tof1 mutant was recovered in a screen aimed at identifying genes involved specifically in the S phase branch of the MEC1-dependent DNA damage response pathway. The screen was based on the observation that mutants missing this branch are particularly dependent on the cell cycle-wide branch and, therefore, on RAD9, for surviving DNA damage. tof1 and rad9 conferred synergistic sensitivity to MMS, UV, and HU, and the double mutant was incapable of slowing S phase in response to MMS, inducing RNR3 transcription in response to UV, and phosphorylating Rad53p in response to HU. TOF1's contribution to DNA damage response appeared to be restricted to S phase, since TOF1 did not contribute to UV-induced transcription during G1 or to the cdc13-1-induced block to anaphase in G2/M. I suggest a model in which Tof1p functions to link Mec1p with Rad53p.
Validation Study for VERIPRO® SARS-CoV-2 Env Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Stainless-Steel Environmental Surface Swabs: Emergency Response Validation—AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 122001
Authors: Joelsson Adam , Green Shannon , Siciliano Nicholas , Dutta, Vikrant , Johnson Ronald
Published: April 2021

Background

The VERIPRO® SARS-CoV-2 Env assay uses reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, from stainless-steel environmental sample swabs.

Objective

To validate the VERIPRO SARS-CoV-2 Env assay as part of the AOAC Research Institute’s Emergency Response Validation Performance Tested Method(s)SM program.

Method

The VERIPRO SARS-CoV-2 Env assay was evaluated for specificity using in silico analysis of 15 764 SARS-CoV-2 sequences and 65 exclusivity organisms (both near neighbors and background organisms). The candidate method was evaluated in an unpaired study design for one environmental surface (stainless steel) and compared to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, Instructions for Use (Revision 4, Effective 6/12/2020).

Results

Results of the in silico analysis demonstrate the specificity of the method in being able to detect target sequences and discriminate them from near neighbors. In the matrix study, the candidate method demonstrated statistically significant better recovery of the target analyte than the reference method.

Conclusions

The VERIPRO SARS-CoV-2 Env assay is a rapid and accurate method that can be utilized by food producers to detect the causative agent of COVID-19 on food contact surfaces.

Highlights

The VERIPRO SARS-CoV-2 Env assay can be performed without the need for an optional RNA purification step to detect SARS-CoV-2 from environmental surfaces.
Population Bottlenecks Strongly Affect the Evolutionary Dynamics of Antibiotic Persistence
Authors: Windels Etthel M , Fox Richard , Yerramsetty Krishna , Krouse Katherine , Wenseleers Tom , Swinnen Janne , Matthay Paul , Verstraete Laure , Wilmaerts Dorien , Van den Bergh Bram , Michiels Jan
Published: April 2021

Bacterial persistence is a potential cause of antibiotic therapy failure. Antibiotic-tolerant persisters originate from phenotypic differentiation within a susceptible population, occurring with a frequency that can be altered by mutations. Recent studies have proven that persistence is a highly evolvable trait and, consequently, an important evolutionary strategy of bacterial populations to adapt to high-dose antibiotic therapy. Yet, the factors that govern the evolutionary dynamics of persistence are currently poorly understood. Theoretical studies predict far-reaching effects of bottlenecking on the evolutionary adaption of bacterial populations, but these effects have never been investigated in the context of persistence. Bottlenecking events are frequently encountered by infecting pathogens during host-to-host transmission and antibiotic treatment. In this study, we used a combination of experimental evolution and barcoded knockout libraries to examine how population bottlenecking affects the evolutionary dynamics of persistence. In accordance with existing hypotheses, small bottlenecks were found to restrict the adaptive potential of populations and result in more heterogeneous evolutionary outcomes. Evolutionary trajectories followed in small-bottlenecking regimes additionally suggest that the fitness landscape associated with persistence has a rugged topography, with distinct trajectories toward increased persistence that are accessible to evolving populations. Furthermore, sequencing data of evolved populations and knockout libraries after selection reveal various genes that are potentially involved in persistence, including previously known as well as novel targets. Together, our results do not only provide experimental evidence for evolutionary theories, but also contribute to a better understanding of the environmental and genetic factors that guide bacterial adaptation to antibiotic treatment.
A scalable fish-school inspired self-assembled particle system for solar-powered water-solute separation
Authors: Xu Ning , Zhang Haoran , Lin Zhenhui , Li Jinlei , Liu Guoliang , Li Xiuqiang , Zhao Wei , Min Xinzhe , Yao Pengcheng , Zhou Lin , Song Yan , Zhu Bin , Zhu Shining , Zhu Jia
Published: April 2021

Complete separation of water and solute is the ultimate goal of water treatment, for maximized resource recycling. However, commercialized approaches such as evaporative crystallizers consume a large amount of electricity with a significant carbon footprint, leading to calls for alternative energy-efficient and eco-friendly strategies. Here, inspired by schooling fish, we demonstrate a collective system self-assembled by expanded polystyrene (EPS)-core/graphene oxide (GO)-shell particles, which enables autonomous, efficient and complete water-solute separation powered by sunlight. By taking advantage of surface tension, these tailored particles school together naturally and are bonded as a system to function collectively and coordinatively, to nucleate, grow and output salt crystals continuously and automatically out of even saturated brine, to complete water-solute separation. Solar-vapor conversion efficiency over 90% and salt production rate as high as 0.39 kg m–2 h–1 are achieved under 1-sun illumination for this system. It reduces the carbon footprint of ∼50 kg for treating 1-ton saturated brine compared with the commercialized approaches.
Self-Illusion and Medical Expertise in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Claessens Arthur , Keita-Perse Olivia , Berthier Frédéric , Raude Jocelyn , Chironi Gilles , Faraggi Marc , Rousseau Gildas , Chaillou-Opitz Sylvie , Renard Hervé , Aubin Valérie , Mercier Bertrand , Pathak Atul , Perrin Christophe , Claessens Yann-Erick
Published: April 2021

The Dunning-Kruger premise assumes that unqualified people are unaware of their limited skills. We tested this hypothesis in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, 2487 participants had to self-estimate their knowledge about COVID-19 in a questionnaire on the topic. Poor performers were more likely to use mass media and social networks as sources of information and had lower levels of education. The mean self-assessment (SD) was 6.88 (2.06) and was not linked to actual level of knowledge. This observation should prompt regulatory agencies and media to apply rules that limit dissemination of “infodemics” during global health crises.
Range-wide population genetic analysis of Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) supports at least five distinct population segments that do not align with current subspecies descriptions
Authors: Davis Kathryn E C , Settlecowski Amie E , Roeder Mackenzie R , Enloe Carolyn , Virzi Thomas , Hunter Margaret E , Woltmann Stefan , Taylor Sabrina S
Published: April 2021

As an obligate salt marsh species, Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) are vulnerable to numerous threats including climate change, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and both natural and anthropogenic disasters. Of the 9 recognized subspecies, 2 are extinct and 1 is endangered. Previous genetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite loci showed that current taxonomy does not accurately reflect underlying genetic diversity, with possible consequences for the distribution of conservation resources. To further inform Seaside Sparrow management, we comprehensively describe genetic structure among 24 range-wide sampling locations that include all extant subspecies. We inferred population structure from several thousand single-nucleotide polymorphisms collected from 272 individuals via restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing. Principal components, pairwise FST values, and clustering approaches suggest that Seaside Sparrows on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are distinct and consist of at least 5 genetic clusters: 1 in southern Texas, 1 ranging from Aransas County, Texas, to Mississippi; 1 in western Florida; and 2 or 3 genetic groups intermixed along a gradient on the Atlantic Coast. These genetic clusters are not consistent with current subspecies taxonomy and could be used as distinct population segments (DPSs) to inform the most efficient allocation of resources to Seaside Sparrow conservation. Our results regarding the endangered subspecies, A. m. mirabilis, from southern Florida are inconclusive due to low sample size, but indicate that it is distinct and may represent a sixth DPS. Based on our genetic results, we recommend additional song and morphometric analyses in western Florida and a closer study of the boundary between the breeding distributions of A. m. maritima and A. m. macgillivraii to ensure the proper identification of DPSs.
A forgotten sunspot record during the Maunder Minimum (Jean Charles Gallet, 1677)
Authors: Carrasco Víctor M S , Vaquero José M , Gallego María C
Published: April 2021

We have located a forgotten record of sunspot observations made by Jean Charles Gallet in the year 1677, in the middle of the Maunder Minimum (the period between 1645 and 1715 characterized by very low solar activity). Gallet observed one sunspot group from April 9 to 15 and another from October 1 to 6. While the group observed in April was also recorded by other astronomers of that time, no observer recorded the group observed by Gallet in 1677 October. Moreover, Gallet indicated the latter group was composed by four different spots and provided astrometric measurements of the main spot. We have calculated the latitudes corresponding to the main sunspot recorded in the October. The mean latitude is around 10º south. Therefore, this sunspot was observed in the southern hemisphere, as were most of the spots observed during the Maunder Minimum.
Black hole evolution in a quantum-gravitational framework
Authors: Park I Y
Published: April 2021

We investigated black hole evolution on a quantum-gravitational scattering framework with the aim of tackling the black hole information paradox. With this setup, various pieces of system information are explicit from the start and unitary evolution is manifest throughout. The scattering amplitudes factorize into a perturbative part and a non-perturbative part. The non-perturbative part is dominated by an instanton-type contribution, i.e. a black hole analogue of the Coleman–De Luccia bounce solution, and we propose that the Hawking radiation be identified with the particles generated by the vacuum decay. Our results indicate that the black hole degrees of freedom are entangled not only with the Hawking modes but also with the pre-Hawking modes. The Wald’s entropy charge measures their entanglement. The full quantum-gravitational entropy is defined as the vacuum expectation value of the Wald entropy charge. With this definition, a shifted Page-like curve is generically generated and its quantum extension is readily defined.
Relationship between political partisanship and COVID-19 deaths: future implications for public health
Authors: Chen Hsueh-Fen , Karim Saleema A
Published: April 2021

Background

COVID-19 has impacted more than 200 countries. However in the USA, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been politically polarized. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between political partisanship and COVID-19 deaths rates in the USA.

Methods

This study used longitudinal county-level panel data, segmented into 10 30-day time periods, consisting of all counties in the USA, from 22 January 2020 to 5 December 2020. The outcome measure is the total number of COVID-19 deaths per 30-day period. The key explanatory variable is county political partisanship, dichotomized as Democratic or Republican. The analysis used a ZINB regression.

Results

When compared with Republican counties, COVID-19 death rates in Democratic counties were significantly higher (IRRs ranged from 2.0 to 18.3, P < 0.001) in Time 1–Time 5, but in Time 9–Time10, were significantly lower (IRRs ranged from 0.43 to 0.69, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The reversed trend in COVID-19 death rates between Democratic and Republican counties was influenced by the political polarized response to the pandemic. The findings support the necessity of evidence-based public health leadership and management in maneuvering the USA out of the current COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future public health crises.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Management
Authors: Duncan Karen V. , Polites Stephanie , Krishnaswami Sanjay , Scottoline Brian P.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Although it is well established that standardized treatment protocols improve outcomes for infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), there remains variance between existing protocols.

Purpose:

The purpose of this article was to review current literature on protocols for CDH management in the preoperative period and to describe a care pathway integrating best practice elements from existing literature with volume-targeted ventilation strategies previously in place at a major tertiary care center in the Pacific Northwestern United States.

Methods/Search Strategy:

A systematic review of literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines to identify current publications on CDH protocols and examine them for similarities and differences, particularly regarding ventilation strategies.

Findings/Results:

Although existing protocols from multiple regions worldwide shared common goals of reducing barotrauma and delaying surgery until a period of clinical stabilization was achieved, their strategies varied. None included volume-targeted ventilation with pressure limitation as a method of avoiding ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI).

Implications for Practice:

Institutions that routinely manage infants with CDH should have a standardized treatment protocol in place, as this is shown to improve outcomes. This may include volume-targeted ventilation with pressure limitation as a successful VILI-limiting strategy.

Implications for Research:

While standardized protocols have been shown to increase survival rate for infants with CDH, more research is needed to determine what these protocols should include. Specifically, there is a need for future study on the most appropriate ventilation mode for this population.
Evaluation of association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and azoospermia: Retraction
Authors: Tan Guang-Xing , Jiang Lin , Li Gang-Qin , Bai Kuan
Published: April 2021

Background:

Infertility affects childbearing age couples all over the world. One of the important reasons for infertility is genetic factors. Our study evaluated the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and azoospermia.

Methods:

Multiple databases like MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and China journal full-text database were used to search for relevant studies, and full-text articles involved in the evaluation of MTHFR and azoospermia. The results were evaluated using STATA 12.0. Heterogeneity analysis, sensitivity analysis, and bias analysis were also performed on the data.

Results:

Thirteen related studies eventually met the inclusion criteria. Significant association between C677T polymorphism and azoospermia (relative risk [RR] = 0.94 [0.90, 0.99],I2 = 60.9%,P = .002), and between A1298C polymorphism and azoospermia (RR = 0.98 [0.94, 1.02],I2 = 56.3%,P = .011) was observed. Meanwhile, in subgroup analysis, Caucasians had higher risk than Mongolians in association between MTHFR and azoospermia.

Conclusion:

There was association between MTHFR polymorphism and azoospermia. Caucasian populations had higher risk than Mongolian populations in association between MTHFR and azoospermia.
Schizophrenia hospitalization in the US 2005–2014
Authors: Chen Ethan , Bazargan-Hejazi Shahrzad , Ani Chizobam , Hindman David , Pan Deyu , Ebrahim Gul , Shirazi Anaheed , Banta Jim E.
Published: April 2021

Primarily we aimed to examine the crude and standardized schizophrenia hospitalization trend from 2005 to 2014. We hypothesized that there will be a statistically significant linear trend in hospitalization rates for schizophrenia from 2005 to 2014. Secondarily we also examined trends in hospitalization by race/ethnicity, age, gender, as well as trends in hospitalization Length of Stay (LOS) and inflation adjusted cost.

In this observational study, we used Nationwide Inpatient Sample data and International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revisions codes for Schizophrenia, which revealed 6,122,284 cases for this study. Outcomes included crude and standardized hospitalization rates, race/ethnicity, age, cost, and LOS. The analysis included descriptive statistics, indirect standardization, Rao-Scott Chi-Square test, t-test, and adjusted linear regression trend.

Hospitalizations were most prevalent for individuals ages 45–64 (38.8%), African Americans were overrepresented (25.8% of hospitalizations), and the gender distribution was nearly equivalent. Mean LOS was 9.08 days (95% confidence interval 8.71–9.45). Medicare was the primary payer for most hospitalizations (55.4%), with most of the costs ranging from $10,000-$49,999 (57.1%). The crude hospitalization rates ranged from 790–1142/100,000 admissions, while the US 2010 census standardized rates were 380–552/100,000 from 2005–2014. Linear regression trend analysis showed no significant difference in trend for race/ethnicity, age, nor gender (P > .001). The hospitalizations’ overall rates increased while LOS significantly decreased, while hospitalization costs and Charlson's co-morbidity index increased (P < .001).

From 2005–2014, the overall US hospitalization rates significantly increased. Over this period, observed disparities in hospitalizations for middle-aged and African Americans were unchanged, and LOS has gone down while costs have gone up. Further studies addressing the important disparities in race/ethnicity and age and reducing costs of acute hospitalization are needed.
Improvement in plasma D-dimer level in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection can be an indicator of fibrinolysis suppression
Authors: Manzoor Daniel , Bui Chau , Makhoul Elias , Luthringer Daniel , Marchevsky Alberto , Volod Oksana
Published: April 2021

Rationale:

Fibrinolysis shutdown associated with severe thrombotic complications is a recently recognized syndrome that was previously seldom investigated in patients with severe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It presents a unique therapeutic dilemma, as anticoagulation with heparin alone is insufficient to address the imbalance in fibrinolysis. And while the use of fibrinolytic agents could limit the disease severity, it is often associated with bleeding complications. There is a need for biomarkers that will guide the timely stratification of patients into those who may benefit from both anticoagulant and fibrinolytic therapies.

Patient concerns:

All 3 patients presented with shortness of breath along with comorbidities predisposing them to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. One patient (Patient 3) also suffered from bilateral deep venous thrombosis.

Diagnoses:

All 3 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and were eventually diagnosed with respiratory failure necessitating intubation.

Interventions:

All 3 patients required mechanical ventilation support, 2 of which also required renal replacement therapy. All 3 patients were also placed on anticoagulation therapy.

Outcomes:

In Patients 1 and 2, the initial D-dimer levels of 0.97 μg/ml fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) and 0.83 μg/ml FEU were only slightly elevated (normal <0.50 μg/ml FEU). They developed rising D-dimer levels to a peak of 13.21 μg/ml FEU and >20.0 μg/ml FEU, respectively, which dropped to 1.34 μg/ml FEU 8 days later in Patient 1 and to 2.94 μg/ml on hospital day 13 in Patient 2. In Patient 3, the D-dimer level on admission was found to be elevated to >20.00 μg/ml FEU together with imaging evidence of thrombosis. And although he received therapeutic heparin infusion, he still developed pulmonary embolism (PE) and his D-dimer level declined to 5.91 μg/ml FEU. Despite “improvement” in their D-dimer levels, all 3 patients succumbed to multi-system organ failure. On postmortem examination, numerous arterial and venous thromboses of varying ages, many consisting primarily of fibrin, were identified in the lungs of all patients.

Lessons:

High D-dimer levels, with subsequent downtrend correlating with clinical deterioration, seems to be an indicator of fibrinolysis suppression. These findings can help form a hypothesis, as larger cohorts are necessary to demonstrate their reproducibility.
Self-reported motivators for HIV testing in the treat-all era among HIV positive patients in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Mokhele Idah , Sineke Tembeka , Langa Jonas , Onoya Dorina
Published: April 2021

To explore associations between self-reported ill-health as a primary motivator for HIV-testing and socio-demographic factors.

Four local primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A total of 529 newly HIV diagnosed adults (≥18 years) enrolled from October 2017 to August 2018, participated in the survey on the same day of diagnosis.

Testing out of own initiative or perceived HIV exposure was categorized as asymptomatic. Reporting ill-health as the main reason for testing was categorized as symptomatic. Modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate predictors of motivators for HIV testing.

Overall, 327/520 (62.9%) participants reported symptoms as the main motivator for testing. Among the asymptomatic, 17.1% reported potential HIV exposure as a reason for testing, while 20.0% just wanted to know their HIV status. Baseline predictors of symptom-related motivators for HIV testing include disclosing intention to test (aPR 1.4 for family/friend/others vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8; aPR 1.4 for not disclosing vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), and HIV testing history (aPR 1.2 for last HIV test >12-months ago vs last test 12-months prior, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5; aPR 1.3 for never tested for HIV before vs last test 12-months prior, 95%CI:1.0–1.6).

Findings indicate that newly diagnosed HIV positive patients still enter care because of ill-health, not prevention purposes. Increasing early HIV testing remains essential to maximize the benefits of expanded ART access.