bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel application of one-step pooled molecular testing and maximum likelihood approaches to estimate the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among rapid diagnostic test negative samples in western Kenya
Authors: Shah Monica P. , Chebore Winnie , Lyles Robert H. , Otieno Kephas , Zhou Zhiyong , Plucinski Mateusz , Waller Lance A. , Odongo Wycliffe , Lindblade Kim A. , Kariuki Simon , Samuels Aaron M. , Desai Meghna , Mitchell Rebecca M. , Shi Ya Ping
Published: November 2022

Background

Detection of malaria parasitaemia in samples that are negative by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) requires resource-intensive molecular tools. While pooled testing using a two-step strategy provides a cost-saving alternative to the gold standard of individual sample testing, statistical adjustments are needed to improve accuracy of prevalence estimates for a single step pooled testing strategy.

Methods

A random sample of 4670 malaria RDT negative dried blood spot samples were selected from a mass testing and treatment trial in Asembo, Gem, and Karemo, western Kenya. Samples were tested for malaria individually and in pools of five, 934 pools, by one-step quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Maximum likelihood approaches were used to estimate subpatent parasitaemia (RDT-negative, qPCR-positive) prevalence by pooling, assuming poolwise sensitivity and specificity was either 100% (strategy A) or imperfect (strategy B). To improve and illustrate the practicality of this estimation approach, a validation study was constructed from pools allocated at random into main (734 pools) and validation (200 pools) subsets. Prevalence was estimated using strategies A and B and an inverse-variance weighted estimator and estimates were weighted to account for differential sampling rates by area.

Results

The prevalence of subpatent parasitaemia was 14.5% (95% CI 13.6–15.3%) by individual qPCR, 9.5% (95% CI (8.5–10.5%) by strategy A, and 13.9% (95% CI 12.6–15.2%) by strategy B. In the validation study, the prevalence by individual qPCR was 13.5% (95% CI 12.4–14.7%) in the main subset, 8.9% (95% CI 7.9–9.9%) by strategy A, 11.4% (95% CI 9.9–12.9%) by strategy B, and 12.8% (95% CI 11.2–14.3%) using inverse-variance weighted estimator from poolwise validation. Pooling, including a 20% validation subset, reduced costs by 52% compared to individual testing.

Conclusions

Compared to individual testing, a one-step pooled testing strategy with an internal validation subset can provide accurate prevalence estimates of PCR-positivity among RDT-negatives at a lower cost.
Mobile phone handover data for measuring and analysing human population mobility in Western Ethiopia: implication for malaria disease epidemiology and elimination efforts
Authors: Haileselassie Werissaw , Getnet Ashagrie , Solomon Hiwot , Deressa Wakgari , Yan Guiyun , Parker Daniel M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Human mobility behaviour modelling plays an essential role in the understanding and control of the spread of contagious diseases by limiting the contact among individuals, predicting the spatio-temporal evolution of an epidemic and inferring migration patterns. It informs programmatic and policy decisions for effective and efficient intervention. The objective of this research is to assess the human mobility pattern and analyse its implication for malaria disease epidemiology.

Methods

In this study, human mobility patterns in Benishangul-Gumuz and Gambella regions in Western Ethiopia were explored based on a cellular network mobility parameter (e.g., handover rate) via real world data. Anonymized data were retrieved for mobile active users with mobility related information. The data came from anonymous traffic records collected from all the study areas. For each cell, the necessary mobility parameter data per hour, week and month were collected. A scale factor was computed to change the mobility parameter value to the human mobility pattern. Finally, the relative human mobility probability for each scenario was estimated. MapInfo and Matlab softwares were used for visualization and analysis purposes. Hourly travel patterns in the study settings were compared with hourly malaria mosquito vector feeding behaviour.

Results

Heterogeneous human movement patterns were observed in the two regions with some areas showing typically high human mobility. Furthermore, the number of people entering into the two study regions was high during the highest malaria transmission season. Two peaks of hourly human movement, 8:00 to 9:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, emerged in Benishangul-Gumuz region while 8:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 were the peak hourly human mobility time periods in Gambella region. The high human movement in the night especially before midnight in the two regions may increase the risk of getting mosquito bite particularly by early biters depending on malaria linked human behaviour of the population.

Conclusions

High human mobility was observed both within and outside the two regions. The population influx and efflux in these two regions is considerably high. This may specifically challenge the transition from malaria control to elimination. The daily mobility pattern is worth considering in the context of malaria transmission. In line with this malaria related behavioural patterns of humans need to be properly addressed.
Association of physical activity and air pollution exposure with the risk of type 2 diabetes: a large population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Zhi-Hao , Zhong Wen-Fang , Zhang Xi-Ru , Chung Vincent CH , Song Wei-Qi , Chen Qing , Wang Xiao-Meng , Huang Qing-Mei , Shen Dong , Zhang Pei-Dong , Liu Dan , Zhang Yu-Jie , Chen Pei-Liang , Cheng Xin , Yang Hai-Lian , Cai Miao-Chun , Gao Xiang , Kraus Virginia Byers , Mao Chen
Published: November 2022

Background

The interplay between physical activity (PA) and air pollution in relation to type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains largely unknown. Based on a large population-based cohort study, this study aimed to examine whether the benefits of PA with respect to the risk of T2D are moderated by exposure to air pollution.

Methods

UK Biobank participants (n = 359,153) without diabetes at baseline were included. Information on PA was obtained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. Exposure to air pollution, including PM2.5, PMcoarse (PM2.5−10), PM10, and NO2, was estimated from land use regression models. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

During a median of 8.9 years of follow-up, 13,706 T2D events were recorded. Compared with a low PA level, the HRs for the risk of T2D among individuals with moderate and high PA were 0.82 (95% CI, 0.79–0.86) and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.70–0.77), respectively. Compared with low levels of air pollution, the HRs for risk of T2D for high levels of air pollution (PM2.5, PMcoarse, PM10, and NO2) were 1.19 (1.14–1.24), 1.06 (1.02–1.11), 1.13 (1.08–1.18), and 1.19 (1.14–1.24), respectively. There was no effect modification of the associations between PA and T2D by air pollution (all P-interactions > 0.05). The inverse associations between PA and T2D in each air pollution stratum were generally consistent (all P for trend < 0.05).

Conclusion

A higher PA and lower air pollution level were independently associated with a lower risk of T2D. The beneficial effects of PA on T2D generally remained stable among participants exposed to different levels of air pollution. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings in moderately and severely polluted areas.
Associations of lipid measures with total occlusion in patients with established coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Tianyu , Yuan Deshan , Wang Peizhi , Jia Sida , Zhang Ce , Zhu Pei , Song Ying , Tang Xiaofang , Zhao Xueyan , Gao Zhan , Yang Yuejin , Gao Runlin , Xu Bo , Yuan Jinqing
Published: November 2022

Background

Total occlusion is the most severe coronary lesion, indicating heavy ischemic burden and poor prognosis. The lipid profile is central to the development of atherosclerotic coronary lesions. Evidence on the optimal lipid measure to be monitored and managed in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) is inconclusive.

Methods

Total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein B (apoB), non-HDL-c/HDL-c, and apoB/apoA-1 were analyzed in quintiles and as continuous variables. The associations of lipid measures with total occlusion were tested using logistic regression models, visualized with restricted cubic splines, and compared by areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). Discordance analysis was performed when apoB/apoA-1 and non-HDL-c/HDL-c were not in concordance.

Results

The prospective cohort study included 10,003 patients (mean age: 58 years; women: 22.96%), with 1879 patients having total occlusion. The risks of total occlusion significantly increased with quintiles of Lp(a), non-HDL-c/HDL-c, and apoB/apoA-1 (allpfor trend < 0.001). TG had no association with total occlusion. Restricted cubic splines indicate significant positive linear relations between the two ratios and total occlusion [odds ratio per 1-standard deviation increase (95% confidence interval): non-HDL-c/HDL-c: 1.135 (1.095–1.176),p < 0.001; apoB/apoA-1: 2.590 (2.049–3.274),p < 0.001]. The AUROCs of apoB/apoA-1 and non-HDL-c/HDL-c were significantly greater than those of single lipid measures. Elevation in the apoB/apoA-1 tertile significantly increased the risk of total occlusion at a given non-HDL-c/HDL-c tertile but not vice versa.

Conclusion

ApoB/apoA-1 confers better predictive power for total occlusion than non-HDL-c/HDL-c and single lipid measures in established CAD patients.
Brain activity during dual-task standing in older adults
Authors: Kahya Melike , Gouskova Natalia A. , Lo On-Yee , Zhou Junhong , Cappon Davide , Finnerty Emma , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. , Manor Brad
Published: November 2022

Background

In older adults, the extent to which performing a cognitive task when standing diminishes postural control is predictive of future falls and cognitive decline. The neurophysiology of such “dual-tasking” and its effect on postural control (i.e., dual-task cost) in older adults are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to use electroencephalography (EEG) to examine the effects of dual-tasking when standing on brain activity in older adults. We hypothesized that compared to single-task “quiet” standing, dual-task standing would decrease alpha power, which has been linked to decreased motor inhibition, as well as increase the ratio of theta to beta power, which has been linked to increased attentional control.

Methods

Thirty older adults without overt disease completed four separate visits. Postural sway together with EEG (32-channels) were recorded during trials of standing with and without a concurrent verbalized serial subtraction dual-task. Postural control was measured by average sway area, velocity, and path length. EEG metrics included absolute alpha-, theta-, and beta-band powers as well as theta/beta power ratio, within six demarcated regions-of-interest: the left and right anterior, central, and posterior regions of the brain.

Results

Most EEG metrics demonstrated moderate-to-high between-day test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficients > 0.70). Compared with quiet standing, dual-tasking decreased alpha-band power particularly in the central regions bilaterally (p = 0.002) and increased theta/beta power ratio in the anterior regions bilaterally (p < 0.001). A greater increase in theta/beta ratio from quiet standing to dual-tasking in numerous demarcated brain regions correlated with greater dual-task cost (i.e., absolute increase, indicative of worse performance) to postural sway metrics (r = 0.45–0.56, p < 0.01). Lastly, participants who exhibited greater alpha power during dual-tasking in the anterior-right (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) and central-right (r = 0.48, p < 0.01) regions had greater postural sway velocity during dual-tasking.

Conclusion

In healthy older adults, alpha power and theta/beta power ratio change with dual-task standing. The change in theta/beta power ratio in particular may be related to the ability to regulate standing postural control when simultaneously performing unrelated, attention-demanding cognitive tasks. Modulation of brain oscillatory activity might therefore be a novel target to minimize dual-task cost in older adults.
Neuro-cognitive assessment of intentional control methods for a soft elbow exosuit using error-related potentials
Authors: Tacca Nicholas , Nassour John , Ehrlich Stefan K. , Berberich Nicolas , Cheng Gordon
Published: November 2022

Soft exosuits offer promise to support users in everyday workload tasks by providing assistance. However, acceptance of such systems remains low due to the difficulty of control compared with rigid mechatronic systems. Recently, there has been progress in developing control schemes for soft exosuits that move in line with user intentions. While initial results have demonstrated sufficient device performance, the assessment of user experience via the cognitive response has yet to be evaluated. To address this, we propose a soft pneumatic elbow exosuit designed based on our previous work to provide assistance in line with user expectations utilizing two existing state-of-the-art control methods consisting of a gravity compensation and myoprocessor based on muscle activation. A user experience study was conducted to assess whether the device moves naturally with user expectations and the potential for device acceptance by determining when the exosuit violated user expectations through the neuro-cognitive and motor response. Brain activity from electroencephalography (EEG) data revealed that subjects elicited error-related potentials (ErrPs) in response to unexpected exosuit actions, which were decodable across both control schemes with an average accuracy of 76.63 ± 1.73% across subjects. Additionally, unexpected exosuit actions were further decoded via the motor response from electromyography (EMG) and kinematic data with a grand average accuracy of 68.73 ± 6.83% and 77.52 ± 3.79% respectively. This work demonstrates the validation of existing state-of-the-art control schemes for soft wearable exosuits through the proposed soft pneumatic elbow exosuit. We demonstrate the feasibility of assessing device performance with respect to the cognitive response through decoding when the device violates user expectations in order to help understand and promote device acceptance.
Photolysis of caged cytokinin in single cells of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Dow Lachlan , Barrow Russell A. , White Rosemary G. , Mathesius Ulrike
Published: November 2022

Background

Cytokinins are a class of phytohormone that play a crucial role in the development of plants. They are involved in the regulation of nearly every aspect of plant growth, from germination to senescence. The role of cytokinins in many developmental programs is complex and varies both spatially and temporally. Current techniques used to investigate the functions of cytokinins in plant development lack this spatial and temporal resolution required to observe cell-type specific effects.

Results

To this end, we present a method of activating a caged cytokinin in single cells. A caged benzyladenine was synthesized, along with caged adenine as a negative control. In vitro testing confirmed ultraviolet light-mediated uncaging, and subsequent root growth assays demonstrated that uncaging produced a cytokinin phenotype. This uncaging was confined to single cells using multiphoton confocal microscopy. Using an Arabidopsis thaliana cytokinin reporter line expressing TCSn::GFP, the resulting GFP expression was confined to the uncaging region, including in single cells. This study presents a novel cell-targeted method of cytokinin delivery, which has the potential to elucidate a broad range of processes in plant development.

Conclusions

We combined multiphoton confocal microscopy and a caged cytokinin treatment, allowing cell type-specific uncaging of a cytokinin in Arabidopsis roots.
Diagnosis and treatment of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 on veno-venous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Khorsandi Maziar , Keenan Jeffrey , Adcox Mackenzie , Tabesh Ariyan , Badulak Jenelle , Pal Jay , Mulligan Michael
Published: November 2022

Background

Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective, but highly resource intensive salvage treatment option in COVID patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a known sequelae of COVID-19 induced ARDS, yet there is a paucity of data on the incidence and determinants of RV dysfunction on VV ECMO. We retrospectively examined the determining factors leading to RV failure and means of early identification of this phenomenon in patients on VV ECMO.

Methods

The data was extracted from March 2020 to March 2021 from the regional University of Washington Extracorporeal Life Support database. The inclusion criteria included patients > 18 years of age with diagnosis of COVID-19. All had already been intubated and mechanically ventilated prior to VV ECMO deployment. Univariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors and surrogate markers for RV dysfunction. In addition, we compared outcomes between those with and without RV dysfunction.

Results

Of the 33 patients that met inclusion criteria, 14 (42%) had echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction, 3 of whom were placed on right ventricular assist device support. Chronic lung disease was an independent risk factor for RV dysfunction (p = 0.0002). RV dysfunction was associated with a six-fold increase in troponin I (0.07 ng/ml vs. 0.44 ng/ml, p = 0.039) and four-fold increase in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (158 pg/ml vs. 662 pg/ml, p = 0.037). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT, 21% vs. 43%, p = 0.005) and pulmonary embolism (PE, 11% vs. 21%, p = 0.045) were found to be nearly twice as common in the RV dysfunction group. Total survival rate to hospital discharge was 39%. Data trended towards shorter duration of hospital stay (47 vs. 65.6 days, p = 0.15), shorter duration of ECMO support (21 days vs. 36 days, p = 0.06) and improved survival rate to hospital discharge (42.1% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.47) for those with intact RV function compared to the RV dysfunction group.

Conclusions

RV dysfunction in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in common. Trends of troponin I and BNP may be important surrogates for monitoring RV function in patients on VV ECMO. We recommend echocardiographic assessment of the RV on such patients.
Malignant testicular unclassified sex cord stromal tumor: a case report
Authors: Morinaga Shingo , Aoki Shigeyuki , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kanematsu Keiko , Kawai Naoki , Sato Sayuri , Nakamizu Kotomi , Goto Kana , Niwa Miho , Nomura Ikuko , Sawada Tomoko , Futamachi Ruriko , Morita Fujio , Yamada Yoshiaki
Published: November 2022

Background

Most testicular tumors are germ cell tumors; sex cord stromal tumors are infrequent, accounting for only 3–5% of testicular tumors. Unclassified sex cord stromal tumors are extremely rare. Generally, 10% of sex cord stromal tumors are malignant. We report a case of malignant unclassified sex cord stromal tumor with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis at first visit and a corresponding literature review.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old Japanese man visited our department primarily for indolent right scrotum enlargement in September 2020. Blood biochemistry examination, urinalysis, and tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase) showed no abnormal findings. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed enlarged para-aortic lymph node (18 × 16 and 10 × 102 mm); a 50 × 452 mm mass with uneven contents was found in the right testicle. The patient underwent inguinal orchiectomy in September 2020. As per immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for SF-1 and Ki-67, partially positive for inhibin, and negative for CAM5.2, CK7, CK20, C-KIT, CD30, LCA, GATA-3, TTF-1, and PAX8. Calretinin was expressed in approximately 5% of tumor cells; thus, sex cord/gonadal stroma components were considered to be involved. The final pathological diagnosis was unclassified malignant sex cord stromal tumor. The patient was diagnosed with pT1, N1, M0, S0, and tumor–node–metastasis stage IIA disease. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy with four courses of etoposide and cisplatin therapy from November 2020. Post-chemotherapeutic computed tomography showed new metastatic lesions including lung, liver, pancreas, and para-aortic lymphadenopathy, which increased in size. Disease progression was observed. Cancer genome research was performed using the OncoGuide National Cancer Center oncopanel system; however, no gene mutation for which the drug could be expected to be effective was found. The patient opted for best supportive care at a nearby hospital and died from cancer progression in January 2022.

Conclusion

We encountered a case of malignant testicular unclassified sex cord stromal tumor pathologically diagnosed as testicular tumor with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in a patient who underwent inguinal orchiectomy. Future data collection is necessary to establish multimodality therapy for malignant testicular unclassified sex cord stromal tumor.
Effects of compost on onion quality, yield, and thrips infestation
Authors: Showler Allan T.
Published: November 2022

Although onion, Allium cepa L., production has been enhanced by the addition of organic matter to soil, other reports indicated no effect. In this study, onion plots (var. Sweet Sunrise) were treated with conventional fertilizer, composted sugar mill ash and vegetative yard waste, or fertilizer + compost. Measurements during two consecutive growing seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas were recorded on soil nutrients, nutrients in onion leaf tissue, leaf lengths, bulb yields in terms of numbers and weights in different size classes, and biochemical qualities. Our study demonstrates that the compost enriched soil fertility, particularly P, K, and Zn; percentage N in the onion leaf tissue was increased to the same extent as plants that received fertilizer; and leaves grew as long as in plots with fertilizer. At harvest, small cull bulbs were consistently the most prevalent in the control, and although compost had a positive influence on numbers and weights of marketable bulbs, fertilizer provided the highest yields during the first growing season. During the second season, however, marketable bulbs in composted plots were as abundant as in the plots receiving fertilizer. Treatment effects on thrips-induced leaf scarring were negligible. We conclude that the compost was useful for increasing marketable onion yield, and that effects improved as the compost decomposed over the two consecutive growing seasons.
Animal species identification utilising DNAs extracted from traditionally manufactured gelatin (Wanikawa)
Authors: Kuramata Haruki , Hashiba Miho , Kai Yuriko , Nishizawa Kazuhisa , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Kikuchi-Ueda Takane , Uetsuki Manabu , Yamauchi Kazuya , Fujisawa Akira , Oshikane Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

Gelatin, sourced from collagen, is an acid-, alkali- or enzymatically hydrolysed product obtained from animal skins and bones. Gelatin has been widely used for the manufacture of various cultural objects, e.g. as a water-soluble binder for dissolving pigments, and as a glue for musical instruments and traditional crafts along with human history. The identification of animal species in gelatin, hence, could provide a critical clue for understanding human history including lifestyles, the culture and the technologies. However, there has been no valid method established to date for identifying the animal species from traditional gelatins. We herein report that the nucleic acids contents (dsDNA, ssDNA and miRNA) from commercially-available gelatins manufactured according to classical procedures (wanikawa) exhibited much higher (about 10 times) than those from modern gelatins made through an industrialised process (yonikawa), suggesting that DNA analysis using the gelatins from cultural assets could be substantially feasible. Moreover, targeting not only commercially available niwaka but also Ukiyo-e, Japanese classical art manufactured through woodblock printings, we here illustrate partial successes in the animal species identification coupled with DNA barcoding technique, hopefully paving the way for scientifically more reliable animal species identifications of archaeological specimens made with a gelatin component.
Why are risk-sharing rules uncertain? A sociological study of local financial governance
Authors: Xiang Jinglin , Qiu Zeqi , Zhang Xiang
Published: November 2022

This article discusses the uncertainty of risk-sharing rules in local financial governance. That is, when the formal risk-sharing rules of financial transactions are agreed upon in advance, actual operations are uncertain. First, the institutional contradiction at the macro-level is an important structural source of the uncertain rules at the micro-level. Second, institutional contradictions endow actors with conflicting bases of legitimacy and driving forces of interest, which induces games of norms and interests among investors, local governments, and intermediaries with regard to risk-sharing rules and leads to the competitive pattern of varied risk-sharing rules. Last, the combination of multiple legitimacy claims and multiple mechanisms of power competition leads to uncertainty in the risk-sharing rules of actual operations.
Can Beauveria bassiana reduce the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, infection on wheat?
Authors: Göze Özdemir Fatma Gül , Uzun Yiğit Asiye , Demirözer Ozan
Published: November 2022

Background

Limited number of control methods against root-lesion nematodes has increased the search for alternative management strategies. Due to secondary metabolites such as toxins and enzymes secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, the number of studies on nematicidal potentials on many plant parasitic nematodes has increased. Almost no work was done on the nematicidal activity of B. bassiana, which is widely used as a bio-insecticide, on the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, commonly found on wheat in Turkey. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the pathogenicity of two native B. bassiana isolates (BIM-001 and BY2) obtained from Turkey against P. thornei on wheat under controlled conditions.

Results

Spore suspension of B. bassiana isolates affected P. thornei soil, root, final nematode density and reproduction rate at different degrees according to spore concentration. The soil, root, total nematode density, and reproduction rate in the control on İkizce cv. were 1234.0 adult + larvae/500 g soil, 1105.0 adult + larvae/per pot, 2341.0 (soil + root density) and 5.8 (PF(final nematode density/PI (initial inoculum density)), respectively. It was determined that these parameter values were at the lowest at 108 spore/ml than other concentrations in both isolates of B. bassiana. In 108 spore/ml concentrations of BIM-001 isolate, while P. thornei soil, root, total nematode density, and reproduction rate on İkizce were 641.7 adult + larvae/500 g soil, 930.9 adult + larvae/per pot, 1572.6 (soil + root density) and 3.9 (PF/PI), respectively, these parameter values were found to be 645.2 adult + larvae/500 g soil, 849.0 adult + larvae/per pot, 1492.2 (soil + root density) and 3.6 (PF/PI) at 108 spore/ml concentrations of BY2 isolate. It was observed that the reproduction rate of P. thornei decreased at 108 spore/ml concentration of BIM-001 and BY2 isolates compared to the control.

Conclusion

Native B. bassiana isolates of BIM-001 and BY2 reduced P. thornei on wheat and the concentration was important for the pathogenicity of B. bassiana. While the reproduction rate of P. thornei at 108 and 107 spores/ml concentrations in both isolates decreased than the control. At 106 spore/ml concentration it was found similar to the control. Even though B. bassiana is known as an effective biocontrol agent against insects and some plant-parasitic nematodes, more detailed studies should be done on its effect on P. thornei.
Seismic collapse risk of RC-timber hybrid building with different energy dissipation connections considering NBCC 2020 hazard
Authors: Odikamnoro Ikenna , Badal Prakash S. , Burton Henry , Tesfamariam Solomon
Published: November 2022

The 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) seismic hazard model (SHM) marks a comprehensive update over its predecessor (NBCC 2015). For different regions in Canada, this will have an impact on the design of new buildings and performance assessment of existing ones. In the present study, a recently developed hybrid building system with reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames and cross-laminated timber (CLT) infills is assessed for its seismic performance against the latest SHM. The six-story RC-CLT hybrid system, designed using the direct displacement-based method, is located in Vancouver, Canada. Along with very high seismicity, southwestern British Columbia is characterized by complex seismotectonics, consisting of subduction, shallow crustal, and in-slab faulting mechanisms. A hazard-consistent set of 40 ground motion pairs is selected from the PEER and KiK-net databases, and used to estimate the building’s seismic performance. The effects of using steel slit dampers (associated with large hysteresis loops) and flag-shaped energy dissipators (associated with the recentering capability) are investigated. The results indicate that the hybrid system has good seismic performance with a probability of collapse of 2–3% at the 2475-year return period shaking intensity. The hybrid building with steel slit dampers exhibits a collapse margin ratio of 2.8, which increases to 3.5–3.6 when flag-shaped dissipators are used. The flag-shaped dissipators are found to significantly reduce the residual drift of the hybrid building. Additionally, the seismic performance of the hybrid building equipped with flag-shaped dissipators is found to improve marginally when the recentering ratio is increased.
“Outside the Skin”: The Persistence of Black–White Disparities in U.S. Early-Life Mortality
Authors: Tilstra Andrea M. , Gutin Iliya , Dollar Nathan T. , Rogers Richard G. , Hummer Robert A.
Published: November 2022

Research on Black–White disparities in mortality emphasizes the cumulative pathways through which racism gets “under the skin” to affect health. Yet this framing is less applicable in early life, when death is primarily attributable to external causes rather than cumulative, biological processes. We use mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System Multiple Cause of Death files and population counts from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program to analyze 705,801 deaths among Black and White males and females, ages 15–24. We estimate age-standardized death rates and single-decrement life tables to show how all-cause and cause-specific mortality changed from 1990 to 2016 by race and sex. Despite overall declines in early-life mortality, Black–White disparities remain unchanged across several causes—especially homicide, for which mortality is nearly 20 times as high among Black as among White males. Suicide and drug-related deaths are higher among White youth during this period, yet their impact on life expectancy at birth is less than half that of homicide among Black youth. Critically, early-life disparities are driven by preventable causes of death whose impact occurs “outside the skin,” reflecting racial differences in social exposures and experiences that prove harmful for both Black and White adolescents and young adults.
Distinct Failure Patterns in Hypopharyngeal Cancer Patients Receiving Surgery-Based Versus Radiation-Based Treatment
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsuan , Hsiao Jenn-Ren , Wu Yuan-Hua , Chang Jeffrey S. , Ou Chun-Yen , Lee Wei-Ting , Huang Cheng-Chih , Chang Chan-Chi , Lai Yu-Hsuan , Tsai Sen-Tien , Hsueh Wei-Ting , Yen Chia-Jui , Lin Chen-Lin , Chen Yu-Shan , Jiang Shih-Sheng , Su Yu-Chu , Wu Shang-Yin
Published: November 2022

Background

To cure advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC), primary operation followed by adjuvant (chemo-)radiotherapy (OP-CRT) or definitive chemoradiation (CCRT) are the two primary options. This study aimed to compare the failure patterns and long-term survival outcomes of HPSCC patients treated with these two strategies.

Patients and Methods

From 2007 to 2015, 198 pathologically confirmed HPSCC patients receiving either OP-CRT or CCRT were retrospectively reviewed. Failure patterns and survival outcomes stratified by the 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and treatment modalities were compared.

Results

One hundred and eighty-nine patients (95.4%) were stage III/IV and 62 patients (31.3%) received OP-CRT. Median follow-up duration was 4.9 years. Compared with CCRT, OP-CRT provided better 3-year local relapse-free survival for T3 (93 vs 48%, p < 0.0001), T4a (88 vs 37%, p = 0.0005) and better 3-year regional relapse-free survival for N2b+2c (93 vs 60%, p < 0.0001). Of note, for stage IVA subjects, OP-CRT provided better 3-year loco-regional relapse-free survival (85 vs 37%, p < 0.0001), marginal poor 3-year distant metastasis-free survival (62 vs 79%, p = 0.06), but comparable 3-year OS (52 vs 44%, p = 0.37) and 5-year OS (44 vs 31%, p = 0.15) compared with CCRT.

Conclusions

For patients with advanced HPSCC, although OP-CRT and CCRT provided similar overall survival, failure patterns were distinct. OP-CRT provided better loco-regional control but was more likely to encounter distant metastases than CCRT. The detailed analysis of failure patterns will pave the way to improve this devastating disease.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYTOSANITARY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MAIN PHYTOPHAGES AND PROBLEMS OF PROTECTION OF PEAR PLANTATIONS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THE NON-BLACK EARTH ZONE OF RUSSIA
Authors: Zeynalov Adalet Sehrab ogly
Published: November 2022

The studies were carried out at Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (ARHCBAN) in 2011-2021 in order to study and assess the characteristics of the harmfulness of economically significant pests of pears. Route surveys of pear plantations were carried out in Bryansk, Kaluga and Moscow regions. In the spring period (before flowering), the counts of individual phytophages and plant organs damaged by them were carried out 2 times a week, after flowering (until the end of the growing season) – 1-2 times a week. Along with visual observation, analysis of selected samples under a microscope (MBS-10 and Stemi 2000-C), pheromone traps were used to track the dynamics of the summer of the codling moth Cydia pyrivora (Danil.), sticky and corrugated trapping belts, as well as the shaking method to count the weevil -flower beetle Anthonomus pomorum (L.). The most dangerous, economically and phytosanitaryly significant pests of the pear were the common Psylla pyri (L.) and the large Psylla pyrisuga (Frst.) pear sucker (prevalence up to 100%, yield loss up to 50%), gall mite Eriophyes pyri (Pgst.) (damage up to 50...70% of leaves, with premature drying and falling off of about 20...25% of them), tetranychod mites Tetranychoidae (decrease in leaf area by 30...50% compared to undamaged leaves, with drying and falling off of heavily damaged leaves), aphid Aphis pomi (Deg.) (prevalence up to 70...80%, the number of populated shoots up to 15...25%). Pear damage by the flower weevil Anthonomus pomorum (L.) is increasing (up to 8...10% of inflorescences) compared to the beginning of the 2010s, as well as the number of invasive pests that are not yet of economic importance - pear codling moth Cydia pyrivora (Danil.) and pear weevil Anthonomus pyri (Koll.). Timely and competent application, with the obligatory alternation of preparations with different mechanisms of action, can provide effective protection of plants from the sucker and other dangerous pests and increase the yield by 1.5 ... 2 times.
Proximal bifurcation of the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery and anomalous superficial course of the distal radial artery: a case report
Authors: Choi Young-Soo , You Hi-Jin
Published: November 2022

Variations of the radial artery are rare, but clinically significant for surgeons when raising a radial forearm free flap. A 68-year-old man presented with an anomaly of the radial artery, which had a proximal bifurcation of the superficial palmar branch and an anomalous superficial course of the distal radial artery, mimicking duplication of the radial artery. A bifurcation of the main vessel was detected approximately 7 cm proximal to the wrist crease. Anastomosis was performed by using the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. After anastomosis, the anomalously bifurcated deep palmar branch of the radial artery was transected 1 cm distal to the bifurcation. Although variations, such as unusual bifurcations of the radial artery, are extremely rare, surgeons should be aware of possible variations to ensure safe flap harvesting.
Experiences of pregnancy for women living with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review
Authors: Janiszewski Helen , Radford Shellie , Coad Jane , Cooper Joanne , Moran Gordon , Greenaway Claire , Bailey Elizabeth
Published: November 2022

Background:

While women living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a similar fertility rate to the general population, they are at increased risk of pregnancy complications, and they are considered to have high-risk pregnancies requiring multidisciplinary care.

Aims:

A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the experiences of pregnancy among women with IBD.

Methods:

The search terms ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, antenatal care, pregnancy, experience, perception and perspectives (and combinations of these words using Boolean operators) were entered into the selected electronic databases.

Findings:

Of 1197 articles retrieved, 42 were full-text screened. Five articles were included, with data extraction by two independent reviewers. Five key themes were generated: timing of diagnosis; translation of healthcare practitioner knowledge of IBD and pregnancy into meaningful information; perceptions about IBD medication; impact of disease activity; and concerns about IBD and pregnancy.

Conclusion:

Insight into what shaped experiences of pregnancy was gained, with the small numbers of studies also highlighting the lack of research in this area. Further research in this area is recommended.
Rapid readout of terahertz orbital angular momentum beams using atom-based imaging
Authors: Downes Lucy A. , Whiting Daniel J. , Adams C. Stuart , Weatherill Kevin J.
Published: November 2022

We demonstrate the rapid readout of terahertz orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams using an atomic-vapor-based imaging technique. OAM modes with both azimuthal and radial indices are created using phase-only transmission plates. The beams undergo terahertz-to-optical conversion in an atomic vapor, before being imaged in the far field using an optical CCD camera. In addition to the spatial intensity profile, we also observe the self-interferogram of the beams by imaging through a tilted lens, allowing the sign and magnitude of the azimuthal index to be read out directly. Using this technique, we can reliably read out the OAM mode of low-intensity beams with high fidelity in 10 ms. Such a demonstration is expected to have far-reaching consequences for proposed applications of terahertz OAM beams in communications and microscopy.
Wolbachia inhibits ovarian formation and increases blood feeding rate in female Aedes aegypti
Authors: Lau Meng-Jia , Ross Perran A. , Endersby-Harshman Nancy M. , Yang Qiong , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: November 2022

Wolbachia, a gram-negative endosymbiotic bacterium widespread in arthropods, is well-known for changing the reproduction of its host in ways that increase its rate of spread, but there are also costs to hosts that can reduce this. Here we investigated a novel reproductive alteration ofWolbachia wAlbB on its hostAedes aegypti, using studies on mosquito life history traits, ovarian dissection, as well as gene expression assays. We found that an extended period of the larval stage as well as the egg stage (as previously shown) can increase the proportion ofWolbachia-infected females that become infertile; an effect which was not observed in uninfected females. Infertile females had incomplete ovarian formation and also showed a higher frequency of blood feeding following a prior blood meal, indicating that they do not enter a complete gonotrophic cycle. Treatments leading to infertility also decreased the expression of genes related to reproduction, especially the vitellogenin receptor gene whose product regulates the uptake of vitellogenin (Vg) into ovaries. Our results demonstrate effects associated with the development of infertility inwAlbB-infectedAe.aegyptifemales with implications forWolbachiareleases. The results also have implications for the evolution ofWolbachiainfections in novel hosts.
First detection and molecular identification of Rickettsia massiliae, a human pathogen, in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from Southern Taiwan
Authors: Chao Li-Lian , Robinson Melissa , Liang You-Fu , Shih Chien-Ming
Published: November 2022

The Rickettsia massiliae was firstly detected and identified in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks infested on dogs in Taiwan. A total of 1154 Rh. sanguineus ticks collected from 158 dogs of four districts of Tainan city were examined for Rickettsia infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) and outer membrane protein B (ompB) genes of Rickettsia. The Rickettsia infection was detected with a general infection rate of 2.77%, and was detected in male, female and nymphal stage with an infection rate of 2.77%, 3.22% and 1.32%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA and ompB sequences obtained from 9 Taiwan strains and 16 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsia. Results revealed that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the same clades of R. massiliae (spotted fever group) and R. felis (transitional group), and can be discriminated from other genospecies of Rickettsia. This study provides the first evidence of R. massiliae, a pathogenic spotted fever Rickettsia, identified in Rh. sanguineus ticks and highlight the potential threat for the regional transmission of Rickettsia infection among humans in Taiwan.
The relationship of work engagement with job experience, marital status and having children among flexible workers after the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Çemberci Murat , Civelek Mustafa Emre , Ertemel Adnan Veysel , Cömert Perlin Naz
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about serious consequences in business world practices. Among these, flexible working policies have increased to a great extent. This has resulted in serious problems in the work-life balance. In this context, conditions such as having children and marital status have been important factors that can affect work engagement among flexible workers in the post pandemic era. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship of marital status, job experience and having children with work engagement among white-collar workers who work in flexible hours. Data is collected through surveys from 199 flexible working employees. ANOVA and T-tests were employed to analyze the data. The results indicate that only one of the sub-dimensions of work engagement–namely absorption- changes according to their marital status, and yet, the work engagement is not related to having children. In addition, it is seen that there is a significant relationship between job experience and work engagement.
Value of low-keV virtual monoenergetic plus dual-energy computed tomographic imaging for detection of acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Wannasopha Yutthaphan , Leesmidt Kantheera , Srisuwan Tanop , Euathrongchit Juntima , Tantraworasin Apichat
Published: November 2022

Objective

To compare diagnostic values between the 40 keV virtual monoenergetic plus (40 keV VMI+) dual source dual energy computed tomography (DSDECT) pulmonary angiography images and the standard mixed (90 and 150 kV) images for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods

Chest DSDECTs of 64 patients who were suspected of having acute PE were retrospectively reviewed by two independent reviewers. The assessments of acute PE of all patients on a per-location basis were compared between the 40 keV VMI+ and the standard mixed datasets (reference standard) with a two-week interval.

Results

This study consisted of 64 patients (33 women and 31 men; mean age, 60.2 years; range 18–90 years), with a total of 512 locations. The interobserver agreement (Kappa) for detection of acute PE using the 40 keV VMI+ images and the standard mixed CT images were 0.7478 and 0.8750 respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristics (AuROC) for diagnosis of acute PE using the 40 keV VMI+ was 0.882. Four locations (0.78%) revealed a false negative result. Hypodense filling defects were identified in twelve locations (1.95%) in the 40 keV VMI+ images but had been interpreted as a negative study in the standard mixed CT images. The repeated reviews revealed that each location contained a hypodense filling defect but was overlooked on the standard mixed CT images.

Conclusions

Low-energy VMI + DSDECT images have beneficial in improving the diagnostic value of acute PE in doubtful or disregarded standard mixed images.
A novel hybrid transformer-CNN architecture for environmental microorganism classification
Authors: Shao Ran , Bi Xiao-Jun , Chen Zheng
Published: November 2022

The success of vision transformers (ViTs) has given rise to their application in classification tasks of small environmental microorganism (EM) datasets. However, due to the lack of multi-scale feature maps and local feature extraction capabilities, the pure transformer architecture cannot achieve good results on small EM datasets. In this work, a novel hybrid model is proposed by combining the transformer with a convolution neural network (CNN). Compared to traditional ViTs and CNNs, the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance when trained on small EM datasets. This is accomplished in two ways. 1) Instead of the original fixed-size feature maps of the transformer-based designs, a hierarchical structure is adopted to obtain multi-scale feature maps. 2) Two new blocks are introduced to the transformer’s two core sections, namely the convolutional parameter sharing multi-head attention block and the local feed-forward network block. The ways allow the model to extract more local features compared to traditional transformers. In particular, for classification on the sixth version of the EM dataset (EMDS-6), the proposed model outperforms the baseline Xception by 6.7 percentage points, while being 60 times smaller in parameter size. In addition, the proposed model also generalizes well on the WHOI dataset (accuracy of 99%) and constitutes a fresh approach to the use of transformers for visual classification tasks based on small EM datasets.