bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mental Workload Analysis on Female Educators During Covid-19 Pandemic Using Nasa-TLX Method
Authors: Andivas Marulan , Harits Dimaz , Wibowo Agus Hindarto , Thoriq Eaden Ahmed , Ghazali Ihwan
Published: June 2023

The fate of women workers during the pandemic is quite worrying. The role of women's triple burden in these times is getting heavier. Mental workload is a multidimensional construct that demands attention, performance, and skills of workers according to their work environment. This study aims to find out the mental burden felt by female workers during the pandemic. The subjects of this study were female educators at the University of Balikpapan. Five subjects feel a Very high mental burden on work activities during a pandemic, namely subjects 06, 14, 19, 23, and 25. There are 18 subjects who feel a high mental burden including subjects 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31. Then, 3 subjects felt a moderate mental load, and 2 subjects felt a low mental load. If average, then the mental workload of female educators at the University of Balikpapan is 56.623 categorized as high. This study also seeks to investigate the correlation between the perceived workload of the subjects and several factors including age, marital status, education level, address, family size, income, COVID-19 survivor status, and family members who are COVID-19 survivors. The result showed that the number of family members is the only significant factor that influences the mental workload.
Risk Management Framework Design Based on ISO 31000 and SCOR Model
Authors: Rachmadhani Mirga Maulana , Immawan Taufiq , Mansur Agus , Choi Wonsik
Published: June 2023

In every large, medium and small industrial enterprise, risks must occur in the business process. The study conducted at one of the small medium enterprise (SME) in the Bantul, Yogyakarta. It begins with the fact that obstacles that often occur are delays in delivery, product damage, and also other obstacles. Hence, those are the reasons of this study conducted. Further, the risk management framework has an important role in reducing these problems. The approach used ISO 31000 method and the SCOR Model in making a proposed framework to improve risk management performance. Based on the proposed framework that has been made, the risk identification process in Rajut Bamboo has 32 risks in its business processes. The risk mitigation proposal is carried out on seven risks in the high-risk category. The risk mitigation results are obtained in the risk codes (D3) unfinished product and absence of SOP, (M2) quality control takes a long time, (P5) unplanned overhead costs, and (A1) products in storage are damaged or lost, thus it showed down to medium risk category, then the risk codes (D9) expensive packaging material costs, (D2) order time exceeds the specified time, and (M6) no mitigation planning, thus it showed down to low-risk category.
Parameter Optimization of Printcake Machine Using Full Factorial
Authors: Assidiq Ahmad Amirudin , Mastrisiswadi Hasan , Herianto Herianto
Published: June 2023

This research analyzes pancake batter and discovers the ideal printing parameters on the HALTech Printcake machine, the machine was newly developed and hasn’t been optimize yet where the prior research on 3D Printing pancake batter never been done. This research aim to optimize the printing parameter in order to get pancake close to proposed design. 3 Level full factorial were carried out to understand the response of all the available combination of parameter. There are 2 parameters proposed on this research velocity: 50 mm/s, 60 mm/s, 70 mm/s, and micropump voltage: 3.5 volts, 4 volts, and 4.5 volts. Balance between two parameter needed in order to get the best printing result, Velocity refer to the movement speed of the axis and the micropump voltage refer to how many material will be extrude or flow rate. Design specimen of a straight line 8 cm long and 0.35 cm wide proposed. The results showed that the length error was not significantly affected either by the velocity of the axis movement or the micropump voltage, whereas for the printed area error, it was significantly affected by the velocity, and for the micropump voltage, it did not have a significant effect. Optimized combination of parameter obtain in this research was velocity of 70 mm/s, and a micropump voltage of 4 volts and overall was able to print better specimen then the average experiment in term of printed area error.
Educating nurses caring for paediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients receiving biologics: the impact of a virtual event
Authors: Gil-Zaragozano Elena , Williams Jo
Published: June 2023

Background:

A virtual educational and networking event took place for registered nurses caring for administering biologic therapy in paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients and their families. The aim was to establish the level of self-reported competencies of the nurses and to evaluate the impact that the event had on them.

Methods:

Participants were requested to complete an online questionnaire before and after the interprofessional education event.

Results:

Some 21 pre–event questionnaires were completed. Of these, 81% (17) reported no previous relevant training, 20% (4) did not feel competent in the administration of biologics and patient monitoring and 29% (6) did not feel competent to meet the patient's holistic needs. A total of 13 post-event evaluations were completed. All (13) agreed/strongly agreed with feeling more competent in caring for patients and 84.7% (11) agreed/strongly agreed with feeling more competent in administering and monitoring the biologic therapy. A total of 77% (10) of participants could identify changes to their practice post-event.

Conclusion:

This study highlighted the need for interprofessional education for nurses caring for paediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients, particularly where care is delivered in district general hospitals. Feedback demonstrated that virtual educational events are effective in raising self-reported nursing competencies and in ensuring high standards of practice.
Lisansüstü Eğitim Alma Kararını Yordamada Bilime Bağlılık ve Bilim İnsanı Kimliği Algısı
Authors: İLTER İlhan
Published: June 2023

İlişkisel tarama deseninin kullanıldığı bu araştırmada mevcut üniversite öğrencilerinin bilime bağlılıkları ve bilim insanı kimliğine ilişkin algılarının mezuniyet sonrası lisansüstü eğitim alma kararlarında önemli belirleyiciler olup olmadığı incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla çalışmanın katılımcıları bir yükseköğretim kurumunun eğitim fakültesine bağlı farklı programlarda öğrenimlerine devam eden 315 ikinci sınıf öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında veri toplamak amacıyla Bilime Bağlılık Ölçeği, Bilim İnsanı Kimliği Ölçeği ve Lisansüstü Eğitim Niyeti Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Bağımsız değişkenlerin lisansüstü eğitim alma niyetini ne düzeyde yordadığını belirlemek için aşamalı regresyon analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, bilime bağlılığın ve bilim insanı olarak kimlik algısının lisansüstü eğitim alma kararının anlamlı birer yordayıcısı olduğunu ancak bilim insanı kimliği algısının öğrencilerin mezuniyet sonrası lisansüstü eğitime devam etme konusundaki niyetlerini açıklayan en güçlü değişken olduğunu göstermiştir. Sonuçlar, bilimle ilgili bu psikolojik değişkenlerin lisansüstü kariyere bağlılık yaratmada olumlu yönüne ve önemine dikkat çekmektedir. Kampüs ortamında lisans öğrencilerini kucaklayan bir bilim kültürünün yaygınlaşması, öğrencileri bilim insanı olma kararlılığına doğru ilerlemelerine yardımcı olarak bilim alanında kariyer yapmaya teşvik edebilir.
Beyond conflict-related sexual violence: the continuum of violence in Iraq’s Women, Peace and Security action plans
Authors: Chilmeran Yasmin
Published: June 2023

Women’s experiences of conflict and their roles in its prevention have become an increasingly large focus for feminist scholars, particularly since the adoption of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in 2000. Iraq has been at the forefront of engagement with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, being the first Middle East state to adopt a national action plan. This article analyses Iraq’s Women, Peace and Security action plans, largely drafted by women’s civil society organisations, using the concept of the ‘continuum of violence’. In doing so, the article shows how a fuller breadth of violence is used by Iraqi women writing and working on Women, Peace and Security inside Iraq than what appears in Women, Peace and Security resolutions. The article therefore contributes to critical engagements with the Women, Peace and Security agenda by addressing two themes: the agenda’s limited capture of gendered violence in conflict; and the agenda’s top-down nature when it comes to reconceptualising the agenda, its limits and its opportunities.
Aplanatic freeform-mirror-based optical systems
Authors: González-Acuña Rafael G.
Published: June 2023

The exact partial differential equation to design aplanatic freeform-mirror-based optical systems is presented. The partial differential equation is not limited by the number of freeform surfaces or their orientations. The solutions of this partial differential equation can be useful as initial setups that can be optimized to meet higher criteria. One of these solutions is tested as an example of the initial setup, and the results are as expected by the theory.
Longitudinal to transversal conversion of mode-locked states in an empty optical resonator
Authors: Zwilich Michael , Schepers Florian , Fallnich Carsten
Published: June 2023

A longitudinal mode-locked state can be converted to a transverse mode-locked state by exploiting the spectral and spatial filtering of an empty optical resonator. Carrier and amplitude modulation sidebands were simultaneously transmitted by the conversion resonator, yielding phase-locked superpositions of up to five transverse modes. Equivalently, an amplitude-modulated beam was converted into a beam that periodically moved across the transverse plane. Precise control over the spatial beam shape during oscillation was gained by independently altering the set of transverse modes and their respective powers, which demonstrated an increased level of control in the generation of transverse mode-locked states.
Visible light fingerprint database recovery algorithm based on CP decomposition
Authors: Zhang Licheng , Zhang Wence , Bao Xu
Published: June 2023

Visible light communication(VLC) is a new method of indoor communication. It can provide an effective solution for indoor positioning. Fingerprint-based visible light positioning(VLP) has been widely studied for its feasibility and high accuracy. The acquisition of ‘fingerprint database’ is crucial for accurate VLP. However, sparse sensors such as photodiode(PD) can only be arranged because of the space-limited scenario and high costs. Correspondingly, it results in the loss of the fingerprint database. Therefore, it is indispensable to solve the problem of how to effectively and accurately recover the fingerprint database from measurements of sparsely arranged sensors. In this paper, we propose a spatio-temporal constraint tensor completion (SCTC) algorithm based on CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP) decomposition to recover the fingerprint database from measurements of sparsely arranged sensors. Specifically, we model the measurements from the spatial and temporal dimensions as a tensor, and formulate the optimization problem based on the low-rank feature of the tensor. To improve the recovery accuracy, spatial and temporal constraint matrices are introduced to effectively constrain the optimization direction when completing the tensor. Spatial constraint matrices are constructed by utilizing the mode-n expansion matrix of the tensor based on the undirected graph theory. Accordingly, the Toeplitz matrix is used as the temporal constraint matrix to excavate the temporal correlation of the tensor. Since the optimization problem is non-convex and difficult to solve, we introduce CP decomposition to decompose the tensor into several factor matrices. By solving the factor matrices, the original tensor is reconstructed. The performance of the proposed SCTC algorithm is confirmed via experimental measured data.
Design of an ultra-low mode volume piezo-optomechanical quantum transducer
Authors: Chiappina Piero , Banker Jash , Meesala Srujan , Lake David , Wood Steven , Painter Oskar
Published: June 2023

Coherent transduction of quantum states from the microwave to the optical domain can play a key role in quantum networking and distributed quantum computing. We present the design of a piezo-optomechanical device formed in a hybrid lithium niobate on silicon platform, that is suitable for microwave-to-optical quantum transduction. Our design is based on acoustic hybridization of an ultra-low mode volume piezoacoustic cavity with an optomechanical crystal cavity. The strong piezoelectric nature of lithium niobate allows us to mediate transduction via an acoustic mode which only minimally interacts with the lithium niobate, and is predominantly silicon-like, with very low electrical and acoustic loss. We estimate that this transducer can realize an intrinsic conversion efficiency of up to 35% with <0.5 added noise quanta when resonantly coupled to a superconducting transmon qubit and operated in pulsed mode at 10 kHz repetition rate. The performance improvement gained in such hybrid lithium niobate-silicon transducers make them suitable for heralded entanglement of qubits between superconducting quantum processors connected by optical fiber links.
Direct detection system based on a single photodiode receiving the independent quadruple-SSB signal
Authors: Wang Leilei , Xiao Jiangnan , Zhou Ye , Ming Jun , Wu Dongyan , Chen Yilin , Hu Zheng , Zhao Li
Published: June 2023

We propose and verify a direct detection (DD) system based on a single photodiode (PD) receiving the independent quadruple-single-sideband (quadruple-SSB) signal. At the transmitter side, an I/Q modulator is utilized to modulate the independent quadruple-SSB signal, the signal is received via one PD without optical bandpass filters (OBPFs). Then, the independent quadruple-SSB signal is separated into four sideband signals by subsequent digital signal processing (DSP). In the scheme of back-to-back (BTB), 1-km and 5-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) transmission, the four sideband signals are extensively studied and analyzed. The simulation results show that the bit error rate (BER) of 1Gbaud, 2Gbaud and 4Gbaud independent quadruple-SSB signal can reach the 7% hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10−3 when the received optical power (ROP) is −21, −20 and −17.2 dBm in 5-km SSMF transmission. Meanwhile, as the frequency interval gets wider, the crosstalk in the sideband signal reception can be mitigated and the BER decreases. This scheme for the first time demonstrates that the independent quadruple-SSB signal can further expand the system transmission capacity and enhance the spectrum efficiency. Our simplified independent quadruple-SSB signal direct detection system has a simple structure and high spectral efficiency, which will have a promising future in high-speed optical communication.
Wide-field probing of silica laser-induced damage precursors by photoluminescence photochemical quenching
Authors: Rho Yoonsoo , Miller Christopher F. , Yancey Robin E. , Laurence Ted A. , Carr Christopher W. , Yoo Jae-Hyuck
Published: June 2023

We describe a wide-field approach to probe transient changes in photoluminescence (PL) of defects on silica surfaces. This technique allows simultaneous capture of spatially resolved PL with spontaneous quenching behavior. We attribute the quenching of PL intensity to photochemical reactions of surface defects and/or subsurface fractures with ambient molecules. Such quenching curves can be accurately reproduced by our theoretical model using two quenchable defect populations with different reaction rates. The fitting parameters of our model are spatially correlated to fractures in silica where point defects and mechanical stresses are known to be present, potentially indicating regions prone to laser-induced damage growth. We believe that our approach allows rapid spatial resolved identification of damage prone morphology, providing a new pathway to fast, non-destructive predictions of laser-induced damage growth.
Recall DNA methylation levels at low coverage sites using a CNN model in WGBS
Authors: Luo Ximei , Wang Yansu , Zou Quan , Xu Lei
Published: June 2023

DNA methylation is an important regulator of gene transcription. WGBS is the gold-standard approach for base-pair resolution quantitative of DNA methylation. It requires high sequencing depth. Many CpG sites with insufficient coverage in the WGBS data, resulting in inaccurate DNA methylation levels of individual sites. Many state-of-arts computation methods were proposed to predict the missing value. However, many methods required either other omics datasets or other cross-sample data. And most of them only predicted the state of DNA methylation. In this study, we proposed the RcWGBS, which can impute the missing (or low coverage) values from the DNA methylation levels on the adjacent sides. Deep learning techniques were employed for the accurate prediction. The WGBS datasets of H1-hESC and GM12878 were down-sampled. The average difference between the DNA methylation level at 12× depth predicted by RcWGBS and that at >50× depth in the H1-hESC and GM2878 cells are less than 0.03 and 0.01, respectively. RcWGBS performed better than METHimpute even though the sequencing depth was as low as 12×. Our work would help to process methylation data of low sequencing depth. It is beneficial for researchers to save sequencing costs and improve data utilization through computational methods.
Global prevalence of preterm birth among Pacific Islanders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Bohao , Shabanova Veronika , Arslanian Kendall , Nyhan Kate , Izampuye Elizabeth , Taylor Sarah , Muasau-Howard Bethel , Ekeroma Alec , Hawley Nicola L.
Published: June 2023

The epidemiology of preterm birth among Pacific Islanders is minimally understood. The purpose of this study was to estimate pooled prevalence of preterm birth among Pacific Islanders and to estimate their risk of preterm birth compared to White/European women. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Global Health, and two regional journals in March 2023. Observational studies were included if they reported preterm birth-related outcomes among Pacific Islanders. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence of preterm birth with 95% confidence interval (CI). Bayes meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% highest posterior density intervals (HPDI). The Joanna Briggs Institute checklists were used for risk of bias assessment. We estimated preterm birth prevalence among Pacific Islanders in the United States (US, 11.8%, sample size [SS] = 209,930, 95% CI 10.8%-12.8%), the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI, SS = 29,036, 6.7%, 95% CI 4.9%-9.0%), New Zealand (SS = 252,162, 7.7%, 95% CI 7.1%-8.3%), Australia (SS = 20,225, 6.1%, 95% CI 4.2%-8.7%), and Papua New Guinea (SS = 2,647, 7.0%, 95% CI 5.6%-8.8%). Pacific Islanders resident in the US were more likely to experience preterm birth compared to White women (OR = 1.45, 95% HPDI 1.32–1.58), but in New Zealand their risk was similar (OR = 1.00, 95% HPDI 0.83–1.16) to European women. Existing literature indicates that Pacific Islanders in the US had a higher prevalence of preterm birth and experienced health inequities. Learning from New Zealand’s culturally-sensitive approach to health care provision may provide a starting point for addressing disparities. The limited number of studies identified may contribute to higher risk of bias and the heterogeneity in our estimates; more data is needed to understand the true burden of preterm birth in the Pacific region.
Major trauma presentations and patient outcomes in English hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational cohort study
Authors: Marincowitz Carl , Bouamra Omar , Coats Tim , Surendra Kumar Dhushy , Lockey David , Mason Lyndon , Newcombe Virginia , Thompson Julian , Edwards Antoinette , Lecky Fiona
Published: June 2023

Background

Single-centre studies suggest that successive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related “lockdown” restrictions in England may have led to significant changes in the characteristics of major trauma patients. There is also evidence from other countries that diversion of intensive care capacity and other healthcare resources to treating patients with COVID-19 may have impacted on outcomes for major trauma patients. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number, characteristics, care pathways, and outcomes of major trauma patients presenting to hospitals in England.

Methods and findings

We completed an observational cohort study and interrupted time series analysis including all patients eligible for inclusion in England in the national clinical audit for major trauma presenting between 1 January 2017 and 31 of August 2021 (354,202 patients). Demographic characteristics (age, sex, physiology, and injury severity) and clinical pathways of major trauma patients in the first lockdown (17,510 patients) and second lockdown (38,262 patients) were compared to pre-COVID-19 periods in 2018 to 2019 (comparator period 1: 22,243 patients; comparator period 2: 18,099 patients). Discontinuities in trends for weekly estimated excess survival rate were estimated when lockdown measures were introduced using segmented linear regression.

The first lockdown had a larger associated reduction in numbers of major trauma patients (−4,733 (21%)) compared to the pre-COVID period than the second lockdown (−2,754 (6.7%)). The largest reductions observed were in numbers of people injured in road traffic collisions excepting cyclists where numbers increased. During the second lockdown, there were increases in the numbers of people injured aged 65 and over (665 (3%)) and 85 and over (828 (9.3%)).

In the second week of March 2020, there was a reduction in level of major trauma excess survival rate (−1.71%; 95% CI: −2.76% to −0.66%) associated with the first lockdown. This was followed by a weekly trend of improving survival until the lifting of restrictions in July 2020 (0.25; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.35). Limitations include eligibility criteria for inclusion to the audit and COVID status of patients not being recorded.

Conclusions

This national evaluation of the impact of COVID on major trauma presentations to English hospitals has observed important public health findings: The large reduction in overall numbers injured has been primarily driven by reductions in road traffic collisions, while numbers of older people injured at home increased over the second lockdown. Future research is needed to better understand the initial reduction in likelihood of survival after major trauma observed with the implementation of the first lockdown.
Pharmacokinetics, feasibility and safety of co-administering azithromycin, albendazole, and ivermectin during mass drug administration: A review
Authors: McPherson Scott , Solomon Anthony W. , Seife Fikre , Solomon Hiwot , Gebre Teshome , Mabey David C. W. , Marks Michael
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Traditionally, health ministries implement mass drug administration programmes for each neglected tropical disease (NTD) as separate and distinct campaigns. Many NTDs have overlapping endemicity suggesting co-administration might improve programme reach and efficiency, helping accelerate progress towards 2030 targets. Safety data are required to support a recommendation to undertake co-administration.

Methodology

We aimed to compile and summarize existing data on co-administration of ivermectin, albendazole and azithromycin, including both data on pharmacokinetic interactions and data from previous experimental and observational studies conducted in NTD-endemic populations. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, research and conference abstracts, gray literature, and national policy documents. We limited the publication language to English and used a search period from January 1st, 1995 through October 1st, 2022. Search terms were: azithromycin and ivermectin and albendazole, mass drug administration co-administration trials, integrated mass drug administration, mass drug administration safety, pharmacokinetic dynamics, and azithromycin and ivermectin and albendazole. We excluded papers if they did not include data on co-administration of azithromycin and both albendazole and ivermectin, or azithromycin with either albendazole or ivermectin alone.

Results

We identified a total of 58 potentially relevant studies. Of these we identified 7 studies relevant to the research question and which met our inclusion criteria. Three papers analyzed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. No study found evidence of clinically significant drug-drug interactions likely to impact safety or efficacy. Two papers and a conference presentation reported data on the safety of combinations of at least two of the drugs. A field study in Mali suggested the rates of adverse events were similar with combined or separate administration, but was underpowered. A further field study in Papua New Guinea used all three drugs as part of a four-drug regimen also including diethylcarbamazine; in this setting, co-administration appeared safe but there were issues with the consistency in how adverse events were recorded.

Conclusion

There are relatively limited data on the safety profile of co-administering ivermectin, albendazole and azithromycin as an integrated regimen for NTDs. Despite the limited amount of data, available evidence suggests that such a strategy is safe with an absence of clinically important drug-drug interactions, no serious adverse events reported and little evidence for an increase in mild adverse events. Integrated MDA may be a viable strategy for national NTD programmes.
Development and anticancer properties of Up284, a spirocyclic candidate ADRM1/RPN13 inhibitor
Authors: Anchoori Ravi K. , Anchoori Vidyasagar , Lam Brandon , Tseng Ssu-Hsueh , Das Samarjit , Velasquez Fernanda Carrizo , Karanam Balasubramanyam , Poddatoori Deepika , Patnam Ramesh , Rudek Michelle A. , Chang Yung-Nien , Roden Richard B. S.
Published: June 2023

Bortezomib has been successful for treatment of multiple myeloma, but not against solid tumors, and toxicities of neuropathy, thrombocytopenia and the emergence of resistance have triggered efforts to find alternative proteasome inhibitors. Bis-benzylidine piperidones such as RA190 covalently bind ADRM1/RPN13, a ubiquitin receptor that supports recognition of polyubiquitinated substrates of the proteasome and their subsequent deububiqutination and degradation. While these candidate RPN13 inhibitors (iRPN13) show promising anticancer activity in mouse models of cancer, they have suboptimal drug-like properties. Here we describe Up284, a novel candidate iRPN13 possessing a central spiro-carbon ring in place of RA190’s problematic piperidone core. Cell lines derived from diverse cancer types (ovarian, triple negative breast, colon, cervical and prostate cancers, multiple myeloma and glioblastoma) were sensitive to Up284, including several lines resistant to bortezomib or cisplatin. Up284 and cisplatin showed synergistic cytotoxicity in vitro. Up284-induced cytotoxicity was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of very high molecular weight polyubiquitinated protein aggregates, an unfolded protein response and the early onset of apoptosis. Up284 and RA190, but not bortezomib, enhanced antigen presentation in vitro. Up284 cleared from plasma in a few hours and accumulated in major organs by 24 h. A single dose of Up284, when administered to mice intra peritoneally or orally, inhibited proteasome function in both muscle and tumor for >48 h. Up284 was well tolerated by mice in repeat dose studies. Up284 demonstrated therapeutic activity in xenograft, syngeneic and genetically-engineered murine models of ovarian cancer.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG and associated factors among people living with HIV over the first 12 months following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso, a sub-Saharan African country
Authors: Kaboré Odilon D. , Poda Armel , Ouattara Cheick Ahmed , Michodigni Fernand N. , Belem Abdoul-Aziz , Sawadogo Yacouba , Zoungrana Jacques , Galal Lokman , Meda Clément Z. , Godreuil Sylvain , Ouédraogo Abdoul-Salam
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and factors associated with the infection among PLWHIV over the first 12 months following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso.

Design

A retrospective cross-sectional study of plasma samples collected from March 9, 2020, and March 8, 2021, at the outpatient HIV referral center, before the introduction of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in Burkina Faso.

Methods

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were detected in plasma using DS-ЕIA-ANTI-SARS-CoV-2-G (S) kit. Logistic regressions were used to compare SARS-CoV-2 specific immune responses between groups and within subgroups.

Results and discussion

A total of 419 plasma were subjected to serological diagnosis. None of the participants was vaccinated against COVID-19 during the period of sample collection, and 130 samples were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, giving a prevalence of 31.0% (95% CI 26.6–35.7). The median CD4 cell count was 661 cells/μL (IQR,422–928). Retailers had half the risk of being infected compared to housemaids with an OR of 0.49 (p = 0.028, 95% CI 0.26–0.91). Likewise, the risk of infection was 1.69 times higher in patients on integrase inhibitors compared to that of patients on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (p = 0.020, 95% CI 1.09–2.63).

Conclusion

Our study reveals a high seroprevalence among PLWHIV to SARS-CoV-2 during the first year of the pandemic. In addition, PLWHIV on integrase inhibitors are 1.69 times more likely to be infected than PLWHIV on non-nucleoside inhibitors, and this observation remains an intriguing topic that still needs to be clarified.
Is movement variability altered in people with chronic non-specific low back pain? A systematic review
Authors: Alsubaie Amal M. , Mazaheri Masood , Martinez-Valdes Eduardo , Falla Deborah
Published: June 2023

Background

Variability in spine kinematics is a common motor adaptation to pain, which has been measured in various ways. However, it remains unclear whether low back pain (LBP) is typically characterised by increased, decreased or unchanged kinematic variability. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesise the evidence on whether the amount and structure of spine kinematic variability is altered in people with chronic non-specific LBP (CNSLBP).

Methods

Electronic databases, grey literature, and key journals were searched from inception up to August 2022, following a published and registered protocol. Eligible studies must investigated kinematic variability in CNSLBP people (adults ≥18 years) while preforming repetitive functional tasks. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment independently. Data synthesis was conducted per task type and individual results were presented quantitatively to provide a narrative synthesis. The overall strength of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines.

Findings

Fourteen observational studies were included in this review. To facilitate the interpretation of the results, the included studies were grouped into four categories according to the task preformed (i.e., repeated flexion and extension, lifting, gait, and sit to stand to sit task). The overall quality of evidence was rated as a very low, primarily due to the inclusion criteria that limited the review to observational studies. In addition, the use of heterogeneous metrics for analysis and varying effect sizes contributed to the downgrade of evidence to a very low level.

Interpretation

Individuals with chronic non-specific LBP exhibited altered motor adaptability, as evidenced by differences in kinematic movement variability during the performance of various repetitive functional tasks. However, the direction of the changes in movement variability was not consistent across studies.
LMIC-PRIEST: Derivation and validation of a clinical severity score for acutely ill adults with suspected COVID-19 in a middle-income setting
Authors: Marincowitz Carl , Hodkinson Peter , McAlpine David , Fuller Gordon , Goodacre Steve , Bath Peter A. , Sbaffi Laura , Hasan Madina , Omer Yasein , Wallis Lee
Published: June 2023

Background

Uneven vaccination and less resilient health care systems mean hospitals in LMICs are at risk of being overwhelmed during periods of increased COVID-19 infection. Risk-scores proposed for rapid triage of need for admission from the emergency department (ED) have been developed in higher-income settings during initial waves of the pandemic.

Methods

Routinely collected data for public hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa from the 27th August 2020 to 11th March 2022 were used to derive a cohort of 446,084 ED patients with suspected COVID-19. The primary outcome was death or ICU admission at 30 days. The cohort was divided into derivation and Omicron variant validation sets. We developed the LMIC-PRIEST score based on the coefficients from multivariable analysis in the derivation cohort and existing triage practices. We externally validated accuracy in the Omicron period and a UK cohort.

Results

We analysed 305,564 derivation, 140,520 Omicron and 12,610 UK validation cases. Over 100 events per predictor parameter were modelled. Multivariable analyses identified eight predictor variables retained across models. We used these findings and clinical judgement to develop a score based on South African Triage Early Warning Scores and also included age, sex, oxygen saturation, inspired oxygen, diabetes and heart disease. The LMIC-PRIEST score achieved C-statistics: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.83) development cohort; 0.79 (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.80) Omicron cohort; and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.80) UK cohort. Differences in prevalence of outcomes led to imperfect calibration in external validation. However, use of the score at thresholds of three or less would allow identification of very low-risk patients (NPV ≥0.99) who could be rapidly discharged using information collected at initial assessment.

Conclusion

The LMIC-PRIEST score shows good discrimination and high sensitivity at lower thresholds and can be used to rapidly identify low-risk patients in LMIC ED settings.
Intolerance-of-uncertainty therapy versus metacognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder in primary health care: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: af Winklerfelt Hammarberg Sandra , Toth-Pal Eva , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Lundgren Tobias , Westman Jeanette , Bohman Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Objective

This randomized controlled pilot study investigated the feasibility of a future full-scale RCT to compare the effects of intolerance-of-uncertainty therapy (IUT) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) in primary health care patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Preliminary treatment effects were also evaluated.

Materials and methods

64 patients with GAD at a large primary health care center in Stockholm, Sweden, were randomized to IUT or MCT. Feasibility outcomes included participant recruitment and retention, willingness to receive psychological treatment, and therapists’ competence in and adherence to treatment protocols. Self-reported scales were used to assess treatment outcomes, including worry, depression, functional impairment, and quality of life.

Results

Recruitment was satisfactory, and dropout was low. On a scale from 0 to 6, participants were satisfied with participating in the study (M = 5.17, SD = 1.09). Following brief training, therapists’ competence was rated as moderate, and adherence was rated as weak to moderate. From pre- to post-treatment, reductions on the primary treatment outcome measure of worry were of a large effect size and statistically significant in both the IUT and MCT conditions (Cohen’s d for IUT = -2.69, 95% confidence interval [-3.63, -1.76] and d for MCT = -3.78 [-4.68, -2.90]). The between-group effect size from pre- to post-treatment was large and statistically significant (d = -2.03 [-3.31, -0.75]), in favor of the MCT condition.

Conclusion

It is feasible to carry out a full-scale RCT to compare the effects of IUT to MCT for patients with GAD in primary health care. Both protocols seem effective, and MCT seems superior to IUT, but a full-scale RCT is needed to confirm these conclusions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT03621371).
Long-lived metastable knots in polyampholyte chains
Authors: Ozmaian Masoumeh , Makarov Dmitrii E.
Published: June 2023

Knots in proteins and DNA are known to have significant effect on their equilibrium and dynamic properties as well as on their function. While knot dynamics and thermodynamics in electrically neutral and uniformly charged polymer chains are relatively well understood, proteins are generally polyampholytes, with varied charge distributions along their backbones. Here we use simulations of knotted polymer chains to show that variation in the charge distribution on a polyampholyte chain with zero net charge leads to significant variation in the resulting knot dynamics, with some charge distributions resulting in long-lived metastable knots that escape the (open-ended) chain on a timescale that is much longer than that for knots in electrically neutral chains. The knot dynamics in such systems can be described, quantitatively, using a simple one-dimensional model where the knot undergoes biased Brownian motion along a “reaction coordinate”, equal to the knot size, in the presence of a potential of mean force. In this picture, long-lived knots result from charge sequences that create large electrostatic barriers to knot escape. This model allows us to predict knot lifetimes even when those times are not directly accessible by simulations.
Del discurso pedagógico a la política: la irrupción de la innovación educativa en la agenda pública
Authors: Quilabert Edgar , Moschetti Mauro , Verger Antoni
Published: June 2023

La innovación educativa ocupa un lugar central en el discurso pedagógico contemporáneo. La innovación se asocia a la introducción de mejoras educativas de distinta naturaleza, pero también, y en un sentido más amplio, a la configuración de la escuela como institución educativa moderna. A pesar de que tiende a ser concebida como un proceso bottom-up, e incluso espontaneo, la innovación educativa ha adquirido una gran centralidad en la agenda pública y en la política educativa gubernamental en algunos contextos. Este es el caso de Cataluña, donde la propuesta de la innovación ha devenido un eje vertebrador de la acción política y administrativa en educación desde aproximadamente el año 2017 hasta la actualidad. En este artículo, combinamos diferentes teorías del proceso de políticas públicas para analizar cómo el discurso de la innovación ha penetrado en la agenda de la política educativa catalana. Las teorías del proceso de políticas nos permiten analizar la construcción de problemas educativos y sus soluciones, y las condiciones en que determinadas soluciones tienen más probabilidades de irrumpir en la agenda pública. Desde una aproximación centrada en el rastreo del proceso (process tracing), los resultados del estudio muestran cómo en Cataluña la propuesta de la innovación educativa se define por oposición a una educación transmisora de conocimientos y centrada en el profesorado (calificada a menudo como ‘educación tradicional’) y, en tanto que solución, promueve las ideas de personalización del aprendizaje y de educación competencial. Gracias a su aparente sencillez, pero también a su ambigüedad, la idea de la innovación ha operado como un 'coalition magnet' con capacidad de atraer actores educativos que antes operaban por separado y de organizarlos alrededor de una alianza pro-innovación con una influyente agenda de ‘transformación educativa’. Esto, junto a la viabilidad de la propuesta, que emerge en un escenario político y económico singular, ha permitido que la innovación devenga buque insignia y elemento aglutinador de la política educativa catalana reciente.
Investigating crossed-symmetry pattern in children from the past
Authors: Fogl Ágnes , Pálfi György , Maák István Elek , Balázs János
Published: June 2023

In biological anthropology, bilateral asymmetry in living adult samples is a well-studied field. During the last decade, researchers have become more interested in its developmental characteristics in individuals of both living and past populations. It is still the upper limb that gets attention, as handedness and its effects on the bones via biomechanical loading is an obvious and easily measurable marker of bilateral asymmetry. The majority of the population exhibit right bias in the measurements of the upper limb bones and the lower limb behaves the opposite due to its performance in weight- bearing. This pattern is called crossed-symmetry. Despite its marked role in posture, examining the emergence of lower limb bone asymmetry during growth has not been well-researched. To add more information to this field, the present study investigated the developmental pattern of lower limb bone bilateral asymmetry in medieval Hungarian children from one of the country’s biggest anthropological collections.
Effect of different artificial sweeteners on protein glycation
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Ali Ahmad
Published: June 2023

Glycation refers to the non-enzymatic molecular interaction between carbonyl group of sugars and amino groups of macromolecules viz. proteins, DNA, and lipids leading to the generation of Schiff’s base, Amadori products, and finally converted to deleterious advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Several diseases such as neurodegenerative or mental disorders, cardiovascular complications, as well as diabetes, and its related complications show glycated product involvement. Hyperglycemia and diabetes are the main diseases in which AGEs formation and its accumulation are enhanced and cause secondary complications. This study was performed to investigate the antiglycation and anti-aggregation potential of Food and Drug Administration-approved artificial sweeteners. The in vitro glycation system (BSA and glucose) was incubated along with artificial sweeteners viz acesulfame potassium, saccharin sodium, sucralose, aspartame, and neotame for 35 days at 37 °C. The conventional analytical methods such as browning, NBT assay, DNPH assay, and assessment of fluorescent AGEs were carried out spectroscopically to check the amount of glycation products. The presence of the mentioned artificial sweeteners in the glycation system showed inhibition of carbonyl content, total AGEs generation, and aggregation of β-amyloid structures. On day 35, acesulfame potassium reduced carbonyl content by 62.63 ± 0.91%, total AGEs generation by 49.39 ± 0.82%, and β-amyloid aggregation observed by Thioflavin-T assay by 43.45 ± 1.14%. The tested artificial sweeteners exhibited potential antiglycation and anti-aggregation activity in vitro in protein, BSA. They may be used as a therapeutic agent for the management of diabetes and its complications.
Frost hardiness of almond flower buds during dormancy
Authors: Keleta Belay Teweldemedhin , Békefi Zsuzsanna , Bakos József László , Örsi Dorottya , Szalay László
Published: June 2023

Frost hardiness of flower buds of twenty almond genotypes was investigated in five dormancy periods by determining LT50 values after artificial freezing tests. The main aim of our work was modelling the changing of frost hardiness of the observed accessions during dormancy and assessing the potential best frost tolerance of them. The effect of genotype and year had significant impact on frost hardiness of flower buds. The potential frost hardiness of accessions has been characterised by LT50 values of flower buds averaged of the bests of the four years. ‘Sóskút 96/5’ was the most sensitive with -17.16 °C, and ‘Tétényi keményhéjú’ was the most frost hardy with -21.08 °C in averaged of years, but both showed lower and higher frost tolerance as well in different years. Flower buds were most frost-tolerant in December and January but did not achieve the same frost resistance every year. From this, we conclude that temperature plays an important role in the hardening process of them. From the aspect of safe yield, frost hardiness of flower buds is an important trait of cultivars, because Hungary is situated at the northern part of economical almond growing area. Our work contributes to facilitating practical considerations in orchard planning.
Policy mobilities in federal systems: The case of Proyectá tu Futuro, a social impact bond for education and employment in the city of Buenos Aires
Authors: Esper Tomás , Acosta Felicitas
Published: June 2023

Global policy mobilities have been studied predominantly at the national level of education, but their implications and effects at the subnational level have been disregarded. This paper analyzes Proyectá tu Futuro, the first social impact bond (SIB) for education and employability implemented in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since 2010, SIBs have become a booming type of policy, rapidly traveling and being adopted across countries and policy spheres. SIBs aim to align the incentives of the private sector—the third sector—and the public sector to obtain results while improving public-policy efficiency. However, often it is policy entrepreneurs’ agendas and not results or efficiency goals that trigger SIBs’ adoption. In this study, we analyze the diffusion of SIBs as policy mobilities and the processes of adoption and translation in the context of Buenos Aires. To this end, we draw on an analysis of policy documents, existing legal frameworks, and interviews with key actors. Our findings point to the role of “glocal” policy entrepreneurs as key agents for the adoption and translation of SIBs, as well as their capacity to advance their own agendas in the context of global policy mobilities in federal education systems.
Imagining “national” funding in the Australian federation: The Gonski Review and the Schooling Resource Standard
Authors: Di Gregorio Elisa
Published: June 2023

This paper takes the landmark review into the federal funding of schools in Australia, known as the Gonski Review (2011), as an illustrative case to demonstrate the scalar practices involved in policy production and enactment. Its primary argument is that, while its core recommendation was a needs-based funding model for the federal government funding of schools, the Gonski Review also articulates an aspiration for the translation of this funding model into a comprehensively national approach. This is done, I argue, through important practices of scalar imagining and reasoning (Papanastasiou, 2017b). However, these national aspirations sit uneasily with the realities of schooling and school funding in the Australian federation, which includes constitutional arrangements, legislation, and policy principles that distribute responsibility for funding across multiple spaces of governance. Drawing on documentary evidence, I argue that scalar tensions are produced between these national aspirations and the realpolitik of Australian federalism. By challenging “the national” as a coherent and predetermined “scale,” these findings reinforce the importance of attending to the mediating forces of subnational governments, as well as global policy influences, when thinking about policy mobilities in federations.