bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Pattern of Birth Defects among Pediatric Surgical Patients: A 12-Year Analysis in a Tertiary-level Government Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Tanvir Kabir , Kabir S. M. Humayun , Alam Md. Afruzul , Chowdhury Md. Tameem Shafayat , Khan Rumana , Farhad Tanzil , Farooq Md. Abdullah Al
Published: September 2020

Aims: Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities which occur during the intrauterine life but can be identified at birth or a later age. Birth defects are major public health concerns and the World Health organization (WHO) is supporting countries for earlier diagnosis and better treatment of these conditions. The aim of the study was to assess the hospital-based prevalence and types of birth defects among the surgical children from a part of the world where these are underreported.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients of birth defects admitted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh for a period of 12 years (2008-2019). Data were extracted from annual admission reports, annual audits, mortality and morbidity audits, death registers and computerize data base. Yearly distribution of birth defects, type of defects and their systemic distribution and mortality were analyzed.

Results: Among a total of 30,301 admitted patients 30.72% (9307 patients) had birth defects. The most common system involved with birth defects was gastrointestinal (GI) system, 30.61% followed by genitourinary (GU), 29.15% system. Congenital inguinal hernia (17.50%) was the most common disease, followed by hypospadias (14.54%) and anorectal malformation (ARM); 13.98%. Mortality from birth defects were 53.25% of all mortalities. ARM was the most common cause of death (23%), followed by gastroschisis (16%) and intestinal atresia (11%). Highest mortality rates were in tracheo-esophageal fistula/esophageal atresia (TEF/EA)- 83.33%, gastroschisis-80.92%; intestinal atresia-42.53%; omphalocele-32.48%; and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)- 27.78%.

Conclusion: Pattern of birth defects and outcome varied from other countries. The prevalence is 31% among pediatric surgical admissions. Some conditions have extremely high mortality rates and need better management.
Blood Sugar Lowering Potentials of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of the Mixture of Rinds of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad (Watermelon) and Chrysophyllum albidum G. (Udara) Fruits on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
Authors: James Owo, Gogo , Simon Jnr Beresford,
Published: September 2020

Citrullus vulgaris Schrad, commonly known as “watermelon” and Chrysophyllum albidum G., commonly called ‘‘Udara’’ are two important plants known to possess high antioxidant and therapeutic properties especially antidiabetic properties. The present study is aimed at investigating the blood glucose lowering potentials of both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the mixture of rinds of C. vulgaris Schrad and C. albidum in normal and alloxan-induced-diabetic rats. Aqueous and ethanol rinds extracts of the mixture were administered in wistar albino rats of weight range of 150-200g to determine their blood glucose lowering activity. The oral administration of aqueous mixed rinds extracts at dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight (Group 4) for 9 days led to a highly significant blood glucose reduction at P<0.05 when compared to the diabetic control (Group 2) and the ethanol mixed rinds extracts at the same dose (Group 6). There was a significant reduction in blood glucose (P<0.05) by other group dose extracts (Groups 3,5 and 6) compared to diabetic control. Hence, aqueous mixed rinds extracts of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad and C. albidum might be recommended as a potential hypoglycemic drug in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Hierarchical Carbon Fiber@MXene@MoS2 Core‐sheath Synergistic Microstructure for Tunable and Efficient Microwave Absorption
Authors: Wang Jianqiao , Liu Lei , Jiao Songlong , Ma Kejian , Lv Jun , Yang Junjie
Published: September 2020

Microcosmic 3D hierarchical structural design has proved to be an effective strategy to obtain high‐performance microwave absorbers, although the treatments to low‐dimensional cells in monolithic framework are usually based on semiempirical rules. In this work, a hierarchical carbon fiber (CF)@MXene@MoS2 (CMM) core‐sheath synergistic structure with tunable and efficient microwave absorption (MA) properties is fabricated by introducing self‐assembled Ti3C2Tx MXene on the surface of CF and subsequent anchoring of MoS2. By the synergistic effects from the MXene sheath increasing the conductive loss and MoS2 at the outermost layer improving the impedance matching, the MA performance of CMM can be effectively regulated and optimized: the optimal reflection loss is −61.51 dB with a thickness of 3.5 mm and the maximum effective absorption bandwidth covers the whole Ku‐band with 7.6 GHz at 2.1 mm. Meanwhile, the whole X‐band absorption can also be achieved with specific MoS2 loading at an optimized thickness.
Novel Electron Transport Layer Material for Perovskite Solar Cells with Over 22% Efficiency and Long‐Term Stability
Authors: Li Fumin , Shen Zhitao , Weng Yujuan , Lou Qiang , Chen Chong , Shen Liang , Guo Wenbin , Li Guangyong
Published: September 2020

The electron transport layer (ETL) has an important influence on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of n‐i‐p planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This paper presents an N‐type semiconductor material, (CH3)2Sn(COOH)2 (abbreviated as CSCO) that is synthesized and prepared for the first time as an ETL for n‐i‐p planar PSCs, which leads to a high PCE of 22.21% after KCl treatment, one of the highest PCEs of n‐i‐p planar PSCs to date. Further analysis reveals that the high PCE is attributed to the excellent conductivity of CSCO because of its more delocalized electron cloud distribution due to its unique −O=C−O− group, and to the defect passivation of the Cs0.05(FA0.85MA0.15)0.95Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 (denoted as CsFAMA) perovskite through the interaction between the O (Sn) atoms of CSCO and the Pb (halogen) atoms of CsFAMA at CSCO/CsFAMA interface, while the traditional ETL materials such as SnO2 film lack this function. In addition to the high PCE, the optimal PSCs using CSCO as ETL show remarkable stability, retaining over 83% of its initial PCE without encapsulation after 130 days of storage in ambient conditions (≈25 °C at ≈40% humidity), much better than the traditional SnO2‐based n‐i‐p PSCs.
A group psychoanalytic approach to international mediation
Authors: Salaam Abdel‐Malek Hana
Published: September 2020

Though mediation is commonly used to resolve international conflicts, most diplomatic efforts focus on rational analyses of real interests. Despite existing interest in the unconscious dynamics underlying international relationships and mediation processes and outcomes, more attention could be given to approaching unofficial or backchannel mediation from a group psychoanalytic framework. In this paper, I elaborate on whether a group psychoanalytic approach could complement peacemakers' current strategies by working through the unconscious dynamics at play during dialogues. Group psychoanalysts could analyze and interpret the psychic realities unfolding in the “here and now” of the group experience, that is, the psychic realities of the mediation group as a whole, its constituent members, and their links. A group psychoanalytic approach could help participants explore, elaborate, and symbolize the unconscious dynamics at play during their encounter to foster transformation of their conflictual relationships.
AWWA Standards for Water Reuse
Authors: Olson Paul J.
Published: September 2020

Key Takeaways

Water reuse—the process of using water more than once within a community for beneficial purposes—can expand resources for irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable drinking water supply.

AWWA understands the need for water reuse and, in addition to including a specific policy statement for using reclaimed water for public water supply purposes, has published two utility management standards on the topic.

AWWA staff and volunteers are actively working to obtain feedback from users of the standards, and AWWA intends to publish updated and revised versions within the next couple of years.
A novel frameshift mutation of COL4A5 in a Chinese family with presumed IgA nephropathy and chronic glomerulonephritis
Authors: Zhu Qian , Zhou Cong , Wang Jing
Published: September 2020

Background

Alport syndrome (ATS) is a hereditary nephritis with hereditary and clinical heterogeneity; the early clinical symptoms are atypical, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis. The proband, a 6‐year‐old girl, was found to have microscopic hematuria, proteinuria, and visual impairment at about 5 years old; the results of renal pathological examination revealed mesangial hyperplasia and IgA deposition. The proband's father exhibited gross hematuria, eye swelling, and bilateral hearing loss after the age of 5, renal function progressively decreased, and he underwent right renal allograft at the age of 23 due to renal failure. The proband and her father were clinically diagnosed as IgA nephropathy and chronic glomerulonephritis, respectively.

Methods

For proband, targeted exome capture sequencing was performed using the Targeted Exome Capture Kit; this kit targets 162 genes known to cause renal diseases. The identified mutation was confirmed and analyzed for cosegregation by Sanger sequencing in other family members whose gDNA was available.

Results

Targeted exome capture sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous variant (NM_000495, c.697delG, p.G233fs) in the COL4A5 gene of the proband; the variant was inherited from her father. The variant was likely pathogenic according to the criteria of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Conclusion

In this study, we first report a c.697delG mutation of COL4A5 in two patients presumed IgA nephropathy and chronic glomerulonephritis. This study emphasizes on the diagnostic value of next‐generation sequencing for hereditary kidney diseases to help in their timely and cost‐effective diagnosis, determine appropriate treatments, and promote genetic counseling.
Quantum mechanical reference spectrum simulation for precursors and degradation products of chemicals relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention
Authors: Koskela Harri , Cavalcante Samir F. de A. , Ahmed Samim , Vanninen Paula
Published: September 2020

A selection of acidic, alkaline and neutral degradation products relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention was studied in wide range of pH conditions to determine their spin systems as well as spectral parameters. The pH dependence of chemical shifts and J couplings was parameterized using Henderson–Hasselbalch‐based functions using dichloromethane as additional shift reference in TSP‐d4 referenced spectra. The resulting parameters allowed calculation of precise chemical shifts and J coupling constants in arbitrary pH conditions. The validity of the obtained spin system definitions and parameters as a source of quantum mechanically simulated reference data in chemical verification analysis is demonstrated.
Generalised cosets
Authors: Demulder Saskia , Hassler Falk , Piccinini Giacomo , Thompson Daniel C.
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Recent work has shown that two-dimensional non-linear σ-models on group manifolds with Poisson-Lie symmetry can be understood within generalised geometry as exemplars of generalised parallelisable spaces. Here we extend this idea to target spaces constructed as double cosets M = $$ \tilde{G} $$

G
˜

\𝔻/H. Mirroring conventional coset geometries, we show that on M one can construct a generalised frame field and a H -valued generalised spin connection that together furnish an algebra under the generalised Lie derivative. This results naturally in a generalised covariant derivative with a (covariantly) constant generalised intrinsic torsion, lending itself to the construction of consistent truncations of 10-dimensional supergravity compactified on M . An important feature is that M can admit distinguished points, around which the generalised tangent bundle should be augmented by localised vector multiplets. We illustrate these ideas with explicit examples of two-dimensional parafermionic theories and NS5-branes on a circle.
On the hydrodynamics of unstable excitations
Authors: Castro-Alvaredo Olalla A. , De Fazio Cecilia , Doyon Benjamin , Ravanini Francesco
Published: September 2020

Abstract

The generalized hydrodynamic (GHD) approach has been extremely successful in describing the out-of-equilibrium properties of a great variety of integrable many-body quantum systems. It naturally extracts the large-scale dynamical degrees of freedom of the system, and is thus a particularly good probe for emergent phenomena. One such phenomenon is the presence of unstable particles, traditionally seen via special analytic structures of the scattering matrix. Because of their finite lifetime and energy threshold, these are especially hard to study. In this paper we apply the GHD approach to a model possessing both unstable excitations and quantum integrability. The largest family of relativistic integrable quantum field theories known to have these features are the homogeneous sine-Gordon models. We consider the simplest non-trivial example of such theories and investigate the effect of an unstable excitation on various physical quantities, both at equilibrium and in the non-equilibrium state arising from the partitioning protocol. The hydrodynamic approach sheds new light onto the physics of the unstable particle, going much beyond its definition via the analytic structure of the scattering matrix, and clarifies its effects both on the equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium properties of the theory. Crucially, within this dynamical perspective, we identify unstable particles as finitely-lived bound states of co-propagating stable particles of different types, and observe how stable populations of unstable particles emerge in large-temperature thermal baths.
The dual of non-extremal area: differential entropy in higher dimensions
Authors: Balasubramanian Vijay , Rabideau Charles
Published: September 2020

Abstract

The Ryu-Takayanagi formula relates entanglement entropy in a field theory to the area of extremal surfaces anchored to the boundary of a dual AdS space. It is interesting to ask if there is also an information theoretic interpretation of the areas of non-extremal surfaces that are not necessarily boundary-anchored. In general, the physics outside such surfaces is associated to observers restricted to a time-strip in the dual boundary field theory. When the latter is two-dimensional, it is known that the differential entropy associated to the strip computes the length of the dual bulk curve, and has an interpretation in terms of the information cost in Bell pairs of restoring correlations inaccessible to observers in the strip. A general realization of this formalism in higher dimensions is unknown. We first prove a no-go theorem eliminating candidate expressions for higher dimensional differential entropy based on entropic c-theorems. Then we propose a new formula in terms of an integral of shape derivatives of the entanglement entropy of ball shaped regions. Our proposal stems from the physical requirement that differential entropy must be locally finite and conformally invariant. Demanding cancelation of the well-known UV divergences of entanglement entropy in field theory guides us to our conjecture, which we test for surfaces in AdS4. Our results suggest a candidate c-function for field theories in arbitrary dimensions.
Skimming impacts and rebounds of smoothly shaped bodies on shallow liquid layers
Authors: Palmer Ryan A. , Smith Frank T.
Published: September 2020

Investigated in this paper is the coupled fluid–body motion of a thin solid body undergoing a skimming impact on a shallow-water layer. The underbody shape (the region that makes contact with the liquid layer) is described by a smooth polynomic curve for which the magnitude of underbody thickness is represented by the scale parameter C. The body undergoes an oblique impact (where the horizontal speed of the body is much greater than its vertical speed) onto a liquid layer with the underbody’s trailing edge making the initial contact. This downstream contact point of the wetted region is modelled as fixed (relative to the body) throughout the skimming motion with the liquid layer assumed to detach smoothly from this sharp trailing edge. There are two geometrical scenarios of interest: the concave case ($$C<0$$

C
<
0

producing a hooked underbody) and the convex case ($$C > 0$$

C
>
0

producing a rounded underbody). As C is varied the rebound dynamics of the motion are predicted. Analyses of small-time water entry and of water exit are presented and are shown to be broadly in agreement with the computational results of the shallow-water model. Reduced analysis and physical insights are also presented in each case alongside numerical investigations and comparisons as C is varied, indicating qualitative analytical/numerical agreement. Increased body thickness substantially changes the interaction structure and accentuates inertial forces in the fluid flow.
An analysis method of the vortex-induced vibrations of a tethered sphere
Authors: Negri Marco , Mirauda Domenica , Malavasi Stefano
Published: September 2020

Vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) in systems with more than one degree of freedom often present complex synchronization among the motion components, also hidden by the randomness that characterizes the motion itself. A phase average method has been here developed and applied to the displacements of a tethered sphere, at low mass and damping, to analyze its xy trajectories over a wide range of reduced velocities, 5 ≤ U* ≤ 25 (Reynolds numbers, 5.1 × 103 ≤ Re ≤ 2.67 × 104). This method has allowed the identification of both the periodic and chaotic contribution of each motion component, accurately reconstructing the underlying trajectory periodic pattern. The two classical vibration modes, I and II, have been also observed. The method developed here was able to better rebuild the experimental data compared to other methods found in the relevant literature, providing useful insights into the study of the dynamic response of a freely-oscillating tethered sphere immersed in a steady flow.
Systemische Therapie beim fortgeschrittenen hepatozellulären Karzinom
Authors: Graziadei Ivo
Published: September 2020

Das hepatozelluläre Karzinom (HCC) ist eine komplexe Erkrankung, da die Therapieauswahl wie auch die Prognose nicht nur von tumorspezifischen Faktoren, sondern vor allem auch vom Schweregrad der Lebererkrankung abhängen. Für die optimale Betreuung eines HCC-Patienten ist daher ein multidisziplinärer Zugang in Spezialeinrichtungen notwendig. Bei ungefähr der Hälfte aller HCC-Patienten besteht zum Diagnosezeitpunkt bereits ein fortgeschrittenes Stadium ohne Möglichkeit eines kurativen Therapieansatzes. Gemäß internationaler Leitlinien wird für diese Patienten eine systemische Therapie empfohlen. Für nahezu ein Jahrzehnt stellte Sorafenib die einzig effektive Therapie für Patienten mit einem fortgeschrittenen HCC dar. Mit Lenvatinib steht seit Kurzem eine Alternative in der Erstlinie und mit Regorafenib, Cabozantinib und Ramucirumab Optionen für die Zweitlinientherapie zur Verfügung. Allerdings sind diese Substanzen nur bei Patienten mit kompensierter Lebererkrankung (Child-Pugh A) einsetzbar. Nach vielversprechenden Phase-I- und -II-Studien für die Immuncheckpointinhibitoren Nivolumab und Pembrolizumab konnte in Phase-III-Studien keine signifikante Verbesserung in Bezug auf gesamt- und progressionsfreies Überleben beobachtet werden. In einer kürzlich publizierten Studie führte die Kombinationstherapie Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab im Vergleich zu Sorafenib in der Erstlinie zu deutlich verbesserten Überlebens- und Ansprechraten. Es ist daher anzunehmen, dass diese Kombination als neuer Standard in der Erstlinientherapie in den Leitlinien Einzug finden wird. Zahlreiche Studien zumeist als Kombinationstherapie verschiedenster Substanzklassen (Tyrosinkinase‑, Immuncheckpoint- und „vascular endothelial growth factor“[VEGF]-Inhibitoren) sind aktiv, deren Phase-III-Ergebnisse mit Spannung erwartet werden.
Knowledge Spillover and Positive Environmental Externality in Agricultural Decision Making under Performance-Based Payment Programs
Authors: Liu Hongxing , Ruebeck Christopher S.
Published: September 2020

Agricultural activities have imposed significant impacts on water resources, leading to hypoxic zones and harmful algal blooms all over the world. Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals have been making various efforts to reduce this non-point source pollution. Among those efforts, even the more cost-effective examples of performance-based environmental payment programs generally have low participation rates. We investigate the effects of externalities in farmers’ decisions on neighboring farms, incorporating both a knowledge spillover effect and a positive environmental outcome externality of farmers’ best-management practice (BMP) adoption decisions. Our focus is on how these effects may influence the outcome of performance-based payment programs and how policy makers might recognize these effects in the design of cost-effective policies to promote program participation and BMP adoption. Rather than imposing an assumption of profit-maximization or forward-looking behavior, we allow outcomes to emerge from interactions among neighboring farmers. We recommend cost-effective policies across communities depending on their composition. It is more cost-effective to target communities with fewer innovators and/or target the programs towards the least-innovative individuals.
Management of pediatric allergic reaction: Practice patterns of Canadian pediatric emergency physicians
Authors: Prendergast Caitlin , Plint Amy C. , Tang Ken , Crawford Tyrus , Neto Gina , Alqurashi Waleed
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. The literature indicates that the incidence of anaphylaxis is increasing and that there are deficiencies in both recognition and management. We aimed to examine the magnitude of these gaps in Canadian pediatric emergency medicine (PEM).

Methods

We conducted a self-administered survey of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) physician database. The survey tool was developed through a literature review to identify recurring themes of gaps in anaphylaxis diagnosis and management. The final tool contained four scenarios; three scenarios featured each of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) anaphylaxis criteria, separately, and a fourth case of non-anaphylactic allergy. Multiple-choice questions associated with each scenario addressed diagnosis, management, and disposition. Additional questions focused on epinephrine prescribing, observation durations, and respondent demographics.

Results

Of the 214 members invited to participate in the survey, 152 (71%) responded. Anaphylaxis was accurately recognized 93%, 82%, and 99% of the time for the NIAID criteria one through three, respectively. When anaphylaxis was recognized, epinephrine was prescribed for each case 96%, 95%, and 72% of the time, respectively. Of all respondents, 115 (76%) accurately diagnosed all three cases of anaphylaxis and 82 (54%) treated anaphylaxis with epinephrine each time it was indicated.

Conclusion

Most respondents recognized cases of anaphylaxis; however, a substantial number demonstrated gaps in management that may adversely impact this vulnerable population. The recognition of anaphylaxis without urticaria or pulmonary findings and treatment of anaphylaxis with epinephrine, where indicated, were the main gaps identified.
Semi-supervised machine learning with word embedding for classification in price statistics
Authors: Martindale Hazel , Rowland Edward , Flower Tanya , Clews Gareth
Published: September 2020

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is currently undertaking a substantial research program into using price information scraped from online retailers in the Consumer Prices Index including occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH). In order to make full use of these data, we must classify it into the product types that make up the basket of goods and services used in the current collection. It is a common problem that the amount of labeled training data is limited and it is either impossible or impractical to manually increase the size of the training data, as is the case with web-scraped price data. We make use of a semi-supervised machine learning (ML) method, Label Propagation, to develop a pipeline to increase the number of labels available for classification. In this work, we use several techniques in succession and in parallel to enable higher confidence in the final increased labeled dataset to be used in training a traditional ML classifier. We find promising results using this method on a test sample of data achieving good precision and recall values for both the propagated labels and the classifiers trained from these labels. We have shown that through combining several techniques together and averaging the results, we are able to increase the usability of a dataset with limited labeled training data, a common problem in using ML in real world situations. In future work, we will investigate how this method can be scaled up for use in future CPIH calculations and the challenges this brings.
Long-Term Care Planning, Preparedness, and Response Among Rural Long-Term Care Providers
Authors: Radcliff Tiffany A. , Horney Jennifer A. , Dobalian Aram , Macareno Blanca O. , Kabir Umar Y. , Price Cody , Strickland Colten J.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Rural Long-term Care (LTC) providers face unique challenges when planning, preparing for, and responding to disasters. We sought to better understand challenges and identify best practices for LTC in rural areas.

Methods:

Case studies including key informant interviews and site visits were conducted with LTC staff and emergency planning, preparedness, and response partners in three rural communities. Themes were identified across sites using inductive coding.

Results:

Communication across disaster phases continues to be a challenge for LTC providers in rural communities for all disaster types. Communication challenges limit LTC providers’ ability to address patient needs during emergencies and limit the resilience of providers and patients to future disasters. Limited coordination among local leadership and LTC providers prevents dissemination of information, resources, and services, and slows response and recovery time. Including LTC providers as stakeholders in planning and exercises may improve communication and coordination.

Conclusion:

More than two decades into efforts to increase preparedness of health care systems to all hazards, rural LTC facilities still face challenges related to communication and coordination. Agencies at the federal, state, and local level should include input from rural LTC stakeholders to address gaps in communication and coordination and increase their disaster resilience.
Interdisciplinary Information for Infectious Disease Response: Exercising for Improved Medical/Public Health Communication and Collaboration
Authors: Popescu Saskia , Myers Nathan
Published: September 2020

Infectious disease threats like the novel coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 continue to demand an increase in preparedness and response capabilities. One capability that is both essential and consistently challenging is information sharing between responding organizations, particularly between public health agencies and health care providers. This policy analysis reviews the threat that infectious diseases continue to pose to the United States, and the role that the Hospital Preparedness Program can play in countering such threats. Current strategies for preparing for, and responding to, infectious disease outbreaks are also reviewed, noting some gaps that need to be addressed. Particular attention is given to challenges in information sharing that continue to hinder effective surveillance and response, despite advances in technology. The study looks at recommendations from biodefense organizations and experts in the field. It concludes with our recommendation that regulatory requirements and funding opportunities for health care institutions emphasize the importance of communication and training in relation to high consequence pathogens. We further recommend that providers in Ebola treatment hospitals be employed to train and educate providers in frontline hospitals in a ‘train-the-trainer’ model.
Decoupling of the position and angular errors in laser pointing with a neural network method
Authors: Xia Lei , Hu Yuanzhang , Chen Wenyu , Li Xiaoguang
Published: September 2020

In laser-pointing-related applications, when only the centroid of a laser spot is considered, then the position and angular errors of the laser beam are often coupled together. In this study, the decoupling of the position and angular errors is achieved from one single spot image by utilizing a neural network technique. In particular, the successful application of the neural network technique relies on novel experimental procedures, including using an appropriate small-focal-length lens and tilting the detector, to physically enlarge the contrast of different spots. This technique, with the corresponding new system design, may prove to be instructive in the future design of laser-pointing-related systems.
Improving the communication of hand hygiene procedures: Controlled observation, redesign, and randomized group comparisons
Authors: Durso Francis T. , Parmar Sweta , Heidish Ryan S. , Tordoya Henckell Skyler , Oncul Omer S. , Jacob Jesse T.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To assess the clarity and efficacy of the World Health Organization (WHO) hand-rub diagram, develop a modified version, and compare the 2 diagrams.

Design:

Randomized group design preceded by controlled observation and iterative product redesigns.

Setting:

The Cognitive Ergonomics Lab in the School of Psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Participants:

We included participants who were unfamiliar with the WHO hand-rub diagram (convenience sampling) to ensure that performance was based on the diagram and not, for example, on prior experience.

Methods:

We iterated through the steps of a human factors design procedure: (1) Participants simulated hand hygiene using ultraviolet (UV) absorbent lotion and a hand-rub technique diagram (ie, WHO or a redesign). (2) Coverage, confusion judgments, and behavioral videos informed potentially improved diagrams. And (3) the redesigned diagrams were compared with the WHO version in a randomized group design. Coverage was assessed across 72 hand areas from multiple UV photographs.

Results:

The WHO diagram led to multiple omissions in hand-surface coverage, including inadequate coverage by up to 75% of participants for the ulnar edge. The redesigns improved coverage significantly overall and often substantially.

Conclusions:

Human factors modification to the WHO diagram reduced inadequate coverage for naïve users. Implementation of an improved diagram should help in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections.
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on nosocomial Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Ponce-Alonso Manuel , Sáez de la Fuente Javier , Rincón-Carlavilla Angela , Moreno-Nunez Paloma , Martínez-García Laura , Escudero-Sánchez Rosa , Pintor Rosario , García-Fernández Sergio , Cobo Javier
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced a reinforcement of infection control measures in the hospital setting. Here, we assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of nosocomial Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).

Methods:

We retrospectively compared the incidence density (cases per 10,000 patient days) of healthcare-facility–associated (HCFA) CDI in a tertiary-care hospital in Madrid, Spain, during the maximum incidence of COVID-19 (March 11 to May 11, 2020) with the same period of the previous year (control period). We also assessed the aggregate in-hospital antibiotic use (ie, defined daily doses [DDD] per 100 occupied bed days [BD]) and incidence density (ie, movements per 1,000 patient days) of patient mobility during both periods.

Results:

In total, 2,337 patients with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction–confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital during the COVID-19 period. Also, 12 HCFA CDI cases were reported at this time (incidence density, 2.68 per 10,000 patient days), whereas 34 HCFA CDI cases were identified during the control period (incidence density, 8.54 per 10,000 patient days) (P = .000257). Antibiotic consumption was slightly higher during the COVID-19 period (89.73 DDD per 100 BD) than during the control period (79.16 DDD per 100 BD). The incidence density of patient movements was 587.61 per 1,000 patient days during the control period and was significantly lower during the COVID-19 period (300.86 per 1,000 patient days) (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

The observed reduction of ~70% in the incidence density of HCFA CDI in a context of no reduction in antibiotic use supports the importance of reducing nosocomial transmission by healthcare workers and asymptomatic colonized patients, reinforcing cleaning procedures and reducing patient mobility in the epidemiological control of CDI.
A SCHEMATIC DEFINITION OF QUANTUM POLYNOMIAL TIME COMPUTABILITY
Authors: YAMAKAMI TOMOYUKI
Published: September 2020

In the past four decades, the notion of quantum polynomial-time computability has been mathematically modeled by quantum Turing machines as well as quantum circuits. This paper seeks the third model, which is a quantum analogue of the schematic (inductive or constructive) definition of (primitive) recursive functions. For quantum functions mapping finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces to themselves, we present such a schematic definition, composed of a small set of initial quantum functions and a few construction rules that dictate how to build a new quantum function from the existing ones. We prove that our schematic definition precisely characterizes all functions that can be computable with high success probabilities on well-formed quantum Turing machines in polynomial time, or equivalently uniform families of polynomial-size quantum circuits. Our new, schematic definition is quite simple and intuitive and, more importantly, it avoids the cumbersome introduction of the well-formedness condition imposed on a quantum Turing machine model as well as of the uniformity condition necessary for a quantum circuit model. Our new approach can further open a door to the descriptional complexity of quantum functions, to the theory of higher-type quantum functionals, to the development of new first-order theories for quantum computing, and to the designing of programming languages for real-life quantum computer
Looking Beyond Wine Risk-Adjusted Performance
Authors: Maurer Frantz , Cardebat Jean-Marie , Jiao Linda
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we use copula-GARCH models applied to daily data from March 2010 to March 2018 to test the time-varying dependence of the Liv-ex 50, a secondary market fine wine index comprised of the ten most recent vintages of the five Bordeaux First Growths, with a portfolio composed of the six main stock markets (S&P 500, CAC 40, DAX 30, FTSE 100, and Hang Seng). Our results suggest that the Liv-ex 50 underperforms the six stock indexes, but provides diversification benefits in terms of volatility, asymmetry, and extreme events. (JEL Classifications: G110, G120, Q14)
Firm Performance and Exports: Evidence from the Romanian Wine Industry
Authors: Lessoua Albert , Mutascu Mihai , Turcu Camélia
Published: September 2020

This paper examines the impact of exports and its main determinants on the financial performance of the Romanian wine industry. We draw on a dataset consisting of mixed firm-level (i.e., 207 companies) data, Google Trends data, and regional variables covering the period from 2009 to 2017. We show that Romanian wine exports, at the firm level, are positively affected by regional wine yields (especially in the case of red wine varieties), temperature, and firm agglomeration, and negatively impacted by firm size. We also find a close positive correlation between financial performance and exports. (JEL Classifications: F61, L66, C23)
Genocidal Consolidation: Final Solutions to Elite Rivalry
Authors: van der Maat Eelco
Published: September 2020

Under conditions of guerrilla conflict, mass indiscriminate violence has been shown to effectively starve a guerrilla of its support. Consequently, counter-guerrilla mass violence is concentrated within territories where a guerrilla is dominant. However, in roughly 40 percent of mass violence episodes (e.g., Rwanda and Cambodia), the violence was aimed at populations within areas of secure territorial control. These episodes have therefore been explained by attributing ideological preferences to leaders or as unique cases only. I argue that leaders adopt mass indiscriminate violence against outgroups to consolidate power under conditions of elite rivalry. The violence serves two main goals. First, it helps build coalitions with constituencies that gain from violence; and second, it targets rival factions indirectly by forcing local security officials to facilitate or oppose the violence. The violence thereby provides rival supporters with an exit option, provides the regime with information on rival supporters’ private loyalties, and undermines rivals’ abilities to mount an effective resistance. These rivals can ultimately be purged from the regime. Based on newly collected original data on elite purges and on the type of mass indiscriminate violence for the years 1950 to 2004, I show that this type of mass violence, which I call “genocidal consolidation,” is intimately connected to authoritarian consolidation.
Whatever happened to mastitis pathogenesis?
Authors: Hillerton J. Eric
Published: September 2020

We have learned a lot about infections of the mammary gland of dairy cows from experimental investigations of the pathogenesis of the various diseases. The understanding gained has contributed to huge successes in reducing the prevalence of infection in properly managed dairy herds. Now descriptive studies using DNA technologies reject previous concepts of mammary gland sterility by default. Bacteria, at least markers of genes, of many genera are reported even from absolutely healthy mammary glands. This may be a technological artefact. No direct evidence exists because experimental studies of infection are no longer fashionable. A regeneration of the lost arts in the pathogenesis of infection is essential to separate truth from conjecture and deal with coming challenges from rapidly changing farm systems and the reduction in access to antimicrobial drugs. In this Opinion Paper I argue for a return to experimental approaches that construct hypotheses, and then test them, in intramammary disease research.
Knowledge before belief
Authors: Phillips Jonathan , Buckwalter Wesley , Cushman Fiery , Friedman Ori , Martin Alia , Turri John , Santos Laurie , Knobe Joshua
Published: September 2020

Research on the capacity to understand others' minds has tended to focus on representations ofbeliefs,which are widely taken to be among the most central and basic theory of mind representations. Representations ofknowledge, by contrast, have received comparatively little attention and have often been understood as depending on prior representations of belief. After all, how could one represent someone as knowing something if one does not even represent them as believing it? Drawing on a wide range of methods across cognitive science, we ask whether belief or knowledge is the more basic kind of representation. The evidence indicates that nonhuman primates attribute knowledge but not belief, that knowledge representations arise earlier in human development than belief representations, that the capacity to represent knowledge may remain intact in patient populations even when belief representation is disrupted, that knowledge (but not belief) attributions are likely automatic, and that explicit knowledge attributions are made more quickly than equivalent belief attributions. Critically, the theory of mind representations uncovered by these various methods exhibits a set of signature features clearly indicative of knowledge: they are not modality-specific, they are factive, they are not just true belief, and they allow for representations of egocentric ignorance. We argue that these signature features elucidate the primary function of knowledge representation: facilitating learning from others about the external world. This suggests a new way of understanding theory of mind – one that is focused on understanding others' minds in relation to the actual world, rather than independent from it.
Unsettling international law and peace-making: An encounter with queer theory
Authors: Kastner Philipp , Roy Trudel Elisabeth
Published: September 2020

This article examines the usefulness of an encounter with queer theory to contribute to the peaceful resolution of armed conflicts, to question the traditional frontiers of international law, and to lay the groundwork for envisaging different forms of peace and peace-making. In a field where, arguably, little genuine progress has been made to resolve armed conflicts and to address underlying forms of violence, queer theory can reinforce a pluralistic understanding of law and suggest much-needed unsettling and creative approaches. The article focuses on queer theory’s specific critique of the construction and normalization of hierarchies, categories, and identities, which almost always – whether explicitly or implicitly – lie at the heart of armed conflicts and frame peace negotiations, without ever being truly reconsidered. Moreover, queer theory allows appreciating both peace and law beyond predetermined categorizations and as aspirational endeavours that are constantly evolving. Through a dialogue between two figures, which imagines what Peace and qt* might want to tell each other, this article also attempts to queer the standard academic format and to question the dominant forms of expression and knowledge-production in academia.
Bias correction methods for test-negative designs in the presence of misclassification
Authors: Endo A. , Funk S. , Kucharski A. J.
Published: September 2020

The test-negative design (TND) has become a standard approach for vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies. However, previous studies suggested that it may be more vulnerable than other designs to misclassification of disease outcome caused by imperfect diagnostic tests. This could be a particular limitation in VE studies where simple tests (e.g. rapid influenza diagnostic tests) are used for logistical convenience. To address this issue, we derived a mathematical representation of the TND with imperfect tests, then developed a bias correction framework for possible misclassification. TND studies usually include multiple covariates other than vaccine history to adjust for potential confounders; our methods can also address multivariate analyses and be easily coupled with existing estimation tools. We validated the performance of these methods using simulations of common scenarios for vaccine efficacy and were able to obtain unbiased estimates in a variety of parameter settings.
Hamiltonian Berge cycles in random hypergraphs
Authors: Bal Deepak , Berkowitz Ross , Devlin Pat , Schacht Mathias
Published: September 2020

In this note we study the emergence of Hamiltonian Berge cycles in random r-uniform hypergraphs. For
$r\geq 3$
we prove an optimal stopping time result that if edges are sequentially added to an initially empty r-graph, then as soon as the minimum degree is at least 2, the hypergraph with high probability has such a cycle. In particular, this determines the threshold probability for Berge Hamiltonicity of the Erdős–Rényi random r-graph, and we also show that the 2-out random r-graph with high probability has such a cycle. We obtain similar results for weak Berge cycles as well, thus resolving a conjecture of Poole.
Transdiagnostic perspective on psychological inflexibility and emotional dysregulation
Authors: Faustino Bruno
Published: September 2020

Background:

Psychological inflexibility and emotional dysregulation are a hallmark of psychopathology, being intrinsically embedded in emotional and personality disorders. However, the transdiagnostic mechanisms of psychological inflexibility and emotional dysregulation domains are still a matter of discussion.

Aims:

The present study aims to explore the relationships between cognitive fusion (as a measure of psychological inflexibility), emotion regulation strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal and emotional suppression and emotional dysregulation domains in two different samples.

Method:

In a cross-sectional design, 297 individuals were assessed with self-report measures and divided into non-clinical (n= 231) and clinical samples (n= 66), according to diagnosis.

Results:

Results showed that the degree of cognitive fusion was higher in the clinical sample. However, significant correlations between cognitive fusion, emotional regulation strategies and emotional dysregulation domains were found in the two samples. Cognitive reappraisal and emotional dysregulation domains predicted cognitive fusion and mediated the relationship between cognitive fusion and symptomatology in the two samples.

Conclusions:

Relationships between cognitive fusion and emotional dysregulation domains were found independent of diagnosis. The implementation of emotion regulation strategies may be related to individual differences. However, cognitive fusion, reappraisal and lack of strategies may be core transdiagnostic features in psychological inflexibility and emotion dysregulation.
Validation of the Arabic version of the Eating Attitude Test in Lebanon: a population study
Authors: Haddad Chadia , Khoury Chloe , Salameh Pascale , Sacre Hala , Hallit Rabih , Kheir Nelly , Obeid Sahar , Hallit Souheil
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

To validate an Arabic version of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and identify factors (such as depression, stress, anxiety and body dissatisfaction) that might be associated with disordered eating among a sample of the Lebanese population.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

All Lebanese governorates.

Participants:

A total of 811 participants randomly selected participated in this 5-month study (January–May 2018).

Results:

The EAT-26 scale items converged over a solution of six factors that had an eigenvalue over 1, explaining a total of 60·07 % of the variance (Cronbach’sα= 0·895). The prevalence of disordered eating attitudes was 23·8 %. Higher EAT-26 scores (disordered eating attitudes) were significantly associated with higher depression (β= 0·325), higher emotional eating (β= 0·083), daily weighing (β= 3·430), higher physical activity (β= 0·05), starving to reduce weight (β= 4·94) and feeling pressure from TV/magazine to lose weight (β= 3·95).

Conclusions:

The Arabic version of EAT-26 can be a useful instrument for screening and assessing disordered eating attitudes in clinical practice and research. Some factors seem to be associated with more disordered eating attitudes among participants for whom psychological counseling may be needed. Yet, our findings are considered preliminary, and further studies are warranted to confirm them.