bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special problems of psychological counseling
Authors: Andronnikova Ol'ga
Published: March 2021

The textbook provides information and the necessary methodological assistance for the formation of professional competencies in the field of consulting practice. It includes a set of information on various special issues of psychological counseling, sections of the course "Counseling Psychology", "Training of counseling skills", "Special problems of psychological counseling". The guidelines, the main theoretical ideas of the lecture course, tasks for performing independent work by students and self-control, exercises for developing skills are given. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. It is intended for students studying in the psychological specialties of the master's degree, and beginning practical work of psychological consultants who experience methodological difficulties in determining the specifics and structure of counseling for various psychological problems.
HR Management in Russia: concepts of a new Normality. Book 8
Authors: Dolzhenkova Yuliya , Rudenko Galina , Mihaylov Fedor , Sotnikova Svetlana , Zhukov Anatoliy , Grigorov Ivan , Grechko Tat'yana , Pugach Svetlana , Konovalova Valeriya , Babynina Liliya , Holyavka Marina , Taltynov Sergey , Bagirova Anna , Mitrofanova Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

The monograph contains the results of research, systematized in five groups. The first group is presented with information about the current vectors of the development of the personnel management system, the harmonization of its statics and dynamics, the benchmarking of human resources, the impact of personnel management on the growth of labor productivity as the main factor of efficiency. The content of the second group is the specifics of health management in the workplace. The third group presents issues of social well-being and social interaction of employees, najing, and corporate remuneration. The fourth group includes the problems of personnel aging, the biological and socio-economic determinants of the phenomenon, and the idea of maintaining labor success. The content of the fifth group focuses on the representation of parental labor, as well as the readiness of the domestic higher education system to respond to the requirements of the modern economy and perceive it as a new normality. For postgraduates, undergraduates, students, researchers who are engaged in research in the field of personnel management, as well as the teaching staff of universities and employers.
Electrical equipment and electronics of cars. Short explanatory Russian-English terminology Dictionary
Authors: Zuev Sergey , Varlamov Dmitriy , Lavrikov Aleksey , Maleev Ruslan , Shmatkov Yuriy
Published: March 2021

Contains information on the theory, design, testing, and diagnostics of vehicle electrical and electronic equipment systems. It is intended for undergraduate students studying in the direction of training 13.03.02 "Electric power and electrical engineering".
Online to Offline: The Impact of Social Media on Offline Sales in the Automobile Industry
Authors: Wang Yen-Yao , Guo Chenhui , Susarla Anjana , Sambamurthy Vallabh
Published: March 2021

This study examines the dynamic relationships between firm-generated content (FGC), user-generated content (UGC), traditional media, and offline light vehicle sales. Data were collected from the official Facebook and Twitter pages of 30 U.S. car brands from 2009 to 2015. Our results suggest that Facebook and Twitter are heterogeneous in terms of their effect on offline vehicle sales; FGC is more effective than UGC for influencing offline light vehicle sales; viral impressions from Facebook and Twitter are essential, although effects vary for the various social media platforms, FGC, and UGC; and a firm’s marketing efforts and UGC both have a long-term effect on sales, with the long-term effect of a firm’s marketing efforts outlasting that of UGC. We also documented the within-Twitter synergistic effect between FGC and UGC for offline car sales and cross-channel substitution relationships between FGC and both Facebook and traditional media and Twitter and traditional media. Our study implies that managers who attempt to maximize multichannel marketing for offline sales of durable goods should consider (1) the nature of each platform, (2) the number of potential audiences each platform can reach, and (3) the user basis of each platform.
Flexible Drug Approval Policies
Authors: Bravo Fernanda , Corcoran Taylor C. , Long Elisa F.
Published: March 2021

Problem definition: To approve a novel drug therapy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires clinical trial evidence demonstrating efficacy with 2.5% statistical significance, although the agency often uses regulatory discretion when interpreting these standards. Factors including disease severity, prevalence, and availability of existing therapies are qualitatively considered; yet, current guidelines fail to systematically consider such characteristics in approval decisions. Academic/practical relevance: In making approval decisions, the FDA weighs the health benefits of introducing life-saving therapies against the potential risks of approving ineffective or harmful drugs. Tailoring approval standards to individual diseases could improve treatment options for patients with few alternatives and further incentivize pharmaceutical companies to invest in neglected diseases. Methodology: Using a novel queueing framework, we analyze the FDA’s drug approval process to incorporate disease-specific factors and obsolescence—newer drugs replacing older formulas—through a set of pre-emptive M/M/1/1 queues. Based on public data encompassing all registered U.S. clinical trials and FDA-approved drugs, we estimate model parameters for three high-burden diseases (breast cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hypertension) and solve for the optimal policy to maximize net life-years gained following FDA approval. Results: The optimal policy relaxes approval standards for diseases with long trial duration, high attrition, or low research and development intensity. Results indicate that a more lenient policy is warranted for drugs targeting breast cancer or hypertension, and a more stringent policy is recommended for HIV, relative to the FDA’s existing policy. If pharmaceutical firms respond to the new standards by submitting more drugs for approval—leading to an endogenous clinical trial initiation rate—the FDA’s optimal policy modestly decreases for breast cancer and hypertension, with minimal change for HIV. Managerial implications: Our study offers a transparent, quantitative framework that could help the FDA develop disease-specific approval guidelines based on underlying disease-related severity, prevalence, and characteristics of the drug development process and existing market.
Frontiers in Service Science: Fintech Operations—An Overview of Recent Developments and Future Research Directions
Authors: Lu Baile , Hao Shuai , Pinedo Michael , Xu Yuqian
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we provide a survey of recent developments in the fintech (financial technology) industry, focusing on the operational structures, the technologies involved, and the operational risks associated with the new systems. In particular, we discuss payment systems, algorithmic trading, robo-advisory, crowdfunding, and peer-to-peer lending. In the conclusion section, we discuss various promising research directions.
Ethical concepts: where do rights come from?
Authors: Ellis Peter
Published: March 2021

In the next part of this ethical paper series, Peter Ellis examines the origin of rights from a philosophical perspective and moves on to explain what rights mean in the present day for kidney care professionals
Single-scan HiLo with line-illumination strategy for optical section imaging of thick tissues
Authors: Qiao Wei , Jin Rui , Luo Tianpeng , Li Yafeng , Fan Guoqing , Luo Qingming , Yuan Jing
Published: March 2021

Optical sectioning has been widely employed for inhibiting out-of-focus backgrounds in three-dimensional (3D) imaging of biological samples. However, point scanning imaging or multiple acquisitions for wide-field optical sectioning in epi-illumination microscopy remains time-consuming for large-scale imaging. In this paper, we propose a single-scan optical sectioning method based on the hybrid illumination (HiLo) algorithm with a line-illumination strategy. Our method combines HiLo background inhibition with confocal slit detection. It thereby offers a higher optical sectioning capability than wide-field HiLo and line-confocal imaging without extra modulation and multiple data acquisition. To demonstrate the optical-sectioning capability of our system, we imaged a thin fluorescent plane and different fluorescence-labeled mouse tissue. Our method shows an excellent background inhibition in thick tissue and thus potentially provides an alternative tool for 3D imaging of large-scale biological tissue.
Quasi-collinear IR AOTF based on mercurous halide single crystals for spatio-spectral hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Krauz Lukáš , Páta Petr , Bednář Jan , Klíma Miloš
Published: March 2021

The paper aims to show the advantages of the infrared-optimised quasi-collinear AOTF (acousto-optic tunable filter) for the spatio-spectral hyperspectral imaging system. The optimisation process is presented based on the selected tetragonal anisotropic materials with exceptional optical and acousto-optical properties in IR (infrared) spectral region. These materials are further compared in terms of their features and suitability for AOTF design. The spectral resolution is considered as the main optimising parameter. Resulting from the analysis, the mercurous chloride (Hg2Cl2) single crystal is selected as a representative of the mercurous halide family for the presentation of the quasi-collinear AOTF model operating in LWIR (long-wave infrared) spectral band. The overall parameters of the AOTF model such as spectral resolution, chromatic field of view, acoustic frequency, and operational power requirements are estimated and discussed in results.
Imaging in turbid water based on a Hadamard single-pixel imaging system
Authors: Yang Xin , Liu Yang , Mou Xinyue , Hu Tianyu , Yuan Fei , Cheng En
Published: March 2021

Underwater imaging is a challenging task because of the large amounts of noise and the scattering nature of water. Conventional optical methods cannot realize clear imaging in underwater conditions owing to the limitations of low sensitivity, geometrical aberrations, and the narrow spectrum of photoelectric detectors. By contrast, single-pixel imaging (SPI) is a promising tool for imaging in poor-visibility environments. Nevertheless, this challenge is faced even when using traditional SPI methods in highly turbid underwater environments. In this work, we propose a Hadamard single-pixel imaging (HSI) system that outperforms other imaging modes in turbid water imaging. The effects of laser power, projection rate, and water turbidity on the final image quality are systematically investigated. Results reveal that compared with the state-of-the-art SPI techniques, the proposed HSI system is more promising for underwater imaging because of its high resolution and anti-scattering capabilities.
Evaluation of regions suitable for vicarious calibration of ocean color satellite sensors in the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Shuguo , Song Qingjun , Ma Chaofei , Lin Mingsen , Liu Jianqiang , Hu Lianbo , Li Sicong , Xue Cheng
Published: March 2021

Accurate retrieval of biogeochemical components of the ocean at a global scale from space requires accurately calibrated top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance, which is usually achieved by deriving a vicarious gain coefficient (g-factor) through a process called system vicarious calibration (SVC). Currently, only two SVC sites, Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) and BOUée pour l'acquiSition d'une Série Optique à Long termE (BOUSSOLE), are routinely operated to support the SVC process for all on-orbit ocean color satellite payloads. However, high-quality matchups between satellite observations and in situ measurements are rare because of the strict requirements of the SVC process. Meanwhile, a stable g-factor is usually computed by averaging sufficient gain measurements. Therefore, more SVC sites are required to derive a stable g-factor in a short duration, particularly for the initial calibration of newly launched satellite sensors. In this study, nearly twenty years of well-calibrated ocean color satellite data were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of physical and optical properties of waters and the atmosphere in the South China Sea (SCS) to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a SVC site. A region was identified that meets all requirements that were used to evaluate the MOBY and BOUSSOLE sites. Two in situ measurements within this region were used to derive a g-factor for MODIS-Terra and MODIS-Aqua and were compared with the g-factor derived using MOBY data. The consistence of the two g-factors indicates that the identified region in the SCS could be a potential area for establishing a long-term moored SVC site.
All-fiber narrow-bandwidth rectangular Optical filter with reconfigurable bandwidth and tunable center wavelength
Authors: Liang Hong , Ying Kang , Wang Di , Pi Haoyang , Li Xuan , Wang Zhaoyong , Wei Fang , Cai Haiwen
Published: March 2021

In this manuscript, a novel narrow-bandwidth rectangular optical filter based on multi-phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (MPSFBG) is proposed. Using the local temperature control technology, the precise controllable phase shifts are introduced at different positions of the fiber Bragg grating (FBG). Therefore, the bandwidth of the MPSFBG-based filter with good shape factor can be reconfigured from 70 MHz to 1050 MHz by flexibly controlling the numbers and the positions of the phase shifts introduced in the MPSFBG. In addition, the center wavelength of the MPSFBG-based filter can be tuned through controlling the MPSFBG’s environment temperature, and the tuning range of 22 GHz is realized. This is one of the best results for the narrow-bandwidth rectangular optical tunable filter with reconfigurable bandwidth. It can be widely used in the processing of reconfigurable signals in the optical communication networks and microwave photonics.
Ultralow-threshold thin-film lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Lu Juanjuan , Al Sayem Ayed , Gong Zheng , Surya Joshua B. , Zou Chang-Ling , Tang Hong X.
Published: March 2021

Materials with strong second-order (

χ

(
2
)

) optical nonlinearity, especially lithium niobate, play a critical role in building optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). However, chip-scale integration of low-loss

χ

(
2
)

materials remains challenging and limits the threshold power of on-chip

χ

(
2
)

OPO. Here we report an on-chip lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator at the telecom wavelengths using a quasi-phase-matched, high-quality microring resonator, whose threshold power (

∼

30

µ

W

) is 400 times lower than that in previous

χ

(
2
)

integrated photonics platforms. An on-chip power conversion efficiency of 11% is obtained from pump to signal and idler fields at a pump power of 93 µW. The OPO wavelength tuning is achieved by varying the pump frequency and chip temperature. With the lowest power threshold among all on-chip OPOs demonstrated so far, as well as advantages including high conversion efficiency, flexibility in quasi-phase-matching, and device scalability, the thin-film lithium niobate OPO opens new opportunities for chip-based tunable classical and quantum light sources and provides a potential platform for realizing photonic neural networks.
Delayed spectrum allocation in elastic optical networks with anycast traffic
Authors: Afsharlar Pegah , Deylamsalehi Arash , Vokkarane Vinod M.
Published: March 2021

We investigate the problem of dynamic routing and spectrum assignment for advance reservation anycast requests using a novel algorithm called Delayed Spectrum Allocation (DSA) which delays allocation of resources until immediately before transmission begins. We evaluate the flexible window STSD (demands that specify start-time and duration) to further improve request blocking. Through extensive simulation results, we show that anycast with flexible STSD using DSA approach can significantly reduce blocking probability of anycast and unicast requests compared to traditional Immediate Spectrum Allocation (ISA). The improvement is up to 50 percent in unicast traffic and even higher in anycasting. We also propose balanced routing for anycast algorithms to reduce the blocking.
A cohesin cancer mutation reveals a role for the hinge domain in genome organization and gene expression
Authors: Carico Zachary M. , Stefan Holden C. , Justice Megan , Yimit Askar , Dowen Jill M.
Published: March 2021

The cohesin complex spatially organizes interphase chromatin by bringing distal genomic loci into close physical proximity, looping out the intervening DNA. Mutation of cohesin complex subunits is observed in cancer and developmental disorders, but the mechanisms through which these mutations may contribute to disease remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate a recurrent missense mutation to the hinge domain of the cohesin subunit SMC1A, observed in acute myeloid leukemia. Engineering this mutation into murine embryonic stem cells caused widespread changes in gene expression, including dysregulation of the pluripotency gene expression program. This mutation reduced cohesin levels at promoters and enhancers, decreased DNA loops and interactions across short genomic distances, and weakened insulation at CTCF-mediated DNA loops. These findings provide insight into how altered cohesin function contributes to disease and identify a requirement for the cohesin hinge domain in three-dimensional chromatin structure.
Distinct features of the Leishmania cap-binding protein LeishIF4E2 revealed by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated hemizygous deletion
Authors: Baron Nofar , Tupperwar Nitin , Dahan Irit , Hadad Uzi , Davidov Geula , Zarivach Raz , Shapira Michal
Published: March 2021

Leishmaniaparasites cycle between sand-fly vectors and mammalian hosts adapting to alternating environments by stage-differentiation accompanied by changes in the proteome profiles. Translation regulation plays a central role in driving the differential program of gene expression since control of gene regulation inLeishmaniais mostly post-transcriptional. TheLeishmaniagenome encodes six eIF4E paralogs, some of which bind a dedicated eIF4G candidate, and each eIF4E is assumed to have specific functions with perhaps some overlaps. However, LeishIF4E2 does not bind any known eIF4G ortholog and was previously shown to comigrate with the polysomal fractions of sucrose gradients in contrast to the other initiation factors that usually comigrate with pre-initiation and initiation complexes. Here we deleted one of the two LeishIF4E2 gene copies using the CRISPR-Cas9 methodology. The deletion caused severe alterations in the morphology of the mutant cells that became round, small, and equipped with a very short flagellum that did not protrude from its pocket. Reduced expression of LeishIF4E2 had no global effect on translation and growth, unlike other LeishIF4Es; however, there was a change in the proteome profile of the LeishIF4E2(+/-) cells. Upregulated proteins were related mainly to general metabolic processes including enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism, DNA repair and replication, signaling, and cellular motor activity. The downregulated proteins included flagellar rod and cytoskeletal proteins, as well as surface antigens involved in virulence. Moreover, the LeishIF4E2(+/-) cells were impaired in their ability to infect cultured macrophages. Overall, LeishIF4E2 does not behave like a general translation factor and its function remains elusive. Our results also suggest that the individual LeishIF4Es perform unique functions.
Spatial-temporal mapping and risk factors for hand foot and mouth disease in northwestern inland China
Authors: Huang Ruifang , Wei Jiate , Li Zhenwei , Gao Zhenguo , Mahe Muti , Cao Wuchun
Published: March 2021

Background

Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is becoming one of the common human infectious diseases in China. Previous studies have described HFMD in tropical or coastal areas of Asia-Pacific countries. However, limited studies have thoroughly studied the epidemiology and potential risk factors for HFMD in inland areas with complex environmental conditions.

Methodology/Principal findings

Using the data from 2009 to 2018 on reported cases of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, we characterized the epidemic features of HFMD. Panel negative binomial model was used to identify climate, geographical and demographic determinants for HFMD incidence. A total of 70856 HFMD cases (average annual incidence: 305 per million persons) were reported in Xinjiang during the 10-year study period, of which 10393 (14.7%) were laboratory-confirmed and 98 (0.1%) were severe. HFMD peaked in summer every year during the study period, and incidence in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2018 had minor peaks in autumn. After adjusting the school or holiday month, multiple factors were found to affect HFMD epidemiology: urban area being major land cover type (incidence risk ratio, IRR 2.08; 95% CI 1.50, 2.89), higher gross domestic product per capita (IRR 1.14; 95% CI 1.11, 1.16), rise in monthly average temperature (IRR 1.65; 95% CI 1.61, 1.69) and monthly accumulative precipitation (IRR 1.20; 95% CI 1.16, 1.24) predicted increase in the incidence of HFMD; farmland being major land cover type (IRR 0.72; 95% CI 0.64, 0.81), an increase of percentage of the minority (IRR 0.91; 95% CI 0.89, 0.93) and population density (IRR 0.98; 95% CI 0.98, 0.99) were related to a decrease in the incidence of HFMD.

Conclusions/Significance

In conclusion, the epidemic status of HFMD in Xinjiang is characterized by low morbidity and fatality. Multiple factors have significant influences on the occurrence and transmission of HFMD in Xinjiang.
Trichuris trichiura egg extract proteome reveals potential diagnostic targets and immunomodulators
Authors: Cruz Katalina , Marcilla Antonio , Kelly Patrick , Vandenplas Michel , Osuna Antonio , Trelis María
Published: March 2021

Embryonated eggs are the infectious developmental stage of Trichuris trichiura and are the primary stimulus for the immune system of the definitive host. The intestinal-dwelling T. trichiura affects an estimated 465 million people worldwide with an estimated global burden of disease of 640 000 DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years). In Latin America and the Caribbean, trichuriasis is the most prevalent soil transmitted helminthiasis in the region (12.3%; 95% CI). The adverse health consequences impair childhood school performance and reduce school attendance resulting in lower future wage-earning capacity. The accumulation of the long-term effects translates into poverty promoting sequelae and a cycle of impoverishment. Each infective T. trichiura egg carries the antigens needed to face the immune system with a wide variety of proteins present in the shell, larvae’s surface, and the accompanying fluid that contains their excretions/secretions. We used a proteomic approach with tandem mass spectrometry to investigate the proteome of soluble non-embryonated egg extracts of T. trichiura obtained from naturally infected African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus). A total of 231 proteins were identified, 168 of them with known molecular functions. The proteome revealed common proteins families which are known to play roles in energy and metabolism; the cytoskeleton, muscle and motility; proteolysis; signaling; the stress response and detoxification; transcription and translation; and lipid binding and transport. In addition to the study of the T. trichiura non-embryonated egg proteome, the antigenic profile of the T. trichiura non-embryonated egg and female soluble proteins against serum antibodies from C. sabaeus naturally infected with trichuriasis was investigated. We used an immunoproteomic approach by Western blot and tandem mass spectrometry from the corresponding SDS-PAGE gels. Vitellogenin N and VWD and DUF1943 domain containing protein, poly-cysteine and histidine tailed protein isoform 2, heat shock protein 70, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, actin, and enolase, were among the potential immunoactive proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the T. trichiura non-embryonated egg proteome as a novel source of information on potential targets for immunodiagnostics and immunomodulators from a neglected tropical disease. This initial list of T. trichiura non-embryonated egg proteins (proteome and antigenic profile) can be used in future research on the immunobiology and pathogenesis of human trichuriasis and the treatment of human intestinal immune-related diseases.
Symptoms and symptom clusters associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in community-based populations: Results from a statewide epidemiological study
Authors: Dixon Brian E. , Wools-Kaloustian Kara K. , Fadel William F. , Duszynski Thomas J. , Yiannoutsos Constantin , Halverson Paul K. , Menachemi Nir
Published: March 2021

Background

Prior studies examining symptoms of COVID-19 are primarily descriptive and measured among hospitalized individuals. Understanding symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pre-clinical, community-based populations may improve clinical screening, particularly during flu season. We sought to identify key symptoms and symptom combinations in a community-based population using robust methods.

Methods

We pooled community-based cohorts of individuals aged 12 and older screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection in April and June 2020 for a statewide prevalence study. Main outcome was SARS-CoV-2 positivity. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for individual symptoms as well as symptom combinations. We further employed multivariable logistic regression and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to examine symptoms and combinations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results

Among 8214 individuals screened, 368 individuals (4.5%) were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. Although two-thirds of symptoms were highly specific (>90.0%), most symptoms individually possessed a PPV <50.0%. The individual symptoms most greatly associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity were fever (OR = 5.34, p<0.001), anosmia (OR = 4.08, p<0.001), ageusia (OR = 2.38, p = 0.006), and cough (OR = 2.86, p<0.001). Results from EFA identified two primary symptom clusters most associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: (1) ageusia, anosmia, and fever; and (2) shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Moreover, being non-white (13.6% vs. 2.3%, p<0.001), Hispanic (27.9% vs. 2.5%, p<0.001), or living in an Urban area (5.4% vs. 3.8%, p<0.001) was associated with infection.

Conclusions

Symptoms can help distinguish SARS-CoV-2 infection from other respiratory viruses, especially in community or urgent care settings where rapid testing may be limited. Symptoms should further be structured in clinical documentation to support identification of new cases and mitigation of disease spread by public health. These symptoms, derived from asymptomatic as well as mildly infected individuals, can also inform vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials.
Prevalence of floating toe and its relationship with static postural stability in children: The Yamanashi adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS-Y)
Authors: Fujimaki Taro , Wako Masanori , Koyama Kensuke , Furuya Naoto , Shinohara Ryoji , Otawa Sanae , Kobayashi Anna , Horiuchi Sayaka , Kushima Megumi , Yamagata Zentaro , Haro Hirotaka ,   on behalf of The Yamanashi adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group
Published: March 2021

Floating toe (FT) is a frequently seen condition in which a toe is inadequately in contact with the ground. Although toes play an important role in stabilizing standing posture and walking, many aspects of the effects of FT on the body remain unclear. To our knowledge, there have been no reports about the relationship between FT and postural stability, especially in children. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of FT and its relationship with static postural stability in children. Of the 400 children aged 8 years who participated in our cohort study, 396, who were examined for static postural stability, were included in this study. Postural stability and FT were assessed using a foot pressure plate. The sway path length of the center of pressure and the area of the ellipse defined as the size of the area marked by the center of pressure, were measured as an evaluation of static postural stability. We calculated the “floating toe score (FT score: small FT score indicates insufficient ground contact of the toes)” using the image of the plantar footprint obtained at the postural stability measurement. The rate of FT was elevated at more than 90%, and the FT score in the eyes-closed condition was significantly higher than that in the eyes-open condition in both sexes. The FT score significantly correlated with the center of pressure path and area. Our results suggest that ground contact of the toes is not directly related to static postural stability in children, but it may function to stabilize the body when the condition becomes unstable, such as when the eyes are closed.
Association of body mass index with health care expenditures in the United States by age and sex
Authors: Ward Zachary J. , Bleich Sara N. , Long Michael W. , Gortmaker Steven L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Estimates of health care costs associated with excess weight are needed to inform the development of cost-effective obesity prevention efforts. However, commonly used cost estimates are not sensitive to changes in weight across the entire body mass index (BMI) distribution as they are often based on discrete BMI categories.

Methods

We estimated continuous BMI-related health care expenditures using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 2011–2016 for 175,726 respondents. We adjusted BMI for self-report bias using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2016, and controlled for potential confounding between BMI and medical expenditures using a two-part model. Costs are reported in $US 2019.

Results

We found a J-shaped curve of medical expenditures by BMI, with higher costs for females and the lowest expenditures occurring at a BMI of 20.5 for adult females and 23.5 for adult males. Over 30 units of BMI, each one-unit BMI increase was associated with an additional cost of $253 (95% CI $167-$347) per person. Among adults, obesity was associated with $1,861 (95% CI $1,656-$2,053) excess annual medical costs per person, accounting for $172.74 billion (95% CI $153.70-$190.61) of annual expenditures. Severe obesity was associated with excess costs of $3,097 (95% CI $2,777-$3,413) per adult. Among children, obesity was associated with $116 (95% CI $14-$201) excess costs per person and $1.32 billion (95% CI $0.16-$2.29) of medical spending, with severe obesity associated with $310 (95% CI $124-$474) excess costs per child.

Conclusions

Higher health care costs are associated with excess body weight across a broad range of ages and BMI levels, and are especially high for people with severe obesity. These findings highlight the importance of promoting a healthy weight for the entire population while also targeting efforts to prevent extreme weight gain over the life course.
The relationship of socioeconomic status in childhood and adulthood with compassion: A study with a prospective 32-year follow-up
Authors: Saarinen Aino I. , Keltner Dacher , Dobewall Henrik , Lehtimäki Terho , Keltikangas-Järvinen Liisa , Hintsanen Mirka
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate (i) whether childhood family SES predicts offspring’s compassion between ages 20–50 years and (ii) whether adulthood SES predicts compassion or vice versa. We used the prospective population-based Young Finns data (N = 637–2300). Childhood family SES was evaluated in 1980; participants’ adulthood SES in 2001 and 2011; and compassion for others in 1997, 2001, and 2012. Compassion for others was evaluated with the Compassion scale of the Temperament and Character Inventory. The results showed that high childhood family SES (a composite score of educational level, occupational status, unemployment status, and level of income) predicted offspring’s higher compassion between ages 30–40 years but not in early adulthood or middle age. These results were obtained independently of a variety of potential confounders (disruptive behavior in childhood; parental mental disorder; frequency of parental alcohol use and alcohol intoxication). Moreover, high compassion for others in adulthood (a composite score of educational level, occupational status, and unemployment status) predicted higher adulthood SES later in their life (after a 10-year follow-up), but not vice versa. In conclusion, favorable socioeconomic environment in childhood appears to have a positive effect on offspring’s compassion in their middle adulthood. This effect may attenuate by middle age. High compassion for others seems to promote the achievement of higher SES in adulthood.
Spatial and temporal trends in social vulnerability and COVID-19 incidence and death rates in the United States
Authors: Neelon Brian , Mutiso Fedelis , Mueller Noel T. , Pearce John L. , Benjamin-Neelon Sara E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Socially vulnerable communities may be at higher risk for COVID-19 outbreaks in the US. However, no prior studies examined temporal trends and differential effects of social vulnerability on COVID-19 incidence and death rates. Therefore, we examined temporal trends among counties with high and low social vulnerability to quantify disparities in trends over time.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal analysis examining COVID-19 incidence and death rates from March 15 to December 31, 2020, for each US county using data from USAFacts. We classified counties using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a percentile-based measure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with higher values indicating more vulnerability. Using a Bayesian hierarchical negative binomial model, we estimated daily risk ratios (RRs) comparing counties in the first (lower) and fourth (upper) SVI quartiles, adjusting for rurality, percentage in poor or fair health, percentage female, percentage of smokers, county average daily fine particulate matter (PM2.5), percentage of primary care physicians per 100,000 residents, daily temperature and precipitation, and proportion tested for COVID-19.

Results

At the outset of the pandemic, the most vulnerable counties had, on average, fewer cases per 100,000 than least vulnerable SVI quartile. However, on March 28, we observed a crossover effect in which the most vulnerable counties experienced higher COVID-19 incidence rates compared to the least vulnerable counties (RR = 1.05, 95% PI: 0.98, 1.12). Vulnerable counties had higher death rates starting on May 21 (RR = 1.08, 95% PI: 1.00,1.16). However, by October, this trend reversed and the most vulnerable counties had lower death rates compared to least vulnerable counties.

Conclusions

The impact of COVID-19 is not static but can migrate from less vulnerable counties to more vulnerable counties and back again over time.
Full length sequencing reveals novel transcripts of detoxification genes along with related alternative splicing events and lncRNAs in Phyllotreta striolata
Authors: Shen Guang Mao , Ou Shi Yuan , He Chu , Liu Jie , He Lin
Published: March 2021

The striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius), damages crops in the Brassicaceae. The genetic data for this pest are insufficient to reveal its insecticide resistance mechanisms or to develop molecular markers for resistance monitoring. We used PacBio Iso-Seq technology to sequence the full-length transcriptome of P. striolata. After isoform sequence clustering and removal of redundant transcripts, a total of 41,293 transcripts were obtained, and 35,640 of these were annotated in the database of gene products. Structure analysis uncovered 4,307 alternative splicing events, and 3,836 sequences were recognized as lncRNAs. Transcripts with the complete coding region of important detoxification enzymes were further classified. There were 57 transcripts of P450s distributed in CYP2, CYP3, CYP4, and Mito CYP clades, 29 transcripts of ESTs from 4 functional groups, 17 transcripts of GSTs classified into 5 families, 51 transcripts of ABCs distributed in 6 families, and 19 transcripts of UGTs. Twenty-five lncRNAs were predicted to be regulators of these detoxification genes. Full-length transcriptome sequencing is an efficient method for molecular study of P. striolata and it is also useful for gene function analysis.
The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among pregnant Ghanaian women, a longitudinal study
Authors: Pobee Ruth A. , Setorglo Jacob , Klevor Moses , Murray-Kolb Laura E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Gestational iron deficiency (ID) can be deleterious to mother and fetus. However, iron status is not routinely measured during pregnancy in Ghana. Therefore, the scope of ID in this population is unknown.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of anemia and ID across pregnancy in the Central Region of Ghana.

Methods

Women were recruited during their 1st trimester of pregnancy (< 13 weeks; n = 116) and followed through to their 2nd (n = 71) and 3rd (n = 71) trimesters. Data on socio-demographic variables, weekly intake of iron-rich foods and vitamin C-rich fruits were collected. Blood samples were drawn and the concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin (Ft), serum iron (sFe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), were measured; transferrin saturation (TSAT) was calculated. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine change in anemia and iron variables over time with groups categorized by 1st trimester iron status.

Results

Participants were 27.1 ± 5.2 years, on average. Prevalence of anemia (Hb <11.0 g/dL) was 37%, 63%, 58%; ID (Ft <15 μg/L) was 16%, 20%, 38%; and iron deficiency anemia (IDA; based on low Ft and Hb) was 6%, 12%, 25% in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, respectively. Significant changes in Hb, Ft and TIBC occurred across time. Iron status at 1st trimester had a significant effect on 2nd but not 3rd trimester iron status.

Conclusions

ID is prevalent in pregnant Ghanaian women, especially during the 3rd trimester. Anemia is a major public health problem during pregnancy in Ghana with a significant proportion due to factors other than ID.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance: Correlates in a nationally representative longitudinal survey of the Australian population
Authors: Edwards Ben , Biddle Nicholas , Gray Matthew , Sollis Kate
Published: March 2021

Background

High levels of vaccination coverage in populations will be required even with vaccines that have high levels of effectiveness to prevent and stop outbreaks of coronavirus. The World Health Organisation has suggested that governments take a proactive response to vaccine hesitancy ‘hotspots’ based on social and behavioural insights.

Methods

Representative longitudinal online survey of over 3000 adults from Australia that examines the demographic, attitudinal, political and social attitudes and COVID-19 health behavior correlates of vaccine hesitance and resistance to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Results

Overall, 59% would definitely get the vaccine, 29% had low levels of hesitancy, 7% had high levels of hesitancy and 6% were resistant. Females, those living in disadvantaged areas, those who reported that risks of COVID-19 was overstated, those who had more populist views and higher levels of religiosity were more likely to be hesitant or resistant while those who had higher levels of household income, those who had higher levels of social distancing, who downloaded the COVID-Safe App, who had more confidence in their state or territory government or confidence in their hospitals, or were more supportive of migration were more likely to intend to get vaccinated.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy, which accounts for a significant proportion of the population can be addressed by public health messaging but for a significant minority of the population with strongly held beliefs, alternative policy measures may well be needed to achieve sufficient vaccination coverage to end the pandemic.
2D and 3D mapping of traffic induced noise near major roads passing through densely populated residential area of South Delhi, India
Authors: Alam Pervez , Ahmad Kafeel , Khan Afzal Husain , Khan Nadeem A. , Dehghani Mohammad Hadi
Published: March 2021

Noise monitoring and mapping is the critical processes to ensure that the noise level does not reach the harmful levels and provides noise exposure level details. 2-D and 3-D noise mapping has been carried out at pre-selected critical locations of major roads passing through densely populated residential areas, namely, Mathura Road, Lodhi Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, and Ring road, along with significant intersections, viz. Moolchand, Ashram, Sabz Burj, and Lodhi road. The monitoring has been performed during the day and night’s peak traffic hours using Sound Level Meter (SLM) Larson & Davis 831as per standard procedure. Then after, 2-D and 3-D noise maps have been prepared, visualized, and analyzed by soundPLAN (acoustic) and MapInfo Pro (Desktop GIS). The maximum noise level is observed at Ashram Chowk [81.1 dB (A)] at 8 pm; however, the minimum noise level is found to be at Lala Lajpat Rai Road [76.4dB (A)] at 7 pm. Monitoring results of noise level show non-compliance of regulatory standards for day time and night time. 2-D noise maps revealed that the noise level is maximum at the centerline of the road and decreases either side with the distance, and remains above the permissible limits at all locations. However, the 3-D noise maps show horizontal as well as vertical noise levels at all locations. The 3-D noise maps also revealed a noise level of 70 dB (A) up to a height of 6.096m at the Ashram Chowk and Moolchand intersection. However, a noise level of 65 dB (A) has been observed at the height of 5.486m at Lala Lajpat Rai Marg and Sabz Burj. This study will explore noise levels in both horizontal and vertical directions near roads surrounded by high-rise buildings. It will help the decision-makers take remedial measures.
Prevalence of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV 16/18) infection, cervical lesions and its associated factors among women aged 21–49 years in Amhara region, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Minwuyelet Maru , Alemu Tefera , Shiferaw Birtukan , Legesse Seid , Zeru Taye , Haile Mahteme , Gelanew Tesfaye
Published: March 2021

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered as the major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer, second most frequent cancer in Ethiopia. However, the magnitude of the problem and the associated factors remain unrevealed in the Amhara region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and factors contributing to the progression of HPV infection to cervical cancer.

Methods

Facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among women aged 21 to 49 years of age who came for routine cervical cancer screening to 4 randomly selected hospitals (2 general and 2 referral) of Amhara region from May to October, 2019. The sample size was calculated by using the single population proportion formula, proportionated to hospitals, and women were recruited consecutively. Socio demographic and clinical data were collected using a pretested questionnaire and detection of HPV infection was done using HPV test (OncoE6TM Cervical Test) specific to HPV16/18 in cervical swabs. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) was used to determine cervical lesions (precancerous and cancerous). Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to describe HR-HPV and cervical lesions burden and association between HR-HPV, and cervical lesions and potential risk factors.

Results

Among 337 women 21 to 49 years (median age of 35 years ±SD = 7.1 years) of age enrolled in the study, The overall prevalence of oncogenic HPVs (HPV16/18) and the VIA-positivity rate, possible an indicative of cervical lesions, were 7.1% and 13.1%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between early age of first sexual intercourse (COR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.0–5.05) and level of education (COR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12–0.78) with cervical lesions. Higher odds of HPV positivity (COR = 1.56; 95% CI: 0.59–4.11, p = 0.36) and VIA positivity (COR = 1.39; 95% CI: 0.64–3.00, p = 0.39) were observed among participants who had a history of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs).

Conclusions

There was a relatively low prevalence of oncogenic HPV 16/18 and VIA-positivity in women attending four hospitals in the Amhara Region. Early age sexual contact, high parity, and being uneducated/low level of education were independently associated factors with HR-HPV infection and development of cervical lesions, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the limited HPV testing to those risk groups.
A Robotic grinding station based on an industrial manipulator and vision system
Authors: Wan Guoyang , Wang Guofeng , Fan Yunsheng
Published: March 2021

Due to ever increasing precision and automation demands in robotic grinding, the automatic and robust robotic grinding workstation has become a research hot-spot. This work proposes a grinding workstation constituting of machine vision and an industrial manipulator to solve the difficulty of positioning rough metal cast objects and automatic grinding. Faced with the complex characteristics of industrial environment, such as weak contrast, light nonuniformity and scarcity, a coarse-to-fine two-step localization strategy was used for obtaining the object position. The deep neural network and template matching method were employed for determining the object position precisely in the presence of ambient light. Subsequently, edge extraction and contour fitting techniques were used to measure the position of the contour of the object and to locate the main burr on its surface after eliminating the influence of burr. The grid method was employed for detecting the main burrs, and the offline grinding trajectory of the industrial manipulator was planned with the guidance of the coordinate transformation method. The system greatly improves the automaticity through the entire process of loading, grinding and unloading. It can determine the object position and target the robotic grinding trajectory by the shape of the burr on the surface of an object. The measurements indicate that this system can work stably and efficiently, and the experimental results demonstrate the high accuracy and high efficiency of the proposed method. Meanwhile, it could well overcome the influence of the materials of grinding work pieces, scratch and rust.