bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting industrial motor faults with current signatures
Authors: Krishnan Shashikumar , Vengadasalam Vijayakumar
Published: September 2021

Background: A major player in industry is the induction motor. The constant motion and mechanical nature of motors causes much wear and tear, creating a need for frequent maintenance such as changing contact brushes. Unmannered and infrequent monitoring of motors, as is common in the industry, can lead to overexertion and cause major faults. If a motor fault is detected earlier through the use of automated fault monitoring, it could prevent minor faults from developing into major faults, reducing the cost and down-time of production due the motor repairs. There are few available methods to detect three-phase motor faults. One method is to analyze average vibration signals values of V, I, pf, P, Q, S, THD and frequency. Others are to analyze instantaneous signal signatures of V and I frequencies, or V and I trajectory plotting a Lissajous curve. These methods need at least three sensors for current and three for voltage for a three-phase motor detection.

Methods: Our proposed method of monitoring faults in three-phase industrial motors uses Hilbert Transform (HT) instantaneous current signature curve only, reducing the number of sensors required. Our system detects fault signatures accurately at any voltage or current levels, whether it is delta or star connected motors. This is due to our system design, which incorporates normalized curves of HT in the fault analysis database. We have conducted this experiment in our campus laboratory for two different three-phase motors with four different fault experiments.

Results: The results shown in this paper are a comparison of two methods, the V and I Lissajous trajectory curve and our HT instantaneous current signature curve.

Conclusion: We have chosen them as our benchmark as their fault results closely resemble our system results, but our system benefits such as universality and a cost reduction in sensors of 50%.
Sequential Procurement with Contractual and Experimental Learning
Authors: Gur Yonatan , Macnamara Gregory , Saban Daniela
Published: September 2021

We study the design of sequential procurement strategies that integrate stochastic and strategic information. We consider a buyer who repeatedly demands a certain good and is unable to commit to long-term contracts. In each time period, the buyer makes a price offer to a seller who has private, persistent information regarding his or her cost and quality of provision. If the offer is accepted, the seller provides the good with a stochastic quality that is not contractible. Therefore, the buyer can learn from the (strategic) acceptance decisions taken by the seller and from evaluations of the (stochastic) quality delivered whenever a purchase occurs. Hence, the buyer not only faces a tradeoff between exploration and exploitation but also needs to decide how to explore: by facilitating quality experimentation or by strategically separating seller types. We characterize the perfect Bayesian equilibria of this sequential interaction and show that the buyer’s equilibrium strategy consists of a dynamic sequence of thresholds on his or her belief on the seller’s type. When only one seller type is more efficient than the buyer’s outside option, the buyer uses one form of information: either strategic or stochastic. If both seller types are more efficient, then the buyer uses both forms of information; at the early stages of the interaction, the buyer offers high prices that incentivize trade and quality experimentation, and after gathering enough information, the buyer may advance to offering low prices that partially separate seller types. We identify the effect strategic sellers have on the buyer’s optimal strategy relative to more traditional learning dynamics and establish that, paradoxically, when sellers are strategic, the ability to observe delivered quality is not always beneficial for the buyer.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.
Consumer Consent and Firm Targeting After GDPR: The Case of a Large Telecom Provider
Authors: Godinho de Matos Miguel , Adjerid Idris
Published: September 2021

The general data protection regulation (GDPR) represents a dramatic shift in global privacy regulation. We focus on GDPR’s enhanced consumer consent requirements that aim to provide transparent and active elicitation of data allowances. We evaluate the effect of enhanced consent on consumer opt-in behavior and on firm behavior and outcomes after consent is solicited. Utilizing an experiment at a large telecommunications provider with operations in Europe, we find that opt-in for different data types and uses increased once GDPR-compliant consent was elicited. However, consumers did not uniformly increase data allowances and continued to generally restrict permissions for more sensitive or tangential uses of their personal information. We also find that sales, the efficacy of marketing communications, and contractual lock-in increased after consumers provided new data allowances. Additional analysis suggests that these gains to the firm emerged because new data allowances enabled them to increase their use of targeted marketing for households that were amenable to these marketing efforts. These results have significant implications for firms and policymakers and suggest that enhanced consent provided via GDPR may be effective for increasing consumer privacy protection while also allowing firms reliant on consumers’ personal information to improve outcomes.

This paper was accepted by Chris Forman, information systems.
Giant Metastatic Breast Phyllodes Tumour with an Elusive Diagnosis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Basto Raquel , Cunha Pereira Tatiana , Rei Luís , Rêgo Salgueiro Fábio , Correia Magalhães Joana , Sousa Maria João , Monteiro Ana Raquel , Macedo Filipa , Félix Soares Rita , Jacinto Paula , Carvalho Teresa , Sousa Gabriela
Published: September 2021

Background: The term phyllodes tumours, which account for less than 1% of breast neoplasms, describes a spectrum of heterogenous tumours with different clinical behaviours. Less than 30% present as metastatic disease. Complete surgical resection is the standard of care so that recurrence rates are reduced. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy is controversial. Patients with metastatic disease have a median overall survival of around 30 months. Case description: The authors present the case of a 57-year-old woman with an exuberant left malignant phyllodes tumour with bilateral involvement, as well as lung and axillar metastasis. The patient underwent haemostatic radiation therapy and started palliative chemotherapy with doxorubicin, achieving partial response with significant improvement in quality of life. A posterior simple mastectomy revealed a small residual tumour. Discussion: Metastatic malignant phyllodes tumours are rare, so therapeutic strategies rely on small retrospective studies and guidelines for soft tissue sarcoma. Palliative chemotherapy protocols include anthracycline-based regimens, either as monotherapy with doxorubicin or doxorubicin together with ifosfamide. With few treatment options, management of these patients must rely on a continuum of care
Living with long COVID
Authors: Duncan Debbie Louise
Published: September 2021

One in five people have symptoms that persist after 5 weeks, and one in ten have symptoms for 12 weeks or longer after an acute COVID-19 infection ( Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2020 ). NICE ( National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020 ) defines this condition as post-COVID syndrome or long COVID. Common symptoms vary from fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, insomnia and anxiety and depression and encompasses a plethora of debilitating symptoms ( Dani et al, 2021 ). The new guideline for NICE (2021) recommends that patients presenting with new or ongoing symptoms 4 weeks or later after an initial COVID infection should have the investigations done to rule out acute, life-threatening complications or identify any unrelated diagnosis ( NICE, 2021 ). Garg et al (2020) suggests that long COVID is a multisystem syndrome and needs a multifaceted approach to tackle the physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and vocational aspects of this condition. This article looks at the literature about long COVID and suggests there is a clear pathway for treatment in primary care. Certainly that all physicians should be equipped to recognise long-COVID and provide supportive management ( Dani et al, 2021 ).
Understanding personal asthma action plans
Authors: Henry Heather
Published: September 2021

Personal asthma action plans (PAAPs) are written plans that help people with asthma to self-care and keep themselves as well as possible. PAAPs are usually developed in partnership with the patient or carer in primary care. PAAPs aim to ensure that people with asthma know how to manage their asthma and when to seek help if their condition deteriorates. To manage their asthma adequately at home, patients will need regular education about what asthma is, an understanding of their triggers, how their medications work and managing their devices. The practice nurse can play a key role in developing the PAAP, monitoring asthma control, and subsequently modifying the PAAP if necessary to maintain control of the condition.
Early migration of a medially stabilized total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Øhrn Frank-David , Lian Øystein Bjerkestrand , Tsukanaka Masako , Röhrl Stephan Maximillian
Published: September 2021

Aims

Medial pivot (MP) total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were designed to mimic native knee kinematics with their deep medial congruent fitting of the tibia to the femur almost like a ball-on-socket, and a flat lateral part. GMK Sphere is a novel MP implant. Our primary aim was to study the migration pattern of the tibial tray of this TKA.

Methods

A total of 31 patients were recruited to this single-group radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study and received a medial pivot GMK Sphere TKA. The distributions of male patients versus female patients and right versus left knees were 21:10 and 17:14, respectively. Mean BMI was 29 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 27 to 30) and mean age at surgery was 63 years (95% CI 61 to 66). Maximum total point motions (MTPMs), medial, proximal, and anterior translations and transversal, internal, and varus rotations were calculated at three, 12, and 24 months. Patient-reported outcome measure data were also retrieved.

Results

MTPMs at three, 12, and 24 months were 1.0 mm (95% CI 0.8 to 1.2), 1.3 mm (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7), and 1.4 mm (0.8 to 2.0), respectively. The Forgotten Joint Score was 79 (95% CI 39 to 95) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score obtained at two years was 94 (95% CI 81 to 100), 86 (95% CI 75 to 93), 94 (95% CI 88 to 100), 69 (95% CI 48 to 88), and 81 (95% CI59 to 100) for Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport & Recreation, and Quality of Life, respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we found that the mean increase in MTPM was lower than 0.2 mm between 12 and 24 months and thus apparently stable. Yet the GMK Sphere had higher migration at one and two years than anticipated. Based on current RSA data, we therefore cannot conclude on the long-term performance of the implant, pending further assessment. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):737–744.
Tunable dual-band and high-quality-factor perfect absorption based on VO2-assisted metasurfaces
Authors: Yu Shiwang , Li Zhancheng , Liu Wenwei , Cheng Hua , Zhang Yuebian , Xie Boyang , Zhou Wenyuan , Tian Jianguo , Chen Shuqi
Published: September 2021

Perfect absorbers with high quality factors (Q-factors) are of great practical significance for optical filtering and sensing. Moreover, tunable multiwavelength absorbers provide a multitude of possibilities for realizing multispectral light intensity manipulation and optical switches. In this study, we demonstrate the use of vanadium dioxide (VO2)-assisted metasurfaces for tunable dual-band and high-quality-factor perfect absorption in the mid-infrared region. In addition, we discuss the potential applications of these metasurfaces in reflective intensity manipulation and optical switching. The Q-factors of the dual-band perfect absorption in the proposed metasurfaces are greater than 1000, which can be attributed to the low radiative loss induced by the guided-mode resonances and low intrinsic loss from the constituent materials. By utilizing the insulator–metal transition in VO2, we further proved that a continuous tuning of the reflectance with a large modulation depth (31.8 dB) can be realized in the designed metasurface accompanied by a dual-channel switching effect. The proposed VO2-assisted metasurfaces have potential applications in dynamic and multifunctional optical devices, such as tunable multiband filters, mid-infrared biochemical sensors, optical switches, and optical modulators.
Versatile optimization-based speed-up method for autofocusing in digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Winnik Julianna , Suski Damian , Zdańkowski Piotr , Stanaszek Luiza , Micó Vicente , Trusiak Maciej
Published: September 2021

We propose a speed-up method for the in-focus plane detection in digital holographic microscopy that can be applied to a broad class of autofocusing algorithms that involve repetitive propagation of an object wave to various axial locations to decide the in-focus position. The classical autofocusing algorithms apply a uniform search strategy, i.e., they probe multiple, uniformly distributed axial locations, which leads to heavy computational overhead. Our method substantially reduces the computational load, without sacrificing the accuracy, by skillfully selecting the next location to investigate, which results in a decreased total number of probed propagation distances. This is achieved by applying the golden selection search with parabolic interpolation, which is the gold standard for tackling single-variable optimization problems. The proposed approach is successfully applied to three diverse autofocusing cases, providing up to 136-fold speed-up.
Chaotic time-delay signature suppression using quantum noise
Authors: Guo Yanqiang , Fang Xin , Zhang Haojie , Zhao Tong , Virte Martin , Guo Xiaomin
Published: September 2021

The time-delay signature (TDS) suppression of semiconductor lasers with external optical feedback is necessary to ensure the security of chaos-based secure communications. Here we numerically and experimentally demonstrate a technique to effectively suppress the TDS of chaotic lasers using quantum noise. The TDS and dynamical complexity are quantified using the autocorrelation function and normalized permutation entropy at the feedback delay time, respectively. Quantum noise from quadrature fluctuations of the vacuum state is prepared through balanced homodyne measurement. The effects of strength and bandwidth of quantum noise on chaotic TDS suppression and complexity enhancement are investigated numerically and experimentally. Compared to the original dynamics, the TDS of this quantum noise improved chaos is suppressed up to 94%, and the bandwidth suppression ratio of quantum noise to chaotic laser is 1:25. The experiment agrees well with the theory. The improved chaotic laser is potentially beneficial to chaos-based random number generation and secure communication.
Subdiffraction focusing with a long focal length using a terahertz-wave super-oscillatory lens
Authors: Iba Ayato , Domier Calvin W. , Ikeda Makoto , Mase Atsushi , Nakajima Makoto , Pham Anh-Vu , Luhmann Neville C.
Published: September 2021

This Letter describes a super-oscillatory lens (SOL), with concentric ring-type metallic slits photolithographically fabricated on a glass substrate, that can function at subterahertz frequencies. The SOL has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically and demonstrates a spatial resolution of 1.5 mm (

0.5
λ

), which is 0.45 times the diffraction limit, with a focal length of 75 mm (

25
λ

) at 100 GHz (

λ
=
3

m
m

). Furthermore, the depth of focus of the lens was measured to be 47 mm, which is 10.8 times larger than that of a conventional lens. This type of SOL, with subdiffraction focusing, is thus highly effective for use in industrial inspections with millimeter and terahertz waves.
Artificial Intelligence Meets Engineered Photonic Materials: introduction to special issue
Authors: Cai Wenshan , Liu Yongmin , Rho Junsuk , Suchowski Haim , Wiecha Peter
Published: September 2021

This is an introduction to the feature issue of Optical Materials Express on Artificial Intelligence Meets Engineered Photonic Materials.
The Triangulation WIthin a STudy (TWIST) framework for causal inference within pharmacogenetic research
Authors: Bowden Jack , Pilling Luke C , Türkmen Deniz , Kuo Chia-Ling , Melzer David
Published: September 2021

In this paper we review the methodological underpinnings of the general pharmacogenetic approach for uncovering genetically-driven treatment effect heterogeneity. This typically utilises only individuals who are treated and relies on fairly strong baseline assumptions to estimate what we term the ‘genetically moderated treatment effect’ (GMTE). When these assumptions are seriously violated, we show that a robust but less efficient estimate of the GMTE that incorporates information on the population of untreated individuals can instead be used. In cases of partial violation, we clarify when Mendelian randomization and a modified confounder adjustment method can also yield consistent estimates for the GMTE. A decision framework is then described to decide when a particular estimation strategy is most appropriate and how specific estimators can be combined to further improve efficiency. Triangulation of evidence from different data sources, each with their inherent biases and limitations, is becoming a well established principle for strengthening causal analysis. We call our framework ‘Triangulation WIthin a STudy’ (TWIST)’ in order to emphasise that an analysis in this spirit is also possible within a single data set, using causal estimates that are approximately uncorrelated, but reliant on different sets of assumptions. We illustrate these approaches by re-analysing primary-care-linked UK Biobank data relating to CYP2C19 genetic variants, Clopidogrel use and stroke risk, and data relating to APOE genetic variants, statin use and Coronary Artery Disease.
Leptospira interrogans biofilm formation in Rattus norvegicus (Norway rats) natural reservoirs
Authors: Santos Ana Amélia Nunes , Ribeiro Priscyla dos Santos , da França Geórgia Virgínia , Souza Fábio Neves , Ramos Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves , Figueira Cláudio Pereira , Reis Mitermayer G. , Costa Federico , Ristow Paula
Published: September 2021

Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) is the main reservoir host of pathogenic Leptospira, the causative agent of leptospirosis, in urban environments. Pathogenic Leptospira forms biofilms in the environment, possibly contributing for bacterial survival and maintenance. Nonetheless, biofilms have not yet been studied in natural animal reservoirs presenting leptospiral renal carriage. Here, we described biofilm formation by pathogenic Leptospira inside the renal tubules of R. norvegicus naturally infected and captured in an urban slum endemic for leptospirosis. From the 65 rats carrying Leptospira in their kidneys, 24 (37%) presented biofilms inside the renal tubules. The intensity of leptospiral colonization in the renal tubules (OR: 1.00; 95% CI 1.05–1.1) and the type of occlusion pattern of the colonized renal tubules (OR: 3.46; 95% CI 1.20–9.98) were independently associated with the presence of Leptospira biofilm. Our data showed that Leptospira interrogans produce biofilms during renal chronic colonization in rat reservoirs, suggesting a possible role for leptospiral biofilms in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis and bacterial carriage in host reservoirs.
Association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems with initiation of tobacco use in individuals aged < 20 years. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yoong Sze Lin , Hall Alix , Turon Heidi , Stockings Emily , Leonard Alecia , Grady Alice , Tzelepis Flora , Wiggers John , Gouda Hebe , Fayokun Ranti , Commar Alison , Prasad Vinayak M. , Wolfenden Luke
Published: September 2021

Background

This systematic review described the association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) use among non-smoking children and adolescents aged <20 years with subsequent tobacco use.

Methods

We searched five electronic databases and the grey literature up to end of September 2020. Prospective longitudinal studies that described the association between ENDS/ENNDS use, and subsequent tobacco use in those aged < 20 years who were non-smokers at baseline were included. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess risk of bias. Data were extracted by two reviewers and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. We generated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) describing associations between ENDS/ENNDS and tobacco use.

Findings

A total of 36 publications met the eligibility criteria, of which 25 were included in the systematic review (23 in the meta-analysis) after exclusion of overlapping studies. Sixteen studies had high to moderate risk of bias. Ever users of ENDS/ENNDS had over three times the risk of ever cigarette use (ARR 3·01 (95% CI: 2·37, 3·82; p<0·001, I2: 82·3%), and current cigarette use had over two times the risk (ARR 2·56 (95% CI: 1·61, 4·07; p<0·001, I2: 77·3%) at follow up. Among current ENDS/ENNDS users, there was a significant association with ever (ARR 2·63 (95% CI: 1·94, 3·57; p<0·001, I2: 21·2%)), but not current cigarette use (ARR 1·88 (95% CI: 0·34, 10·30; p = 0·47, I2: 0%)) at follow up. For other tobacco use, ARR ranged between 1·55 (95% CI 1·07, 2·23) and 8·32 (95% CI: 1·20, 57·04) for waterpipe and pipes, respectively. Additionally, two studies examined the use of ENNDS (non-nicotine devices) and found a pooled adjusted RR of 2·56 (95% CI: 0·47, 13·94, p = 0.035).

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for policies that regulate the availability, accessibility, and marketing of ENDS/ENNDS to children and adolescents. Governments should also consider adopting policies to prevent ENDS/ENNDS uptake and use in children and adolescents, up to and including a ban for this group.
Impact of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on bone quality in a murine model of bone metastases
Authors: Ghomashchi Soroush , Whyne Cari M. , Chinnery Tricia , Habach Fayez , Akens Margarete K.
Published: September 2021

Thermal therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are gaining widespread clinical adoption in the local treatment of skeletal metastases. RFA has been shown to successfully destroy tumor cells, yet the impact of RFA on the quality of the surrounding bone has not been well characterized. RFA treatment was performed on femora of rats with bone metastases (osteolytic and osteoblastic) and healthy age matched rats. Histopathology, second harmonic generation imaging and backscatter electron imaging were used to characterize changes in the structure, organic and mineral components of the bone after RFA. RFA treatment was shown to be effective in targeting tumor cells and promoting subsequent new bone formation without impacting the surrounding bone negatively. Mineralization profiles of metastatic models were significantly improved post-RFA treatment with respect to mineral content and homogeneity, suggesting a positive impact of RFA treatment on the quality of cancer involved bone. Evaluating the impact of RFA on bone quality is important in directing the growth of this minimally invasive therapeutic approach with respect to fracture risk assessment, patient selection, and multimodal treatment planning.
Global adoption of personal and social mitigation behaviors during COVID-19: The role of trust & confidence
Authors: Jones Pauline , Menon Anil , Hicken Allen , Rozek Laura S.
Published: September 2021

What influences the adoption of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation behaviors–both personal, such as mask wearing and frequent handwashing, and social, such as avoiding large gatherings and physical contact–across countries? Understanding why some individuals are more willing to change their behavior to mitigate the spread of a pandemic will not only help us to address the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic but also to respond to future ones. Researchers have pointed to a variety of factors that may influence individual adoption of personal and social mitigation behaviors, including social inequality, risk perception, personality traits, and government policies. While not denying the importance of these factors, we argue that the role of trust and confidence has received insufficient attention to date. Our study explores whether there is a difference in the way trust and confidence in particular leaders and organizations affect individual compliance and whether this effect is consistent across different types of mitigation behaviors. Specifically, we utilize an original cross-national survey conducted during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (May-June 2020) to investigate how trust in scientists, medical professionals, politicians, and religious leaders and confidence in global, national, and local health organizations affects individual compliance in 16 countries/territories across five world regions. Our analyses, which control for the aforementioned factors as well as several others, suggest that trust in politicians and confidence in national health ministries have the most consistent influence on whether individuals adopt both personal and social mitigation behaviors. Across our sample, we find that greater trust in politicians is associated with lower levels of individual compliance with public health directives, whereas greater confidence in the national health ministry is associated with higher levels of individual compliance. Our findings suggest the need to understand trust and confidence as among the most important individual level characteristics driving compliance when developing and delivering messaging about the adoption of mitigation behaviors. The content of the message, it seems, will be most effective when citizens across countries trust its source. Trusted sources, such as politicians and the national health ministry, should thus consider working closely together when determining and communicating recommended health behaviors to avoid contradicting one another.
The power of Dionysus—Effects of red wine on consciousness in a naturalistic setting
Authors: Costa Rui Miguel , Madeira Arlindo , Barata Matilde , Wittmann Marc
Published: September 2021

There is lack of research on effects of red wine on consciousness when drank in wine bars designed to enhance the pleasurableness of the wine drinking experience. Effects of a moderate dose of red wine (≈ 40.98 g of ethanol) on consciousness were examined in a naturalistic study taking place in a wine bar located in one of the most touristic areas of Lisbon, Portugal. One hundred two participants drank in one of three conditions: alone, in dyad, or in groups up to six people. Red wine increased pleasure and arousal, decreased the awareness of time, slowed the subjective passage of time, increased the attentional focus on the present moment, decreased body awareness, slowed thought speed, turned imagination more vivid, and made the environment become more fascinating. Red wine increased insightfulness and originality of thoughts, increased sensations of oneness with the environment, spiritual feelings, all-encompassing love, and profound peace. All changes in consciousness occurred regardless of volunteers drinking alone, in dyad or in group. Men and women did not report different changes in consciousness. Older age correlated with greater increases in pleasure. Younger age correlated with greater increases in fascination with the environment of the wine bar. Drinking wine in a contemporaneous Western environment designed to enhance the pleasurableness of the wine drinking experience may trigger changes in consciousness commonly associated with mystical-type states.
Emergence of blaNDM-1 and blaVIM producing Gram-negative bacilli in ventilator-associated pneumonia at AMR Surveillance Regional Reference Laboratory in India
Authors: Kumari Mithlesh , Verma Sheetal , Venkatesh Vimala , Gupta Prashant , Tripathi Piyush , Agarwal Avinash , Siddiqui Suhail Sarwar , Arshad Zia , Prakash Ved
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may be a life threatening nosocomial infection encountered in intensive care units. Currently the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens has become worrisome threat worldwide.

Material and methods

Endotracheal aspirates samples were collected from patients who were under mechanical ventilation for > 48 h. The bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and antibiotic susceptibility testing performed. All carbapenem resistant isolates were tested by Modified Hodge test (MHT), modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM), and EDTA-CIM (eCIM) and PCR were performed to detect blaIMP, blaVIM and blaNDM producing MBL genes.

Results

VAP occurred in 172/353(48.7%), 23.3% had early-onset VAP and 76.7% had late-onset VAP. Males (69.2%) were found to suffer more from VAP. Prior antibiotic therapy, CPI>6, prior surgery and tracheostomy were associated with VAP. The mortality in VAP (58.1%) contrasted with non-VAP (40%). 99/169 (58.6%) Gram-negative isolates were resistant to carbapenems. Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were common pathogens found in late onset VAP, whereas K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus were common in early onset VAP. The PCR results detected blaNDM in 37/172(21.5%) and blaVIM in 30/172(17.4%); 15/172(8.7%) isolates carried both genes.

Conclusion

The blaNDM-1 and blaVIM genes are the main antibiotic-resistance genes that induce resistance patterns to carbapenems in VAP, highlighting CRE strains of potential public health concern and therapeutic challenge. Diagnostic laboratories in India must get on high caution for early MBL detection as it may limit the wide dispersal of MBL genes.
Impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns and stimulus payments on low-income population’s spending in the United States
Authors: Li Kangli , Foutz Natasha Zhang , Cai Yuxin , Liang Yunlei , Gao Song
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the economy and human lives worldwide, particularly the vulnerable low-income population. We employ a large panel data of 5.6 million daily transactions from 2.6 million debit cards owned by the low-income population in the U.S. to quantify the joint impacts of the state lockdowns and stimulus payments on this population’s spending along the inter-temporal, geo-spatial, and cross-categorical dimensions. Leveraging the difference-in-differences analyses at the per card and zip code levels, we uncover three key findings. (1) Inter-temporally, the state lockdowns diminished the daily average spending relative to the same period in 2019 by $3.9 per card and $2,214 per zip code, whereas the stimulus payments elevated the daily average spending by $15.7 per card and $3,307 per zip code. (2) Spatial heterogeneity prevailed: Democratic zip codes displayed much more volatile dynamics, with an initial decline three times that of Republican zip codes, followed by a higher rebound and a net gain after the stimulus payments; also, Southwest exhibited the highest initial decline whereas Southeast had the largest net gain after the stimulus payments. (3) Across 26 categories, the stimulus payments promoted spending in those categories that enhanced public health and charitable donations, reduced food insecurity and digital divide, while having also stimulated non-essential and even undesirable categories, such as liquor and cigar. In addition, spatial association analysis was employed to identify spatial dependency and local hot spots of spending changes at the county level. Overall, these analyses reveal the imperative need for more geo- and category-targeted stimulus programs, as well as more effective and strategic policy communications, to protect and promote the well-being of the low-income population during public health and economic crises.
Institutional mortality rate and cause of death at health facilities in Ghana between 2014 and 2018
Authors: Owusu Adobea Yaa , Kushitor Sandra Boatemaa , Ofosu Anthony Adofo , Kushitor Mawuli Komla , Ayi Atsu , Awoonor-Williams John Koku
Published: September 2021

Background

The epidemiological transition, touted as occurring in Ghana, requires research that tracks the changing patterns of diseases in order to capture the trend and improve healthcare delivery. This study examines national trends in mortality rate and cause of death at health facilities in Ghana between 2014 and 2018.

Methods

Institutional mortality data and cause of death from 2014–2018 were sourced from the Ghana Health Service’s District Health Information Management System. The latter collates healthcare service data routinely from government and non-governmental health institutions in Ghana yearly. The institutional mortality rate was estimated using guidelines from the Ghana Health Service. Percent change in mortality was examined for 2014 and 2018. In addition, cause of death data were available for 2017 and 2018. The World Health Organisation’s 11th International Classification for Diseases (ICD-11) was used to group the cause of death.

Results

Institutional mortality decreased by 7% nationally over the study period. However, four out of ten regions (Greater Accra, Volta, Upper East, and Upper West) recorded increases in institutional mortality. The Upper East (17%) and Volta regions (13%) recorded the highest increase. Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were the leading cause of death in 2017 (25%) and 2018 (20%). This was followed by certain infectious and parasitic diseases (15% for both years) and respiratory infections (10% in 2017 and 13% in 2018). Among the NCDs, hypertension was the leading cause of death with 2,243 and 2,472 cases in 2017 and 2018. Other (non-ischemic) heart diseases and diabetes were the second and third leading NCDs. Septicaemia, tuberculosis and pneumonia were the predominant infectious diseases. Regional variations existed in the cause of death. NCDs showed more urban-region bias while infectious diseases presented more rural-region bias.

Conclusions

This study examined national trends in mortality rate and cause of death at health facilities in Ghana. Ghana recorded a decrease in institutional mortality throughout the study. NCDs and infections were the leading causes of death, giving a double-burden of diseases. There is a need to enhance efforts towards healthcare and health promotion programmes for NCDs and infectious diseases at facility and community levels as outlined in the 2020 National Health Policy of Ghana.
Is it easier to use one language variety at a time, or mix them? An investigation of voluntary language switching with bidialectals
Authors: Declerck Mathieu , Kirk Neil W.
Published: September 2021

Previous language production research with bidialectals has provided evidence for similar language control processes as during bilingual language production. In the current study, we aim to further investigate this claim by examining bidialectals with a voluntary language switching paradigm. Research with bilinguals performing the voluntary language switching paradigm has consistently shown two effects. First, the cost of switching languages, relative to staying in the same language, is similar across the two languages. The second effect is more uniquely connected to voluntary language switching, namely a benefit when performing in mixed language blocks relative to single language blocks, which has been connected to proactive language control. If a similar pattern could be observed with bidialectals in a voluntary language switching paradigm, then this would provide additional evidence in favor of similar control processes underlying bidialectal and bilingual language production.
Projection of the health and economic impacts of Chronic kidney disease in the Chilean population
Authors: Walbaum Magdalena , Scholes Shaun , Rojas Rubén , Mindell Jennifer S. , Pizzo Elena
Published: September 2021

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a leading public health problem, with substantial burden and economic implications for healthcare systems, mainly due to renal replacement treatment (RRT) for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The aim of this study is to develop a multistate predictive model to estimate the future burden of CKD in Chile, given the high and rising RRT rates, population ageing, and prevalence of comorbidities contributing to CKD.

Methods

A dynamic stock and flow model was developed to simulate CKD progression in the Chilean population aged 40 years and older, up to the year 2041, adopting the perspective of the Chilean public healthcare system. The model included six states replicating progression of CKD, which was assumed in 1-year cycles and was categorised as slow, medium or fast progression, based on the underlying conditions. We simulated two different treatment scenarios. Only direct costs of treatment were included, and a 3% per year discount rate was applied after the first year. We calibrated the model based on international evidence; the exploration of uncertainty (95% credibility intervals) was undertaken with probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Results

By the year 2041, there is an expected increase in cases of CKD stages 3a to ESKD, ceteris paribus, from 442,265 (95% UI 441,808–442,722) in 2021 to 735,513 (734,455–736,570) individuals. Direct costs of CKD stages 3a to ESKD would rise from 322.4M GBP (321.7–323.1) in 2021 to 1,038.6M GBP (1,035.5–1,041.8) in 2041. A reduction in the progression rates of the disease by the inclusion of SGLT2 inhibitors and pre-dialysis treatment would decrease the number of individuals worsening to stages 5 and ESKD, thus reducing the total costs of CKD by 214.6M GBP in 2041 to 824.0M GBP (822.7–825.3).

Conclusions

This model can be a useful tool for healthcare planning, with development of preventive or treatment plans to reduce and delay the progression of the disease and thus the anticipated increase in the healthcare costs of CKD.
Identifying wastewater management tradeoffs: Costs, nearshore water quality, and implications for marine coastal ecosystems in Kona, Hawai‘i
Authors: Wada Christopher A. , Burnett Kimberly M. , Okuhata Brytne K. , Delevaux Jade M. S. , Dulai Henrietta , El-Kadi Aly I. , Gibson Veronica , Smith Celia , Bremer Leah L.
Published: September 2021

Untreated and minimally treated wastewater discharged into the environment have the potential to adversely affect groundwater dependent ecosystems and nearshore marine health. Addressing this issue requires a systems approach that links land use and wastewater management decisions to potential impacts on the nearshore marine environment via changes in water quality and quantity. To that end, a framework was developed to assess decisions that have cascading effects across multiple elements of the ridge-to-reef system. In an application to Kona (Hawai‘i, USA), eight land use and wastewater management scenarios were evaluated in terms of wastewater system upgrade costs and wastewater related nutrient loads in groundwater, which eventually discharge to nearshore waters, resulting in potential impacts to marine habitat quality. Without any upgrades of cesspools or the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), discharges of nutrients are expected to increase substantially with permitted development, with potential detrimental impacts to the marine environment. Results suggest that converting all of the existing cesspools to aerobic treatment units (ATU) and upgrading the existing WWTP to R-1 quality provide the highest protection to nearshore marine habitat at a cost of $569 million in present value terms. Other wastewater management options were less effective but also less costly. For example, targeted cesspool conversion (a combination of septic and ATU installation) in conjunction with the WWTP upgrade still provided a substantial reduction in nutrients and potential impacts to marine habitat quality relative to the present situation at a price point roughly $100 million less than the entirely ATU option. Of note, results were more sensitive to the inclusion of the WWTP upgrade option than they were to assumptions regarding the efficiency of the cesspool conversion technologies. The model outputs also suggest that the spatial distribution of potential impacts should be carefully considered when comparing different wastewater management scenarios. When evaluated separately, the WWTP option reduced total nutrients by more than the targeted cesspool conversion option at a fraction of the cost. However, potential improvements in marine habitat quality only occurred in the immediate vicinity of the WWTP, whereas the benefits under targeted cesspool conversion were more evenly distributed along the coast.
The regulation landscape of MAPK signaling cascade for thwarting Bacillus thuringiensis infection in an insect host
Authors: Guo Zhaojiang , Kang Shi , Wu Qingjun , Wang Shaoli , Crickmore Neil , Zhou Xuguo , Bravo Alejandra , Soberón Mario , Zhang Youjun
Published: September 2021

Host-pathogen interactions are central components of ecological networks where the MAPK signaling pathways act as central hubs of these complex interactions. We have previously shown that an insect hormone modulated MAPK signaling cascade participates as a general switch to trans-regulate differential expression of diverse midgut genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) to cope with the insecticidal action of Cry1Ac toxin, produced by the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The relationship between topology and functions of this four-tiered phosphorylation signaling cascade, however, is an uncharted territory. Here, we carried out a genome-wide characterization of all the MAPK orthologs in P. xylostella to define their phylogenetic relationships and to confirm their evolutionary conserved modules. Results from quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses, combined with functional validations studies using specific inhibitors and dsRNAs lead us to establish a MAPK “road map”, where p38 and ERK MAPK signaling pathways, in large part, mount a resistance response against Bt toxins through regulating the differential expression of multiple Cry toxin receptors and their non-receptor paralogs in P. xylostella midgut. These data not only advance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions in agricultural pests, but also inform the future development of biopesticides that could suppress Cry resistance phenotypes.
Theory of Evocation: about the Teacher
Authors: Shirokikh Irina , Савочкина Елена Александровна
Published: September 2021

Material for the anniversary of A.A. Chuvakin.
Verbal manipulation in mass media text / discourse: the problem of recognition
Authors: Kopnina Galina
Published: September 2021

The article presents short analytical review of the mass media texts researches devoted to the problem of recognition of verbal manipulation. It was found that in addition to traditional algorithms of “hand” identification of manipulation in the text / discourse (with the help of linguistic analysis), there are automatized systems of verbal manipulation recognition in mass media being developed. Despite the fact that at the current stage of science development the automatized systems which can recognize potentially manipulative texts of some types (fake texts; texts of negative tone including verbal aggression) have been already established with philologists’ participation, the problem that has been mentioned cannot be considered as solved in general due to diversity of manipulation and exitance of the number of problems among which there is a lack of uniformity in the interpretation of the key terms and the lack of dictionary of manipulation techniques and devices, all these makes the parametrization of indicators (markers) more difficult. The Kazakhstani researchers’ idea stating that the text manipulativity is determined by its intensity level of the set of indicators of a particular type requires further experimental confirmation using various materials. The author of the article believes that the last word in identification of verbal manipulation should belong to a man.
Modelling Speech Genre as a Field (case Study of Elite Brand Goods in Instagram)
Authors: Elena Savochkina
Published: September 2021

The article is striving to describe one of the genres of advertising discourse – the advertising of elite brand goods in Instagram – through the theory of speech genres. The study is based on the following principles of the theory: all communication phenomena can be described through their primary or secondary nature; any speech genre has a field structure. A field consists of a core represented by features opposing this genre to other genres, and periphery represented by shared features. Field features of a genre are represented by language units of different levels grouped around some invariant content which depends on the topic and aim of communication. We have built a field model of speech genre of advertising of elite brand goods in Instagram, where the core features are word-play, highly expressive vocabulary and allusions which all aim to create positive image of elite goods. The field periphery has been split into closer periphery (common for all e-advertising) and farther periphery (represented by features common for advertising in general). The features of closer periphery are instant, ubiquitous and interactive nature. The features of farther periphery are informative and evaluative character, inducement and creolized nature.
Peculiarities of Conceptualization of the Notion "Quarantine" in Modern Internet Folklore
Authors: Pavlyuk Tatiana , Дубинец Зореслава Александровна
Published: September 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of cognitive conceptual features of the recurrent concept of "quarantine". The study identified related concepts in modern genres of Internet folklore: mask, self-isolation, ginger, coronavirus, and also identified 24 frames that were included in the associative field of the concept under study: parody of movies, anecdotes, stable expressions; ads, advertising; home schooling; being at home; forum questions, tips; alcohol; persistent phrases, euphemisms, aphorisms; retrospective parody of the realities of the Soviet past; jokes, memes; fear of death; getting rich in trouble; planning holidays; underground work; dating; the omnipotence of politicians; going to the store; slogans; tourism; linguistic jokes; clothing; signs; new social and economic realities; sports. The research material represents the following features of the conceptualization of the concept of ‘quarantine’: 1) inefficiency of self-development and goal-setting in conditions of prolonged isolation; 2) excess of time; 3) increased food consumption; 4) abstinence from infidelity in marriage; 5) pumping up negative information by the media; 6) adaptation to new conditions and possible extrapolation of them to a future life outside of quarantine; 7) fear of death.
Phylogenetic biogeography of Araucaria (Araucariaceae)
Authors: Mikhaylova A. A. , Stevanovich M. B. , Timchenko K. S. , Zdravchev N. S.
Published: September 2021

The analysis of molecular data of all 19 recent species of the genus Araucaria Juss. (Araucariaceae) wascarried out and original cladogramm was build. Based on the cladogramm, the map of correlations of the phylogeneticrelationships and the distribution of all recent Araucaria species is proposed.