bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beatus vir: Chrystologiczny Psałterz trzebnicki w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej we Wrocławiu (IF 440) wobec egzegezy biblijnej i duchowości cysterskiej XIII stulecia
Authors: Tabor Dariusz
Published: October 2021

BEATUS VIR. THE CHRISTOLOGICAL PSALTER IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN WROCLAW (IF 440), TOWARDS BIBLICAL EXEGESIS AND CISTERCIAN SPIRITUALITY OF 13TH CENTURY The psalter of Trzebnica (Trebnitz) (Wroclaw, University Library IF 440) has been kept since 1810 in the collection of manuscripts in the University Library of Wroclaw. It has been registered in two catalogues – catalog of J. Ch. Friedriech and catalog of W. Goeber. This codex was an object of researches and studies of many scholars. The first of them was Artur Haseloff, who collocated this manuscript in the Thuringian-Saxon school of book painting of 13th century. Many other scholars contributed to the knowledge about this book. Władysław Podlacha, Feliks Kopera, Erich Kloss, Reiner Maria Libor, Michał Walicki, Alicja Karlowska-Kamzowa, Konstanty Klemens Jażdżewski, Andrzej Wałkówski, Sergiusz Michalski, Gude Suckale Redlefsen, Dariusz Tabor, Romuald Kaczmarek, Anna Sutowicz – these were the researchers, who have taken the study on our psalter. Their research touched especially upon styles of the illuminations, problem of provenance of style, connections with miniature of Saxon-Thuringian school, dependence on the cultural center of Bamberg and connections with the family of Andechs Meranier. Only two researchers studied the paleography of scripture. Dariusz Tabor studied the meaning of miniature and its exegetical and spiritual context.
“Un”Fair Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Fu Runshan , Aseri Manmohan , Singh Param Vir , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: October 2021

Ensuring fairness in algorithmic decision making is a crucial policy issue. Current legislation ensures fairness by barring algorithm designers from using demographic information in their decision making. As a result, to be legally compliant, the algorithms need to ensure equal treatment. However, in many cases, ensuring equal treatment leads to disparate impact particularly when there are differences among groups based on demographic classes. In response, several “fair” machine learning (ML) algorithms that require impact parity (e.g., equal opportunity) at the cost of equal treatment have recently been proposed to adjust for the societal inequalities. Advocates of fair ML propose changing the law to allow the use of protected class-specific decision rules. We show that the proposed fair ML algorithms that require impact parity, while conceptually appealing, can make everyone worse off, including the very class they aim to protect. Compared with the current law, which requires treatment parity, the fair ML algorithms, which require impact parity, limit the benefits of a more accurate algorithm for a firm. As a result, profit maximizing firms could underinvest in learning, that is, improving the accuracy of their machine learning algorithms. We show that the investment in learning decreases when misclassification is costly, which is exactly the case when greater accuracy is otherwise desired. Our paper highlights the importance of considering strategic behavior of stake holders when developing and evaluating fair ML algorithms. Overall, our results indicate that fair ML algorithms that require impact parity, if turned into law, may not be able to deliver some of the anticipated benefits.

This paper was accepted by Kartik Hosanagar, information systems.
Highlighting the latest research: October 2021
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: October 2021

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail.
Nurse-led early evaluation following corticosteroid prescription in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Harvey Philip R , Slater Jayne , Algieder Akram , Jones Judith , Bates Beth , De Silva Shanika
Published: October 2021

Background

The Toronto consensus for management of ulcerative colitis (UC) recommends early evaluation of UC patients 2 weeks after initiation on corticosteroids. A system for early evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease patients was established by specialist nurses in a secondary care centre.

Aim

To compare outcomes following early evaluation to the previous service.

Methods

All patients undergoing early evaluation over a 1-year period were prospectively audited and compared to a retrospective cohort of patients receiving prednisolone in the preceding year.

Findings

Of 140 patients included, 76 (54.3%) underwent early evaluation. All patients in the early evaluation group received drug education and details of the nurse helpline (17.1% of patients did not already have this). Of patients, 81.6% were prescribed Adcal, and 83.9% were on 5-aminosalicylates. Fewer admissions were observed within 6 months following early evaluation (8.6% vs. 23.4%, p=0.013).

Conclusion

Multiple benefits of early evaluation were observed, including a potential reduction in hospital admissions.
ENDO 2022: a global endoscopy congress in Kyoto, Japan
Authors: Emura Fabian , Tajiri Hisao
Published: October 2021

Looking forward to the upcoming conference organised by the World Endoscopy Organization, in partnership with the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society
La enseñanza de la gramática en Educación Primaria: Un estudio etnográfico sobre el pensamiento y la acción docente
Authors: Colón María Jesús , Valén Terraza Arantxa
Published: October 2021

Desde sus inicios, el enfoque comunicativo ha tratado de integrar en sus presupuestos la enseñanza de la gramática, pero el modelo tradicional ha predominado en la práctica. Algunas propuestas, como la enseñanza por tareas, han ofrecido alternativas a ese modelo y las orientaciones curriculares han recogido la necesidad de enfocar la gramática desde el aprendizaje reflexivo y funcional. En este contexto, interesa conocer cómo son los procedimientos y las creencias actuales del profesorado en relación con el tema. Con este objetivo, se desarrolló un estudio de modalidad cualitativa y etnográfica en dos centros educativos de Educación Primaria de la provincia de Huesca (España). El estudio muestra la tensión entre el pensamiento y la acción docente. En el discurso de los maestros se observa una apuesta por una enseñanza significativa y comunicativa de la gramática. Sin embargo, las prácticas guiadas por los libros de texto responden a un tratamiento tradicional, la gramática se entiende entonces como un conjunto de normas desvinculadas del uso de los hablantes y ajenas a los alumnos. Las diferencias observadas entre las clases de idiomas y las de lengua castellana, además de la falta de confianza en la capacidad reflexiva del alumnado resultan claves en los resultados.
¿Hacia una comunidad autónoma leonesa? Una interpretación urgente del Lexit de inicios de 2020 desde la perspectiva de la nueva geografía regional
Authors: Paül Carril Valerià , Vila Lage Roberto , Otero Varela Alejandro , Trillo Santamaría Juan Manuel
Published: October 2021

Desde finales de 2019 se ha venido planteando un proceso denominado Lexit. En efecto, en base a mociones presentadas en ayuntamientos, se pretende conseguir una comunidad autónoma leonesa separada de la actual Castilla y León. Se interpreta dicho proceso dando voz a sus protagonistas y utilizando el marco teórico de la Nueva Geografía Regional (NGR). Las entrevistas realizadas a tal efecto apuntan a una lectura muy pesimista sobre León y su inserción administrativa, en términos de agravio, ante la que el Lexit emerge como realidad deseada, aunque de difícil consecución. Para este caso particular, resultan más pertinentes las interpretaciones de la NGR que ponen el énfasis en aspectos sociales, económicos y políticos, que las centradas en cuestiones de índole discursiva y cultural.
Destroying and recovering spiral vortex beams due to figured perturbations
Authors: Volyar A. , Abramochkin E. , Akimova Ya. , Bretsko M.
Published: October 2021

Using asymptotic approaches and an experiment supported by computer simulation, we examined transforming spiral vortex (SV) beams caused by affecting figured hard-edged apertures. By the example of a tetragonal beam, we considered three perturbation scenarios: (1) asymmetric perturbation, when an opaque screen covers the caustic only on one side of the tetragon, (2) symmetric perturbation, when the figured aperture covers the entire beam except for a narrow caustic region, and (3) symmetric perturbation when the figured aperture screens only the caustic region without affecting the rest of the beam. At the same time, we carried out asymptotic calculations for all types of polygonal beams. It was found that the beam can partially restore its original state if the aperture does not touch the caustic region. Otherwise, the former SV beam structure is destroyed, but a new stable state appears in a far diffraction zone.
Numerical simulation design of all-inorganic hole-transport-layer-free CsSnI3 (Sn-rich)/CsSnI3 perovskite efficient solar cells
Authors: Jiang Mengying , Tang Jiyu
Published: October 2021

As perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology is about to be commercialized, the use of toxic and organic material is still a problem. At the same time, hole-transport-layer-free (HTL-free) PSCs have received widespread attention given their simple structure and low manufacturing cost. In this study, we use the wxAMPS software to produce a simulation, using

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all-perovskite as the absorption layer and carbon as the back electrode, as well as to propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, inorganic HTL-free PSC.

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is a narrowband material whose absorption range can be extended to the near-infrared spectral region; it also has very high hole mobility and so can be used as both the light absorption layer and the HTL. Compared with that of standard structure devices, the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSC is better. When the perovskite layer thickness is 900 nm, the optimal PCE is 14.91%, the open-circuit voltage is 0.81 V, the short-circuit current is

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, and the fill factor is 77.37%. Our research further found that

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(Sn-rich) has the best PCE at

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∼

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. When the electron transport layer and the light absorption layer conduction band offset is

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, the PCE has an optimal value of 15.02%. Finally, by changing the light temperature, the PCE value of our study is between 12.07% and 16.61% under non-extreme work environments, and the results show that the device has good thermostability. This proves that the proposed all-inorganic HTL-free PSCs have broad prospects in future photovoltaic and optoelectronics applications and provide theoretical guidance for the manufacture of non-toxic and inorganic PSCs.
Optofluidic lenticular lens array for a 2D/3D switchable display
Authors: Yuan Rong-Ying , Ma Xiao-Li , Chu Fan , Wang Guang-Xu , He Min-Yang , Liu Chao , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we propose an optofluidic lenticular lens array (OLLA) for a two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) switchable display. The OLLA includes a bottom substrate layer with lenticular lens structure, a microfluidic layer with microchannels, and a top substrate layer with inlets as well as outlets. A micro gap is formed between the lenticular lens of the bottom substrate layer and the top substrate layer. When air is in the micro gap, the OLLA behaves as a lenticular lens array, which can realize 3D display. When fluid is filled in the micro gap, because the refractive index of the fluid is the same with the lenticular lens structure, the OLLA equivalents to a transparent flat panel, which can realize a 2D display. Experiments verify that a switchable 2D/3D display prototype based on this OLLA and a smartphone achieves both high-resolution 2D display and high-quality 3D display.
Simultaneous self-injection locking of two VCSELs to a single whispering-gallery-mode microcavity
Authors: Jiang Lidan , Shi Leilei , Luo Jing , Gao Qirui , Bai Miaoxin , Lan Tianyi , Iroegbu Paul Ikechukwu , Dang Laiyang , Huang Ligang , Zhu Tao
Published: October 2021

Simultaneous self-injection locking of two vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) to a single whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microcavity is experimentally demonstrated. The linewidths of the two VCSELs are compressed from 3.5 MHz and 5 MHz to 20.9 kHz and 24.1 kHz, which is on the same order of magnitude as that of locking each VCSEL to the microcavity separately. Moreover, the frequency noises of the two simultaneously locked VCSELs are suppressed by more than 60 dB below the offset frequency of 100 kHz compared to that of the free-running VCSELs. The method demonstrated here might be used in the multi-wavelength laser array with low phase and frequency noises, especially the VCSELs with the unique architecture of a two-dimensional array.
Cog-shaped refractive index sensor embedded with gold nanorods for temperature sensing of multiple analytes
Authors: Rashid Kazi Sharmeen , Tathfif Infiter , Yaseer Ahmad Azuad , Hassan Md. Farhad , Sagor Rakibul Hasan
Published: October 2021

This article presents a refractive index (RI) nanosensor utilizing gold as the plasmonic material. The layout of the sensor includes metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguides coupled with a cog-shaped resonator studded with gold nanorods. At the mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum, the spectral characteristics of the sensor are numerically analyzed employing the finite element method (FEM). Moreover, the refractive index sensing property is thoroughly explored by varying the key parameters, establishing a linear correlation with the transmittance profile. After extensive simulations, the most optimum structure displays the highest sensitivity of 6227.6 nm/RIU. Furthermore, the capability of the proposed device as a temperature sensor is investigated with five different liquids (ethanol, polydimethylsiloxane, toluene, chloroform, and the mixture of toluene and chloroform); among these, chloroform exhibits maximum temperature sensitivity of 6.66 nm/°C. Due to being chemically stable and demonstrating satisfactory performance in RI and temperature sensing, the suggested schematic can be a suitable replacement for silver-based sensors.
On-chip microdisk laser on Yb3+-doped thin-film lithium niobate
Authors: Zhou Yuan , Wang Zhe , Fang Zhiwei , Liu Zhaoxiang , Zhang Haisu , Yin Difeng , Liang Youting , Zhang Zhihao , Liu Jian , Huang Ting , Bao Rui , Wu Rongbo , Lin Jintian , Wang Min , Cheng Ya
Published: October 2021

We demonstrate an on-chip

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-doped lithium niobate (LN) microdisk laser. The intrinsic quality factors of the fabricated

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-doped LN microdisk resonator are measured up to

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at a 976 nm wavelength and

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at a 1514 nm wavelength. The multi-mode laser emissions are obtained in a band from 1020 to 1070 nm pumped by a 984 nm laser and with the low threshold of

103

µ

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, resulting in a slope efficiency of 0.53% at room temperature. Furthermore, both the second-harmonic frequency of pump light and the sum frequency of the pump light and laser emissions are generated in the on-chip

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b

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-doped LN microdisk, benefiting from the strong

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nonlinearity of LN. These microdisk lasers are expected to contribute to the high-density integration of a lithium niobate on insulator-based photonic chip.
The Plasmodium NOT1-G paralogue is an essential regulator of sexual stage maturation and parasite transmission
Authors: Hart Kevin J. , Power B. Joanne , Rios Kelly T. , Sebastian Aswathy , Lindner Scott E.
Published: October 2021

Productive transmission of malaria parasites hinges upon the execution of key transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory events. While much is now known about how specific transcription factors activate or repress sexual commitment programs, far less is known about the production of a preferred mRNA homeostasis following commitment and through the host-to-vector transmission event. Here, we show that in Plasmodium parasites, the NOT1 scaffold protein of the CAF1/CCR4/Not complex is duplicated, and one paralogue is dedicated for essential transmission functions. Moreover, this NOT1-G paralogue is central to the sex-specific functions previously associated with its interacting partners, as deletion of not1-g in Plasmodium yoelii leads to a comparable or complete arrest phenotype for both male and female parasites. We show that, consistent with its role in other eukaryotes, PyNOT1-G localizes to cytosolic puncta throughout much of the Plasmodium life cycle. PyNOT1-G is essential to both the complete maturation of male gametes and to the continued development of the fertilized zygote originating from female parasites. Comparative transcriptomics of wild-type and pynot1-g− parasites shows that loss of PyNOT1-G leads to transcript dysregulation preceding and during gametocytogenesis and shows that PyNOT1-G acts to preserve mRNAs that are critical to sexual and early mosquito stage development. Finally, we demonstrate that the tristetraprolin (TTP)-binding domain, which acts as the typical organization platform for RNA decay (TTP) and RNA preservation (ELAV/HuR) factors is dispensable for PyNOT1-G’s essential blood stage functions but impacts host-to-vector transmission. Together, we conclude that a NOT1-G paralogue in Plasmodium fulfills the complex transmission requirements of both male and female parasites.
Extended graphical lasso for multiple interaction networks for high dimensional omics data
Authors: Xu Yang , Jiang Hongmei , Jiang Wenxin
Published: October 2021

There has been a spate of interest in association networks in biological and medical research, for example, genetic interaction networks. In this paper, we propose a novel method, the extended joint hub graphical lasso (EDOHA), to estimate multiple related interaction networks for high dimensional omics data across multiple distinct classes. To be specific, we construct a convex penalized log likelihood optimization problem and solve it with an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm. The proposed method can also be adapted to estimate interaction networks for high dimensional compositional data such as microbial interaction networks. The performance of the proposed method in the simulated studies shows that EDOHA has remarkable advantages in recognizing class-specific hubs than the existing comparable methods. We also present three applications of real datasets. Biological interpretations of our results confirm those of previous studies and offer a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism in disease.
Bioinformatics in Sudan: Status and challenges case study: The National University-Sudan
Authors: Mohamed Sofia B. , Kambal Sumaya , Ibrahim Sabah A. E. , Abdalwhab Esra , Munir Abdalla , Ibrahim Arwa , Ali Qurashi Mohamed
Published: October 2021

The ever increasing applications of bioinformatics in providing effective interpretation of large and complex biological data require expertise in the use of sophisticated computational tools and advanced statistical tests, skills that are mostly lacking in the Sudanese research community. This can be attributed to paucity in the development and promotion of bioinformatics, lack of senior bioinformaticians, and the general status quo of inadequate research funding in Sudan. In this paper, we describe the challenges that have encountered the development of bioinformatics as a discipline in Sudan. Additionally, we highlight on specific actions that may help develop and promote its education and training. The paper takes the National University Biomedical Research Institute (NUBRI) as an example of an institute that has tackled many of these challenges and strives to drive powerful efforts in the development of bioinformatics in the country.
RgCop-A regularized copula based method for gene selection in single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Lall Snehalika , Ray Sumanta , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra
Published: October 2021

Gene selection in unannotated large single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data is important and crucial step in the preliminary step of downstream analysis. The existing approaches are primarily based on high variation (highly variable genes) or significant high expression (highly expressed genes) failed to provide stable and predictive feature set due to technical noise present in the data. Here, we proposeRgCop, a novelregularizedcopula based method for gene selection from large single cell RNA-seq data.RgCoputilizes copula correlation (Ccor), a robust equitable dependence measure that captures multivariate dependency among a set of genes in single cell expression data. We formulate an objective function by addingl1regularization term withCcorto penalizes the redundant co-efficient of features/genes, resulting non-redundant effective features/genes set. Results show a significant improvement in the clustering/classification performance of real life scRNA-seq data over the other state-of-the-art.RgCopperforms extremely well in capturing dependence among the features of noisy data due to the scale invariant property of copula, thereby improving the stability of the method. Moreover, the differentially expressed (DE) genes identified from the clusters of scRNA-seq data are found to provide an accurate annotation of cells. Finally, the features/genes obtained fromRgCopis able to annotate the unknown cells with high accuracy.
Experiment level curation of transcriptional regulatory interactions in neurodevelopment
Authors: Chu Eric Ching-Pan , Morin Alexander , Chang Tak Hou Calvin , Nguyen Tue , Tsai Yi-Cheng , Sharma Aman , Liu Chao Chun , Pavlidis Paul
Published: October 2021

To facilitate the development of large-scale transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) that may enable in-silico analyses of disease mechanisms, a reliable catalogue of experimentally verified direct transcriptional regulatory interactions (DTRIs) is needed for training and validation. There has been a long history of using low-throughput experiments to validate single DTRIs. Therefore, we reason that a reliable set of DTRIs could be produced by curating the published literature for such evidence. In our survey of previous curation efforts, we identified the lack of details about the quantity and the types of experimental evidence to be a major gap, despite the theoretical importance of such details for the identification of bona fide DTRIs. We developed a curation protocol to inspect the published literature for support of DTRIs at the experiment level, focusing on genes important to the development of the mammalian nervous system. We sought to record three types of low-throughput experiments: Transcription factor (TF) perturbation, TF-DNA binding, and TF-reporter assays. Using this protocol, we examined a total of 1,310 papers to assemble a collection of 1,499 unique DTRIs, involving 251 TFs and 825 target genes, many of which were not reported in any other DTRI resource. The majority of DTRIs (965; 64%) were supported by two or more types of experimental evidence and 27% were supported by all three. Of the DTRIs with all three types of evidence, 170 had been tested using primary tissues or cells and 44 had been tested directly in the central nervous system. We used our resource to document research biases among reports towards a small number of well-studied TFs. To demonstrate a use case for this resource, we compared our curation to a previously published high-throughput perturbation screen and found significant enrichment of the curated targets among genes differentially expressed in the developing brain in response to Pax6 deletion. This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for the assembly of a high resolution DTRI resource to support the development of large-scale TRNs.
Better tired than lost: Turtle ant trail networks favor coherence over short edges
Authors: Chandrasekhar Arjun , Marshall James A. R. , Austin Cortnea , Navlakha Saket , Gordon Deborah M.
Published: October 2021

Creating a routing backbone is a fundamental problem in both biology and engineering. The routing backbone of the trail networks of arboreal turtle ants (Cephalotes goniodontus) connects many nests and food sources using trail pheromone deposited by ants as they walk. Unlike species that forage on the ground, the trail networks of arboreal ants are constrained by the vegetation. We examined what objectives the trail networks meet by comparing the observed ant trail networks with networks of random, hypothetical trail networks in the same surrounding vegetation and with trails optimized for four objectives: minimizing path length, minimizing average edge length, minimizing number of nodes, and minimizing opportunities to get lost. The ants’ trails minimized path length by minimizing the number of nodes traversed rather than choosing short edges. In addition, the ants’ trails reduced the opportunity for ants to get lost at each node, favoring nodes with 3D configurations most likely to be reinforced by pheromone. Thus, rather than finding the shortest edges, turtle ant trail networks take advantage of natural variation in the environment to favor coherence, keeping the ants together on the trails.
A data-driven approach for constructing mutation categories for mutational signature analysis
Authors: Gilad Gal , Leiserson Mark D. M. , Sharan Roded
Published: October 2021

Mutational processes shape the genomes of cancer patients and their understanding has important applications in diagnosis and treatment. Current modeling of mutational processes by identifying their characteristic signatures views each base substitution in a limited context of a single flanking base on each side. This context definition gives rise to 96 categories of mutations that have become the standard in the field, even though wider contexts have been shown to be informative in specific cases. Here we propose a data-driven approach for constructing a mutation categorization for mutational signature analysis. Our approach is based on the assumption that tumor cells that are exposed to similar mutational processes, show similar expression levels of DNA damage repair genes that are involved in these processes. We attempt to find a categorization that maximizes the agreement between mutation and gene expression data, and show that it outperforms the standard categorization over multiple quality measures. Moreover, we show that the categorization we identify generalizes to unseen data from different cancer types, suggesting that mutation context patterns extend beyond the immediate flanking bases.
Bivalent individualization during chromosome territory formation in Drosophila spermatocytes by controlled condensin II protein activity and additional force generators
Authors: Vernizzi Luisa , Lehner Christian F.
Published: October 2021

Reduction of genome ploidy from diploid to haploid necessitates stable pairing of homologous chromosomes into bivalents before the start of the first meiotic division. Importantly, this chromosome pairing must avoid interlocking of non-homologous chromosomes. In spermatocytes of Drosophila melanogaster, where homolog pairing does not involve synaptonemal complex formation and crossovers, associations between non-homologous chromosomes are broken up by chromosome territory formation in early spermatocytes. Extensive non-homologous associations arise from the coalescence of the large blocks of pericentromeric heterochromatin into a chromocenter and from centromere clustering. Nevertheless, during territory formation, bivalents are moved apart into spatially separate subnuclear regions. The condensin II subunits, Cap-D3 and Cap-H2, have been implicated, but the remarkable separation of bivalents during interphase might require more than just condensin II. For further characterization of this process, we have applied time-lapse imaging using fluorescent markers of centromeres, telomeres and DNA satellites in pericentromeric heterochromatin. We describe the dynamics of the disruption of centromere clusters and the chromocenter in normal spermatocytes. Mutations in Cap-D3 and Cap-H2 abolish chromocenter disruption, resulting in excessive chromosome missegregation during M I. Chromocenter persistence in the mutants is not mediated by the special system, which conjoins homologs in compensation for the absence of crossovers in Drosophila spermatocytes. However, overexpression of Cap-H2 precluded conjunction between autosomal homologs, resulting in random segregation of univalents. Interestingly, Cap-D3 and Cap-H2 mutant spermatocytes displayed conspicuous stretching of the chromocenter, as well as occasional chromocenter disruption, suggesting that territory formation might involve forces unrelated to condensin II. While the molecular basis of these forces remains to be clarified, they are not destroyed by inhibitors of F actin and microtubules. Our results indicate that condensin II activity promotes chromosome territory formation in co-operation with additional force generators and that careful co-ordination with alternative homolog conjunction is crucial.
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis in China: A national survey in 2014-2015
Authors: Chen Ying-Dan , Qian Men-Bao , Zhu Hui-Hui , Zhou Chang-Hai , Zhu Ting-Jun , Huang Ji-Lei , Li Zhong-Jie , Li Shi-Zhu , Zhou Xiao-Nong ,   Group on National Survey of Important Human Parasitic Diseases in China
Published: October 2021

Background

Based on two national surveys, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in China had decreased from 53.58% in 1988–1992 to 19.56% in 2001–2004. To update the epidemiology and characteristics of STH in China, a third national survey was implemented in 2014–2015.

Methodology/Principal findings

This survey covered rural areas in 31 provinces in mainland of China. Multiple-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed, which included three levels (provinces, ecozones and economical levels). Stool samples were collected and the Kato-Katz method was applied for helminth eggs detection. Samples with hookworm eggs were selected and hatched to differentiate the species based on larval morphology. Between June 2014 and May 2015, a total of 484,210 participants from 604 counties were enrolled. The weighted prevalence of STH overall was 4.49% (95% confidential interval (CI): 2.45%-6.53%), including 2.62% (95% CI: 0.86%-4.38%) hookworm infections, 1.36% (95% CI: 0.49%-2.23%) ascariasis, and 1.02% (95% CI: 0.15%-1.89%) trichuriasis. The estimated population infected was 29.12 million (95% CI: 15.88 million-42.32 million) for all STH; 16.97 million (95% CI: 5.57 million-28.39 million) for hookworm infections; 8.83 million (95% CI: 3.18 million-14.45 million) for ascariasis; and 6.60 million (95% CI: 0.97 million-12.25 million) for trichuriasis. Overall, the prevalence of ascariasis and trichuriasis was relatively high in children, while hookworm infections were more common in the older population, especially those over 60. STH was highly prevalent in western China, and moderately in central areas, but low in eastern and northern regions. Out of 3,579 hookworm cases with species differentiation, 479 cases (13.38%) were infected with only Ancylostoma spp., 2,808 cases (78.46%) with only Necator americanus, and another 292 cases (8.16%) with both species.

Conclusions/Significance

This survey demonstrated the continuous decrease of STH in rural China. However, endemicity still prevails in the western areas of the country. Hookworm, especially N. americanus, is becoming the predominant species. Older farmers in western China should be prioritized for control due to the high prevalence of hookworm.
High SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in persons experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from a day-shelter in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: do Couto Anahi Chechia , Kmetiuk Louise Bach , Delai Ruana Renostro , Brandão Ana Pérola Drulla , Monteiro Cairo Oliveira , da Silva Luciana Helena Antoniassi , Soares Camila , Banari Alexandre Campos , Bach Renato van Wilpe , Pettan-Brewer Christina , dos Santos Andrea Pires , Guimarães Ana Marcia Sá , Oliveira Danielle Bruna Leal , Durigon Edison Luiz , Biondo Alexander Welker
Published: October 2021

Brazil presents one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in the world. The initial SARS-CoV-2 epicenter was São Paulo city. As of 2019, the homeless population of São Paulo city was estimated at 24,344 individuals, the largest national homeless population. The present study aimed to concomitantly assess the molecular and serological prevalence and associated risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a homeless population and related shelter workers from a day-shelter. Serum samples, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of persons who are homeless and shelter workers collected from August 25th to 27th, 2020 were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-qPCR, respectively. All swab samples tested negative by RT-qPCR. Seropositivity of IgM and IgG was 5/203 (2.5%) and 111/203 (54.7%) in persons who are homeless, and 5/87 (5.7%) and 41/87 (47.1%) in shelter workers, respectively, with no statistical differences between groups. The high seroprevalence found herein indicates early environmental and urban spreading of SARS-CoV-2, associated with sociodemographic and economic vulnerability.
Individual responses to a single oral dose of albendazole indicate reduced efficacy against soil-transmitted helminths in an area with high drug pressure
Authors: Walker Martin , Cools Piet , Albonico Marco , Ame Shaali M. , Ayana Mio , Dana Daniel , Keiser Jennifer , Matoso Leonardo F. , Montresor Antonio , Mekonnen Zeleke , Corrêa-Oliveira Rodrigo , Pinto Simone A, , Sayasone Somphou , Vercruysse Jozef , Vlaminck Johnny , Levecke Bruno
Published: October 2021

Background

Albendazole (ALB) is administered annually to millions of children through global deworming programs targeting soil-transmitted helminths (STHs: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). However, due to the lack of large individual patient datasets collected using standardized protocols and the application of population-based statistical methods, little is known about factors that may affect individual responses to treatment.

Methodology/Principal findings

We re-analyzed 645 individual patient data from three standardized clinical trials designed to assess the efficacy of a single 400 mg oral dose of ALB against STHs in schoolchildren from different study sites, each with varying history of drug pressure based on duration of mass drug administration programs: Ethiopia, low; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), moderate; Pemba Island (Tanzania), high. Using a Bayesian statistical modelling approach to estimate individual responses (individual egg reduction rates, ERRi), we found that efficacy was lower in Pemba Island, particularly for T. trichiura. For this STH, the proportion of participants with a satisfactory response (ERRi ≥50%), was 65% in Ethiopia, 61% in Lao PDR but only 29% in Pemba Island. There was a significant correlation between ERRi and infection intensity prior to drug administration (ERRi decreasing as a function of increasing infection intensity). Individual age and sex also affected the drug response, but these were of negligible clinical significance and not consistent across STHs and study sites.

Conclusions/Significance

We found decreased efficacy of ALB against all the STHs analyzed in Pemba Island (Tanzania), an area with high drug pressure. This does not indicate causality, as this association may also be partially explained by differences in infection intensity prior to drug administration. Notwithstanding, our results indicate that without alternative treatment regimens, program targets will not be achievable on Pemba Island because of inadequate efficacy of ALB.

Trial registration

The study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT03465488) on March 7, 2018.
Pursuit of chlorovirus genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing
Authors: Noel Eric A. , Weeks Donald P. , Van Etten James L.
Published: October 2021

Genetic and molecular modifications of the large dsDNA chloroviruses, with genomes of 290 to 370 kb, would expedite studies to elucidate the functions of both identified and unidentified virus-encoded proteins. These plaque-forming viruses replicate in certain unicellular, eukaryotic chlorella-like green algae. However, to date, only a few of these algal species and virtually none of their viruses have been genetically manipulated due to lack of practical methods for genetic transformation and genome editing. Attempts at using Agrobacterium-mediated transfection of chlorovirus host Chlorella variabilis NC64A with a specially-designed binary vector resulted in successful transgenic cell selection based on expression of a hygromycin-resistance gene, initial expression of a green fluorescence gene and demonstration of integration of Agrobacterium T-DNA. However, expression of the integrated genes was soon lost. To develop gene editing tools for modifying specific chlorovirus CA-4B genes using preassembled Cas9 protein-sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), we tested multiple methods for delivery of Cas9/sgRNA RNP complexes into infected cells including cell wall-degrading enzymes, electroporation, silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers, and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). In one experiment two independent virus mutants were isolated from macerozyme-treated NC64A cells incubated with Cas9/sgRNA RNPs targeting virus CA-4B-encoded gene 034r, which encodes a glycosyltransferase. Analysis of DNA sequences from the two mutant viruses showed highly targeted nucleotide sequence modifications in the 034r gene of each virus that were fully consistent with Cas9/RNP-directed gene editing. However, in ten subsequent experiments, we were unable to duplicate these results and therefore unable to achieve a reliable system to genetically edit chloroviruses. Nonetheless, these observations provide strong initial suggestions that Cas9/RNPs may function to promote editing of the chlorovirus genome, and that further experimentation is warranted and worthwhile.
Economic convergence in a globalized world: The role of business cycle synchronization
Authors: Lopez Andres , De Lucas Sonia , Delgado Maria Jesus
Published: October 2021

Increasing economic integration and global synchronization can be key for countries aiming to catch up in GDP per capita terms. Little attention has hitherto been placed in synchronization as determinant of convergence. In this paper we estimate the effect of economic globalization and synchronization on income convergence for a sample of 89 developed and developing countries in the period 1970–2015. We use a dynamic factor model and panel data techniques to undertake the objectives of the paper. We show that synchronized countries (those correlated with the factor) exhibit a higher response on GDP per capita growth with variations on the global business cycle. This implies that synchronization improves growth for that group in global expansionary phases, but also implies risks during global recessions. On the contrary, the effect on growth of an economic globalization index is less relevant for synchronized countries than for asynchronized countries. The latter result implies that asynchronized countries can benefit more increasing their levels of economic globalization.
Parental acceptance and knowledge of varicella vaccination in relation to socioeconomics in Sweden: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Arnheim-Dahlström Lisen , Zarabi Natalie , Hagen Karin , Bencina Goran
Published: October 2021

Varicella infection is a highly contagious disease which, whilst mild in most cases, can cause severe complications. Varicella vaccination is available privately in Sweden and is currently being reviewed for inclusion in the Swedish Public Health Agency’s national immunisation program (NIP). A cross-sectional study of parents of Swedish children aged 1–8 years (n = 2212) was conducted to understand parental acceptance, beliefs and knowledge around varicella infection and vaccination. Respondents generally viewed varicella infection as a mild disease, with only a small proportion aware of potential severe complications. While 65% of respondents were aware of the vaccine, only 15% had started the course of vaccination as of February 2019. Further, 43% of parents did not intend to vaccinate, most commonly due to lack of inclusion in the NIP, but also due to perception of mild disease. Nevertheless, if offered within the NIP, 85% of parents would be highly likely to vaccinate their child. A number of statistically significant differences in awareness and behaviours were observed between sociodemographic subgroups. In general, women were more aware of vaccination (72%) compared to men (58%). Among unemployed or respondents with elementary school education, awareness was below 43%, and among respondents with high income the awareness was above 75%. Similarly, among unemployed or respondents with a low income the vaccination rate was as low as 30% compared with at least 57% among respondents with a high income. Respondents from metropolitan areas, those with university degrees and respondents with a higher income were more likely to be aware of the varicella vaccine and to have vaccinated their child. Whilst inclusion in the NIP is clearly the main driver for uptake, these identified knowledge gaps should inform educational efforts to ensure that all parents are informed of the availability and benefits of the varicella vaccine independent of socioeconomic status.
What influences attitudes about artificial intelligence adoption: Evidence from U.S. local officials
Authors: Horowitz Michael C. , Kahn Lauren
Published: October 2021

Rapid advances in machine learning and related techniques have increased optimism about self-driving cars, autonomous surgery, and other uses of artificial intelligence (AI). But adoption of these technologies is not simply a matter of breakthroughs in the design and training of algorithms. Regulators around the world will have to make a litany of choices about law and policy surrounding AI. To advance knowledge of how they will make these choices, we draw on a unique survey pool—690 local officials in the United States—a representative sample of U.S. local officials. These officials will make many of the decisions about AI adoption, from government use to regulation, given the decentralized structure of the United States. The results show larger levels of support for autonomous vehicles than autonomous surgery. Moreover, those that used ridesharing apps prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are significantly more supportive of autonomous vehicles. We also find that self-reported familiarity with AI is correlated with increased approval of AI uses in a variety of areas, including facial recognition, natural disaster impact planning, and even military surveillance. Related, those who expressed greater opposition to AI adoption also appear more concerned about trade-offs between privacy and information and bias in algorithms. Finally, the explanatory logic used by respondents varies based on gender and prior experience with AI, which we demonstrate with quantitative text analysis.
Gender gap in journal submissions and peer review during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study on 2329 Elsevier journals
Authors: Squazzoni Flaminio , Bravo Giangiacomo , Grimaldo Francisco , García-Costa Daniel , Farjam Mike , Mehmani Bahar
Published: October 2021

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an unusually high submission rate of scholarly articles. Given that most academics were forced to work from home, the competing demands for familial duties may have penalized the scientific productivity of women. To test this hypothesis, we looked at submitted manuscripts and peer review activities for all Elsevier journals between February and May 2018-2020, including data on over 5 million authors and referees. Results showed that during the first wave of the pandemic, women submitted proportionally fewer manuscripts than men. This deficit was especially pronounced among more junior cohorts of women academics. The rate of the peer-review invitation acceptance showed a less pronounced gender pattern with women taking on a greater service responsibility for journals, except for health & medicine, the field where the impact of COVID-19 research has been more prominent. Our findings suggest that the first wave of the pandemic has created potentially cumulative advantages for men.
The link between climate change, food security and fertility: The case of Bangladesh
Authors: Chen Mengni , Atiqul Haq Shah Md , Ahmed Khandaker Jafor , Hussain A. H. M. Belayeth , Ahmed Mufti Nadimul Quamar
Published: October 2021

Climate change is likely to worsen the food security situation through its impact on food production, which may indirectly affect fertility behaviour. This study examines the direct and indirect effects of climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation) via the production of major crops, as well as their short- and long-term effects on the total fertility rate (TFR) in Bangladesh. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to perform path analysis and distinguish the direct influence of climate change on fertility and its indirect influence on fertility through food security. We also applied the error correction model (ECM) to analyze the time-series data on temperature and precipitation, crop production and fertility rate of Bangladesh from 1966 to 2015. The results show that maximum temperature has a direct effect and indirect negative effect–via crop production–on TFR, while crop production has a direct positive effect and indirect negative effect–via infant mortality–on TFR. In the short term, TFR responds negatively to the maximum temperature but positively in the long term. The effect of rainfall on TFR is found to be direct, positive, but mainly short-term. Although indicators of economic development play an important part in the fertility decline in Bangladesh, some climate change parameters and crop production are non-negligible factors.
Is vaginal delivery of a fetus in breech presentation at an extremely preterm gestational age associated with an increased risk of neonatal death? A comparative study
Authors: Pierre Clémentine , Leroy Audrey , Pierache Adeline , Storme Laurent , Debarge Véronique , Depret Sandrine , Rakza Thameur , Garabedian Charles , Subtil Damien
Published: October 2021

Background

The effect on neonatal mortality of mode of delivery of a fetus in breech presentation at an extremely preterm gestational age remains controversial.

Objective

To compare mortality associated with planned vaginal delivery (PVD) of fetuses in breech presentation with that of fetuses in breech presentation with a planned cesarean delivery (PCD).

Material and methods

Retrospective study reviewing records over a 19-year period in a level 3 university referral center of singleton infants born between 25+0 and 27+6 weeks of gestation, alive on arrival in the delivery room, and weighing at least 500 grams at birth. Infants in the first group were in breech presentation with PVD and the second in breech presentation with PCD. The principal endpoint was neonatal death.

Results

During the study period, we observed 113 breech presentations with PVD, and 80 breech presentations with PCD. Although not significant after adjustment, neonatal mortality in the breech PVD group was more than twice that of the breech PCD group (19.5 vs 7.8%, P = 0.031, ORa = 2.6, 95% CI 0.8–9.3, NNT = 8). This higher neonatal mortality in the breech PVD group was exclusively associated with a higher risk of death in the delivery room (12.4 vs 0.0% P = 0.001, OR not calculable, NNT = 8). In these extremely preterm breech presentations with PVD, neonatal mortality in the delivery room was associated with entrapment of the aftercoming head, cord prolapse, and a short duration of labor.

Conclusion

For deliveries between 25+0 and 27+6 weeks’ gestation, vaginal delivery in breech presentation is associated with a higher risk of death in the delivery room.