bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pricing for Heterogeneous Products: Analytics for Ticket Reselling
Authors: Alley Michael , Biggs Max , Hariss Rim , Herrmann Charles , Li Michael Lingzhi , Perakis Georgia
Published: February 2022

Problem definition: We present a data-driven study of the secondary ticket market. In particular, we are primarily concerned with accurately estimating price sensitivity for listed tickets. In this setting, there are many issues including endogeneity, heterogeneity in price sensitivity for different tickets, binary outcomes, and nonlinear interactions between ticket features. Our secondary goal is to highlight how this estimation can be integrated into a prescriptive trading strategy for buying and selling tickets in an active marketplace. Academic/practical relevance: We present a novel method for demand estimation with heterogeneous treatment effect in the presence of confounding. In practice, we embed this method within an optimization framework for ticket reselling, providing the ticket reselling platform with a new framework for pricing tickets on its platform. Methodology: We introduce a general double/orthogonalized machine learning method for classification problems. This method allows us to isolate the causal effects of price on the outcome by removing the conditional effects of the ticket and market features. Furthermore, we introduce a novel loss function that can be easily incorporated into powerful, off-the-shelf machine learning algorithms, including gradient boosted trees. We show how, in the presence of hidden confounding variables, instrumental variables can be incorporated. Results: Using a wide range of synthetic data sets, we show this approach beats state-of-the-art machine learning and causal inference approaches for estimating treatment effects in the classification setting. Furthermore, using National Basketball Association ticket listings from the 2014–2015 season, we show that probit models with instrumental variables, previously used for price estimation of tickets in the resale market, are significantly less accurate and potentially misspecified relative to our proposed approach. Through pricing simulations, we show our proposed method can achieve an 11% return on investment by buying and selling tickets, whereas existing techniques are not profitable. Managerial implications: The knowledge of how to price tickets on its platform offers a range of potential opportunities for our collaborator, both in terms of understanding sellers on their platform and in developing new products to offer them.

History: This paper has been accepted as part of the 2019 Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Practice-Based Research Competition.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI-1563343].

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.1065 .
Point-of-care blood testing with secondary care decision support for frail patients
Authors: Novak Alex , Cherry Joanna , Ali Nurul , Smith Ian , Bowen Jordan , Ray James , Black John JM , Cornett Ross , Taylor Sally , Hayward Gail , Lasserson Daniel
Published: February 2022

Aim:

A service evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility and impact of a pilot service to facilitate alternatives to hospital admission for frail patients in supportive care settings. Paramedic assessments were enhanced by point-of-care testing and telephone support from senior physicians.

Method:

A rapid response vehicle, staffed by a specialist paramedic and equipped with the Abbott i-STAT Wireless 1 point-of-care testing platform that could transmit results to hospital electronic patient record (EPR) systems, was dispatched to frail, non-injured patients over a 3-month period. Results were obtained on scene and transmitted to Oxford University Hospitals EPR system. The patient was then discussed over the telephone with a senior acute medical assessment physician at the Trust for advice and decision support and to coordinate referral to secondary care or other services.

Results:

The analysis included 56 patients, 21 men and 35 women, with a median age of 86 years. Seventeen patients who had significantly deranged blood test results were transferred to hospital, as were another 10 who did not have such results; 27 patients were admitted in total. Twenty-nine patients remained in their usual environment; of these, four presented to hospital within the next 30 days, and no deaths or adverse events were reported.

Conclusion:

Point-of-care testing by the ambulance services is feasible and, when combined with telephone advice and decision support from secondary care physicians, may be effective in reducing hospital admission for frail patients in supportive care environments. Larger systematic evaluations are warranted to establish the utility and cost-effectiveness of point-of-care testing by ambulance services.
Acute medical condition of patients with femoral neck fracture
Authors: Möckel Luis , Gerhard Angela , Hofmann Thomas
Published: February 2022

The main objective of this study was to analyse the acute medical condition of patients at the earliest possible time after femoral neck fracture. Emergency medical services (EMS) data from five counties and cities in the state of Hesse, Germany, over 2017–2019 were analysed. The highest incidence of fracture was in those aged 80 years or above. Of all patients, 94.57%–95.49% were admitted to hospital for inpatient care, 3.40%–4.41% for outpatient care and 0.25%–0.60% for immediate intervention. Patients' hospital admission priority was significantly correlated with circulatory system impairment and severity of injury and pain. Other correlations were identified, indicating relationships between different organ systems in patients with femoral neck fractures. As expected, patients with femoral neck fracture are mainly treated as inpatients.
Landlords: Be prepared for the end of your lease
Authors: Lawton Hannah
Published: February 2022

Hannah Lawton, a solicitor from specialist healthcare law firm Hempsons, provides a warning to GP practices who are landlords to ensure that their property asset is protected when the lease comes to an end
Radially polarized twisted partially coherent vortex beams
Authors: Liu Leixin , Wang Haiyun , Liu Lin , Ye Yan , Wang Fei , Cai Yangjian , Peng Xiaofeng
Published: February 2022

We introduce a new type of partially coherent vector beam, named the radially polarized twisted partially coherent vortex (RPTPCV) beam. Such a beam carries the twist phase and the vortex phase simultaneously, and the initial state of polarization (SOP) is radially polarized. On the basis of the pseudo-modal expansion and fast Fourier transform algorithm, the second-order statistics such as the spectral density, the degree of polarization (DOP) and the SOP, propagation through a paraxial ABCD optical system are investigated in detail through numerical examples. The results reveal that the propagation properties of the RPTPCV beam closely depends on the handedness of the twist phase and the vortex phase. When the handedness of the two phases is same, the beam profile is easier to remain a dark hollow shape and the beam spot rotates faster during propagation, compared to the partially coherent vortex beam or the RPTPCV beam with the opposite handedness of the two phases. In addition, the same handedness of two phases resists the coherence induced de-polarization of the beam upon propagation, and the SOP is also closely related to the handedness, topological charge of the vortex phase and the twist factor of the twist phase, providing an efficient way to modulate the beam’s DOP and SOP in the output plane. Moreover, we establish an experiment setup to generate the RPTPCV beam. The average spectral density and the polarization properties are examined in the experiment. The experimental results agree reasonable well with the theoretical predictions. Our results will be useful for particle manipulating, free-space optical communications, and polarization lidar systems.
Experimental demonstration of free-space two-photon interference
Authors: Li Shuang-Lin , Yong Hai-Lin , Li Yu-Huai , Yang Kui-Xing , Fu Hao-Bin , Liu Hui , Liang Hao , Ren Ji-Gang , Cao Yuan , Yin Juan , Peng Cheng-Zhi , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: February 2022

Quantum interference plays an essential role in understanding the concepts of quantum physics. Moreover, the interference of photons is indispensable for large-scale quantum information processing. With the development of quantum networks, interference of photons transmitted through long-distance fiber channels has been widely implemented. However, quantum interference of photons using free-space channels is still scarce, mainly due to atmospheric turbulence. Here, we report an experimental demonstration of Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with photons transmitted by free-space channels. Two typical photon sources, i.e., correlated photon pairs generated in spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) process and weak coherent states, are employed. A visibility of 0.744 ± 0.013 is observed by interfering with two photons generated in the SPDC process, exceeding the classical limit of 0.5. Our results demonstrate that the quantum property of photons remains even after transmission through unstable free-space channels, indicating the feasibility and potential application of free-space-based quantum interference in quantum information processing.
Phase unwrapping algorithm based on phase edge tracking for dynamic measurement
Authors: Bao Qingkang , Zhang Tianyu , Liu Faheng , Zhao Hong , Zhang Chunwei
Published: February 2022

Phase unwrapping is an essential procedure for fringe projection profilometry (FPP). To improve measurement efficiency and reduce phase unwrapping errors (PUEs) in dynamic measurement, a phase unwrapping algorithm based on phase edge tracking is proposed, which unwraps the current wrapped phase map with the aid of the previously unwrapped one. The phase edges are accurately tracked and their trajectories are used to divide the phase map into several regions, each of which is unwrapped either temporally or spatially according to its properties. It doesn’t require extra patterns for phase unwrapping once the initial unwrapped phase map is obtained, thus significantly increasing the frame rate of the 3D result. Meanwhile, it greatly reduces the PUEs caused by noise amplification and motion-induced misalignment of phase edges. Experiments prove that it is capable of retrieving the absolute phase maps of complex dynamic scenes with high unwrapping accuracy and efficiency.
Analytical calibration of slope response of Zernike modes in a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor based on matrix product
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Wang Shengqian , Xian Hao , Rao Changhui
Published: February 2022

The Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor (SH-WFS) is widely used as a slope-based wavefront sensing device. The modal method is favored for wavefront reconstruction from SH-WFS output because of its excellent performance. In this case, the calibration of modal (commonly Zernike modes) slope is required in advance. Traditional numerical or symbolic integral-based methods are not satisfactory because of their low accuracy or efficiency, particularly when an extremely large number of microlenses are involved. In this Letter, a novel method based on matrix product is proposed in which two key matrix operators are utilized. The first, namely the derivative matrix operator, is used to obtain the derivative of the Zernike modes; the second, that is, the transformation matrix operator, is then used to map the Zernike derivative defined in the original, whole circular pupil into modes defined in a scaled, translated circle pupil enveloping a specific microlens. With these two operators, the evaluation of slope response of Zernike modes could be unified into a matrix-product framework, which contributes its high efficiency. Numerical simulations show the superior advantages of the proposed method in accuracy and efficiency over traditional ones.
A computationally tractable birth-death model that combines phylogenetic and epidemiological data
Authors: Zarebski Alexander Eugene , du Plessis Louis , Parag Kris Varun , Pybus Oliver George
Published: February 2022

Inferring the dynamics of pathogen transmission during an outbreak is an important problem in infectious disease epidemiology. In mathematical epidemiology, estimates are often informed by time series of confirmed cases, while in phylodynamics genetic sequences of the pathogen, sampled through time, are the primary data source. Each type of data provides different, and potentially complementary, insight. Recent studies have recognised that combining data sources can improve estimates of the transmission rate and the number of infected individuals. However, inference methods are typically highly specialised and field-specific and are either computationally prohibitive or require intensive simulation, limiting their real-time utility. We present a novel birth-death phylogenetic model and derive a tractable analytic approximation of its likelihood, the computational complexity of which is linear in the size of the dataset. This approach combines epidemiological and phylodynamic data to produce estimates of key parameters of transmission dynamics and the unobserved prevalence. Using simulated data, we show (a) that the approximation agrees well with existing methods, (b) validate the claim of linear complexity and (c) explore robustness to model misspecification. This approximation facilitates inference on large datasets, which is increasingly important as large genomic sequence datasets become commonplace.
Genetic dissection of novel myopathy models reveals a role of CapZα and Leiomodin 3 during myofibril elongation
Authors: Berger Joachim , Berger Silke , Mok Yu Shan G. , Li Mei , Tarakci Hakan , Currie Peter D.
Published: February 2022

Myofibrils within skeletal muscle are composed of sarcomeres that generate force by contraction when their myosin-rich thick filaments slide past actin-based thin filaments. Although mutations in components of the sarcomere are a major cause of human disease, the highly complex process of sarcomere assembly is not fully understood. Current models of thin filament assembly highlight a central role for filament capping proteins, which can be divided into three protein families, each ascribed with separate roles in thin filament assembly. CapZ proteins have been shown to bind the Z-disc protein α-actinin to form an anchoring complex for thin filaments and actin polymerisation. Subsequent thin filaments extension dynamics are thought to be facilitated by Leiomodins (Lmods) and thin filament assembly is concluded by Tropomodulins (Tmods) that specifically cap the pointed end of thin filaments. To study thin filament assembly in vivo, single and compound loss-of-function zebrafish mutants within distinct classes of capping proteins were analysed. The generated lmod3- and capza1b-deficient zebrafish exhibited aspects of the pathology caused by variations in their human orthologs. Although loss of the analysed main capping proteins of the skeletal muscle, capza1b, capza1a, lmod3 and tmod4, resulted in sarcomere defects, residual organised sarcomeres were formed within the assessed mutants, indicating that these proteins are not essential for the initial myofibril assembly. Furthermore, detected similarity and location of myofibril defects, apparent at the peripheral ends of myofibres of both Lmod3- and CapZα-deficient mutants, suggest a function in longitudinal myofibril growth for both proteins, which is molecularly distinct to the function of Tmod4.
The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox—A potential threat? A systematic review
Authors: Bunge Eveline M. , Hoet Bernard , Chen Liddy , Lienert Florian , Weidenthaler Heinz , Baer Lorraine R. , Steffen Robert
Published: February 2022

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, results in a smallpox-like disease in humans. Since monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it has spread to other regions of Africa (primarily West and Central), and cases outside Africa have emerged in recent years. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on how monkeypox epidemiology has evolved, with particular emphasis on the number of confirmed, probable, and/or possible cases, age at presentation, mortality, and geographical spread. The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020208269). We identified 48 peer-reviewed articles and 18 grey literature sources for data extraction. The number of human monkeypox cases has been on the rise since the 1970s, with the most dramatic increases occurring in the DRC. The median age at presentation has increased from 4 (1970s) to 21 years (2010–2019). There was an overall case fatality rate of 8.7%, with a significant difference between clades—Central African 10.6% (95% CI: 8.4%– 13.3%) vs. West African 3.6% (95% CI: 1.7%– 6.8%). Since 2003, import- and travel-related spread outside of Africa has occasionally resulted in outbreaks. Interactions/activities with infected animals or individuals are risk behaviors associated with acquiring monkeypox. Our review shows an escalation of monkeypox cases, especially in the highly endemic DRC, a spread to other countries, and a growing median age from young children to young adults. These findings may be related to the cessation of smallpox vaccination, which provided some cross-protection against monkeypox, leading to increased human-to-human transmission. The appearance of outbreaks beyond Africa highlights the global relevance of the disease. Increased surveillance and detection of monkeypox cases are essential tools for understanding the continuously changing epidemiology of this resurging disease.
Attitudes towards influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic among a representative sample of the Jewish Israeli population
Authors: Maor Yasmin , Caspi Shaked
Published: February 2022

Background

Vaccine hesitancy is increasing. We assessed attitudes toward influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and the relation between hesitancy to influenza vaccine and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods

A structured questionnaire administered during September 2020 to a representative sample of the Jewish Israeli population assessed attitudes and acceptance of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Factors for vaccine hesitancy were determined using logistic regression. Questionnaires were administered prior to the release of clinical data regarding efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and prior to vaccine rollout.

Results

We approached 10,625 people, of these 2,080 responded (19%), and 2,024 completed the questionnaire (97.3%), 64.9% aged 15–64 years and 35.1% aged ≥65 years. 37% had co-morbidities. 43.5% experienced financial deterioration due to the pandemic. 65.9% received influenza vaccine ≥1 time in the past. Influenza vaccination rates were higher in the elderly (81.8%). Reasons for influenza vaccine hesitancy were opinions that the vaccine is ineffective (27.1%), and fear of side effects (29.3%). 8.2% of people aged 16–64 and 13.8% of people aged≥65 refused to be vaccinated at least once over the course of one’s lifetime. Percent of responders willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine were higher than percent of responders willing to receive the influenza vaccine both in people aged 16–64 years (942 (72.3%) vs. 38.4%, respectively) and in people 65 years and older (84.0% vs. 76.8%, respectively). Hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccine was associated with hesitancy towards other vaccines. Only 26.8% would participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

Conclusions

Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine was higher than willingness to receive influenza vaccine. The results point to areas of fear from influenza vaccines side effects and lack of knowledge regarding influenza vaccines effectiveness that can be addressed to increase acceptance. Hesitancy towards other vaccines was associated with hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination.
Study of impacts of brickkiln emanations on soil quality of agriculture lands in selected areas of District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Ishtiaq Muhammad , Hussain Iqbal , Bhatti Khizar Hayat , Maqbool Mehwish , Shafique Ahmed Khawaja , Ajaib Muhammad , ullah Shah Amin , Mushtaq Waheeda , Hussain Tanveer , Ghani Abdul , Khanum Humaira , Waqas Mazhar Muhammad , Mazhar Mubashir , Sardar Tauqeer , Nasif Omaima , Javed Ansari Mohammad , Ondrisik Peter
Published: February 2022

The pollution is hot issue of current era in world and the current study was carried to explore impacts of brickkilns’ emanations on physiochemical properties of agricultural lands from District Bhimber of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Pakistan. In this research, various edaphic characteristics: pH, soil organic matter, organic carbon, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity and heavy metal contamination in soils nearby of brickkilns were determined. The pH of soil ranged from 5.55 to 7.50, soil organic matter was 0.35–0.90% and organic carbon content was 0.65–1.40%. The water holding capacity ranged from 2.10 to 3.20 mgL-1 and carbon exchange capacity was 1250 to 4202 meq/100g. The contamination profile of heavy metal depicted that Pb showed highest conc. 0.065 mg/g followed by Co (0.053 mg/g) and Ni with 0.52 mg/g in the soil. Pb and Cr had high conc. in soil samples around brickkilns due to burning of coal and rubber tyres as fuel. The conc. of sulphate and nitrate ranged from 0.90±0.50 mol L-1 to 4.25±0.65 mol L-1 and 2.30±0.50 mol L-1 to 6.55±0.25 mol L-1, respectively. The fertility of agriculture lands was depicted that edaphic properties were directly related while nutritive features were inversely commensurate to distance from brickkilns. The research proved that emanations of brickkilns causes severe impact on quality of agriculture land, plant growth and its yield. Hence, reclamation measures should be taken to mitigate and/or eradicate nuisance of brickkilns emanations by using environmental friendly strategies.
A systematic review of disease related stigmatization in patients living with prostate cancer
Authors: Larkin Derek , Birtle Alison J. , Bradley Laura , Dey Paola , Martin Colin R. , Pilkington Melissa , Romero-Rivas Carlos
Published: February 2022

Background

Prostate cancer has been shown to be susceptible to significant stigmatisation, because to a large extent it is concealable, it has potentially embarrassing sexual symptoms and has significant impact on the psychosocial functioning.

Methods

This review included studies that focused on qualitative and/or quantitative data, where the study outcome was prostate cancer and included a measure of stigmatization. Electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, and the Joanna Briggs Institute) and one database for grey literature Opengrey.eu, were screened. We used thematic analysis, with narrative synthesis to analyse these data. We assessed risk of bias in the included studies using the RoBANS.

Results

In total, 18 studies met review inclusion criteria, incorporating a total of 2295 participants. All studies recruited participants with prostate cancer, however four studies recruited participants with other cancers such as breast cancer and lung cancer. Of the 18 studies, 11 studies evaluated perceived or felt stigma; four studies evaluated internalised or self-stigma; three studies evaluated more than one stigma domain.

Discussion

We found that patients living with prostate cancer encounter stigmatisation that relate to perception, internalisation, and discrimination experiences. We also identified several significant gaps related to the understanding of prostate cancer stigmatization, which provides an opportunity for future research to address these important public health issues.

Registration

This systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews in health and social care. Registration number: CRD42020177312.
Performance of a novel rapid test for recent HIV infection among newly-diagnosed pregnant adolescent girls and young women in four high-HIV-prevalence districts—Malawi, 2017–2018
Authors: Agyemang Elfriede A. , Kim Andrea A. , Dobbs Trudy , Zungu Innocent , Payne Danielle , Maher Andrew D. , Curran Kathryn , Kim Evelyn , Kwalira Hastings , Limula Henry , Adhikari Amitabh , Welty Susie , Kandulu James , Nyirenda Rose , Auld Andrew F. , Rutherford George W. , Parekh Bharat S.
Published: February 2022

Tests for recent HIV infection (TRI) distinguish recent from long-term HIV infections using markers of antibody maturation. The limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg EIA) is widely used with HIV viral load (VL) in a recent infection testing algorithm (RITA) to improve classification of recent infection status, estimate population-level HIV incidence, and monitor trends in HIV transmission. A novel rapid test for recent HIV infection (RTRI), Asanté™, can determine HIV serostatus and HIV recency within minutes on a lateral flow device through visual assessment of test strip or reader device. We conducted a field-based laboratory evaluation of the RTRI among pregnant adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Malawi.We enrolled pregnant AGYW aged <25 years testing HIV-positive for the first time at their first ANC visit from 121 ANCs in four high-HIV burden districts. Consenting participants provided blood for recency testing using LAg EIA and RTRI, which were tested in central laboratories. Specimens with LAg EIA normalized optical density values ≤2.0 were classified as probable recent infections. RTRI results were based on: (1) visual assessment: presence of a long-term line (LT) indicating non-recent infection and absence of the line indicating recent infection; or (2) a reader; specimens with LT line intensity units <3.0 were classified as probable recent infections. VL was measured for specimens classified as a probable recent infections by either assay; those with HIV-1 RNA ≥1,000 copies/mL were classified as confirmed recent infections. We evaluated the performance of the RTRI by calculating correlation between RTRI and LAg EIA results, and percent agreement and kappa between RTRI and LAg EIA RITA results.Between November 2017 to June 2018, 380 specimens were available for RTRI evaluation; 376 (98.9%) were confirmed HIV-positive on RTRI. Spearman’s rho between RTRI and LAg EIA was 0.72 indicating strong correlation. Percent agreement and kappa between RTRI- and LAg EIA-based RITAs were >90% and >0.65 respectively indicating substantial agreement between the RITAs.This was the first field evaluation of an RTRI in sub-Saharan Africa, which demonstrated good performance of the assay and feasibility of integrating RTRI into routine HIV testing services for real-time surveillance of recent HIV infection.
Prickle isoform participation in distinct polarization events in the Drosophila eye
Authors: Cho Bomsoo , Song Song , Wan Joy Y. , Axelrod Jeffrey D.
Published: February 2022

Planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling regulates several polarization events during development of ommatidia in the Drosophila eye, including directing chirality by polarizing a cell fate choice and determining the direction and extent of ommatidial rotation. The pksple isoform of the PCP protein Prickle is known to participate in the R3/R4 cell fate decision, but the control of other polarization events and the potential contributions of the three Pk isoforms have not been clarified. Here, by characterizing expression and subcellular localization of individual isoforms together with re-analyzing isoform specific phenotypes, we show that the R3/R4 fate decision, its coordination with rotation direction, and completion of rotation to a final ±90° rotation angle are separable polarization decisions with distinct Pk isoform requirements and contributions. Both pksple and pkpk can enforce robust R3/R4 fate decisions, but only pksple can correctly orient them along the dorsal-ventral axis. In contrast, pksple and pkpk can fully and interchangeably sustain coordination of rotation direction and rotation to completion. We propose that expression dynamics and competitive interactions determine isoform participation in these processes. We propose that the selective requirement for pksple to orient the R3/R4 decision and their interchangeability for coordination and completion of rotation reflects their previously described differential interaction with the Fat/Dachsous system which is known to be required for orientation of R3/R4 decisions but not for coordination or completion of rotation.
Meta-analyzing intelligence and religiosity associations: Evidence from the multiverse
Authors: Dürlinger Florian , Pietschnig Jakob
Published: February 2022

Over the past century, a remarkable body of research about the relationship of intelligence and religiosity has accumulated. So far, the majority of studies that investigated this relationship showed a negative correlation, indicating lower cognitive abilities of individuals reporting stronger religious beliefs. Although the effect direction has been observed to be largely consistent across studies, the reported effect strength varied substantially across studies. Several potentially moderating variables such as different intelligence and religiosity assessment methods, educational status of samples, and participant sex have been proposed as likely candidates for explaining systematic differences in effect strengths. However, the effects of these moderators are to date unclear. Consequently, we focused in investigating effects of these moderating variables on the intelligence and religiosity link in an update of prior meta-analytical investigations inn= 89 (k= 105;N= 201,457) studies. Random-effects analyses showed a small but robust negative association between intelligence and religiosityr= -.14 (p< .001; 95% CI [-.17, -.12]). Effects were stronger for (i) psychometric intelligence tests than for proxy measures such as grade point averages and (ii) general population and college samples than pre-college samples. Moreover, we provide evidence from combinatorial, multiverse, and specification curve analyses that further corroborates the robustness of the investigated association. Out of 192 reasonable specifications all 135 (70.4%) significant summary effects were negative. In all, our results show small but robust negative associations between religiosity and intelligence that are differentiated in strength but generalize in terms of direction over moderating variables.
The impact of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination and seedling growth of different bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes
Authors: Mahpara Shahzadi , Zainab Aleena , Ullah Rehmat , Kausar Salma , Bilal Muhammad , Latif Muhammad Imran , Arif Muhammad , Akhtar Imran , Al-Hashimi Abdulrahman , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Zivcak Marek , Zuan Ali Tan Kee
Published: February 2022

Wheat is an important crop, used as staple food in numerous countries around the world. However, wheat productivity is low in the developing world due to several biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly drought stress. Non-availability of drought-tolerant wheat genotypes at different growth stages is the major constraint in improving wheat productivity in the developing world. Therefore, screening/developing drought-tolerant genotypes at different growth stages could improve the productivity of wheat. This study assessed seed germination and seedling growth of eight wheat genotypes under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced stress. Two PEG-induced osmotic potentials (i.e., -0.6 and -1.2 MPa) were included in the study along with control (0 MPa). Wheat genotypes included in the study were ‘KLR-16’, ‘B6’, ‘J10’, ‘716’, ‘A12’, ‘Seher’, ‘KTDH-16’, and ‘J4’. Data relating to seed germination percentage, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoot, root/shoot length ratio and chlorophyll content were recorded. The studied parameters were significantly altered by individual and interactive effects of genotypes and PEG-induced osmotic potentials. Seed germination and growth parameters were reduced by osmotic potentials; however, huge differences were noted among genotypes. A reduction of 32.83 to 53.50% was recorded in seed germination, 24.611 to 47.75% in root length, 37.83 to 53.72% in shoot length, and 53.35 to 65.16% in root fresh weight. The genotypes, ‘J4’, ‘KLR-16’ and ‘KTDH-16’, particularly ‘J4’ better tolerated increasing osmotic potentials compared to the rest of the genotypes included in the study. Principal component analysis segregated these genotypes from the rest of the genotypes included in the study indicated that these can be used in the future studies to improve the drought tolerance of wheat crop. The genotype ‘J4’ can be used as a breeding material to develop drought resistant wheat genotypes.
Test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) intervention strategies after symptomatic COVID-19 case identification
Authors: Ashcroft Peter , Lehtinen Sonja , Bonhoeffer Sebastian
Published: February 2022

The test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) strategy, where confirmed-positive pathogen carriers are isolated from the community and their recent close contacts are identified and pre-emptively quarantined, is used to break chains of transmission during a disease outbreak. The protocol is frequently followed after an individual presents with disease symptoms, at which point they will be tested for the pathogen. This TTIQ strategy, along with hygiene and social distancing measures, make up the non-pharmaceutical interventions that are utilised to suppress the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here we develop a tractable mathematical model of disease transmission and the TTIQ intervention to quantify how the probability of detecting and isolating a case following symptom onset, the fraction of contacts that are identified and quarantined, and the delays inherent to these processes impact epidemic growth. In the model, the timing of disease transmission and symptom onset, as well as the frequency of asymptomatic cases, is based on empirical distributions of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics, while the isolation of confirmed cases and quarantine of their contacts is implemented by truncating their respective infectious periods. We find that a successful TTIQ strategy requires intensive testing: the majority of transmission is prevented by isolating symptomatic individuals and doing so in a short amount of time. Despite the lesser impact, additional contact tracing and quarantine increases the parameter space in which an epidemic is controllable and is necessary to control epidemics with a high reproductive number. TTIQ could remain an important intervention for the foreseeable future of the COVID-19 pandemic due to slow vaccine rollout and highly-transmissible variants with the potential for vaccine escape. Our results can be used to assess how TTIQ can be improved and optimised, and the methodology represents an improvement over previous quantification methods that is applicable to future epidemic scenarios.
Effect of pH on the structure and function of cyclin-dependent kinase 6
Authors: Yousuf Mohd , Shamsi Anas , Anjum Farah , Shafie Alaa , Islam Asimul , Haque Qazi Mohd Rizwanul , Elasbali Abdelbaset Mohamed , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: February 2022

Cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) is an important protein kinase that regulates cell growth, development, cell metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis. Its overexpression is associated with reprogramming glucose metabolism through alternative pathways and apoptosis, which ultimately plays a significant role in cancer development. In the present study, we have investigated the structural and conformational changes in CDK6 at varying pH employing a multi-spectroscopic approach. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed at extremely acidic conditions (pH 2.0–4.0), the secondary structure of CDK6 got significantly disrupted, leading to aggregates formation. These aggregates were further characterized by employing Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. No significant secondary structural changes were observed over the alkaline pH range (pH 7.0–11.0). Further, fluorescence and UV spectroscopy revealed that the tertiary structure of CDK6 was disrupted under extremely acidic conditions, with slight alteration occurring in mild acidic conditions. The tertiary structure remains intact over the entire alkaline range. Additionally, enzyme assay provided an insight into the functional aspect of CDK at varying pH; CDK6 activity was optimal in the pH range of 7.0–8.0. This study will provide a platform that provides newer insights into the pH-dependent dynamics and functional behavior of CDK6 in different CDK6 directed diseased conditions, viz. different types of cancers where changes in pH contribute to cancer development.
Perceptions of risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in social and educational activities by infectious diseases and general pediatric healthcare providers, a pre-vaccine risk perception cross-sectional survey
Authors: Janowski Andrew B. , Polgreen Philip M. , Beekmann Susan E. , Newland Jason G.
Published: February 2022

Background

The perception of the transmission risks of SARS-CoV-2 in social and educational settings by US healthcare providers have not been previously quantified.

Methods

Respondents completed an online survey between September and October 2020 to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on a scale of 0–10 for different social and educational activities prior to the availability of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Demographic information and experiences during the pandemic were also collected. The risk assessment was emailed to three listservs of healthcare providers, including national listservs of pediatric (PID) and adult infectious diseases (AID) providers, and a listserv of general pediatric practitioners in the St Louis, USA metropolitan area.

Results

Respondents identified the highest risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in spending time in a bar, eating at a restaurant, and attending an indoor sporting event. In the school setting, lower risk was identified in elementary and daycare students compared to high school or university-level students. Comparatively, the risk of transmission to students and teachers was lower than the identified high-risk social activities. Factors increasing risk perception in social activities included the absence of children in the respondent’s household and female gender. For the school setting, AID providers perceived greater risk compared to PID providers or pediatric practitioners.

Conclusions

Respondents identified high risk activities that were associated with a high density of participants in an indoor space where masks are removed for eating and drinking. Differences were apparent in the school setting where pediatric providers perceived lower risks when compared to adult providers.
Practice and determinants of emergency contraceptive utilization among women seeking termination of pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia—A mixed quantitative and qualitative study
Authors: Tenaw Lebeza Alemu
Published: February 2022

Background

Emergency contraceptives are used within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Although emergency contraceptives are widely available in Ethiopia, termination of pregnancy remains a public health problem indicating low uptake of emergency contraceptives after unprotected sexual intercourse. This study aimed to assess utilization and determinants of emergency contraceptives among women seeking termination of pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out, supplemented by phenomenologically approached in-depth interviews. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. A structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide were used to collect data. Data were entered by EPI-info and analyzed through SPSS version 23 to conduct logistic regressions. Thematic analysis was used to conduct qualitative interpretation.

Results

Almost one-fifth (78; 19.2%) of the study participants used emergency contraceptives to prevent their index pregnancy. Women who had secondary education (aOR 3.28; 95% CI 1.59, 6.79) and women who had no living children (aOR 4.52; 95% CI 1.40, 14.57) had a positive significant association with emergency contraceptive utilization. On the other hand, women who did not discuss contraceptives with their sexual partner (aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.27–0.91) and women without a history of abortion (aOR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24–0.97) had a negative significant association with emergency contraceptive utilization.

Conclusion and recommendation

There is relatively low utilization of emergency contraception among pregnancy terminating women. Reproductive health programs should encourage women discussion with their partners about emergency contraceptives to decrease occurrence of unwanted pregnancy and termination of pregnancy.
Trajectory analyses in insurance medicine studies: Examples and key methodological aspects and pitfalls
Authors: Serra Laura , Farrants Kristin , Alexanderson Kristina , Ubalde Mónica , Lallukka Tea
Published: February 2022

Background

Trajectory analyses are being increasingly used in efforts to increase understanding about the heterogeneity in the development of different longitudinal outcomes such as sickness absence, use of medication, income, or other time varying outcomes. However, several methodological and interpretational challenges are related to using trajectory analyses. This methodological study aimed to compare results using two different types of software to identify trajectories and to discuss methodological aspects related to them and the interpretation of the results.

Methods

Group-based trajectory models (GBTM) and latent class growth models (LCGM) were fitted, using SAS and Mplus, respectively. The data for the examples were derived from a representative sample of Spanish workers in Catalonia, covered by the social security system (n = 166,192). Repeatedly measured sickness absence spells per trimester (n = 96,453) were from the Catalan Institute of Medical Evaluations. The analyses were stratified by sex and two birth cohorts (1949–1969 and 1970–1990).

Results

Neither of the software were superior to the other. Four groups were the optimal number of groups in both software, however, we detected differences in the starting values and shapes of the trajectories between the two software used, which allow for different conclusions when they are applied. We cover questions related to model fit, selecting the optimal number of trajectory groups, investigating covariates, how to interpret the results, and what are the key pitfalls and strengths of using these person-oriented methods.

Conclusions

Future studies could address further methodological aspects around these statistical techniques, to facilitate epidemiological and other research dealing with longitudinal study designs.
Speech timing cues reveal deceptive speech in social deduction board games
Authors: Zhang Ziyun , McGettigan Carolyn , Belyk Michel
Published: February 2022

The faculty of language allows humans to state falsehoods in their choice of words. However, while what is said might easily uphold a lie,howit is said may reveal deception. Hence, some features of the voice that are difficult for liars to control may keep speech mostly, if not always, honest. Previous research has identified that speech timing and voice pitch cues can predict the truthfulness of speech, but this evidence has come primarily from laboratory experiments, which sacrifice ecological validity for experimental control. We obtained ecologically valid recordings of deceptive speech while observing natural utterances from players of a popular social deduction board game, in which players are assigned roles that either induce honest or dishonest interactions. When speakers chose to lie, they were prone to longer and more frequent pauses in their speech. This finding is in line with theoretical predictions that lying is more cognitively demanding. However, lying was not reliably associated with vocal pitch. This contradicts predictions that increased physiological arousal from lying might increase muscular tension in the larynx, but is consistent with human specialisations that grantHomo sapiens sapiensan unusual degree of control over the voice relative to other primates. The present study demonstrates the utility of social deduction board games as a means of making naturalistic observations of human behaviour from semi-structured social interactions.
Differences in the frequency of subjective geriatric complaints along with aging and their associations with physical function, multimorbidity, and mood: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Takechi Hajime , Tsuzuki Akira , Matsumoto Komaki , Fukui Akane , Kawakita Hitomi , Yoshino Hiroshi , Kanada Yoshikiyo
Published: February 2022

Background

In this study, we investigated subjective geriatric complaints (SGCs) as conditions regarding health concerns in community-dwelling older people and analyzed their frequencies with aging and relationships with other factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 10,434 older people living in a community with a representative aging population in Japan. A questionnaire was sent by mail to those who had not applied for formal care needs certification. The presence of and concern for symptoms common in old age were asked as SGCs, as were physical function levels, multimorbidity, and depression. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) of the symptoms was performed, and the association between the obtained components and other factors was analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 73.7 ± 6.1 years, and 52.5% were women. On average, they had 1.72 ± 1.57 SGCs, which showed a gradual increase with age. The results of the CATPCA revealed four components: SGC1, excretory/circulatory/swallowing complaints; SGC2, audiovisual complaints; SGC3, neurological complaints; and SGC4, musculoskeletal complaints. All SGC components were independently associated with physical function, multimorbidity, and depression.

Conclusions

Each SGC showed various frequencies and differences along with aging, and SGCs were classified into four components that were thought to share a common background. These findings could contribute to the planning of better health management strategies for older people.
Evolution and conserved functionality of organ size and shape regulator PEAPOD
Authors: Cookson Ruth , Winichayakul Somrutai , Xue Hong , Richardson Kim , Moraga Roger , Laugraud Aurelie , Biswas Ambarish , Bryan Greg , Roberts Nick
Published: February 2022

Transcriptional regulator PEAPOD (PPD) and its binding partners comprise a complex that is conserved throughout many core eudicot plants with regard to protein domain sequence and the function of controlling organ size and shape. Orthologues of PPD also exist in the basal angiosperm Amborella trichopoda, various gymnosperm species, the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii and several monocot genera, although until now it was not known if these are functional sequences. Here we report constitutive expression of orthologues from species representing diverse taxa of plant phylogeny in the Arabidopsis Δppd mutant. PPD orthologues from S. moellendorffii, gymnosperm Picea abies, A. trichopoda, monocot Musa acuminata, and dicot Trifolium repens were able to complement the mutant and return it to the wild-type phenotype, demonstrating the conserved functionality of PPD throughout vascular plants. In addition, analysis of bryophyte genomes revealed potential PPD orthologues in model liverwort and moss species, suggesting a more primitive lineage for this conserved regulator. The Poaceae (grasses) lack the genes for the PPD module and the reason for loss of the complex from this economically significant family is unclear, given that grasses were the last of the flowering plants to evolve. Bioinformatic analyses identified putative PPD orthologues in close relatives of the Poaceae, indicating that the explanation for absence of PPD in the grasses may be more complex than previously considered. Understanding the mechanisms which led to loss of PPD from the grasses will provide insight into evolution of the Poaceae.