bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Routine fixation of humeral shaft fractures is cost-effective
Authors: Oliver William M. , Molyneux Samuel G. , White Timothy O. , Clement Nick D. , Duckworth Andrew D.
Published: July 2022

Aims

The primary aim was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of routine operative fixation for all patients with humeral shaft fractures. The secondary aim was to estimate the health economic implications of using a Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral fractures (RUSHU) of < 8 to facilitate selective fixation for patients at risk of nonunion.

Methods

From 2008 to 2017, 215 patients (mean age 57 yrs (17 to 18), 61% female (n = 130/215)) with a nonoperatively managed humeral diaphyseal fracture were retrospectively identified. Union was achieved in 77% (n = 165/215) after initial nonoperative management, with 23% (n = 50/215) uniting after surgery for nonunion. The EuroQol five-dimension three-level health index (EQ-5D-3L) was obtained via postal survey. Multiple regression was used to determine the independent influence of patient, injury, and management factors upon the EQ-5D-3L. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of < £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was considered cost-effective.

Results

At a mean of 5.4 yrs (1.2 to 11.0), the mean EQ-5D-3L was 0.736 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.697 to 0.775). Adjusted analysis demonstrated the EQ-5D-3L was inferior among patients who united after nonunion surgery (β = 0.103; p = 0.032). Offering routine fixation to all patients to reduce the rate of nonunion would be associated with increased treatment costs of £1,542/patient, but would confer a potential EQ-5D-3L benefit of 0.120/patient over the study period. The ICER of routine fixation was £12,850/QALY gained. Selective fixation based on a RUSHU < 8 at six weeks post-injury would be associated with reduced treatment costs (£415/patient), and would confer a potential EQ-5D-3L benefit of 0.335 per ‘at-risk patient’.

Conclusion

Routine fixation for patients with humeral shaft fractures to reduce the rate of nonunion observed after nonoperative management appears to be a cost-effective intervention at five years post-injury. Selective fixation for patients at risk of nonunion based on their RUSHU may confer even greater cost-effectiveness, given the potential savings and improvement in health-related quality of life. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(7):566–572.
Valors homonacionalistes? La proposta d’una dimensionalització per a un instrument de mesura propi
Authors: Freude León
Published: July 2022

En el debat sobre els nacionalismes la diversitat sexual i de gènere acostuma a ser obviada. La proposta conceptual de l’homonacionalisme omple aquest buit. L’homonacionalisme descriu com a partir dels anys 2000 la diversitat sexual i de gènere s’inclou discursivament en el sí de les nacions al nord global, mentre que es racialitza i s’exclou l’homofòbia. L’homonacionalisme esdevé així una eina complexa però útil per analitzar discursos, subjectes i polítiques. Encara hi ha pocs estudis quantitatius sobre valors homonacionalistes i tots treballen amb dades secundàries. A aquest article explico les mancances de les mesures quantitatives existents d’homonacionalisme i proposo una dimensionalització que parteix d’una conceptualització pròpia fruit d’una revisió de la literatura. Aquesta dimensionalització serveix pel desenvolupament d’un instrument de mesura propi.
La robótica educativa y el pensamiento computacional en la primera infancia y el hogar: un estudio en la prensa digital
Authors: García-Fuentes Olalla
Published: July 2022

La forma en la que accedemos a la información ha cambiado de manera radical. La prensa digital, pese a contar con una breve trayectoria, permite a la sociedad informarse de manera rápida, continuada y directa. El objetivo de este trabajo es descubrir y conocer la visión, así como los beneficios y perjuicios, que los principales periódicos digitales españoles vierten sobre la robótica educativa y el pensamiento computacional en la primera infancia y el hogar. Esta investigación, realizada con una metodología de tipo cualitativo, bajo un enfoque etnográfico-narrativo, ha analizado a través del software ATLAS.ti el contenido de las noticias sobre dicha temática publicadas en los 20 principales periódicos digitales españoles (nativos y migrantes), durante los últimos 8 meses. Los hallazgos muestran que la inserción de la robótica educativa es cada vez mayor, presentándola como un recurso eficaz para trabajar todas las áreas, principalmente las STEAM ya desde la primera infancia. Del mismo modo, trabajar el pensamiento computacional facilita la adquisición de habilidades para el desarrollo personal y profesional. Estos resultados muestran que se trata de un tema de interés social, aunque es escasa la información relacionada con una metodología adecuada y eficaz su uso en la primera infancia.
Análisis sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología durante la pandemia Covid-19 considerando la ciencia de datos
Authors: Salas-Rueda Ricardo-Adán , Castañeda-Martínez Ricardo , Ramírez-Ortega Jesús , Alvarado-Zamorano Clara
Published: July 2022

Desde la aparición de la pandemia Covid-19, los docentes están actualizando las actividades escolares de los cursos con el apoyo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TICs). El objetivo de esta investigación mixta es analizar el impacto sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología considerando la ciencia de datos y el aprendizaje automático (regresión lineal). Los participantes son 77 estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología que cursaron la asignatura Método Clínico en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México durante el ciclo escolar 2020. Los resultados del aprendizaje automático indican que el uso de Zoom, Moodle, audios y Padlet durante el proceso educativo sobre la observación e indagación en Psicología Clínica influyen positivamente la asimilación del conocimiento y la motivación de los estudiantes. Asimismo, la ciencia de datos identifica 8 modelos predictivos sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología por medio de la técnica árbol de decisión. En conclusión, las TICs permiten construir nuevos espacios educativos que facilitan el proceso de aprendizaje desde cualquier lugar, permiten la participación activa de los estudiantes en cualquier momento y satisfacen la demanda educativa durante la pandemia Covid-19.
The Role of Media Literacy in Online Information Searching Strategies
Authors: Tatar İsmail , Şahin Yusuf Levent , Doğan Ezgi
Published: July 2022

Along with the spread of Web 2.0 technologies, individuals' habits such as learning, socializing, and getting information have changed rapidly. A lot of information, the accuracy of which cannot be trusted, is available in the web, and it becomes difficult to choose useful, relevant, and accurate information. This pollution is also present in the media. The abilities to choose messages in the media, to look at these messages critically, and to produce your own messages are considered among the 21st-century skills. These reasons bring media literacy (ML) and online information searching strategies (OISS) to the agenda. The processes of ML and OISS have interrelated features. Therefore, it is important and necessary to examine these concepts together. Based on this necessity, the aim of the study was to determine the role of ML in OISS. To this end, the data were collected from 1809 pre-service teachers using the OISS inventory and the ML level determination scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, MANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. According to the results, pre-service teachers' ML and OISS levels were above the moderate level. ML and OISS vary significantly according to the type of websites. In conclusion, ML was revealed as a predictor variable that could explain OISS at a rate of 33.2%.
La competencia digital en la atención del alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales. Una visión general del marco europeo para la competencia docente digital "DigCompEdu"
Authors: Serrano Fernández Laura , Vela Llauradó Esther , Martín Martínez Laura , Rodríguez García Cristina
Published: July 2022

Vivimos en una época marcada por los avances tecnológicos. Desde el punto de vista educativo, se ha consolidado un modelo que requiere metodologías adaptadas a los medios digitales, lo que supone que el desarrollo de la competencia digital entre el profesorado sea un aspecto que ha cobrado especial importancia para adaptar la enseñanza a las necesidades individuales del alumnado, favoreciendo así la atención a las necesidades educativas especiales. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar la competencia digital del profesorado especialista en atención a la diversidad. Para ello se ha llevado a cabo una investigación no experimental y descriptiva, con una muestra conformada por 60 docentes en activo del modelo educativo especial y del modelo ordinario. Como instrumento de análisis se ha utilizado el cuestionario europeo “DigCompEdu”. Los datos obtenidos permiten concluir que el nivel de competencia digital del profesorado que atiende a la diversidad del alumnado en los centros educativos especiales se encuentra en niveles inferiores respecto al manifestado por el profesorado de los centros ordinarios, observando diferencias estadísticamente significativas en tres de las áreas analizadas. Estas áreas están relacionadas con el uso de la competencia digital, la adaptación de estrategias de evaluación y el desarrollo de la competencia digital entre sus estudiantes.
Teaching English to the rythm of the brain
Authors: Edjidjimo Madua Aurélie
Published: July 2022

Efficiently teaching and learning languages becomes increasingly important especially when it comes to the English language. Education systems should be able to equip students with adequate tools and skills required to face this world.  However, they still have some room for improvement to achieve that purpose. This article seeks to contribute to the enhancement of the teaching-learning process of English by considering neuroscience discoveries. It is a bibliographic review providing neuroscience-based findings to help teachers facilitate the learning of foreign languages. Advances in neurotechnology have allowed neuroscientists to directly observe the functioning of the human brain. In this context lies the interdisciplinary field of neuroeducation. It specialises at serving education by providing relevant brain evidence. This study found that teachers should stimulate motivation, attention, emotions, and memory to help their students process and learn English. The present study concerns the teaching of high school students. With adolescents, teachers should consider the importance of reducing stress, promoting the reward system, using variety in their teaching, strengthening working memory, and fostering social interaction as well as a growth mindset. Looking at language in the brain, it appears that both hemispheres are involved in the language process which seems to stress the importance to provide for a rich multimodal learning environment. Besides, both the declarative and procedural memory are memory systems underlying language acquisition. However, adolescents have a stronger declarative memory. It entails that language teachers should appeal to the latter while allowing for the development of the procedural memory. In the light of the findings, this study produces a guide which exemplifies the incorporation of neuroscience principles within a standard English lesson. It leads teachers to consider neuroscience findings and operate intentionally. Creating a learning environment where teachers instruct at the rhythm of the brain and students’ skills are optimised.
Evaluación de las funciones ejecutivas mediante rúbricas
Authors: Muchiut Álvaro Federico , Vaccaro Paola , Cochatok Díaz Silvana , Roskiewich Romina , Horacio Passamani Ariel , Emmanuel Sosa Sixto , Vallejos Belén
Published: July 2022

Desde el enfoque ecológico de la neurodidáctica, se presenta una experiencia de uso de rúbricas como práctica pedagógica para la valoración del funcionamiento ejecutivo  en estudiantes de nivel secundario. Se exponen las diferentes estrategias implementadas en los espacios curriculares de Música y Educación Tecnológica, Antropología Social y Cultural, Inglés Elemental e Historia, con adolescentes de 4° y 5° año, y el relevamiento de las funciones ejecutivas de memoria de trabajo, planificación, organización, toma de decisiones y flexibilidad cognitiva en dichos espacios. Se concluye que las rúbricas constituyen un método de evaluación formativa que facilita la retroalimentación para con el/la estudiante en la construcción del conocimiento, a la vez que promueven acciones inter y transdisciplinarias entre los espacios curriculares, brinda claridad en la transmisión de contenidos y estimulan el aprendizaje significativo reforzando los procesos autorregulatorios; para los que las FE son una pieza clave. Aplicar las rúbricas para valorar las FE se presenta entonces como  una propuesta innovadora para ser explorada con mayor profundidad en futuras investigaciones.
¿De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de metacognición en el aula?
Authors: Goldstein Julieta , Calero Dra. Cecilia Inés
Published: July 2022

El propósito de este artículo de revisión es profundizar, a partir del relevamiento de la evidencia empírica existente, el estado del arte de la habilidad metacognitiva en el contexto de la educación.

La habilidad metacognitiva ha sido postulada como un aspecto central de la cognición humana dentro del ámbito académico dado que su desarrollo permite reconocer eficientemente qué es lo que uno sabe, lo que uno no sabe y qué estrategias debería evaluar para acceder a aquello que busca aprender. De este modo, una metacognición desarrollada prepararía a los y las estudiantes para acceder de forma más explícita a su propio proceso de aprendizaje, siendo ésta, por ejemplo, una clave para procesos como ‘aprender a aprender’. Es entonces que entender el rol de los procesos metacognitivos y su relación con la escuela se vuelve crucial.

En consecuencia, el presente artículo plantea un recorrido en tres pasos: Primero, se presenta la definición marco de metacognición que se utilizará en la revisión y cómo ocurre su desarrollo desde la infancia hasta la adultez. A continuación, se evalúa la relación entre ésta y otros constructos relacionados, como ser el optimismo, las funciones ejecutivas y la teoría de la mente. Para finalizar, se discuten las posibles implicancias y las herramientas accesibles para la enseñanza y el desarrollo de la habilidad metacognitiva en el ámbito escolar.
Insuficiencias de la ética discursiva como marco filosófico integrador para la neuroética en la propuesta de Adela Cortina. Una complementación desde la Teoría Dual de Gianfranco Basti
Authors: Mendoza Soto Cristopher
Published: July 2022

La neuroética ofrece datos relevantes a la comprensión biológica de la agencia moral. Dada la naturaleza empírico-naturalista y fragmentaria de estos datos se vuelve necesario un marco de recepción que integre dichos descubrimientos. Adela Cortina ha propuesto la ética del discurso como un adecuado marco integrador, no obstante, aquí evidenciamos que se trata de una propuesta insuficiente. Primero, porque no se da una integración sistemática entre el marco filosófico de integración y los datos neuroéticos, sino una mera yuxtaposición. Segundo, porque no se ofrece una ontología ni una antropología sobre las cuales se base la llamada neuroética. Para hacer frente a estas insuficiencias, se expone la llamada Teoría Dual. La relevancia de esta teoría radica en el hecho de que implica una teoría intencional de la cognición, así como en que parte de la distinción entre información (ordenación o forma) y energía (materia), esquivando así todo posible reduccionismo. Concluiremos que la propuesta de Adela Cortina es insuficiente, que podemos acercarnos a la suficiencia cubriendo los huecos teoréticos faltantes y que la Teoría Dual cubre dichos huecos, lo que nos acerca un poco más a la suficiencia en esta búsqueda por un marco integrador.
Afterpulse effect in measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution
Authors: Wang Ze-Hao , Wang Shuang , Fan-Yuan Guan-Jie , Lu Feng-Yu , Yin Zhen-Qiang , Chen Wei , He De-Yong , Guo Guang-Can , Han Zheng-Fu
Published: July 2022

There is no doubt that measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) is a crucial protocol that is immune to all possible detector side channel attacks. In the preparation phase, a simulation model is usually employed to get a set of optimized parameters, which is utilized for getting a higher secure key rate in reality. With the implementation of high-speed QKD, the afterpulse effect which is an intrinsic characteristic of the single-photon avalanche photodiode is no longer ignorable, this will lead to a great deviation compared with the existing analytical model. Here we develop an afterpulse-compatible MDI-QKD model to get the optimized parameters. Our results indicate that by using our afterpulse-compatible model, we can get a much higher key rate than the prior afterpulse-omitted model. It is significant to take the afterpulse effect into consideration because of the improvement of the system working frequency.
The meiotic cohesin subunit REC8 contributes to multigenic adaptive evolution of autopolyploid meiosis in Arabidopsis arenosa
Authors: Morgan Chris , Knight Emilie , Bomblies Kirsten
Published: July 2022

Genome duplication, which leads to polyploidy, poses challenges to the meiotic segregation of the now-multiple homologous chromosome copies. Genome scan data showed previously that adaptation to polyploid meiosis in autotetraploid Arabidopsis arenosa is likely multigenic, involving genes encoding interacting proteins. But what does this really mean? Functional follow-up studies to genome scans for multigenic traits remain rare in most systems, and thus many mysteries remain about the “functional architecture” of polygenic adaptations. Do different genes all contribute subtle and additive progression towards a fitness optimum, or are there more complex interactions? We previously showed that derived alleles of genes encoding two interacting meiotic axis proteins (ASY1 and ASY3) have additive functional consequences for meiotic adaptation. Here we study derived versus ancestral alleles of the meiotic cohesin subunit REC8, which has roles in chromatin condensation, recruiting the axes, and other critical functions in meiosis. We use genetic and cytological approaches to assess the functional effects of REC8 diploid versus tetraploid alleles, as well as their interaction with ancestral versus derived alleles of ASY1 and ASY3. We show that homozygotes for derived (tetraploid) REC8 alleles have significantly fewer unpaired univalents, a common problem in neotetraploids. Interactions with ASY1 and ASY3 are complex, with the genes in some cases affecting distinct traits, and additive or even antagonistic effects on others. These findings suggest that the road to meiotic adaptation in A. arenosa was perhaps neither straight nor smooth.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and risk factors among meat packing, produce processing, and farm workers
Authors: Klein Melissa D. , Sciaudone Michael , Richardson David , Lacayo Roberto , McClean Colleen M. , Kharabora Oksana , Murray Katherine , Zivanovich Miriana Moreno , Strohminger Stephen , Gurnett Rachel , Markmann Alena J. , Bhowmik D. Ryan , Salgado Emperatriz Morales , Castro-Arroyo Edwin , Aiello Allison E. , Boyce Ross M. , Juliano Jonathan J. , Bowman Natalie M.
Published: July 2022

Meat packing, produce processing, and farm workers are known to have an elevated risk of COVID-19, but occupational risk factors in this population are unclear. We performed an observational cohort study of meat packing, produce processing, and farm workers in North Carolina in fall 2020. Blood, saliva, and nasal turbinate samples were collected to assess for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity were investigated using chi-square tests, two-sample t-tests, and adjusted risk ratio analyses. Among 118 enrolled workers, the baseline SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 50.0%. Meat packing plant workers had the highest SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (64.6%), followed by farm workers (45.0%) and produce processing workers (10.0%), despite similar sociodemographic characteristics. Compared to SARS-CoV-2 seronegative workers, seropositive workers were more likely to work in loud environments that necessitated yelling to communicate (RR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.25–2.69), work in cold environments (RR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.12–2.24), or continue working despite developing symptoms at work (RR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.14–2.32). After adjusting for age and working despite symptoms, high occupational noise levels were associated with a 1.72 times higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity (95% CI: 1.16–2.55). Half of food processing workers showed evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection, a prevalence five times higher than most of the United States population at the time of the study. Work environments with loud ambient noise may pose elevated risks for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Our findings also highlight the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among underserved and economically disadvantaged Latinx communities in the United States.
A study of COVID-19 vaccination in the US and Asia: The role of media, personal experiences, and risk perceptions
Authors: Akel Kaitlyn B. , Noppert Grace A. , Rajamoorthy Yogambigai , Lu Yihan , Singh Awnish , Harapan Harapan , Chang Hao-Yuan , Zhang Felicia , Shih Shu-Fang , Wagner Abram L.
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to assess the relationship between personal experiences and vaccine decision-making. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between experiences with COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination status. We administered 28 repeated cross-sectional, online surveys between June 2020 and June 2021 in the US and Asia. The main exposure was media showing COVID-19 cases, and we distinguished those with no such experience, those seeing a not severe case of disease, and those seeing a severe case of disease. Logistic regression models estimated the association between experience and acceptance of a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine (pre-rollout) or actual vaccination (post-rollout). We explored perceived susceptibility as a potential mediator. Intent to vaccinate was lowest in the US and Taiwan, and highest in India, Indonesia, and China. Across all countries, seeing a severe case of COVID-19 in the media was associated with 1.72 times higher odds of vaccination intent in 2020 (95% CI: 1.46, 2.02) and 2.13 times higher odds of vaccination in 2021 (95% CI: 1.70, 2.67), compared to those not seeing a case or a less severe case. Perceived susceptibility was estimated to mediate 25% of the relationship with hypothetical vaccination (95% CI: 18%, 31%, P<0.0001), and 16% of the relationship with actual vaccination 16% (95% CI: 12%, 19%, P<0.0001). Seriousness of experiences could relate to intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Media exposures are a modifiable experience, and this study highlights how this experience can relate to risk perceptions and eventual vaccination, across a variety of countries where the course of the pandemic differed.
Rethinking district-level governance of malaria in Ghana: A narrative review
Authors: Coleman Nii Ayite
Published: July 2022

The goal of global malaria programming is to eliminate and eventually eradicate the disease. Achieving this global goal requires eliminating malaria in individual endemic countries. This paper, based on the observations of current and former implementers of malaria programs at district level, examines Ghana’s malaria strategy to determine its adequacy for the elimination of malaria in the country, with a focus on the governance of district health systems. The paper argues that Ghana’s malaria strategy is medically oriented, focusing predominantly on diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The strategy ignores determinants of malaria that are related to lifestyle and environment. Furthermore, there is limited engagement with other district-level stakeholders, and what engagement does occur is neither systematic nor sustained. Ghana’s malaria strategy therefore requires a systematic rethinking to mobilize the participation of communities in district governance for malaria. The paper proposes several possible actions to restructure district governance of malaria. In Ghana, the malaria program should engage with key stakeholders in districts, using a systematic and sustained approach, to strengthen multisectoral action and community participation. This will require new accountability relationships for malaria progress within communities and among District Assemblies, district health authorities, and communities. Malaria programs in other African countries may also need to be similarly redirected towards community health governance for malaria progress. Simultaneously, global health and malaria agencies should redefine malaria as a social problem and collectively adopt a social determinants approach to strengthening national malaria programs. Pursuing the goals of elimination and eventual eradication of malaria without incorporating effective control of mosquito breeding and public health regulation is a fundamentally flawed approach. Progress on malaria requires a paradigm shift, from a medical perspective to a social determinant-informed approach with sustained and systematic engagement of all stakeholders in local communities.
Risk of seroconversion and seroreversion of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis pgp3 in a longitudinal cohort of children in a low trachoma prevalence district in Tanzania
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Munoz Beatriz , Mkocha Harran , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Dize Laura , Quinn Thomas C. , West Sheila K.
Published: July 2022

Background

Serologic testing for chlamydial antibodies is one potential tool for trachoma monitoring. Understanding the dynamics of seroconversion and seroreversion in low endemic districts is critical for determining the value of using serology.

Methodology/Principal findings

We surveyed a random sample of 2536 children aged 1–9 years in Kongwa, Tanzania, over three years; 1719 (67.8%) participants had all three follow-ups. Surveys assessed trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and anti-pgp3 antibodies. Mass drug administration occurred immediately after the first and second follow-up surveys. The cohort was classified into trajectories of change in serostatus, and risk factors were evaluated for seroconversion and seroreversion. We found that 86.2% of seropositives remained seropositive throughout the study, whereas 12.1% seroreverted. Seroreverters were younger (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.88 for every one-year increase in age, 95% CI = 0.79–0.99). 84.5% of seronegatives remained seronegative, and 13.0% seroconverted. Seroconverters were also younger (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.87–0.98). Seroconversion and seroreversion were not explained by indeterminate values for the intensity of antibody response. Less than 1% of the cohort had unstable changes in serostatus, mostly explained by values in the indeterminate range. TF and infection in the cohort declined over time, while seropositivity increased from 31.5% to 36.4%.

Conclusions/Significance

Antibody status is relatively stable over time. Both seroconversion and seroreversion occurred over the three years in this low endemic district, especially in younger children. Modeling seroreversion is important for accurate determination of seroconversion. The use of serology as a monitoring tool should target the younger aged children as they will most likely capture recent changes in serostatus.
Peripheral artery disease affects the function of the legs of claudicating patients in a diffuse manner irrespective of the segment of the arterial tree primarily involved
Authors: Leutzinger Todd J. , Koutakis Panagiotis , Fuglestad Matthew A. , Rahman Hafizur , Despiegelaere Holly , Hassan Mahdi , Schieber Molly , Johanning Jason M. , Stergiou Nick , Longo G. Matthew , Casale George P. , Myers Sara A. , Pipinos Iraklis I.
Published: July 2022

Different levels of arterial occlusive disease (aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, multi-level disease) can produce claudication symptoms in different leg muscle groups (buttocks, thighs, calves) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We tested the hypothesis that different locations of occlusive disease uniquely affect the muscles of PAD legs and produce distinctive patterns in the way claudicating patients walk. Ninety-seven PAD patients and 35 healthy controls were recruited. PAD patients were categorized to aortoiliac, femoropopliteal and multi-level disease groups using computerized tomographic angiography. Subjects performed walking trials both pain-free and during claudication pain and joint kinematics, kinetics, and spatiotemporal parameters were calculated to evaluate the net contribution of the calf, thigh and buttock muscles. PAD patients with occlusive disease affecting different segments of the arterial tree (aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, multi-level disease) presented with symptoms affecting different muscle groups of the lower extremity (calves, thighs and buttocks alone or in combination). However, no significant biomechanical differences were found between PAD groups during the pain-free conditions with minimal differences between PAD groups in the claudicating state. All statistical differences in the pain-free condition occurred between healthy controls and one or more PAD groups. A discriminant analysis function was able to adequately predict if a subject was a control with over 70% accuracy, but the function was unable to differentiate between PAD groups. In-depth gait analyses of claudicating PAD patients indicate that different locations of arterial disease produce claudication symptoms that affect different muscle groups across the lower extremity but impact the function of the leg muscles in a diffuse manner generating similar walking impairments.
Modeling the initial phase of COVID-19 epidemic: The role of age and disease severity in the Basque Country, Spain
Authors: Srivasrav Akhil Kumar , Stollenwerk Nico , Bidaurrazaga Van-Dierdonck Joseba , Mar Javier , Ibarrondo Oliver , Aguiar Maíra
Published: July 2022

Declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the globe. With eventually substantial global underestimation of infection, by the end of March 2022, more than 470 million cases were confirmed, counting more than 6.1 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 symptoms range from mild (or no) symptoms to severe illness, with disease severity and death occurring according to a hierarchy of risks, with age and pre-existing health conditions enhancing risks of disease severity. In order to understand the dynamics of disease severity during the initial phase of the pandemic, we propose a modeling framework stratifying the studied population into two groups, older and younger, assuming different risks for severe disease manifestation. The deterministic and the stochastic models are parametrized using epidemiological data for the Basque Country population referring to confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths, from February to the end of March 2020. Using similar parameter values, both models were able to describe well the existing data. A detailed sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the key parameters influencing the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in the population. We observed that the population younger than 60 years old of age would contribute more to the overall force of infection than the older population, as opposed to the already existing age-structured models, opening new ways to understand the effect of population age on disease severity during the COVID-19 pandemic. With mild/asymptomatic cases significantly influencing the disease spreading and control, our findings support the vaccination strategy prioritising the most vulnerable individuals to reduce hospitalization and deaths, as well as the non-pharmaceutical intervention measures to reduce disease transmission.
Causes of ischemic stroke in young adults versus non-young adults: A multicenter hospital-based observational study
Authors: Ohya Yuichiro , Matsuo Ryu , Sato Noriko , Irie Fumi , Nakamura Kuniyuki , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Ago Tetsuro , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari ,   Investigators for Fukuoka Stroke Registry
Published: July 2022

Background

Very few comparative studies have focused on the differences in the causes of ischemic stroke between young adults and non-young adults. This study was performed to determine what causes of ischemic stroke are more important in young adults than in non-young adults using a large-scale multicenter hospital-based stroke registry in Fukuoka, Japan.

Methods and results

We investigated data on 15,860 consecutive patients aged ≥18 years with acute ischemic stroke (mean age: 73.5 ± 12.4 years, 58.2% men) who were hospitalized between 2007 and 2019. In total, 779 patients were categorized as young adults (≤50 years of age). Although vascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, were less frequent in young adults than in non-young adults, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in young adults aged >40 years were comparable to those of non-young adults. Lifestyle-related risk factors such as smoking, drinking, and obesity were more frequent in young adults than in non-young adults. As young adults became older, the proportions of cardioembolism and stroke of other determined etiologies decreased, but those of large-artery atherosclerosis and small-vessel occlusion increased. Some embolic sources (high-risk sources: arterial myxoma, dilated cardiomyopathy, and intracardiac thrombus; medium-risk sources: atrial septal defect, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, patent foramen ovale, and left ventricular hypokinesis) and uncommon causes (vascular diseases: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, moyamoya disease, other vascular causes, arterial dissection, and cerebral venous thrombosis; hematologic diseases: antiphospholipid syndrome and protein S deficiency) were more prevalent in young adults than in non-young adults, and these trends decreased with age.

Conclusions

Certain embolic sources and uncommon causes may be etiologically important causes of ischemic stroke in young adults. However, the contribution of conventional vascular risk factors and lifestyle-related risk factors is not negligible with advancing age, even in young adults.
When to use commuting zones? An empirical description of spatial autocorrelation in U.S. counties versus commuting zones
Authors: Carpenter Craig Wesley , Lotspeich-Yadao Michael C. , Tolbert Charles M.
Published: July 2022

U.S. Commuting Zones (CZs) are an aggregation of county-level data that researchers commonly use to create less arbitrary spatial entities and to reduce spatial autocorrelation. However, by further aggregating data, researchers lose point data and the associated detail. Thus, the choice between using counties or CZs often remains subjective with insufficient empirical evidence guiding researchers in the choice. This article categorizes regional data as entrepreneurial, economic, social, demographic, or industrial and tests for the existence of local spatial autocorrelation in county and CZ data. We find CZs often reduce—but do not eliminate and can even increase—spatial autocorrelation for variables across categories. We then test the potential for regional variation in spatial autocorrelation with a series of maps and find variation based on the variable of interest. We conclude that the use of CZs does not eliminate the need to test for spatial autocorrection, but CZs may be useful for reducing spatial autocorrelation in many cases.
Aerobiological monitoring in a desert type ecosystem: Two sampling stations of two cities (2017–2020) in Qatar
Authors: Al-Nesf Maryam Ali , Gharbi Dorra , Mobayed Hassan M. , Mohammed Ali Ramzy , Tuffaha Amjad , Dason Blessing Reena , Adeli Mehdi , Sattar Hisham A. , Trigo Maria del Mar
Published: July 2022

Background

The increasing number of aerobiological stations empower comparative studies to determine the relationship between pollen concentrations in different localities and the appropriate distance, which should be established between sampling stations. In Qatar, this is basically the first aerobiological study for a continuous monitoring interval.

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the abundance and seasonality of the most prevalent pollen types, plus identify potential differences between two sites within the country.

Methods

Airborne pollen data were collected during 2017–2020 by using Hirst-type volumetric samplers in Doha capital city and Al Khor city in Qatar, placed 50 km apart.

Results

Higher total pollen indexes were recorded in the Al Khor station (2931 pollen * day/m3) compared to the Doha station (1618 pollen * day/m3). Comparing the pollen spectrum between the sampling stations revealed that ten pollen types were found in common. Amaranthaceae and Poaceae airborne pollen constituted 73.5% and 70.9% of the total amount of pollen detected at the samplers of Al Khor station and Doha station. In both sampling sites, a very pronounced seasonality was shown; August–October appeared as the period with the most intense incidence of atmospheric herbaceous pollen, with 71% and 51% of the annual total counts in Al Khor and Doha stations, respectively. August (Al Khor, 21%; Doha, 9%), September (Al Khor, 33%; Doha, 26%), October (Al Khor, 17%; Doha, 16%) were the months in which the herbs pollen concentrations were highest.

Significant statistical differences between the two stations were observed in specific pollen types with local distribution in each trap’s vicinity.

Conclusions

Comparison of data obtained by the two samplers running at a distance of 50 Km indicated that potential inter-site differences could be attributed to the vegetation surrounding the city having a decisive influence on data collected.
Utility of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for inferring wild bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) use of adjacent foraging habitats
Authors: Novotny Jessie Lanterman , Goodell Karen
Published: July 2022

Isotope analysis has proven useful for understanding diets of animals that are difficult to track for extended periods. Bees are small yet highly mobile and often forage from multiple habitats. However, current methods of assessing diet are limited in scope. Efficient methods of tracking bee diets that integrate across life stages, distinguish habitat use, and are sensitive to taxonomic differences will inform conservation strategies. We evaluated the utility of stable isotope analysis for estimating contributions of adjacent habitats to bees’ diets. We also investigated taxonomic variation in bee and flower isotope composition. We measured natural abundance of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in two body regions from three wild bee genera, as well as in 25 species of flowers that likely comprised their diets. Bee ∂13C and ∂15N varied with habitat and taxonomic groups (conflated with month), but did not match spatial or seasonal trends in their food plants. Flower ∂13C was lowest in the forest and in April–June, as expected if driven by water availability. However, bee ∂13C was elevated in the spring, likely from overwintering nutritional stress or unpredictable food availability. Bumble bees (Bombus) were enriched in ∂15N compared to others, possibly reflecting differences in larval feeding. Bee diet mixing models had high variation and should be interpreted with caution. Models estimated similar habitat contributions to diets of spring Andrena and overwintered Bombus queens. Summer Bombus queens and workers were indistinguishable. Sweat bees (Halictus) were estimated to use comparatively more field flowers than others. Overall, taxon more strongly influenced isotope composition than either foraging habitat or month, likely because of associated differences in sociality and timing of annual activity. Future studies seeking to reveal bee diets by isotope analysis may gain better resolution in more isotopically distinct habitats, in conjunction with controlled feeding or isotope labeling experiments.
Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel cow dung-based liquid mulch on silage cornfields
Authors: Yang Xiangjun , Li Lu , Zhao Wuyun , Li Xuan , Mu Yongsong , Chen Maohan , Wu Xiaoqiang
Published: July 2022

To prevent soil pollution caused by polyethylene (PE) films in the central region of Gansu, China, liquid mulching made from cow dung (CDLM) was trailed in silage maize fields. The degradation of CDLM and PE films, soil temperature, soil organic matter content, silage maize yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated for three years (2018–2020). The degradability of CDLM has been found to be much stronger than the one of PE films, with CDLM degrading 40–60 days after sowing and finishing around 100 days. CDLM had a lower insulating impact than PE films but a higher insulating effect than non-mulching films as the control (CK); CDLM could successfully increase soil organic matter, with a total increase of 1.01% over three years. CDLM increased silage maize yield by 6.2% compared to PE films and 17.2% compared to CK. Consequently, CDLM may be an interesting alternative to PE films for enhancing silage maize yield while decreasing soil contamination.
Genotype-phenotype associations in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis on more than 3200 individuals
Authors: Wang Xiaona , Chen Jun , Xiong Hui , Yu Xuhui
Published: July 2022

Objective

To systematically review the relationship between genotypes and clinical phenotypes of Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) to support risk estimation and therapeutic decisions.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data sources

The data of our study were collected from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CBM, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WAN FANG and VIP databases since inception to August 2021.

Results

A total of 3257 patients from 32 studies were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among all the cases, the mutation frequencies of LRP5, FZD4, NDP, TSPAN12, ZNF408 and KIF11 were 13.6%, 11.5%, 4.6%, 6.7%, 1.6%, and 5.7%, respectively. We found that the patients with NDP and FZD4 suffer more severe symptoms, among which 86.4% patients of NDP and 78.6% patients of FZD4 were in the advanced stage of FEVR. Retinal detachment is the most frequent symptom with patients of LRP5 and NDP mutations, accounting for 51.9% and 64.5%, respectively. For the patients with the mutation of TSPAN12, retinal fold is the most common clinical manifestation, and suffer the mildest clinical phenotypes compared with the other three genes.

Conclusion

The results of the meta-analysis indicate that different types of genetic mutations occur at different frequencies. In addition, the clinical manifestations of FEVR are related to the type of gene mutation. Therefore, targeted treatment strategies and follow-up recommendations should be adopted for different pathogenic genes of FEVR.
Pandora’s Box: A spatiotemporal assessment of elephant-train casualties in Assam, India
Authors: Ahmed Rekib , Saikia Anup
Published: July 2022

Railways are an indispensable component of sustainable transportation systems, but also exact a toll on wildlife. Wild Asian elephants are often killed by trains in Assam, India, where we assess temporal variations in the occurrences of elephant-train collisions (ETCs) and casualties during 1990–2018. This study also assesses spatially varying relationships between elephant-train collision (ETC) rates and elephant and train densities in the adjoining 10 km2grid cells of 11 prioritized railroad segments using ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models. The temporal analysis indicated that ETCs spiked at certain hours and months. The adult and calf elephant casualties on the railroads were found to be two to fivefold high during the post monsoon season compared to other seasons. During the operation period of meter gauge railroads (1990–1997), the proportions of ETCs and casualties were only 15.6% and 8.7% respectively. However, these increased substantially to 84.4% and 91.3% respectively during the operation of broad gauge railroads (1998–2018). The OLS model indicated that both elephant and train densities explained 37% of the variance of ETC rate, while GWR model showed 83% of the variance of ETC rate. The local coefficient values of GWR indicated that both the predictor variables interplayed significantly and positively to determine ETC rates in the Mariani-Nakachari and Khatkhati-Dimapur railroad segments. However, the relationship between ETC rate and elephant density is significantly negative in the Habaipur-Diphu railroad, implying that the elephant population along this railroad stretch is significantly affected by railways through large scale ETCs. Hence, there is an urgent need to address long-term mitigation strategies so that elephants can be conserved by providing safe passages and survival resources along railway lines.
Curiositas nihil recusat. Studia Isabel Moreno Ferrero dicata
Authors: Prósper Blanca María
Published: July 2022

Curiositas nihil recusat es un conjunto de estudios dedicados a Isabel Moreno Ferrero, catedrática de Filología Latina en la Univer­sidad de Salamanca. El título procede de la Historia Augusta, obra singular de la literatura latina que fue el objeto de la tesis doctoral de Isabel Moreno. En la Vida de Aureliano se encuentra esta fór­mula, tan propia del mundo clásico, donde lo mejor del helenismo se alía con la contundencia romana: «La curiosidad intelectual no descarta ningún tema». A la amplitud de miras de esta sentencia, como si fuera un emblema, se han acogido unos cuantos amigos, compañeros, discípulos y colegas de universidades españolas y ex­tranjeras para tratar asuntos de una atractiva diversidad: filologías griega, latina y románica, lingüística indoeuropea, historia y dere­cho romano, todos en la órbita de lo clásico.
Strong maximum principle for a sublinear elliptic problem at resonance
Authors: Anello Giovanni , Cammaroto Filippo , Vilasi Luca
Published: July 2022

We examine the semilinear resonant problem

−
Δ
u
=

λ
1

u
+
λ
g
(
u
)

in 
Ω
,
 
u
≥
0
 in 
Ω
,
 

u

|

∂
Ω

=
0
,

where
Ω
⊂

R

N

is a smooth, bounded domain,

λ
1

is the first eigenvalue of
−
Δ
in
Ω
,
λ
>
0
. Inspired by a previous result in literature involving power-type nonlinearities, we consider here a generic sublinear term
g
and single out conditions to ensure: the existence of solutions for all
λ
>
0
; the validity of the strong maximum principle for sufficiently small
λ
. The proof rests upon variational arguments.