bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrocarbon Compatible SOFC Anode Catalysts and Their Syntheses: A Review
Authors: Senthil Kumar Selvaraj , Aruna Singanahally ThippaReddy
Published: December 2021

With the fast depleting rate of fossil fuels, the whole world is looking for promising energy sources for the future, and fuel cells are perceived as futuristic energy sources. Out of the different varieties of fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising due to their unique multi-fuel operating capability without the need for an external reformer. Nonetheless, the state-of-the-art anode material Ni–YSZ undergoes carburization in presence of hydrocarbons (HCs), resulting in performance degradation. Several strategies have been explored by researchers to overcome the issue of carburization of the anode. The important strategies include reducing SOFC operating temperature, adjustment of steam: carbon ratio, and use of alternate anode catalysts. Among these, the use of alternate anodes is a promising strategy. Apart from the carburization issue, the anode can also undergo sulfur poisoning. The present review discusses carburization and sulfur poisoning issues and the different strategies that can be adopted for tackling them. The quintessence of this review is to provide greater insight into the various developments in hydrocarbon compatible anode catalysts and into the synthesis routes employed for the synthesis of hydrocarbon compatible anodes.
Analytical Prediction of Stretch-Bending Springback Based on the Proportional Kinematic Hardening Model
Authors: Zhai Ruixue , Zhao Zhuangkun , Yang Jianhao , Ma Bangbang , Yu Gaochao
Published: December 2021

Pre-stretching and post-bending are the simplest loading methods for the profile stretch-bending technical process. The inner layers of the profile are stretched and then compressed during the loading process. Considering the Bauschinger effect of metal materials, a new material model called the proportional kinematic hardening model was proposed. The stretch-bending mechanical model was established under a pre-stretching and post-bending loading path. The stress and strain on the cross section of profiles were analyzed. The analytic expressions of curvature radius of the strain neutral layer and bending moment were derived after loading. The analytic method for determining the curvature radius of the geometric center layer after unloading and springback during stretch-bending was established. The rectangular section ST12 profile with symmetrical characteristics is adopted, the stretch-bending experimental results show that the new proportional kinematic hardening model is more accurate than the classical kinematic hardening model in predicting the stretch-bending springback.
Using N-Norms for Analyzing Symmetric Protective Electrical Circuits with Triple Modal Reservation
Authors: Zhechev Yevgeniy S. , Zhecheva Anna V. , Kvasnikov Alexey A. , Zabolotsky Alexander M.
Published: December 2021

The redundancy of functional blocks and critical assemblies in radio-electronic equipment is among the most widely used techniques for increasing reliability. Complex redundant systems raise the problem of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Ignoring EMC requirements can lead to partial or complete REE failures. In this paper, the authors analyze a noise-protective electrical circuit with triple modal reservation (a promising type of cold redundancy). A multilayer stripline is investigated, the conductors of which are symmetrically arranged relative to two planes. On account of the strong electromagnetic coupling, this protective circuit can decompose dangerous ultra-wideband (UWB) interference received at the input of the primary or redundant circuits into unipolar pulses of lower amplitude. Using this approach, due to the symmetry of the conductors, equal decomposition efficiency could be achieved. However, the effect of UWB interference at the input of one of the conductors produces bipolar pulses at the output of the other conductors. In this paper, the authors evaluate the dangers of unipolar and bipolar decomposed pulses and use modal analysis to mathematically determine the polarities and amplitudes of the decomposed pulses at all output nodes for a pseudo-matched structure. By using the quasistatic approach with and without losses, the time responses to a trapezoidal pulse with a total duration of 60 ps, which simulates UWB interference, are obtained. To confirm the results of modal analysis and quasistatic simulation, an experimental study is performed. Using a stroboscopic oscilloscope DSA 8300, the authors obtained a transient response to a step excitation. Then, taking the derivative, the response to a trapezoidal pulse with a total duration of 140 ps was obtained. To analyze the criticality of the decomposed pulses, N-norms are used. In the general case, it is shown that the UWB interference is decomposed into four pulses of lower amplitude. At the same time, the value of each N-norm indicates its significant attenuation. For example, the amplitude of the UWB pulse acting on the input of the reserved conductor decreases by 10.31–8.93 times. Such results numerically demonstrate the high efficiency of the suggested approach when it comes to protecting equipment against UWB interference. It is also shown that the probability of dielectric breakdown and damage to electronic components in redundant circuits is lower than in a primary circuit. This is due to the fact that the value of N3 in the redundant circuit is 2.38 times less than in the primary circuit. However, the results demonstrate that arcing is highly probable both in primary and redundant circuits. Finally, aspects of symmetry/asymmetry in the problem under investigation are emphasized.
An Effective Naming Heterogeneity Resolution for XACML Policy Evaluation in a Distributed Environment
Authors: Kuang Teo Poh , Ibrahim Hamidah , Sidi Fatimah , Udzir Nur Izura , Alwan Ali A.
Published: December 2021

Policy evaluation is a process to determine whether a request submitted by a user satisfies the access control policies defined by an organization. Naming heterogeneity between the attribute values of a request and a policy is common due to syntactic variations and terminological variations, particularly among organizations of a distributed environment. Existing policy evaluation engines employ a simple string equal matching function in evaluating the similarity between the attribute values of a request and a policy, which are inaccurate, since only exact match is considered similar. This work proposes several matching functions which are not limited to the string equal matching function that aim to resolve various types of naming heterogeneity. Our proposed solution is also capable of supporting symmetrical architecture applications, in which the organization can negotiate with the users for the release of their resources and properties that raise privacy concerns. The effectiveness of the proposed matching functions on real XACML policies, designed for universities, conference management, and the health care domain, is evaluated. The results show that the proposed solution has successfully achieved higher percentages of Recall and F-measure compared with the standard Sun’s XACML implementation, with our improvement, these measures gained up to 70% and 57%, respectively.
Analysis of Asymmetrical Deformation of Surface and Oblique Pipeline Caused by Shield Tunneling along Curved Section
Authors: Deng Huangshi , Fu Helin , Shi Yue , Huang Zhen , Huang Qibing
Published: December 2021

The deformation of existing pipelines caused by the tunneling of a shield machine along curved sections has not been sufficiently researched, and a corresponding theoretical prediction formula is lacking. This paper derives a prediction formula for the deformation of an existing pipeline caused by shield machine tunneling along a curved section. Further, a finite difference model (FDM) corresponding to an actual project is built. Finally, the deformation of the surface and existing pipelines caused by shield machine tunneling along the curved section is analyzed. The research results show that the results of theoretical prediction, FDM calculation, and field monitoring data are consistent. In addition, the deformation of the surface and the existing pipeline are asymmetrically distributed when the shield machine tunnels along the curve section instead of symmetrically distributed (for straight line segment). When the pipeline is perpendicular to the tunnel axis, the maximum deformation position of the existing pipeline deviates from the tunnel axis by about 0.5 times the tunnel radius. In addition, as the angle β between the pipeline axis and the tunnel axis increases, the maximum deformation position of the pipeline gradually approaches the tunnel axis.
Bounds for the Differences between Arithmetic and Geometric Means and Their Applications to Inequalities
Authors: Furuichi Shigeru , Minculete Nicuşor
Published: December 2021

Refining and reversing weighted arithmetic-geometric mean inequalities have been studied in many papers. In this paper, we provide some bounds for the differences between the weighted arithmetic and geometric means, using known inequalities. We improve the results given by Furuichi-Ghaemi-Gharakhanlu and Sababheh-Choi. We also give some bounds on entropies, applying the results in a different approach. We explore certain convex or concave functions, which are symmetric functions on the axis t=1/2.
CGRAP: A Web Server for Coarse-Grained Rigidity Analysis of Proteins
Authors: Turcan Alistair , Zivkovic Anna , Thompson Dylan , Wong Lorraine , Johnson Lauren , Jagodzinski Filip
Published: December 2021

Elucidating protein rigidity offers insights about protein conformational changes. An understanding of protein motion can help speed drug development, and provide general insights into the dynamic behaviors of biomolecules. Existing rigidity analysis techniques employ fine-grained, all-atom modeling, which has a costly run-time, particularly for proteins made up of more than 500 residues. In this work, we introduce coarse-grained rigidity analysis, and showcase that it provides flexibility information about a protein that is similar in accuracy to an all-atom modeling approach. We assess the accuracy of the coarse-grained method relative to an all-atom approach via a comparison metric that reasons about the largest rigid clusters of the two methods. The apparent symmetry between the all-atom and coarse-grained methods yields very similar results, but the coarse-grained method routinely exhibits 40% reduced run-times. The CGRAP web server outputs rigid cluster information, and provides data visualization capabilities, including a interactive protein visualizer.
Call Blocking Probabilities under a Probabilistic Bandwidth Reservation Policy in Mobile Hotspots
Authors: Keramidi Irene P. , Moscholios Ioannis D. , Sarigiannidis Panagiotis G.
Published: December 2021

In this paper we study a mobility-aware call admission control algorithm in a mobile hotspot. To this end, a vehicle is considered which has an access point with a fixed capacity. The vehicle alternates between stop and moving phases. When the vehicle is in the stop phase, it services new and handover calls by prioritizing them via a probabilistic bandwidth reservation (BR) policy. Based on this policy, new handover calls may enter the reservation space with a predefined probability. When the vehicle is in the moving phase, it services new calls only. In that phase, two different policies are considered: (a) the classical complete sharing (CS) policy, where new calls are accepted in the system whenever there exists available bandwidth, and (b) the probabilistic BR policy. Depending on the selected policy in the moving phase, we propose the probabilistic BR loss model (if the CS policy is selected) and the generalized probabilistic BR loss model (if the probabilistic BR policy is selected). In both stop and moving phases, where the call arrival process is Poisson, calls require a single bandwidth unit in order to be accepted in the system, while the service time is exponentially distributed. To analytically determine call blocking probabilities and the system’s utilization, we propose efficient iterative algorithms based on two-dimensional Markov chains. The accuracy of the proposed algorithms is verified via simulation.
Longitudinal Assessment Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia
Authors: Bogdanova-Mihaylova Petya , Plapp Helena Maria , Chen Hongying , Early Anne , Cassidy Lorraine , Walsh Richard A. , Murphy Sinéad M.
Published: December 2021

Ocular abnormalities occur frequently in Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA), although visual symptoms are not always reported. We evaluated a cohort of patients with FRDA to characterise the clinical phenotype and optic nerve findings as detected with optical coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 48 patients from 42 unrelated families were recruited. Mean age at onset was 13.8 years (range 4–40), mean disease duration 19.5 years (range 5–43), mean disease severity as quantified with the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia 22/40 (range 4.5–38). All patients displayed variable ataxia and two-thirds had ocular abnormalities. Statistically significant thinning of average retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and thinning in all but the temporal quadrant compared to controls was demonstrated on OCT. Significant RNFL and macular thinning was documented over time in 20 individuals. Disease severity and visual acuity were correlated with RNFL and macular thickness, but no association was found with disease duration. Our results highlight that FDRA is associated with subclinical optic neuropathy. This is the largest longitudinal study of OCT findings in FRDA to date, demonstrating progressive RNFL thickness decline, suggesting that RNFL thickness as measured by OCT has the potential to become a quantifiable biomarker for the evaluation of disease progression in FRDA.
Association between Levels of Urine Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate Metabolites and Heart Rate Variability in Young Adults
Authors: Chen Ching-Way , Tang Shu-Yu , Hwang Jin-Shiang , Chan Chang-Chuan , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Lin Chien-Yu , Su Ta-Chen
Published: December 2021

Phthalate exposure is associated with cardiovascular risk. Among the various phthalates, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a deleterious plasticizer in our daily lives. This study investigated the association between DEHP exposure and the alteration of heart rate variability (HRV). During 2017–2019, we recruited 974 young adults to investigate the effects of living environments and dietary habits on cardiometabolic disorders in Taiwan. We quantitatively analyzed urinary metabolites of DHEP. A continuous electrocardiogram was recorded to obtain a 5-min ECG. Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV analyses were performed. Multiple linear regression showed that urinary oxidized DEHP metabolites MEHHP and MEOHP were associated with decreased HRV after controlling for associated cardiovascular risk factors. A higher MEHHP level was associated with a lower triangular interpolation of NN interval histogram (TINN), very low frequency (VLF), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio. A higher MEOHP level was associated with a decreased LF/HF ratio. In addition, trend analysis showed that higher MEHHP and MEOHP quantiles were significantly associated with a decreased LF/HF ratio. DEHP is a potentially harmful and invisible chemical. The urinary DEHP metabolites MEHHP and MEOHP are associated with decreased HRV, indicating an adverse effect on autonomic balance in young adults in Taiwan.
Solution Structures of Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen Proteins Using Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Protective Antigen 63 Ion Channel Formation Kinetics
Authors: Michelman-Ribeiro Ariel , Rubinson Kenneth A. , Silin Vitalii , Kasianowicz John J.
Published: December 2021

We are studying the structures of bacterial toxins that form ion channels and enable macromolecule transport across membranes. For example, the crystal structure of the Staphylococcus aureus α-hemolysin (α-HL) channel in its functional state was confirmed using neutron reflectometry (NR) with the protein reconstituted in membranes tethered to a solid support. This method, which provides sub-nanometer structural information, could also test putative structures of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen 63 (PA63) channel, locate where B. anthracis lethal factor and edema factor toxins (LF and EF, respectively) bind to it, and determine how certain small molecules can inhibit the interaction of LF and EF with the channel. We report here the solution structures of channel-forming PA63 and its precursor PA83 (which does not form channels) obtained with small angle neutron scattering. At near neutral pH, PA83 is a monomer and PA63 a heptamer. The latter is compared to two cryo-electron microscopy structures. We also show that although the α-HL and PA63 channels have similar structural features, unlike α-HL, PA63 channel formation in lipid bilayer membranes ceases within minutes of protein addition, which currently precludes the use of NR for elucidating the interactions between PA63, LF, EF, and potential therapeutic agents.
Insights into Paramyxovirus Nucleocapsids from Diverse Assemblies
Authors: Li Tianhao , Shen Qing-Tao
Published: December 2021

All paramyxoviruses, which include the mumps virus, measles virus, Nipah virus, Newcastle disease virus, and Sendai virus, have non-segmented single-stranded negative-sense RNA genomes. These RNA genomes are enwrapped throughout the viral life cycle by nucleoproteins, forming helical nucleocapsids. In addition to these helical structures, recombinant paramyxovirus nucleocapsids may occur in other assembly forms such as rings, clam-shaped structures, and double-headed nucleocapsids; the latter two are composed of two single-stranded helices packed in a back-to-back pattern. In all of these assemblies, the neighboring nucleoprotein protomers adopt the same domain-swapping mode via the N-terminal arm, C-terminal arm, and recently disclosed N-hole. An intrinsically disordered region in the C-terminal domain of the nucleoproteins, called the N-tail, plays an unexpected role in regulating the transition among the different assembly forms that occurs with other viral proteins, especially phosphoprotein. These structures, together with the helical nucleocapsids, significantly enrich the structural diversity of the paramyxovirus nucleocapsids and help explain the functions of these diverse assemblies, including RNA genome protection, transcription, and replication, as well as encapsulation.
The SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Number R0 in Cats
Authors: Gonzales Jose L. , de Jong Mart C. M. , Gerhards Nora M. , Van der Poel Wim H. M.
Published: December 2021

Domestic cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and given that they are in close contact with people, assessing the potential risk cats represent for the transmission and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 is important. Assessing this risk implies quantifying transmission from humans-to-cats, from cats-to-cats and from cats-to-humans. Here we quantified the risk of cat-to-cat transmission by reviewing published literature describing transmission either experimentally or under natural conditions in infected households. Data from these studies were collated to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction number R0 among cats. The estimated R0 was significantly higher than one, hence cats could play a role in the transmission and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. Questions that remain to be addressed are the risk of transmission from humans-to-cats and cats-to-humans. Further data on household transmission and data on virus levels in both the environment around infected cats and their exhaled air could be a step towards assessing these risks
Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Human Immune Cells: In Vitro Assessment Provides Insight in COVID-19 Pathogenesis
Authors: Shen Xu-Rui , Li Qian , Li Hui-Ling , Wang Xi , Wang Qi , Zheng Xiao-Shuang , Geng Rong , Zhang Yu-Lan , Li Bei , Jiang Ren-Di , Liu Mei-Qin , Zhu Yan , Zhang Wei , Yang Xing-Lou , Peng Ke , Zhou Peng
Published: December 2021

Patients with COVID-19 generally raise antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 following infection, and the antibody level is positively correlated to the severity of disease. Whether the viral antibodies exacerbate COVID-19 through antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is still not fully understood. Here, we conducted in vitro assessment of whether convalescent serum enhanced SARS-CoV-2 infection or induced excessive immune responses in immune cells. Our data revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection of primary B cells, macrophages and monocytes, which express variable levels of FcγR, could be enhanced by convalescent serum from COVID-19 patients. We also determined the factors associated with ADE, and found which showed a time-dependent but not viral-dose dependent manner. Furthermore, the ADE effect is not associated with the neutralizing titer or RBD antibody level when testing serum samples collected from different patients. However, it is higher in a medium level than low or high dilutions in a given sample that showed ADE effect, which is similar to dengue. Finally, we demonstrated more viral genes or dysregulated host immune gene expression under ADE conditions compared to the no-serum infection group. Collectively, our study provides insight into the understanding of an association of high viral antibody titer and severe lung pathology in severe patients with COVID-19.
Heparin and SARS-CoV-2: Multiple Pathophysiological Links
Authors: Di Micco Pierpaolo , Imbalzano Egidio , Russo Vincenzo , Attena Emilio , Mandaliti Vincenzo , Orlando Luana , Lombardi Maurizio , Di Micco Gianluca , Camporese Giuseppe , Annunziata Saverio , Piccinocchi Gaetano , Pacelli Walter , Del Guercio Michele
Published: December 2021

Low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, has been one of most used drugs to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pharmacological properties of heparin recognize its specific ability, as with other oligosaccharides and glycosaminoglycan, to bind several types of viruses during their pass through the extracellular matrix of the respiratory tract, as well as its anticoagulant activity to prevent venous thromboembolism. Antithrombotic actions of enoxaparin have been testified both for inpatients with COVID-19 in regular ward and for inpatients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Prophylactic doses seem to be able to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in inpatients in the regular ward, while intermediate or therapeutic doses have been frequently adopted for inpatients with COVID-19 in ICU. On the other hand, although we reported several useful actions of heparin for inpatients with COVID-19, an increased rate of bleeding has been recorded, and it may be related to several conditions such as underlying diseases with increased risks of bleeding, increased doses or prolonged administration of heparin, personal trend to bleed, and so on.
Pathogenicity of the Canadian Delmarva (DMV/1639) Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) on Female Reproductive Tract of Chickens
Authors: Hassan Mohamed S. H. , Ali Ahmed , Buharideen Sabrina M. , Goldsmith Dayna , Coffin Carla S. , Cork Susan C. , van der Meer Frank , Boulianne Martine , Abdul-Careem Mohamed Faizal
Published: December 2021

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection causes significant economic losses to various sectors of the poultry industry worldwide. Over the past few years, the incidence of false layer syndrome in Eastern Canadian layer flocks has been associated with the increased prevalence of the IBV Delmarva (DMV)/1639 strain. In this study, 1-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) hens were infected with the Canadian DMV/1639 strain and observed until 16 weeks of age in order to determine if the IBV DMV/1639 strain is causing false layer syndrome. Early after infection, the virus showed a wide tissue distribution with characteristic gross and histopathological lesions in the respiratory tract and kidney. Around 60–70% of the infected hens demonstrated continuous cloacal viral shedding until the end of the experiment (at 16 weeks) which was associated with high IBV genome loads detected in the cecal tonsils. The experiment confirmed the field observations that the Canadian DMV/1639 strain is highly pathogenic to the female reproductive tract causing marked cystic lesions in the oviduct. Moreover, significant histopathological damage was observed in the ovary. Our study provides a detailed description of the pathological consequences of the IBV DMV/1639 strain circulating in an important poultry production sector.
Synergistic Interferon-Alpha-Based Combinations for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections
Authors: Ianevski Aleksandr , Yao Rouan , Zusinaite Eva , Lello Laura Sandra , Wang Sainan , Jo Eunji , Yang Jaewon , Ravlo Erlend , Wang Wei , Lysvand Hilde , Løseth Kirsti , Oksenych Valentyn , Tenson Tanel , Windisch Marc P. , Poranen Minna M. , Nieminen Anni I. , Nordbø Svein Arne , Fenstad Mona Høysæter , Grødeland Gunnveig , Aukrust Pål , Trøseid Marius , Kantele Anu , Lastauskienė Eglė , Vitkauskienė Astra , Legrand Nicolas , Merits Andres , Bjørås Magnar , Kainov Denis E.
Published: December 2021

Background: There is an urgent need for new antivirals with powerful therapeutic potential and tolerable side effects. Methods: Here, we tested the antiviral properties of interferons (IFNs), alone and with other drugs in vitro. Results: While IFNs alone were insufficient to completely abolish replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), IFNα, in combination with remdesivir, EIDD-2801, camostat, cycloheximide, or convalescent serum, proved to be more effective. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses revealed that the IFNα–remdesivir combination suppressed SARS-CoV-2-mediated changes in Calu-3 cells and lung organoids, although it altered the homeostasis of uninfected cells and organoids. We also demonstrated that IFNα combinations with sofosbuvir, telaprevir, NITD008, ribavirin, pimodivir, or lamivudine were effective against HCV, HEV, FLuAV, or HIV at lower concentrations, compared to monotherapies. Conclusions: Altogether, our results indicated that IFNα can be combined with drugs that affect viral RNA transcription, protein synthesis, and processing to make synergistic combinations that can be attractive targets for further pre-clinical and clinical development against emerging and re-emerging viral infections.
Reduction in Severity of All-Cause Gastroenteritis Requiring Hospitalisation in Children Vaccinated against Rotavirus in Malawi
Authors: Mandolo Jonathan J. , Henrion Marc Y. R. , Mhango Chimwemwe , Chinyama End , Wachepa Richard , Kanjerwa Oscar , Malamba-Banda Chikondi , Shawa Isaac T. , Hungerford Daniel , Kamng’ona Arox W. , Iturriza-Gomara Miren , Cunliffe Nigel A. , Jere Khuzwayo C.
Published: December 2021

Rotavirus is the major cause of severe gastroenteritis in children aged <5 years. Introduction of the G1P[8] Rotarix® rotavirus vaccine in Malawi in 2012 has reduced rotavirus-associated hospitalisations and diarrhoeal mortality. However, the impact of rotavirus vaccine on the severity of gastroenteritis presented in children requiring hospitalisation remains unknown. We conducted a hospital-based surveillance study to assess the impact of Rotarix® vaccination on the severity of gastroenteritis presented by Malawian children. Stool samples were collected from children aged <5 years who required hospitalisation with acute gastroenteritis from December 2011 to October 2019. Gastroenteritis severity was determined using Ruuska and Vesikari scores. Rotavirus was detected using enzyme immunoassay. Rotavirus genotypes were determined using nested RT-PCR. Associations between Rotarix® vaccination and gastroenteritis severity were investigated using adjusted linear regression. In total, 3159 children were enrolled. After adjusting for mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), age, gender and receipt of other vaccines, all-cause gastroenteritis severity scores were 2.21 units lower (p < 0.001) among Rotarix®-vaccinated (n = 2224) compared to Rotarix®-unvaccinated children (n = 935). The reduction in severity score was observed against every rotavirus genotype, although the magnitude was smaller among those infected with G12P[6] compared to the remaining genotypes (p = 0.011). Each one-year increment in age was associated with a decrease of 0.43 severity score (p < 0.001). Our findings provide additional evidence on the impact of Rotarix® in Malawi, lending further support to Malawi’s Rotarix® programme.
Equity in Vaccine Trials for Higher Weight People? A Rapid Review of Weight-Related Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for COVID-19 Clinical Trials
Authors: Campbell Jessica , Sutherland Juliet , Bucknall Danielle , O’Hara Lily , Heywood Anita , Hobbs Matthew , Ballantyne Angela , Gray Lesley
Published: December 2021

Higher weight status, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, is frequently described as a risk factor for severity and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (known as COVID-19). Therefore, study groups in COVID-19 vaccine trials should be representative of the weight spectrum across the global population. Appropriate subgroup analysis should be conducted to ensure equitable vaccine outcomes for higher weight people. In this study, inclusion and exclusion criteria of registered clinical trial protocols were reviewed to determine the proportion of trials including higher weight people, and the proportion of trials conducting subgroup analyses of efficacy by BMI. Eligibility criteria of 249 trial protocols (phase I, II, III and IV) were analysed; 51 protocols (20.5%) specified inclusion of BMI > 30, 73 (29.3%) specified exclusion of BMI > 30, and 125 (50.2%) did not specify whether BMI was an inclusion or exclusion criterion, or if BMI was included in any ‘health’ screenings or physical examinations during recruitment. Of the 58 protocols for trials in phase III and IV, only 2 (3.4%) indicated an intention to report subgroup analysis of vaccine efficacy by weight status. Higher weight people appear to be significantly under-represented in the majority of vaccine trials. This may result in reduced efficacy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines for higher weight people and exacerbation of health inequities within this population group. Explicit inclusion of higher weight people in COVID-19 vaccine trials is required to reduce health inequities.
Serological Response to BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccines in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Biologic Therapies
Authors: Shehab Mohammad , Alrashed Fatema , Alfadhli Ahmad , Alotaibi Khazna , Alsahli Abdullah , Mohammad Hussain , Cherian Preethi , Al-Khairi Irina , Alphonse Thanaraj Thangavel , Channanath Arshad , Ali Hamad , Abu-Farha Mohamed , Abubaker Jehad , Al-Mulla Fahd
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on biologic therapies is not well studied. The goal of this study was to measure the serological response to BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines in patients with IBD receiving different biologic therapies. Methods: We performed a multi-center prospective study between 1 August 2021 and 15 September 2021. We measured the seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (SARS-CoV-2 IgG) and neutralizing antibody concentrations in patients with IBD receiving biologic therapies 4–10 weeks after their second dose or 3–6 weeks after their first dose of BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines. Results: A total of 126 patients were enrolled (mean age, 31 years; 60% male; 71% Crohn’s disease, 29% ulcerative colitis). Of these, 92 patients were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 vaccine (73%) and 34 patients with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (27%). In patients being treated with infliximab and adalimumab, the proportion of patients who achieved positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels after receiving two doses of the vaccine were 44 out of 59 patients (74.5%) and 13 out of 16 patients (81.2%), respectively. In contrast, of those receiving ustekinumab and vedolizumab, the proportion of patients who achieved positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels after receiving two doses of the vaccine were 100% and 92.8%, respectively. In patients receiving infliximab and adalimumab, the proportion of patients who had positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels after two-dose vaccination was 40 out of 59 patients (67.7%) and 14 out 16 patients (87.5%), respectively. On the other hand, the proportion of patients who had positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels were 12 out of 13 patients (92.3%) and 13 out of 14 patients (92.8%) in patients receiving ustekinumab and vedolizumab, respectively. Conclusions: The majority of patients with IBD who were on infliximab, adalimumab, and vedolizumab seroconverted after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. All patients on ustekinumab seroconverted after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are both likely to be effective after two doses in patients with IBD on biologics. Larger follow-up studies are needed to evaluate if decay of antibodies occurs over time.
Sexual Health and HIV/STI Risk in Gay Refugee Men in Nairobi, Kenya: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Misedah Lourence , Ross Michael W. , Wambua Solomon , Schick Vanessa
Published: December 2021

Refugees are often without financial support and some resort to survival sex. Some of these men are gay or bisexual who fled their countries because of actual or fear of death and other persecution, exacerbated by the criminalization of consensual same-sex practices by life imprisonment or death in extreme cases. We conducted qualitative interviews with 12 gay and bisexual men within a larger sample in Nairobi, Kenya, who engaged in survival sex. Thematic analysis indicated eight main themes: Physical dangers, sexual assault, lack of rights and recourse to justice; Emotional difficulties of sex work; Seeing treatable STIs as “normal”, but others like Hepatitis B and C as abnormal, and HIV as the most feared; Recognition of penile symptoms but concerns about sexual health including anal symptoms, such as fistulas and bleeding; good knowledge about HIV but confusions over PEP and PrEP, self-testing, health access to NGO clinics and some hospital clinics but concerns about stigma and discrimination in public clinics generally; and as a result of concerns about public healthcare settings, use of pharmacies for treatment. The data indicate that male refugees from gay repression, as found for refugees from other repressions, face many of the same issues with local variations.
Wind Power: An Important Source in Energy Systems
Authors: Chen Zhe
Published: December 2021

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural issue of Wind [...]
Molecular Detection of Human Pathogenic Gastric Helicobacter Species in Wild Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Wild Quails (Coturnix coturnix)
Authors: Cortez Nunes Francisco , Letra Mateus Teresa , Teixeira Sílvia , Barradas Patrícia F. , Gärtner Fátima , Haesebrouck Freddy , Amorim Irina
Published: December 2021

Wildlife plays a major role in the maintenance and transmission of multihost pathogens. Several Helicobacter spp. have been described to have zoonotic potential; thus, human, domestic and wild animal interactions deserve more attention. In this study, the presence of the DNA of human pathogenic gastric Helicobacter species was determined in gastric samples collected from wild rabbits and wild quails during the national hunting campaigns in Portugal. Eleven out of the 12 wild rabbits (91.7%) and all six wild quails tested (100%) were PCR positive for one or more gastric Helicobacter species. In both animal species, H. felis, H. bizzozeronii and H. salomonis DNA were detected. In addition to these non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter spp. (NHPH), H. pylori DNA was also identified in gizzard samples of wild quails. These findings might indicate that wild rabbits and wild quails may act as reservoirs and contribute to the H. pylori and NHPH environment dissemination, causing both Public Health and One health concerns to arise.
Programa de fútbol formativo para disminuir el sobrepeso en estudiantes de 12 a 14 años de una unidad educativa en el Cantón Rocafuerte
Authors: Muñoz Muñoz Cristhian Alexander , Plúa Mata José Vicente
Published: December 2021

El fútbol es una disciplina deportiva, practicada desde muchos años atrás, es así, que en el ámbito escolar es uno de los deportes con más seguidores y en el cual no hay edades para practicarlo. Esta investigación busca determinar la influencia del fútbol formativo en la disminución del sobrepeso en estudiantes de 12 a 14 años de una Unidad Educativa en el Cantón Rocafuerte, centralizándonos en el proceso enseñanza – aprendizaje del fútbol, sobre todo en la etapa formativa que nos permitirá obtener beneficios tanto para el desarrollo de las capacidades propias del fútbol, como para el beneficio de la salud de los estudiantes. La investigación permitirá determinar si el deporte genera un aliciente en la salud de los estudiantes que a temprana edad presentan un problema de salud como lo es el sobrepeso.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Estado físico; estudiantes; fútbol formativo; sobrepeso;
Training football program to reduce overweight in students aged 12-14 at an educational unit in the Rocafuerte Town
ABSTRACT
Soccer is a sport practiced for many years, it is thus that in the school environment it is one of the sports with the most followers and in which there are no ages to practice it. This research seeks to determine the influence of formative football on the reduction of overweight in students aged 12 to 14 years of an Educational Unit in the Rocafuerte town, focusing on the teaching-learning process of football, especially in the formative stage that will allow us to obtain benefits both for the development of soccer's own abilities, and for the benefit of the students' health. The research will make it possible to determine whether sport generates an incentive for the health of students who at an early age present a health problem such as being overweight.
KEYWORDS: Physical fitness tests; physical state; students; talent selection.
Guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen Sebagai Ujung Tombak dalam Menekan Terjadinya Intolerasi di Antara Siswa di Sekolah
Authors: Zebua Sukardin , Tafonao Talizaro , Lidya S Dewi - , Sinaga Ellyzabeth , Lahagu Ardianto
Published: December 2021

Sikap intoleransi yang ada di Indonesia saat ini telah menciptakan suatu perbedaan didalam masyarakat khususnya di antara siswa di sekolah. Dengan melihat problem tersebut maka diharapkan para guru agama Kristen mampu memberi membimbing kepada setiap siswa. Tujuan penulisan artikel ini adalah melihat sejauhmana keterlibatan para guru pendidikan agama Kristen dalam mendeteksi intoleransi diantara siswa. Metode yang digunakan penelitian adalah kulitatif deskriptif dengan kajian adalah guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen sebagai ujung tombak dalam menekan terjadinya intoleransi di antara siswa di sekolah. Hasil kajian ini adalah guru sebagai pelopor utama dalam mencintai keberagaman, mengajarkan perbedaan sebagai anugerah Tuhan, mengajarkan toleransi sebagai ajaran Tuhan Yesus. Dengan demikian salah satu cara dalam menekan terjadinya intoleransi adalah lewat pengajaran, pendampingan dan pembimbingan oleh guru-guru agama Kristen di sekolah.
Adonde nos lleve el logos. Para leer la República de Platón
Authors: Drisner Ulises Leandro
Published: December 2021

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Germano Mathias e um legado da nossa malandragem
Authors: D’Ipolitto de Oliveira Sciré Rachel
Published: December 2021

O artigo recupera a trajetória de Germano Mathias, sambista paulistano que se tornou expoente do samba malandro entre o final dos anos 1950 e a década de 1970. Ao se debruçar sobre a sua carreira, é possível avançar na compreensão do lugar do samba malandro na indústria cultural. Da mesma forma, o estudo da obra do intérprete, a partir de uma perspectiva fundamentada na crítica cultural materialista, favorece a discussão das representações do malandro na sociedade brasileira, com destaque para o seu caráter violento, e também aponta para os desdobramentos da ideia de malandragem, diante de algumas transformações observadas em nossa realidade urbana ao longo do século XX, em paralelo ao desenvolvimento local do capitalismo. Este último ponto é debatido a partir da análise da letra do samba “Jerônimo”, de Eduardo Gudin e Carlos Mello, gravado por Germano Mathias em 1986, para a trilha sonora da novela Cambalacho, da Rede Globo.
De Kleist a Poe: afinidades estructurales y temáticas entre “La mendiga de Locarno” y “The Masque of the Red Death”
Authors: López Lizana Alejandro
Published: December 2021

El objetivo del presente artículo es el de abordar un estudio comparado de los relatos “La mendiga de Locarno”, de Heinrich von Kleist, y “The Masque of the Red Death”, de Edgar Allan Poe. Para ello se partirá de que ambos autores son considerados figuras fundamentales del proceso de consolidación de la narrativa breve en la primera mitad del siglo XIX en sus respectivas literaturas nacionales. Este hecho, unido al íntimo conocimiento que los dos tenían de la literatura de terror alemana y anglosajona de su tiempo, propicia una serie de coincidencias formales y temáticas en sus textos que los sitúan en una constelación literaria repleta de fuentes y admiradores comunes. No obstante, un análisis más exhaustivo de las obras propuestas revela una asombrosa afinidad en el modo en que tanto Kleist como Poe aprovechan los materiales textuales de los que parten: mediante la subversión de las expectativas genéricas, los dos proponen una concepción del terror en la que lo irresoluble del misterio sobrenatural cuestiona la existencia de un orden moral armónico y la capacidad humana de llegar a entender nuestro mundo.
Años de aprendizaje de Riobaldo: el Gran Sertón
Authors: Rojas Juan Pedro
Published: December 2021

El artículo busca identificar en Gran Sertón: Veredas de Guimarães Rosa algunos elementos de la novela de aprendizaje. Se observa que el relato utiliza un jagunço, bandolero del interior profundo brasileño como héroe que vivirá sus años de formación en una banda de criminales que asolan la región. El narrador-personaje concentra en sí una serie de características arcaicas, modernas, locales y universales que representan a nivel de la voz del relato la naturaleza contradictoria de la vida social brasileña, producto de su pasado colonial y su presente de nación subdesarrollada. El personaje protagonista tiene una actitud ambigua con respecto a la sociedad en la que vive. Cuando joven, rechaza los valores urbanos en nombre de una ética rural que en su caso incluye los códigos bandoleros. Cuando viejo, rescata algunos valores de la ciudad como la educación formal, pero sin adherir efusivamente a los mismos. El relato puede ser visto como un tipo particular de novela de aprendizaje que figura una vida social con profundas contradicciones como la brasileña.
La Universidad de París en el Tractatus de Laudibus Parisiis de Juan de Jandún.
Authors: Utrera Maximiliano
Published: December 2021

Desde el origen de la Universidad de París en la segunda década del siglo XIII, los enfrentamientos entre los magistri artium y teológos, además de ser muchos, tuvieron fuertes consecuencias contra los primeros: condenas por parte de la Iglesia, excomulgaciones, prohibiciones, y numerosos exilios de aquellos que seguían divulgando las tesis condenadas entre sus estudiantes. El siguiente estudio está basado en la única edición disponible, del De Laudibus Parisiis1 de Juan de Jandún (cuya traducción parcial ofrecemos en anexo), uno de los tantos maestros parisinos que se vieron obligados al exilio. A lo largo del trabajo se introducirá a este polémico personaje abordando brevemente su biografía, las controversias en las que tuvo participación y, principalmente, el elogio de la ciudad parisina que surgió como respuesta a una de esas disputas vividas. Se mostrará también de qué manera su formación como maestro de artes lo llevará a defender posturas heterodoxas.

1Iohannes de Janduno (1867): Tractatus de laudibus Parisius, on Le Roux de Lincy, L. M. Tisserand (eds.), Paris et ses historiens aux XIV et XV siécles, Paris, 32-79.
СПЕЦИФІКА ВІДТВОРЕННЯ АНГЛІЙСЬКИХ СУПЕРЛАТИВНИХ ПРИКМЕТНИКІВ УКРАЇНСЬКОЮ: КОРПУСНИЙ ПІДХІД
Authors: Онищук М. І.
Published: December 2021

Досліджено особливості вживання англійських прикметників найвищого ступеня порівняння в романі Джоан Роулінґ «Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire» («Гаррі Поттер і келих вогню») та специфіку їх відтворення українською мовою. На основі паралельних перекладних текстів класифіковано суперлативні прикметники за лексико-семантичними розрядами, проаналізовано частоту їх уживання, зіставлено прийоми перекладацьких трансформацій із застосуванням корпусного підходу, розглянуто комплексні комбіновані типи міжмовних перетворень у художньому перекладі.
The Role of the Instructor, Motivation, and Interaction in Building Online Learning Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Thanasi-Boçe Marsela
Published: December 2021

This study aims to examine the role of instructor, motivation, and interaction in building students’ perceptions of and satisfaction with online learning (OL). It proposes a structural model based on data collected from 446 graduate and undergraduate students who attended online courses during the first COVID-19 lockdown. The data analysis was conducted using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reinforced the role of interaction and instructors in strengthening students’ motivation, especially highlighting interaction as a facilitator of how instructors motivate their students. Motivation, interaction, and the instructor’s role contributed to positive OL perceptions, which in turn generated greater student satisfaction. This study also revealed that interaction is the factor with the highest impact on OL perception. The instructor’s role in motivating students was found to be higher if a greater interaction was present in the online platform. However, the students did not derive OL satisfaction directly from their instructors; rather, satisfaction was generated only when motivation, interaction, and positive OL perceptions emerged. Finally, gender differences were identified in the students’ OL satisfaction. Females derived a greater level of motivation, OL perception, and satisfaction from interactions with their instructors and peers, while the male students’ OL perception and satisfaction were not affected by their instructors.