bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PREVALÊNCIA DA LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL EM CANINOS DA ÁREA URBANA DE MARACANAÚ, CEARÁ, BRASIL
Authors: Da Silva Lília Aparecida Marques , Werneck Guilherme Loureiro , Paiva Natália Santana , Farias Iaralyz Fernandes , Figueiredo Fabiano Borges
Published: December 2020

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma antropozoonose que se apresenta como um problema de saúde pública mundial. É causada pelo protozoário do gênero Leishmania e envolve o homem como hospedeiro definitivo e caninos como reservatórios no ambiente urbano. Caninos, quando infectados, são responsáveis pela transmissão que ocorre principalmente através da picada de flebotomíneos do gênero Lutzomyia. A LV é uma doença de caráter endêmico no Brasil, na década de 2000, aproximadamente 48% dos casos ocorreram na região Nordeste. Do total dos 184 municípios cearenses, 16 municípios apresentam transmissão intensa da doença, dentre eles, Maracanaú, localizado na Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza e o quarto município do estado do Ceará em ocorrência da leishmaniose visceral humana (LVH). Por se tratar de uma área de transmissão intensa para LVH, e no intuito de aprimorar o entendimento da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) no município, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a soroprevalência em caninos domiciliados na zona urbana de Maracanaú, Ceará. Estudo seccional por meio de inquérito censitário canino de base populacional para identificação da prevalência de anticorpos para infecção por L. infantum, realizado pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), durante o período de 2013 a 2015. O inquérito envolveu 8.382 caninos em 4.603 domicílios no município de Maracanaú nos bairros: Grande Pajuçara, Jereissati I, Jereissati II, e Timbó. Todos os caninos existentes no domicílio foram testados pelo teste rápido de triagem imunocromatográfico (DPP), sendo que na positividade deste teste seria realizado o teste confirmatório de ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Foram recolhidos e eliminados os caninos sororreagentes ao teste de ELISA, conforme prevê o programa nacional de controle da LV. Dos caninos incluídos neste estudo, 324 (4%) foram positivos no teste DPP e 46 caninos reagentes ao teste ELISA (0,5%). Nos estudos no estado do Ceará com as mesmas técnicas de diagnóstico do presente relato a prevalência foi de 5,7% no ano de 2016. Em Brasília (DF) e Patos (PB) as prevalências foram de 9,19% e 11,33%, respectivamente. A LV é tradicionalmente uma doença de caráter rural, entretanto, tem sido observada nas últimas décadas uma tendência de alteração no seu padrão pelo processo de expansão nas áreas urbanas. Nos anos 1970, Maracanaú sofreu grande transformação quando foi escolhido para sediar o Distrito Industrial de Fortaleza modificando o ambiente através da ocupação das áreas no entorno deste Distrito. Tais modificações ambientais favoreceram a transição epidemiológica da LV do meio rural para o urbano. A prevalência da LV em caninos foi aquém daquela observada em outros estudos similares, podendo ser atribuído, pelo menos parcialmente, as ações governamentais de controle vetorial e diagnóstico e controle da infecção entre caninos.
A IMPORTÂNCIA DO ACOMPANHAMENTO PSICOLÓGICO A MÉDICOS VETERINÁRIOS RESIDENTES
Authors: Wolf Larissa Rachel , Nunes Bruno Pedon , Garcia Rita De Cassia Maria
Published: December 2020

O exercício da profissão da medicina veterinária é um desafio para os profissionais recém-formados. Vários profissionais, ao se formarem, ingressam em programas de residência médica, que são modalidades de ensino caracterizadas por treinamento em serviço, sob supervisão, em tempo integral, para aperfeiçoamento e especialização em determinada área da profissão. São muitos os determinantes que comprometem a saúde e a qualidade de vida dos médicos veterinários residentes. Fatores como o período de transição aluno-médico, a responsabilidade profissional, o isolamento social, privação de sono e sobrecarga de trabalho estão associados a reações psicológicas, psicopatológicas e comportamentais, tornando os médicos residentes um grupo de risco para distúrbios emocionais. Os médicos veterinários possuem uma taxa de suicídio quatro vezes superior à população geral e duas vezes superior a outros profissionais da saúde, e estão suscetíveis a distúrbios como depressão, síndrome de burnout e fadiga por compaixão. Com o objetivo de avaliar a percepção dos médicos veterinários relação à importância do acompanhamento psicológico, foi realizada uma pesquisa com médicos veterinários residentes do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Paraná em novembro de 2017, sendo aplicado um questionário. Dezenove residentes responderam ao questionário, sendo 79% (15/19) do gênero feminino e 21% (4/19) do gênero masculino. A partir das respostas, foi constatado que 42% (8/19) dos residentes já realizavam algum tipo de acompanhamento psíquico (psicológico ou psiquiátrico). Dentre as questões vivenciadas na rotina médica, aquelas que mais traziam incômodo para os residentes foram os maus-tratos aos animais, negligência e abandono, relacionamentos interpessoais, sobrecarga de trabalho, carga horária excessiva e falta de valorização profissional. Quando questionados sobre a importância do apoio psicológico para médicos veterinários residentes, 100% (19/19) dos respondentes afirmaram considerar importante a existência de algum tipo de acompanhamento e 84% afirmaram que utilizariam um serviço de acompanhamento psicológico caso houvesse a implementação no programa, o que demonstra a grande importância da disponibilidade deste tipo de serviço em todos os programas de residência.
Potential Effect of Mucilage of Calophyllum inophyllum Nuts on Some Metabolic Syndrome Features Associated with a High-fat/High-sucrose Diet in Wistar Rats
Authors: Dakam William , Azombo Erika L. Asseng , Biyegue Christine F. Nyangono , Mpondo Emmanuel A. Mpondo , Oben Julius E.
Published: December 2020

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multi-faceted condition involving dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and overweight. The present work investigates the effect of mucilage of Calophyllum inophyllum nuts on body weight, plasma glucose, and plasma lipids in an animal model. Firstly, male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat/high sucrose (HFS) diet made of standard laboratory chow enriched with sucrose and egg yolk (caloric content: fats: 33.20%; sucrose: 21.30%) for 33 days. Thereafter, they were divided into groups of five animals, each group receiving one of the following by oral route daily for 14 days: distilled water (HFS-Ctrl), mucilage at doses of 250 or 500 mg/kg body weight (HFS-Ci250 and HFS-Ci500 respectively). The body weight of rats was measured at 3-day intervals. Fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance, and plasma lipid profile were assessed at the end of the study and cardiovascular risk indices were calculated. Mucilage treatment caused a significant decrease in body weight in groups HFS-Ci250 (-8.56%, p<0.05) and HFS-Ci500 (-14.27%, p<0.05) in comparison with the HFS-Ctrl group. HFS-fed rats treated with mucilage had an improved oral glucose tolerance with total incremental plasma glucose significantly lower than that of the HFS-Ctrl group. Mucilage-treated rats had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as higher HDL-cholesterol (+96.29%, p<0.05) which led to lower values of cardiovascular risk indices. Our results suggest that mucilage obtained from Calophyllum inophyllum nuts may find applications in the management of human metabolic syndrome by addressing its features such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemias.
The Production of Bioethanol from Carob Pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.)
Authors: Camilleri David , Lia Frederick
Published: December 2020

This study seeks to investigate the use of carob (Ceratonia siliqua. L) as a potential source of bioethanol production. In addition, an attempt to optimize the method through sulfuric acid hydrolysis was carried out and the optimum pH range for carob fermentation was studied at pH 2.5, 4.5 and 7.5. Samples of both foreign and locally originating carob were used and any discrepancy in fermentation performance with respect to origin was noted. Each fermentation setup was prepared with 66 gL-1 carob powder, inoculated with 1gL-1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain and supplemented with 0.6 mgL-1 thiamine hydrochloride. A total of 36 fermentation broth samples taken at 24-hour time intervals were analysed for different fermentation variables to monitor the progression of fermentation. Changes in total acidity and reducing sugar were analysed through titration techniques and pH. A quantitative sugar profile based on fructose, glucose and sucrose was constructed using an in-house validated method by HPLC-Refractive Index detector. Ethanolic content of the fermentation broth was determined through an in-house validated method by HPLC-UV detector. A significant change (p < 0.05) in ethanol content across time, was detected, with the highest ethanol concentration being achieved in the unhydrolysed control sample with 1.19% v/v from 66gL-1 carob powder.
Cartografia dos Atos Normativos do Ensino da Enfermagem antes da Lei Nº 775 de 1949
Authors: Lopes Roberlandia Evangelista , Nóbrega-Therrien Silvia Maria , Souza Maria Laiza de
Published: December 2020

Este artigo entende que a  Lei n°775 de 1949 impõe uma ‘nova ordem’ no momento em que institui legalmente a criação de outra categoria ocupacional na Enfermagem, no caso, a de auxiliar de Enfermagem, que passa, oficialmente, a trabalhar na área da saúde junto com a Enfermeira ‘diplomada’, sobretudo no contexto hospitalar, bem como a dividir com ela (Enfermeira) o mesmo espaço de formação e campo de atuação. Metodologicamente, se priorizou a abordagem qualitativa e o estudo histórico, em especial, focou-se nos documentos escritos. Assim, na busca pelo entendimento da formação de duas profissionais distintas na enfermagem, no caso, a Enfermeira e auxiliar de enfermagem e, mais que isso, perceber as consequências que a existência de uma formação elementar trazia a primeira (Enfermeira), se teve como foco os documentos ou as fontes documentais. Mas para amparar essa decisão (uso de documentos) resolveu-se “enxergar” as fontes utilizadas neste estudo através da Historia Cultural. Portanto, a instituição de Auxiliar de enfermagem para dividir o cuidado a enfermeira promoveu-se uma “nova ordem‟ no campo desta profissão, que gerou consequências em sua formação e na função por ela exercida, em seu reconhecimento social, identitário e de campo de poder.
Geoysynthetic Reinforced Embankment Slopes
Authors: Kumar Jha Akshay , Madhira Madhav
Published: December 2020

Slope failures lead to loss of life and damage to property. Slope instability of natural slope depends on natural and manmade factors such as excessive rainfall, earthquakes, deforestation, unplanned construction activity, etc. Manmade slopes are formed for embankments and cuttings. Steepening of slopes for construction of rail/road embankments or for widening of existing roads is a necessity for development. Use of geosynthetics for steep slope construction considering design and environmental aspects could be a viable alternative to these issues. Methods developed for unreinforced slopes have been extended to analyze geosynthetic reinforced slopes accounting for the presence of reinforcement. Designing geosynthetic reinforced slope with minimum length of geosynthetics leads to economy. This chapter presents review of literature and design methodologies available for reinforced slopes with granular and marginal backfills. Optimization of reinforcement length from face end of the slope and slope - reinforcement interactions are also presented.
Tuberkulose som tegn på virkelighet i Hamsuns Victoria (1898)
Authors: Nesby Linda Hamrin
Published: December 2020

I Victoria (1898) av Knut Hamsun dør den kvinnelige hovedpersonen av tuberkulose bare 23 år gammel. Victoria er en av Hamsuns mest kjente romaner, men tuberkulosen som motiv har kun i liten grad påkalt kritikernes interesse. I denne artikkelen vil jeg drøfte hvordan fremstillingen av tuberkulose korresponderer med Hamsuns egen sykdomserfaring, samt med de rådende historiske og kulturelle forestillinger om sykdommen. Inspirert av Roland Barthes’ begrep «virkelighetseffekt» vil jeg vise hvordan medisinske og historiske fakta inngår eller transformeres som en del av romanens plot. Jeg vil vise hvordan Victoria ved hjelp av sykdomsmotivet står frem som en selvstendig og frigjort kvinneskikkelse samtidig som teksten påkaller stereotype forestillinger om unge tuberkuløse kvinner. Mens tuberkulosen i Victoria har tendert mot å bli sett på som et tegn på kjærlighet, vil jeg argumentere for at sykdommen i like stor grad fungerer som tegn på virkelighet.
Intelligent Use of Mask in the View of Extraordinary Shortage Situation of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sarumathi D , Gunalan Anitha , Madigubba Haritha , Sastry Apurba Sankar
Published: December 2020

In the current situation of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, frontline workers are trying hard with maximum possible efforts to lessen the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the help of available resources. Due to existing shortages of the Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) more frequently facemasks and respirators, the rational use of these PPEs and their prioritisation becomes absolutely necessary. Other measures such as the use of respirators beyond their shelf-life, extended usage, limited reuse of respirators and decontamination, reprocessing and re-use of respirators have to be considered. This review article focused on the current situation of shortage of masks, rational use of various types of respiratory protective devices, mask use in laboratories and different methods of decontamination and reprocessing of the respirators. Intense literature search of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Influenza pandemic 2009 were done and various guidelines inclusive of Centre for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), Public health agency of Canada were adapted for this review.
Phase Behavior during Electrochemical Cycling of Ni‐Rich Cathode Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Chao , Reeves Philip J. , Jacquet Quentin , Grey Clare P.
Published: December 2020

Although layered lithium nickel‐rich oxides have become the state‐of‐the‐art cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries in electric vehicle (EV) applications, they can suffer from rapid performance failure—particularly when operated under conditions of stress (temperature, high voltage)‐the underlying mechanisms of which are not fully understood. This essay aims to connect electrochemical performance with changes in structure during cycling. First, structural properties of LiNiO2 are compared to the substituted Ni‐rich compounds NMCs (LiNixMnyCo1−x−yO2) and NCAs (LiNixCoyAl1−x−yO2). Particular emphasis is placed on decoupling intrinsic behavior and extrinsic “two‐phase” reactions observed during initial cycles, as well as after extensive cycling for NMC and NCA cathodes. The need to revisit the various high‐voltage structural changes that occur in LiNiO2 with modern characterization tools is highlighted to aid the understanding of the accelerated degradation for Ni‐rich cathodes at high voltages.
Extracellular vesicles from human multipotent stromal cells protect against hearing loss after noise trauma in vivo
Authors: Warnecke Athanasia , Harre Jennifer , Staecker Hinrich , Prenzler Nils , Strunk Dirk , Couillard‐Despres Sebastien , Romanelli Pasquale , Hollerweger Julia , Lassacher Teresa , Auer Daniela , Pachler Karin , Wietzorrek Georg , Köhl Ulrike , Lenarz Thomas , Schallmoser Katharina , Laner‐Plamberger Sandra , Falk Christine S. , Rohde Eva , Gimona Mario
Published: December 2020

The lack of approved anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective therapies in otology has been acknowledged in the last decades and recent approaches are heralding a new era in the field. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human multipotent (mesenchymal) stromal cells (MSC) can be enriched in vesicular secretome fractions, which have been shown to exert effects (eg, neuroprotection and immunomodulation) of their parental cells. Hence, MSC‐derived EVs may serve as novel drug candidates for several inner ear diseases. Here, we provide first evidence of a strong neuroprotective potential of human stromal cell‐derived EVs on inner ear physiology. In vitro, MSC‐EV preparations exerted immunomodulatory activity on T cells and microglial cells. Moreover, local application of MSC‐EVs to the inner ear significantly attenuated hearing loss and protected auditory hair cells from noise‐induced trauma in vivo. Thus, EVs derived from the vesicular secretome of human MSC may represent a next‐generation biological drug that can exert protective therapeutic effects in a complex and nonregenerating organ like the inner ear.
Commitment follows beliefs: A configurational perspective on operations managers' commitment to practice adoption
Authors: Arellano Maricela C. , Meuer Johannes , Netland Torbjørn H.
Published: December 2020

Companies that seek to improve their operational performance by adopting new practices often report disappointing adoption rates. The literature concerning practice adoption has tended to focus on efficacy and legitimacy drivers at the organizational level. However, there exists convincing evidence that practice adoption largely depends on the commitment of those managers involved in the adoption of a given practice. Thus, we investigate what prompts operations managers to commit to practice adoption. We draw on the theory of planned behavior to explore the cognitive foundations of 76 operations managers' commitment to new operational practices. Using fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis, we identify three belief configurations associated with high levels of commitment—“the Follower,” “the Pragmatist,” and “the Reformer.” We contribute a behavioral operations perspective to the literature on practice adoption by providing an individual‐level and configurational view of managerial commitment to change.
A C1‐continuous time domain spectral finite element for wave propagation analysis of Euler–Bernoulli beams
Authors: Kapuria Santosh , Jain Mayank
Published: December 2020

A C1‐continuous time‐domain spectral finite element (SFE) is developed for efficient and accurate analysis of flexural‐guided wave propagation in Euler–Bernoulli beam‐type structures. A new C1‐continuous spectral interpolation using the Lobatto basis is proposed, which is shown to eliminate the Runge phenomenon observed in the conventional higher order Hermite interpolation. It is also able to diagonalize the mass matrix, an attractive feature of existing C0‐continuous SFEs, which enhances computational efficiency. The developed element is validated by comparing the results for natural frequencies of first 20 modes with analytical solutions, and its performance for wave propagation problems is assessed in comparison with converged ABAQUS solutions obtained with a very fine mesh using the classical beam element. It is shown that the present element yields excellent accuracy with much faster convergence, higher computational efficiency, and many‐fold reduction in computational time than the conventional FE for narrowband high‐frequency flexural guided wave propagation problems in both undamaged and damaged beams. It also shows excellent performance for wave propagation under broadband impact excitations and initial displacements. The C1‐continuous interpolation proposed here will pave the way for developing several new SFEs for elastic‐ and piezoelectric‐laminated beams using advanced higher order laminated theories, which require C1‐continuity of displacements.
The role of pore structure and nitrogen surface groups in the adsorption behavior of formaldehyde on resin‐based carbons
Authors: Su Changqing , Liu Keke , Guo Yang , Li Hailong , Zeng Zheng , Li Liqing
Published: December 2020

This study focused on the role of pore structures and nitrogen surface functional groups in the formaldehyde (HCHO) adsorption on the carbonized resin‐based materials (UFC). After comparing the optimal sample UFAC‐700 obtained by the activation of UFC at 700°C with the commercial activated carbon (CAC) and other UFC, the HCHO adsorption capacity for UFAC‐700 (12.30 mg g−1) is more than three times and 10 times of that for CAC and UFC, respectively. Abundant pore structures could provide more adsorption sites for the initial stage of HCHO adsorption. Moreover, according to the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, pyrrolic‐N could enhance the adsorption energy and polar interaction of HCHO due to electrostatic force between the positively charged H attached to the nitrogen group and the negatively charged O atoms in the HCHO molecule. This study introduced a novel way to specifically design the surface modifications for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption.
The Engagement/Disengagement in Sustainable Development Inventory	(EDiSDI)
Authors: Moreira Paulo A. S. , Ramalho Sofia , Inman Richard A.
Published: December 2020

Abstract. There is an urgent need to meet the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Such advancements require people to adopt pro sustainable development behaviors. Research on engagement with sustainable development has the potential to provide a vital understanding of how individual differences and contextual factors interact to shape such behaviors. Our aim was to offer a theoretical framework for engagement, imported from Educational Psychology, and from it develop the Engagement/Disengagement in Sustainable Development Inventory (EDiSDI). In Study 1 ( n = 266; Mage = 38.6 years; 83% female), an exploratory factor analysis identified three engagement and three disengagement factors. In Study 2 ( n = 510; Mage = 31.6 years; 58% female), confirmatory factor analyses supported a bifactor model with two negatively correlated general factors (engagement and disengagement). Using a bifactor model, engagement was positively (and disengagement negatively) correlated with nature relatedness, environmental identity, and environmental action. Item response theory analyses revealed good item discrimination. These results validate both the proposed framework and EDiSDI for use in research on engagement with sustainable development. Future research is needed to determine if engagement and disengagement in sustainable development are distinct constructs, or opposing ends of a continuum.
Coaching Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities to Implement a Modified Dialogic Reading Intervention Using Low Technology via Telepractice
Authors: Pierson Lauren M. , Thompson Julie L. , Ganz J. B. , Wattanawongwan Sanikan , Haas April N. , Yllades Valeria
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Storybook reading provides a naturalistic context to promote bonding and increase oral communication between the reader and child. This study investigated the impact of modified dialogic reading procedures, which included a prompting component on the language skills of children with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome in the children's homes.

Method

A multiple-probe-across-participants design was used to investigate the efficacy of the intervention for this population. Parent training and coaching were provided via telepractice. Maintenance and generalization sessions were also conducted.

Results

A functional relation was observed between parent implementation and telepractice coaching.

Conclusion

While the child responses to comprehension questions did not change, changes in the parent implementation of modified dialogic reading procedures in response to coaching via telepractice were noted in this study.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13382831
Indicator role of the ontogenetic structure of rare plant cenotic populations in the assessment of the ecological state of species under anthropogenic pressure (for example, Rindera tetraspis Pall)
Authors: Ilyina Valentina , Mitroshenkova Anna
Published: December 2020

The study of population structure, including ratios in different ontogenetic groups of individuals, provides unique information for the development of express methods of determining the ecological state of natural complexes. Data on population structure, dynamics of population indicators and other bioecological features allow to determine more precisely the need for protection of different species at regional and more global levels. The purpose of this research is to determine the ontogenetic structure of natural populations of rare plant species. The example of Rindera tetraspis Pall. was used to establish changes in ontogenetic structure of local populations under anthropogenic pressure on species’ habitats (on the territory of the Middle Volga basin, Russia). A decrease in the ability to self-sustain the number of individuals and aging of the population at cattle grazing and steppe fires have been revealed.
Hemigraphis alternata (red ivy).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: December 2020

Hemigraphis alternata is a creeping herb native to Indonesia and Malaysia that has been widely commercialized as an ornamental, mainly due to its metallic green and purple foliage. It is often planted as a carpet plant or ground cover in gardens, and is regularly dumped in garden waste, from which it spreads into wild areas. Once established, the species grows forming large dense carpets that totally cover the understorey of natural forests, displacing native vegetation. In areas outside its native range, it seems to reproduce only by vegetative means (cuttings or clump division). It is currently listed as invasive in the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Fiji, Chagos, Reunion, Cook Islands, Samoa, French Polynesia, Niue, Palau and Tonga.
Tagetes erecta (Mexican marigold).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: December 2020

Tagetes erecta is an annual herb that has been commercialized worldwide as an ornamental plant and as a source of natural pigments from its yellow/orange flowers. This species persists after areas where it has been planted are abandoned, and it has also successfully escaped from cultivation. It can often be found growing in a wide range of anthropogenic habitats where vegetation is regularly disturbed or maintained at early successional stages, such as roadsides, ruderal sites and pastures. Tagetes erecta produces large numbers of seed, is able grow in many climates and soils types and, once established, it can very quickly form dense populations that outcompete and displace native vegetation and other desired plant species.
Zingiber officinale (ginger).
Authors: Kaufman Sylvan
Published: December 2020

Z. officinale is a perennial herb widely cultivated in the tropics and which occasionally naturalizes. It mostly spreads vegetatively since many cultivars seldom flower or are sterile (Sutarno et al., 1999; Flowers of India, 2016). It is listed as invasive in Taiwan (Taiwan Invasive Species Database, 2016) and as a weed in Puerto Rico and Queensland, Australia (Randall, 2012). No information on impacts could be found.
Use of Telehealth in Fellowship-Affiliated Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wallis Kate E. , Mulé Christina , Mittal Shruti , Cerda Natalie , Shaffer Rebecca , Scott Angela , Langkamp Diane , Augustyn Marilyn , Perrin Ellen , Soares Neelkamal , Blum Nathan J.
Published: December 2020

Objective:

This study aims to describe the use of telehealth in developmental behavioral pediatric (DBP) fellowship-affiliated practices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Methods:

An electronic survey was disseminated to all DBP fellowship-associated practice locations to determine the use of telehealth in DBP care provision, before and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed responses using descriptive statistics.

Results:

A total of 35 of 42 eligible practice sites responded (83% response rate). Most sites (51.4%) reported using telehealth less than once per month before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the onset of COVID-19, 100% of programs reported conducting video-based telehealth visits multiple days per week. Most sites reported conducting evaluations and follow-up visits for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral concerns, developmental delay, genetic disorders, and learning disability. Most sites were able to continue medication management by telehealth (>88%), offer interpreter services for families with limited English proficiency participating in telehealth visits (>90%), and incorporate trainees and interdisciplinary team members in telehealth visits (>90%). Greater variability was observed in sites' ability to collect telehealth practice evaluation measures.

Conclusion:

Most sites are providing evaluations and ongoing care for DBP conditions through telehealth. The rapid adoption of telehealth can have ramifications for the way that DBP care is delivered in the future; therefore, it is imperative to understand current practice patterns and variations to determine the best use of telehealth.
The formation and implications of giant blocks and fluid escape structures in submarine lateral spreads
Authors: Wu Nan , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Johnson Howard D. , Hodgson David M. , Clare Michael A. , Nugraha Harya D. , Li Wei
Published: December 2020

Lateral spread and submarine creep are processes that occur near the headwalls of both terrestrial landslides and submarine mass‐transport complexes (MTCs). Both submarine creep and spread deposits may contain giant (km‐scale) coherent blocks, but their transport processes remain poorly constrained. Here we use seismic reflection data to determine the geometry, scale, and origin of a Late Miocene mass‐transport complex (MTC) located in the Kangaroo Syncline, offshore NW Australia. We show that this large remobilised mass of carbonate ooze is ca. 170–300 m thick and covers an area of at least 1,050 km2. The deposit is defined internally by two distinct seismic facies: (a) large, upward‐tapering blocks (210–300 m thick, 170–210 m wide and 800–1,200 m long) with negligible internal deformation, which decrease in height and spacing along the transport direction (identical, but in situ, seismic facies forms undeformed slope material immediately updip of the deposit headwall); and (b) troughs (160–260 m thick, 190–230 m wide and 800–1,200 m long) comprising moderately deformed strata, which contain ‘v’‐shaped, pipe‐like structures that extend upwards from the inferred basal shear surface to the top surface. The lack of deformation within the blocks, and their correlation to adjacent in situ deposits, suggests they underwent limited transport (ca. 50 m–70 m). The relatively high degree of deformation within the intervening troughs is attributed to the vertical expulsion of fluids and sediment during hydraulic failure of the sediment mass. We present a hydraulic failure model that invokes evacuation of the lower slope by a precursor MTC and which formed the space to trigger the lateral spread. Our study also provides new insights into the genesis and rheology of subaqueous lateral spreads. The genetic links identified between mass wasting and spatially focused fluid flow, as well as disturbing the deep seafloor, indicate that submarine landslides may also create important deep‐sea biodiversity hotspots.
Dispersal–niche continuum index: a new quantitative metric for assessing the relative importance of dispersal versus niche processes in community assembly
Authors: Vilmi Annika , Gibert Corentin , Escarguel Gilles , Happonen Konsta , Heino Jani , Jamoneau Aurélien , Passy Sophia I. , Picazo Félix , Soininen Janne , Tison‐Rosebery Juliette , Wang Jianjun
Published: December 2020

Patterns in community composition are scale‐dependent and generally difficult to distinguish. Therefore, quantifying the main assembly processes in various systems and across different datasets has remained challenging. Building on the PER‐SIMPER method, we propose a new metric, the dispersal–niche continuum index (DNCI), which estimates whether dispersal or niche processes dominate community assembly and facilitates the comparisons of processes among datasets. The DNCI was tested for robustness using simulations and applied to observational datasets comprising organismal groups with different trophic level and dispersal potential. Based on the robustness tests, the DNCI discriminated the respective contribution of niche and dispersal processes in pairwise comparisons of site groups with less than 40% and 30% differences in their taxa and site numbers, respectively. In the observational datasets, the DNCI suggested that dispersal rather than niche assembly was the dominant assembly process which, however, varied in intensity among organismal groups and study contexts, including spatial scale and ecosystem types. The proposed DNCI measures the relative strength of community assembly processes in a way that is simple, easily quantifiable and comparable across datasets. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the DNCI and provide perspectives for future research.
High frequency of anticoagulation management errors preceding ischaemic strokes in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wong Edmond , Aaqib Muhammad , Thijs Vincent
Published: December 2020

Background

Anticoagulants are recommended to prevent cardioembolic stroke in most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Management errors with anticoagulation and use of aspirin instead of anticoagulants have been documented worldwide, especially with vitamin K antagonists.

Aims

To assess the rate of anticoagulant mismanagement errors in patients admitted with ischaemic stroke and the clinical correlates with stroke outcomes in the era of non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulants.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with ischaemic stroke and history of AF to a single‐centre tertiary hospital stroke unit in Melbourne, Australia, between January 2016 and June 2019. We assessed management errors as defined using European Heart Rhythm Association criteria with anticoagulation in the 2 weeks prior to the index stroke.

Results

A total of 306 patients with AF and ischaemic stroke was included, of whom 196 (64%) had management errors. Patients with management errors were older (median age 84 vs 81 years; P = 0.002) and more often female (53% vs 38%; P = 0.02). Of those with management errors, 74 (37%) were not prescribed any anticoagulation despite increased stroke risk and absence of contraindications and 40 (20%) had anticoagulation inappropriately ceased. Mortality at 3 months was 32% in those with management errors, compared with 17% in the appropriately anticoagulated group (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Inappropriate management of anticoagulants is present in the majority of acute ischaemic stroke in the 2 weeks preceding the event and is linked to higher mortality. Improved anticoagulation practice has the potential to substantially reduce stroke rates in patients with AF.
The endocannabinoid system – current implications for drug development
Authors: Fowler C. J.
Published: December 2020

In this review, the state of the art for compounds affecting the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is described with a focus on the treatment of pain. Amongst directly acting CB receptor ligands, clinical experience with ∆9‐tetrahydracannabinol and medical cannabis in chronic non‐cancer pain indicates that there are differences between the benefits perceived by patients and the at best modest effect seen in meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials. The reason for this difference is not known but may involve differences in the type of patients that are recruited, the study conditions that are chosen and the degree to which biases such as reporting bias are operative. Other directly acting CB receptor ligands such as biased agonists and allosteric receptor modulators have not yet reached the clinic. Amongst indirectly acting compounds targeting the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and catabolism of the eCBs anandamide and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors have been investigated clinically but were per se not useful for the treatment of pain, although they may be useful for the treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder and cannabis use disorder. Dual‐acting compounds targeting this enzyme and other targets such as cyclooxygenase‐2 or transient potential vanilloid receptor 1 may be a way forward for the treatment of pain.
Semiparametric analysis of interval‐censored failure time data with outcome‐dependent observation schemes
Authors: Zhu Yayuan , Chen Ziqi , Lawless Jerald F.
Published: December 2020

Disease progression is often monitored by intermittent follow‐up “visits” in longitudinal cohort studies, resulting in interval‐censored failure time outcomes. Furthermore, the timing and frequency of visits is often found related to a person's history of disease‐related variables in practice. This article develops a semiparametric estimation approach using weighted binomial regression and a kernel smoother to analyze interval‐censored failure time data. Visit times are allowed to be subject‐specific and outcome‐dependent. We consider a collection of widely used semiparametric regression models, including additive hazards and linear transformation models. For additive hazards models, the nonparametric component has a closed‐form estimator and the estimators of regression coefficients are shown to be asymptotically multivariate normal with sandwich‐type covariance matrices. Simulations are conducted to examine the finite sample performance of the proposed estimators. A data set from the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Cohort Study is used to illustrate the proposed methodology.
Compliant Mechanisms That Use Static Balancing to Achieve Dramatically Different States of Stiffness
Authors: Kuppens P. R. , Bessa M. A. , Herder J. L. , Hopkins J. B.
Published: December 2020

Stiffness in compliant mechanisms can be dramatically altered and even eliminated entirely by using static balancing. This requires elastic energy to be inserted before operation, which is most often done with an additional device or preloading assembly. Adding such devices contrasts starkly with primary motivations for using compliant mechanisms, such as part count reduction, increased precision, and miniaturization. However, statically balanced compliant mechanisms with a fully monolithic architecture are scarce. In this article, we introduce two novel statically balanced compliant mechanisms with linear and rotary kinematics that do not require preloading assembly, enabling miniaturization. Static balance is achieved by the principle of opposing constant force and extended to a rotational device by using opposing constant torque mechanisms for the first time. A constant force mechanism based on existing work is used and inspired a novel constant torque mechanism. A single-piece device is obtained by monolithically integrating a bistable switch for preloading, which allows static balance to be turned on and off. The linear device reduces stiffness by 98.5% over 10 mm, has significantly reduced device complexity and has doubled relative range of motion from 3.3% to 6.6% compared to the state of the art. The rotary device reduces stiffness by 90.5% over 0.35 rad.
Benznidazole in Cerebrospinal Fluid: a Case Series of Chagas Disease Meningoencephalitis in HIV-Positive Patients
Authors: Fernández Marisa L. , Marson María E. , Mastrantonio Guido E. , Corti Marcelo A. , Fleitas Ulises , Lloveras Susana C. , Lista Nicolas , Priarone Maria M. , Domínguez Cecilia , Garcia-Bournissen Facundo
Published: December 2020

Chagas disease reactivation in HIV-positive people is an opportunistic infection with 79 to 100% mortality. It commonly involves the central nervous system (CNS).
Evolution of Ciprofloxacin Resistance-Encoding Genetic Elements in
Salmonella
Authors: Chen Kaichao , Yang Chen , Dong Ning , Xie Miaomiao , Ye Lianwei , Chan Edward Wai Chi , Chen Sheng
Published: December 2020

Resistance of nontyphoidal
Salmonella
to fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin is known to be mediated by target mutations. This study surveyed the prevalence of
Salmonella
strains recovered from 2,989 food products in Shenzhen, China, during the period 2012 to 2017 and characterized the genetic features of several PMQR gene-bearing plasmids and ciprofloxacin resistance-encoding DNA fragments.
Air Quality in Africa: Public Health Implications
Authors: Abera Asmamaw , Friberg Johan , Isaxon Christina , Jerrett Michael , Malmqvist Ebba , Sjöström Cheryl , Taj Tahir , Vargas Ana Maria
Published: December 2020

This review highlights the importance of air quality in the African urban development process. We address connections between air pollution and ( a) rapid urbanization, ( b) social problems, ( c) health impacts, ( d) climate change, ( e) policies, and ( f) new innovations. We acknowledge that air pollution levels in Africa can be extremely high and a serious health threat. The toxic content of the pollution could relate to region-specific sources such as low standards for vehicles and fuels, cooking with solid fuels, and burning household waste. We implore the pursuit of interdisciplinary research to create new approaches with relevant stakeholders. Moreover, successful air pollution research must regard conflicts, tensions, and synergies inherent to development processes in African municipalities, regions, and countries. This includes global relationships regarding climate change, trade, urban planning, and transportation. Incorporating aspects of local political situations (e.g., democracy) can also enhance greater political accountability and awareness about air pollution.
Endophthalmitis in Retinopathy of Prematurity after Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection
Authors: Suren Elcin , Cetinkaya Ersan , Kalayci Mustafa , Özkan Sariye Elif Özyazıcı , Kucuk Mehmet Fatih , Erol Muhammet Kazim
Published: December 2020

We report the case of a male infant who had an intravitreal anti-VEGF (aflibercept) injection for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity at 35-week postmenstrual age. Four days following the injection, retinal imaging demonstrated a yellowish gray blurred mass that extended into the vitreous in the right eye, and the vitreous body was blurred. After two days, despite starting endophthalmitis treatment, there was still no improvement in the retinal lesion. Due to the worsening of the clinical signs, we decided to perform 25-gauge lens-sparing pars plana vitrectomy.
Application Research of Precision Medical Model Based on Big Data in Primary Health Care in China
Authors: Yin Tianlu
Published: December 2020

In this paper, relevant literatures on precision medicine and primary health care under big data from 2005 to 2020 were selected on CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, PUBMED and so on. A total of 98 literatures were included to summarize the development, difficulties and suggestions on precision medicine in China. This paper analyzes the application of precision medicine in China’s primary health care and the technical and social problems that precision medicine faces in the era of big data, and puts forward the next research direction of community precision medicine prevention and treatment. Conclusion,: the application of precision medicine in primary health care is still in its infancy. Genomic data, sample management, data quality control standards and data management platform construction are the foundation of community precision medicine. “Intelligent precision medicine” will be the future development direction.
Inflammatory patterns in plasma associate with hepatocellular carcinoma development in cured hepatitis C cirrhotic patients
Authors: Owusu Sekyere Solomon , Port Kerstin , Deterding Katja , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma persists in some patients despite achieving sustained virologic response with current interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C. The subject of an even higher carcinoma risk in this context has been reported and is currently being debated. The quest for understanding this paradox relative to the dynamics of inflammatory biomarkers in cirrhosis patients receiving antiviral therapy thus remains a subject of importance.

Objective

Here, we aimed at evaluating the effects of direct‐acting antiviral therapy‐induced hepatitis C cure on plasmatic markers of systemic inflammation measured before, during and after treatment. Specifically, soluble immune mediator phenotype associations that impact the odds of hepatocellular carcinoma development and the related changes that arise upon direct‐acting antiviral‐mediated hepatitis C clearance in cirrhosis patients was investigated.

Methods

Employing multiplex technology that measured up to 91 circulating biomarker proteins, we profiled the plasma soluble immune mediator concentrations of cirrhosis patients who developed posttreatment hepatocellular carcinoma and their respective negative controls, before and after direct‐acting antiviral treatment.

Results

Elevated pretherapy concentrations of specific soluble immune mediators including MCP‐3, GDNF, CDCP1, IL‐17C, IL‐17A, signalling lymphocytic activation family 1, CCL11, FGF‐5, LIF‐R, interleukin 10 (IL‐10), IL‐10RA, IL‐15RA, beta NGF, CCL28, CCL25 and NT‐3 distinguished patients who developed posttreatment hepatocellular carcinoma relative to those that did not. Particularly, GDNF, FGF‐5 and IL‐15RA displayed independent predictive biomarker attributes for delineating carcinoma emergence regardless of de novo or recurrence groupings. Upon successful therapy, the elevated pretherapy soluble immune mediator establishment of the patients who eventually developed hepatocellular carcinoma stayed largely unperturbed whereas a panel of some 38 soluble immune mediators in the posttherapy carcinoma‐free patients experienced significant ameliorations.

Conclusions

These results have considerable implications for delineating potential hepatocellular carcinoma emergence before initiating direct‐acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in cirrhosis patients. They provide preliminary contribution to unravelling cases where the benefit of direct‐acting antiviral therapies would be superior to the risk of developing carcinoma.
A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Long-Term Sentiment Classification
Authors: Guha Tapas , Mohan K.G.
Published: December 2020

With the omnipresence of user feedbacks in social media, mining of relevant opinion and extracting the underlying sentiment to analyze synthetic emotion towards a specific product, person, topic or event has become a vast domain of research in recent times. A thorough survey of the early unimodal and multimodal sentiment classification approaches reveals that researchers mostly relied on either corpus based techniques or those based on machine learning algorithms. Lately, Deep learning models progressed profoundly in the area of image processing. This success has been efficiently directed towards enhancements in sentiment categorization. A hybrid deep learning model consisting of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and stacked bidirectional Long Short Term Memory (BiLSTM) over pre-trained word vectors is proposed in this paper to achieve long-term sentiment analysis. This work experiments with various hyperparameters and optimization techniques to make the model get rid of overfitting and to achieve optimal performance. It has been validated on two standard sentiment datasets, Stanford Large Movie Review (IMDB) and Stanford Sentiment Treebank2 Dataset (SST2). It achieves a competitive advantage over other models like CNN, LSTM and ensemble of CNN-LSTM by attaining better accuracy and also produces high F measure.