bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerosol generation in children undergoing high flow nasal cannula therapy
Authors: Gall Elliott T. , Laguerre Aurélie , Noelck Michelle , Van Meurs Annalise , Austin Jared A , Foster Byron A.
Published: December 2020

Objective

High flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) may increase aerosol generation, putting health care workers at increased risk of infection, including from SARS-CoV-2. This study examined whether use of HFNC increases near-field aerosols and if there is a relationship between flow rate and near-field aerosol concentrations.

Patients and Methods

Subjects between 30 days and 2 years of age were enrolled. Each child received HFNC therapy at different flow rates over time. Three sampling stations with particle counters were deployed to measure aerosol generation and dispersion in the room: station one within 0.5 m of the subject, station two at 2 m, and station three on the other side of the room. We also measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and relative humidity. Station three (far-field) measurements were used to adjust the station one (near-field) measurements for room conditions.

Results

We enrolled ten children ranging from 6-24 months (median 9 months), two with respiratory illness. Elevated CO2 indicated the near-field measurements were in the breathing plane of the subjects. Near-field breathing plane concentrations of aerosols with diameter 0.3 – 10 µm are elevated by the presence of the patient with no HFNC flow, relative to the room far-field, by 0.45 #/cm3. While we observed variability between subjects in their emission and dispersion of particles, we did not find an association between HFNC and near-field elevations of particle counts.

Conclusion

Near-patient levels of particles with diameter in the 0.3-10 µm range was not affected by the use of HFNC in healthy patients. Further study on older children and children with increased mucus production may be warranted.
Evaluation of a novel approach to community health care delivery in Ifanadiana District, Madagascar
Authors: Razafinjato Bénédicte , Rakotonirina Luc , Andriantahina Jafeta Benony , Cordier Laura F. , Andriamihaja Randrianambinina , Rasoarivao Anna , Andrianomenjanahary Mamy , Marovavy Lanto , Hanitriniaina Feno , Mayfield Alishya , Palazuelos Daniel , Ihantamalala Felana , Rakotonanahary Rado J.L. , Miller Ann , Garchitorena Andres , McCarty Meg G. , Bonds Matthew H. , Finnegan Karen E.
Published: December 2020

Despite the widespread global adoption of community health (CH) systems, there are evidence gaps in how to best deliver community-based care aligned with global best practice in remote settings where access to health care is limited and community health workers (CHWs) may be the only available providers. PIVOT partnered with the Ministry of Public Health to pilot a new two-pronged approach for care delivery in rural Madagascar: one CHW provided care at a stationary CH site while 2-5 additional CHWs provided care via proactive household visits. The pilot included professionalization of the CHW workforce (i.e. recruitment, training, financial incentive) and twice monthly supervision of CHWs. We evaluated the impact of the CH pilot on utilization and quality of integrated community case management (iCCM) in the first six months of implementation (October 2019-March 2020).

We compared utilization and proxy measures of quality of care (defined as adherence to the iCCM protocol for diagnosis, classification of disease severity, treatment) in the intervention commune and five comparison communes, using a quasi-experimental study design and relying on routinely collected programmatic data. Average per capita monthly under-five visits were 0.28 in the intervention commune and 0.22 in the comparison communes. In the intervention commune, 40.0% of visits were completed at the household via proactive care. CHWs completed all steps of the iCCM protocol in 77.8% of observed visits in the intervention commune (vs 49.5% in the comparison communes, p-value=<0.001). A two-pronged approach to CH delivery and professionalization of the CHW workforce increased utilization and demonstrated satisfactory quality of care. National stakeholders and program managers should evaluate program re-design at a local level prior to national or district-wide scale-up.
Evolution of COVID-19 patients treated with a combination of nutraceuticals to reduce symptomatology and improve prognosis: a multi-centred, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hernandez Mariana , Urrea Jully , Bascoy Luciano
Published: December 2020

Although a vast knowledge has already been gathered on the pathophysiology of COVID-19, there are still limited, non-optimal treatment options. In this paper, we describe a multicentre, retrospective, observational study to describe the course of SARS-CoV-2 disease in patients treated with ImmunoFormulation (IF), an add-on therapy developed to decrease duration of clinical symptoms. In parallel, a group of patients that did not receive IF was used for comparison (using standard of care treatment). A total of 39 patients were evaluated. Throughout the observational period, 90% of patients recovered in the IF cohort and 47.4% in the Control cohort (p=0.0057). From the symptoms with statistically significant differences, the duration of symptoms (i.e., the time to recover from it) was shorter in the IF cohort than in control cohort (in days, average), especially for fever (2.25 x 21.78), dry cough (4.38 x 24.00), dyspnoea (3.67 x 20.00), headache (2.00 x 26.50), diarrhoea (5.25 x 25.25), and weakness (1.92 x 23.30). This demonstrates a potential promising role of IF as adjuvant therapy on the evolution of symptomatology to COVID-19 patients.
Biting behaviour of Simulium damnosum complex with Onchocerca parasite in Alabameta, Osun State, Southwestern, Nigeria.
Authors: Busari Lateef O , Ojurongbe Olusola O , Adeleke Monsuru A , Surakat Olabanji A
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives: A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate species composition, seasonal abundance, parity and transmission potential of Simulium damnosum complex in Alabameta community in Osogbo, Southwestern, Nigeria.
Methods: Adult Simulium damnosum complex were collected along Owena River, Alabameta, by two dark complexioned vector collectors from 07:00hr to 18:00hr weekly using collecting tubes from November 2014 to April 2015. The flies were morphologically identified and dissected for the purpose of detecting Onchocerca parasite using dissecting microscope. The Monthly Biting Rate (MBR) of flies was determined using World Health Organization standard formula.
Results: A total of four hundred and forty flies were collected during the study period with all of them identified as forest species of Simulium damnosum complex. There was significant variation in monthly collection of the flies with the month of November having the highest number of flies (194) (44%) while the month of April recorded the lowest number of flies (31) (7%) (p<0.05). The morning biting peak (09hr - 11hr) (137) was higher than the evening biting peak (15hr -17hr) (64) (p<0.05) while nulliparous flies (294) (67%) were more abundant than the parous flies (146) (33%) (p<0.05). There was absence of infection (zero infectivity) of the flies (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The zero infectivity in the flies indicates zero transmission of Onchocerca parasite in the community which if sustained over a period of time may signify the possibility of onchocerciasis elimination. Also, the presence of forest species of the flies reduces the risk of residents exposure to blindness since the savannah species of the flies are responsible for this.
Targeted T cell receptor gene editing provides predictable T cell product function for immunotherapy
Authors: Müller Thomas R. , Jarosch Sebastian , Hammel Monika , Grassmann Simon , Effenberger Manuel , Andrae Immanuel , Chaudhry M. Zeeshan , Cicin-Sain Luka , Steinberger Peter , Neuenhahn Michael , Schober Kilian , Busch Dirk H.
Published: December 2020

Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing a transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) has the potential to revolutionize immunotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. However, the generation of defined TCR-transgenic T cell medicinal products with predictable in vivo function still poses a major challenge and limits broader and more successful application of this ‘living drug’. Here, by studying 51 different TCRs, we show that conventional genetic engineering by viral transduction leads to variable TCR expression and T cell product functionality as a result of interference with the endogenous TCR, variable transgene copy numbers, and un-targeted transgene integration. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TCR gene editing enables defined, targeted TCR insertion with concomitant knock-out of the endogenous receptor. Thereby, T cell products display more homogenous and physiological TCR expression which results in increased functionality and – importantly – less variable in vivo T cell responses in comparison to conventionally generated T cells. Hence, targeted TCR gene editing increases the predictability of TCR-transgenic T cell product function, which represents a crucial aspect for clinical application in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Safer, more functional and predictable transgenic T cell products for immunotherapy can be generated via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted TCR engineering
Pupil-based states of brain integration across cognitive states
Authors: Mäki-Marttunen Verónica
Published: December 2020

Arousal is a potent mechanism that provides the brain with functional flexibility and adaptability to external conditions. Within the wake state, arousal levels driven by activity in the neuromodulatory systems are related to specific signatures of neural activation and brain synchrony. However, direct evidence is still lacking on the varying effects of arousal on macroscopic brain characteristics and across a variety of cognitive states in humans. Using a concurrent fMRI-pupillometry approach, we used pupil size as a proxy for arousal and obtained patterns of brain integration associated with increasing arousal levels. We carried out this analysis on resting-state data and data from two attentional tasks implicating different cognitive processes. We found that an increasing level of arousal was related to a non-linear pattern of brain integration, with increasing brain integration from intermediate to larger arousal levels. This effect was prominent in the salience network in all tasks, while other regions showed task-specificity. Furthermore, task performance was also related to arousal level, with accuracy being highest at intermediate levels of arousal across tasks. Taken together, our study provides evidence in humans for pupil size as an index of brain network state, and supports the role of arousal as a switch that drives brain coordination in specific brain regions according to the cognitive state.
Social capital and business model innovation in SMEs: do organizational learning capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation really matter?
Authors: Khan Samar Hayat , Majid Abdul , Yasir Muhammad , Javed Asad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research aims to concentrate on the important concern that how social capital (SC) influences business model innovation (BMI) in the course of the mediating role of organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). In the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this study empirically tested a theoretical model of BMI to advocate a mechanism for the analysis of its significant determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the objective of the research, survey method was utilized, and data were collected from 521 CEOs, MDs and the owners of ICT sector SMEs. Correlation, causal step approach and regression analysis were used to test the proposed model.

Findings

Finding of the research advocates that OLC mediate the relationship between SC and BMI. In addition, stronger EO augments the association between OLC and BMI.

Practical implications

The study adds to the literature by providing insights regarding the impact of SC, OLC and EO on BMI of small firms.

Originality/value

This research enriches the existing knowledge by testing a mediating role of OLC between SC-BMI link and, therefore, makes an important addition to the existing knowledge in the context of SMEs by concentrating on the relationship between SC, OLC, BMI and EO.
Retinal vessel diameters, flicker‐induced retinal vasodilation and retinal oxygen saturation in high‐ and low‐risk pregnancy
Authors: Sharifizad Mozhgan , Schmidl Doreen , Werkmeister René M. , Zeisler Harald , Told Reinhard , Binder Julia , Küssel Lorenz , Garhöfer Gerhard , Schmetterer Leopold
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To compare retinal vascular parameters between high‐risk and low‐risk pregnant women over time during pregnancy.

Methods

In a longitudinal study, we included pregnant women with normal blood pressure and normal body mass index (BMI, group 1), pregnant women with systemic hypertension and/or overweight (group 2) and age‐matched nonpregnant healthy women (group 3). Using the dynamic vessel analyser (DVA) we investigated flicker‐induced vasodilation in retinal arteries (FLA) and veins (FLV), central retinal arterial and vein equivalent (CRAE, CRVE), arterio‐venous ratio (AVR) and retinal arterial and venous oxygen saturation (SartO2, SveinO2). Study visits were scheduled 2nd trimester (TP 2), 3rd trimester (TP 3) and postpartum (PP).

Results

Data from 29 women in group 1, 25 women in group 2 and 33 women in group 3 were included for analysis. FLA, FLV, CRAE, CRVE, AVR and SveinO2 were altered in group 2 (p‐values between < 0.001 and 0.009). At TP 3 the differences between groups were most pronounced. In contrast, there were only minor differences between group 1 and 3. Changes in retinal parameters were independently associated with systemic blood pressure and BMI.

Conclusions

The present analysis indicates that flicker‐induced retinal vasodilation, retinal vessel diameters and retinal oxygen saturation are altered in high‐risk pregnant women. Hence, these parameters are candidate biomarkers for pregnancy complications, a hypothesis that deserves further study.
Stoma‐related complications: a report from the Stoma‐Const randomized controlled trial
Authors: Correa Marinez Adiela , Bock David , Carlsson Eva , Petersén Charlotta , Erestam Sofia , Kälebo Peter , Rosenberg Jacob , Haglind Eva , Angenete Eva
Published: December 2020

Aim

The impact of construction techniques on the development of stoma complications is partly undiscovered. The aim of this paper was to report and analyse the impact of the three surgical techniques in a randomized controlled trial Stoma‐Const on stoma‐related complications as well as identifying risk factors and patient‐reported stoma function as a planned secondary analysis.

Methods

This was a randomized, multicenter trial where all patients scheduled to receive an end colostomy were invited to participate. Patients were randomized to one of three techniques for stoma construction; cruciate fascial incision, circular incision or prophylactic mesh. Stoma complications were assessed by a surgeon and stoma care nurses within 1 year postoperatively.

Results

Two hundred and nine patients were randomized. Patient demographics were similar in all three groups. Data on stoma‐related complications were available for analysis in 201 patients. A total of 127 patients (63%) developed some type of stoma complication within 1 year after surgery. The risk ratio (95% CI) for stoma complications was 0.93 (0.73; 1.2) between cruciate vs. circular incision groups and 1.02 (0.78; 1.34) between cruciate vs. mesh groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding parastomal hernia rate and no risk factors could be identified.

Conclusion

This randomized trial confirmed a high prevalence of stoma‐related complications but could not identify an impact of surgical technique or identify modifiable risk factors for stoma‐related complications.
Retrospective Analysis Using Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling and Simulation Offers Improvements in Efficiency of the Design of Volunteer Infection Studies for Antimalarial Drug Development
Authors: Andrews Kayla Ann , Owen Joel S. , McCarthy James , Wesche David , Gobeau Nathalie , Grasela Thaddeus H. , Möhrle Jörg J.
Published: December 2020

Volunteer infection studies using the induced blood stage malaria (IBSM) model have been shown to facilitate antimalarial drug development. Such studies have traditionally been undertaken in single‐dose cohorts, as many as necessary to obtain the dose‐response relationship. To enhance ethical and logistic aspects of such studies, and to reduce the number of cohorts needed to establish the dose‐response relationship, we undertook a retrospective in silico analysis of previously accrued data to improve study design. A pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model was developed from initial fictive‐cohort data for OZ439 (mixing the data of the three single‐dose cohorts as: n = 2 on 100 mg, 2 on 200 mg, and 4 on 500 mg). A three‐compartment model described OZ439 PKs. Net growth of parasites was modeled using a Gompertz function and drug‐induced parasite death using a Hill function. Parameter estimates for the PK and PD models were comparable for the multidose single‐cohort vs. the pooled analysis of all cohorts. Simulations based on the multidose single‐cohort design described the complete data from the original IBSM study. The novel design allows for the ascertainment of the PK/PD relationship early in the study, providing a basis for rational dose selection for subsequent cohorts and studies.
Impact of clinical photographs on the accuracy and confidence in the histopathological diagnosis of mycosis fungoides
Authors: Hadi Rouba , Miller Timothy I. , May Caitlin , Lehman Julia S. , Bennett Daniel D. , Piliang Melissa , Chang Oliver , Shinohara Michi M.
Published: December 2020

Background

The histopathological diagnosis of MF is challenging, and there is significant overlap with benign inflammatory processes. Clinical features may be relevant in the assessment of skin biopsies.

Methods

We provided photomicrographs to board‐certified dermatopathologists and one hematopathologist with and without accompanying clinical photographs and assessed accuracy and confidence in diagnosing MF.

Results

We found that access to clinical photographs improved diagnostic accuracy in both MF and non‐MF (distractors); the degree of improvement was significantly higher in the non‐MF/distractor category. Across all categories, diagnostic confidence level was higher when clinical images were available.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that clinical images are useful in making an accurate diagnosis of MF, and may be particularly helpful in ruling it out when an inflammatory disorder is clinically suspected.
Which medical disciplines diagnose and treat melanoma in Europe in 2019? A survey of experts from melanoma centres in 27 European countries
Authors: Kandolf‐Sekulovic L. , Peris K. , Stratigos A. , Hauschild A. , Forsea A.‐M. , Lebbe C. , Lallas A. , Grob J.‐J. , Harwood C. , Gogas H. , Rutkowski P. , Olah J. , Kelleners‐Smeets N.W.J. , Paoli J. , Dummer R. , Moreno‐Ramirez D. , Bastholt L. , Putnik K. , Karls R. , Hoeller C. , Vandersleyen V. , Vieira R. , Arenberger P. , Bylaite‐Buckinskiene M. , Ocvirk J. , Situm M. , Weinlich G. , Banjin M. , Todorovic V. , Ymeri A. , Zhukavets A. , Garbe C.
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives

The incidence of melanoma is increasing. This places significant burden on societies to provide efficient cancer care. The European Cancer Organisation recently published the essential requirements for quality melanoma care. The present study is aimed for the first time to roughly estimate the extent to which these requirements have been met in Europe.

Materials and methods

A web‐based survey of experts from melanoma centres in 27 European countries was conducted from 1 February to 1 August 2019. Data on diagnostic techniques, surgical and medical treatment, organization of cancer care and education were collected and correlated with national health and economic indicators and mortality‐to‐incidence ratio (MIR) as a surrogate for survival. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations. SPSS software was used. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

The MIR was lower in countries with a high health expenditure per capita and with a higher numbers of general practitioners (GPs) and surgeons (SURG) per million inhabitants. In these countries, GPs and dermatologists (DER) were involved in melanoma detection; high percentage of DER used dermatoscopy and were involved in the follow‐up of all melanoma stages; both medical oncologists (ONC) and dermato‐oncologists administered systemic treatments; and patients had better access to sentinel lymph node biopsy and were treated within multidisciplinary tumour boards.

Conclusion

Based on these first estimates, the greater involvement of GPs in melanoma detection; the greater involvement of highly trained DER in dermatoscopy, dermatosurgery, follow‐up and the systemic treatment of melanoma; and the provision of ongoing dermato‐oncology training for pathologists, SURG, DER and ONC are necessary to provide an optimal melanoma care pathway. A comprehensive analysis of the melanoma care pathway based on clinical melanoma registries will be needed to more accurately evaluate these first insights.
Extracellular water to total body water ratio obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis determines the dose intensity of lenvatinib for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yamaoka Kenji , Kodama Kenichiro , Hiramatsu Akira , Ando Yuwa , Kosaka Yumi , Suehiro Yosuke , Fujii Yasutoshi , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Morio Kei , Fujino Hatsue , Nakahara Takashi , Murakami Eisuke , Yamauchi Masami , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Miki Daiki , Tsuge Masataka , Imamura Michio , Takahashi Shoichi , Chayama Kazuaki , Aikata Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to identify the factors that contribute to the maintenance of relative dose intensity (RDI) of lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

Thirty‐two patients with advanced HCC treated with lenvatinib were enrolled. We evaluated the relationship between maintenance of RDI and various clinical data, parameters obtained by body composition measurements with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and grip strength at the start of lenvatinib treatment.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that only the extracellular water to total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) ≤ 0.400 at initiation of treatment was associated with RDI ≥ 50% (odds ratio, 6.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–48.00; P = 0.049).

When the RDI was compared between ECW/TBW ≤ 0.400 group and ECW/TBW > 0.400 group, the RDI was significantly higher in the ECW/TBW ≤ 0.400 group at each of 0–4W, 4–6W, and 6–8W points. The P value at each point was 0.003, 0.003, and 0.005, respectively. On the other hand, multivariate analysis showed that only the ECW/TBW ≤ 0.400 at initiation of treatment was associated with the extension of duration until reduction or withdrawal of lenvatinib (hazard ratio, 4.86; 95% CI, 1.52–15.50; P = 0.007).

Conclusion

The extracellular water to total body water ratio, a parameter of body composition measurement by BIA, was significantly associated with the maintenance of RDI and the duration until reduction or withdrawal of lenvatinib in HCC patients. In addition to standard predictors such as Child–Pugh score and modified albumin‐bilirubin grade that have been used to date, ECW/TBW might be a new predictor of RDI in HCC patients treated with lenvatinib.
Functional Movement Proficiency’s Association to Actual and Perceived Motor Competence
Authors: Coker Cheryl A. , Herrick Brittney
Published: December 2020

The adoption of compensatory movement patterns occurs when limitations in mobility, stability, or motor control prevent proper motion from occurring. These dysfunctional movements may inhibit fundamental motor skill development and negatively influence perceived movement competence, impeding the development of physical literacy. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between functional movement and perceived and actual motor skill competence in young adolescents. Functional movement proficiency was determined using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™), which provides three variables of interest: (a) FMS™total score, (b) number of asymmetries, and (c) number of movement pattern dysfunctions. Perceived physical competence was assessed through the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile. Finally, the Get Skilled: Get Active process-oriented motor skill assessment was used to evaluate vertical jump, kick, run, and overhand throw proficiency. A significant positive correlation between FMS™total score and vertical jump performance was found. A positive relationship was also found between the number of asymmetries and overhand throw performance. The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile constructs of body attractiveness and physical condition were positively associated with FMS™total score, and physical condition was also shown to be inversely related to the number of movement pattern dysfunctions. Results suggest that functional movement may underpin movement competence and confidence.
Does medicine run in the family—evidence from three generations of physicians in Sweden: retrospective observational study
Authors: Polyakova Maria , Persson Petra , Hofmann Katja , Jena Anupam B
Published: December 2020

Objective

To examine occupational heritability in medicine and changes in heritability over time, with Swedish population wide administrative data that allowed mapping family trees of physicians spanning up to three generations.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Individual level administrative registry data from Sweden.

Participants

Physicians born in 1950-90 and living in Sweden at some time during 2001-16 (n=47 400).

Main outcome measures

The proportion of individuals with a completed medical degree with at least one parent who also trained in medicine, and the change in this proportion across birth cohorts. Additional analyses were conducted among other relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles, and siblings) and for individuals with a law degree.

Results

For 27 788 physicians, where the educational background for both parents was known, 14% had a parent who was also a physician and 2% had two parents who were physicians. The proportion of physicians with at least one physician parent increased significantly over time, from 6% for physicians born in 1950-59 to 20% for physicians born in 1980-90 (P<0.001). The same pattern of increasing occupational heritability was not seen for individuals with law degrees.

Conclusions

In recent cohorts of physicians in Sweden, one in five had a parent who was also a physician, more than triple the proportion seen for physicians born three decades earlier. A similar pattern was not seen in lawyers, suggesting that increasing occupational heritability in medicine does not reflect intergenerational persistence of high paying degrees alone. Rather, for physicians in Sweden, medicine might increasingly run in families.
Association of high profile football matches in Europe with traffic accidents in Asia: archival study
Authors: Yam Kai Chi , Jackson Joshua Conrad , Lau Jenson , Qin Xin , Barnes Christopher M , Chong Juin-Kuan
Published: December 2020

Objective

To investigate the association between popular football games played in Europe and the incidence of traffic accidents in Asia.

Design

Study based on 41 538 traffic accidents involving taxis in Singapore and 1 814 320 traffic accidents in Taiwan, combined with 12 788 European club football games over a seven year period.

Setting

Singapore and Taiwan.

Participants

The largest taxi company in Singapore, with fine grained traffic accident records in a three year span; all traffic accident records in Taiwan in a six year span.

Exposure

Days when high profile football games were played or not played.

Main outcome measure

Number of traffic accidents.

Results

Regression based and time series models suggest that days with high profile European football matches were more positively associated with traffic accidents than days with less popular European football matches. For an approximate €134.74m (£120.25m; $159.76m) increase in average market value for matches played on a given day, approximately one extra accident would occur among Singapore taxi drivers, and for an approximate €7.99m increase in average market value of matches, approximately one extra accident would occur among all drivers in Taiwan. This association remained after control for weather conditions, time of the year, weekend versus weekday effects, driver demographics, and underlying temporal trends. It was also stronger for daytime traffic accidents than for night time traffic accidents, suggesting that the association between high profile football matches and traffic accidents cannot be attributed to night time celebration or attention deficits while watching and driving. Annually, this increased rate of traffic accidents may translate to approximately 371 accidents among taxi drivers in Singapore and approximately 41 079 accidents among the Taiwanese public, as well as economic losses of approximately €821 448 among Singapore taxi drivers and approximately €13 994 409 among Taiwanese drivers and insurers. The total health and economic impact of this finding is likely to be much higher because GMT+8 is the most populous time zone, encompassing 24% of the world’s population.

Conclusions

Days featuring high profile football matches in Europe were associated with more traffic accidents in Taiwan and Singapore than were days with lower profile football matches. A potential causal mechanism may be Asian drivers losing sleep by watching high profile European matches, which are often played in the middle of the night in Asia.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on key performance indicators in pancreatobiliary endoscopy: prioritise, minimise risk, keep scoping and training
Authors: Esmaily Shiran , Yau Chia Chuin , Dwarakanath Deepak , Hancock John , Mitra Vikramjit
Published: December 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected endoscopy services including pancreatobiliary (PB) endoscopy across the UK. The British Society of Gastroenterology and Joint Advisory Group have issued guidance for managing endoscopy services safely throughout this period. There have been perceived concerns among the PB endoscopists that wearing full personal protective equipment might have an adverse impact on key performance indicators (KPIs) in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures leading to non-compliance with the national guidelines. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on KPIs in ERCP and EUS and ascertain the risk of procedure-related complications.

Methods

A retrospective audit of a prospectively maintained endoscopy database was carried out between 18 March and 31 July 2020.

Results

146 ERCP procedures (common bile duct (CBD) cannulation rate of naïve papilla 89.2%, complete CBD stone extraction rate at first ERCP 88.2%, biliary stricture decompression rate 91%) and 87 EUS procedures (diagnostic accuracy of EUS-fine needle aspiration 92%) were carried out during this period. ERCP-related complications included pancreatitis (4.8%), bleeding (0.68%) and cholangitis (0.68%). 30-day ERCP procedure-related mortality was 0.68%. There were no complications or procedure-related mortality in the EUS group.

Conclusion

This is the first study looking at the impact of COVID-19 on KPIs and procedure-related complications in ERCP and EUS in the literature. Our study confirms that a high-quality PB endoscopy service can be delivered safely and effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Identifying large ischemic core volume ranges in acute stroke that can benefit from mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Yoshimoto Takeshi , Inoue Manabu , Tanaka Kanta , Kanemaru Kodai , Koge Junpei , Shiozawa Masayuki , Kamogawa Naruhiko , Kimura Shunsuke , Chiba Tetsuya , Satow Tetsu , Takahashi Jun C , Toyoda Kazunori , Koga Masatoshi , Ihara Masafumi
Published: December 2020

Background

We aimed to identify the large ischemic core (LIC) volume ranges in acute ischemic stroke patients that can benefit from mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods

Consecutive patients within 24 hours of onset of anterior circulation ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion and ischemic core volumes of 70–300 mL were included from our single-center prospective database from March 2014 to December 2019. Subjects were divided into three groups by baseline ischemic core volume (A: 70–100 mL; B: 101–130 mL; C: >130 mL). We compared modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2 at 3 months and parenchymal hematoma between patients receiving MT and standard medical treatment (SMT), and determined clinically treatable core volume ranges for MT.

Results

Of 157 patients (86 women; median age, 81 years; median ischemic core volume, 123 mL), 49 patients underwent MT. In Group A (n=52), MT patients (n=31) showed a higher proportion of mRS 0–2 at 3 months (52% vs 5%, P<0.05) versus SMT, respectively. Group B (n=36) MT patients (n=14) also had a higher proportion of mRS 0–2 at 3 months (29% vs 9%, P=0.13) versus SMT, respectively. In Group C (n=69), only four patients received MT. The 95% confidence intervals for the probability of mRS 0–2 at 3 months in patients with MT (n=49) versus SMT (n=108) intersected at 120–130 mL.

Conclusions

Ischemic core volumes between 70 and 100 mL may benefit from MT. The treatable upper core limit is approximately 120 mL in selected patients with LIC of 70–300 mL.
Phosphorus promoted HZSM-5 zeolites for the coupling transformation of methanol with 1-butene to propylene
Authors: Tang Xiao-hua , Liu Rui-qiang , Tian Hai-feng , Li Hui , Zha Fei , Chang Yue
Published: December 2020

Phosphorus promoted HZSM-5 zeolites (P-HZSM-5) were prepared by synthetic methods of incipient wetness impregnation and in situ synthesis, respectively. This was characterized by the means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), thermogravimetry (TG), and NH3-TPD. The P-HZSM-5 zeolite prepared by incipient wetness impregnation has a large specific surface area and pore size, and the weak acidity is remarkably increased. The catalytic activity of P-HZSM-5 for the coupling transformation of methanol with 1-butene to propylene was investigated. Under the reaction conditions of temperature at 550 °C, pressure at 0.4 MPa, space velocity at 1800 mL/(gcath), and mole ratio of CH3OH/C4H8at 1:1, the conversion of C4H8can reach to 75.8%, and the selectivity and yield of propylene are 42.2% and 31.9%, respectively.
It’s elemental, my dear Watson: validating seasonal patterns in otolith chemical chronologies
Authors: Hüssy Karin , Krüger-Johnsen Maria , Thomsen Tonny Bernt , Heredia Benjamin Dominguez , Næraa Tomas , Limburg Karin E. , Heimbrand Yvette , McQueen Kate , Haase Stefanie , Krumme Uwe , Casini Michele , Mion Monica , Radtke Krzysztof
Published: December 2020

Accurate age data are essential for reliable fish stock assessment. Yet many stocks suffer from inconsistencies in age interpretation. A new approach to obtain age makes use of the chemical composition of otoliths. This study validates the periodicity of recurrent patterns in 25Mg, 31P, 34K, 55Mn, 63Cu, 64Zn, 66Zn, 85Rb, 88Sr, 138Ba, and 208Pb in Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) otoliths from tag–recapture and known-age samples. Otolith P concentrations showed the highest consistency in seasonality over the years, with minima co-occurring with otolith winter zones in the known-age otoliths and in late winter – early spring when water temperatures are coldest in tagged cod . The timing of minima differs between stocks, occurring around February in western Baltic cod and 1 month later in eastern Baltic cod; seasonal maxima are also stock-specific, occurring in August and October, respectively. The amplitude in P is larger in faster-growing western compared with eastern Baltic cod. Seasonal patterns with minima in winter – late spring were also evident in Mg and Mn, but less consistent over time and fish size than P. Chronological patterns in P, and to a lesser extent Mg and Mn, may have the potential to supplement traditional age estimation or to guide the visual identification of translucent and opaque otolith patterns used in traditional age estimation.
Open drug discovery of anti-virals critical for Canada’s pandemic strategy
Authors: Bubela Tania , Gold E. Richard , Goel Vivek , Morgan Max , Mossman Karen , Nickerson Jason , Patrick David , Edwards Aled
Published: December 2020

In the event of the current COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for future pandemics, open science can support mission-oriented research and development, as well as commercialization. Open science shares skills and resources across sectors; avoids duplication and provides the basis for rapid and effective validation due to full transparency. It is a strategy that can adjust quickly to reflect changing incentives and priorities, because it does not rely on any one actor or sector. While eschewing patents, it can ensure high-quality drugs, low pricing, and access through existing regulatory mechanisms. Open science practices and partnerships decrease transaction costs, increase diversity of actors, reduce overall costs, open new, higher-risk/higher-impact approaches to research, and provide entrepreneurs freedom to operate and freedom to innovate. We argue that it is time to re-open science, not only in its now restricted arena of fundamental research, but throughout clinical translation. Our model and attendant recommendations map onto a strategy to accelerate discovery of novel broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs and clinical trials of those drugs, from first-in-human safety-focused trials to late stage trials for efficacy. The goal is to ensure low-cost and rapid access, globally, and to ensure that Canadians do not pay a premium for drugs developed from Canadian science.
Analysis of a Signal Transmission in a Pair of Izhikevich Coupled Neurons
Authors: Margarit David. H. , Reale Marcela V. , Scagliotti Ariel F.
Published: December 2020

Individual neuron models give a comprehensive explanation of the behavior of the electrical potential of cell membranes. These models were and are a source of constant analysis to understand the functioning of, mainly, the complexity of the brain. In this work, using the Izhikevich model, we propose, analyze and characterize the transmission of a signal between two neurons unidirectionally coupled. Two possible states were characterized (sub-threshold and over-threshold) depending on the values of the signal amplitude, as well also the relationship between the transmitted and received signal taking into account the coupling. Furthermore, the activation of the emitting neuron (its transition from a resting state to spiking state) and the transmission to the receptor neuron were analyzed by adding white noise to the system.
Does Facebook use sensitive data for advertising purposes?
Authors: Cabañas José González , Cuevas Ángel , Arrate Aritz , Cuevas Rubén
Published: December 2020

Facebook labels 67% of its users with potential sensitive interests, sometimes at great risk to the user.
iNethi: locked down but not locked out
Authors: van Zyl Andre , Johnson David Lloyd
Published: December 2020

A community-driven network seeks to overcome the digital divide in South African education by delivering e-learning to bandwidth-constrained learners.
Stay in balance
Authors: Shasha Dennis
Published: December 2020

No tipping.
Content moderation modulation
Authors: Klonick Kate
Published: December 2020

Deliberating on how to regulate---or not regulate---online speech in the era of evolving social media.
The immortal soul of an old machine
Authors: Haigh Thomas
Published: December 2020

Taking apart a book to figure out how it works.
Data Preparation
Authors: Hameed Mazhar , Naumann Felix
Published: December 2020

Raw data are often messy: they follow different encodings, records are not well structured, values do not adhere to patterns, etc. Such data are in general not fit to be ingested by downstream applications, such as data analytics tools, or even by data management systems. The act of obtaining information from raw data relies on some data preparation process. Data preparation is integral to advanced data analysis and data management, not only for data science but for any data-driven applications. Existing data preparation tools are operational and useful, but there is still room for improvement and optimization. With increasing data volume and its messy nature, the demand for prepared data increases day by day.

To cater to this demand, companies and researchers are developing techniques and tools for data preparation. To better understand the available data preparation systems, we have conducted a survey to investigate (1) prominent data preparation tools, (2) distinctive tool features, (3) the need for preliminary data processing even for these tools and, (4) features and abilities that are still lacking. We conclude with an argument in support of automatic and intelligent data preparation beyond traditional and simplistic techniques.
Applied Research Lessons from CloudViews Project
Authors: Jindal Alekh
Published: December 2020

Industry research has a rich legacy in computer science [9]. However, as opposed to the blue-sky approach to research, increasingly there is a trend to align industry research more closely with the products. This is manifested in several new trends in industry research: (i) emphasis on product impact, e.g., improving existing products or seeing new ones coming around the bend, (ii) popularity of blended job functions, such as scientist, research scientist, and data scientist, and (iii) setting up research teams that are integrated within the product organization to forge closer collaborations. The latter is a case in point in Azure Data group at Microsoft, where the Gray Systems Lab (GSL) [2] is an applied research team within the product group. Such integrated research labs offer beautiful opportunities for combining research with product impact. Yet, due to their product focus from the get-go, applied research labs could also be challenging to get started. Fortunately, it turns out that there are a set of things that new researchers could do in order to set themselves up for success in a product group.
p38/JNK Is Required for the Proliferation and Phenotype Changes of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Induced by L3MBTL4 in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Hu Chaowei , Zuo Kun , Li Kuibao , Gao Yuanfeng , Chen Mulei , Hu Roumu , Liu Ye , Chi Hongjie , Wang Hongjiang , Qin Yanwen , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhong Jiuchang , Cai Jun , Yang Xinchun , Li Jing
Published: December 2020

Aim. Hypertension is a complicated disorder with multifactorial etiology and high heritability. Our previous work has identified L3MBTL4 as a novel susceptibility gene for the development of essential hypertension, accompanied with activation of p38/JNK. Yet, little evidence has been reported whether p38/JNK contributed directly to L3MBTL4-induced vascular remodeling and exploring the potential mechanism of L3MBTL4 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods. We evaluated the contribution of L3MBTL4 on proliferation, migration, and phenotype changes of VSMCs and further explored the critical role of p38 and JNK signaling pathway underlying. Results. In L3MBTL4 transgenic rats, we found that the elevated blood pressure, increased left ventricular hypertrophy, and thickened vascular media layer were significantly relieved by both p38 and JNK inhibitors. Meanwhile, increased cell proliferation, advanced cell cycle progression, greater migratory capability, and synthetic phenotype were observed in L3MBTL4 overexpressed VSMCs, which could be blocked by either p38 or JNK inhibitor. Conclusions. Our findings pinpointed that p38 and JNK were required for the proliferation and phenotype changes of VSMCs induced by L3MBTL4 in hypertension. These novel findings yield new insights into the genetic and biological basis of hypertension and are fundamental for further studies to explore the intervention strategies targeting L3MBTL4 and p38/JNK to counteract the progression of hypertension.
Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Polyphenol Content from Zea mays Hairs (Waste)
Authors: Aourabi Sarra , Sfaira Mouhcine , Mahjoubi Fatima
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to achieve the best extraction efficiency of the hydroethanolic extract of Zea mays hairs. The impacts of ethanol concentration, extraction time, and solvent /material ratio were studied in relation to the performance of Zea mays extracts by ultrasonic extraction at 50 kHz and room temperature. All extracts were quantitatively characterized in terms of polyphenol content. Response surface methodology (RSM) was carried out to optimize the extraction process and increase extraction efficiency. In the experiments, different concentrations of ethanol:water were used. The efficiency of the extraction process was determined from an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The maximum extraction efficiency of the hydroethanolic extraction (31.37%) and the quantitative value of the polyphenol content (257.87 mg EAG/g extract) were obtained using a treatment time of 40 min, an ethanol:water (70 : 30), and a solvent/material ratio (11 mL/g). The results obtained indicate that ultrasonic-assisted extraction is an effective method for extracting natural compounds from Zea mays, thus allowing the full use of this abundant and inexpensive industrial waste.
Some Identities Involving Derangement Polynomials and Numbers and Moments of Gamma Random Variables
Authors: Jang Lee-Chae , Kim Dae San , Kim Taekyun , Lee Hyunseok
Published: December 2020

The problem of counting derangements was initiated by Pierre Rémond de Montmort in 1708. A derangement is a permutation that has no fixed points, and the derangement number

D

n

is the number of fixed point free permutations on an

n

element set. Furthermore, the derangement polynomials are natural extensions of the derangement numbers. In this paper, we study the derangement polynomials and numbers, their connections with cosine-derangement polynomials and sine-derangement polynomials, and their applications to moments of some variants of gamma random variables.
Periodic Solutions of a System of Nonlinear Difference Equations with Periodic Coefficients
Authors: Tollu Durhasan Turgut
Published: December 2020

This paper is dealt with the following system of difference equationsxn+1=an/xn+bn/yn,yn+1=cn/xn+dn/yn,wheren∈ℕ0=ℕ∪0, the initial valuesx0 and y0are the positive real numbers, and the sequencesann≥0,bnn≥0,cnn≥0, anddnn≥0are two-periodic and positive. The system is an extension of a system where every positive solution is two-periodic or converges to a two-periodic solution. Here, the long-term behavior of positive solutions of the system is examined by using a new method to solve the system.