bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thank Martin Luther that ciprofloxacin could cure your gonorrhoea? Ecological association between Protestantism and antimicrobial consumption in 30 European countries
Authors: Kenyon Chris , Fatti Geoffrey
Published: May 2022

Background:Higher consumption of antimicrobials plays an important role in driving the higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Southern compared to Northern Europe. Poor controls on corruption (CoC), high uncertainty avoidance (UA) and performance vs. cooperation orientation (POCO) of societies have been found to explain much of this higher consumption in Southern European countries.  We hypothesized that these predictors were in turn influenced by the Protestant Reformation in the 16thcentury onwards.

Methods:We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the relationships between country-level proportions being Protestant, CoC, UA, POCO and four markers of antimicrobial consumption in the community (all antibacterials, cephalosporin, macrolides and fluoroquinolones).

Results:The proportion of a country that was Protestant was negatively correlated with the consumption of all antibacterials. SEM revealed that UA predicted all antibacterial consumption (direct effect coef. 0.15, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.04-0.26). The proportion Protestant exerted an indirect effect on consumption (coef. -0.13, 95% CI -0.21- -0.05). This effect was mediated predominantly via its effect on UA (direct effect coef. 0.15, 95% CI 0.04-0.26). The model explained 37% of the variation in consumption.  Similar results were obtained for each of the other three classes of antimicrobials investigated.

Conclusions:Our results are compatible with the theory that contemporary differences in antimicrobial consumption in Europe stem in part from cultural differences that emerged in the Reformation. These findings may explain the differential efficacy of similar antibiotic stewardship campaigns in Northern and Southern European populations.
Harnessing the disruption on medical trainee education due to COVID-19 in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Van Es Simone L. , Tan Aaron J.H. , Vial Toni , Burnand Jo , Blizard Claire M.
Published: May 2022

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruption and uncertainty for junior medical doctor training and education. This has compounded the existing stress experienced by this cohort. However, by choosing appropriate educational models, as well as using novel educational approaches and advancing our online technology capabilities, we may be able to provide acceptable and even, superior solutions for educational training moving forward, as well as promote trainee wellbeing during these uncertain times.
A longitudinal analysis comparing the proportion of children with excess weight before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Santorelli Gillian , Wright John , Cooper Duncan , Lennon Laura , Muckle Sarah , West Jane
Published: May 2022

Background: The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) reported an increase in the prevalence of children in Reception (4-5 years) and Year 6 (10-11 years) with overweight/obesity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compared to the previous year. This prompted us to conduct a longitudinal analysis to compare weight status before and during the pandemic.

Methods: We compared the change in overweight/obesity status of children in Year 1 (Y1) (during the pandemic) who had also been measured as part of the NCMP in Reception (the year before the pandemic), with the change in a sample of children during a two-year ‘pre-pandemic’ period.

Results: Overweight/obesity increased by 1.2% to 24.8% (p=0.582) between Reception and Y1 in the pre-pandemic group and by 5.4% to 28.5% (p=0.002) in the pandemic group. This was mainly driven by an increase in the proportion of overweight boys in the pandemic group (22% to 30%) compared to the pre-pandemic group rates (~24% at both time-points). Rates in girls increased by 2.0% to 24.8% in the pre-pandemic group and by 3.3% to 27.6% in the pandemic group. A higher proportion of Reception-aged White children in the pre-pandemic group were overweight/obese compared to the pandemic group, but by Y1 the rates were higher in the pandemic group. In children of South Asian (SA) heritage, the proportion with excess weight in Reception was 18.3% in the pre-pandemic group, increasing to 21.6% by Y1. The increase was substantially higher in the pandemic group of SA children, with an increase from 22.9% in Reception to 30.3% by Y1.

Conclusions: We observed a marked increase in the proportion of children with an unhealthy body mass index (BMI) during the first year of the pandemic, suggesting that the societal disruptions caused by lockdown may have adversely affected children’s diet and levels of physical activity.
A Casino Gambling Model Under Cumulative Prospect Theory: Analysis and Algorithm
Authors: Hu Sang , Obłój Jan , Zhou Xun Yu
Published: May 2022

We develop an approach to solve the Barberis casino gambling model [Barberis N (2012) A model of casino gambling. Management Sci. 58(1):35–51] in which a gambler whose preferences are specified by the cumulative prospect theory (CPT) must decide when to stop gambling by a prescribed deadline. We assume that the gambler can assist their decision using independent randomization. The problem is inherently time inconsistent because of the probability weighting in CPT, and we study both precommitted and naïve stopping strategies. We turn the original problem into a computationally tractable mathematical program from which we devise an algorithm to compute optimal precommitted rules that are randomized and Markovian. The analytical treatment enables us to confirm the economic insights of Barberis for much longer time horizons and to make additional predictions regarding a gambler’s behavior, including that, with randomization, a gambler may enter the casino even when allowed to play only once and that it is prevalent that a naïf never stops loss.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.

Funding: The first author acknowledges support from National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 11901494] and Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province [Grant 2019A1515011396]. The second author gratefully acknowledges support from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme/European Research Council [ERC Starting Grant RobustFinMath 335421]. The third author gratefully acknowledges financial support through start-up grants at both the University of Oxford and Columbia University, as well as through the Oxford–Nie Laboratory for Financial Big Data and the Nie Center for Intelligent Asset Management.

Supplemental Material: Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4414 .
Optimistic Posterior Sampling for Reinforcement Learning: Worst-Case Regret Bounds
Authors: Agrawal Shipra , Jia Randy
Published: May 2022

We present an algorithm based on posterior sampling (aka Thompson sampling) that achieves near-optimal worst-case regret bounds when the underlying Markov decision process (MDP) is communicating with a finite, although unknown, diameter. Our main result is a high probability regret upper bound of [Formula: see text] for any communicating MDP with S states, A actions, and diameter D. Here, regret compares the total reward achieved by the algorithm to the total expected reward of an optimal infinite-horizon undiscounted average reward policy in time horizon T. This result closely matches the known lower bound of [Formula: see text]. Our techniques involve proving some novel results about the anti-concentration of Dirichlet distribution, which may be of independent interest.

Funding: This work was supported in part by an NSF CAREER award [CMMI 1846792] awarded to author S. Agrawal.
Departure Time Choice Models in Urban Transportation Systems Based on Mean Field Games
Authors: Ameli Mostafa , Faradonbeh Mohamad Sadegh Shirani , Lebacque Jean-Patrick , Abouee-Mehrizi Hossein , Leclercq Ludovic
Published: May 2022

Departure time choice models play a crucial role in determining the traffic load in transportation systems. Most studies that consider departure time user equilibrium (DTUE) problems make assumptions on the user characteristics (e.g., distribution of desired arrival time and trip length) or dynamic traffic model (e.g., classic bathtub or point queue models) in order to analyze the problem. This paper relaxes these assumptions and introduces a new framework to model and analyze the DTUE problem based on the so-called mean field games (MFGs) theory. MFGs allow us to define players at the microscopic level similar to classical game theory models, translating the effect of players’ decisions to macroscopic models. In this paper, we first present a continuous departure time choice model and investigate the equilibria of the system. Specifically, we demonstrate the existence of the equilibrium and characterize the DTUE. Then, a discrete approximation of the system is provided based on deterministic differential game models to numerically obtain the equilibrium of the system. To examine the efficiency of the proposed model, we compare it with the departure time choice models in the literature. We apply our framework to a standard test case and observe that the solutions obtained based on our model are 5.6% better in terms of relative cost compared with the solutions determined based on previous studies. Moreover, our proposed model converges with fewer iterations than the reference solution method in the literature. Finally, the model is scaled up to the real test case corresponding to the whole Lyon metropolis with a real demand pattern. The results show that the proposed framework is able to tackle a much larger test case than usual to include multiple preferred travel times and heterogeneous trip lengths more accurately than existing models.
Prognostic risk scores for patients with heart failure
Authors: Zhao Hong-Liang , Cui Wei
Published: May 2022

Heart failure has many causes. Although new drugs, devices and technologies are available, the survival rate and prognosis of patients with heart failure remain poor, placing a significant burden on individuals and society. Attempts to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure include developing prognostic risk scores. With medical advances, however, previous heart failure risk scores are not fully applicable to current practice, particularly because of the classification as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This article describes the use of risk prediction scores for heart failure patients with different clinical status and discusses their clinical applicability.
PDMS-PUA bi-directional replication technology and its applications
Authors: Jin Jian , Wang Zhong , Wu Jun , Yu ZhenHua , Cao XiaoBao , Wang XuDi
Published: May 2022

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyurethane acrylate (PUA) are excellent pattern transfer materials. In this study, PDMS-PUA bi-directional replication technology is explored using the PDMS grating as a template, and relevant technical issues are discussed in detail. Special surface treatment and process optimization are applied to solve the problems of demolding, PDMS polymerization inhibition, and substrate flatness. Further experiments show that the technology can be employed to replicate nanoscale structures and has the potential value of prolonging the longevity of the original template. Additionally, utilizing the advantage of the high elasticity of PDMS materials, two applications of bi-directional replication technology are demonstrated. One is to increase the line-density of the grating by stretching, and the experimental results show that the line-density of the grating increased by 26.6%. The other one is to fabricate the convex grating. Compared with the original planar PDMS grating, the resolution of the first-order diffraction spectrum of the convex grating at the focal point has been greatly improved. Since this technology requires simple equipment, and PDMS and PUA are reusable, it has the advantages of low cost, simplicity, and rapid fabrication. The two application examples also indicate that the technology has good application value.
Weighted sampling-adaptive single-pixel sensing
Authors: Zhan Xinrui , Zhu Chunli , Suo Jinli , Bian Liheng
Published: May 2022

The novel single-pixel sensing technique that uses an end-to-end neural network for joint optimization achieves high-level semantic sensing, which is effective but computation-consuming for varied sampling rates. In this Letter, we report a weighted optimization technique for sampling-adaptive single-pixel sensing, which only needs to train the network once for any dynamic sampling rate. Specifically, we innovatively introduce a weighting scheme in the encoding process to characterize different patterns’ modulation efficiencies, in which the modulation patterns and their corresponding weights are updated iteratively. The optimal pattern series with the highest weights is employed for light modulation in the experimental implementation, thus achieving highly efficient sensing. Experiments validated that once the network is trained with a sampling rate of 1, the single-target classification accuracy reaches up to 95.00% at a sampling rate of 0.03 on the MNIST dataset and 90.20% at a sampling rate of 0.07 on the CCPD dataset for multi-target sensing.
Computational metrics and parameters of an injection-locked large area semiconductor laser for neural network computing [Invited]
Authors: Skalli Anas , Porte Xavier , Haghighi Nasibeh , Reitzenstein Stephan , Lott James A. , Brunner Daniel
Published: May 2022

Artificial neural networks have become a staple computing technique in many fields. Yet, they present fundamental differences with classical computing hardware in the way they process information. Photonic implementations of neural network architectures potentially offer fundamental advantages over their electronic counterparts in terms of speed, processing parallelism, scalability and energy efficiency. Scalable and high performance photonic neural networks (PNNs) have been demonstrated, yet they remain scarce. In this work, we study the performance of such a scalable, fully parallel and autonomous PNN based on large area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (LA-VCSEL). We show how the performance varies with different physical parameters, namely, injection wavelength, injection power, and bias current. Furthermore, we link these physical parameters to the general computational measures of consistency and dimensionality. We present a general method of gauging dimensionality in high dimensional nonlinear systems subject to noise, which could be applied to many systems in the context of neuromorphic computing. Our work will inform future implementations of spatially multiplexed VCSEL PNNs.
Spatial dynamics of feedback and feedforward regulation in cell lineages
Authors: Uhl Peter , Lowengrub John , Komarova Natalia , Wodarz Dominik
Published: May 2022

Feedback mechanisms within cell lineages are thought to be important for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Mathematical models that assume well-mixed cell populations, together with experimental data, have suggested that negative feedback from differentiated cells on the stem cell self-renewal probability can maintain a stable equilibrium and hence homeostasis. Cell lineage dynamics, however, are characterized by spatial structure, which can lead to different properties. Here, we investigate these dynamics using spatially explicit computational models, including cell division, differentiation, death, and migration / diffusion processes. According to these models, the negative feedback loop on stem cell self-renewal fails to maintain homeostasis, both under the assumption of strong spatial restrictions and fast migration / diffusion. Although homeostasis cannot be maintained, this feedback can regulate cell density and promote the formation of spatial structures in the model. Tissue homeostasis, however, can be achieved if spatially restricted negative feedback on self-renewal is combined with an experimentally documented spatial feedforward loop, in which stem cells regulate the fate of transit amplifying cells. This indicates that the dynamics of feedback regulation in tissue cell lineages are more complex than previously thought, and that combinations of spatially explicit control mechanisms are likely instrumental.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards kangaroo mother care among postnatal women in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gebeyehu Natnael Atnafu , Gelaw Kelemu Abebe , Azeze Gedion Asnake , Admass Biruk Adie , Lake Eyasu Alem , Adela Getachew Asmare
Published: May 2022

Background

Kangaroo mother care is a key procedure in reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity associated with preterm birth. In Ethiopia, neonatal death remains a serious problem, and this study aims to determine the prevalence of the knowledge, attitudes and practice of kangaroo mother care among Ethiopia women.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE and the Ethiopian University online library were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analysed using STATA statistical software (v. 11). Publication bias was checked by forest plot, Begg’s rank test and Egger’s regression test. To look for heterogeneity, I2were computed and an overall estimated analysis carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by region, study setting, publication, gestational age, birth weight and component of kangaroo care. The Joanna Briggs Institute risk of bias assessment tool was used. We carried out a leave one out sensitivity analysis.

Results

Out of 273 articles retrieved, 16 studies met the eligibility criteria and are thus included in this study. Those 16 studies had a total of 12,345 respondents who reported kangaroo mother practice, with five (comprising 1,232 participants combined) reporting that both knowledge and attitude were used to determine the overall estimation. The pooled estimates of good knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice of kangaroo mother care were found to be 64.62% (95% CI: 47.15%–82.09%; I2= 97.8%), 61.55% (49.73%–73.38%; I2= 94.8%) and 45.7% (95% CI: 37.23%–54.09%; I2= 98.5%), respectively. This study is limited to postnatal women and does not take account their domestic partners or health providers.

Conclusion

The findings revealed significant gaps in the knowledge, attitudes and practice of kangaroo mother care in Ethiopia when compared with other developing countries. Therefore, kangaroo mother care training to women, along with further studies on domestic partners and health providers.
A high-density genome-wide association with absolute blood monocyte count in domestic sheep identifies novel loci
Authors: Oliveira Ryan D. , Mousel Michelle R. , Gonzalez Michael V. , Durfee Codie J. , Davenport Kimberly M. , Murdoch Brenda M. , Taylor J. Bret , Neibergs Holly L. , White Stephen N.
Published: May 2022

Monocytes are a core component of the immune system that arise from bone marrow and differentiate into cells responsible for phagocytosis and antigen presentation. Their derivatives are often responsible for the initiation of the adaptive immune response. Monocytes and macrophages are central in both controlling and propagating infectious diseases such as infection byCoxiella burnetiiand small ruminant lentivirus in sheep. Genotypes from 513 Rambouillet, Polypay, and Columbia sheep (Ovis aries) were generated using the Ovine SNP50 BeadChip. Of these sheep, 222 animals were subsequently genotyped with the Ovine Infinium®HD SNP BeadChip to increase SNP coverage. Data from the 222 HD genotyped sheep were combined with the data from an additional 258 unique sheep to form a 480-sheep reference panel; this panel was used to impute the low-density genotypes to the HD genotyping density. Then, a genome-wide association analysis was conducted to identify loci associated with absolute monocyte counts from blood. The analysis used a single-locus mixed linear model implementing EMMAX with age and ten principal components as fixed effects. Two genome-wide significant peaks (p < 5x10-7) were identified on chromosomes 9 and 1, and ten genome-wide suggestive peaks (p < 1x10-5) were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, and 16. The identified loci were within or near genes includingKCNK9, involved into cytokine production,LY6D, a member of a superfamily of genes, some of which subset monocyte lineages, andHMGN1, which encodes a chromatin regulator associated with myeloid cell differentiation. Further investigation of these loci is being conducted to understand their contributions to monocyte counts. Investigating the genetic basis of monocyte lineages and numbers may in turn provide information about pathogens of veterinary importance and elucidate fundamental immunology.
ACC deaminase producing rhizobacterium Enterobacter cloacae ZNP-4 enhance abiotic stress tolerance in wheat plant
Authors: Singh Rajnish Prakash , Pandey Dev Mani , Jha Prabhat Nath , Ma Ying
Published: May 2022

Plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) designated as ZNP-4, isolated from the rhizosphere of Ziziphus nummularia, was identified as Enterobacter cloacae following 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The isolated strain exhibited various plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD) activity was evaluated under diverse physiological conditions that could be useful for minimizing the abiotic stress-induced inhibitory effects on wheat plants. The strain showed resistance to salt (NaCl) and metal (ZnSO4) stress. The effect of E. cloacae ZNP-4 on the augmentation of plant growth was studied under salinity stress of 150 mM (T1 treatment) & 200 mM (T2 treatment) NaCl. The inoculation of strain ZNP-4 significantly improved the various growth parameters of wheat plant such as shoot length (41%), root length (31%), fresh weight (28%), dry weight (29%), photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a (62%) and chlorophyll b (34%). Additionally, the strain was found to be efficient for minimizing the imposed Zn stress in terms of improving plant growth, biomass and photosynthetic pigments in pots containing different levels of metal stress of 150 mg kg-1 (treatment T1) and 250 mg kg-1 (treatment T2). Isolate ZNP-4 also improved the proline content and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level under both salinity and metal stress, therefore maintaining the membrane integrity. Furthermore, bacterial inoculation increased the activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). The positive effects of PGPR occurred concurrently with the decrease in abiotic stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2-) contents. Overall, the observed results indicate that use of bacteria with such beneficial traits could be used as bio-fertilizers for many crops growing under stress conditions.
Demonstrating the utility of Escherichia coli asymptomatic bacteriuria isolates’ virulence profile towards diagnosis and management—A preliminary analysis
Authors: Maniam Lalitha , Vellasamy Kumutha Malar , Jindal Hassan Mahmood , Narayanan Vallikannu , Danaee Mahmoud , Vadivelu Jamuna , Pallath Vinod
Published: May 2022

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) caused byEscherichia coli (E.coli)is a significant condition associated with pregnancy and is considered as prognostic for the development of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). However, treating all ASB increases the use of antibiotics and leads to the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). Therefore, this study aimed to identify the distribution of UPEC associated virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility among phylogroups ofE.coliisolated from ASB in pregnancy. Moreover, the gene expression of selected virulence genes was also compared among twoE.coliisolates (with different pathogenic potential) to determine its pathogenicity. One hundred and sixtyE.coliisolates from midstream urine samples of pregnant women with ASB were subjected to PCR-based detection for its phylogroups and virulence genes. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolated strains was determined by the disc diffusion method. Expression of the virulence genes were determined through microarray analysis and quantitative Real-Time PCR. The prevalence of ASB in this study was 16.1%. Within ASB isolates, the occurrence of phylogroup B2 was the highest, and isolates from this group harboured most of the virulence genes studied. Overall, the most identified virulence genes among all phylogroups in descending order werefimH,chuA,kpsMTII,usp,fyuA,hlyA,iroN,cnf,papC,sfa,ompT, andsat. In this study, higher resistance to antibiotics was observed for ampicillin (77.5%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (54.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (46.9%) and amikacin (43.8%) compared to the other tested antibiotics and 51.9% of the tested isolates were MDR. Furthermore, hierarchical clustering and gene expression analysis demonstrated extreme polarization of pathogenic potential ofE.colicausing ASB in pregnancy necessitating the need for bacterial isolate focused approach towards treatment of ASB.
Influence of oral administration of kukoamine A on blood pressure in a rat hypertension model
Authors: Butts Christine A. , Hedderley Duncan I. , Martell Sheridan , Dinnan Hannah , Middlemiss-Kraak Susanne , Bunn Barry J. , McGhie Tony K. , Lill Ross E.
Published: May 2022

The benefits of lowering blood pressure (BP) are well established for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. While there are a number of pharmaceuticals available for lowering BP, there is considerable interest in using dietary modifications, lifestyle and behaviour changes as alternative strategies. Kukoamines, caffeic acid derivatives of polyamines present in solanaceous plants, have been reported to reduce BP. We investigated the effect of orally administered synthetic kukoamine A on BP in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) laboratory animal model of hypertension. Prior to the hypertension study, we determined the safety of the synthetic kukoamine A in a single oral dose (5 or 10 mg kg-1bodyweight) 14-day observational study in mice. No negative effects of the oral administration of kukoamine A were observed. We subsequently investigated the effect of daily oral doses of kukoamine A (0, 5, 10 mg kg-1bodyweight) for 35 days using the SHR rat model of hypertension. The normotensive control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strain was used to provide a baseline for normal BP in rats. We observed no effect of orally administered synthetic kukoamine A on arterial hypertension in this laboratory animal model of hypertension.
Alterations in innate immune responses of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis related to cystic fibrosis
Authors: Rezende Gustavo L. , Nakanishi Marcio , Couto Shirley C. P. , Martins Carmen L. F. S. , Sampaio André L. L. , Albuquerque Lucas F. F. , Kückelhaus Selma A. S. , Muniz-Junqueira Maria I.
Published: May 2022

The role of phagocytes of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) associated with different phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phagocytic capacity of blood neutrophils and monocytes and production of superoxide anion by phagocytes in patients with CF with or without chronic rhinosinusitis and with or without nasal polyps (NP). This cross-sectional study was established in 2015–2017 in a tertiary reference center to the CF treatment, Brasilia, Brazil. Sample included 30 children volunteers with CRS related to CF (n = 16) and control subjects (n = 14). Epidemiological and clinical data were compared. Collection of 15 mL of peripheral blood and nasal endoscopy to identify the presence or absence of nasal polyps (NP) were performed. Phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors and opsonin receptors was assessed. Superoxide anion production was evaluated. The control group showed a higher phagocytic index to monocytes and neutrophils than to the CF or CF+CRS with NP groups [Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0025] when phagocytosis were evaluated by pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors (5 yeasts/cell). The phagocytic index of the CF+CRS without NP group was higher than in the CF+CRS with NP group (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0168). In the control group, the percentage of phagocytes involved in phagocytosis and superoxide anion production (74.0 ± 9.6%) were higher in all CF groups (p < 0,0001). The innate immune response, represented by phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production by monocytes and neutrophils was more impaired in patients with CF related or not related to CRS than in the control group. However, the phagocytic function of patients without NP showed less impairment.
A programmable DNA roadblock system using dCas9 and multivalent target sites
Authors: Matozel Emily K. , Parziale Stephen , Price Allen C.
Published: May 2022

A protein roadblock forms when a protein binds DNA and hinders translocation of other DNA binding proteins. These roadblocks can have significant effects on gene expression and regulation as well as DNA binding. Experimental methods for studying the effects of such roadblocks often target endogenous sites or introduce non-variable specific sites into DNAs to create binding sites for artificially introduced protein roadblocks. In this work, we describe a method to create programmable roadblocks using dCas9, a cleavage deficient mutant of the CRISPR effector nuclease Cas9. The programmability allows us to custom design target sites in a synthetic gene intended for in vitro studies. These target sites can be coded with multivalency—in our case, internal restriction sites which can be used in validation studies to verify complete binding of the roadblock. We provide full protocols and sequences and demonstrate how to use the internal restriction sites to verify complete binding of the roadblock. We also provide example results of the effect of DNA roadblocks on the translocation of the restriction endonuclease NdeI, which searches for its cognate site using one dimensional diffusion along DNA.
Molecular typing and prevalence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from Chinese dairy cows with clinical mastitis
Authors: Han Guangli , Zhang Baohai , Luo Zidan , Lu Biao , Luo Zhengzhong , Zhang Jieru , Wang Yin , Luo Yan , Yang Zexiao , Shen Liuhong , Yu Shumin , Cao Suizhong , Yao Xueping
Published: May 2022

Bovine mastitis is a common disease occurring in dairy farms and can be caused by more than 150 species of pathogenic bacteria. One of the most common causative organisms isStreptococcus agalactiae, which is also potentially harmful to humans and aquatic animals. At present, research onS.agalactiaein China is mostly concentrated in the northern region, with limited research in the southeastern and southwestern regions. In this study, a total of 313 clinical mastitis samples from large-scale dairy farms in five regions of Sichuan were collected for isolation ofS.agalactiae. The epidemiological distribution ofS.agalactiaewas inferred by serotyping isolates with multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Susceptibility testing and drug resistance genes were detected to guide the clinical use of antibiotics. Virulence genes were also detected to deduce the pathogenicity ofS.agalactiaein Sichuan Province. One hundred and five strains ofS.agalactiae(33.6%) were isolated according to phenotypic features, biochemical characteristics, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Serotype multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that all isolates were of type Ia. The isolates were up to 100% sensitive to aminoglycosides (kanamycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and tobramycin), and the resistance rate to β-lactams (penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftazidime, and piperacillin) was up to 98.1%. TheTEMgene (β-lactam-resistant) was detected in all isolates, which was in accordance with a drug-resistant phenotype. Analysis of virulence genes showed that all isolates harbored thecfb,cylE,fbsA,fbsB,hylB, andα-enolasegenes and none harboredbacorlmb. These data could aid in the prevention and control of mastitis and improve our understanding of epidemiological trends in dairy cows infected withS.agalactiaein Sichuan Province.
Stability results for the functional differential equations associated to water hammer in hydraulics
Authors: Rasvan Vladimir
Published: May 2022

There is considered a system of two sets of partial differential equations describing the water hammer in a hydroelectric power plant containing the dynamics of the tunnel, turbine penstock, surge tank and hydraulic turbine. Under standard simplifying assumptions (negligible Darcy–Weisbach losses and dynamic head variations), a system of functional differential equations of neutral type, with two delays, can be associated to the aforementioned partial differential equations and existence, uniqueness and continuous data dependence can be established. Stability is then discussed using a Lyapunov functional deduced from the energy identity. The Lyapunov functional is "weak" i.e. its derivative function is only non-positive definite. Therefore only Lyapunov stability is obtained while for asymptotic stability application of the Barbashin–Krasovskii–LaSalle invariance principle is required. A necessary condition for its validity is the asymptotic stability of the difference operator associated to the neutral system. However, its properties in the given case make the asymptotic stability non-robust (fragile) in function of some arithmetic properties of the delay ratio.
Az Északnyugat-Jászság 11–15. századi településtörténetének vázlata
Authors: Kiss-Bíró Gyöngyvér
Published: May 2022

In our line of work we collected data on the 11th–15th century settlement history of North-West Jászság both in historical and archaeological terms. The territorial boundary of the research was marked in the north-western part of Jászság. The time interval covered by the research was determined to be in the 11th–15th century. In the framework of the dissertation we intended to give an overview and summary of the examined area and period, thus revealing our current knowledge to research and those interested. In the course of the data collection we could build our research on the researchable archaeological finds, data archive documents and fieldwork results preserved in the collections of the Jász Museum and the János Damjanich Museum, as well as on the data in the official archaeological site register and the archaeological database of the Hungarian National Museum. Other sources of data were charters related to the medieval history of the area. A total of 85 medieval archaeological sites are currently known in the study area. The vast majority of these are settlement traces, but to a lesser extent there are medieval cemeteries and churches, four coin finds and a castle in North-West Jászság. In the framework of the dissertation, thanks to the excavation leader dr. Róbert Kertész, we also had the opportunity to process the material of the 2007 excavation at Jászfényszaru–Samsung car-park / Szőlők alja. We have knowledge of 14 settlements and estates in the study area which we know by their names from 13th–15th century charters and sometimes from later Turkish defters. In the first half of the 15th century, more villages, quarters and plains in Jászság appeared in the written sources. Based on historical and archaeological data, we outlined the history of the medieval settlements of the North-West Jászság, in which, besides the settlement network in the Arpad Period and in the late medieval times, we also addressed the influence of the Tartar invasion and the settlement of the Jász.
Factors Influencing Hospital Cleaners’ Knowledge and Practices toward Hepatitis B prevention in Northern Province of Rwanda
Authors: Nkurikiyintwali Jean Marie Vianney , Nizeyimana Fidele , Okova Rosemary , Rutayisire Erigene
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to assess factors influencing knowledge and practices of hospital cleaners towards hepatitis B prevention. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at in Northern Province of Rwanda. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from study participants. A total of 134 cleaners were recruited in the study. Data were entered using Kobo collect toolbox and exported to Microsoft office excel for data cleaning and to entered in SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was done and the significance level was 5%. More than a half of respondents were female (51.5%), and had primary level of education (54.5%). Results showed that only 9.7% of respondents had a high level of knowledge about HBV and only 2.2% had good practices on HBV practices. The odds of having high level of knowledge towards HBV prevention was 2.3 times (AOR=2.3, 95%CI: (1.1-27.3); p=0.045) among respondents with high school compared to those with no educational level. Respondents with work experience of 5-7 years were 1.5 times to have high level of knowledge towards HBV prevention than those with work experience of less than one year. Being aged between 20-30 years was associated with 2.5 times more likely to have good practices on HBV prevention than respondents aged less than 20 years. The odds of having good practice towards HBV had found to increase with work experience (AOR=2.3; 95%CI: (1.29-4.3); p=0.014). Considerable proportion of participants lacks the requisite knowledge of post-exposure treatment and prevention of HBV. Training programs on HBV infection, including PEP are highly recommended.
Homogenization Analysis in Particle Boards with Rice Husk Reinforcement
Authors: Revelo Cuarán Edwin Alexander , Nieves Pimiento Nayive , Toledo Bueno Carlos Augusto
Published: May 2022

Objective: To morphologically analyze, by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), agglomerated boards made from rice husk and Hidropul 400, as well as boards made from wood fibers and glue.
Methodology: For each 7,3 x 3,6 x 1,5 cm test piece, two samples were taken from the external and internal sections of each one of the boards to be analyzed. Thin-layer graphite coatings were made to each one of them, and, by means of SEM, micrographic shots were obtained in the range from 50x to 2000x.
Results: It was evidenced that the panel made from rice husk had damage to its internal structure due to its porosity, the waxy layers of its coating, the high presence of silica, and the presence of water inside the adhesive, showing irregularities in adhesion between particles and low mechanical properties.
Conclusions: Although the studied rice husk panel did not achieve the adequate structural properties, it has great applications for interior design. Additionally, due to its porous structure, its potential as a sound-absorbing material is considered. In the same way, the material can be improved by pre-treating the husk or combining it with other, more woody plant fibers such as wood waste, bamboo, coconut fiber, among others.
Metodología: Se tomaron dos muestras por probeta de 7.3 x 3.6 x 1.5 cm en las secciones externas e internas por cada uno de los paneles a analizar, se realizaron recubrimientos de capa fina de grafito a cada una de ellas; por medio del microscopio electrónico de barrido se realizaron tomas micrográficas en rangos de 50x a 2000x.
Resultados: Se evidencio que el panel fabricado con cascarilla de arroz, presentaba afectaciones en su estructura interna, debido a la porosidad, a las capas cerosas de su recubrimiento, a la alta presencia de sílice y la presencia de agua dentro del adhesivo, mostrando irregularidades en adherencia entre partículas y bajas propiedades mecánicas.
Conclusiones: Aunque el panel a base de cascarilla de arroz estudiado no obtuvo las propiedades adecuadas estructurales, tiene grandes aplicaciones para el diseño de interiores, además por estructura porosa se consideran su potencial como material absorbente del sonido. De igual forma se puede mejorar el material al hacer un pretratamiento de la cascarilla o combinar con diferentes fibras vegetales más leñosas como desperdicios de madera, bambú, fibra de coco entre otros.
From trilingualism to triliteracy: a trilingual child learning to write simultaneously in Korean, Farsi, and English
Authors: Choi Jayoung
Published: May 2022

Drawing on translanguaging and a translingual approach to literacy, this case study seeks to examine why and how a trilingual child engaged with writing across two heritage languages (HLs), Korean and Farsi, as well as English over 5 years. I enter the study by taking on the role of a motherscholar to address the research question “What, how, and why my son, a trilingual child, wrote across three scripts at home?” The analysis of a large number of writing samples across the three scripts as well as video and audio data sources collected at home showed the child’s complex navigation and orchestration of his lived experiences, interests, and social relationships across scripts with a clear audience in mind over developmental stages. He engaged in writing at home to reconstruct his literate world, to express interests and lived experiences, and to express discontent in required tasks in a playful manner. The study has important implications for caregivers and teachers of multilinguals as well as for policy makers who must create more opportunities for multilingual children to draw on languages and scripts they use on a daily basis in school learning.
A systematic review, meta-analysis and economic evaluation on Neonatal cpap
Authors: Keerthan RM. , Nagaseshu Pudi , Gopalan Greeshma , Kachroo Kavita , Sharma Jitendra
Published: May 2022

The review mainly focuses on the goals to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of neonatal CPAP in a decrease of Mortality, Length of Stay, Respiratory support, Extubation and Intubation. Introduction: Inclusion criteria: This review is conducted in neonates with respiratory failure, Pneumonia sepsis, necrotizing infections, Pneumothorax, Broncho pulmonary distress, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), COVID-19, and other comorbidities also included.

Methods: The databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane were used in this review. Depending on inclusion criteria the full-text articles were assessed and chosen studies were recovered by methodological quality.

Results: one twenty-six studies are retrieved which met the inclusion criteria and the extracted studies were pooled statistically and their outcomes were measured. All the studies explain the efficacy of CPAP by reducing Mortality, Length of Stay, Respiratory support, Extubation and Intubation.

Conclusion: Currently the evidence states that CPAP reduces Mortality, Length of Stay, Respiratory support, Extubation and Intubation
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level and adrenal deficiency in patients with mucocutaneous pemphigus
Authors: Salehi Mohammadreza , Shahmoradi Zabihollah , Razavi Seyed Mohammad , Lali Iraj , Faghihian Elham
Published: May 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal insufficiency in patients with mucocutaneous pemphigus lesions who use oral corticosteroids.

Methods

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 54 patients (48.44 ± 12.74 years) with mucocutaneous pemphigus in 2019. Those patients taken corticosteroids in different doses and way. At first, collected patients information including age, sex, type of pemphigus, duration of use, patient dosage, duration of corticosteroid administration, and method of administration were collected daily. Adrenal gland function was measured by evaluating ACTH levels. Data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation coefficient and t-test.

Results

Our study showed that 37 cases (68.5%) had normal ACTH average hormone level (7.3–63.3 mL/pg), 11 cases (20.4%) were lower levels (<7.2 mL/pg), and 6 cases (11.1%) were higher levels (63.3 > mL/pg). Wo observed no significant relationship between ACTH and duration of corticosteroids usage (p=0.207).

Conclusions

Taking a maintenance dose of between 12.5 and 25 mg daily does not usually lead to adrenal insufficiency. The present study showed that the lower the daily dose of corticosteroids, the lower the likelihood of adrenal insufficiency.
Combined models with tanks in series for characterization of tundish flows in continuous casting of steel
Authors: Yu Shan , Li Lin , Shao Lei , Zou Zongshu
Published: May 2022

The traditional combined model of a mixed flow reactor and a plug flow reactor in series with a dead zone has been commonly used to characterize tundish flows in continuous casting of steel. However, there are noticeable differences in residence time distribution curve profile between model predictions and the corresponding experimental measurements. In order to pursue a better characterization of typical tundish flows, two new combined models are outlined in the current work: One involves uniform tanks and a plug flow reactor in series with a dead zone, while the other features two non-uniform tanks and a plug flow reactor in series with a dead zone. The application of the models to a tundish with a turbulence inhibitor in the pouring compartment reveals that both of the two new models can provide a much better representation of the experimental measurements in comparison with the traditional model. Regarding the two new models, the one with two non-uniform tanks is seen to perform better than that with uniform tanks.
Synodality in Anglicanism
Authors: Chapman Mark D.
Published: May 2022

The Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion have adopted forms of synodical government from the very beginnings of their existence, even when this was exercised through parliament. There has been very little theological discussion of synods, especially of the role of the laity. Although some have used a Trinitarian theology to analyse synods, far more appropriate is a form of Augustinianism that can handle the conflicts at the heart of human life which are mirrored in the church as a corpus permixtum.
Crystal structure of 2,2-dichloro-1-(4-chloro-1H-indol-1-yl)ethan-1-one, C10H6Cl3NO
Authors: Ma Zhao-Yu , Lu Wan , Guo Yu-Chao , Li Ying-Jiao
Published: May 2022

C10H6Cl3NO, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.7097(10) Å, b = 10.6037(11) Å, c = 10.1735(10) Å, β = 96.580(4)°, V = 1040.55(18) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0214, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0574, T = 101 K.
The crystal structure of 1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxamide, C8H7N3O
Authors: Ma Hang , Tian Qiang , Wan Banglong
Published: May 2022

C8H7N3O, orthorhombic, Pccn (no. 56), a = 9.9071(14) Å, b = 11.1950(19) Å, c = 13.315(2) Å, V = 1476.8(4) Å3, Z = 8, R

gt
(F) = 0.0356, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1034, T = 100(2) K, β = 90°.