bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchy and control of ageing-related methylation networks
Authors: Palla Gergely , Pollner Péter , Börcsök Judit , Major András , Molnár Béla , Csabai István
Published: September 2021

DNA methylation provides one of the most widely studied biomarkers of ageing. Since the methylation of CpG dinucleotides function as switches in cellular mechanisms, it is plausible to assume that by proper adjustment of these switches age may be tuned. Though, adjusting hundreds of CpG methylation levels coherently may never be feasible and changing just a few positions may lead to biologically unstable state.

A prominent example of methylation-based age estimators is provided by Horvath’s clock, based on 353 CpG dinucleotides, showing a high correlation (not necessarily causation) with chronological age across multiple tissue types. On this small subset of CpG dinucleotides we demonstrate how the adjustment of one methylation level leads to a cascade of changes at other sites. Among the studied subset, we locate the most important CpGs (and related genes) that may have a large influence on the rest of the sub-system. According to our analysis, the structure of this network is way more hierarchical compared to what one would expect based on ensembles of uncorrelated connections. Therefore, only a handful of CpGs is enough to modify the system towards a desired state.

When propagation of the change over the network is taken into account, the resulting modification in the predicted age can be significantly larger compared to the effect of isolated CpG perturbations. By adjusting the most influential single CpG site and following the propagation of methylation level changes we can reach up to 5.74 years in virtual age reduction, significantly larger than without taking into account of the network control. Extending our approach to the whole methylation network may identify key nodes that have controller role in the ageing process.
STDP and the distribution of preferred phases in the whisker system
Authors: Sherf Nimrod , Shamir Maoz
Published: September 2021

Rats and mice use their whiskers to probe the environment. By rhythmically swiping their whiskers back and forth they can detect the existence of an object, locate it, and identify its texture. Localization can be accomplished by inferring the whisker’s position. Rhythmic neurons that track the phase of the whisking cycle encode information about the azimuthal location of the whisker. These neurons are characterized by preferred phases of firing that are narrowly distributed. Consequently, pooling the rhythmic signal from several upstream neurons is expected to result in a much narrower distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population, which however has not been observed empirically. Here, we show how spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) can provide a solution to this conundrum. We investigated the effect of STDP on the utility of a neural population to transmit rhythmic information downstream using the framework of a modeling study. We found that under a wide range of parameters, STDP facilitated the transfer of rhythmic information despite the fact that all the synaptic weights remained dynamic. As a result, the preferred phase of the downstream neuron was not fixed, but rather drifted in time at a drift velocity that depended on the preferred phase, thus inducing a distribution of preferred phases. We further analyzed how the STDP rule governs the distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population. This link between the STDP rule and the distribution of preferred phases constitutes a natural test for our theory.
Genetic dissection of complex traits using hierarchical biological knowledge
Authors: Tanaka Hidenori , Kreisberg Jason F. , Ideker Trey
Published: September 2021

Despite the growing constellation of genetic loci linked to common traits, these loci have yet to account for most heritable variation, and most act through poorly understood mechanisms. Recent machine learning (ML) systems have used hierarchical biological knowledge to associate genetic mutations with phenotypic outcomes, yielding substantial predictive power and mechanistic insight. Here, we use an ontology-guided ML system to map single nucleotide variants (SNVs) focusing on 6 classic phenotypic traits in natural yeast populations. The 29 identified loci are largely novel and account for ~17% of the phenotypic variance, versus <3% for standard genetic analysis. Representative results show that sensitivity to hydroxyurea is linked to SNVs in two alternative purine biosynthesis pathways, and that sensitivity to copper arises through failure to detoxify reactive oxygen species in fatty acid metabolism. This work demonstrates a knowledge-based approach to amplifying and interpreting signals in population genetic studies.
IC-Behavior: An interdisciplinary taxonomy of behaviors
Authors: Larsen Kai R. , Ramsay Lauren J. , Godinho Cristina A. , Gershuny Victoria , Hovorka Dirk S.
Published: September 2021

Academic disciplines are often organized according to the behaviors they examine. While most research on a behavior tends to exist within one discipline, some behaviors are examined by multiple disciplines. Better understanding of behaviors and their relationships should enable knowledge transfer across disciplines and theories, thereby dramatically improving the behavioral knowledge base. We propose a taxonomy built on the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), but design the taxonomy as a stand-alone extension rather than an improvement to ICF. Behaviors considered important enough to serve as the dependent variable in articles accepted for publication in top journals were extracted from nine different behavioral and social disciplines. A six-step development and validation process was employed, leading to the final taxonomy. A hierarchy of behaviors under the top banner of Engaging in activities/participating, reflective of ICF’s D. hierarchy was constructed with eight immediate domains addressing behaviors ranging from learning, exercising, self-care, and substance use. The resulting International Classification of Behaviors (IC-Behavior), provides a behavior taxonomy targeted towards the interdisciplinary integration of nomological networks relevant to behavioral theories. While IC-Behavior has been labeled v.1.0 to communicate that it is by no means an endpoint, it has empirically shown to provide flexibility for the addition of new behaviors and is tested in the health domain.
The influence of psychological network on the willingness to communicate in a second language
Authors: Ito Takehiko
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the effect of the psychological network on the willingness to communicate in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that psychological factors affect the willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of psychological factors and their effects have not been revealed yet. The present study conducted a network analysis with 644 Japanese people. Consequently, the edge between perceived communication competence and the willingness to communicate in the first or second language was very strong. Node centrality strength showed that these factors were central in the network structure. The results of the network analysis show the effect of psychological networks on the willingness to communicate in a second language, which will be beneficial for language education.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage among patients with diabetes at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Authors: Anafo Ramzy B. , Atiase Yacoba , Kotey Fleischer C. N. , Dayie Nicholas T. K. D. , Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience B. , Duodu Samuel , Osei Mary-Magdalene , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Donkor Eric S.
Published: September 2021

Aim

To investigate the epidemiology ofS.aureusand MRSA nasal carriage among people with diabetes at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, including the prevalence, predictors of carriage, and antibiotic resistance.

Methodology

This study was cross-sectional, involving 300 diabetes patients and 106 non-diabetic individuals. Swab specimens of the nares were obtained from the participants and bacteriologically-cultured. Identification and characterization ofS.aureusand MRSA were based on standard bacteriological methods; antimicrobial susceptibility testing was by the Kirby-Bauer method.

Results

The prevalence of staphylococcal carriage, the diabetes group relative to the non-diabetes group, were 31.0% and 10.4% (S.aureus), and 3.3% and 0.0% (MRSA). Presence of diabetes predisposed toS.aureuscarriage, but not MRSA nor coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) carriage (OR= 3.88;p< 0.0001). Colonization with CoNS was protective ofS.aureus(OR= 0.039,p <0.001) and MRSA (OR= 0.115,p =0.043) colonization among the diabetics. The antimicrobial resistance patterns recorded among theS.aureusisolated from the diabetic individuals relative to the non-diabetics were as follows: penicillin (95% vs. 91%), tetracycline (37% vs. 27%), cotrimoxazole (30% vs. 36%), erythromycin (17% vs. 0%), norfloxacin (13% vs. 0%), clindamycin (12% vs. 0%), gentamicin (9% vs. 0%), fusidic acid (10% vs. 9%), linezolid (4% vs. 0%), and rifampicin (5% vs. 0%). The proportion of multidrug resistantS.aureuswas 41% (n= 38) in the diabetes group and 0% in the non-diabetes group; this difference was statistically significant (p= 0.01).

Conclusions

The presence of diabetes predisposed the participants toS.aureuscarriage by almost four folds, but not MRSA carriage. Colonization with CoNS was protective ofS.aureusand MRSA carriage in the diabetes group. Finally, linezolid remains a good therapeutic agent for anti-MRSA therapy.
The effects of fossil taxa, hypothetical predicted ancestors, and a molecular scaffold on pseudoextinction analyses of extant placental orders
Authors: Brady Peggy L. , Springer Mark S.
Published: September 2021

Pseudoextinction analyses, which simulate extinction in extant taxa, use molecular phylogenetics to assess the accuracy of morphological phylogenetics. Previous pseudoextinction analyses have shown a failure of morphological phylogenetics to place some individual placental orders in the correct superordinal clade. Recent work suggests that the inclusion of hypothetical ancestors of extant placental clades, estimated by ancestral state reconstructions of morphological characters, may increase the accuracy of morphological phylogenetic analyses. However, these studies reconstructed direct hypothetical ancestors for each extant taxon based on a well-corroborated molecular phylogeny, which is not possible for extinct taxa that lack molecular data. It remains to be determined if pseudoextinct taxa, and by proxy extinct taxa, can be accurately placed when their immediate hypothetical ancestors are unknown. To investigate this, we employed molecular scaffolds with the largest available morphological data set for placental mammals. Each placental order was sequentially treated as pseudoextinct by exempting it from the molecular scaffold and recoding soft morphological characters as missing for all its constituent species. For each pseudoextinct data set, we omitted the pseudoextinct taxon and performed a parsimony ancestral state reconstruction to obtain hypothetical predicted ancestors. Each pseudoextinct order was then evaluated in seven parsimony analyses that employed combinations of fossil taxa, hypothetical predicted ancestors, and a molecular scaffold. In treatments that included fossils, hypothetical predicted ancestors, and a molecular scaffold, only 8 of 19 pseudoextinct placental orders (42%) retained the same interordinal placement as on the molecular scaffold. In treatments that included hypothetical predicted ancestors but not fossils or a scaffold, only four placental orders (21%) were recovered in positions that are congruent with the scaffold. These results indicate that hypothetical predicted ancestors do not increase the accuracy of pseudoextinct taxon placement when the immediate hypothetical ancestor of the taxon is unknown. Hypothetical predicted ancestors are not a panacea for morphological phylogenetics.
Macro and micro analysis on coal-bearing soil slopes instability based on CFD-DEM coupling method
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhang Bang , Wu Can , Chen Kun
Published: September 2021

By combining the discrete element method (DEM) with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), this study proposes a three-dimensional CFD–DEM fluid–solid coupling microscopic computational model for analyzing the micromechanisms of instability and failure in a coal-bearing soil slope during rainfall. The CFD–DEM fluid–solid coupling model indicated that the main failure mode of the coal-bearing soil slopes was rainwater washing, and the slope sliding surface was predicted as an approximately linear segment. The adaptability of this numerical method was verified by comparing its results with those of rain-washed slopes in an outdoor model test. Rainfall changed the microscopic parameters such as the force chain, coordination number, and porosity of the slope soil particles. The porosity of the slope’s top particles increased from 0.35 in the initial state to 0.80 in the unstable state. This change was directly related to the macroscopic mechanics of the slope soil. By analyzing the changes in the microscopic parameters of the particles, the failure evolution law of the coal-bearing soil slopes during rainfall was explored from a microscopic perspective. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the protection design and construction of coal-bearing soil slopes in the region but can also analyze macroscopic mechanical laws of discrete media from a micro–macro perspective in geotechnical engineering.
Performance of COVID-19 associated symptoms and temperature checking as a screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Nuertey Benjamin Demah , Ekremet Kwame , Haidallah Abdul-Rashid , Mumuni Kareem , Addai Joyce , Attibu Rosemary Ivy E. , Damah Michael C. , Duorinaa Elvis , Seidu Anwar Sadat , Adongo Victor C. , Adatsi Richard Kujo , Suri Hisyovi Caedenas , Komei Abass Abdul-Karim , Abubakari Braimah Baba , Weyori Enoch , Allegye-Cudjoe Emmanuel , Sylverken Augustina , Owusu Michael , Phillips Richard O.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which started in late December, 2019, has spread to affect 216 countries and territories around the world. Globally, the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been growing exponentially. There is pressure on countries to flatten the curves and break transmission. Most countries are practicing partial or total lockdown, vaccination, massive education on hygiene, social distancing, isolation of cases, quarantine of exposed and various screening approaches such as temperature and symptom-based screening to break the transmission. Some studies outside Africa have found the screening for fever using non-contact thermometers to lack good sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of clinical symptoms in accurately predicting a final diagnosis of COVID-19 disease in the Ghanaian setting.

Method

The study analysed screening and test data of COVID-19 suspected, probable and contacts for the months of March to August 2020. A total of 1,986 participants presenting to Tamale Teaching hospital were included in the study. Logistic regression and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis were carried out.

Results

Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 16.8%. Those with symptoms had significantly higher positivity rate (21.6%) compared with asymptomatic (17.0%) [chi-squared 15.5, p-value, <0.001]. Patients that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 5.9 [3.9–8.8] times more likely to have loss of sense of smell and 5.9 [3.8–9.3] times more likely to having loss of sense of taste. Using history of fever as a screening tool correctly picked up only 14.8% of all true positives of SARS-CoV-2 infection and failed to pick up 86.2% of positive cases. Using cough alone would detect 22.4% and miss 87.6%. Non-contact thermometer used alone, as a screening tool for COVID-19 at a cut-off of 37.8 would only pick 4.8% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Conclusion

The use of fever alone or other symptoms individually [or in combination] as a screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection is not worthwhile based on ROC analysis. Use of temperature check as a COVID-19 screening tool to allow people into public space irrespective of the temperature cut-off is of little benefit in diagnosing infected persons. We recommend the use of facemask, hand hygiene, social distancing as effective means of preventing infection.
Fidelity of implementation of TB screening guidelines by health providers at selected HIV clinics in Ghana
Authors: Narh-Bana Solomon A. , Kawonga Mary , Chirwa Esnat D. , Ibisomi Latifat , Bonsu Frank , Chirwa Tobias F.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Tuberculosis screening of people living with human immunodeficiency virus is an intervention recommended by the WHO to control the dual epidemic of TB and HIV. The extent to which the intervention is adhered to by the HIV healthcare providers (fidelity) determines the intervention’s effectiveness as measured by patient outcomes, but literature on fidelity is scarce. This study assessed provider implementation fidelity to national guidelines on TB screening at HIV clinics in Ghana.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional study that used structured questionnaires to gather data, involving 226 of 243 HIV healthcare providers in 27 HIV clinics across Ghana. The overall fidelity score comprised sixteen items with a maximum score of 48 grouped into three components of the screening intervention (TB diagnosis, TB awareness and TB symptoms questionnaire). Simple summation of item scores was done to determine fidelity score per provider. In this paper, we define the level of fidelity as low if the scores were below the median score and were otherwise categorized as high. Background factors potentially associated with implementation fidelity level were assessed using cluster-based logistic regression. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as the measure of association.

Results

Of the 226 healthcare providers interviewed, 60% (135) were females with a mean age of 34.5 years (SD = 8.3). Most of them were clinicians [63% (142)] and had post-secondary non-tertiary education [62% (141)]. Overall, 53% (119) of the healthcare providers were categorized to have implemented the intervention with high fidelity. Also, 56% (126), 53% (120), and 59% (134) of the providers implemented the TB diagnosis, TB awareness and TB symptoms questionnaire components respectively with high fidelity. After adjusting for cluster effect, female providers (AOR = 2.36, 95%CI: 1.09–5.10, p = <0.029), those with tertiary education (AOR = 4.31, 95%CI: 2.12–9.10, p = 0.040), and clinicians (AOR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.07–3.50, p = 0.045) were more likely to adhere to the guidelines compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion

The number of providers with fidelity scores above the median was marginally greater (6%) than the number with fidelity score below the median. Similarly, for each of the components, the number of providers with fidelity scores higher than the median was marginally higher. This could explain the existing fluctuations in the intervention outcomes in Ghana. We found gender, profession and education were associated with provider implementation fidelity. To improve fidelity level among HIV healthcare providers, and realize the aims of the TB screening intervention among PLHIV in Ghana, further training on implementing all components of the intervention is critical.
Time-of-day changes in physician clinical decision making: A retrospective study
Authors: Trinh Peter , Hoover Donald R. , Sonnenberg Frank A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Time of day has been associated with variations in certain clinical practices such as cancer screening rates. In this study, we assessed how more general process measures of physician activity, particularly rates of diagnostic test ordering and diagnostic assessments, might be affected by time of day.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 3,342 appointments by 20 attending physicians at five outpatient clinics, matching appointments by physician and comparing the average diagnostic tests ordered and average diagnoses assessed per appointment in the first hour of the day versus the last hour of the day. Statistical analyses used sign tests, two-sample t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, Kruskal Wallis tests, and multivariate linear regression.

Results

Examining physicians individually, four and six physicians, respectively, had statistically significant first- versus last-hour differences in the number of diagnostic tests ordered and number of diagnoses assessed per patient visit (p ≤ 0.04). As a group, 16 of 20 physicians ordered more tests on average in the first versus last hour (p = 0.012 for equal chance to order more in each time period). Substantial intra-clinic heterogeneity was found in both outcomes for four of five clinics (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

There is some statistical evidence on an individual and group level to support the presence of time-of-day effects on the number of diagnostic tests ordered per patient visit. These findings suggest that time of day may be a factor influencing fundamental physician behavior and processes. Notably, many physicians exhibited significant variation in the primary outcomes compared to same-specialty peers. Additional work is necessary to clarify temporal and inter-physician variation in the outcomes of interest.
Tree species identity and composition shape the epiphytic lichen community of structurally simple boreal forests over vast areas
Authors: Klein Julian , Low Matthew , Thor Göran , Sjögren Jörgen , Lindberg Eva , Eggers Sönke
Published: September 2021

Greatly simplified ecosystems are often neglected for biodiversity studies. However, these simplified systems dominate in many regions of the world, and a lack of understanding of what shapes species occurrence in these systems can have consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services at a massive scale. In Fennoscandia, ~90% of the boreal forest (~21Mha) is structurally simplified with little knowledge of how forest structural elements shape the occurrence and diversity of for example epiphytic lichens in these managed forests. One form of structural simplification is the reduction of the number and frequency of different tree species. As many lichen species have host tree preferences, it is particularly likely that this simplification has a huge effect on the lichen community in managed forests. In a 40–70 years old boreal forest in Sweden, we therefore related the occurrence and richness of all observed epiphytic lichens to the host tree species and beta and gamma lichen diversity at the forest stand level to the stand’s tree species composition and stem diameter.Picea abieshosted the highest lichen richness followed byPinus sylvestris,Quercus robur,Alnus glutinosa,Betulaspp., andPopulus tremula. However,P.tremulahosted twice as many uncommon species as any of the other tree species. Stand level beta and gamma diversity was twice as high on stands with four compared to one tree species, and was highest when either coniferous or deciduous trees made up 40–50% of the trees. The stem diameter was positively related to lichen richness at the tree and stand level, but negatively to beta diversity. For biodiversity, these findings imply that leaving a few trees of a different species during forest thinning is unlikely as effective as combining life-boat trees for endangered species with an even tree species mixture.
La formación integral del médico para enfrentar las barreras para la atención comunitaria a propósito de El médico africano
Authors: Aguilar-Cantón Isaac E. , Burgos-Montero Leydi G. , Cañedo-Amaya Lucero , Uc-Vázquez Josseph E. , Méndez Domínguez Nina
Published: September 2021

El conjunto de conocimientos, habilidades, principios y valores de un individuo para ejercer bien su trabajo en medicina sirven para fortalecer el desenvolvimiento en una comunidad. La película Bienvenue à Marly-Gomont (2016) de Julien Rambaldi, tiene por tema principal el esfuerzo y las actitudes del médico congoleño Zantoko ante el racismo que demuestran los habitantes de la villa rural Marly-Gomont de los años setenta. La película muestra a una comunidad francesa aislada, quienes nunca habían visto a una persona de color; nos sitúa con la familia de Zantoko en el contexto de la comunidad, lo que nos permite comprender los puntos fundamentales que pudieron haber servido como herramientas prácticas y necesarias para la labor del médico comunitario. Nos invita a reflexionar acerca de las dificultades que pueden presentarse ante la falta de conocimientos necesarios para atender una comunidad y la poca prevención en dicha comunidad. En suma, es una película excelente para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de temas relacionados con la labor que desarrollan los profesionales de la salud a nivel poblacional/local.
Historia clínica (2012): trayectorias de salud-enfermedad en la televisión abierta argentina
Authors: Almirón Valeria Natividad , Moglia Brenda
Published: September 2021

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar las ideas, imaginarios y metáforas en torno a la salud y la enfermedad aparecidas en el unitario de televisión abierta Historia Clínica (2012). A través de las trayectorias de salud-enfermedad de los personajes aparecidos en el programa televisivo se proponen los siguientes temas-problemas: relación médico-paciente; relación medicina y política; biomedicina frente a la medicina popular; muerte digna y las emociones como parte de la historia clínica. Estos ejes son descritos y analizados tomando como foco determinadas situaciones o episodios. De esta forma, se reflexiona sobre la importancia de contextualizar histórica, social e individualmente a cada personaje para lograr dar cuenta de la complejidad que la trayectoria de salud-enfermedad requiere.
Los descendientes (2013): muerte cerebral, instrucciones previas y eutanasia
Authors: Pintor Holguín Emilio , Martínez Alsina Nieves , Herreros Ruíz-Valdepeñas Benjamín
Published: September 2021

En ésta una película donde las dos tramas fundamentales son la infidelidad de Elisabeth y la decisión de si vender o no unos terrenos a una inmobiliaria en Hawai, se entremezclan con temas bioéticos muy actuales y controvertidos: eutanasia, limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico y el documento de instrucciones previas ante la situación de coma irreversible de Elisabeth.
Nursing Home Vulnerabilities amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Midwestern States
Authors: Nambisan P. , Abahussain M. , Duthie E.H. , Galambos C. , Zhang B. , Bukowy E.
Published: September 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected the older adult population, especially those in nursing homes (NHs). However, there is also evidence that some NHs fared better than others. Objectives: This study examines a set of nursing home related factors to understand whether these factors are associated with the number of COVID-19 cases. Design: We combined three datasets from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – the Star Rating Dataset, the Provider Information Dataset, and the COVID-19 Nursing Home Dataset. Setting and Participants: 4390 NHs that responded to the CMS survey. Methods: Data used is from the period of Jan 1–Dec 27, 2020 for all 12 Midwestern states. The measures used were self-reported information on ratings, staff shortages, PPE shortage, number of beds, Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) hours per resident, star rating and ownership. Results: Of the 4390 NHs in 12 Midwestern states, high performing NHs were less likely to have more than 30 COVID-19 cases versus low-performing facilities for two of the CMS domains (health inspections, 520 NHs [27.6%] vs 1363 NHs [72.4%]; and staffing 773 NHs [41.1%] vs 1110 NHs [58.9%]). There was also a statistically significant association COVID-19 cases and star rating, NH ownership, NH size, RN, LPN, and CNA staffing in NHs (all p ≤ 0.01). NH ownership status persisted as a predictor of COVID 19 cases when controlled for NH size. Conclusions: Our study highlights two interesting findings. A) a statistically significant association between NH ownership structure and COVID-19 cases among residents - for-profit NHs had higher number of COVID-19 cases B) a statistically significant negative association between RN and CNA staffing and COVID-19 cases (i.e., more staffing hours of RNs and CNA correlated with a smaller number of COVID-19 cases) and a statistically significant positive association between LPN staffing and COVID-19 cases. We discuss ensuing policy implications for NHs.
An E-band Variable Gain Amplifier with 24 dB-control range and 80 to 100 GHz 1 dB bandwidth in SiGe BiCMOS technology
Authors: Centurelli Francesco , Monsurrò Pietro , Scotti Giuseppe , Tommasino Pasquale , Trifiletti Alessandro
Published: September 2021

Analysis, design, and characterization of an E-band Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) in SiGe BiCMOS commercial technology is presented. VGA topologies are compared in terms of their capability to contribute to receiver linearity and dynamic range. The proposed VGA is based on a Gilbert multiplier cell exploiting current cancellation to enhance control range and linearity. A 1 dB bandwidth ranging from 80 to 100 GHz, a 24 dB gain control range and a −11.5 dBm input 1 dB compression point have been measured.
Highly efficient photo-degradation of cetirizine antihistamine with TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst under ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Rani Sonam , Garg Alok , Singh Neetu
Published: September 2021

Photocatalysis is an extraordinary and vastly researched topic; there is a need to find new ways to support producing composite materials that are cost-effective, efficient and have a low environmental impact. The investigation was undertaken on syn TiO2 by depositing it on silica. The results elucidate the positive effect on photocatalysis activity and the macroscopic structure on which the TiO2 is formed. For the analysis of photocatalyst, various characterisation measurements were undertaken, such as XRD, FTIR, DRS, FESEM, TEM, RS, and BET. The accumulated TiO2 onto the surface of SiO2 stabilised its transformation of the phase from anatase to rutile, resulting in decreased particle size and enhancing its photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation. The concentration of OH• radicals was determined using terephthalic acid as a probe molecule to determine its role in the photocatalytic degradation of antihistamine. The results of BET analysis showed that the syn TiO2-SiO2 sample has a large specific surface area of 192.6 m2 g−1. Maximum degradation of cetirizine (about 97%) was achieved with 80% TiO2-20% SiO2 (TS-4). Recyclability test confirmed that 80% TiO2-20% SiO2 sample was stable up to six cycles.
Are hypertensive patients with history of coronary artery disease at risk for silent lower extremity artery disease?
Authors: Mulia Eka Prasetya Budi , Yuwono Kevin , Budiarto Raden Mohammad
Published: September 2021

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the association between hypertension and asymptomatic lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) in outpatients with known history of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Patients with known history of CAD who have been undergone coronary angiography and have significant coronary artery stenosis (more than 60%) were included. LEAD was defined as ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.9 in either leg. The risk of LEAD in hypertensive group was analyzed using chi-square test, and correlation between blood pressure (BP) and ABI was analyzed using Pearson correlation test in SPSS v.25.

Results

One hundred and four patients were included. 82.7% of patients were male. Mean age was 57.05 ± 7.97. The prevalence of hypertension was 35.6%, and the prevalence of LEAD was 16.3%. A higher proportion of LEAD was found in hypertensive (18.9%) compared to non-hypertensive (14.9%), although not statistically significant (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.46 to 3.85; p=0.598). There was an association between ABI and systolic BP (p=0.016), but not with diastolic BP (p=0.102).

Conclusions

Our study showed that the prevalence of LEAD in hypertension, especially in the CAD population, is relatively high. There was no association between hypertension and LEAD, but a higher prevalence of LEAD was found in hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, LEAD screening is still recommended in hypertensive patients, especially in the CAD population, given the fact that outcomes of health and mortality are worse for those with concomitants of these diseases.
Anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects of memantine injected into the ventral hippocampus in male stressed mice
Authors: Sahraei Mohammad , Sahraei Hedayat , Rahimi Masoomeh , Khosravi Maryam , Ganjkhani Mahin , Meftahi Gholam Hossein
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The effects of intra-ventral hippocampal memantine administration in male NMRI stressed mice were studied.

Methods

Two stainless steel gauge 23 guide cannulas were placed in the middle part of the mice ventral hippocampus using stereotaxic coordination. Seven days later, the animals were undergone to the stress protocol as follows: They experience four consecutive electro-foot shock stress sessions lasting for 10 min. Five or 30 min before each stress session, the animals received intra-ventral hippocampal (0.1, 1 and, 5 µg/mouse) or intraperitoneal (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) memantine respectively. Eight days after stress termination, the animals were tested either for the maintenance of either anxiety (elevated plus maze) or depression (forced swimming test).

Results

Animals show anxiety eight days after stress termination. Intra-ventral hippocampal infusion of memantine (5 µg/mouse) 5 min before stress inhibited the anxiety-like behaviors. However, other doses of the drug exacerbate the stress effect. The drug, when injected peripherally exacerbated the stress effect in all doses. The drug by itself had no effect. In addition, animals also show depression nine days after stress termination and memantine (0.1, 1, and 5 µg/mouse) reduced the stress effect. The drug (0.1 µg/mouse) by itself induced depression in the animals. However, the drug when injected peripherally reduced the stress effect in all doses.

Conclusions

It could be concluded that NMDA glutamate receptors in the ventral hippocampus may play a pivotal role in the mediation of maintenance of anxiety and depression induced by stress in the mice.
The influence of context on language alternation practices in English as a lingua franca
Authors: Pietikäinen Kaisa S.
Published: September 2021

This paper scrutinizes language alternation practices in different settings where English is predominantly used as the lingua franca (ELF). Data from different interactional contexts are examined: academic interactions from the ELFA corpus, doctoral defense discussions (also from the ELFA corpus), and informal family interactions. Corpus, discourse and conversation analytic methods and ethnographic information are used in analyzing these spoken data. I argue that translanguaging in lingua franca contexts is not only affected by speakers’ repertoire or the linguistic setting, but that there is a complex web of individual, interpersonal, group-related, and discourse environmental aspects which play their part in whether and to which extent speakers alternate languages in spoken ELF communication.
Accurate Sea Surface heights from Sentinel-3A and Jason-3 retrackers by incorporating High-Resolution Marine Geoid and Hydrodynamic Models
Authors: Mostafavi M. , Delpeche-Ellmann N. , Ellmann A.
Published: September 2021

One of the major challenges of satellite altimetry (SA) is to produce accurate sea surface heights data up to the shoreline, especially in geomorphologically complex sea areas. New advanced re-tracking methods are expected to deliver better results. This study examines the achievable accuracy of Sentinel-3A (S3A) and Jason-3 (JA3) standard retrackers (Ocean and MLE4) with that of improved retrackers adapted for coastal and sea ice conditions (ALES+ SAR for S3A and ALES+ for JA3). The validation of SA data was performed by the integration of tide gauges, hydrodynamic model and high-resolution geoid model. The geoid being a key component that links the vertical reference datum of the SA with other utilized sources. The method is tested in the eastern section of Baltic Sea. The results indicate that on average reliable sea surface height (SSH) data can be obtained 2–3 km from the coastline for S3A (for both Ocean and ALES+SAR) whilst an average distance of 7–10 km for JA3 (MLE4 and ALES+) with a minimum distance of 3–4 km. In terms of accuracy, the RMSE (with respect to a corrected hydrodynamic model) of S3A ALES+ SAR and Ocean retrackers based SSH were 4–5 cm respectively, whereas with the JA3 ALES+ and MLE4 associated SSH RMSE of 6–7 cm can be achieved. The ALES+ and ALES+ SAR retrackers show SSH improvement within a range of 0.5–1 cm compared to the standard retrackers. This assessment showed that the adaptation of localized retrackers for the Baltic Sea (ALES+ and ALES+SAR) produced more valid observation closer to the coast than the standard retrackers and also improved the accuracy of SSH data.
Human epididymis protein 4 and fetal lung maturity
Authors: Koca Hande Esra , Bostancı Durmus Arzu , Yarcı Gursoy Aslı , Candar Tuba , Tokgöz Çakır Betül , Karahan Sevilay , Kucukozkan Tuncay , Caglar Gamze Sinem
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To document the maternal and fetal cord blood levels of human epididymis protein 4 (HE-4) in term and preterm newborns in order to investigate the possible physiological role of HE-4 in fetal lung development.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital between April 2018 and September 2018. The study population consisted of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Both maternal and umbilical cord HE-4 levels (mHE-4 and uHE-4, respectively) were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Amniotic fluid was sampled from each case to determine the lamellar body count (LBC) as the gold standard test for lung maturation. All the parameters, including the uHE-4 levels, were compared between the term delivery (≥37 weeks) (n=52) and preterm delivery (24–37th weeks) (n=30) groups. The best cut-off value of uHE-4 was calculated for fetal lung maturity.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the demographic data. The mHE-4 levels did not statistically significantly differ between the groups (p>0.05) whereas the uHE-4 level of the preterm newborns was significantly higher than that of the term newborns (p<0.05). There was a significant negative association between the uHE-4 level and LBC (r=−0.389; p<0.001). The uHE-4 level was the only statistically significant fetal parameter indicating fetal lung maturity confirmed by LBC. At a cut-off value of 281 pmol/L, uHE-4 had 96.8% sensitivity, 45% specificity, 84.5% positive predictive value, and 81.8% negative predictive value for fetal lung maturity.

Conclusions

Although the exact physiological role of HE-4 has not yet been elucidated, this preliminary study supports the idea that HE-4 plays a role in fetal lung maturation to some extent.
The distribution of American mink (Neovison vison) in Greece
Authors: Galanaki Antonia , Kominos Theodoros
Published: September 2021

The distribution of the American mink in the wild, originating either from accidental escapes or intentional releases from fur farms, was mapped for the first time in Greece, based on opportunistic data collected from 2010 to 2020. Greece is a key actor in Europe’s fur industry, with most mink farms operating in the northwest. Massive intentional releases by activists took place in the late 2000s, while accidental escapes regularly occur. Most mink were recorded in the Region of Western Macedonia, in NW Greece, within and around the core areas of fur farms, where feral populations became established. Animals were also found further south in the Regions of Thessaly (central Greece) and Central Macedonia (northern Greece). Half of mink records were close to protected areas and almost two-thirds near to watercourses. Many animals were away from the water and on high altitudes, with theoretically less favourable conditions for their survival. We also examine possible directions of further mink range expansion in Greece and neighbouring countries through the river network. Mink invasion progress in Greece is little known, thus, the subject is in urgent need of study, as mink is the alien mammal with the highest impact on the European native fauna.
Singular matrices that are products of two idempotents or products of two nilpotents
Authors: Călugăreanu Grigore
Published: September 2021

Over commutative domains we characterize the singular 2 × 2 matrices which are products of two idempotents or products of two nilpotents. The relevant casees are the matrices with zero second row and the singular matrices with only nonzero entries.
Food and culture: stories of the past
Authors: Livarda Alexandra
Published: September 2021

The archaeology of food has increasingly attracted scholarly attention, encompassing a diverse set of data and approaches with immense potential to speak of the collective—often untold—stories of everyday choices, sustaining not only the physical, but also the social individual through time. While the two books under review are both part of this ever-expanding field, investigating food and foodways of the past, they are quite distinct in their scope.
Molecular Deficits Relevant to Concussion Are Prevalent in Top-Ranked Football Players Entering the National Football League Draft
Authors: Kunces Laura J. , Keenan John , Schmidt Caleb M. , Schmidt Michael A.
Published: September 2021

Kunces, LJ, Keenan, J, Schmidt, CM, and Schmidt, MA. Molecular deficits relevant to concussion are prevalent in top-ranked football players entering the National Football League draft. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3139–3144, 2021—Characterization of blood variants in athletes entering the highly competitive contact environment of professional football can help us understand the risk for brain injury. When coupled with longitudinal follow-up of future concussion incidence and trajectory, it may provide additional insight into factors that influence brain injury. We observed the metabolic phenotype of collegiate football players entering the 2016 National Football League (NFL) draft. The principal aims were to characterize the molecular status of individual athletes and quantify the prevalence of athletes with multiple concurrent molecular deficits. Blood was taken from 30 elite American collegiate football players 7 weeks before the NFL scouting combine and 15 weeks before entering the NFL draft. Average results revealed suboptimal values in Omega-3 Index (avg ± std, 4.66 ± 1.16%), arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid fatty acid ratio (29.13 ± 10.78), homocysteine (11.4 ± 3.4 µmol·L−1), vitamin D (30 ± 11.4 ng·ml−1), and red blood cell magnesium (4.1 ± 0.8 mg·dl−1). Using sport-optimized reference ranges from previously published research, 10% presented with 3, 40% presented with 4, and 50% of athletes presented with 5 suboptimal values at once. We conclude molecular deficits in this cohort entering the NFL draft were common, with a significant number of athletes presenting with multiple suboptimal levels. The significant commonality of the suboptimal biomarkers is relevance to brain health and function. This data warrant extensive metabolic phenotyping and consideration of prophylactic precision nutrition countermeasures by the multidisciplinary staff for athletes entering contact environments.
Phase-Specific Verbal Cue Effects on Countermovement Jump Performance
Authors: Krzyszkowski John , Chowning Luke D. , Harry John R.
Published: September 2021

Krzyszkowski, J, Chowning, LD, and Harry, JR. Phase-Specific Verbal Cue Effects on Countermovement Jump Performance. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3352–3358, 2022—The aim of this study was to determine whether countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) phase–specific cues can improve jump performance and phase-specific force-time characteristics. Twenty-nine subjects (14 males and 15 females) performed 15 total CMVJ trials (5 per condition) while being provided with a control and phase-specific (unloading phase and eccentric braking phases) foci of attention. Jump height, reactive strength index–modified, countermovement depth, time-to-takeoff, and CMVJ subphase force-time characteristics were compared between each phase-specific verbal cues and the control condition using paired samples t-tests (α = 0.05) and Cohen's d effect sizes (d; large >1.2). Female (d = 0.242; p = 0.012) and male (d = 1.96; p = 0.047) subjects achieved greater jump heights in the control condition compared with the unloading phase condition. Females demonstrated a faster unloading phase, less unloading force, greater unloading yank, and greater braking force during the unloading condition, as well as greater eccentric braking force during the eccentric braking condition compared with the control condition (p ≤ 0.014; d ≥ 0.242). Males exhibited less body mass unloading, greater unloading yank, faster eccentric braking time, greater eccentric braking force, and greater eccentric braking yank for both the unloading and eccentric braking conditions compared with the control condition (p ≤ 0.047; d ≥ 0.196). Collectively, these results suggest that phase-specific foci of attention do not acutely improve jump performance but can enhance phase-specific force-time characteristics in recreationally active individuals. Specifically, practitioners should consider using an eccentric braking phase instruction for individuals need to improve eccentric braking force generation.
Performance of Cellular Concrete under Low-Velocity Impact and Penetration
Authors: Mendonca Flavia , Hu Jiong
Published: September 2021

Cellular concrete, also known as foamed concrete, has been widely used in different geotechnical and nonstructural applications owing to a unique geometric nature that results in low density and high flowability and its low construction cost. The behavior of cellular concrete under impact or penetration has also drawn attention in applications such as engineered material arrestor systems, emergency escape ramps, and crash barriers. The high void content inside cellular concrete allows it to undertake large deformation, which could lead to high energy absorption. However, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of the energy absorption of the material and response of the material under impact or penetration. This paper carries out an investigation of the response of cellular concrete subjected to low-velocity impact and penetration. Cellular concretes with different foaming agents and with fibers were prepared and evaluated. Experimental results demonstrated the superior ability of cellular concrete in absorbing and dissipating impact and penetration energies compared with conventional concrete. The paper shows that through steadily deforming the internal void structure, cellular concrete can diminish the reaction force caused by a collision and dissipate penetration energy. Results of the study can help to better understand the mechanism of energy absorption of cellular concrete so as to better tailor it for different applications.