bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental realization of a quantum image classifier via tensor-network-based machine learning
Authors: Wang Kunkun , Xiao Lei , Yi Wei , Ran Shi-Ju , Xue Peng
Published: September 2021

Quantum machine learning aspires to overcome intractability that currently limits its applicability to practical applications. However, quantum machine learning itself is limited by low effective dimensions achievable in state-of-the-art experiments. Here, we demonstrate highly successful classifications of real-life images using photonic qubits, combining a quantum tensor-network representation of hand-written digits and entanglement-based optimization. Specifically, we focus on binary classification for hand-written zeroes and ones, whose features are cast into the tensor-network representation, further reduced by optimization based on entanglement entropy and encoded into two-qubit photonic states. We then demonstrate image classification with a high success rate exceeding 98%, through successive gate operations and projective measurements. Although we work with photons, our approach is amenable to other physical realizations such as nitrogen-vacancy centers, nuclear spins, and trapped ions, and our scheme can be scaled to efficient multi-qubit encodings of features in the tensor-product representation, thereby setting the stage for quantum-enhanced multi-class classification.
Hochschulübergreifende Digitale Lehr‑/Lernkonzepte zum Geschäftsprozessmanagement – Herausforderungen und Lessons Learned
Authors: Plattfaut Ralf , Stein Armin , Bergener Katrin
Published: September 2021

Durch die Covid-19-Pandemie und die entsprechenden „Lock-Downs“ wurde der digitale Lehrbetrieb an Hochschulen weiter in den Vordergrund gerückt. Die in den vergangenen Jahren und Jahrzehnten gesammelten Erfahrungen im E‑Learning und Blended Learning-Bereich sind zwar hilfreich, für die jetzt geforderte rein digitale Lehre in den meisten Fällen aber noch unzureichend.

Im Wintersemester 2020/2021 haben die Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster und die Fachhochschule Südwestfalen eine Online-Lehrveranstaltung zum Thema „Fundamentals of Business Process Management“ im Rahmen der jeweiligen Bachelorstudiengänge Wirtschaftsinformatik durchgeführt. Die Online-Vorlesung selbst diente als Vorbereitung auf eine darauf aufbauende seminaristisch angelegte internationale Winter School. Die Inhalte basierten auf einem anerkannten und gleichnamigen Lehrbuch, für die Online-Vorlesung wurde auf entsprechendes von den Lehrbuchautor*innen vorbereitetes und durch die Dozent*innen kuratiertes Videomaterial zurückgegriffen. Während an der Fachhochschule regelmäßige virtuelle Austauschrunden (Video-Konferenzen) angeboten wurden, um potenzielle Fragen der Studierenden zu beantworten, war der Vorbereitungskurs an der Universität als reine Online-Veranstaltung ausgelegt. Die Prüfung wurde an beiden Hochschulen als Open Book Online-Klausur über die jeweilige Lehrplattform abgelegt. Die entsprechenden Aufgaben wurden von den Dozent*innen arbeitsteilig zuerst auf der eigenen Lehrplattform (Moodle) erstellt und dann in die jeweils andere Lehrplattform übertragen.

In diesem Artikel berichten wir von diesem hochschulübergreifend durchgeführten Modul und explizieren aufbauend auf den Erfahrungen der Dozent*innen sowie dem Feedback der Studierenden Herausforderungen und Lessons Learned. Wir diskutieren Möglichkeiten zur Weiterentwicklung und geben Hinweise für die zukünftige Gestaltung entsprechender Kurse.
Response of soil microbiome structure and its network profiles to four soil amendments in monocropping strawberry greenhouse
Authors: Liu Senlin , Khan Muzammil Hassan , Yuan Zhongyuan , Hussain Sarfraz , Cao Hui , Liu Yabo
Published: September 2021

With the constant surge of strawberry cultivation and human demand, widespread concern has been expressed about the severe soil and plant health problems caused by continuous strawberry cropping, particularly monocropping in greenhouses. Effective microorganisms (EM) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) have been extensively commercialized as biological control agents (BCAs) to promote plant growth and yield enhancement. However, their effects on soil microbes are obscure. To regulate the microbial community in continuous cropping strawberry soils, we developed four soil amendments based on these two BCAs by adding low and high contents of compost. The amplicon sequencing of bacterial and fungal ribosomal markers was applied to study the response of the soil microbiome structure. We noticed a sharp increase in bacterial diversity after adding EM-treated high compost and BS-treated low compost, while there was no significant change in fungal diversity among treatments. Through taxonomic classification and FUNGuild analysis, we found that the application of soil amendments resulted in a significant decline in the relative abundance of fungal plant pathogens (Rhizopus, Penicillium and Fusarium) in the soils; accordingly, the metabolic functions of a range of detrimental fungi were inhibited. Correlation analysis indicated that soil microbial community was indirectly driven by soil physicochemical properties. Co-occurrence networks revealed that soil amendments contributed to the connectivity of bacterial network, and EM-treated with high compost was the most complex and balanced. Collectively, EM-treated high compost and BS-treated low compost can well regulate the microbial community structure and thus maintain soil health.
Transcriptome analyses reveal tau isoform-driven changes in transposable element and gene expression
Authors: Grundman Jennifer , Spencer Brian , Sarsoza Floyd , Rissman Robert A.
Published: September 2021

Alternative splicing of the gene MAPT produces several isoforms of tau protein. Overexpression of these isoforms is characteristic of tauopathies, which are currently untreatable neurodegenerative diseases. Though non-canonical functions of tau have drawn interest, the role of tau isoforms in these diseases has not been fully examined and may reveal new details of tau-driven pathology. In particular, tau has been shown to promote activation of transposable elements—highly regulated nucleotide sequences that replicate throughout the genome and can promote immunologic responses and cellular stress. This study examined tau isoforms’ roles in promoting cell damage and dysregulation of genes and transposable elements at a family-specific and locus-specific level. We performed immunofluorescence, Western blot and cytotoxicity assays, along with paired-end RNA sequencing on differentiated SH-SY5Y cells infected with lentiviral constructs of tau isoforms and treated with amyloid-beta oligomers. Our transcriptomic findings were validated using publicly available RNA-sequencing data from Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and control human samples from the Accelerating Medicine’s Partnership for AD (AMP-AD). Significance for biochemical assays was determined using Wilcoxon ranked-sum tests and false discovery rate. Transcriptome analysis was conducted through DESeq2 and the TEToolkit suite available from the Hammell lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Our analyses show overexpression of different tau isoforms and their interactions with amyloid-beta in SH-SY5Y cells result in isoform-specific changes in the transcriptome, with locus-specific transposable element dysregulation patterns paralleling those seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. Locus-level transposable element expression showed increased dysregulation of L1 and Alu sites, which have been shown to drive pathology in other neurological diseases. We also demonstrated differences in rates of cell death in SH-SY5Y cells depending on tau isoform overexpression. These results demonstrate the importance of examining tau isoforms’ role in neurodegeneration and of further examining transposable element dysregulation in tauopathies and its role in activating the innate immune system.
Validation and reliability of the Bahasa Malaysia language version of the Acceptance of Illness Scale among Malaysian patients with cancer
Authors: Leong Wun Chin , Azmi Nor Aniza , Wee Lei Hum , Rajah Harenthri Devy Alagir , Chan Caryn Mei Hsien
Published: September 2021

Cancer is a life-threatening disease, and the challenges in accepting the diagnosis can bring a devastating emotional impact on the patient’s mental and psychological wellbeing. Issues related to illness acceptance among cancer patients are not well studied in Malaysia. To date, the Acceptance of Illness Scale has not been translated to the Malay language (Bahasa Malaysia) nor validated for use in the oncology setting. The objective of the study is to translate, validate and determine the reliability of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Acceptance of Illness Scale among Malaysian patients with cancer. A total of 129 patients newly diagnosed with cancer were consecutively sampled and the scale was administered via face-to-face interviews. A pilot test (n = 30) was conducted and test-retest reliability was determined. The Bartlett Test of Sphericity was statistically significantly (p<0.001), while the Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was adequate at 0.84. Scale item mean scores ranged between 3.02 and 4.33, while the item-total correlation ranged between 0.50 to 0.66 (p<0.05). The internal reliability coefficient was 0.84. The test-retest reliability indicated a high correlation, r = 0.94 with p = 0.001. The Bahasa Malaysia version of the Acceptance of Illness Scale is a valid and reliable instrument that is appropriate for use in Malaysian patients with cancer. Use of this scale to assess illness acceptance among the Malay-speaking patients with cancer can act as a guide for delivery of psycho-oncological services to help patients have a better mental wellbeing and life adjustment in living with cancer.
MiR-20a-5p functions as a potent tumor suppressor by targeting PPP6C in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Bao Fengchang , Zhang Lei , Pei Xiaohang , Lian Cheng , Liu Yanhui , Tan Hongna , Lei Pingchong
Published: September 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is as a highly aggressive and heterogeneous hematological malignancy.MiR-20a-5phas been reported to function as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in several tumors, but the clinical significance and regulatory mechanisms ofmiR-20a-5pin AML cells have not been fully understood. In this study, we foundmiR-20a-5pwas significantly decreased in bone marrow from AML patients, compared with that in healthy controls. Moreover, decreasedmiR-20a-5pexpression was correlated with risk status and poor survival prognosis in AML patients. Overexpression ofmiR-20a-5psuppressed cell proliferation, induced cell cycle G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in two AML cell lines (THP-1 and U937) using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. Moreover,miR-20a-5poverexpression attenuated tumor growth in vivo by performing tumor xenograft experiments. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot demonstrated that protein phosphatase 6 catalytic subunit (PPP6C) as a target gene ofmiR-20a-5pwas negatively regulated bymiR-20a-5pin AML cells. Furthermore,PPP6Cknockdown imitated, while overexpression reversed the effects ofmiR-20a-5poverexpression on AML cell proliferation, cell cycle G1/S transition and apoptosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate thatmiR-20a-5p/PPP6Crepresent a new therapeutic target for AML and a potential diagnostic marker for AML therapy.
Perinatal depression screening using smartphone technology: Exploring uptake, engagement and future directions for the MGH Perinatal Depression Scale (MGHPDS)
Authors: Vanderkruik Rachel , Raffi Edwin , Freeman Marlene P. , Wales Rebecca , Cohen Lee
Published: September 2021

Women may experience new-onset or worsening depressive disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum. If untreated, there may be detrimental consequences to the health and wellbeing of the woman and to her baby. There is a need for improved tools and approaches that can be easily and broadly implemented to effectively detect depression during the perinatal period. Early identification of depression during pregnancy is an important first step towards connecting women to treatment and preventing continued depression into the postpartum or beyond. This report provides preliminary findings from a pilot study of a digital screening app for perinatal depression expiring potential for app reach, engagement, and user demographics and mental health symptoms. With mainly passive recruitment efforts, we collected cross-sectional mental health data on over 700 women during the perinatal period, including women across over 30 countries. We report on mean depression scores among women during pregnancy and the postpartum as well as on constructs that are commonly comorbid with depression, including anxiety, sleep dysregulation, and perceived stress. Over half of the women during pregnancy and over 70% of women in the postpartum had a depression score indicative of clinical depression. Future research directions for this work and potential for public health impact are discussed, including longitudinal data collection and analyses of symptomology over time and embedding evidence-based digital therapeutics into the app as a means to increase access to mental health services.
Risk factors, predictions, and progression of acute kidney injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: An observational retrospective cohort study
Authors: Naser Maryam N. , Al-Ghatam Rana , Darwish Abdulla H. , Alqahtani Manaf M. , Alahmadi Hajar A. , Mohamed Khalifa A. , Hasan Nahed K. , Perez Nuria S.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Studies have shown that acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence post SARS-CoV-2 infection is complex and has a poor prognosis. Therefore, more studies are needed to understand the rate and the predications of AKI involvement among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and AKI’s impact on prognosis while under different types of medications.

Patients and methods

This study is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Royal Medical Services. Medical records of COVID-19 patients admitted to BDF hospital, treated, and followed up from April 2020 to October 2020 were retrieved. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression with covariate adjustment, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence (95% CI) interval were reported.

Results

Among 353 patients admitted with COVID-19, 47.6% developed AKI. Overall, 51.8% of patients with AKI died compared to 2.2% of patients who did not develop AKI (p< 0.001 with OR 48.6 and 95% CI 17.2–136.9). Besides, deaths in patients classified with AKI staging were positively correlated and multivariate regression analysis revealed that moderate to severe hypoalbuminemia (<32 g/L) was independently correlated to death in AKI patients with an OR of 10.99 (CI 95% 4.1–29.3, p<0.001). In addition, 78.2% of the dead patients were on mechanical ventilation. Besides age as a predictor of AKI development, diabetes and hypertension were the major risk factors of AKI development (OR 2.04, p<0.01, and 0.05 for diabetes and hypertension, respectively). Also, two or more comorbidities substantially increased the risk of AKI development in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, high levels upon hospital admission of D-Dimer, Troponin I, and ProBNP and low serum albumin were associated with AKI development. Lastly, patients taking ACEI/ARBs had less chance to develop AKI stage II/III with OR of 0.19–0.27 (p<0.05–0.01).

Conclusions

The incidence of AKI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the mortality rate among AKI patients were high and correlated with AKI staging. Furthermore, laboratory testing for serum albumin, hypercoagulability and cardiac injury markers maybe indicative for AKI development. Therefore, clinicians should be mandated to perform such tests on admission and follow-up in hospitalized patients.
Skeletal remains of a Pleistocene modern human (Homo sapiens) from Sulawesi
Authors: Brumm Adam , Bulbeck David , Hakim Budianto , Burhan Basran , Oktaviana Adhi Agus , Sumantri Iwan , Zhao Jian-xin , Aubert Maxime , Sardi Ratno , McGahan David , Saiful Andi Muhammad , Adhityatama Shinatria , Kaifu Yousuke
Published: September 2021

Major gaps remain in our knowledge of the early history of Homo sapiens in Wallacea. By 70–60 thousand years ago (ka), modern humans appear to have entered this distinct biogeographical zone between continental Asia and Australia. Despite this, there are relatively few Late Pleistocene sites attributed to our species in Wallacea. H. sapiens fossil remains are also rare. Previously, only one island in Wallacea (Alor in the southeastern part of the archipelago) had yielded skeletal evidence for pre-Holocene modern humans. Here we report on the first Pleistocene human skeletal remains from the largest Wallacean island, Sulawesi. The recovered elements consist of a nearly complete palate and frontal process of a modern human right maxilla excavated from Leang Bulu Bettue in the southwestern peninsula of the island. Dated by several different methods to between 25 and 16 ka, the maxilla belongs to an elderly individual of unknown age and sex, with small teeth (only M1 to M3 are extant) that exhibit severe occlusal wear and related dental pathologies. The dental wear pattern is unusual. This fragmentary specimen, though largely undiagnostic with regards to morphological affinity, provides the only direct insight we currently have from the fossil record into the identity of the Late Pleistocene people of Sulawesi.
Anchoring effects in the assessment of papers: The proposal for an empirical survey of citing authors
Authors: Bornmann Lutz , Ganser Christian , Tekles Alexander
Published: September 2021

In our planned study, we shall empirically study the assessment of cited papers within the framework of the anchoring-and-adjustment heuristic. We are interested in the question whether citation decisions are (mainly) driven by the quality of cited references. The design of our study is oriented towards the study by Teplitskiy, Duede [10]. We shall undertake a survey of corresponding authors with an available email address in the Web of Science database. The authors are asked to assess the quality of papers that they cited in previous papers. Some authors will be assigned to three treatment groups that receive further information alongside the cited paper: citation information, information on the publishing journal (journal impact factor), or a numerical access code to enter the survey. The control group will not receive any further numerical information. In the statistical analyses, we estimate how (strongly) the quality assessments of the cited papers are adjusted by the respondents to the anchor value (citation, journal, or access code). Thus, we are interested in whether possible adjustments in the assessments can not only be produced by quality-related information (citation or journal), but also by numbers that are not related to quality, i.e. the access code. The results of the study may have important implications for quality assessments of papers by researchers and the role of numbers, citations, and journal metrics in assessment processes.
Early development and coloniality in Oligophylloides from the Devonian of Morocco—Are Heterocorallia Palaeozoic octocorals?
Authors: Berkowski Błażej , Zapalski Mikołaj K. , Jarochowska Emilia , Alderslade Phil
Published: September 2021

Heterocorals represent an enigmatic group of Palaeozoic corals, known from relatively short time intervals in the Devonian and Carboniferous periods. The major differences between Heterocorallia and other Palaeozoic corals are the lack of an external theca (epitheca), lack of calices and the presence of dichotomously dividing septa-like structures. Heterocoral skeleton was presumably externally covered by the soft tissue and each branch of their skeleton has, until now, been regarded as a corallite–a skeleton of a single polyp. We investigated upper Famennian Oligophylloides from Morocco, focussing on branching processes, wall structure, previously poorly known initial growth stages and the growing tip, described here for the first time. We demonstrate that Oligophylloides shows a unique colony development not known in any group of anthozoans possessing a septate-like architecture and suggest that the previously postulated homology between true septa in hexa- and rugose corals on one hand, and Oligophylloides on the other, must be rejected. Based on the skeleton structure and branching patterns, we postulate, contrary to former ideas, that the stem and branches of heterocorals represent the skeleton of a multi-polyp colonial coral, similar to many extant octocorals. We found numerous potential homologies with octocoral skeletons (notably the Keratoisidinae within the Isididae) and, as a result, we propose the inclusion of the order Heterocorallia within the subclass Octocorallia. This suggestion requires, however, further research on the other taxa of heterocorals. We also propose some changes to the morphological terminology for the Heterocorallia.
Evolution of relict floodplain forest in river stretches of Western and Central Europe as affected by river infrastructure networks
Authors: Beisel Jean-Nicolas , Staentzel Cybill , Skupinski Grzegorz , Walch Anaïs , Pons Manon , Weber Sebastian , Granier Carine , Huber Andreas
Published: September 2021

We studied the impact of infrastructure networks on relict floodplain forest along three stretches of the Upper Rhine (Kembs-Efringen-Kirchen, Strasbourg-Kehl and Beinheim-Iffezheim) and the Inn-Danube (Mulheim-Obernberg, Passau-Ingling and Engelhartszell-Jochenstein), each on the border between two countries. We analysed land use patterns within a 500 m wide buffer area along the main channel using photo-interpretation and compared the situations between the 1950s, 1980’s and 2010’s. Temporal changes were assessed with transition matrices and selected spatial metrics, including fragmentation indices. Over this period, forest area remained similar at three sites, increased slightly at two sites and decreased at one site. However, on average, 12.5% of floodplain forest had changed location (range: 7.3% (Engelhartszell-Jochenstein)– 26.5% (Kembs-Efringen-Kirchen)). The natural development of unmanaged areas and agricultural abandonment after World War II has led to the emergence of young riparian forests along rivers. In the Upper Rhine region, the results showed asymmetry in these two factors, with unmanaged natural areas most important on the French side and agricultural abandonment on the German side. Along the Inn-Danube, agricultural abandonment has led to an increase or stagnation of floodplain forest areas. In most cases, development of transport infrastructure between the 1950s and 2010s has caused fragmentation of the forest area, reducing the relict forest to a patchy green corridor with reduced functionality and interfacing. To go further and improve the management of these relict forests, we have to investigate the interdependency between practices related to infrastructure operation and the role that biodiversity plays for stakeholders.
Evidence-based vs. social media based high-intensity interval training protocols: Physiological and perceptual responses
Authors: Hesketh Katie L. , Church Hannah , Kinnafick Florence , Shepherd Sam O. , Wagenmakers Anton J. M. , Cocks Matthew , Strauss Juliette A.
Published: September 2021

Objective

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient exercise modality to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, and has recently been popularised by social media influencers. However, little is known regarding acute physiological and perceptual responses to these online protocols compared to HIIT protocols used within research. The aim was to investigate acute physiological, perceptual and motivational responses to two HIIT protocols popular on social media, and compare these to two evidence-based protocols.

Methods

Twenty-seven recreationally active (>1 exercise session /week) participants (Age: 22±3y, BMI: 24.3±2.4) completed a randomised cross-over study, whereby each participant completed four HIIT protocols, two already established in research (Ergo-60:60 (cycling 10x60s at 100%Wmaxwith 60s rest), BW-60:60 (body-weight exercises 10x60swith 60s rest)) and two promoted on social media (SM-20:10 (body-weight exercises 20x20swith 10s rest) and SM-40:20 (body-weight exercises 15x40s with 20s rest)). Blood lactate, heart rate (HR), feeling scale (FS), felt arousal scale (FSA), enjoyment and perceived competence were measured in response to each protocol.

Results

Significant differences were observed between BW-60:60 and SM-20:10 for the proportion of intervals meeting the ACSM high-intensity exercise criterion (>80% of HRmax) (BW-60:60 93±10%, SM-20:10 74±20%, P = 0.039) and change in lactate (BW-60:60 +7.8±3.7mmol/L, SM-20:10 +5.5±2.6mmol/L, P = 0.001). The percentage of time spent above the criterion HR was also significantly lower in SM-20:10 compared to all other protocols (Ergo-60:60 13.9±4.9min, BW-60:60 13.5±3.5min, SM-40:20 12.1±2.4min, SM-20:10 7.7±3.1, P<0.05). No differences were observed in lowest reported FS between protocols (P = 0.268), but FS decreased linearly throughout Ergo-60:60 and BW-60:60 (first vs. last interval P<0.05), but not in SM-20:10 or SM-40:20 (P>0.05). Enjoyment was higher upon completion of BW-60:60 compared to Ergo-60:60 and SM-40:20 (P<0.05).

Conclusions

This study shows that HIIT protocols available on social media offer an interesting real-world alternative for promoting exercise participation. Future studies should continue to investigate these highly popular and practical HIIT protocols.
Factors affecting uptake of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device: A mixed-method study of social franchise clients in Nigeria
Authors: Brunie Aurélie , Nwala Anthony Adindu , Stankevitz Kayla , Lydon Megan , Danna Kendal , Afolabi Kayode , Rademacher Kate H.
Published: September 2021

Background

Despite the positive characteristics of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)–a long-acting, highly effective contraceptive with important non-contraceptive attributes–the method has not been widely available in low- and middle-income countries. This study of hormonal IUD, copper IUD, implant and injectable users in Nigeria compares their characteristics, reasons for method choice, and experiences obtaining their method.

Methods

We conducted a phone survey with 888 women who received a hormonal IUD, copper IUD, contraceptive implant or injectable from 40 social franchise clinics across 18 states in Nigeria. We analyzed survey data descriptively by method and assessed factors associated with hormonal IUD use through multivariate logistic regression models. Follow-up in-depth interviews conducted with 32 women were analyzed thematically.

Results

There were few differences by method used in the socio-demographic profiles and contraceptive history of participants. Among users choosing a long-acting, reversible method, the top reasons for method choice included perceptions that the method was “right for my body,” long duration, recommended by provider, recommended by friends/family, few or manageable side effects, and high effectiveness. Among hormonal IUD users, 17% mentioned reduced bleeding (inclusive of lighter, shorter, or no period), and 16% mentioned treatment of heavy or painful periods. Qualitative data supported these findings. Among survey respondents, between 25% and 33% said they would have chosen no method if the method they received had not been available. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that partner support can affect contraceptive use, with in-depth interviews revealing that women typically needed partner permission to use contraception, but men were less influential in method choice.

Conclusions

Expanding access to the hormonal IUD as part of a full method mix provides an opportunity to expand contraceptive choice for women in Nigeria. Findings are timely as the government is poised to introduce the method on a wider scale.
Crowdsourced analysis of fungal growth and branching on microfluidic platforms
Authors: Hopke Alex , Mela Alex , Ellett Felix , Carter-House Derreck , Peña Jesús F. , Stajich Jason E. , Altamirano Sophie , Lovett Brian , Egan Martin , Kale Shiv , Kronholm Ilkka , Guerette Paul , Szewczyk Edyta , McCluskey Kevin , Breslauer David , Shah Hiral , Coad Bryan R. , Momany Michelle , Irimia Daniel
Published: September 2021

Fungal hyphal growth and branching are essential traits that allow fungi to spread and proliferate in many environments. This sustained growth is essential for a myriad of applications in health, agriculture, and industry. However, comparisons between different fungi are difficult in the absence of standardized metrics. Here, we used a microfluidic device featuring four different maze patterns to compare the growth velocity and branching frequency of fourteen filamentous fungi. These measurements result from the collective work of several labs in the form of a competition named the “Fungus Olympics.” The competing fungi included five ascomycete species (ten strains total), two basidiomycete species, and two zygomycete species. We found that growth velocity within a straight channel varied from 1 to 4 μm/min. We also found that the time to complete mazes when fungal hyphae branched or turned at various angles did not correlate with linear growth velocity. We discovered that fungi in our study used one of two distinct strategies to traverse mazes: high-frequency branching in which all possible paths were explored, and low-frequency branching in which only one or two paths were explored. While the high-frequency branching helped fungi escape mazes with sharp turns faster, the low-frequency turning had a significant advantage in mazes with shallower turns. Future work will more systematically examine these trends.
The level of postoperative care influences mortality prediction by the POSPOM score: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Menzenbach Jan , Layer Yannik C. , Layer Yonah L. , Mayr Andreas , Coburn Mark , Wittmann Maria , Hilbert Tobias
Published: September 2021

Background

The Preoperative Score to Predict Postoperative Mortality (POSPOM) assesses the patients’ individual risk for postsurgical intrahospital death based on preoperative parameters. We hypothesized that mortality predicted by the POSPOM varies depending on the level of postoperative care.

Methods

All patients age over 18 years undergoing inpatient surgery or interventions involving anesthesia at a German university hospital between January 2006, and December 2017, were assessed for eligibility for this retrospective study. Endpoint was death in hospital following surgery. Adaptation of the POSPOM to the German coding system was performed as previously described. The whole cohort was divided according to the level of postoperative care (normal ward vs. intensive care unit (ICU) admission within 24 h vs. later than 24 h, respectively).

Results

199,258 patients were finally included. Observed intrahospital mortality was 2.0% (4,053 deaths). 9.6% of patients were transferred to ICU following surgery, and mortality of those patients was increased already at low POSPOM values of 15. 17,165 patients were admitted to ICU within 24 h, and these patients were older, had more comorbidities, or underwent more invasive surgery, reflected by a higher median POSPOM score compared to the normal-ward group (29 vs. 17, p <0.001). Mortality in that cohort was significantly increased to 8.7% (p <0.001). 2,043 patients were admitted to ICU later than 24 h following surgery (therefore denoted unscheduled admission), and the median POSPOM value of that group was 23. Observed mortality in this cohort was highest (13.5%, p <0.001 vs. ICU admission <24 h cohort).

Conclusion

Increased mortality in patients transferred to high-care wards reflects the significance of, e.g., intra- or early postoperative events for the patients’ outcome. Therefore, scoring systems considering only preoperative variables such as the POSPOM reveal limitations to predict the individual benefit of postoperative ICU admission.
A scoping review of patient engagement activities during COVID-19: More consultation, less partnership
Authors: Cadel Lauren , Marcinow Michelle , Sandercock Jane , Dowedoff Penny , Guilcher Sara J. T. , Maybee Alies , Law Susan , Kuluski Kerry
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on healthcare systems and care delivery, changing the context for patient and family engagement activities. Given the critical contribution of such activities in achieving health system quality goals, we undertook to address the question: What is known about work that has been done on patient engagement activities during the pandemic?

Objective

To examine peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify the range of patient engagement activities, broadly defined (inclusive of engagement to support clinical care to partnerships in decision-making), occurring within health systems internationally during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as key barriers and facilitators for sustaining patient engagement activities during the pandemic.

Methods

The following databases were searched: Medline, Embase and LitCOVID; a search for grey literature focused on the websites of professional organizations. Articles were required to be specific to COVID-19, describe patient engagement activities, involve a healthcare organization and be published from March 2020 to September 2020. Data were extracted and managed using Microsoft Excel. A content analysis of findings was conducted.

Results

Twenty-nine articles were included. Few examples of more genuine partnership with patients were identified (such as co-design and organizational level decision making); most activities related to clinical level interactions (e.g. virtual consultations, remote appointments, family visits using technology and community outreach). Technology was leveraged in almost all reported studies to interact or connect with patients and families. Five main descriptive categories were identified: (1) Engagement through Virtual Care; (2) Engagement through Other Technology; (3) Engagement for Service Improvements/ Recommendations; (4) Factors Impacting Patient Engagement; and (5) Lessons Learned though Patient Engagement.

Conclusions

Evidence of how healthcare systems and organizations stayed connected to patients and families during the pandemic was identified; the majority of activities involved direct care consultations via technology. Since this review was conducted over the first six months of the pandemic, more work is needed to unpack the spectrum of patient engagement activities, including how they may evolve over time and to explore the barriers and facilitators for sustaining activities during major disruptions like pandemics.
What do malaria program officers want to learn? A survey of perspectives on a proposed malaria short course in Nigeria
Authors: Ajumobi Olufemi , Afolabi Rotimi Felix , Adewole Adefisoye , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Nguku Patrick , Ajayi IkeOluwapo O.
Published: September 2021

Background

In disease control, the program officers are vital to the successful implementation of control strategies. However, poor knowledge of the disease and its control, staff attrition, and lack of intentional training for new staff can lead to under-performance and ineffectiveness of interventions. Thus, the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, in collaboration with National Malaria Elimination Program, planned a malaria short course (MSC) to strengthen the capacity of current program managers and incoming staff. To guide the development of the curriculum for the MSC, we conducted a needs assessment survey to ascertain the perceived usefulness of the MSC, the priority rating of MSC thematic domains and associated factors.

Methods

Overall, 384 purposively selected respondents across ten states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria were interviewed. These comprised malaria and non-malaria control program staff at state, local government area (LGA) and ward levels. We administered a structured questionnaire to elicit information on socio-demographics, training needs, priority malaria thematic domains, perceived course usefulness and willingness of ministries/organizations to release staff to attend the MSC. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05.

Results

Mean age was 43.9 (standard deviation: 7.6 years), 172 (44.8%) were females. Of the 384 respondents, 181 (47.1%), 144 (37.5%) and 59 (15.4%) were at the ward, LGA and state levels, respectively. Seventy-two (18.8%) had never worked in malaria control program. Majority (98.7%, n = 379) reported the need for further training, 382 (99.5%) opined that the course would be useful, and all affirmed their employers’ willingness towards their participation at the training. Respondents rated high the domains of basic malariology, malaria treatment, malaria prevention, surveillance/data management, use of computers, leadership skills, program management and basic statistics. Predictors of malaria topical domains’ high rating were gender (odds ratio (OR) = 6.77; 95% CI:3.55–12.93) and educational qualifications (OR = 0.48; 95% CI:0.26–0.89).

Conclusions

A malaria short course is a necessity and appropriate for program officers at different levels of health administration in Nigeria to achieve malaria elimination, taking into consideration the challenges of human resource retention. The outcome of this study should inform the curriculum and the delivery of the MSC.
Long-term diet-induced obesity does not lead to learning and memory impairment in adult mice
Authors: Leyh Judith , Winter Karsten , Reinicke Madlen , Ceglarek Uta , Bechmann Ingo , Landmann Julia
Published: September 2021

Obesity arising from excessive dietary fat intake is a risk factor for cognitive decline, dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we studied the effect of long-term high-fat diet (HFD) (24 weeks) and return to normal diet (ND) on behavioral features, microglia and neurons in adult male C57BL/6J mice. Consequences of HFD-induced obesity and dietary changes on general health (coat appearance, presence of vibrissae), sensory and motor reflexes, learning and memory were assessed by applying a phenotypic assessment protocol, the Y maze and Morris Water Maze test. Neurons and microglia were histologically analyzed within the mediobasal hypothalamus, hippocampus and frontal motor cortex after long-term HFD and change of diet. Long periods of HFD caused general health issues (coat alterations, loss of vibrissae), but did not affect sensory and motor reflexes, emotional state, memory and learning. Long-term HFD increased the microglial response (increased Iba1 fluorescence intensity, percentage of Iba1-stained area and Iba1 gene expression) within the hypothalamus, but not in the cortex and hippocampus. In neither of these regions, neurodegeneration or intracellular lipid droplet accumulation was observed. The former alterations were reversible in mice whose diet was changed from HFD to ND. Taken together, long periods of excessive dietary fat alone do not cause learning deficits or spatial memory impairment, though HFD-induced obesity may have detrimental consequences for cognitive flexibility. Our data confirm the selective responsiveness of hypothalamic microglia to HFD.
Identification of pathogenic Leptospira species and serovars in New Zealand using metabarcoding
Authors: Wilkinson David A. , Edwards Matthew , Benschop Jackie , Nisa Shahista
Published: September 2021

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance. The breadth of Leptospira diversity associated with both human and animal disease poses major logistical challenges to the use of classical diagnostic techniques, and increasingly molecular diagnostic tools are used for their detection. In New Zealand, this has resulted in an increase in positive cases reported nationally that have not been attributed to the infecting serovar or genomospecies. In this study, we used data from all pathogenic Leptospira genomes to identify a partial region of the glmU gene as a suitable locus for the discrimination of the infecting species and serovars of New Zealand-endemic Leptospira. This method can be used in culture and culture-independent scenarios making it flexible for diagnostics in humans, animals, and environmental samples. We explored the use of this locus as a molecular barcoding tool via the Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing platform MinION. Sequences obtained by this method allowed specific identification of Leptospira species in mixed and enriched environmental cultures, however read error inherent in the MinION sequencing system reduced the accuracy of strain/variant identification. Using this approach to characterise Leptospira in enriched environmental cultures, we detected the likely presence of Leptospira genomospecies that have not been reported in New Zealand to date. This included a strain of L. borgpetersenii that has recently been identified in dairy cattle and sequences similar to those of L. mayottensis. L. tipperaryensis, L. dzianensis and L. alstonii.
Characterization of a dual media system for culturing primary normal and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) endothelial cells
Authors: Rinkoski Tommy A. , Bahler Cindy K. , Pacheco Johann M. , Khanna Maya L. , Holmes David M. , Roy Chowdhury Uttio , Baratz Keith H. , Patel Sanjay V. , Maguire Leo J. , Wieben Eric D. , Fautsch Michael P.
Published: September 2021

Primary cultures of human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) are an important model system for studying the pathophysiology of corneal endothelium. The purpose of this study was to identify and validate an optimal primary culture model of normal and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) endothelial cells by comparing cell morphology and marker expression under different media conditions to in vivo donor tissues. Primary and immortalized HCECs, isolated from normal and FECD donors, were cultured in proliferation media (Joyce, M4, Bartakova) alone or sequentially with maturation media (F99, Stabilization 1, M5). CD56, CD73 and CD166 expressions were quantified in confluent and matured cell lines by flow cytometry. HCECs that were allowed to proliferate in Joyce’s medium followed by maturation in low-mitogen containing media yielded cells with similar morphology to corneal endothelial tissues. Elevated expression of CD56 and CD166 and low expression of CD73 correlated with regular, hexagonal-like HCEC morphology. CD56:CD73 > 2.5 was most consistent with normal HCEC morphology and mimicked corneal endothelial tissue. Immortalization of normal HCECs by hTERT transduction showed morphology and CD56:CD73 ratios similar to parental cell lines. HCECs established from FECD donors showed reduced CD56:CD73 ratios compared to normal HCECs which coincided with reduced uniformity and regularity of cell monolayers. Overall, a dual media system with Joyce’s medium for proliferation and a low-mitogen media for maturation, provided normal cultures with regular, hexagonal-like cell morphologies consistent with corneal endothelial cells in vivo. CD56:CD73 expression ratio >2.5 was predictive of in vivo-like cellular morphology.
Wave-wise comparative genomic study for revealing the complete scenario and dynamic nature of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahammad Ishtiaque , Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Rahman Anisur , Chowdhury Zeshan Mahmud , Bhattacharjee Arittra , Das Keshob Chandra , Keya Chaman Ara , Salimullah Md.
Published: September 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage across the globe and take millions of lives and like many parts of the world, the second wave of the pandemic hit Bangladesh, this study aimed at understanding its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2 at the genomic and proteomic level and provide precious insights about the pathogenesis, evolution, strengths and weaknesses of the virus. As of Mid-June 2021, over 1500 SARS-CoV-2 genomesequences have been deposited in the GISAID database from Bangladesh which were extracted and categorized into two waves. By analyzing these genome sequences, it was discovered that the wave-2 samples had a significantly greater average rate of mutation/sample (30.79%) than the wave-1 samples (12.32%). Wave-2 samples also had a higher frequency of deletion, and transversion events. During the first wave, the GR clade was the most predominant but it was replaced by the GH clade in the latter wave. The B.1.1.25 variant showed the highest frequency in wave-1 while in case of wave-2, the B.1.351.3 variant, was the most common one. A notable presence of the delta variant, which is currently at the center of concern, was also observed. Comparison of the Spike protein found in the reference and the 3 most common lineages found in Bangladesh namely, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617 in terms of their ability to form stable complexes with ACE2 receptor revealed that B.1.617 had the potential to be more transmissible than others. Importantly, no indigenous variants have been detected so far which implies that the successful prevention of import of foreign variants can diminish the outbreak in the country.
Succès de Scandale: Homophobia, racism and abject marketing in fashion
Authors: O’Connell Mark Joseph
Published: September 2021

Succès de Scandale, the manipulation of outcry over the deliberately shocking, has been used frequently to garner notoriety and fame in the past. Currently, fashion brands are notorious for dropping crypto-offensive items into their marketing and then backing off with a meagre apology when customers react with legitimate offence. Social media hashtags generate viral visibility, and the associated brand is amplified exponentially. Engaging in this dance between the edgy and the truly offensive becomes tactical for brands to appear ‘cool’, and to push back against notions of the ‘politically correct’. However, as consumers become increasingly inured to the abject, brands go to ever-greater lengths to generate publicity they hope will translate to higher sales. Shocking visual tropes become increasingly provocative to engage the online masses, moving into dangerously racially charged and homophobic territory at times. Offensive? Certainly. Of larger concern, though: are there deeper consequences to reckless dissemination of scandalous content?
El tanino vegetal. Aprovechamiento y usos de la nuez de agalla en la España bajomedieval
Authors: López Rider Javier
Published: September 2021

El presente trabajo analiza la utilización que tuvo la agalla vegetal en España durante los siglos bajomedievales. Este recurso natural, extraído de diferentes árboles, especialmente robles y encinas, entre otros, solía triturarse para usarse en pequeños trozos o en forma de polvo para varios procedimientos técnicos. A veces, de manera previa y para obtener el mayor beneficio posible, era común que se llevara a cabo su disolución en determinados líquidos como agua, aceite de oliva o vino, según el producto que se deseara elaborar. A continuación, la mezcla solía hervirse al fuego o mantenerse al sol para su secado, con la posibilidad de combinarse después con otros componentes. Gracias a su alto contenido en ácido tánico y gálico, permitió que se empleara para obtener el color negro en tintas de escritura ferrogálicas, como curtiente en pieles y como mordiente y tinte en la industria textil, con relevancia en la seda, pero tuvo otras finalidades en ámbitos como la medicina (para afecciones bucales, estomacales y hemorragias) y cosmética (teñir y ocultar el blanco de las canas de cabellos y barbas, blanquear los dientes o combatir la alopecia). Fue un ingrediente fundamental para varias industrias y, por sus propiedades, para la sociedad en general. Una realidad que queda reflejada por su elevado consumo, pero también por su comercialización a través de todo el Mediterráneo Oriental.
Albarrán Iruela, J. (2020). Ejércitos benditos: Yihad y memoria en Al-Andalus (siglos.X-XIII). Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada. 540 pp. ISBN: 978-84-338-6753-7
Authors: Porrinas González David
Published: September 2021

Reseña: Albarrán Iruela, J. (2020). Ejércitos benditos: Yihad y memoria en Al-Andalus (siglos.X-XIII). Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada. 540 pp. ISBN: 978-84-338-6753-7.