bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Point-in-Time Homeless Counts to Monitor Mortality Trends Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles County, California, 2015‒2019
Authors: Nicholas Will , Greenwell Lisa , Henwood Benjamin F. , Simon Paul
Published: December 2021

Objectives. To report trends in mortality rates, mortality rate ratios (MRRs), and causes of death among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Los Angeles County, California, by using annual point-in-time homeless counts and to compare findings to published longitudinal cohort studies of homeless mortality.

Methods. We enumerated homeless deaths and determined causes by using 2015–2019 medical examiner‒coroner data matched to death certificate data. We estimated midyear homeless population denominators by averaging consecutive January point-in-time homeless counts. We used annual demographic surveys of PEH to estimate age- and gender-adjusted MRRs. We identified comparison studies through a literature review.

Results. Mortality rates increased from 2015 to 2019. Drug overdose was the leading cause of death. Mortality was higher among White than among Black and Latino PEH. Compared with the general population, MRRs ranged from 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7, 3.0) for all causes to 35.1 (95% CI = 31.9, 38.4) for drug overdose. Crude mortality rates and all-cause MRRs from comparison cohort studies were similar to those in the current study.

Conclusions. These methods can be adapted by other urban jurisdictions seeking to better understand and reduce mortality in their homeless populations. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2212–2222. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306502 )
Portion Sizes of Ultra-Processed Foods in the United States, 2002 to 2021
Authors: Young Lisa R. , Nestle Marion
Published: December 2021

Objectives. To assess the US food industry’s response to calls from public health authorities to reduce portion sizes by comparing current with past sizes of selected examples of single-serve ultra-processed packaged and fast foods.

Methods. We obtained manufacturers’ information about current portion sizes and compared it with sizes when first introduced and in 2002.

Results. Few companies in our sample reduced portion sizes since 2002; all still sold portions of ultra-processed foods in up to 5-times-larger sizes than when first introduced.

Conclusions. Policies and practices focused on reducing portion size could help discourage the consumption of excessive amounts of ultra-processed foods. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2223–2226. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306513 )
Adapting Survey Data Collection to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences From a Local Health Department
Authors: Seligson Amber Levanon , Alroy Karen A. , Sanderson Michael , Maleki Ariana N. , Fernandez Steven , Aviles April , Dumas Sarah E. , Perlman Sharon E. , Peebles Kathryn , Norman Christina C. , Gwynn R. Charon , Gould L. Hannah
Published: December 2021

The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“Health Department”) conducts routine surveys to describe the health of NYC residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Department adjusted existing surveys and developed new ones to improve our understanding of the impact of the pandemic on physical health, mental health, and social determinants of health and to incorporate more explicit measures of racial inequities.

The longstanding Community Health Survey was adapted in 2020 to ask questions about COVID-19 and recruit respondents for a population-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serosurvey. A new survey panel, Healthy NYC, was launched in June 2020 and is being used to collect data on COVID-19, mental health, and social determinants of health. In addition, 7 Health Opinion Polls were conducted from March 2020 through March 2021 to learn about COVID-19–related knowledge, attitudes, and opinions, including vaccine intentions.

We describe the contributions that survey data have made to the emergency response in NYC in ways that address COVID-19 and the profound inequities of the pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2176–2185. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306515 )
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2021–2022: Adapting Data Collection in a COVID-19 Environment
Authors: Paulose-Ram Ryne , Graber Jessica E. , Woodwell David , Ahluwalia Namanjeet
Published: December 2021

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a unique source of national data on the health and nutritional status of the US population, collecting data through interviews, standard exams, and biospecimen collection.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NHANES data collection was suspended, with more than a year gap in data collection. NHANES resumed operations in 2021 with the NHANES 2021–2022 survey, which will monitor the health and nutritional status of the nation while adding to the knowledge of COVID-19 in the US population.

This article describes the reshaping of the NHANES program and, specifically, the planning of NHANES 2021–2022 for data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details are provided on how NHANES transformed its participant recruitment and data collection plans at home and at the mobile examination center to safely collect data in a COVID-19 environment. The potential implications for data users are also discussed. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2149–2156. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306517 )
Advancements in the National Vital Statistics System to Meet the Real-Time Data Needs of a Pandemic
Authors: Ahmad Farida B. , Anderson Robert N. , Knight Karen , Rossen Lauren M. , Sutton Paul D.
Published: December 2021

The National Center for Health Statistics’ (NCHS’s) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) collects, processes, codes, and reviews death certificate data and disseminates the data in annual data files and reports.

With the global rise of COVID-19 in early 2020, the NCHS mobilized to rapidly respond to the growing need for reliable, accurate, and complete real-time data on COVID-19 deaths. Within weeks of the first reported US cases, NCHS developed certification guidance, adjusted internal data processing systems, and stood up a surveillance system to release daily updates of COVID-19 deaths to track the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US mortality.

This report describes the processes that NCHS took to produce timely mortality data in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2133–2140. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306519 )
Considerations for Improving Reporting and Analysis of Date-Based COVID-19 Surveillance Data by Public Health Agencies
Authors: Hennessee Ian , Clennon Julie A. , Waller Lance A. , Kitron Uriel , Bryan J. Michael
Published: December 2021

More than a year after the first domestic COVID-19 cases, the United States does not have national standards for COVID-19 surveillance data analysis and public reporting. This has led to dramatic variations in surveillance practices among public health agencies, which analyze and present newly confirmed cases by a wide variety of dates.

The choice of which date to use should be guided by a balance between interpretability and epidemiological relevance. Report date is easily interpretable, generally representative of outbreak trends, and available in surveillance data sets. These features make it a preferred date for public reporting and visualization of surveillance data, although it is not appropriate for epidemiological analyses of outbreak dynamics. Symptom onset date is better suited for such analyses because of its clinical and epidemiological relevance. However, using symptom onset for public reporting of new confirmed cases can cause confusion because reporting lags result in an artificial decline in recent cases.

We hope this discussion is a starting point toward a more standardized approach to date-based surveillance. Such standardization could improve public comprehension, policymaking, and outbreak response. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2127–2132. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306520 )
Implementing a Methadone Delivery System in New York City in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Harocopos Alex , Nolan Michelle L. , Goldstein Gail P. , Mantha Shivani , O’Neill Madeleine , Paone Denise
Published: December 2021

Opioid agonist medication, including methadone, is considered the first-line treatment for opioid use disorder. Methadone, when taken daily, reduces the risk of fatal overdose; however, overdose risk increases following medication cessation. Amid an overdose epidemic accelerated by the proliferation of fentanyl, ensuring continuity of methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic is a vital public health priority. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2115–2117. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306523 )
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization in the Active Component US Military
Authors: Young John M. , Stahlman Shauna L. , Clausen Shawn S. , Bova Mark L. , Mancuso James D.
Published: December 2021

Objectives. To assess COVID-19 disparities in the active component US military with an emphasis on race and ethnicity.

Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, we calculated the incidence of COVID-19 testing, infection, and hospitalization in the active component US military in calendar year 2020.

Results. Overall, 61.3 per 100 population per year were tested for COVID-19, 10.4% of tests were positive, and 1.1% of infected individuals were hospitalized. Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics had a rate of testing for COVID-19 similar to that of Whites but had a higher risk of infection (adjusted risk ratio [ARR] = 1.25 and 1.26, respectively) and hospitalization (ARR = 1.28 and 1.21, respectively).

Conclusions. Although of lower magnitude than seen in civilian populations, racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations exist in the US military despite universal eligibility for health care, similar rate of testing, and adjustment for comorbidities and other factors. Simply making health care coverage available may be insufficient to ensure health equity. Interventions to mitigate disparities in the US military should target the patient, provider, health care system, and society at large. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2194–2201. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306527 )
Statistical Characterization of Damage of Different Surface P-Wave Velocity Sets under Dynamic Load and Study on Overall Radon Detection Consistency
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Cao Jiantao , Liu Yong , Liu Jun , Hong Changshou , Lei Bo
Published: December 2021

On the basis of reviewing the existing research status of cumulative damage of the rock mass and summarizing the existing engineering application fields of radon, this paper attempts to apply radon detection technology to the research field of rock damage mechanics so as to monitor the evolution process of cumulative damage of the rock mass. Based on the above research purposes, a test device for detecting cumulative damage of radioactive rocks by surface radon gas was designed, and the test results were obtained by integrating the system to implement the test scheme. Due to the limitation of the nonmetallic ultrasonic detector, a single blasting damage value of 25 detection points appears after a single blasting measurement, which is a surface longitudinal wave velocity characterization damage set, while the surface radon exhalation rate in the subsequent analysis process is an overall characterization value; that is, the existence of damage directly affects the whole body radon exhalation rate of the test block, and the data dimensions of the two are different. In order to solve this problem, we try to introduce three data evaluation methods, the average weighting method, grey prediction method, and K-means clustering algorithm, and compare the feasibility of these three methods. It is proved that there is a certain linear relationship between the radon exhalation rate and the cumulative damage, which further verifies the feasibility of using radon to detect cumulative damage. The results show that the cumulative damage of loaded radioactive rock test blocks can be reflected by surface radon detection technology, and finally, the correlation between the cumulative damage characteristics and the continuous change of the body radon exhalation rate is obtained. Based on the correlation, the body radon exhalation rate is introduced into the field of fractured rock mass damage characterization, which is mutually improved with common monitoring methods such as acoustic emission and microseismic monitoring, supplementing and enriching the means of rock mass damage evolution characterization, providing a theoretical basis for finely describing the whole process of fracture closure and initiation, and finally accurately ensuring the stability of surrounding rock under the action of deep underground engineering excavation disturbance.
Characterization of a Volcanic Gas Reservoir Using Seismic Dispersion and Fluid Mobility Attributes
Authors: Guo Zhiqi , Li Yuedong , Liu Cai , Zhang Da , Li Anbang
Published: December 2021

Seismic dispersion and fluid mobility attributes are used to characterize a volcanic gas reservoir in the Songliao Basin of China. A rock physics model is constructed to describe poroelastic behaviors associated with heterogeneous fluids saturation within the volcanic gas reservoirs, where velocity dispersion and attenuation of propagating waves are attributed to the wave-induced fluid flow described by the patchy saturation theory. Modeling results indicate that the frequency-dependent bulk modulus at the seismic frequency is more sensitive to gas saturation than the P-wave velocity dispersion. Accordingly, a new inversion method is developed to compute bulk-modulus-related dispersion attribute DK for improved characterization of volcanic gas reservoirs. Synthetic tests indicate that DK is more sensitive than traditional P-wave dispersion attribute DP to the variations of reservoir properties. The high value of dispersion attribute DK indicates the volcanic gas reservoirs with high porosity and gas saturation. At the same time, fluid mobility attribute FM can discriminate the volcanic gas reservoir as DK. Field data applications illustrate that DK and FM exhibit anomalies to the gas zones in the volcanic gas reservoir on the cross-well section. However, DK is more robust than FM to identify favorable zones on horizontal slices for specific target layers. Overall, rock physical modeling provides insights into the poroelastic behaviors of volcanic gas reservoirs, and inversion for seismic dispersion attribute DK improves hydrocarbon detection in the volcanic gas reservoir.
Randomized clinical trial: does using zinc and zinc ionophore EGCG as supplements improve outcome of active pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmed Amr , Elkazzaz Mahmoud
Published: December 2021

Tuberculosis is a big health challenge especially during the Covid-19 pandemic because of the similarity of symptoms between the two diseases, active pulmonary T.B is associated with malnutrition. Tuberculosis is still a global disease burden worldwide especially at low-income countries affecting families and health authorities because of the cost of medicine and health costs. There are growing numbers of multidrug resistants’ T.B patients. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as antioxidant and inhibition of mycobacterium life in macrophages increase the potency of rifampicin oral anti-tuberculous drug. EGCG is an iron chelator which can be useful in T.B patients (1). Zinc is the most abundant trace element in the human body, Dabbagh-Bazarbachi et al. (2014) have demonstrated that EGCG can act as an ionophore that helps transport zinc to across cell membrane and exert cytotoxicity effect. EGCG can enhance the cytotoxicity of zinc ions to cancer. It is possible that the zinc(ii)-EGCG complex reduces the pH inside organelles, and might bind effectively to DNA in the nucleus. At our study use of EGCG and zinc as adjuvant therapy to national protocol may help at malnutrition and accelerate of sputum conversion to negative and faster improvement and less risk for infection transmission and lower the inflammatory cytokines like il-6 and increase weight of patients. Methodology: The objective of our study is to evaluate oral zinc administration as zinc sulfate 50 mg and zinc ionophore EGCG 200 mg in new smear positive active pulmonary tuberculosis patients above 18 year old for one month in an open labeled randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) in line with directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy recommended by WHO. We will do sputum tests at 0 and 2 weeks and 1 month for evaluation of conversion of positive to negative samples and also measure the serum zinc levels before the start of treatment, and serum interleukin 6 as cytokine marker. We are conducting this study at cat I patients as WHO classification of tuberculosis having active lung tuberculosis to see efficacy and change in immunological parameters. Place of study: Saudia Arabia – Ministry of health, public health department, First health cluster, Riyadh, Tuberculosis clinics of Mobile team tuberculosis program.Informed Consent will be taken from patients before the start the study.The clinical trial registration number for this trial is NCT05116098.
Predictive Value of Preoperative MRI Using the #ENZIAN Classification Score in Patients with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
Authors: TUNCA Aysun FENDAL , Iliman Derya Ece , Gemici Aysegul Akdogan , Kaya Cihan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative findings of deep infiltrating endometriosis using the #ENZIAN score.
Methods

This retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis between January 2017 and August 2020. Preoperative abdominopelvic MRI assessment was evaluated and scored using the #ENZIAN classification. Operative scores were considered the gold standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of MRI for each category were calculated.
Results

MRI has higher sensitivity and specificity in showing the lesions of the compartments O (ovarian lesions), A (rectovaginal septum and posterior vaginal fornix), and B (uterosacral ligaments and parametrium) (100–100%, 100–100%, and 97–100%, respectively, p<0.001) compared to the other compartments. The lowest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and PPV of the MRI was found in compartment P (14%, 76%, 70%, and 7%, respectively).
Conclusion

We demonstrated that the #ENZIAN classification in MRI reports has significant sensitivity and specificity in compartments A, B (uterosacral ligaments and parametrium), and O. Furthermore, the determination of peritoneal lesions via MRI is inadequate.
Stochastic Coordination of the Wind and Solar Energy Using Energy Storage System Based on Real Time Pricing
Authors: Saeedi Sajjad , Hosseini S. M. Hassan Hosseini
Published: December 2021

In this paper, Stochastic synchronization of the Wind and Solar Energy Using Energy Storage system based on real-time pricing in the Day Ahead-Market Along with taking advantage of the potential of Demand Response programming, has been analyzed. Since renewables energies, loads and prices are uncertain, and planning is based on real-time pricing, the optimal biding proposition considers the wind power, solar system, and energy storage system. Uncertainty is addressed to solve the bidding strategy in a day-ahead market for optimal wind and PV power and optimal charging for energy storage. Batteries are the most promising device to compensate for the fluctuations of wind and photovoltaic power plants to mitigate their uncertainty. In general, using MILP is a suitable approach to address uncertainty as long as a linear formulation is acceptable for modeling either with continuous variables or integer ones. By setting some scenarios to formulate market prices, imbalance of energy, wind and solar system, the uncertainty problems could be easily solved by MILP solver. The model created enables the retailer to realize the potentials of the demand response program and exploit high technical and economic advantages. To ensure fair prices, a set of regulating constraints is considered for sales prices imposed by the regulation committees. A model is presented to optimize the electricity trading strategy in the electricity market, considering the uncertainty in the wholesale market price and the demand level. The retailer considered in this paper is a distribution company that is the owner and operator of the networks and operates under real-time pricing regulations. To model demand response, the elasticity coefficient is used. The proposed solution is implemented on a standard 144-bus sample network using a nonlinear integer programming method. The presented method results provide helpful and valuable information based on the optimal method proposed by the retailers considering the Demand response program and real-time pricing (RTP) system.
A Step Towards Environmental Mitigation: How Do Economic Complexity And Natural Resources Matter? Focusing On Different Institutional Quality Level Countries
Authors: Esmaeili Parisa , Rafei Meysam , Lorente Daniel Balsalobre-
Published: December 2021

Changes in the economic structure and human lifestyle lead to environmental pollution, one of today's prime challenges. With this in mind, the main objectives of this study are to evaluate the impacts of economic complexity, natural resources, renewable energy consumption, and foreign direct investment on the ecological footprint in weak, medium, and high levels of institutional quality countries. This study is probably one of the first studies to examine the effect of the economic complexity on ecological footprint and classify countries based on their institutional quality levels. Furthermore, the interaction of economic complexity and natural resources is considered a new variable. For this purpose, the panel vector autoregressive model is used. The results revealed that economic complexity in all countries has a positive impact on ecological footprint, and also it has the greatest impact on ecological footprint among the considered variables. Conversely, the interaction of economic complexity and natural resources contributes to environmental quality. Notably, the impacts of study variables on ecological footprint are more robust in a medium level of institutional quality countries. According to the study's outcomes, the main recommendation is the R&D activities improvement to develop environmentally friendly technologies and clean energy infrastructure to improve environmental quality.
Spatiotemporal Changes in Precipitation Concentration Indicators Over Iran
Authors: Darand Mohammad , Pazhoh Farshad
Published: December 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the spatiotemporal variability in precipitation concentration over Iran. For that purpose, daily precipitation data with a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° from the Asfazari database for the period from 01/01/1962 to 31/12/2019 were used. Three indices including the precipitation concentration index (PCI), precipitation concentration period (PCP), and precipitation concentration degree (PCD) were utilized for examination of the variability in precipitation concentration over the country. The results demonstrated that the central, south-eastern, and eastern parts of the country exhibited maximum temporal precipitation concentration, while the least precipitation concentration could be observed over the Caspian coasts and the northern half of the country. The year 1998 was selected as the change point due to the considerable difference in the values of the examined indices, and the long-term statistical period was divided into two sub-periods before and after the change. During the sub-period after the change point (1999-2019), precipitation concentration has increased in the western, central, eastern, and south-eastern parts of Iran, according to PCI and PCD, and has decreased in the North and Northeast and along the northern coastline of Oman Sea. Furthermore, there have been great spatial differences in the period of occurrence of precipitation along the Northern coasts, according to PCP, varying from November, along the Caspian coasts, to August, along the northern foothills of Alborz Mountains. The PCP index has increased during the sub-period after the change point along the northern coastlines of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea and in parts of the North (along Alborz Mountains), indicating a shift in the period of precipitation from winter to the warm seasons of spring and summer. Moreover, the decrease in PCP in the Northwest and Northeast suggested that the period of occurrence of precipitation has shifted from the second half of winter toward early winter and late fall. After the year of change point, the frequency of rainy days and precipitation have decreased, and PCI and PCD have increased.
The Effects of Replacing Dry Forage With Corn Silage on Milk Yield, Composition and Fatty Acids’ Profiles, Blood Metabolites, Nitrogen Balance, and Rumen Fermentation Parameters in Mahabadi Lactating Goats
Authors: Sarabi Shohre Tarverdi , Fattah Amir , Papi Nader , Mahmoudabad Seyyed Roohollah Ebrahimi
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
CYP19A1 mediated sex hormone metabolism promotes severe SARS-CoV-2 disease outcome in males.
Authors: Stanelle-Bertram Stephanie , Beck Sebastian , Kouassi Nancy Mounogou , Schaumburg Berfin , Stoll Fabian , Bai Tian , Zickler Martin , Beythien Georg , Becker Kathrin , Roi Madeleine de la , Heinrich Fabian , Schulz Claudia , Sauter Martina , Krasemann Susanne , Lange Philine , Heinemann Axel , Riel Debby van , Leijten Lonneke , Bauer Lisa , Bosch Thierry P.P. van den , Lopuhaä Boaz , Busche Tobias , Wibberg Daniel , Schaudien Dirk , Goldmann Torsten , Jania Hanna , Müller Zacharias , Reis Vinicius Pinho dos , Krump-Buzumkic Vanessa , Wolff Martin , Fallerini Chiara , Frullanti Elisa , Norwood Katrina , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren , Schroeder Maria , Jarczak Dominik , Nierhaus Axel , Welte Tobias , Kluge Stefan , McHardy Alice C. , Study GEN-COVID Multicenter , Renieri Alessandra , Sommer Frank , Kalinowski Jörn , Krauss-Etschmann Susanne , Thüsen Jan von der , Ondruschka Benjamin , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Klingel Karin , Guelsah Gabriel
Published: December 2021

Male sex belongs to one of the major risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcome. However, underlying mechanisms that could affect sex dependent disease outcome are yet unknown. Here, we identified the CYP19A1 gene encoding for the testosterone-to-estradiol metabolizing enzyme CYP19A1 (alias aromatase) as a male abundant host factor that contributes to worsened disease outcome in SARS-CoV-2 infected male hamsters. Pulmonary CYP19A1 transcription is further elevated upon viral infection in males correlating with reduced testosterone and increased estradiol levels. Dysregulated circulating sex hormone levels in male golden hamsters are associated with reduced lung function compared to females. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters with letrozole, a clinically approved CYP19A1 inhibitor, supported recovery of dysregulated plasma sex hormone levels and was associated with improved lung function and health in male but not female animals compared to placebo controls. Whole human exome sequencing data analysis using a Machine Learning approach revealed a CYP19A1 activity increasing mutation being associated with the development of severe COVID-19 for men. In human autopsy-derived lungs CYP19A1 was expressed to higher levels in men who died of COVID-19, at a time point when most viral RNA was cleared. Our findings highlight the role of the lung as a yet unrecognized but critical organ regulating metabolic responses upon respiratory virus infection. Furthermore, inhibition of CYP19A1 by the clinically approved drug letrozole may pose a new therapeutic strategy to reduce poor long-term COVID-19 outcome.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Four-Segmented Rift Valley Fever Virus in the Common Marmoset
Authors: Schreur Paul Wichgers , Mooij Petra , Koopman Gerrit , Verstrepen Babs , Fagrouch Zahra , Mortier Daniella , Driel Nikki van , Kant Jet , de Water Sandra van , Bogers Willy , Punt Carine , Keulen Lucien van , Verschoor Ernst , Kortekaas Jeroen
Published: December 2021

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging mosquito-borne bunyavirus that is highly pathogenic to wild- and domesticated ruminants, camelids and humans. While animals are exclusively infected via mosquito bites, humans can also be infected via contact with tissues or blood released during the slaughtering of RVFV-infected animals. No human vaccine is available and currently commercialized veterinary vaccines do not optimally combine efficacy with safety. We previously reported the development of two novel live-attenuated RVF vaccines, created by splitting the M genome segment and deleting the major virulence determinant NSs. The vaccine candidates, referred to as the veterinary vaccine vRVFV-4s and the human vaccine hRVFV-4s, were shown to induce protective immunity in multiple species after a single vaccination. Anticipating on accidental exposure of humans to the veterinary vaccine, and to evaluate the safety of the hRVFV-4s candidate vaccine for humans, the safety of each vaccine was evaluated in the most susceptible nonhuman primate model, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Marmosets were inoculated with high doses of each vaccine and were monitored for clinical signs as well as for vaccine virus dissemination, shedding and spreading to the environment. To accurately assess the attenuation of both vaccine viruses, separate groups of marmosets were inoculated with the parent wild-type RVFV strains. Both wild-type strains induced high viremia and disseminated to primary target organs, associated with mild- to severe morbidity, while both vaccines were well tolerated with absence of dissemination and shedding, while inducing potent neutralizing antibody responses. The results of the studies support the unprecedented safety profile of both vaccines for animals and humans.
Is the Co-management Approach Effective for Mangrove Conservation in West Africa?
Authors: Gnansounou Constant Setondé , Sagoe Alberta Ama , Mattah Precious Agbeko Dzorgbe , Salako Valère Kolawolé , Aheto Denis Worlanyo , Kakaï Romain Glèlè
Published: December 2021

The conservation management literature has recently documented the increasing use of co-management approach to effectively conserve natural resources. Although most research qualify the co-management as highly effective, some authors also reported a number of uncertainties associated with the use of this conservation approach. Using the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR) as a case study, this work assessed the effectiveness of the co-management towards mangroves conservation in West Africa. Data were collected in two protected sites of the reserve (one in Togo and the other in Benin). Exploratory sequential mixed method via in-depth interviews (n=17), focus group discussions (n=14), household survey (n=274) and expert-based survey (n=10) were carried out, and subjected to the InVEST-based Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) model, chi-square test and simple probability of likelihood. Results indicated that under the current co-management regimes, the anthropogenic stressors recorded in the reserve put the entire surface area of mangroves in Benin (100%) under low risk. Contrarily, 42% of the mangrove cover are under low risk and 58% under medium risk in Togo. Local perception also portrayed a large reduction of mangrove degradation in the study sites following the adoption of the co-management approach in the two countries. This study suggests that the implementation of the co-management approach has lowered anthropogenic stressors to mangroves in the reserve. However, there are some peculiar challenges (e.g., financial support provision, regular community engagement), which need to be thoroughly researched and addressed for a more effective conservation of mangroves in the MTBR.
Self-Assembly Strategy for Reducing Non-Specific Adsorption on Substrates and Application for Quantitative Immunoassay
Authors: lv Yanbing , Zhao Man , Fan Jinjin , Wu Ruili , Xu Yanxia , Li Jinjie , Li Ning , Shen Huaibin , Guo Fang , Li Lin Song
Published: December 2021

Background

The development of functionalized surfaces with low non-specific adsorption is important for biomedical applications. To inhibit non-specific adsorption on a substrate, we prepared a novel optical biochip based on a quantum dot fluorescence immunosorbent assay (QD-FLISA), specifically by modifying a layer of dense negatively charged film (SO32−) on the glass substrate surface via self-assembly.
Results

Using optimized conditions, we constructed a biochip on functionalized glass substrates to achieve quantitative detection of C-reactive protein (CRP). We subsequently achieved quantitative determination of CRP in the range of 1-1,000 ng/mL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.26 ng/mL or 5.17 ng/mL, using poly(styrene sulfonic acid) sodium salt (PSS) or meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine dihydrochloride (TSPP) on individually modified glass substrate biochips. The experimental protocol was further optimized and the LOD achieved a sensitivity of 0.69 ng/mL using functionalized TSPP and PSS co-treated glass substrate surfaces for the quantitative detection of CRP.
Conclusions

This work demonstrated an effective and convenient strategy to obtain biochips with low non-specific adsorption properties on functionalized surfaces, thus providing a new approach for creating ultra-high sensitivity microchannels or microarrays on glass substrates.
Transcriptome Analysis of Cultivated and Wild Ginseng in Different Growth Years Revealed the Regulatory Mechanism of Ginsenosides
Authors: Fang Xiaoxue , Wang Manqi , Zhou Xinteng , Wang Huan , Wang Huaying , Xiao Hongxing
Published: December 2021

Background: As a famous Chinese medicine, ginseng has been used in the world for nearly 5,000 years. Wild ginseng is endangered due to environmental damage. Thus, cultivated ginseng is developed to replace wild ginseng. The morphological and physiological characteristics of both wild ginseng and cultivated ginseng change during growth, and the mechanism of this change is not yet understood. Results: This study performed transcriptome sequencing on the roots, stems and leaves of cultivated ginseng and wild ginseng with different growth years, exploring the effect of growth years on gene expression in ginseng. The number of DEGs in cultivated ginseng is more than that in wild ginseng. Based on the weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we found that the growth years significantly affected the gene expression of MAPK signaling pathway - plant and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathway in cultivated ginseng, but had no effects in wild ginseng. Furthermore, the growth years had significant effects on the genes related to ginsenoside synthesis in cultivated ginseng, and the effects were different in the roots, stems and leaves. However, it had little influence on the expression of genes related to ginsenoside synthesis in wild ginseng and no effect on leaves. These results showed wild ginseng was less affected by growth years than cultivated ginseng. Furthermore, HMGR, SS, DXS, DS, IspF, AACT, CYP450 and UGTs were related with MYB, NAC, AP2/ERF, bHLH and WRKY transcription factors. Growth years may regulate genes for ginsenoside synthesis by influencing these transcription factors, thereby affecting the content of ginsenosides.﻿Conclusions: This study complemented the gaps in the genetic information of wild ginseng in different growth periods and different tissues and provided a new insight into the mechanism of ginsenoside regulation.
Using the Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle to Understand the Application of One Health Competencies to Solving Global Health Challenges; A Tracer Study Among AFROHUN-Uganda Alumni
Authors: Ssekamatte Tonny , Isunju John Bosco , Nalugya Aisha , Mugambe Richard K. , Kalibala Patrick , Musewa Angella , Bikaako Winnie , Nattimba Milly , Tigaiza Arnold , Nakalembe Doreen , Osuret Jimmy , Wafula Solomon Tsebeni , Buregyeya Esther , Tsiouris Fatima , Michaels-Strasser Susan , Kabasa John David , Bazeyo William
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has since 2012 conducted pre and in-service One health (OH) trainings with the objective of improving global health security through a well-trained multidisciplinary health workforce. These trainings aim to build OH competencies among participants with the ultimate goal of promoting a multidisciplinary approach to solving global health challenges. Despite these trainings, there is limited documentation of the extent of acquisition and application of the One Health competencies at workplaces. This tracer study established the extent of acquisition and application of the One Health competencies by the AFROHUN-Uganda alumni.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 182 AFROHUN-Uganda alumni of 2013-2017. A blended approach of interviewer and self-administered was used during data collection. Virtual interviews using zoom and skype, and phone interviews with alumni were conducted when face-to-face interviews were not possible. Data were collected electronically, with the aid of the KoboCollect mobile application, pre-installed on android enabled devices. Data were analysed using STATA14.0.ResultsThe majority of respondents, 78.6% (143/182) had jobs that required application of One Health knowledge and skills, 95.6% (174/182) had learned employable skills from OH activities and 89.6% (163/182) had applied such skills when searching for employment. About 21.7% (34/180) to a very high extent required One Health field-specific theoretical knowledge at their workplaces, 27.4% (43/80) to a very high extent required One Health field-specific practical knowledge/skills, 42.7% (67/180) to a high extent required a change in attitude and perceptions towards working with people from different disciplines, 49.0% (77/180) required collaboration and networking skills, and more than half, 51.0% (80/180) required team building skills.ConclusionThe majority of One Health alumni to a very high extent acquired and applied One Health competences such as teamwork, effective communication, community entry and engagement, report writing and problem-solving skills. This study revealed the significant contribution of the AFROHUN Uganda OH activities towards supportive work environments, and highlights areas of improvement such as supporting the trainees to acquire people-management skills, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mind set.
Transformer Neural Network-Based Molecular Optimization Using General Transformations
Authors: He Jiazhen , Nittinger Eva , Tyrchan Christian , Czechtizky Werngard , Patronov Atanas , Bjerrum Esben Jannik , Engkvist Ola
Published: December 2021

Molecular optimization aims to improve the drug profile of a starting molecule. It is a fundamental problem in drug discovery but challenging due to (i) the requirement of simultaneous optimization of multiple properties and (ii) the large chemical space to explore. Recently, deep learning methods have been proposed to solve this task by mimicking the chemist's intuition in terms of matched molecular pairs (MMPs). Although MMPs is a typical and widely used strategy by medicinal chemists, it offers limited capability in terms of exploring the space of solutions. There are more options to modify a starting molecule to achieve desirable properties, e.g. one can simultaneously modify the molecule at different places including changing the scaffold. This study trains the same Transformer architecture on different datasets. These datasets consist of a set of molecular pairs which reflect different types of transformations. Beyond MMP transformation, datasets reflecting general transformations are constructed from ChEMBL based on two approaches: Tanimoto similarity (allows for multiple modifications) and scaffold matching (allows for multiple modifications but keep the scaffold constant) respectively. We investigate how the model behavior can be altered by tailoring the dataset while keeping the same model architecture. Our results show that the models trained on differently prepared datasets transform a given starting molecule in a way that it reflects the nature of the dataset used for training the model. These models could complement each other and unlock the capability for the chemists to pursue different options for improving a starting molecule.
Online Identification of Time-Variant Structural Parameters Under Unknown Inputs Basing On Extended Kalman Filter
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiong , He Jia , Hua Xugang , Chen Zhengqing , Yang Ou
Published: December 2021

To date, a number of parameter identification methods have been developed for the purpose of structural health monitoring and vibration control. Among them, the extended Kalman filter (EKF) series methods are attractive in view of the efficient unbiased estimation in recursive manner. However, most of these methods are performed on the premise that the parameters are time-invariant and/or the loadings are known. To circumvent the aforementioned limitations, an online EKF with unknown input (OEKF-UI) approach is proposed in this paper for the identification of time-varying parameters and the unknown excitation. A revised observation equation is obtained with the aid of projection matrix. To capture the changes of structural parameters in real-time, an online tracking matrix (OTM) associated with the time-varying parameters is introduced and determined via an optimization procedure. Then, based on the principle of EKF, the recursive solution of structural states including the time-variant parameters can be analytically derived. Finally, using the estimated structural states, the unknown inputs are identified by means of least-squares estimation (LSE) at the same time-step. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated via linear and nonlinear numerical examples with the consideration of parameters being varied abruptly.
Experimental Study on Pore Structure and Gas Desorption Characteristics of a Low Rank Coal: Impact of Moisture
Authors: Chen Ming-yi , Yang Ya-pu , Chen Xiao-yun , Tian Fu-chao , Sun Wei-li , Yang Yu-meng , Zhang Tong-hao
Published: December 2021

Coal and gas outburst is one of the most serious disasters for underground coal mining. The water adsorbed on coal can leads to that the pore structure of moist coal is different from that of dry coal, thereby affecting methane desorption characteristics of coal for the outburst risk prediction. In this paper, the impact of moisture on pore structure and methane desorption performance were investigated. The analysis on low-temperature nitrogen gas adsorption tests show that the micropores (pore diameter < 10 nm) are most affected by the adsorbed water. In particular, for water-equilibrated coal sample at 98% relatively humidity, the micropores less than 4 nm analyzed by DFT pore size distributions almost disappear probably due to the blocking effect of the formed water clusters and capillary water. In this case, the micropores can still contributes most sites for gas adsorption. Furthermore, the fractal dimension at relative pressure of 0–0.5 (D1) and 0.5–1 (D2) calculated by the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill model indicates that, when moisture content is less than 4.74%, D1 decreases rapidly while D2 shows a slight change; whereas, further increases in moisture content results in that D2 decreases significantly and D1 remains at about 2.32. Further investigation shows that, below the equilibrium moisture content, the ultimate desorption volume (A) and initial desorption rate (V0) are closely related to D1, while the desorption constant (Kt) mainly depends on D2. Therefore, the adsorbed moisture has significant negative impact on methane desorption performances by affecting characteristics of coal’s pores.
Curcumol Inhibit Breast Cancer Growth Via NCL/ERα36 And PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Wei Zhou Lu , Juan Wang , Tong Dou , Juan Li Xiao , Sa Liu Yi , Jie Huang Fu Meng , Xiao Guan , Xiang Liu Guo , Jie Han Meng , Xu Chen
Published: December 2021

Purpose: This study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of curcumol on ERα36 positive breast cancer cells, and the relationship between curcumol’s target protein nucleolin (NCL) and ERα36. Methods: The anti-tumor effect of curcumol were quantified via MTT assay, colony formation and cycle arrest respectively. The expression of ERα36, NCL and the proteins involved in PI3K/AKT signaling were evaluated by western blotting. The interaction between two proteins were detected using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence assay. Mouse xenograft model was established to verify the role of ERα36 in breast cancer cells and curcumol’s effect on ERα36 positive cancer cells. Results: Curcumol inhibited the cell growth, caused cell cycle arrest, decreased cell cycle related-proteins and inactivated PI3K/AKT pathway in ERα36 positive breast cancer cells. There is a positive correlation between NCL and ERα36 in breast cancer cells. In addition, ERα36 bound to NCL, the two proteins were distributed in the nucleus, cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane, where their expression were obviously decreased by curcumol. Moreover, NCL silenced by NCL siRNA blocked the cell cycle progress and inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT in MDA-MB-231 cells, while overexpressed ERα36 increased the expression of NCL, promoted cell cycle progress and enhanced the activity of PI3K/AKT in MCF-7 cells. NCL knockdown or ERα36 overexpressed all attenuated the effect of curcumol on breast cancer cells. Conclusion: Curcumol reduced the proliferation of breast cancer cells by targeting NCL/ERα36 and inactivated PI3K/AKT pathway.
Palliative and End of Life Care in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Survey of New Zealand Medical Schools
Authors: Heath Lis , Egan Richard , Iosua Ella , Walker Robert , Ross Jean , MacLeod Rod
Published: December 2021

Background: In New Zealand, 34% of deaths occur in the hospital setting where junior doctors are at the frontline of patient care. The death rate in New Zealand is expected to double by 2068 due to the aging population, but many studies report that graduates feel unprepared to care for people near the end of life and find this to be one of the most stressful parts of their work. International guidelines recommend that palliative and end of life care should be a mandatory component of undergraduate medical education, yet teaching varies widely and remains optional in many countries. Little is known about how medical students in New Zealand learn about this important area of clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the organisation, structure and provision of formal teaching, assessment and clinical learning opportunities in palliative and end of life care for undergraduate medical students in New Zealand.Methods: Quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional survey of module conveners in New Zealand medical schools.Results: Palliative and end of life care is included in undergraduate teaching in all medical schools. However, there are gaps in content, minimal formal assessment and limited contact with specialist palliative care services. Lack of teaching staff and pressure on curriculum time are the main barriers to further curriculum development.Conclusions: This article reports the findings of the first national survey of formal teaching, assessment and clinical learning opportunities in palliative and end of life care in undergraduate medical education in New Zealand. There has been significant progress towards integrating this content into the curriculum, although further development is needed to address barriers and maximise learning opportunities to ensure graduates are as well prepared as possible.