bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Background Noise? TV Advertising Affects Real-Time Investor Behavior
Authors: Liaukonytė Jūra , Žaldokas Alminas
Published: August 2021

Using minute-by-minute TV advertising data covering some 300 firms, 327,000 ads, and $20 billion in ad spending, we study the real-time effects of TV advertising on investors’ searches for online financial information and subsequent trading activity. Our identification strategy exploits the fact that viewers in different U.S. time zones are exposed to the same programming and national advertising at different times, allowing us to control for contemporaneous confounding events. We find that an average TV ad leads to a 3% increase in EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system queries and an 8% increase in Google searches for financial information within 15 minutes of the airing of that ad. These searches translate into larger trading volume on the advertiser’s stock, driven primarily by retail investors. The findings on retail investor ad-induced trading are corroborated with hourly data from Robinhood, a popular retail trading platform. We also show that ads induce searches and trading of companies other than the advertiser, including of close rivals. Altogether, our findings suggest that advertising originally intended for consumers has a nonnegligible effect on financial markets.

This paper was accepted by Karl Diether, finance.
Complex Disclosure
Authors: Jin Ginger Zhe , Luca Michael , Martin Daniel
Published: August 2021

We present evidence that unnecessarily complex disclosure can result from strategic incentives to shroud information. In our laboratory experiment, senders are required to report their private information truthfully but can choose how complex to make their reports. We find that senders use complex disclosure more than half the time. This obfuscation is profitable because receivers make systematic mistakes in assessing complex reports. Regression and structural analysis suggest that these mistakes could be driven by receivers who are naive about the strategic use of complexity or overconfident about their ability to process complex information.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
DEKONSTRUKSI PADA CERPEN SERIBU KUNANG-KUNANG DI MANHATTAN KARYA UMAR KAYAM
Authors: Djaha Siti Susanti Mallida
Published: August 2021

This study aims at analyzing the deconstruction process in the short story Seribu Kunang-Kunang di Manhattanby Umar Kayam by looking at the binary oppositions as well as the form of deconstruction that happens in the short story. The theory used in this study is deconstruction theory by Jacques Derrida. The result showed that there were several binary oppositions, namely: West and East, big city and village, man and woman. The oppositions described in this story are problematic. The first opposition, West and East, was reversed and won by the East. The second opposition, the city and the village, experienced a reversal so that the village won. Likewise, with the third opposition, man and woman also experienced a reversal and won by the woman. In the end, this research shows that these hierarchical oppositions do not exist and are only the result of the construction of the author's imagination. Yet the author rejects what he wants to portray in the story, the Western life in Manhattan, United States.
MAKNA SALĀM DALAM AL-QUR’AN (Analisis Semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce)
Authors: Baihaqi Nurun Nisaa
Published: August 2021

Salām selama ini dipahami oleh masyarakat luas sekedar sebagai ungkapan atau kalimat sapaan yaitu assalāmu‘alaikum dan wa‘alaikumussalam. Padahal dalam  al-Qur’an salam dapat dimaknai secara luas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menemukan tanda-tanda dari kata salām yang terdapat dalam beberapa ayat al-Qur’an dengan menggunakan pendekatan semiotika. Dalam hal ini, penulis menggunakan teori semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce yaitu trikotomi (representamen, obyek dan interpretan) untuk mengungkap makna salām dalam al-Qur’an sebagai tandanya. Adapun metode penelitian ini adalah analisis isi kualitatif yaitu penelitian yang bertujuan mengidentifikasi pesan suatu media sebagai obyek penelitiannya. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa salām tidak hanya dimaknai kalimat atau ucapan salam (assalāmu’alaikum dan wa’alaikumussalām), akan tetapi juga bermakna al-Salām (nama Allah), al-khair  (kebaikan dalam ucapan dan tindakan), al-tsanā al-ḥasan (pujian yang baik kepada para Nabi), al-salāmah min al-syarri  (selamat dari keburukan) dan aspek eskatologis yaitu penghormatan kepada para ahli surga dan dār al-salām (surga). Penelitian seperti ini perlu dikembangkan agar dapat memperluas kajian al-Qur’an dan membuktikan fleksibilitas al-Qur’an di berbagai ruang dan waktu.
some ethical implications of practicing philosophy with children and adults
Authors: Kennedy David , Kohan Walter Omar
Published: August 2021

This paper acts as an introduction to a dossier centered on the ethical implications of Practicing Philosophy with Children and Adults. It identifies ethical themes in the P4C movement over three generations of theorists and practitioners, and argues that, historically and materially, the transition to a “new” hermeneutics of childhood that has occurred within the P4C movement may be said to have emerged as a response to the ever-increasing pressure of neoliberalism and a weaponized capitalism to construct public policies in education on an over-regulated, prescribed, state-monitored, model. Could a new relationship to childhood provide the ethical and political agenda that our times require for doing philosophy with children with integrity? Could a radical listening and openness to childhood—which has been an intrinsic confessional characteristic of P4C pedagogy from the beginning--sustain the movement through these dark times? Finally, the paper presents a set of articles written in response to these questions: What, if any, should the ethical commitments of the P4C facilitator be? Is political/ideological neutrality required of the P4C facilitator?  Is political neutrality possible? What constitutes indoctrination in educational settings? Are children more vulnerable to indoctrination than adults, and if so, what are the implications of that fact for the practice of P4C?  What are the uses of P4C in the dramatically polarized ideological landscape we currently inhabit? What, if any, are the ethical responsibilities of a teacher engaging in philosophical practice?   Are the philosophical practitioner’s ethical responsibilities similar or different when the subjects are children or adults? Does every methodology have a “hidden curriculum”? If so, what is the hidden curriculum of P4C? What distinguishes dialogical from monological practice? May one have the appearance of the other? Is the “Socratic method” (Elenchus) as we conceive it dialogical?  What, if any, are the uses of irony in philosophical practice? Should Socrates (or any other philosopher) be considered a model for P4C practitioners?
Política de acesso, acessibilidade e inclusão educacional da pessoa com deficiência: revisão integrativa
Authors: Mazera Maiara Suelen , Schneider Dulcinéia Ghizoni , Padilha Maria Itayra
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: conhecer os aspectos abordados pela produção científica em relação à temática da inclusão da pessoa com deficiência nas instituições de ensino. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados Medical Literature and Retrivial Sistem on Line, Web of science, SCOPUS e Directory of Open Access Journals. Recorte da busca de 2015 a 2019. Resultados: foram analisados vinte e um artigos. As publicações apresentaram temáticas relacionadas à Políticas de acesso, cotas e currículos e Barreiras e facilitadores da inclusão na educação. Considerações finais: os aspectos abordados pela produção científica evidenciaram que entraves são transversais à vivência dos estudantes em suas experiências acadêmicas. Lacunas curriculares, estereotipação do corpo, crenças, falta de capacitação do corpo docente cerca-nos de evidências de que mais do que quebra de paradigmas diante da pessoa com deficiência, é preciso que existam avanços nas práticas políticas para que barreiras como preconceito, discriminação e segregação não definam as relações humanas..
History and experience of a volunteer ambulance first responder scheme in London
Authors: Al-Sahab Saman , Nijhawan Aditi , Kirkby Tim , Aziz Shadman
Published: August 2021

Emergency responders (ERs) are volunteers who attend category 1 (immediately life-threatening) and category 2 (emergency) 999 calls on behalf of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS). ERs aim to arrive first on scene to these incidents to provide essential life-saving interventions prior to the arrival of further ambulance resources. ERs come from a wide range of backgrounds and undergo a thorough selection, training and mentorship process before advancing to working in a two-person ER crew. Compared to most traditional volunteer first responder schemes, the LAS ER scheme, which was set up in 2008, involves an enhanced skillset, dispatch to medical and traumatic emergencies in addition to cardiac arrest, and the use of blue-light vehicles to reduce response times. Over a period of 13 years, the scheme has grown in scope and size, and now operates with more than 120 volunteers based at seven ambulance stations across London.
Variety in practice
Authors: Parry Samuel
Published: August 2021

Finishing off his second year, Samuel Parry reflects on some of his recent challenges while learning during the pandemic, as well as a variety of paramedic placements, as he prepares for his third year as a student paramedic and looks towards qualification
Assessment for Learning as a Driver for Active Learning and Learner Participation in Mathematics
Authors: Mahlambi Sizwe Blessing
Published: August 2021

The article focused on the use of assessment for learning in promoting active learning and learner participation in mathematics. Assessment for learning (AfL) has been found to enhance learning and improve performance. However, teachers’ use of AfL to enhance active learning has not been clearly outlined. This study is part of the broader research study that explored mathematics teachers’ use of AfL to enhance mathematics teaching and learning in primary schools in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. A case study research-type and a qualitative approach were used to collect data from mathematics teachers. Nine teachers were purposefully selected from whom data were collected using semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation. The findings revealed that teachers had limited pedagogical knowledge in using AfL to promote active learning in their classrooms. They failed to apply a learner-centred approach that promotes effective learner participation in mathematics classrooms. Therefore, it is recommended that teachers undergo ongoing continuous development on classroom time management and planning for the effective use of AfL.
Apprentices’ Resources at Work and School in Switzerland: A Person-Centred Approach
Authors: Lüthi Fabienne , Stalder Barbara E. , Elferling Achim
Published: August 2021

Context: Providing learners with quality resources at work and school is a key element of apprenticeships and is essential for developing vocational competencies and successful vocational careers. Drawing on previous research on situational and personal resources, we first explored work-related and school-related resource profiles of apprentices’ learning environments. We further analysed how core self-evaluations are linked to resource profiles and examined whether learners’ apprenticeship satisfaction and occupational commitment varied according to the resource profiles.Approach: We used latent profile analysis and multinomial logistic regressions, applying an integrative, person-centred approach. Our data came from the Swiss longitudinal study "Transition from Education to Employment" (TREE). The sample consisted of 1,185 apprentices enrolled in the second year of their apprenticeship.Findings: We found four profiles of situational resources (e.g., instruction quality, climate, learning opportunities, autonomy, and demands) at the two learning locations. The profiles embodied different patterns and levels of situational resources. Two profiles were characterised by overall high or average levels of situational resources at both learning locations; the other two illustrated a stark contrast between the resources provided in the workplace and at school. Learners with higher core self-evaluations were more likely to be in profiles with higher situational resources. Apprentices in more beneficial profiles were more satisfied with their apprenticeships and more committed to their occupations than those in profiles with lower resources.Conclusion: The results confirm the importance of providing apprentices with challenging, empowering, and supportive learning environments in the workplace and at vocational schools. To support learning and positive career development in apprenticeships, educators should strengthen learners’ core self-evaluations to empower them to shape their learning according to their needs.
Graphene THz filter–switch dividers based on dipole–quadrupole and magneto-optical resonance effects
Authors: Dmitriev Victor , Castro Wagner , Melo Geraldo , Oliveira Cristiano
Published: August 2021

We propose and analyze a multifunctional THz graphene-based component with graphene elements placed on a dielectric substrate. The structure of the device consists of a disc shaped resonator coupled to three graphene waveguides that excite the dipole or quadrupole resonance of surface plasmon polaritons in the resonator. The graphene resonator can be magnetized by a DC magnetic field. This device fulfills filtering of the input signal and can be used as a power divider and also as a switch. The division mechanism of the T-junction can be provided by application of a DC magnetic field or by changing the Fermi energy of the graphene resonator via an electrostatic field. Some peculiarities of the two mechanisms are discussed. Numerical simulations show that for a central frequency of 7.12 THz, devices in the OFF state have the two output ports isolated from the input port at a central frequency of about 27 dB provided by the dipole mode resonance. In the ON state and the division regime, the transmission to the output ports is around

−

(
4
÷
5
)

d
B

in the 3-dB bandwidth of about 12%.
Precision and repeatability improvement in frequency-modulated continuous-wave velocity measurement based on the splitting of beat frequency signals
Authors: Cheng Xingrui , Liu Junchen , Jia Linhua , Zhang Fumin , Qu Xinghua
Published: August 2021

The basic principle of frequency-modulated continuous-wave lidars is to measure the velocity of a moving object through the Doppler frequency shift phenomenon. However, the vibration generated by the moving object will cause the spectrum to broaden and the precision and repeatability of speed measurement to decrease. In this paper, we propose a speed measurement method based on H13C14N gas cell absorption peak splitting the sweep signal of a large bandwidth triangular wave modulated frequency laser. This method obtains the speed of a continuously moving target by re-splicing an accurately-split frequency sweep signal, which effectively solves the problem of simultaneous processing of excessive amounts of data when measuring the speed of a continuously moving target. At the same time, the H13C14N gas cell absorbs the spectra of specific wavelengths, which reduces the phase delay of the beat signal corresponding to the up- and down-scanning, thus reducing the signal spectrum broadening caused by frequency deviation, and improving the speed measurement resolution and range effectively. The experimental results show that for speeds of up to 30mm/s, the mean error was less than 23µm/s and the mean standard deviation was less than 61µm/s.
Trace level detection of explosives and pesticides using robust, low-cost, free-standing silver nanoparticles decorated porous silicon
Authors: Vendamani V. S. , Beeram Reshma , Nageswara Rao S. V. S. , Pathak A. P. , Soma Venugopal Rao
Published: August 2021

We report results from our extensive studies on the fabrication of ultra-thin, flexible, and cost-effective Ag nanoparticle (NP) coated free-standing porous silicon (FS-pSi) for superior molecular sensing. The FS-pSi has been prepared by adopting a simple wet-etching method. The deposition time of AgNO3 has been increased to improve the number of hot-spot regions, thereby the sensing abilities are improved efficiently. FESEM images illustrated the morphology of uniformly distributed AgNPs on the pSi surface. Initially, a dye molecule [methylene blue (MB)] was used as a probe to evaluate the sensing capabilities of the substrate using the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. The detection was later extended towards the sensing of two important explosive molecules [ammonium nitrate (AN), picric acid (PA)], and a pesticide molecule (thiram) clearly demonstrating the versatility of the investigated substrates. The sensitivity was confirmed by estimating the analytical enhancement factor (AEF), which was ∼107 for MB and ∼104 for explosives and pesticides. We have also evaluated the limit of detection (LOD) values in each case, which were found to be 50 nM, 1 µM, 2 µM, and 1 µM, respectively, for MB, PA, AN, and thiram. Undeniably, our detailed SERS results established excellent reproducibility with a low RSD (relative standard deviation). Furthermore, we also demonstrate the reasonable stability of AgNPs decorated pSi by inspecting and studying their SERS performance over a period of 90 days. The overall cost of these substrates is attractive for practical applications on account of the above-mentioned superior qualities.
Dynamically tunable coherent perfect absorption in topological insulators at oblique incidence
Authors: Lan Guilian , Wei Wei , Luo Peng , Yi Juemin , Shang Zhengguo , Xu Ting
Published: August 2021

The effective engineering of light absorption has been the focus of intensive research to realize the novel optoelectronic devices based on a topological insulator, a unique topologically protected surface Dirac-state quantum material with excellent prospects in electronics and photonics. Here, we theoretically proposed a versatile platform for manipulating the light-matter interaction employing the dynamically tunable coherent perfect absorption (CPA) in the topological insulator Bi1.5Sb0.5Te1.8Se1.2(BSTS). By simply varying the phase difference between two coherent counter-propagating beams, the BSTS-based CPA device can be continuously switched from the high transparency state to the strong absorption state, leading to the modulation of absorption ranging from 0.2% to 99.998%. Under the illumination of TE-polarized wave, the high absorption (>90%) can be implemented within a broad range from 0.47 to 1.51 μm through a proper incident angle alteration. In addition, the quasi-CPA wavelength can be flexibly selected by tuning the bulk thickness of BSTS film while maintaining high modulation depth of 104. Such BSTS-based CPA device with flexible tunability, wide absorption modulation range, and high modulation depth is expected to be utilized in a wide range of potential applications such as in next-generation coherent detectors, coherent modulators, all-optical switches, and signal processors.
Thresholded single-photon underwater imaging and detection
Authors: Li Zhan-Ming , Zhou Heng , Li Zhong-Yuan , Yan Zeng-Quan , Hu Cheng-Qiu , Gao Jun , Wu Shi-Bao , Yin Si-Yuan , Jin Xian-Min
Published: August 2021

Optical underwater target imaging and detection have been a tough but significant challenge in deep-sea exploration. Distant reflected signals drown in various underwater noises due to strong absorption and scattering, resulting in degraded image contrast and reduced detection range. Single-photon feature operating at the fundamental limit of the classical electromagnetic waves can broaden the realm of quantum technologies. Here we experimentally demonstrate a thresholded single-photon imaging and detection scheme to extract photon signals from the noisy underwater environment. We reconstruct the images obtained in a high-loss underwater environment by using photon-limited computational algorithms. Furthermore, we achieve a capability of underwater detection down to 0.8 photons per pulse at Jerlov type III water up to 50 meters, which is equivalent to more than 9 attenuation lengths. The results break the limits of classical underwater imaging and detection and may lead to many quantum-enhanced applications, like air-to-sea target tracking and deep-sea optical exploration.
Structured illumination microscopy for simultaneous imaging of achiral and chiral domains
Authors: Zhang Jiwei , Huang Shiang-Yu , Singh Ankit Kumar , Huang Jer-Shing
Published: August 2021

We propose double structured illumination microscopy (SIM) method, which enables simultaneous imaging of achiral and chiral domains at sub-wavelength resolution. In double SIM, the illumination field is spatially structured both in the intensity and optical chirality so that moiré effects can be concurrently generated on the achiral and chiral fluorescent domains of a sample. This allows for down-modulating the high spatial frequency of both domains at the same time and thus provides sub-wavelength details after image reconstruction. We introduce the working principle of double SIM and theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of this method using different kinds of synthetic samples.
Models of heterogeneous dopamine signaling in an insect learning and memory center
Authors: Jiang Linnie , Litwin-Kumar Ashok
Published: August 2021

The Drosophila mushroom body exhibits dopamine dependent synaptic plasticity that underlies the acquisition of associative memories. Recordings of dopamine neurons in this system have identified signals related to external reinforcement such as reward and punishment. However, other factors including locomotion, novelty, reward expectation, and internal state have also recently been shown to modulate dopamine neurons. This heterogeneity is at odds with typical modeling approaches in which these neurons are assumed to encode a global, scalar error signal. How is dopamine dependent plasticity coordinated in the presence of such heterogeneity? We develop a modeling approach that infers a pattern of dopamine activity sufficient to solve defined behavioral tasks, given architectural constraints informed by knowledge of mushroom body circuitry. Model dopamine neurons exhibit diverse tuning to task parameters while nonetheless producing coherent learned behaviors. Notably, reward prediction error emerges as a mode of population activity distributed across these neurons. Our results provide a mechanistic framework that accounts for the heterogeneity of dopamine activity during learning and behavior.
Corticosterone pattern-dependent glucocorticoid receptor binding and transcriptional regulation within the liver
Authors: Flynn Benjamin P. , Birnie Matthew T. , Kershaw Yvonne M. , Pauza Audrys G. , Kim Sohyoung , Baek Songjoon , Rogers Mark F. , Paterson Alex R. , Stavreva Diana A. , Murphy David , Hager Gordon L. , Lightman Stafford L. , Conway-Campbell Becky L.
Published: August 2021

Ultradian glucocorticoid rhythms are highly conserved across mammalian species, however, their functional significance is not yet fully understood. Here we demonstrate that pulsatile corticosterone replacement in adrenalectomised rats induces a dynamic pattern of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding at ~3,000 genomic sites in liver at the pulse peak, subsequently not found during the pulse nadir. In contrast, constant corticosterone replacement induced prolonged binding at the majority of these sites. Additionally, each pattern further induced markedly different transcriptional responses. During pulsatile treatment, intragenic occupancy by active RNA polymerase II exhibited pulsatile dynamics with transient changes in enrichment, either decreased or increased depending on the gene, which mostly returned to baseline during the inter-pulse interval. In contrast, constant corticosterone exposure induced prolonged effects on RNA polymerase II occupancy at the majority of gene targets, thus acting as a sustained regulatory signal for both transactivation and repression of glucocorticoid target genes. The nett effect of these differences were consequently seen in the liver transcriptome as RNA-seq analysis indicated that despite the same overall amount of corticosterone infused, twice the number of transcripts were regulated by constant corticosterone infusion, when compared to pulsatile. Target genes that were found to be differentially regulated in a pattern-dependent manner were enriched in functional pathways including carbohydrate, cholesterol, glucose and fat metabolism as well as inflammation, suggesting a functional role for dysregulated glucocorticoid rhythms in the development of metabolic dysfunction.
Immunogenicity of an oral rotavirus vaccine administered with prenatal nutritional support in Niger: A cluster randomized clinical trial
Authors: Isanaka Sheila , Garba Souna , Plikaytis Brian , Malone McNeal Monica , Guindo Ousmane , Langendorf Céline , Adehossi Eric , Ciglenecki Iza , Grais Rebecca F.
Published: August 2021

Background

Nutritional status may play a role in infant immune development. To identify potential boosters of immunogenicity in low-income countries where oral vaccine efficacy is low, we tested the effect of prenatal nutritional supplementation on immune response to 3 doses of a live oral rotavirus vaccine.

Methods and findings

We nested a cluster randomized trial within a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized efficacy trial to assess the effect of 3 prenatal nutritional supplements (lipid-based nutrient supplement [LNS], multiple micronutrient supplement [MMS], or iron–folic acid [IFA]) on infant immune response (n = 53 villages and 1,525 infants with valid serology results: 794 in the vaccine group and 731 in the placebo group). From September 2015 to February 2017, participating women received prenatal nutrient supplement during pregnancy. Eligible infants were then randomized to receive 3 doses of an oral rotavirus vaccine or placebo at 6–8 weeks of age (mean age: 6.3 weeks, 50% female). Infant sera (pre-Dose 1 and 28 days post-Dose 3) were analyzed for anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin A (IgA) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The primary immunogenicity end point, seroconversion defined as ≥3-fold increase in IgA, was compared in vaccinated infants among the 3 supplement groups and between vaccine/placebo groups using mixed model analysis of variance procedures. Seroconversion did not differ by supplementation group (41.1% (94/229) with LNS vs. 39.1% (102/261) with multiple micronutrients (MMN) vs. 38.8% (118/304) with IFA, p = 0.91). Overall, 39.6% (n = 314/794) of infants who received vaccine seroconverted, compared to 29.0% (n = 212/731) of infants who received placebo (relative risk [RR]: 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18, 1.57, p < 0.001). This study was conducted in a high rotavirus transmission setting. Study limitations include the absence of an immune correlate of protection for rotavirus vaccines, with the implications of using serum anti-rotavirus IgA for the assessment of immunogenicity and efficacy in low-income countries unclear.

Conclusions

This study showed no effect of the type of prenatal nutrient supplementation on immune response in this setting. Immune response varied depending on previous exposure to rotavirus, suggesting that alternative delivery modalities and schedules may be considered to improve vaccine performance in high transmission settings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02145000.
Lymphatic filariasis elimination in the Dominican Republic: History, progress, and remaining steps
Authors: Gonzales Manuel , Noland Gregory S. , Mariano Eileen F. , Blount Stephen
Published: August 2021

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-transmitted parasitic disease that is a leading cause of disability globally. The island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti, accounts for approximately 90% of LF cases in the Americas region. In 1998, the Dominican Ministry of Public Health created the Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PELF) with the goal of eliminating LF transmission by 2020. Baseline mapping revealed 19 (12% of total) endemic municipalities clustered into three geographic foci (Southwest, La Ciénaga and East), with a total at-risk population of 262,395 people. Beginning in 2002, PELF sequentially implemented mass drug administration (MDA) in these foci using albendazole and diethylcarbamazine (DEC). In total, 1,174,050 treatments were given over three to five annual rounds of house-to-house MDA per focus with a median coverage of 81.7% (range 67.4%–92.2%). By 2018, LF antigen prevalence was less than 2% in all foci, thus meeting criteria to stop MDA and begin post-treatment surveillance (PTS). This success has been achieved against a shifting landscape of limited domestic funding, competing domestic public health priorities, and sporadic external donor support. Remaining steps include the need to scale-up morbidity management and disability prevention services for LF and to continue PTS until LF transmission is interrupted across Hispaniola.
Quantifying non-communicable diseases’ burden in Egypt using State-Space model
Authors: El-Saadani Somaya , Saleh Mohamed , Ibrahim Sarah A.
Published: August 2021

The study aimed to model and quantify the health burden induced by four non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Egypt, the first to be conducted in the context of a less developing county. The study used the State-Space model and adopted two Bayesian methods: Particle Filter and Particle Independent Metropolis-Hastings to model and estimate the NCDs’ health burden trajectories. We drew on time-series data of the International Health Metric Evaluation, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) Annual Bulletin of Health Services Statistics, the World Bank, and WHO data. Both Bayesian methods showed that the burden trajectories are on the rise. Most of the findings agreed with our assumptions and are in line with the literature. Previous year burden strongly predicts the burden of the current year. High prevalence of the risk factors, disease prevalence, and the disease’s severity level all increase illness burden. Years of life lost due to death has high loadings in most of the diseases. Contrary to the study assumption, results found a negative relationship between disease burden and health services utilization which can be attributed to the lack of full health insurance coverage and the pattern of health care seeking behavior in Egypt. Our study highlights that Particle Independent Metropolis-Hastings is sufficient in estimating the parameters of the study model, in the case of time-constant parameters. The study recommends using state Space models with Bayesian estimation approaches with time-series data in public health and epidemiology research.
Diagnostic performance of deep-learning-based screening methods for diabetic retinopathy in primary care—A meta-analysis
Authors: Wewetzer Larisa , Held Linda A. , Steinhäuser Jost
Published: August 2021

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) affects 10–24% of patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2 in the primary care (PC) sector. As early detection is crucial for treatment, deep learning screening methods in PC setting could potentially aid in an accurate and timely diagnosis.

Purpose

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the current state of knowledge regarding deep learning (DL) screening methods for DR in PC.

Data sources

A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify suitable studies.

Study selection

Suitable studies were selected by two researchers independently. Studies assessing DL methods and the suitability of these screening systems (diagnostic parameters such as sensitivity and specificity, information on datasets and setting) in PC were selected. Excluded were studies focusing on lesions, applying conventional diagnostic imaging tools, conducted in secondary or tertiary care, and all publication types other than original research studies on human subjects.

Data extraction

The following data was extracted from included studies: authors, title, year of publication, objectives, participants, setting, type of intervention/method, reference standard, grading scale, outcome measures, dataset, risk of bias, and performance measures.

Data synthesis and conclusion

The summed sensitivity of all included studies was 87% and specificity was 90%. Given a prevalence of DR of 10% in patients with DM Type 2 in PC, the negative predictive value is 98% while the positive predictive value is 49%.

Limitations

Selected studies showed a high variation in sample size and quality and quantity of available data.
Efficacy and cost effectiveness of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus iron sucrose in adult patients with iron deficiency anaemia
Authors: Basha Ahmad , Ibrahim Mohamed Izham Mohamed , Hamad Anas , Chandra Prem , Omar Nabil E. , Abdullah Mohamed Abdul Jaber , Aldapt Mahmood B. , Hussein Radwa M. , Mahfouz Ahmed , Adel Ahmad A. , Shwaylia Hawraa M. , Ekeibed Yaslem , AbuMousa Rami , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a major health issues and common type of nutritional deficiency worldwide. For IDA treatment, intravenous (IV) iron is a useful therapy.

Objective

To determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness (CE) of intravenous (IV) Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) versus IV Iron Sucrose (IS) in treating IDA.

Data sources

Electronic medical record i.e. Cerner® system.

Target population

Adults patients with iron deficiency anaemia.

Time horizon

A 12-month period (01/01/2018–31/12/2018).

Perspective

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC, a public hospital).

Intervention

IV Ferric Carboxymaltose versus IV Iron Sucrose.

Outcome measures

With regard to responses to treatment i.e., efficacy of treatment with FCM & IS in IDA patients, hemoglobin (Hgb), ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels were the primary outcomes. Additionally, the researchers also collected levels of iron, platelet, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The costs i.e. resources consumed (obtained from NCCCR-HMC) and the CE of FCM versus IS were the secondary outcomes.

Results of base-case analysis

There was a significant improvement in Hgb, RBC and MCH levels in the IS group than the FCM group. The overall cost of IS therapy was significantly higher than FCM. The medication cost for FCM was approximately 6.5 times higher than IS, nonetheless, it is cheaper in terms of bed cost and nursing cost. The cost effectiveness (CE) ratio illustrated that FCM and IS were significantly different in terms of Hgb, ferritin and MCH levels. Further, Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) indicated that further justifications and decisions need to be made for FCM when using Hgb, iron, TSAT, MCH and MCV levels as surrogate outcomes.

Results of sensitivity analysis

Not applicable.

Limitations

The study did not consider the clinical or humanistic outcome.

Conclusions

The higher cost of FCM versus IS can be offset by savings in healthcare personnel time and bed space. ICER indicated that further justifications and decisions need to be made for FCM when using Hgb, iron, TSAT, MCH and MCV levels as surrogate outcomes.
Nutritional, physicochemical and sensorial acceptance of functional cookies enriched with xiquexique (Pilosocereus gounellei) flour
Authors: Dourado Gomes Machado Tamires Alcântara , Pacheco Maria Teresa Bertoldo , do Egypto Queiroga Rita de Cássia Ramos , Cavalcante Letícia Medeiros , Bezerril Fabrícia França , Ormenese Rita de Cássia Salvucci Celeste , Garcia Aline de Oliveira , Nabeshima Elizabeth Harumi , Pintado Maria Manuela Estevez , de Oliveira Maria Elieidy Gomes
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study was the production of innovative functional cookies enriched with two different sizes (100 and 28 mesh) xiquexique flour by substitution ratio 50% of wheat flour and monitoring the impact of these enrichments on the nutritional, physicochemical, texture characteristics and consumer acceptance. The physicochemical characteristics and sensorial properties of the xiquexique cookies were evaluated in a pursuit to identify an innovative bakery ingredient with high nutritional value and potential function that could be exploited by the food industry. The water activity and moisture values were low, which can provide greater stability during storage of food matrices, such as cookies. The xiquexique cookies had greater ash (2.47–2.74%), protein (0.94–1.36%), fiber (4.41–8.10%), and resistant starch (3.65–2.10%) contents than their respective controls with 100% wheat flour. The functional cookies were rich in minerals: mainly calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese and can be consumed by all individuals to help meet daily needs, especially those of people who have increased needs for these essential nutrients. In addition to the darker color of the xiquexique cookies, the hardness of these was higher than that of the control cookies, while the expansion index was smaller. The data from the Check All That Apply sensory method, which consists of a test used mainly for recipe adjustments and the development of ideal food products, confirmed that xiquexique flour have the potential for the development of bakery products such as cookies.
Characteristics of gut microbiota in people with obesity
Authors: Duan Mengmeng , Wang Yuezhu , Zhang Qiang , Zou Rong , Guo Min , Zheng Huajun
Published: August 2021

Background

Obesity is the cause of cardiovascular diseases and other diseases, leading to increased medical costs, and causing a great burden to individuals, families and society. The prevalence of obesity is increasing and has become a global health problem. There is growing evidence that gut microbiota plays an important role in obesity. In this article, we revealed the differences in the gut microbiota between 21 people with obesity and 21 control subjects, and predicted the functional potential changes by 16S rRNA sequencing of the fecal bacteria of the subjects.

Methods

The raw sequencing data of 21 healthy Beijing volunteers was downloaded from Microbial Genome Database System. Microbial 16S rRNA genes of 21 adults with obesity were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq instrument and analyzed by using bioinformatics and statistical methods.

Results

The diversity of gut microbiota in people with obesity decreased significantly. There were significant differences in gut microbiota between the Obesity and Control group at different levels. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria are significantly different between the Obesity and Control group. In people with obesity, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes decreased significantly. At the genus level, there were significant differences among the 16 major genera, of which four genera Prevotella, Megamonas, Fusobacterium and Blautia increased significantly in people with obesity, while the remaining 12 genera, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiracea_incertae_sedis, Gemmiger and Clostridium XlVa, etc. decreased significantly. At the species level, nine species including Bacteroides uniformis and Prevotella copri had significant differences. Compared with the control group, subjects with obesity were abnormalities in 57 pathways, mainly in Carbohydrate metabolism and Lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

Overall, our study revealed differences in the gut microbiota between people with obesity and control subjects, providing novel target for the treatment of individuals with obesity.
Clinical application of mask region-based convolutional neural network for the automatic detection and segmentation of abnormal liver density based on hepatocellular carcinoma computed tomography datasets
Authors: Yang Ching-Juei , Wang Chien-Kuo , Fang Yu-Hua Dean , Wang Jing-Yao , Su Fong-Chin , Tsai Hong-Ming , Lin Yih-Jyh , Tsai Hung-Wen , Yeh Lee-Ren
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study was to use a previously proposed mask region–based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) for automatic abnormal liver density detection and segmentation based on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) computed tomography (CT) datasets from a radiological perspective. Training and testing datasets were acquired retrospectively from two hospitals of Taiwan. The training dataset contained 10,130 images of liver tumor densities of 11,258 regions of interest (ROIs). The positive testing dataset contained 1,833 images of liver tumor densities with 1,874 ROIs, and negative testing data comprised 20,283 images without abnormal densities in liver parenchyma. The Mask R-CNN was used to generate a medical model, and areas under the curve, true positive rates, false positive rates, and Dice coefficients were evaluated. For abnormal liver CT density detection, in each image, we identified the mean area under the curve, true positive rate, and false positive rate, which were 0.9490, 91.99%, and 13.68%, respectively. For segmentation ability, the highest mean Dice coefficient obtained was 0.8041. This study trained a Mask R-CNN on various HCC images to construct a medical model that serves as an auxiliary tool for alerting radiologists to abnormal CT density in liver scans; this model can simultaneously detect liver lesions and perform automatic instance segmentation.
No one is immune to misinformation: An investigation of misinformation sharing by subscribers to a fact-checking newsletter
Authors: Saling Lauren L. , Mallal Devi , Scholer Falk , Skelton Russell , Spina Damiano
Published: August 2021

Like other disease outbreaks, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid generation and dissemination of misinformation and fake news. We investigated whether subscribers to a fact checking newsletter (n = 1397) were willing to share possible misinformation, and whether predictors of possible misinformation sharing are the same as for general samples. We also investigated predictors of willingness to have a COVID-19 vaccine and found that although vaccine acceptance was high on average, it decreased as a function of lower belief in science and higher conspiracy mentality. We found that 24% of participants had shared possible misinformation and that this was predicted by a lower belief in science. Like general samples, our participants were typically motivated to share possible misinformation due to interest in the information, or to seek a second opinion about claim veracity. However, even if information is shared in good faith and not for the purpose of deceiving or misleading others, the spread of misinformation is nevertheless highly problematic. Exposure to misinformation engenders faulty beliefs in others and undermines efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 by reducing adherence to social distancing measures and increasing vaccine hesitancy.
Longitudinal analysis to characterize classes and subclasses of antibody responses to recombinant receptor-binding protein (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients in Thailand
Authors: Tandhavanant Sarunporn , Koosakunirand Sirikamon , Kaewarpai Taniya , Piyaphanee Watcharapong , Leaungwutiwong Pornsawan , Luvira Viravarn , Chantratita Narisara
Published: August 2021

Serological assays to detect antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might contribute to confirming the suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients not detected with molecular assays. Human antibodies that target the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-binding domain of the viral spike protein are a target for serodiagnosis and therapeutics. This study aimed to characterize the classes and subclasses of antibody responses to a recombinant receptor-binding protein (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients and investigated the reactivity of these antibodies in patients with other tropical infections and healthy individuals in Thailand. ELISAs for IgM, IgA, IgG and IgG subclasses based on RBD antigen were developed and tested with time series of 27 serum samples from 15 patients with COVID-19 and 60 samples from pre-COVID-19 outbreaks including acute dengue fever, murine typhus, influenza, leptospirosis and healthy individuals. Both RBD-specific IgA and IgG were detected in only 21% of the COVID-19 patients in the acute phase. The median IgA and IgG levels were significantly higher in the convalescent serum sample compared to the acute serum sample (P < 0.05). We observed the highest correlation between levels of IgG and IgA (rho = 0. 92). IgG1 and IgG3 were the major IgG subclasses detected in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Only acute IgG3 level was negatively associated with viral detection based on RT-PCR of ORF1ab gene (rho = -0.57). The median IgA and IgG levels in convalescence sera of COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than healthy individuals and convalescent sera of other febrile infectious patients. The analyses of antibody classes and subclasses provide insights into human immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 during natural infection and interpretation of antibody assays.
Effect of electroencephalography-guided anesthesia on neurocognitive disorders in elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery: A trial protocol The POEGEA trial (POncd Elderly GEneral Anesthesia)
Authors: Morisson Louis , Laferrière-Langlois Pascal , Carrier François Martin , Pagé Gabrielle , Godbout Cédric , Fortier Louis-Philippe , Ogez David , Létourneau Geneviève , Jarry Stéphanie , Denault André , Fortier Annik , Guertin Marie-Claude , Verdonck Olivier , Richebé Philippe
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The number of elderly patients undergoing major surgery is rapidly increasing. They are particularly at risk of developing postoperative neurocognitive disorders (NCD). Earlier studies suggested that processed electroencephalographic (EEG) monitors may reduce the incidence of postoperative NCD. However, none of these studies controlled for intraoperative nociception levels or personalized blood pressure targets. Their results remain unclear if the reduction in the incidence of postoperative NCD relates to avoidance of any electroencephalographic pattern suggesting excessive anesthesia depth.

Objective

The objective of this trial is to investigate–in patients ≥ 70 years old undergoing major non-cardiac surgery–the effect of EEG-guided anesthesia on postoperative NCD while controlling for intraoperative nociception, personalized blood pressure targets, and using detailed information provided by the EEG monitor (including burst suppression ratio, density spectral array, and raw EEG waveform).

Material and methods

This prospective, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted in a single Canadian university hospital. Patients ≥ 70 years old undergoing elective major non-cardiac surgery will be included in the trial. The administration of sevoflurane will be adjusted to maintain a BIS index value between 40 and 60, to keep a Suppression Ratio (SR) at 0%, to keep a direct EEG display without any suppression time and a spectrogram with most of the EEG wave frequency within the alpha, theta, and delta frequencies in the EEG-guided group. In the control group, sevoflurane will be administered to achieve an age-adjusted minimum alveolar concentration of [0.8–1.2]. In both groups, a nociception monitor will guide intraoperative opioid administration, individual blood pressure targets will be used, and cerebral oximetry used to tailor intraoperative hemodynamic management. The primary endpoint will be the incidence of NCD at postoperative day 1, as evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary endpoints will include the incidence of postoperative NCD at different time points and the evaluation of cognitive trajectories up to 90 days after surgery among EEG-guided and control groups.

Study registration

NCT04825847 on ClinicalTrials.gov.