bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility study on the use of near-infrared spectroscopy for rapid and nondestructive determination of gossypol content in intact cottonseeds
Authors: LI Cheng , SU Bangsong , ZHAO Tianlun , LI Cong , CHEN Jinhong , ZHU Shuijin
Published: May 2021

Background

Gossypol found in cottonseeds is toxic to human beings and monogastric animals and is a primary parameter for the integrated utilization of cottonseed products. It is usually determined by the techniques relied on complex pretreatment procedures and the samples after determination cannot be used in the breeding program, so it is of great importance to predict the gossypol content in cottonseeds rapidly and nondestructively to substitute the traditional analytical method.

Results

Gossypol content in cottonseeds was investigated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Partial least squares regression, combined with spectral pretreatment methods including Savitzky-Golay smoothing, standard normal variate, multiplicative scatter correction, and first derivate were tested for optimizing the calibration models. NIRS technique was efficient in predicting gossypol content in intact cottonseeds, as revealed by the root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV), root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), coefficient for determination of prediction (Rp2), and residual predictive deviation (RPD) values for all models, being 0.05∼0.07, 0.04∼0.06, 0.82∼0.92, and 2.3∼3.4, respectively. The optimized model pretreated by Savitzky-Golay smoothing + standard normal variate + first derivate resulted in a good determination of gossypol content in intact cottonseeds.

Conclusions

Near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with different spectral pretreatments and partial least squares (PLS) regression has exhibited the feasibility in predicting gossypol content in intact cottonseeds, rapidly and nondestructively. It could be used as an alternative method to substitute for traditional one to determine the gossypol content in intact cottonseeds.
Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus X4-like accessory protein
Authors: Durojaye Olanrewaju Ayodeji , Okoro Nkwachukwu Oziamara , Odiba Arome Solomon
Published: May 2021

Background

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is currently a global threat to health and economies. Therapeutics and vaccines are in rapid development; however, none of these therapeutics are considered as absolute cure, and the potential to mutate makes it necessary to find therapeutics that target a highly conserved regions of the viral structure.

Results

In this study, we characterized an essential but poorly understood coronavirus accessory X4 protein, a core and stable component of the SARS-CoV family. Sequence analysis shows a conserved ~ 90% identity between the SARS-CoV-2 and previously characterized X4 protein in the database. QMEAN Z score of the model protein shows a value of around 0.5, within the acceptable range 0–1. A MolProbity score of 2.96 was obtained for the model protein and indicates a good quality model. The model has Ramachandran values of φ = − 57o and ψ = − 47o for α-helices and values of φ = − 130o and ψ = + 140o for twisted sheets.

Conclusions

The protein data obtained from this study provides robust information for further in vitro and in vivo experiment, targeted at devising therapeutics against the virus. Phylogenetic analysis further supports previous evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 is positioned with the SL-CoVZC45, BtRs-BetaCoV/YN2018B and the RS4231 Bat SARS-like corona viruses.
The restoration of the Oratory of the Partal Palace in the Alhambra of Granada, Grand Prix Europa Nostra 2019
Authors: Wulff Barreiro Federico
Published: May 2021

This research focuses on the latest restoration of the Oratory of the Partal Palace (2013–2017), a 14th-century palatine mosque in the Alhambra, one of the most important UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites of Spain. This restoration was awarded the Europa Nostra Grand Prix 2019, the most prestigious European heritage award, promoted by the European Commission. The restoration revealed original inscriptions, decorative elements and constructive solutions from the Nasrid period that had been unknown to date. The interpretation of these discoveries enabled a deeper understanding of Nasrid carpentry techniques as distinctive from their Christian-mudéjar counterparts. The dendrochronology tests of the original decorated timber framework covering the prayer space consistently dated its timber elements as having been cut during the autumn/winter of 1332–1333. This would prove that the Oratory had been conceived of and its construction initiated on a date earlier than its widely accepted attribution to Yusuf I (1333–1355), most likely during the rule of the earlier sultan Ismai’l I (1314–1325), who had already made several interventions in the Partal Palace. The improved legibility of the last two 1846 and 1930 historical restorations has enabled the interpretation of the Oratory of the Partal Palace as a compendium of Spanish heritage preservation approaches over the last 180 years.
Nipped in the Bud: COVID-19 Reveals the Malleability of STEM Student Self-Efficacy
Authors: Camfield Eileen Kogl , Schiller NaTasha R. , Land Kirkwood M.
Published: May 2021

Case studies from two demographically different institutions reveal ways first-year biology students’ academic efficacy is malleable and mediated in relationships. Repeated use of student narrative writing reveals hidden threats to students’ perceptions of their capacity to succeed and provides instructors "real-time" feedback on pedagogy.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Leadership and Management Fellow Scheme
Authors: Till Alex , Bagepalli Krishnan Deepa , Gibson Russell , Hobkirk Michael , Somerfield David , Crimlisk Helen
Published: May 2021

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Leadership and Management Fellow Scheme aims to develop and support a new cohort of leaders within psychiatry. This article provides an introduction to the scheme, which is accessible to all higher trainees with the support of their host organisation. We explore its development, structure and how it is evolving to provide a strong platform for achieving the College's ambition to benefit patient care by embedding a culture of medical leadership within mental health services.
Adverse childhood experiences and adult self-harm in a female forensic population
Authors: Holden Rachel , Stables Imogen , Brown Penelope , Fotiadou Maria
Published: May 2021

Aims and method

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among patients in a female forensic psychiatric in-patient medium-secure unit, and to analyse the link between ACEs, adulthood self-harm and associated comorbidities and risk factors. The study used a cross-sectional design, with data gathered from the anonymised electronic health records of patients.

Results

It was found that there was a high prevalence of both ACEs and self-harm among this patient group, and that there was a relationship between the two; those with more ACEs were more likely to have self-harmed during adulthood. Of the individual ACE categories, it was also demonstrated that emotional abuse had a significant association with adulthood self-harm.

Clinical implications

In medium-secure settings for women, implementation of trauma-informed care will be beneficial because of the high number of those with mental disorders who have experienced adversity during their childhood.
Views on psychotherapy research among members of the Medical Psychotherapy Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Authors: Fok Marcella , Lee Tennyson , Yakeley Jessica
Published: May 2021

Aims and method

Research drives innovation and improved practice in psychotherapy. We describe views of members of the Faculty of Medical Psychotherapy of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) regarding their knowledge, experience and perspectives on psychotherapy research. We sent questionnaires to the Faculty membership emailing list.

Results

In total, 172 psychiatrists from all levels of training returned fully complete responses. Respondents considered knowledge of psychotherapy research to be important to clinical work. Many have qualifications and experience in research but lack current opportunities for research involvement and would welcome the Faculty doing more to promote psychotherapy research. Perceived obstacles to research involvement included lack of competence, competing demands and wider organisational factors.

Clinical implications

The lack of research opportunities for medical psychotherapists may lead to their underrepresentation in psychotherapy research and a less medically informed research agenda. Providing support at academic, RCPsych and National Health Service organisational levels will allow more clinically relevant research not only in psychotherapy but in other psychiatric disciplines as well.
Open-Label, Single-Arm, Multicenter, Phase II Trial of Lenvatinib for the Treatment of Patients With Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Wirth Lori J. , Brose Marcia S. , Sherman Eric J. , Licitra Lisa , Schlumberger Martin , Sherman Steven I. , Bible Keith C. , Robinson Bruce , Rodien Patrice , Godbert Yann , De La Fouchardiere Christelle , Newbold Kate , Nutting Christopher , Misir Soamnauth , Xie Ran , Almonte Ana , Ye Weifei , Cabanillas Maria E.
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), an aggressive malignancy, is associated with a poor prognosis and an unmet need for effective treatment, especially for patients without BRAF mutations or NTRK or RET fusions. Lenvatinib is US Food and Drug Administration–approved for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and has previously demonstrated activity in a small study of patients with ATC (n = 17). We aimed to further evaluate lenvatinib in ATC.

METHODS

This open-label, multicenter, international, phase II study enrolled patients with ATC, who had ≥ 1 measurable target lesion, to receive lenvatinib 24 mg once daily. The primary end points were objective response rate (ORR) by investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1 and safety. Responses were confirmed ≥ 4 weeks after the initial response. Additional end points included progression-free survival and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The study was halted for futility as the minimum ORR threshold of 15% was not met upon interim analysis. The interim analysis set included the first 20 patients. The full analysis set includes all 34 enrolled and treated patients. In the full analysis set, one patient achieved a partial response (ORR, 2.9%; 95% CI, 0.1 to 15.3). More than half of the evaluable patients experienced tumor shrinkage; three patients experienced a > 30% tumor reduction. The median progression-free survival was 2.6 months (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.8); the median overall survival was 3.2 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 8.2). The most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (56%), decreased appetite (29%), fatigue (29%), and stomatitis (29%). No major treatment-related bleeding events or grade 5 treatment-related AEs occurred.

CONCLUSION

The safety profile of lenvatinib in ATC was manageable, and many AEs were attributable to the progression of ATC. The results suggest that lenvatinib monotherapy may not be an effective treatment for ATC; further investigation may be warranted.
Trend in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Utilization, Price, and Out-of-Pocket Costs in Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Talon Brian , Calip Gregory S. , Lee Todd A. , Sharp Lisa K. , Patel Pritesh , Touchette Daniel R.
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE:

Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has improved survival but is associated with significant financial burden. We measured the annual trend in TKI utilization, Medicare gross payment, and patient out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure from 2007 to 2016.

METHODS:

We used SEER linked to Medicare part-D claims data to identify prevalent CML cases from 2007 to 2016. TKI utilization was measured as the proportion of cases with at least one TKI fill in each year. Average TKI gross payment and median per-member per-month OOP expenditure were calculated from claims data and plotted annually from 2007 to 2016. Year-to-year percent change in gross payment and OOP expenditure was compared with inflation indices.

RESULTS:

The cohort included 3,189 CML cases with at least one TKI claim. The proportion of prevalent patients with a TKI fill in a year increased from 17.9% in 2007 to 52.8% in 2015. The average annual gross payment per 30-day supply of a TKI increased by an average of 12.8% throughout the period from $9,000 to $10,000 US dollars in 2016. There was no increasing trend in median OOP expenditure per 30-day supply, which varied between $450 and $600 US dollars.

CONCLUSION:

Rising TKI use and TKI drug prices place considerable financial pressure on Medicare part-D insurers. Although there was no increasing trend in OOP expenditure, it may be burdensome for Medicare patients who are likely retired on a fixed income. Our findings support legislation that mitigates increasing drug prices to protect the Medicare system and its beneficiaries.
Economic Analysis on Adoption of Biosimilar Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors in Patients With Nonmyeloid Cancer at Risk of Febrile Neutropenia Within the Oncology Care Model Framework
Authors: Wang Weijia , Li Edward , Campbell Kim , McBride Ali , D'Amato Steve
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE:

Value-based programs, such as the Oncology Care Model (OCM), seek to improve care for patients undergoing chemotherapy, while reducing total costs. The purpose of this study is to quantify the impact of adopting biosimilar granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) for febrile neutropenia (FN) primary prophylaxis (PP) from a US practice perspective.

METHODS:

A 1-year economic analysis on real-world direct drug costs and health care resource utilization was conducted in a hypothetical cohort of 500 patients with nonmyeloid cancer receiving chemotherapy. The first model simulated total cost savings of biosimilar versus reference G-CSFs over six cycles of chemotherapy. The second model evaluated cost and outcome implications of expanding the use of biosimilar G-CSFs to an additional 10% of patients at intermediate FN risk.

RESULTS:

Based on real-world evidence over 1 year, a total of 121 of 500 patients received G-CSF prophylaxis resulting in cost savings that ranged from $0.54M US dollars (USD) (short-acting, eg, filgrastim) to $1.68M USD (long-acting, eg, pegfilgrastim) when switching from reference to biosimilar G-CSFs. Expanding the use of biosimilar G-CSFs allowed an additional 24 patients to receive prophylaxis of FN, leading to cost savings of $0.03M USD or $1.19M USD, with a reduction of $0.08M USD in FN-related resource utilization cost. The per-patient per-year cost saving for long-acting G-CSFs was about $3,000 USD.

CONCLUSION:

The implementation of biosimilar versus reference G-CSFs to OCM-participating practices results in a reduction of costs and facilitates achieving OCM metrics by improving patients' outcomes while expanding biosimilar G-CSFs access to patients at intermediate risk of chemotherapy-induced FN.
Reversal of Functional Brain Activity Related to Gut Microbiome and Hormones After VSG Surgery in Patients With Obesity
Authors: Hong Jie , Bo Tingting , Xi Liuqing , Xu Xiaoqiang , He Naying , Zhan Yafeng , Li Wanyu , Liang Peiwen , Chen Yufei , Shi Juan , Li Danjie , Yan Fuhua , Gu Weiqiong , Wang Weiqing , Liu Ruixin , Wang Jiqiu , Wang Zheng , Ning Guang
Published: May 2021

Context

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is becoming a prioritized surgical intervention for obese individuals; however, the brain circuits that mediate its effective control of food intake and predict surgical outcome remain largely unclear.

Objective

We investigated VSG-correlated alterations of the gut-brain axis.

Methods

In this observational cohort study, 80 patients with obesity were screened. A total of 36 patients together with 26 normal-weight subjects were enrolled and evaluated using the 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), MRI scanning, plasma intestinal hormone analysis, and fecal sample sequencing. Thirty-two patients underwent VSG treatment and 19 subjects completed an average of 4-month follow-up evaluation. Data-driven regional homogeneity (ReHo) coupled with seed-based connectivity analysis were used to quantify VSG-related brain activity. Longitudinal alterations of body weight, eating behavior, brain activity, gastrointestinal hormones, and gut microbiota were detected and subjected to repeated measures correlation analysis.

Results

VSG induced significant functional changes in the right putamen (PUT.R) and left supplementary motor area, both of which correlated with weight loss and TFEQ scores. Moreover, postprandial levels of active glucagon-like peptide-1 (aGLP-1) and Ghrelin were associated with ReHo of PUT.R; meanwhile, relative abundance of Clostridia increased by VSG was associated with improvements in aGLP-1 secretion, PUT.R activity, and weight loss. Importantly, VSG normalized excessive functional connectivities with PUT.R, among which baseline connectivity between PUT.R and right orbitofrontal cortex was related to postoperative weight loss.

Conclusion

VSG causes correlated alterations of gut-brain axis, including Clostridia, postprandial aGLP-1, PUT.R activity, and eating habits. Preoperative connectivity of PUT.R may represent a potential predictive marker of surgical outcome in patients with obesity.
Low- and Fully N-Glycosylated Gonadotropins Circulating in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Wide Leif , Naessén Tord , Sundström-Poromaa Inger , Eriksson Karin
Published: May 2021

Context

A preponderance of basic luteinizing hormone (LH) molecules having elevated bioactivity was detected in the circulation of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Subsequent studies have shown that LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) both circulate as glycoforms differing in number of glycans: low-N-glycosylated glycoforms, LHdi and FSHtri, with high in vitro bioactivity, and fully glycosylated glycoforms, LHtri and FSHtetra, with high in vivo bioactivity.

Objective

This work aims to characterize the glycosylation patterns on circulating gonadotropin glycoforms in women with PCOS.

Methods

Serum samples, collected from 8 women with PCOS were included. The concentration, sulfonation, and sialylation of each glycoform were determined and compared with values of serum samples from healthy women: 22 women at follicular phase, 16 at midcycle, and 15 after menopause.

Results

All the women with PCOS had higher LHdi serum levels compared with those in the follicular-phase group. Median LHdi and median LHtri levels were significantly elevated in PCOS women. The percentage of LHdi was increased from 37 to 49 and that of FSHtri was decreased from 41 to 33. The LHdi, LHtri, and FSHtetra glycoforms were more sialylated and both LH glycoforms less sulfonated in women with PCOS.

Conclusion

All women with PCOS had increased serum levels of LHdi, compared with those in the follicular phase. The percentage of LHdi was increased and that of FSHtri decreased in women with PCOS. The increased LHdi leads to maintenance of the abnormal early follicular development of the polycystic ovary, and the decreased FSHtri contributes to the arrested follicle growth.
The Difficult Airway Navigator: Development and Implementation of a Health Care System’s Approach to Difficult Airway Documentation Utilizing the Electronic Health Record
Authors: Schechtman Samuel A. , Flori Heidi R. , Thatcher Aaron L. , Almendras Gemma , Robell Stephanie E. , Healy David W. , Shah Nirav J.
Published: May 2021

Careful airway risk assessment and procedural planning are vital to ensure patients’ safety during airway management. Patients with known procedural difficulty during previous airway management or new anatomical changes pose challenges and risks. To improve communication and the value of documented information regarding difficult airway management for future clinical encounters, we utilized existing electronic health record functions to develop a “difficult airway Navigator.” We describe this tool’s creation and implementation, which allows clinicians to readily review past airway information and efficiently create difficult airway notes, bedside signs, flags, and orders.
Another Colonial History: How Cosmopolitan Was Cavafy's Contemporary Alexandria?
Authors: Kazamias Alexander
Published: May 2021

This essay provides an alternative reading of modern Alexandria's social and cultural history as a basis for a better contextualization of Cavafy's poetry. It revisits the watershed year 1882, which marks the city's destruction after its bombardment by the British fleet, using new evidence from a little-known diary by the nineteen-year-old Cavafy. It then examines the overlooked context of Alexandria's late Ottoman cosmopolitanism and shows its decisive contribution to the city's modern culture, including Cavafy's own diasporic ethnic group, the Egyptian Greeks. Finally, the argument reassesses some prevalent misconceptions about the impact of British rule in Egypt, including the problematic view that it purportedly enhanced the city's cosmopolitan life. Instead, the article shows that British colonialism sought to constrain Alexandrian cosmopolitanism, whereas Cavafy, and a circle of radical intellectuals around him, actively defended it through nuanced expressions of opposition to the injustices of colonial oppression in Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece.
C. P. Cavafy as an Egyptiote
Authors: Halim Hala
Published: May 2021

In contradistinction to Anglophone criticism's airbrushing of all things Egyptian/Arab from the iconic image of C. P. Cavafy, this essay dwells on the poet as an Egyptiote. An Egyptiote orientation, it is argued, variously informs given poems and prose texts in his later years. Probing Cavafy's knowledge of Arabic, the essay demonstrates his affinities and solidarities with Egyptians under colonial duress as witnessed in the choice of subject matter and in the intertextual Greek-Egyptian folkloric resonances in his poem “27 June 1906, 2 P.M.” Analyzing how the poem's tropes and temporality riposte to those in extraliterary discourses about the colonial incident it depicts, the essay reads “27 June 1906, 2 P.M.” in relation to other Cavafy poems that reveal an Egyptiote “transculturated” poetics. A set of prose texts—letters, essays, interviews—by Cavafy, it is demonstrated, vest Egyptiote literati with an intercultural literary agency of acquainting the Greek public with the outlines of Egyptian Arabophone literature and the Arabophone Egyptian literati with something of their own Greek language production.
Fascism at Future's End
Authors: Taylor Chris
Published: May 2021

This essay provides a critical review of Shane Burley's Fascism Today. Studies of fascism, it argues, are always necessarily an inquiry into phenomenologies of historical time and a reflection on historiographical method. Engaging with Burley's account of contemporary fascist movements, this essay aims to identify the effects of a lacuna that underwrites approaches to fascism that, following Roger Griffin's The Nature of Fascism (1991), prioritize the ideological and metapolitical over materialist engagements with political, economic, and ecological processes. Situating contemporary fascist movements within the twin forces of emerging ecological catastrophe and ongoing economic contraction, this essay argues that contemporary fascisms are best understood as racist technologies for living in a world without a future.
Non-fasting OGTT versus Fasting OGTT for screening of Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy (HIP)
Authors: Masood Shabeen Naz , Lakho Nusrat , Saeed Saira , Masood Yasir
Published: May 2021

Objectives: To compare the reliability of non-fasting oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) versus fasting OGTT for screening of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP).

Methods: This cross sectional analytic study was conducted by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Isra University Karachi Campus from October 2016 to April 2017. A total of 225 pregnant women irrespective of gestational age were included in the study. They underwent non fasting 75 grams OGTT. Venous plasma glucose was done 02 hours after the glucose load. Same women were advised to come again within three to seven days for fasting OGTT. Venous plasma glucose (VPG) was estimated in fasting and 2 hours post glucose load.

Results: Using the non-fasting OGTT, out of 204 women, 32 were diagnosed with hyperglycemia. All these 204 women were again called for fasting OGTT three to seven days after the initial non-fasting OGTT. Only nine were diagnosed with hyperglycemia, out of these nine women, seven women who were screen positive on non-fasting OGTT were found to be screen positive on fasting OGTT as well. However, only two women were additionally diagnosed with hyperglycemia who were initially screen negative on non-fasting OGTT. The non-fasting OGTT has diagnosed HIP with sensitivity of 77.7%, specificity of 87.1%, positive predictive value of 21.8% and negative predictive value of 98.8%.

Conclusion: The use of the non-fasting OGTT at first antenatal visit may be a practical approach to detect the HIP as screening and diagnostic tool in the resource constrained settings.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3979

How to cite this:Masood SN, Lakho N, Saeed S, Masood Y. Non-fasting OGTT versus Fasting OGTT for screening of Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy (HIP). Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1008-1013. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3979

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparative analysis of regulatory framework on biobanking to inform policymakers in Central America and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Canario Julio Arturo
Published: May 2021

Background.  The clinical and scientific importance of biobanks has been highlighted.  Ethical governance and regulatory oversight for biobanks should be in place to preserve and promote ethical and responsible conduct of research.

Methods. This is an analytical documentary study of the regulatory scope concerning biobanks in Central America and the Dominican Republic. From the International Compilation of Human Research Standards 2020 edition of the Office of Human Research Protection Department of Health and Human Services of the United States of America identified the existing guidelines applicable to human research in each of the eight SICA member countries. Regulatory aspects searched for and the analysis was based on the recommendations set forth in Guideline 11 on the collection, storage, and use of biological materials and related data in the International Ethical Guidelines for Research Related to Human Health.

Results. There is a lack of specific guidelines for the collection, use, and storage of human biological materials for research purposes, and the creation of biobanks in the countries been studied. No country in Central America and the Dominican Republic region has specific regulations for the creation of biobanks for research purposes. The term "biobank" was not found in the revised regulations. However, there are good examples of ethical governance of research in general in the region been Costa Rica, Panamá, and Guatemala examples of advances towards this direction.

Conclusions. There is a need to move forward the governance and regulatory framework of biobanks in Central America and the Dominican which can be seen as an opportunity for international cooperation and regulatory collaborative agenda within this region.
Decreasing Hospital Observation Time for Febrile Infants
Authors: Desai Sanyukta , Calhoun Tara , Sosa Tina , Courter Joshua D , Letsinger Alexandra , Le Matthew , Schubert Amy , Zaremba Lindsay , Shah Samir S , Jerardi Karen , Statile Angela M , Unaka Ndidi I
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Febrile infants aged 0 to 60 days are often hospitalized for a 36‐to‐48 hour observation period to rule out invasive bacterial infections (IBI). Evidence suggests that monitoring blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures for 24 hours may be appropriate for most infants. We aimed to decrease the average culture observation time (COT) from 38 to 30 hours among hospitalized infants 0 to 60 days old over 12 months.

METHODS

This quality improvement initiative occurred at a large children's hospital, in conjunction with development of a multidisciplinary evidence‐based guideline for the management of febrile infants. We included infants aged 0 to 60 days admitted with fever without a clear infectious source. We excluded infants who had positive blood, urine, or CSF cultures within 24 hours of incubation and infants who were hospitalized for other indications (eg, bronchiolitis). Interventions included guideline dissemination, education regarding laboratory monitoring practices, standardized order sets, and near‐time identification of failures. Our primary outcome was COT, defined as time between initiation of culture incubation and hospital discharge in hours. Interventions were tracked on an annotated statistical process control chart. Our balancing measure was identification of IBI after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 184 infants aged 0 to 60 days, average COT decreased from 38 hours to 32 hours after structured guideline dissemination and order‐set standardization; this decrease was sustained over 17 months. IBI was not identified in any patients after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of an evidence‐based guideline through education, transparency of laboratory procedures, creation of standardized order sets, and near‐time feedback was associated with shorter COT for febrile infants aged 0 to 60 days.
Levitsky, Steven & Ziblatt, Daniel. Como as democracias morrem. Rio de Janeiro: Zahar, 2018. ISBN: 9788537818008.
Authors: Dos Santos Ricco Miriam , Neto Tomaz Espósito , Da Paz Janieli Vasconcelos
Published: May 2021

A presente resenha crítica do livro "Como as democracias morrem" de autoria dos professores Steven Levitky e Daniel Ziblatt já era à época em que foi publicado uma obra extremamente importante para entender os processos pelos quais a sociedade contemporânea livre e democrática está passando, mais ainda em um ano pós-pandêmico com acontecimentos jamais vistos dentro da história política americana. De forma que, se faz necessário revisitar este livro que mais parece um manual de vigilância da democracia e rememorar suas lições, muito atuais e pertinentes.Palavras-chave: democracia; fronteiras; direitos humanos. ABSTRACT The present critical review of the book "How democracies die" by professors Steven Levitky and Daniel Ziblatt was already at the time that an extremely important work was published to understand the processes that free and democratic contemporary society is going through, even more in a post-pandemic year with events never before seen in American political history. So, it is necessary to revisit this book that looks more like a democracy surveillance manual and to recall its very current and pertinent lessons.Key words: democracy; borders; human rights. Recebido em: 29 jan. 2020 | Aceito em: 25 mar. 2021.
Problems Experienced in the Literacy Teaching Process by Foreign Students in the First Grade of Primary School
Authors: Kasa-Ayten Basak , Ates Ayse
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to obtain classroom teachers' views on the problems experienced in the literacy process by foreign students in the first grade of primary school, which constitutes an important part of language acquisition. A qualitative research approach has been adopted in the research. The data were obtained using a semi-structured interview form. With the semi-structured interview form created by the researchers, the opinions of the teachers working in the city center of Malatya in Turkey in the 2017-2018 academic year and having foreign students in their class were received. The data collected in line with the opinions of the teachers were analyzed with content analysis. As a result of the data analyzed, the opinions of the teachers were collected under 5 titles; "The problems experienced by foreign students in the process of adaptation to the school", "The problems experienced by foreign students in the stages of the literacy process", "Teacher’s problems in the education of foreign students", "Teacher’s solutions regarding the problems experienced by foreign students in education", and "System suggestions of teachers for the education of foreign students". Teachers mostly experienced problems in writing during the preparation stage, language-related problems in the perception of the sound, pronunciation problems in reading letters, and comprehension problems in syllable-word-sentence-text creation when starting independent literacy.
Importance of indigenous communities’ knowledge and perception in achieving biodiversity conservation: A case study from Manobo tribe of Southern Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: SALVAÑA FLORENCE ROY P. , ARNIBAL SHANE LOVE T.
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Salvaña FRP, Arnibal SLT. 2019. Importance of indigenous communities’ knowledge and perception in achieving biodiversity conservation: A case study from Manobo tribe of Southern Mindanao, Philippines. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 54-61. Indigenous communities play a relevant role for setting biodiversity management and conservation. This study aims to determine the knowledge and perceived importance of the Manobo tribe towards biodiversity. A total of 100 Manobos were included in the study to determine the knowledge and perception of indigenous communities particularly the Manobo tribe towards biodiversity. A semi-structured survey questionnaire was used to determine responses on knowledge and importance perception/ Our study found a consistent significant difference on the mean responses on knowledge and perception across gender and education attainment. Interestingly, traditional knowledge is significantly associated on the biodiversity importance perception of Manobos. Our findings suggest involving indigenous communities is equally important in achieving balanced biodiversity conservation and protection. Thus, strengthening collaborations among local government sectors and community leaders must be included in developing conservation priorities and protection.
Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Authors: Jamera Jade Keith Adrian , Manting Muhmin Michael , Dapar Mark Lloyd
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Jamera JKAM, Manting MME, Dapar MLG. 2020. Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 41-50. Manobo tribe is culturally rich in traditional practices, medicinal uses, diversity, and traditional knowledge based on their community plant resources. They dwell in hinterlands and mountainous regions in the southern part of the Philippines and live an intricate life dependent on agriculture and forest plants. Traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs of indigenous peoples play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity. This study seeks to investigate the use of ritual plants of the Manobo tribe in Hinapuyan, Carmen and Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur and to identify the availability of ritual plants being used. Plant information with the local name, plant parts used, methods of preparation, ritual uses, and Cultural Importance Index (CI) were quantified. This study documented a total of 12 traditional rituals associated with ritual plants. The five identified plant species are being used in tribal rituals belonging to four different families, namely Arecaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, and Solanaceae. Arecaceae includes two species, while one species represented each of the rest of the families. Ritual plants with the highest CI were Areca catechu L., Piper betle L., and Nicotiana tabacum L. Manobo ritual plants have a symbolic meaning and rational function. This study is the first documentation of ritual plants presenting traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs that must be saved to maintain biological diversity. The tribe cultivated some ritual plants within the village in addition to their wild plant collection. These ritual plants are conserved and protected by the Manobo community. More investigations are recommended on the ritual plants used among diverse ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines and other countries.
The Bintan MOS development: contribution of ideas to realize Nusantara marine observation network
Authors: Apdillah Dony , Jaya Indra , Iqbal Muhammad , Deswati Ratih , Glagah Mahesa , Kusumah Bili , Nugroho Agung Tri , Syafi’i Imam
Published: May 2021

Several marine research have attempted to design a data observation system using Internet of Things (IoT). In the future, this system is predicted to become a necessity for marine researchers as a strategic technology to continuously access data. Therefore, this study provides information on the development and application of observation and data collection systems using IoT. The coastal weather and tidal data were obtained via the automatic coastal weather station and acoustic gauge respectively. Meanwhile, the various research activities commenced in July, 2018. In the first year, an operational observation system was developed, while comprehensive baseline data such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sea surface level were also collected. This collection system is reliable, provides real-time data, and easily accessible with internet connection. Furthermore, the Bintan Marine Observation System (The Bintan MOS) is also suitable for other uses such as; monitoring water quality and marine mammals, as well as disaster mitigation. The adoption of this system by other sectors potentially conditions marine researchers for data exchange, to fully understand the fluctuations in coastal weather of Western and Eastern Indonesia as well as the tropical and sub-tropical marine weather. This study successfully developed the Bintan MOS, capable of providing reliable information both off-line and real-time.Keywords:Marine observation systemCoastal weatherTidalBintan
Las cometas. De la memoria histórica al trabajo competencial
en educación física
Authors: Brasó-Rius Jordi , Arderiu-Antonell Meritxell
Published: May 2021

NTRODUCCIÓN. Las tradiciones son elementos identitarios de
un pueblo, y los juegos de los niños son parte de esta tradición. El
objeto de estudio del presente artículo es la cometa. Se realiza a
partir de un esbozo histórico, folklórico y lúdico, y el análisis de
sus usos y simbolismos de dicho instrumento. MÉTODO. La metodología
se ha basado en el análisis de obras de finales del s. XIX e inicios
del s. XX que tratan la historia, simbolismo y construcción del
juego. Se centra el estudio en la aportación del folklorista Joan
Amades, que detalla los diferentes significados y usos de este
juguete. Las fuentes secundarias relacionadas con la cometa
contextualizan la aportación. A la vez, se ha llevado a cabo una
aplicación en el aula, para el posible trabajo competencial, con un
grupo de alumnos de ciclos formativos de la familia de actividades
físicas. RESULTADOS. La propuesta permite hacer ver al alumnado los
juegos existentes en el pasado, la dificultad en su construcción, la
práctica y la aplicación al siglo XXI. DISCUSIÓN. Se evidencia que
es necesaria una reflexión en torno al pasado y una recuperación de
las tradiciones si se quiere mantener la identidad de los
pueblos.
Entanglement of a pair of quantum emitters via continuous fluorescence measurements: a tutorial
Authors: Lewalle Philippe , Elouard Cyril , Manikandan Sreenath K. , Qian Xiao-Feng , Eberly Joseph H. , Jordan Andrew N.
Published: May 2021

We discuss recent developments in measurement protocols that generate
quantum entanglement between two remote qubits, focusing on the theory
of joint continuous detection of their spontaneous emission. We
consider a device geometry similar to that used in well-known Bell
state measurements, which we analyze using a conceptually transparent
model of stochastic quantum trajectories; we use this to review
photodetection, the most straightforward case, and then generalize to
the diffusive trajectories from homodyne and heterodyne detection as
well. Such quadrature measurement schemes are a realistic two-qubit
extension of existing circuit QED experiments, which obtain quantum
trajectories by homodyning or heterodyning a superconducting qubit’s
spontaneous emission, or an adaptation of existing optical measurement
schemes to obtain jump trajectories from emitters. We mention key
results, presented from within a single theoretical framework, and
draw connections to concepts in the wider literature on entanglement
generation by measurement (such as path information erasure and
entanglement swapping). The photon which-path information acquisition,
and therefore the two-qubit entanglement yield, is tunable under the
homodyne detection scheme we discuss, at best generating equivalent
average entanglement dynamics as in the comparable photodetection
case. In addition to deriving this known equivalence, we extend past
analyses in our characterization of the measurement dynamics: we
include derivations of bounds on the fastest possible evolution toward
a Bell state under joint homodyne measurement dynamics and
characterize the maximal entanglement yield possible using inefficient
(lossy) measurements.
Achieving high budget classes in the downstream link of 50G-PON
Authors: Rosales Ricardo , Cano Ivan , Nesset Derek , Brenot Romain , Dubrovina Natalia , Durán-Valdeiglesias Elena , Debregeas Helene
Published: May 2021

With 50G passive optical networks (PONs) currently being standardized, we review the challenges of meeting the high loss budgets required in such high speed fiber access networks. Simulations of the 50 Gb/s link performance show the impact of critical parameters when using 25G-class avalanche photodiode receivers with digital signal processing. We describe how a 1342 nm electro-absorption modulated laser, with an external semiconductor optical amplifier, enables an E2-class, 20 km, downstream link for ITU-T, 50G-PON to be demonstrated. Using a 25G-class receiver and real-time equalization, a link budget of 35.6 dB was measured. With more powerful equalization performed offline, an increase in the link budget to 38.2 dB is also demonstrated.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction as a regulator of alveolar-capillary oxygen flux: A computational model of ventilation-perfusion matching
Authors: Marquis Andrew D. , Jezek Filip , Pinsky David J. , Beard Daniel A.
Published: May 2021

The relationship between regional variabilities in airflow (ventilation) and blood flow (perfusion) is a critical determinant of gas exchange efficiency in the lungs. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is understood to be the primary active regulator of ventilation-perfusion matching, where upstream arterioles constrict to direct blood flow away from areas that have low oxygen supply. However, it is not understood how the integrated action of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction affects oxygen transport at the system level. In this study we develop, and make functional predictions with a multi-scale multi-physics model of ventilation-perfusion matching governed by the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model consists of (a) morphometrically realistic 2D pulmonary vascular networks to the level of large arterioles and venules; (b) a tileable lumped-parameter model of vascular fluid and wall mechanics that accounts for the influence of alveolar pressure; (c) oxygen transport accounting for oxygen bound to hemoglobin and dissolved in plasma; and (d) a novel empirical model of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model simulations predict that under the artificial test condition of a uniform ventilation distribution (1) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction matches perfusion to ventilation; (2) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction homogenizes regional alveolar-capillary oxygen flux; and (3) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction increases whole-lobe oxygen uptake by improving ventilation-perfusion matching.
Effects of incomplete inter-hospital network data on the assessment of transmission dynamics of hospital-acquired infections
Authors: Xia Hanjue , Horn Johannes , Piotrowska Monika J. , Sakowski Konrad , Karch André , Tahir Hannan , Kretzschmar Mirjam , Mikolajczyk Rafael
Published: May 2021

In the year 2020, there were 105 different statutory insurance companies in Germany with heterogeneous regional coverage. Obtaining data from all insurance companies is challenging, so that it is likely that projects will have to rely on data not covering the whole population. Consequently, the study of epidemic spread in hospital referral networks using data-driven models may be biased. We studied this bias using data from three German regional insurance companies covering four federal states: AOK (historically “general local health insurance company”, but currently only the abbreviation is used) Lower Saxony (in Federal State of Lower Saxony), AOK Bavaria (in Bavaria), and AOK PLUS (in Thuringia and Saxony). To understand how incomplete data influence network characteristics and related epidemic simulations, we created sampled datasets by randomly dropping a proportion of patients from the full datasets and replacing them with random copies of the remaining patients to obtain scale-up datasets to the original size. For the sampled and scale-up datasets, we calculated several commonly used network measures, and compared them to those derived from the original data. We found that the network measures (degree, strength and closeness) were rather sensitive to incompleteness. Infection prevalence as an outcome from the applied susceptible-infectious-susceptible (SIS) model was fairly robust against incompleteness. At incompleteness levels as high as 90% of the original datasets the prevalence estimation bias was below 5% in scale-up datasets. Consequently, a coverage as low as 10% of the local population of the federal state population was sufficient to maintain the relative bias in prevalence below 10% for a wide range of transmission parameters as encountered in clinical settings. Our findings are reassuring that despite incomplete coverage of the population, German health insurance data can be used to study effects of patient traffic between institutions on the spread of pathogens within healthcare networks.