bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing splenic switch-off in Adenosine stress CMR for patients with atrial fibrillation: a propensity-matched study
Authors: Barrishi Adam , Graby John , Khavandi Ali , Dastidar Amardeep , Rodrigues Jonathan CL
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

Splenic switch-off (SSO) is a validated indicator of adequate vasodilator stress unique to adenosine stress cardiac MR (CMR). Patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) may have a reduced adenosine response due to lower hyperaemic coronary flow reserve and may achieve SSO less frequently versus sinus rhythm (SR).

Methods:

1100 stress CMR studies were identified from a clinical CMR database (2016–2021). 70 patients in AF were propensity score matched to a SR group for age, sex, and body mass index. The adenosine dose administered, symptoms, heart-rate change and scan result were recorded. SSO was evaluated subjectively and semi-quantitatively via changes in splenic and myocardial signal intensity (SI) from rest to stress.

Results:

SSO occurred significantly less frequently in AF than SR (34/70 [49%] vs 53/70 [76%], p = 0.003). Semi-quantitative assessment supported this, with a smaller splenic SI difference between stress and rest in AF vs SR (median splenic stress:rest peak SI ratio 0.92 [IQR:0.61–1.11] vs 0.56 [IQR:0.45–0.75], p < 0.001). A heart-rate increase >10 bpm predicted visual SSO in SR but not AF. Fewer patients in AF than SR had inducible ischaemia (9/70 [13%] vs 17/69 [25%], p = 0.058). This difference was not driven by inducible ischaemia rates in patients who did not achieve SSO (6/36 [17%] AF vs 4/17 [24%] SR, p = 0.403).

Conclusions:

SSO occurs significantly less frequently with AF. This may risk the under diagnosis of inducible ischaemia and requires further assessment.

Advances in knowledge:

SSO, a validated marker of adequate stress in CMR, occurs significantly less frequently in the presence of AF, risking a suboptimal functional assessment of coronary disease.
Case Report: Transient cortical blindness following coronary angiography
Authors: Oktaviono Yudi Her , Kawilarang Maureen Victoria , Kawilarang Michael , Gunadi Ruth Irena , Philothra Petrina Theda , Al Farabi Makhyan Jibril
Published: August 2022

Temporary blindness, also known as transient cortical blindness, is an uncommon impediment of contrast agent usage during angiography procedures. The occurrence of blindness after a cardiac catheterization procedure is rare and its pathophysiology remains largely speculative. The most probable mechanism seems to be contrast agent-related disruption of the blood–brain barrier, possibly initiated by several predisposing factors. This case reports a 52-year-old man with transient vision loss that occurred following coronary angiography. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no acute pathology and his vision spontaneously returned within approximately 15 hours post-procedure without any requirement of specific therapy. Suggesting that transient cortical blindness may have occurred following coronary angiography which subsequently self-resolved.
The effect of a siamese pumpkin and tuna-based powder (CHAGURO) diet in improving chol/HDL ratios in prediabetes individuals with dyslipidemia: a randomised trial
Authors: Sudargo Toto , Prameswari Atika Anif , Aulia Bianda , Aristasari Tira , Ratri Fitria Aninda , Muslichah Rahadyana , Putri Sheila Rosmala
Published: August 2022

Background: The study aimed to examine the effect of administering CHAGURO (a product of the combination of siamese pumpkin and tuna-based powder) on the lipid profile in prediabetes individuals with dyslipidemia.

Methods: The experimental trial was conducted with two intervention groups, with each group receiving a dose of 7.5g/70kg body weight (BW)/day (low dose) and 15g/70kg BW/day (high dose) for 60 days. Respondents in each group ranged in age from 30 to 60 years old. Prediabetes was defined as fasting blood sugar levels of 100-125 mg/dL, while cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL was considered dyslipidemia. The mean baseline HbA1c level for all subjects was 5.5%. Respondents were randomized into intervention groups using simple randomization. Pre-test and post-test measurements were performed for body mass index (BMI), physical activity (using IPAQ-SF), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profile, blood pressure, and food intake (using SQ-FFQ). Statistical analyses performed included descriptive tests, independent and paired T-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Compared to the baseline, HbA1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides in the two groups did not improve significantly by 60 days. For lipid variables, a significant improvement in the cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (chol/HDL) ratios were observed when compared against the baseline for the two groups. When comparing the changes between groups, 7.5 g of CHAGURO showed a larger improvement in HDL-C (mean differences: 1.86 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.86-4.59), compared to 15 g of CHAGURO (mean differences: -3.62 mg/dL; 95% CI: -7.53-0.28). A significant (p<0.05) decrease in the chol/HDL ratio was observed in the 7.5 g CHAGURO group (mean differences: -0.20 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.39-(-0.01)).

Conclusions: CHAGURO can be a functional food alternative to improve the condition of prediabetes people with dyslipidemia.

Trial registration: Dr. Sardjito General Hospital (KE/FK/0951/EC/2020), 27/08/2020
What can we experience and report on a rapidly presented image? Intersubjective measures of specificity of freely reported contents of consciousness
Authors: Chuyin Zhang , Koh Zhao Hui , Gallagher Regan , Nishimoto Shinji , Tsuchiya Naotsugu
Published: August 2022

Background: A majority of previous studies appear to support a view that human observers can only perceive coarse information from a natural scene image when it is presented rapidly (<100ms, masked). In these studies, participants were often forced to choose an answer from options that experimenters preselected. These options can underestimate what participants experience and can report on it. The current study aims to introduce a novel methodology to investigate how detailed information participants can report after briefly seeing a natural scene image.    

Methods: We used a novel free-report paradigm to examine what people can freely report following a rapidly presented natural scene image (67/133/267ms, masked). N = 600 online participants typed up to five words to report what they saw in the image together with confidence of the respective responses. We developed a novel index, Intersubjective Agreement (IA). IA quantifies how specifically the response words were used to describe the target image, with a high value meaning the word is not often reported for other images. Importantly, IA eliminates the need for experimenters to preselect response options.

Results: The words with high IA values are often something detailed (e.g., a small object) in a particular image. With IA, unlike commonly believed, we demonstrated that participants reported highly specific and detailed aspects of the briefly (even at 67ms, masked) shown image. Further, IA is positively correlated with confidence, indicating metacognitive conscious access to the reported aspects of the image.

Conclusion: These new findings challenge the dominant view that the content of rapid scene experience is limited to global and coarse gist. Our novel paradigm opens a door to investigate various contents of consciousness with a free-report paradigm.
Effect of prehydration solution on hearing threshold after chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers: a retrospective study
Authors: Ahn Dongbin , Lee Kyu-Yup , Oh Eunjung , Oh Minji , Jung Boseung , Jung Da Jung
Published: August 2022

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of prehydration solution on hearing thresholds after cisplatin chemotherapy.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the data of patients who underwent ≥3 courses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancers at a tertiary referral center (n=64). The dextrose solution (DW) group (n=26) received 2 L of normal saline and 1 L of 5% dextrose. The Hartmann solution (HS) group (n=38) received 2 L of normal saline and 1 L of HS. Hearing data were measured 1 day before starting the first course of chemotherapy, and again 20 days after the first, second, and third courses of chemotherapy. The severity of hearing loss was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).Results: Thresholds at all frequencies after chemotherapy were greater in the DW group than in the HS group. The increase in thresholds in 1 to 4 kHz after the third course of chemotherapy was greater in the DW group than in the HS group. CTCAE grades after the second and third courses of chemotherapy were greater in the DW group than in the HS group. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for CTCAE grade 3 or 4 after the third course of chemotherapy in the DW group was 4.84 on univariate analysis.Conclusion: Prehydration using a solution with salt was associated with a decrease in change in hearing thresholds after cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers.
Multipolar Security Cooperation Planning: A Multiobjective, Adversarial-Risk-Analysis Approach
Authors: Caballero William N. , Gharst Ethan , Banks David , Weir Jeffery D.
Published: August 2022

In an increasingly competitive environment, defense organizations are met with more difficult decisions than in years past. This problem is especially apparent in security cooperation, that is, defense diplomacy, conducted by the United States. Both the United States and its competitors offer military assistance to third-party nations who, in turn, select an offer based on their own self-interest. Unfortunately, current security cooperation planning practices adopt an ad hoc approach to such problems. Therefore, we set forth herein a decision-analytic-planning framework by (1) provisioning a generic utility model for security cooperation planning applicable to myriad stakeholders and (2) developing a Bayesian solution that allows the stakeholder to select an action that maximizes their expected utility. This combination of value-focused thinking and adversarial risk analysis improves upon standard U.S. defense practices; it tractably encodes planning assumptions and more comprehensively considers the relevant uncertainties. The efficacy of this planning approach is illustrated on a notional U.S. Air Force case study in which a host nation must choose between security assistance from the United States or a competing nation.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant DMS-1638521] and Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant 21RT0867].
Health-related quality of life and assessment in patients with lower limb lymphoedema: a systematic review
Authors: Chima Comfort , Murray Bridget , Moore Zena , Costello Mary , George Sherly
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To determine the impact of lower limb lymphoedema (LLL) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to identify the methodologies used to assess HRQoL and their adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended HRQoL dimensions.

Method:

A systematic review was used following the PRISMA guidance. Studies were eligible if they assessed HRQoL in adult patients with LLL. The search was conducted between September 2019 and February 2020 using CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database. Data were placed onto a pre-developed data extraction table and analysed using a narrative synthesis. Evidence-based Librarianship (EBL) was used for quality appraisal.

Results:

A total of 18 studies were identified, among which 10 were cross-sectional and eight were longitudinal studies. Twelve HRQoL questionnaires were identified and the Lymphoedema Quality of Life tool (LYMQoL) was the most commonly used. All of the studies except one had an EBL validity score of ≥75%. Although LLL causes a considerable impairment in HRQoL, the findings varied across the studies. All the studies considered at least four of the six WHO recommended dimensions, with none considering the spirituality dimension. Furthermore, physical functioning and wellbeing were discovered to be the worst affected HRQoL dimensions.

Conclusion:

LLL adversely affects physical function, wellbeing and thus the HRQoL. The LYMQoL is the most commonly used questionnaire; despite this, all elements of the WHO recommendations were not captured in the included studies. However, accurate information on HRQoL indicating the impact of the disease on survivors’ lives and complete wellbeing is needed to inform evidence-based decision-making. Furthermore, having a universally accepted, disease-specific methodology will facilitate comparison and contrasting of HRQoL in patients with LLL.
The growing need for digital document attestation
Authors: Sahib Mohammed
Published: August 2022

Advancing technology and the Covid-19 pandemic have prompted a rise in digital transactions. More sales, contracts and legal agreements have moved online than ever before and that number is only growing. But accompanying this is a rising concern about the security of digital documents, and particularly the robustness of digital document attestation.
Passwords: The cyber security lesson that was never learned?
Authors: Furnell Steven
Published: August 2022

Throughout the years, passwords have enjoyed the curious distinction of being both the most maligned and the most widely used aspect of cyber security. We know their weaknesses and people tend to use them badly, yet they continue to be deployed in ways that have allowed poor practices to continue. As a result, the same problems have persisted and we have appeared reluctant to learn the lessons that would improve the situation.
Aberration analysis of a projection-type CGH display with an expanded FOV based on the HOE screen
Authors: Su Wei-Chia , Zhou Shao-Kui , Matoba Osamu , Nitta Kouichi , Lin Bor-Shyh , Lin Wen-Kai
Published: August 2022

This paper proposed a holographic optical element as a see-through screen for the computer-generated hologram projection system with 3D images. The proposed holographic screen consisted of a linear grating and a lens phase. The linear grating is used to redirect the information light and guide information into the observer's eye and achieve the see-through function. The lens phase is used to magnify the field of view of the holographic projection system. The aberration caused by the screen was analyzed in this paper and the aberration can be pre-corrected in the hologram calculation algorithm. Finally, the proposed system achieved 20.3 by 14.3 degrees field of view at 532 nm laser based on the spatial light modulator with 6.4 µm pixels.
Batch-based alternating direction methods of multipliers for Fourier ptychography
Authors: Yang Li , Liu Zhifang , Zheng Guoan , Chang Huibin
Published: August 2022

Fourier ptychography (FP) has been developed as a general imaging tool for various applications. However, the redundancy data has to be enforced to get a stable recovery, leading to a large dataset and a high computational cost. Based on the additive property of the optical pupils in FP recovery, we report batch-based alternating direction methods of multipliers (ADMM) for FP reconstruction. The reported scheme is performed by implementing partial updates in sub-problems of the standard ADMM. We validate the reconstruction performance using both simulated and experimental measurements. Compared with the embedded pupil function recovery (EPRY) algorithm, the proposed algorithms can converge faster and produce higher-quality images.
Symmetrical reversal transmission of Airy pulses in dispersion-managed fiber systems
Authors: Wang Yan , Xin Zhigang , Zhang Ruifang
Published: August 2022

Based on the dispersion management technology, the transmission characteristics of Airy pulses in optical fiber systems are studied theoretically and numerically. The results show that the group velocity dispersion and third-order dispersion that change periodically along the transmission direction of the optical fiber can prolong the transmission of pulses. Under the action of periodically varying group velocity dispersion, the symmetrical reversal of the Airy pulse can be realized which the shape of the pulse keeps invariable and the tail converses after the inversion. When the periodic third-order dispersion effect is also considered, the periodically symmetrical reversal of the Airy pulse happens and the pulse can be regenerated periodically at the certain transmission distance. Adjusting the parameters of the third-order dispersion, the inversion position and the period can be manipulated. In addition, it is found that the tight focusing of the Airy pulse is also controllable.
Tunable anisotropic parameters realized by metal–dielectric hybrid meta-atoms
Authors: Peng Ruiguang , Zhao Qian , Meng Yonggang , Wen Shizhu
Published: August 2022

Rational design of the structure enables metamaterials to go beyond the
ingredients and achieve unprecedented material properties. However,
the realization of complicated and anisotropic electromagnetic
parameters relies on the elaborate design of building blocks, and the
mutual coupling between the anisotropic responses makes precise
control of material parameters even more difficult. Here, we propose a
metal–dielectric hybrid metamaterial, not only realizing the
decoupling between anisotropic electromagnetic responses, but also
establishing a one-to-one correspondence between independent geometric
dimensions and anisotropic parameter components. Moreover, a tuning
theoretical paradigm applied to an anisotropic and resonant system is
further suggested, which proves that the operating frequency of this
hybrid metamaterial can be easily adjusted by changing external
fields. As prototypes, two typical and tunable microwave meta-devices,
a transformation-optics cloak and a frequency splitter, are
constructed with Ba–Sm–La–Ti ferroelectric
ceramic and flexible printed circuit board, which successfully
demonstrate our proposed design theory. This work provides a simple
strategy for the design and fabrication of tunable anisotropic
metamaterials, and boost the development of meta-devices toward
practical application.
Digitally assisted photonic analog domain self-interference cancellation for in-band full-duplex MIMO systems via the LS algorithm with adaptive order
Authors: Han Moxuan , Chen Yang
Published: August 2022

A digitally assisted photonic analog domain self-interference cancellation (SIC) and frequency downconversion method is proposed for in-band full-duplex multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems using the least square (LS) algorithm with adaptive order. The SIC and frequency downconversion are achieved in the optical domain via a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator, while the downconverted signal is processed by the LS algorithm with adaptive order that is used to track the response of the multipath self-interference (SI) channel and reconstruct the reference signal for SIC. The proposed method can overcome the reconstruction difficulty of the multipath analog reference signal for SIC with high complexity in the MIMO scenario and can also solve the problem that the order of the reference reconstruction algorithm is not optimized when the wireless environment changes. An experiment is carried out to verify the concept. SIC depths of 30.2, 26.9, 23.5, 19.5, and 15.8 dB are achieved when the SI signal has a carrier frequency of 10 GHz and baud rates of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 Gbaud, respectively. The convergence of the LS algorithm with adaptive order is also verified for different MIMO multipath SI signals.
Scanning multi-channel spin-exchange relaxation-free atomic magnetometer with high spatial and time resolution: publisher’s note
Authors: Lu Fei , Li Bo , Lu Jixi , Ye Mao , Ning Xiaolin , Han Bangcheng
Published: August 2022

This publisher’s note contains a correction to Opt. Lett.
47, 3908 (2022)10.1364/OL.465832.
A proposed de-identification framework for a cohort of children presenting at a health facility in Uganda
Authors: Mawji Alishah , Longstaff Holly , Trawin Jessica , Dunsmuir Dustin , Komugisha Clare , Novakowski Stefanie K. , Wiens Matthew O. , Akech Samuel , Tagoola Abner , Kissoon Niranjan , Ansermino J. Mark
Published: August 2022

Data sharing has enormous potential to accelerate and improve the accuracy of research, strengthen collaborations, and restore trust in the clinical research enterprise. Nevertheless, there remains reluctancy to openly share raw data sets, in part due to concerns regarding research participant confidentiality and privacy. Statistical data de-identification is an approach that can be used to preserve privacy and facilitate open data sharing. We have proposed a standardized framework for the de-identification of data generated from cohort studies in children in a low-and-middle income country. We applied a standardized de-identification framework to a data sets comprised of 241 health related variables collected from a cohort of 1750 children with acute infections from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda. Variables were labeled as direct and quasi-identifiers based on conditions of replicability, distinguishability, and knowability with consensus from two independent evaluators. Direct identifiers were removed from the data sets, while a statistical risk-based de-identification approach using the k-anonymity model was applied to quasi-identifiers. Qualitative assessment of the level of privacy invasion associated with data set disclosure was used to determine an acceptable re-identification risk threshold, and corresponding k-anonymity requirement. A de-identification model using generalization, followed by suppression was applied using a logical stepwise approach to achieve k-anonymity. The utility of the de-identified data was demonstrated using a typical clinical regression example. The de-identified data sets was published on the Pediatric Sepsis Data CoLaboratory Dataverse which provides moderated data access. Researchers are faced with many challenges when providing access to clinical data. We provide a standardized de-identification framework that can be adapted and refined based on specific context and risks. This process will be combined with moderated access to foster coordination and collaboration in the clinical research community.
“In our culture, if you quarantine someone, you stigmatize them”: Qualitative insights on barriers to observing COVID-19 prevention behaviors in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Tibbels Natalie Jean , Dosso Abdul , Kra Kouamé Walter , Gbeke Konan Dorgeles , Coffi Gervais , Ngoran Alex Romeo , Niamke Jean Louis , Nana Marjorie , Benié William , Hendrickson Zoé Mistrale , Naugle Danielle Amani
Published: August 2022

While vaccines are now authorized for use against the SARS-CoV2 virus, they remain inaccessible for much of the world and widespread hesitancy persists. Ending the COVID-19 pandemic depends on continued prevention behaviors such as mask wearing, distancing, hand hygiene, and limiting large gatherings. Research in low- and middle-income countries has focused on the prevalence of adherence and demographic determinants, but there is a need for a nuanced understanding of why people do or do not practice a given prevention behavior. The Breakthrough ACTION project led by Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs conducted a qualitative study in November 2020 in Côte d’Ivoire to explore people’s experience with and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted 24 focus group discussions and 29 in-depth interviews with members of the general population and health providers. This analysis explores barriers and facilitators to seven recommended prevention behaviors with a particular focus on response efficacy, self-efficacy, and social norms. We found these constructs to be salient for participants who generally felt that the behaviors were useful for preventing COVID-19 but were difficult to practice for a variety of reasons. The perception that COVID-19 prevention behaviors were anti-social emerged as a key theme. Behavior change interventions must reframe the recommended behaviors as pro-social, while making them very easy to practice by removing social and structural barriers such as the expense or inaccessibility of masks and hand sanitizer.
Regional medical inter-institutional cooperation in medical provider network constructed using patient claims data from Japan
Authors: Ohki Yu , Ikeda Yuichi , Kunisawa Susumu , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: August 2022

The aging world population requires a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system. To examine the efficiency of medical cooperation, medical provider and physician networks were constructed using patient claims data. Previous studies have shown that these networks contain information on medical cooperation. However, the usage patterns of multiple medical providers in a series of medical services have not been considered. In addition, these studies used only general network features to represent medical cooperation, but their expressive ability was low. To overcome these limitations, we analyzed the medical provider network to examine its overall contribution to the quality of healthcare provided by cooperation between medical providers in a series of medical services. This study focused on: i) the method of feature extraction from the network, ii) incorporation of the usage pattern of medical providers, and iii) expressive ability of the statistical model. Femoral neck fractures were selected as the target disease. To build the medical provider networks, we analyzed the patient claims data from a single prefecture in Japan between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. We considered four types of models. Models 1 and 2 use node strength and linear regression, with Model 2 also incorporating patient age as an input. Models 3 and 4 use feature representation by node2vec with linear regression and regression tree ensemble, a machine learning method. The results showed that medical providers with higher levels of cooperation reduce the duration of hospital stay. The overall contribution of the medical cooperation to the duration of hospital stay extracted from the medical provider network using node2vec is approximately 20%, which is approximately 20 times higher than the model using strength.
Nanoparticle coatings for controlled release of quercetin from an angioplasty balloon
Authors: Craciun Ioana , Astete Carlos E. , Boldor Dorin , Jennings Merilyn H. , Gorman Jake D. , Sabliov Cristina M. , Dugas Tammy R.
Published: August 2022

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a systemic vascular disease of the legs that results in a blockage of blood flow from the heart to the lower extremities. Now one of the most common causes of mortality in the U.S., the first line of therapy for PAD is to mechanically open the blockages using balloon angioplasty. Coating the balloons with antiproliferative agents can potentially reduce vessel re-narrowing, or restenosis after surgical intervention, but current drug-coated balloons releasing chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel have in some cases shown increased mortality long-term. Our aim was to design a novel drug-coated balloon using a polymeric nanodelivery system for a sustained release of polyphenols that reduce restenosis but with reduced toxicity compared to chemotherapy agents. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with entrapped quercetin, a dimethoxy quercetin (rhamnazin), as well as quercetin covalently attached to PLGA, were developed. Balloon catheters were coated with polymeric nanoparticles using an ultrasonic method, and nanoparticle characteristics, drug loading, coating uniformity and drug release were determined. The adhesion of nanoparticles to vascular smooth muscle cells and the antiproliferative effect of nano-delivered polyphenols were also assessed. Of the nanoparticle systems tested, those with covalently attached quercetin provided the most sustained release over a 6-day period. Although these particles adhered to cells to a smaller extent compared to other nanoparticle formulations, their attachment was resistant to washing. These particles also exhibited the greatest anti-proliferative effect. In addition, their attachment was not altered when the cells were grown in calcifying conditions, and in PAD tissue calcification is typically a condition that impedes drug delivery. Moreover, the ultrasonic coating method generated a uniform balloon coating. The polymeric nanoparticle system with covalently attached quercetin developed herein is thus proposed as a promising platform to reduce restenosis post-angioplasty.
Relevance of COVID-19 vaccine on the tourism industry: Evidence from China
Authors: Oteng Agyeman Fredrick , Ma Zhiqiang , Li Mingxing , Kwasi Sampene Agyemang , Adikah Israel , Frimpong Dapaah Malcom
Published: August 2022

Background

Vaccination is indeed one of the interventional strategies available to combat coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study emphasizes the relevance of citizens’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in assisting global recovery from the pandemic and aiding the tourism industries to return to normalcy. This study further presented the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in China. Also, the study confirmed the past performance of tourism in China to the current tourism-related COVID-19 effects from a global perspective by employing Australia’s outbound tourism data from 2008 to 2020 on top 6 destinations, including China, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Methods

Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) was used to analyze this study. The JASP statistical software was employed to accurately analyze the vaccines administered in China from December 15, 2020, to March 28, 2021.

Results

The study results demonstrate an overwhelming acceptance of vaccines in China which will positively and significantly impact the globe’s travel and tourism industries. Also, the study findings indicated that industries in tourism are hopeful of regaining the past losses. Further, the study results showed an enormous decline in death and new cases.

Conclusion

Vaccine acceptance is relevant for the eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, neighborhood and individual-level acceptance of the vaccine will help reduce the challenges facing the tourism industries and the world. The researchers recommend that authorities should strictly check the vaccination certificates of visitors. Furthermore, hoteliers should put adequate measures to monitor all visitors who visit the various tourist destinations.
Perception of risk regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women in Motta town and Hulet Eji Enese district, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Asratie Melaku Hunie , Kassie Belayneh Ayanaw , Belay Daniel Gashaneh , Endalew Mastewal , Gashaw Moges , Assegie Getnet Melak
Published: August 2022

Background

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is a common practice in developing countries like Ethiopia. Despite there being a rumor from the community that the use of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is associated with many pregnancy adverse outcomes. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence on the perception of risk COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy in Ethiopia. This study assessed the perception of risk COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and associated factors in Motta town and Hulet Eji Enese district, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 12 to February 12, 2021. A total of 851 women’ were selected using the stratified cluster sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a semi-structured pretested and interviewer-administered questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the perception of risk COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval at a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to declare the level of significance.

Results

Perception of risk COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was 34.2% (95%CI (Confidence Interval): 31–37). Unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 3.66; 95%CI: 2.31–5.81), long travel time to the nearby health care facility (AOR: 4.57; 95% CI: 2.34–8.91), have no formal education (AOR: 3.15; 95%CI: 1.71–5.79), attending secondary educational level (AOR: 5.18; 95% CI: 2.17–12.4), no ANC (Antenatal Care) service utilization (AOR: 7.07; 95% CI: 4.35–11.5) and negative attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination (AOR: 6.05; 95%CI: 3.88–9.43) were significantly associated with the perception of risk COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Most of the participants perceive COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy as a risk for the outcome of pregnancy. Designing strategies to increase women’s educational status, promoting the need for maternal and child health services, and awareness creation regarding COVID-19 vaccination will have a great role in changing the perception of pregnant women. Therefore, the government should design public health programs targeting the identified factor, and should minimize the perception of risk acquiring infection from COVID-19 vaccine to improve maternal and neonatal health outcome.
Adaptive algorithm for dependent infrastructure network restoration in an imperfect information sharing environment
Authors: Rangrazjeddi Alireza , González Andrés D. , Barker Kash
Published: August 2022

Critical infrastructure networks are vital for a functioning society and their failure can have widespread consequences. Decision-making for critical infrastructure resilience can suffer based on several characteristics exhibited by these networks, including (i) that there exist interdependencies with other networks, (ii) that several decision-makers represent potentially competing interests among the interdependent networks, and (iii) that information about other decision-makers’ actions are uncertain and potentially unknown. To address these concerns, we propose an adaptive algorithm using machine learning to integrate predictions about other decision-makers’ behavior into an interdependent network restoration planning problem considering an imperfect information sharing environment. We examined our algorithm against the optimal solution for various types, sizes, and dependencies of networks, resulting in insignificant differences. To assess the proposed algorithm’s efficiency, we compared its results with a proposed heuristic method that prioritizes, and schedules components restoration based on centrality-based importance measures. The proposed algorithm provides a solution sufficiently close to the optimal solution showing the algorithm performs well in situations where the information sharing environment is incomplete.
Food for the soul and food for the body. Studying dietary patterns and funerary meals in the Western Roman Empire: An anthropological and archaeozoological approach
Authors: Salazar-García Domingo C. , Colominas Lídia , Jordana Xabier
Published: August 2022

Ancient written sources show that Roman funerary rituals were relevant along the entire Roman Republic and Empire, as they ensured the protection of deities and the memory of the deceased. Part of these rituals consisted of funerary offerings and banquets that were held on the day of the burial, in festivities and other stipulated days. The faunal remains recovered inside the graves and around them are evidence of these rituals. Therefore, their study can allow us to know if the funerary meals and rituals developed in the Roman necropolis were special and implied food that differed from everyday dietary habits, according to the importance of these rituals. To test this, we analysed the archaeozoological and anthropological material from the necropolis of Vila de Madrid (Barcelona, Catalonia), which was in use between the first half of the 2ndcentury AD and mid 3rdcentury AD. The archaeozoological analysis of the faunal remains recovered in the necropolis and inside the graves, as well as carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios results on bone collagen from 50 faunal specimens and 41 humans, suggest that, overall, funerary meals in Vila de Madrid necropolis did not imply different food than that consumed during life. Regarding age, sex, offerings and diet, some differences are observed, suggesting that inequalities present in life could have been also present in the funerary rituals.
Spatio-temporal quantile regression analysis revealing more nuanced patterns of climate change: A study of long-term daily temperature in Australia
Authors: Duan Qibin , McGrory Clare A. , Brown Glenn , Mengersen Kerrie , Wang You-Gan
Published: August 2022

Many studies have considered temperature trends at the global scale, but the literature is commonly associated with an overall increase in mean temperature in a defined past time period and hence lacking in in-depth analysis of the latent trends. For example, in addition to heterogeneity in mean and median values, daily temperature data often exhibit quasi-periodic heterogeneity in variance, which has largely been overlooked in climate research. To this end, we propose a joint model of quantile regression and variability. By accounting appropriately for the heterogeneity in these types of data, our analysis using Australian data reveals that daily maximum temperature is warming by ∼0.21°C per decade and daily minimum temperature by ∼0.13°C per decade. More interestingly, our modeling also shows nuanced patterns of change over space and time depending on location, season, and the percentiles of the temperature series.
3D reconstruction of bird flight trajectories using a single video camera
Authors: Srinivasan M. V. , Vo H. D. , Schiffner I.
Published: August 2022

Video cameras are finding increasing use in the study and analysis of bird flight over short ranges. However, reconstruction of flight trajectories in three dimensions typically requires the use of multiple cameras and elaborate calibration procedures. We present an alternative approach that uses a single video camera and a simple calibration procedure for the reconstruction of such trajectories. The technique combines prior knowledge of the wingspan of the bird with a camera calibration procedure that needs to be used only once in the lifetime of the system. The system delivers the exact 3D coordinates of the position of the bird at the time of every full wing extension and uses interpolated height estimates to compute the 3D positions of the bird in the video frames between successive wing extensions. The system is inexpensive, compact and portable, and can be easily deployed in the laboratory as well as the field.
Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying
Authors: Sweeney Mary M. , Nayak Sandeep , Hurwitz Ethan S. , Mitchell Lisa N. , Swift T. Cody , Griffiths Roland R.
Published: August 2022

Both psychedelic drug experiences and near-death experiences can occasion changes in perspectives on death and dying, but there have been few direct comparisons of these phenomena. This study directly compared psychedelic occasioned and non-drug experiences which altered individuals’ beliefs about death. Individuals who reported an experience that altered their beliefs about death occasioned by either a psychedelic drug or a near-death or other non-ordinary experience completed an online survey. Circumstances of the experience, mystical and near-death subjective features, changes in attitudes about death, and other persisting effects were evaluated. The study sample (n = 3192) included five groups: non-drug near-death or other non-ordinary experiences (n = 933), and drug experiences occasioned by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (n = 904), psilocybin (n = 766), ayahuasca (n = 282), or N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (n = 307). Analyses of differences in experiences were adjusted statistically for demographic differences between groups. Compared to the psychedelic groups, the non-drug group was more likely to report being unconscious, clinically dead, and that their life was in imminent danger. The groups were remarkably similar in the reported changes in death attitudes attributed to the experience, including a reduced fear of death and high ratings of positive persisting effects and personal meaning, spiritual significance, and psychological insight. Although both psychedelic and non-drug participants showed robust increases on standardized measures of mystical and near-death experiences, these measures were significantly greater in the psychedelic participants. Non-drug participants were more likely to rate their experiences as the single most meaningful of their lives. Comparing across psychedelic substances, ayahuasca and DMT groups tended report stronger and more positive enduring consequences of the experience than the psilocybin and LSD groups, which were largely indistinguishable. These data provide a detailed characterization and comparison of psychedelic occasioned and non-drug experiences that changed attitudes about death and suggest the importance of future prospective psychedelic administration studies.
Social inequalities, length of hospital stay for chronic conditions and the mediating role of comorbidity and discharge destination: A multilevel analysis of hospital administrative data linked to the population census in Switzerland
Authors: Bayer-Oglesby Lucy , Zumbrunn Andrea , Bachmann Nicole ,   on behalf of the SIHOS Team
Published: August 2022

Social factors are recognized determinants of morbidity and mortality and also have an impact on use of medical services. The objective of this study was to assess the associations of educational attainment, social and financial resources, and migration factors with length of hospital stays for chronic conditions. In addition, the study investigated the role of comorbidity and discharge destination in mediating these associations. The study made use of nationwide inpatient data that was linked with Swiss census data. The study sample included n = 141,307 records of n = 92,623 inpatients aged 25 to 84 years, hospitalized between 2010 and 2016 for a chronic condition. Cross-classified multilevel models and mediation analysis were performed. Patients with upper secondary and compulsory education stayed longer in hospital compared to those with tertiary education (β 0.24 days, 95% CI 0.14–0.33; β 0.37, 95% CI 0.27–0.47, respectively) when taking into account demographic factors, main diagnosis and clustering on patient and hospital level. However, these effects were almost fully mediated by burden of comorbidity. The effect of living alone on length of stay (β 0.60 days, 95% CI 0.50–0.70) was partially mediated by both burden of comorbidities (33%) and discharge destination (30.4%). (Semi-) private insurance was associated with prolonged stays, but an inverse effect was observed for colon and breast cancer. Allophone patients had also prolonged hospital stays (β 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.55). Hospital stays could be a window of opportunity to discern patients who need additional time and support to better cope with everyday life after discharge, reducing the risks of future hospital stays. However, inpatient care in Switzerland seems to take into account rather obvious individual needs due to lack of immediate support at home, but not necessarily more hidden needs of patients with low health literacy and less resources to assert their interests within the health system.
Transcriptome profiling of blood from common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico to enhance health assessment capabilities
Authors: Morey Jeanine S. , Balmer Brian C. , Zolman Eric S. , Takeshita Ryan , De Guise Sylvain , Rowles Teresa K. , Smith Cynthia R. , Wells Randall S. , Schwacke Lori H.
Published: August 2022

Following the 2010Deepwater Horizondisaster and subsequent unusual mortality event, adverse health impacts have been reported in bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, LA including impaired stress response and reproductive, pulmonary, cardiac, and immune function. These conditions were primarily diagnosed through hands-on veterinary examinations and analysis of standard diagnostic panels. In human and veterinary medicine, gene expression profiling has been used to identify molecular mechanisms underlying toxic responses and disease states. Identification of molecular markers of exposure or disease may enable earlier detection of health effects or allow for health evaluation when the use of specialized methodologies is not feasible. To date this powerful tool has not been applied to augment the veterinary data collected concurrently during dolphin health assessments. This study examined transcriptomic profiles of blood from 76 dolphins sampled in health assessments during 2013–2018 in the waters near Barataria Bay, LA and Sarasota Bay, FL. Gene expression was analyzed in conjunction with the substantial suite of health data collected using principal component analysis, differential expression testing, over-representation analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Broadly, transcript profiles of Barataria Bay dolphins indicated a shift in immune response, cytoskeletal alterations, and mitochondrial dysfunction, most pronounced in dolphins likely exposed toDeepwater Horizonoiling. While gene expression profiles in Barataria Bay dolphins were altered compared to Sarasota Bay for all years, profiles from 2013 exhibited the greatest alteration in gene expression. Differentially expressed transcripts included genes involved in immunity, inflammation, reproductive failure, and lung or cardiac dysfunction, all of which have been documented in dolphins from Barataria Bay following theDeepwater Horizonoil spill. The genes and pathways identified in this study may, with additional research and validation, prove useful as molecular markers of exposure or disease to assist wildlife veterinarians in evaluating the health of dolphins and other cetaceans.