bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling duration of overtaking between non-motorized vehicles: A nonparametric survival analysis based approach
Authors: Liu Yan , Fu Chuanyun , Wang Wei
Published: January 2021

The use of non-motorized vehicles in urban city has improved the convenience of short-distance travel and reduced traffic pollution. However, the overtaking behaviour of non-motorized vehicles impacts traffic safety and efficiency significantly. The objective of this study is to model the durations of overtaking behaviour in the non-motorized vehicle exclusive lane. A total of 3010 overtaking events of non-motorized vehicles were extracted from two locations in Chengdu, China. The nonparametric survival analysis was conducted to model the overtaking duration of non-motorized vehicles. The categorical variables that significantly influence the overtaking duration were examined by the Log-rank test. The results show that the overtaking durations of female riders is longer than that of male riders. It takes longer for electrical bikes to complete overtaking than conventional bikes. When the non-motorized vehicle is under the load state (i.e. passengers or goods on the non-motorized vehicle), the overtaking behaviour takes more time than the un-load state. Moreover, it takes less time to overtake the non-motorized vehicle with load than to overtake the one without load. When there is a wrong-way driving phenomenon or under higher traffic volume, the duration is longer compared to the normal traffic and lower traffic volume conditions. The findings of this study attempt to provide a more profound understanding of non-motorized vehicles overtaking behaviour under different traffic conditions and give insights to the safety research of non-motorized vehicles.
Estimating brown bear abundance and harvest rate on the southern Alaska Peninsula
Authors: Becker Earl F. , Crowley David W.
Published: January 2021

Abundance estimation of hunted brown bear populations should occur on the same geographic scale as harvest data analyses for estimation of harvest rate. Estimated harvest rates are an important statistic for managing hunted bear populations. In Alaska, harvest data is collected over large geographic units, called Game Management Units (GMUs) and sub-GMUs. These sub GMUs often exceed 10,000 km2. In the spring of 2002, we conducted an aerial survey of GMU 9D (12,600 km2) and GMU 10 (4,070 km2) using distance sampling with mark-resight data. We used a mark-resight distance sampling method with a two-piece normal detection function to estimate brown bear abundance as 1,682.9 (SE = 174.29) and 316.9 (SE = 48.25) for GMU 9D and GMU 10, respectively. We used reported hunter harvest to estimate harvest rates of 4.35% (SE = 0.45%) and 3.06% (SE = 0.47%) for GMU 9D and GMU 10, respectively. Management objective for these units support sustained, high quality hunting opportunity which harvest data indicate are met with an annual harvest rate of approximately 5–6% or less.
Gender discrimination in hiring: An experimental reexamination of the Swedish case
Authors: Ahmed Ali , Granberg Mark , Khanna Shantanu
Published: January 2021

We estimated the degree of gender discrimination in Sweden across occupations using a correspondence study design. Our analysis of employer responses to more than 3,200 fictitious job applications across 15 occupations revealed that overall positive employer response rates were higher for women than men by almost 5 percentage points. We found that this gap was driven by employer responses in female-dominated occupations. Male applicants were about half as likely as female applicants to receive a positive employer response in female-dominated occupations. For male-dominated and mixed occupations we found no significant differences in positive employer responses between male and female applicants.
The invasive longhorn beetle Xylotrechus chinensis, pest of mulberries, in Europe: Study on its local spread and efficacy of abamectin control
Authors: Sarto i Monteys Victor , Costa Ribes Adrià , Savin Ivan
Published: January 2021

The invasive wasp-mimicking Tiger Longicorn Beetle, Xylotrechus chinensis, a potentially lethal pest of mulberry trees (Moraceae: Morus sp.), was first reported in Europe in 2018, although its colonization and establishment were estimated to have occurred during the year 2012 or earlier. In Catalonia the infestation spread from four towns and 44.1 km2 in 2018 to 12 towns and 378.1 km2 in 2020; in the studied town of Barberà del Vallès, infested trees rose from 16.21% in February 2016 to 59.29% in December 2018. Human safety in public parks and avenues is a concern, as beetle infestation increases the risk of falling branches. The main objective of this study was to evaluate how the infestation progresses over time, with and without abamectin treatment, and provide insights into female egg-laying preferences. Such knowledge helps contribute to management efforts to reduce expansion of the range of beetle infestation. Our statistical analysis shows that females prefer laying eggs on larger trees, on the highest part of trunks and on the crown base (this being more preferred than the trunk), and they do so on warmer, SW orientations rather than those facing N, NW and E. Emergence holes and gallery slits predict the spreading of infestations to new trees. An abamectin treatment (trunk injection) carried out at the end of April significantly reduced the number of new infestation. However, for maximum insecticide efficiency, the best time for treating with abamectin would be from mid-July to mid-August, when newly hatched larvae begin feeding on the phloem.
Right ventricular dysfunction assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance is associated with poor outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair
Authors: Spieker Maximilian , Marpert Jonathan , Afzal Shazia , Karathanos Athanasios , Scheiber Daniel , Bönner Florian , Horn Patrick , Kelm Malte , Westenfeld Ralf
Published: January 2021

Aims

To evaluate whether CMR-derived RV assessment can facilitate risk stratification among patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR).

Background

In patients undergoing TMVR, only limited data exist regarding the role of RV function. Previous studies assessed the impact of pre-procedural RV dysfunction stating that RV failure may be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality after the procedure.

Methods

Sixty-one patients underwent CMR, echocardiography and right heart catheterization prior TMVR. All-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations were assessed during 2-year follow-up.

Results

According to RV ejection fraction (RVEF) <46%, 23 patients (38%) had pre-existing RV dysfunction. By measures of RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVi), 16 patients (26%) revealed RV dilatation. Nine patients (15%) revealed both. RV dysfunction was associated with increased right and left ventricular volumes as well as reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (all p<0.05). During follow-up, 15 patients (25%) died and additional 14 patients (23%) were admitted to hospital due to heart failure symptoms. RV dysfunction predicted all-cause mortality even after adjustment for LV function. Similarly, RVEDVi was a predictor of all-cause mortality even after adjustment for LVEDVi. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unraveled that, among patients presenting with CMR indicative of both, RV dysfunction and dilatation, the majority (78%) experienced an adverse event during follow-up (p<0.001).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing TMVR, pre-existing RV dysfunction and RV dilatation are associated with reduced survival, in progressive additive fashion. The assessment of RV volumes and function by CMR may aid in risk stratification prior TMVR in these high-risk patients.
The effect of perceived interracial competition on psychological outcomes
Authors: Gordils Jonathan , Elliot Andrew J. , Jamieson Jeremy P.
Published: January 2021

There remains a dearth of research on causal roles of perceived interracial competition on psychological outcomes. Towards this end, this research experimentally manipulated perceptions of group-level competition between Black and White individuals in the U.S. and tested for effects on negative psychological outcomes. In Study 1 (N= 899), participants assigned to the high interracial competition condition (HRC) reported perceiving more discrimination, behavioral avoidance, intergroup anxiety, and interracial mistrust relative to low interracial competition (LRC) participants. Study 2 –a preregistered replication and extension—specifically recruited similar numbers of only Black and White participants (N= 1,823). Consistent with Study 1, Black and White participants in the HRC condition reported more discrimination, avoidance, anxiety, and mistrust. Main effects for race also emerged: Black participants perceived more interracial competition and negative outcomes. Racial income inequality moderated effects; competition effects were stronger in areas with higher levels of inequality. Implications for theory development are discussed.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals key transcription factors associated to drought tolerance in a wild papaya (Carica papaya) genotype
Authors: Estrella-Maldonado Humberto , Ramírez Amaranta Girón , Ortiz Gabriela Fuentes , Peraza-Echeverría Santy , Martínez-de la Vega Octavio , Góngora-Castillo Elsa , Santamaría Jorge M.
Published: January 2021

Most of the commercial papaya genotypes show susceptibility to water deficit stress and require high volumes of irrigation water to yield properly. To tackle this problem, we have collected wild native genotypes of Carica papaya that have proved to show better physiological performance under water deficit stress than the commercial cultivar grown in Mexico. In the present study, plants from a wild Carica papaya genotype and a commercial genotype were subjected to water deficit stress (WDS), and their response was characterized in physiological and molecular terms. The physiological parameters measured (water potential, photosynthesis, Fv/Fm and electrolyte leakage) confirmed that the papaya wild genotype showed better physiological responses than the commercial one when exposed to WDS. Subsequently, RNA-Seq was performed for 4 cDNA libraries in both genotypes (susceptible and tolerant) under well-watered conditions, and when they were subjected to WDS for 14 days. Consistently, differential expression analysis revealed that after 14 days of WDS, the wild tolerant genotype had a higher number of up-regulated genes, and a higher number of transcription factors (TF) that were differentially expressed in response to WDS, than the commercial genotype. Thus, six TF genes (CpHSF, CpMYB, CpNAC, CpNFY-A, CpERF and CpWRKY) were selected for further qRT-PCR analysis as they were highly expressed in response to WDS in the wild papaya genotype. qRT-PCR results confirmed that the wild genotype had higher expression levels (REL) in all 6 TF genes than the commercial genotype. Our transcriptomic analysis should help to unravel candidate genes that may be useful in the development of new drought-tolerant cultivars of this important tropical crop.
Accurate prediction of clinical stroke scales and improved biomarkers of motor impairment from robotic measurements
Authors: Agrafiotis Dimitris K. , Yang Eric , Littman Gary S. , Byttebier Geert , Dipietro Laura , DiBernardo Allitia , Chavez Juan C. , Rykman Avrielle , McArthur Kate , Hajjar Karim , Lees Kennedy R. , Volpe Bruce T. , Krams Michael , Krebs Hermano I.
Published: January 2021

Objective

One of the greatest challenges in clinical trial design is dealing with the subjectivity and variability introduced by human raters when measuring clinical end-points. We hypothesized that robotic measures that capture the kinematics of human movements collected longitudinally in patients after stroke would bear a significant relationship to the ordinal clinical scales and potentially lead to the development of more sensitive motor biomarkers that could improve the efficiency and cost of clinical trials.

Materials and methods

We used clinical scales and a robotic assay to measure arm movement in 208 patients 7, 14, 21, 30 and 90 days after acute ischemic stroke at two separate clinical sites. The robots are low impedance and low friction interactive devices that precisely measure speed, position and force, so that even a hemiparetic patient can generate a complete measurement profile. These profiles were used to develop predictive models of the clinical assessments employing a combination of artificial ant colonies and neural network ensembles.

Results

The resulting models replicated commonly used clinical scales to a cross-validated R2of 0.73, 0.75, 0.63 and 0.60 for the Fugl-Meyer, Motor Power, NIH stroke and modified Rankin scales, respectively. Moreover, when suitably scaled and combined, the robotic measures demonstrated a significant increase in effect size from day 7 to 90 over historical data (1.47 versus 0.67).

Discussion and conclusion

These results suggest that it is possible to derive surrogate biomarkers that can significantly reduce the sample size required to power future stroke clinical trials.
Reproducibility of magnetic resonance fingerprinting-based T1 mapping of the healthy prostate at 1.5 and 3.0 T: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Sushentsev Nikita , Kaggie Joshua D. , Slough Rhys A. , Carmo Bruno , Barrett Tristan
Published: January 2021

Facilitating clinical translation of quantitative imaging techniques has been suggested as means of improving interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate. One such technique, magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF), has significant competitive advantages over conventional mapping techniques in terms of its multi-site reproducibility, short scanning time and inherent robustness to motion. It has also been shown to improve the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer when added to standard mpMRI sequences, however, the existing studies have all been conducted on 3.0 T MRI systems, limiting the technique’s use on 1.5 T MRI scanners that are still more widely used for prostate imaging across the globe. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was, therefore, to evaluate the cross-system reproducibility of prostate MRF T1 in healthy volunteers (HVs) using 1.5 and 3.0 T MRI systems. The initial validation of MRF T1 against gold standard inversion recovery fast spin echo (IR-FSE) T1 in the ISMRM/NIST MRI system revealed a strong linear correlation between phantom-derived MRF and IR-FSE T1 values was observed at both field strengths (R2 = 0.998 at 1.5T and R2 = 0.993 at 3T; p = < 0.0001 for both). In young HVs, inter-scanner CVs demonstrated marginal differences across all tissues with the highest difference of 3% observed in fat (2% at 1.5T vs 5% at 3T). At both field strengths, MRF T1 could confidently differentiate prostate peripheral zone from transition zone, which highlights the high quantitative potential of the technique given the known difficulty of tissue differentiation in this age group. The high cross-system reproducibility of MRF T1 relaxometry of the healthy prostate observed in this preliminary study, therefore, supports the technique’s prospective clinical validation as part of larger trials employing 1.5 T MRI systems, which are still widely used clinically for routine mpMRI of the prostate.
A comparison of the effectiveness of QuEChERS, FaPEx and a modified QuEChERS method on the determination of organochlorine pesticides in ginseng
Authors: Bruce-Vanderpuije Pennante , Megson David , Ryu Song-Hee , Choi Geun-Hyoung , Park Sang-Won , Kim Byung-Seok , Kim Jin Hyo , Lee Hyo-Sub
Published: January 2021

This study provides a review of methods used in the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in ginseng and compares the effectiveness of three extraction methods (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS), a modified QuEChERS and a Fast Pesticide Extraction (FaPEx)) in the analyses of 20 OCPs in ginseng root samples. For each method, sample mass, solvent volume and sorbent mass were varied to identify the optimum combination to effectively isolate analytes of interest from the complex sample matrix. Extracts were analyzed using the gas chromatography-μ-electron capture detector (GC-μ-ECD), and confirmatory analyses performed by gas chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Eighteen out of 20 OCPs spiked onto in-house prepared ginseng samples produced acceptable recoveries (51–156%) when extracted using QuEChERS and FaPEx. All 20 analytes, including dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p, p’- DDD) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o, p’-DDT), produced acceptable recoveries (51–129%) with the use of a modified QuEChERS method. The applicability of the modified QuEChERS method was demonstrated through the analysis of ginseng samples grown in endosulfan-treated soil. The samples were analyzed by both GC-μ-ECD and GC-MS/MS with no significant difference identified in the results of each analytical method. This study highlights the applicability of the modified QuEChERS method, in combination with GC- μ-ECD, to determine organochlorine pesticides in ginseng. This may be especially useful for laboratories in developing countries and less advanced institutions without access to MS/MS instrumentation.
Low frequency mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy SNPs in blood, retina, and [RPE+choroid] of age-related macular degeneration subjects
Authors: Atilano Shari R. , Udar Nitin , Satalich Timothy A. , Udar Viraat , Chwa Marilyn , Kenney M. Cristina
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Mitochondrial (mt) DNA damage is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other human aging diseases. This study was designed to quantify and characterize mtDNA low-frequency heteroplasmy single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three different tissues isolated from AMD subjects using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.

Methods

DNA was extracted from neural retina, [RPE+choroid] and blood from three deceased age-related macular degeneration (AMD) subjects. Entire mitochondrial genomes were analyzed for low-frequency heteroplasmy SNPs using NGS technology that independently sequenced both mtDNA strands. This deep sequencing method (average sequencing depth of 30,000; range 1,000–100,000) can accurately differentiate low-frequency heteroplasmy SNPs from DNA modification artifacts. Twenty-three ‘hot-spot’ heteroplasmy mtDNA SNPs were analyzed in 222 additional blood samples.

Results

Germline homoplasmy SNPs that defined mtDNA haplogroups were consistent in the three tissues of each subject. Analyses of SNPs with <40% heteroplasmy revealed the blood had significantly greater numbers of heteroplasmy SNPs than retina alone (p≤0.05) or retina+choroid combined (p = 0.008). Twenty-three ‘hot-spot’ mtDNA heteroplasmy SNPs were present, with three being non-synonymous (amino acid change). Four ‘hot-spot’ heteroplasmy SNPs (m.1120C>T, m.1284T>C, m.1556C>T, m.7256C>T) were found in additional samples (n = 222). Five heteroplasmy SNPs (m.4104A>G, m.5320C>T, m.5471G>A, m.5474A>G, m.5498A>G) declined with age. Two heteroplasmy SNPs (m.13095T>C, m.13105A>G) increased in AMD compared to Normal samples. In the heteroplasmy SNPs, very few transversion mutations (purine to pyrimidine or vice versa, associated with oxidative damage) were found and the majority were transition changes (purine to purine or pyrimidine to pyrimidine, associated with replication errors).

Conclusion

Within an individual, the blood, retina and [RPE+choroid] contained identical homoplasmy SNPs representing inherited germline mtDNA haplogroup. NGS methodology showed significantly more mtDNA heteroplasmy SNPs in blood compared to retina and [RPE+choroid], suggesting the latter tissues have substantial protection. Significantly higher heteroplasmy levels of m.13095T>C and m.13105A>G may represent potential AMD biomarkers. Finally, high levels of transition mutations suggest that accumulation of heteroplasmic SNPs may occur through replication errors rather than oxidative damage.
Early risk markers for severe clinical course and fatal outcome in German patients with COVID-19
Authors: Balfanz Paul , Hartmann Bojan , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Kleines Michael , Häckl Dennis , Kossack Nils , Kersten Alexander , Cornelissen Christian , Müller Tobias , Daher Ayham , Stöhr Robert , Bickenbach Johannes , Marx Gernot , Marx Nikolaus , Dreher Michael
Published: January 2021

Background

Some patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop a severe clinical course with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and fatal outcome. Clinical manifestations and biomarkers in early stages of disease with relevant predictive impact for outcomes remain largely unexplored. We aimed to identify parameters which are significantly different between subgroups.

Design

125 patients with COVID-19 were analysed. Patients with ARDS (N = 59) or non-ARDS (N = 66) were compared, as well as fatal outcome versus survival in the two groups.

Key results

ARDS and non-ARDS patients did not differ with respect to comorbidities or medication on developing a fatal outcome versus survival. Body mass index was higher in patients with ARDS versus non-ARDS (p = 0.01), but not different within the groups in survivors versus non-survivors. Interleukin-6 levels on admission were higher in patients with ARDS compared to non-ARDS as well as in patients with fatal outcome versus survivors, whereas lymphocyte levels were lower in the different subgroups (all p<0.05). There was a highly significant 3.5-fold difference in fever load in non-survivors compared to survivors (p<0.0001). Extrapulmonary viral spread was detected more often in patients with fatal outcome compared to survivors (P = 0.01). Further the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in serum showed a significantly more severe course and an increased risk of death (both p<0.05).

Conclusions

We have identified early risk markers for a severe clinical course, like ARDS or fatal outcome. This data might help develop a strategy to address new therapeutic options early in patients with COVID-19 and at high risk for fatal outcome.
Assessing the ecological impacts of transportation infrastructure development: A reconnaissance study of the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya
Authors: Nyumba Tobias Ochieng , Sang Catherine Chebet , Olago Daniel Ochieng , Marchant Robert , Waruingi Lucy , Githiora Yvonne , Kago Francis , Mwangi Mary , Owira George , Barasa Rosemary , Omangi Sherlyne
Published: January 2021

Transportation infrastructure, such as railways, roads and power lines, contribute to national and regional economic, social and cultural growth and integration. Kenya, with support from the Chinese government, is currently constructing a standard gauge railway (SGR) to support the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda. Although the actual land area affected by the SGR covers only a small proportion along the SGR corridor, a significant proportion of the area supports a wide range of ecologically fragile and important ecosystems in the country, with potential wider impacts. This study used a qualitative content analysis approach to gain an understanding and perceptions of stakeholders on the potential ecological impacts of the interactions between the SGR and the traversed ecological systems in Kenya. Three dominant themes emerged: 1) ecosystem degradation; 2) ecosystem fragmentation; and 3) ecosystem destruction. Ecosystem degradation was the most commonly cited impact at while ecosystem destruction was of the least concern and largely restricted to the physical SGR construction whereas the degradation and fragmentation have a much wider footprint. The construction and operation of the SGR degraded, fragmented and destroyed key ecosystems in the country including water towers, protected areas, community conservancies and wildlife dispersal areas. Therefore, we recommend that project proponents develop sustainable and ecologically sensitive measures to mitigate the key ecosystem impacts.
Stress reactivity near birth affects nest building timing and offspring number and survival in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Benedek Ildikó , Altbӓcker Vilmos , Molnár Tamás
Published: January 2021

The physiological response to stressors has great importance, and its variance has an adaptive role in the survival of individuals. This study describes the effects of stress-axis activation on maternal behavior during the birthing process (parturition) in captive rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In this species, chances of survival are strongly influenced by nest quality. Thus, maternal care is initiated with nest preparation in late pregnancy, which itself is subject to strict and complex hormonal regulation. Among these hormones, progesterone is one of the most dominant in the process of nest construction. We have demonstrated that its level is altered by the level of cortisol elevation in the animal in question, potentially having an influence on the preparation of the nest for the newborn kittens. We found that does that had a constant and un-elevated level of cortisol metabolite while delivering their litters performed better than those individuals that showed an increased corticoid response around parturition. The latter group exhibited a perceptible delay in the building of their nests, and in addition, further losses were also experienced in their already smaller litters. As the quality of the nest itself proved to be was in no way inferior to those of the other group, this higher kitten-mortality rate may be attributed to impaired maternal behavior. Individual variances in cortisol levels may also result in subtle changes in hormonal regulation, potentially affecting the expression of maternal behavior. We have concluded that the higher level of cortisol detected in more-sensitive does effectively disrupts the natural hormonal regulation involved in their nest-building processes.
The differential impact of pediatric COVID-19 between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of fatality and ICU admission in children worldwide
Authors: Kitano Taito , Kitano Mao , Krueger Carsten , Jamal Hassan , Al Rawahi Hatem , Lee-Krueger Rachelle , Sun Rose Doulin , Isabel Sandra , García-Ascaso Marta Taida , Hibino Hiromi , Camara Bettina , Isabel Marc , Cho Leanna , Groves Helen E. , Piché-Renaud Pierre-Philippe , Kossov Michael , Kou Ikuho , Jon Ilsu , Blanchard Ana C. , Matsuda Nao , Mahood Quenby , Wadhwa Anupma , Bitnun Ari , Morris Shaun K.
Published: January 2021

Background

The overall global impact of COVID-19 in children and regional variability in pediatric outcomes are presently unknown.

Methods

To evaluate the magnitude of global COVID-19 death and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in children aged 0–19 years, a systematic review was conducted for articles and national reports as of December 7, 2020. This systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020179696).

Results

We reviewed 16,027 articles as well as 225 national reports from 216 countries. Among the 3,788 global pediatric COVID-19 deaths, 3,394 (91.5%) deaths were reported from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), while 83.5% of pediatric population from all included countries were from LMIC. The pediatric deaths/1,000,000 children and case fatality rate (CFR) were significantly higher in LMIC than in high-income countries (HIC) (2.77 in LMIC vs 1.32 in HIC; p < 0.001 and 0.24% in LMIC vs 0.01% in HIC; p < 0.001, respectively). The ICU admission/1,000,000 children was 18.80 and 1.48 in HIC and LMIC, respectively (p < 0.001). The highest deaths/1,000,000 children and CFR were in infants < 1 year old (10.03 and 0.58% in the world, 5.39 and 0.07% in HIC and 10.98 and 1.30% in LMIC, respectively).

Conclusions

The study highlights that there may be a larger impact of pediatric COVID-19 fatality in LMICs compared to HICs.
High SARS-CoV-2 load in the nasopharynx of patients with a mild form of COVID-19 is associated with clinical deterioration regardless of the hydroxychloroquine administration
Authors: Komissarov Alexey , Molodtsov Ivan , Ivanova Oxana , Maryukhnich Elena , Kudryavtseva Svetlana , Mazus Alexey , Nikonov Evgeniy , Vasilieva Elena
Published: January 2021

Because of the constantly growing numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths, attempts were undertaken to find drugs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity among ones already approved for other pathologies. In the framework of such attempts, in a number of in vitro, as well as in vivo, models it was shown that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has an effect against SARS-CoV-2. While there were not enough clinical data to support the use of HCQ, several countries including Russia have included HCQ in treatment protocols for infected patients and for prophylaxis. In the current non-randomized, observational study we evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharynx swabs from infected patients 7–10 days post symptoms with clinically mild disease and compared the viral RNA load dynamics between patients receiving HCQ (200 mg twice per day according to the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation treatment instructions, n = 33) and a control group without antiviral pharmacological therapy (n = 12). We found a statistically significant relationship between maximal RNA quantity and deterioration of patients’ medical conditions, and as well we confirmed arterial hypertension to be a risk factor for people with COVID-19. However, we showed that at the dose used in the study HCQ therapy neither shortened the viral shedding period nor reduced the virus RNA load.
Ebola virus triggers receptor tyrosine kinase-dependent signaling to promote the delivery of viral particles to entry-conducive intracellular compartments
Authors: Stewart Corina M. , Phan Alexandra , Bo Yuxia , LeBlond Nicholas D. , Smith Tyler K. T. , Laroche Geneviève , Giguère Patrick M. , Fullerton Morgan D. , Pelchat Martin , Kobasa Darwyn , Côté Marceline
Published: January 2021

Filoviruses, such as the Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV), are causative agents of sporadic outbreaks of hemorrhagic fevers in humans. To infect cells, filoviruses are internalized via macropinocytosis and traffic through the endosomal pathway where host cathepsin-dependent cleavage of the viral glycoproteins occurs. Subsequently, the cleaved viral glycoprotein interacts with the late endosome/lysosome resident host protein, Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). This interaction is hypothesized to trigger viral and host membrane fusion, which results in the delivery of the viral genome into the cytoplasm and subsequent initiation of replication. Some studies suggest that EBOV viral particles activate signaling cascades and host-trafficking factors to promote their localization with host factors that are essential for entry. However, the mechanism through which these activating signals are initiated remains unknown. By screening a kinase inhibitor library, we found that receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors potently block EBOV and MARV GP-dependent viral entry. Inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tyrosine protein kinase Met (c-Met), and the insulin receptor (InsR)/insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) blocked filoviral GP-mediated entry and prevented growth of replicative EBOV in Vero cells. Furthermore, inhibitors of c-Met and InsR/IGF1R also blocked viral entry in macrophages, the primary targets of EBOV infection. Interestingly, while the c-Met and InsR/IGF1R inhibitors interfered with EBOV trafficking to NPC1, virus delivery to the receptor was not impaired in the presence of the EGFR inhibitor. Instead, we observed that the NPC1 positive compartments were phenotypically altered and rendered incompetent to permit viral entry. Despite their different mechanisms of action, all three RTK inhibitors tested inhibited virus-induced Akt activation, providing a possible explanation for how EBOV may activate signaling pathways during entry. In sum, these studies strongly suggest that receptor tyrosine kinases initiate signaling cascades essential for efficient post-internalization entry steps.
Gnotobiotic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) model reveals endogenous bacteria that protect against Flavobacterium columnare infection
Authors: Pérez-Pascual David , Vendrell-Fernández Sol , Audrain Bianca , Bernal-Bayard Joaquín , Patiño-Navarrete Rafael , Petit Vincent , Rigaudeau Dimitri , Ghigo Jean-Marc
Published: January 2021

The health and environmental risks associated with antibiotic use in aquaculture have promoted bacterial probiotics as an alternative approach to control fish infections in vulnerable larval and juvenile stages. However, evidence-based identification of probiotics is often hindered by the complexity of bacteria-host interactions and host variability in microbiologically uncontrolled conditions. While these difficulties can be partially resolved using gnotobiotic models harboring no or reduced microbiota, most host-microbe interaction studies are carried out in animal models with little relevance for fish farming. Here we studied host-microbiota-pathogen interactions in a germ-free and gnotobiotic model of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), one of the most widely cultured salmonids. We demonstrated that germ-free larvae raised in sterile conditions displayed no significant difference in growth after 35 days compared to conventionally-raised larvae, but were extremely sensitive to infection by Flavobacterium columnare, a common freshwater fish pathogen causing major economic losses worldwide. Furthermore, re-conventionalization with 11 culturable species from the conventional trout microbiota conferred resistance to F. columnare infection. Using mono-re-conventionalized germ-free trout, we identified that this protection is determined by a commensal Flavobacterium strain displaying antibacterial activity against F. columnare. Finally, we demonstrated that use of gnotobiotic trout is a suitable approach for the identification of both endogenous and exogenous probiotic bacterial strains protecting teleostean hosts against F. columnare. This study therefore establishes an ecologically-relevant gnotobiotic model for the study of host-pathogen interactions and colonization resistance in farmed fish.
Sentido do compromisso com o cuidado de enfermagem
Authors: Nobre Tábata , Santa Rosa Darci de Oliveira
Published: January 2021

Objetivo. Compreender o sentido do compromisso do enfermeiro com o cuidado de enfermagem. Método. Estudo fenomenológico, desenvolvido em sete Unidades de Saúde da Família em Salvador, Bahia, com vinte e um enfermeiros, através da entrevista fenomenológica. Para compreensão dos discursos utilizou-se a Configuração Tríadica Humanista-Existencial-Personalista. Resultados. O compromisso do enfermeiro tem dimensões, seu sentido representa a própria essência da profissão, é direcionado para o cuidado de enfermagem fundamentado na satisfação, no reconhecimento, na motivação, na ética e na busca pela mudança dos padrões de saúde da população. Revelou-se nas restrições de recursos nos serviços de saúde, nas limitações das competencias profissionais, nas atribuições cotidianas, no processo de humanização do cuidado, na resolutividade de problemas dos usuários, no acompanhamento das famílias e no vínculo com a comunidade. Conclusões. Foi possível apreender uma face do fenómeno revelando o sentido do compromisso como essência do cuidado de enfermagem.
Secure Data Transmission in BPEL (Business Process Execution Language)
Authors: Verma Satya Bhushan , Verma Shashi Bhushan
Published: January 2021

In the world of computation, the encryption is a technique by which the plaintext or any type of data which is converted from the readable form is transformed into an encoded form. That encoded form can only be read by another entity if they have corrected key for decryption. The proposed technique providing the security to the data in inefficient way that can be further use in implementation in new upcoming task and enhancement in current running projects of SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) BPEL (Business Process Execution Language).
Intelligent Traffic Light for Ambulance Clearance
Authors: Nono Raneem , Alsudais Rawan , Alshmrani Raghad , Alamoudi Sumayyah , Aljahdali Asia Othaman
Published: January 2021

Human life is a serious matter, so we should not neglect anything that might threaten it. It must be protected in all possible ways. Consequently, all health services such as hospitals, medicines, ambulances and so on need to evolve continuously to overcome life-threatening problems. Since many people could lose their life because of an ambulance delay. We proposed a system that provides a way to overcome the ambulance delay problem. With the current traffic light system, the ambulance can get stuck in the traffic or may cause an accident while it crosses the red light. To avoid that, the proposed system enables the ambulance to control the traffic light. Thus, the system will facilitate the ambulance movement to save people's life. The hardware used to implement this project includes Arduino UNO and mega with network shield (ZigBee). We have used C++ language and Arduino IDE to program the Arduino and the ZigBee.
Los restos pictóricos de la calle Palas. Un conjunto entre el II y III estilo pompeyano en Cartagena
Authors: Fernández Díaz Alicia , Castillo Alcántara Gonzalo
Published: January 2021

La intervención desarrollada en la calle Palas n.os 5-7 de Cartagena ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de tres estancias de uso doméstico en las que se ha documentado parte de un conjunto pictórico fechable entre finales del s. I a. C. y mediados del I d. C., así como un techo casetonado de época tardorrepublicana. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la gran tradición pictórica de la ciudad, y, para ello, el presente trabajo aborda el estudio técnico-estilístico y la caracterización físico-química mediante la aplicación de DRX, FRX y espectroscopía Raman de los morteros y pigmentos de un grupo pictórico excepcional que supone uno de los escasos ejemplos documentados en Cartagena de esta cronología. Los resultados han permitido constatar la perduración de las técnicas pictóricas tardorrepublicanas –pintura mural y estuco– en una vivienda que sigue en uso hasta época altoimperial, así como la existencia de varios conjuntos que se sitúan en un período poco conocido en la ciudad debido al escaso número de ejemplos. Ello permite ver la huella del trabajo de talleres itálicos y locales en la misma, en este último caso, ya desde el cambio de Era.
El aprovechamiento histórico del sílex para piedras de fusil. El caso del río Huerva (Zaragoza)
Authors: Picazo Millán Jesús V. , Morgado-Rodríguez Antonio , Fanlo Loras Javier , Pérez-Lambán Fernando
Published: January 2021

A lo largo del s. XVIII y primera mitad del XIX el sílex se convirtió en materia prima estratégica para la fabricación de piedras de chispa utilizadas en distintas armas de fuego. El ejército español obtuvo buena parte de sus suministros del Reino de Granada y, a partir de 1760, de las canteras situadas cerca de Zaragoza, en el entorno del río Huerva, comarca que se convirtió en uno de los principales centros de producción como resultado del sistema de contratas establecido por la Corona para el suministro de más de un millón de piedras anuales. En el artículo presentamos las impresionantes huellas arqueológicas de aquellas explotaciones mineras –trincheras, galerías, pozos, escombreras...–, los lugares de transformación y la tecnología de talla empleada, junto con algunos datos documentales de la producción de estos ‘pedernaleros’, un oficio especializado y gremial, que se extinguió hacia mediados del XIX cuando las armas con llave de chispa quedaron obsoletas. Pero sobre todo queremos dar cuenta de un patrimonio extraordinariamente conservado y prácticamente desconocido que demanda su reconocimiento y puesta en valor.
Immunological detection of human and camel cystic echinococcosis using different antigens of hydatid cyst fluid, protoscoleces, and germinal layers
Authors: Hassanain Mohey A. , Toaleb Nagwa I. , Shaapan Raafat M. , Hassanain Nawal A. , Maher Ahmed , Yousif Ahmed B.
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim: Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatidosis is one of the most prevalent neglected zoonotic diseases. It is initially asymptomatic and does not produce any clinical signs until the cyst becomes enlarged, causing localized pressure on internal organs and tissues. Therefore, the detection of Echinococcus granulosus antibodies is highly essential. This study evaluated the antigens of hydatid cyst fluid, protoscoleces, and germinal layers for efficient immunological diagnosis of CE in humans and camels.

Materials and Methods: Hydatid cyst fluid (FLc), protoscoleces (Psc), and the germinal layer (GLc) antigens were prepared from camel-lung hydatid cysts. In the same way, hydatid cyst fluid (FLh) and protoscoleces (Psh) antigens from human-liver cyst aspirate were produced. The comparative immunodiagnostic efficacy of the prepared antigens was verified using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting.

Results: ELISA proves that FLc and GLc antigens were higher than FLh and Psh antigens. This shows that binding reactivity in naturally infected human sera, camel sera, and Psc is the most potent, exhibiting 100% sensitivity with 78.26% and 76.47% specificity in camel and human sera, respectively. The CE prevalence using diagnostic Psc was 54.79% and 61.32% in tested human and camel sera, respectively. The electrophoretic profiles of all shared antigens showed similarities at 52, 41, and 22 kDa. Immunoblotting demonstrated common immune-reactive bands in all antigen types at 52 and 41 kDa against positive human and camel sera.

Conclusion: This immunological study introduces camel hydatid cyst Psc as a potent diagnostic antigen and new immune-reactive fractions of 52 and 41 kDa for diagnosing hydatidosis in humans and camels.
Wood-decaying fungi in old-growth boreal forest fragments: extinctions and colonizations over 20 years
Authors: Komonen Atte , Puumala Ilkka , Varkonýi Gergely , Penttilä Reijo
Published: January 2021

According to ecology theory, isolated habitat fragments cannot maintain populations of specialized species. Yet, empirical evidence based on monitoring of the same fragments over time is still limited. We studied the colonizationâextinction dynamics of eight wood-decaying fungal species in 16 old-growth forest fragments (<14 ha) over a 20-year period (1997â2017). We observed 19 extinctions and 5 colonizations; yet, the distribution of extinctions and colonizations did not differ from the one expected by chance for any of the species. Twenty-six percent of the extinctions took place in two natural fragments amid large forestâpeatland complexes. (Romell) Bourdot and Galzin decreased and (P. Karst.) Bourdot increased in abundance (number of logs occupied). The volume of living spruce trees in the forest fragments correlated positively with the number of logs inhabited in five of the study species. Because fragment characteristics did not affect species turnover, it seems that stochastic processes governed colonizations and extinctions. Although the least abundant species in 1997 had declined, and the most abundant species had become more abundant, it appears that specialized wood-decaying fungi can persist for decades in isolated old-growth forest fragments, if suitable dead wood is continuously available.Phellinus nigrolimitatusPhellinus ferrugineofuscus
A new attribute-linked residential property price dataset for England and Wales, 2011 to 2019
Authors: Chi Bin , Dennett Adam , Oléron-Evans Thomas , Morphet Robin
Published: January 2021

Current research on residential house price variation in the UK is limited by the lack of an open and comprehensive house price database that contains both transaction price alongside dwelling attributes such as size. This research outlines one approach which addresses this deficiency in England and Wales through combining transaction information from the official open Land Registry Price Paid Data (LR-PPD) and property size information from the official open Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). A four-stage data linkage is created to generate a new linked dataset, representing 79% of the full market sales in the LR-PPD. This new linked dataset offers greater flexibility for the exploration of house price (/m
2) variation in England and Wales at different scales over postcode units between 2011 and 2019. Open access linkage codes will allow for future updates beyond 2019.
Perpustakaan Umum Berbasis Inklusi Sosial: Apa dan Bagaimana Penerapannya? (Sebuah Kajian Literatur)
Authors: Mahdi Reza
Published: January 2021

If we look at the definition of a public library itself, namely a library that is used as a means of lifelong learning regardless of gender, physical condition, race, ethnicity, religion, social and economic status. That means the concept of social inclusion is very suitable to be implemented in the library. The latest public library paradigm is as a vehicle for people to develop their potential so that it leads to an increase in living standards. Regarding the concept of social inclusion, of course, it has a relationship with public libraries because they both talk about equality. Social inclusion means efforts to make society open to one another, especially to vulnerable or potentially marginalized communities, one of which is through community empowerment activities. This research is a qualitative study using the literature study method, namely collecting and analyzing the literature as a data source. To check the validity of the data, data source triangulation was carried out by looking for other data to strengthen the previous data. In this study, it was found that a public library based on social inclusion means a public library that always guarantees its facilities and services in order to encourage people to be open to one another. Several things that need to be considered in building a public library based on social inclusion, namely (1) the existence of community empowerment activities, and (2) the right to get library services, and (3) the accessibility of library information. Therefore it can be concluded that public libraries are closely related to the concept of social inclusion so that they can apply the concept. Of course, this can be seen from the public library itself which has the character of protecting all levels of society without a reed perspective.
Espacio y tiempo en la nueva novela policíaca
Authors: López Martínez Encina Isabel
Published: January 2021

La novela policíaca se caracteriza, desde sus orígenes, por retratar con pretendido realismo el momento y el lugar en que se inscribe. La nueva novela policíaca, con las series de Alicia Giménez Bartlett y de Lorenzo Silva como principales baluartes, presta especial atención a la ciudad como escenario y a las problemáticas sociales, políticas e históricas que actualmente se viven en España.