bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scholar and Spokesman: Benoy Sarkar on the West, Religion, Nationalism and Internationalism
Authors: Wanchoo Rohit
Published: September 2021

Benoy Kumar Sarkar was both a serious scholar of history and society and a spokesman who wanted to promote ideas of equality between East and West and highlight the secular achievements of the Hindus. He has been hailed as a pioneer of Neo-Indology, a premature postcolonial sociologist, a conservative nationalist and an anti-colonial internationalist. Elements of several ideologies can be found in his writings. This article assesses his critique of orientalist constructions of East and West, the features of Hinduism and Buddhism and their influence overseas, the peculiarities of nationalism and Hindu-Muslim relations in India and the conservative, authoritarian and cosmopolitan elements in his writings on nationalism and international affairs.
The rāg that Burned down Delhi: Music and Memory between 1857 and 1947
Authors: Williams Richard David
Published: September 2021

The Urdu litterateur Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi (1906–1967) recorded a series of reflections and reminiscences about Delhi, its culture, and how that culture was brought to an end by the violence of Partition in 1947. In his essays on music, he documented the performances and personal histories of a range of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists based in Delhi in the first half of the 20th century and considered their plight after Independence. In this article, I examine three of these essays—two in Urdu and one in English—and ask two questions. Firstly, how does this author develop a sense of historical depth to the social and cultural rupture he experienced in 1947? I suggest that his Urdu essays draw upon a longer history of literary nostalgia and connect a Delhicentric understanding of Partition to the earlier crisis of 1857. Secondly, how did attending to music allow Shahid Dehlvi to explore the nuances of cultural rupture and personal loss?
Metal allergy in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Matar Hosam E. , Porter Patrick J. , Porter Martyn L.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Metal allergy in knee arthroplasty patients is a controversial topic. We aimed to conduct a scoping review to clarify the management of metal allergy in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

Studies were identified by searching electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase, from their inception to November 2020, for studies evaluating TKA patients with metal hypersensitivity/allergy. All studies reporting on diagnosing or managing metal hypersensitivity in TKA were included. Data were extracted and summarized based on study design, study population, interventions and outcomes. A practical guide is then formulated based on the available evidence.

Results

We included 38 heterogeneous studies (two randomized controlled trials, six comparative studies, 19 case series, and 11 case reports). The evidence indicates that metal hypersensitivity is a rare complication with some histopathological features leading to pain and dissatisfaction with no reliable screening tests preoperatively. Hypoallergenic implants are viable alternatives for patients with self-reported/confirmed metal hypersensitivity if declared preoperatively; however, concerns remain over their long-term outcomes with ceramic implants outperforming titanium nitride-coated implants and informed consent is paramount. For patients presenting with painful TKA, metal hypersensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion where patch skin testing, lymphocyte transformation test, and synovial biopsies are useful adjuncts before revision surgery is undertaken to hypoallergenic implants with shared decision-making and informed consent.

Conclusion

Using the limited available evidence in the literature, we provide a practical approach to metal hypersensitivity in TKA patients. Future national/registry-based studies are needed to identify the scale of metal hypersensitivity, agreed diagnostic criteria, and management strategies. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):785–795.
A preliminary study on the effect of enriching feed with fish oil on the growth and survival rate of climbing perch Anabas testudineus
Authors: Tobigo Desiana Trisnawati , Ndobe Samliok , Adriansyah Adriansyah
Published: September 2021

The climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is an economically valuable freshwater fish. Relatively slow growth has been a challenge in the domestication of this species in Indonesia. Nutrition, including feed lipid content, is one factor affecting growth. This study examined the effect of enriching feed with fish oil on the growth and survival of climbing perch (A. testudineus) fingerlings. The research was carried out at the Water Quality and Aquatic Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Tadulako University, Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia from 17 December to 18 January 2020. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used with 4 treatments and 5 replicates. The fish oil feed enrichment treatments were: A (control, 0%); B (1%); C (2%) and D (3%). Water quality remained within the optimum range throughout the research period. Over the month, climbing perch absolute weight gain ranged from 2.4±0.981 g (A) to 3.4 ± 0.836 g (D), while growth in length ranged from 0.404±0.092 cm (A) to 0.504±0.071 cm (D); however, the differences were not statistically significant (P0.05). The survival rate of climbing perch over the one month study period was 100% under all treatments, indicating that basic nutritional needs were met. Enrichment of a commercial feed with fish oil (Scott’s emulsion) at rates of 1-3% did not provide a significant benefit in terns of climbing perch fingerling growth.
Effects of Tamarindus indica (Linnaeus 1753) pulp-fortified diets on the gut microflora and morphometry in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)
Authors: Adeniyi Olarinke Victoria , Olaifa Flora Eyibio , Emikpe Benjamin Obukowho , Ogunbanwo Samuel Temitope
Published: September 2021

The global criticism on the adverse effects of synthetic antibiotics including destabilization of gut microflora necessitated research into natural alternative like phytobiotics. Tamarind pulp is a phytobiotic known for its antimicrobial, growth-promoting and antioxidants properties, with little information on the mechanism of its growth promotion in fish. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of tamarind pulp (TP) meal as feed additives on the growth, gut microflora, and morphometry in Clarias gariepinus. The fish were fed with diets fortified with graded levels (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% or 2.0%) of TP or 0.2% oxytetracycline (OTC). Fish weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), gut microflora and morphometry were determined. The weight gain of fish rose (P 0.05) with increasing levels of TP, while the FCR reduced significantly, compared to those fed the control diets. The total viable counts and enterobacteriaceae from the gut of fish fed OTC-fortified control diet was lower, compared the fish fed unfortified control (0.0% TP) diet and diets containing TP. Fish fed 1.0-2.0% TP-fortified diets had significantly higher yeast counts, compared to those fed other diets, while on the other hand higher (P0.05) Streptococcus sp was obtained from fish fed the control diets. The thickness of muscular lining of the base of villi, villi height and absorption area were higher (P ˂ 0.05) in fish fed OTC-fortified (C2) diet, compared to other treatments, while lower crypt depth were obtained in fish fed TP-fortified diets. The correlation analyses showed moderate negative (R = -0.539 at P 0.05) relationship between FCR and population of enterobacteriaceae while a very strong positive relationship (R = 0.848 at P 0.01) existed between FCR and population of haemolytic Streptococcus. The enhanced growth in fish fed TP-fortified diets could be accredited to the reduced crypt depth and colonization of yeast and reduced Streptococcus counts. Therefore the application of tamarind pulp meal at 2% is recommended for enhanced growth and healthy gut microflora composition.
Three-dimensional dynamics optical coherence tomography for tumor spheroid evaluation
Authors: El-Sadek Ibrahim Abd , Miyazawa Arata , Shen Larina Tzu-Wei , Makita Shuichi , Mukherjee Pradipta , Lichtenegger Antonia , Matsusaka Satoshi , Yasuno Yoshiaki
Published: September 2021

We present a completely label-free three-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based tissue dynamics imaging method for visualization and quantification of the metabolic and necrotic activities of tumor spheroid. Our method is based on a custom 3D scanning protocol that is designed to capture volumetric tissue dynamics tomography images only in a few tens of seconds. The method was applied to the evaluation of a tumor spheroid. The time-course viability alteration and anti-cancer drug response of the spheroid were visualized qualitatively and analyzed quantitatively. The similarity between the OCT-based dynamics images and fluorescence microscope images was also demonstrated.
Study of the origin of the complex beam profile of a hole-coupled free electron laser oscillator
Authors: Zen Heishun , Ohgaki Hideaki
Published: September 2021

Hole coupling is a way to extract laser beams from an optical cavity through a hole on a cavity mirror. Hole coupling is often used in free electron laser oscillators and inherently causes a non-Gaussian beam profile at user stations, which are more than 10 m apart from the coupling hole. The laser beam extracted from a coupling hole has a bright central region (Airy disk) surrounded by a series of concentric rings (Airy pattern). The existence of an Airy pattern results in a non-Gaussian beam profile. It was demonstrated that the beam profile can be changed from a non-Gaussian to a nearly Gaussian distribution by removing the Airy pattern in the experiments and physical optics calculations.
Fast wavelet-based photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Abbasi Hassan , Mostafavi Seyed Masood , Kavehvash Zahra
Published: September 2021

A novel photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) structure, based on Haar wavelet
patterns, is proposed in this paper. Its main goal is to mitigate the
PAM imaging resolution and thus the time of its sampling process
without compromising the image quality. Owing to the intrinsic nature
of wavelet transform, this structure collects spatial and spectral
components simultaneously, and this feature speeds up the sampling
process by 33%. The selection of these patterns helps in better
control of required conditions, such as multi-resolution imaging, to
guarantee adequate image quality in comparison to previous microscopic
structures. Simulation results prove the superior quality of the
proposed approach (about 47% better peak signal-to-noise ratio)
compared to the latest structures in this field, achieving a
high-resolution and high-quality image.
Computed tomography for distributed Brillouin sensing
Authors: Okawa Youhei , Hotate Kazuo
Published: September 2021

A method to reconstruct the spatial distribution of Brillouin gain spectrum from its Radon transform is proposed, which is a type of optical computed tomography. To verify the concept, an experiment was performed on distributed Brillouin fiber sensing, which succeeded in detecting a 55-cm strain section along a 10-m fiber. The experimental system to obtain the Radon transform of the Brillouin gain spectrum is based on a Brillouin optical correlation-domain analysis with a linear frequency-modulated continuous-wave laser. Combining distributed fiber sensing with computed tomography, this method can realize a high signal-to-noise ratio Brillouin sensing.
Continuous tuning of unidirectional emission wavelength by bending a notched-elliptical polymer microdisk
Authors: Ma Xiaoming , Wei Heming , Li Nianqiang , Fan Shuzhen , Fang Changfeng , Fang Jiaxiong , Krishnaswamy Sridhar
Published: September 2021

An approach of continuously tunable unidirectional emission through bending a notched-elliptical polymer microdisk is proposed. The characteristics of the bending-dependent action are carefully analyzed, and the resonance wavelength for unidirectional emission can be tuned continuously through bending the device. Such a whispering-gallery-mode microresonator enables unidirectional emission with ultra-low divergence, of which the emission efficiency and Q factor are stabilized, demonstrating the whole structure is robust and relatively insensitive within a certain bending angle range. A maximum resonance wavelength shift of ∼100 nm and Q factor of 1500 can be achieved with the total size of the microdisk less than 10 μm. This kind of microresonator is promising for applications in multilevel integrated photonics circuits and may open the door to new functionalities of resonator devices, from sensing to optical amplification.
Optical bunching of particles in a liquid flow
Authors: Awel Salah , Bohne Sven , Ebrahimifard Reza , Trieu Hoc Khiem , Bajt Saša , Chapman Henry N.
Published: September 2021

High-speed liquid micro-jets are used to rapidly and repeatedly deliver protein microcrystals to focused and pulsed X-ray beams in the method of serial femtosecond crystallography. However, the current continuous flow of crystals is mismatched to the arrival of X-ray pulses, wasting vast amounts of an often rare and precious sample. Here, we introduce a method to address this problem by periodically trapping and releasing crystals in the liquid flow, creating locally concentrated crystal bunches, using an optical trap integrated in the microfluidic supply line. We experimentally demonstrate a 30-fold increase of particle concentration into 10 Hz bunches of 6.4 μm diameter polystyrene particles. Furthermore, using particle trajectory simulations, a comprehensive description of the optical bunching process and parameter space is presented. Adding this compact optofluidics device to existing injection systems would thereby dramatically reduce sample consumption and extend the application of serial crystallography to a greater range of protein crystal systems that cannot be produced in high abundance. Our approach is suitable for other microfluidic systems that require synchronous measurements of flowing objects.
Effects of laser paint stripping on oxide film damage of 2024 aluminium alloy aircraft skin
Authors: Wang Feisen , Wang Qian , Huang Haiqi , Cheng Yinfen , Wang Lihua , Ai Sifei , Cai Chuang , Chen Hui
Published: September 2021

Paint layer was stripped from the 2024 aluminium alloy aircraft skin by either 1000 grit sandpaper or laser with 150 ps pulse width while the laser paint stripping (LPS) process was recorded by a high-speed camera. The surface and cross-section morphologies, chemical compositions and chemical valences of obtained the paint stripping samples were also characterise. The corrosion resistance was determined by the Potentiodynamic Polarization Curve (PPC). On mechanical paint stripping (MPS) samples, a large amount of scratches remained. Surface roughness increased and the oxide film was removed completely. The trace of the laser scan was observable on the surface of LPS samples. Recrystallisation occurred on the LPS surface and eventually formed arrayed micro and sub-micro structures. The oxide film is mainly composed of Al2O3 with a thickness about 2.10 µm. The corrosion current density of mechanical and LPS samples are 3.66 ×10−2 mA·cm−2 and 6.66×10−5 mA·cm−2, respectively. Comparing to MPS which removed all the oxide film and damaged the substrate metal, LPS only damaged the oxide film mildly without damaging metal substrate. The remaining oxide film contributes to a higher corrosion resistance of the LPS sample.
Passive anti-sunlight glare traffic signs with non-axisymmetric freeform lens design
Authors: Ma Shih-Hsin , Ding Ting-Jou , Lee Tsung-Xian , Lin Yu-Xiang , Chen Yung-Yi
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes a passive optical brightening element design, a non-axisymmetric freeform lens (NAFL), arranged and assembled on a traditional traffic sign. NAFL is the first optical design which can effectively solve the traffic problem that direct sunlight affects the driver's inability to look directly at the traffic sign. The NAFL can converge the sunlight behind the traffic sign and diverge forward to 150 meters away. In this way, the NAFL array combinations on the traffic sign can directly rely on sunlight as image information pixels. According to the simulation, the optical efficiency of the NAFL can be as high as 81.5%. Besides, the angular tolerance is also analyzed to evaluate the working hours of the NAFL. Finally, we made the prototype and proved that such passive brightening components could effectively improve the traffic sign's visibility in harsh sunlight.
Phase-sensitive manipulation of squeezed vacuum via a dual-recycled Michelson interferometer
Authors: Li Wei , Peng Yaohua , Yu Xudong , Chen Lirong , Zheng Yaohui
Published: September 2021

The injection of squeezed vacuum state is an indispensable technology for the next generation gravitational wave observatory, which will open up a much larger window to the universe. After analyzing the absorption and dispersion properties of the reflected field of the dual-recycled Michelson interferometer (DRMI), we propose the phase-sensitive manipulation scheme of squeezed vacuum by utilizing the coupled-resonator-induced transparency in a dual-recycled Michelson interferometer (DRMI). In this way, the rotation frequency of squeezing ellipse can be finely tuned by the coupling strength, which overcome the limitation of the current solution (with a fixed rotation frequency) that employs a Fabry-Perot optical cavity as phase-sensitive manipulation element. This work will unleash the potential applications for quantum metrology beyond the shot noise limit.
The Story of Optica
Authors: OPN Staff
Published: September 2021

A century-old society adopts a new name and brand—and looks
ahead to the next 100 years.
“We know about schistosomiasis but we know nothing about FGS”: A qualitative assessment of knowledge gaps about female genital schistosomiasis among communities living in Schistosoma haematobium endemic districts of Zanzibar and Northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Mazigo Humphrey D. , Samson Anna , Lambert Valencia J. , Kosia Agnes L. , Ngoma Deogratias D. , Murphy Rachel , Matungwa Dunstan J.
Published: September 2021

Background

Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis and is widely distributed in Tanzania. In girls and women, the parasite can cause Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a gynecological manifestation of schistosomiasis that is highly neglected and overlooked by public health professionals and policy makers. This study explored community members’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) on and health seeking behavior for FGS.

Methods/Principal findings

Using qualitative research methods—including 40 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 37 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)—we collected data from 414 participants (Males n = 204 [49.3%] and Females n = 210 [50.7%]). The study engaged 153 participants from Zanzibar and 261 participants from northwestern Tanzania and was conducted in twelve (12) purposively selected districts (7 districts in Zanzibar and 5 districts in northwestern Tanzania). Most participants were aware of urogenital schistosomiasis. Children were reported as the most affected group and blood in urine was noted as a common symptom especially in boys. Adults were also noted as a risk group due to their involvement in activities like paddy farming that expose them to infection. Most participants lacked knowledge of FGS and acknowledged having no knowledge that urogenital schistosomiasis can affect the female reproductive system. A number of misconceptions on the symptoms of FGS and how it is transmitted were noted. Adolescent girls and women presenting with FGS related symptoms were reported to be stigmatized, perceived as having a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and sometimes labeled as “prostitutes”. Health seeking behavior for FGS included a combination of traditional medicine, self-treatment and modern medicine.

Conclusion/Significance

Community members living in two very different areas of Tanzania exhibited major, similar gaps in knowledge about FGS. Our data illustrate a critical need for the national control program to integrate public health education about FGS during the implementation of school- and community-based mass drug administration (MDA) programs and the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
Indifferent, ambiguous, or proactive? Young men’s discourses on health service utilization for Chlamydia trachomatis detection in Stockholm, Sweden: A qualitative study
Authors: Larsson Frida M. , Nielsen Anna , Briones-Vozmediano Erica , Stjärnfeldt Johanna , Salazar Mariano
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) infection is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in Sweden and globally. C. trachomatis is often asymptomatic and if left untreated, could cause severe reproductive health issues. In Sweden, men test for C. trachomatis to a lesser extent than women.

Aim

To explore factors facilitating and constraining Swedish young men’s health care utilization for C. trachomatis detection and treatment.

Method

A qualitative situational analysis study including data from 18 semi-structured interviews with men (21–30 years). Data collection took place in Stockholm County during 2018. A situational map was constructed to articulate the positions taken in the data within two continuums of variation representing men’s risk perception and strategies to test for C. trachomatis.

Results

Based on the informants’ risk perception, strategies adopted to test and the role of social support, three different discourses and behaviours towards C. trachomatis testing were identified ranging from a) being indifferent about C. trachomatis -not testing, b) being ambivalent towards testing, to c) being proactive and testing regularly to assure disease free status. Several factors influenced young men’s health care utilization for C. trachomatis detection, where the role of health services and the social support emerged as important factors to facilitate C. trachomatis testing for young men. In addition, endorsing traditional masculinity domains such as leaning on self-reliance, beliefs on invulnerability and framing men as more carefree with their sexual health than women delayed or hindered testing.

Conclusion

Testing must be promoted among those young men with indifferent or ambivalent discourses. Health systems aiming to increase testing among those at risk should take into consideration the positive role that young men’s social support have, especially the level of social support coming from their peers. Additionally, endorsement of traditional masculinity values may delay or hinder testing.
Evaluation of electrostatic sprayers and foggers for the application of disinfectants in the era of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Wood Joseph P. , Magnuson Matthew , Touati Abderrahmane , Gilberry Jerome , Sawyer Jonathan , Chamberlain Timothy , McDonald Stella , Hook David
Published: September 2021

Although research has shown that the COVID-19 disease is most likely caused by airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces is also recommended to limit the spread of the disease. Use of electrostatic sprayers (ESS) and foggers to rapidly apply disinfectants over large areas or to complex surfaces has emerged with the COVID-19 pandemic. ESSs are designed to impart an electrostatic charge to the spray droplets with the goal of increasing deposition of the droplets onto surfaces, thereby promoting more efficient use of the disinfectant. The purpose of this research was to evaluate several spray parameters for different types of sprayers and foggers, as they relate to the application of disinfectants. Some of the parameters evaluated included the spray droplet size distribution, the electrostatic charge, the ability of the spray to wrap around objects, and the loss of disinfectant chemical active ingredient due to the spray process. The results show that most of the devices evaluated for droplet size distribution had an average volume median diameter ≥ 40 microns, and that four out of the six ESS tested for charge/mass produced sprays of at least 0.1 mC/kg. A minimal wrap-around effect of the spray deposition onto a cylindrical object was observed. The loss of disinfectant active ingredient to the air due to spraying was minimal for the two disinfectants tested, and concurrently, the active ingredient concentrations of the liquid disinfectants sprayed and collected 3 feet (1 meter) away from the spray nozzle do not decrease.
Evaluation of the involvement of Th17-cells in the pathogenesis of canine spinal cord injury
Authors: Kämpe Annika , Knebel Anna , Carlson Regina , Rohn Karl , Tipold Andrea
Published: September 2021

Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is a frequently occurring neurological disease of dogs and the most common reason for spinal cord injury (SCI). Clinical signs are variable thus a reliable prognosis is crucial for further treatment decisions. Currently, the prognosis of IVDH primarily depends on presence or absence of deep pain perception. The purpose of this study was to investigate if Th17-cells could serve as a potential, prognostic biomarker for IVDH. We investigated a possible role of the adaptive immune system in the pathophysiology of IVDH in dogs. The investigation was performed by analyzing the influence of Th17-cells in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of sixty-two dogs suffering from IVDH. In addition, we examined if Th17-cells might influence the course of this disease. As controls, paired blood and CSF samples of ten healthy clinic-owned dogs were examined and the values were compared to those of the IVDH group. Isolated lymphocytes were analyzed after stimulation by using multicolour flow cytometry to measure the number of Th17-cells. IL-17 levels were measured in paired serum and CSF samples by Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). Highly significant differences of stimulated Th17-cells in EDTA-blood samples could be determined between Th17-cell levels of dogs suffering from IVDH and the healthy control group and also between three sampling time points: preoperative, after clinical improvement and after six months. Preoperatively, Th17-cell levels were strongly decreased in contrast to the healthy controls. The decreased amount of Th17-cell levels recovered postoperatively so that Th17-cell levels of the last follow-up examinations were comparable to the control group after six months. At the same time IL-17 measured in serum preoperatively was significantly higher in dogs with IVDH than in healthy controls. However, there was no considerable difference of IL-17 measured in CSF between the groups. In conclusion, a high activity and consequent consumption of IL-17-producing Th17-cells is suspected in acute IVDH. These findings may indicate an involvement of Th17-cells in the pathogenesis of IVDH and emphasize that these cells might be involved in the interaction of pain, stress and immune reaction. However, based on the findings of this study the development of Th17-cells as a biomarker cannot be recommended, yet.
Implementation of vascular surgery teleconsultation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from the outpatient vascular clinics in a tertiary care hospital in Qatar
Authors: Al-Thani Hassan , Mekkodathil Ahammed , Hussain Ahmed , Sharaf Ahmed , Sadek Ahmed , Aldakhl-Allah Anas , Awad Ahmed , Al-Abdullah Nassar , Zitoun Ahmad , Paul Jini , Pillai Pushpalatha , John Sara , El-Menyar Ayman
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a surge in the use of virtual communication tools for delivering clinical services for many non-urgent medical needs allowing telehealth or telemedicine, to become an almost inevitable part of the patient care. However, most of patients with vascular disease may require face-to-face interaction and are at risk of worse outcomes if not managed in timely manner.

Objective

We aimed to describe the utilization of telemedicine services in the outpatient vascular surgery clinics in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data on all vascular outpatient encounters during 2019 and 2020 was conducted and compared to reflect the pattern of practice prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The study showed that 61% of the total patient encounters in 2020 were reported through teleconsultation. Females were the majority of patients who sought the virtual vascular care. Consultations for the new cases decreased from 29% to 26% whereas, the follow-up cases increased from 71% to 74% in 2020 (p = 0.001). The number of procedures performed in the vascular outpatient clinics decreased by 46% in 2020 when compared to 2019. This decrease in procedures was more evident in the duration from February 2020 to April 2020 in which the procedures decreased by 97%. The proportion of procedures represented 22.6% of the total encounters in 2019 and 10.5% of the encounters during 2020, (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Teleconsultation, along with supporting practice guidelines, can be used to maximize the efficiency of care in vascular surgery patients during the pandemic and beyond. Adoption of the ‘hybrid care’ which combines both virtual and in-person services as an ongoing practice requires evidence obtained through audits and studies on patients and healthcare providers levels. It is essential to establish a clear practice that ensures patient’s needs.
It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it: The pitfalls of using routine data to measure early infant HIV diagnosis in HIV-exposed infants
Authors: Chappell Elizabeth , Thorne Claire , Collins Intira Jeannie , Baisley Kathy , Yapa H. Manisha , Gareta Dickman , Bärnighausen Till , Herbst Kobus , Judd Ali
Published: September 2021

Background

Early infant HIV diagnosis (EID) is critical to ensuring timely diagnosis of HIV-exposed infants, and treatment in those found to be infected. However estimates of coverage vary considerably, depending on data sources used. We used 4 methods to estimate coverage among a historical cohort of HIV-exposed infants in rural South Africa, between 2010–2016.

Methods

We estimated the proportion of infants ever tested (methods 1–3) and tested by 7 weeks of age (1–4) as follows: (1) infants born to women identified as HIV-positive in demographic surveillance were linked to those with ≥1 EID result in routine laboratory surveillance; (2) the number of infants with ≥1 EID result in laboratory surveillance divided by the estimated number of HIV-exposed infants, calculated as total live births multiplied by antenatal HIV seroprevalence; (3) the number of infants with ≥1 EID result in routine laboratory surveillance, divided by the number of HIV-exposed infants as estimated by the district health service; (4) from documentation in infants’ Road-to-Health-booklets.

Results

The proportion ever tested was 43%, 88% and 138% for methods 1–3, and by 7 weeks of age was 25%, 49%, 86% and 46% for methods 1–4 respectively.

Conclusions

The four methods, applied to a range of routine data sources, resulted in estimates varying considerably, and the true coverage of EID remains unclear. Our findings highlight the importance of developing unique patient identifiers, improving training of healthcare providers using reporting systems, and ensuring the accuracy of healthcare records, to ensure the best possible health outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.
Cross-cultural validation of the decisional balance scale in exercise across countries
Authors: Kueh Yee Cheng , Sabo Abdulwali , Kim Youngho , Kuan Garry
Published: September 2021

Background

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Korean and Malay version of the decisional balance (DB) for exercise (i.e. perceived benefits and perceived barriers) using a cross-sectional design. Also, this study assessed the measurement and structural invariance of the DB scale across countries.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted in Malaysia and Korea. The study sample consisted of 574 Korean participants and 562 Malaysian participants. The mean age of the participants was 19.8 (SD = 1.29) for the Korean sample and 19.8 (SD = 1.22) for the Malaysian sample. Participants were invited to complete the DB scale with the 10-item and two factors (i.e., perceived benefit and perceived barriers). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and invariance test were conducted on the data by using Mplus 8.3.

Results

The CFA results based on the hypothesised measurement model of two factors and ten items showed sufficient construct validity after adding residual covariance between items within the same factor: CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.970, SRMR = 0.036, RMSEA = 0.036 for the Korea sample, and CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.949, SRMR = 0.055, RMSEA = 0.066 for the Malay sample. For the Korea sample, the construct reliability was 0.62 and 0.74 for perceived benefits and perceived barriers respectively. For the Malay sample, the construct reliability was 0.75 and 0.77 for perceived benefits and perceived barriers respectively. The findings presented evidence for measurement and structural invariance of the DB scale for the Korea and Malaysia samples.

Conclusion

The DB scale was a valid and reliable measure for assessing exercise behaviour and for making comparisons between Korean and Malaysian samples.
Exploration of microbial communities contributing to effective methane production from scum under anaerobic digestion
Authors: Sakurai Riku , Takizawa Shuhei , Fukuda Yasuhiro , Tada Chika
Published: September 2021

Scum is formed by the adsorption of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) onto biomass surface in anaerobic digestion of oily substrates. Since scum is a recalcitrant substrate to be digested, it is disposed via landfilling or incineration, which results in biomass washout and a decrease in methane yield. The microbes contributing to scum degradation are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cardinal microorganisms in anaerobic scum digestion. We pre-incubated a sludge with scum to enrich scum-degrading microbes. Using this sludge, a 1.3-times higher methane conversion rate (73%) and a faster LCFA degradation compared with control sludge were attained. Then, we analyzed the cardinal scum-degrading microbes in this pre-incubated sludge by changing the initial scum-loading rates. Increased 16S rRNA copy numbers for the syntrophic fatty-acid degrader Syntrophomonas and hydrogenotrophic methanogens were observed in scum high-loaded samples. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing indicated that Syntrophomonas was the most abundant genus in all the samples. The amino-acid degrader Aminobacterium and hydrolytic genera such as Defluviitoga and Sporanaerobacter became more dominant as the scum-loading rate increased. Moreover, phylogenic analysis on Syntrophomonas revealed that Syntrophomonas palmitatica, which is capable of degrading LCFAs, related species became more dominant as the scum-loading rate increased. These results indicate that a variety of microorganisms that degrade LCFAs, proteins, and sugars are involved in effective scum degradation.
Zn tolerance in the evergreen shrub, Aucuba japonica, naturally growing at a mine site: Cell wall immobilization, aucubin production, and Zn adsorption on fungal mycelia
Authors: Doyama Kohei , Yamaji Keiko , Haruma Toshikatsu , Ishida Atsushi , Mori Shigeta , Kurosawa Yoko
Published: September 2021

Aucuba japonica Thunb. is an evergreen understory shrub that grows naturally at a mine site. The mine soil contains high concentrations of heavy metals, and A. japonica appears to maintain detoxification mechanisms against heavy metals in the study site’s understory. This study aimed to investigate the heavy metal tolerance mechanisms in A. japonica, considering the possible roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal and root-endophytic fungi. We conducted fieldwork in summer (canopy-foliation season) and winter (canopy-defoliation season) to measure the heavy metal concentrations in leaves, branches, and roots and analyze possible detoxicants in the roots. The infection rates of arbuscular mycorrhizal and root-endophytic fungi were evaluated via microscopic observation, and heavy metal (Zn) localization in A. japonica roots was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Field analysis showed that A. japonica accumulated excessive Zn and produced aucubin and citric acid in the roots in both summer and winter. Zn localization observations clarified that Zn was distributed in thickened epidermal and cortical cell walls, suggesting that the cell walls functioned as Zn deposition sites, reducing Zn toxicity. It was further clarified that Zn was contained within cortical cells, indicating that Zn might be detoxified by aucubin and citric acid. Arbuscular mycorrhizal and root-endophytic fungi within cortical cells adsorbed Zn on fungal cell walls, indicating that these fungi would reduce Zn content within root cells and might alleviate Zn toxicity. Our results indicated that A. japonica would maintain Zn tolerance in both summer and winter via Zn immobilization in the cell walls and production of aucubin and citric acid, and that arbuscular mycorrhizal and root-endophytic fungi might play important roles in the Zn tolerance of A. japonica.
Having a latrine facility is not a guarantee for eliminating open defecation owing to socio-demographic and environmental factors: The case of Machakel district in Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Abathun , Molla Adane Mesafint , Birara Amsalu , Shibabaw Tebkew
Published: September 2021

Background

Open defecation practice problem is rampant in most rural areas of developing countries, including Ethiopia. To combat this problem, the Ethiopian government implemented different sanitation interventions including Community-Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH). The CLTSH approach is mainly aimed to eradicate open defecation practice through mobilizing the community to construct a latrine facility and utilize it. Although this intervention has significantly improved households’ access to a latrine facility, its impact on bringing behavioral change such as avoiding open defecation is not well studied.

Objective

Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of open defecation among households having their latrine and its determinant factors in rural settings in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Machakal district from September 1 to 30, 2019. A total of 472 household heads who had a latrine facility and systematically selected from six rural Kebeles of the district, were involved in the study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist tools through face-to-face interviews and observation methods. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were run to identify the factors that influence open defecation practice. During the multivariable analysis, statistical significance was declared at the p-value of <0.05 with 95% CI.

Results

The prevalence of open defecation practice among household heads who had latrine facility was 27.8% (95% CI, [23.1–32.8]). Female gender (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI [1.13–7.68]), not attending of formal education (AOR = 3.10, CI 95% [1.34–7.13]), having >5 family members (AOR = 1.72, CI 95% [1.05–2.80]), presence of under-five child (AOR = 3.64 CI 95% [2.14–6.21]), preferring leaf as anal cleaning material (AOR = 3.18, CI 95% [1.67–6.08]), having unclean latrine (AOR = 2.15, CI 95% [1.34–3.44]), and having latrine that needs maintenance (AOR = 2.50 CI 95% [1.52–4.11]) variables were associated with open defecation practice.

Conclusions

Among the total respondents, finding more than a quarter of open defecators is concerning for a district that achieved greatly in terms of latrine coverage. This indicates the above-mentioned factors contributed to influence household heads to defecate openly despite having latrines. Therefore, the government and partners need to focus on designing strategies that effectively address determinant factors of open defecation.
The role of genetic essentialism and genetics knowledge in support for eugenics and genetically modified foods
Authors: Cheung Benjamin Y. , Schmalor Anita , Heine Steven J.
Published: September 2021

People are regularly exposed to discussions about the role of genes in their lives, despite often having limited understanding about how they operate. The tendency to oversimplify genetic causes, and ascribe them with undue influence is termed genetic essentialism. Two studies revealed that genetic essentialism is associated with support for eugenic policies and social attitudes based in social inequality, and less acceptance of genetically modified foods. These views about eugenics and genetically-modified foods were especially evident among people who had less knowledge about genes, potentially highlighting the value of education in genetics.
Classical complement pathway inhibition reduces brain damage in a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy animal model
Authors: Kumar Parvathi , Hair Pamela , Cunnion Kenji , Krishna Neel , Bass Thomas
Published: September 2021

Perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a major contributor of infant death and long-term disability worldwide. The role played by the complement system in this ischemia-reperfusion injury remains poorly understood. In order to better understand the role of complement activation and other modifiable mechanisms of injury in HIE, we tested the dual-targeting anti-inflammatory peptide, RLS-0071 in an animal model of HIE. Using the well-established HIE rat pup model we measured the effects of RLS-0071 during the acute stages of the brain injury and on long-term neurocognitive outcomes. Rat pups subject to hypoxia-ischemia insult received one of 4 interventions including normothermia, hypothermia and RLS-0071 with and without hypothermia. We measured histopathological effects, brain C1q levels and neuroimaging at day 1 and 21 after the injury. A subset of animals was followed into adolescence and evaluated for neurocognitive function. On histological evaluation, RLS-0071 showed neuronal protection in combination with hypothermia (P = 0.048) in addition to reducing C1q levels in the brain at 1hr (P = 0.01) and at 8 hr in combination with hypothermia (P = 0.005). MRI neuroimaging demonstrated that RLS-0071 in combination with hypothermia reduced lesion volume at 24 hours (P<0.05) as well as decreased T2 signal at day 21 in combination with hypothermia (P<0.01). RLS-0071 alone or in combination with hypothermia improved both short-term and long-term memory. These findings suggest that modulation by RLS-0071 can potentially decrease brain damage resulting from HIE.
How the scientific community responded to the COVID-19 pandemic: A subject-level time-trend bibliometric analysis
Authors: Malekpour Mohammad-Reza , Abbasi-Kangevari Mohsen , Azadnajafabad Sina , Ghamari Seyyed-Hadi , Rezaei Negar , Rezazadeh-Khadem Sahba , Rezaei Nazila , Aminorroaya Arya , Abdolhamidi Elham , Mohammadi Fateh Sahar , Haghshenas Rosa , Roshani Shahin , Ahmadi Naser , Jamshidi Kosar , Naderimagham Shohreh , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: September 2021

Background

COVID-19 has triggered an avalanche of research publications, the various aspects of which need to be assessed. The objective of this study is to determine the scientific community’s response patterns to COVID-19 through a bibliometric analysis of the time-trends, global contribution, international collaboration, open-access provision, science domains of focus, and the behavior of journals.

Methods

The bibliographic records on COVID-19 literature were retrieved from both PubMed and Scopus. The period for searching was set from November 1, 2019, to April 15, 2021. The bibliographic data were coupled with COVID-19 incidence to explore possible association, as well as World Bank indicators and classification of economies.

Results

A total of 159132 records were included in the study. Following the escalation of incidences of COVID-19 in late 2020 and early 2021, the monthly publication count made a new peak in March 2021 at 20505. Overall, 125155 (78.6%) were national, 22548 (14.2%) were bi-national, and 11429 (7.2%) were multi-national. Low-income countries with 928 (66.8%) international publications had the highest percentage of international. The open-access provision decreased from 85.5% in February 2020 to 62.0% in April 2021. As many as 82841 (70.8%) publications were related to health sciences, followed by life sciences 27031 (23.1%), social sciences 20291 (17.3%), and physical sciences 15141 (12.9%). The top three medical subjects in publications were general internal medicine, public health, and infectious diseases with 28.9%, 18.3%, and 12.6% of medical publications, respectively.

Conclusions

The association between the incidence and publication count indicated the scientific community’s interest in the ongoing situation and timely response to it. Only one-fifth of publications resulted from international collaboration, which might lead to redundancy without adding significant value. Our study underscores the necessity of policies for attraction of international collaboration and direction of vital funds toward domains of higher priority.
Enhancing in vitro ruminal digestibility of oil palm empty fruit bunch by biological pre-treatment with Ganoderma lucidum fungal culture
Authors: Nur-Nazratul F. M. Y. , Rakib M. R. M. , Zailan M. Z. , Yaakub H.
Published: September 2021

The changes in lignocellulosic biomass composition andin vitrorumen digestibility of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) after pre-treatment with the fungusGanoderma lucidumwere evaluated. The results demonstrated that the pre-treatment for 2–12 weeks has gradually degraded the OPEFB in a time-dependent manner; whereby lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose were respectively degraded by 41.0, 20.5, and 26.7% at the end of the incubation period. The findings were corroborated using the physical examination of the OPEFB by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the OPEFB pre-treated for 12 weeks has shown the highestin vitrodigestibility of dry (77.20%) and organic (69.78%) matter, where they were enhanced by 104.07 and 96.29%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control. The enhancement in thein vitroruminal digestibility was negatively correlated with the lignin content in the OPEFB. Therefore, biologically delignified OPEFB withG.lucidumfungal culture pre-treatment have the potential to be utilized as one of the ingredients for the development of a novel ruminant forage.