bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corneal Biomechanics Computational Analysis for Keratoconus Diagnosis
Authors: Alazzam Malik Bader , AlGhamdi Ahmed S. , Alshamrani Sultan S.
Published: November 2021

For machine learning techniques to be used in early keratoconus diagnosis, researchers aimed to find and model representations of corneal biomechanical characteristics from exam images generated by the Corvis ST. Image segments were used to identify and convert anterior data into vectors for representation and representation of apparent posterior surfaces, apparent pachymetry, and the composition of apparent anterior data in images. Chained (batch images) and simplified with wavelet, the vectors were also arranged as 2D histograms for deep learning use in a neural network. An interval of 0.7843 to 1 and a significance level of 0.0157 were used in the scoring, with the classifications getting points for being as sensitive as they could be while also being as precise as they could be. In order to train and validate the used data from examination bases in Europe and Iraq, in grades I to IV, researchers looked at data from 686 healthy eyes and 406 keratoconus-afflicted eyes. With a score of 0.8247, sensitivity of 89.49%, and specificity of 92.09%, the European database found that apparent pachymetry from batch images applied with level 4 wavelet and processed quickly had the highest accuracy. This is a 2D histogram of apparent pachymetry with a score of 0.8361, which indicates that it is 88.58 percent sensitive and 94.389% specific. According to the findings, keratoconus can be diagnosed using biomechanical models.
DAR‐Net: Dense Attentional Residual Network for Vehicle Detection in Aerial Images
Authors: Li Kaifeng , Wang Bin
Published: November 2021

With the rapid development of deep learning and the wide usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), CNN‐based algorithms of vehicle detection in aerial images have been widely studied in the past several years. As a downstream task of the general object detection, there are some differences between the vehicle detection in aerial images and the general object detection in ground view images, e.g., larger image areas, smaller target sizes, and more complex background. In this paper, to improve the performance of this task, a Dense Attentional Residual Network (DAR‐Net) is proposed. The proposed network employs a novel dense waterfall residual block (DW res‐block) to effectively preserve the spatial information and extract high‐level semantic information at the same time. A multiscale receptive field attention (MRFA) module is also designed to select the informative feature from the feature maps and enhance the ability of multiscale perception. Based on the DW res‐block and MRFA module, to protect the spatial information, the proposed framework adopts a new backbone that only downsamples the feature map 3 times; i.e., the total downsampling ratio of the proposed backbone is 8. These designs could alleviate the degradation problem, improve the information flow, and strengthen the feature reuse. In addition, deep‐projection units are used to reduce the impact of information loss caused by downsampling operations, and the identity mapping is applied to each stage of the proposed backbone to further improve the information flow. The proposed DAR‐Net is evaluated on VEDAI, UCAS‐AOD, and DOTA datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Application of PSO-based LSTM Neural Network for Outpatient Volume Prediction
Authors: Lu Wenjing , Jiang Wei , Zhang Na , Xue Feng
Published: November 2021

In order to study the construction method of long- and short-term memory neural network model, which is based on particle swarm optimization algorithm and its application in hospital outpatient management, we have selected historical data of outpatient volume of relevant departments in our hospital. Furthermore, we have designed and developed the outpatient volume prediction model, which is based on long- and short-term memory neural network. Additionally, we have used particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to optimize various parameters of long- and short-term memory network and then utilized this optimized model to accurately predict the outpatient volume. Experimental observations, which are collected through the results of monthly outpatient volume prediction, show that Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the particle swarm optimized LTMN model on the test set is reduced by 48.5% compared with the unoptimized model. The particle swarm optimization algorithm has efficiently optimized the prediction model, which makes the model better predict the trend of outpatient volume and thus provide decision support for medical staff's outpatient management.
Research on Public Art Parameterization of Interactive Installation Based on Sensor and Virtual Reality
Authors: Song Shukui
Published: November 2021

With the progress of human society, more and more scientific and technological achievements are applied to people’s development activities, and virtual reality technology is one of them. This case is a study on the path, form, and role of virtual reality and augmented reality technology in public art design. Through combining the public art form and current situation, we put forward the problem of increasing public art creation methods through the intervention of virtual reality technology, change the display method of public art with innovative technical solutions, and explore innovative ways of public art design application. In the research process, the author carried out detailed case research, technical demonstration, and creative practice on virtual reality technology; combined and studied a lot of advanced technical means that can be applied in public art creation and display design; and explored the collaborative innovation of technology and art, the public art design methods, and application approaches in China. On the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the artistic effects that can be achieved by related software and the future directions studied by technical personnel, analyzing the demand and feasibility of the technology in the application of public art, and exploring and summarizing virtual reality technology and augmented reality technology under the background of rapid development and popularization, public art design uses these technologies to solve practical problems and promotes the process of art design innovation and publicization by means of innovative media and experience forms. It increases the importance of virtual technology in public art and changes the traditional business model of public art. Experimental results show that the public’s attention to public equipment based on sensors and virtual reality technology has increased by more than 60%, and modern technology is used to make up for the development of public art and culture. The digital sustainable development of interactive installations of public art in my country provides new ideas.
The New Simulation of Quasiperiodic Wave, Periodic Wave, and Soliton Solutions of the KdV‐mKdV Equation via a Deep Learning Method
Authors: Zhang Yong , Dong Huanhe , Sun Jiuyun , Wang Zhen , Fang Yong , Kong Yuan
Published: November 2021

How to solve the numerical solution of nonlinear partial differential equations efficiently and conveniently has always been a difficult and meaningful problem. In this paper, the data‐driven quasiperiodic wave, periodic wave, and soliton solutions of the KdV‐mKdV equation are simulated by the multilayer physics‐informed neural networks (PINNs) and compared with the exact solution obtained by the generalized Jacobi elliptic function method. Firstly, the different types of solitary wave solutions are used as initial data to train the PINNs. At the same time, the different PINNs are applied to learn the same initial data by selecting the different numbers of initial points sampled, residual collocation points sampled, network layers, and neurons per hidden layer, respectively. The result shows that the PINNs well reconstruct the dynamical behaviors of the quasiperiodic wave, periodic wave, and soliton solutions for the KdV‐mKdV equation, which gives a good way to simulate the solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations via one deep learning method.
miR-190-5p Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Targeting PHLPP1
Authors: Li Yangxue , Li Zhibo , Liu Jiangen , Liu Yihang , Miao Guobin
Published: November 2021

Objective. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury (MIRI) refers to the more serious myocardial injury after blood flow recovery, which seriously affects the prognosis of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. This study explored the new targets for MIRI treatment by investigating the effects of miR-190-5p and its downstream target on the structure and function of myocardial cells. Methods. We injected agomir miR-190-5p into the tail vein of rats to increase the expression of miR-190-5p in rat myocardial cells and made an I/R rat model by coronary artery occlusion. We used 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) detection, echocardiography, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to determine the degree of myocardial injury in I/R rats. In addition, we detected the expression of inflammatory factors and apoptosis-related molecules in rat serum and myocardial tissue to determine the level of inflammation and apoptosis in rat myocardium. Finally, we determined the downstream target of miR-190-5p by Targetscan system and dual luciferase reporter assay. Results. The expression of miR-190-5p in an I/R rat myocardium was significantly lower than that in normal rats. After treatment of I/R rats with agomir miR-190-5p, the ischemic area of rat myocardium and the concentration of LDH decreased. The results of echocardiography and HE staining also found that overexpression of miR-190-5p improved the structure and function of rat myocardium. miR-190-5p was also found to improve the viability of H9c2 cells in vitro and reduce the level of apoptosis of H9c2 cells. The results of Targetscan system and dual luciferase reporter assay found that miR-190-5p targeted to inhibit pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1). In addition, inhibition of PHLPP1 was found to improve the viability of H9c2 cells. Conclusion. Therefore, miR-190-5p can reduce the inflammation and apoptosis of myocardium by targeting PHLPP1, thereby alleviating MIRI.
Transferability of a Machine Learning-Based Model of Hourly Traffic Volume Estimation—Florida and New Hampshire Case Study
Authors: Sekuła Przemysław , Laan Zachary Vander , Sadabadi Kaveh Farokhi , Kania Krzysztof , Zahedian Sara
Published: November 2021

This paper focuses on the problem of model transferability for machine learning models used to estimate hourly traffic volumes. The presented findings enable not only an increase in the accuracy of existing models but also, simultaneously, reduce the cost of data needed for training the models—making statewide traffic volume estimation more economically feasible. Previous research indicates that machine learning volume estimation models that leverage GPS probe data can provide transportation agencies with accurate estimates of hourly traffic volumes—which are fundamental for both operational and planning purposes—and do so with a higher level of accuracy than the prevailing profiling method. However, this approach requires a large dataset for model calibration (i.e., input and continuous count station data), which involves significant monetary investment and data-processing effort. This paper proposes solutions, which allow the model to be prepared using a much smaller dataset, given that a previously collected dataset, which may be gathered in a different place and time period, exists. Based on a broad selection of experiments, the results indicate that the proposed approach is capable of achieving similar model performance while collecting data for a 5 times shorter time period and utilizing 1/4 of the number of continuous count stations. These findings will help reduce the cost of preparing and maintaining the traffic volume models and render the traffic volume estimations more financially appealing.
Cosmetic Appeal, HRQoL, and Effectiveness of Simple and Pseudotesticular Techniques of Orchidectomy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chibuzo Ijeoma N. C. , Takure Augustine O. , Shittu Olayiwola B. , Okeke Linus I.
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Orchidectomy is the most cost-effective means of hormonal therapy for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (LAMP). However, cost-effectiveness should not detract from health-related quality of life (HRQoL) considerations. Bilateral simple orchidectomy (BSO) has been linked to negative psychometric deficits from an empty scrotum. This study compared the HRQoL, therapeutic efficacy, and cosmetic appeal of BSO with endogenous pseudotesticular techniques of bilateral subcapsular orchidectomy (BSCO) and bilateral-epididymal-sparing orchidectomy (BESO). Research Design. Nigerian patients with LAMP were randomised into three surgical arms: BSO, BSCO, and BESO. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 HRQoL and sociodemographic questionnaires were administered before and three months after orchidectomy. Serum testosterone and PSA were measured at 0, 1, 2, and 3 hours; 7 days; and 3 months postoperatively. Pseudotesticular volumes and cosmetic appeal were assessed at 3 months. Result. Sixty-three patients were recruited (24 BSO, 21 BSCO, 18 BESO), 73% of whom were low-income earners. There was no significant difference in the procedure cost nor the PSA or testosterone nadirs achieved over the three-month follow-up period (11.3, 12.6, 15.2 ng/ml (p=0.667) and 0.44, 0.64, 0.79 nmol/l (p=0.603) respectively). Those with pseudotesticles (BSCO, BESO) felt less emasculated (p=0.010). BSCO produced the least sexual bother, highest sexual function, and largest pseudotesticular volumes. The cosmetic appeal scores were similar between groups (77.9 ± 22.8, 81 ± 13.9, and 81.9 ± 22.5, respectively,p=0.858). Conclusion. Endogenous pseudotesticular techniques, when compared with BSO, reduce the negative psychological impact experienced by patients without increasing costs. BSCO produced the best pseudotesticular volumes and postoperative sexual function. This study is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov of the National Institute of Health U.S. National Library of Medicine as TEPSO study, NCT03744494: Comparison of the Therapeutic Efficacy and Patient Satisfaction of Three Techniques of Bilateral Orchidectomy in Prostate Cancer Patients of a Nigerian Sub-population. Registration completed on 16th of November, 2018 (registered retrospectively) NCT03744494.
Calcineurin Aα Contributes to IgE-Dependent Mast-Cell Mediator Secretion in Allergic Inflammation
Authors: Leong Edwin , Pang Zheng , Stadnyk Andrew W. , Lin Tong-Jun
Published: November 2021

Mast cells (MCs) are key mediators of allergic inflammation through the activation of cross-linked immunoglobulin E (IgE) bound to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcϵRI) on the cell surface, leading to the release of biologically potent mediators, either from preformed granules or newly synthesized. Pharmacological inhibitors have been developed to target a key signaling protein phosphatase in this pathway, calcineurin, yet there is a lack of genetic and definitive evidence for the various isoforms of calcineurin subunits in FcϵRI-mediated responses. In this study, we hypothesized that deficiency in the calcineurin Aα isoform will result in a decreased allergic immune response by the MCs. In a model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, there was a reduction in vascular permeability in MC-deficient mouse tissues reconstituted with calcineurin subunit A (CnAα) gene-knockout (CnAα−/−) MCs, and in vitro experiments identified a significant reduction in release of preformed mediators from granules. Furthermore, released levels of de novo synthesized cytokines were reduced upon FcϵRI activation of CnAα−/− MCs in vitro. Characterizing the mechanisms associated with this deficit response, we found a significant impairment of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cell phosphorylation and impaired nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cell inhibitor alpha (NF-κB) activation. Thus, we concluded that CnAα contributes to the release of preformed mediators and newly synthesized mediators from FcϵRI-mediated activation of MCs, and this regulation includes NF-κB signaling.
Unilateral Choanal Atresia: Indications of Long-Term Olfactory Deficits and Volumetric Brain Changes Postsurgically
Authors: Georgiopoulos Charalampos , Postler Martina , Rombaux Philippe , Gudziol Volker , Abolmaali Nasreddin , Hummel Thomas
Published: November 2021

Background: Very few studies have investigated whether unilateral choanal atresia is associated with permanent olfactory deficits. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the olfactory performance of patients with unilateral choanal atresia postsurgically. Methods: Three patients with unilateral atresia were examined in terms of olfactory performance with the Sniffin’ Sticks test (odor identification, threshold, and discrimination), size of the olfactory bulb, and volumetric brain changes. Results: All patients demonstrated significantly lower olfactory performance in terms of odor threshold on the same side with the choanal atresia. Grey matter reductions were found ipsilaterally in the hippocampus. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that persistent olfactory deficits and volumetric brain changes are present in patients with unilateral choanal atresia.
Echocardiographic Findings and Genotypes in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Miyamoto Ryohei , Sekine Akinari , Fujimaru Takuya , Suwabe Tatsuya , Mizuno Hiroki , Hasegawa Eiko , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Chiga Motoko , Mori Takayasu , Sohara Eisei , Uchida Shinichi , Sawa Naoki , Ubara Yoshifumi , Hoshino Junichi
Published: November 2021

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary cystic kidney disease and is well known to have extrarenal complications. Cardiovascular complications are of particular clinical relevance because of their morbidity and mortality; however, unclear is why they occur so frequently in patients with ADPKD and whether they are related to the genotypes. Methods: We extracted and retrospectively analyzed clinical data on patients with ADPKD who underwent echocardiography and whose genotype was confirmed by genetic testing between April 2016 and December 2020. We used next-generation sequencing to compare cardiac function, structural data, and the presence of cardiac valvular disease in patients with 1 of 3 genotypes: PKD1, PKD2, and non-PKD1, 2. Results: This retrospective study included 65 patients with ADPKD. Patients were divided into 3 groups: PKD1, n = 32; PKD2, n = 12; and non-PKD1, 2, n = 21. The prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) was significantly higher in the PKD1 group than in the PKD2 and non-PKD1, 2 group (46.9% vs. 8.3% vs. 19.0%, respectively; p = 0.02). In contrast, no significant difference was found for other cardiac valve complications. Conclusion: This study found a significantly higher prevalence of MR in patients with the PKD1 genotype than in those with the PKD2 or non-PKD1, 2 genotypes. Physicians may need to perform echocardiography earlier and more frequently in patients with ADPKD and the PKD1 genotype and to control fluid volume and blood pressure more strictly in these patients to prevent future cardiac events.
COVID-19 among Nursing Staff: Settings and Regional Differences
Authors: Hoedl Manuela , Eglseer Doris , Bauer Silvia
Published: November 2021

Background/Aims: So far detailed insights into the nursing staff’s COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and results are missing. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the setting and regional differences in the occurrence of COVID-19 among nursing staff, analysing symptoms, testing, and their respective results. Methods: We used an online survey to conduct this cross-sectional study among Austrian nursing staff in different settings between May 12 and July 13, 2020. This article follows the STROBE statement. The survey includes demographic data, including age, professional qualification, e.g., nurse, nurse aid, and in which federal state and setting the participants work. In addition, we asked for COVID-19 symptoms and (result of the) testing. We used descriptive statistics as well as bivariate analysis to calculate the differences. Results: Nearly every sixth nurse reported experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. We found statistically significant differences between the settings and the federal provinces for the reported COVID-19 symptoms, but not the test results. In total, 1.6% of the participating nurses were tested for COVID-19, of which all were positive for COVID-19. Conclusions: In the future during a pandemic, health care staff should be comprehensively tested in all settings. Our results showed that shifting the perspectives from critical/acute settings to other settings, such as nursing homes, is needed.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Amino Acid Naphthoquinone Derivatives as Potential Antibacterial Agents
Authors: López-López Lluvia Itzel , Rivera-Ávalos Ernesto , Villarreal-Reyes Cecilia , Martínez-Gutiérrez Fidel , de Loera Denisse
Published: November 2021

Background: The synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives are of great interest since these compounds exhibit strong antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and anticancer activities. The electronic properties of naphthoquinones are usually modulated by attaching functional groups containing nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms, which tune their biological potency and selectivity. Methods: A series of 13 amino acid 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives was synthesized under assisted microwave and ultrasound conditions. The antibacterial activity of compounds was tested against American Type Culture Collection (ATCC): Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, as well as 2 multidrug resistant pathogens: E. coli and S. aureus from clinical isolated. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method. Results: MIC of derivatives 4–11, 14, and 16 showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds 4–8 and 14 were ≤MIC 24.7 μg mL−1 against all the reference strains; even more, compound 6 showed the most potent activity with an MIC of 3.9 μg mL−1 on S. aureus. On the clinical isolated, the compounds 7, 8, and 14 showed an MIC of 49.7 and 24.7 μg mL−1 against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. About ADME properties and Osiris analysis, the compounds 4–16 presented high gastrointestinal absorption and good characteristics for oral bioavailability, and compound 14 was the less toxic. Conclusion: Amino acid 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives showed good in vitro antibacterial activity against clinical strains, and modifications on C-3 with a chloride atom enhanced the efficiency against the same pathogens.
Relationship between Carnitine Deficiency and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Use in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Iriyama Noriyoshi , Miura Katsuhiro , Uchino Yoshihito , Takahashi Hiromichi , Nakagawa Masaru , Iizuka Kazuhide , Hamada Takashi , Koike Takashi , Kurihara Kazuya , Nakayama Tomohiro , Takei Masami , Hatta Yoshihiro , Nakamura Hideki
Published: November 2021

Background: Some chemotherapeutic agents cause carnitine deficiency, which causes general fatigue. However, there is no study on carnitine deficiency in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) during tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Objective: In this study, we investigated carnitine concentrations in patients with CML receiving TKI therapy. Method: This study included patients with well-controlled CML. Total carnitine and free carnitine concentrations were evaluated using the enzyme cycling method. The brief fatigue inventory (BFI) and cancer fatigue scale (CFS) were used to assess general fatigue developed during TKI therapy. Results: Fifty-five patients on TKI therapy were included. Of these, 12 (21.8%) patients had low free carnitine concentrations. Free carnitine concentrations were higher in men than in women. Younger age was closely associated with lower free carnitine concentrations. TKI type, TKI dose, treatment response, or therapy duration were not associated with free carnitine concentrations. None of the scores (the global fatigue score with the BFI and CFS score) correlated with carnitine concentrations. Concentrations of free carnitine in patients in the treatment-free remission group were slightly higher than those in the TKI group, with only 9.1% having a low concentration of free carnitine. Conclusion: Carnitine deficiency is probably not a major cause of general fatigue but may occur in patients with CML receiving TKI therapy.
Niche overlap of benthic macrofauna in a tropical estuary: diurnal variation
Authors: Oliveira Mário Herculano de , Lima Lidiane Gomes de , Lima Caroline Stefani da Silva , Gomes Jéssica de Oliveira Lima , Paiva Franciely Ferreira , Barros Graciele de , Medeiros Carlinda Railly , Molozzi Joseline
Published: November 2021

The complexity of estuaries allows for the establishment of diverse communities composed of species with different survival strategies. The vertical migration of animals in the sediment is linked to competition, escape from predators and adaptations to diurnal physio-chemical changes related to variations in water levels. The present study aimed to evaluate niche overlap and amplitude, as well as the composition and structure, of communities of polychaetes and molluscs between sediment aliquots during the day and at night. Data sampling was performed in the Tubarão River estuary. The highest individual occurrence was registered during the diurnal period. Communities of polychaetes varied significantly between sediment aliquots during the day and at night, while molluscs did not show diurnal variation. Niche overlap results for polychaetes showed higher values between aliquots during the night, while molluscs showed greater overlap during the day. This indicates that polychaetes and molluscs have different mechanisms of coexistence. This may be related to different attributes of species allowing for the division of resources among individuals. Examination of niche overlap provides insights into coexistence of mechanisms within benthic macroinvertebrate communities.
The first record of Medog Gliding Frog Rhacophorus translineatus Wu, 1977 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Chhukha District, Bhutan
Authors: Sonam Lhendup  , Koirala Bal Krishna
Published: November 2021

Rhacophorus is a genus of tree frogs in the family Rhacophoridae commonly referred to as parachuting or gliding frogs, distinguished by extensive digital webbing. A rare species, Rhacophorus translineatus Wu, 1977, was recorded for the first time in Bhutan. Information on morphological characters, geographical distribution, habitat and natural history notes is provided.
Patterns of forest cover loss in the terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines: critical habitat conservation priorities
Authors: Daipan Bernard Peter
Published: November 2021

The Philippines, home to over 20,000 endemic species of plants and animals, is facing a biodiversity crisis due to the constant decrease of forest cover. The Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) approach was developed to conserve species threatened with extinction using a site-based conservation strategy to select globally important sites using threshold-based criteria for species irreplaceability and vulnerability. This study investigates the applicability of remotely sensed data through geospatial analysis to quantify forest cover loss of the 101 terrestrial KBAs in the country between 2001 and 2019. Results showed that the study sites had 4.5 million hectares (ha) of forest in the year 2000. However, these sites have lost about 270,000 ha of forest in nearly two decades, marking a steady decline with an annual deforestation rate of 14,213 ha per year in these terrestrial KBAs. The majority of the study sites (58) had a high percentage of forest loss (>3.13%), and these should be prioritized for conservation. By the year 2030, it is forecast that a total of 331 thousand ha of forest will be lost unless there is a transformational change in the country’s approach to dealing with deforestation. The results of this study provide relevant data and information in forest habitat in near real-time monitoring to assess the impact and effectiveness of forest governance and approaches within these critical habitats.
A new record of psychrotrophic Paecilomyces formosus (Eurotiales: Ascomycota) from India: morphological and molecular characterization
Authors: Nonzom Skarma , Sumbali Geeta
Published: November 2021

A filamentous fungus Paecilomyces formosus (Eurotiales, Ascomycota) was detected for the first time from the region while surveying fungal diversity of a cold arid high-altitude pass (4,000 msl) located in Kargil district (Ladakh), India. The fungal isolate was characterized morphologically with camera lucida drawings and microphotographs, and identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences. P. formosus has not been reported from India, or from arid/semi-arid/cold regions before, thus this represents a new record of Indian hot/cold desert mycoflora that is psychrotrophic in contrast to the more common thermophilic fungi.
New distribution data on the genus Maripanthus Maddison, 2020 (Araneae: Salticidae) from southern India
Authors: A. Asima  , John T.D. Caleb  , Dhruv A. Prajapati  , G. Prasad
Published: November 2021

New distributional records of Maripanthus gloria Caleb, 2021 and Maripanthus jubatus Maddison, 2020 from southern India are reported. Diagnosis and images of both the species are provided and the updated distributional records are also mapped.
Morphological and phylogenetic relations of members of the genus Coelastrella (Scenedesmaceae, Chlorophyta) from the Ural and Khentii Mountains (Russia, Mongolia)
Authors: NOVAKOVSKAYA IRINA V. , EGOROVA IRINA N. , KULAKOVA NINA V. , PATOVA ELENA N. , SHADRIN DMITRY M. , ANISSIMOVA OLGA V.
Published: November 2021

We describe the morphological features and the phylogenetic relationships of five morphologically similar strains belonging to the genus Coelastrella, which live in different ecological and geographical conditions of terrestrial ecosystems: in the Ural Mountains (Polar, Subpolar, and Northern Urals of Russia) and the Khentii Mountains (Russia and Mongolia). We analysed algal strains stored in the Culture Collection of Algae of the Institute of Biology, Syktyvkar, Russia (SYKOA Ch-045-09, SYKOA Ch-047-11, SYKOA Ch-072-17) and the Culture Collection of Algae at Herbarium of the Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Irkutsk, Russia (IRK-A 2, IRK-A 173). By light microscopy, all samples were assigned to Coelastrella terrestris. However, the phylogenetic analyses based on the nucleotide sequences of 18S rDNA and ITS1-ITS2 showed that only one strain belongs to C. terrestris (IRK-A 173). Other samples were closer to C. oocystiformis (SYKOA Ch-045-09; IRK-A 2) and C. aeroterrestrica (SYKOA Ch-047-11). The strain SYKOA Ch-072-17 is probably a new species for the genus. These results confirmed the high phenotypic variability and the hidden diversity among the members of this green algal group.
Iris pseudomeda (Iridaceae), a new species of Iris section Oncocyclus from Iran
Authors: SALIMBAHRAMI MONA , SAEIDI HOJJATOLLAH , BAGHERI ALI
Published: November 2021

Iris pseudomeda is described and illustrated as a new species of Iris section Oncocyclus from Kurdistan province in northwestern Iran. It occurs among subalpine flora of Zagros mountain range, on stony calcareous hillsides and the brink of grassland fields. A complete morphological description, conservation status, botanical illustrations, notes on habitat and distribution range are presented for the new species. Furthermore, taxonomic relationships of I. pseudomeda with other members of this rhizomatous bearded section, particularly I. meda, are also discussed.
Trends in Nasal Spray Prescribing Patterns by Otolaryngologists in the US Medicare Population
Authors: Kim Celeste , Tran Erica , Kim Ian , Hur Kevin
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

To quantify national and state-level prescribing and cost trends for the 3 most prescribed nasal sprays by otolaryngologists in the Medicare population.

Methods:

Through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) database and the Kaiser Family Foundation, we retrieved data on Medicare enrollment and on claims and costs of fluticasone propionate, azelastine HCl, and ipratropium bromide prescribed by otolaryngologists from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017.

Results:

From 2013 to 2017, CMS reimbursed $128.8 million for 5.2 million claims of fluticasone propionate, azelastine HCl, and ipratropium bromide prescribed by otolaryngologists. The national claim rate for fluticasone propionate increased 6.5% per year from 2013 to 2015 and then decreased 4.3% per year from 2015 to 2017 while azelastine HCl and ipratropium bromide consistently increased annually (19.0% and 12.2% respectively) from 2013 to 2017. The cost for fluticasone propionate decreased 33.0% a year from 2013 to 2015 and then increased 5.4% annually to $13.60 per claim in 2017. Azelastine HCl decreased 14.8% annually from $91.30 to $50.23 per claim and ipratropium bromide increased 5.2% annually to $34.78 in 2017. Variations in the claim rate and cost for all 3 nasal sprays were observed in some states.

Conclusions:

Otolaryngologists are prescribing azelastine HCl and ipratropium at an increasingly higher rate in the Medicare population, while the rate for fluticasone propionate has been decreasing nationally. Utilization and costs of nasal sprays also vary geographically across the United States.
Understanding health anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Heinen Anna , Varghese Sherin , Krayem Amani , Molodynski Andrew
Published: November 2021

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be one of the greatest public health challenges faced by the UK. Reported rates of psychiatric difficulties have increased and the mechanisms by which the pandemic has affected mental health requires investigation.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to understand the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health anxiety in the general population, with a focus on Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist mental health care within Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Methods:

We invited participants aged 18+ across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to complete an online questionnaire consisting of standardised questionnaires measuring psychological wellbeing, non-standardised questions to provide demographic information, and information about social circumstances and behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were then invited via email to complete a 3-month follow-up questionnaire.

Results:

About 324 participants completed the baseline survey while 199 completed the follow-up. Our analysis demonstrated that higher scores on a health anxiety inventory were related to reports of depression, anxiety, loneliness, poor quality of life and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and panic. We also identified several predictors of health anxiety such as being female, having a pre-existing physical or mental health condition, and poor tolerance of uncertainty. Lifestyle and demographic factors such as changes in financial situation, changes in employment status, having a close relative or friend with COVID-19, being able to do grocery shopping, being a key worker, and ethnicity were not found to predict health anxiety.

Conclusions:

Awareness of the impact of health anxiety on people needs to be consistently high among healthcare professionals, especially in the continuing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between health anxiety and fatigue, sleep quality, gender and co-morbid mental and physical health difficulties needs to be investigated further to determine areas of intervention.
Modeling the airflow field of vortex spinning
Authors: Shang Shanshan , Yu Zikai , Sun Guangwu , Yu Chongwen , Gong R Hugh , Wang Guozhong , Wang Xinhou
Published: November 2021

Vortex spinning technology adopts a high-speed swirling airflow to rotate the fibers with open-ends to form yarn with real twists. The airflow behavior within the nozzle has a great effect on the yarn-formation process. In this study, a three-dimensional calculation nozzle model and corresponding three-dimensional airflow region model were established to enable the numerical calculation; airflow behavior—pressure, velocity, and the turbulent airflow field, and the streamline of airflow—was investigated in the presence of fiber bundles within the vortex spinning nozzle. Hybrid hexahedral/tetrahedral control volumes were utilized to mesh the grids in the calculation region. To consider airflow diffusion and convection in the nozzle, the Realizable k- ε turbulence model with wall function was adopted to conduct the calculation. Dynamic and static pressure values were obtained by numerical analysis to predict the action of the inner surface of nozzle and the wall resistance on the high-speed swirling airflow. The numerical simulation of dynamic airflow behavior can generate great insight into the details of airflow behavior and its distribution characteristics, and is helpful for understanding the spinning mechanism and promoting optimization of the spinning process.
Study on the accelerated-point distribution of floating fibers in the drafting zone
Authors: Sun Na , Liu Meina
Published: November 2021

The motion of floating fibers in the drafting zone has a significant effect on the sliver quality after drafting. In this study, the distribution of the accelerated point of floating fibers in the drafting area was simulated based on the distribution of fibers and frictional forces during the drafting process. The simulated results denoted that the acceleration distribution of the floating fibers was more concentrated and closer to the front roller as the drafting ratio increases. The distributions of accelerated points of the floating fibers became more and more decentralized and further away from the front roller as the gauge length grew when the other parameters remained constant. In the simulation, the frictional forces of the other floating fibers moving at high velocity and low velocity and the actual contact relationships of fibers in the drafting zone were taken into consideration. Moreover, whether the fiber lengths are identical or not, the simulated accelerated-point distributions of the floating fibers were demonstrated to conform more to the actual values compared to other models. Hence, the developed model can offer effective reference from the point of view of the distribution of accelerated points in order to realize the simulation of roller drafting.
Fabric defect detection with an attention mechanism based on hard sample training
Authors: Yao Hongge , Na Qin , Zhu Shuangwu , Lin Min , Yu Jun
Published: November 2021

In view of the various types of fabric defects, and the problems of confusion, density unevenness and small target defects, which are difficult to detect, this paper builds a deep learning defect detection network incorporating an attention mechanism. The data augmentation strategy is used to enrich the number of samples of each defective type, and the enriched samples were extracted by the feature extraction network integrated with the attention mechanism, which can improve the feature extraction ability of confusable defect types and small defect types. Region proposal generation generates a proposal box for extracted features, and adds an online hard example mining strategy to re-learn hard examples to accelerate network convergence. Region feature aggregation maps the proposal box to the feature map to obtain the region of interest. Finally, the defect features are classified and the bounding boxes are regressed. The results show that this algorithm can effectively detect 39 categories of fabric defects with a detection speed of 0.085 s and a detection accuracy of 0.9338.
“Inter-District School Transfers and the Role of Educators in Black Students’ Sense of School Belonging”
Authors: Rhodes Anna , Lewis Bethany , Quinn Joseph
Published: November 2021

Inter-district racial and socioeconomic segregation continue to affect students’ educational opportunities. Housing mobility programs provide a way for low-income families to access lower-poverty and higher-performing schools in nearby districts. However, changing schools is also disruptive for students. Through interviews with 67 low-income Black youth who moved from Baltimore city into the suburbs with a mobility program, we examine how students’ interactions with educators shaped their school transition. Educators who provided academic and interpersonal support helped mitigate disruption by promoting students’ sense of school belonging. Yet, we find significant heterogeneity in the support students received as they entered new schools.
Surviving the Strain of Youth Organizing: Youth and Organizational Responses
Authors: DeBower Jenny , Ortega-Williams Anna , Wernick Laura J. , Brathwaite Brittany , Rodriguez Miguel
Published: November 2021

Youth of Color in the United States are often leaders in movements for social justice. Evidence suggests that organizing has a positive macro-therapeutic effect on the mental health of young organizers; however, they can also experience strain and become targets of the very systems they are trying to change. In a community-based participatory action research study, three organizations that train youth of Color in organizing in Brooklyn, New York City held focus groups with youth and adult staff. The focus groups examined the strains experienced by youth organizers and the strategies adult partners use to prepare organizers to maintain hope and well-being. Findings suggest four key emergent strategies: (a) provide an emotional homespace to process the rub between worlds, (b) actively shape the long view on systems change, (c) increase self-care skills and emotional preparation for organizing, and (d) promote healing by building leader(full) communities.
Onsite Versus Remote Working: The Impact on Satisfaction, Productivity, and Performance of Medical Call Center Workers
Authors: Alfaleh Amjad , Alkattan Abdullah , Alageel Alaa , Salah Mohammed , Almutairi Mona , Sagor Khlood , Alabdulkareem Khaled
Published: November 2021

Job satisfaction is determined as the measure to know the individuals’ feelings toward their work. The working conditions that can affect satisfaction and performance of the call center agents have received particular concern. This study aimed to determine the role of remote call center working on agents’ satisfaction compared to onsite workers. A cross-section study was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 that include 124 agents working in a governmental medical call center in Saudi Arabia. Each agent was receiving a questionnaire that investigates his/her satisfaction with the job nature, supervisor support, job autonomy, job productivity, and performance. Seventy-seven physicians working onsite were compared to forty-seven physicians remotely working in the medical call center. The mean age of the physicians included was 43.17 ± 8.4 years, and most of them were male (>70%), married (>85%), and family medicine specialists (>50%). The mean years of experience in the medical field of the physicians included was 16.87 ± 8.07 years, and the mean years of experience in the medical call center was 1.44 ± .97 years. Onsite agents were more satisfied concerning job nature, supervisor support, productivity, and performance compared to remote agents (70.82 vs 53.47%, 63.38 vs 55.05%, and 66.51 vs 56.03%, respectively). However, onsite agents were less satisfied regarding job autonomy than remote physicians (46.81 vs 53.19%, P-value = .128). Overall, general satisfaction was more seen in physicians working onsite as opposed to remote workers in the medical call center in Saudi Arabia (64.90 vs 54.25%, P-value < .01).
An Evaluation Index System for Research Efficiency of Research-Oriented Hospitals in China
Authors: Li Yin , Li Jiachang , Li Baihong , Zhang Longhao , Zeng Zhi , Zeng Wen
Published: November 2021

A specific and rational index system is key to scientific research evaluation. According to the characteristics and status of research-oriented hospitals in China, this study aimed to construct a comprehensive and methodical system for scientific research evaluation. Using bibliometric research, we sorted and refined indices for both domestic and international scientific research evaluation systems, established two-dimensional indices of input and output, and constructed the theoretical framework of evaluation after experts. The Delphi method was adopted to determine the evaluation indices at all levels, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to calculate the weights of the indices at all levels. Twenty experts from different medical fields were involved in the 2 rounds study. Altogether, 7 primary, 14 secondary, and 37 tertiary indices were included in the evaluation system. A matrix was built to conduct the maximum eigenvalue, the consistency indices, and the consistency ratio of each expert in the survey. The index weight coefficients of the indices were calculated accordingly. The model exhibited high consistency, and the credibility of the results was verified. The evaluation system for research-oriented hospitals that we established had high specificity, credibility, and rationality. The evaluation system that we established combines some quantitative evaluation indicators, which are subsequently weighted according to their importance in the field of research-oriented hospital. Evaluation index system will provide the practical manner in the future for comparing the potential academic level and impact of research-oriented hospitals. Moreover, further verification, adjustments, and optimization of the system and indicators will be performed in follow-up empirical studies.
Policy Learning and Adaptation in governance; a Co-evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Van Assche Kristof , Beunen Raoul , Verweij Stefan , Evans Joshua , Gruezmacher Monica
Published: November 2021

This paper introduces the concepts and ideas that frame this special issue on co-evolution in governance, and their implications for policy learning and adaptation. It offers a brief overview of co-evolutionary approaches to governance and their elementary connections with systems theories, post-structuralism, institutionalism, and actor-network theory, and explores how they are connected to co-evolution in governance. Co-evolutionary approaches differ from other influential understandings of knowledge and learning in policy and governance. It furthermore presents a typology of learning in governance and systematically discusses how each type is affected by patterns of coevolution in governance.
Three types of indigenization in the development of Korean sociology
Authors: Park Myoungkyu
Published: November 2021

This article focuses on the intellectual efforts to implement Western sociology into a Korean context during the country’s dynamic modernization. Three different types of responses are explored from the perspective of indigenization: historical sociology, critical sociology, public sociology, and comprehensive sociology. They suggest different approaches and strategies with their own research topics and academic activities. Although the simple dichotomy between Western universalism and Korean particularism is no longer presumed, intellectual efforts for indigenization remain an ongoing issue in Korean sociology.