bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEDLINE search retrieval issues: A longitudinal query analysis of five vendor platforms
Authors: Burns C. Sean , Nix Tyler , Shapiro Robert M. , Huber Jeffrey T.
Published: May 2021

This study compared the results of data collected from a longitudinal query analysis of the MEDLINE database hosted on multiple platforms that include PubMed, EBSCOHost, Ovid, ProQuest, and Web of Science. The goal was to identify variations among the search results on the platforms after controlling for search query syntax. We devised twenty-nine cases of search queries comprised of five semantically equivalent queries per case to search against the five MEDLINE database platforms. We ran our queries monthly for a year and collected search result count data to observe changes. We found that search results varied considerably depending on MEDLINE platform. Reasons for variations were due to trends in scholarly publication such as publishing individual papers online first versus complete issues. Some other reasons were metadata differences in bibliographic records; differences in the levels of specificity of search fields provided by the platforms and large fluctuations in monthly search results based on the same query. Database integrity and currency issues were observed as each platform updated its MEDLINE data throughout the year. Specific biomedical bibliographic databases are used to inform clinical decision-making, create systematic reviews, and construct knowledge bases for clinical decision support systems. They serve as essential information retrieval and discovery tools to help identify and collect research data and are used in a broad range of fields and as the basis of multiple research designs. This study should help clinicians, researchers, librarians, informationists, and others understand how these platforms differ and inform future work in their standardization.
Paired personal interaction reveals objective differences between pushing and holding isometric muscle action
Authors: Schaefer Laura V. , Bittmann Frank N.
Published: May 2021

In sports and movement sciences isometric muscle function is usually measured by pushing against a stable resistance. However, subjectively one can hold or push isometrically. Several investigations suggest a distinction of those forms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these two forms of isometric muscle action can be distinguished by objective parameters in an interpersonal setting. 20 subjects were grouped in 10 same sex pairs, in which one partner should perform the pushing isometric muscle action (PIMA) and the other partner executed the holding isometric muscle action (HIMA). The partners had contact at the distal forearms via an interface, which included a strain gauge and an acceleration sensor. The mechanical oscillations of the triceps brachii (MMGtri) muscle, its tendon (MTGtri) and the abdominal muscle (MMGobl) were recorded by a piezoelectric-sensor-based measurement system. Each partner performed three 15s (80% MVIC) and two fatiguing trials (90% MVIC) during PIMA and HIMA, respectively. Parameters to compare PIMA and HIMA were the mean frequency, the normalized mean amplitude, the amplitude variation, the power in the frequency range of 8 to 15 Hz, a special power-frequency ratio and the number of task failures during HIMA or PIMA (partner who quit the task). A “HIMA failure” occurred in 85% of trials (p < 0.001). No significant differences between PIMA and HIMA were found for the mean frequency and normalized amplitude. The MMGobl showed significantly higher values of amplitude variation (15s: p = 0.013; fatiguing: p = 0.007) and of power-frequency-ratio (15s: p = 0.040; fatiguing: p = 0.002) during HIMA and a higher power in the range of 8 to 15 Hz during PIMA (15s: p = 0.001; fatiguing: p = 0.011). MMGtri and MTGtri showed no significant differences. Based on the findings it is suggested that a holding and a pushing isometric muscle action can be distinguished objectively, whereby a more complex neural control is assumed for HIMA.
Dynamics of primary productivity in relation to submerged vegetation of a shallow, eutrophic lagoon: A field and mesocosm study
Authors: Berthold Maximilian , Paar Martin
Published: May 2021

Aquatic ecosystems nowadays are under constant pressure, either from recent or historical events. In most systems with increased nutrient supply, submerged macrophytes got replaced by another stable state, dominated by phytoplankton as main primary producer. Yet, reducing the nutrient supply did not yield the aimed goal of restored habitats for submerged macrophytes in systems worldwide. The question arises, why submerged macrophytes do not re-colonize, and if they are actually competitive. Therefore, primary production assays were conducted in ex-situ bentho-pelagic mesocosms and compared to the actual ecosystem, a turbid brackish lagoon of the southern Baltic Sea. Mesocosm were either manipulated to be colonized by macrophytes, or stayed phytoplankton dominated. Oxygen evolution was monitored over a period of five months in 5 min (mesocosms) to 10 min (ecosystem) intervals. Surface and depth-integrated production was calculated to analyse seasonal and areal resolved production patterns. It was found that macrophyte mesocosms were more stable, when considering only surface O2 production. However, calculating depth-integrated production resulted in net-heterotrophy in both shallow mesocosms approaches and the actual ecosystem. This heterotrophy is likely mediated by sediment respiration and POC accumulation in mesocosms, and a low share of productive to respiring water column in the actual ecosystem. Therefore, it seems unlikely that macrophytes will re-settle, as constant net-heterotrophy may allow for high-nutrient turnover at sediment-water interfaces and within the water column, favouring phytoplankton. These results will assist decision makers in developing more effective restoration measures that can mitigate the negative effects of eutrophication on ecosystem function and services.
Integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses of the response to cold stress in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Authors: Li Fengmei , Lu Xiuping , Duan Pengfei , Liang Yanjiao , Cui Jian
Published: May 2021

Cucurbita maxima belong to the genus Cucurbita and are of nutritional and economic importance. Physiological activity, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses of leaf samples from the C. maxima inbreding line IL7 treated at 5 °C and 25 °C were performed. Cold stress resulted in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde content, relative electrical conductivity, soluble protein, sugar content, and catalase activity. A total of 5,553 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 2,871 were up-regulated and 2,682 down-regulated. In addition, the transcription of differentially expressed genes in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and transcription factor families of AP2/ERF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, and HSF was activated. Moreover, 114 differentially expressed metabolites were identified by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, particularly through the analysis of carboxylic acids and derivatives, and organooxygen compounds. The demonstration of a series of potential metabolites and corresponding genes highlighted a comprehensive regulatory mechanism. These findings will provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with the response to cold stress in C. maxima.
Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) with saliva collection among sexual minority adults: A feasibility study
Authors: Chen Tzuan A. , Smith Nathan Grant , Regan Seann D. , Obasi Ezemenari M. , Anderson Kathryn Freeman , Reitzel Lorraine R.
Published: May 2021

Background

This is the first study, of which we are aware, to evaluate the feasibility and accessibility of simultaneous use of Global Positioning System (GPS) and saliva collection for biomarker assessment as an objective measure of stress physiology among sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other non-heterosexual identities) individuals. The principal motivation for pairing GPS and saliva collection was to investigate how characteristics of the built and social environments along with participants’ daily activity paths affect stress. This can contribute to a better understanding of health and health behaviors in the sexual minority community.

Methods

A convenience sample of enrolled participants (N = 124) from Houston, Texas was asked to complete questionnaires, carry with them a GPS unit daily, and collect and store 6 samples of saliva at specific times across the span of a day prior to a second visit around one week later.

Results

Of 124 participants, 16 participants (12.90%) provided no useable GPS data and 98 (79.03%) provided at least 4 days of data. More than three-fourths (n = 98, 79.03%) also provided complete saliva samples.

Conclusions

Our results show that the simultaneous use of GPS and saliva collection to assess sexual minority individuals’ activity paths and stress level is feasible.
Web-based survey among animal researchers on publication practices and incentives for increasing publication rates
Authors: Deutsch Susanne , Heider Miriam , Glage Silke , Bleich André , Tolba René , Strech Daniel , Wieschowski Susanne
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Publication bias, non-publication, and selective reporting of animal studies limit progress toward the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) that guide ethical animal testing, waste public resources, and result in redundant research, which collectively undermine the public’s trust in scientific reliability. In this study, we aimed to 1) validate findings from a previous follow-up study by our team that examined the publication rates of animal studies from protocol to publication and 2) identify incentives for improving publication rates in animal research.

Methods

The researchers responsible for the animal proposals (n = 210) from our previous study were contacted as participants for a Web-based survey between October 2019 and April 2020. Question types varied between free text questions, answer options based on a 5-point Likert scale and closed yes/no questions.

Results

In total, 78 researchers responsible for 101 of 210 animal study proposals participated, yielding a response rate of 48.1%. Results showed that the publication rate increased from 67% in our follow-up study to 70%. According to a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 = “not relevant” to 5 = “extremely relevant”), the most widely accepted suggestions for increasing publication rates were “Publication costs for open access journals are fully covered by funders or universities” (mean 4.02, SD 1.01), “Performance-based allocation of intramural funds for results reporting of animal research not supporting the initial hypothesis (including preprints and repositories)” (mean 3.37, SD 1.05), and “Researchers receive more information from scientific journals that also publish non-significant results” (mean 3.30, SD 1.02).

Conclusion

While the extent of publication and publication practices have been thoroughly investigated for clinical trials, less data is available for animal research to date. Therefore, the study contributes in complementing the picture of publication practice in animal research. Suggestions from our survey may help improve the publication rates of animal studies.
Public participation in crisis policymaking. How 30,000 Dutch citizens advised their government on relaxing COVID-19 lockdown measures
Authors: Mouter Niek , Hernandez Jose Ignacio , Itten Anatol Valerian
Published: May 2021

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, governments took unprecedented measures to curb the spread of the virus. Public participation in decisions regarding (the relaxation of) these measures has been notably absent, despite being recommended in the literature. Here, as one of the exceptions, we report the results of 30,000 citizens advising the government on eight different possibilities for relaxing lockdown measures in the Netherlands. By making use of the novel method Participatory Value Evaluation (PVE), participants were asked to recommend which out of the eight options they prefer to be relaxed. Participants received information regarding the societal impacts of each relaxation option, such as the impact of the option on the healthcare system. The results of the PVE informed policymakers about people’s preferences regarding (the impacts of) the relaxation options. For instance, we established that participants assign an equal value to a reduction of 100 deaths among citizens younger than 70 years and a reduction of 168 deaths among citizens older than 70 years. We show how these preferences can be used to rank options in terms of desirability. Citizens advised to relax lockdown measures, but not to the point at which the healthcare system becomes heavily overloaded. We found wide support for prioritising the re-opening of contact professions. Conversely, participants disfavoured options to relax restrictions for specific groups of citizens as they found it important that decisions lead to “unity” and not to “division”. 80% of the participants state that PVE is a good method to let citizens participate in government decision-making on relaxing lockdown measures. Participants felt that they could express a nuanced opinion, communicate arguments, and appreciated the opportunity to evaluate relaxation options in comparison to each other while being informed about the consequences of each option. This increased their awareness of the dilemmas the government faces.
COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the Metropolitan Region, Chile: Time, space, and structural factors
Authors: Villalobos Dintrans Pablo , Castillo Claudio , de la Fuente Felipe , Maddaleno Matilde
Published: May 2021

Demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors significantly inform COVID-19 outcomes. This article analyzes the association of these factors and outcomes in Chile during the first five months of the pandemic. Using the municipalities Metropolitan Region’s municipalities as the unit of analysis, the study looks at the role of time dynamics, space, and place in cases and deaths over a 100-day period between March and July 2020. As a result, common and idiosyncratic elements explain the prevalence and dynamics of infections and mortality. Social determinants of health, particularly multidimensional poverty index and use of public transportation play an important role in explaining differences in outcomes. The article contributes to the understanding of the determinants of COVID-19 highlighting the need to consider time-space dynamics and social determinants as key in the analysis. Structural factors are important to identify at-risk populations and to select policy strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The results are especially relevant for similar research in unequal settings.
Modeling the evolution of COVID-19 via compartmental and particle-based approaches: Application to the Cyprus case
Authors: Alexandrou Constantia , Harmandaris Vangelis , Irakleous Anastasios , Koutsou Giannis , Savva Nikos
Published: May 2021

We present two different approaches for modeling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both approaches are based on the population classes susceptible, exposed, infectious, quarantined, and recovered and allow for an arbitrary number of subgroups with different infection rates and different levels of testing. The first model is derived from a set of ordinary differential equations that incorporates the rates at which population transitions take place among classes. The other is a particle model, which is a specific case of crowd simulation model, in which the disease is transmitted through particle collisions and infection rates are varied by adjusting the particle velocities. The parameters of these two models are tuned using information on COVID-19 from the literature and country-specific data, including the effect of restrictions as they were imposed and lifted. We demonstrate the applicability of both models using data from Cyprus, for which we find that both models yield very similar results, giving confidence in the predictions.
Clinical factors associated with rapid treatment of sepsis
Authors: Song Xing , Liu Mei , Waitman Lemuel R. , Patel Anurag , Simpson Steven Q.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To understand what clinical presenting features of sepsis patients are historically associated with rapid treatment involving antibiotics and fluids, as appropriate.

Design

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using a machine-learning model with an embedded feature selection mechanism (gradient boosting machine).

Methods

For adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) who were admitted through Emergency Department (ED) meeting clinical criteria of severe sepsis from 11/2007 to 05/2018 at an urban tertiary academic medical center, we developed gradient boosting models (GBMs) using a total of 760 original and derived variables, including demographic variables, laboratory values, vital signs, infection diagnosis present on admission, and historical comorbidities. We identified the most impactful factors having strong association with rapid treatment, and further applied the Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) values to examine the marginal effects for each factor.

Results

For the subgroups with or without fluid bolus treatment component, the models achieved high accuracy of area-under-receiver-operating-curve of 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86–0.95] and 0.84 [95% CI, 0.81–0.86], and sensitivity of 0.81[95% CI, 0.72–0.87] and 0.91 [95% CI, 0.81–0.97], respectively. We identified the 20 most impactful factors associated with rapid treatment for each subgroup. In the non-hypotensive subgroup, initial physiological values were the most impactful to the model, while in the fluid bolus subgroup, value minima and maxima tended to be the most impactful.

Conclusion

These machine learning methods identified factors associated with rapid treatment of severe sepsis patients from a large volume of high-dimensional clinical data. The results provide insight into differences in the rapid provision of treatment among patients with sepsis.
Ocular biometric parameters changes and choroidal vascular abnormalities in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 evaluated by OCT-A
Authors: Vagge Aldo , Corazza Paolo , Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Camicione Paola , Agosto Giulia , Vagge Roberta , Maria Grazia Calevo , Carnevali Adriano , Giannaccare Giuseppe , Nicolò Massimo , Traverso Carlo Enrico
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To analyze ocular biometric parameters alterations of the posterior pole and choroidal abnormalities in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by adopting multimodal imaging, especially focusing on the role of novel diagnostic devices like swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

Methods

In this prospective, case-controlled study, patients with NF1 and age-matched control subjects were quantitatively analyzed by using multimodal imaging. All the subjects underwent confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), SS-OCT and SS-OCTA examinations.

Results

SS-OCT analysis revealed a lower macular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with NF1 compared with those with suspected NF1 (95.0±15.9 vs 109.7±11.3 μm; P = 0.001) and control subjects (106.8±14.4 μm, P = 0.003). Retinal thickness was significantly lower in NF1 patients compared to those with suspected NF1 (280.7±23.0 vs 304.2±15.3 μm; P < 0.001) and control subjects (298.7±23.8 μm, P = 0.003). The mean vascular flow area of the SCP was significantly higher in patients with NF1 (42.6±2.2%) and suspected NF1 (43.1±2.5%) compared to control subjects (41.0±2.0%; respectively, P = 0.017 and P = 0.002). In the second choroidal layer, the flow area was significantly lower in patients with NF1 compared to control subjects (45.4±4.8 vs 49.0±4.0%,; P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Retinal thicknesses alterations and choroidal nodules are described as ocular manifestations in patients with NF1. In addition, OCTA could represent an important novel advanced imaging technique, capable of detecting early altered retinal and choroidal vascular flow area in patients with NF1.
Psychometric properties of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III): An item response theory approach
Authors: Calderón Carlos , Beyle Christian , Véliz-García Oscar , Bekios-Calfa Juan
Published: May 2021

The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III is one of the most widely used tests to assess cognitive impairment. Although previous studies have shown adequate levels of diagnostic utility to detect severe impairment, it has not shown sensitivity to detect mild decline. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III in a large sample of elderly people through Item Response Theory, due to the lack of studies using this approach. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1164 people from the age of 60 upwards, of which 63 had a prior diagnosis of Alzheimer dementia. The results showed that, globally, the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III possesses adequate psychometrics properties. Furthermore, the information function test shows that the subscales have different sensitivity to different levels of impairment. These results can contribute to determining patterns of cognitive deterioration for the adequate detection of different levels of dementia. An optimized version is suggested which may be an economic alternative in the applied field.
Genetic analysis of the Drosophila ESCRT-III complex protein, VPS24, reveals a novel function in lysosome homeostasis
Authors: Florian Jonathan R. , DeMatte Samuel J. , Sweeder Devon M. , Ordway Richard W. , Kawasaki Fumiko
Published: May 2021

The ESCRT pathway is evolutionarily conserved across eukaryotes and plays key roles in a variety of membrane remodeling processes. A new Drosophila mutant recovered in our forward genetic screens for synaptic transmission mutants mapped to the vps24 gene encoding a subunit of the ESCRT-III complex. Molecular characterization indicated a loss of VPS24 function, however the mutant is viable and thus loss of VPS24 may be studied in a developed multicellular organism. The mutant exhibits deficits in locomotion and lifespan and, notably, these phenotypes are rescued by neuronal expression of wild-type VPS24. At the cellular level, neuronal and muscle cells exhibit marked expansion of a ubiquitin-positive lysosomal compartment, as well as accumulation of autophagic intermediates, and these phenotypes are rescued cell-autonomously. Moreover, VPS24 expression in glia suppressed the mutant phenotype in muscle, indicating a cell-nonautonomous function for VPS24 in protective intercellular signaling. Ultrastructural analysis of neurons and muscle indicated marked accumulation of the lysosomal compartment in the vps24 mutant. In the neuronal cell body, this included characteristic lysosomal structures associated with an expansive membrane compartment with a striking tubular network morphology. These findings further define the in vivo roles of VPS24 and the ESCRT pathway in lysosome homeostasis and their potential contributions to neurodegenerative diseases characterized by defective ESCRT or lysosome function.
The Healthy Taiwanese Eating Approach is inversely associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A prospective study on the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, 1993-1996
Authors: Chuang Shao-Yuan , Chang Hsing-Yi , Fang Hsin-Ling , Lee Shu-Chen , Hsu Yueh-Ying , Yeh Wen-Ting , Liu Wen-Ling , Pan Wen-Harn
Published: May 2021

Background

Few longitudinal studies have investigated the association between foods/dietary pattern and mortality risk in the Asian population. We investigated the prospective association between foods/dietary pattern and risk of death among ethnic Chinese adults in Taiwan.

Methods

The study population included 2475 young and middle-aged adults (aged 18–65 years at baseline) who completed the questionnaires and physical examinations in the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan from 1993 to 1996. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to assess food consumption habits in a face-to-face interview. With survey data linked to the Taiwanese Death Registry, Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the foods associated with all-cause mortality(followed until 2012), which were then tallied to calculate a dietary pattern score called Taiwanese Eating Approach(TEA) score. The TEA scores were then associated with various kinds of mortality outcomes. In addition, data from 431 elders (aged≥65 yrs) with 288 death endpoints were used to conduct a sensitivity analysis.

Results

A total of 385(15.6%) participants died (111 cardiovascular related deaths and 122 cancer related deaths) during the 17.8-year follow-up period(41274 person-years). Twelve foods (9 inverse [vegetables/fish/milk/tea](+1) and 3 positive[fatty meats/fermented vegetables/sweet drinks](-1)) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality risk. All adults were grouped by their cumulative food score into three diet groups: poor diet(29.3% of all subjects), average diet(44.0%), and healthy diet(26.70%). The better the diet, the lower the total, cardiovascular, and other cause mortality outcomes (trend-p < .001). The hazard ratio for the healthy diet was 0.64 (95% confidence interval:0.47–0.87) for total mortality, and 0.52(0.28–0.95) for cardiovascular death, compared with the poor diet in the multivariable models. This phenomenon was also seen in older adults for all-cause, cancer, and other cause mortalities.

Conclusion

Consuming a healthy Taiwanese Eating Approach (TEA) diet is negatively associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and other-cause mortalities in Taiwan.
Content validity of the tinnitus outcome questionnaire for sound management
Authors: Seol Hye Yoon , Kim Ga-Young , Jo Mini , Kang Soojin , Cho Young Sang , Hong Sung Hwa , Moon Il Joon
Published: May 2021

Standardized instruments are often used to monitor one’s progress in tinnitus relief although they were developed to screen and diagnose tinnitus. The need for the development for a tinnitus outcome assessment tool is high in the field of audiology and otolaryngology. The purpose of this study was to develop a tinnitus outcome questionnaire for sound management (listening to sound stimuli for tinnitus relief) and assess its content validity. A total of 32 questions with six domains (Tinnitus characteristics, the impact of tinnitus, tinnitus and hearing issues, handedness, tinnitus management, and sound management outcome) were generated after closely investigating major tinnitus questionnaires used worldwide (i.e. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire) as well as literature. Ten healthcare professionals evaluated the appropriateness of the questionnaire items on a five-point Likert scale, where 1 is strongly inappropriate and 5 is strongly appropriate. Content relevance was assessed by computing the content validity index with the cut-off value of 0.75. Each response was first weighted as follows: 1 = 0; 2 = 0.25; 3 = 0.5; 4 = 0.75; and 5 = 1.0. The weighted average was then calculated. Items with a content validity index less than 0.75 were discarded and some items were revised according to the experts’ feedback. As a result, 31 out of the 32 items had the content validity index higher than 0.75, indicating that the items are appropriate to obtain information about the six domains. Reflecting the experts’ feedback, some questions were revised to be more specific. The study provides a baseline structure regarding potential questions to be included in a tinnitus outcome questionnaire for sound management. Development and standardization of such questionnaire would be a pathway to validating tinnitus relief via sound therapy.
Intraobserver and interobserver agreement among anterior chamber angle evaluations using automated 360-degree gonio-photos
Authors: Matsuo Masato , Mizoue Shiro , Nitta Koji , Takai Yasuyuki , Sugihara Kazunobu , Tanito Masaki
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To investigate the reproducibility for the iridocorneal angle evaluations using the pictures obtained by a gonioscopic camera, Gonioscope GS-1 (Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan).

Methods

The pragmatic within-patient comparative diagnostic evaluations for 140 GS-1 gonio-images obtained from 35 eyes of 35 patients at four ocular sectors (superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal angles) were conducted by five independent ophthalmologists including three glaucoma specialists in a masked fashion twice, 1 week apart. We undertook the observer agreement and correlation analyses of Scheie’s angle width and pigmentation gradings and detection of peripheral anterior synechia and Sampaolesi line.

Results

The respective Fleiss’ kappa values for the four elements between manual gonioscopy and automated gonioscope by the glaucoma specialist were 0.22, 0.40, 0.32 and 0.58. Additionally, the respective intraobserver agreements for the four elements by the glaucoma specialist each were 0.32 to 0.65, 0.24 to 0.71, 0.35 to 0.70, and 0.20 to 0.76; the Fleiss’ kappa coefficients for the four elements among the three glaucoma specialists were, respectively, 0.31, 0.38, 0.31, and 0.17; the Fleiss’ kappa coefficients for the angle width and pigmentation gradings between the two glaucoma specialists each were 0.30 to 0.35, and 0.29 to 0.43, respectively. Overall, the Kendall’s tau coefficients for the angle gradings reflected the positive correlations in the evaluations.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested slight-to-substantial intraobserver agreement and slight-to-fair (among the three) or fair-to-moderate (between the two each) interobserver agreement for the angle assessments using GS-1 gonio-photos even by glaucoma specialists. Sufficient training and a solid consensus should allow us to perform more reliable angle assessments using gonio-photos with high reproducibility.
Perceived built environment, health-related quality of life and health care utilization
Authors: Cerletti Paco , Eze Ikenna C. , Keidel Dirk , Schaffner Emmanuel , Stolz Daiana , Gasche-Soccal Paola M. , Rothe Thomas , Imboden Medea , Probst-Hensch Nicole
Published: May 2021

Previous research has shown that the built environment plays a crucial role for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health care utilization. But, there is limited evidence on the independence of this association from lifestyle and social environment. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate these associations, independent of the social environment, physical activity and body mass index (BMI). We used data from the third follow-up of the Swiss study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart diseases In Adults (SAPALDIA), a population based cohort with associated biobank. Covariate adjusted multiple quantile and polytomous logistic regressions were performed to test associations of variables describing the perceived built environment with HRQoL and health care utilization. Higher HRQoL and less health care utilization were associated with less reported transportation noise annoyance. Higher HRQoL was also associated with greater satisfaction with the living environment and more perceived access to greenspaces. These results were independent of the social environment (living alone and social engagement) and lifestyle (physical activity level and BMI). This study provides further evidence that the built environment should be designed to integrate living and green spaces but separate living and traffic spaces in order to improve health and wellbeing and potentially save health care costs.
Future stroke risk in the chronic phase of post-percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Muraoka Shinsuke , Somiya Daiki , Ebata Aoi , Kumagai Yuki , Koketsu Naoki
Published: May 2021

A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is widely performed for acute coronary syndromes or chronic coronary syndromes. Periprocedural stroke is a clinically significant complication during PCI. The incidence of cerebrovascular events (CVEs) after PCI in the chronic phase is obscure. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CVEs after PCI in the chronic phase and evaluate the usefulness of a simple coronary artery calcification (CAC) evaluation method. This prospective observational study included 179 patients who underwent PCI between January 2016 and December 2018. The incidence of cerebral infarction was examined from one month after PCI to December 2019. In total, 171 individuals (134 men; mean age, 69.8 ± 9.8 years) were recruited. During a median follow-up period of 33 months, the onset of cerebral infarction was observed in 20 individuals (11.7%). More CAC sites (p = 0.009) and post-PCI for the chronic coronary syndrome (p = 0.049) showed a significant association with future CVEs. There was no significant cervical internal carotid artery stenosis for patients who occurred CVEs. The cutoff value for the number of CAC sites for predicting future CVEs was 4.5. The new and easy method accurately reflected future CVEs risk and may be clinically applicable.
The impact of SARS-COV2 infection on people in residential care with Parkinson Disease or parkinsonisms: Clinical case series study
Authors: Sorbera Chiara , Brigandì Amelia , Cimino Vincenzo , Bonanno Lilla , Ciurleo Rosella , Bramanti Placido , Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Marino Silvia
Published: May 2021

On March 2019 the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Several recent reports disclose that the outcome of the infection is related to age, sex and can be influenced by underlying clinical conditions. Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other parkinsonisms are the most common chronic disease which can cause, directly or indirectly, the patient to be more exposed to other diseases, mostly respiratory system’s ones. Our primary outcome is to evaluate if PD patients are more susceptible than non-PD to take COVID-19 infection. Second, to detect if the infection course is worse in PD-COVID+ patients versus non-PD. This is a retrospective observational study on a cohort of 18 patients (13 PD– 5 non-PD), hospitalized in a Rehabilitative Unit during the occurrence of SARS-CoV2 epidemic outbreak. All patients performed laboratory tests, lung Computed Tomography (CT) and have been tested for COVID-19 thorough pharyngeal swab. PD and non-PD groups were comparable for age, gender and Hoehn and Yahr stage. Seventy-seven (77)% of PD and 60% of non-PD resulted positive for COVID-19. PD-COVID+ and PD-COVID- did not differ for age, disease duration and L-dopa daily dose. PD COVID-19+ subjects were mainly asymptomatic (50%) while non-PD ones were all symptomatic, mostly with respiratory difficulties. PD doesn’t seem to be a risk factor to take SARS-COV2 infection, even if our study is related to a limited sample size. Our results, together with those of other recent studies, highlight the need to evaluate the actual susceptibility of patients with Parkinson’s disease to develop COVID-19 disease, and how the infection may influence the risk of clinical worsening and increase of mortality.
Identification of a genetic variant underlying familial cases of recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Xu Yinfang , Zhang Yan , Lopez Ivan A. , Hilbers Jacey , Griswold Anthony J. , Ishiyama Akira , Blanton Susan , Liu Xue Zhong , Lundberg Yunxia Wang
Published: May 2021

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo in humans, yet the molecular etiology is currently unknown. Evidence suggests that genetic factors may play an important role in some cases of idiopathic BPPV, particularly in familial cases, but the responsible genetic variants have not been identified. In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing [including untranslated regions (UTRs)] of 12 families and Sanger sequencing of additional 30 families with recurrent BPPV in Caucasians from the United States (US) Midwest region, to identify the genetic variants responsible for heightened susceptibility to BPPV. Fifty non-BPPV families were included as controls. In silico and experimental analyses of candidate variants show that an insertion variant rs113784532 (frameshift causing truncation) in the neural cadherin gene PCDHGA10 (protocadherin-gamma A10) is an exceedingly strong candidate (p = 1.80x10-4 vs. sample controls; p = 5.85x10-19 vs. ExAC data; p = 4.9x10-3 vs. NHLBI exome data). The mutant protein forms large aggregates in BPPV samples even at young ages, and affected subjects carrying this variant have an earlier onset of the condition than those without [average 44.0±14.0 (n = 16) versus 54.4±16.1 (n = 36) years old, p = 0.054]. In both human and mouse inner ear tissues, PCDHGA10 is expressed in ganglia, hair cells and vestibular transitional epithelia. Fluorescent RNA in situ hybridization using mouse inner ear tissues shows that expression increases with age. In summary, our data show that a variant in the PCDHGA10 gene may be involved in causing or aggravating some familial cases of recurrent idiopathic BPPV.
Antigen-encapsulating host extracellular vesicles derived from Salmonella-infected cells stimulate pathogen-specific Th1-type responses in vivo
Authors: Hui Winnie W. , Emerson Lisa E. , Clapp Beata , Sheppe Austin E. , Sharma Jatin , del Castillo Johanna , Ou Mark , Maegawa Gustavo H. B. , Hoffman Carol , Larkin, III Joseph , Pascual David W. , Ferraro Mariola J.
Published: May 2021

Salmonella Typhimurium is a causative agent of nontyphoidal salmonellosis, for which there is a lack of a clinically approved vaccine in humans. As an intracellular pathogen, Salmonella impacts many cellular pathways. However, the intercellular communication mechanism facilitated by host-derived small extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, is an overlooked aspect of the host responses to this infection. We used a comprehensive proteome-based network analysis of exosomes derived from Salmonella-infected macrophages to identify host molecules that are trafficked via these EVs. This analysis predicted that the host-derived small EVs generated during macrophage infection stimulate macrophages and promote activation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. We identified that exosomes generated during infection contain Salmonella proteins, including unique antigens previously shown to stimulate protective immune responses against Salmonella in murine studies. Furthermore, we showed that host EVs formed upon infection stimulate a mucosal immune response against Salmonella infection when delivered intranasally to BALB/c mice, a route of antigen administration known to initiate mucosal immunity. Specifically, the administration of these vesicles to animals stimulated the production of anti-Salmonella IgG antibodies, such as anti-OmpA antibodies. Exosomes also stimulated antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity. In particular, splenic mononuclear cells isolated from mice administered with exosomes derived from Salmonella-infected antigen-presenting cells increased CD4+ T cells secreting Th1-type cytokines in response to Salmonella antigens. These results demonstrate that small EVs, formed during infection, contribute to Th1 cell bias in the anti-Salmonella responses. Collectively, this study helps to unravel the role of host-derived small EVs as vehicles transmitting antigens to induce Th1-type immunity against Gram-negative bacteria. Understanding the EV-mediated defense mechanisms will allow the development of future approaches to combat bacterial infections.
Radiation Nation: Three Mile Island and the Political Transformation of the 1970s, Natasha Zaretsky (2018)
Authors: Beck John
Published: May 2021

Review of: Radiation Nation: Three Mile Island and the Political Transformation of the 1970s, Natasha Zaretsky (2018)

New York: Columbia University Press, 312 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-23117-980-5, h/bk, $120/£100

ISBN 978-0-23117-981-2, p/bk, $35/£32
Texture Analysis using wavelet Transform
Authors: Mishra Vinay priy
Published: May 2021

In this research application of wavelet based multiscale image analysis methods for texture analysis has been highlighted. These methods are based on multiresolution properties of the two-dimensional wavelet transform, which is used to extract the features needed to discriminate and differentiate various textures more accurately then existing methods, we also took into account the texture model, the noise distribution, and the inter-dependence of the texture features which further help in discriminating factor. Multiresolution approach is nothing but a modified wavelet transform called the tree-structured wavelet transform or wavelet packets for texture analysis and classification. This approach is motivated by the observation that a large class of natural textures can be modeled as quasi-periodic signals whose dominant frequencies are located in the middle frequency channels. With the transform, we are able to zoom into any desired frequency channels for further decomposition and thus we could extract more texture features as compared to other methods.
Explainable Credit Card Fraud Detection with Image Conversion
Authors: Sinanc Duygu , Demirezen Umut , Sağıroğlu Şeref
Published: May 2021

The increase in the volume and velocity of credit card transactions causes class imbalance and concept deviation problems in data sets where credit card fraud is detected. These problems make it very difficult for traditional approaches to produce robust detection models. In this study, a different perspective has been developed for this problem and a novel approach named Fraud Detection with Image Conversion (FDIC) is proposed. FDIC handles credit card transactions as time series and transforms them into images. These images, which comprise temporal correlations and bilateral relationships of features, are classified by a convolutional neural network architecture as fraudulent or legitimate. When the obtained results are compared with the related studies, FDIC has the best F1-score and recall values, which are 85.49% and 80.35%, respectively. Since the images created during the FDIC process are difficult to interpret, a new explainable artificial intelligence approach is also presented. In this way, feature relationships that have a dominant effect on fraud detection are revealed.
Importancia de la apreciación estética en la formación del médico
Authors: Barata Cardos Bárbara , Estrada Garzón Juana , Franco Barata Elines
Published: May 2021

Introducción: La historia del arte y de la medicina demuestran que el médico y el artista comparten la misma pasión por observar y han colaborado en la construcción de grandes obras científicas, de allí la importancia del uso de las artes visuales en la formación de los estudiantes de medicina.

Objetivo: Promover en los estudiantes de medicina la apreciación del arte en su relación con la profesión médica mediante la vinculación de los conocimientos teóricos y prácticos.

Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, retrospectivo en el cual se describe la experiencia del curso electivo, «La apreciación estética en su relación con la medicina», el cual es ofrecido a los estudiantes de 5º año de medicina en el 2018.

Resultados: Participo un total de 55 estudiantes extranjeros. Se realizaron 8 visitas a museos, 6 conferencias ofrecidas por especialistas de arte y patrimonio de la Oficina del Historiador de la Habana. Al ser consultados sobre la importancia y utilidad del curso para su formación como médico, 90,8 % reconoció su utilidad para su formación profesional.

Conclusiones: La apreciación estética promueve en los estudiantes de medicina la ampliación de la cultura general y el disfrute de las obras de arte, aprovechando la influencia y refinamiento cultural que suele acompañar el mundo del Arte y la Estética, para modelar valores y estimular la sensibilidad en una dinámica de intercambio.
Evaluation of a new pruning and tending system for young stands of Douglas fir
Authors: Schönauer Marian , Hoffmann Stephan , Nolte Martin , Jaeger Dirk
Published: May 2021

In Germany, management restrictions for Norway spruce ( (L.) H. Karst.) due to climate change lead to increasing interest in Douglas fir ( (Mirb.) Franco) as a potential substituting species. However, Douglas fir requires cost-intensive silvicultural treatments, such as periodic thinnings and, in particular, pruning. In order to improve the efficiency of such treatments, a new tending system with an adapted two-step work system was analyzed. The new system, using electric pruning shears and the backpack clearing saw Husqvarna 535FBX âSpacerâ, was compared to the conventional three-step work system, using handsaw and chainsaw and characterized by tree selection previously conducted as an independent work step. Time and motion studies to determine productivity and costs, as well as ergonomic analysis through heart rate measurements and posture analysis were conducted. Overall, the new system was found to be more productive and to have lower costs, with 8.9 trees per scheduled system hour (4.17 â¬ tree), compared to the conventional system with 8.1 trees per scheduled system hour (4.44 â¬ tree). Ergonomic improvements with the new system could be mainly observed during the felling of competing trees, when the level of heart rate reserve was reduced by 9.3 percent points, compared to the conventional system. However, significant advantages in reducing unfavorable body postures expected for the âSpacerâ could not be confirmed. Since time savings within the new system were mainly attributed to the adaptation of workflow and the use of the electric shears during pruning, it should be considered to replace the âSpacerâ within the new system by light chainsaws for best results under the conditions investigated.Picea abiesPseudotsuga menziesiiâ1â1
Az innováció és a technológiai felzárkózás vizsgálata az evolucionista közgazdaságtanban
Authors: Kiss János
Published: May 2021

Az evolucionista közgazdaságtan megjelenése a nyolcvanas évek elején az innovációkutatásoknak is új irányt és lendületet adott. A számos evolúciós iskolához sorolható irányzat közül e cikk az innovációs rendszer és a technológiai képességek irodalmainak legfőbb jellemzőit mutatja be.
Logisztikai információs rendszerek alkalmazásának hatása a kis- és középvállalkozások versenyképességére
Authors: Fodor Zita
Published: May 2021

Általános tendencia a globalizálódó világban, hogy a vállalatok igyekeznek a logisztikai és üzleti folyamatokat információs rendszerekkel támogatni annak érdekében, hogy egyrészt a múltbeli tapasztalatok könnyen áttekinthetôk és elemezhetôk legyenek, másrészt hogy megalapozottan tudjanak tervezni a jövôre vonatkozóan. Az ilyen típusú beruházások nagyon jelentôs pénzügyi terhet jelentenek a vállalkozásoknak; különösen igaz ez a kis- és középvállalkozásokra, holott éppen e vállalati méret esetében kevésbé bizonyított az, hogy a beruházás mérhetô elônyöket hoz a hatékonyabb mûködésnek köszönhetôen. A jelen cikkben bemutatott kutatás célja, hogy feltérképezze a logisztikai információs rendszerek alkalmazásának hatását a kis- és középvállalkozások versenyképességére. A szerzô arra szeretne választ adni, hogy milyen feltételek mellett számíthat arra a vállalkozás, hogy a rendszer bevezetése pozitív változásokat hoz majd a piaci helyzetében.
Preparation and characterization of halogen-free flame retardant MCA core-shell microcapsules coated with melamine or acrylic acid resin
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyi , Gu Zheng , Sui Jinyong , Zhenxu Li Zhenxu Li , Song Lining , Yang Lina , Wang Ning , Zhao Jie
Published: May 2021

The resin melamine cyanurate (MCA) core-shell microcapsules were prepared by surface coatingmodification of halogen-free flame retardant MCA using melamine resin and acrylic resin as wall materials. The influence of different wall materials on the coating effect of halogen-free flame retardant MCA was studied by SEM, particle size analysis, IR, and DSC and TGA methods. The results showed that the melamine resin had a high degree of polymerization and decomposed at about 160°, which had a surface modification effect on MCA and did not affect its flame retardant performance. The surface coating rate of poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA-MCA core-shell microcapsules was about 80%. Afteradding acrylic acid (AA) as the second monomer the coating effect was significantly improved and the thermal decomposition temperature of the wall material of the microcapsule was reduced.