bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cloud priority-based dynamic online double auction mechanism (PB-DODAM)
Authors: Reza Dibaj S. M. , Miri Ali , Mostafavi SeyedAkbar
Published: November 2020

Double auctions are considered to be effective price-scheduling mechanisms to resolve cloud resource allocation and service pricing problems. Most of the classical double auction models use price-based mechanisms in which determination of the winner is based on the prices offered by the agents in the market. In cloud ecosystems, the services offered by cloud service providers are inherently time-constrained and if they are not sold, the allocated resources for the unsold services are wasted. Furthermore, cloud service users have time constraints to complete their tasks, otherwise, they would not need to request these services. These features, perishability and time-criticality, have not received much attention in most classical double auction models. In this paper, we propose a cloud priority-based dynamic online double auction mechanism (PB-DODAM), which is aligned with the dynamic nature of cloud supply and demand and the agents’ time constraints. In PB-DODAM, a heuristic algorithm which prioritizes the agents’ asks and bids based on their overall condition and time constraints for resource allocation and price-scheduling mechanisms is proposed. The proposed mechanism drastically increases resource allocation and traders’ profits in both low-risk and high-risk market conditions by raising the matching rate. Moreover, the proposed mechanism calculates the precise defer time to wait for any urgent or high-priority request without sacrificing the achieved performance in resource allocation and traders’ profits. Based on experimental results in different scenarios, the proposed mechanism outperforms the classical price-based online double auctions in terms of resource allocation efficiency and traders’ profits while fulfilling the double auction’s truthfulness pillar.
Fertility desire and associated factors among people living with HIV in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mosisa Getu , Tsegaye Reta , Wakuma Bizuneh , Mulisa Diriba , Etefa Werku , Abadiga Muktar , Fekadu Ginenus , Oluma Adugna , Turi Ebisa
Published: November 2020

Background

Increased Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) coverage improves health status and the survival of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as a result, reproductive health needs of the clients are increased. As part of continuum HIV care, understanding fertility desire and reproductive health care needs of HIV positive peoples will play paramount role in planning and delivering appropriate health services. The finding of studies conducted on the fertility desire and associated factors among People Living with HIV in Ethiopia presented inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of fertility desire and associated factors among people living with HIV in Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 26 studies conducted in Ethiopia were included in this Meta-analysis. Pub Med, HINARI, Google scholar and Google data bases were searched. Data from the included articles were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool. The included studies were analyzed using a random effects meta-analysis model. Analysis was done Using STATA version 14 statistical software. Heterogeneity was assessed statistically using the standard Chi-square, I2. The association between fertility desire and factors were examined using a random effects model.

Result

In this meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of fertility desire in Ethiopia is 42.21% (95%CI 39.18, 45.25). Fertility desire is significantly associated with sex: being female (OR = 0.71,95%CI 0.57,0.86), partners desire (OR = 16.8, 95% CI: 9.45, 29.88), not having child (OR = 5.46 95%CI 4.24, 7.040), age < 30(OR = 2.34, 95%CI 2.10, 2.60), formal education (OR = 1.31 95%CI 1.09, 1.59)). However, use of family planning, residence, and Knowledge on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and disclosure status didn’t show association with fertility desire.

Conclusion

In this finding, significant people of living with HIV have a desire to have a child. The finding showed the need to strengthen fertility desire and reproductive health care needs of HIV positive peoples. Therefore, strengthening the integration of fertility related issues with HIV continuum care will play a paramount role in averting risky sexual behaviors and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission among peoples on ART.
Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a population-based study using the 2016-2018 demographic and health survey data
Authors: Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Agbaglo Ebenezer , Dadzie Louis Kobina , Tetteh Justice Kanor , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Salihu Tarif , Yaya Sanni
Published: November 2020

Background

Initiation of breastfeeding after birth comes with a wide range of benefits to the child. For example, it provides the child with all essential nutrients needed for survival within the first six months of birth. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) in Papua New Guinea.

Methods

We utilized the Demographic and Health Survey data of 3198 childbearing women in Papua New Guinea. We employed descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses. We presented the results as Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI) signifying level of precision. Level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Women aged 20–29 [AOR = 1.583, CI = 1.147–2.185] and those aged 30+ [AOR = 1.631, CI = 1.140–2.335] had higher odds of EIB, compared to those aged 15–19. Women from the Islands region had lower odds [AOR = 0.690, CI = 0.565–0.842] of EIB, compared to those in Southern region. Women who delivered through caesarean section had lower odds of EIB, compared to those who delivered via vaginal delivery [AOR = 0.286, CI = 0.182–0.451]. Relatedly, women who delivered in hospitals had lower odds of EIB [AOR = 0.752, CI = 0.624–0.905], compared to those who delivered at home. Women who practiced skin-to-skin contact with the baby [AOR = 1.640, CI = 1.385–1.942] had higher odds of EIB, compared to those who did not. Women who read newspaper or magazine at least once a week had lower odds of EIB [AOR = 0.781, CI = 0.619–0.986], compared to those who did not read newspaper at all.

Conclusion

The prevalence of EIB in Papua New Guinea was relatively high (60%). The factors associated with EIB are age of the women, region of residence, mode of delivery, place of delivery, practice of skin-to-skin contact with the baby, and exposure to mass media (newspaper). To increase EIB in Papua New Guinea, these factors ought to be considered in the implementation of policies and measures to strengthen existing policies. Health providers should educate mothers on the importance of EIB.
Markedly increased risk of postoperative bleeding complications during perioperative bridging anticoagulation in general and visceral surgery
Authors: Lock J. F. , Ungeheuer L. , Borst P. , Swol J. , Löb S. , Brede E. M. , Röder D. , Lengenfelder B. , Sauer K. , Germer C.-T.
Published: November 2020

Background

Increasing numbers of patients receiving oral anticoagulants are undergoing elective surgery. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is frequently applied as bridging therapy during perioperative interruption of anticoagulation. The aim of this study was to explore the postoperative bleeding risk of patients receiving surgery under bridging anticoagulation.

Methods

We performed a monocentric retrospective two-arm matched cohort study. Patients that received perioperative bridging anticoagulation were compared to a matched control group with identical surgical procedure, age, and sex. Emergency and vascular operations were excluded. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative bleeding. Secondary endpoints were minor postoperative bleeding, thromboembolic events, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis explored risk factors of major postoperative bleeding.

Results

A total of 263 patients in each study arm were analyzed. The patient cohort included the entire field of general and visceral surgery including a large proportion of major oncological resections. Bridging anticoagulation increased the postoperative incidence of major bleeding events (8% vs. 1%; p < 0.001) as well as minor bleeding events (14% vs. 5%; p < 0.001). Thromboembolic events were equally rare in both groups (1% vs. 2%; p = 0.45). No effect on mortality was observed (1.5% vs. 1.9%). Independent risk factors of major postoperative bleeding were full-therapeutic dose of LMWH, renal insufficiency, and the procedure-specific bleeding risk.

Conclusion

Perioperative bridging anticoagulation, especially full-therapeutic dose LMWH, markedly increases the risk of postoperative bleeding complications in general and visceral surgery. Surgeons should carefully consider the practice of routine bridging.
Dose- and time-dependent effects of hyaluronidase on structural cells and the extracellular matrix of the skin
Authors: Buhren Bettina Alexandra , Schrumpf Holger , Gorges Katharina , Reiners Oliver , Bölke Edwin , Fischer Jens W. , Homey Bernhard , Gerber Peter Arne
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan; HA) is an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin. The HA-degrading enzyme hyaluronidase (HYAL) is critically involved in the HA-metabolism. Yet, only little information is available regarding the skin’s HA–HYAL interactions on the molecular and cellular levels.

Objective

To analyze the dose- and time-dependent molecular and cellular effects of HYAL on structural cells and the HA-metabolism in the skin.

Materials and methods

Chip-based, genome-wide expression analyses (Affymetrix® GeneChip PrimeView™ Human Gene Expression Array), quantitative real-time PCR analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (DAB), and in vitro wound healing assays were performed to assess dose-dependent and time-kinetic effects of HA and HYAL (bovine hyaluronidase, Hylase “Dessau”) on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF), primary human keratinocytes in vitro and human skin samples ex vivo.

Results

Genome-wide expression analyses revealed an upregulation of HA synthases (HAS) up to 1.8-fold change in HA- and HYAL-treated NHDF. HA and HYAL significantly accelerated wound closure in an in vitro model for cutaneous wound healing. HYAL induced HAS1 and HAS2 mRNA gene expression in NHDF. Interestingly, low concentrations of HYAL (0.015 U/ml) resulted in a significantly higher induction of HAS compared to moderate (0.15 and 1.5 U/ml) and high concentrations (15 U/ml) of HYAL. This observation corresponded to increased concentrations of HA measured by ELISA in conditioned supernatants of HYAL-treated NHDF with the highest concentrations observed for 0.015 U/ml of HYAL. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of human skin samples incubated with HYAL for up to 48 h ex vivo demonstrated that low concentrations of HYAL (0.015 U/ml) led to a pronounced accumulation of HA, whereas high concentrations of HYAL (15 U/ml) reduced dermal HA-levels.

Conclusion

HYAL is a bioactive enzyme that exerts multiple effects on the HA-metabolism as well as on the structural cells of the skin. Our results indicate that HYAL promotes wound healing and exerts a dose-dependent induction of HA-synthesis in structural cells of the skin. Herein, interestingly the most significant induction of HAS and HA were observed for the lowest concentration of HYAL.
Vocal fold oscillation pattern changes related to loudness in patients with vocal fold mass lesions
Authors: Echternach Matthias , Döllinger Michael , Köberlein Marie , Kuranova Liudmila , Gellrich Donata , Kainz Marie-Anne
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Vocal fold mass lesions can affect vocal fold oscillation patterns and therefore voice production. It has been previously observed that perturbation values from audio signals were lower with increased loudness. However, how much the oscillation patterns change with gradual alteration of loudness is not yet fully understood.

Material and methods

Eight patients with vocal fold mass lesions were asked to perform a glide from minimum to maximum loudness on the vowel /i/, f o of 125 Hz for male or 250 Hz for female voices. During phonation the subjects were simultaneously recorded with transnasal high speed videoendoscopy (HSV, 20,000 fps), electroglottography (EGG), and an audio recording. Based on the HSV material the Glottal Area Waveform (GAW) was segmented and GAW parameters were computed.

Results

The greatest vocal fold irregularities were observed at different values between minimum and maximum sound pressure level. There was a relevant discrepancy between the HSV and EGG derived open quotients. Furthermore, the EGG derived sample entropy and GAW values also evidenced different behavior.

Conclusions

The amount of vocal fold irregularity changes with varying loudness. Therefore, any evaluation of the voice should be performed under different loudness conditions. The discrepancy between EGG and GAW values appears to be much stronger in patients with vocal fold mass lesions than those with normal physiological conditions.

Level of evidence

4.
A novel structure associated with aging is augmented in the DPP6-KO mouse brain
Authors: Lin Lin , Petralia Ronald S. , Lake Ross , Wang Ya-Xian , Hoffman Dax A.
Published: November 2020

In addition to its role as an auxiliary subunit of A-type voltage-gated K+ channels, we have previously reported that the single transmembrane protein Dipeptidyl Peptidase Like 6 (DPP6) impacts neuronal and synaptic development. DPP6-KO mice are impaired in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and exhibit smaller brain size. Using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, we report here a novel structure in hippocampal area CA1 that was significantly more prevalent in aging DPP6-KO mice compared to WT mice of the same age and that these structures were observed earlier in development in DPP6-KO mice. These novel structures appeared as clusters of large puncta that colocalized NeuN, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. They also partially labeled for MAP2, and with synapsin-1 and VGluT1 labeling on their periphery. Electron microscopy revealed that these structures are abnormal, enlarged presynaptic swellings filled with mainly fibrous material with occasional peripheral, presynaptic active zones forming synapses. Immunofluorescence imaging then showed that a number of markers for aging and especially Alzheimer’s disease were found as higher levels in these novel structures in aging DPP6-KO mice compared to WT. Together these results indicate that aging DPP6-KO mice have increased numbers of novel, abnormal presynaptic structures associated with several markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Phenotypic characterization with somatic genome editing and gene transfer reveals the diverse oncogenicity of ependymoma fusion genes
Authors: Takadera Mutsumi , Satomi Kaishi , Szulzewsky Frank , Cimino Patrick J. , Holland Eric C. , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Ichimura Koichi , Ozawa Tatsuya
Published: November 2020

Recurrent RELA and YAP1 fusions are intimately associated with tumorigenesis in supratentorial ependymomas. Chromothripsis and focal copy number alterations involving 11q are hallmarks of these tumors. However, it is unknown whether the chromosomal alterations are a direct causal event resulting in fusion transcripts. In addition, the biological significance of the RELA fusion variants and YAP1 fusions is not yet fully characterized. In this study, we generated gene rearrangements on 11q with the CRISPR/Cas9 system and investigated the formation of oncogenic ependymoma fusion genes. Further, we examined the oncogenic potential of RELA fusion variants and YAP1 fusions in a lentiviral gene transfer model. We observed that endogenous RELA fusion events were successfully induced by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome rearrangement in cultured cells. In vivo genome editing in mouse brain resulted in the development of ependymoma-like brain tumors that harbored the Rela fusion gene. All RELA fusion variants tested, except a variant lacking the Rel homology domain, were able to induce tumor formation, albeit with different efficacy. Furthermore, expression of YAP1-FAM118B and YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions induced the formation of spindle-cell-like tumors at varying efficacy. Our results indicate that chromosomal rearrangements involving the Rela locus are the causal event for the formation of Rela fusion-driven ependymomas in mice. Furthermore, the type of RELA. fusion might affect the aggressiveness of tumors and that the Rel homology domain is essential for the oncogenic functions of RELA. fusions. The YAP1 fusion genes are also oncogenic when expressed in mice.
An international multi-center investigation on the accuracy of radionuclide calibrators in nuclear medicine theragnostics
Authors: Saldarriaga Vargas Clarita , Bauwens Matthias , Pooters Ivo N. A. , Pommé Stefaan , Peters Steffie M. B. , Segbers Marcel , Jentzen Walter , Vogg Andreas , van Velden Floris H. P. , Meyer Viol Sebastiaan L. , Gotthardt Martin , Mottaghy Felix M. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Covens Peter , Wierts Roel
Published: November 2020

Background

Personalized molecular radiotherapy based on theragnostics requires accurate quantification of the amount of radiopharmaceutical activity administered to patients both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This international multi-center study aims to investigate the clinical measurement accuracy of radionuclide calibrators for 7 radionuclides used in theragnostics: 99mTc, 111In, 123I, 124I, 131I, 177Lu, and 90Y.

Methods

In total, 32 radionuclide calibrators from 8 hospitals located in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany were tested. For each radionuclide, a set of four samples comprising two clinical containers (10-mL glass vial and 3-mL syringe) with two filling volumes were measured. The reference value of each sample was determined by two certified radioactivity calibration centers (SCK CEN and JRC) using two secondary standard ionization chambers. The deviation in measured activity with respect to the reference value was determined for each radionuclide and each measurement geometry. In addition, the combined systematic deviation of activity measurements in a theragnostic setting was evaluated for 5 clinically relevant theragnostic pairs: 131I/123I, 131I/124I, 177Lu/111In, 90Y/99mTc, and 90Y/111In.

Results

For 99mTc, 131I, and 177Lu, a small minority of measurements were not within ± 5% range from the reference activity (percentage of measurements not within range: 99mTc, 6%; 131I, 14%; 177Lu, 24%) and almost none were outside ± 10% range. However, for 111In, 123I, 124I, and 90Y, more than half of all measurements were not accurate within ± 5% range (111In, 51%; 123I, 83%; 124I, 63%; 90Y, 61%) and not all were within ± 10% margin (111In, 22%; 123I, 35%; 124I, 15%; 90Y, 25%). A large variability in measurement accuracy was observed between radionuclide calibrator systems, type of sample container (vial vs syringe), and source-geometry calibration/correction settings used. Consequently, we observed large combined deviations (percentage deviation > ± 10%) for the investigated theragnostic pairs, in particular for 90Y/111In, 131I/123I, and 90Y/99mTc.

Conclusions

Our study shows that substantial over- or underestimation of therapeutic patient doses is likely to occur in a theragnostic setting due to errors in the assessment of radioactivity with radionuclide calibrators. These findings underline the importance of thorough validation of radionuclide calibrator systems for each clinically relevant radionuclide and sample geometry.
Menstrual product choice and uptake among young women in Zimbabwe: a pilot study
Authors: Tembo Mandikudza , Renju Jenny , Weiss Helen A. , Dauya Ethel , Bandason Tsitsi , Dziva-Chikwari Chido , Redzo Nicol , Mavodza Constancia , Losi Tendai , Ferrand Rashida , Francis Suzanna C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a human rights issue; yet, it remains a challenge for many, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). MHH includes the socio-political, psychosocial, and environmental factors that impact women’s menstrual experiences. High proportions of girls and women in LMICs have inadequate MHH due to limited access to menstrual knowledge, products, and stigma reinforcing harmful myths and taboos. The aim of this pilot was to inform the design of an MHH sub-study and the implementation and scale-up of an MHH intervention incorporated into a community-based cluster-randomized trial of integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for youth in Zimbabwe. The objectives were to investigate (1) uptake of a novel MHH intervention, (2) menstrual product preference, and (3) the factors that informed uptake and product choice among young women.

Methods

Female participants aged 16–24 years old attending the community-based SRH services between April and July 2019 were offered the MHH intervention, which included either a menstrual cup or reusable pads, analgesia, and MHH education. Descriptive statistics were used to quantitatively assess uptake and product choice. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with participants and the intervention team were used to investigate the factors that influenced uptake and product choice.

Results

Of the 1732 eligible participants, 1414 (81.6%) took up the MHH intervention at first visit. Uptake differed by age group with 84.6% of younger women (16–19 years old) compared to 79.0% of older women (20–24 years old) taking up the intervention. There was higher uptake of reusable pads (88.0%) than menstrual cups (12.0%). Qualitative data highlighted that internal factors, such as intervention delivery, influenced uptake. Participants noted the importance of access to free menstrual products, analgesics, and MHH education in a youth-friendly environment. External factors such as sociocultural factors informed product choice. Barriers to cup uptake included fears that the cup would compromise young women’s virginity.

Conclusions

Pilot findings were used to improve the MHH intervention design and implementation as follows: (1) cup ambassadors to improve cup promotion, sensitization, and uptake; (2) use of smaller softer cups; and (3) education for community members including caregivers and partners.

Trial registration

Registry: Clinicaltrials.gov

Registration Number: NCT03719521

Registration Date: 25 October 2018
Factors affecting men’s support for the use of the contraceptive implant by their female intimate partners
Authors: Jonas Kim , Kalichman Moira , Kalichman Seth , Morroni Chelsea , Mathews Catherine
Published: November 2020

Background

Family planning services have been available at no cost in the public health settings of South Africa since 1994, and now include the long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) namely, the contraceptive implant and intra-uterine device (IUD). However, the uptake of LARCs has been declining in the recent years and little is known about the cause of the decline. In many relationships, men may influence their female intimate partner’s contraceptive choices. Thus, men’s involvement in reproductive health decisions and family programming may improve their support for contraceptive use, including the LARC use by their female intimate partners. This study investigated factors affecting men’s support for the use of contraceptive implant by their female intimate partners.

Methods

A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult men attending a public, primary health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Using a structured questionnaire, we measured men’s knowledge, awareness and support of, and attitudes towards use of the contraceptive implant by their female intimate partners. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results

The sample included 65 men with a mean age of 31.2 years. Most (76.6%) believed that both men and women should be responsible for family planning. Support for general contraception use by their female intimate partners was prevalent at 80.0%, but only 33.9% reported that they would like their partners to use the implant in the future, while 35.6% were unsure and 30.5% did not support their partner’s use of the implant. Factors significantly associated with men’s support of their partner’s future use of the contraceptive implant included men’s reports that their partner wished to have another child in future, knowledge that the implant is safe for use by women who have not had children, knowledge that the implant can effectively prevent pregnancy for 3 years, and a positive attitude towards the implant’s long-lasting effectiveness.

Conclusion

Improving men’s knowledge of, and attitudes toward the contraceptive implant might increase their support for their partner’s use of the implant, which in turn might promote uptake of the implant among women. The findings of our study suggest the importance of actively engaging men in reproductive health and family planning programs.
Cholesterol embolization syndrome and intra-abdominal bleeding immediately after initiation of hemodialysis: a case report with literature review
Authors: Kakeshita Kota , Koike Tsutomu , Imamura Teruhiko , Arisawa Yu , Murai Sayaka , Shimizu Ayako , Kiyosawa Taigo , Yamazaki Hidenori , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: November 2020

Background

Cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) is a disease associating with the systemic cholesterol crystal embolism and end-organ dysfunction due to the atherosclerotic plaque rupture, which is dominantly triggered by the intravascular intervention. There is no consensus for which types of anticoagulants we should use during the hemodialysis in patients with CES and end-stage renal disease.

Case presentation

We had a 68-year-old man with CES due to intravascular intervention, who suffered the omental bleeding, instead of the embolism, immediately after the initiation of hemodialysis with heparinization. An emergent laparotomy found active bleeding from the omentum, which was surgically repaired. The histopathological analysis showed the embolization of cholesterol crystal clefts in the omentum artery and the injury of arterial wall structure accompanied by the infiltration of inflammatory cells. We preferred nafamostat mesylate during hemodialysis and he had no adverse events following the surgery.

Conclusions

It should be noticed that, in addition to the embolic events, bleeding events can develop in patients with CES, particularly following the initiation of hemodialysis with anticoagulation therapy.
“Staying at home” to tackle COVID-19 pandemic: rhetoric or reality? Cross-cutting analysis of nine population groups vulnerable to homelessness in Japan
Authors: Fujita Masami , Matsuoka Sadatoshi , Kiyohara Hiroyuki , Kumakura Yousuke , Takeda Yuko , Goishi Norimichi , Tarui Masayoshi , Inaba Masaki , Nagai Mari , Hachiya Masahiko , Fujita Noriko
Published: November 2020

Although the “stay-at-home” order is advocated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the lives of individuals lacking adequate housing are threatened. We developed a framework to assess various populations with unstable housing in terms of socio-economic consequences of COVID-19, risk of COVID-19 infection and progression, existing/urgent measures, and remaining challenges. Within the framework, nine groups vulnerable to homelessness in Japan were classified into (i) “people without accommodation,” (ii) “people living in temporary or crisis accommodation,” and (iii) populations that include “people living in severely inadequate and insecure accommodation.” The assessment revealed that “staying at home” was physically and practically unattainable across groups. The study identified specific institutional, social, and cultural challenges apart from the common economic crisis, whereas the utilization of social welfare was low. Findings suggest that the rapid increase of groups classified as “(i)” and “(ii)” should be addressed by engaging stakeholders to enhance the availability and accessibility of social welfare and rescue measures, and to ensure safe and private accommodations for all groups. It is critical to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration in responding to the common and specific vulnerabilities of these population groups from health, socio-economic, and humanitarian perspectives. Under the pandemic, homelessness should be regarded less as a peculiar problem for specific populations but an extension of daily life. The framework can be a reference when planning the comprehensive yet concise assessment of populations with unstable housing in other countries to inform responses to the pandemic.
Psychometric evaluation of the DAILY EATS questionnaire in individuals living with obesity
Authors: Fastenau John , Rozjabek Heather , Qin Shanshan , McLeod Lori , Nelson Lauren , Ma Jia , Harris Nimanee
Published: November 2020

Background

Physiological and behavioral factors including hunger, satiety, food intake, and cravings are health determinants contributing to obesity. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures focused on eating-related factors provide insight into the relationships between food choice and quantity, weight change, and weight-loss treatment for individuals living with obesity. The DAILY EATS is a novel 5-item, patient-reported measure evaluating key eating-related factors (Worst and Average Hunger, Appetite, Cravings, and Satiety).

Methods

Psychometric analyses, consistent with regulatory standards, were conducted to evaluate the DAILY EATS using data from two randomized trials that included individuals with severe obesity without diabetes (NCT03486392) and with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (NCT03586830). Additional measures included Patient Global Impression of Status (PGIS) and Patient Global Impression of Change items, Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite, Ease of Weight Management, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 8b and 10a. The reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the DAILY EATS were assessed, and a scoring algorithm and thresholds to interpret meaningful score changes were developed.

Results

Item-level analyses of the DAILY EATS supported computation of an Eating Drivers Index (EDI), comprising the related items Worst Hunger, Appetite, and Cravings. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s coefficient alphas ≥0.80) and test-retest reliability (coefficients > 0.7) of the EDI were robust. Construct validity correlation patterns with other PRO measures were as hypothesized, with moderate to strong significant correlations between the EDI and PGIS-Hunger (0.30 ≤ r ≤ 0.68), PGIS-Cravings (0.33 ≤ r ≤ 0.77) and PGIS-Appetite (0.52 ≤ r ≤ 0.77). Anchor- and distribution-based analyses support reductions ranging from 1.6 to 2.1 as responder thresholds for the EDI, representing meaningful within-person improvement.

Conclusions

The DAILY EATS individual items and the composite EDI are reliable, sensitive, and valid in evaluating the concepts of hunger, appetite, and cravings for use in individuals with severe obesity with or without type 2 diabetes.
Sublethal effects of different fungal isolates on Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: de Souza Tamires Doroteo , Fernandes Fabricio Oliveira , Sanches Ariadne Costa , Polanczyk Ricardo Antônio
Published: November 2020

Background

Broad-spectrum pesticides and Bt crops have been used against the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), but their effect on the environment and the development of resistance are the main limitations for these control measures. The use of mycobiopesticides is an ecofriendly and efficient alternative. Fungicides have a wide distribution and a high genetic variability, which allows their screening for more virulent isolates. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the interactions of H. armigera larvae with Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, on mortality, virulence, sublethal effects, and life table aspects.

Main body

The isolates that caused mortality rates of H. armigera above 80% were selected for further assays. Virulence was measured by LC50 estimates, using Probit analysis to sublethal effects, and the bootstrap procedure to estimate the biological parameters: time for development, fertility, longevity, pre-ovipositional period, egg viability, and sex ratio. The H. armigera mortality rates caused by B. bassiana and M. anisopliae ranged from 45 to 100% and from 40 to 90%, respectively. Longevity, fertility, and survival rates are affected in all treatments. The pupal weight of individuals treated with fungi was lower than in the control. Deformations were observed in H. armigera pupae developed from larvae treated with B. bassiana.

Conclusion

The use of sublethal concentrations of isolates of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana resulted in an adverse effect on the biological parameters of H. armigera.
Comparison of the hypotensive efficacy of propofol infusion versus nitroglycerin infusion in functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Abu-sinna Rasha Gamal , Abdelrahman Tamer Nabil
Published: November 2020

Background

FESS is a common minimally invasive surgery that requires a clear field to be performed well. Hypotensive anesthesia is one of the most common maneuvers performed to help in keeping the field clear. An ideal drug for hypotensive anesthesia should be cheap and familiar to the anesthesiologist. So, being familiar with propofol and by using its cardio-depressant action, the idea of the research was developed. The idea of the study was to compare propofol infusion versus nitroglycerine infusion as a hypotensive agent.

Results

The mean duration of surgery was longer in the NTG to the propofol group. There was a high statistical significance in the average blood loss in the propofol group compared to the NTG group. The visibility of the operative field also was significant in the propofol group as compared with the NTG group. The mean heart rate in the NTG group was higher than the mean heart rate in the propofol group. The MAP in both groups was within a close range.

Conclusion

Propofol and NTG can produce a safe and effective controlled hypotension during FESS. Whereas, propofol has better surgical field visibility, less surgical bleeding, and less tachycardia during FESS.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate levels in cerebrospinal fluid after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Männer Anika , Thomas Dominique , Wagner Marlies , Konczalla Jürgen , Steinmetz Helmuth , Brunkhorst Robert , Pfeilschifter Waltraud
Published: November 2020

Background and purpose

Sphingosin-1-phosphate (S1P) plays a crucial role as a signaling molecule in the immune system and the vasculature. Previous studies suggested a role as a vasoconstrictor of cerebral arteries via the S1P3-Receptor. Cerebral vasospasm (VS) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major cause of disability and poor neurological outcome. Early detection of vasospasm could facilitate the prevention of cerebral ischemia in SAH patients. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to characterize the dynamics of S1P in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with SAH in relation to hemorrhage volume, the occurrence of VS, and neurological outcome.

Methods

S1P levels in CSF of 18 control subjects and 18 SAH patients with placement of an external ventricular drainage (EVD) were determined by high sensitivity mass spectrometry from day 1 through 14 after SAH onset. Hemorrhage volume, development of asymptomatic vasospasm (aVS) and symptomatic vasospasm (sVS), and neurological outcome were correlated to day 1 S1P levels.

Results

The intrathecal S1P levels of SAH patients were higher than those of the control subjects, and correlated with hemorrhage volume. There was no significant difference in S1P levels between patients with aVS and those with sVS. S1P levels significantly correlated with neurological outcome on a sliding modified Rankin scale.

Conclusion

S1P levels were highest directly after placement of the EVD and correlated strongly with hemorrhage volume, which may be caused by the intrathecal clot and subsequent lysis of red blood cells, an important source of S1P. We did not detect a second peak of S1P release over the course of the intensive care period.
Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi-feral and domestic conventionally-managed foals
Authors: Tavenner Meredith K. , McDonnell Sue M. , Biddle Amy S.
Published: November 2020

Background

Early development of the gut microbiome is an essential part of neonate health in animals. It is unclear whether the acquisition of gut microbes is different between domesticated animals and their wild counterparts. In this study, fecal samples from ten domestic conventionally managed (DCM) Standardbred and ten semi-feral managed (SFM) Shetland-type pony foals and dams were compared using 16S rRNA sequencing to identify differences in the development of the foal hindgut microbiome related to time and management.

Results

Gut microbiome diversity of dams was lower than foals overall and within groups, and foals from both groups at Week 1 had less diverse gut microbiomes than subsequent weeks. The core microbiomes of SFM dams and foals had more taxa overall, and greater numbers of taxa within species groups when compared to DCM dams and foals. The gut microbiomes of SFM foals demonstrated enhanced diversity of key groups: Verrucomicrobia (RFP12), Ruminococcaceae, Fusobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp., based on age and management. Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus spp. and other Lactobacillaceae genera were enriched only in DCM foals, specifically during their second and third week of life. Predicted microbiome functions estimated computationally suggested that SFM foals had higher mean sequence counts for taxa contributing to the digestion of lipids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and protein. DCM foal microbiomes were more similar to their dams in week five and six than were SFM foals at the same age.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the impact of management on the development of the foal gut microbiome in the first 6 weeks of life. The higher numbers of taxa within and between bacterial groups found in SFM dams and foals suggests more diversity and functional redundancy in their gut microbiomes, which could lend greater stability and resiliency to these communities. The colonization of lactic acid bacteria in the early life of DCM foals suggests enrichment in response to the availability of dams’ feed. Thus, management type is an important driver of gut microbiome establishment on horses, and we may look to semi-feral horses for guidance in defining a healthy gut microbiome for domestic horses.
Foliage and fruit susceptibility of a pecan provenance collection to scab, caused by
Venturia effusa
Authors: Bock Clive H. , Alarcon Yanina , Conner Patrick J. , Young Carolyn A. , Randall Jennifer J. , Pisani Cristina , Grauke Larry J. , Wang Xinwang , Monteros Maria J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Pecan (
Carya illinoinensis
) is an important native nut crop in the southern USA. In the Southeast, scab (caused by
Venturia effusa
) is a major constraint to production, and can result in significant yield losses. The breadth of sources of resistance are poorly defined, and the genetics of resistance has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of pecan scab on foliage and fruit of the trees in a collection at Georgia, USA, of 875 native pecan genotypes from 93 families in 19 provenances in various states in the USA and Mexico.

Methods

The scab responses on foliage and fruit on each pecan tree was visually assessed in 2018 and 2019. Both a most severe measure (most severely infected leaf or fruit), and an overall tree rating was taken. Scab severity data were analyzed using a mixed linear model with means separation to explore provenance and family within provenance scab susceptibilities.

Results

Significant differences in scab susceptibility between provenances and among families within provenances were detected. Trees from provenances in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, USA, showed the greatest resistance (based on mean scab severity) for both foliar and fruit scab. Assessments of scab on foliage and fruit gave similar results, as did the values for the most severe scab in the tree and the overall scab severity score. Of the 875 trees assessed, 201 trees had no detectable scab symptoms on foliage or fruit in either year. An additional 116 trees were free of scab symptoms on foliage but did not produce fruit in either year. Those provenances, families within provenances and trees with greatest resistance to scab most often originated from provenance locations with higher rainfall and consequently would be under selection to adapt to scab.

Conclusions

Identifying populations with most diverse resistance, and those most consistently resistant trees can serve as a resource to develop a better understanding of the scab resistance mechanisms. These natural sources of scab resistance coupled with molecular and genomics tools will contribute to the accelerated development of new pecan cultivars with durable resistance to scab.
Unsupervised domain adaptation using maximum mean discrepancy optimization for lithology identification
Authors: Chang Ji , Li Jing , Kang Yu , Lv Wenjun , Xu Ting , Li Zerui , Xing Zheng Wei , Han Hongwei , Liu Haining
Published: November 2020

Lithology identification plays an essential role in geologic exploration and reservoir evaluation. In recent years, machine-learning-based logging lithology identification has received considerable attention due to its ability to fit complex models. Existing work develops machine-learning models under the assumption that the data gathered from different wells are from the same probability distribution, so that the model trained on data from old wells can be directly applied to predict the lithologies of a new well without losing accuracy. In fact, due to variations in sedimentary environment and well-logging technique, the data from different wells may not have the same probability distribution. Therefore, such a direct application is unreliable. To prevent the accuracy from being reduced by the distribution difference, we integrate the unsupervised domain adaptation method into lithology identification, under the assumption that no lithology labels are available on a new well. Specifically, we have developed a two-flow multilayer neural network. We train our network with a maximum mean discrepancy optimization, and the training process is interrupted by an early stopping criterion. These methods ensure that the feature representations learned by our network are domain invariant and discriminative. Our method is evaluated from multiple perspectives on a total of 21 wells located in the Jiyang depression, Bohai Bay Basin. The experimental results demonstrate that our method effectively mitigates the performance degradation caused by data distribution differences and outperforms the baselines by approximately 10%.
Micromechanics-based rock-physics model for inorganic shale
Authors: Sevostianov Igor , Vernik Lev
Published: November 2020

The full set of transversely isotropic elastic stiffness constants of inorganic shale (mudrock with total organic carbon less than 1.5%) can be successfully modeled and, therefore, predicted based on the mineral composition, mineral stiffnesses, clay platelet orientation distribution function, and microgeometry of the pore space. A fundamentally novel concept drawing from the Maxwell homogenization scheme allows a zero-porosity mineral matrix of the mudrock to be expressed as a polycrystal of variable composition and clay mineral alignment. Introduction of the brine-saturated pore space allows us to account for realistic 3D pore types and their combinations as well as elastic interactions, opening the way for better integration of rock physics and geomechanics with modern petrographic investigations and better shale velocity/anisotropy prediction as a function of diagenetic porosity reduction. We were able to calibrate the model using a limited subset of high-quality ultrasonic measurements on shale and constrain main pore geometries such as tetrahedra and irregular spheroids, often reported in modern scanning electron microscopy images. The model is then used to constrain the anisotropy tensor elements of illite-dominated clay, impossible to measure directly, and explore the main compositional and microstructural controls on the anisotropic elasticity of inorganic shale, including the most troublesome [Formula: see text] stiffness and its derivative — the anisotropy parameter [Formula: see text], which is of paramount importance in quantitative seismic interpretation.
Estimating the nuclear magnetic resonance surface relaxivity of Eocene sandstones: A comparison of different approaches
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Weller Andreas
Published: November 2020

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry typically involves the analysis of a relaxation time distribution. The surface relaxivity ([Formula: see text]) is the key parameter that relates the relaxation time to the pore radius. Only a good estimate of the surface relaxivity enables a reliable determination of the pore radius distribution in a rock or sediment sample. A wide variety of approaches for the estimation of [Formula: see text] has been proposed; however, the accuracy of [Formula: see text] determination approaches has rarely been checked. We have compared different approaches of [Formula: see text] determination for a set of Eocene sandstone samples. Most approaches based on a weighted logarithmic mean of relaxation times or the peak relaxation time result in significant underestimation of [Formula: see text]. However, the correct weighting of the set of relaxation times has proven to be a crucial approach in [Formula: see text] determination. The consequent application of geometric rules suggests the application of the weighted harmonic mean ([Formula: see text]). The specific surface area per unit pore volume ([Formula: see text]), which results from the gas adsorption method, is another crucial parameter in most approaches for [Formula: see text] estimation. The quantities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] depend on the resolution of the used method. Applying the fractal theory, we adopt an approach that performs an upscaling of [Formula: see text] to the resolution of the NMR relaxometry. Using equal resolution for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we obtain more reliable [Formula: see text] estimates. The resulting [Formula: see text] values are comparable with the ones determined by using the median relaxation time from NMR and the median pore-throat radius from the mercury injection capillary pressure method.