bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved supervised prediction of aging-related genes via weighted dynamic network analysis
Authors: Li Qi , Newaz Khalique , Milenković Tijana
Published: October 2021

Background

This study focuses on the task of supervised prediction of aging-related genes from -omics data. Unlike gene expression methods for this task that capture aging-specific information butignore interactionsbetween genes (i.e., their protein products), or protein–protein interaction (PPI) network methods for this task that account for PPIs but the PPIs arecontext-unspecific, we recently integrated the two data types into an aging-specific PPI subnetwork, which yielded more accurate aging-related gene predictions. However, adynamicaging-specific subnetwork did not improve prediction performance compared to astaticaging-specific subnetwork, despite the aging process being dynamic. This could be because the dynamic subnetwork was inferred using a naive Induced subgraph approach. Instead, we recently inferred a dynamic aging-specific subnetwork using a methodologically more advanced notion of network propagation (NP), which improved upon Induced dynamic aging-specific subnetwork in a different task, that ofunsupervisedanalyses of the aging process.

Results

Here, we evaluate whether our existing NP-based dynamic subnetwork will improve upon the dynamic as well as static subnetwork constructed by the Induced approach in the considered task ofsupervisedprediction of aging-related genes. The existing NP-based subnetwork is unweighted, i.e., it gives equal importance to each of the aging-specific PPIs. Because accounting for aging-specific edge weights might be important, we additionally propose aweightedNP-based dynamic aging-specific subnetwork. We demonstrate that a predictive machine learning model trained and tested on the weighted subnetwork yields higher accuracy when predicting aging-related genes than predictive models run on the existing unweighted dynamic or static subnetworks, regardless of whether the existing subnetworks were inferred using NP or the Induced approach.

Conclusions

Our proposed weighted dynamic aging-specific subnetwork and its corresponding predictive model could guide with higher confidence than the existing data and models the discovery of novel aging-related gene candidates for future wet lab validation.
What we need as we get older: needs assessment for the development of a community geriatrics service in an Australian context
Authors: Hohenberg Mark I. , Metri Najwa-Joelle , Firdaus Rubab , Simmons David , Steiner Genevieve Z.
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to inform the development of a Community Geriatrics Service (CGS) that addressed the healthcare and social needs of community dwelling older people in an Australian context.

Methods

Stakeholders (N = 108) took part in a ‘needs assessment’ involving 30-min semi-structured interviews with general practitioners (GPs; N = 49), and three 2-h focus groups (community engagement meetings; N = 59) with older people, informal caregivers, allied healthcare workers, and nursing home directors. Data were transcribed and thematically coded, mapped to source and weighted to the frequency that the theme was raised across sources.

Results

Five themes informing CGS development and delivery emerged: active health conditions (management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, falls, multimorbidity, and other relevant conditions), active social challenges (patient non-compliance, need for aged care social workers, caregiver stress, elder abuse, social isolation, and stigma), referrals (availability of specialists, communication, specialist input, and advance care directives), access (lack of transport options, and inaccessibility of local geriatrics clinics and specialists), and awareness (lack of awareness, knowledge, and resources).

Conclusions

The CGS will need to address access, referral processes and health system navigation, which were perceived by stakeholders as significant challenges. These findings warrant the development of a CGS with an integrated approach to aged care, pertinent for the health and social needs of the elderly.
Characteristics of balance performance in the Chinese elderly by age and gender
Authors: Wu Hongmei , Wei Yifan , Miao Xiangqi , Li Xia , Feng Yang , Yuan Zhenzhen , Zhou Peng , Ye Xiaolei , Zhu Jianhong , Jiang Yu , Xia Qinghua
Published: October 2021

Background

Population aging has been an emerging public and health concern globally. Balance performance can be applied as an indicator of functional status and a predictor of health outcomes in the elderly. However, reference data of balance performance in the elderly generated from large scale studies have been very limited. In research and geriatric assessment settings, the age and gender specific data on balance performance are indispensable prerequisites for identifying subpopulation with and at risk of impairments and subsequently implementing targeted interventions in clinics and public health to improve their balance performance.

Methods

A total of 1984 elderly subjects aged 60 to 97 years from community settings in urban China were investigated. The balance performances together with 3 individual domains and 16 items were evaluated using the X16 balance testing scale.

Results

In the elderly, with age increases each item, individual domain, and overall balance performance scores decreased gradually. Meanwhile, individual variations of individual domains and overall balance performance were all increased over age. Relative to levels of 60- years, postural stability and overall balance performance decreased significantly since 65 years old, static balance and dynamic balance capacities started to decrease significantly since 70 years old. There was no significant difference in each balance domain and overall balance performance between men and women. Across age groups, portions of individuals able to perform task 4, 8 and 11 successfully were the lowest amongst their corresponding domains static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance, respectively. Similar patterns were observed in both men and women. Balance performances were categorized into poor, fair, and good groups with scores of 0 to 10, 11 to 17, and 18 to 20, respectively. With increases of age, proportions with poor and fair balance capacities elevated stably.

Conclusions

In the elderly, with advances in age, abilities of overall balance performance, individual domains of static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance, and successful performances on specific tasks declined gradually and stably. The deterioration started to be obvious since 65–75 years. Men and women had similar patterns.
The Quality of Life Impact Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire: validation of the Malay-translated version of the QIRC using Rasch analysis
Authors: Md-Muziman-Syah Md Mustafa , Muzir Nur Solehah , Abdul Mutalib Haliza , Ab. Halim Noorhazayti
Published: October 2021

Background

The Quality of Life Impact Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire is a Rasch-validated instrument to assess the quality of life of ametropes with refractive correction. The original QIRC was validated in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to validate the Malay version of the QIRC among refractive correction wearers in Malaysia using Rasch analysis.

Methods

The original 20-item QIRC was forward-backward translated into Malay in preparation for the Pilot Malay QIRC. The pilot version was pre-tested on 105 spectacle/contact lens-corrected myopes, and the results were reviewed and cross-culturally adapted to produce the Final Malay QIRC. The final version was self-administered to a new sample of 304 participants. A Rasch analysis was conducted to evaluate the items and response categories of the Pilot and the Final Malay QIRC. Test-retest reliability was also analysed on the Final Malay QIRC.

Results

Based on the pre-test findings, Rasch analysis revealed a multidimensional scale (functional scale [Items 1 to 13] and emotional scale [Items 14 to 20], which were separated in subsequent analysis), unordered response categories for the functional scale (Category 3 was collapsed into Category 2), one misfit item (Item 3 was removed) and six items required modification (Items 4, 6 to 9, and 12 were reworded and cross-culturally adapted). In the Final Malay QIRC, both the functional and emotional scales had ordered response categories, good person reliability (functional, 0.80; emotional, 0.81) and separation index (functional, 2.01; emotional, 2.06), well-targeted items (targeting precision: functional, 0.28 logits; emotional, 0.08 logits), and satisfactory fit statistics (infit and outfit mean square were less than 1.50 for all items). A noticeable differential item functioning (DIF) between genders was found in Item 18 (DIF contrast, 0.40 logits; p = 0.04). Test-retest reliability analysis demonstrated a high intraclass correlation coefficient (0.94) and Cronbach’s alpha (0.97) with a coefficient of repeatability of ±8.14 units.

Conclusions

The Malay-translated version of the QIRC has good psychometric characteristics for assessing the quality of life of refractive correction wearers in Malaysia. This translated and cross-culturally adapted Malay QIRC is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in routine clinical practice.
Implementing lateral flow devices in long-term care facilities: experiences from the Liverpool COVID-19 community testing pilot in care homes— a qualitative study
Authors: Kierkegaard Patrick , Micocci Massimo , McLister Anna , Tulloch John S. P. , Parvulescu Paula , Gordon Adam L. , Buckle Peter
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Antigen-based lateral flow devices (LFDs) offer the potential of widespread rapid testing. The scientific literature has primarily focused on mathematical modelling of their use and test performance characteristics. For these tests to be implemented successfully, an understanding of the real-world contextual factors that allow them to be integrated into the workplace is vital. To address this gap in knowledge, we aimed to explore staff’s experiences of integrating LFDs into routine practice for visitors and staff testing with a view to understand implementation facilitators and barriers.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Results

We identified two main themes and five subthemes. The main themes included: visitor-related testing factors and staff-related testing factors. Subthemes included: restoring a sense of normality, visitor-related testing challenges, staff-related testing challenges, and pre-pilot antecedent factors.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the real-world implementation of LFDs to test visitors and staff faces significant challenges as a result of several contextual factors negatively affecting the work practice and environment. More comprehensive studies are needed to identify and inform effective implementation strategies to ensure that LFDs can be adopted in an agile way that better supports an already exhausted and morally depleted workforce.
PDX1 and MC4R genetic polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Wang Ning , Tong Rui , Xu Jing , Tian Yanni , Pan Juan , Cui Jiaqi , Chen Huan , Peng Yanqi , Fei Sijia , Yang Shujun , Wang Lu , Yao Juanchuan , Cui Wei
Published: October 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disease that is caused by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. This research aimed to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms in PDX1 and MC4R with T2DM risk.

Methods

The genotypes of 10 selected SNPs in PDX1 and MC4R were identified using the Agena MassARRAY platform. We utilized odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the correlation between genetic polymorphisms and T2DM risk.

Results

We found that PDX1-rs9581943 decreased susceptibility to T2DM among in a Chinese Han population (OR = 0.76, p = 0.045). We also found that selected genetic polymorphisms in PDX1 and MC4R could modify the risk of T2DM, which might also be influenced by age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and drinking status (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

We concluded that PDX1 and MC4R genetic variants were significantly associated with T2DM risk in a Chinese Han population. These single polymorphic markers may be considered to be new targets in the assessment and prevention of T2DM among Chinese Han people.
Identification of novel key genes associated with the metastasis of prostate cancer based on bioinformatics prediction and validation
Authors: Song Feifeng , Zhang Yiwen , Pan Zongfu , Hu Xiaoping , Yi Yaodong , Zheng Xiaochun , Wei Haibin , Huang Ping
Published: October 2021

Background

Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is a lethal tumor. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PCa progression have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

Transcriptome expression profiling and clinical information on primary and metastatic PCa samples were obtained from TCGA. R software was used to screen the DEGs, and LASSO logistical regression method was utilized to identify the pivotal PCa metastasis-related DEGs. The transcriptional expression levels of the key genes were analyzed using the UALCAN database, and the corresponding protein expression were validated by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Survival analysis of the key genes was performed using the GEPIA database. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were conducted to determine whether knockdown of the key genes influence the migration and invasion abilities of PCa cells (22Rv1 and PC3). GSEA was performed to predict key genes-mediated signaling pathways for the development of PCa. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression changes of E-cadherin, Twist1, and Vimentin in PCa cells with the key genes silencing. An in vivo mouse metastatic model for PCa was also generated to verify the important role of ISG15 and CST2 in PCa metastasis.

Results

A comparison between primary and metastatic PCa tissues was conducted, and 19 DEGs were screened. Among these, three key genes were identified that might be closely associated with PCa progression according to the LASSO logistical analysis, namely ISG15, DNAH8, and CST2. Further functional experiments revealed that knockdown of ISG15 and CST2 suppressed wound healing, migration, and invasion of PCa cells. To explore the molecular mechanism of ISG15 and CST2 in the development of PCa, GSEA was performed, and it was found that both genes play crucial roles in cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and focal adhesion. Western blotting results exhibited that inhibiting ISG15 and CST2 led to increase the expression of E-cadherin and decrease the expression of Twist1 and Vimentin. Additionally, the metastatic in vivo study demonstrated that both PC3 and 22Rv1 cells expressing with luciferase-shISG15 and luciferase-shCST2 had significantly lower detectable bioluminescence than that in the control PCa cells.

Conclusion

ISG15 and CST2 may participate in PCa metastasis by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathway. These findings may help to better understand the pathogenetic mechanisms governing PCa and provide promising therapeutic targets for metastatic PCa therapy.
Negative pressure wound therapy versus usual care for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention (SWHSI-2 trial): study protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, cross surgical specialty, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chetter Ian , Arundel Catherine , Martin Belen Corbacho , Hewitt Catherine , Fairhurst Caroline , Joshi Kalpita , Mott Andrew , Rodgers Sara , Goncalves Pedro Saramago , Torgerson David , Wilkinson Jacqueline , Blazeby Jane , Macefield Rhiannon , Dixon Stephen , Henderson Eileen , Oswald Angela , Dumville Jo , Lee Matthew , Pinkney Thomas , Stubbs Nikki , Wilson Lyn
Published: October 2021

Background

The majority of surgical wounds are closed (for example with sutures or staples) and so heal by primary intention. Where closure is not possible, or the wound subsequently breaks down, wounds may be left to heal from the bottom up (healing by secondary intention). Surgical wound healing by secondary intention (SWHSI) frequently presents a significant management challenge. Additional treatments are often required during the course of healing, and thus a significant financial burden is associated with treating these wounds.

Increasingly, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used in the management of SWHSI. This wound dressing system provides a negative pressure (vacuum) to the wound, removing fluid into a canister, which is believed to be conducive to wound healing. Despite the increasing use of NPWT, there is limited robust evidence for the effectiveness of this device. A well-designed and conducted randomised controlled trial is now required to ascertain if NPWT is a clinically and cost-effective treatment for SWHSI.

Methods

SWHSI-2 is a pragmatic, multi-centre, cross surgical specialty, two arm, parallel group, randomised controlled superiority trial. Adult patients with a SWHSI will be randomised to receive either NPWT or usual care (no NPWT) and will be followed up for 12 months.

The primary outcome will be time to healing (defined as full epithelial cover in absence of a scab) in number of days since randomisation. Secondary outcomes will include key clinical events (hospital admission or discharge, treatment status, reoperation, amputation, antibiotic use and death), wound infection, wound pain, health-related quality of life, health utility and resource use.

Discussion

Given the increasing use of NPWT, despite limited high-quality supporting evidence, the SWHSI-2 Trial will provide robust evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of NPWT in the management of SWHSI.

The SWHSI-2 Trial opened to recruitment in May 2019 and is currently recruiting across 20 participating centres.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 26277546. Prospectively registered on 25 March 2019
Effect of manual therapy with exercise in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Alshami Ali M. , Bamhair Duaa A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Research that has examined the effects of cervical spine mobilization on hypoesthesia and hypersensitivity characteristics in patients with cervical radiculopathy is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term effects of vertebral mobilization on the sensory features in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

Twenty-eight participants with chronic cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated to (1) an experimental group [cervical vertebral mobilization technique and exercise] or (2) a comparison group [minimal superficial circular pressure on the skin and exercise]. Participants received a total of 6 sessions for 3–5 weeks. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), pressure pain threshold (PPT), heat/cold pain threshold (HPT/CPT), and active cervical range of motion (ROM) were measured at baseline immediately after the first session and after the sixth session.

Results

The experimental group showed improvements from baseline to session 6 in NPRS [mean difference 2.6; 95% confidence interval: −4.6, −0.7], NDI [14; −23.3, −4.3], and active cervical ROM in extension [14°; 2.3, 25.5], rotation [16°; 8.8, 22.5], and lateral flexion to the affected side [10°; 2.3, 16.8]. Improvements were also found in PPT at the neck [124 kPa; 57, 191.1] and C7 level at the hand [99 kPa; 3.6, 194.9]. There were no changes in the HPT and CPT at any tested area (P>0.050).

Conclusions

Cervical vertebral mobilization for patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy reduced localized mechanical, but not thermal, pain hypersensitivity.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03328351). Registered on November 1, 2017, retrospectively registered.
Study protocol: multimodal physiotherapy as an add-on treatment to botulinum neurotoxin type A therapy for patients with cervical dystonia: DysPT-multi—a prospective, multicentre, single-blind, randomized, controlled study
Authors: Werner Christian , Loudovici-Krug Dana , Derlien Steffen , Rakers Florian , Smolenski Ulrich C. , Lehmann Thomas , Best Norman , Günther Albrecht
Published: October 2021

Background

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is currently the best therapeutic option in the treatment for cervical dystonia (CD). Additional treatments like physiotherapy (PT) may even improve the results of the BoNT injection with type A (BoNT-A), but there are no definite recommendations. In the last few years, some studies showed tendencies for PT as an adjuvant therapy to benefit. However, high-quality studies are required.

Methods

This study is a multicentre, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of a multimodal PT program compared to a nonspecific cupping therapy, additionally to the BoNT-A therapy. Two hundred participants will be assigned into the multimodal PT plus BoNT intervention arm or the BoNT plus cupping arm using randomization. Primary endpoint is the total Score of Toronto Western Spasmodic Rating Scale (TWSTRS). Secondary endpoints are the mobility of the cervical spine (range of motion, ROM), the TWSTRS subscales, and the quality of life (measured by questionnaires: CDQ-24 and SF-36). Patients will be single-blind assessed every 3 months according to their BoNT injection treatment over a period of 9 months.

Discussion

The study aims to determine the effectiveness and therefore potential benefit of an additional multimodal physiotherapy for standardized treatment with BoNT-A in patients with CD, towards the BoNT-therapy alone. This largest randomized controlled trial in this field to date is intended to generate missing evidence for therapy guidelines.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the German Clinical Study Register before the start of the patient recruitment (DRKS00020411; date: 21.01.2020).
Effect of a 1-year intervention comprising brief counselling sessions and low-dose physical activity recommendations in Japanese adults, and retention of the effect at 2 years: a randomized trial
Authors: Tripette Julien , Gando Yuko , Murakami Haruka , Kawakami Ryoko , Tanisawa Kumpei , Ohno Harumi , Konishi Kana , Tanimoto Michiya , Tanaka Noriko , Kawano Hiroshi , Yamamoto Kenta , Morishita Akie , Iemitsu Motoyuki , Sanada Kiyoshi , Miyatake Nobuyuki , Miyachi Motohiko
Published: October 2021

Background

In an effort to increase people’s adherence to active lifestyles, contemporary physical activity (PA) guidelines now include low-dose PA.

Methods

PA was evaluated in 583 participants of the Nutritional and Physical Activity Intervention Study (NEXIS) cohort (30–65 years old); 349 inactive participants (MVPA, 2.7 ± 1.0 MET-h/day) were randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups, and 235 active participants participated in follow-up visits. The intervention aimed to increase MVPA and comprised five brief counseling sessions over 1 year. The 1-year target for the participant was increasing their step-count to 10,000 steps/d or +3000 steps/d, relative to the baseline score. The counseling sessions were designed to stimulate progressive changes in physical behaviors by recommendations promoting small and/or light-intensity bouts of PA. PA was measured at baseline, the end of the intervention, and 1 year after the intervention ended. Additionally, several nutrition, health, and fitness parameters were measured.

Results

Participants in the intervention group significantly increased their step-count from 8415 ± 1924 at baseline to 9493 ± 2575 at the end of the 1-year period. During the same period, MVPA significantly increased by 0.9 MET-h. The daily time spent in ≥ 3, ≥ 4 and ≥ 5 MET activities increased by 11, 6, and 3 min, respectively. This increase in PA remained observable 1 year after intervention concluded. The active group maintained higher physical activity levels throughout the two years. The intervention group showed smaller energy intakes at the end of the 2-year period. Significant correlations were noted between the 1-year change in MVPA and the change in resting heart rate (r =  − 0.22), and between the 2-year change in MVPA and the change in waist circumference (r =  − 0.08) and peak oxygen consumption capacity (r = 0.23) in the intervention group only.

Conclusions

A prolonged and progressive PA intervention promoting small bouts of light-to-moderate PA may be used in healthy, not-optimally-active people to increase PA beyond the strict period of the intervention. Further studies are necessary to understand whether low-dose PA messages can be effective in initiating a progressive increase toward larger amounts of PA.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov, NCT00926744, retrospectively registered.
Pneumonectomy in a child due to belated diagnosis of foreign body aspiration: a case report
Authors: Razafimanjato Narindra N. M. , Ralaivao Rindra A. , Ravelomihary Tsiry D. N. , Hunald Francis A. , Rakotovao Jean Louis H.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

With early diagnosis, fiberoptic or rigid bronchoscopy methods are the gold standard in the management of tracheobronchial foreign body. Otherwise, nonrecognized bronchial foreign bodies cause irreversible damage to the airways and lungs. The deficiency of the health system noted in many developing countries such as Madagascar, combined with the fundamental problem relating to children’s conditions, which are determined by social and educational factors, makes it almost impossible to provide early and appropriate management of the penetration syndrome.

Case presentation

An 11-year-old Malagasy female patient was referred to our hospital for an investigation of the etiology of the patient’s hemoptysis. The investigations revealed a localized bronchiectasis and atelectasis due to a foreign body obstructing the left main bronchus. Based on the hemoptysis and left lung almost destroyed by an occlusive lesion within, we decided to proceed with left pneumonectomy. A retrospective interrogation revealed a choking episode 4 years prior in elementary school after the child sucked on a pen cap and involuntarily aspirated it. Two years after the pneumonectomy, our patient was doing well and was asymptomatic.

Conclusion

In this case report, we describe a rare case of a late presentation of foreign body aspiration that resulted in a left pneumonectomy in a child. Despite our favorable results, pneumonectomy must be the preferred last option. Preventive actions remain the optimal approach.
A neonate with spontaneous arterial limb ischemia and an aneurysm of the oval foramen: a case report
Authors: van Vonderen J. J. , Keus J. M. H. , van Schaik J. , Smiers F. J. , ten Harkel D. J. , Lopriore E.
Published: October 2021

Background

In this case report, we describe a very rare case of severe limb ischemia due to an arterial embolus caused by an aneurysm of the oval foramen in a term-born infant that occurred in the first few hours after birth.

Case presentation

A newborn male Caucasian patient presented on the maternity ward with ischemia of the right foot. Ischemia was treated with nitroglycerin spray and low-molecular-weight heparin in therapeutic dosage. An aneurysm of the oval foramen was found during postnatal echocardiography screening. This was thought to be the source of an embolus causing limb ischemia. At birth and upon follow-up, no clotting disorders were found. A large part of the right forefoot was ischemic, leading to loss of digits 1, 2, and 3. No significant loss of function was found in the first year of life.

Conclusion

Severe limb ischemia can be caused by an embolus arising from an aneurysm of the oval foramen and can be treated with heparin.
Production, post-harvest management and gender dynamics among smallholder peanut farmers in Haiti
Authors: Kostandini Genti , Rhoads James , MacDonald Gregory E. , Tanellari Eftila , Johnson Rob , Carroll Eric , Pressoir Gael
Published: October 2021

Background

Peanut is an important crop for farmers in Haiti. Currently, very limited information is available on farmers’ yields, production practices as well as post-harvest practices that reduce aflatoxin prevalence and increase food security.

Methods

A household survey from Haiti and regression analysis are used to examine peanut production among small female and male-headed households in terms of yield and post-harvest practices (use of tarps for drying and sorting) which are very important for preventing aflatoxins.

Results

We find that yields are low (average 270 kg/ha) compared to more developed countries (more than 2000 kg/ha) and there is substantial room for improvement. Female-headed households have lower yields compared to male-headed households and farming on a slope imposes a penalty on peanut yields. We did not find significant differences between male and female-headed households on post-harvest practices when it comes to the use of a tarp for drying peanuts, but households where decisions were made jointly are more likely to use a tarp.

Conclusions

There is substantial room for improving peanut yields among smallholder farmers in Haiti. Households with more access to capital, as measured by off-farm income and receiving remittances, are associated with an increase the likelihood of tarp use, which may reduce levels of aflatoxin contamination. In addition, saving more seed and joint decisions are associated with an increased level of sorting efforts, which will lower aflatoxin prevalence and increase food security.
Copper micromesh-based lightweight transparent conductor with short response time for wearable heaters
Authors: Kim Han-Jung , Kim Yoonkap
Published: October 2021

Thickness-controlled transparent conducting films (TCFs) were fabricated by transfer printing a 100 nm thick Cu micromesh structure onto poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) substrates of different thicknesses (~ 50, ~ 80, and ~ 120 μm) to develop a lightweight transparent wearable heater with short response time. The Cu mesh-based TCF fabricated on a ~ 50 µm thick PVA substrate exhibited excellent optical and electrical properties with a light transmittance of 86.7% at 550 nm, sheet resistance of ~ 10.8 Ω/sq, and figure-of-merit of approximately 236, which are comparable to commercial indium tin oxide film-based transparent conductors. The remarkable flexibility of the Cu mesh-based TCF was demonstrated through cyclic mechanical bending tests. In addition, the Cu mesh-based TCF with ~ 50 μm thick PVA substrate demonstrated a fast Joule heating performance with a thermal response time of ~ 18.0 s and a ramping rate of ~ 3.0 ℃/s under a driving voltage of 2.5 V. Lastly, the reliable response and recovery characteristics of the Cu mesh/PVA film-based transparent heater were confirmed through the cyclic power test. We believe that the results of this study is useful in the development of flexible transparent heaters, including lightweight deicing/defogging films, wearable sensors/actuators, and medical thermotherapy pads.
Empowering computing students with proficiency in robotics via situated learning
Authors: Wang Weitian , Coutras Constantine , Zhu Michelle
Published: October 2021

With the increasing employment of robots in multiple areas such as smart manufacturing and intelligent transportation, both undergraduate and graduate students from computing related majors (e.g., computer science and information technology) demonstrated strong interests in learning robotics technology to broaden their career opportunities. However, instilling computing students with robotics knowledge remains a challenge since most of them have limited pre-training in engineering subjects such as electronics and mechatronics. Therefore, robotics education for computing students demands an immersive real-world learning environment by considering both theories and intensive hands-on projects. Different from traditional textbook-directed robotics learning, in this study, a situated learning-based robotics education pedagogy is proposed for computing students to equip them with robotics expertise and foster their problem-solving skills in real-world human–robot interaction contexts. To create a realistic human–robot collaboration situation, a multi-modal collaborative robot is employed in the classroom-based learning community for the whole semester. Mini-project-based homework and team projects are designed for students to practice their critical thinking and hands-on experiences. The bidirectional-evaluation approach is utilized by the instructor and students to assess the quality of the proposed pedagogy. Practice results and student evaluations suggested that the proposed situated learning-based pedagogy and robotics curriculum provided computing students to learn robotics in an effective way, which was well recognized and accepted by students even most of them were beginners. Future work of this study is also discussed.
Translation Training of Scientific Textes at Non-Linguistic Universities
Authors: Ivanova L. , Lukomskaya E.
Published: October 2021

Various definitions of the notion of translation are given. Special attention is paid to components of the procedural aspect in teaching translation of scientific texts that enable molding theoretical and applied knowledge, abilities and skills by means of special exercises. The article provides examples of pre-translation and translation exercises aimed at developing skills of translation of professionqlly-oriented texts.
Working Program of the Discipline “Marketing Linguistics”
Authors: Goncharova Lyubov
Published: October 2021

Language tools that implement the marketing model of consumer behavior and ensure the consumer’s purchase decision, have occupied the focal place in linguistic studies. Such studies have led to the formation of a new pragmalinguistic direction – marketing linguistics. This syllabus is designed for 45.04.02 direction of training ("Linguistics"), the orientation (profile) "General and typological linguistics and applications in the field of linguistics" (training level – master's degree, graduate qualification – master's degree).
About the Functioning of Punctuation Marks in the Advertising Communication of Glossy Magazines (on the Example of the Russian Edition of the International Magazine “Tatler”)
Authors: Selemenova O.
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes the features of the use of disjunctive, intensifying and separating punctuation marks in the advertising texts of commercial communication of glossy magazines. The relevance of the topic is due to linguists’ interest to the normative aspect of punctuation of the verbal part of advertising messages, to the influencing potential of paralinguistical active means, including syngrahemics. The research material is glossy periodicals, which, due to the special content and accumulation of various types of stereotypical ideas, ensures the effectiveness of the advertising text. The author comes to the conclusion that in the commercial advertising texts of the glossy magazine “Tatler” the dash is the most effective punctuation mark in terms of the optimal combination of segmenting and interpretive potential. It is noted that in the advertising text the punctuation marks become an auxiliary means of influencing the recipient's psychoemotional state to the verbal component in accordance with copywriter’s idea.
Fundamental factors of economic growth in post-socialist transformation countries
Authors: Miłaszewicz Danuta
Published: October 2021

Motivation: Economic growth is the product of many interrelated shallow and deep (fundamental) determinants. The deep ones include the geographical conditions of development, institutional conditions and the openness of the economy. Research on the impact of fundamental factors on economic growth and their importance were carried out for various groups of countries, primarily developing as well as developed ones.

Aim: The study continued the analysis of the fundamental factors of economic growth in selected transition countries carried out in 2010. The focus was on determining the changes that have occurred over time in the area of fundamental determinants of growth in order to perform a comparative time analysis after the next decade of functioning of these countries.

Results: The analysis shows that the geographical factors that formed one of the elements of the initial conditions turned out to be important for the analysed economies. Institutions are also very important, and the change in their quality in the analysed period was the smallest in the group of the poorest countries.
The experiences and perceptions of stroke survivors engaging in a virtual choir during COVID-19: a thematic analysis
Authors: Seckam Abdul , Hallingberg Britt
Published: October 2021

Background:

Stroke is a public health concern, and the emergence of the COVID-19 virus has made the continuation of social support/rehabilitation groups for stroke survivors difficult. Many stroke survivors have been required to self-isolate for 12 weeks or more, according to government rules and regulations. This has led to the use of innovative technological platforms (eg Zoom) for delivering rehabilitation activities through ‘life after stroke’ group sessions, such as choir practice for stroke survivors.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to explore stroke survivors' experiences and perceptions of engaging, or choosing not to engage, in a virtual choir (VC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

Eight participants were recruited from the Stroke Association Strike a Chord VC. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the verbatim transcriptions were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings:

Three main themes were identified: experience of singing in a choir; VCs and me; and yearning to sing face-to-face, with respective subthemes. The experience and perceptions presented here are intertwined. While most stroke survivors perceived the VC as a positive platform for providing a sense of belonging (community), there was a sense of yearning for face-to-face singing.

Conclusions:

This research may offer some support for those facilitating social and meaningful virtual group activities to groups in communities that may struggle with communication and digital literacy.
The potential benefit of local anaesthetics during routine ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Whittingham Sarah
Published: October 2021

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) play an essential and responsible role in pain management by identifying and alerting the veterinary surgeon (VS) to allow the appropriate management of pain. This comes with a legal and moral obligation in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses to provide prompt analgesia to their patients. Ovariohysterectomy is a common procedure performed within veterinary practices. It is a painful procedure and appropriate analgesia is paramount otherwise there could be compromises to the patient's recovery. Patients with inappropriately managed analgesia are more likely to interfere with their wound and have an increased risk for surgical site infections. Using local anaesthetics during the procedure is likely to show intraoperative and postoperative benefits to the patient. RVNs can be the leading force for a multimodal analgesia approach by using current evidence-based research, utilising their skills and applying their knowledge to collaborate with the VS to provide exceptional care for their patients. This will provide further evidence and justification towards the protection the RVN title.
Use of therapeutic laser in the veterinary field
Authors: Summers Brianna
Published: October 2021

Therapeutic laser is an increasingly popular tool used in veterinary medicine. Therapeutic laser for veterinary patients aids the body's natural healing process, decreases healing time, alleviates pain and inflammation, and helps to delay progressive diseases. Therapeutic laser can be used immediately following procedures, in postoperative healing, and in a variety of disease processes. Therapeutic lasers are potentially dangerous tools and should be used with caution by trained veterinary nurses. When used properly, the therapeutic laser penetrates the patient's tissues to aid in cell regrowth and reduce pain and inflammation. In order to properly utilise this tool, the veterinary nurse must know what a therapeutic laser is, how it works, and how to handle it properly for each case. Once these concepts are mastered, therapeutic laser can be used by the veterinary nurse, under the supervision of the veterinarian, on a daily basis to help patients with a variety of needs.
Unilateral anal sacculectomy for anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinoma with urethral involvement
Authors: Robbins Hayleigh
Published: October 2021

The patient presented to a veterinary hospital with a month-long history of ‘scooting’ and a right-sided anal gland mass. A diagnosis of a stage 2 anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinoma was confirmed, and the patient underwent a right-sided anal sacculectomy. There was involvement of the urethra and adherence to the rectum and a subsequent urethral incision was necessary, which was surgically repaired at the time of surgery. The patient was hospitalised for several weeks postoperatively for urinary catheter care and further nursing interventions. The patient was discharged from hospital 3 weeks after surgery once the urethra had healed sufficiently enough to enable normal micturition and subsequently made a full recovery.
Topological edge states controlled by next-nearest-neighbor coupling and Peierls phase in a P
T-symmetric trimerized lattice
Authors: Du Chuan-Xun , Xu Nan , Du Lei , Zhang Yan , Wu Jin-Hui
Published: October 2021

We study the topological features in a trimerized lattice of parity-time symmetry with comparable nearest-neighbor (NN) and next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) couplings as well as a Peierls phase. Eigen energies of four edge states in two bandgaps, of topological origin verified by the quantized total Zak phase, are surprisingly independent of the NNN coupling and the Peierls phase. Topological regions with respect to the intercell NN coupling, as the intracell NN coupling is fixed, can be extended with reinforced localization strengths for one pair of edge states but reduced with weakened localization strengths for the other pair of edge states, by increasing the NNN coupling. The partial overlapping between extended and reduced topological regions promises then a two-step phase transition of ‘zero – two – four’ edge states, viable to be periodically modulated by the Peierls phase.
Iterative ripple error suppression algorithm for the dynamic interferometry
Authors: Zhu Ronggang , Zhou Jianjie , Li Bo , Huang Ya
Published: October 2021

In dynamic interferometry, the retardation error of quarter-wave plate (QWP) causes inconsistency of the background intensity and the modulation of the four phase shift interferograms, which makes the periodic ripple error in the measurement results. In this paper, an iterative algorithm is proposed to solve this problem. Both simulations and experiments validated that the algorithm can effectively eliminate the ripple error in the measurement results with stable and quick convergence, therefore the measurement accuracy of the dynamic interferometer can be improved without any extra manual operation.
Miniature freeform flow-line lightguide for sensing: from design to fabrication
Authors: Sorgato Simone , Smeesters Lien , Vervaeke Michael , Rochlitz Kurt , Rosseel Dries , Verbaenen Jef , Thienpont Hugo , Geernaert Thomas , Erps Jürgen Van
Published: October 2021

We present the development of a compact (about 1.3 × 2.0 × 20 mm3) freeform optical lightguide for sensing applications, from the conceptual design to the fabrication through injection molding. The design of the optic is based on the flow-line method from Nonimaging Optics, which allows the desired optical functionalities (45° half-acceptance and 40° beam steering) while meeting particularly tight mechanical and geometrical constraints. An extensive analysis of the effects of fabrication parameters on the performances demonstrates the importance of minimizing the fillet radius. This requisite inspired a special procedure for designing the mold, which is built as a “3D puzzle” assembly of separate pieces, each one dedicated to one specific side surface of the lightguide. This technique enables uniform optical quality on all the optic’s surfaces and removes the need of a fillet radius in the mold. At present, the first lightguide prototypes have been fabricated; after the coating phase, they will be ready for the validation stage.
Concurrent circulation of dengue serotype 1, 2 and 3 among acute febrile patients in Cameroon
Authors: Simo Tchetgna Huguette , Sado Yousseu Francine , Kamgang Basile , Tedjou Armel , McCall Philip J. , Wondji Charles S.
Published: October 2021

Acute febrile patients presenting at hospitals in Douala, Cameroon between July and December 2020, were screened for dengue infections using real time RT-PCR on fragments of the 5’ and 3’ UTR genomic regions. In total, 12.8% (41/320) of cases examined were positive for dengue. Dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) was the most common serotype found (68.3%), followed by DENV-2 (19.5%) and DENV-1 (4.9%). Co-infections of DENV-3 and DENV-2 were found in 3 cases. Jaundice and headache were the most frequent clinical signs associated with infection and 56% (23/41) of the cases were co-infections with malaria. Phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene identified DENV-1 as belonging to genotype V, DENV-2 to genotype II and DENV-3 to genotype III. The simultaneous occurrence of three serotypes in Douala reveals dengue as a serious public health threat for Cameroon and highlights the need for further epidemiological studies in the major cities of this region.
Genetic diversity and population history of eight Italian beef cattle breeds using measures of autozygosity
Authors: Fabbri Maria Chiara , Dadousis Christos , Tiezzi Francesco , Maltecca Christian , Lozada-Soto Emmanuel , Biffani Stefano , Bozzi Riccardo
Published: October 2021

In the present study, GeneSeek GGP-LDv4 33k single nucleotide polymorphism chip was used to detect runs of homozygosity (ROH) in eight Italian beef cattle breeds, six breeds with distribution limited to Tuscany (Calvana, Mucca Pisana, Pontremolese) or Sardinia (Sarda, Sardo Bruna and Sardo Modicana) and two cosmopolitan breeds (Charolais and Limousine). ROH detection analyses were used to estimate autozygosity and inbreeding and to identify genomic regions with high frequency of ROH, which might reflect selection signatures. Comparative analysis among breeds revealed differences in length and distribution of ROH and inbreeding levels. The Charolais, Limousine, Sarda, and Sardo Bruna breeds were found to have a high frequency of short ROH (~ 15.000); Calvana and Mucca Pisana presented also runs longer than 16 Mbp. The highest level of average genomic inbreeding was observed in Tuscan breeds, around 0.3, while Sardinian and cosmopolitan breeds showed values around 0.2. The population structure and genetic distances were analyzed through principal component and multidimensional scaling analyses, and resulted in a clear separation among the breeds, with clusters related to productive purposes. The frequency of ROH occurrence revealed eight breed-specific genomic regions where genes of potential selective and conservative interest are located (e.g. MYOG, CHI3L1, CHIT1 (BTA16), TIMELESS, APOF, OR10P1, OR6C4, OR2AP1, OR6C2, OR6C68, CACNG2 (BTA5), COL5A2 and COL3A1 (BTA2)). In all breeds, we found the largest proportion of homozygous by descent segments to be those that represent inbreeding events that occurred around 32 generations ago, with Tuscan breeds also having a significant proportion of segments relating to more recent inbreeding.