bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Casual Associations among Gut Microbiota, Metabolites and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yu Jin-Tai , Ning Jing , Huang Shu-Yi , Chen Shi-Dong , Yang Yu-Xiang , Dong Qiang
Published: September 2021

Background

Recent studies had explored that the gut microbiota was associated with neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)) through the gut-brain axis, among which metabolic pathways played an important role. However, the underlying causality remained unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate potential causal relationships between gut microbiota, metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases through Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
Methods

We selected genetic variants associated with gut microbiota traits (N = 18340) and gut microbiota-derived metabolites (N = 7824) from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Summary statistics of neurodegenerative diseases were obtained from IGAP (AD: 17008 cases; 37154 controls), IPDGC (PD: 37 688 cases; 141779 controls) and IALSC (ALS: 20806 cases; 59804 controls) respectively.
Results

A total of 19 gut microbiota traits were found to be causally associated with risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including 1 phylum, 2 classes, 2 orders, 2 families and 12 genera. We found genetically predicted greater abundance of Ruminococcus, at genus level (OR:1.245, 95%CI:1.103,1.405; P = 0.0004) was significantly related to higher risk of ALS. We also found suggestive association between 12 gut microbiome-dependent metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases. For serotonin pathway, our results revealed serotonin as protective factor of PD, and kynurenine as risk factor of ALS. Besides, reduction of glutamine was found causally associated with occurrence of AD.
Conclusions

Our study firstly applied a two-sample MR approach to detect causal relationships among gut microbiota, gut metabolites and the risk of AD, PD and ALS, and we revealed several causal relationships. These findings may provide new targets for treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases, and may offer valuable insights for further researches on the underlying mechanisms.
UCP1 modulates Immune Infiltration Level and Survival Outcome in Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Huang Jinfa , Wang Guilian , Liao Kedan , Deng Kaixian
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are critical genes associated with tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of the UCPs in ovarian cancer (OV). Material and methodsUCPs expression analysis was conducted using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and its potential in clinical prognosis was analyzed using Kaplan- Meier analyses. The influence of UCPs on immune infiltration was analyzed by TIMER. In addition, the correlation between UCPs expression and molecular mechanisms was investigated by TIMER and Cancer Single-cell State Atlas (CancerSEA). ResultsUCP1, UCP2, UCP3 and UCP5 expression levels correlated with a favorable prognosis and tumor progression. Moreover, UCP1 expression correlated to several immune cell markers and regulated tumorigenesis, such as tumor invasion, EMT, metastasis and DNA repair. In addition, UCP1 potentially involved in genes expression of SNAI2, MMP2, BRCA1 and PARP1. ConclusionsThese results implied a critical role of UCP1 in the prognosis and immune infiltration of ovarian cancer. In addition, UCP1 expression participated in regulating multiple oncogenes and tumorigenesis.
Is it necessary to monitor the serum luteinizing hormone(LH) concentration on the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) day among young women during the follicular-phase long protocol? ：A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Liu Zhaozhao , Liu Manman , Li Jiaheng , Guan Yichun
Published: September 2021

Background
The normal physiological function of LH requires a certain concentration range, but because of pituitary desensitization, even on the HCG day, endogenous levels of LH are low in the follicular-phase long protocol. So our study aimed to determine whether it is necessary to monitor serum LH concentrations and to determine whether there is an optimal LH range to achieve the desired clinical outcome.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study included 4503 cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) units from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2019, in a single department. The main outcome measures included retrieved eggs, available embryos, live birth rate.
Results
Divided the LHHCG into five groups: Group A (LH ≤ 0.5), Group B (0.5 IU/L < LH ≤ 1.2 IU/L), Group C (1.2 IU/L < LH ≤ 2.0 IU/L), Group D (2.0 IU/L < LH ≤ 5.0 IU/L), Group E (LH > 5 IU/L). In terms of the numbers of retrieved eggs, embryos, high-quality embryos and diploid fertilized oocytes, an increase of the LHHCG level showed a trend of a gradual decrease. However, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes among the groups.By adjusting for confounding factors, with an increase in LHHCG, the number of retrieved eggs decreased.
Conclusion
In the follicular-phase long protocol among young women, monitoring of LHHCG are recommended in the clinical guidelines. What’s more, those who undergo Preimplantation Genetic Testing(PGT) may benefit more when the LH level is controlled within a certain range.
Lateral approach for scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrists
Authors: Huang Hui-Kuang , Huang Yi-Chao , Wu Chin-Hsien , Yin Cheng-Yu , Wang Jung-Pan
Published: September 2021

Background

Four-corner arthrodesis (4-CA) is an effective treatment for scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC). Capitolunate arthrodesis is an alternative option that limits intercarpal fusion. We propose a lateral approach using a small incision over the scaphoid anatomic snuffbox, which could be a straightforward method for performing scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis. This approach would be beneficial for shortening the operative time, facilitating bone healing, and improving wrist motion.
Methods

Between 2016 and 2020, eight patients were enrolled retrospectively and underwent the lateral approach for scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis. We presented the radiographic outcomes, including fusion status, capitolunate angle, and carpal height ratio. The functional outcomes of wrist range of motion, grip strength, pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and Mayo wrist score were evaluated.
Results

Fusion could be achieved, without complications, in all eight patients, and the mean follow-up period was 22.4 months (12–38 months). Five operations were completed within 1 h and 30 min. Postoperatively, the mean capitolunate angle and carpal height ratio improved from 19.6o to 2.4o and 0.44–0.51%, respectively. At the final follow-up, the average flexion-extension arc was 76.3o, visual analogue scale for pain was 0.9, QuickDASH score was 26.4, and Mayo wrist score was 72.5.
Conclusions

The lateral approach for scaphoid excision and capitoluante arthrodesis in treating SLAC and SNAC could have several advantages, including easy performance since it is similar to the open method and the lack of need for dorsal wrist opening and closure, which may preserve surrounding circulation, avoid the formation of a dorsal scar, and mimic the advantages of arthroscopic treatment.
Uncertainty Quantification and Bayesian Active Learning for Rupture Life Prediction in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels
Authors: Mamun Osman , Taufique M.F.N. , Wenzlick Madison , Hawk Jeffrey , Devanathan Ram
Published: September 2021

Three probabilistic methodologies are developed for predicting the long-term creep rupture life of 9−12 𝑤𝑡% 𝐶𝑟 ferritic-martensitic steels using their chemical and processing parameters. The framework developed in this research strives to simultaneously make efficient inference along with associated risk, i.e., the uncertainty of estimation. The study highlights the limitations of applying probabilistic machine learning to model creep life and provides suggestions as to how this might be alleviated to make an efficient and accurate model with the evaluation of epistemic uncertainty of each prediction. Based on extensive experimentation, Gaussian Process Regression yielded more accurate inference (𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡> 0.95 for the holdout test set) in addition to meaningful uncertainty estimate (i.e., coverage ranges from 94 – 98% for the test set) as compared to quantile regression and natural gradient boosting algorithm. Furthermore, the possibility of an active learning framework to iteratively explore the material space intelligently was demonstrated by simulating the experimental data collection process. This framework can be subsequently deployed to improve model performance or to explore new alloy domains with minimal experimental effort.
Forecasting requisite physicians’ density through medical education acceleration strategy towards elimination of workforce deficit in nigeria (2021-2042)
Authors: Alozie Christopher Enyima , Ichoku Hycinth Eme
Published: September 2021

Background: This paper assessed availability of physicians, supply and demand gap of medical workforce comparatively with the internationally established requisite minimum physicians’ density for Nigeria (2022-2042). It also evaluates the propensity of medical education programme and capability of the Nigerian medical schools to produce sufficient mint medical doctors for effective medical services to population. It also provides projection of estimates of government financing requirement for achieving the targeted number of physicians in the medium to long term. Methods: Ex-post ‘facto’ quantitative research design and method is employed in the study. Data sets obtained from the relevant Nigerian government’s organisations. Analytical techniques adopted include simple numerical analysis, descriptive statistics, moving average system, demographic estimation methods and projections of future budgetary resource allocation procedures. Main Finding / Results: Results show that there was a significant deficit in physicians’ density in Nigeria with average annual shortage of 31000. At this range, represents one doctor per 2591 persons as against one-doctor-to-1818 people and shortage of 33000 doctors. Second, the current student enrolment in the range of 3300 to 3600 requires a minimum of 2000300 percent increase in annual students’ enrolment in order to be recording reasonable annual out-turns. With the adoption of a flexible optimum enrolment policy, the result reveals there would be a downward decline in the range of 9%-to-5% in physicians’ shortages which is linked to increase of 250-312%. Thus, Nigeria will be able to produce enough medical doctors and injection to the pool to effectively eliminate physicians’ density deficit in next two decades. Therefore should be replaced with a flexible system. Nigeria would make about one trillion naira savings from medical tourism if Nigeria implements the medical education acceleration strategy as envisage in this paper. Nigeria needs to spend about an average of N313 million annually in next 20 years as against N360 million current spending on foreign medical care (tourism) and with such medical programme funding, Conclusion: This study provided evidence-based results indicating sub-optimal students’ enrolments and inadequate funding are the root cause of physicians’ density deficit in Nigeria and not necessarily the wage pricing medical labour force. Nigeria is under-producing doctors with about 15000-20000 currently working outside the country. It is illogical that Nigeria’s medical schools have continued to enrol fewer trainees despite a huge deficit of 33000 physicians which implies that about a minimum of 8000-to-10000 for the next two decades in order to clear the shortage or the country will continue to grapple with physicians’ deficit continuously.
Application of a Temporary Ileostomy via Median Specimen Extraction Site in Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection
Authors: Wu Ahao , Wu Bowen , Shu Xufeng , Cao Yi , Zeng Qingwen , Li Zhengrong , Tu Yi
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of temporary ileostomy via median specimen extraction site in the lower abdomen. Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer and needed temporary ileostomy were prospectively enrolled. Temporary ileostomy was placed on the median specimen extraction site of the lower abdomen. Intraoperative and postoperative conditions, stoma-related complications and ileostomy reversal surgery were observed. d. Results: Among the 22 patients, there were 14 female patients and 8 male patients: the average age was 56 ±14 years; the average body mass index was 22.0 ±3.4 kg/m2; the average tumour size was 4.4 ±2.2 cm; the average distance between the tumour and the dentate line was 5.9 ±2.3 cm; the average time of laparoscopic low anterior resection was 221 ±56 minutes; the average blood loss was 168 ±91 ml; and the average postoperative hospital stay was 9.9 ±3.9 days. The average ileostomy reversal surgery time was 72 ±15 minutes, the average blood loss was 50 ±27 ml, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 5.9 ±1.0 days. Stoma-related complications occurred in 5 patients, of which one was treated by emergency surgery. Conclusion: In laparoscopic low anterior resection, patients with temporary ileostomy via the median specimen extraction site did not have serious complications that required surgical intervention during hospitalization, and there was no mortality during the perioperative period. It is safe and feasible to perform temporary ileostomies via the median specimen extraction site in the lower abdomen, but for permanent ileostomies, the median site in the lower abdomen should be carefully selected as the ileostomy site.
Perception and Experience of Childhood Malaria Management among Mothers of Under-five Children in Osogbo Osun State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwogu Joseph Nkemakolam , Igbolekwu Chisaa Onyekachi , Nwogu Esther , Nwokocha Ezebunwa E , Ogadimma Arisukwu Chukwubueze , Ekechukwu Valentine Ifeanychukwu
Published: September 2021

Malaria remains a major health challenge in Nigeria despite efforts at reducing its prevalence. Previous studies on malaria focused mainly on the biomedical aspects with little attention given to the social characteristics influencing malaria management among mothers as primary caregivers of under-five children. This study, therefore, investigated perception and experience of childhood malaria management among mothers of under-five children in Osogbo Metropolis classified in literature as area with high childhood malaria prevalence. The Health Belief Model was adopted as theoretical framework, while the cross-sectional survey research design was employed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was conducted among selected mothers of under-five children using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Cochrane’s formula was used to determine the sample size of 561 respondents used. A structured questionnaire was administered on mothers to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions and experience of childhood malaria. Twelve focus group discussions were conducted with mothers whose under-five children had malaria in the six weeks preceding the study. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. Qualitative data were content analysed. The age the mothers was 41.00 ± 7.2years. About 98.0% of the mothers perceived malaria as treatable, 54.0% of mothers perceived fever as major symptom of malaria, 58.3% said mosquito bite was the cause of malaria, while 65.6% stated that Insecticide Treated Net was the most effective method of malaria prevention. There were significant associations between knowledge of malaria prevention and income (χ2 = 57.00), and between knowledge of consequences of malaria and education (X2 = 50.55). Misconceptions still surround perception of malaria management among mothers of under-five children. More enlightenment efforts are needed to dispel fallacies mitigating against malaria management.
Low Dose Olanzapine in the Prevention Carboplatin Induced Nausea and Vomiting: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: AN YUN , Zhang Zewei , Chen Feng , Jiang Caihong , Zhao Juan , Zhao Lanzhen , Jiang Ying , Li Hui , Liu Guang , Guo Wenjing , GU MIN , CHEN GANG , Li Zhenhao , Da Lenggaowa , JIN GAOWA , LI QUANFU
Published: September 2021

Objective To perform a prospective randomized comparison of the efficacy and safety of low-dose 5mg olanzapine（OLZ） in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by carboplatin chemotherapy.Methods All patients with malignant tumors (n=113) who received carboplatin（AUC≥5）chemotherapy were randomly divided into two groups:triplet regimen group (n=56) and standard group (n=57). The patients in the olanzapine group received 5mg olanzapine combined with 5-HT3RA and dexamethasone(DXM) triplet antiemetic regimen, whereas those in the standard group received 5-HT3RA and DXM. The primary end-points of the study were the TC(total contral) during the OP(Overall phase, 0-120h), AP(acute phase, 0-24h) and DP(delayed phase, 25-120h) phase between combined 5mg olanzapine triplet regimen group and standard group. The secondary end-points were the TP (total protection) and CR (complete response) during OP, AP and DP phase between two groups. The first time to vomiting comparion between two groups was depicted by Kaplan-Meier curves. The impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) on the quality of life was assessed by the Functional Living Index-Emesis(FLIE). Olanzapine related side-effection was also recorded.Results: (1) The primary end-point TC rate were favorable 5mg olanzapine group than standard group during the OP 62.50% (35/56) vs 31.57% (18/57) P=0.001), AP 87.50% (49/56) vs 63.15% (36/57) P=0.003 and DP 64.28% (36/56) vs 33.33% (19/57) P=0.001 respectively. (2)The secondry end-points TP were 82.14% (46/56) vs 63.15%(36/57)(P=0.024),83.92%(47/56) vs 63.15%(36/57) (P=0.012) during the OP and DP but not get statistical significance during AP between two groups respectively.The CR rate does not get statistical significance between two groups during the three periods respectively, P>0.05;(3) It was observed longer time to first emesis in the olanzapine group than standard group from Kaplan-Meier curves.The no effection on life-quality (score≥108) assessed by FILE was 62.50% vs 43.48% between two groups, P<0.05. The most common olanzapine-related side-effection is somnolence and weakness.Conclusion: The 5mg olanzapine based triplet antiemetic regimen is effective and safety in the prevention carboplatin induced nausea and vomiting especially in the control of the nausea. Name of the registry: ChiCTR2000040566Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000040566Date of registration(retrospectively registered): 2th-12-2020URL of trial registry record:https://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx
An App With Brief Behavioural Support to Promote Physical Activity After a Cancer Diagnosis (APPROACH): Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Lally Phillippa , Miller Natalie , Roberts Anna , Beeken Rebecca J , Greenfield Diana M , Potts Henry WW , Counsell Nicholas , Latimer Nicholas , Thomas Chloe , Smith Lee , Gath Jacqui , Kennedy Fiona , Martin Charlene , Wyld Lynda , Fisher Abi
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThere are multiple health benefits from participating in physical activity after a cancer diagnosis, but many people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) are not meeting physical activity guidelines. App-based interventions offer a promising platform for intervention delivery. This trial aims to pilot a theory-driven, app-based intervention that promotes brisk walking among people living with and beyond cancer. The primary aim is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures before conducting a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT).MethodsThis is an individually randomised, two-armed pilot RCT. Patients with localised or metastatic breast, prostate or colorectal cancer, who are aged 16 years or over, will be recruited from a single hospital site in South Yorkshire in the UK. The intervention includes an app designed to encourage brisk walking (Active 10) supplemented with habit-based behavioural support in the form of two brief telephone/video calls, an information leaflet and walking planners. The primary outcomes will be feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures. Demographic and medical characteristics will be collected at baseline, through self-report and hospital records. Secondary outcomes for the pilot (assessed at 0 and 3 months) will be accelerometer measured and self-reported physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and patient reported outcomes of quality of life, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and habit strength for walking. Qualitative interviews will explore experiences of participating or reasons for declining to participate. Parameters for the intended primary outcome measure (accelerometer measured average daily minutes of brisk walking (>100 steps/minute)) will inform a sample size calculation for the future RCT and a preliminary economic evaluation will be conducted. DiscussionThis pilot study will inform the design of a larger RCT to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this intervention in people LWBC. Trial registrationISRCTN registry, ISRCTN18063498. Registered 16 April 2021. http://isrctn.com/ISRCTN18063498
Biobased plastic: A plausible solution to carbon neutrality in plastic industry
Authors: Sun Xiangfei , Zeng Eddy , Xie Meng-Yi , Song Xianzhong
Published: September 2021

Biobased plastic combined with plastic recycling could be a plausible solution for achieving carbon neutrality by plastic industry. Herein we use production data, emission factors, and future plastic demands (2021-2060) to build a model, evaluating carbon neutrality under five scenarios. Our simulation indicates that carbon neutrality can be achieved by 2060 when biobased plastics takes 90% of plastic production with near 50% of recycling ratio. The amount of carbon captured through photosynthesis surpasses that of carbon released through plastic life cycle. Recycling reduces virgin plastic production, which is the primary carbon source. A one-fold increase in the use of recycled plastics could lead to a three-fold reduction of virgin plastic production. Existing plastics stored 6.82 giga tons of carbon (GtC) in 2020, serving as an artificial carbon reservoir never recognized before. This carbon reservoir will expand to 23.0 and 27.4 GtC under 22% and 50% recycling scenarios, respectively, by 2060.
Safety and Efficacy of Hypo fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Facial Nerve Schwannoma.
Authors: Fatima Nida , Dine Anna La , Barnard Zachary R , Ko Katherine , Peng Kevin , Slattery William H , Lekovic Gregory P
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In the current era of modern neurosurgery, the treatment strategies have been shifted to “nerve-preservation approaches” for achieving a higher facial and hearing function preservation rate following facial nerve tumors. We have conducted this novel report on determining the outcome of patients with facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) treated with hypo fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (hfSRS).
Methods

Retrospective chart review of a prospectively maintained database search was conducted. Patients who underwent hfSRS CyberKnife (Accuray Inc, Sunnyvale, California., USA) for FNS were included. Outcomes consisted of tumor control, facial and hearing nerve function as graded by House-Brackmann (HB) and Gardner-Robertson scale, and adverse radiation effects. SPSS 23 was used to perform statistical analysis.
Results

With an institutional board review approval, we retrospectively identified 5 patients with FNS [4 intracranial (80%) and 1 extracranial (20%)] treated with hfSRS (2011–2019). Patients received definitive SRS in 3 patients (60.0%) wile adjuvant to surgical resection in 2 patients (40.0%). A median tumor volume of 7.5 cm3 (range, 1.5–19.6 cm3) received a median prescription dose of 23.2 Gy (range, 21–25 Gy) administered in median of 3 fractions (range, 3–5 session). With a median radiographic follow-up of 31.4 months (range, 13.0–71.0 months) and clinical follow-up of 32.6 months (range, 15.1–72.0 months), the local tumor control was 100.0%. At last clinical follow-up, the facial nerve function improved or remained unchanged HB I-II in 80.0% of the patients, while the hearing nerve function improved or remained stable in 100.0% (Gardner-Robertson I-II) of the patients. Temporary clinical toxicity was seen in 3 patients (60.0%) which resolved. None of the patient developed adverse radiation effect.
Conclusion

hfSRS in FNS is safe and efficacious in terms of local tumor control, improved facial and hearing nerve function, and very low incidence of complications.
An Implementation of Yolo-family Algorithms in Classifying the Product Quality for the ABS Metallization
Authors: CHEN YUH-WEN , Shiu Jing Mau
Published: September 2021

In the traditional electroplating industry of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), quality control inspection of the product surface is usually performed with the naked eye. However, these defects on the surface of electroplated products are minor and easily ignored under reflective conditions. If the number of defectiveness and samples is too large, manual inspection will be challenging and time-consuming. We innovatively applied Additive Manufacturing (AM) to design and assemble an automatic optical inspection (AOI) system. The system can identify defects on the reflective surface of the plated product. Based on the deep learning framework from YOLO, we successfully started the neural network model on GPU using the family of YOLO algorithms: from v2 to v5. Finally, our efforts showed an accuracy rate over an average of 70 percentage for detecting real-time video data in production lines. We also compare the classification performance among various YOLO algorithms. Our efforts of visual inspection significantly reduce the labor cost of visual inspection in the electroplating industry.
Anthropogenic restocking of gharial individuals prevents genetic isolation of gharial population in Girwa River, India by geographic barriers imposed by a barrage
Authors: Vashistha Gaurav , Deepika Sharma , Khudsar Faiyaz Ahmed , Dhakate Parag Madhukar , Kothamasi David
Published: September 2021

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a critically endangered fresh water crocodile endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The species has suffered > 95% decline in population and habitat size. A small population of gharials comprising of 50 breeding adults is resident in a 20 Km stretch of the River Girwa in Katerniaghat wildlife sanctuary, India. Gharials in this 20 Km stretch have been genetically isolated since 1976 by a barrage that functions as a barrier to gene flow. A captive rear and release program has been initiated since 1979 under Project Crocodile for restocking declining wild gharial populations. Thousands of gharial eggs were collected from gharial populations at Girwa and Chambal Rivers. Hatchlings from the collected eggs were captive reared at a common location in Kukrail Gharial Centre, India and released back to multiple gharial populations including the isolated population at Girwa. This restocking programme was not preceded by a genetic screening of captive animals or wild populations to identify genetic diversity and genetic structure of both captive and wild animals. In this study we investigate whether release of captive reared gharials into the resident population at Girwa River has prevented genetic isolation caused due to barriers imposed by the barrage. Using a combination of empirical analysis using microsatellite markers and a systematic review of data from previous workers on molecular characterization of gharial populations, we analysed genetic differentiation in gharial populations at Girwa and Chambal. We found similar genetic variability in gharial populations of Girwa and Chambal. There was low inter population genetic differentiation and evidences of genetic migration between the two populations. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic intervention via release of captive animals has compensated for the genetic isolation in Girwa population caused by the barrage.
Effect of nutritional status before femoral neck fracture surgery on postoperative outcomes: a retrospective study
Authors: Yokoyama Katsuya , Ukai Taku , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: September 2021

Background
Although nutritional status is crucial in gait recovery after femoral neck fracture surgery, the relationship between preoperative nutritional status and postoperative outcomes remains unknown. This study examined the effects of preoperative nutritional status on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing femoral neck fracture surgery.
Methods
Data regarding the joints of 137 patients (29 men, 108 women) who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures at our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively examined. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), an index of nutritional status, was used to classify patients into two groups: a normal group (GNRI ≥ 92; n = 62) and an undernourished group (GNRI < 92; n = 75). The study endpoints included age at surgery, sex, preoperative waiting period, intraoperative blood loss, surgery time, blood transfusion rate, complication rate, 6-month mortality rate, transfer rate, and percentage of patients unable to walk at discharge or transfer.
Results
The undernourished group was significantly older at surgery (83.3 ± 6.9 years versus [vs.] 79.6 ± 8.8 years; p < 0.01) and had a higher blood transfusion rate (41.3% [31/75] vs. 12.9% [8/62]; p < 0.01), a longer preoperative waiting period (5.5 ± 5.8 days vs. 3.9 ± 2.6 days; p < 0.05), a higher transfer rate (24% [18/75] vs. 9.7% [6/62]; p < 0.05), a higher complication rate (52% [39/75] vs. 35.5% [22/62]; p < 0.05), and a higher 6-month mortality rate (13.3% [10/75] vs. 0% [0/62]; p < 0.01) than the normal group. The most common complication was pneumonia. Patients in the undernourished group had worse rates of postoperative complications, transfer, and mortality than the normal group.
Conclusions
A poor nutritional status affects the gait function and systemic condition of patients undergoing femoral neck fracture surgery; therefore, early nutritional interventions may reduce mortality rates and shorten rehabilitation. These results suggest that the GNRI effectively predicts postoperative complications, mortality, and gait function.
Genomic Features and Comparative Genomic Analysis of novel Bacillus glycinifermentans strain JRCGR-1
Authors: Karim Asad , olivier poirot , Khatoon Ambrina , Legendre Matthieu
Published: September 2021

To the best of our knowledge, only six B. glycinifermentans sp. genome sequences are available in the public database. Here, we performed genome sequencing and comparative genomics analysis of B. glycinifermentans strain JRCGR-1. Cluster analysis of strain JRCGR-1 genes showed that 92.6% of genes were present in the orthogroups and 7.4% genes were not assigned to any group. The pangenome size was calculated at 8329 genes and presented an open genome characteristic. Phylogeny based on the pan and core genome demonstrated that all the B. glycinifermentans strains belong to the same clade. The strain JRCGR-1, ANI, TETRA and DDH values were in the range of 96.1-99.04%, 0.996-997, 73.5–84.7%, respectively. The strain JRCGR genome exhibits a high level of synteny with multiple locations in B. sonorensis sp. and B. licheniformis sp. The finding of the current study provides knowledge that facilitates a better understanding of this at the genomic level.
An Abstract System for Converting and Recovering Texts like Structured Information
Authors: Verdesoto Edgardo Samuel Barraza , Herrera Richard de Jesus Gil , Ortiz Marlly Yaneth Rojas
Published: September 2021

This paper introduces an abstract system for converting texts into structured information. The proposed architecture incorporates several strategies based on scientific models of how the brain records and recovers memories, and approaches that convert texts into structured data. The applications of this proposal are vast because, in general, the information that can be expressed like a text way, such as reports, emails, web contents, etc., is considered unstructured and, hence, the repositories based on a SQL do not capable to deal efficiently with this kind of data. The model in which was based on this proposal divides a sentence into clusters of words which in turn are transformed into members of a taxonomy of algebraic structures. The algebraic structures must comply properties of Abelian groups. Methodologically, an incremental prototyping approach has been applied to develop a satisfactory architecture that can be adapted to any language. A special case is studied, this deals with the Spanish language. The developed abstract system is a framework that permits to implements applications that convert unstructured textual information to structured information, this can be useful in contexts such as Natural Language Generation, Data Mining, dynamically generation of theories, among others.
The Zoom solution: Promoting effective cross-ideological communication online
Authors: Binnquist Ashley , Dolbier Stephanie , Dieffenbach Macrina , Lieberman Matthew
Published: September 2021

The rise of ideological polarization in the U.S. over the past few decades has come with an increase in hostility on both sides of the political aisle. Although communication and compromise are hallmarks of a functioning society, research has shown that people overestimate the negative affect they will experience when viewing oppositional media, and it is likely that negative forecasts lead many to avoid cross-ideological communication (CIC) altogether. Additionally, a growing ideological geographic divide and online extremism fueled by social media audiences make engaging in CIC more difficult than ever. Here, we demonstrate that online video-chat platforms (i.e., Zoom) can be used to promote effective CIC among ideologically polarized individuals, as well as to better study CIC in a controlled setting. Participants (n = 122) had a face-to-face CIC over Zoom, either privately or publicly with a silent ingroup audience present. Participant forecasts about the interaction were largely inaccurate, with the actual conversation experience found to be more positive than anticipated. Additionally, the presence of an ingroup audience was associated with increased conflict. In both conditions, participants showed signs of attitude moderation, felt more favorable toward the outgroup, and felt more informed about the issue after the CIC. These results suggest that face-to-face CIC’s are generally positive and beneficial for partisans, and that greater effects may be achieved through private conversations, as opposed to more public social media interactions. Future researchers studying ideological conflict may find success using similar Zoom paradigms to bring together ideologically diverse individuals in controlled lab settings.
Prolonged Fever and Exaggerated Hypercoagulopathy in Malaria Vivax Relapse and COVID-19 Co-infection: A Case Report
Authors: Asmarawati Tri Pudy , Martani Okla Sekar , Bramantono Bramantono , Arifianto Muhammad Vitanata
Published: September 2021

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often causes atypical clinical manifestations similar to other infectious diseases. In malaria-endemic areas, the pandemic situation will very likely result in co-infection of COVID-19 and Malaria, although reports to date are still few. Meanwhile, in areas with low malaria prevalence, this disease will be challenging to diagnose because the symptoms closely resemble COVID-19.Case presentationA 23-year-old male patient presented to hospital with fever, anosmia, headache, and nausea since one week before. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated for approximately ten days then discharged to continue self-quarantine at home. Two weeks later, he came back to the hospital with fever that was raised intermittently every two days, and was marked by a chilling-fever-sweating cycle. We conducted a laboratory test for malaria and nasopharyngeal swab for SARS CoV-2 PCR which confirmed both of the diagnosis. The laboratory examination showed markedly elevated D-dimer. He was treated with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHP) 4 tablets per day for three days and Primaquine 2 tablets per day for 14 days according to Indonesian national anti-malarial treatment guidelines. After six days of treatment, the patient had no complaints, and the results of laboratory tests had improved. This report describes the key points in considering the differential diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria infection during the pandemic of COVID-19 in an endemic country to prevent the worse clinical outcomes. COVID-19 and malaria may also cause hypercoagulable state, so a co-infection of those diseases may impact on the prognosis of the disease.ConclusionThis case report shows that considering the possibility of a co-infection in COVID-19 patient who presents with fever can prevent delayed treatment that can worsen the disease outcome. Paying more attention to a history of travel to malaria-endemic areas, a history of previous malaria infection, and exploring anamnesis regarding the fever patterns in patients are important points in making a differential diagnosis of malaria infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Designing and implementing equity-based pandemic preparedness and response learning modules: Lessons from a multi-country short-course
Authors: Manzi Anatole , Henley Phaedra , Lieberman Hannah , Topper Langley , Wuethrich Bernice , Logan Jenae , Bekele Abebe , Mubiligi Joel , Davis Sheila , Binagwaho Agnes , Farmer Paul , Mukherjee Joia
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionate impacts across race, social class, and geography. Insufficient attention has been paid to addressing the massive inequities worsened by COVID-19. In July 2020, Partners In Health (PIH) and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) designed a four-module short course, “An Equity Approach to Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Emerging Insights from COVID-19 Global Response Leaders.” We describe the design and use of a case-based, short-course education model to transfer knowledge and skills in equity approaches to pandemic preparedness and response.MethodsThis course used case studies of Massachusetts and Navajo Nation in the U.S, and Rwanda to highlight examples of equity-centered pandemic response. A post-session assessment survey was completed by course participants after each of the four modules. A mixed-method analysis was conducted to understand knowledge acquisition on key topics and assess participants’ experience and satisfaction with the course. Additionally, a landscape analysis was conducted to identify other equity-centered courses for pandemic response offered previously and to compare the content, audience, and intended outcomes.Results Forty-four percent of participants identified, “Immediate need for skills and information to address COVID-19” as their primary reason for attending the course. Participants reported that they are very likely (4.75 out of 5) to use the information, tools, or skills from the course in their work. The average score for content related questions answered correctly was 82-88% for each session. Participants (~70-90%) said their understanding was Excellent or Very Good for each session. Participants expressed a deepened understanding of the importance of prioritizing vulnerable communities and built global solidarity.ConclusionParticipants viewed the training as highly relevant, well-presented, actionable, shareable, and contributed to a new level of understanding of the social determinants of health and equity issues surrounding pandemic preparedness, crisis response, and long-term population recovery. This course offered a clear analysis of the impact of racism on the pandemic in the United States, the intersection of racism and wealth inequality; the role of the social determinants of health in pandemic preparedness, outcomes and response; and the impacts of neocolonialism on pandemic response in low- and middle-income countries.
Human Resources in Europe. Estimation, Clusterization, Machine Learning and Prediction
Authors: LEOGRANDE ANGELO , COSTANTIELLO ALBERTO
Published: September 2021

We estimate the relationships between innovation and human resources in Europe using the European Innovation Scoreboard of the European Commission for 36 countries for the period 2010-2019. We perform Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Random Effects, Pooled OLS, Dynamic Panel and WLS. We found that Human resources is positively associated to “Basic-school entrepreneurial education and training”, “Employment MHT manufacturing KIS services”, “Employment share Manufacturing (SD)”, “Lifelong learning”, “New doctorate graduates”, “R&D expenditure business sector”, “R&D expenditure public sector”, “Tertiary education”. Our results also show that “Human Resources” is negatively associated to “Government procurement of advanced technology products”, “Medium and high-tech product exports”, “SMEs innovating in-house”, “Venture capital”. In adjunct we perform a clusterization with k-Means algorithm and we find the presence of three clusters. Clusterization shows the presence of Central and Northern European countries that has higher levels of Human Resources, while Southern and Eastern Europe has very low degree of Human Resources. Finally, we use seven machine learning algorithms to predict the value of Human Resources in Europe Countries using data in the period 2014-2021 and we show that the linear regression algorithm performs at the highest level.
Geographic distribution and prevalence of human echinococcosis at the township level in the Tibet Autonomous Region
Authors: WANG Liying , Quzhen Gongsang , Qin Min , Liu Ze-hang , Pang Hua-sheng , Frutos Roger , Gavotte Laurent
Published: September 2021

Background

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larval stages of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus. Echinococcosis is prevalent in 10 provinces/autonomous regions in western and northern China. A 2016 epidemiological survey of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) showed that the prevalence of human echinococcosis was 1.66% which is much higher than the average prevalence in China (0.24%). Therefore, understanding the prevalence and spatial distribution characteristics of human echinococcosis at the township level in TAR is critical.
Methods

Data from echinococcosis cases were obtained from 692 TAR townships in 2018. Cases were identified using the B-ultrasonography diagnostic method. The epidemic status of echinococcosis was classified in all townships in TAR according to the relevant standards of population prevalence indexes as defined in the national technical plan for echinococcosis control. Spatial scan statistics were used to highlight the geographical townships most at risk of echinococcosis. SPSS 21.0 was used to calculate the prevalence for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). For spatial clustering analyses and mapping, data were processed using ArcGIS 10.1. Spatial scan analyses were performed using SaTScan V9.5.
Results

In 2018, 16,009 echinococcosis cases were recorded in 74 endemic counties in TAR. The total prevalence rate was 0.53%. All the 692 townships were classified according to the order of the epidemic degree from high to low. 127 townships had prevalence rates higher than or equal to 1%. The spatial clustering scanning analysis of echinococcosis cases and exposed population showed that CE displayed one primary cluster, two secondary clusters and six minor secondary clusters. The primary cluster and other clusters were defined by Log-likelihood ratio (LLR) statistically significant values. The primary cluster covered 88 townships in 12 epidemic counties. AE displayed one primary cluster and two secondary clusters. The primary cluster covered 38 townships in 6 epidemic counties.
Stochastic Analysis of the Variability of Groundwater Flow Fields in Heterogeneous Confined Aquifers of Variable Thickness
Authors: Chang Ching-Min , Ni Chuen-Fa , Li We-Ci , Lin Chi-Ping , Lee I-Hsian
Published: September 2021

The problem of flow through heterogeneous confined aquifers of variable thickness is analyzed from a stochastic point of view. The analysis is carried out on the basis of the integrated equations of the depth-averaged hydraulic head and integrated specific discharge, which are developed by integrating the continuity equation and equation for the specific discharge over the thickness, respectively. A spectrally based perturbation approach is used to arrive at the general results for the statistics of the flow fields in the Fourier domain, such as the variance of the depth-averaged head, and the mean and variance of integrated discharge. However, the closed-form expressions are obtained under the condition of steady unidirectional mean flow in the horizontal plane. In developing stochastic solutions, the input hydraulic conductivity parameter is viewed as a spatial random field characterized by the theoretical spatial covariance function. The evaluation of the closed-form solutions focuses on the influence of the controlling parameters, namely as a geometrical parameter defining the variation of the aquifer thickness and the correlation scale of log hydraulic conductivity, on the variability of the fluid fields. The application of the present stochastic theory to predict the total specific discharge under uncertainty using the field data is also provided.
Le droit suisse des sociétés en 2020 : Modifications législatives et jurisprudence
Authors: Canapa Damiano , Grisoni Arthur , Antonoff Marine
Published: September 2021

Cette contribution propose un aperçu des principales modifications législatives intervenues durant l’année 2020 en droit suisse des sociétés, ainsi que de la jurisprudence du Tribunal fédéral rendue pendant la même période. La section consacrée aux modifications législatives (chiffre I.) présente en particulier, de manière succincte, la modification du droit de la société anonyme [SA] adoptée le 19 juin 2020. Les résumés de jurisprudence font l’objet de la section suivante (chiffre II.) ; les arrêts sont classés par forme de société. Après la présentation des arrêts publiés au recueil des ATF, les arrêts sont classés par ordre chronologique.

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Dieser Beitrag bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Gesetzesänderungen im Schweizer Gesellschaftsrecht im Jahr 2020 sowie über die bundesgerichtliche Rechtsprechung im selben Zeitraum. Der Abschnitt über Gesetzesänderungen stellt die am 19. Juni 2020 verabschiedete Änderung der Bestimmungen zur Aktiengesellschaft (AG) dar. Der nächste Abschnitt enthält Zusammenfassungen der Rechtsprechung, wobei die Entscheidungen nach Gesellschaftsform geordnet sind. Nach der Vorstellung der in der amtlichen BGE-Sammlung veröffentlichten Entscheide werden die übrigen Urteile in chronologischer Reihenfolge aufgeführt.