bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies of visibility in the smart city
Authors: Torisson Fredrik
Published: May 2022

Cities across the world are increasingly labelling themselves as smart in one way or another. At the same time, this smartness appears amorphous or invisible in its built urban environment. Critical researchers writing on the smart city regularly express confusion or exasperation about precisely the difficulty to locate the smart in the city. Visibility of the smart city is not a given. This article argues that visibility in the case of the smart city is instead strategically produced, and that the strategy opted for tells us something about the kind of urban imaginary put forward. The article introduces a provisional and non-exhaustive taxonomy of strategies of visibility based on analyses of three different cases of smart city projects (in Brazil, Sweden and Canada) and identifies the ways in which the smart city is made visible (or not)—symbolic presence of smart, modelling smart and ubiquitous invisible smart—and discusses what kind of city is envisioned based on each strategy.
Recent trends in movement ecology of animals and human mobility
Authors: Joo Rocío , Picardi Simona , Boone Matthew E. , Clay Thomas A. , Patrick Samantha C. , Romero-Romero Vilma S. , Basille Mathieu
Published: May 2022

Movement is fundamental to life, shaping population dynamics, biodiversity patterns, and ecosystem structure. In 2008, the movement ecology framework (MEF Nathan et al. in PNAS 105(49):19052–19059, 2008) introduced an integrative theory of organismal movement—linking internal state, motion capacity, and navigation capacity to external factors—which has been recognized as a milestone in the field. Since then, the study of movement experienced a technological boom, which provided massive quantities of tracking data of both animal and human movement globally and at ever finer spatio-temporal resolutions. In this work, we provide a quantitative assessment of the state of research within the MEF, focusing on animal movement, including humans and invertebrates, and excluding movement of plants and microorganisms. Using a text mining approach, we digitally scanned the contents of$$>8000$$>8000papers from 2009 to 2018 available online, identified tools and methods used, and assessed linkages between all components of the MEF. Over the past decade, the publication rate has increased considerably, along with major technological changes, such as an increased use of GPS devices and accelerometers and a majority of studies now using the R software environment for statistical computing. However, animal movement research still largely focuses on the effect of environmental factors on movement, with motion and navigation continuing to receive little attention. A search of topics based on words featured in abstracts revealed a clustering of papers among marine and terrestrial realms, as well as applications and methods across taxa. We discuss the potential for technological and methodological advances in the field to lead to more integrated and interdisciplinary research and an increased exploration of key movement processes such as navigation, as well as the evolutionary, physiological, and life-history consequences of movement.
Physical growth and social prognosis of esophageal atresia after 15 years of age
Authors: Masuya Ryuta , Muto Mitsuru , Sugita Koshiro , Murakami Masakazu , Yano Keisuke , Harumatsu Toshio , Onishi Shun , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Matsukubo Makoto , Kawano Takafumi , Machigashira Seiro , Nakame Kazuhiko , Torikai Motofumi , Mukai Motoi , Kaji Tatsuru , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: May 2022

Background

The mortality rate of esophageal atresia (EA) has significantly improved, but late complications remain problematic. We evaluated the physical growth, late complications, and social prognosis of postoperative patients with EA who have reached 15 years of age.

Methods

EA patients who were treated at our institution from 1984 to 2003 were enrolled. The follow-up, physical growth at the last visit, late complications and treatment, academic status, and employment situation were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-nine EA patients were registered, and the 23 surviving patients (79.3%) were followed. Anthropometry at the latest visit tended to be below the standard values. Fundoplication was performed in 6 (26.1%) of 9 (39.1%) patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Anastomotic stenosis was found in 12 patients (52.2%), and 2 (8.7%) were treated with re-anastomosis. Thirteen patients were attending a regular school, and one was attending a school for disabled children. Four had jobs from 18 years of age. Follow-up was aborted during early childhood in nine patients.

Conclusions

The physical size of EA was smaller than in the healthy population of the same age. Late complications had not affected the physical growth but were sometimes recognized in adolescence. The social prognosis of the patients was largely favorable.
The integrity of the research record: a mess so big and so deep and so tall
Authors: Lee William , Casey Patricia , Poole Norman , Kaufman Kenneth R. , Lawrie Stephen M. , Malhi Gin , Petkova Eva , Siddiqi Najma , Bhui Kamaldeep
Published: May 2022

Poor research integrity is increasingly recognised as a serious problem in science. We outline some evidence for this claim and introduce the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) journals’ Research Integrity Group, which has been created to address this problem.
Convolutional neural network-based automatic cervical vertebral maturation classification method
Authors: Li Haizhen , Chen Yanlong , Wang Qing , Gong Xu , Lei Yi , Tian Jialiang , Gao Xuemei
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

This study aimed to develop a fully automated artificial intelligence-aided cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) classification method based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to provide an auxiliary diagnosis for orthodontists.

Methods:

This study consisted of cephalometric images from patients aged between 5 and 18 years. After grouping them into six cervical stages (CSs) by orthodontists, a data set was constructed for analyzing CVM using CNNs. The data set was divided into training, validation, and test sets in the ratio of 70, 15, and 15%. Four CNN models namely, VGG16, GoogLeNet, DenseNet161, and ResNet152 were selected as the candidate models. After training and validation, the models were evaluated to determine which of them is most suitable for CVM analysis. Heat maps were analyzed for a deeper understanding of what the CNNs had learned.

Results:

The final classification accuracy ranking was ResNet152>DenseNet161>GoogLeNet>VGG16, as evaluated on the test set. ResNet152 proved to be the best model among the four models for CVM classification with a weighted κ of 0.826, an average AUC of 0.933 and total accuracy of 67.06%. The F1 score rank for each subgroup was: CS6>CS1>CS4>CS5>CS3>CS2. The area of the third (C3) and fourth (C4) cervical vertebrae were activated when CNNs were assessing the images.

Conclusion:

CNN models proved to be a convenient, fast and reliable method for CVM analysis. CNN models have the potential to provide automatic auxiliary diagnostic tools in the future.
Intelligent digital twins and the development and management of complex systems
Authors: Grieves Michael
Published: May 2022

The interest in defining and implementing Digital Twins (DT) is at the forefront of today’s product organizations. The evolution of increasingly complex systems requires that their information be organized and managed via digital twins.  In addition, the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will result in an increasing degree of system complexity. These complex systems will exhibit true emergent behavior as AIs modify system aspects as the result of goal seeking and learning. DTs will need to increase in capability, becoming intelligent in their approach. This article presents a discussion on how these Intelligent Digital Twins (IDTs) will evolve and assist in developing and managing complex systems.
Mental health care for young people using video games: a pilot RCT on the development of a new intervention method toward Hikikomori and Futōkō
Authors: Panto Francesco , Saito Tamaki , Morita Nobuaki , Ogai Yasukazu
Published: May 2022

Background: Young people in their teens and twenties don’t seek treatment immediately for mental health issues. This is due to the perceived stigma linked to mental health, pragmatic inconveniences to reach clinical settings, and the tediousness to seek help or engage with adults in traditional ways. Alternative approaches aside from drugs administration are needed.

Method: We conducted an internet-delivered pilot randomized controlled trial directed to Hikikomori and Futōkō experienced subjects. This study aimed to understand the difference in efficacy for an intervention using a fictional story vs factual scientific information (self-aid texts), as well as the feasibility of an internet delivered program .. Evaluation of emotional transportation and mental health related measures were administered at base line before the program and at one week after the completion of the program.

Results: 40 participants were enrolled. A post-intervention (T2) Independent T-student showed that Emotional Transportation was significantly lower for the intervention group than for the control group at T2. Relaxation was significantly higher for the intervention group than for the control group at T2. For the other outcome variables, the difference was not statistically significant.  An ANCOVA showed that there was a significant effect of groups on emotional transportation (lower in the intervention group). There was a significant effect of groups on empathy (lower in the intervention group); for the other variables the effects of groups were not detected.

Conclusions: The results showed a significant diminishment in emotional transportation and empathy for the interventional group contradicting the hypothesis that an enhancement of emotional transportation mediates the positive mental health effects. A marginal improvement in relaxation in the intervention group (T-test) was found. In the posthoc analysis, the positive effects on the relaxation of pre-intervention (habitual) high emotional status of participants were confirmed.

This trial is registered with UMIN, ID UMIN000044204.
Knowledge, uptake and patterns of contraception use among in-school adolescents in three South African townships: Baseline findings from the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) Trial
Authors: Pleaner Melanie , Kutywayo Alison , Beksinska Mags , Mabetha Khuthala , Naidoo Nicolette , Mullick Saiqa
Published: May 2022

Background: South African adolescents experience barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and uptake. This study provides insight into contraceptive and other SRH service knowledge, perceptions, and uptake among adolescents in high HIV prevalence settings.

Methods: A baseline cross sectional survey was conducted among 3432 grade 8’s enrolled into the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial from 26 public high schools across three South African townships (Soweto, Thembisa and Khayelitsha) (2017 - 2018). An interviewer-led survey collected information on SRH knowledge and perceptions; an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing technique gathered SRH service uptake. Descriptive analysis indicates frequency distribution of socio-demographics and knowledge, uptake and perceptions of SRH services. Chi-square test tested for associations between age and sex and selected variables that measure SRH knowledge and uptake.

Results: In total, 2383 learners, completed both survey components. Of these, 63.1% (n=1504) were female and 81.4% (n=1938) aged 12-14. Almost a fifth (18.3%, n=436) had ever had sex and less than 1% had accessed SRH services in the last year. Of the 157 females who had ever had sex, 50.9% had ever used contraception. Of those who had sex in the last three months, 59.0% reported using a contraceptive method. Condom use was inconsistent: almost all females said they had not used or could not remember if a condom was used at last sex.

Conclusion: This paper contributes to the evidence strengthening learner SRH education, including the national Integrated School Health Programme. Key themes include the need for age-appropriate, differentiated comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for the range of ages found in the same grade in South African schools. Education on different contraceptive methods, informed decision-making, and emergency contraception is key. School-based interventions should embrace integrated HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention messages. Closer links with health services need to be constantly fostered and reinforced.
Modelling charge profiles of electric vehicles based on charges data
Authors: Andrenacci Natascia , Karagulian Federico , Genovese Antonino
Published: May 2022

Background: The correct design of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures is of fundamental importance to maximize the benefits for users and infrastructure managers. In addition, the analysis and management of recharges can help evaluate integration with auxiliary systems, such as renewable energy resources and storage systems. EV charging data analysis can highlight informative behaviours and patterns for charging infrastructure planning and management.

Methods: We present the analysis of two datasets about the recorded energy and duration required to charge EVs in the cities of Barcelona (Spain) and Turku (Finland). In particular, we investigated hourly, daily and seasonal patterns in charge duration and energy delivered. Simulated scenarios for the power request at charging stations (CSs) were obtained using statistical parameters of the Barcelona dataset and non-parametric distributions of the arrivals. Monte Carlo simulations were used to test different scenarios of users’ influx at the CSs, and determine the optimal size of an integrated renewable energy system (RES).

Results: This study highlighted the difference between fast and slow charging users’ habits by analysing the occupancy at the charging stations. Aside from the charge duration, which was shorter for fast charges, distinct features emerged in the hourly distribution of the requests depending on whether slow or fast charges are considered. The distributions were different in the two analysed datasets. The investigation of CS power fluxes showed that results for the investment on a RES could substantially vary when considering synthetic input load profiles obtained with different approaches. The influence of incentives on the initial RES cost were investigated.

Conclusions: The novelty of this work lies in testing the impact of different approach to design synthetic profiles in the determination of the optimal size of a photovoltaic (PV) system installed at a charging infrastructure, using the economic criterion of the net present value (NPV).
The effectiveness of Polish active labour market policies
Authors: Wiśniewski Zenon
Published: May 2022

The task of active labour market policies evaluation consists of providing supporting empirical evidence about which policy types promise superior solutions. This paper aims to answer this question using a quasi-experimentally method. The causal effects of labour market programmes are examined using a propensity score matching method. The information concerning the unemployed come from the Public Employment Services database Syriusz. The empirical results show that the most effective impact on employment was induced by start-up incentives and intervention works. The positive employment effects were also generated by the supply–oriented instruments of the labour market policies, i.e., by vocational training courses and placements. Placements are becoming a more attractive instrument for employers than intervention works since placements provide employees who do not need to be paid for their work.
Staff shortages and inappropriate work conditions as a challenge geriatrics and contemporary healthcare service at large faces
Authors: Pruszyński Jacek , Cianciara Dorota , Pruszyńska Irena , Włodarczyk-Pruszyńska Inga
Published: May 2022

Deficit of human resources in health care is  a widespread problem occurring not only in Polish system. Demanding work, emotional stresses and insufficient support are often associated with the doctor's shift mode of work and an excess of duties combined with a shortage of time allocated to their performance. It can be assumed that most of the doctors intend to continue their work so far, but its negative features may in the future affect their decisions about choosing a different career path, especially if the shortage of medical personnel increases. This may further overburden doctors (especially young doctors) with excess working hours, reduce the quality of their activities, increase the chances of committing an unintended medical error related to exhaustion, and lead to functional burnout. This situation may lead to a renewed intensification of economic emigration to other countries, both in the EU and outside the EU, which create more favourable working conditions for working life. The scale of the problem is  exacerbated by the increasing health needs of the aging population, causing an increasing burden on the health care sector, both in the near and distant future. This can create a vicious cycle where increasing burdens will drain physicians out of public health system, and increase the burden put on remaining physicians. The resulting restriction of access to medical services will lead to the deterioration of the health condition of the Polish population. In order to prevent such a situation, it would be necessary to increase the motivation to remain both in the medical profession and at work in Poland through actions aimed at improving working conditions and strengthening the sense of occupational safety of doctors. These activities should be especially aimed at group of medics starting their professional lives.
Environmental dimorphism of the frequency of significant correlations of the torso features with the feet features among 7-13-year-old youth
Authors: Mrozkowiak Mirosław
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Studies on the correlation of selected torso and feet features among 7-13-year-old children and adolescents have shown that the most frequent and strongest correlations with feet features occur among girls at the age of 11 and 12 years and among boys at 11, 12 and 13 years old.

Material and method. The research was carried out in the group of adolescents aged 7 to 13 and registered 16,462 observations, including 5,552 from the urban area and 10,910 from rural environment, together with 87 features describing torso and feet. The work stand for measuring selected features using the photogrammetric method consists of a computer and a card, programme, monitor, printer and a projection-receiving device with a camera.

Conclusions

The frequency of significant correlations of torso features with feet features that differentiate the rural environment from urban is greater, however, the urban area presents more frequent relationship with feet features at a different level.

Features of the frontal and transversal plane tell the rural environment apart, whereas the urban environment is only differentiated by the frontal plane.

The frequency of significant relationships of the feet features, which torso features correlate with and differentiate between the rural and urban environment is greater. Therefore, these are the morphological features that characterize the longitudinal arch of the feet. The features that differentiate the urban environment are those describing only the longitudinal arche.
Insulin resistance – the basics every medical specialist should know
Authors: Gołacki Jakub , Matuszek Małgorzata , Jarosz Piotr
Published: May 2022

Introduction and purpose: Insulin resistance (IR) is a health problem as it can accompany obesity and lead to serious metabolic complications. In recent years, it has been "overdiagnosed" in clinical practice due to the lack of specific diagnostic criteria. The article summarizes the current knowledge in the field of pathophysiology, clinical picture and diagnostics.

State of knowledge: Obesity remains the leading cause of IR, especially in the 21st century. In a positive energy balance, the adipocyte overloaded with fat protects itself against further influx of glucose and fats and becomes insulin insensitive. A component of IR development is subclinical inflammation of macrophage-rich adipose tissue which is exacerbated by an adipocytokine imbalance, which in turn generates IR. The markers of cellular resistance to insulin are free fatty acids in the bloodstream which are responsible for the lipotoxicity in hepatocytes and myocytes. Compensatory fasting hyperinsulinemia, which is currently considered the most sensitive diagnostic criterion, provides evidence of IR. An effective method of sensitizing cells to insulin is lifestyle modification, including a low-energy diet with regular physical activity in the form of aerobic-resistance exercise. Literature recommends no pharmacological treatment of IR alone, without obesity or other concomitant diseases.

Conclusions: IR is not a separate disease, but only a pathological expression of cells' adaptation to excess of consumed energy. However, in its systemic form, when the protective mechanisms become ineffective, it induces metabolic disturbances. Only the causal treatment of IR guarantees therapeutic success.
Standards of conduct in residential long-term nursing care in view of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic
Authors: Widłak Karolina , Pawłowski Piotr , Kościołek Aneta , Jakubowska Klaudia , Adamska-Kuźmicka Iwona , Ziętera Karolina , Orzechowska Aleksandra , Pawlina Mateusz
Published: May 2022

Introduction: SARS - CoV - 2 virus, which causes COVID - 19 disease, is transmitted mainly by droplets. The symptoms of infection are: fever, wet cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache, pain in muscles and bones, general malaise accompanied by exhaustion. Anosomy (loss of smell) and dysgeusia are also common, as well as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is based on molecular tests involving the detection of fragments of the viral genome in real time PCR (real time polymerase reaction) in nasopharyngeal swabs, less often throat swabs.

Objective of the work: The aim of the study is to summarize the guidelines for long-term nursing care for a patient infected with SARS - CoV - 2 in the patient's home environment.

Material and methods: The work was based on the method of non-systematic review of scientific literature. The following databases were searched: PubMed, EBESCO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, according to keywords in Polish and English: SARS - CoV - 2, long-term care, nursing, recommendations. The annual limits 2019 - 2020 were assumed as the search period.

Results and conclusions:The SARS-CoV-2 virus appears in residential long-term care facilities primarily through its transmission from the external environment by the entity's employees. Proper management of long-term care facilities is the basis for reducing COVID - 19 transmission, and thus the number of confirmed cases. The knowledge about the recommendations and recommendations of authorized bodies regarding the proceedings limiting the transmission of the virus should be regularly updated.
Difficulties in Listening of English-Majored Sophomores at Tay Do University in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Nga H. T. , Luu Nghi T.T.
Published: May 2022

Listening skill plays an important role in studying a foreign language, especially English. However, students face a lot of difficulties in English listening. The research was carried out to find the problems that the sophomores encounter in English listening. The participants of this research were seventy-five English majored sophomores of English classes, course 14 at Tay Do University. Questionnaire and paper interview were delivered to collect problems. This was a quantitative and qualitative research. The results of the study showed that vocabulary, pronunciation, background knowledge and psychological factors were the major listening comprehension difficulties. Basing on these difficulties, English learners can find out suitable learning ways to improve their listening skill. The results of this study may also be useful for those who are interested in this field.
Banach spaces of GLT sequences and function spaces
Authors: V. B. Kiran Kumar  , Rahul Rajan  , N. S. Sarathkumar
Published: May 2022

Generalized locally Toeplitz (GLT) sequences of matrices originated from the spectral study of certain partial differential equations. To be more precise, such matrix sequences arise when we numerically approximate either partial differential equations or fractional differential equations using any discretization by local methods (finite differences, finite elements, finite volumes, isogeometric analysis, etc.). The study of the asymptotic spectral behavior of GLT sequences is important in analyzing the solution of the corresponding partial differential equations and in finding fast and efficient methods for the corresponding large linear systems. Approximating classes of sequences (a.c.s.) and spectral symbols are important notions connected to GLT sequences. Recently, G. Barbarino obtained some results regarding the theoretical aspects of such notions. He obtained the completeness of the space of matrix sequences with respect to pseudometric a.c.s. Also, he identified the space of GLT sequences with the space of measurable functions. In this article, we follow the same research line and obtain various connections between the subalgebras of matrix-sequence spaces and the subalgebras of function spaces. In some cases, these are identifications as Banach spaces and some of them are Banach algebra identifications. We also prove that the convergence notions in the sense of eigenvalue/singular value clustering are equivalent to the convergence with respect to the metrics introduced here. These convergence notions are related to the study of preconditioners in the case of matrix/operator sequences. As an application of our main results, we establish a Korovkin-type result in the setting of GLT sequences.
2022 Conferences Suitable for AHP/ANP Decision-Making Submissions
Authors: Mu Enrique
Published: May 2022

There are two upcoming conferences with either tracks or sessions where you can submit decision-making papers. These upcoming conferences are:

The 33rd Central European Conference on Information and Intelligent Systems CECIIS 2022 that will take place from September 21st to 23rd in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The 21st international conference on Economy, Finance and Management, in its first Polish-Peruvian edition and entitled “New challenges in economic policy, business, and management,” will take place on October 23- 25 in Wieliczka, Poland.
Large local variations in the use of health services in rural southern Ethiopia: An ecological study
Authors: Areru Hiwot Abera , Dangisso Mesay Hailu , Lindtjørn Bernt
Published: May 2022

Ethiopia is behind schedule in assuring accessible, equitable and quality health services. Understanding the geographical variability of the health services and adjusting small-area level factors can help the decision-makers to prioritize interventions and allocate scarce resources. There is lack of information on the degree of variation of health service utilisation at micro-geographic area scale using robust statistical tools in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the health service utilisation and identify factors that account for the variation in health service utilisation at kebele (the smallest administrative unit) level in the Dale and Wonsho districts of the Sidama region. An exploratory ecological study design was employed on the secondary patient data collected from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 from 65 primary health care units of the fifty-four kebeles in Dale and Wonsho districts, in the Sidama region. ArcGIS software was used to visualise the distribution of health service utilisation. SaTScan analysis was performed to explore the unadjusted and covariate-adjusted spatial distribution of health service utilisation. Linear regression was applied to adjust the explanatory variables and control for confounding. A total of 67,678 patients in 54 kebeles were considered for spatial analysis. The distribution of the health service utilisation varied across the kebeles with a mean of 0.17 visits per person per year (Range: 0.01–1.19). Five kebeles with health centres had a higher utilisation rate than other rural kebeles without health centres. More than half (57.4%) of the kebeles were within a 10 km distance from health centres. The study found that distance to the health centre was associated with the low health care utilisation. Improving the accessibility of health services by upgrading the primary health care units could increase the service use.
Yaws elimination in Ecuador: Findings of a serological survey of children in Esmeraldas province to evaluate interruption of transmission
Authors: Cooper Philip J. , Anselmi Mariella , Caicedo Cintia , Lopez Andrea , Vicuña Yosselin , Cagua Ordoñez Jaen , Rivera Bonilla Julio , Rodriguez Alejandro , Soto Aida , Guevara Angel
Published: May 2022

Background

The WHO roadmap for neglected tropical diseases includes yaws eradication requiring certification of elimination of transmission in all endemic and formerly endemic countries worldwide. A community-based programme for yaws control was considered to have achieved elimination of the infection in the endemic focus in Ecuador after 1993. We did a serosurvey of children in this focus to provide evidence for interruption of transmission.

Methods

Survey of serum samples collected from children aged 2 to 15 years living in the formerly endemic and in geographically contiguous areas. A convenience sample of sera collected between 2005 were 2017 from non-yaws studies, were analyzed using immunochromatic rapid tests to screen (OnSite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test) for Treponema pallidum-specific antibodies and confirm (DPP Syphilis Screen and Confirm) seroreactivity based on the presence antibodies to treponemal and non-treponemal antigens.

Results

Seroreactivity was confirmed in 6 (0.14%, 95% CI 0.06–0.30) of 4,432 sera analyzed and was similar in formerly endemic (0.11%, (95% CI 0.01–0.75) and non-endemic (0.14%, 95% CI 0.06–0.34) communities. All seroreactors were of Afro-Ecuadorian ethnicity and most were male (4/6) and aged 10 or more years (5/6), the latter possibly indicating venereal syphilis. Only 1 seroreactor lived in a community in the Rio Santiago, that was formerly hyperendemic for yaws.

Conclusion

We observed very low levels of treponemal transmission in both formerly endemic and non-endemic communities which might be indicative of congenital or venereal syphilis and, if yaws, would likely be insufficient to maintain transmission of this endemic childhood infection. Additional surveys of children aged 1 to 5 years are planned in Rio Santiago communities to exclude yaws transmission.
One-year in: COVID-19 research at the international level in CORD-19 data
Authors: Wagner Caroline S. , Cai Xiaojing , Zhang Yi , Fry Caroline V.
Published: May 2022

The appearance of a novel coronavirus in late 2019 radically changed the community of researchers working on coronaviruses since the 2002 SARS epidemic. In 2020, coronavirus-related publications grew by 20 times over the previous two years, with 130,000 more researchers publishing on related topics. The United States, the United Kingdom and China led dozens of nations working on coronavirus prior to the pandemic, but leadership consolidated among these three nations in 2020, which collectively accounted for 50% of all papers, garnering well more than 60% of citations. China took an early lead on COVID-19 research, but dropped rapidly in production and international participation through the year. Europe showed an opposite pattern, beginning slowly in publications but growing in contributions during the year. The share of internationally collaborative publications dropped from pre-pandemic rates; single-authored publications grew. For all nations, including China, the number of publications about COVID track closely with the outbreak of COVID-19 cases. Lower-income nations participate very little in COVID-19 research in 2020. Topic maps of internationally collaborative work show the rise of patient care and public health clusters—two topics that were largely absent from coronavirus research in the two years prior to 2020. Findings are consistent with global science as a self-organizing system operating on a reputation-based dynamic.
Thiamin stimulates growth, yield quality and key biochemical processes of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. Botrytis) under arid conditions
Authors: Jabeen Munifa , Akram Nudrat Aisha , Ashraf Muhammad , Tyagi Anshika , El-Sheikh Mohamed A. , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: May 2022

Thiamin is a crucial vitamin with a vast variety of anti-oxidative and physiological roles in plants subjected to abiotic stresses. We examined the efficiency of foliar-applied thiamin (50 and 100 mM) on growth, yield quality and key-biochemical characteristics of two cultivars (FD1 and FD3) of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) under water-deficit stress. Water stress at the rate of 50% field capacity (F.C.) markedly decreased the plant biomass, leaf total phenolics and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents. In contrast, drought-induced increase was noted in the leaf [hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), AsA, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), glycinebetaine (GB), total soluble proteins and oxidative defense system in terms of high activities of peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes] and the inflorescence (total phenolics, proline, GB, MDA, H2O2, and activities of SOD and CAT enzymes) characteristics of cauliflower. However, foliar-applied thiamin significantly improved growth and physio-biochemical attributes except leaf and inflorescence MDA and H2O2 contents of both cauliflower cultivars under water stress. Overall, application of thiamin enhanced the plant growth may be associated with suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated antioxidants defense system of cauliflower.
A multicentre study on spontaneous in-cage activity and micro-environmental conditions of IVC housed C57BL/6J mice during consecutive cycles of bi-weekly cage-change
Authors: Ulfhake B. , Lerat H. , Honetschlager J. , Pernold K. , Rynekrová M. , Escot K. , Recordati C. , Kuiper R. V. , Rosati G. , Rigamonti M. , Zordan S. , Prins J.-B.
Published: May 2022

Mice respond to a cage change (CC) with altered activity, disrupted sleep and increased anxiety. A bi-weekly cage change is, therefore, preferred over a shorter CC interval and is currently the prevailing routine for Individually ventilated cages (IVCs). However, the build-up of ammonia (NH3) during this period is a potential threat to the animal health and the literature holds conflicting reports leaving this issue unresolved. We have therefor examined longitudinally in-cage activity, animal health and the build-up of ammonia across the cage floor with female and male C57BL/6 mice housed four per IVC changed every other week. We used a multicentre design with a standardised husbandry enabling us to tease-out features that replicated across sites from those that were site-specific. CC induce a marked increase in activity, especially during daytime (~50%) when the animals rest. A reduction in density from four to two mice did not alter this response. This burst was followed by a gradual decrease till the next cage change. Female but not male mice preferred to have the latrine in the front of the cage. Male mice allocate more of the activity to the latrine free part of the cage floor already the day after a CC. A behaviour that progressed through the CC cycle but was not impacted by the type of bedding used. Reducing housing density to two mice abolished this behaviour. Female mice used the entire cage floor the first week while during the second week activity in the latrine area decreased. Measurement of NH3 ppm across the cage floor revealed x3 higher values for the latrine area compared with the opposite area. NH3 ppm increases from 0–1 ppm to reach ≤25 ppm in the latrine free area and 50–100 ppm in the latrine area at the end of a cycle. As expected in-cage bacterial load covaried with in-cage NH3 ppm. Histopathological analysis revealed no changes to the upper airways covarying with recorded NH3 ppm or bacterial load. We conclude that housing of four (or equivalent biomass) C57BL/6J mice for 10 weeks under the described conditions does not cause any overt discomfort to the animals.
Genome-wide and phenome-wide analysis of ideal cardiovascular health in the VA Million Veteran Program
Authors: Huang Rose D. L. , Nguyen Xuan-Mai T. , Peloso Gina M. , Trinder Mark , Posner Daniel C. , Aragam Krishna G. , Ho Yuk-Lam , Lynch Julie A. , Damrauer Scott M. , Chang Kyong-Mi , Tsao Philip S. , Natarajan Pradeep , Assimes Themistocles , Gaziano J. Michael , Djousse Luc , Cho Kelly , Wilson Peter W. F. , Huffman Jennifer E. , O’Donnell Christopher J. ,   on behalf of the Veterans Affairs’ Million Veteran Program
Published: May 2022

Background

Genetic studies may help identify causal pathways; therefore, we sought to identify genetic determinants of ideal CVH and their association with CVD outcomes in the multi-population Veteran Administration Million Veteran Program.

Methods

An ideal health score (IHS) was calculated from 3 clinical factors (blood pressure, total cholesterol, and blood glucose levels) and 3 behavioral factors (smoking status, physical activity, and BMI), ascertained at baseline. Multi-population genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on IHS and binary ideal health using linear and logistic regression, respectively. Using the genome-wide significant SNPs from the IHS GWAS, we created a weighted IHS polygenic risk score (PRSIHS) which was used (i) to conduct a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) of associations between PRSIHS and ICD-9 phenotypes and (ii) to further test for associations with mortality and selected CVD outcomes using logistic and Cox regression and, as an instrumental variable, in Mendelian Randomization.

Results

The discovery and replication cohorts consisted of 142,404 (119,129 European American (EUR); 16,495 African American (AFR)), and 45,766 (37,646 EUR; 5,366 AFR) participants, respectively. The mean age was 65.8 years (SD = 11.2) and 92.7% were male. Overall, 4.2% exhibited ideal CVH based on the clinical and behavioral factors. In the multi-population meta-analysis, variants at 17 loci were associated with IHS and each had known GWAS associations with multiple components of the IHS. PheWAS analysis in 456,026 participants showed that increased PRSIHS was associated with a lower odds ratio for many CVD outcomes and risk factors. Both IHS and PRSIHS measures of ideal CVH were associated with significantly less CVD outcomes and CVD mortality.

Conclusion

A set of high interest genetic variants contribute to the presence of ideal CVH in a multi-ethnic cohort of US Veterans. Genetically influenced ideal CVH is associated with lower odds of CVD outcomes and mortality.
CMV seropositivity is a potential novel risk factor for severe COVID-19 in non-geriatric patients
Authors: Weber Simone , Kehl Victoria , Erber Johanna , Wagner Karolin I. , Jetzlsperger Ana-Marija , Burrell Teresa , Schober Kilian , Schommers Philipp , Augustin Max , Crowell Claudia S. , Gerhard Markus , Winter Christof , Moosmann Andreas , Spinner Christoph D. , Protzer Ulrike , Hoffmann Dieter , D’Ippolito Elvira , Busch Dirk H.
Published: May 2022

Background

COVID-19 has so far affected more than 250 million individuals worldwide, causing more than 5 million deaths. Several risk factors for severe disease have been identified, most of which coincide with advanced age. In younger individuals, severe COVID-19 often occurs in the absence of obvious comorbidities. Guided by the finding of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells with some cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 in a COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patient, we decided to investigate whether CMV seropositivity is associated with severe or critical COVID-19.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) serostatus was investigated as control.

Methods

National German COVID-19 bio-sample and data banks were used to retrospectively analyze the CMV and HSV serostatus of patients who experienced mild (n = 101), moderate (n = 130) or severe to critical (n = 80) disease by IgG serology. We then investigated the relationship between disease severity and herpesvirus serostatus via statistical models.

Results

Non-geriatric patients (< 60 years) with severe COVID-19 were found to have a very high prevalence of CMV-seropositivity, while CMV status distribution in individuals with mild disease was similar to the prevalence in the German population; interestingly, this was not detectable in older patients. Prediction models support the hypothesis that the CMV serostatus, unlike HSV, might be a strong biomarker in identifying younger individuals with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, in particular in absence of other co-morbidities.

Conclusions

We identified ‘CMV-seropositivity’ as a potential novel risk factor for severe COVID-19 in non-geriatric individuals in the studied cohorts. More mechanistic analyses as well as confirmation of similar findings in cohorts representing the currently most relevant SARS-CoV-2 variants should be performed shortly.
Unveiling the Mycodrosophila projectans (Diptera, Drosophilidae) species complex: Insights into the evolution of three Neotropical cryptic and syntopic species
Authors: Machado Stela , Hartwig Bessa Maiara , Nornberg Bruna , Silva Gottschalk Marco , Robe Lizandra Jaqueline
Published: May 2022

TheZygothricagenus group has been shown to be speciose, with a high number of cryptic species. DNA barcoding approaches have been a valuable tool to uncover cryptic diversity in this lineage, as recently suggested for the NeotropicalMycodrosophila projectanscomplex, which seems to comprise at least three different species. The aim of this study was to confirm the subdivision of theM.projectanscomplex while shedding some light on the patterns and processes related to its diversification. In this sense, the use of single and multi-locus datasets under phylogenetic, distance, coalescence, and diagnostic nucleotide approaches confirmed the presence of at least three species under the general morphotype previously described asM.projectans. Only a few subtle morphological differences were found for the three species in terms of aedeagus morphology and abdominal color patterns. Ecologically, sympatry and syntopy seem to be recurrent for these three cryptic species, which present widely overlapping niches, implying niche conservatism. This morphological and ecological similarity has persisted though cladogenesis within the complex, which dates back to the Miocene, providing an interesting example of morphological conservation despite ancient divergence. These results, in addition to contrasting patterns of past demographic fluctuations, allowed us to hypothesize patterns of allopatric or parapatric diversification with secondary contact in Southern Brazil. Nevertheless, genetic diversity was generally high within species, suggesting that migration may encompass an adaptive response to the restrictions imposed by the ephemerality of resources.
Outcomes of patients with malignant duodenal obstruction after receiving self-expandable metallic stents: A single center experience
Authors: Wei Tien-Hsin , Ye Bing-Wei , Wu Pei-Shan , Li Chung-Pin , Chao Yee , Lee Pei-Chang , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Lee Kuei-Chuan , Hou Ming-Chih
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is a safe and effective palliative treatment for malignant gastric outlet obstruction; however, the clinical outcomes of gastric and duodenal stenoses may differ. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of SEMS placement and the predictors of clinical outcomes, specifically in malignant duodenal obstruction (MDO).

Methods

Between September 2009 and March 2021, 79 patients with MDO who received SEMS placement in our hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups according to the obstruction levels: above-papilla group (type 1), papilla involved group (type 2), and below-papilla group (type 3). The clinical outcomes and predictors of survival and restenosis were analyzed.

Results

The technical and clinical success rates were 97.5% and 80.5%, respectively. Among patients who had successful stent placement, stent restenosis occurred in 17 patients (22.1%). The overall median stent patency time was 103 days. The overall median survival time after stent placement was 116 days. There was no difference in the stent patency, or stent dysfunction and procedure-related adverse events among the three groups. A longer length of duodenal stenosis ≥ 4 cm was associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–3.49, p = 0.032) and post-stent chemotherapy was associated with lower mortality (HR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.17–0.63, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

SEMS is a safe and effective treatment for MDO. Chemotherapy after SEMS implantation improve the survival for these patients and a longer length of stenosis predicts higher mortality.
Computational design of Lactobacillus Acidophilus α-L-rhamnosidase to increase its structural stability
Authors: Sitthiyotha Thassanai , Klaewkla Methus , Krusong Kuakarun , Pichyangkura Rath , Chunsrivirot Surasak
Published: May 2022

α-L-rhamnosidase catalyzes hydrolysis of the terminal α-L-rhamnose from various natural rhamnoglycosides, including naringin and hesperidin, and has various applications such as debittering of citrus juices in the food industry and flavonoid derhamnosylation in the pharmaceutical industry. However, its activity is lost at high temperatures, limiting its usage. To improve Lactobacillus acidophilus α-L-rhamnosidase stability, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) to identify a highly flexible region, as evaluated by its root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) value, and computational protein design (Rosetta) to increase rigidity and favorable interactions of residues in highly flexible regions. MD results show that five regions have the highest flexibilities and were selected for design by Rosetta. Twenty-one designed mutants with the best ΔΔG at each position and ΔΔG < 0 REU were simulated at high temperature. Eight designed mutants with ΔRMSF of highly flexible regions lower than -10.0% were further simulated at the optimum temperature of the wild type. N88Q, N202V, G207D, Q209M, N211T and Y213K mutants were predicted to be more stable and could maintain their native structures better than the wild type due to increased hydrogen bond interactions of designed residues and their neighboring residues. These designed mutants are promising enzymes with high potential for stability improvement.