bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interplay between mobility, multi-seeding and lockdowns shapes COVID-19 local impact
Authors: Mazzoli Mattia , Pepe Emanuele , Mateo David , Cattuto Ciro , Gauvin Laetitia , Bajardi Paolo , Tizzoni Michele , Hernando Alberto , Meloni Sandro , Ramasco José J.
Published: October 2021

Assessing the impact of mobility on epidemic spreading is of crucial importance for understanding the effect of policies like mass quarantines and selective re-openings. While many factors affect disease incidence at a local level, making it more or less homogeneous with respect to other areas, the importance of multi-seeding has often been overlooked. Multi-seeding occurs when several independent (non-clustered) infected individuals arrive at a susceptible population. This can lead to independent outbreaks that spark from distinct areas of the local contact (social) network. Such mechanism has the potential to boost incidence, making control efforts and contact tracing less effective. Here, through a modeling approach we show that the effect produced by the number of initial infections is non-linear on the incidence peak and peak time. When case importations are carried by mobility from an already infected area, this effect is further enhanced by the local demography and underlying mixing patterns: the impact of every seed is larger in smaller populations. Finally, both in the model simulations and the analysis, we show that a multi-seeding effect combined with mobility restrictions can explain the observed spatial heterogeneities in the first wave of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in five European countries. Our results allow us for identifying what we have called epidemic epicenter: an area that shapes incidence and mortality peaks in the entire country. The present work further clarifies the nonlinear effects that mobility can have on the evolution of an epidemic and highlight their relevance for epidemic control.
Genetic diversity of Salmonella Paratyphi A isolated from enteric fever patients in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2018
Authors: Rahman Sadia Isfat Ara , Nguyen To Nguyen Thi , Khanam Farhana , Thomson Nicholas R. , Dyson Zoe A. , Taylor-Brown Alyce , Chowdhury Emran Kabir , Dougan Gordon , Baker Stephen , Qadri Firdausi
Published: October 2021

Background

The proportion of enteric fever cases caused by Salmonella Paratyphi A is increasing and may increase further as we begin to introduce typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs). While numerous epidemiological and genomic studies have been conducted for S. Typhi, there are limited data describing the genomic epidemiology of S. Paratyphi A in especially in endemic settings, such as Bangladesh.

Principal findings

We conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 67 S. Paratyphi A isolated between 2008 and 2018 from eight enteric disease surveillance sites across Bangladesh. We performed a detailed phylogenetic analysis of these sequence data incorporating sequences from 242 previously sequenced S. Paratyphi A isolates from a global collection and provided evidence of lineage migration from neighboring countries in South Asia. The data revealed that the majority of the Bangladeshi S. Paratyphi A isolates belonged to the dominant global lineage A (67.2%), while the remainder were either lineage C (19.4%) or F (13.4%). The population structure was relatively homogenous across the country as we did not find any significant lineage distributions between study sites inside or outside Dhaka. Our genomic data showed presence of single point mutations in gyrA gene either at codon 83 or 87 associated with decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility in all Bangladeshi S. Paratyphi A isolates. Notably, we identified the pHCM2- like cryptic plasmid which was highly similar to S. Typhi plasmids circulating in Bangladesh and has not been previously identified in S. Paratyphi A organisms.

Significance

This study demonstrates the utility of WGS to monitor the ongoing evolution of this emerging enteric pathogen. Novel insights into the genetic structure of S. Paratyphi A will aid the understanding of both regional and global circulation patterns of this emerging pathogen and provide a framework for future genomic surveillance studies.
Composition and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids among the different varieties, development stages, and tissues of Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)
Authors: Xue Xiaofang , Zhao Ailing , Wang Yongkang , Ren Haiyan , Du Junjie , Li Dengke , Li Yi
Published: October 2021

The composition and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids among the different varieties, development stages, and tissues of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) were systematically examined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography to provide a reference for the evaluation and selection of high-value resources. Five key results were identified: (1) Overall, 13 different phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected from among the 20 excellent jujube varieties tested, of which 12 were from the fruits, 11 from the leaves, and 10 from the stems. Seven phenolic acids and flavonoids, including (+)-catechin, rutin, quercetin, luteolin, spinosin, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid, were detected in all tissues. (2) The total and individual phenolic acids and flavonoids contents significantly decreased during fruit development in Ziziphus jujuba cv.Hupingzao. (3) The total phenolic acids and flavonoids content was the highest in the leaves of Ziziphus jujuba cv.Hupingzao, followed by the stems and fruits with significant differences among the content of these tissues. The main composition of the tissues also differed, with quercetin and rutin present in the leaves; (+)-catechin and rutin in the stems; and (+)-catechin, epicatechin, and rutin in the fruits. (4) The total content of phenolic acid and flavonoid ranged from 359.38 to 1041.33 μg/g FW across all examined varieties, with Ziziphus jujuba cv.Jishanbanzao having the highest content, and (+)-catechin as the main composition in all 20 varieties, followed by epicatechin, rutin, and quercetin. (5) Principal component analysis showed that (+)-catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and rutin contributed to the first two principal components for each variety. Together, these findings will assist with varietal selection when developing phenolic acids and f lavonoids functional products.
To strike or not to strike? an investigation of the determinants of strike participation at the Fridays for Future climate strikes in Switzerland
Authors: Cologna Viktoria , Hoogendoorn Gea , Brick Cameron
Published: October 2021

The Fridays for Future strikes involve students striking for increased action on climate change, and this movement has spread to 185 countries and received widespread media attention. This exploratory study investigates motives for participating or not in the climate strikes and future participation among students in Switzerland. In a sample ofN= 638 university students, we found that trust in climate scientists, low trust in governments, response efficacy, protest enjoyment and the perceived success of the strikes predicted participation. Contrary to statements in the public media but consistent with the literature, students who participated in the climate strikes reported consuming less meat, flying less and taking more steps to compensate the CO2emissions from flights compared to students who did not participate. We discuss how the insights from this study help reveal the determinants of youth collective action on climate change.
Stochastic parametric skeletal dosimetry model for humans: General approach and application to active marrow exposure from bone-seeking beta-particle emitters
Authors: Degteva Marina O. , Tolstykh Evgenia I. , Shishkina Elena A. , Sharagin Pavel A. , Zalyapin Vladimir I. , Volchkova Alexandra Yu. , Smith Michael A. , Napier Bruce A.
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study is to develop a skeleton model for assessing active marrow dose from bone-seeking beta-emitting radionuclides. This article explains the modeling methodology which accounts for individual variability of the macro- and microstructure of bone tissue. Bone sites with active hematopoiesis are assessed by dividing them into small segments described by simple geometric shapes. Spongiosa, which fills the segments, is modeled as an isotropic three-dimensional grid (framework) of rod-like trabeculae that “run through” the bone marrow. Randomized multiple framework deformations are simulated by changing the positions of the grid nodes and the thickness of the rods. Model grid parameters are selected in accordance with the parameters of spongiosa microstructures taken from the published papers. Stochastic modeling of radiation transport in heterogeneous media simulating the distribution of bone tissue and marrow in each of the segments is performed by Monte Carlo methods. Model output for the human femur at different ages is provided as an example. The uncertainty of dosimetric characteristics associated with individual variability of bone structure was evaluated. An advantage of this methodology for the calculation of doses absorbed in the marrow from bone-seeking radionuclides is that it does not require additional studies of autopsy material. The biokinetic model results will be used in the future to calculate individual doses to members of a cohort exposed to 89,90Sr from liquid radioactive waste discharged to the Techa River by the Mayak Production Association in 1949–1956. Further study of these unique cohorts provides an opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge about the effects of chronic radiation on the hematopoietic system. In addition, the proposed model can be used to assess the doses to active marrow under any other scenarios of 90Sr and 89Sr intake to humans.
Prediction of viral symptoms using wearable technology and artificial intelligence: A pilot study in healthcare workers
Authors: D’Haese Pierre-François , Finomore Victor , Lesnik Dmitry , Kornhauser Laura , Schaefer Tobias , Konrad Peter E. , Hodder Sally , Marsh Clay , Rezai Ali R.
Published: October 2021

Conventional testing and diagnostic methods for infections like SARS-CoV-2 have limitations for population health management and public policy. We hypothesize that daily changes in autonomic activity, measured through off-the-shelf technologies together with app-based cognitive assessments, may be used to forecast the onset of symptoms consistent with a viral illness. We describe our strategy using an AI model that can predict, with 82% accuracy (negative predictive value 97%, specificity 83%, sensitivity 79%, precision 34%), the likelihood of developing symptoms consistent with a viral infection three days before symptom onset. The model correctly predicts, almost all of the time (97%), individuals who will not develop viral-like illness symptoms in the next three days. Conversely, the model correctly predicts as positive 34% of the time, individuals who will develop viral-like illness symptoms in the next three days. This model uses a conservative framework, warning potentially pre-symptomatic individuals to socially isolate while minimizing warnings to individuals with a low likelihood of developing viral-like symptoms in the next three days. To our knowledge, this is the first study using wearables and apps with machine learning to predict the occurrence of viral illness-like symptoms. The demonstrated approach to forecasting the onset of viral illness-like symptoms offers a novel, digital decision-making tool for public health safety by potentially limiting viral transmission.
Risk factors and prognosis in very low birth weight infants treated for hypotension during the first postnatal week from the Korean Neonatal Network
Authors: Song Young Hwa , Lee Jin A. , Choi Byung Min , Lim Jae Woo
Published: October 2021

Hypotension in the early stages of life appears in 20% of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The gestational age and birth weight are the risk factors highly related to the postnatal hypotension. Other risk factors slightly differ between different studies. So, we evaluated the risk factors and prognosis that are associated with infants treated with hypotension in the early stages of life, after excluding the influences of gestational age and small for gestational age (SGA). VLBW infants registered in the Korean Neonatal Network between 2013 and 2015 treated for hypotension within a week after their birth were selected as study subjects. The rest were used as a control group. Risk factors and the prevalence of severe complications, including mortality, were investigated and compared after matching for gestational age and SGA. The treatment rate for hypotension within the first postnatal week was inversely related to decreasing gestational ages and birth weights. In particular, 63.4% of preterm infants born at ≤ 24 weeks’ gestation and 66.9% of those with a birth weight < 500 g were treated for hypotension within a week of birth. Regression analysis after matching showed that 1-minute Apgar score, neonatal cardiac massage or epinephrine administration, symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus, early onset sepsis, and chorioamnionitis were significantly associated with hypotension. In the hypotension group, mortality, grade 3 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia rates were significantly higher after the matching for gestational age and SGA. Hypotension during the first postnatal week is very closely related to the prematurity and the condition of the infant shortly after birth. Regular prenatal care including careful monitoring and appropriate neonatal resuscitation are very crucial to decrease the risk of hypotension in the early stages of life.
Predicting drug targets by homology modelling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteins of unknown function
Authors: Babic Nikolina , Kovacic Filip
Published: October 2021

The efficacy of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections declines rapidly due to antibiotic resistance. This problem has stimulated the development of novel antibiotics, but most attempts have failed. Consequently, the idea of mining uncharacterized genes of pathogens to identify potential targets for entirely new classes of antibiotics was proposed. Without knowing the biochemical function of a protein, it is difficult to validate its potential for drug targeting; therefore, the functional characterization of bacterial proteins of unknown function must be accelerated. Here, we present a paradigm for comprehensively predicting the biochemical functions of a large set of proteins encoded by hypothetical genes in human pathogens to identify candidate drug targets. A high-throughput approach based on homology modelling with ten templates per target protein was applied to the set of 2103P.aeruginosaproteins encoded by hypothetical genes. The >21000 homology modelling results obtained and available biological and biochemical information about several thousand templates were scrutinized to predict the function of reliably modelled proteins of unknown function. This approach resulted in assigning one or often multiple putative functions to hundreds of enzymes, ligand-binding proteins and transporters. New biochemical functions were predicted for 41 proteins whose essential or virulence-related roles inP.aeruginosawere already experimentally demonstrated. Eleven of them were shortlisted as promising drug targets that participate in essential pathways (maintaining genome and cell wall integrity), virulence-related processes (adhesion, cell motility, host recognition) or antibiotic resistance, which are general drug targets. These proteins are conserved in other WHO priority pathogens but not in humans; therefore, they represent high-potential targets for preclinical studies. These and many more biochemical functions assigned to uncharacterized proteins ofP.aeruginosa, made available as PaPUF database, may guide the design of experimental screening of inhibitors, which is a crucial step towards the validation of the highest-potential targets for the development of novel drugs againstP.aeruginosaand other high-priority pathogens.
Mediating effects of nurses ‘personal and organizational values between organizational commitment and turnover: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Wei Wentong , Gan Mengxin , Liu Yanhui , Yang Mengyu , Liu Jingying
Published: October 2021

Background

The values of individuals and organizations are the core factors driving and guiding nurses’ decision-making and actions. Previous studies mainly focused on the impact of organizational commitment and other influencing factors on turnover intention.

Aim

To explore the mediating effect of personal and organizational values matching the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover intention of nursing staff.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 490 subjects in four tertiary hospitals in Tianjin was conducted by convenient sampling. Multivariate regression analysis and structural equation models were used to test each hypothesis.

Results

The results showed that there is a negative correlation between personal and organizational values, organizational commitment and turnover intention, and personal and organizational values played an indirect intermediary role between organizational commitment and turnover intention.

Conclusions

Organizational commitment reduces nurses’ turnover intention indirect through personal and organizational values paths. Leaders can improve nurses’ values as members of the organization, so as to participate in their own work more actively.

Implications for nursing management

Managers should effectively reduce the turnover rate and stabilize the nursing team by improving the organizational commitment and personal and organizational values of clinical nurses.
A whole-joint, unidimensional, irreversible, and fine-grained MRI knee osteoarthritis severity score, based on cartilage, osteophytes and meniscus (OA-COM)
Authors: Sayre Eric C. , Guermazi Ali , Nicolaou Savvas , Esdaile John M. , Kopec Jacek A. , Singer Joel , Wong Hubert , Thorne Anona , Cibere Jolanda
Published: October 2021

Objective

To develop a whole-joint, unidimensional, irreversible, and fine-grained MRI knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity score, based on cartilage, osteophytes and meniscus (OA-COM), and to predict progression across different severity states using OA-COM as outcome and clinical variables as predictors.

Methods

Population-based knee pain cohort aged 40–79 was assessed at baseline and 7-year follow-up. OA-COM score was defined as the sum of MRI scores for cartilage, osteophytes and menisci, measured at 6, 8 and 6 sites, total score 0–54. To anchor severity levels, we fit cross-sectional logistic models using OA-COM to predict Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades in subsets at or one point below each grade. OA-COM threshold scores were selected on sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. We developed longitudinal logistic models for OA-COM progression over each threshold over 7 years. Potential predictors included age, sex, BMI, malalignment, physical exam effusion, quadriceps weakness, and crepitus, selected on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC).

Results

Optimal OA-COM thresholds were 12, 18, 24 and 30, for KL grades 1 to 4. Significant predictors of progression (depending on threshold) included physical exam effusion, malalignment and female sex, with other selected predictors age, BMI and crepitus.

Conclusion

OA-COM (0–54 range) is a whole-joint, unidimensional, irreversible, and fine-grained MRI OA severity score reflecting cartilage, osteophytes and menisci. OA-COM scores 12, 18, 24 and 30 are equivalent to KL grades 1 to 4, while offering fine-grained differentiation of states between KL grades, and within pre-radiographic disease (KL = 0) or late-stage disease (KL = 4). In modeling, several clinical variables predicted progression across different states over 7 years.
Risk of lead exposure, subcortical brain structure, and cognition in a large cohort of 9- to 10-year-old children
Authors: Marshall Andrew T. , McConnell Rob , Lanphear Bruce P. , Thompson Wesley K. , Herting Megan M. , Sowell Elizabeth R.
Published: October 2021

Background

Lead, a toxic metal, affects cognitive development at the lowest measurable concentrations found in children, but little is known about its direct impact on brain development. Recently, we reported widespread decreases in cortical surface area and volume with increased risks of lead exposure, primarily in children of low-income families.

Methods and findings

We examined associations of neighborhood-level risk of lead exposure with cognitive test performance and subcortical brain volumes. We also examined whether subcortical structure mediated associations between lead risk and cognitive performance. Our analyses employed across-sectional analysis of baseline data from the observational Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The multi-center ABCD Study used school-based enrollment to recruit a demographically diverse cohort of almost 11,900 9- and 10-year-old children from an initial 22 study sites. The analyzed sample included data from 8,524 typically developing child participants and their parents or caregivers. The primary outcomes and measures weresubcortical brain structure, cognitive performance using the National Institutes of Health Toolbox, and geocoded risk of lead exposure.

Children who lived in neighborhoods with greater risks of environmental lead exposure exhibited smaller volumes of the mid-anterior (partial correlation coefficient [rp] = -0.040), central (rp= -0.038), and mid-posterior corpus callosum (rp= -0.035). Smaller volumes of these three callosal regions were associated with poorer performance on cognitive tests measuring language and processing speed. The association of lead exposure risk with cognitive performance was partially mediated through callosal volume, particularly the mid-posterior corpus callosum. In contrast, neighborhood-level indicators of disadvantage were not associated with smaller volumes of these brain structures.

Conclusions

Environmental factors related to the risk of lead exposure may be associated with certain aspects of cognitive functioning via diminished subcortical brain structure, including the anterior splenium (i.e., mid-posterior corpus callosum).
Direct participation of people with communication disabilities in research on poverty and disabilities in low and middle income countries: A critical review
Authors: Jagoe Caroline , McDonald Caitlin , Rivas Minerva , Groce Nora
Published: October 2021

Introduction

An estimated 1 billion people with disabilities live in low and middle income countries, a population that includes people with communication disabilities (PwCD). PwCD are a heterogenous group with a wide range of abilities who may be underrepresented in research due to the communication demands involved in research participation.

Methods

A critical analysis of 145 studies from a previously published systematic review was undertaken with the aim of documenting the opportunities for direct participation of PwCD in research on poverty and disability in low- and middle- income countries.

Results

The key finding was the high risk of underrepresentation of PwCD in research on poverty and disability in LMICs, despite low rates of explicit exclusion (n = 8; 5.5%). A total of 366 uses of data collection tools were analysed (255 unique tools). The majority of data collection tools had high communication demands (92.9%), including those measuring disability (88.6%) and those assessing poverty (100%). Only 22 studies (15.2%) specifically included PwCD. A subset of these studies (n = 14) presented disaggregated data in a way that allowed for analysis of outcomes for PwCD, suggesting a clear intersection between poverty and communication disability, with findings related to general poverty indicators, reduced access to education, low levels of employment, and additional expenditure.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a systematic underrepresentation of PwCD in research on poverty and disability with substantial implications for future policy and program planning, directly affecting the availability and provision of services and resources for this population. A failure to provide adequate opportunity for participation of PwCD in research risks leaving those with communication disabilities behind in the pursuit of global poverty eradication.
Genetic diversity analysis of the invasive gall pest Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Apodemidae) from China
Authors: Peng Xin , Wang Hantang , Guo Chunhui , Hu Ping , Xu Lei , Zhou Jing , Ding Zhirou , Yang Zhende
Published: October 2021

Leptocybe invasa Fisher et LaSalle is a global invasive pest that seriously damages Eucalyptus plants. Studying the genetic diversity, genetic structure and introgression hybridization of L. invasa in China is of great significance for clarifying the breeding strategy, future invasion and diffusion trends of L. invasa in China and developing scientific prevention and control measures. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses of 320 L. invasa female adults from 14 geographic populations in China were conducted using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci (SSRs) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences (COIs). (1) The Bayesian phylogenetic tree and haplotype network diagram showed that only haplotype Hap3 existed in L. invasa lineage B in China, while haplotypes Hap1 and Hap2 existed in lineage A, among which haplotype Hap2 was found for the first time. The nucleotide and haplotype diversities of lineage A were higher than those of lineage B. (2) The SSR genetic diversity of the Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi and Panzhihua Sichuan populations was higher than that of the other 11 populations, and the SSR genetic diversity of lineage A was higher than that of lineage B. (3) The AMOVA analysis of mitochondrial COI data showed that 75.55% of the variation was among populations, and 99.86% of the variation was between lineages, while the AMOVA analysis of nuclear SSR data showed that 35.26% of the variation was among populations, and 47.04% of the variation was between lineages. There were obvious differences in the sources of variation between the COI and SSR data. (4) The optimal K value of COI and SSR data in structure analysis was 2, and PCoA analysis also divided the dataset into two obvious categories. The UPMGA phylogenetic tree based on SSR data clustered 14 geographic species into two groups. The results of genetic structure analysis supported the existence of two lineages, A and B, in China. (5) Structural analysis showed that there was obvious introgressive hybridization in Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi, Panzhihua Sichuan and other populations. These results suggest that lineage introgressive hybridization has occurred in the L. invasa population in China. The introgressive hybridization degree and genetic diversity of lineage A are obviously higher than those of lineage B. Lineage introgressive hybridization may be the driving force for further L. invasa invasion and diffusion in China in the future.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate may be an independent predictor for clinical outcomes regardless of acute kidney injury complication in the emergency department
Authors: Horie Ryohei , Endo Yuri , Doi Kent
Published: October 2021

Study objective

Acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are all associated with poor clinical outcomes among emergency department (ED) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of renal dysfunction and the degree of eGFR reduction on the clinical outcomes in a real-world ED setting.

Methods

Adult patients with an eGFR lower than 60 mL/min/1.73m2in our ED, from October 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Besides AKI and CKD, patients with unknown baseline renal function before an ED visit were categorized in the undetermined renal dysfunction (URD) category.

Results

Among 1495 patients who had eGFR evaluation at ED, this study finally enrolled 441 patients; 22 patients (5.0%) had AKI only, 32 (7.3%) had AKI on CKD, 196 (44.4%) had CKD only, 27 (6.1%) had subclinical kidney injury (those who met neither criteria for AKI nor CKD), and 164 (37.2%) had URD. There was a significant association between eGFR and critical illness defined as the composite outcome of death or intensive care unit (ICU) need, hospitalization, ICU need, death, and renal replacement therapy need (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.72 [1.45–2.05], 1.36 [1.16–1.59], 1.66 [1.39–2.00], 1.73 [1.32–2.28], and 2.71 [1.73–4.24] for every 10 mL/min/1.73m2of reduction, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed eGFR was an independent predictor of critical illness composite outcome (death or ICU need), hospitalization, and ICU need even after adjustment with AKI or URD.

Conclusions

Estimated GFR may be a sufficient predictor of clinical outcomes of ED patients regardless of AKI complication. Considerable ED patients were determined as URD, which might have a significant impact on the ED statistics regarding renal dysfunction.
Resistance to post-emergent herbicides is becoming common for grass weeds on New Zealand wheat and barley farms
Authors: Buddenhagen Christopher E. , James Trevor K. , Ngow Zachary , Hackell Deborah L. , Rolston M. Phil , Chynoweth Richard J. , Gunnarsson Matilda , Li Fengshuo , Harrington Kerry C. , Ghanizadeh Hossein
Published: October 2021

To estimate the prevalence of herbicide-resistant weeds, 87 wheat and barley farms were randomly surveyed in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Over 600 weed seed samples from up to 10 mother plants per taxon depending on abundance, were collected immediately prior to harvest (two fields per farm). Some samples provided by agronomists were tested on an ad-hoc basis. Over 40,000 seedlings were grown to the 2–4 leaf stage in glasshouse conditions and sprayed with high priority herbicides for grasses from the three modes-of-action acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibitors haloxyfop, fenoxaprop, clodinafop, pinoxaden, clethodim, acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitors iodosulfuron, pyroxsulam, nicosulfuron, and the 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)-inhibitor glyphosate. The highest manufacturer recommended label rates were applied for the products registered for use in New Zealand, often higher than the discriminatory rates used in studies elsewhere. Published studies of resistance were rare in New Zealand but we found weeds survived herbicide applications on 42 of the 87 (48%) randomly surveyed farms, while susceptible reference populations died. Resistance was found for ALS-inhibitors on 35 farms (40%) and to ACCase-inhibitors on 20 (23%) farms. The number of farms with resistant weeds (denominator is 87 farms) are reported for ACCase-inhibitors, ALS-inhibitors, and glyphosate respectively as: Avena fatua (9%, 1%, 0% of farms), Bromus catharticus (0%, 2%, 0%), Lolium spp. (17%, 28%, 0%), Phalaris minor (1%, 6%, 0%), and Vulpia bromoides (0%, not tested, 0%). Not all farms had the weeds present, five had no obvious weeds prior to harvest. This survey revealed New Zealand’s first documented cases of resistance in P. minor (fenoxaprop, clodinafop, iodosulfuron) and B. catharticus (pyroxsulam). Twelve of the 87 randomly sampled farms (14%) had ALS-inhibitor chlorsulfuron-resistant sow thistles, mostly Sonchus asper but also S. oleraceus. Resistance was confirmed in industry-supplied samples of the grasses Digitaria sanguinalis (nicosulfuron, two maize farms), P. minor (iodosulfuron, one farm), and Lolium spp. (cases included glyphosate, haloxyfop, pinoxaden, iodosulfuron, and pyroxsulam, 9 farms). Industry also supplied Stellaria media samples that were resistant to chlorsulfuron and flumetsulam (ALS-inhibitors) sourced from clover and ryegrass fields from the North and South Island.
Large-scale k-mer-based analysis of the informational properties of genomes, comparative genomics and taxonomy
Authors: Bussi Yuval , Kapon Ruti , Reich Ziv
Published: October 2021

Information theoretic approaches are ubiquitous and effective in a wide variety of bioinformatics applications. In comparative genomics, alignment-free methods, based on short DNA words, ork-mers, are particularly powerful. We evaluated the utility of varyingk-mer lengths for genome comparisons by analyzing their sequence space coverage of 5805 genomes in the KEGG GENOME database. In subsequent analyses on four k-mer lengths spanning the relevant range (11, 21, 31, 41), hierarchical clustering of 1634 genus-level representative genomes using pairwise 21- and 31-mer Jaccard similarities best recapitulated a phylogenetic/taxonomic tree of life with clear boundaries for superkingdom domains and high subtree similarity for named taxons at lower levels (family through phylum). By analyzing ~14.2M prokaryotic genome comparisons by their lowest-common-ancestor taxon levels, we detected many potential misclassification errors in a curated database, further demonstrating the need for wide-scale adoption of quantitative taxonomic classifications based on whole-genome similarity.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B infection prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Balegha Augustine Ngmenemandel , Yidana Adadow , Abiiro Gilbert Abotisem
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Hepatitis B infection remains a public health threat associated with undesirable statistics of morbidity and mortality. Good knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of hepatitis B infection (HBI) prevention are essential for HBI control. However, there is limited evidence concerning the KAP of HBI prevention among nursing students, who are significantly exposed to HBI. We assessed the KAP of HBI prevention and the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

Methods

We administered an online cross-sectional survey in November 2020 to a stratified random sample of 402 nursing students in two nursing training colleges in the Upper West Region. Using STATA version 13, we computed composite scores of KAP of HBI prevention with maximum scores of 18 for knowledge and 8 each for attitude and practice. A generalised ordered logistic regression model was run to assess the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention.

Results

The students had moderate median scores for knowledge (12.00; IQR = 10–13) and attitude (6.00; IQR = 5.00–7.00) but a poor median score (5.00; IQR = 4.00–6.00) for the practice of HBI prevention. High knowledge (aOR = 2.05;p= 0.06), good attitude, being a male, second year student and having parents with tertiary education were significantly associated with higher likelihoods (aOR >1;p< 0.05) of demonstrating good practice of HBI prevention. Students who had never married were significantly (aOR = 0.34;p= 0.010) less likely to exhibit good practice of HBI prevention.

Conclusion

The KAP scores of HBI prevention among the students were sub-optimal. We recommend institution-based policies and regular education on HBI prevention, free/subsidised HBI prevention services, and the enforcement of proper professional ethics on HBI prevention in nursing training colleges. Such interventions should predominantly target female, non-married and first year nursing students.
Genetic targeting of Card19 is linked to disrupted NINJ1 expression, impaired cell lysis, and increased susceptibility to Yersinia infection
Authors: Bjanes Elisabet , Sillas Reyna Garcia , Matsuda Rina , Demarco Benjamin , Fettrelet Timothée , DeLaney Alexandra A. , Kornfeld Opher S. , Lee Bettina L. , Rodríguez López Eric M. , Grubaugh Daniel , Wynosky-Dolfi Meghan A. , Philip Naomi H. , Krespan Elise , Tovar Dorothy , Joannas Leonel , Beiting Daniel P. , Henao-Mejia Jorge , Schaefer Brian C. , Chen Kaiwen W. , Broz Petr , Brodsky Igor E.
Published: October 2021

Cell death plays a critical role in inflammatory responses. During pyroptosis, inflammatory caspases cleave Gasdermin D (GSDMD) to release an N-terminal fragment that generates plasma membrane pores that mediate cell lysis and IL-1 cytokine release. Terminal cell lysis and IL-1β release following caspase activation can be uncoupled in certain cell types or in response to particular stimuli, a state termed hyperactivation. However, the factors and mechanisms that regulate terminal cell lysis downstream of GSDMD cleavage remain poorly understood. In the course of studies to define regulation of pyroptosis duringYersiniainfection, we identified a line ofCard19-deficient mice (Card19lxcn)whose macrophages were protected from cell lysis and showed reduced apoptosis and pyroptosis, yet had wild-type levels of caspase activation, IL-1 secretion, and GSDMD cleavage. Unexpectedly, CARD19, a mitochondrial CARD-containing protein, was not directly responsible for this, as an independently-generated CRISPR/Cas9Card19knockout mouse line (Card19Null) showed no defect in macrophage cell lysis. Notably,Card19is located on chromosome 13, immediately adjacent toNinj1, which was recently found to regulate cell lysis downstream of GSDMD activation. RNA-seq and western blotting revealed thatCard19lxcnBMDMs have significantly reduced NINJ1 expression, and reconstitution ofNinj1inCard19lxcnimmortalized BMDMs restored their ability to undergo cell lysis in response to caspase-dependent cell death stimuli.Card19lxcnmice exhibited increased susceptibility toYersiniainfection, whereas independently-generatedCard19Nullmice did not, demonstrating that cell lysis itself plays a key role in protection against bacterial infection, and that the increased infection susceptibility ofCard19lxcnmice is attributable to loss of NINJ1. Our findings identify genetic targeting ofCard19being responsible for off-target effects on the adjacent geneNinj1, disrupting the ability of macrophages to undergo plasma membrane rupture downstream of gasdermin cleavage and impacting host survival and bacterial control duringYersiniainfection.
How Contact Lenses Have Influenced Research Developments in Optics and Vision Science
Authors: Cox, PhD Ian , Kollbaum, OD, PhD Pete , Papas, PhD Eric
Published: October 2021

Initially, contact lenses were developed as the only viable option to provide improved vision for patients suffering from conditions which distortedthe corneal surface in an irregular fashion, rendering spectacle correction an unsatisfactory option. Developments in materials, fitting methods andmanufacturing technologies soon made contact lenses an appealing option for all spectacle wearers, particularly with the development of toricand multifocal lens options. Although the optical challenges of contact lenses appeared to be relatively straightforward in their early years, thedevelopment of improved in-vivo diagnostic and in-vitro metrology instrumentation led to a significantly greater understanding of the nature of theoptical errors (e.g. higher order wavefront aberrations) of the eye and contact lenses and the interactions between them when worn. The featuresof contact lenses having extremely steep curvatures and being aligned closely to the eye’s visual axis in all positions of gaze provide both uniquechallenges and opportunities for improving the visual performance of both physiological and pathological eyes, and have guided the efforts ofsignificant vison science research in more recent times.
The drivers of debt financing within state-owned corporations in South Africa
Authors: Nyamita Micah Odhiambo , Dorasamy Prof. Nirmala
Published: October 2021

The public sector financial management reforms being adopted by many countries, such as South Africa, have encouraged the adoption of private-sector management style, such as debt management, within the state-owned corporations. The reform agenda on debt financing is that state-owned corporations should face competitive conditions regarding access to finance. To highlight on the achievements of these reforms, this study explored the questions as to whether the drivers of debt financing within state-owned corporations in South Africa are similar to those of private-sector corporations. Applying a hybrid of cross sectional and longitudinal quantitative surveys, a panel data regression model was used to analyse data from 26 income-generating state-owned corporations in South Africa for the eight-year period 2007-2014 using the generalized method of moments (GMM). The results identified the main determinants of debt financing within the state-owned corporations in South Africa to include asset tangibility, corporation’s growth and liquidity.
On Huisman’s conjectures about unramified real curves
Authors: Kummer Mario , Manevich Dimitri
Published: October 2021

LetX⊂ ℙnbe an unramified real curve withX(ℝ) ≠ 0. Ifn≥ 3 is odd, Huisman [9] conjectured thatXis anM-curve and that every branch ofX(ℝ) is a pseudo-line. Ifn≥ 4 is even, he conjectures thatXis a rational normal curve or a twisted form of such a curve. Recently, a family of unramifiedM-curves in ℙ3providing counterexamples to the first conjecture was constructed in [11]. In this note we construct another family of counterexamples that are not evenM-curves. We remark that the second conjecture follows for generic curves of odd degree from the de Jonquières formula.
Liouville Theorems for Fractional Parabolic Equations
Authors: Chen Wenxiong , Wu Leyun
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we establish several Liouville type theorems for entire solutions to fractional parabolic equations. We first obtain the key ingredients needed in the proof of Liouville theorems, such as narrow region principles and maximum principles for antisymmetric functions in unbounded domains, in which we remarkably weaken the usual decay condition

u
→
0

u\to 0

at infinity to a polynomial growth on 𝑢 by constructing proper auxiliary functions. Then we derive monotonicity for the solutions in a half space

R
+
n

×
R

\mathbb{R}_{+}^{n}\times\mathbb{R}

and obtain some new connections between the nonexistence of solutions in a half space

R
+
n

×
R

\mathbb{R}_{+}^{n}\times\mathbb{R}

and in the whole space

R

n
-
1

×
R

\mathbb{R}^{n-1}\times\mathbb{R}

and therefore prove the corresponding Liouville type theorems. To overcome the difficulty caused by the nonlocality of the fractional Laplacian, we introduce several new ideas which will become useful tools in investigating qualitative properties of solutions for a variety of nonlocal parabolic problems.
The New Ephemeris and Light Curve Analysis of V870 Ara by the Ground-Based and TESS Data
Authors: Poro Atila , Blackford Mark G. , Davoudi Fatemeh , Mohandes Amirreza , Madani Mohammad , Rezaei Samaneh , Bozorgzadeh Elnaz
Published: October 2021

New CCD photometric observations and their investigation of the W UMa-type binary, V870 Ara, are presented. Light curves of the system were taken through BVIfilters from the Congarinni Observatory in Australia. The new ephemeris is calculated based on seven new determined minimum times, together with the TESS data and others compiled from the literature. Photometric solutions determined by the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) code are combined with the Monte Carlo simulation to determine the adjustable parameters’ uncertainties. These solutions suggest that V870 Ara is a contact binary system with a mass ratio of 0.082, a fillout factor of 96±4 percent, and an inclination of 73.60±0.64 degrees. The absolute parameters of V870 Ara were determined by combining the Gaia EDR3 parallax and photometric elements.
From Xu to the Development of L2 Interactional Competence: A Conversation Analytic Case Study
Authors: Yang Mei , Lu Xiaofei
Published: October 2021

Dialogues are fundamentally driven by xu (C. Wang, 2016, 2017), a Chinese word meaning continuation that captures the process in which interlocutors participate in interaction through the actions of (utterance) completion, (content) extension, and (topic) creation (CEC). This article reports a conversation analytic case study designed to investigate how the continuation strategies of CEC are used in real-time communication to achieve mutual understanding, and thus to construct intersubjectivity (Verhagen, 2005) and promote the development of second language (L2) interactional competence. Our data consisted of audio and video recordings of a 25-minute conversation between two L2 English speakers, one expert and one novice, and a stimulated recall interview with them. Results revealed that the expert employed CEC at the early stage of interaction to maintain successful communication, and the novice gradually aligned with the expert and used CEC to achieve mutual understanding, construct intersubjectivity, and create opportunities for interaction and learning at the late stage, displaying her development of L2 interactional competence. Our findings have useful implications for theoretical and methodological development of the xu-argument studies as well as for xu-based L2 pedagogy.
Effects of Reading-Listening Integrated Dictation on Chinese EFL Students’ Listening Performance
Authors: Miao Haiyan
Published: October 2021

This study examines the effects of reading-listening integrated dictation on Chinese college-level English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ listening. Different from previous research that explored reading while listening for listening development, this study combined the two skills in dictation in which listening was a continuation of reading. Participants were two groups of first-year Chinese EFL learners who were exposed to the target language under two conditions: the traditional dictation (i. e., listening-only) and the reading-listening integrated dictation in a counterbalanced order. Three datasets were collected: listening performance, perception questionnaires and follow-up interviews. Results indicated that the reading-listening integrated dictation was superior in terms of learning gains from listening and that their effect was commensurate with dictation text difficulty. The findings also showed that the reading-listening integrated dictation could enhance EFL students’ confidence and interest and make the use of strategies possible during listening.
Deformations of Strong Kähler with torsion metrics
Authors: Piovani Riccardo , Sferruzza Tommaso
Published: October 2021

Existence of strong Kähler with torsion metrics, shortly SKT metrics, on complex manifolds has been shown to be unstable under small deformations. We find necessary conditions under which the property of being SKT is stable for a smooth curve of Hermitian metrics {ω

t }

t which equals a fixed SKT metric ω for t = 0, along a differentiable family of complex manifolds {M

t
}
t
.
Analysis of patterns of use, production, and activity in kid YouTuber channels. A longitudinal study through three cultural contexts: United States, United Kingdom, and Spain
Authors: Martínez-Pastor Esther , Vizcaíno-Laorga Ricardo , Atauri-Mezquida David
Published: October 2021

This paper analyzes the data collected about 5,388 videos from the 15 leading channels from Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States focusing on toys and in which the protagonists are children under 14 years of age (2011–2019). It aims to determine whether there are common patterns of use, production, and activity in videos by kid YouTubers. Specific software was developed to enable information to be gathered from the YouTube platform through the YouTube Data API by analyzing the date on which the video was published, length, number of visits, likes, dislikes, and visits/vote (visits/[likes+dislikes]). The main conclusions drawn are that a channel’s success is not dependent on a pattern or specific characteristics, although an impulse pattern has been detected; participation by children who consume content in the United States differs significantly from participation by those in Europe; and certain similarities based on video length and production frequency can be observed between channels.