bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing the beam cleanup effect in a high-power graded-index-fiber Raman amplifier based on mode decomposition
Authors: Fan Chenchen , An Yi , Yao Tianfu , Xiao Hu , Huang Liangjin , Xu Jiangming , Leng Jinyong , Zhou Pu
Published: July 2021

Due to the beam cleanup effect, brightness enhancement (BE) can be achieved in a Raman fiber amplifier (RFA) based on multimode (MM) graded-index (GRIN) fiber. In this Letter, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, diagnostic tool of mode decomposition (MD) based on a stochastic parallel gradient descent algorithm is demonstrated to observe the beam cleanup effect in a GRIN-fiber-based RFA for the first time, to our knowledge. During output power boosting up to 405 W at 1130 nm, the output beam quality factor

M

2

improves from 3.45 to 2.88, with a BE factor of 10.5. The MD results based on the near-field beam profiles from RFA indicate that the modal weight of the fundamental mode increases from 74.5% to 87%, confirming that the fundamental mode dominates with higher Raman gain. Moreover, the beam quality is found to be limited by the existence of a higher-order (Laguerre–Gaussian)

L
G

10

mode, which is insensitive to the beam cleanup effect. The correlation coefficient reaches over 0.98 for all MD results. Thus, the accuracy of the MD method is high enough to provide further valuable insight into the physics of spatiotemporal beam dynamics in MM GRIN fiber.
Lensless full-color holographic Maxwellian near-eye display with a horizontal eyebox expansion
Authors: Wang Zi , Zhang Xu , Tu Kefeng , Lv Guoqiang , Feng Qibin , Wang Anting , Ming Hai
Published: July 2021

A lensless full-color holographic Maxwellian near-eye display using a single amplitude-type spatial light modulator is proposed in this Letter. The color holographic image is directly projected onto the retina without any eyepiece. The color crosstalk is clearly separated from the signal in the space owing to the encoded spherical wave and carrier wave. An aperture numerical filter and a real polarized filter are used at the pupil plane to accurately stop the crosstalk light. A high-quality dynamic speckless color holographic image was produced in the mid-air within a specific depth range. The horizontal eyebox expansion is achieved simply through multiple spherical wave encoding and verified through an optical experiment. The proposed display is compact and promising as the augmented reality near-eye display.
Integrated balanced homodyne photonic–electronic detector for beyond 20  GHz shot-noise-limited measurements
Authors: Bruynsteen Cédric , Vanhoecke Michael , Bauwelinck Johan , Yin Xin
Published: July 2021

Optical homodyne detection is used in numerous quantum and classical applications that demand high levels of sensitivity. However, performance is typically limited due to the use of bulk optics and discrete receiver electronics. To address these performance issues, in this work we present a co-integrated balanced homodyne detector consisting of a silicon photonics optical front end and a custom integrated transimpedance amplifier designed in a 100 nm GaAs pHEMT technology. The high level of co-design and integration provides enhanced levels of stability, bandwidth, and noise performance. The presented detector shows a linear operation up to 28 dB quantum shot noise clearance and a high degree of common-mode rejection, at the same time achieving a shot-noise-limited bandwidth of more than 20 GHz. The high performance of the developed devices provide enhanced operation to many sensitive quantum applications such as continuous variable quantum key distribution, quantum random number generation, or high-speed quantum tomography.
Robotic Process Automation und Digitale Service-Transformation bei der DRV
Authors: Koç Hasan , Weisweber Wilhelm , Lüttke Marcus
Published: July 2021

Aufgrund neuer Marktanforderungen müssen Organisationen ihr Wertversprechen ständig anpassen. Durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung sind die Organisationen immer mehr befähigt, sich dieser Herausforderung zu stellen. Auch die Deutsche Rentenversicherung befindet sich mit 59.000 Mitarbeiter*innen, die rund 56 Mio. Versicherte und fast 21 Mio. Rentner im In- und Ausland betreuen, im ständigen Wandel. Ein Indikator dafür ist die Einführung von innovativen Dienstleistungen, die auf die digitale Strategie der Organisation ausgerichtet sind. Einen wichtigen Baustein für die Digitalisierungsstrategie der Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund stellt Robotic Process Automation dar, mit der sich die Deutsche Rentenversicherung erhebliche Vorteile in der Serviceerbringung durch Prozessautomatisierung und Fehlerreduktion erhofft. In der Literatur und Praxis besteht ein zunehmendes Interesse an Robotic Process Automation, jedoch sind die Beiträge im Kontext des öffentlichen Sektors eher knapp. Dieser Artikel berichtet über die Umsetzung von einem Robotic Process Automation-basierten Transformationsprozess der Dienstleistungen bei der Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Konkret werden die ersten Ergebnisse aus der Transformation von vier Dienstleistungen beschrieben, die aus einer strukturierten Analyse von 26 Use Cases mit den serviceerbringenden Abteilungen resultiert haben.
Integrating systemic and molecular levels to infer key drivers sustaining metabolic adaptations
Authors: de Atauri Pedro , Tarrado-Castellarnau Míriam , Tarragó-Celada Josep , Foguet Carles , Karakitsou Effrosyni , Centelles Josep Joan , Cascante Marta
Published: July 2021

Metabolic adaptations to complex perturbations, like the response to pharmacological treatments in multifactorial diseases such as cancer, can be described through measurements of part of the fluxes and concentrations at the systemic level and individual transporter and enzyme activities at the molecular level. In the framework of Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA), ensembles of linear constraints can be built integrating these measurements at both systemic and molecular levels, which are expressed as relative differences or changes produced in the metabolic adaptation. Here, combining MCA with Linear Programming, an efficient computational strategy is developed to infer additional non-measured changes at the molecular level that are required to satisfy these constraints. An application of this strategy is illustrated by using a set of fluxes, concentrations, and differentially expressed genes that characterize the response to cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibition in colon cancer cells. Decreases and increases in transporter and enzyme individual activities required to reprogram the measured changes in fluxes and concentrations are compared with down-regulated and up-regulated metabolic genes to unveil those that are key molecular drivers of the metabolic response.
Burden of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in India based on data from cross-sectional serosurveys, 2017 and 2019–20
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Devika , Awasthi Shally , Dwibedi Bhagirathi , Geetha S. , Jain Manish , Malik Shikha , Patel Bhupeshwari , Singh Himabindu , Tripathi Shalini , Viswanathan Rajlakshmi , Agarwal Anjoo , Bonu Rajeswari , Jain Shuchi , Jena Saubhagya Kumar , Priyasree J. , Pushpalatha K , Ali Syed , Biswas Debasis , Jain Amita , Narang Rahul , Madhuri Sudha , George Suji , Kaduskar Ojas , Kiruthika G. , Sabarinathan R. , Sapakal Gajanan , Gupta Nivedita , Murhekar Manoj V.
Published: July 2021

Background

India has set a goal to eliminate measles and rubella/Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2023. Towards this goal, India conducted nationwide supplementary immunization activity (SIA) with measles-rubella containing vaccine (MRCV) targeting children aged between 9 months to <15 years and established a hospital-based sentinel surveillance for CRS. Reliable data about incidence of CRS is necessary to monitor progress towards the elimination goal.

Methods

We conducted serosurveys in 2019–20 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of 6 hospitals, which were also sentinel sites for CRS surveillance, to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against rubella. We systematically sampled 1800 women attending antenatal clinics and tested their sera for IgG antibodies against rubella. We used rubella seroprevalence data from the current survey and the survey conducted in 2017 among antenatal women from another 6 CRS surveillance sites to construct a catalytic models to estimate the incidence and burden of CRS.

Result

The seroprevalence of rubella antibodies was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.4–84.0). Rubella seropositivity did not differ by age group and educational status. Based on the constant and age-dependent force of infection models, we estimated that the annual incidence of CRS in India was 225.58 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 217.49–232.41) and 65.47 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 41.60–104.16) respectively. This translated to an estimated 14,520 (95% CI: 9,225–23,100) and 50,028 (95% CI: 48,234–51,543) infants with CRS every year based on age-dependent and constant force of infection models respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that about one fifth of women in the reproductive age group in India were susceptible for rubella. The estimates of CRS incidence will serve as a baseline to monitor the impact of MRCV SIAs, as well progress towards the elimination goal of rubella/CRS.
Species identification based on a semi-diagnostic marker: Evaluation of a simple conchological test for distinguishing blue mussels Mytilus edulis L. and M. trossulus Gould
Authors: Khaitov Vadim , Marchenko Julia , Katolikova Marina , Väinölä Risto , Kingston Sarah E. , Carlon David B. , Gantsevich Michael , Strelkov Petr
Published: July 2021

Cryptic and hybridizing species may lack diagnostic taxonomic characters leaving researchers with semi-diagnostic ones. Identification based on such characters is probabilistic, the probability of correct identification depending on the species composition in a mixed population. Here we test the possibilities of applying a semi-diagnostic conchological character for distinguishing two cryptic species of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus. These ecologically, stratigraphically and economically important molluscs co-occur and hybridize in many areas of the North Atlantic and the neighboring Arctic. Any cues for distinguishing them in sympatry without genotyping would save much research effort. Recently these species have been shown to statistically differ in the White Sea, where a simple character of the shell was used to distinguish two mussel morphotypes. In this paper, we analyzed the associations between morphotypes and species-specific genotypes based on an abundant material from the waters of the Kola Peninsula (White Sea, Barents Sea) and a more limited material from Norway, the Baltic Sea, Scotland and the Gulf of Maine. The performance of the “morphotype test” for species identification was formally evaluated using approaches from evidence-based medicine. Interspecific differences in the morphotype frequencies were ubiquitous and unidirectional, but their scale varied geographically (from 75% in the White Sea to 15% in the Baltic Sea). In addition, salinity-related variation of this character within M. edulis was revealed in the Arctic Barents Sea. For every studied region, we established relationships between the proportions of the morphotypes in the populations as well as between the proportions of the morphotypes in samples and the probabilities of mussels of different morphotypes being M. trossulus and M. edulis. We provide recommendations for the application of the morphotype test to mussels from unstudied contact zones and note that they may apply equally well to other taxa identified by semi-diagnostic traits.
Assessing social support impact on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province during the COVID-19 pandemic of China
Authors: Guo Kun , Zhang Xiaoye , Bai Simin , Minhat Halimatus Sakdiah , Nazan Ahmad Iqmer Nashriq Mohd , Feng Jianan , Li Xiuqin , Luo Guihua , Zhang Xiaoping , Feng Jujun , Li Yingbo , Si Mingyu , Qiao Youlin , Ouyang Jing , Saliluddin Suhainizam
Published: July 2021

Following the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China, undergraduate students may experience psychological changes. During emergency circumstances, social support is an important factor influencing the mental health condition among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province. This study aims to find the factors associated with mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from Feb 23 to Mar 7, 2020. A total of 1278 undergraduate students from the universities located in Shaanxi province participated in this study. The mental health symptoms were measured by 12-item Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) instruments. This survey showed that females receive more social support compared to males (t = -5.046, P<0.001); males have higher-level depression symptoms (t = 5.624, P<0.001); males have higher-level anxiety symptoms (t = 6.332, P<0.001), males have higher-level stress symptoms (t = 5.58, P<0.001). This study also found participants who have low social support was negatively correlated with mental health symptoms. In Conclusion, Males and low social support were associated with having the higher level of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Therefore, it is suggested that people should supply more social support for undergraduate students in Shaanxi province during COVID-19 pandemic.
Lost in the crowd: Imagining walking in synchrony with a crowd increases affiliation and deindividuation
Authors: Crossey Benjamin Philip , Atherton Gray , Cross Liam
Published: July 2021

Moving in time with others—interpersonal coordination—increases affiliation, helping behaviours and gives rise to a host of other prosocial outcomes. Recent research suggests that merely imagining coordination may lead to similar social effects. In the present study, participants were asked to imagine walking with a crowd in a coordinated (versus uncoordinated) way to explore the effects of imagined coordination on individuals’ perceptions of themselves and the crowd. Imagined coordination led to greater levels of deindividuation and affiliation. That is, participants were less likely to report seeing themselves as unique individuals, instead viewing themselves as a part of a group (deindividuation) and more likely to report a sense of emotional closeness (affiliation) with the imagined group. Deindividuation partially mediated the effect of imagined coordination on affiliation. This work establishes that imagined synchrony can be employed online to foster prosocial attitudes towards groups of people, and that a process of deindividuation might mediate this effect.
Limb development in skeletally-immature large-sized dogs: A radiographic study
Authors: Roccaro Mariana , Diana Alessia , Linta Nikolina , Rinnovati Riccardo , Freo Marzia , Peli Angelo
Published: July 2021

Despite the extreme morphological variability of the canine species, data on limb development are limited and the time windows for the appearance of the limb ossification centres (OCs) reported in veterinary textbooks, considered universally valid for all dogs, are based on dated studies. The aim of this study was to acquire up-to-date information regarding the arm, forearm and leg bone development in skeletally-immature large-sized dogs from 6 weeks to 16 weeks of age. Nine litters of 5 large-sized breeds (Boxer, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Saarloos Wolfdog, White Swiss Shepherd Dog) were included, for a total of 54 dogs, which were subject to radiographic examination on a bi-weekly basis. The appearance of 18 limb OCs was recorded and 14 radiographic measurements were performed; their relationship with age and body weight was investigated and any breed differences were analysed using different statistical non-parametric tests. The number of OCs present was significantly different at 6 and 8 weeks of age between the investigated breeds. The appearance of the OCs occurred earlier in the Saarloos Wolfdog, while the Labrador Retriever was the later breed. In Boxers and Labrador Retrievers, various OCs showed a delayed appearance compared to the data reported in the literature. The number of OCs was strongly and positively correlated to body weight. Breed differences were also observed in the relative increase of the measured OCs and were not limited to dogs of different morphotypes. Statistically significant differences were most frequently observed between Saarloos Wolfdogs and the other breeds. The OCs that showed a greater variability in their development were the olecranon tuber, the patella and the tibial tuberosity. Their increase was more strongly correlated with the dog’s age and body weight. Our data strongly suggest that differences in limb development exist in dog breeds of similar size and morphotype.
Contrasting functional responses of resident Kupffer cells and recruited liver macrophages to irradiation and liver X receptor stimulation
Authors: Ishikiriyama Takuya , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Endo-Umeda Kaori , Nakashima Masahiro , Ito Seigo , Kinoshita Manabu , Ikarashi Masami , Makishima Makoto , Seki Shuhji
Published: July 2021

In the murine liver, there are two major macrophage populations, namely resident Kupffer cells (resKCs) with phagocytic activity and recruited macrophages (recMφs) with cytokine-producing capacity. This study was performed to clarify the functional differences between these two populations, focusing on their susceptibility to radiation and response to stimulation via liver X receptors (LXRs), which are implicated in cholesterol metabolism and immune regulation. Liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) were obtained from C57BL/6 (WT) mice with or without 2 Gy irradiation, and the phagocytic activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) as well as TNF-α production were compared between the two macrophage populations. To assess LXR functions, phagocytosis, TNF-α production, and endocytosis of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were compared after synthetic LXR ligand stimulation. Furthermore, LXRα/β knockout (KO) mice and LXRα KO mice were compared with WT mice. Irradiation decreased intracellular TNF-α production by recMφs but did not affect the phagocytic activity of resKCs. In vitro LXR stimulation enhanced E. coli phagocytosis by resKCs but decreased E. coli-stimulated TNF-α production by recMφs. Phagocytic activity and acetylated LDL endocytosis were decreased in both LXRα/β KO mice and LXRα KO mice, with serum TNF-α levels after E. coli injection in the former being higher than those in WT mice. In conclusion, resKCs and recMφs exhibited different functional features in response to radiation and LXR stimulation, highlighting their distinct roles liver immunity and lipid metabolism.
Determining optimal laser-beam cutting equipment investment through a robust optimization modeling approach
Authors: Feller Juan , Mac Cawley Alejandro F. , Ramos-Grez Jorge A. , La Fé-Perdomo Iván
Published: July 2021

The acquisition of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), such as high-power fiber orCO2laser cutting equipment, generally involves high investment levels. Its payback period is usually more extended, and there is a moderate-to-high risk involved in adopting these technologies. In this work, we present a robust model that optimizes equipment investing decisions, considers the process’s technical constraint and finds an optimal production plan based on the available machinery. We propose a linear investment model based on historical demand information and take physical process parameters for a LASER cutting equipment, such as cutting speed and gas consumption. The model is then transformed into a robust optimization model which considers demand uncertainty. Second, we determine the optimal production plan based on the results of the robust optimization model and assuming that demand follows a normal distribution. As a case study, we decided on the investment and productive plan for a company that offers Laser-Beam Cutting (LBC) services. The case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed model and proves the robustness of the solution. For this specific application of the model, results showed that the optimal robust solution could increase the company’s expected profits by 6.4%.
A structure-based engineering approach to abrogate pre-existing antibody binding to biotherapeutics
Authors: Lin Joanne , Lee Stacey L. , Russell Anna M. , Huang Rong Fong , Batt Micheal A. , Chang Shawn S. , Ferrante Andrea , Verdino Petra
Published: July 2021

Development of biotherapeutics is hampered by the inherent risk of immunogenicity, which requires extensive clinical assessment and possible re-engineering efforts for mitigation. The focus in the pre-clinical phase is to determine the likelihood of developing treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies (TE-ADA) and presence of pre-existing ADA in drug-naïve individuals as risk-profiling strategies. Pre-existing ADAs are routinely identified during clinical immunogenicity assessment, but their origin and impact on drug safety and efficacy have not been fully elucidated. One specific class of pre-existing ADAs has been described, which targets neoepitopes of antibody fragments, including Fabs, VH, or VHH domains in isolation from their IgG context. With the increasing number of antibody fragments and other small binding scaffolds entering the clinic, a widely applicable method to mitigate pre-existing reactivity against these molecules is desirable. Here is described a structure-based engineering approach to abrogate pre-existing ADA reactivity to the C-terminal neoepitope of VH(H)s. On the basis of 3D structures, small modifications applicable to any VH(H) are devised that would not impact developability or antigen binding. In-silico B cell epitope mapping algorithms were used to rank the modified VHH variants by antigenicity; however, the limited discriminating capacity of the computational methods prompted an experimental evaluation of the engineered molecules. The results identified numerous modifications capable of reducing pre-existing ADA binding. The most efficient consisted of the addition of two proline residues at the VHH C-terminus, which led to no detectable pre-existing ADA reactivity while maintaining favorable developability characteristics. The method described, and the modifications identified thereby, may provide a broadly applicable solution to mitigate immunogenicity risk of antibody-fragments in the clinic and increase safety and efficacy of this promising new class of biotherapeutics.
Knee joint loadings are related to tibial torsional alignments in people with radiographic medial knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Huang Chen , Chan Ping Keung , Chiu Kwong Yuen , Yan Chun Hoi , Yeung Desmond Shun Shing , Lai Christopher Wai Keung , Fu Siu Ngor
Published: July 2021

Torsional malalignment was detected in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA) but few studies have reported the effect of torsional deformity on knee joint loads during walking. Therefore, this study examined the relationships between lower limb torsional alignments and knee joint loads during gait in people with symptomatic medial KOA using cross-sectional study design. Lower limb alignments including tibial torsion, tibiofemoral rotation and varus/valgus alignments in standing were measured by EOS low-dose bi-planar x-ray system in 47 subjects with mild or moderate KOA. The external knee adduction moment (KAM), flexion moment (KFM) and the KAM index which was defined as (KAM/ (KAM+KFM)*100) during walking were analyzed using a motion analysis system so as to estimate the knee loads. Results revealed externaltibial torsion was positively associated with KAM in subjects with moderate KOA (r = 0.59, p = 0.02) but not in subjects with mild KOA. On the contrary, significant association was found between knee varus/valgus alignment and KAM in the mild KOA group (r = 0.58, p<0.001) and a sign of association in the moderate KOA group (r = 0.47, p = 0.08). We concluded tibial torsion and knee varus/valgus mal-alignments would be associated with joint loading in subjects with moderate medial KOA during walking. Radiographic severity might need to be considered when using gait modification as a rehabilitation strategy for this condition.
Genotoxicity and oxidative stress induction by polystyrene nanoparticles in the colorectal cancer cell line HCT116
Authors: Vecchiotti Giulia , Colafarina Sabrina , Aloisi Massimo , Zarivi Osvaldo , Di Carlo Piero , Poma Anna
Published: July 2021

The potential risks of environmental nanoparticles (NPs), in particular Polystyrene Nanoparticles (PNPs), is an emerging problem; specifically, the interaction of PNPs with intestinal cells has not been characterized so far. The mechanism by which polystyrene particles are transferred to humans has not yet been clarified, whether directly through ingestion from contaminated food. We evaluated the interaction between PNPs and colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT116). Cells were exposed to different concentrations of PNPs, metabolic activity and the consequent cytotoxic potential were assessed through viability test; we evaluated the PNP genotoxic potential through the Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus cytome (CBMN cyt) assay. Finally, we detected Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production after NPs exposure and performed Western Blot analysis to analyze the enzymes (SOD1, SOD2, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase) involved in the cell detoxification process that comes into play during the cell-PNPs interaction. This work analyzes the cyto and genotoxicity of PNPs in the colorectal HCT116 cell line, in particular the potential damage from oxidative stress produced by PNPs inside the cells related to the consequent nuclear damage. Our results show moderate toxicity of PNPs both in terms of ROS production and DNA damage. Further studies will be needed on different cell lines to have a more complete picture of the impact of environmental pollution on human health in terms of PNPs cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
Impact of frailty on clinical outcomes and resource use following emergency general surgery in the United States
Authors: Hadaya Joseph , Sanaiha Yas , Juillard Catherine , Benharash Peyman
Published: July 2021

Background

Frailty has been recognized as an independent risk factor for inferior outcomes, but its effect on emergency general surgery (EGS) is understudied.

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to define the impact of frailty on risk-adjusted mortality, non-home discharge, and readmission following EGS operations.

Methods

Adults undergoing appendectomy, cholecystectomy, small bowel resection, large bowel resection, repair of perforated ulcer, or laparotomy within two days of an urgent admission were identified in the 2016–2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Frailty was defined using diagnosis codes corresponding to the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty indicator. Multivariable regression was used to study in-hospital mortality and non-home discharge by operation, and Kaplan Meier analysis to study freedom from unplanned readmission at up to 90-days follow-up.

Results

Among 655,817 patients, 11.9% were considered frail. Frail patients most commonly underwent large bowel resection (37.3%) and cholecystectomy (29.2%). After adjustment, frail patients had higher mortality rates for all operations compared to nonfrail, including those most commonly performed (11.9% [95% CI 11.4–12.5%] vs 6.0% [95% CI 5.8–6.3%] for large bowel resection; 2.3% [95% CI 2.0–2.6%] vs 0.2% [95% CI 0.2–0.2%] for cholecystectomy). Adjusted non-home discharge rates were higher for frail compared to nonfrail patients following all operations, including large bowel resection (68.1% [95% CI 67.1–69.0%] vs 25.9% [95% CI 25.2–26.5%]) and cholecystectomy (33.7% [95% CI 32.7–34.7%] vs 2.9% [95% CI 2.8–3.0%]). Adjusted hospitalization costs were nearly twice as high for frail patients. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, frail patients had greater unplanned readmissions (log rank P<0.001), with 1 in 4 rehospitalized within 90 days.

Conclusions

Frail patients have inferior clinical outcomes and greater resource use following EGS, with the greatest absolute differences following complex operations. Simple frailty assessments may inform expectations, identify patients at risk of poor outcomes, and guide the need for more intensive postoperative care.
Construction and validation of an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system using locally available components
Authors: Schnell Eric , Karamooz Elham , Harriff Melanie J. , Yates Jane E. , Pfeiffer Christopher D. , Smith Stephen M.
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, is responsible for a global pandemic characterized by high transmissibility and morbidity. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting COVID-19, but this risk has been mitigated through the use of personal protective equipment such as N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs). At times the high demand for FFRs has exceeded supply, placing HCWs at increased exposure risk. Effective FFR decontamination of many FFR models using ultraviolet-C germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been well-described, and could maintain respiratory protection for HCWs in the face of supply line shortages. Here, we detail the construction of an ultraviolet-C germicidal irradiation (UVGI) device using previously existing components available at our institution. We provide data on UV-C dosage delivered with our version of this device, provide information on how users can validate the UV-C dose delivered in similarly constructed systems, and describe a simple, novel methodology to test its germicidal effectiveness using in-house reagents and equipment. As similar components are readily available in many hospitals and industrial facilities, we provide recommendations on the local construction of these systems, as well as guidance and strategies towards successful institutional implementation of FFR decontamination.
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in older adults. A retrospective study in long-term nursing homes in Catalonia
Authors: Meis-Pinheiro Uxío , Lopez-Segui Francesc , Walsh Sandra , Ussi Anton , Santaeugenia Sebastia , Garcia-Navarro Jose Augusto , San-Jose Antonio , Andreu Antoni L. , Campins Magda , Almirante Benito
Published: July 2021

The natural history of COVID-19 and predictors of mortality in older adults need to be investigated to inform clinical operations and healthcare policy planning. A retrospective study took place in 80 long-term nursing homes in Catalonia, Spain collecting data from March 1st to May 31st, 2020. Demographic and clinical data from 2,092 RT-PCR confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were registered, including structural characteristics of the facilities. Descriptive statistics to describe the demographic, clinical, and molecular characteristics of our sample were prepared, both overall and by their symptomatology was performed and an analysis of statistically significant bivariate differences and constructions of a logistic regression model were carried out to assess the relationship between variables. The incidence of the infection was 28%. 71% of the residents showed symptoms. Five major symptoms included: fever, dyspnea, dry cough, asthenia and diarrhea. Fever and dyspnea were by far the most frequent (50% and 28%, respectively). The presentation was predominantly acute and symptomatology persisted from days to weeks (mean 9.1 days, SD = 10,9). 16% of residents had confirmed pneumonia and 22% required hospitalization. The accumulated mortality rate was 21.75% (86% concentrated during the first 28 days at onset). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a positive predictive value for mortality for some variables such as age, pneumonia, fever, dyspnea, stupor refusal to oral intake and dementia (p<0.01 for all variables). Results suggest that density in the nursing homes did not account for differences in the incidence of the infection within the facilities. This study provides insights into the natural history of the disease in older adults with high dependency living in long-term nursing homes during the first pandemic wave of March-May 2020 in the region of Catalonia, and suggests that some comorbidities and symptoms have a strong predictive value for mortality.
Effects of tocotrienols supplementation on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Khor Ban-Hock , Tiong Hui-Ci , Tan Shing Cheng , Wong Sok Kuan , Chin Kok-Yong , Karupaiah Tilakavati , Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman , Abdul Gafor Abdul Halim
Published: July 2021

Studies investigating the effects of tocotrienols on inflammation and oxidative stress have yielded inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of tocotrienols supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until 13 July 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials supplementing tocotrienols and reporting circulating inflammatory or oxidative stress outcomes. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined by pooling eligible studies. Nineteen studies were included for qualitative analysis, and 13 studies were included for the meta-analyses. A significant reduction in C-reactive protein levels (WMD: −0.52 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.73, −0.32, p < 0.001) following tocotrienols supplementation was observed, but this finding was attributed to a single study using δ-tocotrienols, not mixed tocotrienols. There were no effects on interleukin-6 (WMD: 0.03 pg/mL, 95% CI: −1.51, 1.58, p = 0.966), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (WMD: −0.28 pg/mL, 95% CI: −1.24, 0.68, p = 0.571), and malondialdehyde (WMD: −0.42 μmol/L, 95% CI: −1.05, 0.21, p = 0.189). A subgroup analysis suggested that tocotrienols at 400 mg/day might reduce malondialdehyde levels (WMD: −0.90 μmol/L, 95% CI: −1.20, −0.59, p < 0.001). Future well-designed studies are warranted to confirm the effects of tocotrienols on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, particularly on different types and dosages of supplementation. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020198241.
Promises and pitfalls of digital credit: Empirical evidence from Kenya
Authors: Johnen Constantin , Parlasca Martin , Mußhoff Oliver
Published: July 2021

Digital credit is a recent innovation that raises hopes of improving credit access in developing countries. However, up until now, empirical research on the extent to which digital credit actually reaches people who are otherwise excluded from conventional credit markets and whether increased credit access is sustainable or threatened by high default and blacklisting rates is very scarce. Using representative data from Kenya, this article shows that digital credit increases borrowing opportunities, including for people less likely to otherwise have credit access in the conventional credit markets. However, we find that digital credit borrowing is also responsible for 90% of all blacklistings, which is partially driven by higher default rates in the digital credit market but also by a higher probability that digital credit defaults lead to blacklisting of the borrower, compared to defaults in other credit markets.
The relationship between common mental disorders and incident diabetes among participants in the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program (K-DPP)
Authors: Johnson Leslie C. M. , Desloge Allissa , Sathish Thirunavukkarasu , Williams Emily D. , Absetz Pilvikki , Haregu Tilahun , De Man Jeroen , Thankappan Kavumpurathu Raman , Oldenburg Brian
Published: July 2021

This study aims to describe the prevalence of depression and anxiety among a population sample of people at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Kerala, India, and examine the relationship between depressive symptoms, anxiety, and incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) over a two-year period. We used data from the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program, a cluster-randomized controlled trial for diabetes prevention among 1007 high-risk individuals. The prevalence of depression and anxiety were estimated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, respectively. We calculated proportions for depression and anxiety and performed generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine the relationship between baseline mental health status and incident T2DM. The prevalence of depression and anxiety at baseline were 7.5% and 5.5%, respectively. Compared with those reporting none/low symptoms, the odds ratio for incident diabetes was 1.07 (95% CI 0.54–2.12) for participants with moderate to severe depression and 0.73 (95% CI 0.23–2.28) for participants with moderate to severe anxiety, after adjusting for potential confounders. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of depression and anxiety were higher than those previously reported in the general population in India. However, among this sample of community-based adults at high risk of developing T2DM, the presence of moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety symptoms was not significantly associated with the risk of developing T2DM.

Trial registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909. Registered 10 March 2011.
Detecting joint attention events in mother-infant dyads: Sharing looks cannot be reliably identified by naïve third-party observers
Authors: Graham Kirsty E. , Buryn-Weitzel Joanna C. , Lahiff Nicole J. , Wilke Claudia , Slocombe Katie E.
Published: July 2021

Joint attention, or sharing attention with another individual about an object or event, is a critical behaviour that emerges in pre-linguistic infants and predicts later language abilities. Given its importance, it is perhaps surprising that there is no consensus on how to measure joint attention in prelinguistic infants. A rigorous definition proposed by Siposova & Carpenter (2019) requires the infant and partner to gaze alternate between an object and each other (coordination of attention) and exchange communicative signals (explicit acknowledgement of jointly sharing attention). However, Hobson and Hobson (2007) proposed that the quality of gaze between individuals is, in itself, a sufficient communicative signal that demonstrates sharing of attention. They proposed that observers can reliably distinguish “sharing”, “checking”, and “orienting” looks, but the empirical basis for this claim is limited as their study focussed on two raters examining looks from 11-year-old children. Here, we analysed categorisations made by 32 naïve raters of 60 infant looks to their mothers, to examine whether they could be reliably distinguished according to Hobson and Hobson’s definitions. Raters had overall low agreement and only in 3 out of 26 cases did a significant majority of the raters agree with the judgement of the mother who had received the look. For the looks that raters did agree on at above chance levels, look duration and the overall communication rate of the mother were identified as cues that raters may have relied upon. In our experiment, naïve third party observers could not reliably determine the type of look infants gave to their mothers, which indicates that subjective judgements of types of look should not be used to identify mutual awareness of sharing attention in infants. Instead, we advocate the use of objective behaviour measurement to infer that interactants know they are ‘jointly’ attending to an object or event, and believe this will be a crucial step in understanding the ontogenetic and evolutionary origins of joint attention.
Inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) facilitates reactivation of gamma-herpesviruses and their elimination
Authors: Biswas Ayan , Zhou Dawei , Fiches Guillaume N. , Wu Zhenyu , Liu Xuefeng , Ma Qin , Zhao Weiqiang , Zhu Jian , Santoso Netty G.
Published: July 2021

Both Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establish the persistent, life-long infection primarily at the latent status, and associate with certain types of tumors, such as B cell lymphomas, especially in immuno-compromised individuals including people living with HIV (PLWH). Lytic reactivation of these viruses can be employed to kill tumor cells harboring latently infected viral episomes through the viral cytopathic effects and the subsequent antiviral immune responses. In this study, we identified that polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is induced by KSHV de novo infection as well as lytic switch from KSHV latency. We further demonstrated that PLK1 depletion or inhibition facilitates KSHV reactivation and promotes cell death of KSHV-infected lymphoma cells. Mechanistically, PLK1 regulates Myc that is critical to both maintenance of KSHV latency and support of cell survival, and preferentially affects the level of H3K27me3 inactive mark both globally and at certain loci of KSHV viral episomes. Furthremore, we recognized that PLK1 inhibition synergizes with STAT3 inhibition to efficiently induce KSHV reactivation. We also confirmed that PLK1 depletion or inhibition yields the similar effect on EBV lytic reactivation and cell death of EBV-infected lymphoma cells. Lastly, we noticed that PLK1 in B cells is elevated in the context of HIV infection and caused by HIV Nef protein to favor KSHV/EBV latency.
Peculiarities of Heroization of Health Care Workers in the Mass Media Discourse during a Pandemic
Authors: Taskaeva Anna
Published: July 2021

The article examines the linguistic features of the heroization of medical workers in the mass media discourse during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection. During the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, doctors acquired the status of heroes. The heroic image of a doctor who is at the forefront of the fight against a new threat is fully expressed in various discursive and non-discursive constructs: mass media discourse, creolized texts, photo and video materials, comments from users of the Internet services, etc. The headlines of publications, the names of projects, competitions, and actions indicate the heroization of doctors. The process of heroization is also implemented in creolized texts of social advertising. The main linguistic means of heroization is metaphorization: the doctor is represented as a soldier in war, a superhero, a guardian angel. So, in the studied texts, the fight against the coronavirus is metaphorically represented as a war, medical personnel – as soldiers fighting with weapons in their hands against a terrible enemy – the virus, the walls of a medical institution – as a battlefield. As a result of the study, it is revealed that there is a tendency to local heroization and concretization of the heroic on the examples of real people
Artistic and Aesthetic Representation of the Mythological Image of the Water Damosel in the Bashkir Folk Epic (on the Material of the Epics “Akbuzatˮ and “Zayatulyak and Khyuhyluˮ)
Authors: Hubbitdinova Nerkes
Published: July 2021

Using the Bashkir epics “Akbuzatˮ and “Zayatulyk and Khyukhyluˮ, the article examines the mythical image of the water damosel – khaukhylu, which has significant artistic and aesthetic functions. This image takes a special place in the mythology of all peoples and in ancient sacred beliefs. Due to the fact that after the adoption of Christianity / Islam among the peoples, all the once sacred, pagan deities – the keepers of rivers and lakes, mountains and natural boundaries, forests and fields, as well as the ones connected with home, were endowed with a negative characteristic and began to be represented as an evil spirit. Such a fate was waiting for, for example, the traditional hero Baba Yaga – Yashchura, raised to the rank of a positive character, deified by the canon of the ancient Slavs, she was the keeper of the clan, its traditions and customs. Accordingly, after the adoption of Christianity, Yashchura took on that negative, pernicious character known to us from Slavic folk tales and folkloric accounts. As E.V. Pomerantsev correctly states, in the artistic and aesthetic sense in mythological legends and folkloric accounts there are always similar motives of “sudden meetingˮ, “sinking into the underwater kingdomˮ, “awards of the water kingˮ, “... the marriage of a hero in the underwater kingdomˮ, etc. In the Bashkir epic monuments observed in the article, these motives are strictly traced and successfully actualized.
Home as a value
Authors: Ivanova Valentina , Merkulova Olga
Published: July 2021

The review presents studies devoted to the analysis of one literary work by V. Rasputin. The focus of the seminar “V. Rasputin's Creativity: Spirituality and Artistic Questˮ was the writer's late story “Hutˮ (1999). At the section "Analysis of one work: V. Rasputin's story “Hut", various aspects of the artistic world of the work were considered: images of Agafya and Home, the image of space, speech characteristics of the peasantry's lifestyle, cultural contexts, and the practice of teaching the story at school. The section was attended by researchers from Gorlovka (DPR), Donetsk (DPR), St. Petersburg (Russia), Voronezh (Russia). Isolation of the story from the legacy of the writer is a sign of the relevance of the work and the vitality of the constants of Russian culture reflected in it. The researchers identified the features of the story and raised the problems of loss and perpetuation of traditional values, generational bridge, and the memory of the nation. Turning to this work of V. Rasputin in new historical conditions, researchers discover in it the meanings that are relevant for themselves and their time.
Modelo LOGIT com fatores sociais para gravidade de acidentes com motocicletas
Authors: Lima Jessica Helena de , Dos Santos Anderson Moreira Aristides , Maia Maria Leonor Alves
Published: July 2021

Objetiva-se avaliar se os atributos socioeconômicos das vítimas, como escolaridade, renda e gênero são determinantes em aumentar a probabilidade de envolvimento em acidentes fatais. Um modelo logit stepwise foi utilizado para determinar os fatores que influenciam na gravidade de acidentes de trânsito. Foram utilizados 689 questionários com dados socioeconômicos e, também, dados relativos ao acidente, de solicitantes do seguro DPVAT no estado de Alagoas, entre 2013 e 2019, para estimar o modelo. Os resultados mostram que são significativas as variáveis sexo, escolaridade, tipo de motocicleta, uso de capacete, ser habilitado e acidentes em finais de semana. Ou seja, além dos fatores relativos ao acidente, fatores inerentes ao grupo social do indivíduo influenciam na sua probabilidade de morte. Conhecer tais fatores é crucial para identificar os grupos sociais mais vulneráveis a mortalidade no trânsito e elaborar políticas públicas direcionadas a eles.
Possibilities of high-speed railway turnout data description
Authors: Hlubuček Adam
Published: July 2021

This paper aims to summarize possibilities how to create data models of high-speed railway turnouts. The turnouts designed for high-speed operation require specific geometric solution. As the UIC RailTopoModel is considered an international recommendation in the field of data modeling of railway infrastructure, this issue is assessed in terms of models based on its principles. Solving this problem can affect the future development of the Multipurpose Railway Infrastructure Model gradually emerging at the CTU Railway Laboratory in Prague using the RailTopoModel principles.Whereas the RailTopoModel itself does not define any specific types of entities, the railML® 3.1 specifications are also used for assessment purposes. Turnouts are viewed both in terms of topology and in terms of functional infrastructure. In the final sections, recommendations are given on how to deal with the problems found, e. g. in terms of implementation into the Multipurpose Railway Infrastructure Model.