bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists Minimum Capnometer Specifications 2021—A Guide for Health Care Decision Makers
Authors: Gelb Adrian W. , McDougall Robert J. , Gore-Booth Julian , Mainland Phoebe-Anne ,   on behalf of the WFSA Ad Hoc Capnometry Workgroup
Published: August 2021

Capnometry, the measurement of respiratory carbon dioxide, is regarded as a highly recommended safety technology in intubated and nonintubated sedated and/or anesthetized patients. Its utility includes confirmation of initial and ongoing placement of an airway device as well as in detecting gas exchange, bronchospasm, airway obstruction, reduced cardiac output, and metabolic changes. The utility applies prehospital and throughout all phases of inhospital care. Unfortunately, capnometry devices are not readily available in many countries, especially those that are resource-limited. Constraining factors include cost, durability of devices, availability of consumables, lack of dependable power supply, difficulty with cleaning, and maintenance. There is, thus, an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together to develop, market, and distribute appropriate devices that address costs and other requirements. To foster this process, the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) has developed the “WFSA—Minimum Capnometer Specifications 2021.” The intent of the specifications is to set the minimum that would be acceptable from industry in their attempts to reduce costs while meeting other needs in resource-constrained regions. The document also includes very desirable and preferred options. The intent is to stimulate interest and engagement among industry, clinical providers, professional associations, and ministries of health to address this important patient safety need. The WFSA—Minimum Capnometer Specifications 2021 is based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) capnometer specifications. While industry is familiar with such specifications and their presentation format, most clinicians are not; therefore, this article serves to more clearly explain the requirements. In addition, the specifications as described can be used as a purchasing guide by clinicians.
Regional Anesthetic Approaches for Postoperative Analgesia Following Vertebral Body Tethering: A Case Series
Authors: Lee Nancy S. , Kydes Ashley
Published: August 2021

Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is an innovative surgical technique used to treat juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The optimal anesthetic technique, including the preferred management of postoperative pain, is not known. In this case series, we describe 3 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who received either continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) catheters or intercostal liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative pain management after bilateral VBT via minithoracotomy.
Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome in the Obstetric Patient: A Case Report of Anesthetic Implications and Management
Authors: Hult Martin , Halldorsdottir Halla , Vladic Stjernholm Ylva , Hein Anette , Jörnvall Henrik
Published: August 2021

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare systemic syndrome characterized by venous malformations usually found in the skin and visceral organs. To date, 11 case reports describing BRBNS during pregnancy have been published. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing intracranial, airway, epidural, and birth canal involvement of venous malformations in the same parturient. Key lessons learned include clinical presentation, workup, team management, and care of obstetric patients with this disorder.
Moths sense but do not learn flower odors with their proboscis during flower investigation
Authors: Adam Elisabeth , Hansson Bill S. , Knaden Markus
Published: August 2021

Insect pollinators, such as the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta, are known for locating flowers and learning floral odors by using their antennae. A recent study revealed, however, that the tobacco hawkmoth additionally possesses olfactory sensilla at the tip of its proboscis. Here, we asked whether this second ‘nose’ of the hawkmoth is involved in odor learning, similar to the antennae. We first show that M. sexta foraging efficiency at Nicotiana attenuata flowers increases with experience. This raises the question whether olfactory learning with the proboscis plays a role during flower handling. By rewarding the moths at an artificial flower, we show that, although moths learn an odor easily when they perceive it with their antennae, experiencing the odor just with the proboscis is not sufficient for odor learning. Furthermore, experiencing the odor with the antennae during training does not affect the behavior of the moths when they later detect the learned odor with the proboscis only. Therefore, there seems to be no cross-talk between the antennae and proboscis, and information learnt by the antennae cannot be retrieved by the proboscis.
Direct oligonucleotide sequencing with nanopores
Authors: Chalapati Sachin , Crosbie Conor A , Limbachiya Dixita , Pinnamaneni Nimesh
Published: August 2021

Third-generation DNA sequencing has enabled sequencing of long, unamplified DNA fragments with minimal steps. Direct sequencing of ssDNA or RNA gives valuable insights like base-level modifications, phosphoramidite synthesis yield estimates and strand quality analysis, without the need to add the complimentary strand. Direct sequencing of single-stranded nucleic acid species is challenging as they are non-compatible to the double-stranded sequencing adapters used by manufacturers. The MinION platform from Oxford Nanopore Technologies performs sequencing by passing single-strands of DNA through a layer of biological nanopore sensors; although sequencing is performed on single-strands, the recommended template by the manufacturer is double-stranded. We have identified that the MinION platform can perform sequencing of short, single-strand oligonucleotides directly without amplification or second-strand synthesis by performing a single annealing step before library preparation. Short 5’ phosphorylated oligos when annealed to an adapter sequence can be directly sequenced in the 5' to 3' direction via nanopores. Adapter sequences were designed to bind to the 5’ end of the oligos and to leave a 3’ adenosine overhang after binding to their target. The 3’ adenosine overhang of the adapter and the terminal phosphate makes the 5’ end of the oligo analogous to an end-prepared dsDNA, rendering it compatible with ligation-based library preparation for sequencing. An oligo-pool containing 42,000, 120 nt orthogonal sequences was phosphorylated and sequenced using this method and ~90% of these sequences were recovered with high accuracy using BLAST. In the nanopore raw data, we have identified that empty signals can be wrongly identified as a valid read by the MinION platform and sometimes multiple signals containing several strands can be fused into a single raw sequence file due to segmentation faults in the software. This direct oligonucleotide sequencing method enables novel applications in DNA data storage systems where short oligonucleotides are the primary information carriers.
Implementasi Manajemen Pendidikan Karakter
Authors: Oktavian Ilham Ramadhan , Hasanah Enung
Published: August 2021

Manajemen pendidikan karakter sebagai penanaman nilai-nilai karakter, nilai akhlak, moral dan perilaku yang baik terhadap peserta didik. Penelitian ini berupaya mengeskplorasi peran manajemen pendidikan dalam mengembangkan karakter peserta didik di lembaga pendidikan formal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kajian literatur untuk menghasilkan esensi peran manajemen pendidikan dalam mengembangkan karakter siswa di lembaga pendidikan formal. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa dari berbagai proses penanaman karakter melalui perilaku di dalam diri siswa, manajemen pendidikan mampu menciptakan kondisi yang kontributif terhadap pengembangan karakter peserta didik. Sehingga perserta didik dapat mempersiapkan dirinya melalui penguasaan kompetensi yang diinetrnalisasi menajdi karakter dalam diri mereka.Management of character education as planting character values, moral values, morals and good behavior towards students. In developing the character of students, there are many materials for consideration to develop student character through learning that is instilled in students. As a form of effort to cultivate personality, morals, and knowledge, it takes a role in the management of character education. This study examines the results of observations from various data sources that have been collected. From the various developments of inculcating behavior in students, it is able to create conditions that contribute to the management of student character development. So that students can prepare themselves through mastery of competence and character education management.
Effect of Traditional Korean Medicine Treatment Including Acupotomy on the Level of Pain and Quality of Life of Patients with Cervical Herniated Intervertebral Disc: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Kim Beom Seok , Sung Ki Jung , Lee Ye Ji , Jeon Ju Hyun , Kim Young Il
Published: August 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to statistically analyze the treatment effect and patient satisfaction of traditional Korean medicine, including acupotomy treatment of cervical herniated intervertebral disc. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 22 patients who received traditional Korean medicine including acupotomy treatment amongst all patients diagnosed with cervical herniated intervertebral discs at the Korean Medicine hospital in Daejeon, Korean, from January 01, 2020 to April 30, 2021. The clinical data from patient medical records were statistically analyzed. Results: The Numeric Rating Scale, the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions, and the European Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale questionnaire scores were each compared before and after traditional Korean medicine treatment, including acupotomy, showed significantly improved scores after treatment (p < 0.001). Out of a total of 22 patients, 11 rated the treatment “very satisfactory” (50%), 5 “satisfactory” (22.7%), 5 “indifferent” (22.7%), 1 “unsatisfactory” (4.5%), and 0 “very unsatisfactory” (0%). Of the total 22 patients, 17 patients (77.3%) were willing to have further treatment, and 5 patients (22.7%) were not willing. Conclusion: Traditional Korean medicine treatment including acupotomy was an effective treatment for cervical herniated intervertebral discs. To determine the effect of an individual application (e.g., acupotomy) of traditional Korean medicine treatment for cervical herniated intervertebral disc, a prospective, controlled study is needed.
A Combination of Herbal Medicine and Moxibustion Treatment is Effective for a Recalcitrant Cutaneous Warts in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Ji-Yeon , Kim Sul-Ki , Jeon Cheon-Hoo , Shim Soo-Bo , Ahn Hae In , Kim NamKwen
Published: August 2021

Although warts are a common skin condition/disease that recurs in childhood, treatment completion is difficult owing to the pain associated with conventional therapies. In this case, Korean herbal medicine, Guijakjihwang-Tang, and indirect moxibustion was used to treat a recalcitrant cutaneous wart without pain and recurrence. A 7-year-old boy presented with recurrent cutaneous warts on his right hand and received cryotherapy 3 times in the previous year. The wart recurred during the course of cryotherapy treatment, and the patient did not want to suffer any more pain from the previous treatment. Therefore, parents sought an efficient and painless therapy. The patient was treated for 2 months using Guijakjihwang-Tang combined with indirect moxibustion. The prominent lesion separated in the 2nd month of treatment and completely recovered without adverse events in the 3rd month. There was no recurrence over 12 months of follow-up. This report provides meaningful insights into the use of Korean medicine as a safe, painless and efficient treatment for warts in pediatric patients.
Performance model of depth from defocus with an unconventional camera
Authors: Trouvé-Peloux P. , Champagnat F. , Le Besnerais G. , Druart G. , Idier J.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we present a generic performance model able to evaluate the accuracy of depth estimation using depth from defocus (DFD). This model only requires the sensor point spread function at a given depth to evaluate the theoretical accuracy of depth estimation. Hence, it can be used for any (un)conventional system, using either one or several images. This model is validated experimentally on two unconventional DFD cameras, using either a coded aperture or a lens with chromatic aberration. Then, we use the proposed model for the end-to-end design of a 3D camera using an unconventional lens with chromatic aberration, for the specific use-case of small unmanned aerial vehicle navigation.
Accurate polarization preparation and measurement using twisted nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Bielak Martin , Stárek Robert , Krčmarský Vojtěch , Mičuda Michal , Ježek Miroslav
Published: August 2021

Generation of particular polarization states of light, encoding information in polarization degree of freedom, and efficient measurement of unknown polarization are the key tasks in optical metrology, optical communications, polarization-sensitive imaging, and photonic information processing. Liquid crystal devices have proved to be indispensable for these tasks, though their limited precision and the requirement of a custom design impose a limit of practical applicability. Here we report fast preparation and detection of polarization states with unprecedented accuracy using liquid-crystal cells extracted from common twisted nematic liquid-crystal displays. To verify the performance of the device we use it to prepare dozens of polarization states with average fidelity 0.999(1) and average angle deviation 0.5(3) deg. Using four-projection minimum tomography as well as six-projection Pauli measurement, we measure polarization states employing the reported device with the average fidelity of 0.999(1). Polarization measurement data are processed by the maximum likelihood method to reach a valid estimate of the polarization state. In addition to the application in classical polarimetry, we also employ the reported liquid-crystal device for full tomographic characterization of a three-mode Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger entangled state produced by a photonic quantum processor.
Noniterative sub-pixel shifting super-resolution lensless digital holography
Authors: Lee Heejung , Kim JongWu , Kim JunWoo , Jeon Philjun , Lee Seung Ah , Kim Dugyoung
Published: August 2021

Lensless digital holography (LDH) is gaining considerable attention lately due to a simple experimental setup, wide field-of-view, and three-dimensional (3D) imaging capability. Since the resolution of LDH is limited by the Nyquist frequency of a detector array, the major drawback of LDH is resolution, and a lot of efforts were made to enhance the resolution of LDH. Here we propose and demonstrate a fast noniterative sub-pixel shifting super-resolution technique that can effectively enhance the resolution of LDH by a factor of two. We provide detailed frequency-domain formulae for our noniterative frequency-domain super-resolution method. The validity of our proposed method is experimentally demonstrated both for scattering and phase objects.
Three-dimensional polarimetric image restoration in low light with deep residual learning and integral imaging
Authors: Usmani Kashif , O’Connor Timothy , Javidi Bahram
Published: August 2021

Polarimetric imaging can become challenging in degraded environments such as low light illumination conditions or in partial occlusions. In this paper, we propose the denoising convolutional neural network (DnCNN) model with three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging to enhance the reconstructed image quality of polarimetric imaging in degraded environments such as low light and partial occlusions. The DnCNN is trained based on the physical model of the image capture in degraded environments to enhance the visualization of polarimetric imaging where simulated low light polarimetric images are used in the training process. The DnCNN model is experimentally tested on real polarimetric images captured in real low light environments and in partial occlusion. The performance of DnCNN model is compared with that of total variation denoising. Experimental results demonstrate that DnCNN performs better than total variation denoising for polarimetric integral imaging in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index measure in low light environments as well as low light environments under partial occlusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of polarimetric 3D object visualization and restoration in low light environments and occlusions using DnCNN with integral imaging. The proposed approach is also useful for 3D image restoration in conventional (non-polarimetric) integral imaging in a degraded environment.
Optimization and robustness of the topological corner state in second-order topological photonic crystals
Authors: Xie Xin , Dang Jianchen , Yan Sai , Zhang Weixuan , Hao Huiming , Xiao Shan , Shi Shushu , Zuo Zhanchun , Ni Haiqiao , Niu Zhichuan , Zhang Xiangdong , Wang Can , Xu Xiulai
Published: August 2021

The second-order topological photonic crystal with the 0D corner state provides a new way to investigate cavity quantum electrodynamics and develop topological nanophotonic devices with diverse functionalities. Here, we report on the optimization and robustness of the topological corner state in the second-order topological photonic crystal both in theory and in experiment. The topological nanocavity is formed based on the 2D generalized Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. The quality factor of the corner state is optimized theoretically and experimentally by changing the gap between two photonic crystals or just modulating the position or size of the airholes surrounding the corner. The fabricated quality factors are further optimized by the surface passivation treatment which reduces surface absorption. A maximum quality factor of the fabricated devices is about 6000, which is the highest value ever reported for the active topological corner state. Furthermore, we demonstrate the robustness of the corner state against strong disorders including the bulk defect, edge defect, and even corner defect. Our results lay a solid foundation for further investigations and applications of the topological corner state, such as the investigation of a strong coupling regime and the development of optical devices for topological nanophotonic circuitry.
Tempo and mode of morphological evolution are decoupled from latitude in birds
Authors: Drury Jonathan P. , Clavel Julien , Tobias Joseph A. , Rolland Jonathan , Sheard Catherine , Morlon Hélène
Published: August 2021

The latitudinal diversity gradient is one of the most striking patterns in nature, yet its implications for morphological evolution are poorly understood. In particular, it has been proposed that an increased intensity of species interactions in tropical biota may either promote or constrain trait evolution, but which of these outcomes predominates remains uncertain. Here, we develop tools for fitting phylogenetic models of phenotypic evolution in which the impact of species interactions—namely, competition—can vary across lineages. Deploying these models on a global avian trait dataset to explore differences in trait divergence between tropical and temperate lineages, we find that the effect of latitude on the mode and tempo of morphological evolution is weak and clade- or trait dependent. Our results indicate that species interactions do not disproportionately impact morphological evolution in tropical bird families and question the validity of previously reported patterns of slower trait evolution in the tropics.
Spatiotemporal characters and influence factors of hand, foot and mouth epidemic in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Sun Shuman , Li Zhiming , Hu Xijian , Huang Ruifang
Published: August 2021

Hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease is a common childhood illness. The paper aims to capture the spatiotemporal characters, and investigate the influence factors of the HFM epidemic in 15 regions of Xinjiang province from 2008 to 2017, China. Descriptive statistical analysis shows that the children aged 0-5 years have a higher HFM incidence, mostly boys. The male-female ratio is 1.5:1. Through the scanning method, we obtain the first cluster high-risk areas. The cluster time is usually from May to August every year. A spatiotemporal model is proposed to analyze the impact of meteorological factors on HFM disease. Comparing with the spatial model, the model is more effective in terms of R2, AIC, deviation, and mean-square error. Among meteorological factors, the number of HFM cases generally increases with the intensity of rainfall. As the temperature increases, there are more HFM patients. Some regions are mostly influenced by wind speed. Further, another spatiotemporal model is introduced to investigate the relationship between HFM disease and socioeconomic factors. The results show that socioeconomic factors have significant influence on the disease. In most areas, the risk of HFM disease tends to rise with the increase of the gross domestic product, the ratios of urban population and tertiary industry. The incidence is closely related to the number of beds and population density in some regions. The higher the ratio of primary school, the lower the number of HFM cases. Based on the above analysis, it is the key measure to prevent and control the spread of the HFM epidemic in high-risk areas, and influence factors should not be ignored.
Physiologically relevant aspirin concentrations trigger immunostimulatory cytokine production by human leukocytes
Authors: Brox Regine , Hackstein Holger
Published: August 2021

Acetylsalicylic acid is a globally used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with diverse pharmacological properties, although its mechanism of immune regulation during inflammation (especially atin vivorelevant doses) remains largely speculative. Given the increase in clinical perspective of Acetylsalicylic acid in various diseases and cancer prevention, this study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory role of physiological Acetylsalicylic acid concentrations (0.005, 0.02 and 0.2 mg/ml) in a human whole blood of infection-induced inflammation. We describe a simple, highly reliable whole blood assay using an array of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands 1–9 in order to systematically explore the immunomodulatory activity of Acetylsalicylic acid plasma concentrations in physiologically relevant conditions. Release of inflammatory cytokines and production of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) were determined directly in plasma supernatant. Experiments demonstrate for the first time that plasma concentrations of Acetylsalicylic acid significantly increased TLR ligand-triggered IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, indomethacin did not exhibit this capacity, whereas cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective NSAID, celecoxib, induced a similar pattern like Acetylsalicylic acid, suggesting a possible relevance of COX-2. Accordingly, we found that exogenous addition of COX downstream product, PGE2, attenuates the TLR ligand-mediated cytokine secretion by augmenting production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Low PGE2levels were at least involved in the enhanced IL-1β production by Acetylsalicylic acid.
Study on the drop impact characteristics and impact damage mechanism of sweet potato tubers during harvest
Authors: Bao Guocheng , Wang Gongpu , Wang Bing , Hu Lianglong , Xu Xiaowei , Shen Haiyang , Ji Longlong
Published: August 2021

Collision of falling in the mechanical harvesting process of sweet potato is one of the main causes of epidermal destruction and damage to sweet potato tubers. Therefore, a sweet potato mechanical characteristic test and a full-factor sweet potato drop test were designed. Based on the analysis of the fitting mathematical model, the impact of the drop height, collision material and sweet potato chunk size on the damage of the sweet potato were studied. The mathematical models were established by fitting analysis of the IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software between the drop height and the sweet potato chunk size with each test index (impact force, impact stress, broken skin area and damaged area). The critical epidermal destruction height and the critical damage height of a certain size of sweet potato when it collides with a collision material can be calculated by the mathematical model, and the critical epidermal destruction mass and critical damage mass of sweet potato when it falls from a certain height and collides with a collision material can also be calculated. Then a series of critical values (including critical epidermal destruction force value, critical epidermal destruction impact stress, critical damage force value, critical damage impact stress) of mechanical properties of sweet potato were obtained. The results show that the impact deformation of sweet potato includes both elastic and plastic ones, and has similar stress relaxation characteristics. The critical damage impact stress of sweet potato is that the average value of the impact stress on the contact surface is less than it’s Firmness. The results provided a theoretical basis for understanding the collision damage mechanism of sweet potato and how to reduce the damage during harvest.
MiRNA-1202 promotes the TGF-β1-induced proliferation, differentiation and collagen production of cardiac fibroblasts by targeting nNOS
Authors: Xiao Jingwen , Zhang Yan , Tang Yuan , Dai Hengfen , OuYang Yu , Li Chuanchuan , Yu Meiqin
Published: August 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a clinically common arrhythmia that affects human health. Myocardial fibrosis serves as an important contributor to AF. Recently, miRNA-1202 have been reported to be up-regulated in AF. However, the role of miRNA-1202 and its mechanism in myocardial fibrosis remain unclear.

Methods

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) were used to construct a fibrosis model by TGF-β1 induction. The expression of miR-1202 was measured by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assays. Protein expression levels were measured by western blot. Collagen accumulation was measured by ELISA. The relationship between miR-1202 and nNOS was investigated by luciferase reporter assays.

Results

MiR-1202 expression was obviously increased in HCFs and was both time- and dose-independent. MiR-1202 could increase the proliferation and collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA levels with or without TGF-β1. MiR-1202 could also increase TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 protein levels in comparison to the control group. However, they were obviously decreased after inhibitor transfection. MiR-1202 targets nNOS for negative regulation of HCFs fibrosis by decreasing cell differentiation, collagen deposition and the activity of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Co-transfection of miR-1202 inhibitor and siRNA of nNOS inhibited nNOS protein expression, thereby enhancing the HCFs proliferation. Furthermore, co-transfection of the miR-1202 inhibitor and siRNA of nNOS significantly promoted collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, Smad2/3 and α-SMA protein expression and Smad2/3 protein phosphorylation. These findings suggested that miR-1202 promotes HCFs transformation to a pro-fibrotic phenotype by targeting nNOS through activating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway.
The assignment and distribution of the dyslexia label: Using the UK Millennium Cohort Study to investigate the socio-demographic predictors of the dyslexia label in England and Wales
Authors: Knight Cathryn , Crick Tom
Published: August 2021

The prevalence of dyslexia identification has increased significantly over the last two decades. Yet there is debate over whether there are distinct biological and cognitive differences between those with literacy difficulties and the subgroup of people identified as dyslexic. This is the first paper that provides evidence for this ongoing debate by investigating the socio-demographic factors, outside biology and cognition, that predict whether a child is identified as dyslexic in the UK. Using secondary data from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study, this paper examines the socio-demographic factors that predict whether a child’s teacher identifies them as dyslexic at age 11. Gender, season of birth, socio-economic class and parental income are found to be significant predictors of the dyslexia label. Therefore, factors seemingly unrelated to the clinical aspects of dyslexia influence whether a child is identified as dyslexic in England and Wales. This suggests that label may not be evenly distributed across a population; furthermore, it may also indicate that resources for support may not be fairly allocated. The findings further support the argument that a ‘dyslexic sub-group’ within poor readers is created due to the impact of environmental factors. The results from this national-scale study thus questions the reliability, validity and moral integrity of the allocation of the dyslexia label across current education systems in the UK.
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Beliefs among Black and Hispanic Americans
Authors: Kricorian Katherine , Turner Karin
Published: August 2021

The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines is a major public health breakthrough. However, members of US Black and Hispanic communities, already disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus, may be less willing to receive the vaccine. We conducted a broad, representative survey of US adults (N = 1,950) in order to better understand vaccine beliefs and explore opportunities to increase vaccine acceptance among these groups. The survey results suggested that Black and Hispanic individuals were less willing than Whites to receive the vaccine. US Blacks and Hispanics also planned to delay receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for a longer time period than Whites, potentially further increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19 within populations that are already experiencing high disease prevalence. Black respondents were less likely to want the COVID-19 vaccine at all compared with Whites and Hispanics, and mistrust of the vaccine among Black respondents was significantly higher than other racial/ethnic groups. Encouragingly, many Black and Hispanic respondents reported that COVID-19 vaccine endorsements from same-race medical professionals would increase their willingness to receive it. These respondents said they would also be motivated by receiving more information on the experiences of vaccine study participants who are of their own race and ethnicity. The results have implications for improved messaging of culturally-tailored communications to help reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The effect of nudges on autonomy in hypothetical and real life settings
Authors: Wachner Jonas , Adriaanse Marieke A. , De Ridder Denise T. D.
Published: August 2021

Nudges have repeatedly been found to be effective, however they are claimed to harm autonomy, and it has been found that laypeople expect this too. To test whether these expectations translate to actual harm to experienced autonomy, three online studies were conducted. The paradigm used in all studies was that participants were asked to voluntarily participate in a longer version of the questionnaire. This was either done in a hypothetical setting, where participants imagined they were asked this question, but did not answer it, and reported their expectations for autonomy; Or in an actual choice setting where participants answered the question and then reported their actual autonomy. The first study utilized the hypothetical setting and tried to replicate that laypeople expect nudges to harm autonomy with the current paradigm. A total of 451 participants were randomly assigned to either a control, a default nudge, or a social norm nudge condition. In the default nudge condition, the affirmative answer was pre-selected, and in the social norm nudge condition it was stated that most people answered affirmative. The results showed a trend for lower expected autonomy in nudge conditions, but did not find significant evidence. In Study 2, with a sample size of 454, the same design was used in an actual choice setting. Only the default nudge was found to be effective, and no difference in autonomy was found. In Study 3, Studies 1 and 2 were replicated. Explanation of the nudge was added as an independent variable and the social norm nudge condition was dropped, resulting in six conditions and 1322 participants. The results showed that participants indeed expected default nudges to harm their autonomy, but only if the nudge was explained. When actually nudged, no effect on autonomy was found, independent of the presence of an explanation.
Colon adenocarcinoma-derived cells possessing stem cell function can be modulated using renin-angiotensin system inhibitors
Authors: Munro Matthew J. , Peng Lifeng , Wickremesekera Susrutha K. , Tan Swee T.
Published: August 2021

The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept proposes that cancer recurrence and metastasis are driven by CSCs. In this study, we investigated whether cells from colon adenocarcinoma (CA) with a CSC-like phenotype express renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, and the effect of RAS inhibitors on CA-derived primary cell lines. Expression of RAS components was interrogated using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining in 6 low-grade CA (LGCA) and 6 high-grade CA (HGCA) tissue samples and patient-matched normal colon samples. Primary cell lines derived from 4 HGCA tissues were treated with RAS inhibitors to investigate their effect on cellular metabolism, tumorsphere formation and transcription of pluripotency genes. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining showed expression of AT2R, ACE2, PRR, and cathepsins B and D by cells expressing pluripotency markers. β-blockers and AT2R antagonists reduced cellular metabolism, pluripotency marker expression, and tumorsphere-forming capacity of CA-derived primary cell lines. This study suggests that the RAS is active in CSC-like cells in CA, and further investigation is warranted to determine whether RAS inhibition is a viable method of targeting CSCs.
The plastome sequence of Bactris gasipaes and evolutionary analysis in tribe Cocoseae (Arecaceae)
Authors: Santos da Silva Raquel , Roland Clement Charles , Balsanelli Eduardo , de Baura Valter Antonio , Maltempi de Souza Emanuel , Pacheco de Freitas Fraga Hugo , do Nascimento Vieira Leila
Published: August 2021

The family Arecaceae is distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Among the five subfamilies, Arecoideae is the most species-rich and still contains some ambiguous inter-generic relationships, such as those within subtribes Attaleinae and Bactridineae. The hypervariable regions of plastid genomes (plastomes) are interesting tools to clarify unresolved phylogenetic relationships. We sequenced and characterized the plastome of Bactris gasipaes (Bactridinae) and compared it with eight species from the three Cocoseae sub-tribes (Attaleinae, Bactridinae, and Elaeidinae) to perform comparative analysis and to identify hypervariable regions. The Bactris gasipaes plastome has 156,646 bp, with 113 unique genes. Among them, four genes have an alternative start codon (cemA, rps19, rpl2, and ndhD). Plastomes are highly conserved within tribe Cocoseae: 97.3% identity, length variation of ~2 kb, and a single ~4.5 kb inversion in Astrocaryum plastomes. The LSC/IR and IR/SSC junctions vary among the subtribes: in Bactridinae and Elaeidinae the rps19 gene is completely contained in the IR region; in the subtribe Attaleinae the rps19 gene is only partially contained in the IRs. The hypervariable regions selected according to sequence variation (SV%) and frequency of parsimony informative sites (PIS%) revealed plastome regions with great potential for molecular analysis. The ten regions with greatest SV% showed higher variation than the plastid molecular markers commonly used for phylogenetic analysis in palms. The phylogenetic trees based on the plastomes and the hypervariable regions (SV%) datasets had well-resolved relationships, with consistent topologies within tribe Cocoseae, and confirm the monophyly of the subtribes Bactridinae and Attaleinae.
Splitting Gaussian processes for computationally-efficient regression
Authors: Terry Nick , Choe Youngjun
Published: August 2021

Gaussian processes offer a flexible kernel method for regression. While Gaussian processes have many useful theoretical properties and have proven practically useful, they suffer from poor scaling in the number of observations. In particular, the cubic time complexity of updating standard Gaussian process models can be a limiting factor in applications. We propose an algorithm for sequentially partitioning the input space and fitting a localized Gaussian process to each disjoint region. The algorithm is shown to have superior time and space complexity to existing methods, and its sequential nature allows the model to be updated efficiently. The algorithm constructs a model for which the time complexity of updating is tightly bounded above by a pre-specified parameter. To the best of our knowledge, the model is the first local Gaussian process regression model to achieve linear memory complexity. Theoretical continuity properties of the model are proven. We demonstrate the efficacy of the resulting model on several multi-dimensional regression tasks.
COVID-19 related psychological distress and fears among mothers and pregnant women in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Meraya Abdulkarim M. , Syed Mamoon H. , Yasmeen Ayesha , Mubaraki Amal A. , Kariry Hadi Dhafer , Maabouj Wafaa , Moraya Dhaifallah , Makeen Hafiz A.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study objectives were to investigate maternal psychological distress, mothers’ fear of their children contracting COVID-19, mothers’ perceptions of the information available regarding children and COVID-19, changes in children’s behavior during lockdown, and concerns of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study surveyed women aged 18 years and older who either had children under 10 years of age or were pregnant at the time of the survey. The outcomes included psychological distress, mothers’ fear of their children contracting COVID-19, change in children’s behaviors during COVID-19 lockdown and pregnant women’s concerns. Multivariable ordinary least squares regression models were employed to examine the adjusted associations between sociodemographic factors and psychological distress, as well as fear of COVID-19.

Results

Of 628 women, 11.8% (n = 74) were pregnant at the time of survey. Most of the pregnant women (89.2%, n = 66) had some degree of concerns about their unborn babies getting infected during delivery in the hospital. Among mothers of children under 10 years of age (n = 564), half (n = 282) reported change in their children’s behavior during the lockdown. Most mothers and pregnant women (94.9%, n = 569) had some degree of psychological distress. Mothers and pregnant women with a college degree had significantly lower psychological distress (β = -1.346; p = 0.014) than women with a high school education or less. Similarly, mothers and pregnant women with monthly family income ≥ US$ 1,333 had lower psychological distress than those with < US$ 1,333. Women with pre-existing chronic physical (β = 2.424; p < 0.001) or mental (β = 4.733; p < 0.001) conditions had higher psychological distress than those without these conditions. Having children in the house was a contributory factor for higher psychological distress. For example, mothers with one child (β = 2.602; p = 0.007) had significantly higher psychological distress compared to expectant mothers without children in the house.

Conclusions

Most mothers and expectant mothers in our study had moderate to high levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Education, family income and chronic mental and physical conditions were associated with high psychological distress in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19.
Using an integrated knowledge translation approach to inform a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial on peer support for individuals with traumatic brain injury: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Lau Stephanie K. C. , Luong Dorothy , Sweet Shane N. , Bayley Mark , Levy Ben B. , Kastner Monika , Nelson Michelle L. A. , Salbach Nancy M. , Jaglal Susan B. , Shepherd John , Wilcock Ruth , Thoms Carla , Munce Sarah E. P.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is estimated to affect 10 million people annually, making it a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One cost-effective intervention that has been shown to minimize some of the negative sequelae after TBI is peer support. However, the evidence supporting the benefits of peer support for individuals with TBI is sparse and of low quality. Integrated knowledge translation (iKT) may be one approach to optimizing the evaluation of peer support programs among individuals with TBI. Therefore, the objectives are: (1) To understand key informants’ perspectives of the barriers and facilitators of participating in peer support research and programs among individuals with TBI; (2) to understand key informants’ perspectives on the perceived impacts of peer support programs on individuals with TBI; and, (3) to demonstrate how an iKT approach can inform the development and implementation of a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach using one-on-one semi-structured interviews was used. Purposive sampling of 22 key informants included 8 peer support mentors, 4 individuals with TBI who received peer support, 3 caregivers of individuals with TBI, 4 peer support program staff, and 3 academics in peer support and/or TBI.

Results

There were five main themes related to the barriers and facilitators to participating in peer support research and programs: knowledge, awareness, and communication; logistics of participating; readiness and motivation to participate; need for clear expectations; and matching. There were three main themes related to the perceived impact of peer support: acceptance, community, social experiences; vicarious experience/learning through others: shared experiences, role-modelling, encouragement; and “I feel better.” Discussions with our Research Partner led to several significant adaptations to our trial protocol, including removing the twice/week intervention arm, shortening of the length of trial, and changing the measure for the community integration outcome.

Discussion/Conclusion

This is the first study to use an iKT approach to inform a trial protocol and the first to assess the barriers and facilitators to participating in peer support research.
Perturbed transcriptional profiles after chronic low dose rate radiation in mice
Authors: Dahl Hildegunn , Eide Dag M. , Tengs Torstein , Duale Nur , Kamstra Jorke H. , Oughton Deborah H. , Olsen Ann-Karin
Published: August 2021

Adverse health outcomes of ionizing radiation given chronically at low dose rates are highly debated, a controversy also relevant for other stressors. Increased knowledge is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the damaging potential of ionizing radiation from all dose rates and doses. There is a lack of relevant low dose rate data that is partly ascribed to the rarity of exposure facilities allowing chronic low dose rate exposures. Using the FIGARO facility, we assessed early (one day post-radiation) and late (recovery time of 100–200 days) hepatic genome-wide transcriptional profiles in male mice of two strains (CBA/CaOlaHsd and C57BL/6NHsd) exposed chronically to a low dose rate (2.5 mGy/h; 1200h, LDR), a mid-dose rate (10 mGy/h; 300h, MDR) and acutely to a high dose rate (100 mGy/h; 30h, HDR) of gamma irradiation, given to an equivalent total dose of 3 Gy. Dose-rate and strain-specific transcriptional responses were identified. Differently modulated transcriptional responses across all dose rate exposure groups were evident by the representation of functional biological pathways. Evidence of changed epigenetic regulation (global DNA methylation) was not detected. A period of recovery markedly reduced the number of differentially expressed genes. Using enrichment analysis to identify the functional significance of the modulated genes, perturbed signaling pathways associated with both cancer and non-cancer effects were observed, such as lipid metabolism and inflammation. These pathways were seen after chronic low dose rate and were not restricted to the acute high dose rate exposure. The transcriptional response induced by chronic low dose rate ionizing radiation suggests contribution to conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. We contribute with novel genome wide transcriptional data highlighting dose-rate-specific radiation responses and emphasize the importance of considering both dose rate, duration of exposure, and variability in susceptibility when assessing risks from ionizing radiation.
Molecular eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in road-killed mammals reveals Cerdocyon thous and Cuniculus paca as new hosts harboring this fungal pathogen
Authors: de Souza Scramignon-Costa Bruno , Almeida-Silva Fernando , Wanke Bodo , Weksler Marcelo , Moratelli Ricardo , do Valle Antonio Carlos Francesconi , Zancopé-Oliveira Rosely Maria , Almeida-Paes Rodrigo , Bueno Cecília , de Macedo Priscila Marques
Published: August 2021

Wild animals infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis represent important indicators of this fungal agent presence in the environment. The detection of this pathogen in road-killed wild animals has shown to be a key strategy for eco-epidemiological surveillance of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), helping to map hot spots for human infection. Molecular detection of P. brasiliensis in wild animals from PCM outbreak areas has not been performed so far. The authors investigated the presence of P. brasiliensis through nested-PCR in tissue samples obtained from road-killed animals collected nearby a human PCM outbreak spot, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil and border areas. Eighteen species of mammals were analyzed: Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo, n = 6), Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox, n = 4), Coendou spinosus (hairy dwarf porcupine, n = 2), Lontra longicaudis (Neotropical river otter, n = 1), Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon, n = 1), Galactis cuja (lesser grison, n = 1), Tamandua tetradactyla (collared anteater, n = 1), Cuniculus paca (paca, n = 1), and Bradypus variegatus (brown-throated three-toed sloth, n = 1). Specific P. brasiliensis sequences were detected in the liver, spleen, and lymph node samples from 4/6 (66.7%) D. novemcinctus, reinforcing the importance of these animals on Paracoccidioides ecology. Moreover, lymph nodes samples from two C. thous, as well as lung samples from the C. paca were also positive. A literature review of Paracoccidioides spp. in vertebrates in Brazil indicates C. thous and C. paca as new hosts for the fungal pathogen P. brasiliensis.
Kulturális értékek, kulturális dimenziók és kulturális standardok : Empirikus vizsgálat a bécsi és a budapesti menedzserek körében
Authors: Hofmeister Tóth Ágnes , Kainzbauer Astrid , Brück Frank , Neulinger Ágnes
Published: August 2021

Az osztrák-magyar kulturális különbségekkel foglalkozó első tanulmányok 1998-ban jelentek meg Kainzbauer - Brück és Horváth - Meierwert tollából. Mindkét kutatópáros Thomas kulturális standard módszerét használta. Ezzel a technikával az osztrák kutatócsoport 7 kulturális standardot térképezett fel, amelyek relevánsnak tekinthetők az osztrák-magyar kulturális különbségek megragadására. Jelen tanulmány beszámol a budapesti és a bécsi menedzserek körében kvantitatív módszerrel végzett kutatásról, amelynek célja a hofstedei kulturális dimenziók meghatározása, valamint a korábbi kulturális standard módszerrel megállapított dimenziók érvényességének ellenőrzése volt.