bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-flow nasal cannula versus conventional oxygen therapy in acute COPD exacerbation with mild hypercapnia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xia Jingen , Gu Sichao , Lei Wei , Zhang Jihua , Wei Hui , Liu Chao , Zhang Han , Lu Rongli , Zhang Liqiong , Jiang Mingyan , Hu Chao , Cheng Zhenshun , Wei Chaojie , Chen Yusheng , Lu Fengfeng , Chen Min , Bi Hong , Liu Hui , Yan Cunzi , Teng Hong , Yang Yang , Liang Chen , Ge Yanlei , Hou Pengguo , Liu Jialin , Gao Weiwei , Zhang Yi , Feng Yingying , Tao Cheng , Huang Xu , Pan Pinhua , Luo Hong , Yun Chunmei , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: April 2022

Background

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) can improve ventilatory function in patients with acute COPD exacerbation. However, its effect on clinical outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was conducted from July 2017 to December 2020 in 16 tertiary hospitals in China. Patients with acute COPD exacerbation with mild hypercapnia (pH ≥ 7.35 and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide > 45 mmHg) were randomly assigned to either HFNC or conventional oxygen therapy. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who met the criteria for intubation during hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included treatment failure (intolerance and need for non-invasive or invasive ventilation), length of hospital stay, hospital cost, mortality, and readmission at day 90.

Results

Among 337 randomized patients (median age, 70.0 years; 280 men [83.1%]; median pH 7.399; arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide 51 mmHg), 330 completed the trial. 4/158 patients on HFNC and 1/172 patient on conventional oxygen therapy met the criteria for intubation (P = 0.198). Patients progressed to NPPV in both groups were comparable (15 [9.5%] in the HFNC group vs. 22 [12.8%] in the conventional oxygen therapy group; P = 0.343). Compared with conventional oxygen therapy, HFNC yielded a significantly longer median length of hospital stay (9.0 [interquartile range, 7.0–13.0] vs. 8.0 [interquartile range, 7.0–11.0] days) and a higher median hospital cost (approximately $2298 [interquartile range, $1613–$3782] vs. $2005 [interquartile range, $1439–$2968]). There were no significant differences in other secondary outcomes between groups.

Conclusions

In this multi-center randomized controlled study, HFNC compared to conventional oxygen therapy did not reduce need for intubation among acute COPD exacerbation patients with mild hypercapnia. The future studies should focus on patients with acute COPD exacerbation with respiratory acidosis (pH < 7.35). However, because the primary outcome rate was well below expected, the study was underpowered to show a meaningful difference between the two treatment groups.

Trial registration: NCT03003559. Registered on December 28, 2016.
PolyMyalgia Rheumatica treatment with Methotrexate in Optimal Dose in an Early disease phase (PMR MODE): study protocol for a multicenter double-blind placebo controlled trial
Authors: Marsman Diane E. , Bolhuis Thomas E. , den Broeder Nathan , den Broeder Alfons A. , van der Maas Aatke
Published: April 2022

Background

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting people older than 50, resulting in pain and stiffness of the neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdle. To date, glucocorticoids (GC) remain the cornerstone of treatment, but these have several drawbacks. Firstly, a large proportion of patients do not achieve GC-free remission within either the first (over 70%) or second year of treatment (over 50%). Secondly, GC-related adverse events (AE) occur in up to 65% of patients and can be severe.

The current EULAR/ACR guidelines for PMR recommend early introduction of methotrexate (MTX) as a GC sparing agent in patients at risk for worse prognosis. However, earlier trials of low to medium quality only studied MTX dosages of 7.5–10 mg/week with no to modest effect. These doses may be suboptimal as MTX is recommended in higher doses (25 mg/week) for other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The exact role, timing, and dose of MTX in PMR remain unclear, and therefore, our objective is to study the efficacy of MTX 25 mg/week in recently diagnosed PMR patients.

Methods

We set up a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled superiority trial (PMR MODE) to assess the efficacy of MTX 25 mg/week versus placebo in a 1:1 ratio in 100 recently diagnosed PMR patients according to the 2012 EULAR/ACR criteria. All patients will receive prednisolone 15 mg/day, tapered to 0 mg over the course of 24 weeks. In case of primary non-response or disease relapse, prednisolone dose will be temporarily increased. Assessments will take place at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 32, and 52 weeks. The primary outcome is the difference in proportion of patients in GC-free remission at week 52.

Discussion

No relapsing PMR patients were chosen, since the possible benefits of MTX may not outweigh the risks at low doses and effect modification may occur. Accelerated tapering was chosen in order to more easily identify a GC-sparing effect if one exists. A composite endpoint of GC-free remission was chosen as a clinically relevant endpoint for both patients and rheumatologist and may reduce second order (treatment) effects.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Registration, NL8366. Registered on 10 February 2020
DSCAM is differentially patterned along the optic axon pathway in the developing Xenopus visual system and guides axon termination at the target
Authors: Santos Rommel Andrew , Del Rio Rodrigo , Alvarez Alexander Delfin , Romero Gabriela , Vo Brandon Zarate , Cohen-Cory Susana
Published: April 2022

Background

The Xenopus retinotectal circuit is organized topographically, where the dorsal–ventral axis of the retina maps respectively on to the ventral-dorsal axis of the tectum; axons from the nasal-temporal axis of the retina project respectively to the caudal-rostral axis of the tectum. Studies throughout the last two decades have shown that mechanisms involving molecular recognition of proper termination domains are at work guiding topographic organization. Such studies have shown that graded distribution of molecular cues is important for topographic mapping. However, the complement of molecular cues organizing topography along the developing optic nerve, and as retinal axons cross the chiasm and navigate towards and innervate their target in the tectum, remains unknown. Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM) has been characterized as a key molecule in axon guidance, making it a strong candidate involved in the topographic organization of retinal fibers along the optic path and at their target.

Methods

Using a combination of whole-brain clearing and immunohistochemistry staining techniques we characterized DSCAM expression and the projection of ventral and dorsal retinal fibers starting from the eye, following to the optic nerve and chiasm, and into the terminal target in the optic tectum in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We then assessed the effects of DSCAM on the establishment of retinotopic maps through spatially and temporally targeted DSCAM knockdown on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with axons innervating the optic tectum.

Results

Highest expression of DSCAM was localized to the ventral posterior region of the optic nerve and chiasm; this expression pattern coincides with ventral fibers derived from ventral RGCs. Targeted downregulation of DSCAM expression on ventral RGCs affected the segregation of medial axon fibers from their dorsal counterparts within the tectal neuropil, indicating that DSCAM plays a role in retinotopic organization.

Conclusion

These findings together with previous studies demonstrating cell-autonomous roles for DSCAM during the development of pre- and postsynaptic arbors in the Xenopus retinotectal circuit indicates that DSCAM exerts multiple roles in coordinating axon targeting and structural connectivity in the developing vertebrate visual system.
Machine learning to predict metabolic drug interactions related to cytochrome P450 isozymes
Authors: Wang Ning-Ning , Wang Xiang-Gui , Xiong Guo-Li , Yang Zi-Yi , Lu Ai-Ping , Chen Xiang , Liu Shao , Hou Ting-Jun , Cao Dong-Sheng
Published: April 2022

Drug–drug interaction (DDI) often causes serious adverse reactions and thus results in inestimable economic and social loss. Currently, comprehensive DDI evaluation has become a major challenge in pharmaceutical research due to the time-consuming and costly process of the experimental assessment and it is of high necessity to develop effective in silico methods to predict and evaluate DDIs accurately and efficiently. In this study, based on a large number of substrates and inhibitors related to five important CYP450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4), a series of high-performance predictive models for metabolic DDIs were constructed by two machine learning methods (random forest and XGBoost) and 4 different types of descriptors (MOE_2D, CATS, ECFP4 and MACCS). To reduce the uncertainty of individual models, the consensus method was applied to yield more reliable predictions. A series of evaluations illustrated that the consensus models were more reliable and robust for the DDI predictions of new drug combination. For the internal validation, the whole prediction accuracy and AUC value of the DDI models were around 0.8 and 0.9, respectively. When it was applied to the external datasets, the model accuracy was 0.793 and 0.795 for multi-level validation and external validation, respectively. Furthermore, we also compared our model with some recently published tools and then applied the final model to predict FDA-approved drugs and proposed 54,013 possible drug pairs with potential DDIs. In summary, we developed a powerful DDI predictive model from the perspective of the CYP450 enzyme family and it will help a lot in the future drug development and clinical pharmacy research.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of missing teeth and nasal septal deviation on maxillary sinus volume: a pilot study
Authors: Yamaguchi Kikue , Munakata Motohiro , Kataoka Yu , Uesugi Takashi , Shimoo Yoshiaki
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Tooth extraction and the projection of the tooth roots into the maxillary sinus are reported to greatly reduce the bone height from the alveolar ridge to the maxillary sinus floor, while missing teeth are reported to lead to the expansion of the maxillary sinus, all of which are important considerations during dental implant treatment for the maxillary molar region. Therefore, assessing the anatomical characteristics of the maxillary sinus acting as complicating factors is crucial before sinus augmentation. We conducted a three-dimensional examination of the effects of missing teeth and nasal septal deviation (NSD) on maxillary sinus volume (MSV).

Methods

We selected participants with two or more missing teeth from patients who underwent maxillary sinus augmentation for a unilateral free-end saddle between April 2019 and December 2020. We calculated the MSV and NSD using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We compared the relationships of the presence/absence of teeth and NSD with MSV bilaterally in each patient using the Wilcoxon t-test. p-values < 0.05 denoted statistical significance.

Results

This study included 30 patients (30 sinuses; 12 men, 18 women). The average patient age was 58.2 ± 10.2 years (men, 60.4 ± 3.7 years; women, 59.2 ± 4.5 years; range, 40–77 years). The mean number of missing teeth was 2.98 ± 1.01: 13 patients had two missing teeth and 17 had three or more missing teeth. Nine patients (30%) had NSD. The mean MSV on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the NSD was 21.50 ± 3.84 cm3 and 22.10 ± 3.56 cm3, respectively; thus, NSD did not affect MSV (p = 0.150). The mean MSV on the edentulous and non-edentulous sides was 21.58 ± 3.89 cm3 and 21.77 ± 4.30 cm3, respectively; thus, the MSV was significantly smaller on the edentulous side (p = 0.00036).

Conclusion

Although this study was a limited preoperative study, three-dimensional measurement of the maxillary sinus with CBCT in partially edentulous patients revealed that missing teeth lead to substantial reductions in MSV, while NSD was not associated with MSV.
Feasibility and Results of the Stentectomy Procedure Performed as Rescue Treatment for Acute Thrombosis of Self-Expandable Intracranial Stents: A Case Series
Authors: Barburoglu Mehmet , Aydin Kubilay , Onal Yilmaz , Cengiz Duygu , Velioglu Murat
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Self-expandable stents have been increasingly used for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Because the usage of intracranial stents has increased overall, total numbers of complications associated with these devices have increased. Thrombosis, distortion, or incomplete opening of stents are potential complications that may result in occlusion of the parent artery. In such cases, removal of the stent (stentectomy) may be the only solution to avoid serious clinical consequences.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a novel stentectomy technique for removal of thrombosed self-expandable stents.

METHODS:

A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent the stentectomy procedure. Initial and follow-up imaging and clinical outcomes were assessed. Immediate postprocedural and follow-up clinical statuses were assessed using the modified Rankin scale.

RESULTS:

Seven patients were included in this study (mean age: 54.1 years). The stentectomy was successful in 6 of 7 patients (85.7%). Seven stents in 6 patients were successfully removed to treat the acute in-stent thrombosis that was resistant to alternative bail-out treatments. The removed stents were self-expandable braided in 2 patients, flow diverters in 2 patients, and laser cut open-cell stents in 2 patients. Stentectomy failed to retrieve a thrombosed braided stent in 1 patient. The modified Rankin scale score of all patients who underwent a success stentectomy was ≤1.

CONCLUSION:

The stentectomy procedure using the defined technique is feasible to retrieve thrombosed stents and effective to restore the blood flow. It can be considered a last resort option to treat acute in-stent thrombosis resistant to alternative bail-out treatments.
Fossil molluscs from the Middle Miocene of Öhningen, southwestern Germany
Authors: Salvador Rodrigo Brincalepe , Höltke Olaf , Valentas-Romera Bárbara L. , Rasser Michael W.
Published: April 2022

Herein, we revise an extensive set of mollusc fossils from the Upper Freshwater Molasse deposits of Öhningen palaeolake (SW Germany; Middle Miocene, MN7). Based on material housed in paleontological collections in Europe and North America, we present the first thorough systematic account of the phylum from this historic locality. A total of ten species were identified from Öhningen: three freshwater gastropods (Lymnaea dilatata Noulet, 1854, Gyraulus cf. applanatus (Thomä), Planorbarius mantelli (Dunker)), two terrestrial gastropods (Granaria cf. schuebleri (Klein), Palaeotachea sylvestrina (Schlotheim)), and five bivalves (Anodonta splendens Goldfuss, A. lavateri (Münster), Pseudunio flabellatus (Goldfuss), “Dreissena” sp., Pisidium escheri (Mayer-Eymar, 1865)). Three freshwater and five terrestrial gastropod genera mentioned in older literature could not be found in the available material. Ours is the first report of a Dreissenidae from Öhningen.
Σύνδρομο κοιλιακών προσαγωγών μυών σε αθλητές
Authors: Κουτσερίμπας Χρήστος
Published: April 2022

Το σύνδρομο κοιλιακών προσαγωγών (αθλητική ηβαλγία) αντιπροσωπεύει έναν αθλητικό τραυματισμό, που παρουσιάζεται κυρίως με πόνο στη βουβωνική χώρα, που συχνά διαγιγνώσκεται λανθασμένα ή υπο- διαγιγνώσκεται. Οι αθλητές που εκτελούν ταχεία επιτάχυνση, κινήσεις επιβράδυνσης και επαναλαμβανόμενες στροφές υψηλής ταχύτητας, καθώς και ανοίγματα είναι ιδιαίτερα ευάλωτοι σε αυτόν τον τραυματισμό. Το σύνδρομο κοιλιακών προσαγωγών ορίζεται κυρίως ως πόνος στη βουβωνική χώρα σε ασθενείς που εμπλέκονται ενεργά σε αθλητικές δραστηριότητες, αν και μπορεί επίσης να συμβεί και σε μη αθλητές. Η θεραπεία θα πρέπει να εξατομικεύεται με βάση το επίπεδο του αθλητή, το χρονικό διάστημα πριν από την επιστροφή του αθλητή στο άθλημα και το χρονοδιάγραμμα της αθλητικής περιόδου. Είναι, ως εκ τούτου, υψίστης σημασίας για τους αθλητές υψηλών απαιτήσεων να υποβληθούν σε μια διαδικασία που έχει χαμηλά ποσοστά υποτροπής, γρήγορο χρόνο αποκατάστασης και ταχεία επιστροφή στις αθλητικές τους δραστηριότητες. Σκοπός της μελέτης αυτής ήταν η αναφορά των αποτελεσμάτων, των διεγχειρητικών ευρημάτων και των επιπλοκών της ενδοσκοπικής χειρουργικής θεραπείας σε αθλητές υψηλού επιπέδου που πάσχουν από σύνδρομο κοιλιακών προσαγωγών (αθλητική ηβαλγία) σε μια περίοδο μεγαλύτερη των 15 ετών. Η παρούσα μελέτη περιέχει ένα αναδρομικό και ένα προοπτικό κομμάτι. Αποτελεί στο σύνολό της μελέτη παρατήρησης. Όλοι οι ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε επεμβατική θεραπεία με λαπαροσκοπική τεχνική ολικής εξωπεριτοναϊκής [Total extraperitoneal (TEP)] τοποθέτησης πλέγματος, λόγω συνδρόμου κοιλιακών προσαγωγών μυών (αθλητική ηβαλγία) στο τμήμα Γενικής, Λαπαροσκοπικής, Ογκολογικής και Ρομποτικής Χειρουργικής του Ιατρικού Κέντρου Αθηνών συμπεριλήφθηκαν στην μελέτη. Συνολικά 130 ασθενείς (115, 88,5% άνδρες και 15, 11,5% γυναίκες) καταγράφηκαν ως επαγγελματίες αθλητές. Διεγχειρητικά, συνολικά 26 (21,5%) ασθενείς είχαν συνυπάρχουσα αληθή βουβωνοκήλη. Σε μέση παρακολούθηση 76.6 μηνών δεν καταγράφηκε καμία υποτροπή. Η λαπαροσκοπική θεραπεία, με τοποθέτηση πλέγματος, σε αθλητές που υποφέρουν από αθλητική ηβαλγία, ακολουθούμενη από ένα πρόγραμμα αποκατάστασης 3 εβδομάδων, φαίνεται να προσφέρει ταχεία ανάκαμψη, ταχεία επιστροφή στον αθλητισμό, καθώς και πολύ χαμηλό ποσοστό επιπλοκών και καμία υποτροπή.
Conversational Implicature
Authors: Κασμιρλή Μαρία
Published: April 2022

Το συνομιλιακό υπονοήμα είναι (χονδρικά) η πρακτική της μετάδοσης ενός νοήματος λέγοντας κάτι άλλο. Στη φιλοσοφική και γλωσσική μελέτη πάνω στο θέμα κυριαρχεί η προσέγγιση που προτείνει ο Paul Grice – το Gricean πλαίσιο, όπως το αποκαλώ - σύμφωνα με το οποίο τα υπονοήματα μπορούν να υπολογιστούν από τις αρχές της συνεργατικής συμπεριφοράς. Ωστόσο, το πλαίσιο αντιμετωπίζει πολλές αντιρρήσεις και αντιπαραδείγματα, και αυτή η διατριβή το επαναξιολογεί υπό το φως των πρόσφατων εργασιών στην περιοχή. Τα κεφάλαια 1 και 2 εισάγουν το θέμα, παρέχουν μια λεπτομερή έκθεση του Gricean πλαισίου και επισημαίνουν ένα πρόβλημα σχετικά με τον ρόλο των προθέσεων του ομιλητή στα υπονοήματα. Το Κεφάλαιο 3 παρουσιάζει ορισμένα προβλήματα για την προσέγγιση του Grice και υποστηρίζει ότι μπορούμε να τα αντιμετωπίσουμε ερμηνεύοντας εκ νέου το πλαίσιο του ως κανονιστικό. Προτείνει ορισμένες αναθεωρήσεις στο πλαίσιο για να γίνει πιο συμβατό με αυτήν την ανάγνωση και δείχνει πώς μπορεί να επιλυθεί η ένταση στην άποψη του Grice για τις προθέσεις των ομιλητών. Στη συνέχεια, το Κεφάλαιο 4 υποστηρίζει ότι, παρά τα ελκυστικά της στοιχεία, η αναθεωρημένη θεωρία έχει ένα σοβαρό ελάττωμα, καθώς δεν είναι σε θέση να καθιερώσει κανόνες υπονοημάτων που να είναι ανεξάρτητοι από τον ομιλητή. Το κεφάλαιο προτείνει αντ' αυτού να επιτραπεί ένας άμεσος ρόλος τις προθέσεις του ομιλητή, διατηρώντας παράλληλα ένα κανονιστικό στοιχείο. Το Κεφάλαιο 5 εξετάζει τις νεο-Gricean θεωρίες, οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούν τις αρχές του Grice για να εξηγήσουν μια σειρά υποτιθέμενων υπονοημάτων ανεξάρτητων από περικείμενα και συγκείμενα. Παρουσιάζει ορισμένα προβλήματα για τον νεο-Griceanism, συγκρίνοντάς τον με αντίπαλες προσεγγίσεις και ερευνώντας σχετικά πειραματικά στοιχεία. Το κεφάλαιο καταλήγει στο συμπέρασμα ότι το υπονόημα είναι περισσότερο ευαίσθητο στο συγκείμενο (και το περικείμενο) από ό,τι επιτρέπει ο νεο-Greaceanism και ότι οι γενικές αρχές έχουν στην καλύτερη περίπτωση περιορισμένο ρόλο στην εξήγησή του. Το Κεφάλαιο 6 εξάγει ορισμένα συμπεράσματα, υποστηρίζοντας ότι το υπονόημα είναι λιγότερο ορθολογικό από ό,τι υποθέτει ο Grice και εξαρτάται περισσότερο από το συγκείμενο (και το περικείμενο) και την πρόθεση του ομιλητή. Προσφέρει επίσης κάποιες εικασίες σχετικά με τον κοινωνικό ρόλο και την ηθική του υπονοήματος.
Multiloop Feynman integrals for precision calculations in Quantum Chromodynamics
Authors: Συρράκος Νικόλαος
Published: April 2022

Στην παρούσα διατριβή παρουσιάζουμε τον αναλυτικό υπολογισμό ολκληρωμάτων Feynman πολλαπλών βρόχων, τα οποία συνεισφέρουν σε διάφορες 2->2 και 2->3 σωματιδιακές σκεδάσεις στα πλαίσια της Κβαντικής Χρωμοδυναμικής. Στο πρώτο μέρος παρουσιάζουμε μια επισκόπηση των μεθόδων που χρησιμοποιούνται επί του παρόντος για τον αναλυτικό υπολογισμό ολοκληρωμάτων βρόχων καθώς και την επεξεργασία των ειδικών συναρτήσεων που εμφανίζονται στις λύσεις τους. Χρησιμοποιώντας Ολοκλήρωση-Κατά-Παράγοντες, μπορούμε να εκφράσουμε τα ολκληρώματα Feynman πολλαπλών βρόχων σε μια πεπερασμένη βάση ολοκληρωμάτων, τα οποία αποκαλούνται ολοκληρώματα βάσης. Στη συνέχεια διαμορφώνουμε ένα πλαίσιο για τον αναλυτικό υπολογισμό των ολοκληρωμάτων βάσης, το οποίο συνδυάζει την μέθοδο των Απλοποιημένων Διαφορικών Εξισώσεων με τη χρήση συγκεκριμένων ολοκληρωμάτων βάσης τα οποία ικανοποιούν κανονικές διαφορικές εξισώσεις. Για τον υπολογισμό των συνοριακών τιμών χρησιμοποιούμε την μέθοδο της επέκτασης-κατά-περιοχές.Στο δεύτερο μέρος παρουσιάζουμε αποτελέσματα για συγκεκριμένα ολοκληρώματα βάσης ενός, δύο και τριών βρόχων. Αρχικά μελετούμε επίπεδα ολοκληρώματα βάσης τριών βρόχων που σχετίζονται με σκεδάσεις 2->2 όπου ένα εξωτερικό σωματίδιο φέρει μάζα. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά συνεισφέρουν σε διορθώσεις τρίτης τάξης στα πλάτη σκέδασης για την διάσπαση ενός διανυσματικού μποζονίου σε τρία αδρονικά jet ή στην παραγωγή ενός μποζονίου Higgs με την διάσπαση gg-> H + jet. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζουμε αποτελέσματα σε επίπεδο ενός και δύο βρόχων για τη σκέδαση πέντε σωματιδίων όπου ένα εξωτερικό σωματίδια φέρει μάζα. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά συνεισφέρουν στον υπολογισμό διορθώσεων δεύτερης τάξης για διαδικασίες όπως η παραγωγή W+2 jets στον LHC. Τέλος, μελετούμε διαφορα ολοκληρώματα ενός βρόχου για σκέδαση πέντε σωματιδίων, τα οποία περιλαμβάνουν άμαζους διαδότες και έως τρία έμαζα εξωτερικά σωματίδια, καθώς και έναν έμαζο διαδότη και έως δύο έμαζα εξωτερικά σωματίδια.
Walking on the Sea Traces: Developing a platform to bring Ocean Literacy and Citizen Science at Home
Authors: ALVISI FRANCESCA , BALDRIGHI ELISA , MERLINO SILVIA , LOCRITANI MARINA , PANFILI MONICA , COLELLA SABRINA , BRONCO SIMONA , CICOGNA FRANCESCA , COIAI SERENA , KING EMILY H.
Published: April 2022

We describe the process of the development of a citizen science platform on Ocean Literacy designed and implemented during the lockdown period of 2020. As restrictions due to the COVID-19 health emergency did not allow researchers to organise public events and field data collection activities related to Ocean Literacy, we decided to take advantage of this situation by building an online platform to bring Ocean Literacy issues directly into citizens' homes. The massive use of digital tools by all civic communities during this time has allowed us to implement this idea and make it effective. The pandemic control measures then provided a unique opportunity to focus citizen attention on the collection of household data and information and to highlight the more or less direct connections between citizens' lifestyles and the eco-marine system. Short questionnaires were used to ascertain and highlight citizens' household behaviours and daily attitudes during the lockdown towards water use, seafood consumption and plastic material use and disposal. Data and information were also proposed, collected and analyzed in terms of: general environmental awareness of the respondents, perception regarding their purchasing choices during this particular period, as well as any changes in lifestyles and habits during the lockdown with respect to previous periods. The collected data allow us to improve our knowledge on some aspects of people domestic habits as well as their perception vs. real knowledge about the proposed environmental issues. We also realized that it is increasingly crucial for scientists to directly and extensively involve people and schools in educational and outreach activities and events as a good practice of science-society interaction. But to achieve good results we also need to develop appropriate communication tools and effective involvement strategies to promote their widespread participation in citizen science projects.
Onomastic space of monuments of writing of Kievan Rus
Authors: Sokolova Elena
Published: April 2022

The monograph is devoted to the problem of recreating the linguistic-ethnic unity of the Old Russian anthroponymic and toponymic systems, the discovery of direct connections between the proper name and mental landmarks.
The monograph provides a comprehensive description of the onomasticon of ancient Russian monuments of writing in line with comparative historical linguistics, taking into account the encyclopedic, ethnolinguistic and etymological characteristics of proper names. The system and structure of the onomastic space of monuments of ecclesiastical and secular content of the XI-XIII centuries are investigated, conceptual approaches to their description are proposed. The study of the functions of proper names, their morphemics and semantics allowed us to establish the national and cultural specifics of the Old Russian onomastic vocabulary, to determine the prospects for its evolution, as well as the formation of the modern Russian anthroponymic system.
Modeling of the Old Russian onomastic space both in the field of anthroponymy and toponymy takes into account the connection of proper names with contextual usage. The participation of nominal signs in the formation of the space of written and artistic texts of the era of the Kievan state is based on the attachment of certain proper names to texts of a religious and secular nature. Nomination in the space of proper names is considered in the monograph not only as a process of activity of a creative nature, but also as a means of onymic word production in the older era.
It is addressed to specialists in historical lexicology and onomastics, language history, teachers of literature, local historians.
Towards political cohesion in metropolitan areas. An overview of governance models
Authors: Damurski Lukasz , Andersen Hans Thor
Published: April 2022

As cities grew beyond their administrative borders, the demand for metropolitan governance appeared. The last 50 years proved that there is no one, universal model of metropolitan governance as urban regions are very different all around the world. However, it seems quite obvious that if metropoles are to be the forefront of development, they need to provide a widely defined cohesion within their subordinate territories. Metropolitan political cohesion may be defined as a collaborative public governance which offers tailored managerial solutions for enhancing development based on the subsidiarity principle and the place‐based approach. Drawing on the lessons from major cities in North America and Europe: Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Hannover, London, Wrocław and Toronto the paper intends to dive into a few, selected cases of metropolitan government and the causes behind their failure and reappearance. How have various governments met the cardinal question of metropoles: to provide a resilient match between the functional urban region and the administrative structure? The answer to this question is not straightforward. Metropolitan authorities all over the world manage exceptionally complex systems, where the diversity of actors, complexity of relations and interdependences across an extended, fragmented and dynamic metropolitan region restrain governability. However some general trends in metropolitan governance may be outlined, regarding the recent history, main types of governance and legitimacy of metropolitan administration.
Interferometric sphere surface metrology with cylindrical reference for precision topography
Authors: Schultze Alexander , Sell Alexander , Weise Dennis , Kögel Harald , Braxmaier Claus
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate a method for measuring a surface map of a spherical body with interferometric optical point sensors while rotating the test subject. The setup takes advantage of the excellent performance of heterodyne interferometry at nanometer levels and suppression of common-mode errors, as a cylindrical mirror mounted adjacent to the sphere is used as a reference. Future space based missions for gravitational wave research demand an improved inertial reference sensor with reduced acceleration noise levels. Spherical test masses can enable increased performance by suspension-free operation, contrary to cuboid solutions suffering from cross-coupling of attitude control noise into test mass position. However, interferometric readout is affected by surface irregularities and test mass attitude. An accurate surface map for compensation of the center of gravity readout should be established, by characterization either a priori or in-flight, when optical path length changes due to the surface occur in the measurement bandwidth.
Non-contact fluorescent detection of pesticide residues based on
segment prediction using PLS and a curve fitting algorithm
Authors: Cai Yuanxue , Bian Haiyi
Published: April 2022

Fluorescence spectral analysis is an important method to detect the pesticide residues,
which is vital for food safety issues. It has been demonstrated that
the traditional curve fitting (CF) method can predict the
concentration of pesticide with a high accuracy. However, low
absorption of the samples at low concentration of pesticide is
required; moreover, the pre-process of fruit juice is time-consuming
and destructive to the samples. To overcome these disadvantages while
maintaining the high accuracy in the high concentration range, the
segment detection method is proposed in this paper. Two models were
employed to predict the concentration according to the fluorescence
intensity. The partial least squares (PLS) model was used to predict
the concentration of the samples when the fluorescence intensity at
356 nm was smaller than 1, while the CF method was used to predict the
concentration of samples when the fluorescence intensity at 356 nm was
larger than 1 in our system. In total, 101 samples with concentration
ranging from 0 to 0.0714 mg/mL were used to validate this method. The
results indicated that the PLS method exhibited a high sensitivity in
the low concentration range, while the CF method exhibited high
accuracy in the high concentration range.
Assessment of COVID-19 data reporting in 100+ websites and apps in India
Authors: Vasudevan Varun , Gnanasekaran Abeynaya , Bansal Bhavik , Lahariya Chandrakant , Parameswaran Giridara Gopal , Zou James
Published: April 2022

India is among the top three countries in the world both in COVID-19 case and death counts. With the pandemic far from over, timely, transparent, and accessible reporting of COVID-19 data continues to be critical for India’s pandemic efforts. We systematically analyze the quality of reporting of COVID-19 data in over one hundred government platforms (web and mobile) from India. Our analyses reveal a lack of granular data in the reporting of COVID-19 surveillance, vaccination, and vacant bed availability. As of 5 June 2021, age and gender distribution are available for less than 22% of cases and deaths, and comorbidity distribution is available for less than 30% of deaths. Amid rising concerns of undercounting cases and deaths in India, our results highlight a patchy reporting of granular data even among the reported cases and deaths. Furthermore, total vaccination stratified by healthcare workers, frontline workers, and age brackets is reported by only 14 out of India’s 36 subnationals (states and union territories). There is no reporting of adverse events following immunization by vaccine and event type. By showing what, where, and how much data is missing, we highlight the need for a more responsible and transparent reporting of granular COVID-19 data in India.
Genome-wide polygenic risk impact on intracranial aneurysms and acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Hong Eun Pyo , Youn Dong Hyuk , Kim Bong Jun , Lee Jae Jun , Na Doyoung , Ahn Jun Hyong , Park Jeong Jin , Rhim Jong Kook , Kim Heung Cheol , Jeon Hong Jun , Hwang Gyojun , Jeon Jin Pyeong ,   on the behalf of The First Korean Stroke Genetics Association Research
Published: April 2022

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) have an important relevance to approaches for clinical usage in intracranial aneurysm (IA) patients. Hence, we aimed to develop IA-predicting PRS models including the genetic basis shared with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Korean populations. We applied a weighted PRS (wPRS) model based on a previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 250 IA patients in a hospital-based multicenter cohort, 222 AIS patients in a validation study, and 296 shared controls. Risk predictability was analyzed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The best-fitting risk models based on wPRSs were stratified into tertiles representing the lowest, middle, and highest risk groups. The weighted PRS, which included 29 GWASs (p < 5×10−8) and two reported genetic variants (p < 0.01), showed a high predictability in IA patients (AUROC = 0.949, 95% CI: 0.933–0.966). This wPRS was significantly validated in AIS patients (AUROC = 0.842, 95% CI: 0.808–0.876; p < 0.001). Two-stage risk models stratified into tertiles showed an increased risk for IA (OR = 691.25, 95% CI: 241.77–1976.35; p = 3.1×10−34; sensitivity/specificity = 0.728/0.963), which was replicated in AIS development (OR = 39.76, 95% CI: 16.91–93.49; p = 3.1×10−17; sensitivity/specificity = 0.284/0.963). A higher wPRS for IA may be associated with an increased risk of AIS in the Korean population. These findings suggest that IA and AIS may have a shared genetic architecture and should be studied further to generate a precision medicine model for use in personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Research on catalytic denitrification by zero-valent iron (Fe0) and Pd-Ag catalyst
Authors: Jiao Zhen , Zhou Yu , Miao Zhijia , Wen Xueyou , Yun Yupan
Published: April 2022

This study primarily focused on how to effectively remove nitrate by catalytic denitrification through zero-valent iron (Fe0) and Pd-Ag catalyst. Response surface methodology (RSM), instead of the single factor experiments and orthogonal tests, was firstly applied to optimize the condition parameters of the catalytic process. Results indicated that RSM is accurate and feasible for the condition optimization of catalytic denitrification. Better catalytic performance (71.6% N2 Selectivity) was obtained under the following conditions: 5.1 pH, 127 min reaction time, 3.2 mass ration (Pd: Ag), and 4.2 g/L Fe0, which was higher than the previous study designed by single factor experiments and orthogonal tests, 68.1% and 68.7% of N2 Selectivity, respectively. However, under this optimal conditions, N2 selectivity showed a mild decrease (69.3%), when the real wastewater was used as influent. Further study revealed that cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Al3+) and anions (Cl-, HCO3-, and SO42-) exist in wastewater could have distinctive influence on N2 selectivity. Finally, the reaction mechanism and kinetic model of catalytic denitrification were further studied.
A scholarly network of AI research with an information science focus: Global North and Global South perspectives
Authors: Tang Kai-Yu , Hsiao Chun-Hua , Hwang Gwo-Jen
Published: April 2022

This paper primarily aims to provide a citation-based method for exploring the scholarly network of artificial intelligence (AI)-related research in the information science (IS) domain, especially from Global North (GN) and Global South (GS) perspectives. Three research objectives were addressed, namely (1) the publication patterns in the field, (2) the most influential articles and researched keywords in the field, and (3) the visualization of the scholarly network between GN and GS researchers between the years 2010 and 2020. On the basis of the PRISMA statement, longitudinal research data were retrieved from the Web of Science and analyzed. Thirty-two AI-related keywords were used to retrieve relevant quality articles. Finally, 149 articles accompanying the follow-up 8838 citing articles were identified as eligible sources. A co-citation network analysis was adopted to scientifically visualize the intellectual structure of AI research in GN and GS networks. The results revealed that the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom are the most productive GN countries; by contrast, China and India are the most productive GS countries. Next, the 10 most frequently co-cited AI research articles in the IS domain were identified. Third, the scholarly networks of AI research in the GN and GS areas were visualized. Between 2010 and 2015, GN researchers in the IS domain focused on applied research involving intelligent systems (e.g., decision support systems); between 2016 and 2020, GS researchers focused on big data applications (e.g., geospatial big data research). Both GN and GS researchers focused on technology adoption research (e.g., AI-related products and services) throughout the investigated period. Overall, this paper reveals the intellectual structure of the scholarly network on AI research and several applications in the IS literature. The findings provide research-based evidence for expanding global AI research.
Spanish–speaking validation of the internal corporate social responsibility questionnaire
Authors: Ávila-Tamayo Diego Fernando , Bayona Jaime Andrés
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study is to validate a Spanish-speaking version of the internal corporate social responsibility questionnaire (ICSR Q), a questionnaire that is based on the social exchange theory and assess the perception of employees related to seven internal practices that reflect how responsible are organizations toward its workforce The questionnaire was applied to two samples of Colombian employees (N = 433). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original structure of seven factors was maintained in the Spanish—speaking version, with appropriate levels of convergent and discriminant validity. Positive and significant relationships were found between internal corporate social responsibility and organizational commitment, both at affective and normative levels. Finally, type of employment contract (permanent or fixed term) implied significant differences in employee perceptions of internal corporate social responsibility. Our results provide evidence for the validity of the Spanish—speaking version of the internal corporate responsibility scale, suggesting its future application in investigations of internal aspects of corporate social responsibility in Spanish-speaking organizational contexts.
Resemblance of nutrient intakes in three generations of parent-offspring pairs: Tehran lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Zahedi Asiyeh Sadat , Koochakpour Glareh , Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Akbarzadeh Mahdi , Daneshpour Maryam S , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: April 2022

The degree of maintaining nutrient intake patterns, conformed in the family, for offspring into adulthood is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between nutrient intakes in three younger-middle-older generations of Tehranian adults by sex. Of individuals who participated in 2012–15 phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, 1286 families (4685 subjects), who had at least two members of the family with complete data in two or three generations were entered in this cross-sectional study. The energy and nutrient intakes of parents and their young or adult offspring or grandparents-grandson/granddaughter dyads were compared. The differences were estimated using pairwise t-test and partial correlation. Data of parents with their offspring were paired based on living arrangement. There were 857 fathers (mean age: 55.4±11.1) and 1394 mothers (mean age: 50.1±11.4). The mean age of grandfathers and grandmothers were 69.4±7.9 and 63.7±8.5 respectively. The significant correlation in fathers-sons and father-daughter (living with their parents) pairs were observed for 9 and 7 nutrients, respectively. Correlations for most nutrients were significant for mother-daughter or sons (living with their parents) dyads. The mean percentage of energy from total fat and trans-fatty acids of sons or daughters (living with their parents) were higher than their parents. For most nutrients, there were no significant adjusted correlations between parents-adult offspring (living independent of their parents) dyads. Also few nutrient intakes of grandparents-grandson or granddaughter dyads were correlated. The nutrient intakes of adult offspring were not associated with their parents; this correlation for younger and older generations disappeared. There were weak to moderate correlation between nutrient intakes of parent-offspring dyads that lived with their parents. The resemblance was higher for mother-offspring than father-offspring. Overall, total fat and trans-fatty acid intakes of young offspring were higher than their parents.
Income growth, employment structure transition and the rise of modern markets: The impact of urbanization on residents’ consumption of dairy products in China
Authors: Cheng Rongzhu , Wang Qianqian , Wei Longbao
Published: April 2022

In modern society, dairy products have become increasingly important in our diet because of changes in consumption patterns due to urbanization. However, Chinese residents’ dairy consumption remains at a relatively low level, with great potential for growth. Exploring the main determinants of dairy consumption and their effect mechanisms not only helps to improve the health status of residents, but also has important policy implications for the development of China’s dairy industry. Based on the data of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 1989 to 2011, this study empirically analyzes the impact of urbanization on residents’ dairy consumption. The results indicate that urbanization could significantly promote residents’ consumption of dairy products and the effect is higher in areas with low urbanization levels and in midwestern regions than in areas with high urbanization levels and in midwestern regions. From the perspective of effect mechanism, income growth, employment structure transition and the rise of modern markets are three important mediating paths. Additionally, the results imply that in areas with low urbanization levels, income growth and the rise of modern markets are the main significant mediators; while in areas with high urbanization levels, employment structure transition is a significant mediator. Moreover, in midwestern regions, income growth is a significant mediator, and employment structure transition is a significant mediator in all regions. These findings have practical implications for understanding the relationship between urbanization and residents’ food consumption and for further promoting residents’ dairy consumption and the development of China’s dairy industry.
Primary care providers’ and nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills regarding latent TB infection testing and treatment: A qualitative study from Rhode Island
Authors: Szkwarko Daria , Kim Steven , Carter E. Jane , Goldman Roberta E.
Published: April 2022

Background

Untreated latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a major source of active tuberculosis disease in the United States. In 2016, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that screening for latent tuberculosis infection among individuals at increased risk be performed as routine preventive care. Traditionally, LTBI management–including both testing and treatment–has been conducted by specialists in the United States. It is believed that knowledge gaps among primary care team members and discomfort with LTBI treatment are significant barriers to LTBI management being conducted in primary care.

Methods and objectives

This qualitative study sought to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of primary care team members regarding the LTBI care cascade, and to identify each stepwise barrier limiting primary care teams in following the USPSTF recommendations.

Results

We conducted 24 key informant interviews with primary care providers and nurses in Rhode Island. Our results demonstrate that overall, few primary care providers and nurses felt comfortable with LTBI management, and their confidence and comfort decreased throughout the cascade. Participants felt least confident with LTBI treatment and held misconceptions about LTBI testing, such as high cost. Although participants were not confident about LTBI treatment, most were enthusiastic about treating patients if provided additional training. Participants suggested that their lack of knowledge regarding LTBI treatment led to high rates of referral to specialist providers.

Conclusion

The gaps revealed in this study can inform training curricula for primary care team members in Rhode Island and nationally to shift the USPSTF policy into practice, and, ultimately, contribute to TB elimination in the United States.
Social determinants of health and HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) interest and use among young Black and Latinx sexual minority men
Authors: Andriano Tyler M , Arnsten Julia , Patel Viraj V.
Published: April 2022

Young Black and Latinx sexual minority men (YBLSMM) have low use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), despite high rates of new HIV diagnosis. While unmet social determinants of health (SDOH) have been associated with low uptake of preventive health services, this association is unknown for PrEP. To understand the relationship between SDOH and PrEP adoption in this population, we analyzed data from an online survey of HIV-negative YBLSMM aged 18–29 in New York City (n = 143). Participants completed a 17-item SDOH needs scale measuring basic, health/social-services, and economic needs. We used regression models to examine associations of unmet SDOH with outcomes of intention to use PrEP and current PrEP use. Of those not on PrEP (n = 114), 69 (61%) intended to use PrEP. More unmet SDOH needs overall were associated with intention to use PrEP (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 2.0), as were more unmet basic needs (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1, 2.5) and more unmet economic needs (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0, 1.7). Unmet SDOH needs were not associated with current PrEP use. Findings suggest that intention to use PrEP among YBLSMM is a likely marker of unmet SDOH needs, as YBLSMM with unmet needs may have limited resources to support moving from intention to actual use. Future research should evaluate programs engaging YBLSMM intending to use PrEP with interventions to screen for and address SDOH.
An epidemiological study of pediatric COVID-19 in the era of the variant of concern
Authors: Chaiyakulsil Chanapai , Sritipsukho Paskorn , Satdhabudha Araya , Bunjoungmanee Pornumpa , Tangsathapornpong Auchara , Sinlapamongkolkul Phakatip , Sritipsukho Naiyana
Published: April 2022

Background

There were limited epidemiological data of pediatric COVID-19 in Asia outside China, especially during the era of the variants of concern such as the Delta and Alpha variants. The objective was to describe the clinical epidemiology of pediatric COVID-19 in a tertiary care center in Thailand from April to August 2021. The identification of risk factors for the development of pneumonia in these children was also performed.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted by retrospective chart review of all children aged 0–15 years admitted to Thammasat University Hospital care system during the study period. The risk factors for the development of pneumonia were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 698 children were included for analysis, of which 52% were male. The mean age of the cohort was 7.2 + 4.5 years old. Radiographic pneumonia was identified in 100 children (14.3%) and a total of 16 children (2.3%) were diagnosed with severe and critical diseases. The mortality rate was 0.1%. Children younger than 1 year and children with comorbidity were at higher risk of developing pneumonia (Adjusted odds ratios 2.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–5.74) and 2.32 (95% CI: 1.15–4.67), respectively).

Conclusion

In the era of the variants of concern, the proportion of children with severe and critical diseases remained low. However, prudence must be taken in caring for younger children and children with comorbidity.