bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose Estimation on Surgeon for radionuclide Vertobroplasty Yu.G. Zabaryansky1, A.A. Golovin2, Yu.A. Kurachenko
Authors: Zabaryanskiy Yu. , Golovin A , Kurachenko Yu.
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To estimate the doses to a surgeon for a new operation – radionuclide vertebroplasty. To normalize the irradiation for the maximum number of operations in which the total equivalent dose will not exceed the values specified in the NRB-99/2009.

Material and methods: The widespread Monte-Carlo code MCNP used with data libraries, as well as the ICRP-38 data on radionuclide characteristics.

Results: Using the radionuclide 188Re, the most promising for this procedure, the equivalent dose in the doctor’s palms does not exceed 1 mSv per operation. A surgeon can perform up to 580 operations per year without violating radiation safety standards.

Conclusion: Calculation methods proved the safety of radionuclide vertebroplasty for the surgeon and service personnel.
Features of Educational Motivation and Professional Identity of Russian and Indian Students at the Stage of Admission to the Master's School
Authors: Potapov O. , Ritu Ritu
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of educational motivation and professional identity of Russian and Indian students studying in Russia and intending to continue their studies in the magistracy. The use of a comparative analysis based on the test results for two samples, a questionnaire survey, showed the predominance of internal learning motivation and a higher level of professional identity of Indian students compared to students from Russia. The factors influencing the results of measuring educational motivation are indicated. General recommendations on the formation of optimal educational motivation and professional identity of future masters are given.
Environmental and Economic Concept of Innovative Breakthrough: Theoretical and Methodological Foundations of State Personnel Policy
Authors: Fridman M.
Published: June 2021

This article is devoted to the most important issue of ensuring an innovative breakthrough in socio-economic development in the context of the formation of the information society against the background of the deployment of the sixth technological order. Today, humanity is entering a completely new era, characterized by a fundamentally different system of social relations, values and meanings. The transition to a multipolar world model aggravates the competition of developed countries, on the one hand, and weakens the role of the state in the life of society, on the other. Globalization abolishes borders, eliminates inequalities, and at the same time deprives entire peoples of their national, cultural, and linguistic identity, and erases historical memory. Sustainable development - a concept championed by the progressive world community-requires an innovative breakthrough not only on the scale of individual countries, but also on a broader, planetary scale. This article is an attempt to answer the question of whose forces this innovative breakthrough should be achieved. The article deals with one of the most urgent and important problems – the development of a new theoretical and methodological basis for the development of the state system of personnel support for innovative breakthroughs in the context of the deployment of the sixth technological order against the background of the greening of public and, in particular, economic relations. Taking into account the fact that at the present stage of the development of civilization, humanity has come to understand the limited resources of the planet, the world is faced with the inevitability of making strategic decisions related to long-term innovative advanced balanced socio-economic development and aimed at overcoming global problems that threaten the continued existence of man as a biological species. The intensive development of high-tech technologies in the context of entering the sixth technological order accelerates the reduction of the planet's life potential, so it is extremely important to make production as environmentally friendly and economical as possible, to reduce consumption and, consequently, to reduce the rate of depletion of natural resources. It is almost impossible to achieve this without the organization of a proper system of personnel support, so it is extremely important today to determine the role and place of the state in solving this task.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy of a patient with selective mutism – case study
Authors: Listwan Angelika , Kołakowski Artur
Published: June 2021

Przedstawiony artykuł ma dwa główne cele. Po pierwsze, prezentację aktualnego sposobu rozumienia mutyzmu wybiórczego (selective mutism, SM), po drugie — opis przeprowadzonej terapii pacjentki w oparciu o model poznawczo-behawioralny. Głównym objawem SM jest wybiórczość mówienia, która dotyczy niektórych środowisk lub osób. W ostatnich latach zmieniał się sposób klasyfikowania i leczenia mutyzmu wybiórczego. Co więcej, badacze zajmujący się SM nadal nie opracowali spójnego modelu rozwoju i utrzymywania się tego zaburzenia.
W najnowszej klasyfikacji DSM-5 mutyzm wybiórczy został przeniesiony z kategorii ,,zaburzeń okresu dzieciństwa i adolescencji” do podrozdziału ,,zaburzeń lękowych”. Wprowadzona zmiana miała głównie na celu zaakcentowanie wiodącej roli lęku w powstawaniu i utrzymywaniu się SM. Terapia poznawczo-behawioralna mutyzmu jest uznawana jako leczenie z wyboru i w dużym stopniu wiąże się z wykształceniem u dziecka umiejętności reagowania mniejszym lękiem w sytuacji komunikacji. Z uwagi na małą liczbę badań tego zaburzenia, modele terapii oparte na opisach przypadków oraz znaczną różnorodność obrazu klinicznego psychoterapeuta musi dopasowywać standardowy model terapii poznawczo-behawioralnej do konkretnego pacjenta.
Jak wspomniano, większość prowadzonych badań opiera się głównie na opisach przypadków. Zauważa się zatem ogromną potrzebę prowadzenia badań na szerszą skalę, jak i sprawdzania skuteczności prowadzonej psychoterapii. Aktualnie dostęp do wykwalikowanych terapeutów jest bardzo ograniczony, a niska świadomość konieczności udzielenia pomocy (szczególnie dzieciom) wymaga zdecydowanej zmiany.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Pain Assessment and Management Program for Respite Workers Supporting Children With Disabilities Part One: Pain-Related Knowledge and Perceptions
Authors: Genik Lara M. , Aerts Elisabeth L. , Barata Paula C. , Barney Chantel C. , Lewis Stephen P. , Newby-Clark Ian , McMurtry C. Meghan
Published: June 2021

This parallel group randomized controlled trial tested effectiveness of the Let's Talk About Pain training on respite workers' (RW) pain-related knowledge and feasibility-confidence-skill ratings using between-group and within-group analyses. Fourteen children's respite organizations were randomized to pain or control training. Participants (nintervention = 66; ncontrol = 92) underwent a 3–3.5 hour training and completed measures at pre-, post-, and 4–6 week follow-up. Intention-to-treat (nintervention = 65; ncontrol = 92) and per-protocol (nintervention = 26–38; ncontrol = 40–57) analyses were conducted. Pain training participants demonstrated significantly higher pain knowledge and feasibility-confidence-skill ratings post-follow-up versus control group and significant increases in knowledge from pre-post. Significant gains were maintained from post-follow-up. Results represent a promising step towards enhancing pain-related care for children with IDD.
Mothers With Mild Levels of Intellectual Disability: Emotion-Interpretation, Traumatization, and Child Attachment Representations
Authors: Hammarlund Mårten , Granqvist Pehr , Forslund Tommie
Published: June 2021

Prior research indicates links between parents' experiences of interpersonal trauma and emotion-interpretation difficulties, and between such difficulties and child attachment insecurity and disorganization. Although mothers with mild levels of intellectual disability (ID) are at heightened risk for trauma and emotion-interpretation difficulties, and their children for attachment insecurity, corresponding links in this population have not been examined. We therefore investigated emotional interpretations among mothers with mild levels of ID (n = 23) and matched comparison mothers without ID (n = 25), in relation to mothers' experiences of trauma and their children's attachment representations. Mothers with mild levels of ID were not less accurate than comparison mothers with regard to general positive and negative emotion-interpretation accuracy, but they were significantly more likely to misinterpret shame and anger. Among mothers with mild levels of ID, misinterpretations of shame were positively related to maternal experiences of trauma, and to child attachment insecurity and disorganization.
Asymmetric multiparameter encryption of hyperspectral images based on hybrid chaotic mapping and an equal modulus decomposition tree
Authors: Li Honglin , Bai Xiuying , Shan Mingguang , Zhong Zhi , Liu Lei , Liu Bin
Published: June 2021

We present an asymmetric encryption scheme for hyperspectral images using hybrid
chaotic maps (HCMs) and an equal modulus decomposition tree (EMDT)
structure in a discrete multiple-parameter fractional Fourier
transform (dmpFrFT) domain. The original hyperspectral image was
scrambled by an HCM and then encrypted into asymmetric ciphertext
using the EMDT. In the EMDT, each pair of the band images of the
scrambled hyperspectral image were regarded as leaf nodes, while the
encryption modules using chaotic random phase mask, dmpFrFT, and
improved equal modulus decomposition were regarded as branch nodes,
and the encryption process was implemented along the paths from the
leaf nodes to the topmost branch node. The EMDT structure could
provide multiparameter encryption, real-valued output, and different
pairs of band images with different secret keys and
encryption/decryption paths. Compared with the previous optical
encryption approaches for hyperspectral images, our asymmetric
cryptosystem had larger key space, less data amount of storage and
transmission, and stronger resistance to statistical attacks. Various
numerical simulations verified the performance of our proposed
asymmetric cryptosystem.
Improvement of frequency resolution using a sub-bin structure in the discrete Fourier transform
Authors: Sato Manabu , Kimura Yuuki , Masuta Junpei , Kosaka Tetsuo , Nishidate Izumi
Published: June 2021

To improve frequency resolution, assignments of sub-bins within the bin interval of the conventional discrete Fourier transform are proposed by decreasing the number of sampled data. The simulated and experimental results of the basic sub-bin spectrum characteristics are presented. Using a signal oscillator, digital oscilloscope, and PC, the sub-bin line spectrum between two conventional bins is measured, and nine line spectra of sub-bins corresponding to the simulated results are measured. The linearity of the sub-bin spectrum intensity for amplitudes of 0.001–10 V of the input signal is also measured. The Doppler signals from the optical interferometer using a He–Ne laser are measured using a mixer to tune the frequency. A sub-bin spectrum of 104.89 kHz between two bin frequencies of 104.49 and 105.47 kHz is measured using 256 data points at a sampling frequency of 250 kHz and an acquisition time of 1.024 ms. The precision of displacement for the acquisition time is improved by one order to 32 nm for a full displacement of 2.342 µm. The sub-bins, as a composition of bin structure, are applicable to various fields.
Thermal shock and fatigue lifetime characteristics of ceramic Nd:YAG
Authors: Kim Duck-Lae , Kim Byung-Tai
Published: June 2021

The thermal shock and fatigue lifetime of a ceramic Nd:YAG laser material were analyzed. A new method is proposed to observe the effects induced by the intense temperature difference between the central portion and the surface of the material using a probe beam. The thermal effects of the intensity variations in the probe beam on a 2 at. % ceramic Nd:YAG were measured. The temperature difference and stress were high when the pump power suddenly increased or decreased compared to the thermal equilibrium. The thermal shock was the highest when the pumping started. The thermal shock resistance parameter of the laser material was 0.57 kW/m at a pump power of 14.9 W and zz stress component of 160.8 MPa. With 14.9 W pump power, the fatigue lifetime of the laser material was 238 cycles until it was damaged.
Size, weight, and power breakthrough in nonmechanical beam and line-of-sight steering with geo-phase optics
Authors: Tabirian Nelson V. , Roberts David , Liao Zhi , Ouskova Elena , Sigley Justin , Tabirian Anna , Slagle Jonathan , McConney Michael , Bunning Timothy J.
Published: June 2021

Thin-film geo-phase optics have the potential to dramatically reduce size, weight, and power for large-aperture optical components as well as provide nonmechanical functionality. Topics are presented in manner of increasing conceptual and system complexity to convey the different levels and aspects of system performance improvements. An

8

′
′

aperture, lightweight geo-phase lens is presented followed by discussions on both mechanical and nonmechanical beam steering embodiments. Laser damage thresholds for the thin-film geo-phase prisms are reported. Highly efficient and spectrally broadband nonmechanical line-of-sight steering is also demonstrated. Lastly, novel fabrication techniques, to the best of our knowledge, and the associated reduced fabrication cost implications are presented.
Relative pose estimation of uncooperative spacecraft using 2D–3D line correspondences
Authors: Liu Zibin , Liu Haibo , Zhu Zhaokun , Song Junyao
Published: June 2021

The relative pose estimation of uncooperative spacecraft is an essential technology in space missions. However, lacking the prior knowledge of uncooperative targets brings great challenges to accurately measure their pose, which hinders their application in space. To overcome these problems, an accurate and robust pose estimation approach for uncooperative spacecraft is proposed based on a time-of-flight camera coupled with a gray-scale camera. We reconstruct the target model using our hierarchical registration strategy by the ToF camera and extract 2D lines from image sequences captured by the gray-scale camera. We attempt to establish 2D–3D line correspondences for pose estimation, which effectively associates the 2D image information with the reconstructed 3D model. Experimental results manifest that, when dealing with a completely unknown model, our method computes its relative position and attitude with significantly high accuracy.
Low-loss single-mode modified conjoined tube hollow-core fiber
Authors: Shaha Kumary Sumi Rani , Khaleque Abdul
Published: June 2021

We explain the effects of cladding geometries on conjoined tube hollow-core negative curvature fibers and offer a modified conjoined tube negative curvature fiber with appropriate positioning of an additional negative curvature D-shaped layer joining the flat bar to reveal attractive performances over existing recent related fibers. The proposed fiber ensures the least loss of 0.003 dB/km at 1.43 µm, a

∼

0.04

d
B

/

k
m

loss covering the wide bandwidth of approximately 300 nm, the lowest surface scattering loss of

∼

0.02

d
B

/

k
m

, and the lowest microbending loss of

∼

0.04

d
B

/

k
m

, thus providing a propagation loss of 0.10 dB/km at the 1.55 µm wavelength and also offering excellent bend loss performance (

∼

0.015

d
B

/

k
m

loss at a 7 cm bend radius). The fiber, with a core diameter of 30.50 µm, also shows a higher-order mode extinction ratio of

∼

1600

and maintains greater than 100 over most of the telecom bands; hence, it effectively provides single-mode operation. We show the potential of conjoined tube hollow-core negative curvature fibers in optical communications systems.
Multi-band on-chip photonic spin Hall effect and selective excitation of whispering gallery modes with metasurface-integrated microcavity
Authors: Zhang Yuebian , Li Zhancheng , Liu Wenwei , Li Zhi , Cheng Hua , Tian Jianguo , Chen Shuqi
Published: June 2021

We propose an approach to realize a multi-band on-chip photonic spin Hall effect and selective excitation of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) by integrating metasurfaces with microcavities. Free-space circularly polarized light with opposite spin angular momentum can effectively excite WGMs with opposite propagation directions at fixed wavelengths. Moreover, the different WGMs with different propagation directions and polarizations can be selectively excited by manipulating the number of antennas. We demonstrate that the optical properties (i.e., coupling efficiency, peak positions, and peak widths) of the proposed metasurface-integrated microcavities can be easily tailored by adjusting different geometric parameters. This study enables the realization of chiral microcavities with exciting novel functionalities, which may provide a further step in the development of photonic integrated circuits, optical sensing, and chiral optics.
Ultra-thin Si-padded Si3N4 waveguides for low-loss photonics
Authors: Nguyen The Anh , Lee Ming-Chang M.
Published: June 2021

We proposed an ultra-thin Si-padded

S
i

3

N

4

waveguide consisting of a very thin Si slab underneath a

S
i

3

N

4

strip separated by a

S
i
O

2

layer. The Si slab and the

S
i

3

N

4

strip form a hybrid waveguide mode, where the mode field is confined in these two structures. The measured waveguide propagation loss is 0.055 dB/cm, and the bending loss is 0.09 dB per 90° bend, depending on the bending radius. Because part of the waveguide mode is distributed in the Si slab, this waveguide structure has potential for implementing low-loss and high-speed photonic integrated circuits.
Laser digital manufacturing of high-performance photodetectors based on a semiconductor microwire
Authors: Liang Shuyu , Wang Shenyuan , Hua Jianguan , Li Shunxin , Xia Hong
Published: June 2021

Digital manufacturing technology meets the needs of today’s technological development. However, the post-processing is essential for some digital fabrication methods, such as annealing and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Femtosecond laser direct writing (FsLDW) has gained considerable attention, because it is a non-photolithographic, non-vacuum, and no heat fabrication method. The photodetectors based on a semiconductor microwire were fabricated via FsLDW. Finally, the responsivity of the fabricated photodetectors based on zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (

T
i
O

2

), and tin oxide (

S
n
O

2

) can reach 14.27, 1.3, and 81 A/W, respectively. The enhanced performance is attributed to the rough and porous surface of ZnO,

T
i
O

2

, and

S
n
O

2

microwires. The whole preparation process is realized by the programmed control femtosecond laser scanning path. This Letter demonstrates that the fabrication method has potential in the digital manufacturing of high-performance UV photodetectors.
Modeling the reaction of PQ:DMNA/PMMA photopolymer recorded at 640 nm
Authors: Lin Po-Jung , Hsieh Yu-Hua , Chung Te-yuan
Published: June 2021

The reaction model and the corresponding equations of PQ:DMNA/PMMA photopolymer recording at 640 nm are proposed. A series of experiments were conducted to estimate the parameters used in the equations by measuring only the dynamic behavior of the diffraction efficiency of the recorded grating. Recording the PQ:DMNA/PMMA grating can then be well-predicted and match with the experiment.
Contrasting factors associated with COVID-19-related ICU admission and death outcomes in hospitalised patients by means of Shapley values
Authors: Cavallaro Massimo , Moiz Haseeb , Keeling Matt J. , McCarthy Noel D.
Published: June 2021

Identification of those at greatest risk of death due to the substantial threat of COVID-19 can benefit from novel approaches to epidemiology that leverage large datasets and complex machine-learning models, provide data-driven intelligence, and guide decisions such as intensive-care unit admission (ICUA). The objective of this study is two-fold, one substantive and one methodological: substantively to evaluate the association of demographic and health records with two related, yet different, outcomes of severe COVID-19 (viz., death and ICUA); methodologically to compare interpretations based on logistic regression and on gradient-boosted decision tree (GBDT) predictions interpreted by means of the Shapley impacts of covariates. Very different association of some factors, e.g., obesity and chronic respiratory diseases, with death and ICUA may guide review of practice. Shapley explanation of GBDTs identified varying effects of some factors among patients, thus emphasising the importance of individual patient assessment. The results of this study are also relevant for the evaluation of complex automated clinical decision systems, which should optimise prediction scores whilst remaining interpretable to clinicians and mitigating potential biases.
Ameliorative effects of Schisandrin B on Schistosoma mansoni-induced hepatic fibrosis in vivo
Authors: Lam Ho Yin Pekkle , Liang Ting-Ruei , Peng Shih-Yi
Published: June 2021

Schistosomiasis is second only to malaria as the most devastating parasitic disease in the world. It is caused by the helminthsSchistosoma mansoni(S.mansoni),S.haematobium, orS.japonicum. Typically, patients with schistosomiasis suffer from symptoms of liver fibrosis and hepatosplenomegaly. Currently, patients were treated with praziquantel. Although praziquantel effectively kills the worm, it cannot prevent re-infection or resolve liver fibrosis. Also, current treatment options are not ample to completely cure liver fibrosis and splenic damages. Moreover, resistance of praziquantel has been reported in vivo and in vitro studies. Therefore, finding new effective treatment agents is urgently needed. Schisandrin B (Sch B) ofSchisandra chinensishas been shown to protect against different liver injuries including fatty liver disease, hepatotoxicity, fibrosis, and hepatoma. We herein investigate the potential of using Sch B to treatS.mansoni-induced liver fibrosis. Results from the present study demonstrate that Sch B is beneficial in treatingS.mansoni-induced liver fibrosis and splenic damages, through inhibition of inflammasome activation and apoptosis; and aside from that regulates host immune responses. Besides, Sch B treatment damages male adult worm in the mice, consequently helps to reduce egg production and lessen the parasite burden.
Exploring the distribution of statistical feature parameters for natural sound textures
Authors: Mishra Ambika P. , Harper Nicol S. , Schnupp Jan W. H.
Published: June 2021

Sounds like “running water” and “buzzing bees” are classes of sounds which are a collective result of many similar acoustic events and are known as “sound textures”. A recent psychoacoustic study using sound textures has reported that natural sounding textures can be synthesized from white noise by imposing statistical features such as marginals and correlations computed from the outputs of cochlear models responding to the textures. The outputs being the envelopes of bandpass filter responses, the ‘cochlear envelope’. This suggests that the perceptual qualities of many natural sounds derive directly from such statistical features, and raises the question of how these statistical features are distributed in the acoustic environment. To address this question, we collected a corpus of 200 sound textures from public online sources and analyzed the distributions of the textures’ marginal statistics (mean, variance, skew, and kurtosis), cross-frequency correlations and modulation power statistics. A principal component analysis of these parameters revealed a great deal of redundancy in the texture parameters. For example, just two marginal principal components, which can be thought of as measuring the sparseness or burstiness of a texture, capture as much as 64% of the variance of the 128 dimensional marginal parameter space, while the first two principal components of cochlear correlations capture as much as 88% of the variance in the 496 correlation parameters. Knowledge of the statistical distributions documented here may help guide the choice of acoustic stimuli with high ecological validity in future research.
CHD4 regulates platinum sensitivity through MDR1 expression in ovarian cancer: A potential role of CHD4 inhibition as a combination therapy with platinum agents
Authors: Oyama Yoshiko , Shigeta Shogo , Tokunaga Hideki , Tsuji Keita , Ishibashi Masumi , Shibuya Yusuke , Shimada Muneaki , Yasuda Jun , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: June 2021

Platinum sensitivity is an important prognostic factor in patients with ovarian cancer. Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) is a core member of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex, which functions as a chromatin remodeler. Emerging evidence indicates that CHD4 could be a potential therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of CHD4 in ovarian cancer and investigate its therapeutic potential focusing on platinum sensitivity. In an analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas ovarian cancer dataset, CHD4 gene amplification was associated with worse overall survival.CHD4mRNA expression was significantly higher in platinum-resistant samples in a subsequent clinical sample analysis, suggesting that CHD4 overexpression conferred platinum resistance to ovarian cancer cells, resulting in poor patient survival. In concordance with these findings, CHD4 knockdown enhanced the induction of apoptosis mediated by cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells TOV21G and increased cisplatin sensitivity in multiple ovarian cancer cells derived from different subtypes. However, CHD4 knockdown did not affect the expression of RAD51 or p21, the known targets of CHD4 in other cancer types that can modulate platinum sensitivity. Knockdown and overexpression assays revealed that CHD4 positively regulated the expression of multi-drug transporter MDR1 and its coding protein p-glycoprotein. In addition, a first-in-class CHD4/SMARCA5 inhibitor ED2-AD101 showed synergistic interactions with cisplatin. Our findings suggest that CHD4 mediates platinum sensitivity by modulating MDR1 expression in ovarian cancer. Further, CHD4 suppression has a potential to be a novel therapeutic strategy in combination with platinum agents.
Crosscutting environmental risk with design: A multi-site, multi-city socioecological approach for Iowa’s diversifying small towns
Authors: Shirtcliff Benjamin , Manzo Rosie , Scudder Rachel
Published: June 2021

Globally, the influx of refugee, migrant, and immigrant populations into small centers of industrialized agriculture has called attention to a looming public health crisis. As small towns shift from remote villages into rural, agri-industrial centers, they offer limited access to amenities needed to support human well-being. Our study focused on three Iowa towns that continue to experience an increase in under-represented minority populations and decline of majority populations as a proxy for studying shifting populations in an era of industrialized agriculture and global capital. We aimed to understand the socioecological impact of built environments—outdoor locations where people live and work—and likelihood of environmental exposures to impact vulnerable populations. Urban socioecological measures tend to present contradictory results in small towns due to their reliance on density and proximity. To compensate, we used post-occupancy evaluations (POE) to examine built environments for evidence of access to environmental design criteria to support healthy behaviors. The study systematically identified 44 locations on transects across three small towns to employ a 62 item POE and assess multiple environmental criteria to crosscut design with environmental health disparities. Principal-components factor analysis identified two distinct significant components for environmental risk and population vulnerability, supporting similar studies on parallel communities. Multilevel modeling found a divergence between supportive environmental design coupled with an increase environmental risk due to location. The combined effect likely contributes to environmental health disparities. The study provides a strategy for auditing small town built environments as well as insight into achieving equity.
Association between COVID-19 outcomes and mask mandates, adherence, and attitudes
Authors: Adjodah Dhaval , Dinakar Karthik , Chinazzi Matteo , Fraiberger Samuel P. , Pentland Alex , Bates Samantha , Staller Kyle , Vespignani Alessandro , Bhatt Deepak L.
Published: June 2021

We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions, types of mask mandates, early versus later waves and controlling for other government interventions, mobility testing rate and weather. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in new cases (-3.55 per 100K), deaths (-0.13 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.38 percentage points) up to 40 days after the introduction of mask mandates both at the state and county level. These effects are large, corresponding to 14% of the highest recorded number of cases, 13% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states. Given the recent lifting of mandates, we estimate that the ending of mask mandates in these states is associated with a decrease of -3.19 percentage points in mask adherence and 12 per 100K (13% of the highest recorded number) of daily new cases with no significant effect on hospitalizations and deaths. Lastly, using a large novel survey dataset of 847 thousand responses in 69 countries, we introduce the novel results that community mask adherence and community attitudes towards masks are associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Our results have policy implications for reinforcing the need to maintain and encourage mask-wearing by the public, especially in light of some states starting to remove their mask mandates.
Performance of the EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA Assay for detection of IgA and IgG antibodies in South Africa
Authors: Gededzha Maemu P. , Mampeule Nakampe , Jugwanth Sarika , Zwane Nontobeko , David Anura , Burgers Wendy A. , Blackburn Jonathan M. , Grove Jurette S. , George Jaya A. , Sanne Ian , Scott Lesley , Stevens Wendy , Mayne Elizabeth S.
Published: June 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as the causative agent for causing the clinical syndrome of COVID -19. Accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not only important for management of infected individuals but also to break the chain of transmission. South Africa is the current epicenter of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa. To optimize the diagnostic algorithm for SARS-CoV-2 in the South African setting, the study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays. This study reported the performance of EUROIMMUN enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for semi-quantitative detection of IgA and IgG antibodies in serum and plasma samples targeting the recombinant S1 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as antigen. Samples were collected from 391 individuals who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 139 SARS CoV-2 negative controls. Samples were stratified by number of days’ post-PCR diagnosis and symptoms. The sensitivity of EUROIMMUN IgG was 64.1% (95% CI: 59.1–69.0%) and 74.3% (95% CI: 69.6–78.6%) for IgA and the specificity was lower for IgA [84.2% (95% CI: 77–89.2%)] than IgG [95.2% (95% CI: 90.8–98.4%)]. The EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA Assay sensitivity was higher for IgA but low for IgG and improved for both assays in symptomatic individuals and at later timepoints post PCR diagnosis.
US law enforcement policy predictors of race-specific police fatalities during 2015–16
Authors: Thomas Marilyn D. , Reeves Alexis N. , Jewell Nicholas P. , Michaels Eli K. , Allen Amani M.
Published: June 2021

Mounting evidence suggests that law enforcement organizational factors contribute to higher incidence and racial disparities in police killings. To determine whether agency policies contribute to race-specific civilian fatalities, this exploratory study compared fatality rates among agencies with and without selected policies expected to reduce killings. A cross-section of 1085 fatalities in the 2015–2016 The Counted public-use database were matched to 481 agencies in the 2013 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) database. Negative binomial regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) adjusted for agency type, number of officers, percent female personnel, median income, percent with a bachelor’s degree, violent crime rate, and population size, with inference using robust standard errors. Agencies with greater proportions of full-time personnel (range 43–100%) had lower rates of all (IRR = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77–0.93) and non-White civilian killings (IRR = 0.85; CI = 0.73–0.99). Mission statements predicted lower rates of all (IRR = 0.70; CI = 0.58–0.84) and White killings (IRR = 0.60; CI = 0.40–0.90). Community evaluation and more types of personnel incentives predicted lower rates of White (IRR = 0.82; CI = 0.68–0.99) and non-White killings (IRR = 0.94; CI = 0.89–1.00), respectively. Increasing video use predicted higher rates of White killings (IRR = 1.13; CI = 1.01–1.28). No policies were significantly associated with Black civilian killings. Law enforcement policies that help reduce police killings may vary across racial groups with the least benefit for Black civilians. Impact evaluations and meta-analyses of initiatives aimed to mitigate fatalities should be explored, particularly policies to address anti-Black bias. A national registry tracking all police killings and agency policies is urgently needed to inform law enforcement policies aimed to mitigate civilian fatalities.
Comparative performance and cycle threshold values of 10 nucleic acid amplification tests for SARS-CoV-2 on clinical samples
Authors: Mizoguchi Miyuki , Harada Sohei , Okamoto Koh , Higurashi Yoshimi , Ikeda Mahoko , Moriya Kyoji
Published: June 2021

Background

A number of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for SARS-CoV-2 with different reagents have been approved for clinical use in Japan. These include research kits approved under emergency use authorization through simplified process to stabilize the supply of the reagents. Although these research kits have been increasingly used in clinical practice, limited data is available for the diagnostic performance in clinical settings.

Methods

We compared sensitivity, specificity, and cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained by NAATs using 10 kits approved in Japan including eight kits those receiving emergency use authorization using 69 frozen-stored clinical samples including 23 positive samples with various Ct values and 46 negative samples.

Results

Viral copy number of the frozen-stored samples determined with LightMix E-gene test ranged from 0.6 to 84521.1 copies/μL. While no false-positive results were obtained by any of these tests (specificity: 100% [95% CI, 88.9%-100%]), sensitivity of the nine tests ranged from 68.2% [95% CI, 45.1%-86.1%] to 95.5% [95% CI, 77.2%-99.9%] using LightMix E-gene test as the gold standard. All tests showed positive results for all samples with ≥100 copies/μL. Significant difference of Ct values even among tests amplifying the same genetic region (N1-CDC, N2) was also observed.

Conclusion

Difference in the diagnostic performance was observed among NAATs approved in Japan. Regarding diagnostic kits for emerging infectious diseases, a system is needed to ensure both rapidity of reagent supply and accuracy of diagnosis. Ct values, which are sometimes regarded as a marker of infectivity, are not interchangeable when obtained by different assays.
Impact of chart image characteristics on stock price prediction with a convolutional neural network
Authors: Jin Guangxun , Kwon Ohbyung
Published: June 2021

Stock price prediction has long been the subject of research because of the importance of accuracy of prediction and the difficulty in forecasting. Traditionally, forecasting has involved linear models such as AR and MR or nonlinear models such as ANNs using standardized numerical data such as corporate financial data and stock price data. Due to the difficulty of securing a sufficient variety of data, researchers have recently begun using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with stock price graph images only. However, we know little about which characteristics of stock charts affect the accuracy of predictions and to what extent. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of stock chart characteristics on stock price prediction via CNNs. To this end, we define the image characteristics of stock charts and identify significant differences in prediction performance for each characteristic. The results reveal that the accuracy of prediction is improved by utilizing solid lines, color, and a single image without axis marks. Based on these findings, we describe the implications of making predictions only with images, which are unstructured data, without using large amounts of standardized data. Finally, we identify issues for future research.
Spatial variability of soil chemical properties under different land-uses in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tiruneh Gizachew Ayalew , Alemayehu Tiringo Yilak , Meshesha Derege Tsegaye , Vogelmann Eduardo Saldanha , Reichert José Miguel , Haregeweyn Nigussie
Published: June 2021

The understanding of the spatial variation of soil chemical properties is critical in agriculture and the environment. To assess the spatial variability of soil chemical properties in the Fogera plain, Ethiopia, we used Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), pair-wise comparisons, descriptive analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). In 2019, soil samples were collected at topsoil (a soil depth of 0–20 cm) from three representative land-uses (cropland, plantation forestland, and grazing lands) using a grid-sampling design. The variance analysis for soil pH, available phosphorus (avP), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable potassium (exchK), exchangeable calcium (exchCa), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) revealed significant differences among the land-uses. The highest mean values of pH (8.9), avP (32.99 ppm), OC (4.82%), TN (0.39%), EC (2.28 dS m−1), and exchK (2.89 cmol (+) kg-1) were determined under grazing land. The lowest pH (6.2), OC (2.3%), TN (0.15%), and EC (0.11 dS m−1) were recorded in cultivated land. The PCA result revealed that the land-use change was responsible for most soil chemical properties, accounting for 93.32%. Soil maps can help identify the nutrient status, update management options, and increase productivity and profit. The expansion of cultivated lands resulted in a significant decrease in soil organic matter. Thus, soil management strategies should be tailored to replenish the soil nutrient content while maintaining agricultural productivity in the Fogera plain.
Post cesarean section surgical site infection and associated factors among women who delivered in public hospitals in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia: A hospital-based analytic cross-sectional study
Authors: Alemye Tsegaw , Oljira Lemessa , Fekadu Gelana , Mengesha Melkamu Merid
Published: June 2021

Background

Cesarean section (CS) is often complicated by surgical site infection (SSI) that may happen to a woman within 30 days after the operation. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of SSI and identify the factors associated with SSI.

Methods

A hospital-based analytic cross-sectional study was conducted based on the review of medical records of 1069 women who underwent CS in two public hospitals in Harar city. The post-CS SSI is defined when it occurred within 30 days after the CS procedure. Factors associated with SSI were identified using a multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. The analysis outputs are presented using an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). All statistical tests are defined as statistically significant at P-values<0.05.

Results

The prevalence of SSI was 12.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4, 14.4). Emergency-CS was conducted for 75.9% (95% CI: 73.2, 78.3) of the women and 13.2% (95% CI: 11.3, 15.4) had at least one co-morbid condition. On presentation, 21.7% (95% CI: 19.3, 24.3) of women had rupture of membrane (ROM). Factors significantly and positively associated with post-CS SSI include general anesthesia (aOR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.90), ROM (aOR = 2.27, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.52), hospital stay for over 7 days after operation (aOR = 3.57, 95%CI: 1.91, 5.21), and blood transfusion (aOR = 4.2, 95%CI: 2.35, 6.08).

Conclusion

The prevalence of post-CS SSI was relatively high in the study settings. Screening for preoperative anemia and appropriate correction before surgery, selection of the type of anesthesia, close follow-up to avoid unnecessary prolonged hospitalization, and careful assessment of membrane status should be considered to avoid preventable SSI and maternal morbidity.
Hyperbaric hyperoxemia as a risk factor for ventilator-acquired pneumonia?
Authors: Caplan Morgan , Duburcq Thibault , Moreau Anne-Sophie , Poissy Julien , Nseir Saad , Parmentier-Decrucq Erika
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) is the leading cause of serious associated infections in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and is associated with significant morbidity. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients on mechanical ventilation may increase exposure to certain risk factors such as hyperoxemia and the need for multiple transfers. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between HBOT and VAP.

Method

This retrospective observational study was performed from March 2017 to March 2018 in a 10-bed ICU using HBOT. All patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours were eligible. VAP was defined using clinical and radiological criteria. Data collection was carried out via digital medical records. Risk factors for VAP were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Forty-two (23%) of the 182 patients enrolled developed at least one episode of VAP. One hundred and twenty-four (68%) patients received HBOT. The incidence rate of VAP was 34 per 1000 ventilator days. The occurrence of VAP was significantly associated with immunosuppression (p<0.029), MV duration (5 [3–7] vs 8 [5–11.5] days, p<0.0001), length of stay (8 [5–13] vs 19.5 [13–32] days, p<0.0001), reintubation (p<0.0001), intra-hospital transport (p = 0.001), use of paralytic agents (p = 0.013), tracheotomy (p = 0.003) and prone position (p = 0.003). The use of HBOT was not associated with the occurrence of VAP. Multivariate analysis identified reintubation (OR: 8.3 [2.6–26.6]; p<0.0001), intra-hospital transport (OR: 3.5 [1.3–9.2]; p = 0.011) and the use of paralytic agents (OR: 3.3 [1.3–8.4]; p = 0.014) as independent risk factors for VAP.

Conclusion

Known risk factors for VAP are to be found within our ICU population. HBOT, however, is not an extra risk factor for VAP within this group. Further experimental and clinical investigations are needed to understand the impact of HBOT on the occurrence of VAP and on physiological microbiome.
Genetic diversity and structure of Musa balbisiana populations in Vietnam and its implications for the conservation of banana crop wild relatives
Authors: Mertens Arne , Bawin Yves , Vanden Abeele Samuel , Kallow Simon , Toan Vu Dang , Thi Le Loan , Dang Vu Tuong , Swennen Rony , Vandelook Filip , Panis Bart , Janssens Steven B.
Published: June 2021

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are an indispensable source of alleles to improve desired traits in related crops. While knowledge on the genetic diversity of CWR can facilitate breeding and conservation strategies, it has poorly been assessed. Cultivated bananas are a major part of the diet and income of hundreds of millions of people and can be considered as one of the most important fruits worldwide. Here, we assessed the genetic diversity and structure ofMusa balbisiana, an important CWR of plantains, dessert and cooking bananas.Musa balbisianahas its origin in subtropical and tropical broadleaf forests of northern Indo-Burma. This includes a large part of northern Vietnam where until now, no populations have been sampled. We screened the genetic variation and structure present within and between 17 Vietnamese populations and six from China using 18 polymorphic SSR markers. Relatively high variation was found in populations from China and central Vietnam. Populations from northern Vietnam showed varying levels of genetic variation, with low variation in populations near the Red River. Low genetic variation was found in populations of southern Vietnam. Analyses of population structure revealed that populations of northern Vietnam formed a distinct genetic cluster from populations sampled in China. Together with populations of central Vietnam, populations from northern Vietnam could be subdivided into five clusters, likely caused by mountain ranges and connected river systems. We propose that populations sampled in central Vietnam and on the western side of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range in northern Vietnam belong to the native distribution area and should be prioritised for conservation. Southern range edge populations in central Vietnam had especially high genetic diversity, with a high number of unique alleles and might be connected with core populations in northern Laos and southwest China. Southern Vietnamese populations are considered imported and not native.
SARS-CoV-2 uses major endothelial integrin αvβ3 to cause vascular dysregulation in-vitro during COVID-19
Authors: Nader Danielle , Fletcher Nicola , Curley Gerard F. , Kerrigan Steven W.
Published: June 2021

The unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a desperate international effort to accelerate the development of anti-viral candidates. For unknown reasons, COVID-19 infections are associated with adverse cardiovascular complications, implicating that vascular endothelial cells are essential in viral propagation. The etiological pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, has a higher reproductive number and infection rate than its predecessors, indicating it possesses novel characteristics that infers enhanced transmissibility. A unique K403R spike protein substitution encodes an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, introducing a potential role for RGD-binding host integrins. Integrin αVβ3 is widely expressed across the host, particularly in the endothelium, which acts as the final barrier before microbial entry into the bloodstream. This mutagenesis creates an additional binding site, which may be sufficient to increase SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. Here, we investigate how SARS-CoV-2 passes from the epithelium to endothelium, the effects of αVβ3 antagonist, Cilengitide, on viral adhesion, vasculature permeability and leakage, and also report on a simulated interaction between the viral and host protein in-silico.