bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical Properties of Various Commercial Dried Tangerine Peel Tea Products
Authors: Han Ji Hee , Lee Soo Ah , Kim Duri , Chun Ji-Yeon
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to observe the quality characteristics of 10 different commercial dried tangerine peel tea (tea-bag type) products in the Korean market. One tea bag contained dried tangerine peel of 1.0 to 2.2 g, and the tea-bag packaging material was polyamide, pulp, polyethylene terephthalate. Each tea bag was extracted using hot water to make a cup of tea that people generally drink, and then their physicochemical properties were determined. The pH and acidity were 4.66-5.31 and 0.006-0.016%, respectively. Sugar content and reducing sugar content were ranged from 0.34 to 1.17°Brix, and 0.09 to 0.47 g GE/100 mL, respectively. Vitamin C content was 0.43-0.76 mg AAE/100 mL, total phenol content was 8.63-33.25 mg GAE/100 mL, and total flavonoid content was 13.00 to 35.17 mg NE/100 mL. It was suggested that various products showed different properties due to the weight and particle size of the tangerine peel in one tea bag.
Borders of spot diagrams are always caustic surfaces and/or marginal rays
Authors: Cordero-Dávila Alberto , Reyes-Olguín Diego Gabriel , González-García Jorge
Published: September 2021

In this paper, it is proven that for any optical system with a circular exit pupil and wavefronts affected by any aberrations, the borders of all leaving rays are caustic surfaces and/or marginal rays. Several examples are shown for wavefronts affected by linear combinations of Zernike aberrations.
Broadband and CMOS compatible polarization splitter–rotator based on a bi-level taper
Authors: She Xiaojuan , Wang Dawei , Zhao Yingxuan , Huang Haiyang , Liao Han , Zhu Junbo , Li Yang , Zhu Zijian , Huang Rui , Liu Xiang , Chao Qiu , Sheng Zhen , Gan Fuwan
Published: September 2021

A silicon-on-insulator polarization diversity scheme is proposed. Based on an asymmetrical evanescent coupler, a broadband and compact polarization splitter–rotator comprising mode conversion tapers and mode sorting asymmetric Y junctions is optimized with silicon dioxide upper cladding and a silicon nitride waveguide. The simulation results show mode conversion loss is less than 0.2 dB, and the extinction ratio is lower than

−

17

d
B

in the wavelength range of

1.48

µ
m

to

1.67

µ
m

.
Absolute measurement method for a spherical surface by random off-axis rotation based on Zernike polynomials
Authors: Sheng Pengfeng , Gu Weicheng , Yu Jun
Published: September 2021

An off-axis rotation absolute measurement method by regarding random shift-rotation movement as off-axis rotation is proposed. The off-axis rotation center is calculated by matching feature points on the measured surface. Then the surface profile is calculated relying on Zernike polynomial fitting. Multiple rotations are carried out to reduce symmetrical and environment errors.

N
(
N
−

1

)

/

2

results can be collected after

N

times rotation. Compared to traditional methods, this method can obtain accurate results with high efficiency and does not need high precision positioning.
1.8  µm band broadband hybrid light source employing a combination of a super luminescent diode and thulium-doped fiber amplifier
Authors: Ota Kazuya , Ono Jun , Mori Hiroshi , Ono Hirotaka , Koyama Osanori , Ikeda Kanami , Yamada Makoto
Published: September 2021

We have proposed a broadband hybrid light source that combines a super
luminescent diode (SLD) and thulium-doped fiber amplifier (TDFA) and
operates in the 1.8 µm band. This light source can improve the
characteristics of the output spectrum by amplifying the output light
of the SLD with TDFA. In this study, we investigate the dependence of
the output spectral characteristics of the hybrid broadband light
source on the thulium-doped fiber (TDF) length used in the TDFA as
well as the output spectra of three newly developed SLDs of 1660,
1690, and 1730 nm bands. In the evaluation of the output bandwidth,
there are various definitions of output bandwidth, but we adopted the
bandwidth with power density of over

−

40

d
B
m

/

0.1

n
m

. This is because it is possible to
evaluate in this band with a dynamic range of “30 dB/0.1 nm” by using
a general optical spectrum analyzer. The hybrid light source achieves
the bandwidth of 332 nm, from 1579 to 1911 nm, and a high total output
power of over 15 dBm. The maximum ripple was less than

∼

0.1

d
B

, which is similar to the maximum
value of that of the SLD, without any deterioration in the ripple
characteristics owing to the hybrid configuration of the SLD and
TDFA.
Adaptive method for estimating information from a polarized skylight
Authors: Yang Tian , Wang Xin , Pu Xiankun , Shi Zijian , Sun Shaobo , Gao Jun
Published: September 2021

The acquisition and processing of skylight polarization information forms the
cornerstone in modern navigation systems that are developed by
imitating certain biological mechanisms. The accuracy of skylight
polarization mode information plays a major part in improving the
accuracy of polarized light navigation. This paper mainly focuses on
developing a methodology that can avoid the error caused by the
inaccurate rotation of the polarizer and manual readings from
non-electrical equipment, when the time-sequence polarization
measurement system is used to obtain the skylight polarization mode
information. We propose an adaptive algorithm that can obtain the
pictures of angle of polarization and degree of polarization with sets
of random rotation angles with no need for precise readings for the
rotation angle of the polarizer. By allocating initial random values
to rotation angles, a simple iterative estimation method like the
Gaussian–Newton method can be used to converge calculated angle of
polarization and degree of polarization values to their respective
real values. The experiment results show that the proposed method can
be used to estimate polarization information with high accuracy and
universality under various experiment settings including both sunny
and cloudy weathers. Meanwhile, the time efficiency of the proposed
method is comparable to traditional methods.
Tailoring frequency combs through VCSEL polarization dynamics
Authors: Doumbia Yaya , Wolfersberger Delphine , Panajotov Krassimir , Sciamanna Marc
Published: September 2021

We investigate experimentally the nonlinear polarization dynamics of a VCSEL subject to optical injection of a frequency comb. By tuning the polarization of the injected comb to be orthogonal to that of the VCSEL, we demonstrate the generation of either a single polarization or a dual polarization frequency comb. The injection parameters (injected power and detuning frequency) are then used either to generate harmonics of the initial comb spacing or to increase the number of total output frequency lines up to 15 times the number of injected comb lines. Optimisation of the injection parameters yields a comb extending over 60 GHz for a comb spacing of 2 GHz with a carrier to noise ratio (CNR) of up to 60 dB. Our technique allows us to separately control the comb spacing, comb bandwidth, CNR and polarization. Our finding can be used for spectroscopy measurement and also for polarization division multiplexing in optical data communications.
High spectral purity GaSb-based blazed grating external cavity laser with tunable single-mode operation around 1940nm
Authors: Wang Tianfang , Yang Chengao , Zhang Yi , Chen Yihang , Shang Jinming , Zhang Yu , Xu Yingqiang , Niu Zhichuan
Published: September 2021

In this article, we present a tunable GaSb-based blazed grating external cavity laser (BG-ECL) with high spectral purity and high output power single-mode operation around 1940nm. The drastic increase in spectral selectivity and optical power results from the employment of a single-transverse-mode operating narrow ridge waveguide laser diode with an optimized AR coating on the front facet. The stable fundamental spatial mode output beam from the laser diode enables efficient collimation and high coupling efficiency with the blazed grating, leading to stronger wavelength-selective feedback. The AR coating with proper low reflectivity on the straight waveguide effectively suppresses the internal cavity mode lasing without causing extra optical loss. As a result, the BG-ECL device exhibits excellent comprehensive performance with a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) over 50 dB with optical power exceeding 30 mW within a 70 nm tuning range. A maximum SMSR of 56.26 dB with 35.12 mW output power was observed in continuous-wave operation. By increasing the working temperature of the diode laser, the tuning range can be further extended to over 100 nm without noticeable degradation in spectral and output power performance.
Design of a digitally switchable multifocal microlens array for integral imaging systems
Authors: Wang Xuan , Hua Hong
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the optical design of a digitally switchable multi-focal microlens array which can be used to extend the depth of field in integral imaging systems. The proposed switchable multi-focal microlens array consists of a customized freeform multi-focal microlens array (MLA) and a programmable spatial light modulator. By switching among the different optical powers of the switchable multi-focal MLA, an integral imaging system can render or capture a 3D scene at a large depth range around several central depth planes. We demonstrate the design considerations for a dual-focal microlens array with a primary and secondary focal lengths of 4mm and 4.06mm, respectively. We further validated the design by providing both interferometric measurements of the surface profiles and image contrast and resolution tests of a manufactured MLA prototype.
Non-line-of-sight optical information transmission through turbid water
Authors: Pan Zilan , Xiao Yin , Zhou Lina , Cao Yonggui , Yang Mo , Chen Wen
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a new and robust method is proposed to realize high-fidelity non-line-of-sight (NLOS) optical information transmission through turbid water around a corner. A series of 2D random amplitude-only patterns are generated by using the zero-frequency modulation method, which are used as optical information carriers. The laser beam modulated by random amplitude-only patterns propagates through turbid water, and the wave diffused by turbid water is further reflected around a corner. A single-pixel detector is used to collect light intensity at the receiving end. To demonstrate feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed NLOS free-space optical information transmission system, many optical experiments are conducted. The proposed method is fully verified by using different turbid water conditions, different separation distances around a corner and different detection angles of the single-pixel detector. Optical experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is able to achieve high fidelity and high robustness for free-space optical information transmission through turbid water. Even when there is an obstacle behind turbid water, high-fidelity free-space optical information transmission is still realized by using the proposed method. In addition, the proposed method possesses a wide detection range at the receiving end, which is of great significance in practical applications. The proposed method is a promising application for NLOS free-space optical information transmission.
High-quality and large-area echelle grating ruled on 500-mm ruling engine for the fiber array solar optical telescope (FASOT)
Authors: Mi Xiaotao , Qi Xiangdong , Zhang Shanwen , Yu Hongzhu , Jiang Sibo , Zhou Jingxuan
Published: September 2021

A 300 mm×500 mm large-area echelle grating with groove density of 79 grooves/mm is fabricated for the spectrometer of the fiber array solar optical telescope (FASOT). This paper focusses on measurement methods of the grating performance. We present a method to evaluate the grating’s stray light intensity, which is measured to a level of 10−4. The directly measured grating efficiency is approximately 90% of the designed value, and an indirect measurement method based on the grating groove profile is proposed. Based on the Rayleigh criterion and the grating diffraction wavefront, a physical optics method and a geometric grating method are proposed and are used to calculate the actual grating resolving power; the calculated results exceed 95% of the grating’s theoretical resolving power. These results show that the CIOMP-6 ruling engine has sufficient precision to fabricate high-quality, large-area echelle gratings.
XENet: Using a new graph convolution to accelerate the timeline for protein design on quantum computers
Authors: Maguire Jack B. , Grattarola Daniele , Mulligan Vikram Khipple , Klyshko Eugene , Melo Hans
Published: September 2021

Graph representations are traditionally used to represent protein structures in sequence design protocols in which the protein backbone conformation is known. This infrequently extends to machine learning projects: existing graph convolution algorithms have shortcomings when representing protein environments. One reason for this is the lack of emphasis on edge attributes during massage-passing operations. Another reason is the traditionally shallow nature of graph neural network architectures. Here we introduce an improved message-passing operation that is better equipped to model local kinematics problems such as protein design. Our approach, XENet, pays special attention to both incoming and outgoing edge attributes. We compare XENet against existing graph convolutions in an attempt to decrease rotamer sample counts in Rosetta’s rotamer substitution protocol, used for protein side-chain optimization and sequence design. This use case is motivating because it both reduces the size of the search space for classical side-chain optimization algorithms, and allows larger protein design problems to be solved with quantum algorithms on near-term quantum computers with limited qubit counts. XENet outperformed competing models while also displaying a greater tolerance for deeper architectures. We found that XENet was able to decrease rotamer counts by 40% without loss in quality. This decreased the memory consumption for classical pre-computation of rotamer energies in our use case by more than a factor of 3, the qubit consumption for an existing sequence design quantum algorithm by 40%, and the size of the solution space by a factor of 165. Additionally, XENet displayed an ability to handle deeper architectures than competing convolutions.
FunOrder: A robust and semi-automated method for the identification of essential biosynthetic genes through computational molecular co-evolution
Authors: Vignolle Gabriel A. , Schaffer Denise , Zehetner Leopold , Mach Robert L. , Mach-Aigner Astrid R. , Derntl Christian
Published: September 2021

Secondary metabolites (SMs) are a vast group of compounds with different structures and properties that have been utilized as drugs, food additives, dyes, and as monomers for novel plastics. In many cases, the biosynthesis of SMs is catalysed by enzymes whose corresponding genes are co-localized in the genome in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Notably, BGCs may contain so-called gap genes, that are not involved in the biosynthesis of the SM. Current genome mining tools can identify BGCs, but they have problems with distinguishing essential genes from gap genes. This can and must be done by expensive, laborious, and time-consuming comparative genomic approaches or transcriptome analyses. In this study, we developed a method that allows semi-automated identification of essential genes in a BGC based on co-evolution analysis. To this end, the protein sequences of a BGC are blasted against a suitable proteome database. For each protein, a phylogenetic tree is created. The trees are compared by treeKO to detect co-evolution. The results of this comparison are visualized in different output formats, which are compared visually. Our results suggest that co-evolution is commonly occurring within BGCs, albeit not all, and that especially those genes that encode for enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway are co-evolutionary linked and can be identified with FunOrder. In light of the growing number of genomic data available, this will contribute to the studies of BGCs in native hosts and facilitate heterologous expression in other organisms with the aim of the discovery of novel SMs.
GRAFIMO: Variant and haplotype aware motif scanning on pangenome graphs
Authors: Tognon Manuel , Bonnici Vincenzo , Garrison Erik , Giugno Rosalba , Pinello Luca
Published: September 2021

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that promote or reduce the expression of genes by binding short genomic DNA sequences known as transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). While several tools have been developed to scan for potential occurrences of TFBS in linear DNA sequences or reference genomes, no tool exists to find them in pangenome variation graphs (VGs). VGs are sequence-labelled graphs that can efficiently encode collections of genomes and their variants in a single, compact data structure. Because VGs can losslessly compress large pangenomes, TFBS scanning in VGs can efficiently capture how genomic variation affects the potential binding landscape of TFs in a population of individuals. Here we present GRAFIMO (GRAph-based Finding of Individual Motif Occurrences), a command-line tool for the scanning of known TF DNA motifs represented as Position Weight Matrices (PWMs) in VGs. GRAFIMO extends the standard PWM scanning procedure by considering variations and alternative haplotypes encoded in a VG. Using GRAFIMO on a VG based on individuals from the 1000 Genomes project we recover several potential binding sites that are enhanced, weakened or missed when scanning only the reference genome, and which could constitute individual-specific binding events. GRAFIMO is available as an open-source tool, under the MIT license, athttps://github.com/pinellolab/GRAFIMOandhttps://github.com/InfOmics/GRAFIMO.
Dynamic Electrode-to-Image (DETI) mapping reveals the human brain’s spatiotemporal code of visual information
Authors: Hansen Bruce C. , Greene Michelle R. , Field David J.
Published: September 2021

A number of neuroimaging techniques have been employed to understand how visual information is transformed along the visual pathway. Although each technique has spatial and temporal limitations, they can each provide important insights into the visual code. While the BOLD signal of fMRI can be quite informative, the visual code is not static and this can be obscured by fMRI’s poor temporal resolution. In this study, we leveraged the high temporal resolution of EEG to develop an encoding technique based on the distribution of responses generated by a population of real-world scenes. This approach maps neural signals to each pixel within a given image and reveals location-specific transformations of the visual code, providing a spatiotemporal signature for the image at each electrode. Our analyses of the mapping results revealed that scenes undergo a series of nonuniform transformations that prioritize different spatial frequencies at different regions of scenes over time. This mapping technique offers a potential avenue for future studies to explore how dynamic feedforward and recurrent processes inform and refine high-level representations of our visual world.
A biallelic SNIP1 Amish founder variant causes a recognizable neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Ammous Zineb , Rawlins Lettie E. , Jones Hannah , Leslie Joseph S. , Wenger Olivia , Scott Ethan , Deline Jim , Herr Tom , Evans Rebecca , Scheid Angela , Kennedy Joanna , Chioza Barry A. , Ames Ryan M. , Cross Harold E. , Puffenberger Erik G. , Harries Lorna , Baple Emma L. , Crosby Andrew H.
Published: September 2021

SNIP1 (Smad nuclear interacting protein 1) is a widely expressed transcriptional suppressor of the TGF-β signal-transduction pathway which plays a key role in human spliceosome function. Here, we describe extensive genetic studies and clinical findings of a complex inherited neurodevelopmental disorder in 35 individuals associated with aSNIP1NM_024700.4:c.1097A>G, p.(Glu366Gly) variant, present at high frequency in the Amish community. The cardinal clinical features of the condition include hypotonia, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, and a characteristic craniofacial appearance. Our gene transcript studies in affected individuals define altered gene expression profiles of a number of molecules with well-defined neurodevelopmental and neuropathological roles, potentially explaining clinical outcomes. Together these data confirm thisSNIP1gene variant as a cause of an autosomal recessive complex neurodevelopmental disorder and provide important insight into the molecular roles of SNIP1, which likely explain the cardinal clinical outcomes in affected individuals, defining potential therapeutic avenues for future research.
A broad analysis of splicing regulation in yeast using a large library of synthetic introns
Authors: Schirman Dvir , Yakhini Zohar , Pilpel Yitzhak , Dahan Orna
Published: September 2021

RNA splicing is a key process in eukaryotic gene expression, in which an intron is spliced out of a pre-mRNA molecule to eventually produce a mature mRNA. Most intron-containing genes are constitutively spliced, hence efficient splicing of an intron is crucial for efficient regulation of gene expression. Here we use a large synthetic oligo library of ~20,000 variants to explore how different intronic sequence features affect splicing efficiency and mRNA expression levels in S. cerevisiae. Introns are defined by three functional sites, the 5’ donor site, the branch site, and the 3’ acceptor site. Using a combinatorial design of synthetic introns, we demonstrate how non-consensus splice site sequences in each of these sites affect splicing efficiency. We then show that S. cerevisiae splicing machinery tends to select alternative 3’ splice sites downstream of the original site, and we suggest that this tendency created a selective pressure, leading to the avoidance of cryptic splice site motifs near introns’ 3’ ends. We further use natural intronic sequences from other yeast species, whose splicing machineries have diverged to various extents, to show how intron architectures in the various species have been adapted to the organism’s splicing machinery. We suggest that the observed tendency for cryptic splicing is a result of a loss of a specific splicing factor, U2AF1. Lastly, we show that synthetic sequences containing two introns give rise to alternative RNA isoforms in S. cerevisiae, demonstrating that merely a synthetic fusion of two introns might be suffice to facilitate alternative splicing in yeast. Our study reveals novel mechanisms by which introns are shaped in evolution to allow cells to regulate their transcriptome. In addition, it provides a valuable resource to study the regulation of constitutive and alternative splicing in a model organism.
Insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti from Tapachula, Mexico: Spatial variation and response to historical insecticide use
Authors: Solis-Santoyo Francisco , Rodriguez Americo D. , Penilla-Navarro R. Patricia , Sanchez Daniel , Castillo-Vera Alfredo , Lopez-Solis Alma D. , Vazquez-Lopez Eduardo D. , Lozano Saul , Black William C. , Saavedra-Rodriguez Karla
Published: September 2021

Background

Insecticide use continues as the main strategy to control Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. In the city of Tapachula, Mexico, mosquito control programs switched from pyrethroids to organophosphates for outdoor spatial spraying in 2013. Additionally, the spraying scheme switched from total coverage to focused control, prioritizing areas with higher entomological-virological risk. Five years after this strategy had been implemented, we evaluated the status and variability of insecticide resistance among Ae. aegypti collected at 26 sites in Tapachula.

Methodology/Principal findings

We determined the lethal concentrations at 50% of the tested populations (LC50) using a bottle bioassay, and then, we calculated the resistance ratio (RR) relative to the susceptible New Orleans strain. Permethrin and deltamethrin (pyrethroids), chlorpyrifos and malathion (organophosphates), and bendiocarb (carbamate) were tested. The frequencies of the substitutions V1016I and F1534C, which are in the voltage-gated sodium channel and confer knockdown-resistance (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides, were calculated. Despite 5 years having passed since the removal of pyrethroids from the control programs, Ae. aegypti remained highly resistant to permethrin and deltamethrin (RR > 10-fold). In addition, following 5 years of chlorpyrifos use, mosquitoes at 15 of 26 sites showed moderate resistance to chlorpyrifos (5- to 10-fold), and the mosquitoes from one site were highly resistant. All sites had low resistance to malathion (< 5-fold). Resistance to bendiocarb was low at 19 sites, moderate at five, and high at two. Frequencies of the V1016I ranged from 0.16–0.71, while C1534 approached fixation at 23 sites (0.8–1). Resistance profiles and kdr allele frequencies varied across Tapachula. The variability was not associated with a spatial pattern at the scale of the sampling.

Conclusion/Significance

Mosquito populations respond to selection pressure at a focal scale in the field. Spatial variation across sites highlights the importance of testing multiple sites within geographical regions.
Claims-based algorithms for common chronic conditions were efficiently constructed using machine learning methods
Authors: Hara Konan , Kobayashi Yasuki , Tomio Jun , Ito Yuki , Svensson Thomas , Ikesu Ryo , Chung Ung-il , Svensson Akiko Kishi
Published: September 2021

Identification of medical conditions using claims data is generally conducted with algorithms based on subject-matter knowledge. However, these claims-based algorithms (CBAs) are highly dependent on the knowledge level and not necessarily optimized for target conditions. We investigated whether machine learning methods can supplement researchers’ knowledge of target conditions in building CBAs. Retrospective cohort study using a claims database combined with annual health check-up results of employees’ health insurance programs for fiscal year 2016–17 in Japan (study population for hypertension, N = 631,289; diabetes, N = 152,368; dyslipidemia, N = 614,434). We constructed CBAs with logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, penalized logistic regression, tree-based model, and neural network for identifying patients with three common chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We then compared their association measures using a completely hold-out test set (25% of the study population). Among the test cohorts of 157,822, 38,092, and 153,608 enrollees for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, 25.4%, 8.4%, and 38.7% of them had a diagnosis of the corresponding condition. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of the logistic regression with/without subject-matter knowledge about the target condition were .923/.921 for hypertension, .957/.938 for diabetes, and .739/.747 for dyslipidemia. The logistic lasso, logistic elastic-net, and tree-based methods yielded AUCs comparable to those of the logistic regression with subject-matter knowledge: .923-.931 for hypertension; .958-.966 for diabetes; .747-.773 for dyslipidemia. We found that machine learning methods can attain AUCs comparable to the conventional knowledge-based method in building CBAs.
Married women’s decision-making autonomy in the household and maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and associated factors in Debretabor, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Azmeraw Ambachew , Cherkos Endeshaw Admasu , Taye Eden Bishaw , Eriku Getachew Azeze , Taye Birhan Tsegaw , Chanie Wagaye Fentahun
Published: September 2021

Background

Women’s decision-making autonomy is very crucial for the improvement of women empowerment, and maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. As time immemorial, Ethiopian culture is largely gender stratified, and the position of women is subordinate to men in various household and health-seeking decision-making matters. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on women’s decision-making autonomy, especially in the household and on maternal and newborn healthcare utilization. Therefore, this study assessed married women’s decision-making autonomy in the household and on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and associated factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1stto 30th, 2019. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 730 married women. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI INFO 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy in the household and maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization. The adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance at a p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Results

A total of 730 married women were included in the analysis. Thus, three-fourths (75.1%) of women had higher decision-making autonomy on their health, neonatal health, and other socio-economic aspects. Besides, the proportion of four and above antenatal visits, delivery at a health facility, postnatal checkup, knowledge of neonatal danger signs, and appropriate health-seeking practices for sick newborns among autonomous women were 52.1%, 56.1%, 71.4%, 32%, and 80% respectively. Age greater than 35 years old (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.19, 3.62), monthly income of > 5000 ETB (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.36, 7.07), husband involvement (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.43), and adequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.2) were factors independently associated with women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and other socio-economic affairs.

Conclusion

Our findings show that women’s decision-making autonomy in the household and maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization was optimal. Increasing household income level, promotion of husband’s involvement starting from the prenatal period, and increasing women’s knowledge of maternal and neonatal danger signs will have a great role in the improvement of women’s decision-making autonomy.
Adolescents may accurately self-collect pharyngeal and rectal clinical specimens for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection
Authors: Vavala Gabriella , Goldbeck Cameron , Bristow Claire C. , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Adamson Paul C. , Polanco Dianna , Ocasio Manuel A. , Fournier Jasmine , Romero-Espinoza Adriana , Flynn Risa , Bolan Robert , Fernandez M. Isabel , Swendeman Dallas , Comulada W. Scott , Lee Sung-Jae , Rotheram-Borus Mary Jane , Klausner Jeffrey D. ,   the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN) CARES Team
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the benefits of telemedicine. Self-collected specimens are a promising alternative to clinician-collected specimens when in-person testing is not feasible. In this study, we assessed the adequacy of self-collected pharyngeal and rectal specimens for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among individuals undergoing chlamydia and gonorrhea screening.

Methods

We used data from a large cohort study that included male and female adolescents between the ages of 12–24 years. We considered self-collected specimens adequate for clinical use if the human synthase gene (a control target of the assay) was detected in the specimen.

Results

In total, 2,458 specimens were included in the analysis. The human synthase gene was detected in 99.2% (2,439/2,458) of all self-collected specimens, 99.5% (1,108/1,114) of the pharyngeal specimens, and 99.0% (1,331/1,344) of the rectal specimens.

Conclusion

Self-collected pharyngeal and rectal specimens demonstrated a very high proportion of human gene presence, suggesting that self-collection was accurate. A limitation of this study is that the sample adequacy control detects the presence or absence of the human hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene, but it does not indicate the specific anatomic origin of the human hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene. Self-collected specimens may be an appropriate alternative to clinician-collected specimens.
Behaviour and animal welfare indicators of broiler chickens housed in an enriched environment
Authors: Lourenço da Silva Marconi Italo , Almeida Paz Ibiara Correia de Lima , Chaves Gustavo Henrique Coelho , Almeida Ianê Correia de Lima , Ouros Caio Cesar dos , Souza Silvia Regina Lucas de , Milbradt Elisane Lenita , Caldara Fabiana Ribeiro , Satin Ana Júlia Garcia , Costa Gabriel Augusto da , Glavina Andreia Soares Gonçalves
Published: September 2021

The present study aimed to assess the influence of adding straw bales, step platforms, and laser projectors as environmental enrichment resources on the behaviour and welfare indicators of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). A sample of 4,000 day-old male Cobb® 500 birds was used. The experimental treatments consisted of No Environmental Enrichment (NEE)—similar to a conventional environment; and Environmental Enrichment (EE)—environment enriched with straw bales, step platforms, and laser projectors, with four replicates per treatment of 500 animals. Behavioural characteristics (ethological observation through cameras, grab test, and modified touch test) and animal welfare indicators (pododermatitis and dorsal cranial myopathy) were assessed. The birds submitted to the EE treatment exhibited greater exploratory activity and expression of behaviours associated with comfort and welfare, whereas those in the NEE group were less active. Locomotion and play fighting behaviour decreased and behaviours associated with comfort increased as age advanced. The frequencies of interaction with laser spots and birds lying around straw bales were the highest in the 1stweek (P<0.01). The behaviours of pecking at straw bales (P<0.0004), using the step platforms (P = 0.0001) and being on top of straw bales (P<0.0002) gradually increased. The chickens accessed the feeding troughs the most in the period of 0800 hours (P<0.0001) and expressed the highest frequencies of behaviours associated with comfort in the 1400 hours and 1700 hours periods. The birds in the EE group were calmer in face of human presence and touch and scored higher in animal welfare indicators. Adding straw bales, step platforms, and laser projectors increased locomotion, reduced expression of fear, and improved animal welfare indicators of broiler chickens.
Transport accessibility and social demand: A case study of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Gao Xingchuan , Sun Dongqi
Published: September 2021

The equity of transport accessibility is a prerequisite for sustainable development targets, especially in the ecologically fragile area of the Tibetan Plateau (also known as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau). The relationship between transportation supply and social demand has become a key element of socioeconomic development and environmental protection in agricultural and pastoral areas. Based on data from transportation networks, permanent populations and the economy, this study uses a network analysis model, the coefficient of variation and the Gini coefficient to construct an index of social demand in townships and analyse the equity of transport accessibility on the Tibetan Plateau between 1980 and 2017; the principle of geographic distribution and the spatial relationship between transport accessibility and social demand at the township scale are also discussed. This study finds the following: the development of transportation has improved accessibility on the Tibetan Plateau, creating a highly accessible region with important cities as the nodes and major traffic arteries as the axes; both the coefficient of variation of transport accessibility and the Gini coefficient have increased slightly; and the equity of transport accessibility among townships on the Tibetan Plateau has exhibited a downward trend. Further, the social demand index is doubling every ten years, the spatial distribution has regional characteristics, and a decrease in permanent populations is the main reason for declining social demand index scores among townships. Townships with the lowest and highest social demand index scores for transportation development enjoy greater transportation benefits; there is a significant spatial relationship between social demand and location conditions (potential accessibility); the aggregation of social demand and accessibility types follows specific geographical distribution principles; and the Mangya-Gongshan Line delineates the distribution characteristics of township clusters with low social demand and low accessibility.
Development and validation of a one year predictive model for secondary fractures in osteoporosis
Authors: Williams Setareh A. , Greenspan Susan L. , Bancroft Tim , Chastek Benjamin J. , Wang Yamei , Weiss Richard J. , Pyrih Nick , Nichols Hily , Cauley Jane A.
Published: September 2021

The number of osteoporosis-related fractures in the United States is no longer declining. Existing risk-based assessment tools focus on long-term risk. Payers and prescribers need additional tools to identify patients at risk for imminent fracture. We developed and validated a predictive model for secondary osteoporosis fractures in the year following an index fracture using administrative medical and pharmacy claims from the Optum Research Database and Symphony Health, PatientSource. Patients ≥50 years with a case-qualifying fracture identified using a validated claims-based algorithm were included. Logistic regression models were created with binary outcome of a second fracture versus no second fracture within a year of index fracture, with the goal of predicting second fracture occurrence. In the Optum Research Database, 197,104 patients were identified with a case-qualifying fracture (43% commercial, 57% Medicare Advantage). Using Symphony data, 1,852,818 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Average patient age was 70.09 (SD = 11.09) and 71.28 (SD = 14.24) years in the Optum Research Database and Symphony data, respectively. With the exception of history of falls (41.26% vs 18.74%) and opioid use (62.80% vs 46.78%), which were both higher in the Optum Research Database, the two populations were mostly comparable. A history of falls and steroid use, which were previously associated with increased fracture risk, continue to play an important role in secondary fractures. Conditions associated with bone health (liver disease), or those requiring medications that impact bone health (respiratory disease), and cardiovascular disease and stroke—which may share etiology or risk factors with osteoporosis fractures—were also predictors of imminent fractures. The model highlights the importance of assessment of patient characteristics beyond bone density, including patient comorbidities and concomitant medications associated with increased fall and fracture risk, in alignment with recently issued clinical guidelines for osteoporosis treatment.
Comparison of characteristics and management of emergency department presentations between patients with met and unmet palliative care needs
Authors: Kirkland Scott W. , Garrido Clua Miriam , Kruhlak Maureen , Villa-Roel Cristina , Couperthwaite Stephanie , Yang Esther H. , Elwi Adam , O’Neill Barbara , Duggan Shelley , Brisebois Amanda , Rowe Brian H.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

This study examined emergency department (ED) presentations of patients with end of life (EOL) conditions and patients having met and unmet palliative care needs were compared.

Methods

Presentations for EOL conditions were prospectively identified and screened for palliative care needs. Descriptive data were reported as proportions, means or medians. Bi-variable analysis for dichotomous and continuous variables were performed by chi-squared and T-tests (p≤0.01), respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model identified factors associated with having unmet palliative needs and reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Overall, 663 presentations for EOL conditions were identified; 518 (78%) involved patients with unmet palliative care needs. Presentations by patients with unmet palliative needs were more likely to involve consultations (80% vs. 67%, p = 0.001) and result in hospitalization (69% vs. 51%, p<0.001) compared to patients whose palliative needs were met. Patients with unmet palliative care needs were more likely to have previous ED visits (73% unmet vs. 48% met; p<0.001). While medication, procedures, investigations and imaging ordering were high across all patients with EOL conditions, there were no significant differences between the groups. Consultations with palliative specialists in the ED (6% unmet vs. 1% met) and following discharge (29% unmet vs. 18% met) were similarly uncommon. Patients having two or more EOL conditions (aOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.00), requiring hospitalization (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.87), and dying during the ED visit (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.53) were strongly associated with having unmet palliative care needs.

Conclusions

Most ED presentations for EOL conditions were made by patients with unmet palliative care needs, who were significantly more likely to require consultation, hospitalization, and to die. Referrals to palliative care services during and after the ED visit were infrequent, indicating important opportunities to promote these services.
Is social cohesion produced by weak ties or by multiplex ties? Rival hypotheses regarding leader networks in urban community settings
Authors: Higgins Silvio Salej , Crepalde Neylson , Fernandes Ivan L.
Published: September 2021

In his seminal work, Mark Granovetter (1973) challenged sociologists to test sociometric hypotheses regarding collective action in communitarian settings. In this article, we tested the two main hypotheses which consider social cohesion in communitarian urban settings–these being firstly cohesion by weak ties and secondly cohesion by multiplex ties. We studied the elite leaders of two slum communities of Belo Horizonte (Brazil). Three social processes were examined as multiplex interactions: recognized status, exchange of useful information and collaboration. Our findings reveal, on the one hand, that multiplexity is associated with the frequency of ties and, on the other, that reciprocity and shared domains of performance fuel such strong multiplexity. If we assume that elite connections conform to a high order structure, our findings, in contrast to previously well-established hypotheses, reveal a segmented social order in which multiplexity does not mean the overlapping of social circles. On the contrary, multiplexed social exchanges are restricted to specialized domains.
Bergamottin a CYP3A inhibitor found in grapefruit juice inhibits prostate cancer cell growth by downregulating androgen receptor signaling and promoting G0/G1 cell cycle block and apoptosis
Authors: Vetrichelvan Opalina , Gorjala Priyatham , Goodman Oscar , Mitra Ranjana
Published: September 2021

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in American men. Several therapies have been developed to treat advanced prostate cancer, but these therapies often have severe side effects. To improve the outcome with fewer side effects we focused on the furanocoumarin bergamottin, a natural product found in grapefruit juice and a potent CYP3A inhibitor. Our recent studies have shown that CYP3A5 inhibition can block androgen receptor (AR) signaling, critical for prostate cancer growth. We observed that bergamottin reduces prostate cancer (PC) cell growth by decreasing both total and nuclear AR (AR activation) reducing downstream AR signaling. Bergamottin’s role in reducing AR activation was confirmed by confocal microscopy studies and reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, which is a marker for prostate cancer. Further studies revealed that bergamottin promotes cell cycle block and accumulates G0/G1 cells. The cell cycle block was accompanied with reduction in cyclin D, cyclin B, CDK4, P-cdc2 (Y15) and P-wee1 (S642). We also observed that bergamottin triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines as evident by TUNEL staining and PARP cleavage. Our data suggests that bergamottin may suppress prostate cancer growth, especially in African American (AA) patients carrying wild type CYP3A5 often presenting aggressive disease.
Awareness and control methods of gastrointestinal parasites of merino sheep among farmers from different agro-ecological zones of Lesotho
Authors: Mahlehla Mots'elisi Aloycia , Molapo Setsumi Mots'oene , Phoofolo Mpho Wycliffe , Matebesi Puleng Agathah , Phalatsi Moeketsi , Moiloa Morai Johannes
Published: September 2021

Background and Aim: Sheep production plays a crucial role in the economy of Lesotho by increasing economic state of the rural poor. However, gastrointestinal parasites infection is the most limiting factor in sheep productivity and has a highly detrimental effect on the sheep industry. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate farmers' awareness and understanding of controlling gastrointestinal parasites of merino sheep in four Lesotho agro-ecological zones.

Materials and Methods: Data were collected using a simple random sampling of 106 farmers in the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20.00). Descriptive statistics were employed with cross-tabulations and tested with Chi-square and post hoc tests.

Results: The majority of farmers (80%) were aware of the gastrointestinal parasites. Most farmers (70%) reported a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and associated it with lamb mortality in summer and autumn. Farmers use anthelmintics for treating gastrointestinal parasites in animals, and 93% of them reported the effectiveness of the drugs. However, more than 80% of farmers routinely use anthelmintics. The results revealed that 81.5%, 66.7%, 80%, and 66.7% of farmers from the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley, respectively, keep sheep in non-roofed enclosures cleaned only after rains to avoid mud. Communal grazing is used as the main source of animal feeding where different livestock species share the same rangelands. Most farmers (more than 70%) believed that grazing lands were the main source of gastrointestinal parasites transmission.

Conclusion: Farmers in Lesotho are aware of gastrointestinal parasites and apply control methods to combat the gastrointestinal parasites in merino sheep. However, a need still exists for them to be empowered with skills for improving management systems and the knowledge on how the gastrointestinal parasites behave at different times of the year and in different agro-ecological zones. This will assist them in adhering to the dosing schedule designed by animal health experts.