bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between various DNA sterilization procedures applied in forensic analysis
Authors: Al-Snan Noora R. , Alraimi Najib M.
Published: January 2022

Background

The advanced sensitive STR kits applied in forensic DNA typing techniques can cause challenging issues when evidence samples are contaminated with minute quantities of DNA from another source such as forensic analysts or crime scene examiners.

Results

In this study, laboratory air and surfaces, gloves, tools, and equipment were evaluated as potential sources of contaminating DNA. Different sterilization methods were tested for their ability to efficiently eliminate DNA in a sample. Inactivation methods included 10% bleach, ethanol, UV light, and DNA-ExitusPlus IF. Exposure to the different inactivation protocols for varying periods of time was performed in two lab settings: low template DNA and DNA database labs. Surfaces were swabbed and any adhering DNA was quantified using HID real-time PCR. Results were detected using HID Real-Time PCR Analysis Software v1.2 and GeneMapper ID-X Software v1.4.

Conclusions

It was concluded that most of the DNA decontamination methods are not suitable for highly sensitive and precision STR kits such as GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit. The most suitable tested method was using DNA-ExitusPlus IF with the incubation time increased from 10 to 15 min.
Quality of care and respect of human rights in mental health services in four West African countries: collaboration between the mental health leadership and advocacy programme and the World Health Organization QualityRights initiative
Authors: Moro Maria Francesca , Kola Lola , Fadahunsi Olawoye , Jah Edward Munda , Kofie Humphrey , Samba Dawda , Thomas Sametta , Drew Natalie , Nwefoh Emeka , Pathare Soumitra , Eaton Julian , Funk Michelle , Gureje Oye
Published: January 2022

Background

Although recent reports suggest that service users in West African psychiatric facilities are exposed to poor quality of care and human rights violations, evidence is lacking on the extent and profile of specific deficits in the services provided to persons with mental health conditions.

Aims

To evaluate the quality of care and respect of human rights in psychiatric facilities in four West African countries, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, using the World Health Organization QualityRights Toolkit.

Method

Trained research workers collected information through observation, review of records and interviews with service users, caregivers and staff. Independent panels of assessors used the information to assign scores to the criteria, standards and themes of the QualityRights Toolkit.

Results

The study revealed significant gaps in these facilities. The rights to an adequate standard of living and to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health were poorly promoted. Adherence to the right to exercise legal capacity and the right to personal liberty and security was almost absent. Severe shortcomings in the promotion of the right to live independently and be included in the community were reported.

Conclusions

Inadequate appreciation of service users’ rights, lack of basic approaches to protect them and the non-promotion of rights-based services in these facilities are major problems that need to be addressed. Although it recognises the resource constraints and need for more human and financial resources, the study also identifies critical areas and challenges that require significant changes at the facility level.
Human Papillomavirus Infection Determines Prognosis in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Lei Jiayao , Arroyo-Mühr Laila Sara , Lagheden Camilla , Eklund Carina , Nordqvist Kleppe Sara , Elfström Miriam , Andrae Bengt , Sparén Pär , Dillner Joakim , Sundström Karin
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) by polymerase chain reaction in invasive cervical cancer is strongly associated with prognosis but previous studies have not considered sequencing efforts. We aimed to assess the association when also including comprehensive analysis of HPV infection by deep sequencing and a longer follow-up period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We subjected all 392 of 2,845 invasive cervical cancer cases that were polymerase chain reaction–negative for HPV to RNA sequencing on the NovaSeq 6000 platform (Illumina) and identified an additional 169 cases as HPV-positive. We followed all women from date of diagnosis to December 31, 2016, emigration, or death, whichever occurred first. The main outcome was all-cause mortality by December 31, 2016. We calculated 5-year cumulative relative survival ratios compared with the female general population and used Poisson regression to estimate excess hazard ratios of all-cause mortality by infection with any of the 13 most oncogenic (high-risk [hr]) HPV types in the tumor. All models were adjusted for age, time since diagnosis, stage, histology, and education level.

RESULTS

The 5-year cumulative relative survival ratio was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.39 to 0.51) in the hrHPV-negative group, and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.72 to 0.75) in the hrHPV-positive group. This translated to a statistically significantly 43% lower excess mortality in the hrHPV-positive group compared with the hrHPV-negative (corresponding to an excess hazard ratio 0.57; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.69). There was no association between HPV risk group, clade, or number of HPV infections and prognosis.

CONCLUSION

hrHPV status is a strong determinant of cervical cancer prognosis over 15 years after diagnosis, above and beyond other established factors.
A New Scope of Practice: Adult Pulmonary Aspiration Managed With a Pediatric Gastroscope: A Case Report
Authors: Waldman Boris , Aminian Navid , Cooper Michael G. , Wu Peter I. C. , Boss John M. L.
Published: January 2022

Pulmonary aspiration continues to be a major cause of anesthesia-related mortality. Anesthesiologists are encouraged to perform bronchoscopy to manage aspiration of particulate matter; however, they have limited training and experience in clearing luminal obstructions endoscopically. In our report, an adult with achalasia aspirated during induction for a per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), resulting in desaturation and high airway pressures. Bronchoscopy by the anesthesiologist was ineffective. However, bronchoscopy by the gastroenterologist using a pediatric gastroscope cleared the bronchi of debris and led to immediate clinical improvement. Anesthesiologists, faced with particulate matter aspiration, could consider assistance from a gastrointestinal endoscopist.
Obesity correlated to a higher risk of acquiring periodontitis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Maulani Chaerita , Auerkari Elza Ibrahim , C. Masulili Sri Lelyati , Kusdhany Lindawati S. , Prahasanti Chiquita , Soedarsono Nurtami
Published: January 2022

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between obesity and periodontitis, among other risk factors for periodontitis.  

Methods:  In total, 262 Indonesian male and female subjects were analysed for body mass index (BMI), oral hygiene, plaque index, and clinically evaluated periodontitis. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman tests and Pearson chi-square tests to estimate the correlation between BMI and periodontitis. Multivariate binary logistic analysis was conducted between covariate and periodontitis. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.  

Results: The prevalence of obesity was 48.47%. There were positive correlations between BMI and periodontal status for healthy-mild periodontitis, moderate, and severe periodontitis respectively. BMI and periodontitis crude odds ratio (OR) = 2.31 (95% CI 1.41-3.78); p < 0.05, adjusted OR of BMI among other variables, was 1.88 (95%CI 1.05-3.37); p < 0.05. Exploration of the ROC curve found a BMI cut off point of 24.785 kg/m2. 

Conclusion: Obesity by BMI measurement of ≥ 25kg/m2 correlated to a higher risk of acquiring periodontitis compared to normal-weight individuals.
The software for interactive evaluation of mass spectrometric imaging heterogeneity
Authors: Zhvansky Evgeny , Zhdanova Ekaterina , Belenikin Maxim , Shamraeva Maria , Silkin Sergei , Bocharov Konstantin , Sorokin Anatoly A.
Published: January 2022

Mass spectrometry imaging is a promising tool complement to the histology study for evaluation of presence of different tissue types in the sample. To make this method faster, more accurate and precise we have presented earlier the cosine similarity measure maps (CSMM). The method provides the spatial distribution of cosine similarity measure metrics between chosen MSI pixel and the rest of the image. In cases when samples under test are heterogeneous and not guaranteed to have clear clusters with distinct borders, it is interesting to analyze the heterogeneity, area borders and their sensitivity to reference CSMM pixel selection. Here we present the software for interactive building of CSMM for different parameters, their visual analysis and saving such CSMM in publication-ready quality without additional programming. Source code, example datasets, binaries, and other information are available at https://github.com/EvgenyZhvansky/Interactive_CSMM.
The fragmented COVID-19 therapeutics research landscape: a living systematic review of clinical trial registrations evaluating priority pharmacological interventions.
Authors: McLean Alistair R.D. , Rashan Sumayyah , Tran Lien , Arena Lorenzo , Lawal AbdulAzeez , Maguire Brittany J. , Adele Sandra , Antonio Emilia Sitsofe , Brack Matthew , Caldwell Fiona , Carrara Verena Ilona , Charles Reema , Citarella Barbara Wanjiru , Epie Terrence B. , Feteh Vitalis Fambombi , Kennon Kalynn , Makuka Gerald Jamberi , Ngu Roland , Nwosu Amen-Patrick , Obiesie Sopuruchukwu , Ogbonnaa-Njoku Chinwe , Paul Parvesh , Richmond Caitlin , Singh-Phulgenda Sauman , Strudwick Samantha , Tyrrell Carina S.B. , Stepniewska Kasia , Strub-Wourgaft Nathalie , White Nicholas J. , Guérin Philippe J.
Published: January 2022

Background: Many available medicines have been evaluated as potential repurposed treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We summarise the registered study landscape for 32 priority pharmacological treatments identified following consultation with external experts of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition.

Methods: All eligible trial registry records identified by systematic searches of the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform as of 26th May 2021 were reviewed and extracted. A descriptive summary of study characteristics was performed.

Results: We identified 1,314 registered studies that included at least one of the 32 priority pharmacological interventions. The majority (1,043, 79%) were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The sample size of the RCTs identified was typically small (median (25th, 75th percentile) sample size = 140 patients (70, 383)), i.e. individually powered only to show very large effects. The most extensively evaluated medicine was hydroxychloroquine (418 registered studies). Other widely studied interventions were convalescent plasma (n=208), ritonavir (n=189) usually combined with lopinavir (n=181), and azithromycin (n=147). Very few RCTs planned to recruit participants in low-income countries (n=14; 1.3%). A minority of studies (348, 26%) indicated a willingness to share individual participant data. The living systematic review data are available at https://iddo.cognitive.city

Conclusions: There are many registered studies planning to evaluate available medicines as potential repurposed treatments of COVID-19. Most of these planned studies are small, and therefore substantially underpowered for most relevant endpoints. Very few are large enough to have any chance of providing enough convincing evidence to change policies and practices. The sharing of individual participant data (IPD) from these studies would allow pooled IPD meta-analyses which could generate definitive conclusions, but most registered studies did not indicate that they were willing to share their data.
Multi-Stakeholder Innovation in Tourism Industry: A Recent Development and Future Directions
Authors:   School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, Poetry Roma Nova Cahjati , Simatupang Togar Mangihut , Ghazali Achmad
Published: January 2022

Abstract: Tourism is the most affected industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though it can be reinstated through innovations and collaborations. For instance, the marketing paradigm has shifted from product to service-dominant logic, influencing open innovations. The closed innovations are ineffective in the current business environment because of excluding other actors, such as suppliers, universities, research organizations, public institutes, competitors, and tourists, specifically during the pandemic. This indicates stakeholder networks are essential in promoting tourism industry innovations. Therefore, this research examined the existing literature on multi-stakeholder innovation in the tourism industry. The relevant articles were identified using multiple keywords search on major research databases and analyzed based on tourism innovation research stream, type, and characteristic of innovation (value creation-value capture), innovation platforms, research methodology, the network actors, and key concepts. After identifying the gap, relevant literature for academicians and practitioners was provided. The literature is expected to guide practitioners on the importance of stakeholder innovations to restore and improve tourism conditions from the pandemic. Keywords: Literature review, Future direction, Innovation, Collaboration, Multi-stakeholder, Tourism industry
Study on the Impact of Urban Consolidation Center (UCC) Usage in Yogyakarta City's Main Grocery Retailers in Terms of Transportation Cost
Authors:   Faculty of Industrial Technology, Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung Indonesia, Setiawan Fran , Jatiningrum Wandhansari Sekar ,   Faculty of Industrial Technology, Ahmad Dahlan University, Yogyakarta Indonesia
Published: January 2022

Abstract. The increase in urbanization has led to a rise in of the number of vehicles in the city and the frequency of goods delivery in urban environments. The concepts of city logistics have been developed and implemented to cope with those problems in the urban freight transport system. One cooperative freight transport scheme is the urban consolidation scheme. Urban consolidation centers (UCC) have been used by some cities over the last two decades to minimize unnecessary vehicle movement, congestion, and pollution. For a company that sells fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), business prospects in supermarkets or groceries are currently still quite promising. Yogyakarta City ranks as the 6th most populous city in Indonesia, making it one of the largest cities in the country. Since there are many citizens and students from other towns across Indonesia, many modern retail businesses operate in Yogyakarta. If each of these businesses distribute their goods from their distribution centers (DCs) to their respective retailers, the number of freight transports will be substantial, and the congestion level will increase. This study examines the benefit of a collaboration strategy in which the top four retailers in Yogyakarta use a UCC. The advantage is expressed in total transportation cost. We developed three different scenarios that will be compared. In this research, the gravity location model is used to determine the location of the UCC, and the demand allocation model is used to determine the optimum of demand allocation from the UCC. This study reveals that using a collaborative strategy using a UCC can decrease the total transportation cost of the retailers. Keywords: City logistics, urban consolidation center, location problem, gravity location model, demand allocation model
Украинско-русская смешанная речь в публичном пространстве
Authors: Палинська Олеся , Кузнецова Татьяна
Published: January 2022

В статье рассмотрены особенности публичного использования украинско-русской смешанной речи (УРСР, или так называемого «суржика»). На основании социологического опроса и глубинных интервью, проведенных в центральных и южных областях Украины в 2014–2020 гг., были проанализированы коммуникативные сферы, в которых респонденты считают возможным использование УРСР, отношение к языку относительно оценочных аспектов «статуса» и «солидарности», а также особенности социодемографических параметров респондентов в связи с их оценкой возможности использовать смешанную речь публично.По отношению к УРСР исследуемый регион делится по принципу центр – периферия, с небольшими исключениями. Эти данные соотносятся с ареальным распределением и количеством гибридных словоформ в речи респондентов. Разграничение коммуникативных сфер на «смешанные» и «чистые» в основном соответствует статусному распределению: там, где преобладает «статусный» оценочный аспект, по мнению респондентов, следует использовать только «чистые» идиомы, тогда как смешанная речь более приемлема в ситуациях «солидарности» и неформального общения.
Podstawowe zagadnienia współczesnej filozofii języka, filozofii językoznawstwa oraz filozofii lingwistycznej
Authors: Stalmaszczyk Piotr
Published: January 2022

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie podstawowych zagadnień współczesnej filozofii języka (zwłaszcza w ujęciu analitycznym) oraz filozofii językoznawstwa i filozofii lingwistycznej, a także relacji między poszczególnymi dyscyplinami. Dla potrzeb niniejszej dyskusji językoznawstwo można określić jako systemowe badanie języka naturalnego, a filozofię języka jako systemowe badanie podstawowych pojęć związanych z naturą i właściwościami języka (zarówno języka naturalnego, jak i języków formalnych). Filozofia językoznawstwa, jako gałąź filozofii nauki, ma za swój przedmiot systemową refleksję nad teoriami językoznawczymi i metodami badań językoznawczych, natomiast filozofia lingwistyczna jest metodą lub techniką badania języka, również języka potocznego. W artykule dokonano również przeglądu zawartości wybranych encyklopedycznych i podręcznikowych pozycji poświęconych filozofii języka.
Derywacja semantyczna od ps. *vol w języku polskim i macedońskim
Authors: Topolińska Zuzanna
Published: January 2022

Autorka przedstawia liczne derywaty od prasłowiańskiego *vol- w języku polskim i bardzo ograniczony zestaw takich derywatów w języku macedońskim. Broni tezy, że systematyczne analizy leksykalnego zróżnicowania dialektalnego prasłowiańszczyzny mogą dać lepszy i bardziej inspirujący opis języka naszych przodków niż zróżnicowanie morfologiczne.
Partykuły werbalne – ich miejsce i rola w systemie języka
Authors: Topolińska Zuzanna
Published: January 2022

Autorka wyjaśnia potrzebę uznania partykuł werbalnych za osobną klasę tzw. części mowy, której główną funkcją jest kontrolowanie propozycji modalnych oraz sygnalizowanie różnych trybów.
Na marginesie zbioru pronominalnych operatorów referencji
Authors: Topolińska Zuzanna
Published: January 2022

Autorka analizuje znaczenie i dystrybucję pronominalnych rdzeni deiktycznych funkcjonujących jako tzw. partykuły postpozycyjne.
Information Salience and Mispricing in Housing
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Karapetyan Artashes
Published: January 2022

Making the purchase price fully salient to consumers has been shown to affect demand and equilibrium prices in various markets. Using a setting where part of the home acquisition price is in the form of nonsalient debt, we show this can happen in housing—a market where a typical household makes its largest acquisition. A regulation that made the debt and the total price salient for homebuyers eliminated a large mispricing caused by consumers’ inattention to the debt before the regulation. An average homebuyer would lose about $13,300 by acquiring a dwelling with one-standard deviation ($51,000)-higher debt, but this is nearly eliminated after the regulation. To shed light on the underlying channels, we use administrative data and show that young, financially inexperienced, and first-time homebuyers used to overpay the most. The results are not driven by rational channels based on liquidity constraints and adverse selection. Our findings imply that making all-inclusive house price and mortgage features salient at the time of advertising the sale can help avoid unintentional borrowing.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4253 .
Small-Loss Bounds for Online Learning with Partial Information
Authors: Lykouris Thodoris , Sridharan Karthik , Tardos Éva
Published: January 2022

We consider the problem of adversarial (nonstochastic) online learning with partial-information feedback, in which, at each round, a decision maker selects an action from a finite set of alternatives. We develop a black-box approach for such problems in which the learner observes as feedback only losses of a subset of the actions that includes the selected action. When losses of actions are nonnegative, under the graph-based feedback model introduced by Mannor and Shamir, we offer algorithms that attain the so called “small-loss” [Formula: see text] regret bounds with high probability, where α is the independence number of the graph and [Formula: see text] is the loss of the best action. Prior to our work, there was no data-dependent guarantee for general feedback graphs even for pseudo-regret (without dependence on the number of actions, i.e., utilizing the increased information feedback). Taking advantage of the black-box nature of our technique, we extend our results to many other applications, such as combinatorial semi-bandits (including routing in networks), contextual bandits (even with an infinite comparator class), and learning with slowly changing (shifting) comparators. In the special case of multi-armed bandit and combinatorial semi-bandit problems, we provide optimal small-loss, high-probability regret guarantees of [Formula: see text], where d is the number of actions, answering open questions of Neu. Previous bounds for multi-armed bandits and semi-bandits were known only for pseudo-regret and only in expectation. We also offer an optimal [Formula: see text] regret guarantee for fixed feedback graphs with clique-partition number at most κ.
Are we reliving the past?
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: January 2022

I find myself writing this just before Christmas, a good time for reflection. We are uncertain about the latest Covid variant and settings are struggling to stay open due to staff and child illness. It is clear that, whatever is said centrally, the pandemic is not yet over. By the time you read this I hope the news is better.
Parents' perspectives on assessment
Authors: Meechan David
Published: January 2022

This second article in the series ‘We need to talk about tracking’ considers the role and perspectives of parents in terms of expectations and children's development.
Reviews
Authors: Celinska Angelica
Published: January 2022

Take a look at a critical and research-informed professional book to support understanding of how research methods are situated in early childhood. The picture books encourage discussion around love, friendship and family as well as an enchanting insight into the Sabbath (Shabbat), the Jewish day of rest.
Engineering week
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: January 2022

Engineering week, which runs from 20th to 26th February, celebrates the ways that engineering is part of our everyday lives. For young children building towers is a great way to develop early engineering skills. It is a chance to experiment with different materials and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
New siblings
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: January 2022

Welcoming a new baby into your family is often an exciting time but can be daunting for young children. An only child will be going from having undivided attention to having to share it. Whatever the size of family, change can be difficult but you can support your child through the transition so they embrace, rather than fear, the new arrival.
Cooking with rhymes
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: January 2022

There are many different traditional nursery rhymes and songs that mention or focus on food and/or cooking. This article in EYE's nursery rhymes series looks at how some rhymes encourage cross-curricular learning through cooking activities with an emphasis on physical development.
Soups and stews
Authors: Davies Sarah M
Published: January 2022

There is nothing like a bowl of soup or stew to warm you up on a cold day and it is even more enjoyable if you have created the dish yourself. In this article, we will explore how to create tasty and enjoyable meals from seasonal vegetables.
Beyond screen time: Rethinking children's play in a digital world
Authors: Livingstone Sonia , Pothong Kruakae
Published: January 2022

The expert view is that screen time, when measured in hours, matters less than the content, context and connections associated with children's digital engagement. How are health visitors to advise parents accordingly? Drawing on new qualitative research with UK children, parents and carers and professionals who work with children, and on a national survey of 6–17-year-olds, this article asks whether the qualities of play that apply offline can also be applied online. The findings offer a language for parents, children and health visitors to talk about, and evaluate, when and how digital play benefits or undermines children's wellbeing.
Antimicrobial stewardship in wound care implementation and measuring outcomes: results of an e-survey
Authors: Ousey Karen , Rippon Mark , Rogers Alan , Stephenson John
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs (as a result of misuse, such as over-prescribing) when certain pathogens fail to respond to treatment with antimicrobials. Consequently, patients can become severely ill and possibly die. A strategy referred to as antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has been introduced which reduces the impact of this antimicrobial misuse. To explore health professionals' (working in wound care, treating both acute and hard-to-heal wounds) position in terms of the following: awareness of AMS; if they are aware of AMS, if they implement procedures to support its practice; and if they implement AMS, do they measure its impact by and compare pre- and post-implementation?

Method:

An e-survey designed to explore health professionals' awareness of AMS and its implications for wound care.

Results:

There were 987 respondents to the survey. The majority were specialist wound care nurses, mainly based in the UK or the US and Canada. A high proportion of those surveyed were completely/partially aware (35.1/57.9%, respectively) of AMS, and almost all implemented strategies to reduce antimicrobial prescribing. Of those surveyed, 36% took steps to measure the impact of AMS, and as a result 35.2% reported positive impacts (for example, cost reductions, a reduction in the systemic use of antimicrobials, a reduction in the topical use of antimicrobials and a reduced level of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms). Challenging aspects of AMS implementation were reported by 33.2% of respondents (for example, poorer clinical outcomes in terms of healing and increased costs). The data highlighted that 40.49% felt that AMS would be ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ to implement while 21.73% felt that AMS would be ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to implement.

Conclusion:

Education strategies need to be devised to raise awareness and support health professionals, including wound care practitioners, to understand and implement effective AMS programmes. Development of clear metrics is required to evaluate the effect of AMS programmes in clinical practice.
Low-vacuum negative pressure wound therapy protocol for complex wounds with exposed vessels
Authors: Paolini Guido , Sorotos Michail , Firmani Guido , Gravili Gianluca , Ceci Diego , Santanelli di Pompeo Fabio
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Treating high-risk surgical patients with complex wounds over exposed blood vessels is a challenge. Guided wound healing may be the only treatment possible. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is not recommended in these cases. The authors challenged these current recommendations and share their preliminary experience.

Method:

The authors adapted a NPWT protocol that uses low-vacuum continuous pressure (−80mmHg) with a silicone sheath and gauze/foam dressing between the wound bed and the device. They monitored the clinical features of patients' wounds to detect bleeding/ischaemia early on. Dressings were changed every 72–96 hours.

Results:

This protocol was followed in five male patients (aged 23–68 years) with complex wounds over exposed vessels. Two cases were foot crush injuries, one midfoot amputation, one hand self-subamputation and one vascular bypass infection. Comorbidities included monoarterial limbs/stump, severe arteriopathy and psychiatric disorder. The exposed vessels were femoral, radial and ulnar, anterior and posterior tibial arteries and veins. Mean treatment lasted 37 days (range 20–61 days). No episodes of severe bleeding/ischaemia of the extremities were observed. Treatment was discontinued once debridement was complete and granulation tissue allowed spontaneous closure/grafting. All wounds appeared stable at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion:

The low-vacuum NPWT protocol was successful in solving five difficult cases. This regimen reduces risks associated with NPWT use on wounds with exposed vessels. The authors believe further validation is required to strengthen the evidence. However, preliminary data are encouraging and might help to change future NPWT recommendations by extending the indications for its use to exposed vessels.
Hybrid Formation Control for Multi-Robot Hunters Based on Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient
Authors: Hamed Oussama , Hamlich Mohamed
Published: January 2022

The cooperation between mobile robots is one of the most important topics of interest to researchers, especially in the many areas in which it can be applied. Hunting a moving target with random behavior is an application that requires robust cooperation between several robots in the multi-robot system. This paper proposed a hybrid formation control for hunting a dynamic target which is based on wolves’ hunting behavior in order to search and capture the prey quickly and avoid its escape and Multi Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (MADDPG) to plan an optimal accessible path to the desired position. The validity and the effectiveness of the proposed formation control are demonstrated with simulation results.
Hologram classification of occluded and deformable objects with speckle noise contamination by deep learning
Authors: Lam H. H. S. , Tsang P. W. M. , Poon T.-C.
Published: January 2022

Advancements in optical, computing, and electronic technologies have enabled holograms of physical three-dimensional (3D) objects to be captured. The hologram can be displayed with a spatial light modulator to reconstruct a visible image. Although holography is an ideal solution for recording 3D images, a hologram comprises high-frequency fringe patterns that are almost impossible to recognize with traditional computer vision methods. Recently, it has been shown that holograms can be classified with deep learning based on convolution neural networks. However, the method can only achieve a high success classification rate if the image represented in the hologram is without speckle noise and occlusion. Minor occlusion of the image generally leads to a substantial drop in the success rate. This paper proposes a method known as ensemble deep-learning invariant occluded hologram classification to overcome this problem. The proposed new method attains over 95% accuracy in the classification of holograms of partially occluded handwritten numbers contaminated with speckle noise. To achieve the performance, a new augmentation scheme and a new enhanced ensemble structure are necessary. The new augmentation process includes occluded objects and simulates the worst-case scenario of speckle noise.
Single-sideband microwave-to-optical conversion in high-Q ferrimagnetic microspheres
Authors: Chai Cheng-Zhe , Shen Zhen , Zhang Yan-Lei , Zhao Hao-Qi , Guo Guang-Can , Zou Chang-Ling , Dong Chun-Hua
Published: January 2022

Coherent conversion of microwave and optical photons can significantly expand the capabilities of information processing and communications systems. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the microwave-to-optical frequency conversion in a magneto-optical whispering gallery mode microcavity. By applying a magnetic field parallel to the microsphere equator, the intracavity optical field will be modulated when the magnon is excited by the microwave drive, leading to a microwave-to-optical conversion via the magnetic Stokes and anti-Stokes scattering processes. The observed single-sideband conversion phenomenon indicates a nontrivial optical photon–magnon interaction mechanism derived from the magnon that induced both the frequency shift and modulated coupling rate of optical modes. In addition, we demonstrate the single-sideband frequency conversion with an ultrawide tuning range up to 2.5 GHz, showing its great potential in microwave-to-optical conversion.
Toward calibration-free Mach–Zehnder switches for next-generation silicon photonics
Authors: Song Lijia , Chen Tangnan , Liu Weixi , Liu Hongxuan , Peng Yingying , Yu Zejie , Li Huan , Shi Yaocheng , Dai Daoxin
Published: January 2022

Silicon photonic Mach–Zehnder switches (MZSs) have been extensively investigated as a promising candidate for optical systems. However, conventional

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MZSs are usually prone to the size variations of the arm waveguides due to imperfect fabrication, resulting in considerable random phase imbalance between the two arms, thereby imposing significant challenges for further developing next-generation

N
×
N

MZSs. Here we propose a novel design toward calibration-free

2
×
2

and

N
×
N

MZSs, employing optimally widened arm waveguides, enabled by novel compact tapered Euler S-bends with incorporated mode filters. With standard 180 nm CMOS foundry processes, more than thirty

2
×
2

MZSs and one

4
×
4

Benes MZS with the new design are fabricated and characterized. Compared with their conventional counterparts with 0.45-μm-wide arm waveguides, the present

2
×
2

MZSs exhibit significant reduction in the random phase imbalance. The measured extinction ratios of the present

2
×
2

and

4
×
4

MZSs operating in the all-cross state are 27-49 dB and

∼
20
  
dB

across the wavelength range of

∼
60
  
nm

, respectively, even without any calibrations. This work paves the way toward calibration-free large-scale

N
×
N

MZSs for next-generation silicon photonics.
Strongy Detect: Preliminary Validation of a Prototype Recombinant Ss-NIE/Ss-IR Based ELISA to Detect Strongyloides stercoralis Infection
Authors: Sears William J. , Nutman Thomas B.
Published: January 2022

Background

Strongyloides stercoralis (Ss) is the etiological agent of strongyloidiasis, a neglected tropical disease of global concern. Laboratory diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is most often based on detection of antibodies against antigens in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Herein, we report a preliminary validation study of newly developed IgG4- and/or IgG- based ELISAs to detect strongyloidiasis (Strongy Detect, InBios) incorporating a cocktail of 2 previously described recombinant antigens, Ss-NIE and Ss-IR.

Methods

The sensitivity and specificity were determined by using the assay in 150 cryopreserved serum samples from humans known to be Ss infected (n = 74), helminth uninfected (n = 47), or infected with a helminth other than Ss [n = 29). The treatment associated dynamics of antibody detection were then assessed using 35 paired samples obtained before and after definitive therapy.

Results

The IgG and IgG4 assays were 99% and 96% sensitive, respectively, and 99% and 100% specific, respectively. Neither the IgG or IgG4 assay showed cross reactions with sera from those infected with other helminths. Although ELISA values did decline post-treatment few returned to levels below the cutoff for infection.

Conclusion

Strongy Detect is the most sensitive and specific commercialized immunoassay for detection of strongyloidiasis. The assay remains positive for greater than a year post-treatment.
Genome-wide analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs during intramuscular adipogenesis in Chinese Guizhou Congjiang pigs
Authors: Tan Lulin , Chen Zhaojun , Teng MingDe , Chen Bin , Xu Houqiang
Published: January 2022

Intramuscular fat content is an important determinant of meat quality, and preadipocyte differentiation plays a critical role in intramuscular fat deposition in pigs. However, many types of RNA differentiation, including messenger RNA (mRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) remain unreported despite their crucial roles in regulating adipogenesis. Chinese Guizhou Congjiang pigs are raised in the Guizhou province of China for their high-quality meat. Therefore, it is important for breeders to explore the mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of intramuscular adipocytes from the longissimus dorsi muscle of these pigs. In the present study, a transcriptome analysis of intramuscular preadipocytes from Chinese Guizhou Congjiang pigs, including analyses of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs at days 0 (D0), 4 (D4), and 8 (D8) was performed. A total of 1,538, 639, and 445 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 479, 192, and 126 DE lncRNAs, and 360, 439, and 304 DE circRNAs were detected between D4 and D0, D8 and D0, and D8 and D4, respectively. Functional analyses identified many significantly enriched RNAs related to lipid deposition, cell differentiation, metabolism processes, and obesity-related diseases, biological processes, and pathways. We identified two lncRNAs (TCONS_00012086 and TCONS_00007245) closely related to fat deposition according to their target genes and tissue expression profiles. Subcellular distribution analysis using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that both TCONS_00012086 and TCONS_00007245 are cytoplasmic lncRNAs. These data provide a genome-wide resource for mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs potentially involved in Chinese Guizhou Congjiang pig fat metabolism, thus improving our understanding of their function in adipogenesis.
Plot-level impacts of improved lentil varieties in Bangladesh
Authors: Yigezu Yigezu Atnafe , Rahman M. Wakilur , El-Shater Tamer , Alene Arega D. , Sarker Ashutosh , Kumar Shiv , Frija Aymen
Published: January 2022

The advent of improved lentil varieties (ILVs) in the mid-1990s solved the disease problem which almost halted lentil production in Bangladesh. Levels of adoption of ILVs have been documented in the literature, but little is known about their impacts. Applying an instrumental variables regression to data collected from a sample of 1,694 lentil plots and DNA fingerprinting for varietal identification, this study provides estimates of the plot-level impacts of adoption of ILVs in Bangladesh. Model results show that adoption of ILVs is associated with 14.3% (181.14 kg/ha) higher yields and 17.23% (US$169.44/ha) higher gross margins. Since 45% of lentil area is under ILVs, they generated over 8.77 tones (6%) more supply of lentils from domestic sources, saving the country US$8.22 million in imports in 2015 alone. By investing in the generation and scaling of ILVs, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries with similar agro-ecologies can increase production and decrease dependency on lentil imports.
Implementation of mHealth applications in community-based health care: Insights from Ward-Based Outreach Teams in South Africa
Authors: Tshikomana Ronewa Suzan , Ramukumba Mokholelana Margaret
Published: January 2022

Background

Ward-Based Outreach Teams’ (WBOTs) use of mobile technologies can promote better quality and improved health services for populations in low- and middle-income countries. However, the implementation of such systems is fraught with threats to sustainability.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of users’ views and experiences of the implementation of mHealth in a selected sub-district in North West Province, South Africa.

Methods

The study was qualitative, exploratory and descriptive. Data were collected from community health workers (CHWs) (n = 24) and outreach team leaders (OTLs) (n = 4) who used mobile devices loaded with the Mobenzi application through semi-structured focus group interviews, using an interview guide. Creswell’s stages of thematic analysis were used for data analysis, and codes, categories and themes were validated with the participants.

Results

Three themes emerged from the findings, namely the transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system; the use of the application; and reverting to paper-based documentation. The findings revealed that WBOTs considered the mHealth application as useful, easy to use, and supportive to their workflow. They experienced some technical challenges and lamented the inaccessibility of technicians. The mobile initiative’s termination caused distress among the participants, especially CHWs who had to revert to paper-based documentation to capture community health data. OTLs were concerned about the quality of health data being captured in the absence of the application.

Conclusions

The study concluded that community-based health care programmes that use WBOTs and mHealth technologies are essential in strengthening the health care system. WBOTs are facilitators for improving access to health care. Policy-makers and district managers will gain useful insights if they engage application users in discussions regarding future mobile health interventions for household and community-based care.
The association of Schistosoma and geohelminth infections with β-cell function and insulin resistance among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults: A cross-sectional study in Tanzania
Authors: PrayGod George , Filteau Suzanne , Range Nyagosya , Ramaiya Kaushik , Jeremiah Kidola , Rehman Andrea M. , Krogh-Madsen Rikke , Friis Henrik , Faurholt-Jepsen Daniel
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Data on the role of helminths on diabetes in Africa are limited. We investigated whether Schistosoma and geohelminth infections are associated with β-cell function and insulin resistance among adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults during 2016–2017. Demography, Schistosoma and geohelminth infections, HIV and insulin data were collected. Insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test (fasting, 30, and 120-min), overall insulin secretion index, insulinogenic index, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR were main outcome measures for β-cell function and insulin resistance, respectively. Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear models assessed the association of Schistosoma and geohelminth infections with outcome measures separately by HIV status. Outcomes were presented as marginal means with 95% CI.

Results

Data were obtained for 1718 participants. Schistosoma infection was associated with higher 30-min insulin (24.2 mU/L, 95% CI: 6.9, 41.6) and overall insulin secretion index (13.3 pmol/L/mmol/L; 3.7, 22.9) among HIV-uninfected participants but with lower fasting insulin (-0.9 mU/L; -1.6, -0.2), 120-min insulin (-12.0 mU/L; -18.9, -5.1), and HOMA-IR (-0.3 mmol/L; -0.6, -0.05) among HIV-infected participants not yet on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among HIV-infected participants not on ART, geohelminth infection was associated with lower fasting insulin (-0.9 mU/L; -1.6, -0.2), 120-min insulin (-9.1 mU/L; -17.3, -1.0), HOMA-β (-8.9 mU/L)/(mmol/L; -15.3, -2.6) and overall insulin release index (-5.1 pmol/L/mmol/L; -10.3, 0.02), although this was marginally significant. There was no association among those on ART.

Conclusions

Schistosoma infection was associated with higher β-cell function among HIV-uninfected participants whereas Schistosoma and geohelminth infections were associated with reduced β-cell function among HIV-infected participants not on ART.
Presence and stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental currency and money cards in Utah reveals a lack of live virus
Authors: Newey Colleen R. , Olausson Abigail T. , Applegate Alyssa , Reid Ann-Aubrey , Robison Richard A. , Grose Julianne H.
Published: January 2022

The highly contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2 has led to several studies on the transmission of the virus. A little studied potential fomite of great concern in the community is currency, which has been shown to harbor microbial pathogens in several studies. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses in the United States have limited the use of banknotes in favor of credit cards. However, SARS-CoV-2 has shown greater stability on plastic in several studies. Herein, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 at room temperature on banknotes, money cards and coins was investigated. In vitro studies with live virus suggested SARS-CoV-2 was highly unstable on banknotes, showing an initial rapid reduction in viable virus and no viral detection by 24 hours. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 displayed increased stability on money cards with live virus detected after 48 hours. Environmental swabbing of currency and money cards on and near the campus of Brigham Young University supported these results, with no detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on banknotes, and a low level on money cards. However, no viable virus was detected on either. These preliminary results suggest that the use of money cards over banknotes in order to slow the spread of this virus may be ill-advised. These findings should be investigated further through larger environmental studies involving more locations.
Understanding influences on physical activity participation by older adults: A qualitative study of community-dwelling older adults from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, UK
Authors: Zhang Jean , Bloom Ilse , Dennison Elaine M. , Ward Kate A. , Robinson Sian M. , Barker Mary , Cooper Cyrus , Lawrence Wendy
Published: January 2022

Background

The health benefits of physical activity (PA) participation in later life are widely recognised. Understanding factors that can influence the participation of community-dwelling older adults in PA is crucial in an ageing society. This will be paramount in aiding the design of future interventions to effectively promote PA in this population. The main aim of this qualitative study was to explore influences on PA among community-dwelling older people, and the secondary aim was to explore gender differences.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected in 2014 by conducting focus group discussions using a semi-structured discussion guide with older people resident in Hertfordshire, UK. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed thematically.

Results

Ninety-two participants were recruited to the study (47% women; 74–83 years) and a total of 11 focus groups were conducted. Findings indicated six themes that appeared to affect older adults’ participation in PA: past life experiences; significant life events; getting older; PA environment; psychological/personal factors; and social capital. Overall, the findings emphasised the role of modifiable factors, namely psychological factors (such as self-efficacy, motivation, outcome expectancy) and social factors (such as social support and social engagement). These factors exerted their own influence on physical activity participation, but also appeared to mediate the effect of other largely non-modifiable background and ageing-related factors on participants’ engagement with PA in later life.

Conclusion

In view of these findings, intervention designers could usefully work with behavioural scientists for insight as to how to enhance psychological and social factors in older adults. Our data suggest that interventions that aim to build self-efficacy, motivation and social networks have the potential to indirectly promote PA participation in older adults. This would be best achieved by developing physical activity interventions through working with participants in an empowering and engaging way.