bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep reinforcement learning traffic models for personalized driving recommendations
Authors: Μαντούκα Ελένη
Published: February 2022

Ο στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι, αρχικά, να αναπτύξει μια ολοκληρωμένη προσέγγιση για τη δημιουργία ενός εξατομικευμένου συστήματος παροχής συστάσεων οδήγησης το οποίο πρώτα θα ανιχνεύει τη συμπεριφορά οδήγησης και στη συνέχεια θα προτείνει εξατομικευμένες ενέργειες που μετριάζουν την επιθετικότητα και το ρίσκο κατά την οδήγηση, και έπειτα, να εκτιμήσει τις επιπτώσεις της εφαρμογής ενός τέτοιου συστήματος μέσω προσομοίωσης προσαρμόζοντας κατάλληλα τις παραμέτρους του κυκλοφοριακού μοντέλου. Η μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση βασίζεται σε ένα μείγμα αλγορίθμων μη επιβλεπόμενης και ενισχυτικής μάθησης, στα πλαίσια των οποίων αξιοποιείται μια βάση δεδομένων πραγματικής οδήγησης που συλλέγονται από το πλήθος. Χρησιμοποιώντας μια ποικιλία μεταβλητών που περιγράφουν τον τρόπο οδήγησης, προσδιορίζεται η συμπεριφορά οδήγησης τόσο σε επίπεδο διαδρομής όσο και σε επίπεδο χρήστη. Η ανάλυση ανέδειξε 6 προφίλ οδήγησης που περιγράφουν τη συνολική συμπεριφορά ενός οδηγού κατά τη διάρκεια της διαδρομής του, και εκτείνονται από την ασφαλή έως την επιθετική οδήγηση και την οδήγηση με απόσπαση προσοχής. Στη συνέχεια, η μέση συμπεριφορά κάθε οδηγού εκτιμήθηκε και αξιοποιήθηκε περαιτέρω για να διαχωριστούν οι οδηγοί σε ομάδες με κοινά χαρακτηριστικά. Δύο ξεχωριστοί πράκτορες Ενισχυτικής μάθησης εκπαιδεύτηκαν, ένας για κάθε ομάδα χρηστών, οι οποίοι είναι σε θέση να προσδιορίζουν τη βέλτιστη αλλαγή στη συμπεριφορά κάθε οδηγού δεδομένου του τρόπου που ο ίδιος οδήγησε στην προηγούμενη διαδρομή του. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, οι δύο πράκτορες αντιστοιχούν στους τυπικούς οδηγούς και στους πιο επιθετικούς/μη ασφαλείς οδηγούς, αντίστοιχα. Τα αποτελέσματα της αξιοποίησης των συστάσεων οδήγησης έδειξαν ότι, δεδομένων των ίδιων χαρακτηριστικών οδήγησης για μια διαδρομή, που υποδηλώνουν ίδια συμπεριφορά οδήγησης, οι δύο πράκτορες παράγουν διαφορετικές συστάσεις οι οποίες ταιριάζουν με τις προτιμήσεις της εκάστοτε ομάδας οδηγών, παρόλο που και οι δύο οδηγούν σε ασφαλέστερες ενέργειες οδήγησης. Τέλος, δύο κύκλοι προσομοίωσης πραγματοποιήθηκαν προκειμένου να αξιολογηθούν οι επιπτώσεις της εφαρμογής ενός τέτοιου συστήματος τόσο στην κυκλοφορία, όσο και στην οδική ασφάλεια και το περιβάλλον. Τα ευρήματα έδειξαν ότι εάν όλοι οι οδηγοί βελτιώσουν τη δική τους συμπεριφορά οδήγησης τότε, παρόλο που οι συνθήκες κυκλοφορίας δε βελτιώνονται, παρατηρούνται σημαντικές μειώσεις τόσο στις εκπομπές βλαβερών αερίων όσο και στις εμπλοκές ανάμεσα στα οχήματα. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτής της έρευνας μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν στα πλαίσια ενός προηγμένου συστήματος υποβοήθησης του οδηγού, στην ανάπτυξη προχωρημένων προτύπων συμπεριφοράς ή ακόμη και να οδηγήσουν στην αναθεώρηση των πολιτικών που χρησιμοποιούν τη συμπεριφορά οδήγησης ως κινητήριο δύναμη για τη διαχείριση της κυκλοφορίας.
Epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in dairy calves in central and eastern Algeria
Authors: DADDA A , MOHAMED-CHERIF A , AIT-OUDHIA KH , AOUN L , KHELEF D
Published: February 2022

The purpose of our survey is to estimate the frequency of Cryptosporidium spp in dairy calves under 60 days of age, the pathogenic role of Cryptosporidium spp in the development of diarrhea, the intervention and association of other enteropathogens often involved in neonatal diarrhea and the possible relationship between infection and certain farming practices in order to estimate the share of risk factors, and on the other hand, to compare between the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method and the copro-ELISA test. We found 35 positive samples out of 223 faecal samples analyzed by modified Ziehl-Nielson staining, with a prevalence of 15.69%, the infected calves had 4 times the risk of diarrhea (RR= 4), the age group [8-15 days] is the most susceptible to infection compared to the other age groups (31.1%; p<0.05). The ELISA test revealed that 33 out of 92 calves were infected by Cryptosporidium spp., with a prevalence of 35.87%, showing a sensitivity and specificity of Ziehl-Neelsen staining of 51.5% and 96% respectively.
Study of ovine cysticercosis in two slaughterhouses in the north of Algeria
Authors: DAHMANI A , AISSI M , ZENIA S , HARHOURA K , SAADI A
Published: February 2022

A total of 10696 randomly selected sheep have been collected in two slaughterhouses in the north of Algeria (El Harrach and Boufarik) to determine the prevalence of ovine cysticercosis, to find out the association between prevalence and potential risk factors as well as to assess the distribution of C. tenuicollis and C. ovis in surface’s muscles, viscera and cavities (abdominal, thoracic and pelvic) of slaughtered sheep. Sheep were native breedsand originated from different sub-districts within the municipality and its environs. All the slaughtered sheep carcasses were visually and carefully inspected. Ovine cysticercosis was found in 461 sheep (4.31%). There were Cysticercus tenuicollis and Cysticercus ovis with respectively, 2.25% and 2.06% prevalence. The prevalence of C. ovis was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in females than males while all positive for C. tenuicollissheep were male. The prevalence of the both species increased with age, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001). For C. ovis, it didn’t have significant difference between season, but, the incidence of C. tenuicollis was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in autumn. All the detected cysts of C. ovis were non-viable, and were more frequently detected in the heart (51.82%) followed by diaphragm (30.77%) and esophagus (17.41%). The predominant localization of C. tenuicollis were the liver (57.71%) and the omentum (42.29%), however, no vesicle was observed in the peritoneum. This anatomical distribution of C. ovis and C. tenuicollis cysts showed a significant variation (p<0.001) in different predilection sites. The present study has revealed a non-negligible prevalence of ovine cysticercosis in the two slaughterhouses in the north of Algeria,suggesting that ovine cysticercosisis present in the north of Algeria. Appropriate control measures need to be introduced to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in sheep.
Epidemiology of digestive parasites in buffaloes from Romania
Authors: BĂRBURAȘ DA , GYORKE A , POP LM , BĂRBURAȘ R , MIRCEAN V , COZMA V
Published: February 2022

Digestive parasites are a constraint on buffalo productivity. Data regarding the prevalence of parasitic diseases in buffaloes are reported in developed countries, but in Romania, they are missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of internal parasites in buffaloes raised in households and farms from Romania. Faeces samples were collected from 180 buffaloes of different ages (calves: 0-6 months; juveniles: 6-30 months; adults:> 30 months). The faecal samples were processed by coproparasitological methods: flotation, sedimentation, and McMaster. Digestive parasites were detected in 57.2% of buffaloes. Most buffaloes had single species infection(42.2%) (p<0.001), and only 15.0% had infection with 2 (14.5%) or 3 (0.6%) parasites. The prevalence of digestive parasites was higher in calves (68.8%) and juveniles (76.9%) compared with adults (19.6%) (p<0.001). Eimeria spp. (43.3%), Buxtonella sulcata(1.7%), Fasciola hepatica(4.4%), Paramphistomum cervi(2.8%), Moniezia spp. (0.6%), Toxocara vitulorum (11.7%), digestive strongyles (3.3%), Strongyloides papillosus (5.0%), and Capillaria spp. (0.6%) were identified. Eimeria spp. and T. vitulorumwerethe most prevalent parasitesin calves and juveniles(p<0.001). F. hepatica was the most prevalent parasite in adults.Eimeria spp. and S. papillosus were the only infections diagnosed in farmed buffaloes, with a higher prevalence (p>0.05) than in household buffaloes. B. sulcata, Moniezia spp., T. vitulorum and S. Papillosus were diagnosed only in young buffaloes, while Capillaria spp. only in adults. The OPG of Eimeria spp. was higher in young buffaloes compared with adults (p<0.001). Age was the risk factor identified for infections with Eimeria spp., T. vitulorum and F. hepatica.
Some testicular characteristics of Şavak Akkaraman rams and their relationship with live weight
Authors: YAĞCI S , BAŞ S
Published: February 2022

In this study, relationships between body weight and testicular characteristics were investigated in Şavak Akkaraman rams. Measurements taken from 60 rams in 7 traditional breeding farms were subjected to variance analysis to determine effects of the ram’s age and the farm, and correlations between traits were calculated. Live weight (LW) average in rams was determined as 74.74±1.33 kg. Scrotum circumference (SC), scrotum width (SW), scrotum length (SL), scrotum thickness (ST), scrotum-ground distance (SGD), right testicular length (RTL), left testicular length (LTL), right testicular diameter (RTD) and left testicular diameter (LTD) values were calculated as 32.98±0.28 cm, 11.27±0.11 cm, 19.11±0.28 cm, 0.597±0.20 cm, 26.30±0.41 cm, 14.31±0.14 cm, 13.91±0.14 cm, 7.15±0.07 cm, 6.78±0.07 cm, respectively. Positive and significant correlations were determined between the body weight of the rams and testicular characteristics, except for SGD measurement. Correlation coefficients between LW and SD (0.620), RTL and LTL (0.541 and 0.524), RTD and LTD (0.676 and 0.561) were high. This study is the first study to determine the relationship between body weight and testicular characteristics in Şavak Akkaraman rams. Due to the limited number of studies on Şavak Akkaraman rams; considering the correlation findings between testicular measurements and live weight, it can be said that morphometric testis measurement results can contribute to future studies as a preliminary information and a descriptive study.
A report on less-severe, long-duration persistent hind-limb ischemia surgical rabbit model
Authors: HARIKRISHNAN VS , SHENOY SJ , RANARAJ VR , SUKHIJA S , OLOYO AK
Published: February 2022

Development of a persistent hind limb ischemia rabbit model without excessive adverse symptoms and compromised animal welfare. New Zealand White (n=18, male and female) rabbits of 3-4 months of age and 3.0± 0.1 Kg body weight were used. The surgical technique for ischemia avoided the ligation of vessels above the inguinal ligament and included only the ligation and complete excision of the common and superficial femoral arteries along with all their branches up to popliteal and saphenous arteries. Study duration was 84 days. All animals completed the study period uneventfully. The activity of the animals remained unaffected throughout the study except for the first post-operative day. Adverse symptoms of other models such as loss of limb due to necrosis, loss of nails and necrosis of skin were not observed while successful ischemia was confirmed. There was a significant decrease (P=0.0381) in ischemic right limb circumference.Terminal angiography by abdominal aortic cannulation in the animals demonstrated negligible amount of angiogenesis at the distal ischemic thigh in comparison to the control limb (P=0.001). This study reports successful development of a refined chronic hindlimb ischemia rabbit model.
Effects of Alchemilla vulgaris on haematology and antioxidant status of heatstressed quails during the late laying period
Authors: KÖSEMAN A , AKDEMIR F , ÜREMIŞ N , ŞEKER I , TÜRKÖZ Y
Published: February 2022

The effects of Alchemilla vulgaris (AV) on haematology and serum, liver, and ovarian antioxidant status of heat-stressed quail in the late laying period were observed in this study. A 2×3 factorial design was used with 0, 1 and 3% AV fed in thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS) conditions. A total of 150 quails were randomly assigned to six groups. The quails were located in temperature controlled rooms. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and platelet distribution width (PDW) obtained in quail fed 1% AV were higher than in 3% AV under both TN and HS conditions. Comparing 3% AV to 1% AV, the concentration of MCH obtained for 1% AV was higher in HS and lower in TN conditions. Besides, quails fed for 1% AV had a lower procalcitonin (PCT) value in HS than 3% AV but this PCT value was the same in TN. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in 1% AV than 3% AV in both HS and TN. The ovarian MDA was lower in TN than HS. In both TN and HS conditions, the ovarian MDA value was determined higher for 1% AV than for 3% AV. The liver glutathione (GSH) value was higher in 1% AV than 3% AV in both TN and HS conditions. The Total Oxidant Capacity (TOS) value was found higher for 3% AV in TN and 1% AV in HS. The serum GSH, TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were lower for 3% AV compared to 1% AV for both TN and HS conditions, whereas for MDA value this was the opposite. The ovarium MDA and TOS values were lower for 3% AV than for 1% AV in both TN and HS. Also, the liver MDA, GSH, and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAS) values were lower for 3% AV than for 1% AV in both TN and HS conditions. Finally, dietary AV has been shown to have a partial antioxidative effect on the defense system and also has effect on red blood cell profiles and platelet counts rather than white blood cell profiles.
Garlic powder attenuates pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens: an electrocardiographic-based study
Authors: ZAREI H , SIAHPOUST S
Published: February 2022

One of the most severe health-threatening issues in broiler chickens is believed to be pulmonary hypertension, characterized by inadequate oxygen levels in blood, elevated workload of the cardiopulmonary network, right ventricle hypertrophy, and death. A total of 180 one-day-old male chickens were dividedinto four equal groups, with 3 replicates per group (45 birds per group, 15 birds per replicate). To induce pulmonary hypertension syndrome, triiodothyronine was added to their diet. A corn-soy based feed was formulated for all treatment groups, and birds were treated with different doses of dietary garlic powder (0.2%, 0.6%, and 1%) for 49 days.Right ventricle/total ventricles (RV/TV), RV/body weight, TV/body weight ratio,and electrocardiographic records were assessed. RV to TV ratio was significantly reduced in all treatment groups at 49 days of age (P <0.05). The S-wave amplitude was decreased significantly (0.2% and 1% garlic powder groups, lead II; and all treatment groups, lead aVF) at 49 days of age. R-wave amplitude showeda significant reduction at 49 days of age (0.6% and 1% garlic powder receivers, lead aVR; all treatment groups, lead II) (P<0.05). QT interval showed a significant increase at 14 days (0.2% garlic powder group, lead III) and at 49 days (0.6% garlic powder group, lead II) (P<0.05). RR interval at 49 days of age (0.6% and 1% treatment groups, lead II; and1% garlic powder receivers, leads III, aVR, and aVF) showed a significant increase compared with controls (P<0.05).According to our study, garlic powder canimprove the electrocardiographic patterns and reversethe detrimental effects offree radicals and oxidative stress in birds withpulmonary hypertension.
Effect of enzyme and yeast-based feed additives on growth, nutrient digestibility, meat quality and intestinal morphology of fattening rabbits
Authors: KHAN K , AZIZ K , KHAN NA , KHAN S , AYASAN T
Published: February 2022

Non-antibiotic feed additives are nowadays increasingly used in animal feed industry as more and more reports are surfaced on antibiotic resistance. This study quantified the effects of enzymes and yeast supplementation, individually or in combination, on growth performance, diet digestibility, carcass quality, and ileum morphometry of fattening rabbits. Forty-eight indigenous male weaned rabbits (age, 37 ± 2 days; average body weight (ABW)) 340 ± 3.2 g) were assigned into four dietary treatments (16 replicates; 3 rabbits/replicate)). The four diets were (i) a basal (control) diet (without additives), containing concentrate (75% of the feed) and wilted mulberry leaves (25% of thetotal feed); (ii) basal diet plus enzyme blend (driselase-1®; cellulase, amylase and protease; 2 g kg-1 feed); (iii) basal diet with the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (dry yeast TR 100; 2 g kg-1 feed); (iv) basal diet with the addition of mixture of the enzymes blend and S. cerevisiae (1 g each kg-1 feed). All rabbits had ad-libitum access to clean drinking water and experimental diets, with 16 h light for seven-weeks. The results revealed that all additives improved (P < 0.05) weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) but did not alter feed intake than the control group. Although all additives increased (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility, the dry matter digestibility (DMD) was increased (P < 0.05) only by the addition of enzymes blend. Furthermore, all additives increased (P < 0.05) carcass yield without any negative effects on meat physical (pH, water release and cooking loss) and chemical (moisture, protein, fat and ash) properties (P < 0.05). Moreover, villus height and crypt depth values were improved (P < 0.05) with the incorporation of additives. This study demonstrates that addition of enzymes blend and yeast-based additives alone or in combination in rabbit diet improved nutrients digestion and intestinal health, which subsequently improved their growth and carcass quality.
Association between pesticide exposure and obesity: A cross-sectional study of 20,295 farmers in Thailand
Authors: Noppakun Kajohnsak , Juntarawijit Chudchawal
Published: February 2022

Background: Obesity is a serious condition because it is associated with other chronic diseases which affect the quality of life. In addition to problems associated with diet and exercise, recent research has found that pesticide exposure might be another important risk factor. The objective of this study was to determine the association between pesticide exposure and obesity among farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province, Thailand. 

Methods: This study was a population-based cross-sectional study. Data on pesticide use and obesity prevalence from 20,295 farmers aged 20 years and older were collected using an in-person interview questionnaire. The association was analysed using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for its potential confounding factors. 

Results: Obesity was found to be associated with pesticide use in the past. The risk of obesity was significantly predicted by types of pesticides, including insecticides (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.74), herbicides (OR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.16-19.29), fungicides (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.37-3.44), rodenticides (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.59-3.99), and molluscicides (OR = 3.37, 95% CI 2.13-5.31). Among 35 surveyed individual pesticides, 24 were significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.00-3.06 to OR = 8.37, 95% CI 3.97-17.64), including herbicide butachlor, 17 insecticides (three carbamate insecticides, five organochlorine insecticides, and nine organophosphate insecticides), and six fungicides. 

Conclusion: This study found obesity in farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province, Thailand, to be associated with the long-term use of several types of pesticides. The issue should receive more public attention, and pesticide use should be strictly controlled.
The effectiveness of different aerobic exercises to improve pain intensity and disability in chronic low back pain patients: a systematic review
Authors: Sany Shabbir Ahmed , Mitsi Maria , Tanjim Taukir , Rahman Minhazur
Published: February 2022

Background: Physical activity, including aerobic exercise, is highly recommended for chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients to improve pain intensity and functional disability.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of different aerobic exercises to reduce pain intensity and functional disability in patients with CLBP.

Methods: A computer-aided search was performed to find Randomised controlled Trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of different aerobic exercises in CLBP. Articles published between January 2007 to December 2020 were included in the review. Quality assessment using the PEDro scale, extraction of relevant information, and evaluation of outcomes were done by two reviewers independently.

Results: A total of 17 studies were included that involved 1146 participants. Outcomes suggested that aerobic exercise combined with other interventions was more effective than aerobic exercise alone. Aerobic exercise with higher frequency (≥ 5 days/week) and longer duration (≥ 12 weeks) were effective to gain clinically significant (≥ 30%) improvements. Environment and using pedometer did not seem to influence the outcomes.

Conclusions: Pain intensity and functional disability in CLBP patients can be minimized by prescribing aerobic exercise. However, to get better improvements, aerobic exercise should be done in combination with other interventions and at optimum frequency and duration. Further studies should emphasize examining the optimal doses and period of different aerobic exercises.
Problems of Ethnic Entrepreneurship in the Period of COVID-19
Authors: Simonov S. , Hamathanova M.
Published: February 2022

The necessity of adaptation of medium and small businesses to modern Russian reality is substantiated. Within the framework of the survival strategy of ethnic entrepreneurship, its tactical steps have been identified, allowing it to quickly adapt to the protracted and undulating nature of COVID-19. The authors stated three main hypotheses, the verification of which was carried out within the framework of the study. According to the results of a study conducted in 2020-2021 of the processes of formation and development of economic entities of the "second echelon" of the Tyumen region, changes in the structure of ethnic entrepreneurship in the region were revealed. The trends in the organizational and legal forms of ethnic entrepreneurial structures are identified in the direction of increasing the share and number of microenterprises, strengthening the institution of self-employment, combining the latter with individual entrepreneurship, etc. The problem of providing them with labor is actualized and the causes of this phenomenon are established.
The Role of Old-Industrial Regions in Spatial Development Russian Federation
Authors: Sorokina Natalia
Published: February 2022

The urgency of the problem under consideration is since the policy of modernization of the industrial complex of the Russian Federation has drawn attention to the problems of old-industrial regions - territories where highly specialized industries associated with “outgoing” technological structures are concentrated. The work aims to analyze the contribution of old-industrial regions to the spatial development of federal districts and macroregions. As a result of the study, it was found that the most significant contribution of regions of the old-industrial type to the development of the Siberian, Ural, and Far Eastern federal districts, and in the leading regions, it is mainly provided by the industry of the second technological order - metallurgy, the predominance of which in the sectoral structure of regional economies casts doubt on the possibility of ensuring their competitive advantages in the context of the entry of the sixth technological order based on nano- and biotechnologies. It was stated that, in general, the contribution of the old-industrial regions to the development of the corresponding federal districts could not be considered significant. Using the example of the Northwestern Federal District, it is shown that the current system of statistical observation does not make it possible to diagnose the contribution of regions of various types, in particular, old-industrial territories, to the socio-economic and spatial development of federal districts and macroregions of the country. Solving the problem of increasing the contribution of old-industrial regions to the development of the Russian Federation requires strengthening the non-resource and service sectors of their regional economies, increasing the share of deep processing in the main industrial sectors, and implementing large-scale projects in the transport sector.
Eslicarbazepine acetate: An efficacy and safety as an antiepileptic drug in clinical trials and open studies
Authors: Stefaniak Martyna , Pietrzak Zofia , Dzikowski Piotr , Nowicka Emilia , Obel Michał , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: February 2022

Eslicarbazepine acetate (Zebinix®, ESL), a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, is a once-daily, orally administered anti-seizure medication available in the EU for use as monotherapy in adults with newly diagnosed partial-onset seizures and as adjunctive therapy in adults, adolescents, and children aged > 6 years with partial-onset seizures. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency and launched onto the European market in 2009.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ESL in the treatment of focal-onset seizures. Our study material consisted of publications, which were found in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases. In order to find the proper publications, the search has been conducted with the use of a combination of keywords like: “eslicarbazepine acetate", "focal-onset seizures treatment", "epilepsy treatment", "eslicarbazepine acetate pharmacokinetics”. The first step was to find proper publications from the last 10 years. The second step was to carry out an overview of the found publications.

Results of mentioned studies proved that for adults with medically uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, ESL monotherapy is well tolerated and effective over the long term, including the patients who transitioned from CBZ-CR monotherapy. Adjunctive ESL demonstrated a sustained therapeutic effect and was well-tolerated, safe, and efficacious during the treatment of adults with partial-onset seizures. Both 800 mg and 1200 mg once-daily doses were well tolerated. Moreover, significant improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life domains were observed under long-term treatment with ESL.
Reducing Bias in Event Time Simulations via Measure Changes
Authors: Giesecke Kay , Shkolnik Alexander
Published: February 2022

Stochastic point process models of event timing are common in many areas, including finance, insurance, and reliability. Monte Carlo simulation is often used to perform computations for these models. The standard sampling algorithm, which is based on a time-change argument, is widely applicable but generates biased simulation estimators. This article develops and analyzes a change of probability measure that can reduce or even eliminate the bias without restricting the scope of the algorithm. A result of independent interest offers new conditions that guarantee the existence of a broad class of point process martingales inducing changes of measure. Numerical results illustrate our approach.
Adaptive Rationality in Strategic Interaction: Do Emotions Regulate Thinking About Others?
Authors: Ehrig Timo , Manjaly Jaison , Singh Aditya , Sunder Shyam
Published: February 2022

Forming beliefs or expectations about others’ behavior is fundamental to strategy as it codetermines the outcomes of interactions in and across organizations. In the game-theoretic conception of rationality, agents reason iteratively about each other to form expectations about behavior. According to prior scholarship, actual strategists fall short of this ideal, and attempts to understand the underlying cognitive processes of forming expectations about others are in their infancy. We propose that emotions help regulate iterative reasoning, that is, their tendency to not only reflect on what others think, but also on what others think about their thinking. Drawing on a controlled experiment, we find that a negative emotion (fear) deepens the tendency to engage in iterative reasoning compared with a positive emotion (amusement). Moreover, neutral emotions yield even deeper levels of iterative reasoning. We tentatively interpret these early findings and speculate about the broader link of emotions and expectations in the context of strategic management. Extending the view of emotional regulation as a capability, emotions may be building blocks of rational heuristics for strategic interaction and enable interactive decision making when strategists have little experience with the environment.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Special Issue on Bounded Rationality and Strategic Interaction.
Quasi-omnibearing retro-reflective metagrating protected by reciprocity
Authors: Jia Yuxiang , Wang Jiafu , Han Yajuan , Zhu Ruichao , Zhang Zhongtao , Yang Jie , Meng Yueyu , Li Yongfeng , Qu Shaobo
Published: February 2022

Reciprocity is ubiquitous in antennas for receiving and radiating electromagnetic (EM) waves, i.e., if an antenna has good receiving performance at a given direction, it also has good radiation performance in that direction. Inspired by this, we propose a method of designing a quasi-ominibearing retro-reflective metagrating (RRMG) protected by the reciprocity of antennas. Based on the second-order mode around 15.0 GHz of a short-circuited structured patch antenna (SPA), incident transverse magnetic waves can be received, channeled into the coaxial lines, reflected by the shortened end, and finally re-radiated into free space with a reversed wave vector. RRMGs are contrived consisting of this identical SPA, with a grating constant allowing

±
2

nd-,

±
1

st-, and zeroth-order diffractions. Oblique incidence, plus the tilted nulls of the re-radiation pattern, can eliminate

−
1

st, zeroth,

+
1

st, and

+
2

nd orders, and only the

−
2

nd order is left to achieve retro-reflections. Prototypes were fabricated and measured. Simulated and measured results show that the RRMGs maintain only

−
2

nd-order diffraction for incident angles

32.2
°
≤

θ
i

<
90.0
°

in four quadrants, and that RRMGs can achieve quasi-omnibearing retro-reflections for

θ
i

=
50.0
°

. The use of higher-order diffraction brings more degrees of freedom in manipulating EM waves, and this strategy can be readily extended to millimeter waves, THz wave, or even optical regimes.
Interferometric method to estimate the eigenvalues of a non-Hermitian two-level optical system
Authors: Biasi Stefano , Franchi Riccardo , Mione Filippo , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

Non-Hermitian physics has found a fertile ground in optics. Recently, the study of mode coalescence, i.e., exceptional points, has led to the discovery of intriguing and counterintuitive phenomena. Degeneracies are typically modeled through the coupled mode theory to determine the behavior of eigenstates and eigenvalues. However, the complex nature of the eigenvalues makes their characterization from the response spectrum difficult. Here, we demonstrate that a coherent interferometric excitation allows estimation of both the real and imaginary parts of the eigenvalues. We study the clockwise and counter-clockwise modes in optical microresonators both in the case of Hermitian and non-Hermitian intermodal coupling. We show the conditions by which a resonant doublet, due to the dissipative coupling of counter-propagating modes caused by surface roughness backscattering, merges to a single Lorentzian. This permits us to estimate the optimal quality factor of the microresonator in the absence of modal coupling caused by backscattering. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a taiji microresonator working at an exceptional point shows a degeneracy splitting only in one propagation direction and not in the other. This follows from the strongly non-Hermitian intermodal coupling caused by the inner S-shaped waveguide.
Effect of emergency obstetric care and proximity to comprehensive facilities on facility-based delivery in Malawi and Haiti
Authors: Amadi-Mgbenka Chioma T. , Borrell Luisa N. , Jones Heidi E. , Maroko Andrew , Bolumar Francisco
Published: February 2022

Proximity of households to comprehensive obstetric care is a key determinant for preventing maternal mortality due to obstetric emergencies. The relationship between proximity to comprehensive care and facility delivery is further complicated by the use of varied methods in measuring facility obstetric capacity–which may misrepresent the real scenario of obstetric care availability in a service environment. We investigated the joint effects of proximity and two emergency obstetric care assessment (EmOC) methods on women’s place of delivery in Malawi and Haiti. Household level and health facility data were obtained from the 2013–2018 Demographic and Health Surveys and Service Provision Assessment surveys. Records of women aged 15 to 49 years who had a childbirth in the last 5 years were linked to obstetric facilities within 5km, 10km and 15km from their households using Kernel Density Estimation. Log-binomial models were fitted to estimate the joint effects of proximity to comprehensive facilities on place of delivery and two EmOC methods (1. the facility’s recent performance of signal functions only, and 2. a composite index of obstetric care), and whether this varied by urban/rural setting. Proximity to comprehensive facilities was significantly associated with facility delivery in Malawi among women living 5km of a comprehensive facility (using EmOC method 2), in addition, living further (15km) from facilities with high capacity of EmOC was associated with reduced likelihood for facility delivery in urban settings in stratified analyses. In contrast, positive associations were present in Haiti in both urban and rural settings, with the likelihood of facility delivery being higher with greater proximity of women to comprehensive facilities, regardless of methods to define EmOC. Women living within 5km of a comprehensive facility in Haiti were the most likely to deliver in facilities based on EmOC method 1 (APR: 1.81, 95% CI 1.56, 2.09). Findings from Malawi elucidates the relevance of context and suggests the need for research in diverse settings.
Sharp increase in inequality in education in times of the COVID-19-pandemic
Authors: Haelermans Carla , Korthals Roxanne , Jacobs Madelon , de Leeuw Suzanne , Vermeulen Stan , van Vugt Lynn , Aarts Bas , Prokic-Breuer Tijana , van der Velden Rolf , van Wetten Sanne , de Wolf Inge
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19-pandemic forced many countries to close schools abruptly in the spring of 2020. These school closures and the subsequent period of distance learning has led to concerns about increasing inequality in education, as children from lower-educated and poorer families have less access to (additional) resources at home. This study analyzes differences in declines in learning gains in primary education in the Netherlands for reading, spelling and math, using rich data on standardized test scores and register data on student and parental background for almost 300,000 unique students. The results show large inequalities in the learning loss based on parental education and parental income, on top of already existing inequalities. The results call for a national focus on interventions specifically targeting vulnerable students.
Pilot study: Post-surgical infections could be related with lack of sharpness in surgical tools
Authors: White David E. , Bartley Jim , Whittington Christopher , Garcia Lorenzo , Chand Kaushik , Turangi Celine
Published: February 2022

Despite rigorous sterilization protocols placed in surgical procedures, there is demonstrated evidence that show patients contract infections while hospitalized. This study aims to investigate the presence of biological materials in osteotome surgical tools after sterilization processes, determine the relationship between lack of sharpness and cross-contamination, and evaluate the influence of materials surface coating as a potential contamination preventive. Three commercially available osteotomes with different surface coatings were studied and submitted to a procedure of bone-cutting cycles. After use, each was sterilized and examined under SEM and EDS. Bone contaminants were detected in each osteotome although the PVD coated osteotome demonstrated significantly less contamination than either the as-supplied or electroless nickel coated one. According to the results, there is an association between blade sharpness and post-sterilization bone contamination. These findings suggest either disposable osteotomes should be used in surgical procedures, or an effective sharpen process should both be established and monitored to minimise post-operative infections.
A socio-ecological examination of the primary school playground: Primary school pupil and staff perceived barriers and facilitators to a physically active playground during break and lunch-times
Authors: Graham Michael , Dixon Kevin , Azevedo Liane B. , Wright Matthew D. , Innerd Alison
Published: February 2022

Using Brofenbrenner’s socio-ecological model as a conceptual framework, the objective of this study was to determine playground users (primary school staff and pupils) perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to a physically active school playground at an intra-personal (individual), inter-personal (social), environmental and policy level. Results from a series of qualitative interactions with children (n = 65) from years five and six (9 to 11 years old), and structured interviews with adult teachers (n = 11) revealed key differences in the child and adult perceptions of the playground and the purpose of break-times. A number of inter-related environmental boundaries and school policies were identified as restrictive to children’s explorations and activity levels during ‘free play’ periods, which centred on resource availability, accessibility and health and safety. Further, traditional playground hierarchies act to promote and prevent physical activity engagement for different groups (e.g. gender and age). Finally, differences between the adult and child perception of the primary school playground were observed. Playground physical activity, during break-times appears to be affected by a number of variables at each level of the socio-ecological model. This study provides an opportunity for primary schools to reflect on primary school playground strategies and practices that are implemented at each level of the socio-ecological model to encourage a more effective use of the playground during school break-times.
Social dynamics of core members in mixed-species bird flocks change across a gradient of foraging habitat quality
Authors: (Gentry) Richardson Katherine E. , Roche Daniel P. , Mugel Stephen G. , Lancaster Nolan D. , Sieving Kathryn E. , Freeberg Todd M. , Lucas Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2022

Social associations within mixed-species bird flocks can promote information flow about food availability and provide predator avoidance benefits. The relationship between flocking propensity, foraging habitat quality, and interspecific competition can be altered by human-induced habitat degradation. Here we take a close look at sociality within two ecologically important flock-leader (core) species, the Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) and tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), to better understand how degradation of foraging habitat quality affects mixed-species flocking dynamics. We compared interactions of free ranging wild birds across a gradient of foraging habitat quality in three managed forest remnants. Specifically, we examined aspects of the social network at each site, including network density, modularity, and species assortativity. Differences in the social networks between each end of our habitat gradient suggest that elevated levels of interspecific association are more valuable in the habitat with low quality foraging conditions. This conclusion is supported by two additional findings: First, foraging height for the subordinate Carolina chickadee relative to the tufted titmouse decreased with an increase in the number of satellite species in the most disturbed site but not in the other two sites. Second, the chickadee gargle call rate, an acoustic signal emitted during agonistic encounters between conspecifics, was relatively higher at the high-quality site. Collectively, these results suggest an increase in heterospecific associations increases the value of cross-species information flow in degraded habitats.
Preoperative nutritional evaluation of prostate cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Shu Wang , Tao Wu , Chunyan Hu , Jie Fan , Yuan Liu , Yan Xu , Huan Zhang , Liang Xie
Published: February 2022

Background and objective

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is an objective index for evaluating nutritional status of elderly people over 65 years old. The aim of the current study was to explore the correlation and predictive value between GNRI and postoperative recovery and complications in PCa patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

Methods

Taking 98 as the GNRI boundary value, 96 PCa patients (aged≥65 y) undergoing LRP in the Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2018 to December 2020 were grouped into malnutrition group (MNg, 34 patients, 35.4%) and normal nutrition group (NNg, 62 patients, 64.6%). Basic information, laboratory examination indexes, operation conditions, postoperative complications and postoperative recovery indexes of patients were recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Clavien-Dindo Classification System (CDCS) was used to assess postoperative complications. T-test was used to analyze differences between the two groups. ROC curve was generated to determine the predictive value of GNRI for postoperative complications.

Results

Percentage of complications was significantly higher in MNg group compared with that in NNg group (P< 0.01). The average grade based on CDCS was significantly lower in NNg group compared with that in MNg group (P< 0.01). Body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), preoperative hemoglobin value (HGB), serum albumin (ALB) values of MNg and NNg were significantly positively correlated with GNRI (P<0.01). Incidence and severity of postoperative complications of MNg patients were significantly higher compared with those of NNg patients (P<0.05). Average hospitalization cost of MNg patients was higher in MNg patients compared with that of NNg patients (P<0.05). Duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), duration of antibiotic use and duration of indwelling drainage tube were longer in MNg patients compared with those in NNg patients (P<0.05). Furthermore, volume of indwelling drainage tube was higher in MNg patients compared with that in NNg patients (P<0.05).

Conclusion

GNRI is an effective and reliable tool for evaluation of preoperative nutritional status of prostate cancer patients. The findings showed that GNRI is correlated with postoperative recovery and complications, and is an effective predictive marker.
The impact of COVID-19 on the dental hygienists: A cross-sectional study in the Lombardy first-wave outbreak
Authors: Varoni Elena M. , Cinquanta Lucrezia , Rigoni Marta , Di Valentin Giulia , Lodi Giovanni , Muti Paola , Sardella Andrea , Carrassi Antonio
Published: February 2022

The impact of COVID-19 on socio-economical activities has changed everyday life. Dental hygienists, who perform aerosol generating procedures, have been strongly affected by changes in routine procedures. This cross-sectional study aimed at carrying out an online survey among dental hygienists in Lombardy. The survey was implemented after the first-wave lockdown focusing on the level of knowledge on COVID-19 and Sars-CoV-2, the virus-related changes in their attitude and working routine, and the socio-economic effects. In this report, we included 313 questionnaires of respondents (259 Females, and 54 Males; age = 33 ± 9 years). A significant percentage of respondents acknowledged the use of “word of mouth” among colleagues (n = 114, 36%) and social networks (n = 113, 36%) to be up to date on COVID-19. About half of respondents correctly identified the main COVID-19 symptoms/signs, just 13% (n = 41) identified the routes of transmission. Three quarters of respondents (n = 234, 75%) were afraid of being infected during the clinical practice, and about half of them would be afraid to treat patients having symptoms attributable to COVID-19. Twenty-one percent (n = 67) of participants also thought about changing job. Air-polishing was identified as the highest risk procedure, and 82% (n = 256) reported that they eliminated its use. Most claimed they never had a swab or a serological test, with two respondents positive to molecular test (0.6%), and 12 positives to serological test (3.8%). More than half of the participants (65%; n = 202) complained the dental hygienist is not protected, despite a loss of earnings due to lockdown between 2,000 and 10,000 euros. This study demonstrated that dental hygienists were emotionally and economically affected by the pandemic, significantly changing their work routine. Anti-epidemic protocols are pivotal to react promptly and to contain the virus in the dental setting.
The effect of peer education based on adolescent health education on the resilience of children and adolescents: A cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tang Yinshuang , Diao Hua , Jin Feng , Pu Yang , Wang Hong
Published: February 2022

Background

An increasing number of children and adolescents have reported mental health problems, and resilience is a protective factor against these problems. Therefore, the aim of the study is to verify the effect of peer education based on adolescent health education on adolescent resilience.

Method

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted including 1,613 students who were divided into an intervention group (19 classes, 732 participants) and a control group (24 classes, 881 participants). One-year peer education was performed in the intervention group, and the control group had no interventions. The Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents by Yueqin Hu and a self-designed basic information questionnaire were used to collect data. Chi-square test and rank-sum test were used to compare the differences of demographic characteristics between the two groups. A linear mixed model was used to compare the changes of resilience between the two groups after intervention, and the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to verify the effect of peer education on adolescent resilience. The significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

After intervention, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvement in target focus, emotion adjustment, interpersonal assistance and total resilience (P < 0.05). The ICC range was 0.003 to 0.034. The GLMM results indicated that peer education based on adolescent health education had significant effects on adolescents’ target focus (β = 0.893, P = 0.002), emotional adjustment (β = 1.766, P < 0.001), interpersonal assistance (β = 1.722, P = 0.016) and total mental resilience (β = 5.391, P < 0.001), and the effect was greater for boys than for girls.

Conclusions

Peer education based on adolescent health education is effective for improving adolescents’ target focus, emotional adjustment, interpersonal assistance, and total resilience, especially for males. Future research should devote more attention to positive cognition and family support as well as gender differences.