bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Application, and Selection Criteria Adaptations, in Times of COVID-19
Authors: Khalafallah Youssef M. , Markowitz Moses , Levine William N. , LaPorte Dawn M. , Aiyer Amiethab A.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education and residency application have faced unprecedented changes. This has forced residency directors to alter their selection criteria in the absence of away rotations and the implementation of nationwide virtual interviews.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess how residency directors have adapted their selection criteria in light of this unique application cycle and to look at the effect, and future, of the different changes.

Methods:

A 16-question online survey was disseminated to 31 residency programs gathering data about new opportunities offered this cycle, changes to selection criteria, match outcomes, as well as the number of applicants to their program.

Results:

Twenty-nine respondents completed the survey (94% response rate). There was a significant rise in the number of applications received by programs this cycle (p < 0.05). Programs have unanimously altered their selection processes. The biggest changes in selection criteria were putting more weight into communication from mentors, emails from the applicants, home applicant status, and virtual information session attendance. Some programs used additional application requirements beyond Electronic Residency Application Service, which were often uncompleted, and cut the number of eligible applications by up to 46%. Among the new opportunities offered this cycle, virtual information sessions and social media platforms seem to be the most commonly offered and are anticipated to grow.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Orthopaedic surgery residency continues to become more competitive with a significant rise in the number of applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid this increasingly demanding virtual application cycle, a holistic application review was more challenging. More weight was put that cycle into communication from faculty mentors, emails from the applicants, home applicant status, and virtual information session attendance. Supplementary applications and virtual informative opportunities are likely to last and change the future of the orthopaedic surgery residency application process.
Índice SatO2/FiO2 versus PaO2/FiO2 para predecir mortalidad en pacientes Covid-19 de la unidad de cuidados críticos de emergencia. Hospital María Auxiliadora, 2020-2021
Authors:   , Tejada Perez Catherine Ada
Published: April 2022

Objetivos del estudio: Comparar el índice SatO2/FiO2 versus PaO2/FiO2 para predecir mortalidad en pacientes COVID-19 de la Unidad de Cuidados Críticos (UCE) de Emergencia del Hospital María Auxiliadora, 2020-2021. Metodología: Estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo y transversal. La población será los datos de los pacientes COVID-19 con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) atendidos en la UCE del Hospital María Auxiliadora entre abril 2020 a marzo 2021; es decir, doce meses consecutivos. Las variables a comparar serían los índices SatO2/FiO2 y PaO2/FiO2 (sin corrección para la altura), a los cuales se determinará el mejor punto de corte capaz de predecir mortalidad intrahospitalaria. El índice PaO2/FiO2 será obtenido a partir de gasometría arterial y fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FiO2) del ventilador mecánico, los cuales corresponden a los primeros que se obtienen al ingreso. La comparación de ambos índices se realizará en términos de sensibilidad (S), especificidad (E), valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y valor predictivo negativo (VPN). Se considerará como “Gold estándar” a la ocurrencia de mortalidad (evento de interés a predecir). Adicionalmente, se describirán las características generales de los pacientes como sus edades, sexo, comorbilidades, fecha de diagnóstico COVID-19.
Representaciones de apego y dependencia emocional en agresores de pareja en un Hospital General de Lima Sur
Authors:   , Navarro Anaya Sandra Lucia
Published: April 2022

La violencia en las relaciones sentimentales se ha convertido en un problema social que requiere acciones tanto preventivas y de intervención, no solo en las victimas, sino también en la parte agresora; estudiar los factores que intervienen garantiza mejores resultados, así como el aumento de eficacia de programas que se vean involucrados. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la relación entre las representaciones de apego (RA) y la dependencia emocional (DE) en un grupo de 71 agresores varones de pareja sentenciados a llevar terapia psicológica en un hospital general de Lima Sur. Es un tipo de investigación básica, con enfoque cuantitativo, con diseño correlacional, no experimental y transversal. Se halló que existe una relación significativa entre RA y DE (rs=0,576; p≤0,000); la muestra obtuvo estilos de apego seguro (26,8%), evitativo (26,9%), preocupado (43,7,58%); y niveles de Dependencia emocional alto (29,6%), medio (40,8%), bajo (29,6%). Se concluye que existe una relación positiva, a mayor puntuación en RA mayores niveles de DE.
What is the purpose of Clinical Trial Monitoring?
Authors: Love Sharon B , Yorke-Edwards Victoria , Ward Elizabeth , Haydock Rebecca , Keen Katie , Biggs Katie , Gopalakrishnan Gosala , Marsh Lucy , O'Sullivan Lydia , Fox Lisa , Payerne Estelle , Hood Kerenza , Meakin Garry
Published: April 2022

Background
The sources of information on clinical trial monitoring do not give information in an accessible language and do not give detailed guidance. In order to enable communication and to build clinical trial monitoring tools on a strong easily communicated foundation, we identified the need to define monitoring in accessible language.
Methods
In a three-step process, the material from sources that describe clinical trial monitoring were synthesized into principles of monitoring. A poll re their applicability was run at a UK national academic clinical trials monitoring meeting.
Results
The process derived 5 key principles of monitoring; keeping participants safe and respecting their rights, having data we can trust, making sure the trial is being run as it was meant to be, improving the way the trial is run, and preventing problems before they happen.
Conclusion
From the many sources mentioning monitoring of clinical trials, the purpose of monitoring can be summarised simply as 5 principles. These principles, given in accessible language, should form a firm basis for discussion of monitoring of clinical trials.
Exploration of the structural, optoelectronic and vibrational behavior of Sb2S3 through first principles approach for phenomenal applications in solar cells
Authors: Khalil R. M. Arif , Hussain Muhammad Iqbal , Saeed Nyla , Hussain Fayyaz , Manzoor Anwar
Published: April 2022

The first principles approach to study any material has been considered an appropriate forum and deemed a best remedy to ensure validity of the achievements/results obtained either theoretically or experimentally. It is, therefore, we are motivated to use this approach to explore the structural, optoelectronic and vibrational properties of Sb2S3 while utilizing the plane wave pseudopotential technique and conjugate gradient method employed through CASTEP simulation code. The crystal structure of Sb2S3 has been optimized in orthorhombic phase having space group Pnma with lattice parameters a= 11.31 Å, b= 3.84 Å and c= 11.23 Å. It has been noticed that the values of these lattice parameters are approximate replica of the formerly reported theoretical as well as experimental results. The calculated energy band gap is found to be 1.012 eV, which is an utter evidence that the studied compound belongs to semiconductor category of the materials. The optical parameters unveil that Sb2S3 can absorb a wide range of radiations from UV potion of the spectrum. The vibrational behavior of Sb2S3 have been investigated while utilizing density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). The outcomes pertaining to Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy are used to differentiate various modes of vibrations such as active, inactive and soft modes. Vibrational analysis reveals that antimony tri sulfide compound have no negative frequencies, which endorse structural stability of Sb2S3. The fascinating results/optical analysis about the studied compound are much enough to declare it a potential material for applications in solar cells.
Overexpression of geranyl diphosphate synthase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene from Chrysanthemum indicum var. aromaticum resulted in modified trichome formation and terpenoid biosynthesis in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Gao Wenjie , Meng Qingran , Wang Xiang , Chen Feng , He Miao , Zhou Yunwei
Published: April 2022

Geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPS) and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) catalyzes the biosynthesis of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, two key precursors for terpenoids biosynthesis. Here, the open reading frame (ORF) sequences of GPS (named CiGPS) and FPS (named CiFPS) with lengths of 1278 bp and 1035 bp were cloned from Chrysanthemum indicum var. aromaticum (C. indicum var. aromaticum). Phylogenetic analysis showed that CiGPS and CiFPS genes were closely related to Artemisia annua and Chrysanthemum × morifolium, respectively. qRT-PCR results showed that CiGPS and CiFPS gene had the highest expression level in leaves, while the expression of CiFPS was induced to methyl jasmonate. Overexpression of CiGPS and CiFPS in tobacco resulted in shorter plant height, darker leaf color, higher chlorophyll, and carotenoid content; the number of long handle trichomes increased significantly, while short handle trichomes only increased significantly on the upper epidermis of leaves of CiGPS transgenic tobacco lines. The relative content of terpenes of CiGPS and CiFPS transgenic tobacco lines increased significantly and monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids were detected in transgenic tobacco without wild type (WT) and empty vector (EV) lines. The activity of GPS enzyme was increased in CiGPS transgenic tobacco lines, but FPS enzyme activity in CiFPS transgenic tobacco lines was non-significant. Transcriptional analyses revealed that the expression levels of terpenoid biosynthesis pathway genes were higher in transgenic tobacco lines than in WT and EV lines. All the results demonstrated that GPS and FPS cDNA were effective to improve growth traits and alter terpenoid metabolism of C. indicum var. aromaticum.
Development of intelligent reconfigurable welding fixture for rail car manufacturing industry
Authors: Seloane Walter Thabo , Mpofu Khumbulani , Ramatsetse Boitumelo Innocentia , Modungwa Dithoto
Published: April 2022

Dedicated welding fixtures are used in the railcar manufacturing industry to fix and stabilise the welded components during the welding assembly process in order to achieve the highest possible accuracy and repeatability of connected components. In the railcar manufacturing industries, the use of dedicated welding fixtures results in longer production setup, high manufacturing cost, low quality standards and storage issues. In order to reduce cost, increase productivity and meet the market demands, there is a growing requirement for the tools to be flexible, reconfigurable and re-constructible. The purpose of this study is to offer a unique intelligent reconfigurable welding fixture (IRWF) that addresses the current challenges encountered by the railcar manufacturing industry when using dedicated fixtures. Functional requirements such as reconfigurability, intelligence, assembly, manufacturability and maintainability were considered during the development of an IRWF. The structural integrity of the design was analysed using numerical calculations to quantify the effectiveness of the fixture during welding and was found to be sufficient. The IRWF was then manufactured and the control systems were then incorporated to ensure fully automation of the fixture using the control panel with integrated Programmable Logic Control (PLC).
Nano-catalyst synthesis and its characterization for the production of biodiesel from Mahua oil
Authors: Ramasamy Sivakumar Vadakkumannam , Sivagurulingam Arun Prasad Arunachalam , Radhakrishnan Kannan
Published: April 2022

The synthesis of magnetic nancatalyst was carried out through co-precipitation and incipient wetness impregnation method and was utilized for the transesterification reaction with a short chain alcohol and mahau oil to produce a long chain Fatty acid methyl ester. The prepared catalyst was characterized to examine the morphological behavior using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)and in turn activity of the catalyst is investigated through transesterification reaction. The optimization is carried out by investigating the effect of various process parameters such as methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time.The maximum yield of 97.4 wt% was obtained with the optimized process conditions holding 18:1 molar ration of oil to methanol, 7 wt% catalyst loading, 65°C reaction temperature and 300 min of reaction time. The obtained fatty acid methyl ester properties was tested and compared with that of ASTM standards.
Evaluation of RT-PCR assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Authors: Dip Sourav Dutta , Sarkar Shovon Lal , Setu Md. Ali Ahasan , Pramanik Md. Hasan Ali , Das Prosanto Kumar , Alam A. S. M. Rubayet Ul , Al-Emran Hassan M. , Hossain M. Anwar , Jahid Iqbal Kabir
Published: April 2022

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been considered with great importance on correct screening procedure. The detection efficiency of recent variants of concern were observed by comparing 5 commercial RT-PCR kits and a SYBR-green method developed and validated in our laboratory. The RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal samples from suspected COVID-19 patients as instructed by each manufacturer and RT-PCR was also done according to standard procedures according to manufacturers. We found that commercially available Maccura kit (sensitivity and specificity > 80%), TaqPath kit (sensitivity and specificity > 80%) and in house SYBR-Green method (sensitivity and specificity > 90%) showed a consistent detection result. We also found that detection kits targeting more genes show a better result than less target gene containing protocols which facilitates less false positive results (< 20%) and better diagnostic accuracy (> 80%). Our study also showed a significant difference (sig. <0.005) in Ct value reported for common target genes shared by the RT-PCR kits in relation with different variants, specifically the Variants of Concerns (VOCs) tends to report a higher Ct value than wild type SARS-CoV-2 and suggests to detect with more target genes for better accuracy and better assessment of COVID-19 infection.
Large-scale subduction controls three-dimensional mantle flow beneath the European Alps
Authors: Link Frederik , Rümpker Georg
Published: April 2022

The European Alps formed at the boundary between the European plate and Adriatic microplate within a complex system of collision and subduction. However, the large-scale three-dimensional mantle-flow field related to the underlying geodynamic processes has not yet been resolved. Here, we present the first analysis of layered anisotropy for the complete Alpine range from shear-wave splitting measurements at 591 seismic stations of the AlpArray experiment. Our findings suggest that a three-dimensional asthenospheric flow field is required to explain the complexities in the data which is in contrast to the previously reported models of single-layer anisotropy. The additional vertical resolution reveals the dominant role of the larger scale Mediterranean subduction systems, including the Apenninic and Hellenic slabs, on mantle dynamics. The splitting observations also provide supporting evidence that the European slab has broken off at its western and eastern boundaries and that the resulting gaps channel mantle flow from the European plate to the Apennines and Hellenic subduction systems. Among the features in this region, only the Rhine Graben shows evidence of significant distinct lithospheric anisotropy. The findings provide new constraints for the geodynamic processes involved in the formation of the European Alps and their modelling.
Printability Assessment of Three Dimensional Bioprinter modified from Filament Deposition Modeling Printer using Carboxy Methyl Cellulose – Gelatin as Model Bioink
Authors: Balaji Krithi Vishnu , Bhutoria Sumant , Nayak Sunita , PR Anil Kumar , Velayudhan Shiny
Published: April 2022

Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an innovative technology that can precisely fabricate functional tissue constructs or organs by accurately positioning living cells and biomaterial in a controlled manner. Given its high similarity to extracellular matrix of the cells, hydrogels are widely used biomaterial in bio-printing as bioink. Depositing bioink in 3D requires computer controlled dispensing system in layer-by-layer fashion using a bioprinter. The 3D bioprinter also plays crucial role in determining the printability of a bioink making the phenomenon as an ability determined by combination of properties of bioink and the bioprinter. Despite availability of expensive bioprinters commercially, efforts on modifying a conventional Filament Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printer is well-thought-out to develop economical 3D bioprinters. While using such custom 3D bioprinters, many factors such as the software used for computer Assisted Design (CAD) models, slicing and generation of movement co-ordinates influence the printability outcome. This study focuses on quantifying the printability of a hybrid hydrogel composed of sodium salt carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin using a 3D bioprinter based on RepRap prototyper. The 3D design and the slicing parameters were generated using opensource software and manually edited for good printability. The results of these experiments indicate the importance of printability evaluation of custom bioprinters and provide some key aspects about how to modify CAD design parameters for prinatbility evaluation. This approach can also be adopted to evaluate the printability of other hydrogels for bio-printing.
A Two-Step Pre-processing Tool to Remove Gaussian and Ectopic Noise for Heart Rate Variability Analysis
Authors: Saleem Shiza , Khandoker Ahsan H. , Alkhodari Mohanad , Hadjileontiadis Leontios J. , Jelinek Herbert F.
Published: April 2022

Artifacts in the Electrocardiogram (ECG) degrade the quality of the recorded signal and are not conducive to heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The two types of noise most often found in ECG recordings are technical and physiological artifacts. Current preprocessing methods primarily attend to ectopic beats but do not consider technical issues that affect the ECG. A secondary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing increments of artifacts on 24 of the most used HRV measures. A two-step preprocessing approach for denoising HRV is introduced which targets each type of noise separately. First, the technical artifacts in the ECG are eliminated by applying complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN). The second step removes physiological artifacts from the HRV signal using a combination filter of single dependent rank order mean (SDROM) and an adaptive filtering algorithm (ADF). The performance of the two-step pre-processing tool showed a high correlation coefficient of 0.846 and RMSE value of 7.69 x10− 5 for 6% of added ectopic beats and 6dB Gaussian noise. All HRV measures studied except HF peak and LF peak are significantly affected by both types of noise. Frequecy measures of Total power, HF power, and LF power and fragmentation measures; PAS, PIP, and PSS are the most sensitive to both types of noise.
Delineating the ecotoxic effects of Chlorpyrifos and Dimethoate on Eisenia fetida
Authors: Srivast Vaibhav , Sahab Sinha , Singh Rajeev Pratap
Published: April 2022

Acute (14 DOE) and chronic toxicity (56 DOE) experiments were conducted to compare the lethal and sub-lethal effects of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Earthworms were cultured in test soil (agricultural soils + cow dung) spiked with various concentrations of these two organophosphorus pesticides of different half-life. The determined effects were avoidance response, biomass change, growth inhibition, mortality, biomass gain per unit feed, cocoon and hatchling production. The resulted order of effects for acute and chronic toxicity exposure periods for E. fetida was dimethoate > chlorpyrifos. The reported median lethal concentration (LC50) in present study was 17.45 and 228.06 mg kg-1 dry test soil for dimethoate and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Growth inhibition was more critically influenced in dimethoate as compare to chlorpyrifos. Rather than lesser growth inhibition in chlorpyrifos, cocoon and hatchling production is influenced greatly at higher concentrations. The cocoon and hatchling production is significantly affected at lower concentrations of dimethoate. All the tested parameters were found to be dose dependent. The present results showed that even a small concentration of dimethoate is potentially dangerous to earthworms than higher concentrations of chlorpyrifos. In comparison the chlorpyrifos was found safer than dimethoate at sub-lethal concentrations for the development and reproduction of E. fetida. Our study provides a clear insight of different antagonistic effects of two organophosphate pesticides with different half-life.
IFA utilization and factors associated with IFA utilization among pregnant women attending ANC at government health facilities and family guidance clinic in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia
Authors: Merse Fekadu , Fanta Amanuel , Kelbiso Lolemo
Published: April 2022

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world, and most prevalent in women of reproductive age. Iron supplementation is a common strategy currently used to control iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia in developing countries. However, it is not clear whether women actually ingest the supplements. Objectives: To assess IFA utilization and factors associated with IFA utilization among pregnant women attending ANC at government health facilities and family guidance clinic in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia.Methods: Facility based cross-sectional survey was conducted in March /2015. Sample size is determined by using single and double population proportion. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select study units. Data was collected by trained unemployed diploma nurses using a pretested structured questionnaire. It was cleaned and checked for completeness and then entered in to Epi-info 3.2.2 and exported to SPSS 16.o software for analysis. Predictors were found out using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:A total of 412 pregnant women who came to attend ANC at least for the second time were interviewed in seven health facilities. Our study showed that 333 (81%, 95% CI: 77.2 −84.8) pregnant women reported taking IFA supplement and compliance was 37.7% (95%CI: 32.5-42.9). In multivariable analysis, side effects and low acceptance of the supplement were significantly associated with high compliance to IFA supplementation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a better level of compliance towards IFA supplementation compared to other national data. Pregnant women should be counseled regarding how to manage the side effects of IFA supplement during ANC. Further research has to be done on the acceptability of the supplements.
Disparities in the offer of COVID-19 vaccination to migrants and non-migrants in Norway: a cross sectional survey study
Authors: Diaz Esperanza , Dimka Jessica , Mamelund Svenn-Erik
Published: April 2022

Background: Vaccination is key to reduce the spread and impacts of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Migrants, compared to majority populations, tend to have lower vaccination rates, as well as higher infection disease burdens. Previous studies have tried to understand these disparities based on factors such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy or medical mistrust. However, the necessary precondition of receiving, or recognizing receipt, of an offer to get a vaccine must also be considered. Methods: We conducted a web-based survey in six parishes in Oslo that have a high proportion of migrant residents and were hard-hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate differences in reporting being offered the COVID-19 vaccine based on migrant status. Different models controlling for vaccination prioritization variables (age, underlying health conditions, health-related jobs, and parish), socioeconomic and demographic variables, and variables specific to migrant status (language spoken at home and years lived in Norway) were conducted.Results: Responses from 5,442 participants (response rate of 9.1%) were included in analyses. The sample included 1,284 (23.6%) migrants. Fewer migrants than non-migrants reported receiving a vaccine offer (68.1% vs. 81.1%), and this difference was significant after controlling for prioritization variables (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52-0.82). Subsequent models showed higher odds ratios for reporting having been offered the vaccine for females, and lower odds ratios for those with university education. There were few to no significant differences based on parish, language spoken at home, or among birth countries compared to each other. Duration of residence emerged as an important explanatory variable, as migrants who had lived in Norway for fewer years than 15 years were less likely to report offer of a vaccine.Conclusion: Results were consistent with studies that show disparities between non-migrants and migrants in actual vaccine uptake. While differences in receiving an offer cannot fully explain disparities in vaccination rates, our analyses suggest that receiving, or recognizing and understanding, an offer does play a role. Issues related to duration of residence, such as inclusion in census and health registries and health and digital literacy, should be addressed by policymakers and health services organizers.
Does ICT diffusion make human development sustainable in the era of globalization? An empirical analysis from SAARC economies
Authors: Verma Anushka , Giri Arun Kumar , Debata Byomakesh
Published: April 2022

This study intends to examine the impact of ICT diffusion, globalization, financial development, government effectiveness, and economic growth on sustainable human development (SHD) i.e., the development of human capital adjusted against the human ecological footprint, using 2005-2020 panel data of SAARC economies. The methodology involves econometric techniques robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD) such as Pesaran’s CSD tests, second-generation unit root test, Pedroni, Kao, Westerlund cointegration tests, FMOLS, DCCE-MG, Driscoll-Kraay (DK) regression, and DH causality test. The findings of the cointegration tests demonstrate that the variables are cointegrated and have long run equilibrium relationship. The results from DCCE-MG and DK regression, indicate that ICT diffusion has a significant, favorable impact on SHD. Similarly, globalization and economic growth also have a significant positive impact on SHD. On the other hand, the impact of government effectiveness and financial development was found to be insignificant. In addition, the DH causality test results show the presence of a unidirectional causality running from ICT diffusion to SHD and globalization to SHD. A bidirectional causal link is detected between economic growth and SHD. Therefore, the study concludes that in order to resolve the undesirable consequences of environmental degradation on human development in the globalized era, it is essential for SAARC economies to tackle challenges for adequate ICT infrastructure, particularly: access and affordability. By eliminating these significant barriers to ICT access, CO2 emissions can be reduced, and human development can be sustained simultaneously.JEL code: C23, O15, 033, O40
Validity and Acceptance of Self vs Conventional Sampling for the Analysis of Human Papillomavirus and Pap Smear
Authors: Castanyer Maria Josep Gibert , Escudero Carmen Sánchez-Contador , Vives Guillem Artigues
Published: April 2022

Background:
The newest high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection techniques were included for cervical cancer primary screening under the Spanish National Health System in 2019. These analyses allow changing population approaches to foster adherence to screening. Therefore, the validity of self versus conventional sampling for HPV and cytology analyses was appraised. Women's preferences concerning samples and devices were also evaluated.
Methods:
This is a diagnostic accuracy cross-sectional study among 120 women recruited from a colposcopy clinic at a general hospital in Illes Balears, Spain. Participants were given written information and asked for a self-sample. One of two sets containing two devices each were handed. One set was transported dry and the second in liquid medium. Next, clinicians collected vaginal samples that were our gold standards. The agreement between both techniques was examined with the Kappa coefficient (κ). Next, self-sampling evaluation and preferences for different vaginal devices were surveyed.
Results:
The agreement between self and conventional samples concerning HPV positivity was very good (κ 0.86 for Mía by XytoTest® and 0.83 for Viba-Brush®) or reasonable (κ 0.73 for Iune and 0.68 for viscose swab). Pap smears from self-samples exhibited moderate agreement (κ 0.41 for Mía® and 0.51 for Viba-Brush® respectively) for negative versus ASC-US and worse results. Most of the participants considered self-sampling as beneficial (110 or 91.7%) and the advantages were, in decreasing order, scheduling, comfort, privacy and less fear for pain or disturbance. The priority of choice for the devices was Mía® and viscose swab (chosen in first or second place) in opposition to Viba-Brush® and Iune (chosen in third or fourth place). If Viba-Brush® was to collect the best quality samples, 108 women (94.7%) switched their decisions.
Conclusions:
Our agreement between self and conventional samples was very good or reasonable for HPV, with the best values for devices in a liquid medium, and moderate for cytology. Even so, reflex cytology on self-samples is a valuable tool in promoting adherence. Self-sampling was widely accepted for smooth and thin devices. However, there is no resistance to change to others if a higher quality of the sample is obtained.
The effect of particle size and water content on XRF measurements of phosphate slurry
Authors: Amar Ismail Ben , Roudjane Mourad , Griguer Hafid , Miled Amine , Messaddeq Younes
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Comparison of Methods for Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Quantification in Plasma and Urine from Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Küng Nicholas , Arcioni Séverine , Sandberg Fanny , Kuhn Christian , Banz Vanessa , Largiadèr Carlo R. , Sidler Daniel , Amstutz Ursula
Published: April 2022

Background
In allograft monitoring of solid organ transplant recipients, liquid biopsy has emerged as a novel approach using quantification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in plasma. Despite early clinical implementation and analytical validation of techniques, direct comparisons of dd-cfDNA quantification methods are lacking. Furthermore, data on dd-cfDNA in urine is scarce and high-throughput sequencing-based methods so far have not leveraged unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) for absolute dd-cfDNA quantification.
Methods
Different dd-cfDNA quantification approaches were compared in urine and plasma of kidney and liver recipients: A) Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) using allele-specific detection of seven common HLA-DRB1 alleles and the Y chromosome; B) high-throughput sequencing (HTS) using a custom QIAseq DNA panel targeting 121 common polymorphisms; and C) a commercial dd-cfDNA quantification method (AlloSeq® cfDNA, CareDx). Dd-cfDNA was quantified as %dd-cfDNA, and for ddPCR and HTS using UMIs additionally as donor copies. In addition, relative and absolute dd-cfDNA levels in urine and plasma were compared in clinically stable recipients.
Results
The HTS method presented here showed a strong correlation of the %dd-cfDNA with ddPCR (R2 = 0.98) and AlloSeq® cfDNA (R2 = 0.99) displaying only minimal to no proportional bias. Absolute dd-cfDNA copies also correlated strongly (τ = 0.78) between HTS with UMI and ddPCR albeit with substantial proportional bias (slope: 0.25; 95%-CI: 0.19–0.26). Among 30 stable kidney transplant recipients, the median %dd-cfDNA in urine was 39.5% (interquartile range, IQR: 21.8–58.5%) with 36.6 copies/µmol urinary creatinine (IQR: 18.4–109) and 0.19% (IQR: 0.01–0.43%) with 5.0 copies/ml (IQR: 1.8–12.9) in plasma without any correlation between body fluids. The median %dd-cfDNA in plasma from eight stable liver recipients was 2.2% (IQR: 0.72–4.1%) with 120 copies/ml (IQR: 85.0-138) while the median dd-cfDNA copies/ml was below 0.1 in urine.
Conclusions
This first head-to-head comparison of methods for absolute and relative quantification of dd-cfDNA in urine and plasma supports a method-independent %dd-cfDNA cutoff and indicates the suitability of the presented HTS method for absolute dd-cfDNA quantification using UMIs. To evaluate the utility of dd-cfDNA in urine for allograft surveillance, absolute levels instead of relative amounts will most likely be required given the extensive variability of %dd-cfDNA in stable kidney recipients.
Transcriptional Responses to Long-term Salinity Stress and Acclimation in the Black Mussel, Mytilus Galloprovincialis
Authors: Icagasioglu Elif , Haznedaroglu Berat Z. , Civelek Ilkay , Bilgin Rasit
Published: April 2022

The black mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is an ideal organism for studying adaptation as it inhabits highly variable environments. We examined its acclimation to long-term, time-series osmostress utilizing RNA-seq based transcriptomics approaches. In our results, osmotic homeostasis was enhanced by alterations of membrane permeability and nitrogen metabolism. Cholinergic ciliary stimulation and calcium signaling were involved in the response. Genes encoding protein turnover, carbohydrate metabolism/catabolism, nucleotide metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolisms, and apoptosis were all inversely regulated with salinity. In addition to the existing literature, we encountered two important metabolic regulations; first, involvement of anaerobic to aerobic metabolism that was suggested in bivalves before, and second, regulation of PEPCK with OXPHOS and glycolysis genes. These two regulations attracted our attention, especially in terms of their similarities to the metabolic regulations seen in cancer cells. Although there are many types/causes of cancer, there are common adaptations that support survival/proliferation, such as the aforementioned metabolic regulations and apoptosis suppression. In our study, parallel with these metabolic regulations, p53 and p63 originated apoptosis were present with the participation of TP53 apoptosis effector (PERP), TLRs, and TNFSF14. Understanding genes/pathways/modifications that trigger the mechanism that sets off cell death in this context in our study can be promising for cancer and in developing therapeutic and protective products such as vaccines.
Dietary protein replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly larvae meal: Effects on growth, whole-body composition, digestive enzyme activity, muscle-growth-related gene expression and haemato-biochemical responses of juvenile goldfish, Carassius auratus
Authors: Kamalii ahilan , Antony Cheryl , Ahilan Baboonsundaram , Uma Arumugam , Prabu Elangovan
Published: April 2022

A 60-day indoor growth trial was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary replacement of fish meal (FM) protein with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) at graded concentrations on bio-growth parameters, whole-body chemical composition, digestive enzyme activity, muscle-growth-related gene expression and haemato-biochemical responses of goldish juveniles (Carassius auratus). Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with BSFLM to substitute FM protein at 0 (T0), 20 (T20), 40 (T40), 60 (T60), 80 (T80) and 100 percent (T100). The aquaria with 20 fishes in each replicate were fed with experimental diet twice a day. Gold fish juveniles fed T60 diet exhibited maximum growth performances and feed utilization. However, escalating the percentage of fishmeal substitution with BSFLM above 60 percentage led to significant reduction in growth and feed utilization of goldfish juveniles. The protease activity was high in T60 and T80, wherein the lipase and amylase activity were high in T100. The relative mRNA expression of GH and MyoD was significantly upregulated in fish fed T40 and T60 diets, while the myostatin was significantly downregulated fish fed T40 and T60 diets. Thus, the fishmeal protein substituted at 60 percent with BSFLM with an inclusion level of 20.1 g/kg of diet will be well suitable for the goldfish juveniles.
Neuroaesthetic, a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Saleh Arman Yurisaldi
Published: April 2022

Therapy in the field of neurobehavior is developing rapidly. A new field has emerged that affects the quality of life of patients. The literature review continues to grow. The purpose of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis to determine the position of the neuroaesthetic field and the potential for research related to keywords. The method used consists of five steps. This field has the potential to be developed continuously because it has entered into discussions related to behavior and behavior therapy. It is necessary to carry out a bibliometric analysis to broaden a better picture of the neuroaesthetic position. This makes it easier to find topics that are still under-researched.
Prevalence of Weight-Based Stigmatization in a Multi-ethnic Asian Population – A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chue Koy Min , Foo Mang Yik , Chua Cheryl Min En , Toh Bin Chet , Ong Lester Wei Lin , Lim Chin Hong , Tan Jeremy Tian Hui , Chua Marvin Wei Jie , Lee Wai Ching Deanna , Wong Wai Keong , Yeung Baldwin Po Man
Published: April 2022

Aim:
Weight-based stigmatization is prevalent. They have been reported in schools, work and healthcare settings. However, almost all the literature on such weight-based stereotypes were from Western countries. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of weight-based stigmatization in an Asian population.
Methods:
An anonymized questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Respondents were asked about their socioeconomic status, followed by questions on perceived weight-based stigmatization across 4 domains (self, social, healthcare, work and education). A subsequent subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of different obesity classes on perceived stigmatization across these domains.
Results:
A total of 101 respondents replied. Respondents with higher BMI were middle-aged (p = 0.040), Malays (p = 0.018), low-income (p = 0.041) and had lower educational qualifications (p = 0.038). Total prevalence of perceived weight-based stigmatization was 65.6%. Class III obesity respondents were more stigmatized at work (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) 5.73, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16–28.47), and resort to increased consumption of unhealthy food or partake in lesser exercise due to stigma (PRR 24.94, 95% CI: 3.61-172.41).
Conclusion:
Obesity stigmatization is equally prevalent in Asian societies. Individuals with higher BMI were more likely to report perceived stigmatization in the workplace, as well as maladaptive dietary and exercise behaviours in response to stigmatization, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Inverse Origami Design Model for Soft Robotic Development
Authors: Hu Qiqiang , Li Junyang , Dong Erbao , Sun Dong
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Determinants of Missed Nursing Care by Nurses at University Teaching and Referral Hospital (Chuk) of Kigali in Rwanda
Authors: Ntezimana Faustin , Jivraj Nilufa , Dominic Mogere
Published: April 2022

Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the levels, types and the factors that influence Missed Nursing Care activities by nurses at the University Teaching and Referral Hospital of Kigali in Rwanda.
Material and Methods
This study was cross-sectional descriptive correlation design. The researchers used complete coverage method of sampling technique to obtain participants. The researchers used MISSCARE survey questionnaires for data collection with. The data was analysed using SPSS version 26.0. Frequencies, crosstabulation, chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were computed to find the percentage, associations and effects between independent and dependent variables at 95% confidence interval and significance level of 5%.
Results
Two hundred and one (201) nurses took part in the study, 56.7% were female and 46.3% were male. The majority were aged 31–40 years, 54.2% had Diploma, 42.3% had bachelor while 3.5% had master’s degree, and 75.6% were married. The mean experience in nursing and in current unit were 13years and 7years respectively. Missed nursing care was regarded as moderate as perceived by 46.73% of respondents. The study showed that replying to call alarms within 5 minutes, joining interdisplinary whenever held, documentation of necessary information, monitoring intake and output, and patient health education were always being missed by nurses. Institutional unit type (χ2 (6, N = 201) = 63.31, p = 0.001), gender (χ2 (2, N = 201) = 10.35, p = 0.006), orientation (χ2 (2, N = 201) = 9.51, p = 0.009), satisfaction with salary (χ2 (2, N = 201) = 8.25, p = 0.016), level of education (χ2 (2, N = 201) = 10.34, p = 0.006), and ward size were the most statistically significant factors associated with level of missed nursing care activities.
Discussion
Majority, 46.73% of nurses viewed the level of missed nursing care at the hospital as moderate. The top five nursing activities that have always been missed were replying to call alarms within 5 minutes, joining interdisplinary whenever held, documentation of necessary information, monitoring intake and output, and patient health education. The study findings revealed that gender, level of education, and the department in which the nurses work were the most statistically significant factors contributing to missed nursing care at the hospital.
Conclusions
The study findings showed that level of missed nursing care was moderate and it was different across the hospital. The findings also showed that there was top five missing nursing care that are aways missing affected by various factors.
Assessment of health related quality of life and distress in an Asian community-based cancer rehabilitation program
Authors: Tay Matthew Rong Jie , Wong Chin Jung , Aw Hui Zhen
Published: April 2022

Background: Cancer survivors have reduced health related quality of life (HRQOL) and high levels of distress during and after active treatment, due to physical, psychological and social problems. Understanding the prevalence and associations of HRQOL and distress in a patient population in the community is important to design rehabilitation programs. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at a community-based cancer rehabilitation center, with the aim of investigating the prevalence and associations of HRQOL and distress in cancer patients. Results: There were 304 patients who were recruited. We found low levels of HRQOL and high levels of distress in patients, with a mean FACT-G7 total score of 11.68, and a mean distress thermometer score of 3.51. In the multivariate regression model, significant factors for low QROL were metastatic disease (OR=2.98; 95% CI = 1.15-7.72; p=0.025) and Malay ethnicity (OR=0.157; 95% CI = 0.056-9.44; p<0.001). Regression analyses also found that significant distress were associated with family health issues (OR=4.27; 95% CI=1.41-10.71; p=0.003), depression (OR=8.34; 95% CI=2.51-28.04; p=0.001), worry (OR=3.08; 95% CI=1.41-6.75; p=0.005), breathing (OR=4.59; 95% CI=1.52-13.86; p=0.007), getting around (OR=4.03; 95% CI=1.36-11.95; p=0.012) and indigestion (OR=3.31; 95% CI=1.06-10.32; p=0.039).Conclusions: A high prevalence of impaired HRQOL and distress was reported in cancer survivors even in a community rehabilitation setting. The physical and psychosocial well-being of cancer survivors should be monitored and managed as part of community-based cancer rehabilitation.
Increase in veterinary prescriptions of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Fiol Fernando Del , Bergamaschi Cristiane Cassia , Andrade Isaltino Pereira , Silva Marcus Tolentino , Barberato-Filho Silvio
Published: April 2022

Introduction:
With the advent of the pandemic in 2020 and the lack of perspectives for the treatment of COVID-19, numerous therapeutic proposals have emerged for the disease, including hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Therefore, some studies have shown that in many countries, the demand for azithromycin has increased during the pandemic. In Brazil, antibiotics can only be purchased with a medical, dental, or veterinary prescription. This study aimed to determine whether the number of prescriptions made by veterinarians (which could be used by humans) has increased during the pandemic. Data on the purchase of antibiotics made under veterinary prescriptions in Brazilian pharmacies between 2014 and 2021 were collected. To assess the changes in monthly trends in the use of the selected antibiotics, we applied the Joinpoint regression.
Results
The most prescribed antibiotic in all years was cephalexin (35%), followed by amoxicillin (24%). During the pandemic, the sales of azithromycin substantially increased. Regression analysis showed that since 2014, azithromycin prescriptions grew by an average of 0.67% per month. At the beginning of the pandemic, the monthly growth rate became 12.64%. When comparing azithromycin sales during the pandemic with the historical average (2014–2019), the increase was 41%.
Conclusions
During the pandemic, there was no animal health situation in Brazil that required the use of this antibiotic. Veterinary prescriptions may have been an instrument for human access to azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19. Stricter enforcement policies are needed to address this problem to avoid antimicrobial resistance.
Novel antimicrobial peptides with bactericidal effect against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus & biofilm forming Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lafi Feras F. , Salama Ali , almaaytah ammar
Published: April 2022

With the recent rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in most communities, it has become one of the most important concerns confronting health professionals globally. Today, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen responsible for a great deal of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) and community-acquired infections. MRSA is difficult to treat with limited options for treatment such as vancomycin, linezolid, or clindamycin. Thus, an innovative methodology is required to compact infections with resistant organisms. In this study we synthesis a novel ultra-short antimicrobial peptide consists of three unit of tryptophan and three unit of lysine. We examined the effect of this peptide against MRSA and biofilm forming MRSA. Promising result showed that the peptide was effective in killing against both MRSA and biofilm forming MRSA with low toxicity to human red blood cells. Moreover, our novel peptide also show excellent synergistic effect when combined with vancomycin against MRSA. Furthermore, combination of our peptide with levofloxacin and clarithromycin revealed synergistic effect with biofilm forming MRSA. In conclusion, the result of this study presented a novel USAMPs which potentially can be utilized as a new generation of antibiotics to compact resistant bacteria globally.