bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Dimensional Learning Under Approximate Sparsity with Applications to Nonsmooth Estimation and Regularized Neural Networks
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Ye Yinyu , Lee Hung Yi
Published: March 2022

In “High-Dimensional Learning Under Approximate Sparsity with Applications to Nonsmooth Estimation and Regularized Neural Networks,” Liu, Ye, and Lee study a model fitting problem where there are much fewer data than problem dimensions. Of their particular focus are the scenarios where the commonly imposed sparsity assumption is relaxed, and the usual condition of the restricted strong convexity is absent. The results show that generalization performance can still be ensured in such settings, even if the problem dimensions grow exponentially. The authors further study the sample complexities of high-dimensional nonsmooth estimation and neural networks. Particularly for the latter, it is shown that, with explicit regularization, a neural network is provably generalizable, even if the sample size is only poly-logarithmic in the number of fitting parameters.
The Cheapest Ticket Problem in Public Transport
Authors: Schöbel Anita , Urban Reena
Published: March 2022

Route choice models in public transport have been discussed for a long time. The main reason why a passenger chooses a specific path is usually based on its length or travel time. However, also the ticket price that passengers have to pay may influence their decision because passengers prefer cheaper paths over more expensive ones. In this paper, we deal with the cheapest ticket problem, which asks for a cheapest ticket to travel between a pair of stations. The complexity and the algorithmic approach to solve this problem depend crucially on the underlying fare structure; for example, it is easy if the ticket price is proportional to the distance traveled (as in distance tariff fare structures), but may become NP-complete in zone tariff fare structures. We hence discuss the cheapest ticket problem for different variations of distance- and zone-based fare structures. We start by modeling the respective fare structure mathematically, then identify its main properties, and finally provide a polynomial algorithm, or prove NP-completeness of the cheapest ticket problem. We also provide general results on the combination of two fare structures, which is often observed in practice.
Blended learning: Maintaining clinical placements for child nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ingleson Hayley , Hunter Amy
Published: March 2022

Clinical placement is an essential part of nursing education. students undertake 2300 hours of clinical learning throughout the programme ( Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], 2018: 1 ). Societal and service changes mean creative transformation is needed to develop sustainable placement opportunities ( Carolan et al, 2020 ; NHS England, 2021a ). A blended placement was developed and piloted in community-based children's services. The blended placement gave child nursing students the possibility of experiencing services during the COVID-19 pandemic, by utilising digital and virtual opportunities. Students were placed in the 0–19 public health integrated nursing service, and the integrated children's additional needs service. Two cohorts comprising 25 students undertook the placement. Students and practice supervisors were surveyed on completion of the placement. Survey findings demonstrated three aspects of a good placement experience – information provision, perceived learning opportunities and student support. Recommendations for future blended placements include improved timetabling and information provision adaptions to meet student expectations.
Surveillance of hospital acquired infections in veterinary practices
Authors: Jordan Rebecca
Published: March 2022

The importance of surveillance of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) is often overlooked within the veterinary community, with limited research available, resulting in this vital step being overlooked. When carried out correctly, it allows a practice to accumulate data on the rates of HAIs and ascertain when further action is required. Without these data, practices are often unaware of the severity of their problem. All practices should have an infection control ambassador or committee appointed to ensure these statistics are used correctly and shared with all team members. This article will examine current literature available and determine the pros and cons of each surveillance method and how they may be implemented.
Public perceptions of the veterinary nurse
Authors: McCormick Kelsey Elizabeth Ann
Published: March 2022

Background:

The veterinary nursing profession has undergone major developments since its formation, with veterinary nurses (VN) becoming registered professionals in their own right. Despite this, there is still a lack of public recognition of and respect for the VN role. Currently, there are limited data on public perceptions and opinions of the VN.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to determine the public's perceptions and awareness of the VN's role.

Methods:

Members of the public answered an online questionnaire about their experience and opinion of VNs.

Results:

A total of 148 valid responses were received. Results showed 90.5% of respondents had a positive opinion of VNs, and 98.6% believed the VN's role was important. Unsure opinions of the VN were a result of a lack of interaction and understanding of the VN's role.

Conclusion:

Social media may play an instrumental role in increasing public awareness and recognition of the VN's highly skilled role. Further research is required to accurately determine the general public's perception of the VN.
Değişkenlerin Kategori Sayılarının ve Dağılımlarının Korelasyon Katsayılarına Etkisi
Authors: KILIÇ Abdullah Faruk
Published: March 2022

Korelasyon katsayıları birçok bilim alanında kullanılmaktadır. Bilim alanlarına göre kullanılan değişkenlerin tipleri de farklılaşabilmektedir. Bu araştırmada farklı örneklem büyüklüklerinde değişkenlerin kategori sayısı ve çarpıklığının korelasyon katsayılarına etkisinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda gerçekleştirilen Monte Carlo simülasyon çalışmasıyla polikorik / tetrakorik, Pearson momentler çarpımı (PMÇ), Spearman’ın sıra farkları (rho), Kendall’ın Tau, Goodman-Kruskal Gamma ve Lambda katsayıları karşılaştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda polikorik / tetrakorik korelasyon katsayısının diğer yöntemlere göre daha yansız sonuçlar verdiği gözlenmiştir. Kategori sayısının artmasıyla normal dağılan veri setlerinde PMÇ de yansız kestirimler yapabilmiştir. Ancak çarpık dağılan veri setlerinde PMÇ’nin parametrik olmayan alternatifi olan Spearman’ın sıra farkları korelasyon katsayısı, yeterli performansı gösterememiştir. Polikorik korelasyon katsayısı, hem normal hem de çarpık dağılan veri setlerinde diğer yöntemlere nazaran daha yansız ve doğru sonuçlar vermiştir. Araştırma bulgularına göre kategorik verilerle gerçekleştirilen korelasyon analizinde polikorik / tetrakorik korelasyon katsayısının kullanılması önerilmektedir. Kategori sayısı arttıkça değişkenin sürekli kabul edilebileceği belirtilse de korelasyon analizi sonuçlarında PMÇ ve parametrik olmayan karşılığı olan Spearman’ın sıra farkları ile Kendall’ın Tau katsayısı yanlı sonuçlar vermiştir.
Classical and the Bayesian Estimation of Process Capability Index
Authors: Kumar Sumit
Published: March 2022

In this study, to estimate the process capability index
A Semantic OctoMap Mapping Method Based on CBAM-PSPNet
Authors: Ruan Xiaogang , Guo Peiyuan , Huang Jing
Published: March 2022

With the rapid development of computer vision and deep learning, researchers have begun to focus on the semantic characteristics of traditional Simultaneous Localization And Mapping in three-Dimensional scenes. The point cloud map generated by the traditional simultaneous localization and mapping method takes up considerable storage space and cannot extract semantic information from the scene, which cannot meet the requirements of intelligent robot navigation and high-level semantic understanding. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a semantic information fusion OctoMap method. First, the color and depth images obtained from RGB-D by ORB-SLAM2 are used to locate the camera. Second, the Convolutional Block Attention Module-Pyramid Scene Parsing Network is introduced to segment the input RGB image semantically to improve the segmentation accuracy and obtain high-level semantic information in the environment. Then, a semantic fusion algorithm based on Bayesian fusion is introduced to fuse multiview semantic information. Finally, the generated semantic point cloud is inserted into OctoMap, and its octree data structure is used to compress the storage space. Experimental results based on the ADE20K dataset show that, compared with Pyramid Scene Parsing Network, Convolutional Block Attention Module-Pyramid Scene Parsing Network improves Mean Pixel Accuracy by 2.55%, and Mean Intersection over Union by 1.88%. Experimental results based on the TUM dataset show that the proposed method greatly reduces storage space and achieves the effect of voxels by voxel dense semantic mapping compared with point clouds and a traditional OctoMap.
Kreowanie wizerunku partii politycznych
Authors: Antczak Barbara
Published: March 2022

The article is devoted to the preparation and conduct of election campaigns and the promotion tools used. The aim of the article is to analyze the election campaigns carried out in the last years and their impact on the final election results. The concept of political image as well as its fundamental components was analyzed in detail. Attention was also focused on the process of image creation, precise identification and analysis of needs, as well as citizens’ expectations and the adoption of their perspective of perceiving the surrounding reality. Politics is no different from any other area, and communication and self-presentation skills are widely used.
Zarządzanie wiedzą w erze cyfrowej jako strategiczne wyzwanie dla działu HR we współczesnej organizacji
Authors: Borkowski Rafał
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has made security a central challenge in the service sector. It applies equally to customers and employees of service organizations. The article discusses the sources of security threats in services in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which result from the feature of services, which is the interactivity of services and activities carried out to increase the level of security in services.
CSR jako podstawa tworzenia strategii przedsiębiorstwa w obszarze zarządzania zasobami ludzkimi
Authors: Barbachowska Bożenna
Published: March 2022

In the modern world, where globalization processes and dynamic changes take place in all areas of activity, the conditions for the functioning of enterprises are also changing. Enterprises are facing new expectations regarding social, environmental and economic issues. Therefore, modern enterprises are not only responsible for increasing their value, but also for taking action for the benefit of their stakeholders. It is particularly important to include in the strategies of enterprises all of the activities made for the benefit of employees, because they are the important asset of the company, which largely contributes to the success of the organization. The article emphasizes the importance of CSR in the company’s strategy, especially in the area of human resources. The contemporary problems that both companies and employees have to face show how important it is to cooperate with each other and take a responsible approach to partners. On the basis of the questionnaire survey, the level of human resource management in selected enterprises was assessed, which made it possible to identify those areas where it is necessary to take socially responsible actions relating to human resources.
Weak signal detection for visible light communication in the pulse and transition regimes of an operational PMT detector via an SVM-based learning method
Authors: Zhu Yonghe , Gong Chen , Ding Yifan , Xu Zhengyuan
Published: March 2022

Photo-multiplier tube can be adopted for optical signal detection under weak signal and ambient light intensity, where the signals can be classified into three regimes, discrete-pulse regime, continuous waveform regime and the transition regime between the discrete-photon and continuous waveform regimes. While Poisson and Gaussian distributions can well characterize the discrete-photon and continuous waveform regimes, respectively, a statistical characterization and the related signal detection in the transition regime are difficult. In this work, we resort to a learning approach for the signal characterization and detection under pulse and transition regimes. We propose a support vector machine (SVM)-based approach for signal detection, which extracts eight key features on the received signal. We optimize the hyper-parameters to improve the SVM detection performance. The proposed SVM-based approach is experimentally evaluated under different symbol and sampling rates, and outperforms that of various statistics-based comparison benchmarks.
Deep sub-wavelength localization of light and sound in dielectric resonators
Authors: Bozkurt Alkim , Joshi Chaitali , Mirhosseini Mohammad
Published: March 2022

Optomechanical crystals provide coupling between phonons and photons by confining them to commensurate wavelength-scale dimensions. We present a new concept for designing optomechanical crystals capable of achieving unprecedented coupling rates by confining optical and mechanical waves to deep sub-wavelength dimensions. Our design is based on a dielectric bowtie unit cell with an effective optical/mechanical mode volume of 7.6 × 10−3(λ/nSi)3/

1.2
×

10

−
3

λ

mech

3

. We present results from numerical modeling, indicating a single-photon optomechanical coupling of 2.2 MHz with experimentally viable parameters. Monte Carlo simulations are used to demonstrate the design’s robustness against fabrication disorder.
Percussion drilling in glasses and process dynamics with femtosecond laser GHz-bursts
Authors: Lopez John , Niane Samba , Bonamis Guillaume , Balage Pierre , Audouard Eric , Hönninger Clemens , Mottay Eric , Manek-Hönninger Inka
Published: March 2022

We report for the first time to our knowledge on top-down percussion drilling of high-quality deep holes in different glasses with femtosecond laser pulses in GHz-burst mode. We reveal the dynamics of the percussion drilling process by pump-probe shadowgraphy and thermal camera imaging demonstrating that the drilling process in GHz-burst mode is fundamentally different from single-pulse processing and confirming the presence of thermal accumulation. Moreover, we show a comparison to drilling by femtosecond single-pulses containing an equal laser fluence in sodalime, alkali-free alumina-borosilicate, fused silica, and sapphire.
Strain and temperature measurement discrimination with forward Brillouin scattering in optical fibers
Authors: Sánchez L. A. , Díez A. , Cruz J. L. , Andrés M. V.
Published: March 2022

A novel method that enables simultaneous and discriminative measurement of strain and temperature using one single optical fiber is presented. The method is based on the properties of transverse acoustic mode resonances (TAMRs) of the optical fiber. In particular, it is based on the different sensitivity to temperature and strain that exhibit the radial modes R0,m and a family of torsional-radial modes denoted as

T

R

2
,
m

(
1
)

. We show that the resonance frequencies of both types of resonances shift linearly with temperature and strain, but at different rates. By the combined use of the different sensitivities of the two families of TAMRs, we experimentally demonstrate discriminative measurements of strain and temperature. A detection limit of strain and temperature better than 25 µε and 0.2 °C is achieved.
Numerical analyses of a spectral beam combining multiple Yb-doped fiber lasers for optimal beam quality and combining efficiency
Authors: Jung Aeri , Song Sanggwon , Kim Seokjin , Oh Kyunghwan
Published: March 2022

Physical parameters of a spectral beam combining (SBC) system for multiple Yb-doped fiber lasers (YDFLs) were identified and numerically analyzed to obtain the optimal beam quality and the combining efficiency. We proposed an optimal range of the parameters that can be utilized in SBC systems. For a practical SBC system composed of a multi-layer dielectric grating and a transform mirror, we systematically varied input laser parameters such as the incident angle, beam diameter, laser linewidth, spectral spacing, number of beams, and their spatial separation. Characteristics of diffracted beams by the SBC system were numerically analyzed using a Fourier modal method (FMM). The beam quality M2 and the combining efficiency, η, were optimized by varying the laser beam parameters. We found that M2 and η were most affected by the angle of incidence and the laser linewidth, respectively. We presented the optimal parameters for three, five, and seven linear beam array SBCs along with a range of allowed parameters that could be used in the laser power scaling.
Time-varying microwave photonic filter for arbitrary waveform signal-to-noise ratio improvement
Authors: Ma Dong , Chen Yang
Published: March 2022

A time-varying microwave photonic filter (TV-MPF) based on stimulated Brillouin scattering is proposed and utilized to suppress the in-band noise of broadband arbitrary microwave waveforms, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The filter-controlling signal is designed according to the signal to be filtered and drives the TV-MPF so that the passband of the filter is always aligned with the frequencies of the signal to be filtered. By continuously tracking the signal spectral component, the TV-MPF retains the spectral components of the signal and filters out the noise other than the spectral components of the signal at the current time, improving the in-band SNR of the signal to be filtered. An experiment is performed. A variety of signals with different formats and in-band SNRs are used to test the noise suppression capability of the TV-MPF, and the waveform mean-square error is calculated to quantify the improvement of the signal, demonstrating the excellent adaptability of the proposed TV-MPF to different kinds of signals.
Transport properties of optically thin solid dielectrics from frequency correlations of randomly scattered light: publisher’s note
Authors: Aubry Geoffroy J. , Fuchs Nathan , Skipetrov Sergey , Scheffold Frank
Published: March 2022

This publisher’s note contains a correction to Opt. Lett. 47, 1439 (2022)10.1364/OL.449084.
Neuromorphic photonic technologies and architectures: scaling opportunities and performance frontiers [Invited]
Authors: Dabos George , Bellas Dimitris V. , Stabile Ripalta , Moralis-Pegios Miltiadis , Giamougiannis George , Tsakyridis Apostolos , Totovic Angelina , Lidorikis Elefterios , Pleros Nikos
Published: March 2022

We review different technologies and architectures for neuromorphic photonic accelerators, spanning from bulk optics to photonic-integrated-circuits (PICs), and assess compute efficiency in OPs/Watt through the lens of a comparative study where key technology aspects are analyzed. With an emphasis on PIC neuromorphic accelerators, we shed light onto the latest advances in photonic and plasmonic modulation technologies for the realization of weighting elements in training and inference applications, and present a recently introduced scalable coherent crossbar layout. Finally, we stress that current technologies face challenges endowing photonic accelerators with compute efficiencies in the PetaOPs/W, and discuss future implementation pathways towards improving performance.
Influence of boron-doped graphite carbon nitride on the photoelectric properties of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xinwei Jinhua , Hu Jinghua
Published: March 2022

In recent years, a new type of two-dimensional semiconductor material graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been used in photocatalysis, perovskite solar cells, and other fields due to its good photoelectric properties. In this article, we report a method to improve the quality of perovskite films by adding boron-doped graphite phase carbon nitride to the perovskite precursor solution. Compared with the perovskite film prepared by adding the precursor solution of graphite phase carbon nitride, the crystal quality of the perovskite film prepared by adding the precursor solution of boron-doped graphite phase carbon nitride has been improved. Perovskite films are characterized by larger grain sizes and tighter arrangements. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the prepared perovskite solar cell (PSC) increased from 10.75% to 12.76%.
Risk factors for third-generation cephalosporin-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli carriage in domestic animals of semirural parishes east of Quito, Ecuador
Authors: Mitman Siena L. , Amato Heather K. , Saraiva-Garcia Carlos , Loayza Fernanda , Salinas Liseth , Kurowski Kathleen , Marusinec Rachel , Paredes Diana , Cárdenas Paúl , Trueba Gabriel , Graham Jay P.
Published: March 2022

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and other antimicrobial resistant (AR) Escherichia coli threaten human and animal health worldwide. This study examined risk factors for domestic animal colonization with ceftriaxone-resistant (CR) and ESBL-producing E. coli in semirural parishes east of Quito, Ecuador, where small-scale food animal production is common. Survey data regarding household characteristics, animal care, and antimicrobial use were collected from 304 households over three sampling cycles, and 1195 environmental animal fecal samples were assessed for E. coli presence and antimicrobial susceptibility. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors for CR and ESBL-producing E. coli carriage. Overall, CR and ESBL-producing E. coli were detected in 56% and 10% of all fecal samples, respectively. The odds of CR E. coli carriage were greater among dogs at households that lived within a 5 km radius of more than 5 commercial food animal facilities (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.58) and lower among dogs living at households that used antimicrobials for their animal(s) based on veterinary/pharmacy recommendation (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.96). Increased odds of canine ESBL-producing E. coli carriage were associated with recent antimicrobial use in any household animal (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.02–7.10) and purchase of antimicrobials from pet food stores (OR 6.83, 95% CI 1.32–35.35). Food animals at households that owned more than 3 species (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42–0.97), that used antimicrobials for growth promotion (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19–0.89), and that obtained antimicrobials from pet food stores (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25–0.89) had decreased odds of CR E. coli carriage, while food animals at households with more than 5 people (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.23–3.99) and located within 1 km of a commercial food animal facility (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.08–6.12) had increased odds of ESBL-producing E. coli carriage. Together, these results highlight the complexity of antimicrobial resistance among domestic animals in this setting.
Impact of Internet usage time on mental health in adolescents: Using the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey 2018
Authors: Kwak Yeunhee , Kim Hyejin , Ahn Jung-Won
Published: March 2022

Dependency on the Internet in daily life is increasing, and the negative consequences this dependence may have on mental health are not sufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Korean adolescents’ Internet usage time and their mental health. This cross-sectional study included 29,811 high school students ages 16–18 from the 2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Participants’ mean Internet usage time was 193.4±1.6 min/day. Internet usage time was associated with sex, grade level, type of school, living arrangement, economic status, academic achievement, and experience of school violence. With regard to mental health, subjective health status, stress, feelings of sadness, and suicidal ideation were also related to Internet usage time. The group with more than average Internet usage had poorer subjective health, higher level of stress, and had feelings of sadness and suicidal ideation compared to the group with less than average Internet usage. To effectively manage Internet usage time, interventions to lower Internet usage and leisure programs that could replace Internet usage need to be developed.
Efficacy and safety of antimicrobial stewardship prospective audit and feedback in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A protocol for a pragmatic clinical trial
Authors: Chen Justin Z. , Hoang Holly L. , Yaskina Maryna , Kabbani Dima , Doucette Karen E. , Smith Stephanie W. , Lau Cecilia , Stewart Jackson , Zurek Karen , Schultz Morgan , Cervera Carlos
Published: March 2022

Background

The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is widespread in patients with COVID-19 despite a low prevalence of bacterial co-infection, raising concerns for the accelerated development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is vital but there are limited randomized clinical trial data supporting AMS interventions such as prospective audit and feedback (PAF). High quality data to demonstrate safety and efficacy of AMS PAF in hospitalized COVID-19 patients are needed.

Methods and design

This is a prospective, multi-center, non-inferiority, pragmatic randomized clinical trial evaluating AMS PAF intervention plus standard of care (SOC) versus SOC alone. We include patients with microbiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospital admission for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Eligible ward beds and critical care unit beds will be randomized prior to study commencement at each participating site by computer-generated allocation sequence stratified by intensive care unit versus conventional ward in a 1:1 fashion. PAF intervention consists of real time review of antibacterial prescriptions and immediate written and verbal feedback to attending teams, performed by site-based AMS teams comprised of an AMS pharmacist and physician. The primary outcome is clinical status at post-admission day 15 measured using a 7-point ordinal scale. Patients will be followed for secondary outcomes out to 30 days. A total of 530 patients are needed to show a statistically significant non-inferiority, with 80% power and 2.5% one-sided alpha assuming standard deviation of 2 and the non-inferiority margin of 0.5.

Discussion

This study protocol presents a pragmatic clinical trial design with small unit cluster randomization for AMS intervention in hospitalized COVID-19 that will provide high-level evidence and may be adopted in other clinical situations.

Trial registration

This study is being performed at the University of Alberta and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04896866) on May 17, 2021.
A randomised cross-over trial of QT response to hyperventilation-induced anxiety and diaphragmatic breathing in patients with stress cardiomyopathy and in control patients
Authors: Watson George M. , Sutherland Jacalin , Lacey Cameron , Bridgman Paul G.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The most perfect example of the mind-body interaction in all of medicine is provided by stress cardiomyopathy. In stress cardiomyopathy, what is initially a purely emotional event may become rapidly fatal. Prolongation of the QT interval is a cardinal feature of the condition, but the mechanism of the prolongation is unknown. We undertook a randomised controlled trial of stress with a cross-over design, comparing the cardiac response of women with a history of stress cardiomyopathy to age-matched controls to explore the mind-body interaction. Our hypothesis is that the hearts of women with a history of stress cardiomyopathy will respond differently to emotional stress than those of the controls.

Method

This is a randomised cross-over study. Each patient underwent two separate 24-hour Holter monitors performed at least 5 days apart. Baseline recording was followed by either the stress intervention (hyperventilation) or control (diaphragmatic breathing). Our primary endpoint is change in QTc interval over the first hour. Secondary endpoints were change in QTc over 24 hours, and change in SDNN, a measure of heart rate variability. As a secondary stressor, each participant was telephoned four times during their stressed recording and asked to complete a questionnaire.

Results

Twelve stress cardiomyopathy patients and twelve control patients were recruited. Baseline characteristics did not differ between cases and controls. With hyperventilation, there was a significant initial difference in anxiety (p<0.001), heart rate response (p<0.0001), and QTc (p<0.0002) compared to diaphragmatic breathing, but no differences between the cases and controls. Only first phone call caused an increase in QTc in cases and controls (p = 0.0098). SDNN increased with hyperventilation (p<0.0001) but did not differ between cases and controls.

Conclusions

QTc response in women with a history of stress cardiomyopathy does not differ from controls. The relevance of QT prolongation and sensitivity in the autonomic response to the pathogenesis of stress cardiomyopathy remains uncertain.
Association between hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and hypogonadism in Taiwanese adult men
Authors: Wang Sheng-Kuang , Lee Meng-Chih , Hung Chia-Lien , Chen Hsin-Hung , Liao Chun-Cheng , Chiu Yu-Lung
Published: March 2022

Background

Aging-related hypogonadism in men is related to the deterioration of overall health. Those with this disease rarely receive treatment. The hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype is a tool for predicting abnormalities of cardiovascular metabolism. However, the relationship between the HTGW phenotype and hypogonadism remains undetermined. This study aimed to determine the association between HTGW phenotype and hypogonadism in different age groups.

Methods

Data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from MJ Health Screening Center in Taiwan from 2007 to 2016. The HTGW phenotype was divided into four categories based on whether the waist circumference (WC) and triglyceride levels were normal. WC of <90 cm and triglyceride level of <150 mg/dL were defined as normal. Hypogonadism was defined as a testosterone level of <300 ng/dL.

Results

Overall, 6442 male participants were divided into three age groups: <50, 50–64, and ≥65 years (n = 4135, 1958, and 349; age groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The overall prevalence of hypogonadism was 10.6%. In group 1, participants with HTGW (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.354–2.896) had a higher risk of hypogonadism than those with normal WC and normal triglyceride levels after adjustment for body mass index and fasting blood glucose level. In group 2, participants with HTGW (odds ratio, 1.873; 95% CI, 1.099–3.193) had an increased risk of hypogonadism after adjustment for body mass index, fasting blood glucose level, Cholesterol levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, low-density lipoprptein (LDL) levels and smoking status. However, no relationship was observed between HTGW phenotype and hypogonadism in group 3.

Conclusion

HTGW phenotype was highly associated with hypogonadism in Taiwanese adult men. More attention should be paid to men aged <50 years with HTGW.
Detection of salivary citrullinated cytokeratin 13 in healthy individuals and patients with rheumatoid arthritis by proteomics analysis
Authors: Yasuda Takuya , Tahara Koichiro , Sawada Tetsuji
Published: March 2022

The immune response to citrullinated peptides in the mucosa has been suggested to play an important role in the transition from pre-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to clinically evident RA. Although there are reports indicating the presence of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in the saliva, few studies have reported citrullinated peptide detection in human saliva. This study aimed to identify citrullinated peptides in human saliva and discuss their clinical significance. Saliva samples were collected from 11 patients with RA and from 20 healthy individuals. Citrullinated peptides were detected using an anti-modified citrulline (AMC) antibody. Saliva from the healthy individuals was subjected to two-dimensional protein electrophoresis to isolate citrullinated peptides, which were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and mass spectrometry by peptide mass fingerprinting. The results were corroborated by immunoprecipitation (IP)-western blotting. The signal intensities of the bands precipitated with anti-cytokeratin 13 (CK13) and AMC antibodies were quantified. The signal intensity ratio of the band produced by the AMC antibody was divided by that of the band produced by the anti-CK13 antibody to calculate the citrullinated CK13 (Cit-CK13) ratio. A citrullinated peptide band corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa was detected in the saliva of healthy individuals, and identified as CK13 via mass spectrometry and IP-western blotting. No significant difference was observed between the salivary Cit-CK13 ratios of patients with RA and healthy participants (p = 0.605). This is the first study to show that Cit-CK13 is present in human saliva, and that there is no significant difference between the Cit-CK13 ratios of patients with RA and healthy individuals, suggesting that salivary Cit-CK13 content and RA development may not be associated. The physiological and pathological roles of Cit-CK13 in the oral cavity, and its responsiveness to mucosal immunity, remain unknown and will be the subject of further investigation.
Processing time affects sequential memory performance beginning at the level of visual encoding
Authors: Takase Ryoken , Boasen Jared , Kuriki Shinya , Toyomura Akira , Yokosawa Koichi
Published: March 2022

Electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that theta-band activity is useful for investigating neural mechanisms of memory. However, mechanisms specifically driving memory performance remain poorly understood. In sequential memory, performance can be artificially attenuated by shortening the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) between memory item presentations. Therefore, we sought to clarify the mechanisms of sequential memory performance by analyzing theta-band (4–8 Hz) activity recorded via magnetoencephalogram in 33 participants during performance of a sequential memory task where memory items were presented at either slow or fast rates in accordance with longer or shorter ISIs, respectively. Particularly in the slow task, theta activity clearly modulated in accordance with the presentation of memory items. Common cortical target regions in the occipital and frontal cortex were identified in both tasks and related to visual encoding and memory maintenance, respectively. Compared to the slow task, occipital-theta activity was significantly lower in the fast task from the midterm until the ending of encoding, in correspondence with significantly lower recall for memory items in this same period. Meanwhile, despite a loss of clarity in responsiveness to individual memory items in the fast task, frontal-theta activity was not different between tasks and exhibited particularly strong responses in both tasks during the holding period prior to recall. Our results indicate that shorter processing time erodes sequential memory performance beginning at the level of visual encoding.
Prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease with associated risk factors among medical students at Chiang Mai University due to increased screen time and stress during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tangmonkongvoragul Chulaluck , Chokesuwattanaskul Susama , Khankaeo Chetupon , Punyasevee Ruethairat , Nakkara Lapat , Moolsan Suttipat , Unruan Onpreeya
Published: March 2022

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common ophthalmological disorders, resulting from several systemic and ocular etiologies including meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students are among the high-risk group for DED, mainly due to the increasing use of a visual display terminal (VDT) for online lectures and psychological stress from encountering several changes. Our study aimed to explore the prevalence of DED using the symptom-based definition and potential risk factors in medical students. This is a prospective cross-sectional study that included medical students at Chiang Mai University between November 2020 and January 2021. All participants were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, the Thai version of the 10-Item Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10), the LipiView® II interferometer, and an interview for other possible risk factors. Overall, 528 participants were included in the study; half of the participants were female. The prevalence of DED was 70.8%. In the univariate analysis, female sex, contact lens wear, and T-PSS-10 stress scores were significantly higher in the DED group (P = 0.002, 0.002, and <0.001, respectively). Moreover, participants with severe DED were likely to have higher meibomian gland tortuosity but not statistically significant. In the multivariate analysis, contact lens use and T-PSS-10 score were significant risk factors associated with the severity of DED. In conclusions, the prevalence of DED in medical students was as high as 70.8%. Contact lens use and psychological stress evaluated using the T-PSS-10 questionnaire had a significant correlation with a risk of DED. Female gender and duration of VDT use were also associated. Most of the risk factors were modifiable and may be used as initial management in patients with DED.
Alternate fluency in Parkinson’s disease: A machine learning analysis
Authors: Ferrucci Roberta , Mameli Francesca , Ruggiero Fabiana , Reitano Mariella , Miccoli Mario , Gemignani Angelo , Conversano Ciro , Dini Michelangelo , Zago Stefano , Piacentini Silvie , Poletti Barbara , Priori Alberto , Orrù Graziella
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) had changes in their level of performance in extra-dimensional shifting by implementing a novel analysis method, utilizing the new alternate phonemic/semantic fluency test.

Method

We used machine learning (ML) in order to develop high accuracy classification between PD patients with high and low scores in the alternate fluency test.

Results

The models developed resulted to be accurate in such classification in a range between 80% and 90%. The predictor which demonstrated maximum efficiency in classifying the participants as low or high performers was the semantic fluency test. The optimal cut-off of a decision rule based on this test yielded an accuracy of 86.96%. Following the removal of the semantic fluency test from the system, the parameter which best contributed to the classification was the phonemic fluency test. The best cut-offs were identified and the decision rule yielded an overall accuracy of 80.43%. Lastly, in order to evaluate the classification accuracy based on the shifting index, the best cut-offs based on an optimal single rule yielded an overall accuracy of 83.69%.

Conclusion

We found that ML analysis of semantic and phonemic verbal fluency may be used to identify simple rules with high accuracy and good out of sample generalization, allowing the detection of executive deficits in patients with PD.
Staying active after rehab: Physical activity perspectives with a spinal cord injury beyond functional gains
Authors: Baehr Laura A. , Kaimal Girija , Hiremath Shivayogi V. , Trost Zina , Finley Margaret
Published: March 2022

Lifestyle physical activity following spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical for functional independence, mental wellness, and social participation, yet nearly 50% of individuals with SCI report no regular exercise. The objective of this study was to better understand factors leading to this participation gap by capturing the physical activity perspectives of individuals living with SCI. We completed small group interviews with nine individuals living with SCI across the United States. Iterative thematic analysis systematically revealed meaningful core concepts related to physical activity engagement with SCI. Emergent themes revealed challenges to lifestyle physical activity behavior including gaps in physical activity education, isolation during psychological adjustment, and knowledge limitations in community exercise settings. A secondary theme related to the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, highlighting additional environmental constraints affecting participation. Our findings suggest that most physical activity education is delivered during inpatient rehabilitation and is related to physical function. Lifetime physical activity strategies are achieved through self-education and peer networking. Personal motivators for physical activity include secondary condition prevention, while social and emotional barriers prevent regular adherence. These findings can inform the development and delivery of physical activity programs to maximize physical activity engagement in individuals living with chronic SCI.
Population balance modelling captures host cell protein dynamics in CHO cell cultures
Authors: Alhuthali Sakhr , Kontoravdi Cleo
Published: March 2022

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been extensively studied for their wide therapeutic and research applications. Increases in mAb titre has been achieved mainly by cell culture media/feed improvement and cell line engineering to increase cell density and specific mAb productivity. However, this improvement has shifted the bottleneck to downstream purification steps. The higher accumulation of the main cell-derived impurities, host cell proteins (HCPs), in the supernatant can negatively affect product integrity and immunogenicity in addition to increasing the cost of capture and polishing steps. Mathematical modelling of bioprocess dynamics is a valuable tool to improve industrial production at fast rate and low cost. Herein, a single stage volume-based population balance model (PBM) has been built to capture Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell behaviour in fed-batch bioreactors. Using cell volume as the internal variable, the model captures the dynamics of mAb and HCP accumulation extracellularly under physiological and mild hypothermic culture conditions. Model-based analysis and orthogonal measurements of lactate dehydrogenase activity and double-stranded DNA concentration in the supernatant show that a significant proportion of HCPs found in the extracellular matrix is secreted by viable cells. The PBM then served as a platform for generating operating strategies that optimise antibody titre and increase cost-efficiency while minimising impurity levels.
The public health issue of antibiotic residues in food and feed: Causes, consequences, and potential solutions
Authors: Arsène Mbarga Manga Joseph , Davares Anyutoulou Kitio Linda , Viktorovna Podoprigora Irina , Andreevna Smolyakova Larissa , Sarra Souadkia , Khelifi Ibrahim , Sergueïevna Das Milana
Published: March 2022

Antibiotics are among the essential veterinary medicine compounds associated with animal feed and food animal production. The use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections is almost unavoidable, with less need to demonstrate their importance. Although banned as a growth factor for a few years, their use in animals can add residues in foodstuffs, presenting several environmental, technological, animal health, and consumer health risks. With regard to human health risks, antibiotic residues induce and accelerate antibiotic resistance development, promote the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans, cause allergies (penicillin), and induce other severe pathologies, such as cancers (sulfamethazine, oxytetracycline, and furazolidone), anaphylactic shock, nephropathy (gentamicin), bone marrow toxicity, mutagenic effects, and reproductive disorders (chloramphenicol). Antibiotic resistance, which has excessively increased over the years, is one of the adverse consequences of this phenomenon, constituting a severe public health issue, thus requiring the regulation of antibiotics in all areas, including animal breeding. This review discusses the common use of antibiotics in agriculture and antibiotic residues in food/feed. In-depth, we discussed the detection techniques of antibiotic residues, potential consequences on the environment and animal health, the technological transformation processes and impacts on consumer health, and recommendations to mitigate this situation.
Glycemia control and choice of antihyperglycemic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: a consensus decision of the board of experts of the Russian association of endocrinologists
Authors: Dedov I. I. , Mokrysheva N. G. , Shestakova M. V. , Nikonova T. V. , Mayorov A. Yu. , Galstyan G. R. , Shamhalova M. Sh. , Barysheva V. O. , Ametov A. S. , Antsiferov M. B. , Babenko A. Yu. , Bardymova T. P. , Valeeva F. V. , Vachugova A. A. , Grineva E. N. , Demidova T. Yu. , Kiseleva T. P. , Kunicyna M. A. , Markova T. N. , Mkrtumyan A. M. , Petunina N. A. , Ruyatkina L. A. , Saluhov V. V. , Suplotova L. A. , Hadarceva E. L. , Halimov Yu. Sh.
Published: March 2022

A dangerous viral disease COVID-19, caused by a new RNA coronavirus SARS-COV-2, has been actively spreading in the world since December 2019. The main manifestations of this disease are bilateral pneumonia, often accompanied by the development of acute respiratory syndrome and respiratory failure. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of infection with the SARS-COV-2 virus, severe illness and death.

Maintaining of target glycemic levels is the most important factor in a favorable outcome of COVID-19 in both type 1 and type 2 DM. The choice of antihyperglycemic therapy in a patient with DM in the acute period of COVID-19 depends on the initial therapy, the severity of hyperglycemia, the severity of the viral infection and the patient’s clinical condition.

The article presents the recommendations of the board of experts of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists on glycemic control and the choice of antihyperglycemic therapy in patients with type 2 DM and COVID-19, and also on the use of glucocorticosteroids used in the treatment of COVID-19 in patients with type 2 DM.
Образовательные траектории российских учащихся после 9-го класса в 2000—2017 гг.: типы региональных ситуаций и предикторы различий
Authors: Адамович Ксения Александровна
Published: March 2022

В статье исследуются региональные различия в выборе образовательной траектории после 9-го класса, а также динамика этих различий с 2000 по 2017 гг. В наблюдаемый период произошел рост неравенства между регионами в доле учащихся, выбравших академическую траекторию. С использованием динамического алгоритма трансформации временных шкал было выделено три типа региональных сценариев динамики этого показателя. Первый тип отражает постепенное снижение доли учащихся, выбравших академическую траекторию, в период с 2000 по 2017 гг. В регионах второго типа снижение этого показателя началось позднее, с 2006 г. Регионы третьего типа показали резкий спад доли выпускников 9-х классов, выбравших академическую траекторию, в период с 2001 по 2003 гг., а затем значительный рост этого показателя в 2014—2016 гг. В рамках теории социального неравенства Пьера Бурдье, адаптированной американскими географами для исследований пространства, факторы различий в сценариях рассматриваются в разрезе двух аспектов — социального пространства учащихся и их среды обитания. Показано, что в зависимости от социального пространства учащихся эффекты изменений в образовательной политике могут варьироваться. В долгосрочной перспективе это чревато дальнейшим ростом социально-экономического неравенства регионов.
Благодарность. Статья подготовлена в ходе работы по Программе фундаментальных исследований Национального исследовательского университета «Высшая школа экономики» и с использованием средств субсидии в рамках государственной поддержки ведущих университетов Российской Федерации «5–100».