bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of octapartite entanglement by connecting two symmetric cascaded four-wave mixing processes with one linear beam splitter
Authors: Yu Sheng , Liu Huanzhang , Jing Jietai
Published: January 2022

We theoretically propose a scheme for generating full octapartite
entanglement using two symmetric cascaded four-wave mixing (FWM)
processes and one linear beam splitter (BS), in which two independent
symmetric cascaded FWM processes are connected by a BS. To present the
entanglement properties of the system, we first verify that the
generated state is a

H

-graph state by exploiting the
graphical calculus for Gaussian pure states, and reveal the internal
interaction of the generated state by using the derived coupling
strength matrix. We proceed with investigating the possibility of this
scheme for generating octapartite entanglement by applying the
positivity under a partial transposition criterion. The results show
that there exists full octapartite entanglement in the whole gain
region, and the degree of entanglement increases as the power gain
increases. In addition, we investigate the effect of transmissivity of
BS on the entanglement properties of the system and the dependence of
bipartite entanglement on the power gain and the transmissivity of BS.
Our results give a simple way to increase the scale of entanglement by
linear optics and cascaded FWM processes.
Brillouin and Raman imaging of domain walls in periodically-poled 5%-MgO:LiNbO3
Authors: Rix Jan , Rüsing Michael , Galli Roberta , Golde Jonas , Reitzig Sven , Eng Lukas M. , Koch Edmund
Published: January 2022

Recently, ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) have attracted considerable attention due to their intrinsic topological effects and their huge potential for optoelectronic applications. In contrast, many of the underlying physical properties and phenomena are not well characterized. In this regard, analyzing the vibrational properties, e.g. by Raman spectroscopy, provides direct access to the various local material properties, such as strains, defects or electric fields. While the optical phonon spectra of DWs have been widely investigated in the past, no reports on the acoustic phonon properties of DWs exist. In this work, we present a joint Raman and Brillouin visualization of ferroelectric DWs in the model ferroelectric lithium niobate. This is possible by using a combined Raman and virtually imaged phased array Brillouin setup. Here, we show that DWs can be visualized via frequency shifts observed in the acoustic phonons, as well. The observed contrast then is qualitatively explained by models adapted from Raman spectroscopy. This work, hence, provides a novel route to study ferroelectric DWs and their intrinsic mechanical properties.
Polarization-independent photon up-conversion with a single lithium niobate waveguide
Authors: Wang Shuhao , Yao Ni , Fang Wei , Tong Limin
Published: January 2022

We propose a polarization-independent up-conversion protocol for single-photon detection at telecom band with a single thin-film periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. By choosing the proper waveguide parameters, the waveguide dispersion can compensate the crystal birefringence so that quasi-phase-matching conditions for transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes can be simultaneously fulfilled with single poling period. With this scheme, randomly-polarized single photons at 1550 nm can be up-converted with a normalized conversion efficiency of 163.8%/W cm2.
Machine-learning-assisted inverse design of scattering enhanced metasurface
Authors: Lin Hai , Hou Junjie , jin Jing , Wang Yumei , Tang Rongxin , Shi Xintong , Tian Yuze , Xu Weilin
Published: January 2022

The scattering enhancement technique has shown prominent potential in various regimes such as satellite communication, Radar Cross Section (RCS) camouflage, and remote sensing. Currently, the scattering enhancement devices based on the metasurface have shown advantages in light weight and better performance. These metasurfaces always possess complex structure, it is hard to achieve through the tradition trial-and-error method which relies on the full-wave numerical simulation. In this paper, a new method combining the machine learning and the evolution optimization algorithm is proposed to design the metasurface retroreflector (MRF) for arbitrary direction incident wave. In this method, a predicting model and a generative inverse design model are constructed and trained, the predicting model is used to evaluate the fitness of each offspring in the genetic algorithm (GA), the generative model is used to initialize the first offspring of the GA by inverse generate the MRF based on the requirements of the designer. With the assistance of these two machine learning models, the evolution optimization algorithm is employed to find the optimal design of the MRF. This approach enables automatic solution of electromagnetic inverse design problems and opens the way to facilitate the optimization of other metadevices.
Dysprosium-doped silica fiber as saturable absorber for mid-infrared pulsed all-fiber lasers
Authors: Paradis Pascal , Boilard Tommy , Fortin Vincent , Trzesien Stanislaw , Ude Michèle , Dussardier Bernard , Vallée Réal , Bernier Martin
Published: January 2022

We report on a mid-infrared Q-switched erbium-doped all-fiber laser using a dysprosium-doped silica fiber as saturable absorber for the first time in this wavelength range. Moreover, we demonstrate the use of a highly reflective chirped fiber Bragg grating written in a silica fiber as the input coupler for such lasers. This Q-switched all-fiber laser generates a stable pulse train centered at 2798 nm with a maximum average power of 670 mW at a repetition rate of 140 kHz with a pulse duration of 240 ns and a pulse energy of 4.9 µJ.
The characteristics of early-stage research into human genes are substantially different from subsequent research
Authors: Stoeger Thomas , Nunes Amaral Luís A.
Published: January 2022

Throughout the last 2 decades, several scholars observed that present day research into human genes rarely turns toward genes that had not already been extensively investigated in the past. Guided by hypotheses derived from studies of science and innovation, we present here a literature-wide data-driven meta-analysis to identify the specific scientific and organizational contexts that coincided with early-stage research into human genes throughout the past half century. We demonstrate that early-stage research into human genes differs in team size, citation impact, funding mechanisms, and publication outlet, but that generalized insights derived from studies of science and innovation only partially apply to early-stage research into human genes. Further, we demonstrate that, presently, genome biology accounts for most of the initial early-stage research, while subsequent early-stage research can engage other life sciences fields. We therefore anticipate that the specificity of our findings will enable scientists and policymakers to better promote early-stage research into human genes and increase overall innovation within the life sciences.
Differential gene expression analysis identified determinants of cell fate plasticity during radiation-induced regeneration in Drosophila
Authors: Ledru Michelle , Clark Caitlin A. , Brown Jeremy , Verghese Shilpi , Ferrara Sarah , Goodspeed Andrew , Su Tin Tin
Published: January 2022

Ionizing radiation (IR) is used to treat half of all cancer patients because of its ability to kill cells. IR, however, can induce stem cell-like properties in non-stem cancer cells, potentiating tumor regrowth and reduced therapeutic success. We identified previously a subpopulation of cells in Drosophila larval wing discs that exhibit IR-induced stem cell-like properties. These cells reside in the future wing hinge, are resistant to IR-induced apoptosis, and are capable of translocating, changing fate, and participating in regenerating the pouch that suffers more IR-induced apoptosis. We used here a combination of lineage tracing, FACS-sorting of cells that change fate, genome-wide RNAseq, and functional testing of 42 genes, to identify two key changes that are required cell-autonomously for IR-induced hinge-to-pouch fate change: (1) repression of hinge determinants Wg (Drosophila Wnt1) and conserved zinc-finger transcription factor Zfh2 and (2) upregulation of three ribosome biogenesis factors. Additional data indicate a role for Myc, a transcriptional activator of ribosome biogenesis genes, in the process. These results provide a molecular understanding of IR-induced cell fate plasticity that may be leveraged to improve radiation therapy.
Regeneration of duckweed (Lemna turonifera) involves genetic molecular regulation and cyclohexane release
Authors: Yang Lin , Sun Jinge , Yan Congyu , Wu Junyi , Wang Yaya , Ren Qiuting , Wang Shen , Ma Xu , Zhao Ling , Sun Jinsheng
Published: January 2022

Plant regeneration is important for vegetative propagation, detoxification and the obtain of transgenic plant. We found that duckweed regeneration could be enhanced by regenerating callus. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To gain a global view of genes differently expression profiles in callus and regenerating callus, genetic transcript regulation has been studied. Auxin related genes have been significantly down-regulated in regenerating callus. Cytokinin signal pathway genes have been up-regulated in regenerating callus. This result suggests the modify of auxin and cytokinin balance determines the regenerating callus. Volatile organic compounds release has been analysised by gas chromatography/ mass spectrum during the stage of plant regeneration, and 11 kinds of unique volatile organic compounds in the regenerating callus were increased. Cyclohexane treatment enhanced duckweed regeneration by initiating root. Moreover, Auxin signal pathway genes were down-regulated in callus treated by cyclohexane. All together, these results indicated that cyclohexane released by regenerating callus promoted duckweed regeneration. Our results provide novel mechanistic insights into how regenerating callus promotes regeneration.
Automated satellite remote sensing of giant kelp at the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Authors: Houskeeper Henry F. , Rosenthal Isaac S. , Cavanaugh Katherine C. , Pawlak Camille , Trouille Laura , Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Bell Tom W. , Cavanaugh Kyle C.
Published: January 2022

Giant kelp populations that support productive and diverse coastal ecosystems at temperate and subpolar latitudes of both hemispheres are vulnerable to changing climate conditions as well as direct human impacts. Observations of giant kelp forests are spatially and temporally uneven, with disproportionate coverage in the northern hemisphere, despite the size and comparable density of southern hemisphere kelp forests. Satellite imagery enables the mapping of existing and historical giant kelp populations in understudied regions, but automating the detection of giant kelp using satellite imagery requires approaches that are robust to the optical complexity of the shallow, nearshore environment. We present and compare two approaches for automating the detection of giant kelp in satellite datasets: one based on crowd sourcing of satellite imagery classifications and another based on a decision tree paired with a spectral unmixing algorithm (automated using Google Earth Engine). Both approaches are applied to satellite imagery (Landsat) of the Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas (FLK), an archipelago in the southern Atlantic Ocean that supports expansive giant kelp ecosystems. The performance of each method is evaluated by comparing the automated classifications with a subset of expert-annotated imagery (8 images spanning the majority of our continuous timeseries, cumulatively covering over 2,700 km of coastline, and including all relevant sensors). Using the remote sensing approaches evaluated herein, we present the first continuous timeseries of giant kelp observations in the FLK region using Landsat imagery spanning over three decades. We do not detect evidence of long-term change in the FLK region, although we observe a recent decline in total canopy area from 2017–2021. Using a nitrate model based on nearby ocean state measurements obtained from ships and incorporating satellite sea surface temperature products, we find that the area of giant kelp forests in the FLK region is positively correlated with the nitrate content observed during the prior year. Our results indicate that giant kelp classifications using citizen science are approximately consistent with classifications based on a state-of-the-art automated spectral approach. Despite differences in accuracy and sensitivity, both approaches find high interannual variability that impedes the detection of potential long-term changes in giant kelp canopy area, although recent canopy area declines are notable and should continue to be monitored carefully.
Global cervical cancer research: A scientometric density equalizing mapping and socioeconomic analysis
Authors: Brüggmann Dörthe , Quinkert-Schmolke Kathrin , Jaque Jenny M. , Quarcoo David , Bohlmann Michael K. , Klingelhöfer Doris , Groneberg David A.
Published: January 2022

Cervical cancer has caused substantial morbidity and mortality for millions of women over the past decades. While enormous progress has been made in diagnosis, prevention and therapy, the disease is still fatal for many women—especially in low-income countries. Since no detailed studies are available on the worldwide research landscape, we here investigated the global scientific output related to this cancer type by an established protocol. The “New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science” platform assessed all relevant cervical cancer research published in the Web of Science since 1900. A detailed analysis was conducted including country-specific research productivity, indicators for scientific quality, and relation of research activity to socioeconomic and epidemiologic figures. Visualization of data was generated by the use of density equalizing map projections. Our approach identified 22,185 articles specifically related to cervical cancer. From a global viewpoint, the United States of America was the dominating country in absolute numbers, being followed by China and Japan. By contrast, the European countries Sweden, Austria, and Norway were positioned first when the research activity was related to the population number. When the scientific productivity was related to annual cervical cancer cases, Scandinavian countries (Finland #1, Sweden #4, Norway #5, Denmark #7), the Alpine countries Austria (#2) and Switzerland (#6), and the Netherlands (#3) were leading the field. Density equalizing mapping visualized that large parts of Africa and South America were almost invisible regarding the global participation in cervical cancer research. Our data documented that worldwide cervical cancer research activity is continuously increasing but is imbalanced from a global viewpoint. Also, the study indicated that global and public health aspects should be strengthened in cervical carcinoma research in order to empower more countries to take part in international research activities.
Depressive symptoms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are identified by perturbed lipid and lipoprotein metabolism
Authors: Radford-Smith Daniel E. , Patel Preya J. , Irvine Katharine M. , Russell Anthony , Siskind Dan , Anthony Daniel C. , Powell Elizabeth E. , Probert Fay
Published: January 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and depression are common disorders and have bidirectional contributing relationships to metabolic syndrome. We aimed to determine whether a fasting serum signature of recent, self-reported depressive symptoms could be identified in a heterogeneous NAFLD cohort using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics integrated with clinical chemistry. Serum nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolite profiles and corresponding clinical chemistry were compared between patients with depressive symptoms in the last 12-months (n = 81) and patients without recent depressive symptoms (n = 137 controls) using multivariate statistics. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of the biochemical and metabolomic data identified NAFLD patients with recent depression with a cross-validated accuracy of 61.5%, independent of age, sex, medication, and other comorbidities. This led to the development of a diagnostic algorithm with AUC 0.83 for future testing in larger clinical cohorts. Serum triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, and the inflammatory biomarker GlycA were key metabolites increased in patients with recent depressive symptoms, while serum glutamine level was reduced. Here, serum NMR metabolite analysis provides a link between disturbed lipid metabolism, inflammation, and active mental health issues in NAFLD, irrespective of disease severity.
Evaluation of virtual tour in an online museum: Exhibition of Architecture of the Forbidden City
Authors: Li Jia , Nie Jin-Wei , Ye Jing
Published: January 2022

Online virtual museum tours combine museum authority and an academic approach with the diversity and interactivity of online resources; such tours have become an essential resource for online scientific research and education. Many important museums around the world are developing this type of online service. Comprehensive evaluation of such tours is, however, urgently needed to ensure effectiveness. This paper establishes a heuristic evaluation scale based on the literature. Taking the online virtual tour of the Exhibition of Architecture of the Forbidden City as a case study, confirmatory factor analysis was then carried out to improve the scale. Interviews were conducted to discuss and analyze the research results. The developed evaluation scale has four dimensions: authenticity, interaction, navigation, and learning. The results from the case study showed, first, that the exhibition had visual authenticity, but the behavioral authenticity was insufficient; second, the exhibition was generally interactive, but this aspect could be improved by enriching the links; third, the lack of effective navigation design for the exhibit was the main factor affecting experience quality. Fourth, the exhibition was informative and supported learning, but needs further improvement to the quantity and quality of information provided. Finally, the interviews revealed that the online exhibition did not entirely support people of different ages and abilities, so it needs further improvement to be wholly inclusive.
Pricing and assembly rate decisions for a prefabricated construction supply chain under subsidy policies
Authors: Jiang Wen , Qi Xian
Published: January 2022

Prefabricated construction has attracted worldwide concern and promotion due to its environmental friendliness, high quality, and high efficiency. In China, the application of prefabricated construction still lags due to its high cost. To improve prefabricated construction development, the Chinese government and provinces have launched subsidy policies for different objects that offer subsidies to the assembler, the manufacturer, or consumers. Subsidy policies for different subsidy objects have different impacts on the manufacturer wholesale price and assembler retail price and assembly rate and make their decisions more complicated. Therefore, this study uses game theory and builds three models to analyze the effects of government subsidies on manufacturer pricing, assembler pricing, assembly rate decisions, and profit. We find that government subsidy policies can bring more profit to prefabricated construction enterprises, reduce their costs, and benefit the promotion of prefabricated construction. Through comparison and numerical analysis, we also find that when the government subsidizes enterprises more, it is better to subsidize the assembler, because it is good for all three parties. First, consumers can obtain a lower retail price. Second, enterprises can obtain more profits. Finally, for the government, this approach can increase the demand for prefabricated construction and increase the assembly rate, which is conducive to the promotion of prefabricated construction. When the government subsidizes customers more, it is better for the assembler and the manufacturer to subsidize customers, because they can obtain more profits. It is better for the government and customers to subsidize the assembler or the manufacture, because consumers can get the lower retail price. Although the assembly rate and enterprises’ profits are not optimal, they have also been improved. In addition, when the government directly subsidizes enterprises, the enterprises will actively cooperate with the subsidy policy and are more willing to adopt prefabricated construction. This approach will benefit the promotion of prefabricated construction.
Heavy metal pollution and associated health risk assessment of urban dust in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulaziz G. , EL-Saeid Mohamed H. , Alzahrani Abdulhakim J. , Ibrahim Hesham M.
Published: January 2022

Depending on their particle size and concentration, heavy metals in urban dust pose a health hazard to humans. This study investigated the total concentration, health risk, integrated pollution load index (IPI), and enrichment factor (EF) of various heavy metals in urban dust at different locations in Riyadh City. Surface dust samples were collected from 50 different residential yards in the north, south, west, east, and central corners of the city and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). With respect to concentrations heavy metals were in the following order Zn > Cu > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. The EF trends exposed repeated anthropogenic activities were responsible for Mn, Cr, and Ni, while Pb, Zn, and Cu appeared to come from Earth’s crust. Since the heavy metal concentrations were lower than the threshold values, children and adults are exposed to lower health risk in investigated area. Also, there are no pollution of heavy metals in the dust with respect to IPI which is less than the critical limit (<1) with the exception of a sampling location in north side of the city with higher IPI showed unhealthy respiration conditions in particular areas. It was concluded that rapid industrialization and urbanization and their concentrations in dust may cause health problems in near future in north side as well as other sides of Riyadh City.
In search of autophagy biomarkers in breast cancer: Receptor status and drug agnostic transcriptional changes during autophagy flux in cell lines
Authors: Mascia Francesca , Mazo Ilya , Alterovitz Wei-Lun , Karagiannis Konstantinos , Wu Wells W. , Shen Rong-Fong , Beaver Julia A. , Rao V. Ashutosh
Published: January 2022

Autophagy drives drug resistance and drug-induced cancer cell cytotoxicity. Targeting the autophagy process could greatly improve chemotherapy outcomes. The discovery of specific inhibitors or activators has been hindered by challenges with reliably measuring autophagy levels in a clinical setting. We investigated drug-induced autophagy in breast cancer cell lines with differing ER/PR/Her2 receptor status by exposing them to known but divergent autophagy inducers each with a unique molecular target, tamoxifen, trastuzumab, bortezomib or rapamycin. Differential gene expression analysis from total RNA extracted during the earliest sign of autophagy flux showed both cell- and drug-specific changes. We analyzed the list of differentially expressed genes to find a common, cell- and drug-agnostic autophagy signature. Twelve mRNAs were significantly modulated by all the drugs and 11 were orthogonally verified with Q-RT-PCR (Klhl24, Hbp1, Crebrf, Ypel2, Fbxo32, Gdf15, Cdc25a, Ddit4, Psat1, Cd22, Ypel3). The drug agnostic mRNA signature was similarly induced by a mitochondrially targeted agent, MitoQ. In-silico analysis on the KM-plotter cancer database showed that the levels of these mRNAs are detectable in human samples and associated with breast cancer prognosis outcomes of Relapse-Free Survival in all patients (RSF), Overall Survival in all patients (OS), and Relapse-Free Survival in ER+ Patients (RSF ER+). High levels of Klhl24, Hbp1, Crebrf, Ypel2, CD22 and Ypel3 were correlated with better outcomes, whereas lower levels of Gdf15, Cdc25a, Ddit4 and Psat1 were associated with better prognosis in breast cancer patients. This gene signature uncovers candidate autophagy biomarkers that could be tested during preclinical and clinical studies to monitor the autophagy process.
The social specificities of hostility toward vaccination against Covid-19 in France
Authors: Bajos Nathalie , Spire Alexis , Silberzan Léna ,   for the EPICOV study group
Published: January 2022

Equal Access to the COVID-19 vaccine for all remains a major public health issue. The current study compared the prevalence of vaccination reluctance in general and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and social and health factors associated with intentions to receive the vaccine. A random socio-epidemiological population-based survey was conducted in France in November 2020, in which 85,855 adults participants were included in this study. We used logistic regressions to study being "not at all in favor" to vaccination in general, and being "certainly not" willing to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Our analysis highlighted a gendered reluctance toward vaccination in general but even more so regarding vaccination against COVID-19 (OR = 1.88 (95% CI: 1.79–1.97)). We also found that people at the bottom of the social hierarchy, in terms of level of education, financial resources, were more likely to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine (from OR = 1.22 (95% CI:1.10–1.35) for respondents without diploma to OR = 0.52 (95% CI:0.47–0.57) for High school +5 or more years level). People from the French overseas departments, immigrants and descendants of immigrants, were all more reluctant to the Covid-19 vaccine (first-generation Africa/Asia immigrants OR = 1.16 (95% CI:1.04–1.30)) versus OR = 2.19 (95% CI:1.96–2.43) for the majority population). Finally, our analysis showed that those who reported not trusting the government were more likely to be Covid-19 vaccine-reluctant (OR = 3.29 (95% CI: 3.13–3.45)). Specific campaigns should be thought beforehand to reach women and people at the bottom of the social hierarchy to avoid furthering social inequalities in terms of morbidity and mortality.
Investigating the incidence and risk factors of hypertension: A multicentre retrospective cohort study in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Yagoub Umar , Saiyed Nasrin S. , Al Qahtani Bandar , Al Zahrani Attiya Mohammed , Birema Yassir , Al Hariri Ibrahim
Published: January 2022

Background

Hypertension is a major global health concern affecting approximately 1.13 billion people worldwide, with most of them residing in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of different stages of hypertension and its associated modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors among patients in military-setting hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at two hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from hospital electronic records from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. The blood pressure levels of patients from the last three separate medical visits were recorded. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used for the data analysis.

Results

The study included 884 hypertensive patients. The incidences of stage of elevated BP, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertension crisis were 60.0, 29.5, 7.0, and 3.5 cases per 1000 persons. Multivariate analysis indicated that progression from the stage of elevated blood pressure to hypertension crisis was significantly associated with advanced age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.99–8.42), male sex (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 0.57–5.92), and a positive family history of hypertension (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.23–3.09). Other key determinants of the development of stage of elevated blood pressure to hypertension crisis were current smoking status (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23–4.76), and physical inactivity (OR = 6.48, 95% CI: 2.46–9.14).

Conclusion

The incidence stage of elevated blood pressure was high among the patients investigated at armed forces hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The logistic regression model proposed in the present study can be used to predict the development of different stages of hypertension. Age, sex, marital status, family history, smoking status, and physical activity play an important role in the development of hypertension. Better strategies to improve awareness, screening, treatment, and management of hypertension are required in Saudi Arabia.
Gender sensitivity and stereotypes in medical university students: An Italian cross-sectional study
Authors: Bert Fabrizio , Boietti Edoardo , Rousset Stefano , Pompili Erika , Franzini Tibaldeo Eleonora , Gea Marta , Scaioli Giacomo , Siliquini Roberta
Published: January 2022

Gender medicine is crucial to reduce health inequalities. Knowledge about students’ attitudes and beliefs regarding men, women and gender is important to improve gender medicine courses. The aim of this study is to evaluate gender stereotypes and its predictors in Italian medical students. We performed an online cross-sectional study among students from the University of Turin. We used the validated Nijmegen Gender Awareness Scale in Medicine scale to explore gender sensitivity and stereotypes. Multivariable logistic regression model was performed to explore potential predictors of gender awareness. We enrolled 430 students. Female sex, a better knowledge on gender medicine and having had a tutor aware of gender issues are associated with higher gender sensitivity. Older age, a better knowledge on gender medicine and having had a tutor sensitive to gender issues were predictors of more stereotyped opinions towards patients. Having had a tutor aware of gender medicine, male sex and older age were associated with more stereotypes towards doctors. Italian students have high gender sensitivity and low gender stereotypes. Age, higher knowledge of gender medicine and having had a tutor that considered gender were associated with higher gender stereotypes. Focusing on gender awareness in medical schools can contribute to a better care.
Pandemic-related declines in hospitalization for non-COVID-19-related illness in the United States from January through July 2020
Authors: Nguyen Jennifer L. , Benigno Michael , Malhotra Deepa , Khan Farid , Angulo Frederick J. , Hammond Jennifer , Swerdlow David L. , Reimbaeva Maya , Emir Birol , McLaughlin John M.
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has substantially impacted healthcare utilization worldwide. The objective of this retrospective analysis of a large hospital discharge database was to compare all-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations during the first six months of the pandemic in the United States with the same months in the previous four years.

Methods

Data were collected from all hospitals in the Premier Healthcare Database (PHD) and PHD Special Release reporting hospitalizations from January through July for each year from 2016 through 2020. Hospitalization trends were analyzed stratified by age group, major diagnostic categories (MDCs), and geographic region.

Results

The analysis included 286 hospitals from all 9 US Census divisions. The number of all-cause hospitalizations per month was relatively stable from 2016 through 2019 and then fell by 21% (57,281 fewer hospitalizations) between March and April 2020, particularly in hospitalizations for non-respiratory illnesses. From April onward there was a rise in the number of monthly hospitalizations per month. Hospitalizations per month, nationally and in each Census division, decreased for 20 of 25 MDCs between March and April 2020. There was also a decrease in hospitalizations per month for all age groups between March and April 2020 with the greatest decreases in hospitalizations observed for patients 50–64 and ≥65 years of age.

Conclusions

Rates of hospitalization declined substantially during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting delayed routine, elective, and emergency care in the United States. These lapses in care for illnesses not related to COVID-19 may lead to increases in morbidity and mortality for other conditions. Thus, in the current stage of the pandemic, clinicians and public-health officials should work, not only to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but also to ensure that care for non-COVID-19 conditions is not delayed.
Mean platelet volume and mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio as predictors of severity and mortality in sepsis
Authors: Vélez-Páez Jorge Luis , Legua Pedro , Vélez-Páez Pablo , Irigoyen Estefanía , Andrade Henry , Jara Andrea , López Fernanda , Pérez-Galarza Jorge , Baldeón Lucy
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Sepsis is a public health problem due to its high prevalence and mortality. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a biomarker reported in routine blood counts, has been investigated and shows promise for determining fatal outcomes in septic patients.

Objective

Evaluate whether the mean platelet volume (MPV) and mean platelet volume-to-platelet count (MPV/P) ratio are predictors of clinical severity and mortality in patients with sepsis.

Methods

A prospective population cohort of 163 patients aged 18–97 years was recruited at the Intensive Care Unit of Pablo Arturo Hospital, Quito, Ecuador from 2017–2019 and followed up for 28 days. Patients were diagnosed with sepsis based on SEPSIS-3 septic shock criteria; in which the MPV and the MPV/P ratio were measured on days 1, 2, and 3. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and presence of septic shock assessed clinical severity. Mortality on day 28 was considered the fatal outcome.

Results

The average age of the patients was 61,15 years (SD 20,94) and female sex was predominant. MPV cutoff points at days 1, 2 and 3 were >9,45fL, >8,95fL and >8, 85fL; and (MPV/P) ratio >8, 18, >4, 12 y >3, 95, respectively. MPV at days 2 (9,85fL) and 3 (8,55fL) and (MPV/P) ratio at days 1 (4,42), 2 (4,21), and 3 (8,55), were predictors of clinical severity assessed by septic shock, which reached significance in the ROC curves. MPV and (MPV/P) ratio were also predictors of clinical severity determined by SOFA at days 1, 2, and 3, where higher values were observed in non-survivors reaching significance in all categories. MPV and MPV/P ratio at days 1, 2 and 3 were independent predictor factors of mortality using Cox proportional hazards model (HR 2,31; 95% CI 1,36–3,94), (HR 2,11; 95% CI 1,17–3,82), (HR 2,13; 95% CI 1,07–4,21) and (HR 2,38; 95% CI 1,38–4,12), (HR 2,15; 95% CI 1,14–4,06), (HR 4,43; 95% CI, 1,72–11,37) respectively.

Conclusions

MPV and the MPV/P ratio are predictors of clinical severity and mortality in sepsis. The MPV and its coefficient are indicators of the biological behavior of platelets in sepsis. They should be considered as a cost-effective and rapidly available tool that guides the treatment.
Nutrition education incorporation into mainstream primary school curriculum in Ghana: Stakeholders’ sources of nutrition information and perceived barriers
Authors: Quaidoo Esi , Ohemeng Agartha , Kushitor Mawuli K. , Antwi Janet
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Nutrition literacy has been cited as a crucial life skill. Nutrition education as a primary school subject has been treated inconsequentially when compared to other subjects. We investigated an aspect of the current state of nutrition education in Ghana by engaging stakeholders about their sources of nutrition information and the perceived barriers in implementing nutrition education in mainstream primary schools.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty one (351) primary school children, 121 homebased caregivers, six schoolteachers, two headteachers, two Ghana Education Service (GES) officials, and six school cooks were involved in the study. Surveys were used to collect data on nutrition information acquisition behaviors and to record perceived barriers. Key Informant Interviews were conducted among GES officials, headteachers, schoolteachers and school cooks, while Focus Group Discussions were used among homebased caregivers and children to gather qualitative information.

Results

Only 36.3% of the primary school children had heard about nutrition, and 71% of those got nutrition information from their family members. About 70% of homebased caregivers had heard or seen nutrition messages, and their source of nutrition information was predominantly traditional media. Schoolteachers mostly received their nutrition information from non-governmental organizations and the Internet, while most of the school cooks stated their main source of nutrition information was hospital visits. Perceived barriers included schoolteachers’ knowledge insufficiency, and lack of resources to adequately deliver nutrition education. Lack of a clear policy appeared to be an additional barrier.

Conclusion

The barriers to the implementation of nutrition education in the mainstream curriculum at the primary school level that were identified in this study can be resolved by: providing schoolteachers with learning opportunities and adequate nutrition education resources for practical delivery, having specific national policy framework, and including family members and school cooks in the nutrition education knowledge and information dissemination process.
Variability in an effector gene promoter of a necrotrophic fungal pathogen dictates epistasis and effector-triggered susceptibility in wheat
Authors: John Evan , Jacques Silke , Phan Huyen T. T. , Liu Lifang , Pereira Danilo , Croll Daniel , Singh Karam B. , Oliver Richard P. , Tan Kar-Chun
Published: January 2022

The fungus Parastagonospora nodorum uses proteinaceous necrotrophic effectors (NEs) to induce tissue necrosis on wheat leaves during infection, leading to the symptoms of septoria nodorum blotch (SNB). The NEs Tox1 and Tox3 induce necrosis on wheat possessing the dominant susceptibility genes Snn1 and Snn3B1/Snn3D1, respectively. We previously observed that Tox1 is epistatic to the expression of Tox3 and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 2A that contributes to SNB resistance/susceptibility. The expression of Tox1 is significantly higher in the Australian strain SN15 compared to the American strain SN4. Inspection of the Tox1 promoter region revealed a 401 bp promoter genetic element in SN4 positioned 267 bp upstream of the start codon that is absent in SN15, called PE401. Analysis of the world-wide P. nodorum population revealed that a high proportion of Northern Hemisphere isolates possess PE401 whereas the opposite was observed in representative P. nodorum isolates from Australia and South Africa. The presence of PE401 removed the epistatic effect of Tox1 on the contribution of the SNB 2A QTL but not Tox3. PE401 was introduced into the Tox1 promoter regulatory region in SN15 to test for direct regulatory roles. Tox1 expression was markedly reduced in the presence of PE401. This suggests a repressor molecule(s) binds PE401 and inhibits Tox1 transcription. Infection assays also demonstrated that P. nodorum which lacks PE401 is more pathogenic on Snn1 wheat varieties than P. nodorum carrying PE401. An infection competition assay between P. nodorum isogenic strains with and without PE401 indicated that the higher Tox1-expressing strain rescued the reduced virulence of the lower Tox1-expressing strain on Snn1 wheat. Our study demonstrated that Tox1 exhibits both ‘selfish’ and ‘altruistic’ characteristics. This offers an insight into a complex NE-NE interaction that is occurring within the P. nodorum population. The importance of PE401 in breeding for SNB resistance in wheat is discussed.
Probing the structure and function of the protease domain of botulinum neurotoxins using single-domain antibodies
Authors: Lam Kwok-ho , Tremblay Jacqueline M. , Perry Kay , Ichtchenko Konstantin , Shoemaker Charles B. , Jin Rongsheng
Published: January 2022

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the deadliest of bacterial toxins. BoNT serotype A and B in particular pose the most serious threat to humans because of their high potency and persistence. To date, there is no effective treatment for late post-exposure therapy of botulism patients. Here, we aim to develop single-domain variable heavy-chain (VHH) antibodies targeting the protease domains (also known as the light chain, LC) of BoNT/A and BoNT/B as antidotes for post-intoxication treatments. Using a combination of X-ray crystallography and biochemical assays, we investigated the structures and inhibition mechanisms of a dozen unique VHHs that recognize four and three non-overlapping epitopes on the LC of BoNT/A and BoNT/B, respectively. We show that the VHHs that inhibit the LC activity occupy the extended substrate-recognition exosites or the cleavage pocket of LC/A or LC/B and thus block substrate binding. Notably, we identified several VHHs that recognize highly conserved epitopes across BoNT/A or BoNT/B subtypes, suggesting that these VHHs exhibit broad subtype efficacy. Further, we identify two novel conformations of the full-length LC/A, that could aid future development of inhibitors against BoNT/A. Our studies lay the foundation for structure-based engineering of protein- or peptide-based BoNT inhibitors with enhanced potencies and cross-subtypes properties.
Egy diszkont légitársaság mint márkaközösség a közösségi médiában?
Authors: Füredi Anita , Csordás Tamás
Published: January 2022

A közösségi média könnyen elérhető lehetőséget biztosít a márkák számára felülről vezérelt virtuális közösségek létrehozására. Kellő feltételek mellett a márkaközösségi működés sikeressége számos pozitív vállalati hozadékkal szolgálhat. Kutatásunkban egy speciális iparág (diszkont légitársaságok) egy kiválasztott márkájának, a Wizzairnek a hivatalos Facebook-oldalán található posztok (n1=206) és hozzászólásaik (n2=536) netnográfiai elemzését végeztük el. Azt vizsgáltuk, hogy mely bejegyzéstípusok váltják ki a legnagyobb felhasználói reakciót, és milyen a posztokra adott reakciók hangvétele. Eredményeink alapján – az előzetes feltételezésünknek ellentmondva – a márka egy a fogyasztóorientált kommunikációra nagy hangsúlyt fektető és vonzó képet mutat, noha a felhasználói hozzászólások többségében ezt árnyalják a nyereményjátékok, a kontextuson kívüli ügyfélszolgálati jellegű fogyasztói megnyilvánulások és az inkább semleges (semmint kifejezetten pozitív) szentiment.
Construção visual de uma cidade moderna: Buenos Aires
Authors: Fabris Annateresa , Fabris Mariarosaria
Published: January 2022

Um guindaste, em primeiro plano, simboliza a cidade em construção, onde presenças verticais mais modernas começam a despontar e a disputar o espaço com cúpulas e agulhas. Ao fundo, um horizonte infinito, cuja amplitude é ainda mais acentuada por uma massa de água, a qual, ao confundir-se com o céu, forma uma grande faixa luminosa.
Para Paulo Francis, com amor e sordidez: o naufrágio político da geração ’60
Authors: Rebello de Mendonça Carlos Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Este artigo se debruça sobre a carreira do jornalista e ensaísta Paulo Francis (1930-1997) buscando explicar a razão da sua influência e da mudança das suas posições políticas num sentido cada vez mais direitista, como uma história de caso que habilitaria uma investigação sobre o papel e evolução política dos intelectuais de classe mé- dia no Brasil e no mundo, de meados para fim do século XX e na passagem da ditadura militar a uma redemocratização de cunho neoliberal
“El circo que hacemos hoy”: posibilidades, recorridos y límites en la resignificación del arte circense en Argentina
Authors: Infantino Julieta
Published: January 2022

Diversos cambios históricos se sucedieron desde aquel circo, clasificado hoy como circo “tradicional”, que se reproducía de generación en generación y que se caracterizaba por su itinerancia. En estos procesos de transformación se disputan las maneras legítimas de hacer circo, que, en Argentina, así como en otros territorios, se caracterizan por una tensión dinámica entre la tradición y la innovación, entre el pasado, el presente y el futuro. Asimismo, dichos procesos involucran debates acerca de las clasificaciones de estilos/modalidades del género artístico – fundamentalmente entre el llamado circo tradicional, el nuevo circo, el circo contemporáneo –, así como en relación con el lugar que ocupan la técnica, el cuerpo, las proezas, el mensaje artístico y la creatividad/originalidad, generando tensiones en torno a las posibilidades y límites en los procesos de resignificación artística. Por consiguiente, el propósito de este trabajo es analizar los debates que se vienen desarrollando en torno a las posibilidades de resignificación del circo por lo menos desde las últimas tres décadas en Argentina. Para ello, trabajaré con fuentes históricas junto con los datos provenientes de los diferentes trabajos etnográficos que realizé junto a artistas circenses en las últimas décadas.
Herbicide performance in the control of Conyza spp. where three plant heights
Authors: Theodoro Schneider  , Nicolodi Camera Juliane , Koefender Jana , Rizzardi Mauro Antônio , Bianchi Mario Antônio , Rockenbach Ana Paula
Published: January 2022

Intensive use of the herbicide glyphosate has led to herbicide resistant Conyza spp. populations. Thus, there is a need to indicate alternative herbicides and the appropriate developmental stage for controlling these populations. This study identifies alternatives for controlling glyphosate-resistant horseweed, with treatment applications at different plant heights. For this purpose, field experiments were conducted in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 crop years. The evaluated treatments were: glyphosate (540 g ae ha-1), glyphosate (1080 g ae ha-1), glyphosate (2160 g ae ha-1), glyphosate (3240 g ae ha-1), glyphosate + 2.4-D (1080 + 1005 g ae ha-1), glyphosate + saflufenacil (1080 + 49 g ae/ai ha-1), paraquat (400 g ai ha-1), diquat (400 g ai ha-1), ammonium glufosinate (600 g ai ha-1), and control (without application). These treatments were applied to plants with a maximum of 5 cm; plants between 6 and 15 cm; and plants between 16 and 25 cm. The results showed that glyphosate did not control weeds, regardless of rate. With the exception of 2,4-D, which needs complementation with sequential application of another contact herbicide, all alternatives were viable for the control of Conyza spp. plants with a maximum height of 5 cm.