bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proof of Concept in Assignment of Within-Subject Variability During Virtual Bioequivalence Studies: Propagation of Intra-Subject Variation in Gastrointestinal Physiology Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling
Authors: Bego Margareta , Patel Nikunjkumar , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Rostami-Hodjegan Amin
Published: January 2022

While the concept of ‘Virtual Bioequivalence’ (VBE) using a combination of modelling, in vitro tests and integration of pre-existing data on systems and drugs is growing from its infancy, building confidence on VBE outcomes requires demonstration of its ability not only in predicting formulation-dependent systemic exposure but also the expected degree of population variability. The concept of variation influencing the outcome of BE, despite being hidden with the cross-over nature of common BE studies, becomes evident when dealing with the acceptance criteria that consider the 90% confidence interval (CI) around the relative bioavailability. Hence, clinical studies comparing a reference product against itself may fail due to within-subject variations associated with the two occasions that the individual receives the same formulation. In this proof-of-concept study, we offer strategies to capture the most realistic predictions of CI around the pharmacokinetic parameters by propagating physiological variations through physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling. The exercise indicates feasibility of the approach based on comparisons made between the simulated and observed WSV of pharmacokinetic parameters tested for a clinical bioequivalence case study. However, it also indicates that capturing WSV of a large array of physiological parameters using backward translation modelling from repeated BE studies of reference products would require a diverse set of drugs and formulations. The current case study of delayed-release formulation of posaconazole was able to declare certain combinations of WSV of physiological parameters as ‘not plausible’. The eliminated sets of WSV values would be applicable to PBPK models of other drugs and formulations.
Collective unitary evolution with linear optics by Cartan decomposition
Authors: Liu Wen-Qiang , Zhou Xin-Jie , Wei Hai-Rui
Published: January 2022

Unitary operation is an essential step for quantum information processing. We first propose an iterative procedure for decomposing a general unitary operation without resorting to controlled-NOT gate and single-qubit rotation library. Based on the results of decomposition, we design two compact architectures to deterministically implement arbitrary two-qubit polarization-spatial and spatial-polarization collective unitary operations, respectively. The involved linear optical elements are reduced from 25 to 20 and 21 to 20, respectively. Moreover, the parameterized quantum computation can be flexibly manipulated by wave plates and phase shifters. As an application, we construct the specific quantum circuits to realize two-dimensional quantum walk and quantum Fourier transformation. Our schemes are simple and feasible with the current technology.
Online learning in proton radiation therapy: the future in the post-Covid-19 pandemic era?
Authors: Croxford William , France Anna , Clarke Matthew , Hewitt Lauren , Kirkby Karen , Mackay Ranald , Miller Jane , Radhakrishna Ganesh , Sanneh Alison , Smith Ed , Pan Shermaine
Published: January 2022

Objective:

The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on medical education and led to a vast increase in online learning. Subsequently, the Christie International Proton School moved from face-to-face to online. Delegate feedback and current literature were studied to determine benefits, challenges, and potential solutions, for online proton therapy education.

Methods:

The course was converted to a 6-week online course with twice weekly 2-h sessions. Feedback was studied pre-, during-, and post-course regarding demographics, learning objectives, proton therapy knowledge, ease of engagement, technical difficulties, and course format. Statistical analyses were performed for proton therapy knowledge pre- and post-course.

Results:

An increase in delegate attendance was seen with increased international and multidisciplinary diversity. Learner objectives included treatment planning, clinical applications, physics, and centre development. Average learner reported scores of confidence in proton therapy knowledge improved significantly from 3, some knowledge, to 4, adequate knowledge after the course (p<0.0001). There were minimal reported difficulties using the online platform, good reported learner engagement, and shorter twice weekly sessions were reported conducive for learning. Recordings for asynchronous learning addressed time zone difficulties.

Conclusion:

The obligatory switch to online platforms has catalysed a paradigm shift towards online learning with delegates reporting educational benefit. We propose solutions to challenges of international online education, and a pedagogical model for online proton therapy education.

Advances in knowledge:

Online education is an effective method to teach proton therapy to international audiences. The future of proton education includes a hybrid of online and practical face-to-face learning depending on the level of cognitive skill required.
T-hairpin structure found in the RNA element involved in piRNA biogenesis
Authors: Takase Naomi , Otsu Maina , Hirakata Shigeki , Ishizu Hirotsugu , Siomi Mikiko C. , Kawai Gota
Published: January 2022

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) repress transposons to protect the germline genome from DNA damage caused by transposon transposition. In Drosophila, the Traffic jam (Tj) mRNA is consumed to produce piRNA in its 3′-UTR. A cis element located within the 3′-UTR, Tj-cis, is necessary for piRNA biogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the structure of the Tj-cis RNA, a 100-nt RNA corresponding to the Tj-cis element, by the SHAPE and NMR analyses and found that a stable hairpin structure formed in the 5′ half of the Tj-cis RNA. The tertiary structure of the 16-nt stable hairpin was analyzed by NMR, and a novel stem–loop structure, the T-hairpin, was found. In the T-hairpin, four uridine residues are exposed to the solvent, suggesting that this stem–loop is the target of Yb protein, a Tudor domain-containing piRNA biogenesis factor. The piRNA biogenesis assay showed that both the T-hairpin and the 3′ half are required for the function of the Tj-cis element, suggesting that both the T-hairpin and the 3′ half are recognized by Yb protein.
E-cigarettes, is this alternative safe?
Authors: Romaniuk Małgorzata , Suswał Konrad , Komisarczuk Mateusz , Tuszyńska Weronika , Krupa Karol , Zygmunt Wojciech , Milanowski Janusz
Published: January 2022

Electronic cigarettes are often presented as a safer alternative to classic cigarettes. We present an overview of the latest data on the safety of using e-cigarettes and their impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The statement that e-cigarettes are much less harmful seems too hasty due to the relatively short presence of e-cigarettes on the market. We need more years of research on large groups of patients to help us answer the question whether e-cigarettes are a better and safer form of smoking.
Specificity of working with gifted primary school students in China
Authors: Naumenko Stanislav
Published: January 2022

In China, a Key National Strategy has been developed. According to the Strategy, education is refocused on high quality, the development of a holistic approach to the harmonious development of pupils' personalities, which should be imbued with the spirit of innovation, business skills and develop moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic aspects. The Ministry of Education of China also supported the position of an individual approach to each pupil and considering his physical and psychological development. The reform aims to create a favorable educational environment for the development of each pupil, active research training, increasing the flexibility and diversity of courses. Among all the subjects of the educational program, literacy is defined as the most fundamental for the successful assimilation of other educational areas and the holistic development of children's personalities, an indispensable strategy for preserving cultural heritage, national unity, and creativity. The program defined the principles of training. They are: to involve all pupils in the educational process and develop their intellectual abilities, to understand the peculiarities of language and literature education, to promote independent learning, joint learning, and learning based on pupils' requests, to take into account their differences and learning needs, to create curricula based on openness and viability. Such positive changes in pedagogical practice create a favorable educational environment that adapts to different rates of pupil learning. The program aims to develop a wide range of pupils' skills, such as literary literacy, financial literacy, mathematical literacy, and scientific literacy. The program provides an inclusive educational environment that can engage gifted pupils in terms of pedagogical strategies (e.g., individualized learning, research learning, and independent learning), enriched reading materials, and dynamic, multiple assessments). The main problems of implementing the new literacy program are: insufficient teacher competence, the difficulty of transforming deep traditions from the pedagogy of transmission and collectivism to the pedagogy of constructivism, the large class size in China leads to overload of teachers.
The use of ict (information and communication technology) in the study of natural sciences by masters of higher educational institutions
Authors: Hladun T.
Published: January 2022

One of the leading tendencies in the development of contemporary education is the informatization of society. The informatization process requires a constant improvement of the professional level of both an individual and a team, encourages being able to work with information and communication devices, requires further training of masters of natural sciences, new content and quality of education. It is important to have a system where the sections of natural sciences, ICT, areas of technological progress and various issues of applied biology, chemistry and physics are interconnected. It is STEM education that can be used as such a system. This article is dedicated to using ICT at the classes of natural sciences at higher educational institutions. The main problems on the way to the implementation of STEM education have been analyzed.
Prevalence and clinical potential of extraspinal incidental findings in lumbosacral spine MRI of patients with suspected disc diseases
Authors: Rashid Sameeah Abdulrahman
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND Incidental findings could be observed in organs close to the spine while reporting lumbosacral spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to report the prevalence and clinical potential of extraspinal incidental findings in lumbosacral MRI of patients with suspected disc diseases.

METHODS This single-centered cross-sectional study was carried out on 420 consecutive adult patients who underwent lumbar spine MRI for suspected disc disease from January to July 2019. The MRI was checked for the presence of extraspinal incidental findings, and each finding was categorized according to the body organ and its clinical significance. Each MRI plane that best displayed the findings was recorded, and the association between the findings and patient's age and sex was determined.

RESULTS Of 420 samples, 135 cases showed extraspinal findings (32.1%), and 7.6% of the patients displayed suspicious lesions. The urinary tract was the most common system (18.6%) to display both clinically significant (5.0%) and benign findings (13.6%), and the axial MRI section was the plane which showed most of the incidental findings. Incidental findings in any body system were rarely found in the younger patients. Females had significantly higher benign findings than males (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of extraspinal findings in lumbosacral spine MRI is high, and some are significant. Most findings are related to the urinary tract and best displayed in the axial plane.
Joint communication interference system design based on parameter modulation
Authors: Liu Gaogao , Yang Wenbo , Wang Youming , Wang Zhao , Huang Dongjie , Li Peng , Bao Dan , Man Xiaowen , Wu Bin
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a joint communication interference integration signal waveform is proposed to satisfy the need of electronic system integration in civil and military uses, and mitigate the tension of spectrum resource. We design the system structure of the integrated signal model and propose the communication receiving processing flow of the integrated system. We utilize the dense false-target jamming style to raise the constant false alarm rate detection threshold via the delay superposition of multiple groups of frequency modulation (FM) slope mismatch jamming signals, which can play a role in protecting our target from being detected. Furthermore, linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals with different FM slopes and Doppler frequencies are obtained via the modulation mapping of communication data; thus, a single LFM signal can carrynbit data. Through correlation processing and frequency detection, code sequence information can be obtained to achieve communication function. The simulation results show that the integrated signal has the effect of shielding and jamming the pulse compression radar. Moreover, the system has a better bit error rate and a high communication rate, which can ensure that the communication task of sending accurate instructions is completed while implementing effective interference.
Simultaneous 3D deconvolution and halo removal for spatial light interference microscopy through a two-edge apodized Wiener filter
Authors: Pan Yang , Guo Siyue , Smith Zachary J. , Chu Kaiqin
Published: January 2022

As one of the most sensitive quantitative phase microscopy techniques, spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) has undergone rapid development in the past decade and has seen wide application in both basic science and clinical studies. However, as with any other traditional microscope, the axial resolution is the worst among the three dimensions. This leads to lower contrast in the thicker regions of cell samples. Another common foe in the phase contrast image is the halo artifact, which can block underlying structures, in particular when high resolution is desired. Current solutions focus on either halo removal or contrast enhancement alone, and thus need two processing steps to create both high contrast and halo-free phase images. Further, raw images often suffer from artifacts that are both bright and slowly varying, dubbed here as cloud-like artifacts. After deconvolution, these cloud-like artifacts often dominate the image and obscure high-frequency information, which is typically of greatest interest. In this paper, we first analyzed the unique characteristics of the phase transfer function associated with SLIM to find the root of the cloud-like artifacts and halo artifacts. Then we designed a two-edge apodized deconvolution scheme as a counter measure. We show that even with a simple Wiener filter, the two-edge apodization (TEA) can effectively improve the contrast while suppressing the halo and cloud-like artifacts. Our algorithm, named TEA-Weiner, is non-iterative and thus can be implemented in real time. For low-contrast structures inside the cell such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where ringing artifacts are more likely, we show that two-edge apodization can be combined with additional constraints such as total variation so that their contrast can be enhanced simultaneously with other bright structures inside the cell. Comparing our method with other state-of-the-art algorithms, our method has two advantages: First, deconvolution and halo removal are accomplished simultaneously; second, the image quality is highest using TEA-Weiner filtering.
Critical-point behaviors of gratings in Littrow mountings
Authors: Li Lifeng
Published: January 2022

By using the recent theory of elemental scattering matrix, I study the critical-point behaviors of conically mounted and crossed gratings in Littrow mountings. As functions of the projected incident wave vector in the grating plane, the (

m

,

n

)th-order reflected principal diffraction efficiencies (the maximum and minimum diffraction efficiencies of a diffraction order for all possible incident polarizations) of a crossed grating have

C
2

symmetry with respect to the (

m

,

n

)th-order Littrow point, and for a conically mounted grating, the symmetry type is increased to

C

2
v

. In a Littrow mounting, each one of the two principal diffraction efficiencies, independent of the other, can only be at one of the three possible states: a local maximum, a local minimum, or a saddle point of an even (most likely the second) degree. If the grating is mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane parallel to the grating’s mean plane, the results hold for a transmitted diffraction order as well.
Self-powered weather station for remote areas and difficult-access locations
Authors: De Oliveira Filho José Ilton , Trichili Abderrahmen , Ooi Boon S. , Alouini Mohamed-Slim , Salama Khaled Nabil
Published: January 2022

Monitoring climate change can be accomplished by deploying Internet of Things (IoT) sensor devices to collect data on various climate variables. Providing continuous power or replacing batteries for these devices is not always available, particularly in difficult-access locations and harsh environments. Here, we propose a design for a self-powered weather station that can harvest energy, decode information using solar cells, and is controlled by a programmable system-on-chip. A series of experimental demonstrations have shown the versatility of the proposed design to operate autonomously.
Polarization and incidence insensitive analogue of electromagnetically induced reflection metamaterial with high group delay
Authors: Ma Qilin , Hong Weiyi , Shui Lingling
Published: January 2022

In this work, we demonstrate an analogue of electromagnetically induced reflection (EIR) effect with hybrid structure consisting of a silica (SiO2) square array layer embedded in graphene-dielectric-Au film constructed F-P cavity. It is shown that the SiO2 square array and F-P cavity create transverse waveguide with high quality factor (Q-factor) and longitudinal F-P modes, and their destructive interference effectively forms the EIR-like effect, which benefits for obtaining high group delay. In addition, the C4 symmetric structure ensures the polarization-independent for this EIR-like effect. With high Q-factor at the reflection window, the ultra-high group delay as high as 245 ps can be obtained. This structure will be useful to develop the EIT-like devices with excellent performance such as high group delay, polarization and incident insensitivity, and environmental stability.
Prism-based tri-aperture laparoscopic objective for multi-view acquisition
Authors: Kwan Elliott , Hua Hong
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the design and prototype of a novel tri-aperture monocular laparoscopic objective that can acquire both stereoscopic views for depth information and a wide field of view (FOV) for situational awareness. The stereoscopic views are simultaneously captured via a shared objective with two displaced apertures and a custom prism. Overlapping crosstalk between the stereoscopic views is diminished by incorporating a strategically placed vignetting aperture. Meanwhile, the wide FOV is captured via a central third aperture of the same objective and provides a 2D view of the surgical field 2x as large as the area imaged by the stereoscopic views. We also demonstrate how the wide FOV provides a reference data set for stereo calibration, which enables absolute depth mapping in our experimental prototype.
Adiabatically focusing X-rays to the nanometer scale by one dimensional long kinoform lenses: comparison between an ideal Cartesian oval refocusing lens and a parabolic lens
Authors: Xu Yuanze , Yang Xing , Lu Tongsuo , Liu Jing , Lin He
Published: January 2022

The nano-focusing performance of adiabatically designed Cartesian oval refocusing lenses is compared with other well known compound refractive lenses with parabolic profiles (both simple concave and kinoform types). Using beam propagation method (BPM) simulation, it is shown that our design based on oval lenses does significantly improve the focusing properties compared to other parabolic lens based designs, e.g. adiabatically focusing lenses (AFLs), which doesn’t take into account of the refocusing effect. This points to the importance of optimizing complex lens design in improving nano-focusing lens performance.
Astigmatic Stokes lens revisited
Authors: Ferrer-Altabás Sara , Thibos Larry , Micó Vicente
Published: January 2022

Stokes lenses are variable power astigmatic lenses comprising of, in its standard version, two pure cylindrical lenses of equal but contrary power that rotate in opposite directions. Here, we present an optical device with variable and continuous astigmatic power which is based on a modified Stokes lens where two sphero-cylindrical lenses (in the form of pure astigmatic lenses) are combined in the classical way but merged with another fixed pure astigmatic lens for improving the capabilities of the resulting optical device concerning the expansion of the astigmatic range without worsening the dioptric power step resolution. The performance of this device is theoretically analyzed in virtue of the power vectors formalism including a three-dimensional (3-D) representation of the generated dioptric power as a function of both the meridian and the rotation angle between the cylinder’s axes. In addition, we have assembled a lab-made prototype of the proposed modified Stokes lens and validated its theoretical behavior by dioptric power measurements with an automatic focimeter. As conventional Stokes lenses, the applications of this new optical device range from astigmatism compensation in optical instruments to measurement of refractive error in subjective routines with the previously commented improved capabilities.
Single-shot wide-field topography measurement using spectrally multiplexed reflection intensity holography via space-domain Kramers–Kronig relations
Authors: Lee Chungha , Baek Yoonseok , Hugonnet Herve , Park YongKeun
Published: January 2022

Surface topology measurements of micro- or nanostructures are essential for both scientific and industrial applications. However, high-throughput measurements remain challenging in surface metrology. We present single-shot full-field surface topography measurement using Kramers–Kronig holographic imaging and spectral multiplexing. Three different intensity images at different incident angles were simultaneously measured with three different colors, from which a quantitative phase image was retrieved using spatial Kramers–Kronig relations. A high-resolution topographic image of the sample was then reconstructed using synthetic aperture holography. Various patterned structures at the nanometer scale were measured and cross-validated using atomic force microscopy.
16.9 W average power from a diode-pumped picosecond Yb:YAG laser with a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide
Authors: Li Guotai , Li Shuai , Zhang Kailun , Zhu Zhanda , Hui Yongling , Lei Hong , Li Qiang
Published: January 2022

We demonstrate a high-power all-solid-state picosecond laser based on a passive mode-locking laser with a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide and a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror. An average power of 16.9 W is achieved with a 1.96 ps duration and a 31.74 MHz repetition frequency. This is the first demonstration of a mode-locked laser with a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide to our knowledge.
“Liking” as an early and editable draft of long-run affective value
Authors: Dayan Peter
Published: January 2022

Psychological and neural distinctions between the technical concepts of “liking” and “wanting” pose important problems for motivated choice for goods. Why could we “want” something that we do not “like,” or “like” something but be unwilling to exert effort to acquire it? Here, we suggest a framework for answering these questions through the medium of reinforcement learning. We consider “liking” to provide immediate, but preliminary and ultimately cancellable, information about the true, long-run worth of a good. Such initial estimates, viewed through the lens of what is known as potential-based shaping, help solve the temporally complex learning problems faced by animals.
Comparative genomics reveals electron transfer and syntrophic mechanisms differentiating methanotrophic and methanogenic archaea
Authors: Chadwick Grayson L. , Skennerton Connor T. , Laso-Pérez Rafael , Leu Andy O. , Speth Daan R. , Yu Hang , Morgan-Lang Connor , Hatzenpichler Roland , Goudeau Danielle , Malmstrom Rex , Brazelton William J. , Woyke Tanja , Hallam Steven J. , Tyson Gene W. , Wegener Gunter , Boetius Antje , Orphan Victoria J.
Published: January 2022

The anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction is a microbially mediated process requiring a syntrophic partnership between anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Based on genome taxonomy, ANME lineages are polyphyletic within the phylumHalobacterota, none of which have been isolated in pure culture. Here, we reconstruct 28 ANME genomes from environmental metagenomes and flow sorted syntrophic consortia. Together with a reanalysis of previously published datasets, these genomes enable a comparative analysis of all marine ANME clades. We review the genomic features that separate ANME from their methanogenic relatives and identify what differentiates ANME clades. Large multiheme cytochromes and bioenergetic complexes predicted to be involved in novel electron bifurcation reactions are well distributed and conserved in the ANME archaea, while significant variations in the anabolic C1 pathways exists between clades. Our analysis raises the possibility that methylotrophic methanogenesis may have evolved from a methanotrophic ancestor.
Smell-induced gamma oscillations in human olfactory cortex are required for accurate perception of odor identity
Authors: Yang Qiaohan , Zhou Guangyu , Noto Torben , Templer Jessica W. , Schuele Stephan U. , Rosenow Joshua M. , Lane Gregory , Zelano Christina
Published: January 2022

Studies of neuronal oscillations have contributed substantial insight into the mechanisms of visual, auditory, and somatosensory perception. However, progress in such research in the human olfactory system has lagged behind. As a result, the electrophysiological properties of the human olfactory system are poorly understood, and, in particular, whether stimulus-driven high-frequency oscillations play a role in odor processing is unknown. Here, we used direct intracranial recordings from human piriform cortex during an odor identification task to show that 3 key oscillatory rhythms are an integral part of the human olfactory cortical response to smell: Odor induces theta, beta, and gamma rhythms in human piriform cortex. We further show that these rhythms have distinct relationships with perceptual behavior. Odor-elicited gamma oscillations occur only during trials in which the odor is accurately perceived, and features of gamma oscillations predict odor identification accuracy, suggesting that they are critical for odor identity perception in humans. We also found that the amplitude of high-frequency oscillations is organized by the phase of low-frequency signals shortly following sniff onset, only when odor is present. Our findings reinforce previous work on theta oscillations, suggest that gamma oscillations in human piriform cortex are important for perception of odor identity, and constitute a robust identification of the characteristic electrophysiological response to smell in the human brain. Future work will determine whether the distinct oscillations we identified reflect distinct perceptual features of odor stimuli.
Is mother’s financial autonomy associated with stunting among children aged 7–35 months: An empirical study from India
Authors: P. Shirisha , Bansal Anjali
Published: January 2022

Stunting depicts chronic deprivation and is a huge public health problem in several developing countries. Considering the sociocultural and sociodemographic factors of India, we aimed to examine the relationship between maternal autonomy and stunting among children <35 months. We have used the data from the latest round of National Family health survey conducted in 2015–16. The main exposure variable was women’s autonomy which are represented in our study by the four dimensions- decision-making, physical mobility, financial autonomy, attitudes towards domestic violence, the main predictor variable was stunting among children. Chi-square analysis, univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were performed to find the association of childhood stunting and women’s autonomy. The results were reported at 5% level of significance. All the autonomy variables have shown a significant association with child stunting at 5% level of significance. The unadjusted odds of stunting were found to be significant with respect to all the four dimensions of autonomy variables except physical autonomy. However, after adjusting for other explanatory factors attenuated these relationships and made them statistically insignificant except for women’s economic autonomy (AOR = 0.91; 95% C.I.-(0.85, 0.98)) which was found to be significantly affecting the child’s status of stunting. Our study reinforces that maternal autonomy is a significant predictor of childhood stunting. Hence, we recommend that policy makers, while designing interventions and policies, must address the socioeconomic inequalities at the community level while devising ways to improve women’s empowerment. As it has far-reaching consequences on the nutrition status of the upcoming generations.
Transmission and containment of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern in Guangzhou, China: A population-based study
Authors: Li Li , Han Zhi-Gang , Qin Peng-Zhe , Liu Wen-Hui , Yang Zhou , Chen Zong-Qiu , Li Ke , Xie Chao-Jun , Ma Yu , Wang Hui , Huang Yong , Fan Shu-Jun , Yan Ze-Lin , Ou Chun-Quan , Luo Lei
Published: January 2022

Background

The first community transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant of concern (VOC) in Guangzhou, China occurred between May and June 2021. Herein, we describe the epidemiological characteristics of this outbreak and evaluate the implemented containment measures against this outbreak.

Methodology/Principal findings

Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided the data on SARS-CoV-2 infections reported between 21 May and 24 June 2021. We estimated the incubation period distribution by fitting a gamma distribution to the data, while the serial interval distribution was estimated by fitting a normal distribution. The instantaneous effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated to reflect the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2. Clinical severity was compared for cases with different vaccination statuses using an ordinal regression model after controlling for age. Of the reported local cases, 7/153 (4.6%) were asymptomatic. The median incubation period was 6.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.42–6.71) days and the means of serial intervals decreased from 5.19 (95% CI: 4.29–6.11) to 3.78 (95% CI: 2.74–4.81) days. The incubation period increased with age (P<0.001). A hierarchical prevention and control strategy against COVID-19 was implemented in Guangzhou, with Rt decreasing from 6.83 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 3.98–10.44) for the 7-day time window ending on 27 May 2021 to below 1 for the time window ending on 8 June and thereafter. Individuals with partial or full vaccination schedules with BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac accounted for 15.3% of the COVID-19 cases. Clinical symptoms were milder in partially or fully vaccinated cases than in unvaccinated cases (odds ratio [OR] = 0.26 [95% CI: 0.07–0.94]).

Conclusions/Significance

The hierarchical prevention and control strategy against COVID-19 in Guangzhou was timely and effective. Authorised inactivated vaccines are likely to contribute to reducing the probability of developing severe disease. Our findings have important implications for the containment of COVID-19.
Comparison of percutaneous vs oral infection of hamsters with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum: Parasite development, pathology and primary immune response
Authors: Bungiro Richard D. , Harrison Lisa M. , Dondji Blaise , Cappello Michael
Published: January 2022

Background

Hundreds of millions of people in poor countries continue to suffer from disease caused by bloodfeeding hookworms. While mice and rats are not reliably permissive hosts for any human hookworm species, adult Golden Syrian hamsters are fully permissive for the human and animal pathogen Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Similar to humans, hamsters may be infected with A. ceylanicum third-stage larvae orally or percutaneously. Oral infection typically leads to consistent worm yields in hamsters but may not accurately reflect the clinical and immunological manifestations of human infection resulting from skin penetration.

Methodology/Principal findings

In this study we compared host responses following percutaneous infection to those utilizing an established oral infection protocol. Infected hamsters exhibited a dose-dependent pathology, with 1000 percutaneous larvae (L3) causing anemia and adult worm recovery comparable to that of 50 orally administered L3. A delayed arrival and maturity of worms in the intestine was observed, as was variation in measured cellular immune responses. A long-term study found that the decline in blood hemoglobin was more gradual and did not reach levels as low, with the nadir of disease coming later in percutaneously infected hamsters. Both groups exhibited moderate growth delay, an effect that was more persistent in the percutaneously infected group. Fecal egg output also peaked later and at lower levels in the percutaneously infected animals. In contrast to orally infected hamsters, antibody titers to larval antigens continued to increase throughout the course of the experiment in the percutaneous group.

Conclusions/Significance

These results demonstrate that the route of infection with A. ceylanicum impacts disease pathogenesis, as well as humoral and cellular immune responses in an experimental setting. These data further validate the utility of the Golden Syrian hamster as a model of both oral and percutaneous infection with human hookworms.
Poly-glutamine-dependent self-association as a potential mechanism for regulation of androgen receptor activity
Authors: Roggero Carlos M. , Esser Victoria , Duan Lingling , Rice Allyson M. , Ma Shihong , Raj Ganesh V. , Rosen Michael K. , Liu Zhi-Ping , Rizo Josep
Published: January 2022

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in prostate cancer. Development of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) requires androgen-independent activation of AR, which involves its large N-terminal domain (NTD) and entails extensive epigenetic changes depending in part on histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) that interact with AR. The AR-NTD is rich in low-complexity sequences, including a polyQ repeat. Longer polyQ sequences were reported to decrease transcriptional activity and to protect against prostate cancer, although they can lead to muscular atrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these observations are unclear. Using NMR spectroscopy, here we identify weak interactions between the AR-NTD and the KDM4A catalytic domain, and between the AR ligand-binding domain and a central KDM4A region that also contains low-complexity sequences. We also show that the AR-NTD can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation in vitro, with longer polyQ sequences phase separating more readily. Moreover, longer polyQ sequences hinder nuclear localization in the absence of hormone and increase the propensity for formation of AR-containing puncta in the nucleus of cells treated with dihydrotestosterone. These results lead us to hypothesize that polyQ-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation may provide a mechanism to decrease the transcriptional activity of AR, potentially opening new opportunities to design effective therapies against CRPC and muscular atrophy.
User perspectives on critical factors for collaborative playlists
Authors: Park So Yeon , Kaneshiro Blair
Published: January 2022

Today, collaborative playlists (CPs) translate long-standing social practices around music consumption to enable people to curate and listen to music together over streaming platforms. Yet despite the critical role of CPs in digitally connecting people through music, we still understand very little about the needs and desires of real-world users, and how CPs might be designed to best serve them. To bridge this gap in knowledge, we conducted a survey with CP users, collecting open-ended text responses on what aspects of CPs they consider most important and useful, and what they viewed as missing or desired. Using thematic analysis, we derived from these responses the Codebook of Critical CP Factors, which comprises eight categories. We gained insights into which aspects of CPs are particularly useful—for instance, the ability for multiple collaborators to edit a single playlist—and which are absent and desired—such as the ability for collaborators to communicate about a CP or the music contained therein. From these findings we propose design implications to inform further design of CP functionalities and platforms, and highlight potential benefits and challenges related to their adoption in current music services.
Quantifying Karenia brevis bloom severity and respiratory irritation impact along the shoreline of Southwest Florida
Authors: Stumpf Richard P. , Li Yizhen , Kirkpatrick Barbara , Litaker R. Wayne , Hubbard Katherine A. , Currier Robert D. , Harrison Katherine Kohler , Tomlinson Michelle C.
Published: January 2022

Nearly all annual blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis) pose a serious threat to coastal Southwest Florida. These blooms discolor water, kill fish and marine mammals, contaminate shellfish, cause mild to severe respiratory irritation, and discourage tourism and recreational activities, leading to significant health and economic impacts in affected communities. Despite these issues, we still lack standard measures suitable for assessing bloom severity or for evaluating the efficacy of modeling efforts simulating bloom initiation and intensity. In this study, historical cell count observations along the southwest Florida shoreline from 1953 to 2019 were used to develop monthly and annual bloom severity indices (BSI). Similarly, respiratory irritation observations routinely reported in Sarasota and Manatee Counties from 2006 to 2019 were used to construct a respiratory irritation index (RI). Both BSI and RI consider spatial extent and temporal evolution of the bloom, and can be updated routinely and used as objective criteria to aid future socioeconomic and scientific studies of K. brevis. These indices can also be used to help managers and decision makers both evaluate the risks along the coast during events and design systems to better respond to and mitigate bloom impacts. Before 1995, sampling was done largely in response to reports of discolored water, fish kills, or respiratory irritation. During this timeframe, lack of sampling during the fall, when blooms typically occur, generally coincided with periods of more frequent-than-usual offshore winds. Consequently, some blooms may have been undetected or under-sampled. As a result, the BSIs before 1995 were likely underestimated and cannot be viewed as accurately as those after 1995. Anomalies in the frequency of onshore wind can also largely account for the discrepancies between BSI and RI during the period from 2006 to 2019. These findings highlighted the importance of onshore wind anomalies when predicting respiratory irritation impacts along beaches.
Prognostic indicators associated with progresses of severe dengue
Authors: Huy Bùi Vũ , Toàn Ngô Văn
Published: January 2022

Background

Dengue usually progress abnormally, especially in the critical phase. The main causes of death were shock, severe bleeding and organ failure. The aim of our study was to evaluate prognostic indicators of severe dengue according to the phases of the disease progression.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2017 at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases of Ho Chi Minh City. 326 patients, aged 6 years and over, including 99/326 patients with severe dengue and 227/326 patients with non-severe dengue, hospitalized in the first 3 days of illness, confirmedDenguevirus by the RT-PCR assay have been registered for the study. Clinical manifestations were monitored daily. The hematocrit, white blood cells, platelet, serum albumin, ALT, AST, bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT%, PTs), fibrinogen, aPTT, INR and creatinine were evaluated at two times: febrile phase and critical phase.

Results

Independent factors associated with severe dengue were identified on multivariate logistic regression models. During the first 3 days of the disease, the prognostic indicators were platelet count ≤ 100 G/L (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.2–3.9), or serum albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.8–6.1). From day 4–6, the indicator were AST > 400 U/L (OR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.1–7.9), ALT > 400 U/L (OR = 6.6; 95%CI: 1.7–24.6), albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5–5.9), and bilirubin total >17 μmol/L (OR = 4.6; 95%CI: 2.0–10.4).

Conclusion

To predict the risk of patients with severe dengue, prognostic laboratory indicators should be indicated consistent with the progression of the disease. During the first 3 days of illness, prognostic indicators should be platelet count, or serum albumin. From the 4th - 6th day of illness, prognostic indicators should be AST, ALT, albumin, or bilirubin total.
Use of a smartphone app to inform healthcare workers of hospital policy during a pandemic such as COVID-19: A mixed methods observational study
Authors: Helou R. I. , Waltmans–den Breejen C. M. , Severin J. A. , Hulscher M. E. J. L. , Verbon A.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the use of a COVID-19 app containing relevant information for healthcare workers (HCWs) in hospitals and to determine user experience.

Methods

A smartphone app (Firstline) was adapted to exclusively contain local COVID-19 policy documents and treatment protocols. This COVID-19 app was offered to all HCWs of a 900-bed tertiary care hospital. App use was evaluated with user analytics and user experience in an online questionnaire.

Results

A total number of 1168 HCWs subscribed to the COVID-19 app which was used 3903 times with an average of 1 minute and 20 seconds per session during a three-month period. The number of active users peaked in April 2020 with 1017 users. Users included medical specialists (22.3%), residents (16.5%), nurses (22.2%), management (6.2%) and other (26.5%). Information for HCWs such as when to test for SARS-CoV-2 (1214), latest updates (1181), the COVID-19 telephone list (418) and the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 guideline (280) were the most frequently accessed advice. Seventy-one users with a mean age of 46.1 years from 19 different departments completed the questionnaire. Respondents considered the COVID-19 app clear (54/59; 92%), easy-to-use (46/55; 84%), fast (46/52; 88%), useful (52/56; 93%), and had faith in the information (58/70; 83%). The COVID-19 app was used to quickly look up something (43/68; 63%), when no computer was available (15/68; 22%), look up / dial COVID-related phone numbers (15/68; 22%) or when walking from A to B (11/68; 16%). Few respondents felt app use cost time (5/68; 7%).

Conclusions

Our COVID-19 app proved to be a relatively simple yet innovative tool that was used by HCWs from all disciplines involved in taking care of COVID-19 patients. The up-to-date app was used for different topics and had high user satisfaction amongst questionnaire respondents. An app with local hospital policy could be an invaluable tool during a pandemic.
Anchors on prices of consumer goods only hold when decisions are hypothetical
Authors: Brzozowicz Magdalena , Krawczyk Michał
Published: January 2022

We elicit willingness to pay for different types of consumption goods, systematically manipulating irrelevant anchors (high vs. low) and incentives to provide true valuations (hypothetical questions vs. Becker-DeGroot-Marschak mechanism). On top of a strong hypothetical bias, we find that anchors only make a substantial, significant difference in the case of hypothetical data, the first experiments to directly document such an interaction. This finding suggests that hypothetical market research methods may deliver lower quality data. Moreover, it contributes to the discussion examining the mechanism underlying the anchoring effect, suggesting it could partly be caused by insufficient conscious effort to drift away from the anchor.
Evolution of pneumococcal serotype epidemiology in Botswana following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Authors: Patel Sweta M. , Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb Yazdani B. , Congdon Morgan , Young Rebecca R. , Patel Mohamed Z. , Mazhani Tiny , Boiditswe Sefelani , Leburu Tirayaone , Lechiile Kwana , Arscott-Mills Tonya , Steenhoff Andrew P. , Feemster Kristen A. , Shah Samir S. , Cunningham Coleen K. , Pelton Stephen I. , Kelly Matthew S.
Published: January 2022

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines reduce the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease, but the sustained effect of these vaccines can be diminished by an increase in disease caused by non-vaccine serotypes. To describe pneumococcal serotype epidemiology in Botswana following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) in July 2012, we performed molecular serotyping of 268 pneumococcal strains isolated from 221 children between 2012 and 2017. The median (interquartile range) age of the children included in this analysis was 6 (3,12) months. Fifty-nine percent of the children had received at least one dose of PCV-13 and 35% were fully vaccinated with PCV-13. While colonization by vaccine serotypes steadily declined following PCV-13 introduction, 25% of strains isolated more than 3 years after vaccine introduction were PCV-13 serotypes. We also observed an increase in colonization by non-vaccine serotypes 21 and 23B, which have been associated with invasive pneumococcal disease and antibiotic resistance in other settings.