bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Circulating in Surface Waters Used in Agriculture and Aquaculture in Central Mexico
Authors: Ballesteros-Nova N. E. , Sánchez S. , Steffani J. L. , Sierra L. C. , Chen Z. , Ruíz-López F. A. , Bell R. L. , Reed E. A. , Balkey M. , Rubio-Lozano M. S. , Soberanis-Ramos O. , Barona-Gómez F. , Brown E. W. , Allard M. W. , Meng J. , Delgado-Suárez E. J.
Published: January 2022

Surface waters are heavily used in food production worldwide. Several human pathogens can survive in these waters for long periods and disseminate to food production environments, contaminating our food supply.
Adhesion of Enteropathogenic, Enterotoxigenic, and Commensal Escherichia coli to the Major Zymogen Granule Membrane Glycoprotein 2
Authors: Bartlitz Christin , Kolenda Rafał , Chilimoniuk Jarosław , Grzymajło Krzysztof , Rödiger Stefan , Bauerfeind Rolf , Ali Aamir , Tchesnokova Veronika , Roggenbuck Dirk , Schierack Peter
Published: January 2022

Infection by pathogenic bacteria, such as certain
Escherichia coli
pathotypes, results in diarrhea in mammals. Pathogens, including zoonotic agents, can infect different hosts or show host specificity.
CD46 Isoforms Influence the Mode of Entry by Human Herpesvirus 6A/B in T Cells
Authors: Rossen Litten Sørensen , Schack Vivien R. , Thuesen Katrine Kyd Holstein , Bundgaard Bettina , Höllsberg Per
Published: January 2022

CD46 is the receptor used by human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) during infection of T cells, but it is also involved in infection of certain T cells by HHV-6B. The gene for CD46 allows expression of several variants of CD46, known as isoforms, but whether the isoforms matter for infection of T cells is unknown.
Progesterone Sporadically Induces Reactivation from Latency in Female Calves but Proficiently Stimulates Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Productive Infection
Authors: El-Mayet Fouad S. , Toomer Gabriela , Ostler Jeffery B. , Harrison Kelly S. , Santos Vanessa Claire , Wijesekera Nishani , Stayton Erin , Ritchey Jerry , Jones Clinton
Published: January 2022

Steroid hormone fluctuations are predicted to enhance or initiate bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) replication and virus spread in cattle. For example, stress increases the incidence of BoHV-1 reactivation from latency in cattle, and the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone consistently induces reactivation from latency.
Efficient Gene Knockout and Knockdown Systems in Neospora caninum Enable Rapid Discovery and Functional Assessment of Novel Proteins
Authors: Mineo Tiago W. P. , Chern Jessica H. , Thind Amara C. , Mota Caroline M. , Nadipuram Santhosh M. , Torres Juan A. , Bradley Peter J.
Published: January 2022

Neospora caninum
is a parasite with veterinary relevance, inducing severe disease in dogs and reproductive disorders in ruminants, especially cattle, leading to major losses. The close phylogenetic relationship to
Toxoplasma gondii
and the lack of pathogenicity in humans drives an interest of the scientific community toward using
N. caninum
as a model to study the pathogenicity of
T. gondii
.
Recombinant Myeloperoxidase as a New Class of Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Cao Zehong , Cheng Guangjie
Published: January 2022

Over the past 2 decades, more than 20 new infectious diseases have emerged. Unfortunately, novel antimicrobial therapeutics are discovered at much lower rates.
The Mechanism of Action of Ginkgolic Acid (15:1) against Gram-Positive Bacteria Involves Cross Talk with Iron Homeostasis
Authors: Wen Zewen , Zhao Yuxi , Gong Zhengyang , Tang Yuanyuan , Xiong Yanpeng , Chen Junwen , Chen Chengchun , Zhang Yufang , Liu Shanghong , Zheng Jinxin , Li Duoyun , Deng Qiwen , Yu Zhijian
Published: January 2022

The increasing emergence of infectious diseases associated with multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens has raised the urgent need to develop novel antibiotics. GA (15:1) is a natural product derived from
Ginkgo biloba
and possesses a wide range of bioactivities, including antimicrobial activity.
Assessment of Ceftazidime-Avibactam 30/20-μg Disk, Etest versus Broth Microdilution Results When Tested against
Enterobacterales
Clinical Isolates
Authors: Han Renru , Yang Xuelin , Yang Yang , Guo Yan , Yin Dandan , Ding Li , Wu Shi , Zhu Demei , Hu Fupin
Published: January 2022

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, especially for extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing and carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
, are disseminating rapidly around the world. Treatment options for these infections are limited, which prompt the development of novel or combinational therapies to combat the infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Interactions of TOR Inhibitor AZD8055 and Azoles against Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Sun Yi , Tan Lihua , Yao Zhaoqian , Gao Lujuan , Yang Ji , Zeng Tongxiang
Published: January 2022

Limited options of antifungals and the emergence of drug resistance in fungal pathogens has been a multifaceted clinical challenge. Combination therapy represents a valuable alternative to antifungal monotherapy.
High Mycobacterium tuberculosis Bacillary Loads Detected by Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay in Patient Stool: a Potential Alternative for Nonsputum Diagnosis and Treatment Response Monitoring of Tuberculosis
Authors: Musisi Emmanuel , Sessolo Abdul , Kaswabuli Sylvia , Zawedde Josephine , Byanyima Patrick , Kasinga Shariifah , Sanyu Ingvar , Uwimaana Esther , Walimbwa Stanley , Olore Joseph , Ssengooba Willy , Sekaggya Christine , Joloba Moses L. , Worodria William , Huang Laurence , Gillespie Stephen H. , Sloan Derek J. , Sabiiti Wilber
Published: January 2022

This paper highlights the value of stool as a sample type for diagnosis of tuberculosis. While other studies have used DNA-based assays like the Xpert MTB/RIF and culture to detect
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in stool, this is the first study that has applied TB-MBLA, an RNA-based assay, to quantify TB bacteria in stool.
Involvement of the Iron-Regulated Loci
hts
and
fhuC
in Biofilm Formation and Survival of Staphylococcus epidermidis within the Host
Authors: Oliveira Fernando , Lima Tânia , Correia Alexandra , Silva Ana Margarida , Soares Cristina , Morais Simone , Weißelberg Samira , Vilanova Manuel , Rohde Holger , Cerca Nuno
Published: January 2022

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens and a major cause of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Once in the bloodstream, this bacterium must surpass severe iron restriction in order to survive and establish infection.
Supplemental Material: How similar was the 1983 Mw 6.9 Borah Peak earthquake rupture to its surface-faulting predecessors along the northern Lost River fault zone (Idaho, USA)?
Authors: DuRoss Christopher B. , al. et
Published: January 2022

Text S1: Bayesian (OxCal) models for northern Lost River fault zone trench sites. Text S2: Bulk sediment analysis and charcoal identification; Text S3: Luminescence geochronology. Table S1: Description of stratigraphic units at the Sheep Creek trench. Table S2: Description of stratigraphic units at the Arentson Gulch trench. Figure S1: Photomosaics and large-format trench logs for the Sheep Creek trench. Figure S2: Photomosaics and large-format trench logs for the Arentson Gulch trench. Figure S3: Sheep Creek and Arentson Gulch vertical displacement measurements. Figure S4: Fault bend angles along the northern Lost River fault zone. Figure S5: Photographs of the Sheep Creek and Arentson Gulch trench sites. Figure S6: Probability density functions for Lost River fault zone ruptures.
Gait instability and estimated core temperature predict exertional heat stroke
Authors: Buller Mark , Fellin Rebecca , Bursey Max , Galer Meghan , Atkinson Emma , Beidleman Beth A , Marcello Michael J , Driver Kyla , Mesite Timothy , Seay Joseph , Weed Lara , Telfer Brian , King Christopher , Frazee Royce , Moore Charles , Williamson James R
Published: January 2022

Objective

Exertional heat stroke (EHS), characterised by a high core body temperature (Tcr) and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, is a concern for athletes, workers and military personnel who must train and perform in hot environments. The objective of this study was to determine whether algorithms that estimate Tcr from heart rate and gait instability from a trunk-worn sensor system can forward predict EHS onset.

Methods

Heart rate and three-axis accelerometry data were collected from chest-worn sensors from 1806 US military personnel participating in timed 4/5-mile runs, and loaded marches of 7 and 12 miles; in total, 3422 high EHS-risk training datasets were available for analysis. Six soldiers were diagnosed with heat stroke and all had rectal temperatures of >41°C when first measured and were exhibiting CNS dysfunction. Estimated core temperature (ECTemp) was computed from sequential measures of heart rate. Gait instability was computed from three-axis accelerometry using features of pattern dispersion and autocorrelation.

Results

The six soldiers who experienced heat stroke were among the hottest compared with the other soldiers in the respective training events with ECTemps ranging from 39.2°C to 40.8°C. Combining ECTemp and gait instability measures successfully identified all six EHS casualties at least 3.5 min in advance of collapse while falsely identifying 6.1% (209 total false positives) examples where exertional heat illness symptoms were neither observed nor reported. No false-negative cases were noted.

Conclusion

The combination of two algorithms that estimate Tcr and ataxic gate appears promising for real-time alerting of impending EHS.
Trail running injury risk factors: a living systematic review
Authors: Viljoen Carel , Janse van Rensburg Dina C (Christa) , van Mechelen Willem , Verhagen Evert , Silva Bruno , Scheer Volker , Besomi Manuela , Gajardo-Burgos Rubén , Matos Sérgio , Schoeman Marlene , Jansen van Rensburg Audrey , van Dyk Nicol , Scheepers Susan , Botha Tanita
Published: January 2022

Objective

To review and frequently update the available evidence on injury risk factors and epidemiology of injury in trail running.

Design

Living systematic review. Updated searches will be done every 6 months for a minimum period of 5 years.

Data sources

Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to 18 March 2021.

Eligibility criteria

Studies that investigated injury risk factors and/or reported the epidemiology of injury in trail running.

Results

Nineteen eligible studies were included, of which 10 studies investigated injury risk factors among 2 785 participants. Significant intrinsic factors associated with injury are: more running experience, level A runner and higher total propensity to sports accident questionnaire (PAD-22) score. Previous history of cramping and postrace biomarkers of muscle damage is associated with cramping. Younger age and low skin phototypes are associated with sunburn. Significant extrinsic factors associated with injury are neglecting warm-up, no specialised running plan, training on asphalt, double training sessions per day and physical labour occupations. A slower race finishing time is associated with cramping, while more than 3 hours of training per day, shade as the primary mode of sun protection and being single are associated with sunburn. An injury incidence range 0.7–61.2 injuries/1000 hours of running and prevalence range 1.3% to 90% were reported. The lower limb was the most reported region of injury, specifically involving blisters of the foot/toe.

Conclusion

Limited studies investigated injury risk factors in trail running. Our review found eight intrinsic and nine extrinsic injury risk factors. This review highlighted areas for future research that may aid in designing injury risk management strategies for safer trail running participation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021240832.
Associations between social determinants of health and interpersonal violence-related injury in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Blair Kevin J , de Virgilio Michael , Dissak-Delon Fanny Nadia , Dang Lauren Eyler , Christie S Ariane , Carvalho Melissa , Oke Rasheedat , Mbianyor Mbiarikai Agbor , Hubbard Alan E , Etoundi Alain Mballa , Kinge Thompson , Njock Richard L , Nkusu Daniel N , Tsiagadigui Jean-Gustave , Dicker Rochelle A , Chichom-Mefire Alain , Juillard Catherine
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Risk factors for interpersonal violence-related injury (IPVRI) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain poorly defined. We describe associations between IPVRI and select social determinants of health (SDH) in Cameroon.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of prospective trauma registry data collected from injured patients>15 years old between October 2017 and January 2020 at four Cameroonian hospitals. Our primary outcome was IPVRI, compared with unintentional injury. Explanatory SDH variables included education level, employment status, household socioeconomic status (SES) and alcohol use. TheEconomicClustersmodel grouped patients into household SES clusters: rural, urban poor, urban middle-class (MC) homeowners, urban MC tenants and urban wealthy. Results were stratified by sex. Categorical variables were compared via Pearson’sχ2statistic. Associations with IPVRI were estimated using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Among 7605 patients, 5488 (72.2%) were men. Unemployment was associated with increased odds of IPVRI for men (aOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.95 to 3.06), p<0.001) and women (aOR 2.53 (95% CI 1.35 to 4.72), p=0.004), as was alcohol use (men: aOR 2.33 (95% CI 1.91 to 2.83), p<0.001; women: aOR 3.71 (95% CI 2.41 to 5.72), p<0.001). Male patients from rural (aOR 1.45 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.03), p=0.028) or urban poor (aOR 2.08 (95% CI 1.27 to 3.41), p=0.004) compared with urban wealthy households had increased odds of IPVRI, as did female patients with primary-level/no formal (aOR 1.78 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.87), p=0.019) or secondary-level (aOR 1.54 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.32), p=0.037) compared with tertiary-level education.

Conclusion

Lower educational attainment, unemployment, lower household SES and alcohol use are risk factors for IPVRI in Cameroon. Future research should explore LMIC-appropriate interventions to address SDH risk factors for IPVRI.
Lessons learnt from implementing the Good Governance for Medicines Programme in Zimbabwe
Authors: Maponga Charles Chiedza , Chikwinya Takudzwa , Hove Ropa , Madzikwa Newman , Mazambara Fine , Midzi Stanley M , Mudzimu Forward , Ndlovu Misheck , Ngirande William , Vengesayi Ndanatseyi , Mhazo Alison T
Published: January 2022

WHO launched the Good Governance for Medicines (GGM) programme in 2004 with the aim of fighting the problem of corruption in the pharmaceutical sector. Zimbabwe adopted the GGM programme in 2015 and developed its own implementation framework (GGM-IF) in 2017 based on the WHO global guidelines and recommendations. Zimbabwe’s GGM-IF emerged from; (1) home-based expertise, (2) extensive local consultations and (3) effective incorporation into existing institutions. The GGM-IF committed to implementing a focused programme over a 5-year period from 2017 to 2022 with the expressed goal of improving transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical sector as a key enabler to improve access to medicines. Midway through its projected lifespan, some notable achievements materialised attributed to key success drivers, including mutual collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s existing Global Fund supported Quality Assurance Programme. Key challenges faced include limited funding for the programme, a shifting policy environment driven by a political transition and reorientation of priorities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This manuscript articulates 3-year operationalisation of Zimbabwe’s GGM-IF highlighting the success drivers, implementation challenges and lessons learnt.
Mapping the evidence of multidimensional health approaches in treating individuals with Prader–Willi Syndrome: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Che Din Normah , Umat Cila , Abdul Wahat Nor Haniza , Talib Azhar Bin
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) is one of the rare diseases involving genetics and affects various body systems. The disease is known due to the absence of paternal genes on chromosome 15q11-q13. Multisystem complex conditions require interdisciplinary healthcare treatment. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is little evidence of an established successful model of an interdisciplinary approach in managing rare diseases like PWS.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review process follows the five-staged Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodology framework excluding the optional consultation stage (stage 6): the definition of the research questions (step 1); the eligibility criteria and search strategy are defined (stage 2); the study selection process based on the eligibility criteria identified will follow (stage 3); a framework developed for this review will then inform the extraction and charting of data from the included studies (step 4) and results will be aggregated and summarised with criteria relevant for health professionals and policymakers (stage 5). We will search for electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), grey literature sources and critical studies’ reference lists to determine the appropriate inclusion criteria. Three researchers will review all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review methodology does not require ethical approval since it aims to synthesise information from available publications. A scoping review article will be submitted for publication to a scientific journal following this protocol.
Changes in paediatric dental clinic after reopening during COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan: a retrospective study
Authors: Yang Jinghui , Yang Guobin , Jin Runze , Song Guangtai , Yuan Guohua
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Affected by COVID-19 pandemic, The Department of Paediatric Dentistry of School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University was closed in late January 2020, and resumed on 20 April. Our study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric dental services which might assist global paediatric dentists to build confidence and make appropriate policies under the pandemic.

Design

A retrospective study was performed. Medical records of patients were retrieved but without any private information, including patient name, ID number and address.

Participants

All data of the patients from 20 April to 31 July in 2020 and 2019 were extracted and analysed including demographics, dental diagnosis and treatment methods. A total of 18 198 patients were included in the study.

Results

During this period, no medical staff or patient was infected with COVID-19 due to dental services. A total of 6485 in 2020 but 11 713 during the same period in 2019 visited the department. Compared with 2019, gender distribution did not change, but age distribution changed with an increase under 6-year-old. The diagnoses including caries, retained primary teeth, malocclusion, deep pits and fissures changed significantly, while pulpitis, apical periodontitis, tooth trauma, early loss of primary teeth, supernumerary teeth showed little change. Aerosol generating procedures were adopted less frequently overall in this period.

Conclusions

The reopening of paediatric dental services is proceeding steadily with significant changes in the characteristics of the patients and treatment procedures.
Strengthening the quality of clinical trials of acupuncture: a guideline protocol
Authors: He Ying , Li Juan , Li Yuxi , Jin Rongjiang , Wen Qian , Li Ning , Zhang Yonggang
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Acupuncture has been accepted in many Western countries and clinical trials have been increasing recently. However, the problems of insufficient and low-quality evidence remain, and substantially hinder the development of acupuncture clinical trials. We therefore aim to develop a guideline to strengthen the quality of acupuncture clinical trials, in accordance with WHO handbook for guideline development and the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare. The guideline will help to improve the quality of acupuncture clinical trials.

Methods and analysis

We will search for studies on the quality of acupuncture clinical trials using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database, The Cochrane Library, the WHO and Health Technology Assessment websites, and other sources. We will also check reference lists and contact experts in the field. We will systematically evaluate the quality of acupuncture clinical trials, and extract and summarise the quality problems and countermeasures of such trials. We will also systematically review clinical trial quality control manuals and systems and formulate research questions on quality control in acupuncture clinical trials. Finally, we will develop the guideline and establish a comprehensive quality control system to ensure high quality acupuncture clinical trials. We will also evaluate the guideline and will update the guideline to reflect new scientific evidence.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics committee approval and informed consent are not required for developing guideline because only published data will be used, however, we will interview the patients, the ethics committee approval has been got from West China Hospital of Sichuan Unversity (Number: 2021-1188). We will publish all manuscripts arising from this research and present the findings at conferences.

Guideline registration number

IPGRP-2021CN093.
A Prospective, observational cohort study to identify neonates and children at risk of postdischarge mortality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Monrovia, Liberia: the PPDM study protocol
Authors: Rees Chris A , Kisenge Rodrick , Ideh Readon C , Kamara Julia , Samma Abraham , Godfrey Evance , Manji Hussein K , Sudfeld Christopher R , Westbrook Adrianna , Niescierenko Michelle , Manji Karim P , Duggan Christopher P
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Over half of the 5 million annual deaths among children aged 0–59 months occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The period immediately after hospitalisation is a vulnerable time in the life of a child in sub-Saharan Africa as postdischarge mortality rates are as high as 1%–18%. Identification of neonates and children who are at highest risk for postdischarge mortality may allow for the direction of interventions to target patients at highest risk.

Methods and analysis

The Predicting Post-Discharge Mortality study is a prospective, observational study being conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) and John F. Kennedy Medical Center (Monrovia, Liberia). The aim is to derive and validate two, age population specific, clinical prediction rules for the identification of neonates (n=2000) and children aged 1–59 months (n=2000) at risk for all-cause mortality within 60 days of discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit or paediatric ward. Caregivers of participants will receive phone calls 7, 14, 30, 45 and 60 days after discharge to assess vital status. Candidate predictor variables will include demographic, anthropometric and clinical factors. Elastic net regression will be used to derive the clinical prediction rules. Bootstrapped selection with repetitions will be used for internal validation. Planned secondary analyses include the external validation of existing clinical prediction models, determination of clinicians’ ability to identify neonates and children at risk of postdischarge mortality at discharge, analysis of factors associated with hospital readmission and unplanned clinic visits and description of health-seeking behaviours in the postdischarge period.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received ethical clearance from the Tanzania National Institute of Medical Research, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center Institutional Review Board, and the Boston Children’s Hospital Institutional Review Board. Findings will be disseminated at scientific conferences and as peer-reviewed publications.
CCT3-LINC00326axis regulates hepatocarcinogenic lipid metabolism
Authors: Søndergaard Jonas Nørskov , Sommerauer Christian , Atanasoai Ionut , Hinte Laura C , Geng Keyi , Guiducci Giulia , Bräutigam Lars , Aouadi Myriam , Stojic Lovorka , Barragan Isabel , Kutter Claudia
Published: January 2022

Objective

To better comprehend transcriptional phenotypes of cancer cells, we globally characterised RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to identify altered RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Design

To unravel RBP-lncRNA interactions in cancer, we curated a list of ~2300 highly expressed RBPs in human cells, tested effects of RBPs and lncRNAs on patient survival in multiple cohorts, altered expression levels, integrated various sequencing, molecular and cell-based data.

Results

High expression of RBPs negatively affected patient survival in 21 cancer types, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After knockdown of the top 10 upregulated RBPs and subsequent transcriptome analysis, we identified 88 differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 34 novel transcripts. CRISPRa-mediated overexpression of four lncRNAs had major effects on the HCC cell phenotype and transcriptome. Further investigation of four RBP-lncRNA pairs revealed involvement in distinct regulatory processes. The most noticeable RBP-lncRNA connection affected lipid metabolism, whereby the non-canonical RBP CCT3 regulatedLINC00326in a chaperonin-independent manner. Perturbation of the CCT3-LINC00326regulatory network led to decreased lipid accumulation and increased lipid degradationin celluloas well as diminished tumour growthin vivo.

Conclusions

We revealed that RBP gene expression is perturbed in HCC and identified that RBPs exerted additional functions beyond their tasks under normal physiological conditions, which can be stimulated or intensified via lncRNAs and affected tumour growth.
Incidence of outbreak-associated COVID-19 cases by industry in Ontario, Canada, 1 April 2020–31 March 2021
Authors: Buchan Sarah A , Smith Peter M , Warren Christine , Murti Michelle , Mustard Cameron , Kim Jin Hee , Menon Sandya , Brown Kevin A , van Ingen Trevor , Smith Brendan T
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The objective of our study was to estimate the rate of workplace outbreak-associated cases of COVID-19 by industry in labour market participants aged 15–69 years who reported working the majority of hours outside the home in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of COVID-19 workplace outbreaks and associated cases reported in Ontario between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. All outbreaks were manually classified into two-digit North American Industry Classification System codes. We obtained monthly denominator estimates from the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey to estimate the incidence of outbreak-associated cases per 100 000 000 hours among individuals who reported the majority of hours were worked outside the home. We performed this analysis across industries and in three distinct time periods.

Results

Overall, 12% of cases were attributed to workplace outbreaks among working-age adults across our study period. While incidence varied across the time periods, the five industries with the highest incidence rates across our study period were agriculture, healthcare and social assistance, food manufacturing, educational services, and transportation and warehousing.

Conclusions

Certain industries have consistently increased the incidence of COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic. These results may assist in ongoing efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19 by prioritising resources, as well as industry-specific guidance, vaccination and public health messaging.
Comparative frenectomy with conventional scalpel and dual-waved laser in labial frenulum
Authors: Xie Ling , Wang Ping , Ding Yue , Zhang Liang
Published: January 2022

Aim

The purpose of the study is to compare the labial frenectomy between the laser surgery (erbium yttrium aluminum garnet and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG and Nd:YAG)) and the scalpel method.

Methods

The trial was a randomized controlled test. Thirty four patients aged from 5 to 10 years requiring the frenectomy were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A: Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser group and group B: scalpel group. In addition, this comparison considered the following factors: surgical time and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, which includes intraoperative pain, postoperative pain and complications, such as speaking and chewing, for 1 day and 7 days following labial frenectomy. After 3 months, we recorded the healing outcome by photos.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in mean surgical time between laser surgery (mean=224±59 s) and scalpel surgery (mean=740±168 s). According to VAS scores of the intraoperative period (3 hours after the operation and 1st postoperative day of pain), chewing and speaking were statistically higher in group B than those in group A; but in the 7th postoperative day of pain, there was no significant difference in speaking and chewing. After 1 month, all of the patient results were recorded, including the healing of wound and scar. Except for one patient in group B who had a scar, all patients achieved good results.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that Nd:YAG laser is an efficient and more comfortable alternative to the scalpel for a frenectomy in upper lip frenulum.
Semi-quantitative seismic risk screening tool for existing buildings in Canada
Authors: Fathi-Fazl Reza , Cai Zhen , Cortés-Puentes W. Leonardo , Fazileh Farrokh
Published: January 2022

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) recently developed a semi-quantitative seismic risk screening tool (SQST) for existing buildings in Canada. The SQST is intended to supersede the Manual for Screening of Buildings for Seismic Investigation developed by the NRC in the early 1990s. The SQST consists of three key components: (i) a structural scoring system that quantitatively assesses the structural seismic risk based on probability of collapse; (ii) a nonstructural component scoring system that qualitatively assesses the seismic risk of nonstructural components based on seismic demand; and (iii) a ranking procedure that prioritizes potentially hazardous buildings for seismic evaluations and possible upgrading. The intent of the SQST is to inexpensively identify and exempt buildings with acceptable life safety risk and optimize the allocation of resources to assess the seismic risks to portfolios of buildings. Seismic screening with the SQST can be completed with either paper-based screening forms or a web-based application. The applicability of the SQST was demonstrated with a pilot study for 33 existing buildings across Canada.
Aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl-degrading bacteria isolated from the Tohoku region of Japan are not regionally endemic
Authors: Hara Tomijiro , Takatsuka Yumiko
Published: January 2022

In the Tohoku region of Japan, 72% of the land comprises mountain forest zones. During winter, severe climatic conditions include heavy snowfall. In such an environment, which is considered high in biodiversity, we assumed that aerobic bacteria would be diverse and would possess the ability to degrade polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, 78 environmental samples were collected from the Tohoku region and 56 aerobic PCB-degrading bacterial strains were isolated. They belonged to the genera Achromobacter, Rhodococcus, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Comamonas, Pigmentiphaga, Xenophilus, Acinetobacter, and Pandoraea. Previously reported aerobic PCB-degrading bacterial strains isolated in Japan belonged to the same genera, except that the genera Acidovorax and Bacillus were not identified in the present study. In particular, the isolated Comamonas testosteroni strains YAZ2 and YU14-111 had high PCB-degrading abilities. Analysis of the sequences of the YAZ2 and YU14-111 strains showed that the gene structures of the bph operon, which encode enzymes associated with PCB degradation, were the same as those of the Acidovorax sp. KKS102 strain. Moreover, 2,3-biphenyl dioxygenase activity was responsible for the degradation characteristics of all the isolated strains. Overall, this study suggests that aerobic PCB-degrading bacteria are not specifically endemic to the Tohoku region but distributed across Japan.
Contamination of hay and haylage with enteric bacteria and selected antibiotic resistance genes following fertilization with dairy manure or biosolids
Authors: Scott Andrew , Murray Roger , Tien Yuan-Ching , Topp Edward
Published: January 2022

The present study evaluated if enteric bacteria or antibiotic resistance genes carried in fecal amendments contaminate the hay at harvest, representing a potential route of exposure to ruminants that consume the hay. In the field experiments, dairy manure was applied to a hay field for three successive growing seasons, and biosolids were applied to a hay field for one growing season. Various enteric bacteria in the amendments were enumerated by viable plate count, and selected gene targets were quantified by qPCR. Key findings include the following: at harvest, hay receiving dairy manure or biosolids did not carry more viable enteric bacteria than hay from unamended control plots. The fermentation of hay did not result in a detectable increase in viable enteric bacteria. The application of dairy manure or biosolids resulted in a few gene targets being more abundant in hay during the first harvest. Fermentation of hay resulted in an increase in the abundance of gene targets, but this occurred with hay from both the amended and control plots. Overall, the application of fecal amendments resulted in an increase in the abundance of some gene targets associated with antibiotic resistance in the first cut hay.
An examination of trends in the growing scientific literature on approaching wildlife with drones
Authors: Mo Matthew , Bonatakis Katarina
Published: January 2022

Drones or unoccupied aerial vehicles are rapidly being used for a spectrum of applications, including replacing traditional occupied aircraft as a means of approaching wildlife from the air. Though less intrusive to wildlife than occupied aircraft, drones can still cause varying levels of disturbance. Policies and protocols to guide lowest-impact drone flights are most likely to succeed if considerations are derived from knowledge from scientific literature. This study examines trends in the scientific literature on using drones to approach wildlife between 2000 and 2020, specifically in relation to the publication types, scientific journals that works are published in, purposes of drone flights reported, taxa studied, and locations of studies. From 223 publications, we observed a large increase in relevant scientific literature, the majority of which were peer-reviewed articles published across 86 scientific journals. The largest proportion of peer-reviewed research articles related to aquatic mammals or aquatic birds and the use or trial of drone flights for conducting population surveys, animal detection, or investigations of animal responses to drone flights. The largest proportion of articles were studies conducted in North America and Australia. Since animal responses to drone flights vary among taxa, populations, and geographic locations, we encourage further growth in the volume of relevant scientific literature needed to inform policies and protocols for specific taxa and (or) locations, particularly where knowledge gaps exist.
LHC signatures of sterile neutrinos in a minimal radiative extended seesaw framework
Authors: Patra Sudhanwa , Patel Utkarsh , Sahu Purushottam
Published: January 2022

The presence of small neutrino masses and flavour mixings can be accounted for naturally in various models about extensions of the standard model, particularly in the seesaw mechanism models. In this work, we present a minimally extended seesaw framework with two right-handed neutrinos, where the active neutrino masses are derived in the radiative regime. Using the framework it can be shown that within certain mass limits, the light neutrino mass term can approach a form that is similar to its form under type-I seesaw mechanism. Apart from this, we show that the decay width of right-handed neutrinos (produced through the decay of [Formula: see text] boson in a particle collider) is short enough to cause a sufficiently long lifetime for the particles, thus ensuring an observable displacement in the LHC between the production and decay vertices. We comment on the fact that these displaced vertex signatures thus can serve as a means to verify the existence of these right-handed neutrinos in future experiments. Lastly, we line up the possibility of our future work where the vertex signatures of particles greater than the mass of [Formula: see text] boson can be worked upon.
Fuzzy Solutions of the SIR Models using VIM
Authors: Harir Atimad , El Harfi Hassan , Melliani Said , Chadli L. Saadia
Published: January 2022

The aim of this paper first presents a new solution to the SIR model with fuzzy initial value, elementary properties of this new solution are given. We study the application of variational iteration method in finding the approximate solution of SIR model with fuzzy initial value. The presented method have been applied in a direct way without linearization, disretization or perturbation. Result obtained by this method and fuzzy initial value shows that both are in excellent agreement which indicates their affectiveness and reliability.
Lioness Adapted GWO-Based Deep Belief Network Enabled with Multiple Features for a Novel Question Answering System
Authors: Moholkar Kavita , Patil S. H.
Published: January 2022

Recently, the researches on Question Answering (QA) systems attract progressive attention with the enlargement of data and the advances on machine learning. Selection of answers from QA system is a significant task for enhancing the automatic QA systems. However, the major complexity relies in the designing of contextual factors and semantic matching. Motivation: Question Answering is a specialized form of Information Retrieval which seeks knowledge. We are not only interested in getting the relevant pages but we are interested in getting specific answer to queries. Question Answering is in itself intersection of Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, Machine Learning, Knowledge Representation, Logic and Inference and Semantic Search. Contribution: Feature extraction plays a major role for accurate classification, where the learned features get extracted for enhancing the capability of sequence learning. Optimized Deep Belief network model is adopted for the precise question answering system, which could handle both objective and subjective questions. A new hybrid optimization algorithm known as Lioness Adapted GWO (LA-GWO) algorithm is introduced, which mainly concentrates on high reliability and convergence rate. This paper intends to formulate a novel QA system, and the process starts with word embedding. From the embedded results, some of the features get extracted, and subsequently, the classification is carried out using the hybrid optimization enabled Deep Belief Network (DBN). Specifically, the hidden neurons in DBN will be optimally tuned using a new Lioness Adapted GWO (LA-GWO) algorithm, which is the hybridization of both Lion Algorithm (LA) and Grey Wolf optimization (GWO) models. Finally, the performance of proposed work is compared over other conventional methods with respect to accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision, respectively.
Connectivity graphs: a method for proving deadlock freedom based on separation logic
Authors: Jacobs Jules , Balzer Stephanie , Krebbers Robbert
Published: January 2022

We introduce the notion of a
connectivity graph
—an abstract representation of the topology of concurrently interacting entities, which allows us to encapsulate generic principles of reasoning about
deadlock freedom
. Connectivity graphs are
parametric
in their vertices (representing entities like threads and channels) and their edges (representing references between entities) with labels (representing interaction protocols). We prove deadlock and memory leak freedom in the style of progress and preservation and use
separation logic
as a meta theoretic tool to treat connectivity graph edges and labels substructurally. To prove preservation locally, we distill generic separation logic rules for
local graph transformations
that preserve acyclicity of the connectivity graph. To prove global progress locally, we introduce a
waiting induction
principle for acyclic connectivity graphs. We mechanize our results in Coq, and instantiate our method with a higher-order binary session-typed language to obtain the first mechanized proof of deadlock and leak freedom.
One polynomial approximation to produce correctly rounded results of an elementary function for multiple representations and rounding modes
Authors: Lim Jay P. , Nagarakatte Santosh
Published: January 2022

Mainstream math libraries for floating point (FP) do not produce correctly rounded results for all inputs. In contrast, CR-LIBM and RLIBM provide correctly rounded implementations for a specific FP representation with one rounding mode. Using such libraries for a representation with a new rounding mode or with different precision will result in wrong results due to double rounding. This paper proposes a novel method to generate a single polynomial approximation that produces correctly rounded results for all inputs for multiple rounding modes and multiple precision configurations. To generate a correctly rounded library for
n
-bits, our key idea is to generate a polynomial approximation for a representation with
n
+2-bits using the
round-to-odd
mode. We prove that the resulting polynomial approximation will produce correctly rounded results for all five rounding modes in the standard and for multiple representations with
k
-bits such that |
E
| +1 <
k
≤
n
, where |
E
| is the number of exponent bits in the representation. Similar to our prior work in the RLIBM project, we approximate the correctly rounded result when we generate the library with
n
+2-bits using the round-to-odd mode. We also generate polynomial approximations by structuring it as a linear programming problem but propose enhancements to polynomial generation to handle the round-to-odd mode. Our prototype is the first 32-bit float library that produces correctly rounded results with all rounding modes in the IEEE standard for all inputs with a single polynomial approximation. It also produces correctly rounded results for any FP configuration ranging from 10-bits to 32-bits while also being faster than mainstream libraries.
Fair termination of binary sessions
Authors: Ciccone Luca , Padovani Luca
Published: January 2022

A binary session is a private communication channel that connects two processes, each adhering to a protocol description called
session type
. In this work, we study the first type system that ensures the
fair termination
of binary sessions. A session fairly terminates if all of the infinite executions admitted by its protocol are deemed unrealistic because they violate certain
fairness assumptions
. Fair termination entails the eventual completion of all pending input/output actions, including those that depend on the completion of an unbounded number of other actions in possibly different sessions. This form of
lock freedom
allows us to address a large family of natural communication patterns that fall outside the scope of existing type systems. Our type system is also the first to adopt
fair subtyping
, a liveness-preserving refinement of the standard subtyping relation for session types that so far has only been studied theoretically. Fair subtyping is surprisingly subtle not only to characterize concisely but also to use appropriately, to the point that the type system must carefully account for all usages of fair subtyping to avoid compromising its liveness-preserving properties.
Symmetries in reversible programming: from symmetric rig groupoids to reversible programming languages
Authors: Choudhury Vikraman , Karwowski Jacek , Sabry Amr
Published: January 2022

The Pi family of reversible programming languages for boolean circuits is presented as a syntax of combinators witnessing type isomorphisms of algebraic data types. In this paper, we give a denotational semantics for this language, using weak groupoids à la Homotopy Type Theory, and show how to derive an equational theory for it, presented by 2-combinators witnessing equivalences of type isomorphisms.

We establish a correspondence between the syntactic groupoid of the language and a formally presented univalent subuniverse of finite types. The correspondence relates 1-combinators to 1-paths, and 2-combinators to 2-paths in the universe, which is shown to be sound and complete for both levels, forming an equivalence of groupoids. We use this to establish a Curry-Howard-Lambek correspondence between Reversible Logic, Reversible Programming Languages, and Symmetric Rig Groupoids, by showing that the syntax of Pi is presented by the free symmetric rig groupoid, given by finite sets and bijections.

Using the formalisation of our results, we perform normalisation-by-evaluation, verification and synthesis of reversible logic gates, motivated by examples from quantum computing. We also show how to reason about and transfer theorems between different representations of reversible circuits.
A fine-grained computational interpretation of Girard’s intuitionistic proof-nets
Authors: Kesner Delia
Published: January 2022

This paper introduces a functional term calculus, called pn, that captures the essence of the operational semantics of Intuitionistic Linear Logic Proof-Nets with a faithful degree of granularity, both statically and dynamically. On the static side, we identify an equivalence relation on pn-terms which is sound and complete with respect to the classical notion of structural equivalence for proof-nets. On the dynamic side, we show that every single (exponential) step in the term calculus translates to a different single (exponential) step in the graphical formalism, thus capturing the original Girard’s granularity of proof-nets but on the level of terms. We also show some fundamental properties of the calculus such as confluence, strong normalization, preservation of β-strong normalization and the existence of a strong bisimulation that captures pairs of pn-terms having the same graph reduction.
A cost-aware logical framework
Authors: Niu Yue , Sterling Jonathan , Grodin Harrison , Harper Robert
Published: January 2022

We present
calf
, a
c
ost-
a
ware
l
ogical
f
ramework for studying quantitative aspects of functional programs. Taking inspiration from recent work that reconstructs traditional aspects of programming languages in terms of a modal account of
phase distinctions
, we argue that the cost structure of programs motivates a phase distinction between
intension
and
extension
. Armed with this technology, we contribute a synthetic account of cost structure as a computational effect in which cost-aware programs enjoy an internal noninterference property: input/output behavior cannot depend on cost. As a full-spectrum dependent type theory,
calf
presents a unified language for programming and specification of both cost and behavior that can be integrated smoothly with existing mathematical libraries available in type theoretic proof assistants.

We evaluate
calf
as a general framework for cost analysis by implementing two fundamental techniques for algorithm analysis: the
method of recurrence relations
and
physicist’s method for amortized analysis
. We deploy these techniques on a variety of case studies: we prove a tight, closed bound for Euclid’s algorithm, verify the amortized complexity of batched queues, and derive tight, closed bounds for the sequential and
parallel
complexity of merge sort, all fully mechanized in the Agda proof assistant. Lastly we substantiate the soundness of quantitative reasoning in
calf
by means of a model construction.