bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atypical odontalgia and trigeminal neuralgia: psychological, behavioural and psychopharmacologic approach – an overview of the pathologies related to the challenging differential diagnosis in orofacial pain
Authors: Tizzoni Riccardo , Tizzoni Marta , Clerici Carlo Alfredo
Published: October 2021

Orofacial pain represents a challenge for dentists, especially if with a non-odontogenic basis. Orofacial neuropathic pain is chronic, arduous to localize and develops without obvious pathology. Comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, coexist and negatively affect the condition. This article presents one case of atypical odontalgia and one of trigeminal neuralgia treated with psychological and psychopharmacologic tailored and adapted therapies, after conventional medications had failed. 

In addition, an overview of the pathologies related to the challenging differential diagnosis in orofacial pain is given, since current data are insufficient.  

A 68-year-old male complained of chronic throbbing, burning pain in a maxillary tooth, worsening upon digital pressure. Symptoms did not abate after conventional amitriptyline therapy; psychological intervention and antianxiety drug were supplemented and antidepressant agent dosage incremented; the patient revealed improvement and satisfaction with the multidisciplinary approach to his pathology. A 72-year-old male lamented chronic stabbing, intermittent, sharp, shooting and electric shock-like pain in an upper tooth, radiating and following the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Pain did not recur after psychological intervention and a prescription of antidepressant and antianxiety agents, while conventional carbamazepine therapy had not been sufficient to control pain. Due to concern with comorbid psychiatric disorders, we adopted a patient-centered, tailored and balanced therapy, favourably changing the clinical outcome. 

Comorbid psychiatric disorders have a negative impact on orofacial pain and dentists should consider adopting tailored therapies, such as psychological counselling and behavioural and psychopharmacologic strategies, besides conventional treatments. They also need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of orofacial pain, recollecting a comprehensive view of the pathologies concerning the differential diagnosis. A prompt diagnosis prevents pain chronicity, avoiding an increase in complexity and a shift to orofacial neuropathic pain and legal claims.
Evaluation of clinical, histology, TNF-α, and collagen expressions on oral ulcer in rats after treatment with areca nut and chrysanthemum oral gel
Authors: Meutia Sari Liza , Mubarak Zaki , Keumala Sari Dina
Published: October 2021

Background: Areca nut (Areca catechu Linn.) is the seed of the fruit of the oriental palm that is commonly used among Southeast Asian communities. Chrysanthemum (Dendrathema grandiflora) is a flowering plant originating from East Asia and dominantly grows in China. Both of these plants have strong antioxidant activities. To investigate the mechanism of their wound healing activities, we prepared areca nut and chrysanthemum polyethylene oral gel and performed several in vivo assays using Sprague–Dawley rats.

Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups: Negative control group (rats with base gel treatment), positive control group (rats treated with triamcinolone acetonide), F1 (treatment with 20% areca nut:80% chrysanthemum), F2 (treatment with 50% areca nut:50% chrysanthemum), and F3 (treatment with 80% areca nut:20% chrysanthemum). Traumatic ulcers were performed on the buccal mucosa of all experimental animals that received topical oral gel and triamcinolone acetonide twice a day for seven days. The clinical and histological characteristics were analyzed and scored.

Results: During the six days, the ulcerated area receded linearly over time and was completely cicatrized in F2, F3, and positive control group (Dependent t-test, p<0.05). There were significant increases in body weight in F2 and positive control groups. There were no significant differences between groups in histology examination (Kruskal Wallis test, p<0.05). The moderate score of TNF-α levels was seen in F2 and positive control groups (ANOVA/Tukey test, p<0.05). In the collagenases assay, a high concentration of areca nut (F3) induced the abundance of collagen during the ulcer healing process.

Conclusions: The combination of areca nut and chrysanthemum extract in the oral gel can optimize the healing of traumatic oral ulcers in Sprague-Dawley rats through the increase of TNF-α and collagen deposition.
Prediction of the Effects of Synonymous Variants on SARS-CoV-2 Genome
Authors: Boon Wan Xin , Sia Boon Zhan , Ng Chong Han
Published: October 2021

Background: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had led to a global pandemic since December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, which mutates at a higher rate. Multiple studies had been done to identify and study nonsynonymous mutations, which change amino acid residues of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. On the other hand, there is little study on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 synonymous mutations. Although these mutations do not alter amino acids, some studies suggest that they may affect viral fitness. This study aims to predict the effect of synonymous mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 genome.  

Methods: A total of 30,229 SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences were retrieved from Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza Data (GISAID) database and aligned using MAFFT. Then, the mutations and their respective frequency were identified. A prediction of RNA secondary structures and their base pair probabilities was performed to study the effect of synonymous mutations on RNA structure and stability. Relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis was also performed to measure the codon usage bias (CUB) of SARS-CoV-2. 

Results: A total of 150 synonymous mutations were identified. The synonymous mutation identified with the highest frequency is C3037U mutation in the nsp3 of ORF1a, followed by C313U and C9286U mutation in nsp1 and nsp4 of ORF1a, respectively.  

Conclusion: Among the synonymous mutations identified, C913U mutation in ORF1a and C26735U in membrane (M) protein may affect RNA secondary structure, reducing the stability of RNA folding and possibly resulting in a higher translation rate. However, lab experiments are required to validate the results obtained from prediction analysis.
Synchronous online learning during movement control order in higher education institutions: a systematic review
Authors: Lee Yee Wan , Dorasamy Magiswary , Bin Ahmad Abdul Aziz , Jambulingam Manimekalai , Yeap Peik Foong , Harun Sharbani
Published: October 2021

Background: Higher education institutions (HEI) are not spared from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The closure of campuses because of the movement control order (MCO) to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 has forced HEIs to adopt online learning, especially synchronous online learning (SOL). Although teaching and learning can be continued via SOL, retaining students’ interest and sustaining their engagement have not been sufficiently explored. This study presents a systematic review of the research pertaining to SOL associated with students’ interest and engagement in HEIs during the MCO environment.

Methods: Five major online databases, i.e., EBSCOhost, Science Direct, Emerald, Scopus and Springer were searched to collect relevant papers published between 1st January 2010 to 15th June 2021 including conference proceedings, peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. Papers written in the English language, based in full-fledged universities, and with these five keywords: (i) synchronous online learning, (ii) engagement, (iii) interest, (iv) MCO/Covid-19 and (v) HEI, were included. Papers focussing on synchronous and asynchronous online learning in schools and colleges were excluded. Each paper was reviewed by two reviewers in order to confirm the eligibility based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: We found 31 papers of which six papers were related to SOL, engagement and interest in HEIs in the MCO environment. Our review presents three major findings: (i) limited research has been conducted on SOL associated with students’ engagement and interest, (ii) studies related to the context of HEIs in the MCO environment are limited, and (iii) the understanding of the new phenomena through qualitative research is insufficient. We highlight the SOL alignment with students’ engagement, interest, style preference, learner interaction effectiveness, behavior and academic performance.

Conclusions: We believe that the findings of this study are timely and require attention from the research community.
Detection of CYP2C19*2_ allele among Helicobacter pylori -infected patients in two tertiary hospitals of Khartoum, Sudan, 2019
Authors: Abbas Azza , Malik Sawazen , Sulieman Bushra , Enan Khalid
Published: October 2021

Background: CYP2C19*2 has been identified as the most common allelic variant of CYP2C19 affecting the response to Proton pump inhibitors (PPI). This study aims to detect CYP2C19*2 allele in H. pylori-infected Sudanese population, owing its probable effect on H. pylori eradication.

Methods: Antral biopsies was collected from 30 patients attending endoscopy units. Extraction of DNA was performed through QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit. Samples were screened for Urease C (UreC) gene of H. pylori using conventional PCR. Detection of CYP2C19*2 was performed in positive H. pylori samples using Real time-PCR.

Results: The mean age of patients was 40.7 (±20.2 SE). Positive samples for UreC were 24 (80%) samples. Among them, four samples (16.6%) were found positive for CYP2C19*2 allele presence. Gender was found to be statistically associated with the presence of the allele (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study illustrates that CYP2C19*2 is of modest prevalence among H. pylori-infected Sudanese population. The determination of genotypic and allelic frequencies of CYP2C19 gene among different populations will provide data to be used to personalize treatment according to individual genetic profile, and minimize the possible adverse side effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
Properties of biomass powders resulting from the fine comminution of lignocellulosic feedstocks by three types of ball-mill set-up
Authors: Rajaonarivony Rova Karine , Rouau Xavier , Fabre Charlène , Mayer-Laigle Claire
Published: October 2021

Background: Lignocellulosic biomass has many functionalities that hold huge potential for material, energy or chemistry applications. To support advanced applications, the biomass must be milled into ultrafine powder to increase reactivity. This milling unit operation needs to be fully mastered to deliver high-quality standard end-products. Here we studied the relationship between the characteristics of the starting lignocellulosic plant material and the properties of the resulting ultrafine powder in different ball-mill process routes.

Methods: Two lignocellulosic biomasses (pine bark and wheat straw) with contrasted compositional and mechanical properties were milled using three ball-mill set-ups delivering different balances of impact force and attrition force. The resulting powders were analysed for particle characteristics (size, agglomeration extent, shape) and powder flow properties (compressibility, cohesion) using a dynamic powder rheometer.

Results: Pine bark is more amenable to a fast particle size reduction than the fibrous wheat straw. The resulting pine bark powders appear less compressible but much more cohesive than the straw powders due to particle shape, density and composition factors. The mill set-up working by attrition as dominant mechanical force (vibratory ball mill) produced a mix of large, elongated particles and higher amounts of fines as it acts mainly by erosion, the resulting powder being more prone to agglomerate due to the abundance of fines. The mill set-up working by impact as dominant mechanical force (rotary ball mill) produced more evenly distributed particle sizes and shapes. The resulting powder is less prone to agglomerate due to a preferential fragmentation mechanism.

Conclusions: The attrition-dominant mill yields powders with dispersed particle sizes and shapes and the poorest flow properties, while the impact-dominant mill yields more agglomeration-prone powders. The mill set-up working with impact and attrition as concomitant mechanical forces (stirred ball mill) produces powders with better reactivity and flow properties compared to rotary and vibratory mills.
Mapping research on the social impact of the arts: what characterises the field?
Authors: Lindström Sol Sofia , Gustrén Cia , Nelhans Gustaf , Eklund Johan , Johannisson Jenny , Blomgren Roger
Published: October 2021

This article explores the broad and undefined research field of “the social impact of the arts”. The effects of art and culture are often used as justification for public funding, but the research on these interventions and their effects is unclear. Using a co-word analysis of over 10,000 articles published between 1990 and 2020, we examined the characteristics of the field as we have operationalised it through our searches. Since 2015, the research field of “the social impact of art” has expanded and consists of different epistemologies and methodologies, summarised in largely overlapping subfields belonging to the social sciences/humanities, arts education, and arts and health/therapy. In formal or informal learning settings, studies of theatre/drama as an intervention to enhance skills, well-being, or knowledge among children are most common. A study of the research front, operationalised as the bibliographic coupling of the most cited articles in the data set, confirmed the co-word analysis and revealed new themes that together form the ground for insight into research on the social impact of the arts. As such, this article can inform discussions on the social value of the arts and culture.
Lessons learned and lessons missed: impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on all-cause mortality in 40 industrialised countries prior to mass vaccination
Authors: Kontis Vasilis , Bennett James E. , Parks Robbie M. , Rashid Theo , Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Asaria Perviz , Zhou Bin , Guillot Michel , Mathers Colin D. , Khang Young-Ho , McKee Martin , Ezzati Majid
Published: October 2021

Background: Industrialised countries had varied responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and how they adapted to new situations and knowledge since it began. These differences in preparedness and policy may lead to different death tolls from COVID-19 as well as other diseases.

Methods: We applied an ensemble of 16 Bayesian probabilistic models to vital statistics data to estimate the impacts of the pandemic on weekly all-cause mortality for 40 industrialised countries from mid-February 2020 through mid-February 2021, before a large segment of the population was vaccinated in these countries.

Results: Over the entire year, an estimated 1,410,300 (95% credible interval 1,267,600-1,579,200) more people died in these countries than would have been expected had the pandemic not happened. This is equivalent to 141 (127-158) additional deaths per 100,000 people and a 15% (14-17) increase in deaths in all these countries combined. In Iceland, Australia and New Zealand, mortality was lower than would be expected if the pandemic had not occurred, while South Korea and Norway experienced no detectable change in mortality. In contrast, the USA, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland experienced at least 20% higher mortality. There was substantial heterogeneity across countries in the dynamics of excess mortality. The first wave of the pandemic, from mid-February to the end of May 2020, accounted for over half of excess deaths in Scotland, Spain, England and Wales, Canada, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Cyprus. At the other extreme, the period between mid-September 2020 and mid-February 2021 accounted for over 90% of excess deaths in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Conclusions: Until the great majority of national and global populations have vaccine-acquired immunity, minimising the death toll of the pandemic from COVID-19 and other diseases will require actions to delay and contain infections and continue routine health care.
Climate change and health in Southeast Asia – defining research priorities and the role of the Wellcome Trust Africa Asia Programmes
Authors: Choisy Marc , McBride Angela , Chambers Mary , Ho Quang Chanh , Nguyen Quang Huy , Xuan Chau Nguyen Thi , Thi Giang Nguyen , Bonell Ana , Evans Megan , Ming Damien , Ngo-Duc Thanh , Quang Thai Pham , Dang Giang Duy Hoang , Dan Thanh Ho Ngoc , Ngoc Nhung Hoang , Lowe Rachel , Maude Richard , Elyazar Iqbal , Surendra Henry , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Thwaites Louise , van Doorn H. Rogier , Kestelyn Evelyne , Dondorp Arjen M. , Thwaites Guy , Vinh Chau Nguyen Van , Yacoub Sophie
Published: October 2021

This article summarises a recent virtual meeting organised by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam on the topic of climate change and health, bringing local partners, faculty and external collaborators together from across the Wellcome and Oxford networks. Attendees included invited local and global climate scientists, clinicians, modelers, epidemiologists and community engagement practitioners, with a view to setting priorities, identifying synergies and fostering collaborations to help define the regional climate and health research agenda. In this summary paper, we outline the major themes and topics that were identified and what will be needed to take forward this research for the next decade. We aim to take a broad, collaborative approach to including climate science in our current portfolio where it touches on infectious diseases now, and more broadly in our future research directions. We will focus on strengthening our research portfolio on climate-sensitive diseases, and supplement this with high quality data obtained from internal studies and external collaborations, obtained by multiple methods, ranging from traditional epidemiology to innovative technology and artificial intelligence and community-led research. Through timely agenda setting and involvement of local stakeholders, we aim to help support and shape research into global heating and health in the region.
Gender differences in the reading literacy of Estonian basic school students
Authors: Puksand Helin , Uibu Krista
Published: October 2021

Rahvusvahelise PISA võrdlusuuringu fookuses oli 2018. aastal funktsionaalne lugemisoskus, mille hindamisel kasutatakse eri situatsioonidel põhinevaid ja eri tüüpi tekste ning mille ülesanded nõuavad eri kognitiivsete protsesside rakendamist. Siinse uurimuse eesmärk oli kirjeldada poiste ja tüdrukute ülesannete sooritust teksti iseloomustava situatsiooni ja tekstitüübi ning ülesande lahendamisel eeldatava kognitiivse protsessi alusel. Uurimusest selgus, et tüdrukud lahendasid ülesandeid poistest paremini kõigi kriteeriumide alusel. Teksti situatsioon on suhtlussfäär, kuhu autentne tekst kuulub. Selle järgi edestasid tüdrukud poisse kõige rohkem töösituatsiooniga ülesannetes. Tekstitüüpide võrdluses avaldus suurim sooline erinevus tüdrukute kasuks dialoogilistel tekstidel põhinenud ülesannete lahendamisel. Selle põhjal, milliseid kognitiivseid protsesse lugemine aktiveerib, lahendasid tüdrukud poistest paremini ülesandeid, kus oli vaja esitada sõnasõnalist tähendust ning teha järeldusi teksti sisu ja vormi põhjal. Kõige väiksem erinevus ilmnes ülesannetes, mis eeldasid konflikti avastamist ja käsitlemist ning info kvaliteedi ja usaldusväärsuse hindamist. Nende ülesannete sooritusprotsent oli väike nii poistel kui tüdrukutel. Uurimuse tulemused võimaldavad anda õpetajatele ja õppematerjalide koostajatele soovitusi, millele õpilaste lugemisoskuse arendamisel tähelepanu pöörata ja missuguseid lugemisülesandeid kasutada.

 Summary
Teacher views on the use of scenarios to enhance scientific literacy through raising career awareness
Authors: Soobard Regina , Valdmann Ana , Mikser Rain , Rannikmäe Miia
Published: October 2021

Uuringu eesmärk oli välja selgitada loodusteaduste õpetajate valmisolek kasutada karjääriteadlikkuse kujundamisele suunatud stsenaariume loodusteadusliku kirjaoskuse arendamisel. Kasutasime viit uuringu jaoks koostatud kontekstipõhist loodusteadusliku karjääriteadlikkusega seotud stsenaariumi. Igas neist tutvustati sotsiaalteaduslikust kontekstist lähtuvalt vähemalt kaht loodusteadustega seotud elukutset koos neis vajalike teadmiste ja oskustega. Valmisolekut stsenaariume tunnis kasutada küsiti kümnelt loodusteaduste õpetajalt, kasutades Google Formsi keskkonnas kohandatud küsimustikku. Kvalitatiivse analüüsi tulemused näitasid, et õpetajate valmisolek stsenaariumide kasutamiseks on erinev ning isegi kogenud õpetaja vajab mitmekülgseid juhiseid karjääriteadlikkuse kui loodusteadusliku kirjaoskuse ühe tahu arendamiseks loodusteaduste tundides.

 Summary
Financial competence as a key competence in lifelong learning. A new framework
Authors: Aarna Olav , Riitsalu Leonore , Venesaar Urve
Published: October 2021

Inimestelt oodatakse varasemast suurema vastutuse võtmist oma rahalise heaolu eest kogu elukaare jooksul ja keerukate valikute langetamist mitmesuguste finantsteenuste hulgast. See nõuab elukestvat finantspädevuse arendamist. Eestis tegeletakse sellega aga eelkõige üldhariduskoolis ning sealgi on see teiste ainevaldkondade osa ja selgelt defineerimata. Finantspädevust kajastab vaid ettevõtlusõppe raamistiku finantskirjaoskuse alapädevus. Elukestva õppe jaoks on suuniseid antud riiklikus rahatarkuse strateegias, kuid sealgi pole finantspädevust defineeritud. Et seda lünka täita ja võimaldada süstemaatilisemat finantspädevuse edendamist, loome finantspädevuse kui elukestva õppe võtmepädevuse raamistiku. Selleks analüüsime teaduskirjandust, teiste riikide määratlusi ja OECD suuniseid. Finantspädevuse täiuslikkuse tasanditena käsitleme rahalise heaolu komponente. Tulemused võiksid kasutust leida poliitikakujundajate ja finantshariduse pakkujate töös ning anda ainest edasisteks uurimusteks.

 Summary
Physical literacy – a new educational goal
Authors: Pihu Maret , Tilga Henri , Kull Merike
Published: October 2021

Viimase kahekümne aasta jooksul on märgatavalt suurenenud kehalise kirjaoskuse alaste uuringutulemuste avaldamine. Kehalist kirjaoskust kirjeldatakse kui inimese motivatsiooni, enesekindlust, kehalist kompetentsust, teadmisi ja mõistmist kehalise aktiivsuse väärtusest ja isiklikku vastutust selles. Kehaline kirjaoskus toob välja iga inimese võimalused, individuaalsuse ja võimekuse kehalise kirjaoskuse omandamisel. Koolitasandi uuringud keskenduvad kehalise kirjaoskuse kujundamise õpetuslikule aspektile ja selle tulemusel ka muutuvale traditsioonilisele spordikeskse lähenemisega kehalisele kasvatusele. Kehalise kirjaoskuse eesmärk on luua eeldused, et inimene oskaks tervislikult elada ning tervisliku eluviisiga kaasnevat potentsiaali rakendada. Siinse artikli eesmärk on anda ülevaade kehalise kirjaoskuse olemusest ja komponentidest rahvusvaheliste teadusuuringute kaudu.

 Summary
The clinical outcomes of second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Jung Hyun yeb , Lee Eun Mi
Published: October 2021

Background: Despite recent advances in first-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, standard treatment after the failure of initial chemotherapy has not been established. Hence, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who underwent palliative chemotherapy at Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2013 and October 2020.Results: Among 366 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who had received palliative chemotherapy, 104 (28.4%) underwent at least one cycle of second-line chemotherapy. The median age of the patients at the time of initiating second-line treatment was 62 years (interquartile range, 57–62 years), and 58.7% (61 patients) of them were male. The common second-line chemotherapy regimens were 5-fluorouracil (FU) plus leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (33 patients, 31.7%); gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (29, 27.9%), gemcitabine±erlotinib (13, 12.5%); and oxaliplatin and 5-FU/leucovorin (12, 11.5%). The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were 6.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5–8.6 months) and 4.5 months (95% CI, 2.7–6.3 months), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, poor performance status (PS) (hazard ratio [HR], 2.247; p=0.021), metastatic disease (HR, 2.745; p=0.011), and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (HR, 1.939; p=0.030) at the beginning of second-line chemotherapy were associated with poor OS.Conclusion: The survival outcome of second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer remains poor. However, PS, disease extent (locally advanced or metastatic), and CEA level may help determine patients who could benefit from second-line treatment.
Modeling Equilibrium in the Market of Energy-Saving Technologies
Authors: Averina Tatyana , Levkina Nataliya
Published: October 2021

The main economic factors influencing the efficiency of energy saving projects are energy prices and the cost of new technologies. The article makes an attempt to use the model of built-in stabilizers to explain the influence of these factors on the volume of energy consumption and the role of the state mechanism for stimulating innovation in this area.
Leaf-cutting ant (Atta laevigata Smith) in an African mahogany plantation in Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Authors: De Souza Rodolfo Molinário , Ribeiro Andressa , Ferraz Filho Antonio Carlos
Published: October 2021

Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae), known as African mahogany, is used in the establishment of commercial plantations for high-value timber production. This work aims to report the first occurrence of the genus Atta in a commercial plantation of this species. An ant nest mound with 105 m2 of loose soil and five active ant holes were observed. Leaves cut into crescent shaped sections and pieces of young branches were found near these holes, in addition to trees with the apical part of their crown partially defoliated. The collected specimens were identified as Atta laevigata Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Attini), locally known as the glass-head leaf-cutting ant.
Clinical guideline highlights for the hospitalist: Focused updates to pediatric asthma management
Authors: Veters Michelle D. , Molina Adolfo L.
Published: October 2021

GUIDELINE TITLE

2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines: A Report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee (NAEPPCC) Expert Panel Working Group1

RELEASE DATE

Online: December 3, 2020

PRIOR VERSIONS

1991, 1997, 2002, 2007

DEVELOPER

NAEPPCC Expert Panel Working Group (referred to as “the Expert Panel”) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health

FUNDING SOURCE

NHLBI of the National Institutes of Health

TARGET POPULATION

Adults and children with asthma and recurrent wheezing
Improved Revenue Bounds for Posted-Price and Second-Price Mechanisms
Authors: Beyhaghi Hedyeh , Golrezaei Negin , Leme Renato Paes , Pál Martin , Sivan Balasubramanian
Published: October 2021

How to optimize posted price mechanisms?

The sequential posted-price (SPP) mechanism is one of the widely used selling mechanisms in practice. In this mechanism, the seller presents each buyer with a price sequentially and the buyer can either accept or reject the mechanism's offer. Despite the widespread use of the SPP mechanism, the problem of optimizing prices in this mechanism has not been fully addressed. In a paper entitled, “Improved Revenue Bounds for Posted-Price and Second-Price Mechanisms,” H. Beyhaghi, N. Golrezaei, R. Paes Leme, M. Pal, and B. Sivan construct SPP mechanisms by considering the best of two simple pricing rules: one that imitates the optimal mechanism and the other that posts a uniform price (same price for every buyer). Their simple pricing rules can be easily generalized to the setting with multiple units and yield the first improvement over long-established approximation factors.
Children with Long Covid: Co-producing a specialist community public health nursing response
Authors: Fanner Michael , Maxwell Elaine
Published: October 2021

Globally, children have been profoundly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in many ways. While the majority of children with acute Covid-19 infection experience mild illness and fully recover, many go on to experience Long Covid. Long Covid is clinically identified by experience of persistent (and sometimes different) symptoms for several months after the acute infection (even in children who were asymptomatic). There is currently no agreed consensus on the case definition of Long Covid, but real-world data from American health insurance firms and the UK Office for National Statistics report that children may experience intestinal symptoms, pain, breathlessness, cognitive dysfunction and post-exercise malaise. The current understanding of the natural history, diagnostics and treatments of Long Covid is limited, meaning the medical model in isolation is not helpful. Health visitors and school nurses are ideally placed to case-find children with Long Covid and co-produce child and family-centred care.
How can governments tax multinational enterprises more fairly? A discourse analysis
Authors: Fernandes Orlando , Morrell Kevin , Heracleous Loizos
Published: October 2021

Extant research has identified numerous causes for multinational enterprises (MNE) tax avoidance and formulated a variety of remedial policy solutions. Yet despite being consistently decried as societally unfair, these contested practices persist. We reveal the conflicting and complementary ideologies and worldviews that reside in the background of MNE tax avoidance policy deliberations. Analysis of primary interviews with accounting and tax regulatory agencies, Members of the UK Parliament, and public hearings with MNE representatives, shows these different groups draw on four different discourses: globalism, idealism, pragmatism and shareholder interest. These exist in what we show to be a kind of precarious truce that allows these contested practices to continue in the face of robust critique. Prospects for taxing MNEs are enhanced if legislators, civil servants and regulators can draw more coherently on the discourse of idealism because this is most resistant to the logic of the market.
High-precision two-dimensional beam steering with a 64-element optical fiber phased array
Authors: Wang Xiaobin , Liu Chunbo , Cao Yang , Liu Ruyuan , Zhang Lin , Zhao Xu , Lu Fang , Miao Zhifang , Li Qiwei , Han Xiang’e
Published: October 2021

Large-scale optical fiber phased arrays (OFPAs) are capable of realizing high-power lasers and high-speed beam steering, which are widely used in long-distance detection and communication. However, dephasing occurring from optical fiber jitter and power amplifier noise can reduce beam quality and steering precision in applications. We demonstrate a two-dimensional 64-element OFPA system that employs a stochastic parallel gradient descent algorithm to synchronize the phases and thus achieve high-quality multi-beam output. Using multi-beam steering, the total scan time for covering a certain field of view can be shorter compared to single-beam steering. Moreover, an avalanche photodiode array is used to enhance the precision of the voltage for beam steering. Experimental results show that the peak sidelobe ratio of the main beam achieves 23.7 dB, and the speed of the beam steering between two discretionary angles is 128 kHz.
Periodic attraction and repulsion within the tight-bound π-phase soliton molecule
Authors: Du Yueqing , Gao Qun , Li Jingyi , Zeng Chao , Mao Dong , Zhao Jianlin
Published: October 2021

In the over-pumped dissipative system, the single pulse is prone to split into multi-soliton modes, among which the soliton molecule (SM) comprising two pulses has attracted much interest recently. In this Letter, the tight-bound SM with the

π

-phase-difference, a soliton pair predicted to be unstable observed in fiber lasers, is found to have oscillating separation with excellent stability. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we reveal the mechanism of the

π

-phase SM to circumvent the irreversible repulsion and the role of dispersive waves on the SM. During the periodic propagation, the destructive interference between solitons produces the repulsion while the dispersive waves give rise to the attractive force, leading to the dynamic oscillating behavior of the SM. The numerical simulation reproduces the experimental observation and offers panoramic insights into the nonlinear interactions between multiple components in dissipative systems.
Non-redundant optical phased array
Authors: Fukui Taichiro , Tanomura Ryota , Komatsu Kento , Yamashita Daiji , Takahashi Shun , Nakano Yoshiaki , Tanemura Takuo
Published: October 2021

Optical phased arrays (OPAs) are promising beam-steering devices for various applications such as light detection and ranging, optical projection, free-space optical communication, and optical switching. However, previously reported OPAs suffer from either an insufficient number of resolvable points, or complicated control requirements due to an extremely large number of phase shifters. To solve this issue, we introduce the non-redundant array (NRA) concept to the OPA devices. Based on this design, we can realize high-resolution OPAs whose number of resolvable points scales quadratically with the number of antennas

N

. In contrast, that of traditional OPAs scales only linearly with

N

. Thus, a significant reduction in the number of required phase shifters can be attained without sacrificing the number of resolvable points. We first investigate the impact of employing the NRA theoretically by considering the autocorrelation function of the array layout. We then develop a Costas-array-based silicon OPA and experimentally demonstrate 2D beam steering with

∼

19

,

000

resolvable points using only 127 phase shifters. To the best of our knowledge, this corresponds to the largest number of resolvable points achieved by an OPA without sweeping the wavelength.
Synthetic aperture metalens
Authors: Zhao Feng , Shen Zicheng , Wang Decheng , Xu Bijie , Chen Xiangning , Yang Yuanmu
Published: October 2021

Metalenses are ultrathin optical elements that can focus light using densely arranged subwavelength structures. Due to their minimal form factor, they have been considered promising for imaging applications that require extreme system size, weight, and power, such as in consumer electronics and remote sensing. However, as a major impediment prohibiting the wide adoption of the metalens technology, the aperture size, and consequently the imaging resolution, of a metalens are often limited by lithography processes that are not scalable. Here, we propose to adopt a synthetic aperture approach to alleviate the issue, and experimentally demonstrate that, assisted by computational reconstruction, a synthetic aperture metalens composed of multiple metalenses with relatively small aperture size can achieve an imaging resolution comparable to a conventional lens with an equivalent large aperture. We validate the concept via an outdoor imaging experiment performed with a synthetic aperture metalens-integrated near-infrared camera using natural sunlight for target illumination.
Time to revisit the endpoint dilution assay and to replace the TCID50 as a measure of a virus sample’s infection concentration
Authors: Cresta Daniel , Warren Donald C. , Quirouette Christian , Smith Amanda P. , Lane Lindey C. , Smith Amber M. , Beauchemin Catherine A. A.
Published: October 2021

The endpoint dilution assay’s output, the 50% infectious dose (ID50), is calculated using the Reed-Muench or Spearman-Kärber mathematical approximations, which are biased and often miscalculated. We introduce a replacement for the ID50 that we call Specific INfection (SIN) along with a free and open-source web-application, midSIN (https://midsin.physics.ryerson.ca) to calculate it. midSIN computes a virus sample’s SIN concentration using Bayesian inference based on the results of a standard endpoint dilution assay, and requires no changes to current experimental protocols. We analyzed influenza and respiratory syncytial virus samples using midSIN and demonstrated that the SIN/mL reliably corresponds to the number of infections a sample will cause per mL. It can therefore be used directly to achieve a desired multiplicity of infection, similarly to how plaque or focus forming units (PFU, FFU) are used. midSIN’s estimates are shown to be more accurate and robust than the Reed-Muench and Spearman-Kärber approximations. The impact of endpoint dilution plate design choices (dilution factor, replicates per dilution) on measurement accuracy is also explored. The simplicity of SIN as a measure and the greater accuracy provided by midSIN make them an easy and superior replacement for the TCID50 and other in vitro culture ID50 measures. We hope to see their universal adoption to measure the infectivity of virus samples.
Characteristics of patients in platform C19, a COVID-19 research database combining primary care electronic health record and patient reported information
Authors: Stanley Brooklyn , Davis Andrew , Jones Rupert , Julious Steven , Ryan Dermot , Jackson David , Halpin David , Pinnock Hilary , Quint Jennifer , Khunti Kamlesh , Heaney Liam , Oliver Philip , Siddiqui Salman , Kemppinen Anu , Appiagyei Francis , Roberts Emma-Jane , Hardjojo Antony , Carter Victoria , Melle Marije van , Price David ,   on behalf of the Platform C19 committee
Published: October 2021

Background

Data to better understand and manage the COVID-19 pandemic is urgently needed. However, there are gaps in information stored within even the best routinely-collected electronic health records (EHR) including test results, remote consultations for suspected COVID-19, shielding, physical activity, mental health, and undiagnosed or untested COVID-19 patients. Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI) Singapore and Optimum Patient Care (OPC) UK established Platform C19, a research database combining EHR data and bespoke patient questionnaire. We describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, patient behavior, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using data within Platform C19.

Methods

EHR data from Platform C19 were extracted from 14 practices across UK participating in the OPC COVID-19 Quality Improvement program on a continuous, monthly basis. Starting 7th August 2020, consenting patients aged 18–85 years were invited in waves to fill an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were summarized using all data available up to 22nd January 2021.

Findings

From 129,978 invitees, 31,033 responded. Respondents were predominantly female (59.6%), white (93.5%), and current or ex-smokers (52.6%). Testing for COVID-19 was received by 23.8% of respondents, of which 7.9% received positive results. COVID-19 symptoms lasted ≥4 weeks in 19.5% of COVID-19 positive respondents. Up to 39% respondents reported a negative impact on questions regarding their mental health. Most (67%-76%) respondents with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, heart, or kidney disease reported no change in the condition of their diseases.

Interpretation

Platform C19 will enable research on key questions relating to COVID-19 pandemic not possible using EHR data alone.
Association between mild cognitive impairment and lumbar degenerative disease in a Japanese community: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Koyama Kazushige , Wada Kanichiro , Kumagai Gentaro , Kudo Hitoshi , Tanaka Sunao , Asari Toru , Jung Songee , Ando Masataka , Ishibashi Yasuyuki
Published: October 2021

Lumbar degenerative disease and dementia are increasing in super-aging societies and are both related to physical dysfunction and pain. However, the relationship between these diseases remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the comorbidity rates of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and clarify the association between LSS presence, lumbar symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) related to low back pain and cognitive impairment in the Japanese population. We enrolled 336 participants (men 124; women 212; mean age 72.2 years) from a medical checkup program. LSS was diagnosed using a self-administered questionnaire, and lumbar symptoms were evaluated using the visual analog scale (low back pain, and pain and numbness of the lower limb). QOL related to low back pain was evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back-Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ: pain, and lumbar, and gait function). Radiological lumbar degeneration was classified using Kellgren-Lawrence grading and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and MCI was defined by a summary score of MMSE ≤27. Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between MCI, summary score of MMSE, and lumbar degenerative disease. The comorbidity rate of MCI and LSS was 2.1%, and the rate of MCI was 41% in participants with LSS. Lumbar function in JOABPEQ was associated with MCI. The presence of LSS and lumbar function in JOABPEQ were associated with MMSE. Over one-third of the people with LSS had MCI. The presence of LSS and deterioration of QOL due to low back pain were related to cognitive impairment. We recommend evaluating cognitive function for patients with LSS because the rate of MCI was high in LSS participants.
BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FRUITS OF SOME REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GENUS SORBUS L. IN COL-LECTION OF THE SOUTH-URAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
Authors: Abdullina Rimma Galimzyanovna , Pupykina Kira Aleksandrovna , Denisova Светлана Галимулловна , Pupykina Viktoriya Viktorovna
Published: October 2021

Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.) is a valuable medicinal and food plant that is widely used in practical medicine and in amateur horticulture.

The purpose of this study was to determine the content of ascorbic acid, organic acids, tanning substances and flavonoids in the fruits of some representatives of the Sorbus genus of the collection of the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute and to identify the most promising taxa. For analysis, fruits were collected in the full ripening phase and dried to air-dry state. Phytochemical studies were carried out according to conventional methods. The object of comparison was the official pharmacopoeia species – Sorbus aucuparia.

Analysis of the obtained data found that the fruits × Sorbocotoneaster pozdnijkovii and Sorbus sibirica outperformed the natural form (Sorbus aucuparia) in terms of ascorbic acid content by 11.54 and 43.27%; Organic acids by 24.11 and 60.84%; Tanning substances by 3.49 and 43.23%; Flavonoids by 44.19 and 12.79%, respectively. The obtained results allow to recommend these taxa as promising sources of raw materials for production of biologically active substances in production of natural food products and food additives.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEEDS OF PLANTS LUPINUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS L. AND LUPINUS ALBUS L. OF THE KALININGRAD REGION
Authors: Agafonova Svetlana Viktorovna , Rykov Artem Igorevich
Published: October 2021

The aim of the work was to study the chemical composition of seeds of plants Lupinus albus L., Lupinus angustifolius L., growing in the Kaliningrad region. Lupin is a promising crop due to the high content of biologically valuable protein in its seeds, as well as minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, water - and fat-soluble biologically active substances. The paper considers the amino acid, mineral, and fatty acid composition of seeds, presents data on the content of water-soluble vitamins in them, and shows the component composition of chloroform extracts of seeds.

The total number of amino acids (47.72±0.37 and 38.655±0.32%, respectively) was found in the seeds of narrow-leaved and white lupine, and a high content of glutamic acid and asparagine was found. The macronutrient composition, which is dominated by potassium, phosphorus and calcium, was studied. Among the microelements of seeds, manganese, iron, zinc and silicon predominate. A particularly high content of manganese in white lupin seeds (192.14±1.67 mg per 100 g) was noted. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of lupin seed oils showed a high degree of unsaturation with a high content of oleic and linoleic acids. Both types of lupine contain thiamine, pyridoxine, and niacin, while white lupine seeds also contain Pantothenic and folic acids. Сhromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the fraction isolated by chloroform from lupine seeds showed the presence of substances of the terpenes class (farnesene, neofitadiene, γ-tocopherol) and steriodic alcohols (campesterol, β-sitosterol).
REMOVAL OF POLLUTANTS FROM SEWAGE WITH GRINDED SHELLS OF APRICOT KERNELS
Authors: Shaikhiev Il'dar Gil'manovich , Shaikhieva Karina Il'darovna , Sverguzova Svetlana Vasil'yevna , Vinogradenko Yuriy Alekseyevich
Published: October 2021

A review of the literature data on the use of biomass components of apricot trees (Prunusarmeniaca) as a sorption material for the extraction of various pollutants from waste and natural waters is carried out. The parameters of the sorption interaction at which the highest degree of removal of pollutants is achieved are given. It has been shown that it is possible to increase the sorption capacity of apricot biomass components by modifying it with various chemical reagents. It has been determined that the most studied sorption material is the shell of apricot kernels. It is determined that the largest number of publications is devoted to the use of the latter as raw materials for the production of activated carbons. It was revealed that the surface area and the total pore volume of activated carbons from the kernels of apricot fruits depend on the modes of carbonization and activation of raw materials. It is shown that activated carbons are effective sorbents for removing various pollutants (metal ions, dyes, oil and oil products) from aqueous media. It was found that the adsorption isotherms of pollutants are most adequately described in most cases by the Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the kinetics of the process is most often described by the pseudo-second order model.