bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phages from Ganges River curtail in vitro biofilms and planktonic growth of drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a zebrafish infection model
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Niranjana Sri , Thothathri Subramaniam , Bhaskaran Muthumeenakshi , GaneshPrasad ArunKumar , Nagarajan Saisubramanian
Published: February 2021

Bacteriophages are a promising alternative for curtailing infections caused by multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The objective of the present study is to evaluate phage populations from water bodies to inhibit planktonic and biofilm mode of growth of drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro and curtail planktonic growth in vivo in a zebrafish model. Phage specific to K. pneumoniae (MTCC 432) was isolated from Ganges River (designated as KpG). One-step growth curve, in vitro time kill curve study and in vivo infection model were performed to evaluate the ability of phage to curtail planktonic growth. Crystal violet assay and colony biofilm assay were performed to determine the action of phages on biofilms. KpG phages had a greater burst size, better bactericidal potential and enhanced inhibitory effect against biofilms formed at liquid air and solid air interfaces. In vitro time kill assay showed a 3 log decline and a 6 log decline in K. pneumoniae colony counts, when phages were administered individually and in combination with streptomycin, respectively. In vivo injection of KpG phages revealed that it did not pose any toxicity to zebrafish as evidenced by liver/brain enzyme profiles and by histopathological analysis. The muscle tissue of zebrafish, infected with K. pneumoniae and treated with KpG phages alone and in combination with streptomycin showed a significant 77.7% and 97.2% decline in CFU/ml, respectively, relative to untreated control. Our study reveals that KpG phages has the potential to curtail plantonic and biofilm mode of growth in higher animal models.
Novel filter bank-based cooperative spectrum sensing under practical challenges for beyond 5G cognitive radios
Authors: Dikmese Sener , Lamichhane Kishor , Renfors Markku
Published: February 2021

Cognitive radio (CR) technology with dynamic spectrum management capabilities is widely advocated for utilizing effectively the unused spectrum resources. The main idea behind CR technology is to trigger secondary communications to utilize the unused spectral resources. However, CR technology heavily relies on spectrum sensing techniques which are applied to estimate the presence of primary user (PU) signals. This paper firstly focuses on novel analysis filter bank (AFB) and FFT-based cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) techniques as conceptually and computationally simplified CSS methods based on subband energies to detect the spectral holes in the interesting part of the radio spectrum. To counteract the practical wireless channel effects, collaborative subband-based approaches of PU signal sensing are studied. CSS has the capability to relax the problems of both hidden nodes and fading multipath channels. FFT- and AFB-based receiver side sensing methods are applied for OFDM waveform and filter bank-based multicarrier (FBMC) waveform, respectively, the latter one as a candidate beyond-OFDM/beyond-5G scheme. Subband energies are then applied for enhanced energy detection (ED)-based CSS methods that are proposed in the context of wideband, multimode sensing. Our first case study focuses on sensing potential spectral gaps close to relatively strong primary users, considering also the effects of spectral regrowth due to power amplifier nonlinearities. The study shows that AFB-based CSS with FBMC waveform is able to improve the performance significantly. Our second case study considers a novel maximum–minimum energy detector (Max–Min ED)-based CSS. The proposed method is expected to effectively overcome the issue of noise uncertainty (NU) with remarkably lower implementation complexity compared to the existing methods. The developed algorithm with reduced complexity, enhanced detection performance, and improved reliability is presented as an attractive solution to counteract the practical wireless channel effects under low SNR. Closed-form analytic expressions are derived for the threshold and false alarm and detection probabilities considering frequency selective scenarios under NU. The validity of the novel expressions is justified through comparisons with respective results from computer simulations.
On some Hermite–Hadamard inequalities involving k-fractional operators
Authors: Wu Shanhe , Iqbal Sajid , Aamir Muhammad , Samraiz Muhammad , Younus Awais
Published: February 2021

The main objective of this paper is to establish some new Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities involving k-Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals. Using the convexity of differentiable functions some related inequalities have been proved, which have deep connection with some known results. At the end, some applications of the obtained results in error estimations of quadrature formulas are also considered.
A dynamic optimal control model for COVID-19 and cholera co-infection in Yemen
Authors: Hezam Ibrahim M. , Foul Abdelaziz , Alrasheedi Adel
Published: February 2021

In this work, we propose a new dynamic mathematical model framework governed by a system of differential equations that integrates both COVID-19 and cholera outbreaks. The estimations of the model parameters are based on the outbreaks of COVID-19 and cholera in Yemen from January 1, 2020 to May 30, 2020. Moreover, we present an optimal control model for minimizing both the number of infected people and the cost associated with each control. Four preventive measures are to be taken to control the outbreaks: social distancing, lockdown, the number of tests, and the number of chlorine water tablets (CWTs). Under the current conditions and resources available in Yemen, various policies are simulated to evaluate the optimal policy. The results obtained confirm that the policy of providing resources for the distribution of CWTs, providing sufficient resources for testing with an average social distancing, and quarantining of infected individuals has significant effects on flattening the epidemic curves.
Influence of Shear Span-to-Effective Depth Ratio on Behavior of High-Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Arowojolu Olaniyi , Ibrahim Ahmed , Almakrab Abdullah , Saras Nicholas , Nielsen Richard
Published: February 2021

The shear span-to-effective depth ratio (a/d) is one of the factors governing the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, with or without shear reinforcement. In high-strength concrete (HSC), cracks may propagate between the aggregate particles and result in a brittle failure which is against the philosophy of most design guidelines. The experimental results of six HSC beams, with and without shear reinforcement, tested under four-point bending with a/d ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 are presented and compared with different model equations in design codes. The a/d ratio has higher influence on the shear strength of reinforced HSC beams without shear reinforcement than beams with shear reinforcement. Most of the shear resistance prediction models underestimate the concrete shear strength of the beams but overpredict shear resistance of beams with shear reinforcement. However, the fib Model code 2010 accurately predicted the shear resistance for all the beams within an appropriate level of approximation (LoA).
Tregs and GvHD prevention by extracorporeal photopheresis: observations from a clinical trial
Authors: Crocchiolo Roberto , Cesana Clara , Girgenti Debora , Bertani Giambattista , Barba Claudia , Liga Giuseppa , Ferri Ursula , Crucitti Lara , Grillo Giovanni , Rossini Silvano , Cairoli Roberto
Published: February 2021

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the circulating T regulatory cells (Tregs) in patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for the prevention of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and to search for any correlation between Tregs counts and chronic GvHD occurrence. Among n = 12 patients with complete longitudinal data, the median cumulative values of absolute peripheral Tregs counts were 21.64 and 63.49 cells/µL for patients who developed chronic GvHD and those who did not develop it, respectively (p = 0.05). The analysis of the median absolute counts of peripheral HLA-DR + Tregs provided similar results, showing that 20% (1 out of 5) and 100% (7 out of 7) of patients with HLA-DR + Tregs values of > 5 cells/µL were in the GvHD and non-GvHD groups, respectively (p = 0.01). In conclusion, the present results support the involvement of Tregs in the prevention of chronic GvHD in patients receiving ECP and suggest Tregs count as a potential biomarker of ECP effectiveness. Future strategies are needed to enhance Tregs expansion and/or activity in conjunction with ECP for an effective chronic GvHD prevention.
MR imaging features of pancreatic schwannoma: a Chinese case series and a systematic review of 25 cases
Authors: Shi Zhenshan , Cao Dairong , Zhuang Qian , You Ruixiong , Li Xiumei , Li Zhongmin , Li Yueming , Huang Xinming
Published: February 2021

Background

There is a paucity of existing literature centering on the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of pancreatic schwannomas, due to the neoplasm’s nonspecific presentation and its rarity. We aimed to identify the characteristic imaging features of pancreatic schwannoma.

Methods

This retrospective search was conducted for histologically confirmed pancreatic schwannoma in multi-institutional database of pathology. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before histologic examination and their MR imaging studies were independently reviewed. The search yielded six adults (mean age, 46 years) with a definitive histologic postoperative diagnosis of single pancreatic schwannoma each. Additionally, a comprehensive English and Chinese literature review for pancreatic schwannoma and reported MR-imaging findings since 1961 was also conducted. MR imaging features of those cases in the literature were analyzed, summarized and compared with our case series.

Results

This rare entity appeared to be a well-circumscribed, exophytic, oval or round pancreatic mass with a mean greatest diameter of 3.7 cm. Five schwannomas were located in the pancreatic head-neck and one in the pancreatic tail. On MRI, all cases appeared hypointense on T1-weighted images, inhomogeneous hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of pancreatic schwannoma were 1.11 ± 0.29 × 10− 3 mm2/s and significantly lower than the surrounding pancreas. The lesion-to-pancreas signal intensity ratio (SIR) at unenhanced T1-weighted images was 0.53 ± 0.07. On dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, most of the lesions (67%, 4/6) showed homogeneously iso- or hypointense on arterial and portal venous phases, and hyperenhancement on delayed phase compared with the surrounding pancreas. In our analysis of the time intensity curves, all cases exhibited a gradual enhancement pattern.

Conclusions

A well-circumscribed mass displaying inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T2, marked hypointensity on T1, hyperintensity on DWI, and with early slight enhancement at arterial phase and progressive enhancement at portal venous and delayed phase, may suggest the diagnosis of pancreatic schwannoma.
The microbial world in a changing environment
Authors: Vicuña Rafael , González Bernardo
Published: February 2021

Background

In this article we would like to touch on the key role played by the microbiota in the maintenance of a sustainable environment in the entire planet. For obvious reasons, this article does not intend to review thoroughly this extremely complex topic, but rather to focus on the main threats that this natural scenario is presently facing.

Methods

Recent literature survey.

Results

Despite the relevance of microorganisms have in our planet, the effects of climate change on microbial communities have been scarcely and not systematically addressed in literature. Although the role of microorganisms in emissions of greenhouse gases has received some attention, there are several microbial processes that are affected by climate change with consequences that are presently under assessment. Among them, host-pathogen interactions, the microbiome of built environment, or relations among plants and beneficial microbes.

Conclusions

Further research is required to advance in knowledge of the effect of climate change on microbial communities. One of the main targets should be a complete evaluation of the global microbial functional diversity and the design of new strategies to cope with limitations in methods to grow microorganisms in the laboratory. These efforts should contribute to raise a general public awareness on the major role played by the microbiota on the various Earth ecosystems.
Intravitreal sirolimus for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration: a Pilot Study
Authors: Minturn Robert J. , Bracha Peter , Klein Margaret J. , Chhablani Jay , Harless Ashley M. , Maturi Raj K.
Published: February 2021

Background and objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal sirolimus for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

This institutional review board approved, registered (NCT02357342), prospective, subject-masked, single center, randomized controlled trial in subjects with persistent, exudative Age-related macular degeneration compared intravitreal sirolimus monotherapy (every 2 months) versus monthly anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over six months.

Results

20 subjects were randomized to each arm of the trial. Upon completion of the trial 20 patients were analyzed in the control (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) group and 17 patients were analyzed in the treatment (sirolimus) group. On average, subjects had 33 previous anti-VEGF injections prior to entry. The primary end-point, mean central subfield thickness (CST), increased by 20 µm in the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor group and decreased by 40 µm in the sirolimus group (p = 0.03). Visual acuity outcomes were similar between groups. Serious ocular adverse events in the sirolimus group included one subject each with anterior uveitis, central retinal artery occlusion and subretinal hemorrhage.

Conclusion

Monotherapy with intravitreal sirolimus for subjects with persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration appears to have a limited positive anatomic benefit. The presence of adverse events in the experimental group merits further evaluation, potentially as an adjuvant therapy.

Trial registration This trial was registered with the clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02357342, and was approved by the institutional review board at Advarra. Funding was provided by an investigator-initiated grant from Santen. Santen played no role in the design or implementation of this study.
Pseudoaneurysm of an intercostal artery: endovascular treatment with PK papyrus coronary stent to prevent spinal ischemia
Authors: Niehoff Julius , Bunck Alexander Christian , Maintz David , Kroeger Jan Robert
Published: February 2021

Background

Endovascular treatment can be a fast and safe option in the case of acute, internal bleeding – but it requires special knowledge and technical skills. Interventionalists must consider the anatomy and potential complications. As in this case report, the anterior spinal artery, for example, can be a crucial vessel that must always be considered when embolizing intercostal or lumbar arteries. The risk of spinal ischemia has to be taken into account and should be minimized by choosing the appropriate treatment option.

Case presentation

We report about a 77 year old, male patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding after esophagectomy and gastric conduit reconstruction. A CT scan identified a pseudoaneurysm of an intercostal artery penetrating the gastric conduit as the bleeding source. In the DSA, a direct connection between the intercostal artery and the anterior spinal artery appeared to be likely. Due to the associated risk of spinal ischemia, an embolization of the intercostal artery was not an option. We decided to implant a stentgraft that would stop the perfusion of the pseudoaneurysm, but preserve the perfusion of the intercostal artery. Due to the small diameter of the vessel, we could not implant our commonly used stentgrafts in this case. Therefore, we chose an uncommon solution and used a stentgraft that is designed primarily for coronary arteries.

Conclusions

Whenever intercostal or lumbar arteries need to be embolized, a possible connection to the anterior spinal artery must be considered and interventionalists have to be aware of possible ischemic complications. In this case, a stentgraft designed primarily for coronary arteries offered a good endovascular treatment option for the pseudoaneurysm of an intercostal artery. The risk of spinal ischemia could be minimized by using this stentgraft.
Application of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Bing , Sun Haining , Fu Zhihou , Kang Jian , Yu Xiuchun
Published: February 2021

Objective

For the treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty was chosen on the basis of the clinical effects and the rate of prosthesis survival. A retrospective analysis was performed on 500 patients with osteoarthritis of the medial compartment knee treated by unicompartmental knee arthroplasty between April 2007 and April 2017. The cohort was comprised of 176 males and 324 females, aged (61.12 ± 8.0) years old. The clinical treatment was evaluated in terms of the range of movement (ROM), the Knee Society score (KSS), and the Oxford knee score.

Results

The follow-up lasted 1.59–11.60 years. Grouped in terms of age, 133 cases were in the middle-age, 295 were in the old-age group, and 72 in the advanced-age group. Against the Iwano classification of the patellofemoral joint, 104 cases were graded 0–1; 179 were graded 2; 182 were graded 3 and 35 were graded 4. The KSS score improved from (59 ± 5.6) points before the operation to (93 ± 3.5) points after the operation. The OKS score increased from (24 ± 2.4) points before the operation to (45 ± 3.8) points after the operation. The ROM of knee joint was (111 ± 6.8)° before the operation and was (117 ± 9.7)° after the operation. The 10-year survival rate of the prosthesis was 96%.

Conclusion

UKA is one of the treatments for medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis. The issues, such as age and patellofemoral joint degeneration, can be addressed by careful selection of patients and precise operational manipulation.
Fabrication and application of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine biomaterial-based nanocochleates dry powder inhaler for controlled release resveratrol delivery
Authors: Mali A. J. , Joshi P. A. , Bothiraja C. , Pawar A. P.
Published: February 2021

Background

Resveratrol, a bioactive phytoconstituent, is used to treat chronic respiratory diseases. However, its clinical application was hampered due to its poor bioavailability. In the present study, controlled release of resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler was investigated to improve its biopharmaceutical properties for pulmonary drug delivery. The in vivo toxicity study was performed in the healthy male albino Wistar rats by intracheal administration.

Results

Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler was prepared by lyophilizing the resveratrol loaded dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine sodium and calcium ion-based nanocochleates using mannitol as cryoprotectant. Resveratrol loaded nanocochleates showed a particle size and encapsulation efficiency of 329.18 ± 9.43 nm and 76.35 ± 3.65%, respectively. Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder exhibited a particle size of 102.21 ± 9.83 μm and satisfactory flowability with initial burst release followed by extended release up to 96 h. The in vitro drug deposition pattern using multistage cascade impactor showed 1.28-fold improvement in fine particle dose, and the in vivo toxicity potential by histopathological study in albino rats revealed safety of formulation.

Conclusions

Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler could serve as an efficient delivery system for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.

Graphical abstract
Resilience in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Kaye-Kauderer Halley , Feingold Jordyn H. , Feder Adriana , Southwick Steven , Charney Dennis
Published: February 2021

Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity or trauma. Recent advances in resilience research have shifted away from merely describing individual characteristics towards focusing on the complex interactions between individuals and their dynamic personal, community and cultural contexts. It is clear that resilience involves both neurobiological and cultural processes. Neurobiological contributions include genes, epigenetics, stress-response systems, the immune system and neural circuitry. Culture helps to elucidate collective systems of belief and accepted positive adaptations. Importantly, resilience can also be affected by evidence-based interventions and deliberate practice on the part of the individual. This review seeks to understand resilience as a complex and active process that is shaped by neurobiological profiles, developmental experiences, cultural and temporal contexts, and practical training. It uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a case example to better understand individual and group responses to tragedy. We suggest practical recommendations to help populations around the world cope and recover from the global threat of COVID-19.
Well-Being of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Providers and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the New York and New Jersey Epicenter
Authors: Moerdler Scott , Steinberg Dara M. , Jin Zhezhen , Cole Peter D. , Levy Adam S. , Rosenthal Susan L.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the well-being of healthcare workers to varying degrees. The aim of the current study was to investigate how the pandemic has affected the burnout, stress, and emotional well-being of pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) providers and staff in the New York and New Jersey epicenter.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in June 2020 during the pandemic through an electronic survey. The survey contained questions surrounding demographics, pandemic experiences, and validated burnout, stress, and emotional well-being measures.

RESULTS:

Two hundred fifty-two PHO providers and staff responded to the survey. Overall, half of the participants reported high levels of burnout, average stress scores were in the mild-moderate range, and the majority scored in the none-to-mild symptomatology range for their well-being. Self-reported burnout levels before the pandemic and geographic work location were statistically significant risk factors for all outcomes. Additional predictors for some outcomes included hospital role, lack of trust in leadership, and deployment. The majority of participants (87.0%) reported that their hospitals had made mental health resources related to COVID-19 available to them but only 8.4% reported having used them.

CONCLUSION:

PHO providers and staff in the NYC/NJ area are experiencing a range of emotional experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the majority are not using current resources. With the continuation of the pandemic, we must continue efforts to improve provider and staff distress to mitigate the degree of potential negative short-term and long-term impact.
Long-Term Weight Loss Strategies for Obesity
Authors: Kheniser Karim , Saxon David R , Kashyap Sangeeta R
Published: February 2021

Context

Obesity is a chronic disease that is difficult to manage without holistic therapy. The therapeutic armamentarium for obesity primarily consists of 4 forms of therapy: lifestyle modification (ie, diet and exercise), cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Evidence acquisition

Evidence was consolidated from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses.

Evidence synthesis

After 2 years, lifestyle interventions can facilitate weight loss that equates to ~5%. Even though lifestyle interventions are plagued by weight regain, they can have substantial effects on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. Although 10-year percentage excess weight loss can surpass 50% after bariatric surgery, weight regain is likely. To mitigate weight regain, instituting a multifactorial maintenance program is imperative. Such a program can integrate diet, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. Moreover, behavioral therapy can complement a maintenance program well.

Conclusions

Obesity is best managed by a multidisciplinary clinical team that integrates diet, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. Bariatric surgery is needed to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity in select patients.
Mechanosensory neuron regeneration in adult Drosophila
Authors: Fernández-Hernández Ismael , Marsh Evan B. , Bonaguidi Michael A.
Published: February 2021

Auditory and vestibular mechanosensory hair cells do not regenerate following injury or aging in the adult mammalian inner ear, inducing irreversible hearing loss and balance disorders for millions of people. Research on model systems showing replacement of mechanosensory cells can provide mechanistic insights into developing new regenerative therapies. Here, we developed lineage tracing systems to reveal the generation of mechanosensory neurons in the Johnston's organ (JO) of intact adult Drosophila, which are the functional counterparts to hair cells in vertebrates. New JO neurons develop cilia and target central brain circuitry. Unexpectedly, mitotic recombination clones point to JO neuron self-replication as a likely source of neuronal plasticity. This mechanism is further enhanced upon treatment with experimental and ototoxic compounds. Our findings introduce a new platform to expedite research on mechanisms and compounds mediating mechanosensory cell regeneration, with nascent implications for hearing and balance restoration.
Innate immune receptor clustering and its role in immune regulation
Authors: Li Miao , Yu Yan
Published: February 2021

The discovery of receptor clustering in the activation of adaptive immune cells has revolutionized our understanding of the physical basis of immune signal transduction. In contrast to the extensive studies of adaptive immune cells, particularly T cells, there is a lesser, but emerging, recognition that the formation of receptor clusters is also a key regulatory mechanism in host–pathogen interactions. Many kinds of innate immune receptors have been found to assemble into nano- or micro-sized domains on the surfaces of cells. The clusters formed between diverse categories of innate immune receptors function as a multi-component apparatus for pathogen detection and immune response regulation. Here, we highlight these pioneering efforts and the outstanding questions that remain to be answered regarding this largely under-explored research topic. We provide a critical analysis of the current literature on the clustering of innate immune receptors. Our emphasis is on studies that draw connections between the phenomenon of receptor clustering and its functional role in innate immune regulation.
Magnitude of parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women at health facilities in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Wachamo Demelash , Bonja Fisseha , Tadege Bamlaku , Hussen Siraj
Published: February 2021

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are common problems during pregnancy, with adverse outcomes including low birth weight and prenatal mortality. The burden of parasitic infections and its impacts are high among pregnant women in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the burden and associated factors of parasitic infections.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 randomly selected women attending antenatal clinic at five selected health facilities. Data was collected by a pre-tested questionnaire and stool specimens were collected in clean plastic containers. A combination of direct microscopy and the formol-ether concentration technique was used as soon as the specimen collected. Data entry and analysed for descriptive and logistic regression models by SPSS v.23. The result declared as statistically significant at p < 0.05.  

Results: The overall prevalence of IPI was 161 (45.9%). The most frequently identified parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (27.9%), Schistosoma species (13.7%), Trichuris trichiura (5.1%), Hookworm (4.8%), and Taenia species. (1.4%). The IPIs were associated with women having no formal education [AOR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.05-4.57] or elementary school education [AOR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.11-3.27], as compared with high school educated and above. Monthly income of less than 1920 Ethiopian birr [AOR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.31], sharing a latrine with neighbours [AOR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.14-2.93], using lake water for washing clothes [AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.34-3.74], habit of eating raw vegetables [AOR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.30-3.92] were associated with IPI as compared to their counterparts.

Conclusions: Nearly half of the pregnant women were infected with IPs. The health facilities and clinicians need to focus on prevention of IPIs by early diagnosis, treating lake water before use, promote proper latrine utilization and provision of pertinent health education as part of ante-natal care service. It is important to minimize the impact of IPIs on pregnant women and their child.
Molecular study of sapovirus in acute gastroenteritis in children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Shrief Raghdaa , Hassan Rasha H.
Published: February 2021

Background: Sapovirus has emerged as a viral cause of acute gastroenteritis. However, there are insufficient data about the presence of this virus among children with acute gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of sapovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 100 children patients with acute gastroenteritis from outpatient clinics with excluded bacterial pathogens and parasitic infestation. A stool sample was collected from each child for laboratory examination. Each stool sample was subjected to study by direct microscopic examination, study for rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and the remaining sample was subjected to RNA extraction and RT- PCR for sapovirus.

Results: The most frequently detected virus was rotavirus by ELISA (25%). RT-PCR detected sapovirus in 7% of the stool samples. The children with sapovirus were all from rural regions and presented mainly during the winter season in Egypt (42.9%). The main presenting symptoms were fever (71.4%) and vomiting (57.1%). None of the children with sapovirus had dehydration. Rotavirus was significantly associated with sapovirus infections in 5 patients (71.4%, P=0.01). There was an insignificant difference between symptoms of gastroenteritis in children with sapovirus and children with gastroenteritis without sapovirus as regards vomiting (P=0.7), fever (P=0.46), and abdominal pain (P=0.69).

Conclusion: The present study highlights the emergence of sapovirus as a frequent pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis in children. There is a need for a national survey program for the study of sapovirus among other pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis for better management of such infection.
ETNOGRAFÍA DEL CONFLICTO SOCIOCULTURAL EN TORNO A LOS BURROS-TAXI DE MIJAS
Authors: Porrah Blanko Huan
Published: February 2021

These pages attempt to contribute ethnographic material to the discussions and contextual circumstances of a peculiar sociocultural conflict over the relationship between humans and animals in the village of Mijas-Miha (Andalusia, Western Mediterranean), where the existence over six decades of a local service of Donkey-Taxi for tourists has recenly unleashed an abolitionist campaign by animal rights activists. Through the use of ethnographic methodology, this fundamentally descriptive and case-based article is originated around the contradictions of the urban-animalist ideology regarding the ways of life and the Andalusian peasantry culture. Processes which sometimes places us in the urban vs. rural traditional dialectic, or as a result of a globalizing Western ethnocentrism in relation to how to apprehend the nature and the human.
Mind the (Convergence) Gap: Bond Predictability Strikes Back!
Authors: Berardi Andrea , Markovich Michael , Plazzi Alberto , Tamoni Andrea
Published: February 2021

We show that the difference between the natural rate of interest and the current level of monetary policy stance, which we label Convergence Gap (CG), contains information that is valuable for bond predictability. Adding CG in forecasting regressions of bond excess returns significantly raises the R2, and restores countercyclical variation in bond risk premia that is otherwise missed by forward rates. Consistent with the argument that CG captures the effect of real imbalances on the path of rates, our factor has predictive ability for real bond excess returns. The importance of the gap remains robust out-of-sample and in countries other than the United States. Furthermore, its inclusion brings significant economic gains in the context of dynamic conditional asset allocation.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Poorer outcomes for poorer countries: hypertension and its global burden
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: February 2021

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
Filler in the foot: treatment of plantar fat pad atrophy with dermal fillers
Authors: Miller Amy
Published: February 2021

A significant number of patients presenting to an aesthetics practice for anti-ageing treatments also have metatarsalgia secondary to age-related planter fat pad atrophy. Injections of dermal filler into the plantar fat pads has been shown to relieve foot pain and revolumise the plantar fat pads, leading to an improved quality of life for patients. Aesthetic practitioners, with their knowledge of dermal fillers and injection skills, are ideally situated to help these patients. This article reviews the relationship between metatarsalgia and plantar fat pad atrophy and the history dermal filler injections to the plantar fat pads. Types of dermal fillers suited for plantar implantation, technique for injections and possible adverse events are also reviewed.
Shear modulus and damping ratio of clay soil under repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Authors: Roustaei Mahya
Published: February 2021

The dynamic properties of soil deposits subjected to dynamic loading, such as the shear modulus G and material damping ratio D, are important parameters in ground response seismic analysis. In seasonally frozen regions, these properties can be significantly affected by microstructural changes that occur during freeze-thaw cycles. The current study evaluated the dynamic properties of clayey soil exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. Dynamic triaxial testing was conducted to determine the influence of mean effective consolidation stress, cyclic stress ratio, loading frequency, and freeze-thaw cycles on G-γ and D-γ curves. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to investigate microstructural changes in the clay soil fabric. The results indicate the freeze-thaw process has an important effect on dynamic properties of the soil. The dynamic shear modulus increases with increasing effective confining pressure, loading frequency, and confining pressure, and decreases with increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles. Development of more voids between clay particles after ice lens formation during these cycles results in an increase in the damping ratio, but this trend decreases with increasing confining pressure. Increasing the loading frequency increases or decreases the damping ratio depending upon the mean effective confining pressure and number of freeze-thaw cycles.
Radiografía del conflicto chileno: democracia representativa en crisis
Authors: Ariztía Teresa , Bustamante Ángeles
Published: February 2021

Más de un año ha pasado desde que se inició el llamado estallido social en Chile. Sin embargo, las problemáticas que lo motivaron y la complejidad de los hechos ocurridos desde octubre del 2019 continúan siendo tema de debate, especialmente en las discusiones en torno al proceso constituyente, surgido en gran medida como consecuencia de las movilizaciones. En el presente artículo se entregan claves para comprender cómo y por qué se produjo el conflicto, así como las repercusiones que se esperan a partir de él. Para esto se realiza una revisión tanto de los actores más relevantes –y las tensiones entre ellos–, como de los eventos destacados en medios de prensa y redes sociales digitales, los cuales, tras un análisis apoyado por literatura científica, son vinculables a procesos históricos más amplios, a la estructura societaria chilena y a movimientos transnacionales.
Balance del año y reflexiones finales desde Wallmapu
Authors: Mariman Quemenado Pablo
Published: February 2021

El escrito aborda dimensiones políticas de las relaciones interétnicas en Wallmapu, prestando atención a los fenómenos de violencia y sus consecuencias  mediante prácticas de terrorismo de estado sobre el pueblo mapuche, anteriores y posteriores al estallido social del año 2019. Hace alcances sobre las estrategias políticas del movimiento mapuche en el momento constituyente en proceso y se interroga sobre los escenarios que se pueden abrir (o cerrar) ante un horizonte libre determinista que se vislumbra como superación de una contradicción que opone a una etnoclase que defiende la construcción jurídica del estado-nación, ante pueblos que promueven el "despertar" o "la primavera chilena" tras la propuesta de una asamblea constituyente plurinacional.
Derechos Humanos y Pueblo Mapuche
Authors: Molinet Soledad , Peralta Cristián
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo busca documentar y problematizar de manera general la situación de los derechos humanos y Pueblo Mapuche en la Araucanía durante el transcurso del año 2019 en el contexto del denominado “estadillo social”. El trabajo se estructura a partir de cuatro puntos. El primero, aborda la noción de derechos humanos, sus principios y las conceptualizaciones asociadas. El segundo, problematiza las deudas del Estado chileno en materia de derechos humanos a partir del análisis de casos emblemáticos. Asimismo, en este punto se aborda la vulneración de los derechos culturales a propósito de la tramitación de la Ley de Patrimonio Cultural y de la fallida Consulta Indígena. El tercer punto, documenta y devela las vulneraciones ejercidas por agentes del Estado en La Araucanía a partir de los reportes emitidos por el Instituto de derechos Humanos de la Araucanía. Finalmente, se lleva a cabo un ejercicio comparativo a partir de las conclusiones y recomendaciones emanadas en los informes de las misiones de organismos internacionales (Amnistía Internacional, Human Rights Watch, ACNUDH, CIDH), a partir de las observaciones in situ realizadas por estos agentes en el transcurso del año 2019, en el contexto del estallido social en Chile.
La crisis global, el nuevo papel del Estado y los posibles escenarios pos ̶Covid ̶19 Global crisis, new role of the State and possible scenarios pos ̶Covid ̶19
Authors: Pastor Jaime
Published: February 2021

La irrupción de la pandemia de la Covid-19 ha provocado un encadenamiento de crisis entrecruzadas en distintos ámbitos con un alcance global. Sin embargo, se observa cierta recuperación del papel del Estado en la respuesta a los desafíos más inmediatos en el plano sanitario, securitario, económico y social en un contexto de crisis de la globalización neoliberal y de competencia geopolítica entre viejas y nuevas grandes potencias, pero también de agravación del cambio climático y de revalorización de lo público y lo común. En este artículo se subrayan los límites de la escala estatal para afrontar estos retos, pero también las dificultades para superar la actual crisis de gobernanza global. Finalmente, se apuntan distintos escenarios posibles en un mundo pos-Covid-19: el business as usual, el neosocialdemócrata y el que puede venir de los movimientos sociales que aspiran a un cambio de paradigma civilizatorio. Más allá de estas especulaciones, se concluye que la coexistencia con la inseguridad ante el futuro caracterizará la normalidad en esta nueva era.
Snapshot compressive spectral depth imaging from coded aberrations
Authors: Marquez Miguel , Meza Pablo , Rojas Fernando , Arguello Henry , Vera Esteban
Published: February 2021

Compressive spectral depth imaging (CSDI) is an emerging technology aiming to reconstruct spectral and depth information of a scene from a limited set of two-dimensional projections. CSDI architectures have conventionally relied on stereo setups that require the acquisition of multiple shots attained via dynamically programmable spatial light modulators (SLM). This work proposes a snapshot CSDI architecture that exploits both phase and amplitude modulation and uses a single image sensor. Specifically, we modulate the spectral-depth information in two steps. Firstly, a deformable mirror (DM) is used as a phase modulator to induce a focal length sweeping while simultaneously introducing a controlled aberration. The phase-modulated wavefront is then spatially modulated and spectrally dispersed by a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a prism, respectively. Therefore, each depth plane is modulated by a variable phase and binary code. Complimentary, we also propose a computational methodology to recover the underlying spectral depth hypercube efficiently. Through simulations and our experimental proof-of-concept implementation, we demonstrate that the proposed computational imaging system is a viable approach to capture spectral-depth hypercubes from a single image.
Simply and cost-effectively fabricated AuNP-based fusion spliced transmissive optical fiber LSPR probes
Authors: Liu Ting , Ding He , Zhan Chengsen , Huang Jiawei , Wang Shouyu
Published: February 2021

The transmissive optical fiber localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor has become an effective tool in refractive index sensing because of its compact structure, high sensitivity and strong designability. However, its special structure with the sensing region in the middle of the optical fiber leads to the shortcomings of difficult preparation and poor reproducibility, which greatly restricts its application scopes. In order to solve such problem, we design gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based fusion spliced transmissive optical fiber LSPR probes, which are fabricated via the fusion splicing between the surface modified combination tapered optical fiber and another multimode quartz optical fiber but are totally different from other fabrications of the reported transmissive optical fiber LSPR probes. The fiber probe fabrication is rather simple and cost-effective, only relying on the procedures of combination tapered optical fiber preparation, surface modification and probe fusion splicing, and except for the probe fusion splicing, the other procedures can be mass prepared thus maintaining high efficiency and good reproducibility in fiber probe fabrications. Moreover, according to the experimental verifications, the proposed fiber probes can reach rather high sensitivity in refractive index sensing with high accuracy and good stability in both static and dynamic detecting modes. Therefore, the AuNP-based fusion spliced transmissive optical fiber LSPR probe is a preferred solution for refractive index sensing and can be widely used in various applications.
Metamaterial-based ultrashort multimode waveguide taper with low intermodal crosstalk
Authors: Sun Lu , Zhang Ruining
Published: February 2021

We propose and theoretically demonstrate an ultrashort multimode waveguide taper based on the all-dielectric metamaterial. Attributed to the gradient index distribution of the metamaterial, the spot sizes of the four lowest-order transverse magnetic (TM) modes can be expanded in a short distance of 6 μm with negligible mode conversions. Numerical results prove that the insertion losses of the taper are lower than 1 dB, 1.12 dB, 1.26 dB and 1.66 dB for the TM0 - TM3 modes, respectively, and the intermodal crosstalk values are below -15 dB for the four modes, both in the wavelength range of 1.5 μm - 1.6 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first multimode waveguide taper that has low intermodal crosstalk of < -15 dB over a 100-nm bandwidth.
Transient dynamics of atomic spin in the spin-exchange-relaxation-free regime
Authors: Tang Junjian , Yin Yan , Zhai YueYang , Zhou Binquan , Han Bangcheng , Yang Hongying , Liu Gang
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we experimentally study transient dynamics of spin polarized atoms in the spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) regime with a single-beam configuration. We pumped atoms with a weak detuning pumping beam, along with a sequence of magnetic field pulses orthogonal to the pumping beam were applied. The dynamics of atomic spin, which experiences Larmor precession under the perturbation of magnetic field, is detected by the transmitted pumping beam. Benefited from the long coherence time of atomic spin in the SERF regime, the dependence of precession frequency and decay rate, which is equal to the magnetic resonance linewidth of atomic spin, on magnetic fields is studied with the transient dynamics of atomic spin in the limit of low spin polarization. Moreover, we demonstrate that coil constants can be calibrated by analyzing the precession frequency of the transient dynamics of atomic spin. And the experimental results show that the coil constants are 114.25 ± 0.02 nT/mA and 114.12 ± 0.04 nT/mA in x- and y-axis, respectively. This method is particularly applicable to study the atomic spin dynamics and calibrate the coil constant in situ of a miniature single-beam SERF magnetometer.
LiNbO3 waveguide with embedded Ag nanowire and 3L MoS2 for strong light confinement and ultra-long propagation length in the visible spectral range
Authors: Huang Qiangsheng , Jia Jing , Forsberg Erik , He Sailing
Published: February 2021

A vertical slot LiNbO3 waveguide with an Ag nanowire and 3L MoS2 embedded in the low-refractive index slot region is proposed for the purpose of improving light confinement. We find that the proposed waveguide has a novel dielectric based plasmonic mode, where local light field is enhanced by the Ag nanowire. The mode exhibits an extremely large figure of merit (FoM) of 6.5×106, one order of magnitude larger than that the largest FoM of any plasmonic waveguide reported in the literature to date. The waveguide also has an extremely long propagation length of 84 cm in the visible wavelength at 680 nm. Furthermore, the waveguide has a low sub-micro bending loss and can be directly connected to all-dielectric waveguides with an extremely low coupling loss. The proposed vertical slot LiNbO3 waveguide is a promising candidate for the realization of ultrahigh integration density tunable circuits in the visible spectral range.