bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ratioing the President: An exploration of public engagement with Obama and Trump on Twitter
Authors: Minot Joshua R. , Arnold Michael V. , Alshaabi Thayer , Danforth Christopher M. , Dodds Peter Sheridan
Published: April 2021

The past decade has witnessed a marked increase in the use of social media by politicians, most notably exemplified by the 45th President of the United States (POTUS), Donald Trump. On Twitter, POTUS messages consistently attract high levels of engagement as measured by likes, retweets, and replies. Here, we quantify the balance of these activities, also known as “ratios”, and study their dynamics as a proxy for collective political engagement in response to presidential communications. We find that raw activity counts increase during the period leading up to the 2016 election, accompanied by a regime change in the ratio of retweets-to-replies connected to the transition between campaigning and governing. For the Trump account, we find words related to fake news and the Mueller inquiry are more common in tweets with a high number of replies relative to retweets. Finally, we find that Barack Obama consistently received a higher retweet-to-reply ratio than Donald Trump. These results suggest Trump’s Twitter posts are more often controversial and subject to enduring engagement as a given news cycle unfolds.
Firearms and violence in Europe–A systematic review
Authors: Krüsselmann Katharina , Aarten Pauline , Liem Marieke
Published: April 2021

Background

Higher availability of firearms has been connected to higher rates of interpersonal violence in previous studies. Yet, those studies have focused mainly on the United States, or used aggregated international data to study firearm violence. Whether those aggregated findings are applicable to understanding the phenomenon in continental Europe specifically remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to bring together all studies that exclusively use European data.

Methods

Nine databases were searched, resulting in more than 1900 individual studies. These studies were assessed on relevance and eligibility for this study, based on their title, abstract and full text. Information on study characteristics, operationalizations of main concepts and study results were extracted from the six eligible studies.

Results

Four studies assessed the impact of firearm restrictive regulations on the rate of firearm homicides. Two other studies correlated rates of firearm availability and -violence. Results vary: some studies show a clear decline once availability of firearms is restricted, while others indicate a limited effect on only a very specific subgroup, such as female victims, or national guards with weapons at home. Moreover, studies used various operationalizations for firearm availability, thereby decreasing the comparability of findings.

Conclusion

Empirical research exclusively using European data is still lacking. To increase comparability of future studies, methodological inconsistencies and regional gaps need to be overcome. Assessing how firearm availability can be measured with reliable and valid proxies across countries will be a crucial first step to improve future research on the link between firearms and firearm violence.
Mapping expanded prostate cancer index composite to EQ5D utilities to inform economic evaluations in prostate cancer: Secondary analysis of NRG/RTOG 0415
Authors: Khairnar Rahul , Pugh Stephanie L. , Sandler Howard M. , Lee W. Robert , Villalonga Olives Ester , Mullins C. Daniel , Palumbo Francis B. , Bruner Deborah W. , Shaya Fadia T. , Bentzen Soren M. , Shah Amit B. , Malone Shawn C. , Michalski Jeff M. , Dayes Ian S. , Seaward Samantha A. , Albert Michele , Currey Adam D. , Pisansky Thomas M. , Chen Yuhchyau , Horwitz Eric M. , DeNittis Albert S. , Feng Felix Y. , Mishra Mark V.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) is the most commonly used patient reported outcome (PRO) tool in prostate cancer (PC) clinical trials, but health utilities associated with the different health states assessed with this tool are unknown, limiting our ability to perform cost-utility analyses. This study aimed to map EPIC tool to EuroQoL-5D-3L (EQ5D) to generate EQ5D health utilities.

Methods and materials

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized non-inferiority clinical trial, conducted between 04/2006 and 12/2009 at cancer centers across the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. Eligible patients included men >18 years with a known diagnosis of low-risk PC. Patient HRQoL data were collected using EPIC and health utilities were obtained using EQ5D. Data were divided into an estimation sample (n = 765, 70%) and a validation sample (n = 327, 30%). The mapping algorithms that capture the relationship between the instruments were estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS), Tobit, and two-part models. Five-fold cross-validation (in-sample) was used to compare the predictive performance of the estimated models. Final models were selected based on root mean square error (RMSE).

Results

A total of 565 patients in the estimation sample had complete information on both EPIC and EQ5D questionnaires at baseline. Mean observed EQ5D utility was 0.90±0.13 (range: 0.28–1) with 55% of patients in full health. OLS models outperformed their counterpart Tobit and two-part models for all pre-determined model specifications. The best model fit was: “EQ5D utility = 0.248541 + 0.000748*(Urinary Function) + 0.001134*(Urinary Bother) + 0.000968*(Hormonal Function) + 0.004404*(Hormonal Bother)– 0.376487*(Zubrod) + 0.003562*(Urinary Function*Zubrod)”; RMSE was 0.10462.

Conclusions

This is the first study to identify a comprehensive set of mapping algorithms to generate EQ5D utilities from EPIC domain/ sub-domain scores. The study results will help estimate quality-adjusted life-years in PC economic evaluations.
The prevalence of 30 HPV genotypes detected by EUROArray HPV in cervical samples among unvaccinated women from Vojvodina province, Serbia
Authors: Kovacevic Gordana , Milosevic Vesna , Nikolic Natasa , Patic Aleksandra , Dopudj Nela , Radovanov Jelena , Hrnjakovic Cvjetkovic Ivana , Petrovic Vladimir , Petrovic Milena
Published: April 2021

This study evaluates the pre-vaccination prevalence of HPV infection in women from Vojvodina, Serbia, according to age and cytological status. A total of 1,495 women, ranging from 18 to 65 years of age, with different cytological results were enrolled. The HPV genotyping assay was performed using the EUROArray HPV test in order to detect thirty genitally relevant HPV subtypes. In our study, the most prevalent genotypeswere HPV 16, 31, 51, and 53. Among these, HPV 16 was consistently present in all cytological subgroups. Twelve HPV genotypes classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) were detected in 77.8.0% of HSIL/ASCH and 55.0% of NILM with abnormal colposcopy findings. Six possible carcinogens—HRs (group 2B) were often found in women with normal cytology (14.8%) and mild abnormalities (ASCUS and LSIL), but with lower frequence in HSIL/ASCH lesions (7.1%). HPVs 6 and 11(Group 3) were not found in the cases of HSIL/ASCH. Unclassified HPV types were equally distributed in all cytology groups: 20.7%, 19.1%, 16.3% and 13% of NILM, ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL/ASCH, respectively. Our findings highlight that majority of abnormal Pap test results are caused by Group 1 HPVs among women from our region. Low frequency HPVs of group 2A/2B, especially HSIL/ASCH, supports the conclusion that individual genotypes require consideration of each type as an individual agent. We expect a positive impact of HPV vaccine in reducing HPV-associated cervical lesions among women from Vojvodina province, after establishing vaccination programs in our country.
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites reflect hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)
Authors: Di Francesco Juliette , Mastromonaco Gabriela F. , Rowell Janice E. , Blake John , Checkley Sylvia L. , Kutz Susan
Published: April 2021

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), a taxonomically unique Arctic species, are increasingly exposed to climate and other anthropogenic changes. It is critical to develop and validate reliable tools to monitor their physiological stress response in order to assess the impacts of these changes. Here, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels in response to the administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the winter (1 IU/kg) and summer (2 IU/kg) using two enzyme immunoassays, one targeting primarily cortisol and the other targeting primarily corticosterone. Fecal cortisol levels varied substantially within and among individuals, and none of the animals in either challenge showed an increase in fecal cortisol following the injection of ACTH. By contrast, two of six (winter) and two of five (summer) muskoxen showed a clear response in fecal corticosterone levels (i.e., maximal percentage increase as compared to time 0 levels > 100%). Increases in fecal corticosterone post-ACTH injection occurred earlier and were of shorter duration in the summer than in the winter and fecal corticosterone levels were, in general, lower during the summer. These seasonal differences in FGM responses may be related to the use of different individuals (i.e., influence of sex, age, social status, etc.) and to seasonal variations in the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids, intestinal transit time, voluntary food intake, and fecal output and moisture content. Results from this study support using FGMs as a biomarker of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in muskoxen, advance our understanding of the physiological adaptations of mammals living in highly seasonal and extreme environments such as the Arctic, and emphasize the importance of considering seasonality in other species when interpreting FGM levels.
Increasing saving intentions through leaderboards: A gamification approach
Authors: Zhang Yi , van Horen Femke , Zeelenberg Marcel
Published: April 2021

Saving money is important but challenging. To spur financial saving intentions, we propose a new strategy—gamification. Specifically, we investigate the effectiveness of competitive leaderboards in increasing individuals’ saving intentions. The results of two studies (total N = 618) show consistently that people’s saving intentions are higher when presented with a leaderboard than when not. Further, as leaderboards elicit social comparison, we explore whether the height of the comparison standard and individuals’ social comparison orientation moderate the effect. We find that the effect of leaderboards on saving intentions is more pronounced when people compare with a higher (as compared to a lower) standard (Study 1), but that the effect is not influenced by individuals’ social comparison orientation (Study 2). Taken together, this research provides a new and simple-to-implement strategy to facilitate saving intentions in order to help improve people’s financial well-being.
Prevalence, risk factors and predicted risk of cardiac events in chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology in Sri Lanka: A tubular interstitial nephropathy
Authors: Hettiarachchi Thilini W. , Fernando Buddhi N. T. W. , Sudeshika Thilini , Badurdeen Zeid , Anand Shuchi , Kularatne Ajith , Wijetunge Sulochana , Abeysundara Hemalika T. K. , Nanayakkara Nishantha
Published: April 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ‘traditional’ chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu), a tubular interstitial nephropathy is typically minimally proteinuric without high rates of associated hypertension or vascular disease and it is unknown if the rates of CVD are similar. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and the risk of CVD in patients with CKDu. This cross-sectional study included patients with confirmed CKDu who were attending two renal clinics in CKDu endemic-area. A detailed medical history, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (resting and six minutes vigorous walking), echocardiograms, appropriate laboratory parameters and medical record reviews were used to collect data at baseline. The WHO/Pan American Health Organization, cardiovascular risk calculator was employed to determine the future risk of CVD. The clinics had recorded 132 number of patients with CKDu, of these 119 consented to participation in the study. The mean age was 52 (± 9.5) years and mean eGFR was 51.1 (± 27.61); a majority (81.5% (n = 97)) were males. Thirty-four patients (28.6%) had evidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Troponin-I (p = 0.02), Age >50 years (p = 0.01) and hyperuricemia (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with IHD in CKDu. Left ventricular hypertrophy was reported in 20.2% (n = 24). According to the risk calculator, 97% of the enrolled patients were at low risk (<10%) for experiencing a cardiovascular event within the next 10 years. Patients with CKDu have low prevalence and risk for CVD, implying that a majority are likely to survive to reach end-stage kidney disease. Our findings highlight the need for developing strategies to minimize the progression of CKDu to end-stage renal disease.
Characterization and comparison of the digestive physiology of two scombrids, Katsuwonus pelamis and Sarda sarda, in the Gulf of Cádiz
Authors: Dias Diogo , Dardengo Gian Marco , Engrola Sofia , Navarro-Guillén Carmen
Published: April 2021

Fish and other marine animals have a unique and intimate interaction with their surrounding environment. Diet type or trophic level play significant roles in modulating species digestive physiology. However, little is known about how the trophic niche influences digestive activity and gut microbiota in scombrids species. The aim of the present study was to analyse and describe the digestive physiology of the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and the Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) as bioindicator of the feeding ecology and trophic niche for both species in the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain). For that, fish proximate composition, pH of digestive organs and digestive enzymes activity levels were analysed in 10 individuals of each species to gain insight into the digestive physiological adaptations of the two species of scombrids. In addition, intestinal microbiota composition was determined for the skipjack tuna. The integration of the results suggested a clear trophic niche segregation between both species. Stomach pH was associated in both species with infrequent feeding events. Body proximate composition and digestive lipases activity patterns pointed to a high predominance of lipids in the Atlantic bonito diet, suggesting oily fish as main prey. On the other hand, results supported the skipjack tuna as a highly opportunistic feeder with a more varied diet, including fish but also crustaceans as preys. The gut microbial community in the latter species is dominated by Firmicutes and Tenericutes at phylum level, and by Mycoplasma, Blautia and Dorea at genus level. The present study contributes to advance the knowledge on the feeding behaviour and physiology diversity in fish species as a result of adaptation to a particular habitat.
Pressure gradient measurement to verify hemodynamic results of the chimney endovascular aortic repair (chEVAR) technique
Authors: Milnerowicz Artur Igor , Milnerowicz Aleksandra , Bańkowski Tomasz , Protasiewicz Marcin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The use of the pressure gradient measurements to assess the renal artery flow hemodynamics after chimney endovascular aortic repair (chEVAR).

Methods

The study was a prospective analysis of 37 chEVAR procedures performend in 24 patients with perirenal aortic aneurysm. In all patients the measurement of: distal renal artery pressure (Pd), aortic pressure (Pa), Pd/Pa ratio (Pd/Pa) and mean gradient (MG) between the aorta and the distal renal artery were performed. Measurements were taken with 0.014 inch pressure wire catheter before and after the chEVAR procedure. MG greater than 9 mmHg and Pd/Pa ratio below 0.90 were considered as the measures of a significant decrease in distal pressure that limited flow in renal arteries. The 6 month follow-up computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed in all patients to diagnose potential endoleak presence and to verify the patency of the chimney stent-grafts.

Results

All procedures were successful, and no periprocedural complications were observed in any of the patients. The mean gradient values before and after the chimney implantation did not change significantly (6,2±2,0 mmHg and 6,8±2,2 mmHg, respectively). Similarly, no significant change in Pd/Pa values was noted with the value of 0.9 observed both before and after the procedure. All chimney stents were patent on the control CTA. Type Ia endoleak was found in 4 (10.8%) patients.

Conclusions

The application of the described technique seems to be a safe method which allows a direct measurement of renal artery flow hemodynamics before and after chimney implantation during the chEVAR technique. The use of covered balloon expandable stents, ensures the proper blood flow in the renal arteries during the chEVAR technique.
Intrahepatic distribution of nerve fibers and alterations due to fibrosis in diseased liver
Authors: Mizuno Kei , Haga Hiroaki , Okumoto Kazuo , Hoshikawa Kyoko , Katsumi Tomohiro , Nishina Taketo , Saito Takafumi , Katagiri Hideki , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2021

Autonomic nerve fibers in the liver are distributed along the portal tract, being involved in the regulation of blood flow, bile secretion and hepatic metabolism, thus contributing to systemic homeostasis. The present study investigated changes in hepatic nerve fibers in liver biopsy specimens from patients with normal liver, viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, in relation to clinical background. The areal ratio of nerve fibers to the total portal area was automatically calculated for each sample. The nerve fiber areal ratios (NFAR) for total nerve fibers and sympathetic nerve fibers were significantly lower in liver affected by chronic hepatitis, particularly viral hepatitis, and this was also the case for advanced liver fibrosis. However, the degree of inflammatory activity did not affect NFAR for either whole nerves or sympathetic nerves. Comparison of samples obtained before and after antiviral treatment for HCV demonstrated recovery of NFAR along with improvement of liver fibrosis.
Factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes in patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in Colombia 2013–2015: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chaves-Torres Ninfa Marlen , Fadul Santiago , Patiño Jesus , Netto Eduardo
Published: April 2021

Background

Multidrug- and rifampicin (RMP)-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) requires prolonged and expensive treatment, which is difficult to sustain in the Colombian health system. This requires the joint action of different providers to provide timely health services to people with TB. Identifying factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes in patients with MDR/RR-TB who received drug therapy between 2013 and 2015 in Colombia can help guide the strengthening of the national TB control program.

Method

A retrospective cohort study was conducted with all patients who received treatment for MDR/RR-TB between January 2013 and December 2015 in Colombia who were registered and followed up by the national TB control program. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the associations between the exposure variables with the response variable (treatment outcome).

Results

A total of 511 patients with MDR/RR-TB were registered and followed up by the national TB control program in Colombia, of whom 16 (3.1%) had extensive drug resistance, 364 (71.2%) had multidrug resistance, and 131 (25.6%) had RMP monoresistance. The mean age was 39.9 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 38.5–41.3), most patients were male 285 (64.6%), and 299 (67.8%) were eligible for subsidized health services. The rate of unfavorable treatment outcomes in the RR-TB cohort was 50.1%, with rates of 85.7% for patients with extensive drug resistance, 47.6% for patients with multidrug resistance, and 52.6% for patients with RMP monoresistance. The 511 MDR/RR-TB patients were included in bivariate and multivariate analyses, patients age ≥ 60 years (crude odds ratio (ORc) = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.8; adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.8) and subsidized health regime affiliation (ORc = 3.6, 95% CI 2.3–5.6; ORa = 3.4, 95% CI 2.0–6.0) were associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

More than 50% of the patients with MDR/RR-TB in Colombia experienced unfavorable treatment outcomes. The patients who were eligible for subsidized care were more likely to experience unfavorable treatment outcomes. Those who were older than 60 years were also more likely to experience unfavorable treatment outcomes.
The synthetic opioid fentanyl enhances viral replication in vitro
Authors: Kong Ling , Karns Rebekah , Shata Mohamed Tarek M. , Brown Jennifer L. , Lyons Michael S. , Sherman Kenneth E. , Blackard Jason T.
Published: April 2021

The US is in the midst of a major drug epidemic fueled in large part by the widespread recreational use of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Persons with opioid use disorder are at significant risk for transmission of injection-associated infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Commonly abused substances may antagonize immune responses and promote viral replication. However, the impact of synthetic opioids on virus replication has not been well explored. Thus, we evaluated the impact of fentanyl and carfentanil using in vitro systems that replicate infectious viruses. Fentanyl was used in cell lines replicating HBV or HCV at concentrations of 1 ng, 100 ng, and 10 ug. Viral protein synthesis was quantified by ELISA, while apoptosis and cell death were measured by M30 or MTT assays, respectively. HCV replicative fitness was evaluated in a luciferase-based system. RNAseq was performed to evaluate cellular gene regulation in the presence of fentanyl. Low dose fentanyl had no impact on HCV replication in Huh7.5JFH1 hepatocytes; however, higher doses significantly enhanced HCV replication. Similarly, a dose-dependent increase in HCV replicative fitness was observed in the presence of fentanyl. In the HepG2.2.15 hepatocyte cell line, fentanyl caused a dose-dependent increase in HBV replication, although only a higher doses than for HCV. Addition of fentanyl resulted in significant apoptosis in both hepatocyte cell lines. Cell death was minimal at low drug concentrations. RNAseq identified a number of hepatocyte genes that were differentially regulated by fentanyl, including those related to apoptosis, the antiviral / interferon response, chemokine signaling, and NFκB signaling. Collectively, these data suggest that synthetic opioids promote viral replication but may have distinct effects depending on the drug dose and the viral target. As higher viral loads are associated with pathogenesis and virus transmission, additional research is essential to an enhanced understanding of opioid-virus pathogenesis and for the development of new and optimized treatment strategies.
An analytical process of spatial autocorrelation functions based on Moran’s index
Authors: Chen Yanguang
Published: April 2021

A number of spatial statistic measurements such as Moran’sIand Geary’sCcan be used for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Spatial autocorrelation modeling proceeded from the 1-dimension autocorrelation of time series analysis, with time lag replaced by spatial weights so that the autocorrelation functions degenerated to autocorrelation coefficients. This paper develops 2-dimensional spatial autocorrelation functions based on the Moran index using the relative staircase function as a weight function to yield a spatial weight matrix with a displacement parameter. The displacement bears analogy with the time lag in time series analysis. Based on the spatial displacement parameter, two types of spatial autocorrelation functions are constructed for 2-dimensional spatial analysis. Then the partial spatial autocorrelation functions are derived by using the Yule-Walker recursive equation. The spatial autocorrelation functions are generalized to the autocorrelation functions based on Geary’s coefficient and Getis’ index. As an example, the new analytical framework was applied to the spatial autocorrelation modeling of Chinese cities. A conclusion can be reached that it is an effective method to build an autocorrelation function based on the relative step function. The spatial autocorrelation functions can be employed to reveal deep geographical information and perform spatial dynamic analysis, and lay the foundation for the scaling analysis of spatial correlation.
Pollen-food allergy syndrome and component sensitization in adolescents: A Japanese population-based study
Authors: Kiguchi Tomoyuki , Yamamoto-Hanada Kiwako , Saito-Abe Mayako , Sato Miori , Irahara Makoto , Ogita Hiroya , Miyagi Yoshitsune , Inuzuka Yusuke , Toyokuni Kenji , Nishimura Koji , Ishikawa Fumi , Miyaji Yumiko , Kabashima Shigenori , Fukuie Tatsuki , Narita Masami , Ohya Yukihiro
Published: April 2021

Allergic rhino-conjunctivitis with pollen allergy has been prevalent worldwide and Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) refers to individuals with pollen allergy who develop oral allergy syndrome (OAS) on consuming fruits and vegetables. The prevalence of PFAS varies by region and that in Japanese adolescents remains to be elucidated. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the epidemiological characteristics of PFAS in a general population of Japanese adolescents according to pollen allergy, OAS, and IgE component sensitization. Participants comprised adolescents, at age 13 years, from a prospective birth cohort study in Japan. We administered questionnaires to collect information from parents regarding pollen allergy, PFAS and OAS at each child’s age 13 years. ImmunoCAP ISAC was used to assess IgE component sensitization. Among 506 participants with a complete questionnaire and ISAC measurement results, 56.5% had a history of hay fever, 16.0% had a history of OAS, 51.0% had pollen allergy, and 11.7% had a history of PFAS; additionally, 72.7% were sensitized to one or more tree, grass, and/or weed allergens. The most common sensitization (95.7%) among adolescents with pollen allergy was to Japanese cedar (Cry j 1). The most common causal foods were kiwi and pineapple (both 39.0%). Knowledge levels about PFAS were poor among affected adolescents. We found a high prevalence of PFAS among adolescents in Japan. Although it affects approximately 1/10 adolescents in the general population, public awareness regarding PFAS is poor. Interventional strategies are needed to increase knowledge and to prevent PFAS in the general population.
Recent HIV infection among pregnant women in the 2017 antenatal sentinel cross–sectional survey, South Africa: Assay–based incidence measurement
Authors: Woldesenbet Selamawit , Kufa-Chakezha Tendesayi , Lombard Carl , Manda Samuel , Cheyip Mireille , Ayalew Kassahun , Chirombo Brian , Barron Peter , Diallo Karidia , Parekh Bharat , Puren Adrian
Published: April 2021

Introduction

New HIV infection during pre-conception and pregnancy is a significant contributor of mother–to–child transmission of HIV in South Africa. This study estimated HIV incidence (defined as new infection within the last one year from the time of the survey which included both new infections occurred during pregnancy or just before pregnancy) among pregnant women and described the characteristics of recently infected pregnant women at national level.

Methods

Between 1 October and 15 November 2017, we conducted a national cross–sectional survey among pregnant women aged 15–49 years old attending antenatal care at 1,595 public facilities. Blood specimens were collected from pregnant women and tested for HIV in a centralised laboratory. Plasma viral load and Limiting Antigen Avidity Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay (LAg) tests were further performed on HIV positive specimens to differentiate between recent and long–term infections. Recent infection was defined as infection that occurred within one year from the date of collection of blood specimen for the survey. Data on age, age of partner, and marital status were collected through interviews. Women whose specimens were classified as recent by LAg assay and with viral loads >1,000 copies/mL were considered as recently infected. The calculated proportion of HIV positive women with recent infection was adjusted for assay–specific parameters to estimate annual incidence. Survey multinomial logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with being recently infected using HIV negative women as a reference group. Age–disparate relationship was defined as having a partner 5 or more years older.

Results

Of 10,049 HIV positive participants with LAg and viral load data, 1.4% (136) were identified as recently infected. The annual HIV incidence was 1.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–1.7). In multivariable analyses, being single (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8–6.2) or cohabiting (aOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.8–7.7), compared to being married as well as being in an age–disparate relationship among young women (aOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.0–4.7; reference group: young women (15–24years) whose partners were not 5 years or more older) were associated with higher odds of recent infection.

Conclusions

Compared to previous studies among pregnant women, the incidence estimated in this study was substantially lower. However, the UNAIDS target to reduce incidence by 75% by 2020 (which is equivalent to reducing incidence to <1%) has not been met. The implementation of HIV prevention and treatment interventions should be intensified, targeting young women engaged in age–disparate relationship and unmarried women to fast track progress towards the UNAIDS target.
Inducing lateralized phosphenes over the occipital lobe using transcranial magnetic stimulation to navigate a virtual environment
Authors: Gebrehiwot Adonay N. , Kato Tatsuya , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: April 2021

Electrical stimulation involving visual areas of the brain produces artificial light percepts called phosphenes. These visual percepts have been extensively investigated in previous studies involving intracortical microsimulation (ICMS) and serve as the basis for developing a visual prosthesis for the blind. Although advances have been achieved, many challenges still remain with implementing a functional ICMS for visual rehabilitation purposes. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary occipital lobe offers an alternative method to produce phosphenes non-invasively. A main challenge facing blind individuals involves navigation. Within the scientific community, methods to evaluate the ability of a visual prosthesis to facilitate in navigation has been neglected. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of evoking lateralized phosphenes to navigate a computer simulated virtual environment. More importantly, we demonstrate how virtual environments along with the development of a visual prosthesis share a mutual relationship benefiting both patients and researchers. Using two TMS devices, a pair of 40mm figure-of-eight coils were placed over each occipital hemisphere resulting in lateralized phosphene perception. Participants were tasked with making a series of left and right turns using peripheral devices depending on the visual hemifield in which a phosphene is present. If a participant was able to accurately perceive all ten phosphenes, the simulated target is able to advance and fully exit the virtual environment. Our findings demonstrate that participants can interpret lateralized phosphenes while highlighting the integration of computer based virtual environments to evaluate the capability of a visual prosthesis during navigation.
Genomic and phenotypic diversity of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from endophthalmitis
Authors: Chilambi Gayatri Shankar , Nordstrom Hayley R. , Evans Daniel R. , Kowalski Regis P. , Dhaliwal Deepinder K. , Jhanji Vishal , Shanks Robert M. Q. , Van Tyne Daria
Published: April 2021

Enterococcus faecalis are hospital-associated opportunistic pathogens and also causative agents of post-operative endophthalmitis. Patients with enterococcal endophthalmitis often have poor visual outcomes, despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Here we investigated the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of E. faecalis isolates collected from 13 patients treated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Eye Center over 19 years. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that patients were infected with E. faecalis belonging to diverse multi-locus sequence types (STs) and resembled E. faecalis sampled from clinical, commensal, and environmental sources. We identified known E. faecalis virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in each genome, including genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, erythromycin, and tetracyclines. We assessed all isolates for their cytolysin production, biofilm formation, and antibiotic susceptibility, and observed phenotypic differences between isolates. Fluoroquinolone and cephalosporin susceptibilities were particularly variable between isolates, as were biofilm formation and cytolysin production. In addition, we found evidence of E. faecalis adaptation during recurrent endophthalmitis by identifying genetic variants that arose in sequential isolates sampled over eight months from the same patient. We identified a mutation in the DNA mismatch repair gene mutS that was associated with an increased rate of spontaneous mutation in the final isolate from the patient. Overall this study documents the genomic and phenotypic variability among E. faecalis causing endophthalmitis, as well as possible adaptive mechanisms underlying bacterial persistence during recurrent ocular infection.
The influence of new information that contradicts common knowledge about earthquake preparedness in Israel: A mixed methods experiment study
Authors: Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Zemach Mina , Cohen Ricky , Miron-Shatz Talya , Negev Maya , Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: April 2021

Background

A major earthquake in Israel is inevitable. Individual risk perceptions and preparedness can mitigate harm and save lives. The gap between the public’s concerns and those of experts is reflected in their differential perceptions regarding the components that influence the occurrence of an earthquake in Israel. Whereas the public believes that geographic location is the critical variable, the experts note additional variables that need to be considered. Common knowledge regarding the risks of earthquake occurrence in Israel is based on a distinction between high and low-risk areas, such that the closer a residential area is to the Great Rift Valley, the higher the risk that an earthquake will occur.

Objectives

To examine the variables affecting public preparedness in Israel (effective communication agent (communicator), high and low earthquake risk areas) and the degree to which experts’ knowledge contradicts respondents’ common knowledge.

Methods

The study used a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research. The first stage included in-depth interviews with earthquake experts (n = 19). The second stage consisted of an experiment conducted among a representative sample of the public (n = 834).

Results

Most people believe that geographical location constitutes the main risk factor for earthquakes in Israel. Yet experts claim that additional variables affect earthquake intensity and damage: building strength, earthquake magnitude, distance from earthquake epicenter, soil type, and interaction between these four. The study found that knowledge of expert information affects public willingness to prepare. The direction of this influence depends on participants’ risk perceptions regarding residential area and on degree of consistency with common knowledge. In low-risk areas, added knowledge increased willingness to prepare whereas in high-risk areas this knowledge decreased willingness.

Conclusion

To turn expert information into common knowledge and to increase earthquake preparedness, the authorities must educate the public to generate a new public preparedness norm.
Ready-To-Use Tools to Efficiently Model and Predict Effects due to Chemicals in the ERA Framework
Authors: CHARLES Sandrine
Published: April 2021

MOSAIC is a turnkey decision-making tool for ecotoxicologists and regulators. Modelling and statistical tools for ecotoxicology. Without wasting time on extensive mathematical and statistical technicalities, users are given advanced and innovative methods for a valuable quantitative ERA.
A Novel Class-Specific Object-Based Method for Urban Change Detection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Bai Ting , Sun Kaimin , Li Wenzhuo , Li Deren , Chen Yepei , Sui Haigang
Published: April 2021

A single-scale object-based change-detection classifier can distinguish only global changes in land cover, not the more granular and local changes in urban areas. To overcome this issue, a novel class-specific object-based change-detection method is proposed. This method includes three
steps: class-specific scale selection, class-specific classifier selection, and land cover change detection. The first step combines multi-resolution segmentation and a random forest to select the optimal scale for each change type in land cover. The second step links multi-scale hierarchical
sampling with a classifier such as random forest, support vector machine, gradient-boosting decision tree, or Adaboost; the algorithm automatically selects the optimal classifier for each change type in land cover. The final step employs the optimal classifier to detect binary changes and
from-to changes for each change type in land cover. To validate the proposed method, we applied it to two high-resolution data sets in urban areas and compared the change-detection results of our proposed method with that of principal component analysis k-means, object-based change vector
analysis, and support vector machine. The experimental results show that our proposed method is more accurate than the other methods. The proposed method can address the high levels of complexity found in urban areas, although it requires historical land cover maps as auxiliary data.
Discovering Potential Illegal Construction Within Building Roofs from UAV Images Using Semantic Segmentation and Object-Based Change Detection
Authors: Liu Yang , Sun Yujie , Tao Shikang , Wang Min , Shen Qian , Huang Jiru
Published: April 2021

A novel potential illegal construction (PIC) detection method by bitemporal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV ) image comparison (change detection) within building roof areas is proposed. In this method, roofs are first extracted from UAV images using a depth-channel improved UNet model.
A two-step change detection scheme is then implemented for PIC detection. In the change detection stage, roofs with appearance, disappearance, and shape changes are first extracted by morphological analysis. Subroof primitives are then obtained by roof-constrained image segmentation within
the remaining roof areas, and object-based iteratively reweighted multivariate alteration detection (IR-MAD ) is implemented to extract the small PICs from the subroof primitives. The proposed method organically combines deep learning and object-based image analysis, which can identify entire
roof changes and locate small object changes within the roofs. Experiments show that the proposed method has better accuracy compared with the other counterparts, including the original IR-MAD, change vector analysis, and principal components analysis-K-means.
Administración pública, corrupción y derechos humanos
Authors: Moranchel Pocaterra Mariana
Published: April 2021

El objeto de este trabajo es plantear algunas reflexiones en torno a la relación entre derechos humanos y corrupción a partir de una perspectiva teórica. El fin que se persigue es poner de relieve el carácter pluriofensivo de la corrupción y sus alcances perniciosos en la protección y ejercicio de los derechos humanos, particularmente en lo relacionado con las obligaciones a cargo de la administración pública.
As inconstitucionalidades do regulamento disciplinar do exército face aos princípios do Estado de Direito
Authors: Gabardo Emerson , Goulart Czelusniak Carlos Augusto
Published: April 2021

A adoção constitucional do Estado de Direito como um dos fundamentos do Estado brasileiro implica o reconhecimento dos princípios dele decorrentes como estruturantes de todo o ordenamento jurídico nacional. Além, de tais princípios derivam garantias que, por estarem consagradas no artigo 5º da Constituição Federal, recebem o status formal de direito fundamental, sendo a elas aplicável o princípio da máxima efetividade. Como alguns destes princípios são destinados a garantir direitos ao cidadão frente à atividade sancionatória do Estado, em razão do princípio da eficiência, reconhece-se a existência de um Núcleo Sancionatório Comum, do qual derivam princípios que se irradiam sobre toda a atividade punitiva estatal, estando entre eles o princípio da legalidade. Inexistindo diferenças ontológicas entre o ilícito administrativo e o ilícito penal, apenas formal, os princípios componentes do Núcleo Sancionatório Comum são igualmente aplicáveis ao Direito Penal e ao Direito Administrativo Sancionador. Deste modo, todos os corolários do princípio da legalidade regem também o Direito Disciplinar. Assim, conclui-se que o Regulamento Disciplinar do Exército é inconstitucional, em razão da inobservância dos princípios da taxatividade e da reserva legal, o que afeta o direito fundamental de ampla defesa, a legalidade e, por consequência, o Estado de Direito como um todo.
Manufacture and Sensor’s Characterization for Optimizing the Manufacture of Resistance Sensors Based on Tea with Natural Sugar and Artificial Sugar
Authors: S Cindy Septiani , Defanny  , Rakhmadi Frida Agung
Published: April 2021

This research aims to identify sensors. This research was carried out through 3 stages, namely: designing resistance sensors, making resistance sensors, testing resistance sensors. The sensor sheceme by using software Fritzing. The tools used in making these sensors include Power and solder, for materials used are plain PCB, 2.2KΩ resistors, copper wire, paper, pens, rulers, and materials for testing are tea, natural sugar and artificial sugar. Sensor testing is performed in data collection by measuring voltage. Because the data generated is in the form of voltage. By doing 2 variations of the volume of 50ml and 100ml which is done 5 times with each volume repetition. The data obtained is then processed by calculating the mean and its uncertainty. The results of this research provide information that the natural sugar tea voltage for 50ml volume (0.958 ± 0.1916) 80% repeatability. And for 100ml volume (0.884 ± 0.1768) the compatibility is 80%. While the artificial sugar tea voltage for 50ml volume (1.488 ± 0.2976) 80% compatibility and for 100ml volume (1.484 ± 0.2968) 80% repeability. From the data obtained, both can be seen to have different voltage values and the same compatibility value, which is 80%. Because the resulting repeatability does not reach national standards, this sensor cannot be used.
Identification Bacterial Contaminant in Semiarundinaria fastuosa Tissue Culture
Authors: Wulandari Erna , Retnaningrum Endah , Sembiring Langkah
Published: April 2021

Bamboo is one of the plants which propagated by tissue culture technique however, the emergence of microbial contaminant caused decrease of bamboo production. A type of microbe that caused the contamination on Semiarundinaria fastuosa tissue culture is bacteria. This study aimed to isolate bacterial contaminant and understanding its biodiversity. Bacterial isolation and phenotypic characterization were done by observing morphology, physiological test, biochemical test, identification and numeric phenetic analysis. Twelve bacterial contaminants was isolated and based on profile matching with Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, six isolate was a member of genus Bacillus, one isolate Enterococcus, two isolate Xenorhabdus, one isolate Morococcus, one isolate Corynebacterium, and one isolate belongs to genus Sarcina. A dendrogram created using Simple Matching coefficient (SSM) parameter and average linkage algorithm shown that on the 71% similarity index, all 12 OTU was grouped in one cluster. However, a dendrogram produced by Jaccard’s coefficient (SJ) parameter and average linkage algorithm on 70% similarity index divided 12 OTU on to 12 clusters.
Analysis of Level Practice Satisfaction on Basic Chemical Laboratory Performance Faculty of MIPA Jenderal Soedirman University
Authors: Anggraeni Diah Ratna , Azizah Nailatul
Published: April 2021

Education is an important aspect of life. In the context of providing education, it is necessary to have adequate human resources and supporting facilities. The level of performance of officers from each facility must also be considered in order to create the desired learning conditions. To find out the level of performance of the services provided in accordance with what is desired or not is to conduct a survey of facility users regarding all aspects of the facility. Therefore, the authors use the Partial Least Square method to analyze the influence of human resource factors and facilities and infrastructure on the satisfaction of the students at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University. From the results of the Partial Least Square analysis, it was concluded that human resources and facilities and infrastructure had a significant influence on the satisfaction of the practitioners in the Basic Chemistry Laboratory of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University. This shows that there must be an increase in the quality of the performance of natural resources and facilities and infrastructure in order to create the desired learning conditions.
Probabilistic Ant Colony Optimization for Contour Detection of Psoriasis
Authors: Nugroho Arief Kelik , Permadi Ipung , Hanifa Aini
Published: April 2021

Psoriasis is characterized by hyperkeratosis and thickening of the epidermal layer followed by an increase in vascularity and infiltration of inflammatory cells to the dermis, as a result of this process the scales appear, erythema and induration. In the field of health, identification and image analysis can be used as a conclusion to support expert decisions such as identification of tumors, cancers or other diseases including Psoriasis. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms are the most successful and widely recognized algorithmic techniques based on ant behaviours. These algorithms have been applied to numerous problems; moreover, for many problems ACO algorithms are among the current high performing algorithms. The goal of this research is to develop a detection emphasize on the contour detection of Psoriasis using ACO. By using the parameters of the Pheromone intensity control values (α), the visibility (β), Evaporation coefficient of pheromone intensity (ρ) and the constant Q the results show that this method is can detect the contour an image of psoriasis.
Reliability Analysis for Rotary Feeder 561 BF 1 at PT Semen Bosowa Banyuwangi
Authors: Fauzi Rifqi , Pramudyo Cahyono Sigit
Published: April 2021

Maintenance is an important activity in a manufacturing company. This paper focuses on reliability analysis for Rotary Feeder 561 BF 1 at PT Semen BosowaBanyuwangi. Mean Time to Failure and Reliablity were calculated. We concluded thatreliability at running time 240 hours or 10 days is 99.33%, while reliability damage at running hours 1920 hours or 80 days is 60.48% therefore before running hours 1920 equipment and materials need to be prepared for corrective maintenance.