bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hierarchical process model links behavioral aging and lifespan in C. elegans
Authors: Oswal Natasha , Martin Olivier M. F. , Stroustrup Sofia , Bruckner Monika Anna Matusiak , Stroustrup Nicholas
Published: September 2022

Aging involves a transition from youthful vigor to geriatric infirmity and death. Individuals who remain vigorous longer tend to live longer, and within isogenic populations of C. elegans the timing of age-associated vigorous movement cessation (VMC) is highly correlated with lifespan. Yet, many mutations and interventions in aging alter the proportion of lifespan spent moving vigorously, appearing to “uncouple” youthful vigor from lifespan. To clarify the relationship between vigorous movement cessation, death, and the physical declines that determine their timing, we developed a new version of the imaging platform called “The Lifespan Machine”. This technology allows us to compare behavioral aging and lifespan at an unprecedented scale. We find that behavioral aging involves a time-dependent increase in the risk of VMC, reminiscent of the risk of death. Furthermore, we find that VMC times are inversely correlated with remaining lifespan across a wide range of genotypes and environmental conditions. Measuring and modelling a variety of lifespan-altering interventions including a new RNA-polymerase II auxin-inducible degron system, we find that vigorous movement and lifespan are best described as emerging from the interplay between at least two distinct physical declines whose rates co-vary between individuals. In this way, we highlight a crucial limitation of predictors of lifespan like VMC—in organisms experiencing multiple, distinct, age-associated physical declines, correlations between mid-life biomarkers and late-life outcomes can arise from the contextual influence of confounding factors rather than a reporting by the biomarker of a robustly predictive biological age.
Computational multiplex panel reduction to maximize information retention in breast cancer tissue microarrays
Authors: Ternes Luke , Lin Jia-Ren , Chen Yu-An , Gray Joe W. , Chang Young Hwan
Published: September 2022

Recent state-of-the-art multiplex imaging techniques have expanded the depth of information that can be captured within a single tissue sample by allowing for panels with dozens of markers. Despite this increase in capacity, space on the panel is still limited due to technical artifacts, tissue loss, and long imaging acquisition time. As such, selecting which markers to include on a panel is important, since removing important markers will result in a loss of biologically relevant information, but identifying redundant markers will provide a room for other markers. To address this, we propose computational approaches to determine the amount of shared information between markers and select an optimally reduced panel that captures maximum amount of information with the fewest markers. Here we examine several panel selection approaches and evaluate them based on their ability to reconstruct the full panel images and information within breast cancer tissue microarray datasets using cyclic immunofluorescence as a proof of concept. We show that all methods perform adequately and can re-capture cell types using only 18 of 25 markers (72% of the original panel size). The correlation-based selection methods achieved the best single-cell marker mean intensity predictions with a Spearman correlation of 0.90 with the reduced panel. Using the proposed methods shown here, it is possible for researchers to design more efficient multiplex imaging panels that maximize the amount of information retained with the limited number of markers with respect to certain evaluation metrics and architecture biases.
Understanding older peoples’ chronic disease self-management practices and challenges in the context of grandchildren caregiving: A qualitative study in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Gumede Dumile , Meyer-Weitz Anna , Edwards Anita , Seeley Janet
Published: September 2022

While chronic diseases are amongst the major health burdens of older South Africans, the responsibilities of caring for grandchildren, by mostly grandmothers, may further affect older people’s health and well-being. There is a paucity of information about chronic disease self-management for older people in the context of grandchildren caregiving in sub-Saharan Africa. Guided by the Self-Management Framework, the purpose of this qualitative methods study was to explore the chronic disease self-management practices and challenges of grandparent caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Eighteen repeat in-depth interviews were carried out with six grandparent caregivers aged 56 to 80 years over 12 months. Thematic analysis was conducted based on the Self-Management Framework. Pathways into self-management of chronic illnesses were identified: living with a chronic illness, focusing on illness needs, and activating resources. Self-perceptions of caregiving dictated that grandmothers, as women, have the responsibility of caring for grandchildren when they themselves needed care, lived in poverty, and with chronic illnesses that require self-management. However, despite the hardship, the gendered role of caring for grandchildren brought meaning to the grandmothers’ lives and supported self-management due to the reciprocal relationship with grandchildren, although chronic illness self-management was complicated where relationships between grandmothers and grandchildren were estranged. The study findings demonstrate that grandchildren caregiving and self-management of chronic conditions are inextricably linked. Optimal self-management of chronic diseases must be seen within a larger context that simultaneously addresses chronic diseases, while paying attention to the intersection of socio-cultural factors with self-management.
Changes in non-communicable diseases, diet and exercise in a rural Bangladesh setting before and after the first wave of COVID-19
Authors: King Carina , Shaha Sanjit Kumer , Morrison Joanna , Ahmed Naveed , Kuddus Abdul , Pires Malini , Nahar Tasmin , Hossin Raduan , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Khan A. K. Azad , Davies Justine , Azad Kishwar , Fottrell Edward
Published: September 2022

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is high in rural Bangladesh. Given the complex multi-directional relationships between NCDs, COVID-19 infections and control measures, exploring pandemic impacts in this context is important. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys of adults ≥30-years in rural Faridpur district, Bangladesh, in February to March 2020 (survey 1, pre-COVID-19), and January to March 2021 (survey 2, post-lockdown). A new random sample of participants was taken at each survey. Anthropometric measures included: blood pressure, weight, height, hip and waist circumference and fasting and 2-hour post-glucose load blood glucose. An interviewer-administered questionnaire included: socio-demographics; lifestyle and behavioural risk factors; care seeking; self-rated health, depression and anxiety assessments. Differences in NCDs, diet and exercise were compared between surveys using chi2 tests, logistic and linear regression; sub-group analyses by gender, age and socio-economic tertiles were conducted. We recruited 950 (72.0%) participants in survey 1 and 1392 (87.9%) in survey 2. The percentage of the population with hypertension increased significantly from 34.5% (95% CI: 30.7, 38.5) to 41.5% (95% CI: 38.2, 45.0; p-value = 0.011); the increase was more pronounced in men. Across all measures of self-reported health and mental health, there was a significant improvement between survey 1 and 2. For self-rated health, we observed a 10-point increase (71.3 vs 81.2, p-value = 0.005). Depression reduced from 15.3% (95% CI: 8.4, 26.1) to 6.0% (95% CI: 2.7, 12.6; p-value = 0.044) and generalised anxiety from 17.9% (95% CI: 11.3, 27.3) to 4.0% (95% CI: 2.0, 7.6; p-value<0.001). No changes in fasting blood glucose, diabetes status, BMI or abdominal obesity were observed. Our findings suggest both positive and negative health outcomes following COVID-19 lockdown in a rural Bangladeshi setting, with a concerning increase in hypertension. These findings need to be further contextualised, with prospective assessments of indirect effects on physical and mental health and care-seeking.
Prevalence and distribution pattern of malaria and soil-transmitted helminth co-endemicity in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–2018: A geospatial analysis
Authors: Afolabi Muhammed O. , Adebiyi Adekola , Cano Jorge , Sartorius Benn , Greenwood Brian , Johnson Olatunji , Wariri Oghenebrume
Published: September 2022

Background

Limited understanding exists about the interactions between malaria and soil-transmitted helminths (STH), their potential geographical overlap and the factors driving it. This study characterised the geographical and co-clustered distribution patterns of malaria and STH infections among vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methodology/Principal findings

We obtained continuous estimates of malaria prevalence from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) and STH prevalence surveys from the WHO-driven Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of NTDs (ESPEN) from Jan 1, 2000, to Dec 31, 2018. Although, MAP provides datasets on the estimated prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum at 5km x 5km fine-scale resolution, we calculated the population-weighted prevalence of malaria for each implementation unit to ensure that both malaria and STH datasets were on the same spatial resolution. We incorporated survey data from 5,935 implementation units for STH prevalence and conducted the prevalence point estimates before and after 2003. We used the bivariate local indicator of spatial association (LISA analysis) to explore potential co-clustering of both diseases at the implementation unit levels among children aged 2–10 years for P. falciparum and 5–14 years for STH, living in SSA.

Our analysis shows that prior to 2003, a greater number of SSA countries had a high prevalence of co-endemicity with P.falciparium and any STH species than during the period from 2003–2018. Similar prevalence and distribution patterns were observed for the co-endemicity involving P.falciparum-hookworm, P.falciparum-Ascaris lumbricoides and P.falciparum-Trichuris trichiura, before and after 2003.

We also observed spatial variations in the estimates of the prevalence of P. falciparum-STH co-endemicity and identified hotspots across many countries in SSA with inter-and intra-country variations. High P. falciparum and high hookworm co-endemicity was more prevalent in West and Central Africa, whereas high P. falciparum with high A. lumbricoides and high P. falciparum with high T. trichiura co-endemicity were more predominant in Central Africa, compared to other sub-regions in SSA.

Conclusions/Significance

Wide spatial heterogeneity exists in the prevalence of malaria and STH co-endemicity within the regions and within countries in SSA. The geographical overlap and spatial co-existence of malaria and STH could be exploited to achieve effective control and elimination agendas through the integration of the vertical control programmes designed for malaria and STH into a more comprehensive and sustainable community-based paradigm.
Effectiveness of health promoting schools: A comparative health profile assessment of higher as compared to low accredited schools in Chandigarh, Union Territory of North India
Authors: Thakur Jarnail Singh , Sharma Meenakshi , Singh Sukriti , Bharti Bhavneet , Kaur Rupinder , Sharma Meenakshi
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To assess and classify all private and government schools located in a northern city of India for accreditation as health promoting schools and comparative health profile assessment of selected higher accredited schools with lower accredited and non-accredited schools

Design

Quasi experimental study with pre and post assessment with comparison of higher with lower accredited schools.

Settings

The current study was conducted in 206 schools of Chandigarh City of Northern India. Comparative health profile assessment was undertaken in 8 schools with 754 children from higher accredited (platinum, gold, silver) and 8 schools with 700 children from lower accredited (bronze) and non-accredited (below bronze) schools.

Interventions

Multicomponent and multilevel intervention was undertaken with self-quality improvement by schools with help of a manual of accreditation of school as health promoting schools. Key intervention included capacity building, technical visits, supportive supervision, sensitization of policymakers and key stakeholders, implementation of policy initiatives, use of social media, technical support and monitoring of activities.

Outcomes

Accreditation levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels) as health promoting schools after pre and post intervention.

Results

Out of 206 schools, 203 participated in the baseline assessment and 204 in the endline assessment. The response rate was 99%. Two schools which refused participation were excluded and not assessed. Schools (N = 17) which participated in the 2011–2013 study were excluded from analysis. There was a statistically difference (p = 0.01) in the improvement of accreditation level of the baseline and endline assessment after intervention(p<0.05). Overall, the proportion of schools at the gold level increased from 1(0.5%) in 2016 to 71(38%). Silver level from 9(5%) to 57 (31%) of schools after intervention. The response rate in health profile assessment in higher(8) and lower(8) accredited schools was 95.9% and 92.7% respectively. The health profile of children higher accreditation level schools (N = 754) were found better in hygiene practices protective factors (peer support at school, parental or guardian supervision), handling stress and less prone to injury as compared to lower accreditation level schools (N = 700),(p<0.05).

Conclusions

The health promoting school programme was found to be feasible and effective and lead to significant improvement in accreditation level as compared to baseline assessment after continuous self-quality improvement by schools(p<0.05). The health profile of children studying in higher accredited schools was better as compared to lower accredited schools.
Key factors influencing motivation among health extension workers and health care professionals in four regions of Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Abate Mehiret , Mulissa Zewdie , Magge Hema , Bitewulign Befikadu , Kiflie Abiyou , Biadgo Abera , Alemu Haregeweyni , Seman Yakob , Woldesenbet Dorka , Estifanos Abiy Seifu , Parry Gareth , Quaife Matthew
Published: September 2022

Background

Although Ethiopia has improved access to health care in recent years, quality of care remains low. Health worker motivation is an important determinant of performance and affects quality of care. Low health care workers motivation can be associated with poor health care quality and client experience, non-attendance, and poor clinical outcome. Objective this study sought to determine the extent and variation of health professionals’ motivation alongside factors associated with motivation.

Methods

We conducted a facility based cross-sectional study among health extension workers (HEWs) and health care professionals in four regions: Amhara, Oromia, South nations, and nationalities people’s region (SNNPR) and Tigray from April 15 to May 10, 2018. We sampled 401 health system workers: skilled providers including nurses and midwives (n = 110), HEWs (n = 210); and non-patient facing health system staff representing case team leaders, facility and district heads, directors, and officers (n = 81). Participants completed a 30-item Likert scale ranking tool which asked questions across 17 domains. We used exploratory factor analysis to explore latent motivation constructs.

Results

Of the 397 responses with complete data, 61% (95% CI 56%-66%) self-reported motivation as “very good” or “excellent”. Significant variation in motivation was seen across regions with SNNPR scoring significantly lower on a five-point Likert scale by 0.35 points (P = 0.003). The exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factors: personal and altruistic goals; pride and personal satisfaction; and recognition and support. The personal and altruistic goals factor varied across regions with Oromia and SNNPR being significantly lower by 0.13 (P = 0.018) and 0.12 (P = 0.039) Likert points respectively. The pride and personal satisfaction factor were higher among those aged > = 30 years by 0.14 Likert scale points (P = 0.045) relative to those aged between 19-24years.

Conclusions

Overall, motivation was high among participants but varied across region, cadre, and age. Workload, leave, and job satisfaction were associated with motivation.
Barriers to anti-retroviral therapy adherence among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed-methods systematic review protocol
Authors: Hlophe Londiwe D. , Tamuzi Jacques L. , Shumba Constance , Nyasulu Peter S.
Published: September 2022

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is fundamental in achieving viral load suppression and consequently attaining positive health outcomes among people living with HIV. However, ART adherence is sub-optimum among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) thus the high AIDS-related mortality even after World Health Organization (WHO) revised HIV treatment eligibility guidelines in 2010, 2013 and 2016. Consolidated trends of barriers to ART adherence among ALHIV aged 10 to 19 years in sub-Saharan countries post each eligibility guidelines revision to date are unknown.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature databases publishing observational studies reporting data adherence and barriers to ART among ALHIV on ART. We will further search the reference lists of included studies and other relevant reviews. We will also do a citation search for included studies in the review. We will search in the following databases PubMed, Cochrane Review, Scopus on Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Furthermore WHO, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) websites, conference proceedings and country reports will be searched to identify relevant literature. Data will be extracted from eligible studies and synthesis will be through categorizing studies by year of study, barriers, and outcomes. Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis will be conducted for quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Where meta-synthesis is impossible, narrative synthesis will be conducted. We will only include studies conducted between 2010 and 2022 within sub-Saharan Africa countries.

Discussion

Adherence to ART at a high level is required to achieve adequate viral suppression and improve quality of life in ALHIV. The knowledge of barriers to ART among ALHV may aid in the design of interventions aimed at improving ART adherence.

Trail registration

Systematic review protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42021284891.
Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, possesses genetically-encoded responses to doxycycline, but not to amoxicillin
Authors: Saylor Timothy C. , Casselli Timothy , Lethbridge Kathryn G. , Moore Jessamyn P. , Owens Katie M. , Brissette Catherine A. , Zückert Wolfram R. , Stevenson Brian
Published: September 2022

Some species of bacteria respond to antibiotic stresses by altering their transcription profiles, in order to produce proteins that provide protection against the antibiotic. Understanding these compensatory mechanisms allows for informed treatment strategies, and could lead to the development of improved therapeutics. To this end, studies were performed to determine whether Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, also exhibits genetically-encoded responses to the commonly prescribed antibiotics doxycycline and amoxicillin. After culturing for 24 h in a sublethal concentration of doxycycline, there were significant increases in a substantial number of transcripts for proteins that are involved with translation. In contrast, incubation with a sublethal concentration of amoxicillin did not lead to significant changes in levels of any bacterial transcript. We conclude that B. burgdorferi has a mechanism(s) that detects translational inhibition by doxycycline, and increases production of mRNAs for proteins involved with translation machinery in an attempt to compensate for that stress.
Institutional factors associated with the incidence rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection in California community hospitals
Authors: Nelson Ella Calixta , Wang Chia-Hui , Huang Garry , Kuo Nai-Wen
Published: September 2022

Central line-associated bloodstream infections are frequent, deadly, costly, and preventable. The study aimed to explore how some hospital-related characteristics were associated with incidence rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections reported by community hospitals in California from January to December 2019. This retrospective, cross-sectional study used combined data from records submitted to the California Department of Public Health, California Open Data Portal, the California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal, and the American Hospital Directory by community hospitals in California with central line-associated bloodstream infections in 2019. Results showed that CLABSIs are significantly associated with bed capacity, health care system affiliation, ownership, and hospital accreditation status (p < 0.0001). CLABSI remains a relevant threat to patient safety and quality of care, even more so in the community hospital setting. Understanding if a relationship exists between institutional factors and CLABSI rates might better prepare leaders in healthcare organizations to reduce HAIs.
Evolution of basic human values orientations: An application of monitoring changes in cluster solutions
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Shafiq Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad , Ayub Gohar , Hussain Mujeeb , Waqas Muhammad
Published: September 2022

This study enumerates the evolution of basic human values orientations and the dynamic relationship between them, computed from Schwartz’s value survey conducted in European nations. For this purpose, eight datasets related to the human value scale were extracted from the European Social Survey; each corresponds to a single round conducted cross-sectionally every two years since 2001. Change detection algorithm was implemented to the cluster solutions of temporal datasets, and the evolution of important clusters was traced. Finding of the study reveals that Universalism and Benevolence values are on the rise in European societies in the last couple of decades. Most of the European inhabitants believe in the smooth group functioning and form the organismic needs of cooperation. The people prefer anxiety-free life, and love for nature, environment, humanity, and kindness to other beings in society are essential constructs for them. They avoid self-centred behaviour and prefer social physiognomies.
Modeling consolidation of soft clay by developing a fractional differential constitutive model in conjunction with an intelligent displacement inversion method
Authors: Liu Zhen , Hu Wei , Ming Weihua , Xiong Shenghua , Zhou Cuiying , Zhang Lihai
Published: September 2022

Studying the constitutive relation of soft clays is of critical importance for fundamentally understanding their complex consolidation behavior. This study proposes a fractional differential constitutive model in conjunction with an intelligent displacement inversion method based on the classic particle swarm optimization for modeling the deformation behavior of soft clay. The model considered the rheological properties of soft clay at different consolidation stages. In addition, statistical adaptive dynamic particle swarm optimization-least squares support vector machines were implemented to identify the model parameters efficiently. The accuracy and effectiveness of the model were validated using available experimental results. Finally, the application results showed that the proposed model could efficiently simulate coupling properties of soft clay’s primary and secondary consolidations.
Long-term diagnosis-specific sickness absence, disability pension, and healthcare use in 1305 young adult childhood cancer survivors and in 6430 references; a Swedish ten-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Baecklund Fredrik , Alexanderson Kristina , Chen Lingjing
Published: September 2022

Background

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at high risk of chronic health conditions. We aimed to explore young adult CCS’ and matched references’ future diagnoses-specific healthcare use, sickness absence (SA), and disability pension (DP).

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study with microdata from seven nationwide Swedish registers. We included 1305 young adult CCS born 1983–1988 and living in Sweden in 2008 and 6430 matched references and followed them for ten years (2009–2018) regarding mean annual specialized outpatient visits, inpatient days, and SA (spells >14 days) and/or DP (SADP) days, overall and by eight diagnostic groups. Risk factors for >90 SADP days in 2018 were explored as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) by adjusted logistic regression.

Results

Approximately 80% of CCS and 90% of references did not have SADP in the ten-year follow-up. Mean SADP days/year was higher among CCS (40–50 days/year), particularly in CNS tumor survivors (76–83 days/year), compared to references (12–18 days/year). Most SADP days were DP days. CCS had more mean outpatient visits (1.6–1.8 visits/year) and inpatient days (0.8–1.7 days/year) than references (0.8–1.2 visits/year and 0.6–0.75 days/year, respectively). The main healthcare use and SADP diagnoses were neoplasms and psychiatric disorders among all CCS, along with nervous system and endocrine conditions among CNS tumor survivors. The risk of SADP >90 days in 2018 was higher among female compared to male CCS (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.67–3.32), those with elementary schooling compared to high school/university education (OR = 6.52, 95% CI 4.49–9.49), and survivors of CNS tumors compared to other malignancies (OR hematological versus CNS = 2.88, 95% CI 1.95–4.28; OR hematological versus non-CNS solid tumors = 0.71, 95% CI 0.45–1.09).

Conclusions

Most CCS did not have SADP as young adults; nevertheless, their risk of SADP was higher than among matched references. CNS tumor survivors were at particularly high risk of SADP.
Comparison of RIPASA and ALVARADO scores for risk assessment of acute appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Favara Giuliana , Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina , Ventura Andrea , Basile Guido , Agodi Antonella
Published: September 2022

Background

In the last decades, several clinical scores have been developed and currently used to improve the diagnosis and risk management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). However, some of them exhibited different values of sensitivity and specificity. We conducted a systematic review and metanalysis of epidemiological studies, which compared RIPASA and Alvarado scores for the diagnosis of AA.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases. Selected studies had to compare RIPASA and Alvarado scores on patients with suspected AA and reported diagnostic parameters. Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were calculated by the Hierarchical Summary Receiver Operating Curve (HSROC) using STATA 17 (STATA Corp, College Station, TX) and MetaDiSc (version 1.4) software.

Results

We included a total of 33 articles, reporting data from 35 studies. For the Alvarado score, the Hierarchical Summary Receiver Operating Curve (HSROC) model produced a summary sensitivity of 0.72 (95%CI = 0.66–0.77), and a summary specificity of 0.77 (95%CI = 0.70–0.82). For the RIPASA score, the HSROC model produced a summary sensitivity of 0.95 (95%CI = 0.92–0.97), and a summary specificity of 0.71 (95%CI = 0.60–0.80).

Conclusion

RIPASA score has higher sensitivity, but low specificity compared to Alvarado score. Since these scoring systems showed different sensitivity and specificity parameters, it is still necessary to develop novel scores for the risk assessment of patients with suspected AA.
Shedding of infectious SARS-CoV-2 despite vaccination
Authors: Riemersma Kasen K. , Haddock Luis A. , Wilson Nancy A. , Minor Nicholas , Eickhoff Jens , Grogan Brittany E. , Kita-Yarbro Amanda , Halfmann Peter J. , Segaloff Hannah E. , Kocharian Anna , Florek Kelsey R. , Westergaard Ryan , Bateman Allen , Jeppson Gunnar E. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , O’Connor David H. , Friedrich Thomas C. , Grande Katarina M.
Published: September 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant of Concern is highly transmissible and contains mutations that confer partial immune escape. The emergence of Delta in North America caused the first surge in COVID-19 cases after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines became widely available. To determine whether individuals infected despite vaccination might be capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2, we compared RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) data from 20,431 test-positive anterior nasal swab specimens from fully vaccinated (n = 9,347) or unvaccinated (n = 11,084) individuals tested at a single commercial laboratory during the interval 28 June– 1 December 2021 when Delta variants were predominant. We observed no significant effect of vaccine status alone on Ct value, nor when controlling for vaccine product or sex. Testing a subset of low-Ct (<25) samples, we detected infectious virus at similar rates, and at similar titers, in specimens from vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. These data indicate that vaccinated individuals infected with Delta variants are capable of shedding infectious SARS-CoV-2 and could play a role in spreading COVID-19.
Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm, Dan Charnas (2022)
Authors: Marshall Wayne
Published: September 2022

Review of: Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm, Dan Charnas (2022)

New York: MCD and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 458 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-37413-994-0, h/bk, USD 30.00
Microwave Assisted Synthesis and Computational Approach of 5-Nitrothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde Derived Schiff Bases as Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Kasula Susmitha , Gyaneshwari Sanem
Published: September 2022

Schiff bases were synthesized by condensation of the aldehyde group of 5-nitro thiophen-2-carboxaldehyde with different fluoro substituted aromatic primary amines. All the synthesized compounds (3a-c) were characterized by various spectral techniques and the completion of reaction were confirmed by TLC. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial strains. The results of antimicrobial study revealed that compounds 3a and 3c were active and exhibited better inhibitory activities as compared with standard drug levofloxacin. The molecular docking studies have higher binding affinity with the receptors enzymes enoyl-ACP reductase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP method and 6-31G(d,p) basis set have been carried out to investigate the equilibrium geometry of the ligands. Moreover, total energy, energy of HOMO and LUMO and MEP and other quantum parameters were also calculated. The DFT calculations suggested the lowest energy gap of the studied compounds, which were chemically reactive and may serve as potential drug candidates.
Prototipe Alat Ukur Detak Jantung Menggunakan Sensor MAX30102 Berbasis Internet of Things (IoT) ESP8266 dan Blynk
Authors: Muthmainnah Muthmainnah , Tabriawan Deni Bako
Published: September 2022

The heart is an important organ of the human body. The heart functions to pump blood throughout the body. Health conditions can be seen in the condition of heart function. The heart’s function can be known through the beat when pumping blood.  The manufacture of a heart rate device has been carried out using the PPG method. This tool uses the MAX30102 sensor as input. The measurement results are displayed on the smartphone. This tool can calculate the heart rate by sticking the surface of the fingertips for ten seconds. The light waves emitted by the sensor source will hit the surface of the finger. Changes in blood volume cause changes in light intensity according to what is received by the sensor. Based on the test results, the average standard deviation of this tool's heart rate measurement is 1.176. If considered the data from the pulse oximeter is correct, then this tool has an accuracy of 98.804%.
Pengenalan Tulisan Tangan Huruf Latin Bersambung Menggunakan Local Binary Pattern dan K-Nearest Neighbor
Authors: Oktavia Vivin , Wijaya Novan
Published: September 2022

There are 26 Latin letters in Indonesia, 5 of which are vowels and 21 consonants. This study will translate handwriting with a Latin object using the K-Nearest Neighbor method with the Local Binary Pattern extension. The research is being done with a focus on experimentation using a few methods that have already been discussed. Concatenated Latin letters have a few variations that depend on the work's author, so research will be conducted to identify cursive Latin letters based on these variations. Each of the 30 respondents wrote 26 capital letters and 26 lowercase letters on paper, which was then scanned to provide the image data. Black, blue, and red pens were used to write by every ten responders. The recognition procedure is broken into two halves, capital and non-capital letter recognition using 780 picture datasets each. In the study, k-fold cross-validation is used, with k = 6. The best value was reached at k = 7 with 29.49 percent accuracy, 33.88 percent precision, recall 33.46 percent, and F1-score 27.65 percent according to the research utilizing KNN with values k = 3, 5, and 7. and for recognizing non-capital characters, the best result was found at k=3 with accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of 26.28, 27.27, and 22.7%, respectively.
Analisis Learning Loss dan Strategi Recovery Pasca Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh
Authors: Rejeki Nurmala
Published: September 2022

Government policies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 makes teaching and learning activities carried out online. However, after the spread of the corona virus subsided, offline learning began to be reinstated. This habit change raises several problems in the learning process. This is because students are used to online learning which has time flexibility and the limited assistance provided by educators. This study aims to analyze the problems of learning loss in students and recovery strategies for learning loss problems in students. This study uses a qualitative method. The data collection method used is through observation and interviews. The results of this study indicate that there are several learning loss problems in students, namely problems of learning enthusiasm, literacy, discipline, and politeness. Furthermore, recovery strategies that can be carried out are through socialization, parenting FGDs, literacy assistance, monitoring, and evaluation.
Города — острова экологической надежды? Рец. на кн.: Jon I. Cities in the Anthropocene: New Ecology and Urban Politics. London: Pluto Press, 2021
Authors: Вершинина Инна Альфредовна , Лядова Анна Васильевна
Published: September 2022

Статья представляет собой рецензию на книгу австралийского социального исследователя Инджи Джон «Города в эпоху антропоцена: новая экология и городская политика». В своей работе автор предлагает новый подход к разработке экологической политики, основанный на концепции антропоцена, в рамках которой природные явления рассматриваются как субъекты социальных отношений, что предполагает иное, отличное от традиционного инвайронментализма, понимание и измерение их последствий. Автор указывает, что в условиях современного состояния окружающей среды и слабой эффективности международных усилий по ее сохранению реальными площадками для активизации новой экологической политики, которые могут продемонстрировать роль «природы» в повседневной жизни человека и способствовать формированию экосознания и экокультуры, являются урбанизированные территории. Именно в городах возможна реализация концепции новой экологической политики, поскольку города как сложные социальные системы обладают рядом качеств, отличающих их от других пространственных образований, а именно интенсивностью социальных взаимодействий, их сложностью, непредсказуемостью и уникальностью. В качестве подтверждения своих теоретических выводов Инджи Джон приводит ряд примеров, демонстрирующих возможности предлагаемой ею концепции новой городской экополитики.
Reakcja cen akcji na rewizje składu indeksu WIG20
Authors: Sekuła Paweł , Socha Błażej
Published: September 2022

Celem badawczym artykułu jest ocena wpływu zmian składu indeksu WIG20 na stopy zwrotu akcji spółek włączanych i wykluczanych ze składu tego indeksu. Analiza została przeprowadzona w kilku wariantach dla okresu obejmującego lata 2000–2020. W celu sprawdzenia stabilności w czasie obserwowanych zależności okres badawczy podzielony został na dwa podokresy: 2000–2009 i 2010–2020. Badania zrealizowano, opierając się na analizie zdarzeń, z wykorzystaniem testów parametrycznych. Przedmiotem badania były krótkoterminowe ponadnormatywne stopy zwrotu z akcji spółek wprowadzanych i wycofywanych z indeksu. Weryfikacji poddano następujące hipotezy badawcze: H1. Włączenie spółek w skład indeksu WIG20 pozytywnie wpływa na nadwyżkową stopę zwrotu ich akcji, oraz H2. Usunięcie spółek ze składu indeksu WIG20 negatywnie wpływa na nadwyżkową stopę zwrotu ich akcji. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają występowanie dodatniego efektu cenowego wywołanego wprowadzeniem spółek do indeksu. W przypadku usunięcia spółek z indeksu w badaniu nie odnotowano istotnego statystycznie efektu indeksowego. Wskazuje to na pewną obserwowaną specyfikę polskiego rynku: wyraźną asymetrię w reakcjach mierzonych nadwyżkowymi stopami zwrotu na wprowadzenie i usunięcie spółek z indeksu. Przeprowadzone badania uzupełniają dostępne wyniki na temat efektów indeksowych występujących podczas rewizji indeksów giełdowych na rynkach wschodzących.
Jeszcze o aspekcie formalnym kontratypu obrony koniecznej
Authors: Siwek Kamil
Published: September 2022

Niniejsze opracowanie dotyczy charakteru prawnego tzw. kontratypów i jest odpowiedzią na uwagi polemiczne autorstwa Mikołaja Iwańskiego, Mikołaja Małeckiego, Szymona Tarapaty oraz Witolda Zontka. Rozważania prowadzone są zgodnie z regułami derywacyjnej koncepcji wykładni prawa, zasady techniki prawodawczej oraz zagadnienia podstawowych modalności prawnych. Na tej podstawie ustalono, że przepisy statuujące kontratypy są modyfikatorami treściowymi przepisów centralnych niepełnych i zmieniają zakres zastosowania norm sankcjonowanych w prawie karnym oraz nie modyfikują norm sankcjonujących. Zachowanie zrealizowane w warunkach kontratypu nie wiąże się z przekroczeniem normy sankcjonowanej i jest czynem indyferentnym prawnie, ale nie jest nieobojętnym prawnie. Proponowane ujęcie nie może być utożsamiane z teorią negatywnych znamion czynu zabronionego.
A Cornucopia of Carnot Groups in Low Dimensions
Authors: Le Donne Enrico , Tripaldi Francesca
Published: September 2022

Stratified groups are those simply connected Lie groups whose Lie algebras admit a derivation for which the eigenspace with eigenvalue 1 is Lie generating. When a stratified group is equipped with a left-invariant path distance that is homogeneous with respect to the automorphisms induced by the derivation, this metric space is known as Carnot group. Carnot groups appear in several mathematical contexts. To understand their algebraic structure, it is useful to study some examples explicitly. In this work, we provide a list of low-dimensional stratified groups, express their Lie product, and present a basis of left-invariant vector fields, together with their respective left-invariant 1-forms, a basis of right-invariant vector fields, and some other properties. We exhibit all stratified groups in dimension up to 7 and also study some free-nilpotent groups in dimension up to 14.
Certain Conditions for a Finsler Manifold to Be Isometric with a Finsler Sphere
Authors: Yin Songting , Wang Huarong
Published: September 2022

We show that if there is a smooth function
f
on a Finsler
n
-space
M
satisfying Δ2

f
= −
kfg

Δ

f
for a positive constant
k
, then
M
is diffeomorphic with the
n
-sphere 𝕊
n
, where
g
denotes the weighted Riemannian metric. Moreover, we further show that the manifold is isometric to a Finsler sphere if the Ricci curvature is bounded below by (
n
− [one.tf])
k
and the
S
-curvature vanishes.
Interplay between language and identity: Chinese returnee scholars in the internationalisation of higher education
Authors: Du Xujia , Tao Jian , Gao Xuesong
Published: September 2022

Returnee scholars are regarded as key agents to advance internationalisation in many non-Anglophone countries where internationalisation through the medium of English has raised concerns about the preservation of national language, culture, and identity. This study investigated how eight Chinese returnee scholars used their linguistic repertoires in their professional practice and daily lives and how their language practices interacted with multiple identities. Gathering data from a questionnaire, semi-structured interview, and regular class observations, this study reveals that in research, all participants predominantly used English and many expressed concerns about their Chinese academic writing skills. In teaching and daily lives, most participants embraced bilingualism and were open to translingual practices. The participants’ language practices appeared to be linked to their self-conception as competent English users and English-mediated ideal professional identities. However, their bilingual practices did not correspond to a bicultural identity, indicating a disconnect between language use and cultural belonging. Drawing on the findings, suggestions are offered for institution- and state-level authorities to better facilitate the integration of returnee scholars into their home academic communities and to promote academic multilingualism.
A numerical investigation of optimum angles for solar energy receivers in the eastern part of Algeria
Authors: Bennour Fethi , Mzad Hocine
Published: September 2022

The need to capture the maximum amount of solar energy and to optimize the panels’ collecting surfaces are among the primary objectives of research in solar engineering. The simplest way to accomplish this is to perform a monthly accurate determination of the solar collector’s proper slope and azimuth angles. Indeed, this is the aim of this article, which consists of a graphical optimization based on the Gueymard’s daily integration model. A Matlab program was developed to predict the hourly solar radiation on a solar receiver using the Gueymard model in conjunction with the Liu and Jordan isotropic, Perez, and HDKR anisotropic models. A comprehensive simulation of the monthly solar irradiation throughout 2018 was executed for the city of Annaba, in north–eastern Algeria. The results indicate that the south-facing surface azimuth angle is the most appropriate. In fact, for maximum sunlight capture, the solar collector inclination must be adjusted each month in the range of [10–40°]. Furthermore, the results show that the gains in the amount of solar radiation received throughout the year by the thermal panel mounted at monthly optimum tilt angles are 15.63% in January and 7.37% in July.
Design and performance evaluation of next generation access network based on advanced optical carrier generator
Authors: Rashid Khammas Namariq , Khalf Bashar Ahmed
Published: September 2022

Passive optical network (PON) was designed in this paper. The design aim was to locate faulty line of service professionally without extra effort. In the literature, there were various PON-design methodologies. However, a design with fewer components and less faulty line tracking was a challenge. The suggested approach tried to overcome the leakage in the state-of-the-art, such that, the PON network would be able to serve forty-eight optical network units (ONUs). At the same time, the design has to have the capability to distinguish the dropped line of service straightforwardly. The design in this thesis mainly depends on the fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to create six-groups, in each group, there are eight-branches. Each branch serves as an end-user/customer point. The capacity of fault location was achieved for ONUs distanced/located as far as 20 Km from the central office (CO). There was only one optical spectrum analyser (OSA) inside the CO. This OSA employed to monitor the whole network groups, i.e., forty-eight branches/ONU were screened inside the CO to predict the fault location. The system is built using the OptiSystem software package version 14.
Investigating Role of Technological and Organizational Factors Towards Students’ Knowledge Sharing Behavior in Pakistan
Authors: Safdar Muhammad , Batool Syeda Hina , Mahmood Khalid
Published: September 2022

This study aims to determine engineering students’ behavior towards Knowledge Sharing (KS). Researchers also investigated the effect of technological and organizational factors on students’ behavior towards KS. Another purpose of this paper was to identify the difference among different universities’ students regarding their KSB. The authors conducted this study using quantitative methodology. The population of the study was engineering students admitted in 10 Pakistani universities based in different Pakistani provinces and capital. Results confirmed that the majority of Pakistani engineering students were sharing knowledge with their fellows with good frequency. It was also found that students of different universities differed significantly regarding their KSB. However, factors related with technology and organization did not influence (significantly) KSB of engineering students of Pakistan. Results might facilitate students and organizations, especially related to the field of education in understanding the role of technological and organizational related factors towards students’ KSB.
A passive verses active exposure of mathematical smoking model: A role for optimal and dynamical control
Authors: Hussain Takasar , Awan Aziz Ullah , Abro Kashif Ali , Ozair Muhammad , Manzoor Mehwish , Gómez-Aguilar José Francisco , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: September 2022

Smoking has become one of the major causes of health problems around the globe. It harms almost every organ of the body. It causes lung cancer and damage of different muscles. It also produces vascular deterioration, pulmonary disease, and ulcer. There is no advantage to smoking except the monetary one to the tobacco producers, manufacturers, and advertisers. Due to these facts, a passive verse active exposure of mathematical smoking model has been analyzed subject to the dynamical aspects for giving up smoking. In this context, mathematical modelling and qualitative analysis have been traced out for smoking model having five classes. Mathematical forms of smoke absent and smoke present points of equilibrium have been calculated for knowing optimal and dynamical control. By making use of the Lyapunov function theory, we have shown the global asymptotic behavior of smoke-free equilibrium for threshold parameter

R

0

<
1

{R}_{0}\lt 1

. The ability to observe theoretically and through graphs is invoked to study the general behavior of single smoke present point. To make effective, vigorous, authentic, and stable strategies to control the disease, we have performed the sensitivity examination of threshold parameter and disease, present apartments.