bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DeepBBBP: High Accuracy Blood‐brain‐barrier Permeability Prediction with a Mixed Deep Learning Model
Authors: Cherian Parakkal Sheryl , Datta Riya , Das Dibyendu
Published: April 2022

Blood‐brain‐barrier permeability (BBBP) is an important property that is used to establish the drug‐likeness of a molecule, as it establishes whether the molecule can cross the BBB when desired. It also eliminates those molecules which are not supposed to cross the barrier, as doing so would lead to toxicity. BBBP can be measured in vivo, in vitro or in silico. With the advent and subsequent rise of in silico methods for virtual drug screening, quite a bit of work has been done to predict this feature using statistical machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) based methods. In this work a mixed DL‐based model, consisting of a Multi‐layer Perceptron (MLP) and Convolutional Neural Network layers, has been paired with Mol2vec. Mol2vec is a convenient and unsupervised machine learning technique which produces high‐dimensional vector representations of molecules and its molecular substructures. These succinct vector representations are utilized as inputs to the mixed DL model that is used for BBBP predictions. Several well‐known benchmarks incorporating BBBP data have been used for supervised training and prediction by our mixed DL model which demonstrates superior results when compared to existing ML and DL techniques used for predicting BBBP.
Dynamics of water conveying copper and alumina nanomaterials when viscous dissipation and thermal radiation are significant: Single‐phase model with multiple solutions
Authors: Lund Liaquat Ali , Wakif Abderrahim , Omar Zurni , Khan Ilyas , Animasaun Isaac Lare
Published: April 2022

Because of thermal characteristics and the intention of improving heat transfer rate, the issue of hybrid nanofluid has become an intriguing subject for academicians and researchers in the contemporary technological period. This report presents the impacts of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation on the motion of the hybrid nanofluid of (Cu + Al2O3)‐H2O over a moving surface. The present flow model is simulated by a set of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs), which are converted into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by the appropriate similarity transformations. After that, the obtained ODEs are resolved numerically by bvp4c in MATLAB. The thermal radiation parameter has been shown to improve the rate of heat transfer and increase the temperature of the hybrid nanofluid (Cu + Al2O3)‐H2O. Moreover, two branches of solutions that depend on the stretching/shrinking parameter values are noticed. Furthermore, the stability results show that the upper branch can be used in practical applications, due to its stable nature.
Lie symmetries, Painlevé analysis, and global dynamics for the temporal equation of radiating stars
Authors: Leon Genly , Govender Megandhren , Paliathanasis Andronikos
Published: April 2022

We study the temporal equation of radiating stars by using three powerful methods for the analysis of nonlinear differential equations. Specifically, we investigate the global dynamics for the given master ordinary differential equation to understand the evolution of solutions for various initial conditions as also to investigate the existence of asymptotic solutions. Moreover, with the application of Lie's theory, we can reduce the order of the master differential equation, while an exact similarity solution is determined. Finally, the master equation possesses the Painlevé property, which means that the analytic solution can be expressed in terms of a Laurent expansion.
Connect and collaborate with your marketing team, wherever you are
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: April 2022

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, many on‐campus employees became acquainted with telecommuting life. Out of necessity, this ushered in the adoption of tools and technology — many new, or at least unfamiliar — to keep us connected to our work, our campuses, and each other.
Novel patient‐derived xenograft and cell line models for therapeutic screening in NF2‐associated schwannoma
Authors: Zhao Fu , Chen Yang , Li Shi‐Wei , Zhang Jing , Zhang Shun , Zhao Xiao‐Bin , Yang Zhi‐Jun , Wang Bo , He Qi‐Yang , Wang Lei‐Ming , Xu Lei , Liu Pi‐Nan
Published: April 2022

Treatment of schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is extremely unsatisfactory, and innovative therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. However, the lack of clinically relevant NF2‐associated schwannoma models has severely hampered drug discovery in this rare disease. Here we report the first establishment and characterization of patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) and cell line models of NF2‐associated schwannoma, which recapitulates the morphological and histopathological features of patient tumors, retain patient NF2 mutations, and maintain gene expression profiles resembling patient tumor profiles with the preservation of multiple key signaling pathways commonly dysregulated in human schwannomas. Using gene expression profiling, we identified elevated PI3K/AKT/mTOR networks in human NF2‐associated vestibular schwannomas. Using high‐throughput screening of 157 inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in vitro, we identified a dozen inhibitors (such as BEZ235, LY2090314, and AZD8055) with significant growth‐suppressive effects. Interestingly, we observed that three cell lines displayed differential therapeutic responses to PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors. Furthermore, we demonstrated that two orally bioavailable inhibitors, AZD8055 and PQR309, suppressed NF2‐associated schwannoma growth both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our novel patient‐derived models of NF2‐associated schwannoma closely mimic the phenotypes and genotypes of patient tumors, making them reliable preclinical tools for testing novel personalized therapies. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Genetics in psychiatry: Methods, clinical applications and future perspectives
Authors: Fabbri Chiara
Published: April 2022

Psychiatric disorders and related traits have a demonstrated genetic component, with heritability estimated by twin studies generally between 80% and 40%. Their pathogenesis is complex and multi‐determined: environmental factors interact with a polygenic architecture, making difficult the development of models able to stratify patients or predict mental health outcomes. Despite this difficult challenge, relevant progress has been made in the field of psychiatric genetics in recent years. This review aims to present the main current methods in psychiatric genetics, their output, limitations, clinical applications, and possible future developments. Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) performed in increasingly large samples have led to the identification of replicated genetic loci associated with the risk of major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and mood disorders. Statistical and biological approaches have been developed to improve our understanding of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms behind genome‐wide significant associations, as well as for estimating the cumulative effect of risk variants at the individual level and the genetic overlap between different disorders, as pleiotropy is the rule rather than the exception. Clinical applications are available in the pharmacogenetics field. The main issues that remain to be addressed include improving ethnic diversity in genetic studies and the optimization of statistical power through methodological improvements, such as the definition of dimensional phenotypes with specific biological correlates and the integration of different types of omics data.
Ectopic expression of a rice triketone dioxygenase gene confers mesotrione tolerance in soybean
Authors: Dai Shunhong , Georgelis Nikolaos , Bedair Mohamed , Hong Yun‐Jeong , Qi Qungang , Larue Clayton T , Sitoula Bikram , Huang Wei , Krebel Brian , Shepard Michael , Su Wen , Kretzmer Keith , Dong Jiaxin , Slewinski Thomas , Berger Sarah , Ellis Christine , Jerga Agoston , Varagona Marguerite
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Herbicide‐resistant weeds pose a challenge to agriculture and food production. New herbicide tolerance traits in crops will provide farmers with more options to effectively manage weeds. Mesotrione, a selective pre‐ and post‐emergent triketone herbicide used in corn production, controls broadleaf and some annual grass weeds via hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibition. Recently, the rice HIS1 gene, responsible for native tolerance to the selective triketone herbicide benzobicyclon, was identified. Expression of HIS1 also confers a modest level of mesotrione resistance in rice. Here we report the use of the HIS1 gene to develop a mesotrione tolerance trait in soybean.

RESULTS

Conventional soybean is highly sensitive to mesotrione. Ectopic expression of a codon‐optimized version of the rice HIS1 gene (TDO) in soybean confers a commercial level of mesotrione tolerance. In TDO transgenic soybean plants, mesotrione is rapidly and locally oxidized into noninhibitory metabolites in leaf tissues directly exposed to the herbicide. These metabolites are further converted into compounds similar to known classes of plant secondary metabolites. This rapid metabolism prevents movement of mesotrione from treated leaves into vulnerable emerging leaves. Minimizing the accumulation of the herbicide in vulnerable emerging leaves protects the function of HPPD and carotenoid biosynthesis more generally while providing tolerance to mesotrione.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesotrione has a favorable environmental and toxicological profile. The TDO‐mediated soybean mesotrione tolerance trait described here provides farmers with a new option to effectively manage difficult‐to‐control weeds using familiar herbicide chemistry. This trait can also be adapted to other mesotrione‐sensitive crops (e.g. cotton) for effective weed management. © 2022 Bayer Crop Science. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Infection of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi suppresses cellular immunity and activates humoral antibacterial immunity of the host Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Wang Jia‐Lin , Yang Ke‐Hui , Wang Si‐Si , Li Xin‐Lin , Liu Jie , Yu Ye‐Xin , Liu Xu‐Sheng
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Metarhizium rileyi is an entomopathogenic fungus with promising potential for controlling agricultural pests, including Spodoptera frugiperda. Following penetration of the host through the cuticle, M. rileyi cells transform into in vivo blastospores or hyphal bodies, propagating within the hemocoel. However, the strategies and molecular mechanisms by which M. rileyi survives upon exposure to the powerful insect immune system remain unclear.

RESULTS

We determined the pathogenicity of M. rileyi and found that either conidial immersion or blastospore injection significantly decreased S. frugiperda survival in a dose‐dependent manner. Injection of M. rileyi blastospores decreased the number of S. frugiperda hemocytes and impaired host cellular reactions such as nodulation, encapsulation and phagocytosis. Blastospore injection led to increased antibacterial activity in plasma at 48 h post‐injection (hpi). RNA‐sequencing analyses identified a large number of antimicrobial peptide genes upregulated in the fat body of M. rileyi‐infected larvae at 48 hpi, which may be attributable to the activation of Toll and IMD signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the compromised cellular immunity of the insect host is due to the marked decrease in hemocytes and impaired cellular cytoskeletons, which may facilitate early infection by M. rileyi. Late in the course of infection, the enhanced antibacterial activity of plasma, which may be in response to intestinal evading bacteria, cannot inhibit hyphal growth in hemolymph. Our data provide a comprehensive resource for exploring the molecular mechanism employed by M. rileyi to overcome S. frugiperda immunity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigation of Grain Boundary Content on Crack Propagation Behavior of Nanocrystalline Al by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Li Qinghua , Dong Zhibo , Zhou Shouzhen , Han Fang , Li Chengkun , Chang Hao , Zhang Zhipeng
Published: April 2022

The nanocrystalline metal material has been an investigation hotspot due to its excellent mechanical property. The high content of grain boundaries (GBs) in microstructure is the key factor affecting its fracture behavior during service. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the effect mechanism of nanoscale GB on crack propagation. In this study, four molecular dynamics (MD) models of nanocrystalline aluminum (Al) with different GB contents are established. The results show that the high‐content GBs in polycrystals can increase the toughness and absorb energy, reducing the risk of brittle crack propagation. The presence of GB can reduce the stress concentration of the crack, and the dislocation emission from the crack tip can be absorbed by the front GB. The microstructure with high‐content GBs can actuate more plastic deformation mechanisms such as multiple slips, GB slip, and migration. The region with more GBs can induce a more even deformation of the whole microstructure by means of dislocation emission and GB migration to the region with fewer GBs. The purpose of this study is to provide a rational mechanism reference for the failure of nanocrystalline metal material.
Molecular‐Beam Epitaxy Growth and Properties of AlGaAs Nanowires with InGaAs Nanostructures
Authors: Reznik Rodion R. , Ilkiv Igor V. , Kotlyar Konstantin P. , Gridchin Vladislav O. , Bondarenko Dariya N. , Lendyashova Vera V. , Ubyivovk Evgenii V. , Dragunova Anna S. , Kryzhanovskaya Natalia V. , Cirlin George E.
Published: April 2022

Combinations of III–V nanowires (NWs) with quantum dots (QDs) are promising building blocks for quantum light sources. Herein, for the first time, the results of growing AlGaAs NWs with InGaAs QDs by molecular‐beam epitaxy on a silicon substrate are shown. The optimal growth temperature is determined and the physical properties of the grown nanostructures are studied. It is shown that the grown nanostructures exhibit photoluminescence (PL) signal up to room temperature in a wide wavelength range, including 1.3 μm emission which is important for the optical fiber transmission. It is found that in addition to InGaAs QDs radial InGaAs quantum wells are formed inside the NWs as a result of lateral/axial InGaAs growth competition. The proposed technology opens up new possibilities for the integration of direct‐band III–V materials with the silicon platform for various applications in the field of silicon photonics and quantum communication technology.
Thermodynamics and airstreams of a south foehn event in different Alpine valleys
Authors: Jansing Lukas , Sprenger Michael
Published: April 2022

Foehn flows are associated with a characteristic warming of the respective air in lee‐side valleys. Recent studies about the physical mechanisms question the traditional thermodynamic foehn theory, pointing out the potential role of adiabatic descent and other diabatic processes, besides upstream latent heating in clouds, for the warming. This study applies a kilometre‐scale simulation together with online trajectories and a Lagrangian heat budget to investigate the foehn air warming for an intense, long‐lasting Alpine south foehn period in November 2016. Thereby, the focus lies on the attribution of the warming to adiabatic descent and the different diabatic processes in six foehn valleys, as well as the linkage of the warming processes to different airstreams. Overall, adiabatic warming emerges as the most important process for 57% of all air parcels arriving in the foehn valleys. However, upstream latent heating in clouds is the dominant mechanism for a considerable amount of air parcels (35%). The heat budget analysis reveals a clear transition along the Alps from west to east, whereat diabatic warming constitutes the driving mechanism for western valleys during the central phase of the event, and adiabatic warming dominates the foehn air warming in eastern valleys. The foehn trajectories can be separated into different air‐stream categories according to their diabatic temperature change. Air parcels experiencing strong diabatic heating are transported in an easterly barrier jet in the Po Valley before crossing the Alpine crest. Air parcels experiencing diabatic cooling, in contrast, are advected quasi‐horizontally from the south towards the Alpine crest prior to their descent. The relative strength of the different airstreams therefore determines the dominating warming process. These findings strongly point to the combined importance of adiabatic and diabatic warming mechanisms, which co‐occur with varying relative contributions, depending on the valley and time period of the event.
A robust standard deviation control chart based on square A estimator
Authors: Kao Shih‐Chou
Published: April 2022

The estimates of a standard deviation deteriorate the detection ability of control charts by reason of its high biases when the contaminations are present. This study proposes two kinds of square A estimators based on different screenings and compares the values of their mean squared error with those of existing estimators in diffuse and localized disturbances. The effectiveness of Phase II control charts is evaluated when the estimators are contaminated in Phase I using two kinds of disturbances. The proposed estimators perform the best against disturbances, with their average run lengths and expected average run lengths being closer to those in normal cases compared to other estimators.
Analytical variability and uncertainty in canine leukocyte ratios obtained with manual counts
Authors: Moretti Pierangelo , Franchi Roberta , Poluzzi Teresa Maria , Paltrinieri Saverio
Published: April 2022

Background

This study aimed to determine the analytical imprecision of calculated neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte to monocyte ratios generated from manual differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in peripheral blood smears, and to describe how to report the uncertainty around a single WBC ratio result. No information on the analytical imprecision of WBC ratios in dogs is available.

Methods

Coefficient of variations (CVs) of paired readings of one operator on 105 smears (intraoperator variability) and of three operators on 301 smears (interoperator variability) were calculated. The interoperator agreement was examined with the Fleiss’ kappa coefficient (κ). Observed total errors (TEos), expanded measurement of uncertainty (EMU) and reporting intervals (RIs) were also calculated.

Results

Median CVs ranged from 3.14 to 28.28 (intraoperator) and from 5.39 to 53.85 (interoperator). No agreement among operators was found around the cut‐offs. TEos were higher than allowable total errors in 32%–88% of smears. EMU ranged from 0.10 to 1.13. According to the RI, the calculated WBC ratios should be rounded to the nearest 10.

Conclusion

WBC ratios should be interpreted cautiously in dogs. The EMU should be reported to make the clinician aware of the uncertainty of these parameters. For example, an NLR result of 17 is needed to have high confidence that the result is above a cut‐off of 6.
Two Water Stable Phosphate‐Amidinium Based Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework with Proton Conduction
Authors: Zheng Shihe , Li Lu , Chen Liangji , Fan Zhiwen , Xiang Fahui , Yang Yisi , Zhang Zhangjing , Xiang Shengchang
Published: April 2022

Two water stable phosphate‐amidinium charge‐assisted hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), HOF‐FJU‐12 ([DPBA⋅PAM]0.5 ⋅ 0.2DMF⋅H2O) and HOF‐FJU‐13 ([DPBA ⋅ 1.5PAM] ⋅ 1.5DMF⋅H2O) (DPBA=3,5‐diphosphonobenzoic acid, PAM=terephtalimidamide, DMF=N,N‐Dimethylformamide) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that HOF‐FJU‐13 is a layered structure with continuous hydrogen‐bonding networks along a axis, which plays an important role in proton conduction. The highest proton conductivity of HOF‐FJU‐13 (1.14×10−4 S/cm) is about 7.4 times higher than that of HOF‐FJU‐12 (1.54×10−5 S/cm) under the conditions of 60 °C and 98 % relative humidity.
A highly polar hybrid perovskite of [FCH2CH2NH3][Mn(HCOO)3]
Authors: Xiong Li‐Hui , Fan Hui‐Min , Wang Bing‐Wu , Wang Zhe‐Ming , Gao Song
Published: April 2022

A new hybrid perovskite of [FCH2CH2NH3][Mn(HCOO)3] has been successfully prepared by utilizing the ammonium of FCH2CH2NH3+, and it is the first example incorporating F‐substituted ammonium in the class of ammonium metal formate framework. The compound crystallizes in polar, orthorhombic space group Pna21, and the cell parameters are a=8.5901(3)–8.7158(6), b=8.4613(3)–8.5216(6), c=12.4837(4)–12.6106(9) Å and V=907.36(5)–936.6(1) Å3 from 80 K up to 410 K just before the decomposition, showing positive thermal expansions in all directions and no structural phase transition in the temperature region. The FCH2CH2NH3+ cation in the cavity of the NaCl‐like Mn‐formate framework adopts N−C−C−F gauche conformation, and its NH3+ and F ends are anchored to the anionic framework by N−H⋅⋅⋅O and C−H⋅⋅⋅F H‐bonds. The large dislocation of the NH3+ end from the anionic framework, about 1.4 Å, results in an estimated high electric polarization about 10 μCcm−2 for the polar structure. The material is also a spin‐canted antiferromagnet with the Néel temperature of 8.3 K.
Data Science-Based Battery Operation Management II
Authors: Liu Kailong , Wang Yujie , Lai Xin
Published: April 2022

This chapter focuses on the data science-based management for another three key parts during battery operations including the battery ageing/lifetime prognostics, battery fault diagnosis, and battery charging. For these three key parts, their fundamentals are first given, followed by the case studies of deriving various data science-based solutions to benefit their related operation management.
Data Science-Based Battery Reutilization Management
Authors: Liu Kailong , Wang Yujie , Lai Xin
Published: April 2022

This chapter focuses on the data science-based technologies for battery reutilization management, which is the third stage of battery full-lifespan and crucial for the sustainable development of batteries. Battery reutilization mainly includes battery echelon utilization (secondary utilization) and material recycling. During the long-term service of the battery in EVs, the consistency of the battery cell is enlarged and its health would deteriorate. Therefore, the batteries retired from EVs cannot be directly used for secondary utilization. It is necessary to evaluate the residual value of these batteries by using the historical data or the test data, and then sort and regroup them for safe secondary utilization.
Family Planning in India during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Singh Sanghamitra , Muttreja Poonam
Published: April 2022

The authors discuss the profound impact of the pandemic on women’s access to family planning services. They show how the interruption in the provision of reproductive health services resulted in a lack of access to contraceptives and consequent unplanned pregnancies and abortions. There was an increase in the unmet need for contraception and a decline in maternity care and immunization. This resulted in an increase in unwanted pregnancies as well as maternal mortality and morbidity.

The Population Foundation of India’s analysis of the National Health Mission’s Health Management Information System (HMIS) data to assess the impact of the pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services during the lockdown period (April, 2020–June, 2020) compared to the same period last year showed a 43 percent drop in injectable contraceptives, 50 percent drop in intra-uterine devices (IUDs), and 21 percent drop in oral contraceptives. The highest decrease (59%) was for Centchroman (weekly pill). There was a decline of more than 28 percent in institutional deliveries. A 27 percent decline in ante-natal check-ups (ANC) was observed.

The COVID-19 crisis sets back progress made in health services over the past decades. This was significant in the case of reproductive health programs which were adversely affected because financial and manpower resources were diverted to services for COVID-19 patients. The authors provide estimates of the impact of the non-availability of sexual and reproductive health services on women. Suggestions are offered for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the health system.
Gender Insights into a Unique Threat to Human Development
Authors: Nath Madhu Bala
Published: April 2022

Both primary and secondary data are examined to study the gender dimensions of the pandemic. While maintaining a focus on health, the author discusses the linkages of health, poverty, and women’s agency. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the human development index that incorporates literacy, income, and life expectancy.

COVID-19 has severely impacted women’s reproductive health. Unintended pregnancies, abortions, and maternal mortality have increased as a consequence of the pandemic. The demand for services, especially nutritional services, child immunizations, and family planning services was not met. Research shows that sexual and gender-based violence increased during the pandemic. Mental health problems also increased. All these problems affected women disproportionately. The impact of stigma on women’s health is discussed. Its effect on LGBT communities is underscored. The suicide rate in India was higher than that in other countries in South-East Asia even before the pandemic. COVID-19 exacerbated this problem.

The author suggests that the government should support disadvantaged communities including the LGBTQ community by transferring leased assets as an eligible collateral for working capital loans. It is recommended that relief packages for COVID-19 should be reworked so they are gender responsive.

COVID-19 is threatening the gains made by India to increase women’s education, livelihood opportunities, and labor-force participation. It is also affecting women’s physical and mental health. The author argues for strengthening women’s agency, a critical imperative for countering these problems.
Communicating COVID: Learnings and Way Forward
Authors: Suneja Nandita , Bose Kaushik
Published: April 2022

The authors underscore the importance of five key components of a successful pandemic communication strategy—trust, timeliness, transparency, public, and planning. The rapid dissemination of information in social media and other digital platforms has led to an overabundance of information about COVID-19 and much of it is false. This has been termed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an ‘infodemic’. Misinformation and disinformation about the origins of the pandemic, how it spread, and how it can be contained, have impacted efforts to save lives. However, several international and national organizations have successfully countered these messages by using low-tech and high-tech technologies to build trust and encourage compliance with public health measures.

Drawing on past experiences with previous pandemics, the authors discuss how communication strategies have been refined over time. Examples are provided of the impact of misinformation and dissemination on the pandemic in different countries. The experiences of countries around the world and the Indian experience are analyzed. Based on learnings with various communication approaches, the authors make recommendations for future crises: trust the science, identify credible spokespersons, consistently relay and leverage technologies, invest in digital literacy, sustain media engagement, and build intersectoral cooperation.
Relevance of Social and Behavior Change and Communications in the Media on COVID-19 Response
Authors: Singh Sanghamitra , Muttreja Poonam , Chowdhary Dipa Nag , Kalaan Mandira Kalra
Published: April 2022

The important role of social and behavior change and communication strategies in the prevention of infection is discussed. These strategies have two complementary, albeit distinct roles: 1) educate citizens on the health risks of COVID-19; and 2) promote desired behaviors to prevent infection.

The authors underscore that messages for the prevention of COVID-19 should be clear and consistent and should be based on scientific evidence. These messages need to be reinforced to promote positive behavior change. They should be empathetic and inclusive and should counter misinformation and fake news. Government of India’s citizen engagement platform ‘MyGov’ has rolled-out a series of campaigns for the prevention of COVID-19. Civil society organizations have complemented the official campaign. The Population Foundation of India developed the Corona Ki Adalat (The court of corona) animation series to disseminate key messages and reinforce a sense of solidarity around the fight against COVID-19.

India (and the world) has, for the first time, witnessed an amalgamation of science and mainstream media. The collaboration of the media and public health workers and doctors has been commendable. The authors illustrate this with examples of personalities who stepped-up and gave their time to the media to convey important messages to the public. The last few months have truly witnessed the power of the media and behavior change communications. Until a vaccine becomes widely available, the only way to protect people from COVID-19 and to minimize the burden it places on the public health system is to promote widespread behavior change. And this can only happen through the collaborative efforts of the government, media, public health experts, and civil society organizations.
Using Technology to Harness Existing Resources for an Emergency: COVID-19 Response
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Gopi
Published: April 2022

The use of technology to respond to the COVID-19 emergency is described. The sudden lockdown imposed by the government with just a four hours’ notice resulted in a paralysis of the healthcare system. World Health Partners (WHP) responded immediately to this crisis. WHP worked in partnership with the state governments of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The plan was that the state governments would provide the personnel and WHP would set-up a digitized system for providing health services to the people by using tele-medicine.

A quick-to-access dashboard was created to give details in real-time of the number of doctors and assistants who were logged-in, the number of calls received and were attended to, prescriptions issued, and COVID-19 suspects identified. Doctors’ absenteeism proved to be a challenge in Bihar. Consequently, the full potential of the project could not be realized in Bihar. In Andhra Pradesh, however, the project was very successful. Despite receiving less number of calls, more consultations were provided through the tele-medicine project in Andhra Pradesh. The major reason for this success was the high level of political commitment by the state government which led to the availability of trained medical personnel for the project. The entire process of the project was successfully transitioned by WHP to the state government of Andhra Pradesh.
Unveiling the Clinical Face of COVID-19
Authors: Singh Arti , Singh Ashutosh
Published: April 2022

The clinical aspects of COVID-19 are discussed. A picture of what happens in a hospital—the ward and the intensive care unit (ICU)—is described. The impact of the disease on patients, medical professionals, and other staff, and case studies of patients who recovered as well as those who did not, are presented. The lived experience, over the ten-months period of the pandemic, of these individuals is portrayed.

The lived experience of the author and that of her team is portrayed from the inception of the pandemic to date. The author traces changes made to diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients over time. Patient treatment and management regimens were refined and streamlined during this period. And the health system was re-designed to cope with the influx of huge numbers of COVID-19 patients. During this time, diagnostic tools and treatment regimens evolved. Doctors and their teams of nurses and technicians worked tirelessly day and night to cope with the onslaught. The public, however, stigmatized healthcare workers as they were overcoming with the fear of getting infected.

Ten months ago, the medical profession knew very little about the virus or the disease as both were new. But with its dedication and commitment, the medical fraternity managed to cope with the rising number of patients with whatever tools it had. This period witnessed a rapid learning curve.
COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Administration in India
Authors: Pathak Drishya , Philo Magdalene A.
Published: April 2022

The authors examine, in great detail, issues related to vaccine development, production, and distribution in India. They discuss the problems related to logistics for reaching vaccines to India’s large population. The role of international organizations engaged in vaccine development, procurement, and distribution is discussed.

The development of vaccines for COVID-19 within a ten-month period has been an extraordinary achievement given that in the past it has taken 10–15 years to develop a vaccine. Of the seventy vaccine candidates currently in the pipeline globally, four are available for use. Currently, five vaccine candidates are in different stages of development in India.

India is acknowledged globally to have a robust capacity for developing vaccines. India has also had a long history in organizing and implementing immunization programs for pregnant women and children. However, organizing a national vaccination program for COVID-19 is challenging because of India’s large population and fragile health infrastructure.

India rolled-out the COVID-19 vaccination program in January 2021. The state governments have developed plans for the storage and distribution of the vaccine and for the implementation of the vaccination program. Important elements within the program are communications and advocacy that aim to inform the people about the vaccine and its benefits and to encourage them to get vaccinated so that the problem of vaccine hesitancy, a major deterrent, can be prevented.

India and the world are at a critical juncture in the history of the pandemic where the availability of the vaccine shows a glimmer of hope—a light at the end of a dark tunnel.
A Lifestyle Disorder that Spared Nobody: Mental Health and COVID-19
Authors: Mittal Komal , Magdalene A. Philo , Pathak Drishya
Published: April 2022

The authors discuss the mental health problems that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health manifested as a lifestyle disorder that is being experienced by everybody all around the world. The authors discuss a range of mental health problems that are due to COVID-19. Their prevalence and implications are assessed. In order to provide perspective, research from India and other countries is cited. The causes and consequences of mental health problems associated with COVID-19 are analyzed.

In India, mental health problems were on the rise even before the pandemic. The pandemic, however, greatly exacerbated these problems. Stress, anxiety, and depression became a part of everyone’s life. No one was spared. Strong public health measures to contain the pandemic including the prohibition of movement and isolation took their toll. Being away from work, school, and peers, adjusting to new ways of working and learning, and dealing with job loss were all stressful. Fake news and miscommunication further fueled the problem.

A large section of the population was forced to re-invent its workplace, often in unfavorable environments, resulting in a deep sense of unease. Research shows that because of uncertainties related to finances, work pressure, and jobs, there was a rise in the number of cases of mental illness. The number of suicides also increased. Research in India and other countries underscores that COVID-19 compounded all these problems. Stringent public health measures imposed by all governments, although necessary for containing the pandemic, had a major impact on the psychological state of people. Fear, anxiety, and anger are some of its psychological consequences. Anxiety producing information in the media accentuated these problems.

Pre-occupation with the pandemic resulted in a neglect of the mental well-being of the patients, healthcare professionals, and frontline workers. This caused psychological distress that varied from panic attacks and collective hysteria to pervasive feelings of hopelessness and desperation including suicidal behavior. The psychological wellness of individuals was influenced unfavorably by lifestyle changes caused by the pandemic that included isolation, limited mobility, social stigma, and ever-spreading misinformation and fake news on web-based platforms.

Violence against women and girls was also exacerbated during the pandemic. Violence took place not only within the home but also in other spaces. Violence was severe among migrant workers, health workers, and sex workers. The authors underscore the urgent need for setting- up hotlines, crises centers, shelters, legal-aid, and counseling services.

The pandemic might be the much-needed wake-up call to make long-term improvements in India’s healthcare system. It offers an opportunity for India to take greater cognizance of mental health problems and to integrate services to address these problems within the primary healthcare system.
A reduced basis for CP violation in SMEFT at colliders and its application to diboson production
Authors: Degrande Céline , Touchèque Julien
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We show that only 10 (17) CP-odd operators of the SMEFT give the leading, i.e. least suppressed by the new physics scale, CP-violating contributions once we assume that all fermions are massless but the top (and bottom) quark(s). We start with a short review of previous analyses focusing on operators of our reduced basis and list different observables probing their CP violating effects by direct measurements at colliders and by indirect measurements in low-energy observables. Since CP-odd operators typically lead to phase space suppressed interferences, we quantify the efficiency to revive the interference for various observables found in the literature but also for new observables in diboson production. Our new observables are found to be more efficient on the whole experimental fiducial phase space and are complementary to those presented so far as they probe different combinations of operators and get their sensitivities from different regions of the phase space.
Information geometry and holographic correlators
Authors: Bohra Hardik , Kakkar Ashish , Sivaramakrishnan Allic
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We explore perturbative corrections to quantum information geometry. In particular, we study a Bures information metric naturally associated with the correlation functions of a conformal field theory. We compute the metric of holographic four-point functions and include corrections generated by tree Witten diagrams in the bulk. In this setting, we translate properties of correlators into the language of information geometry. Cross terms in the information metric encode non-identity operators in the OPE. We find that the information metric is asymptotically AdS. Finally, we discuss an information metric for transition amplitudes.
ESIN in femur fractures in children under 3: is it safe?
Authors: Cintean Raffael , Eickhoff Alexander , Pankratz Carlos , Strauss Beatrice , Gebhard Florian , Schütze Konrad
Published: April 2022

Background

Pediatric femur fractures are a major trauma in children. Different treatment algorithms have been developed but indications for surgical treatment, especially in very young patients, are still controversial. Literature recommends surgical stabilization with elastic-stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) starting at the age of 3 and non-operative treatment in younger patients. This study sought to present the outcome of patients younger than 3 years of age treated with ESIN for femur fractures.

Materials and methods

Inclusion criteria were patients younger than 3 treated with ESIN in femur fractures. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, mechanism of injury, outcomes and complications were recorded using charts and X-rays. Primary outcome measures were time to mobility, fracture consolidation and surgical-related complications.

Results

Between 2010 and 2020, 159 patients were treated with ESIN in femur fractures in our institution. A total of 30 patients met the criteria. The mean age was 2.1 ± 0.7 years (13 months–2.9 years). Most common mechanism was fall from standing height (60%). Other mechanisms were motor vehicle accidents as a pedestrian (10%) or as a passenger (10%) as well as direct blow trauma (20%). Femoral shaft fracture was the most common injury (80%). 5 subtrochanteric and one distal metaphyseal femur fractures were found. Mean length of stay was 2.0 ± 1.3 days. Radiographic controls were performed on day 1, 14 and 6 weeks after surgery if not otherwise specified or if complications occurred. 4.6 ± 1.2 (n 2–7) X-rays were performed on average after surgery. First radiographic consolidation signs were seen after 2.4 ± 0.6 weeks. Only one child showed surgical-related complication with a leg length discrepancy of 1 cm. In 10% of the patients, shortening after surgery of 1.7 ± 1.4 mm (0.3–3.1 mm) occurred. One child initially treated with traction therapy showed skin irritations and was operated with ESIN. No non-union or ESIN-related complications were found. Mean follow-up was 5.1 ± 4.4 months (4–24 months). First independent mobilization was seen at an average of 3.4 ± 1.1 weeks (2–6 weeks) after surgery. Implant removal was performed after 3.2 ± 1.3 months (2–8 months). No refracture after implant removal occurred.

Conclusion

Early results with ESIN show a reasonable and safe treatment option for femur fractures in toddlers and young children under the age of 3 with easy postoperative care, fast fracture union and early independent mobilization.
Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Death Following Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Veillette Pierre-Olivier , Miro Joaquim , Khairy Paul , Abadir Sylvia , Le Bloa Mathieu
Published: April 2022

Reports have suggested a transient increase in ventricular ectopy early after percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI). Little is known about the potential for more serious ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in children who undergo PPVI. We sought to evaluate the incidence of severe VA following PPVI in a pediatric population and to explore potential predictive factors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients who underwent PPVI under 20 years of age in our institution from January 2007 to December 2019. The primary outcome of severe VA was defined as sustained and/or hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT), inducible sustained VT, or sudden death of presumed arrhythmic etiology. A total of 21 patients (mean age 16.2 ± 2.1 years; 66.7% male) underwent PPVI. The majority of patients (N = 15; 71.4%) had tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or TOF-like physiology, with the most common indication being pulmonary insufficiency (N = 10; 47.6%). During a median follow-up of 29.6 months (IQR 10.9–44.0), severe VA occurred in 3 (14.3%) patients aged 15.6 (IQR 14.7–16.1) a median of 12.3 months (IQR 11.2–22.3) after PPVI. All events occurred in patients with TOF-like physiology following Melody valve implant. In conclusion, severe VA can occur long after PPVI in a pediatric population, particularly in those with TOF-like physiology. Further studies are required to elucidate underlying mechanisms and assess strategies to mitigate risks.
Appendiceal involvement in pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): a diagnostic challenge in the coronavirus disease (COVID) era
Authors: Kapadia Tejas H. , Abdulla Mohammed T. , Hawkes Rob A. , Tang Vivian , Maniyar Jenny A. , Dixon Rachel E. , Maniyar Amit F. , Kind Kirsten M. S. , Willis Emily , Riley Phil , Alwan Yousef M. , Stivaros Stavros Michael
Published: April 2022

Background

Many studies on pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (PIMS-TS) have described abdominal findings as part of multisystem involvement, with limited descriptions of abdominal imaging findings specific to PIMS-TS.

Objective

To perform a detailed evaluation of abdominal imaging findings in children with PIMS-TS.

Materials and methods

We performed a single-center retrospective study of children admitted to our institution between April 2020 and January 2021 who fulfilled Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health criteria for PIMS-TS and who had cross-sectional abdominal imaging. We studied clinical data, abdominal imaging, laboratory markers, echocardiography findings, treatment and outcomes for these children. We also reviewed the literature on similar studies.

Results

During the study period, 60 PIMS-TS cases were admitted, of whom 23 required abdominal imaging. Most (74%) were from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background and they had an average age of 7 years (range 2–14 years). All children had fever and gastrointestinal symptoms on presentation with elevated C-reactive protein, D-dimer and fibrinogen. Most had lymphopenia, raised ferritin and hypoalbuminemia, with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunoglobulin G antibodies in 65%. Free fluid (78%), right iliac fossa mesenteric inflammation (52%), and significantly enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (52%) were the most common imaging findings. Appendiceal inflammation (30%) and abnormal distal ileum and cecum/ascending colon wall thickening (35%) were also common. All children responded well to medical management alone, with no mortality.

Conclusion

In addition to free fluid, prominent lymphadenopathy, and inflammatory changes in the right iliac fossa, we found abnormal long-segment ileal thickening and appendicitis to be frequent findings. Recognition of appendiceal involvement as a component of the PIMS-TS spectrum should help clinicians avoid unnecessary surgical intervention as part of a multidisciplinary team approach.
Surgeon Bias in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing
Authors: Zaveri Shruti , Nobel Tamar B. , Khetan Prerna , Srinivasan Maya , Divino Celia M.
Published: April 2022

Background

The misuse of opioids is a serious national crisis that is fueled by prescriptions medications. Opioid prescribing habits are known to be highly varied amongst providers. The purpose of this study is to identify patient and surgeon characteristics that predict postoperative opioid prescribing patterns.

Methods

This is a serial cross‐sectional analysis of 20,497 patients who underwent general surgical procedures at a large academic center. Our primary outcome was the total amount of opioids prescribed within 30 days of the surgery. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to identify patient and provider characteristics that were associated with increased opioids prescribed.

Results

Among patient characteristics studied, patient age, sex, ethnicity, and insurance status were found to have a significant association with the amount of opioids prescribed. Younger patients and male patients received higher morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) on discharge (p < 0.05). Patients of Hispanic background were prescribed significantly lower opioids compared to Non‐Hispanic patients (p < 0.0001). Among the provider characteristics studied, surgeon sex and years in practice were significantly predictive of the amount of opioids prescribed, with surgeons in practice for <15 years prescribing the highest MMEs (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

While opioid prescribing habits after surgery seem highly varied and arbitrary, we have identified key predictors that highlight biases in surgeon opioid prescribing patterns. Surgeons tend to prescribe significantly larger amounts of opioids to younger, male patients and those of certain ethnic backgrounds, and surgeons with fewer years in practice are more likely to prescribe more opioids.