bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community norms of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among gender minority populations
Authors: Nagata Jason M. , Compte Emilio J. , McGuire F. Hunter , Lavender Jason M. , Brown Tiffany A. , Murray Stuart B. , Flentje Annesa , Capriotti Matthew R. , Lubensky Micah E. , Obedin-Maliver Juno , Lunn Mitchell R.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Representing the pathological extreme pursuit of muscularity, muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by a pervasive belief or fear around insufficient muscularity and an elevated drive for muscularity. Despite evidence of heightened body image-related concerns among gender minority populations, little is known about the degree of MD symptoms among gender minorities, particularly based on Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) scores. The objective of this study was to assess community norms of the MDDI in gender-expansive people, transgender men, and transgender women.

Method

Data from participants in The PRIDE Study, an existing study of health outcomes in sexual and gender minority people, were examined. We calculated means, standard deviations, and percentiles for the MDDI total and subscale scores among gender-expansive people (i.e., those who identify outside of the binary system of man or woman; n = 1023), transgender men (n = 326), and transgender women (n = 177). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess group differences and post hoc Dunn’s tests were used to examine pairwise differences.

Results

Transgender men reported the highest mean MDDI total score (30.5 ± 7.5), followed by gender-expansive people (27.2 ± 6.7), then transgender women (24.6 ± 5.7). The differences in total MDDI score were driven largely by the Drive for Size subscale and, to a lesser extent, the Functional Impairment subscale. There were no significant differences in the Appearance Intolerance subscale among the three groups.

Conclusions

Transgender men reported higher Drive for Size, Functional Impairment, and Total MDDI scores compared to gender-expansive people and transgender women. These norms provide insights into the experience of MD symptoms among gender minorities and can aid researchers and clinicians in the interpretation of MDDI scores among gender minority populations.
Development of prototype hat patterns for elderly women based on three-dimensional modeling
Authors: Jun Jungil , Ryoo Youngshil , Choi Kuengmi , Park Sunmi
Published: July 2021

Population aging is a global phenomenon, and the elderly population has a higher economic capability today than that in the past. Thus, this population is considered to be a growing consumer group that enjoys both consumer and leisure life. In this study, we developed prototype hat patterns for elderly women that can be used for developing close-fitting hats, helmets, masks, and smart headwear. Three-dimensional (3D) head scan data of elderly women were employed herein, and the data were classified into three groups with common head size and head shape. The target group was selected from a high-frequency group among the classified groups, and a standard head form representing the target group was developed using averaging and wire frame generation techniques. Four hat types were considered, design baselines were developed for each type, and prototype patterns were designed for each hat type using a flattening technique. The suitability of the developed prototype hat patterns was subsequently verified. Our results showed that all four prototype patterns had errors less than 5 mm2 (1.40%). The hat patterning method proposed in this study is expected to improve the wearing comfort of high-value-added products designed for the elderly.
A relationship between the incremental values of area under the ROC curve and of area under the precision-recall curve
Authors: Zhou Qian M. , Zhe Lu , Brooke Russell J. , Hudson Melissa M. , Yuan Yan
Published: July 2021

Background

Incremental value (IncV) evaluates the performance change between an existing risk model and a new model. Different IncV metrics do not always agree with each other. For example, compared with a prescribed-dose model, an ovarian-dose model for predicting acute ovarian failure has a slightly lower area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) but increases the area under the precision-recall curve (AP) by 48%. This phenomenon of disagreement is not uncommon, and can create confusion when assessing whether the added information improves the model prediction accuracy.

Methods

In this article, we examine the analytical connections and differences between the AUC IncV (ΔAUC) and AP IncV (ΔAP). We also compare the true values of these two IncV metrics in a numerical study. Additionally, as both are semi-proper scoring rules, we compare them with a strictly proper scoring rule: the IncV of the scaled Brier score (ΔsBrS) in the numerical study.

Results

We demonstrate thatΔAUC andΔAP are both weighted averages of the changes (from the existing model to the new one) in separating the risk score distributions between events and non-events. However,ΔAP assigns heavier weights to the changes in higher-risk regions, whereasΔAUC weights the changes equally. Due to this difference, the two IncV metrics can disagree, and the numerical study shows that their disagreement becomes more pronounced as the event rate decreases. In the numerical study, we also find thatΔAP has a wide range, from negative to positive, but the range ofΔAUC is much smaller. In addition,ΔAP andΔsBrS are highly consistent, butΔAUC is negatively correlated withΔsBrS andΔAP when the event rate is low.

Conclusions

ΔAUC treats the wins and losses of a new risk model equally across different risk regions. When neither the existing or new model is the true model, this equality could attenuate a superior performance of the new model for a sub-region. In contrast,ΔAP accentuates the change in the prediction accuracy for higher-risk regions.
Preparation and performance of insect virus microcapsules
Authors: Luo Meng , Zhu Dandan , Lin Juntao , Zhou Xinhua , Zheng Changge , Pu Xia
Published: July 2021

Background

Biological pesticides, especially baculovirus, often lose their activity under the influence of external light, temperature, and other changes. This limited the application of them. The present study was aimed to prolong the biological activity and ensure the efficacy of a biological pesticide using microencapsulation technology.

Results

In this study, gelatin/carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-Spodoptera lituranucleopolyhedrovirus microcapsules were prepared. The morphological characteristics, apparent morphology, embedding rate, virus loading, particle size, laboratory virulence, and UV resistance of the microencapsulated virus, were tested. The best conditions for preparing gelatin /CMC-S. lituranucleopolyhedrovirus microcapsules include the gelatin/CMC ratio of 9:1, wall material concentration of 1%, core material/wall ration ratio of 1:2, re-condensation pH of 4.67, and curing time of 1 h. The prepared microcapsules ofS. lituranucleopolyhedrovirus exhibited a good external appearance and spherical shapes with an average particle size of 13 μm, an embedding rate of 62.53%, and a drug loading of 43.87%. The virulence test showed that the microencapsulated virus lost by 2.21 times of its initial activity than the untreated virus. After being treated with field exposure, the gelatin/CMC shell of the microcapsule can better protect the virus in the wild environment.

Conclusion

Microencapsulation improves the tolerance ofS. lituranuclear polyhedrosis virus to ultraviolet radiation. These results will provide ideas for the research of stable and efficient baculovirus preparations and further promote the application and promotion of environmental friendly biological pesticides.
Correlation of primary tumor metabolic parameters with clinical, histopathological and molecular characteristics in breast cancer patients at pre-operative staging FDG-PET/CT study
Authors: AbdElaal Asmaa A. , Zaher Ahmed M. , Abdelgawad Marwa I. , Mekkawy Mohamed A. , Eloteify Lamiaa M.
Published: July 2021

Background

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the correlation of primary tumor metabolic activity parameters; maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumor SUVmax/liver average SUV ratio (TLR) with clinical, histopathological and molecular characteristics of initial staging breast cancer (BC) patients using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography / computerized tomography (PET/CT) scan.

Results

Forty female patients with newly diagnosed BC were enrolled in our study, age ranging from 31-78 years (mean 50.5 +/- SD11.7).

All the primary tumors were detected with mean SUVmax 10.8(+/-SD 7.9). The mean /median SUVmax values of primary tumor was higher in premenopausal , stage III and IV, Estrogen Receptors negative( ER-), Progesterone Receptors negative(PR-), Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive ( Her2neu+) patients, high nuclear grade (GIII), triple negative molecular subgroup (TN) and positive axillary lymph node (ALNs) metastasis,(P= 0.003, 0.017, 0.113, 0.089 0.01 ,0.002 , 0.007 and 0.016 respectively).

The mean/median TLR values was higher in premenopausal ,Her2neu+, GIII, TN molecular subtype patients, stage III and IV and in patients with positive ALNs , ER- and PR - patients (P= 0.002, 0.0476 , 0.005 , 0.018 , 0.039 and 0.022, 0.095 and 0.129 respectively).

SUVmax of the primary lesion and TLR were moderately negatively correlated with the age of the patients (P= 0.005 and 0.008 respectively), also they were moderately positively correlated with the size of the primary tumor (P= 0.019 and 0.036 respectively). TLR was predictive of nodal involvement AUC= 0.612 (95% CI: 0.431-792). The overall sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for axillary staging was 100 % and 60 %, respectively (P= 0.006).

Conclusion

The SUVmax of the primary tumor and TLR values had similar significant associations with different prognostic factors in BC but only TLR can predict nodal involvement.
Lipid droplets form a network interconnected by the endoplasmic reticulum through which their proteins equilibrate
Authors: Cottier Stéphanie , Schneiter Roger
Published: July 2021

Lipid droplets (LDs) are globular intracellular structures dedicated to the storage of neutral lipids. They are closely associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are delineated by a monolayer of phospholipids that is continuous with the cytoplasmic leaflet of the ER membrane. LDs contain a specific set of proteins, but how these proteins are targeted to the LD surface is not fully understood. Here, we devised a yeast mating-based microscopic readout to monitor the transfer of LD proteins upon zygote formation. The results of this analysis indicate that ER fusion between mating partners is required for transfer of LD proteins and that this transfer is continuous, bidirectional and affects most LDs simultaneously. These observations suggest that LDs do not fuse upon mating of yeast cells, but that they form a network that is interconnected through the ER membrane. Consistent with this, ER-localized LD proteins rapidly move onto LDs of a mating partner and this protein transfer is affected by seipin, a protein important for proper LD biogenesis and the functional connection of LDs with the ER membrane.
Tannic Acid Coated Carbon Nanotube Incorporated Polyamide Reverse Osmosis Membrane with High Separation Performance, Fouling Resistance, and Antibacterial Property
Authors: Zhao Afang , Li Qiang , Zhang Na , Deng Huining , Zhao Li , Xu Shicai , Zhang Junye , Baqiah Hussein
Published: July 2021

A polyamide-based nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane was fabricated by introducing tannic acid coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into an oil-phase solution of trimesoyl chloride using an interfacial polymerization approach. The obtained membrane exhibits high permeate flux (67.6 L/m2h), salt rejection (99.4%), fouling resistance, antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties. After silver nanoparticles were embedded into the CNT pore channels, the permeate flux (73.1 L/m2h) and antibacterial property were further improved.
One-step Hydrothermal Synthesis of Unsupported Nickel Phosphide Catalyst for Direct Dehydrogenative Conversion of Methane to Hydrocarbons
Authors: Dipu Arnoldus Lambertus , Yamanaka Ichiro
Published: July 2021

Unsupported Ni2P catalyst synthesized by the hydrothermal method was studied for the direct dehydrogenative conversion of methane to hydrocarbons. The unsupported Ni2P catalyst showed smaller crystallite size and porous surface structure due to the absence of calcination and reduction at higher temperatures and exhibited better catalytic activity at 1173 K. It has been found that the simple hydrothermal method was effective for the synthesis of active unsupported Ni2P catalyst.
Factors Associated with National Health Insurance Coverage in Indonesia
Authors: Sukartini Tintin , Arifin Hidayat , Kurniawati Yulia , Pradipta Rifky Octavia , Nursalam Nursalam , Acob Joel Rey Ugsang
Published: July 2021

Background: The National Health Insurance (NHI) program is the Indonesian government's national health program. However, health insurance coverage has not been maximized. This study aims to analyze the factors associated with health insurance coverage in Indonesia.  

Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey 2017. A total of 39,580 respondents were selected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling. The data come from the DHS Questionnaire Phase 7. The variables include age, education level, wealth quintiles, residence, the number of children who are alive, marital status, current employment status, earnings, and health insurance status. The data were analyzed using chi-squared and binary logistic analyses.  

Results: The prevalence of health insurance coverage in the Indonesian population is 62.3%. Respondent age [AOR=0.875; 95% CI=0.763-0.967], education level [AOR=0.437; 95% CI=0.410-0.466], wealth quintile [AOR=0.762; 95% CI=0.713-0.815], residence [AOR=0.762; 95% CI=0.713-0.815], marital status [AOR=0.718; 95% CI=0.625-0.825] and earnings [AOR=1.245; 95% CI=1.177-1.316] are related to health insurance coverage. However, the number of children who are alive and respondents who were currently working were not significantly related to health insurance coverage in Indonesia. 

Conclusion: The government needs to pay attention to the characteristics and demographic conditions of the Indonesian population to be able to achieve maximum health insurance coverage. Maximum coverage through the provision of appropriate information should be promoted.
Case Report: Mycotic common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a child. A case report.
Authors: Imtinene Ben Mrad , Miri Rim , Melek Ben Mrad , Aloui Wafa , Mleyhi Sobhi , Ben Aba Neila , Ihsen Zairi , Kalfat Tawfik , Denguir Raouf
Published: July 2021

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms in children are extremely rare, nevertheless associated with a great potential of thromboembolic episodes and rupture especially those with mycotic origin. The surgical treatment is very challenging, and there is still a controversy concerning revascularisation after the resection of the aneurysm.

In this manuscript, we report the observation of an 8-year-old boy with the medical history of Leukemia who is admitted urgently for a mycotic right common carotid artery aneurysm, occurring after a chemoport infection who was operated on in our cardiovascular surgery department with surgical resection and ligation. It is the second report in the pediatric literature of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm situated in the common carotid artery, but the first documented by medical imagery. Through this case, we highlight that ligation of the infected carotid artery can be a safe and efficient alternative especially in Children.
Applied philology
Authors: Harchenko Vera
Published: July 2021

The possible aspects of applied research relevant to the needs of today are revealed: ritual and museum, hospital and theater, household and professional.
For teachers of humanities, as well as for students
and undergraduates studying under the programs " Russian Literature. Applied linguistics", " Pedagogical education. Language education", as an additional source of material. It may be useful for all fans of the Russian language.
The Caucasian policy of Russia
Authors: Bocharnikov Igor'
Published: July 2021

The monograph presents a historical and political analysis of Russia's policy in one of the most important regions of modern human civilization — the Caucasus. The historical framework of the study covers the periods from the X to the XX century.
The sources of the Caucasian policy of Russia are revealed, its main stages are analyzed, the most significant achievements, mistakes and lessons are determined. Special attention is paid to the Caucasian wars of Russia, as well as the experience of suppressing anti-Russian and anti-Soviet armed demonstrations in the region.
The main directions of building relations between Russia and neighboring states in the region, as well as other subjects of modern international relations, are determined.
For a wide range of readers interested in the history of the Caucasus. It will be useful for students, postgraduates and university teachers in the specialty "History".
How to prepare a final qualifying work for bachelors of Social Work
Authors: Solomatova Vera , Fokin Vladimir
Published: July 2021

The textbook presents a general methodology for preparing and defending the final qualifying work in the direction of "Social Work". The main stages are defined, as well as methodological recommendations for writing and registration of final qualifying works are given.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is intended for teachers and bachelor students studying in the direction of training 39.03.02 "Social work".
General theory of law in connection with the axiology of values
Authors: Chernyavskiy Aleksandr
Published: July 2021

The monograph presents the author's view on the legal quality of law from the point of view of the theory of law as the norms of coordinating interests about values. The author gives an assessment of the norms of law as the norms of differentiation and coordination of relations regarding values. The article analyzes what is the driving principle of law: the convergence of state values and human values. The author believes that any attempts to assign priority to certain values without taking into account their real correlation in society are doomed to failure in advance. The attitude of a person to the law is the defining embodiment of legal values as the socio-cultural basis of law. The law regulates the procedure for the realization of interests in relation to values.
For a wide range of readers interested in legal issues. It will be useful for students, postgraduates and teachers of law schools.
Material and technical support of railway transport
Authors: Cevelev Aleksandr
Published: July 2021

The textbook covers topical issues of the implementation of the policy of JSC "Russian Railways" in the field of material and technical support of structural divisions of railway transport.
Based on the results of theoretical studies of the system management of business processes of material and technical support of railway transport, the diversification of the activities of supply authorities, the concept was formulated and a tree of management goals was developed, as well as the formalization of the existing business processes of the MTO system for the current period was carried out and the supply efficiency management system was considered in accordance with the SRT of JSC Russian Railways.
Recommendations on the implementation of the developed algorithms and models are of a long-term nature and will improve the efficiency of the system of providing services for providing material and technical resources to structural divisions and enterprises of railway transport.
Meets the federal state educational standards of the latest generation in the areas of training: 38.03.01 "Economics", 38.03.02 " Management "(profiles: "Corporate Management", "Logistics and Supply Chain Management").
It is intended for students of railway transport universities of economic and engineering specialties, as well as for managers and specialists of material and technical support of JSC "Russian Railways" who are interested in the issues of material, information and financial support of railway transport.
Improving the Management of the Investment Process of Commercial Organizations in the Context of Digitalization
Authors: Ikonnikov D. , Pokamyestov I.
Published: July 2021

This research is devoted to the issues of improving the management of investment processes of commercial organizations, which is relevant in the context of digitalization, since the right choice and implementation of the investment strategy allow the enterprise to strengthen its competitive position in the market and, at the same time, maintain a course for sustainable development. The paper uses a dialectical method of cognition and a systematic approach to the study of the problem area. Recent studies have shown that digital technologies create a huge potential for innovation in products and services, which is often difficult to control and predict. In this regard, the author formulated the areas that should be changed due to the need to manage the implementation of innovative digital products in commercial organizations. In conclusion, an algorithm for improving the management of investment activities of commercial organizations was proposed, which will allow overcoming the risky elements of market relations, ensuring the balanced progressive development of the organization.
The Practice of Risk Assessment of Investment Projects in the Production Sector
Authors: Korneeva I. , Orel T.
Published: July 2021

The article is about solving the issues of identification and risk assessment in investment projects. The calculation and analysis of quantitative risks is shown on the example of the implementation of a specific project in the production sector. Strategies for responding to the dangerous risks of this investment project have been developed and the effectiveness of the proposed measures has been evaluated.
Transformation of Entrepreneurial Activity in the Field of Recreation and Tourism in the Conditions of Digitalization
Authors: Baranova A. , Vorobey E.
Published: July 2021

After the advent of the Internet, travel planning has become a visual process. Potential tourists book hotels, studying their interior in advance; familiarize themselves with places of recreation and infrastructure of the receiving deprivation, without leaving the house.; comparing prices; study feedback from visitors, etc. The modern tourism business is forced to increasingly use information and communication tools in competition for the client. At present, it is not enough for entrepreneurs to create tourist and recreational infrastructure facilities, it is important to form unforgettable positive emotions, atmosphere and demonstrate this not only in the traditional format, but also with the use of digital technologies. Based on a study of publications, it was revealed that Russian economists consider entrepreneurship in the field of recreation and tourism not just as a risky and profitable activity, but as an innovative one. However, the authors describe mainly economic, political, social and natural risks, leaving out psychophysiological phenomena of stress in both entrepreneurs and consumers of services, which are currently aggravated.

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the role of a modern entrepreneur in the field of recreation and tourism in the conditions of digitalization and give recommendations that contribute to the further development of entrepreneurial activity in the conditions of digitalization.
Polacy u progu niepodległości
Authors: Gąsowski Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Poles on the Brink of Independence

Due to the final fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, its inhabitants were pushed for 123 years into three completely different and essentially hostile state organisms. In such diverse conditions, a few succeeding generations experienced deep and multilateral civilizational transformations occurring in the 19th century and in the version typical for this part of Europe. In other words, modernity formed here bygone inhabitants and citizens of the Republic in various ways. It was important for further existence of the Polishness and nationality without the state. In this context, the key question arises: who of them, successors of the First Republic tradition, in the time of the Polish state revival, felt still Polish, ready for the construction and defence of the state? In other words, what social capital had the reviving Polish state – the Second Polish Republic – at its disposal in the time of its beginnings? Based on source materials, and primarily on data from the last population censuses and their statistical studies before the First World War, the author tried to estimate the potential number of Poles on the brink of independence. The analysis was connected with an important assumption that primarily these people would be both the main beneficiaries of this radically changed statehood and persons ready to co-shape it actively. The obtained results fit into few similar estimations made until now, constituting material for further reflections.
Making Digital Innovation Happen: A Chief Information Officer Issue Selling Perspective
Authors: Chen Daniel Qi , Zhang Yanlin , Xiao Jinghua , Xie Kang
Published: July 2021

We encourage chief information officers (CIOs) to play more active roles in organizational level strategy making in the digital era and examine how CIOs could lead their organizations’ digital innovation initiatives. We propose that it is the CIO’s effectiveness in issue selling (i.e., the acts that are directed toward affecting top management teams’ (TMT) attention to and understanding of strategic issues), rather than his or her structural position, that directly influences the level of organizational digital innovation success. Nevertheless, CIO structural power should not be overlooked because it could amplify (i.e., positively moderate) the impact of CIO issue selling to digital innovation outcomes. In addition, we identify four enabling forces of CIO issue selling effectiveness: (1) CIO strategic decision-making authority, (2) CIO/TMT partnership, (3) CIO information technologies (IT)–related strategic knowledge, and (4) CIO political savvy. Matched-pair survey data collected from senior business and IT executives of 179 organizations largely support the research hypotheses.
Wound hygiene survey: awareness, implementation, barriers and outcomes
Authors: Murphy Chris , Atkin Leanne , Hurlow Jenny , Swanson Terry , de Ceniga Melina Vega
Published: July 2021

Objective:

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in changes to caseload management, access to training and education, and other additional pressures, a survey was developed to understand current awareness and implementation of the wound hygiene concept into practice one year on from its dissemination. Barriers to implementation and outcomes were also surveyed.

Method:

The 26-question survey, a mixture of multiple choice and free-text, was developed by the Journal of Wound Care projects team, in consultation with ConvaTec, and distributed globally via email and online; the survey was open for just over 12 weeks. Due to the exploratory nature of the research, non-probability sampling was used. The authors reviewed the outputs of the survey to draw conclusions from the data, with the support of a medical writer.

Results:

There were 1478 respondents who agreed to the use of their anonymised aggregated data. Nearly 90% were from the US or UK, and the majority worked in wound care specialist roles, equally distributed between community and acute care settings; 66.6% had been in wound care for more than 8 years. The respondents work across the spectrum of wound types. More than half (57.4%) had heard of the concept of wound hygiene, of whom 75.3% have implemented it; 78.7% answered that they ‘always’ apply wound hygiene and 20.8% ‘sometimes’ do so. The top three barriers to adoption were confidence (39.0%), the desire for more research (25.7%) and competence (24.8%). Overall, following implementation of wound hygiene, 80.3% reported that their patients' healing rates had improved.

Conclusion:

Respondents strongly agreed that implementing wound hygiene is a successful approach for biofilm management and a critical component for improving wound healing rates in hard-to-heal wounds. However, the barriers to its uptake and implementation demonstrate that comprehensive education and training, institutional support for policy and protocol changes, and more clinical research are needed to support wound hygiene.
3D-printed titanium implant combined with interleukin 4 regulates ordered macrophage polarization to promote bone regeneration and angiogenesis
Authors: Zhao Da-Wang , Ren Bing , Wang Hong-Wei , Zhang Xiao , Yu Ming-Zhi , Cheng Lei , Sang Yuan-Hua , Cao Shuai-Shuai , Thieringer Florian M. , Zhang Dong , Wan Yi , Liu Chao
Published: July 2021

Aims

The use of 3D-printed titanium implant (DT) can effectively guide bone regeneration. DT triggers a continuous host immune reaction, including macrophage type 1 polarization, that resists osseointegration. Interleukin 4 (IL4) is a specific cytokine modulating osteogenic capability that switches macrophage polarization type 1 to type 2, and this switch favours bone regeneration.

Methods

IL4 at concentrations of 0, 30, and 100 ng/ml was used at day 3 to create a biomimetic environment for bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (BMMSC) osteogenesis and macrophage polarization on the DT. The osteogenic and immune responses of BMMSCs and macrophages were evaluated respectively.

Results

DT plus 30 ng/ml of IL4 (DT + 30 IL4) from day 3 to day 7 significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced macrophage type 2 polarization and BMMSC osteogenesis compared with the other groups. Local injection of IL4 enhanced new bone formation surrounding the DT.

Conclusion

DT + 30 IL4 may switch macrophage polarization at the appropriate timepoints to promote bone regeneration. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(7):411–424.
Young university students and techno-addiction. The use of social networks in their social-educational context
Authors: Martínez Pérez Sandra , Fernández Robles Bárbara , Barroso Osuna Julio , Llorente Cejudo Carmen
Published: July 2021

The use of Smartphones, Tablets and Social Networks has grown exponentially in recent years as a means of communicating, interacting, sharing and working collaboratively. Increasingly, young people are recognising that they are establishing a greater relationship with technologies for educational and leisure purposes, to meet new people, create new languages and even to become dependent on them. The aim of our study is to know, analyse and determine the degree of addiction of young people from twelve Spanish universities. To do this, we applied an adaptation of the "Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form" (SMAS-SF, Sahin, 2018) which was answered by 1870 students from seven Autonomous Communities (Andalusia, Asturias, Castile-Leon, Catalonia, Galicia, Murcia and the Basque Country). The results obtained show significant differences between the young people of the different Autonomous Communities; moreover, the students do not perceive themselves as people addicted to technology and social networks.
Propagation factor of partially coherent radially polarized vortex beams in anisotropic turbulent atmosphere
Authors: Zhao Liang , Xu Ying , Yang Ning , Xu Yonggen , Dan Youquan
Published: July 2021

We skillfully combined the cosine theorem with the second moment theory and the Wigner distribution function and derived the analytical expressions of the propagation factor (

M
2

-factor) of a partially coherent radially polarized vortex beam (PCRPVB) in atmospheric turbulence. Then, we comparatively studied the propagation factors of a PCRPVB and a partially coherent electromagnetic vortex beam (PCEVB) in atmospheric turbulence. The results show that a PCRPVB has a smaller value of a relative

M
2

-factor than a PCEVB, which means that a PCRPVB has a stronger ability to resist atmospheric turbulence than a PCEVB. To confirm our theoretical studies, the hyperbolic fitting method is combined with the random phase screen (RPS) to simulate the

M
2

-factor of a PCRPVB and a PCEVB through atmospheric turbulence. The study results indicate that the theoretical values agree well with the simulated values. Our results may find applications in free-space optical communications and remote sensing.
Efficient magnetic-coupling excitation of LSSPs on high-Q multilayer planar-circular-grating resonators
Authors: Li Si-Qi , Du Chao-Hai , Han Feng-Yuan , Li Fan-Hong , Zhang Zi-Wen , Gao Zi-Chao , Liu Pu-Kun
Published: July 2021

Recently, ultrathin localized spoof surface plasmon (LSSP) resonators are found to have intrinsic defects of relatively low quality factors (Q-factors) because of unavoidable material and radiation losses. In this paper, multilayer structures of planar-circular-grating resonators and their magnetic-coupling schemes are proposed to achieve effective excitation of high-Q LSSPs modes. By adopting the multilayer structures with air between the layers, the power dissipation effected by both material and radiation losses is significantly suppressed. Experimental results show that the Q-factors could reach more than 200 and the excitation efficiencies could reach more than 90%. Numerical simulations show the distribution of the electromagnetic field and illustrate the principle of magnetic coupling. Besides, the Q-factors of resonators with different structural parameters were measured and analyzed. This study aims to provide some inspirations on planar gyro-devices and to improve the performance of existing applications, such as sensors and filters.
Bowtie nanoantenna driven by a Yagi-Uda nanoantenna: a device for plasmon-enhanced light matter interactions
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Dhawan Anuj
Published: July 2021

We propose a plasmonic device, based on the combination of a Yagi-Uda nanoantenna and a bowtie nanoantenna, that can enable on-chip implementation of plasmon-enhanced light-matter interaction processes such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, and plasmon-enhanced fluorescence. In this device, a localized source is employed to excite the Yagi-Uda nanoantenna, which in turn drives the bowtie nanoantenna. We employ finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to perform numerical simulations to obtain radiation characteristics of the Yagi-Uda nanoantenna as well as the electric field enhancements in the vicinity of the bowtie nanoantenna excited by the Yagi-Uda nanoantenna. We find that for a wavelength of 785 nm, an electric field enhancement of ∼ 196 can be achieved in between the arms of the bow-tie nanoantenna even when the minimum gap between nanostructures is as large as 10 nm. It is found that this electric field enhancement is significantly large when compared with the maximum electric field enhancement (∼ 11) obtained for direct excitation of the bowtie nanoantenna by a point source or with the maximum electric field enhancement (∼ 34) obtained for plane wave excitation of the bowtie nanoantenna. As the electromagnetic enhancement of SERS can be approximated to be the fourth power of the electric field enhancement, SERS electromagnetic enhancement of ∼ 1.5 × 109 is achieved for the bow-tie nanoantennas excited by the Yagi-Uda nanoantennas, even when the minimum gap between the arms of the bow-tie nanoantenna is as large as 10 nm. We also analyze the effect of various geometrical parameters of the nanoantennas and show that the maximum electric field enhancement at a given wavelength can only be obtained when both the Yagi-Uda nanoantenna and the bowtie nanoantenna are resonant at that wavelength. Moreover, we calculate the electric field enhancements at different near-infrared wavelengths. Employing the proposed device, an electric field enhancement of ∼ 945 is obtained at a wavelength of 1500 nm resulting in a SERS electromagnetic enhancement factor as high as ∼ 8 × 1011, even when the minimum gap between nanostructures is as large as 10 nm.
Epidemiological and numerical simulation of rabies spreading from canines to various human populations in mainland China
Authors: Lu Wen-gao , Ai Danni , Song Hong , Xie Yuan , Liu Shuqing , Zhu Wuyang , Yang Jian
Published: July 2021

Background

The mortality of humans due to rabies in China has been declining in recent years, but it is still a significant public health problem. According to the global framework, China strives to achieve the goal of eliminating human rabies before 2030.

Methods

We reviewed the epidemiology of human deaths from rabies in mainland China from 2004 to 2018. We identified high risk regions, age and occupational groups, and used a continuous deterministic susceptibility-exposure-infection-recovery (SEIR) model with periodic transmission rate to explore seasonal rabies prevalence in different human populations. The SEIR model was used to simulate the data of human deaths from rabies reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). We calculated the relative transmission intensity of rabies from canines to different human groups, and they provided a reliable epidemiological basis for further control and prevention of human rabies.

Results

Results showed that human deaths from rabies exhibited regional differences and seasonal characteristics in mainland China. The annual human death from rabies in different regions, age groups and occupational groups decreased steadily across time. Nevertheless, the decreasing rates and the calculated R0s of canines of various human groups were different. The transmission intensity of rabies from canines to human populations was the highest in the central regions of China, in people over 45 years old, and in farmers.

Conclusions

Although the annual cases of human deaths from rabies have decreased steadily since 2007, the proportion of human deaths from rabies varies with region, age, gender, and occupation. Further enhancement of public awareness and immunization status in high-risk population groups and blocking the transmission routes of rabies from canines to humans are necessary. The concept of One Health should be abided and human, animal, and environmental health should be considered simultaneously to achieve the goal of eradicating human rabies before 2030.
Field assessment in Cameroon of a reader of POC-CCA lateral flow strips for the quantification of Schistosoma mansoni circulating cathodic antigen in urine
Authors: Mewamba Estelle Mezajou , Tiofack Arnol Auvaker Zebaze , Kamdem Cyrille Nguemnang , Ngassam Romuald Isaka Kamwa , Mbagnia Mureille Carole Tchami , Nyangiri Oscar , Noyes Harry , Womeni Hilaire Marcaire , Njiokou Flobert , Simo Gustave
Published: July 2021

Background

Determining Schistosoma mansoni infection rate and intensity is challenging due to the low sensitivity of the Kato-Katz (KK) test that underestimates the true disease prevalence. Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) excreted in urine is constantly produced by adult worms and has been used as the basis of a simple, non-invasive point of care test (POC-CCA) for Schistosoma mansoni infections. Although the abundance of CCA in urine is proportional to worm burden, the POC-CCA test is marketed as a qualitative test, making it difficult to investigate the wide range of infection intensities. This study was designed to compare the prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni by KK and POC-CCA and quantify, on fresh and frozen (<-20°C) urine samples, CCA using the visual scores and the ESEquant LR3 reader.

Methodology

Stool and urine samples were collected from 759 school-aged children. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni were determined using KK and POC-CCA. The degree of the positivity of POC-CCA was estimated by quantifying CCA on fresh and frozen urine samples using visual scores and strip reader. The prevalence, the infection intensity as well the relative amounts of CCA were compared.

Results

The S. mansoni infection rates inferred from POC-CCA and KK were 40.7% and 9.4% respectively. Good correlations were observed between infection intensities recorded by; i) the reader and visual scoring system on fresh (Rho = 0.89) and frozen samples (Rho = 0.97), ii) the reader on fresh urine samples and KK (epg) (Rho = 0.44). Nevertheless, 238 POC-CCA positive children were negative for KK, and sixteen of them had high levels of CCA. The correlation between results from the reader on fresh and frozen samples was good (Rho = 0.85). On frozen samples, CCA was not detected in 55 samples that were positive in fresh urine samples.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the low sensitivity of KK and the high capacity of POC-CCA to provide reliable data on the prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni infections. The lateral flow reader enabled accurate quantification of CCA under field conditions on fresh and frozen urine samples with less time and effort than KK.
T. cruzi DNA polymerase beta (Tcpolβ) is phosphorylated in vitro by CK1, CK2 and TcAUK1 leading to the potentiation of its DNA synthesis activity
Authors: Maldonado Edio , Rojas Diego A. , Urbina Fabiola , Solari Aldo
Published: July 2021

The unicellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causing agent of Chagas disease which affects several millions of people around the world. The components of the cell signaling pathways in this parasite have not been well studied yet, although its genome can encode several components able to transduce the signals, such as protein kinases and phosphatases. In a previous work we have found that DNA polymerase β (Tcpolβ) can be phosphorylated in vivo and this modification activates the synthesis activity of the enzyme. Tcpolβ is kinetoplast-located and is a key enzyme in the DNA base excision repair (BER) system. The polypeptide possesses several consensus phosphorylation sites for several protein kinases, however, a direct phosphorylation of those sites by specific kinases has not been reported yet. Tcpolβ has consensus phosphorylation sites for casein kinase 1 (CK1), casein kinase 2 (CK2) and aurora kinase (AUK). Genes encoding orthologues of those kinases exist in T. cruzi and we were able to identify the genes and to express them to investigate whether or no Tcpolβ could be a substrate for in vitro phosphorylation by those kinases. Both CK1 and TcAUK1 have auto-phosphorylation activities and they are able to phosphorylate Tcpolβ. CK2 cannot perform auto-phosphorylation of its subunits, however, it was able to phosphorylate Tcpolβ. Pharmacological inhibitors used to inhibit the homologous mammalian kinases can also inhibit the activity of T. cruzi kinases, although, at higher concentrations. The phosphorylation events carried out by those kinases can potentiate the DNA polymerase activity of Tcpolβ and it is discussed the role of the phosphorylation on the DNA polymerase and lyase activities of Tcpolβ. Taken altogether, indicates that CK1, CK2 and TcAUK1 can play an in vivo role regulating the function of Tcpolβ.
Occurrence and molecular characterization of cyst nematode species (Globodera spp.) associated with potato crops in Colombia
Authors: Vallejo Daniela , Rojas Diego A. , Martinez John A. , Marchant Sergio , Holguin Claudia M. , Pérez Olga Y.
Published: July 2021

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) from the genus Globodera spp. cause major losses in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) industry worldwide. Despite their importance, at present little is known about the status of this plant pathogen in cultivated potatoes in Colombia. In this study, a total of 589 samples collected from 75 geographic localities in nine potato producing regions of Colombia (Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Antioquia, Nariño, Santander, Norte de Santander, Tolima, Caldas and Cauca) were assayed for the presence of potato cyst nematodes. Fifty-seven percent of samples tested positive for PCN. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene, all populations but one were identified as Globodera pallida. Sequences of G. pallida from Colombia formed a monophyletic group closely related to Peruvian populations, with the lowest average number of nucleotide substitutions per site (Dxy = 0.002) and net nucleotide substitutions per site (Da = 0.001), when compared to G. pallida populations from Europe, South and North America. A single sample formed a well-supported subclade along with G. rostochiensis and G. tabacum from Japan, USA and Argentina. To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive survey of Globodera populations from Colombia that includes genetic data. Our findings on species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Globodera populations from Colombia may help elucidate the status and distribution of Globodera species, and lead to the development of accurate management strategies for the potato cyst nematodes.
Knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding prevention of bacterial meningitis in Burkina Faso, 5 years after MenAfriVac mass campaigns
Authors: Mueller Judith E. , Seanehia Joy , Yaro Seydou , Trotter Caroline L. , Borrow Ray , Giles-Vernick Tamara
Published: July 2021

Background

To adapt communications concerning vaccine prevention, we studied knowledge, beliefs and practices around meningitis risk and prevention in a young adult population in Burkina Faso in 2016, 5 years after the MenAfriVac® mass campaign and one year before the vaccine’s inclusion in the infant immunization schedule.

Methods

In a representative sample of the population aged 15 to 33 years (N = 220) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, study nurses administered a standardized paper questionnaire consisting of predominantly open questions, collecting information on meningitis risk factors and prevention, and on exposure to dry air and kitchen fire smoke. We identified themes and analyzed their frequency. We created a meningitis knowledge score (range 0 to 4) based on pre-defined best responses and analyzed the determinants of knowledge score levels ≥2 (basic score) and ≥3 (high score) using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Biomedically supported facts and good practices were known by the majority of participants (eg vaccine prevention, 84.5%). Younger women aged 15–20 years had a higher frequency of low scores <2 (17.0%) compared to older women aged 21–33 years (6.3%) and men of both age groups (3.8%). Junior secondary School attendance explained the differences between the two groups of women, the gender gap for the older, but not the young women, and explained score differences among young women. Local understandings and practices for risk and prevention were commonly reported and used (risk from unripe mango consumption and prevention through nasal application of shea nut butter).

Discussion

This study shows a gender gap in knowledge of meningitis risk and prevention, largely due to education-level inequalities. Women below 21 years had particularly low levels of knowledge and may need interventions outside schools and perinatal care. Our study suggests a strong adherence to local understandings of and practices around meningitis risk and prevention, which should be taken into account by vaccination promotion.