bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptoms of ADHD Predict Lower Adaptation to the COVID-19 Outbreak: Financial Decline, Low Adherence to Preventive Measures, Psychological Distress, and Illness-Related Negative Perceptions
Authors: Pollak Yehuda , Shoham Rachel , Dayan Haym , Gabrieli-Seri Ortal , Berger Itai
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The COVID-19 outbreak created numerous multidimensional stressors, to which people show different levels of vulnerability. The current paper examines whether symptoms of ADHD are associated with poorer adaptation.

Method:

After the first quarantine in Israel, 2,055 adults participated in an online survey. Participants completed scales probing adaptation indicators: financial status, adherence to preventive measures, mental health, and COVID-19 related perceptions. Background measures, including the level of symptoms of ADHD, were collected.

Results:

Adaptation indicators negatively correlated with the level of symptoms of ADHD. Financial decline explained a small portion of the link between ADHD and decreased mental health. Background risk-taking, anti-social, and pro-social behavior partially explained the link between ADHD and non-adherence to preventive measures. COVID-19 related perceptions also partially explained that link.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that people with ADHD are more vulnerable to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore deserve special attention and care.
Exploring ‘digital placemaking’
Authors: Halegoua Germaine , Polson Erika
Published: June 2021

This brief essay introduces the special issue on the topic of ‘digital placemaking’ – a concept describing the use of digital media to create a sense of place for oneself and/or others. As a broad framework that encompasses a variety of practices used to create emotional attachments to place through digital media use, digital placemaking can be examined across a variety of domains. The concept acknowledges that, at its core, a drive to create and control a sense of place is understood as primary to how social actors identify with each other and express their identities and how communities organize to build more meaningful and connected spaces. This idea runs through the articles in the issue, exploring the many ways people use digital media, under varied conditions, to negotiate differential mobilities and become placemakers – practices that may expose or amplify preexisting inequities, exclusions, or erasures in the ways that certain populations experience digital media in place and placemaking.
The white-painters of Cabbagetown: Neighborhood policing and sex worker resistance in Toronto, 1986–1987
Authors: McKenna Emma
Published: June 2021

Toronto in the 1980s was embroiled in intense debates about the place of sex work in society. The passing of new legislation in 1985 criminalizing communication for the purposes of prostitution led to increased police harassment of outdoor sex workers. Within a gentrifying urban neighborhood, homeowners created a neighborhood organization, the South of Carlton Association, with the express purpose of collaborating with Metro Police and City Council to remove sex workers from the downtown stroll. In turn, sex worker activists in the Canadian Organization for the Rights of Prostitutes practiced a range of strategies to challenge this oppression—including archiving their resistance.
‘Welcome to #GabFam’: Far-right virtual community on Gab
Authors: Jasser Greta , McSwiney Jordan , Pertwee Ed , Zannettou Savvas
Published: June 2021

With large social media platforms coming under increasing pressure to deplatform far-right users, the Alternative Technology movement (Alt-Tech) emerged as a new digital support infrastructure for the far right. We conduct a qualitative analysis of the prominent Alt-Tech platform Gab, a social networking service primarily modelled on Twitter, to assess the far-right virtual community on the platform. We find Gab’s technological affordances – including its lack of content moderation, culture of anonymity, microblogging architecture and funding model – have fostered an ideologically eclectic far-right community united by fears of persecution at the hands of ‘Big Tech’. We argue that this points to the emergence of a novel techno-social victimology as an axis of far-right virtual community, wherein shared experiences or fears of being deplatformed facilitate a coalescing of assorted far-right tendencies online.
Lots of bots or maybe nots: A process for detecting bots in social media research
Authors: Mehmet Michael , Callaghan Kane , Lewis Clifford
Published: June 2021

The use of bot messaging, that being artificially created messages, has increased since 2010. While not all bots are bad, many have been used to share extreme and divisive views on a range of topics, from policy discussion to brand electronic word of mouth. The issue with bot messaging and its prevalence is that it can affect researchers’ understanding of a topic. For example, if 25% of a dataset is fabricated, decision-making may result in a loss of profit or poor policy formation. To counteract the use of bots, this research note offers a framework to alleviate the potentially destructive nature of bot data and ensure the cleaning of data is thorough and beneficial to decision-making based on social media commentary. The framework is a four-step process, which includes thematic, automated, and characteristic identification stages. We provide three case studies to demonstrate the approach and conclude by providing key practical implications.
On the emotional dynamics of guided strategizing: An affective view on strategy-making directed by strategy consultants
Authors: De Keyser Bart , Guiette Alain , Vandenbempt Koen
Published: June 2021

While work on affect in strategy-making has been increasingly developing, relatively little research has been conducted on the emotional dynamics of strategy processes directed by strategy consultants. Drawing on a variety of qualitative data gathered during a 1-year consulting case, this article looks into the way emotions unfold when managers solicit external strategic advice. Specifically, this article reveals the mechanisms underpinning managers’ emotions in guided strategy-making from pre- to post-strategizing, highlighting processes as they develop over time. In doing so, three fundamental emotional drivers are laid bare: interaction—or how practitioners engage with each other; temporality—or how practitioners engage with time; and impression—or how practitioners engage with mental representations of strategy-making and strategy consultancy. By revealing how emotions evolve when managers find themselves strategically directed, this article offers insight into how a guided strategy-making trajectory can be affectively managed—to make sense of emotions when they unfold, and to address them appropriately as they do.
A Comparative Analysis of Competitive Balance Between a Closed and an Open League in Rugby League
Authors: Read Daniel , Smith Aaron C.T. , Skinner James
Published: June 2021

League regulators aim for an equitable competition where each team has an equal chance of winning the championship, termed competitive balance. It is generally assumed that closed leagues with stricter labor market regulations should demonstrate better competitive balance than open leagues with promotion and relegation. The aim of this research was to examine the competitive balance between and within seasons in the closed Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and open English Super League using five measures of concentration and dominance. Overall, the closed NRL competition demonstrated superior competitive balance. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
The BDS test of independence
Authors: Baum Christopher F. , Hurn Stan , Lindsay Kenneth
Published: June 2021

In this article, we describe and implement the Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman (1987, Working paper) test of independence of the elements of a time series.
Research on path planning of three-neighbor search A* algorithm combined with artificial potential field
Authors: Chen Jiqing , Tan Chenzhi , Mo Rongxian , Zhang Hongdu , Cai Ganwei , Li Hengyu
Published: June 2021

Among the shortcomings of the A* algorithm, for example, there are many search nodes in path planning, and the calculation time is long. This article proposes a three-neighbor search A* algorithm combined with artificial potential fields to optimize the path planning problem of mobile robots. The algorithm integrates and improves the partial artificial potential field and the A* algorithm to address irregular obstacles in the forward direction. The artificial potential field guides the mobile robot to move forward quickly. The A* algorithm of the three-neighbor search method performs accurate obstacle avoidance. The current pose vector of the mobile robot is constructed during obstacle avoidance, the search range is narrowed to less than three neighbors, and repeated searches are avoided. In the matrix laboratory environment, grid maps with different obstacle ratios are compared with the A* algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed improved algorithm avoids concave obstacle traps and shortens the path length, thus reducing the search time and the number of search nodes. The average path length is shortened by 5.58%, the path search time is shortened by 77.05%, and the number of path nodes is reduced by 88.85%. The experimental results fully show that the improved A* algorithm is effective and feasible and can provide optimal results.
Assessing Physical Activity After ACL Injury: Moving Beyond Return to Sport
Authors: Kuenze Christopher , Collins Katherine , Pfeiffer Karin Allor , Lisee Caroline
Published: June 2021

Context:

Return to sport is widely utilized by sports medicine researchers and clinicians as a primary outcome of interest for successful recovery when working with young patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). While return-to-sport outcomes are effective at tracking progress post-ACLR, they are limited because they do not necessarily capture physical activity (PA) engagement, which is important to maintain knee joint health and reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Therefore, there is a critical need (1) to describe current PA participation and measurement recommendations; (2) to appraise common PA measurement approaches, including patient-reported outcomes and device-based methodologies; and (3) to provide clinical recommendations for future evaluation.

Evidence Acquisition:

Reports of patient-reported or device-based PA in patients with ACL injury were acquired and summarized based on a PubMed search (2000 through July 2020). Search terms included physical activity OR activity AND anterior cruciate ligament OR ACL.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 5.

Results:

We highlight that (1) individuals with ACLR are 2.36 times less likely to meet the US Department of Health and Human Services PA recommendations even when reporting successful return to sport, (2) common patient-reported PA assessments have significant limitations in the data that can be derived, and (3) alternative patient-reported and device-based assessments may provide improved assessment of PA in this patient population.

Conclusion:

Clinicians and researchers have relied on return to sport status or self-reported PA participation via surveys. These approaches are not consistent with current recommendations for PA assessment and do not allow for comparison with contemporary PA recommendations or guidelines. Return to sport, patient-reported outcome measures, and device-based assessment approaches should be used in complementary manners to comprehensively assess PA participation after ACLR. However, appropriate techniques should be used when assessing PA in adult and adolescent populations.
Barriers toward the practice of healthy behaviors among patients with non-communicable diseases in Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Albelbeisi Ahmed Hassan , Albelbeisi Ali , El Bilbeisi Abdel Hamid , Taleb Mahmoud , Takian Amirhossein , Akbari-Sari Ali
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

Non-communicable diseases are non-infectious health conditions caused by genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Currently, non-communicable diseases account for almost two-thirds of deaths globally. This study aimed to explore the patients’ adherence level to the key recommendations, and the main barriers toward the practice of healthy behaviors among non-communicable diseases patients.

Method:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of non-communicable diseases patients, receiving care in five primary healthcare centers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. An interview-based questionnaire about demographics, medical history, and barriers toward the practice of healthy behaviors was developed and collected based on the health belief model and the theory of planned behaviors. Independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test were used for analysis.

Results:

Four hundred patients with non-communicable diseases, aged (53.06 ± 10.03) years old, (56.8% females and 43.3% males) were included in this study. The patient’s adherence was reported as 50.1%, standard deviation = 18.3 in terms of attended regular physical activity, and 44.0%, standard deviation = 15.4 in terms of eating a healthy diet. The main barriers to being active among patients were lack of accessibility to materials, lack of social support, and lack of reminder; while in terms of eating a healthy diet were lack of accessibility to materials, lack of social support, and lack of self-efficacy.

Conclusion:

The non-communicable diseases patients’ adherence to healthy behaviors is suboptimal. Varied implementation strategies targeting the main barriers are extremely required to enhance the access to physical activity infrastructure, affordable healthy diet options, and to reinforce the change toward healthy behaviors at all levels.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Mental Health Symptoms in Adults Undergoing Covid-19 Testing
Authors: Osaghae Ikponmwosa , Nguyen Linh K. , Chung Tong Han , Moffitt Olivia , Le Yen-Chi L. , Suh Mark B. , Prasad Pooja N. , Thomas Eric J. , Gordon Christine D. , Hwang Kevin O.
Published: June 2021

Background and objective:

Understanding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons receiving COVID-19 testing will help guide mental health interventions. We aimed to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and mental health symptoms at 8 weeks (baseline) after a COVID-19 test, and compare prevalence of mental health symptoms at baseline to those at 16-week follow-up.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective cohort study of adults who received outpatient COVID-19 testing at primary care clinics. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 test results with mental health symptoms. Mental health symptoms reported at baseline were compared to symptoms at 16 weeks follow-up using conditional logistic regression analyses.

Results:

At baseline, a total of 124 (47.51%) participants reported at least mild depressive symptoms, 110 (42.15%) participants endorsed at least mild anxiety symptoms, and 94 participants (35.21%) endorsed hazardous use of alcohol. Females compared to males were at increased risk of at least mild depressive symptoms at baseline (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.08; 95% CI: 1.14-3.79). The odds of at least mild depressive symptoms was significantly lower among those residing in zip codes within the highest quartile compared to lowest quartile of household income (AOR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.81). Also, non-Hispanic Whites had significantly higher odds of reporting hazardous alcohol use compared to non-Whites at baseline (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.05-3.57). The prevalence of mental health symptoms remained elevated after 16 weeks.

Conclusion and Relevance:

We found a high burden of symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as hazardous alcohol use in a diverse population who received testing for COVID-19 in the primary care setting. Primary care providers need to remain vigilant in screening for symptoms of mental health disorders in patients tested for COVID-19 well after initial testing.
Effect of Achilles Tendon Repair on Performance Outcomes After Return to Play in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Basketball Athletes
Authors: Sanchez Rafael , Hodgens Blake H. , Geller Joseph S. , Huntley Samuel , Kaplan Jonathan , Aiyer Amiethab
Published: June 2021

Background:

Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures are devastating injuries that are highly prevalent among athletes. Despite our understanding of the effect of AT rupture and in particular its relationship to basketball, no study has examined the effects of AT rupture and repair on performance metrics in collegiate basketball players.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of AT rupture and subsequent surgical repair on performance metrics in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball players who return to play after injury.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

NCAA Division I basketball players who sustained an AT rupture and underwent subsequent surgical repair between 2000 and 2019 were identified by systematically evaluating individual injury reports from databases comprising NCAA career statistics and individual school statistics; 65 male and 41 female players were identified. Athletes were included if they participated in at least one-half of the games of 1 collegiate season before tearing the AT and at least 1 season after operative repair. A total of 50 male and 30 female athletes were included. Each injured athlete was matched to a healthy control by conference, position, starter status at time of injury, class year, and number of games played. Matched controls were healthy players and experienced no significant injuries during their NCAA careers.

Results:

After AT repair, male athletes had significantly more minutes per game, points per game, and compared with before injury. Total blocks significantly decreased after injury. Female athletes scored significantly more points per game but demonstrated a significantly lower 3-point shooting percentage after return to play. Despite undergoing AT rupture and repair, 14% of male players played in the National Basketball Association, and 20% of injured female athletes played in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Conclusion:

After returning to play, men demonstrated a significant drop-off in performance only in regard to total blocks. Female athletes after AT repair demonstrated a significant improvement in points per game but had a significant drop-off in 3-point shooting percentage.
Amplitude Growth Functions of Auditory Nerve Responses to Electric Pulse Stimulation With Varied Interphase Gaps in Cochlear Implant Users With Ipsilateral Residual Hearing
Authors: Imsiecke Marina , Büchner Andreas , Lenarz Thomas , Nogueira Waldo
Published: June 2021

Amplitude growth functions (AGFs) of electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) with varying interphase gaps (IPGs) were measured in cochlear implant users with ipsilateral residual hearing (electric-acoustic stimulation [EAS]). It was hypothesized that IPG effects on AGFs provide an objective measure to estimate neural health. This hypothesis was tested in EAS users, as residual low-frequency hearing might imply survival of hair cells and hence better neural health in apical compared to basal cochlear regions. A total of 16 MED-EL EAS subjects participated, as well as a control group of 16 deaf cochlear implant users. The IPG effect on the AGF characteristics of slope, threshold, dynamic range, and stimulus level at 50% maximum eCAP amplitude (level50%) was investigated. AGF threshold and level50% were significantly affected by the IPG in both EAS and control group. The magnitude of AGF characteristics correlated with electrode impedance and electrode-modiolus distance (EMD) in both groups. In contrast, the change of the AGF characteristics with increasing IPG was independent of these electrode-specific measures. The IPG effect on the AGF level50% in both groups, as well as on the threshold in EAS users, correlated with the duration of hearing loss, which is a predictor of neural health. In EAS users, a significantly different IPG effect on level50% was found between apical and medial electrodes. This outcome is consistent with our hypothesis that the influence of IPG effects on AGF characteristics provides a sensitive measurement and may indicate better neural health in the apex compared to the medial cochlear region in EAS users.
Tactics and Strategies of Family Adaptation among Parents Caring for Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Matthews Elise J. , Puplampu Vivian , Gelech Jan M.
Published: June 2021

The stressors experienced by families caring for children and youth with developmental disabilities (DD) impact quality of life for all family members. Families employ creative practices to cope and thrive in the midst of such challenges. This study sought to understand the adaptive practices, tactics, and strategies engaged in by parents. We interviewed 39 parents of 46 children and youth with DD in Canada. Thematic analysis elucidated three categories of adaptations and twelve tactics and strategic actions at three ecological levels: within the system—adapting with everyday tactics and strategies; within our family—constructing spaces of care; within myself—adjusting perceptions of adversity. Our critical interpretation highlights an ecology of parental labor across varying psychosocial and health care service contexts in which parents strive to make a good life for their children and families. Nurses can empower and enhance their well-being by conducting holistic assessments and targeted family nursing interventions.
Research on Understanding the Vulnerabilities of Children with Disabilities Living in Alternative Care
Authors: Ferdous Shamim , Hossain Mohammad Deloar
Published: June 2021

Children with disabilities (CWDs) are one of the most marginalised and excluded groups in the society. Facing daily discrimination in the form of negative attitudes, lack of adequate policies and legislation, they are effectively barred from realising their rights to healthcare, education and even survival. It has been estimated that exposure towards all forms of violence against CWDs is four-time greater than that of children without disabilities. Bangladesh has an estimated 7–10 million CWDs (out of a total of 72 million children, World Health Organisation Report). Most of the time, these children are treated as a burden to their families or the community and thus become subject to violence. There are very few specialised institutions with residential facility to take care of them. So, they are institutionalised in general residential institutions at a significantly higher rate than other children. But both the special and general residential institutions have lack of skilled human resources and knowledge of the special situation and needs of CWDs. Peer groups of the CWDs are also less sensitised, which result in further stigma and discrimination of CWDs. A 2010 study was done by the Ministry of Women and children Affairs. The findings from interviews with adolescents’ aged 13–16 in 12 locations of Dhaka City revealed their extreme vulnerability. In 2010, a study by Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation that conducted a survey supported by the Save the Children Sweden–Denmark found that 51.4% of CWDs are either at risk of sexual abuse (12.5%) or have been sexually abused (38.9%).The government of Bangladesh has taken a number of legislative and policy steps that indicate commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. In terms of international instruments, Department of Social Services under Ministry of Social Welfare operates various types of institutions for the children and also CWDs. The study will adopt qualitative and quantitative methods to collect information from both primary and secondary sources and also assess the situation of government non-government organisations/religious institutions where CWDs have residential facilities in order to understand which factors contribute to increased vulnerability of these children.
Trigonal variation in the garnet supergroup: the crystal structure of nikmelnikovite, Ca12Fe2+Fe3+3Al3(SiO4)6(OH)20, from Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Authors: Krivovichev Sergey V. , Panikorovskii Taras L. , Yakovenchuk Victor N. , Selivanova Ekaterina A. , Ivanyuk Gregory Yu.
Published: June 2021

The crystal structure of nikmelnikovite, Ca12Fe2+Fe3+3Al3(SiO4)6(OH)20, a new member of the garnet supergroup from Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (R$\bar{3}$, a = 17.2072(6), c = 10.5689(4) Å, V = 2710.1(2) Å3 and Z = 3) has been refined to R1 = 0.046 on the basis of 1184 unique observed reflections. Nikmelnikovite is the first mineral species in the garnet supergroup that has a trigonal (rhombohedral) symmetry. The relationship between its unit cell and the pseudocubic (ideal garnet) unit cell can be described by the transformation matrix [1$\bar{1}$0 | 01$\bar{1}$ | ½½½]. The crystal-chemical relations between the ideal Ia$\bar{3}$d garnet and the nikmelnikovite structure type can be described by the following series of imaginary modifications: (1) the symmetry is lowered according to the Ia$\bar{3}$d → R$\bar{3}$ group–subgroup relationship; (2) the cation sites are split according to the following sequences: X → {X1, X2}; Y → {Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4}; Z → {Z1, Z2}; (3) the X sites remain fully occupied by Ca; (4) each Y site is occupied predominantly by a distinct chemical species: Y1 → Al (Al site), Y2 → Fe2+ (Fe1 site), Y3 → Fe3+ (Fe2 site), Y4 → vacancy (Mn site); (5) one of the Z sites (Z1) is occupied by Si, whereas the other site (Z2) is predominantly vacant. The crystal-chemical formula that takes into account the transition between the archetype and the nikmelnikovite structure type can be described as X{Ca12}Y[Fe2+Al4Fe3+2□]Z(Si6□6)O24(OH)20□4. The structural complexity of nikmelnikovite (4.529 bit/atom and 434.431 bit/cell, after H-correction) is higher than those for andradite, grossular and katoite, which is typical for low-temperature minerals formed after primary minerals with simpler structures.
Prediction of unsuccessful endometrial ablation: random forest vs logistic regression
Authors: Stevens Kelly Yvonne Roger , Lagaert Liesbet , Bakkes Tom , Gelderblom Malou Evi , Houterman Saskia , Gijsen Tanja , Schoot Benedictus C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Five percent of pre-menopausal women experience abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial ablation (EA) is one of the treatment options for this common problem. However, this technique shows a decrease in patient satisfaction and treatment efficacy on the long term.

Study objective

To develop a prediction model to predict surgical re-intervention (for example re-ablation or hysterectomy) within 2 years after endometrial ablation (EA) by using machine learning (ML). The performance of the developed prediction model was compared with a previously published multivariate logistic regression model (LR).

Design

This retrospective cohort study, with a minimal follow-up time of 2 years, included 446 pre-menopausal women (18+) that underwent an EA for complaints of heavy menstrual bleeding. The performance of the ML and the LR model was compared using the area under the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

We found out that the ML model (AUC of 0.65 (95% CI 0.56–0.74)) is not superior compared to the LR model (AUC of 0.71 (95% CI 0.64–0.78)) in predicting the outcome of surgical re-intervention within 2 years after EA. Based on the ML model, dysmenorrhea and duration of menstruation have the highest impact on the surgical re-intervention rate.

Conclusion

Although machine learning techniques are gaining popularity in development of clinical prediction tools, this study shows that ML is not necessarily superior to the traditional statistical LR techniques. Both techniques should be considered when developing a clinical prediction model. Both models can identify the clinical predictors to surgical re-intervention and contribute to the shared decision-making process in the clinical practice.
Genome-Wide Association Mapping and Gene Expression Analysis Reveal the Negative Role of OsMYB21 in Regulating Bacterial Blight Resistance in Rice
Authors: Yang Wu , Zhao Junliang , Zhang Shaohong , Chen Luo , Yang Tifeng , Dong Jingfang , Fu Hua , Ma Yamei , Zhou Lian , Wang Jian , Liu Wei , Liu Qing , Liu Bin
Published: June 2021

Background

Bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating diseases in rice all over the world. Due to the diversity and rapid evolution of Xoo, identification and use of the non-race specific quantitative resistance QTLs has been considered the preferred strategy for effective control of this disease. Although numerous QTLs for BB resistance have been identified, they haven’t been effectively used for improvement of BB resistance in rice due to their small effects and lack of knowledge on the function of genes underlying the QTLs.

Results

In the present study, a genome-wide association study of BB resistance was performed in a rice core collection from South China. A total of 17 QTLs were identified to be associated with BB resistance. Among them, 13 QTLs were newly identified in the present study and the other 4 QTLs were co-localized with the previously reported QTLs or Xa genes that confer qualitative resistance to Xoo strains. Particularly, the qBBR11–4 on chromosome 11 explained the largest phenotypic variation in this study and was co-localized with the previously identified QTLs for BB and bacterial leaf streak (BLS) resistance against diverse strains in three studies, suggesting its broad-spectrum resistance and potential value in rice breeding. Through combined analysis of differential expression and annotations of the predicted genes within qBBR11–4 between two sets of rice accessions selected based on haplotypes and disease phenotypes, we identified the transcription factor OsMYB21 as the candidate gene for qBBR11–4. The OsMYB21 overexpressing plants exhibited decreased resistance to bacterial blight, accompanied with down-regulation of several defense-related genes compared with the wild-type plants.

Conclusion

The results suggest that OsMYB21 negatively regulates bacterial blight resistance in rice, and this gene can be a promising target in rice breeding by using the gene editing method. In addition, the potential candidate genes for the 13 novel QTLs for BB resistance were also analyzed in this study, providing a new source for cloning of genes associated with BB resistance and molecular breeding in rice.
Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: periprostatic block versus caudal block for analgesia—a randomized trial
Authors: Fasola Oluwatobi Ayodeji , Takure Augustine Oghenewyin , Shittu Olayiwola B.
Published: June 2021

Background

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is a potentially painful procedure, due to the insertion of the TRUS probe in the anus and multiple passes of the biopsy needle through the rectum and prostate. Several methods of reducing pain and discomfort have been described. These include intra-rectal local anaesthetic gel (IRLA) instillation, periprostatic nerve block (PPNB), caudal block (CB) and oral analgesics. CB has potential complications of dural puncture and anaesthetic failure, while PPNB may be complicated by intravascular injection with systemic local anaesthetic toxicity. Only few studies have compared transrectal PPNB with CB with equivocal results. This study compared transrectal PPNB to CB in terms of efficacy of analgesia and incidence of complications.

Methods

A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out among 80 consenting patients with an indication for TRUS-guided prostate biopsy in the Urology division of [BLINDED FOR PEER REVIEW]. Eighty participants were each randomized to either of Group A (CB with 10 ml of 2% lidocaine) or Group B (PPNB with a total of 20 ml of 1% lidocaine). Pain was assessed using an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), and questions on satisfaction with the procedure and willingness for a repeat procedure were asked. The incidence of complications was also recorded.

Results

There were no significant differences in the mean ages, body mass indices (BMIs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, digital rectal examination (DRE) findings and prostate sizes between the two groups. The mean NRS scores at administration of block, insertion of TRUS probe, prostate biopsy, 30 min and 1 day after biopsy were 2.9 ± 2.3, 2.1 ± 2.2, 3.1 ± 2.6, 1.4 ± 2.2 and 0.2 ± 0.4 respectively for CB and 3.1 ± 2.2, 2.3 ± 1.2, 2.8 ± 2.7, 1.4 ± 1.7 and 0.3 ± 0.5, respectively, for the PPNB group. There were no significant differences between the mean scores in both groups. There were also no statistically significant differences in the incidences of complications in both groups.

Conclusion

The two methods of analgesia are similar in efficacy and are equally safe to employ in the performance of TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Both methods can be learned to increase the repertoire of the urologist when faced with a TRUS-guided prostate biopsy.

Trial registration

PACTR, PACTR202012779661309. Registered 11th December 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=14564.
Predicting the accuracy of genomic predictions
Authors: Dekkers Jack C. M. , Su Hailin , Cheng Jian
Published: June 2021

Background

Mathematical models are needed for the design of breeding programs using genomic prediction. While deterministic models for selection on pedigree-based estimates of breeding values (PEBV) are available, these have not been fully developed for genomic selection, with a key missing component being the accuracy of genomic EBV (GEBV) of selection candidates. Here, a deterministic method was developed to predict this accuracy within a closed breeding population based on the accuracy of GEBV and PEBV in the reference population and the distance of selection candidates from their closest ancestors in the reference population.

Methods

The accuracy of GEBV was modeled as a combination of the accuracy of PEBV and of EBV based on genomic relationships deviated from pedigree (DEBV). Loss of the accuracy of DEBV from the reference to the target population was modeled based on the effective number of independent chromosome segments in the reference population (Me). Measures of Me derived from the inverse of the variance of relationships and from the accuracies of GEBV and PEBV in the reference population, derived using either a Fisher information or a selection index approach, were compared by simulation.

Results

Using simulation, both the Fisher and the selection index approach correctly predicted accuracy in the target population over time, both with and without selection. The index approach, however, resulted in estimates of Me that were less affected by heritability, reference size, and selection, and which are, therefore, more appropriate as a population parameter. The variance of relationships underpredicted Me and was greatly affected by selection. A leave-one-out cross-validation approach was proposed to estimate required accuracies of EBV in the reference population. Aspects of the methods were validated using real data.

Conclusions

A deterministic method was developed to predict the accuracy of GEBV in selection candidates in a closed breeding population. The population parameter Me that is required for these predictions can be derived from an available reference data set, and applied to other reference data sets and traits for that population. This method can be used to evaluate the benefit of genomic prediction and to optimize genomic selection breeding programs.
Inadequacy of gestational weight gain during high-risk pregnancies is not associated with household food insecurity
Authors: de Abreu Rodrigues Aléxia Vieira , Augusto Ana Lúcia Pires , Salles-Costa Rosana
Published: June 2021

Background

Inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with adverse outcomes in maternal and child health and can be enhanced by social inequalities, such as lower education and household food insecurity (HFI). Women are more vulnerable to HFI, which has been associated with negative health effects for pregnant women during the prenatal and puerperal periods, particularly in regard to the aggravation of pregnancy risks. This study investigated the association between sociodemographic characteristics and HFI with respect to adequacy of total GWG among women with high-risk pregnancies.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study that evaluated the total GWG of 169 pregnant women. The women were seen at a public university hospital in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Their sociodemographic and gestational characteristics and the Brazilian Scale of Domestic Food Insecurity were investigated. To estimate the total GWG, the difference between the patient weight at the last prenatal visit and the initial patient weight was verified, with both collected from the medical records of the pregnant women. The classification of the total GWG considered the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2009). A multinomial logistic regression model assessed the risk (odds ratio; OR) and confidence intervals (CI 95%)) of insufficient and excessive GWG with exposure to HFI and other covariates (p value <0.05).

Results

Insufficient and excessive GWG were observed in 27.8% and 47.9% of the pregnant women, respectively. More than half of the women (74.6%) had a high education level. Exposure to mild HFI occurred in 44.2% of the women. After adjustment, the HFI was not associated with insufficient or excessive GWG. The educational level of women was the only variable significantly associated with a lower risk of GWG insufficiency (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01–0.89).

Conclusions

In this population, higher maternal education was a protective factor against insufficient GWG. We highlight the importance of additional health support and counseling for women in the most vulnerable social conditions, considering the importance of access to information for reducing health risks.
Patterns of physical activity parenting practices among parent-adolescent dyads who participated in a cross-sectional internet-based study
Authors: Thomson Jessica L. , Landry Alicia S. , Walls Tameka I.
Published: June 2021

Background

While research exploring relationships between individual parenting practices and child physical activity (PA) exists, little is known about simultaneous use of practices. Hence, study objectives were to determine patterns of PA parenting practices and their associations with demographic, anthropometric, and PA measures in a large sample of parents and their adolescent children (12–17 years).

Methods

Dyadic survey data from Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE), a cross-sectional, internet-based study, conducted in 2014 were analyzed using latent class analysis on 5 PA parenting practices – pressuring, guided choice, expectations, facilitation, and modeling. Self-report model covariates included adolescent age and parent and adolescent sex, body mass index category (based on height and weight), legitimacy of parental authority regarding PA (PA-LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).

Results

Based on 1166 parent-adolescent dyads, four latent classes were identified representing a continuum of practice use (high to low) – Complete Influencers (26%), Facilitating-Modeling Influencers (23%), Pressuring-Expecting Influencers (25%), and Indifferent Influencers (27%). Compared to dyads with parent underweight/healthy weight, dyads with parent overweight/obesity had 84% higher odds of belonging to Indifferent Influencers. Compared to dyads with adolescent underweight/healthy weight, dyads with adolescent overweight/obesity had 50 and 46% lower odds of belonging to Facilitating-Modeling and Indifferent Influencers. Odds of belonging to Pressuring-Expecting and Indifferent Influencers were less than 1% lower for every 1 min/day increase in parent MVPA and 2 and 4% lower for every 1 min/day increase in adolescent MVPA. Compared to dyads with high parental and adolescent agreement with PA-LPA, dyads with low agreement had between 3 and 21 times the odds of belonging to Facilitating-Modeling, Pressuring-Expecting, or Indifferent Influencers.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that parents utilize distinct patterns of PA practices ranging from use of many, use of some, to low use of any practice and these patterns are differentially associated with parent and adolescent PA. When planning PA interventions, a counseling or intervening approach with parents to use combinations of practices, like facilitation and modeling, to positively influence their adolescents’ and possibly their own participation in PA may prove more efficacious than parental pressuring or lack of practice use.
Toxicity and bacterial anti-motility activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd (Fabaceae) leaves
Authors: Magnini René Dofini , Nitiéma Mathieu , Ouédraogo Geoffroy G. , Ilboudo Sylvain , Bancé Alimata , Millogo-Koné Hassanata , Giorgio Carole Di , Pagès Jean-Marie , Hilou Adama , Davin-Regli Anne
Published: June 2021

Background

Acacia senegal is a plant traditionally used for its various properties, including the treatment of infectious diseases. Recently, our team has demonstrated the ability of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves to increase the activity of phenicol antibiotics against multi-resistant bacteria. The aim of this work is to determine the toxicological effects of the extract and its capacity to inhibit the bacterial mobility of Gram-negative bacteria, in order to evaluate the level of safety use of this plant.

Methods

The cytotoxicity test was performed using the neutral red absorption method. Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity were conducted on NMRI mice and Wistar rats. The behaviour and adverse effects were recorded during the 14 days of the acute study. For the subacute test, biochemical parameters, food and water consumption, and morphological parameters were determined. The anti-motility activities were evaluated on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 and Escherichia coli AG100, using specific concentrations of Agar as required by the method.

Results

HEASG induced inhibition of keratinocytes cell growth with an IC50 of 1302 ± 60 μg/mL. For the acute toxicity study in mice, the single dose of extract of 2000 mg/kg body weight caused no deaths and no behavioural changes were observed; therefore, the median lethal dose (LD50) of HEASG was calculated to 5000 mg/kg body weight. In Wistar rats, no mortality was observed at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day during the 28-day subacute oral toxicity study. The weights of both females and males increased globally over time, regardless of the batch. No statistically significant differences were registered for organ weights and biochemical parameters, except for chloride for biochemical parameters. Water and food consumption did not change significantly. Furthermore, no macroscopic changes in organ appearance were observed. Regarding anti-motility activity, the extract has reduced the swarming motility of PA01 and AG100 significantly at the concentration of 32 μg/mL (P < 0.001). The extract has reduced the swimming motility (P < 0.01) of PA01 but not AG100.

Conclusions

The results suggest that hydroethanolic extract of A. senegal leaves has significant activity against bacterial motility and relatively low toxicity.
The role of the public and private health sectors on factors associated with early essential newborn care practices among institutional deliveries in Ghana
Authors: Kumbeni Maxwell Tii , Apanga Paschal Awingura , Chanase Mary-Ann Wepiamo , Alem John Ndebugri , Mireku-Gyimah Nana
Published: June 2021

Background

Early essential newborn care is one of the important interventions developed by the World Health Organization to reduce morbidities and mortalities in neonates. This study investigated the role of the public and private sector health facilities on factors associated with early essential newborn care practices following institutional delivery in Ghana.

Methods

We used data from the 2017/2018 multiple indicator cluster survey for our analysis. A total of 2749 mothers aged 15–49 years were included in the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors associated with early essential newborn care in both public and private health sectors.

Results

The prevalence of good early essential newborn care in the public sector health facilities was 26.4 % (95 % CI: 23.55, 29.30) whiles that of the private sector health facilities was 19.9 % (95 % CI: 13.55, 26.30). Mothers who had a Caesarean section in the public sector health facilities had 67 % lower odds of early essential newborn care compared to mothers who had a vaginal delivery [adjusted prevalence odds ratios (aPOR) = 0.33, 95 % CI: 0.20, 0.53]. Mothers without a health insurance in the public sector health facilities had 26 % lower odds of early essential newborn care compared to mothers with a health insurance (aPOR = 0.74, 95 % CI: 0.56, 0.97). However, these associations were not observed in the private sector health facilities.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the prevalence of good early essential newborn care in the public sector health facilities was higher than that reported in the private sector health facilities. Child health programs on early essential newborn care needs to be prioritized in the private healthcare sector. The Government of Ghana may also need to increase the coverage of the national health insurance scheme for women in reproductive age.