bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Etiology of Elephantiasis and Its Associated Risk Factors in Jeldu District, West Shoa, Ethiopia
Authors: Negasa Ararsa , Dufera Mebrate
Published: April 2021

Elephantiasis is the main cause of tropical lymphoedema in Ethiopia. The aim of the current study was to assess the etiology of elephantiasis and its associated risk factors. Cross-sectional community-based study was carried out from March to May 2020 in seven purposively selected villages of Jeldu district. Identified suspected cases of elephantiasis in those villages were interviewed, clinically observed, and serologically examined using filariasis test strip kits at their respective houses during day time. A midnight blood sample was obtained from all FTS positive cases for microscopic examination of Wuchereria bancrofti larva, microfilariae. From a total of 105 identified elephantiasis cases, 69.5% were podoconiosis cases and 30.5% were LF cases. Among 32 serologically positive cases, only 15.6% cases were found positive by parasitological blood diagnosis. Considerable cases of podoconiosis (37%) were at age range 26–40 years, whereas smallest cases (16.4%) were at 10–25 years. Among cases of podoconiosis and LF, 77 subjects have been developed overt chronic leg(s) swelling; 85.7% of them showed bilateral swelling below knee and 14.3% of them showed unilateral swelling with stage II swelling 41.1%. Regarding risk factors, odds of podoconiosis was greatly lower in participants who washed their legs daily when compared to those who washed their legs sometimes (

P
=
0.002

). Odds of LF was higher in people who used bed nets/IRS and they were more protected than those who did not use bed nets/IRS (

P
=
0.03

). Odds of LF was high in cases farming besides rivers and/or perform irrigation work (

P
=
0.003

). The highest silicon concentration 4.65 mg/10 gm in Urgaha is coinciding with the highest podoconiosis cases (23.3%) of the village. Family history was a significant risk factor for the disease (

P
≤
0.001

). Age (26–40 years), sex, and leg hygiene were also strong risk factors. Both etiologies of elephantiasis, LF and podoconiosis, are geographically overlapped in Jeldu district.
Modelling and Control of Trojan Propagation via Online Game Accelerators
Authors: Yan Qing , Song Lipeng
Published: April 2021

The widespread use of online game accelerators also induces them to become a medium for hackers to spread Trojan horses. In this paper, we propose a novel compartment model which considered the heterogeneity of online computer game players aiming to characterize the Trojan propagation. Specifically, we distinguish rational game players from impulsive game players in our model. The spreading threshold is obtained, and the global stability of equilibrium is also verified. Moreover, Trojan’s control problem is studied by using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Numerical results confirm the stability of the system and the effectiveness of the optimal control strategy. Besides, more numerical results also show that some control strategies such as warning and caution should be taken at the very beginning of game player downloading the malicious accelerator.
Adequately Iodized Salt Utilization and Associated Factors among Households in Tach Armachio District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mamo Worku , Derso Terefe , Nigatu Solomon Gedlu
Published: April 2021

Background. For the synthesis of thyroid hormones, iodine is a crucial trace element. Iodine deficiency disorders affect all groups particularly: pregnant, young women and children. Iodine deficiency disorder has been recognized as a serious public health issue in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study planned to assess iodized salt utilization and associated factors at the household level. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 25 to February 24, 2019, in Tach Armachio district, Northwest Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to calculate the sample size and a total of 555 households were sampled. A multistage sampling technique was conducted to select the household. An iodometric titration method was performed. A structured, pretested, and face-to-face interview questionnaire was used to collect data; then, it was entered in Epi Info 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were done to identify predictor variables. A 95% confidence interval and adjusted odd ratio were reported.

P

values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. Results. This study showed that iodized salt was adequately utilized by 61.1% (CI = 57%–65%) of households. Good knowledge of iodine deficiency disorder (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = (1.44, 3.50)), keeping salt in the kitchen house away from fire (AOR = 5.09, 95% CI = (3.25, 7.98)), buying packed salt [AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = (1.12, 3.19)), keeping salt in a covered container (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI = (1.24, 3.81)), and exposing salt to sunlight (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI = (0.23, 0.65)) were significantly associated. Conclusion. In the district, adequately iodized salt utilization was low. Therefore, it is necessary to enforce the current law for merchants to sell iodized packed salt and teach the community how to handle it.
Linear Control Method for Arch Ring of Oblique‐Stayed Buckle Cantilever Pouring Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridge
Authors: Liu Zengwu , Zhou Jianting , Wu Yuexing , You Xing , Qu Yinghao
Published: April 2021

Yelang Lake Bridge is the largest cantilevered single‐chamber reinforced concrete arch bridge in China, with a net span of 210 m. In this article, an equation for positioning the height of the formwork before pouring of the arch ring segment was derived, which was suitable for the construction control of the long‐span reinforced concrete arch bridge such as the Yelang Lake Bridge. The arch ring segment elevation calculation equation was derived under the two typical working conditions that the concrete pouring of the arch ring segment is completed and the buckle cable and anchor cable tensioning are completed. In addition, two typical working conditions of arch ring segment concrete pouring and cable tensioning were evaluated. Then, a new type of cradle and loading test of the cradle, which meet the requirements of the long segment pouring of the arch ring, were introduced. Finally, the measurement deviation during the construction of the arch segment was analyzed. The linear control results of the arch ring showed that the arch ring segment elevation calculation formula could effectively ensure the accuracy of the arch ring segment construction process under the two typical conditions of completion of concrete pouring of the arch ring segment and completion of the buckle and anchor cable tensioning. The maximum deviation is only 3.1 mm. The line shape after the completion of the arch ring construction was in good agreement with the target line shape, and the deviation between the measured value and the target value was only 2.5 cm, which met the engineering requirements.
Effect of a High-Protein High-Fibre Nutritional Supplement on Lipid Profile in Overweight/Obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 24-Week Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bhoite Rachana , Chandrasekaran Anitha , Pratti Varalakshmi Lalithya , Satyavrat Vinita , Aacharya Shivani , Mane Amey , Mehta Suyog , Kale Ravindra Machhindra , Nagamuthu Gayathri , Selvaraj Sasikala , Rajagopal Gayathri , Vasudevan Sudha , Shanmugam Shobana , Mohan Anjana Ranjit , Unnikrishnan Ranjit , Krishnaswamy Kamala , Mohan Viswanathan
Published: April 2021

Background. Foods rich in protein and dietary fibre could potentially improve lipid profile in overweight or obese diabetic patients with dyslipidemia and, thereby, mitigate their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, the effect of providing high-protein high-fibre (HPHF) nutritional supplement in addition to standard care of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on lipid profile was evaluated. Methods. In this open-label, parallel-arm, prospective, randomized study, a total of 100 overweight/obese participants with T2DM were randomized to either an intervention group (25 g HPHF nutritional supplement given twice daily along with a standard care of T2DM) or a control group (standard care of T2DM) for 24 weeks. Change from baseline in lipid parameters such as total cholesterol (TChol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) was assessed between the intervention and control group at week 12 and week 24. Participant compliance was assessed using the dietary 24-hour recall. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the main effects on within- and between-group changes from baseline to end of 24 weeks. Results. Participants in the HPHF nutritional supplement group showed a statistically significant improvement in HDL-C levels by the end of 24 weeks (

p
=
0.04

) and a significant increase in protein and total dietary fibre intake (

p
=
0.002

and

p
=
0.00

, respectively) compared to the control group. The TChol/HDL-C ratio was significantly lower (

p
=
0.03

) in the HPHF group from baseline to 24 weeks. Conclusion. Twice-daily consumption of a HPHF nutritional supplement significantly improved HDL-C levels. Inclusion of the HPHF supplement would be a useful effective aid for managing dyslipidemia in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM.
Recursive Process for Constructing the Refinement Rules of New Combined Subdivision Schemes and Its Extended Form
Authors: Hameed Rabia , Mustafa Ghulam , Deng Jiansong , Ali Shafqat
Published: April 2021

In this article, we present a new method to construct a family of2N+2-point binary subdivision schemes with one tension parameter. The construction of the family of schemes is based on repeated local translation of points by certain displacement vectors. Therefore, refinement rules of the2N+2-point schemes are recursively obtained from refinement rules of the2N-point schemes. Thus, we get a new subdivision scheme at each iteration. Moreover, the complexity, polynomial reproduction, and polynomial generation of the schemes are increased by two at each iteration. Furthermore, a family of interproximate subdivision schemes with tension parameters is also introduced which is the extended form of the proposed family of schemes. This family of schemes allows a different tension value for each edge and vertex of the initial control polygon. These schemes generate curves and surfaces such that some initial control points are interpolated and others are approximated.
Faded Critical Dynamics in Adult Moyamoya Disease Revealed by EEG and fMRI
Authors: Lei Yu , Li Yuzhu , Yu Lianchun , Xu Longzhou , Zhang Xin , Zheng Gaoxing , Chen Liang , Zhang Wei , Qi Xiaoying , Gu Yuxiang , Yu Yuguo , Mao Ying
Published: April 2021

Criticality is considered a dynamic signature of healthy brain activity that can be measured on the short‐term timescale with neural avalanches and long‐term timescale with long‐range temporal correlation (LRTC). It is unclear how the brain dynamics change in adult moyamoya disease (MMD). We used BOLD‐fMRI for LRTC analysis from 16 hemorrhagic (HMMD) and 34 ischemic (IMMD) patients and 25 healthy controls. Afterwards, they were examined by EEG recordings in the eyes‐closed (EC), eyes‐open (EO), and working memory (WM) states. The EEG data of 11 HMMD and 13 IMMD patients and 21 healthy controls were in good quality for analysis. Regarding the 4 metrics of neural avalanches (e.g., size (α), duration (β), κ value, and branching parameter (σ)), both MMD subtypes exhibited subcritical states in the EC state. When switching to the WM state, HMMD remained inactive, while IMMD surpassed controls and became supercritical (p < 0.05). Regarding LRTC, the amplitude envelope in the EC state was more analogous to random noise in the MMD patients than in controls. During state transitions, LRTC decreased sharply in the controls but remained chaotic in the MMD individuals (p < 0.05). The spatial LRTC reduction distribution based on both EEG and fMRI in the EC state implied that, compared with controls, the two MMD subtypes might exhibit mutually independent but partially overlapping patterns. The regions showing decreased LRTC in both EEG and fMRI were the left supplemental motor area of HMMD and right pre‐/postcentral gyrus and right inferior temporal gyrus of IMMD. This study not only sheds light on the decayed critical dynamics of MMD in both the resting and task states for the first time but also proposes several EEG and fMRI features to identify its two subtypes.
A Nonconstant Shape Parameter-Dependent Competing Risks’ Model in Accelerate Life Test Based on Adaptive Type-II Progressive Hybrid Censoring
Authors: Wang Yan , Shi Yimin , Wu Min
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the dependent competing risks’ model is considered in the constant-stress accelerated life test under the adaptive type-II progressive hybrid-censored scheme. The dependency between failure causes is modeled by Marshall–Olkin bivariate Gompertz distribution. The scale and shape parameters in the model both change with the stress levels, and the failure causes of some test units are unknown. Then, the maximum likelihood estimations and approximation confidence intervals of the unknown parameters are considered. And, the necessary and sufficient condition is established for the existence and uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimations for unknown parameters. The Bayes approach is also employed to estimate the unknown parameters under suitable prior distributions. The Bayes estimations and highest posterior credible intervals of the unknown parameters are obtained. Finally, a simulation experiment has been performed to illustrate the methods proposed in this paper.
Interaction Law between Natural Fractures-Vugs and Acid-Etched Fracture during Steering Acid Fracturing in Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Dai Yifan , Hou Bing , Zhou Changlin , Zhang Kunpeng , Liu Fei
Published: April 2021

Steering acid fracturing is a technique that improves the conductivity of carbonate reservoir. It is widely used in a carbonate reservoir. However, due to the lack of comparative experiments, the application of steering acid to improve the fracturing results is still unknown. Therefore, a series of true triaxial acid fracturing experiments were conducted to study steering acid fracturing in carbonate reservoir. The carbonate specimens used in the experiment were from the Qixia group and Dengsi Member in Sichuan, China. In this study, slick water, cross-linked gel, and self-generating acid were used as ahead fluid to cooperate with steering acid. Experimental results show that (1) the low-viscosity ahead fluid with steering acid can result in more complex fractures; (2) the complexity of fractures is influenced by natural fracture and the viscosity of the ahead fluid; and (3) based on the 3D scanning results of the fracture surface, different ahead fluids will lead to different corrosion results. This study provides useful suggestions on steering acid fracturing design and physical simulation experiments.
Symbiosis Evolution of Science Communication Ecosystem Based on Social Media: A Lotka–Volterra Model‐Based Simulation
Authors: Xia Ming , He Xiangwu , Zhou Yubin
Published: April 2021

Social media has become an important way for science communication. Some scholars have examined how to help scientists engage with social media from operational training, policy guidance, and social media services improving. The main contribution of this study is to construct a symbiosis evolution model of science communication ecosystem (SCE) between scientists and social media platforms based on the symbiosis theory and the Lotka–Volterra model to discuss the evolution of their symbiotic patterns and population size under different symbiosis coefficients. The results indicate that (1) the size of the symbiosis coefficients determines the equilibrium outcome of the symbiosis evolution of scientists and social media platforms; (2) scientists and social media platforms can promote each other’s population size under the mutualism pattern, which can achieve sustainable science communication; (3) “1 + 1 > 2” effect can only be achieved under the symmetric mutualism pattern and the growth of scientists and social media platforms is more stable and sufficient than that of other patterns. The findings will provide additional perspectives for promoting the sustainable development of science communication based on social media.
Formal Modeling, Proving, and Model Checking of a Flood Warning, Monitoring, and Rescue System-of-Systems
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Akhtar Nadeem , Alhazmi Omar H.
Published: April 2021

Floods after monsoon rains are frequent disasters that affect millions of lives in Pakistan. Human lives are lost, agriculture economies are destroyed, and livestock animals, houses, fruit farms, and crops are lost which are the major livelihoods of thousands of people in Punjab. Each year there are heavy rains in the monsoon season and, due to global warming, there is the rapid melting of snow in northern glaciers; these factors subsequently cause floods. There is also loss of life due to the spread of waterborne diseases and snake bites. Flood monitoring provides early detection of a flood and the calculation of its intensity, which results in reduced human life losses and economic losses. Most casualties are caused by the lack of timely real-time, authentic information about the high-risk areas, and flood intensity, speed, and direction. Therefore, the proposed approach is centered on formal modeling and verification of safety and liveness properties of flood monitoring perceivers. Each flood perceiver has several sensors. It requires the collection of information starting from the flood perceiver, observer, and environmental forecast. This information is processed to determine the flood intensity level. We have developed a CP-Nets’ formal model and model-checked it. We have verified the safety and liveness properties of correctness by exhaustive verification of the system using model-based proof obligations (Event-B method using Rodin). Our objective in this research is to propose a correct, reliable, and efficient flood warning, monitoring, and rescue (WMR) SoS based on formal methods. We have used formal modeling and model-checking based on state-of-the-art hierarchical CP-Nets supported by exhaustive formal proof obligations of Event-B.
Elevated Asparagine Biosynthesis Drives Brain Tumor Stem Cell Metabolic Plasticity and Resistance to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Thomas Tom M. , Miyaguchi Ken , Edwards Lincoln A. , Wang Hongqiang , Wollebo Hassen , Aiguo Li , Murali Ramachandran , Wang Yizhou , Braas Daniel , Michael Justin S. , Andres Allen M. , Zhang Miqin , Khalili Kamel , Gottlieb Roberta A. , Perez J. Manuel , Yu John S.
Published: April 2021

Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) is a gene on the long arm of chromosome 7 that is copy-number amplified in the majority of glioblastomas. ASNS copy-number amplification is associated with a significantly decreased survival. Using patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSC), we showed that significant metabolic alterations occur in gliomas when perturbing the expression of ASNS, which is not merely restricted to amino acid homeostasis. ASNS-high GSCs maintained a slower basal metabolic profile yet readily shifted to a greatly increased capacity for glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation when needed. This led ASNS-high cells to a greater ability to proliferate and spread into brain tissue. Finally, we demonstrate that these changes confer resistance to cellular stress, notably oxidative stress, through adaptive redox homeostasis that led to radiotherapy resistance. Furthermore, ASNS overexpression led to modifications of the one-carbon metabolism to promote a more antioxidant tumor environment revealing a metabolic vulnerability that may be therapeutically exploited.

Implications:

This study reveals a new role for ASNS in metabolic control and redox homeostasis in glioma stem cells and proposes a new treatment strategy that attempts to exploit one vulnerable metabolic node within the larger multilayered tumor network.
CHK2 Inhibition Provides a Strategy to Suppress Hematologic Toxicity from PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Xu Zhen , Vandenberg Cassandra J. , Lieschke Elizabeth , Di Rago Ladina , Scott Clare L. , Majewski Ian J.
Published: April 2021

Patients with cancer treated with PARP inhibitors (PARPi) experience various side effects, with hematologic toxicity being most common. Short-term treatment of mice with olaparib resulted in depletion of reticulocytes, B-cell progenitors, and immature thymocytes, whereas longer treatment induced broader myelosuppression. We performed a CRISPR/Cas9 screen that targeted DNA repair genes in Eμ-Myc pre-B lymphoma cell lines as a way to identify strategies to suppress hematologic toxicity from PARPi. The screen revealed that single-guide RNAs targeting the serine/threonine kinase checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) were enriched following olaparib treatment. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of CHK2-blunted PARPi response in lymphoid and myeloid cell lines, and in primary murine pre-B/pro-B cells. Using a Cas9 base editor, we found that blocking CHK2-mediated phosphorylation of p53 also impaired olaparib response. Our results identify the p53 pathway as a major determinant of the acute response to PARPi in normal blood cells and demonstrate that targeting CHK2 can short circuit this response. Cotreatment with a CHK2 inhibitor did not antagonize olaparib response in ovarian cancer cell lines. Selective inhibition of CHK2 may spare blood cells from the toxic influence of PARPi and broaden the utility of these drugs.

Implications:

We reveal that genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of CHK2 may offer a way to alleviate the toxic influence of PARPi in the hematologic system.
Role of Human Mesangial-Tubular Crosstalk in Secretory IgA-Induced IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Zhou Ruwen , Mi Yiming , Liu Zhangsuo , Huang Bo , Guo Ruxue , Wang Panfei , Quan Songxia , Zhou Yali
Published: April 2021

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by the mesangial deposition of pathogenic IgA. We previously detected the deposition of pathogenic secretory IgA (SIgA) in the mesangium of about one-third of IgAN patients. Tubulointerstitial injury has an important role in the development of IgAN. However, the relationship between SIgA and tubulointerstitial damage is currently unclear. In this work, the role of the mesangial-tubular crosstalk was explored in the tubulointerstitial damage in SIgA-induced IgAN. Methods: SIgA deposition in renal tissues of IgAN patients was detected by immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry was used to assess the binding of SIgA to human renal mesangial cells (HRMC) and human proximal tubule epithelial (HK-2) cells. HK-2 was co-cultured with HRMC added with SIgA isolated from patients or normal volunteers. Protein synthesis and gene expressions of TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MCP-1 were determined by ELISA and PCR, respectively. The expressions of the above cytokines in renal tissues of patients and normal controls were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Twenty-nine of 96 patients had SIgA deposition in the mesangium, but SIgA was rarely detected in the tubulointerstitium. The binding rate of SIgA to HK-2 (2.79%) was significantly lower than that of HRMC (81.6%) (p < 0.001). The expressions of TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MCP-1 in HRMC were significantly higher than in SIgA-stimulated HK-2 (p < 0.05), and their expressions were significantly higher in the SIgA-stimulated co-culture group compared with SIgA-stimulated HRMC (p < 0.05). The expressions of the above cytokines were mainly detected in tubulointerstitium of IgAN patients with positive and negative SIgA deposition, without significant difference between the 2 groups, but to a significantly higher level than that in normal controls, and their expressions positively correlated with tubulointerstitial injury. Conclusion: Inflammatory factors released from the mesangium after SIgA deposition might mediate tubulointerstitial damage via mesangial-tubular crosstalk in IgAN.
Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy at Skull: Rare and Rapid-Growing Tumor but Histologically Benign
Authors: Yindeedej Vich , Kittisangvara Lisa
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare and rapid-growing tumor. However, a neurosurgeon should not overlook this entity when differential diagnosing rapid-growing skull tumor because its histology nature is just benign, and the prognosis is much better than other malignant tumors. Case Presentation: We reported the case of a 5-month old male presenting with progressive rapid-growing skull tumor which became 10 cm in diameter in only 5 months compared to the normal head circumference at birth. At first, we thought of malignant skull tumor and performed only biopsy to establish diagnosis. But, when the pathology revealed benign MNTI, we performed preoperative tumor embolization and then radical surgery. Good result was observed. Discussion: Skull MNTI is the second most common location after the maxilla. Even advanced imaging nowadays cannot distinguish MNTI from other malignant tumors definitely. Urgent biopsy is recommended to establish diagnosis of this benign tumor first. Preoperative angiography with tumor embolization is recommended when feasible, followed by craniotomy with radical resection.
Dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of the Kole Wetlands, central Kerala, India
Authors: Chandran A. Vivek , Jose Subin K. , Gopalan Sujith V.
Published: April 2021

A year-long study was conducted at the Kole Wetlands, a Ramsar site in central Kerala to document the diversity of dragonflies and damselflies and understand their seasonality.  Checklist survey method was used to sample adult odonates in 30 randomly chosen locations.  A total of 44 species (30 dragonflies and 14 damselflies) belonging to 33 genera and eight families were recorded in the study area.  Species richness showed a peak in the post-monsoon season and a dip in the summer.  The observations support the value of the Kole Wetlands in providing valuable resources for Odonata.
A new taxon of Nacaduba Moore, 1881 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatini) from Agasthyamalais of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Sadasivan Kalesh , Kochunarayanan Baiju , Khot Rahul , Naicker Ramasamy Kamaya
Published: April 2021

A new butterfly taxon, Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii ssp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatini), is described from Agasthyamalais of southern Western Ghats in peninsular India.  The new taxa can be diagnosed from all other Nacaduba of southern India and N. sinhala Ormiston, 1924  from Sri Lanka, by its distinct male genitalia.  The early stages, larval hostplants, flight periods, ecology and the known distribution of the new taxa are discussed.  The revised keys to all known Nacaduba of Western Ghats of peninsular India are provided.
Does the size of the butterfly enhance detection? Factors influencing butterfly detection in species inventory surveys
Authors: Velayudhan Anju , Ashokkumar Mohanarangan , Chandy George , Sreedharan Biju
Published: April 2021

Butterfly species’ abundance and factors influencing butterfly detection in Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala was studied from April to June 2018.  The survey was carried out on 15 tracks of 2-km lengths surveyed two times resulting in the sampling effort of 60km.  A total of 141 species of butterflies belonging to two orders, six families and 103 genera were observed during the study, of which 15 species were recorded as endemic.  The majority of butterfly species belonged to the families Nymphalidae and Lycanidae.  The size of butterflies varies significantly among families with the largest butterflies recorded in Papilionidae and Nymphalidae and the smallest butterflies from Hesperidae and Lycanidae.  The factors that determine butterfly detection during the count was determined using multiple regression.  The number of detections had a linear relation with abundance, size, and activities of the butterflies.  The model was highly significant and explained 86.9% of the variation in the detection of butterflies (F=407.8; df=3; p<0.000).  Abundance had a primary influence on detection followed by the size and activities of the butterflies.  Further studies on relative detectability of different species of butterflies in the diversity and abundance estimation would help in refining methods of assessment of butterflies.
A New Species of Aporia (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) from Northwest Yunnan, China with Taxonomic Notes on Its Similar Sympatric Taxa
Authors: HU SHAO-JI , ZHANG HUI-HONG , YANG YANG
Published: April 2021

The northwest corner of Yunnan Province, China is the world-class diversity centre of the genus Aporia Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). During our expeditions to this area in 2019 and 2020, a new species of Aporia was discovered from the upper Yangtze River valley in northwest Yunnan, China. The new taxon, A. chunhaoi sp. nov., is similar to A. lhamo (Oberthür, 1893) but can be easily identified by larger size, much paler (creamy) male hindwing, as well as different genitalic structures. Our field surveys and comparative studies also confirmed a new range of A. lhamo in the upper Yangtze River valley, and the morphological variation of this species is discussed herein.
Description of a new genus and five new species of tube-dwelling spider family Segestriidae (Araneae: Synspermiata) from Odisha, India
Authors: CHOUDHURY SUDHIR RANJAN , SILIWAL MANJU , DAS SANJAY KESHARI , GIROTI ANDRÉ MARSOLA
Published: April 2021

The six-eyed spider family Segestriidae is poorly documented from India, with only five species belonging to two genera. Here we describe a new genus, Indoseges gen. nov. with five new spp. viz. I. malkhangiri sp. nov., I. sushildutta sp. nov., I. chilika sp. nov., I. narayani sp. nov. and I. satkosia sp. nov. from Odisha. The first two spp. are described based on both male and female specimens and the rest on females only. The new genus resembles the genus Ariadna Audouin, 1826; still, males differ with respect to first leg spines, shape and position of apophysis and in the palp structure, and females having distinct spination in palp tarsi and femur of first two legs, and in the genitalia structure. Along with a distribution map of the Segestriids of India this paper also provides natural history information about the new genus, a discussion on its relationship with Ariadna, and the putative synapomorphies that define its placement in the subfamily Ariadninae.
Notes on the taxonomy of Palaearctic Asclerobia Roesler, 1969 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) with description of a new species
Authors: YEPISHIN VIKTOR
Published: April 2021

Three Asclerobia species from the Palaearctic region are reviewed and diagnosed. A new species—Asclerobia alexandrae sp. nov. from Tyva region of Russia is described. The lectotype of Sclerobia tchahabarella Amsel, 1950 is designated, and the new combination—Asclerobia tchahabarella (Amsel, 1950) comb. nov. is proposed. A key to the species is given based on the combination of external and genitalia characters of both sexes.
Understanding public opinion regarding organ donation in China: A social media content analysis
Authors: Xiong Xiling , Lai Kaisheng , Jiang Wenshi , Sun Xuyong , Dong Jianhui , Yao Ziqin , He Lingnan
Published: April 2021

Organ donation provides a life-saving opportunity for patients with organ failure. China, like most countries, is faced with organ shortages. Understanding public opinion regarding organ donation in China is critical to ensure an increased donation rate. Our study explored public concerns and attitudes toward organ donation, factors involved, and how the public pays attention to organ donation. Sixteen million users’ public information (i.e. gender, age, and geographic information) and posts from January 2017 to December 2017 were collected from Weibo, a social media platform. Of these, 1755 posts related to organ donation were included in the analysis. We categorized the posts and coded the users’ attitudes toward organ donation and the associations between the demographics. The most popular posts mentioning organ donation were “publicly expressing the willingness to donate organs.” Furthermore, 87.62% of posts exhibited a positive attitude toward organ donation, whereas only 7.44% exhibited a negative attitude. Most positive posts were “saluting the organ donors,” and most negative posts involved “fear of the family’s passive medical decision.” There was no significant gender difference in the users’ attitudes, but older people generally had a more negative attitude. Users with negative attitudes mainly distrust the medical system and are worried that the donated organs may be used in improper trading. Social media may be an important channel for promoting organ donation activities, and it is important to popularize scientific knowledge related to organ donation in order to eliminate the public’s misunderstanding of organ donation and transplantation.
Uneven worlds of hegemony: Towards a discursive ontology of societal multiplicity
Authors: Morozov Viacheslav
Published: April 2021

The neo-Marxist literature on uneven and combined development has made significant progress towards a comprehensive theory of the international. Its point of departure is societal multiplicity as a fundamental condition of the international. This article identifies an important lacuna in the ontology of multiplicity: there is no discussion of what constitutes a ‘society’, or the basic entity capable of entering a relationship with other entities. Existing solutions, including those relying on relational sociology, gravitate towards ontological individualism. Building on poststructuralist neo-Gramscian theories, I propose to ground the conceptualisation of ‘society’ in the notion of hegemony. This implies a discursive ontology, which attributes the inside/outside dynamic to hegemonic formations rather than states or societies. Coupled with the understanding of hegemony as a scalar phenomenon, this ontology can account for the primacy of the state in modern times, while also enabling a research focus on other types of collectivities.
A Janus compatible software-defined underwater acoustic multiple-input multiple-output modem
Authors: Singh Surinder , Crispo Mark , Bousquet Jean-François , Aljendi Shadi
Published: April 2021

This article describes the implementation of a multiple-input multiple-output acoustic communication link in shallow water conditions to enable a software-defined acoustic modem with a maximum transmission rate of 20 kbps in a 5-kHz bandwidth. The reliability improvement of a low-complexity Alamouti space–time block code is evaluated to improve the diversity in a high-rate transmission mode using single carrier modulation, as well as in a low-rate transmission mode relying on continuous-phase frequency-shift keying. Using measurements in realistic subsea conditions, the effect of the spatial channel correlation is demonstrated. It is found that for the space–time block code/continuous-phase frequency-shift keying, the spatial diversity is significantly degraded due to the high spatial correlation. In contrast, for the high-mode transmission rate, space–time block code with single carrier modulation offers a bit error rate improvement by a factor over hundred, in comparison to a single transmit element, demonstrating that the multiple-input multiple-output optimal code depends on the software-defined acoustic modem transmission mode.
Correction to: Validation of the modified Skåne emergency department assessment of patient load (mSEAL) model for emergency department crowding and comparison with international models; an observational study
Authors: Wretborn Jens , Starkenberg Håkan , Ruge Thoralph , Wilhelms Daniel B. , Ekelund Ulf
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a cluster-randomized study of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia in a primary care setting
Authors: Torrens Isabel , Esteva Magdalena , Vicens Caterina , Pizá-Portell María Rosa , Vidal-Thomàs María Clara , Vidal-Ribas Cristina , Lorente-Montalvo Patricia , Torres-Solera Elena
Published: April 2021

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia (CBT-i) is the treatment of choice for this condition but is underutilized in patients who attend primary care. The purpose of the present feasibility-pilot study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a cluster-randomized study of CBT-i in a primary care setting.

Methods

This study, performed at two primary health care centers in Majorca, Spain, was a mixed methods feasibility-pilot study of a parallel cluster-randomized design comparing CBT-i and usual care (UC). Patients were included if they were 18 to 65 years-old; had diagnoses of chronic insomnia according to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI ≥ 8); had insomnia for more than 3 months. Twenty-five GPs and nurses and 32 patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The main outcome of the intervention was improvement of dimensions of sleep quality, measured using the Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, at baseline and at 3 months after the intervention. Other primary outcomes of the study were the feasibility and applicability of the intervention, collected through nominal groups. A thematic analysis was performed to classify primary care provider (PCP) proposals. Additionally, we assessed the recruitment process, compliance with the intervention sessions, and patient retention.

Results

We adapted the CBT-i approach of Morin to a primary care context. After intervention training, PCPs expressed the need for more extensive training in the different aspects of the therapy and the discussion of more cases. PCPs considered the intervention as adequate but wanted fewer but longer sessions as well as to discard the cognitive restructuring component. PCPs considered it crucial to prepare each session in advance and to establish a specific agenda for the CBT-i. Regular reminders given to PCPs and patients were suggested to improve study participation. Compared to the UC group, higher proportions of patients in the intervention group had short sleep latency, slept for longer than 5 h, and had fewer sleep disruptions.

Conclusions

This feasibility-pilot study identified several key issues that must be addressed before performing a CBT-i intervention in future clinical trial in a primary care setting.

Trial registration

NCT04565223. (Clinical trials.gov) Registered 1 September 2020—Retrospectively registered.
Correction to: Influences of service characteristics and older people’s attributes on outcomes from direct payments
Authors: Davey Vanessa
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Development and validation of a simple-to-use nomogram to predict the deterioration and survival of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Zeng Zhiyong , Wu Chaohui , Lin Zhenlv , Ye Yong , Feng Shaodan , Fang Yingying , Huang Yanmei , Li Minhua , Du Debing , Chen Gongping , Kang Dezhi
Published: April 2021

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has forced physicians to quickly determine the patient’s condition and choose treatment strategies. This study aimed to build and validate a simple tool that can quickly predict the deterioration and survival of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

A total of 351 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Third People’s Hospital of Yichang between 9 January to 25 March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly grouped into training (n = 246) or a validation (n = 105) dataset. Risk factors associated with deterioration were identified using univariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The factors were then incorporated into the nomogram. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the survival of patients between the low- and high-risk groups divided by the cut-off point.

Results

The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to construct the nomogram via four parameters (white blood cells, C-reactive protein, lymphocyte≥0.8 × 109/L, and lactate dehydrogenase ≥400 U/L). The nomogram showed good discriminative performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.945 (95% confidence interval: 0.91–0.98), and good calibration (P = 0.539). Besides, the nomogram showed good discrimination performance and good calibration in the validation and total cohorts (AUROC = 0.979 and AUROC = 0.954, respectively). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the model had clinical application value. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that low-risk patients had a significantly higher 8-week survival rate than those in the high-risk group (100% vs 71.41% and P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

A simple-to-use nomogram with excellent performance in predicting deterioration risk and survival of COVID-19 patients was developed and validated. However, it is necessary to verify this nomogram using a large-scale multicenter study.
Prognostic significance of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy at peritoneal dialysis initiation
Authors: Tomura Misato , Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Komaru Yohei , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Matsuura Ryo , Matsumoto Akihiko , Doi Kent , Kume Haruki , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: April 2021

Background

Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (cLVH) is a common left ventricular geometric pattern in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis (PD). The relationship between cLVH at PD initiation and the prognosis of patients remains unclear, however. This study aimed to investigate the impact of cLVH at PD initiation on patient survival and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods

The retrospective cohort study included 131 patients who underwent echocardiography during the PD initiation period. Based on echocardiographic measurements, cLVH was defined as a condition with increased LV mass index and increased relative wall thickness. The relationship between cLVH and the prognosis was assessed.

Results

Concentric LVH was identified in 29 patients (22%) at PD initiation, and patient survival, MACE-free survival and PD continuation were significantly reduced in the cLVH group compared with the non-cLVH group. In the Cox regression analysis, cLVH was demonstrated as an independent risk factor of mortality (HR [95%CI]: 3.32 [1.13–9.70]) for all patients. For patients over 65 years old, cLVH was significantly associated with mortality and MACE (HR [95%CI]: 3.51 [1.06–11.58] and 2.97 [1.26–7.01], respectively). Serum albumin at PD initiation was independently correlated with cLVH.

Conclusions

In our study, cLVH at PD initiation was independently associated with survival in all patients and with both survival and MACE in elderly patients. Evaluation of LV geometry at PD initiation might therefore help identify high-risk patients. Further studies involving larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the findings from this study and clarify whether treatment interventions for factors such as nutrition status could ameliorate cLVH and improve patient outcomes.
Incidence, clinical risk and prognostic factors for liver metastasis in patients with cervical cancer: a population-based retrospective study
Authors: Liu Hang , Ye Xiangsen , Li Di , Yao Qian , Li Yan
Published: April 2021

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in women, particularly metastasis resulting in a poor prognosis. However, the clinical characteristics of cervical cancer patients with advanced liver metastasis have not been well investigated. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical risk and prognostic factors for hepatic metastasis in cervical cancer patients.

Materials and methods

The clinical features of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) public cancer database between 2010 and 2015. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were performed to identify potential risk and prognostic factors for liver metastasis in patients with cervical cancer.

Results

A total of 431 patients (2.32%) developed liver metastasis in our analysis. The following characteristics were significantly associated with the development of liver metastasis: black ethnicity, uninsured status, higher tumor stage, poorer differentiated grade, non-squamous histology, non-surgery of primary site, patients with any additional lung, bone, and brain metastasis. Multivariate Cox regression showed that patients with additional lung metastasis, without radiotherapy, and without chemotherapy were negatively correlated with overall survival. Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy was a favorable prognostic factor to improve overall survival, and chemotherapy showed to increase cause-specific survival. Additional lung metastasis was an independent characteristic for both risk and prognostic factors for hepatic metastasis in patients with cervical cancer.

Conclusion

Our results found several potential clinical features that may be used to assess the risk and prognosis of liver metastasis in patients with cervical cancer. These associated factors may provide clinical indications for the early identification and treatment of cervical cancer patients with hepatic metastasis.
Neonatal mortality and associated factors in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Mitiku Habtamu Dessie
Published: April 2021

Background

The neonatal period is the most critical time of human life for diseases. Neonatal morbidity and mortality are significant contributors to under-five morbidity and mortality in a low-income country like Ethiopia. Women are one of the key actors for the improvement of maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. However, there's no evidence on the association of women’s decision-making autonomy with neonate death at a national level in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the neonatal mortality and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 5128 neonates born 5 years before the survey from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 were reviewed. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to assess the effect of women's autonomy and identify the determinate predictors of neonate death risk.

Results

The rate of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia was 20.7 per 1000 live births). Women's hadn't autonomy in health care increase neonatal death by 2.72 times compared with those that had autonomy. Hadn't postnatal care was caused grown neonatal death by 5.48 times (AOR 5.48, 95% CI 1.29, 23.26). Delivering at a health institution had 0.61 times lowered neonatal death risk compared with delivering at of health institution without a health facility (AOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38,0.97). Breastfeeding immediately within 1 h after birth had 0.17 times reduce neonatal death risk compared with not initiation of breastfeeding (AOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.12, 0.26). Women's gave birth single had 0.09 times reduced neonatal death risk than those that gave birth multiple (AOR 0.09, 95% CI 0.05, 0.18). Unknowingly, male neonates had a 1.84 times higher risk of death than females (AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.20, 2.81).

Conclusions

Neonatal mortality rate was significantly related to women's hadn't decided power on health care, hadn't postnatal care, delivered out of health institution, breastfed not immediately, and gave birth multiple. It is important to encourage mothers autonomy, use postnatal care service, and deliver in health institutions.
Author Correction to: Single-cell RNA-seq reveals a concomitant delay in differentiation and cell cycle of aged hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Hérault Léonard , Poplineau Mathilde , Mazuel Adrien , Platet Nadine , Remy Élisabeth , Duprez Estelle
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.