bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fecal Microbiota Transplant: Latest Addition to Arsenal against Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Gulati Monica , Singh Sachin K. , Corrie Leander , Chandwani Lipika , Singh Apoorva , Kapoor Bhupinder , Kumar Rajesh , Pandey Narendra K. , Kumar Bimlesh , Awasthi Ankit , Khursheed Rubiya
Published: September 2020

An infectious disease of the colon, recurrent Clostridium difficile infection
(RCDI), is hitherto considered insurmountable leading to significant morbidity
and mortality. Gut dysbiosis, generally resulting from frequent use of antibiotics,
is considered to be responsible for the etiopathogenesis of RCDI. Ironically,
the conventional treatment strategies for the disease also include the use of anti-
infective drugs such as metronidazole, vancomycin and fidaxomycin. As a result
of the efforts to overcome the limitations of these treatment options to control
the recurrence of disease, faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has emerged as
an effective and safe alternative. It is pertinent to add here that FMT is defined as
the process of engraftment of fecal suspension from the healthy person into the
gastrointestinal tract of the diseased individual aiming at the restoration of gut microbiota.
FMT has proved to be quite successful in the treatment of recurrent and
resistant Clostridium difficile infections. In the last three decades, a lot of information
has been generated on the use of FMT for RCDI. A number of clinical
trials have been reported with generally very high success rates. However, a very
small number of patents could be found in the area, indicating that there still exists
lacuna in the knowledge about FMT with respect to its preparation, regulation,
mode of delivery and safety. The current review attempts to dive deeper to
discuss the patents available in the area while supporting the information contained
therein with the non-patent literature.
Monoclonal Antibodies, Bispecific Antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Oncohematology
Authors: Mihăilă Romeo G.
Published: September 2020

Background:

The therapeutic outcomes and the prognosis of patients with various hematologic
malignancies are not always ideal with the current standard of care.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to analyze the results of the use of monoclonal antibodies, bispecific
antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates for the therapy of malignant hemopathies.

Methods:

A mini-review was achieved using the articles published in Web of Science and PubMed
between January 2017 and January 2020 and the new patents were made in this field.

Results:

Naked monoclonal antibodies have improved the therapeutic results obtained with standard
of care, but they also have side effects and the use of some of them can lead to the loss of the
target antigen through trogocytosis, which explains the resistance that occurs during therapy. The
results obtained with naked monoclonal antibodies have been improved by a better monoclonal
antibody preparation, the use of bispecific antibodies (against two antigens on the target cell surface
or by binding both surface antigen on target cells and T-cell receptor complex, followed by cytotoxic
T-lymphocytes activation and subsequent cytolysis of the target cell), the use of monoclonal
or bispecific constructs in frontline regimens, combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy, including
through the use of antibody-drug conjugates (which provides a targeted release of a chemotherapeutic
agent).

Conclusion:

Immunotherapy and immuno-chemotherapy have improved the outcome of the patients
with malignant hemopathies through a targeted, personalized therapy, with reduced systemic
toxicity, which in some cases can even induce deep complete remissions, including minimal residual
disease negativity.
Helicobacter Pylori Interacts with Serum Vitamin D to Influence Hypertension
Authors: Salem-Sokhn Elie , Salami Ali , Fawaz Mirna , Eid Ali H. , El Shamieh Said
Published: September 2020

Background and objective:

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease where numerous
constitutive, genetic, and environmental factors interplay. Among the constitutive factors, age is a
major determent continuously reported to be associated with a significant increase in the prevalence
of hypertension. In addition to age, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was also shown
to be associated. On the other hand, Vitamin D (Vit D) plays an important role in the development
of hypertension. In the current study, it was investigated whether H. pylori interacts with Vit D levels
to influence hypertension.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on seven hundred and eighty-two “a priori”
healthy individuals equally divided according to hypertension status. To study the association between
Vit D, H. pylori, and hypertension, a multivariate logistic regression model was used while
correcting for different confounding factors. Power analysis was also performed

Results:

Approximately half of the participants were hypertensive and had Vit D insufficiency and
they were also matched for age. Using a multiple logistic regression model, the results showed an
inversely proportionate association between H. pylori infection and the risk of hypertension
(OR=0.38, P<0.001). On the other hand, a proportionate association between Vit D deficiency and
hypertension was observed (OR=2.76, P=0.004). Furthermore, Vit D and H. pylori status interacted
to affect the risk of hypertension (OR=0.97, P=0.004). Stratification, according to Vit D status,
showed that 59.1% of Vit D deficient participants were infected with H. pylori organisms
(P<0.001). When taking hypertension, Vit D, and H. pylori statuses into account, it was found that
the prevalence of hypertension was doubled when the participants were negative for H. pylori infection
but had Vit D deficiency (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

H. pylori infection and Vit D deficiency could predict hypertension. The odds of hypertension
development were double when the participants were negative for H. pylori infection
and had vitamin D deficiency.
Emergence of Third Generation Cephalosporin Resistant Escherichia coli in Infants: Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Authors: Thattil Santhosh J. , Ajith Thekkuttuparambil A.
Published: September 2020

Aim:

This study was aimed to evaluate the emergence of third generation cephalosporin
resistant Escherichia coli isolated from the culture of various biological fluids of infants in a tertiary
care hospital.

Background:

Resistance to commonly used antibiotics is consistently increasing during the last decades
and it was found varying with time and geographical location.

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of third generation cephalosporin sensitivity pattern of E.
coli isolated from urine, stool, and throat swab culture from laboratory records.

Methods:

The retrospective study included the laboratory report of antibiotic sensitivity conducted
on infants specimens during the period of 2 years. Third generation cephalosporin sensitivity patterns
of E. coli isolated from urine, stool, and throat swab culture were collected and data were statistically
analyzed.

Results:

Reports of 351 samples with positive E. coli were included in the study. More samples
were analyzed from infants above 6 months of age with female dominance (184/351). Among the
specimens tested, urine samples were highest 128/351 (35.0%). Cephalosporin resistant strain was
found in 243/351 samples (69.2%) (p=0.0463) with 218/243 (89.7%) isolated from infants above 6
months of age and 25/243 (10.2%) were from infants below 6 months of age (p=0.038). The frequency
of cephalosporin resistant E. coli in urine specimens of male and female infants was significant
(p=0.0001).

Conclusion:

Third generation cephalosporin resistant E. coli strain was found in 69.2% of isolates
and more in urine samples from female infants above 6 months of age. The clinicians should consider
the emergence of cephalosporin resistant E. coli while selecting antibiotics as empirical treatment.
Effects of Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) Leaf Extract on Crude Oil-induced Toxicity
Authors: Achuba Fidelis Ifeakachuku , Offor Charles
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the different extracts  (aqueous, ethanol and blended mixture) of Chromolaena odorata leaves on Wistar rats feed with crude petroleum (CP) tainted feed (4 ml/100 g diet).

Materials and methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats weighing 140 -180 g were used for this study. The rats were kept one in a cage. Group A which was the control was allowed diet free of crude oil and were not treated with any of the extracts. Group B were exposed to a diet contaminated with crude oil that contained 4ml of crude oil per 100 gram of animal feed without treatment. Groups C-E were fed with diets contaminated with 4ml of crude oil per 100g of feed and treated with 500mg/Kg-1 bodyweight of aqueous, ethanol and blended mixture of ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The respective extracts and blended mixture were given daily to the rats via oral gavage in line with body weights. The study was for duration of twenty eight days after which the rats were sacrificed under sedation with chloroform. This was followed with collection of blood samples and organs of interest. All samples were stored at 40C and used within forty eight hour for various biochemical analyses.

Results: There were significant decrease in haematological indices, liver proteins, oxidative enzymes,  and antioxidant enzymes when compare with  Group 1. Also, liver function maker enzymes, white blood cells (WBC), and malondialdehyde (MDA)   were significantly increased  by petroleum intoxication. Significant increase were observed in Hb, PCV, RBC, SO, MO, XO, SOD, CAT, albumin, total protein in the serum, liver and kidney; as against decreases in WBC, AST, ALT, ALP and MDA  in rats fed crude petroleum (CP) tainted feed that was treated with C.  odorata extract. 

Conclusion: This study showed that administration of C. odorata leaves extracts to rats prevented health risk associated with crude petroleum toxicity.
Abdominal Ascariasis: Where to Focus on Imaging Studies
Authors: Suhail Jan , Shah Omair , Shah Obaid , Sarfaraz Jan , Mohuiddin Irshad
Published: September 2020

Objective: To assess the various presentations of abdominal ascariasis and their imaging features for developing a comprehensive radiological evaluation protocol.

Methods: Demographic and clinical profile of 84 patients with abdominal ascariasis was noted. Patients were divided into 2 groups with age less than 20 comprising Group A and those with age greater than 20 Group B. All the patients had a routine lab workup and a dedicated USG scan to look for objective evidence of intestinal or hepatobiliary ascariasis. Any history of previous intervention (cholecystectomy or ERCP) was also sought.

Results: Abdominal ascariasis is more common in females observed in 62% of our patients. Peripheral eosinophilia was observed in 70 (83%) patients. We had 74 (88%) patients with intestinal ascariasis with 2 patients having appendicular ascariasis. Biliary ascariasis was observed in 20 (24%) patients and pancreatic ductal ascariasis in 6 (7%) patients. We found peritoneal ascariasis in 1 (2%) pediatric patient and 2 (3%) patients in our study had ascariasis associated with the liver abscess. OCH was observed in 4 patients while 2 patients presented with worm cholecystitis.

Conclusion: Peripheral eosinophilia can be used to select patients in endemic regions for undergoing a dedicated USG scan. USG is the investigation of choice for both intestinal and hepatobiliary ascariasis. Worm migration is more common in adults and is especially prevalent in individuals with previous history of ERCP or cholecystectomy.
Role of Diffusion-Weighted and Chemical Shift Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Spinal Fractures
Authors: Sheikh Waseem Ahmed , Shaheen Feroze A , Lone Nasir Ahmad , Chhiber Srabjit S , Makhdoomi Rumana Hamid
Published: September 2020

Atraumatic spinal compression fractures are common clinical problem. Differentiating benign osteoporotic fractures from pathological fractures due to malignant/metastatic lesions affects the management and prognoses in patients with known extraspinal malignancy.    The objective of the research was to assess the role of conventional magnetic resonance imaging sequences with diffusion-weighted imaging and chemical-shift imaging in differentiating benign and malignant acute spinal compression fractures.

Materials and Methods. The study included 40 patients with acute spinal compression fractures. Patients were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging and chemical-shift imaging to differentiate benign etiology from malignant one. The results obtained were compared with histopathological follow-up for 6 months for definite clinical diagnoses.

Results. No significant difference was noted in signal characteristics of benign and malignant fractures on T1, T2 and short-tau inversion recovery. However, posterior element involvement, soft tissue component and post-contrast enhancement were seen more frequently in malignant fractures (p<0.05). On diffusion-weighted images, 77.8% of malignant fractures were hyperintense and 59.1% of benign fractures were hypointense (p<0.05). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value was 0.81 ± 0.19 for malignant and 1.24 ± 0.24 for benign fractures (p<0.5). The mean signal intensity ratio for malignant fractures was 0.91 ± 0.125, whereas the signal intensity ratio for benign fractures was 0.64 ± 0.096 (p<0.001).

Conclusions. Signal characteristics on T1, T2 and short-tau inversion recovery sequences do not differentiate benign from malignant fractures; however, posterior element involvement, soft tissue and post contrast enhancement help in differentiating the etiology. Diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient values, as well as using chemical shift imaging further improve the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging.
Design and Usability Evaluation of Mobile Voice-Added Food Reporting for Elderly People: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Liu Ying-Chieh , Chen Chien-Hung , Lin Yu-Sheng , Chen Hsin-Yun , Irianti Denisa , Jen Ting-Ni , Yeh Jou-Yin , Chiu Sherry Yueh-Hsia
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Advances in voice technology have raised new possibilities for apps related to daily health maintenance. However, the usability of such technologies for older users remains unclear and requires further investigation.

OBJECTIVE

We designed and evaluated two innovative mobile voice-added apps for food intake reporting, namely voice-only reporting (VOR) and voice-button reporting (VBR). Each app features a unique interactive procedure for reporting food intake. With VOR, users verbally report the main contents of each dish, while VBR provides both voice and existing touch screen inputs for food intake reporting. The relative usability of the two apps was assessed through the metrics of accuracy, efficiency, and user perception.

METHODS

The two mobile apps were compared in a head-to-head parallel randomized trial evaluation. A group of 57 adults aged 60-90 years (12 male and 45 female participants) was recruited from a retirement community and randomized into two experimental groups, that is, VOR (n=30) and VBR (n=27) groups. Both groups were tested using the same set of 17 food items including dishes and beverages selected and allocated to present distinct breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. All participants used a 7-inch tablet computer for the test. The resulting data were analyzed to evaluate reporting accuracy and time efficiency, and the system usability scale (SUS) was used to measure user perception.

RESULTS

For eight error types identified in the experiment, the VBR group participants were significantly (P<.001) more error prone owing to the required use of button-tapping actions. The highest error rates in the VOR group were related to incomprehensible reporting speech (28/420, 6.7%), while the highest error rates in the VBR group were related to failure to make required button taps (39/378, 10.3%). The VOR group required significantly (P<.001) less time to complete food reporting. The overall subjective reactions of the two groups based on the SUS surpassed the benchmark and were not significantly different (P=.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental results showed that VOR outperformed VBR, suggesting that voice-only food input reporting is preferable for elderly users. Voice-added apps offer a potential mechanism for the self-management of dietary intake by elderly users. Our study contributes an evidence-based evaluation of prototype design and selection under a user-centered design model. The results provide a useful reference for selecting optimal user interaction design.

CLINICALTRIAL

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Registry ISRCTN17335889; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17335889.
Improving Medication Adherence Through Adaptive Digital Interventions (iMedA) in Patients With Hypertension: Protocol for an Interrupted Time Series Study (Preprint)
Authors: Etminani Kobra , Göransson Carina , Galozy Alexander , Norell Pejner Margaretha , Nowaczyk Sławomir
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

There is a strong need to improve medication adherence (MA) for individuals with hypertension in order to reduce long-term hospitalization costs. We believe this can be achieved through an artificial intelligence agent that helps the patient in understanding key individual adherence risk factors and designing an appropriate intervention plan. The incidence of hypertension in Sweden is estimated at approximately 27%. Although blood pressure control has increased in Sweden, barely half of the treated patients achieved adequate blood pressure levels. It is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke as well as heart failure. MA is a key factor for good clinical outcomes in persons with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

The overall aim of this study is to design, develop, test, and evaluate an adaptive digital intervention called iMedA, delivered via a mobile app to improve MA, self-care management, and blood pressure control for persons with hypertension.

METHODS

The study design is an interrupted time series. We will collect data on a daily basis, 14 days before, during 6 months of delivering digital interventions through the mobile app, and 14 days after. The effect will be analyzed using segmented regression analysis. The participants will be recruited in Region Halland, Sweden. The design of the digital interventions follows the just-in-time adaptive intervention framework. The primary (distal) outcome is MA, and the secondary outcome is blood pressure. The design of the digital intervention is developed based on a needs assessment process including a systematic review, focus group interviews, and a pilot study, before conducting the longitudinal interrupted time series study.

RESULTS

The focus groups of persons with hypertension have been conducted to perform the needs assessment in a Swedish context. The design and development of digital interventions are in progress, and the interventions are planned to be ready in November 2020. Then, the 2-week pilot study for usability evaluation will start, and the interrupted time series study, which we plan to start in February 2021, will follow it.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that iMedA will improve medication adherence and self-care management. This study could illustrate how self-care management tools can be an additional (digital) treatment support to a clinical one without increasing burden on health care staff.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04413500; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04413500

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/24494
Feasibility and acceptability of a guided internet-based stress management intervention for university students with high levels of stress: Protocol for an open trial (Preprint)
Authors: Amanvermez Yagmur , Karyotaki Eirini , de Wit Leonore M. , Cuijpers Pim , Spinhoven Philip , Salemink Elske , Struijs Sascha
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

More than half of university students have high levels of stress. Stress management programs can help students improve coping skills and prevent psychological distress. However, studies have generally targeted all university students regardless of whether they experience high levels of stress or not, and thus more studies are needed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of e-health interventions for students with elevated stress.

OBJECTIVE

The present open trial aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a guided internet-based stress management program for university students with high levels of stress.

METHODS

In this study, participants are recruited via e-mail, newsletters, and flyers from four universities in the Netherlands to participate in a guided internet-based stress management program. Guidance is delivered by e-coaches who provide weekly asynchronous text-based motivational feedback after each module is completed. Primary outcomes are satisfaction with the intervention, assessed by the Client Satisfaction Scale (CSQ-8), and usability, assessed by the System Usability Scale (SUS-10). Secondary outcomes are perceived stress, quality of life, and depression, assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the EuroQol- 5 Dimension- 5 Level Scale (EQ- 5D- 5L), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) respectively. Adherence rates to the program are assessed by examining the number of completed modules, time spent on the platform, and completed exercises.

RESULTS

The Caring Universities Project was funded in (September 2019). In June 2020, the project was officially announced to the students and recruitment began immediately. As of September 2020, recruitment continues. The expected date of the publication of the results is in 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

It is expected that the results of the proposed study will be informative for designing and implementing e-health interventions in higher education. Moreover, it is assumed that the findings will contribute to the growing literature on internet interventions by yielding preliminary evidence related to the feasibility and acceptability of an online stress management program.

CLINICALTRIAL

Netherlands Trial Register NL8686; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8686
Satisfaction, Usability, and Compliance With the Use of Smartwatches for Ecological Momentary Assessment of Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms in Older Adults: Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rouzaud Laborde Charlotte , Cenko Erta , Mardini Mamoun T , Nerella Subhash , Kheirkhahan Matin , Ranka Sanjay , Fillingim Roger B , Corbett Duane B , Weber Eric , Rashidi Parisa , Manini Todd
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Smartwatches enable physicians to monitor symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis, their behavior, and their environment. Older adults experience fluctuations in their pain and related symptoms (mood, fatigue, and sleep quality) that smartwatches are ideally suited to capture remotely in a convenient manner.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate satisfaction, usability, and compliance using the real-time, online assessment and mobility monitoring (ROAMM) mobile app designed for smartwatches for individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Participants (N=28; mean age 73.2, SD 5.5 years; 70% female) with reported knee osteoarthritis were asked to wear a smartwatch with the ROAMM app installed. They were prompted to report their prior night’s sleep quality in the morning, followed by ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of their pain, fatigue, mood, and activity in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Satisfaction, comfort, and usability were evaluated using a standardized questionnaire. Compliance with regard to answering EMAs was calculated after excluding time when the watch was not being worn for technical reasons (eg, while charging).

RESULTS

A majority of participants reported that the text displayed was large enough to read (22/26, 85%), and all participants found it easy to enter ratings using the smartwatch. Approximately half of the participants found the smartwatch to be comfortable (14/26, 54%) and would consider wearing it as their personal watch (11/24, 46%). Most participants were satisfied with its battery charging system (20/26, 77%). A majority of participants (19/26, 73%) expressed their willingness to use the ROAMM app for a 1-year research study. The overall EMA compliance rate was 83% (2505/3036 responses). The compliance rate was lower among those not regularly wearing a wristwatch (10/26, 88% vs 16/26, 71%) and among those who found the text too small to read (4/26, 86% vs 22/26, 60%).

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults with knee osteoarthritis positively rated the ROAMM smartwatch app and were generally satisfied with the device. The high compliance rates coupled with the willingness to participate in a long-term study suggest that the ROAMM app is a viable approach to remotely collecting health symptoms and behaviors for both research and clinical endeavors.
Predicting Norovirus in the United States Using Google Trends: Infodemiology Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yuan Kai , Huang Guangrui , Wang Lepeng , Wang Ting , Liu Wenbin , Jiang Haixu , Yang Albert C
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Norovirus is a contagious disease. The transmission of norovirus spreads quickly and easily in various ways. Because effective methods to prevent or treat norovirus have not been discovered, it is important to rapidly recognize and report norovirus outbreaks in the early phase. Internet search has been a useful method for people to access information immediately. With the precise record of internet search trends, internet search has been a useful tool to manifest infectious disease outbreaks.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we tried to discover the correlation between internet search terms and norovirus infection.

METHODS

The internet search trend data of norovirus were obtained from Google Trends. We used cross-correlation analysis to discover the temporal correlation between norovirus and other terms. We also used multiple linear regression with the stepwise method to recognize the most important predictors of internet search trends and norovirus. In addition, we evaluated the temporal correlation between actual norovirus cases and internet search terms in New York, California, and the United States as a whole.

RESULTS

Some Google search terms such as gastroenteritis, watery diarrhea, and stomach bug coincided with norovirus Google Trends. Some Google search terms such as contagious, travel, and party presented earlier than norovirus Google Trends. Some Google search terms such as dehydration, bar, and coronavirus presented several months later than norovirus Google Trends. We found that fever, gastroenteritis, poison, cruise, wedding, and watery diarrhea were important factors correlated with norovirus Google Trends. In actual norovirus cases from New York, California, and the United States as a whole, some Google search terms presented with, earlier, or later than actual norovirus cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides novel strategy-based internet search evidence regarding the epidemiology of norovirus.
An Intervention for the Transition From Pediatric or Adolescent to Adult-Oriented HIV Care: Protocol for the Development and Pilot Implementation of iTransition (Preprint)
Authors: Tanner Amanda E , Dowshen Nadia , Philbin Morgan M , Rulison Kelly L , Camacho-Gonzalez Andres , Lee Susan , Moore Shamia J , Fortenberry J Dennis , Hussen Sophia A
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

In the United States, adolescents and young adults are disproportionately affected by HIV and have poorer HIV-related health outcomes than adults. Health care transition (HCT) from pediatric or adolescent to adult-oriented HIV care is associated with disruptions to youths’ care retention, medication adherence, and viral suppression. However, no evidence-based interventions exist to improve HCT outcomes for youth living with HIV.

OBJECTIVE

There are 2 phases of this project. Phase 1 involves the iterative development and usability testing of a Social Cognitive Theory–based mobile health (mHealth) HIV HCT intervention (iTransition). In phase 2, we will conduct a pilot implementation trial to assess iTransition’s feasibility and acceptability and to establish preliminary efficacy among youth and provider participants.

METHODS

The iterative phase 1 development process will involve in-person and virtual meetings and a design team comprising youth living with HIV and health care providers. The design team will both inform the content and provide feedback on the look, feel, and process of the iTransition intervention. In phase 2, we will recruit 100 transition-eligible youth across two clinical sites in Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to participate in the historical control group (n=50; data collection only) or the intervention group (n=50) in a pilot implementation trial. We will also recruit 28 provider participants across the pediatric or adolescent and adult clinics at the two sites. Data collection will include electronic medical chart abstraction for clinical outcomes as well as surveys and interviews related to demographic and behavioral characteristics; Social Cognitive Theory constructs; and intervention feasibility, acceptability, and use. Analyses will compare historical control and intervention groups in terms of HCT outcomes, including adult care linkage (primary), care retention, and viral suppression (secondary). Interview data will be analyzed using content analysis to understand the experience with use and acceptability.

RESULTS

Phase 1 (development) of iTransition research activities began in November 2019 and is ongoing. The data collection for the phase 2 pilot implementation trial is expected to be completed in January 2023. Final results are anticipated in summer 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

The development and pilot implementation trial of the iTransition intervention will fill an important gap in understanding the role of mHealth interventions to support HCT outcomes for youth living with HIV.

CLINICALTRIAL

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/24565
Comparing News Articles and Tweets About COVID-19 in Brazil: Sentiment Analysis and Topic Modeling Approach (Preprint)
Authors: de Melo Tiago , Figueiredo Carlos M S
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic is severely affecting people worldwide. Currently, an important approach to understand this phenomenon and its impact on the lives of people consists of monitoring social networks and news on the internet.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to present a methodology to capture the main subjects and themes under discussion in news media and social media and to apply this methodology to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

METHODS

This work proposes a methodology based on topic modeling, namely entity recognition, and sentiment analysis of texts to compare Twitter posts and news, followed by visualization of the evolution and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We focused our analysis on Brazil, an important epicenter of the pandemic; therefore, we faced the challenge of addressing Brazilian Portuguese texts.

RESULTS

In this work, we collected and analyzed 18,413 articles from news media and 1,597,934 tweets posted by 1,299,084 users in Brazil. The results show that the proposed methodology improved the topic sentiment analysis over time, enabling better monitoring of internet media. Additionally, with this tool, we extracted some interesting insights about the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. For instance, we found that Twitter presented similar topic coverage to news media; the main entities were similar, but they differed in theme distribution and entity diversity. Moreover, some aspects represented negative sentiment toward political themes in both media, and a high incidence of mentions of a specific drug denoted high political polarization during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified the main themes under discussion in both news and social media and how their sentiments evolved over time. It is possible to understand the major concerns of the public during the pandemic, and all the obtained information is thus useful for decision-making by authorities.
Reduction of COVID-19 Incidence and Nonpharmacologic Interventions: Analysis Using a US County–Level Policy Data Set (Preprint)
Authors: Ebrahim Senan , Ashworth Henry , Noah Cray , Kadambi Adesh , Toumi Asmae , Chhatwal Jagpreet
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, nonpharmacologic interventions (NPIs) have been the main tool used to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes social distancing measures (closing businesses, closing schools, and quarantining symptomatic persons) and contact
tracing (tracking and following exposed individuals). While preliminary research across the globe has shown these policies to be effective, there is currently a lack of information on the effectiveness of NPIs in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to create a granular NPI data set at the county level and then analyze the relationship between NPI policies and changes in reported COVID-19 cases.

METHODS

Using a standardized crowdsourcing methodology, we collected time-series data on 7 key NPIs for 1320 US counties.

RESULTS

This open-source data set is the largest and most comprehensive collection of county NPI policy data and meets the need for higher-resolution COVID-19 policy data. Our analysis revealed a wide variation in county-level policies both within and among states (P<.001). We identified a correlation between workplace closures and lower growth rates of COVID-19 cases (P=.004). We found weak correlations between shelter-in-place enforcement and measures of Democratic local voter proportion (R=0.21) and elected leadership (R=0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first large-scale NPI analysis at the county level demonstrating a correlation between NPIs and decreased rates of COVID-19. Future work using this data set will explore the relationship between county-level policies and COVID-19 transmission to optimize real-time policy formulation.
Berebut Kendali atas Tanah Baluwarti: Kontestasi Pemerintah Kota Surakarta dan Kasunanan Surakarta atas Tanah Kasultanan dalam Perspektif Game Theory
Authors: Anggarawati Farida Ari
Published: September 2020

Penelitian tentang konflik tanah keraton menggunakan pendekatan administratif, sosial, dan ekonomi. Konflik yang terjadi seakan memosisikan pemerintah memilliki kedudukan yang lebih tinggi daripada keraton. Berbagai kasus menunjukkan kebijakan resmi cenderung sangat jauh berbeda dari realitas sebenarnya, keraton masih menguasai tanah adatnya. Seharusnya, konflik tanah keraton dapat dilihat dari perspektif negara (institusi). Melihat, keraton secara historiografi adalah kerajaan yang berdaulat dengan kebudayaannya yang khas. Artikel ini membahas penguasaan tanah Baluwarti sebagai kontestasi antara negara lama dan negara baru dengan menggunakan game theory antara keraton Kasunanan dan pemerintah kota Surakarta. Relasi kedua negara dijelaskan sebagai aktor rasional yang bertindak sesuai strategi yang telah direncanakan secara maksimal untuk menguasai tanah Baluwarti. Metode penelitian berupa studi lapangan, wawancara interaktif, dari studi kepustakaan, berita media online, dan penelitian terdahulu. Ditemukan ada ketidakjelasan status tanah Baluwarti merupakan strategi yang dipakai kedua aktor untuk mengendalikan tanah Baluwarti. Pemerintah memilih berkonflik dengan keraton Kasunanan di luar tanah Baluwarti dan membuat citra keraton Kasunanan semakin menurun untuk mendapatkan legitimasi dari masyarakat Baluwarti. Sementara itu, Keraton Kasunanan bertahan dengan strateginya untuk tetap menguasai tanah Baluwarti dengan glorifikasi peraturan adatnya dan narasi-narasi jasa keraton Kasunanan kepada Indonesia.
Justification of Technological Schemes and Parameters of Robotic Milking Parlors
Authors: Ruzin S. S. , Vladimirov F. E. , Yurochka S. S. , Dovgerd G. A.
Published: September 2020

The creation of compact robotic milking manipulators involves their use not only in single-box robotic milking stations (monobox), but also in milking parlors such as “Parallel” or “Carousel” with a capacity of up to simultaneously milking 120 heads.

(Research purpose) To substantiate milking parlors technological schemes and options for their use on livestock farms of various capacities.

(Materials and methods) The authors studied the organizing experience of machine and robot milking system for cattle in the Russian Federation and foreign countries, leading in milk production. They analyzed the assortment of machines for dairy farming. Based on the results of simulation in the Any Logic software, they proposed the concepts of robotic milking systems. They compared the throughput when performing milking service operations with robotic types of milking machines and standard systems operated by the manipulator.

(Results and discussion) The authors performed calculations and gave a comparative assessment of the duration of the service cycles for animals in automated and robotic milking parlors of various configurations: “Fan”, “Herring-bone”, “Parallel”. To reduce the capital intensity of robotic facilities, to increase the level of production process execution accuracy, to reduce the time required to service animals, a robotic animal sanitation system was proposed at the entrance to the milking parlor. The authors proved that the introduction of the proposed configuration of robotic milking parlors would reduce the capital intensity of equipment in comparison with single-box models of robotic milking stations. They noted the advantages of such systems: the general infrastructure of the component base (milk pipelines, milk receivers, automatic rinsing, etc.) and was not separated by different streams.

(Conclusions) The authors revealed the optimal ratio of the number of milking posts and medical stations – 13:1. It was proved that it provided maximum labor productivity for a robotic milking parlor. According to the results of theoretical calculations, it was determined that the proposed robotics schemes for milking parlors exceed the productivity of existing single-box robotic milking stations.
Trends in the Development of Biotechnical Systems in Animal Husbandry
Authors: Kirsanov V. V. , Tsoy Yu. A.
Published: September 2020

The concept of biotechnical systems belongs to the class of human-machine systems or human–machine–plant systems, human–machine–animal systems. The latter relate to agriculture and the livestock industry. In agricultural production, biotechnical systems have the properties of bimodality, when there are two or more biological objects, a person as a managing operator and a service object (plants, animals).

(Research purpose) The research purpose is in analyzing trends in the development of biomachine and technical systems in order to further intellectualize and digitalize agricultural production.

(Materials and methods) There are two approaches in the study of human-machine systems: anthropocentric and machine-centric; the first one assigns a crucial role to the person, the second one – to the machine.

(Results and discussion) The article presents the functionality of the Human and Machine subsystems. Part of the functions of the Human operator will gradually be transferred to the Machine, and the Human operator will be transformed into a human Expert and a human User. The article presents a scheme for an intelligent biotechnical system in animal husbandry, and determines the coefficients of adaptation of local automated and robotic biotechnical systems to biological objects. Authors have created a scheme for the functioning of local biotechnical systems in a partially autonomous multi-agent control mode, and identifies criteria for evaluating the functioning of local biotechnical systems.

(Conclusions) We need to strengthen the Machine factor on the basis of developing machine-centric models and convert complex three-tier system of biotech in animal husbandry in two-tier with the polarization of the human Expert, human User and Machine–Animal subsystems. The latter absorbs more and more intelligent functions that are passed by a Man, for which it retained control, coordination and management of the entire system.
The Main Problems of Scientific Support of Flax Growing
Authors: Rostovtsev R. A. , Chernikov V. G. , Ushchapovsky I. V. , Popov R. A.
Published: September 2020

Strategic plans for the economic development of the Russian Federation involve an increase in demand for natural fiber products, including linen, which will require an increase in the production of domestic linen in the near future. The authors examined the most important problems of scientific support for production increasing and the quality of flax products improving in the Russian Federation.

(Research purpose)To assess the flax growing state and identify the problems of scientific support for improving the flax production quality.

(Materials and methods)The authors studied the organizational aspects of fl ax cultivation and processing, new ways of harvesting crops, issues of technological processes mechanization and the state of farms’ technical equipment.

(Results and discussion)The authors showed that the share of flax use in industrialized countries reached 24 percent in the textiles, paper, and composite materials production. They found out that the mechanization level at the flax mills did not exceed 40 percent. They presented a comparative analysis of the intensification level of Western European and domestic flax growing. They confirmed that separate cleaning technology could be applied on average at 25-30 percent of the harvested area, depending on weather conditions. It was determined that approximately 90 percent of treated plant fibres were received using a dewy lobe in Russia and abroad. The authors developed a new method of cleaning flax and a multifunctional unit for its implementation. During the experiments, they established a 50 percent increase in the productivity of new technical equipment, a 60 percent reduction in the heap content, and a 3-fold reduction in seed losses compared to harvesting with the LK-4A flax harvester. They showed the advantages of the method of the tape wrapping on linen, which created equal conditions for aging for the upper and lower layers, which was especially effective when the straw yield was more than 3.5 tons per hectare. Wrapping helped to increase the uniformity of straw in color in the upper and lower layers of the tape and increased the quality and quantity of flax seeds.

(Conclusions)It was established that in order to increase the flax growing efficiency, a comprehensive modernization was necessary, which involved the solution of organizational, agronomic, technological and engineering issues.
“He didn’t want to admit the peculiar nature
of two centuries’ boundary period”:
Leonid Dolgopolov’s unpublished notes on Ivan Bunin
Authors: Molodiakov Vassili Molodiakov
Published: September 2020

Russian Modernism scholar Leonid Konstantinovich Dolgolopov
(1928– 1995) authored only a couple of research articles concerning Ivan Bunin, but
these papers were important in the process of Bunin’s interpretation in the 1970s.
Dolgopolov’s unpublished notes on Bunin from his archive, preserved by the author
and donated to the Pushkin House in 2019, add a lot to his known works. Applying
Tynianov’s formula “archaists and innovators”, Dolgopolov described Bunin as
a “man of the nineteenth century” totally alien to the twentieth century’s literature,
not only modernist one. Bunin’s rejection of contemporary literature and its subjects
related to his attitude to Russian revolution, which he did not expect and which he
perceived as a spontaneous revolt, not as a global social shift. Also, polemicizing with
O. Mikhailov’s interpretation, Dolgopolov defined “Cornet Yelagin’s Case” (1925) as
an experimental novel mainly influenced by Dostoevsky, a novelist profoundly alien to
Bunin. According to Dolgopolov, it is because of Dostoevsky’s influence that artistic
discoveries, made in this novel, were not further developed in the writer's work.
“Now on Zoshchenko”:
Adamovich, Teffi and “the anxiety of influence”
Authors: Ustinov Andrei
Published: September 2020

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Mikhail Zoshchenko was one of the
most popular Soviet writers. His literary works were published and actively discussed
in the USSR, and by the Russian Diaspora abroad. Zoshchenko’s name started to
appear in the writings of an émigré critic Georgy Adamovich at the very beginning
of his literary career. This article reconstructs the evolution of Adamovich’s opinions
about Zoshchenko’s literary talent. In particular, the author analyzes a forgotten review
of Zoshchenko’s novel “M.P. Siniagin (Memoirs of Michel Siniagin)”, that appeared
in the Paris newspaper “Poslednie Novosti” on March 12, 1931, and has been never
reprinted since. The Adamovich’s review prompted Teffi (Nadezhda Lokhvitskaia-Buchinskaia) to send him a private letter — published here for the first time — in which she formulated her understanding of Zoshchenko’s artistic manner (“He isn’t a
writer. He is a humorist”), perhaps dictated by “jealousy” towards another satirist and
“the anxiety of influence” in her own literary work.
Yuly Aykhenvald and Petr Bitsilli:
Reconstruction of the philosophical and aesthetic dialogue
Authors: Takho-Godi Elena
Published: September 2020

The article compares for the first time the philosophical and aesthetic
views on Russian literature and language of two prominent representatives of Russian
abroad — the critic Yu.I. Aykhenvald (1872–1928) and the medievalist, interpreter
of Russian classics P.M. Bitsilli (1879–1953). A full overview of factual materials
identified to date is given, confirming the mutual interest of Yu.I. Aykhenvald and
P.M. Bitsilli: documents from P.M. Bitsilli collection at the Institute of Russian literature (Pushkin House) of the RAS, Yu.I.Aykhenvald’s review from the Berlin newspaper
“Rul'”on P.M. Bitsilli’s “Studies on Russian Poetry”, obituary of Yu.I. Aykhenvald,
which was published by P.M. Bitsilli in the Sofia newspaper “Golos”. Among the issues raised are the impact which Aykhenvald’s immanent method of analyzing a literary text had on P.M. Bitsilli’s aesthetically individualizing method, the approaches of
both authors to solving the morphology of Russian culture and philosophy of the nation, the connection of the Pushkin theme with thoughts about the fate of post-revolutionary Russia and Russian language in their works, which they articulated during
the discussion of S. and A. Volkonsky’s book “In defense of the Russian language”.